Comments (38)

By kilax, October 12, 2010 8:58 pm

Some more photos of the Chicago Marathon have trickled in (including the official photos). The first three are from Kevin. Now you can see what it looked like when I gave him and his wife, Katie, a hug around mile 17. Can you see the look of relief on my face to see them? I hope they threw away the clothes they were wearing when I gave them those sweaty hugs.

The next five are some photos our friend Abbie took when she saw me at mile 11. This is when Steven ran with me a bit. Notice what my back says on it?

And you can probably guess where the rest are from?

Have you ever ordered your official race photos? Do you think I should order any of those?

If you hover your mouse over the photo, it will give you an identifying number. You can also click any of these to make them larger. Some look like they are cut off, but really, it’s the wordpress program that inserted the images.

Gosh. Those glasses look so stupid on me. I look like a bug! Ha ha. Oh well.

I can’t promise, but I will TRY to have less running related posts soon. Soon.

Comments (38)

By kilax, October 12, 2010 4:44 am

Did you notice the sign Steven made for the Chicago Marathon?

“You’re Kicking AssPhalt… Literally”

One of our biggest pet peeves is when the word “literally” is misused. It happens A LOT. The example I always think of is when someone says “my cell phone was literally blowing up” (referring to getting a lot of calls or texts). No. It was not. If it was literally blowing up, it probably would have blown your ear off, and you would be talking about that instead. It was figuratively blowing up (even then, that’s a dumb thing to say).

We sometimes say something then add “literally” to the end of it just to be ridiculous/funny.

Do you notice people misusing “literally”? Do you misuse it? Do you notice other misuses of the English language? Do you notice misuse of idioms?

We notice a lot of things. Like when people say “I could care less” but mean “I couldn’t care less.” If you could care less it means you actually care a bit, and what would be the point of saying that? Also, Steven recently looked up what “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” really means and now realizes most people are misusing it.

I found this funny post on another blogger’s site where she mentions some of the ones that bother her. Do you notice any of those?

I bet there are some phrases I misuse and don’t even know it! We just hear something being said a certain way and start saying it that way (like saying “suppose to” when it should be “supposed to”) OR a phrase becomes so misused that people don’t even realize what the true meaning is of it!

Not related, but I love this photo Carla’s fiance, Karl, took of me during the race. It was right after I told him Carla stopped to use the bathroom but was a few minutes behind me.

I saw Karl a few times during the race. He was easy to spot. Wonder why?

The balloon! Ha ha. (I took this photo)

Comments (4)

By kilax, October 12, 2010 3:17 am

I woke up at 2:30 am and could not sleep so decided to log in and reply to all of your wonderful comments and look at that – comments are turned off again, and all of my wordpress “discussion” settings have been changed. They defaulted back to requiring users to be “registered” to comment, as well as requiring an administrato to approve any comment before it appears.

And all comments were turned off on ALL posts and ALL pages. AGAIN.

This has happened to me on September 24 and October 10, 2009. Both times, I’ve had to run this SQL command:

UPDATE wp_posts SET comment_status = ‘open’ WHERE comment_status = ‘closed’;

Then go back and manually change the Discussion settings, and turn on commenting on pages.

I cannot find a forum that tells me why this is happening. Some suggest that plug-ins may be doing it. Others suggest that it may be my wordpress theme.

Either way, it’s a huge pain and causes me a lot of stress.

If you notice comments are down, ever, please email me at kimilax@yahoo.com. And please forgive me for not knowing how to fix it permanently.

Comments (140)

By kilax, October 11, 2010 10:06 am

MY FIRST MARATHON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM A MARATHONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My friend Abbie took this photo!

Yesterday I ran the Chicago Marathon and finished with an overall time of 5:37:42. It took me longer than I thought it would to finish, but I am extremely proud of myself nonetheless. I have a lot to say, so let’s get this party started!

