Its the end of the year as we know it; And I feel fine.

Well 2008 is drawing to a close and a new year begins just micro seconds after the stroke of midnight. I suppose reflections on the waning year are in order. If I were a serious blogger I'd have my thoughs laid out and ordered by the months, weeks, days, hours and minutes; But I'm not and my thought won't be. I'm a man, who's train of though will be switched onto different tracks and occasionally derail. So if you can deal with a circuitous route of though, enjoy the ride.

January:
Freedom, Freedom, Freedom from work but not NY as I originally planned. Foiled by my own self. I dislocated the patella on my right knee and spent some time undergoing physical therapy and rehab.

Jim Guinan's Store in Garrison, NY closed officially for the last time. Those of us who felt as comfortable there as in our own homes lost a part of our selves that day.

February:
Mike Mihalic passed away and was buried next to his son; A man never to act cross or bitter athough he would of had reason if he chose to. A gentle soul who is not forgotten.

March:
Ran in my first 10K race in many a year on the 16th and did comfortably at just under an hour. Knee braces were very much needed. Then played the bagpipe in the Southgate tavern on St. Paddy's day proper.

April:
Taxes of course, but also paid a visit to Congressman Hall's Office as it had been over 100 days since I retired from the Fire Department at the U.S. Military Academy and not seen a retirement check. I was living off my savings and it was seriously depleted by that point. When the Dod fouls something up it is beyond comprehension as to how screwed up the flunkies can get it. Hopefully the actions I took prevented any bonuses from being provided to the work force at the Army Benefits Center. I even as the Inspector General's Office to look into why the paperwork sat untouched for 56 days.

May:
Signed up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to do a fund raiser and run in the Team in Training program. I choose the Marine Corps Marathon asmy goal to run in. two reasons; My older brother is a Leukemia Survivor, and I felt that as I now had the time being retired i could commit myself to the training and fund raising.
Saturday, May 24th became my official first day of training with an easy paced 7.5 mile run on Rt 293 in West Point, NY.

June; the statrt of Summer:
Lots of running and fundraising work in June. Spent about $100 in fund raising mailings alone. Ran 143.77 miles for the month.

I don't remember clearly but I'd need to look at Wendy Bounds' Blog to recall the month and day I learned John Guinan passed on. His brain cancer caused his family so much grief and suffering, yet John took it nobly and presented a strong face for his friends. His strenght made it easier for everyone. Yes, we railed and mourned in our own ways. God Bless you John, you like Mike live on in our hearts.

July:
Hot and humid days. Still doing a great many mailings for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Running early in the morning and hiding from the Sun at mid-day. Having had a few bouts with skin cancer over the years I now try to avoid excess exposure to strong sun light.

Ran 187.69 miles for the month with 17.8 miles being my longest run.

August:
Still hot and humid many days spent starting my running at 04:00 to avoid the high heat of the day. Continued my fund raising efforts.

Ran 160.59 miles for the month. Longest run was 20 miles in 4 hours. Dehydration was an issue and I learned a strong lesson on that day.
Also ran two 5K races on back to back days, Sat & Sun with a time of 25:47 for both races.

September:
Still running and fund raising. 164.03 miles for the month. Also took part in helping Team Guinan raise funds to support the war on AIDS. John Guinan rode for years in Braking the Cycle and his daughter and friends have worked hard to support his memory by riding the 275 miles from Gettysburg PA to Manhattan NY. It was an honor to support all the members; Kelly, Ed, Christine, Dean, Chris, Wendy & Lisa. I'm more than ready to support them again next year.

October:
Ah the fruition of my training for the Marine Corps Marathon.
Ran 154.09 miles for the month and completed the MCM in 5:23:56 from the starting gun and 5:15:00 from crossing the starting line. I achieved my fund raising goal of 2,800 dollars and went over that as well thans to Team Guinan and ABATE of Pennsylvania's Pike County Chapter. Thanks for everyone's support on my behalf.



