i dun fell off

computer crashed over a week ago at home. lots of holiday traveling has kept me away from the office, so no computer access for me. it's helped curb my ebay habit at the very least. it's also helped me realize i don't need to check email and blogs so frequently--let's see if i can get any work done today and tomorrow...

i had a great vacation, hanging out with family, eating lots of food, especially sweets and beer... movies: The Hangover (classic), Role Models (super great), 500 Days of Summer (meh), and soon, PaperHeart (?).

2010 is rollin up fast--no resolutions, just hopes for a healthy wife and baby. Maybe less computer. Finish the basement before Baby Girl arrives.... awesome garden that produces all summer long. Less sleep. A tattoo. And no Ebay. Did I just say that? No Ebay. Wowie. Less Ebay, meaning not checking it everyday.  Hey, it's not 2010 yet. I still have some time to amend my resolutions...  Oh, and at least 800 miles on my bike.

Skateboarding

Yesterday I saw a kid--"kid" but probably not much younger than I--skating in the street directly in front of our house. After maybe 20 minutes, realizing the kid was planning on staying there, I put on a long sleeve shirt, my skate shoes, and grabbed my board. Mind you, it's been well over a year since I actually skated beyond cruising down the street to pick up pizza. Maybe even two years. Damn.

Anyway, I went out and introduced myself to this kid, Joey, who just moved in to the apartments across the street. He was really pretty good. It took me a while to warm up and my goal was to finally land an ollie over the traffic cone that was out there. I finally landed it a few times, after a lot of frustration. I was trying all kinds of 180s and just reclaiming some comfort on my board. We didn't talk a lot, just talked a little about ourselves and talked about how we were old and skateboarding wasn't as easy as it used to be... ha

I was out there hardly 30 minutes before I was exhausted and had to call it quits. Joey was real cool and I'm sure I'll be skating with him soon. But seriously, my entire body hurts today. It hurts to walk, it hurts to sit, it hurts to turn, it hurts to think...But there's something wholly satisfying about these aches that makes me excited about feeling better soon and getting back out on my board, even if it is only in front of my house. Maybe I'll try to build a fun-box from some scrap wood I have for the next time I want to mess around...
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Currently listening to a playlist of Jackie Mitto music on Imeem.com...

Quote

A waist is a terrible thing to mind. -Jane Caminos

Health, science

I haven't had much to say lately. I read all "my blogs" (kinda like watching "my stories"), which have actually become a bit boring. I even scan through the blog-rolls of those blogs. I flip through the lists of bikes on Craigslists between Cincinnati and Cleveland. Sometimes I peek at Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.

Otherwise, work has been pretty busy lately and will continue to be busy for the rest of the summer. Allergy season has begun and I already feel the start of a sinus infection. Dammit.

Meanwhile, the one thing that has been fluttering around my headspace has been health care reform. What a nightmare. Right when I think I understand what's going on, I realize I have no clue. Meanwhile, I've managed to absorb some of the noise from the far-right Republicans, and insofar as I associate with leftish Democrats, I tend to let it really bother me. I've got this tendency to take shit so personally and get bent out of shape about stupid things. And usually it's just stupid, petty, trivialities.

The big stuff? I just don't get it. Policies and economics aren't my forte. That's why I dove into science and biology. It's all about facts. Facts and laws of nature. Indisputable (I guess, theoretically, haha). For the most part, opinions are left out of it. Of course, you can use it to justify opinions about stuff like climate change and vegetarianism. Overall, I deal really well with science and it makes beautiful, harmonious sense in my head.

So, I guess until I feel like I understand political theories and economic philosophy, I'll try to avoid it and be cautious to form opinions.

As for now, I'm assuming universal, public-option health care sounds pretty respectable, reform seems essential, and people worried about government spending should focus attention on ending our wars [tip of the hat to Only One Manda for making that point]. In the meantime I'll try to follow what's going on, beneath the shouting and soundbites. If there's one thing I don't trust, it is the lot of insurance companies. I've heard enough horror stories about getting shafted or getting dropped at times when insurance should step up.

