All or Something

I am in training right now for the Denver Marathon this fall. As per usual, I am following a training plan I have been developing. What's unusual is that I was running everyday prior to starting my training and am adjusting to taking some rest days. I also have been writing everyday too. Last night I experienced a hiccup trying to post the last blog. I finally just had to walk away and try again today. To me I am always all or nothing. That isn't a helpful way to go sometimes. So here I am trying to not fear taking some time off on occasion.

Great Ideas

I appreciate the creative time I get when out on a long run. The mind goes wild with ideas and every one of them seems great. Here some several hours later, I still think my idea this morning was solid. If it holds up through tomorrow, I'll see what might be the next step.

And yes there will be sprinkles.

Conflicted

So, I have been spending a lot of time considering the concept of want less, do more. It's a beautifully simple notion that truly appeals to me. Now that being said, I just moved into a new home. The list of needs and wants have radically increased. Things I never thought about, like ant stakes and wheel baraoughs are suddenly holding sway. Hell, I got a charge last night when I ordered a lawn mower. It's hard, because when the wallet opens a little I always fear it won't stop. It's always all or nothing, and balance is a silly pipe dream. While I know that isn't true, the fear is enough.

I am walking that fine line trying to take it easy and do the most important thing next. It is throwing my theory into some challenging practice to be sure.

What Size Coffee?

A constant challenge for me is the effort to not always seek more. I am pre disposed to always feel there will not be enough. Would I like an amazing cup of coffee or unlimited sub-par java? Hmmm.... not sure. I am noticing that the large size available is not always a better deal and generally speaking not worth it. Starbucks for example has its threee comicly named sizes that are 12, 16, and 20oz each. At least for a cup of coffee, that's only a difference of 4oz each and yet more often that venti is significantly more expensive that the leap from tall to grande. Huh. It's funny when you read the prices and start questioning them.

Feeling Like Home

The one thing that has always made a new place start to feel like home has been throwing some paint on the walls. Until now, that was always a bitter sweet proposition in that the apartment would have to be painted white again before I moved. This is more an investment, to be sure. I have also never lived in a place where I was on a 30' ladder trying desperately not to spill. Thusly my face met the paint roller once.

Pretty Pictures

A friend from Chicago has embarked on a photo a day mission. Her work is truly fantastic, especially if you have some Windy City love.

Oh My Yard

I have always loved plants. In my tiny studio in Chicago I had among my foliage a couple Blue Spruce saplings and a small tray of grass I would trim by scissors once a week.

It is beyond exciting to imagine what can actually grow in a yard. I can not wait to plant some actual trees! It was even fun mowing the lawn last week. Who would have guessed?

Bike Querry

Here is a question for all you bike riders: How far is too far to consider biking to work? I am sitting at a daunting 30 miles and while the effort isn't unreasonable, the time is a deal breaker. So tell me, my 2 wheeled friends what is a sane distance to contemplate?

I Need What?

Here's an age old debate for me. I am often prone to determining I need stuff. Usually it's just a heavy case of want. Conversely, I tend to put off the needs way too long. Well the wild thing with the new dwelling situation is that those lists have gone  a little crazy. I am still striving towards the "want less, do more" idea. However here, I truly don't know what are needs. I know we needed window coverings as I have never known before and my decorative front lawn was up to my dog's belly till Scott let me borrow his lawn mower last Sunday. It feels destructive to keep buying things, but yet there are new "needs."

Breathe Slow

Training has begun for the Denver Marathon this fall. I headed out in the rain today for an easy 4 miler. It felt great going out in a training format. There is some improvisation beginning this training as I have never logged these kind of miles before training. I have also never started my training as a daily runner. I will be taking time off for rest days, but it will be tough to not want to get out there all the time for a while.

Balance. Run Easy. Give it all.

Finding the right Gear

Every summer, I am to rediscover that I am terribly unproductive when the temerature rises too much. I can get a good day in or two, but more quickly than I'd like, I am reduced to a state of mental Jello. We tried to get out and get a lot done today but it was an uphill battle. We are regrouping at home, having some snacks and watching Mad Men season 1, and I am finally starting to feel the mental fog lifting. Go figure.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

Neighbors

Tiff and I just got back from a garage sale up the street. While we did not buy anything (except a couple tasty doughnuts), we did get to meet some more of our neighbors. Again, very friendly and very excited to welcome us. This little hidden neighborhood within Commerce City is turning out to truly be a welcomed oasis. Everyone, including our trash pick-up has been ridiculously nice. Thus far, we are blown away at the hospitality out here.

Three Smoke Free

With all the hellabalou last weekend, I didn't even get to make much of a comment on it, but last Saturday I hit the 3 month smoke-free mark. It felt important to mention it as I know when word stops getting made it's usually a bad sign. Conversely, I didn't want to talk about it all the damn time this time too. It's not my first walk down this path. None the less, I am still quit. It feels good, but as of late the mental obsession has been tough. I have really wanted one lately. Ergo, I am furiously lacing up the running shoes each day. I know this too shall pass, but damn it's tough when in the middle of a tough craving.

Where in Google did I just go?

So, I was just trying to take care of a couple things online this morning when the online distraction occured. You know what I mean. One minute you're paying a bill, the next you are looking at video clips from 1986 Olympics. How did I get here? The internet is an amazing thing, but damn dangerous before the first cup of coffee has kicked in.

Spalding Continuity

Just sitting here watching the highlights from last night's baseball game. I've got a cup of coffee, the dogs are walked, and I'm on the couch. The Rockies won one last night, so my highlights are more fun to replay. This is how you follow a team if you don't want to shell out the cable fees. All in all, this all feels very comfortable and very familiar. I have been enjoying close variations of this very routine since we lived in Los Angeles. No matter where we go or live, from April through September, baseball will continue to offer a comfort. My teams will win and lose every night. The coffee is hot. All is well, as a good friend was fond of reminding me.

It has been a busy, eventful past couple days. I would have preferred to have written a bit more on all that, however time and ability were not on my side. When I am stuck posting from my phone, blogs such as yesterdays are my inclination. Regardless, all seems to be fitting into place quickly on the new home front and I am excited to begin defending the obvious in my new home.

I just wanted to say thank you for the patience over the last few days and as always for taking some valuable time to check in to see what random blather I have decided to talk about today.

Monday

Just a hum, drum Monday.

Where does it go?

It's the first day in our new home. This has happened in many an apartment, but never a house. None the lless it is a new environment.. There is this craving for familiarity. I find myself tucking thing into drawers they just came out of days before. There's a balance in change. Today a I am reaching for the most comfortable coffee mug.

Moved in

We got to move in today to our first home. Too stunned at that statement to say much more. 

Closed

We bought a house today! I can not express in words right now the excitement and gratitude I feel tonight. The old, crappy mantra of, "guys like me don't..." just took another hit. Good night all from our humble apartment full of boxes.

Grateful Man

Today is my birthday. It comes in the midst of a whirlwind of change in my life. This year I have had the chance to become a husband. I have bought a home with my wife and begun to envision some roots. While today has my head spinning with what has happened and about to, I am more aware of the loved ones in my life, friend and family, and all too grateful for both.

Thank you everyone, for being  part of this adventure!

Too Much is Always Underated

The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist by Servietsky

Upheaval

There comes that point in every move where the last clear look at your home disappears. That also seems to be when you hit that, "it will never be done" packing mindset. Having done this way too often, I know it is temporary, but it feels like the runner wall sometimes. Moving this weekend will feel good for a variety of reasons. One of the less sung praises of the actual move is to no longer have to pack.

The House at the End of the Week

So begins the week I can say I started as an apartment dweller and ended as a home owner. So far, with the packing, it doesn't seem all that different yet. It has been nice to have had 14 months without the cardboard invasion, despite not being entirely happy about this particular apartment. Not sure when the difference on this move will kick in. When does an entire house start to feel like home?

Good Kids

I've said it here many times, but manners and etiquette are wonderful qualities to have. Working around kids so often, I am shocked how often they are given no guidance. Thank you to all the parents that still work hard to instill this remarkable quality.

Particularly thanks Mom and Dad.

Last Lap

I have truly enjoyed the connection running has given me to the places I have been. When I have been on the roar, even to familiar places, going out for a run seems to be giving me a richer experience there. From the back roads of Ohio to the Hollywood hills, I have enjoyed greatly being out running. There's a solitary connection to the scenery that's tough to explain.

Today, I laced up and hit my punishing 8 mile loop I try once a week. It curves around some quiet, barely used paths before a 2 mile, steady incline on a busy, shade-free stretch. From the high point I can see beyond downtown Denver, easily 50 miles or so.

I have always enjoyed my final runs before leaving a familiar area. My Hollywood 3.5 mi loop, my Lakeshore Drive out & backs, and now my quiet office park loops. It feels like the last regular run should be sentimental, but it never feels bad. Perhaps it's the endorphins or the ever present drive to complete the distance, but it always feels good.

I am excited to see the new routes at my new home. I am even suspicious there is a considerable hill nearby to do regular battle with.

What's up Doc?

I am not one for going to the doctor if I can avoid it, but I do need to look into finding one. Aside from purely gauging names and speculating is a "Mark" easier to deal with than a "Larry?" Tough choice. If anyone out there knows a good way to find a doc, let me know. Better to find one as a precautionary measure than when I need one.

Gratitude Today

I am one luck guy...

Home Stretch

We had our first walk through on our house this morning. It staggers my mind that we are looking at what will soon be our new home. We did what is commonly referred to as the blue tape walk today where we go through with our building superintendent and put little tape marks where we need fixes. It felt similar to all the many apartment  condition sheets I have filled out so as to get my deposit back after. What isn't quite registering yet though is that there is no deposit to await and we will not be out looking for a potential better deal next year when our rent goes up. This is as long as we want it.

That will take some time to sink in.