YES WE REALLY CAN!

I've never been so proud to be an American as I am right now. I will never forget this night, how it feels, where I was when I found out that Barack Obama has been elected President of the United States of America. 

Because of some things going on at my office, I've been working long hours. Tonight, I went out to get some pizza and popped into Times Square, there was such a sense of excitement. CNN was broadcasting live from the middle of Times Square, ABC was broadcasting live from their studio, Comedy Central had their bi-partisan John Stewart/Stephen Colbert show on MTV's giant Times Square screen. The Square was packed, and there was such a great energy. 

I left the office at 10:20 or so. Usually I avoid Times Square like the plague, but tonight, I went right for the crowd. I wanted to be among everyone, all people who wanted the same thing. Change, and an end to our long national nightmare and embarrassment.  Of course, as Barack himself would say, he's not Superman, things won't improve the day he takes office, or even in the first hundred days. He's not a guarantee of change, but he does represent an opportunity to change. 

I couldn't believe I didn't have a radio with me in the bus.  When I left Times Square, the numbers were looking good, but in the bus I was wondering what was going on. Until everyone's cellphone went off at the same time. I wanted to scream, but I didn't want to be rude to anyone who may not have been happy with those result. 

I'm so happy to have seen this historic moment. And I think better days are to come for America, even for those (and sometimes, especially for those) who didn't vote for him. Thank you Barack Obama, for your incredible strength and your remarkable campaign. Tonight's speech hit all the right notes. Not to beat on the Cheney/Rove/bush pinata too much, put it was totally the anti-bush speech. Also, big props to Hillary Clinton: I don't think Barack could have done it without her. Her graciousness is really pretty amazing. 

Time for bed: but what a great night. 

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Over the weekend, I got to leave

behind the craziness of life in 2008. My wife, mother-in-law and our dogs hopped in the car, and for the fifth year running, went to Dewey Beach, Delaware for the annual "Greyhounds Reach The Beach" event.

It's basically a weekend event in a beach town where hotels, restaurants, bars and the beaches are open to greyhounds (and other dogs, but people come from all over the east coast with their greyhounds for the event). There's vendors selling greyhound specific stuff, a costume ball (which I think is appalling, no greyhounds want to be stuffed into stupid costumes) and even a prayer service to "bless" your dog(s). Well, it does get very "Best In Show" (a reference to the movie of the same name). I like it because our dogs enjoy going to the beach. it's so much fun seeing hundreds of greys all over town all weekend long. I'll try to remember to post more photos of the weekend (my wife took lots of pictures). Greyhounds are one of the most perfect creatures in creation - and are shamelessly exploited by people. Basically, they're bred to race, and then they are euthanized after they "retire."

HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU?

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SEVEN YEARS ON

I was in New York City on 9/11. I had just started a new job at VH1, and there was an area on our floor where there were about 15 tvs, all tuned to different channels. Once the first plane hit, we saw everything as it happened.

No one knew what to do at first: but once the second plane hit, it was clear it wasn't an accident. Do you stay at work and keep trying to make entertainment? No. Do you try to go home? Stay in the city?

I couldn't get through to my girlfriend (now my wife). She's a teacher: I was worried how much information would get to her, how they were going to deal with the children, and I knew she'd be thinking about me. I did get through to my dad, who did call her and let her know I was ok. I wondered about her brother: a New York City firefighter, and hoped that he was not in the thick of things, knowing that he, like other first responders, wouldn't hesitate to throw himself into serious harm's way if he had to.

A dear friend of my family lives downtown with her husband: she was working from home at the time, and I called her and asked if I could come over: I didn't really want to try to take a bridge or tunnel home. Her husband worked in New Jersey, and we weren't sure he'd be able to get home.

I started walking downtown: I was either wearing shoes or Doc Martens. I was walking downtown - exactly against traffic. It looked like a movie scene. It was a beautiful day, weather wise, but you could see the smoke columns in the background, and everyone was walking, some running, towards me. I stopped at a shoe store and bought a pair of sneakers. It struck me as an odd thing to be doing, but I thought I may actually end up walking home to New Jersey.

