tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30184354917386885352024-02-02T10:23:20.429+00:00The Wit Farm... because "Things I want to post about from time to time" was too long a title.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-32649278225968154582012-08-25T21:20:00.000+01:002012-08-25T21:20:40.569+01:00RIP, Neil Armstrong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Neil Armstrong passed away today. Here's a repost from the day I met him.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: uppercase;">MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010</span><br />
<div class="date-posts" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<div class="post-outer">
<div class="post hentry" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;">
<a href="" name="2808137170928678807"></a><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
When it comes to morale tours, this is the stuff...</h3>
<div class="post-header" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2808137170928678807" itemprop="articleBody" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;">
Every once in a while, while we're down here in the hot sandy place-- Oh, didn't I mention that I've been in the hot sandy place since just before Christmas? No? Ah. Well, I have been. But I'm going home soon, so no matter. Where was I?<br /><br />Ah, yes. Every once in a while, we get a morale tour through here. Think USO, Bob Hope, like that, only not as cool. The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders. A band called "Saving Abel." Four NFL guys whose names I frankly couldn't be bothered to learn (although I am grateful that they took the time to come visit, really, because there are some real football nuts here, it's just that I'm not one of them, and... oh, tangent again. Sorry.) They're OK, these tours, and as I just said, they do show that folks care, and they do boost morale, if you're into whatever they're famous for.<br /><br />Which leads me to today. Take a look at these guys.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL7mNwKgDTTfQq6pYaF3sZqTLIB377Gc8hrb8iqdYoPOoXGzADyACSwF-i2lQPndNWpvayc9Bpgoz2cY1DIWnJOQ1NNfqbLT5B8_xkFLpkCeTE450zqHZjD3FOMKHQebiNSL7DwORgow9/s1600-h/panel2.jpg" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446356982457552146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL7mNwKgDTTfQq6pYaF3sZqTLIB377Gc8hrb8iqdYoPOoXGzADyACSwF-i2lQPndNWpvayc9Bpgoz2cY1DIWnJOQ1NNfqbLT5B8_xkFLpkCeTE450zqHZjD3FOMKHQebiNSL7DwORgow9/s320/panel2.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 152px; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br /><br />Do any of them look familiar? Maybe not, but I know you know at least three of the names. They're arranged onstage from left to right in approximate order of coolness, in my opinion. Ready to find out who they are? OK, here goes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJoD0AT-cQNSX0A5ue9Poxy7szi_7Ovm_GVAV4YI45ZHJxC54-E_cdYU6FqlgeRIuzxql1-QB2mBfFthvssR0zjs7-2U9fqYgcA39re1ijzJF7DJDWt0iYriAcSI8VQSag6nljF4HIYQs/s1600-h/Gilliland.jpg" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446356991313847586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJoD0AT-cQNSX0A5ue9Poxy7szi_7Ovm_GVAV4YI45ZHJxC54-E_cdYU6FqlgeRIuzxql1-QB2mBfFthvssR0zjs7-2U9fqYgcA39re1ijzJF7DJDWt0iYriAcSI8VQSag6nljF4HIYQs/s320/Gilliland.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br /><br />Robert Gilliland. Former chief test pilot at Lockheed's Skunk Works. The first guy EVER to fly an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR-71" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">SR-71</a>, and the guy who flew the first flight of every production SR-71 made. He has spent more time travelling at Mach 2 and Mach 3 than any other human being. (And he's arguably the <span style="font-style: italic;">least</span> cool of these guys. Whoa. And why doesn't he have a wikipedia page?)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBYT823kVLyQR_tbQtJz6Z8RSywGh_XpE5Bd4STf1RA1-JjQNEag5f3_JFgVlaH4qY3jg00CUz1ffhy8-IK-oduVR422JVmg7_y__3lD-Q9y9t2TgF8d-J1SKmkEP2ypKwsbaK5X6QG_J/s1600-h/Ritchie.jpg" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446356998280348226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBYT823kVLyQR_tbQtJz6Z8RSywGh_XpE5Bd4STf1RA1-JjQNEag5f3_JFgVlaH4qY3jg00CUz1ffhy8-IK-oduVR422JVmg7_y__3lD-Q9y9t2TgF8d-J1SKmkEP2ypKwsbaK5X6QG_J/s320/Ritchie.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Stephen_Ritchie" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Steve Ritchie</a>. Retired USAF Brigadier General, and America's last fighter ace. Shot down 5 MiG-21s in Vietnam, including two in one day (within 2 minutes). In 2007, at the age of 65, he requalified on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-104" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">F-104 Starfighter</a>, which he still flies for fun and profit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_srB8RBZnumMoY3u5ZGRCBI2gyxGriwAaQSJ7cup_4MuS6cuyirMM16LR6OvG-zyzmInpDd253sZpFraZuImBA7TvNvmMfvS8x5PJJ3zAFYp7Wrd7fp_DBBvGWqR7k7wbilMlMTl2AnqP/s1600-h/Lovell.jpg" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446357006378996162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_srB8RBZnumMoY3u5ZGRCBI2gyxGriwAaQSJ7cup_4MuS6cuyirMM16LR6OvG-zyzmInpDd253sZpFraZuImBA7TvNvmMfvS8x5PJJ3zAFYp7Wrd7fp_DBBvGWqR7k7wbilMlMTl2AnqP/s320/Lovell.