Things and whoositswhatsits

So. I have lost 3 lbs. And my 5k is in 11 days. I have realized recently that it's not running a 5k that will be hard for me. I can run that distance easy peezy. It's running it in any sort of decent time that will be the trick. I used to be able to run at a decent pace, but since I've started running again, my hips just aren't cooperating with me. I used to start out slow and pick up speed as I got into my groove. But there is no groove anymore, so I start out slow, and get slower and slower. I'm sure watching me run is like watching the honey pour out of a jar that's been in the fridge. You know. Not very fast like. BUT. I did lose 3 lbs, so I guess running slow is better than not running at all. I am hoping to run my 5k in under 30 minutes. I did a 5k before and it took me about 27 minutes. And I had stopped and waited for my running partner a couple of times, until she finally told me to just go ahead with out her. So anyway. That's that.

Next, I would like to share some of what I've been reading. I strongly encourage you all to read "The Definitive Guide to Stuff White People Like: The Unique Taste of Millions". It was written by a very trendy looking, white hipster. It is very, very funny and sarcastic. And it's an easy read. My kind of book. It lists 150 things and kind of explains (for non-white people) how to use that information to get in good with white people. Some items on this list:

*Making You Feel Bad for Not Going Outside
*Hating Their Parents
*Barack Obama
*Subtitles
*Premium Juice
*Difficult Break Ups
*Plaid
*Portland Oregon
*Having Children in Their Late Thirties

Those were just a few items that made the list. Each item is then explained in a very witty way. One item on the list is "Indie Music". The author explains,

"WARNING: Indie Music is perhaps the most dangerous subject you can discuss with white people. One false move and you will lose their respect and admiration forever. Here are some general rules:

*Bands that have had their songs in an Apple ad are still marginally acceptable
*Bands that have had their songs in ads for other companies are not acceptable
*If you mention a band you like and the white person has heard of it, you lose. They own you. It is essential that you like the most obscure music possible."


Another item is "The Idea of Soccer". Here's what it says about that...

"Many white people will tell you that they are very into soccer. But be careful. It's a trap. If you then attempt to engage them about your favorite soccer team or talk about famous moments in soccer history, you are likely to be met with blank stares. This is because white people don't actually enjoy watching soccer. They just like telling their friends that they are into it. In fact, the main reason white people like soccer is so they can buy a new scarf! As you may or may not know, many soccer teams issue special scarves, and white people cannot get enough of them!"

I don't know if it's just me, but I found this whole freakin' book just absolutely hilarious. I was literally laughing out loud, time after time. It was a great read.

Another one I'm working on right now is "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by Dave Sedaris. It's a collection of short stories that can be crass at times, but it's also quite witty in a rather blunt kind of way. My plan is to next read "The Last Lecture", which I've heard is quite excellent...

Sara had mentioned some time ago that we should do a book club blog or something of the sorts. Since that really never came to fruition, I'm just going to post perhaps a short list of some of the reading I've done recently, and maybe others can do the same so we can find those good books out there!