Two weeks ago, I completed a 5-week baseline workout plan via Garmin. So much for your last post on rest.
Last week, I began another 5-week series of workouts destined to test my overall strength and grit. Unrelated, I’ve seen the word grit mentioned no less than 3x at work in as many days. Maybe it’s making a comeback?
Results so far indicate I’m vertically challenged, probably don’t eat enough to power said workouts, and are overall incredibly difficult.
As evidence, here is a collection of whackadoo hairstyles I’ve implemented lately –
Alas, the running continues, even with weather fluctuations and holidays. I average 2.5-3.5 miles per run. Nothing fancy, just basic movement. Alongside the strength plan, I aim for several runs/week but sometimes I only get a single or double. Meh.
As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, at the moment I have plans to run a 5k with a local group. But those plans belong to today me. Not the me who has to wake up tomorrow, get dressed, eat, and brave whatever weather is in store. Maybe I’m still resting.
_____________________
I ask you –
Will you be partaking in the Thanksgiving Day 5k tradition?
If you weren’t aware, tumbleweeds are dead, dry plants which have detached from the ground and proliferate by spreading their seeds across the land as they blow here and there. They’re considered invasive because they can grow to large sizes, changing agricultural land and being a general nuisance. (courtesy of KelGpt) Occasionally, we experience tumbleweeds in North Texas, but never to the extent of the wild wild west, where movies, and real life, would indicate they blow as far as the eye can see.
Besides the dead, dry part, I consider my mind full of tumbleweeds. Maybe a pinball is more accurate. Bouncing around to and fro, never really making it to the final location. Which is probably why this blog has flourished. Because my thoughts bounce around, reproducing randomly.
To my point –
Texas Coffee School – if I needed an idea where to spend the final portion of my GI Bill – tada!
Google.com – the place where normal people like you or I, thelayman, if you will, can learn about how the government works. Indeed, we’ll call it Government 101, because too many people must have missed the lesson in high school. Apparently.
Football! Loving watching the Bears stage a comeback. Sure, the scores have yet to reflect said comeback but it’s been a great year nonetheless. Oh, the Cowboys. Season started strong, then we hit that tie, and it feels like it has fallen apart. And the Texans? Well, sigh. It’s the Texans and I love them, what’s not to like? One day, one day.
_____________________
I ask you –
Did you know about tumbleweeds?
(The post Tumbleweedsfirst appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
If I’ve learned anything during this furlough, it is to take it slower. Much slower. But not too slow because I just can’t.
A run collection
For weeks, I have been doing two-a-day workouts and I’m feeling the best I ever have. That’s not taking it slow, Kel. In other ways, I have been giving endless grace. The first week of the furlough, admittedly, I was angry. Angry we had gotten to this point. Anger directed at everyone around me. But soon I realized anger wasn’t getting me anywhere. Now, and since, I’ve been in a numb sense of acceptance. I do not like this situation. I still battle anger and disappointment. But I’m humbled every single day by a team of few who continue to show up. And it’s what they deserve from me.
the team
You don’t know what ya got til it’s gone. Oh, but I did know. I would have rather never experienced it. Despite the furlough, the show must go on. Despite taking a massive manpower hit, the expectation to deliver is still there. Thankfully, with the help of dozens of volunteers and a killer core team, we executed the 2025 Zombie Run 5k of over 300 participants. To say I was stressed was an understatement. But they did it.
I think I could outrun the politicians, or zombies, in charge of bureaucratic decision-making. But a nice right hook to the jaw might be more fun. Well deserved.
I’m hesitant to flesh out this idea, to call people out by name, or to join the political game which surrounds this issue. But here I go.
credit: unnamed news media
What happened in Kerr County, Texas, resulting in the death of dozens of innocent children and camp goers will be evaluated for years to come. My point of view originates from a benign news article indicating State Rep Virdell, (R) – Kerr County (one of 18 other representatives) voted against House Bill (HB) 13 in the recent TX legislative session which would have established a federal committee and grant program to help the state purchase early warning systems, namely outside warning systems like sirens, to prevent needless deaths along Texas river basins, namely the Guadalupe River, which often solely rely on NOAA radios and limited cell reception to inform the public of impending weather watches and warnings. This is a very long sentence to state many areas in need of outdoor warning systems do not have the system in place.
