Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Spirit of Radio

Begin the day with a friendly voice
A companion, unobstrusive
Plays the song that's so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood

Off on your way, hit the open road
There is magic at your fingers
For the spirit ever lingers
Undemanding contact in your happy solitude

Yes, I'm a Rush fan, but this isn't completely about them.

I've been running less and less with my iPod lately.  With the snowpiles in the winter around here sometimes cars don't see you until it's really too late so that time of year runs are music free.  In the summer I try to limit the iPod to runs over an hour.  Partly from the hassle of one more thing to take on a run, partly to save my hearing.

But sometimes music is a requirement.  Bad day at work and there's anger to run out and there is nothing like having the iPod there.  Long runs and a podcast or a audiobook.

I've run many miles with my iPod and now some songs are linked to runs and specific routes:

Rain on the Scarecrow - Heading east on the Fern Ridge Trail from our apartment in Eugene.

Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns - Waiting for my garmin to synch and starting a run from the apartment in Eugene.

Blue Sky - the ends of longer runs around the apartment in Hudsonville.

Allison Road - the bike paths along the Willamette River.

I Disappear - speed work in Riverside Park.

A Beautiful Life (live) - starting early runs in the summer from the apartment in Hudsonville.

Sometimes I need the music, sometimes I need my thoughts but I like having the option.  So thanks to Mr. Jobs and Apple for making it convenient.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Reading List Addition

The Emperor of All Maladies:  A Biography of Cancer

Read this book.  We all know someone who has battled this disease.  This book gives an interesting look into how the "War on Cancer" is waged, the people who shaped it, and where it might be headed.

It can be scientific at times, but not so much that the average person won't understand it...well worth the effort in my opinion.

Friday, March 04, 2011

At Last!

Spring break is officially on here in the mitten.

These 9 consecutive days off from work every March is one of the top two "perks" of my job.  (Quotations are used because that's sarcasm.)  It is, however, nice to have the break after the madness that is winter sports to recover and to prepare for the absolute looney bin that spring sports will be when the games start.

Plus it affords the opportunity to head home and see my Dad.  It's rough time of the year for the family as we approach one year since my Mom passed.  Not that getting all the family one room will be harmonious and good times...nope.  Awkward silence, superficial conversations, anger, and hurt feelings will most likely be on the menu.  But it's family.  You do what you have to do.

That's the first few days, after that?  No plans.  Maybe see a movie, go to a museum, read a book or two, being a lazy ass and leave a KP indent in the couch...anything is possible!

And, it means only 8 weeks until the end of the school year...not that I'm counting or anything.