31 March 2021

 My dad died.

Well this strange year just got stranger...

I had a bit of a cough on Wednesday, they noticed it in our Toastmasters meeting. Then on Thursday I was running a fever. So on Friday morning (the first available slot) I walked three miles in the rain to the East Brighton Park testing centre, a big white tent with lights and a few tables. When I got there, the girl in front of me had forgotten her ID and was sent home, so I was the only “customer” at the centre and was sent right in. A nurse brought me to a table with a mirror and a kit. Asked me to swab my tonsils for ten seconds with the Q-tip from the kit, making sure not to touch my tongue. That’s harder then it sounds and it took me a couple of tries. Then I had to spin it in my nostril for fifteen seconds. When I sneezed another nurse joked “that’s how we know you did it correctly.” 28 hours later they texted me my results… POSITIVE. A week after the vaccine is released and almost nine months of mask wearing self isolating caution, I’ve got COVID. Can’t fucking believe it.

Luckily we are both feeling ok. If I didn’t have the test results I’d think it was just a cold. The worst part will be the contact tracing. I’ve checked my card statements and found twelve businesses I need to put on the tracing form. Hopefully Martin, the young artist we almost purchased a poster from on the sea shore Thursday, won’t be too put off.

So now the wife and I have to quarantine for 10 days. That means cancelling Christmas Eve dinner reservations. That means no going out shopping for more presents. That means Jennifer couldn’t work yesterday, and can’t work tomorrow or on Boxing day. Perfect fucking ending to a perfectly fucked year.

2020

The president of the United States just admitted on television (weird but ballsy) to telling his Attorney General to arrest (which is normally unacceptable) his political opponent (third world politics right there) just a few weeks before an election (no one has ever been ok with something like this in America) that he is badly loosing (this is an act of desperation) .

- commentary by Captain Obvious

I'm trying to focus on creating a SQL statement that will distribute a company cost center across multiple customer transactions that occur within its date window... But what had me sucking down an entire bottle of wine and tearing through ten cookies last night were the bat shit crazy comments from our President last Thursday. Having a hard time letting it go.

Maybe this post will help.

It was one month ago today at 5p on a full moon friday the 13th, that England shut down.


Jesus, it's only been a month. Feels like it's been a year.

A few days ago Prince Charles tested positive for COVID, today PM Boris Jonnson  tested positive and he's showing symptoms. I told Jennifer my worry is that we both get seriously sick at the same time. I know the risk is low, but I keep going back to a poker tournament I played a few weeks ago. I went all-in with a bad hand, there was only one card in the deck that could save me, only a 3% chance of getting that card... and on the river my card came up. Just dumb luck.

Last night I walked into the bedroom to tell Jennifer US is Number 1... total number of covid cases. I know that in a few days we'll see the rationing at hospitals that Italy faced, and a few days after that we'll be Number 1 for another scarier, more morbid metric. I don't feel any reassurance that we are over here in England, it spreads just as easily through the British. A few minutes after my little announcement, all of England clapped in support of their NHS workers... we clapped for hope.

I just read an OpEd from Scott Kelly with his isolation tips from a year in space. He suggested keeping a journal... so here I am. 

Friday the 13th was Rakuten's first day of work from home, and my last visit to The Crescent. I'm not "stir crazy" yet; I think my years working from home in Denver have prepared me and the second bedroom is super helpful. The zoom meetings have been nice too. Tried a first with the fam on Thursday and it went so well that mom wants to make it a weekly thing. 

I've been listening to podcasts blaring that we are panicking, that it's not worth destroying our economy to save a few lives from the flu. I can understand their feeling now that Jennifer's job has been put on hold and Steve lost his last Wednesday. But then I look at the numbers in Italy and NYC and I'm back firmly on the side of: shutdown now, figure out the economy later.

Give me your tired...

Filibuster: A letter to my Senators...

Senator,

Recently I watched Mitch McConnell filibuster his own debt ceiling bill on the Senate floor.  It would have been comic if it wasn't so appalling. I strongly support changing the current filibuster rules. The abuse of this device has paralyzed congress and has jeopardized the confidence of the American public. I understand the importance of the filibuster and I’m not proposing it be eliminated, however I’d like to see it restored to its historic, limited use. It is egregious that a Senator can shutdown debate by merely signaling his or her intent to filibuster, like a coach trying to have an undefeated season by canceling every game!  Instead the Senator should have to verbally make their case on the floor for however long is necessary, like in the movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”.  I know the historic filibuster process was painful for all those involved and seemed to slow the wheels of congress, but the current process has brought congress to a complete halt. Please help restore the public’s confidence in the senate.

Mary Jane: A letter to my Congresswoman...

Congresswoman DeGette,

I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations on your reelection as my representative from Colorado District 1. I’d also like to thank you for your involvement in the bipartisan letter to the congressional leadership on a budget deal. I believe that the congress cannot effectively govern without compromise. I know you’ll be working hard in the next few weeks to help negotiate a deal that both sides can live with.

