Day 294

I deal in words. But numbers move me. Literally. I run faster on the treadmill or toting my iPhone with an app that allows me to see (or hear via a mechanical-coach voice) that I have a chance to break my personal-best pace. I lost my post-pregnancy pounds after both boys were born by tallying the calories of what I ate - and I sort of saw it as a fun game. Sort. Of. (Now, when my jeans start to get snug, I use an app to do that.) I kind of like budgeting money. 

Last night, Jon presented his case study to me. I didn't understand 86% of his words ... because they were numbers - and Greek symbols - (look up and see!) But the fact that he can speak this language so fluently is quite sexy, I think.

I totally dig the fact that reading on a Kindle allows me to see exactly how far into my book I am.  (Right now, for instance, I'm through 67% of Kristyn Kusek Lewis's new book, How Lucky You Are. Good stuff.) Earlier this week, I learned that my wellness screening results put me at a "health-related age" of 32. I am 36.8. This should have made me happy but instead, here's what I thought: "Next year [when I'm 37.8], I want to have a 'health-related age' of 29. Bet I can get there if I meditate or something..." Ha!

And speaking of being 36.8 years old, I am on Day 294 of the 366 days of my 36th year. (Assuming I haven't messed up the math. I deal in words, remember?) This means that, by definition, this blog is about to end soon. Which sort of makes me sad. What next? 

Day 136

This is today's to-do list. It's definitely not comprehensive - missing two big work calls and everything after the workday ends but it's snippets of direction, to help me refocus when I start doing something like... um, reading 25 journal articles that are only tangentially related to my work or cutting up the cantaloupe in my fridge--you know, just so it's ready to eat at a moment's notice.

My to-do review

Anyhow, an hour or so ago, I glanced at this list. At first, I felt stressed. Then... I felt lucky.

1. "Fitness Annotated" - I sent in the backup (plus an annotated draft) for the approved version of a magazine feature I've been working on FOR. EVER. Thrilled that it's wrapped but also grateful that I landed an assignment on a topic that I pitched (because it's so near and dear to me) and also that I got to work with a lovely editor and connect with eloquent psychologists, fascinating researchers and amazing "real" women.

2. I went for a "Run." With Ri and Digs. At 10 a.m. Because Friday is a home day. Yes, I am lucky and I know it.

3. "Read." I wrote this last night at 11:15 and, quite honestly, I don't know what I wanted myself to read today. I have several layouts for custom pub projects with fast-approaching deadlines that I brought home to review today and I'm pretty sure that that's what I meant. But that "read"-ing is a responsibility on my list makes me smile. I love to read. I'm going to pretend that I *must* read a novel. (But not actually do it - because I have a lot of work things to read.) Need a novel rec? Check this awesome list my FB friends helped me build.

4. "Organize Wt. Manag." This means sort through the GIANT pile of journal articles on obesity and behavior change (the ones I've been moving back and forth from the dining room table to the counter corner for weeks) to figure out just what I need to read to be able to pass pre-test that admits me to a three-day training workshop on the science of weight management. (It's through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.) LOVE that my work pays me to keep learning in this area...

5. "Hotel for JBF Awards." I have to find and book a hotel for the James Beard Awards. Because the EatingWell story that I edited (and the fabulous Melinda Wenner Moyer wrote!) on toxins in our food and environment was nominated for an award. So exciting! I also have to figure out the cheapest/fastest way to get from Manhattan to Newark for a 7:30 a.m. flight so I can get back to prep for the boys' birthday party. Shuttle from Grand Central area or train from Penn Station? Help! It affects where I stay.

6. "Mtg - marathon." Um... I have no idea what this means because I do not have a meeting about a marathon. I do know that I have to register my VCM relay team... which I've been putting off because we haven't nailed down a clever name yet. Any ideas? Team includes me, Ri, Lisa, Kate (coming in from the 'burgh), my sister-in-law to be, Casey (coming in from Ohio) - so excited for the weekend. My bro and mom will be coming to cheer us on too.

And, oh yes, I must buy olive oil, juice and parsley. (Other things too).

In sum, here's why today's to-do list makes me feel lucky... I get paid to do work I love: write all sorts of content centered on health and wellness. (Right now), I have a somewhat flexible working arrangement that, twice a week, let's me run during the day and even toss in a load of laundry. I have exciting things to look forward to: family visits! award ceremonies! marathons! (Then there's the awesome kids, the kick-ass husband, the perfect dog.)


IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not always grateful about my to-dos. If you know me, you already know this.