Novemeber:
Freedom!
I'm out of the Apartment and on the road freeloading at my brother's and parent's homes. No not really; I was out of the Apartment by mid Novemeber and was glad to be free of it. Read the full blog for the year especially the summer season and you'll understand why.

Spent a week at my youngest brother's place getting some things in order and helping out there. Took his sons to Karate practice and Swim team practice in addition to minor chores around the home while I was there. Then it was on to my Parent's home in Mississippi for Thanksgiving.

In regards to running. Yes, I'm still running I ran a Half Marathon on the 29th of Novemebr down in Orange Beach Alabama 2:26:49 and completed just 90.45 miles for the month. 7 days I didn't run and most days were very short on mileage at about 3 miles a day on average.

December:
Went from MS to FL to MS to FL and will be returning to MS for a couple of days in January but I'm in FL for now.

I'm at my Aunt's home for the Christmas & New Years Holidays and after the New Year, I'll drive my Parents back to MS before returning to FL and heading to Key West for a few weeks.

As for Running. Um yeah I've been doing that alot. Helps to maintain my sanity over the excess food intake of the holidays. Dis another half marathon on the 14th of December, just two days after I turned 51. Finished in 2:18:22. A strong finish and excellent time for me.

Also for December including today the 31st. I've run ever day of the month and completed 164.48 miles. Since keeping a record of distances run since the end of May I've accumlated 1145.66 miles. Tomorrow Morning I will run my last consecutive day and complete out running since Thanksgiving Morning. Tomorrow will make 36 days of running. How far I go I don't know I'm just going out to run.

OK not a very exciting or inciteful blog. I haven't thank everyone enough for the support they've given me over the past year. Especially those who've helped with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society effort in various ways; Jerry & Benny.

But in and case, my regards to Everyone even if I haven't mentioned you directly.
and Consider the words to Auld Lang Syne. Peace and safety is my wish for everyone in the upcoming year.

May you be sorrounded by friends where every you may go and enjoy each day you recieve as we are not certain of tomorrow.

Q

22 Dec, 2008. Almost Christmas.

Well lets see I last posted on December 14th and what have I done since then?

Well I've been running still, practicing my bagpiping, sight seeing, eating, drinking, road tripping and wasting time; but not essentially in that order.

While the weather here is much nicer than the NE currently, I do sort of miss the snow and Christmas season in the NE. A Green Christmas just seems different, especially when you seen the decorations under palm trees. Don't get me wrong, I don't miss moving and piling snow; my former land lady might miss me doing that but hey, I don't ( nor do I miss some other things.) hehehehee.

This past Saturday and Sunday I did a 1080 mile road trip. Drove my van back up to ocean Springs, MS on Saturday and Sunday drove my parents in their car back to Tarpon Springs, FL. Still even with all the driving I've done I haven't missed a day's running this week either. With all the distance I've recorded since begining my marathon training back in may; I'm well on my way to attaining 1,150 miles for the year. Not a record by some measures; but for myself, I'm astounded.

Well the good news for the year is one of my Cousins (in the Army) is away from Iraq and should be home within a couple of more days if not home already. All my brothers are healthy and their families are doing OK. My Parents are here in FL with my Aunt another Cousin and myself. My other Cousins are all doing well and living is easy.

So what is next? Maybe a little Christmas Shopping, but not too much otherwise. Somehow even though I hear the music on the radio, see the decorations on the yards and in the stores I feel very disassociated from the Christmas season this year. Maybe its because I'm more accustomed to working either Christmas day or eve and not having it free to do as I will.

Well to all my friends from Team Guinan and from Jim's Store as well as the guys whom I worked with at the West Point, NY. Fire Department; Have a safe, secure and enjoyable Christmas and Holiday Season. May God Bless you all and watch over you, Keep the reason for the season in your hearts and observe it as you deem fit. But no matter where you go, or what you do. You've all have had a memorial impact upon my life and I can't thank you all enough for the time I've spent with you.

