Run update/Visit to Franny's

Run update: still on the damn trainer. Biking around 1-2 hrs a day, usually while watching Hardball with Chris Matthews on my miniscule TV. Intervals on the shorter days. Tried running a couple times with not much success, so I've been emailing this damn orthopod about getting some PT but he is not emailing me back. I may try to sneak behind his back again and try to see a sports med doc in his group (aka also covered by my insurance) if he doesn't want to help me.

Franny's: Went to Franny's after my Pitt interview! She works for the Audubon society and lives in this house they own with another intern in the woods. Very cool and peaceful and pretty and birdy. Will post the few pics I got when I find the cord to attach my camera. Got to her house after my interview around 4 or 5 - the drive there was very scenic and I was kind of scared in this really twisty road that was only cleared 1-lane wide, but was for 2 directions of travel. Her house was deep in the woods, far from the road, and covered in snow! We went for a short hike at a nearby trail in the snow, after getting her car stuck in the drive way and pushing it out, then went to Walmart! I have not been to Walmart in years and I was sad I didn't have my camera to take pictures of both the hike and the trip to Walmart. Walmart was incredible - very big, cheap, and it sold groceries. The fruit quality and variety was 3.8 birds out of 5 and 3.3 birds respectively. Clearly better quality and significantly cheaper than the Baltimore Superfreshes and Giants and Safeways. They had cherries for 1 dollar a pound! We bought other things like honey and brown sugar for cheap, then ate a pair of Reese's Pieces on the drive home. They did not have vegetable broth, which Franny says is a chronic problem. Then, we went home, and when we got home, I could see more stars than I have ever seen in my entire life. And we got her car stuck in the driveway again, come to think of it, and I hope she got it out because I told her we'd get it out in the morning, but then this morning I left without helping her with the car.... Anyways, her roommate Kevin made a fire in the fireplace, and Franny made homemade pumpkin ravioli and sauteed some colorful veggies for dinner. Very tasty. We also had wine, which Kevin says he chooses by whether or not there is an animal (and preferably a bird). ME TOO!!!! The wine was very good, proof that this strategy can be successful. Then, we played Bananagrams while working on a pint of Ben and Jerry's Cheesecake ice cream with 3 spoons. Then, we made some kettlecorn and then Franny and I went and stayed up late talking. In the morning, Franny made us brie and egg on english muffins and I took pictures of the dozens of birds at the feeders/suet/pinecone feeder. We saw: a woodpecker (which I have never seen eat suet before), cardinals (male and female), slate-colored juncos (male and female... my favorite wild bird, tied with mourning doves), and titmice. I left early to get back to Baltimore for a doctor's appt, and I was so glad I got to visit! What an idyllic place to live. ^___^ Must go back in the spring to do more bird watching...

Misc: Will post food pictures soon, as soon as Raghu sends them to me!!