Overheard while canvassing ... CITIZEN: You look familiar. ME: I get that a lot.
Happy 5K this morning. Huh. Completely forgot about that. Well, whatever, it's not in my neighborhood so I won't accidentally run into it. Maybe next year.
Distance: 3.6 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Glorious day, after the rains. Feel full-strength, though flabby. Breezing in the breeze, the thoughts kept coming and coming. Ideas; dark ideas, good ideas. Must keep running. It's the only way I can think.
Temperature: 61°
Climate: bright, clear, sunny and humid
Mood: better
Teardrop Playlist Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? - Moby 6 Underground - Sneaker Pimps Heartbeats - The Knife Bodyrock - Moby Distractions - Zero 7 Midnight In a Perfect World * - DJ Shadow In The Waiting Line * - Zero 7
Here's the story, I eked it out the last two days of the week, rising at 4:00 AM to run eight and six miles. On Saturday I had an early rehearsal, then needed to prepare for an evening event. Should I go out into the rain to run four hours because the calendar said I had to? Or just sit tight and run the last twenty miles on Sunday, and be done with it?
For real. What would you do? I had costumes to iron.
But then, there was the Saturday night thing. The entire day, really, Rain and action and excitement and highs and, well, only highs, really. The boy played better than he ever has in a rock set of Joan Jett songs at the Beachland Ballroom, then the girl and I joined the company at CPT for Pandemonium in a downpour, and still had an amazing time.
I woke feeling absolutely wrecked. No way. Not twenty miles. No time, no energy.
And you know what? I don't care. I got this. I have been working up to this weekend for a month, my time is free my brain is clear, my early morning runs this past week have been surprisingly enjoyable, and it is time for tapering and tapering I will do. No second twenty miles run, that will wait for October 4.
Lycra-clad “weekend warriors” are deterring new cyclists from the sport- Evening Standard (UK)
This makes me sad. Because I am middle-aged. Question: Should I wear the skin-tight Captain America shirt for the marathon? Or does that thing just look embarrassing on me?
Week Thirteen Total: 22 miles
Training To Date: 403 miles
Temperature: 61°
Weight: 159.5 lbs.
Intake: bangers & mash
Hydration: yes
Water Stop: no
Stretches: no
Tuesday doldrums. We arrived a week ago. On Wednesday, I couldn't keep the boy away from me, he had to do everything right now. Fish, kayak, play RISK, then go fishing again. We would end one project and he would immediately ask to do the next thing. It was maddening, but I strove to handle it with grace, or at least an even temper.
By yesterday, he was much more subdued, content to sit and stare at a screen for a while, playing a game or watching a video, and I had to remember to motivate him to get out into the air and take action ... much like I had to remind myself to do the same.
Because I have a big show coming up, the performances of Double Heart at FringeNYC, and I could refresh Google a hundred times waiting for some new announcement that has something, anything to do with the festival, in hope of some mention.
Someone (yes, I actually know who) posted a very positive, and strongly-worded personal review on the NYTimes website today. That was very cool. But it also meant making sure everyone on my social media sees it. The day is sunny and clear, and I am huddled in front of a liquid crystal display.
It is a little warm already for a run, but I feel I must. I must motivate, get out, sweat for a change. Then, perhaps, I will be ready to resume the relaxation part of our vacation.
Temperature: 73°
Climate: sunny! bright! hot!
Distance: 3.8 miles
It is common courtesy for pedestrians to wave at passing cars, and vice versa. Likewise, I tend to remove my headphones when passing other pedestrians to actually say, "good morning" and/or "afternoon" depending on the time of day.
Passed a bearded, elderly man walking two dogs on my way out. On my way back, he only had one.
"I thought you had two!" I said as I approached. He shook his head sadly.
"We got fo-ah," he said.
Nothing Decade American Dream - Jakatta Flathead - The Fratellis Blow It Out - Features Hold On - Holy Ghost! A Thing For Me - Metronomy Heavy Metal Drummer- Wilco Get A Shot Of The Refrigerator - Stereolab The Fear - Lily Allen
Andrew Breitbart, dead at 43. I can now say I have lived long enough to see Andrew Breitbart dead. And that is the last I will say about that.
Distance: 4 miles Route: Neighborhood loop
The girl and I have a standing date to head to Marshall's to get new running shoes. We need to train for the marathon. She's running the half-mile on Saturday, May 19!
