Automatic posting from my Twitter Account:
- 07:32 I'm 0-2 on holiday knitting projects. 2 projects that seemed like they'd be cute but turned out not to be. At all.
- 07:34 Maybe the dinner party rule should apply to knitting gifts: don't make anything for the first time.
- 19:23 Crazy night to be grilling - and yet, we are.
- 20:37 Having these salted butter-pecan cookies around the house is dangerous bit.ly/36NUrZ
NEW YORK (AP) - Meb Keflezighi has become the first American man to win the New York City Marathon since 1982.
Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, earned his first major marathon title Sunday. Born in Eritrea, the 34-year-old became a U.S. citizen in 1998.
He was second in New York in 2004 and third in 2005. Keflezighi, wearing "USA on his chest, won in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 15 seconds.
I ran NYC in 1999 and it was a great race. Lot's of fun and tons of international runners. Truly lives up to the motto of "where the world runs". I LOVE NEW YORK!
Can you imagine? If seminal Detroit rock icons (or, as I call them *rockons*), the MC5, had taken a different lyrical path when composing perhaps the greatest rock anthem of all time, "Kick Out The Jams"?
Imagine, if you will, if the boys had a strong taste for domesticity in those days. Instead of starting the battle cry with "Kick out the jams, motherfucker!," you had this:
"Kick out the jams, Betty Crockuh! Like, you know, some distinctly flavored preserves. Maybe something in an apricot spread?"
Just does not have the same ring to it, does it?
Totally Terrible Things on Tuesday:
- Trying to be nice and getting yelled at instead of a 'thank you'.
- Wet dog
- Two full work weeks and two partial work weeks---then I'm unemployed
- Filling out on-line resume's and job applications sucks!
Totally Terrific Things on Tuesday
- I'm currently in first place on our Fantasy Football League.
- Soon...I can pull out my Christmas decorations and decorate my house all up really nice for the Holidays.
- LIfe is halfway decent....you know, if you don't count the impending unemployment.
Are you prepared in case of a natural disaster? What do your plan and preparations include?
I have a battery operated radio with batteries. I can lay my hands on both in less than a minute.
I have a weather radio that I can't program the new county in. However, should the old county have any bad weather I know about it.
We decided last night that the safest place to go if there were a tornado is the short hallway in our bedroom. That was decided upon after I shared that I have taken refuge in our 'commode closet' with Darcy and Baron at least three times in the past 11 months.
I have had experience with earthquakes, floods, fires and blizzards. None of them actually harmed me, my family, or any of our 'stuff' but they have all happened within walking distance of the home I was living in or visiting.
Automatic posting from my Twitter Account:
- 07:01 #BBA Bagels out of the oven - some uneven baking despite rotation but otherwise looking (and smelling) good pic.gd/15e66b
With a race named 'Stone Cat' I thought about a pity play of words for my title. What I got was a blank screen so on to Plan B--the actual race report.
Last week I left Colorado for Maine to meet up with my brother and his friends--all who live in Portland, ME. I landed just at sunset allowing me to get a good look at the city as we flew over it at the water's edge. The setting sun provided a final glow to the trees still wreathed in their fall colors. While I had been concerned that a marathon in November was foolish due to weather impacts I was happy to see fall was till noticeable in this part of New England.
We headed directly out of the airport towards Ispwich, MA, or at least one of the towns adjacent to Ispwich. From my perspective one town looked like the next with their quaint architecture clashing with stripmall generica along the road as we sped by in the night.
Dinner was at a local Italian restaurant, the name of which I failed to note, which was near the Comfort Inn--our abode for the night. The food was good as was the service. Fellow Trail Monsters, a Portland running group, joined us for dinner. Ian was running the 50 M while Emma was crew support.
Once back at the hotel I prepared my clothing and gear for the early morning alarm. The forecast was favorable with lows in the upper 20s and a high of 50. Excellent running weather. Sleep came quickly even with the jet engine sounding heating unit in the room. Ear plugs will now be part of my race kit.
