running with ichigo, walking with toby

well, really, if i wanted to be accurate, it'd be more like running with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. but let's not split hairs.

first, before we get started, let's be clear: neither Ichigo nor Captain Yamamoto is my favorite character from the Bleach universe. the former is too annoying & dramatic. the latter is a bit of a hard-ass willing to cut off an arm to get rid of a split fingernail. too much, too much. two personal favorites though--Lieutenant Abarai & Captain Kuchiki, each fairly awesome in his own way. & Kuchiki, well, if you're his enemy, he'll CUT YOU. WITH FLOWERS*.

Lt. Abarai, quick sketch with orange crayola marker

but enough of that. anyway. i simply love that three things are in such beautifully close proximity to one another: my wawa, my gym, & my library. the wawa is a no-brainer. can we say goodies after workouts, yes? the other two though. well, those other two have this fabulous relationship wherein they both represent workouts, physical and mental, respectively. as of late, i've been raiding the BCPL's collection of manga, as well as holding Bird by Bird, Understanding Comics, and Children of the Mind in my grubby little paws. as i lack the exact words to describe how wonderful it is, here's what i do have: superlative, superlative, superlative, superlative, superlative. i know i've discussed similar jaunts before, but today i ran to the library with the showdown in Fake Karakura Town & ran back with the mysterious murder at the Earl Phantomhive's dinner party. my only complaint is that i can't carry more. otherwise, i would have the rest of the manga/graphic novel section on my back...

* - sort of. just read the manga. it'll make sense.

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this half is NOT another sob-fest about impending transitions with toby. it is, however, a reflection on good times, blessings, & other such things. so, yeah, i'm not going to make you cry this time. 

while i loved the run earlier this afternoon, my inexplicable tendency to run negatives (get progressively faster) tweaked my already-tight R hamstring and achilles, so this evening's walk with toby was going to be slow, relaxed, no big deal. and thankfully, it was. i really love the fall--the smell of mowed grass doesn't suffocate anymore but rather breezes along beside you, as if to say, "hey. nice to see you." the sun's set is gentler, not raking its rays over your body and sapping you of all your energy. the light has more depth & no longer blinds, the little gusts refresh without filling lungs with heat, & at the end of the day, you can come home, curl up on your couch, & sip decaffeinated Lemon Zinger tea while watching the Ravens annihilate some silly little Bengals. a most perfect & lovely way to spend an evening.

oh, just you wait, Patriots. you'll get your turn. 23 September, in baltimore. just wait.

**looks like my tiredness is setting in a little early tonight, so i'm going to wrap this up earlier than planned.

basics: beautiful night, love the fall, glad for the time with toby, & the Patriots are going to be de-NIED in 13 days.

the end.