So unless I post Christmas Greetings, please accept this from me for now:

Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year to You and Yours.
Everyone in every way makes a difference in everyones' lives no matter how great or minor. I've been enriched by knowing so many people over the years and have been made more aware of society beyond my own small social circles. I can not thank you all for the greatest gifts; Of your selves and your friendship.

Thank you all.

Q

December 14th, Florida.

Well I've been in florida for a few days now and things are much calmer here. I arrived in Tarpon Springs the evening of Wednesday the 11th and got a fair night's sleep.

There have been a few problems enroute though and I'll know more Mondaym morning; One issue is I melted down the wheel bearings on the right side of my boat trailer. I suspect I've done the worst and may need a new axle as I fear I've gouged the spindle. Still once the trailer is repaired I shall attempt to get my little boat in the the waters of Lake Tarpon for a few days before Christmas.

Also next weekend I'll do a two day fast turnaround trip back to MS. God save me, but I'll drive my parents over to Fla to my Aunt's home for a small Christmas gathering.

Some good news this week as well; My Cousin is due to be wheels up from Iraq next week. It shall be good to have him back in country.

As for my escapades, well...
I've been running still and did a half marathon today. The 7th annual Gulf Beaches Holiday Halfathon aka a half marathon. The course was flat except for two overpasses and a drawbridge. The weather was warm but the cloud cover made things much more bearable. the Pinellas County Sheriffs' office provided road coverage on the courseand kept us safe from our selves as well. The temperature touched the 75* mark but again the cloud cover helped it to feel cooler. Yet still it was a fast course and I finished in 2hours, 18 minutes, 22 seconds. which is 8:47 faster than two weeks ago.

For everyone still in NY, take things easy & stay safe.

Regards,

Q

Tuesday 9 Dec and running around.

Well while I've been on my road trip I been running every day. The runs in December so far have been in the local areas of Ocean Springs and Biloxi, Mississippi. Tomorrow will be my last run here as I will be departing for Florida.

As for days and distances its pretty straight forward. December 1st, 4.5 miles; 2nd, 4.5 miles; 3rd, 4.5 miles; 4th, 6.93 miles; 5th, 4.5 miles; 6th, 6.55 miles;
7th, 4.5 miles; 8th, 4.5 miles; 9th, 6.55 miles.

The weather however has been anything but stabile. Breezy & cool in the lower 30s F for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Warm and humid in the 60's on the 4th. back to 32 degrees on the 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th. and back to the 60's this morning.

Well that covers the physical exercise aspects of my time so far here. Also I've been running around doing other things as well. Between doing basic repairs around my parent's home to cutting down and removing a tree from their front yard.

Well that covers the running around Mississippi for the first part of this week; And later this week I should be running around Florida.

Have a good week all.
Q

Friday update. Ocean Springs, MS

Ah the weather is in flux, the temperature drops and rebounds and drops again. The winds do blow both high and low and its off again in me kilt I'll go. No not really too blustery for the kilt when the winds do blow.

Yesterday I got off for my morning run, this time I ran the new bridge connecting Ocean Springs with Biloxi and a few miles more before a weather front came through. Crossing the bridge is nice and as I started before sun up I was looking onto the lighted towers of the Casinos and Hotels. On my way back across the bay, the sun illuminating the tops of the clouds from below the horizon and while on the bridge the sun shone fore as an elongated orange lozgene between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the storm clouds gathering. I ran just shy of 7 miles and felt good about it even with the humidity accompaning the 60 degree temperature. As I got back to my parent's home the rains started and that pretty much controled the morning.

Later in the Afternoon I drove about to see the area abit more and recieved a call from a local shop that the chain saw, chain I had dropped off for sharpening was done. So now my chainsaw is back in service after taking down an ornamental tree that was alowed to grow wild without ever being properly pruned. Now there is a very small stump with a deep pit cut out of it waiting to be ground into saw dust and dirt.

