Here is a list of the highlights or more interesting items of 2007, in no particular order, and some perhaps only interesting to me.
Life Time Fitness Triathlon
Of course the big accomplishment of 2007 for Julie and I was the completion of the Olympic distance of the Life Time Fitness Triathlon - our first triathlon. Going in we were both particularly worried about the swim but Safety Bob gave us some one-on-one coaching and before we knew it we were almost looking like we knew what we were doing! Thanks Bob!
Lake Tahoe
Julie was the staff person for the 2007 Tahoe cycle team and our time in Tahoe (and throughout the training for that matter) was a lot of fun. Tahoe is a beautiful place to visit if you get the chance.
San Francisco
For the fall season Julie was staff for the Nike Women's Marathon & Half Marathon teams. Another group of great people went to this year's event - the biggest yet. We had some 8,000 folks attending the Pasta Party! I think the smiles were there for the whole weekend, which went by way too fast.
New Friends
We made soooo many new friends in 2007, mainly through TNT. What an amazing program it is - not only do you get to help a worthy cause but you also meet some incredible people. I won't dare list names here as I'd be sure to leave someone out, but just be assured that we appreciate all of you. 2008 is going to be such an awesome year! We're glad we'll be able to hang with most of you again next year and make many new memories.
Chuck the Chicken
This year Chuck the Chicken made his debut and it wasn't pretty. He has lived his short life to the fullest, that's for sure. I know, I know - part 3 of his story will come in the next few days - I promise! If you still haven't read the first two parts of his story click here for part 1 and here for part 2. Go Chuck!
Music
Some of the musical stuff I enjoyed in 2007: Shiny Toy Guns, song "Le Disko"; Tegan & Sara, song "Back In Your Head"; Bruce Springsteen, album "Magic"; Amy Winehouse, song "I'm No Good"; Justin Timberlake, song "What Goes Around... Comes Around"; Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, song "Killing The Blues"; The Fratellis, song "Flathead"; Fergie, song "Big Girls Don't Cry"; Finger Eleven, song "Paralyzer"; plus I'm sure many others I'm not thinking of.
Random Bits of This and That
- "Don't tase me bro!" - University of Florida student (term used lightly) Andrew Meyer
- It was nice to get some decent snow fall in December this year. Let's hope it continues!
- "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country." - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Yeah, right.
- The sight of myself in skin-tight spandex should be something no other human should see. If you were one of the unfortunate ones I sincerely apologize.
- The new TV show "The Big Bang Theory" was hilarious. Let's hope the writer's strike ends soon.
- I'll never feel comfortable going to the bathroom in public for fear of sending the wrong signals. At least my stance isn't too wide - at least I don't think so.
It was a great 2007. Here's looking to 2008!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
You Can Eat If I'm Smart Enough
So, are you ready for Christmas? I can't believe it's only a few days away and 2008 is around the corner. It's also hard to believe that we're this close to being done with the first decade in the new millennium - it seems like only yesterday we were partying like it's 1999.
I've been noticeably absent from blogging lately and I'm going to blame that on the rush and busyness of the holiday season. We STILL don't have our Christmas cards out although I think we're done with shopping for the most part. And I don't think I've listened to one Christmas song on the radio yet - I've been avoiding it, not because I'm a Scrooge but perhaps more because I've been on a real Bruce kick in the car over the last few weeks.
Speaking of Holiday music, here is a link that will test your knowledge of Holiday songs. I think I got around 72% and Julie scored 88%. How do you fare?
Another link that was sent to me this week is here and it tests your knowledge regarding the meaning of words. For added pressure, each one you get correct will result in 20 grains of rice being donated through the United Nations to help end world hunger. It's a cool quiz but it's also scary to know that some poor child is relying on my brain power for sustenance. As my good buddy Forest would say - "I'm not a smart man."
You ever try to inconspicuously sniff your own armpits to make sure you don't stink? I think if you have THIS it will help you to do it without others noticing.
Julie got me a book the other night that contains the 1,001 albums you must hear before you die. Too cool. I haven't had time to thumb through it yet but I'll be curious to see how many I've already heard. My guess is not that many, although I did quickly check out Bruce and he has 5 albums in there. Most excellent.
I was listening to the radio yesterday and they were interviewing a guy who wrote a column saying in essence that Santa being overweight sends the wrong message to children and is another factor in them being overweight themselves. What?! I can honestly say I've never looked at Santa and said "I want to be fat just like him!" The guy wants to see thin Santas from now on. Whatever.
If I'm not able to post again before jolly old FAT St. Nick comes to visit we hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
I've been noticeably absent from blogging lately and I'm going to blame that on the rush and busyness of the holiday season. We STILL don't have our Christmas cards out although I think we're done with shopping for the most part. And I don't think I've listened to one Christmas song on the radio yet - I've been avoiding it, not because I'm a Scrooge but perhaps more because I've been on a real Bruce kick in the car over the last few weeks.
Speaking of Holiday music, here is a link that will test your knowledge of Holiday songs. I think I got around 72% and Julie scored 88%. How do you fare?
Another link that was sent to me this week is here and it tests your knowledge regarding the meaning of words. For added pressure, each one you get correct will result in 20 grains of rice being donated through the United Nations to help end world hunger. It's a cool quiz but it's also scary to know that some poor child is relying on my brain power for sustenance. As my good buddy Forest would say - "I'm not a smart man."
You ever try to inconspicuously sniff your own armpits to make sure you don't stink? I think if you have THIS it will help you to do it without others noticing.
Julie got me a book the other night that contains the 1,001 albums you must hear before you die. Too cool. I haven't had time to thumb through it yet but I'll be curious to see how many I've already heard. My guess is not that many, although I did quickly check out Bruce and he has 5 albums in there. Most excellent.
I was listening to the radio yesterday and they were interviewing a guy who wrote a column saying in essence that Santa being overweight sends the wrong message to children and is another factor in them being overweight themselves. What?! I can honestly say I've never looked at Santa and said "I want to be fat just like him!" The guy wants to see thin Santas from now on. Whatever.
If I'm not able to post again before jolly old FAT St. Nick comes to visit we hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Wii Wanna Rock!
After many, many months of watching and waiting as the new highway was being built it was finally opened on Friday! The new 212, or 312, or whatever they decide to call it goes from Eden Prairie out to 41 in Chaska now. As Kimmi says so eloquently - WOOT! WOOT!
This has already saved us sooooo much time. What normally would have been a 40-minute drive to Lake Calhoun took us less than 25 minutes. Awesome. Now the real test will come this morning as we drive into work. Julie always gives me a hard time because I've got such a short commute and it just got even shorter. HA! Anyway, we're super psyched about the new highway - geeked even!
On Saturday night Julie and I were introduced to an addictive game - Guitar Hero III - at a party at a friend's house. Of course we've seen the game being sold in just about every store we go in and we really didn't know too much about it. Now, we do. Quite frankly I didn't think much of it, even when I first was watching J-Flo jam out to Foghat's "Slow Ride", but once I strapped on the "guitar" it quickly became quite addictive.
Julie was giving it her best shot as Pat Benatar while I was showing my personality on a Living Colour song. We've never really owned any kind of gaming console like an Xbox or Wii, although we did have a Sega Genesis game system once. We never really got into the whole gaming thing, but this Wii systems is pretty cool and I could easily see getting addicted to it.
So if you haven't played Guitar Hero III I recommend giving it a shot. You'll be a rock start before you know it.
This has already saved us sooooo much time. What normally would have been a 40-minute drive to Lake Calhoun took us less than 25 minutes. Awesome. Now the real test will come this morning as we drive into work. Julie always gives me a hard time because I've got such a short commute and it just got even shorter. HA! Anyway, we're super psyched about the new highway - geeked even!
On Saturday night Julie and I were introduced to an addictive game - Guitar Hero III - at a party at a friend's house. Of course we've seen the game being sold in just about every store we go in and we really didn't know too much about it. Now, we do. Quite frankly I didn't think much of it, even when I first was watching J-Flo jam out to Foghat's "Slow Ride", but once I strapped on the "guitar" it quickly became quite addictive.
Julie was giving it her best shot as Pat Benatar while I was showing my personality on a Living Colour song. We've never really owned any kind of gaming console like an Xbox or Wii, although we did have a Sega Genesis game system once. We never really got into the whole gaming thing, but this Wii systems is pretty cool and I could easily see getting addicted to it.
So if you haven't played Guitar Hero III I recommend giving it a shot. You'll be a rock start before you know it.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Son of Neckbone & Other Classics
I suppose everyone has those musical groups or artists that they secretly like, the ones they have as a guilty pleasure. My guess is I have more than most and perhaps, to be fair, maybe their not really guilty pleasures as much as legitimate artists that don't get the respect they deserve.
One of those acts that I really enjoy is the Bee Gees. Their music is just plain infectious. I'm sitting here skipping around from one Bee Gees song to the next. There are so many hooks in their music, and the harmonies are fantastic. True, their falsetto voices may annoy some people but their songwriting abilities are top notch.
As you can see from my previous post and now this one I'm in one of my musical funks. OK, maybe not a musical funk but I get into these moods where I crave certain types of music. Sometimes my mood dictates something funky or something with a groove to it, or it could be a somber or melancholy mood calling for something more acoustic or mellow. Usually it always has to be melodic and be familiar.
It doesn't necessarily need to trigger certain feelings or memories but it needs to satisfy the craving. Right now the craving is for something with a groove and melodic. The Bee Gees are filling the bill nicely, but I've also been listening to Mariah Carey ("Fantasy"), The Beastie Boys ("Son of Neckbone" - an awesomely contagious instrumental), Amy Winehouse ("You Know I'm No Good"), Bill Withers ("Use Me") and many others.
As hard as it is to believe, me being the non-rhythmic white boy that I am, I'll get completely lost in the groove of the music. It can be so incredibly transforming and overwhelm your senses - feeling the bass in your chest, your fingers tapping and your whole body moving, feeling the passion and soul of the singer, closing your eyes and just getting lost in the sounds and how everything ebbs and flows. Music is such an incredible vehicle, transporting you to wherever you want to go.
This is one of the reasons I'm really disappointed in the music of the last 10 years or so, maybe even longer. Where are all the musicians, the true R&B singers, the songs that depend on excellent songwriting, musicianship, melody. Enough of the sampling of previous hits - write your own music. Be more creative that writing about sex, drugs, guns, or any other idiotic topic. Say something! Make me feel it!
OK, I need to get off my soap box. I don't have the talent but there are people out there who do. Where are they?
I've got to get back to the music. Time for some Bob Marley....
One of those acts that I really enjoy is the Bee Gees. Their music is just plain infectious. I'm sitting here skipping around from one Bee Gees song to the next. There are so many hooks in their music, and the harmonies are fantastic. True, their falsetto voices may annoy some people but their songwriting abilities are top notch.
As you can see from my previous post and now this one I'm in one of my musical funks. OK, maybe not a musical funk but I get into these moods where I crave certain types of music. Sometimes my mood dictates something funky or something with a groove to it, or it could be a somber or melancholy mood calling for something more acoustic or mellow. Usually it always has to be melodic and be familiar.
It doesn't necessarily need to trigger certain feelings or memories but it needs to satisfy the craving. Right now the craving is for something with a groove and melodic. The Bee Gees are filling the bill nicely, but I've also been listening to Mariah Carey ("Fantasy"), The Beastie Boys ("Son of Neckbone" - an awesomely contagious instrumental), Amy Winehouse ("You Know I'm No Good"), Bill Withers ("Use Me") and many others.
As hard as it is to believe, me being the non-rhythmic white boy that I am, I'll get completely lost in the groove of the music. It can be so incredibly transforming and overwhelm your senses - feeling the bass in your chest, your fingers tapping and your whole body moving, feeling the passion and soul of the singer, closing your eyes and just getting lost in the sounds and how everything ebbs and flows. Music is such an incredible vehicle, transporting you to wherever you want to go.
This is one of the reasons I'm really disappointed in the music of the last 10 years or so, maybe even longer. Where are all the musicians, the true R&B singers, the songs that depend on excellent songwriting, musicianship, melody. Enough of the sampling of previous hits - write your own music. Be more creative that writing about sex, drugs, guns, or any other idiotic topic. Say something! Make me feel it!
OK, I need to get off my soap box. I don't have the talent but there are people out there who do. Where are they?
I've got to get back to the music. Time for some Bob Marley....
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Tide Is High
I remember the first three albums I ever owned that were truly my own - they were gifts from my brother Mike. I believe the year was 1983 and the albums he bought me were Business As Usual by Men At Work, The Best of Blondie, and the soundtrack to the 1978 film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band which starred the Bee Gees, Peter Frampton and many others.
I seem to recall that I didn't know much about any of the artists at the time, with the exception of Men At Work. I had an old record player that used to be Mike's and I would sit in my room listening to the records, sitting about 5 feet in front of the stereo with each speaker aimed right at me.
I would read the liner notes or follow along with the lyrics, singing if I felt like it of course. It was like I was in my own world, or as Paul Simon so eloquently wrote in "I Am A Rock" - "Hiding in my room / Safe within my womb." I would shut the door and sit in there, getting lost in the music.
