The Wastewater Chronicles, Part III

What does it smell like in a wastewater treatment plant? Not as bad as you might think. A powerful chemical-detergent smell pervades, masking something the nose can’t quite identify.

These “climber screens” are the first line of defense, where things like rags and sticks are taken out.

Once […]

Share
February 6th, 2008 | Category: Environment, Running, Surfing, Travel | Leave a comment

Run, Obama, Run!

I walked into the gym today to see the same-o same-o, Michael doing flyes and Betsy doing deadlifts, and oh my god, that guy on the treadmill is Barack Obama.

I put down my bag and immediately got on the neighboring elliptical trainer. Elliptical trainers are kind of dumb, but with the most inspiring presidential […]

Share
November 14th, 2007 | Category: Running | 4 comments

Trashing the Ocean

image source: www.hopeforgaia.com

At least one morning every week I run around Strawberry Point in Mill Valley, but on Monday the view of the San Francisco skyline across the Bay was marred by a spread of McDonald’s trash on the ground next to a garbage can. It was being dined on by an […]

Share
November 1st, 2007 | Category: Environment, Garbage Patch, Running | 3 comments

The Art of Making Excuses

I am barely three minutes into the famous Dipsea footrace and though my lungs are heaving and my quads are burning, my mind is sharp as cutlery, having already drawn up and finalized a list of five reasons to explain why this race will end in miserable failure.

Photo Credit: dipsea.org

I have […]

Share
June 13th, 2007 | Category: Running | One comment

Sluggish in Seattle

My girlfriend Anjali makes no secret of her desire to move with me to Seattle one day. This weekend we made a quick visit. While staying at her friend’s place in North Ballard I took an evening run down to Puget Sound, to see what I could glean about this place.

I plodded like a […]

Share
April 23rd, 2007 | Category: Running, Travels | One comment

To Chase a Thief

Sometimes I fantasize about chasing a thief the way they do on TV. Would I really land him with a flying tackle, like I imagine? Would innocent bystanders turn as I shouted “Stop that man!”? Or would I chicken out and do nothing?

Photo Credit: bajan.wordpress.com

On Monday it actually happened, and I […]

Share
March 14th, 2007 | Category: Running | Leave a comment