Short and Sweet

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 53.54/372.03
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 12.2
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 8,423/69,445
Weight: 198
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Total raised towards goal: $560


Boy, it's been another long Monday and I need to spend some time with Heidi, between getting things set-up on the online auction and taking care of Beckett, and work and everything else as the new semester approaches at local colleges ... whew, man, there's a lot going on.

While I promise more in-depth musings tomorrow, I want to sincerely thank Liam, Georgette and Stephanie for making donations to the cause today. The fund-raising is really starting to pick-up, and I suspect by next Monday, that I'll have personally passed the $1,000 mark. As is customary here at Bat Out of Hell, a little background:

Liam is one of best friends running all the way back to first grade. Our hi-jinx probably including vandalizing public property, terrorize teachers to the point on insanity (Sprandel!) and causing more trouble than I care to admit. He's a teacher now – probably one of the greatest gifts the kids he works with could ever wish for. Thanks, Lee. When we gonna' do Vegas again?

Georgette is a dear family friend whose history with my mother and I go back more than a few years. She used to be one of the head honchos at one of my summer jobs in Jersey during the college years when I delivered medicine to people who were seriously ill and living at thier homes instead of staying in a hospital. It seems there were many visits back to NJ that were not complete without a visit to Georgette. I even had the privelege once of hosting dinner for her here in Arizona - I hope that happens again some day. Thank you, Georgette, for your kindness and for thinking of me.

Stephanie is only one of the finest photographers in the world, and most certainly Los Angeles. When my little rag was just a start-up, the beautiful, charming Stephanie walked through the door with a portfolio that was far too beautiful for our paper, and then, for the next two years she almost single-handedly gave the product editorial integrity with her beautiful fashion spreads and eye for the unusual. She's also one of the nicest and most sincere people I know. Thanks, Steph, for hooking me up, inspiring me and donating to the cause. Hope you and Lou are doing well.

Well, that's it for today. Gotta get up early tomorrow and train. Promise more details of the happenings here in AZ soon.

Talk to y'all tomorrow. – Ed

A Weekend of Advancements

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 53.54/372.03
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 12.2
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 8,423/69,445
Weight: I think our scale is broken - it said 204.5 (I doubt I gained 7 pounds since yesterday)
Beers in last 24 hours: 2
Total raised towards goal: $495

First, let me get some big thank yous out there to two more people who have stepped up and made donations - my friends Staci and Melissa. Melissa, for those of you who do not know her, is an extremely talented writer and novelist, whose works can be found at any bookstore across the nation - only, because I do not make last names public here for protection of their privacy - I guess that's really all I can say. She was extremely instrumental in my early years as a writer, and has offered me priceless guidance and advice throughout my career. Her donation is an added bonus, considering how much she has already given me. Thank you, Melissa.

The other donation came from my friend Staci – my date to the prom way the hell back in 19-something or other. I was speaking with her the other day, reminiscing about what are, seriously, some of the best memories of my youth. They're the kind that stay wrapped up in this warm glow of innosence and discovery. I remember prom, concerts with she and my buddy Mark, cruising around in Dodge Ram – man, all this stuff that just makes me smile. Staci, if we can't catch up during this stay in Arizona, we have to do it next time. Anyhow, thank you so much.

This weekend was an insane blur. I went to the Jurassic 5 concert on Friday, which was unexpectedly phenomenal. On Saturday, I took Beck to the zoo because the weather has been so nice here (check the video above). We also went for ice cream and to the car wash. I wish I had taped Beck in the car wash. It made me laugh, but he was truly terrified of the brushes banging on the windows and roof. Every time the brushes would do a pass and finish, he'd scream out: "All done!" and then the brushes would come back and starting hitting the windows and roof again and he'd scream out in terror. Later that day, Heidi and I went to a 31st birthday party for our friend Lisa. We went to Cowboy Ciao and Kazmierz, two of our favorite places in the area. Cowboy has excellent food and nice ambience, Kaz is a wine bar with a 60-page wine selection. Quite decadent, really. I drank. Heidi drove. Guess that's as good an arrangement as any.

On Sunday, we went back to the zoo because the boy seems to like it so much. The orangutang there had a baby in January and today it was actually outside hanging out with its mom - so BK got to see a baby monkey and he said, "Hi, baby," to it, or something like that.

Mom, the flamingo pic is just for you.

What else? Oh, some items are finally up for auction on eBay - most of it is just DVDs and music memorabilia, none of which any of you probably want, but if you're interested in finding it on eBay and making a bid, just ask and I'll tell you what to look for.

The other day Bang and Megan complained that I didn't give them full disclosure on everything we've got coming up here as part of the fundraiser. So, allow me to summarize: First off, there are three wine tasting events, on the second Sunday of August, September and October. The first of these is at Tapino, 7000 E. Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale on Sunday, August 13 at 4 p.m., Admission is $25, which includes appetizers and approximately six wine samples. All $25 goes towards our charity. As I have information about the additional tastings, I'll post them. Also, we have an upcoming dinner that has been donated by Outback steakhouse, where we can have up to 200 people come for a steak dinner at $25 a head. All proceeds from that event will go towards our charity, as well. We haven't set a date yet, though. In addition, Nike has agreed to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000 of our cash donations. So, we have a lot of stuff going on.

There's not much more to report here, but there will be tomorrow. I've been sitting at the computer for a long time tonight ... I've gotta go relax.

Catch y'all later ...

