Ah, darling dear: Language can be so loaded, lethal even, all depending on who is using the words. Take the word darling, if you would. Should 50-something males keep that restricted to referencing blood relatives? Yes is probably the answer, to avoid risk of seeming creepy. But a 50-something female doesn’t likely face the same restrictions. But where it is now very odd to hear is when young servers use the phrase – ‘here you go darling’ or ‘here you go, dear.’ And not just at the pub, 20-something baristas throw the phrase around like they’ve been working at Mel’s Diner for 30 years.
To Sir, how it hurts: There is the moment when the transition to adulthood becomes clear. It sneaks up on a person, happens in unexpected ways and is almost always unintentional. For instance: being 25, playing tennis on public courts and the ball in play rolls behind another court. There is protocol, no running and grabbing the errant strike, wait for it to be returned. But when the ball is returned, it’s clear the teen is well-raised as it comes accompanied by a cheery ‘here you go sir.’ Oh, the dagger delivered, more accurately than any ace.
Spring ahead, really: The argument that we’re no longer an agrarian society and thus DST has outlived its usefulness doesn’t really matter. Who doesn’t like a little bit more daylight at the end of a long shift? The only annoying part is waking up and having misplaced an hour. Oh, not to mention having to reset all your timepieces.
Fuel failure: Okay, side-effect of losing weight and going from dump truck-sized tire for a belly to more like a motorbike street tire is the possibility of a fuel failure. The stores are now not at as well-stocked and hunger pains add new element to gutting out the run. So, next week need to add to the pre-run meal of yogurt and power bar, here comes the oatmeal.
The Troubles: One of the best new finds has been Adrian McKinty’s Sean Duffy novels, set during the Irish Troubles and featuring the Catholic Duffy working for the Royal Ulster Constabulary and living on a Protestant estate. The new one is out, now bought and ready to be devoured. But it raises a question: so engrossing is the series (sort of the same with Greg Horowitz’s Orphan X series) shall you take the plunge and purchase the author’s other books? What if they’re shite? Do you risk devaluing your affection for the series you like?
Marathon or not: The first problem is the distance: 26 miles. Funny how we use the old school distance for the marathon; as it sounds so far, so challenging, so nuts to attempt and saying 26 miles is universally understood. Everything else we use the metric measure – 5K, 10 or 21K for the half. Even for the ultra we would go 50K. But 2 followed by 6 and an M, damn imposing. Then there’s the idea of being in your head for that long; look how chaotic – lacking any sane progression – these thoughts are. Adding another hour makes it seem like the wall is not the challenge but not hating yourself by the end of it. Who can take that much time alone in their head.
Blah blah blah: Of course, work intrudes – how can it not. You can’t outrun work, sadly. But a positive upshot of trying to push work to the side, for a short period of time, is by not dwelling on it that when you do return to the topic – no avoiding that – there is often greater clarity. No, really, trust me. Had some great work ideas come to me this week while out running. Just can’t tell you.
Tie or not to tie: Speaking of work. Part of the job means occasionally pictures are taken and you’re in them, not the subject, just on the periphery. One of the oldest rules for staff is don’t upstage the boss. But watching Sean Spicer and Steve Bannon gives me pause. Spicy’s ties are so awful and it’s not like he’s going for outrageous; but the ties and the boxy suits give shivers. Bannon clearly doesn’t care – he’s got the whole evil genius thing down. Looks like he really wants to channel Ray Winstone in Sexy Beast. Looking at that pair and The Orangeness they work for (who can’t tie a tie to save his life and is King Willem of Netherlands jealous the House of Orange is being upstaged?) makes you wonder whether no tie is acceptable. Though, that only lasts for a fleeting moment: sharp suit, sharp tie still kills. That’s a wall worth climbing over.
How many times in the driving rain do you wish you were on a bike to get home quicker? Zero.
On the Right Side 
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