piles and piles

I have so much stuff. Why do I keep the most inane objects, which eventually accumulate to create a massive amount of items I could never need, nor want for that matter?

At least I can justify the clothes. They go out of style, what have you, but the rest of this junk is ridiculous. Here is a before picture of the clothes-cleansing process:

And here is the after:

That's right, two large contractor garbage bags full of clothes that will be donated. What's funny (or not) is that I actually did this last Christmas with Whitney, who enjoyed pilfering through and purging my closet a little too much. I suppose it's a good thing, though, to make the tough decisions: will I ever need this troll doll again or will I wear this tie that was worn during 8th grade. Of course, the answer to both is a definitive "NO", but it takes time. Lean and mean, that's what I'll be running after this weekend - at the very least, I hope I got rid of enough to fit in our apartment.

swingin'

Often times throughout this political season I have felt as though I were right in the candidates shoes on the campaign trail. Driving around the country, in a different city almost every day, and sending out a message for the people to hear. We're promoting rubber shoes instead of running for president, but that's not important.

Never more have I felt like we're making the final push than this week - hitting the crucial battleground states leading up to the election. We made a stop in DuBois, PA followed by our stay in Cleveland tonight, Iowa tomorrow before landing in swing state Colorado for election results. It's a long road, but someone's got to do it - power to the people!

that's amore

Well, the moon has hit my eye like a big one of these:

Rosa's Pizza. It's one of a million similar pizza shops in New York City, but it sure is delicious. I ate there three times this trip, each time getting a slice of the Margherita. Euphoria in my mouth. For your viewing pleasure, here is a previously posted picture because it just looks so good:

One thing that amazes me about virtually every store front in the City is the trap-door basements. Notice the metal square in front of the building:

These all lead to secret wonderland's of magic and wishes. Actually, I do constantly find the forethought put in to designing big cities truly fascinating. It's interesting this is simply "they way they do things" here. Delivery trucks stop on streets, clogging up all but the width-plus-one-inch of a car to fit through, unloading their deliveries to "true" New Yorkers through ground holes like this:

Pretty cool system. Of course you don't see this anywhere else because it won't work anywhere else, but each city has it's own system and that's what is amazing. Goodbye NYC and goodbye Stephen, you'll be missed. (I guess that kind of sounds like Stephen died, but he didn't; he's just going on a Mediterranean cruise and I won't see him again - thanks for everything.)

all hallow's eve

Happy Halloween boys and ghouls, it has turned out to be a very happy day indeed.

pom-mania

Look, pomegranates are hot right now. The flavor, the fruit, it's all very trendy and awkwardly sour-yet-delicious tasting. But here's a new one:

Iced coffee from POM, the original pomegranate juice maker. At least when you go to the website they don't try to hide anything:

My question is this - what could possibly make a company specializing in fruit juice want to make iced coffee? That's like ESPN televising a spelling bee or Crocs making high-heeled shoes. It's flat out bonkers. But I suppose if your brand is hot, why not try ice? Ironically, I turned the corner after seeing the iced coffee sign and this fell into my lap:

I just couldn't escape it. Perhaps I should wash down some of this delicious New York pizza from Rosa's with a cool glass of POM.

And if I don't finish the pizza? Eat it cold for breakfast the next morning with a POM iced coffee...oh, now I see!

brrr and stuff

In less than a week, it has turned f-ing cold. I'm not the most prepared either, at least not until next week when I get to go home, collect all my personal belongings and move them to Dallas. Until then, I will wear the same clothes I have lived in for the last nine months - because what's another week, right?

I thought this was a great Nike ad.

I really love when cities rally around and truly support road races. I have already seen television commercials, news telecasts and the like, creating an unmistakable buzz for "the world's greatest race." I almost feel like running this weekend...almost, and there is no chance in hell. We have to get back across the country toot-sweet, darn!

