Thoughts while enjoying a very quiet evening at home…
• Took the bus most of the way home tonight, then jogged the remaining few miles. I brought an MP3 player and headphones along to listen to on the bus. So I figured I’d leave them on while running. I never run with headphones and today reminded me of why. They altered the running experience to the point that it was almost completely unfamiliar. I didn’t have a full sense of what was going on around me. I wasn’t dialed in to my breathing, stride or much else going on with my body. All in all, the music was just a big distraction. I’ll stick with running the old fashioned way.
• A young man was killed while riding his bicycle to work this morning. He was riding northbound on I29/35 just south of Front Street when a semi-tractor trailer hit him. Early indications are that the cyclist was riding where he shouldn't and the driver couldn't have avoided the accident.
Posters to the KC Star’s comments section of the story will inevitably hide behind anonymity to spew hate about how this is another example of why bikes shouldn’t be on the road. Wrong. This is an example of two things. First, some bicyclists ride where they shouldn’t. Cycling on the interstate is illegal. Not only that, but it was 4:30 a.m., dark and raining. Second, Kansas City hasn’t done many favors for people who don’t drive cars. I’m guessing anyone riding a bide on the interstate at any time of day isn’t doing it by choice. He simply had to get from one side of the river to the other and that bridge was his only way. Despite that, the Missouri Department of Transportation designed the currently under construction Christopher S. Bond Bridge without a pedestrian/bicycle lane. Brilliant.
• Our church, St. Pius X in Mission, always pays tribute to veterans on Memorial Day weekend. And Father Ken Kelly always makes a particular comment when recognizing veterans of World War II: “Thank you for saving our lives.” Each year, when he makes that comment, I think of people like my grandfather, who served his country in the war and in the Battle of the Bulge. Could they have possibly known then what their service and sacrifice would mean to us and to the world?
Simply put, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here now enjoying a very quiet evening in Lenexa, Kansas.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Inez Mae Ronan
Our grandmother passed away on Thursday. She wasn’t one to waste words, so I’ll pay tribute by keeping this short.
Several years ago, I spent some time working on a family tree project. I interviewed many family members, including Grandma. Those who know her won’t be surprised to hear I didn’t get much out of her. She was quiet. But she was also one of the stronger people I’ve had the benefit to know. She raised seven children, who all turned out to be decent people. She was married 67 years, an achievement remarkable to anyone familiar with Grandpa’s orneriness.
I'm aware of how fortunate I’ve been to grow up knowing each of my grandparents. Nearly all of them said something to me at one time or another that’s stuck with me. Grandma was different in that she taught me something important by not saying anything at all. More specifically, to not talk unless you have something worth saying. Because that's how she operated, when Grandma talked, people listened.
She’ll be missed.
Several years ago, I spent some time working on a family tree project. I interviewed many family members, including Grandma. Those who know her won’t be surprised to hear I didn’t get much out of her. She was quiet. But she was also one of the stronger people I’ve had the benefit to know. She raised seven children, who all turned out to be decent people. She was married 67 years, an achievement remarkable to anyone familiar with Grandpa’s orneriness.
I'm aware of how fortunate I’ve been to grow up knowing each of my grandparents. Nearly all of them said something to me at one time or another that’s stuck with me. Grandma was different in that she taught me something important by not saying anything at all. More specifically, to not talk unless you have something worth saying. Because that's how she operated, when Grandma talked, people listened.
She’ll be missed.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Close encounters with the canine kind
I mixed it up a bit and ran a route that took me from Crown Center back home this morning. Bike To Work Week is coming up. So I loaded up the car with a week’s worth of clothes, dropped it off at CC and ran back.
I was hoofing it down Gillham Road at about 40th Street when I heard the familiar jingle of dog tags behind me. Turned and saw a dog racing toward me, drool glistening from its mouth. It started barking when I turned to see it. Those who know me and are aware of my bravery won’t be surprised to hear that I jumped in the back of an F-150 that was parked on the street. (I’m not sure what made me think the dog couldn’t have jumped right in there with me if it wanted to.)
As the snarling dog crouched in front of the truck in what appeared to be “I’m about to eat you” position, I heard a female voice say, “Oh, he won’t bite.” The woman was standing at the closest house, sucking down a cancer stick. I replied, “I’m not sure how I could have known that.”
