Ankle problems...again...

I thought I could get in a run before a writing class I signed up for yesterday. I was at City Park two hours before class started and it was a nice day so I thought I could get my run in before class. I have been training to run a 10k road race, the Boulder Boulder. I am at the point in my training where I put in longer runs on weekends and today's run was going to be four miles. Key words...was going to be...as in I did not complete my four mile run.

About a mile into my run I was running on uneven ground. I was cutting through part of the park running next to a road which had some traffic. I was trying to stay off the road when traffic came by but I wanted to run on the road because the ground was level and easy to run on. I stepped on uneven ground, I felt my leg go one direction while my foot stayed planted. I did not fall but I stumbled and knew I had rolled it. I did not have serious pain walking so I knew it was not bad but I could tell it would hurt to run so I did not finish my run. I was able to walk across the park back to my car and spend the rest of the day resting, icing my ankle, while I watched TV on the couch.

I have a feeling I may spend more time than I wanted to on the couch watching TV or reading when I want to be outside running. I will probably not be able to participate in the Boulder Boulder this year. Maybe I can recover and run another race later this year...maybe...I hope!

I kicked in my first door

First time i have had to kick a door in and it was cool! I have always wanted to kick in a door and knew it would be fun. Luckily the door did not have a very secure lock so it gave one the first try! The bad part was the frame on the other side broke off as well as the housing for the lock. The good news is when it broke it came off in even breaks and did not splinter. This allowed me to put it all back together in a hour with a hammer & nails. Unless you look closely you cannot see the cracks in the frame or the few nails I used.

Never kick in your own door unless you have no choice.

Understanding

If I were a super hero character, it would be Noah Bennett from the Heroes series. My gift is understanding which is a wonderful gift and has helped me greatly in life but at times I rarely use it. It is usually when I should use it I choose not to am blind to see I need to use it.

I know I have blogged occasionally about the couple I live with, Mr & Mrs Person. Who are a wonderful couple and spend most of the year in Africa where they live & work. They can be rough around the edges and very socially awkward, so much so their children lament getting along with them and interacting with them. A couple times when they are home I have spent time trying to talk with them and understand them and it helps me to get along well with them. Tonight I spend a bit of time asking Lori questions and getting her insight on how she operates & thinks. She was very open and shared much. I completely understood what she was talking about and more than anything it gave me insight into who she is and why she does what she does.

After talking with Lori I realized I no longer be upset with her when I don't understand why she is constantly playing out music or has the T.V. on and why she thinks the way she does and why she operates the way she does. I understand why she struggles with her certain things and how she looks at the world. I understand why she talks about the environment & other issues the way she does. Do not get me wrong I am not saying I completely understand everything about this woman. I do not and will not and she is still mysterious in many ways. I am saying from what I understand of human behavior I have a lot of insight into why she does certain things & how she approaches things. After learning what I have learned I cannot help but look at her with humility & compassion. The next time she does something that annoys me I know I won't be critical. I will realize she is struggling with her issues and I will pray for her.

Their children are amazed at how I can live with them. I am amazed they spend their lives not trying to understand those closest to them...maybe one day they will learn or try. Maybe I get to play a part of that happening...

A bottle of Beaujolais villages

Years ago I would be this wine because it is light & fruity yet sweet. I recently bought another bottle and enjoy it. It is easy to enjoy because it is simple, light, fruity, and sweet. It is not overly sweet or sugary and it does not have much of taste. It is a great table wine or with a light meal, fish or maybe vegetables & lentils.

After drinking this wine I want to drink something with a stronger taste. I may end moving back to port again. Maybe Leopolds's Tart Cherry Liquer...yum!

My birthday came & went

I have noticed birthdays are not as exciting as they use to be. It is a day where I am supposed to feel older or seem like I have accomplished something and it rarely turns out that way. It seems like they are nothing but a reminder that another year has come and gone.

For a couple years I was on a kick of going out and celebrating my birthday and having a good time with friends. That has ended. The last two years the theme has been to lay low. Do something relaxing, take a day off, get a massage & have a sushi lunch somewhere. Maybe try out a bar I am interested in or get myself a bottle of wine. Treating myself has become more low key & moved to a much smaller scale. No big parties, just a nice dinner or glass of wine somewhere.

I use to think I would get on the extreme sports or adrenaline band wagon to celebrate. Each birthday I could do something I have never done like sky diving, swim with sharks, bungee jumping, etc., etc. On one hand those events would definitely remind me I am live but on the other hand I am not so sure I want to do it on my birthday. Maybe in the summer time on a hot and lazy summer day? Maybe...just maybe...

I read...really

I was rereading over my blog and I realized 6 out of my last 8 posts have to do with TV shows or movies. One could read this blog and think "All this guy cares about is entertainment! This guy is doesn't read!!". Not true...I read. I don't know why I feel the urge to self disclose this but it seems important right now. Maybe it is because reading is a sign that I can think.

I am not a mindless person who gorges himself on entertainment...I THINK!

After rereading this post I realize I probably sound crazy. People who read this blog are not convinced I am a thinking man. I am okay if people think I am crazy and watch mindless entertainment. I can live with that.