Thunderbolt

15 years ago I married my wife, Julie. It has been a wonderful ride so far and I look forward to the next 15.

December remains a difficult month to get into a groove and write. Not only do the holidays consume our waking moments and restless nights, but there is also the 10th of December that hovers over us. This year that day kind of came and went without Julie or I acknowledging it. Funny thing is, I had terrible stomach pains that morning and was in a general bad mood all day. Can your body and spirit really remember bad days? If amputees have phantom pains, can parents who've received sad news experience the same thing? Try as I may to complete this new script, I have been lacking in motivation to get it done. I'm close, but there is this invisible barrier that stops keeps me away. I even tried growing the writing beard. It went on for over two weeks. Thing is, I was actually starting to like having the beard, so using the hair on my face as a motivational tool didn't work this time. Thing is, I keep thinking about January and starting my new project. For the first t...

Another overcast, Radiohead day in Southern California. The skies are dingy like an old sweatshirt and desperately want to open up and rain on us. I doubt that will happen, though. You'd think that after a childhood spent enduring Ohio winters I would get used to this type of weather and possible enjoy the fact that there isn't snow on the ground. Instead, gray clouds just make me feel gloomy same as they always have. The beard is growing back as I make a concerted effort to finish this script I've been working on for several months. I though that with the completion of the marathon I would be able to dive right back into this dark script with no trouble. The decompression from not feeling pressure to run every day has taken a little longer to get over than I anticipated. I forget that the constant running and fund raising gave me a purpose. Steve begs me not to continue running, something about not being able to walk when I'm in my 60's. Still, I'm alre...

Someone has posted the entire song Springsteen composed for "The Wrestler" on YouTube. If you haven't seen the trailer, well, the film looks like it could be something amazing. And this song (which runs over the end credits) is nothing short of stunning. With a haunting piano and Bruce singing with his guitar, you will have tears in your eyes.

"Some guys they just give up living And start dying little by little, piece by piece Some guys come home from work and wash up And go racin' in the street" --Bruce Springsteen I've always interpreted that lyric as a tribute to those men and women who follow their dreams. They have to maintain a day job to pay the bills and provide for their families, but at night they go home and work on their dreams, whether it's building cars and racing them or writing that novel or screenplay they've had stored up inside them for years. The guys that are dyin' are the ones who give up on their dreams, letting life beat them down until all they do is work and come home. As far as my dream goes, I feel like I've been dyin' a little lately. Life is just so damn complicated sometimes. I have to remind myself that even thought I haven't finished a script this year, I've actually written forty something essays about my life and put them out there for peopl...

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I completed the first ever Malchus CF Half Marathon at 2 hours and 44 minutes, 59 seconds. My goal was to beat 2 hours 45 minutes. How about that? Man, it was HOT. I drank through my first bottle of water before I hit 6 miles. Luckily, Julie and the kids met me at 6 miles, and later at 10 miles to refill my water bottle and bring me much needed lip balm. The Santa Ana winds were blowing up dust and beating the crap out of my face. This turned out to be one tough run. However, it was worth it. Julie, the kids, and our neighbors, the Wills, all greeted me with a streamer tape to cross at the end of my 13.1 miles. Now, I am sore, and I am suffering a bit of a letdown. You spend all of this time preparing and raising money (well, we never stop raising money) and suddenly, you feel like it's just OVER. Although I feel a huge weight off of my chest (for the first time since March, I can sleep in during the week and not feel a little guilty about missing a run), there is a touch...

The Pasadena Marathon was canceled, thus I am going on with plan B. I have mapped out a route in Santa Clarita that will give me 13.1 miles. The first ever Malchus Cystic Fibrosis Half Marathon is on. The time now is 8:32 AM. The race begins in 30 minutes.

Well, we did not drive down to Pasadena today. The 5 freeway was closed for most of the day due to the fires in Sylmar (which we can see when we're driving around town). Instead of driving for 6 hours through a detour, we opted to stay home and wait. The freeways are no open (as of 7:00) and we await word that the air quality will be good enough to hold the race. If that's the case (which we won't offcially find out about until 4 AM), then we'll take off in the van by 5:00 tomorrow morning. The only snag may be that I don't have my bib or chip. If the run organizers insist on me paying $30 to pick up my stuff (which, technically I shouldn't be allowed to do since I didn't fill out some form) then I'll run the race anyway without the bib or chip. Should we not be able to run n Pasadena tomorrow, I've mapped out 13.1 miles up here and I will run it instead. I have trained and tomorrow I am running for CF. I am running for my family. Aloha

Hello Dodger fans, I feel your pain. The "negotiations" between management and Manny Ramierez's agent have come to an impasse. The Dodgers offered too little and Manny is about to walk. I feel you pain because I have been there. I have seen Manny talk kindly to the fans and assure them that he wants to be in Cleveland, only to bolt the minute someone offers him more money. I don't entirely blame him, the guy is a Hall of Fame slugger who has hitting instinct that we have not seen in generations. Despite what the Dodgers and other teams feel, I assure you that Manny will be playing ball for more than the 5 years he is asking for. All of the blame can't be placed on Manny or his agent, Scott Boras. The Dodgers have done their part in this charade. They offered Manny a contract they knew he would turn down. Sound familiar Clevelanders? It still amazes me that a team of the staure of the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the largest markets in the country, could n...

