You know you are an adult when...

So... it may shock some of you to know, but there are times it still hits me hard that I am, in fact an adult.  Therefore, since today is Friday I figured we all would be in for some laughs.  Thus, in typical Letterman Style, here is my countdown!

You know you are an adult when...
10.  A "good" Saturday is one where you only go to Lowe's or Home Depot once!
9.  You no longer wait until you have absolutely NO clean clothes before doing laundry.
8.  You have a single glass of wine / beer and you can feel it the next day.
7.  You can correctly identify your Representatives and Senators (both state and national!).
6.  You use your checking and savings accounts, have an IRA, and understand financial terms.
5.  When you get something in the mail other than a bill or junk mail it is more than likely a wedding invitation, baby shower invitation, a thank you for a wedding gift or a baby shower gift.
4.  You not only watch / read the news, but you actually understand what's going on and follow certain stories.
3.  When you "sleep in" on the weekends, you are lucky if you can sleep past 8 AM. 
2.  You shake hands with strangers.
1.  Your work clothes outnumber your casual clothes 3-to-1 in your closet.

I hope you enjoyed my little countdown.  Let me know if I forgot any!

JCP

London - 2012

The other day, I was reading an article regarding the 2012 London Olympics and their preparations and I became so excited about next August that I had to contain myself from shouting for joy.  To explain, I am a complete and total sucker for anything remotely related to the Olympics.  I watch with fascination and rapt attention the voting and campaigning process every time.  I get swept up in all the stories of the Olympians.  I wear outdated Olympic paraphernalia (at home and in public... surprisingly not many of my friends like to be seen in public with me during this time).  I get little to no sleep during the two weeks of the Olympics because I am up watching every sport possible (yes, those two people who actually watched curling... I was one of them, the other being a mother of one of the team members!).  I get emotional during the opening and closing ceremonies.  I know, I know, I am one of *those* people that NBC and advertisers LOVE because I even enjoy the commercials during the Olympics.  I become completely addicted to the television, newspaper and the internet to gain every morsel of news related to the Olympics, the Olympians and their stories! 

I remember the blind archer who lit the torch in Lillehammer, I was humbled watching Ali light the torch, I remember the *Miracle of 1980* Men's Olympic Hockey team lighting the torch, I cried like a baby when Kerri Strug landed her vault on an injured ankle, I remember standing and cheering watching Nancy Kerrigan take the ice after the attack.  These are just a few of the moments that make the Olympics great.  One of my favorite things of every Olympics is watching the Opening Ceremony.  For so many of these athletes that is their defining Olympic Moment, being able to walk into the Olympic stadium, wave their flag and say proudly for generations to come "I am an Olympian".  How amazing is that?  I enjoy watching all the athletes march in, proudly, boldly, excitedly for the Opening ceremony with their country, but then at the Closing ceremony, coming in all mixed together and joyous!  It is awe-inspiring to see the future of the world standing shoulder-to-shoulder regardless of background, ethnicity, or language.  I get chills every time the IOC Commissioner announces at the closing "I call upon the youth of the world to assemble in four years time in-".  Is there a greater moment in sports? 

Anyway, I have already started my countdown to London 2012!  And to my friends, yes, I will be wearing my Olympic paraphernalia throughout these Olympics also!  

JCP

Running in the heat...

"Somewhere in the world someone is training when you are not.  When you race him, he will win."  Tom Fleming

With missing a good bit of training these past few weeks due to being an idiot (yes, that is my official story and I’m sticking to it! Ha-ha) the above quote has become my main motivator recently.  Again, please understand I make no pretense of actually thinking that I will finish anywhere within the realm of fast, but this is motivating me to train and push myself harder.  Especially with the recent heat wave the South has been having (Satan called and he wants his weather back)!

Yesterday, I had planned to run at the gym, so as not to push too hard in the 95-degree weather with crazy humidity.  However, life had other plans, which at the end of the day, I was glad about.  When I got to the gym, all of the treadmills were taken and there was a line.  Thus, I left; strapped on my Garmin watch, turned on the iPod and let my legs start running. 

When I returned home, I was quite hot, glistening profusely and thrilled.  No matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, there is absolutely nothing like running outside, in the elements, pushing yourself.  Anyway, tonight I run again and I do plan on making it a good one!

