Yesterday was Bike New York (the Five Boro Bike tour). I’ve done this ride several times with different groups of people, but I almost always ride with Beth. This year, Lisa decided to join us. Considering she only recently started cycling, she not only did great but she rocked it. Absolutely kick ass, and didn’t complain one bit (whereas I never stop bitching). You’d think that Lisa, being less experienced than the rest of us, would be the most likely to end up sprawled on the asphalt with her own bike on top of her. You’d be wrong. Read the rest of this entry »

Woke up this morning with an itchy red rash on my face. This happened to me last week, too, and I’m starting to think that my beloved Burt’s Bees is to blame. Noooooooooooooo! I’m also getting a haircut in about an hour and a half and I don’t know what I want.

This New York Mag article about how shoes have ruined our natural gait is really interesting. They mention the MBT shoes in the article - the ones I wear for walking - and I agree with both the pros and cons. [via]

My right bicep keeps uncontrollably twitching and itisdrivingmeinsane.

Just returned from a ten-mile bike ride. Forgot to use my inhaler beforehand. Suffering now.

I’m getting another one of those things behind my ear. The older I get, the more my body surprises me with gross things. What would Jamie Lee Curtis do? WWJLCD?

cartoon by natalie dee

I quit smoking one year ago today. A whole year!

I have one of those horrible pimples right on my face, the kind that is more cyst than zit. It hurts, it’s red, it’s a big lump and I don’t know how to make it go away. I can cover it up but it doesn’t hide the fact that THERE IS A GROWTH ON MY FACE. I’m afraid it’s never going to leave. I don’t want to leave the house. Help.

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy blogs about his migraines. I read it and had to take a moment to feel grateful that my migraines never reached the frequency and intensity his have. But it is an accurate insight into the world of migraines and how closely they can be related to panic disorder. [via]

I don’t know if it was the meds finally kicking in, all the alcohol I imbibed on Friday night, or the EFT I did on Friday afternoon, but my breathing for the past two days has been great.

I went to the doctor the other day, and she diagnosed me with allergy-induced asthma. Can you believe that shit? I’m coming up on one full year smoke-free and it ends up being allergies that attack my lungs. Ain’t that a kick in the crotch? She’s put me on this stuff, along with an inhaler I’m supposed to use before working out. Understand that this is very mild; it’s just enough to be annoying. Anyone have a similar experience? Any thoughts/advice?

I’m getting sick. I can feel it. I’m slightly congested, have a headache, and my eyes are hot and leaking tears. Allergies? Flu? Whatever it is, I am not pleased. But I’m still going to get my haircut in 30 minutes. Sick or not, a girl’s gotta look her best, am I right?

Ugh.

Yesterday in Jersey it was more than 60 degrees. I met Shannon, Mary and the kids for lunch and didn’t even need a coat! Tonight, it’s going to go down to 19 and there will be snow flurries later this week. I woke up with a blinding headache. I am too old for this crap. Now I understand why retirees move to places that have no weather.

Yesterday, I did yoga for the first time in a while, and I did a little bit of this during the deep breathing/opening portion. Can I just tell you that today it feels like a horse kicked me in the ribs?

Remember this conversation? Guess when it exploded? Minutes before Mika took the stage on Saturday night. I’m sure Bluebunny regretted buying that extra ticket as she sat next to me and watched me clutch a tissue to the side of my head.

Can I just tell you that for the past few days I’ve had this…this…THING behind my ear. It’s some sort of cyst, I guess, and it’s the size of a pea and it hurts SO MUCH that I can’t lie on that side of my head. I’ve had these before (I know, I’m disgusting) but never this long. It’s driving me insane. And I’m also afraid it might explode at an inopportune moment. Who knew that getting old would bring this much fun and excitement?

I’m feeling much better today; I slept well (thanks, percocet!) and slept in late. My back is still stiff but I’ve regained a lot of mobility. Having meds on hand from last time really helped, I think, along with immediately icing my back. It gave me a head start on treatment, whereas last time I think it was almost 36 hours before I saw a doctor. So, fingers crossed, I’m over the worst of it.

The title of this post is what I felt in my lower back yesterday afternoon, as I bent over to put some stuff in a box. I recognized the feeling immediately. Luckily, I still had some anti-inflammatories left over from last time, and I think that helped a bit, although they make me very dizzy. My husband was kind enough to come home from work early and fuss over me, as well. This morning the back is very sore, very stiff, I can’t really bend over or navigate the stairs all that well. But at least I can move. Last night we had plans to go out in Lambertville to an Irish bar, and I was so looking forward to going and snapping some great photos and all. Instead, I spent the night on the couch in the fetal position. Sigh.

My Reasons To Be Thankful Today: Later on this afternoon, I’m going to meet with my friend Matt at his office and hopefully pave the way for some small freelance projects. Meeting at his office means I have to put on real clothes; i.e., pants that don’t have an elastic waistband and something other than a tattered bra and men’s v-neck tee shirt. Last time Kohl’s had a sale, I picked up a few button-down shirts for such an occasion (although I really need some of these, pronto), but I have an aversion to trying on pants and therefore don’t own many nice pairs. Read the rest of this entry »

Can you believe my back is still killing me from Christmas Eve? Because I STOOD ON TILE. Am I suddenly one hundred years old? It hurts most when I’m sitting down, which is awesome, as you all know how much I enjoy sitting down. I guess I’ll try to do some walking on the treadmill and finish my library book. Lisa and I are going to the movies later (Juno! Yah!) as well. I intend to sprinkle some crushed Aleve on my popcorn.