This morning I ran my last 20 miler before the Chicago Marathon. It was a beautiful morning and I feel pretty good right now but I am glad that it is behind me and now I can focus on the BAA Half Marathon next weekend and the big one on the 22nd. Ironically I will be in Chicago [more specifically a hotel next to O'Hare Airport] this week but I'm pretty sure a trip downtown is not going to happen. Oh Well.
- "Literally years of no running and then running again regularly, it's been a little harder on my body than I thought." [Yeah it is] - "I wouldn't say running is an obsession, but I run to stay fit and running the New York City Marathon is a big goal." [Completing a marathon IS the big goal for a runner] - "New York is the biggest and greatest in the world." [I'll assume he was referring to the City not the Race because the NYC Marathon boasts 35,000 runners while Chicago has 40,000!!] - "To me, music is a great enhancement to exercise." [Yeah it is - again] - "I listen to a lot of music, a lot of it is pretty angry. Not metal, but high-energy like Linkin Park and bands like that." [I love the LP reference - I agree their music does the trick. Maybe he should check out Disturbed as well.] - "you show up with a pair of shorts and running shoes and find the nearest trail or running loop and you're set." [plus you can run by yourself, no teams required] - "I might just be that guy [about one running one marathon]. Most likely. But never say never." [Never say never. Boston has a pretty good marathon too you know]
Good luck Lance and yes I would agree, you might want to get for a couple long runs [say 20 miles] because, for me anyway, there is a significant difference between the first 14 and the next 6 miles.
Here is some friendly advise for the last Friday of September [note: Birthday month is coming to a close]:
- Before you decide to adopt a little Chinese baby, you may want to save the $1,000 application fee and make sure that you will want to actually have this baby in 8 months from now. Otherwise you may just want to wait for the prodi, the progidal... the prodigal son to return or find a single woman who will be able to have a child in say 30 years from now.
- If you are going to hire a hooker for your trip to the next convention, you may want to make sure you don't let other get access to your room, except for said hooker. This could lead to current and former co-workers finding out and they may even have the burning desire to call... someone. Also know, your hooker friend probably took the slow train from Philly.
- When picking a nickname, make sure it's cool and has some deep meaning. Such examples are sports stars like Allan "The Answer" Iverson or Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas or Curtis "CuJo" Joseph. Do not use a name that just outlines your fears like Jerome "The Bus" Bettis. I mean I understand the guy is afraid to fly but that's not a cool nickname.
- When on a date, if you want to order the most expensive thing on the menu go right ahead. Just keep in mind, you’ll need to put out though. I mean it’s only right. Most office workers will agree.
- Lastly before you criticize or underestimate someone, maybe you should just estimate them. I know you can be on top of them 24/7 [that's what she said or he said] however they may just turn out to be a friend, or your best friend.
Last night, Cambridge Firefighters responded to a fire at the Boston Tropical Fish and Reptiles on the Monsignor O'Brien Highway. Firefighters who responded to battle the flames say some of the panicked animals, namely the snakes, actually wrapped themselves around the firefighters legs making this bad situation even worse. A total of 28 animals died including snakes, turtles, lizards and fish. Fire officials believe the store was targeted by animal activists since graffiti sprayed on the outside of the building read "no more exploitation of animals".
If this is true, I don't get it [and I believe it is because I think this kind of graffiti is something a pet store owner would notice if it was there before the fire]. How hypocritical of someone who claims to be an animal lover and protector to needlessly kill innocent animals, destroy private property and endanger the lives of local residents and our fearless public servants. Does this further their “cause” or only create additional public outrage for the activists themselves? I think this is a big step backward and in the immortal words of Shooter McGavin "Go back to your shanties!"
According to John's Blog, he would not quote Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy during his recent concert in San Diego [as you already know, discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means a whale's vagina - but I digress]. I give John credit for staying classy because I would not be able to resist the temptation. Here is how my concert would go down - P.A.G. plays House of Blues San Diego:
Opening the show, walking to the mic... "Hello San Diego, how's are you feeling tonight?" Once the crowd noise calms down "What? You know I don't speak Spanish but seriously I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal. I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. "
After the first song... "Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I need all of you, to stop what you're doing and listen. Cannonball." leading into our new song called Cannonball.