One of the first albums I bought that I was truly obsessed with was Foreigner 4, with such classic tracks as "Juke Box Hero", "Urgent" and "Waiting For a Girl Like You". There was a kid in my class who could play the sax solo in "Urgent" and I thought that was pretty sweet - and I still do. I would listen to this album constantly, flipping from one side to the other and back again.
Having my own stereo was pretty cool. And what was even better was that both speakers worked. The stereo we had in our basement only had one speaker that worked - the right speaker. And for the first 10+ years of my life I never knew what the other "half" of the song sounded like. If I had to listen to music with only one speaker I couldn't do it. No way. It would frustrate me to no end.
And I don't know if it's nostalgia or what but I'll never find the same joy in buying and listening to a CD. As much as most people would argue with me or think I'm crazy I still believe there is nothing like listening to music on vinyl - crackles and all. The warmth, vibrant tones and general sound quality is SOOO much better than a CD. You hear everything and it sounds so much more "real". It's really a shame that so many people haven't had the experience of vinyl, although I've heard it's making a comeback.
Up until I got out of college I was obsessed with buying music and I would set myself down so I could listen to the music repeatedly and in it's entirety. I still truly enjoy music but I think it's the lack of time that keeps me from pursuing it as much as I'd like. With a few exceptions I never listen to a complete album anymore which I think is quite sad and something I need to change.
What new CDs have you listened to recently that you like? Any suggestions? Recommendations?
"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." – Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name
I seem to recall that I didn't know much about any of the artists at the time, with the exception of Men At Work. I had an old record player that used to be Mike's and I would sit in my room listening to the records, sitting about 5 feet in front of the stereo with each speaker aimed right at me.
I would read the liner notes or follow along with the lyrics, singing if I felt like it of course. It was like I was in my own world, or as Paul Simon so eloquently wrote in "I Am A Rock" - "Hiding in my room / Safe within my womb." I would shut the door and sit in there, getting lost in the music.
One of the first albums I bought that I was truly obsessed with was Foreigner 4, with such classic tracks as "Juke Box Hero", "Urgent" and "Waiting For a Girl Like You". There was a kid in my class who could play the sax solo in "Urgent" and I thought that was pretty sweet - and I still do. I would listen to this album constantly, flipping from one side to the other and back again.
Having my own stereo was pretty cool. And what was even better was that both speakers worked. The stereo we had in our basement only had one speaker that worked - the right speaker. And for the first 10+ years of my life I never knew what the other "half" of the song sounded like. If I had to listen to music with only one speaker I couldn't do it. No way. It would frustrate me to no end.
And I don't know if it's nostalgia or what but I'll never find the same joy in buying and listening to a CD. As much as most people would argue with me or think I'm crazy I still believe there is nothing like listening to music on vinyl - crackles and all. The warmth, vibrant tones and general sound quality is SOOO much better than a CD. You hear everything and it sounds so much more "real". It's really a shame that so many people haven't had the experience of vinyl, although I've heard it's making a comeback.
Up until I got out of college I was obsessed with buying music and I would set myself down so I could listen to the music repeatedly and in it's entirety. I still truly enjoy music but I think it's the lack of time that keeps me from pursuing it as much as I'd like. With a few exceptions I never listen to a complete album anymore which I think is quite sad and something I need to change.
What new CDs have you listened to recently that you like? Any suggestions? Recommendations?
"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." – Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name
"Music is an outburst of the soul." – Frederick Delius
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Out of Left Field
This post starts out innocently enough, but I really don't know where this all came from. Enjoy.
A dear friend of ours sent the picture below via fax and I wanted to share it. You may need to click on the image to read everything, but suffice it to say that yours truly is the snowman in the front. Thanks Rachel! ;-)
I am a little concerned, tho, that she draws me with no pants on. I'm not quite sure what to make of that.
My godson Derek's birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Derek! Of course, I'm lame and completely spaced on it. I'll have to make it up somehow.
WARNING: Sudden shift in post topic ahead...
So, how often do you ask yourself what it is you want to do with your life? Do you see yourself doing what you're doing now in 2017? Wow, in 10 years it will be 2017. That seems so far away and yet it wasn't that long ago that it was 1997. Anyway, I don't see myself doing what I'm doing now in 2017, but I have NO idea what I'll be doing instead.
I'll be driving back and forth to work and I'll pass all the construction going on as they build the new highway and I'll think to myself that it would be cool to be a dump truck driver. Where that comes from I'm not sure. It may have to do with how much I loved playing in the sandbox as a kid, or perhaps its the non-corporateness (is that a word?) of it - the lack of office politics. Or maybe it's about being outside, although I might miss the interaction with others. If I became a dump truck driver I might need to buy a chimp to keep me company.
Or maybe you make a hobby into a career. Depending on the hobby this would be more difficult to do, especially if you have a standard of living you need to sustain. Or maybe instead of it being your career you do it part time. One needs to find their passion and run with it. I'm not sure what mine is and I don't want to wait until I'm 60 to figure it out.
"Very few people do anything creative after the age of 35. The reason is that very few people do anything creative before the age of 35." - Joel Hildebrand
"That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet." - Emily Dickinson
This is your one shot at life. Are you really doing what you want to do? Will you find yourself one day looking back and thinking "why didn't I follow my heart?"
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." - Sydney Harris
So I must sit down and think about what I really want to do, think about what is important.
Which reminds me - what do you call an insect from overseas? An import-ant. I know, that was so lame you'd find it easy to believe I just made that up.
On that note, see you later.
A dear friend of ours sent the picture below via fax and I wanted to share it. You may need to click on the image to read everything, but suffice it to say that yours truly is the snowman in the front. Thanks Rachel! ;-)
I am a little concerned, tho, that she draws me with no pants on. I'm not quite sure what to make of that.
My godson Derek's birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Derek! Of course, I'm lame and completely spaced on it. I'll have to make it up somehow.
WARNING: Sudden shift in post topic ahead...
So, how often do you ask yourself what it is you want to do with your life? Do you see yourself doing what you're doing now in 2017? Wow, in 10 years it will be 2017. That seems so far away and yet it wasn't that long ago that it was 1997. Anyway, I don't see myself doing what I'm doing now in 2017, but I have NO idea what I'll be doing instead.
I'll be driving back and forth to work and I'll pass all the construction going on as they build the new highway and I'll think to myself that it would be cool to be a dump truck driver. Where that comes from I'm not sure. It may have to do with how much I loved playing in the sandbox as a kid, or perhaps its the non-corporateness (is that a word?) of it - the lack of office politics. Or maybe it's about being outside, although I might miss the interaction with others. If I became a dump truck driver I might need to buy a chimp to keep me company.
Or maybe you make a hobby into a career. Depending on the hobby this would be more difficult to do, especially if you have a standard of living you need to sustain. Or maybe instead of it being your career you do it part time. One needs to find their passion and run with it. I'm not sure what mine is and I don't want to wait until I'm 60 to figure it out.
"Very few people do anything creative after the age of 35. The reason is that very few people do anything creative before the age of 35." - Joel Hildebrand
"That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet." - Emily Dickinson
This is your one shot at life. Are you really doing what you want to do? Will you find yourself one day looking back and thinking "why didn't I follow my heart?"
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." - Sydney Harris
So I must sit down and think about what I really want to do, think about what is important.
Which reminds me - what do you call an insect from overseas? An import-ant. I know, that was so lame you'd find it easy to believe I just made that up.
On that note, see you later.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Pinching My Belly
How ya' liking this snow?! Here in Chaska we had almost 7 inches on Saturday and probably another 4 or so today. I like the snow but it sure made the commute home tonight a pain in the butt. My normal 20-minute drive took an hour and 45 minutes. Fun.
I kind of feel sorry for school kids, tho. The first big snowfall of the year comes on a Saturday - no school to be canceled. The second decent snowfall comes mid-morning, after they're already IN school. You know the roads will be fine tomorrow so most likely no canceled school with this one either. From what I hear the next snowfall is supposed to come on Thursday so we'll see how that pans out for them.
This morning we were visited by our "friends" Piss and Vinegar. Molson usually plays the role of "Piss" and Gracie assumes the identity of "Vinegar". Little hellions they were! Out romping around in the snow - refusing to come in so I could get to work.
They definitely like the snow - Molson will stick her snout into the snow and walk around like a plow while Gracie will roll around in the snow like a pig, that is until her paws get cold with the snow packed between her pads. At that point she'll stand there holding up a paw for 10 seconds and then switch to another paw - so pathetic. I don't know that she would survive in the wild - in fact I'm SURE she wouldn't.
The only thing that stinks about the snow is that it's too powdery and doesn't make good snowballs. I'll usually throw the snowballs into the air and the girls will try to catch them in their mouths. Gracie can typically catch a few of them but Molson just isn't that coordinated. She'll trip over her own tail - and then start chasing it. Gracie sees Molson chasing her tail and gets excited and starts humping Molson. Oh the fun!
Now, I've heard of many things to do to impress a girlfriend, but this wouldn't be one I'd suggest.
D'oh!!!
"Guys are always patting my bald head for luck, pinching my belly to hear my girlish laugh..." - Homer Simpson
I kind of feel sorry for school kids, tho. The first big snowfall of the year comes on a Saturday - no school to be canceled. The second decent snowfall comes mid-morning, after they're already IN school. You know the roads will be fine tomorrow so most likely no canceled school with this one either. From what I hear the next snowfall is supposed to come on Thursday so we'll see how that pans out for them.
This morning we were visited by our "friends" Piss and Vinegar. Molson usually plays the role of "Piss" and Gracie assumes the identity of "Vinegar". Little hellions they were! Out romping around in the snow - refusing to come in so I could get to work.
They definitely like the snow - Molson will stick her snout into the snow and walk around like a plow while Gracie will roll around in the snow like a pig, that is until her paws get cold with the snow packed between her pads. At that point she'll stand there holding up a paw for 10 seconds and then switch to another paw - so pathetic. I don't know that she would survive in the wild - in fact I'm SURE she wouldn't.
The only thing that stinks about the snow is that it's too powdery and doesn't make good snowballs. I'll usually throw the snowballs into the air and the girls will try to catch them in their mouths. Gracie can typically catch a few of them but Molson just isn't that coordinated. She'll trip over her own tail - and then start chasing it. Gracie sees Molson chasing her tail and gets excited and starts humping Molson. Oh the fun!
Now, I've heard of many things to do to impress a girlfriend, but this wouldn't be one I'd suggest.
D'oh!!!
"Guys are always patting my bald head for luck, pinching my belly to hear my girlish laugh..." - Homer Simpson
A Different Christmas Poem
I just got this in an email and thought I'd share. It's pretty good.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed ‘round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and he smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right.
I'm out here by choice, I'm here every night.
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
“My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,
That is a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.”
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
“I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
“Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you is you mattered to us."
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed ‘round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and he smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right.
I'm out here by choice, I'm here every night.
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
“My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,
That is a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.”
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
“I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
“Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you is you mattered to us."
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sweet McKenna
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
We went to McKenna Johnson's funeral on Saturday and this was one of the first songs we sang at the service, and even though I've sung this song countless times it never had the same meaning as it did Saturday. The last two lines of the second verse ("He will wash away my sin / Let His little child come in") had me so choked up I couldn't sing. It was such a moving start to an emotional morning.
Before I go any further I ask that you please visit McKenna's Caring Bridge site (here) and read the journal entry from Saturday morning. The post is what was read during the funeral. There are those few times where a family truly captures your heart, and the Johnson family is definitely one of them.
There was a large turnout for the funeral which made McKenna's brother and sister (Kalen and Jadyn) very happy. They were hoping a lot of people would attend to show their love for McKenna.
Pink was McKenna's favorite color and nearly everyone who attended the funeral was wearing at least some pink. There were bouquets of pink balloons in the church which were released into the snowy sky after they brought McKenna out of the church. It was a moving scene.
Julie and I have been in awe of McKenna and her family as we've followed the ups and downs of the last couple months. It is amazing the bravery and love she showed, even at those most difficult of times. What a beautiful little girl, dear sweet McKenna. Rest in peace.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for McKenna and her family. They truly appreciate it.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
We went to McKenna Johnson's funeral on Saturday and this was one of the first songs we sang at the service, and even though I've sung this song countless times it never had the same meaning as it did Saturday. The last two lines of the second verse ("He will wash away my sin / Let His little child come in") had me so choked up I couldn't sing. It was such a moving start to an emotional morning.
Before I go any further I ask that you please visit McKenna's Caring Bridge site (here) and read the journal entry from Saturday morning. The post is what was read during the funeral. There are those few times where a family truly captures your heart, and the Johnson family is definitely one of them.
There was a large turnout for the funeral which made McKenna's brother and sister (Kalen and Jadyn) very happy. They were hoping a lot of people would attend to show their love for McKenna.
Pink was McKenna's favorite color and nearly everyone who attended the funeral was wearing at least some pink. There were bouquets of pink balloons in the church which were released into the snowy sky after they brought McKenna out of the church. It was a moving scene.
