Another Return

OK, so Lost & Found has been on unscheduled hiatus for nearly a month. That’s a longer letdown than any of my previous lapses and I apologize for the withdrawal. Lack of motivation is a lousy excuse, but it’s all I’ve got for you. 

Today, though, I sort of started over. Maybe it began last night, or over the weekend in general. I got a new attitude, as the song goes. So, while I didn’t get up with the alarm at 6:40, I did manage to edge out of bed at 8:15, do some crunches and pushups and go for a little jog. It was rather the minimum but it was a good start to renewal.

I decided to make it an errands run. Who doesn’t like to run errands, right? Well, sometimes they’re a pain in ass, but at least if you actually “run” to do the errands or ride a bike to the store, there’s a benefit beside the task at hand. In the case of today’s run, the errands involved returns: a book to the library and a DVD to the video store. Guess I’ll have to add “Skinny Legs and All” by Tom Robbins to my Facebook note on “Books I Can’t Read.” I’m not proud of the list and I don’t like leaving a book before it’s finished. I made it halfway through “Skinny Legs” but lost motivation and, frankly, it’s overdue for the third time and it’s time to move on. The Sunday Night Movie was “Wanderlust,” which was pretty funny. Here’s an inappropriate scene to capture your interest.

Believe it or not, the summer drought has been paralleled in the Lost & Found department. It’s been no treasure trove out there on the streets of Galesburg this summer, with a couple of notable exceptions (tire iron, unopened beer). It was a sweet return to the road when I happened upon a blue and white cloth on Cherry Street this morning. Thought at first it might be a baby diaper wrap. Now I think it either a burp cloth or a polish cloth. It’s plush terry on one side and a smooth polyester on the other side. The towel is from a company called Greenbrier International Inc., which appears to be the parent of Dollar Tree stores.

Random note: It occurred to me as I rumbled along Fremont Street past King Gyro and made a right onto Cherry Street that some songs just make you want to dance. Now, it must be understood that I may be a lover but I ain’t no dancer. Oh, I got rhythm, I just can’t put it into motion in a visually appealing way. But that doesn’t stop me from doing it occasionally. More and more it seems in recent months. Anyway, “Walk Like an Egyptian” by the Bangles is one of those songs. As is Ben Lee’s “Catch My Disease.” Today it was “Egyptian” that had me on the verge of making a spectacle of myself along one of the Burg’s busier roads. One of these days, though, watch out for the flash mob of one.  

Today's Stats

Temp: 67 degrees F

Distance: 3.25 miles

Treasure: 1 fancy cloth (blue and white, burp cloth or polish cloth maybe); 7 cans.

iPod Playlist (On Shuffle):

Over the Hills andFar Away (live) – Led Zeppelin

The Camera Eye (live) – Rush

Castle Attack – Robert Kral (“Angel” TV show soundtrack

Tumbling Dice (Live ’72) – The Rolling Stones

Walk Like An Egyptian – The Bangles

Desperados Under theEaves (live at Wheeler Opera House) – Warren Zevon

I’m On Fire – Bruce Springsteen

Like a Hurricane – Neil Young

Nothing up my brain...

… Presto! I’ll just plagiarize myself. That’s what happens when one is not only uninspired, but lazy. I found nothing of interest today and thought of nothing I am in a position to share, so I’ll recycle an editorial I wrote In September 2008 for The Register-Mail. I referred to it in a blog post a year ago (Aug. 13, to be exact), so you’ll note the familiar territory. But it is a passion. Litter bugs the hell out of me. 

Thought I'd spare you a boring pic of cans and share this sharp bike I saw
parked in front of Joe Brock's Barber Shop back in May.

Refresh your memory…

Last month The Register-Mail published a special section on Living Green. We highlighted local efforts to be more environmentally friendly. Stories explained what materials are recyclable and how recycling works around here. Officials noted that recycling has grown, though participation in the city’s curbside program has plateaued at about 63 percent.

It’s nice to think that by recycling we’re sparing some landfill space, thus putting off the costly process of closing one “cell” and opening another. That saves taxpayer dollars. In the direct payoff category is the city of Galesburg’s random recycling prize each month. One address is randomly selected each month for a $25 prize if the residents put a recycling bin out the week the lottery is conducted. Still, more needs to be done to encourage recycling.

One step in the right direction is a return to the container deposit of yore. That’s right, pay an extra nickel or dime per bottle/can of cool liquid refreshment and get your money back when you return the empty.

That’s the way it used to be done, if you’ll recall, in the days before easily disposable (and recyclable) steel and aluminum cans and the now ubiquitous plastic bottle. A handful of states have seen the light and enacted container deposit laws, or “bottle bills” as they’re also known. The results are encouraging.

According to a 2002 report titled “Understanding Beverage Container Recycling: A Value Chain Assessment,” deposit states saw a greater recovery rate for beverage containers — more than 71 percent, compared to about 28 percent in non-deposit states. Michigan, for example has a redemption rate of nearly 100 percent; it also has the highest container deposit. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources estimated that in 1990 the state’s bottle bill was reducing the state’s solid waste by 6 to 8 percent annually.

