I am slowly learning how to deal with the inevitable reality that unless I join one of those 24/365 super expensive uber-fitness centers that there are going to be a few days during the calendar year when the gym is closed. Now for someone like me who is dependent on exercise to stay focused and improve my overall mood this poses quite a problem.

Therefore on those days I need to find an alternative way to exercise or, dare I say, take the day off from physical activity. The latter aside, since I only take days off when I am forced to due to circumstances out of my control, I have been trying to figure out the best way to exercise without the use of a gym.

Since simply walking isn’t rigorous enough, I don’t own a weight set or bike and playing sports really isn’t’ my forte anymore, my options for training are pretty limited. After racking my brain and trying several different ideas over the past few years I have basically come to the conclusion that my only real alternative is running outdoors.

However, although I was glad to figure out a viable option for exercising I must profess that I am not a runner. Let me reiterate so we are clear, NOT A RUNNER!

You can put me on the elliptical for 2 hours and I’ll read a couple hundred pages of “The Da Vinci Code” with no problem, but I simply don’t run.

Growing up I played every organized sport offered from tennis to tiddlywinks and never minded running during games, but the act of running just to run doesn’t fly with me.

Last week after taking Thanksgiving off from exercise, unless you include fork to plate to mouth repetitions, I woke up the next morning itching for some form of calorie burning activity to get me going before work. Unfortunately my options were limited to running outside, or well, running outside.

So, I dragged my ass out of the semi-comfort of my old double bed and got dressed in my normal workout attire of an old t-shirt, ripped black bikers under soccer-style shorts, worn out Nikes and low-cut socks. After getting dressed and attempting to pump myself up for the impending run I grabbed my watch and 4-gig iPod Nano before heading out the door.

I knew the best thing for me was to just get right down to business, so I didn’t bother to stretch (although I never stretch before workouts) or map out my route. At first I felt pretty damn good as I galloped down Winkler Street, which wasn’t a surprise since I consider myself to be at a high level of conditioning from working on the elliptical pretty much everyday in addition to my weight lifting.

However, I quickly realized that I wasn’t in Kansas anymore, and that running outdoors was a completely different animal then the low-impact simulated running of the elliptical. After a few miles I felt the pain start to set in, but what could I really do at that point besides keep going? So, I maintained my pace while trying to convince myself that I would feel better throughout the rest of the day if I just sucked it up and completed the run.

A couple more miles went by, and I began to make my way home, when I suddenly heard a scream from my subconscious due to the pain in my knees and hamstrings. As I sprinted the last few blocks down Paddle Creek Drive I couldn’t help but wonder why I insisted on putting myself through this misery?

Upon walking into my room I threw my crap down with little concern for anything except getting into the shower and forgetting the preceding event had ever taken place. As I enjoyed the pelting of hot water on my back I had trouble convincing myself that I would feel better later in the day for having exercised.

In fact, the only thought that comforted me while I was in the shower, and at all other points during the course of the day, was that I would be back in the fitness center tomorrow and wouldn’t have to worry about running outside until the gym closed again on Christmas. Although, since I am still feeling the effects of my run 2 days later that discomfort might just be enough motivation for me to persuade myself to take Christmas off.

For those of you who missed it, the Weekend Sunrise show was at Coogee for the Express Glass Island Challenge on Sunday morning. A couple of the live crosses are below.
done

(mf) Estragon und Wladimir, die beiden Hauptfiguren in Samuel Becketts gleichnamigen Theaterstück, wissen nicht wirklich auf wen sie da eigentlich warten und auch das Publikum und die Kritiker streiten untereinander, ob es sich bei diesem Godot um einen Radrennfahrer, um Charles de Gaulle oder gar um Gott den Herrn persönlich handelt. Uns ist es natürlich herzlich egal, um wen es sich in dem Stück handelt, denn wir haben unseren eigenen Godot, auf den wir warten und der ist der Herr! Der Herr der Fliegen, Beelzebub, der Fürst der Dunkelheit, Satan, der Leibhaftige, Luzifer oder wie in Bulgakows Roman “Der Meister und Margarita” Voland oder aber schlicht: Diablo III!

Über ein Jahrzehnt ist vergangen, seit Blizzard die Computerspieljünger erstmals gegen den Herrscher der Unterwelt in den Kampf geschickt hat. Eine Dekade, in der Diablo sich als der Wegbereiter des Hack-n-Slay Genres mehr als etabliert hat. Sicher gab es davor schon derartige Spiele, wie das geniale Gauntlet (u.a. für den C-64), aber keines davon brachte mehr treue Hardcorefans hervor und fesselte diese über einen so gewaltigen Zeitraum wie Diablo I und II, welche, trotz mittlerweile in die Jahre gekommener Grafik, auch heute noch zur Speerspitze dieses Genres gehören und immer noch fleißig gezockt werden.

Es war schon ein Anblick, als ich meinem werten Kollegen Phil Senkbeil vergangenes Jahr über die Schulter geschaut habe, als dieser sich auf eine Diablo II Retrosendung vorbereitete, und er mich ganz entgeistert ansah, als ich achselzuckend vor ihm stand und zugeben musste, dass ich als wahrscheinlich einziger PC-Gamer dieses Planeten niemals einen Diablo-Teil gespielt hatte. Ich weiß nicht genau, wie das passieren konnte, dass ein derartiger Hype spurlos an mir vorrüberziehen konnte, aber ich denke, es könnte daran gelegen haben, dass die Diablo-Welle fast zeitgleich mit der StarCraft-Welle an meine Küste gerauscht kam und ich damals damit beschäftigt war, einen namhaften koreanischen Clan davon zu überzeugen, dass ich der beste Protoss-Spieler der westlichen Hemisphäre sei – da fiel Diablo bei mir wohl einfach unter den Tisch. Warum mein Vorhaben an einer extremen Form von Zerging scheiterte und warum ich dann als [FEMC]LiquidSwords für denselben Clan wenig später beim CounterSrike antrat, erzähle ich Euch vielleicht ein andermal.

Nichtsdestotrotz haben mich die weitreichenden Wellen, die Diablo verursacht hat, letzten Endes doch nicht gänzlich unberührt gelassen, denn immerhin habe ich unzählige Klone gespielt, die später in dessen Fahrwasser entstanden sind. Die letzten Hack-n-Slays, die mich länger an Maus und Tastatur gefesselt haben, waren das eigentlich nur als Netzwerktest konzipierte Mythos und dessen daraufhin entstandene große Schwester Hellgate: London, das aufgrund des erfrischend neuen Settings, meiner Meinung nach, durchaus Potenzial gehabt hat, welches es leider nicht zu nutzen wusste. Obwohl ich verhältnismäßig (gemessen an meiner langen Gamerhistorie) wenig Zeit mit Hack-n-Slays verbracht habe, schafften es derartige Games doch immer wieder mich längerfristig in ihren Bann zu ziehen, indem sie an meine Sammelleidenschaft und meinen Leveltrieb appellierten. Einmal damit angefangen, kann man schier nicht mehr aufhören: Ach, noch ein Dungeon, noch ein Up oder nur noch die Handschuhe zu meinem Set finden, redet man sich dann ständig ein. Aber, wem erzähle ich das?

Über Torchlight

Der neueste Spross, der mich derart begeistert, kommt interessanterweise aus dem selben Hause wie Mythos und Hellgate und nennt sich Torchlight. Nun, nicht direkt aus der selben Schmiede, denn die Flagship Studios haben 2008 ja leider dicht gemacht, aber einige ehemalige Mitarbeiter haben sich zusammengeschlossen und gründeten kurz darauf das Entwicklerstudio Runic Games.

Eine clevere Entscheidung, denn Torchlight greift die etablierte Spielmechanik auf und ergänzt diese durch eine ansprechende Optik und erfrischende Innovationen. So gibt es gleich zu Anfang in Eurer Heimatstadt zwei Kisten, eine zum verstauen liebgewonnener aber überflüssiger Ausrüstungsgegenstände und eine, auf die Ihr mit all Euren Chars zugreifen könnt – so gehört nerviges Post hin- und herschicken der Vergangenheit an. Das Zweite, was das Sammlerherz höherschlagen lässt, ist die Tatsache, dass auch Euer Pet eine Tasche hat. Klingt nicht sehr aufregend, gab es auch in Ryzom schon, werdet Ihr jetzt denken. Klar, aber interessant hierbei ist, dass Ihr Euer Pet jederzeit per Mausklick zurück in die Stadt schicken könnt, um überflüssiges Loot zu Gold zu machen. Wahlweise Wolf oder Luchs machen sich dann auf den Weg und kehren wenig später mit der Kohle zu Euch in das Dungeon zurück. Das heißt, lästiges townportaln gehört ebenfalls der Vergangenheit an.

Derartige Neuerungen begegnen Euch einige im weiteren Spielverlauf und sorgen so für genug Neuwagenduft, obwohl Ihr Euch in gewohnten Gefilden bewegt. Will heißen, trotz gewohnter Standard-Hack-n-Slay-Kost bietet das Spiel überraschend Frisches. Damit das auch so bleibt, haben die Entwickler recht schnell nach Release den Editor nachgeschoben und so sind in kürzester Zeit, dank der riesigen Community, eine beachtliche Menge an Add-Ons und Mods für Torchlight entstanden, die, neben der üblichen Erweiterung an neuen Levels, wenn Ihr die Cap erreicht habt, auch nützliche Gadgets, wie die frei drehbare Kamera (TorchCam), einführen.

Für ein abschließendes Fazit, habe ich sicherlich noch zu wenig Zeit in Torchlight verbracht, dennoch kann ich guten Gewissens sagen, dass dieser Titel perfekt dafür geeignet ist, um auf den Messias in Form von Diablo III zu warten. Selbst grafisch erinnert das gute Stück stellenweise an die ersten Screens, die man von Diablo III gesehen hat, auch wenn Torchlight wesentlich comiclastiger ist. Für den perfekten Look, könnt Ihr übrigens mittlerweile via Mod sogar ein Diablo III HUD benutzen. Wem die Argumente noch nicht ausreichen, sich das Teil zuzulegen, der sollte einen genauen Blick auf das Preisschild werfen – sogar über Steam kostet Torchlight nur noch knapp 15 Euronen und wer ein bisschen Zeit in googeln investiert, findet es sogar noch billiger.

Die Dagobert Ducks unter Euch, die partout kein Geld ausgeben möchten, können ersatzweise auch zum kostenlosen Dungeon Runners von NCsoft greifen. Grafisch nicht so schön wie Torchlight, spielerisch leider auch eine Liga darunter, aber, nicht zuletzt wegen des Comedyfaktors der Texte, ein spielenswerter Diablo-Klon.

Bevor ich es vergesse: Auf der Torchlight Webseite könnt Ihr die Demo kostenlos runterladen und die Spielspassperle ausgiebig anzocken, bevor Ihr Euch zum Kauf entschließen müsst.

Ich schließe mit einem Dialog, der (fast) genau so in “Warten auf Godot” vorkommt:
Estragon: Komm, wir gehen!
Wladimir: Wir können nicht.
Estragon: Warum nicht?
Wladimir: Wir warten auf Diablo III.
Estragon: Ach ja.

RELATED LINKS

Zur offiziellen Torchlight Webseite (engl.)

Deutsche Torchlight Fansite

Zum kostenlosen Dungeon Runners (engl.)

Click on thumbnail to view B&W Gallery

]]> http://mmaikers.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/another-iphone-post-for-a-short-run/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:03:19 +0000 maiker http://mmaikers.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/another-iphone-post-for-a-short-run/ http://jerrybrice.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/tiger-woods-wife-goes-from-barbie-doll-to-brenda-richie-swinging-a-golf-club/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:48:41 +0000 jerrybrice http://jerrybrice.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/tiger-woods-wife-goes-from-barbie-doll-to-brenda-richie-swinging-a-golf-club/

The notoriously private Tiger Woods has seen his whole secret undercover world blow-up in his face in the past 48 hrs. due a crash caused by him fleeing his wife, who was beating him with a golf club across his head, after confronting him about his alledged affair with another lover.

It has been reported by TMZ.com that Tiger has been having a sexual affair with socialite Rachel Uchitel , and when his wife and mother of his two children, Elin Nordegren spoke to him about this, the argument became heated, and violent.

The violence was inflicted by Elin, who picked up a golf club that she had at the ready, and began pummeling the philandering Tiger Woods across his face, causing what has been described by the hospital as severe facial lacerations and contusions.

