OK time to up date and post some pictures.

From a day hike in the Putnam County Conservation Lands to Running the streets of Albany in Red Dresses the world keeps moving and so do I.








The Red Dress Run:




Ah where the hell am I, OK its Mother's Day, Mom will get a call in a bit as she's in a different time zone. But to our mother's; Thank you for doing the best you could with us.

Now for the Updates to the blog and even some pictures.

Last part of April through the begining of May:

Well Its been an interesting week, a screwed up week but an interesting one none the less. This past Sunday I had the option of going to the Loyalty Day Picnic at the Veterans Park here in Putnam County, NY or the annual USMA tattoo at West Point. I chose the Tatto and it proved beneficial in making contacts with some other bagpipers, I'll be practicing with some members of the Fraternal Order of Police Pipers in the near future. Reasonably close to where I'm staying this year for the spring, summer and fall before I head south for next winter.

As for the screwed up part of the week I lost my wallet, not sure if I lost it out of the bike bag while bicycling on the Putnam County Rail Trail or if it was lifted. Either way it sucks to have lost it. Thankfully I did not loose my drivers license, military ID, boaters certificate, Health Insurance Card or West Point Retired Employee ID. But loosing the one credit card and ATM card along with my pistol permit, VFW, American Legion member cards, scuba diver certifications dental and dive insurance cards is a nusiance. The two hundred dollars in the wallet is a inconvienece for my monthly budgeting but not a nightmare.

So thats is the worst of the week.

If I recall correctly Friday May 1st is the Sons of the American Legion meeting in Monroe, NY and I'm making a visit specific for the purpose of thanking the members for their donation last year to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

As for charitable events I'm considering doing this year, May 9th the Halve Mein hash house Harriers will have their annual Red Dress Run in Albany NY this year, if I recall correctly, they are raising funds for the Firefighter's Burn Center there. Yes, I am considering running through Albany in a dress again. The party after the event is a crazy event as well. But all in all good fun. Hopefully the weather is good for it, the worst part is the trip up to and back from Albany, I may choose to get a motel room for the night if I get a bag on.

Sunday, May 3rd, I'm heading over to Pike County, PA, for the ABATE of PA, Chapter 41 annual picnic. Hopefully again the weather holds out for a motorcycle ride, failing pleasant weather, that I'll drive the van over.

In regards to other events I'm planning to take part in this year, I'll be running in the West Point 10K on May 16th. Followed by bringing the old HD down to DC for the Rolling Thunder Ride for Memorial Day. Then in the Fall it will be the Army 10 miler and Marine Corps Marathon in October. I'll be doing those on the cheap and stay with family in Northern VA for the 3 times I'm down there. As for the longer distance runs, I'm just planing to finish them, not win. The 10 miler should take just under two hours at my normal pace, and the Marine Corps Marathon about 5 hours at best. Although I have run a half marathon in 2 hours 15 minutes this spring and supposedly that'll reflect about a 4 hour and 45 minute, give or take, marathon.

Still, if I'm going to be doing agood deal of training for the long runs, I'll be spending a long time on my feet and will probably wear out 4 pairs of running shoes before the marathon proper. The benficial part of running is I can keep my weight down, the bad part is I'll probaly go through another 3 sets of knee braces this year (again).

Well i suppose if I post this to my blog as planned i should post some pictures as well and so I will.

Tuesday May 5th.

Well things haven't gone as planned but still life goes on and events unfold.

Went to Monroe on May first and met with Benny, we had a few beverages together and passed the time. As for making the American Legion event, that fell through due to a member passing on and an earlier function held for him.

May 2nd Saturday, I had gone up to my brother's place and we started the process of replacing brake lines on his 97 F350 pickup truck, not that we couldn't guess why they rusted out.

May 3rd Sunday a 6 mile run in the morning followed by a trip to and attending the ABATE of PA, Chapter 41 Annual Picnic. A slightly damp affair but not too sodden.

Monday 4 May, After my morning run it wasback up to the brother's place and installed new brake lines for the front half of the truck everything from the Master Cylinder south. Shaping the lines isn't too much of a problem its just getting every thing close to align properly with the space allowed isn't always easy. More impressive was forming the line headed down to the splitter from the mastercylinder as some of the bends in the original are very sharp compared to what I'll normally bend in brake line tubing.

After installing the new brake line and bleeding the system it was onto trouble shooting an electrical problem on a lawn mower. As I could not disconnect the electrical harness to the voltage regulator for the battery charging circuit and the day was getting late we called it quits. I suspect that the voltage regulator has gone south as there is a constant drain on the battery, very low amperage and about a constant two volts. most every circuit I was able to check didn't seem to affect the current draw, so by process of elimination we'll get it sorted out. But due to the vibration the solid state component is subjected to, i wouldn't be surprised if that is the problem source.

Then back down to my youngest brother's place and taking his oldest boy over to Connecticut for Martial Arts lessons. It seems to help him to focus. But now with classes running from8 to 10 PM it may be running late in the evening for him. But that's just my opinion.

Well today May 5th, I did a easy 3 miles but at a slightly faster pace than I normally run so I guess I had a good run today. Later this week I'll shoot for about a 14 mile run. But for now it is time to relax.

Finally, not all is fun and games some things are serious, but I won't take em seriously. I've also done a bit of hiking and other minor things which I haven't included but still all in all things are going pretty good.

The Red Dress Run Report, 10 May 2009.

Yesterday the Halve Mein Hash House Harriers, located in the Capitol region of NY State held their annual NURD or North East Unofficial Red Dress event. This shambles of a recreational event takes place wholey within the realms of insanity and the city of Albany, not much difference either way.

So to set the groundwork for what is supposedly a fun time and activity revolving around exercise and beer. For my self, I did not register till about 6:am on the morning of the event. Bringing the total number of registrants up to an even 80. Then a 2&1/2 hour drive to the capitol of the Socialist Republic of Neuva York, State motto, Tax em dry, where the government is so inept at controling costs the legislators are preparing to tax the working cast out of the state inorder to aid the People's Socialists Dominion of New York City from being economicly responsible and paying its own way. Yet I digress. Still I plan a route to the Cesspool City via routes which do not cost me more in fees to use them. Specificly avoiding the State's Thruway System which still allows me to arrive in Albany by 10:30 in the morning.

Before the event; Since I arrived early I found a good parking space next to the base of operations, The Bar; aka the Water Works, here is where we'll sign in pay our fee and start out upon our run/march into madness. Pay the $1.00 all day parking fee (Tax) for Saturdays and walk around the area of Washington and Central Aves. Since I ate a light breakfast i figure its time for a mid morning repast and enter a small diner. OK clean enough test 1 passed. Two ask about a egg on a rol and they say they use precooked egg patties WTF!? thanks but no thanks There are some things even I won't stoop to even though I'm in the city to run through it while wearing a red dress. Walked on and grabbed a slice of pizza and a soda instead.

