Like a Bat Out of Hell
On and on and on ...
Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 150.34/471.78Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 27.12
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 23,435/84,457Weight: 199.0Beers in last 24 hours: 0Total raised towards goal: $7,237
Just a quick note to let you know I'm alive and well, just really busy trying to keep up with the training and keep up with work and keep up with home and everything else.
Things are actually really good. No complaints, noting to whine about. The past weekend saw my sister's bridal shower and a big get together will the family. The bridal shower was good. Gifts were distributed, beers were dranked, bocce ball was played, family gossip was exchanged, you know, all went according to plan.
Sunday, I took a day trip with my Aunt Linda, Phyllis and my mom to Prescott, Jerome and Sedona. We had lunch in a secret, secluded little spot on the top of Mingus Mountain with a 200 mile view all to ourselves. It was quite beautiful. We had ice cream, we shopped (actually, the women shopped - Beck and I just hung out), and we drove, a lot.
ASU got thier asses kicked by Cal on Sunday. That sucked, and was the sole lowlight of the weekend.
I think that's about it. I'm about to roll and play racquetball with my friend Ray, so I gotta go'
But Phoenix people, keep in mind, the last of our fundraisers, the Sunday wine tasting is Sunday, October 8, at Methode BIstro, 6204 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you can make it, this would be huge, huge, huge to me - the director of the organization we're raising money for is flying in for the event. $25 gets you unlimited wine tasting - please, please, please join us.
Hope to see you there.
Talk soon.
- Ed
Late Night Ruminations
Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 133.74/455.14Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 27.12
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 20,302/81,324Weight: 199.0Beers in last 24 hours: 2Total raised towards goal: $4,940
On the left, that's me and my baby, hanging earlier this year on a weekend getaway. I love my wife – and sometimes I don't say it enough. So I just wanted to say it again. I know she'll see this in the morning and worry that some internet stalker has gleaned enough information off it to steal our child and put the title to the house in their name – and she's probably right – but that's why me and her make a nice little package so heated we could melt Siberia, or something like that ... Boy that was cheesy. Chalk it up to two beers, 8.75 miles of running and 1,375 calories burned, and the fact that it's pushing 11 p.m., way, way, way past my bedtime.
But you see, I couldn't let this night pass without issue some big thanks to my friends Crystal and Dominic, two people I have had the privelege of knowing since my days back in Trib-land. Whether it be our madcap adventures at a posh mansion in the outback of subtropical Pacific coast Mexico, or the sick Christmas parties, or casual poker nights, Crystal and Dom have been very close friends of Heidi and mine for a long time.
Speaking of Heidi, and Crystal and Dom - do y'all know the story of the last time Heidi REALLY drank? It was at Crystal and Dom's Christmas party a few years back. I agreed to drive and Heidi went to town on the wine. So we're driving home and Heidi declares on the freeway that she "doesn't feel so good." To make a long story short she says she has to hurl, I beg her to wait until I can pull over, but she doesn't and instead rolls down the window and tries to spew out the window as we're going 75 down the Loop 202 at 1:30 a.m. Needless to say, the laws of physics dictate that the puke will try to go back into the car – so whatever her face catches, it does. The rest goes all over the front and back seat, and me. When she pulled her head back in the car, she wiped off her eyeglasses and made the biggest smile I've ever seen, so between the burgundy puke all I could see was her eyes, and her bright white teeth smiling at me. After I cleaned up the puke in the backseat, we had quite a laugh. It's a story I've told over many a dinner table, primarily because for the one story about Heidi being drunk, there's about 70 of me doing something much dumber and signifcantly more dangerous ... This one's just cute.
Anyway, that's a very long way of saying Dom and Crystal - you're big friends, a big part of our life, and part of our family history, and I really appreciate your very kind gesture. Thank you.
Meanwhile, on the training front, I've really dove back in to the training, in the last couple days, I've out away almost 19 miles, and in the next three or four, I'll probably run another 20 or 25, making for 40+ miles in a week – that's getting up to the range needed to finish a marathon, so I think I'm back on track.
My sister's bridal shower is the Saturday, and some family members will be here Thursday ... can't wait to see them. It's gonna be great.
Also, my beloved ASU plays Cal this week - the first battle of ranked Pac-10 teams. Stoked for that, too. Go Sun Devils!
Well, I think that's it ... From here on out, I'm just gonna include the donation link daily ... it's getting to that time. That is, time is starting to run out.
If you'd like to contribute, please click here
Registration number is TFK06
Last name/Team name is TEAMPHOENIX
Hope you're all well. – Ed
Miles, Money and a New Round of Thank Yous
Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 125.17/446.57Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 27.12
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 18,916/79,938Weight: 199.5Beers in last 24 hours: 4Total raised towards goal: $4,840
So, we have a temporary fix on the last remaining shower in the house – and the decision has been all but made, we're engaging in major home renovations on the old casa.
To the left is a picture of Beckett and I on Labor Day weekend in Seal Beach, California. We had fun jumping the waves. Check out the oil platform in the distance – for all y'all East Coasters out there, that's a common sight on the southern California coast.
First off, I want to say thank you to my good friends Aimee and Jared, both of whom stepped up with very nice donations to the cause. Jared and I go all the way back to freshman year. He was my first roommate, and some things took place in that dorm room which are better left unsaid. But throughout the years - though we're often far apart (on opposite sides of the country), there's nary a week that goes by that somebody here doesn't mention some good time that involves that original ASU crew - RB, Rob, Sperber, Aaron, Jared, Jess, Heidi, Art, and a few others who I've probably forgotten and who will get mad when I read this. We've all managed to keep in touch and keep up with each other's lives – and that's pretty cool.
In fact, Aaron will be here this weekend for a visit, as will much of the family for my sister's bridal shower - pretty crazy.
I miss you, Jared. Thanks for the donation. It means a lot to me.
Aimee is another good friend of Heidi and mine – a lawyer now, too. Who knew we ran with such intelligent folk? In fact, Aimee and Heidi met in their first jobs out of college in northern California and Aimee, Heidi and I have shared many adventures - a California adventure with Phish, more than a few nights sampling the pubs of San Francisco, and one glorious wedding night in PHX (that would be Heidi and mine), where both Aimee and Jared were both present.
Aimee, Jared, seriously, seriously, thank you to both of you - that's a very kind and appreciated gesture. Hope to see you both soon ...
Onto other news. As I said, the shower has a temporary fix – but the permanent fix is going to run in the multiple thousands of dollars, so it looks like we're tapping the equity and fixing multiple things in the house that need it.
By the way, I just have to share this: Check out how nasty the water was after two days without a bath, after two days of running and sweating and gathering road grit on my skin. Yeah, that's some nasty crap. That's what I went to work with on me. Living without a bath or shower is not good. It's a wonder people didn't run away from me.
Oh, HERE'S AN IMPORTANT NOTE TO EAST COAST READERS!!! There will be a charity pasta dinner in Lincoln Park on Saturday, November 4, with none other than yours truly as the chef. Details will follow, but if you're interested in attending ths final "hang out with me before I run the NYC marathon and donate to my charity" event, please shoot me a comment on this site, and stay tuned for details.
Oh, ARIZONA READERS ... here's an important note for you: THE FINAL WINE TASTING CHARITY EVENT is Sunday, October 8 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It would really mean a lot to me if as many as you as possible could attend this event. Please stay tuned for location details in the next day or two (I have them now, I'm just too lazy to go dig them up at this instant, because it's close to 10 and I'm tired) ...
Okay, so, I think that's it. How y'all doing? Why don't you leave me some comments? I'd love to hear from you.
And remember, donations are still being accepted. Time is running out. Please give even a little if you can.
If you'd like to contribute, please click here
Registration number is TFK06
Last name/Team name is TEAMPHOENIX
Cheers family and friends. – Ed
Running Water? Who the F#$@ Needs That S%!t?
Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 114.88/436.28Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 27.12
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 17,118/78,140Weight: 198.5Beers in last 24 hours: 1.5Total raised towards goal: $4,750
Water? In your house? Who would want that? Certainly not me, or Heidi, or Beck. And that's good. Because we don't have water in our house anymore.
