Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
-Sammy Cahn
Snow?!? Really?!? I know it's still March, and this is Michigan. So I guess I should expect it. But the weather was showing signs of warming up. Heck, the frost laws have been removed from the roads. So, how can it be???
I'll tell you, in my wildest dreams I didn't expect this! But it sure makes me feel good that I'm leaving this frozen tundra for a little R and R.
I am heading south to visit my parents, and to make a pilgrimage to the Land of Walt. I have four kids...any trip to Florida BETTER include a stop to see the Wonderful World of Disney.
It's a great time, when thinking about the weather. I'll leave behind SNOW, and replace it with SUN. I'll leave behind layers of clothes, to lathers of sunscreen. And with the stresses at work recently, I get to leave behind piles of paperwork for miles of beaches.
It's a terrible time, when thinking about the race. With just over 4 weeks before the race, this is when I need to put most of my energy in to training. I've been working on developing a base to this point. Now is when I need to buckle down.
I just need to be creative, I guess. Getting in the running won't be an issue. The bike and the swim will need a little help. Thankfully, my Dad has arranged a visitor pass to his health club. That'll help. And, I'll just have to see what resources I can tap at Disney. There has to be something...right?
No matter. I'll make it work. You've invested too much in to me to get this far. I'm not going to let you down. Nor am I going to let myself down. I especially won't let the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society down. You've already guaranteed that!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Burn the Ships
I hate to admit it, but I don't really like basketball.
There's something about the game that frustrates the *hades* out of me. Maybe it's how the last 2 minutes of the game drag out 30 minutes by fouls. Maybe it's the flagrant traveling that doesn't get called. Maybe it's because I went out for the 7th grade team and didn't make it.
What ever the reason, I just don't follow the sport.
Until this time of year. I get wrapped up in March Madness. (Aside: why does March Madness finish in April?) Which is really surprising considering that my alma matres played a combined 3 games in the last 10 years...and have only one win to their collective credit!
Two of these games happened this year, with the Wolverines finally making the Tournament following an 11 year drought. While it made me proud to see the Block M on the t.v. screen, I still couldn't get in to the games. Instead I found myself trying to see what was written on the back of their warm up jerseys.
Queme los Barcos.
Those words translate to "burn the ships." Apparently, there is a story that Hernando Cortes, upon arriving on the Yucatan Peninsula's beaches in 1519, stunned his men with the order to burn the ships. The idea was that it left them with no option of retreat.
Burn the ships, he said. There's no going back.
There's no going back for me either. I wonder if there's an inspirational message in this for me? I wonder if there's some way that I can "burn the ship" when I am in Florida? Metaphorically speaking, that is. I wouldn't want to go to jail on some MDP or arson charge.
But the symbolism is strong. And the message, while not historically accurate, is clear.
Hmmm...let me think this over. And let me know if you have any ideas on how you think I can "burn the ship."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Squashed Banana
The Pasta Dinner, by most accounts, was a great success.
"By most accounts?," you ask. "What went wrong?"
Well, nothing, really. It really was a great success. The fundrasier was fruitful, to say the least. The food was delicious by all accounts. And the crowd looked like they were having fun, between eating, meeting Sheila Taormina, and eyeing their favorite raffle items.
"Okay," you say quizically.
Well, okay, there was one little glitch. I didn't get to eat until the end of the night. And if there's anything you should know: I LIKE TO EAT.
I mean really, how do you think I was able to lose 65 pounds. I had to gain the weight in order to lose the weight. And I LIKE TO EAT.
And I especially like the food at the San Marino Club.
But by the time that the guests were leaving was when I first was able to pick up my plate. And by then my pasta was, well, cold. It was still surprisingly good. But it was cold.
Next thing I started humming the Wiggles "Cold Spaghetti" tune to myself. It's a simple toon. The first verse is all of two words: Cold. Spaghetti.
The second verse is not much harder: Squashed. Banana.
Which, in my mind, warped in to: Squashed. Bananaman. Which then warped in to a Muppets tune. Note to self: ask my doctor if there are pharmaceuticals for afflictions like this...
Well thanks to this fundraiser, the progressive dinner and to your support, we have reached our fundraising goal. Now I can focus completely on training for the event.