The hotel opened up breakfast at 0430 and fleece and Lycra clad runners descended on it. We quickly drained the coffee urns and came close to overheating the waffle makers as breakfast was consumed in preparation of the race. Pancakes were waiting for me in the room as Tim had cooked up a batch before leaving Portland the day before. The perfect pre-race food for me.
We arrived at the school in the predawn cold and proceeded to squeeze into their small gymnasium. It was tightly packed and difficult to keep out of the way. I enjoyed the people watching and listening to the many strong New England accents. I certainly wasn't in Colorado any more.
The race start was typical of many trail events, it was a 'gun' start. Even though we didn't move for a couple of minutes the pack of both 50 milers and the marathon quickly headed in two directions. The 50s went right down the trail while the rest of us looped around the school to gain the 1.2 miles needed to add to the two 12.5 mile loops of our course. The single track trail from the school field into the woods was a bottleneck that we could of done without. But being a trail race no one was worried to the point where they cut through the frosty bushes to get ahead. There would be plenty of time for passing ahead.
The course alternated between single track deer trails and old 4x4 dirt roads. Just when I would get tired of one trail type a fork in the trail would switch me to the other. Tim and I lost sight of Mindy ahead of us within the first hour. We continued running together the first loop. With the slower pace on the trail we were able to talk as we ran which is not typical in races of 1/2 marathon or shorter from my experience.
The first rest stop was Al Cats Lounge. Bacon was frying, pancakes were grilling and the volunteers were very quick to get you resupplied and on your way. There were too many choices. But with Tim's pancake breakfast I topped off my water bottle, had a slice of bacon and hit the trail. I could of stayed much longer. The trail was very well marked except for one spot that I wasn't certain if we went left or right as I saw flagging tape both directions. I recalled the trail map showed one spot where the course almost looped back on itself. We correctly chose to go left. This uncertain spot was eliminated by more signs I noted on my second lap.
The second station, Fast Freddie's Cafe, sneaked up on me. I was focusing on the trail to minimize the toe stubbing quality of the rocks and roots on the path when another well stocked rest stop appeared. A band was playing music while pancakes and other goodies were being offered. The volunteers were just as helpful as at Al Cats.
Shortly after we started to see runners going in the opposite direction for the first time. They were the pack leaders already heading out on their second loop. Mindy passed by, perhaps 10 minutes ahead of me, looking strong and fresh. The third and final supply station was at the start/finish line where Jamie, another Trail Monster, was assisting with practiced ease.
I headed out at a faster pace wanting to test the altitude advantage I had running almost 6000 feet lower than where I train. For a while it was very noticeable until mile 24 when my legs started to really give out. This race was a training run for me. I had only run farther than 20 miles once, the weekend before, so without a taper the Stone Cat was a long run. I hope to regain my running endurance to be able to attempt longer runs this winter and into spring.
The last two miles were slow with a few walking segments. The miles still passed quickly and a final burst of energy enabled me to run strong the final stretch to the finish where a finishers jacket was awarded instead of a medal on a ribbon. I didn't know what time to expect for this race since my rough trail practice was limited this year. I thought between 4 and 5 hours was likely, and it was as my time was in the middle.
The organizers, the volunteers, the food and the trail all made this a very enjoyable race. I have serious thought to attempting the 50 mile race in the future. Thanks also to Mindy and Pete for their Maine hospitality.
Get out and Explore the World!
Are you prepared in case of a natural disaster? What do your plan and preparations include?
oh crap no...
yes, i live in Florida, it's the Lightening capitol of the US. We also regularly have hurricanes.
I don't even have one working flashlight. No extra food....nothing...
But lucky for me hurricane season is pretty much almost over, some rain from Ida and then the dry season will come on full force.
Yesterday's post has had some residue heading into today. I love a good fire. I think a lot of people do, especially those friendly communal types and not some West Coast wildfire blaze, eating up houses. Those are neither good nor fun.
If you find yourself around the warming glow of the bonfire, there is a strong likelihood that you are either in esteemed company and/or somewhere dark and quiet that is moderately untouched by light pollution. This can be at a cabin, campground or even a beach, if certain municipalities still allow such a thing. We, like a lot of people, have a portable fire pit in our backyard, a house-warming gift courtesy of our good friends Heather and Pete,and we manage to put it to use a few times a summer.
