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: TBA

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: 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

Come running back to me.

This photo is from last July.

Was looking forward to running with others this summer. That is not happening, I am on my own.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 33:05
Pace: 9:27

Completed a novel, Nosferatu by Jim Shepard (1998) a book I started a year ago and set aside, intending to return. It is not the story of Nosferatu: The Vampire, instead it is a fictionalized telling of the life of F.W Murnau, the director of Nosferatu (1921) and many other films.

I love the story of how things are made, in this case, silent film. I love Nosferatu, and indeed, the imagined journals of a queer German expressionist filmmaker.

Running Summer 2026

It Feels So Good - Matt Sassari ft. Hugel & Sonique

It's Not Right But It's Okay - Mr. Belt & Wezol

Beggin'  - Chris Lake ft. Aluna

Afraid to Feel - LF System

Wacuka - Avaion ft. Sofiya Nzau

10:35 - Tiesto ft. Tate McRae

2 Times - Dimitri Vegas ft. Steve Aoki, Ann Lee, Sound of Legend

So Much in Love - D.O.D.

Where Are You Now - Losy Frequencies ft. Calum Scott

Bless Me - Dombresky ft. Discrete

Talk to You - Anotr ft. 54 Ultra

Take It Off - Fisher ft. Aatig

That's a good one. Thanks for that.

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 68°
Climate: bright & warm
Mood: all right

Yesterday evening a few of us headed out to see a local theater production. Earlier this week, the wife and I took a wrong turn in Damariscotta and I was surprised to see a large banner advertising a stage adaptation of an early 20th century science fiction short story which I have a long personal history with, including producing a radio drama of Eric Coble's adaptation, and even making reference to it in And Then You Die.

“Man is the measure. That was my first lesson. Man's feet are the measure for distance ... his body is the measure for all that is lovable and desirable and strong.”

Hot take? Never write a letter-size page of director's notes to be inserted in the program, explaining what you meant and how the production came into being. That's what your blog is for. Telling people how to think about what they are about to see (single spaced, man!) just before they see it is never wise.

As for the production itself, it would appear that a very effective thirty-five minute adaptation, rich with movement and sound and style and passion, performed by high school students and intended for a high school audience, has been expanded to an hour and now includes laborsome tangential stories meant to provide additional modern relevance, to wit; opinions about Covid and Liberal government overreach. 

I imagine the high school version was a hit, those young people deserved it. Wish I had seen that.

Stretches: 
Water: 

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Leftover fried clams, like guests, begin to smell after three days.

A velvet sweat.

It has been rainy and cool. I am happy
with this. The kids make trips into town to get groceries and ice cream, while we lounge around the cabin.

I am working on Metropolis. I am reading the text again, and creating a synopsis. Of course, I could just feed the text (which is available online) into ChatGPT and have a synopsis of whatever length I dictate, and immediately. I could stick my head in the oven. 

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 33:02
Pace: 9:26

This is a summer playlist I can depend upon:

Sweeping Up at Grebe's

Little Red Corvette (Special Dance Mix) - Prince & the Revolution

Don't Change - INXS

Da Da Da I Don't Love You You Don't Love Me - Trio

Saved By Zero - The Fixx

Whenever You're On My Mind - Marshall Crenshaw

Our House - Madness

Is There Something I Should Know? (Monster Mix) - Duran Duran

See link to hear Amir "Questlove" Thompson talk about why the Special Dance Mix of Little Red Corvette is his number one song by Prince.

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 69°
Climate: sunny & bright
Mood: all right

The other day I learned that Duncan Bowen Black, author of Eschaton, is a runner. He wrote a short piece (they're all short pieces) about how AI summaries have been forced onto his running app, and how they are all non-specific but always super positive, which is not only useless but terribly unhelpful. 

"I'm always doing the right thing, somehow. Long and fast? Smashed it! Short and slow? Perfect recovery run! It never says, That was a shit run, pal."

Stretches: yes

Water: yes

Total bummer, however ... the eldest and their partner have had their flights canceled not once (Tuesday) but twice (today). They have decided to cut their losses and are making no new arrangements. This is due to global climate change (see: Canadian wild fire smoke, tornados and flooding in NYC) and the fact that airlines are horrible.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

It seems my weaknesses just keep going strong.

Hey! Me, too!

We settle in. We relax. Long mornings on the deck. No rush. A day can last a long time, if you use it well. Or don't use it at all. The cousins visit, we stay right where we are. We drink, a lot. It's cool.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 32:29
Pace: 9:17

Monday we planned a brief excursion to Damariscotta, it took the day. That's how we roll, out by ten, or ten-thirty, back around three-thirty, then a nap. We did discover a new favorite spot, King Eider's Pub, so that's news. Our old favorite place there, the one with the Bigfoot iconography, that's under new management. Alas.

The evening spent drinking and reading. Oh, and we visited the library. All good.

Except our other child had their flight bumped two days because of air quality. That's life in the 21st century. Not happy about that. 

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 65°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: good?

