news and notes.

Some random thoughts/happenings/musings over the past 24 hours or so around the league:

* Got another walk in last night in training for that 5K. I finished in 52 minutes. Not bad. My goal of breaking an hour definitely appears to be reachable.

* While on my walk, I came within 10 yards of two very young deer that appeared to be lost. They were hiding behind the bushes at one of those large houses that I’ll always dream about but never be able to afford. I’m not sure who startled whom first. But we stared at each other for about 30 seconds or so, waiting to see which of us was going to make the next move. Finally, I cautiously went across the street and continued walking, hoping that the two youngsters would gallivant across the street safely. Which they did. I only wish I would have had my camera with me, although that surely would have scared them.

* Also seen on my walk? Two little girls, practicing their gymnastic skills in their front yard. Made me reminisce of my days, watching the Olympics and then making up my mind that I was going to be a gold medalist. They want to be Shawn Johnson or Nastia Liukin. I wanted to be Kim Zmeskal. Remember her?

* I love it when things like this happen. And no, they don’t know each other.

* Today is my little sister’s second wedding anniversary with her lovely husband. Where has the time gone? Seems like just yesterday. Wow.

* In other news from the homefront, my Mom is now a proud Facebook user. You know the times have changed when you can’t get a phone call through to your parents because Mom is updating her friends list.

* Speaking of Facebook, I started a Blog Network for this little blog of mine. But I need 10 people to verify I’m the author. So, if you know me and you use Blog Network on Facebook, a little help would be appreciated!

* Big news from the friends. Robyn is on her way to Budapest … and she decided to start a blog about her big Hungarian adventure. Read it here. And, a super big congratulations to my newly-engaged friends, who I won’t name just yet, simply because I don’t want to ruin the news for anyone they haven’t told yet …

So, it’s been an interesting 24 hours. And it should only get more interesting, as I spend this afternoon discussing my educational future with my advisor. Guaranteed I’ll only be even more confused by tomorrow …

crazy? maybe.

So, I sort of made a decision today.

No, not about all that angst that I’ve been writing about lately, although I am finally starting to work through all of that stuff now too.

I’ve apparently decided that I don’t have enough on my plate.

I’m getting ready to start the fall semester in grad school, I’m working extra-hard at my job, I’m still on tour with the band while getting things together for the new fall music season, and oh, yeah, I’m going to Columbus this weekend to continue my third career as a professional bridesmaid. (Sorry, Robyn. I stole your phrase. We can be professional bridesmaids together!)

So, I decided that now would be a great time to get back into shape … and tackle a 5K. On Labor Day.

I know. It’s crazy. Insane maybe. But I think I’m going to do it anyway.

I’ve been walking a lot lately, trying to get myself back into shape, because I really haven’t been in shape since my senior year of undergrad. And that was, oh, about five years ago. I haven’t felt like myself, so I thought maybe that would help matters. I’ve been trying to eat better too, cutting down on the fast-food runs and eating fewer processed foods in favor of fresh fruits and veggies and meats.

That, and maybe the Olympics have inspired me a bit. I mean, who can’t be inspired by Michael Phelps?

Or, maybe I’ve just finally completely lost it.

Anyhow, I’m not overthinking expectations. I’m not a runner. I discovered that way back in my junior high days when I left the track team after just one month of training and a last-place finish in a 400m event at my first meet.

So, I’m walking. My goal is to break an hour. I know. Kind of lame. But it’s been quite a while since I’ve done this sort of thing. I’ve been doing nearly three miles in about an hour now. I mean, I’d love to finish in 45 minutes. But I’m not sure I have enough training time to get to that point.

The worst part? I know this course very well … and it starts out with a brutal uphill climb. So I’ve started doing hill training. In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a bunch of them in and around Pittsburgh. Steep ones. That never seem to end.

I think I’ll be in OK shape. And I’m actually kind of excited about it.

But I’ll be even more excited if I actually finish in one piece.

over.

Finally.

It’s over.

And no, I don’t just mean my summer class. (Yep, I’m now officially halfway to becoming a Master. Whew.)

I mean the Brett Favre saga.

He’s a Jet now. Changing teams, but still donning the green. Congratulations. Now, can we officially get back to the rest of our lives?

