How We Became Bird People

Archie came home to live with Matt and me mere months before I started this blog, and I realized that I never really explained how we ended up with what appears to be a totally random pet. Most people hear that we have a bird and think he must live much like a fish - caged up, for decoration. But as you've all seen (mostly via IG), Archie is not a fish-bird.

(Could a fish get himself tangled in my hair as he attempts to build a nest? I don't think so.)

Originally, Matt and I wanted to get a dog. We both had dogs growing up and are really dog-people. The trouble with dogs, though, is that they take a lot of time and care. Being young and just-married, we didn't really want a pet that would encroach on traveling, cost a lot of money, and make daily schedules too constrained. And while a cat would be the more traditional route to go in, Matt and I are both allergic.

My beloved Toby got me through a lot of hard times; I don't think I could honestly ever have another dog after her.

As a teenager, Matt had a lovebird named Lucy who he adored. Her cage was knocked over in a storm and she flew away, never to be seen again. With his love for Lucy still fresh in his mind all these years later, Matt began to brainwash me into thinking a bird was a good idea for a pet.

(Clearly he was right, because how could a pet that can bathe itself in a sink be a bad idea?!)

At first, I was skeptical. Birds, cuddly? Birds, cute? Birds, silly/adorable/personable? I could hardly believe it. But I finally gave in because Matt had already contacted a breeder.

Cuddly? They sure are!

When we met our breeder, he had three baby lovebirds in a box for us to look at. He pointed out the "best two" and I held the first. I was terrified! I thought I'd crush his tiny little body! But he was soft and docile and sweet. He had a lime green belly and big googly eyes. When I went to hold the second, he leapt out of my hand, and I decided right then that I wanted the bird who seemed to want me. And thus, we had found our little Archie.

(This video is from when Archie was brand new. He used to fall asleep on us all the time because, as a baby, he needed naptime. Listen with volume; he used to practice his chirps in his sleep.)

At first we wanted to name him Mikey, for Michelangelo, but because we know a Mikey in real life, we decided to name him Archie. (His full name is Archibald Michelangelo because giving tiny creatures big names is funny.)

Having a bird has taught me many things. First of all, birds are super cuddly if you raise them to be. If they're in a cage all the time, they won't like being held. But we socialized Archie from the start - he's rarely in his cage if we're home. I also learned that lovebirds are smart, clever, and hilarious. They can learn tricks. They can come when called. They have giant personalities!

A video posted by Ali (@abk_runs) on Mar 26, 2014 at 7:47pm PDT

I have had so many friends tell me they don't usually like birds but Archie is so cute. The truth is, now I'm a bird person. I think all birds are adorable; I look at tiny finches and giant macaws and I see the curiosity and and bright intelligence of Archie. 

I'm so grateful that Matt convinced me to get a bird. People think it's weird to love a bird the way you love a dog or a cat, but I'm willing to be weird. Archie is my little birdy child, and I'm not ashamed to admit it!

When Archie got sick last year, it tore my heart out!

Oh, and remember the reasons we didn't want a dog? It's pretty ironic, because even though we liked the idea of getting a bird so we could leave for weekends and be unencumbered, we hate to leave Archie alone and usually bring him with us! We just love him too much.

Have you ever had an untraditional pet?

How did you meet your current animal-babies?

ABK

Run to the Arts 5k

Every year, Matt volunteers for the Art Fest, a huge festival featuring artists of all kinds from all over the world. He started as a lowly "tent sitter"; his job was to babysit the artists' tents when they needed a lunch break. He's since been promoted a few times, and now he helps the judges behind the scenes.

When Elisa told me that she was going to sign up for the Art Fest's first annual 5k, which would be her first race ever after completing C25k, Matt and I were happy to sign up with her. It meant supporting the arts and supporting a friend.

My expectations for this race were low, but not low enough. My lungs are still really congested and the course went over one of the biggest bridges I've ever run, the Edison Bridge. The elevation rises to 55 feet in just half a mile, and it's pretty formidable even when you're not coughing up a lung. The course map showed us turning around at the top of the bridge, hence only having to run up the bridge once, but this was a cruel lie on the part of the race website.

I probably misread this map...the turn-around being in the middle of the water led me to believe that was the apex of the bridge, but I was sadly mistaken.

