What’s Harder Than The First Day Of Running?

The day after that. Because I have a fully-committed, rest-day today I forced myself out of the house again last night for another five-mile trot. This time I did the somewhat-defunct Monday Night East Atlanta Running group route in reverse. It is often said that runners, like water, always seek a route that is net-downhill and I would agree. My legs were sore from Monday’s trot and forcing them up hills really didn’t help matters.

I’ve also relearned that daily exercise is going to be a huge time sink, and no matter how good it is for me, is going to force me to make tough decisions about my hobbies and time management. Summing the time required to get ready, run, cool down, and clean up last night easily consumed an hour and a half. Even with a easily-prepared “quick” dinner there was little time to accomplish much else last night.

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

I can’t assume that this woman wants sex with me simply because I want sex with her, but I can open my eyes and see if she does and take a reasonable risk and ask her — without trying to predetermine her answer by the way I phrase the question.

If she could choose any man she wanted she would probably not choose me, but I have been strongly attracted to many women who were far from ideal and knew it. The question is not how do I compare with all men. The question is am I sexually attractive to this woman at this time. “Am I sexy as hell, or too fat?” — that can’t be answered, but “How is she experiencing me?” can be. To get the answer I have to look at her and not at me.

To all who have helped me — Thanks.

A Band That You Probably Don’t Know
Yesterday in the post my (“used”) copy of the latest disc from Unicycle Loves You arrived. Unicycle Loves You is a Chicago-based band that I first heard on a WOXY podcast and started to enjoy. About a week or so ago Rich over at Cable And Tweed also highlighted the band and I decided to seek out their disc. My “used” copy turned out to be a promo-copy sold to me by a vendor on Amazon. The shipping actually cost more than the disc itself, but even still the final cost was less than $7.

After one listen last night I am hooked. I am trying to figure out how to make sure that I don’t miss any show that they do locally when they finally decide to venture out on a tour.

Looks Like Kindle 2.0 Might Be Out By The Time I Read Five Books
There is word on the tech blogs that Amazon is working on the next generation of their Kindle e-book reader. According to the blogs, Kindle 2.0 might be available by this Christmas.

As you might remember, I am lusting over one of these nerd-toys but have imposed a “must read five books that I already own” rule before I will allow myself to purchase one. To date I have only completed one book, and have temporarily abandoned 253 in favor of Jack Kerouac’s On The Road. At the rate I am going I lust might be able to complete my task in time to reward myself with a Kindle as a Christmas gift.

And In Related News
Since starting my pledge to not buy physical media I have yet to purchase a new CD (I have purchased one used cd and multiple digital-downloads), new books, magazines, or dvds. Sure it’s only been six weeks but I am pleased how easy it has been for me to kick the habit which does nothing more than bring more clutter into my life.

ITP Flickr Pic
I’ve got nothing today. Some days I wish that I was more productive, but there are only so many hours in my day.

Tonight I’ll Be Making A Long-Overdue Return To Variety Playhouse
That’s right, tonight I’ll be toting the camera to Variety Playhouse to see Alejandro Escovedo perform again. I’ll be meeting up beforehand with my friend Betsy, and if all goes to plan my friend Mike as well.

If my calendar speaks the truth this will be the first of five nights that I will be spending at Variety Playhouse in the next thirty days. I should get some sort of VIP privilege for all of the patronage that I’ve given Variety this year.

And If I Weren’t Going To Variety Playhouse Tonight…
…I’d be headed to Decatur to hear Grammar Girl read from her new book, answer all questions, and give away prizes.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008
6:30 PM

DeKalb Public Library — Downtown Decatur Branch
215 Sycamore Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030

I admit it, I have a nerdy-girl crush on Grammar Girl, even though I know she’s taken.

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood – sore, sniffly like I’ve got a Summer cold, tired, but mentally good
Current Music – Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing Modest mouse — “The World At Large”
Website Of The Day – In addition to running and cycling I am going to incorporate 100 Push-Ups into my workout routine.
Exercise (b)Log – running/walking 5 miles
Monthly Foot Mileage – 24 miles
Monthly Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Mode Of Transportation To Work – My car
Monthly Marta Rides – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 105 (105)
Books To Read To Earn Kindle – 4

July Goals
1) Run/Walk no fewer than 75 miles
2) Ride no fewer than 150 road miles
3) Ride Marta no fewer than twenty times (ten round-trips)
4) Read at least two books
5) Make my bed every day
6) Relaunch www.JalapenoBeach.com
7) Keep track of how many days I use stairs over elevators

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]