running

Worked on my novel yesterday, for the first time in what seems like ages. CCRA audit stuff seems to have quieted somewhat, though I'm still gritting my teeth and waiting for the final blow.

I heard from someone working with the U.S. Forest Service who wanted to know if he could use my "famous wood stacking photo" in one of their publications. I'm assuming he means the photo at the top of my Woodpile Philosophy page, but I've written to confirm. I'm highly amused (and flattered, of course). Apparently the guy was doing an online search for any photos of properly stacked firewood.





Went for a run yesterday, and this time went as far as Ontario Place for my halfway point. I'm jealous of Reid's scenic running route; there aren't many trees along mine. Lots of water, though. :-)

I checked out the H.M.C.S. Haida and a swan family paddling nearby. My running music today: Elvis Costello & The Attractions, "All This Useless Beauty".

I still like running, unbelieveably. I never thought of myself as a runner; the sport had utterly no appeal to me until this year. And realistically, who knows? Maybe it'll have no appeal to me next year. But right now, I love it. I love the fact that I can go anywhere I want. I love the fact that I don't have to worry about dodging around downtown Toronto traffic (which I had to worry about when I was biking regularly), that I don't have to focus on the mechanics of what I'm doing.

This leaves me room to think about other things, to reminisce, to dream, or to focus on the music I'm listening to. No laptop, no cellphone; there's something incredibly liberating about being unreachable by anyone. I don't think I'll ever be a social runner.

Most of all, I like having the space to think. Sometimes it's too easy to let myself get caught up in the barrage of stimuli that is day-to-day life: e-mail, telephones, Palm scheduling, rush hour people and car traffic, the constant input and processing of information.

On a good run, I find myself slipping into almost meditative state. Work stresses suddenly seem very far away. I'm aware of the rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement, my breathing, my heart pounding in my chest. I feel the breeze off the lake, hear the cries of the seagulls as they circle overhead. And I feel as if I could run forever.

Not every run is a good run, of course. Some days I feel like I weigh a million pounds, and every pound is inexorably pulling me down, sapping my strength. I don't feel as if I could run forever; I don't even know if I can make it another few feet before throwing up. ;-)

But as long as I'm having more good days than bad, I'll keep running.

:-)





Links/sites of interest:

Amazon is planning to launch a Canadian site on June 25th. Yay, hopefully this will get rid of the seemingly random duty fees we Canadians have to face with our Amazon orders.
(Source: Globe Technology)

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Today's Blatherpics:

	Lilacs in the Toronto Music Garden. I love the fragrance of fresh lilac blossoms. If I lived out in the country and had any kind of green thumb, I'd plant lilac bushes everywhere.
	Entering Ontario Place.
	Swans just outside Ontario Place and the Molson Ampitheatre.
	The H.M.C.S. Haida historic naval ship exhibit.