The Cross: Remnants of 9/11 at Ground Zero

Photographed by Meridith L. Canning on 8/21/04. © All Rights Reserved.

Do you remember where you were seven years ago today when you first heard the news?

We must never forget.

My Nike Human Race 10K Experience

I'm running on behalf of Lance Armstrong's LiveStrong Foundation, which was created to inspire and empower people affected by cancer. The foundation provides practical information and tools for people with cancer so that they can live life on their own terms. The Lance Armstrong Foundation also works to unite people to fight cancer and aims to pursue an agenda focused on prevention, access to screening and care; improvement of the quality of life for cancer survivors; and investment in research. I plan to run strong to honor the courage and bravery of family members and friends who have battled cancer over the years.

5:20 p.m.: On the Orange line train heading down to Soldier Field. Lots of runners getting on at the Kedzie and 35th & Archer stops. I'm just wondering if I drank enough water today. It's very hot (about 87 right now). The key will be to pace myself for the first two miles - not start out too fast. There's not a cloud in the sky!


5:35 p.m.-ish: The Roosevelt Road stop on the CTA 'el line is a sea of red-shirted runners of all sizes, shapes and colors. Everyone is making one long exodus east to Soldier Field. A number of us have the same idea ... stop at the AM/PM mini-mart at the corner of Roosevelt and Wabash to pick up water, Gatorade, Propel, etc. The sun continues to beat down on the city as it sets. It will take another 10-15 minutes to walk over to where we're told gear check is located on the east side of Soldier Field ... this is where the disorganization of this race began to rear its ugly head.


5:50 p.m.-ish: Gear check was supposed to be at Gate 9; but, in reality, it was actually located inside the gates of the stadium. The signage and system was terrible. I understand that they had a large number of runners to deal with (closed to 14,000), but there were obvious organizational/setup problems. They needed more room. By the time I got my backpack checked, I had 15 minutes to use the bathroom and the start of the race.


6:15 p.m.-ish: The lines inside Soldier Field were long; so, I headed outside to the port-a-potties. They only had about 25 port-a-potties and the lines stretched back close to 40 people deep. I stood in line for about 10 minutes, but I was getting nervous about the start of the race; so, I decided to hold it in and just head to the starting corrals.


6:30 p.m. You were supposed to line up based upon your minute per mile pace, but that was thrown on the window because there just wasn't enough room on Museum Campus Drive for everyone. The race started close to 10 minutes late. It took me close to 20 minutes to even get to the starting line from where I was in the corral.















6:50 p.m.: I'm finally running! It is hot ... too hot (upper 80's still). There are lots of people cheering us on which is great. Less than a 1/4 mile into the run, there are people taking walk breaks already, which blows me away. I've dedicated the first mile to my former co-worker Maureen, who is a breast cancer survivor, and all women who are battling breast cancer. The first mile includes a run through the McCormick Place West dock. It is incredibly hot and there is no air circulating through this long tunnel-like area. There is light at the end of the tunnel! First mile split: 11:11. The water station was mobbed. I tried not to trip or slip on the plastic cups that they were using. Drank a little water and poured the rest on my shirt. There is an official cheering section for Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid along this section. Banners featuring various 2016 logos line both sides of the street and we're cheered on by 2016 volunteers, including Olympian Michael Conley. Very cool!




The second mile is dedicated to my cousin Michael in his successful battle against bladder cancer. We continue south and I feel more settled and comfortable in my pace. We're actually running on Lake Shore Drive at this point. It seems like we're never going to turn around ... like we're going to run all the way to Hyde Park. There is this one female runner who is way pumped up and keeps shouting positive statements like "I'm doing it!" "we're doing it!" "I'm making history", but more people are getting annoyed with her. She'll sprint for about 30 seconds and then walk for another 30. As we approach the uphill exit ramp to Oakwood Blvd. to head east toward the three mile mark, she's no where to be seen ... or heard. I hit the 5k mark somewhere near 35 minutes. I'm still within my goal time. My third mile is dedicated to all the kids fighting childhood cancers and their parents and healthcare workers ... I think of Janice and all of her patients - the ones that she lost and the ones that have survived.


I head into my fourth mile with a little drink of Gatorade and a band playing Tom Petty's "American Girl". The sun is setting over the city and I can see downtown. We are finally heading north, but we are so far south. The sleeves of my shirt are so wet - making it difficult to wipe the sweat off my forehead. This mile is dedicated to Julia and other childhood cancer survivors who are battling cancer yet again in adulthood. There is a breeze coming off the lake and it does wonders. I am happy with my time at the 4th mile split. I feel good.





