33 years ago I buckled my shoes and followed my brother to Fairfax elementary to begin 13 years of school in the Cleveland Heights system.
Many of the children I met that day stayed with me the whole way through. Some have died and some moved on while we were young. A small few I still see on a regular basis.
As we ascended to middle and then high school we were joined by others kids. By 1986 my class had grown to 1200 students.
In June of '86 our class had concluded our journey together. Some Started working, many went to college, some went into military service, some went to jail, and a few of us were asked to return for another year.
I was included in this group. I had attendance issues.
Fast forward 20 years.
Friday, while enjoying reggae at the Grog Shop, Mike whom I had seen a few months back at Matt's funeral, asked if I was coming to the 20 reunion.
Apparently you fall off the list by not making it to graduation. I do have my diploma and spent 13 years with these people. But I had not been invited.
Mike told me to go anyway. He was a class leader so I decided to go and not feel insulted or snubbed(thanks Mike).
Immediately I turned to my friend Maggie who witnessed the exchange and asked " wanna go?" to which she responded,"Hell Yes".
Saturday morning I ran into my closest friends from school. including my first kiss and broken heart. Carrie and I were close, and very much alike. We had different struggles in learning who we were. The things that brought us joy always seemed to be common for us. I remember visiting with her in Madison, WI. and playing guitar for hours at her co-op on Langdon. I remember feeling so complete and happy. Music was always our bridge, and it made me high.
While talking to Carrie, Becky, and Rebbecca. I had revealed that I was going for bike ride and that I had already run. Carrie asked, "Do you do triathlons?". "I do" I said. "I am signed up for an Ironman". Becky, and Rebbecca(she is also Becky, but this is her grown up name. I was Chuck, now I am Charlie) thought I was joking. But I think Carrie had no doubt. She saw the look in my eye and ran with the opportunity to turn the conversation into tri/talk. Carrie lives in Honolulu and loves triathlon. We both got all worked up. She was bummed to hear she missed the Du last week. The same shared joy we had with guitars was being revisited with triathlon.
That night I straightened my tye, found Maggie and headed to my 20th high school reunion with a 23 year old date. Ha Ha Ha. We both thought this very funny and maintained ambiguity as to the nature of our relationship.(We are friends) .
We arrived at the Embassy suites assuming after dinner cash bar. WRONG. $80 a head.
New wet suit, aerobars, and shifters. Sorry class of '86 we'll be in the lounge. maybe well bump into you.
I saw Hung and Gloria, and then we left.
I thought this was funny.
My reputation at Heights High was to almost make it to school, head across the street to the coffee shop, and eventually leave. I am glad my reunion followed that pattern.
It was good to see the people that I did see. I value what I received from this day.
My training for Ironman begins this weekend. My 1st time IM class is a really good group of people. We will train through the winter and starting in April we will all take our shot every month through November at Ironman.(or equal distance)
I believe the resolve in this group to be true. I believe next year at this time I can call Jody, Jack, Jennifer, Cat, Brooks, Tim, Pam, myself and others, Ironman.
The CTC long course group will be getting together to watch the kona race on the 9th. I look forward to seeing this years 1st time group reunite with there finisher shirts.
When the 2007 Ironman man class has a reunion I promise to get past the lounge...See you in 20.......
Monday, November 27, 2006
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving for every wrong move.
Today was a perfect fall day.
I had planned to ride downtown for the turkey trot. Instead I caught the bus. The alone time was good for me. Introspection was good.
I arrived at the convention center at 8:30, got my timing chip, stripped down to my shorts and
long sleeve CTC t-shirt, packed my pack, and started looking for a place to stash it.
I ran into the Collisters, then Martha Brennan, then the men's room.
Finally I took Matt and Jen's advice and left my belongings with volunteers.
I had that funny pre race focus. It is similar to my pre gig mood. My aloofness is in hyper drive. I am really distracted and feel like I can't hold a conversation with anyone. I am happy to see every one, I just can't make my self attentive.
I do a little warm up and find my place in the crowd of 3000.
While waiting for the gun I start chatting with a young member of CTC. He is spending next summer in Australia doing Marine training with 2008 IMFLA in the long term plans. I try to say prayers for the kids serving for our nations defense. I want to see that kid finish the Ironman.
The bell sounded and the crowd began to move forward. 45 seconds later we crossed the starting line. I started moving quickly through the crowd. About a 1/2 mile into the race I caught Jack. We stayed together the rest of the race. We really pushed each other to run hard and had a really strong 2nd 1/2. I got the feeling that neither of us had run that hard in a while.
