What I've Done

This weekend, I

> read outside on Saturday. M has been running on a local trail on the weekends to prepare for the Nike Half Marathon in San Francisco. Since I want to be supportive, I've accompanied her to the trail. Since I want to be supportive without slowing her down, I've used her outdoor running time as outdoor reading time. It seems to work well. I hope to pick up running again soon since my supply of t-shirts is running dangerously low.

> hiked in Henry Coe. Inspired by Tom Mangan's article and an undeniable desire to stretch my legs, I went for a stroll to China Hole in Henry Coe, the local state park. A number of trails are closed due to last month's Lick Fire, but there are still many worthwhile places to explore and China Hole is one of them. Once I finish uploading some photos, I'll write a quick trip report about it.

> watched Boston lose to Cleveland in Game 2 of the ALCS. Until the middle of the tenth inning, with the score tied at 6, the game was only long. After Tom Mastny got David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Mike Lowell out in order to finish the inning and the Indians came back to wring seven runs out of the Red Sox bullpen in the top of the eleventh, the game became long and excruciating.

Dear Terry Francona,

Please do not let Eric Gagne pitch in relief or go anywhere near the mound for the rest of the season. I know he means well, but he also means misery and disaster.

Sincerely,
David (a.k.a. a Random California Red Sox Fan)

> visited IKEA. After attending a Sunday morning birthday party for twin two-year-olds and then recovering from that party with a cafe au lait at Cafe Borrone, M and I braved the crowds at the Swedish big box furniture store. We managed to come out alive, both physically and financially. We only bought a much-needed bookcase that we got easily into the car and a pair of kitchen scissors that we had to secure with a bungee cord since it was hanging halfway out of the trunk.

I now have three building projects to complete at home this week...

1. the bookcase
2. a bathroom cabinet
3. a LEGO Hogwarts Castle (it was on clearance)

While every fiber in my being says #3 should be done immediately, I'm going to be good and tackle #2 first. That will be the most difficult one. Next, I'll assemble #1 so we can get our growing pile of books off the floor and onto some actual shelves. Finally, as a reward for building #1 and #2, I'll treat myself to building #3.

> watched the Seahawks self-destruct against the Saints while hearing the Rockies clobber the Diamondbacks. I now believe the best way to watch football is with the volume muted. The experience is so much more enjoyable when you replace the commentary and sound effects with music or baseball on the radio. The Rockies are a win away from their first trip to the World Series. With any luck, they'll get that win tonight.