Just Say “No” To The Dreadmill

Oh the weather outside was frightful — 35 degrees with spitting rain to be exact. However I could not bring myself to stay indoors and run on the treadmill. No I had one mile to cover for every ten degrees outside (so I ran 3.5 miles for the mathematically challenged in the audience) and was determined to do it outside in order to “build character.” The run was miserable, at times I wondered if I could call what I was doing “running” since the pace seemed glacial. However in the end I completed my task and I felt the internal swell of success.

Read Along With Me
Today’s passage from Notes To Myself.

After I had written this book I told several friends. Their response was polite and mild. Later I was able to tell them that I was going to be published. Almost to a man they used the words “I am proud of you.” Proud of the results but not the action.

Everyone but me looks back on my behavior in judgement (sic). They can only see my acts coupled with their results. But I act now. And I cannot know the results. I give my actions their own possible meaning for me, and this meaning always issues from: “I am responding to this part of me and not that part.”

To all who have helped me — Thanks.

How About That Heath Ledger, Huh?
I guess being young, handsome, popular, and perhaps wealthy wasn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

If You Can’t Say Something Nice
I suppose that it’s the critic’s job to tell the truth about how they feel. It might surprise you to find out that this is one of the reasons that I have no passion for becoming a music critic.

Yesterday I was surprised to see that Pitchfork had a review of Manchester Orchestra’s CD “I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child.” The review seemed a bit “late” seeing how the disc has been in my possession for nearly a year. If you’ve read this space for a long time you’ll know that I’ve mentioned Manchester Orchestra on more than one occasion (just look at the bottom of yesterday’s post) and that I’ve generally spoken good words about their music. While I agreed with many of the comparisons I read in Pitchfork’s review I take an issue with their 5.1 scoring of the CD. I certainly think it’s better than that.

Yesterday I also mentioned in passing that Manchester Orchestra will be playing locally (inside the perimeter) on Friday night. I’ve finally gotten around to doing my research, they will be playing at The Loft and tickets can be purchased for $9.97 (plus fees) at Ticket Alternative; this concert is part of the Georgia Music Concert Series.

ITP Flickr Pic
Nothing “new” to post today as my experiment yesterday produced no acceptable results.

This was taken a few weeks ago while I roamed around downtown on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Ah, It Reminds Me Of Home
For those of you who know me fairly well you probably know that I am originally from Queens, NY. (It explains my love for the Mets, Jets, and Islanders. My love for the Gators is explained by knowing that like many New Yorkers we moved to Florida and I thus attended the University of Florida)

Yesterday I received the following from Netflix making me think of my original home

Dear Paul,

MONARCH OF THE GLEN: DISC 1 (SERIES 2) was not available at your local shipping center. Instead, we will be shipping this movie from Flushing, NY on the next business day. As usual, you will receive a movie shipped email confirming the shipment.

-The Netflix Team

Yes, I am watching Monarch Of The Glen, you got a problem with that? I know that the show hasn’t been on the telly in quite some time; much like this Netflix note it helps me remember a different part of my life.

Did Somebody Say “King Cake?”
I missed out on the lagniappe that was Little Easy’s birthday party last Saturday night. However, I don’t think that means that I’ve missed out on the king cake which traditionally is served at the party. On Saturday Sarah, the cake’s creator, mentioned that she would be unable to attend the party and bringing the cake to George’s tonight. Oooooooh how a sliver of king cake would make me so happy after tonight’s run.

And, given that I’ve performed my last three training runs in temperatures near or below freezing I guess that I have no excuse for not running tonight.

Steve, if you are there I owe you a beer for your birthday.

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood – good although I still hack and wheeze occasionally
Current Music – Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing The Fratellis — “Chelsea Dagger” (music even Boner can appreciate)
Website Of The Day – I like music. Do you like music? If so you really need to check out The Almighty Jukebox because it’s really cool.
Exercise (b)Log – running, 3.5 miles
Monthly Foot Mileage – 41 miles
Monthly Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Mode Of Transportation To Work – My car (I think Marta will resume in February)
Monthly Marta Rides – 6

January Goals
1) Run no fewer than 50 miles [on pace]
2) Ride Marta no fewer than sixteen times (eight round-trips) [not going to get there]
3) Read at least one book [done]

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]