It’s a rest day for the Tour de France. I suppose that it’s warranted since they’ve been riding every day for the past week. Hell, I’m ready for a rest day after only one day of exercise.
Read Along With Me
Today’s passage from Notes To Myself.
“All I want is for you to accept me as I am.”
“Yes, and all I want is for you to accept my not accepting you.”
To all who have helped me — Thanks.
The Restarting Is The Hardest Part
Hoorah for me! Last night I thought of every possible reason not to go out for a run, but managed to convince myself that it was important. It was far from the best run that I’ve performed this year, but at least it was a (re)start.
I ran/walk my standard five-mile loop from my house to Grant Park and back. I was disappointed to have to start walking sooner than I used to, but realized that I cannot just turn my running off for two months and expect to be at the same level when I restart.
Give A Man A Bottle Of Ragu And He’ll Eat For A Day. Teach A Man To Make Spaghetti Sauce And He’ll Eat Much Later
Last night the plan was to take some of the frozen meatballs that I had stored in the freezer, defrost the loaf of Italian bread that was in there too, and whip up a sauce from some of the staples in my pantry.
The meatballs were a smash, the bread beyond recovery due to freezer-burn, and the sauce incredibly tasty. However, I wound up eating at 9pm.
The sauce I made was a standard reduction including (in no particular order) red wine, beef broth, canned whole tomatoes, tomato past, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, andn thyme. I wound up incorporating the meatballs into the sauce and wound up serving it all with biscuits (because the loaf of bread was FAIL) and shave parmesan cheese.
Had it not taken so long to cook that I was completely famished, remember I started this after completing my five-mile run, I would have taken photos for all to see.
ITP Flickr Pic
I thought that I was going to take some new shots last night, but with the exercise and then late making of dinner I was in no mindset to think about photography. So, here’s the last of the Peachtree shots that I will post.
This is Mary, also known as “Hide The Salami” to many of you. During the wheelchair portion of the Peachtree I saw her dart across the course much to the dismay of the policewoman that was guarding the intersection. Naturally I had to catch this act of defiance on “film” for all to witness.
A Different Kind Of “Network”
Still without air conditioning last night I went into my bedroom — where I could open a window, suck in the cooling night air (which was brilliant last night), and turn on a ceiling fan in order to stay sufficiently cool — early and watched a movie. The movie of choice last night was Network. Made in the mid-1970’s it was somewhat eerie to see how the subject matter discussed was still relevant. If not for the fact that the fashion was dated, all phones were corded, and instead of computers people were using typewriters, much of the plot could be used today. The plot was based around a second-tier television network’s attempt to make money by creating reality-based programming.
This movie has been on my “I should watch” list for at least twenty years and I am glad that I’ve finally gotten around to seeing it. In fact, it probably has had more impact at this point in my life than it would have twenty years ago.
I Need An Etiquette Judgment
I’ve committed to going to a wedding soon that I really don’t want to attend. I really should have respectfully declined the invitation, but I like the couple and initially wanted to attend. The crux of my change of heart is the fact that it is a night wedding and I don’t think that I will be able to fit into any of my suits. If this was a family wedding I’d suck it up and wedge myself into go out and buy a suit, but this wedding is not for family.
Is there a respectful way to decline the invitation now that I’ve already accepted? Should I lie and pretend that something “came up?” Or should I just shut the hell up and go?
Digital Download Of The Week
This one is fairly easy for me. Even though I am sure that this The Hold Steady disc is going to sound like all of the other The Hold Steady discs, I am still going to buy it today.
The Hold Steady concert is the one at Athens’ 40 Watt Club for which I am having trouble buying a ticket. Because I was unable to travel to Athens last weekend I don’t know how I am going to get a ticket. Hmm, would that be a valid excuse for skipping the wedding? 🙂
And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood – okay, but feel like I have so much to do
Current Music – Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 26 playing Band Of Horses — “No One’s Gonna Love You”
Website Of The Day – I confess to being one of those Moleskine-carrying hipsters. I only wish that I had the artistic skills to pull off some of the stuff I see on Moleskine Art.
Exercise (b)Log – running/walking 5 miles
Monthly Foot Mileage – 19 miles
Monthly Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Mode Of Transportation To Work – My car (I really should start riding Marta again)
Monthly Marta Rides – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 104 (104)
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]
Congrats on getting back out there and running/walking……keep it up!
And thanks for not posting a picture of last night’s dinner!
Maybe the bride and/or groom will read your blog and you won’t have to worry about coming up with an excuse! 🙂
Don’t you like my food photos Sal? I promise never to post gross photos.
I don’t think that they are ITP readers…. of course I’ve been wrong before.
Oh, and I just updated the blog software to WordPress v2.6. If anything appears wonky please send me an email directly to let me know.
Thanks!
Love the pic of my sister trying to dodge the wheelchairs (she was catching Marta to start the race). She’s a special ed teacher too and should have known better 🙂
If you don’t want to go, don’t go! However, I’ve found on a few occasions when I had no desire to do something and did, it turned out much better than imagined… or maybe that was the free booze talking….
I watched an old film I hadn’t seen in many, many years a few weeks ago called “Wizards” ever seen it? Ink on celluloid baby! But still a fun flick!
Hey Slacker! At least I was going to the start of the race and not just taking pictures of it! And by the way, the police officers gave me permission!
