fixed computer and a very hilly run on no sleep and ebay

i spent hours trying and dealing with technical support and their solution wiped out half of my computer stuff. so hours later trying to teach myself on my own and with a lot of trial and error, i was able somehow, and i do mean that, to get it working again. my toolbars are back, as are my bookmarks and i can watch videos and computer tv again. saw tiger's highlights this morning. now we'll see how long it works.

so on a couple of hours of sleep i headed out to run and went exploring. took a path that led me to raleigh park. had been looking for the park before and now finally i was there. well- what a hill to run up. i mean straight up and forever. i can still, as i type, feel the quads burn a little bit. but the views of oxford from the top were worth the climb.

came out of the park-small park btw, and ran up and down different trails i had not been on before and ended up on yarnell hill road. just like raleigh park all over again. by now the temps were climbing and it was warming up- a precursor to the rain that is to hit us this afternoon.

i stopped at a little store i found to buy a drink and ended up having a conversation with a clerk from bangledesch, who was hoping obama won and is also hoping to see his life dream through of visiting chicago. who knows why?

people here fall into at least two categories. those that hate america and those that cannot wait to get there. he seemed like a nice kid and i hope his dream comes through. he explained THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS in the usa economy affects his homeland and most of the world and that is why everyone watches our elections. plus he said they seem so exciting. yea....

down the hill and took a bridle path that i hoped led to the college but it deadended on one side of a fence and the college was on the other. another day for that.

now to get home. was nice to run down hill a bit and then over the bike path and eventually home. about 7 miles and seemed like more. i may not remember how to putt, but i won't have any trouble walking the golf courses.

have bought a few clubs on ebay as i continue to remake over my set. they ship them to my daughter. have an idea on how to make golf easier and i want to see if it works. the guys can laugh at me later. if i watch and read about golf it is almost like playing right?

to give you an idea on price- my bettinardi putter went on sale here for $320. it was $400 until the sale. you can get a nice scotty cameron for $380 though. someday the dollar will be worth something again. what does china use for money?

i had even had some faint hope of running and then taxiing to a golf course today, but with rain due at noon and on no sleep i thought i would wait. can't imagine playing golf with people right now.

the last time i played here i taught a friend's wife the david chang rule- there are no trees you cannot throw your ball out of without a stroke penalty. she did ask me what a mulligan is. they are snobby about their golf here, think they invented it or something.

she went on to teach me a phrase i had not heard- GOLF- gentleman only, ladies forbidden

interesting writing this and knowing hardly anyone reads it, but it is cathartic in a way and i hope to do better as i go.