Fifa World Cup

Why have rules if they're so randomly enforced? I wish I was joking. Not talking "controversial" goals here, talking blatantly obvious undeniable mistakes by the referee, I haven't seen any game without one.

Midnight Sun Run

I heard of a "Midnight Sun Run" and found out it's a 10km run at 10pm. Entry fee just $20 and you get a t-shirt. I've never done an official run before, so I figured if I'm going to do any ever, this would be a fun one to do!

At the beginning, since there are a few thousand people (highest bib number I saw was 3610), they have some people with signs to suggest where in the crowd you should start, based on how fast you are. So, I started where I thought I should, around the "10 minute/mile", which was fairly near the back. Unfortunately, found that I should have started much further forward, cause there were many very slow people or even people just walking who had decided to start in the middle of the group instead of the back. So, the first few minutes actually were just walking, because it was too crowded to run. Then once there was space to run, I was passing so many people... Literally probably passed about 1500 people during the run. Which feels pretty good. I kept passing people straight through to the finish. I only noticed one person pass me, which annoyed me. It was near the end, he was pushing a baby stroller. But, overall felt pretty good. And my time was much lower (over 15%) than i expected. Maybe because of all the people, and because of passing people, I felt more energy and went faster. I don't seem competitive, and generally don't feel competitive, but actually below the surface I think I am a bit.

In the afternoon the air had been a bit smokey from nearby forest fires. But actually during the run the air smelled pretty clean, which was great, I was worried I'd feel sick from the smoke. Some parts though were along major roads which had a big line of cars idling... nothing like sucking carbon monoxide to give you that extra burst of energy! Most of it went through residential communities, and many people were at the side of the streets sometimes cheering, sometimes with a hose or water gun and asking if you want to get wet to cool down.

Some people were wearing costumes, as they were encouraged to do (this wasn't a particularly formal event, and was really just a 'run' not a 'race'. One group were Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, that was awesome. A family were "The Incredibles" and actually it really fit them, the man was beefy, the woman was curvy, the daughter tall and skinny and the son smaller...

After finishing, there was some water and fruit. I ate so many pieces of orange, they tasted soo good! (maybe I've been vit.C deprived lately?) Then just hung around for around 30-40 minutes, then got picked up by the coworkers who had finished their flight and were going from the airport to the hotel.

Feel a bit sad though. A coworker said "You weren't staying for the after party? That's where you meet all the hot athletic running girls!" Well, he's right in a way, I had been thinking something like that. Not necessarily just girls, but it would be nice in general to hang out in the festive atmosphere and chat with some people and share some laughs etc. But instead, it's just me, walking around alone and watching other people having that experience. So, I feel a bit lonely. I pushed myself hard and talked to a pretty girl. But it didn't go anywhere, just a couple brief answers. Most people were already with people, and that always makes it harder to talk to them. I really envy people who are able to meet people and hang out with strangers.

Midnight sun

I keep seeing Alaska flags which show the big dipper and north star. A couple times I've felt like "how come I haven't actually seen those starts yet while here?!" Then I realize, it's because it's never actually been dark during my time here.

Fairbanks ethnicity

Things had been going downhill, from calgary to denver to provo to odessa. I was woried that fairbanks would be rock bottom. I'm pleased to report that's not the case. In fact, there are quite a number of Thai restaurants. Not sure why so many Thai would end up in central alaska. There's one vietnamese restaurant. I've been to a couple japanese restaurants, but both times I discovered the owners/staff were actually Korean. No indian as far as I can tell.

Another coworker dream

This time, one of our mechanics was speaking quite eloquently in front of a city council or committee. Apparently the Jan and Dave Fronk Foundation had previously volunteered to construct the bikeway and pathway system for Provo. It had been generally a failure though. As Dave was telling the committee, the pathways that had been created were hardly even used. And the city's suggestion on the current year's additional pathway made no sense. It would be better to run it a different route, although that would take it along a pipeline, that route would link it up to another section of pathway rather than being isolated. Anyway there was a bit more after that. But none of it really made sense in real life, other than that the Fronks do live in Provo.

twitter language

I'm not on it, but I saw a friend's name on something and clicked on it and ended up at a twitter site. A big label said "This person has protected their tweets." That's good to hear. Whenever I meet a new girl, I make sure to protect my tweets too, it's just the smart thing to do.

Jogging

Went jogging in the park today. 40 degrees, sun beating down, it was great! Only saw one other person around there the whole time, walking around. I think the more sane people go after dark. It's nice walking around, a breeze, about 30 degrees, maybe through a nice community, having imaginary conversations with imaginary friends.

Drive-in

Saw my second movie of the year... I discovered there's a drive-in movie theatre around here, and having never been to one before, decided to head on over. Noone else seemed interested. I should have asked the girl working at the airport, the one attractive woman I've seen here. Anyway, it wasn't that special, but was a neat experience. For actually watching a movie, I think a regular theatre is clearer and maybe more comfortable. But the drive-in idea is neat and 'classic'.

Trucks

I thought Calgary was bad for having SUVs and pickup trucks. But seems everywhere's that way or even worse... Denver, Provo, and of course Midland Texas. Though in Midland, it's almore all pickups.

I walked across the giant parking lot to the mall. A lone man in a field of pavement. I could almost hear the people talking as they drove by ... "What's he doin? Where's his truck? There's somethin ain't right with that boy."

too much work

Nothing helps you recover from an 84 hr work week quite like a 98hr work week. And then keep it going a while longer.

Things have started returning to 'normal'. As in, around 10 hr days. But at weird times. Don't know the best way to sleep, maybe a midday and an evening nap, to work midnight and midday.

Even though there's once again time to breathe, it's like I've forgotten how to enjoy things. I simply don't feel like going out, or exercise, or watching tv, or even talking to friends.

Maybe just takes some time to return to being human.

Dream

Wish I hadn't volunteered to wake up for the second sortie. I was in the middle of a dream, it was like a movie, and had just reached the climax.

I was in some kind of theatre, old fashioned, like a concert hall. I was on the main level, with my coworker. Our mechanic was on the second balcony on the left hand side (as facing the stage/screen). I think we were watching a movie. I think the building under/behind the mechanic was actually warping and moving, not sure if it was a special effect of the movie, or something 'real' in my dream. Anyway, I was there because there was some sort of crime or anomaly (maybe related to the warping building) that had happened before and was going to happen again. As the time approached, I glanced up and noticed our mechanic was no longer there. Soon after, on the main level in the shadows at the left side, I saw our mystery man. Seemed to have a dark hat on, perhaps a cape or a mask, I'm not sure. I jumped up and started to pursue him, he ran. Through some doors, I followed, but immediately found myself in something of a maze. I had scouted it before, but apparently it had changed or I remembered it badly. Through the door was a small hallway with a door on almost each side. I started trying them all. Rush through one to find a storage room, rush through another into another small hallway. Most must have been linked with multiple doors. One took me into the back of an electronics department store. Just as I was getting my bearing on which way the bad guy must have gone, an alarm started blaring! I looked toward the source, and all was dark. It took a few minutes for my heart rate to return to normal.