tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845505626088118622024-02-06T23:26:15.026-06:00The Runner's BlotterDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-17463487582279238152010-10-09T12:19:00.000-05:002010-10-09T12:19:08.094-05:0010 for Texas Race RecapI decided mid-week that I wanted to run <a href="http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?NID=298" target="_blank">this 10-miler</a> in The Woodlands. With it being a smaller race (only ~1700 participants), I was able to sign up with no issues. The price was a little steeper than what I’d expected, but I got a really great running shirt out of it and I was a late signee. Plus, now that I think about it…I’d say the price was about right considering the distance was between a 10k and a halfsie. I’m glad to see running events are getting away from the heavy cotton t-shirts and leaning more toward apparel that breathes while you run. I’d actually wear this out on a training run again when the weather’s in the 60s. I can’t say that about a majority of the race shirts I’ve accumulated <i>(and subsequently donated to Goodwill) </i>over the years.<br />
<br />
<b><u>It was a fight</u></b><br />
<br />
Miles 1-2: I started out at a fairly normal pace, though I couldn’t tell you exact splits due to technical difficulties with Garmela <i>(my Garmin 405; yes, you’re required to name your watch)</i> so no fun Garmin data reports with this post. I really struggled to find a good rhythm. I typically look for a pace-setter; someone I see ahead of me who has a steady, consistent running form, with footwork I like and a pace I can see myself hanging with. As much of a solo runner as I am, I still like to run with a quick pace-setter to help me grind out those first 5 or 6 miles until I can break through the “wall” and fall into my zone. As I came up on the Woodlands Parkway bridge, the 2-mile mark timer announced I was a little under 17-minutes. My 8:30/mile pace was on par with how I normally start off my runs, so I didn’t worry. Garmela was clearly still trying to scrape the morning gunk from her eyes and I was getting bummed that 2 miles were down and I had a piece of valuable technology wrapped around my wrist that was rendering itself useless.<br />
<br />
Miles 3-4: At around the 2.25 mile mark, my watch finally stopped with the problem child act. I activated the GPS and gave it some time to find a satellite signal now that I was already almost 20 minutes into the race. I like to see my pace as I’m going and hear that beep that goes off after every mile. Even though the miles weren’t matching up with the course, it’s still good to hear your progress! I still wasn’t feeling like a champ though. I wanted to take off but couldn’t quite break the 8:00/mile pace.<br />
<br />
Miles 5-6: Once I hit the halfway point, I popped my lone Hammer Gel and chased it with some fluids at the 6-mile station. I instantly felt it. My legs were starting to go but my lungs were breathing well and my energy level definitely peaked at this point. It was at this point that I realized I had spent too much energy in the first half of the race. My breakfast was sufficient, but I wasn’t aware I was going to run this hard (which means I need to replace more calories during the race). By hard, I don’t mean fast. I mean hard as in having to push myself more than normal. Like an uphill battle? It just wasn’t easy today—it was definitely a fight. The upside: I started to pass people at this point. Lots of people.<br />
<br />
Miles 7-8: Even though I was struggling to maintain my new 7:30/mile pace, I was still passing runners of all ages. They weren’t slowing down or running out of steam…they were just maintaining the pace they’d had the entire race. Because of the way I run, I start out slow and pour it on strong in the end, which lends a huge ego boost when the race is coming to an end and you’re blazing past other competitors. Sometimes in more populated races, I get to use my expert H-town highway driving skills and zoom through the traffic, darting here and dodging there. I’m sure I upset some people by cutting them off, but they shouldn’t have built a 5-person wall blocking the path! It’s not like I can leap over them like a video game. Thankfully with the race size being on the smaller side, I didn’t have to do this today. What was not fun about this particular course was the back half of it heads east—looking directly into the rising sun. Ugghhh…I’ve definitely been spoiled by my 6 a.m. runs where I <a href="http://thrueyesofarunner.tumblr.com/post/1228478491/10-2-10-run" target="_blank">run by moonlight</a>.<br />
<br />
Miles 9-10: The crowd support was awesome—it definitely exceeded my expectations for the race. I had my zune rockin’ so I couldn’t hear them, but I could see their enthusiastic cheers and it really does wonders for your dwindling spirit in the waning moments of a run. They really helped me increase my pace (about 7:15/mile in mile 9 and a 7:00/mile in mile 10)! Before the last mile marker, I’d caught up to an older gentleman in his late 50s or so. He saw me, smiled, and pointed to the mile marker. “That’s where we want to get to! After that it’s only a mile!” This put a smile on my face because it’s how I used to run. I’d set myself goals throughout the race. It was either <i>get to that tree before that chick</i> or <i>get to that curve before that old man</i> or something…always mini-goals to help me get through the longer races. Now I just put my head down and zone out to good music. I escape mentally and let my legs do their thing.The last mile was rough with having to run up and over the Lake Woodlands bridge. Kinda reminds me of the <a href="http://www.lava.net/%7Emarathon/H_Hill.html" target="_blank">stories you hear about Heartbreak Hill</a> at the Boston Marathon. I will be honest: I kick A at hills. I don’t slow my speed and I just attack them. I passed probably 20 people on this bridge as their paces broke down trying to cross it. Before I know it, I’m at the finish watching a 13 year old cross the line in front of me. What a blow to my over-inflated ego at this point! I just got beat by a little kid more than half my age. The joke’s on him though, as my chip time was quicker! ha!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PXqRV_Dke1smWWBJ6hIIBDsoLUR2oVCLPhN7Brk_NgrHsbR5M4n9wBKfVJhpy-6y-BhRubKTkyIzP-ZP3Qv0VkbkUinkdpL75NF01_pD4YE-jMbvdk4mZlyQPAhjwOMsXX0niuC0zAk/s1600-h/10-9%20results%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="10-9 results" border="0" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TBsUfjvKPRTBBF-bsjcX852uKvFKt9psmi6x8kcRgz4BBUMNVV781IgmmjvPeqP3qn4eTw-Y4Y2MgApIFikrs58K5A4vAhXC3NeNRvo-iGPl4KJv3K1lXANOnKkmCzT9bo4nsDTRfU4/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="10-9 results" width="644" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i><b><u>Epitome</u></b></i><br />
<br />
I finished with no fuel in my tank. I was spent. The one Hammer Gel did it’s job until it burned off—I definitely needed another one. My calves felt like someone had beaten them with a bat. But mentally I felt accomplished! I was very happy with my time considering I’d set out for a 1:20:00ish time. And by default it was a new PR <i>(because it was my first ever 10-miler! ha)</i>.<br />
<br />
This race is what I love about running. Sometimes it’s not always easy. Sometimes you have a rough race, but you get through it and are better for it afterwards. You have struggles along the way, but you overcome. Now take those points and apply it to your life. The ideas and lessons learned are 100% transferable—you struggle, overcome, listen to good music along the way, give everything you’ve got and leave it all out on the field <i>(i.e., the span of your life)</i>, and you feel like an accomplished winner afterward. Not a bad way to live your life, if you ask me.<br />
<br />
Deep stuff on this beautiful Saturday morning, people. Deep stuff!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Stats</u></b><br />
<br />
Male Winner: 00:56:68<br />
Female Winner: 01:03:45<br />
Field Average: 01:37:00 <i>(141/1669, top 8%)</i><br />
Male Average: 01:29:00 <i>(97/699, top 14%)</i><br />
Age Group Average: 01:26:00 <i>(9/39, top 23%)</i><br />
Me: 01:14:54 <i>(7:29/mile)</i>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-20204387200521328502010-08-28T00:15:00.000-05:002010-08-28T00:15:36.415-05:00SNL: The Good Old Days - Volume 1I became a fan of Saturday Night Live at a very early age. I can remember watching two shows with my parents as a very little kid: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Beach" target="_blank">China Beach</a> and Saturday Night Live. Not sure that I really understood what I was watching in China Beach, but I know I sure did laugh a lot at the early ‘90s cast of SNL.<i> *queue the “I Love the ‘90s” theme song*</i><br />
<br />
The early ‘90s cast was so clutch that you couldn’t <b><i>not</i></b> get hooked. They really ushered in a new generation of comedians after the original late ‘70s cast established the show. It’s kind of hard to follow up comedic legends like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase (slightly more than one season) and the lovely Gilda Radner. But SNL kept at it, bringing in fresh new talent from all over the nation decade after decade. In the early ‘80s they introduced a young kid with no experience named Eddie Murphy. Then they brought in Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jim Belushi and Billy Crystal and Martin Short.<br />
<br />
Late ‘80s SNL introduced us to Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Robert Downey Jr., Dennis Miller, Kevin Nealon, and Ben Stiller (one season). Of course I’m omitting many talented people, but look at those names. LOOK at those names! SNL jump-started many famous comedic actors’ careers. How <i>awesome</i> would it be to know you did that with a show you wrote/produced?<br />
<br />
And then there’s the beloved early ‘90s cast that I love, that hooked me and my good friend <a href="http://twitter.com/Tejasguy" target="_blank">Matt</a> into a show that would mold our personalities and lives more than we’ll ever know. They brought in Chris Farley. Tim Meadows. Chris Rock. Adam Sandler. <i>(Yes, I’m putting periods after each FREAKING INCREDIBLE COMEDIAN to emphasize their legendariness.) </i>And Rob Schneider, David Spade, Norm Macdonald, Jay Mohr, Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo and Molly Shannon.<br />
<br />
The late ‘90s cast kept us glued to the sets on Saturday nights as well, even when there were great pasture parties happening. That really means a lot when high schoolers are passing up parties to watch your show—the writers should be honored! They introduced Jim Breuer, Will Ferrell, Darrell Hammond, Cheri Oteri, Chris Kattan, Colin Quinn, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Parnell, and Horatio Sanz. This is also when the adorable Tina Fey became a writer for the show. Coincidence that the show was amazing and she was the head writer? I don’t think so. They didn’t just give her her own show (see <i>30 Rock</i>) for those dimples—the girl has got skillz. Yes, with a Z.<br />
<br />
In the early 2000’s<i> (what the hell do we call this time period…I can’t say early oh-oh’s—it just sounds weird)</i>, Tina Fey made it into the cast while also continuing to write for the show. I guess you can do that when you’re the head writer. Amy Poehler arrived soon after and the next few years are when I started to lose interest because the show stopped churning out quality acts. <i>(I was also in college at the time, so I definitely wasn’t staying in on a Saturday night to watch SNL!)</i> But I mean c’mon…just counting the ones above that I liked, SNL spit out 40 comedians. Some of them didn’t pan out to do much else, other than SNL skit-inspired movies, but most of them used the show’s success as a spring board for bigger and grander things.<br />
<br />
So enough yacking… I’m starting a new series to cover my favorite SNL skits. I’ll post five videos every now and then of skits that drove me to tears with raucous laughter. Skits that Matt and I would recite verbatim whenever we wanted. All the time. So much so that my fondest memory of his mother is of her smiling while rolling her eyes and then saying “I don’t get it…” because she hadn’t seen the show. Skits that influenced my purchases of every single Adam Sandler CD. So without further ado, I present my first selections in no particular order or ranking.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="288" width="512"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/g5TJPRiAm4O00s-p1WU4RQ"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/g5TJPRiAm4O00s-p1WU4RQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object> </div><b>CELEBRITY JEOPARDY</b>: This ongoing skit was the basis behind me buying a t-shirt that says "THE PEN IS MIGHTIER" that no one seems to understand but me and maybe 3 other people. Darrell Hammond as Sean Connery kills me EVERY time—his banter with Will Ferrell (as Alex Trebek) is and will always be timelessly hilarious. Easily my most favorite SNL series skits of all time!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><embed allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#ffffff" flashvars="pageurl=http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/15056/&file=http://media.ebaumsworld.com/videos/2007/02/1172700035-9-get_video.flv.MPG.flv&mediaid=15056&title=Simma Down Now&tags=snl&description=Classic SNL!&displayheight=325&backcolor=0x0d0d0d&lightoclor=0x336699&frontcolor=0xcccccc&image=http://images.ebaumsworld.com/thumbs/2007/02/15056-1172700035-9-get_video.flv.MPG/0000000.jpg&username=mikeyp" height="345" loop="false" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" src="http://www.ebaumsworld.com/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" wmode="transparent"></embed> </div><b>NADEEN and SIMMA DOWN NA</b>: To me, this is one of Cheri Oteri’s funniest skits. <i>(Please pardon the video quality; a lot of these videos are hard to find online and what’s out there on the “world wide interweb” isn’t all that great for some of the lesser-known skits.)</i> I’m not even sure where her character is from to determine her accent's origin, but anytime I hear the singer Donna Summer’s name mentioned I think of Cheri Oteri reversing the name and stretching it out to “Summa Don-na” and shooing Ana Gasteyer out of Burger Castle.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="288" width="512"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/iCJgGHYei9UbOg-b1sVrZg"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/iCJgGHYei9UbOg-b1sVrZg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object> </div><b>NICK BURNS</b>: One of Jimmy Fallon's finest characters, everyone can relate to Nick Burns. I can think of one IT guy at my job who answers the help line. He’s just like this guy, only a tenth as smart, and my friends who I work with will immediately know who I’m referring to. Either way, I love how Fallon rocks this character. MOOOVE!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="288" width="512"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/g0jf4S0vVbMPaJ4kVzs-Tg"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/g0jf4S0vVbMPaJ4kVzs-Tg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object> </div><b>CAJUN MAN</b>: Ahhhhhhhhhh, Cajun Man. You provided Matt and I with so much in high school. We absolutely wore this skit out. Day in and day out. We would incorporate the Cajun accent into everything! "Jim Morrison" "Defecation" "Melon!" "Meh, rejection" "Lesbian!" "Intuition" hahaha I'm cracking up just writing this. "KEVIN NEALON!"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="288" width="512"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/7YOK89B0wGj24qT21nhVAw"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/7YOK89B0wGj24qT21nhVAw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="288" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object> </div><b>SCHWEDDY BALLS</b>: One of my two favorite, incredibly hilarious, all-time favorite Alec Baldwin (guest host appearance) skits. His cool, calm demeanor was spot-on for his character’s radio voice. I love that he’s getting so much love and praise for <i>30 Rock</i>, because the guy is truly talented. Even with his small, but famous, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI" target="_blank">role in Glengarry Glen Ross</a>, you knew this guy was going to do great things with his career.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-32017987893611390952010-08-18T00:08:00.000-05:002010-08-18T00:08:31.319-05:00I’m nutella’n you this for your health…okay maybe I amPart two of my Nutella series for awesome baked goods that even dudes can make: <b>Nutty Nutella Oatmeal Chip Cookies</b>. I found this <a href="http://www.mykitchenaddiction.com/2009/09/nutty-nutella-oatmeal-chip-cookies/" target="_blank"><u>modified peanut butter oatmeal cookies recipe</u></a> online in my search for ways to incorporate my newly favored spread in any and everything possible. It was a bit labor intensive since I forgot we have a stand-up mixer, but the end result was every bit worth the extra elbow grease.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZcBU5ykaLLdk3qgkfnwV8vFBIlFLGO3vY42xqYh9agEL0-hc-oq1MSucA4moDdi7rOjJhRibxbtAP5KRFqVkEiWQGOku6b4w0AN50rSULH5RKKCjnqM663kaFjVnF3IjEyss0WVnrMU/s1600-h/IMG_1457%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="nutty nutella oatmeal chocolate chip" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnxIkeTFgxOZ0Ju4yZYhpj1QoeCocwdP62M2AliIBCTMxOPiMC2BqwfT94v2mwRDmTOdmD8TftaXzHKZBRmmPcCwQlf1CczGkEWQLGmXwpnJNwtES9XFn5FqrH88kntdeBZv7LYPzeJY/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="nutty nutella oatmeal chocolate chip" width="644" /></a> <br />
<br />
A few Friday’s ago, while trying to <a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/08/free-at-last-free-at-last.html" target="_blank">knock out debt</a> by staying in for the night I decided to try out this tantalizing recipe. I will warn you, these cookies totally go against my normal try-to-eat-healthy diet…but they’re worth it! Armed with nothing but a Monster and a burning desire to satisfy the cookie-craving hole in my soul, I set out to make my first set of non-break ‘n’ bake cookies from scratch. Break ‘n’ bake are good—I’m not knocking them. Their ease and taste even the playing field, making everyone a baker. But the satisfaction of making cookies yourself, with your hands and strength and patience, totally comes out in the way the made-from-scratch cookies taste. Your audience can taste the love and care you put into them, and ultimately that’s what you want—customer satisfaction.<br />
<br />
I won’t tell you how to make the cookies; you can follow the directions in the link posted above. I will give my commentary on how these bad boys were made and how they turned out! First, I started off acquiring the necessary ingredients.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnnJV2GIEANa9vdxXs0fZ_8LeGxx_mBUEKYXphaMLGdiHwL_yN8F_mEUO71JSbUYmIFXJcbpLJvCZwrdejbBbJD0jBOsjDcZmvKEDYiH5z-L2fPN703WbBlVfN3HsU_2HKdoC0tWdyOQ/s1600-h/IMG_1449%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="ingredients" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwlVYRJ63TaaMOF3fvaON_YKM00qutb8jJVqjrl3tKTwUb49Bo0eZgck9V7WklHgRsxAn-CHvfY5Zg2IB-dKgaPqlSKmzQM9Ph4egaImA_a2bX4IZyjTg-4OQlWWvW_rM91djz057Ddc/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="ingredients" width="364" /></a><i> the goods</i></div><br />
Sure, you might be thinking: what the hell are you doing baking? It’s the one of the least manliest things ever. Well, you’ll be happy to know that I recently finished restoring a 1928 Triumph Speed Twin 5T. I held a door open today for an elderly woman. Once, I wrestled a Texas mosquito to the ground. I sharpen my Bowie knife using my teeth…after downing a pint of Guinness in one gulp. I once drove to Michigan without using a map or GPS. Or asking for directions. I think I’ve built up enough man credits in order to bake my own damn cookies, thank you very much.<br />
<br />
Following the directions, I start to see that this is going to be one thick mix…and I haven’t even added the oats or nuts or chocolate chips! Using a teaspoon to stir, I add the required eggs, oatmeal, hazelnuts and chocolate chips to the sugar-nutella-flour mix.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOoyHmRsUe8rcQx79g4En6pHzqyiWCVuN0UafP-NuSqojMKnfScfeQhlmY8Rq4M22KnhEAHKlB-XNmLC22-0HbYxoXlQY8Iv2e7wJbKTpBcZ0ANacUMW556ctHodMoz-VKdAv_tX_sus/s1600-h/IMG_1450%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="con huevos" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiT5xoCKFR_JBopFXyVUMPX8Zzl_kiYUWKRMugxXGNSdzYKDQnTGsmzwnJ5PqYP4qPg-lCX2PKGjljTLkMZyDtgX0Rb3sb3J8bMn06SRDVPcdnEp-qxKHaUtFJUzuHdoW4Y6AlzgQ-Lo/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="con huevos" width="364" /></a><img alt="thick stuff" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuqB24cxL2fNHhh1EAWO-vvu4GKMQWiMvgXKHX-v9WnseeE5x4ooQCM_mr-OJSDpX4P8ks-6OL4z8PEH-_w9oYtflhsFMxF0YkCEA37XPuNR8n6flWwCgKBj6XyTG65xJaKFgdEOM1oQ/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="thick stuff" width="364" /><i>yes, that's a spoon standing up in the middle</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>I put small golf ball size portions on a bunch of cookie sheets and baked at the recommended temperature for about 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VyGjquwaG9ktdZvjsESTHMF4dEh0mrzH5d_hDVIjXqGcphEsXwO6IGdqK9WbZwg4CGfE-VTwzPS9msNNUZTKPCxKTI4eCj4zwSX52Ki2HVHH8hK_p29qMcAM9bz_tbrALaTKZdUuBv0/s1600-h/IMG_1452%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="cookies" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BHBpppp1UN_G9yRfOBwBpfQvZyHse28kEc_7AeJfWr_qfVzAeBwIfrfW5OvvzaFbhq2HxmRql1sgpL21ygozQqBkLU6eMpOagkslt887UbF0iuHK5_0mDyNFBlg3VKzWUUIvuaCJdAc/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="cookies" width="364" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyZ9reViH7Cahx1gWXTywCi3o4A0i1vrl6h23gV9XD7Ytxw5_OMyzwFkPh7SMC6qNB_oUROkGjZn-xoQLudTdDlBjQM7frA42fmbsICC-Gae6X73X_vq7mzmM38QUm4DnpaNVxsNoXKE/s1600-h/IMG_1453%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="cookies" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XuYMiLswNBDSrOhAM9jm9bBhMuzWrybQMrAfdpnSMhByNBGN9kEgaknQAT1dGj9lmt9HjWmuHtSy6kyCPlaguQHbv4x0ihscoNRdpeowQ-T6nEctF31aLgc_iQLcnDudUYDcPo7RaKM/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="cookies" width="364" /></a> <br />
<br />
