Incidental highs.

Gabriel & Dresden's eponymous debut album was released twenty years ago, on June 1, 2006. My first record of having run to any of its tracks was Tracking Treasure Down, in February 2007.

The first time I ran to the entire album was on April 28 of that year. 

"I have been waiting some time to attempt a run listening to the entire Gabriel and Dresden album. That's my record of the year. I picked up a track on iTunes a few weeks back and really liked it, and then they started the "complete your album" promotion and so I got the whole thing — which includes the entire album mixed as one, uninterrupted track. Except for this Pink Floyd-esque thing right in the middle, the entire record makes for a dynamite run."

Distance: 5.9 miles

Duration: 55:35
Pace: 9:25

A few downbeat tracks are a bit of a drag, and the whole thing is one hour thirteen. Today, I have chosen a mix which suits my recent summer weekend loop. It's one of the only albums I have returned to (and more than twice) as part of Albums For Running.

Gabriel & Dresden - Gabriel & Dresden (2006)

Let Go

Enemy

Dust In the Wind

Mass Repeat

Closer

Sydney

Dangerous Power

Tracking Treasure Down

 

Route: Forest Hill-Cain Park Loop 
Temperature: 69°
Climate: nice
Mood: mostly good

So, no. It was not something I listened to while training for New York in 2006. But it was a major inspiration while I was writing And Then You Die. It is my mid-life crisis soundtrack. Regret, yearning, aspiration, doubt, determination, guilt, and on and on. 

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 163 lbs. (-3.0)

Heading out I had pain in two points in the back of my right knee. Unpleasant, not debilitating, and it subsided soon enough.

Around mile five, I got a sharp pain on the inside of my left knee cap, and that was debilitating. I stretched, I hobbled, I endured. It, too, subsided. Oof.

Anyway, here's Father's Day.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Girl, indeed. I can run it.

Camp has closed for the year. And a perfectly wonderful Bunbury it was.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:43
Pace: 9:15

Managing the rest of the season should (should) be a breeze. A more flexible schedule, and the opportunity to cross-train. To maintain. There are also vacation moments, which should not necessarily be taken as a chance to pack fried food stuffs.

I also hope to get a lot of reading in.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 61°
Climate: clear skies
Mood: good

"I didn't know much about Shakespeare before I came here" Arif said. "I'm learning so much about him and his work everyday. Each time I read something that Shakespeare has written, I get the feeling that I understand everything that he is saying. The next day, though I discover something else in those same words that I didn't know the day before. And the next day, one more thing."

- "Shakespeare in Kabul" by Stephen Landrigan and Qais Akbar Omar

I’m enjoying this book. I was an arrogant young man, and I have found the only way forward is to learn humility. It is a hard lesson.

And it's Juneteenth, white man. Atone.

Clean Juneteenth Party Playlist (up tempo)

Can You Feel It - The Jacksons

Golden - Jill Scott

Good Times - Chic

Run it! - Chris Brown ft. Juelz Santana

Bustin' Loose - Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers

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

Last night, to celebrate the end of camp, I packed myself with fried food stuffs.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

When I’m moving too fast.

Something else summer makes me think of: R.E.M. My interest in the band dropped off after they signed with Warner Brothers, their IRS cannon is just spectacular. 

While I enjoyed singles like Pop Song 89 and Losing My Religion (one of my favorite songs of all time) albums like Green and Out of Time don't hold up ... and don't get me started on every Gen Xer's favorite, Automatic for the People, which is straight-up trash.

No, seriously. If you like listening to Man on the Moon, you're an idiot. 

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 37:50
Pace: 9:27

The jangling pop stylings of this Athenians quartet came at just the right moment for me as I was expanding my musical sensibilities as I was approaching adulthood. I jumped on in the summer of 1985, with their third album, Fables of the Reconstruction, and worked my way back.

For me, Reckoning is a long drive down a rural two-lane highway (in my case, one in Maine) lost in thought and regret. It's peaceful and melodic and ruminative but also spirited and upbeat. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 59°
Climate: bright & cool
Mood: good

Reckoning - R.E.M. (1984)

Harborcoat

7 Chinese Bros.

So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)

Pretty Persuasion

Time After Time (Annelise)

Second Guessing

Letter Never Sent

Camera

(Don't Go Back To) Rockville

Little America

The other night, the wife and I watched a documentary about Squeeze. It was apparent how the band lost interest for me, and everyone else, when they became overproduced and immediately sounded like absolutely everyone else.

