and I'm back!

Today is the first day in eight years that I am not in a leadership position with the Junior League of Sacramento. I joined the League in 2000 and just completed my one-year term as president yesterday, May 31.

If you were logged on earlier, you may have seen the long post about what my days have been like, but reading through it, few would have sympathy for my days of international travel for work and non-profit galas.

Believe me when I tell you that my schedule hasn't been my own, but it's been worth it.

My Friday haiku about the federal stimulus package

Obama, save us
Billions and billions, like stars
We're shovel-ready
************************

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

More info to come about this

My full write-up is coming soon. Check out the love from the Auburn Journal:

initial story
follow-up

and The Sacramento Bee (gotta scroll down in the article with these):

initial story
follow-up

This was all within the same timeframe as my successful placement of three articles in three successive weeks in the Sacramento Business Journal. Be sure to check out Gloria Glyer's volunteer profile in this coming Thursday's Bee, too. Oh, and check out page 91 of Sacramento Magazine -- this month's issue with the bacon on the cover.

This follows six years of having my job to keep me and my company job OUT of the news.

I think I could actually stand the Ice Hotel now

(I started composing this yesterday on my return trip from Chicago.)

Riding back on the Orange Line to Midway Airport, I am patting myself on my well-covered back for my choice in clothing options for my Chicago trip this week.

It's the coldest this city has been in more than a decade, with close to 50 consecutive hours of sub-zero temperatures thus far and no chance of warmer days anytime soon. The forecast for today was -30, factoring in the wind chill.

Key purchases for this trip and other planned winter travel were:

- LaCanadienne weatherproof, breathable boots. These go up to my knees and have a comfortable wedge heel, and they are much more sleek than Uggs. While I paid a pretty penny for them at Nordstrom (note no "s" at the end of that), I found them online for $40 less. I printed up the page with the lower price, went back to the store, and they credited me the difference.

- Eddie Bauer weatherproof, breathable down coat with a hood. This was marked down to $119, and it was an additional 70% off, so I paid just $38. It had easy-access pockets for my wallet, phone, and transit pass.

- Cashmere lined leather gloves that extended past my watch -- I got these in Chicago when I first got there, as the only gloves I could find in Sacramento were old ladyish or insufficient (I wore my insufficient gloves until I bought my new ones,and then I wore them over my new ones when it was especially frigid.

I wore all of this with:
- Tights under my pants -- the pants I brought were lined wool ones and lined velvet ones.
- Socks over the tights
- A form-fitting synthetic tank tucked into the tights
- A thin merino wool surplice wrap sweater over the tank
- A lined wool blazer over the sweater
- A long and wide wool and cashmere scarf around my neck and up to my chin
- The coat, gloves, and a hat

I would put my wallet and phone into the zippered pockets, put on my gloves, then my coat, then I would carry my transit pass until I got on the train, then it was safe (literally) to take off the gloves and put the pass back in my wallet.

This was a successful strategy, as I stayed warm the whole time and could walk several blocks like this.

The only time I got a good sense of just how cold it was was when my coffee and oatmeal were both cold after walking 2 1/2 blocks.

The full report on my Millionaire experience is coming soon!
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Millionaire dates

My "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" episodes will show on January 14-15. Check your local listings -- this is not the Game Show network version. Locally, it's on at 3pm on Channel 10.

Again, if you want all of the complete updates and photos, you'll need to join Facebook and add me as a friend!

The Mac is back!

Our Mac has been in the Apple Hospital for a while now to get a new screen, and Greg brought it home today. I can finally get 100% caught up on Facebook -- I mean, without Facebook, how else would I know that a guy who rode the same school bus that I did in elementary school was just cleaning his bathroom ceiling with an oar? (I'm not making this up.)

Everyone has a story

I am in the back of a cab in New York right now, thinking about last night's dinner meeting.

