And so it begins.

Google Reader is a fantastic gizmo. I love that, with a glance, I know which blogs I subscribe to have new posts to read. No more clicking through my list of bookmarks - now I just look for blog names in bold. Whee! This could be dangerous, though. My "Love List" could get huge.

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Two days ago, I called my friend to ask her to dog sit for me while we're away for a long weekend in May. After that was settled, we had a conversation that went something like this:

Her: That running you started earlier this year -- how's that going?
Me: Ha. What running? I got a bad cold and couldn't breathe when exercising, and my running partner didn't like running and switched to the stationary bike. Loss of endurance + loss of running partner = quit!
Her: Oh. Because I've made it a goal to run the half-marathon in Detroit on October 19 and I don't want to train alone. Want to train with me?
Me: Really? Fantastic news. Count me in.

So it has begun. Our plan is to sign up for a beginning runners class (there's one local), then continue on with the half-marathon training class that, conveniently enough, is designed for the Detroit marathon/half-marathon.

This is good for two reasons: 1) running pretty much sucks ass and we'll need all the motivation /coaching/ass kickings we can get and 2) we're beginners who don't know what the hell we're doing!

(Please, Lord, let them help me find comfortable shoes before they even think of making me run a step. Amen.)

I'm so needing to lose weight after the winter we just had. I don't understand how I got so chubby. I've never weighed this much in my life and I'm quite uncomfortable. My clothes don't fit, and I feel heavy and crappy in general. I have gained 25 lbs since I started dating DB 2 years ago. 25 pounds. (And it's all on my ASS! For God's sake my ass can't get any bigger!) DB didn't sign up to date a chubby chick. (He's never said anything to me about the weight and I know he wouldn't. But FFS, people!, he's in fantastic shape and has the metabolism of a humming bird. GAH!)

So, I'm thinking I might do a "before" picture to hang on the wall above my desk so I can see it every day. Then, after all this craziness is over, I'll take an "after" picture so I can compare. A good idea? Hell, yes. Will I post those photos? Ask me in October.

Time for thanks:

Recently, blackbird gave me encouraging words about finding my blogging voice. She said it's not easy finding your voice and that it's OK if your blog is just for you. So, thanks, Blackbird! I'm looking forward to figuring out what type of blog this will be. Because right now? I'm not sure.

Either way, I can't keep posting about old shit I've bought and daffodils.

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Coming soon: pictures of the penis-like water tower. Because it is something my blog needs.