Wonder why you stopped getting high.

The wife has departed for points west, not to return for almost two weeks. The elder will join me in a day or so, but they have such a busy schedule I will still be largely on my own.

The school year winds to a close, there is so much yet to do. The question is whether I will be able to take advantage of my time alone to be productive, remain focused, and feel satisfied with how I am spending my time.

Distance: 3.2 miles

Duration: 28:35
Pace: 8:55

Prepared my first batch of cannabis brownies last night, yes, a 57 year-old man making the pot brownies. Would I be successful? I was. They hit after about an hour, I wisely took a modest sample because they turned out to be pleasantly potent. For the first time in many days, I slept well and long -- and still woke up before eight am. What a weekend! 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 68°
Climate: partly cloudy & nice
Mood: mellow

"For the inventive spirit of man there is no Utopia: there is only a Not-yet."

- "Metropolis" by Thea von Harbou

"And if you use crack now ... get help now!"
- Jenny Lewis (1986)

Block Rockin' Weekend - The Current

Charles Bradley:

   Changes

   Heart of Gold

   Stay Away

Hank Williams:

   Your Cheatin' Heart

   Jambalaya on the Bayou (165 BPM)

   Honky Tonk Blues

Jenny Lewis:

   Red Bull & Hennessey

   Heads Gonna Roll

My shins, both of them, have been stressed. No doubt the result of a week spent on my feet, teaching three days of classes in schools. I will take additional ibuprofen and wear some bandages.

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

It's easier to manage my intake when I am alone. I set alarms for meals so I'm not thinking about it. But then I don't have to wonder; when does she get home? Six? Seven? Eight-thirty? We had dinner Friday night after 9 PM, of course I was snacking before then.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

O come, O key of David, come.

click on to enlarge

What a week! I received a brush-up on my stage combat on Monday. It has been well over ten years, maybe much more, since I have participated in any of the fights. It is remarkable how much I remembered.

Then I had a kink in my back yesterday, but that was temporary. Less so, coming down from the attic on Monday evening I banged the shit out of my knee. No serious damage, but that really hurt. 

Distance: 2 miles

Duration: 17:42

Regardless, we have had our holiday with the children who are leaving for Athens today to spend Crimble with their MP. The spouse and I will remain at home, on our own, and we have a festive day planned.

Then. Oh, so many things to do on Friday. And you know what? That's okay. 

Route: 
Temperature: 
Climate: 
Mood: 

The Current Holiday Mixer (Live)

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - Storyhill

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Punch Brothers

Come on! Let's Boogie to the Elf Dance - Sufjan Stevens

O Holy Night - Sarah Morris ft. Annie Fitzgerald

Every Day is Christmas (When I'm Lovin' You) - Charles Bradley

Stretches: no
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-0-)

Two miles. Place closes at 2 PM, I got in after 1:30. This is how my day is going. Taking my time, then STRESSED. Happy holidays, to each and every runner!

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Young and warm and wild and free.

Big puddle o' jazz.

What a big weekend! Jazz, jazz and more jazz!

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:37
Pace: 9:14

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 67°
Climate: overcast & muggy, then rain

Mood: prideful

Teenage Kicks: PRIDE Edition (Live!)

Sexuality - Billy Bragg

Everyday People - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Go West - Village People

Goody Two Shoes (Demo) - Adam Ant

Boy - Book of Love

Love Is the Drug - Grace Jones

It's a Sin - Pet Shop Boys

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: tbd 

Upper body: 10 reps. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream 

Lunch: fresh strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, banana w/granola & yogurt

Snack: Bugles (1C.)

Dinner: peanut butter mudslide ice cream cone

Alcohol? Dortmunder, Hazecraft IPA

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 170 lbs. (-0-)

Final Goal: 165 lbs.

Reading: yes

Writing: yes

Blog? no

MOVE OUT THE WAY

The Mississippi River
October 2015

Finding it very difficult to justify run time. The time is there, I need to take it. I mean, yes. I have a lot of work work and homework and housework, but seriously. Run that run!

