Run Run Away

Question:

Highway projects are considered in the "public interest" and it’s more or less considered a goverment function to encourage such. Alaska has powerful senators and you’d be surprised the back rubbing that goes on. no I wouldn’t be surprised.  (I had a much longer response, but decided this is somewhat off topic, would be farther off topic and reveal some state secrets, and didn’t want to take up bandwidth.)

Likely little of those secrets would surprise me, either. off topic, yes. One of the drawbacks of the way this state was created, is that there is very little private land=tax base. There’s federal and state lands, native lands (which are private, but not available to the general public), borough (county) lands, some cities, and a little left for John Doe. Well wilderness suits me fine, but it’s nice to have a parcel to call one’s own. Unfortunately, the public lands don’t remain wilderness.

Theoretically they do if so designated by an Act. But you do have to watch them… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -That’s what’s happening up north right now. There’s a continuum between well-managed lands and poorly manged lands, between private and public, and there’s all combinations in between. I’d rather have well managed private lands (subject to the dollar, but perhaps subject to benevolence and desire to leave a natural legacy perhaps based on mgmt based on scientific results, but not subject to elections) than poorly managed public lands (subject to political winds in some cases and definitely subject to public outcry, whether it makes biological sense or not). One of the drawbacks of little private land is that there’s nothing for people to take pride of ownership in. Yeah, I know I’m a little overly optimistic on the one hand and somewhat pessimistic on the other, but heck, I’ve been dealing with companies and state and private agencies on public lands for 22 years up here. I hung out in Loveland then. We was neighbors… Gosh, and you didn’t come say Hi ?

Not that I never drove the 13 to F.C. but I just didn’t know your place of abode I was busy taking care of my emphysema stricken grandfather, who died of lung cancer. He picked a cemetery up there next to a drive-in. Sense of humor to the last – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Believe me, I’m been trying to think if there’s some alternatives to where I am now. But running in trailless tundra is NOT fun. Spcially not if a grizz sees you. Really. OTOH that could solve the problem permanently (sorry, bad joke). Just make sure you got 2 extra cans of bear spray and a radio. When working, I carry something more substantial than bear spray Not all the places I work have radios – only one reliably. When running, I try to avoid high bear areas. This is a reason I’ve discovered to do events – lots of other runners around in bear country, reducing potential hazard slightly. Well, sounds like you were in CO when we voted down the Olympics. I think that happened just before I got there. We did have the International Winter Special Olympics up here about 1.5 years ago, which was the largest athletic event here. I didn’t get to it, but it’s great when there’s an event where everyone wins.

Good event for all those special kids and runners.

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And if you would have gotten out of your car, chances are, with the injuries you would have received, I wouldn’t have had to trudge through this "I held up traffic, and then went jogging" epic of yours.  Oh well, maybe next time.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Developers, Chamber of commerce interests, investors, and lots of federal money (Hiway Administration.) I’ve suspected the feds, but they usually require some matching, although maybe the matching is more on the order of 1-5% compared with 50% or more. Since I’ve been up here (22 yrs), it seems like most developers are looking to the state for a handout or loan to get started, so I don’t see them or the chamber or investors providing much – occasionally, yes. What I meant was developers – business interests – chambers – lobbying – feds. There’s usually a connection.

got it. Highway projects are considered in the "public interest" and it’s more or less considered a goverment function to encourage such. Alaska has powerful senators and you’d be surprised the back rubbing that goes on.

no I wouldn’t be surprised.  (I had a much longer response, but decided this is somewhat off topic, would be farther off topic and reveal some state secrets, and didn’t want to take up bandwidth.) One of the drawbacks of the way this state was created, is that there is very little private land=tax base. There’s federal and state lands, native lands (which are private, but not available to the general public), borough (county) lands, some cities, and a little left for John Doe. Well wilderness suits me fine, but it’s nice to have a parcel to call one’s own.