And I've done it again, little sleep. I should probably change this cycle.

take note

I realize it has been some time since my last post and the natives are getting restless. My excuse? I am in the awful habit of writing at the end of the day, well past the midnight hour, and quite frankly, I needed to catch up on sleep. To summarize recent events, here is a little "notes column" action, enjoy...

...Marathons are difficult. Twenty-six (point two) miles is a long way to run. I won't be doing another one for a while...

...Want to know what else is long? This marketing tour...

...After having to lean on both my dad (NYC) and my mom (MCM) to finish different marathons, I have come to the conclusion they are truly phenomenal people. I'd like to think I could have finished the races without them, but I'm really glad I didn't have to find out. I'm very lucky...

...Various inspirations bounced around my head as I plodded, step after step, throughout the streets of DC. My family, both close and extended, and their positivity and support. Whitney and her efforts to take up one of my passions as she trains for the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon, Dec. 14. My livestrong bracelet, Whitney's brother Ryan, and other people who overcome so much more than recreationally jogging for hours. The massive amount of bling that would be draped around my neck after finishing. Several passages from the book "50/50," by Dean Karnazes. A delicious, guilt-free dinner in great company. The ability to proudly don a new marathon jacket. And of course, all the Marines and people serving our country...

...I still have no idea how to remove the pace tattoo from my arm, which isn't nearly as cool two days later, half-way rubbed off...

...Disclaimer: In no way do I recommend the training program which I followed to run this marathon...

...This weekend just worked. Our hotel, which we booked at the last minute, turned out to be in a perfect location (by that, I mean right by Chop't). We were able to find convenient parking for the trucks without any issues. The weather, which was rainy on Saturday and cold/windy today, was absolutely ideal on race day...

...It was ironic this was the 33rd Marine Corps Marathon and it was my 33rd event on this tour...

...Off the race topic, I was able to go see our Nation's oldest and most significant documents at the National Archives. Pretty incredible. Those men were visionaries...

...Whitney sent me on a hunt to find the "Secret" monument, which is located on the south side of the reflecting pool. It was a gazebo-like structure, that was situated back in the woods. Oviously not a huge secret, but I bet a lot of people miss that one on their bus tours!...

...Chop't is still delicious. Chipotle is always delicious...

...The Georgetown area is really nice. REALLY expensive, but nice...

...The Metro is my favorite transit system in the country (beside the M Car trolley by our new apartment in Dallas). It's cheap, fast, and easy - [insert joke here]...

...My cousin Tiff is very pregnant. I'm going on the record as saying it's going to be a girl...

...I'm very sore and very tired. Until tomorrow...

in the pitts

I saw this restaurant today, close to the surprisingly interesting University of Pittsburgh:

That's right, Joe Mama's, which made me think of my mama, who constantly uses that name in various jokes. It was one of a myriad of dining options adjacent to Pitt's architecturally rich campus. I never thought anything of the University of Pittsburgh, but much to my surprise, there was an abundance of fantastically old school buildings and ornately designed churches, centered around a fusion of both - the Cathedral of Learning.

It's 42 stories tall and was originally built to inspire learning. I obviously didn't take the picture above, nor did I take any other pictures because I didn't think my phone-camera would do much justice. The Pitt campus was literally across the street from Carnegie Mellon, where I'm sure I'm not even smart enough to figure out a way in to of any of the buildings.

Tonight, a lucrative business idea has captured my interest: Alpaca farming. All the info is conveniently available at AlpacaInfo.com of course, I suggest you don't miss this once in a life time opportunity - after all, who could resist these cute little fellas? Buy the DVD, Alpacas: A rewarding lifestyle, for just $19.95. After seeing the TV ad I thought, "All I need is a few Alpacas and I will never have to work another day in my life!"

Also, my football teams lost by a collective score 104-33 of this week (Rams 49-16, Broncos 41-7, Bobcats 14-10). Wow, I'm so proud.

something smells fishy...

