day 431

40 days/40 nights

left Toxichouse expecting to get a run in. Got to the job, not bad, misty, but rains were s'posed to hold off 'til 6 am, thus, I left EXTRA early (you DON'T wanna know). Get to The Parkhouse, FUCK!!! Skies opened. @ that point, I'm committed. Soaked to the core, drenched. Weather peeps said we could expect 3 days of rain in one hour. Funny. Really funny. BUT, got my miles in!!!

Freakin' over Greg Giraldo's death. Wow.

day 430

progress, baby steps

Getting back to "normal." Second day of St.Francis, oppressively sticky, air very heavy, but knees holding up. Abs sore after Boot Camp, a good thing. Still, glad to get back to The Line. Tonight, rain predicted, so REALLY glad I got out this am. Might havta do Boot Camp manana as well. Instructor knows why I'm there, inevitably says "raining, right?" To which I always respond: "Do you ask EVERY participant why they're here, or is it me?" Of course, it IS me. Have a funny way of drawing fire.

Flipped when I got home yesterday. The one thing I ask of Stoney is that he puts up the gate keeping Hulk from entering the den. He rarely, if ever does. After battling traffic to get home, and feeling icky from the humidididity, he asks for Taco Bell. I went off big time. I indicated it's the principle: you don't do shit, not even the miniscule ONE thing that's asked, and then put me on the spot for junk food???? I was REALLY pissed.

Run more, talk less.

day 429

well worth it

left Toxichouse, NOT knowing what was to occur. Was fully prepped to do Spin class tonight, should this goddamned rain continue. Leaving Hicksville, verrrry light rain. On the way to the job, bit heavier. DAMN. Then, as I enter the bldg, nothing. THAT'S the prob with this time of year, rain/no rain. DAMN. So...laced 'em up. Glad I did. Only the walkers were there, otherwise, had The Line to myself. REALLY glad I did after running, then walking Saturday. Needed the miles, as well as to get back on track.

...rain sucks.

day 428

older and slower

ok, so I didn't REALLY try yesterday, but...last year I was 12 seconds faster. SHIT. Alas, when I started running, speed was never an issue. With my knees, it can't ever be an issue. Always say: "at least I didn't walk." Knowing you can't break 8 minutes sucks, but then again, that's why God made marathons!!! The good news: everyone in the club did VERY well. Props to all.

Rain this am, enough to fuck everything up!!! Actually got to the job, ready to roll the dice and head out...and...and...fucking skies opened up. SHIT! Off to Boot Camp as an alternative. Mercy on the knees.

***Calls to mind: love when runners claim they can't run. Then, are you really a runner or a pussy??? There ARE other activities to be pursued, i.e. crosstraining, spin, elliptical, cycling, walking. No guts no air medal. To that effect, Boot Camp this am. Didn't wanna, but if you don't do SOMETHING, you lose it. Worked too hard to get this far. Was nice to get back. No one there from months ago when I was a regular, other than the instructor. This is a good thing, the circle of life. Peeps come, peeps go.

day 427

ending on a high note

did the Continental Airlines Fifth Ave Mile. Time sucked, but still in the 50%, Tom, Sue, and Deb all kicked ass. Good. Hung with them, plus Vince and Andrea before the run. Great time, before we knew it, it was time for our waves to go off.

Then, back for more Duane Reade Sushi, caught a flick, then to the job, surprise the kiddies. Caught 2 smokers. Good. Put the fear of God into 'em. Never know when Daddy'll be home :).

And again, Shebitch, nowhere to be found. Fuck her. GREAT weekend.

day 426

ouch!!!

Headed out to run with the club, so much for THAT idea. Went as far as St.Francis, did the turn around, then walked back with pesa. Didn't have shit for energy. KNEW I should'a taken the day off but nooooooooooooooo. STILL, glad to have hung with her for the walk back.

Got home, Jose y Sus Tres mexicanos having an unbelievable noisy party. FUCK ME. Off to The Mall to see Wall Street.

day 425

I LOVE NY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spent a helluva day. First, did St.Francis, showered, ready to take on the day. Headed to the boogiedfownBronx to return their maxi van, we'd borrowed it to take the kiddies to south St.Seaport. Conversed w/my peeps there, niiiice. Then onto the #6 train to NYC!

