As you know, there are a number of abandoned roads around my town. They get flooded several times a year because of the dam down stream. However, when they are dry you can run, ride, or whatever on them. It's the whatever that concerns me today.
The other day I chose to run one of these old roads. It heads straight south out of down via a park about a half mile from my house. I don't live in a large town. We do have a Wal-Mart and a McDonalds but those are probably only there because we're a natural rest stop for folks heading from KC to Branson. So, when you're two miles out of town on an abandoned road it can feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.
So I'm about two miles down this forgotten road when I spot two fellows up ahead. It's not totally unexpected to see people down this road. However, everyone I'd ever seen on the road before were either fishing, jogging, or riding. These guys didn't appear to be doing any of those things. They were standing on a bridge and the one dude was holding something. What does he have? I couldn't tell.
Finally I got close enough to see. One fellow had his phone out like he was texting. The other guy had two samurai swords! Now keep in mind, there is not another soul or house around. No other witnesses. I'd like to tell you I didn't give it another thought, but as I got closer I couldn't help wonder what he was doing with those swords. And, this is embarrassing, I was prepared to jump out of the way if Hanzo did anything funny.
As I passed them I realized I was dealing with a couple of nerds, and I use that term affectionately. I'd like to think I am a nerd, but I've never been intelligent enough to be considered a nerd, so that makes me more of a dork. But here's the thing: though I'm a big fan of kung fu and movies about samurais, I've never been tempted to go get a samurai sword. Come on! That's ridiculous. I mean, if I'm going to get a sword it would be a Roman gladius or, most likely, a reproduction Narsil, the shards of which Isildur used to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. After all, I'm not a big nerd.
My run this day was an out and back, so I'd have to pass Kwai Chang Caine and his Grasshopper again. When I saw them on the way back, Miyamoto Musashi had both swords strapped to his side and he and his kung fu texter were walking towards me. I looked at them and nodded like I would with anyone I passed on that road, as if to say, "There's nothing weird about carrying two swords out here. Have a great day."
Well, I'm still working out. I run five or six miles every other day, and I lift weights three days on, one day off. I'm a little lax on my diet, but I'm maintaining 150-152 pounds. Speaking of running, I need to get ready to go. Have a great Saturday! If you go running, keep some gas in the tank in case you have to out run a samurai.
The other day I chose to run one of these old roads. It heads straight south out of down via a park about a half mile from my house. I don't live in a large town. We do have a Wal-Mart and a McDonalds but those are probably only there because we're a natural rest stop for folks heading from KC to Branson. So, when you're two miles out of town on an abandoned road it can feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.
So I'm about two miles down this forgotten road when I spot two fellows up ahead. It's not totally unexpected to see people down this road. However, everyone I'd ever seen on the road before were either fishing, jogging, or riding. These guys didn't appear to be doing any of those things. They were standing on a bridge and the one dude was holding something. What does he have? I couldn't tell.
Finally I got close enough to see. One fellow had his phone out like he was texting. The other guy had two samurai swords! Now keep in mind, there is not another soul or house around. No other witnesses. I'd like to tell you I didn't give it another thought, but as I got closer I couldn't help wonder what he was doing with those swords. And, this is embarrassing, I was prepared to jump out of the way if Hanzo did anything funny.
As I passed them I realized I was dealing with a couple of nerds, and I use that term affectionately. I'd like to think I am a nerd, but I've never been intelligent enough to be considered a nerd, so that makes me more of a dork. But here's the thing: though I'm a big fan of kung fu and movies about samurais, I've never been tempted to go get a samurai sword. Come on! That's ridiculous. I mean, if I'm going to get a sword it would be a Roman gladius or, most likely, a reproduction Narsil, the shards of which Isildur used to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. After all, I'm not a big nerd.
My run this day was an out and back, so I'd have to pass Kwai Chang Caine and his Grasshopper again. When I saw them on the way back, Miyamoto Musashi had both swords strapped to his side and he and his kung fu texter were walking towards me. I looked at them and nodded like I would with anyone I passed on that road, as if to say, "There's nothing weird about carrying two swords out here. Have a great day."
Well, I'm still working out. I run five or six miles every other day, and I lift weights three days on, one day off. I'm a little lax on my diet, but I'm maintaining 150-152 pounds. Speaking of running, I need to get ready to go. Have a great Saturday! If you go running, keep some gas in the tank in case you have to out run a samurai.
