Losing your best friend

This week I lost my best friend.  She had an awful disease, and was quite young.  She was always so happy, and in turn, made me happy.  I told her everything over the course of 5 years, and although I don’t think she understood it all, she knew the meaning of what I told her and her licks reassured me I would be ok.  I loved that dog with all of my heart.  I can’t stop thinking about her little face in my hand, her eyes were so soft and understanding.  Although she is gone from me physically, I will always have her in my heart and mind.  Rest in peace my beloved friend.

BLEW – The Weekly Blog Review

Going to start a weekly review of blogs I randomly come across. Well, not so much a review of the content. Who is to say what is good and what is not? Certainly not me! So, it is not going to be a page promoting some and blasting others. It will be a review of what kind of blogs are out there so I can remember the places I have been so I can go back!

• The first is More Than 10. This is by far my favorite blog, if not website, I have visited thus far. Corduroy13 does an awesome job organizing the site and allowing a group discussion of the band I listen to most – Pearl Jam. When you get to the homepage, you will see the songs most recently reviewed on the left. On the right, you will see a categories column. This is broken down into Pearl Jam studio albums, solo projects etc. Clicking on the links brings you to a new page, where you can comment on each song from the album you chose. It is great to read other fans views, and to communicate with fellow Pearl Jammers. Just a wonderfully put together site, clearly a lot of time and hard work was put into it, and it is just a great place to chat. Thanks More Than Ten!

• Next is Beeler’s Life. Again, these are sites that I just randomly come across, no rhyme or reason. Beeler’s life is just that – the daily life of the creator, Eric Beavers, in Georgia. I have really enjoyed reading his entries. A part of me feels like it is wrong, to be reading about some strangers life, his daily to do list. But I guess that is what the point of these blogs are – an online journal of our daily lives. I don’t know if some people forget that anybody and everybody can read them, but Beeler’s Life is just an honest account of one man’s life in Georgia, along with his wife and 5 children. So, getting back on course – yes, a part feels like it is private info I have come across, but he makes the reader feel welcome, and isn’t just ranting like myself! So well done Eric, I look forward to reading more in the future and wish you the best as you set aside more time for writing. If you like his blog, you may also like ‘For Better, For Worse, For Life‘.

• I cannot forget 38 Pitches, this is where is all started for me. This site is authored by major league baseball pitcher Curt Schilling. He is a hall of fame contender, has had a wonderful career and helped the Red Sox win two World Series. It is rare when a public figure like this communicates with the outside world. Topics are primarily about baseball, and because of his fame, he gets a lot hits (most are the typical ‘you suck’ idiotic rants) but I like getting the inside information from an honest person in the game.

• And the last one for the week is The Traw Bros. This site is funny, just opinions from a couple of guys on everything from sports to love. They comment on daily events, and even have an advice section. I gotta spend some more time here so consider this a sneak preview.

So that is the week in review. Remember this – some people are watchers and some people are do-ers. Be a do-er.

Ice Running, the ipod and 9/11

It is winter here in New England. Bare trees, snow on the ground, kids sledding. For the runners out there, today was one of those perfect days. Sunny, not too windy, and air just cold enough that you are not sweating profusely and warm enough that your lungs aren’t getting sliced by the rawness. Went to the local track to do some speed workouts. This time of year, only the first 100 yards is accessible as the remaining 3/4 is covered by snow and ice, and sits in the shade away from the warming sun. Today, however, my sacred 1/4 plot was a mix of ice and slush so I deferred to the parking lot. I am still up in the air when it comes to the ipod and running. I love music and running, but the two together don’t really mix for me. If I am on the road, it is a definite no for me, I don’t want to end up road kill (which reminds me of how awful this month has been in terms of the number of people who lost their lives while walking in the streets because the sidewalks are not plowed). Certainly, during a race it is a no. But when I am on the track, it has been 50:50. When I first got an ipod, I used it all the time. Now, it is more of a distraction/annoyance than anything. Besides the ear phones falling out, cords hitting my face and out of sync rhythms (yes, all can be fixed) I lost out on the whole point of running for me: to enjoy it. I recall reading this excellent article in Runners World a ways back about
John Moylan, an avid runner who worked in the twin towers. He almost lost his life that day, and was unable to run for almost a month likely because of the emotional toll it took on him. Running is a way for me to get some perspective everyday. In the daily grind of life, it is my release. Whether its exercise, reading, driving etc, having some kind of way to deposit these pressures is a good thing. If you have never run or walked for exercise, or have gotten distracted from the routine, there is no better time to get back on the horn. Grab a pair of sneakers, and walk for 10 or 15 minutes. Try it a couple of times a week. My bet is that you will get addicted to it because of how good it makes you feel. God, life isn’t easy. All you can do is keep keepin’ on. Like the wise man Red once said “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin”.