The future looks bright.

Saturday, I just said fuck it and ate everything. Breakfast cereal, they brought home baba and I ate that. Then we went to a ballgame and there was beer, a pretzel and nachos. We ended the evening at Bette and had polenta fries and a vegan Caesar. I regret nothing, that was a good, hot and overwhelming day.

Today is the first day of resdency rehearsal, so of course I kept waking up all night. I rose at 4:30 to run but it was storming out. Fortunately, I had homework, so I just read at the kitchen table until the thnder and lightning passed and I could take a run between the raindrops (back to your door). 

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:19
Pace: 9:28
Route: Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: after the storm
Mood: upbeat!
Weight: 170 lbs. (-0-)

The Nightfly - Donald Fagen (1982)

I.G.Y.

Green Flower Street

Ruby Baby

New Frontier

The Nightfly

Walk Between the Raindrops

Maybe it was Lennon's swan song, the Elvis-inspired (just Like) Starting Over, or just encroaching middle age that inspired all these 1970s rock stars to start producing either melancholy  or embarrassingly poppy tributes to their younger days. 

See Don Henley's Boys of Summer or Billy Joel's entire An Innocent Man LP.

Donald Fagen, he of the acid-lyriced yacht rock ensemble Steely Dan, walked the finest line between satire and nostalgia with The Nightfly and the commentary wasn't lost on me, at the age of fourteen I "got" the message of its opening track I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year) which never gives away the game. It is openly optimistic about the untold possibilities of science and commerce ... but that year was 1957.

The song never asks the obvious question, "What the hell happened, man?" This dry wit is with me today, and explains why I make patently absurd observations on Facebook, and why my white male colleagues can help themselves but need to explain exactly how I am wrong.

This album defined my high school years, and it remains one of my absolute favorites.

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x), PSL, doughnut (1)
Lunch: Sittoo’s Business Special (half)

Coffee break: coffee & cream

Happy hour: beer, m&ms
Dinner: Mushroom stew over brown rice

Also, two oatmeal coconut cookies 

Okay, a run before rehearsal. Ok! Now, we need to watch what we consume during rehearsal. This is where the holidays truly begin.

Why am I so soft in the middle now?

When you eat a lot of hot salsa the night before, you may have intenstinal distress. Just a tip.

Distance: 3.75 miles
Duration: 34:25
Pace: 9:11
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: hot & sunny
Mood: good
Weight: 170 lbs. (+1.0)

Listening to Yacht Rock this week, thanks to onset of Labor Day and Mr. Chris Molanphy. Thanks, "Hit Parade" podcast! We are smooth.

Thursday Intake
Breakfast: coffee, protein smoothie

Coffee Break: latte
Lunch: vegan chicken sandwich and vegan cheese covered fries (half) 

Dinner: quesadillas w/beans & rice

Also: PSL, absurdly large lemonade, Guinness

What's That Lyric?

You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon (and numerous uncredited Black South African musicians.)

Today I learned "She's Gone" and "Baby Come Back" are the exact same song.

I've gotta get a new balm.

Last night, I slept. I have resumed dreaming dreams I scarely remember. I wish I wrote. Running, not writing. That should be on one of those inspiration plaques like "Waving, Not Drowning."

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 28:12
Pace: 9:05
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: after the rains, overcast & humid
Mood: all right
Weight: 169 lbs. (-0-)

Intake
Breakfast: coffee, protein smoothie

Coffee break: latte
Lunch: vegan chicken sandwich and vegan cheese covered fries (each cut in HALF)

Treat: Pop Tarts
Dinner: cucumber soup w/almonds, cheese & bread, cherry tomatoes, beer

Dessert: Sherbet (1 scoop), Manhattan

Also, fizzy water (1x)

El Oso - Soul Coughing (1998)

Rolling

Circles

Blame

St. Louise Is Listening

Houston

$300

I Miss the Girl

Warm-Down:

So Far I Have Not Found the Science (0.25 miles)

The boy has informed me that El Oso is the best of Soul Coughing albums, this is from a kid who has long loved the band, and I was surprised. But I have to admit he is more qualified to judge (he thinks the bass and drum on this record is outstanding) as he is without bias. 