Julie and I have been in awe of McKenna and her family as we've followed the ups and downs of the last couple months. It is amazing the bravery and love she showed, even at those most difficult of times. What a beautiful little girl, dear sweet McKenna. Rest in peace.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for McKenna and her family. They truly appreciate it.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Called Home
At 5:30 PM this evening sweet McKenna was called home to Heaven. She earned her angel wings after a long, tough battle with cancer. She was a beautiful little girl. Please keep her as well as her family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
McKenna Update
I'm sure many of you have been following McKenna's struggles over the last month or so. As of this post her family is preparing to say goodbye to sweet McKenna. She's put up a valiant fight and is an amazing little girl - such an inspiration.
Please continue to keep McKenna and her family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this very difficult time. I can't even imagine what they are going through.
Please continue to keep McKenna and her family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this very difficult time. I can't even imagine what they are going through.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
A Crash 'n' Numb Toes PSA
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Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your blog experience is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of reading the blog. The blog works by reducing the amount of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. This may block certain types of hair loss in men. You may need to read the blog for up to 3 months before you notice any improvement. Infrequently, reading the blog may cause decreased sexual desire or ability. These effects usually decrease in men who continue to read the blog. If they continue or become bothersome, check with your doctor.
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Thursday, November 22, 2007
Trypin' on Tryptophan
Happy Thanksgiving! If I all the sudden stop typing in the middle of this post know that it must be a combination of the tryptophan and the wine. Oh, and the overeating.
We shall dedicate today's post to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Some of it you may already know, but hopefully we can all be educated a little... and perhaps entertained.
The preliminary estimate of turkeys Minnesota expects to raise in 2006 is 45 million. The Gopher State is tops in turkey production. It is followed by North Carolina (37 million), Arkansas (30 million), Virginia (22.5 million), Missouri (21.5 million) and California (16 million). These six states together will probably account for about 65 percent of U.S. turkeys produced in 2006.
The quantity of turkey consumed by the typical American in 2004 is 13.4 pounds with a hearty helping devoured at Thanksgiving time.
"Thanksgiving is an emotional time. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often." - Johnny Carson
"You can tell you ate too much for Thanksgiving when you have to let your bathrobe out." - Jay Leno
"Thanksgiving is the day when you turn to another family member and say, 'How long has Mom been drinking like this?' My mom, after six Bloody Marys looks at the turkey and goes, 'Here, kitty, kitty.'" - David Letterman
Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as the official U.S. bird.
June is National Turkey Lovers Month.
The costume worn by Big Bird on Sesame Street is rumored to be made of turkey feathers. (What? Big Bird wasn't real??)
Wild turkeys can fly for short distances up to 55 miles per hour and can run 20 miles per hour.
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) estimates that approximately 45 million turkeys are eaten at Thanksgiving.
President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, supposedly as a response to a campaign organized by magazine editor Sara Joseph Hale. In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving Day forward one week, as it is presently celebrated.
Everyone have a great Thanksgiving Day! Stay safe. Give thanks.
No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy the sunlight today, mix good cheer with friends today, enjoy it and bless God for it. – Henry Ward Beecher
We shall dedicate today's post to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Some of it you may already know, but hopefully we can all be educated a little... and perhaps entertained.
The preliminary estimate of turkeys Minnesota expects to raise in 2006 is 45 million. The Gopher State is tops in turkey production. It is followed by North Carolina (37 million), Arkansas (30 million), Virginia (22.5 million), Missouri (21.5 million) and California (16 million). These six states together will probably account for about 65 percent of U.S. turkeys produced in 2006.
The quantity of turkey consumed by the typical American in 2004 is 13.4 pounds with a hearty helping devoured at Thanksgiving time.
"Thanksgiving is an emotional time. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often." - Johnny Carson
"You can tell you ate too much for Thanksgiving when you have to let your bathrobe out." - Jay Leno
"Thanksgiving is the day when you turn to another family member and say, 'How long has Mom been drinking like this?' My mom, after six Bloody Marys looks at the turkey and goes, 'Here, kitty, kitty.'" - David Letterman
Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as the official U.S. bird.
June is National Turkey Lovers Month.
The costume worn by Big Bird on Sesame Street is rumored to be made of turkey feathers. (What? Big Bird wasn't real??)
Wild turkeys can fly for short distances up to 55 miles per hour and can run 20 miles per hour.
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) estimates that approximately 45 million turkeys are eaten at Thanksgiving.
President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, supposedly as a response to a campaign organized by magazine editor Sara Joseph Hale. In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving Day forward one week, as it is presently celebrated.
Everyone have a great Thanksgiving Day! Stay safe. Give thanks.
No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy the sunlight today, mix good cheer with friends today, enjoy it and bless God for it. – Henry Ward Beecher
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
From the Back 40
Today feels like a Friday, and that's a great feeling. And the feeling gets better knowing you have a 4-day weekend ahead. I think all work weeks should be 3 days, with no cut in pay of course!
Julie found out about this website called Black Friday that lists all the special deals that stores are running on Friday. There are definitely some great deals to be had if you're willing to fight the crowd and drive around endlessly looking for parking spots. Pretty much from here until after Christmas you can count on having to park in the back 40 at any mall. Fa-la-la-la-la.
Tomorrow it the Turkey Day 5k and we'll be having a good group of TNT alumni coming down to participate. We didn't make it there last year but I heard it's a very large event. If you want to come down and do a little preemptive strike against the turkey and stuffing you'll be eating later in the day then come on out and join us! Just dress warm!
Here is some good advice for travelers.
NO! Not Chuck Wagon... Chick Wagon!
We had a conversation over the weekend about the lack of any good radio stations in the Twin Cities. Ever since Drive 105 was changed to Love 105 the music choices have been severely limited. The area offers so many great things from food to the arts to all major sports teams but the radio scene leaves MUCH to be desired.
Everyone have a great turkey day!!! Gobble Gobble!
Julie found out about this website called Black Friday that lists all the special deals that stores are running on Friday. There are definitely some great deals to be had if you're willing to fight the crowd and drive around endlessly looking for parking spots. Pretty much from here until after Christmas you can count on having to park in the back 40 at any mall. Fa-la-la-la-la.
Tomorrow it the Turkey Day 5k and we'll be having a good group of TNT alumni coming down to participate. We didn't make it there last year but I heard it's a very large event. If you want to come down and do a little preemptive strike against the turkey and stuffing you'll be eating later in the day then come on out and join us! Just dress warm!
Here is some good advice for travelers.
NO! Not Chuck Wagon... Chick Wagon!
We had a conversation over the weekend about the lack of any good radio stations in the Twin Cities. Ever since Drive 105 was changed to Love 105 the music choices have been severely limited. The area offers so many great things from food to the arts to all major sports teams but the radio scene leaves MUCH to be desired.
Everyone have a great turkey day!!! Gobble Gobble!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Put the Message in the Box
I heard about this story (which you can read about here) on the radio earlier today and I had to look it up on line. Here's the deal.
A Boy Scout troop in Cambridge, MA, put collection boxes at all the polling locations on election day. The purpose of the collection boxes was to gather donations for the troops currently fighting in Iraq. Apparently ONE person called to complain that the boxes were making a political statement which is illegal to do. What political statement was being made?
Now, I think it goes without saying that Massachusetts is a very liberal state, not much of a stretch there. This is one thing I don't like about the left - they continually say they support the troops but then turn around and do something like this. How is deciding you want to send a care package to the troops in Iraq or Afghanistan becoming something other than that?
Let's face it - you can't say you support the troops and then deny people from sending care packages? Otherwise, how are you supporting them? Ridiculous.
Sorry for the short post but I wanted to get this story out there. I'm heading off to bed.
A Boy Scout troop in Cambridge, MA, put collection boxes at all the polling locations on election day. The purpose of the collection boxes was to gather donations for the troops currently fighting in Iraq. Apparently ONE person called to complain that the boxes were making a political statement which is illegal to do. What political statement was being made?
Now, I think it goes without saying that Massachusetts is a very liberal state, not much of a stretch there. This is one thing I don't like about the left - they continually say they support the troops but then turn around and do something like this. How is deciding you want to send a care package to the troops in Iraq or Afghanistan becoming something other than that?
Let's face it - you can't say you support the troops and then deny people from sending care packages? Otherwise, how are you supporting them? Ridiculous.
Sorry for the short post but I wanted to get this story out there. I'm heading off to bed.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Interspersed with Laughter
Please note there are two posts today. Make sure you read the other one ("Cancer, You SUCK!") as well. It's a good one.
Last night Julie and I went over to the home of our friends Julie and Chuck. They hosted a card/game night and we had a great time! Friends Jen and Lindsey met us at our house and we headed over.
The evening was filled with much merriment and the tipping back of a few barley pops. We played some euchre, shot some pool, and finished the evening with a little Catch Phrase. Interspersed in all that was much laughter and a little more imbibing, some good food and a beer chugging contest or two. All in all I lost at euchre and did terrible shooting pool but it was balanced out beautifully with great friends, old and new.
Today we didn't do a whole lot - just got some lunch and did our weekly shopping. Julie did NOT enjoy the heavy snow flurries. At least it didn't last long. She truly can't stand cold weather.
I can't believe Thanksgiving is this Thursday already. It seems like summer was just here and we're already heading into the Christmas season. One of the radio stations has begun playing non-stop Christmas music which I really can't stand. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Christmas music, just not 24 hours a day. I find it hard to believe there are that many people out there who want to listen to unending Christmas music. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Definitely. On November 17th? No thanks.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, one of my fondest memories as a kid was waking up that morning to the smell of the turkey already cooking in the oven. The smell just filled the house. Mom was always busy in the kitchen while dad sat in his chair watching TV. Mom would buy loaves of bread and toast them to make her stuffing from scratch and she'd have me cut the toasted bread into little pieces. I would purposely not eat that day until we had the Thanksgiving meal. I wanted to be sure I could eat as much of it as possible. What a great day it would be.
I found this story on-line today and I couldn't believe it. It's about the first two seasons of "Sesame Street" now being available on DVD. Only in TODAY'S world, it's only suitable for adults. Ridiculous.
Everyone have a great week!
Last night Julie and I went over to the home of our friends Julie and Chuck. They hosted a card/game night and we had a great time! Friends Jen and Lindsey met us at our house and we headed over.
The evening was filled with much merriment and the tipping back of a few barley pops. We played some euchre, shot some pool, and finished the evening with a little Catch Phrase. Interspersed in all that was much laughter and a little more imbibing, some good food and a beer chugging contest or two. All in all I lost at euchre and did terrible shooting pool but it was balanced out beautifully with great friends, old and new.
Today we didn't do a whole lot - just got some lunch and did our weekly shopping. Julie did NOT enjoy the heavy snow flurries. At least it didn't last long. She truly can't stand cold weather.
I can't believe Thanksgiving is this Thursday already. It seems like summer was just here and we're already heading into the Christmas season. One of the radio stations has begun playing non-stop Christmas music which I really can't stand. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Christmas music, just not 24 hours a day. I find it hard to believe there are that many people out there who want to listen to unending Christmas music. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Definitely. On November 17th? No thanks.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, one of my fondest memories as a kid was waking up that morning to the smell of the turkey already cooking in the oven. The smell just filled the house. Mom was always busy in the kitchen while dad sat in his chair watching TV. Mom would buy loaves of bread and toast them to make her stuffing from scratch and she'd have me cut the toasted bread into little pieces. I would purposely not eat that day until we had the Thanksgiving meal. I wanted to be sure I could eat as much of it as possible. What a great day it would be.
I found this story on-line today and I couldn't believe it. It's about the first two seasons of "Sesame Street" now being available on DVD. Only in TODAY'S world, it's only suitable for adults. Ridiculous.
Everyone have a great week!
Cancer, You SUCK!
I was just out to McKenna's Caring Bridge site and was reading through some of the comments in the guestbook and came across a post that I thought was great! I went to the original source (CNN) and have linked it here, but thought I'd paste it in it's entirety here. Please continue to keep McKenna in your thoughts and prayers through these incredibly difficult times.
Did I mention that Jillian is only nine?
In the short time we spent together, the crew and I really bonded with Jillian and her family. By the time we left, Jillian was planning a trip to visit us in Atlanta. Hugs were exchanged. We headed home, looking forward to the next time we would see Jillian and her family.
Weeks later, an e-mail from her mother, Jessica, popped up on my computer screen.
Jillian had cancer... again.
I closed the door to my office and cried.
Jessica has set up a wonderful blog to update family and friends. Recently, she posted a letter Jillian wrote to "Cancer." Jillian agreed to let me share it with our readers.
Dear Cancer,
You SUCK!
You are not very nice.
You are wasting your time because one day you're going to be extinct.
You are definitely wasting your time on me because each time I beat you.
Even if I do feel sick and throw up, I still feel good. I'm still happy because I know I'M winning.
I'm already healing.
You are wasting your time on so many people.
You are not much of a threat anymore.
As I say - you're just a teeny weeny ant and I step on you - SPLAT!
You have taught me that life really is too short.
Learn to LIVE.
Learn to NOT be afraid.
I know kids hate chemo, stinky milk (formula for ng tubes), transplants or even lots of surgeries. But after it all, it's like a new beginning. It's like you're reborn. It's like - WOW - I'm starting over with my life and it's wonderful. That feeling of a new life is wonderful.
Going through all the drama - throwing up, diarrhea, surgeries - when you come through it, it's a miracle.
