Run Nick Run

I totally get that running is not for everyone.  It is my thing and I actually enjoy it.  Some people are into riding bikes or hitting an elliptical.  Whatever the activity, doing something is better than nothing. As I said running is my thing.  So, with that revelation out of the way, I give you five of many reasons why running is good for you.

1. Weight Loss – I love to eat.  Check that I love to eat crappy food.  I am a slave to pizza, Twizzlers and ice cream.  That is why I ballooned up nice and puffy.  I can still eat that food in somewhat smaller moderation now that I burn off all those calories on my runs.  Now when I devour a scoop of rocky road I no longer feel the old guilt I used to.  That alone makes running worth it.

2. Heart Health – Running is good for your heart.  I went to my doctor last year for my annual checkup and he told me I had the heart rate of a twenty five year old.  That gave me a smile that I am still grinning about a year later.

3. I don’t get sick – I am telling you knock on wood but ever since I started running I just don’t get sick.  I haven’t gotten one cold or sore throat in that time span.  I used to always catch some bug.  I attribute this fact due to I was unhappy and a complete lazy ass. I read online that running does help boost your immune system so there is some science behind this argument. 

4. Running Events – I love signing up for various 5K events and such.  First off it is a great bonding experience and I love running with my friends.  In this busy world it is a chance to play catch up and hang out doing something productive as opposed to where I used to hang out my local bar.  Not there is anything wrong with hanging at bars just now I prefer to be around people in this type of environment.  Plus you can usually score some cool swag.  My wardrobe is now pretty much hoodies and shirts I’ve obtained from the many runs I have completed.

5. Gets the blood flowing – I run in the morning.  I find it wakes me up and starts my day with an adrenalin rush.  I never feel tired after a run anymore even a ten or eleven miler.  I run and go to work and I actually feel I am more productive and more awake after my run.  I don’t need a caffeine injection anymore to get going.  I’m alert and at the ready and it is all off my own energy.

15 Tunes from the 90's

The early to mid 90’s I was in my twenties living a fun and care free life.  There was also a lot of good music that was released in that period by some fringe bands that time has forgotten about. Ten is too small a number so here are fifteen of my favorites.

Material Issue Kim the Waitress – Poor Jim Ellison.  Tragic.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5oa5IPSX0

Urge Overkil, Postive Bleeding – Urge Overkill one of those little Chicago bands that had a couple of hits but should have been bigger. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I5ddl3KjW8

Marcy Playground, Sex and Candy – This is technically a one hit wonder.  But man did I dig this song.  Still do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KT-r2vHeMM

Ben Folds Five, One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solem n faces – I secretly loved Ben Folds but would never admit to for some reason.  This song still puts a smile on my face.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwFBshjGe8I

Three Strange Days, School of Fish – I can still hear my brother, and the two Brians jamming this one back in the day.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onjaC3A2xjk

Fall Down, Toad the Wet Sprocket – Personifies mid 90’s rock at the time.  A good little pop song that no one remembers.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AWrPbcV7f0

Dim, Dada – Everyone will remember them for their bigger hit Diz Knee Land.  I always seemed to like this song better.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqPVZgALpPc

 Eurotrash Girl, Cracker – Man how I still dig this song.  I actually own three Cracker CD’s somehow.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38Vun2LYnoY

Father of Mine, Everclear – The angst in this song is measureable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkcbxjWG9Mc

 Beer, Reel Big Fish – I am also a closet Ska Fan.  I like a handful of tunes including this one.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCgX4ixCRcQ

Self Esteem, The Offspring – This song will always remind me of my trip to NOLA.  I remember hearing it in some random bar on Bourbon Street at just the right time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkFH0KMO0G0

Molly, Sponge – This ode to Molly Ringwald is a nice little pop song.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS_NgT607hQ

Date Rape, Sublime – I don’t think Sublime is forgotten but I just have to include this song because I really dig it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeMeDihwyrg

I’ve Been Waiting, Matthew Sweet – I should and expect to get nuked for this one.  I know all the negatives so spare me.  I like it and for what it is, it works.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffs_HWo7B8Y

Fastball, Out of My Head – I remember a random stranger at a bar telling me to check out this record way before it really caught on.  I did and liked it from my first listen.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd2aeZhu9xY