I've been feeling down in the dumps these past couple days...for reasons that are subsiding, I'm feeling better. It's just crazy how things can effect you and how you sometimes feel like things are spiraling out of control. It helps me to take myself out of commission for a few days and reevaluate. Honestly, your life is what you make it. If you need change, change but make sure you have a plan. I know that I'm feeling better when I see stupid shit like this and it makes me chuckle and want to cuddle with the kitty and puppy! Life isn't so tough, sometimes it just seems like it is.

Solar Eclipse

In honor of the Solar Eclipse that is happening as I type, I have posted a picture from Nasa.gov ... just don't look directly at this picture...you'll burn your eyes out.

Missed Opportunities

After a rash of emails and excitement, it seems that all of our hopes and dreams for an outing to the Masters Club on Cheshire Bridge Road have been dashed!

A Tribute to Reddick

Well, I thought I was going to have two more games to get my JJ Reddick fill, but no. Since I don't watch NBA Basketball, last night was most likely the last time I'll watch him play a whole game. Too bad it ended on a sour note. It'll be ok...you'll be making Millions next year.

They Killed Chef! You Bastards!

This is disturbing and amusing...South Park at its best.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/03/23/watch-the-episode-here_n_17744.html

Am I Black?

I was listening to the radio on the way to work this morning and those crazy DeeJays asked Black folks to call up and ask questions to the White folks that they have always wondered about. So some people called up and asked the following questions...

Why do White people like to go hiking? I hate hiking.
Why do White people like extreme sports like sky diving? I hate extreme sports and have a fear of heights.
Why do White people like to swim far out into the ocean? I have a fear of sharks, so you can bet I won't be out over my head.
Why do White people try to use slang? I don't try to use slang, I can roll.
Why can't white people dance? I can get jiggy. (see how I use my slang appropriately)

So after listening to the radio show this morning, I thought...am I black? Then I caught a glimpse of myself it the rearview mirror...nope. There's that white boy from NY looking back...but damn, he's a kinda sexy white boy with some flava! Holla! (again proper use of slang)

Keep on Trucking

I finished my first 40 mile week yesterday with a 14 mile run up at the Silver Comet Trail. It was a bit cold for an almost Spring run, but I had my winter hat on and was ok. I felt fine actually and averaged 8:15 pace. Much faster than I am supposed to be running according to the Marathon Training guide I am using...but since it felt comfortable, who was I to argue with my legs? I always say go faster if you can, who knows how you'll feel next week. I'm really only a little bit behind with my training...it is getting a bit frustrating and monotonous to continue having to use the treadmill...I'm hoping warm weather is on it's way soon! I'm also balancing my training and social life fairly well...I actually was home and asleep on Saturday night at 11PM. That is crazy, but I was worn out from Friday night (UAlbany almost pulled it off!) and needed to rest. This upcoming weekend will be another battle between going out and running. My friend Steven is turning 30 and we have a full weekend planned. But, I have to remember what my priorities are...I must, must, must run 17 miles on Sunday, no if ands or buts. It will happen and that will put me back on schedule, finally.

Quote Worth Reading

Saturday, March 11, 2006

In Annapolis, (Capital of) Maryland, at a hearing on the proposed Constitutional Amendment to prohibit gay marriage, Jamie Raskin, professor of law at AU, was requested to testify and he did so.

At the conclusion of his testimony, a right-wing senator rose to say:

"Mr. Raskin, my Bible says that marriage shall occur only between a man and a woman. What do you have to say about that?"

Raskin replied:

"Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You did not place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible."

The room erupted into applause.

UAlbany Great Danes

I'm originally from upstate NY...Albany to be exact. So when University of Albany made it into the big dance this past weekend, we were all very excited for the University, the program and for the city. How many times has UAlbany been on a such a National Stage...not many...in fact the basketball program has only been Division 1 for 7 years, so making it to the National Basketball Tournament is a huge deal. Unfortunately, the selection committee placed UAlbany as a 16th seed up against number 1 seed UConn in the first round. Not an easy task for UAlbany. But, you can never say never. Not only was Albany settled by the Dutch (thus the UAlbany Great Danes), but Albany also has a large Irish population. Since they will be playing on St. Patrick's day, perhaps the luck of the Irish along with beginner's luck will bring them a win! If you don't believe in all that, then check this out:

Think UAlbany can't possibly beat UConn? Think again:

UConn lost 94-79 on Jan. 3 to Marquette ...
which lost 104-85 on Jan. 15 to West Virginia ...
which lost 58-52 on Jan. 25 to Marshall ...
which lost 71-66 on Dec. 29 to South Carolina State ...
which lost 68-67 on Jan. 23 to Coppin State ...
which lost 65-64 on Nov. 14 to Lehigh ...
which lost 57-53 on Dec. 4 to Cornell ...
which lost 68-59 on Jan. 9 to UAlbany
So there. Never say never.