If you've been noticing a trend that many of my blog posts are courtesy of various gas stations around the country, that's because they are feeding grounds for hilarity. There is an infinite amount of randomness every time I walk through a convenience store door and the security bell rings. More often than not, truck stops provide the most entertainment, but this morning is was a regular, old gas station. Can anyone guess what is now considered an impulse buy, sandwiched right betwixt the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and the credit card machine?

That's right, a fish. This was not the convenience store clerk's loyal pet either, there was a price tag on the lid of the fish "tank".

It read $15.

Are you kidding me? First, aren't these the same malnourished, anemic, Japanese "fighting" fish they sell at the pet stores for $2? So it must be the lush environment that satisfies the lofty price tag. Second, I really just want to see the person who picks up his package of candy, pays for $6 of gas on pump 3, and oh yeah, why don't you throw the fish in there as well. Welcome to the heartland!

motor city

In Detroit, they take pride in the fact the automobile industry began here with an idea from Henry Ford. It has boomed because of the hard-working, blue collar auto workers that are struggling to make ends meet during these tenuous times. I wonder what those workers would think of when they see what happens to some of their works of art:

At least it still runs I guess. And it always strikes me as hilarious when I see "The Club" on cars like this:

This person can't honestly think someone wants to steal this mini-van, can they? That's like us putting a Club on our Crocs trucks - oh, wait, we do that...

odds...and ends

I had, perhaps, my most awkward dining experience ever this evening at On The Border. We ordered "Guac Live!", where they bring the avocados and fixin's to the table and make it right in front of you.

Have you ever made guacamole? Even with the ingredients prepped, it's not the quickest process. It takes a little longer when the girl who's concocting it has a grand total of three "Guac Live!" experiences under her belt.

First, she proceeded to wipe her hands with a moist towelette - this will be important in a second. While hap-hazardly scooping the avocados out with a spoon, she attempts to make conversation - just the one time really. The majority of our "live" experience was cast in silence between awkward guac-making mistakes and efforts to supress laughter between Adam and myself. On avocado half number three, she scoops the inside right down onto the tray next to the more appropriate bowl. A simple error we were willing to let go, if it weren't for her following statement: "Don't worry, that's why I put alcohol on my hands." I have to believe she was trying to alleviate our concern of germs from her hands transferring to the avocado, however the comfort we gained from ethanol as the "secret" ingredient in our guacamole was non-exisent.

We allowed her reprieve by requesting "chunky" guacamole to spare her the time and awkward silence while continuing to (not) mash the ingredients. By the time our "Guacamole En Vivo" was complete - which is what it should be called in a Mexican restaurant - our food arrived less than a minute later, which sort of defeats the purpose of an appetizer. I have to give her effort for trying, and I'm sure she will improve in time, but I suggest she get a lot faster or come up with other conversation starters than "I could eat a whole avocado, I like 'em so much."

In other news, technology is frustrating the crap out of me right now. First, I have been jealous about the iPhones for quite some time since two of my teammates own them, but then my sister has to go and get one. And now, Apple released their new line of MacBooks which makes my 5-month old model look like garbage.

These new laptops look unfathomably awesome and I want one. I won't get one, of course, because I still like mine very much and just don't need it, but it gets irritating when something new comes out that corrects the faults from before, enhances performance and costs the same. I suppose this will always happen with technology and I will have to get used to skipping generations of gadget coolness for the rest of my life. I can still pout though.

debate night on my computer

For the debate this evening, I have decided to do a “stream of consciousness” post. Why would anyone care what I’m thinking while watching a political debate? Well, they probably don’t, but it’s something to read. (Times are Mountain Time...because my computer is on Mountain Time...because I change time zones every week and don't feel like changing it)

07:01:40 PM Okay, here we go!

07:01:57 PM I’m watching CNN debate coverage, both men and women seem to be dead on the bottom of the screen

07:02:38 PM Handshake with utterly fake greetings

07:03:04 PM First question: shocking! Economic based

07:03:43 PM Nancy Reagan broke her pelvis…

07:04:32 PM McCain said Fannie and Freddy May are responsible for this, I didn’t realize they got married – and he took her name

07:05:32 PM McCain blinks a lot

07:05:46 PM Hey, a candidate stayed within the time limit!