JCP

Let the voice of the people be heard.

Good morning.  First, let me say that I am not one who typically imposes any form of my beliefs on others, however, the issue facing Americans in the coming days regarding our National Debt Ceiling and the budget has encroached upon ridiculous and irresponsible.  We are days away from forclosing on our debts.  Now, I make no pretense of being an economist, but I can balance my checkbook.  Apparently in DC where we have allowed our politicians generations of not having to balance the national checkbook, that is a difficult task.  I understand that we will all have to sacrifice either money (taxes) or services, but this is something we should have resolved ages ago.  Therefore, I urge each of you (all 5 of my followers) to contact your Representative, your Senators and the President.  I e-mailed them this morning and asked them to work together and compromise.  We must all give some for this country to keep working.  It is past time for us as a nation to tighten our belts and work together to get through this.  I have included the websites for contacting your Representatives, Senators and the President  below.  God Bless America.

Senators:  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
White House:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Representative:  https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

It is time for the voice of the people to help guide this country, not just politicians.  One of the greatest tragedies in American politics has become the constant re-election process. 

JCP
 

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness...

I'm sure many of you (like me) have been engrossed in the developing story of the tragedy in Norway.  It is with disgust that I read a portion of the shooters "manifesto" and was horrified at seeing his thought process.  Yet, after having read Mein Kampf, I can see scary similarities between the Norwegian shooter and other totalitarian leaders and regimes.  The truly terrifying part is that there are many people who believe that the world should be divided into two groups, them and us.  That unyielding rigidity of thought has caused humanity generations of strife, discord, and loss of life.  It is still creating issues worldwide.

We live in an age where we can no longer be defined simply by where we were born or what version of God we choose to pray to, if any.  It is far past time for us to set aside these notions and begin the realization that as a society, we are better and stronger if there are differences in the people that comprise that society.  Yes, there are things that currently exist as thoughts or religious beliefs among other members of my society (America) that I do not understand, but that does not mean that my beliefs are any better or any worse.  My view is that as long as another's beliefs do not harm others, I have no right to object.  However, the second that someone's thoughts or beliefs endanger others, it is my belief that the greater good must be protected and the innocents defended.  

We have politicians now arguing about so many ideological issues that it makes me wonder... when did we give our government or any government the right to tell us how we should think?  How we should love?  How we should raise our children?  Again, these issues are currently being fought out in halls across the world, but my sole thought goes back to our founders, who stated something that I am sure many had thought about before, but had never been so brave and daring as to put it into writing:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (Declaration of Independence)

It is my hope that as we go forward, while paying witness to the horrific tragedy that has engulfed Norway, we remember the victims of other hate-fueled aggressors, and we pause momentarily to remember that just because someone looks different, prays differently, thinks differently, or loves differently it makes them no less or more a person than we are.  To quote Mother Teresa, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them."  

My prayers go to the families and friends of all of the victims in Norway.

JCP

The need to run...

Do you ever get the urge to just run?  To run as hard as you can, as fast as you can, as far as you can?  Yesterday I started getting the "urge" around lunchtime, and by the time I was preparing to leave work, that urge was about to drive me crazy!  Thus, as soon as I got home, I put my shoes on and went outside to see how far they would take me!  It was a great run!  When I finished, I was absolutely exhausted, but I felt great!  Talk about amazing runner's high!


Now, I have several friends who are not runners and don't understand why I sometimes say I *have* to run, so I will try to explain here...

There are times in life that you just need to go... to push yourself harder, faster... to gain control... to lose yourself... there are times you just need to go!  For me, running gives me a chance to simultaneously gain control and let my mind relax.  Running is second nature to me (to everyone, I guess!) and by letting my legs do what they were meant to, my mind can be on other things or absolutely nothing at all!  What a wonderful release after a day(s) of craziness!  Also, for me, running is something that I enjoy doing and it is something that gives me a sense of joy while I run.  If you have ever seen my running down the road, more than likely you have also seen me smiling.  And, no I don't smile because it is easy for me, I smile because even though it hurts sometimes and it isn't easy, I just love to run!  Also, there are so many people who would love to be able to run or even walk a few steps that for me to be critical of the gift I've been given would be selfish. 

