Ohiopyle and Surrounding areas 20 miles 2:59 1900ft gained
The morning started early. I've previously mentioned how I keep a log of my dreams. I will share most of last night's dream on here to give you a sample of my crazy night life. Here is what I entered into my log at 2:30am
Unbiological sista, Marceline, turned 22 today
Driving over to a convenient store in the snow. Slid through a parking spot and over a hill until I stopped in front of a tree. There were other cars down there, too that must've made the same mistake. As I opened the door a moose began climbing on the hood of my car. I stayed in. Then suddenly it ran away. I got out to go look for a way back up the hill. Once I got a few steps away from my car giant polar bears began circling me. They had the same antlers as the moose. After frantically rushing to my car, they blocked the entrance and began destroying my car. I grabbed a bike and set off down a rail road. I ended up at some school and walked inside. There was a bathroom door open and I saw Jerry Seinfeld in running clothes alongside a few of his friends. I walked in and started telling him about what had just happened. He was an asshole. I snapped a picture and left. I came back out of the bathroom to find the school had turned into a bar. I sat down and had a drink. Before I knew it I was looking at several empty glasses and oddly enough * was sitting to my side and she kept asking to leave. Then ** was the bartender handing me drinks and staring daggers through me. I attempted to go to the bathroom to reassess the situation and try to figure out where I was, but I couldn't walk well at all. I thought I was drunk, but ** came from behind the bar and wrapped a big bandage around me. One of the polar bear/moose had cut me open and I was pretty bloody, though that never came to light until then. I thanked her and she told me that I shouldn't leave with * because of the severity of the wound. I said if she wanted me to stick around just say so. She did. I went into the bathroom that Jerry was in and took a piss. When I returned to the bar, the bar was now *'s bedroom and I entered the bed. My side began hurting and I realized my bandage was gone and I was in a small pool of my blood. I tried to get up, but I couldn't sit up. After jerking enough, I rose up out of my sleep. Heart rate was pretty rapid. Calmed after a few minutes.
I must have hundreds and hundreds of entries kept in archives in my room. I like to keep track of repeating themes and faces and try and try to pick my own brain. It keeps me entertained. I don't know about you, but I hate waking up in the middle of the night when I have stuff to do early in the morning. My problem is that I often wake up in the middle of the night like today, 2:30, and my heart is racing and I am wide awake now. I know that I should try and rest some more, but it's pretty hard to fall back to sleep. And anymore I know that there is a fat chance that I won't feel as rested when I wake up in a few hours as I do now. (it's 3am while I am typing this section) There has been several occasions where I have chosen to stay awake for 3-4 hours, but crashed around 5-530. It's almost always a lose/lose situation. Tonight I think I will choose to stay awake. My legs feel like garbage, that won't change, and staying awake now will help the chance of me getting to fall asleep in the small window between runs that I can nap.
Where the cool kids hang, FIREFLY GRILL
Back from the run and going to try and do a full recap of the run before falling to sleep, but won't try too hard. <---- Literally as far as I got before I fell to sleep. A series of mistakes would be a good title for this morning. First, I drove all the way to Ohiopyle without thinking that the dirt rail trail may still be covered in ice; it was. Second, attempting to run through and around Ohiopyle via roads and wooded trails. Ohiopyle sits in a damn canyon it seems. Anyway you try to run away from it you are forced to climb, and climb, and climb. Only 5 miles of my run was on rail trail. Another 5 were on sketchy back roads, and half of the run took play tiptoeing through the woods. The exact opposite of what I wanted to do. I have never tallied more than 26 in a day, so I really had the intention of running 40 easy rail trail miles. One mistake not made by me this morning was losing at checkers. That, that was Josh's mistake. I was stunned at how many branches of trails were available to run today. I have been to Ohiopyle 20-30 times and have never left the rail trail except for one small trail loop. Ohiopyle will continue to be a longrun destination except from here on, I just may venture on some more of their endless supply of trails. Run Breakdown:
Mile 1- attempting to run down both sides of the rail trail and quitting due to footing(ice).
Mile 3- sticking my right foot in a phantom mud hole and questioning why I was running in wooded trails without trail shoes though I had trail shoes in my car.
Mile 6- navigated to a sketchy back road and dropped way back down to Ohiopyle
Mile 10- switched into trail shoes and headed down the rail trail to hit the trails that branched off from the main route.
Mile 17- borrowed Josh's watch as mine was running on fumes.
Mile 18.6- watched sputtered out and started Josh's watch for the last 1.4 miles.
Mile 20- Yay.
End of first 20 miler
This run could not have been more opposite as to what I wanted and I was forced to spend way to much energy. On the drive back to town me and Josh stopped and looked at these two fat donkeys. We saw two jackasses, and they saw the same thing. I am now certain, as I sit in the bathroom at 5:11pm that this next run will be closest thing to impossible as I have done in a long time. Knowing how much I will want to cop out I am going to run from Morgantown to Fairmont on the rail trail. Point to point and doesn't provide a place to quit. Gotta make the finish. Here's to the second 20 miler of the day! Figured the first one was so exciting, I will do it again.
Morgantown-Fairmont Rail Trail 20 miles 3:03
The finishing time is misleading as I was well on pace for finished right under 2:40, but leave to this day to continue to throw obstacles in my way. I think if I wanted my two runs to be complicated and crappy they would turn out to be easy and stress-free. Since I wanted to get the easiest 40 miles that I could, Ohiopyle's trail was frozen over and I was forced to run up and down the woods. And the last 6 miles of the end of this run was completely frozen over and a good 3-4 inches of snow. At that point in the run I was in no mental state to deal with that and my legs were too fatigued to go faster than like 11 minute pace. That was about the same time that the sun disappeared and I began seeing bats. I hate bats!
I have two quick bat stories; I don't want to frighten you too badly. Back story- Bats have followed me my entire life, just bullying me when the sun goes down. Last winter was the first time the attacked me and my friends. I think it was December '12 and Josh and I set off down the rail trail in town and a half mile into the road I caught a glimpse of a bat swooping down to my left. It swooped right by Josh's head and latched onto my shoulder. In the split second it took me to access the situation and back hand it off of me- Josh had 180'd and was a good 100 meters in the other direction. Leaving me for dead. I yelped and we both high tailed it in the other direction. Fastforward 8ish months, me, Josh, and Charlie are running out at Cooper's Rock; through the trails. We mistimed/didn't care that the sun had set on us while we were still in the woods. As we made our way back through the single track trails, I hear a thump. I am the the ass end of the line, Josh in the front. Evidently a bat smacked Josh in the chest and fluttered its wings under his chin. I saw the bat fly away from him and there couldn't have been a more intense race back to the car; or dangerous. Completely dark and the three of us were in full stride screaming and getting to the car. Bats are easily my biggest fear. Snakes easy second. So much scarier than bears, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, etc. Do you know how many times a bear has come at me? Zero. Bats come at me at every opportunity. The weird thing is, bats were in Fairmont growing up, followed me to Norman Oklahoma, and to Morgantown. Josh claims that he was never bothered by bats on runs until he started running with me. My theory is that their life goal is to take the form of a human via eating them and they all just really want to be me. Boy will they be disappointed if they succeed. Also! I have a second, better theory. When we run in the evening I can hear birds chirping, then I hear silence, then bats. I have never seen a bird at night nor a bat during the daytime. They are the same thing! Like the moon and the sun used to be until I saw them both out at the same time almost nightly. Until I see birds and bats together, they are definitely the same thing. Poor birds. Back to run #2.