WARNING: This is VERY long. No shame! Skim and read what you want – I organized it in to segments for that purpose. The segments will be THANK YOUS, THE RECAP (probably where most people will want to go), THOUGHTS ON MY PERFORMANCE, THOUGHTS ON THE CHICAGO MARATHON ITSELF, QUESTIONS FOR YOU, HOW I FEEL and WHAT NOW?

THANK YOUS

First of all, I have to say THANK YOU to all of the amazing spectators, whether I saw you or not, it means a lot that you were there. I know that Nilsa, Kevin, Amy, Elizabeth and Jen (a reader who did IM Madison this year!) were out there from the blogging world. A few of my college friends (Mike, Jennie, Tom and Sarah) and our close friends Eric, Abbie, their daughter Alice, and Abbie’s sister Rachel were there as well. And of course, Steven was out there cheering for me! He was such a trooper and made it to a lot of different spots to see me and I am so happy he did!

Also, I must say THANK YOU to all of my friends (bloggers and non bloggers) and family who sent me emails and texts to ask how I was doing! It meant SO MUCH to me to know you were thinking of me. Seriously. You guys are awesome.

THE RECAP

I went to the Expo on Saturday with Erin. It was the first huge race expo I had ever gone to! I had a fun time, and bought myself a new visor (seen above!).

Steven and I stayed at Erin and Jason’s house overnight on Saturday (thank you Erin + Jason!). At 5:45ish Sunday morning Erin, Steven and I rode the blue line in to Chicago. We met up with two of Erin’s running club friends on the train. We stopped and used the bathroom at Erin’s office before the race (thanks Erin!) then made our way to gear check. Amazingly, I ran in to Shari, the woman I ran most of the 20-miler with! I said good luck to her, then went to check my bags. After that, I said goodbye to Erin (and her friend Jacob),

and goodbye to Steven,

then I went to look for Carla and her friend Tracy. Carla and Tracy were in the bathroom line and it wasn’t moving, so we finally left the line around 7:30ish (after the gun had already gone off for the elites) and made our way to the open corral. This is when I realized I checked my sunscreen without putting it on! I was freaking out, and called Steven, who assured me I would be fine. Thanks for calming me down Steven!

It was an obstacle to get to the open corral, but I passed Bobbi on the way there! What are the odds, right? I was really pumped to see her and wished her good luck!

We got to our spot somewhere near the 5:00 pacer and waited until about 8:00 to cross the start. It was 59° F when we crossed the start.

Then we were off!

I knew Steven was at mile 1 and was super excited to see him (funny note, I was already off by .2 miles by mile 1!). His bright yellow shirt really stood out! I selfishly used our nice camera during the run and gave him an old crappy one to use, so the only photos he got of me were at mile 1 (because the camera was messed up). But you can see me under the arrow below, and I am using this photo as my masthead right now.

I felt great – my legs felt fresh and I was in a good mood. Unfortunately, Carla and Tracy left to use the bathroom after mile 1, so I only got to run a bit with them! But I was still enjoying myself, running along, taking everything in. I kept telling myself to take it nice and slow. My plan was to start slower mile splits and finish with faster ones.

I had pre-programmed a bunch of texts in my phone so I could tell Steven where I was and he could look for me. We planned to see each other at 1, 4, 11, 17 and 26. I saw him at 1, and told him I was nearing 4, and he told me where he and his friend Eric were, but I missed them. Oops! I kept trucking along. I really enjoyed the first 6 miles of the race because they were mostly in the shade. Then we got near Lake Shore Drive and were in the sun.

Yuck. At this point, I realized my back and shoulders were REALLY TIGHT. I have mentioned this before – how when I do yoga the day after I run I can barely move my neck. Well, I am not sure if it is from tensing up, or my running top being too tight, but it really hurt. It was a constant ache for the rest of the race.

Also, at this point, I realized my cell phone stopped working from getting too sweaty (I had it in my pouch then moved it to my bra so I could hear it). It still does not work. If you are trying to get a hold of me, that is why I am not responding to calls or texts. I tried not to be upset about my phone and passed it along to Steven when I saw him next, so I wouldn’t think about it.