Besides, The Current created an awesome thirty minute playlist last Friday, inspired by the Twin Cities Marathon, which was last Sunday.

Man. The Twin Cities Marathon. That was really good.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:34
Pace: 9:32
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 63°
Climate: bright & cool
Mood: better!
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 183.5 lbs.

Goal: 180 lbs.

Laws, that was gorgeous. See? Still so many beautiful fall days left, get your ass out there, man.

Breakfast: pasta w/vodka pepper sauce, Coffee (2x)

Treat: Twin Bing

Dinner: whipped potatoes & sausage, apple

Snack: popcorn, beer

Coffee Break: Marathon Playlist

Roadrunner - Modern Lovers

Ready Steady Go - Generation X

My Adidas - Run DMC

Pump It Up - Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Ready to Go - Republica

Fast As You Can - Fiona Apple

Every 1's a Winner - Hot Chocolate

MOVE - Beyoncé ft. Grace Jones & Tema

Mystic bohem.

"Dune" board game (1984)
Happy birthday, Sting.

I feel sleepy. But I must run on weekends. Also, I need to write. So first I must run. Yes? Yes. Okay.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 28:10
Pace: 9:04
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 66°
Climate: sunny & perfect
Mood: good?
Weight: 174.5 lbs. (-0-)

Teenage Kicks - The Current

Genius of Love - Tom Tom Club

Electricity - Orchestral Manoeuvers In the Dark

Toom Much Information - The Police

Right Here Right Now - Jesus Jones

Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley & the Wailers

Roxanne - The Police

Intake

Breakfast: coffee (2x)

Lunch: Mexican ramen, chocolate covered almonds (5)

Snack: dish of Cheetos, pretzels

Dinner: small vegetarian tacos (2), cookies (2)

Treat: Corn muffin w/butter

Also: fizzy water (1x)

Jump in the race.

Last time out I felt this pull in my back, like I was about to seize up or something. It was an easy assumption that it's because of the fact that I now carry my laptop every where in a satchel thrown over my shoulder. So I need to look out for that. I can carry it by the handles, but that can also could stress, and besides, hey. Shoulder strap.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 27:25
Pace: 8:50
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: sunny & beautiful
Mood: all right
Weight: 170 lbs. (-1.0)

Friday Intake
Breakfast: Special K w/bananas & peach, coffee, PSL

Lunch: monte cristo, notso fries (half order), Coke Zero

Treat: candy bar, Guinness
Dinner: vegan chicken sandwich, dumplings 

Also: fizzy water (1x)

Teenage Kicks - Block Rockin' Weekend

The Go Go's

This Town *

Club Zero

Head Over Heels *

The Specials

You're Wondering Now

Gangsters

Concrete Jungle *

Patti Smith

People Have the Power (Live at The Current)

Free Money

I liked the Go-Go's for a while. Funny how "cool" works, Belinda Carlisle's foray into schmaltzy late 80s soft pop lost cred for the entire band ... and that's not right. Sting's solo work is also air-pudding, but that hasn't changed how I feel about the Police. 

"Club Zero" was a new Go-Go's single that came out last year. Yay, reunion. I've heard it often enough to decide I really hate it. Especially the chorus, it sounds like the theme song to both The Monkees and The Banana Splits, which you have to admit are thematically similiar.

We're here! We're powerful! "No fucks given!" ... an actual lyric. I mean, you sang "I'm Mad About You," Belinda. "Heaven Is a Place On Earth." I guess I'm withholding judgement.

The city streets are empty now.

