tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66768082012-02-10T15:19:23.860-05:00A blog that sucks, but at least knows it.Shaynenoreply@blogger.comBlogger2071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-1528696507851004782012-02-10T15:19:00.002-05:002012-02-10T15:19:23.867-05:00

2/8/12 has come and gone, leaving me one happy camper. Honestly, leading up to the date I felt like maybe I should be freaking out more about hitting the big 3-5 or at the very least planning an overly indulgent day of celebration. But instead, I had what could probably be called a three-parts awesome day. Part 1: Born to Run, of course. Woke up around 7am and ran a loop of the park. It felt

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-39303762326511343052012-02-05T15:55:00.002-05:002012-02-05T15:57:41.427-05:00

In middle- and high-school, one of my all-time favorite TV shows was Northern Exposure. I loved me some Cicely, Alaska and all the characters that lived there. When Dr. Joel Fleischman finally leaves, it's on a quest to decipher an antique map that supposedly leads to the "Jeweled City of the North." And, of course, that turns out to be New York City. Every time I return to the city from

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-64431874315603736802012-01-15T22:22:00.003-05:002012-01-15T22:26:21.277-05:00

Catching Up... Wow, there went November and December, and I guess part of January too. I was pretty busy, but I guess we all get that way as things shift into overtime and you have to go, go, go, and do, do, do like some demented cheery kind of cartoon character. But the thing was, the stress and pressure tried to smush me as always but, well, I kind of just brushed them off this time. I have a

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-49843653272723943482011-10-30T22:46:00.000-04:002011-10-30T22:46:21.858-04:00

You know, if an alien were to ever read this blog, and I am sure it's number one on their to-do list, they would think that the human race is singularly obsessed with two things - running and Bruce Springsteen. Well, those two things plus just always talking about ourselves. But that last one doesn't count since it's kind of the purpose of a blog, no? Anyhow, back to my main point. I've had a

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-43961980221442499272011-10-08T21:12:00.001-04:002011-10-08T21:18:07.844-04:00

I had a very nice and well-intentioned person tell me today that they liked my name because she "likes boys names for girls." For some reason this kind of really annoyed me. I told her that my name has a Y so that technically makes it feminine, but I also realize that I've been losing this argument for my entire life. On the one hand, it's cool to have a slightly more unusual name. It' provides

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-16183709034615495222011-10-02T20:12:00.000-04:002011-10-02T20:12:52.402-04:00

For everyone waiting with baited breath, the birth certificate sage continues. I sent in a paper request form directly to the Municipal Records office in Columbia. The only potential snag now to me getting a genuine photocopy (I know that's an oxymoron) is if they do not take the personal check I sent for payment. The form said cashier's check or money order. Neither of which I had any

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-34704359055907675602011-09-22T12:09:00.000-04:002011-09-22T12:09:10.026-04:00

It's official. I have no official time of birth. When we were in Taos we got our astrological birthcharts done, so Tracy and I got Dad to dig out the Important Papers folder. This folder stores all the birth-certificates, SSN cards and other such documents for the Fig family. Of the eight birth-certificates on file (five figs, dad, mom and Helen), guess whose did not list their actual time of

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-4168750911986332482011-08-30T11:07:00.000-04:002011-08-30T11:07:19.815-04:00

One of my all-time favorite songs is "Sit Down" by James. You can check it out here, in what can only be described as a totally 80s literal-interpretation video: And my favorite line is "If I hadn't seen such riches, I could live with being poor." That one has been bouncing around my head a lot this summer. And not because I secretly won the Lottery and then frittered it all away on crap. Nope,

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-6442120553001400492011-08-08T23:19:00.000-04:002011-08-08T23:19:03.552-04:00

I am in Taos, NM right now. Dad moved out here in November and is now the director of the Millicent Rogers Museum. The last time I ventured to this particular neck of the woods was back in 1999 for the ASB trip to the Navajo Reservation. Granted, that was more over near the Four Corners, and Taos has it's own vibe. I'm liking it. A lot. There's a coffee place downtown called "Coffee and Cats."

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-50375859772082032212011-07-21T09:49:00.001-04:002011-07-21T09:53:33.929-04:00

Last night, at 12:30am, I woke up from a nap and drove my little yellow MiniCooper Zipcar - Mongrain was his name - to the Fulton Fish Market at Hunts Point in the Bronx in a quest for some oysters. The market used to be downtown and look like this: In 2005 it moved to the Bronx with all the other wholesale markets. Once in Hunts Point we - fellow bivalve lover and academic Ari Ariel rode

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-43510735822597914162011-06-08T09:46:00.000-04:002011-06-08T09:46:16.985-04:00

De-friended on Facebook. Cell number deleted from my phone. Although, honestly, this is really a case of "it's not you, it's me." I'm the one who couldn't resist going back for more of nothing again and again, this time even after almost a year of radio silence. To revisit one of my favorite Shayne-modified analogies: it was like I was going to the hardware store looking for milk, and when I saw

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-5573523437694556592011-06-05T17:44:00.004-04:002011-06-05T17:52:29.981-04:00

