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!!!