The recipe made about four dozen <i>(I was able to get four baker’s dozen)</i> super amazing cookies. Not gonna lie—I got a little too excited when I saw all these cookies ready to be devoured!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo819-SFv6l8VVY6Vkak3NTmMQdL5KiUFa8vhrL7IIDHeRvH7Jqc8SPOB9LGq6HpUxFffigT1oO4qGbQKGhu8VeWB2AtwrE6ahsTO7WQhSrlNri7rc-Rb7NBBIt-uxU3B5ulevqV6M8h4/s1600-h/IMG_1454%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="nutty nutella cookies" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/TGtpFJo7iyI/AAAAAAAAAS8/90tLS4RHbU8/IMG_1454_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="nutty nutella cookies" width="274" /></a><i> Nutty Nutella Oatmeal Chip Cookies</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KJQQurBZ_DS_38VULGk_LV5SwfjZorat7yKG-T5r1-NVlV2fsZOSvy0oOTVtrMQCtZC872NBnLylw95j2cbwfXHiRPHb0VZQFSNUeQNJS_CeFcGR0yyt40UQ0Osu_4IBFs7uNaJO-7w/s1600-h/IMG_1455%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1455" border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodquY5lJ7sZ78Y8tjDv-G1zoZBLgnMxyE2AaAQ4iq365HW1k_PlAIpcdKuSIW98ro3TADz8Wwwz0kjPZKWfIePDiJUgqtcY-60XLIoe_CLiHrvv0XKAvnWk_XgVcLZTBuwrM8tLlnpO0/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1455" width="274" /></a><i> this scavenger showed up when the heavenly smell overwhelmed her from two counties away</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwl7_slArWZnPUhBpQ4bII33JUbwkMSPpc2W3aEOTpHJNf8yDkEPETB9m2f9pHrhRXHYgnmm0fn_czUCL29JWZ5lJfz-sdBykQnzzb7-yHvL_IEp7nPiu-nWCDSGRVsV0FISeuyklyu4/s1600-h/IMG_1456%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="final result" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi-gY9qv11g7p5MTVbca0ryet3h5v6wKVeGYgaU38GF1_3hnxHBRls0k8kxYos7ApXi4-q1um0Al-Z124G2VfGuudwA-XLW8cf9t24rCLvSCPvE2J-ztzlGbKvKlPewutDbBsW9pJEJc/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="final result" width="364" /></a> <br />
<i>my feeble attempt at a trendy food magazine photo shot</i></div><br />
So the end result? Simple put: amazing. I think I ate half a dozen the first night. Then another dozen the next few days. It was difficult restraining myself and not eating more! I took a dozen to a friend’s place for their approval—one religiously makes delicious cookies and selflessly shares the wealth so I had to take her some. I took the remaining two dozen (or so) to work and they were gone in the first hour. I actually had two people kinda upset I hadn’t told them about the cookies soon enough before they disappeared—they <b><i>really</i></b> wanted to try them! Hearing how amazing they were from other people in the trading and accounting departments only made them more desirable. And so the legend of the Nutty Nutella Oatmeal Chip Cookies grew…<br />
<br />
My score for use of nutella in these cookies is a 10 out of 10, better known as <i>“a must bake!” </i>Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to installing a kegerator in my man cave.<br />
<br />
<b>NOTE: The only modification I made to the recipe above was doubling the chocolate chip amount to a full cup. Because, well…the more chocolate, the more satisfied the customer!</b>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-31918474337105635772010-08-06T00:53:00.006-05:002010-08-09T14:39:47.690-05:00Beards are for winners<script type="text/javascript">
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-17892169-1']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script><br />
Most of the greatest men to walk this earth have rocked a beard. Some were long and some were of a more respectable length. You’ve got Jesus Christ, Socrates, Che Guevara, Willie Nelson, Robert E. Lee, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Sanders, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Chuck Norris…the list could go on for a while. There’s even a bearded dragon, which was once just a regular, boring dragon until it realized the hidden powers the beard instills. These guys (and some <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_3Ajo_5LA" target="_blank">women</a>) have realized one thing: beards command attention. Beards say <i>Hey, look at me. The mouth I encompass has something very important to say.</i> Beards say <i>I make my owner very wise-looking.</i><br />
<br />
As with all things, there are pros and cons to be weighed before proceeding with the adventure of growing your own beard. Let’s see what we can come up with (feel free to add more in the comments section below):<br />
<br />
<b>CONS</b><br />
1) Beards are sometimes a<b> little itchy</b>. Go wash your face you dirty-faced dude!<br />
2) Beards have the potential to make you <b>look rather vagrantly</b> if not maintained properly.<br />
3) If not sculpted correctly, beards have the great ability of <b>displaying your true douchey-ness</b>.<br />
4) Facial hair tends to <b>gray faster than head hair</b>, causing confusion in many as to your actual age. Facial hair coloring is often the best solution, which if you are a <u>real</u> man is no solution at all.<br />
5) Beard growth implies <b>ultimate bachelorhood</b>—<i>“Sorry ladies, I’m off the market and not even trying!”</i><br />
<br />
<b>PROS</b><br />
1) Beards are huge flavor-savers; they <b>catch everything</b>. You know when you’re drinking your cereal milk too quickly and it escapes your mouth just to trickle down your face and onto your pants? With a beard, you don’t have that problem because it catches the milk before it soils your britches.<br />
2) Beards make you <b>look older</b> and therefore <b>wiser</b>. Sad, but true—I did not get my “senior” accountant promotion until I grew a beard. I suppose I needed to look the part.<br />
3) Beards <b>go well with sweaters</b>. And <b>scarves</b>.<br />
4) Beards can <b>take the attention off</b> of your balding (or already bald) head.<br />
5) Beards make it <b>easier to shave</b> than fully-shaving since there’s less surface area to shave.<br />
6) They’re <a href="http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/232098" target="_blank"><b>malleable</b></a>.<br />
7) Beards are <u><a href="http://www.paintballforum.com/lounge/166431-10-reasons-why-beards-awesome.html" target="_blank"><b>awesome</b></a></u>.<br />
<br />
The biggest misconception with beards is that chicks hate them. An independent study by the University of Waterloo* in Iowa found 87% of polled women like a man without facial hair. In another study, 91% of polled women like a man with a beard. The first poll was conducted by 10 very good-looking, clean-shaven male models. The second poll was conducted a month later by the same 10 models but who were now donning a month's worth of beard growth. So what the study really found was the women were clearly swayed by the male models’ charm and good looks to vote yes and that having a beard did not affect whether or not a girl would find you attractive! Don’t let girls’ <i>possible</i> thoughts of how a beard would affect your attractiveness deter you from growing one.<br />
<br />
If you’re good-looking, a beard is not going to knock you down a notch—it’s all about confidence anyways, right ladies? On the flip-side, if you didn’t have the pleasure of inheriting a handsome mug, you can always use a beard to hide your face so that your awesome personality can stand out!<br />
<br />
<i>*Not an actual university.</i><br />
<script type="text/javascript">
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-17892169-1']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-15889168338205767472010-08-03T00:09:00.003-05:002010-08-05T23:45:03.132-05:00Free at last, free at last!Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! Wouldn’t it be cool if those were my original words? Do you ever have those moments you think something sounds really cool, only to run your checks with Google to see that someone else has already done it, made it, eaten it, said it, encountered it, blogged about it, etc? Yeah…that was me earlier when I clicked the “Submit Payment” button about an hour ago. I was saying “I’m free!! At last! Thank you God!” (a la Dr. MLK’s <i>I Have A Dream</i>) because I’d just accomplished what so many Americans desperately want to do—I just paid off my debt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6F63yPZaY0-b62yQn-li-KqWhxkGGfU_JHYV1NKKakObrrTG1lhhv1a5_b4we1jiGPu3UiIUxoxYwl11zdJ4eB9XeE5VH-L5XfccuJz4VRhXV_xQQCB9cMWYsLPMtGuX5b8QmuLgzJg/s1600/zero+due.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6F63yPZaY0-b62yQn-li-KqWhxkGGfU_JHYV1NKKakObrrTG1lhhv1a5_b4we1jiGPu3UiIUxoxYwl11zdJ4eB9XeE5VH-L5XfccuJz4VRhXV_xQQCB9cMWYsLPMtGuX5b8QmuLgzJg/s320/zero+due.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>$0.00 due? excitement beyond belief.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Poof! My colossal burden is <u>no longer</u> my problem. It’s now my credit card companies’ problem to find revenues elsewhere! I sacrificed a lot, and yet it wasn’t as hard as I’d feared. I won’t say I did this all on my own. I definitely had help; and for that I’m grateful. I gave up my sweet apartment in the medical center area in order to get myself back on the right track. I left all my friends inside the loop behind to move in with my mom. I still paid her rent but at a much lower rate than market! I know what you’re thinking… <i>Dude! You live in your mom’s basement!</i> No! We can toast to the fact that I’m debt-free, yes I watch Californication, but this isn’t some <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9pYU-fa18" target="_blank">Timbaland song</a>! Plus we don’t have basements in the H. But yes, I live with my mom. At twenty-seven years old, it’s a bit of downer. But it was the responsible thing to do for my future. My future spouse’s future. My future family’s future. I only gave up a year and a half to ensure the rest of my life is going in the right direction. That was my trade-off and how I convinced myself it was the right thing to do. Thankfully I have a loving mother who would actually take her ingrate of a son in for a few months! Now on to how it was done…<br />
<br />
In college I had two credit cards with different billing cycles exactly two weeks apart. I would use one credit card for two weeks and then pay it off when it was due two weeks later. While I was waiting to pay credit card one, I’d use credit card two. Both credit cards had rewards programs so I used them instead of my debit card or cash. Both cards were paid off every single month. Doing this allowed me to never have to keep track of the whole “minimum amount due” or “statement balance” or “current balance.” My balance was my balance and there was no confusion. I waited tables at the once-famous Chili’s #249 (holla! fellow chiliheads!) and made really good money. We were the only location for hours, so everyone from mall-goers to people from BFE making their once-a-month trip into the big city would stop in. We were on a wait every weekend night and during the week management would cut servers so that the rest of us could have more tables. I was bringing home two-grand a month in tips at least<i> (because I rocked. Attentiveness and brains go just as far for us non-pretty fellas!)</i> and had way more money than I needed for bills. This was an ideal situation for a college kid who just wanted to have fun!<br />
<br />
Skip ahead to post-graduation. I have no “real” job and I’m waiting tables at a new Chili’s in north H. The money is terrible. The area is flooded with all sorts of restaurants so no one wants an awesome blossom. I manage to make really high-percentage tips, but when you only have 5 or 6 tables a night…you can’t really make money. This is where the (slight) downfall starts to begin. The credit cards I once had no trouble paying off are starting to escalate as my spending habits can’t be broken. When I want something, I just go get it. I’ll pay for it later! As my buddy Dave would always quip: <i><b>I’ll let future Dave worry about that!</b></i> I thought a couple grand of debt was peanuts when I finally landed my career job!<br />
<br />
Only my career job doesn’t pay much because my career is…well, normal? Accountants grow on trees, ya know. So what do I do with my low mid-rangish paying job? I go get a swanky apartment! A treat to myself! And what the heck, I’ll get a brand new SUV while I’m at it too! Idiot. 22-year-old me was an idiot I tell you! Living beyond my means… You can’t phrase it any better. Throw in a few beautiful girlfriends along the way, and my weak, weak, weak frailty for pleasing the ladies and you’ve got yourself a sizeable debt.<br />
<br />
Was I worried about it? No. Should I have been years ago before paying thousands of dollars in interest? Sure! But when you see that number slowly rise over time…you never fully realize it’s massiveness until it’s too late. Ever had a long-term girlfriend that was skinny when you first met and fell in love with her? Then when things just don’t work out, you two split and you go back and look at old pictures of all the good times you had? Yeah—you know where I’m going with this. You think: “Wow! Look how skinny I was! Look how skinny she was! I had no idea we’d let ourselves go…” Same thing with credit cards! You’re having so much fun along the way that you don’t even realize the underlying issues that will ultimately be your downfall.<br />
<br />
I had a roommate a few years ago who was doing something so noble, it changed my life. He was feverishly paying off debt with a debt consolidation plan, while also saving up for a massive ring to slide on his suspecting girlfriend’s finger. What was admirable was that he probably makes about the same thing as me but he was sacrificing so much more than me. I could see the drive in his eyes to be debt-free before he married this girl and it all clicked: <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,991358,00.html" target="_blank">money issues are the leading cause of divorce</a> and he was eliminating that chance! Smart dude.<br />
<br />
Now, I wasn’t looking to get married but I did have my sights set on some personal goals that would be hindered with that darned debt monkey on my back. Purchase a house? Get a better rate with no debt! Move to a new, more-expensive city? Make your paycheck go farther with no debt! Want a new job? Reduce your debt, because HR is gonna perform a credit check on you! I started to cut back, but not a lot. It was hard to begin with. I was so used to having fun at the expense of “future David” that I didn’t know how to control myself.<br />
<br />
Then my job picked up. I finally started to get noticed for the hard work I was (always) putting in and I was starting to be rewarded appropriately for it. I had a boss I clicked with that enjoyed my working style and the quality work I produced. Then I moved into a three-bedroom apartment and my total “cost of living” dropped a bit! I was able to use that savings to make larger credit card payments. I made payments to all three cards and my line of credit, but I attacked the smallest credit card first like a bully. A few months in and a credit card was down for the count. Months later, another one bites the dust…running away with its tail between its legs. My apartment lease ends and I make the decision to expedite this plan—I move in with la madre. No electricity bill, no cable bill, no internet bill, no water bill—instead I just sprinkle some Benji’s every now and then and everything’s taken care of. Now I realize not everyone has the luxury of moving in with someone and getting free rent or seriously-discounted rent, but this is where I consider myself lucky. Hopefully I can do this for my kid in the future should they need it. <br />
<br />
With discounted rent freeing up some serious cash-flow, I paid off my line of credit within the first month. This left just the one colossal credit card to haunt my dreams. The debt mountain looked so tall, but not <b><u>nearly</u></b> as tall as it once was. I knew I could do it, it was just going to take an even stronger sacrifice than before. I thought to myself: <i>If I’m gonna live way up here in the boonies, I need to take full advantage of the situation and knock this puppy out</i> (put a sock in a it PETA, no puppies were harmed)! I got a gym membership to eat up most of my free time so that I didn’t spend it trying to spend money. I cut out a lot of my domestic travelling. I sat at home on weekends going into the deepest corners of Netflixville…streaming everything from <i>Sin Nombre</i> to <i>Visioneers</i>. I watched entire seasons of <i>Weeds</i> and <i>Arrested Development</i>. <br />
<br />
Where did this extreme dedication and commitment take me? Ultimately, everywhere. I’m free. I’m freee!!! I feel like a college kid again, back when I didn’t have to really worry about debt. I owe no one! It truly feels amazing. If I wasn’t so tired from a 13-hour workday, you’d see more of a hugely ecstatic look on my face! Debt-free. It still doesn’t sound right. It doesn’t look right, flying into the screen, letters arranging themselves in place as my fingers type it. Debt-free! A huge relief. Debt-free. I feel like I’m singing a song now and the chorus is “debt-free.” I like the idea of not having to worry about it anymore. Debt-free is the way for me! Debt-free. I’m rambling. Because it’s late. Dammit! I just realized I owe Neal a Dos XX.<br />
<br />
Guess I’ll just have to wait a little longer to be truly free…Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-72073579686642901822010-07-31T00:58:00.000-05:002010-07-31T00:58:30.979-05:00What your parents are nutella’n you aboutAs a kid, I grew up in a modest household. We didn’t drive fancy cars or have the latest fashionable clothing. We didn’t go on extravagant vacation destinations. But we <i>did</i> have all the Little Debbie® snacks you could think of in our pantry! But <b>no</b> name brand sodas. <i>But</i> we had Blue Bell ice cream! …But <b>no</b> Nutella®. I know what you’re thinking: “Wait. What? How could you be deprived of that delicious hazelnut spread?!” Well, it’s simple. If my parents had given us everything we wanted (or in this case, stuff I didn’t even know I wanted!) then we would’ve grown up spoiled. So it was a give-and-take, carefully-plotted, and purposefully-chosen method they adopted to determine which junk food we were allowed to eat so that we didn’t turn out that way. <i>Or at least that’s how I’m choosing to rationalize it to myself…</i><br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, I was making my normal s-shaped route (or figure-8s or whatever you want to call them) through my local HEB…going up and down every single aisle to see what catches my eye…and I see Nutella. What heck is this? I read the label: <b>Hazelnut Spread with Skim Milk and Cocoa</b>. Mmmm! Every morning I get a hazelnut-vanilla coffee, so I know I love hazelnut flavoring. Skim is my preferred fat percentage of the milk family! And cocoa? Don’t get me started on my soon-to-be-lethal addiction to chocolate. So I bought the smaller size jar and tried it that night on some bread. Just bread and Nutella became dessert! I was in love with a hazelnut spread that had a super weird name and it’s been a happily-ever-after story since.<br />
<br />
So with that intro, I feel like I need to kick off a new mini-series to <i>The Runner’s Blotter</i>; one dedicated to finding and exposing Nutella recipes! Or just showing you all the easy stuff you can do with it. I had a great experiment tonight, but I’ll save that revealing piece for a later date. Trust me, you’ll want to make this cookie recipe so you can see for yourself how awesome the result is!<br />
<br />
To start this puppy off, I’ll keep it simple and easy. I expanded on the bread and Nutella dessert to make it a meal. I chose some great Mrs. Bairds wheat bread to be bearer of (good news!) spreadable wonderfulness: organic crunchy peanut butter on one side and Nutella on the other:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/TFO6tSmgRiI/AAAAAAAAARo/3B3-SaoWybU/s1600-h/IMG_1445%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="pb&n sandwich" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSS7P45BiHHoArKJI7FRoGnEUHA9mpsDi6L8zRxQ4yuOn18_oNaKhK77XZgipo9lCmQdNR5Mm6BACYuIa8Mby2xKmCLPF_JyIqpbHMO8D3Z-gWsFSVCzFEQCVidyhhEKbDkkfKes-KQE/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="pb&n sandwich" width="356" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTithN76csH3fLMIZfg5K1MeYncRBQGucddJ5vJXQubnTHI5t7wMMp7dX5zxFaXMb7SCYq9neruZk1pScJBOrj0N_0AqPYktIWp9u40hiAbZdBzSNGoK1vHXJAN6SSUSlQ4sP4ggrVG6s/s1600-h/IMG_1446%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="pb&n halved" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsJxMt7QJmsM7UHr9TvjOpVEN_z9VN_RxETZc3xMf9Z_rsnHl-lqht6irntozYveYMqV8zn1p2yTc8DhZlDgvxg7bUvOyn7zZGtOKC28inJ0YXLy4W-0i6ZiJZKfBQ9J7hgs9tdUHlCs/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="pb&n halved" width="356" /></a><i> PB&N Sandwich</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>If you love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Reese’s Pieces, Peanut Butter M&Ms, Twix PB, then you’ll love this modern twist on the old-school PB&J. Look at how empty the rest of that plate is! No worries--this wasn’t my entire meal. I also had a granola bar. Guess what I did with the granola bar? Yup…I dipped it in the Nutella!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhzy7XTQiSLKYgJ6J9x4_dHOvuSTuvHoiCpHtoBVlbFvKKI_9XYVIbowHigO2xObtNwR3KYD7_AwiTaNVRsjPihbKmvfD5vD1pnicLdXfr0Fx2ferkCP1GFF_KaReL0z160PBETYrqRQ/s1600-h/IMG_1443%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1443" border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbfcT4XBhutntr9k6fTWWXuWbG2QhF7r7KxHaRNJyKKQbB_QB8HAY82XLoL3d0ffR9lAwVcrx6UDWJCIEmig-c9cHXaCf0p_K-fpt5DH4G4OIfDdVO-8-ODsF3QAfJI9Q_pGfe2n0y4I/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1443" width="268" /></a><i> Nutella-dipped granola bar</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>If you’re wondering, the answer is yes. Yes, I had a huge glass of milk accompany my Nutella quest for the night. And yes, this was an awesome dinner that I was thoroughly pleased with after finishing! I had a protein shake as well, for those of you wondering if I starve myself! haha<br />
<br />
