Oh happy day, the taxes are done.  Still have to go hunt down some ink cartridges so I can actually print them, and then finish off the paper.  Probably no workout today, I really need to have this stuff off my plate by tonight so I can enjoy the weekend.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Just for Ernie:  Dinner was grilled marinated flank steak w/grilled onions & peppers and some fried potatoes. :) 

Down to 1 return to go, need 4 pieces of paper that I know are *somewhere* around here, and that will just get to wait until tomorrow. 

I am so definitely NOT an accountant anymore... It's actually 6 returns. 4 of them are done, 3 are filed, one has to be printed and the last 2 should be done NLT tomorrow. Why on earth didn't I just hire someone for this?!

OK, out of 3 tax returns, one is done and ready to go filed, the second needs *one* more piece of paper (I know where it is, just have to go and dig it out of the big box o' papers) and the third...well, let's say I'm glad I've got a few more days to knock this out.

Looking like a rest day, as I have taxes and a paper to do...

And now it is all about the taper!

The wine class was cool - the owner of the shop brought in one of his importers who is a specialist in Argentinian wines. Focused just on one particular vineyard, 5 bottle flight. Brought home 2 of the wines on the list. Seems that for a very long time, Argentina didn't export any wine cause they really didn't *need* to - when everything is consumed in country with no leftovers, well, it's really not an issue. Also, they have some of the most consistent growing seasons in the world, so you don't have to focus too much on a particular vintage when you're looking at their wines. Overall, learned quite a bit.

One of my former coworkers is in town this week, we got together Monday night w/my old boss, and we're doing something again tonight - should be fun.  Lordy, did I get the 3rd degree on my new guy, LOL. 

Probably shouldn't even bother to log the swim - it wasn't bad physically, but I just could not get my head into it to save my life.  So I decided to stop fighting it and hit the jacuzzi. 

The teawurst is good - different, but I like it. May regret it during the swim, but hey, you only live once. :) And imagine my delight when I opened the fridge and discovered that someone had left one of the containers of Goulaschsuppe we brought back from the restaurant. I know what's going with dinner tonight! OK, got to get it in gear cause after the swim and the market, I need to get over to the wine shop, cause they're having a little class on Argentinian wines tonight. Should be good.

Good morning all! It's another beautiful day here in the neighborhood. Off to swim here in a bit, run some errands and figure out what's for dinner...

I totally forgot I was supposed to swim today... But it was a perfect day for an impromptu picnic in the park. 

Also took him over to the German store in Falls Church - how it's possible he'd never been there is beyond me.  Picked up some landjagger (very yummy hard sausage), some teawurst, crisps, a package of pumpernickel and some candies.  I love that shop.

Also checked out the new 4 door Wranglers - man, those things are sex on wheels. 

Man, what a day! First, a 10 mile PR with 24,000 of my closest friends and then some of the BEST German food I've ever had.

If you're in the NoVa area - Zum Rheingarten is THE place to go for German food, and we're definitely going back. It's fairly small, so you do need reservations, and it's a bit out in the hinterlands down by Quantico Marine base but so, SO worth it. We had Kartoffelrösti, Goulaschsuppe, Krustenbraten (Oktoberfest special) and Jägerschnitzel, Spaten Oktoberfest beer, and Rüdesheimer Kaffees for dessert. I am sure we probably looked like two of the biggest dorks around drooling over the menu, and sharing everything and "ooohhh, ahhhhh, mmmmm" with every bite. So, so, SO good.

Oh, and funny thing - we stopped in at the pub for a nightcap on the way home and I got more than a few double takes when we walked in. Seems none of the regulars realized I had legs. :)

And my bartender got me a copy of the 2006/7 Caps Official Guide - seems her Dad works at a printing company and brought some home for her, and she immediately thought, "Ohh, I know someone that would like this!"

Ahhh, nothing like comin' down off a race high. Got a little Brian Setzer Orchestra blasting, getting all dolled up for my date and just hitting that nice even mellow spot.

Gotta say, those last 4 miles were very odd for me. Just hit the point of "I'm here to kick ass and chew gum and damned if I haven't run out of gum." It was the kind of messed up stress high I used to get when I was on the verge of throwing Vice Presidents out of windows at my various workplaces, and I loved every second of it. Shoulda known that little part of my brain would find it's way into races eventually. ;)

Race report is up!

Very pleased with the results today. 2:55 improvement over the GW Parkway Classic in April, and check out that last mile.

Though today is really for fun more than anything, the overriding theme of the morning will be "take revenge on the course for Chippy." :)

WOOHOO, Caps win!!!!  I also got a call telling me to have fun and run fast tomorrow and to call as soon as I was done to let him know how it went.  Yes, I am a big cheesy dork. :)

In other news, my little brother turned 29 again today.  Good thing he's decided to stop aging, as I don't think I could handle his being 30. 

Finally remembered to go find the official results from the half last weekend - I did even better than I'd thought - 2:21:31!

Off to breakfast and packet pickup here shortly, and at some point I need to figure out exactly where the start is on this thing tomorrow. It's wet and cold and nasty today, and I really, REALLY hope it passes before tomorrow morning like the forecast says it will.