25th Colorado Aids Walk

Hello friends!

I am participating in the Colorado AIDS Walk and am sending out a rare solicitation for support of the financial variety. My registration is really all I anticipated being able to offer, but I thought I would throw it out to the world in case. We still desperately need a cure for this disease and any support is welcome, large or small. Hope you are all well and I thank you for this indulgence in solicitation.

PS
Donations of greater than $100 will receive a completely original "Captain Stupie" t-shirt as well! Ah… so tempting I know!


Click Here to Donate

Botanic Olympic Tribute

I'm about to embark on my very first relay run. The Denver Botanic Gardens is celebrating the opening of the Olympics with a relay "torch" run from their Chatfield campus to the main downtown location. I was asked to run a leg and am very excited to participate. It's fun. It's clever. I am tickled to be honest. Whether you are running with a torch of flowers for a Botanic Garden or just running errands, I hope you are having a fantastic day. Best to all the athletes in London. I hope our American runners do well and potentially grab some medals.

Dear Minivan Guy,

Please stop adding more stick figures to your brood. As is you have obviously added to the over populated planet more people than you and you partner plan on taking out with your passing. The resources are limited here and unless somehow you have bred rocket scientists, we really don't need this many more people around saying , "it's not my fault." In short, breed responsibly please.

The planet.

Speachless

It's been a few days since the horrifying news broke of another senseless tragedy occurred. I have been thinking about saying something, but like so many, the words just felt useless. How does one defend the obvious when the obvious is more a wish something had never happened? My heart goes out to those that endured the tragedy and to those that loved the people less fortunate. My thoughts and prayers are also with all the first responders that will forever have the images they rushed into with them. They were our heroes when we needed them and they were there quickly, many with children of their own.

As the horror begins to subside to the painful process of understanding yet a new depth that man can inflict on the innocent, my only hope is that the next steps can be healing. I heard there is already a lawsuit filed and am not surprised, just sad. So many suffered and there is no monitory recuperation for it. I hope we can come together and forge a better community around us. We need each other.

This world seems to have an endless ability to throw challenges, difficulties, and trials at us. Only together do we seem to overcome. That's just how I see it.

More Than One Reason Not to Eat at Jimmy John's

More Than One Reason Not to Eat at Jimmy John's

Toes!

So I have read that the barefoot running craze has a degree of legitimacy. Mostly, it seems to help correct your form from a heal strike to a forefoot strike. To try this out, I found a pair of Vibram Five Finger shoes. After taking a long time to actually get my toes in their little pockets, I was out the door. Heeding the warnings I had heard, I kept the initial runs to 2 miles. It felt weird and good. I am glad they were short runs but it was a lot of fun trying something new. Even though I prefer to run on concrete (as that's what most marathon miles are on), even that felt pretty good under the thin soles.

It's fun to try something new, even in running.

Gym

I went back to an old haunt this afternoon, the gym. It has been a refuge for many years, albeit not this particular one. I just enjoy the environment of pushing harder. There is a great reward in even just getting to the gym sometimes. It is one of my favorite "no money fun options. It felt good, but I was humbly reminded that time in said oasis is bought with time. Going once a month enables you to be there a briefer time than going weekly or daily. The more you go, the longer you can stay. It's a cool investment ratio.

I did not get to stay long today, but I got to go and that is half the battle. I recently saw a phrase I have completely embraced. It says: I will do today what others won't so that tomorrow I can do what others can't.

Hot Run

I made a decision after work today that I was going to get my run in. It was a premeditated choice based on an over riding desire to keep a sense of self in tho transition time at my new, old job. The trouble is, by the time I got home, the temp had spiked to 95 degrees. I could not reconsider and simply loaded a water bottle with ice, took a big draw off a Gatorade, and headed out. I like to tell myself (and my wife) that I am testing myself doing something hard like that, but it's probably far less worthy. Just stubbornness I fear.

It's funny though how many people truly gawk when you are out running in this heat out here. I started to think I was just looking good, but that was probably the lightheadedness taking over. No, either they were staring like that because they could not believe someone was running in that heat or the look on my face is what I fear it probably was.

Keep Moving

I am happier when I am busy. It has been proven again and again that I do better longing for down time, but actually do poorly when I get it. That being said, things have been busy again. I am tired and usually worn out, but there is a feeling of productivity that is starting to feel pretty good. Inertia is a powerful thing.

Caught Between.

There's a tug of war at times between gratitude and wishing for me. As I am often very vocal about the gratitude I have for so much in my life, it's hard at times to not mistake it for a settling. I still have my aspirations and hopes. They occasionally masquerade as wants. The difference is in the obsession they hold on me. Tonight I am dreaming and accepting, a good balance.

Heat

It's hot. How is that for defending the obvious? I am hard pressed to gather much energy when the temperature rises. It's been tough to get very much done and my running shoes are actually seeing some significant rest time. I don't really know how to fight it either. I want to get out and do things, but my entire body just feels worn out.

How do you get pat that dear readers? What have you found works for fighting through heat induced lethargy?

Self Inquired

So the latest of the "did you notice" things I have developed an ear for as of late has been an annoying habit of speech. It is the setting one's self up for a response. For example: "Would I like for it to rain? Of course I would." The asking a question only to offer the answer is beyond annoying when it is caught on to. It is of the ranks of "you know?" or "my thing is." It is a verbal waste of time and I have not been able to stop feeling frustrated by it. It's as if the speaker is conducting their own press conference and playing both parts. Seriously, just say your opinion. Stop setting it up first. As the example above, "I would like it to rain." Quit with the wishy-washy set up, PLEASE!!!

ps
Nixon came up when I Googled "stupid speech" and I thought that was funny.

Fourth of July

This 4th of July, I find myself in a state that has been ravaged by wild fires and thousands of brave men and women have been fighting them for weeks trying to save lives, homes, and forests. The point of this is that Colorado has enacted a firework ban this year, eliminating most displays and certainly all of the private "imported from Wyoming" varieties. There has surprisingly been a bit of an outcry to this. The sentiment has been that we must have fireworks, it's part of being an American.

There are too many places in this argument to defend all the obviousness, so forgive your Captain. I am interested strictly in pointing out that on this day of our Independence, it may behove us to remember how hard it has been to gain and keep it. Thousands of brave men and women have put them selves in harm's way on our behalf and continue to do so. Our police and firefighters routinely go out to insure your pursuit of happiness is possible. There are even good politicians (I think) that are trying to make our country and better place. The latter generally beats its own drum, so I shall not though.

The point here is that on this day when many years ago, a literally revolutionary idea was born, we owe a debt. Instead of the popular "America, fuck yeah!" approach, we might try a little more genuine gratitude. There are still a lot of sons and daughters not on our soil in the name of defending it. Whether you agree or not with why, they are out doing one of the hardest jobs imaginable… for us.

I am ok withe the lack of Roman Candles this year. What I can't take is the whining that fireworks are what makes today special.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart to those who gave us this country and help us keep it safe!

History Repeating

It has been a whirlwind of a few weeks, sorry for the absence. I have begun working once again for a previous employer I haven't been with for 7 years. Its been surreal, humbling, and interesting. One thing I know for certain is that I am applying a considerable amount of faith. That being said, my role here is pretty simple. I put out the effort and have some trust that the direction I am to go will be revealed when I need it. While that pisses me off as a control freak, its healthier than trying to play God here. I understand my best plans have never gone according to, well, plan. This is good for now. I am optimistic better days are ahead, but for now I am reminded "all work is nobel." I am glad for the job and am hoping the good mojo continues.