Reading on the Run

It was on that first full day I spent in the small college town when I went in the store & purchased one of these in order to ease my back-of-rental-vehicle sleeping abilities when I found myself attempting to figure out how best to park in the few city blocks of the actual downtown area.

I wanted to go into the library which happened to be located in a nearby block next to construction (which most always seems to be disrupting things such as city street parking, at least it was in this case). I found a spot on the street & considered the automated pay-to-park machine. I even gave it a try. It didn't make sense & I became slightly frustrated, wasting my time.

A van pulled up behind my rental vehicle & so, the gregarious gal that I am, I approached the driver door. A kind lady got out of the van &, upon learning why I got her attention, walked with me to the machine where together we evaluated that it simply wasn't working properly.

By this time she'd learned that I was from across the country & in town to participate in the upcoming marathon as well as another, nearly two weeks later, just across the state's border, & that I'd be heading back home after I finished the second marathon.

In knowing I was there to run the local marathon she automatically guided me to the retail running store in the next block over. It turned out that Olympic Bronze Medalist, Deena Kastor was inside with copies of her book to meet participants, sign copies, & smile for photos too (if the photo was of interest). Grateful to have my wallet with me, I figured I was there, I might as well. If I'd been able to keep up with all of the marathon-related email messages, I'd have had a clue I'd be having the chance to meet an Olympian. Alas, I did not.

There is irony in the book's subtitle as I tend to be quite an over thinker & definitely mindful in my running to continue my personal motivation. It was in this same line, to get my copy of the book, that I received some solid advice from other marathoners, one if which had seen a thread I'd posted in an online group! 😲 It was a case of "you're 'her'!", which was kind of neat.

And so now, along with this book, this book, this book, this book, & two others, (I was obviously very ambitious!), I now had this book too! I mean, I didn't intend to actually read this book while away. It just became quite entertaining that I'd already overpacked my book reading (I don't own one of these, so when I mention a book, I mean a book.) & here I was adding to my binding loot! 😂

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A Little More Water

One of the very first things I noticed as the bus I rode arrived near the city where I'd be staying for the rest of July was that several of the neighboring department stores had these lined up like shingles decorating the perimeter of each store - gingerbread house-like.

I was jealous because I wanted one. Knowing that I couldn't even buy myself a souvenir (couldn't afford one, didn't have any place to put it "back home", didn't need one - the experience was to be souvenir enough) as has already been well stated, neither of my luggage bags could handle more than, well, something as small as this.

Yes, I could've purchased one of these & paid the additional $15 (at least I think that's the fee for having a second "checked bag") to take it with me personally, although that also would've meant that I'd have needed to actually be able to take it with me. I couldn't manage it with the rental vehicle I had, & I'd also be responsible for moving it from bus to bus at each bus-changing interval - which I've also already indicated that I actually liked in general for my "basic" luggage needs.

I'd no way to be scooting one of these from bus to bus (as well as "watching it" at each bus depot), so I began dreaming up how I might be able to order one online & pick it up once I got back. As I wrote about here I got "the bug" back in June. My second time while being on the water a kind woman generously shared that the group's organizer (with whom I wasn't all that familiar) would be great to message & recommend to me a trustworthy link.

And that is exactly what the group's organizer did do. So I had a link to a sale at DSG (this & this) that would expire before I could pick it up. And no one who could retrieve it & stow it on my behalf until I'd see them in August. And so I didn't buy it. Which is actually good because, even with that special discount, I couldn't really afford it. I just desperately wanted to participate without the rental costs. It's light weight at 36 pounds & only 10' long, yet I do hear a bit of Dad in the background & a regular phrase of his from our childhood: "Improper use of the word 'only'." And he'd be a little bit right. The storage unit is nearly equivalent in size & there's the handling. I'm a strong, fit gal (I've been told -- & I think I believe it too! 😏), yet maybe continuing to rent for the time being is more apropos.

This is a link to one that Amazon sells. It's of comparable length, & just an inch wider. It's four pounds heavier. It's also blue. And, unlike the other - at DSG - where the only way to get "free shipping" is utilizing the "pick up in store" option, this one is also offered with free shipping. A good thing, it might be. At the same time, it needs to get to the water somehow, so acclimating it to a personal vehicle from point-of-sale, might just be the better option. Or, become a seasonal "member" at the rental shop, or, clean out the nearest garage, attic, or storage unit. 😂

All to enjoy a little more time on the water.

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Posh Sleeping

When I made this trip almost all the way across the country, & because I would definitely need to rent a vehicle to get around for a few weeks (which was gonna cost me much moola even with uber discounts included), I realized long before I hopped aboard the Greyhound that I'd be best off to "car camp".

