Festival AMX
Unfortunately, due to actual rain and also the threat of thundershowers, quite a number of the performers (local musicians) bailed on the Jazz Festival (because of the issue with electronics getting wet, I suppose). Of the few stalwart musicians, there were two very interesting saxophonists, and a flautist that I really enjoyed. This festival does not involve the use of formal stages, but instead, the musicians are assigned to be at various street corners out in the open and use electricity for their electronica from the nearest business. So, it is understandable that several ended up bailing out. The amount of spectator traffic was down as well (again, rain related), but I regularly run in the rain, so it didn't bother me in the slightest.
There were also a variety of food trucks at the event as well. Most of the trucks this time were of pretty standard fare.... burgers, pulled pork sandwiches.... that sort of thing. I usually like the more exotic food trucks that serve more diverse fare or "fusion" concoctions. We ended up getting the most exotic thing I could find, which wasn't particularly exotic.... but since I know the owners and like their food, we bought a couple of pumpkin empanadas. The thing about their empanadas that is especially enticing to me is that they are BAKED empanadas and are not fried. They were wonderfully tasty.
Because of the lack of as much music as usual, perhaps the best part of the festival this year for me was had while looking at the vehicles at the car show. While I enjoy looking at old vehicles of all sorts, I have to admit that I am ESPECIALLY fond of the more "quirky" vehicles produced by the long defunct, AMC (American Motors Corporation) (previously also Studebaker). This year's vehicles had FIVE different AMC cars that were absolutely beautiful. My favorite was a 1968 AMX.... I have not seen an AMX is so, so very long! So odd, so quirky.... so very "cool" (to me anyway). They also had a beautiful 1971 Gremlin, a 1975 Pacer, and my very favorite Rambler, the 1963 Hardtop (second generation)!
- I feel rather slovenly for having only ran 8 miles (~13 km) this morning. I *COULD* have done more, if only I would have rousted myself out of bed when I had planned to the evening before. But, I was too damn lazy and did not get up and on the trail until 5:30am. I am not sure why over the last few weeks I am having such a difficulty getting myself to get out of bed at the time I determine I need to be out of bed in the morning. If I would get my feet to the pavement by 4:45 am (getting up at 4:30am), I would be able to comfortably get all the miles I need.... in and completed.... and still have enough time to get ready to teach at 8:00am. I am annoyed at myself for this happening.
- I have been helping to clean out the laboratory of my friend who recently passed away.... the fellow who was in assisted living and just recently died of a heart attack. It feels melancholic to look through his work, papers and equipment.
- Pat's suggestions yesterday about the pipe tobacco I have been contemplating ordering (Peter's Pleasure).... have inched me quite a bit closer to hitting the "purchase" button. I am sure I will love and relish the pouch aroma. I think I can *probably* summon up enough gumption and fortitude to resist smoking a bowlful or two of this leaf. At least I would *like* to think that I have that sort of resolve. I am still letting the decision marinade in my mind a bit more before I "pull the trigger", so-to-speak. But, I admit that my trigger finger is *VERY* itchy.
PipeTobacco
8 Comments:
Professor, from all I have read in the literature of time management, one of the WORST things a person can do is let a proposed action stew in one's mind, undone but undetermined.
The stuff I've read suggests that, if you can't make a firm decision to order your "Peter's Pleasure", you should probably pick a realistic future date, then mark on that date on your calendar, "Decide today about Peter's Pleasure." That way, you won't waste a lot of mental energy on indecision between now and your decision date, and by the time you reach your chosen decision date you will be more likely to make a decision, either to buy, not to buy, or to set yet another future decision date.
On the other hand, if in thinking about this you realize that it is the contemplation that gives you so much of the enjoyment, that would be a powerful prod toward buying the stuff so you can contemplate it at your leisure.
As for your friend who died while in assisted living, is there any aspect of his work that you might be able to take on as a way to honor his memory? If there's an aspect of your academic specialty that touches on his, a project that overlaps your interests might serve as a nice memorial.
There is not really any indecision about wanting to purchase the pipe tobacco. I would very much like to purchase it. The hesitation concerns whether I truly believe my resolve to not smoke it is sufficient….. or if I do try a bowl or two… is my resolve strong enough to not simply fall back into the easy “smoke whenever I desire” mindset I have always had? Those two questions are the two I keep attempting to figure out.
Ah, yes, Professor; that makes sense. I'm definitely in a minority among your readers in believing that "a pipe whenever you desire" is actually one of the happier outcomes you might find. Without exception, I've noticed that when former pipe smoking friends and acquaintances go back to their pipes, they invariably come to the conclusion that they are glad to be back and that in retrospect they went through a lot of unnecessary grief while abstaining. But that's of course a very personal and individual matter, and I respect your cautious approach.
So, if you're not sure you could resist the temptation of the alluring new tobacco, but you aren't sure you can muster a definite "No!" then what I've read of time management suggests that you might do well to put off the decision to some future date of your choice. That way, you won't need to waste brain cells on "deciding" until you reach that future date.
Sir: While at the grocery store today, I saw a gentleman outside, sitting on the bench, smoking a pipe.
I haven't seen a pipe smoker in a long time and I thought of you.
It was a pleasure for me to see him.
Don't pull the trigger!!
It is always sad going through another's belongings. Things that meant so much to them mean nothing to you. I still have lots of my uncle's stuff that I don't want but hate to throw away.
Well, Professor, you've convinced me to order some Peter's Pleasure .
I thought that at least one of us should go ahead and enjoy it! I trust you'll let us know if you decide to join in as well. Best wishes to you, and congratulations on your impressive pace as a runner!
I'm off to a Jazz concert tonight. Allison is a history prof at U of R that my kids all know. Her husband Brian is the leader of the Jazz Bandits. Mondays is live Jazz at Bushwakkers Brew Pub. I am looking forward to it.
Friday nights the old cars gather at A&W and someday I hope to get there. I too love those 1950s classics. Drove a 56 Buick Special. 7 mpg in winter
i have a friend who bought an amx 45 years ago and he has been stripping it down to the frame and rebuilding it the whole time. it's a beautiful expensive car and his whole life revolves around it.
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