WSotD - Cardinal Edition

Lots has been going on in my life. But I haven't felt like writing about it here. And I haven't felt like writing inane posts about everyday occurrences like I usually do. But it is almost my favorite holiday, and my costume is fantastic, and I have a new job, and I am recovered enough to run again, and, well, I guess I am ready to write again. And to get back into it, I give you a brand! new! WSotD. 'Cardinology' is finally here - and though I heard a few songs in Cleveland, I am looking forward to listening to it over and over again and falling in love with it like I did with the rest of the Cardinals' work. And this particular song was one I loved and subsequently learned I had misunderstood the lyrics to - and now that I know the true lyrics, it hits me in a whole new way. So here it is, and I am back.

What makes them walk away, after all these years?
These years of learning it the hard way
By the lessons from the tears
I know it’s not a game
But it feels like losing when someone you love throws you away
I’d fix it
I’d fix it
I’d fix it
I’d fix it if I could
And I’d always win
I’d always win
I always win the in end
How easy was it for you making those plans you made?
Before I became something for you, you know to dislocate
I know it’s not a game
But if feels like losing when
Someone you love throws you away
I’d fix it
I’d fix it
I’d fix it
I’d fix it if I could
And I’d always win
I’d always win
And you would always lose
Look what I did to you
Look what you did to me
Fixed it
Fixed it
I'd fix it if I could
And I’d always win
I’d always win
I’d always win in the end

Chicago Marathon!

I did it! My legs are still ridiculously sore, and I look like a gimpy giraffe when I am forced to walk down stairs, but the bottom line is I finished my first marathon. My original goal time was 4 hours. The week leading up to the race, however, I was pretty sick, spent lots of time sleeping, and lost about 5 pounds, so I adjusted my goal to simply finishing. Also, race day was pretty warm, and since the organizers think 8 am is a more reasonable start time than 7 am (hint, it isn't. pleeease start the race earlier!), you end up running in the hot sun for the toughest part of the race. Anyway, I slowed my pace to compensate for how freaking hot I was and ended up finishing in 4 hours, 30 minutes. I am really excited to be finished, and I will definitely train for another marathon soon. I would really love to accomplish my 4 hour goal! Many thanks go out to my friends who came and cheered me on, to my mom who flew out to Chicago just for the race, and to my sister (an Ironman triathlete) who gave me fantastic training tips. If you are thinking about running a marathon, I highly recommend it, and I wish you the best of luck! Thanks out there for all of the support leading up to the race!!!

I think I waited too long . . .

. . . to post about ACL, Ryan Adams, and Boulder. But I don't have internet at my house and finding time to post has been difficult. So here are my shortened updates on the past week of my life:

ACL
* ACL is like Lollapalooza - but not. It is much less spread out, you can actually see every single act that you want to. That also means there is more noise bleed, and you have to make sure you are perfectly positioned between the speakers at each stage. All in all, ACL is much more laid back, with a slightly older crowd and fewer people who were absolutely wasted. And now for my favorite bands:
M. Ward, Mason Jennings, Swell Season, Vampire Weekend, What Made Milwaukee Famous (they totally redeemed themselves from their Lolla performance), Foo Fighters, Raconteurs, Black Keyes, and lots of other little bands that I marked in my little guide that I don't have with me. It was a blast.

Ryan Adams
* So if you ever read this blog, you know how much I love the genius. Eddie and I went on an adventure to Cleveland (since Ryan didn't come to Chicago for this tour) to see Mr. Adams and his merry band of Cardinals. What can I say?? I cried through the whole show. It was that good. He played almost 30 songs, mostly from 'Cold Roses,' 'Easy Tiger,' and oddly enough, 'Demolition.' His new songs are amazing. He is no longer the infamously erratic performer people might remember - he appeared to be in a great place artistically and simply got on stage and played his heart out. And I cried. And it was perfect.

Boulder
* Well the Buffs couldn't quite keep up with those Texas boys, but I was proud of them nonetheless. And Boulder is still a magical place for me. I always feel happy when I am there, almost like I am home. The mountains, the funky people, the beautiful campus - it holds a very special place in my heart. Aside from one awkward moment when EVERY boy I dated in college was in the same freaking bar at the same time, I had a blast seeing old friends, drinking at my favorite bars, and topping off the trip with Cosmo's pizza, YUM.

And now I am off to retire on my couch. I picked up a cold that I really need to shake before the marathon. The marathon that is on Sunday. I am nervous. So I am off to hydrate and consume vast quantities of any cold medicine I can get my hands on.

** Sidenote: Doesn't the medicine "Abilify" sound like a word Charles Barkley would use?? "He can abilify his team to do great things. Man, I admire that abilify." OK, it totally does. And the commercial always makes me laugh.