Fourth of July (amended)

This day comes around every year, full of spectacle and national pride. That's right: the day of Nathan's Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Now, I'm not too cynical to think that all of America is really invested in such an event. It symbolizes a gluttonous and bored society. Granted, these competitive eaters are in "traditional athletic condition" (or something to that effect) and have found a job at which they are successful and can apparently make a lot of money. That's the good part about capitalism, for them. What about us? It's hard to believe this gets much support but I guess there is a whole circuit of competitive eating: funnel cakes, ice cream, deep fried asparagus, clams... the list is as long as people are stupid. And these people make a LOT of money!

Well today a skinny white American male won for the third year in a row by eating a record-shattering 68 hotdogs in ten minutes. Awesome. And he looked an appropriate amount of miserable afterwards. I know where he's coming from though. In weaker moments, I have eaten inordinate amounts of bad food from a few cheap Chinese-food buffets, and I will probably do it again. But no one celebrates me for it.

I guess as long as people are finding reasons to be proud to be American, and no one is getting hurt, it's alright by me.

On the other end of the spectrum however, is the recent rise of domestic terrorism--something that was recently reported on NPR. The collision of a shitty economy and election of a half-black Democrat is just a lot for some crazy people to handle. This trend is up mainly within extreme right-wing circles, as unsurprising as that is to hear. So, groups of people that are generally characterized by nationalism and pride are going nuts because they feel like everything to which they have an inherent claim--perhaps instilled by God--is being threatened or has been stolen. The most chilling thing to realize is that white supremacy is alive and well in America. I'm not ignoring all the other racism, etc., that plagues other nations, but I'm reflecting on the U.S. of A.

Ok, sorry about the little tangent. Be safe this weekend. Happy Independence Day. Go be independent!

Health Is Stealth

My 26th birthday is coming up and I'm trying to crank out a few life-errands before that day hits. Not sure why, but I figure that I've come to the point where I have to start acting like an adult that takes care of himself. Also, I like setting deadlines so if I complete something simple I feel like I'm one step ahead of myself.

Last year I went to the dentist. Twice, even. That was pretty cool until my health insurance mucked everything up. I went to an eye doctor who pointed out my eyes have gone rogue and prefer to not stay in place for long periods of time.

Today I became a new patient at a nearby Family Practice. Is that what it's called? A doctor. I saw a doctor. For as nervous as I was, it was a pretty underwhelming experience. I really like filling out questionnaires, so that was fun. I also enjoy answering questions to which I know the answer. It was gratifying to be reassured that my blood pressure and pulse were in good places. The best news was that my moles, although plentiful and eye-catching, were of no serious concern. Sweet. Other than that, nothing. I guess I was hoping for some sort of receipt to show that I was completely healthy, like you'd get after a 120 point inspection on your car. I mean, the doctor didn't draw blood and perform all sorts of tests. No x-rays. No "Turn your head and cough." Not even a wooden stick down my throat to look at anything there either--and that's gotta be the simplest thing to look at. Just one tetanus shot and I was out the door. Check.

One step closer to being a responsible and healthy adult. Next up is a car inspection. That, or starting a retirement account for myself...

Clean

A salesman came to our house today to demonstrate a water purifying system. The whole experience was estimated to last up to an hour, according to the guy who set it up and promised us a $20 gift card to Home Depot. We were 2 hours deep into this pitch before the guy even started talking about the cost... He had a lot to prove. Unfortunately for him, a lot of it relied on us being average, "hygienic" Americans. One part of our discussion sounded something not much unlike this:

Salesman: How much do you spend on groceries each week?
C: ...$75 a week?
Man: Ok [punching numbers into calculator]. 25% of that budget should be how much you spend on your "cleaning bill"... $18 per week...$80 each month
C & D: [confused looks]
C: Umm...
D: Noo...
C: We don't spend that much. Maybe... $10 each month.
D: Yeah. Ten...
Man: [puzzled] Oh, that includes your soaps, shampoos, bathroom and household cleaners, laundry detergent...?
C & D: [smirking]
D: We use a lot less of that stuff than the average household. We don't do a lot of laundry.
C: I don't wash my hair.
Man: [look of concern and abject horror] You don't wash your hair? It's because you don't like the feeling of the hard water--
C: No, I think it's 'cause I just don't care.
Man: [trying to save this] That's okay. We're all different.
--
The actual conversation was a lot funnier because it was longer and involved us fumbling over a padded description of our lifestyle, while he was trying to keep the ball rolling about his point about saving money. According to their literature, the average household spends $12-15/week on their "cleaning bill." I think we agreed that we spent $10 a month on cleaning products... I'm still convinced that is a liberal estimation...

I don't know if I should spend some time giving an explanation of our unusual/atypical habits. I guarantee this lifestyle would (will?) change dramatically if (when?!) a baby joins up and completes our nuclear family unit. Until then, we will wear most of our clothes multiple times before a wash, and showers will be on an as-needed basis.

Old Old-School

I was thinking about how some of the stuff that I think is cool is basically just regressive and nostalgic in essence. You know? I don't mean like mustaches or aviator sunglasses or popped collars or whatever. I mean like bigger scale, not-ironic kind-of stuff. For example, organic agriculture and small, family farms: like I said before, these are throw-backs to pre-War farming methods. What else? Cycling: essentially unchanged since it's invention in the 1800's (unlike the automobile which was developed around the same time). Environmentalism: basically a way of life before Industrialism. Whole foods: came before mass-production, processing, and packaging.

Strangely, all these things tend to connect, I guess under the umbrella of pre-Industrialism environmentalism. Straight up conservatism. 'Ism for shizzim.

Long cold winter

Old Man Winter has dealt what is hopefully his final blow to severely cripple the hope I had buried so deep within, that was keeping my mind off the miserable weather and looking toward the Spring. I think I'm finally sick, post-nasal drip and all... I've been fighting back with Airborn, Ricolas, honey water, and... beer and coffee. Damn! I've become my own enemy. I guess it's time to get serious to fend off this curse...
Meanwhile, temperatures only seem to be dropping. I'm trying to decide if I should drop serious coin on some intense winter mitts.

Oh, and I've elected to take this opportunity to send fervent praise to the universe regarding a series of podcasts for a program called "Uhh Yeah Dude." UYD might be the funniest program I've ever heard in my life. Two guys in L.A. Expect a bounty of explicit content. I linked up their website, though I've not really looked at it completely. I suggest checking out the podcasts available on iTunes for sure though.

Conspicuous

In the face of Holiday sales, it's time again when I need to challenge myself to stop thinking about buying certain, unneeded things for myself and consider a target or goal to put my consumption in perspective. For example, there are two things I've been craving lately: a new pair of shoes and a new coat. It might be worth mentioning that for a long time now I have harbored four fetishes including bikes, hats, backpacks, and shoes. Lately, due to the fact that I'm outside more than ever before, I've added jackets to the growing list. This last obsession is at least a little more practical than the others... right?

I've taken inventory of the things I already have which includes nine pairs of various types of shoes and two winter coats. Damn. What this tells me is I need to get better about fulfilling the useful lives of these things before considering replacing them--and when that time comes around, I need to be more considerate about the quality and utility of each thing I buy. That last part has to do with things like proper fit, good materials, and multiple uses.

So, I have set two general targets for myself: no new casual shoes before my next birthday and no winter coat until next year. It will be a good exercise in self-control. Do I hear New Year's Resolution???

Hmm... I've only thought of one other N.Y.R. for 2009: run at least twice a week, every week. See how I am being specific? Oh yeah. Probably more to come...

