I tried to run but only got the blues.

Teen Improv Club

The rains are a delight and a curse. The tomatoes I planted last week have taken and are growing very well, but Timon was forced to move indoors under a threatening sky. The windows and doors are open, cool breezes and the sound of rain making for a fine and long rest, my first truly decent night of sleep in a number of weeks. The basement however is extremely damp and unpleasant and we may need to activate the air conditioning just to dry everything out.

New dedication to my mandate. Last night I read before sleep, this morning I read upon rising, and for the first time in a week I wrote. That must happen daily. Not so much creative imaginings, but a reflection upon the week just past, one which surprised me with its success.

When I was a teenager, I longed to be admired, but that is not in and of itself a goal one can accomplish. Hard-earned humility (yes, I have some of that) taught me to focus on the task at hand, and that positive emotion can only be a happy by-product of hard work. Even then the good feelings are fleeting, and so I cannot give them much attention. Sometimes I get it right. I do not bask in it.

This week was the rare exception when the hard work was successful and I could feel it going right as it was happening. This was as much due to our planning, my work partner's and mine, as the good spirit and positive attitude of the students we were working with. They were happy, genuinely happy, and said so, and so were we.

And like that, it was over. In two days we begin again, another five week process and experience has taught that that part is more challenging than the first, and so we must prepare, several hours of this weekend spent in preparation. No time to bask.

Temperature: 66°
Distance: 4.1 miles
Avg Pace: 7.26
Climate: cooler, but damp and muggy

The kind of weather that sucks the sweat right out of you. Fortunately, not so warm today, after the rains. It is supposed to continue between not and next Saturday. (Alas, poor Timon.)

Have I entered the training period for a marathon so prepared before? I have not. Must remember the basics, to drink (I did, as Stephani recommended, 32 ounces for beginning and a water break along the way) and eat.

Half a banana does not count as eating. Work on that.

Weight: 157.5 lbs.
From Goal: -2.5

What's That Lyric?
Grab The Next Train - Marshall Crenshaw

The deer of Cleveland Heights

Bad news ... Britain's new PM has been going out of his way to teach the military the wrong way to run.

"Too upright"? Please. He's British.

Picked L. up for a trip around South Central Cleveland Heights. She texted me last night to let me know she's in town, and would I like to run.

Yes. I am a 41 year-old man and chicks text me. Suck on that.

The days this summer have not been long - but active. Summer camp is much more ... enjoyable this year than the past three. It makes a difference when 1) the campers want to be there 2) there are fewer of them and 3) they don't stay long. Short (two hour) high impact sessions with kids of a like age (6-8 year-olds in one, 12-14 in the other) with other instructors handling the other three sessions.

Driving back from Berea at 4 in the afternoon, however, I have a tendency to fall asleep at stoplights. I do not know if running at six in the morning with improve that situation or not.

Saw a deer on Compton. The Deer of Compton. DWA.

Distance: 5.5 miles
Temperature: 64º
Weather: coolish
Weight: 157.5 lbs.

It's gonne be a lovely day for you and me just wait and see

Full moon. Morning star. Cloudless sky. Hot disco.

Two more days of summer arts camp. I will miss some of these kids. There's a few who attended the entire camp - but aren't available for the final presentation tomorrow. So this week has been kind of a bummer for them, we put them in the show but they know they won't be part of the celebration. And this week has been one of less fun, more work. So it's a drag for them.

Passed a beefy guy, looked formerly athletic, huffing up a side-street. He kept stopping. I think he's trying to resume health. Hope I see him again, and that his lungs have improved.

It truly has been a cool summer.

Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Track Stars (145 BPM)

Distance: 3.25 miles
Temperature: 57º
Weather: cool & humid
Weight: 156.5 lbs.

And now a word from our stage manager ...

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Summer

WHY SO TENSE, PENGO???

I got a lot on my plate right now. For real. Not least of which is spearheading a summer arts camp for 50 9-13 year-olds (say what?) using only Scotch tape, 6 tongue depressors and my wits. But my wits are sharper these days than they have been for a couple years.

For real.

However, they are great kids - at least half of them were in the same camp with me last year - our staff is excellent and we have some fabulous ideas planned.

I leave town in a little under two weeks, so this is my plan for the next nine working days.

Monday - Friday
5:00 Rise & Run
7:00 Gather necessary materials for camp
7:30 Depart for camp
8:30 Arrive at camp
9:00 Camp
2:00 End of camp day, meet with instructors
2:30 Head to office
3:00 Write grants
5:00 This week: Head home, be Dad.
Next week: Head to Ali's, rehearse
10:00 Clean house, plan for tomorrow
11:30 Read
12:00 Sleep

"Being Dad" should include painting the kids' playroom, keeping the yard tame, reading books, and laundry. It's summer! I should be able to do everything!

If I can keep my head above water for nine (working) days, I get to go to Bermuda.

Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Countermeasures (151 BPM)

Distance: 3.25 miles
Temperature: 61º
Weather: cool & humid
Weight: 158 lbs.

I do not drink enough water. End of story.