helloooo sailor!

today i ran down to the waterfront. i had intended on running down to catch sync or swim's second heat in the dragon boat races, but i didn't make it home in time. but i decided to run down there anyway, just to spend a little time immersed in the freakshow that is the rose festival.

if i'd been thinking clearly, i would have headed down holladay and gone over the steel bridge (my favorite bridge), but for some reason i had it in my head to go over the broadway bridge. it was beautiful, actually, and the breeze coming off the river was nice. i ran south on naito parkway and into waterfront park. it was packed - running the waterfront reminded me of bloomsday - dodging people left and right. only i was the only one running. everyone else was walking, and had their eyes on whatever was around them - huge grey navy ships, the deep fried onion flower in their greasy mits, rickety-ass looking rides loaded with screaming kids, the ass of the hot chick in front of them. it was difficult to keep up a decent pace, but i was enjoying bathing in humanity. i passed sailors in full dress, military police, sticky children, moms pushing strollers, carnies, hookers, skate punks, clutches of teenage girls... it was fantastic.

i reached the riverfront esplanade area where the dragon boating takes place and turned around to go back. i walked most of the way, wanting to take in all the stuff i missed running past the first time. i stopped to watch people pay $50 to be flung into the air on a giant sling shot and wished i was doing it. it would scare the poop outta me, but i love that feeling. the people fling 300 feet up in the air and spin around... it looks exhilarating.

i decided to catch max to speed my way back home because i had clothes i needed to put in the dryer. big mistake. i caught max at saturday market and it was packed to the gills. i ended up wedged between two very cushiony people. i felt bad for everyone around me because i could smell my sweaty armpit as i reached up to grab the bar. but i couldn't take it in there. i decided to get off at the rose quarter because i was just too claustrophobic. i ended up running back from there, and i'm glad i did. it added up to about 5 total miles ran, and i sorely needed that.

and a snake pooped on me today. that doesn't happen every day.