day 857

wait for the miracle

HATE bumperstickerspeak, but it's true.

Thanksgiving sucked, but got over it thanks to running. Homefront pitiful, but, gotta keep on keepin' on.

Lo and behold, got a call last night, asking if I wanted to go to Bob Seger. God bless my peeps!

This am, 48 degs, REALLY beautiful. Glad yesterday's rain didn't interfere. Got my miles.

:)

day 856

Alone, but not lonely

Lately, been feeling the effects of not having support. Might be an age thing, but when I see what COULD be, as opposed to what IS, I get down. Then, I run, all gooder!!

It came back to Toxichouse yesterday, the load on my back a bit easier. A bit of ambivalence: Stoney needs his mother. I DON'T need a raving psycho who sabotages EVERYTHING. But, it helped that I didn't havta hit the job, go for my run, then head back home to care for Stoney. He'll NEVER appreciate what I do, until HE becomes a parent. All I know: I do the best I can.

...and today I ran. Life is good!!!

day 855

yin/yang

Thank GOD the Thanksgiving weekend is over. If not for running, dunno what I'd have done.

5 races in 4 days, and every one of them therapeutic.

But...it WAS nice to get back to AP this am. 59 degs, shirt off, shorts. Yummmmm.

Hadda speed it up, Stoney home alone. Bitch out "working," meaning away from the home. Kid left unattended. Jeeeeeez. So, hadda hurry my run (actually good for a tempo run), hurry the hell home to bring him some hot breakfast. THAT I love. What SUCKS is: not a thought of gratitude, It doesn't even tell me It's away. No, I should run a facility as well as do everything on the home front. Bitch. Pure unadulterated bitch.

day 854

no bitch, and all is well.

It hasn't been home since Thanksgiving. YAY!!!!! The downside, a boy SHOULD know/feel the presence of his mother. The one recurring thought is what brotherfromanothermother says, he always thinks his sons fucking up is because of his divorce/lack of a strong male presence @ home. Now, he IS way too nice, but the fact remains: a parent should always be present.

Before the races today, I made sure I got Stoney HOT breakfast, as opposed to the frozed pizza the twat leaves in the freezer. Ahhh...warm family memories of Sundays!!!

Did Rob's Run this am, did ok. On a cross-country run-especially moving single file @ times, hard to get any speed. The race this pm was better. A 5k, which I try to avoid, but 2 in one day-bringing the Thanksgiving weekend to a total of 5-couldn't resist. This pm was in Bellport, same course as the summer, but temps were FAR better, cool, not cold-as opposed to summer when it was so goddamned humid you couldn't breathe.

And thanks to Anita, I got my award for yesterday. FIRST IN MY AGE GROUP!!!!!

day 853

:)

sometimes you DO have to just put one foot in front of the other and keep on keepin' on!

Hooked up with the peeps last night to see the Muppet flick. Eh. 1)Was past my bedtime 2)not MY movie theater. So, not the best of circumstances, but still, important to get out. The movie itself was a disappointment. But the company was great.

Unfortunately, ran over a curb earlier in the day, hadda switch vehicles, couldn't even put together the jack. Left the disabled vehicle parked. Get a tow on Monday.

This am, a cross-country 5k. Hadn't done this one in years, but hadda do the GLIRC 4 or 5 Thanksgiving race series. Didn't TOTALLY suck, but all things ARE relative. GREAT spread, grabbed some grub to go, got a call from a peep, I'd placed first in my age group!!!!! AND, my time was mediocre at best-but-all things ARE relative.

Nice.

day 852

2 down 2 to go

Did the Thanksgiving thing. didn't suck. of course, Shebitch hadda TRY, but shut it down asap. What I don't get: sis in law never worked a day in her life, yet can't make dinner? Instead, my bro pays for a restaurant. last year, remember, I kicked in. This year, nope. Why? I covered the cost of Shebitch, Stoney, and myself. But, didn't say who kicked in-gave it to the waitress. People around the table-chief among them Shebitch "oh, no WAY it was YOU." So, fuck 'em, ate for free.

This am, did the 4k "run your turkey off" race. Always fun.

Tonight, connect with the peeps. Past my bedtime, but, be nice to see how the rest of the world lives.

day 851

not too shabby!!!!

Did ok @ the Huntington race. THAT is the location for many memories, from the graduate school days to Ocean to Sound.

THE HILL wasn't THAT bad, never easy, but didn't havta walk it.

