Honey Run 5k

The last 5k I did I didn't actually do. Amber and I had signed up for the Blacklight Run in Bonner's Springs. Unfortunately, the weather was super bad at the time of the race--massive rain and thunderstorm. Amber stuck it out but I did not. This was way back in August.

Saturday was my first time running since that 5k in August. I really just signed up because it was put on by the Sustainability Office of the City of Denton. It was an outdoor course at the Clear Creek Nature Reserve and it was one of the loveliest runs I've done! The weather was perfect and the setting so nice. I was in a good mood all day, and I'm pretty sure it was that runner's high. However, I didn't stretch enough or have enough protein afterward, and have been a little sore.

I finished in about the same time I do for all my races. Imagine what I could do if I actually trained and built some endurance! Speaking of which, I'm starting a 6-week 5k training program in the morning. And it starts early, like 5:30 am early.

Jazz vs Mavs

Wednesday night the Jazz were in Dallas playing the Mavericks. When I knew I was moving to Texas, one of the first things I did was look up the Jazz's schedule to see if they would be playing Dallas soon. I was pretty happy that I hadn't missed the trips to Dallas.

I left work a little bit early and hit the freeway towards the nearest DART station. I really hate navigating traffic and sporting events, and even more so when I'm not familiar with the place. So I am very pleased that I can reach where the Mavs play by train.

I wore my Jazz shirt and sat amongst the Mavs fans. Everyone was nice. In fact, no one made any mention of my shirt until at the end of the game when some guy said, "It's a rebuilding year for you." There was a girl a few rows in front of me who was also a Jazz fan, and we shared a few head nods, especially when the Jazz made a run near the end of the fourth.

As I was waiting for the train, a gentlemen asked if I was going to the Trinity Mills Station. I said yes (even though I was actually going to the stop after that) and then told his grandson to just follow me. He then left to catch a different train to Fort Worth. This kid and I ended up sitting next to each other on the train, and we chatted all the way to our stop. He's graduating high school in March. I asked him his favorite movie. We talked about music, and cool things to do in Texas.

We also talked about religion (mind you, this was only like a 35 minute train ride). When he asked me what made Mormons different than other religions, I blanked. Sheesh. I mentioned a few things, but then we got to our stop and parted ways. It was a really cool time with him.

At church lats week my Bishop called me to be a Ward Missionary. So I guess I'll have to work on being better at moments like this. 

A Hat and Boots

Yesterday I went to a meeting. One of the attendants came wearing boots and a cowboy hat. It made my day, as it fulfilled and confirmed one of my Texas dreams and beliefs. My boss regularly wears boots to work. Today he did not, and got teased for it.

I probably won't start wearing a cowboy hat to work, but I think a cowboy boot purchase needs to be in my immediate future.

Hello Family Ward

I am now officially in a Family Ward. Which is kind of a weird name if you think about it. All wards are family, and YSA wards no less so. Can't we just call them wards? Or All Age Ranges Ward?

Anyway, my new ward had a baby blessing today. It was pretty neat. However, my ward in Kansas was one of the few remaining University Wards (a few years ago the Church disbanded Student/University Wards and put them all under the YSA umbrella), and as such we had single people AND married people. It was kind of awesome. The married people were no different than the single people other than the fact that they were married.

My new ward does, though, have primary children and seniors. Which Lawrence did not. So it's a cool mix of people.

Streets And My Thoughts On Them

I am a big proponent of the grid system when it comes to streets. I think it comes from my time living in SLC and NYC. The grid system just makes directions and finding things so much easier. It's intuitive. And I like it.

When I moved to Topeka, I was annoyed that they didn't have a grid system. They had a semi-grid system, in that they had numbered streets that went east and west, which meant I knew where 21st street was in relation to 6th street. In time I got used to it, even if some addresses gave me no clue where they were.

Denton has a street system that is not a grid and has no numbers. This is a struggle for me. Add in no mountains, and the occasional overcast day, and I have no idea which way is which. I have to rely on remembering which streets go east-west and which ones go north-south.

I have a crappy memory.

I Met A Girl From Topeka

On Saturday I went to the nearest Recreation Center to get my free membership. As a City worker, I can use the Recreation Centers for free. The girl at the counter was very helpful and friendly. When she gave me back my driver's license, she made mention of Kansas and asked if I was from there. This is always a bit tricky for me, as I explain that I moved here from there, but I'm not from Kansas. I told her I came from Topeka, and then she said she grew up in Topeka! Then we had a conversation about Topeka and Texas and choosing to work in the arts and KU and all that. We were instantly bonded and it was awesome.