Summer Hits of the 80s*

Working for the Weekend - Loverboy

Head Over Heels - The Go-Go's

The Boys of Summer - Don Henley

Don't You Want Me - Human League

Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & the Waves

Toy Soldiers - Martika

Faith - George Michael

Addicted to Love  - Robert Palmer ft. Eric "E.T." Thorngren

I didn't make this playlist. Most of these are not summer hits. No, they are not. I will do better next time.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

I'm chill like that.

Pretty epic.

Here's the thing about my last run, or my last two runs. They were slogs. Often, I am feeling down but when I hit the road I feel great. It's kind of why I do this.

The last two runs, especially on Monday, and in spite of the lighter weather, it took effort to lift my feet. And then on Tuesday I just tapped out at work. I almost passed out, twice, I think. Not feeling well. No pain, no temperature, just malaise, dizziness, exhaustion. I slept thirteen hours on Tuesday night.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 32:19
Pace: 9:13

The consistency, it has been a gift. Sometimes you need time off. We have been driving to Maine, getting in and out of a car has been arduous. Just sitting down. Just walking. Sitting down is actually more difficult that standing up. I need to see a doctor. 

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 67°
Climate: light fluffy clouds & breezy
Mood: good

90s Summer Hip-Hop

Fantastic Voyage - Coolio

Hip Hop Hooray - Naughty By Nature

Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) - Digable Planets

They Reminisce Over You - Pete Rock & C.L Smooth

Full Clip - Gang Starr

Slam - Onyx

Award Tour - Tribe Called Quest ft. Trugoy the Dove

Insane in the Brain - Cypress Hill

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

And now, we are on vacation. We are in Maine. I did not know if she would be with me, but she is. Beside me, holding hands, reading, drinking, writing, loving. It was a difficult drive (my leg, the weariness) but here we are. Currently at peace. 

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Feeding the rhythm.

Did it, though?

Forty years ago, we were playing at being adult. What does it do to one's immature psyche to be made to believe that just graduating high school is the most monumental thing you have ever accomplished, and that you are an adult and now you need to do adult things? Which is to say, nothing at all. To not have to think about school. To go out, to dance, to have sex.

Not to work, to learn adult skills like cooking, cleaning, accounting. Or how to properly care about other people, to care about anyone but yourself.

I was so in love. I felt freer than I ever had or ever would again. I was lost in the stars.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:50
Pace: 9:37

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: all right

Summer 1986 Mixtape

Sledgehammer (Dance Mix) - Peter Gabriel

The Lady in Red - Chris de Burgh

Danger Zone * - Kenny Loggins

Take My Breath Away * - Berlin

Venus - Bananarama

Howard the Duck - Leah Thompson & Dolby's Cube

Boys Don't Cry (86 Vocal Mix) - The Cure

Not actually a great year for music. Oh, well.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 170 lbs. (+5.0)

We indulged this weekend, it was a mania. Got high, saw lots of shows, drank lots of beer, ate lots of fried food. Yesterday, I had the chance to decompress. The wife and I watched Novelle Vague and Kansas City.

We have listened to the Kansas City soundtrack for thirty years, but never seen the film. The soundtrack is better. One thread of the narrative is a young person, a teenager, who has taken the train from Joplin to Kansas City to go to a maternity hospital. They don't spell it out in great detail, but it is made evident that there are many maternity hospitals in Kansas City, and that young women and girls come from all around to give birth there, for adoption.

What if I had seen that film thirty years ago? Would I have made the connection? Would it have made a difference to my father? 

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

I paid for the beer, man.

Still in the Seventies. Last weekend, our elder child humored me, they let me show them Dazed & Confused, Richard Linklater's second motion picture. Released in 1993, it takes place on the last day of school in 1976, in a small town in Texas.

I told my kid that it's not like other "teen movies" though watching it for the first time in decades, I'm not sure they would agree. It's not zany like some of John Hughes' movies, but it does dwell a great deal on the rude behavior of teenagers and some of it must seem downright psychotic.

Don't care. Love Linklater, love this movie. And it was the first great step into the 1970s revival of the 1990s. We'd spent the 80s loudly mocking the fashion and music of the Me Decade, and then we were handed this gem of a soundtrack. 

And the 90s truly began.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:08
Pace: 9:04

Dazed & Confused (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo - Rick Derringer

Slow Ride - Foghat

School's Out - Alice Cooper

Jim Dandy - Black Oak Arkansas

Tush - ZZ Top

Cherry Bomb - The Runaways

Fox On the Run - Sweet

Low Rider - War

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 78°
Climate: light clouds and hot
Mood: spirited

The run was great, felt great, not terribly hot. No pain. And yet, my continued exercise is certain exacerbating my sciatica. Also, both knees hurt, and sometimes a lot. I've been seeing many shows at BorderLight this weekend, the plastic chairs are not helping.

Maybe I should take a day off. Today was not that day.

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

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

It's you and me. Forever.