But why?
HB 13 was costly, apparently too costly to implement. I find this a little difficult to believe as Kerr County has a net position of $81.3 million. HB 13 stalled in the Senate Finance Committee, presumably due to its price tag, a hefty $500 million. Sure, even if all $81 million went toward the $500 million, there is quite a deficit. However, HB 13 proposed the roll out of grant money, but over the course of 10 years.
Did a warning system exist?
Simple answer: yes. But there are some significant limitations. The current system, only passed in 2020, utilized the free Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), as part of the CodeRed program which relies on White Pages data for mass emergency pre-recorded emergency telephone messages. Obviously, the reliance on the data source means there could be countless numbers not included in the program. Can you tell me at this moment if your number is included in the White Pages? Exactly.
The Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA) was aware of the need to incorporate a flood warning system for Kerr County. In 2018, the UGRA applied for a $1 million grant. The grant was not received. Then, in 2020, IPAWS was implemented. At some point, UGRA was invited to apply for a grant for a county wide flood warning system. However, the UGRA declined to apply due to the grant match of 5%.
Interestingly, State Rep Virdell is quoted by the Texas Tribunestating “…even if you had a warning system there, this came in so fast and early in the morning it’s very unlikely the warning system would have had much effect.”
I have some issues with this statement. 1. A statement like that will probably not get you reelected. You see, the words (paraphrased) unlikely it would have had much effect is not comforting to your constituents. If it had saved one life, one family who didn’t receive a death notice and is now planning a funeral, how do you quantify ‘effect’? If an early warning system saves one life, then it has done its job. 2. His answers, he “guessed”, had to do with how much funding was tied to HB 13. This is an unclear statement, and probably taken out of context, as we don’t know if he is referring to the grant portion or the overall cost. Maybe he is referencing how HB 13 would create a new government council and some constituents are opposed to this type of measure. 3. Did I mention State Rep Virdell represents Kerr County, the very county where this disaster happened? Granted, he was one of eighteen who voted no on HB 13. Unfortunately, as State Rep Virdell is a freshman representative, elected in Nov 2024, I fear this spells the end of his career in 2027. Ask me again in a few years. I bet he’s regretting his decision to vote against HB 13.
Anything else?
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, re-elected in 2022, acknowledged the lack of a warning system in the Guadalupe River basin despite the ongoing threat of dangerous floods. In a separate interview, Kelly stated taxpayers will not pay for the early warning system. Now, this is why you read RoF. As an academic scholar, I (and you, too) have access to public records which indicate what city councilors and other city representatives discuss and vote for or against. Additionally, these records often include public comments. It is time-consuming to navigate the many public records surrounding early warning systems. But I have nothing but time.
What do the records tell us?
More to come, in part 2. As I said, it is a very lengthy process to analyze all public records, especially as im seeking information and opinions of local citizens.
What’s the point?
Grief isn’t logical. Grief makes no sense. It’s human nature to want answers, to place blame. So when the proverbial waters recede, people, families, grievers will demand answers. Sometimes it is for money – funerals and recovery efforts are not cheap. Often, it is for validation and then closure. What went wrong and how do we prevent it? I’ve learned the probability of anyone accepting the reason “it was just their turn” goes well 0% of the time. Some will offer religious platitudes, but it remains most, if not all, will seek the source of failure. People are angry. People are hurt. And people do what people do.
Last but never least, I do have a vested interest in the outcome of this tragedy as I lost a friend and co-worker. She, her young daughter, and her in-laws were swept from their cabin while her husband somehow managed to hang on to a tree. He is the sole survivor in their family. As an active duty servicemember, and now a widow, he (and every person impacted) are suffering. Although it’s been months, the decisions and trauma revolving around the circumstances are still being debated. They are owed answers. And we (Texas) can do better.