Well yesterday evening the local city had it's Christmas Tree lighting and visit from St. Nick. The children's chior performed nicely in prep for the fat man and it was nice enough weather wise in the late evening. Still blustery but the rains had ceased hours beforehand so the ground was dry. The PD did a good job of directing traffic to safe parking areas and keeping the lane infront of the park open and just before 19:00/7PM the Fire Department delivered the Big Man himself with a rear mounted Aerial Truck. The St. Nick that came did not need additional padding or a false beard as he was well endowed with his own. Even his red suit appeared of higher quality than the average prepackaged Santa Suit. So I shall say even for a small burg it was an impressive display.

After the tree lighting and arrival of St. Nick, I went over to the beach front. There I sat upon the guide rail and watched the clouds moving from North to South across the sky reflecting the lights of the Biloxi Casinos into a combined light show of Mother Nature and Man. The lights don't really change much but the fast moving and changing clouds made the display nice to watch for a while.

After watching the clouds and having walked along Washington Ave (primary N/S road) in ocean Springs I decided it was time to head back towards my parents home for the night. I got there about a hour & a half or so later from what should usually be a 20minute drive. Nope I didn't have a motor vehicle accident but I came across one moments before the local police agency arrived. Well thankfully I didn't need to play good samaritan but since the roadway was blocked by the two cars infront of the the Bar/Restaurant. The LEO was on one side with his car blocking the road and I was on the other with my van blocking the road and diverting traffic around the block so the accident scene could be safely cleared. There was a reason I put the amber warning flashers in the back of the van after I purchased it 6 years ago.

In regards to the driving skills and abilities of the locals and transients, I'm less than impressed.

Well that pretty much sums up the worst of Thursday.

This morning, Friday the 5th of December dawn clear and blustery. I started out on my daily run about 05:30/5:30AM with low 30 degree (F) temps and a stiff breeze. Quite a change from the 60 of yesterday morning. Yet I got my 4&1/2 miles done before the local speed racers started going to the highschool. Its safer by far to run in the wee hours of the morning than near sun rise. Between 5 & 6 than after 6 as then the roads start filling with speeding zombies.

Well, that pretty much covers things for now and I'll be headed to the beach with my bagpipes shortly.

Everyone have a safe day,
Q

Anger management, venting and issues.

Well, I been getting out to run each morning. Aside from the half marathon my normal morning run is 4 & 1/2 miles. I start my run in the dark about 5AM and finish befor 6Am. It helps moderate my mood.

My father has managed to piss me off. Micro managing control freak who does things at his time and speed.eaning unless it is critical to him it will never get done or a job has got to do it to his standards no matter how wrong it may be. case in point, the penny wise, pound foolish methodology of fence repair; After hurricane Katrina the fence around his yard was in tatters. A smart person would not of attempted to salvage the fence. He wanted to save the fence in order to save money. Well now a few years after Katrina the fence needes reapair again. The posts supporting the repaired section where never set properly and only a single nail was used to support the stringers holding the vetical planks.

I'm not fixing the fence. Especially if thats the standard to persue. Doing things on the cheap costs four times as much in the long run.

Well next week I'm on the road again from this layover and won't deal with him face to face again for a while to come. I don't need that level of supressed anger in my life.Its one thing to be opinionated. Its another to have todeal with another person who has to always be catered and defered to as his always right and won't admit when he's wrong or made a mistake.

Yes, I can be stubborn and mule headed. Still even I know when to say Thank you, Please, and ask for assistance. It is rare that I've ever recieved a compliment from my father and more often he's made demands upon me and my brothers that have driven us from him.

Well, he can stew in his own juices for another year after this visit.

Well if nothing else the weather down here has been easier than in NY, and I've gotten my bagpipes out several time to practice down by the beach front. That seems to help calm me down.

OK I apologize for venting like that. But I'm human and have my moments too.

Regardless, everyone have a safe and easy holiday season. I'll be off and on randomly.

Q