Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

On the last day of the year, I lined up the items I would need for the night's race: fleece hat, wool scarf, gloves, and an empty Thermos. Instead of running New York Road Runners Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, I opted to volunteer for the event's festival. One of my 37 Things including volunteering at more races and (until the moment I arrived in Central Park), I had failed in this endeavor.

The volunteer coordinator described my mission:“Your job is to be helpful.” I donned on a bright orange vest that identified me as VOLUNTEER and walked the perimeter of the area surrounding the Bandshell and tried to look merry and bright. As a librarian, the “Ask Me Anything” conversation bubble floats permanently above my head. While the event does include a four-mile race around the park, tourists and spectators flock to the free outdoor dance party and midnight fireworks display. A large part of my "job" for the night included pointing people towards the port-a-pots, recommending where to stand for the fireworks, and directing the runners to the baggage check and starting line.

Even with the freezing weather and numb extremities, it was the perfect way to break in the new year: in a glorious park in an amazing city, supporting the running community and surrounded by people old and young, from near and far. I sipped watered-down hot chocolate, wiggled to the music, and tried desperately to help people find the nearest subway station. I always fail to exit the park in an efficient manner. I think I'm heading west only to find myself on the east side. Once I'm in the middle of the park, I forget the path that took me there. Despite this, I choose to believe that my vague pointing, thoughtful pauses, map glancing, and perky instructions led all to be where they intended. 

Happy New Year! 

37 Things: The Rollovers

Source

I knew that my 37 Things list was overly ambitious and for that reason I am rolling over 12 things. Combined with a new (forthcoming) list of 38 Things that makes an even 50.

Running 
1. Run 50 miles a month.
2. Log at least 750 miles over year.
3. Improve pace significantly and consistently.
4. Cross-train (cycling, Pilates, whatever)
5. Run NYC marathon again.

Social 
6. Go out on 12 dates.

Exploration and Learning
7. Learn Spanish.

Food
8. Bring back Grandma's Test Kitchen as Sunday Dinner.
9. Assemble collection of grandmother's recipes (with pictures!) and publish (flip book, blog, whatever).

Writing
10. Write monthly blog posts.
11. Write book reviews.

Fun  
12. Ride roller coasters

8th Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge

It’s that time again!

The 48 Hour Book Challenge (#48hbc) will take place June 8-10. I’m planning on reading from 7:00pm 10:00pm Friday  to 7:00pm 10:00pm Sunday. I will be running my favorite race from last year (New York Mini 10K) and participating in my favorite NYC library advocacy event (We Will Not Be Shushed Read In). Registration for the Mini is closed, but if you're in NYC you can still sign up to read here. I volunteered to read between midnight and 8am. I'm crossing my fingers for 4:30ish.

 I’ve piled my stack of books (see below), downloaded an audio book (Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce), and selected my baked good (Vegan BreakfastCookies). After failing to go vegan for the month of May, I’m attempting Mark Bittman’s VB6: Vegan Before Six during June. 

37 Things

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When I turned 37 in January, I made a list of 37 things to do before turning 38. I am amused that only a handful of things are even tangentially work-related, but I take that as a sign that I am satisfied with how my career as a librarian has progressed over the last six years.

Running
1. Run 50 miles a month.
2. Log at least 750 miles over year.
3. Improve pace significantly and consistently.
4. Enter 12 races.
5. Volunteer at races.
6. Join a running club.
7. Buy new running shoes.
8. Cross-train (cycling, Pilates, whatever)
9. Run NYC marathon again.

Health, Wellness, and General Good
10. Eat more vegetables.
11. Drink more water.
12. Take lunch (at least 30 minutes) and break every day.
13. Be vegan for a month.
14. Give blood more than twice a year. Aim for every 56 days if possible.

Organization and Finances
15. Pay off credit cards.
16. Cancel gym membership or start going to gym.
17. Visit storage space.
18. Purchase file cabinets.
19. Hang things on wall.
20. Update resume. 

Social
21. Go out on 12 dates.
22. Hangout with friends haven't seen in a long time: Sonya, Alissa, Dawn, Susan, and Mooney.
23. Redeem all Brokelyn Beer Book coupons.
24. Have fun with the Polite Society Adventure Club.
25. Hold summer bar crawl exchange.
26. Celebrate as many birthdays as possible.

Exploration and Learning
27. Find that elusive fourth hobby: reading, running, cooking/baking, and ?
28. Take Knife Skills class at Brooklyn Kitchen on 4/30. 
29. Learn Spanish.

Food
30. Bring back Grandma's Test Kitchen as Sunday Dinner. 
31. Assemble collection of grandmother's recipes (with pictures!) and publish (flip book, blog, whatever).
32. Eat weird new and interesting things with Gastronauts.
 
Writing
33. Write monthly blog posts.
34. Write book reviews. (If all works out, I should be doing this for SLJ's Adult Books 4 Teens.)

Fun 
35. Travel somewhere that requires a passport and is not related to a library conference.
36. Ride roller coasters
37. Say "Yes!" 

Ready Set Go!

Coffee's brewing and waffles are toasting as I prep for my race. I'll be listening to an audiobook for the first few hours of the challenge to accommodate train travel and race running. Starting (in about 45 minutes) at 7am Saturday, finishing at 7am Monday.

Seventh Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge

Throwing my bookmark into the pile once again for the 48 Hour Book Challenge. It's going to be a busy weekend with the Mini 10K and the 24 Hour Read In, but I'm going to try to conquer a stack between 7am Saturday and 7am Monday. I'm hoping the 14-hour audiobook I have selected (Born Confused) will help me log hours when I'm out and about. Here the initial stack, subject to change:

If you're in the NYC area, you should come support the 24 Hour Read In:

4pm Saturday-4pm Sunday
Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza

Read, read, read, sleep, run

Here we go again. Last minute decision to join Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon. Here are my books:

I'm also planning on listening to Between Shades of Gray on audiobook.At some point today, I need to dash into the city and pick up my bib for tomorrow's Run for the Parks 4-mile race.