Everyone was in shock: sidewalk restaurants were booked. So waiters, cooks, other restaurant workers were in business as usual mode.

My friend's husband somehow got home, I forgot how. It was his birthday. I ended up sleeping over. I remember one of my friend's friends had a cousin who was missing. I don't think they ever heard from him after that.

Another of our parents' mutual friends called us: she had a friend from Ohio whose daughter was in New York City for the first time, and was obviously terrified. She asked if I could help them back to my hometown the next morning. She and her friend were in the city on vacation, and their flight home wasn't for a few more days, but she wanted to get home to her husband and kids asap. So, I took them in the PATH train, to the NJ Transit train, and my mom's friend took her to a car rental place where they got a car for the long ride home. It turned out that the girl's husband is a rabbi, and she told me that for my good deeds, I never need to go to temple again, which I remembered and took seriously. I've cashed that in on the high holidays a few times.

I remember being so happy to see my girlfriend the next day. "I'm definitely marrying her," I thought to myself.

In the weeks that followed, it was hard to get motivated to move on. For everyone. But it did strike me that people, especially Americans, especially New Yorkers, showed their best side - I remember reading that the crime rate was almost non-existent for a while after 9/11. I remember worrying a lot: my aforementioned girlfriend's brother (now my brother-in-law) the New York City firefighter spent a lot of time working at Ground Zero. (I didn't know it at the time, but my cousin actually had a meeting scheduled in the Twin Towers for 9/11, but it got cancelled the day before).

In the years since, it has struck me as more than ironic - much worse than just "ironic," actually - that the fear-mongering politicians who use 9/11 to further their agenda aren't the ones that New Yorkers tend to vote for. Go figure.

I wonder how people, both in New York and in other parts of the country, were actually affected by 9/11. I mean, what changed about them for good? In my case, it really led me to be more thankful for the positive things in my life, something I still try to remind myself of as often as I can.

YES WE CAN!

I feel lucky to be able to experience the historic moment of tonight's acceptance speech by Barack Obama. It was a perfect speech: it was as inspiring as his speech at the DNC four years ago, but it also addressed his critics, and went on the offensive against the inept and criminal administration of Cheney Rove & Bush. The last DNC had lots of hope and optimism, but not much teeth, but Barack was on the offensive tonight (without being overly negative) and I imagine Rove, his sidekick and McCain are 50% soiling themselves, 50% thinking of a swift boat plan. 

But aside the political context, it was a historical moment, and one I'll never forget. 

I'll also mention that I respect that John McCain gave Obama his night: it was rumored that he was going to announce his VP today. Historically, parties stay mainly quiet during the other party's convention. Of course, historically, parties don't set up attack offices in the city of the opponent's convention, but the Republicans have done that. I used to see John McCain as above the pettyness of the Republicans, but that pretty much ended four years ago at the RNC. Tonight's show of restraint, and the ad he put on the networks congratulating Obama was a rare glimpse of the class and honor that he used to have. And that is usually non-existent in his party. 

THANK YOU, HILARY

I'm not a political blogger, but after tonight's speech by Hilary Clinton, I felt inspiried to write something. I've been a Barack supporter all along, but I always respected her: I just didn't think she was "electable," thanks to nearly two decades of fools hating on her. I felt that she stayed in the race for too long, and almost damaged the party by doing so.

After tonight, all is forgiven. She gave the speech of her lifetime. She could have done less than she did. On a scale of 1 - 100, she scored a 200! She did everything right. Barack, you owe her.

Thank you Hilary Clinton.

SURF'S UP!

Earlier in this blog, I mentioned that I really wanted to learn to surf. Well, this weekend, I took my first steps: I took my first lesson in Long Beach, Long Island. Thanks to Elliot at Surf 2 Live, he was a cool teacher, and I plan to go back for more lessons (classes run through the end of October).

I wiped out a bunch of times, which I guess is normal, but when I did "get up," it was exhilarating. I can't wait to go back. I can totally see how this could end up being a lifestyle thing, and I only regret not trying this years ago. My wife took this picture of me, and many others - and she decided that when I go back next weekend, she's going to leave the camera at home and take a lesson too!

DOES IT EVER REALLY NEED TO CHANGE?

