I got the pleasure of a morning CT scan today including the lovely “vanilla shake” that you have to drink to make your innards glow. As I left the hospital I could not help but think about the raging debate over health care and whether we should socialize our medical system like they have in the UK, Australia, and other places. While this subject falls well “above my pay grade” I had to wonder how long I would have had to wait in line for my CT scan appointment had I lived in a socialized medicine country. My condition is not life-threatening so would that mean I would have to wait longer? Would the level of care not have been as good? While I will agree that the medical costs here in America have spun out of control (it was $4,500 for a 15 minute CT scan today) I am not sure that socializing the system is the right approach. And, for once I don’t have an alternate suggestion…yet!

Last Saturday I went out for a little 6 mile run and did something to my right foot. Not sure what yet, but it seems to have mostly gone away. But, with that plus the toenail plus this nagging cough I cannot get rid of I decided to take the week off. I plan to resume running on Monday. It is funny how 4 months ago I was so inactive and now a week off makes me feel sluggish and fat again. (I am still fat just not as fat as I was 4 months ago!!)

So, we returned from lunch this afternoon and there was one parking spot available in front of our office. However, the inconsiderate jerk in the spot next to it had parked his huge, gas-guzzling Chevy 2500 super cab well over the line. I cannot stand when people do this. I have even been known to make my wife re-park the family mobile (read: mini van) when she missed the spot. Being the kind person I am, I let all of my passengers out of the car and proceeded to park in the open spot inside of the lines. Unfortunately this only gives Mr Inconsiderate about 8 inches to open his driver side door when he leaves. I would be lying if I did not admit that it made me feel better.

P.S. I drive a beat up 1996 Ford Explorer so an extra dent from this this guy’s door would only serve as a badge of honor at this point.

I caught a documentary on the making of Spore this weekend. For those of you that are non-gamers, Spore is the latest video game creation of Will Wright the legendary game designer of Sims fame. If Sims were about people then Spore is about everything else. Essentially you create your own lifeforms, planets, solar systems, etc while at the same time being able to visit the planets, solar systems, etc of all the other people playing the game. Watching the documentary reminded me how much I want to create video games one day when I grow up.

The US10k organizers posted the official times this morning. I had predicted 62:05 on Tuesday based on the first mile official time and then the lap times from my watch. The official time: 62:04. I didn’t quite get under the 60 minute mark that I was aiming for but now I have a time to beat next time I run a 10k. My time also placed me as finisher 1,644 out of 3,072 that had the official timing chip. My running buddies did real well too. Stacy finished in 62:51 and Steph finished in 66:51. I have my eye on a couple of 5k races coming up this fall. I may even get to run one in Ohio when I go to visit the family in October.