You Just Haven't Earned it Yet, Baby

This last weekend was Cleveland Marathon weekend. 

Make no mistake, I did not do the marathon. I did sign up for one of their "challenge series", which is a combination of two races - mine being the 5K race on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday. 

More than one running friend thought I should be doing the 10K and Half, and while it's just another 3.1 miles, I found the prospect to be potentially problematic. I felt I was already tempting fate running a short race before the longer one. People think running is inexpensive - but I can tell you that is untrue. 

Cleveland city streets - especially the side ones - are just in horrible condition. Especially after a very harsh winter. On both runs I found myself looking at the ground in front of me constantly, as to not trip (again), twist anything, break anything or fall (again). 

While I knew a ton of people from both running groups participating in the weekend events, I ran with none of them. Part of it was they either weren't in my corral (which are separated by expected running times) or I couldn't find them in my corral. Saturday (the 5K), semi-frequent race running partner, Joe, was in my corral, but not at my pace. He fell behind me well before the first mile - and then I was just on my own. 

Sunday - it was just me for the full 13.1. I mean there were 4,027 others, but no one near me that I knew. No one in which I exchanged any words to over the two hours. 

Bonus for me - I got record times for both races. Nothing by a wide margin, but at this stage of my running, records will be achieved by seconds, not minutes.  

As I was in the last quarter of the Half, I passed a cheer squad from the Old Man's Running Group. Afterwards I got a text that said I was flying. I felt at that point, it was anything but.  The first half of the race was effortless. But I am horrible at any self awareness when I'm running. I under or over estimate my posture, gait, stride - you name it. I have little concept of how I actually run. 

I just know I'm getting a little faster. 

I realized two other things this run: 

1. I might not want to run marathons any more. 

Halves might be my wheelhouse. In my last two half marathons, I was almost buoyant that I didn't have another 13.1 to go. I *think* I can do it physically. I'm not sure sure I can do it mentally - which is a huge part of the run. I know I'll probably change my mind at some point - even soon. 

2. I'm a competitive guy - and not in a good or possibly healthy way. 

There are those in my running groups who are way better than myself (duh!). I like them, but I don't compare myself to them on any level. Technically, save for the start, I don't even run with them. And the ones I bond most with are at my ability. It's not that I want them to do badly, I just want them to worse than myself. 

I think that is different than saying I want to do better than them. I don't think I have enough faith in my own abilities to say that, so I just hope they aren't as good as I am, regardless of my ability level. It's fucked up, I know. 

On the plus (?) side, of those 4-6 people in mind, I beat them all this weekend, but I didn't relish in it. Or feel good about me "winning". So maybe my abhorrent thoughts aren't really so bad. 

It's easy to say you're only competing against yourself, I just don't know how true that actually is. To a degree - sure. 

Right now, I have no other races slated for the year. I do know that will change. I'm guessing there is a July 4th race in my future. I think. And someone is trying to get me to run inside the Guardian stadium like I did last year, but I've committed to nothing. 

Global Running Day is coming up first week in June. As there is no cost to that, plus a t-shirt, I will most likely sign up for that. 

For the next few months, no actual training - nothing formalized anyway. The weekdays will be on my own and Saturdays are back to the Old Man's Running Group. I'll enjoy those 4-8 mile runs. .....follwed by chocolate cherry muffins. 

Song by: the Smiths

this is the song that was playing as I crossed the finish line. And the title seemed apropos. 

My Music Monday

Still on a 'new music' kick here for MMM.

I'm not sure "Passion" by Milky Chance can be much newer - it was released yesterday. Well, the video was. The song a few days prior to radio, not for purchase until yesterday. 

I have featured the band a number of times over the last 2-3 years. I like their vibe. They're fun and sometimes frivolous in their music making. Sometimes that is just what you need. 

The band has a huge output of music, but not a lot of records. They just release songs when they want and how they want. It's unclear (to me) if "Passion" is a pre-release of something larger, or just a one-off. 

Granted, it is brand new, so I haven't listened to it a lot, but it's ok. It hasn't hit me in the way where I feel the need for multiple plays. Perhaps it will. 

The video? Well...........I'm guessing that with eating fruit this isn't the first on "film" to sexualize it. 

Oddly enough, I don't think either member is gay and they're def not a couple. 

the Grand Illusion

It is weird how age permeates so many conversations these days - at least for me and my ilk. 

Normally it will come up at some point in the weekly phone call with the besties. 710 and I pepper it into our own conversations, mostly as "jokes", but you know - there is always truth in humour. Or so it's said. 

I can only move so many ways without something cracking or creaking. It's all right in front of us.

I suppose it should stand to reason as one is at, or near, retirement age. You've (probably) lost your parents at this point. You see others around you age and silently go 'eek'. 

I like to think I don't look my age, but in reality I probably do. I mean, I don't think most of us - including all of you - look like Wilfred Brimley when he was 56 - and looked 76. 

But these are conversations we have in our heads, or in private...for the most part. But I have to say, I had a good laugh at a mailing 710 got last week, as it was at his expense. 

OUCH !!!

Statistically - yes. It's possible. Maybe even probable. Maybe even possible (but not probable) that he could have a college-aged grandchild.  But still...........OUCH. 

Of course, it's a ploy - if you will - to probs get him to leave part (or all) of his estate to the college. Pass on the legacy. 

Still, it makes assumptions. It's not like he ever got a "Parent's Day" invite. 

....and it is one thing to be called "daddy".  It's another to be called "grand pappy". 

Song by: Styx

Roll to Me

Another weekend. More animal pics. It's why you guys are here. 

We do have one of the rolliest dogs ever. He just loves a good lawn to scratch his back. 

Bailey - on a hard day of chasing geese. 

Pippa. She showed up for me again. 

I got hissed at again for trying to pet her. 

Bitey McBiterson. 

To be fair to Shep, I believe it was the runner's fault. It was a path that allowed for 1.5 people. We stepped to the side to avoid another hiker. Then a runner came from behind us silently and passed on my (and Shep's) right where there was almost no room. 

Shep lunged. I thought I pulled him back in time, but the runner kept going, but I saw him lift up his arm - so I think he at least got nipped. 

Olive!!!

WILLOW !!!!

I was just saying last week I wasn't sure I'd ever seen her. She showed up for me too. Granted, it was for wet food, and she kept her distance, but she's there - and she stayed. 

Shep's new portrait. He looks good. 

Song by:  Del Amitri

Lazy

To be honest, I'm not in the mood to post. Or worse: think of one. 

I could say the day got away from me, but that would be a lie. I'm just lazy today. Or yesterday, as the case may be. 

Of course, I can't rule it out as depression. But I got upticked on my med dosage, so that starts later this week. 

Song by: David Byrne

Ad of the Month

For whatever reason lottery ads pop up in my IG feed.

 

Someone at sometime must have said something out loud and some device picked up the words 'mega millions' and now it just peppers me with them, but oddly only when the jackpot is 10 digits or more. 

Silly bots, don't they know I can't live on only $110,000,000?  Honestly, I don't play unless it's half-a-bill at the very least. I'm not conned out of $2 that easily. 

Usually I scroll right past almost any and every ad. And I did this.....but something caught my eye and I actually scrolled back up. 

I gotta say, their marketing team made me laugh. 

Perhaps the images were intentional, perhaps not. 

This ad implies it's from the State of Ohio, but Mega Millions is (mostly) nationwide. I assume they tailor their marketing to each state. I honestly have no idea. 

Since Ohio is firmly in the 'red' now, I don't know if Mega Millions is trolling "us" now or not. I kind of hope they are. 

I believe the inference is: you need to play (win!) the lotto to afford eggs. 

And the people in Ohio probably buying the tickets the most?  Maga Million (not a typo) wannabes. 

They can't afford eggs, but a 1 in 290.47 million* chance of winning? They're on it!

*yes, I looked it up

Sending Postcards from a Plane Crash

What can I possibly say that every meme, tweet, thread and bluesky hasn't already covered?

JFC. 

I fucking love "we" are taking a new 747 (I thought those were discontinued, but.....whatevs.......) from a foreign nation. One that has deplorable human rights issues when it comes to LGBTQI populations. 

Mind you, the U.S. isn't so forward thinking in that regard either. 

As this plane is a "gift" to BLOTUS, and Air Force One is run by.....you know, the Air Force, does the military have any say in this matter? 

I ask only because of, oh.........tracking devices implanted in the plane. Or any number of security breach issues that could be monitored by Qatar. 

Of course, I also don't get Pam I'm a Cunt Bondi approving this transfer of goods. She's "Attorney General".  Yes, I'm using quotes. 

"Gifts" from other nations goes through the State Department, not the DOJ. And by the State Department's own rules go like this:

• Government Gifts: Gifts of $20 or less per occasion, not to exceed $50 in a year from one source.
• State Gifts:State and local officials and employees are prohibited from receiving a gift or gifts totaling more than $630 in a calendar year from certain sources.
• Protocol gifts: are gifts that are usually given in formal and official settings such as business meetings, protocol events, state visits, conference meetings, diplomatic events, etc. These gifts usually have a symbolic meaning and are intended to represent respect, friendship, cooperation and brand promotion.

I'm not sure which government rule BLOTUS & Co are skirting now, but we know they are. And NO ONE IS CALLING HIM ON IT. 

Oh, Nikki Haley is. Like she matters. But where is Congress? Democrat or Republican. 

Conflict of Interest. Corruption. Greed. Rules Don't Apply. The total disregard just stymies me. 

NOTHING sticks to this guy.  HOW IS THIS HAPPENING????

I'm really sorry it's not a Boeing 737-Max.  Chances of it crashing are much higher. 

Song by: Fall Out Boy

12 of 12

So I'm doing my 181st 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.  

05:24. Leaving for the gym. 

06:19. Doing my NYT games while on the recumbent bike for 40 minutes. 

06:56. Post core work. Post bicycle crunches. Ick. 

07:02. Eye candy. 

Great body, but he wears t-shirts that espouse violence and a band called Maggot Death. I think he'd qualify as 'rough trade'. 

10:02. Trash and Recycling Day. 

Putting the cans away after collection. 

10:27. Supervising the HVAC repairman from a distance. 

It's getting into the 80s this week. Had to make sure he AC was functioning correctly. 

10:36. Waiting for my shrink to join my telehealth visit. 

His name has been blocked by me. 

12:34. Shep - making himself comfortable in the new mulch. 

17:09. Draining tuna water. 

Prepping 710's lunch for tomorrow. 

18:05. Shep's Bowl Collection. 

He eats and drinks outside a lot from now until November. 

18:48. Dinner prep. 

Air fryer salmon. Perfect every time. 

21:09. Dessert. 

The last of 710's bday ice cream cake. 

My Music Monday

Today we are listening to Fiona Apple's new song, "Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)". 

On her best day, it can be challenging to listen to Apple's music, but she really does have some great songs. And at the very least, she is original each and every time.

Even in her own body of work, her albums aren't like the others. Her output also isn't tremendous. Still it looks like she's about to release a new disk. 

The lead off song is "Pretrial". It is a form of protest song.

Apple sings about a single mother who can’t afford to post bail; by the time her case is dropped, she has lost her home and her family. Her voice is bitterly sympathetic; the video adds stark statistics.

It is no secret that the justice system is inherently skewed to be disadvantageous to minorities (race and gender) and the less affluent. 

Musically, the song is built on - and consists mainly of - percussion. Other instrumentation doesn't appear until almost 90 seconds in and even then, it is mostly percussion. 

It will never get played on the radio, and that's kind of a shame considering how so many songs kind of blend into one another.  "Pretrial" stands out in many ways. 

Give it Up

I should give more thought to this post, but I'm not. Just stating this outright. 

Last week (?) the NYT Magazine had an interview with Bill Gates. I'll be honest, I read probably the first third. It seemed to be all about his Bill Gates Foundation (now minus Melinda) and how it has plans on shutting down............in 20 years with most, if not all, of Gate's $200 billion spent on charitable endeavours. 

Many of those are overseas projects in underdeveloped regions where opportunities for improvement are scarce. 

It's all very nice and there are some softball questions, but ones of deep meaning too. 

I don't know if it is telling or not, but Warren Buffett stopped putting funds into the Bill Gates Foundation. Buffett started the Giving Pledge where billionaires agree to give x% of their wealth to charity. Gates and his then wife were doing it. Jeff Bezos and his first wife were too. I believe McKenzie Scott has pulled that pledge, as her plan is to give it all away now, not at her death. 

Nor do I know Gate's true feelings on his fellow billionaire boy's club or his political views per se. I get - though don't necessarily agree with - that CEOs and the like have to somewhat kiss up to certain level politicians to play "the game".  Tim Cook comes to mind in his spinelessness. Bezos for sure. Gates?  Dunno. 

He doesn't have kind words to say about the BLOTUS administration, though I didn't see anything pointedly said about the man himself. 

Elon on the other hand?  I just took two screenshots that I think says a lot. The second one is just scathing. 

Elon, if he had a humanitarian bone in his body, should be seething over this, but I suspect he is more like C. Montgomery Burns, clasping his hands and saying "excellent". 

And when you have $200 BILLION, you should be able to say those things on a higher platform and call them out. 

The Apple+ show Loot has Maya Rudolph has basically a clueless McKenzie Bezos. But at the end of season 1 her character is on a televised panel with other billionaires and she calls them all out on not spending their money now (and all of it) to make the world a better place. 

It hit home with me that these discussions truly don't seem to be happening with the ultra-rich. 

Still, I hope Gates made Musk sting - even for a moment. 

Song by: Talk Talk

Cow

There is certainly variety this week. That's about all the intro I have today. 

After daycare walk with Shep.  Posing did NOT happen. 

Eva Braun Pippa. 

My niece, it seems, is out of the country and I was asked to look at her cats one day, because my sister could not. I live 2 miles away, my sister: 20. I just told her I'd do it for the entire time they're gone. 

Not the best Bailey shot. I'll have another chance today for next week's post. 

SIMON. 

He seems very comfortable at his new home. At least when workers are not around. 

He was nowhere to be seen when I was over. 

Another after daycare walk - this time through the woods. It would be muddy. 

Wet food. 

Pippa came out when I cracked the can open. I got lots of rubs around my ankles, but I reached down to pet her once and got hissed at. 

Willow, her sister (and whom I don't think I've actually ever seen) was nowhere to be found. I split the portions, but I am guessing Pippa at them both. 

Highland cow?

My niece sent this from her trip to Scotland. I hope it was zoom and they weren't that close to the horns.

Song by: Gene Loves Jezebel

Oh Father

There is no surprise here:  I don't care about the pope. New or old. 

He will never affect anything in my life - or death. Ever. 

So, yesterday 710 texted from the car: "they chose a new pope. From America!!".  My response:  "well....fuck". 

As to how the U.S. has been going, I would assume we'd just get a Benedict XVI+1 in terms of being a hardliner  conservative Catholic - that way they can stonewall and distract from this U.S. Catholic contingent molesting kids. 

Allegedly, no. They elected someone who is considered a centrist, but on many social issues he's seen as progressive, embracing marginalized groups like Francis, who championed migrants and the poor. Better yet, he's also critical of JD Vance.  (YAY!)

MAGA and far-rights are calling him a "Marxist Woke Pope".  Such fucking snowflakes.

I laugh and cringe at the same time. Again, with the 'woke' shit. You mean, the Jesus shit?  Love thy neighbor, my fucking ass!

And I'm guessing - just guessing, of course - that the days of the pope being considered "infallible"  are over and not recognized or believed by "the faithful".  Should they believe the infallible shit, there'd be no uproar, right? 

They're only faithful when it is convenient for them, of course. And they don't understand irony, let alone hypocrisy. Nothing I haven't touched on in countless of other posts over he last two decades. 

Here's the thing: the pope has no power in U.S. government. Never did. They can express whatever beliefs they want, but it doesn't (or hasn't) changed policy on anything from abortion to death penalty to refugees - and the list goes on. 

So why the fuck get bent out of shape over this one?  Or any of them. 

Sure you could tell them to "suck your dick", but you know.........priests. They might take it literally. 

Oh - I'm calling this guy Bob Pope. 

btw - the blog post image is from an HBO series, the New Pope, from years back. Totally worth seeing John Malkovich as the pope (if it's still available for streaming).  That show was preceded by Jude Law in the Young Pope, which was a bit skeevy, but it ends up tying into the new show. 

Song by: Madonna

London

As I said when I did not get into the NYC Marathon (yet!), I still want to do at least one major. Sydney and Tokyo seem problematic in terms of travel - not that I'd say 'no' to either. 

Internationally, London seems to be the most logical. 

Seemed. 

Probably. 

As you can see, I'm one of 1.1M who have thrown their proverbial hat into the ring to fun 2026's London Marathon. 

This is up from about 970k from last year. 

Mind you, my odds are still better than MegaMillions or Powerball.........but still scarce. 

Marathons are tough - physically and mentally. But I probably don't really need to tell you that. 

My last half was pretty good, but I won't lie and say I wasn't happy not to be doing an additional 13.1 miles. My body wasn't ready, but more so, my mind was not there either. Quite the opposite. 

The problem with London - besides travel and expense - is timing. 

They run the last Sunday in April. I did this last half the same weekend. It was 12 weeks of training, when normally it would be 16. I'd definitely need the full 16 to do a full. That means training starts in December 2025. It's just a shitty time to push yourself. 

First things first, of course. 

I won't know if I'm selected for a few more months. Should I be, it will change my entire (currently unplanned) Fall 2025. And then there are the travel arrangements. 

It would be great to go. It would fall on 710's bday. While my running won't be his present, the trip would be. We'd go days early so I can acclimate and then stay for another week afterwards.  .....at least that's my plan now. 

First: I must get in. 

Song by: the Smiths

Election Day

Yesterday was a voting day - go figure. 

For all the hubbub about most elections, this one has flown so far under the radar. We usually get notifications about voting by mail, or at least political ads out the wazoo. 

No yard signs. No emails. No flyers. No mailers. No door-to-door stuff.

Nothing. Not this time. 

710 told me the evening before the election that there was an election. He didn't know it either. 

And fuck if I was going to let any election go by without my participation. 

As it turns out, at least for us, it was only a one issue ballot. No candidates. No judges - contested or un. Just one state issue, nothing even local. 

That said, I could have easily ignored going to my polling place and casting a ballot, but the Ohio legislature - GOP controlled - are a bunch of fucking swine who will easily attach things to a bill, should they just not try to bypass the public system all together ("bypass the public system.")

So I went to a physical voting place - ID in hand - to read the entire proposal and vote on it. 

Unsurprisingly, I was the only person there. Granted, I know there are peak times at the polls, but I'm also thinking most people didn't know there was an election either. 

So, I got my ballot, went into the "booth" and read that ballot with a fine toothed comb, then made my selection. 

I think only one time since I have been 18 did I not participate in an election - primary or general. And I'm telling you, at this point there is no way I won't, at least while we still have elections. 

Song by: the Replacements

It's a Mistake

I'm in one of my moods. Depressive, that is. 

While I still try to avoid news, it is just impossible. The little that comes my way is never good. And I mean, ever. 

You probably all see it too, probably more than I. Honestly, I don't know how you all cope, but none of this ever seems to roll off my back. It just saturates my insides - and it's ugly. 

I don't know if this is a throwaway post or not. It was intended to be, just so I could say I "wrote" today and kept the 17 year streak of posting daily. 

But I saw this quote from Pedro Almodóvar and clearly it's not 'up', but it oddly made me feel a little better. 

Should it even be acknowledged by the administration or MAGA, it will be tossed into the gay / foreigner / liberal bucket - decride and derided.

It still made me feel "better". Or seen. Or something. 

Song by: Men at Work

My Music Monday

I toyed with a May-themed MMM thread, but I tabled it for at least a month. I guess. 

I'm still on new music and there just doesn't seem to be a shortage of it lately - not that there ever is, but a lot I like does not bubble up my way. 2025 seems different. 

Or maybe I am. 

Today I'm going with Perfume Genius. He (yes, it's a he....or maybe a they/them, but not a band per se) first made an appearance here back in 2012(!!!).  "Hood" is still one of the best two minute songs that is out there. 

Michael Hadreas has been plugging away at his craft for a while now and finally seeming to make inroads, including a collaboration a year or two ago with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. 

I like the new tune, "It's a Mirror" enough. The enunciation could be better in the first half, but I think the song kicks into a better gear at the 2:20 mark. I think the music is well done and has a good cadence. I can see them playing this on Alt Nation on XM, but doubtful FM will touch it. 

the Old Man Down the Road

I. Am. Officially. Old.  

Am I Medicare eligible?  I am not. 

Got my subscription to AARP?  Had it since I was 49!

Do I have my Golden Buckeye Card?  Nope to that. 

Might I use creams for my age and liver spots?  That is not a 'should I' question.  ....but still......no. 

Have I been mandated to be on a pickleball team at the senior center?  Not yet. 

Am I of the right age to reside in an independent living facility?  Well..........technically yes. But that's not it either. 

Do more than half the ads on Jeopardy target "people my age"?  Absolutely. 

Over the last few years AT&T has really jacked up their prices for cell service. And it just keeps creeping up every few months. What was once a whopping $80 a month has increased to almost unfathomable $110 - with no additional services. 

I despise the Verizon, TMobile and AT&T ads of $30/month for unlimited talk and text. You have to go to their website for the "for four lines" - which is now adds up $120/month. 

What is a single person, or just coupled with no one else in the house to do?  Get gouged, that's what. 

See? I'm already talking like my alter kocker self.  

So there are a bunch of cheaper options out there. Mint Mobile. Visible. Boost. Straight Talk. You get the idea. All have seemingly decent discounted rates, but all with a few strings, as you'd imagine. Straight Talk is through Wal*Mart, and I'm just not giving them a dime of my money. 

I did what any Jeopardy watching, AARP card holding member would do: Consumer Cellular. 

Those commercials only have people of a certain age - ones trying to get photos of their grandchildren and who seemingly struggle with technology. This can only be good for me. 

They even advertise a device called.........

Yes. Scratch off the 'd' and you get their targeted demographic. They don't even try to make it subliminal. 

This is just my fate. 

At 710's insistence, I will also be hooking up my Apple Watch to their cellular for an additional $5/mo. Since I usually run without my phone, he thinks it wise - in my advanced age - to be able to get ahold of him, 911 or Uber should I be out on a long run and injured.  .....and not carrying and breaking my phone is a plus too. 

It's a 66% reduction in my monthly bill, so I'm hoping it is worth it. It looks to be running off the Verizon network. 

Mind you - when someone asks what service I have, I just might hesitate.

Oh ......

Song by: John Fogerty

Waterfall

Apologies in advance: we are kitty kat free this week. It's gonna happen, based on my SiL's engagement. I - and you - are at her mercy. 

No worries - still dogs to be had, right? 

We found a new hiking place. With at least two hikes per week x almost 9 years, it's increasingly difficult to find places we have not been. 

Shep was very very excited to see my SiL. 

We stopped by to assist with something and brought Shep along. 

Got to see, but not pet, two doggies at the Glass City Marathon expo. 

Shep meets Goob(er). 

Goob wasn't all that interested. 

Warm day at Tinker's Creek. 

I didn't have the long leash, so he could only go in so far. 

Bailey takes toys on her walk.  Of course she does. 

Glamour shot. 

Song by: Electric Light Orchestra