A Weekend of 'Too Much Peopling': Running, Beer, and Volunteering

This past weekend was a whirlwind of activity, marked by a unique blend of community, running, and, yes, a bit of beer. As someone who cherishes both the quiet of solitude and the joy of social interaction, I often find myself walking a fine line between engaging with others and preserving my own space. This weekend was a testament to that delicate balance.

Saturday: Brewery to Brewery Run

The day kicked off with Happy's Running Club's Fall Brewery to Brewery run, an event that epitomizes two things people are incredibly passionate about: running and beer. The atmosphere was electric, filled with a sense of camaraderie and an unmistakable buzz of enthusiasm. The people I met were avid beer enthusiasts, their zeal for the frothy beverage somewhat eclipsing my own. Despite feeling a tad out of my league in the beer department, the warmth and friendliness of the group were infectious.

I also learned more about their Tuesday weekly runs, which seem like a great opportunity for socialization. Though I might have to skip the post-run beer ritual, the idea of being part of this lively community is tempting.

Sunday: St. Louis Half Marathon

Sunday brought a different kind of engagement. As a part of the St. Louis Track Club board, I was up and about by 5 am, setting up aid stations for the St. Louis Half Marathon. The day was a flurry of activity – from arranging finish line snacks and medals to ensuring additional water reached where it was needed most. The interactions, though more task-oriented, were no less meaningful, bringing together a team dedicated to making the event a success.

Amidst the bustle, what I enjoyed the most was hearing the runners' stories post-race. Each runner had a unique tale – the challenges they faced, what went right, what didn’t, and how their training journeys shaped their experience. These narratives added a rich, human element to the physical exhaustion of the day.

Reflections on Overcommitment

Despite the fun and fulfillment these events brought, they also highlighted my tendency to overcommit. While I thrive on being useful and engaging with the community, I also deeply value my solitude. It’s a balancing act – one that I don’t always get right. This weekend was a reminder that while it's great to be involved, it's also okay to step back and recharge.

As I look ahead, I’m reminded of the importance of listening to my own needs and respecting my limits. Maybe it’s about finding the right mix of running, volunteering, and quiet evenings at home. Whatever the case, it’s a journey I’m still navigating.

The Poky Little Puppy

Sometimes Jupiter likes to read the classic Golden Book tale, The Poky Little Puppy before bed or nap time. This is another of many children's stories where the intended moral of the story seems to have been surpassed by a message that, I think, conveys the nearly the opposite message. The Poky Little Puppy is a story about five little puppies who dig a hole under the fence to go out for a walk in the wide, wide world. The fifth, poky, puppy is always behind the others. Eventually the poky little puppy smells the dessert that is prepared for the puppies each night. The four other puppies smell it too and hurry home while the poky puppy takes his time. The four puppies then eat their dinner and are scolded by their mother for digging a hole under the fence with the punishment being that they do not get dessert. Then along comes the poky puppy after everyone is asleep. He is met with no dinner but left over dessert, since the four puppies were not able to eat it. This scenario takes

Kid on a Leash

Has anyone seen these kid leash products around? Sometimes I see them at the zoo, farmers market, or other crowded areas. If a company can make a product that will make a parent feel a little bit safer, there will always be people out there to buy it. When I see one, it reminds me of that scene in Rise of the Planet of the Apes when a leashed Caesar sees a dog on a leash and turns to Will and signs, "Am I a pet?" The idea of the product is that it will keep the child safe and nearby. It is designed to subside the fear that a child will run off or get abducted. I think that if someone is out to abduct a child during the few seconds when a parent is looking away, a leash is a very small deterrent, and likely, not effective. All the abductor would need is a nice pair of scissors or simply their fingers. The latch cannot be that hard to work. If anything, having a leash might give a parent a false sense of security causing them to pay less attention to the child. In that case it

Tsunami Warning for Lincoln Nebraska

Tsunami Dawkins Augustine was born at 13:05 on September 26, 2011 at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, NE. He weighed 8 lbs 5 ounces and measured 20 inches. Mother and baby are doing great!

Kirk blAug

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