It's never worth it to have cancer, but once you survive it, it just feels good.
I have had AML 3 times and osteosarcoma just recently.
I have been dealing with cancer since I was 1.
I am 9 years old, have had two transplants and will be 10 in December.
TAKE THAT!
My friend, Jillian:
Keep fighting, continue living life to its fullest.
"Cancer" has no idea who it's messing with.
I look forward to seeing you in Atlanta soon.
Jen
Take THAT cancer!
Jillian Pasley is one of the coolest people I've ever interviewed. I met Jillian, who's funny, smart and sassy, earlier this year as I reported a story about African-Americans, cancer and bone marrow donations. Jillian is one tough cookie. She has beaten cancer THREE times.Did I mention that Jillian is only nine?
In the short time we spent together, the crew and I really bonded with Jillian and her family. By the time we left, Jillian was planning a trip to visit us in Atlanta. Hugs were exchanged. We headed home, looking forward to the next time we would see Jillian and her family.
Weeks later, an e-mail from her mother, Jessica, popped up on my computer screen.
Jillian had cancer... again.
I closed the door to my office and cried.
Jessica has set up a wonderful blog to update family and friends. Recently, she posted a letter Jillian wrote to "Cancer." Jillian agreed to let me share it with our readers.
Dear Cancer,
You SUCK!
You are not very nice.
You are wasting your time because one day you're going to be extinct.
You are definitely wasting your time on me because each time I beat you.
Even if I do feel sick and throw up, I still feel good. I'm still happy because I know I'M winning.
I'm already healing.
You are wasting your time on so many people.
You are not much of a threat anymore.
As I say - you're just a teeny weeny ant and I step on you - SPLAT!
You have taught me that life really is too short.
Learn to LIVE.
Learn to NOT be afraid.
I know kids hate chemo, stinky milk (formula for ng tubes), transplants or even lots of surgeries. But after it all, it's like a new beginning. It's like you're reborn. It's like - WOW - I'm starting over with my life and it's wonderful. That feeling of a new life is wonderful.
Going through all the drama - throwing up, diarrhea, surgeries - when you come through it, it's a miracle.
It's never worth it to have cancer, but once you survive it, it just feels good.
I have had AML 3 times and osteosarcoma just recently.
I have been dealing with cancer since I was 1.
I am 9 years old, have had two transplants and will be 10 in December.
TAKE THAT!
My friend, Jillian:
Keep fighting, continue living life to its fullest.
"Cancer" has no idea who it's messing with.
I look forward to seeing you in Atlanta soon.
Jen
Friday, November 16, 2007
Careful: May Cause Irritation
Howdy folks. Long time, no post. Just when I think things will start slowing down it goes in the other direction. It's been a very long week and one I'm anxious to get behind me. On with the post, this is it...
Thanks to all of you for keeping McKenna in your thoughts and prayers. After coding last week she is recovering slowly. Baby steps, they say. They started dialysis which has helped tremendously but there is still a long road ahead. They were told they may want to decorate the room for Christmas, but they still have hope that she will be home to celebrate the holidays. She is quite the little fighter!!
It has definitely cooled down outside and is feeling more like November. Julie has a desk calendar and today's had a list of the 7 animals that hibernate in the winter. How many do you think you can name? I have the list at the bottom of the post. See? We educate AND entertain! Well, at least we try to educate...
Some might think their home life is in the crapper, but THIS takes it to a whole new level...
I bought the new Cities 97 cd yesterday. I really had no intention of buying it until they were talking about it on the morning news and one of the DJs said that Shawn Colvin's cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" was on the cd. I knew I had to have it. I got to the Super Target in Chaska around 7:30 AM and the line was pretty long. By the time I got to the front of the line they only had about 50 left. Got there just in time! Oh, and the cd is really good, with one notable exception - that being the live "Anna Begins" by Counting Crows. I really can't stand the way Adam Duritz sings live. Totally irritating. Worst concert ever.
No, I'm not a nerd. Honestly.
Have you tried the Ice Breakers Sours? Very good. Very sour. On the back of the container it carries this warning: "Careful: Sour level may cause irritation to the mouth." Yeah, they're sour.
Okay.....
Today's post will end with a little more education. Oh, and the 7 animals that hibernate are.... drum roll please... bears, skunks, woodchucks, jumping mice, raccoons, bats and chipmunks. Who knew? Did you? And what the heck are jumping mice? I don't think I want to know.
In honor of Veteran's Day which was this passed Sunday comes this story about the Vietnam War Memorial. There is some wisdom in here that can be applied to where we find ourselves today.
The Vietnam War Memorial was dedicated NOVEMBER 13, 1982, honoring 58,000 American troops who died. U.S. forces inflicted over a million enemy fatalities, yet politicians did not allow a victory.
A former Communist North Vietnamese colonel, Bui Tin, called the American "peace movement" essential:
"Every day our leadership would listen to the world news over the radio to follow the growth of the American anti-war movement. Visits to Hanoi by people like Jane Fonda and former attorney General Ramsey Clark gave us confidence that we should hold on in the face of battlefield reverses."
On October 12, 1967, during Operation Medina, Marine Sergeant George Hutchings of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division, had a dozen men killed around him when ambushed by the North Vietnamese in the Hai Lang jungle.
Months later, after numerous battles, George was shot three times, bayoneted and left for dead. He survived and was later awarded the Purple Heart.
Of the Vietnam Memorial, George Hutchings said:
"On that wall is the name of Corporal Quinton Bice, who was hit in the chest with a rocket running a patrol in my place. A Christian, he had shared the Gospel with me, but I didn't understand it till he gave his life in my place."
Thanks to all of you for keeping McKenna in your thoughts and prayers. After coding last week she is recovering slowly. Baby steps, they say. They started dialysis which has helped tremendously but there is still a long road ahead. They were told they may want to decorate the room for Christmas, but they still have hope that she will be home to celebrate the holidays. She is quite the little fighter!!
It has definitely cooled down outside and is feeling more like November. Julie has a desk calendar and today's had a list of the 7 animals that hibernate in the winter. How many do you think you can name? I have the list at the bottom of the post. See? We educate AND entertain! Well, at least we try to educate...
Some might think their home life is in the crapper, but THIS takes it to a whole new level...
I bought the new Cities 97 cd yesterday. I really had no intention of buying it until they were talking about it on the morning news and one of the DJs said that Shawn Colvin's cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" was on the cd. I knew I had to have it. I got to the Super Target in Chaska around 7:30 AM and the line was pretty long. By the time I got to the front of the line they only had about 50 left. Got there just in time! Oh, and the cd is really good, with one notable exception - that being the live "Anna Begins" by Counting Crows. I really can't stand the way Adam Duritz sings live. Totally irritating. Worst concert ever.
No, I'm not a nerd. Honestly.
Have you tried the Ice Breakers Sours? Very good. Very sour. On the back of the container it carries this warning: "Careful: Sour level may cause irritation to the mouth." Yeah, they're sour.
Okay.....
Today's post will end with a little more education. Oh, and the 7 animals that hibernate are.... drum roll please... bears, skunks, woodchucks, jumping mice, raccoons, bats and chipmunks. Who knew? Did you? And what the heck are jumping mice? I don't think I want to know.
In honor of Veteran's Day which was this passed Sunday comes this story about the Vietnam War Memorial. There is some wisdom in here that can be applied to where we find ourselves today.
The Vietnam War Memorial was dedicated NOVEMBER 13, 1982, honoring 58,000 American troops who died. U.S. forces inflicted over a million enemy fatalities, yet politicians did not allow a victory.
A former Communist North Vietnamese colonel, Bui Tin, called the American "peace movement" essential:
"Every day our leadership would listen to the world news over the radio to follow the growth of the American anti-war movement. Visits to Hanoi by people like Jane Fonda and former attorney General Ramsey Clark gave us confidence that we should hold on in the face of battlefield reverses."
On October 12, 1967, during Operation Medina, Marine Sergeant George Hutchings of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division, had a dozen men killed around him when ambushed by the North Vietnamese in the Hai Lang jungle.
Months later, after numerous battles, George was shot three times, bayoneted and left for dead. He survived and was later awarded the Purple Heart.
Of the Vietnam Memorial, George Hutchings said:
"On that wall is the name of Corporal Quinton Bice, who was hit in the chest with a rocket running a patrol in my place. A Christian, he had shared the Gospel with me, but I didn't understand it till he gave his life in my place."
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Sing, Sing Along
I must say I'm not usually glad to see a weekend come to a close, but from a football perspective this one was a stinker. Not only did the Buckeyes lose but so did the Lions. The OSU one really hurts. A small consolation tho - Michigan lost as well. But, I'd rather they both win than the Buckeyes lose. Oh well. Next weekend is The Game. Should be good.
Yesterday was the TCM/Nike post event party/get together. About 25 of us met for pizza and then we went to the American Legion in Golden Valley. After a few pitchers of beer we left the Legion and headed over to the VFW in Uptown. We were joking that we were going to leave the VFW for the Elks. The popular topic of the evening was Dublin in '08. I think we're going to have an incredible group going. Sooooo can't wait.
The VFW was great. Chuck the chicken was there and everyone was gravitating towards him. They had Karaoke and Chuck was a little disappointed that they didn't have the Chicken Dance, but he did sing along with most of the songs.
Karaoke is always interesting. There are some people who do really well and others are just so bad you wonder if they know they're as bad as they are. Teresa, one of our mentors, did a killer (no pun intended) version of "Goodbye Earl" by the Dixie Chicks. All the women definitely liked that one.
Here is a link to a great column that was written by John Christy, co-recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize (shared with Al Gore) for his work with U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Definitely worth the read.
I thought this was an interesting picture but I'm curious as to what the black square is to the left of the wagon. Any ideas?
Please continue to keep McKenna in your thoughts and prayers. She had a stable weekend and is making baby steps in the right direction but she still needs our help. Thanks so much.
Sorry. Short post. Long weekend. Tired. Bed.
Yesterday was the TCM/Nike post event party/get together. About 25 of us met for pizza and then we went to the American Legion in Golden Valley. After a few pitchers of beer we left the Legion and headed over to the VFW in Uptown. We were joking that we were going to leave the VFW for the Elks. The popular topic of the evening was Dublin in '08. I think we're going to have an incredible group going. Sooooo can't wait.
The VFW was great. Chuck the chicken was there and everyone was gravitating towards him. They had Karaoke and Chuck was a little disappointed that they didn't have the Chicken Dance, but he did sing along with most of the songs.
Karaoke is always interesting. There are some people who do really well and others are just so bad you wonder if they know they're as bad as they are. Teresa, one of our mentors, did a killer (no pun intended) version of "Goodbye Earl" by the Dixie Chicks. All the women definitely liked that one.
Here is a link to a great column that was written by John Christy, co-recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize (shared with Al Gore) for his work with U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Definitely worth the read.
I thought this was an interesting picture but I'm curious as to what the black square is to the left of the wagon. Any ideas?
Please continue to keep McKenna in your thoughts and prayers. She had a stable weekend and is making baby steps in the right direction but she still needs our help. Thanks so much.
Sorry. Short post. Long weekend. Tired. Bed.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Please Help - McKenna Needs Your Prayers
As I told you about in a previous post I have added a link to McKenna's Caring Bridge web site and she is having a very difficult time right now and needs as many people praying for her as we can get. Please let others know. Below is what her mother posted on there site today. Please pray for peace and comfort.
Friday, November 9, 2007 8:26 AM CST
We got a call at 5:50am that made our hearts sink...."Your daughter is coding. You need to come in." We have been here with her since 6:30 this morning and as of right now she is stable once again. She gained over 3 kilos in the last 24 hours. That's 7.5 pounds. She is up a total of 17 pounds since entering this ICU.
The oscillator is giving her the max output of 100percent and the Mean Airway Pressure (MAP) is up to 30. Yesterday we had it down to 23 and we were so close to moving to the Vent. Her O2 sats are sitting right around 88-89....not great but still okay.
Mary is here with Scott and I. We are waiting for the ultrasound people to come up and see if there is any fluid in her abdomen or around the right lung that they can tap. The Crash Cart has been outside her room since 5:30----her BP and O2 sats started steadily dropping at about 4am and they did everything they could to get her oxygenating again, including flipping her over a couple of times. Didn't work.
We are also going to be consulting with the kidney docs again and Scott and I have decided that we will DEMAND dialysis. We have nothing to lose at this point and the pros of getting the fluid off quickly far outweigh the cons---which is her dying without trying it. We would never forgive ourselves for not at least trying. We will give her every chance we can to make it through this. If more of her organs start to shut down or if it comes to a point where there is no hope of recovery, then we will hold our little girl close and let her go. She has fought SO HARD and we are SO PROUD of her. What a brave little girl....
Pray for us all and please hug your kids today and tell them how much you love them! I'll keep you updated.
Krista, Scott, Nana and Boo Boo from the hospital
11:30AM update
She's hanging on. They are going to be starting dialysis soon. The doc is in her room right now and will start a new IV access for Dialysis ONLY and there will be a dialysis catheter inserted as well. We are praying that this is going to work! This is the last resort to get the fluid out so that her pulmonary functions can resume again. She is struggling but hasn't given up yet and either have we. The prayers will either help her get through this or they will help her to grow her angel wings. PLEASE keep praying for the comfort she is needing. Whichever way it goes, we are tearfully here, fighting with her every step of the way. Nana has not left her bedside and she is keeping vigil as I type.