Last night, I woke up next to my sleeping wife, surrounded by two sleeping dogs and three cats. It was just one of those moments that you wish you could preserve forever. Can't it always be this way? Does it really need to change?

Of course, it didn't last: one of my cats, as she is prone to do, was bugging me about feeding her, hours before her breakfast time. I lured her and another cat out of our room, gave them a bit of food, and rushed back into the bedroom, closing the door and going back to sleep.

This morning, I woke again to their funny, muted complaints outside the door. I am on "stay-cation," so by this time it was a few hours past breakfast. I fed them, which woke up the dogs, who didn't just want food: they wanted to play. To avoid waking my wife, I took them into our backyard (yes, enclosed by a picket fence) and let them run and play as the beautiful sun was making its way into the sky. When they tired themselves out, I took them back in, they settled briefly into our room, where the cats where finding their spots for their next snoozes. Another perfect little moment. Until one of the dogs complained about not getting enough attention, so I lured her into another room.

I know this whole thing can sound a bit mundane, but noticing it and appreciating it is part of my effort to appreciate great moments as they are happening.

BE THANKFUL

I recently wrote about being thankful for my relationship with my wife. I was thinking about this earlier: I wouldn't consider myself to be an extraordinarily "gifted" person, but one thing I am definitely gifted with is the ability to appreciate what I have. And to enjoy the moment. I don't remember when I started being this way. 

I do remember, while I was in college during the Gulf War, seeing some senseless fight between two fraternities. One of them was a very jock, wrestling fraternity and the other was Pershing Rifles a fraternity for ROTC students. I was just struck by this particular conflict: I reckoned that most of the jock guys were very politically conservative and that they were mostly guys who were in favorite of the war. Yet, they were fighting the guys most likely to have to go. 

And, I thought, over what? What were these two groups fighting over? It may have been tensions from an intramural game, or just someone looked at someone else's girlfriend or something. In other words, they were fighting over nothing. Something about that really stuck with me, and I thought about how our country is at war, but it hardly effects anyone in our country. I thought maybe things might get worse for us at home, but I was going to appreciate my good fortune while I lived under very favorable conditions. 

Anyway, tonight I watched Neil Young's documentary of Crosby Stills Nash & Young's 2006 tour for Neil's Living With War album. It wasn't just about the tour, it was really about the emotional reaction to it. They did an actual fair, balanced job on the film, it wasn't just "Isn't CSNY great?" But you saw accounts of guys who were there, and people who had lost people to the war. It was extremely moving. 

Coincidentally, earlier in the day, I dropped off my wife at the airport: she's going to Africa for ten days. She does a trip like this every summer. I know the lump I get in my throat when she leaves. And I'll see her in less than two weeks! I can't imagine what the soldiers and their families go through. 

After I watched the film, I walked my dog. It was a beautiful night. I was really grateful for my life in general. 

THE DALAI LAMA AT RADIO CITY

I recently got the opportunity to see The Dalai Lama speak at Radio City Music Hall. It was an interesting experience, if a bit dry and dense at times. I'm not a Buddhist, but I find it hard to not like the guy, and I think anyone can learn from his message of non-violence, compassion and avoiding being self-centered. 

And yet, there are people who don't like him, and downright dislike him. The Chinese government, for one. Probably some other organized religions, because they don't have leaders who are as loved as he is. I would guess that it is one of those groups that funded the protest outside of Radio City. 

Whereas most political/religious figures would ignore the fact that they were being protested, The Dalai Lama did address the situation, saying that the protesters believed in a sect of Buddhism that he doesn't believe in. He said that they have their freedom of speech to protest him, and he has his freedom of speech to say that he doesn't share their beliefs. 

The whole experience was interesting to me (even though I dozed off for a minute) and I'm glad I went. 

SIX YEARS!

I always try to appreciate the good things in my life. I would hate to be one of those people who had something great, and didn't appreciate it. I am consciously grateful for all of the good things in my life. 