Now, if only I can make it through dinner with people who hate me, I'll be ok.

day 850

betrayed!

REALLY needed to run this am, but alas, can't control the weather. And no, the gym doesn't cut it. Betrayed by that which I rely upon. Shit.

Last night, Shebitch in rare form. Again, all was well until It went off, big time. What a fucking nut job. "Why do you have to have that beard..." and that was the sane part. "All my friends think..." they haven't even seen my beard. AND, the icing on the cake, rewind the tape to bumping into Irene n' Joel @ Ray Davies. We got along perfectly. Fucking nut job.

It hadda fuck with my things, again. Missing items, etc...and all because I had the GALL to dry dishes and place them in the closet. Imagine!!!!!

It would be SO nice to just come home. No drama, no missing items, no yelling. Just plain come home. Feel safe and welcome after working hard all day.

Total pure unadulterated bitch.

It hurts, it really hurts.

day 849

the glass IS half full!!!

With all this bullshit about off and on/passing showers, it was tough to wrap my head around running or not. I DO try to stay flexible but also DO like knowing plans are set.

So, when I got up, it was ok! Misty, but ok!!! YESSSSSSS!!!

After taking yesterday off, really didn't want/need consecutive rest/recovery days.

Thanks God!!!!!!

None of the usual suspects, had the place to myself, but finally, on the way back, one single Dim Sum peep caught up with me, each pushed the other. When we split, we both laughed. Each knew the other was being a guy, pushing harder, a shade over our usual pace. Nice.

Toxichouse? In a word: Toxic. Stoney magically has the new Call to Duty. Remember, no First Bank of Dad, no lunch, BUT, he has the new video game. It comes in, in a relatively good mood. It leaves, goes out, comes back in a dark manic rage (I'd made the critical error of actually-gasp-putting away dishes. Can you believe it???). So, I took the dishes from their place, put them back on the counter, and continued living life. Bitch, pure bitch.

Thank GOD for running.

day 848

another rainy day in New York City

Woke up, fully intending to get some miles, but alas, it was raining. Got to the job, raining. Headed out to pick up the papers, a break in the showers. Left the store, more rain. Ok God, I can take a hint. A rest day certainly wouldn't hurt the body, but the mind needs to run.

Gotta hit the funeral this am. Really think of them as a total waste of time, but you owe it to your peeps, a matter of respect.

And Shebitch? Came home last night. Of course, disavowed any responsibility for being m.i.a., rather, throwing it back in my lap "if you picked up your phone....." totally evading the issue of my having to change my number because It left psychotic rants.

Think I needed to run????

***AND, from the "cruel joke" department: NOW it's clearing. FUCK!!!!!!!

day 847

sucked, but not as bad as it COULD'VE been.

4m in Central Park, had nothin', I mean NUTTIN'. Dead legs. The downside of a crab free diet. Actually hadda take 2 breaks, but a more perfect morning couldn't have been planned. 55 degs, sun, beautiful. And, hooked up with brotherfromanothermother. THAT was the good news. The OTHER news, Chelly bumped into us near baggage check, asked if we heard about DP's dad. Ouch, THAT sucked. Was GREAT to run into Chelly, but poor DP. Shot her a post, no answer yet.

Really puts my shit into perspective. Was feeling really low. Second Director interview, not feeling good about how the agency is jerking us off. used to be you paid your dues, you got the gig. Something dif is now in the air. Especially stings because I always knew the emperor was naked, i.e. everyone things our retired Director was great, what they didn't see was I did all the work. Well, we'll see.

Also, Shebitch calls me yesterday asking if I could take Stoney to a party. HOWTHEFUCK did It get my number. AND, Stoney didn't even wanna go!!!!!! THEN, the twat doesn't even come home last night. FUCK ME!!!!!

And Elik wonders why I couldn't go with him to Bucks Co. He doesn't understand I gotta stay local if anything arises for Stoney.

And you wonder why I took 2 walk breaks? For a shit 4m? Really hurts sometimes. I see Sue and Vince, how they support each other. I KNOW how rich my life could be, there are women I could hang with in an instant, but I'm stuck. Hurts. Really hurts.

It is what it is.

And Stoney just thinks I have a "need to be right," he just doesn't understand. AND, I'm not the cunt his mom is, I won't rip her in his presence.

God bless my friends, they have no idea how important they are.

Hope D is ok.

day 846

good weekend!

No rain, nippy this am, but still shorts (with long sleeves and gloves).

