"Pig-O-lantern" has it's day

Happy Halloween!

The cafeteria at work is getting into the holiday spirit today by sponsoring a pumpkin-carving contest open to all departments. Some very creative minds in Dev. carved our pumpkin in the likeness of a piggy bank (Yes, that IS pink spray paint!). The competition might be a little stiff (ED's "Headless Horror" entry includes a tourniquet and wheelchair, and Hem-Onc's "Chemo-Sabi" pumpkin is actually hooked up to an IV), but Pig-O-lantern seems to be a real stand-out so far. Cross your fingers... I think judging commences at 10 a.m.!

Halloween chill in the Sunshine State

Finally the temperatures here have begun to reflect the season -- at least from my perspective! While the daytime highs will hit into the 60s, forecasters predict record October lows in Jax this week...with one night even getting down into the 30s. BRRRRR! Today's nippy morning saw the debut of quasi "winter wear," mostly in the form of snappy berets, wool jackets, tweed skirts and suede boots. Fall is ALL about fashion, and I'm okay with that. ;-) If this cool theme persists throughout the week, I may be able to attend Halloween parties dressed in a cross-country skier costume (because goodness knows I will NEVER have another true opportunity to wear my beloved pink Northface snow boots down here).

What is everyone back home going to be for Halloween this year?! I'm putting a little forecast of my own out there... that we'll see more "Sarah Palin" costumes than anything else. Well, maybe some of the wearers will be dressed as Tina Fey PLAYING Sarah Palin. But really, how will one ever know the difference?

Susan G. Komen 5K: We are the cure!

Thousands of pink-clad supporters turned Jax's Metropolitan Park into a sea of pastels and enthusiasm early Saturday morning at the 5K race to raise money for breast cancer research.

According to the Florida Times-Union, "Seasoned runners set a blistering pace early, but most participants moved along the 3.1-mile race at a breezy walk. The tide of pink clothing gradually became a darker shade as the waning summer heat coaxed sweat from the brows of participants."

Yep - that's pretty much how it all went down! Team MC had a great turn-out, and I had a blast walking with my group. When we traveled one portion of the route past the Maxwell brewing center and the heavenly scent of fresh coffee beans acosted my uncaffeinated senses, I thought I was going to have a little trouble. But we kept a good pace by high-fiving the packs of shrieking, pom-pom shaking cheerleading positioned at street corners for encouragement. We finished the race in about 45 minutes, and saved enough juice at the end to run the final leg into the finish!

MC runners gathered at the Jaguar statue outside the stadium for a pre-race picture (might be kind of tough to see, but I'm in the second row a couple people in from the left -- wearing a white t-shirt).
Metro Park was full of creative t-shirt slogans and outfits. It was great to see how many fellas came out to support the "ta-tas."

Happy Boss's Day!

Did y'all remember to recognize your supervisors or managers today? In Jax we found that appreciation is best conveyed with gifts of fine chocolate and a tempting array of Panera bagels.

Cheers to three wonderful women!

Photog moonlighting

In these tough times, we're all making sacrifices and finding ways to tighten our belts. Due to budget crunching, our professional photographers are no longer permitted to attend and shoot weekend events... but they WILL loan out point-and-click cameras to those with a sense of adventure and zero ability to claim over-time. ;-)

Last weekend, with Canon in tow, I attended a concert featuring special guests Dr. Edith Perez (MC's Breast Clinic Director) and Donna Deegan (First Coast News anchor and breast cancer survivor). In honor of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, MC and the University of North Florida annually host the concert and have coined it: "An Upbeat Pink on the Run." Featuring the UNF Wind Ensemble, the concert is a musical tribute to breast cancer survivorship and this year was also considered a prelude event to the second annual "26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer," scheduled for Feb. 15, 2009.

My pics are definitely not going to win any photojournalism contests... I discovered there is only so much an amateur can do in a dim auditorium!

The volume and quality of sound produced by the college musicians was phemonmenal.

Dr. Perez, Conductor Gordon, and Donna.Donna's marathon training team surprised her by appearing in a parade of pink pom-poms, prizes and even a cow bell (which Dr. Perez quickly nabbed and greatly enjoyed clanking).

Getting my 'race' on

I've been flirting off and on with the idea of participating in some organized runs in Jax... it would be a great way to get involved in worthy causes and provide a reason to commit more strictly to working out. Here's what is on my agenda so far...

Oct. 18: Komen for the Cure - North Florida
* 5K course that starts and finishes at Metropolitan Park across from Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
* Go team!! I've joined a work-sponsored group of 100+ people who will be participating together and will have their scores collectively tabulated.

Feb. 15: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer (AKA 26.2 With Donna)
* options to run a full or half marathon course beginning at the Jax campus and following a course through the unique beach communities of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach.
* Last year 7,000 + runners participated in the inaugural race -- this year many more are expected! Expect MC to fully represent, especially since the run is sponsored by a benefactor foundation that donates the majority of funds raised to our Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic.

Given the causes related to these runs, I will likely be "thinking pink" over the next several months as I sweat and labor on the treadmill. ;-)

Weather gripes

Today is October 1. And the high for Jacksonville is 90. Yes - NINETY! This forecast would bode brightly for most sane individuals, but for me it does nothing more than elicit a sigh. For the first time ever I'm missing out on the Midwestern version of my favorite season... no pumpkin patches, corn mazes, caramel apples, crisp mornings or brilliantly-colored leaves. The "Harvest Medley" scented candle I picked up at Bed Bath and Beyond last weekend isn't doing much to appease my longing. Where is the fall in Jax?!? ;-)