Another hard week is almost under our belt. Man, Jake had a really hard morning yesterday and it just wiped us out. I was on the verge of breaking down each minute. Coupled with a major letdown at work and I wasn't in good shape. Today was much better. Truth is, with Jake's birthday rapidly approaching and the race two days later, I been having some pretty heavy thoughts lately. Dark, terrible thoughts that crush my heart like and empty water bottle being compressed by a fist. On Monday, as we laid in bed trying to get to sleep, Jake was in the middle of our bed. He had this deep, horrendous cough that toook his breath away ad rattled his bones. Somehow he was able to get to sleep. I prayed hard that night. I clenched my hands together and pleased with GOd to watch over this little boy. Damn it, it's not fair. I should be in a joyous mood, ready to celebrate the life of my baby, and I can't escape the darkness perched just out of sight, in the back of my mind. ...

Hey. How's it goin'. Anything happen since we last spoke? You know when you have a deep cut and it's begun to heal? You know, it doesn't sting so much, just sort of itches, tugs at the skin? You know it's going to be better someday, but it still needs time. Welcome to the new world, America!

You know what you have to do today. VOTE!

November roared in like a lion, pelting our city with a downpour of thunder and rain. It was quite fun, considering we don't get many rainstorms in Santa Clarita. Alas, it meant that I wouldn't be going on my 12 mile run Saturday morning. No matter, we hung out all day and didn't get dressed until sometime around 1:00. It was great. I am in somewhat disbelief that election day is tomorrow. Julie just marveled at the fact that the Kerry/Edwards fiasco was four years ago. Where did those years go? I've been pretty good about not following any of the polls and getting to caught up in the last minute happenings of this campaign race. Race. That's a funny word for the democratic process. Democracy isn't a competition. Democracy is not a game. This is serious business and the fact that so many get caught up in who is winning as opposed to who will lead our country with vision and confidence is worrisome. I spoke with Steve yesterday afternoon and he's s...

Welcome back to thunderbolt , serving the community and the world for 39 years. Thank you for you long time support and readership. The Staff

And now I must stop. No more Huffington Post, no more Andrew Sullivan, no more Slate Magazine until after Tuesday. The tension is too much for me. I know who I am voting for and I know who I think you should be voting for. The next four and a half days will be a barrage of ads and "gotchas" from both sides and frankly, I'm done. I wish I could vote tomorrow.

Riding into work this morning I heard "Lies" by the Thompson Twins, which immediately made me think of a high school girlfriend who loved, LOVED the Thompson Twins. In fact, she broke up with me after I was unable to attend the Thompson Twins/Corey Hart concert. Mind you, I would have gone to see the Thompson Twins/Corey Hart concert, but I didn't have the permission of the parental units. Perhaps she thought that because I couldn't stand up to my parents and demand that I be allowed to see the authors of pop classics like "Hold Me Now" and "Doctor! Doctor!" (not to mention that "Never Surrender" dude) I wasn't rebellious enough to be a Thompson Twins fan and therefore not good enough to be her boyfriend. Ah, the foibles of youth.

In case you missed it, the most anticlimactic World Series ended yesterday afternoon when the Phillies beat the Rays. Now I know why Fox was praying for a Red Sox/Dodgers or Phillies match up. I at least expected the Rays to play a little tougher. Sure, they played okay, but the Phillies just seemed to have more confidence going into the championship. What the Rays reminded me of was the Rockies last year- a young team a little starstruck in the big game. I hope that the Rays don't completely fall apart like Colorado did this past season. Now, we go into the off season. The wait for baseball won't be as long, though. Major League Baseball will launch their new cable channel in January. THAT will be cool.

Birthday wishes: I’ve never given much credence to the old “make a wish and blow out the candles” bit simply because most of my wishes, my birthday wishes, never came true. I don’t hold a grudge against the almighty birthday gods or fairies or whomever grants these silent pleas — it’s just that I’ve never felt their power touch me. My whole life I’ve felt pretty blessed. I was raised by two strong, independently thinking, sometimes stubborn parents who protected me from the harms of the world they could control. A roof over my head, food in my belly, good schools and support in what I wanted to do with my life, they were there for me. They were not perfect, but I believe they did their best. Whatever grudges I held as a young adult have faded now; what’s the point in being bitter. From childhood to the day Julie and I loaded the U-Haul and drove to Los Angeles, they were my shelter, that’s for sure. To be blunt, I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t decided to have a child number thr...

It's hard to believe that within a week there will be a new President. In years past I have been anxious, following the campaigns almost like a game. This year, I know where my votes will be cast. Now we wait.

Sorry there wasn't a new basement song entry this week. It's been an incredibly stressful four days and trying to dig up something proved a little too difficult. That said, I'd like to share song with y'all. Maybe you've heard it before. It's Frankie Goes to Hollywood covering Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." I believe the measure of a great/classic song is whether you can hand it over to the most unlikeliest of artists to cover it and see whether the song holds up. Such is the case with Frankie's cover of possible the one song Springsteen is most associated with. What impresses me so much about this version is that producer, Trevor Horn, chose to just let the band play and didn't add too much frill to the production. Indeed, the only time the song feels "produced" is during the bridge when some keyboards and electronic bongos were added to create the sort of Jersey shore atmosphere Springsteen originally wrote about. Ot...

