Random Observations about SoCal after a week

1. People here LOVE tattoos. I don't think I've seen this much ink since watching highlights of an NBA game on SportsCenter. And the weird thing is the tattoos aren't small or subtle. People here have their entire arms and backs inked. Do these people ever have to work because I really don't think there is an easy way to hide any of these tattoos? Many of the people with a significant part of their body tattooed aren't really the people you'd expect to see all inked up. Weird. Definitely not a trend I'll be embracing.

2. Old people here love to work out. It is kind of strange to be jogging along by the beach or through downtown and see so many old (and I'm talking like 70s and 80s old) people jogging as well or cruising along on their road bikes. I mean, I know people on the West Coast are generally much fitter but I didn't expect to see this trend prevalent even in senior citizens. I'm impressed - as Ali G would say, "Respect!"

3. Downtown San Diego probably has more bums per capita than another place I've ever been to. I guess if I was a bum, I'd probably make San Diego my home as well, but it is pretty staggering. The guy who stocks the bread shelf at Ralph's downtown warned me to not walk too far from shopping cart (where my purse was stationed) because bums are keeping an eye open for silly transplants like me that wander too far away from their valuables...

Slowly Creeping Back Into Shape

Baby steps. Today's run was much easier than any of last week's and the time was respectable. I went out this morning around 9am for a 5 mile goal pace run and finished it in 42:40, or an 8:32/mile pace. So, not yet down to 8:00/miles, but slowly creeping closer.

The run from my apartment down to Embarcadero and along the water is amazing. Even if the weather does creep up into the low to mid-80s, the nice breeze off the water keep things pretty cool and there are many great sights to see. I definitely miss running across the bridges to and from Kentucky but I think I can get used to these new running routes...

My New Favorite Website

Although I've been aware of it for a while, I had not previously been a big user of Pandora Radio (www.pandora.com). However, over the past couple of days, I've spent a good bit of time on the site listening to new tunes.

If you're not familiar with Pandora, you can type in your favorite artist or song and it will stream other similar music for FREE (and it plays the entire songs). You can then choose which songs you like and don't like so it will likely choose music closer to your taste in the future.

It's a great tool for discovering new music. I'm currently listening to some "Vampire Weekend Radio,"which includes a song from the new Death Cab for Cutie CD "Narrow Stairs" (which ironically I just purchased on iTunes yesterday). Good stuff.

One of the best movies I've seen in a long time...

...is "Dark Knight." I don't typically have much interest in superhero movies but I joined a couple of friends last night for this flick and was extremely pleased. Heath Ledger, Christian Bale and Michael Caine did not disappoint. Heath Ledger was very chilling and very dark (definitely not a movie for kids) and in addition to having great special effects, it's actually one of those movies that makes you think about it for a while after you leave the theater.

If you haven't checked it out yet, I strongly suggest you do - you won't be disappointed!

August 9th is a very special day...

...because it is Leslie Gaston's birthday! For those of you who know Leslie - give her a shout out. She is creeping closing to 30 (like yours truly) and one of the best friends a girl could ask for. I am guessing she is probably out on the town now with her finance David. Enjoy, you two!

On the Beauty of 10th and J Street

I officially ventured out for my first night on the town in San Diego last evening with my very cool co-worker Judy. We had dinner and a drink at a very cool spot called Basic Pizza (which actually has a fantastic "Basic Salad" as well). Great spot for food - their thin crust pizza is amazing - and quite a happening social spot as well. Even more exciting - less than a block from good old 321 10th Ave., my new home.

I also realized last night that there are at least four great spots - two of which we hit up last night, Basic Pizza and The Corner - within a block of my new place. Plus, the "It's A Grind" coffee shop is also just up the street. A very nice set up indeed!

The Long Run

I barely made it through my eight mile run this morning. I drove over to Coronado and ran along the beaches there. Beautiful view, great weather, still need work on the endurance. I pushed through and made the eight miles at a 9:00/mile+ pace. Still lots of work to do.

Yesterday was a 40 minute interval workout on the elliptical followed by some weight lifting and abs. Starting to get back in the swing of things in workout world...