What a HELLUVA day! Was soooo taken with Manhattan I kept taking pix and downloading 'em to Facebook. One was a shot @ the Central Park Zoo, got there just as they were feeding the sea lions. The worker was playing high fives with one of 'em, cool!!!!! Then, off to the West Side to catch a flick and pick up the numbers for Sunday.

GREAT flick, Philip Seymour Hoffman flick, Jack Goes Boating. How could you go wrong? WONDERFUL movie, then...who texts me...Pret! Perfect, met @ Bryant Park, then headed back to Toxichouse.

A perfect day.

day 424

TGIF!!!

Long weekend coming, yay!!!!!!! Looks like the weather'll cooperate also!

Toxichouse? Quiet. Damn, on a roll here. THAT'S the prob: you never know what you're walking into, or, when you're already there, how long it'll last. Other day, before the court order bullshit, all was quiet. Suddenly, bipolar rears its ugly head. Frightening, unsettling. Never really get to enjoy your time, rather, wait for the other shoe to drop.

St.Francis this am. Glad I did. Last night, hadda close the windows-rain, yeccccch. Half expected to have another day off, but thankfully, got my miles in.

day 423

on a roll here!!!

back to back GORGEOUS days. Shirt off this am, crisp, cool/not cold. LOVE this time of year. St.Francis + Kissena, 10+. Again, with the Fifth Ave Mile Sunday, need the miles. 2ish months 'til The Big One.

Good news: came home yesterday evening, had the house to myself.
Bad news: Stoney and Shebitch out. I see his tie on the floor, no shoes, so...either a funeral or...turns out It had been invited to a banquet @ the Woodbury Country Club for Stem Cell survivors. Now, again...take a moment. Think. The same person threatening court orders because I won't print more money, is alive due to MY job which provided the benefits which paid for the stem cell treatments. "Thanks hon, I owe you my life?" Nope, rather, "all my friends..." "everyone says..." "I'm getting a court order." Lovely. And you're welcome, fuck you.

Fortunately, he had a great time. Good for him. He was able to recite exactly what foods he consumed. Good for him.

day 422

back in the saddle

Back to Toxichouse yesterday, with an agenda: a)avoid anyone attempting to hand me papers (a subpoena or court order), b)TRY not to lose my cool with Shebitch. I'd called during the day, as I'd overheard Stoney hatching a scheme to Bogart homework. THIS, plus, his backpack remains where he left it...hmmmmm...it seems he's screwing around. So, called Sybil to ask if he'd taken his backpack to school. It drove him, but didn't remember. Amazing. THIS, added to the fact that It was, again, visiting a sick friend, while Its son sits @ home unattended and unfed, just utterly incredible. Ignore your "family," but play the role of attentive friend. THIS is what I think of whenever It starts the "everyone says I should" or "all my friends" crap (funny, I never resort to that pathetic line). On the rare occasions when I actually respond-never a good idea, I ask if these same people a)pay my bills, if not, then they should shut the fuck up b)know It completely shirks any parental responsibilities. Funny, those questions never get answered. I DO, daily, get accused of complaining. Now...take a moment, have you EVER heard me complain? Of course not, it's not in my nature. Best of all, when It whines or rages about whatever financial shortfall It's experiencing ("you need to give me money for...") I ask about the disability check It blew on clothes. Yes, it's like dealing with a psychotic child.

St.Francis, back to where I belong. 55 degs, PERFECT running weather. Bagpipe guy was m.i.a. Heavywalkerguywhodressesinsweatsheadtotoeandknowsmebyname WAS there, here's the scary part: he also drives a Trailblazer. Same color. Told ya' he's me prior weight loss. I told him we drive the same vehicle, thank GOD his is a 2004. Eerie isn't it? (AND, he's a smoker!!! I'm tellin' ya, he's me years ago!!!).

New season of House!!! YAYYYY!!!!! Kicked off monumentally yesterday. Cuddy reminds me of Pantano, they resemble one another facially. What a fucking show!

***LOVE the pic of Pesa below, AP attitude!!!!!

.....and when I played my guitar I made the canyons rock!!!!!!!

day 421

regroup!

Day off today, rest, gotta. After yesterday, running on an empty stomach, then my usual Ocean to Sound veggie burger gluttony, need to chillax. Sucks. BEAUTIFUL day, but if I don't rest, won't be going 'til death do me part. Some time ago, I promised to not let a day go by without doing SOMETHING healthy for myself. STILL can't quite internalize that rest IS doing something healthy. Not to mention the foods I consume, rest I get etc.....DO miss daily running, but gotta take care of the knees.

Doesn't happen often, but Ocean to Sound is unique in that it makes me envious. I see peeps like brotherfromanothermother and his wife, Lynn and Joe...and wish I had a partner. Instead, I come back to Toxichouse from a day like yesterday and It threatens me with a court order.

Watched 60 minutes yesterday, story on Jimmy Carter, first prez I was aware of who ran. HE kept going 'til 70, then, knee would swell after a run. Hope I LIVE that long, let alone run.

Pix @ the bottom!

day 420

Wow!!!

Brotherfromanothermother picked me up @ 9:45, off we went to the Ocean to Sound. NICE!!! Beautiful day, great people, great after party. Was SO nice to see the usual Long Island suspects in conjunction with the rest of us. A real meeting of the worlds.

Did ok, my leg, 8, was supposedly flat and downhill, bullshit. More like rolling hills and eventually flat and downhill.

One bitch-a GLIRC volunteer, had amazing control issues. @ the Cold Spring Harbor relay point, insisted I get behind a yellow caution line. Like ANY runner would make THAT wide (12 feet!!!) a turn. Of course, I didn't. Asshole.

God bless the Wearers of the Green. A total blast.

...and no....no other local clubs represented. Their loss. God forbid you join together. Better to be seperate. Reap what you sow.

Back to Toxichouse, It freakin', insisting I give It $$$, "I'll get a court order.....everybody says......." Go nuts bitch.

day 419

good news, bad news:

good news: placed 3rd in my age group.

bad news: local clubs? nowhere to be found.

Other than Forest Park, I will NEVER do another club's race, enough of their self-centered, self involved, "I'm only in it for me" bullshit. Fuck 'em. They didn't even list us on their out of date, never updated calendar. Pitiful. Really pitiful.

Better news: perfect weather as well as temps. THIS is what it's all about, AND not taking yourself too seriously. Everyone had a blast, the Yom Kippur people stayed away (seriously, think God gives a FUCK if you run on any given day???), everyone had a blast. YAYYY! Love these peeps.

AND, manana, Ocean to Sound. again, 3 teams. Well done.

day 418

it's half full

Hicksville: raining, misty to pouring, alternately.

Queens Village: had already rained, the front had passed. YAY!!! Laced 'em up, was off. Thank GOD!!! Needed St.Francis. With the fun runs on the weekends, can't deviate from The Plan.

Manana STILL on the fence. Dunno whether to do the Back Yard or not. Probably will.

Signed up for the Greenpoint run in Oct. One of my faves. Pissed the club hasn't taken to it, but, fuck 'em. Their loss. DP usually makes it.

Stoney? I get home yesterday, he hits on First Bank of Dad. I indicate NOW he speaks!!!! He indicates he felt dissed. I again indicate I merely indicated closing the door fully results in malfunction. He's a rebel without a clue. Can't fault him, he asks for "hang out" $$$, how much trouble can he get into on $5? He's not street smart enough to ask for more...yet...good. Serves as a social control.

Shebitch? Out ALL day and most of the evening. Her friend's wife is in the hospital. Now...let that sink in. Leaves Its son unattended all day, all night, for the spouse of a friend. GREAT priorities. Amazing parenting. Bitch.

day 417

AGAIN, Yin/Yang

Celebrated the Boss's 60th this am, wow. Seems like yesterday we were in his back yard in Valley Stream celebrating his 50th. Wow. AND, @ afternoon rounds, celebrating an RN's retirement, she has 35 years. Wow. THIS is grist. THIS is when you know you made your mark. THIS is the kinda shit I fret (yes, I said "Fret") about. What does Shebitch have to show for Its efforts? It claims to be a loving mother, not. One who spends hours on end outta the house, then feeds Its child crap? Putting Its own needs above all others? THIS is a parent? Don't think so. One birthday, one retirement. The cycle of life...

St.Francis this am. Rain predicted for this evening into early am, might be forced into an off day. MIGHT not have a choice. Our hardcore 5k is Saturday, then there's a race in Prospect Park in the afternoon. On the fence. Sunday's Ocean to Sound, don't wanna twist an ankle OR start with anything less than a full tank.


.....you're the reason I live/you're the reason I die. You're the reason I give when I break down and cry.................

day 416

yum!!!