I had a lot of fun running through Boystown and was really excited to see Steven, Abbie, Rachel and Alice at mile 11. Steven ran with me a bit and asked how I was doing. I said “thirsty” but I had water. That is just how I felt. I bet it was in the 70s by then!

At mile 12, I stopped to take a walk break, and then saw a bathroom with no lines. I decided I better go – I was having slight cramps. When I got back on course, I realized at that point there was no way I would meet my 5:00 goal. Although I passed the half marathon point at 2:30:27, I knew I couldn’t do that for the second half. My friend Gina got a text of my predicted finish time after I passed the half – it was 5:30:49 – pretty close, right?

I am not sure how I knew at this point I would not make my 5:00 goal. The sun was intense and I was fading, but I still felt strong and energized. I just knew it wouldn’t happen.

Honestly, a lot of times during the race, I thought, I wish I was running this with someone. I felt a bit lonely, despite the huge crowd.

So after the half marathon point, I started taking a one minute walk break every mile, then, around 17 or so, started walking quite a bit more. There was not much shade and I just felt blah. The temperature reached the mid 80s, and while I was telling myself “you trained in this heat!” the truth is, I DID NOT. I ran short runs in the heat. On the weekends, I got up early to run when it was cool, and in the shade. Live and learn!

Not much of the course was shaded like this! It was more like this –

I put my music on around mile 14 (I could barely hear it because of all the crowd music, but it was there). I saw Carla again around mile 16. Then I saw Kevin and Katie around mile 17 and was SO HAPPY to see them! I stopped and gave them a hug and said “This is awful! The heat is killing me!”

I saw Steven shortly after, and he walked with me a bit. He was so encouraging! He told me I was averaging 11:30s and that was how he was keeping track of me. I knew I wouldn’t average 11:30s after that, but didn’t tell him. I should have so he could have seen me at mile 26. He waited there but I never came when he thought I would so he went to the runner reunite area.

And after that, the rest of the race was a lot of running then walking, with very liberal walk breaks. As soon as I stared walking more, I could feel I had blisters all over my toes!

I talked to a lot of random people (I asked a lot of struggling/injured people if they were okay). I saw a girl that ran the 20-miler and talked to her. I saw Janelle, the woman misszippy blogged about, and talked to her (she was leading her blind cousin on the race). I met a guy from New Jersey who had his knee scoped three weeks ago. I saw a coworker and asked for a sweaty hug. I saw another coworker at a water station, who also gave me a hug. I saw a guy in an Eiffel Tower Costume and told myself there was no way in hell he was beating me.

I met a woman from Iowa near the finish and encouraged her to run the last mile with me. I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE THE “1 MILE” SIGN. I finished that last mile at about an 11:00 pace.

I even saw Kevin and Katie again near the finish!

And done!

I got my medal, a ton of food, a cold towel. And made my way to runner reunite. I ran in to Erin’s friend Jacob, so we walked there together, and met up with Steven, Jason, and Erin! I was so happy to see them all! Lots of sweaty hugs!

How we really felt –

Jason and Steven, our awesome spectators! I love the sign Steven made!

Me, Jacob and Erin

I immediately took my shoes off and put on flip flops. My toes were so swollen, and my long toe looked like it was trying to grow another toe on to it (picture here if you’re interested).

Erin, Jason, Steven and I hobbled our way to the blue line to go back to Erin and Jason’s place. We ordered Thai food. I still wasn’t hungry, but knew I needed to eat! After chatting a bit, we headed home. No shame. I wore my medal the rest of the night!

Running stats (notes for future reference for me):

Shoes/Outfit: I wore my Brook Adrenaline GTS 10s sans inserts. I vaselined up and had no bra area chafing – just chafing around my crouch, which really, really hurts. I did get a sunburn. I took my knee brace off around mile 20. I didn’t feel like I needed it. Steven said my shirt was not that distinguishable enough. I had to iron the “B” in the morning, and the “T” was peeling a bit at the end of the day. People said “Kimbo” or “Kimbot.” Not many people said my name. I need to use darker letters and just “Kim” next time.