I have a personal connection to their first two albums, listening to them as they were contemporary. Just prior to the release of this, their third and final record, a surprie concert was announced at the Euclid Tavern and we got tickets, very excited to see the act.

They played El Oso, their as yet unreleased album, in its entirety, and nothing else. Maybe they played one familiar tune as an encore. And Doughty was high as a kite, his patter was virtually incomprehsible. He asked as to all refer to him as "Your Junta."

"I will be your Junta!" he proclaimed, a joke which was funny to no one but himself.

Anyway, we are opening our hearts to this record. Lyrically, there are only a few choice moments and a lot of repetition. But that drum and bass, though. The boy isn't wrong about that.

You know you ought to slow down.

Respect.

Oh my God, this life.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 28:30
Pace: 9:11
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 73° 
Climate: sunny & beautiful
Mood: all right
Weight: 169 lbs. (-1.0)

The boy is making smoothies for breakfast. It is not my intention to "bulk up" but someone has to drink the rest of this. Also: need to watch the grazing. WATCH THE GRAZING, DAVID.

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x), protein smoothie
Coffee break:latte

Lunch: Sitto's lunch special (you know it)

Snack: Diet soda, apple

Happy hour: beer (2x)
Dinner: bean & greens stew over sourdough bread w/homemade hot sauce

These new Sauconys are good shoes, man.

What's That Lyric?

Take Your Time (Do It Right) - The S.O.S. Band

I hear footsteps.

Suggested serving size.

No alcohol Friday night, and I woke up Saturday with something like a hangover. I hate my head.

Also, my left ankle. It's been hurting, I bought the Sauconys because they provided extra support to the ankle, but still. Weakness.

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 39:34
Pace: 9:53
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 81°
Climate: sunny & hot!
Mood: all right
Weight: 170 lbs. (+1.0)

Saturday Intake
Breakfast: coffee, Monster Mash cereal & milk
Lunch: cold pizza (2 slice), Doritos (tiny bag)
Dinner: too many rebaked nachos

Also; 2 beers and a Zima

What's That Lyric?

Heartbeat - Psychedlic Furs

I wonder what you're living for.

As my mother used to say, "Well. I'm glad you got that out of your system."

Today is not a day I would choose to go running. It's very hot. I had a poor night's sleep. And I feel weak, disengaged, numb, depressed. I'm not actually numb, I feel like crying. I feel like giving up on everything.

But the boy and I just got new shoes from Second Sole. Saucony, that's a first. He was leaving as I got home, and he encouraged me to take a run, which was thoughtful.

I'm tired. I feel like doing nothing at all. Once my father had a terrible headache (he told me this story) he was a young man and his head hurt so much he couldn't stand it. He said he took ten aspirin, figuring they would either kill him or make his pain go away. Anyway, it didn't kill him.

I have no idea if this is a smart thing to do. It doesn't feel like it. But I keep dithering her at my laptop because I have no idea what else to do.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 30:26
Pace: 9:22
Route: Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 79°
Climate: hot & sunny
Mood: very bad
Weight: 169 lbs. (-1.0)

It was difficult, but not hard. Not much speed, but I felt good. Managing rush hour traffic, and the Greek Festival. Watching pedestrians and parked cars and stopping at all intersections.

Saw some bullshit at the main intersection, up the hill. Not paying attention to people in the crosswalk when trying to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. Blowing your horn three times to let people know you know you're running a red light, but I don't care. Assholes.

Heading down the hill I see a car coming to a stop at a side street at the stop sign, so I run through. Then they accelerate. I shouted, they saw me and looked shocked as they peeled past, missing me by feet.

I am going to get killed. Someone is going to kill me.

Nice new kicks, though.

