July is finished, but I'm not.

Yes today is the last day of July 2010 and in a way I'm glad to see it go. This past month has been brutally warm & humid. While today did start reasonably cooler and less humid, the heat did creep up again.

So since my last entry on the 14th, quite abit has occured, and some folks are still going WTF?!.

I've a clock I keep set to Greenwich Mean Time. During the hours of Day Light Savings, I just need to remember it is four hours ahead of local time. For some reason I get the queerist looks when some unfortunate soul asks me what the time is and I respond with a 24 hour clock reference and zulu time. So if its noontime; 12:00hours local it is 16:00 ZULU Time and what does that have to do with the current time? absolutely nothing unless I've been playing around with the sextent and practicing the mathematical computations for a Latitude & Longitude reference. So it just gives me something I can mess around peole's heads with.

Now I've probably stated this in the past but if not it is no big deal. I've got 3 brother's and we all have a large and overlapping sphere of friends and aquaintences.
Still I'll come across folks I know and they'll say either I saw your brother or to say hi to my brother for them and invariably I respond back "Which one?". In the NY, CT and PA region I hit across all three states having had worked and or lived in them at various times. My oldest brother lives in PA and my two younger brothers live here in NY. But we've got numerous contacts in CT & PA. So if anyone says to me say hi to my brother please reference the one you're intending or I my give regards to the wrong one again & again....

Then there is the Annual Irish Feis at Athony Wayne Recreation Area, Its a fun time and there are numerous bands & bagpipes performing along with the step dancers.
When you get tired of the Pipes & Drums I do suggest that you watch the step dancers, They can be very entertaining. As for getting there I go by motorcycle. I'm required to by law. Yes it is a legal neccessity that I travel by motorbike to the Feis. You might consider that strange, and it may well be. However I don't need to get a ticket from the NY State Park Police for operating a Commercial Vehicle on the Parkway without a permit. And my van is registered as a that. Still the feis was warm and sunny but I took it in stride sporting an umbrella as a sunshade while watching the events while others baked in the broiling sun.

Ah in regards to my brothers. One is now out of work and laid up after undergoing surgery to repair his right shoulder. Man that was on impressive bruise the Doctors imparted on him. He was employed by a Telephone company and while out to do some work on the right of way he found himself dropping inot an improperly marked hole in the ground. So he's got torn connective tissue the doctors had to find both in his arm and chest to attach to pins now set in his shoulder. Now as he's still healing up from the surgery I'll be at his place about once a week on average to assist with a few chores; Torching and monitoring brush piles as they burn; Weed wacking around the yard or pressurewashing the house....Simple things really but difficult enough if your arm is laid up.

As for physical activities, I'm still intending to train up for and complete a third marathon. This is absolutely my final one. The knees aren't what they used to be and I'm going to Physical Therapy twice a week for the same issue as last time I went.
So with kneebraces in place I do get out and run. Admittedly much slower than in previous years. Still I find myself needing to maintain a moderae level of physical activity and to that end I've brought a new water toy. The good news is its not a boat; sail, power or row. Its not a canoe, I've got one and access to two more. Its a Stand Up Paddleboard or a SUP for short. You don't need a great sense of balance to use one but a measure of balance is handy as well as good knees or in my case good knee braces/supports. Think of a 10&1/2 to 12 foot long surfboard as might be found in the old Gidget movies and rather than kneeling upon it or laying on your belly and paddling with your hands to move along; You use a long paddle similar to a canoe paddle to propel yourself through the waters. The longest distance I've covered is roughly 2&1/2 miles and its a fair upper body work out. Not high im-act but assuredly aerobic.

Say did I mention Bagpipes? Well this summer I've been practicing and playing with the Stephen Driscoll Memorial Pipe Band . Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 704. Its been fun educational and interesting. As for bagpiping Next weekend there are two events I'll be involved with. The Volunteer Firemans' Parade down by Sing Sing Prison and Pipefest on the Intrepid Museum in NYC on August 7th. The organizers are looking to set a Guinness Record as well; So I'll be down there with members of the band.

Sporting events I'm not participating in as a contestant; Lake Placid NY, The Ironman competition. 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of bicycling and 26.2 miles of running. Yeah and I'm nuts for doing a simple standalong marathon. But I was there this year assisting with the volunteer security. I now remember that the general public is ignorant and should be given direction reinforced with the swinging of a riot batton. But all in all it was an interesting experience there and I'm not too certain about doing that again. But aside from the drive up, meals and beer my cost was minimal and sleeping accomodations very adequate. Just a few steps above primitive but not terribly so. for if I choose I had full access to internet connections and a host of electronic services.

Finally since I'm not writing a newer version of War & Peace. as stated earlier I'm preparing for a 3rd and final marathon. The Marine Corps Marathon again in Washington DC and this year it is being held on Halloween Day! YEA! So as for training I am about 1/2 to my training goal with three months left to the event and today's long run was 20 kilometers. That is 12.42 miles for the metricly challenged. While my pace is off from last year, gee I wonder why, I'm certain I can successfully complete this.

So that pretty much covers in words what's been going on in my immediate world and By Thanksgiving if not earlier for reasons beyond my control I'll be in MS visitng with the parents and probably pressure washing their home too.

So for now have a very safe summer everyone stay hydrated and keep good spirits about yourself; It'll make the unhappy people wonder what you are up to.