Finally, I run because of the people I get to meet while running.  Case in point, yesterday while doing my "Forrest Gump" and just running, I met two nice older men out having a friendly chat debating the use of annuals versus perennials (flowers & plants).  Next, I saw a young mother (probably not even 20) out playing with her child and the child just looked as happy as could be!  After that, I waved and spoke with some retired ladies who were on their porch having lemonade in the shade.  A mile or so later, there was an older woman with an ancient looking dog hobbling around.  A little later I ran into some of the Funfest crowd (for those who aren't familiar with my hometown, they have a festival every year for 9 days with music, food, family activities, hot air balloons, etc), then I saw the Dobyns-Bennett High School drumline out practicing for football season (Go Drumline!).  Next I saw a co-worker running on the track.  I could go on and on, but, I will spare you!  Anyway, those people that I get to meet while running are also part of the reason I run. 

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."  Jesse Owens

Running into Albany with my friends from Operation One Voice... Day 2 of the run from Atlanta, Georgia to Tampa Florida.  Again, me smiling, I just love to run!

JCP

Stupid is as Stupid does...

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'." Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner

Well, I figured I would give everyone an update on my marathon training so far.  First, I had to take approximately a week off due to stupidity… Yes, that’s right folks; stupidity can cause you to have to take a break from training.  If only stupidity could stop people from voting or being elected to public office (but that is a story for another day).  Anyway, in my efforts to train for the marathon, I was running a bit ago and came across a lady with a stroller who would not move to one side or the other on the sidewalk.  Well, me being the obliging person that I am (please stop all internal chuckling now) decided to hop onto the road to pass her and then hop back onto the sidewalk to continue my run.  I must admit the execution of jumping off of the sidewalk went well, it was smooth, had a nice landing.  I mean - if this was an Olympic sport, I daresay my jump off the curb would have received a 10 and maybe an endorsement from Wheaties! 

However, in *hopping* back onto the curb I caught my right foot in a curbside sewer grate.  Yes, you heard me correctly, a sewer grate and my foot met… and yes, the sewer grate won.  Fail on Julie’s jumping ability.  Anyway, after nursing a sore ankle for a bit and pulling out of a race I was to run last Saturday I have kicked my training back up.  I have 37 miles to “sneak” back into my training from the time I missed, but, in doing the adult thing and taking time off I probably have ensured that I will in fact be healthy enough to complete the marathon. 

Anyway, my training is progressing as well as I could hope after taking some time off.  I’m getting my legs back under me and I am looking forward to getting a long run in this weekend, it will be my first long run since I apparently decided to face down a sewer grate and a mother with a stroller! 

JCP

Football Time...

I love that time in the summer when you realize that you are less than 50 days away from the start of football season!  It seems as though you start hearing all the recruiting noise again… SEC days starts… and for a few weeks, even if your team manages to have a less than stellar record, you can do a little trash talking to your SEC friends.

For those of you who aren’t from the South and might not comprehend why this is so important to me, let me attempt to explain.  Football for us is not simply football, it is tradition.  It is the pride of walking on the campus of your alma mater, wearing your colors, singing your fight songs, tail-gating with old friends before and after the game, renewing friendships and making new ones.  College football is a way of life for us in the south, and one I wouldn’t change in the least.  It is something that we look forward to all year.  We plan trips, weddings, and funerals even around football season.  The running joke is that you should never get married or die in the south on a Saturday… the minister might not be there.  We are born and raised eating, breathing and living the seasons of football:  Football season, Post-Season / Championship Season, Recruiting, and Pre-Season.

I love when the week comes that I can wear my UT Orange to work during the week and not be thought crazy.  I love that during the fall I am able to see so many of my friends at games that I don’t get to see the rest of the year.  I love walking into Neyland Stadium with 110,000 other UT fans and cheering on my team to victory (well, sometimes we cheer them to a loss, but a hard-fought game is just as glorious!).  I love going to my sorority’s annual BBQ (Going on for 55 years now!) and supporting Arthritis Research.  I love seeing the Vol Walk to the stadium.  I love when you see a child or person experiencing all the tradition and pride of UT football for the first time, when you hear that slight gasp of breath the first time they enter Neyland Stadium. 