I appreciate that artists need to expand, to create new things. But when what they did in the first place is so affecting, and what they do later is not, I don't need to remain a fan.

You know who is good at experimenting and can also return to form and also consistently creates great work? That's right. Elvis Costello.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 163 lbs. (+1.0)

When I was a sophomore at O.U. I bought the VHS collection of music videos called R.E.M. Succumbs.

"An introductory clip at the beginning of the collection features guitarist Peter Buck and the band's then-manager, Jefferson Holt, introducing "citizens of the future" to an "outmoded artform" called the "video", predicting it would have a staying power similar to that of Nehru jackets and other forgotten fads." - Wikipedia

He wasn't wrong. But what the tape did include was an experimental (see: non-narrative) short film called Left of Reckoning, directed by James Herbert and shot at Whirligig farm. The soundtrack was the first ("left") side of Reckoning without drawing any literal or figurative connection to the music itself.

I must have watched that short film dozens of times during my college years, and then never again. 

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Seem to have pulled a string in my right cheek. It is a pain, indeed. Standing, sitting, getting out of the car — having to drive well over thirty minutes, both ways. I wish I could take the bus.

A clock in my heart.

Summer will always take me back to my teenage years, and specifically the summer of 1983. It was kind of a big deal. So, the music. The "Sweeping Up at Grebe's" playlist is an epic for me, a real crossing over point, from what to what else I do not know. But the masturbation was compulsory.

Too much? I don't even care anymore. The staged reading this weekend was so rewarding, how do I capitalize upon that?

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:21
Pace: 9:28

Sweeping Up at Grebe's

Pleasure of Love (Instrumental) - Tom Tom Club

Promised You a Miracle (US Remix) - Simple Minds

Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners

Oblivious - Aztec Camera

Time (Clock of the Heart) - Culture Club

I Melt With You - Modern English

The Safety Dance (Extended Dance Version) - Men Without Hats

Yes, very important (especially on a morning like this one) to have chosen the music in advance. I did not have the bandwidth for much even after an hour of drinking coffee, water, and writing.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right

Big storms last night. We were spared the worst. Brought the temperature down. Light cool run.

I do not even remember running through the woods, at all. Most of this run I was way back in my subconscious.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 162 lbs. (-1.0)

The readings on Saturday were very special. I've been wanting to hear this play read before a live audience for years. And the laughter was full, the jokes were understood, and the story shocked. It rocked. People cared. And they believed. It was so rewarding.

What will happen?

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Like a perp frozen in your headlights who forgot to run.

"Comedy of Errors"
Cleveland Shakespeare Festival

Big month for the writing. Progress on a new work, a reading today at Clague Playhouse, and a new publication!

Distance: 5.75 miles

Duration: 52:18
Pace: 9:05

Good habits. I still take the stairs, always. And I have incorporated a glass of water into my morning routine, every day.

Route: Forest Hill-Cain Park Run
Temperature: 74°→76°
Climate: hot!
Mood: good

... but a little headachy. Allergies? Slept too warm? This has happened twice recently. Don't care for it.

Still, awesome run. Juneteenth celebration starting up at Cain Park. People on the streets. And yes, a longer run -- I get IDEAS. I need to jot them down, but they are very helpful.  

New 2026 Playlist

Situation - Johnny Blue Skies

Switch Up - Mike D

Be Great - Jill Scott ft. Trombone Shorty

Hoes - LIzzo ft. Sexyy Red

Going Shopping - The Strokes

mangetout (the Dare remix) - Wet Leg

The Deal Pt. 2 - Aaron Tveit, Nicholas Christopher & the company of "Chess"

Riptides - Death Cab for Cutie

Victim of Luck - Metric

Somewhere Else - Tomora ft. Aurora & Tom Rowlands

Fabulous - Meek

Universal Soldier - Depeche Mode

Talk to Me - Robyn

Ready, Steady, Go! - Harry Styles

Maybe I'm the Reason - Dev Lemons

I have been writing, consistently, for two weeks. It has been a while since I have been or have had the capacity (i.e. time) to keep a consistent schedule of creation. Mostly it's been journaling, which I have to remind myself is also a good thing to do, but I also need to storyboard, to think about the world of the play, to create a backstory that makes the narrative make sense. Today I made progress on a very important scene, one which will be original to this adaptation, and provide a history to certain characters whose past is shrouded in myth in the original.

