Two important happenings at Schnuck's this evening:
1) Mayor Wharton eats chicken
2) 8 eggs for 99 cents is now 6 eggs for 99 cents!!!!! With the number of eggs we go through, I am quite distraught!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
How google maps has changed my life...
...and how it can change yours, too!
My wonderful husband downloaded an application onto my blackberry last week: google maps. Prior to this, when I needed to get directions somewhere, I would just use my web browser to get to mapquest and go from there. Apparently 'apps' are better than a mere web browser, so Jonathan helped me out. So how has this changed my life? Well, google maps has a transit option, so I can look up how to get places using the bus system. The MATA website should have this, but it does not, so 'thank you' google masterminds! This means that I can navigate nearly anywhere in Memphis with bus and walking directions on my Blackberry. I am already learning the pros and cons of this independence. Pro: I can now go places I thought I could not go. Con: I really sometimes can't go places I now think I can go. This is because MATA does not always run on time. So, if I think I have 20 minutes to walk to the bus, I will go ahead and start the trek, only to discover that the bus came 2 minutes early. I have learned that I need to add a 10 minute buffer onto either side of the google maps schedule.
So how can this change your life? Well, some of my friends do not think that public transportation could support them. With this google maps app, you can find out if it is possible to walk and take the bus to church, the store, school, work, etc. You may be able to switch out a trip or two to public transportation, which will help the environment and open up your mind to the experience of Memphians who rely on MATA everyday.
Wouldn't it be a fun adventure to try to make it to and from Target one Saturday afternoon using the bus system? Let me know how it goes!
My wonderful husband downloaded an application onto my blackberry last week: google maps. Prior to this, when I needed to get directions somewhere, I would just use my web browser to get to mapquest and go from there. Apparently 'apps' are better than a mere web browser, so Jonathan helped me out. So how has this changed my life? Well, google maps has a transit option, so I can look up how to get places using the bus system. The MATA website should have this, but it does not, so 'thank you' google masterminds! This means that I can navigate nearly anywhere in Memphis with bus and walking directions on my Blackberry. I am already learning the pros and cons of this independence. Pro: I can now go places I thought I could not go. Con: I really sometimes can't go places I now think I can go. This is because MATA does not always run on time. So, if I think I have 20 minutes to walk to the bus, I will go ahead and start the trek, only to discover that the bus came 2 minutes early. I have learned that I need to add a 10 minute buffer onto either side of the google maps schedule.
So how can this change your life? Well, some of my friends do not think that public transportation could support them. With this google maps app, you can find out if it is possible to walk and take the bus to church, the store, school, work, etc. You may be able to switch out a trip or two to public transportation, which will help the environment and open up your mind to the experience of Memphians who rely on MATA everyday.
Wouldn't it be a fun adventure to try to make it to and from Target one Saturday afternoon using the bus system? Let me know how it goes!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Yes We Can!
Yay! Good news out of Washington : ) I am so excited that the first bill President Obama has signed into law helps women (and really everyone) as they fight pay discrimination! Hopefully soon the statistic that women still make $0.78 on the dollar compared with men for the same jobs will be history. Equal pay for equal work!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Comprehensive Exam Accountability!!!
Alright friends, my comprehensive exam is Friday, March 6th. I will be tested on pretty much everything I have learned in my graduate program over the past four years. I need to start studying!!! Eeek! Okay, so it's an essay exam, and I'm pretty good at sounding like I know what I'm talking about. But I still need to study and get some names and theories and interventions straight in my mind. If you see me, please ask me how studying is going. If I don't answer, I give you permission to give me a mean look and tell me I need to get those books open!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
MRTC XC Series #2
This afternoon was the 5k of the cross country series, and Becky, Erin and I headed out to the Stanky Creek Trails in Bartlett to participate with all the other crazies! It was very cold, and I wore lots of layers, none particularly matching! This was my first race wearing my 'Run Midtown' shirt, but I had a fleece vest over it, so no one could see my Midtown pride.
The race was pretty hard, but also fun! Running on trails is a pretty hefty mental exercise for me, since you have to watch the ground to place each foot 'just so' as not to fall or twist a knee or ankle. I fell once, quite early into the course, but it was very minor and I came away without any scrapes or sprains. And really, shouldn't everyone finish a trail race with some mud on their pants? The course had short but frequent dips into creek banks, and they always seemed to come in pairs! We passed and were passed, saw a few injuries and one crying child. I didn't beat the folks I wanted to, but I did finish pretty strong. Becky and I led a pack through most of the trail, and then every single one of them passed us in the last quarter mile. I had an inkling of what it felt like to be a team mate of Lance Armstrong, or the poor Ethiopian who finished fourth in the Olympic marathon.
I have a bit more conditioning to build up in the next two weeks before the 8k+, but I'm looking forward to it! I also finally bought trail shoes this evening. Bright red! I think I shall call them my ruby trail slippers : )
The race was pretty hard, but also fun! Running on trails is a pretty hefty mental exercise for me, since you have to watch the ground to place each foot 'just so' as not to fall or twist a knee or ankle. I fell once, quite early into the course, but it was very minor and I came away without any scrapes or sprains. And really, shouldn't everyone finish a trail race with some mud on their pants? The course had short but frequent dips into creek banks, and they always seemed to come in pairs! We passed and were passed, saw a few injuries and one crying child. I didn't beat the folks I wanted to, but I did finish pretty strong. Becky and I led a pack through most of the trail, and then every single one of them passed us in the last quarter mile. I had an inkling of what it felt like to be a team mate of Lance Armstrong, or the poor Ethiopian who finished fourth in the Olympic marathon.