Unfortunately, the public lands don’t remain wilderness. That’s what’s happening up north right now. There’s a continuum between well-managed lands and poorly manged lands, between private and public, and there’s all combinations in between. I’d rather have well managed private lands (subject to the dollar, but perhaps subject to benevolence and desire to leave a natural legacy perhaps based on mgmt based on scientific results, but not subject to elections) than poorly managed public lands (subject to political winds in some cases and definitely subject to public outcry, whether it makes biological sense or not). One of the drawbacks of little private land is that there’s nothing for people to take pride of ownership in. Yeah, I know I’m a little overly optimistic on the one hand and somewhat pessimistic on the other, but heck, I’ve been dealing with companies and state and private agencies on public lands for 22 years up here. I hung out in Loveland then. We was neighbors…

Gosh, and you didn’t come say Hi ? Believe me, I’m been trying to think if there’s some alternatives to where I am now. But running in trailless tundra is NOT fun. Spcially not if a grizz sees you. Really. OTOH that could solve the problem permanently (sorry, bad joke). Just make sure you got 2 extra cans of bear spray and a radio.

When working, I carry something more substantial than bear spray Not all the places I work have radios – only one reliably. When running, I try to avoid high bear areas. This is a reason I’ve discovered to do events – lots of other runners around in bear country, reducing potential hazard slightly. Well, sounds like you were in CO when we voted down the Olympics.

I think that happened just before I got there. We did have the International Winter Special Olympics up here about 1.5 years ago, which was the largest athletic event here. I didn’t get to it, but it’s great when there’s an event where everyone wins. Dot

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Developers, Chamber of commerce interests, investors, and lots of federal money (Hiway Administration.) I’ve suspected the feds, but they usually require some matching, although maybe the matching is more on the order of 1-5% compared with 50% or more. Since I’ve been up here (22 yrs), it seems like most developers are looking to the state for a handout or loan to get started, so I don’t see them or the chamber or investors providing much – occasionally, yes.

What I meant was developers – business interests – chambers – lobbying – feds. There’s usually a connection. Highway projects are considered in the "public interest" and it’s more or less considered a goverment function to encourage such. Alaska has powerful senators and you’d be surprised the back rubbing that goes on. Plus I’m sure Stevens and Murkowski enjoy paving the state Down here the Forest Service wanted to pave Guanella Pass. Very steep, narrow, scenic, historic gravel. Enviros and locals said no: paving the road (only road between I-70 and US 285) would bring too much traffic and disrupt the historic nature of towns like Georgetown; just improve the gravel instead. FS lost but now the federal highway administration is trying to pave it. It’s all about political clout and $$$   A paved road brings more tourists and people can be charged for driving a fed road. One of the drawbacks of the way this state was created, is that there is very little private land=tax base. There’s federal and state lands, native lands (which are private, but not available to the general public), borough (county) lands, some cities, and a little left for John Doe.

Well wilderness suits me fine, but it’s nice to have a parcel to call one’s own. Don’t believe in property taxes, though — except for commercial. Just the libertarian part of me It’s progress, don’t ya know? All for *future* money making opportunites. CO is the poster child for that. They’ve been raping the state so long it I can’t tell the difference anymore. When I moved to Fort collins in 1975, I had full intentions of living in the state or nearby after school. It grew so much in 5 yrs, I was happier leaving there than the east coast.

I hung out in Loveland then. We was neighbors… Believe me, I’m been trying to think if there’s some alternatives to where I am now. But running in trailless tundra is NOT fun. Spcially not if a grizz sees you. Really. OTOH that could solve the problem permanently (sorry, bad joke).

Just make sure you got 2 extra cans of bear spray and a radio. True, along with fewer tourists and bears. Winter is a more peaceful season up here. A few ski areas will fix that Yea, we were lucky here when Lillehammer got the Olympics instead of Anchorage One of the venues would have been out this direction, and people were not happy.

Well, sounds like you were in CO when we voted down the Olympics. So you know smeone gets a lot out of it but it ain’t the states and local commuities. They *pay*. Anchorage has a few small areas and one destination resort is SE of the city – an hour on the other side from where I am. That’s where the World Mountain Running Trophy race will be next fall. I’ve gotten the impression that some of these events require more than just start and finish lines with a challenging trail in between.

Again, about money. Companies get all kinds of advertising fringe benefits from such. An aquaintence of mine is a rather well known european gear review and outdoor writer. They pay his way to all sorts of such events just to get good product reviews. The Japanese had been trying to open something out our way, but then their economy went bust (other circumstances keep saving us).

They own Steamboat. I think they’re getting us back for Hiroshima. Commercialization of the sled dog racing, esp. the Iditarod and the Fur Rondy (world champsionship sprint) races may be a larger issue for bringing people in. Anchorage chamber is trying to promote winter tourism.

