Things are really starting to come into bloom around here again as spring slowly but surely begins to pop! These next 6-7 months make the remaining ones- almost!- tolerable; Boston and New England are pretty nice this time of year! Still waiting for my face to clear up a bit more (treatment-related) hopefully it will be looking better, if not pretty again (ha!) by the end of next week... Despite my mileage having been waaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy down this past winter I still somehow beat up my running shoes, got a new pair of Saucony Triumphs last week! And a lil bit of shopping therapy; pair of jeans, shorts, blue sheath dress...

Endorsements for the Massachusetts US Senate primary elections tomorrow:
Republican- Michael Sullivan
Democrat- Stephen Lynch

Odds and sods...
The Art of Conversation  An hour cocktail party or two-hour business dinner can feel like a day dragging on if you aren’t silver-tongued or you wind up paired with someone who is less-than-outgoing. Fortunately, no matter where you are on the conversation comfort scale, there are techniques that can make any conversation engaging, meaningful, and memorable. Alcohol never hurts, either! ;)
Interview with the Gecko A conversation with GEICO spokesreptile and newly published author, the Gecko, on life, creativity and the inspiration behind his first book, You're Only Human. Gotta luv The Gecko.
Why Writing Fluently Is Hard
Sin Explains Things Sin isn’t the human condition; it’s the explanation for the human condition. Without knowledge of sin, life makes no sense at all.
We need more research on hangovers, scientist argues  I've done my bit of, um, research over the years :)
The Greatest Weapon Against The Tyranny Of "Very Serious People" - Laughter Never forget, the “achilles heel” of anyone who’s driving aim in life is to CONTROL the lives of other people is his or her aching need to be taken “seriously”. In essence, the people who matter in the world are fully confident that they have earned the status of adult human beings and get exasperated with those who insist on treating them as children.

This looks good (I luv lamb!)
Greek-Style Lamb Tacos with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce and Salad 
 
10 on shuffle...
Dead Flowers, Townes Van Zandt
It's Go Time!, The Nebulas
Dear John, Aimee Mann
Bonefields, Shawn Colvin
Bargain, The Who
So Nice, Diana Krall
Chocolate, Kylie Minogue
Take On Me, A-Ha
You And Your Heart, Jack Johnson
Ball N Chain, The Bangles

"Send me dead flowers to my wedding/And I won't forget to put roses on your grave..."

An interesting past several days around these parts... First, thoughts and condolences go out to the victims and loved ones of the Marathon bombings, especially to the four persons senselessly murdered by the perps (three at the bombing, one during the apprehension process.) Appreciation and thanks go out to all who helped, both in the immediate aftermath as well as in the subsequent investigation and capture of the two who committed the act; medical and other first responders at the scene and afterward, local, state, and federal law enforcement officers and agencies of all stripes who pursued leads and apprehended the perps. They all reflected well upon themselves, their professions, and our cities, state, and nation, and they deserve admiration and thanks! A few people I know ran as well as attended Monday; all were safe.

It was an odd scene around the city this past week; such a visible presence of law enforcement and investigatory personnel and equipment, as well as media hordes and their trucks, etc... from around the nation and around the world, especially throughout the Back Bay and downtown. Boylston Street (a main thoroughfare) and many surrounding streets barricaded off for blocks- had to be a blow to local businesses in the area. And a slight feeling throughout the week of what may happen next? with the suspects still at large, the possibility that there may be further/additional bombings throughout the city and area- not fear, but apprehension, unease. And then the events of yesterday and the responses to them; shutting down the entire MBTA, not just in the city but the entire region, taxi service shut down for several hours, Cambridge and Watertown (two nearby suburbs to Boston) in virtual lockdown, Boston and other neighboring cities urged to lockdown as well (I worked from home- no gym yesterday either) events cancelled, etc... And the denouement with the capture of the remaining identified perp last evening... It was a week unlike any other locally.

I had my monthly appointment with my oncologist last Wednesday and we decided to end the current treatment regimen I've been on. We likely would have ended it soon anyway. My face had once again broken out BIG time (yuck) but more this treatment had apparently lost it's effectiveness; some #'s and such that they check have been rising again. Her recommended best next option was/is a clinical trial/study being run thru my hospital (BIDMC; it's also a Harvard Med-affiliated facility) that she is aware of and that, according to her seemed to have some- relatively- promising responses, so we'll be pursuing that in the coming weeks (one of the things to participate needs me to be clear of previous treatment drugs, so for the next few weeks no clinic appointments or treatment.) I meet with my onc again next month.

A successful conclusion to this year's wagering season; much better (read: profitable) than last year- whew! Between pro and college football and college hoops I did alright... My for-entertainment-purposes-only NCAA brackets, not so much, but I did correctly pick the national champion- congrats to the Louisville Cardinals and coach Rick Pitino (UMass '74, btw... ;)

Spring is trying it's best to arrive here; we had one pretty nice day last week (Tuesday) and a couple of half-decent ones but yesterday and today have been chilly and damp- c'mon spring, spring already! A good friend is headed south on vacation next week, South Carolina and Florida- lucky! Tho' I imagine it might've been even better to head down there back in January or February it still ought to be pretty dang nice- enjoy, you!

I think I'm actually acquiring a taste for wine! I had a pinot noir recently that was quite tasty! Something new to add to my drinking repertoire (still enjoy a nice beer, tho'!) I'm looking at a pretty busy next week or so but after that my schedule eases up again, which I am definitely looking forward to... I'll tell ya tho', if there are two things I can complain about? Number one is my hair. I know I've said it many times before but I would kill for the head of hair I had before all of this cancer/chemo stuff began. I'm not bald. But it has thinned sooooooooo damn much. I have had to start wearing a wig again, which sucks because, first of all, natural hair just looks better, and also because a wig can be hot and uncomfortable, especially in the warmer weather. I could live with a short, spunky kinda style but I'm not even sure if the volume is there for that. I plan to make an appointment with my stylist later this month, see if there's anything left that she thinks we can do. Damn. Number two (and this is something I can do something more about) is/are my abs. My abs have always been the most difficult body part for me to train. I was very overweight for a number of years which kinda stretched things out there, and more recently (almost two years ago) I had some rather extensive surgery done on my midsection (cancer-related, and also leaving a nice 8" scar as well- as one friend put it, the only eight inch thing on me ;) But I can work my abs harder, and could stand to lose a size or so. Doable.

What I'm Reading Now: Rifleman: The Untold Story of Stevie Flemmi, Whitey Bulger's Partner, Howie Carr; The Real Animal House: The Awesomely Depraved Saga of the Fraternity That Inspired the Movie, Chris Miller

"Spillin' wine and sharing good times/She sure could make him smile..."