My mind started racing. I wanted to concoct other more-elaborate uses for this hazelnutty goodness! So I started to make a list, with the help of some others, and I plan on making everything on it! Lots of people have known about this almost-50 year old product for years. Many of them will admit they’ll just grab a spoon and eat it right out of the jar sometimes like it’s frosting or ice cream! That’s how tasty it is. So for those of you who grew up in a household like mine, put Nutella on your next shopping list. You won’t regret it.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-47473824565578763992010-07-29T21:28:00.001-05:002010-07-29T23:24:06.948-05:00And these are what make man great…So the weekend is fast approaching and I’m pretty stoked. Yes, I’m incorporating surfer lingo! That’s how stoked I am! My <a href="http://drunkintellect.wordpress.com/author/bwp731/" target="_blank">broseph</a> is coming to town (sorta) for his 24th birthday (sorta) and that’s always exciting. I’ve got plans to experiment in the kitchen tomorrow night. I make my FINAL credit card payment Friday...yes, I'll be DEBT-free!!?! A mid-range run slated for either early Saturday or Sunday morning. Hoping for some pool time Saturday with friends <i>(they don’t know it yet, but I’m already creating plans for them!)</i> and then catching a <a href="http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100729&content_id=12760192&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou" target="_blank">Oswalt-less ‘stros</a> game that night. Sunday will be spent relaxing to the fullest. The weather is supposed to be pretty hot, but I’m pretty good at working around (or with) that. Mostly, I’m excited for the kitchen experiment tomorrow night, but I’ll post more about that in the upcoming weeks!<br />
<br />
I got in a <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/4156/saturday-night-live-nprs-delicious-dish-schweddy-balls" target="_blank">schweddy, schweddy</a> run tonight. Geez it was humid. Only in the mid-80s but I think it rained a bit up here before I got started. It’s amazing how much water-weight I carry, just sloshing around in my inner-tube region mainly, because I sweat a lot on my runs in Houston. I’ll spare you details for fear you haven’t had dinner yet and I might spoil it. But I had a great run, just because there was no sun beating down on me and it wasn’t 90+ degrees. That and Mumford & Sons kept me mellow and even keel.<br />
<br />
If you’ve not had the pleasure of listening to these English lads’ debut album<i> Sigh No More</i>, get out there and try it. You can buy the mp3 version on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sigh-No-More/dp/B0038BBA4I/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpd_1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> for $5. Five jorge’s people! I don’t really know how to describe them other than it’s just acoustic, mandolin, banjo, accordion, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobro" target="_blank">dobro</a>. What’s a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobro" target="_blank">dobro</a>? Click on the word <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobro" target="_blank">dobro</a> and you can see for yourself. I honestly have never seen one of these, so I’m not gonna act like a know-it-all! Very, very good stuff though. I don’t think their songs classify as one, but each one reminds me of a fairly lengthy ascending crescendo: starts off slowish and soft and gradually gets faster and a bit louder and more awesomer. Now you’re wondering how I could possibly run to this? Well, I was just in the mood. That’s all I can say! The song (not on the radio here in the H, but is on the radio in the ATX) they’re known for is<i> </i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLJf9qJHR3E" target="_blank"><i>Little Lion Man</i></a> and I love it. But these, my friends, are the reasons I love the group:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/I_Od0PJp6GI&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/I_Od0PJp6GI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> </div><div align="center"><i>White Blank Page</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YqUsAHTUPTU&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YqUsAHTUPTU&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> </div><div align="center"><i>After The Storm</i></div>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-21588506873297019992010-07-10T00:51:00.005-05:002010-07-10T15:55:15.434-05:00No, I think you’re a contra. (An uncomfortable rant)<p>Let me preface this post by saying that you’ll be reading some stuff that may be hard to stomach because it’s a bit personal <em>(and because some of it’s just gross—see the monster at the end)</em>, but if it’s too difficult to handle turn back now. Because only three or four people read this, I don’t have to worry about too much backlash. I’ve come to grips that this is just me and that I’m not alone in the world with this feeling or having these ‘experiences.’ Also, this post is more for my sake of needing to rant <em>(hence the unabridged, super lengthiness of what is about to follow…) </em>so don’t blame me if you grow tired/uninterested halfway through. </p><p>Wednesday morning I woke up feeling a bit like poo…similar to the day before. But I got up and went to work like a good employee, not really thinking about how I felt.<em> (I’ll admit I’m not a morning person and my brain doesn’t fully function at 5:30 a.m until coffee is entered into the equation.)</em> There was a bus fire in the HOV lane that day but I never saw it—I only got the added benefits from it by getting to sleep an extra 20 minutes on the commute into town from the traffic. Hmm…guess I shouldn’t say “added benefits” as someone might have been hurt. We’ll just assume everyone was evacuated safely and move along with the story. I get to work and tell my boss I’m scheduling a doctors appointment that afternoon to see what was up with me. I’ll spare you the details of my condition, but know that I was rockin’ a pretty sexy, deep voice as a result of it <em>(a la Phoebe in the episode of Friends when she sings “Smelly Cat” with a cold)</em>.</p><p>Turns out I have bronchitis with ear infections in both ears. What twenty-something year old gets ear infections? I didn’t feel any pain there, but the doctor said they were definitely infected. Gross. Either way, I’m contagious and this meant days away from the office. Sounds sweet, right? Sick days to do whatever I wanted! Wrong. I ended up working probably 9 hours on Thursday from home via work laptop connection. I wanted to work out at the gym, but had no energy and would’ve gotten others sick. So I finished up season 4 of Weeds and went to bed. Woke up early Friday morning and did more work from bed. I’m telling you, this is not how I wanted to spend my sick days off. I wanted to sleep and sleep and then when I woke up, go back to sleep!</p><p>Needless to say, by Friday afternoon I was slightly stir-crazy. As great as they are, you can only stream so many episodes of<em> Arrested Development</em> on Netflix before you start to get <strike>bed</strike> futon sores. So selfishly I set out for a quiet evening on the town at some unfortunate book store. Armed with a handmade Starbucks double-shot <em>(not the tiny 8 oz canned version; the handmade ones are better and you get more for your buck—they’re not on the menu anymore but the baristas will make you one if you ask nicely with a smile ;)</em>, I made my way to Borders to peruse some magazine pieces…as well as contaminate the ‘hood with my doting bronchitis. This month’s <em>Rolling Stone</em> has some good stuff in it; Lady Gaga interview and the article that forced the former U.S. General McChrystal to resign for making derogatory comments about our commander-in-chief, et al. I’m not making any statements by saying I read those two pieces—I’m just saying they were entertaining and informative.</p><p>Afterwards I made my way over to HEB, my favorite grocery store in the area <em>(second only to Whole Foods)</em>. I’d been jamming out to some Vampire Weekend <em>Contra</em>, so walking through the store I’m singing the <strong>oh-OH-oh-OH</strong> chorus part of “Diplomat’s Son.” If you’ve heard this song, you know it has a indie-pop little bounce to it. It reminds me of the west coast, which is odd considering these guys are from New York, I think. If you’ve never heard of these guys’ music and you’re a fan of a modern-day Paul Simon sound<em> (or even if you’re not…)</em>, they’re definitely worth checking out. They’ll be in Houston the first week of October if you want to see them live. Anyways, back to the indie-pop bounce of the song…it was causing me to walk with the same rhythm and skip in my step. I’m sure it was amusing if you were watching, but I was off in la-la land. I looked like a vagrant—jeans tattered with holes, an undershirt and driver’s cap (flat cap/newsboy cap/ivy cap/whatever) to cover up the matted bed-head hair. I haven’t shaved or trimmed the beard in days. Obviously my condition had affected the part of the brain that says: “hey bum, you’re going out in public—look respectable!”</p><p>I pass through the juice aisle and see a cute girl checking out the selection. I pass by her and take note. Do I say something witty and cavalier like “Impressive, isn’t it?” Nope. Do I say anything at all? No, I pass right on behind her with my mini-cart filled with next week’s lunch and hoard of dark chocolate pudding. Sometimes when I don’t make a shopping list, I just go up and down every aisle and look at everything until something catches my eye and reminds me that I need it. This can be a great technique if administered appropriately, but usually just yields $100+ grocery sprees. What was great about it tonight, was my figure-8’s of the grocery store aisles were causing me to intersect the cute juice girl’s path. We would exchange glances and small, innocent smiles when we’d bust each other looking and then move along to the next aisle…like it was a game or a dance that insects do during <strike>mating</strike> courting season before <strike>the deed is done</strike> courting takes place.</p><p>But then the sad part of the story comes into play: we ran out of aisles to pass each other on. I never saw her again…and I didn’t go looking for her for fear of looking like a creep-stalker. Did I choose the longest line of all the checkout lines in hopes of stalling a bit and running into her again? You betcha. Did I see her again? Would I be writing this terribly sad post if I had?</p><p>This is where the post gets a little hard to stomach. You know those guys on television or in the movies that are awkwardly shy around the opposite sex? The ones that make you cringe when you watch their inelegant handling of women? I’m thinking Steve Carell as Michael Scott in <em>The Office</em>. Ben Stiller as Greg Focker in the <em>Meet The Parents</em> movies. Michael Cera as…well every roll he’s ever played. <em>(Man—poor guy has definitely been type-casted a lot.)</em> That’s me. Not always. I’m okay most of the time. But there are times, like tonight, when I’m a bumbling idiot displaying my amateur ranking with no apprehension. I should’ve said something, like a simple “hi” but didn’t. Why? I don’t know—it plagues me once every few months when I actually see a girl that <em>tickles my fancy</em>.</p><p>I know I’m not the only one that struggles through the ordeal of figuring out possible clever/cute things to say to a pretty girl. And they’re only human after all, like me…right? Plus this girl was actually smiling back and obviously doing this crazy figure-8 aisle dance with me; a guy who looked like a bum. I probably could’ve said anything, even clumsily, and still been okay. What am I scared of? Was I brought up to be scared of failure? I don’t want to be scared of failure—it’s a part of life. An integral one. It’s a part of life everyone needs to experience to be whole, humble, human. </p><p><em>Sidebar: It scares me that society has shifted to the point where all kids get trophies now…no matter what place their little league team actually placed. Kids need to realize that if you get last, you get nothing. Maybe a pat on the back and say “Better luck next time.” But they need this lesson to learn that life isn’t fair and that you have to work hard for what you want. If you want to be the best, get out there and earn it. You’re not going to graduate college and then be magically presented with a job because everyone gets one. Only the best get a job (or “trophy,” c’mon…keep up with the metaphor)! Okay, end of tangent.</em></p><p>If not intimidated by the thought of failure, then what? Was I just being polite by not getting close enough to infect her with my illness? Pffft! What am I, a leper? No. Was I just being polite by not hitting on her while she was grocery shopping? Maybe she gets hit on all the time and doesn’t want to be bothered. Maybe she never gets hit on and she would’ve liked that I said hi…</p><p>See—does this banter not make you feel uncomfortable? Like you’re watching Michael Scott or Greg Focker? It’s painful. I’m sure you can’t find a comfortable way to sit while reading this…like you empathize with the guy but still don’t like to see it. This is when misery no longer loves company. No one wants a part of this.</p><p>And it never fails: when this joyous occasion happens to me or my brother <em>(read: <strong>strong sarcasm</strong>)</em>, we always immediately call the other and ask why this happens to us. WHY?! we exclaim, as if the other has all the answers. I guess it’s rhetorical for us and more therapeutic to ask another than to toss the idea around in your own head where you already know you don’t have the answer. We don’t want to play the victim, but it’s as if we have no control over it.</p><p>You have to keep your head high though. Have faith that one day things will work out and you’ll meet that special someone when the time is <strong>right</strong>. Then you’ll never have to worry about those silly supermarket encounters again. You’ll just walk by the lady, remember how awesome your girl is back home, and move along past the juice selection. So I think I just remedied my worries: forget about tonight’s possible missed shot…someone great is still in my path, we just haven’t crossed yet.</p><p>For being such a great listener and actually following along to this point, I’m offering up a contest. Correctly identify this absurd stick bug that was found in the kitchen sink tonight after I unloaded the groceries and I’ll buy you lunch next week (when I’m healthy again! horray):</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvln0DU_DUn4uW_dajxCYOUtm2rtax7HSsBdqucx2r8fc8gjdD-ErelrXf9yhnmjuC1ioefrASguaXwUzf_63CBiwp-ZMfJlpheB-PShnoIZemceqet0pmcAgyOfG9uSgjY8NRn3dNdlk/s1600-h/2010-07-09%2021.55.33%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="2010-07-09 21.55.33" border="0" alt="2010-07-09 21.55.33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tWo7lrLrhu40Fa7SyLdIuCg2mOksSzz11YhabMZtG_iFt107kBv_67ESpihBzLwRlUkzNXLfhrcQJx9BUZnPjbE6J4VO7T_rNzWH0r4lNU26dGP2lTUoSxIc_NcjyqV_xznsNfzWtx0/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="419" /></a><em> yes, that’s a baby stick monster riding the back end of it’s mother’s/father’s abdomen</em></p><p>Don’t worry, bug-lovers. This duo was safely transported back outside and not harmed in the process. I have no clue how it actually got inside though. So to be eligible for the free lunch, the first one to leave the correct answer as a comment on this post wins! Good luck peeps. <b>Update: This is not a baby and parent, but rather a male and a female involved in a procreative act. My apologies to my underage readers for posting such a lewd picture!</b></p>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-2206234909206802362010-07-06T00:22:00.000-05:002010-07-06T00:22:46.790-05:00Fairfax™ CamelBak Hydration Pack for Runners - ReviewThe summers and the runners of the south are not always the best of friends. Coastal cities like Houston are bombarded with extreme heat indexes thanks to 100% humidity. Running along your favorite route becomes next to impossible without the aid of either some strategically placed water fountains or some fluids strapped to your chassis.<br />
<br />
What if there are no water fountains? I can remember riding along with my dad as a child in his pickup truck as he placed large water bottles in the ditch along his biking route out on country roads. He didn’t have to worry about some adopt-a-highway clean up crew finding his bottles and throwing them away. He had water every couple miles and never had to worry about being dehydrated. Living in the city, I don’t have this luxury. Plus I don’t like to stop running when I’m going because it’s too hard to get going again. I also don’t like to carry most forms of water bottles—grenade belt style or handheld.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amphipod.com/RL/RunLite.html" target="_blank"><img align="left" alt="hydration belt" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-VCltkmyBUb2_FiqO261LbHMT4U9eoYZV_zfgnksMx8ArxjWHxQvKH-DU5UXuACgSalqGmWw95-VDuyy0YKoj6pxFNN23UsWsMFa_FO59D4v7BTQq9ActetdrLLIXI_7NwL9mkypy6o/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="hydration belt" width="364" /></a><a href="http://www.nathansports.com/our-products/hydrationnutrition/handhelds/quickdraw-elite" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="handheld bottle" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPa1-wqWtjHsU6-gR8WdmfI5hTd7WOT9tEG0r-9DQkMIe9fWHvpiYnQj36Wr-764x2nxwZ9SekC87W8Du6ZeCbKDW6kzrtqX5Tx19Lwiw6-4iYSZVbF39HV8OGPFSLtR7tJ6NCMepfLQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="handheld bottle" width="289" /></a> <br />
<br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><i>Hydration Belt & Handheld Water Bottle</i></div><br />
If I’m wearing some sort of gear belt, it’s my <a href="http://store.spibelt.com/product-p/7bl-a001-001-mesh-parent.htm" target="_blank">SPIbelt</a>. I’m a minimalist through and through and so the smallest/lightest option I can find is the one I’m choosing. Carrying stuff in my hands? No. I want to be free when I’m running—not handcuffed to a water bottle. Thankfully, <a href="http://www.camelbak.com/" target="_blank">CamelBak</a> has another option. Aptly named after the water-retaining beast of burden, they’re the “originator and world leader in hands-free hydration systems.” That sounds like my cup of tea!<br />
<br />
You may think of CamelBak as a company who makes backpack-style hydration packs for bikers or climbers—people who can’t afford to take their hands off of what they’re doing and but still need fluids. Well they make hydration packs for runners as well! I just have a few requirements though… Requirement #1: can’t be bulky. Requirement #2: can’t bounce around while I’m running. Requirement #3: can’t be heavy. Requirement #4: can’t be annoyingly irritating. Requirement #5: can’t be expensive…we’re in a recession ya know.<br />
<br />
Enter: Fairfax hydration pack. I was able to purchase one last week and armed with a concoction of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaPBCBjSVc" target="_blank"><u>The</u></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnzIrRykilA" target="_blank"><u>Black</u></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_PrT25o8Vs" target="_blank"><u>Keys</u></a>, <a href="http://autovaughn.bandcamp.com/track/a-million-to-one" target="_blank"><u>AutoVaughn</u></a>, and a Hammer Gel pack was able to test it out this weekend on a 5 mile run.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recreation/run/2010-fairfax.aspx" target="_blank"><img alt="camelbak fairfax" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/TDK3RjQtFSI/AAAAAAAAAQY/aqSpybuAOyw/camelbak113.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="camelbak fairfax" width="275" /></a><i> 2010 Fairfax by CamelBak</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><b><u>Bulkiness</u></b><br />
<br />
Minimalists rejoice! This thing is small enough to not be annoying. It hugs your back and doesn’t protrude like a huge hiking pack. It has a 50 oz reservoir for fluids (that’s about 1.5 liters, for my large population of foreign followers), which is plenty for an hour or two of running. Yet even with it’s small size, you can still store your keys, phone, carb gels, mp3 player, etc. Not just one of those things…all of them at the same time!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/TDK3SPWAonI/AAAAAAAAAQc/LedFw6Mkp14/s1600-h/fairfax17.jpg"><img alt="fairfax1" border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwTUmNNPD-qTIyhEU1bVNebNvNgm2YfIw-6FmdNH_1H4cDZVLA_yZBrCEKhi9iByPAILgCBudABVoQo9CITDUaMcKbSX39nCTj4yJpKrnUzJ0nhyphenhyphenfEShAxCy1GkJm1B2DMUQzhfWeGRQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="fairfax1" width="364" /></a><i> Fairfax in action</i></div><br />
<u><b>Bounciness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB30EzZetUO_W5zS02zppCaSqitbF_SPfDwNS_eOFDRzKIqtPudfiDOBOmUY8hfBUNXZDHYDT-JT86g-uVHZRWgennUyJSZ-3XTypGXwpM0u8rKKwpHD68pd_DqyRHGoICUPgdSwJEac/s1600-h/bodyglide4.jpg"><img align="right" alt="body glide" border="0" height="161" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/TDK3TQISKeI/AAAAAAAAAQo/ifKBGwb9rO4/bodyglide_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 20px 0px 0px;" title="body glide" width="104" /></a></b></u><br />
<br />
While running 5.1 on Sunday, not once did this pack bounce. It was like a baby spider monkey clinging tightly to his mother for dear life. It was <b>great</b>! But being so snug, I could see how chafing could be an issue. I didn’t experience this, but if you do I’m sure it’s nothing Body Glide’s Liquefied Powder couldn’t handle. <i>(That stuff works wonders on your toes as well if you happen to blister easily. Either that or TriSlide, according to <a href="http://chicrunner.com/trislide-review/" target="_blank">Chic Runner</a>.) </i>But since I didn’t experience this, I’d say that’s a plus for the product. A snug fit = awesome.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Heaviness</b></u><br />
<br />
Weight? What weight? It feels like maybe an extra 2-3 pounds…woopty. And if you’re in to resistance training, well you can make believe that 2-3 pounds is a part of your training! This thing is light and pretty much non-existent. A+! CamelBak definitely makes larger packs with more volume and more storage space, but those would be more suitable for hiking or something else. This is their lightest backpack and it works great for running.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Annoyance / Irritation</u></b><br />