It is easy to become lost in the flames, to lose whatever emotional or mental bearings you had at that time, like taking a 20-minute nap without necessarily falling into unconscious sleep. Chances are you may be seated, perhaps after a long day at a nearby beach or campground, or, if you're like me and some of my friends, you are standing around and shuffling a bit because it's 30 degrees outside and you're trying to keep the blood flowing a little. I'll burn anywhere, pretty much anytime.
These are images from assorted fires throughout the years.
Since age 19, I have had a small amount of tattoo work done. A certain percentage has been devoted to displaying images of the flame. And I did this because during those years, I always felt as if I was on fire, carrying this intensity like a torch and scorching those around me who had it coming.
You can go on for hours with the metaphors, the furious power to destroy when unchecked, the intoxicating glow, the smell, like none other. It can heat, sustain, cook, kill, be a beacon, and can destroy what you no longer wish to exist. We camped one year and in anticipation of the fire, for several months beforehand, I saved every piece of work-related notes, shitty e-mails from co-workers, bullshit evidence from disposable people, or as I like to call, them, fuckers. And when we threw down on Lake Michigan for 3 straight nights, I slipped each piece, one by one, into the beast. It was actually very liberating. There is something to be said about sitting around a fire with people you trust. I mean, literally, there is something to be said, and I think this guy posited it best.
“For millions of years our race has seen in this blessed fire the means and emblem of light, warmth, protection, friendly gathering, council. All the hallow of ancient thoughts, hearth, fireside, home is centered in its glow, and the home tie itself is weakened with the waning of the home fire. Not in the steam radiator can we find the spell; not in the water coil; not even in the gas log; they do not reach the heart. Only the ancient sacred fire of wood has power to touch and thrill the chords of primitive remembrance. When men sit together at the campfire they seem to shed all modern form and poise, and hark back to the primitive—to meet as man and man—to show the naked soul. Your campfire partner wins your inner love; and having camped in peace together, is a lasting bond of union—however wide your worlds may be apart.” --Ernest Seton Thompson
ah, man, I've missed my little ibook-- chris got it working again just last night and then was off to work super-early this morning, so here I lie, having my old type-in-bed time once more. an indeterminate brain is confronted by the opportunity...
honestly, I've felt a bit adrift without the tether of words composed here-- facebook brings something else entirely-- reconnections, semi-connections, a superficial sort of webbing, but webbing nonetheless-- it's brought me back into some form of contact with more than one lost friend, for which I'm enormously grateful-- but the writing medium is altogether different, requiring by custom if not strict technical limitiation (as twitter) a tendency of hyper-abbreviation. this tenor is most surely the coin of the realm more generally, but as an expressive form it does little for real mulling through-- my milieu. yes, I know, it isn't as if vox (or for that matter wordpress, blogger or, heck, my trusty paper journal) has gone away, only myself that has elected to neglect the form-- the medium itself remains available throughout my various distractions.
and to what do these distractions amount? little coherent cumulatively, I fear. there's me, always inclining to weigh and measure. recently here and there been torturing myself for no good reason with google searches for people I no longer need any connection with-- wretched, idle hands. I know better. well, at least the killing curiosity is soon exhausted with lack of any relevance, but it's a waste of energy. and other wastes as well-- time and self spent merely watching video, tuning out, dialling down the day. then there's been some good reading (margaret atwood-- and attending her gorgeous many-voiced book launch event downtown on friday). a weekend full of sleep, fighting off one of the many seasonal bugs flying around. glorious golden autumn days. car repairs etcetera.
adrift. diffuse. in need of locating a likely thread to stitch it all into some sense.
one thing tho: we've begun to plan weddinging for 2010-- in our own idiosyncratic way, with sites of celebration in chicago and northern michigan-- we've started sketching it out for ourselves, what's wanted, what's not wanted, how to accommodate the needs versus desires of those we love, how to make something authentic and real and delicious and right for ourselves, to relinquish any mar from the past's damaged expectations-- to begin anew, rightly and brilliantly, for ourselves.
