Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!   

Crowded House has a new album: Gravity Stairs. 

I have never not bought one of their albums, or Neil Finn's solo work, or the disks he puts out with his brother, Tim.  I wasn't about to start now. 

With eight group disks over 38 years, the band has had five different iterations, with only Neil Finn and Nick Seymour being the constants. What that in mind, save 3-4 disks, the rest are variations of what one thinks Crowded House should be.....or was. Myself included. 

It takes awhile to put aside your bias on what I think and what the band now is. I'm very protective of those first four disks. All of them stand-outs in their own way, but even those differ. 

The cover itself is very Beatle-esque - Revolver influenced......or homaged at the very least. 

Neil Finn has the bulk of the songwriting credits, though he shares a few songs with his sons who are now in the band. Finn, for the last 38 years (+) has been one of the best songwriters out there. He is unappreciated (or at least under appreciated) in this regard. 

The musicianship is impeccable. Gravity Stairs is more consistent in nature than their last disk from three years ago. 

"Magic Piano" is a good opener and has a decent Alan Parsons vibe. In a good way. 

"the Howl" is pure Neil Finn, except that it was written and sung by one of his sons, Liam. It is a really good song, good rhythm and pacing. For me, it's the highlight

"Black Water, White Circle" has a bossa nova like thing going on. More in the music than the vocal, but it's different, in the positive sense. Actually, a lot of the disk is, even if it's not quite geared to the hit single mode. 

Their first two releases were just ok:  "Oh Hi" and "Teenage Summer".  Their fine, but that's about where it ends. Radio certainly didn't latch onto them. "the Howl" is the third release, so maybe that will get them exposure. 

I'm also liking "I Can't Keep Up with You".  "Thirsty" stands out due to its sparseness. I gotta say, Finn does a stripped down song on most any disk with which he's involved - solo or band. 

I really want to like "Some Greater Plan (for Claire)" as it was Neil's one collaboration on this disk with Tim. Usually they do really well together.  The lyrics were crafted from their father's diary during wartime. It is beautifully done, but it just doesn't click with me. 

Still, Gravity Stairs warrants a listen. 

Solid Rock

Decent picture week. I even held a few back to use later, in case we have a shortage one week. You just never know. 

Simon doesn't even try to be coy about jumping up on the counter / stove. 

Background dude to a less handsome pup. 

Sorry - this is Gandalf the Grey material. 

I don't know where he got a tape measure, but he did. 

Warm afternoon walk in the park. We went into the creek for some splash time. 

Even he couldn't swim here, the water levels were far too low. 

When you want to look out the window, but are very very tired. 

Shep and I on a spare human hike. 

710 had a repairman at the house, and we didn't need Mr. Barky being intimidating. 

Song by: Dire Straits

I Want Muscles

I know in a world full of boomers (myself included), I get zero sympathy for weight loss. 

It probably isn't popular with any of the generations, but I guess I could have easily said "people my age". 

"We" are at a time of our lives where we try to control how much we gain, not trying to lose. Yes, it's a broad statement, but I think it somewhat applies. 

Marathon training (I'm assuming) forced my weight down lower than my goal and to well below the BMI for someone my height. 

Yeah - I get it: no sympathy. Not that I'm asking for it. 

Oddly enough, I brought it up originally as a concern. It seemed like a lot of poundage to slough off in six months - when it took me two+ years to lose the first two-thirds of it. Something in the metabolism kicked in.....big time. 

I only do one weigh-in per month and yesterday was it. I've gained 1.5 lbs.   Yay me. 

I say 'yay', yet I'm not sure I mean it. 

Me, being me, has jumped 17 steps ahead, in my head, as I'm going to gain it all back. All 35 pounds. Yes, I internally processed going past the 12 I should gain back and added 23 more. This is the beauty of being in my mind. 

I know I need to gain some weight back (though my doctor disagrees), but I'm wringing my hands now that I actually have.........and it's an entire 24 ounces in 30 days. Maybe 31. 

Mock me if you will, but I'm beginning to see how someone like Karen Carpenter ends up the way they do. Another good reason only to get on the scale 12 times per year. 

Training for fall marathons starts in eight days. In the heat of summer. The chances of me gaining weight over the next 17 weeks seems slim (pun possibly intended?). My new goal is to not lose additional weight. It's a goal - not a plan. I have no plan. I don't think I can eat ice cream forever without becoming a Type 2 diabetic. 