It's getting real dark now and little kids who were picnicing with their families are lining up along the running path and giving us high-fives. I am trying to high-five as many hands as I can because these kids (and adults, too) are a big encouragement to all of us in this last stretch. Perhaps, one of these boys or girls will be encouraged themselves to take up running one day, too. Lots of the runners are taking walk breaks now. I am trying to pick up the pace and finish under 1:10. I say a prayer for the people of New Orleans as they are fleeing their homes to escape the wrath of Hurricane Gustav.



My time at the 5 mile mark was about 58 minutes or so. It was really hard to see anything on the path because the lights were still out (not good). We began to hear lots of ambulance sirens. Along this stretch, I saw three people injured along the course. One man took a nasty fall and banged his head on the ground. I dedicated this last mile to my mom in her successful battle against lung cancer and skin cancer. Lake Michigan is right next to us and we can now see Soldier Field before us. We are running east of the old McCormick Place. It seems like it is taking forever to get to the finish line. There are a few people cheering us on. As we begin to approach the 6 mile mark, I can hear the public address announcer speaking and he's announcing the names of runners as they cross the finish line. I make the final turn onto Waldron Drive and see the finish line. I completed the course and kept my faith.

All finishers were given a baton-like container which held a finishers bracelet to commemorate the event. I grabbed some ice for my knee from the first aid tent and then made my way to gear check to retrieve my backpack (still very chaotic). Inside Soldier Field, Chicago's hometown band Fall Out Boy performed a concert for all runners and volunteers.





My official time: 1:12:46.

August 24th ... Milestone

Today is the one-year anniversary of my knee surgery. I got up early this morning and ran my longer Marquette Park route, which brought me close to 6 miles. The knee felt good. I felt blessed to have the ability to once again be able to go outside on a clear Sunday morning and just move one foot after another and feel my muscles working, my heart pumping and lungs filling up with air. It's good to be alive.

First Race of 2008!

Last Thursday night, Jennifer and I ran in the Race Judicata 5K, which was a benefit for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. It was a rather momentous occasion as it was Jenn's first official race and my first race back from surgery. The weather was wonderful for an August night in Chicago. We hit the first split in 10:45 (mile 1), which definitely surprised me. My official time was 33:53. Jennifer finished a few seconds ahead of me. She has definitely caught the running bug and is interested in running the Chicago Marathon next year. My next race: the Nike Human Race 10K on 8/31/08.

Running partners Jennifer (165) and Meridith(167).

Check Out My Dublin Picture on Schmap!

In mid-July, I was notified that one of my Dublin photos from my Flickr album was "short-listed" for inclusion in the fifth edition of the Schmap Dublin Map Guide. Schamp provides digital travel guides for destinations throughout Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand (like Frommers and Fodors, but free). Although no payment is given for publication, the Schmap Guides do give photographers their work recognition and wide exposure. I just received an email this afternoon advising that my photo was selected for inclusion; so, I'd thought I'd share the news with all of my blog-world friends. The photo that they are using will be listed under the "Dublin Bus Tours" section. I even get a photo credit in the listing.

The photo was taken on a crisp, cool October morning outside of the Dublin airport on the morning that Janice and I arrived (that is her on the right). We loaded all suitcases and took the no. 16A Dublin Bus into the famed Temple Bar area of Dublin. It was rather adventurous as we weren't really sure just where to get off the bus once we made past the River Liffey. I mean, I had studied maps of Dublin religiously before our trip, but once when you're in a foreign country, it can be very different. Anyhow, instinct kicked in and we got off the bus right near Dame Street and Dublin Castle (a few blocks away from The Clarence) and we scurried north up the cobblestone streets with our big suitcases in tow and a week full of adventure to be had.

"It's Such a Perfect Day ..." (My Coldplay Concert Review)

Last Wednesday, Caitlyn and I attended Coldplay's concert at the United Center. We had front row tickets on the the third level that were smack dab in the middle of the stadium. The concert was amazing! Chris, Jonny, Will and Guy rocked the house, playing most of the tracks off their new album, "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends". They also shot a video for the song "Lost!" which required them to play the song twice. The sing-alongs to "Fix You" and "Yellow" were enormous and overtook Chris Martin's vocals.

