The Quote Board:

Quotes taken from friends and various forms of media that I just love. Enjoy.

"Friendly and humanitarian
Honest and loyal
Original and inventive
Independent and intellectual"


"You are a naughty word!" - Jen Nordyke

"Don't play me like I don't know you and what you're capable of." - Taylor Nuttall in ref to our Scrabble game.

"I'm not going to let you bust my bubble with facts and knowledge." - Dale Friesen "My grammar isnt sucks." "well you mind his mind and I'll drive 26 hours and take care of his behaviour." "I am respectful, but it's not something I "be""

[Dedicated photographers] make luck a consistent part of their work by being at the right place at the right moment, being technically proficient and able to anticipate, translate and use the light to their purposes. - paraphrase of a statement by Galen Rowell

"Humility is the realization that not everything that happens in life is all about you." - Rabbi Kushner

"Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is no longer an option." - PJ O'Rourke

"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

"Is not general incivility the very essence of love?" - Jane Austen

"Charrrred fing-aaahhs" - Crow T. Robot, MST3K's "Manos, Hands of Fate"

"Learning doesn't always feel good." - Dr. Lebec

"I look at patients like a campsite....I leave them exactly the way I found them." - Dr. Warren

"I believe the best test of our integrity and honesty is when we personally enforce in our own lives that which ultimately cannot be enforced." - David A. Bednar

"Is it bad if you can't see?" - Holly calling me after her..."accident"

"Hey, we're not baking cookies, coach." - PJ Rovinelli

"I read about it on the internet" - one of Dylan Westfall's main modes of information.

"Yeah, if it works, it works really well, but if it doesn't, then you end up playing with two sticks." - Dylan Westfall

"I didn't get shot, the bullet just ended up there. Why do you laugh? I bet McPOIL doesn't have stories about getting shot!" - Dr. Warren

"Hey, just out of curiosity, were you ever shot?" Kate to Dr. McPoil

"It's old. Old, old, old. It's got pillars and old things" - Dr. Warren describing Johns Hopkins.

"Life's good, huh?" - McPoil

"It's a cute little muscle" - Dr. Cornwall

"He's not a world class athlete like the cameraman." - Dr. DeRosa covering for Jim Porterfield

"Logic says..." - McKenzie via DeRosa

"Walking has been associated with social acceptance" - Dr. Carter

"That stuff takes so long! It leaves you standing in the bathroom, naked, with nothing to do." - Holly Goodman, venting about a special shampoo.

"Oxygen delivery is the delivery of oxygen" - Dr. Warren

"then we made out like bandits because bandits make out a lot with each other in a very banditly fashion. yeah add that one to your quote wall[!]" - James Taylor

"I don't really feel like teaching yet, so I'll ease you into this story." - Dr. Lebec

"And by 'we', I mean me and the slide." - Dr. Ganley

"And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once." - Friedrich Nietzsche.

Jen: "Seriously... today she call me out of the blue this was our conversation..."
Kate: (laughs)
Jen:
"Hello.
Jen, it's me Lilly.
Hi Lilly
I love you jen
I love you too Lilly
Jen please come to my house tomorrow.
I can't I have to work
I'm more important so you need to"
Kate: (laughs even more)
"I think that should be one of our conversaitons."
Jen: "For sure!!!
Hello?
Kate it's me jen
Hi jen
Please come to my house soon
I have to work
Kate I'm more important please come!"

Dr. Lydgate: "If I could reveal something about the primitive tissue that underlies all life - you, me, a song thrush, Rosamond Vincy - that's what excites me, Farebrother."
Farebrother: "Have you told her this?"
Dr. Lydgate: "Oh no, of course not, she's a woman." - From George Eliot's "Middlemarch"

"I keel you!" - Ahkmed

"That's just my style - JAAAZZZYYYYYY" - Jake Lashot...

Direct transcript of an exchange I recently had with Sean Varga who was calming a 6 wk old child:

Kate: has he been fed? diaper changed? have you tried walking him?
Sean: yep....in law gave t[o] me because everything else failled
Kate: when's his bed time?
Sean: he won't sleep. he woke up from bed time, and is now thinking me as one to lactate. that feels weird"

"sick! wallpaper is satins way of adding sin to walls.
wall papers= eternal damnation" - Mo.

"Sometimes, there are things that aren't meant to be explained by words and reasoning, but are felt and understood just the same."

"Intelligence isn't a crime, it's a gift with a heavy price."

"Mark Twain said, 'the height of vanity is to try to write before you have ever lived', it is very refreshing, for me, to have a moment with someone that is not afraid to do both." - Brian, a photography acquaintance

"One day you will find someone to love you as you deserve." - Lady Russell from the new BBC version of "Persuasion"

"I'm mentally obese..." H. Nathan Hoffman
"Did you notice I'm balancing on the ball? That's provocative. Think about it."

