Hit the beat now.

As long as the weather provides, I will be doing evenings. Soon enough it will be too dark for that and we will return to the recreation center. I'd love to resume cold weather runs, but my joints are just too achy for that.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:59
Pace: 9:02

Survived the first day in schools, rising before my five o'clock alarm at 4:30 AM, we arrived at the school at 6:40 AM and departed at four. Then downtown for a surprise part for a co-worker, after which I prepared the rehearsal room for the first read-through of The Right Room. That began at 8:00 PM.

I was in bed by eleven ... only to wake up before my five o'clock alarm at 4:30. Bit of a raggedy morning.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: lovely & warm
Mood: driven

We have been dry for over two weeks. It truly is a secret society, but not so secret anymore. I was at the party and wondering what to get from the bar when a colleague went by with an Athletic. They have them by the can at Parnell's.

Drinking NA beer has another than the obvious advantage -- they all have about the half the calories of the other stuff.

Fall 1987 Mixtape

Instant Club Hit (You'll Dance to Anything) - Dead Milkmen

The One I Love - R.E.M.

Can't Hardly Wait - The Replacements

Girlfriend In a Coma - The Smiths

It's a Sin - Pet Shop Boys

Mony Mony - Billy Idol

Lost In Emotion - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

Hit the North - The Fall

Crazy, I keep getting ideas for new, little projects. This playlist is responsible for a new one.

Stretches: I mean.
Water: yes
Weight: 167 lbs. (-1.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

I'll run away with you.

We've had a great running September. Tomorrow, I will be at a school at 6:50 AM, attending an event after, and then a read through of The Right Room. It will be a hyper-long day, so I am getting that run in now.

I also need to get new knee braces. The cool weather is doing me no favors.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 26:07
Pace: 8:25

Gee whiz, David! That was fast!

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: good!

Fall 1987 Mixtape

Faith - George Michael

True Faith - New Order

Just Like Heaven - The Cure

Need You Tonight - INXS

Never Let Me Down Again - Depeche Mode

Lips Like Sugar - Echo & the Bunnymen

Seattle - Public Image Limited

Sophomore year you come back and feel like you own the place. You know where everything is, you're running into all your old friends who you haven't seen all summer. You are confident, or in my case, a little too confident.

THEY SAY that 1986 was the worst year in the history of popular music, and that may be. Too much of it sounded the same, and the synthesizers had gotten entirely out of control. But 1987 was when so many artists popped for me, and they all seemed to have a new release that season.

This playlist is historic.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 168 lbs. (+0.6)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

Wherever you go ... there you are.

DM for more information.

These fall days. I can't sleep all the way to the alarm. I wake, my knees ache, my side. But so? I get up. I have a morning. I can write, eat a good breakfast. And I run. And I love the run. 

Not looking forward to the rec center. The park is a beautiful place to be at dawn. The geese, the deer. The turning of the leaves.

Distance: 3.1 

Duration: 27:03
Pace: 8:42

My brain is still adjusting to the absence of sertraline. It has been several weeks, and I still get dizzy and my brain buzzes.

I am adjusting very well to sobriety. I have entered into situations where I could drink, and I may yet, but I choose not to.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: ideal
Mood: all right

Fall 1986 Playlist

25 or 6 to 4 (Alternative Version) - Chicago

When Problems Arise - Fishbone

Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland - The B-52's

Word Up - Cameo

Walk This Way - Run DMC ft. Aerosmith

Don't Stand So Close to Me '86 - The Police

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 167.4 lbs. (-2.4)

Got my annual fall vaccinations. Suck on that.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

These zombies in the park.

HelenArt

Ultra-Violet 5K

Race Mission 1

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:12
Pace: 8:45

Yesterday began dark and miserable, cloudy and rainy and cold. By afternoon it was still cool, but sunny, bright and beautiful.

Fall is lovely.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 51°
Climate: light clouds & cool

Gear: long sleeves 
Mood: all right!

Also, though, the pain. With the cool weather has come complaints in my knees and hips, and in the muscles down my legs. I suppose this is just normal daddy stuff.

Autumn Mix
Babylon - David Gray

Crystal - Stevie Nicks

So Real * - Jeff Buckley

Cough Syrup - Young the Giant

White Horses - Wolf Alice

She’s Not There - THE ZOMBIES

If Yao Read My Mind - Gordon Lightfoot

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 169.8 lbs. (+1.0)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

You feel you want to run away.

That's the face he makes.

Saw Tony again last night, this time with Toni. I liked it better the second time. First, because I wasn't taking it too seriously. Second, because the theater was full and there was a lot of laughter. Third, she was sitting with me.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:54
Pace: 9:01

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 55°
Climate: crisp & ideal
Mood: down in it

Songs from "Tony" (2026)

Magic Mountain * - War ft. Eric Burdon

Girlfriend - Modern Lovers

The Calvary Cross - Richard & Linda Thompson

Mighty Sly - Funk Society

Everything Merges With the Night - Brian Eno

Something On Your Mind - Karen Dalton

Strawberry Letter 23 - The Brothers Johnson

The more we make movies that take place in the 1970s, the deeper the needle drops have to get.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 168.8 lbs. (-0.4)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Things are going great ... and they're only getting better.