<div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Because it’s a snug fit, sweat build-up between the runner’s back and the hydration pack could be annoying. But the meshing on the back side keeps ventilation perfect. Plus your sweat is not absorbed into the meshing so cleaning is a breeeeze. We’ve already covered the non-chafing aspect. The hydration tube doesn’t get in the way when you’re running. If you want it to flop around in front of you, you can let it do that. But there are straps on the shoulder strap that hold it back and out of the way for your bouncing/running pleasure.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4kAz9i5hKeXU9XkOrSjVrjVVcVNuqBoUZgr7muHZCIrXtdJoPH82yUa0G0fuW29Sf9toKt6qhjKhnQCyylGSfS2tokefrDelw8kEYJ02CjfZsBLe1Q2LsurV5sTEytxhgUeQQ5k07VQ/s1600-h/fairfax3%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="fairfax3" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xg0wBk1CJHoSmfAnghWBPjksPP1QE0Tj-atzVmaEuO5b1F03mWRJxqxDBbgFlUjpkdikZuv2qDReW3rZ-s4pAxGYVIBr8-aPgpFhyphenhyphen5WwQVlurzY5MsGcLtWW5jpKC5Sj33xaA7tHWoo/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="fairfax3" width="324" /></a><img alt="fairfax2" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqt5mlpUoq4gaXJqMhmbvVRp64BWdwCSIslXqynNR1SCWzt6GoYMbNPBX4848FT6oveo4gCHaoIV2cBbg2QUqlHpLLS7xivDK7Mv6r-Ve7ZUJGpZztu_BY815kYTLfQvZ_xX-zpzy_tkw/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="fairfax2" width="324" /> <i>CamelBak’s Big Bite Valve</i></div><br />
CamelBak also has this great invention called the Big Bite Valve—a device that has no movable parts so you don’t have to worry about whatever fluid you put in your reservoir leaking, which would definitely be annoying. Because of this sweet valve that only releases the liquid when you bite it, you can drink as much or as little as you want whenever you want. If you want douse your face or spray your back with some refreshingly cool water while you’re running, just squeeze the value with your fingers. To me, this feature is the opposite of irritating. So far, four of four checks.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Price</u></b><br />
<br />
I was able to buy one at REI last week for $48. This is a little more than I’d like to pay, but it’s doable. If the previous four requirements hadn’t been met, I wouldn’t like that I’d paid that much. But considering how great it is and how it makes my summer runs better, I’m happy with the investment. Plus a cold water stream that can be accessed whenever you want? Ahhh, makes me want to find more uses for it…like hiking? Or maybe fill it with beer and use it to bowl? The possibilities are endless...<br />
<br />
<b><u>Conclusion</u></b><br />
<br />
I run maybe 5-6 miles a week in the summer time, a reduction from the norm due to the unspeakable heat. And this includes having to wal<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/TDK3V6aIaAI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/Rgkmzs0pSKY/s1600-h/74temp6.jpg"><img align="left" alt="7-4 temp" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2e4SyFOmTafL6sDXGKhwOHc_0UpDF6AMH5zCVI31aeOztu_MFcfDGYQQepmmo_RSq-DEM23sxAsSj9AGnYvfVN2taji72QPkS6vlH1UgxnWRElgzNiwoqmCFuL_hwkdWdpZY2m0ge7k/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 5px 0px 0px;" title="7-4 temp" width="364" /></a>k sometimes to cool off and fantasize about water. I actually hate running in the summer time and do zero fun runs—I call May through September the “off season.” <b>With this CamelBak though, I love that I can run without having to stop to walk and cool off.</b> Not having to stop is a-okay in my book. Staying hydrated and not feeling like I’m dying in the Mojave Dese<a href="http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recreation/run/2010-annadel.aspx" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="camelbak3" border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z-X7_cKWqw5ozFniwpdfyK46w3ahXOSNFk4DJAbEe2RzUxC2mh8nU04L85W9p65NbumlqcFcs0_aDlzOIv-dq8ZbT8rXnpDkcUYm7ul81dKl1PDefEtYPddjiZnVi6hk00_5c08Uwiw/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 0px 0px;" title="camelbak3" width="248" /></a>rt is a-okay in my book too. <br />
<br />
Sunday’s run was in 90 degree heat with 100% humidity, so if I hadn’t had this puppy strapped to my back I wouldn’t have been able to finish the 5-miler without stopping and possibly passing on to the afterlife. I realize 90 doesn’t sound that hot, but with 100% humidity it feels MUCH hotter than that. Think about August when it’s 100+ <b>WITH</b> humidity! Nuts.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.camelbak.com/camelbak-101/hydration-tips.aspx" target="_blank">tips</a> on the CamelBak website are pretty great too—especially freezing half the reservoir the night before and how to keep water out of the drinking tube so that you always get a cold sip. And don’t worry ladies! CamelBak had you in mind when creating this pack too. The <a href="http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recreation/run/2010-annadel.aspx" target="_blank">Annadel</a> has an S-Curve harness to give you a better fit in the chest area and comes in three colors: pink/graphite, azure blue/graphite, and solid black.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-67517290318276314552010-06-18T18:21:00.000-05:002010-06-18T18:21:44.711-05:00It’s hard to argue when you won’t stop making sense – Volume 4Sooo…I’ve been on a bit of hiatus lately. I know, I know—no one really missed me. It’s okay! I don’t really have a good reason for the lapse in time between posts, so I’ll keep the reasons short and vague: work has become nuts, I recently lost something really amazing I found a couple months ago and haven’t been able to get it back, and…well, those two things are mainly why I’ve been slacking. Will you accept my apology in the form of another round of head-scratching ‘what were they thinking’s? Yeah? Great! Here we go…<br />
<br />
<u><b>Degree Adrenaline Deodorant</b></u><br />
<br />
The English-Dutch <a href="http://www.unilever.com/" target="_blank">Unilever</a> company introduced a new line of Degree deodorants in the past few months; a line calle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nqoa3iL_Tt2HK4Si-tzb7gZjhBBqbeTAsdtqJOC_gXwj1yVM3HutAPV24ki16DxhTIIYjiHPw1BbSCSrq_N16EagA-LFUM_FuaePgNkV1RhJwfMOpcMz9kpXZVbRB1TMMhzEIQ4TnSQ/s1600-h/sport%20defense%5B4%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="sport defense" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4oIbD9MgzQSp-wB7ScED8ly69uPkQkf7VG6Nr-gddM1TZsQHFoyDc2XVonIhZThajIpi0W0tWzzuiKZw-YsrK9AH9J1RBqehdlyeksRe0U436Ep2vgRSaz4MWIayR0bFHiw6mrC65CI/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline; margin: 5px 5px 0px 0px;" title="sport defense" width="132" /></a>d the <a href="http://www.degreemen.com/Men/Products.aspx" target="_blank">Adrenaline Series</a>. Seems like their target market is active/sporty/non-sedentary men…simple enough. Except I don’t get the picture on the label of one in particular. They’ve got <b>Sports Defense</b> with what looks like some sort of sports stadium—maybe a soccer or football?<br />
<br />
Okay cool. I can see the design department coming up with this one. If I’m head of marketing, I’d give this one a thumbs up to proceed with manufacturing. Then you’ve got <b>V12</b> with a speedometer pushing 200 mph. Now this one makes me scratch my head a little bit because why would you name a scent of deodorant after a type of vehicle engine? But I’ll retract my hand from actually scratching <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YYQckgb5nXEuU2lq9lePUX7x4kJHL1PZ27mIev7DhMHybD9dKx0Rt8IgcmeqiMpf9vBAMPw_yvROSRSn2x9nfTU2XusTOAJnIK-2-uEBs6YF7SsndjVFiORNFzw_JVPT1Ck5S_CMLH0/s1600-h/v12%5B4%5D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="v12" border="0" height="274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/TBv9iXLqnLI/AAAAAAAAAPs/80UnBdN3ncc/v12_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline; margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px;" title="v12" width="123" /></a>said head just this once—I’ll let them have this one. I’ll let it slide because if I’m driving a car and pushing 200 mph, then my <i>adrenaline</i> is definitely pumping at full tilt. And I’m probably sweating. And after making this connection, their marketing has worked because I now think the next time I’m speeding I’ll wish I was wearing this stuff to keep me fresh in the pits. So kudos for this one.<br />
<br />
Then comes the weirdo. The one I saw at Target actually stopped me in <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/TBv9i53lxJI/AAAAAAAAAPw/Mr7yCnJ7HPk/s1600-h/adventure%5B4%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="adventure" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsllI6EGBVApq3nodKmk0IKyJKCU6m1XTL9959da_FYuP0oSA2o_rz8ix1nW9LBTEi2fH3OG2SdXtapO7gTWL0OaCz7ruw9LlC-bcZ3AqmbGmaUZphtTG2Eyfktj8N_MwK6Rho3DFaH70/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline; margin: 5px 5px 0px 0px;" title="adventure" width="122" /></a>my tracks, caused me to reverse, and bend down in a crouching position to get a better look at it (similar to a golfer sizing up his putt or a baseball catcher ready to receive the next pitch). Degree’s <b>Adventure</b> scent has a carabiner on it. Huh? Why? Adventure could mean a lot of things. Have a picture on the label of a guy rock climbing on the face of a huge mountain…not just the dude’s carabiner! Or maybe a picture of a guy getting his eyebrows waxed. Now there’s an adventure! One I can’t attest to, but I have friends who I’m sure would say their <i>adrenaline</i> was at elevated levels. It’s like they were restricted to only Clip Art from Microsoft Office 95. Marketing department fail. For laziness. What were they thinking?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Credit Repair Van</b></u><br />
<br />
I was driving through the Galleria area of Houston recently and was stopped at a light when I saw this rickety van in front of me. Shocked, I pulled out my camera phone and snapped a quick picture of the monstrosity.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTtjsmjM5nN-8zo9dfEt3rvwa8-tBZxhmXJo2npVWcntSWtrdsYn18w7hJtqUXQfHSpbHJjDitEMI9e9K4rum1kmBzw3YfFfMZvCplOdQ2GTftG5iEee6jLH6kRsw09SIQE4o-k8yM24/s1600-h/credit%20repair%20van%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="credit repair van" border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkaDJXyIuzP9_Wyyl7oE8hx6JnXFaqtHxEl1EE9RcjALJLa1s2S_gJZJaZa7cvGKGwzBnENfbAf7-zkg0YSv0tmXHXbPQ0CulM4NSrxfMwVjiiFCQeqHzBNwrVQuIM3zZ8VSAQa41frc/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="credit repair van" width="364" /></a><i> hey kid, want to get in my rickety van? I’ve got candy</i></div><br />
Hmm…I realize there are roughly <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-industry-facts-personal-debt-statistics-1276.php" target="_blank">176.8 million Americans</a> with credit cards out there amassing on average $15k worth of debt, but do you really need help from a company who drives rickety yellow vans around? No. Resist this company’s offer to help you out and instead take that money you would’ve paid them for consulting fees and buy a <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a> book. Do it the right way people! Not the rickety-van way.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Huggies Little Movers Jeans Diapers</b></u><br />
<br />
Yeah, you just read that subtitle correctly. Huggies has gone out of it’s way to create an infant version of <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jorts" target="_blank">jorts</a>. Darn them! The jorts phenomenon needs to die a quick, painless death and leave us alone forever.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6bGM8e7NECYlcpMCvNWMbWd4KByF0BNOLTM-1XHGpZbNL2mLg9QhYkTaYHTlVDPAslLO0gZQoIQE-r-zc132rSMwYn-vsiZrMhBFIWXYF1_Te9dQqV6ZM86kh8UDlGW7pjkKwEz3plw/s1600-h/huggies%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="huggies" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgBTGZHQmC3fxe73hL07AI4gHHJPTDvguPL3VwYV-hrFxaTUYaR7ZwEAVzyxoqTs-baz-0pWlFnFbIsSDRrNLKa-hXFZd-2bUJb-TSJ-XY7PLurEsBNO9NGB5BKzh3hMVdTreKwGvNRw/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="huggies" width="364" /></a><i> at least they’re on sale</i></div><br />
It looks like these even have little butt pockets on them as well! Why? What does a 3-month old need to put in his butt pocket? And belt loops. Belt loops. Belt loops? For that sweet <a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-hard-to-argue-when-you-wont-stop.html" target="_blank">leather name belt</a> they have that’s needed to keep their <strike>britches</strike> diaper up. Because let’s face it, we can’t have infant’s bustin a sag. But seriously, who thought it would be “cute” to make denim-looking diapers? What were they thinking?!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Crayon Sports Drink</u></b><br />
<br />
Initial thought: is this targeted at kids who also eat paint chips? Or Elmer’s glue? Or their boogers? Even their we<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAneW372JZMJxlce-XmnCVJ2jO8-KbWeI3isP3OqRrApQ1jW5bCU2nLGUk62tT36fh7RDO5A-624vSFh-qvvGRaIenNQ17uh0lP0U4fe55hZykmT9D-qBkz1qqz3GDC0ghq6b94fGRK0I/s1600-h/crayon%20drink%5B4%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="crayon drink" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4Dxuh4LTSAyuZOB31e3_ySZtWA1uAhPrGXl-hwZy4dsG0R8nAh3asaeBlXNkaz3ldePJ1KXshDMijOO6Oj772O3oh2-GtbChvInfEtE3eOVjDZYFkUYYoBkU3ARPukcnQYLMFlNoEsQ/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline; margin: 5px 5px 0px 0px;" title="crayon drink" width="200" /></a>bsite has an absurdly goofy website address: <a href="http://www.drinkcrayons.com/" target="_blank">drinkcrayons.com</a>. Hmmm…where to start dissecting this one? <br />
<br />
Why would you think as a wax-color-making company that you should diversify your group a bit by jumping into the untapped youth sports drink market? <i>(Yes, I realize a crayon is the actual coloring device and I’m referring to it as if it’s a company, i.e. Crayola.)</i> Either way, this would be like Fisher-Price moving into the animal cookie market. This would confuse all sorts of toddlers—they’ll see a toy goat that goes with their <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=lpproduct&pid=49314" target="_blank">Little People Animalville</a> set and think it’s a cookie! That would be bad news if it happened, people. This is bad news too—only it’s really a product! Kids are going to think it’s safe to eat crayons now since their parents give them crayon drinks.<br />
<br />
I’d like to see how long this ‘youth sports drink’ fad lasts, because I seriously don’t know how this <b>won’t</b> lead to numerous lawsuits before they shut this operation down. Hmmm…Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-18128000299653757592010-06-16T08:34:00.001-05:002010-06-16T11:53:56.263-05:00Rant: Apple iPhoneThis is not a rant about iPhone 4 features. The newest of Apple's mobile gadgetry arsenal is looking good and up to form (well, to Apple's standards), but their notoriously famous marketing scheme just gets old. I understand... you're probably thinking <i>What's wrong with it--why fix (change) something that isn't broken (failing)?</i><br />
<br />
Not that I want one, but why does Apple always make sure there are <b>never</b> enough iPhones available at launch? How about delaying the date some so that manufacturing can produce enough to be available to have a chance at meeting the high demand you know you'll have on pre-orders?<br />
<br />
Quit faking the "Oh look at me! We're selling out day one! Demand is so high on our new product because it's awesome!" act. It's not cute. Or admirable. Or endearing. It makes me lose more and more respect for you each June. Many of us know enough about supply and demand to know that you're going about creating buzz all wrong...the dishonest way.<br />
<br />
Get your act together now for next summer's release and show the world you know what you're doing. Please. And if not for me, at least for all your hundreds of thousands of Apple fanboys who would probably fight to the death in your honor.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-75751477062455112822010-04-22T19:31:00.006-05:002010-06-16T12:03:03.816-05:00It’s hard to argue when you won’t stop making sense – Volume 3I’ve got another round of questionable products and one fact that just rattles the mind for ya! I received my Garmin 405 in the mail Friday while I was on vacation and successfully ran with Garmela (my Garmin’s nickname—more on that later) so I’ll hopefully have a review of it in the near future. It’s looking like a 2- or 3-part segment because I want to give you the scoop on the ordeal I went through to get it as well! Silly eBay…<br />
<br />
<u><b>Shake Weight</b></u><br />
<br />
Has everyone heard of the Shake Weight? Because I’ve been spoiled by DVR, I don’t get to see too many commercials (or in this case infomercials). Also since I’ve moved, I’ve been sans cable! Shocking…I know, but I’ve gotten used to watching minimal TV and I’ve made my peace with leaving 15-20 hours a week of television-watching behind. Anyways—I’d not seen this apparently well-known infomercial for the Shake Weight until my brother and I were sitting at the bar of a Texas Roadhouse. I was floored at what I saw these men doing. The entire concept behind the Shake Weight is completely absurd and I’m honestly appalled this made it through marketing and R&D and passed the CEO of the company’s desk and…so on. We pointed the infomercial out to our bartender and she laughed. “OMG! I know, right?! The first commercial was with women [demonstrating it]!” <br />
<br />
What was this company thinking? What was the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office thinking when they approved this? What was ESPN thinking when they decided <i>Yeah, let’s go ahead and run this advertisement!</i> Do they have no standards? Are they just a glutton for advertising revenue? I realize I’m not entirely normal, but these are the questions that <b>immediately</b> pass through my head when I see this kind of stuff… <br />
<br />
I fully admit this isn’t even new “news”…everyone’s jumped on the parody band wagon for this—<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfWvS6wF5pE" target="_blank">SNL</a>, <a href="http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1918513" target="_blank">College Humor</a>, etc…and others are just <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/charles-barkley-uses-shak_n-544858.html" target="_blank">blogging</a> the hell out of it! But for those of you late to the comedic brilliance known as <a href="https://shakeweight.com/" target="_blank">Shake Weight</a>, here ya go <b><i>(DISCLAIMER: If you’re easily-offended, don’t watch this!)</i></b>:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="505" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xbsSeVr5NSI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xbsSeVr5NSI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object> </div><u><b><br />
</b></u><br />
<u><b>Bimbo Bakeries</b></u><br />
<br />
I know everyone’s heard of this company. I crack up every time I see a delivery truck that just has a big “BIMBO” logo on the back of it…delivering goodies to the nation. I’ve personally never tried their products, because I don’t want to be caught holding something that says Bimbo on it. But did you know this is the largest bakery company in the U.S.? What we see here in the states is the American trading arm of a Mexican company called <a href="http://www.grupobimbo.com.mx/" target="_blank">Grupo Bimbo</a>. Seriously! Group of Bimbos? Wow. At least this isn’t an American company…makes it easier to poke fun at it. Actually no it doesn’t. I’d still make fun of the company if they were domestic! Sadly, they purchased my beloved Mrs. Baird’s Bakeries in 1998 and it was their largest acquisition. I totally didn’t know that until I researched it just now. Yup, I just teared up a bit… But what were these Mexicans thinking? I read elsewhere there’s no Spanish to English conversion for this word so it’s not like it got “<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/01/gazprom-branding-blunder-cmo-network-gazprom.html" target="_blank">lost in translation</a>” like the Chevy Nova (no va = no go) or Nigaz (Gazprom’s JV in Nigeria). Simply put: weirdos.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjjdsn_M7RD2xZWYXf76M_7_-0ar3XaNUCk7I9Tsh5TPGTnXYKuh3Vrbr_1WqMgJsNbDP7idU_s-MrOPm2GN7VAlvbqkyLcAhg0EYyyNmrEgvLy1-Dwhyn8c94z084UKLT9X7BKUfQcc/s1600-h/downloadfile32.jpg"><img alt="delivery truck" border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNqB1s1-wu0ajkJpAPXP9lLZfPnXNIdyw0l_sDMluk03-H-p9rkXhI4QiD_m1VcrIFwMjnqyp-w6RQDcR3qN-p36jhgzMs_o26FEsVdrqnHn3cuGaPg49UmK3dSXcyj82vu8NkBbucP8/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="delivery truck" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
<u><b>Secret Stealth Sound Amplifier</b></u><br />
<br />
On my flight back from MSP airport this past weekend I opened up the skymall magazine, because let’s face it…this puppy is like a flea market—full of <strike>great stuff</strike> junk you never realized you wanted until you actually saw it. To my amazement, I saw what I thought to be a dying piece of technology…the nerdy Bluetooth earpiece on a goofy older gentleman. But no! I was about to flip the page until the <b>bold headline</b> grabbed my attention: <i>Improve your hearing—and enhance your image</i>. hahaha what?!<br />
<br />
A) How is this stealth? Stealth means secret, so it’s redundant to say both, and there’s nothing secret about a foreign object hanging off the side of your noggin. B) It says you can “hear soft voices from 50 feet away.” Creeper! C) Somehow you get a more “youthful appearance” from it…uhh, no. It should say a more “DB” appearance.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cPIV6EMHDljujS_GW4T50mV_es68xZ6wTSwL8oyUMXRh5iQSB0lWgGwKvSAK1m6QczIPZcg5pOv6hYaZqsLPNJKaoX_8RWKKuUTOBpAuvf5fCmTdp6oQ48J1KpB_FS0fa8Ntxes5448/s1600-h/IMG_13248.jpg"><img alt="secret stealth sound amplifier" border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5K_5PxKWLn0NxSvlVc476eAwgs1LGCcnDGGcsQGop1mFuA4HPSBPdi6ySn8HPTDDYQTSLVTN39jGB4ziP9ktaBdarOGujLvBjPooUtafocAxHW4nXCIAuXyr5PGf1yM9fumJfgEIvq0/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="secret stealth sound amplifier" width="274" /></a><i> This guy’s “I’m so cool!” look on his face boggles my mind… Why?!</i></div><br />
A, B, and C people! Seriously! A, B and C. I rest my case. If you decide that my mockery is foolish and want to fall heir to this little bundle of joy, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/the-stealth-secret-sound-amplifier/dp/B0013TT01S" target="_blank">Amazon</a>’s selling it for $30. Or if you want to pay more and possibly get some airline miles out of it, you can go directly to the <a href="http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102593049&pnr=M53&cm_mmc=Shopping-_-Google-_-M53-_-102593049" target="_blank">SkyMall</a> website and grab one for $40.<br />
<u><b><br />
</b></u><br />
<u><b>NPH</b></u><br />
<br />
