Another Great Lesson!

Had my second lesson on Smash since I broke my wrist.  A week ago, I was a little anxious only because I was concerned about hurting my wrist, again.  The lesson was still a good one, albeit myn being a little shaky on Smash.  We worked on being relaxed, getting Smash relaxed, and it all worked out.

Yesterday I went solo (tacked up by myself and everything!), and things went well.  I didn't need anyone to help me catch Smash or groom her or tack her up.  She was a very good girl, even on the ground.  Once I got mounted Smash was still a little "up", but after walking around for a few minutes, she relaxed a little.  Steph had me work on giving Smash a loose rein, then  picking up the reins while keeping Smash at a walk (for some reason, horses think if the rider picks up the reins, it's time to trot).  We did that in both directions, then I rode figure 8s.  That is:  one big circle to the right, then as you come around to the beginning of the circle, turn the horse to the left and make another big circle at the bottom of the first one.  Kind of like this: But they should be touching! 

Anyway, you get the gist of it.

Sara, Smash, and I are going to go to a dressage show on December 2.  We are hoping that all goes well, and all three of us are healthy!  We have the rest of this month to practice, so our tests should be top notch!

Been working on my "work dress", but spent most of yesterday after my lesson working on my counted cross stitch and watching all the shows I have on DVR.  Great, no commercials!  A nice, relaxing day.

So, I'm at work today, but since there are no MARC trains running, I had to drive to Greenbelt, get on the Green Line, get off at Fort Totten and transfer to the Red Line.  First of all, 95 South was packed out!  There must be a lot more people going to work than the MARC people think!  The Metro was slow because a) on holiday schedule and b) track work is being done and the trains are being single tracked throughout the day. 

MARC Train Update

SooOOoo, here we go, again.

Monday night: Get on the train; at some point before departure we are told the train set is one car short because the usual train set is broken down in Baltimore with no time in sight when it will be fixed. OK, we can deal with that; the train was very crowded.

Next announcement (which I knew was coming): The train is here; however, the crew for this train is going to be late because of the broken down train in Baltimore; they are at New Carrollton and will be here within 5-7 minutes. We have a golf cart at the track where they will arrvive, and it will bring them to track 7. We wait and wait and wait. Finally, at 6:16 (remember, this is a 5:51 p.m. departure) we leave Union Station. By the time I get to Dorsey it is 6:55, 25 minutes late.

Tuesday night: Get on the train; we have a full train set with 5 cars. We depart Union Station, go at a reasonable speed(we did slow down a few times, but what else is new?) to all the stops EXCEPT Dorsey. After Savage the train does a 5 MPH trek to Dorsey. No announcement why we are so slow, but we all have ideas:

1. Switch Problem
2. Signal Problem
3. Track Work
4. Freight Train in Front of Us.

We trudged along from Savage to Dorsey for 25 minutes! It should take only about 10 minutes to get to Dorsey. Again, 6:55 p.m. by the time we get to Dorsey, then there is the drive home. By the time I get home, change, eat dinner, it is almost 8:00 p.m. What a way to spend another short evening before I have to get up and go again.

The reason for the slowness? TWO FREIGHT TRAINS, NOT JUST ONE!

Oh, wait! Yesterday the train was 7 minutes early in the a.m. to Union Station, then the train home was 25 minutes late - Subtract the 7 from 25, which gives me a net time of 18 mintues on the train! It works mathematically, right? However, I think being delayed far more outweighs the times of being early. I think I'm still in the hole here regarding time on the train.

Oh, yes, I will continue to ride MARC. I am a captive audience because I know I will never drive into D.C. every day and battle the traffic on the highway and the traffic in D.C., which can become a parking lot at a moment's notice.

Good thing I can read, knit, listen to music or nap. However, sitting on the train for over an hour can be cumbersome and tiring. Many times I think I should just stay on the train because it's not that long before I have to get back on it. :)

Let's See....

