With skull designs upon my shoes.

Thank you, David Bowie.

It's the girl's birthday today, but I was struck with overwhelming sadness, when "Lazarus" by David Bowie came on the radio. It was on a cold winter's day like today when that song was released, on his seventy-first birthday. Two days later he died, and it was like a wall of death began to sweep across our world.

My father, then the nation, then Chris. Watching us lose him, that was my first experience living so close to cancer. How on earth did Bowie make the video for this song? It must have been excruciating. Huh. Artists.

2016 Playlist
I Can't Give Everything Away - David Bowie
Thank God For Girls - Weezer
Breathe Life - Jack Garratt
Born Again Teen - Lucius
Dear World, - Nine Inch Nails

Brisk, cold. Who knew I would go so fast today, or for so long? In the teens, I thought maybe a lap around the block but I kept going. The music was good. The life continues, even now.

Distance: 2.25 miles
Route: Neighborhood Run
Temperature: 18°
Climate: cold
Pavement: rich & slippery with new-fallen snow
Mood: down

Stretches: yes

Eleven runs in January. I ran eight times during the last four months of 2017. We run, we stretch, and we continue to move forward, mostly free of pain.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 176 lbs. (-0.5)
Goal: 175 lbs.

I feel fine and I feel good.

Thank you, Pat DiNizio.

Trip to the gym with the kids. We need to do this more often. The girl ran beside me for a while, I love it when that happens.

1986 Playlist
Everywhere I Go - The Call
Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes - They Might Be Giants
Strangers When We Meet - The Smithereens
What Have You Done For Me Lately - Janet Jackson
Bizarre Love Triangle - New Oreder
Rise - Public Image Ltd.
Meet El Presidente (12" Version) - Duran Duran

No, I was unaware that The Call/Michael Been was a Christian Rock act in the mid-1980s when my roommate had this album on steady rotation in our room, which is strange because it's so obvious when you listen to the lyrics. But it's so good, which is odd because Christian Rock that calls itself that usually isn't. I mean, it never is.

I think it because Been's love songs for Jesus could be love songs for anyone, they communicate passion, adoration, obsession, which could be applied to romance as well as spiritual devotion, where the work of Michael W. Smith (for example) is only singing about that one guy.

Shout at the devil.

Distance: 3 miles (27 laps)
Route: Rec Center
Mood: good

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 176.5 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 175 lbs.

Big appetizer party last night. I was not going to have the cake, but I was handed a piece of cake. I could have said no, my wife has gotten used to saying no to meat products. I could have said no to the wings, too.

No, wings. Just no.

Everybody get on your feet.

Don tries to turn off his mind, relax, and float downstream.

The thing about running every other day -- every other day, not every day, not every third day - is that you can look at the forecast and say, "it's going to be mid-20s today, and mid-50s tomorrow. I will run tomorrow." And that that is okay.

1966 Playlist
Tomorrow Never Knows - The Beatles
Sloop John B - The Beach Boys
Happy Jack - The Who
Barefootin' - Robert Parker
Richard Cory - Simon & Garfunkel
Season of the Witch - Donovan
Get Off My Cloud - The Rolling Stones
Upa Neguinho - Edu Lobo
Gimme Some Lovin' - The Spencer Davis Group
Sock It To 'Em J.B. Part I - Rex Garvin & The Mighty Cravers
Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations

Glorious playlist for a brisk winter's run through the park!

Distance: 3.25 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 34°
Climate: cold & clear
Pavement: mostly dry
Mood: all right

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 176.5 lbs. (-2.0)
Goal: 175 lbs.

Restraint. Yesterday I had eggs (two eggs) with toast for breakfast, a giant Greek salad for lunch (with water) and while we did get pizza I limited myself to two slices, not three or four, which is the normal. We also had salad with that and over the entire evening I had two beers.

There was also a small handful of cheddar cheese popcorn, but it was measured and small. Not a ridiculous paucity of food, but it was controlled. The salad at lunch because I knew we were having pizza at night. Control. Thought. Control. Thought-control.

Life can always start up anew.

I am! (Am I?)

When you write a little every day, it can add up. I have something like a short play on my hands. No idea what to do with it. But there it is.

Running is the same way.

2007 Playlist
Boyz - M.I.A.
Breakin' Up - Rilo Kiley
Time to Pretend - MGMT
The Boys - Dragonette

Music from this time period is a serious influence on my next foray into the direction of Shakespeare. And that's all I have to say right now about that.

Distance: 1.7 miles
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 42°
Climate: overcast & cool
Pavement: wet, puddles
Mood: all right

Chris and I were talking yesterday about what comes next. A marathon? Maybe a half marathon. Something to work toward. Meantime, in spite of my concerns about global climate change, I would love the paths to be clear for a short while longer.

I promised him it wouldn't snow.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 178.5 lbs. (-1.5)
Goal: 175 lbs.

There's a 750 Norton busting down January's door.

FREE LOVE FREE LOVE

Lots of theater recently. Late nights and drinking.Intense discussions, hushed whispers and talking a bit too loudly in crowded spaces. Also, an interview. What is real, what is artifice?

