Monday, June 27, 2005

Just before I set out for my daily lunchtime walk this afternoon, I peaked out the window to check the weather. It'd been gray on and off all day, and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't get caught in a downpour out on the path near my office.

What I saw didn't look promising. In fact, it looked downright ominous: thick gray clouds fairly plowing across the sky. My desire to get out and stretch my legs battled with the common sense notion that getting really, really wet in the middle of the workday was probably not a great idea.

Deciding to throw caution to the wind and take my chances, I grabbed my mp3 player and headed outside. As is my custom, I toggled the "Rio DJ" function and had it randomly select music for me.

The song at the top of the list? Sting's "Heavy Cloud, No Rain."

And so it was. I did my walk and returned to the office bone dry.

A small, elegant example of a simple truth: when the universe talks to you, listen.

Posted @ 10:57 PM

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Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Here's a nickel's worth of free advice from your ol' buddy Jack: if you ever get the chance to wake up screaming in pain at five in the morning from a charley horse so bad that, even after you've walked it off, lingers with an intensity that prohibits sleep, I urge you to pass. It's not nearly as much fun as the enthusiasts would have you believe.

That was the start to my Sunday, a morning I'd planned to sleep in after a wonderful night visiting with friends. Between the four of us in attendance we polished off four bottles of wine, so I was really looking forward to sleeping through most of my potential hangover. Thankfully (if that's the right word) the pain in my leg was so horrible that it effectively masked any lingering effects the alcohol may have had.

Tonight I spent several hours putting together a stationary bike. For years I've said I'd gladly exercise if I could just watch TV or read while I did it. Now I have a machine which meets those requirements, situated neatly in front of a TiVo-enabled set and complete with a dedicated book stand built into the handlebar assembly. Guess I need to start riding like the wind.

Posted @ 1:15 AM

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Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Even in the midst of implementing a redesign, The Morning News just keeps on giving.

Today's edition points us to a Guardian UK article about the ultimate product for poser SUV owners, the kind of people who want to project a rugged, outdoorsy image without the hassle and discomfort of actually having to do anything remotely sports-like: spray-on mud to give their gas guzzling behemoths the look of having been used for their alleged original purpose.

The defining quote of the piece:

People may want to look like they've been off-road, but they certainly don't want any chips or scratches on the paintwork while they're doing the school run.

I've often suspected that a significant subset of SUV drivers feel a tad silly never taking their off-road vehicles, y'know, off-road. I even, in my petty heart of hearts, held the notion that many of those folks would be willing to fake the marks of a trailblazing nature as long as they could buy it at the store. Now, in the form of $14 aerosol can spray bottle of filtered mud, we've got documentary proof.

Posted @ 1:28 PM

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Friday, June 10, 2005

What a difference a day makes. Since Sunday I've been struggling with a very painful mystery ailment. I'll spare you the gory details, but suffice it to say I was in so much pain that I could barely think, much less be a productive member of society.

I made an appointment to see the doctor Tuesday, and got in late yesterday afternoon. She was quickly able to diagnose and alleviate the problem. Thankfully it turned out to be something simple, acute, and very easy to treat.

So I'm now almost completely back to my usual cheery self. And my mere five days of torment have given me new sympathy for anyone dealing with chronic pain. If you know anyone who's in that horrible situation, do something nice for them today, okay? They deserve it.

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A belated shout-out to my buddy Steve for his telling insight regarding the ongoing Ichthus-Darwin wars. He hit the nail on the head with this one.

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Last and most definitely not least, a huge thank you to my buddy dsgrapeson, who scored me a ticket to the advance screening of Serenity in DC later this month. She is a ticket procuring master of the first order, and I'm am her most humble and obedient servant.

Keep your money in your pocket, kiddo. The popcorn's on me.

Posted @ 1:01 PM

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