See…money.

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After my field season this year, between the paving on the haul road and all the local asphalt additions (including access to my favorite running trails), I really feel like the state is being raped. Heck, I felt raped. What’s interesting, I’m not sure where the money is coming from since the state is operating at a deficit, I think. Developers, Chamber of commerce interests, investors, and lots of federal money (Hiway Administration.)

I’ve suspected the feds, but they usually require some matching, although maybe the matching is more on the order of 1-5% compared with 50% or more. Since I’ve been up here (22 yrs), it seems like most developers are looking to the state for a handout or loan to get started, so I don’t see them or the chamber or investors providing much – occasionally, yes. One of the drawbacks of the way this state was created, is that there is very little private land=tax base. There’s federal and state lands, native lands (which are private, but not available to the general public), borough (county) lands, some cities, and a little left for John Doe. It’s progress, don’t ya know? All for *future* money making opportunites. CO is the poster child for that. They’ve been raping the state so long it I can’t tell the difference anymore.

When I moved to Fort collins in 1975, I had full intentions of living in the state or nearby after school. It grew so much in 5 yrs, I was happier leaving there than the east coast. Believe me, I’m been trying to think if there’s some alternatives to where I am now. But running in trailless tundra is NOT fun. Spcially not if a grizz sees you.

Really. OTOH that could solve the problem permanently (sorry, bad joke). True, along with fewer tourists and bears. Winter is a more peaceful season up here. A few ski areas will fix that

Yea, we were lucky here when Lillehammer got the Olympics instead of Anchorage One of the venues would have been out this direction, and people were not happy. Anchorage has a few small areas and one destination resort is SE of the city – an hour on the other side from where I am. That’s where the World Mountain Running Trophy race will be next fall. I’ve gotten the impression that some of these events require more than just start and finish lines with a challenging trail in between. The Japanese had been trying to open something out our way, but then their economy went bust (other circumstances keep saving us). Commercialization of the sled dog racing, esp. the Iditarod and the Fur Rondy (world champsionship sprint) races may be a larger issue for bringing people in. Anchorage chamber is trying to promote winter tourism. Dot

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We have RR, gangs, drug dealers, the whole shootin’ match (pun intended). When I was first up here, the standing joke used to be that the best thing about Anchorage was that it was so close to Alaska. With the expanding population, 4-lane to Anchorage, what was originally a farming community (with its fair share of government agencies) has become more of a bedroom community for Anchorage. I think the joke needs to be revised to include the valley area as well as Anchorage. Fortunately, I don’t have to go to Anchorage too often, except for meetings, running shoes, and occasional running events. Unfortunately, I was never up here before the pipeline like Doug was. I think more of the new inhabitants, much like the salmon, have been swimming upstream through the pipe line. I would imagine I would be shocked to see Fairbanks and even Delta Junction today post pipeline. DJ was in intersection with one restaurant/bar if I remember correctly.

See my reply to Tom for starters. I haven’t been to DJ since mid-80s and haven’t been up that route in a long time. I’ve been wanting to go the "long" way to Fbks for awhile just to see if that route is being degraded as much as the Parks Hwy. The Glenn Hwy between here and Tok isn’t too bad yet and is still surprisingly nice even though it was repaved and straightened a few years ago – which admittedly makes the scenery more visible. It’s interesting that many people consider tourism to be an environmentally friendly industry. Yet, since they are largely unregulated compared to mineral and oil industry, they are responsible for much more degradation. The biggest eye sore in the state, IMHO, is Glitter Gulch just outside Denali NP. A mine company would be denied a permit or fined for that kind of cr*p. The cruise ships are coming under a lot of fire for their waste disposal. (Yes, some of my work is with the mineral industry, but cracked building foundations because of land movement beneath them has nothing to do with what I do. And at least the mineral industry re-establishes vegetation communities when they are done so you can’t tell where they’ve been, rather than being an eternal eyesore. Most people here would rather have a mine than a ski area – because mine’s go away, ski areas theoretically are more or less permanent) With the decline in the oil fields, many workers are going back whence they came. Although some have liked Alaska as a place to live enough, that they are staying and changing jobs. With the stock market decline, that is affecting the permanent fund dividend and potentially lost or substantially reduced in the future. Perhaps that will reduce the influx or limit it to people who are coming for Alaskan qualities rather than a handout. A bar is always needed even in the boondocks.