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Jim Lovell</a>. Yes, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">that</a> Jim Lovell. No, he doesn't look much like Tom Hanks, but this is the guy who made the most famous understatement of all time, "OK, Houston, we've had a problem here."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDuU53TcS9mm_1a_fCMcTcjJWNB4e8cGR8VWCgxNsoEYXNvXkYWu8SR3ZLhCNZbO5Yx5ZvtUJMWXLJKalH6eHrVNersug6aadkD1neCN3RJe9Ubfj1b2mSJrBYrhp-VlpxoBLMVzR-W6h/s1600-h/cernan.jpg" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446357025908708770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDuU53TcS9mm_1a_fCMcTcjJWNB4e8cGR8VWCgxNsoEYXNvXkYWu8SR3ZLhCNZbO5Yx5ZvtUJMWXLJKalH6eHrVNersug6aadkD1neCN3RJe9Ubfj1b2mSJrBYrhp-VlpxoBLMVzR-W6h/s320/cernan.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Cernan" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Gene Cernan</a>. Commander of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_17" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Apollo 17</a>, and the last man to walk on the moon. Who could possibly be cooler than that?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8e5OmG6yx_Qui0m93uUyGpba-QXofNQremTVxxS_ZbAsTXZ3SZHvV0oU4JorrI8bJc2uDlOpANNdBYkCuUhpJDE5mMmr23s4ZywGW3nKih_Es3hTeJBmkTc1-xaETmNNgyPVPjMsKArn/s1600-h/armstrong.jpg" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446361579509364402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8e5OmG6yx_Qui0m93uUyGpba-QXofNQremTVxxS_ZbAsTXZ3SZHvV0oU4JorrI8bJc2uDlOpANNdBYkCuUhpJDE5mMmr23s4ZywGW3nKih_Es3hTeJBmkTc1-xaETmNNgyPVPjMsKArn/s320/armstrong.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br /><br />This guy. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Armstrong" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Neil Armstrong</a>. You don't know how tempted I was NOT to hyperlink his name, because if you don't know who he is, shame on you.<br /><br />Cheerleaders? Football players? Pfft. <span style="font-weight: bold;">These</span> guys are <span style="font-style: italic;">literally</span> names from your kids' history books.<br /><br />It was a real treat, part of a "Legends of Aerospace" tour. The moderator for the panel was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hartman_(TV_personality)" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">David Hartman</a>, former host of Good Morning America (and, incidentally, former USAF officer...) They started with a very cool intro to a darkened room: "Only 12 people have ever walked on the moon. Two of them are here with us this evening. Only three people have ever piloted a crippled spacecraft safely to earth. One of them... is here with us this evening." And so on... Then a multimedia presentation about the careers of each of them, followed by a panel discussion led by Hartman.<br /><br />At one point Neil Armstrong was telling about fears that the lunar surface might not be solid enough to support the lunar module. He described how careful they were to be prepared to take off on a moment's notice, if need be, but as it turned out, the surface was firm and rocky.<br /><br />"A lot like this place, actually!" said Cernan, causing the audience (and Armstrong) to break into laughter.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4THyvJCWrzFwL0lbSnZ4_AlFhbpkXVW-ehgU1zSOh1kXp9lg6PL2geOSGsq2jObqhjbkMBOaj5ojN9YS2h5aeXJ7gg4eUCGxd8gPRYCQc_V6f24qkYWtMtqZC8z67WpouOHlTYV2EryD/s1600-h/landscape.jpg" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446361583441971698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4THyvJCWrzFwL0lbSnZ4_AlFhbpkXVW-ehgU1zSOh1kXp9lg6PL2geOSGsq2jObqhjbkMBOaj5ojN9YS2h5aeXJ7gg4eUCGxd8gPRYCQc_V6f24qkYWtMtqZC8z67WpouOHlTYV2EryD/s320/landscape.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br /><br />I got a bunch of pictures, but they're lots of "Lovell looks amused" or "Cernan seems interested" types of things. Cool, in their own way, but I'm not gonna post them all. I'm just really happy that I was able to go. This type of tour really is the stuff... the RIGHT stuff.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-28080161543686196842011-06-16T17:27:00.002+01:002011-06-16T17:29:06.713+01:00On Fatherhood, a few days early...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Too often, Father's Day is a pleasant Sunday in June, when
the kids let dad sleep late, mom makes a special breakfast, and another tie
gets added to the wardrobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Susie
asked me to think about what fatherhood means, to me as a dad, to me as a kid, and
to my children, and so I've been remembering what it was like when I became a
father, and my relationship with my own dad, and trying to put those thoughts
into a coherent form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's hard, because
so much of fatherhood is emotional - fear, pride, love, frustration, joy - and
