I awoke to my children’s laugher
Too much whiskey before
Recent days too much pressure
Prison bars the open door
I see John Prine has gone on down
That dusty gravel road
This lonely kitchen seems more silent
And I’m empty. Dead empty.

Small Steps, Slow Pace

I ran today for the first time since I ran the Chicago Marathon on October 9th of last year. It was what I expected --not that great performance-wise. Although, that doesn't matter. I ran for two reasons: to finally get out the door and do it, and because I needed some stress relief, due to a phone conversation with my attorney about ongoing litigation in a lawsuit I filed almost a year ago. Even though I ran 26.2 miles only a few months ago, I'm starting back at the bottom; I ran less that two miles and it felt like ten. My breathing was off, my calves ached, and my quads felt even the smallest change in elevation. Even though I kept feeling the need to spit my mouth was dry, and my nose was running the entire time. I've still yet to sit down and reflect on my first marathon experience, which I will do soon, but in short I can say that it was over five hours of strong gut wrenching emotions, and although I only ran for less than seventeen minutes today, some of the exact same emotions resurfaced. It's a good and bad thing I suppose --anything cathartic is, and that's what running is for me. Not too different than performing my music on a stage. There has to be blood, sweat, and tears to get from point A to point B. At least that's been my personal experience; it's never been easy. And so another year of running and goal-setting has begun, and hopefully it will lead to greater milestones...and definitely past many, many mile markers.

Restorative

Restorative. 

Epsom salt bath. IPA. Shower. Lemon basil soap. Spaghetti with three meatballs from Mimmo's. Lager. Incense. Looking at children's toys on the floor. Girlfriend doing work on the couch. The Flash. Arrow. Comforter. Front door open. Autumn evening. Rolling feet on racquetball. Vanilla chai tea. Listening to my son laugh in his bedroom. 

Restorative. 

Dark Side...or Not?

So the kids are playing Star Wars in the living room and I overhear Elena say, "Rally! Rally! Everyone who loves the Dark Side come to this rally!" There's a pause and Riddick says, "That guy's not a dark side character."

Post-pool Riddick

Riddick taking a shower after being in the pool all evening, and suffering somewhat of an allergic reaction to the pool chemicals, the most noticeable being a hoarse voice.

Me: How's it going in there bud?

R: It feels really good. 

Me: Good.

R: Except my voice is changed. 

Me: Well, that happens. You've been shouting a lot and you've somewhat of a cold. 

R: Is it because I'm getting older?

Me: Ummm noooo...that'll be a few more years. 

R: Oh. Well Rohan's voice changed.

Me: Yeah, but he's a teenager. 

R: So not yet?

Me: No. Not yet. 

King J's Diaper

Overheard from a cartoon that El is watching: Handsome party of one, your diaper is ready!

Everyone's a Winner

The kids are arguing over which movie to watch: The Fifth Element or Stargate. We were still unloading groceries when we were aware Riddick had put in Stargate. Rohan protested because he had just purchased The Fifth Element on blu-ray. Ro one, but just the thought of Riddick's flick of choice was pretty cool.