I am a little worried about the event. Thanks to the weather, I haven't been able to get outside on the bike. And there is no comparison between lap swimming and an open water swim. And the difference in the temperature and humidity between Michigan and Florida is adding some anxiety.
I just hope I don't become the Squashed Bananaman.
"By most accounts?," you ask. "What went wrong?"
Well, nothing, really. It really was a great success. The fundrasier was fruitful, to say the least. The food was delicious by all accounts. And the crowd looked like they were having fun, between eating, meeting Sheila Taormina, and eyeing their favorite raffle items.
"Okay," you say quizically.
Well, okay, there was one little glitch. I didn't get to eat until the end of the night. And if there's anything you should know: I LIKE TO EAT.
I mean really, how do you think I was able to lose 65 pounds. I had to gain the weight in order to lose the weight. And I LIKE TO EAT.
And I especially like the food at the San Marino Club.
But by the time that the guests were leaving was when I first was able to pick up my plate. And by then my pasta was, well, cold. It was still surprisingly good. But it was cold.
Next thing I started humming the Wiggles "Cold Spaghetti" tune to myself. It's a simple toon. The first verse is all of two words: Cold. Spaghetti.
The second verse is not much harder: Squashed. Banana.
Which, in my mind, warped in to: Squashed. Bananaman. Which then warped in to a Muppets tune. Note to self: ask my doctor if there are pharmaceuticals for afflictions like this...
Well thanks to this fundraiser, the progressive dinner and to your support, we have reached our fundraising goal. Now I can focus completely on training for the event.
I am a little worried about the event. Thanks to the weather, I haven't been able to get outside on the bike. And there is no comparison between lap swimming and an open water swim. And the difference in the temperature and humidity between Michigan and Florida is adding some anxiety.
I just hope I don't become the Squashed Bananaman.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Back to the Future
First off: Thanks. Secondly: You're invited.
"Wha...", you ask? "Isn't that usually the other way around?"
You're right. Normally you get invited to something and them comes the thanks. But, that presupposes that I am normal, or think linearly. And we both know that isn't true.
Thank You
The thank you is to McCormick and Schmick's, the Somerset Inn, and Mortons for hosting the progressive dinner this year. The food was sublime, and the event was a huge success.
Forty-five of our closest friends joined us on Sunday for the 3-stop tour. It truly was a wonderful melange of friends, food, and...well...fun.
While I really appreciate everyone that came out, I have to give a special thank you to Eric and Matt at CORE Partners. They have made it a point to attend every progressive dinner since the very first one. I can't thank them enough for their support.
I also want to thank my friends that came out to the RoseBowl last Saturday for a night of bowling. Being left-handed and Irish, I don't have any genetic predisposition for bowling...and it showed that night. I'm just thankful that noone had a video camera!
You're Invited
Raising the funds is a challenge, especially in this economy. In these tough economic times, I am looking to be creative in my fundraising ways. So, what if I paired one of my favorite pasttimes with a fundraiser? Whadda ya know, we figured a way to put something together.
On March 11th, from 5 pm until 7 pm, the San Marino Club is hosting a Pasta Dinner as a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Yes, I know the 11th is a Wednesday...how else do you think we were able to get such a good price?!?
The $10 ticket includes pasta, salad, roll, and soft drinks. Tickets for kids 12 and under are $5 each. This is more my kind of event...I mean, really, me and food! Do you have to ask more?!?
As an added bonus, Sheila Taormina will be at the event. Sheila is the only woman to compete in four Olympics in three different disciplines:
1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta, Swimming
2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, Triathlon
2004 Olympic Games, Athens, Triathlon
2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, Modern Pentathlon.
She took Gold in the 1996 Olympics, and was the 2004 Triathlon World Champion.
Meeting Sheila, alone, is worth the price of admission!
My teammates and I are also putting the final touches on a raffle for that night. Hopefully, I can put out a list of the raffle items in next week's blog.
If you’d like to buy a ticket in advance, drop me a line. If you’d rather make a “game day” decision, that works too.
Well I'm off to swim 2 miles tonight...it is so hard to stay motivated in the Winter. But the thought of seeing my friends on the 11th really makes a difference.
"Wha...", you ask? "Isn't that usually the other way around?"
You're right. Normally you get invited to something and them comes the thanks. But, that presupposes that I am normal, or think linearly. And we both know that isn't true.
Thank You
The thank you is to McCormick and Schmick's, the Somerset Inn, and Mortons for hosting the progressive dinner this year. The food was sublime, and the event was a huge success.
Forty-five of our closest friends joined us on Sunday for the 3-stop tour. It truly was a wonderful melange of friends, food, and...well...fun.
While I really appreciate everyone that came out, I have to give a special thank you to Eric and Matt at CORE Partners. They have made it a point to attend every progressive dinner since the very first one. I can't thank them enough for their support.
I also want to thank my friends that came out to the RoseBowl last Saturday for a night of bowling. Being left-handed and Irish, I don't have any genetic predisposition for bowling...and it showed that night. I'm just thankful that noone had a video camera!
You're Invited
Raising the funds is a challenge, especially in this economy. In these tough economic times, I am looking to be creative in my fundraising ways. So, what if I paired one of my favorite pasttimes with a fundraiser? Whadda ya know, we figured a way to put something together.
On March 11th, from 5 pm until 7 pm, the San Marino Club is hosting a Pasta Dinner as a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Yes, I know the 11th is a Wednesday...how else do you think we were able to get such a good price?!?
The $10 ticket includes pasta, salad, roll, and soft drinks. Tickets for kids 12 and under are $5 each. This is more my kind of event...I mean, really, me and food! Do you have to ask more?!?
As an added bonus, Sheila Taormina will be at the event. Sheila is the only woman to compete in four Olympics in three different disciplines:
1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta, Swimming
2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, Triathlon
2004 Olympic Games, Athens, Triathlon
2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, Modern Pentathlon.
She took Gold in the 1996 Olympics, and was the 2004 Triathlon World Champion.
Meeting Sheila, alone, is worth the price of admission!
My teammates and I are also putting the final touches on a raffle for that night. Hopefully, I can put out a list of the raffle items in next week's blog.
If you’d like to buy a ticket in advance, drop me a line. If you’d rather make a “game day” decision, that works too.
Well I'm off to swim 2 miles tonight...it is so hard to stay motivated in the Winter. But the thought of seeing my friends on the 11th really makes a difference.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Learning the Alphabet
My mom has a voracious appetite for reading. The woman is always surrounded by books. I swear she buys them in bulk.
It was no different when we were growing up. For a while, I thought she had a printing press in our basement. Or she had sequestered Dr. Seuss in an abandoned warehouse until he turned over at least 3 copies of each of his works to her!
I feel for my mom. I especially feel for her affliction. Not that her reading habit causes her pain. Rather, the affliction that none of her sons took to her vocation (I really can't call it a hobby).
Don't get me wrong. I like reading. I even kept a favorite childhood book to pass on to my kids. But I just don't share that same passion for books.
While that passion may not be there, I really enjoyed having those books around when I was a kid.
So, our house is populated with kid's books. We have the Disney series, especially if it has a princess in the story. We have the Boxcar Kids series. Joe really likes the Michigan Thrillers books.
And, of course, Dr. Seuss. Joe and Alaina each have their own preferred story. But Norah doesn't seem to take a liking to them. Not yet, at least.
That's okay. But we really want her to start learning the alphabet. So, Elisha went out to the store and bought Alphabet Flashcards. And she came up with a game for Norah to play with the Flashcards. The cards and the game are a hit, and Norah is doing wonderfully well learning her alphabet.
But, one night, while we were playing the Flashcard game, I became a little suspicious of the company that developed the cards. You see, each card has a series of pictures that represent the letter in the alphabet. The idea is not too dissimilar from Dr. Seuss' ABC Book (think: Aunt Annie's Alligator).
For the most part, the pictures and the messages are nondescript. Until we got to the letter "J".
But there my daughter was, clutching the card in her hand, when I first noticed it. The pictures, and the words, laid out in a perfect series...Jungle...Juice...Jug!
I started having flashbacks to my undergraduate days. My head started spinning. I started to ask myself, "How do I get that card away from her? How do I protect my innocent little daughter?"
