Going for a ride in Dollywood...

2 Down, 2 To Go

I finished my second 20 mile run yesterday. Very proud of myself. I actually ran this one about 7 minutes faster than last time...~8:10 pace...I even negative split this one, which means my second 10 miles was faster than my first 10 miles. Good times. I've been slacking with the postings on my blog and for no particular reason...I was in LA for 3 days last week and travel usually makes me a bit tired. Had a great date on Friday, looked at a few houses on Saturday and spent Sunday running and drinking...my two favorite things. I'm getting real excited about the marathon...I actually think that a 3:30 is in reach. Only 2 more 20 mile runs before the big race and I think I'll be ready. It is so crazy to think that I can go out and run 20 miles and have a good time doing it. But its true. I really am enjoying running again and its been a long, long time since I could say that. Cheers!

Weekend in Review

Happy Belated Easter/Passover...had a great weekend in Atlanta, although sometimes on Holiday's I do wish I could jump in the car and go see my family. With them in NY, it is just not as easy to do as some of my friends and I wish I could see them more. We had some amazing weather down here this past weekend...spent Friday catching up with an old friend at dinner, went to Steeple Chase (horse races in North Georgia) again this year and once again had to deal with the bigots from OTP that sit next to us. You know we are getting really annoyed when our conversation turns to past fights we have been in and questions about whether you've "got my back"...spent most of our time on the back stretch of the course with the ATL contingent and had a lot of fun...Saturday night was a hit with Karaoke - you really can't beat some drunk Karaoke...Sunday were the Drag Races - an Atlanta tradition - some of it was fun, but most of it was not...met a new prospect, drank some beers and called it a night. Classic spring weekend in the South.

With all the rumors that Katie Holmes is faking her pregnancy, I had to go out and take a look for myself...I have two pregnant women in my office and let's just say that compared to them, this just looks ridiculously fake:

House Hunting, Literally

While reviewing a few houses today, I ran across a picture that really makes me wonder about some people. Hey, I'm all for hunting if you want to go and kill Bambi, it's your right, but if you think that putting this picture in a realty listing is going to make people want to come and look at your house, you and your Realtor have been hitting it off the same pipe.

The picture is noticeably shaky and who can blame the photographer... I hope this house comes with a year's supply of smoked venison sausage.

I just spent two days at the NCTA conference in Atlanta... that's the National Cable Television Association...it was a pretty great show. I really like working in the television industry... as I walked around the show I wonder how I could ever work outside this industry - where else can you go to the National show and have a booth for Hustler TV right next to the Gospel Music Channel or PlayGirl/PlayBoy next to World Wrestling Federation TV - at the Cable Show anything goes. It is also a great time to meet a few celebs here and there ... this year I met John Waters, Nancy Grace (who does not look good in person), Bodie Miller and Maria Bartiromo (a CNBC host - who is very hot). Lot's of new and innovative technologies were also displayed, like for example, the ability to download a new ring tone to your cell phone for a song you are watching on MTV...pretty cool. Anyway, it was a great show.

Ran my first 20 mile run on Sunday...I surprised myself at how easy it was and how good I felt. I guess training actually does work.

Ts

A new store just opened in the Highlands brought to us by Bill Hallman... all t-shirts, all the time... I'm a jeans and t-shirt guy and can't wait to check this place out...

Houses

I went to see 5 houses yesterday. One was too small, one was too big and needed too much work, one had bedrooms upstairs with no central air - we live in the deep south - hello?, one was was too IKEA - very compartmentalized and the last one wasn't so bad actually...good size, open spaces and even an inground pool. But the location was a bit far. I know there is a house out there for me somewhere, I'll just keep looking...getting ready for my long run this weekend...I've been thinking about it since last weeks long run...20 miles is very far and I need to be mentally prepared for it. The temps are looking to be in the 60's on Sunday, I am really excited to tackle this run. What's up with Mandisa getting the boot on Idol? Crazy shit. America has no freaking clue, even with a stupid reality show.

April, Will You Marry Me?

How can you not love April in the South? Cool, crisp mornings; cloudless blue skies; beautiful high temps in the 70s; no humidity; trees blooming with amazing colors. To compare April in the South in more relatable terms, think amazingly hot Abercombie model (or a model of your choosing). Now you know what I'm talking about.

Introducing the Diva from DeKalb

Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in welcoming to my blog the fabulous, non-confrontational, dynamic and thank-the-lord not my Representative, one Miss Cynthia McKinney. Her Georgia constituents are so proud! If there's a lesson, or two, to learn here, it's 1. Don't mess with the South and 2. Don't get an Ogilvy home perm. You go girl!

Longest Yet

My Monday began by being woken by a loud rain pounding on my metal roof. A very soothing way to wake up with the week in front of you. I stayed in bed a little extra today...I really don't like much about my loft, but I absolutely love laying in bed listening to the rain on my roof...so I had to take advantage of that just a bit more this morning. The weather this weekend was amazing. Temps just right and no humidity. Spent Friday night at The St. James and was home in bed by 11. Woke up on Saturday at 9AM. Amazing. I felt great...went to the gym, lifted and ran 6.2 on the treadmill...was out of there by 11 and had the rest of the day ahead of me. I'm in that mode now where I want something new...so In addition to looking for a new house, I'm looking for a new car. I'm thinking more and more about downsizing back to an Accord. But if I find a house first, the car may have to wait. Saturday night was chill...watched the Basketball games and went to bed at 11:30 (12:30) with DST. I think Sunday mornings (sans hangovers) are my favorite time of the week. I wake up ~9:15...walk downstairs, put the coffee on...flip on the TV and watch CBS Sunday Morning. I think this might be a reflection of my age...I really like this show. Then I throw on my running stuff...grab some water and a Balance Bar and head up to the Silver Comet. On my way I listen to Organic X on 99X ... the best radio show of the week. It's on from 9AM to 12PM Sundays. Even if your not from Atlanta check it out online, very worth it. Then I run. This Sunday it was 17.2 miles, my longest training run ever. I felt ok...but not nearly as good as my 14 two weeks ago. I spoke with my sister (a 3:07 marathoner) and she gave me some good advice. I need to drink gatorade when I run. I'm just drinking water and barely any of that. I'm going to have to figure out something for next week. By the end of my run my feet feel like they are going to bust out of my shoes...expanding feet, sure sign of too much salt in your blood stream. Next Sunday its 20 miles. Yikes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good one. On tap for this week...house hunting!