Speeders

As I was running the other day, I saw a car flash his high-beams at another car going the opposite direction. I was guessing that he was warning the other driver to slow down because there was a policeman up ahead. Sure enough, I saw a police car waiting further down the street.

I used to think it was nice of drivers to warn other drivers like this one did, but now I dislike it. It’s because I don’t like speeders, especially drivers who speed through residential neighborhoods. These people are breaking the law and endangering pedestrians (and runners), so if they speed, they should be punished, right?

Korean BBQ House on my Running Route

On my normal running route around the neighborhood, there is a hill at about the 4 mile mark. At the top of this hill is a house. And the people who live in this house often barbeque. And the kind of meat they barbeque is Korean Kalbi. It smells sooooooo goooooood!!! By the time I run past, my stomach is growling like crazy! I need to befriend this family.

New Phone – Moto G

Moto G and 木村 文乃
Photo info: SONY SLT-A77V, 50mm, f/2.8, 1/90 sec, ISO125
Moto G and 木村 文乃

This is my new phone: a Motorola Moto G (2nd generation). My two-and-a-half-year-old Galaxy S3 finally died after a few resets and so I decided that it was time. The Moto G is not the latest and greatest in terms of technology, but it is decent, comes with the latest version of Android, and is only $179 total, off-contract.

One thing I have learned is that I do not have to load every app under the sun to have a great experience. After resetting the S3, I had to reinstall apps and each time I reset it, I would install less and less, until I was down to the bare essentials. I realized which apps I actually used and now my phone is pretty uncluttered. Also contributing to the streamlined phone is that it runs stock Android, not some manufacturer skin. So it’s nice and fast. That speed is a great feeling! (and no monthly payments is also wonderful)

Lip Balm

Over my lifetime I’ve owned maybe a total of three different lip balm or chap sticks, and always ended up losing them somehow. But starting in November of last year, I’ve had such dry lips that I’ve needed to use lip balm constantly. It’s been going on four months now! Anyways, for the first time I’ve actually gotten to the end of a stick of lip balm. My Burt’s Bees finally ran out, and then I used up another Burt’s Bees! It was such a strange experience to run out of a thing that I thought lasts forever…

Well, that’s two down, but I have four more in reserve, although they are different brands. Right now my favorite is a simple, cheap H-E-B brand medicated stick. And it seems to work the best! Maybe one day I will be able to get back to normal, but I’m wondering if I just need to get used to this being the way it’s going to be for the rest of my life.

Dentist Radio

I had a dentist appointment today for a routine cleaning. They usually play local radio, and today it was set to a station that mixed old hits with new stuff. During these moments, I often hear songs that I have not ever listened to the whole way through. Sure, I have heard the songs before but because I don’t like them, I’ve always switched stations before they ended. So it’s during moments of captivity, such as sitting in the dentist chair, that a personal achievement is earned.

Today’s historic song was “Footloose”. When that song first came out I think I was in high school so I must have heard it or seen the video many times.

But I do believe this is the first time I listened to it from start to finish. Yay me.

Me Time

I went on a chilly, misty run today. It was only 49° F out! For me, that is the coldest I have run in, I think. A PR! But it wasn’t so bad since I had a beanie on and the wind. But besides that, I was thinking that running this past year has become a lot more enjoyable for me. The main reason is that it is purely “Me Time”. Not in the sense that I am run alone, but rather that I don’t listen to music or podcasts any more on my runs. If I listened to the podcasts, it’s not “me time”, it’s “them time”. For this special hour of the day, I don’t want to give it up to someone else (and their opinions) no matter how much I might like them. On a run, I want to let my mind wander by itself, and think about things unguided by others. Is this “mindfulness” in a sense? I don’t know.

But I like the fact that I don’t need to be “entertained” or motivated by listening to music or podcasts on my run.

It’s simple, but I like SIMPLE!

No-Rush Shipping Regret

A couple of days ago I ordered the Blu-ray edition of Big Hero 6 from Amazon. Even though we have Amazon Prime, I often choose the “No-rush Shipping” option, which gives me $1 credit to use on books or music. This is great for things that I don’t need right away, for example the air filters for the cars, but I am now regretting choosing that shipping option for Big Hero 6. I want to watch it tonight!!! It’s a great movie. And I have to wait until after the weekend even… /smallviolin