I just keep hearing you running on up my stairs ... but you're not there.

Good Lord, Cleveland is one game away from winning its first World Series championship since 1948. What the hell has happened to my town?

Ah well, the Browns are still 0-7. The Cleveland Browns keep us real. Chicago has the Cubs.

Big weekend. Today, among other things, we are creating the Day of the Dead altar. So many important figures lost, so close to us.

Distance: 3 miles
Route: Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 50°

Nice, strong run. Perfectly cool. Not the last day in short sleeves, I do not think so.

Climate: damp & cool
Weight: 170 lbs. (+0.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.
Mood: anxious

We head into conspicuous consumption season and have not moved the needle at all. It's the doughnuts. the carbs, the sugar ... and tomorrow is Halloween. Big sigh, Charlie Brown.

Erie Effusion - LIVE on WRUW
Hanging Garden - The Cure
Something In My House - Dead Or Alive
This Corrosion - Sisters of Mercy
Join In The Chant - Nitzer-Ebb
... And This Is What the Devil Does - My Life With The Thrill Kill Cult
Everyday Is Halloween (Remix) - Ministry

Rest in peace, Pete Burns (Dead Or Alive) who massed away one week ago today. I requested the Nitzer-Ebb, thanks for playing that DJBG ... and for the "X" cover of Wild Thing from the movie Major League.

However. If we win, let us never speak of that shitty movie ever again.

Because you move so fast.

Daffy.

There are times when there's so much going on, all four of us. We're up late, we rise early, the four of us are just so active, so busy, so occupied that we can't sleep and we don't eat, but we keep moving, getting the work done, creating the art, watching the events - live or on TV - attending the practices and the performances and the games, the memorials and the parties.

These times are called 2016.

I am thinking ahead to the new year, to January, when the weather will compel me to run every day, because that is how I deal. But why not now? Because of all of the things.

Distance: 3.64 miles
Avg. Pace: 7:56
Duration: 28:54
Route: Forest Hill Loop

Feels good to run. Great to get out. Not feeling it these days, though. That much should be obvious. This morning I rose early (no headache) and sat in front of the fire to write, and I did. Working on the witch scene. Then the boy came down and we sat and talked.

The plan is to keep moving, many things to do before to cold weather sets in, including plans for our Day of the Dead altar. So many to remember this year. Too many.

Need to keep my head up, totally missed the leaves in the park.

Temperature: 59°
Climate: cool and overcast
Weight: 169.5 lbs.
Goal: 165 lbs.
Mood: all right

Watching the games. Eating the snacks. Drinking the beer. It's what you do.

Teenage Kicks - LIVE on The Current
To Look at You - INXS
Blue Jean - David Bowie
Second Guessing * - R.E.M.
Halloween - The Dream Syndicate
The Ghost In You - The Psychedelic Furs
Down In The Tube Station at Midnight * - The Jam
The One Thing - INXS

They spliced DNA from Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison, gave it a case of serious teen acne, and called it Michael Hutchence.

Still life.

It is autumn, what Tom Robbins called "the springtime of death." Saw an old friend at his father's funeral yesterday. We hadn't seen each other for nearly nine years, It could have been nine minutes. He wrapped me in a big hug after the service.

HIM: What are you doing here?
ME: Oh man, what are you doing here?
HIM: Does it get better?
ME: I don't know.
HIM: Don't say that.
ME: I'll let you know in six months.

After the reception I was compelled to visit my father. Literally wiping fallen leaves from my father's stone with my bare hands. I told him a couple things. I never thought I would do that, talking to a cold stone in the ground. It's a little dramatic. But I felt bad before and I felt better after.

Distance: 3.3 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 50°
Climate: cool and clear
Weight: 169 lbs. (+0.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.
Mood: good

Writing two plays, and editing a third. It's the editing which has been giving me anxiety. I have been listening to suggestions, waiting for the clue, waiting for the right direction to drop in. Just started saying that yesterday, I wait for the idea to "drop in."

Last night I spoke with my most trusted advisor and she asked me the questions I needed to answer, and the answers came cleanly. They may not be the right answers, but at least I know what the questions are.

