tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69426534701792205742009-10-13T16:48:53.574-04:00comments and observations about baseball, football, running, and outdoorsy stuffrallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-65930952721841162622009-02-11T17:14:00.002-05:002009-02-11T17:28:22.001-05:00

So it's been a long time now, and I have a few minutes, so this isn't going to be a well-thought-out posting or anything as much as something for people to read, if they happen to pay a visit. I've been spending a lot more time on Facebook over the past six months or so, so if you really want to keep up with my daily musings, hit me up over there.I've been training for the National Marathon,

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-51888048639020411352008-11-05T00:38:00.004-05:002008-11-05T00:47:21.265-05:00

We watched the returns come in tonight, and not even moments after the cable networks called the election for Obama, we heard people cheering on the street. We were moved to get out there, but where? After another few moments, cameras switched to a mob on Pennsylvania Ave in front of the White House. We threw on our jackets and hats and ran out the door.Ultimately, the energy was really en route.

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-67141437907673534342008-08-19T22:03:00.006-04:002008-08-19T23:15:09.826-04:00

When I was a kid, my sanctuary was a creek. It was just on the other side of the cow pasture from my house. Not even a mile long, it was a grassy path along what was essentially a huge drainage ditch. Definitely manmade, but overgrown and wild, at least to a 9-year-old kid tramping through the weeds and mud looking for fossilized sharks' teeth. I'd see owls, hawks, snakes, and raccoons; pick

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-69880336289721652812008-08-05T15:53:00.002-04:002008-08-05T16:02:06.571-04:00

I was at the Subway on 17th near Corcoran this afternoon to get some lunch. A guy walked in and stopped at the rack of chips. Looked it over, picked up one bag, put it back, grabbed another. Then went straight into the bathroom. Um... So I hung around. He was in there for a while. When he emerged, of course, no chips. He did get in line to get a sandwich, so I decided not to say anything, because

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-74946307849795775842008-07-26T09:19:00.002-04:002008-07-26T09:23:49.838-04:00

Like most Washingtonians, especially those living around the city's core, I get asked for directions a lot. The Mall, Georgetown, 395...I have a repertoire of the more common destinations all ready to go.While walking the dogs this morning, I was summoned by a woman looking for Krispy Kreme. After I explained Washington Circle versus Dupont Circle, New Hampshire Ave, and so on, and she was

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-42373220813294597232008-07-21T08:36:00.004-04:002008-07-21T08:42:24.274-04:00

In all the hubbub on Saturday, I didn't get to mention that when the mail finally did come, our Eddie Vedder tickets were in the mix. WOO HOO! Getting these tickets was quite the ordeal. We're Ten Club members, so normally when Pearl Jam comes through town, we have a few days in which to get our tickets order in, and when we do that has no bearing on seating, since it's assigned based on length

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-75455476230680009442008-07-20T10:24:00.002-04:002008-07-20T10:31:08.404-04:00

The Washington Post has a full story on yesterday's incident at GWU Hospital. Apparently a patient climbed onto a ledge 5 stories up and paced for about 4 hours, then when trying to climb down, fell, and only partially hit the inflatable cushion laid out for his potential landing. He's now back in the hospital, in critical condition.How awful. I hope the man makes a full recovery, both of body

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-56503049952002477852008-07-19T14:57:00.007-04:002008-07-19T16:43:01.955-04:00

As we were leaving for afternoon errands, we noticed a bunch of police tape being strung up in front of our house. The cops weren't letting anyone stand around outside, much less ask any questions.We returned 90 minutes later and the yellow and red tape was still there. WTOP had reported the activity during its traffic report, but didn't have any information about what the activity actually was.

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-19887113330895609592008-07-03T17:15:00.000-04:002008-07-03T17:19:31.762-04:00

Jordan Pond, and the Bubbles

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-44294668658095048752008-06-29T18:37:00.003-04:002008-06-29T18:45:06.399-04:00

The mob of red jerseys at home plate at the end of today's Nationals game seemed an oddly familiar sight.Today's walkoff victory was their 8th one this season. They have 33 wins, total.Walkoffs are inherently home wins. They only have 18 home wins.Nearly a quarter of their wins were earned in the final pitch? Doesn't sound like something to boast about. And 25-58--their record had those opposing

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-49656482834920122892008-06-26T11:44:00.005-04:002008-06-26T11:56:56.421-04:00

I've been having trouble with the running mojo, especially with getting out the door more than two or three times a week. So I inquired with a Surfrider buddy about going for a run together. Megan's training for MCM and had a few obstacles in her training recently, so I figured it would be good for both of us.So we did about 5.5 miles in Rock Creek Park yesterday evening. We don't know each other

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-52657414925430511862008-06-17T13:47:00.002-04:002008-06-17T13:53:50.848-04:00

NBC4 is reporting that a section of the Rock Creek Park trail will be closed for more construction, starting Wednesday. The affected section is from Pennsylvania Avenue to P Street. Presuming the weather isn't epic, the trail should reopen on Saturday. And that will be the end of the construction affecting runners and cyclists. Huzzah!At least the detour is easy, and gets everyone some important