07:06:29 PM Fundamentals is still a buzzword – generic, but still buzzy

07:07:17 PM Why don’t they show the time clock on the screens? That would add a great element, along with a very loud horn when time is up

07:08:35 PM McCain is talking to Joe, is he really going to approach the economic recession one person at a time?

07:09:53 PM It seems like both candidates love tax cuts, but they disagree, weird…

07:10:54 PM Obama has been eating numbers for breakfast

07:11:20 PM McCain still talking about Joe the plumber, his “wealth” spreading and how Obama is raising taxes – see two thoughts ago…???

07:12:48 PM Did Obama just say nobody likes Texas?! Oh, taxes, phew

07:13:21 PM McCain pulled out the all-important “Irish tax rate” number, because that’s relevant…

07:13:55 PM Trillion dollar debt, woohoo!

07:15:12 PM Obama proposing pay as you go, apparently he is going to run a cell phone company along with the country

07:16:46 PM McCain went directly back to home ownership, not surprising, maybe he can divide all of his 8 houses among those people

07:18:49 PM McCain importing Brazilian sugar cane energy, interesting, do you just get people all hopped up on sugar and hope they are hyper-efficient?

07:20:22 PM Obama is confusing me with trillion dollar amounts – what’s the difference between national debt and deficit?

07:20:56 PM Oh, snap! McCain calls for an Obama/Bush presidential race in ’04! Decent line, but that one was certainly scripted, wonder how long he’s been holding on to that remark…

07:22:12 PM McCain is much better so far in this debate, albeit, very angry, but he is hitting more on policy this time around

07:23:24 PM Obama may not be well-liked by Fox News tonight, although to his point, he isn’t really already

07:24:14 PM McCain interrupting moderator, very annoyed with Obama about his claim of more of the same

07:25:22 PM Oooh, a question on the direction of each candidates negative campaigns…where will this go?

07:26:59 PM McCain not happy about Obama not repudiating some remarks about him like McCain has done every time…except when Palin said Obama palled around with terrorists

07:28:08 PM Decent answer by McCain, he still seems angry, but he is more prepared and debating better

07:29:33 PM Obama turns it right back to the economy, fairly smart, but kind of a let down, I wanted more of an answer on the negativity

07:30:54 PM McCain upset because of Obama’s ad spending…but the Obama campaign HAS the money…

07:32:53 PM Obama said tit…for tat

07:34:19 PM Whew, McCain is getting very upset and emotional

07:35:20 PM Obama throwing everything back to the economy, still steering away from the original question

07:36:13 PM And here it comes…the Obama associations

07:37:25 PM Obama “repudiating” associations with his clearly prepared answers, obviously both candidates knew this was coming up and both “read” their answers

07:38:43 PM Obama now talking about his actual associates, pretty good move and interesting

07:39:44 PM McCain still going negative, then says Obama needs to tell people the truth…as he JUST did

07:40:30 PM This debate is FAR more heated than last time

07:40:50 PM Ouch, question on running mates becoming president, that one may hurt McCain, intrigued to hear his answer

07:41:25 PM If McCain uses the term hockey mom, this one’s over

07:43:49 PM McCain on Palin: Bresh of freth air…okay, low blow, I’m not the one up there speaking in front of the country

07:45:20 PM Obama may be laughing a little too much, might make him seem condescending

07:46:27 PM McCain still saying Obama raising taxes…and McCain seems to be forcing his way in to get the last word on every question

07:49:10 PM It must be weird to attempt to speak passionately and look right into a non-responsive camera, pretending it’s the American public

07:51:49 PM Drill! The Maverick wants oil!