I cannot see anything.

Forty years ago I was just beginning my college experience, and it was a lot. I think of what was on the television in he communal spaces. In my dorm, that was in the basement, and it was mostly music videos. In Hog's dorm it was Transformers. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:18
Pace: 9:07

The music videos all seemed to be communicating the same thing -- neon and pastel was dead, the playful first half of the 1980s was shifting into something more dour and serious (See: Miami Vice Season 3) in grays and blacks.

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 70°
Climate: damp
Mood: all right

And my girlfriend's dorm room, like all the dorm rooms, painted cinderblock and tile floors. It was a cold dynamic, and as the days also cooled, so did our attention for each other.

Not our affection, mind. Our attention.

Fall 1986 Playlist

Notorious - Duran Duran

Big Time - Peter Gabriel

The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades - Timbuk3

Higher Love - Steve Winwood

In Too Deep - Genesis

You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 169.2 lbs. (-0.2)

"Lombardo"

Last night was Pandemonium. When I performed at Pan ten years ago, I was enticed to extend the evening by going to a local establishment. It was so late I think I thought I was sober but of course I wasn't.  The next day I had a terrible hangover and actually got sick in front of the kids; we were driving across town for a photo shoot for Talespinner. I should have stayed home. Anyway, I was humiliated.

Last night, CPT was serving three premium NA beverages at the bar, a beer, a wine and a mule. When I arrived at the stage where we were performing with an Athletic Gold Lager, it began a conversation (starting with, "Oh! Where did you get that?") about the choice not to drink. It was really cool.

I was in bed by eleven last night. I was also up at three AM, uncomfortable and with my thoughts running, so I got up for a bit and did housework. That was also cool.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

More exercises, please. I feel good, by the way. My knees feel all right, minor pain during rehearsals last week (I was on my feet a lot) the rest of me is copacetic. That's where I am today.

Who's going to plug their ears when you scream?

As if the collective reputation
of runners wasn't bad enough.

The ADS has been hitting me very, very hard. Woke up on Thursday after a full night's sleep with something like a hangover. Only I haven't had alcohol since last Friday afternoon. Which just goes to show.

But seriously, I have been hit with rounds of brain farts and it is not pleasant. I hope these subside soon.

This is a new era. No antidepressants, also no depressants. I wonder what will emerge. It may be confidently angry.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:29
Pace: 9:10

Bero Noon Wheat is a banger, add a slice of orange, *chef's kiss* or whatever it is the kids say.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 65°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: not great, but determined

Fall 1984 Mixtape

Strut - Sheena Easton

The Warrior - Scandal ft. Patty Smyth

Cover Me - Bruce Springsteen
On the Dark Side - John Caffrey & The Beaver Brown Band

Flesh For Fantasy - Billy Idol

Rock Me Tonite - Billy Squier

Drive * - The Cars

Stretches: no 
Water: yes
Weight: 169.4 lbs. (-0.8)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

There’s life after high school.

“Lombardo” at Pandemonium this weekend!

Beautiful days. Very busy. Talented, engaged actors. More performances in the mix. Evenings on the side porch with my partner, watching the game.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:19
Pace: 9:08

We are mindful, which is is nice. It doesn't last, which is acceptable. Already psyching myself up to attend Pandemonium and not drink. And that's okay.

I haven't gone so long without chemical abuse in such a long time. It means these feelings can't be explained away by depressants.

Speaking of which, I'm leaving Sertraline. And I think this is good timing. I ride the brain zaps mindfully (natch) by just feeling them, working not to be annoyed by them. Just breathe. There they are. Being still helps. They will not last. Nothing ever does, am I right?

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 71
Climate: moist

Mood: good

Fall 1984 Mixtape

Adult Education - Hall & Oates

Hot For Teacher - Van Halen

Two Tribes - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Take Me With U - Prince & the Revolution

The Glamorous Life - Sheila E.

I Feel For You - Chaka Khan

Uff. What a cuck I was. But, oh! What a season.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 170.2 lbs. (-3.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

When the seasons change will you stand by me?

Lovely cool morning. We are having a dry season. Not a bad time for it, considering all the NA craft beer concerns which are popping up.

And we're home.

Aftermath 0123

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:01
Pace: 9:04

It's taken four years, but I have finally completed the first season of Zombies Run ... which debuted what? Fourteen years ago? We've been through so much, and yet it is as relevant as ever. Isn't that charming?

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 58°
Climate: light fluffy clouds
Mood: better

American Sign Museum

fall running playlist!!

Sweater Weather - The Neighborhood

Hide * - Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Mind Over Matter * - Young the Giant

Matchbox - Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Seven - Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Cough Syrup - Young the Giant

Almost (Sweet Music) - Hozier

Jackie & Wilson - Hozier

Whoever created this playlist really likes Rainbow Kitten Surprise. But it’s a playlist. Skipped the Backseat Lovers song, which begins as a ripoff of Across the Universe and swiftly degenerates into childish wailing.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 173.2 lbs. (-0-)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

Hug you to death.