I know this may all sound quite silly, but to me it is a way of life.  To me, it something that every summer I start getting excited about.  I love the smell of football season in the air. I love the camaraderie that accompanies football season.  But, most of all, I love the traditions and pride that I take in being not only a Tennessee Volunteer but a member of the SEC.  I can almost hear Rocky Top and 110,000 fans singing… I can almost hear the alma mater…  only 45 days until its… “Football Time in Tennessee!  GO VOLS!”

JCP

Love = Yard Work, Spiders & Mosquitoes?

So, for those of you who didn't know, my Grandmother had a mini-stroke last week.  She is home now and well on her way to a full-recovery.  We are all very happy, obviously.  However, we have had to start limiting Mammaw in some of her activities (which is rather difficult to do needless to say). 

First, the day we brought her home, she held "court" among her friends with tea and gossip.  If you were thinking, "That's not typical of someone who just had a stroke", you would be correct.  Anyway, we have had to reign in some of her day-to-day activities, which some days is a full time job!  The other day Mom and I stopped by for lunch with Mammaw and she mentioned her flowers needed watering.  Before thinking what was coming out of my mouth, I offered to water her flowers for her... all of her flowers. 

Therefore, after leaving work, I grabbed my watering pail, Sadie (my dog) and we walked over to Mammaw's house.  After safely depositing the dog inside to be spoiled rotten I walked outside into what could only be summed up as the BIGGEST spiders nest I've ever seen.  Isn't it amazing how when you walk through a spider's nest you are immediately proficient in karate?  Well, after turning on the watering hose and filling up my bucket to water ALL of her flowers (a task which at that point still seemed manageable) I started feeling some stinging on my legs... welcome mosquitoes... as if I wasn't having enough fun already! 

About twenty minutes into the watering of the flowers, Mammaw came outside and sweetly asked if I would mind to help trim her roses while I was there.  And, of course, I said, not a problem (what else could I say?).  Thus I continued to water her flowers (and trust me, the local green-houses LOVE her!).  After I had watered everything between my poor watering bucket and the gigantic garden hose she uses I started on the roses.  Now, I can handle mosquitoes... although I daresay her neighbors laughed at my ineffective swats at the annoying bugs... But, I am not a huge fan of spiders.  Well, I am snipping away at her roses when out of NOWHERE comes this enormous hairy spider.  I would like to say that I remained calm... I would like to say that I didn't make a girly scream... but those would both be lies.  However, I would like to report that that rose bush did get doused with a water hose... if that spider is still alive, then he must be the Michael Phelps of the insect world.

Anyway, I realized as I dealing with three things that I absolutely abhor (yard work, mosquitoes, and big hairy spiders) that it was ok; for me yesterday, those three things equaled love for my Mammaw.  It is interesting if you think about it, what love means for each of us on a daily basis and what it means that we will do or endure!

JCP

Hello Dolly...

Last night I went to see Dolly Parton perform in Knoxville to kick off her new tour.  Wow!  She is such a great performer and she is a blast to watch!  Unlike so many of the stars of today, she truly is a performer.  During the concert, she played no less than 8 instruments, sang some of her standards, many new songs and did her version of some classics.  Also, between songs she talked with the audience in what could only be interpreted as a stand-up comedic routine.  She had the audience laughing to hard at times we were close to tears.  Also, did I mention that she performed for almost 3 hours?  How many performers now will perform for that long? 

Additionally, if the performance wasn't entertaining enough, the crowd certainly was.  This was one of the most varied age groups at a concert I have ever seen.  There were people there whose age was measured in months to those who measured theirs in decades!  There were "city" people and "country" people there.  One thing that everyone had in common was that they LOVED Dolly!  Anytime she said anything or sang anything, people were cheering, dancing, singing along.  It was quite fun to watch (as if the show on the stage wasn't enough!).

To end my post for today, I have to put my favorite Dolly Parton quote (in response to a question by Johnny Carson about her feelings on blonde jokes):
"I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde."


JCP

The end of an era...