07:52:25 PM I think Obama is a little caught off guard by McCain this time around, maybe expecting the easy win like last time

07:53:39 PM Along with McCain’s better preparation and debating, he has turned the table and has become the more aggressive, condescending, annoyed, and angry candidate tonight, ooh, there’s a backhanded compliment about Obama’s verbal eloquence

07:55:59 PM I have no idea what to think of the squiggly lines on the bottom, it’s quite irritating to try and follow them

07:58:27 PM Health care question, I feel like I’ve heard these plans a hundred times before

07:59:49 PM Here comes Joe again, this guy certainly is popular – I wonder if he’ll be the next White House plumber

08:00:48 PM Obama now talking to Joe, getting serious air time, he must have made SOME impression

08:03:32 PM More “fundamental” differences

08:03:49 PM Geez, this debate is all about Joe! What about me!?

08:05:02 PM 10 to 1 odds Joe ends up with his own TV show sometime soon and none of what they’re talking about tonight will make any difference

08:06:49 PM Crap, I think I just chipped my tooth…

08:07:29 PM Yep, it’s a little chipped, maybe they’ll talk more about dental insurance in either of their plans

08:10:37 PM Only a couple questions left, I think the election will get closer after this debate, regardless of who they say wins

08:12:06 PM I honestly have no idea what “voting” in the senate even means, they literally vote thousands of times and each Senator can look at the other and say “He voted this way on this item, blah, blah, blah”, I don’t get it

08:15:29 PM There’s that backhanded eloquence compliment again

08:16:15 PM Last question, education

08:17:02 PM I need a little something sweet during all of this salty rhetoric…Cookies and Cream granola bar

08:18:04 PM Granola bar delicious

08:18:37 PM I like Obama’s idea about giving young people money for school when they complete community service

08:21:03 PM This question seemed to have cooled the tempers a little

08:22:09 PM Maybe that’s because they actually agree on something, but who is going to be against education, honestly

08:23:05 PM There’s a little zing from Obama, how does McCain come back?

08:23:56 PM Seems like McCain caught him a little on that with vouchers in the DC area, response?

08:26:09 PM Still disagrees, I guess they agree to disagree, shocking

08:26:55 PM Smug remark from McCain, kind of sums up his persona for the evening

08:27:28 PM Closing remarks, my friends…

08:28:03 PM McCain: Reform, affordable healthcare and education, stop the spending (kind of stuttering through this) and now he’s going to the trust issue and his record of service

08:29:16 PM Obama: Economy (shocking), fundamental change from the last eight years, fundamental decency, middle class tax cuts, new energy policies, not easy or quick, speaking a little from the heart towards the end which is new

08:31:43 PM Hey, they shook hands! I think they’re friends! Or not…

08:32:26 PM At least the wives are friends ☺

08:32:38 PM And thus ends the final debate, here’s my prediction – the Republicans will say McCain won, the Democrats will say Obama won. I think this debate returned to a typical, heated, solid debate and the fact that there wasn’t a clear winner is a good thing for the overall outcome of the election. And good lord, does CNN really need 15 people (literally, I counted) on the stage to discuss this!!

mmmmmm

Today, our first day off in a couple weeks, provided an opportunity to consume the Holy Trinity of Chicago treats:

Quite delicious. I have to admit that the pizza pictured is from Lou Malnati's last night, but we did eat at Gino's East tonight and I was thoroughly impressed. I figured out part of the secret to the allure of Chicago deep dish pizza is that by the time it takes to get to your table 45 minutes later, you're so hungry that anything tastes amazing.

Chicago is also a city with some great marketing ideas. Just walking around, looking at all of the outdoor ads, store front displays and the mobile marketing was fascinating. I was, however, perplexed by this ad for Macy's:

This guy is standing here with both ends of an electrical plug, seemingly poised to perform a Christmas-Vacation-esque lighting of the bulbs behind him - only, they're already lit...but it's unplugged...? Who are the ad wizards that came up with that one?

(bonus for the person who can name the origin of the last line)

at your service

I've had a wide array of McDonald's experiences throughout this marketing tour and more often than not, and as weird as it sounds, it's because of a necessity to eat there. There aren't a whole lot of options on the road, particularly in small towns along the way (see: Wells, NV). In cities I would never dare eat at McDonald's, and cities like Chicago with amazing food? Shoot me first.