Molly Seidel wins USA Bronze in 2:27.46
Women's Marathon, Toyko 2020 Olympics
Only her third marathon!
(My third marathon I ran 3:42:07)

This week has made me tired. Just tired. I will nap and wake up tired. Doesn't help that last night I woke at 2 AM, and tossed about in bed for an hour. Finally I got up and read before sleeping on the couch, then back in bed. The hours added up to a full night's sleep but it's not the same thing.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:25
Pace: 9:48
Route: Forest Hills Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: sunshine & light rain
Mood: better!
Weight: 171 lbs. (-1.0)

This is the first time I have shut out work for the duration of a two week vacation in twenty-five years. In fact, it was because I hadn't checked my work voice mail for two weeks in 1996 that we missed out on a promotional opportunity, a fact which seems trivial now but at the time I felt a great deal of shame about it. Since then I have continually checked my work email, all during vacations. I don't always respond, but I keep in touch. Not this year. Hopefully never again.

Tomorrow, however, I will have to resume in preparation for Monday. What will happen?

Intake
Breakfast: cafe con leche
Lunch: ramen w/fried egg & salsa

Snack: Four squares of cheese with four crackers.
Dinner: tomatoes w/oil & fresh basil, toasted pita w/lemon salt & oil, a variety of small cheeses

Tonight, Sean McPherson is playing nothing but the 70s. Gonna be a good night.

What's That Lyric?

Turn to Stone - ELO

You are not alone.

Sneaking a run between the rain drops. What a wet month.

"I'm just an ally but I love this music." - Jim McGuinn, The Current Program Director said this today on "Teenage Kicks." Just a  passing thought he had.

But are we? Allies, I mean? Because we love this music? And what is "this music"? It is a question I ask myself.

Anyway, it is Pride weekend in the Twin Cities. Great playlist. 

Teenage Kicks - Pride Edition on The Current

I Want to Break Free - Queen

Bring Me Some Water - Melissa Etheridge

Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman

Young Americans - Tina and the B-side Movement

True Colors - Cyndi Lauper

Uptown - Prince

Rock 'N' Roll Suicide - David Bowie

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 31:00
Pace: 10:00
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: rain!
Mood: gay
Weight: 174 lbs. (+2.0)

I have stopped logging my intake. And though a pound here or there is nothing to sweat, I need to keep up with this. We had a pre-supper cheeseboard last night, which was practically its own meal. Then I had a pair of brisket tacos, two drinks over the evening -- and just had to have a bowl of cereal before bed (I didn't). This was all after 5 PM.  

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x), banana, apple

Lunch: kale greens over rice, beer
Snack: rice cake w/sunbutter

Dinner: popcorn & beer (movie night!)

You know me and I'm on the right track.

Nina Simone
"Summer of Soul" (2021)

Big holiday weekend! I am a little weak. 

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 37:49
Pace: 9:27
Route: Forest Hill/One time around the block.
Temperature: 75°
Climate: sunny & HOT
Mood: good!
Weight: 175 lbs. (-1.0)

I have a stack of shorts waiting for me to hit 170.

The Current A-to-Z Weekend
Sunday Candy * - Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment ft. Chance the Rapper

Sunshine Supernova - Donovan

Super Bon Bon - Soul Coughing

Superbike - Jay Sorn

Superfly - Curtis Mayfield

Superman - R.E.M.

Supernova - Liz Phair

Supernova - Ray LaMontagne

Superstition - Stevie Wonder

Surfin' Bird - The Trashmen

Surrender - Cheap Trick

Oh my GOD! That was crazy, Sean McPherson. Even R.E.M. I was rounding home when he put on Superstition so I went around the block. I had to, right?

It's a good life. It truly is. Remember that.

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x)
Lunch: baba & pita, spicy cauliflower, banana

Snack: watermelon
Dinner: popcorn, candy & beer

Also, fizzy water (3x)

It's easier to run away.

We got free Bob Feller jerseys!

What a week! A long, challenging week. But also, a week of revelation and discovety. That's good, you know?

A few ngihts ago I dreamed I was running a marathon. But this was no ordinary race. The route led me up mountains and across giant misshapen stone sculptures. It should have been a difficult trek, but I was doing very well, fleet of foot and remarkably agile.