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x)
Lunch: pizza (1 slice), salad, cupcake
Dinner: nachos w/pico de gallo, corn on the cob

Dessert: cookies, milk

Also, fizzy water (1x), mocktail

What's That Lyric?

First Wave Intact - Secret Machines

You should be horizontal now.

Two shitty nights of sleep in a row. Headachy this time, for no reason. I try to postpone breakfast but I felt sick to my stomach. Often I'll just reach for cereal and milk but that doesn't sit well. So, a little protein instead.  

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 27:33
Pace: 8:53
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: sunny & glorious
Mood: all right
Weight: 170 kbs. (-1.0)

Took all day to feel something like normal. I even took Sudafed to try and open my sinuses, but I just feel low all day. Coming home howevere, the sun was bright, the sky was clear, and so was my head.

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x), eggplant parmesan 
Happy Hour: Guinness
Dinner: pizza (2 slices), salad

Also, fizzy water (1x)

Summer 2021 Playlist

Chaise Longue - Wet Leg

Solar Power - Lorde

Freedom - Jon Batiste

Rumors - Lizzo ft. Cardi B

Smile - Wolf Alice

I Need Some of That - Weezer

Brutal - Olivia Rodrigo

Bad Dream Baby - Hippo Campus

The Gathering - Frank Turner

God, what a beautiful night. Running at full speed. Enjoying the world outside. I have waited weeks to get back to this.

No way to run from it.

What we're listening to this week.

Here's a thing -- my ankles were very weak last week, after my last run on Wednesday. Even for a few days after that, it was surprising, Maybe next day weakness or soreness, but it last for a few days. Also, my shins. Like the beginning of shin splints. I did some exercises. 

I expect, these days, to start wearing down if I run every day. It's what happened during training two years ago. My sciatica was giving me trouble driving to and from Athens, I have been doing an unsusual amount of lifting, helping our child move into their dorm.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:07
Pace: 9:42
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: overcast & damp
Mood: all right
Weight: 171 lbs. (-0-)

I will have several good nights of sleep in a row, then suddenly not. And I have been good about not drinking before bed. Not true, I drank before bed Monday night and had a delightful sleep. Last night I just tossed and turned. Why? No idea. Often it is emotional, I'm fretting about something. But I had nothing particular on my mind. Just could not fall asleep. 

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x)
Lunch: eggplant parmesan, watermelon

Snack: small bowl of potato chips, rice cake w/Nutella
Dinner: squash tacos w/beans & corn, yogurt & cheese

Also: juice soda (?), fizzy water

oh shit, oh fuck playlist

It Wasn't Me - Shaggy ft. Rik Rok

Studio-1 - La Flotte 411

Welceom to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

Bring Me To Life - Evanescence

Toxic - Britney Spears

No Hago Reggaeton - Oneclown

Afraid of the Dark (Sock Jock Remix) - Biscuit Sundown

Un;Idea geniale - Kamiko

Some folks have not done a close reading of the assignment.

Something's got to give.

Gentlemen will run with shirts.
Others are asked to.

Last Wednesday a storm blew through and we lost power for almost two entire days. Those were two strange days, even if I did spend part of them in my office downtown. That was also confusing.

Anyway, I did not pay much attention to my intake. I was eating whatever, it's a sign of weakness, I know. The ansence of electric light and air conditioning rendered me somewhat bewildered. And exhausted. It was very hot.

Then, over the weekend we traveled to drop our eldest at college. Yes, that happened. And again, we ate. And I tried not to worry about it too much. Big brunch at Casa. A decadent (and expensive) meal of beef at the Blennerhassett Hotel. And fast food on the way home.

I have also been suddenly plagued by an unspeakable condition which is causing pain and distress. It makes me wonder how I will be able to run. Regardless, I got this far. I can't backslide now.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:17
Pace: 9:46
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: overcast & damp (ugh)
Mood: all right
Weight: 171.5 lbs. (+1.5)

Good run, glad to be back again. Very glad to be back on the streets.

