I just spent a week in California for work. I stayed away from TV. newspapers, and the Intertrons. Best week I’ve had in a long time. I suggest you all take a break. It does a mind good. Irvine, CA is a great place to run. All flat.
Bush Looks Terrible
I am watching Bush right now talk about the subprime mess, and he looks terrible. His face is flushed and mottled, and there is a Nixonian sweat over his upper lip, and he just looks terrible. He also sounds like he is slightly congested and has an upper respiratory infection.
Although he probably just has the flu, it really is amazing how much the Presidency ages a man.
Open Thread
Write down whatever just happened before everyone forgets.
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Your random youtube clip of the day:
ING Georgia Half Marathon
I decided to challenge myself today and sign up for the ING Georgia Half Marathon, which runs simultaneously with the full marathon. The farthest I’ve ever ran non-stop is 7 miles. About 3 years ago, I started having issues with my sciatic nerve, so I had to stop doing so much exercise. Turns out that not exercising was making it worse. It didn’t help that I gained a lot of weight – about 20 pounds. So today, I signed up and decided to start training.
I have a little more than 2 months. I was surprised to find that I could do four miles when I ran this morning. Of course, it was “run a mile, walk for 5 minutes” etc. But still, a pretty good start. Tonight, I did the same thing. It was easier because I actually went out and spent a bit of money on proper shoes. You’re looking at a fairly frugal person here. I have never paid more than about $40 for a pair or running shoes before. I bought a pair of Asics GEL-Kayano 14’s on the recommendation of a friend who regularly runs marathons. Two reasons: First, to save my knees. Second, spending money on good shoes is motivation. (I’d be pissed at myself if I spent good money and didn’t reach my goal.) Like I said, I’m frugal. But wow! I can’t believe how well they fit, how comfortable they are, and how LIGHT they are! I will never go back, and that is only after one day.
Anyway, the point of the post: anyone in Atlanta want to sign up and join me? It’s $75 for a good cause – preventing childhood obesity. My only goal is to not come in last, so it’s not like you’d be running with a pro. In fact, if you know CPR, you’re especially welcome to run with me.
A Home Grown Scandal
Governor Manchin and WVU find themselves embroiled in a scandal:
It started with a phone call from a newspaper reporter in October seeking to verify the academic credentials of Gov. Joe Manchin III’s daughter Heather Bresch. But in less than three months, the inquiry has mushroomed into a controversy that risks casting a shadow of cronyism over this state’s flagship university.
Officials at the college, West Virginia University, have been accused of rewriting records last fall to document that Ms. Bresch had earned an executive master of business administration degree in 1998. An investigation by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette concluded that she had completed only 22 of the required 48 credit hours.
Read the whole thing- nothing to indicate Manchin himself was involved in this, and I don’t know any of the people involved in this so I can’t attest to their integrity, but the whole thing does put a dark cloud over West Virginia and WVU. I can’t imagine someone in a position of authority just making the classes up out of air, as it is so inappropriate, but then again I never expected someone to lie a nation into war. Regardless, I hope it is resolved, and resolved quickly. The students deserve that this be taken care of in the most orderly and expedient manner possible.
Snow in Atlanta
Now Is The Time
If you don’t tear up a little when listening to this, you are not human.
Incredible. It never loses its inspiration, does it?