I was also, I was informed, in the lead! In a marathon? Amazing! There was, however, a blonde man following close behind me, and so it was no longer enough to run. I had to maintain my lead.

Then there was a place where the stone beneath my feet broke through and I fell, maybe fifteen or twenty feet, straight down. I feared I might break a leg, or damage the bones in my feet. But I landed soft, cushioned by the springy bending of my amazing knees. I was okay! But I had been overtaken by the blonde runner.

When I got out from under this giant stone mountain, I found myself in a middle school library, one that was very crowded. I didn’t know which was to turn or how to get out. It was clear the blonde man had made it through, but I could not. There was a conveyor belt for books, but I could not fit onto them. I could not make my way through the library. I was increasingly distressed as I ran through stacks and time passed and I was stuck in this labyrinthine building.

Eventually, a fun size candy bar appeared in my pocket and it read “Congratulations!” on the label but it wasn’t for me. Rather, it was an announcement that the blonde man had crossed the finish line, and I felt defeated. 

A version of this tale appears in my blog, Cleveland Centennial.

Distance: 3.6 miles
Duration: 34:46

Pace: 9:39

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: good, dammit!
Weight: 176 lbs. (-1.0)

I ate all teh things the past few days, steak, fish & chips, a hot dog. It's a holiday weekend, and I have been enjoying myself, but not stuffing myself.

The Current A-to-Z Weekend

Make It Better - Anderson Paak ft. Smokey Robinson

Make Me Feel - Janelle Monae

Make You Better - The Decemberists

Makes No Sense at All * - Husker Du

Making Time - The Creation

Malamenta (Cap.1 Augurio) - Rosalia

Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J

Man on the Moon - R.E.M.

Manipulator - Ty Seagall

There are seveal excellent songs which capture the melancholy and joy of the Gen X childhood. 1979 by Smashing Pumkpins, for one. In My Garage by Weezer. Grade 9 by Barenaked Ladies.

Man on the Moon is not one of these songs. God, "Automatic For the People" ruined that band.

Seriously, I am disturbed. That was a nearly perfect running playlist. Should have played any version of Mama Told Me Not to Come instead.

With one foot in the past.

Summer reading.

The semester is over, and that's weird. No schoolwork ... just work work. Wanted to get out this morning just to enjoy Teenage Kicks. Or as I like to call it, "Sweatin' to the Oldies."

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 39:16
Pace: 9:49
Route: Forest Hill Loop (and around the block)
Temperature: 75°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: determined, you know?
Weight: 178 lbs. (-0-)

Also, it is out 22nd wedding anniversary! We will celebrate tomorrow.

Intake
Breakfast: apple, coffee (2x)
Lunch: bean spread on seed bread, cherries, coffee

Dinner: beef nackes (sm), nuggs (2), beer (1x), 2 sm choc chip cookies

Also: ribs (2x), cole slaw, beans

Also, fizzy water (1x), Coca-Cola (1x), beer (1x)

Now, my anles are sore. Both ankles. I think I need a break every two days.

Teenge Kicks 6/26/2021 - The Current

I Kicked a Boy - The Sundays

TVC 15 - David Bowie

Is She Really Going Out With Him - Joe Jackson

Secret - Orchestral Manouevers in the Dark

Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears

I Got You - Split Enz

Here's Where the Story Ends - The Sundays

Harborcoat - R.E.M.

Party at Ground Zero - Fishbone

Fisherman's Blues - The Waterboys

Dear God!

One day off and I feel strong. Bright, crisp run to New Wave classics. Feeling a little down lately, motivation is an illusion. You create it for yourself or you don't. How do I get back what I had only two months ago?

