Explicitly and without apology a marketing vehicle MaryMaryQuiteContrary

You know, life has a funny way of throwing you curve balls.

At JavaOne, in the early summer of this year, I decided I was going to run the Marine Corps Marathon.

So I started training. And training. And training. And training. All summer long -- these long, devastating runs in 40-degree heat. I'm training to get this middle-aged body of mine into marathon shape.

And then I find out a project that I'm working on -- the UN Global Youth Leadership Summit -- has changed dates.

So I have to be in New York for work the day of the Marathon. And I can't run.

I was completely bummed At my age, these kind of personal fitness goals aren't exactly easy to get geared up for and actually build momentum for. So I was disappointed, to be sure. But it was going to be OK. I got to work on this super cool project for work at the UN.

I defered my enrollment in the marathon for next year.

And I started getting completely immersed in this big UN Global Youth Leadership Summit and the associated trip up to the UN for this work.

Everything is going right to the wire. On the eve of my departure -- I'm on the first train out the next morning -- I'm rushing around trying to finalize everything and pack. (I even had to pack my laser printer; long story; had to take it apart, pack it in a suitcase.) It's total craziness. Rushing around in kind of a excited but happy way.

Late that night -- in the middle of the night -- we have a family health issue.

I canceled my trip to New York. I stayed home.

On the health front, we're on a good path; the worst is over; we know what it is and it's completely manageable.

And on the work front, everything is turning out completely great. I work with the most extraordinary people who were nothing but supportive and completely understanding. Everyone is covering for me. Everything is turning out completely fine.

It's just kind of crazy... this big adventure... this whole big loop-de-loop...

... and I end up being here the day of the marathon.

It's all kind of crazy.

I don't really know what to make of it.

Mary

p.s. Now I've got to unpack my printer... :-)