Thundercats, hooooo! Remember how I've always said that I'm not competitive, that I don't run to beat anyone or anytime? Well, I kind of lied. The thing is, even though I take great pride and pleasure in finishing races at all, there is a supercharged, loud and even bratty at times, 8-year-old inside me that pouts and puts her hands on her hips and walks away in exasperation every time I cross

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-20261188633399554752011-05-08T14:39:00.003-04:002011-05-08T14:49:49.164-04:00

The Country Music Half Marathon did a pretty good job of kicking my ass last weekend. But, have no fear, it did not defeat me. No, I am lucky enough to have two of the bestest friends in the world and they both met me at mile 10 to make sure I would finish strong. It certainly was not my fastest time, but I owe the fact that I finished at all to Tricia and Kim. Tricia was my carrot - just far

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-76259704007713109602011-04-18T22:47:00.002-04:002011-04-18T23:03:53.397-04:00

Okay, raise your hand if you had a night similar to mine: left work around six, took the subway back home to pick up the 1099Misc that I had forgotten to staple to my 1040X (that's the amended 1040 thank you very much, the 1099 came late and I actually turned in my original 1040 way back in March), took the subway back in to Manhattan, dropped off said amended tax returns at the 34th street post

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-78691619621834518682011-03-31T10:09:00.003-04:002011-03-31T10:23:57.488-04:00

Hi, my name is Shayne and apparently I like challenges. A lot. Why else would I wait until April 1 to really train for a half-marathon on... April 30th! I have done a few runs over the past two months, but nothing NEAR what would be considered a solid, steady increase in mileage and endurance. Holy mother f'ing crap. So here's the deal, I am going to kick it into overdrive for the next thirty

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-57949222910764584752011-03-13T15:04:00.002-04:002011-03-13T15:15:27.769-04:00

Today I did a salmon run in Prospect Park. No, this does not mean that I dressed up like a fish or wove in and out of posts (I always mis-read salmon and slalom) around the park. I simply ran clockwise while everyone else was running/walking/biking counter-clockwise. Since I enter the park at the southwest corner, this means that I tackled the one monster hill first thing, and then the loooong

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-87498569455032455092011-03-10T17:21:00.002-05:002011-03-10T17:28:22.714-05:00

The scene: Whole Foods on 2nd Avenue and Houston, NYC. Circa "rush hour," 7ish. I've made my way to the checkout counter with a basket full of dinner with a little dessert too.Cashier (holds up cellphane produce bag - the only one I could find near the bakery section): Four cookies?Me: Is that a judgment or a question?And scene. Thank you.*For the record, it was indeed four cookies, but they had

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-28088896033631720362011-03-08T15:08:00.004-05:002011-03-31T10:09:42.674-04:00

I had dinner on Saturday night with Carter, Sarah, Alex and Sarah's dad, Steve. Alex, my youngest brother, was in town to pick up coche and take her down South. The Silveroas (what I sometimes call my sister-in-law and I guess it applies to my brother and his father-in-law too in this case) would be heading to St. Maarten's for a week to celebrate Steve's 60th and had invited us over for an early

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-4667073541450375092011-02-28T10:00:00.000-05:002011-02-28T10:00:05.880-05:00

28. For the grand finale - February is the only month, THE ONLY ONE, that is exactly four weeks. A week has seven days and four times seven is 28. All the other months in the year have 30 or 31 days, but February keeps it real with the 28 days. And the wackiness of Leap Year every four years? That's just a token day of fun. Woohoo!

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-56033860918206108702011-02-27T10:00:00.000-05:002011-02-27T10:00:11.446-05:00

27. Full moons in February are great. I kind of have a thing for big, fat full moons, and this month almost always offers up some good ones. They're not the more-celebrated harvest moons by any means, but they've got some personality. So I like the sun, the sky and the moon in February. What am I some kind of astral geek?

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-70015527374277790052011-02-26T10:00:00.000-05:002011-02-26T10:00:05.542-05:00

26. February starts with an F, so does Figueroa. Thus, it RULES!

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-79460663224775922182011-02-25T10:00:00.002-05:002011-02-25T10:00:16.562-05:00

25. I don't get out to the movies that often, but I kind of get the feeling that February offers us some craptastic-cheesy films at the same time it offers up Sundance worthy cinema. So you can be a lowbrow popcorn chomping fool or a highbrow popcorn chomping fool. It's all good!

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-75469632429817807892011-02-24T10:00:00.001-05:002011-02-24T10:00:12.400-05:00

24. I have a feeling that Gus, Natalie and George like February. They're smart that way.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-30496373332930232102011-02-23T10:00:00.003-05:002011-02-23T17:45:32.393-05:00

23. Sports rears it head again. Let us pause for a moment to think back to the real glory days of professional basketball. I'm talking about the NBA in the late 80s to mid 90s. And the man, Mr. Air Jordan. I was actually a little bit fonder of Scottie Pippen, but there is no way to deny the uber-superlative in Nikes. I proudly wore a matching Air Jordan t-shirt and shorts with my last season's

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-66362007772700555992011-02-22T10:00:00.001-05:002011-02-22T10:00:12.500-05:00

22. Is it a cheat if I already professed my geek love for the number two and it's dominance in February? Eeeh, I don't think so. Here's to 2/22. And it's a friggin' Tuesday! Some cosmic awesomeness is gonna go down, I just know it. Unless the two-riffic-ness of it all becomes too overwhelming and I need to take a nap.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-12840070445523346992011-02-21T10:00:00.000-05:002011-02-21T10:00:03.578-05:00

21. Man, there really are a lot of holidays / celebrations in February! We have arrived at President's Day. Or, as I like to think of it, one of the only holidays where you really just get a day off of work. There are no gifts to be given, no special meals to eat, no cards to buy and no fireworks to watch. Stevie Wonder, bring it home for us - "... I just called.... to say... I love February."

