Today we celebrate the Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr, although his actual birthday would have been last week. It is very appropriate that tomorrow Barack Obama becomes the first Black American president. He is essentially fulfilling the dream that Reverend King talked about.
It snowed again overnight and there was a coating of snow on the ground as I went out for my run this morning. Later there was sunshine, but as I write this post there are big fluffy snow flakes coming down outside I think I have a bit of a head cold and spent a couple of hours napping this afternoon. I have turned to my old standard of eating 1 pound of grapes and we will see how it is tomorrow

Much milder than yesterday, but still cold, 25 F ( -4 C ). There is snow falling, but right on 7am I met Utpal on the corner and off we went for our Sunday run. Of course it was a chance for us to catch up on a few things, but mainly it was jst nice to be out there running in Queens on a Sunday morning. Stopping in at our local cafe
( Panorama ) for a hot tea and scone at the end of our run.

Woke up with a bit of a stuffy nose and it was 8 F out there, that's -13 C. The usual 2 mile race took place and of course I was out there, wrapped up pretty good, so it didn't feel that cold. I do not run that fast when it's that cold. I am just happy to run the race, but it does set my starting standard for the year. My time was 16:20, which I am quite happy with. Many of the top runners are out of town, so I managed to place 6th amongst the men, 8th overall.
It will be strange to watch English football from afar this weekend.

OK so I know it's only 3 days at work, but today is a day o for me. I went out for a run this morning and the temperature was 12 or 13 F ( -11C ), it didn't feel so cold when I was running.
I spent the day catching up on a few things, chatting with some friends about what's been going on with them and telling them what's new with me.
I finally got to see the movie Slumdog Millionaire. I thought it was a good film.
This photo is of the dawn I woke up to in Slovenia about 12 days ago, to me it was very inspiring.

I just heard that an airplane went down into the Hudson river this afternoon, seems a flock of birds stopped both engines. No one died but it must have been really cold in the water. The temperature this afternoon was 20 F ( -7C ).
I have mentioned before my work colleague who has been battling cancer, well while I was away, it seems his condition has forced him to retire and sadly he is quite sick.

I was listening to a John Mayall album at work today and a line in one song struck me, " Life is a slow train climbing up a hill". This may be true when we are young, but as we get older things really do go fast.
I backed into a stand this morning and bruised my right calf, it was really sore for a little while, but seemed to get better through the day.
It's quite cold here and there is snow predicted tonight and tomorrow.

My first day back at work and a few things went wrong today. Well actually some things broke down. I think they wait till I get back and then decide it is time. This happens a lot when I come back from a break.
A week or so before I went away I was having trouble with my desk top computer. The cursor kept freezing and I thought maybe it was a bug. Then just before I left I discovered it was my track ball. Anyway I bought an Optical mouse on Penkridge Market Saturday and that is working really well.

Got an early start this morning. It was pissing down with rain as we drove to Manchester airport.Flight to London was uneventful, the wait for the flight to New York did not take long. I watched 3 movies on the plane, 1 of them being Julia. The next couple of days are going to be catch up days, my run on the streets of Jamaica, Queens felt good.

This is my last day on this trip, I fly back to New York early tomorrow. So this morning I took my last Sunday run up the A449.It got really cold last night, but the weather was kind to me this morning, a little windy but not too cold. I ran out to Acton Trussel, actually running for 67 minutes. I did feel my legs a little bit, maybe the result of the 2 mountain runs and the traveling. I do feel that this has helped me get stronger and will pay off in the Spring.

This is my last weekend in the UK, my last chance to watch some football. I did sit with my nephew and brother in-law and watch the Aston Villa v West Brom game. Villa won 2-1, they were not happy. My niece came over to say goodbye and I did a little shopping, buying a new optical mouse for my computer.
After a good nights sleep I feel a whole lot better today after my long trip back from Slovenia.

