day 340

getting closer to the one year mark

What a dif a day makes! BEAUTIFUL morning this am. Break in the humidididity (SHOULD'A done 10 today, but gotta carpe diem), ran with a shirt on for the first time in a long while. Nice. St.Francis this am.

Last night, Stoney n' I hangin', he went to the movies with a peep. Went to the 10pm showing...let that sink in...so, he strolls in as I'm leaving this am. Told him a)He HAS to call b)Don't EVER pull that shit again. Was tough to be mad @ him, but hadda act the part-he was hangin' after the movie @ his peeps place, cool, but gotta keep the baby daddy posted. Of course, now he'll sleep all day. Told 'ya, rock star.

Toy Story 3? SUCKED. Don't get it, everyone thought it got at least 4 of 5 stars, some more. Boring. Left after an hour.

Got a text from Stoney axin' for food, the fridge was empty. I raced home to get him a bite, It's there. Wow. I'd left a message on Its voicemail saying the obvious: "you might try caring for your son as you do your friends, the fridge is empty," lo and behold, It'd walked in minutes before I did. Nice. EXTRA nice because the peeps for whom It is housesitting won't be back 'til Sunday! YAY!!!!!! A full week of peace! Gave him props on getting us both to do his bidding. Good kid/smart kid! Woodley rang the doorbell-he'd driven me home. Wouldn't enter the house when he saw Hulk, feared he'd eat him alive. Heee heeeee. Keep telling peeps he's a mush.

This evening, golf. Thank GOD! Not too hot/humid, cloudless sky, nice. At least I know I'll return home with (most of) 2 balls. Douglaston has a funny way of eating them.

day 339

another one for the record books!

Got 10+ in this am, St.Francis + Kissena. Did I want to? No, but, got a good night's sleep, well rested, felt good. Right knee in pain, but, pain happens. Amazing how having a homelife changes everything. What changed? It is nowhere to be found. YAY!!!!! It dropped off some peeps @ the airport, is staying @ their place for a few days. OH HAPPY DAY! No screaming, no yelling, no fighting. Hot as a motherfucker, but can deal with that, knowing I can go home and chillax. Lovely. You humans gots a good 'ting goin'!

Stoney calls, asks me to pick up a sweatband for his head. Bless him, hairy bastard. Rock star hair, shoulder length. As he was going to play handball with a peep I cut him off and handed it to him. Great kid. Even better without a bitch around subverting my every word/action.

day 338

OUCH!!!!!

Summer SUUUUUCKS!!!! Juuuuust came in @ under 10 minute pace yesterday evening. Shit. Three thirty second walk breaks didn't help. Like I said yesterday, factoring that in, I did the exact pace I did in the am. Was a tad disappointed no usual suspects were there (from AP), but that's what I get for writing a script. This race might be off the radar for next year.

This am, got my miracle of the day. Sweated my ASS off, shirtless, almost bottomless but I didn't want ANOTHER ticket for that :) . Could feel myself melting, hydrated my ass off, carried a bottle. Actually made it through St.Francis without walking, was fully prepared to take a walk break, but I did ok. So, the miracle? I'm @ the water fountain in front of The Parkhouse, who runs by? Lee. Wow, of all days to run. Of course he says the obvious, "running in heat freakin' sucks."

day 337

3/4 ain't bad!!!

Did the NHP 5k this am, fun. Nothing earth shattering, but I finished and didn't walk. @ this pace, you'd think I'd be crippled. Prob is: these runs are bogus, hadda go to AP to do 5 more. Need the miles. This race was an inaugural, love them, but alas, too short. Headed to AP, did the race course, hooked up with Pret, home, Stoney and Black James still sleeping (were awake, hadn't slept by the time I left this am), It-nowhere to be found. YAY!!!

Tonight, I was on the fence re: Massapequa, but, whatthefuck, may as well. Only a 5k, AND, per Ragnar, good training (god forbid I miss out!!!).

Did the Firecracker. Kinda/sorta hadda. Went home after the NHP run, Stoney and Black James were still sleeping (as of noon!!!). By the time I left-2pm, they were STILL sleeping. Amazing.

Surprised, didn't see Deb nor Tom. Vince n' Sue were there, saw them for, like, a second. DID hang with Anita and Sal. She did the Cantiague run. Funny, I left my hood to return to my old hood for a 5k, she did my current hood. My time? Sucked, but when you factor in 3 30 second walk breaks, dead even with yesterday and this am.

