They taught themselves to be OCCULT.

Happy Yule, y'all.

Merry Christmas. It's like spring outside in Athens, Ohio.

Distance: 2.05 miles
Duration:19:16
Pace: 9:23

Been enjoying myself nd trying not to be concerned. Took a few steps, felt weighted and tired. Took a few more and started to feel better. That's how we get it back, short runs build to longer runs, you can't pick up right where you left off.

I hope I can start strong in the New Year, to eventually greet the Spring where I ant to be. I think you know what I am talking about.

Your Top Songs 2023

Nothing Left to Lose - Everything But the Girl

Gold Rush -  Death Cab for Cutie

Eye Know - De La Soul

Cracker Island  - Gorillaz ft. Thundercat

Ship to Wreck - Florence + The Machine

I've come unwrapped.

Route: Hocking River Bike Path
Temperature: 61°
Climate: overcast and cool
Mood: merry.
 
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

To romantic places.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah. Day two of the new running schedule, we shall see how long this will last. Temperatures in the fifties make it a bit easier to work up the courage.

It was not a ridiculous evening, I was able not to overindulge though I can't speak for how well I will behave today. We already loaded up the coffee with Baileys this morning before several Guinness at the Skull. I have had a nap already and it's only just past lunchtime.

Distance: 3 miles
Avg. Pace: 8:20
Duration: 25:02
Route: Hocking River Bike Path

I felt a bit weary at the start, that is what happens when you jump back into exercise two days in a row, and also when you spent the morning drinking. Didn't stop me however, I built speed as I ran and three miles was just the perfect length. I never even felt like stopping.

I don't usually listen to jazz on the run but I'd generated this playlist and thought I would try to out. That may have been what kept me from running any faster than I did, which is a good thing.

Pavement: dry
Temperature: 52°
Climate: perfect
Mood: joyful. right?

Gifts have been opened, everyone is sitting around, watch the Cavs, relaxing. Best to you.

Christmastime Is Here Playlist
Skating - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Kathy's Waltz - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
These Foolish Things - Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra ft. Billie Holiday
My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone
Cold Cold Heart - Norah Jones
Christmas Time Is Here - Diana Krall
Dance Me To The End of Love - Madeleine Peyroux

Christmas 2015

Happiness.

Christmas morning surrounded by family. The children received many fascinating gifts, and they were truly grateful for them. There comes a point in a child's life when they grow from "I am so glad to have this," to "I am going to use this!" Both are joyful feelings, but I love to see to look of inspiration in their eyes upon receiving.

My mother-in-law gave the girl a pocket, leather-bound, unlined notebook. She was delighted, and very delighted. The girl told me she's apprehensive about putting anything into it, because it's so nice. I said that's why she needs to start right away, fill it up. Make your work part of it.

We were at the Skull by eleven. My wife took the picture at right and posted it on social media. Some snark, they say smile why don't you. Look closer. That is contentment.

Distance: 2.16 miles
Avg Pace: 13:25
Route: Hocking River Bike Trail Walk/Run

The wife and I took a run down by the river. It is her plan to run every day we are her, mine as well. Perhaps tomorrow I will run on my own, she apologizes for "slowing me down" but honestly, walking or running with her is what I would always prefer to do.

Merry Christmas.

Temperature: 55°
Climate: cool and damp
Mood: positive

Love is like an energy.

In 1984, the hottest Christmas single in the nation was Do They Know It's Christmas. But not among our friends. That honor would be given to The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Not to be confused with the Huey Lewis song that would come out the following summer, this was the penultimate track on Frankie's first album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome which was released in late October.

Unlike the previous singles which were (to this boy) surprisingly homoerotic, the video for this song was what appears to be an entirely sincere depiction of the Nativity... featuring the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

It went to number one in Britain, but didn't chart in the United States.

