Total Blog Grab Bag

There's a lot to cover today, so let's get to it.

First, the official results are in from Sun Run. Turns out my watch was pretty damn accurate:

Total Time:
45:51

Pace Per Mile:
7:23

Overall Finish Place:
1588

Division Finish Place:
237

The Cap'n has sworn me to withhold his finish time, but I will say that it was on a sub-9 minute pace, even with all the beer I "made" him drink the night before. There is a nice wrap up of the race in today's Vancouver Sun.

My summary: Great run, nice course, fun people. The race is run very well, and to my amazement they got 50,000 people around that course without any major bottlenecks or other personnel spasms. One steep climb up to the first bridge crossing and a downhill start are the only real oddities of the course. The downhill start and the momentum of the crowd had me out to Mile One in under 7 minutes. Woah.

Second, Cap'n Ron made the mistake of letting me drive the A3 home from Vancouver. Don't tell his wife.

UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE WEEK: The Audi A3 is a hot, hot car.

Someone younger, less married, and more attractive could totally get chicks with a car like that. I was afraid to really drive it like I wanted to, but the good folks of Lynden got to hear the V6 as we sped through town.

Third, the border crossing back into the states involved two blood tests, a signed malpractice waiver, a rectal exam, and pupil dilation. Other than that we were fine. In other good news, the Cap'n's official Texas birth certificate lists his birth as "Legitimate". Congratulations, Cap'n.

In theory, these border crossing guards are professionals of Homeland Security. I offer you the following illegally obtained wire tap transcript as evidence. You decide:

Border Patrol: Where you boys coming from?
Sun Runners: Vancouver, sir.
BP: Where?
SRs: Uh, Vancouver. Canada. British Columbia.
BP: Oh. How long have you been there?
SRs: Just one day, for the Sun Run.
BP: The what?
SRs: Nevermind.
BP: You have any alcohol on board?
SRs (Exchanging odd looks..."On Board?" We're in a car!): No sir.
BP: (Looking at SRs with skepticism): Really?
SRs: Really. Well, except the stuff already in our veins.
BP: Enjoy your time in the US.
SRs: Hey, Jackoff. We live here.
BP: Please pull over next to the man with the latex gloves.

At least I feel exceptionally safe knowing that this dude is on the job. There's no getting any weapons or drugs past him. Once he saw that Cap'n Ron was indeed born in wedlock, all was well.

Fourth, I arrived home to find that Mrs. GVB had left me. Took her long enough. She's apparently not completely sane, however, since the itinerary she left on the bedside table next to the porn says she's coming back on Wednesday.

Fifth, I also arrived home to the official "Ex Casa GVB". She sold in 4 days for above asking price. Now the plumbing and wiring can go ahead and fail. Here's a tip for you prospective home buyers: inspect the house. Duh.

Official date of homelessness: June 15.

Official planned date of New Casa GVB completion: September 19.

That's a lot of San Juan cruising.

Sixth, There's a new gin in town. Hendrick's "Most Unusual" Gin.

The Hendrick's Martini:
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ oz. Hendrick's Gin
¾ oz. Dry Vermouth

PREPARATION
Stir Vermouth and Hendrick's Gin over ice cubes in mixing glass. Strain into martini glass. Serve with cucumber slice.

Very Yum. Hendrick's martinis will be served aboard the the good ship GVB all summer.

Finally, a note to my students...there are only so many 70 degree early spring days in Seattle. The odds of your esteemed writing instructor being in class on the next one are very, very slim. Today was a GIFT. I had better offers that included beaches and cocktails, among other things. Consider this an official amendment to the course syllabus. That is all.