Tonight, after sitting through another hour of "Grey's Anatomy," I glanced at a picture of Jacob from two years ago when we went to Disneyland. I suddenly teared up and nearly broke down crying. Sometimes just catching myself off guard like that makes the uncertainties of the future unbearable. God I love those kids and my wife.

Woke up early this morning with no desire to run. Watched last week's "Mad Men" and wrote a partial review for Popdose and before I knew it, the time had slipped to 8:00. The thought of running has no appeal. My legs are tired, my shoes are shot, and I think I have enough muscle memory to get me through the race. Still, I decided to at least job a couple miles just to keep up the routine. By 8:15, I was out the door listening to my favorite version of Springsteen singing "If I Should Fall Behind." This version comes from a 1996 show from back east, either Columbus or Florida (I forget). In this particular rendition, he's singing like Dion, who had just covered the song on one of his records. Bruce alters the melody and moves away from the Dylanesque version he was doing at the beginning of the tour in favor of something more tender; something more touching. Listening to that version and the couple other Springsteen acoustic songs I chose to open my r...

Something happened between the last entry an this one.  Someone told me that she thought that some of my entries were just me feeling sorry for myself.  That kind of hit me hard and I took a lot of time to think about this statement. To those of you who keep up with thinderbolt, I want you to know that I'm not seeking your pity when I write entries.  My sole objective has always been to be honest about what's going on in our lives and the trials that my family and I go through.  Good times or bad, I'm not looking for sympathy.  I hope that you all know this.  If not, I apologize for giving you the wrong impression. Like I sad, it tok some time to sort through my feelings on that statement and I came to the conclusion that this person was wrong. I like keeping this blig if for the sole reason to keep old friends and family in the loop.  That's all for now.  More to come.  I have a half marathon to run in a month and everyone wants to hear about that, right? Aloha

Yesterday morning I decided to take the entire week off from running. My thinking was that I needed to recharge my batteries. This has turned out to be a good idea. The anxiousness I was feeling on Monday has subsided for now. Right now I am pumped full of energy, my body is eager to run. I'll still take tomorrow off and start fresh on Monday, but I'm happy that I too the week off. Yesterday I seemed to get some nice responses to the basement song entry on Popdose. I'm always concerned that whatever song I write about isn't going to appeal to the readers and that they're going to gleam over it. But when I simply put myself out there and just write about the songs that are important to me, something nice happens and the entries seem to be more effective. The thought still flits around in my head to collect all of the entries and try to get them published. After all of these years I am still toying with the idea of having my own book. I guess since the movie ...

Spent most of the day depressed and/or fighting back tears. Just one of those days when it all needed to come out, I guess. By the time I got home, I was wiped. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't exhausting trying to keep your emotions in check. I had no motivation to run tonight and am feeling like this may be one of my off weeks. I feel like my batteries need recharging before I get into the home stretch. Did I tell you that Sophie is on the student council? I am so proud of her. I know she's only in 4th grade and there may not be much for her to do, but I think this will be great for her. She already wants to help others all of the time. What a perfect place for a little girl who wants to do good. Jake is sick tonight. He's going to miss school tomorrow. He probably has another sinus infection. The Obama pin still hasn't shown up. Damn. Aloha

The Pasadena half marathon is two months from today.

Today's Russell moment come courtesy of Simon & Garfunkel. The sound of the snare as "The Sounds of Silence" goes electric is one of the most powerful moments in music. It rivals Dylan's announcement at the top of "Like a Rolling Stone."

Was an overwhelming flop. There are many factors involved with why I only managed 23 minutes, the first being that I need new fucking shoes. I have worn the sole down on my left foot so that I am now running on the foam cushion. There are areas in which the black rubber is but a thin line. Originally my plan was to gut it out and continue to use these shoes up until race day. I mean come on, the original long distance runners ran in their bare feet, right? Unfortunately, my legs are not happy with this idea. The need for new shoes lead to the worry about money and I think you can pretty much see how everything spiraled downward from there until I had no motivation and I was practically in tears feeling like a failure. That said, I woke up this morning with a positive attitude. Like I said, there are some projects I am working on right now that have me very excited. One of them is a comic book I am co-writing with a high school buddy, Jeff. Another is an original script that I ...

Got up early this morning and quickly checked the bank account. After a quick transfer of funds, my energy level fell. Life isn't like the movies. Even in those films or television series about folks down on their luck, something good happens and everything changes for the better. I don't want to be negative, but I'm really hoping something great is around the corner. Praying, is more like it, though, I don't know if I've been spiritual enough lately that my prayers would be answered. Funny thing is, I feel really excited about some projects that I'm working on and I'm feeling energized for the half marathon. Still, when I think about Halloween coming up, or Jacob's birthday coming up, or Christmas right around the corner... the elephant that was standing on my chest all last year decides to make another visit. Something's going to happen, I know it. I have to keep reminding myself that something positive is going to come soon. Otherwise, I wo...

