I have two new hobbies lately. Cooking and running. I think it's a good combination, yeah? So let's talk about running first. N and I went and saw "Mission Impossible" on Sunday and I decided that one of my goals in life is to be able to run as fast as Tom Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt. That guy is amazing! So it's true, he probably only had to run that fast for about 8 seconds and then they called "cut" but still. I want to run as fast as a fictional character and I think its doable. Really, I have always wanted to be a fast runner just in case I was ever chased by a murderer. I have to be ready. I have to outrun that scary psycho killer. (I watch too much tv.) But for now, I am a slow runner. I think if i had to, I could probably outrun an out-of-shape killer. Maybe that middle-aged guy that I pass every morning on his way back from the liquor store. So every morning for about 5 or 6 days a week, I've been running 3 miles. My fastest time thus far is 29:11. I want to start running in 5k races, but wish that I had a partner to run with me. N does not want to run in any races. He views running as a solitary event and doesn't ever want to be in a race or run with large groups of people again. We both did it as kids, but it's been about 25 years since i've run in a race! In Spokane, I *walked* in Bloomsday for a couple of years. I don't think I ever ran it. I will be back to let you know what race will be my first race in 25 years!! I am excited! N said that he would watch, so at least I have that.
Now on to my 2nd new hobby, cooking. I have been obsessed with competitive cooking shows for a while now. Top Chef, Sweet Genius, The Next Iron Chef, Chopped... I love them. I am always amazed at how they are able to come up with recipes/ideas off the top of their head and make them look beautiful and apparently taste great. It really is an art. Right now I am reading Tom Colicchio's book "Think Like a Chef" and it's wonderful. I'm also reading "The Zuni Cafe Cookbook" which is very similar. For Christmas, I got a ton of stainless steel pots/pans from my dad and his wife. I was so excited! I do have a secret dream of one day going to culinary school... or becoming a pastry chef... or something. I don't know. I am not sure that I have the ambition or right personality to become a chef. Ah well, at least I could take classes? And just cook. We all gotta eat. I think it's one way I show N that I love him... by cooking him dinner. It is a challenge now with my work schedule, however. I don't get home until almost 8:00 pm and so I really don't have time to cook elaborate meals except on weekends.
Picture of the day, taken by N. It's our bedroom and sweet little angel (not really, but I love her).
