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Showing posts from August, 2009

Quick post: American vs. British radio

A friend of mine sent me this article from the Wall Street Journal that discusses how radio lost out so quickly to television. Here's one paragraph: Americans of all ages ­embraced TV unhesitatingly. They felt no loyalty to network radio, the medium that had entertained and informed them for a quarter-century. When something came along that they deemed superior, they switched off their radios without a second thought. That's the biggest lesson taught by the new-media crisis of 1949. Nostalgia, like guilt, is a rope that wears thin. An hour after I read that, I got my weekly e-mail from BBC Radio 4. Here are the highlights from their schedule for next week: Friday 28 August David Attenborough’s Life Stories, 8.50-9.00pm, repeated Sunday 8.50-9.00am David Attenborough talks about the Coelacanth, an ancestor to all back-boned animals. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ programmes/b00m74rt Saturday 29 August Bryn Terfel Masters Wine 10.30-11.00am Bryn Terfel takes a break from the operatic sta

Dan Deacon's new video

My infatuation with Dan Deacon has not yet stopped. Last week I let myself download more of his albums for free, ones that are available on his site. Those songs are earlier, and have allowed me a glimpse into how he's evolved as an artist, from a guy futzing around with the same kinds of computer programs I was futzing around with ten years ago into a full-fledged musical guy who appears at Lollapalooza. This is not the post where I actually write that out, as I'm still working on a story I'm about to publish for my job, but I felt the need to get this video out there. This is "Paddling Ghost" from the album Bromst, and it's something that really makes me smile on so many levels. (Facebook readers: You have to click through to the original post to see this)

Training update for late August

There are only eight more weekends left until the Richmond Marathon . I'm not too worried about the tightness in my left ankle. I can stretch it out, and today is not a running day. I ran too fast last night because I'd been in a terrible mood all day and I needed to burn off the frustration. So, I went my the five miles prescribed to me by Coach Lorenzoni, and came home, had my protein in the form of a Morningstar riblet and fell asleep by 10:30. Am I ready for the marathon? Not sure. I'll know at the end, won't I? This weekend I'm looking at a 16 mile long run, and it will be the first time I've run with the group in a month. For logistical reasons, I've been running the same lengths here in town which is not nearly as much fun but as long as I put in the miles, I should be fine. And, I'm putting in the miles. I occasionally have to pay a babysitter on Thursday nights to make sure I can get my four or five miles in. In September, I'll have to fin

Long run switcheroo

This week has been a lighter week in the marathon training program for me. This morning I was only to do 11 miles, so I decided to do them in town rather than drive out to Keene where the group was meeting. Of course, that means I have to calculate my miles in Google Earth, and wasn't really able to figure out my pace while en route. But, oh well. Sometimes you have to make accommodations. The reason for this switcheroo is that I had my kids last night, my Super Awesomes as I seem to call them. In my head, we're part of a superhero team. I don't know what their powers are, but I'm sure they are to materialize. Their mother was nice enough to help me by coming over this morning to watch them while I hit the pavement. I'm amazed at how cooperative our relationship is at this point, and I'm very pleased. I'm also happy at the relationship between my mind, which decided to run the marathon, and my body, which actually has to run those 26.2 miles in just under 10

August thoughts; birthday invitation

August is a month many people would like to ban. I've seen this meme thrown around in Facebook status updates, blog posts and in the occasional e-mail poll. It's too hot, people say. It's too slow, people say. However, I say August is okay in my book. After all, I'll turn 36 on Sunday. I seem to be a bit more introspective with the approach of that somewhat august milestone. My clock is about to reset, and I can finally feel myself beginning to move on from can only be described as a year of intense transition. I spent my 35th birthday at Court Square Tavern. My ex had prepared a fantastic surprise party for me, and I really had one of those "It's a Wonderful Life" moments where I felt home and welcome. I'm so thankful to her for setting that up for me, and for giving me two fantastic children. And here I am, about to celebrate my 36th birthday in the same place. This is an invitation to anyone who reads this to come to the Tavern tomorrow night begi