I gave Mike the URL of my blog, so he’s probably going to read this and roll his eyes  - heh.  (Hi Mike!)

Mike Friedman is the Longsjo cyclist who is staying at our house.  He arrived earlier today, and came with us to dinner at the Armory for the Longsjo fundraiser dinner. While at dinner, I found out that he was in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  Seriously.

Then, he came back to the house, and appeased me on my birthday by playing Bananagrams with mom, Dylan, and myself.  Trevor came in halfway through with dad and helped me kicked their butts in our second game (Dylan won the first).

He also met President Bush, and was invited for a fancy dinner there.  There’s a hilarious story about the President asking him, “Do you have a sweating problem?”  But you’ll have to read it for yourself here.

This is Mike on the left.  (Dork.)  But he’s not that dorky in real life.  I think he just wants people to think he’s a dork.

I showed Mike my extreme level of dorkiness by bringing out my to-scale diorama of my mini house.  He thought it was just going to be a drawing, and then I brought out a large cardboard box.  I think he thought it was pretty great, though.

Mike also said that he was going to make us a fabulous breakfast one morning of greek yogurt, homemade granola, and fresh fruit.  I bet Megan wishes she were here for this!

After we had our awesome game of Bananagrams, which included many of us swearing and being loud (and finding out that my grandmother and his grandmother grew up in the same small town in New York) - Mike said that he couldn’t have asked for a better host family.  He would have come over last night, but it was late (9:30), and he didn’t realize how awesome we were.   (were those his words?  or my words?  I can’t remember - but he DID say he couldn’t have asked for a better family, which is very nice of him).  He also invited Megan, Mac and me to go to Spain to visit him in Girona while I’m over in Europe!  Sweeeet.

He’ll just have to remember us and come stay again next year.  That is, unless Emiliano books a room at el casa de streb first! 

Today’s odd thought brought to you by:  The Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

I was driving, and thinking about dying (cause sometimes those two go hand in hand).  It being my birthday, I remembered how sad it makes me to see that someone died very close to their birthday or Christmas. It makes those times extra hard.

Today, though, I had a totally different thought.  I thought that if I DID die on my birthday, it would actually make things easier on the people who loved me.

Why?

Because then they would only be reminded of me being gone one day a year.  July 2 would both be my birthday and deathday.  At least, I would assume that it would make things easier on them.

Today’s odd thought also brought to you by:  “Megan, listen to your mother.”

Happy Birthday to me!

This is SUCH a busy week for me.  Here’s the deal:

Saturday 6/28 - Brew Fest (it was fantastic - except it rained a bit)

Jeanne and Me.  She worked at a Brewery table.  I was in charge of giving away the free beer tickets to the bands, so I got a super cool apron to wear. Aprons are so handy - I held my car keys, iPhone, my tasting glass, and the free tickets in that little pouch.

Dad looking oh-so-cool in his hat.

Jason working at the Boulder Brewing Co. table

Trevor, Dad and Liz talking about stuff (notice the CIA-like ear pieces?) I have mine on in the picture of me and Jeanne, but I was obviously better at hiding mine!

The crowd

Sunday - Worked all day at Macy*s

Monday - ARC event at Destare (I got down there at 3pm, and we raised $5,000!)  I also got some awesome prizes in the silent auction.

Tuesday 6/30 (today) - Lunch with Jenny from Macy*s, and then dinner at the library to celebrate everyone who was a volunteer.

Wednesday 7/1- nothing in the day - then going out with Jason for my birthday

Thursday 7/2 - My birthday!!!!  I’m turning 25.  Plus, the first day of the Fitchburg Farmers Market!  Then, something fun at night?

Friday - Longsjo Race the Fitchburg State criterion which goes right around my house.  That night, Beers For Good is working an event for the Longsjo Riders and volunteers.  I only wish that Emiliano was coming back this year.  Here he is in Fitchburg in front of the library last year:  (he’s all the way to the left - the only rider in yellow/green)

Saturday is Independence Day!  I’m helping out in the parade in the morning.   Trevor is checking with the guy him and my dad play boccie with, so we can watch the fireworks from his building’s roof. During the day, I might work at Macy*s cause it’s time and a half, and they need someone to help them close up.  I’ll be out by 7pm, which means I’ll be able to make any cookouts.  I could also use the money for England.

Sunday - Another fun day of the Londsjo bike race - this time it’s the downtown criterium.  A bunch of us always get together and hang out at The Boulder to watch the race on Main Street.  It’s such a fun time in Fitchburg.

I’ll try to keep things updated - but I’ll be very busy in the upcoming days!  Next week (starting July 4th) Jenny from Macy*s has a week vacation.  We’re trying to think of all sorts of fun things we can do together before I leave for England.

As for England, I just purchased my coach ticket from the airport down to Megan, and vice versa. I don’t get into Southampton until after midnight!  I’ll be exhausted after leaving at 9am (midnight England time is only 7pm Boston time) - but it will be bed time for me, AND Megan and Mac.  Perfect timing.  On the way back, I leave England at 6pm, and get into Boston at 8:35pm (1:35 London time).  By the time I get back to Fitchburg, it will be 10pm - bed time AGAIN!  This trip is nothing but perfect timing.  Usually, trips TO London leave at night - 6pm, and then get in to London at 7am.  I’m ready for bed, but the Londoners are just getting up.  It is NO fun.  This time, however, everything will work out fine.  I’ll wake up after a full night’s sleep, and be ready to start my day - just like Megan and Mac.