There was me, the part-American Indian and former resident of our reservation; my boss, our CEO, who's from Germany and worked in Atlanta for years before settling in Sacramento; our comptroller, born in Russia and raised in Canada; a division president, an Eastern Indian who has lived all over the world; and our CFO, as all-American you can find. This is the norm in almost any meeting in our company, and I had forgotten how much I value the global aspects of working for Siemens.

I am excited to be on my way home this afternoon; Greg was in Reno all last week, so we have barely seen each other in two weeks!
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I have been too busy to post...

I am in the midst of day three at my new job; I am back with Siemens in an even better position than before and am now in Dallas on what will be the first of many trips! If you really want to keep tabs on me, add me as a friend on Facebook.

I'm *so* not a gun girl

Even though I was raised in a household with guns (I think our dad had a similar assault rifle, but it had to have been an earlier model), I'm not what you would call a gun enthusiast. This at the firing range on Saturday with my FBI class.

One of the best TV moments ever

In honor of Jon Hamm's hosting of SNL last night, here is one of my most favorite TV moments:

Casualty of the Economy

Please shoot me an e-mail to beckyjohnson at alum dot calberkeley dot org if you hear of any mid-to-senior level public affairs / corporate communications positions:

Summary

Motivated, creative, self-starter with expertise in corporate communications, public affairs, media relations, and community involvement with proven results in the private, public, and non-profit sectors

Experience

Internal Communication
All facets of creating and producing employee publications, specialized campaigns for employee engagement
-
External Communication
Shareholder and media relations, crisis communications

Community Leadership
Multiple leadership development programs spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors; extensive board experience – currently serving as president of the Junior League of Sacramento

Legislative Advocacy
Development, implementation, and measurement of lobbying campaigns – local, state, and federal issues

Writing
Feature articles for a variety of publications, Web content, media releases, talking points, lobbying materials

Research and Data Analysis
Skilled with research and analysis of data and information from a broad array of sources

Art and New Media
Art direction, graphic design, digital photography, Web content creation, Web 2.0 tools

Career History

Corporate Communications Lead, Teichert Construction-Teichert Materials, April 2003-October 2008
Responsible for internal and external communications: quarterly employee newsmagazine, Web content, community relations, crisis communications, shareholder reports, and media relations. Hands-on knowledge of company’s entire operations, most notably construction projects, mining sites, and charitable giving program.

Public Affairs Consultant, Public Strategies, October 2001-October 2002
Assigned full-time to the SBC-Pacific Bell State Relations and External Affairs team to develop and implement lobbying campaigns and materials for local, state, and federal issues. Extensive writing, research, and knowledge of the political process applied in this position daily.

Manager of Corporate Communications & Strategy, Siemens Transportation Systems, June 2000-October 2001
Managed all internal and external communications, business strategy, western region government relations, event planning, media relations, Web content, and coordination among other private businesses and the public sector for transit projects.

Marketing Analyst, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, January 1995-June 2000
Development and implementation of marketing plans and public information campaigns – especially the rideshare program, bicycle and pedestrian plan, Census 2000, unmet transit needs, and long-range transportation plans.

Other sales/marketing positions held May 1992-December 1994. Details provided upon request.

Education

B.A., English, University of California at Berkeley

Continued Education | Leadership Development

• FBI Citizens’ Academy, 2008 (currently enrolled)
• Ragan Fellowship: Immersion program for internal communications – Ragan Communications, 2008
• Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sacramento Class, 2006
• Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sacramento Day Chair, July 2008
• Crisis communications spokesperson training: 2004-2007
• City Management Academy, City of Sacramento, 1999 – elected class Valedictorian by peers
• Competent Toastmaster (CTM), Toastmasters International, 2005
• First Responder first aid and automated external defibrillator training: 2003, 2005, 2007
• The Practice of Local Government Planning, 1997, International City Management Association
• Metropolitan Transportation Planning, 1997, National Transit Institute – Rutgers University
• Public Involvement in Transportation Planning, 1997, National Transit Institute – Rutgers University