Noon time and registration begins; Since I didn't register early no T-shirt for me, Thats cool as I've more than enough to last a life time, Pay my fee and purchase a couple of souvenir nicnacs such as the official beer mug with the Halve Mein Hash's logo, a bottle opener and NURD 2009 fob. Then is sitting about relaxing conversing and drinking till the chalk talk and start. The Chalk talk for the uniformed explains what marking will be used and how, so the pack has a chance of folowing and catching maybe the willy hares. Markings explained its time for the prerun warm up aka the song & dance. Then its off and we do mean off. I had to put a couple of toys away and sprint after the mob of runners in order to catch them on the far side of the park where the Tulip Festival is being held.

Did I mention that the run will usually pss through the centre of a cultural event attracting many various peoples? No, well let me expnd upon that premise. You've got your Left wingers (Albany remember a major political centre), your right wingers, your moralists, your amoralists, your Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Catholics and numerous Protestant denominations; You've got your whites, blacks, & multi hued ethnic groups and there are packs of runners and walkers in various arrays of Red Dresses running (or walking) through the middle of the event. Channel 9 News in Albany knew it would occur and even covered a small portion of the mayhem. So the main Pack ran through the Park and me with a late start sprinting after them.

Now did I meantion the weather? well the morning was dismal enough and rain was expected, So what happens? Ol Sol decides to appear and warm things up, alot. Well over what feels like 80 degrees. We arrive at the first rest point/2nd bar and imbibe the beverages o our choice. Beer, water, or watered down beer, relax out of the sun for a short bit before heading towards the capitol centre and down towards the water front along the Hudson River where we expect to find our next rest stop/Oasis. No such luck the marks weren't as clear as they should of been and we press on along the river front. Did I mention that the predominate route of this course was down hill? Well now to get to the end it will beventually become an up hill slog in high heat.

Still we are on trail and find where the hares tried to lead us astray and also maybe hopefully kill us. On to an active section of rail line, train tracks. Uh OH, We see the light, hear the whistle and everyone off the tracks. You do realize we were in so violation of numerous federal and state laws. But Loki the Norse diety of miscreants, and jokers was looking out for us and we caught a hare, possible more due to his ineptitude of leading us along a dangerous and potentially fatal path and a forced detour rather than shear dumb luck on our part. Onto another rest point/bar. Did you know that in the city of Albany ther is a excellent example of an indoor Beer Garten, Well I do now, and thus a place to head towards if I ever head back that way again.

At the Beer Garten, we make an obvious impression; Loud, disorderly, vulgar and mostly insane. I think the heat of the day had something to do with it as it felt like 120 degrees in the sun, I don't remember my incarceration, uh Lagering Over at Guantanamo Bay as being that uncomfortably warm.

Well onto the trail. Its now time to start the climb back up hill. This is where the Turkeys and Eagles split courses. OK I'm not the sanist person on the planet, but I've experience enough torment for the day, I take the Turkey Route. OH God no, not a gentle incline no but at least not a run up a steep grass slope either. Its a friggin stair way, and not one to heaven either. If we've been running upon the nature trail to hell, this would be the stair way to heaving our guts all over the side walk. Well we still need to get up hill to the bar and the final point of our madness and descent into depravity. The bar. Maybe 6 miles total distance covered by those of us who went on the Turkey Trail, But it felt more like 8 and since I'm not overly familiar with Albanyand our exact route, I'll err towards the 8 I felt it was.

At this point we are so heavily saturated in sweat from the 150 degree day and baking sun that the airconditioned comfort isn't felt. We need fluids, rest and food.. Ah and now commences the feasting. Carbs and plenty of them, Beer, Pasta, Beer, Pasta, cookies, Beer; have you noticed a recurring theme yet? Beer, salad, Beer. Oh yeah and some more beer.

After a much needed feast and a change to dry clothes, I did say the airconditioning was on and many of us were soaking from sweat. Trust me the dry clothes were very much needed as well. Its was time for the ceremonies, the songs the dances, and more beer. Well finally about 19:30 hours I bid my farewell to the masses and weave my way back to the chariot for the two and a 1/2 hour journey back to my shelter.

All in all the experience was horrible, excessive heat, poorly marked trail, missed rest stop, sore aching feet, loosened black toe nail. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Week ending Sunday April 19th.

Sunday April, 19th 2009.

Its a nicer morning than expected still today is a good day to take a break from strenuous physical pursuits and relax a bit. Than and after a eleven and a quarter miles of running hills on Saturday the 18th my knees and ankles can use the rest. Although yesterday was a very pleasant day weather wise, it was also a tough day to run. The temperature was 47 degrees (F) with 63% humidity when I started just after the seventh hour and climbed to 57 degrees (F) while dropping to 36% humidity as I finished. While I wasn't drenched in sweat there was the start of an nice sized salt stain on the camel back reservoir I carry when i run longer distances.

The temperature was decieving as the lower humidity made it feel fairly comfortable but the saving grave was the cloud cover with the satrt of the run.

As for the week in review,
Monday; Tried to get out for a morning run but having to adjust the knee braces three times with in the first half mile frustrated me and I just let it go at that. Later Monday I had gone to my brother's place and we basicly wasted the day, Some days just turn out that way. Monday evening I had gone to Cold Spring where I attended the wake for Mr, Jim Guinan and said my good-by to the old fellow. His was the small store and bar in Garrison, NY I often retreated to for a few pints of beer, comradery with the other patrons and fine Irish music during the rising of the moon sessions.

Tuesday; i had wanted to run on the Putnam County Rail Trail that morning, but where I wanted to start from was closed by construction work so I opted for a different location to run. Along the roads where I used to run when I lived in Brewster. Starting near the dam for the Middle Branch Reservoir. I ran up along it's western bank on Maple road; turned left upon Hughson Rd and onto Stoneleigh Ave in Carmel. Going Southward on Stoneleigh I am running along another branch of the Croton Reservoir system till I arrive at Drewville Rd where I turn left once more and return to where i parked my van. The overal distance was four and three quarter miles.

Wednesday; No running today, instead it was off to Cold Spring for Jim's funeral followed by a get together of his family and friends in Garrison NY.

Now as for Irish funerals they are an affair which may have no equal. Granted the guest of honor can't acknowledge that you are there nor can he or she indicate approval or disapproval but he or she is the reason for the assembling of diverse folks.

So the funeral mass was to start promptly at ten in the morning. Well most of the church is seated and its also packed for standing room. The Cold Spring Fire department Pipband lead the hears to the church and Pipers, Joeseph Brady Sr. and Jr are flanking the church doors and pipe Jim into the church. During services, Piper Joseph Brady Jr. and the church organist play the hymms selected for the day and all is very nicely done. Just before Jim is escorted back to the hearse the Cold Spring Pipeband assembles ahead of the hearse (while Joeseph brady Sr. & Jr travel to the gravesite) in order to lead it off to the cemetary.

At the cemetary, The Cold Spring Band is arrained in a line up on the hill behind the grave site while Both Mr. Bradys are just below them and directly behind the internment site. The ceremonies again are very nicely done and all the pipers performed gloriously. Ah if Jim could of witnessed the performance surely he would of had an appropriate comment, possibly; Nicely done lads now enjoy a pint.