I bet that’s not the reaction that Tiger expected her to have. Elin Nordegren does not look like a woman that would beat you down for something like this, but if it was me, I would expect her to maybe just collapse in a bundle of tears…but I’m not married, so what do I know.

I guess don’t judge a book by its cover, because that’s when Barbie doll turns into Brenda Richie!!!

In 1988,Brenda Richie famously beat down her then husband,international singing sensation Lionel Richie, who also had a clean-cut ,family man image with the public and his fans, when she followed him one night creepin’ with his side girlfriend, Diane Alexander.

By all reports, sweet, petite, and quiet Brenda Richie beat up  both Lionel and Diane.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Richie#Marriage_with_Brenda_Harvey

The “Three Times a Lady” singer was caught by the then-missus during a romantic encounter with Alexander at a Beverly Hills apartment. Brenda Richie went ballistic and was arrested for investigation of spousal abuse, trespassing and vandalism–but the charges were later dropped. After sticking it out for another three years, she and Lionel divorced in 1991.

The only difference here is that Tiger’s wife Elin Nordegren is not black, and Brenda Richie is…so I guess that should put to rest that old stereotype about how a sister reacts to these kind of things, compared to a white lady…

…Pretty much the same way.

Looks like a mad woman of any race may beat you down …if she catches you creeping around town!!!

Looks like Tiger married a Tiger…

http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/28/tiger-woods-elin-nordegren-fight-accident-suv-lacerations/

&

&

&

&

.

This is kind of fun.  Apparently the original composed music is supposed to help you run more consistently.  Click here to read.

He was a typical 20 year old college student.
She was a serious runner, bedecked in Nike.
Although his age, she had already
run in the Boston and New York City Marathons.

Both home from college,
in Union Township NJ for Thanksgiving
they had a custom of running together
the Thanksgiving Day 5K Turkey Trot in Flemington,
4,000 runners from 30 States.
For him it was just an opportunity
to be with his girl,
for her, a serious affair.

This would be their third year.
The first two years she had insisted
on not spending the night before at his place
- they were athletes in training –

So last year, after they said goodbye
around 6:30 the night before
he went out drinking with the guys
and came home 5 o’clock in the morning
though she was supposed to pick him up
at 7:30 am.

When she arrived he was still snoring away.
She paced the living room floor of his apartment
while he tried to clean up
throw on some cloths
and a dirty pair of sneakers.

They rushed down Highway 31
and between the crowds near Flemington
she would later complain:

“We were so late
we had to run to the starting line
and just keep running from there.”

So this year, she told him
he could make his own way there.
She would drive with her girlfriend.

Wanting to redeem himself
he had trained for months
shopped at Efinger’s Sporting Goods
in Bound Brook
bought himself a completely new outfit,
and the best of running shoes.

He was ready in Flemington
an hour before she usually planned
for them to arrive,
sat in The Great Lodge Coffee Shop,
relaxed with an energy drink
taking in the scene on Main Street
through the large plate glass windows.

Then he actually warmed up,
did some stretching exercises
in which he never believed.
When he spied her at the scorer’s table
getting her entry number
he walked up, his number already snuggly affixed
to his cotton shirt, wondering whether she
would notice the new doo, which she did.

She speculated whether he had done this just for her,
now so curious her first words were:
“Have you been here long?”
although she dreaded the answer
since she noticed that he had
worked up a slight sweat,
had he been warming up?

At the starting line he stood next to her
as was their custom, surrounded
by runners dressed up as turkeys,
ax men, Pilgrims, and a few Indians
although being an Indian
was no longer politically correct.

The starting gun burst
in the brisk Thanksgiving day air
he pacing himself a few steps behind her
as was his practice.
In front of the County Courthouse
he usually fell way back
and last year had actually dropped
right out of the race.

They approached the intersection
just past the front portico
filled with cheering on lookers
and a few dignitaries.
She glanced back and saw that he
was still just a few paces behind.
She turned it up just a little
only to find that he came up abreast of her.

Stride for stride they met each other’s pace
except that he with longer legs
moved out at one point
as much as 15 yards.
He could have stayed there, but eased up,
let her in the last 3/4ths of a mile
cross the finish line with him
and for a moment in exhaustion
fell into each other’s arms.

When they married the June following graduation
they each wore their running shoes from that day -
he with his tuxedo
and her below her wedding gown.

Ray Brown

Congratulations to the following members who have been selected to represent Sydney at the upcoming SLSNSW Interbranch Championships being held weekend of 12-13 December 2009.
MALE BOAT CREW Coogee Male Open – Matt Leary, Lee Hume, Jason Papadatos, Ben Burdett, Paul Beale (Sweep)
OPEN MENS BEACH Kristopher Papadatos – COOGEE, Res: Tristan Conroy – Coogee
U19 MALE BEACH Matthew Horton- Coogee, Res: Luke Starr – Coogee
This is our best selection result I can remember in many years.

Mens A Sweep - Paul Beale

Matthew Horton

Kris Papadatos - of the amazing Papadatos Brothers

Coogee Mens A crew

Tristan Conroy

Luke Starr

Today I’m grateful for my runners, or for some sneakers or joggers.  They brought me a bit of peace walking today in the fresh air.  Nothing better to clear the head and invigorate the body.

Day 2: Runners

Greetings reader.  Today I ran the 12K Race for Hope http://www.okbtf.org/ .  The morning started out pretty much on time.  It was a beautiful morning until……the wind started blowing and the temperatures dropped.  Fog and mist soon followed the winds.  The beautiful morning was gone and replaced by a cold, dreary morning.  Interestingly, moments earlier Jason had mentioned how beautiful the morning was.   Don’t get me wrong, the day was not Beacon-like (Beacon Run from last year).

So me and the gals stayed in the car until the last minute, quickly warmed up and headed on down the road at the starting gun.

Staying Warm

The race started off smoothly.  The 5K runners were flying down the path and the 12K runners were a little slower.  Melissa ended up running with me and we played with our pace most of the way.  We did pick the pace up a few times just to make sure it was still there.  We finished about 1:13:00 which isn’t bad for me on a 12K.   Brenda was not far behind.

The best part of the day was hanging out after the race and talking with other runners.  Enjoy getting to know other people and hear they’re stories.  I am surrounded by such great and wonderful runners/people.

Did get to see Amber this morning.  Some of you may remember Amber from a few weeks ago when I posted about the Kelsey Briggs 5K run.  She is spearheading planning for next years run.  Anyway, she arrived to the race late and pretty much ran from driver side seat to start line.  I can’t tease her too hard because she is coming from a decent distance to run.  I did get a pic of her leaving the scene.

Amber Leaving the Race

One major thing missing today were her gold shoes.  Perhaps that is the reason she was running behind.  She had some story about those shoes getting caught on mouse trap paper.

I did snap another picture because it was too good not to.  Melissa was cold after the race.  I looked at her and could see that her lips were blue.  Really blue.  I took the picture but the picture does not do justice to how they really looked.

So there you have it.  The Race for the Cure.  I will post more pictures when they become available.  I will be posting a lot because I have lots on my mind this week as I head into Route 66 marathon.  I tend to get reflective as the big race gets closer.  Be sure to check the blog out Sunday night to see if I made it.

Feeling Blue?

Here are a few more photo’s from the race courtesy of www.okcrunning.org

Melissa and I finishing

Brenda, Melissa, and I after the race

Brenda Finishing

Congratulations to the 2009 Outer Banks Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K, Fun Run & 5K runners!

There were over 6500 participants this weekend…the biggest turnout yet!

It was a classic fall day on the Outer Banks with sunny skies, warm weather, and a light westerly breeze.  Possibly a bit warm for the runners, but not too bad, and the enthusiastic spectators definitely enjoyed the race and the weather.

Results: (Full race results)

Top Male Finisher
Ryan Woods    2:32:37.94

Top Female Finisher
Kelley Taylor    2:55:40.21

Top Master Male Finisher
Bill Shires         2:43:44.03

Top Master Female Finisher
Sarah Smith     3:10:31.97

Top Wheelchair Finisher
Angela Dykes   2:19:26

Here’s a great list posted by one of the runners after completing the marathon.