Food: I had a tri berry GU at 6, half a peanut butter cookie Lärabar at 13, a piece of licorice around 15, a vanilla bean GU at 17, a piece of a banana around 21, and the other half of the Lärabar around mile 24. I was worried about feeling hungry but felt fine – probably because it felt too hot to eat.

Water: I took water at EVERY stop. I filled up my water bottles many times and have no idea how much I drank. I did not want to become dehydrated. And the water wasn’t sloshing around in my stomach or anything. My bottles kept falling off toward the end – I think I wasn’t putting them in right. And it was a challenge to bend over and pick them up.  I also took ice/water to pour down my back.

Walk Breaks: I took a one-minute walk break every 3 miles until mile 14, then walked a minute every mile until about 17 or so, then walked when I felt like it. Oops.

Overall Pace Stats: Distance: 26.5 | Start Temp: 59° | End Temp: 83° | Time: 5:37:45 | Avg Pace: 12:45 | 1: 11:18 | 2: 9:57 | 3: 11:18 | 4: 10:48 | 5: 11:01 | 6: 10:58 | 7: 11:25 | 8: 10:56 | 9: 11:14 | 10: 11:32 | 11: 11:10 | 12: 11:04 | 13: 15:02 | 14: 10:59 | 15: 12:14 | 16: 13:05 | 17: 13:36 | 18: 13:15 | 19: 12:28 | 20: 13:43 | 21: 14:22 | 22: 16:02 | 23: 17:46 | 24: 14:40 | 25: 17:15 | 26: 15:07 | 27: 10:46

Here is a link to the garmin stats.

THOUGHTS ON MY PERFORMANCE

What exactly happened? Why did I do so well in the first half then fall apart? Was it the heat? Was I under trained (I didn’t do speed work or intervals)? Am I a lazy runner? Am I too overweight? Was it just mental? Does it even matter?

No.

When it comes to the end of the day, I still finished my first marathon. It was a messy one, but I am proud of myself, and will have to use what I learned in Chicago for my next race! I feel like I did the best I could, in those conditions.

I do think a bit of the mental thing for me was being “alone” on the course, and not having many personal spectators. I can not even describe how invigorating it is to see someone you know cheering for you. I found myself wanting to see more people I knew. It really gave me energy. I shouldn’t rely on that.

THOUGHTS ON THE CHICAGO MARATHON ITSELF

Spectators: Hands down, the best thing about the Chicago Marathon is the spectators. There were very few spots on the course lacking spectators, and I bet there would have been even more if I was a faster runner! Seeing all of those people really pumps you up, especially when they call your name and cheer for you.

I saw A LOT of cool signs and took a few pictures of my favorites. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the Star Wars signs or the Zac Efron cut-out cardboard figure sign!

I love this sign this runner was wearing: “Caution: This Vehicle Makes Frequent Stops.”

I also saw a lot of cool outfits:

And many spectators hand out candy and food, hence the licorice I snagged!

I gave lots of high fives to spectators, and talked to a lot of them. And I did some dancing too – to YMCA, Single Ladies, and We Will Rock You. I think Charity Village had the best “organized” spectators. Those charities really cheer on their runners (well, ALL runners).

A lot of people were spraying us with water too! LOVED it! (I had to make sure to cover the Garmin though).

THANK YOU SPECTATORS!!!

Volunteers: The volunteers are AMAZING! There are so many of them out there, giving you water, and being encouraging. They also handed out vaseline and sponges with water. I did not take a sponge, but walked over a lot of them.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

The course itself: The course is flat. I cannot imagine what hills would have been like in that heat. People always say it’s too crowded, but at my pace, it wasn’t! Score for me!

You see SO MUCH of Chicago and it really is a treat. I probably WOULD run it again, if I could somehow guarantee it would be cold.