Humid as a motherfucker. It always is. No one ever complains it's too cold.

day 336

THAT was rough!!!

ONLY a 5k, relatively flat-Flushing Meadows-but 85+ degs! WOW!!! Came in under 9 1/2 mins, but hey, every motherfucker was in my age group!!! They went 3 deep, third place was a full minute per mile faster. Can't fault him, he deserves the award, but I had hope...for a second...and...POOF! Gone. Oh well. Was truly wonderful to be back @ the scene of the crime, where I grew up and had too too many fond memories! Also, reconnecting with Curtis, lovely.

Ended up hangin' with a running peep, talkin', talkin', ends up he's a teacher @ Newtown!!! Wow. We compared notes vis a vis teaching in rough hoods, we both acknowledge East New York is the baddest of the bad. I was very proud!!! He'll do The Manhattan Run, and voiced interest in Ragnar. Nice. (god I miss living in Queens!!!)

Hooked up with Pret @ The park, cruised by The Summer Party, literally "by," didn't stop in. Had an attack of bashful. Fuck you, it happens.

Shebitch on a rant-I had the balls to consume 2 slices of bologna. Ain't I a prick?

day 335

well deserved rest!

With the insanity of adjusted hours for an evening race, took the LIRR into the job this am, took my time, no run today. Manana: Curtis's race in Flushing Meadows. Be nice to get back there. Those races are sorely missed.

Sunday: an inaugural race, should be fun, they always are. Some of the logistics might suck, but hey, it's a gathering for a worthy cause!

On the fence re: Sunday evening's race. With this week's schedule adjustments, don't really wanna run that late in the day and miss my Monday am run-and, day of race reg is double the pre cost (16 vs. 30). THAT sucks, we'll see.

Looking forward to going home and relaxing this pm. Feel like I've been through the wringer.

day 334

Well played!!!

GOD I love nyc! Spent the day farting around, a lil' shopping, a movie, lunch with peeps, then did the race!!! YAY! What fun. J.W.T.D.O.

HOTTT/HUMID, thank G only 3m, but what a friggin' blast! After working the number pickup yesterday eve @ NYRR, feel like I'm in a running protective shell. Wonderful!

Started the day with a call from brotherfromanothermother, hung with the hockey guys through mid morning/lunch/movie, Sal for the race, Pret when I got home. Lovely!

day 333

Totally from left field!

Did St.Francis, again, hottttt/humid. Showered @ the gym, to work we went! Opened e mail, SHIT! In clicking around, I'd inadvertantly regged to vol for the Wall Street run. That was the bad news. The good news? I have time up the yin yang, I'm off Thurs, and I vol'd for number pickup, second shift. This translates to indoors, get my + 1 in, and STILL can do the race. Ok. Ask the boss for the pm, he says ok, off to NYC.

Picked up my shirt and bib, got something to eat, came backl @ 2:3o. Jean "replaced my d-tag after I threw it out like an asshole" Cupo was the coordinator (the other usual suspect is Theresa fyi). Jean did a quick training, (do's and don't's), then we were set up. I was one of 5 giving bibs. Had good memories of doing this in Hartford and Suntrust. The usual: @ first everyopne's quiet, then as runners with shared interest, couldn't shut us up! I was hangin" with a personal trainer ( a 9/10). AND, a wide screen palsma TV with the soccer matches. Before I knew it, literally, it was 30 mins left to end of the shift. That meant we'd been on our feet for 5 hours! A couple of peeps recognized me from The Line, no, you can't hide. Apparently one of the bikers i nod to was psyched to run into me there. COOL! Have peeps everywhere. And then...staff came, said we're letting you guys out early, 6:45, we were done. We dispersed, went our seperate ways, though the trainer and I went to dinner. Really lovely evening. We bonded over weight loss, both having been huge. We'll never remember each others' names, but that isn't important.

Caught the 7:44 to Hicksville, got home, Stoney had his main peep over. Good. Shebitch? It's car died, had a peep drive it somewhere. Heeee Heeeeee!!! Life IS good!!!

Really great afternoon. Running is good. Life is good.

day 332

busy busy busy!!!

By my standards, entering info late today, usually input right after the am run.

