Wednesday, February 28, 2007

The Race

So now that I have some time to write some stuff, I thought I would tell you all about my race this last weekend at Hagg Lake. This was my first ever trail race (I've done lots of trail running, but never raced) and was also the longest race I've ever run. The course was 25km (15.5 miles for you non-metric people) of mud and water.
Now Saturday, it was a little cold and a lot rainy. Seeing as how I am smarter than everyone, I decided to run the race with just my high school cross country uniform on. I figured it's going to be pouring rain the whole time and the last thing I want to do is carry around a bunch of extra weight. I also started with the glasses on, but took them off after I decided it was raining too hard and I couldn't see. If it's a light rain, I like the glasses on so that I don't have to squint to keep the rain out of my eyes.

This is from the beginning of the race, about 2km into it. The course takes you out on a road and back for 2 miles, because the trail around the lake is only 13 miles long. It was still pretty crowded through this section.
I eventually pulled away from most of the pack and even the superb Mark McGhee. That guy is awesome. I think I was lucky that day. The first half of the trail was in pretty good shape. Lots of pine needles and leaves, so it wasn't too muddy. The organizers did a great job of clearing debris so you didn't fall into any blackberry bushes. I like the first half of races because there are lots of people to pass. It's mentally much easier when you're passing people. I had a great time and didn't seem to be cold at all. We wound our way up and down until we reached the dam. Now, there is no trail at the dam end so you had to run on the road. The road is quite exposed to the elements and holy crap was it cold. I tried to rub my forearms with my hands, but everything was so numb it didn't matter. Things really started to thin out at this point in time.
Second half of the race was much wetter and difficult. There were sections running through 4 inches of water, through little creeks on the trail, and no one to pass.
If you ever need a good mental battle with yourself, this is the place. The most difficult section was a grass covered hill that didn't have a trail. It was steep and every time you took a step, you slid backwards and towards the lake about a foot.
There was a water stop with about 8km to go and I decided to stop. My knees were killing me and I thought my sock had slid into my shoe and under my arch. So I stopped, had a cup of water and then went to adjust my sock. Turns out, my sock was still there, but mud, and lots of it, had infiltrated my shoe and piled up under my arch. I didn't want to clean it out, so just pushed on.
Here are a couple of pictures with a mile or 2 left to go. You can see how muddy it is.

I ended up finishing 15th out of ~220 people. It took me 2 hours and 9 minutes. I'm definitely going back next year. Hopefully, I don't get massive nipple chafing again. They still hurt.

http://www.haggmud.com for more pictures, results, and info

Thursday, February 22, 2007

New! Column! Feature!

From now on, every thursday I'm going to update you on a comic that I read in the daily paper. That I read on line. But not every day. Only when I'm bored.
I have to do this because normally I write funnier things when I'm depressed, and unfortunately for you, I'm not. I'm pretty happy right now. Job is good, family is good, girl is good, house is clean and good because of good girl, and I'm successfully living without a car (mainly because girl is very nice to me).

So here's one of my favorite current strips.

They'll do it Every Time
by Scaputo

typical comic:


Official Information about TDIET

Unofficially, TDIET is about vague perceived slights submitted by insane crackpots. Primarily, the comic occurs in two panels, showing some one dimensional strawman's inability to maintain a constant set of morals. Sometimes it's just about being a bigot.

I personally read it because of the art. And the unintentionally awesome writing.
Everyone speaks in starts and stutters and mumbles, and guffaws, and the segues between panels are pure genius.

On a scale of 1-7, TDIET is a 6 on the must read scale.

Tune in next week for the next thrilling installment.

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Back in the Saddle


Took a break from the holiday, not that I got a vacation, I still had to work.
But at least I got to thinking about President's Day, and how it's sort of like Precedence Day as well. What with how the President helps choose the SCOTUS, which is like a scrotum which isn't appropriate for kid's books. Also some guys fell off Mt. Hood and Britney had a nervous breakdown.

That about covers last week's news.

bonus poll: Who was the worst president ever?* Only choose American presidents, I never did much research on the Russian Presidents.


*Besides GB2. He doesn't count, it's like voting for favorite star, The Sun is far and away #1, so you have to pick something else.