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-53754858097416970392011-02-20T10:00:00.000-05:002011-02-20T10:00:00.867-05:00

20. February makes it okay to have an otherwise bedroom-only comforter out on the couch in the living room. I mean, what else are the cats going to cuddle into while keeping the sick sister company?

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-5439333917318477512011-02-19T22:11:00.002-05:002011-02-19T22:18:18.012-05:00

19. This one is is sneaking in just under the wire. Which reminds me of the end of my Fall semester, total chaos that somehow got put to bed with minutes to spare. So here is to February, the end of the START of the Spring semester, when I am a) excited about learning new things and b) on top of my time management skills. Five hours in Bobst on a Saturday? Awesome! No, really, I am in the groove.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-15225163555025733722011-02-18T09:00:00.002-05:002011-02-18T09:00:14.714-05:00

18. Okay so this is a little bit of a cheat, and I know a certain A.T. is gonna get on me for it, but... Mardi Gras! Technically this year it is in March, but do believe that it's in February every 8 out of 10 years. Stupid Gregorian Calendar Reform of 1582 changing everything up. And so let us also compliment February for being so nice as to lend Mardi Gras to March every once a while, right? I

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-82631227777539081212011-02-17T09:00:00.002-05:002011-02-17T09:00:16.245-05:00

17. Tulips. There are always a ton of tulips at every bodega in February. Me likey.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-23782961545420146612011-02-16T09:00:00.003-05:002011-02-16T11:43:57.811-05:00

16. Almost as obvious as the whole Valentine's Day thing, but February rocks because it's Black History Month. I know, I know, racist politicians giving African Americans the shortest month for recognition. But still, it's official that everyone should be spending some time in February learning about awesome people like Phyllis Wheatley, George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Bob

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-53197889492653640672011-02-15T09:00:00.002-05:002011-02-15T09:00:00.608-05:00

15. I don't know if many people will remember this, but for a while there was a basic cable or public access channel in the mid 90s called The Puppy Channel. They showed footage of, yes, happy puppies frolicking and had a looped track of "puppies, puppies, puppies, puppies..." And while the Puppy Channel is gone now, the awesome month of February gives us the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show!

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-80133186645814125772011-02-14T09:59:00.002-05:002011-02-14T10:03:06.368-05:00

14. Valentine's Day. Okay, you can rant all you want about commercialism and the trite-ness, but come on, isn't it kind of nice that there is one day in the year where it's okay to be a schmoozy, lovey-dovey dork? And, I know that "every day should be Valentine's day" if you're in love (pardon me while I roll my eyes and gag a little), but I also think it's kind of nice that people who aren't so

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-67419342707620940022011-02-13T09:00:00.000-05:002011-02-13T09:00:00.887-05:00

13. Awards season. Although the actual date of the events vary from year to year, pretty much all the big Hollywood events you care about - Oscars, Emmys, Grammys - happen in February. While watching rich, famous people gush "humbly" about their friends and family can only entertain for so long, the fashions and red-carpet overload keep me happy all night long.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-12090181717555677322011-02-12T09:00:00.000-05:002011-02-12T09:00:08.329-05:00

12. February is a nice little break in the sports schedule. I know they are playing golf tournaments in Palm Springs and that hockey is barrelling into it's 3rd or 4th month around now, but those don't really count. Sorry Kim, I know you love your Preds, but in the big picture we have football, March Madness and baseball. And right now I don't have to care about any of the above.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-55759419835807880672011-02-11T09:00:00.000-05:002011-02-11T09:00:15.206-05:00

11. My nails look great in February. Could this be because they are covered by gloves or mittens whenever I go outside? Or the fact that I'm not as tempted to volunteer for any gardening or outdoorsy type stuff this time of year? Who knows, they look nice and I do believe that a $8 manicure might be in their future.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-39875114792575191512011-02-10T09:00:00.000-05:002011-02-10T09:00:05.727-05:00

10. Okay, so this may contradict the general idea of embracing a northeastern February, but... on those days when you just can't bear another minute of frozen tundra, just repeat this phrase "February is summer down under." Yep, our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are getting their beach on right about now.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-40818316631755888642011-02-09T11:23:00.002-05:002011-02-09T11:25:57.142-05:00

9. Blue, blue, blue skies. When the sun shines in February it's sitting up in a ridiculously blue sky. Could this be because the cold air is clearer? I don't know, you'd have to ask a meteorologist or environmental sciences person that. All I know is it's a beee-you-tee-full blue sky.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-12947542962409136392011-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:002011-02-08T09:00:08.406-05:00

8. C'mon, February 8th, baby! Every so often I'll try to be low-key and demur about it, but that always fails. Boomyeah, it's my birthdaaaaay. Time to eat some carrot cake and enjoy hitting another year. Thirty friggin' four, and to quote the Rolling Stones, "oooo oooooo!"

