Her Day

Today is a big day. One of the people I love most in this world is getting married. As someone I care so much about, I am flooded with emotions for her. The joy in seeing her so happy, the hope for her future, and everything in between are playing out. I love her with all my heart and just want her to be happy. It's hard to step back and not interject my own life's experiences to compare. Last night, at the rehearsal I saw a woman on the verge of a very happy day. That helps a lot. 

Happy Friday to You

Taste

On the Denver Cruiser Ride last night I tucked in behind a bike with loud speakers and good music. That is the way I like to roll on those rides for certain. The music last night was a fantastic mix of mash-ups that started with a blend of War Pigs and a popular Ludacris song about asking a woman to move. I  enjoyed the mixes of rap, metal, and punk with a few pop rifts here and there I asked the guy afterwards before joining the Circle of Death what the mix was. He told me it was Girl Talk.

After a little searching I found it was a free download and got the whole album. Listening this morning I was so enjoying it that I felt like I had to share it with someone right away. A good tune will do that. Then I thought, who the hell do I know that would like this? It raised a curious idea on liking something in real life. I wondered if there are two types that encounter something they enjoy a lot. The types that like something and think everyone will and then the types like me that feel their taste is some particular or peculiar, others would not enjoy it. I know I have been bombarded by some people's affinity only to ponder why they thought I would enjoy it?

I have no idea what all that means, but I thought it curious and felt like posting something on it.

Hope you liked it.

Tossed Again

I was out walking my dogs this morning and decided to go past where my Jeep was street parked. I am glad I did as it has been tossed again. By this I mean someone had gone through it to see if there was anything worth their time.  I am glad to say they walked away empty handed but left it a mess. Ever since my first painful lesson back in LA, I know what I keep in the Jeep is not secure as it is a soft top so I leave very little. After the last toss, I emptied it to virtually nothing so as to not even seem worth the while.

So why am I writing about this? The reason is that I have become comfortable with knowing my property can and does get routinely pillaged. There are no real alternatives at present and thus I have adjusted (keep nothing in it) and tried to grapple with that zen concept of my things are transitory.

The feeling of violation still comes, but I try and keep it in perspective. Nothing was taken. Nothing was damaged. Everything is fine. It's just stuff. If the power that be decides I no longer need that stuff, I am a poor opposition to it. So perhaps I am writing as a way to purge the violated feeling. It's small in comparison to other transgressions I know, but if you had a splinter, it would bother you and no one else. This is my splinter this morning and I am talking about it to ease the irritation.

Happy National Dog Day

How the hell did we find out about these holidays before Facebook? :)

A Little Further

It's been a day already. Not too tough, but with the heat it felt more exhausting. I still think I'm enjoying the residuals of yesterday's heat run. None the less, I am suiting up and about to head off to yoga. It's part of my training plan now and I am ready for the challenge. Yoga is not an easy practice me at all, still, but I like the discipline to it takes to commit to it. It is also beneficial for my head on approach, to try the create and flow method of yoga.

Today, getting there though feels like to victory.

Home Run

I decided to try something I had thought about doing since moving downtown. I used my training run to literally run home. That is, my parent's home. My route combined some straightaway and some twisting trails. It was truly more fun to be running somewhere as opposed to a giant loop or an out-and-back. My entertainment was cut a little short as the heat jumped quickly past the upper 80's. It was a modest relief when I shuffled into my parents driveway and my Dad told mr the temperature on the back porch was 102! I was not as much a Tom Cruise as I was afraid I was. It truly was that hot.

None the less, it was a good run. Plus, despite an overwhelming fear my Camelbak was close to dry, my 14th mile (of 16) was my fastest. Score! I also got to sport my new Team PAWS singlet I will be wearing race day. There's still time to donate, click here.

Glad to be out of the heat though!

Cranky Pants

Having one of those days where everything feels slightly off. I once heard if you come across more than three assholes in a day, you are probably one of them. Owning that sobering fact, I am scrambling to readjust my mind set to stop being one of them. I have also heard the saying would you rather be happy or right. I also seems applicable today. So amidst negative thinking and foolish judgement, I am seeking to 180 my mindset. I don't like being that guy. The judgement, even if it doesn't slip out of my mouth, feels like fast food. Just momentarily satisfying but swiftly a bad idea. Perhaps just owning it here to you, my dedicated three readers, is a start. Humility comes in a variety of ways, but it always comes. I am hoping to invite it back in with admission rather than wait for the crippling blow that returns the "right-sized" perspective. Here's hoping owning it and trying to just do the next right thing works.

Met a Hero and Ran Harder

I'm enjoying the routine of regular hours and my ability to train consistently each week. My routine is to get up early and get my training runs in before work and more importantly, before it gets too hot. Fridays are my speed days and I am not sure if it is a combo of that and the heat, but I have been zapped all damn day! I did run one of my fastest miles this morning, but I usually bounce back some after an hour a cup of coffee. None the less, tired as I am, I am proud of that mile.

