Buyer's Remorse

BroncoTalk.net is reporting that just three months after signing him, The Denver Broncos have cut running back J.J. Arrington because he failed a physical (imminent season ending microfracture surgery). This three month relationship tryst cost the boys in blue and orange 1.8 Million greenbacks. 

Josh, it's a crime to burn money, homie. 

Icarus Undying

Getting tattooed is never fun but I had a wonderful experience today. I spent three hours getting this, (another potentially NSFW topless photo) a concept I've been considering for years*. As you can see, the piece is not quite done. Patrick and I got a late start and I had to take a few breaks so we ultimately ran into his next appointment. I am disappointed that I have to wait another month to finish but I'm proud that I wasn't the one who called it quits. It will be worth the wait.

This hurt like all hell but I felt as comfortable as one can be. Patrick was extremely professional and my girlfriend (stay tuned...) Amanda stopped by. Yes, she held my hand.

*Huge thank you to Walker for helping me come up with the specific imagery.

Under the gun

Tomorrow, I have an appointment with Patrick Shackley at Th'ink Tank tattoo studio. Yes I know it's the day after Memorial Day which means he may be a little hungover. He also may be the best artist in the state. Wish me luck.

Bolder Boulder

Today I ran the Bolder Boulder with Jeremy. I completed the race in 50 minutes and 43 seconds. Full stats here. I did not train much for the race but I did run for 40 minutes or so on Friday night. The most difficult part was getting up at 6:00 am. The second most difficult part was trying to run and drink water at the same time. I imagine this is what water boarding feels like.

Lessons learned:

1. Dress up! Very few people dressed up for this race. Next year I'd like to find a fun costume/outfit that doesn't impede running.
2. Qualify. Jeremy and I were in wave HD, which was fun but a bit slower than I was comfortable running. I'd like to qualify and try to run with the big(ger) boys and girls next year.
   
3. Runners high is fantastic.
   

Running the BB is something I have wanted to do for a very long time.

Summer Rain

As I sit here on the couch, I can see the rain falling on green grass and my little car. There is a weird man walking by. He has short red shorts, no shoes, and I can see every muscle in his very defined thighs.

I've been thinking a lot recently about how I want to be in the world, and of the nature and breadth of my relationships. I've spent the last decade telling other people how great I am but in hindsight, I'm not sure that is actually true. Many of my relationships are actually quite shallow. I'm the King Collector of Acquaintances. Rarely have I actually put in the time necessary to build lasting friendships.

I also often act in certain ways because I believe that "that's how it's done." As a result, many of my relationships follow quite predictable paths.

I'd like to take more time to be with the people in my life. Rather than constantly telling them how great I am, I'd like to find out how great they are.

By they, of course, I mean you. You are actually quite awesome.

Francophones

I have the apartment to myself for three weeks because...

Walker and Jess are in France! Follow along here.

Pain

Yesterday I was tagged out trying to stretch a single into a double. This was painful for a few reasons. First, I had a legitimate base hit and I knew it so my first few steps out of the batters box were leisurely ones. Big mistake. Secondly, we were losing the game and had precious few outs remaining.

When I realized I might be picked off I could have reversed my steps but I thought I might beat the tag by sliding headfirst. Unfortunately for me, I slid over a rock which scraped a chunk of flesh out of my right hip.

The most painful part of the experience was spraying New Skin on the open wound. The second most painful part however was Ben's observation that until this heals, I may have to postpone the tattoo that I've been waiting six months to get. I should know more in a few days.

Yummy abrasion and my hairy belly here. (NSFW?)

Cannon Fodder

According to NFL.com, the Broncos have signed backup RB Darius Walker. This brings the RB total to eight. Two thoughts:

1. Clearly McDaniels wants warm bodies for full contract drills. Why else would you bring in a career backup when you already have JJ Arrington, Correll Buckhalter, Peyton Hillis, Ryan Torain, LaMont Jordan, and a guy named Knowshon Moreno?
   
   
   
2. Unfortunately, every RB signed makes Ryan Torain's future in Dove Valley a little less likely. Cutting this guy would be a huge mistake.
   

(apparently) Only Posers Use the Word 'Drop'

I've been told that my credibility suffers every time I use the word 'drop' to describe the emergence of new tracks and albums.

It's been a rough couple of weeks in the music world. The Peaches album seems meh and the few Passion Pit songs I've heard just sound like they're trying to get a little too much Oracular Spectacular on me.

WILT: a very random collection. Some old, some new, some electronic. Could we be seeing the twilight of Truman's upbeat chick rock phase?

Starsailor - Four to the Floor (Thin White Duke Remix) - YouTube
FttF is a couple years old but I freaking love this song.


Kriss Kross - Jump - YouTube
As a fifth grader, this was the first modern song I can remember hearing. Thanks to Dad for introducing me to The Who, Talking Heads, Doors, Stones, Elvis, etc but when Ryan Shanahan called and breathlessly told me to turn on the radio to hear something from "this decade," I couldn't get enough. I promptly wore my clothes backwards to school the following day. Yep.


One EskimO - Givin' Up (Don Diablo Remix) - YouTube
This dropped a couple of OHMYGODHEUSEDTHEWORDDROP!AHAHAHAHAWHATAPOSER! weeks ago. Have you ever heard a sappy, easy listening type song and just wanted to give it a little backbone? So has Don Diablo. The only difference is he actually did something about it. This track is more catchy than swine flu. I'd love to see Don D try his hand at a Gnarls Barkley song. Enjoy.

The Graduate

Congratulations to Walker Bradley, graduating with honors today from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

In his time at CU, Walker moved from a tepid interest in Engineering to absolute fanaticism in International Affairs, Oceanography, and French. His knowledge of military history is so deep that in several classes, the T.A.s would check with him to make sure they were on point. Walker finished his senior year with a beastly thesis providing insight into the Pakistan/Kashmir water crises. He also took up tango dancing and joined the CU fencing team, eventually leading them to a first place victory in Albuquerque.


In his spare time he traveled to S. Africa, Pakistan, India, and China, and volunteered to lead crews of boy scouts into the Colorado Plateau wilderness. Finally, and possibly most importantly, few stories of his college days will fail to include Jessica, whom he met, fell in love with, and managed to woo.

Well played, sir, and welcome to the real world.

The week in review

Spring is in the air and life is good. No time for blogs but I wanted to let you know what's been going on:

Tonight I struck out looking to end the game in slow pitch softball. Only four members of my family and 12 or so friends witnessed. Anticipated recovery time: 6 months.

There is someone new in my life. Details to follow.

After a month of good behavior, the cat is officially out of the doghouse.

My professor-to-be just emailed, recommending that everyone "read the first five chapters." School starts in 5 days.

The Denver Nuggets are crushing and so are my fake money bball bets.

No new music in a while. Please tell me about something good.

I get my new tattoo in 20 days.

Checking things off the list

I have a bucket list. Perhaps I'll post part or all of it at some point. The list is constantly being amended as I discover new and (potentially) awesome activities.

On Wednesday night I checked off an activity which had been on the list for less than 10 minutes:

• Eat grilled eel liver

Unagi kimoyaki tastes exactly the way one would expect: chewy, dense, and slimy. It also tastes quite salty, which I found surprising because unagi refers to freshwater eels.

Check!