Following the race Jack and I wish everyone a Happy day of thanks and head to the Caribou.
Coffee
Coffee
Coffee.
I like Coffee.
After Jack left I still had to produce a veggie dish for the Mosbrook feast on Coleridge.
All week I had different people including my mom telling me to make a string bean casserole. The ingredients are: sting beans, cream of mushroom soup, and french fried onions.
Today was a day off the diet as I had planned, but it didn't mean I had to cook non vegan food.
I decided to modify the recipe to fit my current diet. Here is the Recipe:
Vegan Thanksgiving string bean casserole:
Wax Beans, string beans, and Poll beans
Coconut milk
garlic
pepper
basil
mixed mushrooms
Olive Oil
Red and white onions
Red Wine Vinegar
Cook garlic, pepper and shrooms together in soucepan
add coconut milk and sweet basil let simmer
Slice onions into rings and saute in vinegar oil and water cover and simmer.
pre heat oven to 400
clean beans.
mix all into a casserole and bake for 40 minutes while mixing every 10 minutes.
Reviews were good.
The rest of dinner was great and it was really a nice evening with the family.
After getting home I turned on Spider man and rode the trainer for an hr.
Happy Thanksgiving
I had planned to ride downtown for the turkey trot. Instead I caught the bus. The alone time was good for me. Introspection was good.
I arrived at the convention center at 8:30, got my timing chip, stripped down to my shorts and
long sleeve CTC t-shirt, packed my pack, and started looking for a place to stash it.
I ran into the Collisters, then Martha Brennan, then the men's room.
Finally I took Matt and Jen's advice and left my belongings with volunteers.
I had that funny pre race focus. It is similar to my pre gig mood. My aloofness is in hyper drive. I am really distracted and feel like I can't hold a conversation with anyone. I am happy to see every one, I just can't make my self attentive.
I do a little warm up and find my place in the crowd of 3000.
While waiting for the gun I start chatting with a young member of CTC. He is spending next summer in Australia doing Marine training with 2008 IMFLA in the long term plans. I try to say prayers for the kids serving for our nations defense. I want to see that kid finish the Ironman.
The bell sounded and the crowd began to move forward. 45 seconds later we crossed the starting line. I started moving quickly through the crowd. About a 1/2 mile into the race I caught Jack. We stayed together the rest of the race. We really pushed each other to run hard and had a really strong 2nd 1/2. I got the feeling that neither of us had run that hard in a while.
Following the race Jack and I wish everyone a Happy day of thanks and head to the Caribou.
Coffee
Coffee
Coffee.
I like Coffee.
After Jack left I still had to produce a veggie dish for the Mosbrook feast on Coleridge.
All week I had different people including my mom telling me to make a string bean casserole. The ingredients are: sting beans, cream of mushroom soup, and french fried onions.
Today was a day off the diet as I had planned, but it didn't mean I had to cook non vegan food.
I decided to modify the recipe to fit my current diet. Here is the Recipe:
Vegan Thanksgiving string bean casserole:
Wax Beans, string beans, and Poll beans
Coconut milk
garlic
pepper
basil
mixed mushrooms
Olive Oil
Red and white onions
Red Wine Vinegar
Cook garlic, pepper and shrooms together in soucepan
add coconut milk and sweet basil let simmer
Slice onions into rings and saute in vinegar oil and water cover and simmer.
pre heat oven to 400
clean beans.
mix all into a casserole and bake for 40 minutes while mixing every 10 minutes.
Reviews were good.
The rest of dinner was great and it was really a nice evening with the family.
After getting home I turned on Spider man and rode the trainer for an hr.
Happy Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 19, 2006
A weekend of rest
I left work Friday with a plan to rest my tired bones.
I start my focused base building after Thanksgiving. The Turkey Trot is my kick off.
I started the weekend with a stop at the Co-op so I could stock up for a weekend of football, a little lebron time, a jog, and a volunteer gig at the final ctc fall duathlon. I dropped off my groceries and cought the 1st of 4 buses to Broadview Heights for the fall CTC meeting
While at the meeting Rob Reddy told me another CTC member Kurt Multer was doing UK next summer. Another American named Kelly Multer is registered, so the Red Menace should have a strong presence on an international stage. Very good news.
I told Matt that I would volunteer for the Du the next morning. He told me that they had more volunteers than participants and needed me to race. So of course I decided to race.