St.Francis + Kissena this am, 10 +. Humid as hell, but now comes the winding down. 5k manana, Friday-dunno. With two 5k's coming for the weekend, might actually, gasp, take friday off. We'll see.

Knees still ok, I feel the new running shoes, but so far so good. REALLY could use more support (and THESE are supposedly motion control!!!), so I put in an insert. Vamos a ver.

Got the police report re: the accident, did the dmv report. I'm done. Lets turn the page. Actually got a BIT of a break-usually there's a $10 charge for the police report, I handed her a $20, she waved me off. Thanks! Hey, I'll take a break where I can get it.

Headin' into NYRR to volunteer. This'll be my +1. Good. Do the run AND get to volunteer @ packet pickup. Kill 2 stones with the same bird.

day 331

hard work pays?

Was doing St.Francis (take THAT one outta context!!!) this am, when it dawned on me-haven't taken a day off yet. Weather's been cooperating-hot/humid, but no rain, so whatthehell. With the Wall Street run Thursday, and the weekend's two 5k's, need to log the miles while I can.

Problem is: new running shoes. SUCKS!!! Using NB 1010's, felt heavy when holding them, totally non supportive when running. Gonna need insoles in addition to the heel gels I use. Knees actually feel ok today, we know it takes a few days for the ouch to kick in.

Hockey was a blast! Thank God I got my peeps, keep me from losing it. Between running, hockey, and tunes, I'm ok. Life is good.

day 330

Unplanned, but good (those CAN be the best!)

Sleeping last night, or so I thought, Shebitch barges into the bedroom @ 10:30pm to.....hadda remind It @ that hour most of the planet is sleeping. Surprised It didn't get mental. Good. Actually got back to sleep.

Awoke before the alarm, usually do, but with the heat, not much keeping me bedded. Was actually pondering taking today off, was very tired from yesterday, but no. Clear forecast, lace 'em up, get out. So, hit the road. Also, knowing today gotta clear the debris from Friday (the accident), get my run on to clear my head.

Glad I did. Ran into Dave the Superjew @ the softball fields. Helped my pace, though he killed me. How the F he can do it with neither powergel not hydrating is beyond me, but he kept going. Worked out well for me.

And again, my peeps helped make yesterday memorable. Really felt enveloped. Nice.

***New Tom Petty is EXCELLENT. All killer, no filler.

day 329

YAY!!!

Happy Father's Day! Mine is going WONDERFULLY!!! (didn't think it would, but it's amazingly great!).

Woke up to Shebitch having bought a card for Stoney to sign, and a box of Whitman's Sampler.....take a second...let it sink in. Pret got it right, it may as well have bought me shrimp, but the fact that a court order wasn't in the envelope is in itself a miracle! Shame really, could'a used the chocolates for yesterday's refreshment run, but it's all good. Thank GOD!

Headed to CP for the race. I'd detached and thrown out the wrong part of the d-tag, SHIT! But, whatthefuck. I have enough Q's, figured they'd give me a replacement or I was s.o.l. Either way, no biggie. Waiting for the race, brotherfromanothermother calls, wishes me well. I wished him a happy father's day, we were off to a great start! Really feel like he's a part of me, he feels the same. We spoke yesterday @ The Parkhouse, we miss each other, but he's with Terri and that makes him whole. Good for him!

Went to check if anything could be done re: my "chip." THANK GOD FOR THE NYRR!!! Don't care what anyone says, they're cool with me. Touched base with Jean, she of course said "after all these years you can't get it right?" Bless her. She issued a replacement, not only that, but for the same corral! YAY! So, contact w/a human (brotherfromanothermother) check. Righted a wrong/a fuckup, check! NICE! The race itself was a shipwreck. VERY hot/humid. I passed Big Bird, he never caught up. Usually he's about 30 seconds in front of me, if I wanted I could beat him, but no need for speed-run to run manana! He came in almost a full 30 seconds behind me. Ouch. Tells you how hot it was! 80 + degs, ouch! Was nice to see Mr.G running, not the race, but he was in the park in the opposite direction. Helluva guy!

Several bbm's from Pret-jeeez-decaf!!! Met up @ The Parkhouse, made my morning. Of course I broke every speed limit to get there. Funny, I do nothing illegal (driving wise) and total the work car, I break every fucking law to get to The Parkhouse, no prob. God IS watching me!!!

Got a text from G, really added to the morning. Was feeling awful after leaving Pret, but G filled me heart. I'm really blessed!