So, the end of this day can't some soon enough even though I will be leaving around 3:30 to catch the first train out of DC, not to be confused with the "special" MARC train at 2:00. 2:00???? Who can leave at 2:00???? Anyway, if I can catch the 4:13, it will be a good thing. It's the only other express train other than the 5:51, which has been canceled because of the "special" 2:00 train. Go,MARC train!

My boss asked me to send out some fund raising letters for a charity for him today. The ones that had addresses are in the mail, so to speak; actually in my "out" box, which is "in the mail" as far as I'm concerned. The others I have to email or call and ask for mailing addresses, preferably home addresses. Ugh! I don't really like doing this, but that's why I get the big bucks, right? Well....

I plan on going to the gym, doing some cardio, and weight/strength training. Since I took off from exercising yesterday, I have to go today.

Tomorrow a.m. is Wimbledon Ladies' Final Match. I really like to watch the men's finals, but that is on Sunday and interferes with my riding lesson. I will put on Mr. DVR to record the match so I can watch it when I get home. If it is a long match, it will still be going by the time I get home at noon-ish.

Dave is shooting a wedding tomorrow afternoon/evening, so my plan is to get some patterns(one is my Halloween costume for the October Halloween horse show at Talbot Run) cut out. I do have to wash/pre-shrink some fabric before it gets cut, so that should go into the wash either tonight or tomorrow a.m. Then, I can cut out that pattern (a dress). I said this is a plan. The back-up plan could be to do absolutely nothing!

Still No Praise for the MARC Train

Last night Dave was coming home from Philly, but I still wanted to get on the early train so I could get to BWI Amtrak station and then go home and take Romeo out. What was I thinking? The train started out on its usual run, got past Riverdale, College Park, and Greenbelt. Just outside Muirkirk here comes the dreaded announcement, We are following a freight train and have to go slowly, if not stop at some point. WHAT? Are these people insane?

So, onward we go chugging along until we get to Savage. After that we pick up speed and I get to Dorsey when? 6:30 p.m. when the LATER train is supposed to get there! Unbelievable. I'm tired of taking the early train and getting to my destination at or later than the later-scheduled train is supposed to get there. I'm ready to retire.

If only Baltimore salaries were comparable to DC's. Alas.....not going to happen.

Went to the gym this a.m. since I went out to lunch with a friend. I decided I wanted to do the exercise that would burn the most calories, and that was running. Started out with a 2-3 minute walk, ran at a 10:40 mile, kept bumping it up until I was at a 10:10 mile and then to a 10:00 mile. I did have to walk a little bit in between, but then I bumped the speed up to a 10-minute mile speed for the duration. It was hard, granted, but I need to push myself in order to burn more calories. Hitting the 60 mark has not been kind to me. It takes longer to burn few calories, so my plan is to run faster, use heavier weights and make the most of what I'm doing. It's the only way. Otherwise, it will be downhill fast.

Work has been a big run around and put out fires all day. I'm exhausted, and I'm not sure what I've actually accomplished except annoying myself.

Tomorrow Dave and I may venture in DC for the Japanese Celebration that is happening. I think the Cherry Blossom 10-mile race is tomorrow, too. Could be too many people to even try. That's the problem with going to events that the entire world comes too. Having to fight the crowds which makes the trip less than enjoyable.

No Praise for MARC Train

So, yesterday I decided to leave early to catch an earlier (ha!) train to get home and take Romeo outside for a walk. Dave is out of town, so I wanted to get home so the poor puppy wouldn't burst! Here's the story: I leave the office, get to Union Station, the 5:16 train track is not posted; finally posted, but when we get to the train, the doors are all shut, we see no lights on in the cars. The conductors finally open the doors, still no lights. We sit and sit and sit and when the announcement is made (whatever it was), the car I'm in has no loudspeaker capability! Well, that's very smart. So, we sit some more. Finally, I see people leaving the train, but as MARC protocol usually is, the later trains (even if the earlier one is not going anywhere) do not leave until the earlier train does. Duh!!! Makes sense to me. Not.