I mean, while we’ve been busily engrossed in this Standoff at Lambeau, there’s been some pretty amazing sports stuff going on.

Like the Pirates being introduced to something they haven’t met in a really long time. It’s called a pitcher. Who can actually pitch. Well. A near perfect game? Might be as close as I ever get to the real thing. Maybe the Yankees trade wasn’t such a bad move after all. Jeff Karstens is now my second-favorite Pirate, just behind Doug Mientkiewicz.

Or, how about that little thing called the Olympics? Yeah, they start tomorrow. Who knew? And who needs Favre-o-drama, when you have real drama and a real story in the selection of Lopez Lomong as the flag carrier for the U.S. team in the Opening Ceremonies. Not only is he a fantastic selection, he’s the true epitome of the American Dream. If you haven’t read his story yet, read it here. Trust me. You’ll thank me later.

Too bad, though, that I’ll miss the remarkable moment. Because, I mean, obviously, the first Steelers preseason game, where the starters will play all of six plays, is much more important than a global event that happens just once every four years, right? (Yes, I’m being uber sarcastic. To a point.)

But, I think the best way to say sayonara to the drama is by stretching the PittGirl “moving forward” game. We deserve it now, don’t we? Just this once? Here’s the official announcement, released last night from the Green Bay Packers:

“It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible.”

I know. It’s a stretch. But with PittGirl’s permission, that’s a great way to get the weekend off to an early start.

Go Steelers.

* Photo courtesy AP/David J. Phillip, File

going, going …

As promised, back to the sports beat …

Last Thursday, I went to PNC Park as a fan. But not to watch the baseball game. I was there strictly for the pierogie race.

No, I’m not kidding.

It’s kind of a convoluted story that involves the newly-married friends of a friend and a wedding gift of donning the big foam costumes and running the race.

It sounded like fun. So I went to watch.

Xavier Nady

While I was there, I managed to snap these pictures. They’re both kind of blurry, because, well, my camera isn’t all that good, and we were in seats that were better for pierogie-race watching than baseball-game watching.

But they mean a lot to me now.

This one of Xavier Nady? Yeah, on Facebook I captioned it as him “being bored in right field.”

It was his last complete game as a Bucco. 24 hours later, he was on his way to the Bronx.

Jason Bay's fourth-inning homer

And this really, really blurry picture? It’s of Jason Bay’s home run in the fourth inning.

It was one of his last homers at beautiful PNC Park as a Pirate. Now, he’s on his way to Beantown.

I’m not one to wax poetic about how much I’m going to miss two really stellar offensive players. It was quite fun to watch the Bay-McLouth-Nady outfield while it lasted. But I’m happy for them. They both now have the opportunity to get what they never would have gotten in Pittsburgh – the chance at a World Series ring.

I’m still not sure, though, what to think of these trades.

We traded Nady … and Damaso Marte … for scrubs from New York. True, New York scrubs may be better players than any current players in the Pirates organization. But we don’t know that yet. Only time will tell.

We traded Bay for four more no-names. My former co-worker and friend wrote this out of yesterday’s deal. Probably the best little nuggets of information about the Four-New-Pirates-You’ve-Never-Heard-Of.

And I’m not usually one to read his column, but Gene Collier put an interesting spin on the trade in his column this morning. Are two LaRoches really better than one? Guess we’ll all find out, whether we like it or not.

And what does adding a third baseman mean for the future of all-around good guy Doug Mientkiewicz in Pittsburgh? I shudder at the thought. (Yeah, I know. It’s a link to my story. Shameless self-promotion right there.)

Am I skeptical? Absolutely. But I’ve come to expect nothing less from the Buccos.

Although, I have to admit … the thoughts of a Jason Michaels-McLouth-Mientkiewicz outfield for the rest of this season is a bit intriguing. But who knows whether or not it would ever happen anyway.

As for the Steelers? Losing punter Daniel Sepulveda for the season is quite a blow. Although, my friend and die-hard fan Gary made an interesting point a couple of days ago. “Since we don’t plan on punting this year, his role was somewhat diminished anyway.”

Personally, I love his optimism. It’s not something that comes easily these days.