Feeling unsettled and listless, I invited the boy to come bike with me. I haven't run in a week. That was good for both of us.

And ye gods, when was the last time I quoted Still Life With Woodpecker?

2016 Fall for Forest Hill 5K

Beautiful news: Last night I attended the Talespinner Children's Theatre annual benefit Harlequinade where it was announced I will be composing a new play for their 2017 season. Red Onion, White Garlic is based on a traditional Indonesian folk tale, the poster art Ali reveal last night is stunning.

Fall for Forest Hill 5K
Start: 9:00 AM
(Un)official time: 23:32
Place Men 45 - 54: 2nd

Absolutely beautiful October morning, race in the mid-60s. Lots of friends and neighbors in participation, friends of both my kids. Great Heights run in my favorite park.

Very glad the water was handed out in small Dixie cups, which I was able to drain, crumple and stick in my pocket instead of drop on the ground. I live here.

While I did not clock the race myself, several of my colleagues report the course was actually between 3.2 and 3.3 miles. My first mile was well under seven minutes, my second below fourteen. There is no way the last mile-point-one took ten minutes.

This is an "H."

However, I have to admit that last mile I began to weary and doubt. I was actually out ahead of the pack the entire race, maybe in the top ten (there were maybe fifty runners?) but I was passed by this guy and I knew he must be in my age range, and it was true, he took the top spot in our division. Wah.

But it was good. Kari asked if I had a monogrammed hat, until she realized it was the Under Armour logo. Not anymore, to me that bad boy is now an "H."

UPDATE: I came in third overall. Jesus.

Let the music move your feet

Have not been drinking. Or mostly not drinking. It's not abstinence, it's the conscious decision to have something else. Tea works, tea works very well.

And the sleep is better. It's even better when we both don't drink.

I've said this before, but it bears repeating, I'm not talking about drinking. I'm talking about any drinking at all. One beer, or one cocktail. It makes a difference. The closer to bedtime, the worse I can't sleep, and when I do I wake, and I wake, and then I wake.

Not so the past week.

There's also the calories. Trying to exhibit some kind of self-control. Yes.

Distance: 3.6 miles
Avg. Pace: 7:48
Duration: 28:10
Route: Forest Hill Loop

Tonight, however, I am alone. The boy at band practice, the girls shopping and working. I will make dinner, and enjoy one beer, and take a run.

Today is Prince Tribute Day in Minnesota.  Local Current is playing his catalog from A to Z.

Damn. The Artist makes daddy run fast.

Temperature: 52°
Climate: perfect. cool and clear.
Weight: 168.5 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.
Mood: high

So far, so good.

Prince A-Z - LIVE on Local Current
Future Baby Mama
Future Soul Song
Get Loose
Get On The Boat
Get Yo Groove On

As long as I can feel the beat.

Are you following Song Exploder? You should. I am not a musician, but you know I love music. And regardless of my particular skill set, I love learning about how artists collaborate and how the sausage gets made.

Hosted by Hrishikesh Hirway (who also co-hosts The West Wing Weekly, which also totally makes the podcast world go round) each episode of Song Exploder is made up of interviews with artists about a single song, breaking it down into its production components, and culminating with the entire song so you can rediscover the piece knowing better how it was created.

Also, twenty one pilots was really good on SNL last night.

This week features Phantogram's monster single You Don't Get Me High Anymore which is my favorite song of right now. Just taking in the sample from Hook & Sling by Eddie Bo blew my little mind. Check it out.

Distance: 3.3 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop

Running on an empty stomach. This after poutine and ice cream last night in Gordon Square. A little winded but still a good, brisk run. 5K in the park next week!

Temperature: 57°
Climate: cool and bright
Weight: 169.5 lbs (-2.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.
Mood: good


Nailed it.
Playlist for today.
You Don't Get Me High Anymore - Phantogram
Hook and Sling - Eddie Bo
Heathens - twenty one pilots
Cheap Thrills - Sia
Lime Habit  -  Poliça
Subways - The Avalanches
2AM - Bear Hands

He's a smooth operator.

