“True Love” – Friendly Fires. First, let me say I am a total sucker for Friendly Fires in general. But this one is a new addiction for sure. Just makes you want to dance around, maybe do some hair whipping for the ladies and just rock out. If all else fails it’s a good running playlist jam.

I don’t know why but I can’t kick this song out of my heavy rotation for the past few weeks. It could be the catchy beat. It could be the fact that I am in a zone where I just love fast paced songs. But whatever it is I wanted to share it. Get that motivation rolling on a Monday friends.

After some serious profanity, more cocktails, a doctor visit and set of x-rays it was determined that there was no break, there was no trace of a fracture BUT there was significant muscle bruising that would require a 6 week break from running and NO heels. Which for a 5′ 3″ girl who has been known to rock some serious heels and have them make up the majority of her closet this was a harsh reality to be living in.

I’m happy to report I’ve made it through those six weeks with fairly little incident. I expanded my collection of flats to include a basic black Vera Wang Lavender option as well as a studded camel suede option from J.Crew. BUT, even with the “need” to buy new shoes it was still sad to welcome in 2012 at a fabulous party in flats.

SO, in lieu of my outdoor running I started swimming again to keep my body used to endurance training and with swimming comes new adventures in the gym. And when I say new adventures, I mean awkward moments and off beat behavior such as:

• People who are constantly heavy sighing and moaning in the showers/steam room/locker room – um, hello, it’s awkward to listen to your sighing/moaning for no apparent reason
• People who talk to themselves while working out. Not like quiet dialogue, I’m talking counting off reps and laps like they are reporting their progress in their swim workout to a non-existent coach on the side of the pool. Please also note, in a pool there is a LOT of echo so it’s extra loud.
• Strangers who get REAL close and REAL nude when you’re getting ready. Personal space is just polite people – especially when there is a severe lack of clothing involved.

Tomorrow marks my first run since the foot incident and while I am looking forward to it in that I can get back out there and start 1/2 marathon training again as well as have a break from some of the gym people I’m also terrified. 6 weeks is a LONG break from running so it’s going to be a major reality check when I’m wheezing around mile 1…woof.

I mean how can you not love her voice? There is something magical that happens when a strong rock band covers a song outside their genre and this is a pure example. Kills it.

So even though my earlier post today was all about 2012 and my goals moving forward I think it’s only right I pay homage to the past and where I’ve been.

Here’s a quick glance back at the last 4 years on January 5ths:

Year 0 – 2008

Year 1 – 2009

Year 2 – 2010

Year 3 – 2011

2011 was such a roller coaster even after the past few weeks I still can’t decide if it goes down in the record books as a good year or a bad year. It was my first full year, all 4 seasons, in San Francisco. I’ve loved this city. I’ve made amazing friends, had a great job, explored many neighborhoods and settled into my new apartment. I’ve had friends and family visit. I’ve created some amazing memories and started some new traditions. But on the flip side I lost my hero – my Grandmother Yuki, I’ve had some less than pleasant and disappointing family interactions, I’ve felt let down by some people I considered close friends and at times I’ve struggled to figure out what I really want both professionally and personally.

The good news is that it’s a wrap on 2011. There’s something about a new year that just feels like you can wipe the slate clean and start fresh. So, with by far the longest list of goals I’ve ever set for myself 2012 is off to a raging start.

In true organized nerd fashion I’ve got a couple systems in place to keep me reminded and honest about my goals but here’s some highlights (yes, this is just a sampler) of what will affectionately be referred to moving forward as “The List”:

• Set my PR in a half marathon
• Get back into swim workouts – perhaps some triathlons for 2013?
• Read 36 books – I completed my goal of 30 last year so it’s time to up the stakes
• Blog more – at least once a week
• Cook 24 new recipes this year
• Complete 1 new craft/DIY project a month (can you tell I’ve been into Pinterest)
• Set schedules – monthly, weekly, etc so I can factor in workouts, cleaning and of course all these goals

There’s a loading zone out front of the main building which is also home to the a divey Chinese restaurant/bar. While waiting for traffic to clear some gross dude in a silver Dodge Magnum wagon blasting “Whomp There It Is” pulls up along side me and honks. Ew.

Then he proceeds to struggle to parallel park his car. I back up onto the sidewalk and talk with a co-worker of mine. When the dude finally gets his car parked (in a loading zone) I go back out off the curb to wait out traffic and he comes over behind me, touches my arm (NOT COOL) and in his white adidas track jacket with black stripes and black adidas track pants with white stripes with ugly gold chain/medallion and haze  of overbearing cologne says “I only did that honking thing to make you move because if you’re a fan of Boston then shame on you”. *For context I am wearing a Red Sox vintage tee today.

My response was to immediately give him a disturbed look at the place in which his hand made contact with my arm and to say “Ok, go away”.

He then retorted with “Oh…wow…” like I was the one who was a STRANGER and came over to insult and touch him as he then slow jogged into the aforementioned divey Chinese restaurant/bar. Right. My bad.

My co-worker was simultaneously horrified and hysterical with laughter.

Shit like this only happens to me.

These new adventures into domesticity have me thinking I would make a pretty stellar lady of leisure. I like searching the interwebs for new food recipes, I like grocery shopping, I like the satisfaction that comes with making something and it being delicious…the only part I don’t like can be all the prep work..and the dishes.

If I was a lady of leisure I could grocery shop, and cook, and go for runs whenever I wanted, and read more books, and watch more of my stories on the TV….what have I been doing for the last 28 years?!?!

So what if a 16 year old girl posted this on her Tumblr. I want this shirt. After a basic google search and a google image shirt with this same post I’m coming up empty.

Help me find this shirt.

And follow me on Tumblr: http://duckinthecity.tumblr.com/

There are those old steel drum lid-less garbage cans around the stadium and while running I looked over to see this squirrel pull-up style lifting himself (or herself – who knows) up with a plastic ziploc bag containing what was a half-eaten hot dog in a bun.

My first instinct was – that sucks, he’s never going to get that tasty garbage treat out – or he’ll eat plastic, go into some toxic plastic non-digestible shock and die. Then, a magical thing happened. Mr. Squirrel jumped from the rim of the can – bag in his teeth – to the ground. Looked anxiously around for possible pirate thieves in his midst – and OPENED the bag with his tiny claw-like hands to free his treat.

I kid you not. He unzipped that ziploc bag with his hands, stuck his head and upper body in to drag the treat out with his mouth – then snatched up his hot dog treat by hugging it to his body and only partially dragging it he bolted for the base of tree safety.

It was remarkable. Kudos to you little buddy.