Marv Levy Loves Animals Too

Wednesday August 31, 2005

The book du jour is Marv Levy's Where Else Would You Rather Be? That was what the former Buffalo Bills' coach would say to his players before every game. While the book is mostly about Marv's football coaching career he does express his opinion on hunting and fishing. Here is an exerpt from his book:

"Killing creatures is sport? Somehow, to me, it seems like an ultimate act of cruelty. I've heard and read that malarkey about "harvesting the herd," and I don't believe a word of it. That phrase ranks high on my list of heinous euphemisms. It has always mystified me that someone can snuff out the only life one of God's creatures will ever have and then blithely call himself a "sportsman" for having done so."

Right on, Marv!

Back to Work

Tuesday August 30, 2005

Had to shave for the first time in almost 2 weeks today as I returned to the grind at the Las Vegas Hilton. The day began with a great run around Sunset Park. All the vital numbers were excellent including post-run weight of 152.

Received a letter from my yoga teacher Cypresse today. All of her September classes are when I'm working. That's not good. I might have to use some vacation days for yoga. I still have 7 vacation days left this year. I can't use any in September or October because of  football season. I plan to use three for the Dec. 4 LV Marathon (one to rest, one to run, one to recover). I'll have to carry the other days over till next year. May 22, my 12-year anniversary date, I earn 4 full weeks to be taken over the next year. Including holidays and personal days that's 31 paid days off a year not counting weekends. Why retire? Paid vacations and a free daily lunch. What a country! 

  "Try to be like the turtle -- at ease in your own shell."
-- Bill Copeland

High and Dry

Monday August 29, 2005

As I complete my 8th sober week I can't help but wonder if I was in the path of Hurricane Katrina if I would have been able to stay dry. While Louisiana, Mississippi and other Gulf of Mexico states were being whacked by Katrina I can't help but remember the hurricanes I survived in the Florida Keys -- most notably Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the heavy drinking that somewhat alleviated the stress.

It was a much calmer day here today. A 6-mile morning run on local streets, purchased a paper shredder to stave off identity theft and read some more of Marv Levy's book Where Else Would You Rather Be?

I'd rather be in 108-degree heat than 165-mph winds. Well, that's it for the 9-day vacation back to the coal mine tomorrow.

 

 

Home Sweet Home

Sunday August 28, 2005

One thing that's nice about taking a vacation is to have a day or two after a trip before returning to work. That's what today was. My body, still on EDT, rose at 5:15am. I hadn't planned on running today but I couldn't pass up an early morning 8-mile run around the lake at Sunset Park.

The cupboards were bare so I went out to stock the shelves with organic produce. Then it mostly hanging with the cats who slowly accepted me back into their home.

A little reading and yoga before dinner and that was about it. Boring to some but to me a perfect day. The numbers back it up. Weight after run: 153, blood pressure 117/77 and blood sugar 115.

One more day off then back to the grind Tuesday.

 

Last Day in Buffalo

Saturday August 27, 2005

This was my last day in Buffalo for this trip but my flight didn't leave until late afternoon so Dad & I headed off to the Amherst Bike Path for a bike and run.

Dad had a great 26-mile ride and I ran about 7 miles as I took pictures along the Ellicott Creek Trail. Afterward, I fixed us a healthy salad and cooked up some veggie burgers for our last meal. Then it was back on the big Iron Bird for the return to Sin City. The cats were glad to see me and it was good to be back home again.

But I'll always have my memories and 154 digital photos to remember this wonderful trip to Buffalo.

 

Watchin' The Bills

Friday August 26, 2005

Not too much on the slate today which was good. I took Ann to work at Wegman's so I could have her car for the day. Then I saw Mom briefly at Heidi's, where she was cleaning out the 93-yr-old woman's place, before taking old family friend Joan Gilbert to lunch at Brodd. It's a new restaurant at Main & Fruehauf where the Squire Shop used to be. It was different, a bit pricy, but very good.

I thought I might see Cheryl Gallagher in the afternoon but that didn't work out so instead I took another class at Buffalo Yoga. Darcy was surprised but happy to see me again and I enjoyed the flow of Ashtanga Yoga.

At night, Dad & I watched a Bills game together for the first time in years. The offense struggled against the tough Bears defense. But the Bills defense showed why it was one of the best in the league as Nate Clements picked off a pass for a score (see photo) and took a lateral from Takeo Spikes to set up another field goal. The Bills lost 16-12 but neither one of us was awake to see the final. Thank God for VCRs.

 

Yoga, Delaware Park and Don & Tina

Thursday August 25, 2005

Another great day in Buffalo. Started out with a class at Buffalo Yoga. On the outside it was a delapitated warehouse. On the inside it was a beautiful yoga studio. There were only three other students in the class and as usual I was the only male. But Darcy, the owner and teacher, hosted a great class and I got my much-needed yoga fix.

Afterward I ran home via Main St, past the grandparents old house at 100 Depew and for good measure a loop around Delaware Park. Then I ran past now closed Transfiguration Church, up Kenmore Ave and back home via Main St for about a 9-mile run.

Old friends Don & Tina, their son Curt and his girlfriend Reilly drove in from Batavia for dinner. Ann did a great job with a fresh mixed salad, organic corn on the cob and Dad cooked burgers (Veggie for me) on the grill. After dinner I made my captive audience watch our Montana Lewis &  Clark DVDs as we all enjoyed a fresh peach pie.

It's hard to top a day like that!!!

On the Waterfront

Wednesday August 24, 2005

Today Mom and I went down to the Lake Erie Waterfront Park for a walk and a run. Mom really enjoyed the flowers and I had a great run along the breakwall. It was a beautiful sunny day with temps in the low 70s and a light breeze.

Later we went out to a delicious Tomatoes restaurant where she enjoyed an excellent salad and Tomato basil soup. I had soup, salad and spaghetti and it was all very good. It was my treat to celebrate her recent birthday.

Blood sugar numbers were back to normal 116 this morning and respectable 129 after a carb-loaded dinner so I guess everything is OK again.

"i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."

-- e.e. cummings, poet

Finger Lakes Excursion

Tuesday August 23, 2005

Got an early start to the Finger Lakes today with Dad, Ann, Sue and Debbie.

Dad rented a van so we all had plenty of leg room. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Hammondsport,NY on Kueka Lake. The ladies went shopping, Dad made calls to his office and I took pictures around town and off the Lake.

Then we went to the Bully Hill winery where we had a nice lunch. Susan and I both had veggie burgers and Sue, the successful sibling in the family picked up the tab. Then the ladies tasted samples of the wine while Dad & I toured the museum.

Next we went to the Rooster Hill winery where the ladies did more wine tasting. I think this trip was planned before they knew I wasn't tasting wine or any other alcoholic beverages for 434 days but I was just along for the ride. After dinner in Dad's college town of Geneva, NY, where he told us of some of his pranks at Hobart, it was a long drive home as we pulled back in the driveway 14 hours after we left.

With no run today and not quite the proper diet my blood sugar was up to 194 before bedtime and that's kinda high. Traveling will do that to you.

 

Off to Buffalo

Monday August 22, 2005

Today's the day I get on a big iron bird (SW Airlines) and fly non-stop to Buffalo. Downstairs neighbor Bill Rebstock is taking me to the airport. His wife Liz and our neighbor Lois will be watching after Daisy and Haven while I'm gone.

Got one last run in around the lake at Sunset Park this morning. Weighed in at 155 after run. Blood sugar 121 this morning. Blood pressure 104/71.

For the trip I'm reading Sue Henry's new book -- The Serpent's Trail -- pictured above. Click on the 2nd photo to see the real Serpent's Trail. Henry's the author of the dog musher Jessie Arnold series set in Alaska. This book is a spinoff of that series featuring the senior citizen, RV drivin', crime solvin' Maxie McNabb. 

Well time to pack and get ready to go. I'll try to keep updating this journal from Buffalo but I might have to fill in the photos later.

Bon Voyage.

 

 

First Day of Vacation

Sunday August 21, 2005

Another vacation starts today. The best part of my job is all the paid days off. Three weeks of vacation (15 days), 8 holidays and 3 personal days. Next year I pick of a 4th week of vacation for 12 years of service. So what if I didn't get a raise this year.

Today's Mom's birthday. I was able to reach her at her hotel in Buffalo this morning. I'll see her Wednesday night. She'd kill me if I said what year she was born in but here's a hint: The Lindbergh baby was kidnapped, Seabiscuit was the top money-winning horse and TV was first demonstrated.

The two downstairs neighbors Liz & Lois are going to watch the cats while I'm gone so today I mostly cleaned the place. It seems funny to be cleaning before going away but I want to leave a good impression.

Just a little yoga today. No run after yesterday's 10k race. Blood pressure and sugar numbers still excellent as L&C abstinence reenactment completes seventh week.

 

 

Running from the Cops

Saturday August 20, 2005

Today I was running from, to and with the cops and firemen in the 3rd Annual Police and Firemen 10k.

First the excuses: I was still sore from my 12-mile trail run at Red Rock two days ago and last night I worked till 11:30 pm and didn't get to bed till past 1am.

Now the successes: I started slow, an 8:55 1st mile and then the course headed to Haven (the street my cat's named after because it used to be part of the old marathon course). The next two miles were downhill on Eldorado, I was 26:37 at the 3-mile marker. Then I picked it up as I headed back uphill for miles four and five (43 something). After my slow start I passed dozens of runners and no one passed me as I finished in 53:16. That was good for 5th in my age group and about the middle of the pack overall. That's an 8:34 average per mile. I'll take it. Although my legs were a little sore, my heart (173 beats per minute at finish) and lungs were strong as I ran my longest race since a 2001 half-marathon in Alaska. Just a little over 3 months to go to the LV Marathon. Bring it on!

Note: The photo above was taken at last year's COW (Classroom on Wheels) Stampede. I didn't know the picture was online until today. I'm 30 pds lighter now.

 

Happy Bithday Meriwether

Thursday August 18, 2005

Today, if he hadn't committed suicide, Meriwether Lewis would be 231 years old.

Happy Birthday Capt. Lewis!!! In a moment your puzzling journal entry from  your 31st birthday but first...In honor of your birthday I finally successfully completed the Grand Circle Trail at Red Rock Canyon.

It was at least my 3rd attempt to navigate the 12-mile trail around the scenic park. Other attempts had failed due to lack of stamina, water and knowledge of where the treacherous trail stops and starts up again. But today I did it! It took me almost 3 hours. There are so many places where the footing is terrible but the scenery is beautiful. I only fell once and that was while I was walking if you can believe it. It was such a slow-motion spill I can hardly believe it happened. Much like Lewis & Clark the first leg of the trail was familiar and common knowledge. It was the middle third that was (to me) rumor and conjecture. But I finally made it and it was awesome. The last leg was also familiar as I headed home along the canyon floor.

It was sad to see the burned out acres from the lightning strike three weeks ago. I'd say about 35% of the vegitation is black toast. Mostly the area near the Welcome Center and between the 1st and 2nd Calico Hills Overlooks. Hopefully in my lifetime I'll see it grow back to it's former glory. But still most of the park was unscathed and as beautiful as ever. No camera today. It just slows me down. One liter of water was all I needed. Some day I'll go without water like the Sherpas go without bottled oxygen up Mt. Everest. But now that this goal has been accomplished I must say my desire to run this difficult trail has been greatly satisfied.

And now here's Lewis' puzzling journal entry from 200 years ago today. Perhaps an indication of what was to come for this manic depressive:

This day I completed my thirty-first year, and conceived that I had, in all human probability, now existed about half the period which I am to remain in this sublunary world. I reflected that I had as yet done but little, very little, indeed, to further the happiness of the human race, or to advance the information of the succeeding generation. I viewed with regret the many hours I have spent in indolence, and now sorely feel the want of that information which those hours would have given me had they been judiciously expended. But, since they are past and cannot be recalled, I dash from me the gloomy thought, and resolve in future to redouble my exertions and at least endeavor to promote those two primary objects of human existence, by giving them the aid of that portion of talents which Nature and fortune have bestowed on me; or, in future, to live for mankind, as I have heretofore lived for myself.

 

Sister and Brother Reunion

Wednesday August 17, 2005

Next week I'll be reuniting with my sister (See photo No. 2 above). But I don't think it will be quite like Sacagawea and Chief Camehawait. 200 years ago today was one of the most amazing family reunions in American History. Here's how it went down:

Returning Home
Ironically, as Sacagawea went westward with Lewis and Clark, she got closer and closer to her homeland. In the Three Forks area she began to recognize many landmarks. Meriwether Lewis, with a small party of his men, made the first contacts with the Shoshoni, eventually meeting Chief Camehawait and trying to bargain for horses and guides to get over the Rocky Mountains. Sacagawea stayed behind with her husband, baby, and William Clark, with the bulk of the expedition's soldiers and supplies. Lewis waited for several days for Clark to arrive, and when he was late, brought Shoshoni suspicion upon himself and his motives. It was with the arrival of Clark that Camehawait began to believe Lewis' story. And then, in a scene that no Hollywood fiction writer could ever get away with, the Indian woman with the baby standing in the background recognized the chief as her long-lost brother! After the affecting reunion between brother and sister, Sacagawea was instrumental in translating for Lewis and Clark and acquiring the needed horses. Instead of electing to stay with her people, Sacagawea decided to continue with the expedition to the Pacific. Even on the return journey, Sacagawea did not remain with her people in Montana and Idaho, but stayed with her husband and returned to the Mandan Villages in North Dakota.

A Hard Days Night

Tuesday August 16, 2005

Worked the 11:30am-7:30pm shift at the Hilton. My friend Brian Chatwin, who is leaving in three days to attened Pepperdine Law School in Malibu, Calif., snapped this picture of me hard at work.

After work I ran 7 laps (about 4 miles) around the rubberized outdoor track at the Hilton. I couldn't believe how many runners were out tonight. There must have been about a dozen runners at dusk enjoying the setting sun and the rising moon.

Two great Americans died on this date in history -- Babe Ruth (1948) and Elvis Presley (1977).

 

 

Journal of a Journal

Monday August 15, 2005

Now that I've re-read for the 5th, 6th or 7th time (I don't know exactly how many) East of Eden. I'm reading the journal John Steinbeck kept while he was writing the novel. A collection of daily musings to his editor and publisher. He compared it to his way of a pitcher warming up before a game. So each day as he sat down at his desk in New York to write about the Salinas Valley in California he would pencil a few paragraphs about the book, his life, wife, kids and what ever else was going on in 1951.

Today marks 6 weeks of alcohol freedom as I proceed on this Lewis & Clark abstinence reenactment. Friday night the evil voice inside my head was saying "Beer me." But as in East of Eden good prevailed over evil and I kept my string intact.

Today it's cool and humid if you can believe that. Only 71 degrees but 46% humidity as I took my morning run at Sunset Park. The 7-mile workout started out slow with a 10:44 mile but by the time I finished I was running 9-minute miles. Which makes that 6:59 mile last week even more amazing.

My next big test is Saturday's 10k run. That's a tough distance and I've always found them difficult. Well time to leave this journal and get back and see what my buddy JS is doing in 1951.

 

Free Will -- Free Ham

Saturday August 13, 2005

AM. PM. What's the difference? Thought today's LV Track Club run was at 7 am. Good thing I checked again last night before showing up 12 hours early today. Won't be able to make night run. Work conflict. So instead got in a nice 11-mile run along I-215 bike path and then back Pecos to Warm Sprnigs and home. That was tough and to think I'll have to much more than double that to run Dec. 4 LV Marathon. I don't know. It's gonna be tough.

Yesterday's Timshel passage from East of Eden was much misunderstood but that's OK, I didn't begin to get it until I'd read it 20 times. But the essence is we have free will and if we are bad we can make up for it with good.

Which brings me to this crazy L&C abstinence thing. I'm really starting to have my doubts as I near my seven week anniversary Monday. Last night I was so bored I could really have used and enjoyed a beer. I don't know if I can make it another 13 months to the day. Buffalo's going to be tough. My two biggest drinking buddies are there Don McCoy and Dan Nuchereno. Between us we've drank enough beer to fill all five Great Lakes. If by some miracle I get through Buffalo sober the next obstacle will be if I successfully complete the marathon. How could I do that without a barley celebration?

But at least I want to make it through my next A1C blood test. If that proves I've beat diabetes I might be forced to celebrate.

Then if I do by some miracle complete the 434 days grog-free whose to say I won't drink myself to death like Nick Cage in Leaving Las Vegas. And my hero Meriwether Lewis only lasted about 30 months after the expedition before suicide, perhaps alcohol induced ended his life.

But I have free will. Is that a curse or a blessing?

Still hanging in there but it ain't easy.

 

 

Timshel, Across the Divide & Kerstin

Friday August 12, 2005

Finally I finished Steinbeck's East of Eden. In case you haven't got around to reading the 700-page epic work of literature I'll sum up the book for you in one word -- Timshel.

Timshel, the hebrew word for Thou Mayest. In the modern King James version of the bible translated into English, in the Genesis Cain and Able story, God promises Cain that he will conquer sin ("Thou shalt rule over him"). But this passage has lost the true meaning in the translation. It's not Thou Shalt it's Thou Mayest. This changes everything. God blesses Cain with free will leaving the choice to him.

By studying the passage in the Bible, Adam Trask's Chinese servant, Lee, helps characters Samuel and Adam understand the intended original meaning in this passage from East of Eden:
  "…this was the gold from our mining: 'Thou mayest.' The American Standard translation orders men to triumph over sin (and you can call sin ignorance). The King James translation makes a promise in 'Thou shalt,' meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word timshel—'Thou mayest'—that gives a choice. For if 'Thou mayest'—it is also true that 'Thou mayest not.' That makes a man great and that gives him stature with the gods, for in his weakness and his filth and his murder of his brother he has still the great choice. He can choose his course and fight it through and win."

Pretty deep huh?

Also I can't let this date pass without mentioning Meriwether Lewis crossed the Continental Divide 200 yrs ago today and watched one of his men straddle the source of the mighty Missouri River and "Thank his God he had lived to see the day."

Lewis wrote on August 12, 1805:

... the road took us to the most distant fountain of the waters of the mighty Missouri in search of which we have spent so many toilsome days and restless nights. Thus far I had accomplished one of those great objects on which my mind has been unalterably fixed for many years. Judge, then, of the pleasure I felt in allaying my thirst with this pure and ice-cold water which issues from the base of a low mountain or hill of a gentle ascent for l/2 a mile. The mountains are high on either hand, leave this gap at the head of this rivulet through which the road passes. Here I halted a few minutes and rested myself. Two miles below, McNeal had exultingly stood with a foot on each side of this little rivulet and thanked his God that he had lived to bestride the mighty, and heretofore deemed endless, Missouri. 

One more thing I'm going to mention on this beautiful day is my exchange with Ch. 3 weekend anchor and weekday fill-in weather person Kerstin Lindquist who mentioned my name on the air today and answered my e-mail. Here's a copy of our emails from the last 2 days:

Thursday I wrote Kerstin:

That's too bad about your knee and MRI. It must be driving you nuts not to
be able to run or practice yoga. How did you hurt it?

I took your advice and got out early to exercise today. I went out on the
old LA highway between Jean and Primm and got a nice 10 mile-run in on a
deserted highway. I'm in training for the Dec. 4 LV Marathon.

Friday Kerstin said on the air:

I got an email from Ham who said he went out for an early run yesterday while it was still cool.

I replied to Kerstin Friday:

Who Me?
Thanks for the on-air mention. I almost spit out my coffee when I heard you
mention my name.

Another great day of weather reporting. I like the positive spin you put on
everything from the sunrise to the tortoises. Must be your yogi spirit
shining through.

Now I have to take your advice again and get my run in before it gets too
hot. How's the weather look for the Dec. 4 LV Marathon?

She answered back:

Yes you!!!  Hope you had a great run.. My knee is feeling better lets
hope it stays that way!

Kerstin

That made my day.

 

Deserted Desert Highway

Thursday August 11, 2005

If I'm in training for the Dec. 4 Las Vegas Marathon then I better start to get some serious training in. It's less than four months away. So I headed out today to the old LA Highway -- site of my first marathon in 1998. This year's course will be different -- right down the strip. But today's location -- about 22 miles south of Las Vegas offered wide open spaces with plenty of miles to run and no traffic.

I ripped off a 10 miler and it felt pretty good despite the heat. I got a tank-top tan today and stumbled on a new trail for a future adventure. Off course after a run like that the numbers would be excellent. BP 109/73. BS 109.

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.

It's always the same step, but you have to take it.

Antoine De Saint-Exupery

 

 

Cool morning

Wednesday August 10, 2005

Today I returned to the scene of my triumphant 2nd place finish in last Saturday's 9th Annual Legends of Cross Country Run at Sunset Park.

This time there were no slow runners to impede me on the single-file trail. It was a beautiful cool morning (for Las Vegas) under cloudy skies.

Today's my Friday at work. Off the next two days!!! Yee-Haw!!

Thanks to you and I don't know who else this journal has been read 445 times!

 

Just Another Day

Tuesday August 9, 2005

Not much news to report today. Work. Yoga. An off-day from running. Evening numbers check was good. BP 105/67, BS 123. Still reading Steinbeck's East of Eden. The friggin' book's almost 700 pages. Almost done. Cats are cool. Life Is good.

Zen quote for today:

The hermit doesn't sleep at night:

in love with the blue of the vacant moon.

The cool of the breeze

that rustles the trees

rustles him too.

CHING AN

 

Familiar Landmark

Monday August 8, 2005

What would any Lewis & Clark reenactment be without mentioning a significant event that happened 200 yrs ago today. Let's read the journal entry of Meriwether Lewis from August 8, 1805:

"The Indian woman recognized the point of a high plain to our right, which, she informed us, was not very distant from the summer retreat of her nation, on a river beyond the mountains which runs to the west. This hill, she says, her nation calls the Beaver's Head, from a conceived resemblance of its figure to the head of that animal. She assures us that we shall either find her people on this river, or on the river immediately west of its source, which, from its present size, cannot be very distant.

As it is now all-important with us to meet with those people as soon as possible, I determined to proceed tomorrow with a small party to the source of the principal stream of this river and pass the mountains to the Columbia, and down that river until I found the Indians. In short, it is my resolution to find them or some others who have horses, if it should cause me a trip of one month. For, without horses we shall be obliged to leave a great part of our stores, of which it appears to me that we have a stock already sufficiently small for the length of the voyage before us."

What a joy this must have been for the Corp of Discovery to be back in the familiar territory of the people of their Indian woman - Sacagawea. Dad and I had the pleasure of visiting this landmark June 20 of this year.

Back in 2005, today marks my 5th week of abstinence. Exactly the time the Lewis & Clark Expedition had gone when they came across Beaverhead Rock. But what they didn't know at the time was that there was exactly 400 days to go until this alcohol fast is broken. We're both on course right now.

I celebrated my 35th consecutive non-drinking day with a 7-mile run and a weigh-in of 155. Life is always very good.

 

Marino Snubbed Me

Sunday August 7, 2005

Dan Marino and Steve Young were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio today. I met and interviewed Marino several times when I was the sports editor at the Key West Citizen. The first time this green reporter cornered Marino in his locker room stall, I introduced myself and started firing away questions at Marino right after he got out of the shower. I was the first reporter there and I thought I might get a scoop or at least an exclusive quote but Marino, obviously unimpressed with my Key West Citizen credentials asked me to wait until the other reporters got there so he wouldn't have to repeat himself. So much for an exclusive.

Both Marino and former Buffalo Bills QB Jim Kelly were drafted in the the 1st round of the famous 1983 draft. John Elway was 1st overall. Kelly and Marino, who both grew up in Western Pennsylvania, became fast friends and faced each other many times in their careers. Both were great quarterbacks but neither won a Super Bowl. Kelly however went 4 times to Marino's solo trip. Kelly was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

My day today was uneventful. Up at 5am, a little yoga, eight hours at the Hilton and that was about it.

 

A 6:59 Mile!!!

Saturday August 6, 2005

A 6:59 mile!!! I never thought I'd see another sub-seven minute mile in my life but I did today in the 9th Annual Legends of Cross Country 5k run at Sunset Park. That was my first mile split. I lost time in the 2nd mile as I was slowed by a single-file pace and unable to pass on the narrow trail but still I was able to finish in 26:14 which was good for 2nd place in my age group.

The home-course advantage helped as I had probably legged more miles over these Sunset Park trails then all the other 100-plus competitors combined. I knew every curve and rodent hole. I couldn't believe the explosive energy I had. I started slow but after the first half mile I started picking off runners left and right and no one passed me the rest of the way.

It was no problem getting up at 4:30 for the 4th running day  in a row. This 7:30 run felt like the middle of the day for me. If I didn't have to go in to work at 11:30 I might take a nap but I really don't need one. This month-long non-drinking binge inspired by a couple of racist 19th century explorers is really paying off. Who knew?

 

Quiet Friday

Friday August 5, 2005

It seems like I never miss a Sunrise anymore. Saw the third one in a row today as I was up at 4:30 am for the 3rd consecutive pre-dawn jog. Like snowflakes, they're all different. Due to an early teeth cleaning yesterday and a car-maintenance appointment today I was unable to make my weekly jaunt to someplace really cool to run and take pictures so instead I'll share this quote from one of my favorite environmental activist groups the Sierra Club:

 "Devoted though we must be to the conservation cause, I do not believe that any of us should give it all of our time or effort or heart...Let us save at least part of our lives for enjoyment of this wonderful world which still exists. Leave your dens, abandon your cars, and walk out into the mountains, the deserts, the forests, the seashores. Those treasures still belong to all of us. Enjoy them to the full, stretch your legs, enliven your hearts..."

-- Edward Abbey (submitted by Daily Ray of Hope subscriber and Sierra magazine Editor-in-Chief Joan Hamilton)

 

One Month Done

Thursday August 4, 2004

And they said it couldn't be done. One full month of alcohol-free living is in the books. The last time I went that long was 1973 when I was 16. Richard Nixon was in the White House, O.J. Simpson was having a record-breaking 2,003-yard season for the Buffalo Bills and I had a full head of hair.

It was another pre-dawn run to Sunset Park (see photos, there's eight more of 'em that are easy to scroll through).

Another reason to celebrate today is Ann's birthday. Happy Birthday Ann!!! I won't give away your age but when you were born Harry Truman was in the White House and there were only 48 states. The Dodgers and Giants still played baseball in New York and John Steinbeck hadn't written East of Eden yet.

Tonight's yoga night with Cypress. Last week she said she was going to bring me a book this week.

 

Hour of the Pearl

Wednesday August 3, 2005

 I was up at 4:30 for my pre-dawn, pre-work run. There's something magical starting out in the pitch-black darkness and watching the darkness turn to daylight as some divine master of the universe slowly turns up the dimmer switch. My favorite author John Steinbeck calls it the "Hour of the Pearl." Here is an excerp from Cannery Row:

"After the light has come and before the sun has risen--the interval between day and night when time stops and examines itself. No automobiles are running then. The streets are silent of progress and business. And the rush and drag of the waves can be heard as they splash in among the piles of the canneries." 

Well I had to imagine the waves and the canneries but the sunrise was heart stopping. It was coming up behind me, ironically on Sunset Road. So several times I just had to stop and take it all in and thank God I had lived to see such a beautiful sight.

I'll spare you the daily numbers rap sheet. They're all good. Lois is good too. The neighbor hospitalized now minus her appendix. She said she's doing fine and will be released Thursday. Remember when major surgery kept one in the hospital a week or more? She told me not to worry that she would be well enough to watch my cats when I go to Buffalo in 2 1/2 weeks. I told her not to concern herself with that now that the cats would be cared for one way or another. But I'm glad she's doing well, will be out soon and will be able to cat sit too.

 

East of Eden

Tuesday August 2, 2005

A day of mixed emotions. I was saddened to learn my neighbor and cat watcher Lois Dimaggio was in the hospital after having her appendix removed. I had just talked with her Friday when the power in our building went out and wondered why I hadn't heard from her the last few days. My downstairs neighbor Liz told me the unhappy news today. She said Lois was recovering well but sedated with morphine. I'll call her Wednesday.

This is the time of year I re-read my favorite book of all-time -- John Steinbeck's epic East of Eden. Written in 1952, I feel it's the finest piece of literature from the 20th Century. I think this is the 5th time I've read it. I've lost count. It's a story of good vs. evil, Cain vs. Abel, a family history and  tragedy. Steinbeck said he wrote a book on three different levels. The first couple of times I read the book I just scratched the surface, the next couple of times I think I got a little deeper into it and maybe this time I will find another level. But it really doesn't matter. It's such a pleasure to read. Some people have comfort foods. I have comfort books I come back to again and again.

I had a wonderful twilight candlelight yoga session at home that began and ended with some deep meditation. Afterwards I sat on the balcony, listened to the wind chimes and watched the lightning strikes with the slightly alarmed cats.

Now it's time for the daily numbers report. Currently the blood pressure is: 121/80, pulse 52 and the blood sugar is a very good 110. 

Well that's it for now I'm going to try to get up at 4:30 tomorrow morning for a 5am run before work. I gotta be ready for Saturday's 5k cross-country run at Sunset Park.  
"All the things I really like to do are either immoral, illegal, or fattening."
-- Alexander Woolcott

 

Happy Birthday Billy

Monday August 1, 2005

Happy Birthday to Capt. William Clark, born on this date in 1770. Clark, who was a Major General when he died in 1834 was best known for his map-making skills and for his level-headed dealing with Indians during the Lewis & Clark Expedition and later in his career as Director of Indian Affairs from his St. Louis Office.

Compared to Meriwether Lewis, William Clark was the more adroit handler of diplomatic relations, the better boatman and a more skillful manager of the expedition's personnel. Clark seems to have been the more relaxed and playful man.  

I celebrate his birthday with a morning blood sugar reading of 125 and a sunrise run to Sunset Park as I complete my fourth week of abstinence.