Adventures – ASK Musings

Monday

8

June 2009

Seattle – Day 2

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

Sunday was a great day. Jamie and Mike picked me up in West Seattle, and we went up to Phinney Ridge to hang out. Jesse is about 3 1/2 months old and super cute. She’s very smiley and happy, athough there was a bit of a meltdown near the end of the afternoon.

We went and visited some chickens, and some newborn baby goats. Jesse really couldn’t have cared less, but us adults though it was pretty damn sweet.

Kevan cooked a great dinner for a few of us back in West Seattle – my first real grilling of the summer season. Mmm. Corn. Then I headed out for BBQ number two up in Bothell, and Jeremy’s place. I only knew Jeremy, Dave and Gene, but the rest of his friends were really nice, which was great. It can be a little odd to mix groups of friends together, but everyone was fun and made good conversation. The moon was full and crazy gorgeous over the lake, so we spent as much time outside as we could, despite the chill. I wasn’t about to drive back after a couple of drinks, so I crashed at J’s and drove home around 6:30 this morning. After about three hours of sleep, I’m now back off to Phinney Ridge for more quality Jamie/Jesse/Mike time!

Sunday

7

June 2009

0

COMMENTS

Seattle – Day 1

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

After an uneventful flight out Friday, Saturday was my first full day back in Seattle. Got some quality Mario Cart action in on Wii (tip: Waluigi with the bike is a good choice), and spent the early evening at the first birthday party of Elizabeth, my good friend’s neice. They’re really like a second family to me, and it’s nice to see them all.

Last night Renee and Kevan dropped me off downtown, where I met up with Gene and Jessica, Bolt and Amy, and Jeremy. We ate some dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery, then headed over to Lockspot, which is right on the locks in Ballard. J and I stopped into the locks really quickly – saw a sailboat passing through. It’s quite lovely there in the early evening – there’s a nice garden.

At the bar we met up with Dave, Matt and others. It was really nice to see them all together again. Every one of the boys is doing really well and seems happy. I should be seeing J again on Tuesday and maybe Thursday; Gene moves with his wife to San Francisco Monday, so I’m not sure when we’ll all get the chance to be together again. I love spending time with these guys – all doing different and interesting things. The only one missing was Nicole – We missed you Nic!

I also got to enjoy a Dick’s milkshake at 1 am. No visit to Seattle is really complete without one…

Saturday

30

May 2009

0

COMMENTS

Brooklyn Half Marathon

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

This morning I got myself out of bed a little before six, and headed over to meet Bonnie at the south end of Prospect Park. We stretched out and around 7:45 made out way over to the start. Now, the Nassau County Half Marathon was very well organized, but they weren’t strict on pace. They had signs (5 minute mile, 6, etc.); NYRR (who managed the race today, which is part of the Half Marathon Grand Prix, with one race per borough) also had signs, but they were color coded to your bib (you had to put your pace down when you registered) and you were essentially trapped in your place.

I crossed the start about 15 minutes after the start gun, and did the two loops inside Prospect Park. It was nice running on my home turf, as I knew what to expect. They had water and Gatorade about every two miles starting at mile three; Nassau was much better supported in that regard. In fact, they had water every mile after mile five, I think, and Gatorade every two. NYRR also had this weird situation where the folks seemed to abandon the fluid stations after mile 8 or so, which meant that people were dipping their own cups into these garbage cans of water and Gatorade. Not so sanitary, so I basically went the last four miles sans water. Ick.

I knew that because it would be so much warmer today that my time would be worse than Nassau’s time. My goal was to be under 2:20; I got in at about 2:18+. So that was good!

The best part was the finish – on the boardwalk at Coney Island! It’s a pretty iconic location, with the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel and the parachute jump tower. I damn near ate it on the uneven boards (and one poor woman behind me did), but I regained my balance and finished strong.

It feels good to have run two half marathons. I know it isn’t a fluke, and I know I can do it in mildly warm weather. The next test? Manhattan in August. Luckily that race starts at 7 . . .

Saturday

23

May 2009

0

COMMENTS

Landmarks and Architecture

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

Today as I finished my run, I came up over the hill in Prospect Park to visit the Grand Army Plaza farmers’ (farmer’s?) market. The view was stunning, as the arch is really quite large, and the fountain on the plaza was turned on. I’ve never noticed the fountain, and the view from my particular angle was lovely.

On my walk to the train I also for the first time noticed a building with some great architecture. It’s the type of building that is often found in my neighborhood, but today it just stood out. It probably doesn’t hurt that the sun is shining, it is warm but not hot, and many people appear to have left town for the weekend.

I have, however, found some of them – they’re here with me on the deck (terrace? patio?) behind 3 World Financial Center. There are boats moored, and in the distance I can see a cruise ship docked somewhere (Staten Island?), and an unobstructed view of the Statue of Liberty, which both reminds me of visiting Ellis Island with my folks and creates in me a string urge to rewatch Ghostbusters II.

Unfortunately it is time to move from my great shady location, as there are some rather loud people nearby. And not steady loud – quiet follow by bursts of LOUD. Like a horn on a side street at 3 am on a Tuesday.

Tuesday

12

May 2009

0

COMMENTS

Ah, navigating financial waters yet again…

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

Oh Sallie Mae. I send you money every month, as you were so kind to lend it to me for NYU. And now I’m dipping back in that well, only this time you’re not making it that easy. Is it because I’m leaving the country for my education? Are you mad that I’m going to be in the UK and not the US of A?

Or am I a total idiot? If I ask too many questions about the loan process, will LSE rescind my admissions offer? If it says “you can apply online or by mail” as well as “mail us the documents,” is it odd to want to double check that if I apply online I still need to mail them the documents?