First day of March. We have not seen anything like "winter" and it is now time for spring. Our thoughts turn now to animals and children, sports and adventure. The great turn of the wheel. Peaceful sunshine and deep reflection. We will greet the first day of spring with family celebrations ... and rehearsals for another show. So it goes. So it goes.
The mustache has finally gone entirely out of control. I cannot maintain this haggard face-atrocity. This time next week I will be in the bathroom at Firestone High School with a pair of clippers and a can of Barbasol. Oh yes, I will.
2007 Playlist Breakin' Dishes - Rihanna Tears From a Gun - The Black Ghosts Stronger - Kanye West Foundations (169 bpm) - Kate Nash Split Needles (170 bpm) - The Shins Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) - MIKA All Good Things (Spanish Version) -Nelly Furtado Make It Easy (John Tejada Remix) - Lusine
Sunflower Genius Mix Sunflower - Paul Weller There Goes God - Crowded House There She Goes - The La's World Where You Live (Live) - Crowded House Fall At Your Feet - Crowded House All I Wanna Do (Is Be With You) - Paul Weller Sound and Vision - David Bowie In The City (179 bpm) - The Jam
6:38 AM ... Me: What are you doing? Her: I am doing yoga and checking my media. Me: Wow. (pause) Can you do that?
Distance: 3.3 miles
Temperature: 61º
Weight: 174 lbs.
Weather: cool. but humid.
(2001) Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk (2009) This Must Be The Place - Miles Fisher (2003) Brand New Colony - The Postal Service (2007) The Girls - Calvin Harris (2000) Idioteque - Radiohead (2005) Badass - The Crystal Method
I realized earlier this week that the media just gave up - this decade will have no name. And that's only proper, it was a kidney stone of a decade. But no one even attempted to come up with a name that would stick. There was chatter about it at the beginning of "The Decade" - will it be "The Ohs" or "The Naughts" or "The Nil Set" or what have you. But once that died down, nothing had been decided.
It's like that point in history when everyone was talking about the names of generations. And those who controlled the media at that time - Baby Boomers - came up with names for generations going back centuries. They weren't happy with naming cohorts of a certain genre or way of life - the Lost Generation, the Beat Generation - they were dead set on proscribing when these generations began and ended, and everyone fell into the same category (everyone white and middle-class, anyway) and called their parents the Greatest Generation, themselves re-branded as Boomers and lowly old us as Generation X.
And then, apparently ran out of ideas. (Gen Y? Gen Z? As the kids say, for real?) Or interest. Because it doesn't really hold up well.
So we have no name for this decade. As Top Ten Lists are created, they are sheepishly referred to as "The Top Ten Songs Of The Past Decade" or "Of The Last Ten Years" ignoring the fact that this is going to make it very difficult for lite contemporary stations to sell their playlists. Know how pop stations play the hits from "The 80s, the 90s ... and Today!" Next year they will be playing "The Hits from Today ... and yesterday!"
I heard some guys on the radio bickering about whether next year will be called "Two Thousand Ten" or "Twenty-Ten." Well, duh. People are going to call it both, and no one is going to be punched in the face for it.
I think my favorite turn of phrase was when someone referred to their upcoming season as the "Oh-Nine, Oh-Ten Season."
Listen LIVE tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9 from 12 noon - 1PM (ET) to Around Noon on WCPN 90.3 FM for an interview with me and a short segment from And Then You Die.
... or drop by and watch it in person at the IdeaCenter at Euclid and E. 14th Street downtown. I have pressed a few GLTF actor-teachers into service (thank you - Annie, Carrie, Nathan, Steve and Tim!) in an attempt to make it a bit more radio-interesting. Listen in and see how we do.
Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Voyager (146 BPM)
Distance: 3.25 miles Temperature: 70º Weather: muggy Weight: 158.5 lbs.
In spite of my protestations of perfect physical shape, I have been distressed by certain complaints the past several days. Why am I still? Why do my legs hurt when I walk? Why are my feet all kinds of achy?
These are normal feelings. I am 41. Hell, I had these complaints twenty years ago. Ha - remember in the winter of 1992, your first educational theater gig, when the pain in your knees was SO BAD you actually used a cane some days? Now THAT'S a wimp!
But having run a five miler the other day, I was reminded of the aches I had last spring, contemplating an NYC marathon attempt. Could I run the five or six miles daily to make another try? No idea. Not then. Not today.
A former co-worker was in the office the other day, volunteering time. Susan. Great to see her. She's think of running a Half Cleveland next May, and I said she should keep me in mind, I may join her. And maybe I will. Why not?