SECOND IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not bragging. I am reminding myself why I am lucky so that, in five minutes, when I'm stressing about how none of this is done and how I should have been doing it instead of writing this blog, I can read this post.

Happy Friday!

Day 119

Psst! Here's a secret formula for (relative) superproductivity = great run + refreshing shower followed by a double latte + darkish coffeehouse surrounded by strangers who talk of things that don't concern me (but do interest me) 

Day 119 latte at New Moon

And here's what doesn't help get it done: 

Semi-warm coffee + semi-sweet chocolate chips + an only semi-tired almost-4-year old who keeps popping up behind me like a little elf. But I get it dude: You want to be sleepy; I want to be super-productive. And we're not having it.

What helps you get the job done? 

Day 93

Today, Mike B. and I met for coffee, a catch up and our first session of play-making. First conceptualized in oh, maybe 2007, the concept is brilliant, the characters are already cracking us up and the artistic direction is gonna be out of this world. Never mind that we know absolutely nothing about writing a play (likely as evidenced by my using all the wrong terms). We'll learn. Maybe it'll suck. Or maybe it won't. But it's happening, yo. Tips welcome. More soon. 

Today: Grateful for Mike B., my creative co-conspirator. 

Sketchy business.

PS: All of my books on the Algonquin Round Table will be making the (cut-the-clutter) cut. Oh how I've missed you, Mrs. Parker, Mr. Benchley, and friends.

Day 71

This morning, close-reading Cairn pointed out a funny typo on one of my previous entries. (Particularly as an editor), I'd like to say that this is a rare oversight on my part. But that's not even close to the truth. I'm a sloppy blogger. You could probably go through lots of my posts and find loads of errors; unfortunately, most are just plain wrong and not at all entertaining like, say, "auto-correct errors" on the iPhone which I sometimes leave on purpose, for giggles. 

Happy Valentine's Day!
This little Danmade monkey always has some love for me.

I have a theory on my sloppy blogging: I write this thing mostly at night when my brain is tired (excuses, excuses, yeah, yeah - but hear me out)... I find that when my brain is tired, it processes words in the most interesting ways. I think I wrote "downtown" instead of "downton" because, come on, how often do I write "downton"? (Um, never.) But I write downtown (which Pittsburgh Dad most certainly would pronounce "dahn tahn") sort of a lot ("let's just meet downtown..."). 

Similarly, when I'm tired, I find I struggle with homophones (think: to/too/two or there/their/they're). This is so fascinating because even though I write the wrong word, I always know the correct choice. It's like my brain just goes on autopilot and plucks whatever same-sounding word it finds first. I've asked my sister--a speech language pathologist--if sleep deprivation could cause this and she said that it's quite plausible. I think that this would make fascinating research for some grad student, don't you?

On a positive note, here's a cool bit on why you might think better when you're sleepy--or drunk. 

Day 50

Day 50 seems significant... so I'm taking this opportunity to check in on my 36th year goals. I'm an editor, always revising and these aims already need updating and fine-tuning. 

• Conquer fear of driving (Tackling Montreal. Then Boston, then NYC) Update: I will be tackling Boston first, next weekend. You heard it here first, folks. Hold me accountable. 
• Run a 10K in TK minutes 6.2 miles * 8:30 minutes = I'm not taking time to do the math. (still working on the goal - but it's going to be faster than a 9:15 minute mile!) Note: an 8:30-minute mile is a big stretch for me... but I do think it's possible if I force myself to run. And listen to good music. 
• Learn to sew. How cool is this place, Nido? First project: Pimp bathrobes for the boys. Making four simple Christmas stockings by the end of November 30, 2012
• Plan an awesome party (this is more specific that it sounds). DONE! 
• Reflect upon something for which I'm grateful every single day. I'm think I'm doing pretty OK on this one!

Speaking of editing--sort of--Vampire Weekend's song "Oxford Comma" has  powered a few minutes of my last few runs, so yesterday, I wanted to make sure that I knew what an oxford comma was... and I did. It's just another name for a "serial comma"--you know, the one right before the "and" the precedes the final item of a list. As a journalist (see, I'm talking editing...) I generally don't do oxford commas. 


Then, as I tend to do... I sort of got obsessed with fact-finding. Just as I was about to start digging around on the web to find out what the hell this song was about, I noticed the quote of the day on dictionary.com. I kid you not, it was this: 


"A poem need not having a meaning and like most things in nature often does not have." 
--Wallace Stevens


It sort of freaked me out.. Not really, I thought it was pretty cool. Regardless, I took it as a sign and got back work  instead of madly Googling Vampire Weekend. So now, I must ask you: What does this song mean? Whaddya think?