Well, get out your gun.

As cool as it was to be at McCormick Place for the Chicago Marathon expo, I was utterly dumbfounded by the lack of food options. McCormick Place is a city, in and of itself, with multiple food courts throughout the complex, but the problem was none of them were open. If the Chicago Marathon expo, with its 45,000 participants and thousands of other attendees, doesn't warrant opening the food court, what does? Honestly, there was an Au Bon Pain with $10 sandwiches and various food carts (ie churros - and no mom, not the good kind), but literally dozens of other eateries remained dim and vacant.

Whereas the Chicago triathlon expo we worked earlier this summer was surrounded by the rest of downtown with limitless food options, McCormick place is fairly isolated, hence the need for food courts. I made the unfortunate decision to walk down the block to the one other "restaurant" - McD's. I was in line as soon as I passed through the door. That is to say that the three lines were no less than 15 deep, but I thought, "It's fast food, right?" Wrong.

What I was hoping for was to get off my feet for a spell, instead I stood inline for the better part of an hour. Not so much fun. Unrest began to spread amongst in the crowd, in which I was a distinct minority, as I approached the front of the line. I took my food and bolted, leaving behind what may have morphed into an angry, pitch fork wielding mob or perhaps something that resembled the Nike booth at the end of the expo:

Headless naked people and a bronzed woman passed out in mid-celebration - is this how you "just do it"? Must have been one heck of a party.

prime location

A short post today, but after last week's expo location next to the Mahatma rice booth, we found a pleasant surprise this week. Rather than the pungent aroma of chicken and beef flavored pilaf, we are next to the churro cart.

Fried dough, it doesn't get much better than that.

raked over the coals

I had planned this elaborate post tonight on the Weber Grill because of their exquisite black bean and skirt steak chili. I called this afternoon to check the identity of their "Chili of the Day" and, much to my surprise and elation, it happened to be one and the same. I called back two minutes later to make a reservation, asking specifically, "Is the chili this afternoon going to be that same tonight?" Answer: "Yes."

I'm sure you can gather by my tone that this was, in fact, horrifyingly incorrect. The Weber Grill doesn't serve chili at night - curses! Nevertheless, I got over it in time to eat an entire delicious plate of barbecue meat. Three different types, to be precise - meatloaf, brisket and ribs. It's still a phenomenal restaurant and I will gladly go back to try again when the stars align on a day with black bean chili. And when my time eventually comes, I also yearn to be bronzed while grilling meat.

The coolest part is that the Weber Grill is actually in our hotel. The only thing that would make it better is my dream elevator with a grill button in which to elevators opens directly in front of a waiting table, complete with their delectable pretzel rolls and a cool glass of sangria.

Until then, we will have to walk the ten steps from the elevator to the restaurant and I will have to continue calling each day for a chili update. It's not quite as volatile as the stock market, but it's darn close. Next up (hopefully): deep dish pizza.

the future is now

I'm not trying to over-do it with the vending machine posts, but I saw something amazing today. It was a new way to obtain our nation's most precious commodity - something that tells me just eight years into the 21st century, we are already prepared for the 22nd.

Dippin' Dots...in a vending machine...in our hotel. That's right, the Ice Cream of the Future, here now at our convenience. It's so futuristic, I'm not even sure how it works, except for pure robotic genius. What I extracted from gazing through the "anticipation window" was this electronic arm with futuristic suction powers somehow opens this "freezer" device where the tiny iced morsels are kept at dangerously cold temperatures.