Got home, took my pc to my man, we spoke how he was working Father's day, we commiserrated re: all the shit/none of the props-such is a Father's role. We shared how our kids'll never know how tough it was living in the city/working in the city. A way of life they'll never wrap their heads around. Good. We all want them to have better lives. We're alot alike.

Set up the pc, did the lawn, I was pumped! On a God fueled roll! THEN, laid out in the sun. Niiiice!!! BLASTED the new Tom Petty-hey, if the illegals behind me can blast reggaeton, I can pump my pa to Suffolk!!!!!

I'm covered! God was with me all day. Took what could'a been a shit day and made it great! Nice. Grab an atheist, he exists!!!

day 328

unplanned, but nice!

Didn't expect to run today, but hadda get Laughlin's stuff for manana and return brotherfromanothermother's xbox games he lent Stoney. Worked out well. Got to see the peeps and get a good run in. Was gonna do 5, but felt so good, did St.Francis + two more. Felt good! Hadda do it before the heat kicked in also!

day 327

TGIF!

Actually had a good week!

St.Francis + Kissena this am, 10+. BEAUTIFUL morning, not too hot/humid.

Had a GREAT evening last night. Stoney and I'd gone to the movies a week ago, stopped by Goldman Bros on the way-they were having a tent sale, picked up a pair of running shoes. He wandered in, saw a basketball he liked. I said I'd order it from the job as an excuse-didn't want him to do an impulse purchase. On the other hand, it IS sporting goods, he wants it-he gets it. So, waited a lil. Was gonna give it to him as part of his birthday, but why wait? Went to Modells on the way home yesterday, picked it up, gave it to him yesterday pm, we shot hoops for an hour. Truth, I was EXHAUSTED, but he was up for it, gotta seize the moment. Too few of these-he actually could be pried from his computer/xbox. REALLY miss his youth, when he'd sleep next to me with his arm over me. Cute bastard. But, sigh, he's growing. Still....miss those days!

And, It has been consistently m.i.a. YAY!!!!! Good for me, bad for Stoney. He's had half days, alternating with days off. So, his mother is nowhere to be found of course. Parenting? No way! Better to spend time with everyone other than your son, which is why I've been going straight home after work. It has been out all day, returning back between 10-10:30. GREAT! Thank you God!!! Peaceful evenings, Toxichouse is a home!!! Dunno where It is, don't care. All I know, things are quiet. Yummmmm.


***McCartney's 68 today, wow!

day 326

THAT was odd!

So, it ISN'T only me. E asked wassup with the Kissena 5k results. Hadda 'splain, it's not unusual for them to be posted late (it HAS been 4 days, how long can it friggin' take???). Look how long it took to get feedback re: how it went.

St.Francis this am, HUMID!!!!! Was soaked toward the end. Glad I did it though. When I woke up it was raining-almost turned over in bed. Kind'a sorta hadda. Manana night there's a 2 hour spin I was thinking of-if it isn't cancelled. Last time they tried it, it was killed for lack of interest, so I'm cautious re: planning for it. If I don't run, and it's off, I'll have wasted a day. Gonna havta flip a coin.

Brotherfromanothermother called, he didn't get into the Father's Day 5m, pity, it's a fun one, lots of peeps there, but it maxxed out. Wow. Even Dave the Superjew is doing it.

Making plans on the unit for Father's Day. For some reason, we get short shrift. Though the buck stops with us, we get jerked. Basically, pay the bills and shutthefuckup. At least we know wassup.

day 325

I LOVE the internet!!!

F-ing around yesterday, checking stuff (googling, fb-ing) when...what do I come upon? CYO Daycamp has a FB page!!! Yay!!! GOD I loved being a kid! Even the crappy days stuck inside watching Popeye cartoons, drinking Bug Juice, making plaster casts (I'd give my left nut to have saved one!!!), wow. The innocence-when your biggest problem was praying the egg salad or pb n' j wouldn't leak through the bread. Wow. Really adds yet another dimension to living in Queens! The perfect borough.

St.Francis + Teambrickfeetwellquantum, 10+. Was a bit humid, but nice.

