Well yesterday was a mixed bag day;
A strong 3.3 mile run in the morning beating my time against myself and the clock on the local roads. followed by Bagpipe practice in Peekskill. A few of us will get together in November for Armistace/Veterans' Day to entertain the folks at the State Veterans Home in Montross, NY. Afterwards I stopped over in the Garrison boat basin. Saw Dean and spoke with a new boat own on diesel engine maintenance. He's got a new engien in his boat and its due servicing very soon. Followed that by going shopping for a new pair of jeans, Why is it the sizes I need want are always sold out? Are all the dwarves on the planet purchasing them or is most of the population now over 6foot tall wearing 36 inche waist and 34 inche inseam pants?
Lunch was a pulled Pork BBQ sandwich. Finished the day with a slow easy 2&1/2 mile walk and watching a DVD of the Simpson's Movie. with dinner being a Tunafish sandwich.
Today I plan to clean my apartment abit and get some cross training in. Bicycle to the gym, use the rowing machine and some weight training nothing too over the top as I'm on the downward slop of training for the marathon.
Well that covers yesterday and what I hope to cover for today.
Nothing to see here, move along, move along.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Restful & Relaxed Monday and a little introspection.
Yes a restful and relaxed Monday, not by virtue of the Columbus Holiday Weekend. Although that could help. No restful and relaxing as I took a break from marathon training today inorder for my body to recover from my last really long training run before the Marine Corps Marathon on October 26th.
I'm not a strong athlete but I do have a good reason to run in my first marathon ever. I'm doing so as a fund raising effort for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
OK so what might be my connection with Leukemias or Lymphomas? My older brother is an eighteen year survivor of Leukemia and since I've retired from the Fire Department at West Point, NY. I've had time to consider doing some different things with my life now that I've more free time to do so.
The course of treatment my brother went through was difficult to watch and still on my days off from work when I wasn't performing my duties with the U.S. Army Reserve I would to to Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla NY. to visit with my brother. The Nurses there were rather surpised to see how often I was there and asked if I wouldn't mind visiting with another Leukemia Patient who's family lived further away and couldn't visit as often and so I would stop in and try to cheer up a younger person who was diagnose with the disease at a later stage than my brother and had a worse prognosis.
So I've seen different sides of how the disease strikes individuals and families. Knowing what I do and having been involved at a personal level in the past; I decided now was the time to try to do a little more involved to help others.
I've lost friends due to various causes over the years. Cancers, accidents, old age they all take an emotional toil one way or another. I can either rant and rail against the unfairness of things or I can take an active participatory roll in attempting to make a lasting change.
I do like to think that the roles I've played in life so far have made a positive change for others. Being a Professional and Volunteer Fireman and Emergency Medical Technician; Soldier trained in Civil Affairs assigned to Humanitarian and Peace Keeping Missions, And now as a participant in a fund raising venture hoping to discover a cure or better treatment for Lymphomas and Leukemias.
Doing things such as supporting Team Guinan in their quest to honor John Guinan and support Braking the Cycle was but an added benefit for me and invaluable for helping me learn a little more about my self. Please see Wendy Bounds' Little Chapel on the River Blog for more on the Braking the Cycle Ride. And yes, I'm more than willing to Support Team Guinan again for as long as they ride.
So is cancer ever a good thing? For the victim most definitely not. Even my first bouts with skin cancer were emotionaly trying. But after watching others struggle with more debilitating illnesses and others striving to help them in various ways; I can say my exposure to Cancer and HIV/AIDS support groups has had a positive influence on me.
I may still hold forth with dark or black humor and even gallows humor at times. But for me it is a coping mechanism. Sometimes to get through and make light of a bad situation, it is easier to mock the darker side of things. Yes, that may sound irreverant and even callous. Yet it also lets me vent my frustrations at what I can not change today and it is a safety valve.
So while I may of been resting physically today, I've had time to rethink why I do some things.
Also I did get in some bagpipe practic today as well so I've not been a total sluggard.
Have a pleasant and easy week everyone.
Q
I'm not a strong athlete but I do have a good reason to run in my first marathon ever. I'm doing so as a fund raising effort for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
OK so what might be my connection with Leukemias or Lymphomas? My older brother is an eighteen year survivor of Leukemia and since I've retired from the Fire Department at West Point, NY. I've had time to consider doing some different things with my life now that I've more free time to do so.
The course of treatment my brother went through was difficult to watch and still on my days off from work when I wasn't performing my duties with the U.S. Army Reserve I would to to Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla NY. to visit with my brother. The Nurses there were rather surpised to see how often I was there and asked if I wouldn't mind visiting with another Leukemia Patient who's family lived further away and couldn't visit as often and so I would stop in and try to cheer up a younger person who was diagnose with the disease at a later stage than my brother and had a worse prognosis.
So I've seen different sides of how the disease strikes individuals and families. Knowing what I do and having been involved at a personal level in the past; I decided now was the time to try to do a little more involved to help others.
I've lost friends due to various causes over the years. Cancers, accidents, old age they all take an emotional toil one way or another. I can either rant and rail against the unfairness of things or I can take an active participatory roll in attempting to make a lasting change.
I do like to think that the roles I've played in life so far have made a positive change for others. Being a Professional and Volunteer Fireman and Emergency Medical Technician; Soldier trained in Civil Affairs assigned to Humanitarian and Peace Keeping Missions, And now as a participant in a fund raising venture hoping to discover a cure or better treatment for Lymphomas and Leukemias.
Doing things such as supporting Team Guinan in their quest to honor John Guinan and support Braking the Cycle was but an added benefit for me and invaluable for helping me learn a little more about my self. Please see Wendy Bounds' Little Chapel on the River Blog for more on the Braking the Cycle Ride. And yes, I'm more than willing to Support Team Guinan again for as long as they ride.
So is cancer ever a good thing? For the victim most definitely not. Even my first bouts with skin cancer were emotionaly trying. But after watching others struggle with more debilitating illnesses and others striving to help them in various ways; I can say my exposure to Cancer and HIV/AIDS support groups has had a positive influence on me.
I may still hold forth with dark or black humor and even gallows humor at times. But for me it is a coping mechanism. Sometimes to get through and make light of a bad situation, it is easier to mock the darker side of things. Yes, that may sound irreverant and even callous. Yet it also lets me vent my frustrations at what I can not change today and it is a safety valve.
So while I may of been resting physically today, I've had time to rethink why I do some things.
Also I did get in some bagpipe practic today as well so I've not been a total sluggard.
Have a pleasant and easy week everyone.
Q
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Psychotic Sunday, hey with me it could be.
Saturday, 11 October.
Ran 3.3 miles this morning then went to my younger brother's home to secure my small sail boat in his yard for the winter. Although the weather has been pleasant enough to take it out I've been physically beat much of the time from the physical training effort for the up coming marathon.
After I disconnected the trailer from the van and covered the boat with a tarp, my brother and I helped one of his neighbors split fire wood for the upcoming winter. Following that is was move some big rocks which seem to sprout from the soil of their own initiative and move them to where we can start building a rock wall later. Also we picked up some fire wood that I had cut previously and shift that to the pile to split and dry for next season.
Physically I am tired, I want to hold off going to bed for a couple of hours thougg; for if I don't I'll be up way too early for the day again tomorrow. Also on Sunday the 12th I've an 16 to 18 mile run planned as my last long rung as I'm tapering for the marathon on October 26th. I'm not worried about running the marathon, maybe a be nervous and yes there is some apprehension but nothing that the actual event won't erase. I know I can go the full distance and I will. The stoic in me has kicked in. I just need to do this Sunday morning's run and its all gravy from there.
Well that pretty much winds up the Saturday effort. I'm mentally tired from waking up at 03:00 and the mind needs to go off line and reboot. Sleep perchance to dream aye but theres the rub. Well another hour and a half and its lights out for me. Good night,
Sunday, October 12th;
Woke up at 05:00 and felt good, pretty much well rested from Saturday and that would be critical for today.
By 05:30 I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast and by 06:30 I was headed out the door to Fire Station 3 on Route 293, West Point, NY. for my final long run before the Marine Corps Marathon in 2 weeks. Yes, I should of had a better dinner last night than a cappacino muffin, but thats water under the bridge and all that.
I arrive at the fire station by 06:45 and do some easy stretching to prepare for the run. I'm also hanging with the guys and enjoying their ribs and jibs at each out while waiting to go off shift before my run. They are a good group of people overall.
Still onto the run; just a little after 07:00 I start my stopwatch and lumber out of the Fire Station entrance, cross the street and turn west towards Long Mountain Parkway 5&4/10 miles away. Its scary how I've learned the mileages to various land marks. Well go another 100 meters past the overpass and head back towards the Fire Station. If I stopped at the Station that would of been just shy of 11 miles and I head down hill towards the west Point Golf Course and my next turn point 1&1/2 miles from the Fire Station. Then its a mile & a half back up hill to the Fire Station. Hey did I happen to mention its also a mile up hill to Long Mountain Parkway from just past the 4 mile mark?
At the Fire Station I stop but not for a short break but to replenish my water carrier, aka The Camel Back.
I'm using a two litre version and the five pounds it weighs full is much more noticable now. Still I head out back towards Long Mountain Parkway again, Only this time I'm only going out to my 3 mile mark near Area K to turn around at.
Near the 18 mile mark my legs give the first sign of lactic acid build up and my calves are burning. i slow to a fast walk going up hill for a few yards and then back into the run. Again near the 19&3/4 mile mark again the burn is back and slow to a fast walk for a little bit before getting back into my run for the final push up the hill. And back at the Fire Station I'm done.
Total time running was 4 hours and 17 minutes to cover the twenty miles. Not my best speed but I wasn't going for speed today. I was going for road time. Counting out the time for the water stop my road time was 4 hours 4 minutes and 34 seconds.
Well with that run finished I walk around the parking lot several times to slowly allow my body to adjust to a much reduced physical demand and then stretch and out a bit. After stretching I use the shower at the Fire Station before going off to do the day's laundry as well. next stop Round Pond Recreation Area.
So I go up to Round Pond and start my laundry, while waiting I break out my electronic bagpipes and practice with those for a while. Finish off the last bottle of ersatz gatoraid and wait. After I'm done with the laundry its back home have a bacon & mayonaise sandwich, a protein drink and a couple of handfuls of trail mix for lunch before making this journal entry into the blog.
And that brings me to 15:00 hours and time to disappear yet again for awhile. Now headed to the PX to purchase a second pair of jeans that fit and then maybe to the South Gate for a beer, probably a Half & Half made with Murphy's and Sam Adams. Lighter in taste than straight stout and just as enjoyable too.
Catch you all later have a safe and easy day & week. Tomorrow I'm sleeping in. Nyah probably not I'm too used to waking up early but I'll try.
Q
Ran 3.3 miles this morning then went to my younger brother's home to secure my small sail boat in his yard for the winter. Although the weather has been pleasant enough to take it out I've been physically beat much of the time from the physical training effort for the up coming marathon.
After I disconnected the trailer from the van and covered the boat with a tarp, my brother and I helped one of his neighbors split fire wood for the upcoming winter. Following that is was move some big rocks which seem to sprout from the soil of their own initiative and move them to where we can start building a rock wall later. Also we picked up some fire wood that I had cut previously and shift that to the pile to split and dry for next season.
Physically I am tired, I want to hold off going to bed for a couple of hours thougg; for if I don't I'll be up way too early for the day again tomorrow. Also on Sunday the 12th I've an 16 to 18 mile run planned as my last long rung as I'm tapering for the marathon on October 26th. I'm not worried about running the marathon, maybe a be nervous and yes there is some apprehension but nothing that the actual event won't erase. I know I can go the full distance and I will. The stoic in me has kicked in. I just need to do this Sunday morning's run and its all gravy from there.
Well that pretty much winds up the Saturday effort. I'm mentally tired from waking up at 03:00 and the mind needs to go off line and reboot. Sleep perchance to dream aye but theres the rub. Well another hour and a half and its lights out for me. Good night,
Sunday, October 12th;
Woke up at 05:00 and felt good, pretty much well rested from Saturday and that would be critical for today.
By 05:30 I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast and by 06:30 I was headed out the door to Fire Station 3 on Route 293, West Point, NY. for my final long run before the Marine Corps Marathon in 2 weeks. Yes, I should of had a better dinner last night than a cappacino muffin, but thats water under the bridge and all that.
I arrive at the fire station by 06:45 and do some easy stretching to prepare for the run. I'm also hanging with the guys and enjoying their ribs and jibs at each out while waiting to go off shift before my run. They are a good group of people overall.
Still onto the run; just a little after 07:00 I start my stopwatch and lumber out of the Fire Station entrance, cross the street and turn west towards Long Mountain Parkway 5&4/10 miles away. Its scary how I've learned the mileages to various land marks. Well go another 100 meters past the overpass and head back towards the Fire Station. If I stopped at the Station that would of been just shy of 11 miles and I head down hill towards the west Point Golf Course and my next turn point 1&1/2 miles from the Fire Station. Then its a mile & a half back up hill to the Fire Station. Hey did I happen to mention its also a mile up hill to Long Mountain Parkway from just past the 4 mile mark?
At the Fire Station I stop but not for a short break but to replenish my water carrier, aka The Camel Back.
I'm using a two litre version and the five pounds it weighs full is much more noticable now. Still I head out back towards Long Mountain Parkway again, Only this time I'm only going out to my 3 mile mark near Area K to turn around at.
Near the 18 mile mark my legs give the first sign of lactic acid build up and my calves are burning. i slow to a fast walk going up hill for a few yards and then back into the run. Again near the 19&3/4 mile mark again the burn is back and slow to a fast walk for a little bit before getting back into my run for the final push up the hill. And back at the Fire Station I'm done.
Total time running was 4 hours and 17 minutes to cover the twenty miles. Not my best speed but I wasn't going for speed today. I was going for road time. Counting out the time for the water stop my road time was 4 hours 4 minutes and 34 seconds.
Well with that run finished I walk around the parking lot several times to slowly allow my body to adjust to a much reduced physical demand and then stretch and out a bit. After stretching I use the shower at the Fire Station before going off to do the day's laundry as well. next stop Round Pond Recreation Area.
So I go up to Round Pond and start my laundry, while waiting I break out my electronic bagpipes and practice with those for a while. Finish off the last bottle of ersatz gatoraid and wait. After I'm done with the laundry its back home have a bacon & mayonaise sandwich, a protein drink and a couple of handfuls of trail mix for lunch before making this journal entry into the blog.
And that brings me to 15:00 hours and time to disappear yet again for awhile. Now headed to the PX to purchase a second pair of jeans that fit and then maybe to the South Gate for a beer, probably a Half & Half made with Murphy's and Sam Adams. Lighter in taste than straight stout and just as enjoyable too.
Catch you all later have a safe and easy day & week. Tomorrow I'm sleeping in. Nyah probably not I'm too used to waking up early but I'll try.
Q
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Saturday Morning @ 04:00
Yes, 04:00 and I'm blogging, I've got no life. Actually I awoke at 03:00 and couldn't fall back asleep so here I am just adding a bit to the blog.
Thursday started out with a short run and a hang over. As i got into the run the hangover disappated and the run became slightly longer than my normal short runs finishing out a 4&1/3 miles in 46 minutes.
In regards to other small aspects I do own a older GPS unit a Garmin 72. Its good for some things but not good for others, I can't use it as a road guide or TomTom unit. But its functional for telling me where I am, and thats the info I want out of it as when I do use it, I'm usually using it in conjunction with a old fashioned topograghic map.
Well the GPS was going to a blank screen while in the mode I normally us and I thought it had developed a problem from being in a hot back pack this past summer. I will use it to accurately record a trail or path to later mark out on the map for future reference. So for accuracy it is always in the WAAS enabled mode. I didn't consider disabling the WAAS Mode so I e-mailed Garmin the question as for why the screen goes blank. Garmin replied that a significant change in the Satelite system was causing the problem and to try the unit ouside the WAAS enabled mode. OK I'll give it a try and the system worked. Yea I don't need to mail it back to Garmin for repairs.
OK so I know what the issue is whats the repair? Down load an Update, so I check on line for the items I need to do that. Wow talk about insanity. The basic computer cables cost about 1/3rd of what the GPS unit did. Also since I use a laptop as my home computer I need an adapter with applicable software to run the UBS to 9 pin cable connection. OK well friday is another day and I'll take care of it then. So that pretty much covers Thursday.
Friday 10 October;
The day dawns clear and comfortably and I head off to the GYM for my physical exertion of the day. So out comes the Bicycle and I pedal my ass, but no body is buying, so I end up at the GYM. Grid lock in the locker room, I arrive as a mass of humanity is cleaning up there act inorder to go back to the daily grind. Still I find an open locker secure my dry clothes for when I'm done and head out to the floor.
