A fine running weekend
If we discount the ridiculous winds yesterday. Something about Saturday afternoons is not working for me. But then I went out today, winds were about half the force as they were yesterday. So 10 mph (16 kmh). I could have finished off my “usual” mileage for the weekend, but I wanted to get back in time to make it to the store, and I didn’t carry water on me. So I did a half marathon, no water, no fuel. It was the right choice, as I was pretty warm at the end, and definitely needed water. So good thing I cut it short, it doesn’t seem like it, but an extra two miles could have been troublesome.
So with my more advanced students, we usually end up talking about things like movies and whatnot. I do my best to watch things that my students ask me to. One of my classes, asked me to watch “The Hateful Eight”. We started talking about Tarantino, and I never make any secrets about not liking his movies. But, I’m a good teacher, so I watch the movie. It was basically what I thought. Generally, Tarantino only has a couple movies, and he just keeps remaking them. Well, he takes the same scenes, and sometimes the same basic dialogue and repeats them with different characters in “different” situations. The thing is, I get the point he tries to make in movies, I understood the message in the movie, I don’t disagree with what he’s trying to say most of the time. I enjoyed how the horrible, racist, dickbag, soon-to-be sheriff, who starts off as a complete idiot, gets educated and in the process drops his bullshit racism. But it was 2 hours and 40 minutes of Tarantino using his same old tropes and scenes. Also, I always enjoy watching Bruce Dern get shot.
I get it, people have short memories and Hollywood studios aren’t just there to entertain, they’re there to make money whilst entertaining. It’s the same reason they remake movies over and over. Also why we get Michael Bay-splosions. Also why we get Matt Damon cast in movies about the Great Wall of China and Scarlett Johannesburg as Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell. They want your money. But I will keep watching what is suggested, with higher level students, it’s important that they be able to discuss things they enjoy.
I really need to work on my story writing, because I have two fairly good ideas. One is more developed than the other, but I need to do some reading and studying. One is based on a true story, the other is just some stuff I have bouncing around up in my head. The discipline to stay focused on what I’m writing every day is the problem. I let myself get distracted too easily, that’s always been my trouble. It’s my problem with work, it’s my problem with marathons, it’s my problem with writing. My best efforts are this blog, I’ve been pretty good. But as constant as I am, and as good as I try to make the content of these posts, the fact is, it’s max 1000-1500 words at a time. It’s fairly easy, and while sometimes one thing may flow into the next, usually it’s just disjointed thoughts that come up while I run. Seriously, just like it says on the tin.
Yet I persist, and I keep trying and this time I want to really do my best. I need to get off my ass and get things going the way I want them to go. I need to stop just living in a way that allows others to exert pressure on me to serve their purposes, this part isn’t about business, I mean my job right now, there aren’t many demands on me at all. I’m talking about family. Fact is, I run, I work, I cook, I clean up, but then I don’t do anything. That idleness allows other people to try and drive me around. Is that a sloppy metaphor? Yeah, pretty much. Thing is, I don’t have the drive to be rich, or famous, or whatever. I just want to be me, I want to be comfortable, I want to go where I want, when I want and I want to help. I don’t want to worry about all this bullshit the powers-that-be make us worry about. I know it’s wrong, and I need to break free. I need to break free, because I need to help others break free too. You can’t tear down the house while you’re living in it, is what I’m getting at here. I’m working my way out the door, but I can’t quite get there yet. That’s what I need to do, I need to stay focused and get my stuff done, and let the chips fall where they may from here, but I need to at least try, instead of just moving the location of where I’m grinding it out.
And that’s the thing, that’s why there’s so much malaise, so much ennui, so much strife in this world. They’ve got us just working a grind, every day. We have to pay for things we all need, instead of just getting the things we all need, and then all the other stuff being extra. That’s a big part of it right there. We all buy into a truly silly system, but more than silly, it can be downright cruel. I had to explain the severity of the word “cruelty” in a class the other day. I also had to explain appalling, which was more fun to explain. Odd that cruel and appalling are good ways to describe the system we live under though.
