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Hardcore.

In a word - this isn't me.

I'm more fluid, flexible, fun. The three F's if there was such a thing.

However, I am getting hardcore about my running, and have gone all strap-on in preparation for the Rock-n-Roll 1/2 Marathon.

I have three going simultaneously when pounding the pavement, and two when at rest.

The first is my BodyBugg. This helps mainly with caloric intake tracking, not so much running, but it's a complimentary electronic companion (CAC). It resides at all times on my upper right arm, cradling my tricep.

The second? My iPod which sits snug on my upper left arm, ready to let loose with selected cacophonies that infuse my every step. My playlist rocks, yo. Don't be hatin'.

The third, and quite possibly most important toy-tool of them all is my Garmin. It wraps lovingly around my left wrist like a good boyfriend should, giving me progress notes at the tap of a finger. Oh, and did I mention the heart rate monitor? Good times.

I feel like the a less-scary, intense Ethan Hunt a la Tom Cruise what with all this gadgetry.

And yes, most runs I feel like I'm on a mission, impossible.

Yet I keep on going. Up to 3.5 miles now, somewhat comfortably. Which means, I'm not dead yet.

Don't mess with my childhood

I hate MTV.

It was decent until around 1993, at which time the music was dialed down and the reality crap was turned up. The Real World was on the mark until 1998, when the Seattle season took it to new lows.

MTV has produced a few movie which I like - Wayne's World, Wayne's World 2, and Austin Powers. It's amazing how they've been able to continue to churn out frothy, feature-length chum from so-so skits from Saturday Night Live. Case in point, MacGruber.

They've now sunk to an all-time low. Beyond low.

They've remade Footloose.

How dare they mess with my childhood.

Not only have the prettied it up, they've also put a "Step It Up" twist to it, which goes against the very nature of what the original film's message was.

It ain't broke. Don't try and fix it.

My Top 10 Albums

Got the inspiration to compile this list here.

Billy Bragg - Workers Playtime
Beastie Boys - Ill Communication
X - Under The Big Black Sun
The White Stripes - The White Stripes
Poi Dog Pondering - Wishing Like A Mountain and Thinking Like The Sea
Beck - Sea Changes
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
Ani DiFranco - Imperfectly
Lou Reed - New York
U2 - War

Super 8 - good, not great

I saw Super 8 this weekend.

It was good, but not great.

A very cool premise - young filmmakers shooting a low-budget zombie movie using a Super 8 camera stumble upon a secret the military has been trying to keep undercover for many years.

The pull and promise of this movie isn't so much the monster, but rather friendship, overcoming tragedy and the innocence, purity and goodness of youth.

It missed the mark a bit. Perhaps it's because I kept comparing it to the Goonies and Stand By Me, which in my opinion are two of the best young-buddy movies of all time. The actors playing the two main characters - the young boy and girl - were outstanding. Really, really good performances by both. But the main supporting characters - the dads and the boy director - just didn't have me feeling anything. And the other young boys who made up the rest of the motley film crew didn't get enough depth for us to really feel anything for them.

The flow throughout the film never faltered - it was a very smooth production, no huge plot holes. The ending was a little shrink-wrapped for my taste, but it really wasn't important at that point.

4 out of 5 stars. A good summer flick.

Oh, and stay for the credits. You'll be further entertained.

Own it

Doled out some tough love today.

It's not something I enjoy doing. And I don't do it often, because the effort is often rewarded with resentment, no matter that the tough love is delivered with care.

But when you allow someone you don't completely trust access to financial and other meaningful parts of your life based on a "verbal agreement", you are responsible for what happens.

So own your mistake. Acknowledge your part in it. Correct it (if possible). And make changes so that it doesn't happen again.

And who am I to say "own it"? Because I own my part in past mistakes - divorce, breakups, staying in a job I hate so long it makes me miserable, family rifts, etc. I am far from perfect. And I don't want to be. But I do my best to learn from my missteps so I don't repeat the past.

Now, hold up your right hand and make a fist. Hold up a finger for each person (outside of your family) that you are constantly looking out for. And when I say constantly, I mean every day. Every action and thought is done so with keeping them in mind.

I'd bet the change in my pocket that if you were to use that hand to play rock/paper/scissors right now, you'd be far from paper.

Juggling kittens, dodging lava and flossing with barbed wire

Life is a bit crazy right now, good thing I'm finished with class.

I welcome the crazy, tho. I'm not a glutton for corporal punishment. I just get super-efficient and do my best work when under the gun and stretching for breath.

All that said, if I hold my breath, which I often do, I end up a quivering, gelatinous mess by the end of the day. Case in point - today.

I am going to head home shortly for an evening of self-imposed R&R.

Challenges

This neck/arm pain is getting old. The chiro doesn't seem to be helping. The constant pain is wearing me thin, and getting me a little depressed. I haven't seen my personal trainer in three weeks, which bums me out. And having numb fingers isn't fun - makes biking a challenge.

I was reminded today I have tix to see Ted Leo tonight. Not sure I'm up for it. I saw Colin Hay on Wednesday but left early due to this stupid nerve pain.

So as to remind myself what concerts are coming up, I've updated my iCal and am listing here:

6/7 She Wants Revenge @ Firebird

6/8 Neon Indian/Asobi Seksu @ Firebird

6/15 Detroit Cobras/Girl In A Coma @ Firebird

6/23 Matt & Kim w/The Thermals @ Pageant

6/24 Swinging Utters @ Firebird

7/9 Matisyahu @ Pageant

7/15 Get Up Kids @ Firebird

7/24 Riverboat Gamblers @ Firebird

8/5 Pains of Being Pure At Heart @ OB