From there, my only guess is magic fairies carry the cup o' dots to the release portal and consumption can commence. It's really quite a process, one I didn't see arriving until some point in the distant future, but our society clearly has progressed into a revolutionary era.

pillow talk

As I lay me down to sleep, I'm stressing out over an important decision. Walking in to my hotel room and the Holiday Inn and Water Park (that's right) in Omaha, NE, I found this sight on my over-sized bed:

Six pillows. That's six pillows with three different firmness choices. I'm not even sure what to do with six pillows in the first place - I need ONE upon which to lay my head. Good Lord. Whitney is a big fan of over-abundant pillowness, which I am still getting used to, but I suppose tonight is great training. I'm doing reps.

I would build a fort, but the soft pillows collapse under the weight.

the lives we lead

For the guys out there, we have certainly all seen a variety of gas station bathroom vending machines. They are convenient dispensers of condoms, pills, and many other necessities to get you back on the road prepared for whatever (or whomever) may come your way. I'm guessing the ladies have something similar, although I can't imagine what they would contain...

Until today, I was not witness to a revolutionary idea that could take truck stops by sweet-smelling storm.

Yes, a cologne machine. Not a machine that dispenses tiny bottles of cologne, that would be an inefficient waste of time. Simply insert coins, spin the dial to your fancy, punch a large metal button (or "plunger" as it is called), and prepare to smell delicious. Caution: Avert eyes or intense burning will ensue. Also, all of the flavors seen in the picture are accompanied by the omnipresent scent of diesel - bonus! What kind of man might choose to take a chance by using truck stop cologne to woo the ladies? My money is on this man:

This lad was in attendance at the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon, and in case you can't clearly see his shirt, it reads: THE PERFECT DAY - 1. Wake Up, 2. Play Video Games, 3. Eat Breakfast, 4. Play Video Games, 5. Eat Lunch, 6. Play Video Games, 7. Eat Dinner, 8. Play Video Games, 9. Go to Sleep.

Yep, that's his perfect day. I sympathize with him that someone interrupted this established routine to force him outside with the three dimensional people.

crisis averted

This weekend proved to be a bit of a whirlwind after arriving late, juggling work and family time, and retracing our steps back to Elko, Nevada at 1am tonight (for those of you counting, that's 50 miles from Wells). I was also without internet the entire weekend, although time wouldn't have permitted blogging anyway, but being back on the road affords me a few short seconds to write.

I was nearly heartbroken this afternoon, driving past In-n-Out Burger after In-n-Out Burger on 880 as we guided the Crocs Pleasure Cruiser past my Dad's old 'hood. Never fear, however, as Reno provided us with one last bastion of meaty goodness before heading back east for an extended period of time.

Simply delicious. This most likely began a week of rather unhealthy eating with the Land of Pizza on the horizon. I can justify it a little more now since I am back to being able to run a few miles. I thought this New Balance sign today was humorous and very appropriate for my current situation.

We'll see what happens, there might be a tempting little half-marathon in the Motor City coming up in a couple weeks, hmmm.....

i'm lovin' it

As I type this, returning from an extended blogging absence over the past week, I sit in a McDonald's in Wells, NV.

I know what you're thinking, "When did the Rock 'n' Roll Wells Marathon make the schedule?" While there is plenty of space here for such an event, the expo would have to take place in either the Flying J or the 4 Way Cafe and Casino. The host hotel might be the extravagant Motel 6 at which we took residence last night - luckily they were courteous enough to "leave the light on" for us. The finish line festival could be erected in the vast gravel truck parking lot across from said Motel 6 at the base of the I-80 off ramp, exit 352, allowing for a blazing fast down-hill finish. Holding the finish line tape would be none other than Eric, our truck mechanic, and any of the other notable inhabitants that choose to live in Wells, population no more than 100 (plus Molly and me, at least until this afternoon).

So, yeah, the truck is broken again. Let me rephrase - the truck is still broken, we have just been driving it apparently in spite of the malfunctions. A shiny, new alternator is currently on its way from Salt Lake City - I can only assume from the same shop where the truck just spent 4+ days - and we should be on our way! On our way again, that is, multiple delays, parts, and thousands of dollars later, but hopefully only to return to Wells for nothing more than a fleeting glance, speeding past at 75 mph in the opposite direction.