Needless to say I was quite spent and completely done with running at that point. The first 5 miles were torture and I honestly almost most bailed. My left knee cap was stinging; felt like the Murphy brothers whooped up on my legs, especially that knee. I assume it is a result of all of the slipping I have done in the last few weeks on ice. Either my IB kicked in after that or the pain numbed down to a level that I couldn't feel, but the rest of the run was fine as far as that pain went. On a bright note, I had a double baconator, large frosty and candy soon after the run. I am too tired right now to go into detail, but there aren't many details to mention. I ran on a straight and boring rail trail by myself and got tired and didn't want to run any more. Luckily today was almost half of the distance of my race this June!
Yesterday I ran twice at Sabraton. 7 and 6 miles. That equals 13.
So, through 3 days this week I am up to 76 miles, tricky. Bed time for me.
Welcoming death after 40 miles on the day.
Also, I am in need of new KT tape as I will be adding some to my knee as well as continuing to hold my achilles in one piece. I don't want to get the moomoo tape this time, but I am too indecisive to choose a pattern. Comment below what pattern I should get and if you can convince me to get one, or enough people say the same design: I will go with that pattern, and show it off all the time on here. Here is a link to all of their designs- http://shop.rocktape.com/categories/Standard-Tape/
**BREAKING NEWS: I went through my settings and noticed I had it to where only registered users can comment on blogs. I changed that to 'anyone'. You can now comment anonymously. So if you have any previous blog you want to comment on- go blow up the comment box! I'd like to hear from anyone on their take on previous blogs/questions that I have asked.
March 9th
Week 3/16 for Mohican 100 miler
PA Gamelands 30k (18.6 miles) 2:36
Post run. Somehow survived even though I lost gallons of blood.
First run of the week was a solid one. The Sunday wolf pack met back up (Josh,Travis,Adam,Digs) and took to the Gamelands. With the rise in temperature we finally had the ability to run some trails. There were a few parts of the trail that had snow lingering around, but for the most part the trail was in great condition; if you don't mind mud. I suppose all of the snow was still on the trail but it transformed into the form of mud and water. Aside from a short stretch through thorns, Travis did a fine job leading the train. I think he was attempting to eliminate me from the rest of the run. Above you can see the picture of my open wound. How I finished the second half of the run with such a deep, haggard scratch really speaks to my determination and pain threshold. I seriously only cried for like...five or six minutes. This was only my second time to the Gamelands and my first in the woods. The roads out there are basically dirt so it's impossible not to get a good running surface out there. We hit 30k of straight trails and practically didn't double back on any part of the trail. Evidently we only explored about a third of the trail system, so the next 30k trail run could be in the same park and on completely new trails to me. This park is easily the best place within an hour (80 minutes) for running on trails. Cooper's Rock is good enough and only a handful of miles away, though. I'd really like to be able to do a lot of my running on the trails now; I'm not sure if we are supposed to get any snow from here on out. Hope not. I've had my share of snow for the next couple of years. This winter has been both the coldest and most accumulation of snow in my memory. Global warming either doesn't exist or forgot about this area.
Awesome mud cut off from my my socks. Look at dem white feet.
After the run I picked up some food from one of my favorite places to eat; Kenyan Cafe. If you are ever in Morgantown and want to try something that you probably don't have all of the time- Kenyan Cafe is the place for you! I had every intention of snapping a picture of the delicious meal that I had, but it smelt so good and I was so hungry that I forgot about the picture until there were only a few bites left. I'll give you a mental picture. Shut your eyes. Are they shut? Now picture a lamb stew with kale, veggies, mandazi bread, and a masala tea. If you read that with your eyes shut, that is pretty cool...pretty cool. I also had more orange banana juice; which is awful, so don't buy any of my juice..my juice. Sidenote- if you notice my moomoo KT tape on my achilles and would like some or other really awesome designs, check out Rocktape HERE. And if you are one of those people who do not believe in KT tape, think it's all 'mental', you can suck a butt. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm right you're wrong. I learned that when I used to go to Sunday School. Seems to be the answer to everything.
Have to admit, I felt decently accomplished today until I was driving home from Kenyan Cafe and stopped behind a car with the best bumper sticker ever. I tried to take a picture, but my phone sucks when it comes to doing things like taking pictures, getting online, calling, text messaging, but it's really good at other things such as hide and seek, turning off while charging over night so it doesn't wake me up in the morning, and jumping out of my in the least opportune times. It's a hate/love relationship. It loves me, I hate it. Anyways, noticed this bumper sticker and laughed; causing masala tea to awkward make it from my mouth to my nostrils. It was hot and uncomfortable. 3 hours later when I sniff I still smell/taste tea so that it isn't that bad of a situation. That bumper sticker made me go from feeling accomplished to completely inferior; both of that driver's completed tasks today and his ability to find and place funny bumper stickers on his car. My only bumper stickers are Morgantown Running and Siesta Key (SK) sticker. Neither make me laugh, but I did enjoy both of them until here recently. Twice now I have been confronted by Saskatchewanadians who are like 'You from Saskatchewan, aye?' My natural response upstairs is Why would anyone be from Saskatchewan? Both times I just said no and stared at them until they stopped eagerly smiling at me. I assume they were smiling because both times it happened out at Cooper's Rock when there was a thick sheet of snow on the roads and they were cross skiing. I blame the local Canadians for the amount of snow we received this winter. My favorite goaltender is from Regina, that's the only I'm so nice to that area. Also, Moose Jaw is an awesome name for a city. That's all I know about that state of Canada. I also know they only have 13 states (provinces in French). It's like, c'mon Canada it's not 1776.