St.Francis, @ 7am. Saw the usual suspects, who chided me: "you're late." Wonderful peeps!!!!! Funny how we were all in sync. Run predawn during the week, 2 hours later weekends. :)

Tomorrow, NYRR Central park. Nice to be back there.

day 845

the streak lives!!!!!

Got my miles in this am, chilly, but not cold. Did ok with shorts, sweater (yes, a sweater) over a t-shirt and gloves + knit hat. Was 37 degs. Crisp, very nice. LOVE this weather. Won't last long we know.

Considering the odd "now you see it, now you don't" passing showers, actually surprised myself that not one day was a rest day. Nice.

Considering the drama on the job, needed every mile.

day 844

God is good


Went to The Paramount to see Ray Davies. This would be the second concert this week, the second weeknight concert, the third concert featuring "30 years later people." A month ago, Joe Walsh @ Westbury, then Todd @ Westbury. Ray last year @ Westbury as well, but FIRST saw The Kinks @ St.John's in 1980. Wow!!!!!

So, first, The Paramount. Used to be The Imac in Huntington. They totally, I mean TOTALLY revamped it. WOW!!!!! I was in the left loge, 201. In the old Ritz, this would'a been the left balcony VIP area. Wow. Not 30 yards from the stage. QUITE the venue. Amazingly user friendly, VERY open, LOUD/yet crystal clear. Seats were chairts, so leg room was not an issue. Though, amazingly, didn't sit for a second. WOW!!!!!

So, there I am, standing, boogying, who do I literally bump into? Joel and Irene, a.k.a, former friends Shebitch turned against me (they'd ask Iwrite a letter standing up for his character when he got busted for DWI. When I said I couldn't, that getting busted for DWI = need for rehab, they hadn't spoken to me since. This went as far as their coming to my place for the annual summer party, and not saying a consonant to me).

So, how'd it go? NO PROBLEM. We hung, reconnected, had a blast! Do the math, no Shebitch = no problem.

The concert? Amazing. Opening band went on @ 7:50, thank God. THEY were Ray's backing band, since he and Dave are still not touring.

God bless Ray Davies!!!!!

This am? Didn't expect any miles but lo and behold, rain stopped!!!!!!!!! Thanks God. Don't think for a second I don't appreciate it!

***And, adding to The Aura, yesterday I was involved in an intervention. Where? 76th and 35th ave. God I LOVE Queens!!!!!

day 843

:)

Squeaked THAT one in!!!!!

Really didn't think I'd get any miles in this am, happily WRONG!!!!!

When I got up, nothing. While on the pc, the skies opened up. Then, misting on the way to the job, then rain. Shit!!!! Yet, the news stated "off and on showers," so.....

Got to the job, it'd stopped, pretty much. Laced 'em up, made it!!!!! My Dim Sum peeps took the day off, my Before Picture was there, my walkers were there. Fully expected to get soaked after the turn around, but no. A VERY good morning!!!!!

And...tonight...Ray Davies! Gotta love it!

day 842

squeeeeeeezed it in!!!!!

Got my run in! Surprised I did actually. Rain HAD been predicted, I was tired from being up later than usual (hadda catch up on Boardwalk Empire), so I was draggin'. BUT, still was up before the alarm, and up n' at 'em!

Might not have these conditions for much longer, so gotta jump on it while 'ya can. T shirt and shorts, barely broke a sweat. NIIIIICE!

Big day today, interview #2 for the Director's position. This is getting silly. BEEN acting as boss 1/2 of the time since I started here, BEEN Acting Director for 6 months. Beyond absurd, but hey, you gotta try.

Got my miles in, nothing else matters.

day 841

sometimes you get away with it!!!

REALLY don't like going out on a Sunday. Means your ass is draggin' Monday 'cause you were up too late the night before...but...BUT...sometimes you gotta break the rules!

It was Shebitch's birthday, It was bogarting Stoney for the evening and leaving me in the dust...so...TODD to the rescue! Another reason you know there has to be a God: Utopia concert...AT Westbury/around the corner!!!!! Went to the box office, got an aisle seat, was all set.

Todd comes out on time, in a spacey outfit-matching the rest of the band, but, being Todd, his was spacIER.

The sound? Loud, but perfect. My seat? GREAT. He didn't do one friggin' song I knew-except Heavy Metal Kids (and Do Ya? How's THAT for one outta left field?), but he BLEW ME AWAY. Been a long time!!!!! Of course i was early, sat in the parking lot, was tempted to leave. Then, when the show started, again, was tempted to stay for a bit, then head home...but I was entranced. He is AMAZING. And funny!

Last saw him in '79 in Central Park. He hasn't missed a beat, either in his ability or humor. If you closed your eyes, at times, you could've sworn it was Zappa. The guy's a virtuoso!!!!

And..... saying "I know alot of you gotta go home and see the serial killer (Dexter," he came out for the encore, saying that in order to spare us the bullshit of elaving the stage for a minute-only to return for the inevitable encore.

What a fucking guy!!!!! AND, Kasim hasn't changed an iota. He, as well as the rest of the band, showed their enthusiasm. They LOVE playing.

This continues the inevitable "30 years later world tour" comment. Earlier this year, it was Cheap Trick, then Neil, then Todd, next: Cheap Trick again. Yay!!!!!

So, was actually home by 10. Wow!!!!!!!

Was up on time this am, laced 'em up, and got my miles in. Life is good. :)

Thanks Todd!!!

day 840

almost there!!!

Did the Prostate 5k, why? It's on the Town of Oyster Bay golf course. Really didn't wanna, but 5k on hills = 10k on rolling hills, so, got my AP miles in. Plus, got to reconnect with my Long Island peeps. Bad pic of Curtis Sliwa below, he was the talking head as a Prostate Cancer survivor. Also, this was the big comeback after The Big One, the peeps asking wtf? What happened as my time never registered. Ask Shitdick/Hank. NEVER dare me.

Also, recouped my investment: among the swag was Cliff's version of powergel, got enough to last the year.

Tonight: Todd Rundgren's Utopia-YAY!!!!!

day 839

NOW we're talkin'!

Again, killer running temps-39 degs when I went out. Shorts, long sleeves, gloves. Didn't even break a sweat. LOVE these temps.

And now, all is in place. My Dim Sum peeps apparently were smart, did NY (one of 'em was wearing the shirt), so I didn't see 'em until today. Cool. Great to have all the usual suspects back.

***And yet another peep I neglected to mention from The Big One: Len!!!!! Was GREAT to see him with the Striders peeps @ 14 ish.

Good to be back!!!!!

day 838

THAT hurt!

Stoney gets dressed, heads out the door. Me: "where you off to?" Him: "Out." WTF???? Turns out Shebitch told him to say that. Nice. Lets fuck the kid up, teach him disrespect. No prob, fuck the bitch. Sunday's Its birthday, I got Todd Rundgren tix, for me. Fuck the twat.

Earlier in the day, Cheap Trick tix, again, WTF??????? Is this the "we're still around after 30 years" cycle? Really psyched on both counts. Never saw Utopia, Cheap Trick-ALWAYS leaves me thrilled and happy.

St.Francis this am. The same outfit I wore for The Big One. Felt good.

day 837

good to be back!

Had been tempted to do a spin class, or boot camp...but..rest is rest. This am was the first day back, and it felt great! Hadda break 2x to pee, but that's just a matter of fine tuning.

No Dim Sum peeps, surprised, maybe THEY'RE being smart (normally, 1 day off per 5m run is recommended), though the rest of the usual suspects were there.

Nice to be home!!!

AND...forgot to mention, was terrific having Dennis high fiving us @ the finish-tall motherfucker!!!!!!!

day 836

stairs suck!

You can tell the peeps who did The Big One by the way they take stairs. And, gotta hand it to Stoney, he was breaking my balls royally, Quasimodo jokes, Smeigel references.....had me cracking up.

Brotherfromanothermother did a spin class and 3m yesterday. I can't even imagine it. This am I just started taking stairs normally.

Possibly tomorrow, but, rain predicted. God's trying to tell me something.

More comments from peeps asking why my number's couldn't be found. Nice to know I have angels.

day 835

"You guys ran from Staten Island?"

Second best quote from Sunday. Black woman waiting to use the port-o-sans on CPW, let me ahead-she was a tourist, asked me that. Really put it into perspective, hadda think for a second there.

Almost healed, one more day or so. Temps pushing close to 70 today, hurts to not run, but can't do perm damage. Gotta give the bod a break.

day 834

:)

Did my "day after the Marathon" trip into Manhattan. Wow. Never gets old (pix down below).

*Neglected to mention Dennis. Always great to see him @ the finish, impossible to miss him.

Back killing me, tough going down stairs, but otherwise, unscathed. Happy.

God bless the peeps, they saw no results for me, nor splits. Lovely knowing support is there.

Later, take Stoney to the movies. Wrap up a great weekend.