make that plural up here Dot sorry for the rant, BUT this asphalt issue has gotten out of hand and this is a running related issue

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Most Alaskans are from elsewhere also, frequently following the same pathway I did. In the last decade, we’ve had an influx from orange county (LA). Their politics suck as well as their driving We’ve had many welfare recipients from Calif. Unfortunately, our welfare payments at one time substantially exceeded that of most states so people were migrating here for that reason. But our limited mass transit system only exists in the city, and even that is of minimal use. So the people had no way to get to jobs. Needless to say, that was a stark contrast with the philosophy of people that originally settled the area. (and even historically there’s some exceptions to that)

Well of course our’s are rapidly upward mobile techie yuppies who drive BMW’s and SUV’s … parts of the AlCan were a dirt track when my brother in law drove it in a volkswagon in the 70’s. I came up in 1980. Mile 101 to the Alaska border, except for Whitehorse vicinity was dirt/gravel, which is easier to maintain than a poorly laid asphalt because of permafrost and frost-heaving. When you hit the Alaska border, you had to slow down because the pavement was so bad.

Still is, I hear. Of course, so was Vail Pass in the 40’s. Now it’s a strip mall along I-70. When I want to see Vail, I just go to Denver cause they look the same. Something to look forward to up there… I think I was last in Vail in about 1971, before I went back to school in Fort Collins. It was still pretty much a ski village – a very expensive ski village – at that time.

Still expensive. No one who works there can afford to live there. It’s funny to see the rich folks at the local Wal-Mart. I believe the Alcan is paved the whole way now – or being repaved or reconstructed. BUT they have now paved a large portion of the haul road (Dalton Highway) to Prudhoe with most of the rest to be paved this next summer, or at least that’s my understanding. Coldfoot was a small town with airstrip, gas station, Atco trailor style motel, federal agency cabins, and maybe a few other buildings. They are now building a visitor center with a 100-seat capacity. Can you say tour bus city? After my field season this year, between the paving on the haul road and all the local asphalt additions (including access to my favorite running trails), I really feel like the state is being raped. Heck, I felt raped. What’s interesting, I’m not sure where the money is coming from since the state is operating at a deficit, I think.

Developers, Chamber of commerce interests, investors, and lots of federal money (Hiway Administration.) It’s progress, don’t ya know? All for *future* money making opportunites. CO is the poster child for that. They’ve been raping the state so long it I can’t tell the difference anymore. Believe me, I’m been trying to think if there’s some alternatives to where I am now. But running in trailless tundra is NOT fun.

Spcially not if a grizz sees you. The bright side of population growth is that we are getting more trails and bike paths. While Colorado is relatively easy to walk areas without trails, it’s really tough up here with the dense vegetation, bogs, etc. That’s why many things are done in winter, when the bogs and rivers are frozen and snow covered. fewer mosquitos. True, along with fewer tourists and bears. Winter is a more peaceful season up here.

A few ski areas will fix that

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Most Alaskans are from elsewhere also, frequently following the same pathway I did. In the last decade, we’ve had an influx from orange county (LA). Their politics suck as well as their driving

We’ve had many welfare recipients from Calif. Unfortunately, our welfare payments at one time substantially exceeded that of most states so people were migrating here for that reason. But our limited mass transit system only exists in the city, and even that is of minimal use. So the people had no way to get to jobs. Needless to say, that was a stark contrast with the philosophy of people that originally settled the area. (and even historically there’s some exceptions to that) parts of the AlCan were a dirt track when my brother in law drove it in a volkswagon in the 70’s.

I came up in 1980. Mile 101 to the Alaska border, except for Whitehorse vicinity was dirt/gravel, which is easier to maintain than a poorly laid asphalt because of permafrost and frost-heaving. When you hit the Alaska border, you had to slow down because the pavement was so bad. Of course, so was Vail Pass in the 40’s. Now it’s a strip mall along I-70. When I want to see Vail, I just go to Denver cause they look the same. Something to look forward to up there…