In my general inexperience with car camping (just an overall affection for camping) I figured that as long as I got myself an SUV for a rental, I'd be set & I could fold down the backseat, leaving a long amount of space for me to stretch out. It turned out that I only needed to fold down a portion of the backseat leaving ample width for this whether I'd be sleeping on it or inside of it. This, in turn, left space where I could also set up & consider which things from my checked luggage bag I'd need at certain points during my trip.

I set myself up just fine for my first night - where my only "glitch" became the unexpected learning experience of being farther north than my "hometown" familiarity being much more unanticipated daylight than I could process. Well, that's an exaggeration, yes. It was July & not June anymore, after all. And therefore a time of year when it's sensible - rather, assumable - that each day's daylight will be the appropriate minutes shorter that it should be. And, well, it is, for each given area.


I'd learned years ago how Alaska has daylight all day for half the year & then darkness all day for the other half the year. Or, something like that. Similar to those who believe that Earth is flat, I somehow got it into my head that it's only in Alaska, down to the jagged borders of the state's line, where this "extended daylight" happens.

😂 Well, yes, the tears of laughter are all on me! As well they should be!! I mean, really people, c'mon! There's no practically, no logic - because, well, I simply hadn't ever really thought about it. I knew it to be true for Alaska & so I "locked" it in as being "only in Alaska". And that it is definitely not.

It's a gradual phenomenon (okay, so "phenomenon" might be a strong word to use here, although when one discovers something that seems on equal level to comprehending that the Earth is round & not actually flat, "phenomenon" has a bit more reasoning than might otherwise be acceptable). And by "gradual" I mean similarly to how the time zones exist, in part, to maintain modern day latitude fluctuation, there's something to be said for daylight in regard to longitude as well.

And so, in addition to all of the other "unexpected learning" I experienced on this trip to cross the finish line of two marathons, I also learned, first hand, how much more daylight there is further north than where I typically spend my time. And whereas I expected, in mid-July, for the sun to be going down (for it to be practically dark, or absolutely dark) definitely by 9:15 or 9:30 at night, well, that's not what I did experience that first night of sleeping in the back of an SUV (so no curtains on the windows) & in a parking lot (so no trees - definitely none of appreciable abundance) while I tossed & turned a bit anyway out of general heightened anticipation for the first of the two marathons, which I'd be crossing the finish line for after I slept like this three more times. On the positive note, I certainly had the time to adjust my body to this alternative (car camping) sleeping style. I really do believe it was roughly 10:45 that first night when darkness fell upon that parking lot. And so it was.


When I awoke needing to use the store's restroom, & figuring that a "stretching out" walk through the store would do me well anyway, I found myself contemplating the home fashions department just a little bit more. I was hesitant because I knew whatever I'd chose to buy would be large or bulky & that I'd not want to pitch it out, rather to manage forcing the zipper closed on my checked luggage bag once I did pack it back up for the return trip.

Since I'd been silly enough to reason I'd potentially read six books (when I ended up bringing back a seventh book too) & where I furthered my reading of one of the original books & managed my way through nearly a third of another, there simply wasn't space for me to be buying anything of substantial size that I'd not be eating or recycling, etc.

Alas, I found this. I found it to be reasonably priced & felt that I'd be ultimately be able to wrap my belongings around it in order to get it shoved well into the checked luggage. And, in the end, it folded down incredibly (intense compression) & everything else got piled heavily atop it with additional items originally not included with the carry-on, now adding to the carry-on after all. Because, yes, it did all. work. out. to bring it back with me.

And, because I did purchase it, I was able to set it up underneath this. The extra cushioning (or cushioning in general 😊, because otherwise I was stretching out directly atop the barebones "carpet" of the SUV) became a welcome respite.

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A Drug Called Love

In catching up on some not-so-new-releases, I discovered this flick. I don’t consider it to be a “top pick”. And it’s certainly not a “new release” (it’s from 2010).

I’m a fan, in general, of the work of both main characters. Not so much along the lines of love would be her work in this book-turned-into-this-movie. And this work of his.

This picture, in my humble opinion (imho 😂), has a poor poster for its advertising. Ultimately, it’s a storyline about love; about each of them completely realizing, as well as accepting, that they’re in love with one another … and allowing that to actually be.

To her he says:

“I’m full of shit.”

…

“I have never cared about anything or anyone in my entire life.”

“…and everyone just kind of accepted that…that’s just Jamie.”

“And then you, geez. …You. …You…”

“You didn’t see me that way.”

“I have never known anyone who actually believed that I was enough till I met you. … And then you made me believe it too.”

“So, uh, unfortunately…I need you.” “And you need me.”


She interjects:

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes. You do.”

“Stop it…Stop saying that.”

“You need someone to take care of you.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Everybody does.”

“I’m going to need you more than you need me.”

“That’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. It isn’t fair. I’ve places to go.”

“You’ll go there. I may just have to carry you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t.”


