Since I’m a glutton for punishment, I’ve decided to repeat the same random goal I did in March. Reaching a set number of miles. In July I’ve upped the stakes and increased the total distance.
July Goal = Run, bike or hike 230 miles in 31 days.
Since July is looking like a scorcher…it’s a mere 100 degrees as I type this…this is probably a bad idea. I may succumb to heat stroke. Or pull/break something as I push myself ever onwards to the finish line.
Washington, D.C. got some amazing heat throughout the day on June 29th (over 100 degrees Farenheit) and just when you thought you could settle down for the night…BAM right in the kisser.
A storm punched DC in the gut, then went for an uppercut to the chin.
Reports say that the wind gusted up to 75 mph in some places. I don’t know what speed wind is required to lift a city-issued trash bin off the ground and hurdle it 20 feet away, but that’s what I saw outside my window.
Let’s peek at some of the damage. This sure beats last year’s rather tame Hurricane Irene.
Tree on 6th Ave NENice signPennslyvania Ave SEStanton Park Tree #1Stanton Park Tree #2
I am not afraid…I was born to do this. – Joan of Arc
Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try! – Dr. Seuss
Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found. – James Russell Lowell
They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. – Andy Warhol
Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought. – Albert von Szent-Gyorgy
We shall not cease from exploration, and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. – T. S. Eliot
Since I had a bit of travel in May, I thought that the best ‘random goal’ would be to do a bunch of ‘first’ time activities. New things, if you will. Plus I was already doing them anyway…
My random goal in May was to do 25 firsts. I did that and more. Let’s use some hindsight to reflect. Then, let’s poke a stick at some photos.
Results
First layover in three new airports: Zürich, Brussels and Bujumbra (Burundi).
First two on two basketball game in over 20 years. We lost…
First 4×4 (quad bike) excursion in Kenya.
First glass of Cognac (on the rocks) and cigar, together.
First up close and personal time with a praying mantis.
First meander through Espanola Way in South Beach, Miami.
First baseball game in Marlins Park in Miami.
First nosh at five untried food trucks.
First time my sister visited Washington, D.C.
First time attending the Trucko de Mayo at RFK Stadium (a 30+ food truck extravaganza!).
First detour through the George Mason Memorial.
First stagger through the Half Street Fairgrounds (outside Nationals Park).
First hit, first RBI and first run scored for my UW Alumni softball team.
First drive of a Car2go Smart car through D.C.
First undefeated season playing outdoor recreational volleyball. 7-0 in regular season matches (17-4 in games). Sadly we lost in the finals.
First unlocking of a city badge on Foursquare. The ‘La Ville-Lumiere (Paris)’ badge.
First ascent to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower via stairs. That’s only about 380 feet or 600 + stairs. And first time to the top.
First wander through the Musée du Louvre, Paris.
First boat cruise on the Seine River, Paris.
First Eurostar train trip from Paris to London. Hello Chunnel!
Marlins ParkPraying Mantis2nd Floor of the Eiffel TowerThe LouvreParis BadgeCar2go Smart Car4×4 Quad Biking
“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” – Ernest Hemingway
You don’t have to live in Paris to partake in this feast. Three days will get you started. Grab a wheel of brie and a glass of red wine, A Random Journey is ready to take you on a brief photo interlude. Feel free to pause at any time to book your flight to France. I’ll be here when (if) you return. Unless you think I should go with you? Yes, I think that’s best. Hold on, I’ll grab my passport…
€3.50 each. Step right up!
Immovable
Fromage et plus de fromage
Un baguette, ah ha ha, oh oh oh oh.
For those wondering when the feast will end. Proceed.
Arc de Triomphe…also known as a really big monument
Palais Garnier (Opera House)
That statue there
The Louvre (you knew we’d end up here)
One thing I noticed about the Louvre, there are a lot of twig and berries in full glory. Case in point…
Stuck in the middle with you
I’m so bashful
I could go into more detail, but let’s change topics…
Venus. Venus was her name.
Stop looking at me!
Notice how I didn’t post a photo of a certain painting? You’re welcome. If you really want to see it, open a new browser and Google ‘enigmatic smile’ and ‘ugly’. Scroll past the top searches of me and you’ll find it!
Ah crap, what’s this one called…it’s on the tip of my tongue!
Top of the world
Café culture
Counter culture
Nouveau riche culture
Presse de Foie Gras de Ganard au Jamon Serrano. Oui.
Psssst…above is duck liver pâté with bacon…and some sort of annoying lettuce.
Fontaine Saint-Michel
Obelisk (not stolen from Egypt FYI)
Missing a lock?Jardin de LuxembourgLuxembourg palace
So…how’s it going? It’s been awhile. Unfortunately for you, I’m back. Writing. Probably with a vengeance.
Yes, I’m still doing the random monthly goals. Yes, I do have a goal for June. Yes, I will tell you about it now.
My random goal for June is to write (and post) nine blog entries. Not counting this one. Why only nine? Seems like a low bar to set. The sky should be the limit.
First, my overall general goal with this blog is to post once a week. We all know that doesn’t happen… Although, I am on a once a week pace for the year. A break down of posts for each of the five months so far: 6, 6, 4, 2, 2 = 20. You can see I’ve been slacking in April and May.
Second, I want to push myself to write. Posting once a week means I should have four entries a month. I want to double that in June and add one more for good measure.
Third, I couldn’t think of anything better to do this month.
Good luck to me. I have my work cut out.
‘Wait just a darn second!’ you say, ‘What happened to your goal in May???? I don’t recall seeing anything about that!’
Good call. Thanks for reminding me. I did do something in May. Don’t you worry. I’m happy to tell you all about it. In one of my nine posts!