I had five reviewers for the FringeNYC run, and four reviews ... until today. I was hoping it would not be a downer, a kick-on-the-way-out review. It's not. It's good! Just what I needed this week.
Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Radiant Dark (166 BPM)
Distance: 3.25 miles Temperature: 71º Weather: warm. luke warm. tepid. Weight: 153 lbs.
Jesus! Running at night just makes me INSANE. The other night - I don't know if you could tell from the entry - I was a little looped. Running through the dark, after dusk, through town, few people on the streets, listening to white-noise techno, it's like I am a small man trapped inside the head of a relentless jogger, peering through his eyes, not mine, jostling around, screaming forward, not stopping, heart racing, throat burning, thoughts flying non-stop to everywhere.
Tonight was like that, too. Time for mommy and me to drink pure bourbon and watch GREEN WING.
Congratulations, people! It was a tremendous festival, I only wish I could have caught more of these shows.
Must get new Calvin Harris disc. Maybe. Not crazy about what I have heard, but come on. It's Calvin Harris.
Big thought the other night. My scalp. I asked my wife if she was aware of her scalp, if it plays a big part in her life, and she had to admit that no, it does not. But mine does, I have my hands on it a lot. It is like a part of my body, as much as the back of my neck, my shoulders or the small of my back. It is bare, exposed. It becomes tense, it can be very sensitive. Often it can require a massage, and I am so happy when it does.
I have a naked scalp and you do not. I pity you.
Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Epinephrine (Repurposed) (173 BPM)
Distance: 5.15 miles Temperature: 61º Weather: cool ... and perfect Weight: 156 lbs.
Crazy. Cool and dark. A nighttime run. That's what time of year it is, and welcome back. I couldn't only go 3 miles - even though my tank feels empty, which is not for lack of food, but energy. I am exhausted, work keeps me at it, but it is so challenging (actor-teacher word!) to sit all day and direct and coach others, especially after so many weeks - months, really - of being on my feet all day long, moving, acting, talking, working it.
It is cool and dark. Sixty degrees. My mind was racing - DeOreo asked me to do a guest spot of AROUND NOON next Wednesday, to debrief on the Fringe. Sure, why not. He also wants seven or eight minutes from the show, and I am trying to think of what to do which will entertain.
I will conclude where I began. A year ago I did a gig in the DARK ROOM, and shared the run across Cleveland. This I also performed last New Year's Eve. It goes over well. Clevelanders love it.
But wait, this is radio! Can I include additional voices? I mean, having my high school teacher's voice pop in will sound odd, confusing (it is during the actual performance, too) so why not have someone else play him? Or my wife?
Hmm. Hmnn. Running and thinking, running and thinking.
I saw two houses in my neighborhood receive daily papers this morning.
Why doesn't anybody read anymore?
Lots of last-minute back-and-forth about technical issues. There are about a dozen shows being performed over three weekends at the Robert Moss Theatre. A number of us needs projectors and screens. Who has a projector? Who has a screen? Can we borrow your screen? Can we borrow your screen without paying you $500 in advance for a replacement bulb? Will our projector be in the way of your projector? How long will it take to knock up the screen?
All of this information travels to and from the different productions through a single source and no one is allowed to contact the actual managers of the venue - ever.
That last makes perfect sense, of course, if all of this mis-communication were threading through my front office, I'd never let you use my space again, either.
Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Inferno Express (175 BPM)
Yesterday I hit the alarm and thought, "Are you kidding me?" So I reset it for 6:00 and two seconds later the alarm went off at 6:00 and I thought, "Are you f***ing kidding me?"
Not running in the morning this week is leaving me feeling unhappy and ill. Had a headache most of the day, how much of that had to do with the wrangling of fifty 9-12 year-olds at arts camp, I dunno.
We have two more days until the final presentation. I will be in NYC in 9 days for the Fringe.
And then my summer is over. I think I can say without fear of doubt that the reason it has been going so fast is because, well, I have been having fun.
Are y'all hitting the nytheatrecast from nytheatre.com? They have been featuring shows from FringeNYC09 the past few weeks, if you are a podcasting-funperson, you should check them out.
Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Round the Bend (155 BPM)
Eeuughh ... had one of those sick feelings in my stomach as I walked the last half a block, that really, really hungry feeling, which is odd, I don't usually get those. It is especially weird considering how much we had to eat last night at the game, not an obscene amount, but it was all very rich and caloric. Maybe that's why.