Yes, NPH. Neil Patrick Harris! The man we all know and love from his early years as Doogie Howser. Currently he’s on the hit CBS show <i><a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/how_i_met_your_mother/" target="_blank">How I Met Your Mother</a></i> (HIMYM, or “him-yem” amongst fans) as a “supporting actor,” but only because there are no leads in the show. There are five main characters that you could either classify as all leads or all supporting roles. He absolutely KILLS it on this show as <a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/how_i_met_your_mother/community/barney_blog/index.php" target="_blank">Barney Stinson</a>—his comedic prowess is unmatched, though many would argue Marshall (played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0781981/" target="_blank">Jason Segel</a>) is just as funny on the show too. I think he’s a very close second to the Barnicle.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/tonyblog/2009/03/watch-out-how-i-met-your-bailout/"><img alt="Neil Patrick Harris & Jason Segel" border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfvYI4iYwPWHAjjnV4UJTmpB3AFH4bg04YImCAeuygv6Bwukdwc7X4AA6hgP0lac_lOX8H-2pVNcL6J87hDezkR77Uklu8jW5pApzw30Zklep3ln0_AGu5vjY7IZHoW1DT02lLZ2goZg/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Neil Patrick Harris & Jason Segel" width="356" /></a><i> Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel</i></div><br />
What doesn’t make sense to me…what makes me tilt my head like a dog in confusion and go “hmmm…why?”…is the fact that he’s never won an award. I don’t count the “people’s choice award” he won in 1990 for Doogie. I’m talking Emmy. I’m talking Golden Globes. Nothing! Sure he’s been nominated many times, which is an honor in itself. But how has he won <b><i><u>nothing</u></i></b>?! I will give him credit two of those years—in 2007 and 2008 he was up against Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold, <i><a href="http://www.hbo.com/entourage/index.html" target="_blank">Entourage</a></i>) and that’s just not fair to have to compete against Ari!<br />
<div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://cribbster.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/kid-looks-at-entourage-theoretical-negotiation/"><img alt="Ari Gold" border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev2wk3XTwZBn00uilBn4-UfwsB5iUGhVk6E2KfxXJZM0sDyl_Lvyy7RStt7r1RYCIinyGFtStmCeYFDaSPN7ZCO7Rv8Ga10wwb4Ec6sgn8R022P5v0GNG4xvambQFNX3KsPTWPJfZrvo/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ari Gold" width="356" /></a><i> Jeremy Piven</i></div><br />
If he wasn’t on HIMYM, I honestly don’t know if I’d watch the show with such fervor. I could easily find something else to do on Monday nights, but no—I set aside 22 minutes to watch my second favorite show on television (behind, of course, <i><a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/lost" target="_blank">Lost</a></i>). NPH’s Barney can bring me to tears with his quips and his never-ending supply of brilliant one-liners. In real life, no one would like this guy. He’s the guy who gets all the girls, brags about how awesome he is, and thinks no one is better at life than him. I’d never allow myself to hang out with someone like that. Yet NPH makes this character lovable. You can’t help but root for Barney in his crazy conquests.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPpU193AF2xVWJp0U7FcJAxRDGky3AlBNMlhE3r0SP0M93oKGkCWWgXYS59Rqoxy1Y_GYPWNivjVz22qjyGb6iVXmU_NWi30FZtePmeFpUA5yJ_OLsE_wU3EESnxJ0szbn0nfQJO-jC0/s1600-h/nph%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDRZ10IvuoSjexu-HPF9RXjQ3vV0v1bkdQHfvg7NPBCYoRS6JmBHf6ZJdHZh-NdFrNzcmuG9eGjEN-JZpRr2cmMytcq7VjvTIWHSYeYelY-wq19AoegU24mZ2g3LR-Bh48tZXfMNDQwI/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" width="244" /></a><i> NPH as Barney Stinson</i></div><br />
To me, that takes talent as an actor. You could compare this <i>(easily)</i> to Michael C. Hall in <i><a href="http://www.sho.com/site/dexter/home.do" target="_blank">Dexter</a></i>. Hall has taken a type of person (serial killer) NO ONE would ever like and made him lovable. You find yourself rooting for the <i>supposed</i> bad guy to be able to get away and not be caught. What?! We’re not supposed to cheer for the bad guy…we’re not supposed to cheer for the cocky, arrogant guy…but if you’re a good enough actor, you can pull the audience in and make them love you. Has MCH ever won anything for his great acting? Yes! A Golden Globe! A SAG! But no, nothing for NPH. It’s a shame really.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_tw9B8YgF6N5hCYch9Xo4q1Vz5tZJ3EjuxKXpRDK3TiMECT0bt3tNnk6A7MMIECpFqcZH9UXwMEGER4Gjc3_tP_u0hOdcSsfd_4rvRuTVdI7I90zxh9ytutrEE2dxCxTBnEBwCGJX1Y/s1600/Dexter-MichaelHall++_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_tw9B8YgF6N5hCYch9Xo4q1Vz5tZJ3EjuxKXpRDK3TiMECT0bt3tNnk6A7MMIECpFqcZH9UXwMEGER4Gjc3_tP_u0hOdcSsfd_4rvRuTVdI7I90zxh9ytutrEE2dxCxTBnEBwCGJX1Y/s320/Dexter-MichaelHall++_orig.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Michael C Hall as Dexter Morgan</i></div><br />
I could probably write a novel on this guy (<i>because he’s that great) </i>but I won’t. I will, however, give you a rundown of his bio and career. He’s a 36 years old gay man who’s been in the industry for 22 years. His first big success was with<i> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096569/" target="_blank">Doogie Howser, M.D.</a>,</i> where he filmed 97 episodes from 1989-1993. <i><b>Everyone</b></i> remembers the theme music and the opening sequence with him sitting at the old school PC typing away as a teenage medical doctor.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mrERtikdPus&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mrERtikdPus&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div><br />
He’s been in tons of one-time performance roles in television and had small-time roles in B- and C-grade movies. But never the lead in a major motion picture. Then in 2004, <i>Harold & Kumar</i> went to White Castle and picked NPH up along the way. The next year, HIMYM’s pilot was picked up and a star was re-born (to date, he’s been in 110 episodes; his longest-running series). Since his non-rewarded success on the show, he’s done two voice-over roles each for both Family Guy and Robot Chicken. Last year he was the voice of Steve the Monkey in the animated flick <i>Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs</i>. In the summer of 2011, you’ll hear his voice in the lead role of Johan in the highly-anticipated <i>Smurfs</i> movie! Ok, maybe I’m the only one anticipating it!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="505" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M7bK3w9Mw6w&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M7bK3w9Mw6w&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object> </div><br />
This year he’s staring in <i><a href="http://www.beastlythemovie.com/" target="_blank">Beastly</a></i>, a modern day take on Beauty and the Beast, and the indie film <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1438251/" target="_blank">The Best and the Brightest</a></i>. NPH is the lead in this indie film and if it can garner enough success it has the potential to go from limited release <i>(like most indies)</i> to full release, like last summer’s <i>(500) Days of Summer</i>. This would give NPH the best opportunity for having a huge leading role in a movie, something that has eluded him in his acting career.<br />
<br />
Either way, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense that he’s never been rewarded for his acting ability. I think we need to start some sort of petition…who’s with me?Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-63908344234102833952010-04-19T23:20:00.001-05:002010-04-19T23:22:32.817-05:00New latitude PR: Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota (Pt 2)Saturday was incredibly beautiful day <i>numero tres</i>. The weather alone slapped a smile on my face each morning we walked out of Matt’s apartment. Usually I take the lead on vacations and plan all the fun stuff and sight-seeing. I don’t mind and usually the others (aka, my brother) appreciate the idea of not having to think…otherwise known as “a vacation.” Gasp!!!!?!?!? Was all the air just sucked out of the room? Yes. Most of the time I don’t get to rest and come back from vacations more tired than when I left!<br />
<br />
In St. Paul, I was actually getting into the groove of this whole ‘letting go’ thing. Because his place is in such a great location, we could literally walk to almost anything we wanted or needed. We walked down to a nearby bus stop to catch a route that would take us to the brand new Target Field where the Twins play. Matt had gotten us tickets to see them play game two of their weekend series with the Royals as an early birthday gift.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6595DxbCA2CHiKM8k8G363FyHVBf4ekndnscZPcP19Vt0-UMpVP4I4oNqdk6BKfznwwKEoBPliQ1GaYU5U30n7r2S9NmEJ0VO3SNiVE90Pf6QyI0n-qTbp6oTNTT22UsQzVhJDe_sGA/s1600-h/IMG_1267%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="Target Field" border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlya914dH-4SAKX4j0yJMhekYuYZEEWWmNejEjCptUfIAC-IxeiTGb_NF3hOGHcxd2-mM9AAr06afvQ0vaIXrj3shr0lmvRskh9HGsvT3iyO4T_6Y50uhmUJzb5z652yeYLvkyEx_hJg/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Target Field" width="274" /></a><i> Target Field, Minneapolis</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Our seats were great—halfway up and right behind home plate! The way the stadium was built, it somehow blocked any and all wind to where it felt like the cloudless sky was baking you as if you were laying on the beach in a tropical location. It was actually scorching in 50-something degree weather! <i>(Matt would argue the “scorching” part, but I think it’s just because he’s become Minnesota-ized and welcomes the unseasonably warm weather!)</i>.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S80qB8tNrkI/AAAAAAAAAM0/IaKrL2PlIHs/s1600-h/IMG_1271%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1271" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8w_GnxMTChLsk0BVf7KHnEedS3z6E5BMAL4VxigVKDuw-7JK695r0QMQuFz6aqssZPHn4ayTAhnXHkHZA1Q8wwUZBdRduz0Bw6qvNu0ftVDbG7DEXPzI0ikK7DIGcKRTnZutfOQG874/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1271" width="356" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD2iDUExHxjsfVyjmz-2zvh233tzlFoHKgrjNXagQSn0VlC8fUHYmiNEVbjlDTWjiu8DxvhDo_loPhzO0gP-fm3o298hhQIKbqao0UqSs5AO-JbUIbUWRWZlXUnqZg_kDJAcaUnMzYtI/s1600-h/IMG_1270%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1270" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H1PkcR2HYWYUydUC9pXLqCNaltzo1wQBUORTcvwB0sbMl6AbZOa8kaTejveSMyWH01F8LmTQfd5I2vZ5z-P7XslvJU7htCjpKLfY95Lidnwc029nlEMLLAOIdcCVkh5eiWG6Ut8CuMk/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1270" width="356" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb38sbK6Ie4cwWl1CzwcXmjHX06_WnR0xd-67q0VsHOTi_Pb1GTkmU35B-4GV0YgrUQYIPq1ziuSqRD9k1V_N9yfK-48DhOOaH5qbOXiLg0BmciYjmL3HcsTRJpo2d1aGTXEthBm5pm0/s1600-h/IMG_1273%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="brat" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S80qEsmzQBI/AAAAAAAAANI/raoi_WOz4Zg/IMG_1273_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="brat" width="274" /></a><i> A Minnesota bratwurst</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>The screen in left-center was huuuuuge! Crystal clear HD…I think I even saw some angels floating above it playing heavenly music on harps to let us know how worshipful this piece of electronic art was. As the game progressed though, the <strike>sun rotated in the sky</strike> earth rotated enough to where the stadium’s upper-deck “roof” blocked the sun so that we could be in the cool shade. Matt convinced me to get a brat (see picture) and at this point I questioned whether I was letting this new mindset go too far. I mean look at that picture…I just tossed my cookies looking at it. But I manned up and tried it anyways and it was great! Could’ve been grilled a few minutes longer, but otherwise it was tasty. The Twins were able to pull a win out by the hair on their chinny-chin chin by striking out the final batter with the tying run on third in the ninth! It was a fun one to watch for sure and great to experience the Twins first Saturday game in their new, state-of-the-art ballpark.<br />
<br />
After a head-scratching few hours of trying to figure out how to get home via public transit, we decided to take the light rail to the end of it’s line—the <a href="http://www.mallofamerica.com/" target="_blank">Mall of America</a>! If any of you have ever taken a ride on Houston’s MetroRail, you know exactly how Minneapolis’ rail system works. It’s not elevated, so it has to stop at all stop lights, which means it can’t get up to high speeds and is therefore not too efficient. Matt and I wondered if they were in a rush to get construction completed in time for opening day of Target Field, much like Houston was in a rush to get their rail “system” done in time for the 2004 Super Bowl they hosted. You would think the most logical way to do a rail system is an elevated or subterranean one to bypass traffic and stop lights, but both cities have theirs on street level…which has to be a quicker, cheaper way to implement the system. Oh well—Matt and I enjoyed the ride anyways. He and I are both the same in that if mass transit is great enough, we’re taking it to avoid driving!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloy3PJeBbsmAGZ_FmluBj6p9OHrRtdBKUXuJR0SHiX0GbEdvrEEXryWzLAT_c07BVNorOW3My7HTBIqdBlm1CC9wzDZfwc_bn-6j6XR5Rl0dGv6j8VTgA65TPXW3YsL83wM2JditD-tM/s1600-h/IMG_1281%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1281" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUx3F49gugstx3LiwDMpS89tg8CU8RL-UnFx7bIphWmXtEbv360mv1iHk-f_l8ngc_mUiH0Y_Ttf_csw_TPctzN04_TFUlyHb6Kphhh1HExah5WWy5NSS5GQTxJf0XBUhAGdbrpSu3sO4/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1281" width="356" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUi5vKF-Hef2F_YM_1oKQuEW2V0FIlCn5YRE0R46Tk3Jv7DNTYv6ff7m7Y1ku5cuBmB25Zp6hsb3S3Mzwxt5yPUVUdnmheMmNvE9LupCR94AxqBA12BPOjeEOiJBbV8ufj2dVLhxJfW0/s1600-h/IMG_1282%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1282" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8Z2dArO2W39zzsFeFvUKNI49BgSKQOkv5292YtTIB25SkssO0NnRcIYkGHFkIiKwlD9aZ1dz0OS35R-fVTPqkFpRqVgCDKdT0v3aTx17FcG6Ko73xuXx_1LmQaHFLmxi4eMrWEStJzQ/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1282" width="356" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFfRtloxKjFLQ_e80YXl3BSkP8hu-PED9b_CVJdgKJT0rlAZvOOdXK1WIJiYFiAXA32mY-DrnyuXRONvXmDMTlg2swDeJnttm_tezFP3tewroVQB99-XuPDjrLkTjKe0F_DPDOIpJUzM/s1600-h/IMG_1283%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1283" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6fVxRSeG8lbnR0cfGkBuv4SczWyzxzRBrhDI33p9HmWbMIxoV3BNKUXKNbFnueFkHFt92bIXaShcRd8RwCsntETXMBZt_y1392_OgEs-Xx0qiOnZMYLRdt_DP7fFWZ2DtCFWDlyKzoQ/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1283" width="356" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZCcSonFj2LF0Y-HiCRxIIG_iY_3FiIBxfiY59Lj_PhVxo4xh-kdoit87GkC0bNAL8hQ2wd12YeuzUF7PLU0J3ouIBR6uSCYDPjvXj_o0o_7CXgC3HauQRD80DR0nfZiRRjdpNx5FiGI/s1600-h/IMG_1284%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1284" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S2mW3X9-dby55ZNDmEQd5bW9zxC-QSbnByPvAUSr3O_AwewO3AEVPHAuKrXvbqhQCEt4sMhr4DQVwska6IR79uEJvF77yrBVf9mTLQiGnhr1IiWFyGKjkht4hJ2qogKqn3ncTiVuiEE/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1284" width="356" /></a><i> Mall of America, Minneapolis</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Now I know what you’re thinking. <i>What the hell, David. It’s a mall.</i> Well, so what. We visited it and I took some pictures and so it gets a little blurb in my post! If we hadn’t visited it, everyone back home would’ve asked me some variation or form of “Did you visit the Mall of America?!” Now that we’re collectively over the issue of potential lameness, I can proceed. The Mall of America is just what you would expect—massive!<br />
<br />
The core of it is an atrium-covered theme park for those wintry months where it’s just too damn cold to be outside. It looked super fun and if we’d had more time, I would have tried to ride something! The outer shell of the MOA is three stories of retail store after store after store! Just about anything you’d want to find could be found here. Matt said that some of the larger chains even had two locations here! Nuts. We didn’t stay long because we had plans for the night over near the University of Minnesota’s campus. Awesome plans involving imaginary performances—an Air Guitar competition!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUSizfQm5zKFNQAluf7_GBXly6G262EY0q7pwAAopewmI-EWtafQB0OV0UmdW0O4ApNpZK4I2WfPJYkpilHSKbWsC7yBZB9XE9kpk6DW_EtRXmBV2PRvkCZQZNvvARJFrqJrziCArH6k/s1600-h/IMG_1285%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="US Air Guitar Regionals" border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QY5oC03avBYY6zhlNtow_eq1SmF9rNo-74qmg0RevJwBpKhXZG_86vTuCwF-bVP2siAULCZu_u78Shxx_T0ZvWiPLNyCiKdAdBd-5XeE6bNkqiKPq8xjegynwviy4FE8yZEfZDYwjdY/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="US Air Guitar Regionals" width="274" /></a><i> Varsity Theater, Minneapolis</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>We arrived back in Minneapolis around 9 Saturday night for the Minneapolis Regional <a href="http://www.usairguitar.com/" target="_blank">Air Guitar Championships</a>. Yes, Air Guitar! Some of the contestants were a little stage-shy, but still had a ton of guts for getting up on stage and making fools of themselves. Others were just great! With reckless abandon and a lack of inhibitions, a few of the contestants totally shredded their performance.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9pTwwQalmCwZt368OfIJPIQyfD_vsB6Q_UA9RhaE7BdGSrikee0R2nal1Q-rKBddeDBN0rPX4Zim_0EYAfK-lXe53yd23T600_-284T4zMPqfZaWayJ1Cc5D9B34VXgyAcDXay-9nOs/s1600-h/IMG_1287%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1287" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpUNzq49l9ig_D_4luYuuey4vduW6OUU1_iVURu2sC6PiXgIyn_buH7pcVE8_dZtnFGUrMWHsu0zJNPPe2nfUAFfEhQfnPC3vy5w-KDPJlN6s8oZAsXjuGxNeqcYtyrXsvEcEBttZqEI/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1287" width="356" /></a><i> The host showing us how it’s done</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>It was as if they were a rock star in another life! The energy they channeled strumming away at an imaginary instrument was incredible…definitely worth the price of admission.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9314754e-abf8-4812-bff1-45547eb075fa" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div id="a3eb9f26-e565-4799-a665-85b59c968850" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvoKoNCZMFs" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a3eb9f26-e565-4799-a665-85b59c968850'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/kvoKoNCZMFs&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/kvoKoNCZMFs&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvVROxyz31Csz5SMBmWsEH6hKQ4XwhaFEiUEJUmLL8RMwQ6XHC6awIm-VI6aqjoyKGLtw6hhfIQF6R5RQhlpPDmy93hDr1ufH03d-pXb6L8ubZcqR_df1jCyhUPPtSvzVInKvaFM55GM/?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div></div><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:6255b12c-4627-4a47-a672-c78afca1e60a" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div id="fc2d591d-7f1c-40aa-9229-e910d5c90335" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR8TquVwrKs" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('fc2d591d-7f1c-40aa-9229-e910d5c90335'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hR8TquVwrKs&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/hR8TquVwrKs&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBeIhsthqEuq3h7EHxK4SFnoqr34a7ku2Mr0R-pjPNhnDCNMHTQRP5MtoieMYpkcCgPfHCDcwL1Qql47K96_Gcyj8zxEFaP7ciwP41rNQ3rXKLBKyw0hBvqCONpGJMM5JHaPLYg8FAY0/?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div></div><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:84c48b7e-d0da-4708-b05c-b0e89ddc2ee5" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div id="343e8de1-b89b-4c87-8851-a57991dc3845" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtX66moqPsU" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('343e8de1-b89b-4c87-8851-a57991dc3845'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/jtX66moqPsU&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/jtX66moqPsU&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6s6ST1N-3rDiOFQQdo2A9MxwZP88e4XE8Z_fB6XZtcdjfOgi-k3NL0VCxnOT5jMYNYe5_K0pVgbdb6YDdM4HMNnpJ57fR0U4rLb2b2_PD8Fwl_h_YUyskQLCvIQ-tGa6QKxrv8CW92E/?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div></div><br />
<br />
Sunday morning we both slept in pretty late and eventually made it to <a href="http://www.apieceofcakebakery.net/index2.htm" target="_blank">Bon Vie</a> for a fashionably late breakfast (brunch?)…again over on Selby. I had the Bon Vie Scrambler with eggs and sausage, some potatoes and cheddar cheese…and scallions! I can’t forget the kick-a side of fruit I ordered as well. Mmmm… I wish I’d taken a picture of it!<br />
<br />
Matt and I chit-chatted over many cups of coffee about life and love and careers and hopes and etc. Like little old ladies. (<i>I swear I’m ruining all manly credibility with this single post alone!)</i> We only see each other once, maybe twice, a year now so those heart-to-hearts are inevitable each time we visit. I know, I know… <i>“When did this become a sappy blog? We want running stories!” </i><br />
<br />