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Friday, February 16, 2007

The Privilege


I wonder if I just experienced white privilege...or maybe class privilege. Hard to tell without any control examples.
I got a parking ticket at a meter last Tuesday. I will leave alone that the time on the ticket was only 3 minutes before the time after I read the ticket, got in the car, called my wift to complain, and finally looked at the clock. Also, could see my car for a good three minutes on my walk before I actually reached it and never saw a parking person. I am basically saying the person saw that the time was going to be up and lied about the time.
ANYWAY...I meant to pay it personally downtown since I am working on a consulting job right up the street for a bit. I forgot and the 7 day deadline before it doubles passed. I called late last night and the woman told me probably out of luck, but ask the cashier. So I went in person and gave my white lie (no pun intended) about not coming into work earlier in the week because of the weather (had snow and ice storm) and leaving the ticket in my desk at work since I meant to pay it in person. The two men gave me a polite sorry, "the only person who can reduce teh doubled fine is a judge. So I took out my money to pay it and the dude says that will be $25...the original fine! Probably looking a bit perplexed because he had just told me no can do, I said "really?" The other guy gave me a wink and a wave of the hand. I thanked them profusely and left...feeling kinda dirty and guilty. Had to ask myself the question, "would they have accommodated the black guy behind me in line the same lenience given the same story?" What do you think? Do you have examples of "white privilege" or other types of privilege?

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

TROOPS UNDERGOING TROOP WITHDRAWAL

BAGDAD, IRAQ-
Embedded sources from the BBC announced today that coalition forces currently stationed in Baghdad are undergoing severe Troop withdrawal resulting from the group’s 9 year hiatus from the music scene.
Special Agent George Hincapie noted that “I not only miss their grooves, and flash moves, but my Troop jacket is looking real ratty and it would be smooth if I could get a clean one for sure.”

Troop had been showcased on The Late Show with David Letterman, Soul Train, The Arsenio Hall Show, Showtime at the Apollo, and appeared in the feature film New Jack City singing a cappella. Additionally, the group appeared on the New Jack City soundtrack with Queen Latifah and Levert, in a medley featuring cover versions of The O'Jays' "For the Love of Money" and Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City". This tune is often viewed as the film's primary theme song.

Founding member Steve Russel’s dubbed singing in the recent oscar nominated movie Dreamgirls, has been reported to not quite make up for lack of new Troop releases.

“I wish they’d just admit they broke up, and spare me the agony of not knowing.” Remarked Staff Sergeant Stuart Kyrios.



File photo.



This story contains material previously released by Reuters.

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Friday, February 09, 2007

I know you hate the comic posts


But I read Curtis fairly often, and seriously, this panel makes no sense even if you follow the strip religiously.

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How am I driving?

Are my posts too serious in nature?
No
Yes
Sometimes, but I like it.
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Ripped From the Headlines

Yesterday, one of my coworkers was fired because of his blog. he had some sensitive stuff on there, and the client found out, and forced us to get rid of him. He did real good work, and it was tough to see him go.
This is crazy, because I don't know how to get back to my old stuff that was crazy and could get me in trouble.

How can I edit out these old posts?

this is bad news

I like this job and want to keep it.

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Monday, February 05, 2007

Half time



Instead of doing a medley, Prince should have just played "Pussy Control".

That would have been better.

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Friday, February 02, 2007

Corporatism

Just watched a documentary...America: Freedom to Facism. Starts with the questioning of the legality of the Federal Income tax and does a convincing job at supporting the illegality of it. Then spins into the direct and indirect ramifications of the tax, which basically just pays the interest (profit) on the money printed by the privately owned federal reserve. Really does a good job at documenting the slide towards a facist police state. I recommend viewing.

Endless Masturbation

The following is the full, unedited exchange that developed between me and my former Masters advisor. Originates from a third individual's post abount Bush (perhaps unfairly in this context) on our department's listserv and devolves into something very different. Backgroud is that he is an alcohoic that has been "born again." Thought it might spur thoughts and comments.

Third Party
Our esteemed president recently had an interview with NPR. The following is an excerpt of the end of the session:
MR. WILLIAMS: Mr. President, I want say thank you from National Public Radio.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Juan, thank you, buddy. Glad you're here.
MR. WILLIAMS: I appreciate it, sir.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes sir.
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you again.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Camera's off?

Advisor
Actually, NPR frequently videotapes radio interviews for use in future documentaries.
Me
"Half-glass-full"


Advisor
Of course it all depends on what the definition of "is" is.


Me
any mispeak or questionable actions must be forgiven because Clinton played fast and loose with the language? in the context that this argument is usually raised, this would be a logical fallacy since there is not relationship between the events...red herring, I believe. of course, the example could be given that other leaders who have much greater grasp of the language even make mistakes....except that Clinton's was not a gaff, it was planned legal symantics, which is what happens in the legal system. so the conclusion is that Bush has regular difficulty with speaking in public forums, such as repeatedly mispeaking common sayings or using the same repetitive language, which is in no way is related to Clinton. perhaps, there can be a different discussion revolving around policy, so lets just lay this baby to rest.