I really don’t want to completely screw it up, Sallie. Because Sallie, honey, you’re what’s standing between me and my MSc. And I want us to stay on good terms.

(Really good terms. Like 2.75% terms. Please?)

Sunday

10

May 2009

0

COMMENTS

Performance Space 122

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures, Feminism, Reviews

“Miller wows ’em” – The Village Voice

“Circus AMOK reinventing the circus form, borrowing drag fabulousness from Charles Ludlam’s Theater of the Ridiculous, large scale transformation using whole-body masks from Bread and Puppet Theater, and the outdoor bally and verbal rhythm and repertoire from the sideshow, as well as movement vocabulary from post-modern dance. The troupe balances danger with laughter, slipping its critique between the pies in the face and the surreal, scary, and sometimes gender-bent characters of the charivari.” – Mark Sussman, Disturbing the Peace: 20th Century Radical Street Performance, 2001

In this glittering theatrical extravaganza, the infamous juggling duo, The Liberty Sisters, have been fleeced by an evil ponzi schemer. Sybil and Statua Liberty embark on a mad-cap tour of revenge…but they aren’t the only ones after the greedy crook. Mistaken identities, missed opportunities, star crossed lovers and variety hall numbers all combine to bring East Village high camp back home. It’s tragedy, it’s farce, it’s mystery, it’s mayhem…it’s “Jewels of the Forbidden Skates.”

Starring: Jennifer Miller, Carlton Ward, Ashley Brockington, Rae C. Wright, Sally May, Adrienne Truscott, and Tanya Gagne. Music by Kenny Mellman and Design by Jonathon Berger. With additional text for Bernie Madoff by Deb Margolin. Choreography by Faye Driscoll. Special surprise guest artists each night will include Scott Heron, Jenny Monson, and Jenny Romaine.

Jennifer Miller is the director of the acclaimed NYC political performance troupe Circus Amok, which she founded in 1989. She is widely recognized for her work and is the recipient of awards including the Obie, Bessie, BAX 10, and most recently the Ethyl Eichelberger Award.

via ps122.org

Saturday

9

May 2009

0

COMMENTS

Not impressed, Citibank

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

Since I’ll be living in London for at least a year, I’ll need to open a bank account there. I believe that a friend of mine was able to open an account in the US in british pounds, although I’m going to have to confirm that with her later this weekend.

I bank with Citibank. While yes, they are having some financial issues right now, I like them because they have branches in NYC and my hometown, and ATMs in Seattle. Plus, they have a big overseas presence. So, silly me, I thought that since they are part of a global network of banks under the Citigroup name, someone, somewhere, might be able to help me figure out how to open a British account and have it be connected to my US account. I’m sure there are some issues – the accounts would have different rules, and be based somewhere else – but it seems quite silly that I would need to have two entirely different banking systems set up to be able to have accounts at what is represented to the public as the same bank

I’ve spoken to many nice Citibank people today (and amazingly haven’t come close to losing my temper), and not a single one even knows where to begin. I live in NYC; I can’t be the first person in the history of Citibank to have this question.

I also tried HSBC. Fun fact: HSBC phone customer service won’t speak to you unless you are already a customer. So no option to get answers from them, or get transfered to someone who might know, unless I already have an account. Excellent.

Friday

8

May 2009

3

COMMENTS

And the winner is . . .

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Wednesday

6

May 2009

1

COMMENTS

Oh Holy Crap

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

These are the kind of decisions that I am lucky to have to make, but man, I’m kind of freaking out a little right now.

After I got back from my trip to London this winter, I decided I would apply to graduate school in the UK. I did it as a bit of a fluke, but also becaue I really like the UK, I’ve never lived outside the US, and I’d love to get another Master’s degree.

Well, I got in! To both programs to which I applied.

1. Queen’s University Belfast – Master of Arts in Violence, Terrorism and Security

I found out about this one last week. It’s about 24,000 pounds all together, or about $36,000 (I may be rounding poorly, but that’s a good estimate). It would allow me to really focus on the Northern Ireland issues that interest me so much, and possibly lead me to a more academic career, or one focused on security back in the States.

2. London School of Economics – Master of Science in Philosophy and Public Policy

I found out about this one this morning. Oh man. It’s about 34,000 pounds, or about $50,000. Of which I have . . . not a lot. I don’t think I could really afford it, but at the same time it’s probably a better option for me in terms of career opportunities. I also have really good friends in London.

Ack! I don’t know what to do. I don’t have to decide today, but I do need to decide pretty darn quickly.

Suggestions?

Sunday

3

May 2009

1

COMMENTS

13.1 Miles!

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

We left NYC at 5:30 this morning. We got to the location and warmed up. About 6,000 of our closest friends were with us. The course was great, the weather good (cool and misty), and the water stations plentiful.

I averaged a 9:44 pace, and finished at 2 hours 9 minutes! I beat my goal of 2 hours 10 minutes!

It was a tough run – pain set in on my left leg at mile 10, but I only stopped to walk once, and I stopped to use ther bathroom.
Good experience. Bring on the May 30 half marathon!

Newer Entries →

← Older Entries

ASK Musings

Adventures Archive

8

0

Seattle – Day 2

7

0

Seattle – Day 1

30

0

Brooklyn Half Marathon

23

0

Landmarks and Architecture

12

0

Ah, navigating financial waters yet again…

10

0

Performance Space 122

9

0

Not impressed, Citibank

8

3

And the winner is . . .

6

1

Oh Holy Crap

3

1

13.1 Miles!

Subscribe to ASK Musings via email

Recent Posts

The Author

Categories

Calendar

What now?