More than anything, I'm grateful for the awesome relationship I have with my wife. On Monday, we celebrated six years of marriage. We've actually been together for about thirteen years though. Over the last few days, we saw The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (one of our first dates was Lollapalooza in 1995 - the day we went, the Bosstones played two sets), the Ruben museum and The Bronx Zoo. All great experiences. I'm grateful to have someone who I can share these things with. Actually, I would never have thought about going to the Ruben museum; the culture celebrated and commemorated in the museum is something that my wife has exposed me to, and I believe it has opened my mind a bit. 

Anyway, without getting too sappy or too personal, I'm really lucky. But I know it. 

ONE WEEK LATER...

So, it's been a bit over a week since my mini-trialthlon run. As I said in my original post-run post, I am definitely not considering upgrading to a longer race. But I think I may do another mini-. I don't know if I'll ever match the thrill of my first, but I still feel really great that I did it, especially given the way I sort of handicapped myself.

I've since found out that you're not supposed to use an iPod. In some races, it's actually against the rules. But if it isn't against the rules of a race, I'm plugging in. I don't think I'll get a space age bicycle. But I probably will wear the space age shorts, and eat and sleep properly. And I'll probably get a wet suit too. But for now, I'm looking forward to maybe learning to surf.

I do whole-heartedly recommend running in some kind of race if you feel up to a challenge. It could be anything: a 20 mile bike ride, a three mile run, whatever. Set a goal and then meet it. It feels good.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM LIZ PHAIR

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I'm a big Liz Phair fan. My friend Larry has suggested that it's because I'm straight and want to sleep with her. I don't doubt that many artists - particularly females - get attention because of their looks, and Liz is definitely a good looking woman. But not even the hottest woman on earth's looks will help the experience of listening to her bad record. You don't hear me rockin The Pussycat Dolls or Danity Kane or whoever.

Anyway, in a recent interview with emusic, Liz talks about her experiences with major labels. After venting a bit here is what she said:

"I mean, God, what happened to leaders? Where did they go? What is with the dysfunction in seats of power? How do they get there? I was talking about this with my mom, and what we came up with is that they're willing to do stuff other people aren't. They are willing to stab in the back, or they don’t have particularly healthy personal lives. So they rise and rise because people who want to protect what they have tend to step out of the way when they see people like this."

This is an interesting comment, not just about record labels, but also corporations, and even (or especially) politics. It probably describes, to certain extents, guys like Karl Rove and Dick Cheney. But I hope that Barack Obama is a different kind of guy.

GEORGE CARLIN R.I.P.

George Carlin died about a week ago. I know when famous people die, there's this huge trend of everyone paying tribute. This isn't that. George Carlin was one of the first stand-up comics I was ever aware of. I saw one of his '80s HBO specials, the one where he talked about "A Place For My Stuff" and he updated the "Seven Dirty Words" list. I remember video taping it and watching it a couple of times. His cursing was shocking to me, but once I got over that, I realized that what was so special about him was his complete command over the English language, and the joy he seemed to take at playing with its inconsistencies.

I felt that there was an underlying rebellion to him. It was like, "Don't trust anything, not even the English language." Something about that stuck with me. It also showed me how intelligent humor could be (something I think I was already tuned into, since I watched The Muppets and M.A.S.H.).

I really regret never going to see him perform. I know he had a huge distaste for celeb obits, and he definitely didn't believe in an afterlife. So, I don't know if saying "Rest In Peace" really makes sense. But thanks for the laughs, George Carlin.

HOW NOT TO RUN A MINI-TRIATHLON (but still finish anyway)

Here's a list of things you might not want to try:

1. Just train for the 1/4 mile swim a month in advance. Yeah, 1/4 mile doesn't sound hard. Now try swimming it. 

2. Wear a beach bathing suit for the swim (with pockets!) for the event instead of the slicker Star-Trek looking shorts.

3. Use Dad's 10 year old mountain bike which is meant for more rugged terrain but not so much for this kind of race.

4. Get to the hotel fairly late the night before the event. Don't worry about that "get a good night's sleep" stuff. In fact, watch this week's (awesome) episode of 30 Days where the hunter dude has to live with PETA activists for a month. (It was on again two nights later.) 