In other news, I had a great trip to Dallas over the weekend. The wedding was fun, meetings were positive, and Whitney and I switched apartments. This is the ambiance I was originally hoping for, luckily we were able to make it happen.

Beside that, I eagerly await my second McD's meal of the day, perhaps while watching National Treasure again on my computer - all of the DVD's I brought on the tour, for occasions precisely such as this, happen to be in the back of the other truck.

I leave this post in the words of the lovely Dionne Warwick..."Do you know the way to San Jose?"

filter this

It's pretty incredible really. Even as I wrote that post last night, I didn't actually believe the other truck could possibly break down today - although having Croc 2 as the fallback vehicle didn't instill a whole lot of confidence. Needless to say, I'm now quite convinced that jinxes exist and I will never think or say bad things about anything or anyone. Two days, two fuel filter problems, three repair shops, and one guy (me) who keeps "mocking" the trucks. When will I learn.

Yes, hell hath no fury like a woman or Crocs truck scorned. And I most certainly would have experienced double trouble if I hadn't made it for my flight out of Salt Lake City to see Whitney for the wedding this weekend.

I must say, however, that while this was quite an unfortunate jaunt across the country, I was rather lucky amidst the turmoil. Consider that I was near a town with a repair shop each time the the trucks broke down, particularly today when Rock Springs, WY is surrounded by nothing 50 miles in every direction. Or that we pulled into the truck repair this afternoon a half hour before they closed. Or that while the mechanics seemed to have no idea how to fix it, we were able to tell them what to do because it was the same problem with both trucks, which allowed them to fix it in an hour and not wait until the morning, resulting in drastic plan changes being averted. So while I didn't know it was possible, I was simultaneously lucky and unlucky today.

I am not even going to touch discussing my flight tomorrow.

you owe me a coke

I don't know if I believe in "jinxes" or not. There are times when I really feel like I have the unintentional power to jinx things and bring about bad luck. Today, not 10 minutes before our truck broke down I was thinking to myself how we had 1,000 miles until Salt Lake City and at least we were in the "good" truck so nothing would go wrong. I was, in fact, wrong. So did I mentally jinx us? Perhaps, but what about all the other times when I think something and it goes right? It's not like my luck is usually THAT bad. I'm leaning towards the term coincidence rather than jinx, but who really knows?

I also find it impossible to believe our trucks don't have human personalities. For some reason, they think they have been wronged in some way and have a vendetta to get back at us. Well, trucks, this is what I think of you:

(Actually, now I'm a little scared for what's in store tomorrow...maybe I should have waited until we make it to Utah to tell them what I think)

haulin' oats

Yesterday, I was exposed to a brand new flavor of Quaker Chewy Granola Bar: Dark Chocolate Cherry. It is quite good, but in no way does it make me less upset about the sudden extinction of Cookies & Cream some time ago*.

My current favorite Chewy granola bar flavors are as follows:

1. Peanut Butter and Chocolate
2. Dark Chocolate Cherry
3. Apple Cinnamon
4. Butterfinger
5. (tie) S'mores and Oatmeal Raisin

* Going back to the disappearance of Cookies & Cream, I have searched high and low and have not been able to find them for the longest time, however according to this picture on Quaker's website they still exist under the "25% less sugar" category. What kind of sick game is this?!?

rocky road

This is far from the way I feel right now.

I need to run. Period.

Also, orange jerseys today...awesome. Big fan.

a world of deliciousness

If I had another two weeks in Philadelphia, I still might not be able to eat every type of food in Reading Market. I was walking around in awe at the selection today, almost wishing I hadn't just eaten another cheese steak. They have everything you could imagine - fresh, raw, prepared, and any ethnicity. Take a look at the pictures and notice all the different signs:

I could have taken a lot more photos. It's a shame they close at 6pm every day otherwise I'd be there for dinner. It seemed as though every time I turned a corner, there was something else tempting me to stuff myself. Yum.