How did this place come to be? And how, in such a relatively short period of time? Why here, and now?

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 163 lbs. (-2.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Don't forget me when I'm gone.

Last day of camp for the week. Isn't that great? The week ends Thursday. I'll be in the office tomorrow, it will feel like a day off. The kids have been super, so far. The high school team is working on splash scenes from The Importance of Being Earnest. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:49
Pace: 9:18
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: overcast & hot
Mood: all right!

Yes, morning run. Well done. I got eight hours last night, the first in some time (honestly, two nights in a row is too long) but I woke at 1 AM to jack up the a/c. I had a headache. I no longer do.

Forget About Me (The Breakfast Club Play) Playlist

Oh Yeah - Yello

Jerk - Olive Tree

Dream Montage - Gary Chang

Are You Ready for the Sex Girls - Gleaming Spires

Left of Center - Suzanne Vega ft. Joe Jackson

Garden Song - Phoebe Bridgers

If You Were Here - Thompson Twins

Sunflower - Post Malone ft. Swae Lee

Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone) - Glass Tiger

We have been properly abstemious. I had a beer last night. One drink. Because I was writing and relaxing. I have told myself never to drink when I am making dinner, I'll just want another one.

Clear head. A little weary. Ready to face the day. 

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

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

Stay on the streets of this town.

Theater camp! So many moving pieces, and yet. It’s cool, you know? And it’s a great team. And great campers. I know it’s only the second day, but things feel healthy.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:35
Pace: 9:13

Last night we went to the game, we lost in the tenth. You know, they keep doing these things to pick up the pace, but they can’t speed up the time it takes to put in a pitcher.

And yet, I feel good. And the camp week is now half over. Funny how the time goes by.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 85°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: good!

Forget About Me (The Breakfast Club Play) Playlist

Don't You (Forget About Me) 12" Version - Simple Minds

March of the Swivel Heads - The Beat

Dancing in the Dark - Lucy Dacus

Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths

She Plays Bass - beabadoobe

The Middle - Zedd ft. Maren Morris & Grey

Weird Science - Oingo Boingo

See You at Your Funeral - PUP

Got a Zoom rehearsal tonight for a public reading of a new play script this weekend. Made what the kids call an "inspo" playlist.

Stretches: does camp count?
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-2.0)

Hot run!

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

I sense. I feel.

Pride weekend in the CLE. I thought of dropping in, but I have many things to do, many beautiful, creative things, right here at home. That, and the cat always wants to be outside these days. He used to rummage around in the tall grass, now he just wants to laze in the sun. Who can blame him.

Distance: 4.4 miles

Duration: 41:00
Pace: 9:20

Metropolis - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1984)

Love Kills - Freddie Mercury

Here's My Heart - Pat Benatar

Cage of Freedom - Jon Anderson

Blood From a Stone - Cycle V

The Legend of Babel - Giorgio Moroder

Here She Comes - Bonnie Tyler

Destruction - Loverboy

On Your Own - Billy Squier

What's Going On - Adam Ant

Machines - Giorgio Moroder

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 68°
Climate: light fluffy clouds & breezy
Mood: determined

Georgio Moroder's experiment in reviving this classic silent film has dated somewhat, the film is timeless but the songs aren't -- with the exception of his own instrumental themes. Machines is a very important track to me. 

Machines is 1984. It is the future. It is Metropolis. It's iconic. Timeless. 

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 167 lbs. (+4.0)

It's not just that we returned to drinking, those those calories are real. It's the junk food that comes with it and I ate a lot yesterday, a Saturday. I even had a stress dream about driving into a McDonald's (not like, crashing into it, I was driving my car down an aisle) that had a build it yourself burger bar that was utterly disgusting.