At the Garrison golf club where the crowd retired to after the services there was much addo and a big to do. still I took the time to speak to Margaret, Jim and Cathrine and thank them for sharing their father with me I also took my time and renewed many and acquaintance to follow up upon through the coming months. As for Jim's extended family he has quite the wide breath of the nation covered from the Northeast to the Florida Gulf Coast to the Pacific Ocean. While he may of lived in mostly in Garrison since the year I was born he touch wasn't just in New York State and America but in Ireland and England as well. God bless you extended family Jim.

Thursday; Just a mundane day of running, timber cutting and laundry in the afternoon. Followed by a trip to LaGuardia airport in NYC to pick up my mother so she can attend a school reunion in NYC.

First my imprssions about the aviation diaster site on Long Island named after a short fat worthless freaking idiot. A terrorist strike destroying that supposed bastion of aviation entry into NYC would be an improvement over the blighted abortion it has become. Complete demolition of all existing terminals, parking structures, roadways and any remaining infrastructure would be a major innovation in the regards of air travel into and out of NYC. For a metropolic such as NYC to not have a direct rail connection from midtown manhattan to one of its major air terminals is foolishness. As ther are no direct rail links to either airport in the confines of NYC is as sign of total ineptitude and arrogance. NYC should never be the site of another major event untill the disaters of its air terminals are retified. In other words NASCAR, the Olympics or let alone another World's Fair should never be considered untill the inbred cretins of the Megalopolis fixes infrastructure into a cohesive functional operation.

But that aside I'll spend no monies in NYC unless there are no other options.

So Thursday night I start deliver my mother safely to my younger brother's home and just after midnight on Friday morning, I go back to my current temporary abode.

Friday;start the day with a four & a quarter mile run around Putnam Lake, followed by driving my mother around to chance to visit with some old friends still residing in the neighborhood, Followed by a pleasant late lunch in the restaurant where my parent's 45th wedding aniversary was held while I was away on military duty. I finally got to eat there, after I had done the leg work to get things in place for it all those years ago.

Friday evening diner at my younger brother's home with his mob.

Saturday; Alrighty then the day broke relatively warm and clear. I had decided that since Sunday was going to be questionable weather wise it make my long run for the week that morning. Witnin the first two miles i climbeb 340 feet of elevation and that set the tone for the remainder of the run as described in the opening paragraph.

At a little before noon I drove my mother up to Dutchess county to my other brother's place for a visit and my Older brother comes in from Pike County PA to visit as well. So for the first time since in five years my mother got to see all four of her sons in the same day. maybe not the same location but as busy as some demands of modern life are thats pretty good too.

Which finally brings me to the close of the week and this morning Sunday April 19th.
This morning I'm taking a rest, no running and will run my mother to the train station so she can head into NYC for her school reunion.

Ah back from NYC and meeting some new folks, Nice train ride down to manhattan and back. now if Metro North would designe seating to accomodate people over 6 foot tall comfortably.

Cheers

Monday, April 13th. a perspective on the world.

I'm not overly religous, living as secular life as the next person still there may be lessons to learn from faith. Easter and Passover have passed, let the Sugar Buzz commence. OK not funny but the ir-religious celebrations aside and the reflections on life death portrayed both in Christian and Jewish beliefs mirror and oppose each other. There is more to the message than the salvation of people. It was salvation, but at great cost. The First Born of the Egyptians and the First Born of God both died over the Passover Season.

Perhaps one lesson to be viewed is that we can be given a gift that comes at great cost to another. The cost of that gift, not in monetary measure, makes the gift more valuable than coins.

In Iraq, the tribal groups and religious sects have been given the opprotunity to be free from a central controling government of criminally minded people.

The costs, the lives of American, British, and Other Nations soldiers. Now it is for the Zorastrians, Christians, Jews, Kurds, Shittes and Sunnis to come together for a common good and work together. Yet they have long memories of conflict and distrust they must overcome first. What they do not have is a history however short of cooperation and peaceful co-existance amongst the tribes and sects. That now is a lesson they must learn from the history of others if they can, otherwise this experiment in self determination they have been provided is doomed to failure at their own hands.

Afghanistan; again a different time, place and mindset from Iraq and many more different human equations. The Afghanistan tribes make for as much variation within that geopolitical entity as you will find in Western Asia. From the religious extremes as displayed by the Taliban to the need for modernizing its infrastructure and lifting the spirit of the people from decades of turmoil.

The Afghan peoples; all the different tribal and culturally diverse groups too need to seek a comon ground and stand together to throw off the shackles of the limited mindset that would be imposed by the Taliban and Al Queada. The Afghan tribes have a history of being resolute against a common foe just as much as they've a history of working against each other for their limited immediate desires and goals. The Taliban & Al Queada have been weakened but not erradicated. Now it is up to the Afghan Peoples to stand and work together to climb out of their dispare and poverty. the World hasn't passed Afghanistan by, so much as Afghanistan has turned inward and ignored the world untill it was forced open.

Forced Open First by the Soviet conflict there in the 1980's followed by the decades of enforce enslavement by a midieval mindset of the Taliban. To now comming to grips that their country is not thier own to decide the destiny there of. The Government in Kabul can not govern the nation due to how it percieves itself.

There may be some similarities of Afghanistan and the American West from 1865 to 1900when the U.S. Army was more of a Constabulary Force; Keeping a peace imposed upon tribal groups. It wasn't untill the tribal entities fighting against the strenght of the U.S. Army where brough to their knees by deaths, sickness, isolation and poverty that the American west was delcared passified.

Still it was a conflict which lasted well over the 35 year time span of 1865 to 1900. It was a ideological, religous and cultural conflict. The first skirmishes of which were fought beginning with the movement westward of European colonialists.
There are many similarities to be drawn upon; from the British & French Canadian experiences to the Spanish & later French Mexican experiences.

The lessons to be learned are several. Our world is not as civilized as we may wish. The freedoms we and others desire will come at great costs, lives and fiscally. The realization that you can not kill an idea by killing the messager and the need to destroy the means of retribution of an enemy to your goal.

Passover for the Isrealites was the opening of a gate way to their freedom from enslavement. The costs was the leaving of Egypt to wander in the deserts of Sinai; The loss of the Egyptian first borns and of Pharoah's Army. Egypt was denied the means of retribution upon the Isrealites. Yet it took Generations for the Isrealites to achieve their goal of a nation.

Easter for Christians is a watershed moment when realization is made that the death of the messanger does not mark the death of the message he brought. The Ressurection symbolizes the rebirth of the message and the hundreds of years afterwards demonstrate how the message can be borne out to others.

Justice and freedom aren't just ideals and abstract concepts; Justice can be with held and freedom denied. But without people willing to risk all to allow others to experience even the faintest of glimers of justice and freedom. The hope of a more peaceful and free future for many will never occur.

Even Mahatma Ghandi realized that he could loose his life by standing and expressing his message. Just as Jesus of Nazareth and John the Baptist had. But without the few willing to stand and deliver we would not have the examples needed for us to learn from and do the same for others. Still freedoms for those in Iraq and Afghanistan can not be won with the rifle and bayonet. The Iraqis and Afghans now need stand for themselves as well and strive for the change they need regardless of the costs both immediate and for future generations.