Things are changing, question mark? She is coming home this weekend. And I feel as uncertain about that as I have been about her being away.

It will be a dry fall, and I am looking forward to that. It's been a long and lonely summer. Yeah. Lonely. And I have been unhappy about that. I have done my best to take care of myself. Now I know I can take care of myself, Big deal, who cares. Didn't think I wanted that.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:41
Pace: 9:15
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 64°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: maintaining

Summer 1987 Playlist

I Want Your Sex - George Michael

Why Can't I Be You (Extended Mix) - The Cure

La Bamba - Los Lobos

She's On It - Beastie Boys

Heart and Soul - T'Pau

U Got the Look - Prince ft. Sheena Easton 

One more summer playlist before we go. Maybe next Zombies?

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 173.2 lbs. (+1.5)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

T-minus zero. Time to go.

Somewhere deep inside something's got a hold on you ...

Shortly after Crowded House released their second album, Temple of Low Men, I encountered my former roommate who said he had been listening to it. I asked him how it was and he said, entirely deadpan, "It's terrible."

I said, "Oh. I heard that. That's a shame."

He responded with some irritation, "What? Where did you hear that? It's amazing."

I sputtered something like, "Oh, I mean. Maybe I didn't? I don't know. Cool."

This says all you need to know about both of us.

Anyway, it's the best album of the 1980s. Top five, at least. Maybe? I don't know. I love it.

Distance: 4.05 miles

Duration: 37:17
Pace: 9:12

Rehearsals are in full swing. Things are going well. I would say they are going very well, but I can't tell anymore.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: all right

Temple of Low Men - Crowded House (1988)
I Feel Possessed

Kill Eye

Into Temptation

Mansion in the Slums

When You Come

Never Be the Same

Love This Life

Sister Madly

In the Lowlands

Better Be Home Soon

"No skips" is a thing people say, but it's rarely true. There's always some weak track. 

There isn't a single song on this album I could skip, for anything. So, four miles.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 171.8 lbs. (-2.8)

Obsession, anger, romance, nostalgia, madness, betrayal. So much betrayal. You could soundtrack my entire life with this one album. 

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Drag-ass morning. The perfect day to have an afternoon run, instead. And maybe this should be the plan from this out?

T-minus two.

Why do I scream for pleasure?

We miss you, Paul.

Forty years ago Crowded House released their debut, eponymously titled album. I was a freshman and as soon as I could I signed up to be a DJ for the green radio station, this disc was in the "new releases" section and we were strongly encouraged to play the new releases. I may have played the lead off track, it didn't make a huge impression at that time.

Then again, neither did another new album, Baby, The Stars Shine Bright by Everything But the Girl. I think I played the song Little Hitler once because I found the title interesting, I wouldn't glom onto that act for another two years.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:50
Pace: 9:09

It wasn't until Don't Dream It's Over hit the top of the charts in spring the following year that I got the album and began my love affair with Neil Finn and by extension, producer Mitchell Froom.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 61°
Climate: cool & humid
Mood: ready

Crowded House - Crowded House (1986)

Mean To Me

Now We're Getting Somewhere *

Don't Dream It's Over *

Love You 'Til the Day I Die

Can't Carry On

I Walk Away

Tombstone

That's What I Call Love

No, I didn't include Something So Strong. There are some songs which were played so often when they were popular that I never want to hear them again. That is one, Everybody Wants to Rule the World is another. And these are from acts that I really like.

Three thoughts and trivia:

1. Can't Carry On was not on the LP, it was a bonus track on the CD.
2. I Walk Away is a cover version of a song Finn wrote for the final Split Enz album
3. That's What I Call Love is possibly the best final track of any album ever recorded

Stretches: yes

Water: yes
Weight: 174.6 lbs. (+1.2)

No, I don't understand it, either.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Since May 23 she has been away from me as long as she has been with me. Fifty-five days here, and in Maine, fifty-five days somewhere else. On the West Coast, in Highland Hills, in Mason. Elsewhere. I have the right to have feelings about this.

T-minus four.

Wherever there is comfort there is pain.

On this date, twenty years ago, I was deep into marathon training. Five miles on a Wednesday.

"Okay, that hurt. I neglected (forgot?) my shin stretches before going out, and now they both are singing. The front of each shin was bright and pained, it made for little, tiny - but swift - steps. Hmn. Gotta watch that."

Indeed. Here we are, without pain in our legs at all. I was developing muscles on the front of my calves, I didn't know you could do that.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:07
Pace: 9:23

Also, I was listening to Podrunner a lot. On September 6, 2006 it was "I Put My Big Boy Pants On" which was one of those early mixes that included music he either didn't have the rights to or lost the rights to, in either case it is no longer available.

I have it burned on CD. It's one of my very favorites.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: bright & beautiful
Mood: all right

In the 1970s, Tim Finn put together a band called Split Enz. It was quirky pop, frenetic post-punk, agitated (and agitating) tunes, aspiring to be "Ashes to Ashes" David Bowie or Sparks or early XTC but never really as good as any of those. 