First stop, the Giant Gerbil Trail also known as a Treadmill. Why because I can use it to make myself work a little harder than I've been doing. So I start off in a similar fashion as this past Monday. Slope set at 5%, speed at 6 MPH and after 5 minutes bump it up to 6.5 MPH. near the 15 minute mark bring the slope back to zero and bump the speed to 7.0 MPH another 5 minutes 8 MPH another 5 minutes reduce the speed for a short breather than increase it again. Finish out 3.4 miles in 30 minutes and with the cool down segment total 3.7 miles.
Second stop, The rowing machine. I generally spend 20 minutes on the rower at a steady pace and flow. And the sweat does flow; a indoor rowing machine with its own body of liquid. Not a neat trick as I fully create a good size puddle of sweat under it and need to use the mop from the janitorial closet to clean up after myself. So after my hard work out in the GYM, back to the locker room for dry clothes as I've got a bicycle ride ahead of me and sweat drenched clothes don't make for a comfortable ride no matter how short the distance and that effectively covers Friday morning ride home shower dress and do a computer search for near by (theres an oxymoron) shops which may have the computer patch cables for the Garmin GPS.
Friday afternoon, OK I'm in luck just 10 miles down the road theres a shop with the 9 pin computer to GPS cable cable connector so I snag that up. chaging 45 dollars, it also doubles as a extrenal power source form a vehicle, not that I often will use it that way. Next stop, Radio Shack, Why because I need a USB to 9 pin cable adapter 20 miles another direction. Chaching 35 dollars. Not counting fuel used and personal time 80 dollars spent to down load a software upgrade free from Garmin. Well the down load of program changes work and the GPS unit is fully functional again.
Which brings me to something about American Business Practices. We're morons! yes American is a nation of morons and MBAs lead the way!
Oh our businesses and indusries can make world class products, but too often we don't keep up with technologies we've developed. It is ignorance to have to purchase an adapter along with associated software to make a simple patch cable functional with a newer computer. OK Irealize the original configuration was meant for a desk top and older lap tops but did anyone at Garmin wake up and smell the coffee? Hello imbicles, you need to offer the 4 pin GPS connector with a UBS port option. and how about updating the web site at the same time so a clearer picture of what the cables look like can be displayed too; Or would that cut into the profit margin.
Speaking of Ass Hat MBAs did anyone get a laugh from the bull shit in Congress this past week? The head of Lehman Bros. feels just terrible about the American Public being raped by bad business practices. But he still has his multi million dollar Pay Out along with the senior executives of AIG and how many other failing institutions?
Hopefully some day when he needs support and equity of a different nature he gets treated with all due care and support of a criminal that he is and losses it all. Not a governmental slap of the wrist and Bad Boy don't do that again. But the Ambulance Crew and Doctors and Nurses just telling him sorry parasite, But I've got honest working people who need more help care and assistance than you deserve or now can afford. And they just leave him on a bench off to the side of the Emergency Room while he watches the life blood slowly seep from his painfully open untreated gangreous wounds. Sort of whats happening now to millions of Americans because of greedy MBA practices.
So what am I doing the rest of the day? I think I've gotten my rant out of the way. I guess maybe I'll go for a run then take my little sail boat up to the winter storage loaction followed by putzing around in my brother's barn helping him to get stuff ready for winter.
Well at least I'm not going off about shoddy building construction which allows me to listen in on the Bed Spring Symphony and Estatic Choral Production from the couple upstairs.
I'm outa here for a while,
Q
Thursday started out with a short run and a hang over. As i got into the run the hangover disappated and the run became slightly longer than my normal short runs finishing out a 4&1/3 miles in 46 minutes.
In regards to other small aspects I do own a older GPS unit a Garmin 72. Its good for some things but not good for others, I can't use it as a road guide or TomTom unit. But its functional for telling me where I am, and thats the info I want out of it as when I do use it, I'm usually using it in conjunction with a old fashioned topograghic map.
Well the GPS was going to a blank screen while in the mode I normally us and I thought it had developed a problem from being in a hot back pack this past summer. I will use it to accurately record a trail or path to later mark out on the map for future reference. So for accuracy it is always in the WAAS enabled mode. I didn't consider disabling the WAAS Mode so I e-mailed Garmin the question as for why the screen goes blank. Garmin replied that a significant change in the Satelite system was causing the problem and to try the unit ouside the WAAS enabled mode. OK I'll give it a try and the system worked. Yea I don't need to mail it back to Garmin for repairs.
OK so I know what the issue is whats the repair? Down load an Update, so I check on line for the items I need to do that. Wow talk about insanity. The basic computer cables cost about 1/3rd of what the GPS unit did. Also since I use a laptop as my home computer I need an adapter with applicable software to run the UBS to 9 pin cable connection. OK well friday is another day and I'll take care of it then. So that pretty much covers Thursday.
Friday 10 October;
The day dawns clear and comfortably and I head off to the GYM for my physical exertion of the day. So out comes the Bicycle and I pedal my ass, but no body is buying, so I end up at the GYM. Grid lock in the locker room, I arrive as a mass of humanity is cleaning up there act inorder to go back to the daily grind. Still I find an open locker secure my dry clothes for when I'm done and head out to the floor.
First stop, the Giant Gerbil Trail also known as a Treadmill. Why because I can use it to make myself work a little harder than I've been doing. So I start off in a similar fashion as this past Monday. Slope set at 5%, speed at 6 MPH and after 5 minutes bump it up to 6.5 MPH. near the 15 minute mark bring the slope back to zero and bump the speed to 7.0 MPH another 5 minutes 8 MPH another 5 minutes reduce the speed for a short breather than increase it again. Finish out 3.4 miles in 30 minutes and with the cool down segment total 3.7 miles.
Second stop, The rowing machine. I generally spend 20 minutes on the rower at a steady pace and flow. And the sweat does flow; a indoor rowing machine with its own body of liquid. Not a neat trick as I fully create a good size puddle of sweat under it and need to use the mop from the janitorial closet to clean up after myself. So after my hard work out in the GYM, back to the locker room for dry clothes as I've got a bicycle ride ahead of me and sweat drenched clothes don't make for a comfortable ride no matter how short the distance and that effectively covers Friday morning ride home shower dress and do a computer search for near by (theres an oxymoron) shops which may have the computer patch cables for the Garmin GPS.
Friday afternoon, OK I'm in luck just 10 miles down the road theres a shop with the 9 pin computer to GPS cable cable connector so I snag that up. chaging 45 dollars, it also doubles as a extrenal power source form a vehicle, not that I often will use it that way. Next stop, Radio Shack, Why because I need a USB to 9 pin cable adapter 20 miles another direction. Chaching 35 dollars. Not counting fuel used and personal time 80 dollars spent to down load a software upgrade free from Garmin. Well the down load of program changes work and the GPS unit is fully functional again.
Which brings me to something about American Business Practices. We're morons! yes American is a nation of morons and MBAs lead the way!
Oh our businesses and indusries can make world class products, but too often we don't keep up with technologies we've developed. It is ignorance to have to purchase an adapter along with associated software to make a simple patch cable functional with a newer computer. OK Irealize the original configuration was meant for a desk top and older lap tops but did anyone at Garmin wake up and smell the coffee? Hello imbicles, you need to offer the 4 pin GPS connector with a UBS port option. and how about updating the web site at the same time so a clearer picture of what the cables look like can be displayed too; Or would that cut into the profit margin.
Speaking of Ass Hat MBAs did anyone get a laugh from the bull shit in Congress this past week? The head of Lehman Bros. feels just terrible about the American Public being raped by bad business practices. But he still has his multi million dollar Pay Out along with the senior executives of AIG and how many other failing institutions?
Hopefully some day when he needs support and equity of a different nature he gets treated with all due care and support of a criminal that he is and losses it all. Not a governmental slap of the wrist and Bad Boy don't do that again. But the Ambulance Crew and Doctors and Nurses just telling him sorry parasite, But I've got honest working people who need more help care and assistance than you deserve or now can afford. And they just leave him on a bench off to the side of the Emergency Room while he watches the life blood slowly seep from his painfully open untreated gangreous wounds. Sort of whats happening now to millions of Americans because of greedy MBA practices.
So what am I doing the rest of the day? I think I've gotten my rant out of the way. I guess maybe I'll go for a run then take my little sail boat up to the winter storage loaction followed by putzing around in my brother's barn helping him to get stuff ready for winter.
Well at least I'm not going off about shoddy building construction which allows me to listen in on the Bed Spring Symphony and Estatic Choral Production from the couple upstairs.
I'm outa here for a while,
Q
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Weird Wednesdays.
Q's escapades Blog entries for 7/8 Oct, 2008.
Well Tuesday the 7th was Slug Boy Day, no real exercise at all. In fact the closest thing resembling exercise was when I was practicing my bagpipes. But a general run down of the day seems to be the way I prefer to writ things out so thats what I'll do.
O8:30 AM, off to peeksill & Joe Brady's for instruction and begin prep for the Nov 11 bagpipe date at the Montross Veteran's Home. I got stuck in crawling traffic and gave Joe a call warning I may be delayed, but still made it on time. I shall avoid us route 9 for the foreseeable future while going to Joe's place.
10:15 AM, after bagpipe practice I'm headed down toward central Westchester County as I'm heading to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's HQ later in the evening for a send off for the Marine Corps Marathon.
11:00 Stop at the Pizza parlor across from the Cabin Restaurant at the junctions of 100, 100A and Sprain Brook Parkways before doubling back to Gate of Heaven Cemetary. I usually go to tend my Grandparents, Uncle and Aunts' resting place twice a year at least. So at the cemetary I have my slice of pizza and then weed around the broad leaf bases of what remains of the flowers I've planted there. Thats my attempt at a flower garden and I don't bother attempting to dig the bulbs out each year to protect them they seem to be doing fine on their own. While there I also talk to my parents but in a more conventional fashion by use of the cell phone.
12:00, Noon finds me at the Greenburg Fire Department and I'm in luck two of my cousins are in and I spend some time visiting with them. I also come to findout that some members of the GFD will be in my area for a sporting event on the 1st of Novemebr so Ilet them know I'll try to secure a group parking area for them for their tailgate session before the game.
13:00/1:00 PM, I'm clear of the Fire Department and headed towards and through the Central business district of White Plains. In regards to that part of Westchester County, just think of New Jersery with NY state tags and drivers licenses, just really poor drivers for the better part. Still I don't need to be at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's HQ till 18:00/6:00PM and I've got time to spare. I don't like shopping and have only $100 on me and use the credit card only for needed purchases so i bypass the merchant district and go to Saxon Woods Park across from the Business Park where the L&LS HQ is located.
At Saxon Woods, I've some time to be alone with my thoughts and just try to get some things of a minor nature done. So I break out my copy book of bagpiping tune and copy a score into it. I can't explain why but copying the notation out in long hand does help me to learn the music, even if I don't feel I play it all too well. I also take the pipes out of the case and set the drones to where they were earlier in the day and don't bother trying to tune them, to my untrained ear they sound close enough to pitch. At which point I go over several of the tunes I know.
After a while of diddling around with the bagpipes i secure them and break out a folding chair and just sit and diddle about with a tin whistle, I'm no musical phenom or prodigy but I'm trying to pull out a tune. Tin whistles are decievingly simple and hard at the same time as you need to control the pressure of your breath to keep a consistant sound level
15:00/3:00 PM finally I've had enough and take a drive into and back out of Mamaroneck and stop at a roadside stand for a dog and a ginger ale. then back into Saxon Woods Park inorder to burn off some more time. This time diddling about on my small pipes.
16:30/4:30 PM I drive across the street to the L&LS HQ building and park the van waiting for the 18:00/6:00 PM info/send off session.
17:30/5:30 PM I enter the building and sign in and go to the cafeteria where i meet with two of the staffers involved with both the NIKE event and the Marine Corps Marathon. I also have a slice of pizza while waiting for the event to start some water and pass some time with the ladies coordinating things.
18:00/6:00 PM several folks whom I recognize amble in and I greet them in my own less than endearing fashion, I also see Dan Elliot and let him know that we've been assigned a room together for the course of the three days. We also get the running singlets and other goodies for the race as well as information to bring with us for check in and safety proceedures on race day it self.
20:30/8:30 PM the meeting is over and I'm out of there headed home by way of Brewster & Carmel, NY. I've no desire to double back through Whiteplague I mean Whitepains, Oy wait a moment Whiteplains. So I jump on the Hutch with my Commercially Registered vehicle, technically an illegal act. and go up to I-684, Drive to the Croton Falls exit and take NY22 into Brewster and US6 over to Carmel. Stop in Fiddler's Green Pub aka Bar, have one Guiness and head on home for the night.
So about 20:30/10:30PM I arrive home take care of some triffling matters and go to bed.
*************************************************************************************************************************
8 October, hey this morning as I write this, I awoke from a vivid dream, fast woman driver, white sports car, spinouts in frontof and almost under the front tires of another vehicle, donuts and smoking the tires, a angry police officer who drove a large heavy box truck stopping the sports car performing a magic trick of pepper spraying the woman driver and a male passenger but leaving me unscathed to take care of the peppersprayed driver and other male passenger whom i never saw in the sports car as i was in the passenger seat. Then I woke up. I've now clue what it all means but it was interesting enough that I kept it in my mind. Oh yeah the skyes were clear blue and the grass was all green and I don't recall any trees just lots of rolling hills.
Well a little later this morning I'm going out for a 6 to 10 mile run depending upon how I feel about the weather. I do want to get at least 6 miles in though. and thats all for now at 06:00/6:00 AM
Alrighty then just a little past Noon here in the lower Hudson valley and I'm getting dressed to go out for the second time, got a little banking to do. Did a 11&15/100 mile run this morning starting about 08:30 and finishing about 10:40 just a simple route, up the west side of the village and up moutain Ave to Stoney Lonesome road up to Continental and around back onto stoney, down to Merrit, down to Washington Down to Ruger, down Tower to the Hudson River up to the base of Ike Hall, down to North Dock, up Howard and along Cullum to Jefferson to Thayer to wilson to Swift to Thayer Gate along Main St. Highland Falls back to home. Just a modest set of hills.
Well got to run for now more later.
Q
*************************************************************************************************************************
16:00/4:00 PM. Ok got a bit done today, had a little money I could budget for other items and purchased a new watch as I broke the crystal on the old one. Oh I'll try to get the crystal replaced but some times due to our disposable society that becomes an exercise in futility.
So this afternoon, I wandered off to Round Pond recreation Area. I can use the laundrymat and practice my bagpiping there without disturbing too many other people. Also today I gave the new running singlet from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society its first washing to help soften it up for the marine Corps Marathon on the 26th of October. Also need to determine what I'll wear and pack for the three days. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Since I'm only running on that Sunday for the weekend the process is simplified. Two pairs of sneakers, one for comfort and one for the run. I bring my electronic bagpipes to diddle around with and my MP3 player for the trip. I'll load a few more albums onto that as well. I only want them for the trip as during the run itself we aren't supposed to use anything which may enhance our performance and a MP3 player can be considered a perfromance enhancer.
After finishing laundry I went by Fire Station 2 and said hello to the guys there and had a laugh with them concerning a small segment of my run this morning. Well the burning question about which is faster a person running or a nearly 40 ton ladder truck; going up Stoney Lonesome Road has been answered. Over the short distance a strong runner is faster. Over a long distance the 40 ton diesel powered ladder truck has more endurance. And how did I learn this? I ran uphill against Truck one today. During my run this morning I was jogging down Stoney when I saw the ladder truck making it way up. The kicker is the Ladder truck had a rolling start compared to me. I had to come to a stop turn about and start running up hill. Yes. I was running fast enough to get ahead of the lumbering vehicle. Well so much for the speed of a heavy vehicle going up a 12% grade.
Following that minor bit of levity it was off to the service station for fuel, the PX for my old glasses, the screw in the frame is broken and firmly rusted in place, also purchased the watch as mentioned previously, and then over to the Comissary for my weekly grocery shopping. Which brings me up to the hour and preparing this portion of the blog.
So without anything better to do, I'll close for now and will add some more later for cutting and pasting to the blog.
Q.
*************************************************************************************************************************
Yes another cut and paste posting but it seems to work fairly easily. and allows me more time to formulate and clarify my thoughts.
Cheers & Proasit Alles,
Q
Well Tuesday the 7th was Slug Boy Day, no real exercise at all. In fact the closest thing resembling exercise was when I was practicing my bagpipes. But a general run down of the day seems to be the way I prefer to writ things out so thats what I'll do.
O8:30 AM, off to peeksill & Joe Brady's for instruction and begin prep for the Nov 11 bagpipe date at the Montross Veteran's Home. I got stuck in crawling traffic and gave Joe a call warning I may be delayed, but still made it on time. I shall avoid us route 9 for the foreseeable future while going to Joe's place.
10:15 AM, after bagpipe practice I'm headed down toward central Westchester County as I'm heading to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's HQ later in the evening for a send off for the Marine Corps Marathon.
