As has been the trend for quite sometime now, I'm battling injury so I'm hitting the bike which is not so unpleasant and allows me to commute to work in a fairly timely manner without the use of a drop of that blasted petrol. Speaking of combustible compounds, I have been back at the fermenter, priming yeast for battle. My latest beer has yet to be named, suffice it to say that it's a BIG BEER. I started with a sweeter Irish style stout so, think sweeter than a Guinness but drier than a Sam Smith, and then I elected to ferment on American Oak soaked in a little Michael Collins. So time shall render a verdict, I will definitely cask next week and I should be able to get a sense of the direction that this thing is headed. It will definitely be a beer that should benefit from time in the bottle because of such a spectrum of ingredients. Last point of order, I was unable to attend the McNellie's Pub Run 2009 which I'm not pleased about. In any case, I think the race deserves a quick review. A direct rebuke from Stu Lisle-Odell was issued in regards to the lengthy distance run prior to the first beer station, apparently well over 2 miles that takes less of the equalizer effect out of the race. Another strong criticism or scornful remark echoed from multiple participants regarded Chuck Sloan's decision to pour more beer on his singlet than down his throat as can clearly be discerned from this photo: I think it is highly notable that one of the bigger roars emanated from the crowd as Johnny Mullholland pounded his last pint to move into the coveted 3rd and last money spot. I tip my hat to all who were man enough to keep the streak alive and I'll just have to return next year. Groina shows excellent form here and maybe we refer a photo to Sloan for next year of the unsullied attire at the finish line. I personally think we should have seen our first DQ of a lead runner as the guy clearly didn't drink the allotted volume of beer and thusly should only be recognized in the "Run" category. This is high stakes shite, people.
I'm coming to you live from NW Nompton holding down the fort at my friend Vickie's place. The vantage is good, said characters and myself are nursing a tall beer, eating some Triscuits and making sure not to poop in the house because mama gets upset when that happens. We'll be heading out for a walk/jog in a couple minutes but I'm pretty sure Molly and Bandit are pussys, because they're both pure bread Toy breeds and so I'm guessing running ain't gonna fly. They can haul ass around the house when they here me open the fridge, though. Best case scenario is I get them home without getting beat up by any stray cats or armadillos. I managed to again meet my match on the injury front in the form of a glorified hamstring strain and am hopefully ready to do some running again after a 2 week layoff. I have not been doing any exciting travelling but have made the most of my free time by studying the art of zymergy, potentially coming up with a new concept beer, listening to music and eating some $3 burgers. Spenis and I will be hosting a slumber party this weekend and then eating at some snazzy breakfast joint on Sunday morning, come ye all.
1. Ran a low-key 10k last weekend around the state capitol, winning by default to collect a few clams, more happily, I didn't seem to injure anything and was able to get after it the last 5k meaning progress has been made...
2. Jerry Faulkner ran a solid time at the Quad Cities Marathon last Saturday. The guy had done some great summer marathon training and it paid off. That being said, it also may have knocked out a few chinks along the way, but I think it took his training to a new level and I guarantee he's got faster days ahead if he keeps his head down.
3. We finally were able to get a proper-like sushi crawl going in Norman. We went Gaijin (at their new location?), O- , and In the Raw. Lance wasn't the only tired puppy at days end but I closed the day at the shop (45minutes tardy) meeting and re-inspiring some OU art kids. One was a scrawny ex-runner for Calvin College and Brian Deimer, chances are I probably ran against him at the Notre Dame Invite in 2001 and that I have attended each of the couples' art screenings on multiple occasions. Exceedingly small world-
4. Watched as much of The National Parks: America's Best Idea and I can assure you it's another good one for Burns. I don't think I've been unhappy with any of his work to which I've been privy.
I had utilized the privilege to enjoy several pints before adjourning to O and I can say that their soundtrack is of significant benefit to the place, conjured up dreams of the days when I fell asleep listening to tunes:
Since I've returned to the level of health that is needed to run 6 or so miles at a go, on pavement, I often find myself doing just that and as a added benefit I can start at the digs and conclude at the shop. I actually rather enjoy doing this and usually I have enough crap in my locker at the shop that I don't have to take extra things along. However, every once in a while, I do take the running pack along laden with a few clean layers and essentials. Well, on Friday morning I took this route and low and behold I getting so fit that I was actually ahead of schedule when I arrived so, what's a boy to do besides add on. For me that consisted of some lappers on the grass field behind Don Cies Realty (basically only Jordan will know where I'm talking about). Anyway I tossed my pack on the edge of the field next to the alley way that runs behind CVS, Brookhaven Goodyear, etc. Each lap on this thing takes at most a minute and consists of a completely open flat grass lot. I had noticed a car driving down the alley, a well maintained red Toyota Solara, basically the domain of a geriatric hipster, and thinking nothing of it hadn't done anything to take into account who was behind the wheel. Well, you see where this is going... Of course my bag is not residing where it was stowed and I immediately am cursing the entirety of Brookhaven.Sensing someone might still be playing the good samaritan card, I jog out to Robinson to look for this retched auto. I see nothing and am about to head over to OK Runner, when the Solara comes back down Robinson and stops at the light. I immediately notice that there are two guys about my age with mechanics uni's on and a scruffy appearance. Sensing exactly what situation I'm in with short shorts and nary a shirt, I yell over asking where my backpack was. The look at me as the light turns green and proceed on without so much as a word. Well now I've got something to go with. My sister already hates the Brookhaven tire shop because they belittled her in some way and now I'm thinking I could even both our scores and firebomb the place. I'm headed over to the shop as the car cruises back by and one guy innocuously asks if I said something about a backpack, because he couldn't hear what with the brake pads being worn and music playing. So without getting into a debate on why my bag ended up in a car that was neither his, nor mine I ran out in the intersection, grabbed the bag and headed to work.
This tale is one of many great sordid run-ins with people in the last two days who really rekindled my questioning of the quality of humanity that we encounter on a daily basis. May each of you readers find something positive in the interaction you face on this day, because the enrichment you take from strangers or passers by who are of a kindly extraction is so often fulfilling- and just in the opposite manner an asshole can really take the wind out of your sails...
End of rant, I'm running up to the coffee shop and zoning out:
Yesterday marked the 24th annual Brookhaven Run and despite myself not being as fit as I had hoped, I did hit the streets with something around 1100 other folks. All things considered, I was fine with my own performance and I think the race turned out pretty well, despite not being able to quite get the caliber of athlete ready to set a new state record. We ended up closing the shop early in preparation for the big OSU home opener, which was immediately followed by the OU opener in the Jerry-dome. Unfortunately it gave me way too much time to drink way too much beer and thusly I will probably not be as productive on this long weekend as I might of hoped. Hopes are sometimes meant to be dashed and words are sometimes meant to be slurred-
Alot of changes around here these days. Norman is back in business with OU starting up. At the same time it's a little lonely too with the sudden departure of Jordan ( hope all is well, man). It was nice to have a counterpart on the roads and at the shop but the siren song of Charlotte, NC doth beckon. Anyway, my foot is still improving and I hope to be able to return to the roads soon but I'm having a hard time freeing up energy while working at the shop. I intend to keep things as light as possible but there are big shoes to fill. I also am hoping to get a couple projects under way in regards to putting together some training resources for local runners.
Post title refers to the fact that one of salt's many uses is a neutralizing, sterilizing agent, and all around good luck charm meant to shake up the way things have been unfolding, presumably for the better. Evidently such glam sluggers as the Hanshin Tigers have made fervent their belief in such miraculous fixes. In any case, I can use this notion for myself and I know many others can, specifically in the health and fitness department (Meagan), so go ahead and throw a little salt around. I, myself, had a bunch a beers tonight in salt encrusted glasses to start the magic so go ahead and join the ride.
Monsoons this morning left things nice and cool for a quick jog and some pet-sitting errands for myself but sabotaged Kinley's workout. I always liked running in the warm rain but if you're raging 4hundos in spikes, I reckon it's best to wait it out. Yesterday, it was around 100 as I put in some biking after dropping my car off to fix a flat and heading east for pet-sitting, I managed to get a decent workout over the hills. The biking makes the heat less noticeable but it subtly rears it's head and I managed to get a bit of a head ache from the sun beating down on my noggin. There was a nice dynamic on Boyd St. as someone laid on the horn at me for riding across the intersection so they had to yield and then not a half mile down the way a nice gal said "Hi" as she walked sown the sidewalk. However, my car did make it back from the shop, the animals were fed and medicated, and I got in a jog on the grass loop since the OU football team continues to hold practice on my beloved rugby field. They have practices that are closed to the public and yet are on more open (and smaller) venues than their typical practice fields. I'll get them back by making use of their conveniently situated Gatorade coolers or something.
I heard a great piece on cheese from NPR, might as well be more in touch with the makings behind one of life's finer delectables. I will try my hand at this mark my words: fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, and maybe something a little more funky. The other big thing here is the fact that contextually cheese utilizes the same basic ingredients, so what would native Oklahoma microbes bring to the table?