I’d also like to thank you for your work on the “Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act”. While I support the Federal Government’s role in ensuring our rights as individuals are respected by the states, I do not support its efforts in limiting those rights. The citizens of Colorado have decided to take on the risks and responsibilities of legalizing marijuana. As long as that decision does not adversely affect other states, the Federal Government’s job is to protect and uphold that decision, for better or for worse. Federalism is one of the many concepts that make this nation so great.

I DID IT!!!!

YES! I know all that training paid off, 'cause I had a lot of fun. I finished strong and with a smile on my face. My goal was to finish in under 3 hours... I did it in 2:44:45. I'll post more later...

T-rithlon minus 1 day

Almost time! I'll be honest here... I've got butterflies. Wondering what the hell I got myself into. The only training I did today was get my haircut. Looks fast :)

T-rithlon minus 4 days

Our final group training Jog In The Park was today. I'll try to post some video of the crazy/drunk/drugged lady that smelled like she'd been eating dirty diapers and kept yelling about playboys while our training coach was giving tips on what to do and what not to do during the race.

T-rithlon minus 6 days

Taper week! Just did some lite elliptical this morning. feeling really good.

T-rithlon minus 8 days - Part 2

Ultimate all afternoon (sorry about that, baby). Had 2 good games, though they both ran long. Train ride also took forever.

T-rithlon minus 8 days

Group Ride this morning. Had another 10K race today in the park... 8000 people all bunched together makes for a difficult ride, so I left early.

T-rithlon minus 9 days

got in a park run with Jen this evening. She went one way, I went the other, and we met in the middle.

T-rithlon minus 10 days

Hockey tonight. I got a BS penalty for skating next to a fat kid as he was falling down - the ref waved off our goal and put me in the box for tripping. Had some great scoring chances but I just couldn't put it in ... very frustrating night!

T-rithlon minus 11 days

Group training this evening was a 5 mile park run at 10K race pace. Thank god it cooled off a bit. Talked to a tri-athlete who was born in Iowa, went to school at USF, and then moved to NYC... all 30 years before I did it.

T-rithlon minus 12 days - Part 2

Swam intervals for a 45 mins. Had to ask the lifeguard to net out the band-aid I spotted... our pool is nasty!

T-rithlon minus 12 days

Got in 30 miles this morning (5 laps). Felt good but MAN it was hot out! Gonna get over 100 degrees today. Hopefully the A/C is pumping at work.

T-rithlon minus 13 days - Part 2

Ran on the fancy dancy touchscreen Treadmill tonight... After half an hour at a 8 min mile pace I wanted to slow down; however, the touchscreen stopped working. Felt like Bill Murry in Lost In Translation. I think I did 8 miles, but I can't be sure since the Emergency Stop clears all stats from the screen.

T-rithlon minus 13 days

Less then 2 weeks left! Had a really fun ride in the park this morning with Jen. We rented a Tandem (Two person) Bike. It took a few minutes to get the hang of it :) Now if I can only talk her into doing the Triathlon with me on one of those!

T-rithlon minus 14 days - Part 2

1 hour for 110 laps in the pool... That's over a mile. Makes for a HUNGRY dinner.

T-rithlon minus 14 days

Happy 4th! Did a 10K today. Nobody in the park. So nice.

T-rithlon minus 15 days

Went for a ride in the morning. Wanted to do 4 laps... could only talk my legs into 3.

T-rithlon minus 16 days

Off work early, so I thought I'd go swim in the pool at the park... ERRRRRR! Pool's closed. So I decided to run instead. I think I got 3 miles before I had to lay down and take a nap. Not sure how long I slept, but I felt better afterwards. Later I got in an evening game of Ultimate. Not my best performance. Of the three times I touched the disk, I had a stall out and a pull that went literally 100 yards out of bounds. Hope my weekend gets better.

T-rithlon minus 17 days

Biked 30 this morning. tired now.

T-rithlon minus 18 days

Group training tonight. Ran 6.4, most at race pace (8 minute mile). Strangely, Running clockwise around the park is a lot different then running counterclockwise. The weather was perfect though.

T-rithlon minus 19 days

I tried to swim at the Lasker Swimming Pool/Skating Rink. They close at 7pm and I got there at 6:58 (seriously). So I ran a 10K in my swim trunks instead.

T-rithlon minus 20 days

HOCKEY PLAYOFFSSSS!!!

Had a fun game. We came damn close to winning; we were ahead 2-1 going into the third. However, the goose pulled 2 out of their flock and took the game 2-3. Had a lot of fun and it was a great season.

T-rithlon minus 22 days - Part Deux (watched Hot Shots this weekend)

Played some serious Ultimate this afternoon. Here are the numbers: 2 games, 6 bottles of water, 38 fouls, 5 points, 2 paramedics and 1 split knee (Jesse' ok, he just needed stitches). Then I watched the US get bumped from The Cup. Oh well... It was still a good day.

T-rithlon minus 22 days

The New York Lesbian & Gay Pride 5 Mile Run was today. Contrary to what we saw on Revenge of the Nerds, Gay men do not run like Lamar; they run like everyone else. Their cheerleaders however are unlike any I've ever seen.

