Miles, Money and a New Round of Thank Yous

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 125.17/446.57
Total miles swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total miles biked since entry to marathon: 27.12
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 18,916/79,938
Weight: 199.5
Beers in last 24 hours: 4
Total 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