In fact, I watched and shared a video today about Daesh blowing up the historic monuments and buildings in Nimrud. Like it or not, groups like Daesh are the inevitable result of this system we live under. Their destruction of Nimrud is a tragedy, with the root cause in this system. If we are meant to dominate our hold on resources and goods and services, etc. If the goal is “wealth” overall, then things like this will always happen, because instead of collaborating for the greater good, some will always look to take control. A system which requires control will always see a fight for control. It doesn’t matter what idea, philosophy, religion, the “leaders” use to motivate their followers, there will always be battles, there will always be wars. It doesn’t matter the tactics used, or anything. It is the same. People trying to control, or sit at the controlling table, in the global market. That’s all this is.
Let’s hope we come out of our collective state sooner rather than later, because I honestly do not believe the Earth will tolerate much more of this, and there is a very good chance our landlord will evict us. It’s funny (and sad) how that works. We will see what happens I guess. All the warnings are there, the environment is telling us to knock it off. To knock it off we have to change, fundamentally, the way in which we operate. I’m going to keep trying, I hope you are too.
Have fun, keep running, and remember; if Gil can run then so can you!
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The days are flying by
Which is either a really good, or really bad thing. I’ve been busy correcting papers and tests, and teaching classes, and need to get into the habit of updating every day again. It is difficult, after being disrupted in my routines for so long. But it’s ok, I did run Tuesday, yesterday and today! The wind has been fierce and relentless. It’s the start of March and I live on the sea, what should one expect?
So I’m getting a little angry about people’s reactions to protests. On both “sides”. The fact is, there are way more than two sides to anything in this world, but I digress. When someone is protesting “your side” of things and gets arrested, for protesting, stop lamenting it! If you’re not agitating, if you’re not getting in the way, if you’re not disrupting the flow of things, then you’re NOT DOING ANYTHING! If all you do is gather and talk, then you’re having a meeting, not a protest.
“I have identified problem A, my suggested resolution for this injustice is to gather everyone together and voice our opinions, but in no way make a condition where anyone causing the problem would have to change their behavior. They will magically change on their own because I was civil and kind and they will see the errors of their ways.” Not once, in the history of humanity has this EVER been the case! I realize this is from physics and does not always follow when it comes to behavior, but “A body at rest, tends to stay at rest.” Why would anyone change a situation that is comfortable for them? They don’t, people really do not. Never in my life have I seen someone say, “You know what, I’m too comfortable, let’s change that.” If you want to change behavior, you must cause I condition which makes people want to change. So if you’re not disrupting in some meaningful way, then you have done nothing.
Next point on this, yes, driving some jackass into a murderous rage because they will be late for work, because you are blocking the road IS a proper protest. You have identified the injustice and are protesting it. Someone’s road rage is not a proper response. No matter how far removed from being human we have become, and claim “well, so and so has to get to work”. That’s bullshit, at no time is someone else’s life equal to, or even less than you being on time for the big meeting. Most of what people are protesting is another form of this exact problem. That people believe they have the right to determine who is worthy or not of life, of liberty, of the pursuit of happiness (‘Mericanized it there!). By evoking that reaction, they are showing exactly what the problem is and exactly why they need to protest. So yes, It’s dangerous, yes you can go to jail. No you’re not supposed to make friends, and everyone sees the error of their ways because you were so nice. What happens in, the observers, the people on the sideline see, “OK, so and so was protesting this problem, I maybe didn’t see it as a problem, but then this person reacted like this, holy crap, there’s something wrong here.” Protest isn’t about winning over the people who are already invested in consciously promulgating the problem. It’s about exposing the problem, and those who keep it going, to those who either through ignorance or incompetence keep that problem going. The people who have no real opinion on it, but when they see the hyperbolic result in a situation like a protest, recognize the absurdity of the status quo’s position. I hope that’s clear enough
