Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
My girls!
I love my nieces. They are so special...so adorable and beautiful and funny. Here's a couple of pics of these wonderful little girls from my dad's and sister's b-day dinner back in September.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The really wonderful life
Nels truly lives in a really wonderful world. Nels is the family dog we got when I was in 8th grade. He's a really sweet boy. Now he's a retired dog....meaning he lives with my retired parents. He gets to go on lots of walks every day. He gets about a billion treat every day. He also gets to go on vacations with his famly. Here's a couple of photos from his trip to Door County, where he got to run free through the woods.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
GB Leighton...
So it's pretty likely that you've heard me talk about my favorite local band, GB Leighton. Maybe I've even dragged you to one of their shows.
Well, they're part of a contest on CMT, so you should defintely go vote for them if you get a chance.
But at least check out their music video. It's a really great song.
And let me know if you want to join me sometime for one of their shows. They're always playing, and it's always great!!!
Well, they're part of a contest on CMT, so you should defintely go vote for them if you get a chance.
But at least check out their music video. It's a really great song.
And let me know if you want to join me sometime for one of their shows. They're always playing, and it's always great!!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
A few more race day photos...
A few more photos from the race...in case you aren't sick of me blogging about it yet.
And if you still haven't seen enough -- here's the link to the official marathon photos for me and Dave.
That's my last post about the race. I promise!
That's my last post about the race. I promise!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Crossing the finish line...
Crossing the finish line on Sunday was great. Like I said in my earlier post, it was the highlight of the race. Unfortunately, no one saw Rachel and I crossing the line. We were so fast, my parents missed us, and no one else was there watching. So here's your chance to see us finishing the race!
Kare 11 filmed the finish line, so if you follow the link, the video should open. The tricky part is fast forwarding to the appropriate time, so you don't have to watch a 30 minute video, especially since we're only in it for a couple of seconds. I also posted the approximate times for everyone from our team...if you want to see them too. Look quick and you'll see us speeding past!
TC Finish Line video 1
Dan: 0:50 - 0:56
Dave: 0:57 - 1:07
Jordan: 3:37 - 3:43
Rachel J. & Jenny: 11:04 - 11:12
Rachel P. & Melissa: 19:27-19:38
TC Finish Line video 2
Steven: 22:16 - 22: 21
Bryan: 22:25 - 22:30
Kare 11 filmed the finish line, so if you follow the link, the video should open. The tricky part is fast forwarding to the appropriate time, so you don't have to watch a 30 minute video, especially since we're only in it for a couple of seconds. I also posted the approximate times for everyone from our team...if you want to see them too. Look quick and you'll see us speeding past!
TC Finish Line video 1
Dan: 0:50 - 0:56
Dave: 0:57 - 1:07
Jordan: 3:37 - 3:43
Rachel J. & Jenny: 11:04 - 11:12
Rachel P. & Melissa: 19:27-19:38
TC Finish Line video 2
Steven: 22:16 - 22: 21
Bryan: 22:25 - 22:30
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Twin Cities 10-mile results
Last Sunday, Team Kicka$% completed the Twin Cities 10-mile race. It was warm and humid as predicted, but we successfully completed the race. Rachel and I crossed the finish line side by side...definitely the highlight of the race. It was really cool to cross the finish line with her, especially since I talked Rachel into doing it. I am proud of her and I'm proud of everyone on my team to battle the heat, exhaustion, hills and despite all the aches and pains along the way, finish the race.
Here's a photo of all of us and Amanda, a future member of Team Kicka$%.
Here's a photo of all of us and Amanda, a future member of Team Kicka$%.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Happy Birthday, Grandma!
My grandma turned 93 years old today. Pretty impressive, huh? I thought it'd be kind of interesting to research what happened in the year she was born, 1914. Here's what I found out...
- On June 28, Archduke of Austria Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Duchess Sophie, were assassinated by Serb nationalist, Gavrilo Princip.
- On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia after it failed to meet the conditions of an ultimatum Austria-Hungary set following Archduke Ferdinand's assassination -- beginning World War I.
- Babe Ruth made his major league debut with the Red Sox.
- Pope Benedict XV becomes the 258th Pope, succeeding Pope Pius X.
- The Federal Reserve Bank of the U.S. opens.
- Billy Graham was born on November 7, 1914.
- Joe Dimaggio was born on November 25, 1914.
- Suffragists were fighting for the women's right to vote in the U.S.
- Anchorage, AL, is founded to serve as headquarters of the 538-mile Alaska Railroad that was being built from Seward north to Fairbanks, which won't be completed until 1923.
- Threats of labor troubles lead Henry Ford to offer workers a minimum wage of $5 per day—more than twice the average U.S. wage. Thousands rush to accept his offer, but learn that Ford will pay only $2.60 per day, plus a $2.40 per day bonus to be paid if a worker remains for 1 year. Applicants must not smoke or drink, must learn English (Ford set up schools for the purpose), become U.S. citizens and open bank accounts.
- The Panama Canal opens to traffic on August 3.
- The U.S. has roughly 1 million automobiles, but fewer than 100,000 trucks -- most of them delivery vans.
- Greyhound Lines was founded in Hibbing, MN.
- The world's first red-green electric traffic light started directing traffic in Cleveland, OH.
- Physicist Henry G. F. Moseley publishes a paper in which he concludes correctly that there are only 92 elements up to and including uranium and 14 rare-earth elements. He errs slightly by saying there are only three unknown elements between aluminum and gold (there are actually four).
- New York City's overcrowded schools turn away 60,000 to 75,000 children each year for lack of space.
- President Wilson proclaims the first national Mother's Day
- Doublemint chewing gum is introduced by William Wrigley Jr.
