Pasta and Potatoes

Monday, May 31, 2010

I read this today....

and, again, can't seem to stop thinking about it.

"Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere."

At times I enjoy being apathetic, since, it seems to serve my overbooked schedule. However, I think this first piece of advice rings true.

At times I have no interest in finding common ground. I prefer just to quickly undo my opponent, or at least try, in an effort to obtain what I seek. However, again, I think there always more room in my life to seek common ground.

I will always persevere. Always.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Lunatic Fringe

"Lunatic fringe....we can hear your footsteps!" When I started running last year Red Rider's "Lunatic Fringe" was the first song I put on my I-POD. Reflecting back on that time I'm sure it was a unconscious admission of the philosophical transformation that was informing my outlook on life. Why start running now? Why the need to enter races I had no hope of ever winning - ever. I often tell my family and friends how satisfying it is to run well and "out perform" my last performance. And it is. However, as in life, it isn't that simple. Indeed, nothing ever is. I've run two marathons, two half-marathons and two ten mile races in a twelve month span. Clearly, something else was driving this fanatical need to run?

I'm certainly not breaking any new ground here but I think, very likely, I'm chasing a few "demons." Or, if not demons, unquestionably I'm chasing my own mortality. Better yet, I'm running from it. To my consternation, the end of this year, this running fool turns 40. It's a sobering reality that I may have more years behind me than I have in front. I suppose everyone, at some point in their lives, wake up one morning and a stranger is staring back at them in the mirror.

It is often said that time waits for no man and as of late he seems to be whispering in my ear... carpe diem you old fuck! Indeed, I don't need to be told twice. So...what should I do in 2011 to beat back the clock? LUNATIC FRINGE....I KNOW YOU"RE OUT THERE!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

I can't stop reading this poem....

"If" If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you But make allowance for their doubting too, If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:If you can dream--and not make dreams your master, If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much, If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son! By Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936).