After just getting Nike+ and 5 runs using Nike+, I decided I could complete a full 10k and be a part of the Nike+ global Human Race event… What the hell was I thinking!?

Anyway, I did complete it, although it was extremely difficult.

I should remember to try to work up to these types of things sometimes…

After years of thinking I would never get into running, I’ve joined the whole Nike+ movement. I don’t know what happened. I started running a little at first. Just a hit on vacation. Then, last year, during the Summer, I socially ran with my woman on occasion, but I never craved it… Now, I dunno… I get urges…

I just need to remember to actually get better as evidenced by my second Nike+ enabled run:

Today I find myself at jury duty in Brooklyn and I’m amazed at how they’ve improved the process. The new court building is clean and effiticient. There’s wireless in the juror waiting area. The seats are comfortable. And there’s even a “computer room” for waiting jurors to use the internet! I’m actually quite pleasantly surprised as I remember my previous juror summons being a wretched affair.

My favorite part so far has been when they ask if people couldn’t understand English to come to the front to discuss exemption. I couldn’t help but laugh at that trick question!

I should remember that at least some of my tax dollars are going to improving people’s interactions with the government.

Update: Well I’ve been called and sent up to the courts on the 20th floor. The view from up here is gorgeous. In 8 years, when I’m called again, I should remember to bring my camera.

Update 2: Wow, a two hour lunch break. I gotta remember to take some of these during by regular work day.

Through the lucky acquisition of an überpass granting artist level access, I had the pleasure of attending the Saturday activities of the All Points West Music and Arts Festival.

Metric was the main draw for me, but unfortunately, they didn’t play such a great set and the majority of the people in the crowd didn’t seem to know them at all. Perhaps they’re simply better suited to smaller, in-doors venues. Of course, I had bought tickets to see them Friday night at the Highline Ballroom… but I should probably forget about how I blew that money by not even going.

A close second in terms of who I wanted to see was Sia. After catching her at the Hiro Ballroom, I expected her performance to be great… And I wasn’t disappointed. Compared to the Hiro show where she had some throat problems, she was absolutely incredible. The bonus is that we actually got to chat with her band mates a bit down in the artists village and see her back stage as well.

Then there was Radiohead. I haven’t been excited by Radiohead the past few years, so I wasn’t sure whether I’d be into the performance, but I was totally blown away. These guys deserve all the accolades they get… and maybe even more. They were tight as hell and rocked the crowd with awe inspiring deftness.

I should remember to rediscover the newer Radiohead albums.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day nonsense that you go through in life. You forget that even with ridiculous work schedules, bill payments, having jury duty and other petty things, you’re so damn lucky to live the life you have.

I need to remember just how amazingly good I have it to be living my life.

Russian Bombardment in Georgia - The New York Times > World > Slide Show > Slide 6 of 11

My woman, being as cool as she is, surprised me with flying lessons for my birthday. So, yesterday we hopped on the Triumph and rode out to Jersey to try it out.

Despite my uncomfortableness with flying, we were airborne in no time, bouncing along in our little Cessna 172 heading towards Manhattan. We then made our way down the Hudson, dodged a bunch of helicopters, buzzed “The Lady” (twice at 500 ft), circled the Verrazano, flew back up the Hudson, then headed back to Jersey.

It was a pretty amazing feeling to be actually turning the plane or climbing/decending using my hands and feet. Plus after a while I even managed to get used to the bouncing around in the air currents.

I need to remember all I learned on the short lesson and consider whether I can afford to become a fully certified pilot.

(more photos from the flight by uberfrau)