talking about emotions is something most men aren't particularly good at.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a friend in my neighborhood growing up, Lance, and I
remember that we knew his mom, but we never heard about his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day, another friend asked where his dad
was, and he answered, very matter-of-factly, "I don't have a
father."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I don't know if
that's because his father had died, had left, was never in the picture, or
what, but I do remember, even at age 8 or so, thinking how sad and strange that
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when my own parents divorced
when I was around 10, and my mom broke the news to us, I can vividly remember being
distraught, and asking her, "Does this mean I won't have a
father?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, she reassured
me otherwise, and she was right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My relationship with my dad changed, as you'd expect.
Instead of seeing him at dinner every night, he'd come and take the four of us
to his new home twice a week. He wasn't around to be the role model, or to play
ball, or fix my bike. I never thought it was the fault of us kids that he left,
but in the back of my mind, I always wondered how he could leave us, the kids,
"if he really loved us." He did love us, to be sure, but it took a
long time for me to be confident in that again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember the moment I really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">felt</i> like a dad for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were in the hospital after David had been born, and the nurse had
just wheeled him into the room from the nursery for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was ... well, I was going to say "so
small," but he was a big baby... so fragile and helpless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurse fussed with his blankets, and
started to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped her, and
asked, "Is it ok if I pick him up?" She just smiled, and said,
"He's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your</i> son." <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My</i> son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a father, I want my children to succeed. As a former
child, I remember that it's not possible to succeed at everything. At least,
not the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want my children
to be willing to try. I want them to know that my pride in them is absolute,
success or failure, but that they will never know what they can do, or even
what the like to do, until they first make the attempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's not to say I'm going to force them to
try sumo wrestling, or sword swallowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It just means that if they express any interest in a thing, and it's
within my means, I'll see that they get the chance to have a go. But - and
there's always a but - I also want them to know the value of persistence.
"If at first you don't succeed," and all that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want my children to be happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's the easy one. But what does that mean?
I believe it means that they have the means and opportunity to be their own people
- the people they want to be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want them, eventually, to know that while they may not
always be dependent on me, they can always depend on me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of what I know about being a dad I learned by learning
to be an adult. I've always tried to treat my children as people, and not just
"the kids," as if they were some sort of tadpole, unable to learn to
hop until they became full grown frogs. These little people - and children <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> little people in their own right -
don't know anything that we don't teach them. Why would you not treat them as
you want to be treated? Why would you want to take this empty vessel and fill
it with stupidity? Screaming at a child for doing childish things makes no
sense. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of course</i> a child wants to
swallow that golf ball - he's never seen one, and it just might be tasty! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of course</i> a child is going to pull on
the dog's tail - it's fuzzy, and it moves, and she's never seen one before. Yes,
by all means, stop them from doing dangerous things, but if you don't use the
opportunity to teach them something, you've missed the point of parenthood. If
you model poor behavior, they learn poor behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you model self-reliance and pride, they
learn that. And if you teach them nothing, they learn - nothing. This is not a
great insight, but it's one of those things that's so simple, it's easy to
overlook when raising children. The old management saw of "set the standard
high, and your people will meet it" seems to work with children as well.
