Random Thoughts

This was a mostly lazy weekend spent enjoying beer (there was a Beer Festival in Whitefish Saturday which was great fun), friends and lazing about.  Today was downright dreary, and my original plan to go hiking was quickly tossed aside in favor of lounging on the couch drinking coffee and reading.  I finally read Jill's book, "Ghost Trails," and enjoyed it tremendously.  It's a little strange reading a book written by someone you know, but also very cool.  It's nice to get a better peek into a friend's psyche.  Jill is such a great writer -- sort of the opposite of me.  I am a good technical writer, but struggle to express myself in a way that conveys my deep down feelings and thoughts.  This is just as well because I don't really want to share my deep down feelings and thoughts and you probably don't want to know them :p  Back to Jill's book. . . and this isn't a full on review by the way, I might try to write one at some point. . . she alternates chapters talking about the Iditerod bike race and memories of horrible outside adventures, often involving her now ex-boyfriend Geoff.  It all made me laugh because I can relate so well.

I finally decided to get off my lazy butt and take Sonja for a little trail run or hike.  I had no plan, just to at least spend 30 minutes outside off the couch.  We headed to Herron Park, an ol' standby, and ended up running for 3 incredibly relaxing and effortless hours.  Our pace was pretty good too if I may say so myself (though I'm not going to share my idea of good).  I sometimes forget how much I need to spend some time alone (or with my dog) to chill out, listen to music (or not) and think.

I spent some time thinking about Jill's book, and couldn't help but feel a little pissed off that Geoff broke up with her.  While I generally understand that life is too short to be with someone you don't want to be with, and generally recognize the fact that not everyone, great as they are, is the ideal mate for any particular person, it really sort of makes me mad and sad when my friends aren't appreciated as fully as they deserve to be.  You never want people you care about to experience the pain of rejection, though it's inevitable for most people at some point in life, and you always think your peeps are the coolest most awesome peeps there are.  So why doesn't everyone?  I started thinking about the sort of mafia-like approach I take (in my head) to my friends.  I just can't help it.

Finally, though it might be viewed as reckless, I enjoyed listening to my iPod loudly the whole time I ran.  I figured I wouldn't hear a mountain lion anyhow if there were one, and there are very few bears over in Herron Park.  I listened to Interpol and Julian Plenti over and over and over.  I get obsessed with particlar songs and listen to them until I just can't listen to them anymore.  I'm not sure this is normal -- Ted never does this.

All in all a great day.  I'm looking forward to reading Melissa Joulwan's book about roller derby next.  I have never met her but I read her blog (she's a devoted Crossfit chica) and think she's awesome.  I'm embarassed I haven't read it yet.  (And am equally embarassed that I only now read Jill's book).