Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A Marathoner's Notes
"I'm hoping to meet some ladies during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday."
"But they'll all be running away from you," my mom replied.
"And that's different how?"
I have heard from some female runners I know that when they need that extra motivation during runs, when they just want to quit, they envision that I'm chasing behind them asking if they are free this weekend.
With that encouragement, I woke before the sun to take the blue line into the city on a Sunday, which doesn't sound very appealing. But the annual Chicago Marathon proved too alluring. As someone who has never run a complete mile, I can't fathom the appeal of running 26.2. The Young Alumni Club organized a group of volunteers to work the finish line and I gladly seized the opportunity to see the masochistic saga first-hand.
After a fair amount of wandering looking for the volunteer tent and my group I finally found my posse.
Among my recollections and lessons from this day:
Possibly one of the most rewarding moments came when I spotted two Aussies crossing the finish line. My duty was to provide cool, wet towels to runners to aid them in the cool down process from the atypically warm Fall day (low 80s). As soon as I spotted my soon-to-be fellow mates I hustled over to them and gave them towels. I detected an awesome accent when they thanked me and decided now wouldn't be the best time to discuss my plans to come down under next year.
The easiest way to boost self-esteem is to volunteer. I had people praise me for giving out towels and thank me for helping. Being appreciated fuels the soul. Some called me "God-send," I said "No, my name is Andrew." Others asked for God to bless me. I'll take it.
Running a marathon is a religious experience. Apparently atheists don't run marathons because everyone seemed to be praising the man upstairs or the divine blessing of cold towels.
Marathons discriminate against the obese.
At least 45,000 people are more fit than me.
Never underestimate the power of a hose.
Yes, you can get a sunburn in October.
Marathons aren't pleasurable. I saw very few people with smiles at the finish line.
Finally, marathons aren't motivational. Today only confirmed my policy on mobility. There are certain things the human body was not designed for. Running 26.2 miles is one of them. My firm belief is that there are better transportation options for distances greater than half a mile. I will gladly walk distances less than 2 miles. I will bike distances between 2 and 6 miles. For everything else there is the automobile and public transit.
The only digits I got today were those on the bibs of the runners.
"But they'll all be running away from you," my mom replied.
"And that's different how?"
I have heard from some female runners I know that when they need that extra motivation during runs, when they just want to quit, they envision that I'm chasing behind them asking if they are free this weekend.
With that encouragement, I woke before the sun to take the blue line into the city on a Sunday, which doesn't sound very appealing. But the annual Chicago Marathon proved too alluring. As someone who has never run a complete mile, I can't fathom the appeal of running 26.2. The Young Alumni Club organized a group of volunteers to work the finish line and I gladly seized the opportunity to see the masochistic saga first-hand.
After a fair amount of wandering looking for the volunteer tent and my group I finally found my posse.
Among my recollections and lessons from this day:
Possibly one of the most rewarding moments came when I spotted two Aussies crossing the finish line. My duty was to provide cool, wet towels to runners to aid them in the cool down process from the atypically warm Fall day (low 80s). As soon as I spotted my soon-to-be fellow mates I hustled over to them and gave them towels. I detected an awesome accent when they thanked me and decided now wouldn't be the best time to discuss my plans to come down under next year.
The easiest way to boost self-esteem is to volunteer. I had people praise me for giving out towels and thank me for helping. Being appreciated fuels the soul. Some called me "God-send," I said "No, my name is Andrew." Others asked for God to bless me. I'll take it.
Running a marathon is a religious experience. Apparently atheists don't run marathons because everyone seemed to be praising the man upstairs or the divine blessing of cold towels.
Marathons discriminate against the obese.
At least 45,000 people are more fit than me.
Never underestimate the power of a hose.
Yes, you can get a sunburn in October.
Marathons aren't pleasurable. I saw very few people with smiles at the finish line.
Finally, marathons aren't motivational. Today only confirmed my policy on mobility. There are certain things the human body was not designed for. Running 26.2 miles is one of them. My firm belief is that there are better transportation options for distances greater than half a mile. I will gladly walk distances less than 2 miles. I will bike distances between 2 and 6 miles. For everything else there is the automobile and public transit.
The only digits I got today were those on the bibs of the runners.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
And Now We Wait
Next week my Fulbright application will be on its way to New York to be evaluated. For those that don't know, my proposal focuses on the role of community media in a media landscape predominantly owned by a few conglomerates. I strongly believe this ownership model of many outlets being controlled by a few players is the future of American media.
If selected, I would depart next July to spend a year abroad studying at the University of Sydney. Through the power of the internet I have established connections with professors and community media organizers in Sydney.
This truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would allow me to grow as a media scholar and researcher while going abroad for the first time. The first cuts of Fulbright applicants will be made in January and final decisions will be made in March/April.
Coincidentally, Australia recently launched their new tourism campaign. They don't need to convince this ozzie at heart.
I can't wait for my walkabout.
If selected, I would depart next July to spend a year abroad studying at the University of Sydney. Through the power of the internet I have established connections with professors and community media organizers in Sydney.
This truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would allow me to grow as a media scholar and researcher while going abroad for the first time. The first cuts of Fulbright applicants will be made in January and final decisions will be made in March/April.
Coincidentally, Australia recently launched their new tourism campaign. They don't need to convince this ozzie at heart.
I can't wait for my walkabout.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Whiteboard 9/30
The lunchroom at the office has an erasable white board, which often has probing questions like "Favorite Full House character?" and "Best Memory from the '80s." Being the dutiful and diligent worker I am, I recently scribed this question on the board:
Most important lesson from Kindergarten?
The responses:
To answer honestly, thanks to P.J., I learned to tie my shoes, a skill that has served me well every day.
What is the most important lesson you learned in Kindergarten?
Most important lesson from Kindergarten?
The responses:
- Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. (This person is clearly a product of the Catholic school system).
- Don't eat glue. (It's an acquired taste.)
- Don't run after boys. Let them run after you. (Is power-walking acceptable?)
- Mrs. Adelman doesn't like me. (Sadness.)
- Guinea pigs will die if you drop them. (2 out of 3)
- Wash your hands before you eat. (Over-rated.)
- Be nice.
- Never, ever, forget $.35 for a Jell-O pudding pop.
To answer honestly, thanks to P.J., I learned to tie my shoes, a skill that has served me well every day.
What is the most important lesson you learned in Kindergarten?
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