Weekend has arrived. So much busy. Saw All the Way yesterday, there are two plays we are going to see in the next two days. Last night we celebrated a friend's birthday at Lola, the streets of Cleveland were packed for the playoffs.

The November 4th reading has been cast. The outreach tour has been cast.

Today I turned in the first pages of a new work. A new work. Caught people off guard, I don't usually do that. At the same time, I have been messaging all day with a few of the folks who traveled to Spain with me thirty-two years ago. The few of us reconnected almost seven years ago, but now we are obsessed with finding everyone else.

My life stretches out before and behind me.

Distance: 3.6 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: glorious evening
Weight: 172 lbs.
Goal: 165 lbs.
Mood: much, much better

Fast pace, wish I'd timed that. It's enough to be able to maintain a brisk pace without feeling winded. Rounding a blind turn, the tall grass hiding a mama deer with three fawns on the Great Meadow, I had to look around to make sure there wasn't a stag heading straight for my back. There wasn't, I was good.

And speaking of stags ...

Trump recorded having extremely lewd conversation about women in 2005
By David A. Fahrenthold The Washington Post, 10/7/2016 at 6:04 PM

Well. This one's for Donald.

Smooth Operator Playlist
Fast Love - George Michael
On Broadway - George Benson
The Right Thing - Simply Red
Sussudio - Phil Collins
I Didn't Mean To Turn You On - Robert Palmer
Smooth Operator - Sade

She ran away.

The Best Time To Exercise To Lose Weight
By Gretchen Reynolds, The New York Times 1/23/2015
"There is some evidence that working out on an empty stomach ... prompts the body to burn more fat and potentially stave off weight gain ..."

This just popped up on my nytimes.com (in spite of being over a year and a half old) but I was a bit shocked, and not for the reason you might expect.

When I was twenty-two and first started running with any kind of fervor, I was desperate to lose a lot of weight. And I noticed that when I ran on an empty stomach I felt a burning sensation which I thought, entirely without scientific basis what so ever, must be helping me to burn away fat.

It was also probably burning away muscle and the lining of my stomach. But to find that there is a certain truth to this childish theory comes a quite a surprise.

Of course, this is what they warn you when you are training for a marathon that you won't lose weight. Because if you are training properly, you are taking in fuel to burn as you run, and recovery fuel afterwards. So, no weight loss. Just good, healthy running.

You want to lose weight? Exercise and don't eat anything. That's what I used to do. I used to smoke, too. I used to do all kinds of stupid things.

Distance: 3.3 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop

Fall For Forest Hill 5K Run/Walk, Sunday, October 16 at 9:00 AM. Who's in?

Temperature: 66°
Climate: cool and humid
Mood: good. okay? I'm good right now.

Honey taking her run at soccer practice where the kids are. Things are good. Right? Yes. Yes, they are. Keep telling yourself that.

Sunshine Superman Playlist
Season of the Witch - DonovanRunaway - Del Shannon
Sloop John B - The Beach Boys
Ferry Cross the Mersey - Gerry & The Pacemakers
Tequila - Champs
Hang On Sloopy - The McCoys
Good Lovin' - The Rascals
Magic Bus - The Who
Windy - The Association

YOU GUYS. Ever run to Tequila? That is my shit right there.

Mind is a razor blade.

Great Lakes Theater presents "Twelfth Night"

Overheard while canvassing ...

CITIZEN: You look familiar.
ME: I get that a lot.

Happy 5K this morning. Huh. Completely forgot about that. Well, whatever, it's not in my neighborhood so I won't accidentally run into it. Maybe next year.

Distance: 3.6 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop

Glorious day, after the rains. Feel full-strength, though flabby. Breezing in the breeze, the thoughts kept coming and coming. Ideas; dark ideas, good ideas. Must keep running. It's the only way I can think.

Temperature: 61°
Climate: bright, clear, sunny and humid
Mood: better

Teardrop Playlist
Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? - Moby
6 Underground - Sneaker Pimps
Heartbeats - The Knife
Bodyrock - Moby
Distractions - Zero 7
Midnight In a Perfect World * - DJ Shadow
In The Waiting Line * - Zero 7