Today's Path: What makes up what we are

I am a Scrubs fanatic! Zach Braff is my hero, or maybe John Dorian is. I'm not sure. But back to my main purpose here...

I was watching Scrubs a couple days ago, and it came to the point in the show were someone says something significant. The point where even the most ridiculous movie or TV show it makes you stop and think, "I guess that makes some sense."

All the craziness was coming to an end and Dr. Cox came by and said something, but J.D. put it all together and said,

We all know that Dr. Cox was right. Your memories make up who you are. The joyful ones and the painful ones.

We sometimes wish we could forget our painful memories, whether it be losing someone close to you or something done or said by a friend that hurts you so bad you wish they weren't your friend anymore. These memories help shape who we are and who we will be.

Yeah, I wish there were days I wasn't as close to people who have hurt me because then it would be easier to forget them. But on the flip side, sometimes you are so close to someone you rationalize what they have done to make it hurt less. Yet, you still remember what they did and the initial hurt.

Even though we hate these feelings, they are a part of you. You come out on the other side stronger.

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: "Run a 5K" - Check

After starting running in Mid-June, I completed my first 5k Race today! Yes that is right I got up at 5am today to run 3.1 miles with 180 other people. Today was the Remember 9/11 race.

My only goal today was to run the entire race. NO walking! And not only did I run the entire race, I ran it in 30:50. For those of you trying to do the math, that is a 9:56 mile. I finished 88 over all. Right in the middle of the pack.

However, the best part was finishing 3rd out seven in my division. No not the slow people division. The 18-24 female division. The next closest person was three minutes behind me. Finishing 3rd means I got a medal.


I think the best part of the day was having my friends run with me. Rachel finished first in her division and first female over all. Meredith finished 2nd in her division. Mike finished 3rd in his division, and Dennis finished 4th in his division. 4 out of 5 of us got medals. Not a bad outing for the day.

The sad part of today, we all forgot our cameras. So this is the first of My 50 List that doesn't have a picture from the event. But here are some clips from the Results Site and my number and medal.



Next race is TBD, but the PF Changs Half Marathon is looking good!

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Gum vs. Meals

At lunch there is always some random conversation going on. The good thing about today's conversation was it didn't make me turn five shades of red. It also brought about several good points.

Work has been busy lately trying to get the fall semester started, and, well, we are kind of stretched for time. Time is a premium. And lunch is school cafeteria food. We could go out for lunch, but I don't have mucho dinero right now seeing how I just bought a car.

So back to the main point...

We were trying to figure out how to have a delicious meal and at the same time maximize our time. This is what we came up with. Listen up now bubble gum industry and food industry.

Remember back to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Violet was the one who ate the bubble gum and turn, get this, violet. The main point, the bubble gum. We were trying to figure it out if there was a way to create a bubble gum that went through five different courses and gave us the calories that we needed with out the carbs.

In summary this is what we are looking for:

• A bubble gum that will substitute for lunch
• It still gives us the nutrition and calories for energy
• 5 course meals in gum
• The packaging displays the nutritional value of each piece of gum
• And most importantly it can't change us colors!!!

So if someone could start making this, you have some buyers here in Phoenix!!

What are you discussing during lunch? Anything interesting?

Keep being the Rock Stars you are,
Lane J

Things from Missouri you most likely won't use in Phoenix

I was cleaning out my old car the other day, and I just threw everything in bags and brought it into my apartment. Today I was picking up my apartment when I realized some of the things that were in my car. Things I most likely won't use now that I am in Phoenix.

For example my ice scraper. If I have to use this here in Phoenix, I think I will move to the Sahara Desert. If it snows there, it will be the end of the world.

I also found a blanket I stashed in my spare wheel compartment. I kept it there just in case I ever got stranded on a cold night and needed to stay warm. I think if my car were to break down out here I would need a fan to stay cool.

I also found two sets of jumper cables. I kept one set because of the great chance of car batteries dying. But TWO? I guess I really didn't have faith in my Mazda at all. Oh well, it's not my problem any more.

Still rocking out in my new car,
Lane J

Today's Path: Buying My New Car

So many things that I am doing that should have been on My 50 List...

This past weekend, I took a couple friends to the Toyota Dealership in Gilbert and bought a car. Yes, I ventured into untamed waters and bought an '09 Scion xD. A little history on my previous cars...

1. I have never bought a brand new car.
2. My last car was paid in full when I bought it.
3. Both of my previous cars had over 100k miles on them, when I bought them.
4. Both of my previous cars were '98s.
   
5. Both were black.
6. Both had sunroofs.
7. Both were purchased from private dealers.
8. Both were automatics.

Now to the new car. Take everything from about and make it the opposite. I have now bought a brand new car. It had 44 miles when I drove it off the lot. It is red. No sunroof. And it was bought from a dealership. It is a standard transmission. Woo hoo!!!!

I think the best part of buying the car was test driving. I test drove 4 cars. The xD, a Suzuki Reno, a Yaris, and an xB. I think my friends had the most fun making fun of me. Since I have only been driving a stick for 4 days now, and I was only on my 2nd day when we test drove, and I stalled on an overpass. So my friends continue to make fun of me because I manage to stall at least once each time I drive.

What was your first car buying experience like?

Rock on,
Lane J