Half way through the show... "This next song is for all those lovers out there. They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, this song works every time."
After the last song of the 3rd encore... "Stay Classy, San Diego" and the lights go down.
From the ashes of a failed pilot to YouTube hit and now to a new website, Nobody's Watching looks to be back on track to becoming a network show. The boys are working on a new site with some interesting content. Check out Derrick and Will's own Coke and Mentos experiment or D & W watch 'Til Death or the boys at The Emmy's. Pretty clever use of YouTube for hosting their videos and they also have a MySpace Page [is that a picture of those two sitting on the Animal HouseDeathmobile???]. Also, does Will [meaning hair style] look a bit like Jim Halpert from The Office in the 'Til Death video? More to come on October 2 [or maybe later if they push off the site release date again].
Here in Maine they have two outlet centers, Kittery and Freeport [home of LL Bean]. After spending some time at both I started to think just how much can you save by shopping in an outlet. Sure your looking at clothes from last season but if you plan far enough ahead, aren't you just shopping for next season? So let's see how we did:
Jones of New York Shirt - Orginal Price 44.00, Outlet Price 14.99 - Savings: 66% off Timberland Running Shirt - Orginal Price 45.00, Outlet Price 11.99 - Savings: 73% off Old Navy Tack Jacket - Orginal Price 24.99, Outlet Price 5.99 - Savings: 76% off J. Jill Skirt - Orginal Price 78.00, Outlet Price 8.99 - Savings: 88% off
Of course not all of our purchases were this drastically reduced, but all in all, I think we did pretty good - and I have a new jacket which I have worn almost every day since I bought it.
If you ever find yourself in the greater Wells, ME area and are looking for a really good, no make that a great meal, check out Joshua's which is only open for dinners starting a 5 pm and closed on Sundays. The seating is limited in the converted farm house, so make reservations in advance, and has a very cozy and intimate feel. The menu is not large [note Scott will not be able to eat here] but the food was totally awesome. Every appetizer, meal and dessert are all hand made and the quality really shows. Lisa said this could have been the best meal she has ever had. That's quite a compliment. I might have to agree. Yummy.
So what is better than using a wirelss connection in your public library? Borrowing one from a local hotel while you are on vacation. Here I sit in the front seat of my convertable with the sun shining on my face as I submit my assignments to WPI via a WiFi connection. It's not the best connection I have ever used but it is free and I am able to get my homework sent while I sit across the street from the place Lisa is getting her nails done. Another big thanks goes out to the Sea Mist Hotel for keeping it real, free and wireless.
You have to love your local public library. We are on vacation in Wells, ME and since we are both going to school and need to get online, we turned to the Wells Public Library which is located about a mile from our hotel. It is quiet, organized and best of all free to use a computer and the internet here - including wireless if you have your own notebook. Very cool. Thanks to the town of Wells for have such a nice library for us to use while in town.
Sure it's childish, but it would be fun to really kick a ball around the office, off the walls and try to get into a bucket? Check out Binball Wizard and see if you can hit the bin when it is in the glass-enclosed office. That was the toughest spot to hit. Enjoy.
10 years or 120 months or 3,652 days or 87,648 hours or 5,258,880 seconds. No matter how you measure time, 10 years is a long time but for me it has gone been very fast and I can't believe that we are already here - our tenth wedding anniversary. Here are a couple pictures of us from the past few years... Love ya babe!
Dr. Christopher Murray of the Harvard School of Public Health put together a study of longevity in Americans including where they live, race and income. Here are the top and bottom 5 by life span:
If your like me, you love to watch the sun set [and sun rise]. The guys at Eternal Sunset have put together a site which takes images from west-ward pointing webcams from around the world and give you a single page to watch the sun set any time of the day. I enjoy looking at images from Finland, Iceland, Iran, Russian Federation, Spain and many other places during the day until I get to enjoy my own sunset here in Massachusetts.
5 years have passed since the terrorist attacks on the US and I would like to share some of my personal thoughts and experiences related to 9/11.
8:46 am: A Moment of Silence.
The morning of September 11, I was at work like many Americans and then suddenly there was confusion and chaos regarding a plane crash in New York City. The internet was almost unusable as many people try to find out what was going on. 17 minutes after the first plane hit, a second hit Tower 2 - broadcast on live tv. Then there were reports of a 3rd plane hitting Washington DC. I went home and watched and listened and was angry and sad and could not process the unimaginable events of that day. As I look back on it now, I sit in awe of the police, firefighters, emts, port authority officers and other public servants how rushed into the twin towers while many of us [like myself] sought refuge in the comfort of our own homes. Since I was a volunteer firefighter for 5 years, the 343 firemen lost on 9/11 will always hold a special place in my heart.
9:02 am: A Moment of Silence.
On September 14, Lisa and I reluctantly went to a concert at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield, MA. I personally did not want to have fun or cut loose with all that had happened 3 days before hand but we went anyway. This was the first concert to be performed locally after 9/11 and it could not feature a more American singer/songwriter than John Mellencamp. Through out the show there were many American flags flying in the crowd and a general feeling of unity as we all tried to heal just a little bit that night. The highlight of the show was the song Little Pink Houses. The people in the front row were holding a 50 foot long banner of the American flag and while the band played this classic song about small town America the crowd joined in on the chorus with John signing:
Oh but ain’t that America for you and me Ain’t that America we’re something to see baby Ain’t that America, home of the free Little pink houses for you and me
10:04 am: A Moment of Silence.
March of 2005, my wife surprised me with a snowmobiling trip in Vermont. On the Sunday morning that we were heading home we had breakfast with 1 of the couples we went with and a nice couple from New York, also staying at the bed and breakfast. When we learned they were from NY, naturally we asked about 9/11 and where they were. The young man was exiting the subway when the first plane hit and he recounted his own experience. His girlfriend excused herself from the table and we found out later that she had lost a brother-in-law [a fireman] in the towers. What was even more mesmerizing is a story he told of a women from his neighborhood. Here is what we were told over breakfast:
The woman received a call from her son on the morning of 9/11 to tell her he was in the twin towers and that he was alright but didn't want her to worry and that he was going to leave. He called her back minutes later to tell her that in fact he could not escape the building. Having reverted to a child-like state he asked his mother what to do because he was scared and didn't know what to do. His mother, with extreme faith, told her son to not let those evil men get him and that he should instead jump into god's arms than die inside the building. The son told his mother that he loved her and leapt from the building. Several days later the women was asked how she was doing with regards to the loss of her son and she stated that she had recently had a dream and her son had told her that he was ok and he was in heaven and he loved her very much. The woman felt great relief and was happy that she had given her son over to god on her own faith.
The power and raw emotion could be felt all over again 3 and a half years later as 3 couples sat at a breakfast table in Vermont crying over this beautiful story of the single worst day in a mothers life.
10:28 am: A Moment of Silence.
This morning I was listening to WAAF, who are discussing 9/11 and remembering the hero's of ground zero. Just after the 8:46 am moment of silence, they played Lee Greenwood's Proud To Be An American which since 9/11 has become the modern American anthem. The chorus always gets me chocked up and could not be more symbolic of the hero's we remember today:
And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
I give a big thank you to "The Only Station That Really Rocks" for playing this song today and reminding us all of how great our country is and that most of all, we must never forget.
Is the end near for full length cd's [albums if you prefer] or record companies for that matter? Well probably no on both counts but change is on the horizon. Beck recently stated in an article in Wired Magazine "Artists can and should approach making an album as an opportunity" to create an album that "the listener can participate in or arrange and change." He went on to say "It's time for the album to embrace the technology." I think Mr. Beck is on to something - is it Mr. Beck or just Beck? I'm always confused by people with one name, but I digress.
Record sales are down and have been on the slide ever since the invention of Napster [and all of its successors] and the digital music marketplace is on the rise with iTunes, Rhapsody and [the reinvented] Napster. Additionally consumers are becoming very picky about what they buy, namely they can now buy individual tracks instead of the entire album. We have all bought a cd based on a single song heard on the radio and been disappointed to find that was the only good song on the whole disk. Well in the new digital millennium, we are no longer faced with this problem and in fact this may well influence how music is created and released in the future.
Artist may soon learn that putting together a 10 to 12 track cd with only 4 really good songs is counter productive and they may actually be losing money, using the time value of money theory. Why hold back those "good" songs from the digital markets [which want to buy tracks anyway] in order to create a whole cd with "filler" tracks that are less likely to sell. I say get the good music on the market sooner rather than later and forget the whole cd thing. Let the consumer decide what constitutes a disk; they are already doing this by buying single tracks and loading them into their MP3 players with custom play lists.
Record companies may also be taking on a new role in the coming years. Artist now have free online tools such as MySpace or YouTube to get their music out there and create their own buzz. MySpace, now owned by the News Corporation, boasts more than 100 million registered users and is one most popular site on the entire internet. They recently announced that they are launching a music store later this year, through which any of the estimated three million musicians who use MySpace will be able to sell their songs and CDs directly to their fans. YouTube, another wildly popular destination on the web, has been used to distribute music videos and recently used to "launch" the band OK Go into the mainstream. OK go released a low-budget video for the single "Here It Goes Again" on the site on July 31, and became a prime example of how fast word-of-mouth about an act can spread in the age of viral video - 5.5 million views of this video alone!
Beck added that "Record labels definitely aren't going to go away, but it'll be really interesting to see how their role changes." I tend to agree [again] that they won't disappear all together but they will need to adapt to the digital age just like everyone is [take a look at Blockbuster or Circuit City as examples] or be left in the preverbal binary dust.
So partly thanks to Shawn Fanning and Steve Jobs, the traditional album and record company maybe heading toward the great cd case in the sky. Not to worry though, maybe 8-tracks will make a comeback and stop all of this MP3 madness. Well maybe not.
Says-It.com is an online image generator where you can make your own Church Sign, Concert Ticket, Vinyl Record, Official Seal and may other things. Below are a couple of examples of what you can do. Check it out and don't be afraid to have some fun with your friends, I know at least one person who has been "had" by a fake church sign in the past...
Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday Dear Lisa, Happy Birthday To You! [Note to Warner Chappell Music, the royality check is in the mail]
Y'all know that I have been prepairing for the Chicago Marathon next month but do you know just how far and long I have gone? Well here's the data for the first 3 quarters of 2006 and last month:
Total Distance: 568.9 miles Total Time: 87h:18m:48s august Distance: 115.20 miles August Time: 19h:17m:48s Total Different Pairs of Shoes: 3
It's really amazing to look back and to think how fara nd long I have gone. As a wise man once said "Now, it used to be, I ran to get where I was goin'. I never thought it would take me anywhere." - Forrest Gump
Carolyn Kepcher, a co-star with Donald Trump from the start of The Apprentice in 2004 and a long-time employee of the Trump Organization, has been let go or maybe more accurately she has now felt the full force of his iconic phrase: "You're fired". It has been reported that Kepcher's firing to excessive self-promotion as a star at the expense of her performance at her day job, which was the Executive Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer, and General Manager for the Trump National Golf Club. Since TV fame beckoned, Kepcher has been active with speaking engagements, made a number of talk-show appearances and two years ago wrote a book, "Carolyn 101," which promised to reveal the secrets of her success and give readers guidance for their professional lives.
I personally will miss Carolyn from next seasons Apprentice Los Angeles and wish her the very best and think we have not seen the last of her in business - show or otherwise.
Happy Birthday To You,