The Gatorade/Water stations were VERY evenly placed. They did a wonderful job with them! However, I felt like they were dangerous because they were so slippery… then sticky. I wasn’t planning on my shoes feeling so sticky! And of course, many people walk through those (I didn’t at first) so that was tricky. It was just a new experience for me!

Some stops were supposed to have bananas, but they were mostly gone or not cut up while I was there. Oh well. I did grab part of a banana at one point.

I heard a lot of people complaining about the way the race was organized (getting from gear check to the start, getting to runner reunite, etc.) but I really thought it was okay. I expected it to be a big clusterf*ck. I mean, there are 40,000+ people running it!

So overall, A LOT OF FUN. It wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be, but it was still exciting.

QUESTIONS FOR YOU

1. Any insight on what happened to me in the second half?
2. Is it OKAY to throw GU wrappers on the ground in the aid station areas?
3. Any advice on training for the next marathon?
4. What should I do now to recover?
5. Is there a Garmin Watch that doesn’t die after a marathon? Maybe the 305?
6. What was your first marathon like?
7. Have you ever spectated at a marathon?
8. I’ve been thinking of getting a new type of shoes – is now the time to try some out?
   

HOW I FEEL

My legs are stiff, my feet are swollen (enough to affect my walking) and my upper back is still sore. I really feel tight in my IT bands, and have a bit of left heel pain. BUT… I finished injury free. GO ME! I expected to be sore like this. I am sure it will go away soon.

WHAT NOW?

This will be a low-key week for me. I want to let my body rest. I am running a 5K on Sunday, but just for fun. My long term plan is to keep my mileage up so I can run half marathons for fun.

Also, I need to lose about 20 pounds, so I will be working on that! I lost about 15 during training, but have a ways to go. I run faster, and easier, when I am lighter.

I do think I will do another marathon someday! I would love to run one with Erin, when we are the same pace again.

THANK YOU FOR READING ALL OF THIS

I wish I could write concise recaps like Adam or Marcia. Maybe they will give a tutorial? (It took me over 2 hours to write this and edit all the photos. Lame! Any tips on that?!)

CONGRATS TO ALL OF THE FINISHERS!!!

I cannot wait to read all of the other recaps!

Comments (12)

By kilax, October 10, 2010 6:05 am

This is the week of the Chicago Marathon on October 10. My next race is the World’s Largest Corn Maze 5K on October 17.

Day 351 | October 4, 2010: cross

Recumbent Bike Time: 45:00 | Distance: 6.95 | Average Speed: 9.24 mph | Set on “Forest Ride”

Day 352 | October 5, 2010: 4 m run

This run was definitely not as easy as the few before it! The sun was out and I felt too hot (it was only in the 60s), and I was so hungry (probably from throwing up the night before due to a migraine). Wah wah wah.

I guess if those are my only problems, that’s not too big of a deal.

Distance: 4.0 | Start Temp: 66° | End Temp: 62° | Time: 40:51 | Avg Pace: 10:12 | 1: 10:21 | 2: 10:22 | 3: 10:07 | 4: 9:58

Day 353 | October 6, 2010: strength

Strength (done during my lunch break):

Day 354 | October 7, 2010: stretch

I really intended to do a full yoga DVD, but was so exhausted… I just did the 10-minute AM session and the 10-minute PM session from the Yoga Works Beginners DVD, with some stretching. Better than nothing!

Day 355 | October 8, 2010: 3 m run

Last run before the marathon. Eek! Steven and I went to the Nippersink Forest Preserve for the 3-miler. Steven ran the first and last mile and I ran all three. It was a really gorgeous day. Temperatures in the 70s, bright sun, not a cloud in the sky. Not exactly perfect for running, but gorgeous. I felt hungry again (like on Tuesday) and really thirsty when I was done running.

This little guy came home with us from the forest preserve (he’s on Steven’s shoulder):

We played around a bit with the punching bag after lunch for fun:

FIERCE!