Like we are going to believe the story of someone who blatantly breaks the law all so that they can take public transportation to the start of the race? 😛
As for me I was performing a public service. My photos are not for me, they are for all to see and enjoy. The fact that I am able to document people who have no regard for the safety of poor wheelchair racers is merely a bonus!
(I hope that you know that I am joking.)
I was going to show you my photo at the Black Sheep beer stop, but apparently you actually ran the race instead of drinking all morning.
Are you sure none of your suits will fit? After you have already RSVP’d, it would be gauche not to attend. Time for a little shopping.
And anyone in the under-35 set know the famous quote from “Network”?
-FP
I have not actually attempted to try on a suit yet. However, knowing how the pair of pants I am wearing today feel there is doubt that I will be able to fit into them.
I also doubt that the under-35 set will know. They may know the quote, but doubt that they will know its source.
I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore.
But i’m not under 35.
(And I’m mad as hell about that last part. )
I would encourage you to go to your friend’s wedding. I understand your reluctance, but try to remember that it is about honoring the commitment of the couple—not about how you feel in a suit. Keep that as your focus and you’ll have a good time. And open bars can help things immensely. WAIT–If they’re baptists, ignore this advice and stay home.
I think you should go the wedding. Who said you have to wear a suit? I think it would be unfortunate if the reason you’re not going is your body — to put it bluntly.
How soon is the wedding? That would be the biggest part of declining at this point, have they already had to paid for your plate? Is it a sit down dinner? Allan’s jacket size is a 50 Long I think, I could lend out his clothes….. (I’m sure he would love that). But really, go buy a jacket at Men’s Warehouse, they are always advertising their great prices. it’s summer time – get a searsucker one, and wear a bow tie.
I’m agreeing with Steve: if you RSVP’d yes, you go. Especially since you DO like the couple and the only reason for not going is that you don’t want to spend money on new clothes (right?). If there was a legit reason for not attending (102 degree fever that morning, for example), that’s one thing. But otherwise it’s kind of the equivelent of a woman breaking a date because it’s a “bad hair day.”
Now, granted, I wouldn’t want to slap down a lot of money on clothes that I’d hopefully be wearing only temporary until I fit back into my other clothes either!! It’s a night wedding, but a night wedding in *summer*, so unless the invite stresses a particular wardrobe, that does not mean you have to go all suited up (in fact, most times you don’t have to do suits at all in summer unless you’re in the wedding party/family). Can you not get away with a nice pair of slacks shirt & tie? Even if you have to pony up $30 for a new pair of Dockers, it’d be better than not showing. Plus, you’ll have them in case you have to go to another wedding by surprise next weekend. 🙂
IMHO, I think you would be best served heeding the advice from Betsy and Stacy (and parking yourself near the bar). You never know, maybe some single Martha Quinn lookalike will have the same idea…
Any chance you would mind passing along your sauce recipe? I realize I’ll have to modify to accommodate us veg-heads, but I need some way to deal with the upcoming overabundance of tomatoes in our garden.
Sorry, I walked away from my keyboard for a while.
The wedding is July 26th. I will most likely go because
a) I am a “stand up” guy and honor my commitment
b) I like the couple and wouldn’t want anyone to back out of my wedding.
It’s a night wedding, which traditionally is suit/tie. I suppose I could kick it up an notch and rent a tux for the night. ROTFL!!!!
Barb, if I tried to wear Allan’s clothes I would look like a boy wearing his father’s suit jacket. Last I remember I am somewhere around a 46/48 Regular.
Ew, I never checked to see if this is a Baptist wedding! If I remember correctly it is at Fernbank, can I sneak alcohol in there just in case? 🙂
Randy – we should have tons of tomatoes this year as well, I’m seriously thinking I might need to learn how to can.
Definitely make some salsa, the longer it sits, the spicier/hotter it will get.
A simple saute of olive oil, garlic and the tomatoes is the basic we work with, then add some other spices as we go & feel it needs. I’m thinking I my eggplant is actually going to be okay this year, so I’m going to need to recipes other than eggplant parmesan.
There really wasn’t much measuring going on last night. I listed everything I threw into the sauce with one omission, capers. Just remember to keep tasting as you add and adjust to your liking. Start to finish the sauce took about 45 minutes, mostly because I started with a lot of liquid and wanted to reduce it down to a “saucy” consistency.
tomato paste really helps to thicken whwn you need it…….. and they sell it in tubes now, so there is no waste.
Fernbank…. I will need a review, we are going to a wedding there in November. I think we’ve decided the guys should where tuxes (yes, Allan owns one, but now he wants a white dinner jacket, ala Casablanca) since it is a Saturday night and how often do you get to get all dressed up?
@ Paulie & Barb, thanks for the suggestions. We’ve been using some of the tomatoes for salsa fresca (or pico de gallo, whatever you want to call it) so far, but I might have to try the saute method as Cheese is not a big fan of the “fresh” salsa like I am.
@ Paulie – you make me laugh. You apologize for being away from your computer for an hour – it’s OK, honest, we realize you might have to attend a meeting from time to time… not on TdF days, of course, but sometimes…
🙂
I apologized because there were so many unanswered comments. Additionally I was goofing off with coworkers and not at an official meeting. I get to do these things when it’s not a TdF day.