Mustang Sally

Well, just 6 weeks later and we're back to the other side of the pond! Greg and I are in Birmingham, England this weekend as support crew for 3 of our athletes competing in the World Half Marathon Championships: Brett Gotcher and Andrew Carlson are running for the USA and Andrew Lemoncello is running for Great Britain. Now, Greg could have taken this journey alone but I've now resuscitated my travel bug and I want to see the world! Angus stayed home this trip--the parents need a little alone time occasionally! He is actually at my sister's house in South Carolina and is being doted on not only by her family but also Greg's sister Amby and my mom and Albert. I don't think he misses us at all!

We are even getting to do some visiting of our own here in Birmingham. My friend Shari Mitchell from UC-Irvine days flew up from where she lives in Germany to spend the weekend with us. We've known Shari for 10 years but it has been about 4 since we've seen one another so it so great to catch up, particularly when it is with someone who you feel like your most recent conversation was just yesterday.

Birmingham is a nice urban city; great walking, buildings, sculptures and even excellent running on canal paths that are all around the city. We learned this is where the USA track & field team will be based leading up to the 2012 Olympics in London so I hope being here now is a good sign for the future! Race day is tomorrow and it will be exciting. The field is excellent, with many of the best athletes from around the world, and we are hoping for fast finishes from our men.

Now to explain the title of the post: while we were out tonight, we went by this plaza where a band was playing. The lead singer looked and sounded just like the red-headed overweight crazy lead singer from the movie "The Commitments!" I completely blanked on the movie name at first, and Shari thought I was crazy as I sat there mumbling to myself as I tried to recall it. Finally it came to me, and I could go back to listening, now only wondering if that was the guy! One will never know...