While sitting on the 5:16, I called Sara and asked her to take Romeo out for a piddle since he's been by himself since 5:00 a.m. Hence, the reason I wanted to leave early!!!

Finally, I got off the train and asked the conduct what was going on. He told me that the Express Train at 5:51 will be leaving on time on Track 15. I'm on Track 7 - far north end. (Those of you who do ride MARC know that far north end means "South Riverdale"). I make the trek practially back into the station, walk fast (no running allowed on the platforms) to the 5:51, which is getting more crowded by the minute. The only saving grace is the 5:51 is an express and the people who get off at Riverdale, College Park and Greenbelt can't take that train.

I get on the train, and lo and behold, car 7793, which has been stiflingly hot for the past month has cool air running! I'm so surprised! I guess they finally listened to other people's emails, too. I told many people to send emails to MARC so they get the message that something is wrong. I must send a strongly worded email to MARC today about yesterday's fisaco, but I digress.

More and more people get on; the train is packed out, but we do leave somewhat on time. As we are chugging along, we get an announcement (the loudspeakers actually work on this car) that there is a switch problem at Riverdale, so we slow down to a crawl and to a stop,the conductor gets off, has to switch manually, then after we pass, switch it back or something equally ridiculous!

We crawl and crawl and crawl some more. As we pass the people at College Park, they look incredulous as we just pass them by. I'm sure that they have no idea what is happening because there is no way to find out unless you happen to have a Blackberry. Which I don't. Finally, after Greenbelt the train picks up speed; we make all the stops, which take much longer because of the large amount of people packed onto the train.

The train pulls into Dorsey at 7:00 p.m. I started my trip home at 4:45 p.m. and I still haven't made it home! I get home, take poor Romeo for a much-needed walk and make dinner for us both. Fortunaly, there was some leftover Chinese chicken and rice from the night before. I did make some eggplant and asparagus and had some sherbet for dessert. By now, it's after 8:00.

That's my wonderful trip home, once again, on the MARC Rail System.

Since I was still suffering from this cold/pollen thing, I fell asleep just as AI came on. Good thing I recorded it! Woke up at 9:30 p.m., went to the bedroom to fix my clothes and took another Benedryl. Right now, I feel ok, but I know I still have the effects of the Benedryl in my system. Once it wears off, we'll see.

Exercise: I did get on the elliptical yesterday for 30 minutes at a very light level. Better than nothing, and I hope it helped move this cold thing out of my system.

If I feel ok, I will go outside and do some running/walking before it starts to rain. Tomorrow I will have to go to the gym before work since I'm going out to lunch with a friend of mine.

Riding: Must send in my application for Legacy Stables HT on the 18th. However, we are going XC Schooling on Sunday at Loch Moy. Have printed out two sets of the documents they want, plus coggins for the horses. This training is getting expensive. Looking at it realistically, though, no training, no improvement. It's only money, right?

Knitting: For some reason these past few days, every knitting project I've touched has turned to crap. I was working on my bulky sweater, was increasing for the button band, it looked like a ruffle instead; tore it out. Started working on a really cute blue/white sweater with "dancing ladies" on it; the pattern is all screwy - will rip that out. So, OK, started working on another pair of mittens (white with the very brightly hand painted sock yarn); had to rip that out; so decided that I should make the same design that I already made (since I kind of know what I'm doing there). Success! I'm on the ribbing and so far, it's looking nice. Whew! About time, already.

Is It Time To Go Home, Yet? It Should Be.

