Strangely unOctoberly

Though the weather has kept it from really feeling like fall [until the past few days at least], the mood of this fall, for me, has been helped along by a few different things. The first is the book The Brothers K, by David James Duncan. I could write a lot about this book, but I won't [at least here]. In short, it's a beautiful story about family, brotherhood, the struggle for peace and the journey for authentic faith. It seemed like every other page I was either laughing aloud or choking up. And though it isn't necessarily set in fall, it seems like very fitting time to read this incredible story. The second fall-like affect is baseball playoffs, and even though the Cubs are out, I am comforted knowing that the Yankees are out and the Red Sox are still in. Thirdly, a number of good albums being released. In one single day I bought The Good Life's "Help Wanted Nights", Over the Rhine's "The Trumpet Child", and Iron & Wine's "The Shepherd's Dog." Musical goodness. I've been listening to The Good Life and Iron & Wine albums quite a bit, and they're both really good. "Help Wanted Nights" is an excellent step for The Good Life, and I hope it means that Tim Kasher is enjoying life more than when he wrote "Album of the Year." Over the Rhine's song "If a Song Could be President," is in the running for my song of the year. Fabulous. Fourthly, the quality of football this fall is off the charts. That being said, I still think that LSU has the best football team in the nation. Lastly, since the weather has just kicked in this past week it gets last mention. I ran in the rain and mud today, and though it caused some discomfort, it was rather wonderful. One of best things are that hoodies are worn often, if not daily.

It's been a good couple of months thus far, at least in these regards. The busy life I live is starting to wear heavily on me. I can only look forward to the coming semester in which I won't be driving eight plus hours a week. And I've been running a good deal more. I just ran nine miles today, in the aforementioned rain and mud; it was tough, but good. After being at the Chicago marathon last week I actually have been thinking about running a marathon someday, just not in such hot weather. And I went to my first cross country meet this past week and fell even more in love with that sport. Things aren't ideal, but they're good [i.e., not safe]. you have my love.