Favorite Goalie Ever/Only Goalie Autographed puck I own
Josh Harding (left) has such a beaut stache going in that picture. He was leading the league in save percentage and goals against per game this season before he had a season ending injury. Last year he even led Minnesota Wild to a victory in the playoffs against the soon to be Stanley Cup Champions Blackhawks. 2nd rd pick in '02 by Minnesota he has been a lifer with the team. For years he served as the back up, but this year he won out the role of the starter. The only reason I am sharing this is because I mentioned my favorite goalie from Regina and he's been on my mind a lot recently. Last year he was diagnosed with MS(Multiple Sclerosis) and missed most of last season while he figured out his medication. They say MS is different for every person who gets it, so I assume that process was trial and error. This year he came into the season not only able to play at the NHL level, but was in the best shape of his life and was putting up league leading stats. He was already my favorite goalie prior to the diagnosis because he's such a class act and had such a passion for both the game and the organization. The diagnosis couldn't of happened to a less deserving person; of course no one deserves that. I'm worried that he won't return to the ice again, but regardless he has made a great mark in the league and on the Wild team. I hope that he finds time to join the staff after his playing days do end; that would be amazing. He has started a foundation to raise awareness for MS, Harding's Hope, as well as raise money to help those with MS or those with family members suffering from the disease. Definitely something to check out. Here's a link to his foundation- http://www.hardingshope.org/about-ms/
Being an avid follower of the Wild for 5+ years and nothing short of a fanatic, I view every member of the team as family. It absolutely breaks my heart that this has happened and I wish him the best moving forward. MS may shorten his playing days, but he will forever continue to inspire anyone who come in contact with him and be a boss of a dad. I would love to get to talk to him in person one day; one of the many solid role models within that organization.
Sabraton Rail Trail 4.4 miles 34:50
I ran again this evening knowing that my legs would be absolutely dead. My rationale was- maybe every run after a harder trail run feels like crap; if I run tonight, I will feel better tomorrow morning. I can not access the validity of that thought until tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Generally I am wrong about things like that, reasoning is always a little off. We shall see. I am going to sleep like Patrick Star tonight.
BRACKET CHALLENGE: Selection Sunday is 7 days away, but I will give a link to my ESPN group throughout the week. I want to get as many people in my group as possible. There WILL be prizes for the best brackets. The winner will get a shirt or hat to their favorite sport team. (out of Digem's pocket)Doesn't have to be a college basketball team, if you're like me you don't want a college t-shirt or hat. So whatever your favorite team is, in any sport, you will get a shirt or hat if you win. If More than 12 people join, I will make the prizes for the top 3 brackets. More than 25 top 5 brackets will get prizes.
Saturday March 8th
Conclusion to week 2/16 for Mohican 100 miler.
I didn't bother adding the mileage for this week, 10 miles yesterday and another 8 planned today. I chalked the week up to a bust and began planning out an epic week of training! First workout geared toward the 100 miler, PB for most miles in a week, and a lot of good reads via Digem's Trails! I'll raise my glass of Orange/Banana juice to that. I tried that out while grocery shopping; wouldn't recommend it. Don't want people stealing my drank. Last night reeked of awesomeness because Luke from Wheeling Jesuit came down for his 22nd birthday and brought the entire gang. 8 cardinals and me hit downtown Morgantown last night and it must have been tantalizing as hell for the town. All the bros headed east on the PA turnpike for spring break and in poured in the coolest group of guys around and I know Morgantown thinks that is going to be normal now, but the bros will return. And all but one cardinal must return to their nest, too. We are fortunate enough to keep Russell. The two of us had quite the run on the pool tables last night. Don't wanna brag, but if our bladders weren't overflowing, I think we would still be there putting on a show. Only exciting news about today, aside from the 5 greatest albums of all time, I am officially in my trimester! It's going to be a super burrito from Chico's Fat <3 Tasted so good going down, but I'm on borrowed time as far as keeping that s.o.b in me. Luckily I have this to do during pregnancy. And yes, 2/5 of the top 5 list was typed up during labor; enjoy.
You are about to learn about the five greatest albums of all time. This isn't a disputable list because my mind can only be changed by myself, but I assume no one has an identical list. I also assume that if I say these are the best albums ever someone may take it for fact; that is what we are raised to do, not ask questions. So take this list as fact, but it will change in coming years as most facts do. I will start with a few albums that were just on the outside of my top five for a few reasons.
Passenger's All the Little Lights is very close to a top five spot. I haven't sunk my teeth into this beautiful man's music until recently; making my feelings less strong for his work. Out of the 16 track on this album I give 12-13 an A with ease; All the Little Lights, the track is an amazing song about life. Doesn't get more broad and relatable than that. I am a sucker for male singers from his region which probably boosts him higher on my list than morons who can not just lay and listen to he, James Blunt, The Kooks, and other English speaking non-Americans sing. I'd exchange draws in a heartbeat with a Brit. The most known track on the album is Let Her Go which is a brilliant song, but it doesn't mesh too well with me as it seems to with the mass public. Perhaps it's because I have never let anyone go that I didn't want to go. Things That Stop You Dreamin is one of the best songs ever and I can't relate to most songs as well as I do with Wrong Direction. Common themes in his album is tobacco and internet porn; I can only relate to 50% of those things. But relatability, gonna make that word up, doesn't necessarily make or break a song for me. As long as it kicks ass, I like it. If you look up Mr. Rosenberg you will notice that he looks close enough to me to where you might think I give him extra credit for that semi-fact; you would be right.
Elliott Smith's Either/Or, Avett Brothers' Emotionalism, and every album written by Conor Oberst is off of the list because I wanted to list five separate artists to project a false sense of variety in my music listening. All three of these men write pure gold and have three extremely different voices; all beautiful in their own ways. I will discuss them in thick in a few seconds/minutes (pending on how quickly you read). My first iPod had nothing on it but Either/Or on it for months! Those were some damn good months. When I find something I don't hate I usually hold on to it. I discovered very early on that I loved video games, ice cream, and pizza. I have had a steady diet of those three activities for my entire life. Yes, eating is certainly an activity though I treat is as a chore sometimes. All of my closest friends I meshed with the first time hanging out and we've been tight ever since. Not in my nature to make things complicated. There are a lot of things/people I haven't gotten along with initially and I only eat them once and move on. Getting off track, pun kind of intended. I saw it coming. Also, Kurt Cobain is one of my favorite people to have lived. His biography Heavier Than Heaven will force you to fall in love with that beautiful angel. Nevermind is a classic and a lock for the 6-10 spot in my ranks. If I had a list of top five albums and could use the same artist, it would be just these three probably. But I don't make the rules, only enforce them. Also, I make the rules.
