My portrait

All distinguished fellows have portraits. Now I do too!






Thanks Kevin!

Mom's post: Wk 1 of 5K plan

Today was my first day running outside in a while. It's allergy season here and those insidious and evil white blooming trees are everywhere. I think they should all be cut down and replaced with nice Douglas firs, but whatever.

So, I was very nervous about my outside (non-treadmill) run. I planned out a nice loop through the neighborhood that is 3.43 miles door-to-door. I didn't take Splash since it's Sunday, it's nice out, and there will lots of stupid people doing yard work with their "he-always-comes-when-I-call-he's-never-done-that-before" dogs and I didn't want Splashy to have a bad day.

I wore my new running shirt that is one of those special wicky-ones, it's actually better than a t-shirt, I have to admit it. I listened to Podrunner. I overdressed and didn't need my sweatshirt. I found a nickel.

I wasn't able to run the whole thing, the wind and the fresh air did bother me a bit so I ended up walking maybe 1/4 of it, spread throughout. It was my lungs though that stopped me, my legs could have kept going. And maybe some self-doubt also slowed me down.

Time for 3.43 miles: about 40 minutes, which is a 5.2 mph pace.

I plan to spend through the summer getting faster, but I have not set a pace goal yet.

Goal for next few months: run this loop at least once a week. Try to bring Splash or Ki or both with, conditions permitting.

Do a shorter run once a night with both Splash and Ki so that Ki will have a reason to "join up" with Splash, as their relationship can be tense at times. All Ki's fault, really, he is a lotta dog.

Dear Apple:

In six months, my book pile will run out.

I'm not buying any more physical books. When that pile runs out, I'm buying a book reader. I'd really like an iPad. I'd like an iPad/iPhone combo. I promise to buy both from you, but only if you get your act together and make the deal with Verizon. I actually leave the city on occasion, and when I do, I want cell phone coverage in case my car breaks down. So, ATT is not an option I will consider.

It's your choice Apple. I'm perfectly fine buying a Kindle. Really. I can go either way. So don't rush yourself on my account.

Unless you want a sale.

PS: I'm not the only one who feels this way. So more than one sale is at stake.

The problem with blogs

is that it entitles everyone to publish their opinion, even when they are not grown up enough to handle dissent.

Tuesday January 5, training Ki-Ki

Tonight it was really cold outside. Splash and I went for a run. He wore his cool new light up coat. A bunch of folks stopped their cars to take a look. Funny! And visible! This was day 1 of Week 3 of the Couch to 5K program. We both did well. I am actually a bit amazed.

Therefore, since I was cold and sweaty, I was unwilling to take Ki outside for practice. And, there's plenty to do inside. We worked on going around the cone. He's got it, at least here where there are no distractions. It got boring pretty fast, so I worked back to about 6 feet away, sending him around the cone. And AGAIN, in the "away to me" direction, one time he went way out around the coffee table! Totally surprised me and also Ki -- he stopped dead and looked around, like "dude, how did I end up over here?"

We worked on stays a bit, lining up on the right (he is much better about it here at home), and that's it for tonight. We are too tired to do more. Well, I am.