Afterwards we finally made it down the street to see the <a href="http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/" target="_blank">Cathedral of St. Paul</a>. Every time we made it over to Selby Avenue you could see the top of the Cathedral tower over everything around it so naturally I wanted to get a better look!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K_BtL1CDTl22XWeQx2vwtwWiEeUkvO3nudtRiGd0IiOoYN4uoY_asdFuvipKPvwViQ2aNsz3mtuY8GstqBSpBmYE4nCzPktKkWTF9UhqUNJqBcX7HLqBxaiQxjg2DQRNfJqfqugfu_A/s1600-h/IMG_1317%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1317" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija8iq-OsFKxd1_UxNRfscs60I-oDQvgTjVa_hnECn3ZSTYGAEepDxHy-gEnxr0N4cePisEkvkPA27vsBvsILT_LB8GY9qXdY9k_jSYAblf9YIzHp4A2pNJ9RQ61OJZ83BEc7O0boVuxw/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1317" width="356" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1xAoLZJY3EHo31nm0fquDhXYpbKh5LVvrxbz2d27F9V4GYd3ukLZYtSl3DduvY5n7D4V7C336k5IRjVQfPL3GJuY1Vf0XV-5HqQc2GgdmlRjlUyTXQpxG6gYCTbRJWr4vlCgYYfd_cg/s1600-h/IMG_1320%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1320" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrakX_jUogSspzxGvxEO6uc8HzAuVzWHp5x-101CkiOklGcAyl4_EZOnOD8GAB5yk0LylLLKtk8S6gOyCvwl2Apz8B2qkO3omEZ-a2tFnXUSCdKXScE5YFfEWxMQJ8sr-dxtBXllmEGmg/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1320" width="356" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_sQ-rCjQZ2Ob88tgQFn3hGqTNgwC3z6OjoqOEvyTXujF_gJc-xPzMVP6F6g3I_wI1AEeDsYzQTNZv4cj_ntcZ8bPLC7pL0IGAWcKSEnigB-YiLLSRafCrWC9B96eBSbTD1J-v8EFAyo/s1600-h/IMG_1313%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1313" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_COnQ0aj_mzTvyGRlAwiNNwuWf39EuQTFqfzlvuJHLZocL7ovejRWAmB5TwpatiMSAs7x9tvdnVFkVqhd482ywglIavAMZEG456Ff9Or1mLTCbL0PqQGxf0vJwTYCf9xJWV4DXZoscSQ/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1313" width="356" /></a><i> Cathedral of St Paul, St Paul</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>This puppy was huuuuuge! Truly breath-taking art. You couldn’t help but be in awe and speechless. The detail and precision… Something huge inhabited this space and it definitely wasn’t of this world. It put the jumbo-tron at Target Field on a back-of-the-bus seat in terms of classifying “heavenly.” Even if you’re not Catholic or religious, when in St Paul this cathedral is a definite must-see. You would think it’s rightful home were in Europe or Washington D.C. Nope. It’s in Minnesota!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDmpoOCFuXnSWaP713CdKqjmWKamDxx540cHkwOnlqOUtAFO-aLYSzJhgY19ugw98YIL7Xr80HwDqeYoZR6Ss3sYGBHEh0qHbtjYtnCPsKumKvtELQ0goF-LvEMJXpqqlcOfWTwJBVEA/s1600-h/IMG_1307%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1307" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S80qQ3JhwbI/AAAAAAAAAOk/9XDhsHn8f3Y/IMG_1307_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_1307" width="184" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid26JRBR4AntHzvDYiK_qUHR9k5BGhlJqEXQVxmLwxybWnNXnYI8uQiG1VepKaXNq1tPXNOTS_4ycJG5W9NgjnuqYHjG9j9ACKFyz5AJdt2aYYcL36-V_Cr-pZO_a2ye04EUheTNdFZPc/s1600-h/IMG_1304%5B6%5D.jpg"> <img alt="IMG_1304" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonczso4i8aHH1ggrI0pbuttDXqmBO0CTf02lI5pg_yOLAiI9j1SHL-LvtzRbuJ8tM3te5HQI5QYwN2OBD4PTpnC0ljI8BSkbFiWnV00XxIzV_ixYP_Iem04hquZgBqxVq5bGqahjV0EE/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_1304" width="184" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT89EY270RypcpFGDQW8nJDzcMywgpf6VJd5BCd7F1G2FdfbgVrC3g_qzGToZvIgsL6VbSFr9pLiADMyStpSw7UNZOpYTxoUw4Zxin3T3X0EIijhqsQ5rRUmwKWCc2WJuCMT3CAHgSIA/s1600-h/IMG_1312%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1312" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCh7Oe3UrljutA8NOI3f0vNPsHinQCMV4b3KSh27_FkSkGMEZwEdEJsgL6yL9IlSICPxy6WFcUfGa8YWg4nM9eLQShfbvmOjbJSRNpAA0NFk26oVRT8C24VlbAQoOHsQHqAbnM5C5NEE/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_1312" width="184" /></a> <br />
<br />
I’m writing this on the plane trip back, in my little crop-duster Embraer RJ-something Continental flight, sitting next to a divorced lady named Phyllis who is heading back home from having visited her grandchildren in Minnesota. Phyllis grew up in California, married and moved to Minnesota to have kids, then moved to Colorado after the kids had grown, and then moved to Arizona to be closer to other family. How fun to have lived in such great states where outdoor activities are a huge part and way of life! And such extremes—California to Minnesota and ending up in Arizona?!<br />
<br />
She said that she had no regrets in life even though it didn’t work out the way she expected it to when she was younger. I smiled and told her that’s what <b>I want</b>: no regrets and to make the most of things even when they don’t necessarily go my way. She smiled in a very appreciative and grandmotherly way and gave me one last piece of advice before we got off the plane: <i>sprinkle lots of friends and a big family across the country so that you can always have an excuse to visit beautiful places… like Minnesota! </i>I kinda like that idea…Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-47219922649398279862010-04-19T00:41:00.000-05:002010-04-19T00:41:48.525-05:00New latitude PR: Minneapolis/St Paul, MinnesotaI made my yearly spring trip to visit my oldest best friend this past weekend in St. Paul, MN. The mini-vacation was definitely needed as my job has intensified a bit over the past 2 months after my recent promotion. The ball-and-chain has transitioned from a work-horse position to a think-tank type position where my ideas and solutions are more in need than actual workload. Sounds more mentally stimulating, right? In a way, it is…but my workload has not diminished any to offset the new responsibilities and it feels a bit like I’m being required to fulfill two desks.<br />
<br />
I like challenges<i> (don’t get me wrong; I know I can do this)</i> but I know this is part of the job transition where I work longer hours, workout less, eat less-healthier, and generally my health just takes the brunt of the punishment. Some of you might think: “but David…I don’t notice any changes in you at all!” Maybe. But I can definitely tell when I’m wearing thin and I can see where the extra 3-5 pounds are padding my frame in what I like to call the ‘inner tube’ region…the area around your waistline where little kids “wear” their kiddy tubes in the summer at the pool. So the 4 day trip to Minnesota was perfect for me. Maybe not the best time at work, but definitely the best time for me. I think I’ll be able to return to work this week and kick some butt!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFlyrUZNvfiJbVYXccI_2nzAN4pUfqtwBOXYASEc-E8VDrzu-jkS9YM7tqiVWEx_IX0e2X-IoLDEULpaBUXPBRDk7rRobhHyMu64bx48P5t6sBfgKm3T5pehKLDm9Rn70RHKjRnD6BGo/s1600-h/Snapshot_20100415%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="waiting at IAH" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC6rkJVDpMkYoa1-oXyqQIBYQgvbxjWyJE1fiG2r0BQLAgI0f-XPrtOdTNhf_n59tp19DIyszlCArnPsocO04g2Z5wy98vKsJdcxDlISGezDqpTGd5znOTDCdugNJbQ6MFBDTO021t38/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="waiting at IAH" width="356" /></a><i> Waiting at Bush Intercontinental for my flight</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>I arrived Thursday afternoon and met my buddy Matt and his girlfriend Heidi, a native of Minnesota. They’re the cute, get-a-room, lovey-dovey couple that you either love <i>(when you’re in love or happy)</i> or hate <i>(when you’re single or unhappy)</i> to see. Thankfully I’m at a great point in my life to where I could fall into the former category and not the latter so it was refreshing to see my great friend happily in love. You always want the best for those you love and meeting Heidi and seeing them together Thursday set me up for a happy, stress-free weekend.<br />
<br />
Our first stop was <a href="http://thehappygnome.com/" target="_blank">The Happy Gnome</a> on Selby Avenue in St. Paul—a few blocks west of the famous St. Paul Cathedral<i> (more on this historic cathedral in my next post)</i>. The Happy Gnome calls itself a gastropub (look it up) and had amazing food with a spectacular bar accompanied by plenty of wine and rare beer choices. I had the Mixed Green Salad with candied walnuts <i>(mmmmm!)</i> and cider-nutmeg vinaigrette and a small entree of Four Cheese Gnocchi paired with my Great Divide Samuai. Delicious! I will not sit here and tell you that I purposely ordered a blonde ale to enrich the flavors of my gnocchi (or whatever) because I don’t even know how to do that, nor will I try to be a poser on my blog! haha I just ordered a blonde ale because I was craving one on The Happy Gnome’s patio this beautiful Thursday evening. And their service was great too! <i>(I’m not sure about you, but to me it looks like the gnome on their sign is an UNhappy gnome—does it not look like he hung himself?!)</i><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://thehappygnome.com/"><img alt="happy gnome" border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYY8UMYOVFMNUyweiE7ZahnBx1h54UwKWTky3mKY81yARv67JQ7YzwNYvPCceb6EJDsv1onZZP8RpkTro1qc8Bvefp5pHwsozt85M6cHbLve8ezoQE7-4zNHbf_zoxzfw8BBxZRbhb0M/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="happy gnome" width="356" /></a><i>The Happy Gnome, St Paul</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Afterwards we made our way back to Grand Avenue where Matt lives and found a bakery called <a href="http://www.cafelatte.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Latte</a> for some coffee and dessert. I always have a hard time passing on dessert choices so of course I got the most richest dessert they had—a slice of flourless super dense chocolate cake! We had great conversation mixed with a little ribbing over Texas and Minnesota accents and dialect. Words we made fun of were “sauna” and “hammock”. Minnesotans pronounce it more like when a kid gets hurt and says “oww!” So think “soww-nah”… Weird, right? Heidi claimed it was her ancestry who invented the sauna so they should get the pronunciation rights! haha With “hammock”…she said they pronounce it “ham-MOCK” with the emphasis on the second syllable. Super funny to hear! All of their “o” and “u” words sound cute too—hearing women say “no” or “know” this weekend cracked me up. <i>(Think of the accent of the principal’s secretary in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.)</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RdIBN_hf4DQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RdIBN_hf4DQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> </div><br />
Friday was beautiful. Clear skies and temperatures in the 50s meant I was running in the morning for sure! I coaxed Matt into tagging along and we sandwiched an easy-paced (yet challenging) 5 miler around a classic pancakes-eggs-sausage-hash browns breakfast at <a href="http://www.daybyday.com/">Day by Day Cafe</a>. We sat out on patios whenever we could over the weekend because the weather was soo nice! I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend to visit, especially considering how garbage the weather was back home in Houston.<br />
<br />
We had no plans for the remainder of the day so we just meandered through Grand Avenue and Selby Avenue, stopping in to random coffee shops (like <a href="http://www.cafelatte.com/bread_chocolate.html" target="_blank">Bread & Chocolate</a>!) for something sweet to nibble on with our mochas and hot teas. We even made a stop into a potential place of employment for Matt to check out the digs…a little <a href="http://www.lagrollastpaul.com/">Italian place</a> on Selby that looked fancy but not too fancy. It was small enough to be manageable (for a server) but had the potential to make some good money on busy nights. We ordered the Capesante to tide us over until dinner, which as their website says is: <i>Mexican Diver Sea Scallops wrapped in angel hair, lightly deep fried, lobster sauce, basil oil.</i> Mmmm…creepy looking, yet sooo good!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquB_D6Fr5W2XZ99F8_brYgHkUr1elvZedcwzHrCEoMHpMDZCGJliwvghOfBH4jaYXEsJkAJSZkYPmxL1flIrO8ImlWlKaMEbaBAxQxbOfO0R8aD5P-8R65ZFoKPFOo5xU1cqZwPZnDbQ/s1600-h/IMG_1266%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Capesante" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChao6_Ivms2IqD6FzadWsKkIJsJhi3xYQhTIo4KKo7-lvp3TINKfzaMiFgCOJGL2i-U14cHcNVLp-iEOPqIopBm41k3VyT2IbVrl1-QoYeEY_D7syMYwwLFRkjz_ka-FfCtFPDdx_y9w/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Capesante" width="356" /></a><i> Capesante at La Grolla, St Paul</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>It was great to relax and not rush anywhere…not worry about anything. Ahhh…a real vacation for once. I left all the plans up to Matt and I just relaxed and went with the flow—something I don’t normally get to do on vacations! We ended up at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/nook-st-paul" target="_blank">The Nook</a> that night, a tiny dive bar across the street from where the famous and highly-beloved Twins catcher <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Mauer" target="_blank">Joe Mauer</a> went to <a href="http://www.cretin-derhamhall.org/" target="_blank">high school in St. Paul</a>. This place had the best, most unhealthy, greasy burger! I got the Juicy burger <i>(though I ordered something else)</i> which is stuffed with American cheese and dripping with juices. Hence the name.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0yJkAlGVh5mZi_iPjEWySNeheR09LYAtuBumI2kPmJ42yG6GFKVmwAhCaQMHaeFPj1ERBoFRIBA0_aVacx0Um-ehSrLAd2xXOrMy8KEzMEK3FeZvSUs-7NC4XEWLYIC6bD3hn9-ghMM/s1600-h/nook%20burger%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="nook burger" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88Wd5HrQG14KPMImDU-ylnaNw5_DXYKEgjgxn55FuF46ixop4LeGxRilyNhm0PiQ9Me2h7kFywD9TiyR6bNR7hXbRxxrqwMqd0Eb4fJcTUvon4vT4s5Y6T47SQLqQTPGHK045uSCIOuk/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="nook burger" width="356" /></a><i> The Paul Molitor burger at The Nook, St Paul</i></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>It was so messy that I needed silverware to eat it civilly…but I didn’t have any, so I just ate it super fast and licked my hands clean to fully ensure I sped up the rate at which I’ll have a heart attack. The sweet potato fries that I ordered with it were more like dessert than a burger’s side item as they were covered in cinnamon sugar! Very tasty meal overall…and the best part--$4.50 Strongbows! If you’ve ever ordered this hard cider in Texas, you know you can’t order one for less than $7 in a bar or restaurant! As Borat would say: “Very nice.”<br />
<br />
The rest of my weekend getaway to come in Part 2! Also--I received my (hopefully) last Garmin 405 Friday so hopefully I can get it working and a review for you up soon!Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-30169045777965691742010-04-09T00:15:00.001-05:002010-04-09T00:39:51.683-05:00Time is on my sideThe Stones had it right. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I’ve been wanting to write about my newest acquisition—the Garmin Forerunner 405. But… well, I’ll keep waiting until the story finally unfolds. It’ll have to be a two- or three-parter as well, because it’s taking <strong>forever</strong> to make it’s way into my possession. It’s winding journey is so time-consuming that it (among a million other things) is wearing me down and making me feel like taking a mental health day. “Patience…” I keep telling myself. It’ll all work out the way it’s supposed to!<br />
<br />
What I <em>will</em> talk about tonight is the <a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/products/sportband" target="_blank">Nike+ Sportband</a> that I got last summer when they released their newer colors. It’s a great device if you’re just getting started running or aren’t as serious about time and mileage like some of the hardcore Garmin runners are. Don’t get me wrong—once you get the Sportband calibrated, the mileage/pace/calorie count are pretty accurate! I say it’s great for entry-runners because of the price. $60 will get you on the trails in a great, lightweight product that will give you a pretty decent estimate of your mileage and pace. <em>(As opposed to the $150-$370 <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142" target="_blank">Garmin's</a>!)</em><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/products/sportband" target="_blank"><img alt="sportband" border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLO0bXvMnkBkL1FVFSq6IstxvS62i58I1M5yczTvG9jjWBtT5gmUZUtp01anIwLXD4Os-p-d_a0RvElsNQ2bQzvNGmvL42b88oeYyjCgWlWjMJRWVsEQhCXcqYZObIz0KyDr8j6FMj-I/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="sportband" width="356" /></a><em> Yellow/grey Nike+ Sportband</em></div><br />
Other colors available are white/pink, grey/powder blue, and black/red. The watch has two simple buttons so the learning curve is maybe 30 seconds. The display shows the time when not being used to keep track of your run. When you want to record your run, you hold the button shown above (to the right of the display) for three seconds to activate the sensor you placed in your shoe. The watch will flash “WALK” to let you know to scratch your butt. No—to walk! Duh. Once the Sportband and sensor are in synch, you simply push the button one more time and it begins recording. Easy peasy japanesey. To end the run, hold down the button for three seconds again. BAM! You’ve just recorded your first run. There’s more stuff you can learn about the watch <a href="http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/utility/v1/en_US/help.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
A few suggestions… I wouldn’t start the recording until after you get into your comfortable stride. If you start it before you take off, your Nike graph will show a slow pace to begin with and you don’t want that! Same with your finish—stop the recording before you actually stop running. Also, if you need to stop in the middle of your run for red lights or to help an elderly woman in distress cross the street or whatever, just press the button once and it will pause your recording. Your current mileage will flash on the display until you press the button once more to un-pause the recording and resume your run. Lastly, you do NOT have to own a pair of Nike+ shoes in order to use this device. You can get whatever shoes you want and then buy a ‘shoe pocket’ at your local running store. They typically cost between $8-12…not bad at all. I got a $10 <a href="http://www.nathansports.com/our-products/reflectiveled/essential-accessories" target="_blank">Nathan’s Sensor Pocket</a> at my local Luke’s Locker. <br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju2BBAjf3uAcyHlFYHcScN7lbAzvvhaSAZlwul8nVEnlx7ZSkltYVymK8uug3h-ZwdJ6SayoyYyc2gNYDjxRvrjBTkgK8K4Pu3jzJW8nSjVvEurZF5Dxh46ttuyuUn6SC9dpLt_SWyg0/s1600-h/2010-03-23%2018.16.44%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="Nathan's Sensor Pocket on Asis Gel Cumulus" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S7617yX7TkI/AAAAAAAAALQ/iF--MpVqqI4/2010-03-23%2018.16.44_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Nathan's Sensor Pocket on Asis Gel Cumulus" width="356" /></a><em> Nike+ Sensor in Nathan’s Sensor Pocket attached to Asics</em></div><br />
Some of the things it shows during your run are mileage, pace, time, and calories. Here are some pictures I took last month:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoiCofc03y9r2T7vx6Rg9AUB2vRZwahGzHWWBnvpRD217esaBkjBeArkZmLhbfV0sGXwDGC6DYZhtCZ8ERxmemhzKRz0HBy7ugzY9Xul0gK_Px713sXFFMoL6y6Jul7eIk0nVGoM2WyU/s1600-h/mileage%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="mileage" border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIidXMHxROxLPd41rOK1naeGO18l_EzbWfCUfNUiI34XEiPOlREqvbdOCfYOhL0DkiE8c4j2UDxfhIheloYhOtHGhJCskYb0dgAvXAnbXhbfrry3tSv9FfjBw7Z5Qt78E07dSmvn6gBEw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="mileage" width="356" /></a><em> Mileage</em></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbNm5qg_JvqL0JDfNkvlnsJRg5LEJ96FENCpdlWy7dGbFi4KT3y5gez7xcyH90wrRMFI3cMucu5znX0Ke_Mg9IOEnKu59d9Jg5pMvDYwg1gvggTUDAJRZtYPSl1yVao8IbUXTThYwQpg/s1600-h/pace%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="pace" border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi128HHUhTk4SlEjuwtVxZbyxbS06Eocmzsq4_G1_6QCyradcRHCH4ujOE1S3XFde1GyV4M05yCBEL0V4fEqPek7YxX6OiK2_sn8fRFcpLMdSyYt8J0MMv8yihl_Kowjfz1f_WZC38xZJo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="pace" width="356" /></a><em> Pace</em></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3J9zbFee7RPeHH6GWALp63r8YpM_6d-ce9IPpxygZvsNhlOrpkfxJHBoP94j19GGbTfpqB-_Fl4j-3JZGoUUhxbuH7U0EwulIeHa7-g9-hY_2c21iblitTYRRtoF_LlXQ6Ho75xexZA/s1600-h/length%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="length" border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFK0TOTNpPIgODTHVRkW4-tY10g8eDe0DtFeRWNKx6tmXMiw8bN6NJVAKUghgVcxZfTMFwx0JILNv5nMfQyK5rJTgV8BUGwNC4kN3EBlEkjPhI8N9o1KArhMl_O8mS3RCrkPGfxM9x_w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="length" width="356" /></a><em> Time of run</em></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3R0CpA8XWhyphenhyphenjVutzztUV0XwBUetnTNX38fA0kaiF0K4oXVzT4PUwyrn7nQ4jEXMg8BNY4_PWep5CMwBTmX7fGsy-7S9HD7dzKmJSxUMQvI5t7DeTytANYySmId3iKFza6TpxR3F9WDdw/s1600-h/calories%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="calories" border="0" height="151" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S761_X2BZNI/AAAAAAAAALw/HTuK8S_cm3g/calories_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="calories" width="356" /></a><em> Calories burned</em></div><br />
The clock looks like this:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pweMlfcChRgWYaIujZUmpndd8jy91MDRniUcZKEczoTg_B76u5XRoridyxXkEw7nU-sGHEoL8RPVcZPSw6MctapFFbhtK-Vz1U0cnQm9iXpgCED-H-9PcvIQdNH7Znt_NrUkME8-wmA/s1600-h/time%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="clock" border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88skgl5k6rrn2jXZ1wa377QjkEfqFQ-yu6D62ByBcSfCKjCNee0o4iR3qTb7ySJvGHjM5f6o0D3h4-NC7IXRZjLGozubylErDlGRXlL-5amkaQmfScfAEabYmhxq9UgYkEniQPlWxBO0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="clock" width="356" /></a><em> Clock</em></div><br />
It even shows total mileage recording on the watch, as well as weekly mileage:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5LeyblrGbNfz9pGrLswh9lrQg5WNDg8c5jiqgWusbHw27jNc8liY6q8yGPuKmlN2T0nYyO9PwHN4W889VqbWDw6mGGGH4sgJeQ0GDIN_g_zijQ4uYj2NGvV3TfRy7uVx8kpw3Kun7Lk/s1600-h/total%20mileage%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="total mileage" border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3e4o3_GXQ8jnuXnWY1_pj-T2yT1G3pZjhG1-d-t8UMuNConYs-n1uJwwzzdgyajC8WiojCWLDgn6rHN06ZuaUd816jcmDQ2rX2Dw0eZUDBdUoWWH-glFsYKMmPk-qYlfRE6Y-NHvUU3E/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="total mileage" width="356" /></a><em> Total Mileage</em></div><br />
Now as to why I’m leaving this product behind? Well…I guess as you progress in your training and your pace changes, you have to re-calibrate…and then you get a little stronger and faster,then recalibrate. The recordings were always within 0.1 miles, but that can affect an accurate pace calculation. I didn’t calibrate mine for a while and I thought I was running 8:15 to 8:30 minute miles. Then in January I run the Houston halfsie and I finish with a 7:49 pace! What? How did I improve 20-40 seconds? I didn’t. Not overnight at least. It was my watch needing to be recalibrated.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCyKIRRYiWbIILDYDvxFI3tNydVDFE3NIYdv1mkpJut_uaNUHCOSJS40ra-AxNrzBzNFtjMGbo8as46NaRGE6lvU2zzWviWCBrBZdik3hbqRaZ8RSLHoW5ZuBfcxgEF5YjaKwJwOb5vw/s1600-h/halfsie%5B9%5D.jpg"><img alt="halfsie" border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnN3whM5mXHpnDDSo7_IC8Hkq3XvrfkvWBXSKogKrzm0-VjC2XVXTA8uvuqdFrYiFCG6rYLpq1tVcEnUsYMpsyWfmuO_bYRwccV_WHI_MVUy0o2fb8UI_V8hudEQZyHaNoH6abjQTfu2Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="halfsie" width="356" /></a><em> 2010 Aramco Houston Half Marathon</em></div><br />
Did I realize it back then? Maybe. Was I too lazy to dedicate one evening to run a set mileage at a track so that I could properly recalibrate? Yes. I workout every evening I can. I don’t want to waste an evening doing this every time I feel like I’ve grown better, faster, stronger.<br />
<br />
So I run the <a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/03/luck-of-scottish.html" target="_blank">Rodeo Run 10k</a> the next month and set a new PR (personal record) with a 7:28/mile pace. Que? I was shocked! I didn’t even feel like I’d done all that awesome. I felt like I’d taken care of business—what I wanted to, but not 60 seconds faster pace than normal on this notoriously dangerous course…<br />
<br />
Then in March, I attempted my first 5k in years at the <a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/03/jokers-running-for-strokers.html" target="_blank">Stride 4 Stroke</a> event. I pulled a 6:46/mile pace out of my posterior for <strong>another</strong> new PR! How was I deviating so much from my normal pace? I wasn’t. After this run I soon realized I was a 7:15-7:30 minute miler now. So I tried recalibrating my Sportband, but I think I messed it up. I thought I’d run 10.01 miles on Good Friday, but turns out it was only 9.61 (which was a stupid idea btw, because I hadn’t run that long of a distance in a while…and so I got a few blood blisters on the old dogs).<br />
<br />
So I decided after constantly seeing <a href="http://joerunfordom.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Joe’s</a> Garmin 405, I wanted to try to find one on eBay <em>(to save some money…I’ve still got financial goals this summer, ya know!)</em> I see Danica’s “<a href="http://chicrunner.com/this-garmin-review-is-sponsered-by-the-number-cinco/" target="_blank">Claude</a>” (305) but it looks too bulky for me, even though it’s more in my price range. I want something that can double as a watch as well and the 405 does that for me. It will give me a better distance and pace, which is something I’m looking forward to being able to track with more accuracy. Once I get it (again/back/etc.) I’ll post a sweet review!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.statesman.com/cap10k/" target="_blank"><img alt="cap10k" border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBcSLKyetxmZbmF9nmW7ZJdlCIjNxt91pCB1Ye3xBzB67nP_UcKRfT7WeaPY_e5W2R3ozdlNPFlEAK9F2seZertV4qr7gQUsgchCuq3wYPTYAbcG0XnuCYCBhV6Z0wTlqwqBkAiJwp8M/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="cap10k" width="356" /></a><em> Cap10k runners crossing the Congress Avenue bridge</em></div><br />
No more posts for me until next week when I write about the <a href="http://www.statesman.com/cap10k/" target="_blank">Cap10k</a> this weekend I’m running with my <a href="http://bradleyparks.wordpress.com/">brother</a>! It’s the largest 10k in the state <em>(and fifth largest in our great nation)</em>, with more than 18,000 participants. EIGHTEEN THOUSAND! Makes for a fun weekend in the ATX. Hopefully I’ll have some great pictures to show. Wish us luck for some great weather!Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-59271143191483731822010-04-02T23:47:00.003-05:002010-04-03T00:00:37.762-05:00It’s hard to argue when you won’t stop making sense – Volume 2I’ve got a couple more hmmmmmm…’s for ya. I see these next few signs on my trips to see friends and family and it confirms why so many people think Texans are weird. Well, because we just are! And we like it! Because after all…Texas is the greatest state in the nation! The U.S. had to <em><strong>beg</strong></em> us to join their little gang of rebellious, tricorne-toting hoodlums. And because of this greatness, we get to fly our state flag at the same height as the U.S. flag…and we can be weird and get away with it! <em>(The following can all be found on Hwy. 290 between Houston and Austin.)</em><br />
<div></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fC-rSZAlEHLQcyxXESQqT8KPONCiMropGxSAVGjBNfgjhX-GWSyJ1vB3dTKucFCGP3TB5KcFfsMVwbB6va7DkArAcw07LeRFpKfP1YnOfBoNDHLlsPQl71ebsqY8bMp6cM5qXr9RZHU/s1600-h/2010-03-14%2017.30.40%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Donut Shop AND Seafood Kitchen?" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWRq-DlZoVb-M9BdC7_YYfM4AyiiecsczCoDQuaLqNZSYNnDuqs8BlN7lPyZqJBDA2M1ot4Uihzv6BhBeKkC5iKeBuQOXNvHAGX1b4OzFg2nKNGNWJuXY3T6t09D-J9sOFHOPFhHOo5U/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Donut Shop AND Seafood Kitchen?" width="356" /></a><em> Giddings, Texas</em></div><br />
This restaurant (?) thankfully is no longer open. I guess people realized when their morning bearclaw always tasted more like crawfish than raisins, they decided to pass. But could you imagine the possibilities around 11 a.m.! That time right in between breakfast and lunch? You and your workmates go out and you walk into this place for lunch… You’ve got options! Donuts on the left? Or seafood on the right? Hmmm…I wonder if they take requests: fried alligator fried in the apple fritter batter! Mmmm…<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvvMDj-A12kJdN9UFpGcyuE5e29VUY-nBrEDhHTO2GhVYadrnGTTdICkm0yYCyYSWzt72Nkl6Ggavz5hNepeCFECeFGuqhTORz2IROvn28KJ7kKgDF6ph7wTQ-PLHByB9RJSDuPJHNCs/s1600-h/2010-03-14%2018.08.30%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="Lamar sign" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S7bH26B1arI/AAAAAAAAAK4/my4NkWzQIyg/2010-03-14%2018.08.30_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lamar sign" width="356" /></a><em> Brenham, Texas</em></div><br />
Lamar should give a raise to the marketing/sales genius who came up with this sign found just west of Brenham. I mean seriously…how do you con a model into posing for a sign that says in huge letters <strong>“I am SO available”</strong>? Does she have no pride? No sense of self-worth? Or was she duped into it like Joey was duped into the VD ad on this episode of Friends (classic first season episode 9):<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iULTDFlcorI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iULTDFlcorI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
Hmmm…<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFec44NdUJMdajd02vaq_mhzhgDuUzOei0Kw2Lo7vgVfbq7dnXe4urmx3clknDX1zlTj2zAMDZ_B6ERiQLAm21muoFzVcpoWe-ivz1wDiFD91Pa2Cq2XDDsLFz_vr6JVR07EdU5NvZFk/s1600-h/2010-03-14%2017.38.18%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Beaver Believer" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S7bH3rnRggI/AAAAAAAAALE/CKJJQ3jtDg4/2010-03-14%2017.38.18_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Beaver Believer" width="356" /></a><em> Giddings, Texas</em></div><br />
Here’s another gem out of Giddings. Everyone loves Buc-ee’s, right? But why? Is it their extensive selection of homemade beef jerky? The fact that they carry that special Dr Pepper? Hmmm… Actually it’s because we like to believe in long-lost, mythical creatures who wore red ball caps once known as beavers. What? Did they really need to go that direction? If you’re like me, you’re wondering if this was really necessary. Either way you respond to the huge billboard—highly inappropriate use of advertising space or strong store pride—you beaver believe Texans love their Buc-ees! Ha! Get it? Beaver! Instead of better?! I crack myself up…<br />
<br />
I was able to run a 9.6-miler today around lunchtime and felt great, even though I thought I had run a 10-mile route…more on that issue on a future post once I GET MY GARMIN! I really fell into my groove around mile four and just trucked along in the ridiculously warm weather. I’m gonna die when summer gets here. Honestly. Or else be forced to find an area of the world where it’s not illegal to run without clothing.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-66119947438305069612010-03-29T00:12:00.002-05:002010-03-29T00:46:05.690-05:00It’s hard to argue when you won’t stop making sense – Volume 1Sometimes I over-analyze things. Sometimes I’m just left with a misunderstanding. Sometimes it leaves me thinking, “What. Were. They. Thinking?” This is the first of a mini-series of completely random things that make me go “hmmm…” in no particular ranking or order.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Nike</u></b><br />
<br />
One of the most famous companies in the world got their start making soles for shoes with a waffle iron. That company started out as Blue Ribbon Sports, but then changed to an oddly-pronounced “Nike.” Why is it pronounced ni-KEE? So weird. Nike is actually the Greek goddess of victory…kinda awesome I think. So in the end, Nike (the shoe/clothing company) had no say in how it was pronounced or spelled! Blame it on the ancestry of those that inhabit the debt-ridden peninsula in Europe.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WhF7dQl4Ico&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WhF7dQl4Ico&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div><div align="center"><i><span style="font-size: small;">this video has nothing </span>to do with my rant, I just love it</i></div><u><b><span style="font-size: small;">Octopi have </span>what?</b></u><br />
<br />
So a while back I read an article about octopi and how marine biologists are still studying them for all sorts of reasons. I would’ve figured they’d moved on to something more interesting, like figuring out how to make huge tanks more affordable for the average consumer so I can own a sweet family of octopi. The scientists discovery? These guys <a href="http://www.popsci.com/article/2006-04/octopus-elbows" target="_blank">have elbows</a>. What. The year before, UC-Berkeley students recorded a Indonesian <a href="http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/03/24_octopus.shtml" target="_blank">octopus</a> that could run! What. That’s awesome! But really? Let’s get some cancer knocked out first and then we can put your scientific minds back to discovering something else useless.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Kings of Leon’s “Soft”</u></b><br />
<br />
The talented but polarizing brothers from Nashville have a song on their 2005 release <i>Aha Shake Heartbreak</i> called “Soft” that’s an eyebrow raiser. The chorus is so blatantly obvious that you can’t help but laugh like a teenage boy when you listen to the song. <i>(Warning: do not click this </i><a href="http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858519294/" target="_blank"><i>link</i></a><i> to the lyrics if you’re easily offended!)</i> Sure—lots of bands write sexually explicit songs, but the father of these guys is a Pentecostal preacher! Awkward… What would drive Caleb to do this? What are his evangelistic dad’s thoughts? Talk about a rebellious preacher’s child!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=10&p=4909&more=1&c=1" target="_blank"><img alt="Kings of Leon" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnvKsY0nl2wpZxMmg4OKnSJrie4hsI0avAyIRRHV0-t5sFW4sAAn35qwXMd9KVZ1pXckyI2Ypdb-DXOhBhBqckm8e51XADvepynTv3T9_hIRcE2nWVDFAbO0cMJyMUmgPIy_hGMXxiEc/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Kings of Leon" width="356" /></a> <br />
<b><u>Leather name belts</u></b><br />
<br />
This needs no further explanation. Every time I see these belts I crack up. What goes through these guys heads when they buy these custom-designed belts? <i>“Yeah, that them there looks like ah mighty fine tooled belt! Wait, let me get ‘er to slap a ‘Bubba’ on there too! Hope they can have it done by tonight so I can </i><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=git%20er%20done" target="_blank"><i>git ‘er done</i></a><i> at </i><a href="http://www.billybobstexas.com/" target="_blank"><i>Billy Bob’s</i></a><i>!”</i> Why? This one really just hurts my brain to think about…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j9ToGWu6DL1mPTgzZCwymhYH8aD6HXRefRihIPcsTVd299Man2Q7RG2rLqILRfKT-6Edleft4fwNRnT4HVamFA0ypMAtyZHI4QNsRzRPV3Qk73wxs0V12md4RfALMswOAM3lKpw49cI/s1600-h/bubba%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="leather name belt" border="0" height="234" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S7A155SJRII/AAAAAAAAAKo/f_E4f3vG7Js/bubba_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="leather name belt" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
…more <i>hmmm’s</i> to come soon! <br />
<br />
So my running has been slacking lately. I think I only got in 8 miles last week leading up to <a href="http://www.mdanderson.org/how-you-can-help/community-events/scope-run/index.html" target="_blank">Saturday’s 5k</a> in the Texas Medical Center area with the lovely and multi-talented Ashley (of <a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/03/jokers-running-for-strokers.html">NICU to the Rescue</a> fame). We rocked a pretty decent pace, doing our part to fight colon cancer! They had a six-foot tall colon play-tube that you could run through and touch polyps and other colonic issues! So freakin’ awesome! <i>(Small tangent: Speaking of colonics, you guys should watch </i><a href="http://www.hbo.com/bored-to-death/index.html" target="_blank"><i>Bored to Death</i></a><i> on HBO with </i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005403/" target="_blank"><i>Jason Schwartzman</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0302108/" target="_blank"><i>Zach Galifianakis</i></a><i>, and </i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001101/" target="_blank"><i>Ted Danson</i></a><i>! For some reason, the guys love to talk about (and get) colonics…hilariously dry-humor type stuff, but hilarious nonetheless!)</i> I ran a nice-and-easy 5-miler this evening after the horribly-officiated Duke-Baylor game. The weather was beautiful, but I’d much rather run in cooler temperatures! Guess I’ve got to get up a little earlier now to hit the trails or move to colder climate!Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-40161953071478850652010-03-25T00:29:00.003-05:002010-03-25T00:34:19.675-05:00SXSW Day 3Saturday we woke up and it was cold. Not OMG it’s snowing cold, but colder temperatures mixed with 25-35 mph winds. The early morning rain had brought in a pesky cold front. We made our way downtown a little before lunch time and had Cain & Abel’s again. Then we ended up at the Austin Convention Center to see Flatstock, a flea-market style exhibition where concert poster artists get together and sell their work.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioewlgfm-FzIrkfGV00eZD1ETkfWQSXAOrj74whX2kWklBg0BPhH_zE5852BsXNHSoPSKcZI2UgLBGcghLqOpIDEiRSq8oGYY9baNfQJ4h2A-ye8EqHzMN939Q1JZzHxCVB5pwz9OBSnM/s1600-h/IMG_11894.jpg"><img alt="flatstock" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iOgSprzawWEUKkrwssKAQRRXrDgjuUCzDqfO33ax0ayKz0Rr55LV_j2NMOTazoCHfrKa9ptQPhpiLEi-gXEjuT4qZJGEn8TI4wMI_nSae7SaioUFuK1K8DrcjibPaHzw2C77EzVNyX0/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="flatstock" width="356" /></a> <br />
Each year, the American Poster Institute throws together two exhibitions. Austin’s SXSW event gets the spring event and Seattle’s <a href="http://www.bumbershoot.org/" target="_blank">Bumbershoot</a> gets the fall. With there only being two main events each year, it’s definitely an honor for Austin to host.<br />
<br />
My brother has always raved about how great the artwork is at this event, so I was excited to join him this year in a quest to find another beautifully rare concert poster—preferably from a performance we’d been to! We said hi to his friend <a href="http://clintprints.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Clint</a>, who had just sold a piece to Val Kilmer not 15 minutes before we showed up <i>(Yes, SXSW brings in tons of movie stars, not just people from the music industry! Good ol’ Texas boy Matthew McConaughey was seen around town quite a bit too. Hell, Brad even saw Joey Fatone </i><a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/03/sxsw-day-1.html" target="_blank"><i>Thursday</i></a><i> night just walking around 6th street.)</i><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://clintprints.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/flatstock-24-recap/" target="_blank"><img alt="Clint with Val Kilmer" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S6rz-ReaDpI/AAAAAAAAAI4/L9OYa4wWHVw/val6.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Clint with Val Kilmer" width="356" /></a> <i>Clint with Val Kilmer</i></div>Brad was able to find a pretty sweet non-concert poster at the <a href="http://tinymediaempire.com/?page_id=6" target="_blank">Daniel Danger</a> booth, which was over-flowing with eager customers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ1V9j3s1vPF1ZV4IQGuJRGRkXnakLCLFON4W0PhX4vkS41yprmG_cgonQrcB68NotYSU_O5DtUxBXdisRfFc6s0chtAGZ8LFK-b38op3XybMyJe8jluXlMuXzlVhqk2_q2YcPiJ0F5Y/s1600-h/IMG_11904.jpg"><img alt="daniel danger booth" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqYvv11K52nPJBn_ivePLhq0_Y0rgbWUTaNwU_ymSYkqxJ2zMHekgslYq2AtuoEZh6DcSD_-aVAXHXMsL_UtJ6Zmf8XF-rzh_CPbZ7uifyUQ7cMB9ycEeGDlTO0xW-F-XDkE1zoWt5qU/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="daniel danger booth" width="356" /></a> <br />
He got one of the famous Driskoll Hotel in Austin at nighttime with a body floating lifelessly over it in the sky. Pretty creepy, but definitely awesome work.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrY-xq_Q7qk1jIcP75-6Rrte1MFD9DPprJC9WZMGkhwPOrpWb8vL-bmPZKw8fn3dIm4yjNRkJ7iTkW2cL1CWXD91PJ-zpqwJroSqs1tzmgbmkrUiNABTNlWpFyD6weLIHBxeWJknE4xQ/s1600-h/driskoll6.jpg"><img alt="driskoll" border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn7QyoDkjA-B0oZ4pqLivwbJwk7Q6U8lqP5s_uj8OVRTWwS3GBJ5C-geZEDNrz7uxrmKMJPlrRMiJa7Lbz90Q3VtEkuLpNzUFpswl4cgd4i_awcgKc_eqkGtrmSnDFw62-UiF8i0LsYk/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="driskoll" width="258" /></a> <br />
Afterwards we walked south half a dozen blocks to the American Apparel tent sale where items were advertised as “85% OFF!” I don’t exactly pull off the American Apparel look too well, but we wanted to see what was there anyway.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sxsw.com/node/4703" target="_blank"><img alt="american apparel tent" border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7PJLdSXEclebPnJL0LPwUCajJfil2snYjG96vzLIt21jFovc3wbNx-SFQqfssk8bw4yB9nE6KjoSFUH-M_k7rS-OHjbrwcAcvGeA2bgr2AI_hSuR_-woCdGGNQsJwr26ahp_5TLFXsc/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="american apparel tent" width="334" /></a> <br />
The place was a madhouse. Narrow walkways split clothing rack after clothing rack. The floors were mud-soaked broken-down cardboard boxes, placed on the ground to create a make-shift floor to “protect” people from the mud. There wasn’t anything good, so we didn’t stick around long before heading back.<br />
<br />
Later we made our way to Auditorium Shores so that Brad could get as close as he’ll ever be able to get to his dream girl, Zooey Deschanel.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDpiAufJqk6nJd8X8BN3ekqWWKNQBQFSxvwXf49ZExZOhnZJZk7nXabBwlZVSNwAVy6YHs_ddk_OMzrq8a4PZm3grlejo3z_1Q_dHeKu3bGA73VGV-WZyLJXkj1-DQMBRBsc4XucNunU/s1600-h/ashores4.jpg"><img alt="Auditorium Shores" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitleyflXhEXs0LheW6O82jf3dSjTw7bAKdox54v5GW6HeQu07PfM37gMzbqBmD3KXarM-gMonl_spCq-gJTTp7mC7prk4ITyl6lXk6efgwa6F-OaZbxGeEnAPyga9NOMqrAPY9ghpsIxY/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Auditorium Shores" width="356" /></a> <br />
As you can see in the map, the venue is <b><i>right off </i></b>of Town Lake. <i>(Non-locals: please know that Town Lake is not actually a lake, but a portion of the Colorado River that flows through the city. I guess because it’s so wide through downtown, the water flow seems slower, giving the appearance of a lake? Honestly, I dunno why. Go resurrect Paul Harvey for the rest of the story.)</i> With temperatures hovering over the 40-degree mark and 25-35 mph winds gusting, being right off the water amplified everything. It was miserable! I figured the cute little actress would have no part in this. I mean, she was probably doing the show for free. And she’s hot. Hot chicks don’t do this kind of insanity, right?<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3ABWumeq14fAw4NfdHLDLoasp5-gMDHC8cwHlV5Icj8sUhzAn8xR4Ifo22ACDEzqrzCejMhWxuNn38eeVDOeKMVa-JFMM9z7AmLiCJ64n5ASTI65Ofemnh2lH9xOj_DZI4CEJ_l8hTQ/s1600-h/IMG_11944.jpg"><img alt="terrible picture, i know" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S6r0Cfaqs1I/AAAAAAAAAJc/IjUUBKWwbf8/IMG_1194_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="terrible picture, i know" width="356" /></a> <i>Auditorium Shores</i></div>I kid. Headliners sometimes get paid a bit, but the supporting acts are paid in SXSW <a href="http://sxsw.com/attend" target="_blank">badges</a>—typically worth anywhere from $600-$750 apiece, depending on when you buy them. The badges have the band member’s (or purchaser’s) name on them so you can’t resell them. Badges get you access to just about every music venue (or maybe all of them?) for free, plus a whole slew of other perks. You also get to enter a different “VIP” line instead of waiting in line with people wanting to get in without badges. These lines are usually shorter and can get you into the venue much quicker. Miike Snow’s <a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/03/sxsw-day-2.html" target="_blank">Friday</a> performance would’ve been a lot easier to get into if we’d had one of these wrapped around our neck.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S6r0CyEeubI/AAAAAAAAAJg/iVumWTBoCBw/s1600-h/badge%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="SXSW badge" border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimH0w16Jes13tT6HfTOwdiCpa_K37E86FopfPbZWwlPNn1eKIQIkaunuUVQLOmQtPdmWcvDr7wfv2B-a7x0zln7CxrhKdM7kPyWH-Z1fryk9_TOHskF2JabBV4seeOkZCcMssyhWgJlc/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="SXSW badge" width="356" /></a> <br />