Monday Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x), granola with yogurt, banana & peach 

Coffee Break: latte, three small sugar cookies

Snack; apple, diet Coke
Lunch: small bowl of potato chips (what)
Dinner: salad, vegan pizza

Nightcap: Manhattan

oh shit, oh fuck playlist

Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

Bodies - Drowning Pool

Be Like Me - Ms. Toi ft. Nelly

Cat Flag - Grow Rich

Jesus, Etc. - Wilco

Aerodynamic - Daft Punk

The Rat - The Walkmen

Moves so fast! Moves so fast.

On your left.

Evening run, morning run. Why not? It's still summer, and I'm still in one piece.

Distance: 2.25 miles
Duration: 20:13
Pace: 8:56
Route: Noble Loop
Temperature: 78°
Climate: overcast & muggy
Mood: good
Weight: 170 lbs. (-2.5)

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x), fresh fruit smoothie
Lunch: baba ganouj & pita

Snack: four small pieces of cheese w/crackers
Dinner: TBA

Also, fizzy water (1x)

155 - 164 BPM Playlist

Thank You For Hearing Me - Sinead O'Connor

Like Eating Glass - Block Party

Where Are We Now? - David Bowie

Shake Appeal - The Stooges

Good Thing - Fine Young Cannibals

Secret Agent Man - Johnny Rivers

Now I've a strong, strong heart.

Aladdin's hot sauce goes on
ANYTHING.

Drinking before bed also means eating before bed. Be careful. Don't drink before bed.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:17
Pace: 9:46
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 81°
Climate: hot!
Mood: good
Weight: 172.5 lbs. (+2.5)

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x)
Lunch: ham, cheese, tomato on foccacia w/butter

Snack: apple, banana
Dinner: baba ganouj & pita, single scoop vanilla w/Aladdin's hot sauce, beer

Also: fizzy water (1x)

What's That Lyric?

Thank You For Hearing Me - Sinéad O'Connor

Figures up ahead moving in the trees.

Evening run. Morning run? Yes, why not. Last night I was in bed by eleven. And instead of waking in the middle of the night, I slept for maybe eight hours without moving. Then I slept another two hours.

I love running in this park.

Vacation is at an end. I will chat with my brothers at noon, a colleague at one. Then I will begin to work. But not yet. No, not yet.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 31:25
Pace: 10:08
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: good
Weight: 170 lbs. Achievement Unlocked

My eyes are sore this morning. Not a headache. Just weary eyes. I am weary these days.

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x)
Lunch: Pumpkin Spice (yes) Mini Wheats, banana, strawberry, milk

Snack: Four sensible pieces of cheese, with four crackers.
Dinner: big ass salad, foccia bread w/dressing, beer

Also: Fizzy water (2x)

Nice run. Took it easy, not much energy, but also no tired. Good decision. Thank you, Summer of 2021. That was all right.

What's That Lyric?

These Dreams - Heart

I might die in my bed. I may live to be very old. But I have died many times in my mind, run over by a car, attacked by an animal, having a heart attack, or stuck by a falling tree limb. These fears keep me on my toes, though I know "being alert" won't actually help.

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

I'm running out of time.

I'm still on vacation. I took two weeks -- one out of town, one in. And I feel guilty about that, which is totally stupid. And it's not like I'm just fucking around here, I am painting a room, I am doing housework. I took vacation time to work on my house.

Anyway, first writing, then running. Then painting. I had a nice thought while writing today, that it's my time. I have alwaysknown this, but sometimes I need to remind myself.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:54
Pace: 9:58
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: sunny & humid
Mood: angsty
Weight: 172 lbs. (-2.0)

Bit of a logy run, not too bad, just low energy. I think I should take a day off. Also, paint fumes.

"Pan-O-Rama!"
(Music From the Big Love 2018-2021)
Sex Machine - Sly & the Family Stone

Blinding Lights - The Weeknd

Under the Table - Fiona Apple

Fight For You - H.E.R.