I'm not talking about "tiger mom" standard-setting, I'm talking about
"I expect you to do the right thing because it's right." It's not
just behavior, either. I learned, from my mother-in-law and how she dealt with
my nieces, that if you don't talk down to a child, the child doesn't come to
rely on that simple mode of dealing with the world, but grows into his
intellect naturally and quickly. This makes sense, in hindsight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say the early years are the best time
for children to learn a foreign language, because their minds are still
growing. So <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of course</i> it's going to be
the best time to learn manners, counting, reading, or whatever. And if you
treat your children like people, they'll learn that that's just how people
relate to each other. It’s called empathy, and I'm unimaginably proud of my
children, because they have learned this, and learned it early. For example,
when Lily was about 5, she came home from school and asked, "Can Teddy
come around soon?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Susie
asked, "Do you want Teddy to come around, then?", Lily said,
"Well, Teddy wants himself to come around, and I just want Teddy to be
happy." That, to me, is parenting success.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've been a very lucky father. This may be the haze of
memory, but I believe I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of
times I have had to discipline <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">either</i>
of my children. I think this comes from treating them as responsible, and
expecting responsibility. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, we have
the typical "I don't wanna go to bed!" dramatics, but so far there
have been very few "punishments." This fills me with no small amount
of pride: in them, I have the beginnings of two very nice people. People I like
to be around, and people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">others</i> like
to be around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's all that any father
- any parent - could hope for. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-50271948459426027992010-11-30T22:48:00.003+00:002010-12-01T07:30:22.420+00:00Done!And it's over! Yay!<br /><br />Susie's sick, but the doctor gave her some 'cillin or other, and I got another day off, at least.<br /><br />So that's another NaBloPoMo!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-9794636632503268992010-11-29T23:52:00.002+00:002010-11-29T23:52:56.519+00:00Oops, I did it again...This is my annual "forgot to write anything until the last minute, so I'm writing that I forgot to write anything" post.<br /><br />Hey, it counts, right, Eden?Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-72376673080334633312010-11-28T22:05:00.002+00:002010-11-28T22:13:24.302+00:00Home, for realBack home. It's a nice feeling, no matter how much you enjoyed your time away. And especially since I had been home for less than 24 hours before we headed out to Dublin.<br /><br />We did bring back a couple of unwanted souvenirs, it turns out: Susie and Lily both came back with colds. Lily's got this sort of nagging "eh, eh" cough, and the occasional spike of fever. Susie's got this wracking full-body cough that's both productive and painful.<br /><br />And we're expecting snow this week. Actually, we're sort of hoping for it, because if it snows tonight, no one has to go out to school in the morning.<br /><br />On the bright side, Susie and I just put our Beef and Guinness Stew into the crock pot to cook overnight. It's our first attempt, but after having a really good one in Dublin (who'd have figured, eh?) we just had to try. It should be ready for lunch tomorrow. I'll let you know how it turns out.<br /><br />Still two days off to go. Yay!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-9524882429831072232010-11-27T20:27:00.005+00:002010-11-27T20:59:28.287+00:00DublinWoke up this morning a little early, and as we were sort of coming around, there was a great flash outside. A few seconds later, as expected, thunder. Susie went to the window, and said, "Hey, it snowed!" There was about an inch on the ground, which was nice for the kids. Then the thunder and lightning picked up again, and it began to hail. Pea-sized hailstones covered the already-fallen snow. Fortunately by the time we got up and out it had stopped, and turned to a more manageable flurry.<br /><br />Now we're packing up, and getting ready for the early flight tomorrow. We were thinking we had booked a later flight, but when we checked, it turns out we're on the 8:45 AM flight. So, up at 4:30, but all in all it's been a good trip.