"So I was like...hey..." - Megan Garcia

"But you tell me if he mistreats you in any way!! 'cause his ass will be grass!!" - Melissa Arizola

"Kate, just because there is a goalie, doesn't mean you can't score. ;-)" - JJ Campbell

"The Red Wings are the New York Yankees of hockey. I hate them" - Dale Friesen

"Really, mother, banana pudding without vanilla waffers is just another of your culinary abortions [pushes the bowl off his high chair] Now clean that up." - Stewie from Family Guy.

"Well ain't this place just a geographical oddity - two weeks from everywhere" - O Brother, Where Art Thou

Reminiscence

I was recently conversing with a friend about her particular situation with the men in her life and something she said struck me in an odd way. In reference to the favorite of her "options," as she termed it, she quite flatly said "I know he'll break my heart" because of what she sensed as indifference toward her emanating from him. I honestly didn't know how to respond to her declaration (I mean, I'm a hopeful/optimistic person, and for her sake I wanted to be reassuring). It was one of those weird situations, I guess, where you have to be the individual in question in order to fully understand the whole issue, and I got the sense that she truly meant what she said. It broke my own heart to a small degree as the gravity of the scene sunk in, somehow causing my temporal lobe to remind me of the first time my heart was broken by a boy I loved. (And also by strange happenstance, "Un bel di vedremo" from Madame Butterfly just popped up on my playlist - how appropo).

No... you read that right - I did truly love once. Yes, it may be hard to believe coming from a virgin-lipped 25 yr old, but physical displays of affection aren't necessarily indicative of what's occurring between two people. Not going to lie, it'd be nice, but not requisite. I was young, about 18...and I was lead down a wonderful, yet torturous path that taught me a great deal about myself that I never thought possible. Even now, it still pangs a little, but the sting and throb have long since subsided and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I guess if I had to say something to my friend, in retrospect, it would be, "Be brave." The joys and pains from the attachments we make in this life are special, as they teach us, mold and refine us. They concurrently show us our frailties and our strengths, and the true power of that crazy little thing called Love. A newly broken heart is an oddly useful thing, as I sit here and reminisce about it. Yes, it's painful, horrid, and dirty, but it's the badge of honor worn by those unafraid to give of themselves, dedicated to a cause they were truly invested in.

I wish I could say that I'm always fearless when I approach new potential relationships now, but even though I can't (yes, I still get scared, second-guess myself and HIM, go through brief flares of jealous anger followed by quiet self-reproach, the whole gambit), I know that wounds do heal and that with each "failure" comes a rededication to a cause higher than oneself.

Hm...

Maybe I should have my heart broken more regularly....

The Struggle of Modesty

Modesty is a topic that I don't think is ever given the consideration it deserves. Honestly, when you think of modesty, I dare someone to please tell me their thoughts include MORE than just long-length clothing. As with most things, there's a spirit of the law in addition to the letter of the law, which I believe stems from love.

If you love yourself, you'll respect yourself. Respect for self doesn't involved wearing the least amount of fabric possible, yes, but moving past that, it takes in thought, word, and action. (And I'll ask you to think a little broader than the common defininition of "humble"). It sends a clarion call for a higher degree of propriety from the individual, to be exhibited by respect for self, others, and social decency.

This post will remain brief for the time being, but clothing is just the beginning, my friends. Like most things superficially simple, underneath extends a labyrinth of deeper considerations and effects. So ponder on that, and in the mean time, let me know your thoughts, both con as well as pro.

Face time

I was planning on musing about modesty this week, but in light of recent events, all I shall say is this.

Life is too short to live by pretenses. You know you've been thinking about calling someone, be it a loved one or a friend... just call them this week. Genuine love and caring, regardless of whether or not you think it's awkward, is still genuine love and caring.

It doesn't matter. Yeah, they may chide or ridicule you, but it'll be better than if you didn't call at all. I promise.

Much lub this week =)

The Joys of Horsemanship

Recently I noticed a friend of mine's Facebook status that mentioned she had recently gone horseback riding and how good it felt to be back in the saddle. I was jealous. Enviously jealous. I love riding and it's been about 2 years since I've been in the saddle myself and I miss it dearly. But it got me thinking about riding and all of the benefits that come from it. Although, in the immortal words of my friend, Brad Fox, "But I can do ____ and get the same result and it's so much easier," there is a bit of an expense but if you look across the time v. money spectrum, you'd be hard pressed to find something that didn't "cost" you something somewhere.

Riding is a terrific activity for people of all ages, whether you dream of competing for an international dressage title, intercollegiate equestrian teams, showing locally, or are content with the recreational aspects. It goes without question, though, that the horse is one of the main athletic competitors in the ring. However, just as a pitcher and catcher create an indispensable “battery unit” in baseball, the same goes for a horse and his rider in equestrian events. One cannot perform properly without the other, especially when the fitness of both parties is involved. While the physical condition of the horse is specifically focused upon for obvious reasons, the training of a rider in preparation to exercise, practice, and compete must not be overlooked.