I think I was last in Vail in about 1971, before I went back to school in Fort Collins. It was still pretty much a ski village – a very expensive ski village – at that time. I believe the Alcan is paved the whole way now – or being repaved or reconstructed. BUT they have now paved a large portion of the haul road (Dalton Highway) to Prudhoe with most of the rest to be paved this next summer, or at least that’s my understanding. Coldfoot was a small town with airstrip, gas station, Atco trailor style motel, federal agency cabins, and maybe a few other buildings. They are now building a visitor center with a 100-seat capacity. Can you say tour bus city? After my field season this year, between the paving on the haul road and all the local asphalt additions (including access to my favorite running trails), I really feel like the state is being raped. Heck, I felt raped. What’s interesting, I’m not sure where the money is coming from since the state is operating at a deficit, I think. Believe me, I’m been trying to think if there’s some alternatives to where I am now. But running in trailless tundra is NOT fun. The bright side of population growth is that we are getting more trails and bike paths. While Colorado is relatively easy to walk areas without trails, it’s really tough up here with the dense vegetation, bogs, etc. That’s why many things are done in winter, when the bogs and rivers are frozen and snow covered. fewer mosquitos.

True, along with fewer tourists and bears. Winter is a more peaceful season up here. Dot

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We have RR, gangs, drug dealers, the whole shootin’ match (pun intended). When I was first up here, the standing joke used to be that the best thing about Anchorage was that it was so close to Alaska. With the expanding population, 4-lane to Anchorage, what was originally a farming community (with its fair share of government agencies) has become more of a bedroom community for Anchorage. I think the joke needs to be revised to include the valley area as well as Anchorage. Fortunately, I don’t have to go to Anchorage too often, except for meetings, running shoes, and occasional running events. Unfortunately, I was never up here before the pipeline like Doug was.

I think more of the new inhabitants, much like the salmon, have been swimming upstream through the pipe line. I would imagine I would be shocked to see Fairbanks and even Delta Junction today post pipeline. DJ was in intersection with one restaurant/bar if I remember correctly. A bar is always needed even in the boondocks.   — Caveat Lector "the further you go outside, the further you go inside" – B. McKibben Doug Freese

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Most Alaskans are from elsewhere also, frequently following the same pathway I did.

In the last decade, we’ve had an influx from orange county (LA). Their politics suck as well as their driving – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll bet Alaska has it’s share… Most definitely, and we get another fair share from the states during summer – attempting to drive RV’s that are as big as tour buses, not to mention the tour buses themselves. Sometimes I feel like we’re a colony. One thing we look forward to in winter – no tourists, bears, or bugs – and usually less rain (hopefully it comes as snow, but it’s not unusual to get rain in Jan). We have RR, gangs, drug dealers, the whole shootin’ match (pun intended). When I was first up here, the standing joke used to be that the best thing about Anchorage was that it was so close to Alaska. With the expanding population, 4-lane to Anchorage, what was originally a farming community (with its fair share of government agencies) has become more of a bedroom community for Anchorage. I think the joke needs to be revised to include the valley area as well as Anchorage. Fortunately, I don’t have to go to Anchorage too often, except for meetings, running shoes, and occasional running events. Unfortunately, I was never up here before the pipeline like Doug was.

parts of the AlCan were a dirt track when my brother in law drove it in a volkswagon in the 70’s. Of course, so was Vail Pass in the 40’s. Now it’s a strip mall along I-70. When I want to see Vail, I just go to Denver cause they look the same. Something to look forward to up there… The bright side of population growth is that we are getting more trails and bike paths. While Colorado is relatively easy to walk areas without trails, it’s really tough up here with the dense vegetation, bogs, etc. That’s why many things are done in winter, when the bogs and rivers are frozen and snow covered.

fewer mosquitos. Tom Phillips

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What kills me too is I when I am in a line of cars and the person behindme is riding my ass.  Like riding my ass is going to make me and everyone in front of me go faster.  We are already going as fast as we can.  I can’t go any faster because there is a car in front of me.  That is so silly.  They need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Probably the problem — to much coffee.

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there are Just Too Many People.  More & more often am starting to think about planning my escape! that’s what drove me from mid-Atlantic states to Colorado to Alaska and change of career

Lot’s of RR in CO; I don’t think it’s geographically limited today. Here most people are newcomers from somewhere else who bring their sucky driving habits with them. I’ve had several incidents of the type described. It is illegal here. I’ll bet Alaska has it’s share… Tom Phillips

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There are far too many crackerjack drivers to worry about it.  Just ignore them and enjoy the drive. NB:  crackerjack drive – someone who got his/her driver’s license out of a box of crackerjack.