By the early 1980s Tim's kid brother Neil had joined the group, who was to become one of the greatest (and underrated) songwriters of the decade. Singing lead for truly great songs like I Got You, One Step Ahead and Message to My Girl, you can see in the music videos how Tim tries embarrassingly to attract attention to himself, as if to remind people it's still his band.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 173.4 lbs.

New digital scale. And this makes sense. My revised weight goal is 165 lbs., which I believe is only appropriate. I much prefer the accuracy. I stepped on the thing three times, it said the same thing every single time. 

When did I buy the manual scale, how long have I had that thing? Liar.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

After Split Enz broke up, Neil started his own act, Crowded House, and almost immediately produced one of the best known and loved songs of the decade, "Don't Dream It's Over." The original Crowded House trio of the Neil Finn, Paul Hester and Nick Seymour created two amazing albums, Crowded House (1986) and Temple of Low Men (1988), which were so important to me during my college years.

Then in 1991 it was announced that Tim had joined the group. I can only imagine the holiday dinner over which Tim Finn was able to wheedle his way into the act. The result was Woodface, which includes some of my very favorite Neil Finn creations, and a couple unfortunate songs that are obviously Tim's. He even managed to sneak a few stupid turns of phrase into otherwise decent Neil Finn creations. A "lounge room lizard"? That's Tim's schtick. See also, his lead vocal on All I Ask.

And let us not mention the execrable, fat-shaming opening track, Chocolate Cake.

Woodface - Crowded House (1991)

Chocolate Cake

It's Only Natural

Fall at Your Feet

Tall Trees

Whispers & Moans

Four Seasons In One Day

Fame Is

... As Sure As I Am

Italian Plastic

She Goes On

That it dropped during the summer of that fateful year, as I was going through a tense will they/won't they with the person who I would eventually be married to (for a short while) gives the truly great songs a nostalgic pull for me, tracks like It's Only Natural, Fall at Your Feet, Whispers & Moans, Four Seasons in One Day and She Goes On, they are all hers.

Tim left the band during the tour.

I really miss hanging on each other's words.

Crazy, there's six first-run movies at the Cedar Lee this weekend that I have already seen.

Muggy days, rain and heat. I hope the fall is cool and long.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:09
Pace: 9:04

We had a power outage last night (always hated that word, "outage") which I managed by reading with a flashlight on the side porch. We have a gas stove so I was able to make ramen.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: clammy
Mood: surprisingly focused

New For 2026 Playlist

Gas Station - Slayyyter

Cruising to Self Soothe - Ecca Vandal

Automatic - Jessie Ware

We Should Talk - Bleachers

Gotta Keep the Funk Alive - Minneapolis Funk All Stars

Dance ... - Slayyyter

One Step Away - Madonna

Danceteria - Soft Cell

This is how I remain young at heart.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+3.0)

No, no idea. I would like to purchase a new digital scale, the one we have now is an old school spring activated version, which changes your weight depending on whether you are leaning forward or back, and I'd like something consistent.

Yesterday, I was exhausted, all day. Just not enough sleep. I tried to keep myself awake by drinking a lot of water (which necessitated many more trips to the toilet) and obsessing about snacks, and though I did have a small snack in the morning (a tiny bag of graham crackers) and one in the afternoon (one packet of fruit snacks) that was it and the rest of my meals were normal.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

It is September. Rehearsals begin in earnest next Tuesday. A lonely three-day weekend. A friend did ask me out for dinner tomorrow night, which was very thoughtful and I am looking forward to that.

It's T-minus eight.

Come running at the drop of a hat.

And did we complete fifteen runs in August? Yes, we did.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:04
Pace: 9:22
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 77°
Climate: warm & humid
Mood: a tad weary

New For 2026 Playlist

My Dead Astronaut- Robyn Hitchcock

the feeling - Steve Lacy

American Cars - Noah Kahan

In The Stars - The Rolling Stones

I Won't Be Home Tonight - Tony Carey

Sun and Moon - Danielle Ponder

Lonely in the Future - The Strokes

Supersize - Megasound ft. Bad Bad Hats & Party Nails 

Seriously, Stones? How did you do that? Eighty year olds produce a stone cold banger.

Had to look up Tony Carey, I thought that got on by mistake. Sounds like 1983. But he's old, too. So is Robyn Hitchcock. We're all old guys.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 162 lbs. (-2.0)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Life's too short to be alone.

Team Feller

Friends asks, "How are YOU doing?"

I don't know how to answer that honestly. "I'm fine," is the spontaneous reaction. We don't want to concern anyone. But I'm not.

Spent the day yesterday doing housework. Also making cookies for the team, ice cream for the staff. I'm not even eating any of these things, I just want to provide treats.

Also, it's feels like work. I want to avoid not doing anything. I'm also reading, etc.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:27
Pace: 9:10

It is hard to plan a run before work when the sun doesn't come up until seven. It helps when you wake up a full hour before your 5 AM alarm and can't get back to sleep.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 71°
Climate: warm & humid
Mood: anxious, but determined

Songs For My Funeral

God Only Knows - David Bowie

Live and Learn - Marshall Crenshaw

Lonely Planet - The The

I Sing the Body Electric - Laura Dean, Irene Cara, Paul McCrane, Traci Parnell, Eric Brockington & the company from "Fame" (1980)

It's Not Over ('Til It's Over) - Bleu

Thank You For Hearing Me - Sinéad O'Connor

And then you die. What's next?

