With hands clasped and eyes raised to the sky

Coming home tonight after some retail therapy I happened upon NPR's coverage of Obama's acceptance speech. I almost switched to a CD but found the voice and the ideas melting away the ice around my political heart. Pretty soon I was sitting in the garage, engine turned off, because I wanted to hear every word he had to say.

A part of me couldn't believe what was happening -- I'd become jaded, and emotionally "unhooked" from politics and politicians -- but I decided to just go with it. After a while, I made a run for the house and the TV hoping that Carter and/or ONO would be watching it, or that TiVo was catching it. None of that happened but it was all good. The TV broadcast was a few minutes behind the radio.

By the end of the speech I was in tears. I know. Crazy. Those are usually saved for intense spiritual experiences and poop on the floor), but maybe that's why Rush Limbaugh and others are (disdainfully) calling Obama "the messiah."

Of course I don't think of him as the messiah, but I do think I experienced a redemption of sorts -- back, whole-heartedly into the emotional part of the political process.

Even after learning first-hand how incredibly complicated, slow and diluting the political process can be, I find myself half-believing, half-hoping that he'll actually be able to accomplish what he delineated in the speech. I'm mentally pleading with the Power(s) that be -- please, please, PLEASE, let him win! PLEASE let it be different this time! PLEASE let me be proud of my country again!!



But even if the Power(s) ignore me, this speech re-opened the place in my psyche for political hope.

Keep Hope Alive. Because without hope, the people perish.

And....she's off!

Again.

This time 1076 miles north-east to Boston University.



She'll start with a week of orientation and then officially begin classes on September 2.


Interesting mascot.


Not being a dog person I suppose terriers can be vicious.


This is where she'll be living:




Yes, in one of those AMAZING brownstones. (I'm slightly jealous.) She got into the "Spanish House" because of her fluency in Spanish. She thinks she may be able to stay there all 4 years.

I really hope this is wonderful experience for her.

A slightly smaller footprint

Check out my new energy saving device:





It also doubles as an energy expending device......all for about 40 bucks.

Sooooooo close

Yesterday I planned to do a long run. It had been a hell of a few days and the alcohol just wasn't cutting it as a stress reliever! I woke up in a funk (haven't been sleeping well lately) and just decided to run as long as it felt ok, even if that was only 2 or 3 miles. I just didn't care that much what happened, I just knew I needed to get out there and burn off the cortisol deposits that had been left in my cells.

Turns out I had one of my best runs EVER! I ran through campus, then by my office for a quick potty and water break. Besides that stop and one to manage a mini-crisis for Bethany, I ran the rest of the way.

When I mapped my run, I had gone 9.85 miles. 9.85

I was happy that I'd gone so far, and disappointed that I was THAT close to 10! And it wasn't like I couldn't have pulled out another one and a half tenths! I could have easily.

Geek Girl Misty was right. It definitely gets easier!

Let's play a game

Here are a bunch of pictures. After looking at them all, complete the following phrase:

America: Land of the Free, Home of the _______________.










Yes, all of these pictures were taken in the U. S. of A.

Come on lurkers.....you know you want to play!

Problem Solving

Brennan to his dad: "Can I have a cookie?"

Dad: "Sure. You can have one cookie."

Brennan: "Can I have two cookies?"

Dad" "No. You can have one cookie."

Brennan: "But I have two hands!"

My apologies

It's come to my attention that there has been an unusual focus on bathroom humor/functions in my latest postings.

Please keep in mind that I live with 4 males.

Sorry.

A blase event that I ran well (title by ONO)

Even though I said I wouldn't, I ran another small town festival race this morning. I did it only because my friend Tara asked me to after she ran the Fisher Fair 5K with me last month.

It was a pretty good time. The race could have been organized a bit better but overall it was a good experience. We decided to run with each other through the race and both got PRs. It's both encouraging and challenging to have a friend by your side. She's still faster than me but it's ok. I have almost 20 years on her.

The only thing that marred my experience was a visit to the porta-potty. Ugh, I hate those things! I didn't get up early enough to complete my typical morning routine. Tara had this FABULOUS idea that there should be "Pee-only" porta-potties, and that if anyone did anything else, an alarm and flashing lights would go off. I think she's got a lucrative idea there! If that doesn't take off, maybe this will:




Here's the link in case you want to buy one.

Second try

Of course I'd pick one of the hottest days of the year to try 10 miles again. There was a heat advisory announced shortly after I left for the run.

I had high hopes for today. All of the factors that I thought contributed to the last 10 mile bust were carefully considered and changed:

Thicker, moisture wicking socks
More food
More water
More shade
Less asphalt

What I didn't have control over was the humidity.

I walked a LOT on this "run." I didn't even care. I almost asked a cop for a ride back to my car, but decided to at least walk. It took 2 hours and 30 minutes to do the 10 miles, and when I got back to the car my feet felt like hamburger and my body like it had been hit by a Mack truck.

It was VERY discouraging. My consolation was reminding myself that I'd exercised for 2 1/2 hours and a pile of Cheetos.

I love Cheetos.

I'll try again. I mean, that's what I'm all about. But it won't be until after Labor Day. For now, I'm looking forward to running another 5K with Tara this Saturday.