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-85009878885101169362008-06-15T22:18:00.006-04:002008-06-15T22:41:23.057-04:00

A Surfrider event next weekend prompted G and me to go down to Georgetown on Saturday, intent on picking plastic water bottles out of the trash. The largest 10K in DC was being held along the waterfront, so it seemed logical that we could get the 250 bottles needed for this exhibit from the 10,000 or so that were being distributed.I just saddled up next to a trash can and started digging,

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-47567657439902633552008-06-11T11:51:00.004-04:002008-06-11T12:01:47.410-04:00

The Washington Post is reporting that the Georgetown Waterfront Park will not open until 2010. Work has already been going on there for at least three years (to lay sod and sidewalks, as best as I can tell), and it's another two years? To build a park? While hundreds of people run, walk, and bike in vehicular anarchy on their way to the Capital Crescent or the towpath? Can't they at least open

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-68474819706899236542008-06-07T14:01:00.002-04:002008-06-07T14:11:37.767-04:00

My 4.5-mile run in the hazy sunny heat this morning turned into my second run interrupted by returning a dog to its owner. I had seen the dog following (off-leash) one of my neighbors on the towpath, and coming back, the dog was whipping itself into a frenzy, alone, in the grasses along the river. I was able to corral it with the help of some other runners, and proceeded to walk back toward home,

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-61733862124198701072008-06-03T22:25:00.003-04:002008-06-03T22:35:06.161-04:00

So the last Nats game I went to was on May 4. That's stunning. Granted, they were on the road for half of that month, and I was away for almost two weeks, but we still actually just skipped a few games. Like both games in the horrid Marlins series. And one right before our big hiking trip, because we just had too much work.So when we were late getting home this afternoon and had to have snacks

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-44319063527906425492008-05-10T22:17:00.003-04:002008-05-10T22:20:53.885-04:00

So it's been a little while. Been too busy. But we're going to the Outer Banks next weekend and Acadia the week after that. Today we hiked Sky Meadows in speedy time, for training. Lots of ticks.But my reason for being here is simply to record this point:After tonight's craptacular Nats game, we are 15-22. Going into the May 11, 2007, game (also against the Marlins!), we were 9-25. Now that's bad

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-64838908103716514792008-04-11T23:12:00.004-04:002008-04-11T23:24:43.017-04:00

So the bike valet continued its sweetness tonight. We're still tinkering with the route to Nats Park to best avoid rush hour and tourist madness, but we did cover the distance in under half an hour this time.I opted not the bring the camera this time--it's time to settle in--and of course our Capitol Riverfront ad came on the big screen. There goes Flatlandish's baseball, and his dock, and his

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-10205773401559942522008-04-09T09:39:00.002-04:002008-04-09T09:41:09.550-04:00

This is excellent. Especially the video. The accompanying song is just perfectly over the top.Only $150 and they give you a gorilla suit to keep. Pure awesomeness.

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-64077905991443713322008-04-07T23:39:00.002-04:002008-04-07T23:46:49.683-04:00

Screw Metro. Hands down the best way to Nats Park is bike. It took us 35 minutes to get there (and that included a lot of tourist clog-fighting), and about 25 to get home. (It takes about 45 minutes to Metro and walk.) And we have a dry, covered place to keep the bikes (and helmets and other stuff) while two paid Nationals staff watch over them. For free!Biking in DC at night...oh my god. It was

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-62447734426608105502008-04-07T11:52:00.003-04:002008-04-07T12:49:08.233-04:00

I love the Cherry Blossom 10-miler. I know, that makes me a freak. But it always makes me feel so fast. Between the Kenyan elites at the front and the mass of office workers with fanny packs in the back, I find myself in that happy top quarter of the field. Plus, the course generally lends itself to speediness. Even this year's new course (which really does include a lot more blossoms) is nicely

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-25849985913216272342008-04-06T21:29:00.002-04:002008-04-06T21:30:33.989-04:00

Why do people put bananas in a produce bag? They're already attached to each other (don't run all over), and they have a peel you're not even going to wash, much less eat.

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-6350366330917718082008-04-06T16:13:00.002-04:002008-04-06T16:15:57.025-04:00

I took this photo at the FDR Memorial last weekend:Have you ever seen a runner in that position? What the...?

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-89324579553738465742008-04-05T15:20:00.004-04:002008-04-05T16:10:36.112-04:00

Wait, first, I have to apologize. I wanted to post this on, like, Monday. But the problem with an insane weekend is that there is no time to share the stories of it. Now then, on with it... "Everything."Last weekend (March 29-30) was A Weekend to Behold. Let's go back one day, as Friday really colored the rest of it.Part One:I woke up with a headache. Which quickly became a migraine. I was going

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942653470179220574.post-27103355275886560812008-04-04T14:39:00.005-04:002008-04-06T16:16:13.707-04:00

I like this sign:This part in particular:I'm wondering when someone has let their dog take itself to the park? In the middle of a city?

rallycaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05513597892712805763noreply@blogger.com1