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there are Just Too Many People.  More & more often am starting to think about planning my escape! that’s what drove me from mid-Atlantic states to Colorado to Alaska and change of career Lot’s of RR in CO; I don’t think it’s geographically limited today. Here most people are newcomers from somewhere else who bring their sucky driving habits with them. I’ve had several incidents of the type described. It is illegal here.

Most Alaskans are from elsewhere also, frequently following the same pathway I did. I’ll bet Alaska has it’s share…

Most definitely, and we get another fair share from the states during summer – attempting to drive RV’s that are as big as tour buses, not to mention the tour buses themselves. Sometimes I feel like we’re a colony. One thing we look forward to in winter – no tourists, bears, or bugs – and usually less rain (hopefully it comes as snow, but it’s not unusual to get rain in Jan). We have RR, gangs, drug dealers, the whole shootin’ match (pun intended). When I was first up here, the standing joke used to be that the best thing about Anchorage was that it was so close to Alaska. With the expanding population, 4-lane to Anchorage, what was originally a farming community (with its fair share of government agencies) has become more of a bedroom community for Anchorage. I think the joke needs to be revised to include the valley area as well as Anchorage. Fortunately, I don’t have to go to Anchorage too often, except for meetings, running shoes, and occasional running events. Unfortunately, I was never up here before the pipeline like Doug was. The bright side of population growth is that we are getting more trails and bike paths. While Colorado is relatively easy to walk areas without trails, it’s really tough up here with the dense vegetation, bogs, etc. That’s why many things are done in winter, when the bogs and rivers are frozen and snow covered. Dot

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there are Just Too Many People.  More & more often am starting to think about planning my escape!

that’s what drove me from mid-Atlantic states to Colorado to Alaska and change of career   Dot

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You know, I’ve always wished I had that presence of mind to do what you did.  I would have also wished that I had a wheel ‘boot’ handy and while she was venting, clamp it on her near side wheel and make my getaway.  You know you could have had it on there before she even figured out what you were doing.  All you would have had to say was, "Just a second Ma’am looks like something wrong over here!" What does this incredibly bright woman do but hop out of the Land Rover and begin yelling at me to "get out of your car, you ‘ho" (this being the ghetto & all).  Yeah, like I’m gonna do that.

Just think how fast you would have trotted that course if she had been following you in her import…  Now if you could figure out a way to get a rush like that before the next race. But just consider how the rest of that unfortunate woman’s day was going to be if this was the start of it.  And the stories she was probably telling about you  :^) Had something similar to that happen to me, but the gent left his keys in the ignition when he got out.  30 seconds later (after the automatic security lock engaged)  he was still standing there trying to figure out how he was going to get back into the car as I drove off.

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Your post hits an underling ailment in this here US of A. We all need to work, unless of course we are in that tiny minority of the wealthy. But if I asked most people if they would give their lives for the job… I know they would not. Each morning, up here in the Boston area, I see the dice thrown. A lot of people are taking that chance… getting to work or their lives. Stupidity thrives.. not only "road rage"  but the cell phone has made it damn dangerous. Len

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Cam<<PR all you want, but be careful…. and in the ghetto!? I live in the SF Bay Area, in a better part of one of the crappiest towns here (all together now, "affordable housing"!)  I don’t think they’ve tied the annual Murder Per Capita record yet, but are well on their way; only saving grace is that they mostly seem to just kill each other. I do really like it here – weather, cultural opportunities, etc., but there are Just Too Many People.  More & more often am starting to think about planning my escape!

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[[ This message was both posted and mailed: see    the "To," "Cc," and "Newsgroups" headers for details. ]] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nothing like a little road rage to light a fire under your feet! On my drive to the park where I run this morning, a woman in a Land Rover tailgated & then passed me, blowing her horn loud & long (I was only daring to drive 10 mph *over* the limit in a residential neighborhood).  When I caught up to her at the red light, I (of course!) honked my little Honda horn at her. What does this incredibly bright woman do but hop out of the Land Rover and begin yelling at me to "get out of your car, you ‘ho" (this being the ghetto & all).  Yeah, like I’m gonna do that.  (This *being* the ghetto, though, you’d think she’d know better – the next person she tries that with very well might shoot her dead in self defense.) Anyway, point being, when I got to the park I was still quite pumped up and knocked off the first mile without a thought as to effort, and on the second mile tied my PR – not a fast PR, but it’s *mine*!  :-)  Yea! (Meanwhile, she was obviously rushing off to work to make her Land Rover payment, while I got to go for a nice run on a beautiful morning – first sunny one this week.) But people just amaze me sometimes…. Ozzie, There is one post of yours I’d like to see again.  It was that post that told the story of where "Empty boat" came from. I use that phrase more than ever lately.  It seems to help quite a bit. Thanks,    Roger

[1995 REPOST] EMPTY BOAT Concept  Author:    John Kessel                                           Forums:    rec.sport.volleyball This is a repost of what I put up over 3 years ago. I just did a CAP coaches clinic here at the Olympic Training Center that brought back this topic in one discussion. Seemed like a good one to bring back and share, since more are now online. Empty Boat Story from Sports Psych – Author:    John Kessel Forums:    rec.sport.volleyball To all in RSV, since not all subscribe to the Exercise and Sports Psychology listserv, I am sending along a post from this group that I feel all in Volleyball, and beyond the court and gym walls, would find value in.  I know that the two words, empty boat, are going to be part of my way to cope with the craziness that is growing as the sport grows. I would be interested in hearing what book you have carried with you on your travels and journeys over the years.  The book which continues to refresh, renew, re-create and brings you back to being and gives you the perspective that you forget in the busy-ness of doing.  A kind of "This is because that is."

Over the past 25 years I have taken "The Way of Chuang Tzu" by Thomas Merton with me on nearly every one of my travels, vacations, journeys.  It allows me to reflect and quiet my own busy-ness.  More recently it has had as companions the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh. I’d like to share  one of Chuang Tzu’s pictures which I posted on rec.running in response to a person who was upset about drivers and bikers and others who invaded their space.  I have found it a nice story to tell athletes who need to focus and project their problem of focus onto those around them. THE EMPTY BOAT from The Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton, 1965 New Direction Publishing Corporation If a man is crossing a river And an empty boat collides with his own skiff, Even though he be a bad-tempered man He will not become very angry. But if he sees a man in the boat, He will shout at him to steer clear. If the shout is not heard, he will shout again, And yet again, and begin cursing. And all because there is somebody in the boat. Yet if the boat were empty, He would not be shouting and not angry. If you can empty your own boat Crossing the river of the world, No one will oppose you, No one will seek to harm you…. When I am confronted by reckless drivers, speeding skaters or bikers, I simply avoid them and say to myself, "Empty boat." Over the years, those two words have saved me from feeding anger, aggression and violence-both mine and theirs.

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What kills me too is I when I am in a line of cars and the person behind me is riding my ass.  Like riding my ass is going to make me and everyone in front of me go faster.  We are already going as fast as we can.  I can’t go any faster because there is a car in front of me.  That is so silly.  They need to wake up and smell the coffee.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nothing like a little road rage to light a fire under your feet! On my drive to the park where I run this morning, a woman in a Land Rover tailgated & then passed me, blowing her horn loud & long (I was only daring to drive 10 mph *over* the limit in a residential neighborhood).  When I caught up to her at the red light, I (of course!) honked my little Honda horn at her. What does this incredibly bright woman do but hop out of the Land Rover and begin yelling at me to "get out of your car, you ‘ho" (this being the ghetto & all).  Yeah, like I’m gonna do that.  (This *being* the ghetto, though, you’d think she’d know better – the next person she tries that with very well might shoot her dead in self defense.) Anyway, point being, when I got to the park I was still quite pumped up and knocked off the first mile without a thought as to effort, and on the second mile tied my PR – not a fast PR, but it’s *mine*!  :-)  Yea! (Meanwhile, she was obviously rushing off to work to make her Land Rover payment, while I got to go for a nice run on a beautiful morning – first sunny one this week.) But people just amaze me sometimes….