Friday, November 9, 2007 8:26 AM CST
We got a call at 5:50am that made our hearts sink...."Your daughter is coding. You need to come in." We have been here with her since 6:30 this morning and as of right now she is stable once again. She gained over 3 kilos in the last 24 hours. That's 7.5 pounds. She is up a total of 17 pounds since entering this ICU.
The oscillator is giving her the max output of 100percent and the Mean Airway Pressure (MAP) is up to 30. Yesterday we had it down to 23 and we were so close to moving to the Vent. Her O2 sats are sitting right around 88-89....not great but still okay.
Mary is here with Scott and I. We are waiting for the ultrasound people to come up and see if there is any fluid in her abdomen or around the right lung that they can tap. The Crash Cart has been outside her room since 5:30----her BP and O2 sats started steadily dropping at about 4am and they did everything they could to get her oxygenating again, including flipping her over a couple of times. Didn't work.
We are also going to be consulting with the kidney docs again and Scott and I have decided that we will DEMAND dialysis. We have nothing to lose at this point and the pros of getting the fluid off quickly far outweigh the cons---which is her dying without trying it. We would never forgive ourselves for not at least trying. We will give her every chance we can to make it through this. If more of her organs start to shut down or if it comes to a point where there is no hope of recovery, then we will hold our little girl close and let her go. She has fought SO HARD and we are SO PROUD of her. What a brave little girl....
Pray for us all and please hug your kids today and tell them how much you love them! I'll keep you updated.
Krista, Scott, Nana and Boo Boo from the hospital
11:30AM update
She's hanging on. They are going to be starting dialysis soon. The doc is in her room right now and will start a new IV access for Dialysis ONLY and there will be a dialysis catheter inserted as well. We are praying that this is going to work! This is the last resort to get the fluid out so that her pulmonary functions can resume again. She is struggling but hasn't given up yet and either have we. The prayers will either help her get through this or they will help her to grow her angel wings. PLEASE keep praying for the comfort she is needing. Whichever way it goes, we are tearfully here, fighting with her every step of the way. Nana has not left her bedside and she is keeping vigil as I type.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Adventures of Chuck, Part 2
If you haven't read The Adventures of Chuck, Part 1 then click here.
We left off at the end of "Part 1" with Chuck enjoying the sites of San Francisco, including Alcatraz which he thought was cool yet creepy. Not a good place for a chicken to be locked up, he figured. That was Friday night and part 1 of the trip. Now for "Part 2"...
Chuck was having a great time in San Francisco hanging out with the team. He had a place to sleep in our room and he was rested up for the fun we had on Saturday. The team went to pick up their packets at the expo. As you can see from the picture below Chuck was stylin' in his shades.
Some of us went to lunch at this little deli on the corner. We were surprised to learn that chickens are cannibals - Chuck had the chicken salad. After lunch we sat in the deli watching the people walk by. Below is a picture from outside the deli of Chuck with his friends Mike and Becca.
Sunday was the marathon. Julie and I weren't sure if we were going to see Chuck out there on the course - he's kind of a small guy. There were some 23,000 marathoners and only 900 of them were men. I think Chuck might have been the only chicken running that day but we still weren't sure we'd see him.
We got lucky though. Just before mile 7 Julie and I were standing by the side of the road cheering everyone on when we saw Chuck coming up the hill. As he went by he had a surprised look on his face (pretty much his signature look) since he wasn't expecting to see us at that point. Below is the picture I took as he ran by. He looked really good at this point. I think the can of broth he had right before the race really helped.
Things weren't going so well for Chuck the second time we saw him. It was around mile 22 and Julie and I had just gotten out of the car and made it over to the course when we saw Chuck in peril! We ran up to him just in time - a young Colonel Sanders had his hands on Chuck and was trying to force Chuck into his KFC bucket! Luckily we were able to free Chuck from this sinister fried chicken fiend and get Chuck back out on the course. Below is a picture of the situation when we got there - keep your eyes open for that KFC scoundrel. No chicken is safe!
Chuck was now on his way with about 4 miles left in the marathon. He was understandably shaken up after the incident but I also think it motivated him to get his tail feathers in gear.
Between mile 25 and 26 things took a turn for the worse. We had told him that he should drink another can of broth at mile 13 to help keep his meat from drying out but since he was feeling fine he decided to skip it.
That proved to be a critical mistake and coach Mike ended up having to help Chuck over the finish line. If you look closely you can see Chuck right "behind" Coach Mike and the two of them crossed the finish line at 6 hours and 49 minutes.
While it was a personal record for Chuck he felt bad that he needed assistance to cross the finish line. We tried to tell him that he did a great job and should be proud of himself. After all, only 1 in 20 million chickens ever complete a marathon. But that seemed to be of little consolation to Chuck.
Little did we know how much Chuck would let loose at the Victory Party and at the bar afterwards. You'll get the scoop on that in the Adventures of Chuck, Part 3, coming soon to a blog near you. Check your local listings... you won't want to miss it.
We left off at the end of "Part 1" with Chuck enjoying the sites of San Francisco, including Alcatraz which he thought was cool yet creepy. Not a good place for a chicken to be locked up, he figured. That was Friday night and part 1 of the trip. Now for "Part 2"...
Chuck was having a great time in San Francisco hanging out with the team. He had a place to sleep in our room and he was rested up for the fun we had on Saturday. The team went to pick up their packets at the expo. As you can see from the picture below Chuck was stylin' in his shades.
Some of us went to lunch at this little deli on the corner. We were surprised to learn that chickens are cannibals - Chuck had the chicken salad. After lunch we sat in the deli watching the people walk by. Below is a picture from outside the deli of Chuck with his friends Mike and Becca.
Sunday was the marathon. Julie and I weren't sure if we were going to see Chuck out there on the course - he's kind of a small guy. There were some 23,000 marathoners and only 900 of them were men. I think Chuck might have been the only chicken running that day but we still weren't sure we'd see him.
We got lucky though. Just before mile 7 Julie and I were standing by the side of the road cheering everyone on when we saw Chuck coming up the hill. As he went by he had a surprised look on his face (pretty much his signature look) since he wasn't expecting to see us at that point. Below is the picture I took as he ran by. He looked really good at this point. I think the can of broth he had right before the race really helped.
Things weren't going so well for Chuck the second time we saw him. It was around mile 22 and Julie and I had just gotten out of the car and made it over to the course when we saw Chuck in peril! We ran up to him just in time - a young Colonel Sanders had his hands on Chuck and was trying to force Chuck into his KFC bucket! Luckily we were able to free Chuck from this sinister fried chicken fiend and get Chuck back out on the course. Below is a picture of the situation when we got there - keep your eyes open for that KFC scoundrel. No chicken is safe!
Chuck was now on his way with about 4 miles left in the marathon. He was understandably shaken up after the incident but I also think it motivated him to get his tail feathers in gear.
Between mile 25 and 26 things took a turn for the worse. We had told him that he should drink another can of broth at mile 13 to help keep his meat from drying out but since he was feeling fine he decided to skip it.
That proved to be a critical mistake and coach Mike ended up having to help Chuck over the finish line. If you look closely you can see Chuck right "behind" Coach Mike and the two of them crossed the finish line at 6 hours and 49 minutes.
While it was a personal record for Chuck he felt bad that he needed assistance to cross the finish line. We tried to tell him that he did a great job and should be proud of himself. After all, only 1 in 20 million chickens ever complete a marathon. But that seemed to be of little consolation to Chuck.
Little did we know how much Chuck would let loose at the Victory Party and at the bar afterwards. You'll get the scoop on that in the Adventures of Chuck, Part 3, coming soon to a blog near you. Check your local listings... you won't want to miss it.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
New Site List - Please Check It Out
I have added another category of web links on the right side of the blog called "Hero Web Sites". Here you will find links to patient heroes who are at various stages in their battle with a blood cancer. They truly need our support and prayers. Please check out the links when you get the chance.
The first link in this new category is for McKenna. She's a team honoree for one of our winter TNT teams and is going through a very difficult time right now. Please send her and her family your thoughts and prayers as she courageously fights this difficult battle.
She has a brother and a sister. Her sister, Jadyn, is fortunate enough to be a perfect match and has donated her bone marrow to McKenna to help save her. Read the guest book and see some of the posts that Jadyn has out there for her sister - she's truly an amazing little girl.
Thanks for taking the time to read about McKenna and please keep her in your prayers.
The first link in this new category is for McKenna. She's a team honoree for one of our winter TNT teams and is going through a very difficult time right now. Please send her and her family your thoughts and prayers as she courageously fights this difficult battle.
She has a brother and a sister. Her sister, Jadyn, is fortunate enough to be a perfect match and has donated her bone marrow to McKenna to help save her. Read the guest book and see some of the posts that Jadyn has out there for her sister - she's truly an amazing little girl.
Thanks for taking the time to read about McKenna and please keep her in your prayers.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Life Ain't Nothin' But a Funny, Funny Riddle
Much to the disappointment of some - today's post is pretty much just random nothingness.
It occurred to me as I was walking out to my car after work tonight that the old body needs to get re-acclimated to the colder temps. I was physically shivering by the time I got to my car and it was only in the mid-30's! I was shaking like it was 10 below in the middle of January. Or, you could say, I was shakin' it like a Polaroid picture.
The circus boy dances like a monkey on barb wire...
If you haven't noticed I updated our picture below our profile. Kids will be kids...
The writer's strike in Hollywood is really the lead story on the news? How will we all survive?
Guilty pleasure: John Denver.
Does the whole world turn their clocks back for daylight savings or is it just in the U.S.?
If John Lennon wouldn't have been killed do you think the Beatles would have gotten back together?
So there were a lot of school referendums (referenda? referendi?) on the ballots today throughout the state. Is it just me or would you like to see what the heck they're doing with the money they already get? If you compare school spending today to spending 20 or 30 years ago it's skyrocketed, and yet I think you could make a case that we're not educating the kids. Where is the money going?
Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes is WAY good.
The equator is long enough to circle the entire earth exactly once.
It occurred to me as I was walking out to my car after work tonight that the old body needs to get re-acclimated to the colder temps. I was physically shivering by the time I got to my car and it was only in the mid-30's! I was shaking like it was 10 below in the middle of January. Or, you could say, I was shakin' it like a Polaroid picture.
The circus boy dances like a monkey on barb wire...
If you haven't noticed I updated our picture below our profile. Kids will be kids...
The writer's strike in Hollywood is really the lead story on the news? How will we all survive?
Guilty pleasure: John Denver.
Does the whole world turn their clocks back for daylight savings or is it just in the U.S.?
If John Lennon wouldn't have been killed do you think the Beatles would have gotten back together?
So there were a lot of school referendums (referenda? referendi?) on the ballots today throughout the state. Is it just me or would you like to see what the heck they're doing with the money they already get? If you compare school spending today to spending 20 or 30 years ago it's skyrocketed, and yet I think you could make a case that we're not educating the kids. Where is the money going?
Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes is WAY good.
The equator is long enough to circle the entire earth exactly once.
Monday, November 5, 2007
It's Been Such a Long Time
Where the heck have we been? It's been a long couple of weeks and I've finally got a few minutes to post. Let's see if I can make it interesting...
Things have been crazy at work. Not only am I doing my job but I'm also doing the job of a co-worker who is on maternity leave. For the last two weeks I've been fighting with my laptop and it's been winning. It finally got to a point where the folks in IT had to bring me a desktop computer in hopes I could get stuff done while we try to rehabilitate my laptop. The results have been 50/50 so far and the days continue to be long.
This past Friday I went with TNTer's Suzanne and Mike along with Mike's wife Karen to the Springsteen concert in St. Paul. This was I believe the 6th time I've seen Bruce and I'm said to say it was my least favorite show - much below the normal Bruce standards. Suzanne thought the show was fantastic but she didn't have past shows to compare it to. Don't get me wrong, it was still a good show but it lacked the energy and intensity of the typical Springsteen & the E Street Band concert.
Saturday night some friends of ours (sisters Melinda and Mikala) had a beer bash/fundraiser at Bootlegger's downtown. We had a blast hanging with them and catching up with some of the alumni from the past season. It was our first time to Bootlegger's and the only thing it lacked was a kitchen. A place like that needs good bar food. Also, there was a waitress there who looked EXACTLY like Tracey Gold from Growing Pains. Dead ringer.
OK, maybe running in Minnesota in the middle of winter isn't that bad... It could be worse.
Well, my brain is mush. Watch for the ongoing adventures of Chuck the Chicken Part 2 in a future post.
Goodnight.
Things have been crazy at work. Not only am I doing my job but I'm also doing the job of a co-worker who is on maternity leave. For the last two weeks I've been fighting with my laptop and it's been winning. It finally got to a point where the folks in IT had to bring me a desktop computer in hopes I could get stuff done while we try to rehabilitate my laptop. The results have been 50/50 so far and the days continue to be long.