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-2588494491988210952011-02-07T10:00:00.000-05:002011-02-07T10:00:06.013-05:00

7. I'll deal with why Valentine's Day does or doesn't suck later, but for now I'll just say that all those pink and red heat decorations still feel new and are a lovely, hopeful, cheery little splash in the middle of glossy-white, snow-covered days.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-11044133359342387442011-02-06T09:00:00.000-05:002011-02-06T09:00:08.188-05:00

6. Tea, tea, tea. February is made for a nice cuppa, with or without an accompanying scone or little cookie. Decaf, black and with a splash of milk, that's how I like it.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-65045317932805364062011-02-05T09:00:00.002-05:002011-02-05T09:00:00.720-05:00

5. Even though I can't stand running outside if the thermostat goes below 40, there is still a great feeling of solidarity and hard ass-ness to be found in the smelly old gym first thing in the morning. Smugness too - after all, I am one of the smartypants that is still sweating it out hardcore but without that horrible frozen-sweat-skin disease.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-65188570941366558652011-02-04T21:57:00.002-05:002011-02-04T22:02:41.382-05:00

4. Nesting. Just being able to snuggle into the chair with a book and cat, the throw over my legs. Even if said book is a 400 page doorstop of a piece about New Deal politics. It almost makes it better when it is 20 degrees and slushing outside, since I get to be warm inside.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-62944190995042559152011-02-03T21:53:00.000-05:002011-02-04T21:57:25.531-05:00

3. For number three, let me give thanks for clementine oranges. Little orange suckers are running rampant in their cute wooden mini-crates all over the grocery store's produce sections and onto the sidewalks in front of bodegas. That's just good stuff my friends, good stuff.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-28581505947977272022011-02-02T21:51:00.000-05:002011-02-04T21:53:32.051-05:00

2. This is an easy one - two is my favorite number and you gotta love a month that always features 2/2 (and yes, 2/22) and will one fine day give us 2/2/22!

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-19384992774599460452011-02-01T21:37:00.000-05:002011-02-04T21:49:09.867-05:00

February, contrary to popular New York opinion, does not suck. To prove it, I am going to write 28 posts, one reason for each day explaining why February does not suck.1. February does not suck because it is finally NOT January. January starts off with a big ole wallop of expectations and celebration and then, all I could think was how it is so cold, cold, cold. I've said it before, but if I had

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-16442114535549204132011-01-27T12:39:00.003-05:002011-01-27T12:41:07.169-05:00

Snow day!

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-80683979417335579172011-01-26T23:10:00.004-05:002011-01-26T23:23:24.070-05:00

I have been going back and forth for the past two weeks about what I want to do for my birthday this year. It's a little over a week away and I still don't know if I A) want to have a party or just dinner out with the NYC siblings, B) which weekend to celebrate on - dumb birthday is on a friggin' Tuesday this year, yes the same day as both my seminars, or C) if I should bake my hummingbird b-day

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-82931994865951806752011-01-08T18:31:00.003-05:002011-01-08T18:50:07.269-05:00

I think the new year has started of fairly well for me. I'm focused and trying to take better care of myself. Because NYU classes start a week later this year, I've got a tidy little four week break where all I really have to do is go to work and anything beyond that is up to me. Here's where I am at:1. Gym classes four times a week. CardioBlast at lunch on Tues / Thurs and AbLab at 5:30 on those

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-88332015716553045152010-12-12T14:49:00.008-05:002010-12-12T15:05:07.997-05:00

Scenes from the Summer, Part 2. It's time to kick it Cape Cod style. And yes, it's a Trayce-a-palooza.Carter and the Chosen One. Tracy and Trayce, reading up a storm.California Dad and Cute Little Monkey Reading Boy.Alex and his boys. Super close shot of Super Cuteness.Marion's pie shop cinnamon rolls. The sweetest thing in Chatham... AFTER World's Cutest Baby, of course.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-9894106869900435012010-12-01T14:22:00.001-05:002010-12-12T14:47:43.144-05:00

O Holy... Land! Here are some pictures from this summer.Hanna Zweig, Ron Zweig (my boss) and me overlooking Jerusalem.Tracy at the Damascus gate to the Old City from East Jerusalem. Spices, fruit, halvah - oh the joys of Mahaine Yehuda!Tracy in Tel Aviv, nice view down to the beach. And here I am on said beach. Super guest star Gavi Marcus-Berkman!Frum Tracy chills on the hammock with Gavi. So

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-44522649090984753932010-10-25T22:00:00.004-04:002010-10-25T22:07:16.653-04:00

