Monday, August 23, 2004
Well, going for an open water swim. I'm at 223 pounds and counting down. I'm back to my pre Peru weight and back to working out at least five times a week. I have another tri on Sunday and I'm so excited. I'm really excited to see how I do in the run. My goal is 40 minutes which would be my best 5K time ever. I need new shoes but I hesitate to get them before the race. Maybe I'll buy them tomorrow and work out in them a bit. Well gotta' go. Later.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Well, I did it. Whoo Hoo. My first triathlon. I finished in 1 hour and 55 minutes. 13:39 on the swim, 56 minutes on the bike and 46 minutes on the run. Check out the results - and I wasn't last! Whoo Hoo! http://home.comcast.net/~mso3/YRunDuTri/OM_2004Results.htm#FemaleOverall
It was groovy and I raised more than $400 for the homless ministry. I would post photos but I'm not technically savvy enough to figure out how to do that.
I'm doing my next tri on July 18. And I'm hoping to raise another $500 for that one. So dig in your wallets.
The cause:
The cause: Lighthouse Mobile Ministiries is a Christ-centered, family-focused, people-loving nonprofit that helps the chronically homeless. The ministry, which was founded by Robert and Annette Mariani three years ago, assists homeless men and women by providing food, clothing, transportation, limited social services and a word from God for all who want it. In addition to feeding the homeless in Colorado Springs, LMM also provides clothes and food to children in Southern Colorado who are left homeless by meth lab busts and to an orphanage in Mexico.
This fall, LMM is planning a missions trip to the Mexican orphanage. I am raising money to attend this trip. If you would like to join me in this endeavor to help the homeless, please fill out the pledge form below and return it to me via e-mail at - ovetta@beginnertriathlete.com I am collecting money for each 100-meters that I swim and each mile I bike or run. My SECOND triathlon is July 18.
YES, I want to help Lighthouse Mobile Ministries Feed the Homeless:
Make check payable to Lighthouse Mobile Ministries
____ $1 (per 100-meter swim, one-mile bike and run) ____ $10 (per 100-meter swim, one mile bike and run
____ $5 (per 100-meter swim, one-mile bike and run) ____ $20(per 100-meter swim, one mile bike and run
________ Other All contributions are tax-deductible. I am doing three races this season for a total of 67 units. All race results and proof of finish will be posted on the Internet at www.whatsagirltodo.blogspot.com
It was groovy and I raised more than $400 for the homless ministry. I would post photos but I'm not technically savvy enough to figure out how to do that.
I'm doing my next tri on July 18. And I'm hoping to raise another $500 for that one. So dig in your wallets.
The cause:
The cause: Lighthouse Mobile Ministiries is a Christ-centered, family-focused, people-loving nonprofit that helps the chronically homeless. The ministry, which was founded by Robert and Annette Mariani three years ago, assists homeless men and women by providing food, clothing, transportation, limited social services and a word from God for all who want it. In addition to feeding the homeless in Colorado Springs, LMM also provides clothes and food to children in Southern Colorado who are left homeless by meth lab busts and to an orphanage in Mexico.
This fall, LMM is planning a missions trip to the Mexican orphanage. I am raising money to attend this trip. If you would like to join me in this endeavor to help the homeless, please fill out the pledge form below and return it to me via e-mail at - ovetta@beginnertriathlete.com I am collecting money for each 100-meters that I swim and each mile I bike or run. My SECOND triathlon is July 18.
YES, I want to help Lighthouse Mobile Ministries Feed the Homeless:
Make check payable to Lighthouse Mobile Ministries
____ $1 (per 100-meter swim, one-mile bike and run) ____ $10 (per 100-meter swim, one mile bike and run
____ $5 (per 100-meter swim, one-mile bike and run) ____ $20(per 100-meter swim, one mile bike and run
________ Other All contributions are tax-deductible. I am doing three races this season for a total of 67 units. All race results and proof of finish will be posted on the Internet at www.whatsagirltodo.blogspot.com
Monday, May 10, 2004
OK,
I'm not normally pushy. I don't like to sell things. I figure if anyone wanted something they'd already have it. But being single and without children I get a little peeved during girl/boy scout cookie/popcorn drives and other candy, etc., co-workers and my friends try to push off on me to get me to donate to this or that cause. So because of that just know that you don't have to give anything but it would be really cool if you did. The following is a appeal letter that only people who want to see can see because it's posted on my blog. I'm appealing to get sponsors for my participation in triathlons and donate the money to a homeless ministry I serve. So here it is enjoy! And remember I and people like me have spent thousands of dollars on your little kids cheerleading camp or baseball fund drive. Won't you return the favor?