REALLY gorgeous morning. Felt toooo good staying in bed, was tempted to roll over, but no, gotta log the miles. Once you start chillaxin', it's all over. Again, the hardest part? Getting out the front door.

Barely broke a sweat, it was THAT cool.

Spoke with brotherfromanothermother about Ocean to Sound/a.k.a. Laughlin's yearly anxiety. Gets wound up getting peeps signatures for waivers etc...he likes to worry.

Stoney? Silent treatment. Friggin' teenager. THAT should be his biggest defect. Silence I can deal with. DOES kill me that he's p.o.'d over Shebitch not buying him Halo the day it came out. He doesn't understand it's all a scam: no sooner did It buy him whatever the last video game, than THAT game came out with its unique controller, enabling you to do some forgettable shit. Of course he HADDA have that, and of course THAT's now on the crap heap. Disposable society.

nice to be wanted

turned down Brooklyn.

Was asked if I was interested in the Director gig @ our Brooklyn facility. Would'a been a 2 year gig, until our boss retires. Still, no thanks. Alot can happen in 2 years, also, that place is a friggin' disaster. Here, I'm not far from Hicksville, got The Park across the street, The Gym on the other side. How perfect is this gig. Nice and manageable size, whereas Brooklyn is 4x the size of CATC. Upside would'a been, LOTS more $$$, one third more than current gross. Fortunately, learned, money isn't everything.

Buzz is they need a "get it done" person.

Nice to be regarded, if not "highly regarded."

Makes up for the sting of Stoney's shit attitude.

day 415

you'll never know how much that hurt

Tried explaining to Stoney that closing my bedroom door (his room's on the other side), makes it difficult for me to leave the bedroom/it's almost like being locked in. Tried explaining he needs to merely shut it. Now...think...I'm dealing with a spoiled teenager who THINKS he has rights. He countered (as though being attacked???!!!) that he needed privacy...I explained I wasn't fighting that, and in fact, agreed. BUT, don't shut the door completely, merely close it, thus affording privacy. "See, THIS is why I don't wanna hang with you." ??????? Whatthefuck??? THAT really hurt. Especially with Shebitch present, nontheless, it REALLY hurt. Bear in mind, exacerbating this, Halo comes out today. Though Shebitch lacks $$$ to give him $5 daily for lunch(yet, maintains an endless supply of Snapple), It'll buy this fucking game for him. Yet, whom does he hate? REALLY hurts. Parenting hurts...alot.

St.Francis + Kissena this am, did the post St.Francis turnaround with Dave the superjew. I actually feel for the guy. All he ever talks about is conversations with the NYRR staff (trying to get them to see/do things as he deems appropriate), or "Q's." Doesn't really seem to have a life. Fast as hell, but...... Nope, wouldn't trade places.

Met Grandpa @ The Parkhouse to sign off on the O 2 S waiver.

...this time of year

I miss ny Mother.

Woman single-handedly-before "single parent" was invented, raised us, paid the mortgage, maintained a full time gig in the days Mad Men" was based on. Imagine what she could'a done with equal pay @ today's dollars???

So, besides the time of year, what brings her to mind? Ready? "Pommes de terre." I LOVE that phrase. It is perfect. Literal translation: "apple from the earth," literally "potato." Is that not perfect???

day 414

the glass IS half full!!!

REALLY wanted to sleep in this am, had been used to 4 day weekends, no more. PLUS, it was raining. Purrrrrfect excuse, but had the memory of yesterday on my mind, i.e. "press on." So, headed out the door.

Glad I did. Though it was raining in Hicksville, it wasn't in Queens. Had The Line to myself. Nice.

Ocean to Sound Sunday. Was actually not committed, part of me is tired of doing the same old same old, but it IS a lovely tradition/club thing.

day 413

no, they'll NEVER know

...lot to be said for sticking it out.

Got to the race this am, typically predawn, just me and the trailer/stage guys. THAT'S when you know you're early. I remembered this one as a "NOT put on by runners" race, meaning, lots of glitches. PLUS, number pickup (as well as post race pancake b'fast) was on the school football field. Not good logistics. But, press on. And yes, WAS tempted to get my shirt and THEN head to either AP or the Komen run. BUT, glad I stuck around.