<br /><br />We've had three days on the ground in Dublin, and we've had a really good time. We took a <a href="http://www.dublinsightseeing.ie/cityTour.aspx">bus tour around the city</a> that showed us lots of sights (and led us to the new Dublin drinking game, "failed revolution"). We saw the <a href="http://www.leprechaunmuseum.ie/">National Leprechaun Museum</a>, which was pretty cute. We toured the <a href="http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Index.aspx">Guinness Storehouse</a>, and learned how my favorite beer is brewed (and got a couple of samples, and had a great lunch). We saw the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0926084/">latest Harry Potter movie</a> in a decent theatre. We visited the <a href="http://www.dublinia.ie/">Dublinia</a> exhibition, and the <a href="http://www.waxmuseumplus.ie/">National Wax Museum Plus</a>, which I have to say, while a bit disappointing, I preferred to Madame Tussauds. We got some souvenirs (mostly sweaters from <a href="http://www.thesweatershop.ie/">Trinity Sweaters</a> and rugby shirts, and a <a href="http://www.carrollsirishgifts.com/product/GuinnessGifts/Mugs/G2212_1451?PHPSESSID=871194cceb0a76aafb9e8947af97c82f">cool travel mug</a>).<br /><br />I think we all had a pretty good time. And I still have a couple of days off before I have to go back to work.<br /><br />But there's snow in the forecast...Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-71651236662451383872010-11-26T21:30:00.003+00:002010-11-26T21:34:28.325+00:00Up for a challenge?I guess the textbook used at this Dublin school is <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_(novel)">Ulysses</a></span>; I know I sure wouldn't fancy my chances of a passing grade...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10NRitfLatUf9GqK9gIJzZIML8REhCuk1QAZTJCgatG3PN1UUBls2D9FAYqplU5y2yHafymvy3JIjZaIEzEzBgtF1P0D0sVjvzmiBbamJ2JrHUdKekN0VaUSZeI6SrXKQ4dJ7_iOWTm-n/s1600/IMAG0018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10NRitfLatUf9GqK9gIJzZIML8REhCuk1QAZTJCgatG3PN1UUBls2D9FAYqplU5y2yHafymvy3JIjZaIEzEzBgtF1P0D0sVjvzmiBbamJ2JrHUdKekN0VaUSZeI6SrXKQ4dJ7_iOWTm-n/s320/IMAG0018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543974877813781554" /></a>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-18497565145567458382010-11-25T18:19:00.002+00:002010-11-25T18:23:02.566+00:00Happy O'Thanksgiving!Here we are in Dublin, well known for its Thanksgiving ambience. heh.<br /><br />We wanted to do something different this year, spend the time together, and not worry so much about a massive feast. So this morning, when I reminded the kids that it was Thanksgiving, but we weren't going to have a big turkey dinner, Lily said, "Well, I'll have to do the "Roast Dinner Dance." Which she did.<br /><br />I demanded an encore so I could film it for posterity, and she obliged. And now, for you all to enjoy, the "Roast Dinner Dance."<br /><br /><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/blXuq4ORufg?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/blXuq4ORufg?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object><br /><br />(she says she and a friend made this up at school, so she doesn't claim full credit. Give the co-writer credit to Lily's friend Anna.)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-25713388840908311752010-11-24T23:31:00.001+00:002010-11-24T23:32:20.193+00:00Failte......or something like that. We're in Dublin. And now, after a minor fiasco with a folding bed for Lily, we're done for the night.<br /><br />More tomorrow. Maybe. :)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-24359007629870521382010-11-23T20:32:00.002+00:002010-11-23T20:36:09.361+00:00Talk about your close callsWe showed up this morning for our flight home, and I was almost immediately told, "Um, so I think you're gonna need to get a ticket home."<br /><br />Grr...<br /><br />They got us home after all, on a different airplane (well, I was on the one I thought I would be on, but everyone else came along too...) and after the usual "hi, thanks for going away, here are all the services you can take advantage of" (I asked the lady if she was going to start giving us loyalty cards, so we could maybe skip every 5th briefing, or get a free coffee, or something) I headed home.<br /><br />And that's where I am now. Home.<br /><br />Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-19696158919770561532010-11-22T19:00:00.004+00:002010-11-22T19:13:26.946+00:00Packing and clearingYippee!! I am headed home in the morning. I should have been asleep a while ago, but I just finished packing up. Fortunately I'll get to sleep on the flight home, so that's nice.<br /><br />Did the big "Chapel Run" today. 5.09 miles, 1 hour and 3 minutes. It wasn't that bad, either. The steep winding bit I mentioned was just as steep and winding as I had feared, but a judicious bit of walking on the uphill (maybe a total of 1.5 minutes) left me ready to go for the rest. So that was the only walking I did... go me!<br /><br />So it turns out I don't mind distances so much, so long as there's no pressure for me to "hurry up, keep up with me!" from anyone. So maybe I'll do some more distances.<br /><br />Yeah. We'll see.<br /><br />Oh, if you want to see the run, go to <a href="http://www.endomondo.com">Endomondo</a>, which is the website for the software app I have on my HTC Hero phone (Android) to track my runs via GPS. If you know which island I'm on, go there and look for "Chapel Run". Meh, it's probably not that easy to find if you don't know how, but if you want, there it is. Or you could email me and I'll be more specific. Maybe. :) (You can also see the 4-mile "Geep Loop", which I also have done a bunch of times, but didn't log with Endomondo.)<br /><br />Next time from the UK!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-37830302823086411212010-11-21T16:59:00.002+00:002010-11-21T17:02:20.310+00:00In which more progress is madeRan 1.5 miles for time today, and I have improved my time by 30 seconds in three weeks. If I keep this up, I will be quite happy with my time when I redo this stoopid test.