Eating, Re-Dux

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 47.76/366.25
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 12.2
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 7,483/68,505
Weight: 197
Beers in last 24 hours: 4
Total raised towards goal: $375

Sorry there was no blog entry yesterday – it was my soon-to-be brother in law's 27th birthday, so I cooked him up a feast and had some family and friends over. We had homemade marinara, steaks on the grill, fresh corn and bread and homemade guacamole and chips. The remnants of the guacamole are what Beck is eating in the video above.

The last couple days have been like heaven here in Phoenix – it's been in the low 90s and it's rained each of the last three days, which is really rare and just amazing. Everything is turning green and the air is clean. You can see the definition between the mountain ranges to the south of the city. This morning, the clouds looked like a wave breaking over the top of the South Mountain range. It was really beautiful.

Training is starting to heat up. I've got five miles to run tomorrow, and then I'll be cranking out 10 miles on Saturday morning. The mileage only goes up from here.

So, those of you who are ready to donate - the donation process can finally begin again. The New York Marathon and Team for Kids have finally properly registered Team Phoenix. To donate in my name – and to help us reach our goal of raising $16,000! – you can click here

The registration number is now TFK06 and the Runner's last name is TEAMPHOENIX

Talk to y'all tomorrow.

... And Then, The Sky Opened Up

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 47.76/366.25
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 12.2
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 7,483/68,505
Weight: 197
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Total raised towards goal: $375

Alas, it happened. Tonight, at approximately 8:50, a month of humidity and high temperatures in the desert gave way to a classic Arizona monsoon. Torrential downpours (over an inch in 20 minutes here, and still counting), and there are promises of more to come in the next few days, as tropical storm Emilia works its way toward Baja California and, perhaps, up the Gulf of California.

You can see on the right from these ganked Weather Channel images how the storm grew quickly. The wind and lightning were amazing.

There's promises of a high of 90 (Ninety!!!) on Saturday and rain in the forecast every day from now until Sunday. Suddenly, I feel so refreshed.

The training miles are slowly starting to add up. If the temperatures hold low, I may even be able
to run my 10-miler on Saturday outside in the early morning. That would be such a treat.

Not much new knew to report here. My brother-in-law celebrates his birthday tomorrow. I think we're gonna' cook him a nice, big meal. Beckett is doing good – healthy and happy and smiling a lot.

I know I said I would have the first of the auction stuff up by this weekend, but I got a little delayed with projects around the house. It's coming soon. Promise ... Just so much to do, and
so little time.

I've also posted this lame video. I was hoping you all could see the storm better, but you can't see much except the infrequent lightning burst ... but the sound is pretty good, so at least there's that.

There's not much else going on around these parts today. The Diamondbacks beat the Phillies in a nice come from behind win. Steely Dan seems to be staging a mock fight with Owen Wilson for, they claim, stealing the idea for the movie "You, Me and Dupree" from the Steely Dan song "Cousin Dupree." My sister had a giant wart on her foot that she had to have removed. The two serial killers apparently have Phoenix residents "gripped by fear," "fearing for thier lives," or any number of such things if you listen to the nightly newscasts. All the TV stations are consulting local "psychic" Alison DuBois, the medium on which the NBC TV show "Medium" is based. She says things llike "I think he's very angry at his father," and "I think he hates his mother, but he loves her, too." When I told my co-worker Beth about this, she replied, "Yeah! Who doesn't?" Seriously, I could be as accurate as this psychic. If they put me on the radio, I'd be all like: "I see a man with two hands and ten toes."

Oh, you know what? It just started pouring again. It had stopped for a few minutes while I typed. Me thinks I may have to go back outside and check it out.

Talk to y'all tomorrow.

My Brain Has Shrunk Due to Lack of Rain and, As a Result, All You Get is Incoherent Babble

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 43.31/361.8
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 12.2
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 6,943/67,965
Weight: 198
Beers in last 24 hours: 6ish (went to baseball game)
Total raised towards goal: $375

Right now, Mother Nature is toying with my emotions. Thunder shakes the house. Lightning illuminates the back room, but few rain drops fall. This is the second day in a row that old hag has dangled rain in front of my nose like a carrot hanging from a string, only to yank it away and leave me a hungry bunny writhing in discontent on the floor.

You say you like my witticisms, my use of allegory and alliteration and imagery? You say I should be a writer, perhaps? Or maybe an editor? Oh, I'm blushing ...

Oh, wait, what's that you say? I'm a jackass. Yes, yes. This is probably more accurate. I am a jackass. A jackass am I.

Maybe you would lke a poem about jackasses? Okay, I'll write one for you, but only for you ... because, well, you know how I feel about you. Me and you, we're tight, like two peas in a pod, or something like that. Okay, so here's my poem:

Two jackasses walk into a bar
The first jackass drove in a car
The second one walked real far
Cause he didn't have a car
Cause he always hung out at the bar
And had to drive far
But he used to have a car
Isn't it weird that war
doesn't rhyme?

Pretty good poem, huh? Admit it ... c'mon, admit it. You liked it, didn't you. Yes, you did. Yes, you did. You're such a cute reader. Whose Eddie's little reader? Are you Eddie's little reader? Oh, you're so cute. Yes, you are.

Sorry, I'm going to start treating you like you're all my kids now. If you don't read all my words you're going to go into time out and you don't want - DON"T MAKE DADDY SAY IT AGAIN. DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP THIS CAR? YOU CAN GET OUT RIGHT HERE AND WALK HOME - oh that's a good reader. Oh, you're so silly. You make daddy laugh.