...and Hank, again, fuck you. I'll do what I bloody well please.

I AM stealth mode!!!!!

the tricky part was getting into the right corral/wave without a bib, but with the dickless midget motivating me, I made it happen!!!!!

What a GREAT run! With the pressure off (chips were in the bibs) I had the freedom to run as I wanted to. AND, as a result, came in a full hour and twelve minutes faster than last year. Of course last year I DID walk the last 6 miles, but still...in 30 years no one will ask why or how. All that matters is the medal.

And again, why would ANYONE come to a club dinner, with the first words out of their mouths being "If you're not wearing your bib, I'll make sure you get pulled from the course." Like I wasn't regged??? Like I didn't do a gazillion of their races?????? What an asshole. And yes, he saw me today, and yes, I shook his hand. And no, I wasn't wearing it. NO ONE tells me what to do. Limpdick asshole.

It really WAS a perfect day. Cool (NOT freezing cold) first thing, didn't need the hothands, nor the hazmat suit. Stuck to my plan: feed every 3 miles, with the peeps @ mile 14 ish with replenishment.

REALLY happy with my time. ESPECIALLY knowing I stuck it to limpdick.

Best sign: "worst parade ever."

Saw Nicole and Steve n' co, passed Big Bird Mike Ogazon, passed tall fluffy haired dentist guy. REALLY fed off the crowds. Lovely, truly lovely. GREAT to, in a sea of 45,000+, bump into peeps.

***Also, now, if you do 15, you're NOT automatically in. So, no pressure. We KNOW I'll always do at least 9 NYRR races, so I'll qualify that way. No biggie.

Thanks God. Thanks peeps!!!

*****And, after another shit night, amazed I did the run at all. Shebitch was, again, in rare form, on a tear about ________ (whatever meaningless shit), whereupon I raged right back "I have an important event tomorrow, shutthefuckup." No, it isn't easy doing this sort of thing with NO support on the homefront, in fact, sabotage, but it makes my peeps more important to me.

day 833

The Day Is Here!!!

Not much time, gotta hit Runner's Edge for the Bus. I'll check in manana. Wish me well.

day 832

Hank IS an asshole

WHY would you come to a club dinner wth an agenda to be an asshole??? Gave me shit about pulling me off the course if I wasn't wearing a bib! Under the aegis of "just doing my job." Small dicked white midget. Really pissed me off. Wait 'til I see him tomorrow. And Vince was no better "Just get another Marshall to pull him off."

Otherwise, a great dinner. Beat the shit outta Olive Garden. I had the farfalla with sausage-nice portion, very "real deal Italian," not that Chef Boy Ar Dee crap. Downside: $40????? We apparently chipped in to cover Vince and Sue. No idea why. Though this was the gospel according to Steve. A lil too big for himself. No wonder Lynn dropped his clingy ass.

Temps? 45 degs. Should be purrrrrrrrfect for manana.

REALLY looking forward to it.

...but...FUCK Hank.

day 831

2 days to go!

Off today and manana. Gots'ta rest up.

Hit the job, give the troops a pep talk (now that we FINALLY have a contract), then off to nyc. THEN hookup with brotherfromanothermother, check the expo, hit Paragon, pig out, then dinner with the peeps!

Love this shit!!!!!

day 830

in the chutes!!!

48 hours and counting! Got my last run in this am, then off to The Expo. you can tell economic times are tough: no freebies. Of course, I DID get on The Paragon Bus-"free lunch." Had a hot dog (which I NEVER eat) and pizza (which, again, I NEVER eat), later in the day: a HUGE muffin, jelly doughnut, and eclair. Yummmmm.

Temps predicted for Sun are actually great! Yesss!!!!!

Hooking up with brotherfromanothermother manana, we'll hit The Expo, Paragon, hang, then dinner.

God I love this shit!

day 829

closer yet!!!

One more run this week (manana, Thurs), then fri and sat off days. Hit the expo manana and fri, then the club pasta dinner fri, then...THEN....

Good morning for a run today. Long sleeves, shorts, gloves.

Fortunately, Sunday's temps predicted to hit 60. Should make waiting @ Wadsworth less painful.

day 828

soo close!

One more am run to go then...THEN...The Big One!!! Take thurs,fri,sat off-meaning: no running, but matters to attend to nontheless. Go to the expo thurs and fri, chillax sat.

This am, back to "normal." 49 degs, shorts and t shirt-though gloves WERE in order. This is no time to catch a cold.