Life of Wry

I am too distressed to write about the big presidential debate tonight (though I will post below some opening comments I wrote for Biden yesterday in the shower — where I do my best presidential speech writing — that I wish he’d delivered at the beginning of the debate).

So for today’s blog, I’ll post a couple of shots from today’s [Dolomite training] hike somewhere near Castro Valley. We hiked with Jim’s high school friend Dede and her husband Collin. Dede is a fiend of a hiker — hikes about 4-5 times per week (and not slouchy hikes, either.. serious hikes) in parks all over the bay area. Today’s was in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area.

Here are the hike facts:

:: 9.6 miles
:: 1581′ of elevation gain on the way out; 712′ of elevation gain on the way back (2293′ total)
:: 4.5 hours, with about a 30 min break at the turnaround point

Good hike! No blisters, no ticks, hopefully no poison oak, hopefully no lost nails.

Some pics:

One direction.

This was one of two creek crossings. I’d say half the hike was on a narrow trail in a dense forest, and half on a wider road, mostly in the sun (though, actually, a lot of that was shaded, too).

~~

Here’s my undelivered speech for Biden:

Look folks, let me address the elephant in the room. 

First, I have terrible arthritis in my hip. It hurts and makes it hard to walk. I shuffle. It looks weird. This is embarrassing to me and very frustrating as I have prioritized being physically fit and active my whole life. But I try to accept this with grace and part of growing older. 

Second, it’s no secret I have a speech impediment. I have managed it my whole life. Like arthritis, these things also get worse with age. I don’t have time to slow it down; I have a lot to say and things come out slurry. I know the right is having a field day with that. That is their problem. Most of us have the decency to look past such things. 

But folks, let’s be clear. I may look weird when I walk and sound weird when I talk…but, what hasn’t been touched by age is my judgment, experience and understanding of the job. Rest assured, this is the most important job in the world and I am 100% there for you every day with the wisdom and experience that comes with 50 years in government. I will be talking issues and policy in this debate. And I’m looking forward to that.