Montero (Call Me By Your Name) - Lil Nas X

brutal - Olivia Rodrigo

Intake
Breakfast: cafe con leche* (2x)
Lunch: spaghetti & "meat" sauce

Snack: apple, corn chips, beer
Dinner: chik'n w/creamed corn, rice & peas, Manhattan

Also: fizzy water (1x)

*When I say "cafe con leche" what I mean is this; our first night back we needed half and half for the morning, but it was late and per usual, Walgreen's was out. We had just listened to the soundtrack to "In the Heights" and Claudia's suggestion Usnavi use condensed milk was on my mind, so I got some. It doesn't work by itself, you still need milk or cream, but it does make a sweet drink. When I run out of the stuff, I'll stop.

You ain't been up off the porch, now.

Distance: 3.75 miles
Duration: 34:53
Pace: 9:18
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: good
Weight: 174 lbs. (-0-)

Yes, it has been three years. Just as we departed Cleveland Heights for two days on the road, I announced a new playlist for my love. No more cassettes, nor compact discs. Just a Spotify playlist of music from the past three years.

Even as we listened it was being edited. Apparently Billie Eilish has been cancelled in certain quarters, I was unaware of that.

"Pan-O-Rama!"
(Music From the Big Love 2018-2021) 

Hell You Talmbout - David Byrne

Changes - Charles Bradley & the Budos Band

Gotta Get Up - Harry Nilsson

Old Town Road (Remix) - Lil Nas X ft. Billie Ray Cyrus

See You at Your Funeral - PUP

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Screech Out - post-curtain call music from "Come From Away"

Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago (Live) - Mike Doughty

Adore You - Harry Styles
In Quarantine - Ben Gibbard

J$ST- Run the Jewels

Intake
Breakfast: cafe con leche (2x)
Lunch: ramen (I really like ramen.)

Refreshment: beer, Manhattan

Snack: corn chips
Dinner: spaghetti & roasted brussels sprouts

Also: Fizzy water (2x)

Note: Hanging out with young friends means drinking more. Staying up late means eating more. No shame, just a reminder. I have hit a 174 pound wall. Just a bit further and I will be where I prefer to be.

I fell in love with girls I never met.

"Hi, Brad."

Can you honestly tell me you forgot? Forgot the magnetism of Robin Zander, or the charisma of Rick Nielsen?

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:12
Pace: 9:24
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 66°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: good
Weight: 174 lbs. (-0-)

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (OST)

We Got the Beat - The Go-Go's
Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne

Raised On the Radio - The Ravyns

Speeding - The Go-Go's

Goodbye-Goodbye - Oingo Boingo

Moving In Stereo - The Cars

American Girl - Tom Petty

Kashmir - Led Zeppelin

Intake
Breakfast: cafe con leche (2x)
Lunch: ramen, small chocolate muffin (2x)

Work beverage: beer (1x)

Cocktail hour: Old fashioned (2x)
Dinner: baba ganouj w/pita

Dessert: sunbutter & jelly (on pita)

Also, fizzy water (3x)

Father/Eldest One Mile

Eldest and I took a lap, We haven't run together in some time. We are on our own, the others still in ME.

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:38
Route: One time around the block.
Temperature: 72°
Climate: sunny, nice
Mood: all right
Weight: 174 lbs. (+1.0)

Over vacation, I did not drink nearly enough water. A lot of soda pop, and a not unreasonable amount of alcohol. I worked very hard to control my portions, the last two days being something of a binge. I mean, there was a seafood bake at my aunt's with large chunks of lobster and scallops, I didn't even have a large portion but it was like eating gobs of butter.

Yesterday eldest and I consumed a bag of Doritos on the all-day drive home. That was dinner. I gained one pound this week. Good thoughts.

Intake
Breakfast: café con leche (2x)
Lunch: cold fried chicken piece, peas & rice, salad, small chocolate muffin (2x)
Dinner: giyoza, shrimp tempura roll, beer (1x)

Also, fizzy water (3x)