Eight Days A Week

 My title is a foggy misnomer if ever I heard one.  Time seems to ebb and flow at odd paces in my mind.  I could have sworn it was a week ago Monday (hence eight days) when I ran through the thunderstorm weather.  But, looking in my writings.... it was only FIVE days ago.... last Thursday!

Well, my intially thinking about it being eight days ago had me think of the Beatles song by the name of the title of this entry.  Not my favorite Beatles song by any means.... but it is/was in my head now because of the incorrect 8 day association with running in thunderstormy weather.  

Which then (of course.... hah!) led me to think about Beatles songs in general and which ones are my favorites.  My favorites, though, are not the "usual" favorites you hear all the time.  My favorites tend to get considerably less air time than what most folks like:

Tomorrow Never Knows - easily one of the most interesting/intriguing of their songs to me.

Taxman

I Am the Walrus

Obviously, there are more "popular" songs, but the above three are the ones I find the most interesting to listen to.  And, of course the Beatles are considered beyond measure by most folks.... but there are a lot of works by others I appreciate as much or more than the Beatles (think early Chicago, CSN (&Y), Jethro Tull and others).  

So... why this foray into the Beatles?  Well, it all goes back to the "eight days"..... I thought it was eight days ago I ran in the heavy rain..... and I thought this while I was running early this morning in another VERY HEAVY rain.  Strangely, I felt no aggravation about the heavy rain this morning, like I did the prior time.  I think I was just simply ACCEPTING that it was what I needed to do in order to get the miles in.  There was no way I could get enough miles in and get to the U on time for class if I didn't run in the downpour.   So.... I just stomped them out.

However, at about mile 4 (~kilometer 6.5) of the 8 miles (~13 km) I ran, an explosive, gunshot intensive sound erupted and the sky above me briefly brightened to an almost dawn brightness.  It was a huge, upper atmosphere burst of lightning high up in the sky.  It caused considerable rumbling for a while afterwards too.  It was interesting.  There was not a whole helluva lot I could do about it either, being about four miles (~6.5 km) from home.  So, I just kept my pace going, and kept on using the headlight on my hat  to illuminate the path enough to keep me from slipping. Even though it was ~74 degrees (~23 C), by the time I returned home I was rather chilly.... from being sopping wet the whole time.  Fortunately, the upper atmosphere crashing thunderous noise from the lightning was a one-time only occurrence this morning.   

* * * * * 

I have to say, I am extremely curious about the upcoming Presidential Debate this Thursday.  Having the microphones turned off unless it is the candidate's turn to speak will definitely help Biden and will hinder Trump.  The lack of an audience will definitely hurt Trump, but I think it will be a neutral thing for Biden (IMO he would be fine with or without an audience).  I hope Biden does not attempt to adopt a "tough guy" demeanor as some are suggesting he should..... I think it would simply not work, and would have him look silly..... "tough guy" is not his persona. I cannot imagine what chaos Trump will accomplish given the restrictions he has agreed to.... but I am sure he will do SOMETHING.  That "chaos" aspect is what I believe his base lives for.... and it invigorates his base..... so I know Trump will do SOMETHING.  I think it will be a carnival and/or circus on Thursday.

* * * * * 

I have been watching the US Olympic Trials and it has invigorated my excitement about the Summer Olympics.  If the televisors of the Olympics adopt the same strategy as they are using at the trials.... it will be a much more watchable, "old-school" style of televising the event..... which I am hoping VERY MUCH for it to be.  I used to faithfully watch the Olympics because it was exciting and was televised well in a way that fostered excitement for the competitors.  But, sometimes, depending upon the broadcast company, they instead of focusing on the sports and the competition.... they instead try to dramatize everything into "us-vs-them" drama.  The last Summer Olympics seemed unwatchable to me because of this lack of attention to the actual competitions, IMO.  

* * * * * 

I only have a minute before heading back to class.  I have been gripping the stem of one of my pipes as I type because I wanted to loosen my jaws, and I forgot a bite splint this morning.  Gripping the stem has relaxed the tense jaw muscles quite a bit.  

PipeTobacco