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 164 lbs. (-1.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

The worst is all the lovely weather.

Alone again. I think I'm going to be seeing a lot of movies.

Distance: 3.2 miles

Duration: 28:32
Pace: 8:55

And avoiding social media. There are too many other things to keep my busy, and frankly, it's lost its dopamine rush.

Still. Have to log the runs. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 66°
Climate: just perfect
Mood: all right

Gorgeous morning run, and strong. Just flew out of the driveway and kept it up the whole time. This weather.

Songs For My Funeral

Someone Great - LCD Soundsystem

Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

My Baby's Taking Me Home - Sparks

White Horses - Wolf Alice

Psychic City (Classixx Remix) - Yacht

Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - Bob Dylan

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-0-)

Maintenance. We go to a ball game today. Must be mindful.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

To call for hands of above to lean on wouldn't be good enough for me. No.

Tim Curry is Johnny LaGuardia
"Times Square" (1980)

Starting tomorrow, I will be on my own for a little while. Fortunately (I guess) I have a lot to do. I mean goodness, several productions, and the residency. And yet, terrible distractions. Grief, and a sense of sustained loss. Fear that nothing will be the same again. But when has it been?

Distance: 3.2 miles

Duration: 29:06
Pace: 9:05

Mornings when we rise before the alarm. When we write and drink coffee and answer questions and make plans. Would I prefer more time or more energy? I can work with energy, what can I do with time? 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: beautful
Mood: determined

Songs For My Funeral

Meet Me On the Corner - Lindisfarne

Why Should I Cry For You? - Sting

Change of Time - Josh Ritter

Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie

It's My Life - Talk Talk

Heartbeats - José González
All My Friends - Franz Ferdinand

Yes. The truly meaningful set.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 164 lbs. (-1.0)

These are the days. The cool days of waning summer. It's supposed to heat up over the next week, but the mornings are still and cool. And so am I.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

I've been running round in circles trying to find my way back to you.

Not all heroes, am I right?

Spent about a week immersed in yard sale business, and now the great work truly begins. In the office, at home. 

The elder departs on Friday, and we have been spending generous time together. Last night we dined out and went to the movies together separately. It was decided day ago that while we both wanted to see Teenage S*x and Death at Camp Miasma, it was not father/child fare. I saw it on my own last Friday. Last night they saw that, I saw Tony.

Distance: 3.2 miles

Duration: 29:34
Pace: 9:14

Tony gets high marks from everyone on Rotten Tomatoes but again, it begs the question: How would this movie go over if it the protagonist wasn't the youthful avatar of a much-beloved public figure? "Callow young man learns how not to be a prick" is a tried and true subject for films (and it's kind of what actor Dominic Sessa does) I am just of surprised it still goes over so well in 2026.

Regardless, good morning. It's time to take a run. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 64°
Climate: beautiful
Mood: getting there

Songs For My Funeral

A Day In the Life - The Beatles

Under the Milky Way - The Church

Especially For You - The Smithereens

Don't Change - INXS

Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Dhani Harrison & Prince

Wicked Little Town (Hedwig Version) - John Cameron Mitchell

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-0-)

The hold steady. We did eat a lot of popcorn last night.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes 

Sit-Ups: yes

We are again counting our steps. I have lowered expectations, 5,000 a day is the goal which is neatly met by taking a run. On other days I have to remind myself to get up. Preparing for the residency makes this easy. It also reminds me to do the upper body work.

Just hold your heading true.

The big yard sale weekend. This is all I have been working on the past few weeks. Not true. I have been dedicated to the job, and to the creative work, and to clearing out the house, and to, and to, and to.

But. And. Flash thunderstorms notwithstanding, it has been successful. Cash to be made. Materials to be moved out. My attic had not has such space in some time.

Really, there's so much shit in my attic. Is this a metaphor? Perhaps it is.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:20
Pace: 9:08

Feeling creaky.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 65°
Climate: partly cloudy & nice
Mood: headachy

Songs For My Funeral

Big Time Sensuality - Bjork

Five Miles Out - Mike Oldfield

Satellite of Love - Lou Reed

I.G.Y. - Donald Fagen

Brand New Colony - Postal Service

Cleveland Rocks - Ian Hunter

Future Sightings- I Am The World Trade Center

It's a six and a half hour playlist. There are moods. A wide variety -- a lifetime of moods.

Stretches: ope
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-2.0)

So. You dropped five pounds in five days. What this says to me is that there's a lot of stuff in there that needs to come out. TMI? In any even, this is the wall. However, it should be observed that it is easier for me not to snack at night when no one is encouraging me to do so.

It should also be observed that a lot of my caloric intake yesterday was in some form of alcohol.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes 

I would search everywhere just to hear your call.

Doonesbury, August 3, 1977

Better sleep habits. Reading in bed, not playing games on my phone. Currently, that would be Trudeau & Doonesbury: A Biography: The Cartoonist Who Turned the News Into Art by Joshua Kendall, a recently released biography of the man who might be the single most important influence on my writing.