She walked over, grabbed the dog by the collar and led it back to the house. (It was then that I noticed her other dog tied to a tree.)
I tell this story to bring up a few points:
• I am a very tough and brave person.
• Unless I know you and your dog, I have no idea whether your dog is good, bad or indifferent. I don’t know if it will bite. I don’t know if it will jump on me. I don’t know anything about it.
• What I do know is that I’ve been bitten, knocked over and otherwise bothered by several dogs over the years. In each and every case, the owner said something to the effect of, “I can’t believe he/she did that!” Well, maybe it’s because the dog saw something running and that triggered one of any number of instincts….fear, aggression, playfulness….who knows.
For whatever reason, lots of people believe they and their dogs are exempt from leash laws. I’ve never understood why. I see loose dogs on at least half of my weekly runs. One time I was running down Johnson Drive during rush hour and a dog ran at me from across the street, causing several approaching cars to slam their brakes to avoid it. In that case, the dog just wanted to play and I stood with it until its jogger owner crossed over to retrieve it.
Bottom line, please leash the dogs. I’d love it if you did it because you cared about my well being. But if that doesn’t do anything for you, then do it for your dog’s.
I was hoofing it down Gillham Road at about 40th Street when I heard the familiar jingle of dog tags behind me. Turned and saw a dog racing toward me, drool glistening from its mouth. It started barking when I turned to see it. Those who know me and are aware of my bravery won’t be surprised to hear that I jumped in the back of an F-150 that was parked on the street. (I’m not sure what made me think the dog couldn’t have jumped right in there with me if it wanted to.)
As the snarling dog crouched in front of the truck in what appeared to be “I’m about to eat you” position, I heard a female voice say, “Oh, he won’t bite.” The woman was standing at the closest house, sucking down a cancer stick. I replied, “I’m not sure how I could have known that.”
She walked over, grabbed the dog by the collar and led it back to the house. (It was then that I noticed her other dog tied to a tree.)
I tell this story to bring up a few points:
• I am a very tough and brave person.
• Unless I know you and your dog, I have no idea whether your dog is good, bad or indifferent. I don’t know if it will bite. I don’t know if it will jump on me. I don’t know anything about it.
• What I do know is that I’ve been bitten, knocked over and otherwise bothered by several dogs over the years. In each and every case, the owner said something to the effect of, “I can’t believe he/she did that!” Well, maybe it’s because the dog saw something running and that triggered one of any number of instincts….fear, aggression, playfulness….who knows.
For whatever reason, lots of people believe they and their dogs are exempt from leash laws. I’ve never understood why. I see loose dogs on at least half of my weekly runs. One time I was running down Johnson Drive during rush hour and a dog ran at me from across the street, causing several approaching cars to slam their brakes to avoid it. In that case, the dog just wanted to play and I stood with it until its jogger owner crossed over to retrieve it.
Bottom line, please leash the dogs. I’d love it if you did it because you cared about my well being. But if that doesn’t do anything for you, then do it for your dog’s.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Thoughts On The Run
Thoughts during today’s run…
• The Killers concert at Sandstone was pretty good. Didn’t think they quite reached the level of the Boulder and Denver shows we saw, but still a fun night. Note to self: don’t be stupid enough to take the I-70 route to Sandstone again…24/40 all the way.
• Really hoping “Chuck” gets picked up for a third season. Fun show. Fun actors. And Yvonne Strahovski is a credit to the great country of Australia.
• 30,000+ Americans die each year from the “regular” flu. That doesn’t stop us from flying, taking the train, shaking hands or anything else. Put the word “swine” in front of “flu” and everything changes. We’re a nation of panickers.
• Top “Shaft” movies:
1. "Shaft"
2. "Shaft"(2000 remake)
3. "Shaft’s Big Score!"
4. "Shaft in Africa"
(The 1973-74 TV series was an abomination .)
• Best 80s movie featuring a “Chuck” NSA agent: Has to be “My Bodyguard,” Adam Baldwin’s first movie. Also featured Matt Dillon (three years before “Outsiders”), Jennifer Beals and Joan Cusack.
