Duct Tape & WD-40

New Adventures of the Traveling Running Shoes

When I lived in London (and was young and active and skinny) I used to go running in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. The awesomeness (yes, I just used the word awesomeness. I am a product of the public University system) of running in a world capital was never lost on me. Everyday I would jog past Kensington Palace and think of Princess Diana. Perhaps she was looking out a window at that precise time and watching me trudge along. Running wasn't really popular in London at that time, so I was kind of an anomaly.

I stopped running after I returned to the United States, but the fantasy of running never left me. Every time I travel to a new destination, I imagine myself running there. Therefore, I take my running shoes everywhere I go.

My running shoes are very well traveled.

They usually never set foot (sole) on foreign land, but they are always packed hopefully into my suitcase. The fantasy is there, but the reality is I would rather be sleeping or drinking.

Today, my running shoes are going on another adventure. They are headed to California to visit Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. I've decided that the very least I can do is photograph them at every destination. At least I will have proof that they were there. I may even personify them and write stories of their adventures in the first person. It depends on how much I have had to drink.

There is even a slight chance that I may actually run in them. I've started doing that again, you know. Oh my gosh, I had to stop writing then because I was laughing so hard that tears were coming out of my black eyes.

So stay tuned for tales of my adventures on the latest Hudson family vacation. I may not be able to post or Twitter much. There is not a lot of wi-fi out there in the National Park boondocks. Really, I don't know how the Indians (I mean native Americans) survived. If you don't hear from me by July 2, send out a posse.

Self Injury NOT the New Botox

Today I opened the door of my van to get out and go into my house. In my haste exit, and with 250 things already on my mind, I did not notice that the van door was swinging back toward me. As I stood up, it hit me square in the forehead. I stumbled backward and saw stars. Then I looked to see if anyone else had noticed what happened. Let me tell you, I felt pretty stupid.

A large knot quickly developed between my eyes. Then I realized that the swelling was filling in the wrinkles on my forehead. I was elated. I discovered something better and cheaper than Botox! Just knock yourself in the forehead to induce constant swelling. I felt pretty smug and young looking.

Unfortunately, while having lunch with some friends, they informed me that the area below my eyes was turning purple. I was developing two black eyes. Now I felt stupid again because how was I going to explain this without looking like a complete idiot?

I do, however, still like the swelling. Better to look young and stupid than just plain old.

World Cup Soccer - Good Job USA/Great Kick England

So I have been texting and Facebooking my friends in England talking trash about the big World Cup soccer game between England and the USA. This has not been easy. Honestly, the only thing I know about soccer is that you kick the ball around and David Beckham is really hot. It is hard to goad the other team when you don't know what you are talking about. I can't come up with much more than "I know you are but what am I."

So I am forced to draw upon the things I have learned from my son's 2nd and 3rd grade soccer team.

First of all, according to DreadHead Sports rules, I shouldn't be talking trash at all. As a fan, I am supposed to cheer for both teams. Now you understand the title of this blog post. I also shouldn't cheer for my favorite player (like "Go Landon Donovan - take you shirt off!) but instead have something nice to say about all the players (like "It's okay Robert Green, I'd still go to a pub with you any day!")

They didn't show the sidelines much, but I hope both teams had plenty of water on hand. Two twenty minute halves is a long time for those guys to be out there. Also, I hope their moms brought good healthy snacks. And no, a chewy granola bar and fruit roll-ups are not considered healthy. I want to see some fresh fruit and some almonds for protein.

Finally, I don't want any of my English friends to talk bad about their goalie who was apparently playing with a bug in the grass when the USA team made their only goal. This happens all the time in our league. It sometimes gets boring at the goal all by yourself. It is easy to get distracted by clouds that look like horses and daydreaming in general. I'm sure the little Bobby feels just awful about his mistake. We want to encourage him so his self esteem is not damaged.

"Bobby, you are an excellent goal keeper. Follow your dreams and keep working hard."

Hope everyone enjoys their pizza party after the game. You are all winners and should all get a trophy.

Busted!

Me: Gary, were you just in the bathroom listening to The Backstreet Boys on your iPhone?

Gary: I.. uh..

Me: I am so blogging that!

Gary: It's on Genius. I was listening to Brittany Spears first!

Right, like THAT is supposed to make it any better.

A Cease Fire with Possibilty of Peace

Yesterday I did something completely new and different. I trusted my body and listened to what it is telling me.

My body and I have been at war since about 3rd grade when it unexpectedly decided to grow boobs. Tall eight year old girls with boobs was completely unacceptable in my book. The battles have been bloody and painful and I haven't won even the first one. So for the last few years I have been trying to negotiate a peace agreement not unlike that of something between Israel and Palestine. I make progress toward a cease-fire then my body goes and gains 25 pounds or something breaks that would not have broken 10 years ago and I'm off firing missiles of self hate and eating sugar by the cupful.

I think, however, that I am closer than ever to not only finding lasting peace, but learning to work WITH my body.

Yesterday was my scheduled run day in the training program that I am using. I had already played tennis that morning and nearly died from the heat. My body was telling me that is was tired. I felt sore all over. My foot was hurting from a flip-flop injury (Yes, in Florida we have other dangers besides hurricanes and oil spills. We also get injuries to our feet caused by wearing flip-flops or going barefoot.)

My usual routine would be to think about what I did recently that would make me so tired. I would then judge myself to see if I was worthy to feel tired and sore. Then I would either push myself to complete the run I had committed to or berate myself for being lazy and finding excuses not to run. I chose not to do any of this. I simply said to myself "Okay, I hear you and I respect what you are saying. Let's check back tomorrow to see if everything is better."

Guess what?  I feel better today. I plan to run on the treadmill in a little while.

Is lasting peace possible? I do believe it is.

Yay June!

It's June! Summer is my favorite time of year. Boys are out of school. This part could be difficult, but at least no more early morning car lines.

Family vacation starts June 22nd. Totally looking forward to that.

Two online classes taking up more time than I thought they would take. Learning lots of new things about making a living as an artist.

Working up to running a 5K. Playing tennis at the hot, hot courts of the JCC.

Inspired by watery blue colors and Lilly Pulitzer prints.

MUST get studio done so that I can create art!

Busy, busy start to a relaxing summer season.