Our neighbor Iowa is another bottle bill state. According to the Web site bottlebill.org, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in 1995 estimated 50,000 tons of cans and bottles were redeemed and recycled through the bottle bill. That represented 5 percent of the 1 million tons of waste diverted from the waste stream in 1995.

Bottle bills not only encourage recycling, they discourage littering. Oregon was the first state to enact a bottle bill in 1971. By 1986 there were 10. Bottlebill.org notes that seven of those states reported a reduction of beverage container litter ranging from 70 to 83 percent, and a reduction in total litter ranging from 30 to 47 percent after implementation of the bottle bill.

As an alternative to the deposit law, Chicago added a nickel tax to bottled water this year in hopes of curbing the flow of plastic bottles. Time will tell if it has an impact — if it survives legal challenges. It already is clear, however, that bottle bills work. Illinois should join the 11 states that already have seen the green and pass one of its own.

Today's Stats

Temp: 70 degrees F

Distance: 5.12 miles

Weekly Total: 5.12

Treasure: 5 cans.

iPod Playlist (On Shuffle):

Let Me Know – Eric Lindell

More Than a Feeling – REO Speedwagon

Teardrops Will Fall – John Mellencamp

Toxic – Glee Cast

In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins

Wait – Ben Kweller (Beatles cover)

Dancing in the Dark – Diana Krall

Castle Attack – Robert Kral (Angel TV show soundtrack)

I Can Dream About You – Dan Hartman

Poor Poor Pitiful Me – Warren Zevon

Five O’Clock 500 – Alabama

Baby Come On Home – Led Zeppelin

Everything Is Comin’ Down – Bo Ramsey

Sir Bix-a-lot and Miss Quick

You’re sure to see just about anything at the Bix 7 road race. Last year I spotted Sesame Street’s Elmo and Mr. Incredible. Back again this year were the Marilyn Monroes (a half dozen gals in matching white dresses – you know the one – and platinum wigs); and there was a veteran (I assume) in fatigues and bearing a POW-MIA flag on a staff; a superhero family; St. Patrick; Tweety Bird and a cow (an odd couple to be sure); and a giant spine (on behalf of Palmer Chiropractic), though I don’t think the vertebra made the run.

Post-race, still looking pretty fresh.

Those are just a handful of the costumed crazies running 7 miles uphill and down. (At least it was a beautiful, temperate day.) Among the 13,000-plus runners and walkers participating in the Quad City Times Bix 7, Quick Bix and Jr. Bix were toned athletes, elite runners from around the world, hardbodies and hardly bodies. There were beautiful men and women both in shape and only in appearance. There were average Joes and Janes. Kids, teens, adults, seniors. I passed one guy who easily topped 300 lbs. and whose legs were wobbly masses of cellulite. I wanted to take his picture and post it as a challenge: “He ran the Bix 7. Where were you?”

I know, running isn’t for everyone, and everyone who does has a different reason for running. I am just amazed at the people who turn out for an event like the Bix. Last year’s BIx topped 18,000 participants. This year’s was smaller, but seemed as crowded nonetheless.

I had the true pleasure this year of being joined by D2 (daughter No. 2, Amanda), making her first Bix appearance. You’re looking at one proud dad. Amanda, a college tennis player and no runner (she’ll tell you), opted for the 2-mile Quick Bix. (Finished in 21:25.) That’s still a challenge for a newbie – Brady Street hill is a bee-otch. But she’s no slouch; ran her first 5K (RR Days, a month ago) on no sleep (following in her DA dad’s footsteps – scary how alike we are). I think she’ll be running 7 miles next July.

Amanda relaxes after the Quick Bix.

Unfortunately, I’m not much of a team runner. Once the chute opens (8 minutes and more after the starting gun for those of us at the back of the pack) I’m off to find my pace and a ponytail. So, rather than running with my baby girl, I was off on my own without a glance back. Hey, she’s an adult. Of course, that didn’t happen for about a block after the starting line. We walked in a jam-packed bunch for the two or three blocks leading up to the chip-timer line and another block beyond before there was room enough to pick up our knees.

That’s why I call those of us not among the elite merely participants. There’s no competition but with yourself, at least to my mind. And that’s fine. It’s just a hell of an atmosphere to be in for a while.

Consider: The entire 7-mile route is lined with spectators. People site on lawns, visiting, partying, drinking, chatting, watching, cheering… Some know runners, some are just coming out of their homes to watch the spectacle. Several put up sprinklers to cool the runners. Some offer water and ice (in addition to the seven official water stations. Bands and DJs are well-spaced along the route. I thought it funny to hear two DJs playing Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” on opposite sides of the street in the same block. Great song, that.

I thought that was awesome, Bix Number Six and First Time
Bix Runner.

There were country bands, thrashers, classic rockers. I can’t describe it adequately. I can’t make you feel it. You have to experience it. If you’re a runner and you haven’t done the Bix, do it. You’ll love it.

For those of you who know my modus operandi, I have to tell you the ponytails were plentiful, though they really didn’t factor in today. Thought I had one picked out early on, but I passed her too quickly. Then it was all about me. All about determination and willpower. I’ve said before I have no goals, but then admitted to secret aims. This year’s secret goals, which I shared with at least one person, were to better last year’s time and to not walk – keep running! I succeeded on both counts.