After the meeting a few of us headed to the Boneyard for food and beer/H2O. Who would'a thought I could eat vegan at a place called the boneyard.
Saturday, Jack picked me up 8 hrs after dropping me off and we headed south. The air was brisk but the wind was light. Another perfect fall morning in the valley.
My plan was to race easy. I set out slow. No chasing. I wasn't going to go hard. No HRM.
The problem was that once I warmed up I found my pace. I started moving up and was running 36 seconds per mile shy of 3rd place. I hit T1 6th of 8 participants.
We took off on our bikes maintaining run positions but I quickly reeled in the next rider and really started to hammer. Steady and strong. I hit T2 and took off running took 5 minutes off of my last time on this course. With race conditions being identical and my effort being easier I was very happy with my results. The new diet pays off.
Next stop was my couch, PC, and the2006 Big Ten Champion OSU Buckeyes. What a game. It lived up to its billing and made losses by the Cavs and Browns a little easier to swallow. During the fourth quarter I did a lifting workout. Go Bucks. This is the best team I have ever rooted for.
Throughout the weekend I also went on a shopping spree with the check from last weeks sound gig. I purchased shifters, carbon areo bars, stem, brakes and a full wetsuit. The waters of Sherborn Lake are a cool 65 degrees, so I will need sleeves. I am now a two wetsuit triathlete. I can't believe I found a clearance deal on a suit in my size. I know that if I wait a week the suit will be gone. I can expect a new Blue 70 wetsuit in time for Dec in Cleveland.
All that is left is a new fork and seat post and my bike will be ready for action.
Following the browns loss I went for a run of an hr. through the rain with a detour down some muddy trails. Very peaceful.
I definitely needed the weekend. Back to work for 3 days and then it's time for training and a long weekend.
GO BUCKS
Here is a song my old roommate Joe(Kirk Herbstreits Cousin) used to sing.
I don't give a damn 'bout
the whole state of Michigan
the whole state of Michigan
the whole state of Michigan
I don't give a damn 'bout
the whole state of Michigan
Couse I'm from O-HI-O
I start my focused base building after Thanksgiving. The Turkey Trot is my kick off.
I started the weekend with a stop at the Co-op so I could stock up for a weekend of football, a little lebron time, a jog, and a volunteer gig at the final ctc fall duathlon. I dropped off my groceries and cought the 1st of 4 buses to Broadview Heights for the fall CTC meeting
While at the meeting Rob Reddy told me another CTC member Kurt Multer was doing UK next summer. Another American named Kelly Multer is registered, so the Red Menace should have a strong presence on an international stage. Very good news.
I told Matt that I would volunteer for the Du the next morning. He told me that they had more volunteers than participants and needed me to race. So of course I decided to race.
After the meeting a few of us headed to the Boneyard for food and beer/H2O. Who would'a thought I could eat vegan at a place called the boneyard.
Saturday, Jack picked me up 8 hrs after dropping me off and we headed south. The air was brisk but the wind was light. Another perfect fall morning in the valley.
My plan was to race easy. I set out slow. No chasing. I wasn't going to go hard. No HRM.
The problem was that once I warmed up I found my pace. I started moving up and was running 36 seconds per mile shy of 3rd place. I hit T1 6th of 8 participants.
We took off on our bikes maintaining run positions but I quickly reeled in the next rider and really started to hammer. Steady and strong. I hit T2 and took off running took 5 minutes off of my last time on this course. With race conditions being identical and my effort being easier I was very happy with my results. The new diet pays off.
Next stop was my couch, PC, and the2006 Big Ten Champion OSU Buckeyes. What a game. It lived up to its billing and made losses by the Cavs and Browns a little easier to swallow. During the fourth quarter I did a lifting workout. Go Bucks. This is the best team I have ever rooted for.
Throughout the weekend I also went on a shopping spree with the check from last weeks sound gig. I purchased shifters, carbon areo bars, stem, brakes and a full wetsuit. The waters of Sherborn Lake are a cool 65 degrees, so I will need sleeves. I am now a two wetsuit triathlete. I can't believe I found a clearance deal on a suit in my size. I know that if I wait a week the suit will be gone. I can expect a new Blue 70 wetsuit in time for Dec in Cleveland.
All that is left is a new fork and seat post and my bike will be ready for action.
Following the browns loss I went for a run of an hr. through the rain with a detour down some muddy trails. Very peaceful.
I definitely needed the weekend. Back to work for 3 days and then it's time for training and a long weekend.