11:00 Stop at the Pizza parlor across from the Cabin Restaurant at the junctions of 100, 100A and Sprain Brook Parkways before doubling back to Gate of Heaven Cemetary. I usually go to tend my Grandparents, Uncle and Aunts' resting place twice a year at least. So at the cemetary I have my slice of pizza and then weed around the broad leaf bases of what remains of the flowers I've planted there. Thats my attempt at a flower garden and I don't bother attempting to dig the bulbs out each year to protect them they seem to be doing fine on their own. While there I also talk to my parents but in a more conventional fashion by use of the cell phone.
12:00, Noon finds me at the Greenburg Fire Department and I'm in luck two of my cousins are in and I spend some time visiting with them. I also come to findout that some members of the GFD will be in my area for a sporting event on the 1st of Novemebr so Ilet them know I'll try to secure a group parking area for them for their tailgate session before the game.
13:00/1:00 PM, I'm clear of the Fire Department and headed towards and through the Central business district of White Plains. In regards to that part of Westchester County, just think of New Jersery with NY state tags and drivers licenses, just really poor drivers for the better part. Still I don't need to be at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's HQ till 18:00/6:00PM and I've got time to spare. I don't like shopping and have only $100 on me and use the credit card only for needed purchases so i bypass the merchant district and go to Saxon Woods Park across from the Business Park where the L&LS HQ is located.
At Saxon Woods, I've some time to be alone with my thoughts and just try to get some things of a minor nature done. So I break out my copy book of bagpiping tune and copy a score into it. I can't explain why but copying the notation out in long hand does help me to learn the music, even if I don't feel I play it all too well. I also take the pipes out of the case and set the drones to where they were earlier in the day and don't bother trying to tune them, to my untrained ear they sound close enough to pitch. At which point I go over several of the tunes I know.
After a while of diddling around with the bagpipes i secure them and break out a folding chair and just sit and diddle about with a tin whistle, I'm no musical phenom or prodigy but I'm trying to pull out a tune. Tin whistles are decievingly simple and hard at the same time as you need to control the pressure of your breath to keep a consistant sound level
15:00/3:00 PM finally I've had enough and take a drive into and back out of Mamaroneck and stop at a roadside stand for a dog and a ginger ale. then back into Saxon Woods Park inorder to burn off some more time. This time diddling about on my small pipes.
16:30/4:30 PM I drive across the street to the L&LS HQ building and park the van waiting for the 18:00/6:00 PM info/send off session.
17:30/5:30 PM I enter the building and sign in and go to the cafeteria where i meet with two of the staffers involved with both the NIKE event and the Marine Corps Marathon. I also have a slice of pizza while waiting for the event to start some water and pass some time with the ladies coordinating things.
18:00/6:00 PM several folks whom I recognize amble in and I greet them in my own less than endearing fashion, I also see Dan Elliot and let him know that we've been assigned a room together for the course of the three days. We also get the running singlets and other goodies for the race as well as information to bring with us for check in and safety proceedures on race day it self.
20:30/8:30 PM the meeting is over and I'm out of there headed home by way of Brewster & Carmel, NY. I've no desire to double back through Whiteplague I mean Whitepains, Oy wait a moment Whiteplains. So I jump on the Hutch with my Commercially Registered vehicle, technically an illegal act. and go up to I-684, Drive to the Croton Falls exit and take NY22 into Brewster and US6 over to Carmel. Stop in Fiddler's Green Pub aka Bar, have one Guiness and head on home for the night.
So about 20:30/10:30PM I arrive home take care of some triffling matters and go to bed.
*************************************************************************************************************************
8 October, hey this morning as I write this, I awoke from a vivid dream, fast woman driver, white sports car, spinouts in frontof and almost under the front tires of another vehicle, donuts and smoking the tires, a angry police officer who drove a large heavy box truck stopping the sports car performing a magic trick of pepper spraying the woman driver and a male passenger but leaving me unscathed to take care of the peppersprayed driver and other male passenger whom i never saw in the sports car as i was in the passenger seat. Then I woke up. I've now clue what it all means but it was interesting enough that I kept it in my mind. Oh yeah the skyes were clear blue and the grass was all green and I don't recall any trees just lots of rolling hills.
Well a little later this morning I'm going out for a 6 to 10 mile run depending upon how I feel about the weather. I do want to get at least 6 miles in though. and thats all for now at 06:00/6:00 AM
Alrighty then just a little past Noon here in the lower Hudson valley and I'm getting dressed to go out for the second time, got a little banking to do. Did a 11&15/100 mile run this morning starting about 08:30 and finishing about 10:40 just a simple route, up the west side of the village and up moutain Ave to Stoney Lonesome road up to Continental and around back onto stoney, down to Merrit, down to Washington Down to Ruger, down Tower to the Hudson River up to the base of Ike Hall, down to North Dock, up Howard and along Cullum to Jefferson to Thayer to wilson to Swift to Thayer Gate along Main St. Highland Falls back to home. Just a modest set of hills.
Well got to run for now more later.
Q
*************************************************************************************************************************
16:00/4:00 PM. Ok got a bit done today, had a little money I could budget for other items and purchased a new watch as I broke the crystal on the old one. Oh I'll try to get the crystal replaced but some times due to our disposable society that becomes an exercise in futility.
So this afternoon, I wandered off to Round Pond recreation Area. I can use the laundrymat and practice my bagpiping there without disturbing too many other people. Also today I gave the new running singlet from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society its first washing to help soften it up for the marine Corps Marathon on the 26th of October. Also need to determine what I'll wear and pack for the three days. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Since I'm only running on that Sunday for the weekend the process is simplified. Two pairs of sneakers, one for comfort and one for the run. I bring my electronic bagpipes to diddle around with and my MP3 player for the trip. I'll load a few more albums onto that as well. I only want them for the trip as during the run itself we aren't supposed to use anything which may enhance our performance and a MP3 player can be considered a perfromance enhancer.
After finishing laundry I went by Fire Station 2 and said hello to the guys there and had a laugh with them concerning a small segment of my run this morning. Well the burning question about which is faster a person running or a nearly 40 ton ladder truck; going up Stoney Lonesome Road has been answered. Over the short distance a strong runner is faster. Over a long distance the 40 ton diesel powered ladder truck has more endurance. And how did I learn this? I ran uphill against Truck one today. During my run this morning I was jogging down Stoney when I saw the ladder truck making it way up. The kicker is the Ladder truck had a rolling start compared to me. I had to come to a stop turn about and start running up hill. Yes. I was running fast enough to get ahead of the lumbering vehicle. Well so much for the speed of a heavy vehicle going up a 12% grade.
Following that minor bit of levity it was off to the service station for fuel, the PX for my old glasses, the screw in the frame is broken and firmly rusted in place, also purchased the watch as mentioned previously, and then over to the Comissary for my weekly grocery shopping. Which brings me up to the hour and preparing this portion of the blog.
So without anything better to do, I'll close for now and will add some more later for cutting and pasting to the blog.
Q.
*************************************************************************************************************************
Yes another cut and paste posting but it seems to work fairly easily. and allows me more time to formulate and clarify my thoughts.
Cheers & Proasit Alles,
Q
Monday, October 6, 2008
Manic Mondays?
I'm not the most computer literate person on the planet But I'm trying. Also I'm trying something different tonight too. so bear with me. I'm cutting and pasting to post my blog update.
Q
Hey the cut and paste worked! woooohoooo!
Manic Mondays?
Ok today is Monday the 6th of October and I'm working on my blog in a slightly different way.
Since its mondayevening the web connections start to move glacially slow, I figure work up the blog on word pad then cut and past to the blog when it is more convienent to do so. There always more than one way to accomplish a unimportant nonspecific task.
Been sort of busy these past few days. Drinking like a fish partying and carrying on like a jeuvenile delinquent might of been what I'd prefer to do; but that wasn't on the table. Mismanaging my time loosing track of events and things how ever were what occured. Still I did find time to perform my current routines of training for the Marine Corps Marathon, washing clothes and becoming more disorganized by the day and practicing with my bagpipes.
Now for my Andy Rooney impersonation;
Peeves everybodys got em, some people voice em, some people over react to them. My current peeve is catalogs. Oh I do like getting mail and opening the mail box is like opening a surprise package or box of chocolates if you're Forest Gump. and catalogs can be fun to peruse but enough is enough. Afterall I'm not in the monetary bracket to purchase supposedly higher end items as you might find in 'Touch of Class' from Huntingburg, Indianna. Interesting name Huntingburg, I wonder if they were hunting for a town or an iceberg, but I digress. Oh the catlog is nicely done, maybe a little too confusing to look through but I can assure you I don't need to, nor can I afford to purchase home furnishings, curio cabinets,and home decor at this time. Nice items but the cost is greater than my thift shop spending allowances.
Have you ever purchased a gift item for a friend through a catalog and then start recieving more and more of them for similar but different articles? I know I have. But really do I need a continuing supply of catalogs from Lane Byant, Bedford Fair or Anthony Richards? After all those three i named are for woman's clothing and I don't think I'm built for foundation garments of the fairer gender. It might tend to get a little tight where I'd prefer to have some room.
Well maybe this looming economic crisis will be good news that way and they'll no longer be able to afford sending me material to roll into logs for the fire place. That way i'll reduce my green house gas emissions, they'll reduce logging and the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be assorbed by the tress that will be able to grow.
And no, I'm not a writer for Andy Rooney. Although my desk may be as deeply burried in paper goods as his.
Ok so the weekend has come and gone its now a new work week for many people but not for me. I'm retired. Oh thats right I'm still training to run in a marathon and solicitng donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in addition to being a wannabe no talent bagpiper.
On Saturday morning I awoke dark and early, yes, autumn is upon us and winter is preparing an entrance. It was not a comfortable morning for a run but run I did. Only this time I went in a different direction. South and East instead of North and West. I started maybe an hour before sun rise by going South on Old State Road in Highland Falls to Fort Montgomery, the Bear Mountain bridge and across to Anthony's Nose in Westchester County where I reversed my route and returned home. Not an overly quick run as it was in the upper 30's, OK 39 degrees farenheit, when I left home and i dressed for cooler temperatures. Still I maintained a consistant pace and completed the 7 &1/2 miles door to door in one hour and 20 minutes.
As I said i was dressed for cooler weather and the effects showed as I had sweated through the windbreaker I wore as an outer shell and my running tights were covered in condensation.
Still afterwards I did find time to take care of the mundane actions that keep us with an appearance of civilised life. Followed in the afternoon with a trip to Bear Mountain State Park for the yearly Octoberfest. Woooohooooo! beer! As the afternoon was spectacular the park was full and near if not over capacity for parking. Ok i pay the parking fee of six dollars for the motorcycle, same price as a car although the motorcycle will take only 1/4 the space of a car if I park correctly. Since the State Park charges me full price for a car I can only return the favor and take a full space for a car. Seems fair to me. Well supposedly the front lot is full, OK off to the back lot I go, pay my entrance fee and go in. Now I'm not crazy about parking on the dark side of the moon in relationship to where I want to be and I also don't ride motorcycles on pedestrian paths; I will however push it along a pedestrian path to where I'd rather park. And yes there was a open parking space very near the festival itself and it was not a hadicapped spot either. I took a plum parking space. Score one for a little bit of work.
Well after securing the motorcuycle so it can't be pushed too readily. Heavy cable through the wheels and locked onto the bike itself with an even heavier lock, I totter off to the Ersatz October Festival. The beer of choice this year/week is Spaten and I order two 1 litre stiens of the Octoberfest beer. Alrighty. the equivelant of a six pack of beer, German music and some of my Christmas shopping done too! Oh yeah life is good. Only the beer line is over twenty minutes long. So how does a certifiable nut case like my self make light of a long beer line? I announce serving numbers loudly as everyone waits. NOW SERVING 32, 654. Wait a few minutes and repeat the NOW SERVING with a rediculously higher number and so on till I get to the beer servers. Yeah they must of loved the attitiude, Still I got to grab some good beer watch some Germanic dancers and drink some decent beer all at the same time.
Sunday: Rain, Cool, Wet, Rain. Now I can't think of anyone who actually enjoys exercising in the rain. let alone running in it. I know I don't still i wait for it to taper off and out i go on a 3 & 1/3 mile run. Again dress with the windbreaker, reflective sash, carrying a orange signal cone on my flashlight. Hey its early & dark the roads are wet and some drivers are still bleary eyed from the night before. If i can be seen chances are they'll try to avoid hitting me as they probably don't want to have their insureance premiums increase after they've had their car towed to the body shop for repairs. So off I go into the very damp Sunday Morning for a reasonably uneventful run. Funny but my running shoes stayed dryer than the rest of me.
later Sunday morning I get out to met with a couple of guys for a group motorcycle ride. But I'm running a little behind schedule and miss them. Not a complete bummer, as serendipity has been working for me alot over the course of these last few weeks. One of the people involved with the Motorcycle safety Foundation is delivering training bikes to the storage site and i swing by to say hello. Well he needs to get in contact with another instructor but has lost his phone number. Not a problem, I get the person's business card and drop it at the residence of the person we both sought to met with. Then later on I sent an e-mail to confirm he'd gotten the message. So life was good that way.
Sunday Afternoon, the sun is out and the weather is looking up, OK time to go out on the motorcycle again. This time i ride up to Perkins Observatory atop Bear Mountain. The roads are drying nicely and not just Motorists and Motorcyclists but Hikers &Bicyclists are all enjoying the weather and scenery. Still there are a few bicyclist who like to ride side by side going up the hill, not generally a safe practice but common. Still as I've got some cars behind me I slow down and let them know theres traffic comming on them. They get back into tandem formation and it a good thing as there seemed to be an increase in trafic going both ways on the road after i passed them. Still after driving a chase vehicle for quite a few Bicyclists the previous weekend and also occasionally riding a bicycle myself, I do like to try to have a safe space around the less protected road users.
At the top of the large hill/small mountain which is Bear Mountain the area is packed with sight seers, hikers picnicers,automobiles and motorcyclists. Also I got to see a few exotic motorcycles there and was surpised to see a sports announcer I know as well also enjoying the fine autumn day. Its a strong ride to the top of Bear Mountain and he rode up on a Road Bike. A continuous grade, fairly steady wrapping up and around the mountain. Combine that with an exhilarating down hill ride and for a bicyclist it has to be quite the adrenaline rush. Actually it is I've done it on my mountain bike/road bike hybrid. Also ridden down 9W from Crows Nest to West Point and topped over 45MPH but thats another story.
Still as the day ended it was a easy ride home and a quiet night.
Monday the 6th of October, hey today! played slugboy this morning till about 11:00 AM when I decided to add some cross training to my running. So off to the Gym I go after inflating the tires on my bicyle to 95 PSI. An easy 4&1/4 mile ride to the gym, secure the bike go inside check in and secure my dry clothes for when I get done. Ah start with some minor stretching and I yeah I'm insane, certifiably nutz, i get on the treadmill. Actually the treadmill can be a harder work out for me than running outdoors as I can have it work me at a faster pace than I normally go. So what do i do set it for manual ramp the incline up to a 5% grade and starting speed at 6MPH, OK 5minutes and ramp up the speed to 6&1/2 MPH. Alright I'm sweating now at 15 minutes I bring the incline down to 0 and speed it up to 7&1/2 MPH Watchout Big guy booking and slinging sweat At 20minutes I'm up to 8MPH. whats that smell? Oh its just me. Well I do back the overall speed down a little and clear 5 kilometers in 26 minutes and change. nut my best race times but on what would of been a more grueling course than any I've run upon. with the cool down at the end I cover 3&7/10th miles in 35 minutes.
OK nice warm up whats next Oh yeah the rowing machines. Refill my water bottle first, just incase I get thristy. nearly emptied the entire 16 ounce contents on my indoor run. Go to the rowers turn on my MP3 player and start pulling away. Well 20 minutes and 3&1/2 kilometers later, Lake Quinn has formed under the rowing machine. No not little splashes of sweat, I'm talking a puddle two feet wide and three feet long. Whats even worse is the rowing machines are in the middle of a forest of exercise machines well removed from any proximity to the janitors closet where the mops are stored. OK so now that I'm done and wiped the machine down its off to the janitor's closet for a mop to wipe and spead my mess around. OK iget most of it up but evaporation will need to finish the rest.
Well that covers my activities on the machines put on some dry clothes and bicycle home for a late lunch. Ok lunch is actually breakfast and I'm in the mood for RaisunBran with banannas. only I don't care to slice up a bannana. Hey I've got a blender. So into the blender goes one whole bananna and milk. Mix thoroughly and add to the cereal wait a little bit as your interruppted by a phone call and return to Raisun Bran Bannana Pudding! Oh Boy, its not as bad as it sounds and easy to eat too.
OK today had a hard work out so a short nap followed by a trip down to River Courts on West Point to the North Side for some bagpipe practice. Well after about 30 to 45 minutes I call it quits and head home. Which brings me to an easy dinner and working on this excuse for a blog. So in a little bit I'll try accessing the web see if the connection has speeded up with all the kiddies getting done getting an education and doing homework via Wikidemia methodology. Wikipedia.org interesting but not always accurate or factual as the Encyclopedia Britannica or Old Oxford Unabridge Dictionary.