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 32:03
Pace: 9:09
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 39°
Climate: bright & cool
Mood: not bad
Weight: 180 lbs. (-1.0)

Plank Challenge: 90 seconds

Teenage Kicks: New Wave 11/14/2020

Take On Me - A-ha

Never Let Me Down Again - Depeche Mode

Rock Lobster - The B-52's

Dear God - XTC

Lovesong - The Cure

Hero Takes a Fall *  - The Bangles

Seven Seas - Echo & The Bunnymen

The Wait - The Pretenders

I'm running free, yeah. Oh! I'm running free.

Sweat stain on my shirt.

Running eventually makes me winded if I do not take a day between runs. Okay. But it is in the 60s today, and Teenage Kicks was on, so it was imperative to get out the door. 

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 28:24

Pace: 9:28

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 64°

Climate: sunny & warm

Mood: better

Teenage Kicks 11/7/2020

Birds Fly (Whisper To a Scream) - Icicle Works

Perfect Day - Lou Reed

Never Enough - The Cure

I Kicked a Boy - The Sundays

Ace of Spades - Motorhead

Running Free - Iron Maiden

Photogrpah - Def Leppard

Open Letter (To a Landlord) - Living Colour

Even if I'll keep on running, I'll never get to Orange Street.

Thank you, Mr. Boseman.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:36
Pace: 9:33
Route: Forest Hill Run
Temperature: 70°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: sad
Weight: 179 lbs. (+1.0)

Teenage Kicks: Record Store Day 2020 (All Vinyl!)
My City Was Gone - The Pretenders
Going Underground - The Jam
Watching the Detectives - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
The Prince - Madness
Stutter - Elastica
Safety Net - Shop Assistants
You're My Favorite Waste of Time - Marshall Crenshaw
What Do All the People Know - The Monroes
She's On It - Beastie Boys
You Be Illin' - Run-D.M.C.

Got to be said, everyone is wrong. In comparison, vinyl sounds like shitty. Muddy and distant.

You'd watch my heart burst. Then you'd step in.

It's still there, below the surface. The trembling. And it's not the allergy medication, because I stopped taking that weeks ago.

It may, indeed, be the alcohol, because the drinking has returned. Because I'm bored. Because I am unsure. Because I like to drink.

I also like to run.

Distance: 5 miles, door-to-door.
Duration: 49:52
Pace: 9:57
Route: Forest Hill to Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: sunny & HOT!
Mood: all right
Weight: 184 lbs. (-1.0)

Easy run. Feeling good. Five miles! Not my plan, but hey. It's Saturday!

Teenage Kicks 06/20/2020
God Save the Queen * - Sex Pistols
I Need to Know * - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Rat Trap - Boomtown Rats
Rio  - Duran Duran
The Look of Love - ABC
Vacation* - The Go-Go's
California Uber Alles * - Dead Kennedys
Sally McLennane - The Pogues
Birthday - The Sugarcubes
Come Undone - Duran Duran
Ladytron * - Roxy Music
X Offender - Blondie
My Brave Face - Paul McCartney

Watch the humans trying to run.

A crisp Saturday morning. Last night we were all emerging into the world of art and culture. A jazz performance on a doorstep in my neighborhood, the girl took her boyfriend to a drive-in movie (a drive-in movie!)

We strive for normalcy. I will strive to the park.

Distance: 3.65 miles
Duration: 34:19
Pace: 9:24
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 59°
Climate: bright & sunny
Mood: determined
Weight: 184 lbs. (-1.0)

Okay. I am again a runner.

Teenage Kicks 06/13/2020
Fascination Street - The Cure
Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
These Are Days - 10,000 Maniacs
Real Situation - Bob Marley & The Wailers
Kick * - INXS
Down In The Park * - Gary Numan
Justice Tonight / Kick It Over * - The Clash

I am home. I am free.

Eyes on the road, dumbass.

Happy Memorial Day. No parades, no trip to Athens. Just a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I will put the deck in order. We will have a day. You have a day, too.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:02
Pace: 9:01
Route: Two times around the block
Temperature: 81°
Climate: gorgeous, perfect day, and hot
Mood: upbeat, actually.
Weight: 189 lbs. (-1.0)*

*This was totally all water weight.