- The term "birth control" is coined by International Workers of the World (IWW) organizer Margaret Sanger.
TC-10 mile update
Only 1 day, 16 hours, 12 minutes until race time.
A couple of updates:
1) The weather forecast has changed (of course!) Now a few thunderstorms are possible. Highs in the mid-70s and lows in the upper-50s.
At 6 a.m., it's supposed to feel like 70.
And the humidity is going to be 78% (yuck!)
2) My parents are going to come watch us race!!!
A couple of updates:
1) The weather forecast has changed (of course!) Now a few thunderstorms are possible. Highs in the mid-70s and lows in the upper-50s.
At 6 a.m., it's supposed to feel like 70.
And the humidity is going to be 78% (yuck!)
2) My parents are going to come watch us race!!!
Two Glasses of Wine
I received this in an email today.
TWO GLASSES OF WINE
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff."
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend."
TWO GLASSES OF WINE
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff."
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend."
Thursday, October 4, 2007
7:15 a.m.
The sun rose at 7:15 a.m. this morning.
At 7:14 a.m. I was running around the lake by my work. To be exact, I was on the west side of the lake and had an awesome view of the sun breaking through the horizon. The glorious colors of pink, orange and yellow brightening the sky and reflecting across the lake, which was surrounded by woods and trees with their autumn leaves brilliantly changing color into deep reds and oranges.
It was so beautiful, I had to stop running and just stand, taking in nature doing its thing. It was so refreshing, so peaceful. It's a miracle that God gives us every day.
I drank in this miracle. The sunrise lasts for just a moment. The fall leaves last for just a moment. But with such an amazing sight to start my day, how can it not be great?
At 7:16 a.m. I was back on the trail finishing my run. Ready to get on with my day, like the sun.
It's a great thing that running also lasts for just a moment.
At 7:14 a.m. I was running around the lake by my work. To be exact, I was on the west side of the lake and had an awesome view of the sun breaking through the horizon. The glorious colors of pink, orange and yellow brightening the sky and reflecting across the lake, which was surrounded by woods and trees with their autumn leaves brilliantly changing color into deep reds and oranges.
It was so beautiful, I had to stop running and just stand, taking in nature doing its thing. It was so refreshing, so peaceful. It's a miracle that God gives us every day.
I drank in this miracle. The sunrise lasts for just a moment. The fall leaves last for just a moment. But with such an amazing sight to start my day, how can it not be great?
At 7:16 a.m. I was back on the trail finishing my run. Ready to get on with my day, like the sun.
It's a great thing that running also lasts for just a moment.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
TC 10-mile update
The big race that I've been training for all summer *haha* is less than a week away!
At this point, I'm as ready as I'm going to get for it. So it's pretty much do or die! :)
Here's a couple of updates.
1) They had to change the course, b/c the original course went write under the 35W bridge that collapsed. Here's a link to the new route: http://www.mtcmarathon.org/PDFs/200710MileCourseMap.pdf
If you take a moment to look at the map, notice the race elevation at the bottom of the page. Most of the race is running up-hill. Scary!
2) The weather. It's supposed to be rain. Highs in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s. Consider the race starts at 7:10 a.m., it's probably going to be pretty chilly!
Go team Only Kickass Remains!!
At this point, I'm as ready as I'm going to get for it. So it's pretty much do or die! :)
Here's a couple of updates.
1) They had to change the course, b/c the original course went write under the 35W bridge that collapsed. Here's a link to the new route: http://www.mtcmarathon.org/PDFs/200710MileCourseMap.pdf
If you take a moment to look at the map, notice the race elevation at the bottom of the page. Most of the race is running up-hill. Scary!
2) The weather. It's supposed to be rain. Highs in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s. Consider the race starts at 7:10 a.m., it's probably going to be pretty chilly!
Go team Only Kickass Remains!!
Interview update...
As many of you know, I'm looking for a new job. Yesterday afternoon and this morning was spent attending second interviews for two different positions. I think they both went well!
The one this morning was mostly spent writing an internal news story based on three pages of bulleted info. So it will depend a lot on how much they liked my writing, if they continue to consider me. But I met with the HR recruiter and she went over a lot of the benefit info with me. That's probably pretty good sign.
The one yesterday....I met with three people for 20 minutes each, they all seemed like they'd be good to work with. The last guy was the head of corporate communications. He kept me for an extra 20 minutes and he kept saying, "what more can I tell you about the company?" I think that's a good sign that 1) he kept me longer and 2) wanted me to ask him questions. He said that they're interviewing about 5 more people and then will bring 2-3 back for a final interview.
For both I'm supposed to hear back next week. Please keep me in your prayers that all goes well! But even if nothing happens with these two positions, going through the whole interview process and being called back for second interviews has given me something I haven't had in a long time -- hope that I will get a new job!
The one this morning was mostly spent writing an internal news story based on three pages of bulleted info. So it will depend a lot on how much they liked my writing, if they continue to consider me. But I met with the HR recruiter and she went over a lot of the benefit info with me. That's probably pretty good sign.
The one yesterday....I met with three people for 20 minutes each, they all seemed like they'd be good to work with. The last guy was the head of corporate communications. He kept me for an extra 20 minutes and he kept saying, "what more can I tell you about the company?" I think that's a good sign that 1) he kept me longer and 2) wanted me to ask him questions. He said that they're interviewing about 5 more people and then will bring 2-3 back for a final interview.
For both I'm supposed to hear back next week. Please keep me in your prayers that all goes well! But even if nothing happens with these two positions, going through the whole interview process and being called back for second interviews has given me something I haven't had in a long time -- hope that I will get a new job!
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