I have a bit more conditioning to build up in the next two weeks before the 8k+, but I'm looking forward to it! I also finally bought trail shoes this evening. Bright red! I think I shall call them my ruby trail slippers : )
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Gran Turino
When people ask me what types of movies Jonathan and I go to see, I usually answer, "Either absurdly silly movies (e.g. Hot Fuzz) or movies that make us think (e.g. Gran Turino).". I had not heard much about Gran Turino before we saw it last night, just that it involved a grump old man befriending a youth at risk of gang life. Being a social worker, that was enough to make me want to plunk down $9 a piece to see it.
I really don't want to say any more about the movie's plot. Those of you who choose to see it will get to watch it unfold. I do have a short quiz for you to decide if you would like to see it:
1. Can you make it through 2 hours of the 'f' word and excessive racial slurs?
2. Have you ever gotten to know a child or family affected by gangs?
3. Do you believe in redemption?
I think that if you answered yes to those, you should see this movie. This is only the second Clint Eastwood directed film I have seen (Letters from Iwo Jima being the first), and I think he is a great film maker. He especially captures the internal struggle his characters experience.
And please respect the R rating. This is not an appropriate movie for kids under 17, and I think any teen who sees this movie needs to be pretty mature.
That said, I highly recommend the movie to those who seek thinker-friendly films.
I really don't want to say any more about the movie's plot. Those of you who choose to see it will get to watch it unfold. I do have a short quiz for you to decide if you would like to see it:
1. Can you make it through 2 hours of the 'f' word and excessive racial slurs?
2. Have you ever gotten to know a child or family affected by gangs?
3. Do you believe in redemption?
I think that if you answered yes to those, you should see this movie. This is only the second Clint Eastwood directed film I have seen (Letters from Iwo Jima being the first), and I think he is a great film maker. He especially captures the internal struggle his characters experience.
And please respect the R rating. This is not an appropriate movie for kids under 17, and I think any teen who sees this movie needs to be pretty mature.
That said, I highly recommend the movie to those who seek thinker-friendly films.
Monday, January 12, 2009
MRTC Cross Country Series 3k
Yesterday I ran my first cross country race ever. In high school, my freshman basketball coach had recommended that I join the cross country team to improve my conditioning. When I found out they got up at 5am and just ran around our little town until school started, I opted not to join.
So, at 27 I am voluntarily almost doing the same thing : ). Not quite the 5am part, but close to it. Yesterday"s race was at 2pm, and it was sunny and beautiful. I gathered with the rest of the crazy looking MRTC folks in Overton Park and headed out for a 1.86 mile race through the trails. We started off in the back with the over 50 and under 10 crowd, because Becky and I have very low runner self-esteem. We always assume we will be among the slowest runners, not without reason I might add. But yesterday, this pick of starting position hurt us. As we entered the trail, there was an immediate stop. I had anticipated a bit of a log jam as we entered the trail, but this stop was due to the folks in front of us daintily walking through the mud. In my head I yelled, "For Pete's sake, people! It's a trail! Run through the mud!". We attempted to make up for lost time by passing as many people as we could along the trail, including a woman who thought it necessary to gasp each time she put her foot down! Once we got out of the trail section and there was room to break out, we attempted to speed up a little. For the first time ever, we passed several people in the last half mile of the course. I have learned to run as fast as I can once I can see the finishing cones.
After months of half marathon training where slow and steady is the rule, it was lots of fun to run fast! Granted my fast is probably your slow : ) Finish time was 21:15, which actually a slower pace than I ran my last 5k. However, I did not have to dodge mud pits and tree roots in my last 5k!
If you are in Memphis, come join the fun! The next race is a 5k in two weeks. You can check out info at the Memphis Runners link on the side bar.
So, at 27 I am voluntarily almost doing the same thing : ). Not quite the 5am part, but close to it. Yesterday"s race was at 2pm, and it was sunny and beautiful. I gathered with the rest of the crazy looking MRTC folks in Overton Park and headed out for a 1.86 mile race through the trails. We started off in the back with the over 50 and under 10 crowd, because Becky and I have very low runner self-esteem. We always assume we will be among the slowest runners, not without reason I might add. But yesterday, this pick of starting position hurt us. As we entered the trail, there was an immediate stop. I had anticipated a bit of a log jam as we entered the trail, but this stop was due to the folks in front of us daintily walking through the mud. In my head I yelled, "For Pete's sake, people! It's a trail! Run through the mud!". We attempted to make up for lost time by passing as many people as we could along the trail, including a woman who thought it necessary to gasp each time she put her foot down! Once we got out of the trail section and there was room to break out, we attempted to speed up a little. For the first time ever, we passed several people in the last half mile of the course. I have learned to run as fast as I can once I can see the finishing cones.
After months of half marathon training where slow and steady is the rule, it was lots of fun to run fast! Granted my fast is probably your slow : ) Finish time was 21:15, which actually a slower pace than I ran my last 5k. However, I did not have to dodge mud pits and tree roots in my last 5k!
If you are in Memphis, come join the fun! The next race is a 5k in two weeks. You can check out info at the Memphis Runners link on the side bar.
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