_________________
I ask you –
No questions or comments.
(The post Stormy Opinions first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Being a part of the planning and scheduling and leading and quite frankly the chaos of a huge event like a concert consumed more than a week of my time. Thankfully, only one task fell squarely on my shoulders. Anything more and I would have sank like the JLG in the soft ground. Evidence in the photos above. I’m surprised the large monument-sized anchors in the foreground didn’t sink. Speaking of monuments, those are called pet rocks. When I insisted they look like headstones, I was informed the difference between pet rocks and headstones is the pet rocks have had the “coating” removed. OK, fine. However, now I wonder did someone gift the military dozens of headstones? And why? Perhaps they didn’t believe in air power.
I also met a comedian. A real one! Mr. Walter Campbell has been a comedian for more than 30 years and is easily the funniest one yet. Apparently, he sings and dances, too, which was a fun surprise. Such a treat to meet a relatable and funny man of his famous nature.
Aftermath…who does the hat belong to? We still don’t know.
I was truly enjoying the moment, and still running around like a chaos coordinator, so photos are lacking. The lineup was 3OH!3, Bryce Vine, and Andy Grammer. All were amazing performers and even nicer people.
AFE coin
To say pulling off an event for 1500 people is a feat does it no justice. I was coined by the Air Force Entertainment team which was such a thoughtful ending to the night.
Saturday morning
By the time Parts and I made it to bed at approx. 0145, I’d been awake for 21 hours. Can’t say I want to do it again anytime soon, but…we know there will be.
________________
I ask you –
What’s the longest amount of time you’ve ever been awake? Isn’t there a maximum where someone died after staying awake too long?
(The post Hours and Days first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Musk is upset with AI, says it’s wrong for it to be so inconsiderate of safety requirements. From the guy who created self-driving vehicles. That’s rich. Odd.
For two consecutive weekends, I’ve taken a 2-hr nap. The weight of tiredness has been exceptionally heavy. This isn’t normal for me. Odd.
It’s that time of year again. Where the weather cools off and you no longer sweat from thinking about going outside. Because people really do sweat before going outside in the summer in Texas. Odd.
Credit: via IG
Drums!
And, finally, the update you have all been waiting for. My drum lessons! I told you, right? Maybe not. I signed up for drum lessons. And I’m well on my way to being the greatest drummer of all time. Jokes. But lesson one went well…now all I hear is oneandtwoandthreeandfour. Then, oneehhanduhtwoehhanduhthreeehhanduhfour…you get the idea. It was fun! I thought I would have to learn to read music. Wrongly odd.
____________________
I ask you –
Tell me something odd in your life!
(The post Seems Odd first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
I promised myself when I graduated, I would take the summer to enjoy things outside of the usual work/home/repeat. But I wasn’t convinced it would be this summer because…what if.
Fortunately, everything worked out as designed.
Girls Trip 2.0 was everything I needed and more. Last year, we re-explored Norfolk/VA Beach, Virginia. This year, we invaded Gulf Shores, Alabama. From the food to the friendship to the sand and sun, Sam and I had the best time. Minus the little snafu where my car got towed at the condo. Whoopsies! Suffice to say our 12 year friendship is standing the test of time. Ask her about the time her car got towed at our apartment in Norfolk.
We ate and drank our way through several days. Although incredibly crowded, Gulf Shores offers something for everyone – adults and children alike.
I would be remiss not to mention our fun neighbors, Thelma and Louise. We really have no idea their actual names because it kept changing. Witness protection, anyone? They had their own stories, problems, lives, and interesting perspectives. People are fun.
We have a few ideas for next year’s trip. Our m.o. tends to involve beaches and water. Already looking forward to it!
Let me apologize first. It got…hectic for awhile. So if this post looks like a mini version of me wrote it, then…she didn’t. It was me. At this moment, I’m probably still running off of adrenaline, coffee, and a single hand’s worth of sleep. Two words: Air. Show. Help.