Maybe there's an opportunity here to slip in some of my childhood books and stories. Maybe I can preserve her childhood, at least for a moment.
I started to get excited. I almost went in to a panic. Then I remembered the stories from my childhood.
"There's a Wocket in my Pocket"? Really? "Puff the Magic Dragon"? Seriously? Who am I fooling?
I left the room, laughing.
Later that night after the kids went to bed, I went to the kitchen, mixed up a batch of Jungle Juice, grabbed my iPod, and spent the rest of the night listening to the Stones.
It was no different when we were growing up. For a while, I thought she had a printing press in our basement. Or she had sequestered Dr. Seuss in an abandoned warehouse until he turned over at least 3 copies of each of his works to her!
I feel for my mom. I especially feel for her affliction. Not that her reading habit causes her pain. Rather, the affliction that none of her sons took to her vocation (I really can't call it a hobby).
Don't get me wrong. I like reading. I even kept a favorite childhood book to pass on to my kids. But I just don't share that same passion for books.
While that passion may not be there, I really enjoyed having those books around when I was a kid.
So, our house is populated with kid's books. We have the Disney series, especially if it has a princess in the story. We have the Boxcar Kids series. Joe really likes the Michigan Thrillers books.
And, of course, Dr. Seuss. Joe and Alaina each have their own preferred story. But Norah doesn't seem to take a liking to them. Not yet, at least.
That's okay. But we really want her to start learning the alphabet. So, Elisha went out to the store and bought Alphabet Flashcards. And she came up with a game for Norah to play with the Flashcards. The cards and the game are a hit, and Norah is doing wonderfully well learning her alphabet.
But, one night, while we were playing the Flashcard game, I became a little suspicious of the company that developed the cards. You see, each card has a series of pictures that represent the letter in the alphabet. The idea is not too dissimilar from Dr. Seuss' ABC Book (think: Aunt Annie's Alligator).
For the most part, the pictures and the messages are nondescript. Until we got to the letter "J".
But there my daughter was, clutching the card in her hand, when I first noticed it. The pictures, and the words, laid out in a perfect series...Jungle...Juice...Jug!
I started having flashbacks to my undergraduate days. My head started spinning. I started to ask myself, "How do I get that card away from her? How do I protect my innocent little daughter?"
Maybe there's an opportunity here to slip in some of my childhood books and stories. Maybe I can preserve her childhood, at least for a moment.
I started to get excited. I almost went in to a panic. Then I remembered the stories from my childhood.
"There's a Wocket in my Pocket"? Really? "Puff the Magic Dragon"? Seriously? Who am I fooling?
I left the room, laughing.
Later that night after the kids went to bed, I went to the kitchen, mixed up a batch of Jungle Juice, grabbed my iPod, and spent the rest of the night listening to the Stones.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Feelin' Stronger Every Day
I was a little worried when I read the training schedule for this week. In particular, the bike and the run training: Three 90 minute sessions on the bike, and a 10-mile and 8-mile run.
In case you didn't know this: I DON'T LIKE RUNNING!
Surprisingly, though, it is going fine. I completed the 10-mile run, and felt pretty good about it. And, with the adjustments to my bike, it is a lot easier to spend that kind of time in the saddle. (This is where I say thanks to the good people at Fraser Bike...wow.)
Don't get me wrong...I still have a long way to go before I'm ready. A really long way.
But I was really happy with how I feel at this point. Maybe I'm finally beginning to get in to the groove. Maybe Peter Cetera is channeling through me, " I do believe in you, And I know you believe in me."
Yikes. That's kinda creepy.
Actually, I think my body finally gave in and said (in a strange Brooklyn-ish kind of way), "You're serious about this?!? Okay, then." Followed by an almost imperceptible, "The best thing to happen to you, the worst thing that happened to me."
Dang it Peter! Get out of my head!
Then again, I still have an 8-mile run to do...Let's hope that goes alright, too..."You know I'm alright now."
I mean it! No more Chicago tunes!
In case you didn't know this: I DON'T LIKE RUNNING!
Surprisingly, though, it is going fine. I completed the 10-mile run, and felt pretty good about it. And, with the adjustments to my bike, it is a lot easier to spend that kind of time in the saddle. (This is where I say thanks to the good people at Fraser Bike...wow.)
