Simple Joys

As I sit in my office prepping for the balance of the week I have this humming noise of active feet around me. Asking questions. Wanting to know what this button does. "How do we turn up the volume?" "What does this cane do anyway?" "Is this really an antique bank?" Is it antique 'cause your old?"

As Christian sit on the floor behind my desk chair, he is scolding the Uncle Sam bank that was given to me by my Grandfather for Christmas. My Grandfather was a collector of banks and one year, he decided to give a bank to each of his grandkids. I knew the one I was going to ask for. Each bank needed his approval prior to leaving the room and the house for the rest of the banks life. I have never left this bank behind on my moves through life and its never stayed packed in a box.

As I work and Christian asks questions on how to the bank works, how old it is, where did I get it...I simply pick off the top shelf of my desk and show him. As he continues to put the 1 nickel and 3 pennies through the bank time and time again; he giggles every time on how the cane moves. How Washington's beard shifts with his arm dropping the coins in the satchel labeled US.

I know this isn't one of the random humorous posts that you've (the 3 followers) come to read and chuckle at..but its the simple joys in life that keep me going everyday. I knew long ago this bank was special and I remember the day I received it as a gift from my Grandfather.

Christian enjoying the bank

Quick Update

For those that I have run into in the last few days, weeks and months....yes, I am alive and your all witnesses to that fact. To Ben and the others, I am sorry that you keep checking my posts only to read that I have still found my keys. It was quiet the find, so I wanted to keep it posted for a while, ha!! I have taken a new job with a mulitsports company and will be the Midwest sales rep and event specialist. Pretty excited about my new challenges and adventures that are set forth. I am also leaving the state of MN for IA. I know, some ask why would I leave MN. I am moving in with Kate and the kids and will set up my home office from there. I will still be in the Mpls area for my new job as well as Chicago. My 2 bigger markets. I will be covering ND, SD, IA, MN, WI, MI, IL and possibly IN and OH. I will try to give more up to date posts as my new journey will surely be enjoyable and give me blogging material.

Got 'em

I am writing about a recent accomplishment that I've had. A few months back while wrestling with the kids in the snow (see older post) I lost my keys. I am happy to report that I have successfully found them!! As expected, they were in the area where I tackled Jack, even with hours and hours of archaeological type searching, Mother Nature has assisted me with warm weather and rain to return my keys. Now, being in IA with 2 sets of keys doesn't mean I will make it home with both sets, after all; it is me!!

Whats worse....running next to someone with to much perfume/lotion on OR excessive B.O.?
Why do some guys choose to run in tights BUT wear running shorts over them?
As a cyclist, are you suppose to have a kit that matches or is it not an issue?
Can you wear navy pants with a black belt and black shoes?
Better question, why would you own navy pants to start with?
How big does a pothole need to get before MN Dot will fill it?
And yes, I do understand its that time of year...I am talking about mid-summer ones
I live across the street from a World's Strongman competitor, who makes up these lifting events they compete in? Hey you, pick up that car and carry it up that hill...I'll time ya!!!
How dirty must your vehicle get before it needs a wash?
Why do Buick's form long lines of traffic?
How far past the expiration date can you drink milk?
Or eat eggs for that matter?

"The Pacer"

I just got home from the Y and have to post this. As I got out of the pool and headed to my locker, I had to bob and weave around a guy that seemed to be lost in the rectangular shaped locker room. So as I dance around him and head to change, he follows me. He has apparently now located his brain and found his locker as well. Lucky me, right across the aisle. This is where it gets rather interesting. He starts talking to himself, he is pacing and in a borderline rant. I do my best not to look in his direction fearing he might want to have some sort of conversation with me. He's grumbling about his towel, his deodorant, really just about anything he is able to see. I am just trying to get the hell out there as quickly as I can. As I grab my bag and head for the door, he's still walking around like he is in some sort of courtroom debate and clearly work like mad to win the case! For those keeping score, he was winning. And seemed to have whatever jury he was talking to rather convinced, I just haven't seen a lot of unda-pants lawyers. Maybe he's a trend setter

Gut Check = Hurt Locker

Now I know that there is a movie out called "Hurt Locker" Hollywood clearly has stole this title from the buddy of mine. But at any rate, I loaded my gear bag and headed to the Y last night for a little run and swim session. Its been a few years since I've been a Y memember, but I need a place run and swim. With Lifetime being so expensive, and fake to me, I rejoined the Y. Plus, if I am in WI or IA, I can use the facilities there as well.
I get a treadmill in the back of the of the room, plug the iPod in and select Gut Check from the playlist, turn the channel to the Olympics and off I go. "Prayer" by Sevendust comes on and this sets the tone for what is going to be a great 40 minute run. It gets better from there and as Eminem's "Lose Yourself" comes on we are full speed ahead at a break neck offseason pace. Now, the treadmills I am running on are new to me. They have these goofy touch screens and hand controls, similar to an X-Wing Fighter. I was able to figure them out pretty quick when I first ran on them a few weeks ago, but the older lady next to me was lost. So with my HR about 223 she decides its a good time to start asking me how to use it. WRONG! I am a breathing like a clydsdale, stopping snakes with every stride and generating some of the best runners form seen in a long time. You know, the classic over striding, reaching every step....no really, I've heard its a very very efficient way to run. Knowing I am running so poorly, I try to shorten my stride, adjust my breathing and settle into a good rythm. By the way, I am singing "Lose Yourself" this entire time.....probably failing at that as well, ha!! I am able to keep my pace, assist the lady next to me, only to watch her walk for another 30 seconds and leave. That was time well spent to show her, maybe I was sweating or stunk to much?!?!
It was a good workout session and the pool set was so so. I was tired from the run, lack of food and some mild dehydration. Best part of the workout was finding out that "Slapshot" was playing on Versus (thanks for the text) and that the front desk attendant told me where the nearest Chipotle was located!!

Recent Accomplishments

1) Shoveled the driveway, and I happen to think its the nicest on the block. I may be a little bias
2) Resigned up to become a YMCA member
3) Shoveled the driveway
4) Cooked a nice stay at home dinner
5) Shoveled the driveway
6) Went to a new eatery in Northeast called Victory 44, it was great. Kate and I had blast and the food was amazing
7) Still shoveling the driveway

So it could be worse, I could live in DC which is getting more snow than Houghton/Hancock is this year...or worse yet, in CA with all the headcase nut jobs out there!!

Its started

Everyone has signs that indicate their training has started for whatever joy in life they pursue. This is one sign for me that I am getting back into it.

First would be the unopened beer

Second would be the jug of Hammer Gel

Cottage Cheese

Carrots

Broccoli

And the fact that the fridge was stocked full on Monday, its now Wednesday....good thing I live close to three grocery stores!!

Question?

How much lint does one need to carry in the crack of their butt in order to leave a sample of it on the toilet seat? I am wondering if your plan was to knit a scarf or a sweater?

Heeeellllllllooooooo!!!!

Now picture Jerry Seinfeld saying that in the episode with the Tweety Bird Peez dispenser....funny now, huh?!?!?

Just a quick update to let EnJ know that I am alive...heck, I talk to my family so they know I still breathing, but its EnJ that I am worried about.

Since my last post I have ran 42.4 miles in 3 days, the 5k on Friday was more than I'd ran in a month, so the pending half marathon and marathon were a little daunting. I have jumped back in the pool and slowly started to find some sort of swim stroke again. Maybe you don't know this, but swimming is hard. I am working everyday to find the motivation to train in some way as I am going at this season solo...no coaching for this guy. It will be a change, but I think it will be good. I used to stress about getting a workout in and often missed out on much funnier group rides, runs, swims, happy hours, etc. Last I checked I wasn't as close to that pro card as I once thought, ha!!

I have a new ride, it s Ford Edge. Well, just for the next few days, which might turn into spring.

Prior to this photo I actually had keys in my back pocket. Now Big Red is stranded in IA, thankfully Boo had the Edge ready to head north for me, otherwise I might still be in IA raking and shoveling snow looking for my danged keys. The kids and I had a blast that weekend and the weather was perfect.I have a co-worker with a metal detector, so hopefully I can find them when I am south this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed.

I was in WI for Christmas and had a great time. It was so much fun to hang out with the family and see everyone again. Even though everyone lives in WI, except me, we aren't always able to get together as much as we'd like to. Prior to Christmas, I was able to see my sister and her family for Octoberfest in LaCrosse. This is a must trip for every year going forward, Bryan's I hope your prepared!!

I mean, how can you not have fun with this group; at the end of the night they fry bacon over the fire!!