Did ok, nothing great, but didn't walk. Ran most of the run with a woman who sang along with her music, but the volume was low enough for us to converse. had a good time.

Then, stuck around for as long as my patience (and the rain) held, with Anita/Travis, and brotherfromanothermother and his wife. GREAT race goodies-a slaptop backpack (or a fanny pack if you chose,) nice. So, why glad I stuck it out? Convo w/Anita/Travis after, basically affirming each other's parenting. I left before the raffle (20 minutes for the 5k results, by the time I left it was cold AND sprinkling, it was 11:10 @ that point), gave my ticket to Travis.

Glad I did it. Great people-not runners, but fine people who, I'm sure, had better things to do with their time. Not well attended, odd because the $$$ went to 6 or so charities. Odd.

Came home, Stoney on the couch, no sign of Shebitch. Again.

No, it isn't easy. But, imagine what it'd be like if I listened to my peeps who don't have kids? Imagine Stoney with NO boundaries??? Kills me. Totally kills me.

*Side note: brotherfromanothermother was tired-he and his wife were out 'til 11:30 last night. He said he was gonna run with me, I said I gave him a mile. He split in almost exactly that. STILL beat me (and HE took walk breaks).

day 412

GREAT day!!!!!

Did the 4m with brotherfromanothermother (celeb talking head was Rocco DeSpirito, cool guy, always liked him, funny man), hung in NYC, caught one of those limited release flicks, hung in Central Park reading The Times, then home. Nice. AND, my race time DIDN'T suck, totally. In the 52%. Not bad.

Shebitch? Out of the house, nowhere to be found. Especially considering what today is, truly proves Its uselessness.

Peace peeps, it's all we got.

day 411

manana 9/11.

Gonna do what i always do: not waste time.

Posted on fb that we have NOT today, but only NOW. That neither our loved ones nor our possessions go with us, we go-ultimately-alone. Learned that the hard way when Shebitch went mental. Like the cancer wasn't bad enough, the body survived, the mind didn't. LOVE Stoney, but alas, there, ultimately, is me.

Spoke with brotherfromanothermother today. We're doing the run manana. GREAT/PERFECT way to note the day. One foot in front of the other. Period.

day 410

..."wait 'til your father gets home..."

ok, First Bank of Dad, been there.

"Wait 'til your father gets home," done that last night.

With Stoney gettin' burned on the pot, It passed the parental buck. Remember, It was told to devise a punishment/consequence. Its way of dealing with that was to tell him the urine test on the kitchen counter was for him. That's it, translation: "wait 'til your father gets home." It was out all day, came home last night. Fucking pitiful. Not a fucking iota of parenting.

The good news: he and I had a very good talk. Bonded.

But now, imagine, what would'a happened if I listened to others. If I wasn't there, what would'a happened? He would'a carried on, until god knows what. At LEAST if he becomes an addict, I'll know I did what needed to be done. The rest is in his lap.

You MUST love the irony though. It saves the world, a friend has a problem, It rushes to them. Meanwhile, you ignore your son and rage at your husband. Amazing.

Funny, It always has a bottle of Snapple in hand yet has nothing to feed Its son.

St.Francis this am. Crisp am, sweatshirt for the first mile. Took it off after that, too warm, but felt REALLY good.

Stoney? After 2 days of school, 2 days off, Jewish holidays. Helluva life.

...and THAT'S why I feel better today. Came home yesterday, he's on the slaptop AND X Box (multitasking bastard). I give him lunch money, he asks "what's this for?" I didn't know he had no school. Now...think...rather than keep the money for some act of substance abuse related malfeasance, he returned it. (this am, found a note requesting $$$ to get snacks after handball, lol. Should'a just kept the lunch money.) Point being, he is trustworthy. Thank god.

What kills me though, am I the only motherfucker with a dollar? THIS is the dysfunction in which I exist. Coffee is hidden, because I have the balls to use it, found a bottle of olive oil in the dishwasher this am (bastard that I am, use THAT too, can you IMAGINE???).

day 409

responsible for the effort, not the outcome


Stoney's been smokin' AGAIN. Checked his text messages. Now, the last time I burned him, Shebitch undercut any efforts I made to ground him/hold him responsible. So, I told It to devise a form of retribution/punishment.

I feel terrible. This should be his biggest problem, but it all starts somewhere. AND, it's his sophomore year, things go down from here/behavioral patterns are set. I try my best.

