Long Live Pepper Radio

I don't know what is going on with my right knee but it's gotten to the point where I can no longer run more than a mile. I last attempt was last Tuesday and I had to stop just over 2 miles in to my usual 6 mile run because it was so painful. So disappointing. I bought a foam roller at Omer and Bob's last Monday to see if that'll help but I think it's a matter of rest. Or maybe I should just give up altogether. I was planning on doing the Jingle Bell Run in Hanover last Tuesday with the UVRC but it's a good thing I didn't because succumbing to knee pain during my first group run with the club would have been embarrassing. The time before this run I ran was 8 days prior and I barely made it through the 6 miles and my knee was really sore for days. I'll say it again...really disappointing. I got a 3 month membership at the CCBA today so I will not be running outside until the end of March at the earliest...it'll be interesting to feel how my knee reacts to running on the treadmill. Maybe I should just do the elliptical and bike and screw running for a while. I also got a tanning package today to get me through the winter. It'll boost my spirits to close my eyes periodically for 10 minutes and pretend that I'm feeling the actual sun. And speaking of winter, we got our first real snow storm of the season Saturday night. I was at Dayna's mom's 50th birthday party (an interesting event, to say the least) in Center Harbor when it started but I was adamant about going home. It was a little hairy at times but sometimes a snowy ride home is kind of fun and the route (104 to 4) was a little nostalgic because it reminded me of the times I've spent in New Hampton and Alexandria. I miss my 20's.

I don't, lying here at 330 in the morning, remember too much about the rest of November. Logan's birthday party was on the 17th at the new community center, which is a really nice thing for Claremont to have. I got my living room carpet and couch professionally cleaned. I came home from work that day (the 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination) to a pager on my TV stand. I was puzzled until I put new batteries in it and then I figured out where it came from. Cool. Along those lines, I utilized the employee assistance program twice by going to talk to someone about how I am feeling and what I need to do to deal with it. I think it helped but I can't really be sure. The first time I went was right after the weekend that one of my coworkers killed herself. She was only 39 and left behind a husband and 5 kids, the youngest being 7. I know life isn't easy and really bad, hurtful things happen but I'm thankful that I don't live with the kind of pain and despair that she felt strongly enough to take her own life. She seemed fine at work, I was shocked when I found out. It just goes to show you never really know what's happening underneath and you should always be nice to people...even if they aren't nice to you.

Thanksgiving was later this year; the 28th, making the Christmas season shorter than usual. I did the turkey trot in Sunapee for the second year in a row (my knee felt decent and my time was 31:06, placing 279 out of 700ish). It was cold but I made a beeline for my car from the finish line and went back home to take a bubble bath. I headed to Ctown where I spent the rest of the day being lazy and eating a boatload of deliciousness. I could have experienced black Friday shopping in all its glory but I decided to sleep instead. Seems to have been the right decision. Pretty much all of my Xmas shopping is done...just one more simple item to get. Did a little shopping for myself too, I got to say the llbean flannel sheets I bought are phenomenal. I am most excited about giving Simone her VW bus play tent.

Hmmm so what's going on these days. This past week was a little strange as far as work weeks go. I worked Wed. until 330 then went home for an impromptu night shift as the charge nurse. Scary. Friday was a little rough as I spent all day in room 8 doing a Braun/Croitoru pedi scoliosis case. I was so happy to go home and stuff my face with spaghetti. I'm still seeing Scott. Seems to be going well. He's a very nice guy. I actually spent the evening with him and his roommates. A couple Friday's ago, he took me to Tupelo for the first time. I foresee me regressing back to my drinking days some if I spend more time at their place. Dayna and I are trying hard to make it to trivia on a regular basis. Usually, it's just us but Sunday we had a little bit of a crowd going on, which included Jeff. Needless to say, our team name was Ren & Stimpy-related. Big surprise no one knew what the hell we were talking about. Tomorrow I start back at the gym if I don't sleep too late (note the current time...4 am). I am starting drum lessons at Blue Mountain Guitar (hehe) tomorrow, also, and ending the day with a brave cameo at the Ctown Wal-Fart with Puffles. Good times ahead. Speaking of the future, I submitted an application to the ICU last Tuesday. Wondering if I should have heard something by now?

Now, I must drift off with the scent of slow-cooking marinated steak tips in the air.