My flight was delayed by 1 hour last night.. When we landed at Stanstead it was really foggy. Anyway by the time I got back in to London and to Euston Station, I had missed the last train back to Stafford. I had to stay in London till 5:30 when the next train was due to leave. Then it seems that they close the station for 3 hours during the night. I had lived in London during the 70's, so I know my way around as it were. Not having anywhere to stay for 3 hours I bought a bus pass for 4 pounds and rode the night bus around London for that time..
I finally arrived back at my sister's house at 8am this morning. I had some breakfast and spent a litte time filling everyone in on the past week. Then it was time for a nap, since I had only caught about 2 hours of sleep in the last 24 or so.

Last night it snowed here and was still snowing when my friend Milan and I went out to run this morning. However as I write this post it is much brighter. This evening I fly back to the UK, I have had a good week here. It is just about 4 months before I move here in the Spring, already there so many things planned, one of which will be officially registering my ownership of the farm.

This morning I went to a place called Terme Cetez, it is near the border with Croatia. My cousin came there last night with his family for a vacation. He had with him the pre contract for my Grandfather's farm. I signed the contract and money and key exchanged hands. I now own land in Croatia, the full contract will be signed in the Spring.
Yesterday in the afternoon I went with Marjan to a different part of Pohorje and ran on x country ski trails, for 2 hours. My legs were quite tired when I ran just a couple of miles this afternoon. I am really happy with the few days of winter traing that I have been able to put in.

Today it is trying to snow in Maribor, but having much luck. There will be World Cup Skiing here this weekend. In a few hours I will go back to Ljubljana. My host Marjan has said he will drive me since it is only 1 hour and it takes 20 minutes to drive to Maribor to get the train. It is very nice of him, it will be a much nicer ride.It is hard to believe that I have been here 5 days and will return to the UK in 2 more. Also this time next week I will be probably walking to work in New York.

I had a very busy day, I am happy with everything I did, but did not get to run. This is the first time in 8 1/2 months that I have not run. It has nothing to do with running the mountain yesterday, So I guess that I will have to start another streak tomorrow.The nights are getting very cold here -10 C last night and didn't get much above -4 C during the day.

This morning I ran in a race up a mountain called Pohorje. We started on a snow covered road and then went on to trails and ski slopes. Most of the runners use ski poles or walking poles, it is very difficult, especially without poles. The race is only 3.8 km, but rise 700 meters in elevation.. The last part is like going up a very steep flight of stairs about 200 meters long. It really works the legs and lungs. At the top you get a health food bar and hot herbal tea. Then you go back down to the start and easier way. It took me about 55 minutes and then another 40 to get back down. Later we had a Pizza party and a slide show of the seasons races. It was really nice.

Yesterday I had a bit of a pressure headache and jet lag.Some of my friends were moving to a new place and I helped. Did manage to get a short run in late in the day.Of course I am sleeping really well. I am traveling North up to Maribor today. I need to talk with my cousin in Croatia to arrange where we are going to meet in a few days time.

Well I got here. I managed to get a high speed train from Stafford to London, then a short Underground ride to Liverpool St got me to the Stanstead Express.The flight was uneventful, when I arrived the was a little snow on the ground and the temperature was -5C. My friend Gasper picked me up and I must say I was very hungry. I had dinner watched an Italian movie and was out like a light. My internet connection is somewhat iffy, but I will do the best I can.

So it's early and I just managed to get a 2 mile run in.It's a bit frosty outside. I have to get the train to London in a couple of hours, then I fly to Slovenia. Yes I am spending the first day of the New Year going to the country I will be moving to in about 4 1/2 months. It is frosty out there this morning and I expect it will be so in Slovenia too. Will try and keep you informed.

Well it's the last day of 2008. An interesting one to be sure. I have lost some friends and gained a few. I finally made the decision to leave New York after living there for 30 years. I am excited about moving back to live in Europe, in the Spring of 2009, though I know there will be many thoughts of what I leave behind. In a way I have the same kind of feelings I had in my 20's, but as I have said before I always feel comfortable when I am in Europe.