5. Don't worry about nutrition! Just have a salad the night before and half a protein bar the morning of! 

6. Use your not-totally aerodynamic iPod for the run.

Yep, I did 'em all. And yet, I finished. It felt great. It did feel weird to be around all these people who were dead serious about the thing - they had all the most advanced gear, knew all the nutrition stuff, etc. Like I was at a Star Trek convention and I'd seen, y'know, a few episodes of the show. 

I do wish I'd prepared for more than a month for the swim. I've heard about "the wall" - what marathon runners, triathletes, etc., "hit" when they can't go any more. That happened to me maybe 100 yards into the swim. A writer friend of mine who has done actual triathlons (not minis) told me that when he did his first one, he kind of froze up during the swim. I figured, I'll be careful not to let that happen, fully realizing that I couldn't prevent it from happening if it was going to happen. It happened. I remember having to swim a mile for my SCUBA certification, but that was over 10 years ago, and it was in a pool. Anyway: we started the swim in waves: first men 25-35, then men 35-45, then women 25-35, then women 35-45. Many women passed me. I didn't mind that, other than the fact that I had a 3 or 6 minute head start on all of them. I don't know how I got through that swim, but when I did, I was exhausted and a bit disappointed in myself. I knew my wife and my parents (yes, they came to watch) were probably worrying about where I was. 

I ran to the bike rack, and barely dried off. I downed almost a whole bottle of a sports drink (it has the electrolytes that my body craves!) and then put a piece of a protein bar into my mouth. It was like my body forgot what to do with food. It took me a while to get it down. Off I went on my old-school bike. This was one part that I was well-prepared for. Still, it seemed like anyone who didn't pass me in the water was now zipping by me on bicycle. Older men and women (over 45s were the last wave to start), it was like a comedy. At one point, a much older, much heavier women whizzed by me. "Passing on your left!" I felt like I was in a Mike Myers film. At one point, I didn't see any riders in front of or behind me. I know I'd said, "I don't care if I finish last, as long as I finish." But I knew I didn't actually want to finish last. Towards the end of the ride, I did pass one or two people. 

Here's one advantage I had: since I didn't have one of those slick bicycles where you "clip" your feet to the pedals, I didn't have to change my sneakers afterwards! I did, however, grab my iPod with my totally rocking running mix. Downed another sports drink and off I went. I was a bit surprised to note that only one other person (who I saw) had earphones. That's one rule I didn't mind bucking. That mix totally got me through the run. Not only through it, but I did it pretty quickly. I mean, when you hear Social Distortion's "Reach For The Sky," you don't slow down, when you hear Bruce Springsteen's "No Surrender" you don't quit and when Public Enemy do "Harder Than You Think" (recorded last year, both members around 50 and still awe-inspiringly great) it ain't the time to stop and walk. In fact, I didn't stop for the entire run (I saw many walking and some were even sitting) and I passed a lot of people, many who I remembered passing me earlier. Yes, even "Passing on your left!" In fact, I only made it through half the mix (in the middle of The Clash's "London Calling") and I was done (pictured, the photo was taken by my lovely wife).

My good friend told me that as soon as I crossed the finish line, I'd be trying to figure out when the next race is. He also promised me I'd actually finish. Well, he was right about the second part, but I don't know that I'll be doing another 'athalon anytime soon. I'm pretty sure I won't "upgrade" to a regular triathlon. It takes a lot of time to train and I don't think I have that much extra time. I may do another mini at some point. If I do, I'll prepare a little more carefully. I'll work more on my swimming, I might even get those Star Trek shorts. I don't know that I'll invest in a new bicycle. But I will be more careful about what I eat, and I'll get a good night's sleep. Oh, yeah, the iPod stays. Maybe I'll even get around to the second half of my "running mix." 

TOMORROW'S THE BIG DAY

This picture represents the opposite of how my body feels today. I don't feel very "stretchy." Everything that has felt slightly sore in the past two or three weeks seems to be calling out for my attention right now. Or maybe I'm just noticing it because the mini-triathlon is tomorrow. I'm not calling it a "race" anymore, I'm not trying to beat anyone, I'm just trying to finish.

