lisah, what are you most interested in?

I have to admit, my criteria were few. Don't hate it topped the list right after the price and reliability factors. Oh & being hopefully near a mechanic after the warrantees all run out. Now granted, that's a ways off. But I'm not planning on moving in 5 years (or even longer, for any warrantee that is strictly mileage-based, cause I'm going to hit the time ones before the miles, the way I drive.) I'd already eliminated some in the class based on my friends' cars where I got in and was like 'I do not want this car. X would make me crazy.'

My shoulder issued a huge fuck you tonight. I knew I slept funny and it took a lot of hot water in the shower this morning to feel borderline normal. But the first quarter mile, I seriously thought it was not going to work. Every lead-bearing stroke, top of my shoulder screamed and was almost not cooperative. Warmed up a bit and it was ok until the very end.

Dang. I've never had that happen before. Tired, sore, but never so bad I thought I might have to quit!

I can barely touch my toes, however I can put knees over my shoulders and generally fold my legs up impossibly. Long legged girl has long legs.

I've only done the splits involuntarily, and while it is startling, it doesn't really hurt. But I cannot bring myself to do it on purpose.

Oh, and I have to admit I really don't hate the Mazda 2. I guess you could even say I like it. I like the visibility, how it feels like I'm riding higher (I'm not sure if that is true or not, but it doesn't feel like I'm dropping into the seat and I feel higher up from the road.) After my old car, the handling on this wee thing is a revelation. But that's not a shocker.

The only thing that freaks me out is I keep thinking people are tailgating because it's a hatchback. I still think there is another 3 feet of car behind me. Hell, I still think there is another foot or so of car in front of me. I find myself swimming in parking spots. Not pulled all the way up, but with tons of clearance behind me.

I like every Mazda I have ever driven though they've never fit my needsperfectly. I want a Mazda five because it's a baby minivan which I think is brilliant.

I find "the splits" so weird that I actually laughed out loud thinking it was a joke the first time I heard it. Must be a west coast thing, because my students say it. I always knew it as "a split." Because...you're just doing one! One split! For me it's like someone calling doing a cartwheel "doing the cartwheels."

I am not naturally bendy, but I used to be able to do a split on either side many many many years ago.

This morning Cass drove all the way to San Diego to pick me up at the airport, and then took me to Trader Joes on the way back to her very cute house, where she fed me very good stew, after which I turned into a claratin zombie and took a nap.

Worst houseguest ever

doing the cartwheels

That just makes me think of Doing the Pigeon.

I do not have strong feelings of "a split" vs "the splits" but I am not going to test my bendiness right now, whatever you call it. I know I could do whatever was required by my middle school floor routine, I couldn't swear to what that was. I do know I did the "left handed" routine because that's how I did the cartwheels, etc., so probably my left leg forward version was better.

Cass and Lee in the same place!

I can't do the splits, but I'm pretty bendy compared to the guys in my karate class.

CJ insists he is fine and is now at ARP for an E-Care class. One of the sargents brought him ice cream.

Oo Lee and Cass! That's an excellent combo!

however I can put knees over my shoulders

I am trying to picture what you mean by this and failing miserably. Turns out I've never even tried to put my knees over my shoulders, although I can say I've put them 'round someone else's.

(sorry, couldn't resist racy comment)

Mazdas are known for their excellent handling. I probably would have bought a Mazda 3 if Ford hadn't just come out with a new Focus.

I'm all about the slow start. 60 squats is on the schedule for today, and I have not done them. I have an hour and a half. ION, I'm eating pizza.

I have a friend who loves her Mazda. The Mazda was No. 2 on my short list of Possible Cars when I was shopping. But I test-drove the Hyundai first and liked it enough that I bought it on the spot. I've been happy with it, but I do wish it had more power and could get up to speed faster. It's a four-cylinder hatchback, what do you want from it.