I don't think I've seen the sun yet

On Tuesday, I remember telling Nightman (sneaky and mean) that I really don't think I've seen the actual SUN in West Virginia since the Pitt loss. In those seven days, it's been cold and gray and even snowy. And even today as I got up from under my self-induced NyQuil coma and went downstairs, it's still gray. And the radio weather report said rain for the next few days.

I could see how people get seasonal affective disorder. I actually know a couple of people who do have it and for a span of months during the fall and winter, they're on antidepressants because the dark and the gray is just too much. I understand how it could happen quite easily.

I woke up and went to the couch, which long has been a favorite Saturday routine. In my old house, the TV room was in the bottom level of the house and it was so dark and I would lose hours on Saturday afternoon sleeping while he worked or did other things. It's very dark in the bedroom in my new house, but thankfully, my living room lets in a lot of light.

There's just no light. It's gray. And ugly. And the trees are barren. But I do have a lovely view of Charleston's finest high-rise living. :) It doesn't have a parking garage, though. It doesn't make sense to me to have that kind of apartment building that you're paying that much to live in, and you still park outside. I've never been so happy to have a garage in my life!! Wednesday morning when it was snowy outside, I got into a cleaned off, warm car.

I've grounded myself today. I don't want to leave the house unless I have to because I just need to try to rest this cold out. I've torn up the interstate in every direction for weeks. It's been a blast and I've loved every second, but my health is suffering.

Oh, and how's this for a surprise -- I was doing research on half-marathons and found that the Erie one got pushed back to July! EEK! I'm scared now. Officially scared. I don't know if I'll be ready by July. I found a great program online that gives you eight weeks of conditioning and then you start training full on, so I think that's most sound. I'm going to have to map out some outside paths in Charleston for this training because I can't possibly take a treadmill at the gym long enough to do 10 miles on a Sunday.

It's a huge commitment. Erie in July, the Danskin Tri sometime in July (I hope not on the same weekend) and the Harrisburg-Hershey Half Marathon in November (which will definitely end with me taking a huge nap and then going to Chocolate World to eat everything made of milky chocolate goodness that isn't tied down -- in fact, I'd like my friends at the finish line with a giant Hershey's bar). I've been asked what I'll do after that.

I don't know. Probably sleep a while. Go to Vegas. I've always wanted to go to Vegas. I hear they've got a good half-marathon out there, too.

My ultimate dream goal is the Boston Marathon ... but I'm a realist. I doubt I'll ever be able to do that. Maybe it just seems overwhelming now, but in the end, taken in small chunks, it's totally possible.

I've always been told anything is possible, and I've definitely learned that during the last six months of my life. Anything is possible and you should be prepared for the bottom to drop out any time.

But I feel very peaceful, even if it's cold and gray outside. I'd be psyched if I could breathe out my nose, but that's just gravy at this point. :)

Reader mail (and Wednesday random)

I'm on the phone with Jeff right now, in an IM with Ben and listening to "Delilah" on the radio, which I leave on for Inky during the day so she's got some background noise. (Yeah, that's lame. Mock me if you want.) The song on now is "Night Shift" by Lionel Richie.

Verrrrrp.

Oh, but there's been redemption, because now we've got "Sara Smile" by Holland Oates.

You'll get that joke if you're a fan of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

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But on with the reader mail!

My sister, Ashlea, sent me this story, courtesy of our friends at FOXnews.com:

Woman Overheard Yelling Obscenities at Toilet Could Face Jail Time
Tuesday , October 16, 2007

SCRANTON, Pa. — A woman who allegedly shouted profanities at her overflowing toilet within earshot of a neighbor was cited for disorderly conduct, authorities said.

Dawn Herb could face up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $300.

"It doesn't make any sense. I was in my house. It's not like I was outside or drunk," Herb told The Times-Tribune of Scranton. "The toilet was overflowing and leaking down into the kitchen and I was yelling (for my daughter) to get the mop."

Herb does not recall exactly what she said, but she admitted letting more than a few bad words fly near an open bathroom window Thursday night.

Her next-door neighbor, a city police officer who was off-duty at the time, asked her to keep it down, police said. When she continued, the officer called police.

Mary Catherine Roper, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union in Philadelphia, took issue with the citation.

"You can't prosecute somebody for swearing at a cop or a toilet," she said.

Why is this story awesome? Where do I even start?

1. Who HASN'T yelled at an inanimate object like that? I must swear at objects a dozen or more times a day.

2. What are YOU going to do the next time your toilet overflows? Bet me money that you swear.

3. Douchebag off-duty cops.

4. ... Um, hello? The best part ... SCRANTON!

5. Ash, thanks for getting this week's Roundup segment ready for the show Sunday!

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I'm starting to think Inky is possessed. Or at the least a little neurotic, which isn't bad given the girl who adopted her.

She's spent the last 30 minutes chasing both my gym bag (which hasn't moved) or her foot. She hisses at HER FOOT. I'm confused by this. That foot's never done you wrong, Ink.

* * * * *

Speaking of the gym, though, I'm still training for the triathlon in April. The last few weeks haven't been good on my gym schedule.

Truth be told, in the days following my separation, I didn't do much but lay around on the couch and watch TV. Then I traveled a little and came back to Charleston and I was living with a friend, so I didn't do a whole lot. It took me a week to get really settled into my new place and this is actually the first week I've been back into a routine of any sort.

That three weeks off was hell on my running endurance. You wouldn't think that three weeks off could affect your time like that, but it did for me. I just have to get back into it and get dedicated to it again. It'll be easier now, and I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Next after the Disney Danskin Tri is the Erie Half-Marathon, so you all should get your posterboard signs ready for that one. Oh, and your gambling money. Because after I run, we're totally tagging Presque Isle like it's our job.

* * * * *

I think it's bed time. I've got a few books that I got at Kanawha County Library's annual used book sale that I'm eager to rip into. I decided to not put a TV in my bedroom so I have a quiet place. The TV is too great a temptation when you're trying to sleep ... I'd rather pass out with a good book.

I also bought a composition book to write down my dreams ... if I could just remember them. So far, no luck.