I live in theater, and sometimes that makes perfect sense and sometimes it seems entirely fake. Often, it's beautiful.

1987 Playlist
I Still Believe - Tim Cappello
We're The Replacements - They Might Be Giants
Lean On Me (Remix) - Club Nouveau
Behind the Sun - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rent - Pet Shop Boys
Bad - Michael Jackson
Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison
Hang on St. Christopher - Tom Waits
Rock Steady - Sting
How Beautiful You Are - The Cure

Christian rock does not necessarily suck. Only if you call it that.

Distance: 3.85 miles
Route: Forest Hill Run
Temperature: 41°
Climate: cool
Pavement: slushy
Mood: not bad

With the exception of some treacherous ice dunes, that was a lovely run. My back has been acting up, several nights either standing for plays or sitting for plays has caused some distress, but otherwise I am managing without any serious issues.

And running. Standing tall and moving. Not so fast, but constant. Today, in shorts. Magnificent. And the furthest I have run since September.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 180 lbs (+3.0)
Revised Goal: 175 lbs.

You fought valiantly, perusing the menu, agonizing over whether to have the wrap or the fried sandwich, even at one point declaring you may have the Caesar, but then requesting the Reuben.

This is not how battles are won. Part of a fried cheese sandwich for lunch, fried onions and sweet potatoes as a snack, friend corned beef sandwich for dinner.

Also, now that I think of it, five of my last nine meals were high calorie dishes ordered from restaurants.

The problem is clear. Fix the problem, fix yourself.

I am tired. I am weary.

This is me.

But look at it this way. I have had more runs in January -- already -- than in the last three months of 2017 combined. And I have not been feeling badly, I have not been limping, I have not had pain. A little awareness, perhaps. Aware of nerve in my leg, but not pain or discomfort.

1967 Playlist
Knock On Wiid - Eddie Floyd
Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
Venus In Furs - Velvet Underground
Chain of Fools - Aretha Franklin
I Was Made to Love Her - Stevie Wonder
People Are Strange - The Doors
Tighten Up - Archie Bell & the Drells

Ugh. Feel like my teeth have been ruined. Chewing like a shut-in. It's all mac and cheese from here on out. Mac and cheese and gruel.

Distance: 2.28 miles
Route: Neighborhood Run
Temperature: 24°
Climate: cold & clear
Pavement slippery with snow
Mood: all right

Got new athletic supports. Can't remember how old this set is, but they were old. Just fell apart. Seriously, though. Shock Doctor should not be the brand name for jock straps, that should be the brand name for something else entirely.

Stretches: yes

Cold air. Deep breaths. Moving through space. Feels good. This is why.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 177 lbs. (-2.0)
Goal: 170 lbs.

Feeling like a jerk.

And a doughnut, I had one doughnut.

Lost a filling on Sunday. My tooth is sensitive to cold. Not happy. I remember when piece of my tooth fell out, it was almost twenty years ago. It made me feel very old. I was 29.

Monday I had it replaced, and that went relatively well. I just feel like I am physically falling apart.

1982 Playlist
Workin' For a Livin' - Huey Lewis and the News
More Than This - Roxy Music
Let's Go To Bed (Extended Mix) - The Cure
Body Language - Queen

The daily exercise continues, weather and circumstance have kept me from running. The plan is to use the gym, but I don't like to go on my won. It's part of the new family routine, we just need to begin it. Temps should rise in the next day or two, but I cannot wait any longer.

Distance: 2.1 miles
Route: Neighborhood Run
Temperature: 8°
Climate: cold
Pavement: slippery with snow
Mood: unsure

Bitter cold at first and then it eased off, as I warmed up. Surprised to go two miles. That was a very good choice.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 179 lbs. (+0.5)
Goal: 170 lbs.

This is the thing. I have stopped eating processed sugar, entirely. However, I have a habit while I am preparing dinner of snacking big, hearty snacks. I used to have a handful of almonds to see me through, but yesterday it was a large amount of almonds, with dried cranberries. Then cheese and crackers.

Lunch was big, too, because I didn't pack my lunch, I bought it, and that's always a portion too big and high in calories. I have to pack my own lunch, I have to control my diet in the evening.

But there is no fucking way the president is 236 pounds. Donald J. Trump is not merely fifty-seven pounds heavier than I am, that's complete nonsense.

Once in a lifetime.

This guy.

Major dump last night, and I mean snow. The girl and I went out on a theater date, dinner and a show, and that was pretty all right. Today I am trying to dedicate myself to housework, but I am also supposed to run. She and I talked about possibly going out together, but I do not believe she will be into this, but I will ask. It takes a little crazy to even want to.

This evening the plan is to head to the art museum to catch the Jazz Age exhibit. That's the thing about living here, you put off attending these big shows until its too late. Last night they closed early, so tonight should be a madhouse.

I prefer to blog here about things I have done, not that I intend to do, because what's the point in mentioning something twice, or worse, admitting you didn't do what you had announced. But by Monday, these things will be so long past.

2002 Playlist
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Black - The Shroud

Oh, cool. Another song for the summer show.

Distance: .85 miles
Route: Onetime around the block.
Temperature: 16°
Climate: cold
Pavement: deep drifts
Mood: okay

Surprised by the amount of snow that that blown up onto the sidewalks on the other side of the block. Had to pick up my feet a lot, heavy breathing made me stop for a minute halfway through. It was arduous, and cold on top of that. Two laps were not for me.

Stretches: yes

Also, did some ab work. Just trying to keep it all inside.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 178.5 lbs. (+1.5)
Goal: 170 lbs.

No one needs more than two tacos at Barrio.

Just can't stop.

Caramels in the conference room, my son with a large box of Mike & Ike's ... this is my daily obstacle course. I just say no. It is truly a slippery slope and so easy to become demoralized.

However, I have been eating a lot of pasta lately, and that also includes a lot of sugar. Two years ago I forced whole wheat pasta on the family but gave that up after things felt under control. I think I need a return to the good stuff.

Meanwhile, I keep exercising on off days, at least ten minutes. It doesn't feel like a lot, but it's also not nothing.

1977 Playlist
Marquee Moon - Television
Nothing Achieving - The Police
Never Going Back Again - Fleetwood Mac
Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
Barracuda - Heart
Disco Inferno - The Trammps
Sound and Vision - David Bowie
The Name of the Game - ABBA

Yes. Nineteen Seventy-Seven in a nutshell.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 54°
Climate: breezy
Pavement: wet
Mood: all right

The big push. A day with spring-like weather. It never got this warm the entire time we were in Orlando last week. Tomorrow it will snow, the next day it will freeze. It is a day for running free. I hope I do not hurt myself

Stretches: yes

Return to the woods. It was delightful to be running in the open air, through the trees. I felt it in my left thigh, all the way down. But that is the price we pay. I choose to focus on the trees.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 177 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 170 lbs.

Like most adults, all I ask is to be able to fit into my pants.

I won't run for my life.

Burn before reading.

If I could actually wake at 5:00 AM I could accomplish tremendous things. Difficult trip to the dentist yesterday, kind of messed up the rest of my evening ... but, no. I successfully made dinner for myself and the kids, had a lovely time driving my daughter to and from her violin lesson, and even got to read to my son (Fahrenheit 451.)

And yet, slept too warm, woke with a headache that was part that and part the other. But writing still happened. We move forward. And yesterday? No sugar. None. Not even with Malley's candy left out on the conference table at work and the girls rediscovered Halloween candy bag just sitting there half-full on the dining room table.

Who takes a year to finish their Halloween candy?

1997 Playlist
Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
This Weight -Van Morrison
Your Woman - White Town
Mon Amour Tokyo - Pizzicato Five

Headphones that wrap around your ears are stupid. I wanted a new pair, and the boy had a new pair her decided he couldn't use. They sound good, and the line doesn't ride up, but these one-size-fits-all frames that are supposed to go around your ear doesn't fit anyone.

Distance: 1.7 miles
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 30°
Climate: cold
Pavement: crusty with ice and crispy snow
Mood: maintaining

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 178 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 170 lbs.

So the good news is I haven't gained any weight since Sunday.

I'm talking about this weight.

We could run.

Yes, I have exercised every day this year, so far. And it does make a difference. Running has been out of the question, however. First of all, we were out of town for at the beginning of the week, an impromptu excursion to Orlando which was not without its perils, and taking a jog was out of the question.

At home it has been freezing, in the single digits. As the weather "warms" up the next few days, I may even sneak in a three mile run by Thursday, when it is supposed to be rainy and in the fifties.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we begin. 54 Playlists for 54 Years (1965-2018.)

2017 Playlist
Cold - Maroon 5 ft. Future
Shape of Your Body - Ed Sheeran
We Could Run - Beth Ditto
Day I Die - The National
tonite - LCD Soundsystem

Sugar is the villain. Since returning home I have decided to try not to ingest processed sugar. It comes in many forms, yes, the bread, the sauce, the anything.

But, for example, my daughter offered me a cookie. No, thank you. I do not want a cookie. Last night my son offered his milkshake. It was from Swenson's, a new site close to home, our first time trying this franchise. I said no, and then yes. What are their milkshakes like? They are milkshake-like. He offered another sip later, I said no.

Today, however, I popped half a roll of Smarties that were just lying around into my mouth without thinking why. Just did it. That is how that happens. Didn't enjoy it. Just took it. And I thought, why did I do that? This is how that happens.

Distance: 1.7 miles
Route: Two laps around the block.
Temperature: 21°
Climate: cold
Pavement: crusty with snow
Mood: determined?

I weight four pounds more than I did at the start of last year. Ideally I would live at 165 and never change. Vanity wants 160, and so does my wardrobe.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Goal: 170 lbs.

All right. Did that. Must stretch after, every single time. Plan to run again Tuesday. The year began today.