My own private Everest

It snowed 4 feet on the mountain last night, so there was LOTS of fresh powder this morning. On the first run of the day, I followed Heide (the mother of Nani, the student who invited me out) through a deep run, in between the trees. I forgot to mention - Heide runs LOTS of marathons, skis a TON and is extremely fit.

So I followed and did well for a bit, but then crashed out. It was a VERY soft landing, but then I couldn't quite get my board turned over so that I could stand up again. I can only seem to manage from a face-down position - my arms are DYING from doing push-ups! So there I am, lying in the snow, feeling like Ralphie's little brother Randy in "A Christmas Story." Remember? He was all bundled up like a tick and then got knocked over as he was walking to school. He couldn't get up and just rolled around in the snow until his brother came to his rescue.

Only problem was, by that point I was alone. NOBODY around, and I'm stuck in the snow. At one point, my board jammed in the snow (which was very wet and sticky) about 6 inches and I had to take it off just to get it out. Then I sank up to my thighs in the powder and had to spend A LONG time trying to walk out of the situation. It was very tiring, and quite comical. Needless to say, I was spent when I finally got out and made the run down the mountain. I keep referring to the episode as "My own private Everest."

Merry Christmas from Wyoming

(picture to follow later)

Arrived in Jackson Hole last night. I managed to skip the Dallas segment and flew stand-by straight to Wyoming with the family I'm staying with, so we all went to a prime rib dinner at their friends for Christmas. It's 7:45 AM, and I just ran a few miles. I understand the moose are out, but it was too dark for me to see! Snowboarding today; pray that I don't hurt myself. I'll let you know how it goes.

Stay warm!

HOLD EVERYTHING!

I charted today's run here. Although it doesn't show the actual bike/run path, I went from the Congress Hotel across from Grant Park all the way up Lake Shore Drive (with a run to the end of Navy Pier and back as well) to the Fullerton exit, and then back again. It says the total mileage was 11.79 miles. I also used two other methods of estimating. One came in at 10.3 miles, the other 10.28. Would it be fair of me to say I ran 10.79, since that's the average of the 3?

And can I round it up to 11? PLEASE?!!

Running Cross-Country

In case you are keeping track (or care), here are some interesting points about my training:

Sept. 22 - 4 miles in Orlando
Sept. 29 - 5 miles in Miami
Oct. 6 - 6 miles in Cherry Valley, IL
Oct. 21 - 7 miles in Orlando
BLAH BLAH BLAH due to injury
Nov. 18 - 7 miles in Seattle
Nov. 24 - 6 miles in Ve-GASS
Dec. 1 - 8 miles in Orlando
Dec. 9 - 10 miles in Miami
Dec. 16 - 7 miles in Miami
Dec. 23 - 8 miles in Chicago today (I think. My pedometer seemed a little off. I'll have to check the distance online.)

I was supposed to do 10 today, so I'm a little mad.

I'll have to do a short run in Jackson Hole, Wyoming this week, just to add to the list. Then 10 in Orlando for New Years, 11 in Miami, 12 in Tampa and then a short 7 in Miami. The marathon (13.1) is on Jan. 28th....I'm starting to doubt whether I'll make it! Keep sending good thoughts and prayers.

The Whirlwind Tour/Bad Travel Mojo

So I started my annual Christmas break tour. Some of my close friends laugh at the fact that I log more flights in the 2 week break from school than most of them do in an entire year. Of course, my married friends all say "You know, you can do that because you're single. If you were married and had a family, you wouldn't be able to." No freakin' kidding! And I'd trade it in a heartbeat if I could only find the right person. But I can't, so "stop hatin' and start celebratin' " That's what I'M sayin!

Anyway, this jaunt did NOT start well. The bad travel mojo is in high gear. My flight from Miami to Chicago was 4 hours late and then some lady fell getting off the train to downtown and we had to wait for someone to come and help her out. I missed a short meeting in Chicago AND the annual OPEN BAR at the convention hotel watering hole. DANG! (about the bar, NOT the meeting)

This year the convention is falling WAY too close to Christmas and it's very subdued. So much for 14,000 drunk band directors running around downtown. This year it's more like 100 or so mildly intoxicated ones. Which is probably a good thing. Makes it easier for me to behave. This place can be QUITE the hook-up if you are so connected AND inclined. I'm quite connected but not inclined. I actually called a friend of mine a "man whore" tonight because he was batting in my direction (he didn't make contact, so I don't call it hitting") while telling me of the previous night's escapades with woman from Denmark. He even had some of those cheesy photos booth pictures as proof.