I can't believe I haven't posted pictures of Israel. Or Cape Cod. It's October and these awesome times happened in July. JULY.Me hitting up the Dome of the Rock. No, they did not let my heathen self in. Not at all. But it sure was pretty from the outside.Keep laughing Trayce, your Daddy loves you but he is gonna embarrass you with sillier thing than an Alfalfa, trust me.I promise to get full

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-4676841466455695962010-09-23T10:02:00.002-04:002010-09-23T10:14:56.872-04:00

In talking with a new friend/potential colleague the other day, she mentioned that she had gotten her MA while working full time. So did I. But then she said it was "harder than having a kid." Which kind of made me step back and think for a minute. Right now I am working full time, taking two PhD classes, training for the marathon and attempting to keep up with my family and social obligations.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-79861335249584621682010-09-01T21:26:00.003-04:002010-09-02T10:10:04.640-04:00

Okay, this also makes me ridiculously happy:Midnight Train to GeorgiaI don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I'd like to get my hands on a FDNY application some day. Not because I want to be a fire-person, but because I think there's a clause in there that states 75% of personnel at any given time have to be ridiculously good looking. I've never bought the calendar, but I do get kind of

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-6062687545070827972010-08-30T09:34:00.004-04:002010-09-07T22:52:11.751-04:00

There really are not words for how happy this makes me.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-66650798908057084362010-08-06T17:47:00.003-04:002010-08-06T17:54:18.882-04:00

I'm here. I'm trying. And that's pretty much where it all stands.Things I love about Cape Cod 2010:1. Baby Trayce, aka Baby Ray Ray, aka Monkey, aka Monks, aka WCT, aka Baby Monks.2. Marion's Pie Shop's cinnamon rolls. Totally worth an hour run every morning.3. Running almost every morning. God bless the CCRT.4. Enjoying the beach without having to swim in cold, really really cold water.5.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-24994551518697103342010-07-19T12:01:00.003-04:002010-07-19T12:12:06.229-04:00

Just checking in here between summer vacation trips. Israel was awesome, we will definitely have to go back soon. And yes, I have pictures to upload and post. I'll do my best to get those going in a timely manner, it's just been so hot here recently (with no end in sight - I believe the sun and NYC are trying to MELT MY SOUL) that by the time I get home or it's the weekend I just want to sit on

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-6532880245704151302010-06-08T22:11:00.004-04:002010-06-09T09:38:08.528-04:00

The Elephant In My RoomOne summer vacation, when I was around eight or nine years old, my family stopped off in Boston en route to Cape Cod. This was done so that we could visit my parents' friend Albert and his wife Suni who lived nearby. During this little spell in vacation wonderland, we ventured into Boston for some cultural fun. Keep in mind, my dad is a museum director, these kind of trips

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-41740769937038496142010-05-27T09:29:00.003-04:002010-05-27T09:32:03.784-04:00

This picture makes me smile.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-9309174849779813562010-05-19T11:23:00.002-04:002010-05-19T11:38:04.409-04:00

Quick recap of the past few weeks:1. Ran Nashville and Indianapolis Half Marathons with the DrCubed team. Well, Kim only just got clearance to start running and training again, so she was a stellar support team for Tricia and me. I saw her twice at each race. Twice! That's dedication my friends. Nashville kicked my butt hardcore - whose brilliant idea was it to change the course so that there is

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-434620334722895232010-04-22T14:52:00.003-04:002010-04-22T14:57:26.545-04:00

Yes, I am wearing the same cardigan. Yes, I know I need to buy some real grown-up suits and such, since I spent an hour last night trying on everything in my closet and deeming it all inappropriate for a business event (lecture) where I will be meeting one of the center's donors tonight. But before I buy anything new, I'm losing 20lbs. Tonight is the last work event I need to be snazzy for, so I

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-35957649626618646572010-04-15T17:41:00.003-04:002010-04-15T17:44:26.307-04:00

Promises, promises. I wore the gray plaid dress last week, but forgot to take any pictures. Here is me in the new pink floral-print one. In my office. With my nerdy dry-erase organizational board.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-28723972007553673482010-04-06T21:18:00.002-04:002010-04-06T21:26:34.073-04:00

Thursday is a big-deal lecture at work. I'm trying to decide what dress to wear, there are two good options but I'm not sure which one will be the winner. Both are from Target and both make me look really good. Like Mad Men secretarial pool good, or at least that's what I'm going with. The last couple of weeks have been rough in terms of the ole' emotional eating. So I'll probably be Spanxing it

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-33227750030594194752010-03-16T10:00:00.003-04:002010-03-16T10:04:40.785-04:00

Even though I've been working my way through a health-diet-cleanse-type-thingy for the past month, and lost a nice 10lbs, I still found myself covered in flour, peanut butter and regular butter this Sunday. I had been kicking around a recipe idea in my head, and when I mentioned it to my friend Shira, it became clear that said idea would need to become reality. And it did, just in time for a

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-20366666205948010162010-03-04T19:57:00.003-05:002010-03-04T20:01:04.949-05:00

I finally got around to uploading pictures from Tracy's computer. And came across this gem. Oh my goodness, a cake? For me? Is it MY birthday?It's even more amusing when you realize I baked the cake myself and knew darn well it was my birthday party since I'd coordinated the whole she-bang. But spot on with the goofy surprise face. Well done me, well done.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-4806128882630540612010-02-26T23:15:00.003-05:002010-02-26T23:16:50.596-05:00

Shayne Leslie Figueroa, MA, MaFi (that's Marathon Finisher) and now, potentially, PhD. I got the call today - starting this September I will be back in the saddle again for the final countdown. PhD candidate in Nutrition and Food Studies! Yeeehaw!