TRI’ING FOR THE HOMELESS
May 10, 2004
Dear Friend:
As many of you may know, I have been training to complete a triathlon for four months now. When I started this journey it was deeply personal. In essence it was all about me. Training for a triathlon was about improving my physical, emotional and mental well being. But during the past few weeks I have discovered that though I’m solo on the racing course I’m not alone in that pursuit of self-improvement. That’s why I’ve decided to up the ante and to compete for something other than my own self-satisfaction.
I am dedicating the three triathlons I’m doing this season to Lighthouse Mobile Ministries. LMM is a Christ-centered, family-focused, people-loving nonprofit that helps the chronically homeless. The ministry, which was founded by Robert and Annette Mariani three years ago, assists homeless men and women by providing food, clothing, transportation, limited social services and a word for God for all who need it. I have been involved in this ministry for more than a year and it has changed my life. In addition to feeding the homeless in Colorado Springs, LMM also provides clothes and food to children in Southern Colorado who are left homeless by meth lab busts and to an orphanage in Mexico.
This fall, LMM is planning a missions trip to the Mexican orphanage. I am raising money to attend this trip. If you would like to join me in this endeavor to help the homeless, please fill out the pledge form below. I am collecting money for each 100-meters that I swim and each mile I bike or run. So, for example, if you pledge $1 for the swim, bike and run you will have pledged $20 for my first triathlon. All monies donated will be given to LMM and is tax deductible. Please make all check payments to Lighthouse Mobile Ministries.
I sincerely hope that you will join me in this quest to help myself and others evolve in Christ.
Sincerely,
Ovetta Sampson
Beginner Triathlete
125N.PARKSIDE SUITE 108 • COLORADO SPRINGS, CO., • 80909
PHONE: 719-633-6800 • FAX: [FAX NUMBER]
YES, I want to help Lighthouse Mobile Ministries Feed the Homeless:
____ $1 (per 100-meter swim, one-mile bike and run) ____ $10 (per 100-meter swim, one mile bike and run
____ $5 (per 100-meter swim, one-mile bike and run) ____ $20(per 100-meter swim, one mile bike and run
________ Other
Check (make payable to Lighthouse Mobile Ministries).
All contributions are tax-deductible. I am doing three races this season for a total of 67 units. All race results and proof of finish will be posted on the Inte
I'm not normally pushy. I don't like to sell things. I figure if anyone wanted something they'd already have it. But being single and without children I get a little peeved during girl/boy scout cookie/popcorn drives and other candy, etc., co-workers and my friends try to push off on me to get me to donate to this or that cause. So because of that just know that you don't have to give anything but it would be really cool if you did. The following is a appeal letter that only people who want to see can see because it's posted on my blog. I'm appealing to get sponsors for my participation in triathlons and donate the money to a homeless ministry I serve. So here it is enjoy! And remember I and people like me have spent thousands of dollars on your little kids cheerleading camp or baseball fund drive. Won't you return the favor?
TRI’ING FOR THE HOMELESS
May 10, 2004
Dear Friend:
As many of you may know, I have been training to complete a triathlon for four months now. When I started this journey it was deeply personal. In essence it was all about me. Training for a triathlon was about improving my physical, emotional and mental well being. But during the past few weeks I have discovered that though I’m solo on the racing course I’m not alone in that pursuit of self-improvement. That’s why I’ve decided to up the ante and to compete for something other than my own self-satisfaction.
I am dedicating the three triathlons I’m doing this season to Lighthouse Mobile Ministries. LMM is a Christ-centered, family-focused, people-loving nonprofit that helps the chronically homeless. The ministry, which was founded by Robert and Annette Mariani three years ago, assists homeless men and women by providing food, clothing, transportation, limited social services and a word for God for all who need it. I have been involved in this ministry for more than a year and it has changed my life. In addition to feeding the homeless in Colorado Springs, LMM also provides clothes and food to children in Southern Colorado who are left homeless by meth lab busts and to an orphanage in Mexico.
This fall, LMM is planning a missions trip to the Mexican orphanage. I am raising money to attend this trip. If you would like to join me in this endeavor to help the homeless, please fill out the pledge form below. I am collecting money for each 100-meters that I swim and each mile I bike or run. So, for example, if you pledge $1 for the swim, bike and run you will have pledged $20 for my first triathlon. All monies donated will be given to LMM and is tax deductible. Please make all check payments to Lighthouse Mobile Ministries.
