Non Voters

My cousin sent me a video that is pretty funny. You can customize it and send it to others if you so choose. I think pretty much anybody will attest to the fact that you don't need to worry about me not voting but I do feel like I need to do more activism this year on behalf of the candidates I believe in. I'm kind of bummed because I can't go to a rally on Thursday night that Bill Clinton is going to be at. Regardless of what people think of him, I believe most people would agree that he gives a great speech. Enjoy the video and go vote on Tuesday!

Snow!!!

We had some flurries of snow today! It was really more like rain but I'll still take it. I'm very excited by the onset of winter although I enjoy all the seasons. Here are pictures from the Lake Harriet Rose Garden and the Japanese Peace Garden right across the street yesterday. The leaves were past their peak but still pretty.
It was quite chilly this weekend but not too bad this morning if a person got moving. I went on a 5 mile run this morning with the half marathon group. It seemed chilly but our coach had a route picked out which kept us sheltered from the blustery wind so it was relatively painless and warmed up quickly after we started moving. It's the longest run I've done since I did the Twin Cities 10 mile in 2004 but it went great. I can't wait until Wednesday and Thursday when I go running with the group again.
Oh, another funny running story: I went to the Monster Dash 5k yesterday which encourages costumes and there were some cute ones. The dog dressed up as a hotdog with "parents" who were mustard and ketchup was cool as was the orange prisoner jumpsuit that said "T. Petters." Ouch.

St Bernard Project

Just wanted to get the word out about the CNN Heroes project. The network identified 10 heroes and is allowing viewers to vote for the 2008 Hero of the Year. The winner receives $100,000. I'm sure all ten nominees are doing great work but I can personally vouch for Liz McCartney as I've met her through my work in the New Orleans area. Liz and Zach moved to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to open the St. Bernard Project which helps homeowners rebuild houses that were destroyed. They still have a huge waiting list but work tirelessly to continue helping people move out of trailers and into their old homes. Click here to go to the CNN page where you can vote to help St. Bernard continue their amazing work. A few friends and I will be returning to help out SBP over the Thanksgiving holiday and I'll be able to give you another update after that. So go vote for Liz in a race that can be completely non-partisan. In regards to the partisan election, get informed and vote in that one too!

Running

I'm very psyched because I went to a running clinic tonight and am training for a half marathon. A few years ago I did a running clinic where we just learned to run. I know it seems simple but it was great to have a coach and a group of people to run with a few times a week. We did a 5K and then I did another clinic with a lot of the same people and ran the Twin Cities 10 Mile. Tough but great at the same time. It wasn't long after that I moved to Tokyo and without the friends and support and with Tokyo being miserable to run in with a lack of trails and awful weather, I lost my momentum. Since school ended I've been doing some running here and there and told a friend about this clinic which I found out was being coached by my old coach and she thought she would like to try it. So tonight was the first night and it was even better than I remembered. Love the coaches, my friend loved it and the other participants seem really cool so I am psyched. We went for just a short 3 mile run around Lake of the Isles and the weather was perfect for a run. It's really nice to have a group to go out with in the evening too. I can't wait for Sunday when we go again!