Well cheers and prosit Alles, Have a safe and enjoyable week and I'll catch up later on as tommorrow I may make a day of it in Westchester County after bagpipe practice as I've an event to attend in south WhitePlains nearly in Harrison NY at 6:00PM (aka 18:00 hours). at the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society.
Q
Q
Hey the cut and paste worked! woooohoooo!
Manic Mondays?
Ok today is Monday the 6th of October and I'm working on my blog in a slightly different way.
Since its mondayevening the web connections start to move glacially slow, I figure work up the blog on word pad then cut and past to the blog when it is more convienent to do so. There always more than one way to accomplish a unimportant nonspecific task.
Been sort of busy these past few days. Drinking like a fish partying and carrying on like a jeuvenile delinquent might of been what I'd prefer to do; but that wasn't on the table. Mismanaging my time loosing track of events and things how ever were what occured. Still I did find time to perform my current routines of training for the Marine Corps Marathon, washing clothes and becoming more disorganized by the day and practicing with my bagpipes.
Now for my Andy Rooney impersonation;
Peeves everybodys got em, some people voice em, some people over react to them. My current peeve is catalogs. Oh I do like getting mail and opening the mail box is like opening a surprise package or box of chocolates if you're Forest Gump. and catalogs can be fun to peruse but enough is enough. Afterall I'm not in the monetary bracket to purchase supposedly higher end items as you might find in 'Touch of Class' from Huntingburg, Indianna. Interesting name Huntingburg, I wonder if they were hunting for a town or an iceberg, but I digress. Oh the catlog is nicely done, maybe a little too confusing to look through but I can assure you I don't need to, nor can I afford to purchase home furnishings, curio cabinets,and home decor at this time. Nice items but the cost is greater than my thift shop spending allowances.
Have you ever purchased a gift item for a friend through a catalog and then start recieving more and more of them for similar but different articles? I know I have. But really do I need a continuing supply of catalogs from Lane Byant, Bedford Fair or Anthony Richards? After all those three i named are for woman's clothing and I don't think I'm built for foundation garments of the fairer gender. It might tend to get a little tight where I'd prefer to have some room.
Well maybe this looming economic crisis will be good news that way and they'll no longer be able to afford sending me material to roll into logs for the fire place. That way i'll reduce my green house gas emissions, they'll reduce logging and the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be assorbed by the tress that will be able to grow.
And no, I'm not a writer for Andy Rooney. Although my desk may be as deeply burried in paper goods as his.
Ok so the weekend has come and gone its now a new work week for many people but not for me. I'm retired. Oh thats right I'm still training to run in a marathon and solicitng donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in addition to being a wannabe no talent bagpiper.
On Saturday morning I awoke dark and early, yes, autumn is upon us and winter is preparing an entrance. It was not a comfortable morning for a run but run I did. Only this time I went in a different direction. South and East instead of North and West. I started maybe an hour before sun rise by going South on Old State Road in Highland Falls to Fort Montgomery, the Bear Mountain bridge and across to Anthony's Nose in Westchester County where I reversed my route and returned home. Not an overly quick run as it was in the upper 30's, OK 39 degrees farenheit, when I left home and i dressed for cooler temperatures. Still I maintained a consistant pace and completed the 7 &1/2 miles door to door in one hour and 20 minutes.
As I said i was dressed for cooler weather and the effects showed as I had sweated through the windbreaker I wore as an outer shell and my running tights were covered in condensation.
Still afterwards I did find time to take care of the mundane actions that keep us with an appearance of civilised life. Followed in the afternoon with a trip to Bear Mountain State Park for the yearly Octoberfest. Woooohooooo! beer! As the afternoon was spectacular the park was full and near if not over capacity for parking. Ok i pay the parking fee of six dollars for the motorcycle, same price as a car although the motorcycle will take only 1/4 the space of a car if I park correctly. Since the State Park charges me full price for a car I can only return the favor and take a full space for a car. Seems fair to me. Well supposedly the front lot is full, OK off to the back lot I go, pay my entrance fee and go in. Now I'm not crazy about parking on the dark side of the moon in relationship to where I want to be and I also don't ride motorcycles on pedestrian paths; I will however push it along a pedestrian path to where I'd rather park. And yes there was a open parking space very near the festival itself and it was not a hadicapped spot either. I took a plum parking space. Score one for a little bit of work.
Well after securing the motorcuycle so it can't be pushed too readily. Heavy cable through the wheels and locked onto the bike itself with an even heavier lock, I totter off to the Ersatz October Festival. The beer of choice this year/week is Spaten and I order two 1 litre stiens of the Octoberfest beer. Alrighty. the equivelant of a six pack of beer, German music and some of my Christmas shopping done too! Oh yeah life is good. Only the beer line is over twenty minutes long. So how does a certifiable nut case like my self make light of a long beer line? I announce serving numbers loudly as everyone waits. NOW SERVING 32, 654. Wait a few minutes and repeat the NOW SERVING with a rediculously higher number and so on till I get to the beer servers. Yeah they must of loved the attitiude, Still I got to grab some good beer watch some Germanic dancers and drink some decent beer all at the same time.
Sunday: Rain, Cool, Wet, Rain. Now I can't think of anyone who actually enjoys exercising in the rain. let alone running in it. I know I don't still i wait for it to taper off and out i go on a 3 & 1/3 mile run. Again dress with the windbreaker, reflective sash, carrying a orange signal cone on my flashlight. Hey its early & dark the roads are wet and some drivers are still bleary eyed from the night before. If i can be seen chances are they'll try to avoid hitting me as they probably don't want to have their insureance premiums increase after they've had their car towed to the body shop for repairs. So off I go into the very damp Sunday Morning for a reasonably uneventful run. Funny but my running shoes stayed dryer than the rest of me.
later Sunday morning I get out to met with a couple of guys for a group motorcycle ride. But I'm running a little behind schedule and miss them. Not a complete bummer, as serendipity has been working for me alot over the course of these last few weeks. One of the people involved with the Motorcycle safety Foundation is delivering training bikes to the storage site and i swing by to say hello. Well he needs to get in contact with another instructor but has lost his phone number. Not a problem, I get the person's business card and drop it at the residence of the person we both sought to met with. Then later on I sent an e-mail to confirm he'd gotten the message. So life was good that way.
Sunday Afternoon, the sun is out and the weather is looking up, OK time to go out on the motorcycle again. This time i ride up to Perkins Observatory atop Bear Mountain. The roads are drying nicely and not just Motorists and Motorcyclists but Hikers &Bicyclists are all enjoying the weather and scenery. Still there are a few bicyclist who like to ride side by side going up the hill, not generally a safe practice but common. Still as I've got some cars behind me I slow down and let them know theres traffic comming on them. They get back into tandem formation and it a good thing as there seemed to be an increase in trafic going both ways on the road after i passed them. Still after driving a chase vehicle for quite a few Bicyclists the previous weekend and also occasionally riding a bicycle myself, I do like to try to have a safe space around the less protected road users.
At the top of the large hill/small mountain which is Bear Mountain the area is packed with sight seers, hikers picnicers,automobiles and motorcyclists. Also I got to see a few exotic motorcycles there and was surpised to see a sports announcer I know as well also enjoying the fine autumn day. Its a strong ride to the top of Bear Mountain and he rode up on a Road Bike. A continuous grade, fairly steady wrapping up and around the mountain. Combine that with an exhilarating down hill ride and for a bicyclist it has to be quite the adrenaline rush. Actually it is I've done it on my mountain bike/road bike hybrid. Also ridden down 9W from Crows Nest to West Point and topped over 45MPH but thats another story.
Still as the day ended it was a easy ride home and a quiet night.
Monday the 6th of October, hey today! played slugboy this morning till about 11:00 AM when I decided to add some cross training to my running. So off to the Gym I go after inflating the tires on my bicyle to 95 PSI. An easy 4&1/4 mile ride to the gym, secure the bike go inside check in and secure my dry clothes for when I get done. Ah start with some minor stretching and I yeah I'm insane, certifiably nutz, i get on the treadmill. Actually the treadmill can be a harder work out for me than running outdoors as I can have it work me at a faster pace than I normally go. So what do i do set it for manual ramp the incline up to a 5% grade and starting speed at 6MPH, OK 5minutes and ramp up the speed to 6&1/2 MPH. Alright I'm sweating now at 15 minutes I bring the incline down to 0 and speed it up to 7&1/2 MPH Watchout Big guy booking and slinging sweat At 20minutes I'm up to 8MPH. whats that smell? Oh its just me. Well I do back the overall speed down a little and clear 5 kilometers in 26 minutes and change. nut my best race times but on what would of been a more grueling course than any I've run upon. with the cool down at the end I cover 3&7/10th miles in 35 minutes.
OK nice warm up whats next Oh yeah the rowing machines. Refill my water bottle first, just incase I get thristy. nearly emptied the entire 16 ounce contents on my indoor run. Go to the rowers turn on my MP3 player and start pulling away. Well 20 minutes and 3&1/2 kilometers later, Lake Quinn has formed under the rowing machine. No not little splashes of sweat, I'm talking a puddle two feet wide and three feet long. Whats even worse is the rowing machines are in the middle of a forest of exercise machines well removed from any proximity to the janitors closet where the mops are stored. OK so now that I'm done and wiped the machine down its off to the janitor's closet for a mop to wipe and spead my mess around. OK iget most of it up but evaporation will need to finish the rest.
Well that covers my activities on the machines put on some dry clothes and bicycle home for a late lunch. Ok lunch is actually breakfast and I'm in the mood for RaisunBran with banannas. only I don't care to slice up a bannana. Hey I've got a blender. So into the blender goes one whole bananna and milk. Mix thoroughly and add to the cereal wait a little bit as your interruppted by a phone call and return to Raisun Bran Bannana Pudding! Oh Boy, its not as bad as it sounds and easy to eat too.
OK today had a hard work out so a short nap followed by a trip down to River Courts on West Point to the North Side for some bagpipe practice. Well after about 30 to 45 minutes I call it quits and head home. Which brings me to an easy dinner and working on this excuse for a blog. So in a little bit I'll try accessing the web see if the connection has speeded up with all the kiddies getting done getting an education and doing homework via Wikidemia methodology. Wikipedia.org interesting but not always accurate or factual as the Encyclopedia Britannica or Old Oxford Unabridge Dictionary.
Well cheers and prosit Alles, Have a safe and enjoyable week and I'll catch up later on as tommorrow I may make a day of it in Westchester County after bagpipe practice as I've an event to attend in south WhitePlains nearly in Harrison NY at 6:00PM (aka 18:00 hours). at the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society.
Q
Friday, October 3, 2008
Friday and living is easy.
The hardest thing I did today, was to go over to the home of a friend of my younger brother to look over his, wife's minivan. She had an accident with it and while the damage didn't look too serious he was questionable about the nearly $6,000 dollar repair estimate.
Now its been a while since I've worked in an auto repair shop and front wheel drive cars aren't my cup of tea, but it doesn't hurt to look and provide a sound judgement.
The body damage was reasonably minor and easy to take care of it was what was underneath that caused me to look a second and third time. Unibody construction and minor fender benders are one thing this was a substantial impact. The lower control arm for the steering was snapped in twain, the Macpherson strut bent, sway control rods snapped out of their sockets, steering rod bent, also it looked as if the engine and transaxle shifted as well although there was no obvious damage to the front of the vehicle. Still the front engine mount didn't sit square any longer. Now I'm up for most any mechanical challenge but not being overly familiar with front wheel drive vehicles I took a second look. Using a good straight edge of a four foot level I placed the on the front braces and supports across the car. I was looking to see if there was deviations in the brackets supporting the suspension and there appeared to be some. While steel will bend and cast iron will break, aluminium even castings have some flex before breaking but is still very rigid. I can only surmise that the steel the aluminium was bolted too had flexed as well.
My best advise was to try to divest yourself of emotional attachment to the vehicle check the Kelly Blue Book values base on before the accident condition both for high quality and good quality and then relook at the repair estimates from certified shops. I felt the work needed was beyond my meager skills as a wrench turner. With quite a few hours of dissasembly being required to facilitate repairs. Also I was worried about the shaft seals for the axle outputs. With the type of hit the car took those would probably need replacing as well. It litterally shattered the factory aluminium wheel on the side that struck. Again signs of a substantial impact to a vehicel that is designed to collapse to protect its occupants, even with out airbag activation.
Still Its Friday! and living is easy, for today I took a day off from my marathon training. Why yes there are days i don't run so that the biomechanical machine of my body canhave some time to recover from exertions. And exert it I did on Thursday afternoon with a 22 mile training run in 4 hours and 33 minutes followed by a 15 minute, 1/2 mile cool down walk. Still my total time was much shorter than I desired for training purposes. But I am confidant I will be able to complete the marathon in about 5&1/2 hours.
As for the conditions of the run on Thursday, I was a bit surprised. All summer long I had been dealing with warm humid conditions, yesterday afternoon the temps were in the lower 60's with a moderate west wind. While I was sweating, I wasn't watering the roadway in sweat for it was evaporating at a good rate and my running apparel was staying fairly dry all considered. Yes I had white salt stains on the strps and body of my Camel Back /hydro pack and black shorts. But my running shoes were not squishing with sodden socks, orthotics and liner. While I was somewhat tired at the end of the run I didn't feel spent and was even able to head out in the evening for a few beers.
Yes, I caught part of the Biden/Palin debate while out for the beer, but it wasn't as deep in issues on opening as I had hoped.
still I called it a reasonably early night returning home at 9:45PM to hit the hay.
As for tomorrow, I need to check my calendar, I think there is a 10K race nearby on Saturday, I can go to and harrass the people running in it as well. I've a Snowball's chance of surviving the Simpsons of winning my age group, but hey its a diverson for me as well. Especially when the guys younger than me are puking their guts out wondering how I'm keeping up. hehehe.
Safe weekend everyone,
Q
Now its been a while since I've worked in an auto repair shop and front wheel drive cars aren't my cup of tea, but it doesn't hurt to look and provide a sound judgement.
The body damage was reasonably minor and easy to take care of it was what was underneath that caused me to look a second and third time. Unibody construction and minor fender benders are one thing this was a substantial impact. The lower control arm for the steering was snapped in twain, the Macpherson strut bent, sway control rods snapped out of their sockets, steering rod bent, also it looked as if the engine and transaxle shifted as well although there was no obvious damage to the front of the vehicle. Still the front engine mount didn't sit square any longer. Now I'm up for most any mechanical challenge but not being overly familiar with front wheel drive vehicles I took a second look. Using a good straight edge of a four foot level I placed the on the front braces and supports across the car. I was looking to see if there was deviations in the brackets supporting the suspension and there appeared to be some. While steel will bend and cast iron will break, aluminium even castings have some flex before breaking but is still very rigid. I can only surmise that the steel the aluminium was bolted too had flexed as well.
My best advise was to try to divest yourself of emotional attachment to the vehicle check the Kelly Blue Book values base on before the accident condition both for high quality and good quality and then relook at the repair estimates from certified shops. I felt the work needed was beyond my meager skills as a wrench turner. With quite a few hours of dissasembly being required to facilitate repairs. Also I was worried about the shaft seals for the axle outputs. With the type of hit the car took those would probably need replacing as well. It litterally shattered the factory aluminium wheel on the side that struck. Again signs of a substantial impact to a vehicel that is designed to collapse to protect its occupants, even with out airbag activation.
Still Its Friday! and living is easy, for today I took a day off from my marathon training. Why yes there are days i don't run so that the biomechanical machine of my body canhave some time to recover from exertions. And exert it I did on Thursday afternoon with a 22 mile training run in 4 hours and 33 minutes followed by a 15 minute, 1/2 mile cool down walk. Still my total time was much shorter than I desired for training purposes. But I am confidant I will be able to complete the marathon in about 5&1/2 hours.
As for the conditions of the run on Thursday, I was a bit surprised. All summer long I had been dealing with warm humid conditions, yesterday afternoon the temps were in the lower 60's with a moderate west wind. While I was sweating, I wasn't watering the roadway in sweat for it was evaporating at a good rate and my running apparel was staying fairly dry all considered. Yes I had white salt stains on the strps and body of my Camel Back /hydro pack and black shorts. But my running shoes were not squishing with sodden socks, orthotics and liner. While I was somewhat tired at the end of the run I didn't feel spent and was even able to head out in the evening for a few beers.
Yes, I caught part of the Biden/Palin debate while out for the beer, but it wasn't as deep in issues on opening as I had hoped.
still I called it a reasonably early night returning home at 9:45PM to hit the hay.
As for tomorrow, I need to check my calendar, I think there is a 10K race nearby on Saturday, I can go to and harrass the people running in it as well. I've a Snowball's chance of surviving the Simpsons of winning my age group, but hey its a diverson for me as well. Especially when the guys younger than me are puking their guts out wondering how I'm keeping up. hehehe.