A respite, of sorts. I do not know how long. Mornings spent talking, loving. We drink our coffee black now. I used to drink coffee black, until I met her. She taught me cream and sugar. And then only cream. We change. Coffee is a blessing. I mean, it is the result of conquest, so I probably shouldn't call it a blessing. But I am grateful for the drink.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:45
Pace: 9:35

Still a band of pain around my right calf, and when I sit or stand it can be a minor ordeal. Some days. Other days no problem. The wife thinks I should see a doctor, and she is correct.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: (Spirit of) 76°
Climate: sunny & clear
Mood: grateful

Bicentennial Top 10

Silly Love Songs - Wings

Afternoon Delight - Starland Vocal Band

Kiss and Say Goodbye - The Manhattans

Get Up and Boogie - Silver Connection

I'll Be Good to You - Brothers Johnson

Sara Smile - Hall & Oates

More, More, More Pt. 1 - Andrea True Connection

Misty Blue - Dorothy Moore

I made this playlist last month, expecting to use it on Independence Day, but forgot about it. I probably wouldn't have played it then, anyway. These are songs from Casey Kasem's Weekly Top 40 on July 4, 1976.

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

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.

Homecoming. For now.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 31:26
Pace: 9:40

Music From the Big Love (1994-2024)

For Your Lover Give Some Time - Original company of "Standing at the Sky's Edge"

How Far I'll Go - Auli'l Cravalho

Crosseyed and Painless - Angelique Kidjo

Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show

Missing (Little Joey Remix) - Everything But the Girl 

The Luckiest - Ben Fold Five

Tightrope - Janelle Monae

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: partly cloudy
Mood: hopeful

• London (2024)
• Cleveland (2023)
• Cleveland (1996)
• Cleveland Heights (2022)

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 167 lbs. (+2.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Update: 3:00 PM, flashing in my eye, not sure which, started as small arc before expanding into a large "c" shape and then disappearing without my noticing it had gone.

Nobody said it was easy. Nobody ever said it would be so hard.

It has been nearly a week. I want this to end.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:21
Pace: 9:28
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: cloudy, clearing
Mood: sad

Music From the Big Love (1994-2024)

The Scientist - Coldplay

Calling All the Monsters - China Anne McClain

Do You Want To - Franz Ferdinand

Make Me Feel - Janelle Monae

Fantastic Mr. Fox AKA Petey's Song - Jarvis Cocker

Shenandoah - Rufus Wainwright

All Night Long - Peter Murphy

A Tale - Cirque du Soleil

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

• Cleveland Heights (2023)
• Cleveland (2000)
• Orlando (2000)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

I don't want to feel like we're apart a thousand miles.

I love to make her laugh. I love to hear it.

Distance: 5.9 miles

Duration: 55:01
Pace: 9:19

Music From the Big Love (1994-2024)

Before Today (Adam F Remix) * - Everything But the Girl

No Tomorrow - Orson

Fare Thee Well (Dunk's Song) * - Oscar Isaac & Marcus Mumford

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark - Fall Out Boy

Hell You Talmbout - David Byrne

Life in Quarantine - Benjamin Gibbard

Rehbab  - "Glee" cast

Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae

Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash

Chaise Longue * - Wet Leg

Wait for It - Leslie Odom Jr.

Flathead - The Fratellis

Run On - Elvis Presley

Honeymoon Suite - Suzanne Vega

Magical Trevor - Mr Weebl

Winnie the Parakeet - Sherry Crane

What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction

Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus

Route: Forest Hill-Cain Park Loop
Temperature: 81°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: not great

• Cleveland (1996)
• Cleveland (2018)
• New York City (2016)
• Memphis (2000)

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

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

Remember me to one who lives there.

July 2, 2006: Four our seventh anniversary (wool) my wife got me five albums that had the word "wool" in them, either the artist or album title. She got me the "TOCA Race Driver 3: Official Soundtrack" It's the soundtrack to a video game, composed by Plastic Man & the Wool One. Pretty sweet.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:58
Pace: 9:39

Music From the Big Love (1994-2024)

Bandits (Live) - Josh Ritter

Doctor Who Theme (2005) - Murray Gold

Old Town Road - Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

Wise Up - Aimee Mann

Girl From the North Country - Rachel Stern & Company 

Devil Doll - Roy Orbison

Hips Don't Lie - Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean

Dead Sea - Lumineers

This Land is Your Land - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Brimful of Asha - Cornershop

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 81°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: coping

• Tucson (2023)
• Clearwater (2000)
• Memphis (2000)
• Chicago (2017)

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

Pain on the top of my right foot, around my right calf, in my right glute. All down my right leg.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Run and hide.

Old friends.

Brother in town, he loves the side porch. So di I. Later the two of us are going to the game.

Taking part of the day off to escort my beloved to a medical consultation.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:30
Pace: 9:11

Fifteen runs in June. Consistency.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: clear & sunny
Mood: working on it

Sophisti-pop 80s Workout Playlist

It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back) - Eurythmics

Blow the House Down - Living in a Box

Mothers Talk - Tears for Fears

Above the Clouds - Paul Weller

Cars & Girls - Prefab Sprout

Tinseltown in the Rain - Blue Nile

Get Back Together - Everything But the Girl

This is my happy place. And I need a happy place right now.

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

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

No, seriously.