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

Stand

Cat pics. Some dog pics. Seems Simon heavy. That's appropriate. He's just gotten his one-year gotcha date with us this last week. 

Checking out something on 710's bedside table. 

Shep is happiest on car rides. 

This guy is WAY into tuna. 

Shep wanted his turn, but I don't think Simon left a thing. 

Curious. I had to clean the stove after an overspill. Simon was way too interested. 

Weekly lake visit. 

Harder to tell, but he's leaping up for something. 

Song by: R.E.M.

Milkshake

I'm watching my weight. 

Yes, you've heard me say that before in one form or another - at least going back to 2009. But this is different. 

When I headed back to the gym in March 2022, the goal was to lose 20 lbs - well, said my doctor. I put it to 22, just to get to 185, which the BMI charts in all doctor's offices say is correct for my height. 

It took me two years to lose that 22 lbs. And it only took me another two months to lose another 12 - which I was not planning on. 

My monthly weigh-in, which was shortly after the marathon, had me down to 173. I mean, it sounds good, but......it was a lot in a short amount of time. 

The "joke" is: I'm always hungry. I'm a furnace that must be fed. 710 no longer asks if I'm hungry and if I want to eat - as the answer is always affirmative, no matter the time. 

Granted, I've been eating healthier. Mostly grilled foods. Grains. No more processed cereal - just oatmeal and fresh fruit for breakfast.  Kind of. 

The thing is: I still eat like crap. Kind of.

Saturday runs have me going to a bakery afterwards, which sells (only on Saturdays) chocolate cherry muffins. So I get one for there and four to go. So for four days of the week, I eat one of those (with a banana) as my second breakfast. 

I still eat cupcakes. I still "sneak" M&Ms (dark chocolate ones only - I'm not a monster!). I average about four pints of ice cream per week.  And I still lost that weight. 

I'm trying not to obsess of it, but I don't want to hit the 160 range. My heavy training is over - for now, so I think I'll gain some back. Again, I only weigh myself once per month, so we'll see. 

My physical was last week. I brought up the weight loss with my doc. He was fine with it. Thrilled, in fact. We discussed the running / working out routine and he thinks I'm extremely healthy. But if I continue to lose weight 10 more pounds in two months, we'll take a look. 

The look means cancer screenings - lung and colon specifically, as those are the most common ones that involve weight loss 

In the meantime, I've resurrected our blender, which was 710's before we had been going out - so it's at least 39 years old! And it still works just fine. 

To combat my hunger - depending on the day / time, I will actually make myself a milkshake. They're pretty filling. It will usually hold me over until the next actual meal. Right now I'm like Homer Simpson - "I've discovered a meal between breakfast and brunch!". 

To be clear - none of my milkshakes, though better than yours - are bringing anyone to my yard. 

Song by: Kelis

the World is Not Enough

Yesterday was Global Running Day. 

I know you already knew that.  

I ran twice. I did a morning four miler. That was on my own. But there is a community run in the evening - an untimed 5k that brings (in theory) all the running groups of Cleveland together. 

Last year, there were probably 900 folks participating. This year, it might have been half of that. No doubt it was due to the weather forecast. 

On the way to the gathering, it poured, but for only 6-7 minutes. Still it was dark out as we waited for things to get going. They wanted a bunch of Kumbaya stuff, everyone else wanted to get running before the storm hit. 

As they finally counted down - the heavens opened up. 

They should have called the race, but they didn't. I shouldn't have run it, but I did. 

Rain is no problem, but there was lightning over Lake Erie. Not a lot, but still. And no one knows if it was going to stay over the lake. 

In theory, I had gotten my free t-shirt. I could have just gone. But I ran. It was untimed, but it doesn't mean I didn't try hard. I mean, I didn't kill myself - and I did stop to take a picture. And I had to stop in the first mile to tie my shoe. 

Oddly, like last year, I still felt like an outsider. I knew more people, but the conversations were barely that. Two people with which I spoke , we had longer discussions - both had run the marathon, one did it in 3:33 !!!  He is 40 years younger than I !   Fucker. 

Still, I enjoyed the run, knowing (read: assuming) like last year there'd be ice cream sandwiches at the finish.  WRONG!!

There were not. Popsicles. 

I'm going on record. I thought I was snagging a pineapple one.   WRONG!!

Who The FUCK - makes banana flavoured popsicles??????

Disgusting. I tossed it. I'll say it again, bananas are the only thing that should taste like bananas. 

Oh here is the photo for which I stopped my run:

It started pouring when I got back to my car and on the entire drive home. But still, I got out and was active. These are things I need. 

Technically Friday is my 'rest day', but since I ran twice yesterday, I might make it today. 

Song by: Garbage

Nuts

I'm really not doing two mental health posts in a row - at least about me.  ....but in a way, aren't they all?

I completed a four mile run yesterday and was literally drying myself off (very hot; very humid), and I saw it coming. 

I mean, people on the ISS could see it coming. 

Anyway, if anyone thinks I'm crazy (a word my psychiatrist doesn't really like me to use, btw...), there are some mental health challenges going on with this guy - and his ilk. 

What you cannot see is there are two additional flags of similar size and nature flying from the passenger side as well. 

His license plate?  FREEOH. 

This guy seemingly was just cruising the streets and the metro park system for whatever reason. I'm guessing to stir shit. 

Now, where I was running, the area of town, is more conservative than where I live. So you know, what to do........what to do? 

Two female hikers kept yelling at him. At first I thought it was of support until I made out what they were saying:  "34 CONVICTIONS !!!!!!    34 CONVICTIONS !!!!!!!". 

It made me smile, as it could have easily been pro-whatever. 

Now, these women were togeher, but about to head out on a trail that you know, wasn't overly populated on a Tuesday morning.  Over my run, I only passed like eight folks, half of them twice when I was going out and coming back. 

Guys like this are unpredictable, right? Who knows what someone like him would do to women - let alone women who don't fall in line, in his mind. So I was keeping an eye.

He started SCREAMING at them:  "you'll believe anything you're told!" over and over. 

While there were a number of cars in the parking lot, it was a golf course, so everyone was out on the course. So, he hadn't seen me. 

I then screamed at him:  "You're one to talk. You've bought the bullshit!".   

He hastily drove away, up the hill away from the parking lot. Away from me. Away from the women. 

Maybe he was going that way anyway. Maybe not. 

Maybe he heard me, and realized the error of his ways and went home to burn the flags. I'm sure that was it. 

Song by: David Bowie

Ad of the Month

June is Men's Mental Heath Month. 

Normally, I'd say it's fine to have 'X month' regardless of gender. But when it comes to men, mental health is different. When it comes to health, men are different. 

Traditionally, medically, women run the healthcare in the house - kids, self and make their husbands see docs. Left to our own devices, men's healthcare is summed up in five words: "maybe it will go away". 

When it comes to mental health, we don't say a thing at all. Or rarely. 

For whatever reason - in mental health, let alone men's - it is a sign of weakness. Abnormality. That people will look at your weird. Or differently, at best. 

Growing up, my hometown had a "mental hospital" or "looney bin", if you will. The 4th grade insult was to say "your mom goes to Windsor!"   .....the hospital, not Canada. 

Still, we need to normalize mental health issues, whatever they may be - and I may as well start with me. 

For the last two years, I have struggled (and sometimes failed) with depression and anxiety. I mean, more than two years probably, as I've been on an anti-depressant for 10. Now I'm on two. And I have a psychiatrist and psychologist trying to guide me through this labyrinth (pork!). 

I don't - and won't - unload any and everything here and now. I'm not looking for "oh no" or "sorry to hear that" moments. Your concern is appreciated, even if unsaid. But one can piecemeal this process over the course of posts. 

If you read for content, over the last year especially, I have made multiple off-handed remarks on "my mood". I am no different than any other man when it comes to not discussing things like this. I have the same aversions to the very stigma I'm trying to dispel. 

I don't have a great workaround for that yet. Maybe never. But I figure, I have a limited platform here, so now and again, why not try. 

The below ad isn't even US based, but it's effective. 

Ohio Department of Health had a 'Beat the Stigma' series that started with addiction and moved into mental health. I'll link those here.   .....and the host is cute, so.......

But I encourage you to watch the below ad. It's long - 2.5 minutes, but it's important. 

My Music Monday

It's Pride month.  

My pride theme didn't really fly last year - at least with me. So I'll go gay-adjacent this time out:  Remixes. Dance mixes. 12" remixes. Whatever you want to call them. 

I mean - 12" singes are so gay-club related, it's not even truly adjacent, is it?  

Well, I assume. 

I haven't been in a gay bar since.....(well, minus Provincetown, and even then the sun was still up) I dunno, 2013?  But somehow I still believe they're playing "Ride on Time" by BlackBox and "Gonna Make You Sweat" by C+C and the Music Factory on a nightly basis somewhere. 

Those would never get me on the dance floor. Actually, they'd get me out to the patio so I wouldn't have to hear that ever. 

1987 might have been my first purchase of a 12" single. No, that's not true. I had a few now that I think about it. One I might feature later. 

But Depeche Mode had one of the best ones with "Behind the Wheel / Route 66", which might have been one of the first mash-ups.  Sorry you snots from Glee or Pitch Perfect, you didn't invent that. 

DM kills it. Unfortunately, I'm not 100% sure I have the version I wanted to share. To be fair, there are about 4,901 versions out there that range from 3:30 to 11:00. But the version here is somewhere in between, but shorter than the one for which I was looking.  

......and it would have us out there dancing. Or at least moving while standing on the sidelines looking too cool for it all. Or too drunk to move from our spot. 

Space

The other day, Mark mentioned in a comment on by BLOTUS/guilty post that he had read the planets were aligning in such a way at the conventions that that would create "bad juju". 

I think it's safe to say both conventions will be a shit show. How are the MAGA-gots not going to try something / anything at the DNC convention?  

How or if that has anything to do with astrology or astronomy is questionable at best. 

However.........his comment also reminded me that there is planet alignment coming up.....and it is TOMORROW. 

What is called the Parade of Planets will happen when six planets will align in a straight line, visible just before sunrise. 

Now according to NASA - as if they're experts! - only two of the six planets supposedly on display (Saturn and Mars) will actually be visible. 

In early June, Jupiter and Mercury will be at or below the horizon in morning twilight and not visible; Uranus and Neptune are far too faint to see without a telescope, especially as the morning sky brightens.

With the luck I have with celestial events, I'm guessing the only planet I'll see is Earth. And that's only if I remember to look down. 

The reality is, I see Mars, Venus and Jupiter with regularity. Not always in the same sky at the same time - and not in a line, but they can easily be viewed with the nekkid eye. And I don't even own a telescope to see the others even if we could see them that way. 

The closest thing to a planet parade will be June 29, when Saturn, the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter will line up across the morning sky.  For those who are educated by the state of Florida, no doubt DeSantis has eliminated the fact that "the moon" is not a planet. 

And you can guarantee he's deleted anything about there being a "dark" side. 

Song by: the Secret Sisters 

I'm Henry the VIII, I Am

VonShitinPantz guilty on 34 counts AND cat and dog pics?  I mean - are the powers that be smiling down on us or what???

Let's pretend. 

Always a window for Simon. 

He now waits for me to pull up the blinds and window. Expectant. 

Spends all day outside, if he could. 

It seems someones are waiting for b'fast. 

Henry!

He waits to greet me. I love it. And yes, my arm went in his mouth. I love that too. 

Too bright!

Too hot - so he makes due under a shrub. 

Different room. Different window. Probably different bird or squirrel. 

Shep at the lake. No filters used. 

Song by: Herman's Hermits