Joshua Jenkins
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On running
Mentally, I’m at my best when I run. Running is a struggle both mentally and physically, it’s hard for me to take it slowly, but I tend to push myself through it. I hate it on a second-by-second basis unless I can shut my brain off or think about something other than damaging my joints with every step.
When I actually do manage to mentally check out of the awareness of what I’m doing and truly drift off somewhere else the mind-numbingness of the daily grind leaves me alone for a few beautiful minutes. I daydream about the crazy running regiment I’ll (never actually) keep up in the future and how healthy I’ll eat from now on. I think about all the things I can do to make my life better, I’m aware of the good pieces that make me up, and tend to ignore the bad parts. I feel bigger and better than I am. Or maybe I’m just fulfilling more of my potential in those moments. At the end I feel like I’ve actually accomplished something and I can measure it in sweat and stiffness. I probably won’t adhere to a strict exercise plan and eat nothing but spinach in the future like I just dreamt of, but at least I filled forty-five minutes with something truly positive.
My life needs more slow burn activities like this, little changes with long-term positive results. Moments of mental clarity, perspective, and sharpness. So, barring injuries (fractured my foot and severely screwed up my knee last year) I think I’ll keep it up. Taking the last eight months off has been unnerving.
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Nathan went with me for haircut support today. It totally panned out.
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This is my Friday night. Putting my thoughts together in peace for your future enjoyment.
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Last week I decided to start using my bicycle as my primary mode of transportation. I attribute the decision largely to a post on one of the Portland bicycle blogs about bicycle mode share taking a little dip last year. It bummed me out a bit, but who was I to say anything since I had only taken the bicycle out on excessively convenient occasions?
Now I’m trying to do my small part to help the situation, and myself. Aside from my trip to Central Oregon last week and one evening out with my roommate spent trying to find a restaurant we could get into without reservations I have used my bicycle exclusively over the past ten days. It’s not much, but it’s starting to feel like a habit.
I’m dragging my ass out of bed earlier to get to work, but it’s a wonderful way to start the day and wake up. I don’t really even need the caffeine any more (not that I’m stopping). Small hills still kick my ass and I get winded like it’s my job, but I have to assume it’ll get easier eventually. I’ve logged close to seventy-five miles and saved fifty dollars in parking (not to mention the daily $6 Starbucks runs) over the past few days.
It’s nice being a drop in a larger bucket of positive change in a city I love. If you have the means, I sincerely recommend ditching the car for a bit and seeing how much better life feels.
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I had a nice birthday and I love my friends.
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Last night I dreamt that I was hanging out in Washington, DC. Not at the monuments or landmarks or anything noteworthy, just hanging out in random areas around the city. I have never been there, but now I’d like to go.
Two nights ago I dreamt that I was seeing the blonde girl from Undeclared. She was nice. I’ve never been there either, I think I’d like to go there as well.
Looking forward to tonight’s dream.
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In today’s episode of Mundane Details of My Life: I went to the Cake Wrecks talk/slideshow thing at Powell’s. Sometimes people slash things should just stay on the internet. A room full of people laughing at cakes that sort of look like penises is hilarious in concept, not as fun in real life.
Afterward, my cohort and I took a long stroll through the Pearl to a terrible bar where I ordered a gin and tonic and was presented with a gin and tonic with a lemon wedge. I drink a lot of gin and tonics and I had not seen this before. I tried it and recoiled. It was not good. I asked the bartender if the lemon was intentional, he was not interested in my dislike for his lack of bartending skills.
I left him a note that said “When life gives you lemons, don’t put them in gin & tonics.”
I hope he keeps it.
