On the subject of 29:59...and getting old...

Today I post with great shame. A few weeks ago a friend convinced me to participate in the Harris Family Medical Center 5K. It's been almost 2 years since I last ran in a 5K (I have a post about it from a while back, where I post with pride). Since then I've gotten horrendously out of shape. My goal for this run was simply to beat 30 minutes, and to not throw up afterwards (I've always thrown up afterwards; you're welcome for me sharing that). So on some cold Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago I ran again, and walked, and kind of jogged, then walked some more, then ran, then walked, then...you get the idea. As I reached the last turn and the finish line was in sight, with its giant digital clock overhead, I realized that despite thinking that 30 minutes was too lofty about two miles into the race (I crossed mile one at 8 minutes and mile two at 21 minutes), I still had 5 seconds left to beat that 30 minute goal. I sprinted with all that was left in me, and my official time was 29:59 (one second to spare!). I was proud at the time, but after reading my posts from two years ago, I need to get more exercise.

Also, for the record, I managed not to throw up, but just barely. I also realized why the spontaneous hurling always occurs after a race. It's the sudden stop at the end that does it. It's that funneling so they can take your number, and then the slowing down and stopping while your adrenalin and blood are still pumping furiously. It's also that guy that I ignored trying to stop everyone at the end to give them high fives. Random high five guy, I'm sorry for ignoring you, but seriously, if I stopped, you'd get a high five and probably need a new pair of shoes.  

On the subject of true Florida orange juice...

This isn't so much a blog post as a shout-out to to the true taste of Florida orange juice as it comes from Harvey's groves. Florida oranges are supposed to be the best (well, at least people in Florida claim so), but I've always been somewhat disappointed with the "Florida" orange juice you find in supermarkets. But down here in Melbourne we have a local provider called Harvey's, and they supply the finest orange juice I've ever tasted. Here's to you Harvey's groves, for spawning my new addiction to your citrusy goodness.

P.S. Minute Maid sucks! I believe that Tang (mmm, Tang!) has more of a right to call itself orange juice.

On the subject of the last year and a half of my life...

I realize that keeping up with a blog hasn't been one of my specialties in life. I found it interesting to see all of my old posts when I migrated them from MySpace. A few things have happened in the last 19 months since I put up a serious (well, relatively) post.

1. Around a week after my last post I purchased a kitten and named her Chloe. Ever since then I've been a cat owner and loving it.

2. About three weeks after that post I met a nurse through Yahoo! personals and had a very interesting first date (those who know me personally know the story). We continued dating and on February 15th, 2008, we were engaged. In two months exactly from this post we will be married. 

3. I still work at the same job as I did before. I'm still a software engineer. I've changed positions, for the worse, but I'm hanging in there.

Those are probably the highlights. I'm sure more tidbits of my past will be revealed over time (as I remember them).