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June 3, 2000 |
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I went for a run today. I've been spending most Saturdays with Pam, so I've been missing my Saturday workouts. It's really not
that big of a deal, but I like keeping these things in my schedule. At one
point, I had planned to do some Tae-Bo at Pam's, since she has the videos, but that doesn't seem to be
panning out. Their basic workout is only for half an hour, twenty-seven
minutes to be precise, so it really isn't an immense amount of time.
So it would be a run today. I haven't been able to run as hard as I was
able to a few weeks ago. I'm not just talking about how fast I'm
running… I'm also talking about my target heart rate. I'm still
getting in my target heart rate, but I'm getting to the lower end instead.
My body is just experiencing more aches and pains that I'm a little
reluctant to push past. Normally, it wouldn't be a real issue; however,
many of these pains are sharper pains. I can work through pain, I just
don't want to risk injury.
I had plans to see Gladiator with some friends today. This would be the same bunch as the lunch crew yesterday. I heard many good things about this movie, I was looking forward to seeing it. The plan was to meet at Tom's place. Dave had cancelled. Bummer. Everyone else was running late and said that they would meet us at the theater. Tom and I rode in this car, stopping to get cash first.
It was a particularly long movie; it lasted over two and a half hours. It was an exceptional movie. I'm developing a fondness for Russell Crowe; he played a good part. I hear that the movie appeals to women as much as to men, which doesn't really surprise me, since it does have a plot. It's not simply a collection of violent scenes sprinkled with other scenes to give the movie a pathetic chance to congeal. It's not one of those movies. Instead, the moments of violence are consistent with the story. And frankly, they're more heroic than they're violent.
Generally, I'm not one to make note of the cinematography, but it was exceptional in this movie. The slow motion and blur effect of the early war scenes gave them a real sense of confusion and frenzy. The images of his home and family gave them real tangible feel. They're not merely tokens they're have some depth. The scenes of Rome are truly breathtaking, particularly the ones of the sunrises and sunsets. In this case, the cinematography added just as much depth to the film as another member of the cast.
I recommend the film.
We went to get dinner immediately after the movie. There was a Dead Robin a few minutes away so that's where we elected to go. Apparently, I was the only one that was aware that it was there, despite the fact that Tom lives considerably closer. I got the 'bleu' ribbon burger, which is actually Pam's favorite. After having it, I'm not sure what her fascination with this burger is. Don't get me wrong… it wasn't a bad burger, but it's not the kind of burger that I can see someone craving for.
I made the observation to Kenny about Scott and the way our conversations seem to inevitably turn downhill in content very quickly. We had talked briefly about it yesterday during lunch. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with Scott, it is just that he seems to be a good catalyst for this type of talk whenever we get in a group. Talking to him one on one doesn't get nearly as goofy.
The Dead Robin was laid out quite differently than the other ones I've dined in. Not that I should be particularly surprised since they're all layed out differently, but this one in particular had a larger bar section, which is where we sat.
I left a message for Pam at her hotel room. It was particularly late on the east coast and I was a bit reluctant to call, but as it turns out, she wasn't even there.
We went to a bar after dinner. Kenny drove us all in his fairly new SUV. It's a very nice car, although I can't imagine that he takes it off-road. During out trip to the bar, I get a call from Pam and we talk while on the road. None of these guys have had the pleasure of meeting her. Some of them (Scott) have even insinuated that she's fictitious. While I'm talking to her, I get a call on my cell phone.
I don't normally get many calls on my cell phone. I've only gotten a call on my cell phone while talking on it once before, so I was a little skeptical when I got this one tonight. As I was talking to Pam I noticed that Tom and Scott were in the back seat giggling. Terrific!
Pam and I chatted for a few minutes. We kept getting cut off, so we decided to talk more tomorrow.
The bar we went to was good. It was just as it had been before when we had gone. I remember Scott made some comment about how the music fit the place, which I suppose it did, but maybe he spent more time thinking about it than the rest of us. He also seemed to spend an unusual amount of time near the bar while the rest of us where sitting on our table.
But then again, that's Scott.
We called it a night after that. It was a good night. I miss spending time with them… even Scott.
June 3, 2000