Our company were guests in a suite at the ballpark. That was a real treat. The boy sat on his mother's lap for pretty much the entire game, watching the game. Even though we were losing. The girl wanted to color pictures of princesses back in the loge. The feminist in me fairly reels.
Things I wish to accomplish this weekend after arts camp is over: Mow the lawn. Pull weeds. Paint the playroom. Peace in the Middle East. I think I can pull off two of these.
Wow! Thank you for all the positive reviews on theatermania.com! It is going to be quite a challenge attracting attention to the show in NYC, but things like this really do help.
What might Pengo See at the Fringe? The Boxer
Bootstraps Comedy Theater
Writer: Matt Lyle
Director: Matt Lyle
Choreographer: Nancy Schaeffer Depression Era. A bumbling Boxer. A lass dressed like a lad. THE BOXER is a unique silent film on-stage in the style of Chaplin and Keaton comedies. Live music, Love and Laughter gang up in this roundhouse hit from Texas.
Josh has designed an AWESOME Retro-80s Runner's T-shirt design to celebrate sending ATYD to FringeNYC - and to generate some desperately needed income. Click on any of the designs there to take you to the CafePress shop to order yours now!
(For your information - we do get to keep quite a nice portion of the payment for each shirt.)
In early 2008 Leah turned me onto The Bowery Boys podcast, and I have just been loving it. My knowledge of history is not as deep as say, my father's is, but I do prefer non-fiction to fiction, in general.
Hmn. As if the majority of my produced work doesn't reflect that.
Check out the link to the NY Marathon podcast, it's easy to listen to, fun and informative.
Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - One Tribe (130 BPM)
Sometimes my glasses strap really drills my glasses into the bridge of my nose. Damn.
Distance: 3.25 miles Temperature: 65º Weather: light rain - rain is good! Weight: 152 lbs.
Finally made good on answering those three questions for nytheatre.com ... with a little help from my astonishing awesome wife.
1. What is your show about and what can audiences expect when they see it?
The show is about what goes through a man's mind as he runs the NYC Marathon, so it blends the experience of the race with people and events that, circuitously, brought him there. The protagonist is a cartoonist and illustrator who never thought of himself as an athlete. Beginning with his first running experience at age 12, he considers girls, hopes, girls, dreams, girls, professional frustrations, divorce, and other vagaries of becoming an adult. By the time he reaches the end and his waiting family, he (hopefully) knows the difference between the finish line and what it takes to get there.
Audiences can expect to travel the 5 boroughs, as well as the city of Cleveland, on foot, and to see simulated acts of smoking, vomiting, urinating and dancing. And they will see me naked (not simulated).
2. Why is your show pertinent to today’s times and/or why should your show be the choice for audiences to see?
It's more universal than pertinent. It is about having doubts and fears but doing things anyway. It's about triumph over adversity without being, you know, preachy or arrogant.
3. Why did you choose to present this show? I tend to write about major events in my life, but to skew them in odd ways. Training for a marathon is just too f-ing hard to let go to waste, and it was something I never thought I would be able to do. To take that and create a solo piece about running in all five boroughs - and make it funny and interesting - was an exciting challenge. Plus it is sort of a love letter to New York, and my daughter.
"To train for my first marathon, I’m using the “run-walk” method, popularized by the distance coach Jeff Galloway, a member of the 1972 Olympic team. When I mentioned this to a colleague who runs, she snickered — a common reaction among purists.
But after interviewing several people who have used the method, I’m convinced that those of us run-walking the marathon will have the last laugh."(more)
Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - OverDrive+ (175 BPM)
The return of summer, late night runs that turn out far more taxing then you imagined when you first set out. It's so nice! No, it isn't, not really, that's Cleveland humidity hitting you in the face and you don't know it yet.
Still. Better than ice.
The boy got a bunk bed for his fourth birthday, a present for both of them, really (thanks, Mom!) Arrived last week. Promised I would have it up this weekend. Yesterday we cleared the schedule, nothing but putting up the new bunk bed.
Except my kids live in a trash heap. Piled high and deep. Before I could remove the boy's sportscar bed frame and the poor girl's half-of-a-Queen frame she's been sleeping halfway out of for a year, we needed to weed. And pitch. And sort. And then, when all the toys and books and animals were relocated or trashed, then we could remove the old beds (by this time I was doing all of the work and they were reading books I had dug up, which was fine by me) and marvel at a room which had not been empty since before my ex-wife moved out.