Another thing I don't have in common with Mr. Fantastic is a cool, stretchy suit. I ordered a wetsuit, and it came in the mail today, but it is way too small. So, I'm going to be swimming in an outfit more like The Hulk's than like Mr. F's. (Not that I'm comparing my physique to Hulk's). So, I hope the water isn't cold.

I just created an iTunes mix for the final stretch of the mini-tri: the three mile run. I'll post that at No Expiration.

Wish me luck!

OFF TO THE RACES!

Back in April, I wrote about wanting to run a mini-triathlon, and I've written a bit about it since. 

Over the weekend, I spent a bit of time seeing if I could actually do it. On Saturday, I wrote 20 miles on my bicycle, followed by a 3 mile run in hot and humid weather. On Saturday, I swam about a half mile, drove 10 minutes home, got on my bicycle, wrote 20 miles (some of it in fairly hard rain, and at that point, I was cold and was having a hard time warming up), followed by a 3 mile run. I decided that I would rather not do one of these events if it was too hot, too humid, too cold or raining. Of course, you can't plan life that way. 

So, I've just signed up for the Parvin State Park Triathlon. 1/4 mile swim (as I've mentioned, harder than it sounds), 15 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. My bicycle is in the shop getting a tune up, I'm getting a bike rack on the car, I've booked a nearby hotel, and I think I'm ready. I was going to bypass renting a wetsuit, but now I'm reconsidering that. Swimming 1/4 mile in warm water is hard, in cool water might be really tiring. 

Today, when I took my bicycle (really my dad's - it was probably pretty modern when he got it ten years ago or so) to the shop, the guy was like, "Obviously, you don't expect to go to far on that, right?" I've gone 80 miles on it in the past two weeks! I told him I just wanted a tune up so that I don't have problems halfway through the race. "Well, I can't guarantee that!" Thanks, dude! 

I imagine people at the race will have specially fitted space age wet suits, goggles and bicycles. Not me. But I'm not in this to beat anyone. I just want to cross the finish line. Wish me luck! 

AQUAMAN - THE MOST UNDERRATED SUPERHERO?

I know that there's been some amount of hype around Aquaman in recent years, most of it basically making fun of what a lame superhero he is. 

But having started swimming this week, I've gotta give props to the guy. I'm not necessarily down with homeboy's fashion choices, but still, anyone who can swim at super-speed has got to be pretty powerful. In fact, the fact that he can hang out at the bottom of the sea should make him super strong, and probably even bullet proof, right? 

I've been to the pool three times this week, and swimming is hard, son. The race I'm hoping to compete in (which is in two weeks!) starts off with a quarter mile swim. I read that and was like, "No problem!" 

I got into the pool for the first time Tuesday night, and after one lap, I was like, "Uh, we have a problem..." I pushed through a "set" of 12 laps, one of 10 and one of 8.  Yesterday, I I did 14, 12 and 10 followed by 12 miles on a stationary bike, and stopped there, as I had a huge cramp in my calf. Today, I did a set of 12 laps, followed by a bunch of short sets of two at a time, followed by about 18 miles on the stationary bike and a four mile treadmill run. Maybe I can do this. 

But I bet Aquaman could do it, no sweat. I just hope he wouldn't wear skin tight orange and green clothes while doing it. 

NOT AN IRON MAN TRIATHLON BUT...

I've been a bit lax in posting on this blog lately.  It's so much easier to post on my other one, No Expiration, about my love for timeless music. It's funny - I recently read a feature in the New York Times magazine about a young lady named Emily Gould who was a professional blogger for Gawker.com and was sort of obsessed with blogging about nearly every detail of her life. I don't quite share that obsession. 

That said: back to me! I enjoy documenting how it feels to be closing in on 40. In my last post, I mentioned that I wanted to do a mini-triathlon. Well, I've been working towards that goal. Yesterday I did 20 miles on a stationary bike, followed by 4 miles on a treadmill. Today I took it outside, riding 20 miles and then running 3 1/2 miles. Not quite an "iron man" (hence the picture of "Lil' Iron Man") but for me, that was pretty good. I also signed up at the local Y, and I'm going to start swimming this week. 

I'm also looking into taking surf lessons this summer. I'll be sure to post on my progress there. 