This past Friday I went with TNTer's Suzanne and Mike along with Mike's wife Karen to the Springsteen concert in St. Paul. This was I believe the 6th time I've seen Bruce and I'm said to say it was my least favorite show - much below the normal Bruce standards. Suzanne thought the show was fantastic but she didn't have past shows to compare it to. Don't get me wrong, it was still a good show but it lacked the energy and intensity of the typical Springsteen & the E Street Band concert.
Saturday night some friends of ours (sisters Melinda and Mikala) had a beer bash/fundraiser at Bootlegger's downtown. We had a blast hanging with them and catching up with some of the alumni from the past season. It was our first time to Bootlegger's and the only thing it lacked was a kitchen. A place like that needs good bar food. Also, there was a waitress there who looked EXACTLY like Tracey Gold from Growing Pains. Dead ringer.
OK, maybe running in Minnesota in the middle of winter isn't that bad... It could be worse.
Well, my brain is mush. Watch for the ongoing adventures of Chuck the Chicken Part 2 in a future post.
Goodnight.
Friday, October 26, 2007
No, Not Dublin, Ohio
Well, we officially got word Thursday that TNT will be offering the Dublin Marathon in October, 2008!!! Ireland! Dublin, Ireland! How sweet is that?!
The word has gotten out to some of the alumni and we already have more than 20 people who want to go. It's going to be a great time with some really neat people visiting a beautiful country all while helping a really good cause. You can't ask for more than that. Can't wait for Dublin '08!!
As one of our alumni wrote to me in an email yesterday: "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yeah, I think that sums it up.
The word has gotten out to some of the alumni and we already have more than 20 people who want to go. It's going to be a great time with some really neat people visiting a beautiful country all while helping a really good cause. You can't ask for more than that. Can't wait for Dublin '08!!
As one of our alumni wrote to me in an email yesterday: "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yeah, I think that sums it up.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Adventures of Chuck, Part 1
As I stated in my post from earlier today we spent the weekend in San Francisco with our TNT marathon team. Some interesting stories. Well, at least I hope they're interesting.
We left early Friday morning after an hour delay due to weather in SF. The team mascot (shown below) made the trip with us. We aren't completely decided on the name but he was called "Chuck" throughout the weekend and was in a lot of pictures. The picture below was taken on the way out to SF. He loves to fly, and it shows.
Friday night we had a group of about 20 head out to Alcatraz to tour the prison. It was very eerie as it was dusk and there was a heavy mist and a thick fog rolling in. They made some changes to the tour from last year and we got to see some different parts of the prison. I just can't imagine what it was like being there and am still amazed that the families of the prison guards lived right on the island with the prisoners. Weird.
On the way out to Alcatraz we could vaguely see the Golden Gate Bridge off in the distance. Chuck had never seen the bridge before other than in pictures and he commented that it was pretty cool even though we were still quite a ways away from it. Below is a picture of him - you can see the surprised look on his face when he saw the bridge. The bridge is in the distance behind him.
Chuck also enjoyed the prison tour and had us take some pictures of him inside the prison. The one below he had the most fun with. He still laughs about this one.
You may be wondering how Chuck was able to keep up with us since he has such little legs. As you can see by the picture below we often would just carry him around in our backpack. He liked that he was facing the opposite way we were going so he could watch the people behind us. He said it must have been like when we were kids and we would sit in the far back seat in the station wagon. I think he was making faces at the people behind us because we'd hear people laugh all the time.
We'll save the rest of the Chuck stories for another post. He still wants us to tell you about how he did in the marathon and has some funny stories to tell about the night of the race. Let's just say an intervention may be in order.
Stay tuned...
We left early Friday morning after an hour delay due to weather in SF. The team mascot (shown below) made the trip with us. We aren't completely decided on the name but he was called "Chuck" throughout the weekend and was in a lot of pictures. The picture below was taken on the way out to SF. He loves to fly, and it shows.
Friday night we had a group of about 20 head out to Alcatraz to tour the prison. It was very eerie as it was dusk and there was a heavy mist and a thick fog rolling in. They made some changes to the tour from last year and we got to see some different parts of the prison. I just can't imagine what it was like being there and am still amazed that the families of the prison guards lived right on the island with the prisoners. Weird.
On the way out to Alcatraz we could vaguely see the Golden Gate Bridge off in the distance. Chuck had never seen the bridge before other than in pictures and he commented that it was pretty cool even though we were still quite a ways away from it. Below is a picture of him - you can see the surprised look on his face when he saw the bridge. The bridge is in the distance behind him.
Chuck also enjoyed the prison tour and had us take some pictures of him inside the prison. The one below he had the most fun with. He still laughs about this one.
You may be wondering how Chuck was able to keep up with us since he has such little legs. As you can see by the picture below we often would just carry him around in our backpack. He liked that he was facing the opposite way we were going so he could watch the people behind us. He said it must have been like when we were kids and we would sit in the far back seat in the station wagon. I think he was making faces at the people behind us because we'd hear people laugh all the time.
We'll save the rest of the Chuck stories for another post. He still wants us to tell you about how he did in the marathon and has some funny stories to tell about the night of the race. Let's just say an intervention may be in order.
Stay tuned...
United Nations Day
OK, one quick post non-TNT related. I get a daily email called the "American Minute" which discusses important events in history and the email from Wednesday had to do with the United Nations. I found it very interesting and thought I'd share it.
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Created to prevent future wars, the United Nations, a name coined by Franklin Roosevelt, officially began OCTOBER 24, 1945.
Since then there have been over 100 million casualties in nearly 150 wars: 5 in Central Asia, 11 in South Asia, 20 in Southeast Asia, 13 in Eastern Europe, 23 in the Middle East, 25 in Latin & South America and 50 in Africa.
Amidst accusations of a U.N. Oil for Food Scandal and a U.N. Sex Scandal, the 185 member United Nations spends $20 billion annually, though it has never been independently audited.
At the 1945 Charter Conference, the U.N. secretary-general was Alger Hiss, later accused in a publicized 1948 trial of being a Communist agent by former Soviet spy Whittaker Chambers.
The U.N. General Assembly's 4th President, elected in 1949, was Philippine General Carlos Romulo, who served with General Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific.
Renown for being the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize, General Carlos Romulo wrote:
"Never forget Americans, that yours is a spiritual country. Yes, I know you're a practical people. Like others, I've marveled at your factories, your skyscrapers, and your arsenals. But underlying everything else is the fact that America began as a God-loving, God-fearing, God-worshipping people."
---------------------------------------
Created to prevent future wars, the United Nations, a name coined by Franklin Roosevelt, officially began OCTOBER 24, 1945.
Since then there have been over 100 million casualties in nearly 150 wars: 5 in Central Asia, 11 in South Asia, 20 in Southeast Asia, 13 in Eastern Europe, 23 in the Middle East, 25 in Latin & South America and 50 in Africa.
Amidst accusations of a U.N. Oil for Food Scandal and a U.N. Sex Scandal, the 185 member United Nations spends $20 billion annually, though it has never been independently audited.
At the 1945 Charter Conference, the U.N. secretary-general was Alger Hiss, later accused in a publicized 1948 trial of being a Communist agent by former Soviet spy Whittaker Chambers.
The U.N. General Assembly's 4th President, elected in 1949, was Philippine General Carlos Romulo, who served with General Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific.
Renown for being the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize, General Carlos Romulo wrote:
"Never forget Americans, that yours is a spiritual country. Yes, I know you're a practical people. Like others, I've marveled at your factories, your skyscrapers, and your arsenals. But underlying everything else is the fact that America began as a God-loving, God-fearing, God-worshipping people."
Nike by the Numbers
Hello! I've got a lot to blog about over the next few days so keep stopping by and I'll do my best to have something interesting for you to read.
Over the weekend we were in San Francisco with our Nike Women's Marathon team as they completed 5 months of training and fundraising with the completion of either the half or full marathon. Lots of stories and even more pictures and a TON of fun. For today's post I'll just cover some of the basic stats from the weekend as I'm short on time. Darn, pesky work!
From the 60+ Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapters throughout North America we had over 5,300 runners and walkers doing the event. An amazing sea of purple!
Those 5,300 Team In Training participants raised a total of $18.5 million!!! I believe it was the largest amount of money raised for any one event.
The Pasta Party the night before the event sat over 8,400 participants, staff, coaches, mentors, friends and family. Also the largest Pasta Party ever put on by TNT.
There were over 23,000 people competing in the marathon or half-marathon, and only 900 were men. So, for all you single guys out there..... keep Nike '08 on your radar!
More stories and pictures will follow. It was a great weekend with a few minor "problems", and, as usual, the 4 days went by WAY too fast.
GO TEAM!!!
Over the weekend we were in San Francisco with our Nike Women's Marathon team as they completed 5 months of training and fundraising with the completion of either the half or full marathon. Lots of stories and even more pictures and a TON of fun. For today's post I'll just cover some of the basic stats from the weekend as I'm short on time. Darn, pesky work!
From the 60+ Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapters throughout North America we had over 5,300 runners and walkers doing the event. An amazing sea of purple!
Those 5,300 Team In Training participants raised a total of $18.5 million!!! I believe it was the largest amount of money raised for any one event.
The Pasta Party the night before the event sat over 8,400 participants, staff, coaches, mentors, friends and family. Also the largest Pasta Party ever put on by TNT.
There were over 23,000 people competing in the marathon or half-marathon, and only 900 were men. So, for all you single guys out there..... keep Nike '08 on your radar!
More stories and pictures will follow. It was a great weekend with a few minor "problems", and, as usual, the 4 days went by WAY too fast.
GO TEAM!!!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Suckin' Drain
What a crazy week. And I really wish it would rain. All these endless days of bright sunshine are enough to drive a guy crazy. Oh, the sarcasm...
This weekend is the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. We have around 50 runners and walkers taking part in either the marathon or half marathon. Now, even though it's called the Nike WOMEN'S Marathon it's not just for women. Guys are encouraged to participate and if you do it's a 15 to 1 ratio of women to men so your odds are pretty good. Although, do women really want to be hit on at mile 24? Yeah, probably not. Still, it's a great event that was created to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is way cool.
Seriously, if it doesn't stop raining soon I may do something stupid... keep your jokes to yourself!!
Here I've been looking for a good way to give the dogs a bath and after reading this story I think I've found my answer!
I mean, c'mon! Don't you think we've had enough rain? You need it, you don't get it. You don't need it, you get it. You don't want it, you get it. You do want it, you don't get it. You wish you had it, you don't get it. You wish you didn't have it, you got it. Get it? Got it? Good.
Imagine how many crimes would be solved if you gave awards like this???
How cool is this?! I mean, I would never think of it and yet this dog did. Pretty sweet.
Ok. Have a great rest of the week. We'll chat with ya' on the flip side.
This weekend is the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. We have around 50 runners and walkers taking part in either the marathon or half marathon. Now, even though it's called the Nike WOMEN'S Marathon it's not just for women. Guys are encouraged to participate and if you do it's a 15 to 1 ratio of women to men so your odds are pretty good. Although, do women really want to be hit on at mile 24? Yeah, probably not. Still, it's a great event that was created to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is way cool.
Seriously, if it doesn't stop raining soon I may do something stupid... keep your jokes to yourself!!
Here I've been looking for a good way to give the dogs a bath and after reading this story I think I've found my answer!
I mean, c'mon! Don't you think we've had enough rain? You need it, you don't get it. You don't need it, you get it. You don't want it, you get it. You do want it, you don't get it. You wish you had it, you don't get it. You wish you didn't have it, you got it. Get it? Got it? Good.
Imagine how many crimes would be solved if you gave awards like this???
How cool is this?! I mean, I would never think of it and yet this dog did. Pretty sweet.
Ok. Have a great rest of the week. We'll chat with ya' on the flip side.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Pour Me a Drink and I'll Tell You Some Lies
What a gloomy Monday. It's bad enough it's a Monday - we don't need the added cruelty of bad weather. I want my money back!
Over the weekend we had the TCM team Victory Party at Gasthof's. Saturday night at Gasthof during the last weekend of Oktoberfest made for a fun and interesting evening. We were in the basement and had our half of the room to ourselves for a couple hours before things started really cooking. Everyone shared their stories from the marathon and enjoyed the adult beverage of their choice.
While we were eating and socializing we were watching a slide show that Julie had put together with photos from the season and from race day. 900 pictures in all, and she had already deleted quite a few! There is one of me from the Pasta Party that will definitely be posted in the next day or two, so keep you eyes open for that.
Hey, check this out. I think I found my Halloween costume.
Friends of ours got a new puppy on Friday and we went to visit them Sunday. Jen and Kyle bought a yellow lab and named him "Buddy". He's all of 7 weeks old and is the cutest little guy. Gotta love puppy breath and their sharp little teeth. It's their first dog so we gave them some tips on how to get him to stop biting. Tough love, baby, tough love. Julie was of course in heaven playing with him and holding him, teasing him and playing tug with the rope we bought for him. I definitely see some dog sitting in the future.
The breeder they got Buddy from also raises championship dogs. He told them that he can alter the temperature of the sire's sperm and that will help determine the sex of the puppies. If he lowers the sperm temp the litter will have more females which generally are more in demand than the male dogs. Who knew? My only question is - how do you lower the temp? Have him sit in a bucket of ice cubes? Gives new meaning to "Love on the Rocks".