Only ... the walls. Good God, they had not been painted since before I moved in. Maybe twenty-year old blue-gray paint. Cracked walls, holes in the plaster from nails. I had always dreamed of, you know, when the girl was one I would paint her a mural or something. That was nice a idea five years ago, at least then I sprung for new curtains.
No, this would not do. After naps I got one gallon of one-coat, primer-less paint. Ice blue. I was up until two last night painting the walls. One coat. Really! Worked a dream. Swept, mopped, and today and only today (after a restless night with the girl grinding her teeth and the boy continually poking me with his toe, because duh, they had to sleep somewhere) did we work together to put up the bunk bed. Which they sleep in, right now. In an otherwise empty room.
Watched the movie Runners High the other night. Now, I am in education, and theater, but you don't have be involved in either to have been exposed to a million variations on the To Sir, With Love story. Devoted but flawed teacher - or maybe the teacher has no flaws whatsoever (and in that case is played insufferably by Robin Williams) and enters a blackboard jungle (hey, another good one) wherein they encounter a disengaged and even potentially vioent student population. Maybe the teacher is from the hills - or maybe they are froom this environment. Doesn't matter, the end is always the same. The teacher suffers, the students are inflexible ... until they suddenly aren't, and confess their hidden love for whetever it was the teacher was trying to get them to do. Write poetry. Act. Maybe run a marathon.
One of the greatest theater events I have seen recently was Nina's performance in No Child... at CPT. A teaching artist is trying to get students at Malcolm X High in the Bronx to perform Our Country's Good. Her performance sold me, I am not sure how the script would fare in others' hands. Everyone deeply wants to stand onstage and act, right? And would be amazing at it, if they only tried, right?
Unless of course, they don't. I think art is important. I am not always sure how important my particular art is. That's heresy, I know, but seriously, I think it's arrogant sometimes to insist students perform. I am currently working with at-risk youth in Lake County and some of them just have no use for the stuff. They may like music, though, or drawing. But speaking lines from a page? Out loud? What is?
I digress. Runners High, directed by Justine Jacob and Alex da Silva. Every year, students at Oakland Tech train to run the L.A. Marathon. I was unclear as to why they tried - were they tapped for this program? Some had a desire to complete it, others must have been talked into it, I could not be sure. But once they were in it, most expressed a desire to accomplish this goal.
It was frustrating to watch, and I mean that in a good way. A young woman, Ebony, had obviously never been expected to complete anything, ever, not even a complete sentence. And when anyone begins to challenge her, everything is someone else's fault. She's "trying", when it is apparent to all outward appearance that she is not.
Fred is a young man who has had a falling out with his mother, and is in the care of his grandmother. He is capable, and strong, and willing, but like so many others, it looks as though he has no comprehension of what a marathon is. The fact that he makes it to the race (those who cannot complete an 18 mile qualifying run are not permitted to go to L.A.) was a bit of a surprise, and in spite of my frustration with his inability to get it together, and the head shaking he produced in me, I was startled by my emotional reaction to what happens at the of the race.
There are other stories of people who have a clear picture of what they are up against, whose journeys are by turns poignant and heartbreaking. I loved all the different coaches, and their different approaches. It was like, a handful of bad cops and one good cop. There's a priceless scene, cutting back and forth between two of them talking about Ebony - one saying she's out, she's gotta get it together, she has one more chance, while the other coach speaks with great understanding and empathy for her. Who has ever expected, or asked her to do anything?
Most of all, the piece just made me wish I could run another marathon. I am not sure I ever will. But it is uplifting to think of a different high school class in Oakland, every year, having the opportunity to make that race.
Harris, Liz & Max are in town. Went for a run with Harris, it was his idea, actually. He's staying with a friend, only a half-mile from our house. I took him much further han I believe he would have gone on his own. Three miles? Ha, I laugh at your three miles.
You know, talking makes a run a lot ... longer. Really, I listen to music and I don't notice the time or the distance, but talk about politics, New York, Star Trek ... makes you aware of your breathing, of the air, of the cars. I guess it is because I am listening to the world instead of closing that sense off.
Sometimes, Mr. Murakami is highly nfuriating. At the age of thirty, this man who had never written prose in his life - while leisurely watching a baseball game - he decided to write a novel. And it was a success! Around the same time, he decided to become a runner. And he still is! At the age of whatever, with little or no physical complaint.
