Disgruntled Government Employee

Maybe it's just that time of year.

That time of year where it seems like I never see day light and as a result my VitD depraved body moves into this funk in which my friends and coworkers can't help but comment on my mood.

Or you know...maybe it's my repsonse to revcieving the email below:

...support in maintaining silence our spaces from 0800 to 1400, also we will close off the kitchen area from 0800 until 1400. Please refrain from loitering  in the passageways adjacent to the conference room.

...in combination with the irritation of the frenzy of work around our building. Powerwashing of the entryway. Replacement of lightbulbs (after months of darkness). Additional cleanings scheduled. The repair of broken toliet seats and bathroom door locks.

...the inability of a civilian coworker to sit in the front desk (aka Siberia) althoug it's her job when the normal person isn't here?

...or you know, the bumping of my second training's location.

Why all this disruption in the office?

Oh you know, lots of VIP visitors are in the building and our conference room was selected to be the location where the spouces met and had breakfast.

Does anyone else find this ridiculous?

Courtsey, repsect, cooperations. I get. But the fact that the few hours these individuals are spending in the space triggering all these actions? Last time I checked, only the service member wore the rank...not the spouse. The fact that so many basic repairs- the lights, in the restrooms, the cleaning only happen when something is important occurs sure makes those of us working 40+ hours here in this already deeming space feel lower than the nematodes in the social layers.

Yesterday I was threatening to stop and thank one of the spouses for their visit so that our basic work space repairs were finally addressed. Then again, maybe that's why our open office space, with 60+ work stations, was under the silence mandate today?

Oops. Sorry guys. But you know, last time I checked I didn't wear a uniform!

MISSING: Easy Button

I completely get that life is a series of challenges in which we get to choose our course of action and our reaction. I like to think that my actions and reactions are typically within the "normal" range however, there are some times I can't help but throw up my hands with an I surrender.

The latest instance of this? While I was standing under the hot water pouring out of the shower while I was trying to warm up post workout via candle lit bathroom.

Yeah, let's back up a tad.

After greeting Nico & CO, Monday evening at the front door I realized that my normal dark entry way was rather light. Strange because it's that time of year when it's dark on my departure and arrival. I then heard beeping that meant only one thing- my alarm was acting funny. And yes, we all know how I love this alarm system. So I start exploring what's going on. Turns out that all my downstairs is powerless, apart from the flood light that triggers when the power dies.

Upstairs was fine and in all honesty, I had hours of cleaning in my poor neglected kitchen so that's where I focused my energy. I figured it was just a glitch so flipped switches but with no luck. I even called my resident engineer who specializes in ships, but you know, he's my helpful go to in cases of uh oh to confirm I thought of everything.

Exhausted, sore, and already stressed out about everything that was coming together in a day's time for work I found several (okay, a lot) of candles and illuminated my bedroom just enough to avoid stepping on a cat or tripping on a stray shoe. Hey, I called someone. He couldn't assist, but I was in no mood to play charades with my landlady, especially over something technical like that.

In the morning? Well, still nothing and it was actually darker since the battery charge was gone on the flood light. Getting clothes out of my rather dark closet in the morning made me thankful for my organization kick I was on last week- mainly to prevent injury. Fortunately the upstairs lights confirmed that I did in deed match and allowed me to apply makeup so that I didn't look like I was about to take stage.

When I got home I learned that my alarm system was dead. Apparently it too has a finite amount of stored energy. Feeling a tad more energized, or maybe still fearful that my house could be a target despite the lock/key change post car break in, I once again played electrician. This time with more luck as I realized that one of the circuits was popped.

SHOWTIME!
Knock, knock.
Si?
Ciao, questa Katerina. (Dressed in an "I <3 Nerds hoodie and the pink/purple awesome running capris I'll be running through Paris in)
(Door swings open) 'sera.
Non che luce en la prima pisa....er piano.
Non che luce? (Turning to her guest to say she'd be back in a second, she followed me back to my apt, right to where I had been previously flipping switches.) With no luck, but spotting one my visiting cats (oops) she said she'd call Fabio.

730ish rolls around and Fabio calls. His English is fabulous but as he's trying to explain what I need to do to the fuse box and unplug things, and flip off wall power supplies I was getting a tad frustrated walking back and forth between the storage closet and stumbling through dark rooms. After some time of failed trouble shooting and determining that there was an issue in the wall wiring, he asks if they can show up in the morning. Um, I'll be at work, how about tomorrow evening? Somehow despite assuring him that domani would be better, he said his father would be over to look at it soon. Are you sure? Don't you guys want to call it a day and eat dinner...it is 8 after all. Translation: I'm starving, need to prep a dish for the potluck, still am in gym clothes, and have a presentation I need to finalize.

Yeah, his dad showed up. His dad who speaks no English.

After troubleshooting, he determines that the motor that runs the outer shade in my room is burned out. How? I still have no idea. I almost always have that shade down so the neighbors don't get subjected to Katie-vision. Plus, the last time I messed with it was probably for my epic nap on Saturday. Power issues started Monday. When I asked Fabio over the phone if that sounded like the real reason, he said these things happen and then we arranged for the time the 3 guys could come back and fix it in the morning. Okay, great. I'm an American; I eat dinner before 9pm so please go home to your family before you turn into a roasted turkey before my very eyes.

So this morning I was up and running except for a few outlets...it's amazing how fabulous electricity is.  Cats were sequestered and the house was prepped for the repair guy parade.

They were here. I know that much.

How? Well it appears that half the shade is now missing all together (meaning I have no window covering to my bedroom) and they put the faceplate back on wrong in my room.

No phone call or text indicating it's taken care of. Or that they're waiting for a part. Or that they need to get back into the house later this week.

See? Italy isn't all fabulous food, amazing history, and traveling. Real life still happens. Don't believe me? Come stand out in the parking area and catch tonight's episode of Katie-vision where I walk around my bedroom in PJs, have cats running around my bed, and maybe even put away laundry.

Week #5 Complete!

There once was a time when "it's just a half" really captured our thoughts on running a mere 13.1 miles.

Those days are gone.

Today, we ran 13 miles and in doing so completed week #5 of training.

Of course now we're both walking like we're a million and two. The fact that we have to run again tomorrow makes me want to cry. The ice packs are being reached for from their hiding places in our freezers. And really, what was I thinking packing boots with heels to wear the rest of my day?

Coworkers following our training looked at us half amazed, a quarter skeptical, and the rest "you be crazy" when we responded how many miles this weekend held for us. You do realize that's a half marathon- right? Actually, no, it's not. We're skipping that miserable 0.1 miles at the end.

We didn't skip the miserable 4.5 miles at the end though. Fellow runners/joggers/waddlers I know you get it- some days being out there feels great and other days, it feels like death. I don't think I need to tell you how today's run gets filed.

Bottom line though? We did it. Not quite without stopping, but on my honor I only stopped a few times and for water or to tell Stanley he was doing great. Actually, my body stopped without me even realizing it once, so I figured it was as good a time as any to power walk for a little.

Alright- week six starts tomorrow. We've got this. 

Welcome 2013!

Every family has them.

You know, those stories that you just can't escape from hearing year after year. Typically the story that as you listen to its millionth telling, this time most likely to near strangers, you can't help but roll your eyes.

In my family we have more than our fair share of "famous stories." but like Disney, we have a vault and well, they've been locked up never to return. There are other stories though, the ones that are harmless in their retelling and last night I couldn't help but be reminded one that I've heard so many time that it makes up for the fact that I can't remember the actual event.

The story goes something like this-

When I was little (3 or 4), I was determined to stay up for New Years. My parents are still not sure what I thought was going to happen at midnight, apparently I had some idea and even at that young age, I wasn't going to miss out. Somehow I managed to stay awake. (Go figure, I can't do that now at 29!) At midnight, I ran out on the front porch with my pots, pans, and wooden spoon to wish our neighborhood a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Problem was, our neighbors were all in their houses. I was the only one out there greeting the new year. Disappointment? Confusion? Sadness? I'm going to go with yes, although again, I don't recall this 31 December disaster. Come to think of it, maybe this has permanently scared me when it comes to New Years? I mean, it's really just another day...but I digress.

Last night I witnessed what I think 4 year old Katie was searching for that New Years Eve 1980-something. Before the clock even got close to midnight explosions echoed through the alleys and off the hills,  smoke filled the air, and flashes of light filled the sky.

For a culture notorious for their laid back, time doesn't really exist culture, it made me laugh to get the pre-show fireworks starting a good 10 minutes early. And we're not talking sparklers, bottle rockets, and things that explode. We're talking better than an city or amusement park display here. For a few seconds I thought that I wasn't even going to know when it was midnight (even the church bells were drowned out) but then the night sky filled up with even more fireworks and I noticed neighbors all around me gathering on their roofs, patios, and balconies.

