Scarism

Scarlett, to Charlie and I during dinner:

"Did you decide to get married because you had the same last name?"

Korean superstar

Today in her taekwando class, Scarlett got the 'best student' award.  The best student is the one who sits facing forward, doesn't talk during class, doesn't disrupt other kids, etc etc.  I think she's at an advantage because she likes ballet, and this class is similar, only without the fancy dress and with more kicking and yelling. 

At the end of class, with her reward of a green headband and a sticker and a piece of paper with her name on it, she told me "I knew he was going to pick me for best student." 

I was feeling mildly frustrated with how often the instructor tells the kids to face forward, and not to get up for water during class, to cross their legs, and not to yell HE-YA when they are making a HE-YA type hand motion.  Four year olds don't sit quietly and face forward.  They have energy and they get thirsty and they like to walk around.  But, now I kindof get it, if taekwando is about self-discipline and respect and all that.  So I guess she can sit still for 45 minutes and then jump around like a frog all other hours of the day.

Elizabeth Warren

I took Scarlett to Eugene to see Elizabeth Warren, who is an awesome consumer advocate and all around cool lady, when she was on our coast doing a fundraiser for our Senator. I admire her so much and I wanted Scarlett to get a chance to see her.  On the way, we talked a little about rallies.  But, how do I explain politics to a kid?  She knows Barack Obama.  She knows how Charlie and I voted on flouride in the water supply.  But abstract ideas are hard to explain and we don't really talk politics much anyway.

At the rally, they let me stand up front, so Scarlett could see.  At the end, EW came around to shake hands with everyone in the front row.  She whispered in Scarlett's ear "My name is Elizabeth. I ran for US Senate because that's what girls can do."

To be fair, this is what EW says to all little girls (I read that in her biography).  But it was still inspiring and great.  And, the news photographer took our picture.  When the Oregon Senator came around, Scarlett refused to look at him or shake his hand.  Then he suggested a high-five, and she did it, but I had to bribe her with the promise of a cookie.

Finish Line

I guess I managed an almost-smile at the finish.  Someday when I have lost my memory, I'll look back and this picture and say 'hmm, I don't remember that race, but I look happy so it must have been amazing'.

A Runner's Lament

So, once again, the marathon didn't go as I planned.  My goals were 1. to finish without puking, 2. to have a superfast finish time, 3. to finish, at all.  Well, I finished, but the second half was less of a run and more of a 'barely stumble' to the finish, with intermittent puking.

I'm a puker when it comes to long-distance running.  I'm coming to terms with that.  I love running, but I really wish I could get the eating-while-running thing handled.

Once again, it took a village (Sally, and my cousin Heidi) to meet me at mile 20 and coerce me into finishing. I wanted to sit down, A LOT.  I was dehydrated and couldn't keep anything down, and my stomach felt like sandpaper.  I really did run 15 beautiful, happy miles before I started to feel sick.  In any case, I somehow survived and here I am, deficient in calories but the semi-proud owner of a finisher's shirt.

In happier days, with Eddie and Heather at the starting line:

Family Portrait