A Fun and Clever Video

--Performed by Corey Vidal, Vocals by Moosebutter

The Glass Castle

I recently read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Her direct writing style painted not only physical pictures, but emotional pictures as well. I was overcome by her story. She is one of THE most amazing people I've ever heard or read about. This is her first line:

"I was sitting in a taxi, wondering if I had overdressed for the evening, when I looked out the window and saw Mom rooting through a Dumpster."

I haven't read a more intelligent, educational, stirring, and eye-opening book in a very long time, if ever. It has definitely moved into my list of favorites.

In an interview she said, "The shame is not in falling, the shame is in staying down." This completely sums up not only what I've seen of her, but her story.

If you are interested, you can see part of a speech she gave at a conference.

Her story is extraordinary and so is she.

Things I've Learned

I like to run. I've always liked to run. But I haven't done any running for a long time. I wanted to get back into shape , so I started walking. Then I decided to train for a 5K. I'd already been walking about 4 1/2 miles. I started running. I was at one mile after the first week. I was at two miles at the end of the second week. Week three I injured my knee. I could not have been more frustrated. I knew I couldn't run on it. I did strengthening exercises and walked, but that didn't help. Everything I did just aggravated it. And, quite frankly, I was aggravated with it. All I could do was cry through every workout and shake my fists at the injury gods.

Enough of that. Down to the things I learned:

1) Get a program before you start to train.
2) Don't push your body beyond its ability to healthily respond.
3) Injuries really ____. (Fill in the blank. And remember to watch your language.)
4) Running is the bomb. (Okay, I already knew that, but it's still true.)
5) When you set a goal, there's always someone or something that's more than willing to shoot you down.
6) Don't listen to them/it.

I found out that I strained the bursa something something in my knee and I'm on anti-inflammatories. I have a week to do non-jarring physical activity. If it doesn't get better, I have to get x-rays and possibly never run again. That would really be the pits.

I'm being positive, though. It will get better. I will run again. Even if it kills me.