I had the opportunity to meet one of my running hero's, Scott Jurek, this week. Despite feeling like an umber geek, I asked for his autograph. He wrote, "dig deep & do stuff." The latter references a reoccurring thought in his book Eat and Run. I replayed those words out there on the Cherry Creek path. It felt good to push.

AC Please

After a brief stretch of cooler weather, we have once again been slapped with some heat here in Denver. I won't lie, I had these fleeting ideas that Fall may come early this year and was all set to bust out the hoodies. None the less, it's hot again. I am so looking forward to when thee weather does turn the corner and the heat of the day can no longer last into the night. Even when it's warm in the Fall, it can't hold up at night here. As is I enjoy days like this where an afternoon shower, albeit swift, takes the tooth out of the hot.

I am a cold weather kid and while I love not piling the gear on to run, there's not much I enjoy about temps over 65. Today might not be my day, but it's coming soon!

Chicago Pie in Mile High

It has been a heartbreaking search, trying to find Chicago pizza in Denver. I knew it would be hard, but to be out right insulted by gimics like a rack inserted into the pan to raise the pizza higher, that has been the hard part.

Recently, a colleague told he he "real" Chicago pizza here and shared a menu with me. Paxti's Pizza. Skepitcal but starved for the real stuff, Tiff and I made the order after returning home from camping last weekend. Aside from not having giardiniera as a topping option, it looked promising. We even had the option to get it half baked to cut down on the wait time.  True Chicago pizza should take about an hour to cook, so that boded well. Above you can see what we received and I must say, it tasted fantastic! It lacked a little in the spice of the sauce, but so did various other pizza places in Chicago (cough, Lou Malnati's).

For being 1000 miles from actual Chicago, I must say it sufficed the craving! Check them out if you are in the Denver area (or parts of CA): Paxti's Pizza.

Door Prizes in Denver

Living downtown now, I am discovering some subtle differences in Denver than Chicago or even LA. One of the differences I have recently been more aware of is that people parking downtown in the Mile High City have experienced very few "door prizes." By that I mean, apparently not many people lose their car doors when opening them wildly into traffic. It seems frequent enough here that a car door is opened wide into traffic that I have to presume more often than not, this activity is rarely followed by crunch. It mystifies me. Perhaps it was the years of a certain rules of the road mind set in Chicago, but it seems foolish and reckless to not assume a car will easily ruin your day if you leave your door open on the traffic side of the road. Sure, drivers are the party responsible for not hitting you, but personally I don't trust drivers to do what they are supposed to do. Hell, I never expect them too. That may explain why I don't get too frustrated in traffic. Low expectations. None the less, I am often perplexed to see a car door (and periodically a person hanging out of it) just open to traffic.

Ergo my conclusion that door prizes are seldom had in Denver.

Important to Know

"Americans are slowly waking up to the sad fact that much of the food sold in the US is far inferior to the same foods sold in other nations. In fact, many of the foods you eat are BANNED in other countries."

http://topinfopost.com/2013/07/10/10-american-foods-that-are-banned-in-other-countries

Feel Good Story

"RED: PAWS Chicago’s beloved ambassador finds a home

Red, a loving Pit Bull Terrier, was seven years old, when his world was turned upside down after his owner was attacked and robbed in their home in 2009. Attempting to protect his owner, Red was shot in the back and lost the use of his hind legs."

Read more here!

Troy's Team PAWS fundraising page!

Little Boost

I am thrilled to have hit my goal for PAWS, but want to offer a little more. This money helps the most successful, no-kill shelter in the country and is changing the way homeless dogs and cats can be dealt with. I don't live in Chicago any longer, but the good they are doing can be mirrored here in Denver or anywhere else. The blazed the trail and others can now follow. Hit the link below to give them a little help.

Troy's Team PAWS donation page.

Roadtrip

I am a bit excited to hit the road today. I am not sure why but road trips always have a different sort of wonderful. The music, the food, the oddities you see when driving. It's just fun. I way prefer to fly when it's over 12hrs, but the simple joy of getting in the car and going is like no other.

Novice Campers

We are going camping this weekend for the first time. There's a group of four of us and our most experienced camper hasn't been since she was a kid. Needless to say, there has been quite a bit of guessing this week as to what is needed. While I am certain this has become more complicated than it needs to be, I am also certain the just head out and spend the weekend in the great outdoors is equally not simple. The modest gear we has obtained as well as the food to take alone has launched this into a less than modest endeavor. It's my hope that this preparation is the hard part and it will be more enjoyable because of it.

Dr. Mom

Tiff had a mishap with an avocado and a really big knife today. It wasn't too bad, but did require attention and 3 stitches. I was incredibly proud of her as injury treatment is not as familiar as it seems to be to me. Despite said experience of over 100 stitches and countless trips to ER's, I still needed to call mom to make sure I was doing everything I should. I am happy to report I was on the right path with what I had been doing.