Good stuff about the OBX Marathon:

• Incredibly, most (meaning more than half) of the course is shaded, either in neighborhoods or on wooded trails or roads.
• There WERE spectators! And they were enthusiastic. I taught a few little kids how to high-five, or I could hear their parents teaching them after I had swished by with my hand out.
• There are some small, rolling hills on a road that goes through the woods, and there is a tall bridge, but otherwise it’s really quite flat.
• There is a REAL expo. Not a huge one, and some of the booths were selling real estate, but running gear was plentiful too.
• They started the race in corrals, honor system, two minutes apart, which worked fine. I like that, even with just 1800 runners. My corral started 10 minutes after the first one, but it was the right place for me.
• Transportation is an issue in point-to-point marathons, and they did it well. We parked at the finish and took a bus to the start, but you could do it the other way too.
• They had put out “Burma Shave” signs along the way, telling facts about the area (highest sand dune in the USA, first flight, whatever, even some bad jokes. If you don’t know what a Burma Shave sign is, your youth may be a minor hindrance in reading this blog
• Example series of signs:
  • First successful flight
  • in motor driven heavier
  • than air machines by
  • Orville and Wilbur Wright
  • December 17, 1903
  • Kill Devil hills, just south of Kitty Hawk
• There is a lot of history here, including the first powered flight and Roanoke Island. It might be worth an extra day (or several) just enjoying the Outer Banks. The beaches are delicious – be sure to get a motel with access.
• The race goes right through the Wright Brothers Memorial.
• And it goes along the waterfront for some distance (unlike Kiawah Island, you can actually SEE the water!).
• There is a swashbuckling pirate theme to the whole marathon (arrrrgh!).
• Nice booty bag (expo bag), nice long-sleeve tech shirt.
• People were very nice to my sweeties, even though they were near the end of the race.

A major disadvantage of running for me is the waking up early.  I’m just not a morning person.  Running is one of the few activities where i’ll give up sleep to do.  An advantage of running beyond the health and mental aspects is getting to watch the sun rise in the east.  Fall has really had some beautiful and peaceful sunrises.  Just wanted to share that.

Made it over to Brenda’s house on time at 6:20.

As you can tell by the car clock in the picture, Brenda was running behind.  Do not want to make a big deal out of this, just wanted to visually document the occurrence to better get underneath her skin on the matter.

Had the person I was waiting on had been Richard (her husband), he would have been on time.  I’m just saying….

Anyway, made it to the race.  The atmosphere was pretty festive.  There were lots of college students involved with the race.  Seeing younger people take an active role in such events is encouraging to see.

The race started with a bang.  Literally, a sound of a shotgun.  Off the runners went.  My main goal was to finish the 5K and to not get hurt.  As of this typing, I think I achieved my goal.  I started off pretty slow for the first 3K until I gradually worked at a higher speed to finish the race.

There were lots of volunteers such as cheerleaders that kept us entertained and cheered the runners on.  The course was pretty fast with several downhill sections.  The final stretch of the course was uphill.

I ended up crossing the finish line around 26:02?  This was off from my best but it was interesting to see that I ran a close time whether I start slow and finish strong or start fast and die out.

The only draw back of the race was the only water stop was after the 3K mark.  However, the goodie back given to the runners before the race was really good.  Overall, a pleasant morning to run the race.  The race coordinators did a great job of creating a wonderful environment to race.  Especially enjoyed talking with other runners after the race.

I will be racing at Overholser next week.  Its one time around the entire lake.  It’ll be fun since it’s the very last training run before Route 66 marathon.

The Sun was not cooperating with the camera but you do see Brenda running  by and finishing strong.

The video below is of a new running buddy that we met named Michelle.  Not sure if she’ll ever get to see this video because I didn’t get to tell her where to check online but you never know.  She is from the Norman area.

There you have it.  Race for Hope is next week followed by my big race in Tulsa (Route 66).  Special shout out to Michael Coffman for showing up today and running just under a 20 minute 5K.  Sure wish you’d dedicate to training because you could be good.

http://www.okbtf.org/

http://www.route66marathon.com/Contact%20Us.htm

The infamous “walk of shame” has never before provided as much entertainment.  Nor has the PJ-class-dash, or the I’m-a-runner-and-run-the-same-route-every-day-run.  It’s really quite creeper-tastic, I sit at my desk, working away on the comp, writing things such as this very sentence you’re reading, and get to watch a show on the street below me.

I have always found people watching to be incredibly fascinating, thus the reoccurring theme in my writing, but my current set-up has brought a new quality to my observations of the human kind.  It almost happens accidentally.  How could one NOT notice the college student who wears the same sweatpants and baseball cap every day as he trudges to campus?  Or the old man who goes for leisurely walks in bright white sneakers?  Or the runner girl who sprints down the street headed one direction and comes limping back the opposite direction in about two minutes?  Or the parade of frumpled costumes and stilettos that pass by about 1 pm the Sunday after Halloween…

Seriously, these people have no clue.

Somewhat Relevant Parting Thought:  “Don’t frown; you never know who may be falling in love with your smile” – Author Unknown

Completely Re-Written Version:

“Be careful what you do in public; you never know if Alissa Jean is waiting for something to write about.”

Much Love!

Field Runners for the iPhone is a tower defense title that has you defending a tower against a horde of multiple army style assailants. You have to get to certain levels to unlock the new features for the set map you’re playing. I just played this game nonstop for roughly 40 minutes and made it to round 89 before being defeated. You start with 20 lives so make sure you make the best of them. My strategy is to make them maze through the guns, rockets, slimers, and lasers to inflict as much damage as possible. It’s still insanely difficult to get to higher levels! Defiently worth checking out!

I attended the AGM of the Midland Veterans Track & Field League (MVT&FL) last night where there were items on the Agenda to be discussed that affected MMAC. Without going into detail, these items were unnecessary and were deliberately aimed at MMAC, making us out as different to any of the other Clubs in the MVT&FL. The proposals put us under the heading of “joint clubs”, thus inferring that we are made up from more than one Club! And other proposals sought to change what in effect are the UKA Rules on second claim members.

Needless to say I defended our position as a “proper” Club saying that we affiliated to England Athletics the same as any other UKA Club and that we register members with EA as 1^st Claim Members if they wish to compete but not belong to a UKA Club. Further more, we can use members who belong to a Club NOT affiliated for track & field who wish (their choice) to compete for us at track & field. Other Clubs admitted to using athletes in the MVT&FL under this rule, so we are no exception.

I’m glad to say that MMAC received plenty of support and these ridiculous proposals; all aimed at MMAC were dropped. I did point out that athletes from road running clubs wishing to compete in track & field for another club MUST fill in the UKA Form, “Other Discipline Application” for them to be eligible and this should be done pre-season. All MMAC members in this position will go through this procedure.

I now hope we can go into a third season in the MVT&FL without this underlying vendetta against us and we can allow our team managers to get on with it and for the athletes involved to compete and enjoy it, which is what it all should be about.

(I must point out that the above views are purely my personal ones and not necessarily those of the MMAC also the Midland Veterans T&F League is a completely different organization to MMAC)

The MMAC team manager for 2010 will be Tony Crocker assisted by Alan Mellett. Tony is also taking over the role of Divisional Secretary for the South and will be assisted by Eric Horwill and I wish them all well.

Provisional details of the dates for the 2010 season appear on the “Vets League” Page. Please keep returning for further updates as I get them.

The “Other Discipline Application” Form can be downloaded here: – http://www.midlandathletics.org.uk/PDFS/ELIGIBILITY_NA_Other_Disciplines_2NDClaimform.pdf

*NOT FOR SALE**PROMO USE ONLY*

DJ KHALED

FEAT: USHER, YOUNG JEEZY, RICK ROSS AND DRAKE

“FED UP”

PRODUCE BY: RUNNERS

***

DONDRIA

FEAT: GINUWINE

“LAST CHANCE”REMIX

***

FEAT: PLEASURE P

“UNDER” REMIX

*FREE MIXTAPE/PODCAST DOWNLOADS*

RB RADIO

“PHILLY-vs-NEW YORK: BEANIE SIGEL/JAY-Z”

NEW MUSIC FROM: BEANIE SIGEL, 50 CENT, DRAKE, DIDDY, HOT FREESTYLE AND MORE.

http://rbradio.podOmatic.com/player/web/2009-11-01T19_59_01-08_00

***

DJ TECHNIC PRESENTS

HOOD STARZ EPIS #41

“STACKZ ON DECK” HOSTED BY WES F.F

MUSIC FROM:B.G., GORILLA ZOE, YUNG LA, TC, BUN B, USDA AND MORE

http://djtechnic-mrzwalls.mypodcast.com/index.html

http://Zackerywalls.com/index.html

****
DJ DUTTY LAUNDRY

PRESENTS HOOD CRACK VOL#1 “DIRTY R&B”

*NEW REMIX*

RICK ROSS

“BABY BY ME REMIX”

http://www.yousendit.com/download/TzY1ckhUY1NlM1FLSkE9PQ

**MUSIC LINK**

FOR MORE VIDEO’S AND FREE MIXTAPES GOTO

www.eblastnetwork.com

NOT FOR SALE

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/769339240/a38cb16c18d975de418f07c0256af3a6

https://download.yousendit.com/YkxJSU5GT01rWTkzZUE9PQ

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=b89de83b12253dadab1eab3e9fa335ca826dddf5daee1043

PROMO USE ONLY

Mad Men’s Don Draper and Suzanne Farrell
Photo courtesy of AMC

A story in the NY Times today reports that British courts sentenced a young woman to prison for texting while driving, an act that unintentionally caused the death of another young woman, whose car had broken down by the side of the road.

Driving in Los Angeles, I am acutely aware of how many drivers continue to talk on hand-held phones and may also be texting. On the freeway, I estimate about 1 out of 2 are talking.

Dazed and Confused on Magnolia

The other day, I was driving west on Magnolia near Van Nuys Boulevard. A woman in an SUV, with a car full of dogs, was plodding along in the right lane, at about 20 MPH. As I passed her, I could see she was texting.

When my car reached the red light at Van Nuys Boulevard, I tried a little experiment with the SUV texting woman behind me.

I did not accelerate when the light turned green. She was right behind me, and completely absorbed in her texting. In my rear view mirror, I watched as this utterly self-absorbed driver did not honk or care that the light had turned green. Her only reference as to whether it was time to accelerate was my bumper. She had no compelling need to drive, because she was texting.

For years, I have wondered why the LAPD allows drivers to speed through red lights. The only intersection where the law is enforced is at Van Nuys Boulevard and Burbank, and the mustached motorcycle cop who writes tickets here, at the least crowded time of day, has an easy job, pulling over motorists who make a right turn on red without stopping. (I was one of these last year). It is an easy way to boost revenue. But in terms of danger, it does not measure up with the 60 MPH red light runners who run through Chandler at Woodman.

I’m still waiting for the real enforcement of the motoring laws. We all drive in safer cars these days, but in terms of our safety, it is as dangerous on the roads now as it was when a gin soaked Don Draper got into his ’62 Cadillac and headed up the Taconic State Parkway.

Training

Completed my final 20 mile training run of the fall marathon season.  The event was rather painless in the grand 20 mile run scheme of things.  The weather cooperated and Lake Hefner was beautiful.  Melissa also ran her final 20 mile run.

Now i’m in taper mode for the next three weeks before the date with Route 66 marathon.  I have plenty of training questions up in the air right now.  These questions will be answered when I cross the finish line of Route 66.  It’s similar to OJT or On Job Training.

Upcoming Races

Race with the Stars is a 5K race on November 7.

Race for Hope is a 12K race on November 14.

Route 66 is the Marathon on November 22.

Dallas WhiteRock is December 13.

Some of you who are close to me may be seeing Dallas WhiteRock on my blog for the first time in a long time.  I’m in deep thought about it and i’m leaning towards a yes.  It will be three weeks after Route 66 so the recovery time is manageable.  I will also still be in great marathon shape to run it.

Involvement

I have volunteered for the race planning committee for next years Kelsey Briggs run.  Its kind of amazing how things work sometimes.  I am ready to put in the work/effort to make next years race successful and to bring about Child Abuse Awareness.

Also, i’m in the infancy stage of putting together a running/bible study group.  It’d be a great chance for runners to talk about races and training.  Even more importantly runners will have a chance to work on a relationship with Christ.

Will keep you posted on both projects as they progress.

Rollin’ the Clocks Back

Finally, daylight savings time has arrived.   This made me think about time.  More importantly, what we do with our time.  I happen to like running.  No matter what you do with your time, do it with  a purpose.  Just like running with a purpose.  I hope to look back someday on my life and be able to say that I did the best with the time that I had.