• Has grocery shopping become such a strenuous exercise that a Starbucks is mandatory for tooling around the store? Those things are more hazardous to shopping cart operation than cell phones are to car operation. (And watch out when a Starbucks, cell phone and shopping cart are mixed.)
• Best Adam Baldwin quote from “My Bodyguard”: “Poor little guy... poor little guy.”
• How did “Caddyshack II” ever see the light of day?
• The Killers concert at Sandstone was pretty good. Didn’t think they quite reached the level of the Boulder and Denver shows we saw, but still a fun night. Note to self: don’t be stupid enough to take the I-70 route to Sandstone again…24/40 all the way.
• Really hoping “Chuck” gets picked up for a third season. Fun show. Fun actors. And Yvonne Strahovski is a credit to the great country of Australia.
• 30,000+ Americans die each year from the “regular” flu. That doesn’t stop us from flying, taking the train, shaking hands or anything else. Put the word “swine” in front of “flu” and everything changes. We’re a nation of panickers.
• Top “Shaft” movies:
1. "Shaft"
2. "Shaft"(2000 remake)
3. "Shaft’s Big Score!"
4. "Shaft in Africa"
(The 1973-74 TV series was an abomination .)
• Best 80s movie featuring a “Chuck” NSA agent: Has to be “My Bodyguard,” Adam Baldwin’s first movie. Also featured Matt Dillon (three years before “Outsiders”), Jennifer Beals and Joan Cusack.
• Has grocery shopping become such a strenuous exercise that a Starbucks is mandatory for tooling around the store? Those things are more hazardous to shopping cart operation than cell phones are to car operation. (And watch out when a Starbucks, cell phone and shopping cart are mixed.)
• Best Adam Baldwin quote from “My Bodyguard”: “Poor little guy... poor little guy.”
• How did “Caddyshack II” ever see the light of day?
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
On the road again...and again.
A classic novel you've likely never heard of was reissued this month. John L. Parker Jr.'s "Once A Runner" was first published in 1978. Whenever someone asks me why I run, what running does for me, or anything in that vein, I direct them to "Once A Runner." It answers those questions in ways I never could.
The problem, until this month, is "Once A Runner" was almost impossible to locate. It was reprinted a few times over the years, but was generally only found on eBay (for upwards of $200) or in too few public libraries. (My autographed copy is currently in the hands of a friend, if his baby girl hasn't eaten it yet.)
Anyway, I was thinking about the book on Sunday morning. It was one of those mornings when I really wasn't sure I wanted to go out to run. It'd been pouring rain all night and while the downpour had lessened to a sprinkle, it looked like it could start gushing again at any time. And I was a bit sore from Saturday's 5K race. But when you've been running as long as I have, you tend to find those kind of mornings can turn into the best kind. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I've stayed in on a morning like that. So off I went.
As has happened so many times before, it turned into a special run. The weather had scared everyone else into staying inside, so I had the roads and trails to myself. The race soreness faded away and I settled into the kind of groove that makes me love running so much. Here's what happens during those grooves...
Time and distance don't seem to matter. Both simply pass by without much thought. Nothing hurts. You breathe the same way you would while walking down a grocery store aisle. It all seems absolutely effortless. You can only hope you don't notice the groove. Because once you notice it, you start wondering when it will go away. It almost always goes away.
And that brings me to how running is a lot like golf. The average golfer hits a lot of balls into the rough, the sand, the water, even neighboring homes. It's so frustrating that a lot of golfers quit. The ones who keep at it do so because every so often you hit the perfect shot. It feels so good that you can't wait to do it again. So you persist through the sand balls and the water balls and the house balls. All because there's a chance the next shot will be THE shot.
That's how running is for me. I have days where it's a major chore to complete just a few miles. On those days I can't help wondering why in the world I do it. I have other days where running isn't spectacular, but it's a fine way to fritter an hour away. And then I have those special days when the groove happens. And it's a feeling you wish you could bottle up because everyone in the world would want to buy it. That's what Sunday was like.
Of course, Monday's run was average. Today's run was just so-so. But there's always the chance tomorrow will be special. And that's one of the reasons I run.
The problem, until this month, is "Once A Runner" was almost impossible to locate. It was reprinted a few times over the years, but was generally only found on eBay (for upwards of $200) or in too few public libraries. (My autographed copy is currently in the hands of a friend, if his baby girl hasn't eaten it yet.)