<br /><br />Tomorrow Carrie has "The Big Goodbye" run planned... it's a 5-miler, with a steep hill down then back up at the halfway mark. I'm told it's a beautiful run, and we don't do it for time, we do it for "let's do a long run today."<br /><br />Which is good, because my back, it is achy.<br /><br />And on the even BRIGHTER side, in 48 hours I should be home. Can I get an "amen"?Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-44098340623787490872010-11-20T15:08:00.002+00:002010-11-20T15:12:59.584+00:00The name's Jones. Forgetful Jones.Don't you hate it when you have something to say, something to tell someone, but the time isn't right, or the person isn't there, and by the time you get into the right place or the person shows up, you've forgotten it?<br /><br />Yeah, so that's what happened with this post. I was thinking about it during my 4-mile run today. I thought, "Oh, that'd be a good blog entry!" <br /><br />I even remember that I had an opening sentence and a title. But I don't remember what they were.<br /><br />So, since I don't have anything important to say, I'll just call it a night. Because I have to get up in about 10 hours, even though it's barely dinner time.<br /><br />Man, I can't wait to get home and back on a regular schedule...Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-28976841101402721212010-11-19T18:31:00.002+00:002010-11-19T18:35:48.366+00:00Still hereDay off today, which is normally a good thing, except that I had anticipated spending it en route home. So it was a mixed bag today.<br /><br />I was going to write some, but I just wasn't "feeling it." So I did some laundry, and watched a whole bunch of "The Big Bang Theory." <br /><br />Now THAT's a funny show, and I swear those guys are modeled on some of my friends...<br /><br />I'm told that they're arranging me to go home in the first wave of folks headed back on Tuesday, which should get me in reasonably early, in time to complete the usual "welcome back, now do this" nonsense, and so I won't need to come in on Wednesday.<br /><br />Boy, I wish I could take a whole BUNCH of time off right now... not feeling particularly charitable toward work.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-68472947501867100062010-11-18T17:00:00.003+00:002010-11-18T17:53:53.668+00:00Disappointment reignsWell, I finished doing all the training I needed to do, and was all set to go home tomorrow. I had tickets in hand and everything. Then the back home boss said, "Hey, why is this the first I'm hearing this? And isn't this going to be expensive?"<br /><br />After much backing-and-forthing with the back-home folks, the decision was made: I'll stay here with everyone else. If, for some reason, the departure of everyone else doesn't happen on time, then I will be allowed to run across to the airport and fly home commercial.<br /><br />See, apparently it's not the money, it's principle. Apparently the guy back home (a mid-level boss, above me) who knew this was the plan didn't share this plan with anyone. Don't know why, doesn't matter right this minute. But then he decided to take some time off. So, when Doug, the leader of the group that I came here with, and who knew of the plan, told the boss here I needed my travel arranged, he said, "What? Who said he could leave?" Because although we've been talking about this since I arrived, no one "officially" told them here that I might leave early. So they called back to the home folks, and, as I said, they didn't know about it either. Of course. So, they will pay for me to get home in time to go on my pre-paid non-refundable trip, but they've decided that they will only do so *IF* at the last minute the other plans fall through. Rather than avoid the possibility.<br /><br />Why? Well, mostly because they feel caught by surprise, and so they had to "make a decision"...<br /><br />Whatever. I *will* get home soon, and we *will* go on our trip.<br /><br />Grr.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-47482660123365752092010-11-17T19:13:00.002+00:002010-11-17T19:20:51.266+00:00Shamed into itToday was cardio day. That meant the 4-mile run thing like last week (half mile warmup, stretch, 3.5 miles). Today, however, we managed in at least 5 minutes faster than last week! Woohoo! That translates, sort of, into at least a minute off my 1.5 mile time, especially as today we weren't trying for speed, just a consistent pace. I'm quite happy about it.<br /><br />Susie commented on my post yesterday, and I suspect she's got the gist of it: my abdominal pain has all the hallmarks of a "sports hernia." Sigh.<br /><br />Oh, and the title today? Well, as we were cooling off and stretching after the 20 minute elliptical machine workout following the 4 mile run, the boss wanders into the gym. There's been a bench press competition going on at the gym all day, and he gets points for every one of his people who competes. He's been pushing for people to go and even just lift the bar, it counts. He came over to me and said, "Hey, I just emailed (boss back home), and told him that not only are you doing well on your workout plan, but you even took part in the bench press competition!"