6.26.2008

Urban Running



Okay... fun new sport for the occasional work-out. Because I'm taking the afternoon off and our HRM system doesn't allow us to input 1/2 vacation days, I decided to come in at the butt-crack of dawn (pre-dawn, really), work for a bit, take an exercise "lunch" break, then work again until noon.



Well, it is such a beautiful day and the morning was such that I didn't feel like doing the elliptical machine. So I took my key card to the building, headed out the front door onto a quiet Main Street at 7 a.m., and took a 30-minute run! My route took me up Main Street across the plaza in front of the Salt Lake Temple, up North Temple past the Church Office Building, up a KILLER hill, then along 2nd Ave (my favorite part of the run) to "I" Street. At that mid-point, I headed back south to South Temple, down past the Governor's Mansion--



--to 2nd East, over to 2nd South, and then down to my starting point. It was a total of 19 city blocks or about 2.4 miles. I wasn't going for speed, as such isn't my intent--and I was reassured of that when a die hard runner passed me in front of the Cathederal of the Madeline like I was standing still--but that 30 minutes was such a fun way to start the day.


It's a bit ironic that I'm saying all of this. I used to see people running through the city and think, and even say outloud, "Who are they kidding? What a silly place to run." Well, I'm a new convert... if one goes early enough and incorporates a bit of the urban residential area (like the Avenues--again, LOVED that part; what charm), it's actually an enjoyable, ever-changing terrain with a plethora of sensory appeal.

6.18.2008

A little GAS humor...

Nah, by no means should the title line of this post be misinterpretted. This has nothing to do with flatulance and everything to do with friggin' gas prices at their all time high. $4 a gallon! NUTS. Time to do that diesel-veggie conversion thing. :)

In honor of the insanity, a few pix from a funny e-mail I got at work today:






I think this last one is a bit outdated. I filled up Monday morning from about 1/3 of a tank, and it cost me $46! That was Sam's Club gas at $3.85/gallon, too. And a friggin' CAMRY, too. Sheesh!!

6.11.2008

Privacy - an irony

Like many friends, I decided to make my blog "by invitation only." To the best of my memory, I've invited all friends who ever commented on a post (and therefore I consider "readers"), and my closest family & friends. If I've left someone out, all they need to do is e-mail me at jdcracroft@gmail.com and I will gladly add them!

My choice to do this is closely linked to the root of why I started my own blog in the first place--it's a place to put thoughts into words, let go of frustrations, and to get creative. Because some of those frustrations or grand schemes may vividly discuss work, school, or the like, I thought it wise to keep control of readership so as to not let the boss, the dean of students and the like have access without consent!

The irony? I just think it's kinda funny that in an age where there is such a focus on privacy of information, the technology of the day has an uncanny way of erasing so much of a person's true privacy. Nevertheless, I myself am making steps in the direction of controlling what I can!

Best,

Justin