The Short Version

Currently Watching
An Inconvenient Truth
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Hey all! I’ve been mighty busy lately, there’s lots going on. Here’s just a quick update on things that will most likely be given more time later.First, I just saw An Inconvenient Truth last night. You need to see this movie. It’s very well-done. It presents a ton of information and keeps things interesting. Go see it. Take friends. Act on it. For serious.

Second, Big news. I finally landed a second job and I’m pretty excited about it. It’ll stretch me and take me into some new teritory, but I think I could definitely use the challenge and I think I could do really well at it.

Third, I’m home in Aurora for the weekend. It’s short notice and a short time to be here, but I’m hoping to get together with people before I go home. Give me a ring.

I’ve also got some cool computer gadgets and good albums to talk about, so tune in.

Blogged on:
eMac 1GHz G4
768MB RAM

Lake Mingo

Currently Listening
The Life Pursuit
By Belle & Sebastian
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iMac uptime: 5 days 18 hours 6 minutes

        Query: The bloglines.com thing that always comes up in the Xanga footprints, is that just a crawler?  What is that thing for?

       I'm feeling pretty good this morning.  Yesterday I ran my first race ever.  A 7.1 mile trail run.  The whole day was really fun.  I headed out there with Marla, Justin, Febus, Abby, JP, and Lauren (The last two just came along to cheer us on, hang out, and take pictures, how cool).  The weather was great!  It was hanging around 50 or 60 and threatening rain.  It made for great running weather.  After the race it started pouring and I thought about how smart it would have been to bring something warm to wear…oh well. 

       I got a bit ahead of myself right off the bat just starting off too fast, but I toned it down right away and got into a better groove.  I struggled through the race a bit.  I didn't train too well for it, but I made it through.  I almost died out a couple times in the middle, but got a second wind.  Lesson learned: it's probably a good idea to walk the steeper hills.  Near the end of the race I was starting to slow down quite a bit and this older guy passed me (having started too close to the front I was pretty used to people passing me, no biggie).  He tells me that I'm doing great and then tells me to stick with him.  So I step it up a little.  Actually it felt like a lot.  But we talked a little and he kept encouraging me.  I tried to boost ahead a few times, but couldn't keep it up.  I stuck with him until the last 100m or so when my stomach started really hurting and I lost my energy for a second.  But I recovered quickly and stepped it up to finish.  1:11:05.5  So thanks Dave, you bought me some time.  Thanks for being so encouraging.

        After some recovery and hydration we cheered on some more finishers and then regrouped around club house for beer and food.  Beer and brats tasted so good after that run.  There was an awards ceremony and everyone in our group walked away with something.  Marla place 3rd overall for women.  The girl is a machine, she's recouping from a 50 mile run she did last month and still made great time, coming in right behind two awesome runners.  Febus placed 2nd in his age group and Abby placed 3rd in hers.  Justin's friend Josh finished first in his age group (8th overall).  Justin and I won raffle prizes.  w00t! 

Justin, Marla, and I drinking beer from straws. Disney straws none the less.

       Then we just hung out for hours with the other runners.  Marla's part of a local running group (The Buffalo) so I got to meet several of them.  It seems like a really great thing to be a part of.  Lots of great people.  It's a very encouraging and accepting atmosphere (and a bit quirky).  I can see myself getting into this even though a year ago I insisted that I wouldn't be able to run a lap around the quad without stopping. 

       We rounded out the day by stopping at The Nugget for some food with a few of Marla's running buddies.  I have now experienced "corn nuggets."  Fried creamed corn, yummy.

       Overall, I had a great time.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go run…

Hug it out

Currently Watching Entourage – The Complete First Season see related

        Woa, I just ran 5.4 miles.  Not only is that the farthest I've ever run by about 2 miles, but I did it between 1 and 2 am after getting about 3 hours of sleep the night before and not running for at least a week (maybe closer to two).  Plus when I was running I was struggling and giving out after less than 3 miles.  I definately did more than I thought I could.  It's a nice confidence boost before Saturday when I agreed, for some reason, to do a 7.1 mile trail run and then didn't train for it.  It's still gonna hurt, but at least I feel like I can finish without walking half of it.

       I hung out with CJ tonight and instead of continuing with Lost (which he hooked me on a week or so ago) he pulled out the first three episodes of Entourage.  Entourage is an HBO series about an actor named Vincent Chase settling into his newly aquired star status.  His brother, a few high school friends, and his agent fill out the main cast.  The pilot is a little slow, but not bad.  And CJ warned me, so it was fine.  The series picks up pretty quickly though and is starting to get fun.  I'm a fan so far.  Good find, CJ.  Actually, as a weird side note, just in the last few days I started seeing advertisements for the third season of Entourage which is starting up on HBO pretty soon.  Weird cooincidence.

       Earlier today I went to the first meeting of a book discussion group, hung out with Barnes and grabbed some Taco Bell (probably not a good food to carry with you while running), played with iTunes smart playlists, worked, got some study abroad stuff taken care of, and got pistol whipped by my cell phone.

w00t

Right!

Currently Watching
Two for the Money (Widescreen Edition)
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         Boy, you think you're finally getting settled in…       I was all pumped about getting back into posting regularly and that all went to pot.  There's a good reason for it.  A story that shall not be told at 3:30am.  I should be in bed, but I got hungry. 

       Good times tonight.  Sometimes, when nothing going acording to plan, the best stuff happens. We were supposed to watch Match Point, but we couldn't find it at Rentertainment, so we ended up watching Two For the Money.  Um…I should've gone with my gut and gotten The Weather Man, but I picked out Unbreakable, so I figured I should let Chuck pick the other one.  Oh well, it was fun anyway. 

       Sorry I'm not going into detail.  It'll come later.  At least this is better than a "Hello, world!" post.  somewhat.

       Everyone have a good Sunday.