What's That Lyric?
Everything - Nine Inch Nails

I get the shower and The Current starts playing a block of Alanis Morissette. I probably would have put up with it but the led off with ironic so I had to turn it off. Ironic is the Black Water of Seasons In the Sun. Rock Blockin' No.

Here at breaking point, mind and body tired.

Have a kink in my right ankle again. Is it my stride, or my shoes? Could be the shoes. It might be the shoes. Or is it me? It's a question.

Did we dine sensibly yesterday? Depends on what you mean. I did have snack of almonds before dinner. And there was dessert, but not an outrageous one. Ice cream with macerated apples and caramel. I let my wife serve me, it was a fine portion of dessert (also delicious.)

So. There. So there.

Distance: 3.5 miles
Duration: 34:23
Pace: 9:49
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 61°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: all right
Weight: 191 lbs. (-1.0)

Did I say right ankle? I meant left. Left ankle. At least, that was today.

I think it's the shoes.

Teenage Kicks: Block Rockin' Weekend Edition!
   The Specials:
Breaking Point
A Message To You, Rudy
Concrete Jungle*
   The The:
This Is The Day
Dogs of Lust*
The Beat(en) Generation
   Kate Bush:
Why Should I Love You (ft. Prince)
Running Up That Hill
The Man With the Child In His Eyes

Okay, that was amazing.

I know that I'll get through this.

I only sleep with the help of Benadryl. And when I do use it, I can barely wake up. And last night it didn't even work, I was awake in the night because I my hands fell asleep. I worried about that for hours almost falling asleep, and then waking up to wake up my hands.

I thought diabetes? Hypertension? This morning I realized it's probably carpal tunnel.

The other night I had a dream I was running, but I looked down at my feet and they weren't moving. Or just taking little bunny hops.

This is hard.

Distance: 3.65 miles
Duration: 35:36
Pace: 9:45
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: breezy & bright
Mood: all right
Weight: 191 lbs. (-3.0)

I have been having a lot of dreams about running. Several of them, anyway. That is unusual. It means I miss running. Today was good, a bit on the windy side. Only had to walk once, but it felt better than it has done.

Listening to the Current today. It's member drive time, so they usually have an amazing "listener selected" playlist. This year's theme, 893 Songs That Bring Us Together. You be the judge.

581. Rock and Roll - The Velvet Underground
580. Jackson - Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
579. Courage (for Hugh MacLennan) - The Tragically Hip
578. Feels Like We Only Go Backwards - Tame Impala
577. Flash Light - Parliament
576. May I Have This Dance - Francis & The Lights ft. Chance the Rapper
575. Believe - Cher
574. Cold Beverage - G. Love & Special Sauce

Then you finish, winded, on a bright sunny day, and that song comes on that reminds you of when you were nineteen and you were young and you didn't know what it meant to be in a difficult situation, and you take another lap around the block.

573. Under the Milky Way - The Church
Distance: 0.4 miles

Don't give up the game.

Difficult day. I mean, it's been okay. Conference call lunch with the office staff was nice, I miss them. Watched a tutorial on playwriting which was also cool. Tree guys came and trimmed the giant silver maple, and I watched them do it.

But I am sore and out of sorts, squirrely. I want to get out into the air. And so that is what I will do.

Distance: 2.5 miles
Duration: 23:48
Pace: 9:31
Route: Forest Hill Pond
Temperature: 46°
Climate: nice
Mood: squirrely

Teenage Kicks 3/21/2020
Maniac - Michael Sembello (Flashdance, 1983)
Call Me - Blondie (American Gigolo, 1980)
Let's Do It - Paul Westerberg & Joan Jett (Tank Girl, 1995)
Shell Shock - New Order (Pretty In Pink, 1986)
Army of Me - Bjork (Tank Girl, 1995)
In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel (Say Anything, 1989)