Mexico Abode

Here is the place in Mexico where we stayed. Located about 1 1/2 north of San Jose del Cabo in the small village of El Cardonal, about 40 minutes from Los Barrilles


I do not know what I miss more, the solitude or the cheap and amazing food.

Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year was officially on February 6th but the celebration continues on nearby Clement Street (The Richmond District's Chinatown). The dancing lions were out in force this past weekend stopping by local businesses to bring good luck.

Marathon Minutes

I just realized I now I have 5 more minutes to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I have to run a race in 3:20 or less to get in instead of 3:15. That is now only 15 minutes faster than my best time. 5 more minutes never looked so good. That is a 7:33 pace. Not a cakewalk...for sure. Time to build a faster me, a stronger me.

While this goal is great I do not want to forget to do one thing: Give thanks that I can run. It's all too often we get so hung up on our goals that we simply forget what a blessing it is to be able to get out there and run. Many of us run because we overcame something else. There's quite possibly a good reason you are a runner. For me it is something else. Running gives me freedom and puts me more in tune with my surroundings. We often go through the day and do not notice the world around us. We're stuck in buildings or behind the wheel. I notice so many things around me when I run, I travel down roads I would normally not. My senses are alive.

If your running isn't perfect and you feel like you are in a rut, wondering why you are doing this day after day--stop for a minute. Rejoice in the fact that you can run.

Dying While Running

I saw a man die while running on Sunday.

I like to think I am invincible, especially when running. I get stronger with each step. I improve with each deep breath. I believe this to be true. Seeing a runner have what appeared to be cardiac arrest reminds me though I am NOT invincible.

I did not see him collapse, I saw him on the ground then a rush of people move in to try to revive him just after he crossed the finish line. Efforts that lasted over 20 minutes to no avail.

Sad, sure. I know running can be taxing on the heart but like any muscle it gets stronger the more you work it. The risk of dying while running is quite small. A study published in 1996 found a 1 in 50,000 chance during a runner's marathon career. (Based on exercising for more than 3 hours in a marathon.)

The man who died was younger (36) than me and finished slower than me (by 20 minutes). I do not know what shape he was in but you have to wonder if he prepared enough to handle the event. Did he push himself too much? Were there other factors that contributed to his heart's failure like clogged arteries? Most who die while running had undiagnosed heart anomalies. Too many questions requiring answers we will never get but it got me thinking about the dangers of running and what I and all runners should do to look out for ourselves.

Know your limits and know your body. Listen to your body and train and run accordingly. Be alert in any drop in endurance or strength. Be aware of any chest discomfort, numbness in the jaw or arms, tightness of the chest or shortness of breath. Have your heart checked.

I paid special attention to my heart tonight, my first run since Sunday. I strapped on my handy heart monitor and throughout my run I did not peak over 150bpm. I did not run very fast, my normal leisurely (for me) 7:30 per mile pace. Even at the end, my heart rate hovered just under 150bpm.

According to heart charts for a person my age the max heart rate should be around 190bpm, so I was not pushing it. This is now my guideline to watch and monitor from this point on. The good thing was my recovery rate. Within one minute my heart rate dropped down to 80bpm, well above average according to the charts. The old ticker is not only working but working well.

There were a series of stairs about midway through my run. At the top were two guys smoking pot. One of them was coughing like crazy. Maybe it was his first time. On my way down I said to myself I may not be invincible but I would rather run the risk than sit around doing that or nothing at all.

Sun or Snow...I'll take this any day

For all of my friends shoveling snow and shivering...suck on this!
Running last night in a short sleeve shirt. A crisp morning ride today. Plenty of sunshine. Glad to be here.

Old Paper Routes Revisited

This made me think back to my old paper route for the Modesto Bee. I remember getting my hands covered in black ink, the sore shoulders and having to wake up way too early. That and having to pay for the rubber bands and plastic bags. I always felt the paper should pay for those. I mean come on, how I am supposed to deliver YOUR paper without them?