It gets worse, after building my burger I accidentally dropped it into a wastebasket and fished it out. That is how bad my subconscious feels about the dinner I had last night.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

It's great to see you but I'm running late.

Took a dip yesterday, I was so thrilled to wake up all alert and positive on Wednesday only to be totally exhausted by the end of that day and dragging my ass Thursday morning. But hey, you're not twenty-one anymore. I mean, in maturity, sure. But just because you have briefly stopped intoxicating yourself, you're not just going to reset.

Speaking of being twenty-one again, I choose College Music.

"Fields suck."

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:04 (no lights!)
Pace: 9:03

Four dry days. All right, then.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 78°
Climate: sunny & hot 
Mood: apprehensive

Time to make the calls.

College Playlist (1986-1990)

Monkey (Extra Beats) - George Michael

I Don't Want to Be a Hero - Johnny Hates Jazz

Kiss - Prince & the Revoilution

Begin the Begin - R.E.M.

Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix) - Depeche Mode

Guns in the Sky (Kookaburra Mix) - INXS

The Beaten(en) Generation - The The

Was It Worth It? (12" Mix) - Pet Shop Boys

Stretches: sorta
Water: yes
Weight: 163 lbs. (-1.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

He running the game.

Twenty years ago, on June 11, 2006, I received confirmation that I had been accepted into that year's New York City Marathon.

"How the hell does one train for a marathon? I have books, and have consulted websites, and yet I am still trying to figure out how to work it into the schedule. Not the race, the training."

This language, or something very close to it, was used in And Then You Die. I was very aware that I would be directing, which is to say directing a production of HAMLET, directing a production of Hamlet ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN at the same time I would be deep into training.

"I am going to have to spend the month of September going to bed at midnight and waking up at 4."

And indeed, I was.

June 11, 2006 Playlist

All That She Wants - Ace of Base

Push It - Salt N Pepa

Steppin' Out - Joe Jackson

8 Mile - Eminem

The Way - Fastball

Crystal Wrists - Peter Murphy

Someday, Someway - Marshall Crenshaw

Let Go - Frou Frou

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:38
Pace: 8:54

These are the beautiful days. So often, we go straight from too cold and rainy directly to hot and torrid. These days are cool in the morning, but not too cool. Wrapped up on the deck, writing or reading, then parading about town in a light jacket. It's lovely.

And the runs are swell!

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 56°
Climate: perfect
Mood: very good

Two days dry. I think I woke for a moment in the night, and went right back to sleep. Slept until my alarm and woke refreshed, head clear, free of pain. It's a decision, the pleasant torpor of drink and drugs, or energy and awareness. I haven't wanted to be aware, for months. 

90s Pride Playlist

Finally - CeCe Peniston

Fireball - Pitbull ft. John Ryan

Red Alert - Basement Jaxx

Can't Get Blue Monday out of My Head - Kylie Minogue

It's My Life - Dr. Alban

Show Me Love - Robin S

Love Me Right (Oh Sheila) - Angel City ft. Lara McAllen

Okay, so? Not all from the 90s, I'm not mad.

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

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

Make you feel like a queen on a throne.

Got to choose the playlist the night before, just got to. And what better way to celebrate the first day of June?

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:38
Pace: 8:54

And speaking of new beginnings, I need a detox. This last week -- no, let's be honest, for weeks, months, even, I have been drinking consistently, every night. At least one drink, but usually two. And since the wife has been out of town, there has been a nightly use of additional toxicants.

It is June, The school year is complete. You can rest now. And you need to prepare for camp. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 60°
Climate: perfect 
Mood: strong!

Straight back, full chest, tight stomach, head high, feels good.

80s Gay Club Party

Relax (Come Fighting) - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys

Express Yourself - Madonna

Love With Tear Us Apart - Joy Division

Stop! - Erasure

Boy - Book of Love

Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite

Enola Gay - OMD

But seriously, I spent twenty minutes looking absolutely everywhere I went yesterday (inside the house -- I never left the house yesterday) from attic to basement and everywhere in-between, searching for my earbuds.

I gave up, resigned to eventually run without them, and returned to the book I had set on the deck ... and there were my earbuds, next to the book. No reason. Just took them outside this morning. Give them some air.

I really need to lay off the brownies. 

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

What if no alcohol?

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes