I had to read someone the riot act the other day. While I don't fear nor shrink from confrontation when necessary, it's not something I enjoy, either. Some folks do- there are some folks for whom bullying, brow-beating, manipulating and the like provide some perverse kick; I've worked with and for a few, and I've seen and known a few more. I can do it when necessary, but it's not something I enjoy, particularly when it's toward an individual whom I respect and like.

What I had was basically someone whom, for quite some time now, was not pulling- and worse- was not making any effort to pull their weight. Few relationships, be they business, social, or familial, are ever exactly 50-50, nor should they be. Anyone who keeps an exact count or measure of the effort extended vs. the effort received desperately needs to get a life- no business relationship, indeed, no relationship period, could ever prosper or grow on such an exact accounting. But some effort should be made toward some amount of reciprocity, in any relationship; it needn't be 50-50, but it shouldn't be all one-way, either. Basically this person lost sight of that and refused to make/take any efforts toward extending and reciprocating the attention shown them, even after- more than a few times- having it gently brought to their attention that they need to extend a little bit of pro-active effort and interest, in order to continue to ensure a working, beneficial, vibrant relationship. Again, I like and respect this individual, and I am a patient person, but the lack of effort to meet some of their responsibility was an on-going issue. And even after bringing this to their attention previously, time and time and time again the effort, the interest, the attention, was not made; hence, the less "perky" side of me was made evident, and rightly so.

RIP, Barbaro. (I'm not usually an especially sentimental person, but I admit, I got caught up in the whole Barbaro story; it was sad that he had to be put down.)

A Top Ten Rolling Stones Songs list (on a football-less Sunday...)

10. Tell Me- A really old one, I just like it!
9. Time Waits For No One- The Stones at their more introspective.
8. Faraway Eyes- Cuz everyone needs a girl with faraway eyes!
7. Out Of Time- Especially good when thinking of relationships gone bad...
6. Ruby Tuesday- "Lose your dreams and you can lose your mind..."
5. Dead Flowers- Just decadent!
4. Under My Thumb- In mid-60's form; a classic.
3. Waiting On A Friend- One of their most under-rated, from their last great disc, Tattoo You.
2. Gimme Shelter- "It's just a shout away..."
1. Brown Sugar- Probably the greatest pure rock song, ever!

Lemme know what you think! (Sorry, no Rosemary Clooney Top Ten list...)

"It's only rock & roll, but I like it..."

Random thoughts as it's too cold to run this morning...(and pulling on a bottle of Anbesol Maximum Strength like it's candy- I have a toothachy, owwwww! Anyone have anything 'better' they can offer for pain?)

First- my thanks to those who asked and showed concern while my mom was a lil under the weather recently. She's doing OK now, but your thoughts and interest were- and are- appreciated... reassuring to know there are some good, caring, considerate folks out there...Similarly, thanks to those who wished me a happy birthday earlier this week!

I liked and respected Gerry Ford as much as the next gal, but how much longer are flags going to remain @ half-staff? Enuf already!...And much as I also like and am a fan of Rod Stewart, has he recorded an original song in the last decade?! Seems every disc of late has been covers of one sort or another...and no offense, Rod, there's lotsa artists and songs you cover well, but CCR's Have You Ever Seen The Rain isn't one of 'em!

Post-mortem on the AFC Championship game...congrats to the Indianapolis Colts. Their 2nd half rally was epic- 32 points in one half?! Yikes. But... had my Pats given up "only" one less touchdown in that 2nd half, we still would have won. Had we converted on that third down late in the game (the Tom Brady pass to Troy Brown that was almost picked) we would have been able to run out the clock and win. Rumor had it that a serious flu-type bug had made it's way thru the Pats locker room that week; that could well explain why so many players, especially on their defense, were cramping up and just seemed to run out of gas in the 2nd half. But if that was the case, the training staff should have been much more proactive in keeping players hydrated thru the week, and during the game. Gatorade, Pedialyte pops, heck, IV fluid if needed. What hurts is that the game was there for the Pats; it wasn't as if the Colts came out from the get-go and dominated from start to finish. What's tough too is that I believe that this season might have been the last real shot most of this current group had to win another Super Bowl. They may still win one more before this run is completely thru, but it will most likely be with a markedly different cast of characters. (And Reche Caldwell? No, you didn't lose the game by yourself...but catch the @$#% ball when you're wide open, will ya?!)