<br /><br />Great. So I did. First time in my life I ever benched a press, or whatever. So for me, 135 pounds is impressive. Too bad the guy right before me did 365, and the guy two before him attempted (but failed) at 405.<br /><br />Whatever, I did it. And now I can brag on it. "Yesssirrebob, when I was in the bench press contest..."<br /><br />Heh.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-2823776986207678482010-11-16T16:42:00.002+00:002010-11-16T16:49:06.229+00:00Ouch. Crud.OK, so we let my rogue muscle or whatever heal for a good week and a half. And during today's workout, the plan was to get back to some sit-ups and push-ups. I gave it a gentle test yesterday, and first thing this afternoon, and all seemed good.<br /><br />When the time came, I sat down, and knocked out 20 situps. Easy-peasy. So I turned around to try for some pushups.<br /><br />By the time I hit 10, it felt like someone was sticking a knife in my gut. I struggled to get 15, and couldn't do more.<br /><br />10 minutes later (it was another circuit like yesterday, only with leg exercises instead of arms) and I couldn't even do 3 sit-ups without pain. And no pushups. BUT... I could do crunches. And I could do push-ups on my knees, no problem at ALL. And I could do one "oblique" exercise, but not another.<br /><br />As I said before, "Not good."<br /><br />I have an appointment with the doc for Thursday morning. I hope he's got a magic pill, because I'm really really starting to fear that this might be more serious than just a pulled muscle.<br /><br />Sigh.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-76299753419231637932010-11-15T13:07:00.002+00:002010-11-15T13:15:37.947+00:00Tired.I'm pooped. Not just body, but brain as well. This place, for all its good bits (no sand, no ... well, no lots of things) is a soul-sucker. Yep, we just had two days off, and they were GREAT. But back to work today... and I'm just done. Nothing specific, no terrible thing happened, I just realized that I'm really REALLY ready to be home.<br /><br />I had a little lunch a bit ago, and came down to my room to write this entry, and of course, the net was feeling wonky and wouldn't connect. So I sat on my bed to read a bit, and nearly fell asleep. Now, that wouldn't be so bad, since I have to get up at around 1:00 AM, but then I wouldn't have blogged, and we can't have THAT.<br /><br />Fortunately, nature called, and when I returned, the net was back. So I'd better post this before it goes away again.<br /><br />Oh, and the workout today? Circuit, sort of: 5min treadmill, then 15 each Chest Press, Shoulder Press, Lat Pull Down, Biceps Curl, and Skull Crushers. Then 25 crunches on a big ball (like a hippity hop or space hopper?) then 25 reverse crunches, then 1 minute bridge (head and shoulders on ball, lie out flat with knees bent 90 degrees to support your weight, keep the body straight). Then a quick break, grab a sip of water... and do it again. 3 sets. Then 15 min cardio.<br /><br />So, yeah, body pooped too, now that I think on it...Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-41541748160982957712010-11-14T17:09:00.003+00:002010-11-14T17:18:49.621+00:00Type type type...That was me, a typin' fool. I actually got my 1700 words in today, and a few extra to boot. I'm at 3600 words or so now. I reached a good stopping point, and while it's not a "complete story," it's at least a "complete introduction," I think.<br /><br />I also went back and re-read it. I didn't like the way it read, so I changed from third person to first person. I think it reads better now.<br /><br />Back to the workout tomorrow. Not exactly sure what Carrie has in mind for me, but it's sure to be just gangs and gangs of fun.<br /><br />Susie says the wedding reception went off very nicely at our house yesterday, for which I am very glad. I'm sorry I couldn't have been there to lend a hand, but that's done, and some of Susie's other obligations have been completed as well, so things should be a bit calmer around the old Wit Farm/<a href="http://www.theknitfarm.com">Knit Farm</a>.<br /><br />Things are looking good for me to be able to get home in time for our family trip to Dublin, but I still can't say for sure. That's disappointing, but I should know soon. I'd hate to miss out on that.<br /><br />This is a pretty chatty post, isn't it? Well, and why not? It's just us friends, right?Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-11081443584532912972010-11-13T17:54:00.000+00:002010-11-13T19:46:35.499+00:00I've got a secretWell, not so secret, I guess. I mean, anyone who writes a blog probably has the same secret: I have literary ambitions.<br /><br />I was reminded that, in addition to being <a href="http://www.nablopomo.com">NaBloPoMo</a>, it's also <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a>. And if I'm going to participate in THAT, well, I'm WAAAAAY behind.<br /><br />I think I write fairly well. I like to read, and I know what kind of stories I like. And I think I can, given time and opportunity, write one that's a good enough story, written well enough, that it might actually amount to something.<br /><br />Yes, I'm about to commit "Attempted Novel." It's an idea I had some time ago for a science fiction novel that contains the ever-so-slightest bit of ripped-from-my-life truth. And by "slightest" I really mean that. This isn't one of those thinly disguised autobiographies that turns me into a great hero or something. Just one or two things that happened to me, that I thought would be interesting to explore on a grander scale.