With the sky illuminated, the air heavy with the smell of "pyrotechnics", & my apartment experiencing the occasional shake the peninsula, the next bay over, and the islands all greeted 2013. Well, I think they were celebrating out on Capri, too much smoke in the air blocked my view! I'd seen video footage from previous years but nothing, no nothing, could have prepared me for the show I saw last night.

Here's my lame attempt to bring a little bit of New Years in Monte di Procida to you, but really? Let's just plan on spending December 31, 2013 on my rooftop. I've got the pots, pans, and fireworks- you bring the earplugs!

3...2...1...Buon Anno Nuovo!

Less than 24 hours remain in 2012. More than enough goals remain unchecked from 1 January. Actually, if I'm honest, a few still remain unchecked from 1 January 2011! (Damn pullups.)

Rather than wallow in defeat, I'm going to celebrate my 50% completion of my 12 for '12.

I....wrote my adorable girls (Caroline, Kiery, & Catherine) monthly, visited 3 new countries, completed level 4 of Italian, volunteered over 50 hours, ran a marathon, and learned to cook 3 new Italian dishes.

Not quite as satisfying as a few of my 2011 goals (flee Monterey & get a cat come to mind) but accomplishments none the less. Best part? In no way do these 6 completed goals (or the ones left waiting to be accomplished) even begin to define my year, let alone sum it up.

So, on the eve of another year...the one in which I turn 3-0...here are my goals partially to motivate, but mostly to keep me honest once the next 365 days have past. 

1. Obtain and maintain a weight in (classified) range.
2. Streamline rent payments
3. Running of the bulls
4. Monthly trip (3+ hours away)
5. Finish bedroom decorating by 31 January
6. Be social once a month
7. Blog more
8. Run a sub 2 hour half marathon
9. Learn to drive manual transmission (roll over from 2012)
10. Not ignore Ravi's illuminated dashboard lights
11. Write the CI girls monthly
12. 3 Unassisted pullups (3rd year on the list)
13. *Classified*

Yeah, this has gotten a little more sophisticated from the night Lindsay and I sat at the Brit writing our 10 for '10 goals on Sierra Nevada coasters! Same rules apply though- some of my goals are "classified" but rather than blocking them out I'm counting on the fact that our brains are not wired the same way and you can't decipher the visual I've picked for the goal.

Wishing you a fabulous sparkly 2013!

<3 Katie & Neeks

Week 2: Completed!

I, Sea Biscuit (SB) would like to announce to the known world that Speed Racer (SR) and I have completed week two of seventeen long weeks of training on our path to a 4 hour Paris Marathon time.

You did read that right- I said 4 hours. Why 4 hours? Well, most simply, if Oprah could do it, so can we. And yes, I did fess up to my SB nickname dubbed many years back in Monterey (some days I just miss my GWB and OG so much that if I refer to myself as SB to take me back to those times).

Week 2, that's right- we did move on to the next week, ended with a 9 mile run. Or you know, a 10K that had a 5K tacked on to it. All of our runs were outside this week in fabulously cool weather and our marathon day leggings made their debuts. For those that saw us, well, you really couldn't miss us with our purple and pink neon-ish awesome pants---right?

So far we're still on track and even though one of our cross training days rendered us near useless for lifting anything more than 5lbs the next day, our bodies are actually being good sports about being beaten back into submission.

The biggest challenge so far?

Actually staying in our 10:40 to 11:10 pace per mile. Do you have any idea just how slow a 10:40 mile is? SR asked at one point if we were supposed to be speed walking instead of running today. Hmm. I just realized that she may not appreciate being called S-R, so back to Speed Racer it is.

At any rate, week 2 of training is D-O-N-E and I'm ready for a shower, snack, and nap.

Paris Marathon Week 1A

Well, we did it! Week 1A of training is complete towards our next marathon: Paris in April 2013!

Why 1A? Well, we were so eager to start training again that we started a week early to either repeat a week mid training (to accommodate a 1/2 marathon) or have a mulligan week.

We called MULLIGAN loud and clear and officially kicked off this past week. Best part about our re-do? The workouts were so much easier! Sprints? No big deal. Timed runs? We covered more distance. Long run? Actually completed. And that's impressive considering it's been months (like our last race) since either of us had ran over 5 miles and we did 7 at a decent clip. 

Yay us! Yay for 16 more weeks of training until the main event :)