Sorry, buddy....I'm not into "sloppy seconds". Better luck next year.

It's official...sex is good for you!

Read THIStoday....Unfortunately, it doesn't apply to ME!

"I say it sucka, sucka, sucka, sucka, SUCK! It sucks to be me!"

All I want for Christmas is...poll results

All I want for Christmas is...

World Peace 0% 0 votes
a winning lottery ticket 25% 1 vote
a date for Friday night 25% 1 vote
a day inserted betwen Saturday and Sunday 25% 1 vote
a squillion frequent flier miles so I could escape to Borneo 25% 1 vote

4 votes total

YOUR week must have been as busy as MINE!

Thank You note to a student

Dear MJ,

Thanks so much for the homemade chocolate cake. It's currently sitting on my desk, calling my name. I plan to put it out of its misery after school today. Enjoy your vacation!

Love,
your teacher

Homeroom humor

Amazingly enough, in only 10 minutes during homeroom today, there was enough exciting dialogue to last me a week.

First, there were a group of students studying for a science test on the human skeleton. Their passionate discussions on pivot vs. hinge joints was completely lost on me; I remember knowing that once, but I've cleared my brain for more important information, such as "When is the next Pez set of characters being released?"

Then, some of the boys (7th grade, of course) were discussing the pros and cons (mostly cons) of playing unconventional playground games, such as "Coconut" dodge ball (coconuts hurt more than regular playground balls when they hit you in the head) and "Roman candle" tag (burn concerns are obvious.)

Add to that, one of the students (whom I frequent look at at scream "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!) decided to poke everyone and yell "Sputnik" in a high-pitched squeak reminiscent of someone who's been inhaling helium.

BUT...the highlight was when one of the students told me she couldn't find her pants. She left school wearing them, but she wasn't wearing them in homeroom and can't remember when she took them off.

That whole conversation doesn't transcribe well.

Christmas hints

I received this from a friend today and read it whilst I was eating a small gift box of maple coated walnuts for breakfast. I think I'm on track.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact,
if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than
single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?
It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a
Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have
nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a
10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size
of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.
They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and
one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have SOME standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying
attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, totally worn out and screaming,

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

Another good poll week....

Last week's results....
-------------------
What's your favorite Christmas Carol?

Silent Night 21% 3 votes
Do You Hear What I Hear? 14% 2 votes
O Holy Night 29% 4 votes
We Three Kings 0% 0 votes
What do you mean, a favorite? How can ANYBODY pick just one?! 36% 5 votes

14 votes total

Fa la la la la, la freakin' la......

My week at a glance.....

This comes from an e-mail I just sent: I thought the writing too good not to share.
-------------------------
Beginning Band WORLD premiere performance on Friday afternoon; I don't if the world is ready. There is just nothing quite like the sound of an exhuberant young saxophonist on his first gig! I've actually considered "accidentally" breaking a few reeds or otherwise disabling a few instruments a few seconds before the downbeat, but alas, I must protect the integrity of the psyche of my young charges. I guess that means passing out earplugs at the door is not an option, either.

Community Band rehearsal last night - we have a concert next Tuesday. We seem to be playing every Christmas carol ever written, most of which are in one VERY long medley. The trumpets really seem to love this piece. I sit in front of them. It's very loud. And not in tune. Not even close.

Running - uh, yea....that's kind a problem. My LEFT calf is now healed, but my RIGHT shin is KILLING me. I'm afraid to go to the doctor, because I'm afraid he'll tell me A) stop running and B) no snowboarding over vacation. So I'll just play the ostrich and bury my head in the sand.

How's life in your world?

What I learned in school today

Never shake a drink bottle full of Crystal Light if the flip top is open, ESPECIALLY if you are standing over your open laptop.

Prayer request

Dear Friends,

As most of you are aware, I'm in training to run the Miami Half-Marathon on Sunday, January 28. This is my first-ever attempt at any such craziness and in spite of myself, things are going pretty well. The wildest part of it is that I'm actually ENJOYING it; I get kind of cranky if I don't get to run on schedule.

As I move in to the final weeks of training, I know that things are going to get tougher. I've been building up my distance every week but with the holidays coming, I'm a little bit nervous about getting those long runs in on the weekend. I need your help for motivation and I have 2 requests:

1. I've been listening to Praise/Worship music during my runs, trying to have some "God" time while on the road. You know me - always multi-tasking! I've been dealing with some pretty heavy issues in my life in recent months. As I move into the holiday season, I can almost feel myself going on my annual trip down the rabbit hole of self-doubt, loneliness and fear as I face the uncertainties of the New Year. As I run, I feel myself in constant prayer and things always look better.