I sincerely hope that you will join me in this quest to help myself and others evolve in Christ.
Sincerely,
Ovetta Sampson
Beginner Triathlete
125N.PARKSIDE SUITE 108 • COLORADO SPRINGS, CO., • 80909
PHONE: 719-633-6800 • FAX: [FAX NUMBER]
YES, I want to help Lighthouse Mobile Ministries Feed the Homeless:
____ $1 (per 100-meter swim, one-mile bike and run) ____ $10 (per 100-meter swim, one mile bike and run
____ $5 (per 100-meter swim, one-mile bike and run) ____ $20(per 100-meter swim, one mile bike and run
________ Other
Check (make payable to Lighthouse Mobile Ministries).
All contributions are tax-deductible. I am doing three races this season for a total of 67 units. All race results and proof of finish will be posted on the Inte
Monday, March 29, 2004
"The Outlet Poacher,"
It's 5:30 a.m. and Carla is in full Manhattan mode. No eye contact, no exchanging pleasantries, just up on the treadmill to grind out her 30 minutes of cardio. When it comes to working out in the morning, Carla doesn't have time for small talk or smiles to morning gym goers because she's in a race, you see. She's in a race to beat HER. To dust her. To leave her so far behind that Carla can finally have some peace. Carla's in a rush to beat: The Outlet Poacher!
Every society, from the beginning of time has set up some sort of bonding rules. The rules build community. The rules, though they restrict freedoms, do eliminate chaos.
Some societies had draconian rules.
The Mayas would lay the old, sick or very young across a plank and while they were still alive pierce their breastplates and yank out the still beating hearts and place them on a golden bowl sitting in the outstretched hand of a statue. The did this each year during the spring as a sacrifice to the Gods to make for a good harvest.
Other socieites rule with the iron hand of benevolence. Buddhism adheres to the rules of conrolling your mind and body to avoid harming others as a way to peace and harmony.
Whoever the rulemakers were, be they Genghas Khan or James Madison, they made the rules to avoid chaos, anarchy and the destruction of the very society upon which they governed.
Sometimes the rules were written down and sometimes they were just passed down. But the rules do not have to be written to be understood.
It is by this structure of rulemaking that Carla lives her life. If she's in a shopping mall parking lot and she sees a car with a turn signal waiting for that Hummer to exit, she doesn't zoom in there to take the open space. That would be against the rules. If she's on the highway and a car tries to merge into her lane and she has room, she doesn't speed up. That would be against the rules.
But in the gym there's one offender that Carlas just can't figure out. Every morning, after she's done her workout Carla goes and takes a shower. Now the gym is usually filled with women getting ready for work. It's a ballet of eye makeup application, hair drying, teeth brushing and eyebrow plucking. But the women move adroitly and in synchronization, one finishing drying her hair just as another walksing hair dripping, waiting to plug her hair dryer into an outlet.
This morning dance, this perfectly timeed ritual only works if everyone adheres to the rules. You shower first, towel off and then take your curling irons, hair dryer and whatever else you need to the outlet and plug in. If you do it before you shower, your stuff is plugged in too long and another woman has missed her chance to join the dance. If you do it after you've gotten dressed then your hair drips all over your work clothes and you look like Sponge Bob.
But there's one woman who ceases to play ball. Each morning she leaves the weight room, saunters to her lockers takes out her electric rollers and, in full dress before her shower, PLUGS THEM IN! It's outrageous, practically sacriligious to Carla. How could she? How rude!
But this morning Carla would make her pay. With determination rarely seen Carla zooms through her 30 min run, skips the bike, cuts her sit-ups short and races to the bathroom. With the quickness of a cheetah she strips naked, grabs a towel, conditioner and shampoo and rushes to the stall. The outlaw is closing in. She's just finished and is walking toward her locker. In a split second Carla is in and out of the shower. Toweled off and ready for battle she grabs her curling iron, hair dryer, electric rollers and outlet operated toothbrush. She takes each item and plugs them in every outlet. When she's finished there are no outlets opened.
Victory is almost hers. Like a spy behind enemy lines Carla slinks to the back of the women's locker room, behind the scale out of sight. She watches with glee as the outlet poucher strolls into the bathroom, fully dressed of course, with her electric hair rollers. Carla stiffles a laugh at the look of horror on Outlet Poucher's face. There's no room at the inn.
The poucher turns on her heels. Carla slides from behind the scale and peeks around the corner. The poucher undresses, towels up and walks to the shower stalls. She hops in. She leaves the electric curlers alone on the locker bench abandoned. Carla quickly unplugs everything except for her own curling iron. She looks at the clock. She's going to be 30 minutes late for work. But she doessn't care.
