Best compliment in a long time...

Okay, I'm just going to say upfront that this probably won't mean anything to 90% of the people out there, but I got the best compliment I've received in a long time on Thursday...

I was out on my usual Thursday afternoon run through Duke Forest and I came upon two Kenyans running on the trail ahead of me (there is a fairly sizeable contingent of Kenyans who train in the area - I can't figure out why they chose here, but they did). They were obviously warming up because I was gaining on them as I made my way around the trail and as I passed them, I smiled at one and continued running. I should also note here that the Kenyans very rarely speak to anyone else on the trail and, as I learned on Thursday, don't even chat with each other much while running. I don't think they're unfriendly or anything, I kind of figure it's got to be a combination of being focused on their training and just being quiet by nature because they are always very trail courteous. ANYWAY, about halfway around the 3-ish mile loop, they apparently finished their warmup and started picking up the pace. I could hear them coming up behind me, so I moved over to the edge of the trail to give them room to pass and as they did, one of them turned to me and said, "looking good." Now coming from many other places, I would assume it was some obnoxious commentary on what I was wearing or how I looked, but given that a) I was nasty and sweaty from running, and b) these were KENYANS, I can only assume he was commenting on my run. I GOT A COMPLIMENT FROM A KENYAN ON MY RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!

Like I said - it won't mean much to most of you :-P

The BEST MORNING EVER!!!

So I was pouring myself a bowl of Rice Krispies this morning and found that I had reached the bottom of the box, which is kind of sad because apparently we're getting ready for another ice storm, so I may not be able to restock for a while. So I'm a little bummed and getting ready to throw away the bag and recycle the box when something pink catches my eye. I peer into the darkness of the box and find that lo and behold, I had purchased myself some Rice Krispies with a prize inside! "Yippee!" I think and reach in to find out what I've won. As I pull the little plastic covered packet out of the box, I realize that I am even luckier than I first thought... I have won myself two little sample-sized packets of POP ROCKS!!!! Now I can relive those fabulous summer nights from my childhood, but this time without fear as the Mythbusters have shown me that Pop Rocks mixed with Coke in normal quantities do not cause your stomach to explode. Hooray!!!

it's a North Carolina Miracle

The other night I was driving home from work and I saw something scurry across the road. It took me a minute to figure out that it was a 'possum, which, in itself, is not that big of a deal as there appear to be about a million of them around Durham. Upon further reflection, however, I was struck by what I had just seen. After 3.5 years here, I had just seen my very first LIVE 'possum! AND it had successfully crossed the street! Now, I've seen a substantial number of DEAD 'possums by the side of the road, and I've heard of people seeing live possums in backyards and such, but I am the first person I know who has seen one of these little critters successfully cross the road.

Yes, I'm easily impressed...what of it?

On behalf of the athletic department...

Okay, I know I sound like a big whiny baby here, but I think that we need some help here in Durham. Apparently there's something in the air or water here that makes tall, athletic men injury/illness prone. I guess I can understand now why Mike Dunleavy wanted to get out so badly (though I will still never forgive him for whoring himself out to the NBA when he clearly stated he would stay here and finish college...and I do get a small bit of satisfaction from the fact that he's not performing all that well...bad me!). Back to the matter at hand, though... We need big men!! The big men we currently have seem to be dropping at an alarming rate. It's like there's something in Durham that affects big men the way Coors field affects pitchers! There has to be someone out there (besides Shelden Williams, of course...knock on wood for his health) who can step in and help us out! Anyone? Hello?

random shameless self-congratulation

I ran the Kiawah Island Marathon Saturday and finished in 3:46:58 shattering my previous personal record of 4:28 for the maraton. I am very proud of myself and very happy :)

No matter how bad your day is going, you didn't do this...

KENT, Washington (AP) -- A man who placed a lava lamp on a hot stovetop was killed when it exploded and sent a shard of glass into his heart, police said.

Philip Quinn, 24, was found dead in his trailer home Sunday night by his parents.

"Why on earth he was heating a lava lamp on the stove, we don't know," Kent Police spokesman Paul Petersen said Monday.

After the lamp exploded, Quinn apparently stumbled into his bedroom, where he died Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

Police found no evidence of drug or alcohol use.

Beer musings

So I'm standing in the beer aisle at Kroger this afternoon, preparing to purchase roughly 8 cases of beer for the hash tomorrow (http://www.swh3.com) and I had to laugh because I had the following internal dialogue:
"Hmmm...Busch Light is $11.99 and Bud Light is $13.99...is Bud Light really $2/case better than Busch Light?"
(answer: no - they both suck)
"...And why don't they have Yuengling in a can?" (answer: because they suck)
"...And where the heck to they keep the PBR?" (answer: they don't...because they suck)
"...And why is Icehouse so much cheaper than the others?" (answer: I don't know - I would prefer icehouse over Coors or Bud any day!)
"Should I splurge and get a case of Rolling Rock?" (answer: yes, but I don't know why)
"Who are they kidding thinking Coors Light is worth $16/case?" (answer: I don't know, but whoever it is has REALLY bad taste in beer)
"Should I get a 12 pack of Josef Hoffbauer just to be funny?" (answer: NOOOOO!!!! Josef Hoffbauer is a VERY BAD BEER!!!! It is never funny!!!! Besides - if I purcased it, they would make me drink it!)

The result of all this? 2 cases of Busch Light ($11.99 each), 2 cases of Icehouse (also $11.99), one 18-pack of Rolling rock ($11.99...still not sure why)... oh! and 20 lbs of flour :)

Have a hashy day!