The especial unity of horse and rider depends on both being alert and prepared. An integrally important part of that preparation stems from being physically fit. Beginning riders will note (and more experienced ones will fondly remember) this, particularly after leaving the stables with sore thighs and rears from trying to maintain a sitting trot or the initial awkwardness of the posting rhythm.

Here are a few suggestions to develop physical fitness:

• At the base of any fitness program is the need for energy. Just as a sluggish mount hinders the workout and learning process, so will a sluggish horseman, and thus a proper nutrition regiment must be implemented. Physicians, dietitians, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (http://www.fda.gov) and the recently redeveloped U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food pyramids (http://www.mypyramid.gov) are extremely helpful in outlining individual nutritional needs.

• Good flexibility is needed when performing any athletic activity (equestrian included). Flexibility aids in preventing injuries to joint capsules and muscle strains when doing sudden, forceful motions. This is especially true in mounting in regards to the knee joint, as well the hamstring, quadricep, and calf muscles in providing the ability to create more power and ease when pulling up into the saddle. Increasing flexibility thru slow, sustained stretching reduces the frequency and likelihood of strained muscles and some knee problems that may develop. It is important to note that stretching proves most beneficial when performed after a brief, proper warm-up.

• Muscular strength plays an important role when doing such activities as mounting, posting, and balancing and stabilizing on stirrups and a moving horse. Yes, gripping the saddle can help in some circumstances, but muscles are the main workers. Strength is the ability to exert a force, and is accomplished through contraction of muscle tissue. The types of muscle contractions involved with equestrian activities are concentric (actively shortening of the muscle), eccentric (actively lengthening of the muscle), and isometric (actively contracting without movement). Concentric and eccentric contractions are examples of what happens in muscles during posting and isometric contractions help with stabilization. Strength training increases lean body mass (muscle, organs, water, bones, essential fat, etc), and increases the working potential of muscles. Fundamentally, muscular strength has its foundations in core exercises, such as bench press and power cleans, and fine-tuned with supplementary exercises, such as sit-ups and inner thigh (adductor) cross overs.

• While working on core exercises, though, it is important for riders to develop their core stability to aid in not only their strength workout, but more so to aid in dynamic balancing and posture while on horseback. The core of the body, defined as the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex, is considered to be where our center of gravity resides, and where most body movements begin. A strong, but flexible core gives the body a more balanced dynamic base from which to draw its movements, ergo why it’s critical for riders to develop and improve it. Basic core stabilizing exercises can be accomplished with and without a medicine ball. A medicine ball is good to have to improve dynamic muscle stabilization, and increase the reaction of muscle contractions to help offset impending imbalance if exercises are performed properly.

• In addition to muscular strength and core stability, muscular endurance is another factor that is an essential part of riding fitness. Endurance is the ability to exert a force for a given period of time. When posting for a long period of time, holding any position on horseback, or balancing on a long canter requires muscular endurance and likewise an efficient recovery system from the effects of endurance bouts. There are three kinds of endurance: speed-explosive, anaerobic (work without oxygen), and aerobic (work with oxygen). Anaerobic and aerobic endurance are the two most utilized in equestrian activities.

It is suggested that endurance be developed through a building block approach, improving aerobic endurance and then improving anaerobic. Reasons for this are that by increasing the amount of energy produced from aerobic systems in the body, anaerobic energy (quick energy) is conserved, aerobic energy systems recover anaerobic energy systems used during anaerobic activity, put off the onset of effects produced by lactic acid, and aerobic training may reduce the chances of connective tissue injury, on or off the saddle. Aerobic endurance is not heavily used in equestrian activities and may be achieved through swimming, running, biking, elliptical machines for at least 20 minutes or longer at 70-80% of maximum heart rate – in this instance, it may be useful to obtain a heart rate monitor. Anaerobic endurance may be developed through repetitions and sets of wall sits, running sprints, and lengths of posting while trotting.

While these are a few suggestions to help improve riding performance, there are a few more to take into consideration. Be sure to consult a physician before engaging in this kind of physical development activity – he will be able to help you with where to start, give nutrition cousel, and notify you of any health restrictions and/or precautions. Likewise, he may give ideas of exercises and proper instruction as to how to perform them for strength training, muscular endurance, and core stability. A physician may also refer to a physical therapist, athletic trainer, personal trainer, or any other appropriate professionals to give more complete help with these aspects, especially with the youth and senior participants, as their specifications and requirements are slightly different.

It’s apparent that there’s much to be said about physical fitness, even in the rider’s realm. Good luck and enjoy developing the skills and techniques of riding. Be astute, and have fun.