I must apologize for the delay in getting on with it. I've been preoccupied with trying to figure out what the hell's going on in my brain and trying to write it all down. Makes sense, huh? The past couple of weeks have had some exciting things happen for me, but nothing that's going to put food on the table. That's the rub, see, I'm trying to do this art thing and we're struggling. Hopefully that'll change soon. Julie is about to begin interviewing for jobs and she'll also be on the sub list come October. I can't complain, though, there are people out there worse off than we are. I know that is true. I'm sitting here listening to Dylan's "Hard Rain" and I can't believe that he wrote this song when he was in his 20's. Sadly, I can't name one young artist who is writing important songs like this one; I can't think of one artist in his 20's taking on the government and calling them on their lies and distort...

I didn't head into Pasadena to run with the training group this morning. I drove three times to work this week and decided to hold off on spending more money on gas. Besides, the run was only 5 miles. That said, it was an okay run. I had a completely miserable run on Wednesday night due to outside influences. I couldn't clear my head of all of the shit going on in our lives. And on Thursday, I missed my run because of back to school night. Thus, I only ran once this week, and that was Monday morning. Still, I managed to finish okay, even though I forgot my water bottle. The weather in the morning is starting to become a little cooler, though the days are still unbearable. I look forward to getting back with the team next Saturday.

When I was in the Boy Scouts, what I took away from the organization wasn't how to tie knots or how to shoot a bow an arrow. What I took from my years in Troop 664 was a pride in my nation, a sense that you can do anything if you put your mind to it (something I proved by earning my Eagle Scout award). I gathered a sense of loyalty in the Boy Scouts and a feeling that it is our responsibility to look out for our fellow man. Although I have had a personal falling out with the Scouts due to their noninclusive, prejudicial policies, I still hold the things I took from those years close to my heart. It was these themes that I heard over and over again in one of t most brilliant speeches I have heard in my lifetime tonight. Never have I sat captivated before the television to hear a politician speak like I did tonight when Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for the Presidency. Everything he said echoed my true feelings about America and what makes this country great.

Matt swears he was caught off guard when the photographer took this. He's no longer with us to defend or refute the statement, so I will continue to believe this was unintentional. For one reason, he really loved the girl he's pictured with. It may have been high school love, but those feelings are real. It's been 20 years since this was taken. After Matt died I carried it around in my wallet for awhile, that's why it appears so beat up. Miss you, brother.

Rode the train this morning reading the LA Weekly on my lap and listeningf to Journey through the headphones. I'll tell you what, that Steve Perry, if he plays his cards right, the kid may have a future as a singer. Across the aisle was a man in his 40's with his long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. There were three or four rubberbands holding the locks in place. He had a goatee and a face weathered by years of experience. The tattoos on his neck and all over his arms gave the impression that this was a hard man and that you wouldn't want to cross him for fear that his tan leather work boots might plant themselves in your face. Then, as I was getting my shit together to get off the train, his phone rang. He spoke on the phone to someone in a tender voice. I got the impression that it was a child and he was calmly explaining that he was on his way to work and that he was on the train. I smiled and stepped down the steps to head to work.

I trying out a new keyboard for th laptop. It's basically a piece of rubber with raised digits. The action of he keyboard is good, but it's strange not having a big, clunky piece of plastic to pound on. Then again, I can pound the crap out of this things and it won't wake up Julie and t kids in he middle of t night. Anyway, if you see a bunch or typos, that's the reason. It's definitely not because I can't spell or that I'm lazy and haven't gone back to correct by errors.

"It's not what you put into it; it's what you leave out. Listen to... you listen to Marvin Gaye... A song like 'What's Happenin' Brother.' There’s a single 'woo' at the end of the second verse - you know that woo - that single 'woo'… That's what you remember. The little things, the silly things. The mistakes... there's only one of them, and it makes the song. It's what you leave out. Yeah, that's rock and roll."

Guys take notice and tell your wives or girlfriends or boyfriends. The title to this article says it all: "Use It or Lose It: Yes It's True" Read on...

Well hey everybody! So, by now, if you're still reading, you can tell that I've made a few changes to the old thunderbolt. Besides the new template, I've added a slew of links and a list of blogs I like to frequent. You'll also notice that I've added links to every Basement Song entry and some of the other things I've written, either at Popdose or on this blog or the old Marathon training blog. I figured, since some of you may not be reading Popdose, here's a chance to catch up on all of the songs I've written about. I've also included the entire breakdown of my last marathon, the OC Marathon. It may look daunting, 13 or so entries, but it reads fast. No, really, it does. Anyway, I've decided to take a little pride in what I'm doing here. If I like something in particular, or if there is an old entry I come across that I would love to share to new readers (like, say, that time during my first marathon when my bowels nearly exploded), t...

Hi all, below is the letter I have sent out for the half marathon fundraiser. S I am running for my son . That is the mantra I repeated to myself in times of exhaustion when I was training for my first two marathons back in 2003 and 2004. The early morning runs, the aching joints, the self doubt, all of these things played a factor in wearing me down and making me want to quit. But then I would repeat those six words to myself and I would find some buried reservoir of energy and continue moving forward. I am running for my son. The reason behind my sudden urge to run a marathon was raising money to find a cure for cystic fibrosis , the deadly disease that Jacob was diagnosed with when he was barely a month old. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threat...