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-87851627537733869672010-02-22T10:39:00.004-05:002010-02-22T15:51:34.683-05:00

Shayne V. NYC Municipal Finance DivisionThis is in regards to the parking ticket I got back in October. I had driven in to Manhattan to meet Kim at the Javits Center to pick up our marathon numbers, etc. After circling the blocks a few minutes I saw what I thought was a legal spot on 11th avenue. Upon returning to the car 45 minutes later, we discovered that the transit police did not agree with

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-20015121226786165652010-02-10T14:05:00.002-05:002010-02-10T14:08:45.504-05:00

It's snowing outside. Hardcore. NYU canceled classes and as of 1pm the administrative offices were given the okay to shut down. So I'm heading home to snuggle with the cats on the couch, drink some tea, read some books and maybe do some freelance editing that's way over-due. Before I go though, here's a picture of WCB, from Christmas.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-28939775451686816202010-02-01T09:39:00.003-05:002010-02-01T09:45:43.590-05:00

This is going to be quick because I'm at work. And yes, I feel guilty about doing non-work things while I'm sitting in my office. For the most part. I don't count my 9:00 - 9:30 news reading (NYTimes.com, People.com, SeriousEats.com and my friends' blogs) to be that guilt-inducing. I'm just keeping myself informed.Anyhow. Here is it, the big news that I simply could not wait to share with my

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-32389722760167965052010-01-18T22:38:00.004-05:002010-01-18T22:51:30.051-05:00

Today was a peaceful day in Animal Kingdom. Natalie did not attack George, Gus did not attack Natalie. And as a matter of fact, there was even a very peaceful nap that involved all three cats and two humans in very close proximity to each other for a solid two hours. I really love all my cats, and I know they're not humans. I know this, really. It just frustrates me so much though when they fight

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-13346512454649751792010-01-10T15:02:00.004-05:002010-01-10T15:31:30.792-05:00

This morning I got up early - for a Sunday - around 9:15am and headed into Coles to get my first "long run" in for Mardi Gras Half training. It always amazes me how much running on a treadmill can suck if you're out of the habit. But then you still get that post-run high, of "yeah, I feel great, let me go do that again!" It's perhaps the quickest onset amnesia, faster even than baby-nesia and

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-90049758103223815162010-01-04T21:08:00.003-05:002010-01-04T21:19:32.673-05:00

Books I have taken out of the library in the past week. Match the title with the content!1. Fordlandia2. Drood3. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen4. Much Ado About You5. ImpetuousA. Graphic novel (aka - comic book) about the adventures of literary characters in the Victorian eraB. Story about a school teacher who finds love with a lawyerC. Historical analysis of Henry Ford's 1930s utopian-style

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-43944401627757584572009-12-13T12:46:00.003-05:002009-12-14T14:47:59.812-05:00

I am a much better guesser than I am mathematician. Which kind of frustrates me. I mean, I am grateful that my guessing skills got me a 580 on the quantitative part of my GREs this past Friday, it's much better than I could have hoped for. Maybe it even means that I have some kind of intuition and psychic ability. Or I could just be thinking that cause I watched too much Ghost Intervention last

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-8911496630315945562009-12-09T21:49:00.002-05:002009-12-09T21:56:37.567-05:00

Today, at my physical therapy appointment, I was goofing around and attempted to do a push up on the edge of this box on the floor. Notice I wrote "attempted," and where I wrote "goofing around" I should have indicated that I was really trying to show off. You can guess where this goes. I couldn't even do one measly push up! I went down and, well, I kind of collapsed. I laughed it off since the

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-66255581601828193132009-11-24T14:48:00.003-05:002009-11-24T14:53:08.720-05:00

Well, it's official. I just clicked "submit" on my first application to a PhD program. I have a pretty faulty memory, and there aren't too many big turning points in my life that I remember. One was hearing the doctor tell my mom and dad that my mom had cirrhosis. Another was emailing Carter that I wanted to do the 2005 Rock N Roll Half Marathon with him and Ben Mack. And, well, I also distinctly

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-52050699437484210802009-11-05T16:52:00.002-05:002009-11-05T17:02:44.150-05:00

Seriously, I can't even watch a commercial for The Blind Side without getting all teary-eyed. What is up with that? I mean, I'm not afraid to be emotional and all... I couldn't breathe for all the waterworks at the end of Marley and Me, even though I'd read the book and knew what was coming. Perhaps I'm so susceptible to this commercial because I've seen the long-form trailer and know what an

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-44040415502552130332009-10-01T15:49:00.004-04:002009-10-01T16:36:01.022-04:00