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nothing like a little road rage to light a fire under your feet! On my drive to the park where I run this morning, a woman in a Land Rover tailgated & then passed me, blowing her horn loud & long (I was only daring to drive 10 mph *over* the limit in a residential neighborhood).  When I caught up to her at the red light, I (of course!) honked my little Honda horn at her. What does this incredibly bright woman do but hop out of the Land Rover and begin yelling at me to "get out of your car, you ‘ho" (this being the ghetto & all).  Yeah, like I’m gonna do that.  (This *being* the ghetto, though, you’d think she’d know better – the next person she tries that with very well might shoot her dead in self defense.) Anyway, point being, when I got to the park I was still quite pumped up and knocked off the first mile without a thought as to effort, and on the second mile tied my PR – not a fast PR, but it’s *mine*!  :-)  Yea! (Meanwhile, she was obviously rushing off to work to make her Land Rover payment, while I got to go for a nice run on a beautiful morning – first sunny one this week.) But people just amaze me sometimes….

i’ve had a couple of scary encounters with road ragers, so i just let ‘em pass or whatever and keep to myself. no honking or bird-flipping here. you never know who’s had a bowl of cornflakes and wiz that morning. they could be packing heat, or have forearms the size of your thighs! PR all you want, but be careful…. and in the ghetto!? Cam

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Why do you think they call them SUV’s.  "Schmuck Utility Vehicles"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nothing like a little road rage to light a fire under your feet! On my drive to the park where I run this morning, a woman in a Land Rover tailgated & then passed me, blowing her horn loud & long (I was only daring to drive 10 mph *over* the limit in a residential neighborhood).  When I caught up to her at the red light, I (of course!) honked my little Honda horn at her. What does this incredibly bright woman do but hop out of the Land Rover and begin yelling at me to "get out of your car, you ‘ho" (this being the ghetto & all).  Yeah, like I’m gonna do that.  (This *being* the ghetto, though, you’d think she’d know better – the next person she tries that with very well might shoot her dead in self defense.) Anyway, point being, when I got to the park I was still quite pumped up and knocked off the first mile without a thought as to effort, and on the second mile tied my PR – not a fast PR, but it’s *mine*!  :-)  Yea! (Meanwhile, she was obviously rushing off to work to make her Land Rover payment, while I got to go for a nice run on a beautiful morning – first sunny one this week.) But people just amaze me sometimes….

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Hi Karellen, That’s excellent! I hope that I can handle a situation like that as well as you did! It seems that my running times have plateaued in the last couple of weeks. Perhaps I should drive in more congested areas! Good work – what a great way to deal with a nincompoop! Richard

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nothing like a little road rage to light a fire under your feet! On my drive to the park where I run this morning, a woman in a Land Rover tailgated & then passed me, blowing her horn loud & long (I was only daring to drive 10 mph *over* the limit in a residential neighborhood).  When I caught up to her at the red light, I (of course!) honked my little Honda horn at her. What does this incredibly bright woman do but hop out of the Land Rover and begin yelling at me to "get out of your car, you ‘ho" (this being the ghetto & all).  Yeah, like I’m gonna do that.  (This *being* the ghetto, though, you’d think she’d know better – the next person she tries that with very well might shoot her dead in self defense.)

I know what you mean.  I was going to work the other day and I’ve got some geezer going 10 under in front of me and some dufus in an SUV riding my tail behind me honking and flipping the bird. Anyway, point being, when I got to the park I was still quite pumped up and knocked off the first mile without a thought as to effort, and on the second mile tied my PR – not a fast PR, but it’s *mine*!  :-)  Yea!

Some of my fastest runs have come when I was blowing off steam. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But people just amaze me sometimes….

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Nothing like a little road rage to light a fire under your feet! On my drive to the park where I run this morning, a woman in a Land Rover tailgated & then passed me, blowing her horn loud & long (I was only daring to drive 10 mph *over* the limit in a residential neighborhood).  When I caught up to her at the red light, I (of course!) honked my little Honda horn at her. What does this incredibly bright woman do but hop out of the Land Rover and begin yelling at me to "get out of your car, you ‘ho" (this being the ghetto & all).  Yeah, like I’m gonna do that.  (This *being* the ghetto, though, you’d think she’d know better – the next person she tries that with very well might shoot her dead in self defense.) Anyway, point being, when I got to the park I was still quite pumped up and knocked off the first mile without a thought as to effort, and on the second mile tied my PR – not a fast PR, but it’s *mine*!  :-)  Yea! (Meanwhile, she was obviously rushing off to work to make her Land Rover payment, while I got to go for a nice run on a beautiful morning – first sunny one this week.) But people just amaze me sometimes….

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