Safe weekend everyone,
Q
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Braking the Cycle Photos, Gettysburg to Manhattan.
More pictures to come, Garrison and G'burg make up the current lot. Members of Team Guinan and the start of the ride.
I've learned a few things about myself over the past weekend.
I still steriotype people and I am slow to acknowledge things I find confusing to my self and the way I was brought up.
Not charitable or admirable traits, but still part of who I am.
I find some aspects concerning public displays of affection troublesome to view. I'm still not comfortable viewing it, but I've come to realize it is with affection for each other that it is performed.
I've found no problem lending a hand and helping out those who need it, and that would almost seem contraditory to the distance I keep between my self and others.
I still laugh at objectionable things, I truely was of two minds at one point; Partly because the concept was morbidly funny, and partially because I had to document and file a report concerning a similar incident as was being joked about, years ago while in the military.
What I've done and how I've learned has shaped who I am and how I respond to many things; This I know. But surprisingly even with as narrow and conservative a view in which I hold things, I find that given time to watch, talk to and interact with others regardless of our differing backgrounds and view points, we can still find a common ground.
I probably haven't expressed the true depth of my appreciation for those who've really made the Braking the Cycle Bicycle Ride memorable and fulfilling. And I probably can not do so adequately. But to all the people involved from the LGBT Center in NYC to Team Guinan; Thank you all so very much.
Q
Not charitable or admirable traits, but still part of who I am.
I find some aspects concerning public displays of affection troublesome to view. I'm still not comfortable viewing it, but I've come to realize it is with affection for each other that it is performed.
I've found no problem lending a hand and helping out those who need it, and that would almost seem contraditory to the distance I keep between my self and others.
I still laugh at objectionable things, I truely was of two minds at one point; Partly because the concept was morbidly funny, and partially because I had to document and file a report concerning a similar incident as was being joked about, years ago while in the military.
What I've done and how I've learned has shaped who I am and how I respond to many things; This I know. But surprisingly even with as narrow and conservative a view in which I hold things, I find that given time to watch, talk to and interact with others regardless of our differing backgrounds and view points, we can still find a common ground.
I probably haven't expressed the true depth of my appreciation for those who've really made the Braking the Cycle Bicycle Ride memorable and fulfilling. And I probably can not do so adequately. But to all the people involved from the LGBT Center in NYC to Team Guinan; Thank you all so very much.
Q
Of vans, bicycles, roads and bicycles & still running.
OK, so I listed bicycles twice, yes I know it is redundant; That describes the better part of this past week & weekend.
T'was Tuesday evening that this story begins. Ah it was a common evening nothing to suggest an adventure was soon to begin. The weather was moderate, I was relaxing after having had a spaghetti & clam sauce dinner in expectation of a 16 mile jog on Wednesday morning when I recieved a phone call.
Not the ordinary call I would get from one of my brothers. This was a request for assistance. Hey I'm retired I don't need to aid anyone anymore, Right? Wrong! Its my nature to help folks (even if they don't want it)
Arrrgggh Twas but Captain Dean of the good vessel vessel 'She Storm' and the crew of TEAM GUINAN was hard aground and in desperate condition. They were left high and dry without out a Pilot, Navigator and Support Crew. Since I was in need of a small adventure, possibly some excitement and the final fact being I can't say NO to the mission they were in support of the only answer I could provide was Yes, i can and would aid the crew of Team Guinan. The quickness of the yes response and without hesitation so rattled Capt'n Dean he asked a second time and was repeated to the same response.
So what was the mission and purpose of TEAM GUINAN; that was so important it got me to alter, not stop my training for the Marine Corps Marathon? They too were embarked on a similar mission and were upholding the legacy of John Guinan who passed on this past year in raising funds to help stop the disease of HIV-AIDS. John died of an aggressive Brain Cancer and he was a fund raiser and rider for Braking the Cycle in memory of his Brother In Law. John was a person who would help others and never ask for anything in return. So when the request was made, I could not in good conscience refuse. Thus my contribution to TEAM GUINAN's ride from Gettysburg, PA. to Manhattan, NY. was begun. Not with a desperate yell in the storm of the night, but with a simple appeal, which I would not deny.
So Wednesday morning I went for my 16 mile run, starting at 05:00 in the morning and finishing three hours later. The hills are alive with the sound of running Ahem yeah right. Actually cue up the MP3 Player turn on the head lamp and orange light cone and run on. Out along Main St, left on Satterlee, up to Roe Park and along the backside, up to Mearns Ave, left on to Mountain Ave, Straight along 9W, Right onto 218 alongside the Golf Course to just past the State Highway Garage, Reverse Course and out and up Route 293 past the ranges, past Fire Station 3, past Long Pond, starting down hill towards Fire Break 15 & the Snake Pit but reversing course before reaching there and heading back to West Point. In through Washington Gate, down to Central Area; Washington, Cullum, Jefferson, Thayer Road, out Thayer Gate along Main St and back to home. All in 3 hours and 3 minutes of running time.
Thursday Morning as rest day from my previous day but no day of total inactivity. For I meet with Team Guinan and depart from Garrison, NY. for Gettysburg PA. And thus begins the adventures and misadventures.
The drive and ride down to Harrisburg, PA. was for the most part uneventful. Yes Team Guinan was in mixed emotions concerning their upcoming physical challenge. But good spirits pervaded overall. and again the ride was mostly uneventfull till I passed the exit I was looking for. OK Chris stepped up to the plate and started acting as Navigator as we meandered through the Pennsylvanian Country side down to Gettysburg. Actually there were times I was less than cheerful about this portion of the adventure of mis-adventure. Still we had time to relax and arrive in Gettysburg for the inprocessing of riders and claiming of accomodations.
Chris, Dean and I spent the first night in the Colton Motel in Gettysburg, a older facility well past the prime of its youth but mostly clean and with working facilities. Which brings us onto Friday Morning.
Hot water in the shower and clean towels Wooohoooo!. Yet, I'm also training to run in a marathon and since the previous day was spent lounging upon the front left seat of a van resplently decorated with team bicycles I was in need of a good morning run. So out I go off into the Battle Field of Gettyburg in the early morning mist well before dawn. On my return to the Motel, I was able to say Good Morning to the crew setting up the start point for the day's ride in my own unique way. They never saw me coming. Bwahaha, but when I left the road crew knew Team Guinan would ride that day.
Yet for all my ability to follow direction, limited though that may be, I was able to find the first rest point aka Oasis and follow the riders from there. Now this is my first time ever providing support for an operation like this so I'm bound to make mistakes, Picking up riders who's bike were disabled and failing to notify dispatch of the pick up, but at least I deposited the temporay charges safely at the Oasies when that occured.
That night I shared a room with a crew member for another team and sleep was welcomed. The riders rode less mileage overall than I drove.
Saturday morning; Wet, humid, damp, warm, dark and a full half hour run through and around a Golf Course next to the Lancaster House Motel. Followed by breakfast loading the Team's personal effects into the van and begining the day's chase. As you can see from my run description the day was pretty much a raw one. Team Guinan was riding into the wind, mist, rain & wind. Well I did what I could to assist them and the first chance I could I broke course and grabbed some lip balm and skin cream for their faces. The wind burn looked bad on them and they really did need the coverage.
I picked up a couple of sagging riders through the day and delivered them safely to the Oasies. but the day was fairly much uneventful.
The strange thing about Saturday was I saw near our route black arrows on a yellow background very similar to the ones Braking the Cycle was employing for direction. Curiousity being a deathly diversion, me I had to go look and see if it was in fact part of our ride. It wasn't there were only a few clues that it was another course near our own. the shape of the arrows were different and no warning signage as the braking the cycle crew was placing out as well. But still it was a very good thing that I decided to check out what I had initially though was part of our road course as I found a rider from another team who made the same mistake and had followed the course much further along before deciding to ride back
Saturday Night I'm provided accomdations in a seperate Motel from Team Guinan which was a blessing too and true.
As I recieved the quieter of billets. Team Guinan was staying at the Holiday Inn, 1/2 mile away where a wedding reception was in progress along with drunken revelry and wandering drunks in the halls and sobbing drunks in the halls. Me I slept blissfully till my alarm clock sounded at 04:30. Hey I needed to be ready to support my riders.
Sunday, and into deepest darkest New Jersey. Now Jersey isn't the greatest or safest of places to ride or drive. The roads are shoddily marked the drivers uncouth and the right of way laws need updating. But there are nice parts of Jersey too unfortunately they are in New Jersey with idiots, imbeciles and morons who have no clue how to drive safely. I hate the urban areas of Jersey with a passion. And leaving jersey for Manhattan was a pleasure beyond relief.
So Jersey Rt3 to the Lincoln Tunnel then down town to 14th street east to where I can swing around onto 13th street just the otherside of 6th Ave (aka Ave of the Americas) where I find a parking garage. Walk the two blocks over between 7th & 8th Aves where I meet with Mary Jane and Margaret Guinan to await the return of our bicyclists. The LGBT Center on 13th is a older building and a community outreach center. Its not the type of place I would usually go and seek on my own, still the people there were friendly and supportive.
About 3 hours after I arrive in Manhattan, I go and recover the van, park near the LGBT Center I also assist their folks with off and onloading of equipment for cleaning a preparation for the following year's ride.
In all honesty even though there where times I felt aggrivated and stressed; I felt pretty good overall about what I was doing and am very willing to do it all again.
The only inceidents of note on the last day where when the lost rider I found introduced me to his mother; I trheatened to beat Capt'n Dean when I almost missed a turn on the Palisades PKWY; greased a O'possum with the Team Van, sorry about that Christine; and dinner at Chistine's home thanks to Mary Ellen, Tony, Ed.
Those were 4 difficult but not unduly hard days. But hey Monday did come and I went for a training run of 9&1/2 miles over the top of West Point, got my wallet and ID back from christine after leaving it in her van, did some laundry and practiced my bagpiping up around Round Pond.
Tuesday Morning a 3&1/3 mile run, Bagpipe practice with Joe Brady Sr. run over to Middletown NY to get my new running shoes from Frank's Shoe Fitting and a few beers at the South Gate Tavern in Highland Falls, NY.
And hey did I ever say I'm training to run in a marathon as a fund raising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?
Have a good and safe week everyone.
I'm gonna try to publich this blog before I go for another run today.
Q.
T'was Tuesday evening that this story begins. Ah it was a common evening nothing to suggest an adventure was soon to begin. The weather was moderate, I was relaxing after having had a spaghetti & clam sauce dinner in expectation of a 16 mile jog on Wednesday morning when I recieved a phone call.
Not the ordinary call I would get from one of my brothers. This was a request for assistance. Hey I'm retired I don't need to aid anyone anymore, Right? Wrong! Its my nature to help folks (even if they don't want it)
Arrrgggh Twas but Captain Dean of the good vessel vessel 'She Storm' and the crew of TEAM GUINAN was hard aground and in desperate condition. They were left high and dry without out a Pilot, Navigator and Support Crew. Since I was in need of a small adventure, possibly some excitement and the final fact being I can't say NO to the mission they were in support of the only answer I could provide was Yes, i can and would aid the crew of Team Guinan. The quickness of the yes response and without hesitation so rattled Capt'n Dean he asked a second time and was repeated to the same response.
So what was the mission and purpose of TEAM GUINAN; that was so important it got me to alter, not stop my training for the Marine Corps Marathon? They too were embarked on a similar mission and were upholding the legacy of John Guinan who passed on this past year in raising funds to help stop the disease of HIV-AIDS. John died of an aggressive Brain Cancer and he was a fund raiser and rider for Braking the Cycle in memory of his Brother In Law. John was a person who would help others and never ask for anything in return. So when the request was made, I could not in good conscience refuse. Thus my contribution to TEAM GUINAN's ride from Gettysburg, PA. to Manhattan, NY. was begun. Not with a desperate yell in the storm of the night, but with a simple appeal, which I would not deny.
So Wednesday morning I went for my 16 mile run, starting at 05:00 in the morning and finishing three hours later. The hills are alive with the sound of running Ahem yeah right. Actually cue up the MP3 Player turn on the head lamp and orange light cone and run on. Out along Main St, left on Satterlee, up to Roe Park and along the backside, up to Mearns Ave, left on to Mountain Ave, Straight along 9W, Right onto 218 alongside the Golf Course to just past the State Highway Garage, Reverse Course and out and up Route 293 past the ranges, past Fire Station 3, past Long Pond, starting down hill towards Fire Break 15 & the Snake Pit but reversing course before reaching there and heading back to West Point. In through Washington Gate, down to Central Area; Washington, Cullum, Jefferson, Thayer Road, out Thayer Gate along Main St and back to home. All in 3 hours and 3 minutes of running time.
Thursday Morning as rest day from my previous day but no day of total inactivity. For I meet with Team Guinan and depart from Garrison, NY. for Gettysburg PA. And thus begins the adventures and misadventures.
The drive and ride down to Harrisburg, PA. was for the most part uneventful. Yes Team Guinan was in mixed emotions concerning their upcoming physical challenge. But good spirits pervaded overall. and again the ride was mostly uneventfull till I passed the exit I was looking for. OK Chris stepped up to the plate and started acting as Navigator as we meandered through the Pennsylvanian Country side down to Gettysburg. Actually there were times I was less than cheerful about this portion of the adventure of mis-adventure. Still we had time to relax and arrive in Gettysburg for the inprocessing of riders and claiming of accomodations.
Chris, Dean and I spent the first night in the Colton Motel in Gettysburg, a older facility well past the prime of its youth but mostly clean and with working facilities. Which brings us onto Friday Morning.
Hot water in the shower and clean towels Wooohoooo!. Yet, I'm also training to run in a marathon and since the previous day was spent lounging upon the front left seat of a van resplently decorated with team bicycles I was in need of a good morning run. So out I go off into the Battle Field of Gettyburg in the early morning mist well before dawn. On my return to the Motel, I was able to say Good Morning to the crew setting up the start point for the day's ride in my own unique way. They never saw me coming. Bwahaha, but when I left the road crew knew Team Guinan would ride that day.
Yet for all my ability to follow direction, limited though that may be, I was able to find the first rest point aka Oasis and follow the riders from there. Now this is my first time ever providing support for an operation like this so I'm bound to make mistakes, Picking up riders who's bike were disabled and failing to notify dispatch of the pick up, but at least I deposited the temporay charges safely at the Oasies when that occured.
That night I shared a room with a crew member for another team and sleep was welcomed. The riders rode less mileage overall than I drove.
Saturday morning; Wet, humid, damp, warm, dark and a full half hour run through and around a Golf Course next to the Lancaster House Motel. Followed by breakfast loading the Team's personal effects into the van and begining the day's chase. As you can see from my run description the day was pretty much a raw one. Team Guinan was riding into the wind, mist, rain & wind. Well I did what I could to assist them and the first chance I could I broke course and grabbed some lip balm and skin cream for their faces. The wind burn looked bad on them and they really did need the coverage.
I picked up a couple of sagging riders through the day and delivered them safely to the Oasies. but the day was fairly much uneventful.
The strange thing about Saturday was I saw near our route black arrows on a yellow background very similar to the ones Braking the Cycle was employing for direction. Curiousity being a deathly diversion, me I had to go look and see if it was in fact part of our ride. It wasn't there were only a few clues that it was another course near our own. the shape of the arrows were different and no warning signage as the braking the cycle crew was placing out as well. But still it was a very good thing that I decided to check out what I had initially though was part of our road course as I found a rider from another team who made the same mistake and had followed the course much further along before deciding to ride back
Saturday Night I'm provided accomdations in a seperate Motel from Team Guinan which was a blessing too and true.
As I recieved the quieter of billets. Team Guinan was staying at the Holiday Inn, 1/2 mile away where a wedding reception was in progress along with drunken revelry and wandering drunks in the halls and sobbing drunks in the halls. Me I slept blissfully till my alarm clock sounded at 04:30. Hey I needed to be ready to support my riders.
Sunday, and into deepest darkest New Jersey. Now Jersey isn't the greatest or safest of places to ride or drive. The roads are shoddily marked the drivers uncouth and the right of way laws need updating. But there are nice parts of Jersey too unfortunately they are in New Jersey with idiots, imbeciles and morons who have no clue how to drive safely. I hate the urban areas of Jersey with a passion. And leaving jersey for Manhattan was a pleasure beyond relief.
So Jersey Rt3 to the Lincoln Tunnel then down town to 14th street east to where I can swing around onto 13th street just the otherside of 6th Ave (aka Ave of the Americas) where I find a parking garage. Walk the two blocks over between 7th & 8th Aves where I meet with Mary Jane and Margaret Guinan to await the return of our bicyclists. The LGBT Center on 13th is a older building and a community outreach center. Its not the type of place I would usually go and seek on my own, still the people there were friendly and supportive.
About 3 hours after I arrive in Manhattan, I go and recover the van, park near the LGBT Center I also assist their folks with off and onloading of equipment for cleaning a preparation for the following year's ride.
