Author Archives: Al

Girding My Loins

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Al

My urologist, Dr. Iriye has been following me since he took care of my bladder stone 2018. He’s not very demonstrative, but has gotten used to how I think about myself and my values. We both agreed immediately it was … Continue reading →

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It Begins

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Al

I imagine it begins, my prostate cancer, with my father. I’m still awaiting results from the genetic test ordered by the oncologist I Zoomed with, who advised it might make a difference in how much hormonal treatment I should receive, … Continue reading →

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PacNW Short Course Championships

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Al

Here’s a piece I wrote 21 years ago, never finished. Since I can’t remember the ending, I’m archiving it here for posterity 😉 Over 32 years – more than a lifetime – ago, I swam my last race in college. … Continue reading →

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4119

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Al

“Can you look at this house for me?” My sister usually ramble when she calls, but this time, she’s all business. “It’s a block up from the harbor, I think it would be just perfect.” “Are you moving? What this … Continue reading →

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Another Kona Quester

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Al

An EN athlete who raced @ Kona last month via one of the super-slots from Lake Placid last year asks how he can drop his time by one hour after a slightly disappointing race in Florida two weeks ago. He … Continue reading →

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American Jews Make Exit Plans

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Al

Last week, a good friend of mine took his entire clan of two sons and four grand-children to the German consulate to apply for citizenship. As part of its penance for the Holocaust, that nation has offered citizenship to the … Continue reading →

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The Last Ironman

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Al

Ten o’clock now, and a waxing gibbous moon faintly illuminates the Queen Ka’ahumanu highway 6 miles from the pier in downtown Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. I left the relative bustle of the Energy Lab flats behind a hour ago, and the yellow … Continue reading →

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Advice On Injury Coverage

Posted on August 21, 2022 by Al

Yesterday, an EN athlete who is qualified for Kona this October fell while cycling, breaking his pelvis. He asked for advice from the team. My response: Rule #1: The Outcome is not pre-ordained, but it IS within your control. (If … Continue reading →

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Murphy Bed

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Al

“Did I really fall asleep? Sorry, that’s supposed to be a good movie, right?” This boy, the intern Scott Bristol, probably thought I didn’t care about him. I watched him drive through the Saturday night traffic on San Vicente from … Continue reading →

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Everything Everywhere All At Once

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Al

Despite the hype, I do not believe this movie is about an unlikely savior of the universe of universes. Rather, it is an exploration of one woman’s struggle to maintain loving relationships with her daughter, husband, and father in the … Continue reading →

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