Running With Blue Sponge

Friday, June 5

Tank Man Stands Up to China -- 20 Years Ago Today

The amazing thing is that he did this after hundreds and perhaps thousands of others had already been killed. That man was committed to his cause. How many of us don't even bother going to rallies for causes we believe in because it is just too inconvenient?

Thursday, June 4

6 Items from Today's Express

The Express is a free newspaper I get at the subway stop, which is distributed by the Washington Post. I read it on my commute in to work. Here's what I found interesting in today's news:

* There was a feature on Valerie Harper doing a show playing Tallulah Bankhead. Rhoda Dahling! Hard to imagine. I think I'll pass.

* There also was a feature about Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Tony Awards on Sunday. It talked about his interest in magic. How adorably nerdy. I will be watching the Tony's and rooting for Billy Elliot.

* Sacha Baron Cohen is being sued by a woman claiming to have been injured after struggling with the star during the filming of his upcoming film, Bruno. I have to say that although it was claimed to be staged, I think the MTV Award stunt with Eminem was real and they came up with the story it was staged later so Eminem wouldn't look like such an ass (much like the one in his face).

* FEMA is developing a plan to use vacant houses in Florida in foreclosure as shelters for people fleeing hurricanes. Shane and I are considering buying a house in Florida, because they are incredibly cheap, but I'm worried this might increase demand and raise the prices. Too self-centered? Perhaps.

* The FDA approval for a drug to treat malignant dog tumors comes about 3 years too late for my Chloe. We're talking about getting another dog.

* Inventor Kenji Kawakami demonstrates his funnel glasses. He's a genius. I can never get the damn drops in my eyes. I also like the idea of his "Hayfever Hat" that dispenses toilet paper from a dispenser on your head. That sounds like high fashion.

Wednesday, June 3

New Hampshire Expected to Become 6th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage

According to the Joe My God blog, New Hampshire's House of Representatives has passed the same-sex marriage bill and it is expected to be signed by the Governor today. Hooray for New Hampshire!!!

5 Items from Today's Express Newspaper

The Express is a free newspaper I get at the subway stop, which is distributed by the Washington Post. I read it on my commute in to work. Here's what I found interesting in today's news:

* The front page article announced that no charges will be filed in a murder last year of a man in a Maryland jail accused of killing a police officer. And I used to think the show "Oz" was over the top. Guess they weren't far off.

* Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty won't run for a third term and there is lots of speculation he will vie for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. They also list the others who they think might be interested in that position -- Bobby Jindal, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and Nevada Sen. John Ensign. I'm not worried for the Democrats, but of course I thought that about George W. Bush.

* More than 100 clergy gathered in SE Washington last night to show their SUPPORT for same-sex marriage. They have formed a group called D.C. Clergy United for Marriage and Equality. Who says there is never any good news anymore?

* The Nats are playing the Giants tonight and the Giants' Randy Johnson is going for his 300th victory. Since its the Nats, he's likely to get it, unless the predicted thunderstorms show up.

* Susan Boyle. Everyday there is something new about this dowdy Scottish lady. She had to go to the nervous hospital recently after she lost some talent show, but rest assured she is doing better.

Hump Day Art -- A Matter of Taste

Today's Hump Day Art is a comparison of two artists whose works I saw at the Philadelphia Museum of Art last month -- Claude Monet and Cy Twombly. I think they strongly demonstrate that art is a matter of taste. These photos were taken with my iPhone, so the quality is not that great. The first three below are by Monet.

The Sheltered Path -- 1873 -- Oil on canvas

Bend in the Epte River near Giverny -- 1888 -- Oil on canvas

Marine View near Etretat -- 1882 -- Oil on canvas

The next two works by Cy Twombly are part of a work called "Fifty Days at Illiam." The complete set of 10 are wall-sized, and completed in 1977-1978. They are oil, oil crayon, and graphite on canvas.

I thought these works present an interesting contrast.

Tuesday, June 2

Wednesday, June 3rd is National Running Day!

Grab your blue sponge and your running shoes and get ready to run. Tomorrow is National Running Day! I will be running. How about you? The photo is of me running last year at the Air Force Marathon in Ohio. You might also recognize it from my banner. I'm hoping to be able to run the Baltimore Marathon this fall.

I usually run in the gym on the treadmill, but it seemed like such a nice day, I ran outside. I work near the Pentagon, so I ran to Pentagon City and took the George Washington Parkway Trail that borders Reagan National Airport. It is pretty cool running with giant planes coming in for a landing over your head. I headed up the Potomac River to the 14th Street Bridge and back. It was hotter and more humid than I realized and I overdid it a bit. I had to walk back the last half mile to cool down. I think I did about 5 miles all together.

Top 8 Things in this Morning's Express

The Express is a free newspaper I get at the subway stop, which is distributed by the Washington Post. I read it on my commute in to work. Here's what I found interesting in today's news:

* Jennifer Hudson is going to have a baby. She needed some good news after the hell she's been through. I hope it was good news for her. Congrats to her!

* Billy Bob Thornton's daughter is facing criminal charges in Florida after a year-old little girl that she was baby-sitting died. She is charged with child neglect causing harm or disability. I guess the sling blade doesn't fall far from the tree.

* In the TV listings, it said the two final episodes of According to Jim are on tonight. That show is still on? Who watches that?

* Bravo is searching for the Real Housewives of D.C. Where do I audition?

* Roger Federer rallied to win a 5-set match at the French Open. I haven't seen any of the Open this year. He beat Tommy Hass, who I never heard of. It said Andy Roddick lost also and he was cranky about it getting dark, but they wouldn't suspend the match. Damn that night blindness!

* A teenager was recaptured after escaping from a $46 million Maryland juvenile detention center the day after it opened. I guess they should have waited til they installed the locks.

* After reading the following headline, "Strict Rules Take Effect at Borders," I was worried it was going to be a big hassle to buy books now, but they didn't mean the bookstore, they were talking about our national borders. My bad.

* Last, but not least, Dick Cheney Monday said he thinks that people should be free to enter into any kind of union they wish. I recall he said something similar during the vice-presidential debate in 2000. Unfortunately, he did nothing to encourage this kind of activity during the 8 years he was in office. He did manage to start two wars and shoot a man in the face.

Monday, June 1

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #196

So far they've developed a deadly cat plague

and a new, delicious cheese.

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #196. Let me know if you come up with a caption.

Sunday, May 31

My Levi's Purchase

I mentioned previously that I was planning on making a Levi's purchase this weekend to support their support of marriage equality. I bought these Men's Regular Fit Light Stone Wash Jeans. I was going to get "Straight Fit" jeans, but that just didn't seem right. You can order stuff online here.