In all honesty even though there where times I felt aggrivated and stressed; I felt pretty good overall about what I was doing and am very willing to do it all again.
The only inceidents of note on the last day where when the lost rider I found introduced me to his mother; I trheatened to beat Capt'n Dean when I almost missed a turn on the Palisades PKWY; greased a O'possum with the Team Van, sorry about that Christine; and dinner at Chistine's home thanks to Mary Ellen, Tony, Ed.
Those were 4 difficult but not unduly hard days. But hey Monday did come and I went for a training run of 9&1/2 miles over the top of West Point, got my wallet and ID back from christine after leaving it in her van, did some laundry and practiced my bagpiping up around Round Pond.
Tuesday Morning a 3&1/3 mile run, Bagpipe practice with Joe Brady Sr. run over to Middletown NY to get my new running shoes from Frank's Shoe Fitting and a few beers at the South Gate Tavern in Highland Falls, NY.
And hey did I ever say I'm training to run in a marathon as a fund raising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?
Have a good and safe week everyone.
I'm gonna try to publich this blog before I go for another run today.
Q.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday Morning's Meandering Mindset.
Well the past few days have been busy, enjoyable, unenjoyable, real and surreal. Where and when to start today's entries might be difficult to pin down; the equivalent of nailing a jelly fish to a wall. It just isn't gonna stay where you put it.
Ok so I guess a chronological entry would work if I had remember to take proper notes. But as I'm relying upon memory, you may be in for a disjointed ramble of mis remembered thoughts and impression.
Thursday, 18 Sept, started with letting my landlady's prisoners (dogs) out for a few moments while I prepared them some food and fresh water. Fed them and chased them out side for a while. These dogs all seem to prefer remaining indoors and one is a puppy not yet fully house broken. Well after they are back in I'm off on a 3.3 mile run. Then after that its just a matter of preparing for the day and relaxing through it.
Friday, 19th, Did not run that day at all. Instead I traveled to my brother's home in Dutchess County and performed yard work with him pretty much all day. Got there shortly after 8AM (08:00) and depparted about 8PM (20:00). Burned a brush pile, cut back weeds, cut down a tree which was sectioned for firewood, threw weed cuttings and unusable sections of the tree onto the brush pile, picked up fallen limbs and branches added them to the brush pile. By 6PM (18:00) we had a mound of ash and coals nearly 3 feet (1 meter) in height and roughly 6 feet (2 Meters) across which would be producing a quantity of heat through the nigh. Decaying logs with a high moisture content take a long time to burn. Dinner was pizza about 7PM (19:00) and I departed just after 8PM (20:00) for home. Friday night arriving at was ominous. The land lady's front light was on car in the driveway and nobody home.
Saturday 20, I awoke to Opera, No not my radio set to a classical station. But my land lady entertaining her boyfriend. They were in full production of the Lustful Opera complete with horizontal rabbit dance, bed spring and bed bounce orchestral overtures and estactic arias. I couldn't get dressed and out fast enough. Went to Thomas Bull Park and partook of a 5K (3.1 mi) race finishing 39th overall in 26:13
As it was a warm & sunny day, and I was playing around having a fun time annoying the other runners, I'll be happy with my time. Hey, when you start running backwards and yell at the folks chasing they had better keep up with a Grandmother you had a hard time catching and passing, You know you aren't running seriously. Still I had fun filling out the forms and playing with the pencils on the group W bench too.
Still I did help one runner to finish in 27 minutes and he was hoping for a 29 minute finish so I guess I wasn't too unruly.
After the race I went to Frank's Shoe Fitting in Middletown NY. Now Frank is a current Guinness Book record holder for Transcontinetal runs of the lower 48. It looks as if this year his record shall be broken by a couple of folks who have run across the top of Africa through the Sahara Desert. He's also provided the guys currently making the attempt with some background as for how he did it and is supportive of their efforts and that is the type of person Frank is.
Saturday afternoon, home quick shower frsh clothes rinse out my running atire and hang out to dry and out I go for the day. Since its a FootBall Saturday on Campus, ARMY vs Akron, staying in the village is not a likely option so I head across the river. Cold Spring is a weekend tourist destination so up river to Beacon I go to a small hole in the wall bar. Plug for Sam Adams Lager, OK plug done. So I'm sitting at the bar and I hear a voice I recognize. I look down to the end and yes, some one I know who I haddn't seen in numerous moths. Open mouth make comment; Well I watched the jaw drop and light bulb come on on this one. Even the Bartender whom I've never met before is sratching his head thinking What the ____? But to make a long sory readable A fellow I know from another Bar and through my older brother was srpised as can be to see me and didn't recognize me. It might of been the sun glasses but probably the weight lost by training to run in a marathon.
Saturday night and thers a party going on to which I'm not a guest nor party of so back out to another bar. Met witha few folks from the WTU/Warrior Transition Unit assigned to West Point had a few stories with them purchesed them a Pithcer of beer and headed home hopefully to sleep.
Sunday Morning. Ahh quietude, nope. Commence the Opera, Oh well. check some e-mails and out the door with a change of clothes and off to Round Pond I go. Its a comfortable sunny morning and I run 6 laps around Round Pond. That makes for about 5 miles following which I go into the Camp Grounds bath house, Shower and next door to throw my stuff into the laundry. About noontime (12:00) my laundry is done and I've tooled around with some bagpiping items and am on my way to the service station to fuel my van grab some snacks and go over to Garrison NY.
The Garrison Yatch Club is hosting a small band, The Shanghie String Band; OK I'm not sure if that is the correct spelling but they are a good Blue Grass Sound. But prior to them performing I help Neil and another Yatch Club member set up for the performers. After set up and everthing is in place I practice with the Great Highland Bagpipes on the Garrison Docks for a bit and then put my pipes away I'm just a simple unpolished performer and I want to listen to the band as it is not perform with them.
Later in the Evening Captain Tom Whyte arrives with a WWII vintage PT Boat from Fleet Obsolete, Which has been repowere with 2 detroit diesels as opposed to the 3 Allison gasoline powered Aircraft Engines which it would have used in the 1940s Still it was a fun ride, and I'm impressed with how small the old surface combatant truely was.
Late into the evening I helped Neil put some items away and call it a night.
Monday Morning the 22nd of September; Opera Again at 5AM Oh well I guess I can always post in the Blog.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday's wanton self abuse, well run and weekly update.
Ah Wednesday, Hump Day, Mit Woche, the middle of the week; and whats a confirmed lunatic to do? well after going for a very early morning run and taking a mid morning nap its back to eating like a teenager. < I hear the dieticians screaming Clairese. >
Seriously I've ran starting at 04:00 local time for 22 miles in a total time of 4 hours and 32 minutes. Not world record speed but for a person who is preparing for a first marathon, I think its pretty good. But that wasn't my goal. I'm running the long distance too fast. My goal was to run for a time of 5 hours minimum. The problem is I've no sense of speed and time. I just go and go and go.
Well aside from my morning run and eating like a teenager what have I done? Hmmm loaded question there.
Monday, Sept 15th. I did a 13 mile run out to Fire Station 3 on Rt 293, back down hill into west Point through washington Gate, through central Area, the Village of Highland Falls and Back home. Then later on Monday a nice 125 mile motorcycle ride using only 2.3 gallons of fuel, made a couple of social calls, gave a personal thank you to a donor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (remember I'm doing the running as a fund raiser?) and returned home via a circuitous route running through Pine island and Warwick, NY. OK the ride may not of been neccessary but I needed a diversion. Then after I got home I let Sharon's (my landlady) Dogs out, fed them and watered them, while she's at work this week. They are low maintenance dogs and usually kept indoors; One is a rat with a PHD, another is a weasel and the third is a senile geriatic old fool of a dog. Well thats' monday.
Tuesday the 16th. Checked upon the mutts, let them out for a bit before putting them back in their room and heading down to peekskill for my weekly Bagpipe practice. After returning home I again let the mutts out of solitary confinement and looked upon the day. Also I didn't run on Tuesday, being a down day from my 13 mile effort on Monday and the possibility that I would abuse myself with a 20 to 22 mile effort on the 17th depending upon the weather report. Still not a bad day overall. Dinner in preparation for the 17th was Spaghetti with White Clam Suace, Parmesan chees, and gatoraid. I may of wanted a beer, but I didn't need to abuse my kidneys or liver before a extended run.
Wednesday 17 September. My alarm clock is set for 03:00 and I wake up at 02:30, OK the internal alarm is set fast no big deal. Morning abolutions, light breakfast, gatoraid and water, some stretching then out the door for a false start. Go back inside for my ID card for West Point then back out with a actual start time of 04:00.
Left on to Main st. Left on to Satterlee Rd. Right on to Cedar, left onto Villa Parkway, Around Roe Park and past Ruddy's house up onto Mearns Ave and follow that to Mountain Ave. Up Mountain Ave to 9W and past Eagle Valley Cemetary down to the junction of NY's 218 and 293. Left on 293 to 1 mile past the entrance of Fire Break 20 (about 200 meters past the 3.5 mile mark from firestation 3) turn around and head back to fire Station 3. where I stopped and refilled my Camel Back with Gatoraid powder (premeasured at home) and water shake and go. Left toward west Point's Washington Gate, right in the gate (2.5 miles from fire station3 and 5 miles from home) stop for a ID check and on down washington Rd, Cullum Rd, Jefferson Rd, Thayer Extension, Thayer Rd and out Thayer Gate onto Main St. in Highland Falls for the final mile & one half to home.
Stretched threw my sweaty nasty clothes in to the washer, Showered and time for Second breakfast consisting of (be ready to go eeewwwww) a bananna blended with milk and poured over a bowl of Raisun Bran. Let turn to mush and its like having a Raisun Bran & Bananna Pudding. After breakfast walk to the neighbors and get the key to my Landlady's home so I can let the 3 stooges out. They take care of their business I ensure they've got the minimum requirements for the day, return them to solitary confinement take a nap which brings me back to where I started today's entry.
So much for that exercise in circular writings.
Have a safe and easy day. I'll update in a few days. Who knows maybe I'll even run in the Montgomery NY 5K on Saturday the 20th.
Cheers & Prosit Alles!
Q
Seriously I've ran starting at 04:00 local time for 22 miles in a total time of 4 hours and 32 minutes. Not world record speed but for a person who is preparing for a first marathon, I think its pretty good. But that wasn't my goal. I'm running the long distance too fast. My goal was to run for a time of 5 hours minimum. The problem is I've no sense of speed and time. I just go and go and go.
Well aside from my morning run and eating like a teenager what have I done? Hmmm loaded question there.
Monday, Sept 15th. I did a 13 mile run out to Fire Station 3 on Rt 293, back down hill into west Point through washington Gate, through central Area, the Village of Highland Falls and Back home. Then later on Monday a nice 125 mile motorcycle ride using only 2.3 gallons of fuel, made a couple of social calls, gave a personal thank you to a donor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (remember I'm doing the running as a fund raiser?) and returned home via a circuitous route running through Pine island and Warwick, NY. OK the ride may not of been neccessary but I needed a diversion. Then after I got home I let Sharon's (my landlady) Dogs out, fed them and watered them, while she's at work this week. They are low maintenance dogs and usually kept indoors; One is a rat with a PHD, another is a weasel and the third is a senile geriatic old fool of a dog. Well thats' monday.
Tuesday the 16th. Checked upon the mutts, let them out for a bit before putting them back in their room and heading down to peekskill for my weekly Bagpipe practice. After returning home I again let the mutts out of solitary confinement and looked upon the day. Also I didn't run on Tuesday, being a down day from my 13 mile effort on Monday and the possibility that I would abuse myself with a 20 to 22 mile effort on the 17th depending upon the weather report. Still not a bad day overall. Dinner in preparation for the 17th was Spaghetti with White Clam Suace, Parmesan chees, and gatoraid. I may of wanted a beer, but I didn't need to abuse my kidneys or liver before a extended run.
Wednesday 17 September. My alarm clock is set for 03:00 and I wake up at 02:30, OK the internal alarm is set fast no big deal. Morning abolutions, light breakfast, gatoraid and water, some stretching then out the door for a false start. Go back inside for my ID card for West Point then back out with a actual start time of 04:00.
Left on to Main st. Left on to Satterlee Rd. Right on to Cedar, left onto Villa Parkway, Around Roe Park and past Ruddy's house up onto Mearns Ave and follow that to Mountain Ave. Up Mountain Ave to 9W and past Eagle Valley Cemetary down to the junction of NY's 218 and 293. Left on 293 to 1 mile past the entrance of Fire Break 20 (about 200 meters past the 3.5 mile mark from firestation 3) turn around and head back to fire Station 3. where I stopped and refilled my Camel Back with Gatoraid powder (premeasured at home) and water shake and go. Left toward west Point's Washington Gate, right in the gate (2.5 miles from fire station3 and 5 miles from home) stop for a ID check and on down washington Rd, Cullum Rd, Jefferson Rd, Thayer Extension, Thayer Rd and out Thayer Gate onto Main St. in Highland Falls for the final mile & one half to home.
Stretched threw my sweaty nasty clothes in to the washer, Showered and time for Second breakfast consisting of (be ready to go eeewwwww) a bananna blended with milk and poured over a bowl of Raisun Bran. Let turn to mush and its like having a Raisun Bran & Bananna Pudding. After breakfast walk to the neighbors and get the key to my Landlady's home so I can let the 3 stooges out. They take care of their business I ensure they've got the minimum requirements for the day, return them to solitary confinement take a nap which brings me back to where I started today's entry.
So much for that exercise in circular writings.
Have a safe and easy day. I'll update in a few days. Who knows maybe I'll even run in the Montgomery NY 5K on Saturday the 20th.
Cheers & Prosit Alles!
Q
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday segue into the new week
Well soon Sunday shall be over and for many its back to the same old grind. For me it shall be more miles. I've another 20 run to do sometime this week.
But as for today, just a few different things; went over to Carmel NY to partake in a 5K race. Only one of the volunteers to provide direction wasn't in place and about 1/2 mile was eliminated by the entire flock of runners. We prttty much knew something was wrong by the finishing run times. With the heat and humidity of the morning even with my best effort there was no way I would fininsh 3.1 miles in 21 minutes. Still many of us concluded the run was atleast 1/2 mile shy of the correct distance. So much for the First Dan K 5K.
Then this afternoon I fueled my van up. $65 for 1/2 tank, with the damage caused to the oil infrastructure in the south by Hurricane Ike the Bobble-Heads are predicting $5.00 a gallon in the coming weeks.
That was followed by a ride to popolopnen Lake where I practiced bagpiping for a while and then down to Woodbury, had 2 large beers at T.G.I.Fridays and their Pulled Pork BBQ Ravioli appetizers as a dinner. Then to Target for some stuff for Halloween a return trip ti Highland falls, one beer at the South Gate, a ride up to O'Neil High School and a mile &1/2 walk around the track before calling a night.
So that's it for today, It's crash time, good night and a safe week everyone.
Q
But as for today, just a few different things; went over to Carmel NY to partake in a 5K race. Only one of the volunteers to provide direction wasn't in place and about 1/2 mile was eliminated by the entire flock of runners. We prttty much knew something was wrong by the finishing run times. With the heat and humidity of the morning even with my best effort there was no way I would fininsh 3.1 miles in 21 minutes. Still many of us concluded the run was atleast 1/2 mile shy of the correct distance. So much for the First Dan K 5K.
Then this afternoon I fueled my van up. $65 for 1/2 tank, with the damage caused to the oil infrastructure in the south by Hurricane Ike the Bobble-Heads are predicting $5.00 a gallon in the coming weeks.
That was followed by a ride to popolopnen Lake where I practiced bagpiping for a while and then down to Woodbury, had 2 large beers at T.G.I.Fridays and their Pulled Pork BBQ Ravioli appetizers as a dinner. Then to Target for some stuff for Halloween a return trip ti Highland falls, one beer at the South Gate, a ride up to O'Neil High School and a mile &1/2 walk around the track before calling a night.
So that's it for today, It's crash time, good night and a safe week everyone.
Q
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The 13th day, are you worried? I'm not.
Comon who's afraid of the 13th day of the month come on raise your hands. Hell, just get up out of the burrows and accept the day. Either your gonna be the lucky Praire Dog the Hawk doesn't catch or you're gonna be road kill. Either way you can't hid from the date on the calendar.
Overly warm and humid this morning. Still I did an easy 3.3 mile run and had opprotunity to converse with another runner for a little bit. Later in the Morning I went to my younger brother's place; he did the preponderance of the work but we got the brake lights functional on his old plow jeep.
After that I came back home went grocery shopping for the week had dinner and then went for a 2&1/2 mile walk.
Now does anyone really think its OK to fly the U.S. Flag 24/7 365 a year without having it illuminated at night as called for in the US Flag Code? Apparently many people in the town of Highlands do. The Hacienda Restaurant and O'Niel High School being the two more blatantly unconcerned about the image they put out. Then there are all the Teachers, Students and Patrons of the establishments who never see whats wrong or even take a minimal action to correct it.