Last Saturday was a spectacular run (I know, how "spectacular" can a 6 mile run be?). I was unsure how my body would respond to a morning run. I love running at night, plus last week's 6 mile-ish run really did a number on me. Anyway, I started out a little tight, but I set goals for myself, essentially chasing two different groups of runners and trying to pass them and finish my run before them. Something clicked around the 3 mile turnaround and I fucking cruised home! I even skipped a walk in order to catch and pass my unsuspecting victims. This training for the half marathon has been some of the most spiritual and refreshing running since before the first marathon back in '03. Today I began, in earnest, to write my fundraising letter. I feel like it's not very good. I hate writing these letters. Boo frickin' hoo, right? Write the damn letter, crybaby, and raise some money to wipe out this damn disease. Man, I'm fired up.

I've been meaning to post these pictures since I received them from Bob weeks ago. One of the best parts of our visit to Ohio was the afternoon I spent with my college friends, Bob, Dan and Brad. While bob and I are continually in touch, Dan and Brad and I haven't spoken in years. It may have even been 5 years. The last time I actually saw them face to face was at the "King Highway" screening in Bowling Green back in 2003. Since then, we've all had our share of ups and downs. Most recently, Brad had quadruple bi-pass surgery... and he's only 37! I'm glad to report that he's in good health. We were all in great spirits that afternoon. The only person missing was Brian, our fourth musketeer. Man, I don't realize how much I miss these guys until we see each other. The four of us. Bob and Dan Brad and me

Just wanted to go on record that Bud Light Lime is one of the worst freaking beers ever. Might as well be a wine cooler. Blech.

A happy belated birthday to my dad, Budd Malchus, Sr., who turned 71 on Saturday. Although we don't always see eye to eye, I challenge any son to tell me that he and his father always meet eye to eye. My dad and I have grown closer as he's gotten older. Perhaps my favorite experience in recent years was last October when he came out to help paint our house. As we cheered the Indians on to victory over those damned Yankees, he shared many stories about his youth and growing up in rural North Olmsted, Ohio. It was during that week that I decided that I'm going to begin videotaping him and my mom. Our family needs to know the Malchus and Lamb history. Mom and Dad were in Alabama for a wedding (from the Alabama side of the Malchus family). I got to speak to him yesterday and wish him a happy b-day. As usual, we ended our conversation with me saying, "We love you, Dad," and him responding, "Same here." Some things you never outgrow. I can't rec...

This morning, Dan Patrick, on his syndicated sports radio show, made a comment regarding a mini- controversy with ESPN sideline reporter, Erin Andrews . Regarding Andrews and the scrutiny she's suddenly under for the clothes she wears, he said, "You go from 'we don't know who you are, but we like you... Then they know you...to they build you up, they tear you down. That's the way this works in the media, unfortunately." My first thought was of Obama.

This afternoon we went to a CF Foundation event, the Brew Ha Ha, a beer tasting event. We met a very nice couple who have a two ad a half year old with CF. The wife is a writer and the husband is studying to be a respiratory therapist. She writes a nice blog, Froggy Mama , which I checked out for the first time. It always amazes me how many comments people receive at certain blogs. I am lucky to receive one or two a month. Then again, she seems like a better writer than I am. She writes in complete sentences. Unlike, you know. Me. The beer tasting festival was great fun. I discovered a great tasting beer out of Paso Robles, CA, Firestone Walker . Smooth beer, my friends. Very smooth. Of course, BJ's provided some excellent food, as did several other fine restaurants, including Stone Fire, which has a place up by us. Dinner just arrived. Gotta run. Aloha

We had a rather large earthquake yesterday. the scariest part was being away from Julie and the kids while it happened. But everyone is okay and there was not damage to our house.

I've kind of slacked off on the first thought of the day. For Yesterday, my first thought actually was, "Man, I'm glad the Dodgers picked up Casey Blake." My first thought today was , "Damn, The Dark Knight was phenomenal." First the Dodgers. The Indians traded blue collar workhorse Casey Blake to the Dodgers on Saturday. As luck would have it, Sophie and I were going to the Dodgers game that night. Sophie is a HUGE Casey Blake fan, having rooted for him during the Indians playoff run last fall. She was bummed that he wasn't going to be on the Indians anymore, but excited that we'd get to see him play that night. Mr. Blake was 2-3 with a double and a run scored. Not bad for a guy who walked off an airplane, got fitted for a uniform and played his first game on his new team all within a three hour span. Casey should also be happy to learn that he has a fan club up in Saugus. The next morning, when his picture appeared in the Times, Jake saw...

Last night I went for an incredibly awesome run at 10:00 PM. I overslept my 5 AM wakeup and was pissed throughout the day until deciding to makeup for the missed morning marathon and exercise at night. It was the best decision I've made in a while. With my legs awake an loose from a full day of activity, I had no problem getting right into a groove. I found a great pace and was able to maintain it for most of the run. Additionally, I ran a longer distance than I have in some time. Without the pressure of getting home in time to see the kids off to school and get ready for work, I was able to relax and push myself a little bit. I hope that I will be able to continue running at night up until the half marathon in November. Granted, it was dark out and there were a few nerve racking moments running through underpasses, but I certainly enjoyed myself a lot more than I have in ages.

A decent run this morning considering I haven't been out jogging for almost 3 weeks. The new knee support was great, I love the iPod, and my back didn't bother me one bit. I completed 30 good minutes (a little plodding, but consistent) until the burdens of my mind began to press down on me and I lost the will to continue. Some personal things over the weekend are taxing me right now, personal things I don't care to discuss on thunderbolt. Still, I'm glad I made it out today. It would have been far too easy to sleep in and put off the running for another day.