Go UAlbany!

Welcome to Whiteville!

A Suburban Atlanta Social Group sent out the following event information:

"Brokeback Mountain" Film Screening & Discussion

Greetings!
This Saturday, March 11th, all AWF members will have a chance to view "Brokeback Mountain" in a private setting and then share your thoughts with the group.

We will have a lively discussion after the movie to give everyone a chance to share their feelings about the film. We will then listen to old school music and watch classic Soul Train videos from the 70's & 80's which are truly entertaining! Pizza, wings and veggies will be served along with an open bar. This is a member-only event. Active members and one guest are invited to attend.

Oh...the straights...they sure do know how to have a good time. And I'm sure glad that there will be a lively discussion afterwards...must... soften... disgusting... display... of genuine love by allowing straights to dissent and infuse their homophobic views ... and of course then they will all watch Soul Train videos, eat chicken wings and make fun of the Blacks! Awesome! It should be called killing two birds with one stone night!

Welcome to Whiteville!

This is Ridiculous

FREDERICK, Maryland (AP) -- Hood College is reviewing its homecoming rules after a lesbian was crowned king, a college official said. Jennifer Jones, the 21-year-old senior who beat out three men for the honor, said the crowning was a positive step for the private liberal arts college.
"It is cool that Hood allows people to be themselves," Jones told The Frederick News-Post. "If people didn't want me to be king, they wouldn't have nominated me and voted for me."
Jones, of Newark, Delaware, received 64 of 169 votes cast for king last month.

This is crazy. I'm all for people being themselves and busting the boundaries that have been established by the norms of society. But come on. You are a woman. The King and Queen of a Homecoming event are merely symbolic rituals. If she really wanted to buck society and impact changes, she would have run for Queen and been herself. A woman who, just because she is a lesbian doesn't need to be grouped with the men. Now this statement extends beyond the Hood College boundaries and is leaking into Middle America. Here is another example of how people can point to sexual preference as gender identification. All gay men are women, all lesbians are men. This is not the case and because of ridiculous antics like this, we continue to fight an uphill battle with society. Now the college is questioning whether gay men can run for Homecoming Queen. No. You are a man. You are not a woman. If you want to run for Homecoming Queen, get sexual reassignment surgery and give us a call. No balls, no sack? No King. It's that simple.

I would have loved to see Ms. Jennifer Jones, stand up to the other prissy Homecoming Queen candidates and win based on who she was, defending her right to choice and preference. But instead, she became a laughing stock of the college and the stand she thought she was making not only was not a stand at all, it was a knock down, drag back, ridiculous effort that failed miserably.

Things that I learned this weekend, by Donks (aka (since Friday) Andy).
· It is very hard to try and petition for a nickname change
· Running is beginning to be fun again. Its been a very long time for me to get back to this point...over 10 years
· It's hard to stay up until 6AM and then get up at 11AM for a run through the mountains
· Just when you thought you had it all figured out, you don't
· 32? Just a number…flirting with and being pursued by college students is both flattering and odd
· Running with a great friend and talking the entire way is priceless
· Chaffing is...never...fun...and...a...pain...in...the...ass
· A classic night at the St. James makes you remember how much fun spending a night at home with friends can be
· If you want things in life, you need to make it happen. Nobody is going to give to you what they want for themselves
· Creating boundaries remove ambiguity and make open communication a reality
· Business and friendship should never be mixed
· Life's insecurities can be removed by willful examination, self confrontation and self acceptance. Once this happens others will see you in a much different light
· It's better to at least make an attempt than to sit back and let life pass you by
· When the weather is nice, I'm a much happier person
· Atlanta is a great place to live

Back in town and back at the office. I had 3 great runs up in the mountains of Colorado. Yesterday, I felt great on my 6 mile run, to conclude my secret high altitude training. This should be a 38 mile week. Weirdly enough, I really never felt like the altitude had any effect on my running up there. I did notice however, when I go home last night to Atlanta, that it was in fact easier to breathe back down at sea level. I'm feeling Spring fever kicking in pretty strong. Not only do I want the weather to get nice real quick, but I'm actually really looking to go on a few dates pretty soon. I spent some time in Denver with my friend Chris and his bf Grant. They have been dating for about 3 years now... bought a house, have dogs, etc. I'm in the market for that. I read a comedic article on my way back to Atlanta about relationships. It was all about being single vs in a relationship. The article summed it up this way... either you are in a relationship which comes with its ups and downs, annoyances and bickering, and twists and turns or you're not and you're alone, king (in some cases replace king with queen) of your castle. It’s nice to be King, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you wish for a coup and wouldn't mind breaking up the monarchy. Isn’t that what we all want? A knight to jump over our moat, climb the 10 foot thick wall we have built and over throw the King? Ok, maybe a better way to state it would be to throw down with the King. The rest we can discuss later.