18 days to Bruce!
It takes extreme concentration, but I'm getting there.
Everyone have a great week!
Over the weekend we had the TCM team Victory Party at Gasthof's. Saturday night at Gasthof during the last weekend of Oktoberfest made for a fun and interesting evening. We were in the basement and had our half of the room to ourselves for a couple hours before things started really cooking. Everyone shared their stories from the marathon and enjoyed the adult beverage of their choice.
While we were eating and socializing we were watching a slide show that Julie had put together with photos from the season and from race day. 900 pictures in all, and she had already deleted quite a few! There is one of me from the Pasta Party that will definitely be posted in the next day or two, so keep you eyes open for that.
Hey, check this out. I think I found my Halloween costume.
Friends of ours got a new puppy on Friday and we went to visit them Sunday. Jen and Kyle bought a yellow lab and named him "Buddy". He's all of 7 weeks old and is the cutest little guy. Gotta love puppy breath and their sharp little teeth. It's their first dog so we gave them some tips on how to get him to stop biting. Tough love, baby, tough love. Julie was of course in heaven playing with him and holding him, teasing him and playing tug with the rope we bought for him. I definitely see some dog sitting in the future.
The breeder they got Buddy from also raises championship dogs. He told them that he can alter the temperature of the sire's sperm and that will help determine the sex of the puppies. If he lowers the sperm temp the litter will have more females which generally are more in demand than the male dogs. Who knew? My only question is - how do you lower the temp? Have him sit in a bucket of ice cubes? Gives new meaning to "Love on the Rocks".
18 days to Bruce!
It takes extreme concentration, but I'm getting there.
Everyone have a great week!
Friday, October 12, 2007
For All the Little People
Happy Friday!
Leslie Ecklund, a TNT alumni and great friend, has started her own line of chic handbags and was just in the Macy's "Distinction in Design" competition. She started this as a fundraiser when she was training for Tahoe earlier this year and it's really taking off for her. A portion of her proceeds benefit the Society as well as other charities so please check out her stuff! Her website is here and an article on the Star Tribune website featuring her can be found here. I've also added her to my growing list of links to the right. Way to go Leslie!
Last night we had the travel meeting for our runners and walkers heading out to San Francisco to complete the Nike Women's Marathon or Half Marathon. Everyone is excited and nervous. Event weekends are such an amazing experience - even though I've been to quite a few I still get excited about it. All the work these people put into training and fundraising all pays off at event weekend. There's nothing like crossing that finish line knowing what you've done not only for yourself but for those battling cancer. It really makes your heart fill with pride and we just love being there to help others experience the same feelings. GO TEAM!!!
I had a glimpse of my future and this is what I saw.
So a few of us were having a discussion recently about what their earliest memories are as a child. The average was around age 4 as being as far back as people had vivid memories. For me it was age 3. I distinctly remember sitting on the floor playing with my friend Ann. We were playing with Little People but I don't remember much beyond that until age 5 when kindergarten started. And it was the classic, original Little People. Nothing beats the original. Ann had the barn which would make a "moooo" sound when you opened it. Way cool.
Don't ever think you're too old to make a contribution to society. Just look at what these nice folks are doing. It gives Julie and I something to look forward to 40 years from now.
You all have a great weekend!
Leslie Ecklund, a TNT alumni and great friend, has started her own line of chic handbags and was just in the Macy's "Distinction in Design" competition. She started this as a fundraiser when she was training for Tahoe earlier this year and it's really taking off for her. A portion of her proceeds benefit the Society as well as other charities so please check out her stuff! Her website is here and an article on the Star Tribune website featuring her can be found here. I've also added her to my growing list of links to the right. Way to go Leslie!
Last night we had the travel meeting for our runners and walkers heading out to San Francisco to complete the Nike Women's Marathon or Half Marathon. Everyone is excited and nervous. Event weekends are such an amazing experience - even though I've been to quite a few I still get excited about it. All the work these people put into training and fundraising all pays off at event weekend. There's nothing like crossing that finish line knowing what you've done not only for yourself but for those battling cancer. It really makes your heart fill with pride and we just love being there to help others experience the same feelings. GO TEAM!!!
I had a glimpse of my future and this is what I saw.
So a few of us were having a discussion recently about what their earliest memories are as a child. The average was around age 4 as being as far back as people had vivid memories. For me it was age 3. I distinctly remember sitting on the floor playing with my friend Ann. We were playing with Little People but I don't remember much beyond that until age 5 when kindergarten started. And it was the classic, original Little People. Nothing beats the original. Ann had the barn which would make a "moooo" sound when you opened it. Way cool.
Don't ever think you're too old to make a contribution to society. Just look at what these nice folks are doing. It gives Julie and I something to look forward to 40 years from now.
You all have a great weekend!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
If a Picture Paints a Thousand Words...
Some pictures of late that I found interesting or amusing...
Cuff Me
Julie crossing the finish line at Iron Girl
And the part of Mrs. Roper will be played by Julie...
The TNT cheer station at mile 22.75 at TCM.
This pretty much sums up the day...
Just two of the reasons we all do it...
Never forget.
Cuff Me
Julie crossing the finish line at Iron Girl
And the part of Mrs. Roper will be played by Julie...
The TNT cheer station at mile 22.75 at TCM.
This pretty much sums up the day...
Just two of the reasons we all do it...
Never forget.Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Glass-Eyed and Completely Lethargic
What a difference a couple days make. Today would have been a perfect day for a marathon. Such is life, I guess.
One thing I do have to ask, tho. What do weather folks do anyway? They called for rain on Sunday - didn't happen. They called for sun today - didn't happen. Do they have any clue what's going on? Sometimes I wonder...
I was talking to Ann, a friend of ours from Ohio, and we got on the subject of Halloween costumes. She informs me that Bald Britney is the in-thing this year...
If you would like to read a great post about the experience one runner from TCM on Sunday then read Kimmi's blog post. She's a little spitfire. Great job, Kimmi!
So, Molson, our Golden Retriever, has had a minor sore on her leg over the last week which we've been taking care of. Last night we wanted to let it air out and didn't want her to do anything to irritate it so we gave her a doggie vicodin if you will. Just one little pill totally knocks her silly - glass-eyed and completely lethargic. Pretty funny actually, it's like someone slipped her a mickey and she has no idea what's going on around her. Actually, what am I saying? I'm like that all the time...
Jeez! Here I am minding my own business...
Here is a picture of Julie and I at our wedding reception...
Hopefully in the next 24 hours I'll be posting some pictures. Stay tuned...
One thing I do have to ask, tho. What do weather folks do anyway? They called for rain on Sunday - didn't happen. They called for sun today - didn't happen. Do they have any clue what's going on? Sometimes I wonder...
I was talking to Ann, a friend of ours from Ohio, and we got on the subject of Halloween costumes. She informs me that Bald Britney is the in-thing this year...
If you would like to read a great post about the experience one runner from TCM on Sunday then read Kimmi's blog post. She's a little spitfire. Great job, Kimmi!
So, Molson, our Golden Retriever, has had a minor sore on her leg over the last week which we've been taking care of. Last night we wanted to let it air out and didn't want her to do anything to irritate it so we gave her a doggie vicodin if you will. Just one little pill totally knocks her silly - glass-eyed and completely lethargic. Pretty funny actually, it's like someone slipped her a mickey and she has no idea what's going on around her. Actually, what am I saying? I'm like that all the time...
Jeez! Here I am minding my own business...
Here is a picture of Julie and I at our wedding reception...
Hopefully in the next 24 hours I'll be posting some pictures. Stay tuned...
Monday, October 8, 2007
Hot and Bothered
As I'm sure most of you know Sunday was the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. The weather made the race very difficult, not that it's an easy course otherwise. The TCM is a great but challenging marathon, and Sunday it more than lived up to the billing.
Prior to the marathon was the TNT Pasta Party on Saturday night. Everyone came, enjoyed some good food, shared their nervousness, and heard from our two fall-season honorees, which reminded us all why we're doing this - for the cause. Coach Mike gave some last minute advice and everyone left to try and get some sleep.
Sunday morning was hot and humid. Just standing around you were starting to sweat, and meeting inside the Dome where it seemed to be even hotter made it all the more interesting.
Julie and I left as the team headed to the start line. Mile 4.5 was our first stop and we got there just as the first elite runners were passing by. As everyone passed us they all looked good and seemed to be doing ok, just some minor issues with the heat.
Once all the TNT folks passed by we headed over to Snelling and Summit which was right before the 23-mile mark. We knew it was going to be an interesting day when the first elite runner went by and he had at least a 5-minute lead on the rest of the pack - very unusual.
Most of the people who were on a 3-hour or less pace seemed to be handling the heat ok and were still running when they went by. But after that it changed considerably.
We had already heard this was the hottest race day in TCM history and the humidity was stifling. After the 3-hour marathoners went by it seemed like everything slowed down. I would guess 80-90% of the runners from then on where walking - understandable considering the heat and the fact that where we were was near the end of a long up-hill stretch.
Nearly all the TNT runners were quite a bit off their anticipated pace and a few ended up dropping due to the heat. I did some looking on-line and only 31% of the registered runners finished the race and the average pace compared to last year was about a minute per mile slower. Everyone was being affected by the weather.
Our TNT cheer station at mile 23 was our official TCM-judged cheer station. We had a great turnout of nearly 30 people and we made a TON of noise non-stop. When the judges rode up on their bikes they said they heard us quite a ways down the street and that we were probably the loudest ones there. All-in-all I think we put a great face on the TNT program.
Congrats to everyone on the TNT TCM team as well as the many TNT alumni who were out running. It had to be about the worst conditions you could imagine and they left everything out there on the course. We're so proud of all of you!
Prior to the marathon was the TNT Pasta Party on Saturday night. Everyone came, enjoyed some good food, shared their nervousness, and heard from our two fall-season honorees, which reminded us all why we're doing this - for the cause. Coach Mike gave some last minute advice and everyone left to try and get some sleep.
Sunday morning was hot and humid. Just standing around you were starting to sweat, and meeting inside the Dome where it seemed to be even hotter made it all the more interesting.
Julie and I left as the team headed to the start line. Mile 4.5 was our first stop and we got there just as the first elite runners were passing by. As everyone passed us they all looked good and seemed to be doing ok, just some minor issues with the heat.
Once all the TNT folks passed by we headed over to Snelling and Summit which was right before the 23-mile mark. We knew it was going to be an interesting day when the first elite runner went by and he had at least a 5-minute lead on the rest of the pack - very unusual.
Most of the people who were on a 3-hour or less pace seemed to be handling the heat ok and were still running when they went by. But after that it changed considerably.
We had already heard this was the hottest race day in TCM history and the humidity was stifling. After the 3-hour marathoners went by it seemed like everything slowed down. I would guess 80-90% of the runners from then on where walking - understandable considering the heat and the fact that where we were was near the end of a long up-hill stretch.
Nearly all the TNT runners were quite a bit off their anticipated pace and a few ended up dropping due to the heat. I did some looking on-line and only 31% of the registered runners finished the race and the average pace compared to last year was about a minute per mile slower. Everyone was being affected by the weather.
Our TNT cheer station at mile 23 was our official TCM-judged cheer station. We had a great turnout of nearly 30 people and we made a TON of noise non-stop. When the judges rode up on their bikes they said they heard us quite a ways down the street and that we were probably the loudest ones there. All-in-all I think we put a great face on the TNT program.
Congrats to everyone on the TNT TCM team as well as the many TNT alumni who were out running. It had to be about the worst conditions you could imagine and they left everything out there on the course. We're so proud of all of you!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
New Blog Alert!
I have added two new blogs to my growing list of blogs which are in the blogs section over there to the right. No, not there. Yeah, there.
The first one is by Ms. R, a fellow TNT alumni, mentor, and all-around great person. She is now training for the Iron Man Wisconsin in 2008 and she has started a blog to document her experiences. Check it out.
The second one is by Bryon who is the husband of Karen, another TNT alum. Julie and I rode with Karen at Sea Gull last year and she was a mentor on the team. She's a great friend although a little crazy - she actually LOVES to do hills on her bike! What's up with that?! Anyway, Bryon and Karen are expecting their first child and Bryon is writing a blog about it. Pretty cool.
The first one is by Ms. R, a fellow TNT alumni, mentor, and all-around great person. She is now training for the Iron Man Wisconsin in 2008 and she has started a blog to document her experiences. Check it out.
The second one is by Bryon who is the husband of Karen, another TNT alum. Julie and I rode with Karen at Sea Gull last year and she was a mentor on the team. She's a great friend although a little crazy - she actually LOVES to do hills on her bike! What's up with that?! Anyway, Bryon and Karen are expecting their first child and Bryon is writing a blog about it. Pretty cool.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
And Tigger, Too
Ok, a lot to blog about...
First off, what a game on Saturday! I'm sorry if you happen to be a Gophers fan but as a Buckeye fan the game was great! We had a ton of fun hanging out with friends at the tailgate before the game (thanks again, Bill!) and then had awesome seats just feet from the end zone! Great food, great beer, great friends, great football - who could ask for anything more?!