My request: Send me your favorite Praise/Worship tune. As I listen to it, I will think of you and pray for you, as I hope you will pray for me as well.

2. It seems that God is working in my life as I deal with some childhood memories. As I process some events and share with those closest to me, I am realizing that MANY people that I'm coming in contact with have some similar scars. While I've made great strides in healing, it hurts so much to know that there are others who have just begun their journey or worse, innocent children who will be someday wounded in the same way. Therefore, I've decided to run for them, my own "unofficial" charity. The organization is "Darkness to Light" and it deals with confronting childhood sexual abuse.

My request: I'm running 13.1 miles. Please consider donating $13.10 towards this organization as I run; you can donate directly to them via their website, or you can send me a check and I'll make one large donation. If you donate directly to them please just let me know. I'd like to know if I made any difference. If you want to let me know but wish to remain anonymous, you can post a note here on The Bing Blog. I'll be posting this letter there as well.

Thanks for reading, and wish me luck,

Bing

Love me slender

Hershey to Honor Elvis With Banana Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
By Andy Geller

Love me slender: Candy fans are all shook up over plans by Hershey (HSY) to sell a peanut butter and banana crème version of its Reese's cup to honor The King.

The King, as in Elvis Presley.

Elvis' favorite sandwich was fried peanut butter and banana - sometimes with honey or slices of bacon added.

So in July, to mark the 30th anniversary of the rock legend's death, Hershey will introduce a limited edition of its chocolate cup featuring a layer of peanut butter and a layer of banana crème.

Heartburn hotel, you say? Perhaps, but Hershey insists that retailers are very excited about it.

"It brings The King's favorite taste of peanut butter and banana to life, and it's a fantastic way to bring two American icons together," said company spokeswoman Stephanie Moritz.

The Reese's Elvis Cup, first reported by Advertising Age, will have a picture of a young, thin Presley on the package. It will hit store shelves in time for Elvis Week in Memphis, to be held from Aug. 11 to 19.

Lifting up a tab on the wrapper will give buyers a chance to win a trip for two to Graceland, the Presley mansion in Memphis.

I'm a MONKEY!

The kids are doing a multi-cultural study in the Chinese portion of their FLEX (Foreign Language Exploratory) class. They are carrying around a list of the Chinese animals that correspond with your birth year, thus determining your personality for life! Having been born in 1968, I am a Monkey: extremely intelligent, diplomatic, tactful, clever, makes good friends, can sometimes be deceiving.

That last one is interesting, because while I was in Vegas, the monkeys stole my money!

Flingin' Fluids

I got to spend some "bonding" time with Mer on Friday. TOTALLY cool. We're all excited because she's been invited to sing with the San Fran opera and premiere a new work. I'm already looking at flights.

Anyway, she came to Miami a few weeks ago to audition for the Florida Grand Opera. We decided that if they don't hire her, we will spray paint their building. (JUST kidding. Don't call the cops. SHEESH!) Anyway, last night I was running past their building and decided it would be funnier (and actually kind of gross) to spit on their sidewalk instead. Then in a stroke of absolute middle school mentality, I wiped a goober on their wall and laughed hysterically.

Mer called last night to say that Florida Grand hasn't called anyone yet. They haven't finished auditions.

I hope I haven't given her bad opera mojo.

What a day!

This is a rutabaga.







This was my day.






Any questions?

Uhhh....Santa? A Little Help here!

This week's poll results:

IF you were to buy Bing a Christmas present, you would shop at:
www.burlingamepezmuseum.com 60% 3 votes
www.apple.com 0% 0 votes
www.homedepot.com 0% 0 votes
www.target.com 0% 0 votes
www.anyoftheabove.com 40% 2 votes

5 votes total
------------
Considering I voted TWICE myself, it looks like my Christmas tree is going to very bare this year. But actually, I'm not putting one up this year. I won't be here for much of December, so it really doesn't matter.

Not your every day road debris...

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A tractor-trailer filled with peanut butter and jelly crashed on an off-ramp of Interstate 664 Saturday causing a sticky mess that kept the roadway closed for five hours, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

The driver of the tractor-trailer filled with packets of peanut butter and jellies was charged with reckless driving after his truck lost control around 11:50 a.m. as it tried to exit onto U.S. 58, the paper said.

"Your hands were just covered with jelly," Sgt. C.J. Plaza of the Virginia State Police told the paper. "I had grape, apple, peach preserve, raspberry, strawberry."

It took 10 workers more than five hours to clean up the mess, the paper said.