Fish fucking sandwich

Just had the best fish sandwich in my life. I set out near 11pm for some grub and waited in line patiently at one street venue but was ignored. It sucks to be American somedays. I took my business elsewhere to a place that sold all sorts of sandwiches and decided on fish to go. Since it was "to go" they strategically place the bucket of fries within the nearly foot long bun so I have a chance of tasting potato prior to scarfing down the cabbage, carrot and corn mixture they place in the bottom of the bun. Delicious!

Another day down...

The weather here is crazy good! It's in the 70s and sunny. This can sometimes be a problem though when one carries the Johnson Family Sweat Gene. I'm like a frickin fountain somedays. I went for my last jog before the race on Sunday. I did over ten miles and felt pretty good. Hopefully I'll feel well on race day and whatever does hurt will be numbed with a little adrenaline rush. Speaking of the race, I picked up my number and shirt this afternoon. The expo was small and expensive but it offered some cool stuff like shoes and leg warmers and the like. My shirt did fit me though. Short of trying it on in line there's never a good way to tell if it'll fit right. As I've mentioned to some, no matter how I feel I'm shooting for the moon. Top 100 is my aim. An attainable goal I do believe so I'll give it my all.

I was able to hit up the musical instrument museum yesterday and the Belgian history museum today. As I perused the roman sculptures and Greek artifacts I couldn't help but think of my brother-in-law Larry. You see, he's sort of a history buff. He does however have no desire to travel outside of the tri-county area in which he lives therefore would nary get a chance to see such wonders. Too bad Lar.

There is a economic and job fair tomorrow. To bad I didn't bring my resume but I'll check it out anyway. Maybe someone is looking for a man-servant.

By the way, these new-fangled iPads are pretty sweet. Even if I can't fully operate it I sure look cool carrying it with me.

Tchuss

Self esteem

I have told a fellow Work Out World member in the past that the private women's workout room is for those with low self esteem. I have just found myself to part of a situation that does not compare. I just had to tell a new bunkmate at the hostel where I'm staying that I am a cook at a hospital. Normally this would not be a huge deal however he proceeded to tell me he just graduated with a PhD in chemical engineering and is taking a break before joining the working ranks. I did take solace in the fact that he would be looking for a job as I already have one. That's one for me.

Tour time

Sitting on a bus ready to go on a tour of the city. It's a little"touristy" but it was recommended to me by some traveler folk I know and I figured why not. It'll give a good idea of things I want to see tomorrow and the next day.

I went for a very slow 6+ mile jog earlier. Once I managed to find the park I was looking for I got a bit more comfortable and it was good to stretch my legs. I do think though that along with my goal of running the race in under an hour and a half another goal should be not to break an ankle on all the uneven brick and cobblestone that makes up the streets of Brussels. That could slow me down a might. Let's hope not.

Last night after having been up for about twenty four hours I decided to take the easy way out in looking for food and went to the local english pub. It's the easy way cause there's no language issue and your treated relatively nicely too. I paid tourist prices for a fish and chips dish. I didn't really care how much it was. It was frickin good. Gotta love malt vinegar too.

Later

Hello from "Big B"

I arrived here this morn a bit groggy and with a wedgey you would not believe. From Philly I sat next to a French couple who didn't say much to me which was fine. I did notice though when they received their vacuum-sealed chicken dinner they dug right in and ate like their was no tomorrow. How very French.

While going through customs I was required to explain why I would ever think of traveling to Belgium. I explained about the half marathon and the guard thought my goal time of 1:28:30 was quite respectable. It made me all fuzzy on the inside.

While waiting for my room to become available I meandered around the city just to get my bearings and came across a sign in a large central park that read "no jogging". Confused, I looked up and immediately saw three joggers headed my way. I guess these rules don't apply to the locals.

I realize this is not earth-shattering stuff but it's all I can muster for the moment. I'm hungry now so I'm off to blow some Euros. (the currency, Phil)

No going back now!

I sit now in the Philadelphia National Airport waiting to board a plane fro Brussels after a flight from Minneapolis that was delayed an hour by some sketchy weather. Luckily, the window of time between flights allowed for an easy transition. So far it has been an uneventful journey although while waiting at MSP I could have sworn I saw Walter Mondale. From afar he was a man with a rather owl-like face but up close he hardly carried himself in a vice presidential manner. Oh well. I still haven't been able to beat the time I saw the WWF wrestler Mr. Perfect at a airline bar. Oops, time to board...

Almost there....

It's Sunday evening and I only have to survive one more fun-filled day at the "Institution" before I head across the pond to Belgium. I will do my best to write as I go in relative detail about each day and experience. I apologize now should I forget to take account for an adventure but thats just tough waffles.

Later Skaters