If you have any fixations, feel free to use the Comments section as a therapy session of sorts. Or, if you have managed to transcend the binds of such mundane compulsions, take this opportunity to confess your superiority. But seriously, write something; participate.

You know when you get that tingly feeling all over...?

So, a higher power decided to help me figure out a costume for Halloween. I was to be a Roof. No, not really. But I apparently have Shingles. That's right: the varicella zoster virus (A.K.A. herpes zoster (A.K.A. same thing as chickenpox, but different (A.K.A. this fuckin sucks!))).

Here is a really colorful description of my recently latent friend Shingles.

Basically I've been experiencing sharp, pinching pains along the right side of my body, a burning rash of blisters on a small, isolated spot on my back, and tingling, sensitive sensations on the skin all over my torso.

I guess I've been harboring this virus since I had chickenpox as a kid, but my immune system decided to take a break and shit went haywire. Am I emotionally distressed? I don't think so. As I understand it, this should be my only Shingles outbreak for the rest of my life.

Oh well. That's all the venting I want to do about it. Tonight C and I went to see Olympic gymnasts at the Tour of Gymnastic Superstars. That was pretty cool. The best part was C being really excited to go. The second best part was rhythmic gymnastics. Then we hung out with J&M--they had bought Alden a little shirt that says "Bark for Barack" on the back of it! How rad.

Ok, it's Saturday night and I'm ready for sleep. Peeeeeeeeace
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Here's a video to lift your spirits. Special dedication to Brandi Lee and all the hippies at the Homestead.

Run = done

Well, it's about time I write this overdue entry about the marathon. This past Sunday, C and I, together, finished the full Athens Marathon in just over 5 hours. Here's a photo of proof: C was pretty miserable throughout the last 21.2 miles, but I'm proud that she stuck with it and am impressed with how strong she finished. I'm glad I ran with her too: first, she was my inspiration to run; second, I was worried about her either being in too much pain to finish and/or not finishing and being disappointed with herself; and third, I had a stronger desire to run with C and share the experience with her and to act as a motivator for her than I did to find out my best finishing time. Overall, we finished 192nd and 193rd of 213 full-marathon runners.

My recovery has been better than I expected, although I must have twisted my ankle when I was hobbling around after the race, 'cause now it's killing me.

I think this is ridiculous, but I will admit, I kinda' want to run another one. But seriously, the training sucked. Rather, it sucked up all my time. But honestly, I don't think I've ever been as healthy as I've been during the past several months of running 4 days a week. I hope I will keep running, often, and with some long runs every now and again.

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In other news, Spring has sprung in all its conspicuousness around our home. The big shrubby tree is flowering beautiful white and good-smelling flowers. Small bulbs have busted out of the ground and flowers have appeared there too. For as much as I like plants, I really don't know anything about ornamentals. Alden is really digging this weather too, and it's fun to lay in the grass with him on these sunny afternoons. I've transplanted some strawberries to a pot and the tomatoes in the basement are really pushing for a bigger container. Now that the race is over my mind is turning to road bikes and skateboards. I really hope to build a good road bike, up from a frame I recently acquired. Stay tuned for that project...

Health is wealth

In high school, my friend Billy Callis made me a CD with this song:

Dead Prez Be Healthy
It was inspirational to hear a cool hip-hop group rhyming about eating fresh, whole foods and exercising while rejecting alcohol, cigarettes, OTC medicines, and animal products. I first heard this at a time when I was decidedly abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and becoming very passionate about environmentalism, vegetarianism, and farming/gardening. I hope you enjoy the track as much as I do. [Warning: explicit lyrics at 2 minutes]

For a while now I have been hoping to write a list of the "essential ingredients of my Good Life"--foods and other things that I have made part of my routine. I think it might be useful to share lists like this, though I'm not sure why... Here goes... (in no particular order)

+ Avocado
+ Almonds, raw & unsalted
+ Mangoes, fresh
+ Broccoli & Carrots, raw (mixed with almonds!)
+ Basil
+ Avocado & Tuna (no mayo!)
+ Honey, honey, and more honey!!! (the all-curing panacea)
+ Peanut butter, crunchy
+ Pumpkin pie, chocolate, & cookies made by C
+ More avocado
+ Chipotle

"Who run it?!"

