Editions of Me

So, I'm not a drinker. Never was. My college drinking experiences were limited to Pabst Blue Ribbon and Jack-and-cokes, and because I'm a total lightweight and I also don't like drinking things that don't taste good, I generally opt for a non-alcoholic option. But seeing as how I'm encroaching upon my 30's, I at least feel like I should learn about wine, and find one that I like. When people ask me if I like white or red, I shrug because I don't know. I don't know anything about wine - how to drink it, how to appreciate it, etc. So this one was a must-have on my 30 before 30 list, and when I learned of a 2-for-1 wine tasting voucher on Facebook, I jumped on it. So my friend Lisa and I set out today for St. Helena (about two hours away) to have lunch and visit a couple different wineries, amidst unusually beautiful late-October weather.

Sunday was SVRG's first ever Halloween Tournament! When I first caught wind of this, I signed up almost immediately, because it sounded like the most fun ever - skaters from all over the area being divided up into Halloween-themed teams and then facing off? Hell yeah! We ended up having four teams - Team Skeletons (black), Team Pumpkins (orange), Team Zombies (purple), and Team Ghosts (white - my team). Black and Orange faced off first, then Purple and White, and the winner from each one would face each other in a "championship" bout. I arrived at Roosevelt Park on Sunday already burning up - for October, it sure was hot out. The outdoor rink had no cover whatsoever, and spectators were crammed into what little shade there was in the stands. The track surface was slick and at times covered in water spots seeping up from beneath the sport court tiles - the combination of the heat and having to work so hard just to stabilize myself meant that I was already sweaty afte...

Two long years, I've dealt with personal setbacks, league drama, and just old-fashioned "my body won't do what I want it to"... only to find myself now with a fantastic group of skaters and coaches. It's funny how something that is the culmination of my efforts from one phase can also be the beginning of even bigger and better things. I am so happy and so proud to announce that I've made the final roster for our bout coming up in Sonora on November 5th!!! Of course, it's not set in stone - between now and then, I've got to REALLY work hard to prove that I belong there - but this is a great, great thing!

And then there's the fun part. And I thoroughly enjoy this part as well :)

This was supposed to be the grand year that I completed a full marathon, but alas, it wasn't to be. I WILL do it next year. However, I made a pretty good go of it for the half yesterday. I haven't been training, but I've been skating a ton, and I think that helped, because I felt better throughout the race than I ever have in previous years. Becca and I kept up our running interval through the first half (minus the hills, which were torturous), and I think I could've kept it up longer, but Becca was struggling a little with running, so we walked the second half. (I could tell I was stronger and could've run more because we ran towards the finish line, and I totally felt FINE. I've done the last-straightaway-sprint-to-the-finish before, and I'm usually limping and really slow and just plain in PAIN, but yesterday, I was like, Dude! I'm just bouncing in!!!) So, all things considered, I feel really good about yesterday's race, and I think I...

Actually, he asked for a vest, so I made him a sweater VEST, and it turned out very well, if I do say so myself. The pattern is Delius (from Twist Collective), and it's knit with Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool - VERY soft! Front view Back cable with neck detailing I know it looks long and skinny, but the vest ended up being a perfect fit. I don't have an action photo for you, so you'll have to take my word for it :)

I like to knit. A lot. I think I like knitting things even more than I like wearing the knitted things. I'm kind of a process knitter, I suppose. So, I have a lot of knit things that are sitting around, and I think they're too beautiful to just sit around anymore. So I'm giving them away. All I ask in return is that you care for them properly (and not accidentally felt them in the washing machine LIKE MY MOTHER) and if I have to mail it to you, please cover postage. First come, first served. Please email me directly (thuvngo at gmail) - don't comment this post. I have more pictures of most of these items, if you need to see them. I will note which ones have already been taken. All garments are women's size L/XL (14-16) unless otherwise noted. My bust measurement (around the fullest part) is around 46 inches, if that helps to give you a reference. And I generally make things a little loose. *UPDATE* All that remains below is the Calorimetry headband. Unless...

Me pivoting. The sun giving me an evil eye. Thanks, Undead Bettys, for hosting the scrimmage last night! We had a great time and learned a lot!