You say I'm losing my mind? Not possible. Lost it a long time ago.

Maybe tomorrow, if you're good, I'll give you something sane to read.

Weekend Update

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 43.31/361.8
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 12.2
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 6,943/67,965
Weight: 197.5
Beers in last 24 hours: 4
Total raised towards goal: $375

Today, you get a photo from last week's wedding.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, should have to run on a treadmill, inside, for 1 hour and 40 minutes straight. But that's what I did this morning, so I could crank out 8.15 miles and do a little warm-up and cool-down. I scraped up my leg on the treadmill belt, cursed loudly and looked worriedly towards next week when I have to run 9, or maybe its 10 miles, on the treadmill.

I tried to watch a portable DVD player to kill the time, but there was no way. The bouncing motion of running made it hard to focus on the screen, and I ended feeling all weird and breathing in a bad rhythm. So I turned it off. Towards the end, I scraped my leg on the treadmill belt and got a nasty bruise as I was trying to catch my falling iPod. Today, I'm getting a strap so it stays fastened to my arm while I run.

Maybe some of you are asking: Why not get up early and run outside? I'll tell you why. It was 102 when I went to bed at 10 p.m. last night. It was 100 at 7 a.m. this morning. Yesterday, the official temperature at Sky Harbor International Airport was 118-degrees (that ties the 4th warmest day on record EVER in Phoenix), but unofficial readings at thermometers across the area were reading as high as 125. Two thermometers at our office building yesterday read 124 degrees! People's car air conditioners couldn't even keep up. Only twice has it ever "officially been over 120 in Phoenix – once in 1995 when it officially hit 120, and once in 1990 when it officially hit 122. It's amazing, really, when you think about it, that more people don't die as a result of the heat in the city itself.

I've only been outside to get the paper and to go to Dunkin Donuts this morning. Seriously, I don't know if I'll go back outside today. Heidi wants to go to the pool, but who wants to swim when the water temperature is over 100? Ahhh, summer in Phoenix. Does it get any better than this?

I think I'm going to do some in-house work today ... Anyway, despite it all, I've managed to keep on the workout schedule.

See y'all later ...

As Night Sets In ...

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 35.16/353.65
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 12.2
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 5,907/66,872
Weight: 198
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Total raised towards goal: $375

That on the right? That's me and the boy a couple months ago at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson, Arizona. Very beautiful place with a massive natural bridge spanning a river below. From the top of the bridge, a slow-trickling waterfall cascades. Very cool. See the next picture below to see what I mean.

It's late – approaching 11 p.m. here on the Left Coast, and my eyes are getting droopy, heavy, tired. I'm so sleepy, I don't know what to say. I ran, I saw, I conquered? No, that doesn't make much sense ... Hmmm. No. No ideas. Just sleepy.

Actually, that's not totally true. My friend, Eric, told me about a documentary today that has to be one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen. I could only watch small parts of it before having to turn it off. It's called "Earthlings" and part of it deals with slaughterhouses and the ways animals are raised to serve the massive demand for meat across the globe - both domestically and internationally. Don't watch it if you don't want to have serious thoughts about whether you or not you should be eating what your eating. If curiosity still gets the best of you, you can check it here. The movie is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, the guy who played Johnny Cash in Walk the Line:

I ran again today. Had a mini crisis when I thought my iPod broke – it actually just froze for a bit. It was easily fixable.

In other news, Beckett actually ate salmon today. I wonder how many 1-1/2 year olds eat salmon. Heidi told me she reads a blog by a mom who claims her 1-1/2 year old eats oysters. I'm not sure I believe that. But, maybe ...

I really am needing to go to bed. Tomorrow is another busy today. The old CT is almost gearing back up into full swing. The days are about to get hectic soon.

Maybe, I'll post a follow-up tomorrow afternoon at lunch if I have a chance at work. If not, I'll catch y'all on Monday.

Later ...

Let's Get Somebody Real in Here

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 31.71/350.2
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 12.2
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 5,507/66,472
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Total raised towards goal: $375

Anti-Bush Lady Goes Crazy



Yes, the above video in shaky – just hang tight until you get to "yelling lady." I found this video when I was going through some old files on my computer. Alright, actually, I was looking for something interesting to post with today's blog. Despite your own political views, there's something particularly enjoyable about screaming/politically active/possible-screw- loose middle-aged women who, just because, yell shit. I mean, more people should just yell shit – and not at their kids. I'm talking about at people on cell phones in line at the post office. You know the type:

Dick on cell phone: "Yeah, I need some 37 cent stamps ... what, yeah, I know, I'm AT THE POST OFFICE right now. Yeah, I totally could've. I know, DUDE ... I should ha .. What? What?"
Clerk: "Sir, it costs 39 cents to mail a letter right now ... Are you sure you want 37 cent stamps ..."
Dick: "Yeah, stamps, 37 cent, that's what I ... Oh, yeah, bro. She was so hot. Yeah, I was wasted. WHAT? I can't hear you ... Sorry, can I get my stamps. I'm pretty busy."
Clerk: "We really don't sell 37 cent stamps that much anymore because its costs ..."
Dick: " ... Dude, totally hot. And wasted. Crazy, huh? Oh, yeah, we should totally hook up later."

You get the point. Why don't we just reach out and smack those fools sometimes? Or what about men and women that just walk around - I mean you can just see it in their face - who think they're the king or queen of the world. Why don't more people just run up yell something like: "YOU SUCK!" and then roll around on the floor and laugh and drool or something. I'd pay good money to see that at the airport. I mean, is it just me, or do you see that kind of behavior a lot at the airport – jabones walking around like the world is going to come to an end if they're not there? When I had to pick up my friend Garret at the airport the other day, this 20-something woman got off the plane wearing sunglasses and staring at everybody as if they should thank their lord they had the privelege of even seeing her. If only somebody like the lady in this video was there to put her in her place.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Years of pent-up anger and stuff ... you know how it is. This video was taken the day before the 2004 presidential debate on the Arizona State Univeristy campus in Tempe. It's not great, but it'll have to do for today.

There's much good news to report today. Nike – through an agreement with those of us on Team Phoenix (that is the six Phoenix-area NYC marathon runners raising money for Team for Kids) – will match every donation you all make DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR!!! up to $5,000. That means your $50 donation will actually equal $100 going to help at-risk children get nutrition, exercise advice and the tools needed to give them a chance at a healthy, happy life.

We have many other big events coming up, too, including a couple PHX area wine tastings and, perhaps, a meal here in Phoenix sponsored by a local chain. Michelle, the woman heading up our Team Phoenix fundraising, is working out the details. If you plan on donating in the next couple days, you may want to hold off as a new site is being set up specifically where Team Phoenix friends and family can donate to our cause. Things are definately getting exciting.


Also, I plan to begin launching the auction on eBay by this weekend, so some movie and music memorabilia should be up by Monday, as well as some video games and DVDs. If you're into that kind of stuff, you may want to check it out.

The picture on the right is a picture of the desert in March ... man how I miss that right now – when everything is in bloom, when you can actually go outside ...

What else is going on? Hmmm ... got a haircut, had raviolis and green beans for dinner, continuing programming my iPod (geez, that takes a long time) ... Uh, I think that's it.

Another day, another, well, you fill in the blank ... Goodbye.

GGrrrrrrrrr

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 31.71/350.2
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 4,992/60,957
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Money raised towards goal: $375

I have very little to say today.

Got back to the running, ran 4.45 miles, did more sit-ups and push-ups than I care to count and when I was finished, I was more pissed off than when I started. This city is a god forsaken hell hole. If I get up and run at 4 a.m. it's 96 degrees. If I wait until 8 p.m., it's 107. If I do it at noon, I'm guaranteed to die. Seriously.

I know all you East Coasters are roasting in your little "heat wave," but I'll tell you all what I've told my old man when he tells me how 'hot' it is. Here's the difference. If you go outside at noon on one of your super hot days – when its 95 with 100 percent humidity – and you stand outside all day, you'll be in really bad shape; dehydrated, sun-burned, probably feeling pretty altogether ill. If I go stand outside all day on one of our 'normal' days - you know, 114 degrees with 7 percent humidity – there a very good chance I'll be dead: if not from dehydration (because the air is so dry it sucks moisture out of my skin at a much greater rate than the East Coaster's skin) than by heat stroke, attack by fire ant, scorpion and/or discount shoppers searching for the closest Wal-Mart. What you have going on back East is uncomfortable. What we have going on here every summer is unsafe. So, like I said: I live in a God forsaken hell-hole.

I'm sure come January my opinion will be much nicer. But for now: Grrrrrrr.

Also, I had to go to the dentist today. Novocaine makes me feel weird. I don't like needles. Drills in my mouth aren't so much fun, either. But my dentist is cool. So, at least there's one good thing I can say about today.

Oh, and they filmed that segment for the local news program. As soon as I have video or more info on that, I'll post it.

Gotta go now. Bye.

Alas, Normalcy

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 27.26/345.75
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 4,427/60,392
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Money raised towards goal: $375

That on the right is my old boy, Roy. He died a month ago of pancreatic cancer. He was a cool dog – very loving. We got him at the pound in April 2000. Today, when he wasn't at the door when I got home, I really missed him. RIP, BiG RiZ.

Those of you who follow the totals up top may have noticed the numbers haven't been changing very much. That's becuase it's been since Tuesday since I last jogged, ran or thought about a single mile. But now, with the two weeks of insanity behind me - the birthday, group of friends coming to town, and the wedding - I can finally settle back down into the throes of routine.

Ah, routine ... how I missed thee – that certain sense of calm that comes with knowing you will work from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m; you will eat dinner with your child at 6 p.m.; play with them until 7:30 or so; have a couple hours of free time to yourself; and then, sleep, glorious, sleep. All this without one request (or demand) that "Yo, Bako! Take this shot!" or "Yo, Bako! Ingest this random substance we found on the back of this garbage can."

Now, I can go back to being a role model for American youth everywear. Work, eat, rinse, repeat for five days in a row.

I'm guessing by Wednesday, I'll be bored.

For those of you not privy enough to either a) know RB or b) be at his wedding, know that it was a fine affair. The ceremony was beautiful, the reception was fun - with excellent food, fine spirits and plenty of scandalous debauchery. The old ASU posse: that would be me, Heidi, Rob, Art, Aaron and Garret, managed to stay up until something like 4:30 in the morning. At 9:00 we had to get up to come back and get the kid. We talked and reminisced and decided that, yes, it's true, we are the greatest group of friends to have ever lived, and that RB was headed off on a most excellent adventure.