On the other side of things, as I said above, you are not judges, you are not juries, you are not executioners. If you have factual evidence to support your position, by all means produce it. If you do not, then shut up and sit down. Honestly. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, it’s true, but when the facts fly in the face of your opinion you have to be willing to change it. No, I do not care that “science” said eggs are bad for you, then they said eggs are good, then they said, only the egg whites, then they said…” Shut up. 40% of Americans believe the world is only 6,000-10,000 years old. I want to repeat that 4 out of every 10 Americans believe that the Earth is only 6,000-10,000 years old. I am not going to bother you with Carbon-dating. I had students, the other day, marvel that an NBA basketball player honestly asserted that the Earth was flat. My point in this is: If you cannot properly adjudicate very basic scientific facts like the Earth being over 4 billion years old, with the dearth of evidence, if you cannot look through a telescope and see other spherical planets and planetoids, and accept the Earth as being the same, how can you judge anything about anyone else? What gives you the right, at that point, to try and assert that you know what’s best in any manner? If you believe the Great Pyramids at Giza were used as grain silos not tombs, why should I entertain your other opinions?
Have fun, keep running, and remember; if Gil Can Run then so can you!
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Long run!
20 miles today, yes, I walked most of the last 5 miles again. I really need to bring more than ONE banana with me on long runs. So based on that I have to decide if I will run Rome or not. It’s in a month, so there’s no long run to take in between. Two bad long runs in a row, but I wasn’t properly equipped for either. And while I didn’t like the disorganization of Rome last year, it will be easier now that I know what to expect. Also, I know I can do better than 4:17. I will figure it out by the end of the week. I also am unsure I want to take on the expense of a hotel room and such for the weekend.
So for dinner I made Tofu parmigiana over linguine. I’m trying to think of different things to make, because I get into these modes where I just make the same thing over and over and over and over again, and never put any thought into what I’m having for food. I can eat the same thing every day, and not get sick or bothered by that for weeks. I know because I’ve done it. It was nice to break up the monotony a little bit.
Today, I was pretty blank while running, there is a good reason for that. There was thunderstorms in the forecast. It was for later in the day, but on a long run, it’s important to pay attention to how weather is changing around you. I got very lucky. Now mind you, I planned everything to be done (even if what happened, and I bonked the last few miles, happened) long before the forecasted T-storms. But still, you never know, forecasts are only the very best prediction based on what we know. We don’t know everything and we get things wrong, this includes meteorologists. Basically, if there are thunderstorms in the forecast, stay away from them. This is not the first time I stupidly ran out with lightning in the forecast. This time worked out better, last time I damned near did get hit. I was racing the last half mile to try and avoid the bolts hitting within a few hundred yards of me. With weather, that’s not that big a distance.
When I started out, the sky to the South of me was dark and nasty, but everything to the North was rather nice. I was heading to Barletta, so North it was. I figured I’d hit the city and head down the Lungomare, then back into Trani. About two miles out from the Barletta city center, the dark clouds rolled in there. As I hit the Lungomare the wind whipped up, in my face. It still wasn’t raining as I turned to head home, and now the wind was a tailwind, which wasn’t as pleasant as you would think, a strong tailwind can be bothersome when you’re trying to pace yourself slower. But at least the sand from the beach wasn’t scrubbing my eyeballs anymore.
As I got back to the Barletta city limits proper, it started raining lightly. It stayed with me for about 20 minutes. The whole time I was keeping my eyes open for flashes and listening for the sounds of distant thunder. Always keeping in mind where the tall trees were on the route and other buildings and things I could shelter under if needed. I was lucky that it was never required. There is not much between Barletta and Trani. It’s about 7 miles between the two cities, and about 2 miles outside of Barletta there is nothing but farmland, no trees, save some olive groves, until you get to the SS16 bis overpass. Two miles out in the open, no real protection at all. As I said, I was lucky.