St.Francis this am. Good thing. Dave the superjew met me after the St.Francis turnaround. Needed it, picked up the pace thereafter.

court order???

It's mid rage AGAIN.

School started, any "back to school shopping" for Stoney, nope.

No food in the fridge.

$600 owed on the gas bill.

...hmmmm...wonder where the rage comes from.

I'm hangin' in my backyard, enjoying the sun and a lovely breeze, It comes home demanding money...give $$$ for food, etc...I, again, explain I haven't gotten a raise in years, that I pay the mortgage etc...It responds as though I glorified my actions. I respond, "I made a statement. If you make it out to be more than that, you are where the issues lie."

It, of course, counters, I should move out.....again kiddies, WHO pays the mortgage? I ain't goin' nowhere.

It's threatening a court order to force me to pay the gas bill. Go ahead. See how far THAT gets, before I reveal fraud-working while receiving disability.

day 408

and you wonder why?????

Still using those "use it or lose it" days, so this week's REALLY oppressive-work tomorrow and thurs, off today and fri.

Now...you'll note the time (8:17 am). Stoney's first day of school. So far so good. St.Francis this am, again, should'a taken today off, but felt good, and building a nice-slow but nice-long run base.

Since Stoney's @ school, figured, tired of hiding from the place for which I pay a mortgage, came home...It has the balls to break MY balls about "making noise." Now, bear in mind, It thinks nothing of coming home from doing laundry @ 11:30pm. Remember here, down is up, up is down, day is night... Amazing. I reminded It: it's DAYTIME, the REST of the world functions this way.

Thank GOD school started.

day 407

it is finished!!!!!

That's it, done, turn the page, stick a fork in it. Summer's a wrap.

Did the Long Beach 5m, felt good. Tired, but good. REALLY should'a taken today off, but no, gotta do it, sort'a a seasonal rite of passage. BEAUTIFUL morning, cooler than yesterday (short on), nice crowd, saw the usual suspects. Did ok, didn't havta walk any of it-always good. Apparently it DOES take time for progress to set in. Though speed is not in my vocabulary, distance/eudirance apparently is. Not many could do the miles I did this weekend and still be upright. It's fun, keeps my in shape. Awfully nice/freeing to know I won't win. I can actually enjoy the course.

Stoney has his peeps over, living room looks like human wreckage. Just imagine "the hangover, the teen years," peeps sleeping on the floor, on the couch......REALLY looks funny. Says something about his personality. Though our casa lacks the creature comofrts of others, i.e. a working toilet, a couch that actually has all 4 legs, his peeps still make the scene. He has his father's leadership skills.

On the way back, listening to the news, economic report, people concerned over the last year their bosses didn't recognize theior efforts. Got fucking paid didn't ya???? Whiny assholes.

day 406

almost @ the finish!!!

Did the 1m yesterday, the 14.2 today. God bless Curtis.

Morning started weird. Was s'posed to hookup with brotherfromanothermother @ AP, he called, said he made a wrong turn, that we should meet @ the run. Ok. I get a lil worried, dunno how to get to Battery Park, but, how hard can it be: drive downtown 'til you hit water. I'm on the GCP, about a mile from AP, somebody is swerving lanes, it's him on the cell phone. We called each other, we drove to Queens Plaza, jumped in my veeeehicle, off we went. God some serious bro time, headed to the start. Only one LI peep, Warren from Massapequa. Odd that. usually GLIRC's there in force. Today, no Polansky, no nuttin'. Big Bird II (Michael the Dentist) was there.

Did the run, felt good actually. Got to mile 10 before I realized I'd done only one power gel. SEE??? No splits, no clocks=no worries. Felt good.

LOVE this run. Second only to The Marathon. Memories of years past. The best: doing it with Lisa and brotherfromanothermother, he-showing up sans powergels, she-waiting for me @ the water stops. Good times.

REALLY cool swag: medal, coffee cup, GREAT shirt (grey, my fave!!!) and this year a gym bag. Bless you Curtis. Even if they didn't give shit, I'd do it.

(approx) Miles 1-3, lost the jacket (throwaway windbreaker), mile 5 lost the shirt. I was joking that by mile 7, lose the shorts!!!

Michelle "orange shorts" was there. Bless her. Didn't think she was that old-she'll have 35 years in her bid'ness. Wow. She's STILL hot. Not Pret hot, but hot nontheless.