The immediacy of Easter and Passover has passed now it is time for the harder work to commence for those who would wish to be free.

First Week of April, 2009

Sunday April 5th, 2009.
Its been one of those weeks, where once you loose control you stay behind the power curve. Well at least I haven't gotten behind the 8 ball.

On the bad news front. Mr Jim Guinan who ran his own iconic store and pub in Garrison, NY untill January of 2008 passed on in Florida this week. His was the place I often took a pint of brew in and was an anchor for a small community. A few simple words can not describe the true depth and meaning the place held for many. Alas but he and his ore are but a memory of a better time.

One of the things I meant to do during this past week was get over to the American Legion Post in Monroe, NY to personally thank the Sons of the American Legion for its donation last year to the Leukemia and lymphoma Society. Best of intentions and all; Well I got there on the wrong day. May 3rd is their next meeting and that is the first friday of the month maybe with a boot up side the head as a less than subtle reminder. I'll make it there on the correct day. Benny my apologoes for that. But I did meet Bruce & Ed at the bar last night while they were tending.

Also the new ladder truck at West Point looks rather nice. I hope it performs much better than the old one and doesn't become overloaded with so much matterial it needs a Sherpa to act as a porter to carry tools and equipment up and down the hill at West Point, NY. There would of been a aspect of comedy lended to the old ladder truck if they guys driving it last year kept it intentionally slow when I ran up Stoney Lonesome road past it. But the sad truth is it was traveling flat out up the hill and a 50 yearold man with bad knees was able to begin from a dead stop and run uphill faster than a truck that was already travelling up hill.

Well the weather hasn't been too nice overall this past week but today was most excellent. Temps in the upper 50's to about 60 degrees farenheit. Very low humidity with a modest breeze. The cloud cover was blowing out and things were shaping up as a glorious day. So how did I spend the bulk of it? Waiting for a half marathon to begin so I could run 13.1 miles in and around parts of Danbury, Bethel, West Redding and Redding Connecticut. Since the end of December the furthest distance I had run was 9 and 6/10th miles about a week and a half ago. Today's effort was just to be done for giggles and shits with no expectations of completing the event in under 2 hours and 30 minutes. Its is amazing how wrong we can be about ourselves and what we can do. Even without training up properly for the event I had a personal record for the distance of 2 hr, 15 min, 43 sec. Besting my previous best time by 2 min 39 sec. What is scary though is I am heavier now than I was in December, a month & a half after the Marine Corps Marathon.

Ah as for the effects of long distance running on the body; Blackened toenail season has begun.

Well thats all for today, Now I'm just vegitating and relaxing after a hard physical effort to transition myself into training to try to run another marathon. Only this time I'm not doing it as a fund raising event for a major charity (as of yet) and if I do use it as a fund raiser for charity, Fisher House will be the next one I support and in a more modest way.

Well that pretty much sums up the past week, be healthy and safe everyone.
Q.

The end of march and a closure to winter I hope.

The seasonal changes have seemingly begun, crocuses pushing forth from the earth and blooming, trees begining to bud out and the sap flowing copiously. Temperatures inching higher on the thermometer and the days starting to feel warmer overall.

Yes, things are looking nicer, weatherwise at least; as for economic reports, I'll leave those for the TV talking heads.

March 30th, and what has transpired over the past few days? Well I'm still getting out to run, It helps start my day and makes things seem more relaxed overall. Tree cutting, now that the sap is flowing its a challenge to keep the saws clean but the warmer temperatures make the work easier too as I'm not dress in bulky garments trying to stay warm on cold windy days.

Also as from the pictures posted you can see the condition of a few of the trees I'll be taking down. Not pretty, nor easy but it shall make the wood lot safer to manage.

Yesterday, I took part in a small 5K race in Plattekill, NY. The Lt. Mark Dooley Race of Honor. It was a small field of runners but a nice enough turnout over all.

What follows is a short description of the race:

It had been a wet and rainy night and the dawn broke sullen and sodden. If the temperature had been much higher the 100% humidity would of been oppressive, still the rains accompaning the poor weather mad for a nicer day than it could of been for the purpose at hand.

Today I decided to run in the First Lieutenant Mark Dooley Race of Honor. Lt. Dooley had died in Ramadi, Iraq in 2005 and thodays race was to honor him and those who serve and have served in the military.

The run took place in and around Plattekill, NY. a modest hamlet bordering the NY State Thruway and sliced through by NY State Rt 32. In Ulster County, NY.

There were two events today a 5K walk and a 5K run. It is the run I shall expound upon.

I arrived in Plattekill about 08:30 and the walk was in progress. The town police force is small and there was at least one office who could of been a posterchild for the Doughnut Munching Cop image, yapping on his cell phone while trying to wave traffic through. But so much for that moment. I found a place to park between a mud waller and a mudhole and made my way to the Plattekill Fire house to sign up for the 5K race which was to kick off at 09:30.

After signing in and recieving my race packet I found a quiet dry corner within the Fire Department's building where I could stash both my sweat shirt and race shirt for post race wear; Do some minor pre-race stretching; and enjoy the atmosphere without being trampled by the other runners who also wished to avoid the alternating mists and rains till start time.

09:27 and the mob takes their customary positions for the race start. Elite runners and wanna be elites pushing for the front line, the pack of various skill levels mixed and mingles and the slower runners and jokers to the rear just relaxing and have fun.

09:30 And they are off with Seabiscut taking an immediate lead, Actually the first line sprinted off the mob broke forward and I'm standing in the back waving bye bye and wishing them a bon voyage before starting off on my feeble attempt at running.

Along the way as we pass the onlookers i keep asking where the beer stops are and getting a few chuckles from the road guards for the effort. and begin the easy climb up hill to the first mile mark.

Mile One, a nice sedate and slow 9 min, 20 seconds, and the first water point. Unfortunately there is no beer. and heading on to mile two with a quick drop and another climb to the two mile mark. You know you aren't having a good run when a lady pushing a baby jogger passes you. i encourage her to hope on the back and ride the thing down hill after asking if there was room enough for me to ride infront with the baby.

Mile Two. 19 min, 20 seconds. OMG I'm going slower, I wonder if it was the driving rain which slowed me down. Even worse on the approach run to the two mile mark the faster runners are in the opposite lane heading for the finish and some munchkin about 3 foot tall is running his stubby little legs off well ahead of me; I'm emotionally crushed.

Finally I'm pass the two mile mark and gravity, the friend of the fat down hill runner gives me a break for almost 1/2 mile.

Near about 1/4 mile to the finish line I spy two other geezers of about my age group running side byside and i pick up my run to catch them and then do the worst thing imaginable. I spur/egg them on for a sprint to the finish. It looked like a horse race run by draft horses; Nostrils flaring foam streaming from the corners of the mouths and amazingly no insults. The intense effort may of been too much for words.

