Running away from danger

Off and on over the past couple weeks, and frequently over the past few days, I have had an urge to go running. I often get such an urge around this time of year… Why, back in 2000, before I had even heard about Body for Life or had any commitment whatsoever to fitness, I remember getting a hankering to run when we had the first nice spring evening. And I did run. I put on my running shoes, stepped out my front door, and jogged through my student neighborhood in fair Ann Arbor. I didn’t run far, but the point is I ran. Why? Because the neighborhood was right in front of me, and nothing stood between idea and action.

Fast forward to 2005. I (somewhat unexpectedly) find myself in our Nation’s Capital, literally a few blocks from the Capitol Dome. Now, I usually have urges to jog in the evening. But living in this urban environment, where news of evening muggings is commonplace, I simply cannot go jogging when I want to. Between idea and action stands a touch of danger, and so I stay in.

I know the “danger” is likely not all that great. I know I could probably jog to the Mall (5 blocks away), to the Washington Monument and back, and run into no one but some harmless vagrants. And yet the threat of harm is there, and that is enough. When it comes to Exercise, if anything stands in my way, odds are I won’t do it. I need instancy. I need to live in a residential neighborhood.

When I live in a residential — or at least semi-residential — neighborhood, I will not face the threat of danger. The only thing standing between me and running will be the sidewalk. And that’s not so scary.

Diet Mountain Dew is Not Good

For years, I have enjoyed a regular Mountain Dew every now and again (read: almost every day), but I have long since recognized that I need to cut it out of my diet. It simply has too much sugar. One 20 ounce bottle of regular Mountain Dew has the equivalent of — get this — 19 sugar packets in it. (And you thought you put a lot of sugar in your coffee.)

So, in an effort to cut back while still getting my caffeine fix, I recently purchased a 12-pack of diet Mountain Dew, which has 0 grams of sugar. That’s right, nothing. The whole thing is Nutrasweet. Well, you know what? No sugar is pretty much the same thing as no taste. Diet Mountain Dew tastes almost exactly the same as Diet Squirt, Diet Sprite, pretty much every diet drink out there. That is, it tastes kind of like citrusy carbonated water mixed with Equal.

In other words, it does Not Taste Good.

*sigh* I don’t know what to do. Should I go back to regular Dew and just make sure to limit the other forms of sugar in my diet? Or should I just down a NoDoz in the morning? I know it would give me a jolt, but it seems somewhat boorish to just pop a pill.

Diet Mountain Dew is Not Good

For years, I have enjoyed a regular Mountain Dew every now and again (read: almost every day), but I have long since recognized that I need to cut it out of my diet. It simply has too much sugar. One 20 ounce bottle of regular Mountain Dew has the equivalent of — get this — 19 sugar packets in it. (And you thought you put a lot of sugar in your coffee.)

So, in an effort to cut back while still getting my caffeine fix, I recently purchased a 12-pack of diet Mountain Dew, which has 0 grams of sugar. That’s right, nothing. The whole thing is Nutrasweet. Well, you know what? No sugar is pretty much the same thing as no taste. Diet Mountain Dew tastes almost exactly the same as Diet Squirt, Diet Sprite, pretty much every diet drink out there. That is, it tastes kind of like citrusy carbonated water mixed with Equal.

In other words, it does Not Taste Good.

*sigh* I don’t know what to do. Should I go back to regular Dew and just make sure to limit the other forms of sugar in my diet? Or should I just down a NoDoz in the morning? I know it would give me a jolt, but it seems somewhat boorish to just pop a pill.

I hate Mikalah Gordon, and America agrees with me.

Thank God the good people of America showed they really do have some sense after all. I am referring, of course, to the none-too-soon departure of Fran Drescher wannabe Mikalah Gordon from American Idol. I am shocked — shocked! — that she made it into the Final 12, but incredibly grateful that her dreams of stardom died tonight. No longer must I endure a weekly dose of nails on a chalkboard. No longer must I listen to her butcher the word “fabulous!” No longer must I shake my head and ask myself in dismay, What on earth is America thinking???

And for those of you who didn’t know…

Yes, I watch American Idol. It is a wonderfully entertaining show chock full of drama, intrigue, hotties, and some of the best amateur talent in America. For the record, I totally agree with Simon: Carrie Underwood will be the next American Idol. She is beautiful, has a charming personality, and — most importantly — has the best voice by far.

As for me, I have considered auditioning. Yeah, I can sing, in a way. But because Idol is a pop contest and not a choral contest, I would probably make a fool out of myself.

In related news, I will be singing with the Georgetown University Concert Choir at the opening of the National Cherry Blossom Festival this Saturday. We’re singing for the Japanese ambassador, the mayor of D.C., and possibly C-SPAN.

Things I Have Noticed

I mark the passage of time in Brita water filters.

Wearing pants that are one size too big makes me feel like I’m losing weight.

I have a smile wrinkle. Just noticed it a couple weeks ago. I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad about this.

Creating stylish outfits is not as hard as I thought it was.

I attend the highest ranked school of all the summer associates at my firm. This both pleases and worries me.

Sometimes friends disappear without a reason. That makes me sad and both curious and uncurious at the same time: I’m not sure I want to know why they leave.

Some people answer their phone with a commanding “FIRST NAME LAST NAME.” “John Smith.” I answer my phone with a curious yet wary “Hullo?”

Online dating sucks, and yet morbid curiosity coupled with naivity compels me to return. I am not a masochist, really.

Katherine hasn’t updated her blog in weeks. I still love her though.

I love Elizabeth too.

And Winston and Mickey and Daisy and everyone else.

Sitting at my computer for over six hours gives me a headache.

Coffee makes me gag. I know I’m allegedly an adult and I’m supposed to drink the stuff, but blech!

Nobody comments anymore. Why not? Please comment and tell me why not.

What would happen if I e-mailed marriage proposals out to a few people? What would they say? What would I do if they said yes? It might be binding. A contracts case with a farm and alcohol and a napkin comes to mind.

I don’t think I’m going to propose to anyone for at least a few years. Yeah, good idea.

I wish I could live in Dupont Circle. I think I will.

I am a perfectionist. I edit my posts at least 5 times before I am satisfied. And the posts get longer each time. This list started out with two things!

I never liked those commercials that featured people saying “I am an American.” I always thought it sounded like “I am un-American.” What a horrible thing to say.

Good night.

Things That…

…make me Sad:

Going on a date with someone from the Internet who looks nothing like the pictures she posted.

…make me Happy:

Coming down the escalator to the Metro and finding a very reasonable “3 minutes” on the time-to-wait-until-a-train display, as opposed to a very unreasonable “16 minutes.”

…Scare me:

Going bowling with friends in the most dangerous county in Maryland, seeing gangs in the parking lot, and being refused pick-up by all the cab companies at 1 a.m.

…Are Bittersweet:

Having a wonderful phone conversation with an ex-girlfriend.