Distance: 3.2 miles
Route: Boulevard Loop

Today I had six cookies. So that's how it's going to be, is it? Regardless, on a nice, breezy night like this it's so easy to run fast. I still feel good. I need to give myself a break.

Temperature: 52°
Climate: windy
Weight: 160 lbs.
Mood: good

What's That Lyric?
The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Can you hear my heart beating like a hammer?

OMG my brother (the radio producer) got me a set of Sennheiser "Enhanced Bass" earbuds for Christmas and I was think, oh yeh, "enhanced bass" whatever, and I start playing Help I'm Alive by Metric and OMG I am in heaven these are the most incredible headphones I have ever worn and my brother is the best brother I will ever have (sorry, guy who lives in Britain, thanks anyway for the book.)

I work very hard not to anticipate too much. Disappointment can hurt, so special moments are taken as they are received, on a daily basis, throughout the year. Saving up to much hope for one day, like Christmas, for example, can only lead to let-down, or so I believed throughout my childhood.

Throughout my adulthood, success on the holidays depends entirely upon my children's happiness, though even then I am prepared for the worst. When the girl was confused, even a little scared, when Santa Claus told her she was going to Disney World. I mean, come on, this girl is far too inquisitive and fearful, the questions where hundredfold, going on trip? To Florida? By herself? How would she get there? On what? When? What? My wife was expecting the classic, joyful, YouTube response, but I knew better. The joy would come later, she'll get it, not right now, it's all right.

This morning, however. Classic Christmas at the outlaws. Lots of cousin, large and newborn. An embarrassment of riches. And for me, I got a new hat, a new jacket, all people my age are concerned about is being cold, and in that department I was very well-provided.

Then to the Smiling Skull with my wife's step-father, brother, sister, cousin, spouses, children, others, the places was buzzing by 10 AM, with TBS playing A Christmas Story over and over again, just like it should be. Two pints of Guinness, traditional Christmas breakfast, and then Arnie is picking up a round, a third? Sure, why not, happy happy!

A long, lazy day, with cooking and chat and family and drinking and eating and dish washing. Exactly where I wanted to be, and exactly what I asked for for Christmas.

Temperature: 32°
Climate: bright and cold
Distance: 4.25 miles

Now, taking a run into the sunlight when all you've to eat are two cups of coffee with Bailey's and three pints can be challenging. But not on Christmas. For then, it is magic!

In practice, the new headphones could be treacherous. They are not merely enhanced bass but they obliterate most outside noise. Not what I want to be wearing along the streets of Cleveland.

Down by the river, maybe half a dozen others passed, walking, biking, running. Happy holidays, thanks for getting out with me.

Help I'm Alive Playlist
Help I'm Alive - Metric
We Looked Like Giants - Death Cab for Cutie
Sea of Love - Cat Power
Bryn - Vampire Weekend
Blue Light - Bloc Party
Walcott * - Vampire Weekend
Stylo - Gorillaz ft. Bobby Womack & Mos Def
The Park - Feist
Fragile Bird - City and Colour
Fences - Phoenix

A chorus of angels

Running Lakewood, from my folks house to Cove and back. I have not run this Lake Avenue since 2006, and then it was in the oppostie direction. To honor this occasion, I have been working on that part of the show ... and editing.

Editing is good. I have not had the chance to calculate how many words I have removed since Ali and I have begun our stand-up work. It's not major, but it's helpful. Working the show on my feet points up where I am simultaneously saying what I am doing. And so I stop saying it and just do it. There's a lot of that.

Also, I flatly state something and then give it a metaphor. The houses of west Cleveland are huge. Mountainous. How about mountainous without the huge? They weren't even mountainous until I started comparing the "terrain" to the Arctic. See the show, you'll get it.

Happy holidays, everyone. I hope to run most days I am in Athens this week.

Distance: 5 miles
Temperature: 23 degrees ... with snowflakes!
Weight: It's Christmas!

Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - In The Zone (140 BPM)