I am amazed at my mom's ability to always be able to help out when I am in need like that. I used to preface those calls by saying, hello, I have a question for Dr. Mom." She would patiently listen to whatever strange injury I had inflicted and give me clear directions. I don't know when she picked all this know-how up, but I am deeply grateful for it.

As I know she is one of my three readers, let me just say thank you! You have always been there when I needed it and I am forever grateful to you!

I love you mom!

Still Pushing

Willing to give it my all and not just in the running department, I grabbed trusty PAWS fundraising bag and hit the Denver Cruisers Ride last week. While I didn't make any money at it, I got some encouraging shouts of support! That's also helpful!

Update on Team PAWS, the Denver Division

After a concentrated effort at fund raising for PAWS over the last several days, I find myself at a bit of a loss as to what to do now that I hit my modified goal. I had originally (and naively) sought to raise $3000 and run both the Denver Rock 'n' Roll Marathon as well as the New York City Marathon. Shortly into my first effort at fund raising, I realized I had been over ambitious in my goal (fundraising that is, I still want to try back to back marathons). I let go of my spot on the NYC team and focused on Denver. I changed my goal to $1000 and launched my ___ for $20 campaign. There was such a blitz of support, I hit and exceeded my goal by Sunday. I am gratified to have earned so much for a no-kill shelter.

I still want to get them more, but am glad to just focus on my running.

Goal Reached!!

I am happy and humble to announce I have made my modified goal and then some for the Team PAWS fundraising!! Thank you to everyone that has helped, donated and spread the word!

If you would like to donate, the link below will get you where you need. Every cent helps otherwise doomed pets find homes.


Troy's Fundraising HQ

9 for $20 Left!!

There is only 9 for $20 left to meet my new goal! The support has been outstanding! I appreciate the donations and the reposting!


I am trying to close out my fundraising by asking for $20 donations and need just 9 more! Well that and I need to run 26.2 miles. :)


I humbly thank you all!!



http://teampaws.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1052581&lis=1&kntae1052581=E8A44FBEC339431094A2863563EF4D0D&supId=296965664

10 fo $20!!

Down to just 10 for $20!! You all are amazing! Donations are coming in from all across the country and there has been fabulous reposting love on FB!! Thank you!

So close to goal!!

http://teampaws.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1052581&lis=1&kntae1052581=E8A44FBEC339431094A2863563EF4D0D&supId=296965664

12 for $20 Left

Down to 12 for $20!! You all are amazing!! Thank you for the support and especially for the donations and the sharing of these posts! There are a lot of dogs and cats lives that are being saved and good homes that just needed the ability to find them!

My most humble thanks for the help!! Only 12 left!!

Here's a link to my PAWS fundraising page!

20 for $20

So I am in the final weeks of my fundraising campaign! I wanted to say thank you to everyone that has donated! You are all amazing to me!

I did the math this morning on a run and here is what I need in order to make my new goal of $1000:

I am looking for 20 people to donate $20. That's it. If you are able to help, I will post the countdown on this page. Spreading the word helps just as much too!

I will do the leg work, literally, but I need your help on this end!

My deepest and humble thanks!

Pushing Through

My legs have felt full of sand for the last several days. I even took a couple days off from training and shortened my long run on Sunday. Still, it has felt like running through mud. I've been feeling a little defeated by it. I don't know what else to do aside from push on. Today I was really happy to have a lighter stride again. It seems counterintuitive, but just pushing through the defeating feeling seems the only way of getting beyond it.

Indeed

Good friends, indeed!

Good Friends!

Saturday Morning Cartoons

I appear to be in a nostalgia mood lately. Today I got to wondering whatever happened to Saturday morning cartoons? I remember loving to watch Gummy Bears and the Smurfs every week. I appreciate how with age comes a degree of odd reminiscing, but that seemed a good thing. A truly simple and good thing. I wonder how something like that fades away?

Lunch Musing

When I was a kid, I remember school lunches were a big deal. What you brought was very important, not only to eat but for some reason having a Capri Sun made you cooler than the kid with the juice box or worse, the school milk. I remember my mom would throw together some creative offerings pretty regularly. I think I ate a Chili-Rice-Cheese dish everyday for fourth grade. I also recall my mom straight up putting an intervention style end to my affinity for apple fruit roll-ups.

What I don't remember was ever just having a PB&J. That lunch did not take root till my struggling actor days. A loaf of bread, jar of jelly and a jar of peanut butter was all I needed to provide a dozen economic meals. It grew on me and remains a comfort food. It reminds me of the getting by and simplicity.

From mom's meals with notes I prayed the other kids wouldn't see to the PB&J staple, food has some good memories around midday.

Simple Good

The afternoon skies are getting grey and I just grabbed a fresh cup of coffee. It is my Friday essentially as I hit the road tomorrow morning for a couple of good friend's wedding. The atmosphere of coffee and rain are definitely putting me in good spirits. There is just something about a storm rolling in. You can feel the energy in the air. For all our devices and pa's and endless information at our finger tips, the simple pleasure of seeing the weather turn remains one of my favorite things.