Donate a Box of Produce to Families in Need for Thanksgiving

If you're reading this on the day before Thanksgiving, it means you're probably one of the last people still in the office. Far be it for me to discourage you from playing hooky on the most hooky-friendly day of the year, but before you do, I'd like to invite you to do something quick and easy that will be very impactful.

For the last five years, Goldstar's members have generously supported an organization in their city that helps bring Thanksgiving to people who might not otherwise have it, and together, we've fed tens of thousands. We've made it easy for you to help by spending just a few bucks right from your computers, so give $10 (or more) to make Thanksgiving special for someone else.

Thanks again for your support of our Thanksgiving appeal.

Jim McCarthy
CEO, Goldstar

Goldstar and Delancey Street Foundation's Life Learning Academy invite you to donate a box of produce and a specialty gift basket to families in need for the Thanksgiving holiday. Each monetary donation you make provides a box of food items, such as fresh apples, persimmons, lettuce, carrots, collard greens, spices and more, packed and delivered by Life Learning Academy students directly to needy families. Learn More

"There is no better gift than to teach a young person about helping someone else. The generous support of Goldstar members truly helps make a new life possible for our students." --Mimi Silbert, President, Delancey Street Foundation; Headmaster Life Learning Academy

To donate, click here.

Happy Thanksgiving.

i ran 20 miles

so it took me 4 hours but i did it....

more later. too tired. still.

*UPDATE*

To date, this is my proudest running achievement. I'm not sure if it's really because of the distance or because my competitive spirit is coming out and this run is longer than Clayton has ever run himself.

It was a perfect day for a run: sunny and cool. We were on the water's edge and enjoyed a slight breeze, too. We started at the Berkeley Marina, just past the Doubletree hotel along side the Cesar Chavez Park, headed out to the biking path along the Highway 80 frontage heading north east. We past University Avenue, then into Golden Gate Fields at Gilman, up and over the parking lot, down past the stored hay, then back out towards the freeway, to Central Avenue, around Costco and to the Eastshore State Park, down the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Trail until the end of the Richmond Marina Bay Trail and ALL THE WAY BACK.

The hardest part for me was mile 1-3, mile 8-9, and mile 16-18. It takes the first couple miles just to get warmed up and into a rhythm. By mile 8 I'm wondering where the heck the mid-point turnaround is, and mile 16 I'm wondering if I'm close to done yet! I love mile 10 because I know I've finished half and I cruise the last couple of miles knowing I'm almost done.

Nutrients wise I heavily hydrated the night before (imaging having to go to the bathroom at least 5 times in 2 hours). The morning of I had oatmeal, half a gatorage and 2 Ibuprofen BEFORE the run. There were 7 waterstops along the way where I drank gatorade/water and had a few pretzels. I also brought along 1 packet of shot blocks (2 servings) which had 6 chewy blocks. I ate these over miles 8-16 or thereabouts. And I had one Gel around mile 17 for my last push to the end. I'm not sure what mix or intervals are best, but something seemed to work as I had energy throughout and didn't cramp up. Afterwards, I had half a bagel and cream cheese, half a banana, more gatorage and another Ibuprofen for kicks. As soon as I got home, I treated myself to an oh-so-lovely ice bath, followed by ice packs on each knee. My afternoon snack was spam musubi and hot tea lol.

I even managed to celebrate my birthday that evening as well :D

Help raise money for the month of "Mo-vember" for prostate cancer!

During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm supporting guys (Brian included! and boy is his moustache/beard scratchy!) who are bringing the moustache back to help the fight against prostate cancer. As a "Mo Sista" I'm helping raise funds and awareness because I'm passionate about getting guys to tackle their own health issues by being proactive in the fight against prostate cancer.

To donate you can either:
Click this link https://www.movember.com/us/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink&rego=2022676&country=us and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account, orWrite a check payable to the ‘Prostate Cancer Foundation', referencing my Registration Number 2022676 and mailing it to:

Prostate Cancer Foundation
Attn: Movember
1250 Fourth St
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
All donations are tax-deductible, so please help us raise money for a great cause!