When my boy got married, you could see both he and the bride we're really into each other. There was a certain honest look in their eyes that, to me anyway, indicated a nice future ahead for them. David and Karen - I know you've told me you've been reading the blog, so, I just wanted to say - thank you for everything. We all had a wonderful time.

Tonight I'm headed out to a television shoot down the road a ways. Channel 3, one of the local networks here, is doing a story on all the Phoenix-area NYC marathon runners. So methinks I'll be a part of that.

Well, that's it for now. Talk to y'all tomorrow.

The Aftermath

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 27.26/345.75
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 4,427/60,392
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 8
Money raised towards goal: $375


The bachelor party - believe it or not - was fairly mellow. Yes, people got drunk, but nothing insane happened. We lost the bachelor for a half-hour or so, but then we found him, when he turned up at his house after a leisurely stroll from the final bar to his house. We drank wine, we drank beer, we ate pizza. All was right in the world.

I worked a short day today, came home and went to the city pool with G, picked up the boy from daycare and had a nice dinner with friends. Before and after dinner, some people watched the "great" 1989 musical, Teen Witch, pictured at left. It has totally radical songs like, "I Like Boys," "I'm Gonna' Be the Most Popular Girl," and "Top That," a late '80s battle rap where a guy in suspenders and rolled-up acid washed jeans goes against a 16-year-old Madonna wannabe, rapping things like "Well, I'm hot/And You're not/But if you wanna' be with me/I will give you one shot/Top that/A Stop that" and things of that nature. Quality film.

This leads me to create the list of the five best films of all time:1) Major League
2) Teen Witch
3) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the first one)
4) Debbie Does Dishes
5) Gigli

Thanks go to Meg and Bang for giving Teen Witch as a birthday gift. I sing the songs from the movie in the office ceaselessly. Now if somebody can just find an old video tape or a web link that contains the commercial for Gremlins Cereal commercial, my life will be complete.

Also, I'd like to give a big thank you to Lisa for making a contribution towards the cause. In case you didn't know it, Lisa is one cool, cool, cool girl. I love me some Lisa. So Lisa, thank you, thank you, thank you. It means a lot to me that you're willing to help out.

Soon, I'm going to see a movie. So I should go.

Oh, and Meg and Bang, I didn't watch Teen Witch with the rest of them. So our inaugural Teen Witch viewing get together is still on ...

Talk to y'all tomorrow.

A Brief Hello, and then I must be Gone

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 27.26/345.75
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 4,427/60,392
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 4
Total money raised to date: $325


To the left is a photo from a special party a few years back. Figured it was a good preview of what was to come.

Skipped the cross-training workout I was supposed to do today (I think I was going to bike), primarily because the bachelor party is today. I've been running around, getting all the things I need: presents, making sure the vehicle is lined up, making sure we have the locations we're going all set, making sure we have the pre-party stocked with beer and food. All is ready to go, and in a half-hour, I'll be out of here.

It so good to have good friends arriving in town for this wedding. I'm always amazed how easy it is to slip back into the groove when you see old friends. It makes me happy. I laughed more today on a drive to the mall, listening to my buddy Garret's sarcasm, and his imitations of imaginary characters he makes up in his head, than I have in a long time. I had two beers with lunch at 2 in the afternoon on a Wednesday. It was nice.

Tomorrow, I'm sure they'll be many stories to tell.

Talk to y'all soon. - Ed

Back on Track, I Suppose

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 27.26/345.75
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 4,427/60,392
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Total money raised to date: $325


Today, we'll start with a scene from one of my favorite places – The Saddle. It's at an altitude of about 11,600 feet above sea level on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona. It's really the final resting point before making the final ascent the top of the 12,633-foot Mt. Humphries, the tallest mountain in Arizona. I climbed it in late May with my friend Eric. I thought it would be a nice way to start things off today.

Things are getting back on track, indeed. Today, we sent off another edition of College Times to the press - only one more to go before we return to our normal weekly publishing schedule and the real insanity starts up. We're working on some tweaks to the design that I think will really enhance its readability and usefullness – not that many of you out there care about work related things, but I've spent a lot of time on it lately, so it's been on my mind. It was a big relief to get it off to the printer, so we can see the finished product in final form and make any necessary adjustments.

Dontaions continue to keep coming in, almost on a daily basis now. Today I received one from a former co-worker of mine, Lindsey, who has taken a fellowship in the engineering department at Arizona State University. It was very unexpected. Thank you, Lindsey. The kind words in your letter were also a big booster. I wish you could've stayed around the old CT. We'll miss you. And don't worry, another Dos Gringos trip is definately in order. You name the time and place, and the crew will be there.

I've opted to join the Team Phoenix crew - that is the 20 or so of us from Phoenix who will be racing in the New York Marathon. It's amazing to think in a city of 3.7 million, there are just 20 or so of us making the journey. Actually, that's kind of cool. And there are just 10 of us fundraising, so, ultimately all of our money will be pooled together as Team Phoenix's contribution. Many of the peeople that are a part of Team Phoenix have experience raising money – they've apparently raised money for Stroke research in several other instances.

Anyway, for Phoenix-area people, this means there will be other, more social opportunities, to help our cause, including three wine tastings, and a karaoke contest in August, September and October. Actual dates to follow in future blogs.