The first time he ran a marathon, he attempted it without training - and he failed! Aw, boo.
FringeNYC
Never too soon to choose which Fringe shows you are looking forward to seeing. Though it doesn't say 2009 yet, you simply need to visit FringeNYC and look up the "2008" show listing to see what is performing this year.
I never know what is going to be good, or a hit, or both, so suggestions will be welcome. I have a couple of months to make any decisions. Top of my list, however, is Abraham Lincoln's Big, Gay Dance Party.
Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Accelerator (162 BPM)
Here's the (next) big questions ... nytheatre.com will be providing concise interviews with FringeNYC participants, if they answer a questionnaire about their show. It is a great, online interview, as they ask three simple questions which are decidedly difficult to answer.
So I am asking you. How would you answer these three questions - if you were me - about the show AND THEN YOU DIE?
1. What is your show about and what can audiences expect when they see it?
2. Why is your show pertinent to today’s times and/or why should your show be the choice for audiences to see?
3. Why did you choose to present this show?
We are allowed 300 words for all three answers, total. We are instructed not to use superlatives or hype, but just to explain what makes this show unique. Challenging!
Please leave a comment.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Confirmed: Ali and I will be Dee's guests on Around Noon this Wednesday, January 21 ... around noon.
Yes, I signed up for the Cleveland (Half) Marathon. Not heard good things about "The Cleveland" ... this past year they famously tacked on a few extra miles to the 10K when the lead car took a wrong turn, and folks in Akron were telling me finish line refreshments are limited to potato chips and apple juice. ("Cleveland+" indeed.)
But hey, if I can't schedule training for a 26.2 every year, I can at least fit in a Halfer every year, maybe even twice a year. And as long as it is in town, why not? What is disappointing is that my favorite part of the route is the second half, which follows a route I am all-too-familiar with, down MLK and the Shoreway.
Meanwhile, if you didn't check this one out last month, here's a piece that might piss off a good number of you. I know it did me:
How Oprah Ruined the Marathon - Salon.com 11/3/2007 America's competitive spirit has been wrecked by feel-good amateurs like Oprah whose only goal is to stagger across the finish line.
So blame race organizers for making such events open to anyone. Then go f*ck yourself, you fascist.
Stats: Distance: 3.25 miles Weight: 174.5 lbs. Stretches: yes Sit-Ups: 40 Snack: Zone Perfect Bar Drink: Gatorade Start Time: 2.40 pm Temperature: 32º Weather: cold Gear: Long-sleeve, thermal jacket - but with shorts and no gloves. Got away with it because there was no wind, otherwise that may have been painful.
I took care of the children. I made lunch. I washed dishes. I earned this.
Playlist: (In alphabetical order!) The Boy in the Bubble - Paul SImon The Boys - Dragonette Brand New Colony - The Postal Service Burn - Nine Inch Nails Bust a Move - Young MC Busy Child - The Crystal Method Cooldown: Call On Me (Radio Edit) - Eric Prydz
July 4, 1980 - my first five mile run. My first run, ever. Check out those Keds. Just rolled out of bed and started running. You can do that when you're 12.
What a morning. Welcome, new moon, haven't seen stars that shiny in ages. Hello, Venus.
I understand it's been raining a little bit in London. Henrik says bits of Run, Fatboy, Run are "hopelessly naïve" - trying to train for a marathon in 3 weeks. I say yes, that's what makes it a comedy. If he took 3 months, that would be a documentary.
Received my first copy of Running Times magazine in the mail this week, a perk of signing up for the Akron Halfer. The wife thinks it's amusing - an article on Brian Sell and Eritrea's Elite Running Program? Pinch me! But I did find several pieces of interest.
Having said that, what price, writing? There's a column in there about hitting the road at 5 am that is much less interesting and, frankly, less well-written than your average daily blog entry. I'm wondering what future first-person human interest articles have in the New Media, you can get such better stuff for free.
I'm not talking about me. I just quote New Wave tunes from the 80s.
Welcome to the Pleasuredome - Frankie Goes to Hollywood Do It Again - Steely Dan Warsaw * - Joy Division Steppin' Out * - Joe Jackson Music Time - Styx Water From a Vine Leaf - William Orbit Sin (Long) - Nine Inch Nails
Everyting But the Girl "I Don't Want to Talk About It"
July 4, 1980 - my first five mile run. My first run, ever. Check out those Keds. Just rolled out of bed and started running. You can do that when you're 12.