The three of us cross the finish line within a few seconds of each other. Unofficially my finish time was 28:16. Not my best effort but after a cold winter without any real structured training pretty good.

Then it should of been time to lay on the ground gasping for air or flopping about like a landed fish but we stayed on our feet and turned back to the finish shoot to welcome in and congradulate a few other incoming runners before breaking for a quick snack followed by a fine non kosher breakfast provided by the fire department.

After breakfast it was time for the awards ceremonies. Talk about fast times whoa the West Point Triathlon and Marathon teams had a very nice showing. As for myself, it wasn't a bad run either even with my slow time. I pulled 3rd place for my age group. I guess the damp soggy and sullen conditions work best for me.

Well aside from preparing to run in a half marathon on Sunday the 5th of April, I'm just keeping on keeping on.

Have a safe & easy Spring everyone.

Post St. Patrick's Day Commentary and some other stuff.

Nope it ain't about the St. patrick's day 10K and me running it in a Kilt. This is just the other stuff. I ran a 6.2 mile race on Sunday and finished in 56:04. Not too shabby for a some one who ran in a men's skirt called a kilt.

Well now the actual day, March 17th, has passed and most of the Corned Beef and Cabbage has been put away till a few summer Celtic festivals come about. Trust me that isn't a bad thing.

St. Patrick's day has become bigger and more commercial each year, Oh yes, the Irish themed bars do a booming business and Everyone has some fun on the day. But like many holidays we should remember the underlying purpose. To celebrate the diversity which has come together and made this country a place where almost anyone can strive to lofty goals and ideals.

Oh don't get me wrong I enjoy my pint of Guinness and other beverages as well as ethnic foods. But too many fools make the day a day of drunken stupidity and that isn't what the day should be about. Just as Christmas should not be about the toys and the Fourth of July should not be about fireworks, or Thanksgiving has become the feast before Christmas shopping.

Well, I can not deny I do enjoy some of the Kitschness of St. Patrick's Day. and part take in various activities leading to the day. But we should remember that while its is a day of revelry now; There was also a time of discrimination and hostility to the Irish every bit as bad as was and is expressed towards other minority populations.

So now while many people are sorting out their day after the night before nursing a hangover or feeling bloated from too much gassy food. Maybe now it a time to be thankful for the previous waves of immigrants who worked against discrimination and for full acceptance in America.

Still, remember we do need to enjoy ourselves and be able to make fun of ourselves as well. So maybe the mockery the formerly religious holiday has become isn't too much of a bad thing either and falling during the seriousness of the Lenten Season for Catholics, the holiday allows time to relax and revel a bit before going back to work in all seriousness during these troubling times or economic down turns, wars and uncertainties.

St. Paddy's Daze

Life is to serious not to be taken seriously; Get out and enjoy it for all its worth.

Ah spring a time to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of what is around us. Watching people break out of the winter doldrums and getting out to play; seeing the crocuses break ground; Water fowl go back to the lakes and waterways and geese fertilizing towne greens; and wondering why when we build our roads we don't do a better job of setting bases and improving drainage.

Yep some of the local roads now look worse than some of the trails I drove in Croatia and Bosnia/Herzigovinia after their war in the 1990's. Well maybe the government's stimulus package will fix the roads and maybe I'll win the Marine Corps Marathon next October too.

So its spring time when a person's fancy turns to sports! Alright, The World baseball classic is on, Major League Base Ball is gearing up and Hockey is winding down. The duffers are out and about chasing little balls through the rough and woods and I'm running the roads.

I did my first 10K/6.2mile race on Sunday the 15th in Yorktown NY. The St. Patrick's Day 10K and conditions were pretty nice overall. The sun broke through the high clouds temps climbed to the 50's by the end of the race and the course while challenging wasn't overly abusive.

There were two races run on sunday, a 2 mile and 6.2 mile event. While I participated in the 6.2 mile run I was able to enjoy both and amuse some people as well.

I arrived early to the race site and prepared for the event. Pulled on the kilt dragged out the bag pipes and got the fingers working. When the 2 mile event kicked off it started uphill and about 1/4 mile away from the starting line. As I saw the runners start down hill I started in with the tune 'The Wearing of The Green'. aside from the sprinters looking for the win racing away at the front of the group, many of the runners appeared to enjoy my effort.

As for the 10K event, I ran that in the kilt. Not a big deal and just a little looser than running shorts. I also finished under an hour with a time of 56:03. While I'll never place or show at Belmont I at least will have some fun along the way.

Random pictures.

When you're in the Hudson River Valley, you may come upon some things you don't expect to see. Oh yes, there are the usual Castles and Bridges, But even the stones may be watching you.

Part of the Red Dress Run in Albany, Spring of 2008.

From the St. Patrick's Day 10K March 16th, 2008.
11 Nov, 2009.

Well, yesterday I met with a few of my former co-workers in Highland Falls, but not under the most favorable of circumstances. The wife of another had passed unexpectedly from complications of a disease. I have no words to express my condolences for him and his family but pray that this event does not cause him too much grief.

In other bits, one of the reasons I've stayed in NY State a bit longer than I had expected is that I've assumed the position much like an Au Pair, Mr. Nanny so to speak. No I wouldn't of though of this occuring several months ago, but it isn't difficult, just different. So what might I expect in the coming weeks? Ah I'll be taking the kids to Vermont to a Raggea Festial, Um OK I didn't see that one coming, nor would I of expected it in Vermont, but it is happening in a Ski Resort Area so anything is possible.

Not too much really going on I'm still attempting to run several days a week, I'm considering, seriously or deliriously, running another Marathon this year. My right knee and leg will be the deciding factor as training progresses. But regardless, I'll be out and about a bit later this morning helping fracture the pavement the spring freeze and thaw cycles is loosening up. One of the things I'll do in prep for a fall marathon is join in on several local foot races. Sunday the 15th, there is a St. Patrick's Day 10K in FDR State Park. I ran that last year wearing a Kilt. I think I shall have a go at it again this year again in a kilt.

OK its a bit different, but when you get a few people with a sense of humor out running for fun, it can get interesting. Maybe this year I'll catch the lady dressed as a Leprechaun. Also don't forget that some of these races are family evens and out of the mouths of children can come pearls of truth. One memorable comment was "Mommy that man is wearing a skirt!" Technically the little one is correct.

Well since I've run in a red dress last year through the city of Albany during the Tulip Festival, and St. Paddy's day in a kilt, maybe I'm ready to get into Drag Racing, or not. Though if I had stayed in Key West, I could observe or take part in that city's annual drag race, with real Drag Queens; Uh too over the top. But it is fun to take aprt in some of the more unusual events to raise funds for various charities.

Looking north towards the Village of Brewster, NY Feb 21st, 2009.

I'll be in the Harlem Valley for a short while. My younger brother is celebrating 50 years of life next weekend and I'm seriously considering a run over to Garrison on March 11th now; in conjuction with the small show at tyhe Garrison Depot Theatre.

Cheers.
Q

St. Paddies Day and Garrison Landing.

