Deep in My Head

So far this has been a good week of workouts.   I have gotten in workouts every day and even some two-a-day workouts.  This afternoon it is back in the pool.  Tomorrow morning I have an easy 4 mile run and I may even try to get in a bike ride when I get home.  It is suppose to be in the 70s on Friday.  Plus the Bride and I are heading to Philly  to do the tourist thing.  I haven’t spent much time in Philly and I am looking forward to seeing some of the historic sites that led to the founding of this country.  Call me a nerd, but I do enjoy it.   Plus I can get a good Philly Cheesesteak!!

Before we head out on Saturday, we have to do our annual phone/computer attempt to get Jimmy Buffett tickets.  We do this every year.  One of us is on the computer and the other one is speed dialing.  One year we actually both got tickets.  If you have never been to one of his shows I highly recommend them.   The tail gating is awesome!!!  It is the only during the year that I get drunk. 

When I workout (especially swim), I really get  into my own head.  I tend to think deep thoughts, things that confuse me, irritate me, or anger me.   When I was swimming on Tuesday I started thinking about Fukushima 50.  I had read a little about them online during the day and some of us had discussed them at work.  A couple of people could not understand why these people would risk their lives, if they are killed outright then they will slowly and painfully die of radiation poisoning.  One of the guys shocked me.  Call me sexist, call me old fashioned, but I expect men to be willing to sacrifice for the betterment of their world.   To me, a man should want to be John Wayne.  Do the right thing regardless of the consequences.  But more and more males (especially younger ones) are not what I would call a man. 

So as I was swimming I started replaying that conversation back in my head and I got more and more angry (my 100 splits also got faster).  In the world I grew up in as child, adolescent, and adult just did not tolerate this type of thinking.  I have known many firemen, policemen, and soldiers who would (and have) laid down their lives for others.  It is just a code of honor that I have come to expect, maybe even demand.   We need others who will take the proverbial bullet for the greater good; that man or woman who quietly sacrifices so that others may live.  The US Air Force Pararescue Force has the motto – That Others May Live.   In my humble opinion, that sums up the type of life we should all lead.