The money raised by Movember is donated directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation which will use the funds for high-impact research to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer. For those that have supported Movember in previous years you can be very proud of the impact it has had and can check out the details at: [ Fundraising Outcomes ]. Movember culminates at the end of month Gala Partés that will be held in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, San Diego, and other fun cities. If you would like to be part of this great night you'll need to purchase a [ Gala Parté Ticket ]. I'll be at the San Francisco one, so come out and join me! Thanks for your support, and go Mo Sista's!

--Aileen.

More information is available at http://www.movember.com/.
Movember is proudly grown by Canadian Club and Philips Norelco.
Movember is proud to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

(Pardon me, but) I Think Running Makes Me Poop

After I ran last Saturday I failed to mentioned that I had a 'record-breaking movement' that evening. I was a little shy mentioning it to the girls, with the topic and all, but it was mighty impressive.

I think I'm like most girls (or at least some) that are NOT 'regular'. So movements like these are memorable lol. Then again tonight, Clay and I ran on the Embarcadero and I had to visit the Ladies' Room at the Ferry building, twice.

There has to be some empiracal data that supports this. It can't just be me, that thinks...running makes you poop.

36 days until race day...and up to 17 miles

After manning the door of Gravity last night, trying my best to hydrate between bottles of water and so-called 'carbo-loading' on champagne and pizza at midnight, I ran the longest run of my life to date...17 miles.

We started at the parking lot of Lake Merced, did one 4.5 mile loop, we down Sunset, turned right down MLK into the Park, right on JFK past the De Young and Conservatory of Flowers, turned around and headed back towards the water, left on Great Highway, and a final left onto Sloat before returning to the Lake.

TNT had 7 water stops along the way -- with gummy bears, water, Gatorade, pretzels and Gels to help keep you hydrated and nourished. Thank goodness for them because the support is soooo helpful. They are endlessly encouraging and cheerful. Before the second to last waterstop I thought I might have to run the rest of the distance with my arms raised -- the shirt I was wearing had seams around the arm holes that were starting to chafe the inner under arm -- each swing of the arm causing pain. Thankfully, someone had Body Glide to relieve the rubbing and pain. From here we knew we were in the home stretch. We felt powerful and strong all along the great highway until...we saw another water stop. We thought the 2nd to last one was THE last one and seeing this one, meant the end was further than anticipated. The difference between 1 mile left and 2.2 miles left seemed almost insurmountable. This last leg was by far the biggest mental challenge of the training season...to keep going until the finish.

We did finish. And it was a great feeling of accomplishment. Even better was knowing I had a massage scheduled the following afternoon! Immediately following this run, I headed down to Carmel with Julia and Jamie for a 'girls weekend.'

We hit up the Monterey Sunset Idea House, stayed at the Butterfly Grove Inn and went to the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa the following day for a relaxing treatment and day on the outdoor lounge,
complete with 2 Jacuzzis, a steam room and outdoor fireplace atop view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. If you ever had the opportunity, Lisha, my masseuse was wonderful and the experience awesome enough to go back.

38: back on the running wagon

So after a week-long hiatus playing bridesmaid and sister to the groom, I did my first run on the Embarcadero. Clay and I only intended to run for about an hour or 5 miles or so. Thought I had packed gym clothes and was 'prepared' mentally, I physically hadn't drank any water the entire day and didn't eat well. When it came time to pound the pavement I was in hell. What should have been a breeze, felt like a sucker punch to the gut and we ended up walking the last mile since I was cramping from dehydration. Really I think I was just not being mentally tough but still I hated every minute of it. Clay was trying to encourage me saying at least after every bad run you have a good one...knowing that our long run was just 2 days away. I really hadn't had a 'bad run' before and was shocked into reality that without proper preparation -- mental and physical -- your runs can be down right bad.

I was SORE the next day...from my short run. It made me a little scared about the 2-week taper we do prior to race day. If I could go 2 weeks without running and be this sore after 5 miles, HOW IN THE HELL was I going to taper down (run only a little) the last two weeks before running 26.2 miles on race day?! S-u-p-p-o-s-e-d-l-y you have built enough of a running base in your training period that you are just properly resting and will be able to run just fine come race day.

We.
Shall.
See.

Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama

(as prepared for delivery)
Election Night
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Chicago, Illinois

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.