On March 11th there will be a small show at the Garrison Depot Theatre, down at Garrison Landing in Putnam County, NY. Its to Honor the memory of Jim Guinan's small store and will be a night of Irish music by many of the people who've played there over the years. I'll try to be there. But as life isn't garranteed I shan't make one either. But Jim's store was a place I enjoyed going to and hold fondly in my memories.

A thank you to Wendy Bounds for her blog which yeilded the information.

Cheers!
Q

Valentines Day update, 14 Feb 09

Sunday, Nov 8th, 2009.

Well I'm ready to head south again. I've come to like the artificial peace and quietude of living without a permanent home. I am frustrated by having to wait upon the VA for my upcoming medical appointments. I've completed one week of waiting and am starting week number two now and its not comfortable. Not that I can't wait, I can, it is the psychological environment that I find myself in while waiting.

I don't have an apartment to call my own since departing from Highland falls and while I'm on the road camping it isn't an issue. But staying at my brother's home I find unsettling. No it isn't critical but it isn't good either. I'm attempting to help out doing the minor chores, laundry, washing dishes, letting the old dog in and out at zero dark thirty when she needs to relieve herself. But I can't help but feel like an interloper.

Well I've reach a few serious decisions about the course of my life from this point onwards. My furniture in my other brother's barn shall find its way either to a church's thift store, donated to a good cause or failing that just destroyed, and I'd prefer not to destroy it. But I've no need for it anymore. The same goes for much of the excess clothing I've dragged arpound over the years. My old dress greens can be donated to a clothing bag as well as all my old work clothes and uniforms. I only need a couple of pairs of dungarees, tee shirts underwear, socks and shoes. I don't need all i'm dragging around.

Even the motorcycles and sailboat can go. my material possesions just aren't needed. No I'm not giving up on life, I've been abile to realize I don't need all the stuff I've acquired over the years and the emotional burden that comes with being concerned about it. Realisticly I was much happier at 18 years of age with just the clothes upon my back and being able to live out of a dufflebag. So my goal for 2009 and beyond is to down size my life's baggage. Yes, I'll keep a few toys and effects; but I don't need to fill a house and call it home.

A small travel trailer and wardrobe, a laptop computer and a radio, my old bicycle and I can be content. I've discovered this minor thing while camping out on Key West. It isn't a revelation of biblical proportions; Its just a reality of my life.

So come late February when I'm done with the VA and Dentist appointments I shall hit the highway again and reorder my life. Do some charity fundraising as I did for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society but not to that degree of effort, Keep up my exercise regimen and try to make a positive change in my life.

Thursday, Nov 12th, 2009.
So how has the week progressed? Thats a loaded question if ever one has been posed. Good, Bad and Ugly may apply.

Bad: A person Who've I've known and worked with in a Volunteer Fire department passed away this past Saturday, He was only 46 years old.

Good; I've started running material possessions I haven't used in a year or more to the Salvation Army for their reuse. They were surprised with the very good condition of the materials I've donated. Also with the 1980's vintage component sterio system. Now I've need to go through various other items and reduce them as well. I've decided to sell both motorcycles and my sailboat. If I get another boat it shall be small enough to put atop the cargo racks on my van.

Ugly; Ice, snow and mud. Enough said there I supposed as everyone knows how ugly it can get dealing with those aspects of nature.

But not all is doom and gloom. I've been helping out my youngest brother and getting a few domestic isues under control for him. But for the work i've done he now needs to get his kids, Teenagers, to start building upon the effort. Well thats another issue and a passing one as I'll be running amuk in a couple of weeks and on the road again.

My younger brother turns 50 this year and my broothers and I will be throwing a Birthday party for him at a Fraternal Lodge. He ain't getting too much but he'll be getting it regardless.

My older brother will turn 52 tomorrow, I'll see to it he gets his.....

Well believe it or not I did the paperwork for the means test for my VA care today. in 2008 my gross income was just over 46,000 down from about 70,000 for 07 and my projected income for 09 is for 27,000 so next year I do the paperwork for yet another means test in order to reduce my costs for the VA health care system yet again.

I guess there is a upside to having a severly reduced income.

Well thats all for this update and I'll post this to my blog in the near future.

Saturday, Nov 14th, 2009

Well today I wasted the day, not completely but pretty much so by spending most of the day on the computer. Although I did run 5 miles this morning and clean up some of my current domicile.

I'm adding some more music to my MP3 player today. Grateful Dead 'The Best of' Skeletons from the Closet' and Jefferson Starship 'Jefferson's Tree of Liberty'.

The Grateful dead music is pretty well know & played; The Golden Road (to unlimited devotion),Truckin, Rosemary, Sugar Magnolia, St. Stephen, Uncle John's Band, Casey Jones, Mexicali Blues, Turn On Your Love Light, One More Saturday Night and Friend of the Devil.

The Jefferson Starship numbers are a mix of known and unknow covers. Wasn't that a time, Follow the drinking gourd, Santy Anno, Cowboy on the run, I ain't marching anymore, Chimes of freedom, Genisis hall, Kisses sweeter than wine, Royal canal, Risin' of the moon, Frenario, In a crisis, Maybe for you, Comandante Carlos Fonseca, Pastures of plenty, Imagine redemption, On the threshold of fire, The quiet joys of brotherhood,

pretty much a mixed bag of music, but as I use the MP3 player when I'm running the random mixing of music when I run can be interesting to say the least. Most of the music is lively and upbeat with a good rythym to run and jog by.

Well I'll see what tomorrow brings, I'll do some grocery shopping and wait for the new week to unfold. Hopefully the Dentist gives me a clean bill of health and I can schedule my next dental check up for October when my next set of VA visits will occur. I'm shifting my schedule to accomodate my ability to deal with the winter cold which has progressively gotten worse over the years. Its a loss of sensation and general numbness which occurs in the hands. With that being the case, I think a complete relocation to a southern clime will be in order for winters. and a return north in the springtime.

Have a safe and easy week everyone.

The the february madness begins.

Kat said...
Hi Q! Welcome back to the "real" weather!!

February 6, 2009 3:48 PM

Ah yes, the real weather; Its real alright, real cold. Four degrees farenheit this morning as I took one nephew off to the bus for Wrestling. Divisionals are being held I believe. But for a person who has had cold weather related injuries in the past, 4 degrees can be brutal.

So as time goes on I'm doing different things to keep occupied while waiting for my Appointments at the VA hospital. Doing web research a local Volunteer Fire Department on courses available through the Department of Environmental Conservation and US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, for the upcoming brush fire season.
Small engine services and brake repair on my brothers' various bits of equipment.

I'm also allowing time for myself to practice with my bagpipes but the low humidity can play hell with the connections for the wood. Any wooden instrument will change tonal quality when exposed to large variations in temperature and humidity. Violins, Guitars, Pianos, Drums and many others to some degree or another are affected. Thats why when President Obama's inauguration was televised although you saw the musicians playing their instruments what you heard was recorded earlier for later broadcast.

Even the world's best musicians can be undone by bad weather's effects upon their tools.