(Takes a strange turn here)

Advisor
Nonetheless, I admire you Adam, becuase I too tried to be an atheist but I just didnt have enough faith to be one.


Me
you assume me to be an athiest from this exchange? interesting. you may have super powers.


Advisor
I assune it from many of your writings not this one but especially the ones with the anti-christian overtones.

Me
wow...i would love to see those anti-christian overtones....or is it that bush criticisms equate to anti-christian for some?

Advisor
Wasn't it you who gave an AAG talking blaming chrisitan missionaries for getting in your way. Wasn't it you who characterized faith as "closing one's eyes and hoping"? Do you need more...?


Me
is faith always in context of religion? debating the nature of faith is not necessarily a religious debate and especially not necessarily ananti-christian position.
AND...you evidentially did not hear the discussion of my Tanzanian work and the context of the issue as shown by your misinformed statement about it. It was not christian missionaries who "got in the way." in fact, the position of my discussion was that communication and transportation networks previously established for a particular utility (religious message) often become available for other agendas of interations. This draws on some work from Andy Wood on oil industries utilizing such networks. SO, it was actually a menonite christian missionary network that enabled our organization's efforts in the particular geography and continues to provide us with support. It was the newly "elected" local bishop that created an issue. He wanted to explicitly control our efforts and even went as far as eliminating positions of those within the menonite church that work in conjunction with us. Therefore, there was no blame of anything...just local power politics playing out...all is now well. Thanks for asking.
In any event, you seem to misinterpret one or even possibly two instances of poking at the pronounced hypocrisy of some so-called christians as condemnation. Overall, lets be serious. Christians are the majority, by far, in this country. They encompass all walks of life and all spectrums of political ideologies. Christians are not persecuted in this country unless you CHOOSE to believe the rhetoric that they are. Don't worry. I am sure the Christian faith will survive my influence.
To conclude this...I will let you know specifically where I stand. I was raised Catholic and was confirmed, though I never bought into the belief. I have done much of my own research of Christian history and evolution. I don't claim to be more enlightened than any other human, but admit that I fall into the human condition of scoffing at extreme instances that seem silly to me. Further, I admittedly have some contempt for those who lack understanding of the history and even docterine of a belief system that is claimed to be central to their lives. Central to your assessment; naked hypocrasy annoys me and I address this with sarcasm and will not resist in lampooning an individual of power that I feel falls into this category. Finally, I like to push buttons when others post statments that are intended to evoke response. As you can see, I cannot resist the opportunity to debate topics and over explain myself. Hopefully this concludes this exchange.


Advisor
Let me ask you a simple question. If you were driving towards downtown Cincinnati and your car broke down near Republic street in "Over the Rhine" And 5 large guys dressed in gangsta clothing were approaching you, Would it matter to you to know that they had just come from a bible study as they were approaching you?


Me
Your simple question is loaded and silly.
First, you forward the sad postion that black men dressed in hip hop gear are scary. Sorry, I am friends with what you describe. No, not people that live in OTR, but I have friends and acquaitances that live in other "unsavory" neighborhoods which have lived a very different life than me. Much of my college years, and still on irregular occasions, were spent with people matching your description.
In the situation, unless you see them coming from the bible study, there is no way to know (this is what makes it silly). Sure, I would think that bible thumpers would be less likely to harm me becuase of the prevailing thought that they are impotent in violence. however, i am a realist knowing that all types go to church and committ crimes, even violent ones, every day. further, i won't debate that chuches and religion try to advance a generaly morality that is mostly acceptable many...so do many other organizations in society that have no religious or christian base.
in a strange neighborhood at night, confronted with whatever type of character would make me uneasy (maybe skinheads, right to lifers, or gang of drunk party clowns) i would feel better if they came out of many different venues. coffee shop, bookstore, computer store, pta meeting, environmental group headquarters, islamic mosque, strip club, etc...many venues for various reasons. also, i have walked though OTR on many occasions between the hours of > 12-4am. In college, I used to go to an after hours club and had to walk > blocks from parking. I have also walked to my previoius apartment in clifton from main street on 5 or 6 occasions. in general (situations differ), i don't fret people on the street...most people are not sociopathic criminals. it is unhealthy to spend life in fear.
look, lets just agree to disagree on whatever you hope to extract from me. christians aren't evil because people aren't evil. people are people, no matter what they believe or profess to believe. don't you sleep?
Advisor
Who said anything about them being black?
Me
I should have figured you would play semantics....you know exactly what image you were attempting to conjure in your description.