Distance: 3.0 | Start Temp: 70° | End Temp: 75° | Time: 31:46 | Avg Pace: 10:34 | 1: 10:49 | 2: 10:18 | 3: 10:37

Day 356 | October 9, 2010: yoga

I really wanted to sleep in the day before the race, but I just couldn’t sleep well. Too many marathon dreams! On Thursday night, I dreamed that I started the Chicago Marathon in flip flips, and without my hydration belt and sunglasses. I crossed the start but then tried to get my stuff out of bag check and couldn’t make it there. I kept seeing my time getting longer and longer on the garmin, and I hadn’t even made it to mile 1! Ha. And I was running the race with Linz.

On Friday night I had more crazy dreams. Ugh. I hate that my mind does that.

Anyway, since I couldn’t sleep, I got up and did one last Yoga Works Beginners session to try to loosen up my muscles and stay flexible!

Day 357 | October 10, 2010: Chicago Marathon!

Week Summary: 7.0 + 26.5 miles (updated)

Well, today is the big day! I am posting this before the race. Hopefully, when you read it, I will be running the Chicago Marathon and having a blast. Maybe I’ll even be finished and be relaxing for the rest of the day.

It’s neat that this is the 51st straight week in a row I’ve been documenting my training. I started documenting my training last October when we thought we were running the Disney Half Marathon in January. Even though we didn’t run it, I kept going. Keeping my workouts documented here keeps me somewhat on track. And it makes it fun for me! I like taking silly photos to show you guys, and writing about my runs.

Thank for you all for the support you have given me during training! You’ve been an immense help, both with tips, but also, just being there to listen. Thank you!

26.2, here I come!

Comments (38)

By kilax, October 9, 2010 6:32 am

I didn’t know this, but it some states and DC, you are required to wear a bicycle helmet when bicycling if you are 16 years old or younger. Has this resulted in less bicycle deaths? According to this article, about 19% less in the under 16 age group, but since bike death is already low, that is only about 8 less deaths per year.

Did you wear a bicycle helmet when you were a kid? How often do you now? Do you think bicycle helmets are dorky?

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I remember there was a big bicycle safety campaign at my grade school and my parents bought me a yellow helmet. I don’t remember wearing it at all though.

I DO wear a helmet almost all the time now. The only time I don’t is when casually riding bikes where my grandparents live in Guttenberg, IA.

And I don’t think they’re dorky. I think they’re sexy!

But, I know some people DO think they are dorky. That article started with talking about how people criticized Barack Obama for wearing one because it was dorky. And the article mentioned how designers in Denmark are trying to make helmets look more like hats. The article even said bike ridership has gone down in the states where helmets are required for kids because they look so dorky!

Steven even wears his helmet to follow me while I run!

I don’t know. I just don’t mind looking like a dork (obviously, you know that if you’ve been reading this blog for awhile). I have a coworker who rides her bike in Chicago without a helmet and that really worries me. I guess I know too many bicyclists who have had close calls with cars.

P.S. I miss riding my bike! I haven’t since August!

Comments (52)

By kilax, October 8, 2010 9:53 am

Here is the top I will be wearing for the Chicago Marathon on Sunday:

What do you guys think?

I assure you, the letters are easier to read in person… and I will look more excited on Sunday, for sure! Iron-on letters are surprisingly stressful. Projects like that bring out the hidden perfectionist in me.

I really didn’t want to wear this top, but it’s supposed to be really warm* on Sunday now. The letters would have stood out better on the plain orange top, but this top may help me stand out to Steven.

*For running!

Comments (26)

By kilax, October 8, 2010 7:50 am

How old were you when you got your first cell phone? Was it a novelty then? Are you likely to update your cell phone as technology changes, or do you stick with what you have?

I purchased my first cell phone (on my own) when I was 16, in the summer of 2000. I was the first person in my family to have a cell phone! I bought it so I could call a friend who moved away, and not have to pay long distance charges. I didn’t get a new phone until I was 19-20, when Steven gave me his old phone (so he could get a new one). I think he gave me another old one of his when I was 21-22. Then, when I was 23, we both got Motorola phones, which we have had for about the last three years! It does calls, photos and texting and that is about it.

