Not so mundane after all
Today is Marvelous Monday. The day in which I discuss something good that happened to me over the past week. And right up until Friday, I didn't have a single thing to discuss. Not that the week sucked. It was just, well, mundane.
Then all the goodness rained in. Here we go:
I ran my first ten minute mile. I have never managed this before. My pace is consistently eleven minutes per mile. But the other day, I pushed it. Darn near killed myself, but I did it.
Oh, I know there are serious runners amongst you who might be scoffing at this achievement.
"Psshhh," you are saying, "this is is my usual pace, if not faster."
Well, to all of you I have this to say:
"WOOT! I have joined your ranks. Hello tribe members!"
I am almost done my photo-journals for this past year. My goal is to complete them for Monday, November 24th. That is the day the Urbane Lion and I celebrate our One Year Together Anniversary. I want to start a tradition of curling up and reviewing our year together in words and pictures. Looks like we are going to be able to do that.
A book is forming in my head. This is exciting! I am new to this fiction stuff. A lot of you are participating in National Novel Writing Month right now. I decided to have go at it next year. Magically my characters are appearing, and a story theme is starting to unfold.
Also, I FINALLY signed up for a web host server and a friend of mine is designing my new wordpress site. A fresh new look for the Lair is coming soon.
And, last but not least, RC at Rambling Along selected me for an Uber Amazing Blog award.
I am supposed to tag six people to pass this award along to. However, I am going to give it to just one person.
I am currently participating in a New Blog Reading Round Robin. You can check out Chuck Westbrook's post for details, but the idea is that every two weeks a whole whack of bloggers commit to reading and commenting on a new blogger's posts. We then move onto the next one for two weeks.
The first blogger selected is Zoë Westhof. I have really been enjoying her posts, so I am handing the award off to her. I highly encourage you to go off and have a read.
Welcome to the Blogger Community, Zoë!
So, seems my life this past week wasn't that mundane after all! Of course, Marvelous Monday's post on the 24th is a No Brainer. One full year with the Lion. And it doesn't get much more Marvelous than that!
Two assignments today:
If you are a NaNoWriMo participant (you crazy writing fools), let me know how it is going.
For the saner amongst you, tell me something Marvelous about your past week.
Both did and didn’t have a marvelous week NaNo-wise. Got almost 9000 words written which is frickin’ awesome, but I’m now about 6000 words off the mark of “where I’m supposed to be” if I want to “win” NaNo.
Otherwise I had a marvelous day yesterday because about every five minutes throughout the day Raul told me he loved me.
Hi Urban Panther. I’m excited for you… a book is forming! Yayyy. Marvelous about my past week… the fact that it’s over!
It wasn’t a good week… except for the interview that I did with Akemi. That part was good. Lots of computer issues the past week. Must be something in the air or the way the planets are aligned or something. Geesh!
Oh yeah, yay on the book idea! We’re a writing family! Woo hoo! (We really do need to get Sibling Rob writing and make it a triumvirate.)
Another marvelous thing - I just got back from my first half-hour run (5 min walk 60 sec jog 90 sec walk repeat for 20 min 5 min walk).
I feel so much better now… (yay to endorphins!)
Hey there Urban Panther - sounds like you had an awesome week! A 10-minute mile - that’s a great achievement, keep on runnin’! I also want to say that Zoe’s blog is awesome - and second your idea that people check her out - great stuff happening over there!
I had a week of awesomeness as well. In my workouts, I got back into my resistance training again - finally! It’s good to be back on that wagon. And, it’s been a week full of great karma in the blogosphere for me - many different things just making me feel very connected to my writing and my readers - awesome stuff!!
Ten minute mile - you rock. Be proud, keep going.
Remember - a good portion of the population cannot even *walk* a mile without getting winded anymore.
So good for you - it will eventually be 9, then 8 and so on.
-Brett
(PS - don’t forget to update your spreadsheet!)
Sounds great for you. I’m back to working out, but I’m a long ways away from even attempting to get back into running.
The big thing for me was the result of our presidential election. It felt personal. After two previous elections of coming so close, it was hard to believe what the polls were saying. We paid more attention to the issues on both sides throughout the election and, for the first time ever, donated small amounts several times. The positive feelings resulting from Tuesday evening lasted the rest of the week.
I really like the concept of reflecting on marvelous aspects about your past week. For me - my mom, sister, and niece took the train to Chicago to spend the weekend with me. It was a marvelous long weekend filled with laughter, good conversation, adventure, and love.
Well, I had a wonderful weekend. On Saturday, I helped a good friend with his website, and we were really productive!
And on Sunday I spent a very nice afternoon together with a dear friend whom I hadn’t seen for weeks.
Oh, and I forgot one important thing: Last week I published my first poem in English on my blog! As English is my second language I am really proud!
@Alex - I have no interest in writing. I have a job that pays well and I love it (mostly). My life is full and I am happy.
And I am waiting for the two of you to become famous so I can have a ghostwriter do an exposé on the two of you. Virtually no work on my part, and all the perks
While I couldn’t run a mile unless I was being chased by wild animals, I can appreciate your accomplishment, way to go!
