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.