Well, here it is, the weekend is half over and I'm still up hoping to catch some Indians highlights and really considering the purchase of the Perfect Pushups. Did you know you can get BIG ARMS, a BIG CHEST and RIPPED ABS! There's no wasted effort, just perfect pushups. Designed by a Navy Seal, no kidding, yeah, and only two payments for 20 bucks. That's not too funny, though. I vividly recall a night when I was up with Jake, it was around 2 in the morning, and I was feeling pretty low about myself. Next thing you know I was ordering a series of Yoga VHS tapes. I'll give you three guesses how often I used those tapes. Actually, there is one tape that I pull out on occasion. I've used that one tape some ten times in five years. The other four sit in a box collecting dust. We were supposed to go to the beach today but Jake woke up with a 102 degree fever. He fought it all day and now, at about 11:30, it appears to have broken. We spent the day indoors, vent...

My first thought carries over from yesterday. I'm surprised that I'm not sweating bullets and worrying that people don't like King's Highway , especially with two awful reviews on Netflix ("worst movie ever" was one of them). Am I so far removed from the movie after it being so many years that the criticism can easily roll off my back? Have I matured enough to take any one person's opinion with a grain salt (I mean, come on, "worst" movie? Have they seen Navy S.E.A.L.S or The Forgotten ?)? Or do I just not give a shit because I know that the acting really is good and the editing by Vill is outstanding? Maybe I'm blinded because I've lived with it so long. Still, I've had people I REALLY respect commend me on the movie, people who would not hesitate to tell me if the movie really was crap. People are entitled to their opinion. At least they watched the movie, right (except the one reviewer who was afraid they wouldn't get t...

I hope the basement song entry I wrote today isn't shit. I feel like I had something to say with this one, but I also feel like I wasn't as full speed. My mind and body still feel like their in a daze, slowly coming back from vacation. Each night, coming in from work, I'm wiped. Why is that?

Tired. I just can't get going in the morning. The heat at night and the fan blowing on me as I sleep seems to suck my energy out of my body. I remember always feeling this tired during the summers of my youth. I thought I would outgrow this type of exhaustion, this feeling of being wiped out. My whole being seems to need a detox. No coffee. No Coke. No high fructose corn syrup. Maybe then I won't go through sugar and caffeine crashes. Maybe then I won't feel so tired.

My family is home and my soul actually feels better.

My whole body hurts. Not sure I'm going to doing much running of any kind, let alone a marathon, any time soon.

Last week I had the great pleasure of spending the afternoon with Matt's brother, Elliott. Our last visit together had been... uh, not so great. But on a Sunday afternoon in North Olmsted, we hung out in his mom's living room, watching old SNL videos, playing the Wii and sharing a few beers. There were moments during those couple of hours when he lit up talking about music and music theory. Man, the guy should be teaching music. He could inspire so many kids to rethink how they play guitar. I know he made me rethink music. I started listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan again after watching a live performance of Stevie play "Riviera Paradise." "Listen to the way he makes his guitar cry. It's the end of the story he's telling with the strings." All of these years I hadn't heard this song in quite the way E. described it to me. It was awesome. I spoke to him on Friday to tell him how much I enjoyed our visit. I realized that night that The Ban...

Glad my family is coming home tomorrow.

It's late, or early, depending on your frame of mind. I've just returned from an evening out with my neighbor, Kevin, and I'm listening to the new Coldplay album. Kevin is a writer and an actor, and just recently, a producer. I really enjoy going out with him for drinks, usually to this crummy place called The Greens. It's called The Greens because there is a putt putt course. In the past, when I've been to this place, there have hardly been any putt putters. Tonight, they were out in full force. At one point, I got hit in the back with an errand golf ball. Apparently some putt putter was swinging a little too hard. I really do love this Coldplay album, Viva La Vida..., I think the band has achieved an new level of greatness. They set out to make an ALBUM, and not a collection of singles. It works. Sure, you can hear their influences throughout the record, but who cares. There are some wonderful emtions here, real power. One song stands out above them a...

It's my fourth day with the family in Ohio and I'm functioning like a human being again. I've become a little more motivated as my initial depression over being alone has subsided. Having done a bunch of errands yesterday really set me back in the right frame of mind. Still, it only take entering Jake's room for my shoes or looking and one of the hundreds of drawing Sophie has done to feel a pang of sadness. It sucks when they're away.

Nice. The Indians traded C.C. (I'm sorry, CC) Sabathia and they decide to start hitting the damn ball again. Not that they're going to turn the season around (although, wouldn't that be a great story), but it is fun to see them wallop a team positioned well in the standings like the Rays.

It's sometime after 8. Of course you know that. Took a Tylenol PM last night. Need to see a chiropractor this morning. My first thought of the day is this: If I never hear another damn cat meow I will be a very happy man.

Perspective. That's what any vacation I take gives me once I've returned home and slip back into the grind. Julie and the kids are still in Ohio but I'm back in Saugus, trying to get myself mentally equipped for the work day. Having returned late Tuesday night, yesterday was a daze, made more so by the fact that my office is moving. Thus, on top of getting caught up to speed, I had to pack up my crap for the big move that begins this afternoon. Woke up this morning and just couldn't get going. I started to make a list of things that I have to do JUST to get out the frickin door and I had a chilling thought: Is this what I would be like if I was not married with children? Would I be this lethargic every morning? I envisioned a house littered with post-its, telling how my life was supposed to go. I don't do well when my family is away, especially after vacation. After spending a week and a half bonding with them, getting reacquainted, so to speak, I'm in a...