Time is running out for the brew fest!

There are four of us who are planning everything:  Trevor, Liz, Dave, and me.  I am the only one who is not employed by the City of Fitchburg.  Trevor, Liz, and Dave all are taking today and tomorrow off of work.

Today, Liz and Trevor had to drive to Danvers (shout out to Maria!) to pick up five kegs of beer.  Then, we all went down to Riverfront Park and cleaned up the park a bit.

I have no idea what is on plan for tomorrow - but I’m sure we have a lot to do.  The tent is being delivered at 8am.  The lawn of the park was mowed today - and we are suppose to flag the sprinkler heads so people won’t run over them (again), but we couldn’t find the person with the key to the faucet.  We knew who had the key, but we couldn’t get a hold of them.  Things aren’t looking good on getting the sprinkler heads flagged - but I guess now we can say “We tried to flag them, but so-and-so didn’t answer their phone!”

I think I have a headache now from being out in the sun too much today.  But after two straight weeks of rain, it’s nice that the sun is back.

I had a dream last night that I got a new orange kitten.  I wanted to name it “Scully” but it was a boy cat  (I even check its underside to be sure).

I mean - can’t you see that little kitten being named Scully?

I got signed up for a version of Mass Health - Commonwealth Care.  I can’t get health insurance from school (cause I’m not 3/4 time - I’m only taking 6 credits, and 3/4 time is 7!).  I also can’t get health insurance from Macy’s because I don’t work enough.  Plus, with my internship starting in September, I won’t be able to get a full time job.

Here’s my new health plan:

Monthly Payment:  $0
Going to the doctor:  $0
Copays for medicine:  $1 or $3

With Blue Cross, I was paying $10 every time I went to the doctor, and my meds were $10, $10, and $23 a month.  That is QUITE the difference.  I’ll go from $43 a month to $5.  Holy crap.  Niiiiiiiiice.

I DO work at Macy’s, and so I do pay taxes.  It’s not like I’m getting this health insurance without putting anything IN to the system - cause I am.  And I have been paying taxes for the past 10 years to Massachusetts.  It’s about time I got something back!  Heh.

Brew Fest is THIS Saturday!  If you don’t have your tickets, go to www.beersforgood.com to purchase them online.  They are still only $10 online (although we only get $9.50 - cause PayPal takes some money) - but they go up to $12 at the door.  We realize now that maybe we should have made them $15 at the door to encourage people even more to purchase them ahead of time.

I am VERY excited about my internship, and can’t wait until September (but first, I have to go to England for a month!  Whooo!!!).  Anywho, I realized while I was there that I was going to be on my feet a LOT.  Right now, my “dress shoes” for comfort are my crocs.  They’re a little silly, and not that dressy.  I looked at Macy’s, and found these cute shoes that I’m going to buy the next time they go on sale:

They’re cute, comfortable (they’re Naturalizer!), and they have a bit of a heel, which is good cause some of my pants are a bit too long (I swear, I’m shrinking - and not my waist!).  Because they’re such nice shoes, they’re $79.  Eek.  But luckily, Macy’s has them, and I have not only my 20% discount, but Macy’s also now lets their employees use coupons!  So I can use a 20% coupon on TOP of my discount.  Whooo!!!  That brings them down to $50ish.  That’s still a lot of money, but they’re a good brand, so hopefully they will last for a long time.  Plus, I’ll wear them every week, at least three times a week.

I have just been very busy… and right now, I am too tired to write a lot.

The Brew Fest is a week from tomorrow.  We have a LOT of things to do still, and next week will be a very busy week.  That’s a good thing - but the weather has been very dreary, and I want the sun to come out so I can walk downtown (the Fest is downtown, as well as where everyone works).  I would much rather walk downtown than drive, because it’s only a bit over a mile.  Want tickets?  They can be bought online at www.beersforgood.com  Get them early - cause the price goes up at the gate!

I leave for England in 3ish weeks?  I’m very excited.  I need to start making a list of things I want to do.  Bike and jog around town is top of the list!  I just need a map of Southampton with Megan’s house circled, and I’ll be fine!  As long as I can get back to their house, I’ll be all set.  Two times ago that I was there, I got lost in town, Megan didn’t answer her phone, I got on the wrong bus, and I sat in town and cried.  That will NOT happen again.

I had an interview at a hospice house yesterday, and I GOT THE INTERNSHIP!  It’s up in Merrimack, NH.  That’s good for several reasons:  a) it’s only 45 minutes away, and mostly back roads.  Not bad.  b)  New Hampshire has no sales tax, so if I need anything big (computer, camera, iPhone), I can buy it in NH.  c)  I pass by this super cheap liquor store, so I can stop for stuff for Jason or my dad three times a week and d), my friend Eric lives in the Merrimack/Nashua area, so if there is a bad storm, then I can probably just stay at his house and not have to drive home.  I should keep a change of regular/work clothes in my car (and an iron!).