This is the route C and I ran today in 3.5 hours--just short of 19 miles if you don't include walking around Giant Eagle looking for chocolate samples and DVDs...haha! C hasn't run more than 90 minutes since last April, and then busted out with this 210 minute monster? She's crazy--crazy beautiful. Long runs are fun because, as C has convinced me, it is necessary to reward oneself. So, a great (big) lunch, some miscellaneous shopping, a terrific dinner including sweet Italian sausage, and Graeter's ice cream.

Also, we got some seeds started today! This included two varieties of tomatoes, two types of peppers, creeping thyme, and basil. I set up a 4' shop light with daylight spectrum bulbs in the basement. Hopefully the cool temperature down there doesn't stifle the germination of our lil' buddies. The shop light was already in the house. Some chain to hang the light, 2 bulbs, and the starting trays cost around $25. I'll post a picture of the set up when plants start pokin' out of the soil.

I'm getting pretty excited about life including warmer temperatures, bike riding and gardening with C, skateboarding, and playing with Aldocho.

Glass half full

Yesterday I met the half-way mark in my marathon training: 13 glorious, unforgiving miles!

The night before my run I stayed awake until 3 a.m., painting part of a mural at Denison's coffee shop and drinking beer with friends. I didn't plan on running the next day, but agreed with C that we should do our long run on Saturday since we had time. My late night really undermined my running--I was dehydrated and had trouble getting into a good stride. I managed to complete 135 minutes of running but decided that until I run a marathon, I'm not going to drink any alcohol. Maybe after a few months of no beer, I'll lose the habit of buying it or drinking socially. I hope to replace beer with homemade juice full of vitamins and antioxidants!

FYI, here's what I painted on Friday:


Good life go!

Exorcise

As the days have been getting colder I've been motivated to make an effort to not drive my car when I can get to a particular place efficiently by walking, biking, running, or skating. My drive could be fueled by a combination of an increasing desire to rebel against winter (since so much time this season is spent indoors) and live up to a New Year's Resolution I've unofficially set for myself (that is: drive less). I can't take all the credit: C and I have both decided to make a concerted effort to car-less-ly transport ourselves to places nearby. Within 2 miles of our house you'll find: 4 grocery stores, the recreation center, 2 hardware stores, 3 coffee shops, a public library (with a Starbucks in it), 2 bike shops, 2 tattoo parlors, a high school track, a skate park, a skate shop, a shoe repair shop, a post office, [a college campus], a farmers' market, numerous parks, and myriad restaurants, including 2 Paneras, 2 Chipotles, a Graeters, and the best Chinese restaurant in the Western Hemisphere, Lucky House.

C has been a huge inspiration to exercise...regularly? How about, "relatively frequently." For the past couple of years I've been resistant, but after she annihilated the Athens Marathon (Athens, Ohio) last spring, I realized how amazing exercise can make you feel. More specifically, it became clear to me that running is a powerful ability that I strongly admire. I will admit that I've not been interested in doing push-ups, and most days I can't muster up the desire to lift a weight. However, more and more I look forward to runs on my training schedule. In my mind I'm racing toward a goal, and at the end of the tunnel I will be rewarded. I hope I can keep this up for the rest of my life.

Running, biking, walking, skating--why should these things make me feel good? Maybe it's endorphines (possibly anandamide). I think I've been enjoying them because they are ways to realize my potential and be a responsible human and citizen, all at the same time.

C is a great teammate. I might not be excited about living room curtains and she might not be happy about watching another skate video, again. BUT we both support each other's efforts and most times we both step up to the plate, with minimal fuss, to push forward, side by side. She is teaching me a ton about myself and about relationships. I hope I'm teaching her some good stuff too.