Let's get this started! #5- Blind Pilot's 3 Rounds And A Sound
is still pretty new to me. The other four albums on this list have been
in my arsenal for 5+ years and this group have only welcomed me this
past year. I have the aspirations of watching these stellar folks live. They are just as sweet live as they are recorded from what I have heard. Also, I want to listen to my favorite musicians while I can. You never know when that opportunity will escape you through either a Yoko Ono or a Kurt Cobain. Sidenote, I apologize Blind Pilot, I referenced the Beatles but I could not feel more strongly about how damn over rated they are. The best band ever? No. Sometimes you can wrestle the kids of this generation to a 'Well they were the first, so the best' or some shit along those lines. That is absurd! They are rubbish. If someone said listen to the Beatles, they are alright- I would and I would say yep they aren't too bad. But when people cram it in your face and promise the best thing in the world I am critical. Even if they were the first Great Band, that doesn't make them the best. Roger Bannister wouldn't qualify for NCAAs in the mile today, he's not the best miler ever. The Beatles are not the best ever. Now John Lennon post Beatles is the closest thing this world has probably seen to a God. If you don't love Imagine then you are deaf, dumb, and blind. Back to the good good. 3 Rounds and a sound is one of those albums that have 11 great songs, but when listened to in order (like it should be) turn into epic songs. This album is what will be playing Summer '16 when I attempt to make a permanent run to the Rockies. And not the baseball club, I quit that sport after getting hit a handful of times. I figured- I don't have to stand here(in the batter's box) and take this crap. Shit hurts. Take a fast ball to the small of the back and tell me you want to play baseball. I prefer my pain via not little balls being thrown at me by men much manlier than me.
Like I said, the entire album is great. I could talk up each individual song. I'll pick...2. Two Towns From Me is great because I habitually build friendships with distance in between us. On purpose. The closer one of the opposite sex is to you, the more they expect from you. I hate expectations, makes me lazy. Lemme alone. It's perfect if you think about it. Talk when you want, they can't have their nose in your business; but some nights it'd be nice if that distance was only two towns. One Red Thread is greatness in one line. Oh man, oh man, you can do what you want. How is that not simply gold? I hate it when people are not doing what you want. I also hate when people ask me why I am doing anything. The answer is always the same: I want to. Regardless of what I am doing, I want to be doing it. There are a few exceptions that life forces you to do, but those events never seem to stick in my memory. "Whatever, whatever, I do what I want"- the great thinker Eric Cartman. Oviedo and The Story I Heard are both brilliant and probably should be the first two tracks to introduce the album. If I ever learn how to play the guitar, The Story I Heard is on my first cover EP. Got it allllll planned out. Thing I Can't Recall as well as 3 Rounds And A Sound have cliche themes that most of us can relate to. Ever went to high school? Maybe a school dance with a girlfriend once or twice? These will be quick to trigger those bitter memories. I mean sweet memories.. Just like that I've touched on over half of the album. I will get carpal tunnel if I touch on every song on this list; there's a lot. Plus I want you *'s to listen to my tunes. Future reference, I will be using Kurt Vonnegut's * to replace the word asshole. If you haven't read Vonnegut I will assume you have not read/can't read. Here is a song I didn't even mention yet, this makes it 7/11 references. Which makes me think of one of the worst brain freezes I've ever had. Took place last week with a Taco Bell slushy; I literally crumbled to my knees and prayed for death. Actually almost vomited. It was intense.
#4- Elliott Smith's New Moon. Elliott Smith touches me in a way no one else has ever been able to. The is probably because there will forever only be king of tragedy; king of heartbreak. When you are listening to a band that raises their voices when they want to express emotion, you obviously know that they are passionate or that they want to portray themselves as such. Elliott doesn't have to raise is voice to get his feelings across; not to me at least. I have met a lot of people who don't connect with his music like I do. But they don't connect with me either. This man has the sweetest voice ever. You can turn the volume all the way up and still be able to have a gentle conversation with someone next to you. But that would be disrespectful. The only way to really feel Elliott Smith is to lock yourself in a room with nothing but Elliott Smith and enter his world. Warning: it is not for the easily depressed. I can not stand when people bash his work for being 'too depressing' or 'too sad' to listen to. That's what you get when you write about life, grow up. I hate musicians that write annoying beats and stupid lyrics that people listen to while avoiding their depression. Elliott Smith has never made me an ounce more depressed than I was before listening to his music. I measure my depression in ounces. Happy to report it is dry. Elliott Smith enhances my evaluations on my life. Sometimes I get criticized for only having a few artists in my iTunes. I get comments like 'You don't even use your iTunes.' My response is shut up Cadence the Corgi you don't even have iTunes; and check the times played stat! (Cadence is my only company/ iTunes critic/ life critic.) Every track of New Moon has over 400 hits on my iTunes. And yes I can recite the 24 track album. Back to what I was saying about enhancing my evaluations. Every night I try to evaluate why things happen and why I feel like I feel. I am a closet over thinker. Shh. I have a book that serves as a dream log; once I wake up I write in detail everything that happened in my dreams. Constantly trying to figure everything out and often jumping to conclusions. Elliott's music will open up your mind and allow you to think about every little thing that you try to not think about. That's why I say if you are a little chickenshit, don't listen to it. You may fall into a depression if you can't handle thinking about life. Keep in mind, there's nothing wrong with crying. I do it all the time. If you haven't cried in awhile here you go-
Now wipe those tears off, thank Will Smith for being the best actor of all time at one point in his career, and let's continue. As far as hits go for tracks, you honestly can't go wrong with any of the songs. High Times, All Cleaned Out, New Monkey, Angel in the Snow are all so so good. If you have ever watched a sitcom in the last twenty years you have heard Thirteen and you didn't even know it! It's a beautiful song that makes me mad. I don't know why, but I get salty listening to that song. I do know why actually. Ever watched MTV when it made sense for the network to be called Music Television? I sure didn't! But if you did, you probably watched Elliott's legendary Miss Misery music video. If you click the word Miss Misery it will take you to the video because this blog is fancy as fish. Elliott Smith is on human that I would have loved to have met in this lifetime; perhaps next one. Taking your own life is always selfish in a sense, but I am grateful that he has left his mark on this planet. And honestly, he isn't gone. Like I said, the s.o.b has 400+ listens just on my iTunes and I rarely use that as a form of listening to music. I listen to him every night; he is my co-night owl. And he will ride this crazy ride with me until it ends and I hopefully get to meet him and listen to him play live. So, New Moon was released after he passed away. Technically the last song released just happens to be one of my favorite. It holds such passion; hatred. A perfect one to end on. I have listen to it close to a thousand times and it still gives me chills; whether I'm driving or lying in bed. I think those chills is Elliott's way of saying he appreciates how much I appreciate him. Or perhaps it's his way of saying, you're feeling what you are suppose to feel! While lying here typing this up I had
a disgustingly dark epiphany. My most recent tattoo wasn't tweeked at the last minute
to a dagger going through a heart and bleeding ink. There is other symbolic meaning behind the tattoo, but I can't tell you all everything. Then I'd have no secrets that you unlock after a few dates. Dagger through the heart- the way Mr. Smith himself exited this world. I subconsciously got a tattoo that tributes one of my favorite humans of all time. He will continue to help me with my journey. Here is the king himself!! ->>
#3- Avett Brothers' I and Love and You is my favorite album of theirs and was really hard to pinpoint as third. I enjoy the Avetts more than the artists I mention at #2, but they have an album that is all around the greatest album ever constructed. Second greatest to be exact. It was also hard to put this album on here because these guys make so many great albums! Emotionalism, Mignonette, The Carpenter would probably be the next three in line for me. All excellent albums by the same wonderful men. I recently saw these fabulous performers for the third time as they came to Morgantown to lift my spirits. If I had to choose a band to play with, or sing with; I enjoy singing more than playing even though I am not a good singer. Actually I think I am because I enjoy it. That's a good one. Their songs are my favorites to crank up in my car and just go crazy singing. I get so damn into it, more into it than any other music; yet so much less into it than they get. I think watching those guys is a preview to the joy I will feel when watching a child do what they love doing. I get so much happiness from watching them perform or even listening to them not live; you can tell that they couldn't be happier doing what they are doing. And that makes everyone around them happier. If you can sit through an Avett Brothers concert and not leave happier; still not in a good mood, you're a hopeless prick. Life is short and meaningless/meaningful so enjoy it. I try to enjoy it half as much as these guys do. Plus, have you seen a more beautiful set of brothers?
I and Love and You couldn't be in a tighter race for my favorite with Emotionalism. Honestly, my absolute favorite song, aside from November Blue, is Ballad of Love and Hate. It is one of the best poems I've ever read. Sometimes I just get online and read it. Granted, Seth Avett tells the story so much better than you can tell it to yourself. I was all warm inside when he told me the Ballad I have memorized for the past few years. It's an amazing feeling to know all the words and feel like you are singing with your idols, regardless of how far away you are standing from the stage. But I gave the nod to this album. 13 can not be seen unlucky anymore, because these 13 tracks have each been my daily favorite song on several occasions. I credit the Avetts' I and Love and You for the relocation of the Brooklyn Nets and soon to be Brooklyn Islanders. No one asked nicer for Brooklyn to take them in than these brothers. January Wedding is one of my favorite songs when I think about caring about someone and makes me want to get married in January just so I can pay them all of my money to sing that at my wedding. Holy hell! Is my favorite oxymoron. Could you imagine Avetts as a wedding band? No way. There's a tig ol chance I won't have wedding in any month due to my love for doing things my way. Who knows. I sure don't. There isn't one song that isn't therapeutic to listen to and sing along with. I enjoy each, but Head Full of Doubt, Kick Drum Heart, and Tin Man are three songs that I think outsiders will enjoy. Sometimes I pretend to know what the normal people would dig. I plan on devoting days and days surrounding myself with the rest of their work and continuing to love these Appalachian men. When I think of this area and try to find some sense of pride I think......Avetts are from this stretch of mountains. Like everyone on this list, these men have been extremely influential on my life and decisions. I plan on seeing these performers as often as I can and aspire to be able to shake hands with them one day. Or touch beards once I grow mine back out. I'm a baby face beech right meow. Really doesn't help me when I get ID'd because I show no resemblance to the man that I was with my beard. I look like his younger sister now. It's hard for me to talk about the Avett Brothers and out of all five artists I honestly believe that it's safe to say that they are the last ones that I have to pitch to my audience. If you're going to listen to music, just listen to anything by these men; can't go wrong. Laundry Room is my favorite track on this album and one of my favorite songs ever written. It stings like a blade in the ribs, but it hurts so good. Plus, if you ever hear them rev up this song you are guaranteed a treat at the end as they always shred to end the song. It's impressive as shit and probably the only time you'll see me willingly dance. There's an abundance of excellent live versions of this song; no known versions to not be excellent. But I like this video the best because there's no crowd, just the brothers.
#2- Death Cab for Cutie's Transatlanticism is a brilliantly constructed album. Maybe the best flowing album ever. I do love each song individually, but I don't really care to hear any of them standing alone. I feel like this album is the greatest song ever written. And it's impossible to not listen to on repeat because the final song leads right back into the introduction; it's majestic, like cookie dough that's wrapped around mixers. Like I mentioned in #3, I do like Avett Brothers more than Death Cab in the big picture, but as far as albums go: I think this album trumps any individual album of the Avetts. One hit wonder in a sense. I don't know the actual runtime in comparison to the other albums, but this one seems to be the shortest. Perhaps it feels that way because it all sounds like one song to me. Like the previous albums, I enjoy turning it up and jamming out with Death Cab. Who wouldn't want to jam with these fellas?
The New Year - Lack of Color almost seems like the circle of life to me. Seriously, I want to know if others think this, too. I think this album is one big book basically. It's the best story ever told over an eleven song album. I love everything about every single song and they couldn't not transition any better than they do. There are several songs that have the potential to break me down: Title and Registration, We Looked Like Giants, Expo '86, A Lack of Color. Some of them make me feel a very warm numbness: Tiny Vessels, The Sound of Settling, Passenger Seat. By this numbness I mean they hit nerves in me when I lie back and listen to them that make me feel emotionless; Tiny Vessels summarizes my second life that is everything, but emotion. Lightness may be the most relaxing song I have ever heard and I have turned it on to calm my nerves if anxiety ever tries to settle in. I am pretty good at keeping that knight at bay. I haven't been able to describe how the song Transatlanticism makes me feel, but it is worthy of sharing the title of the album; such a great song. The instrumentals alone in this album are just amazing. If Death Cab did not have the most beautiful voice I think it would ruin the quality of the instruments that are easily my favorite of the 5 albums. Not easily. It's just music that I can listen to in any environment. That's before you throw in some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. Which is abnormal from Death Cab; I don't think they have great lyrics and they are not that great outside of this album. They are okay; I own all of their music, but it's several levels below this album. Most everything is though. I'm trying to think of a video/song to share from the album but it's the second hardest decision ever. Behind deciding what song to share on the greatest album ever. Here you go: Sneak peak into life outside of running. No going back now. Crackin the spine to my book. Soundtrack to my life. However you wanna word it. Honestly, this is my favorite music video because I feel like someone followed me around with cameras to shoot it.
#1!!!!! Bright Eyes' I'M WIDE AWAKE IT'S MORNING is the greatest album of all time written and sung by the greatest artist on Earth. Conor Oberst is hands down the most influential man in my life that I have never met. He is practically my best friend. Patrick is my best friend. Conor practically is. Back in '07 Patrick handed me Lifted (another Bright Eyes album) and I vividly recall crawling onto my old water bed, turning all of the lights off, putting headphones on, and evolving into the person I am today. I love everything Conor has written and own everything I could get my hands on. He has been putting great music out since he was 13! <---- Click that, little son of a gun was 13 when he wrote/played that. Prodigy. I think this man shits gold. I can't wait to finally be blessed by his presence in May. My first leg tattoo is a direct image of one of the symbols Conor uses in this album and has the title to one of his songs on another album written on my leg. So yes, he's my favorite and forever will be. Until Patrick makes it BIG. Then I will manage his band wagon. Since I was 14 years old, Conor has been in my ears; guiding me through life. I hope I never meet him in person because there is no way I could keep my cool. I'd have to say he is my biggest obsession. He has brought so much clarity to my life and is always there when I need anything. Granted, it is my choice who is there when it comes to music. First of all, he has my favorite voice in the world. Far from the best singer in the world, but my favorite. 2nd, lyrical god. Best lyrics in the world. He has written a cure to anything that could possibly be bothering you. I hate it when people say this about celebrity figures or people they have never met in person, but I'm a do it.... I love Conor Oberst. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for him and I oddly feel like he'd be the same way to me. Because the only thing I would ask him for is a chance to hang out.
Track by Track here we go:
At The Bottom Of Everything is an awesome story turned song by Conor. I will probably post this video below because I really like the video. It's an epic tale of a plane crash and the celebration that goes on by all of the passengers on the way to the ocean. It's a great song that hits damn near every part of the life and makes you sing along. Originally it was named Sing Sing Sing, probably because that series of sing's comes up in the lyrics and because it is such a catchy song. This song has been stuck in my head since Algebra 1 class. What a humbling ending to the song, too. I'm happy just because... I found out I am really no one!
We Are Nowhere And It's Now is the song I listen to EVERYtime that I feel like socializing and going downtown. I feel like this song tells the tale of life as a young adult. You are nowhere and seem to be going nowhere. A little repetition in life without much of a clue as to what the next chapter brings. This is the first reference to what I got tattooed on the side of my leg. I got no plans and too much time, feel too restless to unwind. I absolutely love the bar scene in this song. It is beautiful. This whole album is beautiful. Only word there is to describe it.
Old Soul Song starts with a grey day in New York City, so it must have been one of the prettier days. I love this song so much. It reminds me of walking around with a friend in NYC and just being out anywhere with a friend. Young love and awkwardness. That could've been the titled of this blog if I chose a different theme for my entries.
Lua is a fan favorite I would assume. Another NYC adventure with a friend. Such an incredible outlook on life. What's so simple in the evening by the morning never is. Everyone should be able to relate to how everything changes with the moon. At nighttime you will never think like you do in the morning. Every one of these songs can be pegged as an anthem to living. This song gives me chills. I can't finger what memory it triggers, but it definitely hits home. It's weird, this is the only song I won't sing along with even though I know the words. It is just something that I have to listen to. Conor is enchanting in this song, to sing along would be disrespectful. This song is a piece of art.
Train Under Water was for a very long stretch my favorite song. Especially the ending of the song. This transitions into the next song better than any two songs go together. Riding around this island, looking for something to open my eyes. Unlike the previous two songs, back alone and looking for a hand to help you out of the shadows. Meanwhile helping your peers that are also in the shadows.
First Day of My Life is the most popular Bright Eyes song and I resent it slightly for that. It is one of the most optimistic songs Conor ever wrote. And it is the greatest happy, new love song there is. I love every single line of it and the sweetness of the lyrics gave it no choice but to be well known by everyone. I could talk for days about each of these songs, but my hands are breaking on me. If for some chance you haven't listened to it, I'll post it above here. It's a great video, too.
Another Travelin' Song is the first song me and Patrick will play on every road trip just to be cliche. Every time that I listen to this song and I am not traveling across the country, I am damn close to switching my route and leaving for my sanctuaries. This has also been my favorite song for a very long stretch; all of these have been. That is why this is the greatest album; these are ten of the greatest songs ever written. All on one CD, how convenient. Now I'm hunched over a typewriter, I guess you call that paintin in a cave. And there's a word a can't remember and a feeling I cannot escape.... Now my ashtray's overflowin I'm still starin at a clean white page! Oh and mornings at my window, she is sending me to bed again.
Landlocked Blues is Emmylou Harris at her prettiest. They sing so well together and tell such an epic tale. Just....listen to it! That's all I can say. I can't explain music well; I have done none of these artists or songs any justice. This is such a great song. I can't write about it because I am listening to it now. Hundreds of songs on shuffle and this song comes on while I am writing about it...Madness.
Poison Oak continues the blues as it looks back on those you have lost. We will always lose people and we will always have to think back to times when we were with old friends. Having lost more people close to me than most people twice my age I have taught myself to remember and move on without being drug down too deep. I do fear that I am desensitized to events that no one should be. This song is beautiful and I think when he's sitting on the piano singing about how the sound of loneliness makes him happier changed me in my sad days. I translated that as having to be able to live on your own; loving yourself. Because it is inevitable that you will be alone for stretches of time and if you can't keep it together while alone, you're going to have troubles. My tattoo is referenced for the second time in this song.
Road To Joy ends the mourning and we begin to rejoice and move forward a better person. This is my anthem to living. It's the perfect ending to a perfect album. The sun is coming up with no conclusions today. I could have been a famous singer, if I had someone else's voice.
I'm Wide Awake! It's morning.
I seriously did not do any of this music justice, go listen for yourself.
I hope you enjoyed the list. You should have gotten some quality tunes in just from the links. If you liked the list, share the blog! Or comment your thoughts below. If you didn't like it, share the blog or leave your comments below. I will happily read all of your negative thoughts.
I just realized that I have subconsciously numbered my blogs as if they were comic books. Growing up I loved reading comic books. And by 'growing up' I mean I still pick up a comic book when convenient. I have the first 50 in the 1984 series of The Flash. Thought about getting all 282ish, but that would involve doing stuff.
Thursday March 6th
Cooper's Rock 8 miles 60 minutes
The weather is still trapped in the thirties, but that is excellent running weather as long as the roads are clear. I love running in pants and a jacket, but I do not enjoy 'needing' pants, so the thirties is kind of my jam. I decided this morning that upon entering my car after runs, or anything really, I am at least fifty years older. When I park and hop out of my car I don't think twice about the volume of my music; just jamming out. But when I get into my car after a run, my car blows my hair back and I frantically turn down the music cursing these damn kids and their loud tunes. By the time I get to my next destination the volume is back to its heights. Perhaps I just get used to the music blasting, or perhaps every time I leave my car there is a little troll in my car 'Car Troll' is what the townspeople call him; and he turns my music up while I'm out and snickers in the backseat when I get startled. I know what you're thinking- oh a troll in the car that's scary! It's not like a Chucky doll that suffocates you from behind; it's a cute troll. He is uglier than sin, but it makes for a colorful personality.
Terra Cafe 8 miles 62 minutes
Rail trail gang formed with Josh and Jillybean. I don't call her that, but I call her that. We are now 1-0 in rail trail turf wars. That is all. Post run I returned to the place where I am loved to join up with Patrick and Chris as we attempt to become the coolest trivia trio ever. 80% success rate I'd imagine.
First time in Terra for a couple of weeks. I think there was an old lady gathering in the back again. That happens from time to time. There may be nothing more annoying with eavesdropping on older ladies talking amongst themselves. But I can't help but do it for the same reason I watch the first three quarter of NBA games sometimes. It's fun to intentionally annoy yourself from time to time. Recently I have had to try to annoy myself. I have been in the best place over the last two or three months. Honestly can't think of a happier time in my life. Reasons- a stampede of small things. Since I am at my peak happiness in this life to this point I figure there is no better time to go hating. I've been known to do things such as make parodies just to draw out hatred and see how people react. That's one of my biggest forms of entertainment. Here are a few of my hates:
Flake Flake Flaky people. I rarely make plans in advance because I can't stand backing out of plans or people that back out. So as a flake-proof plan, I never make plans more than a day or so ahead of present time. Flaking is the one trait I have made an effort to eliminating. If someone flakes on me, they miss 3-4 consecutive invites to things that I would otherwise invite them, too. That's the justice system, I just make the rules and enforce them.
Stupidity in the streets. Before the roundabout in Morgantown I had far less complaints about idiots that took full advantage of the easy driving test and have a license when they shouldn't. Yield mean stops, Stops mean yield, and Roundabouts mean turn left... Today was comical on my way to Terra. This car was trying pull out and go left on Burroughs St, right down the hill from Colin's Ferry Rd. and I wouldn't have let her pull out in front of me but it was an oriental woman so I had no choice. Sure enough when I waved her on she floored it! In reverse. I loved every second of her mishap. And did not let her out.
I could go on and on, but I'd rather here what everyone else hates. This song covers a lot of my hates and is cooler than reading my list. Take a listen, POST your hate(s), and come hating with me and Passenger!
The streets of Fairmont unwillingly hosted my run yesterday, but that feels normal after years of running through Fairmont. Speaking of Fairmont ' the friendly city ' I have another story that shows exactly how friendly that town is. Technically my home town, but I hate it and it hates me so it's awkward. Last night (TUESDAY) I caught up with Patrick since he is in for spring break. We went over to Chauncy's, doubt I spelled that correctly, and watched a few basketball games and had a drink or two. Whenever we left to drive the mile and a half to his house I said "that guy just got pulled over" because I saw the lights behind us two cars as we pulled out of Chauncys. Two turns later we are a block from our destination and the same lights flash behind me. I pull over and another story with enforcement begins... License and registration is handed over and before I know it the cop is in my back seat searching all over Tank. Which is comical because my back seats/boot is a mountain of just the most random stuff. I saw the flashlight go over toilet paper, running shorts, backpacks, a dozen shoes, blankets (one of which he lifted to find more blankets), pillows, etc. I told him he could take everything out if he'd liked, but he wasn't really listening to me. Out of the car- my next order. Thankfully I didn't get slapped with the backwards ABCs gag because I can't accomplish that in any state. Z...X, T, P I don't know who the hell reads backwards, this isn't Japan. I got to balance on one leg and count to 30, walk ten steps turn, and walk back, (I felt like a supermodel. Dream- achieved.) Then the good ol breathalyzer. Before taking a swig, I asked why he pulled me over and he responded "Look at your car." At first I was thinking damn, I know it's dirty but c'mon. Burnt out headline, of course! Everyone knows that with a burnt out headlight that you get all but an anal cavity search. Of course I blow well under the legal limit because I was completely okay (.079) and he starts talking to his large sidekick who made me laugh because he wore his cap in the strangest way. I hear them say 'well there was no quick jerks and used his turn signals' then it hit me... I was being assassinated. They come back and demanded to follow me to Patrick's. I'm assuming they let me drive because I was driving perfect beforehand. They follow us to his house and leave. I was in shock at the fact that they treated me like I threw a beer bottle out of my window at them after offering them a puff. They both seemed noticeably disappointed that I was completely clean. I assume they were in relation to the county Athletic Director FRANK MOORE. He doesn't like me. This one time I attempted to amp up a dull circle of runners and he tried to suspend me from the cross country team and four years later when I applied for the West Fairmont Middle School track job they didn't give it to me due to that event four years earlier. Being the only applicant, there was no track team last spring. Hilarious. He's had it out for me forever which is funny. Fairmont has been like Drago to me over the years, just swinging their hardest and causing minimal damage. Who knows one day I may raise my dukes back. Let's hope not, because we all know Drago's fate in Rocky 4. Anyways, at this point in the night I could have used a drink. So, my pops being the man came across town and picked me up and we went and got a drink at the Derby before heading back to his place to kick it for the night.
Today I only managed 10 miles through Fairmont, but the weather is getting better so I should be able to climb back to 80 with some normalcy in my days returning. Back to doubles. Next week will be a huge week. I don't want to spoil too much but from Sunday-Saturday I will run more than I ever have before; starting off with an awesome group run in PA. Another crappy blog, in my opinion but I will step up the entertainment value in the coming days as well. I have a few really cool ideas to share with the world through here. Absolutely stoked that each blog is averaging 120 views already. Keep sharing it with everyone and I will do my best to keep providing laughs in the future.
This week has not gone as planned already, but no worries. Woke up Sunday to being snowed in. Granted, had I woken before 2pm, I may have been able to get my long run in. I'll maneuver my long run in here in a day or so. My original plan was another 100 mile week, but with the most recent storm, I am lowering my week plans to 80 miles. In 6 days of running that's close to a 100 mile full week. It all depends on the snow. I can only take so much slipping and sliding and I'm pretty sure I crossed that threshold a week or so ago. I have a very good feeling that you all will hear my harsh rant on everything I hate about treadmills and nothing I like about treadmills in the coming days. After the mile race I swallowed another Pizza Al's pizza and hit downtown for the night with some friends. I ran into probably the only dozen high school classmates I'd want to run into and the night turned out to be a lot of fun which isn't too common with downtown life. Hence, waking up at 2pm. Highlight of Saturday, aside from drawing blood on the track, was running a pool table for a good five or six games with my friend Jordan. It was a highlight because we suck at pool. Billiards is a cooler name, not sure why anyone calls it pool. Billiards sounds so official; sophisticated. Now I prefer pool over billiards.
In place of running Sunday I had a crazy busy day in and around the house... Josh and I took Cadence the Corgi on a hike through the thick woods behind the house. And we learned a thing or two about extremely local geography. From there I whipped open my first ever set of Legos and began building the Delorean. After an hour or so I thought it was completed, but I messed up somewhere. I'd say a quarter of the way through I noticed that my car didn't look 100% like the picture for that step, but thought 'eh, you won't be able to tell the difference in the end'. Well being a Lego newbie and really lazy, I didn't think that I wouldn't be able to fully finish the car without doing every step perfectly. I am convinced that the one small thing I skipped was the only imperative piece to the entire set. I took a short cut to get to the finish faster which in the end caused me to take it all apart and I will try it again on another slow day. I love irony. Especially when I'm the one not benefiting from it. Sometimes I just wanna sock me.
From there I took a few minutes to piece together the video above and watched my fantasy hockey team struggle all day. Sounds like the day of fun is coming to a close? NOPE! I happened to remember that Netflix finally put the original Pokemon Indigo League up for me; no one else. I prayed to the Netflix gods the night before that happened, no shit. I had began re-watching the series via YouTube and that was extremely annoying. Then I saw the dvds online for sale and I almost broke down and bought them because I needed to watch them again so bad. In desperation I reached out to the Netflix gods, unaware of their existence, and by Netflix gods, they came through. I can now catch the first 52 pokemon episodes on Netflix. Let the snow continue to fall! With the most recent addition to my beliefs, I shall list and briefly describe the Gods that I believe in.
River Gods: Up the road in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania (weird name, right?) the Yough River runs along my favorite stretch of rail trails and through Ohiopyle which is the coolest little town in the area. My junior year of high school track was coming to an end and I was on my last long run with a group of local high school runners and a few miles in a had the sharpest pain I've had to this day in my shin. One week til state and I was going to get hurt. I cut the run way short and went and soaked in the freezing river and talked to the river. The river serves as our ice baths because it's always cold and I forget why, but I linked the wiki page to the river in the first sentence of this paragraph if you care to learn a thing or two. Anyways, come out of the river and can't feel anything for ten or so minutes. Never felt the pain again. I had been spared by the river.
Video Game Gods: From making you shoot rubber bullets in Call of Duty after rage quitting to making it impossible for the computer not to make a comeback in NBA 2k, there are dozens of gods in the video game world. Too many to explain in detail so I will just shotgun the first view that come to mind. Call of Duty Goddess- she is a fair, yet brutal Goddess. If you can save a downed friend playing zombies but claim you can't because you want more points or that person is being stupid, you will be eaten by zombies; rightfully so you bad teammate. If you wine openly over the mic for me to hear through my television louder than my music, you will get continue to suck and eventually quit; rightfully so. And if you go around stealing kills, you will get something stolen in real life; rightfully so. Those are the ways of the Goddess; been that way since Call of Duty 4. Sport gods: in every sporting game, especially when playing a guest, the game will do its best to make the game as close as they can. Whether it is letting the opposing goalie make phantom saves, home runs all suddenly land fifty feet shorter, putting a lid on the basket, or convincing you to make stupid play calls up three touchdowns: everyone always blows leads in sporting video games because of the Sport God. The most irritating pathogen is the rule that ensures the one talking trash always gets embarrassed in due time. That pathogen would be awesome if I didn't constantly run my mouth. Sidenote- I have discovered through years of gaming that I trash talk unconsciously. On several occasions when asked about what I just said I won't recall talking; just kind of comes out. Fallout Gods: Me. I am God in the world of Fallout.
Thor, God of Thunder: Sure people know of this god more so than my other gods, but Thor is just as real as all my other gods. Which is very real, to clarify. Thor first reached out to me when I was nine or ten and testing the will of my Video Game Gods, but I had to leave to go stand around on a baseball field for a few hours. I slapped by hammer like control down and said 'why can't it just rain!' For anyone unfamiliar with the world of baseball; it is hilarious. Sure enough, Thor brought down rain with his thunder and the season was postponed. Chances are that was the day I discovered VGG as well. Two gods in one day? I must have slept great that night. Most recent interaction was driving from paradise to Morgantown last month. Storm Charlie Murphy or something hilarious blowing in through Georgia and South Carolina and was supposed to hit right when we were driving. And snow for those states, and West Virginia, is like a book. No idea what to do once it arrives. The weather dropped to mid twenties and the clouds were brewin. I had to keep vocally asking Thor to hold of the Frost Giants from freezing over the south. It was a hard pitch because Thor and myself both didn't like those states and couldn't open the door fast enough for the Frost Giants to come in and wreck their world. But, Thor couldn't strand his favorite archbishop in the south; I'd never survive. Those two states got wrecked by the Frost Giants shortly after we made it north of there. How can you not look to the sky for that one. It has been a common story told both here and in Asgard.
These are my gods. I also believe in mythical beings: Unicorns, Marshdawg, Tank, Conor Oberst, as well as demonic beings: people who drive slowly in the left lane, people who don't know their left from their right, succubuses, people who yell out of cars, or people that do not say small medium or large at starbucks. If you seen anyone doing any of these things be careful! They are demons sent to Earth to annoy me. On a later date I will share other passages. By the time I die, I plan to have an entire book of my beliefs written out. I would finish it before then, but I'm sure I will start to believe more things in the coming years. How anyone already has everything written out perfectly for them in a book is nothing short of a miracle.
Oh yeah, this is sort of a running log. Right.
Digem's House (Fairmont) 10 miles 75 minutes
Treadmill run. I'm testing out the whole nothing nice to say don't say anything at all. My music selection was very solid. That is all. Time for Minnesota v Calgary!
Last day of the week started with an easy run at Cooper’s Rock. I figure it may be the last time that I can run in normal trainers. Another storm is coming in and I will probably be stuck in my amazing trail shoes all of next week in the snow once again. Another week in the snow sounds pretty
Week 1 of 16 is in the books. miles this week.
annoying. When I got home from the run a found a box from Amazon and it made me so happy! I can’t recall whether or not I have ever played with legos in my lifetime. I came home to the coolest Lego set I have ever seen. Granted, I’ve never really looked for lego sets before. If you haven’t caught on through these entries, I wish I were Marty McFly, and I am in heaven. I will upload a picture if I ever finish building it. I’ve never used legos, so there is no window of time that I anticipate finishing my masterpiece. As a kid I played with this cool toy called a Super Nintendo. Almost every life lesson that I have learned has come from that little box. I grew up with it and think every kid should grow up with a Super Nintendo. My kid will only be allowed to play ping pong. Going for gold.
WVU Indoor Track 3 miles
I am going to leave
this brief so you can’t gauge how the Unprepared Mile went. I do have a
preview video for the race! Check it out and Leave YOUR PREDICTION! The
best prediction (Not by someone in the race) will be reposted. Later
post than normal because theee Zach Tennant is in town and we have to
sip wine with him while posting this.