I look @ Stoney and can't believe he doesn't take advantage of more: ride his bike to Cantiague park, meet his peeps....when I was his age I'd already done some seriously illegal shit. God bless the purity of his heart, but he needs to g.o.y.a.
Meanwhile, Ms."I have no $ to give you for lunch," buys him a $100+ pair of Air Jordans, cash. STILL think I make this up? Of course, I asked him if he thanked It for Its generosity. He shrugged. He IS spoiled. He should be.

Saw American Idiot. Wow. Only Green Day could keep my knees in pain for that long. VERY well done. Usually have no use for Broadway-overpriced self important crap, but this was very good. Gotta support recalcitrance.

day 324

does it get any better???

First, did The Line yesterday am, then played 9 @ Douglaston in the pm. NIIIICE! Pre-mosquito weather, no wait for a tee time, really good. THIS is why we work!!!

Was prepped to do St.Francis this am, saw the usual vehicles in the parking lot-including one that insists on parking in a non parking spot, blocking entry to The Line. @ that hour, every spot is empty but this dick HAS to park there. OK, whatever. Start out, I run into him. Turns out he's where I was at. He says "dunno how you do it" (sound familiar?). This guy's dressed in sweats, I'm in shorts-no top. We start talking, he shows me he's wearing the nicotine patch, trying to lose weight as well (like I said, he's where I was at). Told him how I started, we exchanged names.....cool. George Sheehan was right! (funny, he's not as much of an asshole anymore).

STILL love my Garmin! Some of the best $$$ I ever spent.


***Busting a gut watching how wiped my guys are. We only played 9 holes yesterday evening, you'd think we ran a marathon! To think, before I started doing this exercise bullshit, I'd wonder how peeps can do it then work. Now, I can't imagine NOT doing it. That whole "exercise energizes me" was a concept I couldn't wrap my head around. Didn't exercise exhaust you? Quite the contrary, it pumps you up, helps start the day the right way. You can always tell when someone didn't get their miles in. Thanks God, needed it!

day 323

best laid plans...

Wanted to take the morning off, playing Douglaston this pm, but since predicted rains didn't materialize, went out. Glad I did. After the 8k yesterday, needed the miles. And, who do I bump into on the flip flop? Dave the Superjew! GREAT, made my morning. Helped pick up the pace.

FINALLY got info on the Teambrickfeetquantumwell run, word is it went very well. Good. The CPA'S race did well also. A winning weekend for all.


***Funny how what goes around....used to drink/f around...in Alley Pond Park, now use it to run. Used to go tray/sledding on the Douglaston course, now actually play golf there. NEVER thought I'd be a runner-used to hold my cig out to break Steve's balls when he came in from a run. NEVER thought I'd golf either-thought it was the lamest of lame pursuits.

day 322

did ok, nothing to be proud of, but ok.

Had about as many peeps as last year @ the 8k, with 3 other races, not too shabby. 4 of us AP peeps, Lock was illin', so Eric used his bib. Why? I have NO idea, he didn't run through the finish chutes, it wasn't a NYRR event so he wouldn't be pulled outta the chutes for lack of a bib, the guys got.....issues.

All the usual LI suspects were there, we represented well. Felt good to actually pass a few, you can tell it was hot/humid if I passed them-some of the usual suspects I pace myself by.

(you can tell the volunteers weren't runners. One asked "do the online applicants get bibs?" Jeeeez, don't get out much do ya'?).

Was expecting thundershowers, glad it didn't-though we could'a used 'em-it was FUCKING hotttttt. Everyone was soaked.

***Missed doing the CPA'S for a Cause race, but theirs is usually on a Fri night-the week usually shaped up as: Thurs-Police Appreciation Run, Fri-CPA'S, Sun: NHP. Oh well, gotta go with the flow.

(forgot how hilly the NHP course is).

day 321

THAT was odd!

REALLY strange morning. Woke up WAY too early (even by MY standards), so played on the pc for a bit, then headed to the 5k down the road. Didn't see any shirts, saw it was a mom and pop kinda run, had my fill of those, left for AP. Got to AP, didn't see any of the usual suspects (resting for NHP), so headed home. That's right, no run. Figured I needed the rest, otherwise I'd have done my usual. Glad I did. Came home, did the lawn, helped Stoney set up his "home office."

Was nice not to be preregged for anything, take a day off as well I should (though I DID do the lawn-hadda do SOMETHING!).

day 320

just when you're ready to quit, the miracle hits!

