le sigh and Great Success.

First off, we had bbq last nite, and a restaurant up in Harlem called Dinosaur BBQ. In case anyone doesn't believe you can get real BBQ in NY, i took pics. If you still don't believe me, have a whiff at the leftovers in my fridge ;) Only ate half my meal so I could get dessert. Mmmmm peanut butter pie!

Today I had big plans to go on a nice long bike ride. Started out well, sky was blue, temp was warm. TehJerry and I managed to get the cages on the pedals, tho his drill wasn't powerful enough to drill through the frame, so couldn't get the second water bottle holder and pump holders on. So took off for my ride, the cages worked great. Then after about six minutes, the chain fell off. *headdesk*. Back to house, TehJerry fixed the chain, and then storm clouds closed in. So I gave up and went to the gym. Did stationary bike for 1.5 hours, juuuuuuuuuuuuust shy of the 25 miles I need.

Came back and herein lies the Great Success - completed my first experimental sewing project, including breaking my first needle. *bows* Piccies here.

As I said over on Live Journal, I have named my new sewing machine Keller. No relation, at least I don't think so, to Dr Tim Keller of Redeemer. She's named after Dr Jennifer Keller of Stargate Atlantis, who spends much time sewing up members of the team, most notably a certain dreadlocked Satedan.

Now to eat my bangers and mash (the bangers being turkey franks) and watch Connor Chronicles while attempting to finish fic. If I succeed, I will have accomplished almost everything I wanted to this weekend.

TGIF!

I just discovered while reading someone else's blog that one can put one's yahoo avatar on. I've not been using Yahoo much lately since discovering pidgin, which signs me into yahoo, AIM, and live journal talk all at once. But who can resist a cute little piccie on the blog?

I've dressed mine up as best I could in triathlon gear. Might have to switch it over to Irish step dance stuff for St Pats, but have a month yet.

Right, back to watching Ronon and Teal'c kick posteriors on Stargate Atlantis, and then off to bed as I need to get up at 6 to go do the mucho frio run in Central Park tomorrow. *shivers in anticipation*

It's Friday, and I have the whole holiday weekend off!! *bounces* Tomorrow's plans are the group run (see above) and possibly a trip to Trader Joe's to break in Jumper One's cargo net. Sunday will be church and then dinner at Dinosaur BBQ. Monday I will. not. leave. the. house. *bounces again* I plan to play with my sewing machine and do some writing.

Ashes, Lent, and no clothes shopping

I got ashes today for the first time. I've wanted to for years, having always been fascinated by everyone walking around with dark smudges on their forehead proclaiming "I am a Christian" (at least for today). Last year to my embarrassment I totally missed Ash Wednesday, having just got back from vacation, so this year I was determined not to. I didn't have time to go to a full service during the work day, and tonight was my group training which I cannot afford to miss just now, so I found a catholic church near my last patient that was giving out ashes from 3:00 to 3:30, and went. After everyone got their ashes, we all said the Lord's Prayer, and went back out into the world.

I noticed for the rest of the day I was more careful about how I acted and spoke, with the ashes on my forehead. Sweated most of them off though during the group run, as it was almost 70 degrees and raining in Central Park.

I decided not to go too crazy during lent this year, as I am already giving up clothes shopping for the year, and fasting would be difficult with the triathlon training. So I will just try to eat more healthy, and give up alcohol. I'll only really feel that during my book club, and St Patrick's Day (Pat had some nerve being born during Lent!), but it will be a good detox from my England trip.

I bought a lent devotional book at Durham Cathedral, and did the first part today. It has a scripture, devotion, prayer, and journal space for all forty days. And I might type up any profound journal entries here.

No clothes shopping is going well, though am only into second month and have not really started to feel it yet. All I bought in January was the one pair of thin running tights (that I was very grateful for tonite!). Didn't even buy a tee-shirt at LOTR. (Got the hairy toes hobbit mug instead)

Having just bought a new car, there will not be much shopping of any sort, at least for awhile. I think I will use my next Amazon GC to get Pirates III. And I still need a little gear for the bike - flat tire kit and saddle bag. And the scary tri-shorts. Otherwise, I'm good to go.

*rubs sore feet* Well, maybe tomorrow...