Long Beach International Marathon '07

Peace Man!

Almost home!

And the results are in... 03:49:27

Instant Classic !!! Folk Hero

Monday Night Football History

Cowboys 25 - Bills 24

Nick Folk wins it with a 53 yd FG and :02 seconds remaining.

Grayson Oxford visit McAllen, TX

As part of my McAllen visit, today I managed to spend time with Grayson Oxford. I had a great time visiting with him and his new wife Terry. We ate at their favorite Mexican restaurant; I fail to recall the name, but it's on 11th Street I think and apparently owned by one of his friends. I have fond memories of Grayson and myself playing tennis against each other. We also played doubles together. It was a riot.

To my dismay, Grayson hasn't played tennis in years and wasn't up to the challenge of hitting the courts. We did however manage to talk some Dallas Cowboys football. I also got some insight on Grayson's wedding proposal to Terry. Apparently, it was at half-time during a football game that Grayson got on his knees and proposed to Terry. The romantic act symbolized his fanatacism with football. Even knowing how crazy we Texans can be about the Cowboys, Terry Reyna ethusiastically accepted Grayson's marriage proposal. I'm happy to report that despite briefly getting to know Terry (in my flawless judgment), she seems a perfect match for Grayson. I foresee a stork visit in the future.

Brian Burns visit McAllen, TX

I spent the late afternoon and early evening with Pastor Brian Burns. Yes, Brian, my childhood friend since the second grade has not only been ordained, but is also planning a mission to the Philippines (http://www.heartforasia.org/). He and his wife, Gloria Burns, accompanied by his two boys, will be leaving sometime in Summer '08. Brian has the kindest of hearts, and is the most caring of friends. It's no wonder that I've managed to have his friendship for 28+ years. Join me in wishing Brian the very best as he undertakes God's work.

Book Review

"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius," by Dave Eggers

For years the aforementioned book has been one of Alicia's favorites. Alicia and I don't normally share the same interests when it comes to books, but after years of being harassed to give the book a try, I finally caved in. I'm sorry that I did.

I spent some time on a recent flight and was bored with the book at about page 15. I kept going since I had already read all the interesting articles on the in-flight SkyWest magazine. Further, there was nothing that I found alluring in the in-flight shopping magazine. I took a break several minutes later at page 28 to stuff my face with a small bag of Hanover pretzels handed to me by the flight attendant. Unsatisfied, I asked for a second bag. I saved the eight ounce bottle of water for later.

I reopened the book thinking that it might get better. I got to page 69 after learning more than I cared to learn about Dave Eggers' family saga. That's where I finally laid the book down. Although there were some humorous passages in his "Rules and Suggestions for Enjoyment of This Book" and the Preface, the rest of the pages were anti-climatic.

I'm at best a novice critic, so please feel free to check out a copy of the book at the library. Or, if you happen to find it at a thrift store, it's well worth $.25 (will help you light the fireplace in Winter). Sorry Alicia, I gave it a good try, but I just didn't dig it. I did however give the SkyWest magazine another go-round...

Annoyed at the Airport

I’m sitting at United’s gate 82 in LAX, quite annoyed at the fact that there are some significant events transpiring today, both of which I’m likely to miss owning a DVR and being able to record them. It is the true opening of the NFL season (Colts vs. Saints last Thursday night was just a teaser). I will be missing the U.S. Open’s men’s final (Federer vs. Djokovic; #1 vs. #3 respectively). I’ll be cheering for the young Serb, joining Dragan Djordjevic in spirit (my Serbian college roommate). Federer is unbelievable/awesome, and it is increasingly difficult to argue that he isn’t the best tennis player ever.

