Back to Basics

It has been a while since I posted a run. The reason I started this blog was to keep track of my runs. It has since strayed. Not that I have not been running but my running of late has been more of a quick task rather than an escape or enjoyment. That changed today. Today I was reminded on why I run. We all need an escape. A time to drop into an abyss and enjoy the world around us. Our world.

I heard the sounds of birds I have never heard before.
I raced a fuel tanker and lost as it entered the bay and went under the Golden Gate Bridge.
I saw tulips ready to burst into bloom under the windmills of Golden Gate Park.
I saw generations of old yelling silently at their bodies as they stretched and slapped old age in the face.
I passed fellow San Franciscan's as we smiled and said good morning as if we were both in on a little secret.
I felt the cold waters of the ocean, tasted the salt and mentally jumped in.

There has never been a real substitute for running. My feet in some magical form that separates me from the ground.
I am free.
I am running.

Quick reminder, as with all of my runs you can click on the title link to check out where I went courtesy of Google Pedometer. Thanks Google!

This is for Omar

Spicy enough?

Organ and a Movie

Attending the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival over the weekend was not only a great time to see some wonderful movies but the chance to hear the great Castro Theater Organ. Before one of the shows the organ rose up and this majestical music filled this ornate theater. If only going to the movies could be like this all the time.

If you have never been to the Castro Theater it is truly a must see. It shows great older movies, cult classics and special screenings. Plus, it seats something like 14-hundred people.

BTW, I would highly suggest you to see 'West 32nd Street' when it comes out later this year staring John Cho and Grace Park.

The Sisterhood

Looks can be deceiving. While in the Castro over the weekend I was able to catch a glimpse of the day to day hard work of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. They troll the streets collecting money for non-discriminating charities. It was one of the first organizations to fundraise for the homesexual community at the onset of AIDS/HIV. While many across the country may be turned off by their looks and the organization's stance, every time I see them I smile and am reminded of how fortunite I am to live in a City so welcoming and open as San Francisco.

Celebrity - Star Blogs

Recently I have been enjoying reading Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's blog. I have always respected him and enjoyed watching him play, although I was never a Lakers fans. But since his retirement my admiration for him has increased. His blog is quiete interesting. Enjoy.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/kareem/

Lucky

Congratulations on being able to read this. If you are then you found and using my new blog address. For well over a year the address had an extra 'n' in it and I had no idea until an astute reader notified me.

While it is 25-degrees in Chicago, snowing in Texas, frezzing along the East Coast, this is the best time of the year weatherwise in San Francisco. Enjoy.

Mr. President

I am not one to post about politics but I am finding it harder and harder not to as the Bush presidency winds down and the election looming.

This is going to be as bad for George W. Bush as his father's astonishment over the wonders of a grocery store price scanner was.
From yesterday's press conference, our President answers a question:


Q: Can I follow up on that, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Maybe.
Q: The –
THE PRESIDENT: I guess you are — I haven't said yes. (Laughter.)
Q: What's your advice to the average American who is hurting now, facing the prospect of $4 a gallon gasoline, a lot of people facing –
THE PRESIDENT: Wait, what did you just say? You're predicting $4 a gallon gasoline?
Q: A number of analysts are predicting –
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, yeah?
Q: – $4 a gallon gasoline this spring when they reformulate.
THE PRESIDENT: That's interesting. I hadn't heard that.
Q: Yes, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I know it's high now.
Q: And the other economic problems facing people. Beyond your concern that you stated here, and your expectations for these stimulus checks, what kind of hope can you offer to people who are in dire straits?
THE PRESIDENT: Permanent tax — keep the tax cuts permanent, for starters. There's a lot of economic uncertainty. You just said that. You just said the price of gasoline may be up to $4 a gallon — or some expert told you that — and that creates a lot of uncertainty if you're out there wondering whether or not — you know, what your life is going to be like and you're looking at $4 a gallon, that's uncertain. And when you couple with the idea that taxes may be going up in a couple of years, that's double uncertainty. And therefore one way to deal with uncertainty is for Congress to make the tax cuts permanent.

He then talks about conservation and new oil prospects and then returns to the stimulus checks and the idea of those helping. That is a Band-Aid for a ripped off leg.

Another reason to love the Internet. The White House puts full transscripts of all press conferences and such.

Beautiful Morning

When you take time to look around it can boggle the mind how complex our world/city really is.