We had a great weekend. Jen did the mani-pedi-haircut(minus the mani) thing on Saturday. The kids and I went to the park and had lots of fun. Sunday we all went to the Curtis Orchard in Champaign. We had a good time and picked apples right off the tree! Both Jennifer and I were impressed with how well the kids did considering the absence of naps. There were no tantrums, not even during the loooooong wait at the restaurant. Everybody behaved well and had fun. After dinner Jennifer and I watched "Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School" It was pretty good. Over all it was an excellent weekend. However after carrying the Bean in the ergo and for a while carrying Owen as well, my back was not up for the run today. Still very worth it though.

My leg feels much better today. I decided not to try running today. By Monday I think the leg should definitely be ready for that.

No workout this morning. My leg still hurts. Lost was excellent!

I think I pulled a muscle trying to fit myself behind the entertainment center last night. My hip/groin area hurt when I tried to run this morning. Might have to wait a day or two to before trying again.

I only ran for a little today before nature called. I did manage to start running a bit sooner though so things look good for tomorrow. Our VCR seems to have died yesterday. I may try and run out tonight and get a replacement at Wal-Mart. I want to be sure to record the season premeiere of Lost tomorrow night. Not too mention that without the VCR the child distraction tools are greatly reduced which can impact meal preparation.

Apparently I turned off my alarm yesterday morning. So I did not get up til 6 this morning. Oh well.

I did not sleep well last night. I was pretty tired this morning. I decided to just walk. Gonna try to get to bed at a reasonable hour tonight.

I think the biggest problem I am having with the running is just starting. I walked for almost 15 minutes today before I started running. For 10 minutes I just had this inner dialogue that was basically just trying to get my self to step up the speed and start running. I did not succumb to the desire to just walk. I feel pretty good about that. Once I'm actually running it's not too hard to keep going. I seem to have the discipline neccessary to make it past the first mile ok. After that it's not hard to keep going. Inertia is a good thing. I almost did three today but it was getting a little late. Maybe tomorrow.

My back and shoulders are really stiff and sore today. I'm not sure why. I did not run at all. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

I probably could have made it 3 miles today. I stopped because I did not want to be too worn out tonight. The run felt pretty good. The sauna seemed hotter than usual and I did not stay in it too long. I don't know if it was just because of the run or if it really was too hot.

I watched the second episode of "Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip" last night. It's by Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme, the same duo who did "Sports Night" and "The West Wing." It's pretty good so far. The writing is smart and the dialogue is good as I expected. The show for those unfamiliar is a behind the scenes look at a sketch comedy show a la "Saturday Night Live." It is very similar in feel to "Sports Night." I am not sure if I will really invest much time in it though because I think it might fall into the same issues that "Sports Night" had, i.e., how long can the show remain interesting. "Sports Night" also had the misfortune of being completely ignored by the media and the critics so almost no one even knows about the show.

There is an interesting thing that I thought about the show yesterday too. The show is currently focusing on the revamping and revitalization of the fictional show. I wonder if between this show and Tina Fey's "30 Rock" people will begin to feel let down by "Saturday Night Live." Even more, it could hurt "SNL." People will be watching the show and thinking to themselves; "Man, I wish Brad Whitford and Matthew Perry were writers on this show." If "Studio 60" and "30 Rock" provide a look at a sketch show that is funny, relevant, and "hip" then the expectations for "SNL" will be almost insurmountable. Which is kind of interesting because if "SNL" fails to deliver it will be getting beat by fictional shows that are really never actually aired. That would have to hurt.

With "The West Wing" Sorkin and Schlamme presented a look at politics that had appeal to most people in that it showed the process, both the good and the bad, in a way that most people really would like it to be. Even if it was not completely realistic, the people in the government appeared intelligent and capable, had ethical and moral values, and projected the civics textbook world of politics. That had appeal to people while allowing for the wonkish side of what really goes on in politics. It made the political process real and accessible to many Americans and I think that kept people tuning in. Even if the people in charge were more liberal than many of the viewers cared for. I don't know if this show can tap into something like that.

Wow, I guess the running really let's the mind churn!