SET YOUR GOALS

I've been thinking of the Civ song "Set Your Goals" lately. I feel like I need some goals for this blog - and for my life during my last year in my 30s. I don't want to be ridiculously unrealistic though.

But right now, I'm thinking: learn to surf. And maybe run a mini-triathalon. Those would be two good ones. I'd like to add "learn to play guitar" but I don't know that I'll have time for that. Although I hear that Nils Lofgren has some great tutorials for beginners at his web site.

Have you ever set a life goal: something that you've wanted to achieve by a certain date? Did you pull it off?

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM TINA FEY

I've always really liked Tina Fey. I thought Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Updates" were great under her watch and I like 30 Rock a lot. I never feel like she's pandering (even when she's doing a movie with Lindsey Lohan) or selling out (even when she's doing a commercial). She's like the really smart, funny girl who did well. Really well. 

Today, I read a brief interview with her in Esquire, a magazine that I enjoy more and more (especially, and unsurprisingly, their "What I've Learned" interviews). She was talking about the limitations of telling a story in a half hour, but points out that "There's a generation of people who want their comedy to be a minute 14.  When I watch things on YouTube, there are occasionally things that are really funny. A lot of it is really terrible. There is something to be said for people who learn how to do stuff." 

Ironically enough, Tina isn't on the cover of the issue. Jessica Simpson is. 

"YO!" TURNS 2O

I was a little surprised to learn that Yo! MTV Raps started 20 years ago this year. I was in college at the time, and didn't have a TV, but I definitely caught the show sometimes.  After college, there was a time where my weekend nights were occupied by Yo! as well as Headbangers Ball and 120 Minutes. If I wasn't out doing something, I was watching those shows with a pen and a pad, writing down any bands that I hadn't heard of. 

But where Headbangers and 120 just introduced me to new bands, Yo! opened my eyes to the hip-hop culture. I never tried to imitate the culture, but understanding it helped me to appreciate this new form of music. 

It will make me sound "old" to say this, and that's not my goal with LEAVING 30s, but man... back then, hip-hop was about A Tribe Called Quest, EPMD, Eric B & Rakim, De La Soul, KRS-One, The Wu-Tang Clan, and "new" guys like Nas and Common. It's just hard to imagine kids today being as awe-struck by, like T.I., Lil Wayne, Flo Rida and whoever else has a big record at the moment. 

I am often jealous of people who were around in the '50s heyday of early rock and roll, or even the wild '60s, or the '70s punk era. But I'm glad to have experienced hip-hop when it was young. 

And I don't mean to make it sound like it's over: Kanye West is a great post-Yo! artist, Nas and Common still make great records, and I think Mos Def and Talib Kweli have some classics in them (alone or together).  

8 MILE(S)

On Saturday, I ran five miles. Not on a treadmill, where I do most of my running, but outside. It's a lot more difficult when the ground you're running on isn't moving. On Sunday, I ran three more. I planned on running a bit more this morning, but I woke up a bit sore. More than a bit. So I stayed in bed. Still, I felt good about doing eight miles. I've been thinking that maybe I'll try to enter some official race, or mini-triathlon or something before I hit the four-oh. 

364 DAYS TO GO

Yesterday I turned 39. Yikes! So, I've decided to blog about the last year of my 30s. I have a good life. I've been in the entertainment industry for over a decade, and gotten to do some cool stuff, and meet some amazing people. My wife is awesome, I don't have much to complain about. But there's something about 40 that seems a bit daunting.

I don't know, does anything really have to change? Should anything have to change? Without being too naval-gazing about it, that's what I'm going to try to explore over the next year. And maybe beyond.

Which reminds me: a point about the title. Yeah, I know, will the name "Leaving 30s" make sense if I'm still writing this blog when I'm in my 40s?

It's OK. Little Steven and Little Richard aren't as "little" as they used to be, Sonic Youth aren't young and The Beastie Boys aren't boys. It's just a name. I really wanted "Pushing 40" but that was taken.

Anyway, I've always embraced aging. Like the great songwriter Cindy Walker wrote, "Don't Be Ashamed Of Your Age." Or John Lennon: "Life Begins At 40," although I admit that that's a weird example.