Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Wise words for would be marathoners and those with puffed up egos

"The difference between running the mile and running the marathon is the
difference between burning your fingers and being slowly roasted over
the coals."

— Hal Higdon (1947- ) American long distance runner and writer

Friday, May 8, 2009

When spell check just doesn't cut it...

..just keep in mind the words of the famed Spanish writer Baltasar Gracian:"A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first
thought of."

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Environmental Respect Begins with Outdoor Play

Though I don't post much on it I am an ardent environmentalist and adamantly believe in the preserving the outdoors for future generations. I worked for 2 years as an environmental consultant and I realized during that time that my mission in life to "save the world" would not be accomplished working for corporate America which usually bows to industries and construction companies and finds ways for them to accomplish their goals of increased capital and development while following all the environmental laws and making a minimal impact on the environment. As well-intended as this career seems, I more often than not felt I was sacrificing my environmental ethics and not making the difference in the world I knew I was meant to. So I returned to school to earn a PhD in environmental science after which I will seek to gain a faculty position at a university teaching the next generation about the importance of respecting our environment and living in a sustainable manner.

But how do you foster environmental respect?

Well, a recent study found that the "wild play" of children such as camping and fishing build the a better foundation for children to grow into adults who respected the environment than activities such as gardening and mandatory environmental education programs.

So the lesson here let your children explore their world and take them to the few wild place left so they can experience fresh air and seas of green vegetation. Maybe this will be your way of contributing to a more sustainable future.

You might be a triathlete if....continued

-You have unexplainable gassy spells during training

-Your spouse has smoother legs than you sometimes (only works if both husband and wife are triathletes)

-You use training as your catch-all excuse for chores and social gatherings you'd rather avoid

-Your dog recognizes the difference in the shorts you put on which determine whether you will be riding and she can't come along or you will be running, in which case she will get excited because she may get to go running.

-Your dog carb loads for the long run you take her on. Really mine does.