New York City at Christmastime...

Todd and I just spent a wonderful weekend in NYC. Originally we went for my Xmas gift, to see Donny and Marie perform a Christmas show at the Marquis Theater in Times Square. It was awesome, btw, and Donny actually shook my right hand. *wistful sigh*

We also got evening tickets for Rock of Ages at the Brooks Atkins Theater - yes, we'd seen it before, but we wanted to see it again, and with Dee Snider! It rocked!

For dinner, we went to Restaurant Row (46th between 8th and 9th) and ate at my old favoriate, Da Rosina! It was great...love that place - think I first went there back in 1993 or so.

We stayed at the Bryant Park hotel, btw, and it was amazing. We got a free upgrade of our room and we could see Bryant Park (which was set up like a mini-Rockefeller center with ice skating and vendors) from our window. Loved it there. Room was superb, too.

Sunday we had breakfast crepes in the Park and then did some shopping. Then, lunch at Virgil's BBQ before heading back to catch the bus.

It was such a great weekend (except maybe the lines to get into some of the stores and the crowds..), I can't wait to go back!

Acupuncture...

So acupuncture is my latest attempt to solve my exercise-sinus issue. Went to my general doc, he's basically stumped. He gave me some nasal spray steroid to try and recommended I go see an ENT guy, in case I have polyps...

But yesterday I had my first acupuncture session - it was...weird, but good. I did have some relief, but my left ear clogged again during yoga today. Very strange...but I need to go to 4-5 more sessions and then hopefully I'll have some relief.

Apparently my allergen of choice is Trees/Wood. Go figure...

1 Down, 47 to Go!

So, this past Sunday I climbed my first 4000 footer of the 48 in New Hampshire. Mt. Hale, at 4054', is one of the easier/shorter climbs - but it was definitely a challenge.

You can read more about our trip and see some good pictures here:

http://www.2020visionquest.org/Blog/?p=446

Yes, I'm doing this quest with my blind friend, Randy Pierce, as part of his 2020 Vision Quest project. So far, it's been the experience of a lifetime :)

Massage...

So, I have to report that my hip is filling much, much better. It's not 100% but almost. Massage and icing have really helped it heal.

Also, though I'm not sure I've blogged about it yet, I've been having a sore jaw issue for the last 12 days (I love to chew fireballs *sigh*)and taking Advil just to be able to sleep/work. Well, after my massage yesterday, it feels SO much better.

Some folks heal well with chiropractic and other forms of medicine - my body really takes to massage. Specifically, my friend Jim's massage. :) I highly recommend him, folks!

So, I just need to get a handle on my migraine stuff that's going on - I think I'm going to go with acupuncture for that one - and I'll be good to go!

Speaking of going, I'm going hiking again on the 25th with Team 2020. Wheee!

Incredible Woes

So, both Friday and Saturday I went to the Verizon Wireless store to get a new HTC Incredible. The saga is long and drawn out, but I can't get one until AUGUST 6th. Almost a month away :( Very sad. But at least I have one on the way.

In other news, I have a pretty serious heat-allergy problem. Once again I ran yesterday morning at 9am, then by about 2pm a migraine set in, brought on by allergies. Same thing that's happened before after running, and what happened on Monadnock on that hot day. This time, though, I actually got sick to my stomach. That hasn't happened to me in about 10 years. I finally got over it around 9pm after clearly not eating any dinner. I did manage to get some popcorn down around 9:30...and I feel fine this morning.

I MUST remember to take claratin before I do ANY physical activity outside in the heat. MUST. UGH.

My Awesome 4th

Ok, going to Bar Harbor for the 4th of July MAY have been my BEST idea ever. Todd and I had such a good time. The weather was great (if a bit hot), the food was fantastic, the touristy stuff was fun, and we summitted Cadillac Mountain (1550')on the 10:45am on the 5th.

Here are some select pictures from the weekeend:

Here is my honey sucking up the heat and surging on relentlessly! YAY HONEY! Keep in mind that Todd has no proper pack and no real hiking boots. He's a trooper!


Man, it's hot. 80 degrees and humid with no breeze. Why the hell are we doing this again?


A backward pic of the trail we were ascending, the North Ridge trail was a great trail.


This is a picture of all the tourists at the "summit section" of Cadillac which actually isn't anywhere near the ACTUAL summit. Duhhh...


And finally, the Benchmark at the summit of Cadillac. Took me forever to find it :) Look, you can see my boot - proves that I was THERE, man.


Me, just about to help hoist the sail on our windjammer cruise on a 4-mast 151 foot schooner. I'm the one in blue looking at the camera like 'Wha???'


Our sunset on the schooner...


And awwww, the happy couple in love

Happy 4th!

I can't tell you how excited I am for this upcoming weekend. No, I am not going on the Mt. Washington inaugural climb with Randy and the 2020 Team, but I am going up to Bar Harbor to spend time with my honey and my family. While I do regard not being on the Mt. Washington hike, I don't actually feel I'm quite ready for it. I do have a score to settle with Wasington, but I want to get a little more comfortable with hiking long journeys before we meet again.

And, spending a lovely, relaxing and fun weekend in Bar Harbor with Todd sounds SO AMAZING right now. Our plan is to have lunch on Sat, then we do a trolley tour on the 4th of july in the AM, then a sunset cruise in the PM. Then fireworks. Then on Monday, if we're feeling up to it, traveling to Acadia to climb Cadillac Mountain via the North trail.

I can't wait for the weekend to start!