Well, I have managed to drag myself into work today after seeing the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2!  I cannot believe that the final film has been released.  I remember the first time I read each of the books and the first time I saw each of the movies.  I know some will say it is trivial and some will contend that it is just a story, but to me and to many others, it is an escape to a world where everything is not black and white, but there are definite shades of gray.  Where each person tries to do their best and do what they think is right, even if it is not the "right" thing to do in the end.  I believe whether you like the stories or not, there is a definite lesson that can be taken from these movies.  Doing the right thing is not always easy, nor will doing the right thing guarantee you friends, many times the path to doing the right thing is solitary and misunderstood.

On a lighter note, the movie was FANTASTIC!  The special effects were mesmerizing, the acting was deliciously on-point and each of the actors became their character.  It has been truly awesome experiencing these movies and watching these characters that I had known and liked from the books come to life and grow into who they were meant to be.  I know many will laugh at my sentimental attachment to these films, but, what can I say, I am just a "muggle" looking for a little bit of magic.  To any other HP fans, "Mischief Managed".

JCP

Welcome Home...

Home is where the heart is they say... I'm sure that will be true once I find my way out of the boxes stacked in my garage right now!  I moved over 3 weeks ago and while I am normally not one to linger on unpacking, I would much rather just get it over with.  However, I have been inundated with company the past few weeks, which has been fantastic, but now I am attempting to dig my way out of all the boxes.  For me, moving is always so cathartic.  It allows you to donate unwanted or unused items, clothing, etc.  In my case, find things I had forgotten I owned and start using them! 

Anyway, my new place is in a neighborhood where I am not representative of the typical demographic.  Most of the residents are retired and have lived there for over 15 years.  It is a very quiet neighborhood and I get the feeling that I am "watched", but in a good way.  When I go out to get my mail or take my trash out, many of my neighbors poke their heads out, wave, offer me some tea or a cookie.  When I go running, many of the residents offer water if I am thirsty or shade to sit under when it is hot (which it has been miserably hot these past few weeks).  Their friendliness and kindness started me thinking about what our generation sometimes lacks in the way of "neighborliness".  For instance, I don't know that I have ever just offered someone a cookie or tea.  I cannot honestly say that as someone has run by, I have ever even thought to offer a glass of water (I mean if they were passing out due to heat, I'm sure I would think of it!). 

Well, that has led to my newest "mini-resolution"... I will strive to be a better neighbor... not just to my actual physical neighbors, but to anyone I interact with during the day.  I know that while I at times shake my head at my retired neighbors antics, they always bring a smile to my face and a little pep to my step... It is past time that I do that for someone else.  Have a great day!

JCP

Atlantis

Today while watching the last space shuttle launch of what will be the foreseeable future, I felt incredibly sad.  As Atlantis safely "slipped the surly bonds" of earth to carry the last group of Astronauts into the stars, I felt as though I was saying goodbye to a dear friend.  For my entire life NASA has given us hope and dreams!  How many of us as children watched shuttles launch and brave men and women dare to dream and dare to explore?  I feel incredibly sad and bereft knowing that my children might not get to have that same excitement, that same feeling that there is a huge universe out there, just waiting to be explored.

I know people argue about the cost of the program, however, the space program has cost less than many of our recent wars in both money and human lives.  However, the benefits we as a society have received from the research alone far outweighs the cost.  Moreover, in a time when people are desperate for hope, desperate to believe in something bigger than they are, and cynical about governments and corporations, isn't the hope and feeling of awe that Space Exploration provides worth our time and our investment?

Space exploration will never be easy and the cost at times can be severe, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that space truly is our next frontier.  There is so much of the universe that we do not know and cannot even begin to comprehend until we leave the confines of Earth and dare to touch the face of God in the stars.  I truly believe that our future is waiting on us to dare to dream the dream that our fathers and grandfathers dreamed... to believe again that we can do more, reach farther and explore the unknown.  

To quote Ronald Reagan after the Challenger tragedy,"We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us.  But for 25 years the United States space program has been doing just that.  We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun.  We're still pioneers...  We'll continue our quest in space.  There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space.  Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue."

It is my sincere wish that our hopes and our journeys will continue.  That we will again find the courage and conviction to  not just gaze into the night sky, to be content only as observers, but to walk among the stars yet again.

JCP