Not too much exciting happened on the home front today. The new training schedule requires me to do push-ups and sit-ups, which I haven't done in years. I can do three push-ups in a row!?! How pathetic is that? I can run 26 miles in one strecth, but I can only do three push ups? The coaches involved in the training this time around are determined to change that.

Made burritos for dinner for the family, worked out, vacuumed the house, ate six Tuxedo's (Oreo knockoffs made by Safeway) with a glass of milk, put some songs on my iPod, and typed up this blog. That was my day, besides work ... Exciting stuff, eh? Tomorrow morning, my boy G gets here, though. So that should be rope-a-dope.

In more somber news, there's a serial killer and aserial rapist both running around Phoenix right now. The killer has been linked to 34 shootings, including 13 in the last two months. Five people have died. The rapist has killed six people since August. Phoenix police say they have few clues, and people are starting to freak out a bit. As can be expected, the local television media is having a field day, whipping up the frenzy a bit more. I don't know what to think. I hope they catch the bastards soon, though. For those of you out-of-towners, if you haven't heard about this news, you will soon. The national media is starting to jump on this story.

Sorry to end on such a somber note today ... just wanna let you know what's shakin' in my world.

Thinking more positively, though, please remember that your donations are always appreciated and needed. Let's help some more at-risk children get the nutrition, physical and exercise help they need.

You can now go straight to www.TeamForKids.org and click on the donation and click on the donation link, then click on the donate for a member button. My race number is 58138.

That, my friends, is all for tonight. Until we meet again ...

Sorry, it's been so long

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 24.12/342.61
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 4,028/59,993
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Total money raised to date: $290


Originally, I had wanted to post the picture of me being totally mod to coincide with my birthday, but I got so sidetracked I didn't have a chance to post for a couple days. So here, belatedly, it is. I think I was like 3 or 4 when this was taken. You'll notice further down below, a picture from the "Hey Dork!" days, when I was in some invention contest or something and we converted an old Star Wars toy into something that was supposed to be a trash compactor, I think ... I don't know.

So this evening, I'm going through the mail and I come to a card from my grandmother. Inside, is some kind of maxi-pad which she has sent me, she says, to stave off any embarassment I might be feeling from having to urinate uncontrollably as a result of the multitude of beer I've had in the last couple days.

She is making broad assumptions of course, that I, Edward Baker the First, would ever do such a vile, vile thing - you know, like invite 20 or so of my closest friends over and oversee the kind of drunken debauchery that would have put the most lecherous of the Roman Empire's heirarchy to shame.

But, alas, her assumptions are true. I did do such a thing, and when the wreckage was counted - a keg, a bottle of tequila, a $200 bar tab, nine pizzas, two boxes of hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, chips, soda, three packages of water balloons, and eight bodies scattered around the house (inlcuding one baking in the hammock after sunrise), the 30th birthday had concluded. And all we had left were memories, and a lot of them.

I'd like to say the madness is over, but Wednesday brings my friend RB's bachelor party, and Saturday, his wedding. Then, and only then, can I return to the kind of placid stability and hard core regiment that makes a marathon runner true, or some nonsense like that. Actually, it will be nice to settle back into a routine after all these fun and games have passed. But first come visits from old remnants of "The Crew." I'm talking old friends like Art, and Garret and Aaron.

Before I get to crazy delving into my personal life, I have some BIG, BIG, BIG thanks to hand out. First to the lovely and charming Vicki from Chico, California, who came through with a very nice, and unexpected contribution. I miss you, Vicki ... it was nice to hear from you. Let me know if you decide on the next run.

Secondly, I'd like to thank my friends over at New West Records, and especially their publicist Traci, home of my very favorite band in the world, The Drive By Truckers. New West has been kind enough to donate a hand-signed, limited edition John Hiatt and the Mississippi All-Stars poster, of which only 300 were made, each hand-screened onto a special type of imported French Paper. They retailed in the hundreds of dollars when they were available new, and this poster will become part of my charity auction to raise money for the cause.

Also, I have to give a big shout out to my girl Beth, who very graciously donated two very historical Life magazines from the week of, and the week after, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, in addition to rare silver gel photographs of Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. Beth, you have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you.

Also, my friend Jillian has come through with donations of several things she had in her files – including autographed rare 7" vinyl records by The Vines and The Walkmen.

All of these things will be auctioned off soon, keep posted for details. I would expect the auctions to take place as soon as the wedding passes and things return a little more to normal around here.

In other news, I found out about a group of about 20 people from the Phoenix area doing the NYC marathon. They even have a coach they train with, and about 10 of them are involved in fundraising with Team for Kids, and they've asked me to join their group effort to raise $20,000+ for the Team. I'm not sure how I feel about that just yet, and I've asked them to give me a couple days to think it over. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons - I guess there really aren't many cons. I just don't want to get involved with something where I end up doing a lot of the heavy lifting, and some other people slack off – like what would happen in group projects in college.

If I do join the team, though, the people seem really nice. And there would be television coverage of our training and our marathon run by one of the local networks, KTVK Channel 3. So, I think that would be a huge benefit.

I'm in a bit of bliss right now, as my birthday really was a kick-ass one. In addition to getting to see mom, and spend a great night with my closest of friends, my sister and my brother-in-law completely surprised the hell of me by buying me an iPod, which I probably never would have bought for myself. So as I sit here typing, I'm loading this baby up with all kinds of stuff from my CD collection. Thank you, Electa and Andy, for the big surprise. And thank you to everyone else for the donations, and the support, and all the love you've been sending my way.

Sorry for the delay in blog updates, too. Regular postings shall now resume.

Oh, and last but not least – Team for Kids has a new donation site up, as well. If it's easier for you, you can now go straight to www.TeamForKids.org and click on the donation and click on the donation link, then click on the donate for a member button. My race number is 58138.

Until tomorrow, friends ...

The Birthday Post

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 19.12/337.61
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 3,213/59,178
Weight: 202 (I just ate dinner)
Beers in last 24 hours: 6
Money raised towards goal: $190

80s Commercials - McDLT [Jason Alexander]


Tonight, the family gathered for dinner. We had Italian. It was good. My father-in-law and I got together before dinner for a few beers. A fine lady I work with, Jeneal, ensured that we got some discount brews at a local bar/restaurant. It's still my 30th, and my buddy Rob wants to take me out for a night cap. I need to go soon before it gets too late. Guess I want to extend the 30th as long as possible. It only happens once you know.

Tomorrow, a longer blog will ensue. In the interim, I hope you enjoy this commerical from the 1980s.

Signing out ... and promising to fill in the details of the birthday and then some ...

- Ed

There's No Wrong Way

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 15.81/333.54
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 2,812/55,177
Weight: 202 (I just ate dinner)
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Money raised towards goal: $140



As part of today's "keep the family coming to my blog" offering, today I bring you this video of Beckett eating an Oreo at dinner last night.

More contributions came in today! My kick-ass, 100+ mile bicycle racing father-in-law, Bob, and his equally kick-ass 100+ mile bicycle racing wife, Alison, just pledged. And Michelle, a dear friend from my ASU days – who spent nearly three years of her life helping people in Africa, and later dedicated her life to helping children in Boston – has informed me that she'll be donating, too. Thank you. I'm really so friggen' honored and touched and grateful that you guys would step up like that and help out my cause. It is super-charging me with quadruple enthusiasm for this marathon. Besides helping out kids who really need the support, you're also helping me out. You're making me feel loved and all that mushy shit. Seriously, it's amazing.

Michelle says she may also try to come. Gnarly.

Also, before I forget, somebody (or maybe two of you) made donations via the internet link. Thank you so much. But can you please let me know who you were (perhaps privately by e-mail if you prefer anonymity). Here's the thing: Team for Kids is working top-speed to get their new website set up so that I can login and track my donations, but they don't have it up perfect just yet. So right now, all we get is little e-mails that said somebody made a donation. But I can't see who or how much right now. I just want to make sure when they get it set up that everything made it through the system transistion okay. Thanks.

I'm trying to think of what eventful things happened. Fourth of July went pretty smoothly and uneventfully. We had a little cookout with Janet and Ed, my in-laws, who live out in east Mesa. Beck woke up on the wrong side of the bed and complained on most of the drive out there. But once he got to "Grandma Kitty Cat's" house, he was pretty entertained. We had salad and zucchini and some other grilled stuff. I took a 'break' afterwards in the hallway bathroom. Those 10 peaceful midday minutes were most enjoyable. It's the little things that count, you know.

We came home and watched the first half of that new Woody Allen flick, "Match Point," during which I thought to myself at least 15 times that if I weren't happily married with a child, I would make a conscious decision to develop a most unnatural obsession with Scarlett Johansson and stalk her until she agreed to be mine, or at least agreed to sign a publicity picture at a photo op with some kicthy cliche like "To My Biggest Fan. Love, Scarlett" Then, I would post it on the wall and sing love songs to it everynight. Probably "Saving All My Love (For You)," by Whitney Houston. But I'm guessing some nights I would switch it up, you know, just to keep it fresh.

We're so lame, we actually went to bed before the fireworks started here in the big city. Some kids through M-80s in or near our yard. Heidi yelled at me to do something but, being a kid who once threw M-80s in peoples' yards, I knew there was little I could do. If I yelled at them, they'd throw more at us. If I called the cops, they'd run away before the cops could get here, and then put an M-80 in our mailbox two days later. At least, I'm guessing that's what I would have done 10, er, 20 years ago.

God, it does feel weird to say '20 years ago' and to think that 20 years ago, I was actually 10 - a functioning, somewhat intelligent human being. Makes me think of the Stones: "Kids are different today/I hear every mother say/Mother needs something to calm her down/And though she's not really ill/There's a little yellow pill/She goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper ..."

In fact, by the time many of you read this, I will, indeed, be officially 30. And so it goes ...

Remember, as always, donations can be made to http://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/donations.htm. or by mailing me a check made out to NYRR Foundation. And, yes, they are tax deductable.
My entry number is 58138.

May your day be a good one.

Until tomorrow.

- Ed

A Man in Uniform

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 15.81/333.54
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 2,812/55,177
Weight: 198.5
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Money raised towards goal: $40!!!


First and most important, I got my first donations to my cause yesterday! Two $20 contributions. The first was from am awesome coworker of mine, Cayci - and the other was from my good buddy. soon-to-be Ironman pal, Eric. I have to think of something special to do for them, stepping up and being the first like that! Thanks guys!

That picture on the left? That's Beck being none to pleased when his mom made him try on lederhosen. Wrong holiday, sure. But still funny ... Ha, ha! Little kids are fun to torment for your amusement. It's only fair after all the torture they put us through, right?

Now on to business ...

Just two days from my 30th birthday, I finally cracked down and bought a suit.