Hooked up with brotherfromanothermother @ the end, he gave me a bottle of powerzero, chugged the quart in 5 seconds while waiting to collect swag.

While on line, Sal told me about a cool race 9-18 (I was actually ahead of him, wow), and a guy I ran into @ Curtis's Flushing Meadows run was there. True to his word, he did the run as he said he would.

Manana, the official end of summer: Long Beach "whythefuckamIrunninga5mraceafterrunningtheENTIREislandofManhattanyesterday?" run.

Summer highlight: The Prospect Park run in the am, Sonic Youth concert in the pm day.

Summerlowlight: Shebitch lives.

Helluva summer. Lots of great memories for the books.

Got home, "home" rather than "Tixichouse," as Shebitch was nowhere to be found. Stoney, still sleeping. Was a lil' pissed: he hit First Bank of Dad for $10 to hit the mall with his peeps. Now, you and I know $10 is nothing, but it's the principle.

day 405

did the Main Street Mile. Regged late, not day of, but 2 days ago. Didn't really wanna run today, but as the choice was to do AP and run too far, or do The Mile, choice was simple.

This is one of my annual runs. used to be late afternoon, but they listened to runners and made it in the am. I gotta give 'em props. Every year I have Pat autograph my bib, he now recognizes me, and gotta give him BIG props. He's got better things to do than give back, but he does, alot. Bless him...and yes, got my autograph.

Spoke w/brotherfromanothermother before the run. We'll hook up @ The park to go into Manhattan together. He said what was on my mind: miss hangin' out with you. But, he has a great wife.

Back to Toxichouse, did the lawn, I'm now officially free for the weekend.

(gave up trying to pass Pat. I used to, but I doubt he's running tomorrow).

day 404

TGILW

Nice long weekend coming, then next week, work Wednesday and Thursday. Nice.

This one's the "run til you drop" weekend. Mile run manana, 14.2 run Sunday, 5m Monday. It all averages out. If my knees believed that I'd be ok.

St.Francis + Kissena this am, 10+. Knees ok. Using the Brooks Switch with the NB insert.

day 403

anger is a luxury


Thank GOD for running.

First thing this am, patient indicates he was approved to attend a funeral. He supposedly did so yesterday, out all day, returning @ 10pm. The gang that couldn't shoot straight let him attend both the afternoon and night sessions. Strike one. A note had been written in the communications book that he was allowed to attend yesterday's "funeral," strike two. No time of departure or return indicated, strike three. It was the WAKE, not even the funeral, strike four. THEN, he was told he could go to the funeral today, strike FIVE. Yes, we ARE that stupid.

Dunno what I'd do if I hadn't run. As it was, I was livid, taking care to not have the patient pay the price of our stupidity. We, in effect, gave him a day pass, and another for today.

Assholes. Think motherfucker, think.

Got balls?

thank god I got plenty of practice being the bad guy.

Putz here (a.k.a. A Social Worker, useless, the lot), has to do an eval on a staffperson. To call this staffperson "issue filled" is an understatement. He gives the person a satisfactory. Amazing. Utterly amazing. And the sad part, I have to intervene. All year we hear crap about this person, then, when push comes to shove, no balls. Amazing. Adding insult to injury, when I indicate I won't accept the proposed eval without the paper trail he claimed to be keeping all year, he runs to the boss's office.

No balls, none. And he wonders why he couldn't cut it as an administrator, much less lacks the respect of his staff. Useless, utterly useless.

Told the boss, I'd have been remiss if I didn't say the eval was "evaluation lite," not reflective of the drama which the staff person develops.

Would'a loved to have just signed off on it, but I LIKE saying ouch when kicked in between.

day 402

you've GOT to be kidding!!!

Shebitch asking if I had $$$ for the gas bill. Right, I'll just print some up in a sec. Again, reminded It that "you open the mail, you handle it."

Is it stupid hot or what??? Thank god I do what I do predawn, can't imagine heading out after the sun rises, let alone after work. Jeez. Gonna hit 95 + today.

Almost took a day off, got up 30 minute later than usual, threw everything off, so, speeded to the job, broke every speed limit, made it. Good. With the mile race on saturday, then the long run sunday, need to log 'em while I can.

Stoney made me proud. He and his partners in crime went to The Mall to catch a flick, snuck into other movies. Heee heeee. Atta boy!!!