<br /><br />The NaNoWriMo challenge is 50,000 words in 30 days, which is just about 1666 words a day. There's no way I'm going to get 21,000 words written by the end of tomorrow, but I had a day off today, so I sat down and got 1700 written. And I have another day off tomorrow. If I can sit down and get another 1700 words in, who knows? Maybe I'll actually finish it...someday.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-2644631385112122932010-11-12T19:13:00.003+00:002010-11-12T19:16:45.903+00:00One for SusieEver wonder what Klingons do when they're not fighting for honor and glory?<br /><br />This:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVHotnX0DRi_o3-BuB8W-au9yqt-1txmDzn5TkiUW11ix2kj12pSUk9g1FHTGFfaHw7tjCxZTbq1dcjYbSWDCnqWr0cqnwSef4hBJRh63Mitc4g3DrPoAzPZT9Mp1t1kg8VeHuE5jp7-9/s1600/rare_s121.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVHotnX0DRi_o3-BuB8W-au9yqt-1txmDzn5TkiUW11ix2kj12pSUk9g1FHTGFfaHw7tjCxZTbq1dcjYbSWDCnqWr0cqnwSef4hBJRh63Mitc4g3DrPoAzPZT9Mp1t1kg8VeHuE5jp7-9/s320/rare_s121.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538743947720182498" /></a><br /><br />I know, it's not knitting, exactly, but hey, it's a "yarncraft," right?<br /><br />Love you, sweetie!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-46557636508446059592010-11-11T17:07:00.001+00:002010-11-11T17:07:56.852+00:00We dedicate today's post to those who gave allRemember<br /><br /><br />IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow <br />Between the crosses row on row, <br />That mark our place; and in the sky <br />The larks, still bravely singing, fly <br />Scarce heard amid the guns below.<br /><br />We are the Dead. Short days ago <br />We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, <br />Loved and were loved, and now we lie <br />In Flanders fields.<br /><br />Take up our quarrel with the foe: <br />To you from failing hands we throw <br />The torch; be yours to hold it high. <br />If ye break faith with us who die <br />We shall not sleep, though poppies grow <br />In Flanders fields. <br /><br />By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) <br />Canadian ArmyDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-91056102617060678942010-11-10T15:29:00.003+00:002010-11-10T15:36:23.758+00:00I consider myself lucky right nowWhy? Because today, as Carrie so gently put it, "we destroyed (my) arms." Supersets, biceps and triceps. And I'm such a wuss that on one of the exercises I could barely manage a 10-lb dumbbell. Sure, some of the others I was up as high as 40 pounds, but that one damn exercise (isolated bicep curl) just plain got the better of me. Of course, that's good, I suppose, as now that we've found a weakness, we can get rid of it.<br /><br />But back to why I consider myself lucky. It's because the stiffness from today hasn't set in, and so, for right now anyway, I still have the capacity to type. Tomorrow I may not be able to reach into my own pockets.<br /><br />Oh, and after the weight training? Sprints. At which I did surprisingly well. Now if only I could run my fitness test in a set of 27 100-yard sprints, with a nice breather between each...<br /><br />Tomorrow, I think, I'll get on the scale and see what the last 11 days have done.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-28119012012845966482010-11-09T12:04:00.001+00:002010-11-09T12:06:10.839+00:00Extra post for today -- DON'T PANIC!See below for my real post, but this one is just to confirm that yes, I changed the look of the blog today. Maybe I'll change it back, but I felt like mixing things up a little. Crazy.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018435491738688535.post-66037128840909491102010-11-09T11:41:00.002+00:002010-11-09T11:55:49.917+00:00I guess Paolo was right<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GAgm8sZ5mo">Paolo Nutini</a>, that is.<br /><br />I got some new running shoes the other day, and I got to break them in today. They're the first running shoes I've had that are actually wide enough that they don't pinch even a little, and I was very excited to find them. <br /><br />It was a good thing, too, because my old ones should have been replaced 6 months ago, but I never got around to it. And today I really needed them. We started with a light jog to warm up... a half mile. Then a quick stretch, and off for the run, about 3.5 miles. On a hilly road we call "the geep* trail." <br /><br />That was pretty hard on my feet, but fortunately, even when they were a little swollen from the pounding, no pinches! Yay!<br /><br />Oh, then I followed up the run with 20 minutes on the elliptical machine. Then 20 minutes of some gentle non-oblique-stressing core work. Then (bliss!) 10 minutes in the sauna. Yeah, that's gonna become a regular thing, I think.<br /><br />Oh, no. This is becoming a workout blog. I'll have to think of something else to write about soon, but it's just that this working out thing has sort of taken over my life. Sigh.<br /><br /><br />*(I've explained geep before, right? They're all around here. No one knows if they're goats or sheep, so... geep.)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17400946993122305909noreply@blogger.com1