Here’s Steven using our awesome Motorola phone (the one we both still have) at our wedding (September 1, 2007).  I wonder who he was calling…

Hey Steven, there you are on the phone again! What did you do, spend our whole wedding on the phone?! Just kidding, I know who you were calling this time… the limo to ask why the f*ck they didn’t show up. Let’s not talk about that.

Here’s a picture my older brother took (to be obnoxious) of my phone in November 2004. Hey Nick, I bet you never thought I would use this photo! Ha! (This is the phone I had when I was 20)

Here I am at a dress fitting in April of 2007, talking on the phone to one of my bridesmaids who decided not to come get fitted for her dress because she was too tired. Drama. (This is the phone I had when I was 22)

For business, I have a BlackBerry Tour (barf) and Steven has the iPhone. Neither one of us really use them for phone calls. That isn’t really their primary function. I use my BlackBerry for emails mostly. I’m not sure what he does* on his iPhone but he is always on it (especially during family time*).

I am really not one to feel like I need the newest phone. Yes, even with the new Droid R2-D2 phone, I am not that interested. I think that is because I use my camera for taking photos, my netbook for surfing the net, my tv for watching movies, and I generally don’t text that much. The smart phones definitely come in handy from time to time (well, when they get service) but it’s just not something I lust after.

I worry that I will be one of those old people who isn’t interested in new technology. I just figure if what I have works, why change it? I am not opposed to new technology… maybe I am just cheap? It’s actually a bit ironic that I feel this way, because Steven is the exact opposite and loves new technology and learning about it. I’m not saying he is care free with his money and buys everything new once it comes out, but he keeps up with all of that information.

*Just teasing you, Steven. You know I like to use your iPhone when I don’t have my camera/am too lazy to get out my computer/am bored in the car.

Comments (23)

By kilax, October 7, 2010 8:50 am

As I mentioned, yesterday was my nephew’s 6th birthday. What I didn’t mention though, is that he has recently discovered Star Wars and become a huge fan. Of course, this makes me very happy, as I love Star Wars and can now talk to him about it and give him Star Wars gifts.

So I called yesterday to wish him a happy birthday, and he spent a few minutes listing all the Star Wars gifts he received, making me jealous. The coolest thing was the Darth Vader Bear from Build-A-Bear.

I will be stealing this from my nephew the next time I see him.

I also saw these on the Build-A-Bear site:

WANT!

When I got off the phone with my nephew, I said “Happy Birthday!” and he said “Happy Birthday!” back to me. Ha ha.

Of course, I was thinking about how he got ALL Star Wars gifts. I think it is quite common for kids to get “theme” gifts. I know when I was a kid, I got a lot of Barbies, Polly Pockets, My Littlest Pet Shop toys, and Baby-sitters Club books. Once I discovered Star Wars in high school, I started getting Star Wars gifts.

I think it’s common for adults to get “theme” gifts as well. Once you know someone likes something, you get them gifts around that theme.

Did/do you ever receive theme gifts? If yes, do you like it? What are your themes? Are you a theme gifter?

I’ll admit, I was getting kind of burnt out on Star Wars gifts for awhile. But those bears are awesome. And I just saw these two shirts at Target yesterday that I. HAVE. TO. HAVE. (Is it too early to make a holiday wish list?)

Chewbacca shirt!

X-wing shirt!

I think my themes now are Star Wars, cats, and running. Ha! And maybe “kitchen.” Maybe.

I am a theme gifter. I usually try really hard to only get people something they would want or need, so when I find out a certain thing they like, I do tend to get them a gift from that theme. Of course, there are some people who just don’t seem to have any interests… or their interests are really expensive. Those are the people I struggle with.

Comments (7)

By kilax, October 7, 2010 7:35 am

I wonder if those white tents I can see from my office window are set up for the Chicago Marathon.

(zoomed out)

I’m really distracted today. Sorry. You’ll get a real post a little bit later, when Steven wakes up and sends me some pictures we took on his phone last night.