The internship is 600 hours, and I will be there Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays starting September 1, and go until March-ish.  I’m very excited. I think I am going to need more clothes.  Heh.

Tonight I am going to maria’s house in Danvers (about an hour away) - and we are doing dinner, and then I’m sleeping over.  Hopefully we’ll have a lot of fun.  Not sure what we’ll do - even if we just play games, watch a movie, and eat, I’ll be happy.

Off to pack for Maria’s!

This photograph shows everything that I want in life.  That’s it.  That’s all I want.

After the low iodine diet, I weigh exactly the same.  Didn’t lose or gain anything.  I think that’s a good thing because I was eating a crap load of carbs.  I was actually afraid I was going to gain weight!

Cancer stuff is all over and done with until next year.  I still have to take a pill every freaking morning, but nothing else until a year from now.  Jason asked how I felt, and if I was very very excited and happy about the results.  I told him “no.”  He didn’t understand how that was possible, so I told him, “Well, nothing has changed.  I feel exactly the same way I felt a week ago.  If things had come back differently then I’d feel differently, but nothing has changed.  So I feel the same.”  Nothing has changed except I know that for right now, there aren’t any thyroid cells lingering.  But I still have to take a pill every day, and I still have to monitor my Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and my Thyroglobulin levels, and there’s still a 30% chance that the cancer will come back.  So really, what’s there to be all excited and happy about?  I’m just glad the testing and diet is over.   As Dr. Ross said on my way out, “I’ll see you next year.”

I’m thinking about running for a councilor at large for my city’s City Coucil.  I’m debating whether or not it’s worth it.  It pays about $9,000, but even if it was for free, I’d still be interested.  I’m just not sure what exactly I’d be signing myself up to do.  I need to get other’s opinions on how hard/time consuming it is.  Right now, I volunteer a LOT of my time for Fitchburg, and it would be nice to get paid and recognized for all of my hard work.  But, would I have to get rid of my blog?  Would reporters or someone read my blog and report negative things about me?  Would I really care?   It seems that City Council only meets twice a month, but I’m sure there is a lot of hidden time in there.

I haven’t been running as much as I used to.  I wish that I ran more, but I just don’t have the motivation.  I’m planning on going out in a bit, but I just feel so lazy, and that I don’t want to use the energy.  But, whatever. i’m planning on getting a lot of exercise in when I visit Megan.  But walking and biking everywhere, and making her go out on runs with me.  It’d be fun if they had a dog that I could walk every morning and evening, but they don’t.  Perhaps they have a friend’s dog that I can walk?

Speaking of Megan, my time to visit her and Mac in England for a MONTH is coming up soon!  I’ll be there in just about 4 weeks.  I am very excited!  I have no idea what I’m going to do over there, but I know whatever it is will be a lot of fun.  I know Megan will teach me a lot about cooking and eating ethically and all that, and that’s nice.

I planned a graduation party for my brother for this Saturday.  Of course, he doesn’t want to do it, but I said “Dylan, when you graduate, people send you money.  BUT, you need to have a party so that the people know  you graduated, and then they’ll come to your party, and they will BRING YOU MONEY.”   He doesn’t really seem to care, but my family enjoys a good cookout, and I know that Dylan deserves graduation presents (money or not - even job advice would be wonderful).  That’ll be a fun night.

I went out and had an interview with a hospice in Boston.  I am suppose to hear back to see if I was one of the chosen interns (I think they’re choosing 5).  I am very excited, and I REALLY want to do this internship.  I just want them to freaking call me already!!

I did the 5k in 28.44 and placed 567/  with a pace of 9:16.

My dad finished 620th with a time of 29:38, and a pace of 9:34.

Larry did it in 20.16 and in 116th place!  He had a pace of 6:44.  And he’s 55 years old!!!!  Good crap.

It was very hot, and I had to stop a couple times because I felt like I couldn’t breathe, and I was so hot!  I finished, so that’s the important thing.   I do not like running when it that’s hot.  Jogging, perhaps, but not trying to run quickly.   I also don’t think I’m going to try to run a half marathon again, because I think running for that long would suck diddly.

We each had BEERSFORGOOD.com t-shirts to advertise our beer fest.  Mine was a cool tank top that Jason helped me make.  The two of us were up until 11pm making multiple shirts with iron-on paper.

After the race:  (Larry, dad, and me)

Mike, Trevor, and Amy.

Jason came to cheer me on, but I didn’t get a picture of him.  Probably because he failed to wear his Beers For Good t-shirt.  Fail!

After the race, we got free food, and FREE BEER!!!!  Everytime we got in line for beer, we each grabbed two.  I don’t drink beer, so I was able to hold them for other people.  Whoever finished theirs first got dibs on mine.  I was happy with G2 gatorade and my water.

Not bad for a $25 registration fee.  Free t-shirt, free food, and free beer.  Not bad at all.

My one year whole body scan in Boston came back “perfect”.  I haven’t received the results of my blood test yet, but things look good!