So today, 7 Feb, 09 started early enough at 4:30 am. Thats just when I woke up. at 5:30 I woke my one nephew for his trip to the Divisionals for wrestling and was back at my brother's home by 6:30 am. this morning I'll take care of some simple chores and hopefully it'll warm into the 20's atleast as I do want to get a run in outdoors today if I can.

Other than that I'm acting domesticated; assisting with getting my nephews off to sports practices, doing laundry, moving snow. And staying occupied to some degree or another.

As for St. Patricks Day in March, hmmm maybe I'll be some where green but not where the green beers flow.

Have a good weekend all.

Q

Early February and I'm ready for summer.

OK I've been back in NY state since the end of January and the weather has been less than nice. Too cold to go outside and run and the roads too screwed up to do so safely; Both physically and health wise with the ice and salt along with the speeding drivers.

I'm awaiting for the days I've my medical and dental appointments completed so I can hopefully get back on the highways and byways. I'm not happy being locked into someone else's schedule.

Still I've a simple enough arrangement for shelter and living conditions and things aren't too bad.

Just keeping a low profile, doing some errands for my brothers and other odds & ends.

Stay safe & warm everyone.

Q

More photos

Just some more pictures.

Winter Blunder Land & points north.

Alrighty then, I'm back in NYS and the weather could be worse but it ain't too bad overall. Yeah its cold, and icey and snowy and dreary and such but like a person once said 'Hey it could be worse'. That and I've been in worse, riding the open jump seats of the Fire Engine at Stewart Army Subpost in the dead of winter to the Marine Barracks for a sprinkler activation; Cold enough to pop the head in an upper floor room that night. Sleeping or trying to at least in a old Army issue sleeping bag in Hoenfelds Germany in January; Working on gasoline operated equipment while at Ft. Drum outdoors at night in January. So I ain't complaining as I've a roof over my head at night and by the end of february I should be running back south.

The run up the coast was easy enough on Monday, Overnighted near the 106 mile marker in North carolina and started early Tuesday morning for NY state. At the northbound junction of 295/95 in Virginia just north of Richmond traffic came to a crawl due to the usual ignorant southern driving technique of driving fast in poor conditions Took about an hour and a half to reach King's Dominion Exit and what seemed almost as long to get to Rt 207/ Ft. A.P. Hill exit. There I decided to top off my fuel tank before heading north again.

As for running north on I-95 that was ruled out when I heard sirens and watched two fire engines head north on I-95. I wasn't about to try my luck not knowing if they were responding to an incident in the N or S bound lanes. So i headed east on 207 til I reached U.S. 301 and took that N through what was left of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware to the NJ turnpike. The delays on Virginia were enough to cause me to catch the evening rush hour in jersey which means you get off the interstate and take the secondary roads to get by traffic of you take a 60 mile loop around on 287 to pick up Rt 17 to 32 to 107 and 9W to catch the Beacon/Newburgh bridge. Either way ends up taking about the same amount of time depending upon traffic conditions.

So as I said I'm back in NY for a little while and I've some work to keep me busy for now. Blood draw for my lab work up at the VA medical Center in Castle Point, Tax filings, Dental appointments and VA appointments in February. Along with doing some down & dirty Auto repairs on my brother's plow vehicle, and other brother's gasoline powered tools. So I won't be lacking for things to do between between now and my last medical appointment the end of february. I do need to consider changing the months of my annual visit to April and October; That way I can winter in the south and summer in the north.

OK some more photos from the deep south.

Thursday report before hitting the road.

So Life in Key West has been uneventful and the most practical mode of travel is really the Bicycle. The Van would be a nuisance to navigate through the crowds in some areas and the Motorcycle is OK but parking becomes problamatic for those items. The Bicycle can be chained to any convienent Bike Rack and boom you're within easy distance of any bar or tourist trap.

I'll be heading north on Friday back to NY and the winter. I'll probably talk to a fellow about selling my West Wright Potter and if he's got the cash he'll have the tittle the same day. For speed and easy of use a sailing dinghy may be more practical, I'll decide come summer.

Awaitning me in NY: Acouple of VA appointments; The need to see a state approved physician for a DOT physical; and study for the hazmat endorsement for my CDL drivers license; Little Brother's snow plow, it needs some repairs again, and the rest of Winter.

I doubt I'll stay there too long if i can't find a easy job but I'll see what I see.

Cheers & Prosit,
Q

Stupid Biker/Motorcyclist Tricks, Isle of Bones, Key West.

Well in a few more days I'll be heading back to NY state for My annual visitation of the Castle Point VA hospital but I've some time yet to spend here in the Florida Keys. I've also a pile of work waiting for me at my Brother's place too when I return there.

But Stupid Biker/Motorcyclist tricks. As I've both my motorcycle and bicycle here I've freedom of transit for large distances on the island. And I tend to employ each mode of transportation as I see fit. For the local tourist sites the bicycle for running to the commissary generally the motorcycle.

Well Yesterday I road my bicycle to the main PX and picked up some gatoraid Although I would prefer Poweraid from the Commisary as its much less expensive. Still I've gotten enough to sustain me on my morning runs. But as I was leaving the Navy Complex a fast moving gale came through and provided me with a bit of a free rinse cycle. Well needless to say I was well covered with road grime when I returned to my camp site and showered off to commence my afternoon rambles.

As for Today (20 January, 2009. Inauguration Day for Mr. Obama) I did my standard run of about 5 & 3/4 miles and followed that with a motorcycle circuit of Key West. Well on my last 1/4 mile or so of road before entering the navy base I'm camped on; A gale line rolled across the island. According to the police officer at the gate I had basicly ridden under a water spout that had not touched land. UMmmmm OK I dodged a small tornado essentially and rode through it's displayed ground effects. Just another good reason to wear a helmet and leather jacket while riding the motorcycle (not just here but anywhere I go it seems)

Another thing I'm doing is paying attention to my banking via the computer. Its surprizingly easy but I'm wary of over spending and do so way too easily. Still barring any unfortunate instances I should be able to return to NY without any unreasonable expenses.

This week I may inquire about the availability of jobs here on Key West. I would consider a maintenance position for the fleet of tour buses as a posibility although I could also get a permit and busk the tourists for spare change by performing down by the docks too. Bagpiper with a attitude, sun burn and vaguely NY accent?

Well as I sit here doing laundry I'm checking my computer accounts and charging up my cell phone and two portable VHF marine radios. The VHF radios come in hand just for the NOAA weather reports and alerts. I'm not talking to any vessels but by monitoring specific channels I can also follow some of the local sail boat races as well.

So I'll conclude this report for now, Wish everyone well and don't be too jealous. I'm camping under some modest conditions that could be called just a step up from primitive.

Cheers & Prosit Alles!
Q

Weekend Update, Isle of Bones,

January 16th, 2009 and I'm as far South as I can concievably get without leaving the Continental United Sates; Even though I'm on Key West, Florida.

So What has been going on so far; a lot and not too much.

Most impressive sounding achievement, but not really: I ran across the width of Florida, Twice! From the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean and back. Duval Street has been called the longest road in America due to its connecting tow major bodies of water but the average width of Key West is just one mile. So as I said impressive sounding but not really an impressive feat.