Order has been restored. The rules have been followed. Anarchy has been avoided.
It is good to be civilized!
It's 5:30 a.m. and Carla is in full Manhattan mode. No eye contact, no exchanging pleasantries, just up on the treadmill to grind out her 30 minutes of cardio. When it comes to working out in the morning, Carla doesn't have time for small talk or smiles to morning gym goers because she's in a race, you see. She's in a race to beat HER. To dust her. To leave her so far behind that Carla can finally have some peace. Carla's in a rush to beat: The Outlet Poacher!
Every society, from the beginning of time has set up some sort of bonding rules. The rules build community. The rules, though they restrict freedoms, do eliminate chaos.
Some societies had draconian rules.
The Mayas would lay the old, sick or very young across a plank and while they were still alive pierce their breastplates and yank out the still beating hearts and place them on a golden bowl sitting in the outstretched hand of a statue. The did this each year during the spring as a sacrifice to the Gods to make for a good harvest.
Other socieites rule with the iron hand of benevolence. Buddhism adheres to the rules of conrolling your mind and body to avoid harming others as a way to peace and harmony.
Whoever the rulemakers were, be they Genghas Khan or James Madison, they made the rules to avoid chaos, anarchy and the destruction of the very society upon which they governed.
Sometimes the rules were written down and sometimes they were just passed down. But the rules do not have to be written to be understood.
It is by this structure of rulemaking that Carla lives her life. If she's in a shopping mall parking lot and she sees a car with a turn signal waiting for that Hummer to exit, she doesn't zoom in there to take the open space. That would be against the rules. If she's on the highway and a car tries to merge into her lane and she has room, she doesn't speed up. That would be against the rules.
But in the gym there's one offender that Carlas just can't figure out. Every morning, after she's done her workout Carla goes and takes a shower. Now the gym is usually filled with women getting ready for work. It's a ballet of eye makeup application, hair drying, teeth brushing and eyebrow plucking. But the women move adroitly and in synchronization, one finishing drying her hair just as another walksing hair dripping, waiting to plug her hair dryer into an outlet.
This morning dance, this perfectly timeed ritual only works if everyone adheres to the rules. You shower first, towel off and then take your curling irons, hair dryer and whatever else you need to the outlet and plug in. If you do it before you shower, your stuff is plugged in too long and another woman has missed her chance to join the dance. If you do it after you've gotten dressed then your hair drips all over your work clothes and you look like Sponge Bob.
But there's one woman who ceases to play ball. Each morning she leaves the weight room, saunters to her lockers takes out her electric rollers and, in full dress before her shower, PLUGS THEM IN! It's outrageous, practically sacriligious to Carla. How could she? How rude!
But this morning Carla would make her pay. With determination rarely seen Carla zooms through her 30 min run, skips the bike, cuts her sit-ups short and races to the bathroom. With the quickness of a cheetah she strips naked, grabs a towel, conditioner and shampoo and rushes to the stall. The outlaw is closing in. She's just finished and is walking toward her locker. In a split second Carla is in and out of the shower. Toweled off and ready for battle she grabs her curling iron, hair dryer, electric rollers and outlet operated toothbrush. She takes each item and plugs them in every outlet. When she's finished there are no outlets opened.
Victory is almost hers. Like a spy behind enemy lines Carla slinks to the back of the women's locker room, behind the scale out of sight. She watches with glee as the outlet poucher strolls into the bathroom, fully dressed of course, with her electric hair rollers. Carla stiffles a laugh at the look of horror on Outlet Poucher's face. There's no room at the inn.
The poucher turns on her heels. Carla slides from behind the scale and peeks around the corner. The poucher undresses, towels up and walks to the shower stalls. She hops in. She leaves the electric curlers alone on the locker bench abandoned. Carla quickly unplugs everything except for her own curling iron. She looks at the clock. She's going to be 30 minutes late for work. But she doessn't care.
Order has been restored. The rules have been followed. Anarchy has been avoided.
It is good to be civilized!
Friday, March 19, 2004
Well, howdy everyone! This is my first official blog about anything I want. I'm hoping I will use this to get some creative juices flowing out of the vacuous, floating object above my neck. I've been a professional writer for more than 15 years and got burned out. Now I'm an editor and seeing a lot of bad writing has instilled a desire to get back into the cotton fields. I have no idea if anyone will read these blogs - God I hope not! - but I think they will provide with the outlet that I'm looking for.