Another brick workout this morning. Biked three loops, two at race speed. Then jumped off my bike, took off my helmet and gloves, switched shoes and took off running. That first mile was reallllly hard; kept thinking 'there is no way'... but then my legs started to get it again and I finished the 4th mile strong.

T-rithlon minus 23 days

Ran 7 miles around the reservoir this morning. Something about viewing the NYC skyline while listening to Gershwin makes me smile... even while pacing an 8 minute mile.

T-rithlon minus 24 days - part 2

Got back in the pool for 70 laps. A pregnant woman decided to start swimming in my lane. Wasn't sure what the proper etiquette was, so I just left.

T-rithlon minus 24 days

YAWN... Biked 3 loops early this morning (19 miles). Not at a real hard pace... that will be Saturday.

T-rithlon minus 25 days

It's been a while since I've updated. If you were wondering whether I was slacking on posts or slacking on training... it's the latter. HOWEVER, today I'm back in it and I'm motivated. 7 mile group run tonight felt good.

T-rithlon minus 32 days

Group training tonight. We ran out to the Reservoir and did Indian Runs. In case you've been out of Junior High for 20 years, that's when everyone jogs in a line and the person in the back sprints up to the front. Once they get there, the next person in the back sprints up... and so on. kept it from getting boring.

T-rithlon minus 33 days

Coach said this should be a recovery week and that we should take it easy. Tonight I biked 3 laps in the park and finished at exactly the same time my little wife finished her jog. We stretched out and watched the lightning bugs trying to "get it on".

T-rithlon minus 35 days

Hockey tonight at 10pm. Almost scored except my bro's stick got in the way. haha... We literally both pushed the puck in at the same time.

Had fun and no one got hurt.

T-rithlon minus 36 days - Part 2

Ultimate Frisbee rocks. If you've never played, you should give it a try. Great people and lots of fun. lots of running, too; about an hours worth.

The bike ride home was interesting... would not want to be caught there after dark. Thank god I lived to see the US tie the UK with what I'm calling "the great flucked up."

T-rithlon minus 36 days

Hill, Hill, Hill, Hill, Hill, Hill, Hill, Hill ... and Hill. Think it's boring to read, try biking it at 8am

T-rithlon minus 37 days

Did an hour spin in the gym this morning. Finished with a huge puddle below me that took 5 minutes to mop up. The sweat just drips off.. gross I know, but I guess that means I was working hard.

T-rithlon minus 38 days

Back in the park last night for a evening 10K run at near race pace. There was a weird post-rain fog throughout the park. Had an eery feeling... I was waiting for Adrienne Barbeau to yell out "don't turn around!"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080749/

Lower That Gun!

In the winter of 1814, after the Americans beat the odds and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in military history, the King of England admitted defeat and apologized for all the bad things he said about the US. Afterwards, King George suffered a complete mental breakdown. Let’s hope Darren “The Gun” fares better when the Americans do it again this June 12. Check out his blog here: http://hammerandgun.blogspot.com/

T-rithlon minus 39 days

I somehow got out of bed this morning, got my bike, put on my shoes and helmet, and made it to the park. I flirted with the idea of doing 5 laps... made it to 2 and then turned home. If the legs are tired, I'm happy.

T-rithlon minus 40 days - Part 2

Had a long day at work and needed to unwind, so the wife and I did a night jog in the park. As often happens when I work out late in the evening, I had a hard time getting to sleep. Should have drank more beer...

T-rithlon minus 40 days

Had a good early morning 45 minute swim. Worked on breathing, which my wife agrees is important to do during a triathlon. Had one problem... nice fat, red circles around my eyes outlining where my swim goggles were. Had to work from home for a few hours until they went away.

T-rithlon minus 41 days

Too tired to wake up and run. Did an after work bike ride instead. Three outer loops in the Park (18 miles).

T-rithlon minus 42 days - Part 2

Hockey game against the Grey Gooses. Not the best Seal performance, but I did get my first point. Ok, it wasn't a goal it was an assist, but Cox is now on the board! Check out our team stats (and read commentary from our captain) at http://sealshockey.blogspot.com/

T-rithlon minus 42 days

Wow, completed my first open water training today in the swells of the Atlantic ocean. Here is a summary of events:

- 1.5 hour train ride to Coney Island.

- marveled at the truly ugly/scary/carny look of the place

- found the Trithlon training group. Easy to spot them among the local beach specimens

- spent an hour "drinking from the sea" while flailing around in the waves like a fish out of water (ironic, I know)

- noshed down a Nathan's hot dog. Pretty damn good dog.

- 1.75 hour train ride home (I missed my station)

- kissed my beautiful wife

T-rithlon minus 43 days

Did my first official brick workout (two back to back workouts) this morning. In case you were wondering, your legs will punish you for trying to run after biking a hard 18 miles. I looked like a 2 year old who's just let go of the coffee table for the first time.

Hello...

For the bored masses, here is a list of my triathlon training sessions and other daily doses of Cox