It's like the cosmos was saying to me: 'Welcome to the real world, you bitch. It took you long enough to get here.'" And then to add insult to injury, it handed me a $300 bill - ensuring that what limited supply of a birthday cash a 30-year-0ld man gets will spent on nothing other than a suit I really didn't want but, regretfully, really need.

And why in the land of 110-degree days would a man need a suit? Why, one of my best friends is getting married, of course. And I'm the best man.

But really I jest ... It'll be cool to stand up there and watch another one of my friends join the rest of us fools who threw our lives away for the promise of holy matrimony, nightly sex for six months after the wedding date and left over meat loaf on Tuesdays.

Actually, I can't wait for the wedding. A lot of old friends (who I plan to hit up for cash for my cause) will be in town, and much partying will commence ... for a weekend it'll be like to good old days. Never ones to really embrace the luxurious lifestyle, we opted to cart the 15 guys around for the bachelor party not in a limo, but in a 15-passenger Econoline Van driven by none other than my future brother-in-law. It'll be great.

We're having a pretty mellow Juy 4. Tonight we may watched the city's fireworks from the back yard, and in a little bit we're going to the in-laws for some low-key socializing.

On Thursday, mom gets into town for a visit. She's watching baby on Saturday so a few close friends and I can get together for a 30th birthday celebration ... should be fun.

Look soon for a link to purchase T-shirts and other Bat Out of Hell goodies to help support my cause. In the meantime, I could really use the donations. It's only 17 weeks to NYC. It'll be here before you know it.

Remember donations made out to NYRR Foundation can be mailed to me, or you can donate online at http://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/donations.htm
My entry number is 58138.

Please remember to let me know by comment or e-mail if you donate online, so I can keep track of donations, and give credit where credit is due.

And how come all you fools look but never leave comments? I feel like I'm talking to nobody out there. Say something, damn it.

Happy 7/4.

- Ed

Intellectual Superiority

The boy just went down to bed. This is what my brain feels like.

'Dependence Day

Total miles run since entry to marathon: 11
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total calories burned through exercise since entry: 2,200
Weight: 197
Beers in last 24 hours: ?


I have to put a question mark in the beer column because yesterday my extended family - that includes my sister and her fiance, and my "adopted" brother Rob, and his girlfriend, Erica - celebrated our nation's independence the best way we knew how: Bowling

Now, I'm not talking just regular 'ol bowling. No, this was bowling in its most sublime form. Cheap beer in plastic pitchers, six people crammed on one lane, and - the most important feature - our kid strapped into his stroller and glued to an "Elmo's World" DVD. All that was missing was some drunk guy on the sideline chanting "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

There was no running yesterday. Sunday's are always days of rest from the running routine, or at least they should be. But I did crack down and finally buy my kid an assortment of much needed yard toys including, but not limited to, a sandbox tugboat, a slide, a wagon, a tricycle and a picnic table.

He really likes the tricycle. You can see him in the picture above, showing me his favorite book. In fact, he was trying to ride the tricycle and read his book at the same time - excellent multi-tasking skills.

We're out of eggs and breakfast stuff, because I didn't make it to the grocery store yesterday. So now we've got to scrounge together some kind of breakfast together - you know, something healthy ... the kind of breakfast that families that make their kids watch DVDs while they bowl serve.

Ooh, I just got in trouble, too, now I really gotta go. Remenber that 'Yar Eye,' I was telling you about? Well, I left the bag of ice I was using to ice my eye on the wood bedroom dresser - for two days. So, uh, it leaked all over the place - a lot - on top of magazines, which are now stuck to the desk ...

Let the Madness Begin

Total miles run since entry to marathon: 11
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total calories burned through exercise since entry: 2,200
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 3

I've just started to run in earnest. Today I got up and did 6 miles in a very leisurely 66 minutes. Then my wife went to the movies with her mom, and I took my kid to this splash playground, where they have waterfalls and water cannons and all this other crap that keeps you cool in the desert heat.

Speaking of heat, I'm doing most of my runs inside throughout the summer. It's just too damn hot outside. I've got to find some way to make running inside more interesting. Today, as you can see in this picture, I stared at this wall for 66 minutes - Not fun.



In non-running news, I have "Yar Eye." For those of you who do not know what Yar Eye is, think of a pirate, when it says "Yar!". You know how they close one eye to really get the "Yar!" effect? Well, despite the fact that I'm just 5 days away from turning 30-years-old, I still get zits like a I was a 13-year-old hitting the initial stages of puberty. It's a fabulous condition to have really. You know I just love waking up with my eye shut thanks to a pimple.

The best part, of course, is when people ask you questions like: "What happened? Did you get punched?" And I have to say, "Uh, no, it's a pimple." I like when the people then back up a step, crunch up their nose and stare at you like you've just taken up residence in the freak tent at the traveling circus.

I've even included a picture I took this morning, so you can see for yourself. The swelling has gone down a bit, but that baby's still the marquee attraction this fine Saturday.

I have to go now. My kid is taking a nap. And this'll give me some time to start pulling together the things I'm going to auction as part of my fundrasing efforts.

And, if you're reading this, please won't you give to help the charity I'm running for - Team for Kids? You can do so by going to http://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/donations.htm. My entry number if 58138.

Or, if you prefer, you can mail checks to me. Comment with your e-mail address, and I'll give you details how. If you do donate by internet, please let me know you did it, so I can keep track and issue a personal thanks.

Until tomorrow, friends ...