I might just redirect people to this post in the future, when they ask about my leg. Here's what happened (you know, that sounds so much better when he says it on Monk):Wednesday night, early Thursday morning I woke up because I heard George growling. George is the newest cat in the family, he came home in March, and he sleeps in my room. This is because it makes him feel safe and otherwise

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-88496671105726226872009-09-09T20:56:00.002-04:002009-09-09T21:20:53.390-04:00

I renewed my NYU gym membership today. It's a real steal - $147 for the year for us poor working schlubbs who get paid bi-weekly. The membership services office is a little dinky place right behind the check-in counter. You know, that place where the annoyingly hip or perky 19 year olds give you a hard time if you forgot your ID? Well, right behind it is the admin offices where you renew your

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-18666235375959735732009-08-25T22:06:00.002-04:002009-08-25T22:12:03.433-04:00

I love orange Gatorade. It's, like, the best thing ever after a sweaty run. I was telling Kim the other day how ironic sports/running food and drinks are for a formerly fat person (like me). Take Gu for example. Let's be honest here, the Gu makers can talk all they want about electrolytes and energy replenishment, but when it comes down to it you're really just sucking down cake icing. Pure

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-68455868872688894762009-08-17T23:42:00.000-04:002009-08-17T23:43:13.317-04:00

I'm trying to get baby Trayce to smile and laugh, I'm not getting ready to eat him. Honest.Seriously. World's. Cutest. Baby. This kid should be illegal in at least 32 states, he's so criminally cute.In other, non-Trayce relate news, the Cape Cod visit was nice, a bit busy, but nice. Due to a cleanse-ing type thingy I'm trying to do right now, I had a bit of a different gastronomical experience

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-16408768140996904112009-07-30T09:12:00.002-04:002009-07-30T09:15:51.441-04:00

Running almost seven miles in 95% humidity sucks. Running it with your best friend who schlepped all the way out to Brooklyn before 8am to do it with you, well, that's awesome. I'll save all the mushy emotional running related stuff for the re-boot of RunShayneRun (estimated date of re-launch is August 1), but let's just say that Kim Brown Dahlman, aka The Hill Master, kicks butt.

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-18997508319882263432009-07-06T18:10:00.008-04:002009-07-06T18:23:34.955-04:00

Okay, he looks a little bit different now - a month later - but still, I present to you Trayce Rivers Figueroa. Also known as...CUTESTBABYIN THEWORLD.Oh, and we got to have a lovely little dinner and visit with Noah on the way down to Charleston. What a good looking couple of Lafayette grads ten years on down the line.Which bring us to, and I apologize for not being able to restrain my dorkiness

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-41259405098219672452009-06-13T22:39:00.004-04:002009-06-13T23:13:18.867-04:00

Sheesh, talk about keeping everyone waiting in suspense. As usual, life gets going and my blogging slacks. State College and the conference were indeed pretty cool. Since I don't drink, smoke, or over-eat (anymore) I needed a way to calm my nerves and get in "the zone" on that Saturday morning before doing my first ever paper presentation. (Stop me if you know how this is going to end...) And so

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-67587312014341168322009-06-02T15:28:00.002-04:002009-06-02T15:30:55.103-04:00

Quick update for all those anxiously awaiting the results of my first ever conference-as-a-participant: I rocked the house. And as you all know, when I rock the house, I rock it ALL the way down. Seriously though, my presentation went well, I made some new friends and I ate some delicious Amish food. More to follow, including a blow-by-blow description of both my 10k run on Saturday and the HoJos

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-37671299563774299502009-05-26T20:41:00.004-04:002009-05-26T20:51:53.826-04:00

I am sure that the 19 year old version of me is going to do a spit-take when I write this, but, apparently a 10-15 page paper is just too...damn...short! I'm doing my best to whittle a 50 page thesis down to a 20 minute paper, and man is it killing me. Poor Tracy - last night I asked her to listen to me do my first trial run and time it. 55 minutes long. Crappers. More chopping and let's all

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-24129392178659161642009-05-19T22:30:00.003-04:002009-05-20T09:56:39.880-04:00

This is a pretty funny story, at least I think so...On Monday, May 11th, I officially graduated with my MA. Now, I had submitted my thesis and actually completed the program last August, but the Graduate School of Arts and Science only has one big she-bang ceremony a year, in May. So this is why I was dressed up in rented purple polyester last Monday. Since I am a good NYU community member, I had

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-88769808755843220152009-05-10T17:25:00.000-04:002009-05-10T17:28:31.216-04:00

Pretty friggin' adorable, no?