Anyway, I was thinking about the book on Sunday morning. It was one of those mornings when I really wasn't sure I wanted to go out to run. It'd been pouring rain all night and while the downpour had lessened to a sprinkle, it looked like it could start gushing again at any time. And I was a bit sore from Saturday's 5K race. But when you've been running as long as I have, you tend to find those kind of mornings can turn into the best kind. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I've stayed in on a morning like that. So off I went.
As has happened so many times before, it turned into a special run. The weather had scared everyone else into staying inside, so I had the roads and trails to myself. The race soreness faded away and I settled into the kind of groove that makes me love running so much. Here's what happens during those grooves...
Time and distance don't seem to matter. Both simply pass by without much thought. Nothing hurts. You breathe the same way you would while walking down a grocery store aisle. It all seems absolutely effortless. You can only hope you don't notice the groove. Because once you notice it, you start wondering when it will go away. It almost always goes away.
And that brings me to how running is a lot like golf. The average golfer hits a lot of balls into the rough, the sand, the water, even neighboring homes. It's so frustrating that a lot of golfers quit. The ones who keep at it do so because every so often you hit the perfect shot. It feels so good that you can't wait to do it again. So you persist through the sand balls and the water balls and the house balls. All because there's a chance the next shot will be THE shot.
That's how running is for me. I have days where it's a major chore to complete just a few miles. On those days I can't help wondering why in the world I do it. I have other days where running isn't spectacular, but it's a fine way to fritter an hour away. And then I have those special days when the groove happens. And it's a feeling you wish you could bottle up because everyone in the world would want to buy it. That's what Sunday was like.
Of course, Monday's run was average. Today's run was just so-so. But there's always the chance tomorrow will be special. And that's one of the reasons I run.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Facebook and a friendship's new chapter
The Internet can be a wonderful thing. I was reminded of this today when Justin Brown entered the realm of Facebook. Justin's presence on Facebook marks the latest chapter in our mostly online friendship, which dates back to the relatively early days of the Internet.
It was the late 90s and I was living in Lawrence, working as the Sports Director at Sunflower Cablevision. Many of you know I've dabbled in autograph collecting at times during my 35 years. One day, while perusing a message board dedicated to autographs, I began a back-and-forth with someone who, like me, collected the signatures of great track and field athletes. (The list of such collectors is short, but distinguished.)
I eventually learned that my fellow collector lived in Geelong, Australia, with his wife and
son. Our dialogue began simply with the sharing of collecting tips and the trading of autographs. It moved to the occasional life updates and, I'm happy to say, was highlighted in 2005 when Justin and Michelle made Kansas City one of their stops on a whirlwind trip to the United States. Rachel and I reciprocated later that year with our maiden voyage Down Under, which included a few days in Melbourne and a visit to the Brown home in Geelong.
Justin and I hav
e seen each other less than a week during our 10+ year friendship. But I've been able to observe his love of cricket and his obsession with the Melbourne Demons. (Yes, Justin loves the Melbourne AFL team even though there's one in Geelong.) I've met his family and shared the joy when he, Michelle and Brandon welcomed a new family member, Renee. (And another on the way this year!) And he's shared the highlights and lowlights of my life, too.
How else could all this have happened, if not for the Internet?
We can do lots of great things online now—from banking and shopping to YouTube and Twitter. But nothing beats the creation of a friendship, 10+ years long and going strong. Welcome to Facebook, Justin.
It was the late 90s and I was living in Lawrence, working as the Sports Director at Sunflower Cablevision. Many of you know I've dabbled in autograph collecting at times during my 35 years. One day, while perusing a message board dedicated to autographs, I began a back-and-forth with someone who, like me, collected the signatures of great track and field athletes. (The list of such collectors is short, but distinguished.)