My marvelousness? I got a 96 and a 90 on this week’s exams. Woot!
A whirlwind of goodness. To me, the book-forming sounds most exhilarating!
It’s so lovely of you to top off your marvelous Monday by sprinkling me with an über-amazing award! Especially since I just posted my latest blog article, which uses the word ‘über.’ Fancy that.
@Sibling Rob
Excellent plan. Can I be the ghostwriter? I could come up with some great stuff about me!
@Jamie,
What about a friendly horde of Vikings?
Congrats on your exams!
Hey Panther,
Congratulations on finally getting over to WordPress - if you need a hand, I might be able to offer some advice. But there is enough great sites on the net for that. Either way, give me a shout if you need some moral support.
NaNoWriMo is pure torture.
This post is awesome for two reasons (well, probably more but I will list two): 1) you are celebrating your accomplishments, big and small, and 2) by doing so, we are not only celebrating you and happy for you but are also reminded of our own blessings and accomplishments.
Happiness all around.
Woohoo!!
Way to go on the 10-minute mile! I squeezed out a few 9-min miles back in my twenties, but I’ve been slow and steady since. Much better than not running at all!
Love the photo journal idea; and congrats on the one year!
Sounds like you had a great week! I got focused on two projects - which is a lot less than what I had and that feels very good. I also had an overnight with my niece and nephew which was extremely fun. Congratulations on the book idea! That will be an exciting endeavor.
Alex - 9000 words is awesome! Actually the fact that all you participants are writing books is amazing. Keep going. I don’t think there is such a thing as losing NaNoWriMo. Anybody who writes anything towards a book during this period is a winner!
Davina - sorry your week wasn’t good. Your interview with Akemi was cool. Like I commented on your site, I like her approach. I had computer issues this past week as well. I would keep screaming at it, and the Lion would keep coming over and making it right. Personally, I think it means I need a new laptop, but the Lion thinks there are cheaper solutions. Pshhhhh….
Alex again - yay to running! I’m still struggling with getting into a routine.
Lance - I’m still struggling with staying on the running wagon. The cold weather has set in and I am totally sucky. I am getting very very close to joining the gym right by work and going at lunch time. Gives me a break from being in the office, and when I get home, my exercise is already done. YAY to great bloggy karma!
Brett - fell off the running wagon again. See comment above to Lance
Yep, really getting serious about joining the gym. And in the beginning get a personal trainer to work out a routine for me.
Mike - I believe all of us northern cousins breathed a collective sigh of relief as well on Tuesday. I don’t follow politics closely (yours or mine), but I know enough to hope the results are a really good thing.
Stacey - Girl Weekend!!!! I am having one this weekend. My girlfriend of 30 years!!!! is coming with her partner for a visit. She and I will take off for several hours of shopping, non-stop talking and lunch.
Ulla - it’s great accomplishing something as a team. And a nice leisurely visit with a friend sounds like a perfect Sunday.
Ulla again - I can’t write poetry in my own language let alone another one! That’s fantastic! Glad you came back to share that bit.
Sibling Rob - I don’t need you to write. I need you to make millions at your job so that you can support your two starving artist siblings! *grin*
Jamie - Double WOOT to the exam marks!!! No wild animals to worry about chasing me here. Well, maybe the Yahoos down the road, but for the most part they are harmless.
Zoe - yes, I am just going to let the elements of the book creep in over the course of the next year. And you are welcome for the award. I really enjoy your writings.
Matthew - thanks for the offer of help. My friend is working on it, so if you don’t mind, I’ll pass your offer of help along to him. And I have to giggle at your use of the word tortue. I am starting to suspect that only masochists subject themselves to NaNoWriMo *grin*
Steph - GROUP HUG! *grin*
Vintage Mommy - slow and steady is good. Mine is more bursts and stop. As in run, then stop for a week…or so *smile*. I am almost done my photo-journals. It’s driving the Lion nuts because he isn’t allowed anywhere near them but he can see me working on them.
Stacey S. - I love weekends with my kids and or niece/nephews. It keeps me young *grin*
Falling off the wagon is normal. I do it all the time, luckily my bum cushions the fall
I know what you mean about the cold - so a gym is a good thing. I was to run last night, but because of my unusual shoes and so on, I decided it was too cold and wet. I didn’t want to use my “winter barefoot runners” (socks and water shoes), so I mixed it up and did some kettlebell training inside instead.
You are doing a *great* job as you’re still motivated and moving ahead.
-Brett
Awesome news piling in for you! Congrats!
I opted for a gym, too, at least for a month to get motivated. I like Wordpress a lot, and I’m sure you will, too.
Great thing this week? Kickin’ it on the elliptical machine at the gym.
Brett - I am all psyched up to sign up at the gym tomorrow. I even bought a new workout outfit. Because we all know, when it comes to working out in public, it’s all about looking good!
Lori - the Lion loves the elliptical machine. I’ve never tried it. Maybe with my new gym membership!