Really should'a taken this am off, did the 5k last evening, after not running yesterday am. So, needed the miles, but after a race should'a chillaxed. Used Ragnar as inspiration, suck it up, lace 'em up, it WAS only a 5k-and at my pace, barely counts. But I DID run it. Thank GOD it was flat. Again, how people can run after work is totally beyond me, but I did ok-almost a full minute slower than last year, but, last year I gave a shit, this year, not a bit. REALLY couldn't care less about time. @ this point last year I was doing track workouts, I've realized I don't have speed in me. Tenacity, yes. Speed no.

So, though this am should'a been an off day, did St.Francis. Felt ok, NOT full of spit and vinegar, but ok. NOT in pain from last night. On the way back I was lagging, consoling myself with the knowledge that I was maintaining a pace, though not a notable one. When...when...Dave the Superjew hooks up with me. JUST what I needed. Now, understand, this guy would drive Gandhi to drink, but, he's GREAT for your pace. Kept me going strong to the end-which for him was slowing down. Hey, God DOES act in mysterious ways n'est pas?

Also, hadda run this am as a)the rain may kick in through various points during the weekend, and b)sunday's "only" an 8k. You understand.

day 319

Whew!!!

Dodged a bullet there. Was actually looking forward to running this am after the evening rains, got outta bed late (it DOES happen periodically), was doing the fiddler crab when...when...forgot, DUH! Morning off, race tonight! Whew! Actually got to drag my ass around, made it to the job with too much time to spare anyway. So THIS is how people live!

The race: fun! Saw the usual suspects: Linda, Susan, Paul, Mindy, Mike, Juan, The Judge, Rick, Anita, Curtis, Joe... Nice to touch base with the LI peeps. Most doing NHP. Try to NOT do 5k's, but this one, a must.

day 318

Happy Father's Day!!!

No, per the calendar, we're early, but after all, isn't every day Father's Day? What brought this on? Some time ago I got a Garmin, the red squarish ones. Never used it, as I'm not that fast, but was curious re: distances run. One of the club's peeps was selling a Garmin, the latest/greatest/top of the.....blah blah blah. It does more shit than you need. Sooo.....of course, got it. NOW, I'll use it! Hey, I deserve it, and more.

WOW! Tried it out, it's an amazing piece of techtoy.

St.Francis this am, REALLY great weather. Tonight, rain. Good. Get it outta the clouds so manana's race is clear. Looking forward to it-a 5k after St.Francis+ every day. Nice to see the usual suspects as well.

Last evening, broke my heart. It went foodshopping (it DOES happen, irregularly at best, but it does happen), Stoney tells It how much he loves It, then reminds It to buy him a new mic for his x-box, kisses It on the cheek. Now...think. I'm satan, leaving lunch money daily, helping with homework, demanding the weekly progress report. But It has no problem saying how Stoney "hates his father," yes, that's a quote. I gave him props for having the bitch wrapped round his finger, but it hurts. He "loves" It because the money It should be spending on necessities, It spends on Video Games (just bought him Red Dead Redemption) and accessories. He can't wrap his head around: dad spends a fortune to pay the bills, and still, daily, leaves $ on the table for lunch. These things are taken for granted. Really breaks my heart.

this just in

you have NO idea

ok, so, your work day's done, you wanna chillax @ home, WRONG. Crazybitch has every (and I mean EVERY) square inch of surface covered with debris (think "hoarders"), ok, you can deal with it. After all, mental is mental, this is to be expected. Lamented, yet expected.

Here @ work I'm informed by the boss, my driver's license will be suspended 7/9/10 due to an unpaid ticket. WHATTHEFUCK?????

Turns out, almost a year ago, got a ticket for not stopping @ the stop sign around the corner-literally-from my house. There IS no stop sign, but, a cop's word vs. mine? Just pay.

Problem is: the ticket was almost a year ago. Didn't they send notices? Dunno. Have you forgotten where I live and what becomes of my mail? Amazing.

Be grateful you have a clean, safe environment.

Be grateful you get to see the fruits of your labors.

Be grateful you get validation when needed.

I don't.

I have me, that's it.


.....I'm tired of layin' back, n' hangin' around. I'm gonna catch that train, n' I'll be city bound, YEEEAAAAH!!!!!!!!!! 'Cause I'm a fool for the city!

day 317

WOW!