Sunday is the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and TNT will have a team of about 50 out there running - plus numerous alumni. TNT is sponsoring cheering stations at various locations so stop on out to support the runners if you can. Julie and I have been watching the forecast for Sunday over the last few days and everyday it changes. It started at rainy and 50's, then changed to sunny and 75, and now it's rain and low 70's. I'm curious for the 10 o'clock news so I can see what they're saying now. Again, if I could be wrong half he time at MY job and still work there....
I really need to figure out how to post pictures on the site...
Bought the new Bruce cd (Magic) yesterday and overall it's pretty good. I'm surprised I'm not saying I LOVE it but I'm sure it will grow on me. Half the songs I think are really good and the rest I'd say are average Bruce songs, nothing that blows my socks off. The Rising was a much more consistent album I think. And he has a couple of songs on his new cd that are a little too political for my taste, but to each his own.
As I think I've said in a previous post I happen to be a fan of John Stossel from 20/20. Here and here are two columns dealing with health insurance that are really informative. Worth the read.
I hope Julie doesn't read this, but here is a picture of her dream home that we'll be moving into later this year. Shhhh. Don't tell her.
Well, that's it. TTFN.
First off, what a game on Saturday! I'm sorry if you happen to be a Gophers fan but as a Buckeye fan the game was great! We had a ton of fun hanging out with friends at the tailgate before the game (thanks again, Bill!) and then had awesome seats just feet from the end zone! Great food, great beer, great friends, great football - who could ask for anything more?!
Sunday is the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and TNT will have a team of about 50 out there running - plus numerous alumni. TNT is sponsoring cheering stations at various locations so stop on out to support the runners if you can. Julie and I have been watching the forecast for Sunday over the last few days and everyday it changes. It started at rainy and 50's, then changed to sunny and 75, and now it's rain and low 70's. I'm curious for the 10 o'clock news so I can see what they're saying now. Again, if I could be wrong half he time at MY job and still work there....
I really need to figure out how to post pictures on the site...
Bought the new Bruce cd (Magic) yesterday and overall it's pretty good. I'm surprised I'm not saying I LOVE it but I'm sure it will grow on me. Half the songs I think are really good and the rest I'd say are average Bruce songs, nothing that blows my socks off. The Rising was a much more consistent album I think. And he has a couple of songs on his new cd that are a little too political for my taste, but to each his own.
As I think I've said in a previous post I happen to be a fan of John Stossel from 20/20. Here and here are two columns dealing with health insurance that are really informative. Worth the read.
I hope Julie doesn't read this, but here is a picture of her dream home that we'll be moving into later this year. Shhhh. Don't tell her.
Well, that's it. TTFN.
Friday, September 28, 2007
You've Got a Skillet, All Right
Happy Friday! I do like it when Friday comes but that means another week has gone by. Where does the time go? The year is just FLYING by!
Last night was the "travel meeting" for the Twin Cities Marathon team. Everyone is excited about the event and you could feel the anticipation in the air. One of our participants came up to Coach Mike and I and told us she was sick and wasn't certain if she'll be able to do her 10-mile run this weekend. She asked if that would cause her harm for the marathon if she didn't do her 10 miles this weekend, knowing that she's already done 20 miles twice. Of course, it wouldn't impact her marathon but we had to give her a hard time. We told her she might as well just forget about the marathon... All that hard for for naught. HA!
So, do you ever wonder how they make toilet paper and get it on the roll? The paper is wrapped tight but not so tight as to tear at the perforations. And then a small amount of glue (or other substance) is put at the end of the role to keep it from unraveling and yet that glue (or other substance) doesn't seep through any more layers than it's supposed to. How do they do that?
Tomorrow a bunch of us are going to the OSU/Minnesota game. Should be a TON of fun! Hopefully the Bucks will win easily. I'm really looking forward to it as this will be my first Buckeye game. GO BUCKS!!!!
I've really been on this kick lately listening to "Rock Lobster" by the B-52's. Not sure why, really. It's on a cd I have in the car and for the last few days going back and forth to work I've pretty much only played that song... repeatedly. Great song, but why I can't seem to get enough of it I don't know.
Ok, maybe I don't know enough about the species, but how do they go to the bathroom?
So a woman I work with has a daughter who is a senior in high school this year. Her daughter wants to attend Duke University and become a doctor. The undergraduate tuition with room and board would be $46,000 per year! Unreal. I have to seriously ask is it worth it? Does Duke really give you that much of an advantage to warrant such ridiculous tuition rates? I can't believe that it does. Do you know what school your doctor attended or do you look at that when you're deciding where to get treatment? I have to think for 90% of the population it doesn't matter.
Can you guess which one is me?
If you won a lot of money I'm sure you'd do the same thing. I mean, come on, isn't it obvious?
So, as a kid, I'd listen to Billy Joel's "Piano Man" and sing a long, just like everyone else. It wasn't until I was in high school that I thought about what I was singing and figured it couldn't be right. The last line in the chorus is "and you've got us feelin' alright". And I don't know why I thought "and you've got a skillet, all right" wasn't correct...
Have an oh-so-fab weekend! And GO BUCKS!!!!
Last night was the "travel meeting" for the Twin Cities Marathon team. Everyone is excited about the event and you could feel the anticipation in the air. One of our participants came up to Coach Mike and I and told us she was sick and wasn't certain if she'll be able to do her 10-mile run this weekend. She asked if that would cause her harm for the marathon if she didn't do her 10 miles this weekend, knowing that she's already done 20 miles twice. Of course, it wouldn't impact her marathon but we had to give her a hard time. We told her she might as well just forget about the marathon... All that hard for for naught. HA!
So, do you ever wonder how they make toilet paper and get it on the roll? The paper is wrapped tight but not so tight as to tear at the perforations. And then a small amount of glue (or other substance) is put at the end of the role to keep it from unraveling and yet that glue (or other substance) doesn't seep through any more layers than it's supposed to. How do they do that?
Tomorrow a bunch of us are going to the OSU/Minnesota game. Should be a TON of fun! Hopefully the Bucks will win easily. I'm really looking forward to it as this will be my first Buckeye game. GO BUCKS!!!!
I've really been on this kick lately listening to "Rock Lobster" by the B-52's. Not sure why, really. It's on a cd I have in the car and for the last few days going back and forth to work I've pretty much only played that song... repeatedly. Great song, but why I can't seem to get enough of it I don't know.
Ok, maybe I don't know enough about the species, but how do they go to the bathroom?
So a woman I work with has a daughter who is a senior in high school this year. Her daughter wants to attend Duke University and become a doctor. The undergraduate tuition with room and board would be $46,000 per year! Unreal. I have to seriously ask is it worth it? Does Duke really give you that much of an advantage to warrant such ridiculous tuition rates? I can't believe that it does. Do you know what school your doctor attended or do you look at that when you're deciding where to get treatment? I have to think for 90% of the population it doesn't matter.
Can you guess which one is me?
If you won a lot of money I'm sure you'd do the same thing. I mean, come on, isn't it obvious?
So, as a kid, I'd listen to Billy Joel's "Piano Man" and sing a long, just like everyone else. It wasn't until I was in high school that I thought about what I was singing and figured it couldn't be right. The last line in the chorus is "and you've got us feelin' alright". And I don't know why I thought "and you've got a skillet, all right" wasn't correct...
Have an oh-so-fab weekend! And GO BUCKS!!!!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
It's Chocolate, By The Way
Last night we went to St. Paul and met a bunch of friends at Patrick McGovern's Pub to celebrate the accomplishments of the new Iron Men in our lives - Bob, Mike and Andy. The food was very good and the beer was nice and cold. Julie ordered the meat loaf sandwich and it was huge! Two gigantic pieces of meat loaf over bread smothered in gravy. Looked quite tasty.
We found out that Andy placed third in his age group within the Clydesdale division. Way to go Andy! All three of them did fantastic and the accomplishment does nothing but amaze me. To think they traveled 140.6 miles in one day - a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile marathon - is just incredible to me. I can't even imagine what the feeling of accomplishment was like as they each crossed the finish line. Congrats again guys! I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!
Bob and Mike will be doing it again next year and our friends Kimmi and Rachel have also signed up to do their first Iron Man. What a commitment to make. Even tho it's nearly a year away I would still be anxious about it. My hat's off to all of you!
You know, thankfully the woman in this story gave birth via caesarean section, but I sure hope the good Lord helped the poor woman who gave birth to the largest baby in the U.S. in 1879. Wow.
I think Julie is trying to tell me something. She had our street name changed to this.
Well, I should get back to eating my lunch. Mmmmmmm.... pudding.
We found out that Andy placed third in his age group within the Clydesdale division. Way to go Andy! All three of them did fantastic and the accomplishment does nothing but amaze me. To think they traveled 140.6 miles in one day - a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile marathon - is just incredible to me. I can't even imagine what the feeling of accomplishment was like as they each crossed the finish line. Congrats again guys! I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!
Bob and Mike will be doing it again next year and our friends Kimmi and Rachel have also signed up to do their first Iron Man. What a commitment to make. Even tho it's nearly a year away I would still be anxious about it. My hat's off to all of you!
You know, thankfully the woman in this story gave birth via caesarean section, but I sure hope the good Lord helped the poor woman who gave birth to the largest baby in the U.S. in 1879. Wow.
I think Julie is trying to tell me something. She had our street name changed to this.
Well, I should get back to eating my lunch. Mmmmmmm.... pudding.
Monday, September 24, 2007
My Arms and Legs Are Tire-d
Watched the series premier of Big Bang Theory tonight. Very funny. One of the nerds reminds Julie and I of a good friend. Absolutely hilarious. Good show worth checking out.
What the heck is up with this?! I'm thinking this may be a sign that the guy might have a screw loose somewhere. Just a hunch. Maybe it would be a good idea this guy is off the streets for a while.
This is something a 10-year old should never see. Therapy, anyone?
I thought this was a very interesting column by John Stossel of 20/20 fame concerning socialized medicine. Worth a read.
It took me a long time, but now it's done!
What the heck is up with this?! I'm thinking this may be a sign that the guy might have a screw loose somewhere. Just a hunch. Maybe it would be a good idea this guy is off the streets for a while.
This is something a 10-year old should never see. Therapy, anyone?
I thought this was a very interesting column by John Stossel of 20/20 fame concerning socialized medicine. Worth a read.
It took me a long time, but now it's done!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Are You An Iron Girl?
Julie and the rest of the TNT ladies successfully completed the Iron Girl this morning in Bloomington! The weather was just about perfect (a couple of windy spots that Julie didn't care for - Better than Sea Gull!) for a race as it didn't get overly hot until everyone was done. Congrats to all the Iron Girls!
One thing that surprised me about the Iron Girl was the relative lack of fan support. I think all the TNT folks were adequately represented but I found it interesting (and somewhat disappointing) that there weren't more fans out supporting the rest of the athletes. The transition area wasn't that big for spectators so I had anticipated difficulty in finding good spots to cheer Julie and the girls on but it wasn't an issue at all. Hopefully next year will have better support. Thanks to all that came out to support the TNT ladies! They appreciate it!
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This is one tough granny!
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Two weeks until the Twin Cities Marathon. Whoops, I mean the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. We'll have roughly 50 TNT folks participating on the current TCM team plus I'm sure more than a few alumni who are doing it on their own. Julie is staffing the event this year so I'll be out and about that day going from one cheering station to the next.
One thing we're looking to do is rope off a couple of large areas - one at the finish area and one around our cheer station at about mile 23. I need to come up with an inexpensive and easy way to rope off the areas. If you have any suggestions please let me know!
There are a few areas where you can come and cheer with other TNT folks that morning. Any support we can give to these marathoners and fundraisers would be much appreciated. Hope to see you out there!
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Here is a picture of my mom nudging me out of the house for my first day of kindergarten.
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Well, that's it for tonight. I'm off to bed. Adios!
One thing that surprised me about the Iron Girl was the relative lack of fan support. I think all the TNT folks were adequately represented but I found it interesting (and somewhat disappointing) that there weren't more fans out supporting the rest of the athletes. The transition area wasn't that big for spectators so I had anticipated difficulty in finding good spots to cheer Julie and the girls on but it wasn't an issue at all. Hopefully next year will have better support. Thanks to all that came out to support the TNT ladies! They appreciate it!
***************************************************************
This is one tough granny!
***************************************************************
Two weeks until the Twin Cities Marathon. Whoops, I mean the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. We'll have roughly 50 TNT folks participating on the current TCM team plus I'm sure more than a few alumni who are doing it on their own. Julie is staffing the event this year so I'll be out and about that day going from one cheering station to the next.
One thing we're looking to do is rope off a couple of large areas - one at the finish area and one around our cheer station at about mile 23. I need to come up with an inexpensive and easy way to rope off the areas. If you have any suggestions please let me know!
There are a few areas where you can come and cheer with other TNT folks that morning. Any support we can give to these marathoners and fundraisers would be much appreciated. Hope to see you out there!
**************************************************************
Here is a picture of my mom nudging me out of the house for my first day of kindergarten.
**************************************************************
Well, that's it for tonight. I'm off to bed. Adios!
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