Community Involvement

• Junior League of Sacramento, 2000-present, currently serving as president of this 900+ member, 66-year-old organization, and am in 5th term on the Board of Directors
• Buffalo Chips Running Club, 2001-present, served two terms as president; have also served as race co-director for Susan B. Anthony 5K and Buffalo Stampede 10-miler races; club named “The Best Running Club in America” by Runner’s World magazine
• Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), 2000-2001, Board of Directors
• Friends of Light Rail, 2000-2001, Board of Directors
• Point West Area Transportation Management Association, 2000-2001, Board of Directors VP
• Teichert Toastmasters, 2004-2005
• International Association of Business Communicators, Current Member
• Sacramento Camellia Festival Association, 1990 Royal Court member
• California Alumni Association, Lifetime Member
• Sigma Kappa Sorority, Lifetime Member

Industry Awards

• Crystal Award given by the International Association of Business Communicators for full-color employee publication, 2005-2006
• Merit Award given by the International Association of Business Communicators for full-color employee publication, 2007 – the only full-color employee publication recognized in 2007
• Merit Award given by the International Association of Business Communicators for two feature magazine articles, 2005 and 2008
• Class Valedictorian for the City of Sacramento’s City Management Academy
• 2nd place for Table Topics competition for Toastmasters District 39, Division H, Area 83

Hobbies

• Accomplished trail runner – completed about 17 ultra marathons ranging from 50K (31 miles) to 100K (62 miles) in distance, in addition to four regular marathons and about 50 shorter distance races

Other

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: ESTP
Clifton Strengthsfinder: Achiever, Responsibility, Learner, Focus, Winning Others Over

Yup

What she said

Rio Del Lago

Here I am with eventual 2nd place runner, Jean Pommier, at about 5:30am on Saturday.

Despite the heat, I was running strongly all day. My weight stayed within 1 pound the entire day, so I apparently did a good job of fluid, food, and salt intake. I'd loaded up big-time a few days before the run, so I was about 6-7 pounds heavier than usual going in.

I encountered some blister issues around mile 50, but pacer/friend Luis (picked him up at mile 44, and as a result, had the super-star crewing efforts of his wife/my good friend Cheri & our other friend Steve) got me through those. Luis is really good at sussing out true issues vs. general running issues/being whiny.

Just before Horseshoe Bar (~mile 55), I felt a pull in my groin. I thought that I could shake it off, but it hurt pretty badly. It was really bad when going up anything moderately uphill, and it was murder having to step up. Of course, the section past Horseshoe heading toward Granite Bay is the part with lots of rocks, steps, and switchbacks. It's really hard to get a rhythm going there, regardless of what your condition is.

I dropped at Twin Rocks (mile 62.88), so I at least finished a 100K.

Almost half of the field of runners dropped or didn't start at all, so I was in good company.

Other photos from packet pick-up and the run itself

P.S. On Saturday night, at my darkest moment, I was ready to hang up the Brooks Adrenalines. 36 hours later and almost caught up on my sleep, I can't wait to get back out there again. Alas, I'll have a few more weeks of recovery. According to this, I'm at a Grade III. I have a 3pm appointment with Bassil today to work out the other minor kinks. (Other than the groin pull, I don't have any major soreness -- just some fatigue. My monster quads serve me well for the long distance stuff.)

While all of my photos are uploading...

OK, how glad am I that I NEVER have to listen to any of the educational songs that I downloaded from iTunes ever again? I knew that I couldn't learn anything new, per se, for Millionaire, so I listened to and read educational materials non-stop for four straight weeks.

I wouldn't even listen to the regular radio on my way to work -- my seven minute commute could easily be used to sing the 13 original colonies song no fewer than three times. My non-trail runs and weight room sessions were all completed to the sounds of Rhyme, Rhythm, and Results.

I brushed up on my American history, including the Civil War, presidents (in sequential order), the Revolutionary War, plus other subjects like photosynthesis, the periodic table, astronomy, meteorology, geology (my coworkers would have killed me if I'd have missed a geology question, given that half of our business consists of rocks), and a host of other topics.

The only time I wasn't listening to any of this was while getting ready in the morning when I would have my regular Armstrong & Getty show tuned in on the shower radio.

The next time you see me, please quiz me on something..anything.

and I'm back

I got in around midnight following a week in New York, and my Millionaire episode taped on Tuesday. I'm glad to have it DONE.

I can't disclose any details about the game, so you will have to tune in January 7-8 to find out for yourself. I started my game toward the end of one of the segments, so I spilled over into the next day.

I'm still off of work until next Wednesday, as I'm now preparing for Saturday's Rio Del Lago 100 miler. I packed and organized all of my stuff for the run prior to our New York trip, so today and tomorrow are a matter of rest and nutrition.

Here's a quick breakdown of some of what we did/where we ate/where we stayed.

Hotel Lucerne
Good Enough to Eat
Zabar's
Penang
Crumbs
Madaleine Mae
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Jackson Hole
Butter
Primehouse
Mesa Grill
Upright Citizens Brigade
Mood Fabrics
Late Show with David Letterman
Magnolia Bakery
Levain Bakery
Nice Matin
Tiffany & Co. (I got a new watchband and battery -- not terribly exciting)
Henri Bendel (looking at many Blair Waldorf-esque accessories)
New York Central Library
Bryant Park


We got to spend time with friends of mine I hadn't seen in years, so that was a bonus. More on the NYC trip (including photos) later.

"Millionaire" nightmare

In my dream last night, I showed up for my "Millionaire" taping. 

 

I was holding a huge packet of information that I was supposed to fill out prior to my arrival -- pages upon pages of various word and number quizzes, none of which was organized in any comprehensible fashion.  All I know was that one of the questions required me to write the number corresponding with the month in which my Aunt Louise was born (April = 4.)

 

Because I still had about 30 pages to fill out, I was not allowed to participate at all.  And who was the "Millionaire" form collector and gate-keeper?  It was the recently ousted Stella from "Project Runway."

 

Ack.

 

(Someone's popping a Xanax before tonight's red-eye.)

 

 

Countdown to NYC & RDL

These are busy times in which we are living, my friends.

Once I got the call from "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" just over three weeks ago, I really had to kick into high gear. I had to complete all of my 2nd quarter projects two weeks prior to the September 30 deadline, as I'm leaving town this week.

Luckily, I can make myself have laser-like focus in getting things done, as there were MANY items to cross off the list for work (including the award-winning employee magazine I put together each quarter -- by "put together" I mean research and write the articles, take and format the photos, provide art direction, manage the print and mailing process.)

Not only is work insane, but I'm now 1/3 of the way through my term as president of the Junior League. While the board of directors and a few committees operate year-round, the bulk of the committees get back to work at the beginning of September, and our first general membership meeting (always attended by a couple of hundred members) was this past Monday night. Mind you, I haven't had a break from the League in several years, as this is my 5th term on the board -- I don't know what I'm going to do starting on June 1 when my term is up!

I'm essentially the CEO of this 900 member organization for the year, and it requires a lot of management with my fellow 14 board members and our organized structure of committees, plus our office manager and actual physical office.

Throw in the fact that I've been training for a 100 mile run, plus Greg and I continue to have an active social life, and I've really been able to prioritize -- to the point where it has actually been easier that I have so much going on. My mantra of "acknowledge..move on" has never been more valuable.

I used this past Sunday to pack for both New York and Rio Del Lago. For Rio, I did the multi-bag-dump. I took each of my running packs, my workout bag, and the supplies from under the bathroom sink and dumped it all out onto our kitchen table, and I re-sorted all of my running and first aid supplies and re-packed a pack for Rio Del Lago.

Oh yeah, I've also been brushing up and studying for "Millionaire" by listening to educational podcasts and music and reading my "Dictionary of Cultural Literacy" and the Almanac.

