We all have causes that are near and dear to our hearts—mine are all ice cream related.

Don’t judge me.

Others think more globally—thank goodness. A cause that is near and dear to Ken Piper’s heart is Peace House Africa; an organization that educates AIDS orphans in Arusha, Tanzania. Ken and his wife were spotted (by METRO) at a fundraising gala:

It’s time for the Tanek Holiday party! Bring your Jing Tinglers, Flu Floopers, Tar Tinkers, Who Hoovers, Gar Ginkers, Trum Tupers, Slu Slumkers, Blum Bloopers, Who Wompers, Zu Zitter Carzays, and your Who Camio Flunx on December 16th!

The National Council for Interior Design Qualification defines Interior Design as a multi- faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment.

That sounds serious.

Even more serious, perhaps, is the scope of services required of the interior designer: Safety is an essential element.

Safety.

The interior designer’s concepts must be safe, functional, aesthetically appropriate AND must meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements. So basically, these people are left and right brainers. Lucky for us! Imagine a world full of just left brain designers:

Blech.

Now, imagine a world of Jessica-brains:

Jessica Meidinger has passed her NCIDQ exam and is now a card-carrying, certified interior designer. Here is proof:

Because she is a left-brainer, she actually counted her study hours – 240 in 3 months. And because she didn’t think that was torture enough, she also trained for Grandma’s Marathon – 183 miles of running.

She wears that medal every day.

The first race of the season has come and gone and I’m still deciding whether or not to put my Winter boots away. Anyway, Nat put his boots away, shaved his legs (what?! I know!!) and brought honor to his family.

His advancement to a category 3 racer means that he has more of an opportunity to blow out his lungs and have a heart attack. Or be smeared on the pavement at a higher speed.

I’m not sure how these Vitals for the 2011 Opus Criterium Series were obtained – but here they are:

High Speed: 38.2

Average Speed: 25.9

Distance: 17.06

Time:39:34

Heart Rate Average: 156

Max Heart Rate: 169

And here’s a little propaganda:

For some people, the morning commute includes a drum of coffee, talk radio, and a seat belt.

Not nat.