Went the distance.

It's a big week. I'm teaching the Death of a Salesman residency, the same residency I was teaching twenty-five years ago. It's changed a little, not much. The kids haven't changed much, either. It's a bit surprising to hear high school juniors in Chagrin Falls remarking about how bad the economy is, but I guess I'm glad they know. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:03
Pace: 9:02

Anyway, five classes a day is a lot for me now. I mean, it's fine. It's a drag. Four classes back to back ... then a ninety minute break followed by a fifth class. It's a long day on my feet.

Then I need to jet downtown to take care of time-sensitive business (see: writing contest) and help how I can with the show.

The show! My show, that is going up this weekend! Another show! Goodness, what a month. Monday we're going to Cincinnati to see the boy play. I am looking forward to that, a little vacation after all this business.

We're still not drinking. How long have I ever gone without drinking, smoking, taking antianxiety medication, or all the rest? Ts. Remarkable.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 65°
Climate: beautiful!!!
Mood: good

So, what was I listening to at that time when I began high school. It went a little something like this.

Fall 1982 Mixtape

Pressure - Billy Joel

Shock the Monkey - Peter Gabriel

Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

Don't You Want Me- Human League

Tainted Love - Soft Cell

You Dropped a Bomb On Me - The Gap Band

Hot in the City - Billy Idol (Cleveland!)

Yes. We were young and anxious.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 162.8 lbs. (-2.4)

It's been a beautiful week, I'll give you that. We have to leave for classes before the sun comes up, so an afternoon run it is.

And I have been most responsible, not only preparing lunches for the entire week, preparing breakfast for the entire week! Fresh fruit, cut and frozen! What a good boy am I.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

What are we running for?

Still true.

Attended my 40 year high school reunion Saturday night. Good time. My clique was largely absent, got to chat with two at a pre-event on Friday, but without a home base I had to get over myself and mingle and catch up with, well, everyone else.

And I did. Some of them I knew but had never really had a conversation with, ever, not once, for the four, seven, maybe twelve years we had attended school together. Know what? We're all good people. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:32
Pace: 8:52

I did cut loose for a moment and began truth telling. It didn't go well. Party foul.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 55°
Climate: clear skies
Mood: good

Old friends.

Fall 1985 Mixtape

You Belong to the City - Glenn Frey

Don't Lose My Number (162 BPM) - Phil Collins

St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) - John Parr

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - Kate Bush

Invincible - Pat Benatar

The Whole of the Moon - The Waterboys

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 167.4 lbs. (-1.0) 

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

I think I am over the zombies.

I thought that we'd always be friends.

Homecoming 1985

Attended the first evening of the big reunion weekend last night, and I am as insecure as I was as a teenager. I understand now that it comes off as arrogance. And I was arrogant, too, believe me. I think it's important that we have these rituals to remind us of how terrible we were and of how far we've come.

Or maybe, no. No. We don't actually need that.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:01
Pace: 8:42

Anyway, I left it to a couple hours before departing that I would actually go. I have become accustomed to ordering NA beers at bars now. No one cares. I am SO GLAD I didn't drink last night. I might still be there. I stayed about an hour an left, talking mostly to my closest though I worked very hard to reach out to those others.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: light clouds & perfect
Mood: f*cking driven

Fall 1985 Mixtape

Take on Me - a-ha

Fortress Around Your Heart - Sting

Pop Life - Prince & the Revolution

Kayleigh - Marillion

Head Over Heels  - Tears For Fears

The Sweetest Taboo - Sade

Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer

I mean. The 80s are fucking classic.

Today

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 168.4 lbs.

Switching to a digital scale has messed with my sense of self, and of what weight I should be, exactly. I thought 155 lbs. was the goal, but the other day I got into a pair of 32" jeans that was part of my costume for The Velocity of Autumn. That is as thin as I need to be.

I was 165 pounds. If I was ever 155 pounds I would be emaciated. No, 165 is the goal. And I am nearly there.

Huh. Everyone talks about losing weight in time for their high school reunion, and look at me.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Life is good, wild and sweet.

Long days, reaching (straining) for the conclusion of rehearsal season. Knees are sore, ankles kinking. 

But we made fifteen runs in September. Well done.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:07
Pace: 8:44

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 78°
Climate: dusk, humid
Mood: stressed

Fall 1983 Mixtape

Mama (166 BPM) - Genesis

True - Spandau Ballet

All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie

Ain't Nobody - Rufus ft. Chaka Khan

Heat and Soul - Huey Lewis and the News

What can we say about fall 1983. Sophomore year of high school begins, and so does my association with cannabis. And alcohol. So many opportunities to look like a jackass in public. Speaking of which, it's the weekend of my 40 year high school reunion. Ope.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 168.8 lbs. (+1.8)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Through teenage years.

Me & Arden
Muralla Romana de Lugo (1984)

How do we celebrate a holiday like Memorial Day? Regression. I can recall my uncles who served (and my grandfathers who did not) those near and far who have been are presently are in the armed forces. Mostly, however, I think how it used to signify the closing of the school year. And in my job, it still does.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:26
Pace: 9:10

High School Run (1982-1985)  

The Perfect Kiss (Video Version) - New Order

To Look At You - INXS

Rip It Up - Orange Juice

Just Got Lucky - Jo Boxers

This Charming Man - The Smiths

Owner of a Lonely Heart (Extended Remix) - “Yes”

Trouble & Strife - EBTG

Our recent trip abroad put me in mind of what I was like when I was there, during the summer of 1984. I came home with a tranche of memories, and while I should focus on those that were positive, I fixate on those that were not. I was bullied. I also had the opportunity to be the worst of myself. I mean, I was a teenager. The music, however, was incredible.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 56°
Climate: lovely
Mood: also lovely
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

I would also like to report that the midges are insane this week.