Distance: 3.2 miles

Duration: 29:16
Pace: 9:08

We are practicing dietary maintenance. I've been taking a packet of ramen to work, it only took me until my late fifties to figure out how to prepare it in the microwave in a manner that is satisfying to me.

Also, getting better noodles at the Asia market. So, I have a controlled portion of filling food which is not terribly high in calories -- like any carry-out meal that exists -- and it's also cheap. Now I need to just get a big package of ramen and keep it in my desk. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 60°
Climate: absolutely gorgeous
Mood: good

Songs For My Funeral

Twin Peaks Theme (Instrumental) - Angelo Badalamenti

Tales From the Far Side - Bill Frisell

Afterglow - Genesis

Night and Day - Everything But the Girl

Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine

Beating of Hearts - XTC

Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

Why "songs for my funeral"? Because they are the best songs ever.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 167 lbs. (-3.0)

The mornings get cooler. We sit and write and try to remember.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Let me steal this moment from you now.

So this is a thing I'm working on.

We're back on Noom. That's how these apps get you ... by working effectively. I started the program in Fall 2024, which was also the last time I was stuck at 170 lbs. I go back and forth, gaining twenty pounds, losing twenty pounds. The fact that I had been consistently 160 lbs., for over a year, was remarkable.

I would like to get back there before I calcify into these old habits. I logged off in January, it took fewer than six months to gain ten pounds.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:55
Pace: 9:00
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: cool & humid
Mood: all right

Songs For My Funeral

Back to Oz - Sufjan Stevens ft. Angelo De Augustine

Kang Mandor - Degung Orchestra

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - Kate Bush

If I Can't Change Your Mind - Sugar

As - George Michael ft. Mary J. Blige

Little Talks - Of Monsters & Men

Ah. The forbidden track. Interesting.

Stretches: yes
Water: Yes
Baseline Weight: 170 lbs. 

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

I'll be waiting.

Bit of a lazy weekend, which was nice. Not unproductive, just much of the work done while sitting. Reaching out. Making yard sale plans. Rolling coins.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:23
Pace: 9:28

The yard sale is the next big thing ... this month has been a list of next big things. I am grateful for each of them, so I don't feel so adrift.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: all right

Songs For My Funeral
Wait For It - Leslie Odom Jr.

The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Good Times - Chic

Time After Time - Willie Nelson

Backout - Frank Turner

Cuts You Up - Peter Murphy

For ten years now, Wait For It has been my morning alarm, the instrumental version. If it does play at my funeral, I might wake up.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 

A good morning. I wrote, part of the new script, a breakthrough. I was in a mood. I have plates, they are spinning.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

I'd give up forever to touch you.

Next week!

Okay. Here's the thing. Weed makes me dizzy. If I am dizzy, and I fall down, and I hurt myself, there is no one here to help me. Can we take this lesson and roll with it?

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:27
Pace: 9:10

Good hang last night, Josh and I went to the FEAST where I got cavatelli and meatball, and a lemonade, and then we got to fuck out of there. Spend a couple hours catching up on the side porch. Little Italy is, on this Saturday morning, a stinky dump and tonight will only get worse.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: partly cloudy * humid 
Mood: maintaining

Slept without assistance last night. Couldn't settle in until midnight ... but then I slept until eight. Not bad? Love a Saturday. I remember when many Saturdays would come with a migraine. 

Songs For My Funeral

Gymnopédie No. 1:Var. 1 - Jacques Loussier Trio

The Way - Fastball

Hurt - Johnny Cash

Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel

Life on Mars? - David Bowie

Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

Take Me Home - Phil Collins

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 170 lbs. (-0-)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

Must have been looking forward to today's run. Last night I dreamed I was running. I was a mile or so from home, when I realized I had finally done it. I had forgotten to put on shorts.

Watching some good friend scream, "Let me out."

The past two days ... the past four days, five days ... it has been a lot. Tuesday afternoon I received an alert that my train had been cancelled, and trying to get onto the Lake Shore Limited was impossible to accomplish online. I was in an automated call string while they were driving us back from seeing their girlfriend, and Ze said, "Get out of it, say, 'Talk to a representative.'"

They were right. And I did. Thirty minutes later (and back at their apartment) I did speak to a human. They said the only available seat was an accessible bedroom, which I could have for the same price, would that be okay?

Oh, uh, yes. Thank you. That would be wonderful, actually.

Later, on board, the porter told me that unfortunately, due to the weather, we would be delayed several hours before reaching Cleveland. So, in stead of having a poor night's sleep, worrying that I might miss our 5:30 am arrival, I slept deeply until seven am and still had time for breakfast, coffee and reading.

I feel bad about the flooding and the disasters, but I made out like a bandit.  

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:55
Pace: 9:19

I had already called off work, I was expecting to go back to bed. Instead, I did housework. All day. I couldn't stop. Washing, mopping, sweeping, throwing out things, looking after cats, shopping, preparing for some weekend house improvements.

I am afraid of stopping. I can't relax. I'm not doing this well. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 68°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: still moving

Songs For My Funeral

Cigarettes & Chocolate Milk (Remix) - Rufus Wainwright

Tomorrow Never Knows - The Beatles

Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms

Such Great Heights - Iron & Wine

Under Pressure - David Bowie & Queen

1979 - Smashing Pumpkins

One More Time - Daft Punk

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 170 lbs. (+1.0)

And yet, we self-medicate to sleep. Right off the bat.

Time to get back to work.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

Now the party's over. I'm so tired.

Made it!

A long day of driving, many thanks to Ze's uncle Nick for providing us the truck. And I've learned so many things! How to attach a U-Haul trailer! How to drive a truck hauling a U-Haul trailer! All kinds of crazy things for a fifty-eight year old never to have done before.

Distance: 2:45

Duration: 24:29
Pace: 10:01

It turned into a late night, I don't want to go into the details. They are embarrassing. I had an existential crisis in the room I had rented for myself to stay in and asked our kid to pick me up to stay with them.

As a result, I got to help them put their bed back together, so I think it was a good thing. But that was hard. 

Route: Humboldt Park Loop
Temperature: 76°
Climate: overcast, threatening rain 
Mood: glad to be running

Songs For My Funeral
Avalon - Roxy Music

Pictures of You - The Cure

Dust in the Wind - Gabriel & Dresden ft. Molly Bancroft

All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
Stuck In the Middle With You - Stealers Wheel

Strange discoloration on my right forearm, like a bruise but it doesn't hurt. Weird. Bug bite? Been around a lot of different insects the past several days. Maybe I will develop superpowers. Or get sick.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Our child has landed an excellent first apartment in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. I headed out for a run, to see what the park is like, and noticed there were far fewer cars on the side of the street where we had parked the trailer. Sure enough, there were temporary signs posted that street cleaning is today. So, instead of taking it back after, we got ourselves together to return the thing right away. Another milestone.

Humboldt is a nice city park, the paths haven't seen some love in a long time. Lot of food trucks getting ready for lunch -- but then we had a tornado warning. I hope they were all okay. 

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

And that's it. Cincinnati, Athens, Chicago. Tonight I head for home, and there will be no one to greet me but the cats.

Wear me on your wrist and I'll tell you things ten thousand times.

We rise. We pack. We drive to Athens. We learn how to drive a pickup with a trailer hitch. We get U-Haul. We load. 

We run.

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 36:56
Pace: 9:14
Route: Hocking Rover Bike Path
Temperature: 75°
Climate: hazy & hot, dusk
Mood: maintaining

Songs For My Funeral

Tinseltown in the Rain - Blue Nile

One of These Things First - Nick Drake

Get Me - Everything But the Girl

Marquee Moon - Television

This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads

Do You Realize?? - Flaming Lips

Águas de março - Elis Regina & Antônio Carlos Jobim

The fair is in town!

Stretches: I mean
Water: yes

Planks: no
Push-ups: no

Sit-Ups: no

Lovely run by the river. Really pushed myself after an exhausting day. Lot of time with my kid, though much of it was either woozy in the car (the rest, man) or negotiating furniture. I'm apprehensive, but also looking forward to our journey tomorrow.

Columbus, Indianapolis, Chicago. With no air conditioning. And rain. We will be sweating.

Thank you for holding me.

August begins in earnest. I am currently alone. And yet, I am booked. It has me a little freaked out, honestly. But maybe it is a good thing. I have plans, I have so many plans. I am also adrift, I don't know what to think, or how.

I need more sleep. Even more sleep. There is never enough sleep.

And I will continue to run.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:50
Pace: 9:37

Songs For My Funeral

Thank You For Hearing Me - Shuhada' Sadaqat

Love Is Stronger Than Death - The The

Put Your Records On - Corrine Bailey Rae

The Things We Do For Love - 10cc

Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty

Cue Fanfare - Prefab Sprout

September - Earth, Wind & Fire

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 76° 
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: better

Spent several hours last night with a good friend, sweating it out on the side porch. I put out the main bulb, so it was all pepper lights and candles, and as our talk continued, the sun went down and our cups refilled, her face began to change. It's always so incredible when that happens. It was a very good night.

I do have friends. Sometimes I know where to look to find them.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 169 lbs. (-1.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Got to get on this.

Graduate Hotel Cincinnati Fitness Room

Distance: 2 miles

Route: Graduate Hotel Cincinnati Fitness Room
Mood: yes

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

The other side of summer.

Two days on the road, driving home. Lovely visit to Oneida to stay in the community mansion house, spotted a runner Saturday night and though, that looks nice. But taxing. I have had that dizzy feeling again recently, much of it to do with poor sleep.

So sleep we must.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:44
Pace: 9:16

Also, while I would like to create a list resolutions for the month of August, it is a question as to whether I will be able to stick to them.

However. I may run in Athens, Cincinnati and Chicago before the month is through. And wouldn't that be interesting?

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Summer 1991 Mixtape

The Other Side of Summer - Elvis Costello

Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J

Who? Where? Why? (The Crisis 12" Mix) - Jesus Jones

Pop Goes the Weasel - 3rd Bass

A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays" - De La Soul ft. Q-Tip & Vinia Mojica

Kiss Them For Me - Siouxsie & the Banshees

Pure - Lightning Seeds

The best mixtape I ever made was the summer 1991 mixtape. Or maybe it wasn't, who knows. It was stolen the following LL summer, along with the minivan it was in. But I put a lot of time and love into that tape. Themes from sit-coms, snatches of porn films, and some truly amazing songs, chronicling a major transformation. A true beginning.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 170 lbs.

It starts there.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

This is the race of the year!

Doubt comes in.

Took six days off and still managed fourteen runs in July, half of them here on the cove. What a month. No seriously, What. A. Month. And August, well. I have no idea.

Wednesday we drove to Augusta to see Hadestown on the big screen, after we had pizza at a local pizza place, it was packed on a Wednesday night. August is nice, the capital of Maine. It's like Portland only much, much ... smaller.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 32:26
Pace: 9:16

80s Running Alternative Mix

Not Now James, We're Busy - Pop Will Eat Itself

Trip Away - Jane's Addiction

Sick Sad Little World - Incubus

Orange Crush (Live) - R.E.M.

New Day Rising - Husker Du

Can't Hardly Wait (The "Tim" Version) - The Replacements

Spacehopper (162 BPM) - Julian Cope

Bastards of Young (Ed Stasium Mix) - The Replacements

We Care a Lot (Live) - Faith No More

Okay, now this is thing is getting bogged down with live recordings, which can be fun, but live recordings always sound terrible. Unless you're Peter Gabriel. Also? Maybe it should be called "80s Inspired."

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 71°
Climate: sunny & beautiful 
Mood: rested & resigned

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Last day in the cove. This was a respite. The next month is an unknown. I mean, a big unknown. I will spend a great deal on my own, in my own head. My sciatica has eased off since we arrived. I can stand and sit with minimal distress. The mattress here has been fabulous. How well will I run in August? How well will I sleep? Will I remain focused? Work is the great distractor, social media is not.

I will make myself positively occupied. I will see movies. I will attend plays. I will write. I will make plans for the house. I will prepare for the fall. And I will think of her.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Start to run into the trees.

Easy days, working on the synopsis. It's always good for me to have a little project.

I find myself just staring past the birch trees, at the water. Standing, sitting. Like I owe it to someone to be doing that. It's not normal for me, to sit passively like that. Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe I am meditating and don't realize it. I'm certainly not thinking anything.

First Leg

Distance: 2.1 miles

Duration: 19:47
Pace: 9:28

80s Running Alternative Mix
A Forest (Remix Mix) (163 bpm) - The Cure
Idiot Box - Incubus
The Perfect Kiss (Live) - New Order
Fruit Machine (168 bpm) - Ting Tings
Falling to Pieces - Faith No More
Bad Day - R.E.M.
There's a Barbarian in the Back of My Car (166 bpm) - Voice of the Beehive

Route: Martin Point Run 
Temperature: 66°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right

Last night we all went to the community cabin to play bingo. Entrance to play is that you bring a prize. I brought a dish of blueberry muffins I had baked that morning, and I won a "Property of Shawshank Maine State Prison" T-shirt. Next year I need to remember to bring an Ohio State Reformatory T-shirt to offer.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Absolutely gaining weight on this trip. The notches in my belt don't lie. Not much I can, or want to, do about it right now. There has been a great deal of stress eating. But also, portioning my meals ... which have been fried to a significant extent.

It doesn't help that all the local produce has been scraped up and I am wary of the salad. America today is so fucking stupid. 

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Stopped to see my brother at the place he is staying, which is conveniently along my route. Saw his wife taking a walk and she asked if I was stopping by for coffee and I whined, "I'm in the middle of a run ..." which is dumb, I'm on vacation and never turn down an invitation for coffee.

Second Leg

Distance: 1.45 miles 

Duration: 13:34
Pace: 9:24

My heart is heavy. My head is confused.

New read.

My birthday was okay. The best part was spending time with my wife. Taking a friend to the train station in the morning, lunch in Damariscotta. Then it was time to entertain the cousins, the family, all afternoon, all evening. This is where we see them, yes. But I do not feel relaxed in company at the moment. I really do just want to sit on the deck and read and write. Weird that my birthday (so far) has been the most stressful day of my vacation.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 32:37
Pace: 9:19

It has been so helpfully cool. Fire in the fireplace most mornings, the runs have been largely sweat-free. Reports have it that our last few days will be soggy, but until then ...

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 69°
Climate: sunny & beautiful 
Mood: not great? okay.

Stretches: yes 
Water: yes

80s Running Alternative Mix

This Corrosion - Sisters of Mercy

Infected (Single Mix) - The The

Accidentally 4the Street (Gloria) - Figures On a Beach

Borderline - Manic Street Preachers

Still in Hollywood - Concrete Blonde

Liberator - Spear of Destiny

A Girl Like You (Live) - The Smithereens

Okay. Usually algorithm based mixes are just a collection of songs I have already saved somewhere on this app. Today, I was surprised. Yes, I started with a familiar title, but the rest were unfamiliar to me -- except "Infected" but even this was a radio edit. Loved them all.

I may stick with this one a while. 

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes