I am way ahead of my goal for total miles running for the year. I set a goal of 420 miles. As of today, I am at 418.2 miles. The total amount of miles I ran in 2017 was 331.8 miles. I’ve run 86.4 miles more already this year. I’ve got 4 months to go. Looks like I’m going to be adjusting my goal for 2019.
General
For use when I really don’t have time to figure out to what category the post should belong.
Called Back
I was out. I had my laptop packed, I was on the road, and I was just about to head up the North Shore when she called me back! She was too sore after working and decided to make tomorrow her house cleaning day. So, I’m going to make a road trip of it tomorrow. Right now I’m just sitting on my recliner contemplating a good nap.
Okay, Run’s Done
I’m just sitting on my deck enjoying the sunshine, watching the birds and my cats interact (it’s hilarious), and letting my body cool down. Soon enough I’ll get out of Dodge.
Get Out Of Dodge!
I was given my marching orders in no uncertain terms. Tina is going to come home from work and clean house. That means I must not be around and under foot. So, I am going to go for a run soon, shower, and then get out of Dodge for the day. Not sure where I am going to go, but since Tina hates me being around when she cleans, I am going to have to figure something out.
Job Change
Actually, just going to have my mantoux read. Otherwise I’m just waiting for my two weeks to go by. Not that I have anything against my current employer. The truth be told I’d recommend anyone work for them. However, my census was just too low. I was feeling guilty about having hardly any work and getting paid for it. Plus, I was finding it hard to believe they’d keep me on when I had no business coming in. So, I starting looking for another job. It was just luck that I was offered better pay.
Captain Obvious Here
There are quite a few people claiming that the conviction of Manafort and the plea agreement of Cohen will not change anything. I guess cynicism is to be expected. With the history of Watergate, the Savings & Loan scandal, the Iran/contra affair, and a myriad of other scandals, it’s easy to believe that nothing has changed. And for the most part the political and economic system in our country remains relatively tilted towards White Male Privilege.
However, the belief that nothing has changed flies in the face of civil rights advancements. Granted, it’s not perfect. As economic inequality continues to flourish, as the current push back against recent gains by and for the LGBT community rages, and race relationships with Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, and other dark skin people continues to be strained, it is clear there is still need for more work.
Change is always tumultuous, if I may don my Captain Obvious hat. But tumultuous doesn’t mean failure – it means success. If there wasn’t strife, stress, and conflict, there wouldn’t be any change occurring at all.
Trump’s political and legal problems is an example that the Institutional White Male Privilege block is losing its grip on leadership in this country.
Opportunities.
I was offered a job with a residential program. It is only a 20 minute drive away, so that’s good. And the hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, which is even better. They offered me more money as well as paying for ALL of my health insurance. Yeah, that is a hefty pay increase. The deductible is higher, but not enough to offset the gain I am getting in my monthly check.
I have been working at my current job for just over a year. July 31st was my anniversary. I will be giving them notice today. It’ll be just a bit shy of 2 weeks, but I want to end my employment at my current job before the end of the month.
Life is giving me opportunities.
On a somewhat related note; life is giving Kang and Smokey an opportunity at catching a chipmunk – again. The dumb ass rodent hopped its way into a bush in the middle of the back yard where both cats were exploring. Kang saw it first. However, the chipmunk was alerted in time and ran off into the bushes on the other side of the fence.
Rough Morning
I woke up achy. All over. I’m fighting off a sinus infection – again. But the weather is adding to the misery. So, I am taking it easy today. It’s a movie day. So, I’m going to ensconce myself
You all have fun wrecking Western Civilization. Let me know tomorrow how that goes.
About Running
I really do love running in the rain. Granted, it means 100% humidity which results in me sweating like a torrential downpour. I don’t care. It also takes me longer to cool down, despite both the low temperature (61 degrees) and the rain to help cool me down. It’s the rain gear. It retains the heat I generate during the run. So, I am dripping all over my chair as I type this. Sweat was dripping off my hat like rain dripping off the roof. And Smokey is trying to get close to me to lick the sweat off me for the salt. Yes, I know. She’s a weird cat. But, she is the kitten – gots to love her.
The only disappointment about today’s run is I couldn’t offer Tina a sweaty hug. She always turns me down. Yeah, it hurts. But I can handle rejection. Really, I can.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go take a shower. And no, those are not tears running from my eyes. It’s just sweat. Yeah. Sweat.
Kang And The Chipmonks
I was out on the deck, mindfully enjoying the nature that surrounds my backyard. Squirrels were climbing in the trees deep in the woods to the west. Birds were all about chirping. The occasional hummingbird swooped by to drink nectar from either our hummingbird feeder or the recently bloomed flowers along the fence line.
However, the most enjoyable aspect of the backyard this morning was Kang the Mighty Hunter stalking the two of three chipmunks that visit our yard to raid the bird feeders. Unbeknownst to one of them, it headed towards the feeder right along a path were Kang laid in wait. I don’t think I’ve seen fat old Kang move so fast in my life. He chased the chipmunk around the plant and damn near caught him.
Honestly, Kang appears lively and happier than I’ve ever seen him. Our new place has made his life, and his health, better.