Before I return to the subject of football. I’d like to interject at this point another incident that has added to my existing mood. For those that haven’t travelled with me. I always wear appropriate clothing when I fly (long sleeves, jeans, shoes fully laced). I watched some “Dateline NBC” show detailing ways to survive an air accident. I’m compulsive about heeding their expert advice. I also like to fly close to the emergency exit row if not be seated in it altogether. As the flight attendant gave her emergency speech, the gentleman in the emergency exit row was distracted by something else. I became upset that a man who potential held my life in his hands was reading some sort of manuscript instead of listening to the flight attendant. I also noticed that he didn’t once read the emergency exit procedures. I soothed myself hoping that the middle-age man was a frequent traveler and knew how to open the door and assist others in exiting a smoke-filled plane. I then realized that there were so many types of airplanes (models and sizes) and that he couldn’t possibly be an expert on all of them. I became incensed. My guess is that he was a professor of architecture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo since something to that effect was written on the cover of his manuscript. It’s amazing how much someone can deduce by just glancing for a few seconds. He was tall, slender, with receding brown hair. In fact, he had a bald spot on the top of his head. If I’ve just described your architecture professor and you attend or have attended Cal Poly, let me know who this guy is. I’ll send him a polite email.

Now back to football. I’m travelling on the day that marks the beginning of the Cowboys’ season. I’m dreading any possible connection delays as missing the game or any part of it would indeed be catastrophic. Just thinking of that horrible possibility is driving me mad. I’m hoping to catch the game with a friend of mine (Art Romo) when I land in San Antonio. I’ll keep you posted on the outcome.

So, I’m missing the U.S. Open which is likely to be a thriller. I’m unnerved.
My life is being endangered by a man who carelessly goes about reading a thesis versus emergency procedures. I’m upset.
I might miss out on the Cowboys’ opening drive. I am peeved to no end.
I’ll have a Whataburger when I land. I’m drooling.

Labor Day 2007

The kids had a great time camping in the backyard. We spent the entire night in the tent, and although the occasional sounds of coyotes kept me awake, the kids slept right through the yelping.

The weather was kind. There was no rain, not even an occasional patch of cold rolling fog. It was your typical evening with the temperature in the upper 50's/low 60's.

I asked the kids to peek out of the tent in the morning so I could snap a picture. Grayson started doing some weird morning stretches while Chase just wanted to go back to sleep.

We kept the tent up through the day and even managed an afternoon nap. All in all, it was a fun-filled Labor Day for the Harris household.

Steve Geida

I decided to take advantage of an opportunity to visit Steve Geida on my most recent trip to Colorado Springs. I spent a few hours tonight with the Geidas chatting about life in general, investments, and life after the Air Force. I enjoyed a cold Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (Steve's last, unfortunately) while his kids devoured some fudge squares.

To my dismay, Steve has decided to pack his bags, leave the Air Force, and move his family to either Illinois or somewhere back East. I don't know exactly where he'll end up, but I wish him the best of luck. By the way, Steve was one of my suite mates at Officer Training School, and we spent 12 weeks in Alabama living in deplorable asbestos-plagued, practically condemned, 1950's-built hovels. We both ended up in the Space & Missile Career fields. I went space; he went missiles. His follow-on assignment led him through space training at Vandenberg AFB. The above photo was taken upon completion of Steve's training.

Steve, I'll miss you buddy!!!

LAX Encounter

LAX Encounter
It was today that by chance I ran into a friend. Tony Schmidt happened to be boarding the same plane as me, and although I didn’t sit immediately next to him on the flight, we were able to chat for a few minutes after we deplaned. It turns out that Tony was on his way to an overseas deployment. For purposes of exercising good OPSEC, I’ll not disclose the actual location. Apparently his family had already moved to San Antonio to be close to relatives during his one-year hiatus. I’m prompted to write about this chance encounter because of the emotions that I faced seeing him disappear into a crowded terminal at LAX. How would Tony’s family deal with Daddy being gone for a year? With kids similar in age, I asked myself how my family might be in the event of my prolonged absence. Could this be the last time I saw Tony? What if it instead of Tony, it was Ed Harris languidly marching through halls of LAX, headed to an uncertain place, a strange place? It could just as easily be me.
Suddenly, it dawned on me that Tony was going off to secure my freedom, to defend the liberty of his wife, and to preserve the privilege of his children. His departure made me better appreciate those men and women who are in the direct line of fire. I, for one, consider myself fortunate to “NOT” be among them. To the macho-minded, the latter might sound like a pusillanimous remark, but presented with the same circumstances, I too would walk in Tony’s shoes. For now, I am grateful to be able to put my kids to bed, hug them, kiss them goodnight, and enjoy a Starbuck’s Ice Mocha with my wife. Thank you Tony for your sacrifice, and best of luck to your family.