I had the best run in nearly a month this morning. A strange calmness came over me halfway through the run, something I've never felt before. It was early and my limbs were still a bit drowsy when something switched in my brain and I was able to maintain a nice, steady pace. To say the least, this feeling was a wonderful surprise. Switching back to a run/walk of 2 1/2 minutes running and 1 minute walking seems to have been the right decision.

I have been learning a lot about myself these past few weeks. I now believe that I have some form of obsessive compulsive behavior. My mind gets locked on one track and I can't veer off of that course until everything is completed. I also have finally come to the conclusion that I need lists and that I need structure. Flying by the seat of my pants leads to anxiety. I have a lot of anxiety when I run. I'm trying to work through that one. When I approach the end point of every long run, I fear that I won't complete the run (i.e. the race) and that I will embarrass my family and myself. This has to be the reason my training fell off for three weeks. I woke each morning and would think, "What's the point?" Finally, I am full of dread when it comes to sitting down and writing the next story. I'm sweating now just thinking about it. I have no confidence in myself and I'm trying to push through this wall. Driving into work this morning I had seve...

It's been a nice, relaxing week. Mom and dad just left town this morning. Today is their wedding anniversary and they have been married for 46 years. That number seems so monumental in this day and age, however, I feel that Julie and I will have no trouble reaching that number (in 31 years). We went to breakfast before I drove off to work and I go my mom talking about the time when they were married and what they went through. Not to be mean, but it's never difficult getting mom to start talking. I swear that the next time I see them, either in Tucson or when they visit us, I am going to set up a video camera and begin recording the story of their lives. Each and every time I hear what they went through, I am filled with strength and say to myself, "it's never easy, is it." From getting married with next to nothing, living in the segregated south, to moving back to Ohio and raising four children, I admire my folks, even if I don't agree with everything ...

Yes, I have a problem. There, I admitted it. I'm addicted to "Lost." I sat in my office chair for three hours to watch three consecutive episodes one night and I messed up my back. I am paying the price. I can't run, I walk like an old man (no offense to my older readers.. I meant... oh, you know what I meant!) and I have trouble getting comfortable when it's time to go to sleep. So THANK YOU Mr. J.J. Abrams and all of your cast, for screwing up my life. And thank you (no, really, thank you) ABC for streaming all four seasons on ABC.com.

Today, Jacob graduated from kindergarten. I had a hard time keeping the video camera steady and my eyes were full of tears and my nose was dripping. He stood center stage while his entire class performed three songs for all of the parents. With his hands jammed casually in is shorts pockets, he looked like one relaxed kid. But I could tell he was a little nervous; his cheeks were flush before the program began. When the children sang, his was the loudest voice, the most enthusiastic voice, the most excited and happy voice. Julie had a parent comment on Jacob's singing, too. He really stole some of the show. After the kids sang, they all sat down for awards to be presented by the two kindergarten teachers. Each student received an award for a particular skill they mastered over the course of the year, like penmanship, citizenship, etc. Jacob was awarded Best All Around Student. It probably doesn't mean much to him other than "hey, I git an ward." But I feel...

My first day of official training did not go well. After a weekend blowout that began on Thursday night at the "Flapjack" premiere party and went through the weekend with drinks until 2 AM with my neighbor, an outlandish five (5!) hamburgers eaten in one day, and more meat and rinks on Sunday, I was not up to the task of running at 6 AM Monday morning. Quite honestly, I needed a serious detox. Up until a couple hours ago, I still felt like crap. But I am ready an excited for tomorrow morning. I am investigated a little bit about what foods I should eat before my run and hope that I don't get depressed while I run. That seems to be my greatest obstacle lately. My head starts to tell me that I shouldn't be running or I begin to question whether I really want to do the marathon. Seeing as for 20 hours, I really want to run this thing, I have to get my head in shape for the morning run. Call it brain training, if you will. I'm a little bummed that "King...

It's been quite an eventful week. First let me tell everyone with kids to please check out "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack", which premieres tomorrow night (Thursday, 6/5/08) at 8:30 ET on Cartoon Network. I've been working on this animated series for over a year and I'm quite proud to be a part of the production. In addition, the crew we have on this show is a great bunch of people and I hope them all the success in the world. So let's make this show a big hit and keep Scott employed for a while. Let's see, where to start. Okay, first of all, our Internet was kaput for several days, so even if I wanted to write, it would have been difficult. Sorry. On Tuesday we learned that "King's Highway" is being released next Tuesday, 6/10. I little research led to the discovery that the film is available for presale at Amazon and available to rent through Netflix. Obviously, if you're reading this, I hope you'll check out our l...

So... I was sick, then I was doing a rewrite, then it was a holiday and now.... The excuses have run out. For those of you reading, I've got a decent Basement Song entry coming up tomorrow over at Popdose. Please check it out. I've been doing a lot of thinking about the way I edit myself on thunderbolt and how it may inhibit me in being creative. I think I'm going to try and be a little more loose with my constraints and see where that leads us. Would you like to come along for the ride? I can't make any promises at how often I will be making entries over the next couple of weeks. I'm trying to work out a schedule. However, the marathon training will official begin in a couple of weeks. I assure you, my faithful readers (there may be 30, now) that I will continue to make regular updates once the running gets longer and harder. Let me finish by telling you what a hero Jacob was yesterday. he had a doctors appointment down at Childrens Hospital. For the first...

Yesterday morning, as sunlight seeped into the sky and a sliver of the moon held on to its turf for as long as possible, I took off running, proud that I was able to drag my ass out of bed at 4:45 to put in 5 miles. Julie had to work at 6:30, so my only option to stay on schedule was this a.m. venture. It's amazing what you can accomplish just after waking up if you cast aside distractions and remain focused. By 5:00 a.m. I had begun to jog while most of the city still slept in the warm beds. Before I reached 1 mile, I saw a young coyote, lost in civilization, wandering out of an apartment complex and crossing Newhall Ranch Road, one of the busiest roads in the city. But at the crack of dawn here was no traffic. It was only me and the coyote, two creatures roaming the streets in search of something. Perhaps the coyote was looking for food or trying to find its way back to the mountains. I know that I was looking for some healing and a good run. It crossed the intersection...

May 1st. A new pledge to be positive for a month. A new pledge not to get caught up in any of the negative bullshit at work. A new pledge to not speak negatively of anyone for one month. A pledge to ride my bike to work whenever possible. May 1st. This may get tough.

The Great Strides walk was excellent this year. The weather was very permitting and there seemed to be a great turnout. I was so thrilled that my old friend Jay showed up with his kids an girlfriend. Although we have not hung out at all in the past years, I hope that this is the start of a friendship renewed. Mom flew out from Tucson, however Dad could not make it this year. It almost didn't feel right without him walking with us. The kids loved having their grandma visit, though. After the walk (which raised over $120K so far), everyone came over to our place. Seann lounged on the couch while the Tribe game played in the background (they won on a Victor Martinez single in the bottom of the 9th-- sweet). Meanwhile, Budd and I assembled the new basketball hoop I'd purchased the night before. I never would have thought I'd have a hoop of my own... oh wait, it's the kids'... I love just bouncing the ball around the shooting it. Kind of relaxing. The Wills an...

Each year when the Great Strides fundraiser draws near, my heart just gets heavier and heavier as the day of the actual event inches toward us. I don't know how Julie does what she does. She is a super woman taking on all of the responsibilities that she does. I try to block it out because the moment I hear myself saying, "I'm walking for my son," I become a blubbering wreck. I'm walking for my son.

It's been a long week and it's only Tuesday. I'm still trying to hunt down Stults for this interview. We came close last week and it fell through. I think that the only way it's going to happen is if I find him in some bar and corner him. Alas, I shall keep trying. Blood Brothers has fallen apart. I'm a bit disappointed, but not surprised after what I was going through with the option agreement. Tony and I still plan to try and make it ourselves. We'll see how that goes. Still, this is one that I just won't let go. There's too much of Brookshire in it to let someone else go in and fuck around with the story. Great Strides is this week and I don't know if I'm distracted or not. I'm feeling anxious, as if I should be writing, but I can't get motivated. I'm starting to get pissed off at myself (as you can tell by the number of expletives tht are flying out of my mouth... er keyboard). Where is that drive I had years ago. The...

Joe Borowski's meltdown aside, it has been a pretty good couple of days. Not sure where "Blood Brothers", the werewolf film, stands as far as a production right now. I refuse to sign away the creative rights to the movie, plain and simple. If I was being offered 100 thousand dollars ad a studio was fronting 20 million or more to produce my script, well hell yeah, I'd sign away. But not for a small indie movie, especially after what I went through previously. The running is going great. My legs have new life. Seriously, no pain yet. I'm stoked about that and even imagine myself with a flat stomach someday. I know, a bit of a fantasy, but a guy can dream, can't he? On Saturday we visited the Saugus Trail Station, which isn't a train station anymore, but a museum, and isn't even in Saugus anymore (it was moved to Newhall back in 1980). Sophie has a class assignment to learn more about Santa Clarita history. I'm pretty excited about all th...

BO ROW SKI! ARGH!!!

And "Out in the Streets" was an audible after "Badlands." Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Good run this morning. It was kin of tough to get going, it being Monday and all. I was wiped out all day but have found my second wind just in time to leave work and see this new artist you may have heard of. His name is Bruce Springsteen. I think he has a real future ahead of him. Going to try and get some pics at the show. Aloha

Lately when I try to come up with a topic for these entries, I feel like a phony. Good God, what could I possibly have to say that a) has any importance considering the well written and emotional blogs out there (like this one that Julie reads daily) and b) I haven't already written about before. I mean, really, who wants to hear me gripe about my job one more time, huh? Moreover, I'm really trying o stay committed to the Popdose writing. The basement entries take a lot out of me; I'm doing my best to give them a couple of drafts before posting them. And the TV column is so new and alien to me. I'm not even sure if my opinion is worth a grain of salt. That said, I have received an insane amount of response to an article I wrote about "October Road", ABC's series that co-starred Geoff Stults, the actor who carried King's Highway on his shoulders. That's kind of cool huh? I am hoping that once I get into my real training for the marathon in ...