Running and Knees

I got a great trail run in this weekend. And met some folks I've heard about but never placed a face to a name.
However, My joints hurt. Maybe I'm out of shape. Maybe new shoes are needed.

Matt Patten introduced me to a new running injury, so I'm sure that that is what is ailing me.
Nevertheless, this week needs to involve some serious stretching.

I'm going out to OH to help my college roommate run his first ultra. If the body continues to feel the way it does now, I may end up just crewing my my college roommate!

"Mistakes That Only an iPhone Could Make" or "Unforgettable Piper"

This afternoon, while bedding down for a nap, I noticed the new Voice Control app on the iPhone. I dutifully watched the instructional video (after trying to figure it out first and failing. I said, "Marty," hoping the phone would call my wife. Instead, a Dave Brubeck song started playing. It took me about 2 minutes to figure out how to stop it.). In the video, I learned that I could say, "Call Marty," and the iPhone would call her. I can say, "Play Weazer," and it will play songs by Weazer. I actually don't have any songs by Weazer in my iTunes.

So, with the correct prompt words, I opened Voice Control and said, "Play Unforgettable Fire."
I wondered, would the iPhone play the specific song or the entire album entitled "Unforgettable Fire?"

The female, electronic, monotone voice replied, "Now playing songs by Noel Piper."

Change of Plans

I had planned to run about 30 miles this evening, starting actually tomorrow morning, and finishing around 8:30 in Minneapolis.
However, it started raining about 40 minutes ago. The Weather Channel seems pretty confident that it will continue to rain until well after 8:30 tomorrow morning.
I'm staying dry tonight.

More Fiddling in Duluth

From the MN Bluegrass Festival, we traveled to Duluth for the two day Solo & Small Firm law conference. We stayed at The Inn on Canal Park. In the evenings, they provided smores around their fire pits. Our children provided entertainment. Here is a short performance by, "Inviting Interruptions."

It's Hard to Pull One Over on the Bluegrass Pizza Eaters

We found this great deal at the bluegrass festival:

We asked if they could top this deal, so they gave us 4 pieces for $16!!
We felt like kings.

Inviting Interruptions

It’s been quite a day. Actually, it’s simply been a hot and wet day. We drove through torrential rain in the morning and arrived at the MN Bluegrass & Old-time Music Assoc. Festival near St. Cloud. At the campground, most of the puddles were lakes, and most of the roads were muddy rivers. We were ill equipped in our sandals and flip-flops. We’ve decided that if we return next year we’ll set up shop next to the pulled pork stand and sell something practical:
Fiddle Flip-flops, Gee-tar Galoshes, Mandolin Moccasins, and Banjo Boots

The kids performed in the talent show. They did very well, but didn’t make the top three. Their band is called “Inviting Interruptions.”

It takes a lot of time, a lot of attempts and a lot of patience to find a name for a band. I was pushing for “U4.” Some of you will get this joke. Then, about two weeks ago, while we were brainstorming on the back deck (with thesaurus in hand) we landed on “Interruptions.” For about 30 minutes we struggled with adjectives until someone said, “Inviting.” While we continued with other adjectives, we kept returning to “Inviting.”

Interruptions describe our lives. There are lots of them. Some are good, some are bad, some are rude, some are impolite, some are necessary, and some are life-and-death important.

“Inviting” adds a twist. We’re still figuring out how to explain the twist. Maybe watch Emma’s (my daughter) blog for more on this.

Moon Running

It was a full moon this week.

In June, I was looking forward to running FANS under a full moon. Instead, it was overcast and raining.

When I saw the moon get bigger over the past week, I just knew I had to get a night run in under the full moon. It was a busy week, so an early morning run was not possible. But, a night run could be.

So, on Wednesday, I decided that Thursday was the night; begin at 9pm, back home around 1am. Somewhere between 14 and 20 miles, depending on how much walking.

I had forgotten that I had promised Emma to take her driving on Thursday night. Argg. Maybe she wouldn't remember. Maybe she wouldn't mind putting it off again.

When I told her we wouldn't be able to go because of my run, she responded maturely. Better than I would have.

Marth went out on an "ultra" training run Thurday at 5pm. It's her first attempt to take my advice that 1) she run only twice a week: a really long, slow, "ultra" style run, and 2) she run slower, enjoy herself more and not get caught up in maximizing every minute while out.

When she got home at 8, I decided to pass on the moon run and take my daughter driving. The moon wasn't all that visible anyway, and Emma did a great job on "figure eights," "right turns from stop" and "right turns while moving."

I'll try to get a moon run in next month; more precisely, on September 4, 2009. Thanks, MoonPhase App on the iPhone!

Prosperity Gospel is No Gospel

There is much wrong with American Christianity. I am thankful that our pastor speaks with surgical precision against some of it. I stumbled upon this clip the other day: