I finished in 26 minutes 55 seconds. OK, not the fastest runner out there...but not anywhere near the slowest either. In fact my time was much better than I ever got when I ran years ago. Back then I was lucky if I cracked 30 minutes.

The weather was perfect for running. The temperature was in the mid 50's at 9 when the race started which was a little cold but perfect once you got going.   It was a little windy but the wind was always on our sides and made for a nice breeze coming off the river.   I was very glad that I have been training on hills because when it came time for the big hill at the end of the race, I  was able to just power past a bunch of people and get to the finish. I bet I passed 40 people on that hill.   It felt great.   Can't wait for the next run.

I am running my first 5k in 10 years tomorrow.   Hopefully it will not be raining but rain or shine I will be there.     Got lots of good tips on diet and pacing at lunch today.   I also learned that a 5k is a "short" run.   At least it is for someone in their mid twenties :)   I think it will be a while before I call it a "short" run.   I have to confess that I haven't time myself to see how fast I can complete the distance so I have no idea how long it will take me.  I will not be surprised if it's as low as 25 or as high as 35 minutes but I am pretty sure I can actually finish.     With any luck it will bet at the low end of that time.

Haven't made a final decision on a piano yet but I will probably do some shopping this weekend.  There are a few other music stores near here so I need to check them out before I make my final decision.   I am thinking it may be a birthday present for myself.

Over the last few weeks, I have come to realize a couple of things.   I miss being social.   There was a time years ago that I went out a lot more than I do now and enjoyed myself.  Somehow in working at a relationship for the last few years, I forgot that being social was a lot of fun. 

The second thing that I have realized is that I miss music.    I mean I really miss music.  OK, I was never a great musician, but I did more than crank the tunes in the car on the way to and from work.   What brought on this sudden reflection was watching the movie "Stranger than Fiction."   In the movie Will's character was buying a new guitar so he can learn to play, something he had always wanted to do.   I got to thinking about a time a few years ago when I decided I wanted to play guitar.   I got a guitar for Christmas and then purchased one myself...and never learned.   After practicing for a few months, it turned out that playing guitar is not at all like playing trumpet or French horn....and made my finger hurt.    It just wasn't something you could just peck at and slowly work on.  As I watched the movie, I ran pondered these events and hung my head in realization that I would probably never learn to play guitar.  It was hammered home when I remembered that my guitars got stolen when I moved last spring.   So what to do.... Piano.   I have always wanted to play the piano.   Sure it's hard to play well but anyone can sit at one and pick out a tune.   So, I made a decision.    I am going to get a piano, I am going to take lessons and I am going to learn to play.   I even shopped around a bit for little upright that would work in my living room and found a good candidate.   Oh, don't worry, I have no delusions of grandeur and  I will probably never play very well (too late in life) but if I can play a song or two, I will be more than happy with myself.

I like this Jake 4.0 thing :)

I am so excited that it's spring.    Convertible weather is here so every chance I get the top is down and I am cruising around town.   So far the weather has been ideal but since it' Oklahoma, I will probably be snowing next week.   I am taking the opportunity to run outside and and amazed how much farther I can run than in previous years. There is a recent commercial saids..."Fit feels good" and I am starting to understand what it means....maybe I need some Propel Fitness Water :)   So far this week, I've been going to riverside to enjoy the sights and get in a few miles and forgot how much more fun it is running next to the (admittedly empty) river.    Yesterday I ran 4.5 miles and today I ran 4.   I haven't been able to run this far in probably 10 years.    It's nice to have the old energetic me back.

The yard work started this week as well.   This new house has MUCH more work to be done outside.  I managed to mow the yard but the old battery powered mower may not be up to the task all year long.   We will see.    I think the yard will look really good in a few weeks once it starts greening up and the weeds finally die out.   I spent 6 hours outside sunday getting the various tasks competed and getting a mild sunburn and it was time well spent.

Everything else is going pretty well.   Work is busy, dating again is going well so far.   and lot's of gadgets are in the mail on the way here this week :) so all is good in my  world. 

Yep, that's the only way to describe it.   The Tech Package on the RDX is awesome.    After debating for months on which little sportute to go with, I am glad I went to the RDX.  I took delivery on Saturday and the delivery was uneventful.   After negotiating a pretty awesome price, the deal got even better when Acura decided to offer 1.9% financing on the RDX.  So the cash went back into my pocket so I could finance the deal.  

After I finished the paper work, I  put on a good 50 miles on it driving around town Saturday.   As usual, it will probably take me a while to get it broken in, but I am probably going to drive it everyday for the first few weeks so I can get the 600 miles that it needs for the motor to be ready to go.   I will also try to get the brakes bedded this week sometime.

The RDX has some impressive technology.  Everything, and I mean everything, can be controlled via your voice.    Want to turn up the temp,  just say "Driver Temperature 72 degrees" and the car responds.    Want to call sis, just say "Dial Jennifer's Cell" and off it goes.    It can play MP3 or WMA cd's and DVD-Audio (pretty useless) and has a pretty decent sounding audio system.   In fact, the MP3's sound almost CD quality coming from this system which is a feat  my SLK can't accomplish.   I haven't learned how everything works yet since there are around 600 pages of owners manual to cover.  Rest assured, I will read every page.

Long and exciting week ahead.  Catch you all later.

So, I have 2 months under my belt (a new smaller one) in this new year and I haven't forgotten the goals I created for the new and improved me.  So far, this years turning out to be quite different.  Fun actually.   I have met some new and interesting people.  I've done some cool projects on the new house and been very busy at work.    To hold myself accountable to my new years goals, I figured I would run through them again and see how I am doing.

• Do something nice for someone every day -  I am getting pretty good at doing the little things but I and trying to make it a habit  of doing  something more than a simple gesture or favor, I am trying to do something that is really appreciated.  Luckily I have lot's of role models to guide me.  I am going to work harder on this one.
• Give back to the community - I have been researching this a bit, my sister signed up for Big Sisters and unfortunately didn't get accepted.   I think I am going to give it a try when it get's warm.
• Photography - This ones flying along.   My sister and I have both been going strong since January 1st on a new Photo a Day gallery.   I really forgot how much I missed having my camera in my hand....even when I'm extremely busy it's nice to carve out a few minutes to capture a thought and an image.
• Don't be a fat slob - Well, so far so good.  I am still not where I like to be but I'm getting pretty close.   A few more pounds  off before I am at my goal.   Luckily, it's getting warm so  I am running outside instead of on the treadmill so I bet that last few will be EASY.
• Learn to cook - OK, I still can't cook.    This ones still in the planning stage.   The good news is that I am down to eating fast food for dinner once a week at the most.    Unfortunately, while I am technically "cooking"  the other nights,  I don't think cooking rice really meets my goal.  A little more work here.
• Travel somewhere - Well, I am traveling at least once this year.  Mom has the trip to Disney World all planned and all that's left is to get the tickets to get into the various parks.  After that I am thinking it might be cool to go back to San Francisco again this fall.    I loved that city when I was there and this time I can go and actually enjoy the Napa Valley and the wonderful art that is everywhere in this amazingly laid back city.
• Start dating again - So, after looking at my opportunities and thinking of the various way I could meet someone, I came to a realization.   It's harder than I thought.   I don't hang at bars, I don't go "clubbing" and my job has me pretty much sitting in an office all day, so what do to.   Well, I decided to try the online approach.   In fact,  I signed up for eHarmony to see what it was all about.    To my pleasant surprise, it seems to actually work I am going on a date next week so wish me luck.

Well, that's the rundown.   Some goals are coming along great and some that need some work, but I am proud of where I am so far.