Stairway to Hell

Saw this and had to laugh. A Stair Master in a stairway

Tired of Sports Talk

I am a sports fan. I am not a fan of sports talk. I heard this tonight, "On offense they like to score points." Duh. I can not name an offense that does not like to score points. That is one of my all time favorites. Others, "The team with the fewest mistakes is going to win the game." Ya think? "If their defense can shut 'em down they'll win." Boy, I would not have known that.

Same can be said for news reporters stating the obvious. "Police are investigating and looking for clues," when reporting on some crime. Really? Hum, I did not know they did that.

Food Truck Fake

Here is a sign the food truck frenzy has gone too far. The Whole Foods Food Truck. Thankfully is was not busy. I'll pass.

Tale of Two Street Festivals

One thing that makes this City so great is its diversity. (I almost added openness as well but this place is not as open as it claims or people make it out to be but that is for another post)

This weekend saw two of the most different street fairs possible; the Cole Valley Street Fair and the Folsom Street Fair. Luckily I made it to both and felt equally at home while also out of place at each. I think the photos will clearly explain why...if you do not already know.

Cole Valley:
Folsom Street:
A bit different, yes. I never feel good about myself after attending the Folsom Street Fair because nearly all of the guys are cut...er, um, ripped, in shape and have serious pecs. At least it gives me motivation.

I could have provided you with more graphic photos from the Folsom event but I am going to try to keep this PG rated.

Convention Coolness?

Since when was it cool to walk around with a convention badge draped around your neck? I have attended maybe a half dozen large conferences in my life and I can not recall not immediately taking off my badge when walked out the door. I usually did not even wear my badge while inside the conference. I don't want to look like a geek attending some convention.

San Francisco has its share of big conferences and this week is one of the largest, the Oracle Open World Conference. All over downtown you see conventioneers wearing their badges; walking around, eating, shopping. "Do you get a discount in Macy's if you wear your badge?" I asked an employee after seeing a group of men buy shirts. "No." she replied.

Maybe it is just me and my lack of enthusiasm for the OOW (Oracle Open World). Maybe for these conventioneers is a like a badge of honor. But who are you going to impress? Others attending the conference? Not too impressive if so many others are wearing badges as well.

I guess I would wear a badge if it was exclusive or gave me a certain privilege. I would wear a badge if it was the IQ Over 300 Conference or the Conference of Those Who Walked on the Moon. That is impressive. If the badge gave me the right drink in public or the entitled me with the power to make spontaneous laws...I would wear a badge for that. Attending a the OOW with 43,ooo+ others, not so imprerssive.

$2.8M Fixer Upper

So what do you do after you buy a $2.8M house? How about replace the entire roof, rip out the elevated backyard deck and add an extra room. That is what's happening directly across the street.

Shark Sighting - Oh No or So What?

There was recent shark sighting in the waters off Linda Mar near Pacifica. Signs went up warning beach-goers and news organizations went ga-ga over it. Every time this happens I always ask, "What's the big deal? That is where they live." Where do you expect them to be? And just because some official puts up a sign warning people to stay out or prevents people from swimming in the ocean the shark is going to be there. And it is going to be there long after those warnings and signs are gone. Same holds true for mountain lions spotted in foothills. It was there first. We are the ones who built the house in the mountains to get away from the city and now you are worried about mountain lions?

Longing for Watermelons of Old

What ever happened to seeds in watermelons? I have enjoyed my fair share of watermelons this summer since it is one way to make it feel like summer without having the summer heat here in SF. The only watermelons I can find are seedless. While these are nice and convenient I miss the childhood fun of spitting seeds, especially the idea of me doing it out of my third floor apartment window. I am not sold on those 'personal' watermelons either. The beauty of a watermelon is lugging this huge melon home pondering how it is humanly possible to eat the whole thing and joy of sharing. And what happened? Watermelons used to be oblong, now they seem to be more round.

What do you spend?

Sometimes, finding out how much other people are spending on different things affects my own financial behavior in positive ways. If I learn that I'm spending less than the regional average on something, I figure, Hey, I'm doing something right. Let's keep on keeping on. If I blow well above an average on something, it's time for a little re-evaluation of how I'm spending.