Dubbed the “Ice Queen” for the duration of the weekend, I found a home in my cozy club car, making a million trips to various food and beer tents providing much needed ice, soda, and chips, on occasion. They even gave me a walkie talkie, of which I was extra careful because I didn’t want to accept any fines for using my Sailor language. Disclaimer: I did say one bad word.
Day 1
I’m laughing because it seems I took a lot of selfies yet I have no actual Air Show photos. In hindsight, I saw the Thunderbirds perform at least 3x and I saw demos and reenactments at least twice. It truly was an incredibly successful weekend. As I finish this post Monday morning before publishing, my feet ache but my heart is full. I met wonderful people, worked with the best of the best, and was privileged to support the public and the installation.
Day 2
I love this stuff. But if we didn’t do it for another 7 yrs or so, that’s fine by me.
And on the subject of ice –
I found my summer activity: Curling! A whole club dedicated to learning and perfecting curling techniques! Looking for my winter gear right now. Also, I’m taking volunteers to be my partner. Must love laughing, and falling. Will train.
_______________
I ask you –
Have you ever attended an Air Show?
Did you know there were curling clubs? Me neither!
Tell me your summer plans!
(The post Re-post!! Who Signed Me Up? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
The plan is to sort through the dozens of blog draft posts, partially-completed thoughts, and odds and ends within the messy spaces of my mind. Soon.
I’ll do a recap of my favorite races, runs, and generally well-thought-out fitness activities I’ve completed. Soon.
I’ll diligently apply for instructor/academic professor positions to gain a foothold within academia. Soon.Hey, I did this one! Upwards of 10 applications, but I guess whatever it takes.
On the hunt
I believe I’m suffering from an easily-cured but often recurring illness titled if-I-don’t-see-the-ocean-soon-I-might-not-make-it, commonly known as vacation-itis. It seems to hit around this time each year. It’s punctual. Fortunately, in keeping with my original plan to enjoy the first summer post-PhD, I scheduled numerous trips to combat the worst of the symptoms. In June, there was San Diego. Soon, there’s an actual girl’s trip to Gulf Shores. And, then, a week later, is the annual foray to South Padre Island. I have visited more bodies of water this summer than all previous summers combined. I don’t really know if this is true. I’ve spent time at pools, water parks, and large showers. And I’m not done yet!
There were a few days of moodiness, but I believe I’m on the mend. Especially when I consider how much summer fun is remaining!
_________________
I ask you –
Do you suffer from vacation-itis?
(The post Vacation-itis first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
I have a brilliant idea to make the government millions of dollars. Every time someone drives on the installation while colors plays, they must pay a fine. At least $100.
Leadership lesson 101: Take your weaknesses and delegate them! At least, that’s the moral of the story I took from it.
For the last several months, every Friday at work, something strange has happened in my presence. From an active shooter situation to a fire alarm to, most recently, the mule (Kawasaki-type, not animal-type) catching fire while I was driving it – you can see the common denominator is me. Yours truly. It’s become a running joke about how something happens to me every Friday. I’m beginning to think people are avoiding me, if not for my reputation then definitely for fear of being tangled up in my shenanigans. Who could blame them?
So long as I’m not driving a vehicle on base, I am very trustworthy! One year you’re the best supervisor in AETC, the next you’re a pyro. Geez, how the mighty fall. At the time of this post, the damage repair costs were nearly $1,000. Maybe I’ll set up my own check points to charge people who drive during colors. Then, I can put the money toward my fitness financial losses.
Every time my team pulls off a big event, I think damn these guys are incredible. Do you know why I win awards? Because of them. Do you know why they win awards? Because of themselves. We have our fair share of faults and I could probably write a training curriculum on what not to do. But, at the end of the day, this team is amazing. They’ve always been amazing. They just needed someone to believe in them. And show them how to be leaders. I will never stop being amazed at what they are able to accomplish. Because we all know I couldn’t do half of what they do. I’m a figurehead. Yet I lead from the front. And I feel confident and secure enough to say I know if I said follow me, they would, not because I said it but because they trust me.
________________
I ask you –
By all means, feel free to comment on the disasters which plague me.
Running on Fumes 
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