GO BUCKS
Here is a song my old roommate Joe(Kirk Herbstreits Cousin) used to sing.
I don't give a damn 'bout
the whole state of Michigan
the whole state of Michigan
the whole state of Michigan
I don't give a damn 'bout
the whole state of Michigan
Couse I'm from O-HI-O
Sunday, November 12, 2006
I didn't think it would happen today
Today was a planned 16hr production day. We did one yesterday. Long days with rare breaks. Go home refuel sleep and return.
I snuck a lifting workout in while watching southpark(Don't do this, it may cause a hernia when laughing during a rep). Other then that the only exercise I would get would be while climbing the ladder in and out of the lighting/sound loft at Karamu theatre.
I was brought in by the video production group I do jobs for to do audio. I reassemble my recording studio in a make shift control room and set up various mics throughout the theatre. I get one assistant whom I send into the the frontrow with a shotgun mic. After seeing the show 6 times the front row looses it's charm.
The show is called Gospel, Gospel, Gospel. It is about...Gospel music along with African American history and the civil rights movement. The show is really good and is produced by James Pickins(the older black doctor from "Grey's Anatomy").
Yesterday after the first show we broke bread. Everyone ate well. they ordered out to Boston Chicken. Beans, cornbread, corn, mashed potatoes, chicken. Nobody could tell me if the veggies were free of dead animals, their milk, or their eggs. I ate an orange a few green beans, and corn. The way I felt today I am sure it had pork and/butter through out. Fortunately I packed fruit and Cliff bars.
This morning we returned at 8am. Got set up and waited for our cues to begin single scene shots. All of the decision makers were disappearing into a series of meeting. At 10:30 Nick, our Production manager pokes his head in the door and informs me that the project was running over budget and we would settle for the footage we captured during the last two days work. We were to tear down and call it a day.
Sunday belongs to me. I thought I would work till 11pm again. We were done by 11 am.
I decided to watch football and clean the apt. After the Browns won, I headed out for a run.
I let my run wander down through University Circle.
The Circle is another running treat near me casa. The architecture, landscapeing, and campus feel make this area great for running.
Little Italy, the Geary building, Severance Hall, Wade Lagoon, Hessler and the garden center are highlights. Temples and churches line the treescape. I head back up the hill via the covered stairs on the south campus. Other runners are out as well as many people just walking.
I am lucky. I love running. Today I was able to run. I didn't think it would happen today.
The Browns winning kinda surprised me as well.
I snuck a lifting workout in while watching southpark(Don't do this, it may cause a hernia when laughing during a rep). Other then that the only exercise I would get would be while climbing the ladder in and out of the lighting/sound loft at Karamu theatre.
I was brought in by the video production group I do jobs for to do audio. I reassemble my recording studio in a make shift control room and set up various mics throughout the theatre. I get one assistant whom I send into the the frontrow with a shotgun mic. After seeing the show 6 times the front row looses it's charm.
The show is called Gospel, Gospel, Gospel. It is about...Gospel music along with African American history and the civil rights movement. The show is really good and is produced by James Pickins(the older black doctor from "Grey's Anatomy").
Yesterday after the first show we broke bread. Everyone ate well. they ordered out to Boston Chicken. Beans, cornbread, corn, mashed potatoes, chicken. Nobody could tell me if the veggies were free of dead animals, their milk, or their eggs. I ate an orange a few green beans, and corn. The way I felt today I am sure it had pork and/butter through out. Fortunately I packed fruit and Cliff bars.
This morning we returned at 8am. Got set up and waited for our cues to begin single scene shots. All of the decision makers were disappearing into a series of meeting. At 10:30 Nick, our Production manager pokes his head in the door and informs me that the project was running over budget and we would settle for the footage we captured during the last two days work. We were to tear down and call it a day.
Sunday belongs to me. I thought I would work till 11pm again. We were done by 11 am.
I decided to watch football and clean the apt. After the Browns won, I headed out for a run.
I let my run wander down through University Circle.
The Circle is another running treat near me casa. The architecture, landscapeing, and campus feel make this area great for running.
Little Italy, the Geary building, Severance Hall, Wade Lagoon, Hessler and the garden center are highlights. Temples and churches line the treescape. I head back up the hill via the covered stairs on the south campus. Other runners are out as well as many people just walking.
I am lucky. I love running. Today I was able to run. I didn't think it would happen today.