Today started off as any other day. 1. The alarm sounded off. I swear it gets earlier and earlier. 2. Got up did my "thing", had breakfast; didn't have to make lunch as I'm going out with a friend today. 3. Dave and Romeo drove me to the Dorsey MARC station; waited for said train; got on; left Dorsey on time. 4. The train moved slowly, but was moving; we got to Muirkirk and a freight train is stopped blocking the walkway from the parking lot to the side of the tracks so people can get on to go to DC. 5. We sit. 6. In their infinite wisdom the decision is made to uncouple the cars and move the freight train up so the people can get on the MARC train. 7. Said cars are put back together. 8. We take off. 9. Five mintues later we stop with the announcement that said freight train is now on the move and we have to wait for it to pass us. It must have been a 90-100 car train for we sat and sat and sat. 10. We finally get to move, slowly, once again. 11. We stop; announcement: Said freight train is now being stopped and will move off the tracks shortly. {Shortly? What the heck is shortly? My impression of shortly probably, and I'm sure of this, is not the impression of CSX's impression of shortly.} 12. We haven't even gotten to Greenbelt! 13. Arrive Greenbelt; pick up passengers. 14. Trudge to College Park and on to Riverdale. 15. Finally, after Riverdale train picks up speed - too little too late, I say! 18. Arrive Union Station at 8:00 a.m. {I got on this stupid train at 6:34 a.m.!!!} 19. Go down to Metro; platform is filled with MARC train passengers - 3 trains arrived at the same time including my late train. 20. I wait for 3 metro trains before I can get on. 21. Arrive Farragut North without much mishap. 22. Get into office at 8:37!

Ya know, I think it's time for me to go home now! I definitely need a little "somethin', somethin'" in my coffee today.

I was going to go to the gym this morning since I'm going out to lunch as mentioned. Last night, though, I made the decision not to go in and use today as a rest day. I'm so glad that I made that decision. It would have been only one MORE thing for me to be annoyed about.

On a good note, I started my new second mitten on the train, knitted until I couldn't stand it any more. Even I have my threshold of knitting time.

Now, all I have to do is survive working with attorneys all day. That could be worse than the train debacle. Ha ha.

Update: Went to lunch with my friend to Cafe Asia. This is a nice place because it's not just limited to Chinese. There is Japanese sushi, Indonesian, etc. I had the teriyaki chicken, which came with a coleslaw-type salad, lots of chicken and a bowl of rice. After the waiter gave us our meals, I asked for a doggie bag right away. I put half the chicken, half the rice and half the coleslaw into the doggie container and closed it up. I'm so glad I did that! Not too full, not too hungry - just right! Go me!

Office Open; I'm Still Stuck in Oella

My office is open today, but I'm still stuck up in the Oella Hills. Not only that, the Camden Line is not running today. From the last bout of trains running a few days ago, I doubt if I would ever get to work. Delays, more delays, and then trains canceled because the was no crew to run the trains. Public transportation..... Unfortunately, it's better than driving into D.C. every day. I have a choice of things to do on the train: Knit, read, or sleep. It's mostly knit; if I read, I fall asleep; if I fall asleep, it's likely that I will miss my station. If I miss my station, the next stop is in Camden, Baltimore. Then, what? By the time I got to Camden, the last train out of Baltimore would probably have already left. I'd had to get my husband to drive up to Camden Yards and get me. That would not be a pretty sight. Ah, riding public transportation on the MARC train system.

Hopefully, I can do something today besides take the dog for long walks. I'm very close to having a yarn emergency! Not only that, I finally finished my skirt and now I want to make a coat. I now it would be cheaper just to buy one, but I've always wanted the satisfaction that I MADE a coat. Must have some very warped gene in me.

Joined The Yarn Harlot's 2010 Knitting Olympics, which will start tonight once the Olympic torch is lit. In 17 days I must complete a project of my choice. Since I don't usually have much time to knit (this week being very unusual what with all the snow we've had!), I chose a project that is not too easy and not too complicated. I will attempt, with number 3 circular needles, a lacy neck warmer in only 17 days. Of course, once I get to work and can't knit, the challenge will be even greater! I printed out three patterns. I made one neck warmer before, and this is very embarrassing, I can't tell which one I actually made! I used a variegated yarn (grays, light grays, and white) and that was a mistake because you can't really see the lacy design. This neck warmer will be made out of white! If you can't see the design in that, then you must be blind! That's all I can say.

(Also, I have to start Sara's second mitten.) That would have been my challenge, but I have to get to work to get the yarn for the next mitten. I ordered more yan, but it was delivered to the office - maybe. I ordered a nice winter riding jacket, and I haven't seen that, either, which was delivered to the house. It's somewhere in the UPS/USPS system. Maybe I'll see it today. Or not.