Disgusting filth!

There aren't many news stories that move me. I dare say that the violence in Iraq has somewhat desensitized me over the years. I'm posting in response to an article in CNN.com today (read full article).

A five-year-old Iraqi boy, Youssif, was playing outside when several masked men doused him with gasoline and set him on fire. As a human being, I am aghast. As a parent of a five-year-old boy, I am angry. What kind of animals would commit such a horrific act upon another human being, especially a child? Although grim stories continue to surface from Darfur, it is difficult for me to fathom a more barbaric crime against the innocence of a child. What do such acts say about a mob's cultural beliefs; such disrespect for humankind? I am angry! I am angry! I am angry! What are we dealing with in Iraq? Such culprits are not worthy of life. Calling them savages is too generous. I am ravenous...My rage benefits no one. Instead, help me focus on what we can do to help little Youssif.

CNN.com has posted a link to a charitable organization that will accept donations in Youssif's behalf. I ask that you please open your hearts and consider assisting this precious boy with whatever monetary gift you can provide. I pray that a smile can someday return to Youssif's face. For the love of life, for the love of a scarred child, please open your hearts...

You can make a donation at the foundation's site by clicking here. There's a drop down menu under the "general donation" area that is marked "Youssif's fund."

A day of Tennis

We spent the early afternoon riding our bicycles to the nearby tennis courts. Having free reign of the court, both Chase & Grayson tired themselves out. Grayson made significant strides with his forehand while Chase was content chasing down my service balls (for about two minutes). We stopped at a community park on the way home where the featured obstacle was a set of monkey bars. It's amazing how much strength that kids have. Both Chase & Grayson went what seemed tirelessly back and forth. Feeling pressure to show off my physical prowess, I too was successful in my attempt to make it across (once).

Preseason Football

Cowboys win!

Dallas 31 - Denver 20

O.K. So it is only the Preseason which precedes the Regular season,
which precedes the Post-season. That's what is great about the NFL;
that it's always in season.

Running partner

It appears that I'll have a friend joining me for the Long Beach Marathon on October 14, 2007. After a bit of coercion, Greg Reed has agreed to train with me. The Long Beach Marathon will mark Greg's first 26.2 miler and my second. The course is flat compared to the San Francisco Marathon so we're both enthusiastic about having decent run times. For strengthening, we're still planning on tackling some hills. We've got a 10K run planned for Monday. Needless to say, I'll have to do without Burger King for lunch.

Sprinting

I'm excited to report that today, for the first time, I broke the 20-minute 5K barrier. My official time was 19:58. I suppose that my sprint workouts are starting to pay off. On an different note, for lunch I had a BK Bacon Double Cheeseburger, substituted a side salad for fries with a touch of ranch dressing, and drank a Diet Coke. Yummy!

Rock Climbing

We attended a group picnic today. The kids had a lot of fun in a jumping castle, but the real treat came as we were about to leave. Not thinking that they would allow children under the age of 6 on to a rock climbing wall, we had decided to head home, but not before getting a close-up look at the wall. To the kids' delight, there were harnesses of all sizes available. As you might guess, the kids gave it a go. Unwilling to risk a panic attack associated with my fear of heights, I quickly passed up the opportunity.

San Francisco Marathon '07

Months of training culminated in my finishing the 26.2-mile marathon (my first) in a respectable time of 03:55:38 (San Francisco Marathon). I never really hit a wall as other marathon finishers warned; probably because I stayed well hydrated and paced myself. I was warmed-up and comfortable at the 4 mile mark and got a second wind at 14. Because I expected to hit that imaginary wall at some point past mile 16, I probably overestimated the level of effort it would take. It was at about the 20 mile marker that I picked up the pace and finished strong . I've registered for the Long Beach Marathon in October, and I'll be gunning for a better finish time.

Finisher! 03:55:38