Latest issue of AARP came, who's on the cover: Valerie Bertinelli. Wow! Feelin' old yet? Inside, a blurb about Sean Penn turning 50, feeling oldER yet? Wow. Ken turning 50, I can deal with, those 2, wow.

St.Francis this am. ANOTHER gorgeous morning. Needed it. Came back to Toxichouse, It had hit a garage sale, picked up furniture for Stoney. Nevermind nothing matches etc.....It was cool to do that, however, you KNEW this would turn ugly. Whaddya want when you get home? Exactly, respite. I get anarchy. Shit EVERYWHERE. Wouldn't it be lovely to enter a welcoming, safe environment, instead, Its shit is everywhere, It had dresser drawers on top of the guitar I gave Stoney. Fucking killed me, I went off big time. It's bad enough displacing your fatigue into dysfunctional rants/raging screaming, but lacking respect for expensive gifts, unforgiveable. Tore both It and Stoney new ones. And you wonder why all my prized stuff is in my office?

day 316

Now THAT'S how you start the day!!!!!

F-ing gorgeous morning! Clear skies, cool (not quite crisp but, hey, we'll take it!!!). Really a lovely morning. Lil' extra spring in the step. St.Francis + Kissena, 10 total. After the 5k Saturday and 4m yesterday, needed the miles. Felt good.

Tried that new gatorade crap, their version of powergel, during yesterday's race-15 mins prior to actually. Worked well. Like I wrote yesterday, EVERYBODY suffered-Randi did 9+ minute miles, unusual for her, but that heat and humididity were killer.

Still riffing off yesterday's brunch, what a lovely time. Really a good group. Funny how everything comes around eventually. When I got there (early of course) I checked out the town, and remembered the days of hangin' with Susan, hitting the shops in Roslyn....great times we had. Gorgeous woman. A different lifetime. I never think of what could've been. Why? I'm tremendously thankful for what is.

day 315

THAT was fun!!!

Did the 4m in Central Park, the Japan Day Run. Thank GOD it was @ 8 am, it was HOTTTTTT and VERY humid. More than 5,000 runners. The NYRR lifted the 5,00 cap, made it a mass of humanity. But fun nontheless. REALLY tough to get a head of steam going, too tough to breathe let alone run. I knew it was bad when I passed Big Bird within the first 2 miles, usually he starts out too fast, I pull him in for the last 2 miles. He was struggling as was I. Beat him by 20 seconds. Nothing to be proud of, Ken and I are the same age-HE placed in his age group today. I'm just happy to be running.

Then, hadda boogie asap, to get to shower and be in Roslyn for Ken's gathering. Really alot of fun hangin; with 20 peeps. Bless them.

Nice to hang with people who accept you for who you are (Shebitch is on ANOTHER tear, getting tired of it-more so than before). And of the entire brunch, not an ill word or mental attitude! Great peeps. Happy Birthday Ken!!! And props on your award!

day 314

I don't (totally) suck!!!!!

Should'a taken today off, with manana's 4m in CP, should'a rested...but...but...So, did the next best thing: did a 5k. Couldn't resist. It the first time for this race, run on MacArthur Airport runways. Yummmmm. Did ok, nothing great (9:16), but for me, great. Hotttttttttt, but flat. I KNOW I'll regret this manana, but couldn't help it.

GREAT turnout there also, THAT was the scene of the crime a couple'a years ago when I did my "marathon a month" tour. Took Southwest to most place, Slamtrack the rest.

Looking forward to Ken's brunch, won't eat (too early for me) but it'll be nice to see how normal people celebrate. My 50th-Shebitch went on a tear, then we went out to eat. What joy. Ken's a helluva guy, and the club consigliere. Deserves the best we can do for him!

day 313

THAT was odd!

Went to The Parkhouse last night to take of some bidness, felt liberating to be able to come and go as I pleased. Wonderful people, but knowing I hadda be there for 2 hours drove me nuts.

St.Francis + Kissena this am 10+. Hot, VERY humid. Gotta remember to carry water like I used to-but everytime I consider doing so, I remember they have water fountains!!!

The weekend: on the fence. Got the NYRR Japan Day on Sun, but dunno re: Sat. Really should take the day off, haven't had an off day all week, but there are some fun races (YAI?), but then again, I told myself I swore off 5k's. We'll see.

*Wanna see "Get Him to the Greek", though I know it's really a remake of "My Favorite Year." Though Peter O'Toole was amazing ("this isn't acting, it's television,") Russell Brand cracks me up as well-AND he's in recovery.

day 312

NEVER take locomotion for granted!!!

St.Francis this am, REALLY needed it.

Shebitch, again, mental. Yesterday pm, Stoney and his main peep doin' the hang. It cooks for them, so far so good...until...(insert theme from Jaws) It returns from a meeting (thought these meetings were therapeutic???) Shhhs me (I was humming), this is in front of Stoney and his peep mind you. Starts interrogating me regarding whatever ill It perceived, @ which point I let loose "stop being mental in front of my son as well as a guest," "thought meetings were supposed to promote serenity-oh wait-that's only if you're honest," "take another pill." Bitch better learn I won't tolerate this. It shrunk back into Its hole thereafter.

It's obvious in case you haven't guessed: bipolar disorder/manic depression involves surreal mood swings. The thing of it is, if YOU had kids, wouldn't you shutthefuckup in their presence?????

this just in!

I'm nearsighted!!!! (or, nearly blind).

I LOVE my crackberry.

Here's the deal: reg opens for the NYC half today @ noon. Work pc's block NYRR access. So...crackberry!!!!!

The downside, REALLY gotta squint, needs a bigger screen, but then again, if it had a bigger one it wouldn't be a crackberry, but a slaptop!

I'm regged, got the confirmation #. Yay!!!!!!!!!

day 311

happy National Running Day!!! (FINALLY a "holiday" that matters!!!)

Reg for the NYC half starts today @ noon, tempted to take the pm off, but it's useless. Still.....wish I didn't have shit to do @ the job, hate waiting. The anticipation itself is fun though, reminds me of the ticketron (remember them???) days when we'd await ticket sales for a concert to open up, wow, aging.

St.Francis this am, shirt off weather. When even the usual suspects are topless, it's THAT humid.

Got a call from brotherfromanothermother, again, processing Ragnar. What a friggin' blast that was!

GREAT cxoverage of our race in GLIRC's Footnotes:

"A hardy breed of veterans formed the core of the turnout at Alley Pond Park...as the rains that fell on Merrick fell just as hard and as steadily in northwest Queens as well. The Alley Pond Striders were undaunted by the rain and the puddles and put on the kind of well managed event that has been their trademark for three decades.

This is very much not an easy 5 mile course, but 165 tough runners made their way up the many hills and found their way up Motor Parkway to the finish line.

Nice race-running like it used to be. Try it next year."

God bless Mike Polansky, he gets "it."

day 310

whatthefuck???

Yesterday pm, hot, helping Shebitch clean the front yard so It can do some planting (tomatoes). Yes, you read right. Helping It. Hey, if It decides to do something good, I'll help-nevermind that It claims to lack funds, yet buys tomato plants-obviously they're more important than Stoney's lunch. During this process, It's normal-odd.

It goes to get Stoney from brotherfromanothermother's, comes home n' FREAKS "don't you have a run to go to..." Whatthefuck??? I'd not said a WORD (you learn not to elicit any response whatsoever from a mental patient). Is this the same person who was exemplary earlier? I REALLY gotta learn, It's mental, period. Mood changes @ the drop of a hat. @ this point I'd had it and responded "don't you have a pill to take, a friend to rescue while your toilet overflows, or a 12 step meeting where you can hide your sleeping pill addiction?" What was behind this? The fridge was empty and Stoney was home. Now, normal people, think. If you knew your son was coming home, would you not have...what's the word...FOOD???? No, better to tend a garden-which, if you remember the last time this was undertaken, becomes another example of neglect (the tomato plants fell over, tomatos rotted). Amazing. Apparently I don't learn. P.S. what did It do re: groceries? Lobster, couple of Entenmann's cakes (then bitch about Stoney's weight), and then decry Its financial status. Incredible, really amazing. No wonder people don't get it, this shit is amazing.

This am? Was expecting showers, but it was dry-HUMID as hell, but dry. Again, I don't get it: do a 10m race, ass dragging, with powergels aplenty. This am, 6.5+ with no problem. Gotta be the temperature dif. Or, I should try running after work (always say if you can do that, you didn't work).

Got a lovely e mail, totally outta left field-from the race scorers from the Long Beach race. It worked out-they noted I had a 5m split time, but nothing registered for the 10m. Nice of them to follow up.


...even a dog can shake hands............