As some of you may recall, our shower in the master bathroom malfunctioned in October 2005 (i.e. leaked into the bedroom, through the bathroom walls, and under the Pergo floors) destroying all or most of two rooms of our house. And, as some of you may or may not, I'm a notoriously cheap – or is it stubborn? – bastard. I wanted to fix it myself, and so, 11 months later, the job is about 60 percent done. We still don't have a master bedroom shower.
Add the other shower to that list.Today when I came home from my run (6.2 miles today), Heidi informed me we had "problem." Of course, rather than call help, I opted to fix it myself, and that's when the 53 year old pipes, filled and flooded with the stuff of
death (Arizona's tap water) for their entire lives, just decided to give up. The wrench turned, the pipes snapped, and at 8:30 p.m. at night, there ain't no way in hell I'm tackling a job that would probably take me 12 hours to do.
Tomorrow, a professional is coming. And I may just pony up to the have the guy fix both bathrooms, just get it done with, take my $10,000, or whatever they're gonna hit me up for ... I want my bathrooms back and so, I think, does the lovely lady of the house.
In other, less troublesome news, I must tell all those who care, the new Justin Timberlake - yes, the solo artists formerly of boy band 'N Sync – has released another incredible album. Other albums worth of mention, the new Roots album, Game Theory, and the debut LP from Silversun Pickups. It's called Carnavas. Good, good stuff. For those who like metal, the new Mastadon is gnarly, too.
Also, in movie news, I recently saw the independent release "Hard Candy." Whoohoo, good stuff. The entire film is mostly the verbal interaction between two people, but its gripping stuff, edge-of-your seat, hard to watch but you can't turn away type stuff. What happens when a pedophile lures a 14-year-old girl to his house, but the 14-year-old girl is actually a vengeful teen hellbent on taking revenge on pedophiles? So goes the premise of this movie ...
What else? Oh, I went to Gameworks today for an hour, and played air hockey, basketball, racing video games, pool, skee ball and some shooting game. That was fun, too.
Rock it ... hopefully tomorrow I get water back.
And don't forget to donate if you're of the means and able. I like donations. Donations are good.
If you'd like to contribute, please click here
Registration number is TFK06
Last name/Team name is TEAMPHOENIX
Thank you again for all your help and support. Talk to y'all soon. – Ed
The End of Summer
Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 108.37/430.07Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 27.12
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 16,318/77,340Weight: 198.5Beers in last 24 hours: 0Total raised towards goal: $4,750
I took that picture on the right back in April when they help an event in Tempe called the Red Bull Flugtag. It's where people make their own human-powered flying machines and try to jump them off a ramp over Town Lake to see how far they can fly. These guys didn't get very far.
It's nice to know that summer is finally winding down. You can see it in the way the light has changed – it's not as harsh, and it's getting darker earlier. The heat is slowly losing its grip on the desert. Soon, we will be able to breathe outside again midday, without having to run for shade, or some air-conditioned building.
I've really made a recommitment to my training ... I realize now that this will probably be the last marathon that I do for quite some time. The running is take a toll on my knees, and my head – I don't know how some people race again and again and again – it's mentally challenging.
On the political front, the people of Arizona continue to interest me. As many of you may know, Arizona is largely a red state, but it is a red state that very much believes in individual freedoms. About a year ago, pornographic actress Jenna Jameson purchased several strip clubs in the well-to-do city of Scottsdale. The city responded by passing a law that banned lap dances – assuming, likely, that their older, family-orientated, conservative voter base would approve. Well, Jameson and the owners of other strip clubs challenged the city's vote (something you can do in Arizona by gathering a certain number of petition signatures, thus forcing the city council's vote to either be approved and rejected by city voters in a citywide election). Wouldn't you know, city voters (on primary day nonetheless) told the city council to go stick it – and allowed lap dances to continue in the city's boundaries. Don't think many people saw that coming ...
There weren't many other surprises in the elections here ... the only surprise to me is that I'm still up. I need to get some sleep now.
Talk to you soon. – Ed
It's All Head and Ass, I Tells Ya ...
Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 100.16/421.76Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 20.65
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 15,268/76,290Weight: 198.5Beers in last 24 hours: 3Total raised towards goal: $4,348
World, meet the child currently known as "Unnamed spawn of Heidi and Ed #2" These are the ultrasounds of the little guy (or girl) from earlier today. We've got a due date of April 6. When I heard the news/saw the pics, I was beeming from ear to ear! Another of the little fellers in my life. I don't care how much stress they give 'ya, it's still great to know we'll have a new addition to the clan soon – April 6 is the official due date.
I'm feeling a little more in check today than yesterday. Ironed some things out that I had to iron out, got back on top of some things I was putting off, all that good stuff.
Fun weekend coming up: on Friday, I'm throwing a dinner for my sis's b-day, on Saturday, we've got some ASU football on the old TV, and Sunday, I'll be checking out the Cardinals season opener at their brand new stadium with my pal, Rob ... Much to look forward to.
What a difference a day makes sometimes ...
Cheers. – Ed
Overwhelmed ...
Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 100.16/421.76Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 20.65
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 15,268/76,290Weight: 198.5Beers in last 24 hours: 2Total raised towards goal: $4,348
I remember the day in that photo to the right very clearly. It's the kind of day you can't forget. Suddenly, the carefree life of caring only for yourself is gone. Nothing is ever the same from that day, forward. And yet, when you're sitting there, holding that child in your hand, you cannot even begin to comprehend just what will change, nor to what scale it will change. Just look at how young I look in that picture – like a kid.
Twenty months later – 20 months of broken sleep, arguments that never would have occurred without a child, internal struggles with every little decision of child-rearing, the added pressure of knowing that your decisions at work not only affect you, but this little helpless being, it's safe to say I've aged, I've gotten wrinkles, I've gotten tired, I've gotten stressed, I've grown up – probably faster than in any other period of my 30 years. Kids make you grow up: fast. There ain't no two ways about it.
What that last paragraph fails to encompass is the sheer joy that children can bring – a simple smile from your child can do more to wash a day of stress and aggravation than anything I've ever encountered. Each thing they learn – every word, every physical action, every facial expression, is a cause for some little celebration.
But it's still a lot of work.
Throw that on top of a job with increasingly intense demands, a marathon, fund-raising issues, an old home in constant need of some sort of repair, the normal curveballs life throws you and a second child on the way and, well, I'm simply overwhelmed with life. I've reached a breaking point. This morning, I wished I could just run away from it all. Pack my bags up and leave it all behind – but instead by noon I have 11 phone calls and 120 e-mails to return. Oh, being the editor of a magazine and a jack of all trades is just grand – until you realize that in the process of making yourself the can-do guy that anybody can turn to for anything, you've turned yourself into the can-do guy that everybody turns to for everything.
Now, don't take this as a complaint. Just take it as me airing out my mind – because with all those people who care, and call, and place demands comes a life that is very busy, full of incredible opportunity, lots of people that love me (and therefore a lot of life) and a lot of opportunity. I'm truly, truly blessed. I just need to sift a little bit of the junk out and make more time for the things that are really important – like friends and family. Today is my sister's birthday, and I couldn't even make it to her impromptu celebration. But, now, I think I might, just for a little bit.
You know, I had a really nice Labor Day weekend, by the way. Heidi and Beckett and I went to her dad's place in Seal Beach, California. He lives a block from the beach. Seal Beach is a wonderful California town, probably my favorite, mostly because it seems stuck in the 1950s. Despite a median home price of about $1,500,000, it is incredibly unpretentious. Why? A lot of people who bought in the '50s still seem to live there ... so the yuppification process is taking place more slowly.
We took Beckett to the Aquarium of the Pacific, which he loved and spent two days walking and going to the beach, which Beck also loved. The air temp was in the high 80s, the water in the low 70s ... it doesn't get much better than that.
I hope all your holiday weekends were as equally fruitful and fun. Miss you all very much.
As always, donations are still being accepted. We are still about $10,000 from our goal – and time is running out. If you'd like to contribute, please click here
Registration number is TFK06
Last name/Team name is TEAMPHOENIX
Thank you again for all your help and support. Talk to y'all soon. – Ed
Just a quick note to let you know I'm alive and well, just really busy trying to keep up with the training and keep up with work and keep up with home and everything else.