According to Bundle.com, the typical San Francisco household spends the following sums monthly:

* Food and drink: $370 on groceries; $419 on restaurants and takeout

* Housing expenses, excluding mortgage or rent: $238 on home improvement; $179 on utilities; $107 on phone-related expenses

* Shopping and consumer goods: $231 on clothing and shoes; $482 on department stores and wholesale clubs; $54 on hobby-related purchases

* Gasoline: $148; auto loan payments and related expenses: $211

* Diversions: $293 on travel; $51 on cable or satellite TV; $96 on live entertainment, gaming and tourist attractions

* Insurance and services: $358 on insurance; $103 on prescriptions and doctor visits; $125 on school and childcare expenses; $110 on gym memberships, haircuts and other personal care-related services; $89 on charitable donations; $37 on pets


How do you compare? You can check out other cities on bundle by following the link.

Summer in San Fogcity

Put away the shorts and grab those sweaters, it is a typical San Francisco summer. Covered from high it's like the city is grabbing the covers to hibernate for a few weeks. We all need that once in a while. Like it or not America looks to San Francisco to lead the way in many things and maybe San Francisco gets tired and needs to escape the spotlight. We all need to recharge. The revolutionary tradition seems to permeate the ground here and before long The City will emerge with a bolder plan for a better tomorrow.

Maybe The City is trying to keep a secret. It whispers around corners and through tunnels to only those delicate few willing to have the patience.

I never tire of the fog. I find it consoling, like the rain. It is another layer between me and the world. The light is softer. Sounds are muffled. It pushes one inward. Outside the fog horn comforts.

SF Summer - Only The Food

Summertime in San Francisco means mostly gray days, lots of wind, chilly temps., and the ever present fog. The only way to get a taste of summer is by going to the market and right now my sunshine is provided by super sweet corn from nearby Brentwood. If it wasn't for these along with mounds of melons and tons of strawberries I would think it was January. So while most are sweating it out in 100-degree temps or suffering through insane humidity, we here in SF are wearing jackets shivering home with bags filled with 10 ears of corn for $1. Makes for a nice summer.

Fire Alarm

Imagine you are at work and the fire alarm goes off. What would you do? That happened at work today for me and a strange thing happened; nobody did anything. Everybody just sat their desk, looked around, looked annoyed by the piercing sound and continued to work. There was no mad rush for the doors. Nobody even got up from their chair. Do we not believe the fire alarm? Do we have to smell smoke or see flames before we leave? By that time isn't it too late? It turned out the alarm was set off by somebody burning their popcorn in the microwave. No need to panic.

I am Officially City-fied

I have officially become 'city-fied'. I don't like driving, I don't like malls, and I don't like extra value meals. Becoming 'city-fied' likely happened some time ago but I am just now coming to the realization and understanding of what it means.

I actually like driving as long as it is no where near the suburbs or San Jose. I have become a recreational driver. I had to make the drive San Ho for work over the weekend; too many cars, too many bad drivers and too much time spent waiting for a green light with no cross traffic.

Next up the mall. A gathering place where people can buy more shit they do not need. Strollers the size of shopping carts and acting like one too. And when the stroller does have a kid inside that kid is big enough to walk...maybe even ride a bike. And you would think that with all the walking done in the mall it would be good exercise and people would be in shape.

That brings me to extra value meals. I am all for a good size meal...but let's make that meal nutritious and balance it out with some variety. Seeing so many people consume colossal sized drinks and portions is frightening. Overweight kids who can't help it because their parents are overweight. The general public is generally not so good.

The way I look at it would be content in either a big city or out in the country, which makes sense knowing where I grew up. I don't need a lot of space but if the space is there I sure do not need a lot of people. I will step off my soapbox. I just need a place to vent every now and then.

Mapped Run

It has been awhile since I mapped a run and shared the link, which you can click on in the title. Along the way I saw houseboats, homeless and man playing holiday songs on an Erhu. What is an erhu you ask? It is a two-string Chinese fiddle. I am sure you have seen one. Along the way I also passed the Ferry Building and its farmer's market. While I love how the Ferry Building has been transformed into a destination, the prices there still amaze me. $4.99 for a cantaloupe! I just bought one on Clement street for $.99. Yes, the cantaloupe at the Ferry Building is organic...but it is really worth four more dollars?