Other problems today, haha, since I seem to be in that mood. I clench my jaw a lot when I run. I need to be more cognizant of that and relax more. I am in a fair amount of pain right now. In that respect, I’m glad I live by myself and have no one to speak to tonight. Because I don’t even want to sing along to the music right now. I must have been clenching my jaw the whole way, except when I was eating. I could feel the soreness at mile 16 when I was having the second half of the banana.
Alright, so the rundown of the new stuff. Replaced the stolen laptop, with an updated version of the same ASUS laptop. Ended up with a Motorola Z Force phone from Verizon. As much as I wanted unbranded, it was cheaper and easier, and it has the same guts as the S7, only a better camera, and a less bulky Android version, because Motorola doesn’t bog down their phones with all the junk Samsung does. I got the same model backpack as I had before, but the updated version didn’t come in the same colors, so I got the electric blue one they have, it’s flashier sure, but that’s what I want, so it’s harder to lose sight of. The new wireless mouse is nice too. Oh, and no more leather wallet. Yes I’m still drinking milk, eating eggs, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, but I am trying to cut out as many animal products as possible.
As shitty as it was being robbed, in the end, I am better off. I have all my proper Italian documents now, my US passport needed to be renewed anyway, all I have to do is renew my driver’s license in the US this Summer, and get a motorcycle endorsement while I’m at it. As I said when it happened, yes, destroy the system, disobey, do all that stuff, but don’t steal from the people who are down in the trenches with you, that’s a surefire formula for failure.
Well, I’m glad I did better today than I did yesterday. I need to get myself to bed. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! And just a friendly reminder:
Have fun, keep running, and remember; if Gil Can Run, then so can you!
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Developments
I’m back!
I need to thank everyone who helped. My sister ran a GoFundMe, and while I have some issues with how that company does business, it was way more helpful than I could every imagine, because my friends absolutely showed up to save my ass after I got robbed. Lessons learned, I will move on and I will be better.
Whilst I was excommunicated from modern conveniences, I made a resolution to unblock everyone on my Bookfaces personal account, and give them a chance to not be a giant piece of garbage (If I block you, you were being garbage). I have kept that promise to myself. But anyway, that doesn’t matter, what matters is everything else. The running has been alright. Today was horrible! I just had no legs and no heart for some reason, I was having equipment issues. My new phone is massive; and since I’ve been using charity miles, it was weighing me down. The new Mp3 player was malfunctioning, I discovered it was because I fucked up the file transfers from my old hard drive, from my old-old computer, to this one. Yes, I have my old 1TB HD and a docking station to run it, so I can grab those files. So luckily I didn’t even lose that much data!
Alright, so it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, and I’m feeling good. Right? right! In the interim, I’m still kicking ass. I’m coming back to Trani in the Fall, after going back to the US to sew things up for the Summer. But I’ve been so focused on the shit that I’ve had to handle, new ID, new computer, new phone, recovering old phone number, shit like that, I haven’t been focusing on my running. Still been taking time out to do what I can to fight for what’s right in the world, not completely blinded to the world, never can be. But there’s been lots to handle, getting all your identity documents stolen is a big fucking deal, and that I managed to recover all of them, and even get two new ones, in the span of two months, that’s pretty impressive.
More will come, I promise, and I will also start writing and not sharing my keyboard rantings all the time, I need to focus and put everything in book or movie form, I need to get myself some discipline, in some ways. While I’ve been exiled from the keyboard, I’ve had lots of time to think about how to do certain things, and certain things I want to say and how I want to say them. I need to get writing discipline. I need to make it all work, and get shit done, time is wasting! But I’ll leave it at that tonight, I need some sleep, I need to try and get a long run in, with lightning storms in the forecast, I need to wake up early and be ready to go as soon as possible to try and get some serious miles in.
Have fun, keep running, and remember; if Gil Can Run, then so can you!
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