BRRRRRR...

"Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see/And baby, baby, baby, do you like it..."

WHEW...

Patriots 24- 21 Chargers! On to Indy and the Colts...Go Pats!

Haven't been online as much of late- my mom has been a bit under the weather the past week or so; nothing major, but spare time for me has been at a premium recently, hence, less "online" time...(also behind in much of my correspondance- will try to catch up soon!)

A couple of articles of note:
First female on Boston's version of a SWAT team rises to challenge
It's great to see strong, competent women (or competent anyone) breaking the mold, overcoming barriers and such, not to make some larger "statement" but simply because they can and because they want to:
Watchful and unassuming, with little appetite for the spotlight, Wagner has by all accounts been well accepted by her teammates, who do not hesitate to tout her superior marksmanship. Largely unnoticed outside the department, her ascension three months ago to the highly selective unit is nonetheless a milestone in a field dominated by men.
And no allowances were/are made for Jessica Wagner, either:
In the midst of crisis, in dark, cluttered alleys and abandoned buildings, "I do exactly what everybody else does," said Wagner, who works on the motorcycle unit between entry team assignments, and can lift her 900-pound cycle.
Wagner is one of the team's best shots, he said, but just as valuable is her calm demeanor, well suited to resolving conflicts. Wagner -- who is not the smallest entry team member at 5 feet, 8 inches and 160 pounds (note- she's bigger than me!) -- is nothing if not cool.
Like other recruits, she held a 25-pound shield aloft for 45 minutes and broke down a door with a 35-pound battering ram. She ran for 20 minutes wearing 50 pounds of gear -- and then fired her rifle with flawless accuracy. She demonstrated proficiency on a range of weapons, including a 12-gauge semiautomatic rifle, a Remington beanbag shotgun, and a 9-millimeter submachine gun.
Good for her!

This second one is just plain sick!
The Perfect Human: Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in 50 days. He does 200 miles just for fun. He'll race in 120-degree heat. 12 secrets to his success.
And I thought I was good for running 7.3 miles @ 5:30 in the morning- yikes! As a wise man (OK, it was a coach from high school!) once said "The body can do great things if the mind will let it!"

Pet peeve for this morning: I usually run when it's still dark out (it's when I have the time, plus I wake up early as is, and I like to get out and at it early.) I hate it when I'm running along a darker stretch and approaching cars put on their high beams! Maybe they think they're doing a favor, but all it does is blind the person (in this case, me!) they are approaching! I end up haivng to either keep my head waaaaayyyyy down, or baby step, or briefly jog in place until the car passes- ack! Folks, it's not that dark, just keep your regular beams on!

"Fire and ice/You come on like a flame/Then you turn a cold shoulder/Fire and ice..."

Good run this morning, except...I was TOO warm! Close to 50 degrees @ 5:30am in January?! I should've dressed a lil less warmly, should've layered with a lighter top instead of the sweatshirt I tend to wear this time of year...but I'm not complaining, I luv this! I'll take it over cold and ice and snow anytime!

My gym has been a lil more crowded this week with the "resolution" folks! I don't mind, except that it sometimes makes for a bit of a wait to use assorted equipment...come the end of the month, it'll be the same usual suspects, with maybe two or three new faces who stick with it...

I'm not usually a huge fan of this, but for Christmas someone gave me a jar of organic honey- this stuff is good! It's not liquid-y, but more semi-solid...I don't really put it on anything, just have a spoonful every so often...all carbs, but yum-o! (My Rachel Ray impression!)

Alright, I'm off...

"Some people, they like to go out dancing/And other peoples, they have to work..."

Time Waits For No One- Rolling Stones

Yes, star crossed in pleasure the stream flows on by
Yes, as we're sated in leisure, we watch it fly.
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me.

Time can tear down a building or destroy a woman's face
Hours are like diamonds, don't let them waste.
Time waits for no one, no favors has he
Time waits for no one, and he won't wait for me.

Men, they build towers to their passing yes, to their fame everlasting
Here he comes chopping and reaping, hear him laugh at their cheating.
And time waits for no man, and it won't wait for me
Yes, time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me.

Drink in your summer, gather your corn
The dreams of the night time will vanish by dawn.
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me.

No no no, not for me....