Burning Man 2011

I decided to try and get my pictures up quickly this year. Thus, although all the images are there and ready to view, I'll probably be adding more comments over time. I want to add links to other interesting items and tid-bits that might be worth looking at. But in the meantime, I am pleased with my day-shots and grateful that I took the time to actually use the camera more this year. Enjoy!

Burning Man 2011

A Precious Visit

My brother and his wife came to visit and brought my favorite niece with them.

Bumper cars for grown-ups

My friend DaNay took me to my first demolition derby at the Johnson County fair. It was more fun than I expected and actually quite a stress-reliever to watch cars pound into each other.

GenCon2012

It never fails that when I first walk in the door from a long trip, my mind is boiling with lots of details that I want to share. Yet I'm so exhausted that I decide to wait a day or two to let my life return to normal before sifting through pictures and putting it all together. Then, by the time I'm actually at the keyboard, all the cool stories are completely wiped from my memory and all I have left are a few unimpressive pictures.

Here below are those meager images for your perusal.

FYI, I do want to state again that I had a ton of fun at OrcStomp -- the 5K run that I participated in at this convention. I am enjoying running a lot and I now want to sign up for some more races nearby. Once I figure out a plan, I'll post something so maybe a few of you will join me!

Cooking Day July 2011

We had another really productive day yesterday, even though we were trying to do less than last time. I've uploaded a few pictures.

KantCon 2011

So I haven't had time to really absorb everything from the weekend, but KantCon this year was awesome! I was so busy having fun, that I didn't take many pictures again this year, but the best of what I did take is available in my web album: KantCon 2011.

If you were there and have feedback, please fill out an evaluation form. Several of the organizers will be meeting this weekend to talk about how to make next year even better.

Still running

So most of my training so far has been inside and on an elliptical machine (because that's what we happen to have at home). I was a little worried that this might skew things for me because I know that elliptical is really nothing like actual running. However, I decided to keep with it because of two primary reasons: 1) It was an excuse to keep exercising and add some structure to my routine. 2) Even if I couldn't actually run, I figured this would increase my endurance; especially since when I'm on the machine my 'walking' periods are more like jogging and my 'run' periods are almost at my top speed.

This weekend I finally did my first test outside and on the pavement. I managed to coax my husband to come along since I was still in the first week of C25k and more than half the time is spent walking anyway. We headed out to the park and around the joggling trail there, and it was so easy! I think that the elliptical really is building up my endurance because I never really felt tired until about the last run segment. I did feel a little bit of pressure on my shins, but that's because my running shoes are about a year old and have never been used for real running before. I think with some new shoes, I will be set.

Now that the weather is so nice, my hope is to run outside at least once a week and maybe even more once I continue to adjust to waking up early. I am encouraged, because I feel that this 5K thing could really be in reach!