Don't get me wrong...I still have a long way to go before I'm ready. A really long way.
But I was really happy with how I feel at this point. Maybe I'm finally beginning to get in to the groove. Maybe Peter Cetera is channeling through me, " I do believe in you, And I know you believe in me."
Yikes. That's kinda creepy.
Actually, I think my body finally gave in and said (in a strange Brooklyn-ish kind of way), "You're serious about this?!? Okay, then." Followed by an almost imperceptible, "The best thing to happen to you, the worst thing that happened to me."
Dang it Peter! Get out of my head!
Then again, I still have an 8-mile run to do...Let's hope that goes alright, too..."You know I'm alright now."
I mean it! No more Chicago tunes!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Ski Weekend
We went skiing this past weekend.
No we're really not a ski-type family. We've gone for a ski weekend once a year for the past three years. I don't think anyone could mistake us as mogul-monsters or snowboard-snobs.
But it's fun.
Joe and Alaina take off down the slopes with their friends. And, for the most part, play it safe. Norah and I hit the towrope, while Elisha tried to keep the baby entertained. I definitely got the better assignment.
But for some reason, I'm sore. Still, today as I write this, my muscles are telling me to "cool it."
Maybe its from pulling Norah up the slope on the towrope? Naw, couldn't be that.
Could it be from having to carry her down the slopes, giving her the impression that she was skiing? Can't imagine that would have anything to do with it.
What about getting in the car right after skiing for the drive home, spending 3 hours in the back seat, keeping the baby entertained? Please.
None of those reasons sound even remotely plausible.
And they won't sound plausible again next year, will they? No one said I was very bright.
After all, if I were, would I agree to take on raising $5,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in THIS ECONOMY? Two years ago, at this point in my fundraising effort, I was within $400 of my goal. This time around? Oh, well, let's see...yep...I still need to raise $3,000.
Yikes!
Thanks aren't enough for the friends and family that have helped me to this point. Quite honestly, I don't know where I'd be without you. Well...that's not entirely true...I know where I'd be...I would need to raise $5,000, and even more stressed out!
Maybe my muscle aches are a metophor for the financial aches and pains that we're all facing. Do you think there's a tow rope big enough to pull us out of this financial valley? I sure hope so.
I remember something Franklin Roosevelt once said, “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.”
There is hope for this economy. Just as there is hope for a cure. If enough of us grab the towrope and pull to the top, we'll see the horizon.
No we're really not a ski-type family. We've gone for a ski weekend once a year for the past three years. I don't think anyone could mistake us as mogul-monsters or snowboard-snobs.
But it's fun.
Joe and Alaina take off down the slopes with their friends. And, for the most part, play it safe. Norah and I hit the towrope, while Elisha tried to keep the baby entertained. I definitely got the better assignment.
But for some reason, I'm sore. Still, today as I write this, my muscles are telling me to "cool it."
Maybe its from pulling Norah up the slope on the towrope? Naw, couldn't be that.
Could it be from having to carry her down the slopes, giving her the impression that she was skiing? Can't imagine that would have anything to do with it.
What about getting in the car right after skiing for the drive home, spending 3 hours in the back seat, keeping the baby entertained? Please.
None of those reasons sound even remotely plausible.
And they won't sound plausible again next year, will they? No one said I was very bright.
After all, if I were, would I agree to take on raising $5,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in THIS ECONOMY? Two years ago, at this point in my fundraising effort, I was within $400 of my goal. This time around? Oh, well, let's see...yep...I still need to raise $3,000.
Yikes!
Thanks aren't enough for the friends and family that have helped me to this point. Quite honestly, I don't know where I'd be without you. Well...that's not entirely true...I know where I'd be...I would need to raise $5,000, and even more stressed out!
Maybe my muscle aches are a metophor for the financial aches and pains that we're all facing. Do you think there's a tow rope big enough to pull us out of this financial valley? I sure hope so.
I remember something Franklin Roosevelt once said, “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.”
There is hope for this economy. Just as there is hope for a cure. If enough of us grab the towrope and pull to the top, we'll see the horizon.
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