The U.S. flag at the Hacienda taco palace is now supported by the grommet at the top of the fly alone. As for O'Neil High School they fly the U.S. flag unlite 24/7 365 over the Foot Ball field. Well they did untill tonight. That flag now sits folded properly inside the shed behind the bleachers at the Football field. The faculty should find it there, but I wouldn't bet upon it as they never noticed it any other time when they should of.
So what about the 13th? any black cats cross your path, drop and break any mirrors, spill some salt? Don't worry its only superstitions. :)
Overly warm and humid this morning. Still I did an easy 3.3 mile run and had opprotunity to converse with another runner for a little bit. Later in the Morning I went to my younger brother's place; he did the preponderance of the work but we got the brake lights functional on his old plow jeep.
After that I came back home went grocery shopping for the week had dinner and then went for a 2&1/2 mile walk.
Now does anyone really think its OK to fly the U.S. Flag 24/7 365 a year without having it illuminated at night as called for in the US Flag Code? Apparently many people in the town of Highlands do. The Hacienda Restaurant and O'Niel High School being the two more blatantly unconcerned about the image they put out. Then there are all the Teachers, Students and Patrons of the establishments who never see whats wrong or even take a minimal action to correct it.
The U.S. flag at the Hacienda taco palace is now supported by the grommet at the top of the fly alone. As for O'Neil High School they fly the U.S. flag unlite 24/7 365 over the Foot Ball field. Well they did untill tonight. That flag now sits folded properly inside the shed behind the bleachers at the Football field. The faculty should find it there, but I wouldn't bet upon it as they never noticed it any other time when they should of.
So what about the 13th? any black cats cross your path, drop and break any mirrors, spill some salt? Don't worry its only superstitions. :)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday Morning (early day), a rant and some other commentaries.
Yes I do mean early, not for making a post but for starting my day. I been awake since about 04:00 local time.
Yesterday was the seven year aniversary of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on NYC, the Pentagon in Virginia, and the Airliner which crashed in Shanksville PA.
Muslim extremists some say, Whabbist taught extremist say others. Islamofascist another term yet used, and still very little from the Moderate Islamic population in dealing with murderous, treacherous, vile sub-human filth whose progenitors should be given retroactive abortions. If Islam is a faith of peace, why aren't there more peacable muslims?
I'm not proposing a glassing over of Mecca, although if some Radical Islamic factions don't de-escalate their positions I wouldn't shed a tear at this point if Medina, Mecca, Tehran, and areas (Pakistani tribal regions) providing support for Al-Qeada became self illuminating glass bottomed funeral pyres. Although the loss of life on the massive scale that would cause is unfathomable, it would ensure at least the likelyhood of extremist attacks on civilian populations is made more remote. As the more pressing concern would be how to contain the Nuclear Armageddon and care for survivors.
This attitude isn't callous indifference for human life. Its callous indifference for those who cheapen human life.
OK Rant is done on to other commentaries;
Today is friday September 12th, 6 weeks and 2 days remaining till the Marine Corps Marathon.
I'm still working on fund raising efforts for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through it's Team in Training Program. Still have to raise almost $1000,oo and am waiting for responses back from the various Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Posts which I've mailed letters off to. I hopefully will start seeing responses this week as many VFW posts shutter operations during the Summer Months of July and August.
Training for the Marathon is coming along well too. I've completed two, Twenty Mile runs. The First one on August 25th and the second one on September 5th. The second one was much easier and relaxed than the first one. Its funny; as for the first 20 mile run I completed that in 3 hours and 52 minutes and the second one in 4 hours and 2 minutes. Yet the second one wasn't as physically punishing as the first effort.
Aside from a slower overall pace the biggest difference was I listened to my choices of music on a MP3 player during my second run. No heavy metal or fast syncopated beats, lots of Folk Music, Celtic and Blue Grass inspired music as well.
As for today, I did a short run of 10 miles. Short relative to the 20 mile distances that is. Started at 05:00 and finished at 06:45. Ran along Main St. to Satterlee, back and around to Roe Park up to Mearns Ave, up to Mountain Ave and along 9W before heading east on 218 and into West Point at Washington Gate Along Washington & Cullum Roads to Jefferson left onto Thayer Mall (formerly Thayer Extension) on to Thayer Rd down to and around Buffalo Soldier Field on Swift Rd. Exiting Thayer Gate onto Main St in the Village of Highland Falls and another 1.65 miles back home. So a nice loop course with a not too insignificant a hill climb thrown in.
Well that pretty much sums up my training for the Marathon this week.
One other thing I did yesterday was go off to a State Park and practice a few tunes on my Bagpipes, As yesterday was September 11, Slow contemplative tunes and funerary aires seemed appropriate. Still the setting was peaceful the waters were protected from the breeze and calm, the clouds dappling the muting the vibrancy of the colors. Even the hikers across the pond from me paused and listened quietly while I practiced. No politicians, no speaches marking or commemorating the day, just a few simple tunes played to the best of my ability.
Have a safe day and weekend everyone.
Q
Yesterday was the seven year aniversary of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on NYC, the Pentagon in Virginia, and the Airliner which crashed in Shanksville PA.
Muslim extremists some say, Whabbist taught extremist say others. Islamofascist another term yet used, and still very little from the Moderate Islamic population in dealing with murderous, treacherous, vile sub-human filth whose progenitors should be given retroactive abortions. If Islam is a faith of peace, why aren't there more peacable muslims?
I'm not proposing a glassing over of Mecca, although if some Radical Islamic factions don't de-escalate their positions I wouldn't shed a tear at this point if Medina, Mecca, Tehran, and areas (Pakistani tribal regions) providing support for Al-Qeada became self illuminating glass bottomed funeral pyres. Although the loss of life on the massive scale that would cause is unfathomable, it would ensure at least the likelyhood of extremist attacks on civilian populations is made more remote. As the more pressing concern would be how to contain the Nuclear Armageddon and care for survivors.
This attitude isn't callous indifference for human life. Its callous indifference for those who cheapen human life.
OK Rant is done on to other commentaries;
Today is friday September 12th, 6 weeks and 2 days remaining till the Marine Corps Marathon.
I'm still working on fund raising efforts for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through it's Team in Training Program. Still have to raise almost $1000,oo and am waiting for responses back from the various Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Posts which I've mailed letters off to. I hopefully will start seeing responses this week as many VFW posts shutter operations during the Summer Months of July and August.
Training for the Marathon is coming along well too. I've completed two, Twenty Mile runs. The First one on August 25th and the second one on September 5th. The second one was much easier and relaxed than the first one. Its funny; as for the first 20 mile run I completed that in 3 hours and 52 minutes and the second one in 4 hours and 2 minutes. Yet the second one wasn't as physically punishing as the first effort.
Aside from a slower overall pace the biggest difference was I listened to my choices of music on a MP3 player during my second run. No heavy metal or fast syncopated beats, lots of Folk Music, Celtic and Blue Grass inspired music as well.
As for today, I did a short run of 10 miles. Short relative to the 20 mile distances that is. Started at 05:00 and finished at 06:45. Ran along Main St. to Satterlee, back and around to Roe Park up to Mearns Ave, up to Mountain Ave and along 9W before heading east on 218 and into West Point at Washington Gate Along Washington & Cullum Roads to Jefferson left onto Thayer Mall (formerly Thayer Extension) on to Thayer Rd down to and around Buffalo Soldier Field on Swift Rd. Exiting Thayer Gate onto Main St in the Village of Highland Falls and another 1.65 miles back home. So a nice loop course with a not too insignificant a hill climb thrown in.
Well that pretty much sums up my training for the Marathon this week.
One other thing I did yesterday was go off to a State Park and practice a few tunes on my Bagpipes, As yesterday was September 11, Slow contemplative tunes and funerary aires seemed appropriate. Still the setting was peaceful the waters were protected from the breeze and calm, the clouds dappling the muting the vibrancy of the colors. Even the hikers across the pond from me paused and listened quietly while I practiced. No politicians, no speaches marking or commemorating the day, just a few simple tunes played to the best of my ability.
Have a safe day and weekend everyone.
Q
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wednesday aka Hump Day
A h Wednesday, the middle of the normal work week and oft refered to as Hump Day. Well I sort of made it my Hump Day this week as well running wise. Still I'll start with Monday's meanderings and slide through the events.
Monday, after being out and about plus actively running through the weekend after the 20 mile effort on Friday became a slow easy day. I didn't go for any run, although I did go for a 7 mile walk.
As I went walking I was not too surprised by a stupid human trick I observed. Does anyone remember the old School Bus Safety Training and Slogans. Well many automobile drivers do but at least one school bus driver didn't. The driver of a bus either between or after his rounds and before returning his bus to the yard for the day was taking a break; I won't hold that against anyone. But lack of attention to detail should be held against people. The driver forgot to turn off his red flashing warning lights for the discharge of students when he exited his vehicle. Nor did he look back at his vehicle to check any conditions of it. OK so we now have a school bus stopped at the curb Red Flashers activated, Stop Sign panels deployed and traffic stopping at the start of the evening rush hour. Oh yeah, something to get the monday afternoon rush off right. So as I stated I was out walking, only this time I had my digital camera with me. Took three photos of the bus, one of which was a close up of the diver's side windshield clearly showing the lack of driver in the seat. I then went less than 1/8 mile to the bus company's office and suggested they needed to retrain their driver's. The bus company's response was less than commendable "the driver has 30 years experience" my response was even more to the point "I've driven school bus also, and that indicates a lack of awareness and responsibility on the driver's part". Needless to say I let it at that and the bus company shall be left to attend to its concerns; part of which should be retraining drivers.
Still I did complete my seven mile walk on monday with out further incident. I even picked up the parts needed to repair an old flag staff I have and set that about to proudly displaying old glory too.
Tuesday: did a easy 3&1/3 mile run before going down to bagpipe practice. The ride home was reasonably uneventful even during the Thunderstorm. There were a couple of awesome lightening strikes, but no strong winds, just heavy rain and some fog. Later on Tuesday afternoon I went down by the Hudson River just north of South dock on West Point and practiced my bagpiping for a bit before heading home via the local pharmacy. Its faster to run in there to grab a half gallon of milk than the supermarket.
Wednesday, Hump Day and Hump I did too! I went out for a modest run and was feeling good about myself. So instead of taking a route that would of done just 6 miles. I did an 11.7 mile route; One that took me over the top of West Point (once)and down to the Hudson River (twice) before returning me to my starting elevation. Total elevation change from Highest to lowest point 778 feet. My starting elevation 177 feet. So in a very real acceptance of the meaning I humped up over the hill down and back up.
So now I'm just updating the blog and listening to the birds outside before I make my next choice of actions for the day. Bicycle or walk; Bagpipes or practice chanter; Spaghetti w meat sauce or Hamburgers; Beer or wine. Oh decisions decisions.
Now to try and post related photos but I'll post this first.
Cheers,
Q
Monday, after being out and about plus actively running through the weekend after the 20 mile effort on Friday became a slow easy day. I didn't go for any run, although I did go for a 7 mile walk.
As I went walking I was not too surprised by a stupid human trick I observed. Does anyone remember the old School Bus Safety Training and Slogans. Well many automobile drivers do but at least one school bus driver didn't. The driver of a bus either between or after his rounds and before returning his bus to the yard for the day was taking a break; I won't hold that against anyone. But lack of attention to detail should be held against people. The driver forgot to turn off his red flashing warning lights for the discharge of students when he exited his vehicle. Nor did he look back at his vehicle to check any conditions of it. OK so we now have a school bus stopped at the curb Red Flashers activated, Stop Sign panels deployed and traffic stopping at the start of the evening rush hour. Oh yeah, something to get the monday afternoon rush off right. So as I stated I was out walking, only this time I had my digital camera with me. Took three photos of the bus, one of which was a close up of the diver's side windshield clearly showing the lack of driver in the seat. I then went less than 1/8 mile to the bus company's office and suggested they needed to retrain their driver's. The bus company's response was less than commendable "the driver has 30 years experience" my response was even more to the point "I've driven school bus also, and that indicates a lack of awareness and responsibility on the driver's part". Needless to say I let it at that and the bus company shall be left to attend to its concerns; part of which should be retraining drivers.
Still I did complete my seven mile walk on monday with out further incident. I even picked up the parts needed to repair an old flag staff I have and set that about to proudly displaying old glory too.
Tuesday: did a easy 3&1/3 mile run before going down to bagpipe practice. The ride home was reasonably uneventful even during the Thunderstorm. There were a couple of awesome lightening strikes, but no strong winds, just heavy rain and some fog. Later on Tuesday afternoon I went down by the Hudson River just north of South dock on West Point and practiced my bagpiping for a bit before heading home via the local pharmacy. Its faster to run in there to grab a half gallon of milk than the supermarket.
Wednesday, Hump Day and Hump I did too! I went out for a modest run and was feeling good about myself. So instead of taking a route that would of done just 6 miles. I did an 11.7 mile route; One that took me over the top of West Point (once)and down to the Hudson River (twice) before returning me to my starting elevation. Total elevation change from Highest to lowest point 778 feet. My starting elevation 177 feet. So in a very real acceptance of the meaning I humped up over the hill down and back up.
So now I'm just updating the blog and listening to the birds outside before I make my next choice of actions for the day. Bicycle or walk; Bagpipes or practice chanter; Spaghetti w meat sauce or Hamburgers; Beer or wine. Oh decisions decisions.
Now to try and post related photos but I'll post this first.
Cheers,
Q
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Just a simple update for Sunday.
Since my last entry was on Wednesday, I'll fillin what I remember for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and today.
Thursday was a slow easy day spent goofing on this computer, grocery shopping at the West Point comissary and maybe a run to the Rite Aid Pharmacy.
Actually i used my bicycle to go to the Commissary , for all that i purchased the basket on the handlebars was sufficent to carry. Yet, I've a couple of bags i can attach to carry a larder load. They shall be useful yet.
Friday, the 5th; Ran 20 miles in the morning anddid much better than the first time I ran that same distance. I didn't expend all my energy on the distance and completed the run in 4 hours, 2 minutes and 13 seconds. Whereas the last time which was the first time I ran 20 miles I collapsed from exhaustion this time I did not. Still I did a few things differently too. I ate a light breakfast before going out and started at 03:40 in the Morning. My first 20 mile effort, I started near 06:00 and finished 3 hoursand 51 minutes later when the Sun was high and the heat was climbing.
So all in all Friday the 5th was a good day. Also in the evening I headed to the Southgate to have a few pints of beer. A couple of reasons for that but the fact I wanted to social ize and have a few beers will suffice. Although there was another compelling reason to leave the apartment as well. I'm not fond of Opera.
Saturday, ran a slow 3 miles around the track, the heat and humidity prior to tropical Storm Hanna was rough. Still I looked as though I had gone swimming when done. 70 degrees, 76% relative humidity and doing so at 07:00 in the morning doesn't make a pleasurable run. I actually ran the air conditioner to dehumidify the apartment on saturday morning and again on Saturday night so I could sleep.
Still Saturday wasn't all running and relaxation. I had also gone to my younger brother's place and mucked about a bit on his jeeep. He's also got a nice garden going and its starting to produce a nice assortment of vegetables too.
Sunday the 7th. Ran 3 miles in the Am and then went to the Charles Ives Center in Danbury CT. for a days' recreation. The danbury AOH had put on their annual Irish fest this weekend from the 5th through the 7th. and I had a nice time there. sat in at the session tent played one tune badly on the pipes and then did an ok job with another tune. After that I just used the practice chanter to didle out a couple of tunes between sets. I don't really like to play in front of people as it is. I'm just a Hack Piper and would rather play for my own enjoyment.
Still I took the long way home tonight. and got in about 1/4 till 11 at night. Its now 11:44/23;44 PM as I type this out ant if it seems some what disjointed i can only blame it on being Tipsy. A nice glow but not quite a full bore drunk either. Still this week I need to practice sobriety for a few days and rest my liver. Not that I drink till I'm drunk. I've just been drinking beer too much lately and need to refrain for a bit.
Ah by the way did I mention that in addition to the B17 I saw earlier this week I also saw what I think was a B25 mitchell bomber as well on Wednesday? Someday when I see such a sight again I'll have my camera with me so that I may document it. Well regardless it was different seeing those old War Birds earlier this week.
Monday I may do a 10 mile run and make Tuesday my rest & recovery day. The reasoning behind that is due to Bagpipe practice on tuesday mornings. I seemto do much better if I haven't gone on a run before going to practice. Well that covers some of the stuff for now. There is more but its late and I need to sleep soon as well.
So good night everyone and have a safe upcoming week.
Q
Thursday was a slow easy day spent goofing on this computer, grocery shopping at the West Point comissary and maybe a run to the Rite Aid Pharmacy.