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-31705943843382698322009-04-29T15:41:00.003-04:002009-04-29T15:48:38.523-04:00

I know, I know, this is a rare happening - TWO posts within 48 hours of eachother! But this one is a quickie. The inside label of my HonestTea today reads: "We must be willing to let go of the life we've planned to have the life that is waiting for us." - E.M. Forster.Upon taking this in, I immediately remembered my dad's copy of "A Passage to India" that's been sitting on the bookshelf in my

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-17924936624223541312009-04-28T09:32:00.003-04:002009-04-28T09:57:09.995-04:00

Let the record show that on Sunday morning, I was the one that was whimpering, swelteringly sweaty with dead legs and no desire to continue the heat and hill torture that was the More Half Marathon in Central Park. Wait, no, it was officially a "fun run" since they didn't time it - excuse me though, but I don't quite see how running in that kind of mess weather can be called "fun." The Scotland

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-77599025813342675292009-04-09T09:45:00.002-04:002009-04-09T10:00:33.599-04:00

99 times out of 100 I have a great running experience. My brain gets sharper as the miles go by, I feel obnoxiously healthy and fit and energized when it's all said and done. And then there's that 1 time when I just don't. Today my friends, was one of those days. I did a 25minute run on the treadmill at Coles and it was like pulling teeth. Perhaps it was because I didn't have my iPod (George

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-52956802760274854892009-03-29T23:34:00.002-04:002009-03-29T23:53:05.575-04:00

Is it worth it to me to spend $155 for my 10 year college reunion? For approximately 36 hours of Farinon food and "Remember when?"s with a bunch of people who I kind of liked but who I feel so remarkably different from now? It's a tough call. Noah is going, and I know Kim wants to as well. I really had a great college experience, well, except for that whole miserably over-committed to

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-66512975009640382232009-03-19T21:39:00.002-04:002009-03-19T21:53:53.132-04:00

Who knew? March Madness is friggin' awesome. I have joined the Bronfman Bracket Pool, well technically I still have to pay my $5 to David, and after a near-full day of play I only made one bad call. Yeah! My strategy was to mainly pick the higher ranked teams but with a couple of first round upsets based on college name likability and some dim-recollections of past glory. For example, I thought I

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-75802247443877484712009-03-08T22:14:00.002-04:002009-03-08T22:26:40.354-04:00

I think it would really, really suck to have a food allergy. The thought of having the choice to eat or not eat something taken away by nature, well that kind of freaks me out. For example - if I don't eat sugar, dairy, chocolate, or anything along those sweet lines, then my body is happier and I'm healthier. That being said, my throat will not close up and I won't have a seizure or anything else

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-34868098995775247192009-03-04T10:45:00.003-05:002009-03-04T10:51:16.055-05:00

Wednesday, March 4 at approximately 10:32am - I realize that I kind of hate what I'm doing. It depresses me that I'm NOT following my creative urges and that I always put them down due to responsibility freak outs. This feeling of malaise may just be the result of missing out on my morning runs for the past couple of weeks. Or it could be more. Let's give it a little bit and see what happens...

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-25764045075581450782009-03-01T18:18:00.005-05:002009-03-01T18:41:27.283-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I present, George Mitchell Figueroa:All he wants, for the most part, is for me to hold him. Gus and Natalie are gradually getting used to the idea of a little brother - Gus more so than Natalie. She's been putting the little guy in his place a lot, but you can't really blame her since George has taken it as his personal mission in life to mark as much of the apartment as

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-16042607682033825212009-02-16T17:42:00.005-05:002009-02-16T18:04:06.655-05:00

Here's something else I love about running. I am a size MEDIUM in Nike women's running pants and tights. Not extra-large or large, men's or unisex styles, but a real honest-to-goodness medium for girls. I also love the fact though that Nike makes extra-large and large running gear. Nothing is quite as demoralizing as going into a store to spend some hard-earned money on some quality workout gear

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-56037770560885382852009-02-08T21:35:00.005-05:002009-02-08T21:56:16.455-05:00

Today, at approximately 9:30 in the morning, I turned 32. That's three-two my friends. I started the day off with a 4mile run around Prospect Park with Kim and then headed out to Coney Island for the traditional trek. Unfortunately, the weather being so fantastic - near 60 degrees! - meant that a whole lot of other people had this idea. The line was way too long at Nathan's, so Tracy and I just

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-64796706860856059322009-01-04T17:48:00.003-05:002009-01-04T18:09:17.273-05:00

Okay, here is the final December update. Yes, I know it's now January, but even Shaynes need some time off from obsessive self-reflection every so often. I ended up clinging to my December resolution by the smallest of margins. I didn't exercise every single day, but I did get in workouts and runs for 22 of those days, which is pretty good. What's not pretty good is the fact that I sabotaged my

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-19189692749679713642008-12-19T22:16:00.005-05:002008-12-19T23:09:45.450-05:00

Update on the working out - it's going well. It's day 19 and I think I've been either running or strength training for at least 15 of those days. This includes two NYRR races, which I think deserve special mentions for what they meant to me.The first, a 10k run on December 7, served as a reminder of the strength of friends. Carter, Sarah and about ten of their close friends (and me, of course),

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676808.post-56595357622032979082008-12-07T20:47:00.004-05:002008-12-07T21:05:18.228-05:00

Proof that I don't just think about boys, running and food all the time:This is my friend AC. We hung out together (with her parents, Evan & Sarah and Tracy) on the day after Thanksgiving. AC liked my stories and dancing, so we got along well. In the photograph above we're doing a careful analysis of her mother's artwork - Circus Train 2008 (felt-tip marker on cardboard).In other non-boy,

Shaynenoreply@blogger.com0