Maybe a return to alcohol isn't the worst idea. If I were truly sober (meaning, proactively abstaining) I'd have my five month chip this last week - assuming that's a thing. At least booze packs on the pounds. But I don't see that happening anytime soon. 

I should not discount my strength training. Three (?) weeks in, maybe I'm getting more muscle, which we all know people says it weighs more than fat.  

BTW - has anyone ever really confirmed that??  A pound of muscle and a pound of fat weigh the same on any scale. Maybe I'm not gaining weight - just muscle. 

That's it. 400 words later, and that's it!

Song by: Diana Ross

You Talk Too Much

Honestly, this is the debate.I want to see tonight: no one talking to no one. 

Dead air, if you will. 

Because they're gonna suck all the life out of us anyways. 

You already know I'm not reading or watching the news. I mentioned a few weeks back on my struggle with depression. 

These two things are NOT unrelated. Most of it politically derived. 

I'm not even somewhat joking about this. 

My mental state, such as it is, would never listen to this debate. Me in better head space wouldn't either. 

If they must do it, I'm glad it's months away from the election and not weeks away. But the bullshit that is going to be coming from his mouth - yes, you know who - is something I literally (not figuratively guised as literally) could not take. 

If he died on live TV, I will regret not having watched. But that's about the only way you'd get me to tune in. 

I won't read the news tomorrow either, but avoiding all social media or friends and family texts are difficult, though not undoable.

Song by: George Thorogood & the Destroyers

Superman's Song

Ooooooh - good news / bad news in the DC universe. Possibly multi-verse. I mean, who the fuck knows.

Good News: the new Superman movie is i production.........in Cleveburgh. 

Bad News: Henry Cavill is not Superman.  

Clark Kent showed up for his first day of filming two days ago, though other filming has been going on for a week or two prior. 

I have no idea who he is, or whom the villain is either - though it's not Lex Luthor this time around. 

Full disclosure: I've only seen the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie back in '78 (?). I was underwhelmed. 

I tried watching a newer one with Cavill {sigh}, but it d-r-a-g-g-e-d on and seemingly would. not. end. Amy Adams did no one any favours playing Lois Lane. 

It's like that Family Guy exchange:  "how do we kill and hour?".   "Five minutes of Rita Rudner's stand-up?". 

But as you all might have read and retained from previous entries, I've never read or purchased a comic book. Adam West was my first exposure to Batman. Reeve, my first to Superman. Not the live versions - any version. 

Well, a B-movie guy/emcee in Cleveburgh was called SuperHost. He was also Channel 43's weatherman (UHF!). So, I kind of got the Superman reference. 

The 216 is familiar with the filming of super hero movies.  Spiderman III, the Avengers, and the second Captain America. I saw the last two only because of the Cleveland association. Zero of these hold any suspense for me, as they're never killing off the main characters / franchise movies / origin story movies. 

...and even if they did, uhhhh.......multiverse.  

I fully admit to not knowing there is a difference between the Incredible Spiderman and the Amazing Spiderman.......but allegedly there is. 

My resting heart rate still remains at 55. 

I don't go downtown often, but will be avoiding it for the next few weeks because of filming and closed off streets due to such. 

So while Cleveland is now Metropolis, it kind of makes sense for the city tie-in. While the creators of Superman were born above the 49th parallel, they grew up and created the guy here in Cleveland. 

Lois Lane is not being portrayed by Amy Adams (phew) or Margo Kidder (crazy......and dead), but by Mrs. Maisel Rachel Brosnahan. I can kind of see that. 

It was easy to be a Lucy Lu lookieloo when the movie is being filmed on your street, but I have zero interest. I'll view it when it hits basic cable......the December after it's released.

Song by: Crash Test Dummies

Strike

Thanks. 

But no thanks. 

The email actually had a title: "Thanks for Applying."

Blobby got dinged by New York...........again. 

For those who might remember, I did not have success in the lottery for the 2024 NYC Marathon. You might also remember that I didn't have my hopes up for gaining access, like I did for the Chicago one. 

Strike Two. 

Still there are other ways to gain access. One was to run a virtual marathon this October, so one could run in the 2025 (!) NYC Marathon. 

So, you have to go through another lottery to be able to run the virtual race, so you could get a guaranteed entry (assuming you actually get accepted and actually run it) to the November 2025 mararthon. 

While during my run in Cleveland a month ago, I told myself I had no right to be even thinking of running in the New York marathon. 

Flash forward three weeks and here I was - hopeful. 

Yes, part of me hoped I wouldn't get in, so I wouldn't have to face it, but deep down, I really wanted it. And worse, I let myself believe that few people would want to run a marathon on their own.

In my head, I was already planning my route. As there'd be no hydration stations or extra rest areas, this was kind of vital, even if it was 4 months away. Where would 710 meet me for some of those provisions, etc.?   I got confident - like I had for Chicago. 

The first line of the email was short - not so sweet:  "You weren't selected."  They even fucking used a contraction as to not utilize unnecessary letters.

Then came the additional way I could get into the virtual marathon: fund raising. 

For a mere $1,310 dollars, raised and submitted 12 days prior to the virtual race, I could run - and if I finish -and would get guaranteed entry slot for 2025. 

But like Chicago, my views of hitting people up for money have not changed. It makes me very uncomfortable.  

Someone in my training group said to ask people IN the training group, who have gladly donated for these kinds of things. But as you know, I have conflicted feelings about the group and how long it took me even to be recognized. 

Adding injury to insult - on top of that $1,310, I'd have to pay a $175 registration fee for a virtual marathon.  And while I'm selecting the route, running on my own, supplying my own nutrition,  timing device and such - that $175 isn't coming to me for operational costs. It seems like a semi-money grab.I don't even think I get a t-shirt or a medal. And I'd have to buy my own banana. 

None of these costs cover the registration fee for the actual marathon either. It all adds up quickly. Then you can put travel, lodging, food, swag into that mix. 

I'm not really complaining about the cost - well, except maybe the $175. 

Since I psyched myself up for the virtual, the rejection stung. I was, and am, massively bummed. 

710 says to just write a check for the $1,310, but I'm not sure I'm willing to do that. 

No rash decisions. At least as of yet. I'd say I'd sleep on it, but that hasn't been coming easily lately. Ironically, I have to get up and run this morning.  

Song by: Todd Rundgren

My Music Monday

Remixes is the theme of the month - and this is the last one. But in a way, you get two-for-one. 

Donald Sutherland passed away earlier this week. While not musical (I don't think), he did appear in the 1985 video for Kate Bush's "Cloudbusting". 

Bush's album, from whence the song came, the Hounds of Love, was the first was my first CD purchase, so the songs and videos hold a lot of nostalgia for me. 

Technically, I don't remember the remix to "Cloudbusting", but there are a few - some better than others. The battle drums at the beginning of all of them do nothing for me, but some of the overlaps of song lines are well done. 

As for the 2-4-1?  As Mr. Sutherland isn't in the remix video, I'm putting the original song and video version here as well. 

Teach Me

Our new-ish neighbor Jason (yes, I think of Friday the 13th, each time I say his name) got his asphalt driveway done earlier this week. 

It looks good, by the way. 

More interesting was this sign that the vendor put up during the process. 

710, I think, read it wrong as we were walking Shep. 

His assumption was that teachers had to take a second job and it was sealcoating. 

Since it said 'former educators', I assumed that smearing hot tar on a driveway paid better than babysitting your little snots trying to get them to learn anything, so they quit that profession. 

And I'm probably correct. 

Besides the discipline thing, and the helicopter parents thing, and the school shooting thing - now teachers have to deal with what you can and cannot say, teach, show, imply. And in certain states have to explain to your kid from the blended family how daddy shouldn't have coveted his neighbor's wife, which is why she's now your stepmom..............cuz it says so posted on the bulletin board next to the lockers. 

Teachers are woefully underpaid. On top of that, they usually have to buy their own supplies, as the school system can't (or won't) pay for them. You can't blame all the families for not ponying up either, as there are plenty who don't have the means. 

Together but unequal, so to speak. 

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if teachers quit to do manual labor, or work at Wal*Mart. The pay is probably comparable, with benefits and normal hours. While I had some very memorable teachers, I'm guessing those are fewer and farther between these days. 

If you know who wins in November, education will truly be a thing of the past. 

Song by: Lyle Lovett

Hot Stuff

The Heat Dome continues. Even taking Shep for walks after 07:00 has been a risk. Ones in the evening are quick. Maybe a block at most. Weekends have always been around water - now it's "let's get him into water" on these days. 

The cat? Well, Simon is permanently ensconced in an air conditioned house, but even he is picking new places in which to recline to get good airflow. I can't say I blame him. 

But due to weather, there aren't tons of activity on any one front, so we have farmed this out - so to speak - for guests. 

710 thinks Simon looks great against jewel tones. 

Looks like Bailey wants a walk. I'm betting she got what she wanted 

My niece's cat, Pippa next to her newly created Lego® Pippa

I always say Shep can't really swim. But now and again, he shows us up. 

It was a glorious 6 seconds. 

Ran into my cousin at daycare. 

Sadly, I recognized Siggie first. But I got Siggie Love.  We could not get a shot of the dog cousins. 

More jewel tones. 

I'm fine with this as long as isn't on the leather.....with those claws. 

Squirrel huntin'. 

I honestly didn't know Bailey was interested in them thar varmints. 

Song by: Donna Summer

Vote for Me

Yay for Melinda French Gates. 

The woman has done a lot of positive things in the form of the former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Now that she's on her own, she can spend her own $11 billion her way. She might be taking a cue from Bezos' ex-wife, but she was doing it formally long before. 

In her own words, as she interacts with many political factions - foreign and domestic - she has stayed away from endorsements or for whom she has voted. 

That has changed

"I’ve never endorsed a presidential candidate before. My work on gender equality and global health often requires me to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle, so I’ve avoided talking publicly about who I voted for in past elections. 

But this year is different. 

After Vonshitzinpantz’s first term in office endangered the health of women, compromising their safety and robbing them of essential freedoms, I’m supporting Biden this election and asking others to do the same."

She goes on and on too. In a good way. 

Gates goes on to lists the ways Vonshitzinpantz did the above. It's extensive and you can read her full op-ed here. 

It's quite amazing. 

That CNN had this opinion as like the 37th article down on their list, I'm not sure who the fuck is gonna see it, but hopefully women's organizations will take it and reprint it in their newsletters. It needs to be heard. It needed to be written by someone who is somewhat reasonable without a history of liberal agenda. 

Sorry, but it's the truth. And Gates can't just be written off. 

And better yet, she has more money than Vonshitzinpantz. That's gotta hurt his fragile ego. 

And Melinda and Melanoma now have something in common:  both of their husbands (well Melinnda's ex, now) were friendly with Jeffrey Epstein. 

Song by: the Specials

the Great Commandment

This will piss of some geographically placed people, but so be it:

I hate the South so fucking much. 

SO fucking much. 

The Louisiana governor signed into law that all public schools who receive state funding (how is that not all of them?) are required to post the 10 Commandments in each classroom.  

Not each school.  Each Fucking Classroom. 

Let's dispense with the separation of church and state, since there are so many factions who don't understand it, believe it or want it. Of course, they only want their religion recognized. 

This I find hilarious. Christians believe in the 10 Commandments. 

Last I checked, Christ was a New Testament guy. The 10 - which conveniently don't actually physically exist - are Judaic. 

I bet if you told the Louisiana governor you wanted to hang Jewish writings in each school he'd shut you down in a minute. But I get it:  people are stupid. And no one is even following these commandments. None of them. 

Dollars to doughnuts they can't recite them, let alone in order. They certainly don't live by them. 

This just grinds my gears. 

And yes, I'm sticking with the South thing. There aren't many states in general passing laws to actually help people or expand services to anything - but the South in general (Arkansas, Alabama, Florida Louisiana, Texas - for starters) are hell fucking bent on restricting everything. 

They do no good. If it ever gets the slightest amount of repair, it will not be in our lifetime. ....and that is even if a child under 10 is reading this blog. Their lifetime either. 

This is all so fucking heinous it makes me want to vomit. 

Here's hoping someone challenges this state and this douche. Though SCOTUS as it stands now isn't going to be of much help. 

Song by: Camouflage 

Wild Horses

I'd like to know what Ralph Lifshitz has on the US Olympic Committee.

For the 183rd time, he and his company are clothing the US Olympic team.

Or NASCAR, from what I can tell with the image to your left. 

Seriously, are there no other "designers"* in the US? One that might cater to actual athletics that aren't just polo (see what I did there?) and the America's Cup? 

These look somewhere between Formula 1 racing fireproof outfits or something for ISS loungewear. 

Yeah - I get red, white and blue. And these are not as heinous as other things he's made, but the horse.  Sure, it's his brand, but maybe - just maybe - this isn't about him or his company. 

Yes, I hear myself as I say it, but are people seeing this and going, I MUST get to a Ralph Lauren store NOW!!!! ???   No. No they are not. Honestly, I don't even know if they have brick & mortar outside of their flagship in NYC. 

This is just an old man rant. I really don't and shouldn't care. This affects me in zero ways. It's not drawing me to watch the olympics. 

*well, you know he designed absolutely nothing here

Song by: Rolling Stones

Run Around

Oddly - or not - but since the Cleveland Indians turned into the Cleveland Guardians a little over a year ago, I have not been to a game. 

For sure, part of the reason are the crowds and my anxiety, but I'm working on that. Well, the last part. 

I did however go to Jacob's Progressive Field on Sunday.  ....and yes, for a four mile race 

Most races have some kind of tie-in or gimmick, be it a run for tacos, hot chocolate or doughnuts; be it for a charity, festival or what have you. This one didn't actually have any brand from the Guardians or Progressive Field. Neither was even mentioned by name. BUT - you ran from the stadium for a 5k on the city streets and then the last mile, the fourth, was inside the stadium. 

I should have done my homework, but I never do. I thought the last part of the race was around the perimeter of the actual playing field - and it was. But before that, one has to run the ramps up to the top level. There are 10 or 12 ramps. I might have reconsidered the run had I known that before sign-up. Hell, I didn't even know it until 30 minutes prior to the start. 

As it would turn out, while the upward ramps slowed me down bit, the overall run was good. 

Had it been just a 5k, I would have had a PR.....by two seconds, but still, the fastest I've run for that race. However, the entire race was 4 miles, but I had under a 10 minute mile - something I've only done once since the Cleveland Marathon. 

I was hoping for a bigger thrill of running outside the diamond, but it was still neat.  .....though the photographer didn't wipe her lens or doesn't know how to focus her camera. It looked like most of the photos were blurry.  Trust me, I wasn't running that fast. 

I ran with people from both the running and training groups. I finished in the top 37%. A year ago, it would have been in the top 73%. 

But it's my one race for the month. I don't have another until July 4th. 

Song by: Jefferson Airplane

My Music Monday

Remixes is the theme for the month.  Today and one more to go.  Phew. Probably. 

I alluded to in my initial one of a probable first remix 12" single I purchased. It would have been back in 1985. While not newly gay (duh), I had started going to clubs in Columbus. The main one I'd frequent would have been the Columbus Eagle. 

Oh - do NOT confuse this with the NYC or Chicago Eagle. It was nothing like that. If guys wore leather at this place - it was belts, shoes and satchels. You were far more likely to see a fan than you would a harness. 

Still, I was newly club-out and drank it all in - literally and figuratively. I encountered music one didn't pick-up from FM radio or fraternity parties. 

At the time I tripped upon "I Wonder if I Take You Home" from Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam (with Full Force). That is a mouthful.  Full Force would go on to partner also with such luminaries as Sa-Sa-Sa-Samantha Fox. 

Listening to it now, decades later, I can't quite remember the draw it had on me then. I was probably impressionable at any new music that was part of my newer life. Listening to this now is fine - but I'm amazed at how much of it I don't remember at all. It's not bad, but I can't say it's spectacular either. 

I should note - this early in my going out, I never got on the dance floor, not even for this, which clearly meant something enough to me that I searched it out and purchased it. 

Ahhhh.....youth. 

I also never realized on this song how much Lisa Lisa sounds like Michael Jackson in his Jackson 5 days. 

Love is the Answer

I just found this Washington Post story to be rather sad. 

For those who can't link to it, as you might not subscribe, in a nutshell a man comes out at the age of 85 - in his obituary. 

A fire fighter, a friend, a strong family background - and could never tell anyone he was gay. 

I mean, he did. And some people knew, but never discussed - at least with him. You know friends and family (even co-workers) talked once he was out of the room. 

Edward Ryan even had a partner for a quarter of a century. Rarely were they seen together and never at Ryan's family events. They would attend the partner's family events, but always taking separate cars. 

I totally get that some families will not accept a same-sex relationship. And I get that some families are close. But these things are not mutually exclusive. They can't be. They shouldn't be.  Having the feeling the family will shun or judge you for who you love totally fractures the idea that your family is truly close - or even truly your family. 

Blood is just blood. 

I always say that Family Planning should mean you get to plan that family - not just be thrust into it. You don't see me talking to 2-3 of my sisters since my parents passed. I feel zero need. There is not an ounce of regret or second thoughts on this. I even successfully avoided three of them at a viewing for a cousin of ours. I guessed - incorrectly - that they'd go to the afternoon viewing hours, not the morning. Yet I made it in and out without exchanging a syllable. 

That said, 710 and my relationship might have been discussed behind our backs - who can know for certain......except you know it. But we had relationships with each other's families and I was welcomed by his, and he by mine. I still attest that mine liked him more than me. And it's valid, for sure. 

Still, Ed Ryan and his partner lived a life of covering tracks and secrecy that, while by his own words had "25 wonderful years together", the omissions had to be exhausting over time. 

But in his obit, he himself writes that he'd always been gay and was sorry he didn't have the courage to come out to his family - afraid of being ostracized. 

With his obituary, he says he is at peace now being able to say it. At 85. 

I'm happy for him, but I'm so sad for him too. He probably doesn't want that pity or sadness, but I want the younger generations to be able to be themselves - whomever that might be, and with whomever they might love. 

Song by: Todd Rundgren

Comfort

Lots of outdoor shots this week. 

MEOW!

I don't know what he's thinking, but he loves just staring at the lake. 

Just hangin' by the window per usual. 

Down in a crick. He just loves the water. 

It's to be in the 90s all this upcoming week. I'll find him good watering hole opportunities. 

Bailey turns 5 !!!!

The standard cat greeting. 70% chance of bites. 

This is a dog who feels comfortable and secure. 

Song by: Alanis Morissette

I Don't Believe

Honestly, I have no idea what to make of reproductive rights with yesterday's SCOTUS ruling and the Senates take down of IVF. 

SCOTUS rejected a challenge - one - to keep mifepristone on the market. I will admit, I was surprised at the unanimous vote. Not just for this - but for any measure on this specific court. 

Isn't it horrible when they do something right and you immediately suspect another shoe is going to drop? I just don't trust this. 

Then senate on the other hand........

Those motherfuckers blocked a bill guaranteeing IVF services across the country. 

“Why should we vote for a bill that fixes a non-existent problem? There’s not a problem. There’s no restrictions on IVF, nor should there be,” Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. 

Yeah - this twat. Clearly he's not reading the news on Alabama. Nor is he to be believed, the way SCOTUS candidates lied about Roe being established law. It IS a problem - it's just hidden under a rock until a potential change in administration. 

Yes, it totally violates HIPAA, but I want the names of every Senate and House members wives, daughters, aunts, mothers, cousins who have gotten IVF - and publish that fucking list. 

I am so.very.tired. of the hypocrisy. 

I can't have kids. I don't even want them - never have. Honestly, I'm not sure if I care that other people have them ever. Still, it's their decision, not the governments. 

I feel the dichotomy in these two rulings is really setting up the GOP for a "yahhhhh, we're all for your reproductive rights", while they have their fingers crossed behind their backs. 

This is all a lie. Somehow. 

Song by: Joe Bonamassa

12 of 12

So I'm doing my 170th 12 of 12.

Normally it is 12 pictures taken on the 12th of the month. Since I only post once per day, you get my images the following day. All pictures taken with my iPhone. Click images to enlarge, if you choose.

Created by Chad Darnell and picked up from, what I can tell, any number of random bloggers who then link back to him and vice versa. Chad is no longer doing this, nor is successor coordinating the linking of other 12 of 12'ers anymore. 

03:04.  A minute early 

Oddly, a normal wake up time. Abnormally, I was actually able to go back to sleep without any of my abnormal repercussions. 

05:54. Dog Bark. 

Had to get ready to tend to HRH

05:57. He wanted out. He always wants out. 

06:30. Oatmeal. 

It's been going pretty well. The cereal industry is wondering about the drop in Honey Nut Cheerios stock. 

07:17. Strength Training. 

I've lapsed - focusing more on running. But this will help with running. I used to be able to lift about 80 more lbs than I'm doing right now. I'll get back there.        I think. 

09:41. Second Breakfast 

The chocolate-cherry muffin is from the bakery we go to after Saturday's run. I buy "extra". 

12:13.  Lunch. 

Half sandwich is all I wanted. Chicken salad with swiss, tomato and basil. 

14:32. NYC Marathon 2025 (!). 

It's not registration for it, but for a virtual marathon for this year to help gain me access to 2025. I'll know in 11 days if I get selected.  

Please believe me Santa, please!

17:13. I love Olive. 

Stopped by my friend Bob and got to play fetch with Olive. She loves me. And vice versa. 

17:34. Grocery stop - just for some produce. 

17:39. Pooch pick-up. 

Leapin' Shep. He was wound up. 

19:30 - Dinner on the grill. 

You have your 12, so you didn't see me finish off most of a pint of double chocolate chip ice cream. But I did.

Pump Up the Jam

That's sad. 

It sounds like a LOT of Jesus Jones, Goo Goo Dolls and Milli Vanilli to me. 

While I may have been really drunk through most of the decade, save having great friends, I'm trying to find a lot redeeming about the decade. 

Yeah yeah - cancer survivor and all. But.....you know, it also brought me cancer. And a ruptured appendix. 

It also got me back to Cleveland. 

I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if 710 and I stayed in Columbus. Or worse - if he got placed in Syracuse instead of Cleveland for his job. 

I don't fancy wearing orange. 

All decades have their good and bad, of course. I usually measure it by music. There is just not a lot I go back to from the '90s. Oh, I own a bunch, I just don't have a lot populating my playlists. 

As vanity plates go - this seems like a miss. 

Song by: Technotronic

Hunter

Hunter Biden's case is in the hands of the jury. 

To be honest, I have little idea about this case, though it has to deal with a gun. This is not his laptop trial, I don't think. I really should read the news, but it bums me out. 

With all the clamor of Von ShitzinPantz being convicted and the noise of an unjust court, one of the worst things could happen is if Hunter is acquitted.  

I know I know. He might be innocent, legitimately. But the Right will never hear that; never believe it. And the noise will be deafening. 

If he's found guilty - what the fuck are they gonna say? 

I did pull the below off of Mark's blog - and it is one of the more genius things I've seen in a while. 

Fucking Brilliant. 

The dems will never seize this day, as they are pussies. Still, conceptually, it's perfect. 

Song by: Björk 

My Music Monday

Remixes are gay.  June is Pride month.  Pride is gay.  It's a theorem. 

But I'm "theming" June My Music Mondays to remixes of songs one might have heard in the gay bars, at least when I was going to gay bars. It starts narrowing down the selections immediately. Even more so, when I pick only the one's I liked. 

That said, I might just throw a nostalgic one in for good measure, even if I don't care for it or never danced to it. 

Still, it can't be said that New Order wouldn't get me out on the dance floor (oooh, a double negative!). Well, that an alcohol...or drugs. Or, and drugs. Blobby had the notion that everyone would be staring at him when he danced, so substances helped ease that pain. 

Of course, no one noticed me. Or cared. I wasn't Mr. Pez. (Actually, I might have been the only one to notice him!)

New Order has a plethora of remixes. I'm going with "Touched by the Hand of G-d".  This came out - I think - in 1987?  Maybe '88?. 

My friend Jon would point out that it sounded a lot like Ultravox's "Reap the Wild Wind" - something I've never been able to unhear since that conversation. 

Still - I like the track, and the band. 

All the Way

Well, the annual challenge that my running app gave me is completed......about 28 weeks ahead of time!

I have no idea why the goal was to run 1,024 km for this year. If it had been 2,024, I'd totally get it. And yes, 1,024 km sounds way better than 637 miles. 

Oh, don't get me wrong. 637 miles is fucking amazing when you think about it. I mean, right now, barring further injuries I'm on track to do about 1,300 miles for the year. In a Forrest Gump world, I think that would get me to Denver. 

However many people enrolled in the challenge, I'm in the top 3.07%.  Or #4,385. I'm sure with some equation(s) I can figure out how many there are in the program, but honestly, I'm really not that invested. 

Someone in one of my running groups said they don't keep tabs on the number of miles they run. I'm calling bullshit on that. They might not know it down to the decimal point, but they know it. I'm not sure I know anyone anymore who runs without a Garmin or Apple Watch. Even a FitBit. 

Whether they know how to work it and all the working of it (I still don't) is another issue. But that 4-1-1 is there. 

It's a nice check-in almost at mid-year. I never had a goal of certain miles per year - and I still don't. Should I not select a Fall marathon, I won't probably train or run as hard or as much. Right now, I'm somewhat leaning to another marathon, even though the horror of Cleveland's is still fresh in mind. 

Going by the title of he challenge, I bested 2024. And 1,024. 

Song by: New Order