So, once I'm finished taping "Millionaire," I can put my brain into rest mode and just CHILL. I can clear out all of the junk while running on Saturday, through the night, and into Sunday morning.

I'll have pacer #1 meet me at the Auburn Dam Overlook around 5pm at mile 44ish, then pacer #2 will take over at Cavitt around 11pm and will get me through the night.

I can't wait until the afternoon of Sunday, September 29, as that's when I can REALLY rest!

These rock

I can attest to everything in this article about making this cookie recipe.

I made the dough on Friday night and chilled it until today, so it had exactly 36 hours to meld flavors.

The only deviation to the recipe is I used all-purpose flour instead of the cake flour and bread flour. I also doubled it, thinking that it said it made 1/2 dozen 6" cookies, not 1 1/2 dozen.

I used the Ghirardelli 60% cacao disk-like chips.

a week of brains & brawn

It turns out that my "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" tape date will be either September 23 or 24, and I'm signed up to run the Rio Del Lago 100 miler on September 27.

My episode will air sometime during the week of January 5, 2009.

Details to come!

Headlands Hundred/50 Miler

Here I am at the 40 mile mark of Saturday's Headlands run. I opted for the 50 miler, and it was my full intent to use every minute of the allocated 14 hours.

It was a tough course -- I'd run much of it two years ago at the Miwok 100K.

Here are my other pix from the day.

tomorrow's run

Here's an aerial topo view of tomorrow's 50 miler:

http://picasaweb.google.com/timberone727/Desktop/photo#5106565520583224674

 

The start and finish area is indicated by the yellowish dot.

 

interesting advertisement

This ad in Ultrarunning magazine has two of my trail friends in it -- Paul and Dan. I kind of understand the point behind it, but it's still weird. Paul noted how he likes that it says "Free!" across his chest.

On top of the world

I got to go on a tour of the under-construction CalSTRS building in West Sacramento on Thursday. This is from one of the top floors. The building is slated to be open for business in mid-2009.

Raley Field, West Sacramento

From the suite, 07-30-08

DRY

This is just before Horseshoe Bar on the AR50 course this past Sunday morning.

The Dredge Report

Ask me anything about gold dredges.  I'm very knowledgeable about them now.

 

Now it's just a matter of taking this new-to-me information, distilling it to a few key bullet points, making it look appealing to the general public, then I can go home.

 

 

a fun read

Here's a race report from Saturday, written by the ever-ebullient Tony, a fellow RunnersWorld forumite.

17 again

It must be the spate of frozen yogurt places popping up all over town that has me in the mindset of a teenager.

Two nights ago, I dreamed that I was at a community event, and all of a sudden, Duran Duran took the stage! Then, Simon pulled my friend JoAnn and me (yes, "me" and not "I") up on stage for a set. Following that set, I was seated next to Jared Padalecki from Gilmore Girls before I was off to take a mid-term for a class I'd never attended previously, and Jake Gyllenhaal was there to lend me a #2 pencil.

What in Esprit tote bags is going on here? If I had my druthers, it would have still been Simon, but also John Taylor and a pre-assault-charge Christian Bale (no knock on Jake or Jared, mind you.)

Is it the Oral Ivy I'm taking to combat some itchy spots from Saturday's Sequoia 50K, or is it finally being able to breathe some clean air?

I happened across my sorority's website earlier while farting around on Facebook, and it's funny to see the girls' pre-party pictures in the exact same spots where my friends and I took many a pre-party photo.

You'd think that people would know better

What's up with people who leave the LONGEST, most drawn-out voicemail messages, filled with "ums" and "ahs," but when they get to leaving the actual phone number to call back, they're suddenly the world's fastest speaker? It's always a long distance number (so I have to jot down the area code, plus the regular seven digits) with a lengthy extension number, too. Argh.

just the way I like it

I was just looking at the online entry list for the Sequoia 50K that I'll be running on Saturday, and I'm one of only 42 people signed up.