I should be wearing gloves up here in the loft. My hands are two icicles and it's getting more and more difficult to type. I wold wear my new mittens, but I'm afriad it would be a tad hard on touch typing with no fingers.

Knitting Projects

OK, so I've gotten distracted from my mittens. I decided that I HAD, absolutely HAD, to knit a scarf with the leftover yarn from my grey sweater. Well, the real reason was I wanted something simple to do and the mittens were driving me nuts - even though I am enjoying working on them. Even the counted cross stitch Santa is very detailed oriented. I'm on my second skein of yarn with the scarf and depending on how long I really want it, I should be finished very soon - the end of the week, maybe? Then, it's back to the mitten because then I have to make a left-handed mitten. Why do I torture myself like this? No, no, don't answer that.

Work: I've been asked to put together a training program to train the secretaries in my office how to file court papers, either paper filing or e-filing, how to put together a pleadings file, costs of filing documents, the whole nine yards. Today is the "thinking how I'm going to actually do this" day; hopefully, tomorrow I can start putting things down on paper.

Oh, BTW, I got home on time last night! And a good thing, too, because it was the first American Idol show of the season! There are more disillusioned people out there than anyone can count. I can hardly believe it when the contestants say that everyone just loves their voices, and when they sing, they sound like cats being skinned! Yikes.

Ran 3.25 miles today on the TM; a very steady pace, slowing down only to get my iPod to the music that won't put me to sleep.

MARC Train 9 Minutes Early This Morning, But 20 Minutes Late Last Night

I'm so glad that MARC conductors announce when the train is ahead of schedule when we arrive at Union Station in D.C. However, they never seem to take note of the lateness of our arrival at stops going home when there are delays. Now, this is just my observation, but it seem sto me that all delays are in the evening on the way HOME! Very rarely are there delays going IN to work; haven't figured that out, yet.

The train was so late one Friday, I was so happy it was a 3-day weekend because it would have been time to get back on the train by the time I got home, ate dinner, and went to bed.

Last night's train ride home was, shall we say, very long??? Train left on time (5:51 p.m.) and we are chugging along until the dreaded loudspeaker comes on. We all know when that happens, it isn't good news. There was a car accident at Sunnyside Avenue (how could that happen? Sunnyside? Shouldn't we be happy on the sunnyside [of the street]) right at the train crossing. Don't know what happened, but the MARC management never tells us the whole story, anyway.

Next announcement: We will be holding at Greenbelt for an undetermined amount of time.

Next announcement: We are going back to Riverdale (the direction from whence we came) and a decision will be made later what to do. This doesn't sound too great to me.

Next announcement: We are holding at Riverdale until the next southbound train passes us because MARC is single-tracking the trains. Meanwhile, we will have to back up even more so the train can cross over. (By this time we could be back at Union Station in D.C.)

Next announcement: We are now leaving Riverdale and will make ALL stops. What? This is an express train. It doesn't make all stops! These people are nuts. We travel to Greenbelt and stop, again.

Next announcement: We are holding at Greenbelt waiting for another train to pass us going south. 10 minutes or so later we finally start moving, again.

Next announcement: Muirkirk.
Next announcement: Laurel.
Next announcement: Savage.
Next announcement: Dorsey! At last! I can get off this bloody train. Got on the train at 5:51 and got off at 7:51. So, does this mean that the longer I'm on the train, the cheaper my fare is? Think about that.

By the time we got home and had dinner ready, it was 8:45! What? It was time for me to go to bed.....

Thursday Morning - Today

Train arrives on time at Dorsey, no problems; arrive Union Station AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. Since the Govt. Contracts group in my office is having its belated holiday luncheon today, I went to the gym this mornng and ran 2.5 miles. I was literally sweating bullets. I felt as if I had chalked up 5 activity points, but it was only 2. 2? Sheesh, but I'll take them.