I was watching the tattooed girl on the right, but check
out the woman on the left. Props to her!

I’ll admit I was a little concerned when I crossed the finish at 1:18:10, but I assured myself (correctly) that was the elapsed time from the starting gun, not my chip time. And I was able to hold something in reserve. Race sponsors have convenient banners at ¼ and 1/8 mile to the finish. At 1/8 mile to the finish I fired the afterburners and gave my all. That put me in at 1:10:00 (70 minutes), just a few seconds behind fellow area runners Barb Ball and daughters Abby and Andrea. I didn’t see them ahead of me, though I did see them before the race started. Barb told me Thursday night at the Taste of Galesburg beer garden that they would be there, and suggested a mother-daughters angle for my blog, if I needed something about which to write. Well, you can see I came up with plenty, but I still mentioned them. Let me give a shout out to Jason Olmstead for finishing in 49:34! Holy cow!

Now, it is time for dinner and celebratory drinks.   

Today's Stats

Temp: 79 degrees F (after, maybe cooler at start)

Distance: 7 miles

Weekly Total: 17.24

Treasure: 1 white hand towel (Mainstays brand).

Bib: 10293

Weight: 191 lbs.

Time: 1:18:10

Chip Time: 1:10:00

Rank: 4,851 of 10,405

Division: 324 of 555

The Palmer Chiropractic Spine!

Ready to Bix it Up

So, here it is 11:32 p.m. and I’ve not been too busy today (Tuesday), but somehow too busy to write. Good thing I’m not a freelancer or a novelist with a deadline to meet on his own. 

Found 2 CDs today and, hey, it rained!
That's a puddle on the ground.

Got up and ran this morning and followed up with a short day at work. Don’t actually get two full days off a week anymore. One full day and two halves, supposedly. Hey, I’m employed, so I can’t complain. Right? So I napped after work and then cleaned my parents’ house – my part-time gig to earn some beer money.

And then I did nothing for a day and a half but work and go out to be among people. Now it’s Thursday and I did my final training run for the Bix 7 this Saturday in Davenport. I’m feeling pretty psyched right now. That’s good. The endorphins didn’t do their job Tuesday. What a letdown. I needed the boost and got nothing. Not that I regretted the run, but I didn’t get the full benefit and I was therefore disappointed.

Even today, while I’m uplifted, I have nothing really to write about. I mean I do, but it’s more personal. I’ll keep it in reserve. I will share my frustration with the Kindle Touch 3G I bought a couple weeks ago. It remains mostly unused. It cannot play the audio book I bought some time ago through iTunes (because of iTunes protection). It cannot read the ebook edition of “The Hobbit” I bought several months ago because it can’t read the format and I can’t convert it because the distributor has protected it. My initial effort to download the software to convert the ebook to a format readable by the Kindle resulted in the installation of a malicious browser add-on called Babylon toolbar that I am having difficulty removing.

A friend told me public domain books (mostly literature published long ago) are available for free. I decided to look into that the other day. Thought I’d download H.G. Wells’ “The Island of Dr. Moreau.” When I went to do so, I was met with a message that some readers indicated there were problems with the text or that it might not be complete or something so the download was unavailable.

So, I have the three texts that came preloaded on the Kindle: the user manual and two dictionaries. Grrr.

Next entry: I get my kicks doin’ the Bix!

Today’s Stats (July 26)

Temp: 73 degrees F

Distance: 5.12 miles

Weekly Total: 10.24 miles

Treasure: 2 CDs (JCole – Cole World: The Sideline Story; homemade Mom’s CD).

iPod Playlist (shuffle)

A Murder of One – Counting Crows

Oh Girl – Paul Young

Slipstream – Jethro Tull

I Can’t Get Started – Charlie Parker (skipped)

So What – Miles Davis (skipped)

Cordy Meets Fred – Robert Kral (Angel television series soundtrack)

We Will Not Be Lovers – The Waterboys

Only the Good Die Young – Billy Joel

Haven’t We Been Here Before – Styx

Green Earrings – Steely Dan

Play it All Night Long (live) – Warren Zevon

Spell No. 30 (For the Judgment of the Dead) – Alberto Acosta

The Lazarus Heart – Sting

Soda and Salt – James McMurtry

Tin Man – The Avett Brothers

Murder – David Gilmour

Today's Stats (July 24)

Temp: 77 degrees F

Distance: 5.12 miles

Treasure: No pickup today.

iPod Playlist (shuffle)

Tell Me What You See – The Beatles

Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles

An Innocent Man – Billy Joel

Pursuance – John Coltrane (Skipped)

Right Here Now – James McMurtry

For the Love of a Princess – James Horner (Braveheart soundtrack)

Mr. Roboto – Styx

Luther Played Guitar – Stan Ridgway

Have Mercy – Richard Marx

Keep Me In Your Heart (Strings Only) – Van Dyke Parks (cover of Zevon)

Can’t Fight ThisFeeling – REO Speedwagon

Hold On - Yes