Unfortunately, I ran into huge problems with my camera (it just decided to freeze up in a weird half-way focus position) and the section we sat in was filled with a bunch of people whom I will simply call lame for a lack of a better word. Most normal, music-loving people attend a concert to have a good time because they're genuine fans of the band ... they have looked forward to the concert for a long time ... they have paid A LOT OF MONEY for their ticket ... they want to show their appreciation by getting up off their seat and clapping their hands, dancing if so moved ... singing aloud ... you get what I'm saying, right? There were people in our section who didn't even get up when they ripped into "Viva La Vida" (which sounds much better live) and "Clocks". It just really bugged me. It sounds a little harsh, but if you want to sit the whole time, stay at home and listen to the CD. (I've been throwing around this idea in my mind ... rather than a word scrabble verification, I think Ticketmaster should institute a trivia question quiz for people purchasing concert tickets for various bands so that only real fans can get tickets). Okay, thanks for letting me vent.

Again, the concert itself was great. This was my second time seeing them performing live. I first saw Coldplay when they came through town in '06 on the Twisted Logic Tour. The sound was much improved this time. I've become a huge fan of Jonny Buckland, the lead guitarist (I don't know what it is about those British boys). Each member of the band is an accomplished musician in their own right and they play more than one instrument. Caitlyn and I have joked around about plotting ways to fly across the pond to follow the band on the European leg of the tour. Perhaps, we can volunteer for Oxfam and get into the shows for free!

Here are a few of my pictures and a link to the rest on Flickr: Coldplay in Chicago (072308) Viva La Vida Tour.


Jonny and Chris during "Viva La Vida".

The band performing "Chinese Sleep Chant" on a side stage. It's too bad my camera was only semi-operable because normally this would have been an amazing shot :-(

Jonny, Will, Chris and Guy in Section 109 of the UC performing "Scientist."


Will on vocals for "Death Will Never Conquer."


Chris and Guy after the paper butterfly effects of "Lovers in Japan."

"The sky could be blue, I don't mind, Without you it's a waste of time, Could be blue, I don't mind, Without you it's a waste of time."

Strawberry Swing by: Coldplay

MAKE TRADE FAIR

From the casino’s to the Windy City..

From the casino’s to the Windy City..

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A Hot Summer's Day at Daley Plaza

Yesterday, I walked up to the farmer's market at Daley Plaza with Tamar during lunchtime. A group of students performed a few dance movements out on the plaza under the blazing hot sun. The teens are a part of the City of Chicago's "After School Matters" program, which provides training in a partnership with the Joffrey Ballet. These were kids were very good.

The Past Week (and a Half)

I had every intention to update my blog last week, but a few techno issues involving my new Blackberry prevented me from doing so. Okay, it sounds lame, but it is a totally viable excuse. When you can upload photos and post text while riding the 'el into work, you're definitely making the most of your time. Anyhow, here are highlights from the week that was:

• Last Monday (July 7th) was Ringo Starr's birthday. He wanted everyone around the world to join together at Noon and say, "peace and love." The rumor was that he was to appear at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. Since it's along my usual running path and I'm a HUGE Beatles' fan, I ran over and waited along with 35 others in the misty rain for Ringo to appear. We waited ... and waited ... until someone in the group received a phone call. It turned out that Ringo was over at the Hard Rock Hotel -- a block and a half from my office. Sigh. At Noon, we all did raise our hands up and make the peace sign.
• During Tuesday's run, a stranger high-fived me as I ran by, which, in a funny-strange way, provided motivation.
• Isn't it wonderful to just have a day where you can just hang out at home and do NOTHING! Saturday was that day for me. Outside of pulling weeds in my garden and attending a graduation open house in the evening, it was a lazy day. Darrin bought the Wii Fit game and the four of us were down in the basement taking turns exercising with our little Wii characters.
• The graduation open house that we attended was for the daughter of Darrin's best friend, Jim. Danielle is the first of our friends' kids who has graduated high school and is moving on to college. They played a DVD of pictures beginning from when she was a baby up through her childhood and it included the graduation ceremony. It was set to music and almost all of the women watching it got teary-eyed. I can't imagine how much more emotional I'll be when Caitlyn graduates in two years.
• Speaking of tears, I caught the end of "Steel Magnolias" tonight on the Oxygen network and cried, too.

"We will sing ..."

PICT0112, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

I decided to shoot a few pics in black and white during worship time at last night's SST junior high session. I liked the way the cross stood out and was illuminated by the light from behind.

i Hear - It's Super Summer Time!

Today is the official Super Summer Time kick off at our church. I'm volunteering this year with the junior high teens overseeing registration. As you can see from the video, it's a loud, crazy week of fun, music, hype and challenge all designed to reach out to youth who are in desperate need of hope and truth. i hear ... do you?

God Bless America!

Backyard Fireworks, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

We're getting ready to head down to the Taste of Chicago with my parents to sample the culinary treats of our city's various restaurants. Later this afternoon, we'll drive out to Indiana for our annual 4th of July BBQ at Darrin's sister's house. More food, swimming and the big fireworks extravaganza in celebration of our country's birthday ... my home sweet home.

Lake Delton ... After the Rains Came

PICT0034, originally uploaded by Meridith

We spent a few days up in the Wisconsin Dells last week and were able to see what's left of Lake Delton. As you may have heard, the Midwest has endured some intense rains and flooding recently. On June 9th, after days of torrential rains, the lake began to overflow its banks, washing away homes and emptying its contents into the Wisconsin River. Here is a link to the photos in my album: http://flickr.com/photos/9968241@N04/sets/72157605799647180/

40

Today is my husband's 40th birthday. Earlier in the day, we spent a few hours at Montrose Beach playing volleyball with the girls and then we had dinner over at his parent's house this evening. This has been a birthday that he has somewhat dreaded because the number sounds so much larger than it actually is. He said to me last night that he doesn't feel like 40, but who can really say what 40 or any age does feel like? Oh sure, your body does shoot off its own warning signs of its impending loss of youth: achy knees, gray hair, slower metabolism, etc.; but, each birthday also gives you an opportunity to look back and look forward ... to see just how blessed you really are. To rise up from your bed after a night of sleep in a safe and secure home, the opportunity to fill your lungs with air, to walk, to see, to smell, to taste, to hear your children laugh, to run on the sand, the ability to live another day ... we will rejoice and be glad in it. Happy Birthday, Darrin!

Clematis

Clematis, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

I have two clematis vines in my yard. It has taken four years for the white-flowering one to produce enough flowers to cover the trellis it now covers. Unfortuantely, the blooms only lasted about three weeks. I was able to snap a few pictures earlier this week before they were all gone.

Memorial Day '08

We've marched every year in the McKinley Park Memorial Day Parade since the girls were babies. It's a family tradition. McKinley Park is the neighborhood on the southwest side that we used to live in before we moved and bought our house in West Lawn. It's the 'hood where Darrin grew up and where his parents still live. It was a very sunny and warm morning and according to the VFW Post, they had the biggest turnout in the parade history.

I am proud to say that members of my family and close friends have honorably served our country through the military. My birth father, stepdad Larry and Uncle John all were members of the Army and served during Vietnam. My brother-in-law Larry was a Marine and also did a tour of Vietnam. Darrin's brother David spent time overseas with the Army in the late 80's. My cousin's husband, Ryan, was among the first National Guard members to patrol Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Regardless of where you stand politically, we all need to remember the sacrifices of the fallen men and women from the Revoluntionary War to the present who have died.










"The bugle has sounded
Its notes drift away, this time now belongs to you ...

On this day for one brief moment hear the silence fill the air.

Think of those who walked beside us; Now no longer there.

Then, don't cry, but hear their laughter for their spirit lives inside,
Let the mysic stream of mem'ry fill our hearts with pride!

Make us humble, make us knowing, and reflect on what is done ...

One this day for now, forever
Make this nation one!

On this day, fall all the fallen, make this nation one!"

"On This Day" by: Charles Strouse

"Faces of Women": Caitlyn's 16th Birthday Fashion Show (Part 2)

Darrin had to change out the batteries in the camera, so here's the second part of the show.

"Faces of Women" Caitlyn's 16th Birthday Fashion Show (Part 1)

Caitlyn had talked about doing a fashion runway show for her 16th birthday for a long time. She was able to pull it off with the help of her friends. Details to come ...

Sweet 16

Caitlyn entered the world on a sunny Saturday at 11:38 a.m. 16 years ago today and she changed my life. It's hard to believe that so much time has past since the changing of diapers and here we are now ... edging closer to college. We are so proud of the young woman that she has become.

... mark, get set, Go!

It's too late for me to up on a week night, but my "to do list" for Caitlyn's sweet 16 birthday party is not getting any shorter. I'm multi-tasking at the moment (cleaning up memory cards, uploading photos to Flickr, watching Top Chef and blogging).

We spent last Saturday cheering on Alex at her track and field meet. She did very well, taking first place in the 5th & 6th grade girls 400 meter and 50 meter, as well as placing in the softball throw, running jump and girls' relay.

While at the meet, I had a flashback to the day I raced Monique T. in 9th grade at the Marquette Park track during a youth activity. I remember running as fast as I could and barely being able to catch my breath. I had to beat her because the boy I liked really liked her and, well, you know how those things go. We were neck and neck for most of the race, but I somehow managed to pull ahead at the end. My racing days are long over and I now look forward to running a 5K with Alex this Summer.

Tools of the trade.

Alex holding all of her ribbons.