The Browns winning kinda surprised me as well.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Peace Action
I stood on the porch of the Quaker meeting house watching the light flurries build into a full blown winter snowstorm. Beneath the street light at the end of Magnolia, snow showers seemed to be crashing and flowing in every direction possible. The cold bare grass quickly faded into a blanket of snow.
I also was covered in snow. I was cold and I didn't think the others were going to show up. We did have an events committee meeting planned. Didn't we? Well in any event, I have furfilled my service to the peace movement today.
I started walking back across the Case campus toward Euclid to catch the bus back up the hill. The snow was heavy. It is November 2nd, and it's snowing. "Boy am I glad it is not raining" I thought. "When I get to the bus stop I am stopping at Star*ucks and getting a soy coco."
A SOY COCO! Yeah, soy. As abruptly as the change of season, I have changed my diet. For the past month I have been following a vegan diet.
The first two weeks I allowed a couple of meals that included chicken and fish. Since then I have been living on a diet that is animal free. I maintain a can of clams and a can of tuna in the cupboard. I am going to continue to eat clams as a treat from time to time.
Why Vegan?
A month ago I was talking to a CTC friend Brian during a bike ride. Brian was strongly considering a vegetarian diet. He was having issues with the meat industry and its lack of humanity. His concerns were very real and honest. I couldn't help but to agree with him. I couldn't help but to realize that my life style was built around convenience. My diet had no disaplin. I had completely lost all mindfulness to myself and the world around me. It was time to change.
I choose vegan because it forces me to investigate every thing that I eat. My current diet forces me to prepare most of my food from scratch. When I eat out, I ask questions.
I know what I am eating.
My new diet is consistant with my cause of peace. I believe killing is wrong. I believe in protecting life. I choose this diet to realize my ideal of peace and compassion.
My disaplin is in triathlon. My goal is Ironman. My diet has to be true to that goal.
How do I feel?
I am loosing weight and getting stronger. Hypoglycimia has not been an issue at all. I no longer have cravings for sweets. My conscience is clear. I am a bit gassy.
I am saving money, I am cooking often. raw fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds are great snack at any time.
I haveTommy's downstairs. The food co-op is close. It is easy to eat at work. Being vegan is not hard.
I am very happy with my new path.
I am on the board for Cleveland Peace Action, but if I do not act in peace with every step than I can not expect the rest of the world to act in peace. My work toward the goal of peace is for not if my life is not a peaceful one. This begins with my diet.
Peace
I also was covered in snow. I was cold and I didn't think the others were going to show up. We did have an events committee meeting planned. Didn't we? Well in any event, I have furfilled my service to the peace movement today.
I started walking back across the Case campus toward Euclid to catch the bus back up the hill. The snow was heavy. It is November 2nd, and it's snowing. "Boy am I glad it is not raining" I thought. "When I get to the bus stop I am stopping at Star*ucks and getting a soy coco."
A SOY COCO! Yeah, soy. As abruptly as the change of season, I have changed my diet. For the past month I have been following a vegan diet.
The first two weeks I allowed a couple of meals that included chicken and fish. Since then I have been living on a diet that is animal free. I maintain a can of clams and a can of tuna in the cupboard. I am going to continue to eat clams as a treat from time to time.
Why Vegan?
A month ago I was talking to a CTC friend Brian during a bike ride. Brian was strongly considering a vegetarian diet. He was having issues with the meat industry and its lack of humanity. His concerns were very real and honest. I couldn't help but to agree with him. I couldn't help but to realize that my life style was built around convenience. My diet had no disaplin. I had completely lost all mindfulness to myself and the world around me. It was time to change.
I choose vegan because it forces me to investigate every thing that I eat. My current diet forces me to prepare most of my food from scratch. When I eat out, I ask questions.
I know what I am eating.
My new diet is consistant with my cause of peace. I believe killing is wrong. I believe in protecting life. I choose this diet to realize my ideal of peace and compassion.
My disaplin is in triathlon. My goal is Ironman. My diet has to be true to that goal.
How do I feel?
I am loosing weight and getting stronger. Hypoglycimia has not been an issue at all. I no longer have cravings for sweets. My conscience is clear. I am a bit gassy.
I am saving money, I am cooking often. raw fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds are great snack at any time.
I haveTommy's downstairs. The food co-op is close. It is easy to eat at work. Being vegan is not hard.
I am very happy with my new path.
I am on the board for Cleveland Peace Action, but if I do not act in peace with every step than I can not expect the rest of the world to act in peace. My work toward the goal of peace is for not if my life is not a peaceful one. This begins with my diet.
Peace
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