There’s a moment in Steven Seagal’s directorial debut “On Deadly Ground” (1994). Our ex-company man now oil rig firefighter is in a bar and gets confronted by a bullying patron. Seagal proceeds to beat the crap out of “that guy,” one of those classic character actors that we all know but never know his name. Anyway, Seagal says to him sagely, “What does it take to change the essence of a man?” And the guy, his hands just broken by the akido master, says, “Time. I need time to change.”
That’s what I think as I scarfed down WAY too many Christmas cookies late last night. I did a short run this morning, lumbering and pathetic, and had every intention of trying to get another one in. But I’m lethargic and exhausted, be it from the sugar crash post-cookie or the post Rogue One afternoon viewing.
Either way, what does it take to change the essence of my ballooning waist and seemingly insatiable appetite that contributes to said waist? What does it take to get me back out on that road?
Time. I need time.
As is so often in my life, Steven Seagal shows us the way. The Tao of Steve indeed. Tomorrow I’ll try again to change. Besides, I have to. I’m off to Tampa to pick up my packet for Sunday’s Hot Chocolate 15K. Sadly, I never found a bargain priced Hershey Kiss costume… and I never got around to buying a Gene Simmons KISS t-shrit and donning a scarf embroidered with the words “Hershey.”
Time. I needed more time.