I eventually learned that my fellow collector lived in Geelong, Australia, with his wife and
son. Our dialogue began simply with the sharing of collecting tips and the trading of autographs. It moved to the occasional life updates and, I'm happy to say, was highlighted in 2005 when Justin and Michelle made Kansas City one of their stops on a whirlwind trip to the United States. Rachel and I reciprocated later that year with our maiden voyage Down Under, which included a few days in Melbourne and a visit to the Brown home in Geelong.Justin and I hav
e seen each other less than a week during our 10+ year friendship. But I've been able to observe his love of cricket and his obsession with the Melbourne Demons. (Yes, Justin loves the Melbourne AFL team even though there's one in Geelong.) I've met his family and shared the joy when he, Michelle and Brandon welcomed a new family member, Renee. (And another on the way this year!) And he's shared the highlights and lowlights of my life, too.How else could all this have happened, if not for the Internet?
We can do lots of great things online now—from banking and shopping to YouTube and Twitter. But nothing beats the creation of a friendship, 10+ years long and going strong. Welcome to Facebook, Justin.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Random thoughts from the Arizona getaway...
Phoenix traffic can be horrible. We Kansas Citians don't realize what a blessing it can be to have so many highway options.
The Royals can be horrible. Man, they looked bad against the Rangers. But it was easy to overlook that when the sky was blue, temperature was near 80 and you're sitting 5 rows from the dugout. That said, there should be a law against funnel cakes costing $6.
Every vacation should include time to just do nothing.
Sedona is like Manitou Springs, CO on steroids.
What a great place for running in April. (June/July/August/etc., not so much.)
If you're ever in Scottsdale and think it'd be nice to visit Taliesin West, one of Frank Lloyd Wright's homes, bring your wallet. You can't go in without going on a tour…and a tour costs a minimum of $27.
Kudos to Valle Luna restaurant in Scottsdale…and to Cary for recommending it.
Thoughts during the Springsteen show:
#8 show I've seen…and I'd probably rate it 8th out of the 8. It was a great concert, just not as great as the other seven. Only the second show of the tour, so saw a few more screw-ups than I'm used to.
Updated concert rankings (in order): Kansas City, Houston, Dublin #2, Omaha, St. Paul, Dublin #1, Dallas, Phoenix
Kind of weird to see "Badlands" open the show.
Lots of stuff from the new album—"Outlaw Pete," "My Lucky Day" and "Kingdom of Days" were great.
There should be a law against a bag of roasted nuts costing $7.50.
Clarence is showing his age...but the big man looked great dancing during "Out In The Street," whistling during "Working On A Dream" and hitting all the big notes when he had to.
Does any song really need two tambourines? ("Because The Night")
Two new backup singers for this tour…that means 12 people on stage.
I could do with "American Land" leaving the setlist…but it was great to finally hear "Land of Hope and Dreams" live.
Can't wait for the Denver show (Good Friday)
The Royals can be horrible. Man, they looked bad against the Rangers. But it was easy to overlook that when the sky was blue, temperature was near 80 and you're sitting 5 rows from the dugout. That said, there should be a law against funnel cakes costing $6.
Every vacation should include time to just do nothing.
Sedona is like Manitou Springs, CO on steroids.
What a great place for running in April. (June/July/August/etc., not so much.)
If you're ever in Scottsdale and think it'd be nice to visit Taliesin West, one of Frank Lloyd Wright's homes, bring your wallet. You can't go in without going on a tour…and a tour costs a minimum of $27.
Kudos to Valle Luna restaurant in Scottsdale…and to Cary for recommending it.
Thoughts during the Springsteen show:
#8 show I've seen…and I'd probably rate it 8th out of the 8. It was a great concert, just not as great as the other seven. Only the second show of the tour, so saw a few more screw-ups than I'm used to.
Updated concert rankings (in order): Kansas City, Houston, Dublin #2, Omaha, St. Paul, Dublin #1, Dallas, Phoenix
Kind of weird to see "Badlands" open the show.
Lots of stuff from the new album—"Outlaw Pete," "My Lucky Day" and "Kingdom of Days" were great.
There should be a law against a bag of roasted nuts costing $7.50.
Clarence is showing his age...but the big man looked great dancing during "Out In The Street," whistling during "Working On A Dream" and hitting all the big notes when he had to.
Does any song really need two tambourines? ("Because The Night")
Two new backup singers for this tour…that means 12 people on stage.
I could do with "American Land" leaving the setlist…but it was great to finally hear "Land of Hope and Dreams" live.
Can't wait for the Denver show (Good Friday)
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