The race started at 8:15, which was a little late for Florida races, but the cold morning made the late start perfect. 

We all met up at the start, then Matt and I moved to a closer starting spot, as was the agreed-upon plan. I told Elisa I'd see her at the finish.

Downtown Fort Myers is pretty old and the streets are narrow, but the start went very smoothly!

I started out really strong all things considered, but the first incline on the bridge really did me in. When I got to the turn-around and saw the bridge looming ahead for the second time, I decided to walk. 

Sean volunteered at the race today and got this fun picture of me just as the bridge began. I believe I was in the middle of recognizing him and shouting/waving, "Hey Sean!" haha.

Because I walked the second ascent, I was able to get a nice photo of the racers.

From the Run to the Arts website; not a shabby view, really.

I had forgotten to put my inhaler in my pocket and I didn't want to struggle up the bridge a second time and risk an episode. So I walked about 3/4 of the second ascent, and ran the rest of the way in.

The home stretch. Matt finished in just over 27 minutes and was waiting for me at the end.

Obviously, my time suffered. This is the slowest 5k I have ever run.

My time was 33:58 with a pace of 10:57. Definitely not my best.

 But as I was giving myself a hard time, a stranger came up to me and totally changed my perspective. He thanked me for keeping a good pace; he said I was his "rabbit" and I helped him run the 5k much faster than he had expected. I immediately felt better about everything and extremely humbled.

I waited for Elisa about a quarter mile from the finish and we ran it in together. There were tears as she crossed the finish line. Is there anything like finishing your first race?!

Afterward, Matt and I explored the Art Fest for the rest of the morning. I'm glad the Art Fest decided to add a 5k to their usual weekend festivities. It brought 700+ people to the show that otherwise may not have come. And for an inaugural race, it went very smoothly!

Matt and Sean check for times. Matt finished 5th in his age group and was just a minute behind 3rd!

My motto.

Racers were encouraged to "leave their mark" on these silk paintings.

I'm responsible for 50% of the pink in this painting.

Matt and Sean discussing...something...as we wander the Art Fest.

There was a drone flying overhead so I hope there will be some really great photos to share this week. Despite how hard this race was for me, I placed 11 of 26 in my AG; I just can't complain about that.

The first race of 2015 is in the bag, and next weekend's half is looming. I'm not feeling very confident about it, but hopefully I'll at least be able to breathe by then.

ABK

A Little Update

I'm sorry I've been lackadaisical about posting lately. It's just been hard to find the time at the moment, but I'm hoping things have finally calmed down a bit here.

This week I came down with something again. Seriously, I have had more colds this school year than the last two years combined! Maybe my students are less diligent about using hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes this year. 

My life right now.

Anyway, this one started in my sinuses and I was able to do a quick and dirty run before it got really bad, but it has since moved into my lungs and chest.

 I was especially pleased with my splits. I guess knowing the run was going to be short made it easier to run fast. It's nice to know I still have it in me, as I've been hovering in the 10:50 range lately.

This ended up kind of being speedwork, which I was totally happy with.

It's been an especially tough week at school...my cold means I can hardly catch my breath to teach, and the full moon has definitely been living up to its reputation.

Seriously. Look at that moon.

I wanted to run 6-7 miles Thursday evening with Kristin (and now I have to kind of change that run to "pending" because of this stupid crud) because I have a 5k race this Sunday and the first half of 2015 next weekend! 

I wanted to get that mid-length long-run in before the 5k. I'm excited for this race because it's the one I'm running with Elisa as her first ever race since starting C25k. I hope my lungs feel up to par. Last night was the worst so hopefully the cold is on its way out now.

Archie has been very good about cuddling this week. (He's all wet post rain-shower bath.)

My blood tests came back from the doctor. Everything is normal, but the test of my white blood cell count couldn't be run because the blood clotted in the tube, so I have a followup in a couple weeks and we'll rerun that test. It's nice to know it's not Hashimoto's or anemia, but now I'm left scratching my head wondering why I feel so tired. I guess I'll start taking my B12 again...couldn't hurt, right?

My fellow teachers, how do you avoid getting sick during the school year?

What's your go-to cold remedy? Breathe Right Strips, hot toddies, and Mucinex.

Isn't it nice how pets know when you're feeling icky and give you extra love?

ABK