And there it is folks …

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Singing About Kaleidoscopes

It's Valentine's weekend. Even though the date falls in the middle of the week. Typically these things get their unofficial celebration the Saturday beforehand.

I'm quickly reminded of these. Our family didn't do a lot for this holiday growing up; well, Mom did decorate OF COURSE! 😂 And technically overly so...however, we didn't recognize it in any other fashion than receiving these at our place at the dining room table. I believe there'd be a card there as well. 😊

Maybe it's because the school system wasn't too involved...as young, elementary school age children, we'd take part in the typical decorate-the-brown/white-bags exchange, otherwise, it was a day for pink, red, & whatever other sorta color might be in the closet to represent the occasion.

A feel-good song that comes to mind to describe the quick, snapshot take of it is this. Although, in an it-is-what-it-is sorta way, this speaks to the directive within our family's mood.

Another artist, who when I hear her song with the lyric recalling a wrecking ball, I consider a whole other artist 😎; however, she sings about kaleidoscopes too, here. 💕 Which makes her singing seem lovely & her work full of the loving embrace that seems to come around these pink & red (& sometimes black) attired days.

And then, as we adore each other's soft pinks & reds we can reminisce about the special saints, their beheading, & the other, much less recognized saints of this upcoming, right-smack-in-the-middle-of-February, day.

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Keeping Your Head Up Hoping to Dance

For some people waiting around to complete a task seems to be the best way for them to accomplish it, in addition to accomplishing it well. These same people often need to have something of a timer tick-tocking nearby in order for them to have their own inner fire flamed. Some call these people procrastinators; others call them perfectionists (for similar, yet not the same, reasons).

These are not my people. I accomplish the same tasks, & best, when I'm optioned to take my time. I can work well under pressure, I am deadline-driven, & I can put my nose to the grindstone & purely focus on what's most important on my to-do list...That is, my hypothetical "to-do list".

I work hard to not permit any of my to-do list to get "inside my head". I lose this battle quite often. I think all of this is much of why I made my 2018 motto (which I tend to not have annual mottos, either 😜), to not make a task out of living my life.

The responsibility of adulthood can be wearisome, although I believe, if overthought just a snag, this wearisome-ness is mainly due to having "too much". Whether it's gluttony, or keeping many possessions, or never saying "no" to those who request of you & therefore, keeping too busy a schedule &, in time, "running ragged".

And then this song pops into my head. It's a song that kept me somewhat spirited during my high school running years. It was not a popular song of the times; it was simply a song I knew of having a particular line within it, that, would I think of it much while lapping the track, (or, keeping on wherever), I'd contentedly manage to continually keep on placing one foot in front of the other.

This isn't a pun & yet it's both literal & figurative. And it's the "run" of adulthood too. Believing in one's own "goodness", "strength" & "aptness"; that for which we are quite qualified, & where we are ready, willing, & eager to excel.

It's about letting the little things go. And then I remember a book I picked up at a church's flea market during my tween years: this book. And, like many other tweens (& "tweens" of all generations 😎) I bought the book, had it around, made it a part of the right-next-to-the-desk stack "knowing" it'd soon be read, or at least skimmed through, or, at the very least, flipped through. And like many others still, I consider now that I truly hope when I purged a handful of boxes of books to a library book sale about a year ago, I hope, really, really hope, that I bothered, that I just went ahead & included that particular book to those donation boxes. 😜😂

It's not that this book was written or published for the purpose of never really being actually read. It's that I know, for almost absolutely certain, that I, in this current "life space" of mine, won't be breaking the binding in any more than it was when I scooped it up out of the box in the old high school on the church's property. Maybe, just maybe, it's because I got out of the book everything I needed to - just in reading the title itself.

That title rings in my ear just as ferociously as does the headline verse from this song while I'm running a long distance in otherwise silence.

It's because I've already embraced that minding the (slowly, creepily rising) price of gas at-the-pump isn't going to stave it off or "coupon" the bottom line. I'm not embracing or "celebrating" it; I'm merely not permitting my blood pressure to rise as a result of recognizing & acknowledging it.

We can all plan. We can make to-do lists. We can discipline ourselves & accomplish miniature & major goals we set for ourselves in every miniature & major way possible. We can also work on focusing just as much as we focus on working. (Are you working hard or hardly working? 😎😜😂)

When the gentle balance is found somewhere in between all of these things, when a deep sigh is had, & a smile gently sweeps the cheeks of the earned while their eyes dance in glory & justice...They've accepted their girth and/or accomplished...Whether that be finishing a personal project, one at work, receiving accolades, or finding that somewhat creepy word: contentment.