The cheapest way to see Key West, aside from being homeless here, is by RV and camping. For this trip I've redesignated my van as "The Tenament on Wheels" It is shelter from the winds blowing across the island and kitchen as well as Internet connection site and power source for the computer. I walk about a football field's distance to the showers and toilets. Camping on Sigsbee part of KW Naval Air Station is the cheapest way to do it at about 16 dollars a day. I'll be here till friday the 23rd when I start heading back north. I've a VA appointment on the 29th and generally see the Dr a week later and I've a dental appointment on the 19th of Feb.

The museums here are interesting and there is a lot of schlocky kitsch but its a different environment and I feel worth the visit so far. Pricey compared to the mainland but not overly so. Just look to keep within a strong budget.

I've found 2 irish Bars on the Island one in the old town/tourist district and one on the working side of the Island near the Airport on Flagler Ave. Neither are overly impressive although the expats from the UK seem to go to the working side. Black & Tans are $3.00 for a 16 oz glass and you can even get a 20oz Imperial Pint.

Well I've been running pretty much every morning. That and using the bicycle to get around is helping to keep my weight down. Blossom's Market near the gate for the USCG station has breakfast sandwiches for $2.50 and strong good cuban coffee. Unless you are directed to it you won't likely find it. Its a small establishment but pleasant.

I still find it disgusting when the locals call 60 degrees farenheit cold. Its not cold here but the breeze and wind has been a continuous factor. I'll put the pop up canopy up about mid-day as shelter from the sun, but come evening I bring it back down and secure the top canvas as the light weight thing wasn't designed with any wind loading in mind.

I won't even begin to estimate the miles I've run while on the island, but the highest elevation being only 16 feet, makes any run easy. Not anything at all like the trudgign jogs I've done up stoney Lonesome Road on West Point.

Well Not too much to add, The weather is pretty good overall, a wind breaker is about the worst I've needed. Unless I'm on the motorcycle, Then I want the leathers, two reasons; Wind protection and due to the way the locals drive I want some addition coverage for the skin if one decides they want my space on the road. They have an un-nerving tendency to swing wide on turns, and they aren't driving but sedans and pickup trucks.

Well that covers this week and I'll stay off line for a while.
Have a safe week everyone;

Q

Sleepless in Tarpon Springs, organizing my thoughts in the wee hours.

January 12, 2009, 02:50 AM, Sleep escapes me.

Yes, 02:50 AM and I'm awake now. I awoke at 02:00 after about 5 hours of sleep and couldn't drift back off. There is much I'll be doing over the next week and a half and its running through my head over and over about what I would like to accomplish.

Well what have I don in the past week? So litle and so much less. Sunday, January 4th I took my parents back to MS. and suffered my father well. Needless to say doing things his way as he insisted all I took with to MS, was a simple travel kit and the clothes upon my back. Oh I've could of brough a change of clothes and running shoes with me I'm certain but as he was going to load the car and do it his way there was limited room to carry much of any thing else.

How to describe it? Well for himself there was 1 large suit case and a garment bag, My mother had a small suitcase and the there were the winter coats and jackets on the left rear passenger seat of the small sedan. So I left my small duffle with a couple of changes of clothes in Fla and went with the clothes on my back. As he did want to force anything extra into the trunk, not that he would atempt to move anything to fit it into a tighter space. He sees only one way to do anything and that is the way it must be done.

Well I've had my fill of my father for the remainder of the year, I want to forget the past few weeks and it shall take me a while to do so. On thing I had considered was looking into either renting or purchasing a small home near my parents so that I could look in on them from time to time and check that they are OK. But I'm scrapping that plan; I don't need, want or desire the psychological abuse my father will place upon me. I refuse to do things his single bloody minded way. Where he'll break my back to achieve his goals in the cheapest possible way. It's just like when we went to purchase a TV set to replace an old one which failed. He wouldn't consider a 26 inch LCD flat screen HDTV weighing 17 pounds (8.5 kilos) as it was more money than he wanted to spend. So he purchased a 27 inch flat panel TV weighinh 88.2 pounds (44 Kilos) which he was no help with. He couldn't steady the shopping cart the Walmart Imbicles placed the TV in when I went to unload it into the back of my van while I unloaded it into my van; I asked for a warehouse flat truck to move the TV with because of it's dimensions and weight. Fuck Walmart and any fuck headed asshole who wants to be associated with the culture of ignorance.

Well the Old man has his 88.2 pound less expensive traditional screen TV and has seen the last of me for at least a year or more. I've had my fill of his ways. Anger issues? Um yes, why do you ask? Aside from using this to vent my frustrations its also a safer way of doing so.

So what else has occured over the past week? I was almost killed by a driver who blew through a redlight and made a left turn infront of me while I was on my motorcycle. I I thanked the stupid cow very nicely for trying to kill me. I can wait to get out of the greater Tampa area. This place is a bipedal recreation of a experiment done with rats some years ago. The rats where allowed all the food they wanted, the ability to breed without controls and no room for their populations to expand. Well the rats started to go insane. This palace is like a cage full of insane rats and no-one is considering that their behaviors aren't heling the situation.

I've purchased new running shoes, Had to as the old ones were worn heavily. I've worn the heels down to where the softer cushioned layer was exposed. May 24th will mark a year of running and I've covered 1184 miles thus far; with running 330 miles since the marathon in October.

Running with animals; no not dogs, just animals: Very often when i go running in the morning I'll startle animals along my route and they'll run trying to move away from me. Its funny inthat some times their chosen escape route parralels my direction of travel. So I'll have O'possums running in a drainage ditch alongside where I'm running they'll look back up at me and redouble their efforst to get away by trying to out run me in the same direction I'm running. That seems the most comical. I've had rabbits and skunks do the same as well. As for the deer that are about locally. Well they've keyed on me and have totally ignored the dogs being walked on leash closer to them. Again it amusing to watch them scramble to get away. As for comic relief the local farm & feral cats probably do it best. I've watched them dive into drainage culverts and then pop up and dart back in to the pipes till I pass.

Well putting my thoughts into words seems to have a tonic effect and I'm relaxing more now and may be able to drift off for some more sleep shortly. As for today though I'll be heading for Key West later this morning. I'll drag along my sailboat and hopefully use it for a few days out of the Ney West NAS, recreation area. While my parents where here in Fla, I just needed to escape the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to pervade where ever my father was and just spent hours at the beach or Starbucks. Ok I did have my bagpipes or practice chanters with me for other diversions but still it wasn't the way I'll spend my Christmas & New Years Holidays next year.

Final entry for this morning and then I'm done; I promise.

Sunday I helped my cousin and his neighbor hang some huge air plants into an old oak tree. We had to employ ropes and pullies arranged into a 5 to1 hoisting system to get the plants into the crooks of the tree limbs. Hard work but finished satifactorly none the less. So yes, I've accomplish some work I'm proud of and that helps the mind set.

Well good day all, have a safe and easy week.

Q.