Actually i used my bicycle to go to the Commissary , for all that i purchased the basket on the handlebars was sufficent to carry. Yet, I've a couple of bags i can attach to carry a larder load. They shall be useful yet.
Friday, the 5th; Ran 20 miles in the morning anddid much better than the first time I ran that same distance. I didn't expend all my energy on the distance and completed the run in 4 hours, 2 minutes and 13 seconds. Whereas the last time which was the first time I ran 20 miles I collapsed from exhaustion this time I did not. Still I did a few things differently too. I ate a light breakfast before going out and started at 03:40 in the Morning. My first 20 mile effort, I started near 06:00 and finished 3 hoursand 51 minutes later when the Sun was high and the heat was climbing.
So all in all Friday the 5th was a good day. Also in the evening I headed to the Southgate to have a few pints of beer. A couple of reasons for that but the fact I wanted to social ize and have a few beers will suffice. Although there was another compelling reason to leave the apartment as well. I'm not fond of Opera.
Saturday, ran a slow 3 miles around the track, the heat and humidity prior to tropical Storm Hanna was rough. Still I looked as though I had gone swimming when done. 70 degrees, 76% relative humidity and doing so at 07:00 in the morning doesn't make a pleasurable run. I actually ran the air conditioner to dehumidify the apartment on saturday morning and again on Saturday night so I could sleep.
Still Saturday wasn't all running and relaxation. I had also gone to my younger brother's place and mucked about a bit on his jeeep. He's also got a nice garden going and its starting to produce a nice assortment of vegetables too.
Sunday the 7th. Ran 3 miles in the Am and then went to the Charles Ives Center in Danbury CT. for a days' recreation. The danbury AOH had put on their annual Irish fest this weekend from the 5th through the 7th. and I had a nice time there. sat in at the session tent played one tune badly on the pipes and then did an ok job with another tune. After that I just used the practice chanter to didle out a couple of tunes between sets. I don't really like to play in front of people as it is. I'm just a Hack Piper and would rather play for my own enjoyment.
Still I took the long way home tonight. and got in about 1/4 till 11 at night. Its now 11:44/23;44 PM as I type this out ant if it seems some what disjointed i can only blame it on being Tipsy. A nice glow but not quite a full bore drunk either. Still this week I need to practice sobriety for a few days and rest my liver. Not that I drink till I'm drunk. I've just been drinking beer too much lately and need to refrain for a bit.
Ah by the way did I mention that in addition to the B17 I saw earlier this week I also saw what I think was a B25 mitchell bomber as well on Wednesday? Someday when I see such a sight again I'll have my camera with me so that I may document it. Well regardless it was different seeing those old War Birds earlier this week.
Monday I may do a 10 mile run and make Tuesday my rest & recovery day. The reasoning behind that is due to Bagpipe practice on tuesday mornings. I seemto do much better if I haven't gone on a run before going to practice. Well that covers some of the stuff for now. There is more but its late and I need to sleep soon as well.
So good night everyone and have a safe upcoming week.
Q
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday's Travels and Wednesday's Walkabout.
Well that seems to be as good a title for this installment as any other I could conjure up. And as I go on some what accurate too.
Tuesday is a travel day for me, if only to the next city south and across the river and back. That is due to it being my normal day to practice Bagpiping with my instructor, Joe Brady Sr. He's good people with patience and tolerance for mangling of music. Well back to traveling, normally it takes about 30 minutes to get to Joes home from mine. Not that day, due to Monday having been a holiday there was more traffic than usual for a tuesday morning. Still I left home earlier than what I would normally and it still took me 50+ minutes to about 12 miles. Not a way to enjoyably start the day.
Well pipe practice is uneventful, I also am now the owner of a frame drum commonly called a Bodhran (pronounced; Bor'on rhymes with moron) so drumming practice has been added to my arsenal of annoying things to do.
After piping and drumming practice I'm off (yeah yeah I know the old line, "in more ways than one") to Danbury Connecticut; to my old Army Reserve Unit. Monthly lunch with the foggies. Well that and to deliver some items. Back in the 1990's While living in Pennsylvania I had decorated my living room with both a U.S. and Army Flag complet on flag staffs, golden fringe trim and spear point finals. Well since I'm dwelling in a small apartment and have a smaller duplicate set sized to my current space I didn't need such a large set and so donated them to the Reserve Unit for their use.
After that it was back over towards Brewster, NY just about a mile in from the CT. border to J&B's Bar-B-Que. Located on U.S.6 its pretty decent. Hey from me decent is high praise when describing food. Especially after years of Combatant Cuisine and Bachelor Chow.
Next stop on the day's agenda, back home to Highland Falls. Take the bike to the welder, and back home other jobs had come up of higher importance, meaning more income for the welder. Not a problem and back home I go.
Since I hadn't run in the morning, now it was time to run. Still 80 degrees farenheit at 17:00 (5PM) and do 5.51 miles from home up around the back corral at Morgan Farm down to Main st. to Thayer gate and back home. time for that run 58min, 54 sec. and after showering and putting away my goodies the day was fairly done.
Still, I did see one thing on Wednesday very few people will ever see in their lives. A true relic of America, something which defines how we came to be and very few are left in the world in working order. I saw a World War Two War Bird; A B17 Flying Fortess in flight south bound over the Hudson valley. I saw it fleetingly a few moments really but long enough to know the shape and outline of a regal piece of human operated history.
Wednesday's Walkabout; Some days I need to do something different to change how the week progresses and my view of the local world. Today was one of those days. I slept later than normal only because I can, that and I was also considering making a rest day before my next attempt at another 20 mile run. Gack.
Needless to say I didn't rest. Oh I goofed off and burned the morning but I also went for a walk-about. Over the course of 4 hours I felt as if I had covered 10 to 12miles. Wrong, only 8 and a half miles. starting at 11:00 I started walking. Up Morgan farm road to Fire break 8. Walked to the top of 8 and down the otherside to Fire Break 1. Turned left on 1 and walked to Mine Torn Road. Turned left on Mine Torn rd and down to Ft Montgomery. Got to U.S. 9W crossed the road turned, thats right left, back towards Old State Rd. Turned right, I can't always go left, on Old State rd and followed to Rt 218/Main st where I turned left the final time before my last right and home.
Aside from the wretched heat of an early September day the views of the Hudson valley were rather nice. Also the hollow where Stilwell Lake and Mine Torn road runs down through. and looking up at the Torn & Bear Mountain. photos of which should be found in my first installments of the Blog.
Now you'd think in the middle of the day you wouldn't see large animals in trafficed areas. Well you do, and deer are every where. But today I saw Bambi's dumber cousin, you know the type, the one all the other deer probably refer to as Road Kill Bill.
I honestly can say I've never seen a deer trip over a guard rail and fall down a hill before today. Today I saw that and heard the guard rail ring like a badly crafted bell. That made me laugh out loud and spook the other dear which faired much better.
Now my final bit for the day and I'll close the Blog and go to bed. Ran the same course today as I did yesterday; and even with all the walking I did earlier today, my time was consistent with yesteday's run. just one second faster.Still 14.11 miles of movement today was enough and now dinner is done, i'm done and its off to bed I totter.
Good night all.
Q
Tuesday is a travel day for me, if only to the next city south and across the river and back. That is due to it being my normal day to practice Bagpiping with my instructor, Joe Brady Sr. He's good people with patience and tolerance for mangling of music. Well back to traveling, normally it takes about 30 minutes to get to Joes home from mine. Not that day, due to Monday having been a holiday there was more traffic than usual for a tuesday morning. Still I left home earlier than what I would normally and it still took me 50+ minutes to about 12 miles. Not a way to enjoyably start the day.
Well pipe practice is uneventful, I also am now the owner of a frame drum commonly called a Bodhran (pronounced; Bor'on rhymes with moron) so drumming practice has been added to my arsenal of annoying things to do.
After piping and drumming practice I'm off (yeah yeah I know the old line, "in more ways than one") to Danbury Connecticut; to my old Army Reserve Unit. Monthly lunch with the foggies. Well that and to deliver some items. Back in the 1990's While living in Pennsylvania I had decorated my living room with both a U.S. and Army Flag complet on flag staffs, golden fringe trim and spear point finals. Well since I'm dwelling in a small apartment and have a smaller duplicate set sized to my current space I didn't need such a large set and so donated them to the Reserve Unit for their use.
After that it was back over towards Brewster, NY just about a mile in from the CT. border to J&B's Bar-B-Que. Located on U.S.6 its pretty decent. Hey from me decent is high praise when describing food. Especially after years of Combatant Cuisine and Bachelor Chow.
Next stop on the day's agenda, back home to Highland Falls. Take the bike to the welder, and back home other jobs had come up of higher importance, meaning more income for the welder. Not a problem and back home I go.
Since I hadn't run in the morning, now it was time to run. Still 80 degrees farenheit at 17:00 (5PM) and do 5.51 miles from home up around the back corral at Morgan Farm down to Main st. to Thayer gate and back home. time for that run 58min, 54 sec. and after showering and putting away my goodies the day was fairly done.
Still, I did see one thing on Wednesday very few people will ever see in their lives. A true relic of America, something which defines how we came to be and very few are left in the world in working order. I saw a World War Two War Bird; A B17 Flying Fortess in flight south bound over the Hudson valley. I saw it fleetingly a few moments really but long enough to know the shape and outline of a regal piece of human operated history.
Wednesday's Walkabout; Some days I need to do something different to change how the week progresses and my view of the local world. Today was one of those days. I slept later than normal only because I can, that and I was also considering making a rest day before my next attempt at another 20 mile run. Gack.
Needless to say I didn't rest. Oh I goofed off and burned the morning but I also went for a walk-about. Over the course of 4 hours I felt as if I had covered 10 to 12miles. Wrong, only 8 and a half miles. starting at 11:00 I started walking. Up Morgan farm road to Fire break 8. Walked to the top of 8 and down the otherside to Fire Break 1. Turned left on 1 and walked to Mine Torn Road. Turned left on Mine Torn rd and down to Ft Montgomery. Got to U.S. 9W crossed the road turned, thats right left, back towards Old State Rd. Turned right, I can't always go left, on Old State rd and followed to Rt 218/Main st where I turned left the final time before my last right and home.
Aside from the wretched heat of an early September day the views of the Hudson valley were rather nice. Also the hollow where Stilwell Lake and Mine Torn road runs down through. and looking up at the Torn & Bear Mountain. photos of which should be found in my first installments of the Blog.
Now you'd think in the middle of the day you wouldn't see large animals in trafficed areas. Well you do, and deer are every where. But today I saw Bambi's dumber cousin, you know the type, the one all the other deer probably refer to as Road Kill Bill.
I honestly can say I've never seen a deer trip over a guard rail and fall down a hill before today. Today I saw that and heard the guard rail ring like a badly crafted bell. That made me laugh out loud and spook the other dear which faired much better.
Now my final bit for the day and I'll close the Blog and go to bed. Ran the same course today as I did yesterday; and even with all the walking I did earlier today, my time was consistent with yesteday's run. just one second faster.Still 14.11 miles of movement today was enough and now dinner is done, i'm done and its off to bed I totter.
Good night all.
Q
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Day, Sept First.
Well, I haven't been here since Friday, Augut 29th, so I guess some fill in is in order.
Still running and preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon. Some days I feel like the prep work is all consuming although I know it isn't. Still that more that not seems to be a focal point of what I've been doing, and I know I'm more than that.
Friday night was the West Point Home opener for Foot Ball Season. I stopped at a local watering hole and saw a person I've know for years but again doesn't live locally and stopped & chatted him and his significant other up. I had been out just screwing around and walked in wearing one of my Kilts. Funny the reaction I get sometimes when people realize I'm wearing basicly a man's skirt. Still I had my bagpipes out in the van and those where what I was screwing around with.
Saturday, became a rest day and I did not run a lick. Went up to Popolopen Lake though and practiced my bagpiping for a while befor heading to a local watering hole for a few more beers and then heading home for the night.
Sunday, was a good morning to run and I did 7 miles. Later on Sunday I took the motorcycle out for a joyride and ended up in Cold Spring, NY followed by a run down to Garrison. Garrison was nice in that I reconnected with a few guys from Guinnan's Pub/Store even though now its only a foot note in the history of the area. Quiet Bill turned 49 and there was a small B day party for hime. I already had my beer limit for the day but did allow myself a single glass of champagnie. Bill, Tony Y and Niel were there , one of the things we also did that evening was manhand Neil's boat into a slip, as he came in at low tide and didn't have clearance to enter his usual slip. So all said and done a good evening.
Today, Labor Day, 1 Sept, 2008. I started with a 12 mile run from home along main st to Thayer Gate, through West Point out Washington Gate up to the Golf Course entrance and returned along the same route. Later in the morning I again donned my Kilt and headed down to Tuxedo NY for the Ren fair again. Although it was a rather warm day it wasn't overly offensive. But still the heat did get to me and I and my older brother departed the grounds about 5:30 PM (17:30 hrs).
While at the Ren Faire We took in a few different shows, The Dexter Tripp Thrill show, The gentleman who performs juggles a chain saw, that does have a functional cutting chain and it runs while he's juggling it. Plays with Fire and performs on the Slack Rope, similar in concept to a tight rope but different. Also watch a trio perform blowing Fire balls, a couple of musical acts and a small troupe of actors making a mockery of the Ren Faire and them selves. All & all a pleasant experience.
Well that should pretty much cover the fun stuff. The less than fun well, what can I say. My Mother and father live on the Gulf Coast and watching the forecasted track of Hurricane Gustav a prudent person would consider adjusting appointments and evacuation. Well My Father is stubborn enough to make me seem like the most pliable person on the planet. He wasn't leaving this time as he's got a Doctor's appointment on tuesday the 2nd of Sept. Not that he would make a phone call to the office to see if the Doctor and Staff are making emergency preparations and plans. Well I'll give em a call in a little bit and check up upon them but hopefully they'll just get the rains and no severe winds. A telephone call to them will be in order shortly and I find out how they are making out.
Thats pretty much it for now, I hope everone has had a safe and easy labor Day weekend. No traumas and dramas; Still have a easy night and safe week.
Q
Still running and preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon. Some days I feel like the prep work is all consuming although I know it isn't. Still that more that not seems to be a focal point of what I've been doing, and I know I'm more than that.
Friday night was the West Point Home opener for Foot Ball Season. I stopped at a local watering hole and saw a person I've know for years but again doesn't live locally and stopped & chatted him and his significant other up. I had been out just screwing around and walked in wearing one of my Kilts. Funny the reaction I get sometimes when people realize I'm wearing basicly a man's skirt. Still I had my bagpipes out in the van and those where what I was screwing around with.
Saturday, became a rest day and I did not run a lick. Went up to Popolopen Lake though and practiced my bagpiping for a while befor heading to a local watering hole for a few more beers and then heading home for the night.
Sunday, was a good morning to run and I did 7 miles. Later on Sunday I took the motorcycle out for a joyride and ended up in Cold Spring, NY followed by a run down to Garrison. Garrison was nice in that I reconnected with a few guys from Guinnan's Pub/Store even though now its only a foot note in the history of the area. Quiet Bill turned 49 and there was a small B day party for hime. I already had my beer limit for the day but did allow myself a single glass of champagnie. Bill, Tony Y and Niel were there , one of the things we also did that evening was manhand Neil's boat into a slip, as he came in at low tide and didn't have clearance to enter his usual slip. So all said and done a good evening.
Today, Labor Day, 1 Sept, 2008. I started with a 12 mile run from home along main st to Thayer Gate, through West Point out Washington Gate up to the Golf Course entrance and returned along the same route. Later in the morning I again donned my Kilt and headed down to Tuxedo NY for the Ren fair again. Although it was a rather warm day it wasn't overly offensive. But still the heat did get to me and I and my older brother departed the grounds about 5:30 PM (17:30 hrs).
While at the Ren Faire We took in a few different shows, The Dexter Tripp Thrill show, The gentleman who performs juggles a chain saw, that does have a functional cutting chain and it runs while he's juggling it. Plays with Fire and performs on the Slack Rope, similar in concept to a tight rope but different. Also watch a trio perform blowing Fire balls, a couple of musical acts and a small troupe of actors making a mockery of the Ren Faire and them selves. All & all a pleasant experience.
Well that should pretty much cover the fun stuff. The less than fun well, what can I say. My Mother and father live on the Gulf Coast and watching the forecasted track of Hurricane Gustav a prudent person would consider adjusting appointments and evacuation. Well My Father is stubborn enough to make me seem like the most pliable person on the planet. He wasn't leaving this time as he's got a Doctor's appointment on tuesday the 2nd of Sept. Not that he would make a phone call to the office to see if the Doctor and Staff are making emergency preparations and plans. Well I'll give em a call in a little bit and check up upon them but hopefully they'll just get the rains and no severe winds. A telephone call to them will be in order shortly and I find out how they are making out.
Thats pretty much it for now, I hope everone has had a safe and easy labor Day weekend. No traumas and dramas; Still have a easy night and safe week.
Q
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