Then being asked to interview for (& being offered!) a "dream job", running 20+ consecutive thirteen minute miles well in advance of an upcoming scheduled marathon sans pain or injury, glamorously wearing that dress & heels (or boots! 😊) that just happen to match so well together while being out-n-about "people watching" & having "carefree timelessness" to actually "take in" life for its moments, keeping your "head up" so "you can let your hair down" (click here for the upbeat tune 😉😁😄), happening upon a house on a quaint street in an attractive neighborhood that will be both "safe" & "wise" for which to reasonably relinquish one's savings account...& realizing that this is all what is truly "living 'the dream'".

*****

Diane Keaton's character in this movie wished for each of her children to know their personal worth & to find love, happiness, & family...Not with the wrong person...& not to just get married for the sake of getting married because their mother was dying...Even if each relationship isn't to truly gel before she passes away. To be themselves while receiving & being welcoming & loving. This is, in part, why she responds to Sarah Jessica Parker's character asking, "What's so great about you guys?"

"Nothing. It's just...it's just that we're all we've got." with Rachel McAdams character nearby.

With Rachel's character then adding, "We're not so great."

Which leads Sarah's character to cry out, "And you! You're the worst!"

Rachel's character then asks inquisitively,"I'm the worst?!" as she slides on raw eggs & falls to the floor; Diane's character yelps from the hilarity of the scene (aka "the moment"). They are "them", though they'll love you just the same.

And as she casually made sure to take the minutes to watch & acknowledge the snow falling...on Christmas Day (thus her last Christmas is a "White Christmas").

All we are & all we do is all that we have. And that's all that we've got to make the most of what we can...

...When you get the choice to sit it out or 🎜🎝🎜🎝 ... Because it truly is ... all. small. stuff.

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Knee Slappers, Perhaps?

Perhaps just some select "groaners"... In any case, read on:


Me: "So I'll be picking up my new glasses in the morning [said days ago]." "That's a good reason for the sun to rise tomorrow."

Other Person: "Will you be getting new ones?"

Me: Only polite way to verbally respond to this question, "Could you rephrase your question?"

Other Person: "Will the frames you'll be picking up be different from the frames you've been wearing?"

Irony of this interaction & my getting "new" frames is that, as I have had a very ideal frame in the past, I have marched back into a frame retailer, showed them the coding on the inside of the frames I'd been wearing for several years, & asked them to check their stock drawer for remaining of the same - which did work out; I was able to purchase, yet again, that same, amazing frame. Thus, my more recent struggle of these past few years which I've strived to not become burdensome & weary for me.

*****

Asked upon picking up a sheet of paper from the printer's tray, "Did you print something?"

In a place where there are no color printers. I asked, "Is it black & white?" Because the sheet of paper printed had a dominance of black background with white characters on the top half of the sheet, & white background with black characters on the bottom half of the sheet. So, this is me laughing at myself post-haste. I believe I actually did slap my knee upon realizing that the sheet I'd printed, was, in fact, definitely both black *&* white!

*****

His family is expanding & finding the best name for their next son is the task. After the explanation of how their first-born came to be "Tommy"...

"Our daughter's name is 'Lily'. It isn't spelled with two 'Ls'."

Me: "You realize that's similar to someone saying, "'I got a haircut.', rather than, 'I got my haircut.'"

"Right. Our daughter's name doesn't have two 'Ls' together."

I've a fascination with names, their origin, their meaning, their popularity (both in general, & generationally when they're popular). I've had this fascination since I was quite young; in fact, I can remember when our elementary school class ordered books from a catalog. I got two or three in that first order & one was similar to these. I was fascinated (& still, to this day, am)! I remember learning that the name "Karina" is of Latin origin & means "Pure", while the name "Karen" means "Pure one." "Karen" is of Greek origin & is derived from the name "Katherine". This is what I learned from the book I had, & isn't necessarily what current books might have published.

*****

In a large group of 50+ men where many are bald, nearly bald, or frequently shave their heads, overheard, "Celebrate it." Where the voice is that of a man who's facial frame & haircut/hairstyle is similar to Ralph Malph. (Images here.)

Me: Walked to other side of doorway. "Kool & The Gang sings about that." (Click here for the album & song link.)

Ralph look-a-like: "Is that they one where they sing about 'dancing to the music' too?"

Me: "'Cel-e-brate good times. C'mon." "'We'll be dancing, yeah.'" "No. Different songs." "I'll have to 'Wikipedia' it later." (Click here for the album & song link.)

Ralph look-a-like: "That's gonna bug me." Comes out of next door room. "I looked it up. It's Three Dog Night." (Click here for the album & song link.)

Me: Entirely different song. "'Celebrate, celebrate. Dance to the music.'"

Ralph look-a-like: "Got to celebrate your hair. If you've got hair, you need to let it be 'free'; celebrate it. While you've got it, celebrate it; let everyone see it. I never wear the ball cap. Only the winter cap; it holds the heat in the head."

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