So Zooey eventually came out, an hour and 20 minutes later than their originally scheduled time slot, all bundled up with a red hat covering most of her face. After some sound board fiascos during the first song, they eventually started sounding like a real band. <b>She & Him</b> was definitely a teenage girl draw. Many of the girls surrounding us knew all the words to their songs, while the guys around us were our age and would shout stuff like “WHY ARE YOU SO BEAUTIFUL?!” and “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” in between tunes.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzihias5AqUZxuLTYzLXchrmy26bDI0oq_SXGwXNrYC7p9iHIkdLzLFk92SvX3Bsdi1bR0Rv2gIr9FJ4UF3AY5LuLXaFHCmUNPJ8vFyFiTTN-TG_U-3rlQ_AfV1Juz2wPh_sWwAAzSyA/s1600-h/zooey4.jpg"><img alt="zooey deschanel" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S6r0D-worzI/AAAAAAAAAJs/KS0-AV4iFyI/zooey_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="zooey deschanel" width="356" /></a> <i>Zooey Deschanel, of She & Him, at Auditorium Shores</i></div>After I couldn’t feel my toes<i> (or the rest of my feet, for that matter)</i> any longer from the freezing temperatures, we decided to make our way over to The Belmont to see this “Indiana Jane” group play. I have to note that earlier in the day we’d done our research as to who was playing that night and we didn’t see an “Indiana Jane.” We did, however, see a Beth Jean in the line-up for 11. Hmm. Maybe that’s what she said…Beth Jean is kinda close to Indiana Jane. So I pulled up Beth Jean’s <a href="http://www.myspace.com/bethjean" target="_blank">website</a>, which is currently her myspace page. Hmm. This lady doesn’t look like the one I met last night at Chuggin Monkey. Maybe the one I met is in her band?<br />
<br />
Immediately after showing up at The Belmont, Brad and I both recognize a lonely blonde in the corner as Beth Jean. I strike up a conversation with her <i>(shocking, right?)</i> and eventually find out that it’s singer-songwriter night (score!) and that they’re all just playing by themselves. We move a little closer to the stage and I recognize the girl from the night before sitting opposite us. I walk up and clumsily discover her name is <a href="http://www.leeannajames.com/" target="_blank">Lee Anna James</a>! Lee Anna James…Indiana Jane…close enough, yeah? Cut me some slack! It was <b><u>really</u></b> loud during AutoVaughn’s performance the night before!<br />
<br />
As nice and sweet as Beth Jean was, she wasn’t up for socializing too much and so when Lee Anna asked if Brad and I wanted to head over to another venue to meet some of her friends we were on it! Lucky Lounge is where we ended up—we met her friend Casey who the night before had introduced me to Lee Anna.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhIPoJ5vxIA-SSg_lYUwIwLOB7CuuXAzc4hrOl0kkMsAcA0vU4n_J-abR_4pSYlYHETDC3dHqwB0yEs7kOCL7GO9Pu2evFpeu8_RXLaBgGBzkQKLfRuHjoKm4zI2LtTB68R9CWGRRCTU/s1600-h/IMG_12014.jpg"><img alt="Lee Anna James and Casey" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm9NJDobtOkkWZb5ZbEcIsE48aRa8uWsMX4vbxD5AnF3oftn5u_rjY-bRGbl5mcmqWiQR_F3dzx-d60YH6mZEuKYIFrQnUmfl1R4Bm9ts7orsJ2Ho9fnrRHNTFe1WlNWDhpm-sVhyphenhyphenBn4/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lee Anna James and Casey" width="356" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJtHS_3SJy_8BCfIRDQrIqgHO6qv285SXGr5lkyym8ou-E71XI-lMg5iEx3ebGEdGugrpmw6jev9auL5kd2OxVddog4ZjhZvooUYvKgrZWEBwqqRuEHj8sIstpORZy9NRW0FHSpC0yV8/s1600-h/IMG_12004.jpg"><img alt="@ Lucky Lounge" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjW41U5qSs9RqBNM1dbYIBhW900fkVotVFzQUjSjEy48QrhOpZ081WCn1mFgm2mfLIiqbX5ReBZldVr8XGHppdSiWdGu8CL8SLOfjumW9lVn14qIzbWQIqZQd14VsC7iuO7zDhTCOqY8/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="@ Lucky Lounge" width="356" /></a><i>with Lee Anna James</i></div>After a quick drink, we made our way back over to The Belmont to see the Wisconsin girl perform a handful of songs. <i>(For those of you who will ask, no this is not a color-accented photograph! These really were the colors of the walls and Beth Jean’s jacket and stockings and the lights shining on her.)</i><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6mrWW2WnGin8dpXVCoXopYWyj7kamepbhNylLcW3XaTayfPX_haIjMG9ZUxgxyUS0YEU-dwX-AtRSPfLONmeGRz_wkdpYc883lG5Tu4db6ciTvjE54Z466KYR6XQhP7XA_gQo3p_we4/s1600-h/IMG_1206%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Beth Jean" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpaIfN8N8vSsGzlT4NlVyYZoeVzzEa6bSubuwMyFOJB8B-IF6Xt6cG0NxuUM7lxbuuQ8lyvHbFHUe93xbmqKIWzif8WY1nUTKEN0mtIG2BJIaXqSyC4j8dcVN5-3LeN2PychdKfVBMss/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Beth Jean" width="356" /></a><i> Beth Jean at The Belmont</i></div>After she played, we did the math and discovered that with all the performances pushed back, Lee Anna’s performance was probably going to be right at closing if not altogether cut. It had been a long day of drinking, so we left after Beth Jean. But not without seeing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Morello" target="_blank">Tom Morello</a> of <b>Rage Against the Machine</b> fame!!! He was sitting in the back at a private booth with a woman chatting it up while a bouncer stood guard in front of their table. Nuts. Nuts I tell you! He had played the night before at The Belmont with his group <a href="http://www.streetsweepersocialclub.com/" target="_blank">Street Sweeper Social Club</a>! <i>(Brad and I saw this on a banner somewhere, but figured it would be way too crowded to try to get in and see them.) </i>I pulled a ‘Nashville’ and left him alone, instead of getting a picture with him like I wanted!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlyM8OZQrr7GRCZvBHU6PSOgiJftdLfUQmfv0K4Y9k2jxN1bENQPKSJLZoZw0V2qjwSU3eh5m2w5e-ezQDtHjj1Rssxukg1qtKgYHw3ZFjDuzwPEQoq3dOyIdZI7ObQfZY_HyKhJcrc4/s1600-h/tom%20m%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="tom morello" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y4s0OHil9hLHJRhKQmVGSGKRnAgYk0Uua2kxmt-PZL5q6BN_UyIXbn6ryoskLKW6FJolpAqWjCyi8uHuPw0B-HvFdZYxxNbAGT2Z0rwcmaArfZLNh2jAitvOJLTjSIDihZ9ikzTUOz4/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="tom morello" width="244" /></a><i> Tom Morello</i></div>To clarify what I mean by a ‘Nashville,’ just about every time I’ve been to Nashville (aka Nashvegas, aka the ‘ville) I’ve seen someone famous…either of music or television or film or sport fame. And I always think “These guys don’t want to be bothered by fans wanting to take pictures…I’ll just play it cool like it’s no big deal I’m hanging out with ______ and then they’ll think I’m cool!” <i>(Idiot. I know.) </i>I’ve only broken this mentality once, and that was when I saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2584600/" target="_blank">Julianne Hough</a> at George Strait’s private after-party last year in Houston. I’m going to stick to it because I want the ‘star’ to feel comfortable around me, but in the end I have no pictures to prove I got to hang out with them! It’s a win-lose situation for sure.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TqqJJJezX8YWFDDiTxlAK-L1UDaYScACBF_IkTxady6058GkrM63gX5fpS4xCGUMyucSQYH7_9tJshEehfRxRLjH_jR4GnDfRnG331yQUDA-IZugA17UuOMC9DB4408ATDyDsrxN1xc/s1600-h/j%20hough%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Julianne Hough" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmqTp9URhmQyVl6WpNY48soxs2A8JTd5uP6lDHVuXpCM-hnffhBC3JTR8bDjK8cUpGzDx-HTL78lM0PpFeVkZSK-cf_RepWME-rfqakaK6kFsQc8sgMBJl_1s1OfbnwCsYlyPGrcM6Tg/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Julianne Hough" width="356" /></a><i> with Julianne Hough in Houston</i></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNIpQQu_a9Bp4Wj5r-ZfLebdoolfsT0K9ezoi401efbashUP_34hT2dK0pbTvcYm6w3CLgwOe3CJ_WdyEJnr6gND5Nyn35qcOTi6sgNbiasLZi0hjf-KmQ19X4LEMmC4109zyKSC3nQM/s1600-h/b%20shelton%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="blake shelton" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-F0wkRd1E84ka1fE0XC4fvYW3-lZmtyqUk26dgDM7n3vu7Z4ld6J0O-rbv_GFD6DoDc64sQMflxuJbFI9FtprvtqPpl1K6tHfVKHJFMi_IWQZpbe_AoK8i27WNanCS14U7s_WCASY2Tw/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="blake shelton" width="356" /></a><i> Blake Shelton singing karaoke in Houston</i></div>See! This was the only picture I got of Blake because I feared maybe he didn’t like his picture taken. So I popped a quick photo and then hid my camera! Don’t ask how I got in. But being in a tent surrounded by George, Blake, Julianne and more? Incredible. I don’t even know how to put it into words. My good buddy knows I fully appreciate his efforts into getting me inside this party! And it was a good one, I might add!<br />
<br />
Now that I’ve fully digressed, I’ll wrap this puppy up. I felt like I needed to explain my ‘Nashville’ thing though! So. SXSW. Awesome. Definitely a must-do, <b>especially</b> if you love indie music or up-and-coming stars/bands. It’s such a unique experience, because it’s so different from a typical music festival. Instead of it being out in an open field, it’s spread throughout the great city of Austin…forcing you to get to know the town. I more than regret not having gotten my butt over here years ago!<br />
<br />
Even though I didn’t get to see Miike Snow, I got to see and meet a lot of really great bands and singer-songwriters over the entirety of the weekend; something you don’t always get to do and something a lot of people never get to experience in their life. Next year…I’m saving up for that $600 badge!Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-40541064949951199112010-03-22T23:36:00.003-05:002010-03-23T13:59:48.621-05:00SXSW Day 2So after a pretty successful day one, I was hoping for a little more of the same on day two! For some reason I thought of my buddy Matt’s friend’s band <a href="http://www.autovaughn.com/" target="_blank"><b>AutoVaughn</b></a> from Nashville and decided to ‘Become a Fan’ on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/AutoVaughn/9416831428?ref=s" target="_blank">facebook</a>. Their fan page status said something about a Thursday afternoon show and a Friday night show! I talked Brad in to maybe passing on <b>Band of Horses</b> at a church so we could try to see the Nash-vegas boys.<br />
<br />
We grabbed dinner in the little mini-Chinatown part of Austin at a place called TC Noodle House. It was good, but had some weird dishes.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0FlC1Z6Gg5YfA4jLrA1Gvl-ZFA0M87bX9eliaALB5lGAB3vkFW6NLDS2Z-ICV5pictYu6cdSl0_5aSG44o_5EqyK50uFqMJY7Nvkza98UEh7P0L6tNtEyp61brlS-X9hXoTM7elGibU/s1600-h/2010-03-19%2019.53.11%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="porridge with 1000-year old egg?!" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuVImgdw_u-LtDjMeqKz-bLbamhSZd6i7-qkEl_AkajfF7jlU1lwKRnuDJq6OYueC3_tnDD9Xqd7at6DE-Cr01nxm9F7LrfbWbSFrCxFoUzfLNhb-d8Sdr_qfGDqpZCGibX-B3iCFhlM/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="porridge with 1000-year old egg?!" width="356" /></a> <br />
Then we made our way downtown to the Chuggin Monkey to get in early enough for a spot to see <b>AutoVaughn</b>. Like most Austin bars, Chuggin Monkey is a long narrow corridor that’s about the width of an alleyway…with one side as the bar and a loft-style “deck” on top and the other side open for people to pass through. You could say it’s an ‘intimate’ setting, but only because it’s so crowded you’re basically dancing/feeling on any and every person that strolls through.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi_d2GaI7XZQqFub8IeuTPgyVszCvmgRX26-A3PZ_MQLGDKl1AhFWYtePu2IZY7IWs0tbSoqjvVE9hGVAxCLG2twY4LZib5wzY11KI6OfLSmQjWxKQ6GdHM7yYY_Xan-SEnDPFwy3b9Y/s1600-h/IMG_1176%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="AutoVaughn" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHB4wUk5jG4nsEhI3l_F5iQJt4jqlTLtaxLfkjFtznRdWzjIZ9KHyjel2eoI7PUeHuf1gJ_TFKfc1yKAo68q2H7jiNzSVlqDAttaiVYPi-eYJBDNUoAMDdKt1Jbc2EddxqfL7snnYmZU/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="AutoVaughn" width="356" /></a><i> Darren Edwards, guitar; Ben Graham, bass; Andy Grooms, drums</i></div><br />
Darren Edwards owned the tiny stage like a Woodstock-era rocker, with his flannel pearl-snap and red corduroy pants. The crowd that had gathered were not ready. They had no idea what to expect from this band. But thanks to my Nashville connection, I was a little more privy than others. These guys were legit…from their sound, to their look, to their talent, to the guitar-thrashing after the performance.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S6hDlo26D7I/AAAAAAAAAIA/P4iyTvceQWg/s1600-h/IMG_1177%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="AutoVaughn @ Chuggin Monkey" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hL9Ga5I1AxTV0i_nPvMkSYJh5whoHrf_28qPCx6iC0lw1FPDETLBqHbIDydg30jZj4PvBWnMSanVUX1AXP1nzM_ejx0l8e1oD8sJ1X-k2OXm8xZsZEPx1arx8OLSQ0ZbxuveMtXOMrc/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="AutoVaughn @ Chuggin Monkey" width="356" /></a><i> Stephen Wilson, lead guitar (on left)</i></div><br />
They played music from their new EP and finished up with their classic “<a href="http://www.lala.com/#artist/AutoVaughn" target="_blank">Hell of a Place</a>.” It was ridiculous! They jammed out so hard and long<i> (that’s what she said)</i> they blew the circuit breaker! Stephen Wilson absolutely shredded it on his solo, leaving you satisfied but still wanting more.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRNmXz_fEjRhGP_084-_eCBU_eJTSU4YVvaYTOaBHMdvEKpf58ByTXe_mRCpAqQbg6Ufc71Bq4Ht6Blb67FuyDupRXXpnOFCQMzEBXTbstNqKMsXHmbIPtsDBHuzQjhPcCDWkksKBPsY/s1600-h/IMG_1182%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="stephen wilson" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJjbioRaqgtIZdURbBsMTJ0Fhvbgt8Q2hCrFgSzTuTh0Frw0tGbL_QXGwPqazmxj5K6JTJ80l4FV3VGsYrLWqxF0Vyk60hqk_0OXGtr1OCTKS9iQTpW4FdnT8Bme6g4VVVFuEZCvIpcA/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="stephen wilson" width="184" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBwAtvOgEPtW-Uw4tT6xOgciVGuaKIS_rWnsHnhFye9qUzlscq7N1ZfnWe6AMPloitMQ-tyhX5LnqBxYghw3-LtQ1m_wvz6NG9ytw_5O3t78gy3tCgrxSfJtFHk58vHWKHqO8Wl_8q00/s1600-h/IMG_1180%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="darren edwards" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOGekVGXhkmhLZmBUNI_HiB3MT0qIKVPasPVuN11yr0kNI6-4BhNBeW6PaEqezyQno16lbSFkmwoI9un6wIE8zJfOoumwtfoV0TYJJcDnT_i26RM8t3oUp-mXqzRBaquljgB4Lo2SOdQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="darren edwards" width="164" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqqxABbdof7ESXbHiLZEwiTj9DlAB-T6qGFMuDbWoW0uCbLSNZOR9hNa80XZuEPo7nm6soqintv7K9P1opfoXMdDcYhev6F1IjwAhn2D_yNq8O7OrdscooWdyEtFqdRhrE_GZZ5bHHVg/s1600-h/IMG_1179%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="ben graham" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJ2eGIv-Fu0BdHbg_3r9yFQBrymxuE0bHHS8upbq-v4HaGAw9-AKxOFmh4lsdfgkMN6J-KDCOdFtPMik6PjiqplaxD_s7VzPX_QLAf6ZG51o8FMvioZcSoLWI1IcMuyl54HlYKcKJdzs/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="ben graham" width="184" /></a> <br />
<br />
The crowd started booing at CM’s lackadaisical response in getting the issue fixed…the masses wanted more! Not an abrupt cessation to Stephen’s solo! I thought maybe they’d ‘pulled the plug’ on them because they’d gone over their time-slot. They’d been playing this song for probably 15 minutes! haha Amazing. So fun to see a band garner new, non-local fans. <br />
<br />
They’re a signed band. They tour. But have you heard of them? Probably not. That’s what makes SXSW so special and sooo sweet! During the final song, the girls in front of me recognized I was singing along and were excited to think I knew the band. Not because they wanted to meet them, but because one of their Nashville friends knew the guys too! So they introduced me to her…a girl who I thought misunderstood me when I asked her her name. The band was playing so loud, I thought she said “Indiana Jane…playing at Fairmont tomorrow…after 11!” Okay, so she told me her band’s name. Sweet! It was too loud to try to get more info from her so I figured I’d just look it up. <i>(We later figured out it was <a href="http://www.thebelmontaustin.com/" target="_blank">The Belmont</a>!)</i><br />
<br />
Know what’s not so sweet? Getting too late to the next venue and seeing this:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0EMwqPtNAWTZQfk7qUARcbEtih_p654qRRqXZ-1LsxaWfM-foWJIM3PV5UWNcf5w70o0X4CO5TW9TGSp8dIHkGnTnvC6Im9zL0hpZPGHd_sHZNOAPU-90FE9ornrUirGRsj-S_1JWN4/s1600-h/IMG_1184%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="the mohawk" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTFENYqYIyoDB6-sNs4hO2NPzdYYyYZey5t3jJssO1vGfs5moz4BF6VYKzh2eUnzlholSeF8nT4k-M266FIzpnavOCpeGf8InBZOyLx-iZRZTR2L_u6bBTk2WSn67ND1xk_hkclXIY7k/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="the mohawk" width="356" /></a> <br />
The wait was retarded long at <a href="http://www.mohawkaustin.com/" target="_blank">The Mohawk</a>. We waited like kindergarteners in line at the water fountain…patiently and orderly. Except not. One by one people were bailing from the line as the starting time for Miike Snow crept up quicker and quicker. I was hopeful! Then a large-pupilled girl with credentials let us know that we probably weren’t going to be able to get in if we wanted to try to find another venue instead. What. Huh. Noo! <b>Miike Snow</b> was the main reason I’d actually decided to go to SXSW this year! And I wasn’t going to be able to see him?! Boo. Boo to the nth degree! Times a zillion.<i> (The Mohawk had three of the </i><a href="http://www.thetop13.com/sxsw-day-parties-L97/" target="_blank"><i>top 13 SXSW parties</i></a><i>!)</i><br />
<br />
So we left and went toward the west side of 6th street. We walked up to The Belmont and it was bumpin! We stepped in to try to see Saturday night’s lineup and found that it was a free Red Bull sponsored event.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxM0JfcoAM-ysbdPOJeuqhbNZWTkJooOes46vvCT7sbiIWMR2A_vQC9ghhSKgaVzlmz3YY60MAheFB_zoM7pJunL9UCfoiu4KJQTSrDdz4mYoxTBF7AiLbAE9c-CdSKhpYzSVO0fNmKQ/s1600-h/IMG_1186%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Red Bull's Big Tune" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBXQnUQ3BX4bGwddxy6YMs2Z3Kmw10jgtM7n74n9pryG-kyIWfHXXXx7XE43byhvZXnLHU_SV5vhNKIoKmJngRQ5dngxYimBRy6Lz_iC5JveNJbD7Mn9wcSk7nHsN4CWEoJqS7kxHjxM/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Red Bull's Big Tune" width="356" /></a> <br />
Red Bull was having a producer battle event called <a href="http://www.redbullbigtune.com/" target="_blank">Big Tune</a>. Brad and I, being the white East-Texas boys we are, had no clue what was going on. It just looked like guys were playing a CD and dancing to it and the crowd was going wild.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10339334&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10339334&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object> </div><a href="http://vimeo.com/10339334"></a><br />
We later kinda guessed that they’d produced the beats beforehand and were battling the other producer with their pre-packaged music. It was fun! Up on the rooftop, surrounded by west coast people, east coast people, and everyone in between, Brad and I blended in like we were supposed to be there. If only we could’ve had our go-to drink: Red Bull margaritas!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">We didn’t complain though. Somehow this night trumped the night before. We’d had a blast. This weekend was getting awesome and we didn’t even realize it was about to get awesomer.</div>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-50076647493027495762010-03-21T23:57:00.003-05:002010-03-23T00:03:58.068-05:00SXSW Day 1My day one was actually day two of the music portion of SXSW. Meh, semantics. My day one was awesome. Brad and I started off the night at our <a href="http://www.wahoos.com/" target="_blank">favorite place</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwEcGqfKw8W6IynIedsQbeOt8WNDTBPloPYugNJI2P4d-VFA6HOHkTTykOEuQroR1pGKUhiw1AjSralNZ8sVWpjzsxnx24FazWq9eWj5G0-HUbNLZYynzQO4gwRLYsBy6iNBVCB5uq9U/s1600-h/2010-03-18_20.51.44%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Wahoo's" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH45mtzFxv26M_MJVuo6e8EYiTi97ddhomToV7RtgfSzA1s-EPfWXfODLqiy20uMnErFr-v99vbawbquUSGAuipQI_NnJOjSGLb0QYLH2LYmIoRQuDjx_-O_9CkDdb8n0Tu3LZv8j95h4/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wahoo's" width="356" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://messmakerbaker.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank"><img alt="mmmm..." border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VLzMr5EPjC2ajYFkV8FDynTDRBUkNRndsjPgTvPzy38wnBOTqAM-tOlKSu8SBeONA94v0-GsMDWyL0GnWNG-ppxYljXKJWCQzS4Jf7WMZR2dhRDpsUSb1WFAmuIPrTWAzQwKRrMa_tM/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="mmmm..." width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
After savoring my fish tacos we made our way over to <i><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-phoenix-austin" target="_blank">The Phoenix</a></i> early enough to get a good spot for <b>We Are Scientists’ </b>show around midnight. En route we saw a huge crowd gathered around a band of nomad-looking-gypsies playing some festive folk music on the bustling streets of Austin. For free. For the fun of it.<i>(Well, maybe they were taking tips…but they didn’t have a gig at an established venue!)</i> This is what SXSW is about! An onset of music and fun and togetherness; sharing the love; peace, man. It’s the Austin way!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCR4F0EeiMIcOAeqem_7lQL5bH-3Vb4mWklmwgtHA2ZaziguYypEH-ZjqJ-hgf-a8uz0dYH5BfNisl8xxgDaJIlSSkbZ9eFR32HaCC6A8bP8wcxhiqe0YLVQYRhVGvghLOhyOkH4RohI/s1600-h/IMG_1157%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="folksy gypsies" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1KlysuVlQe3i5Q9R4uctl5PhyphenhyphenJOJBwS74uo880u5zEGy6zNhYLKjVLp3YFTZdaYSjgq9fNQkXr5fw3g8ZMzLXi7NOlHTbRp-1jaLHDSvHp-O_dIwL4Js7sTpz2gFgmO8vID4sWStnGc/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="folksy gypsies" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
The venue we arrived at was pretty sweet—very west-coastish. With rich crimson fabric walls and plush seating, we definitely felt like we weren’t in Kansas anymore. They even had really awesome Renaissance-like art that Brad enjoyed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjvUs-6oliZhPpIHZPkKsWfFg8iKuGS4UF1LlGmHZohG11RaIzxwdwtmcH95GLLUwyoggCla0-Mxbh5pk5goBx6J_2mqYntvfwVGp0i1tJk63xghwDmfRh74177e81hjwuSgG9DyBxiE/s1600-h/IMG_1156%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="this painting looks like Dexter!" border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3wvUdAv-IE3S6uztsngVBf2t1v5oVbX1kCH5-BMvsjosatHoiSketcv0OrQdFFlA6-eXfUhzRJME6esFpHzdSj-vZTMMpiRHpCMIrVSkezGLP-vn7kxA1cpRei7zlLK_BHCOaSkVVmA/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="this painting looks like Dexter!" width="284" /></a> <br />
<br />
The first group we saw was<b> <a href="http://www.clickclackboom.com/" target="_blank">The Click Clack Boom</a></b>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWZuEZGeVqmcc-KUQ9guUolOGeeupHg8nmc5wvnNPfD7AKbKHbwQSHeZ3sr7sv7Wp-0urDGsDRvA6Glv6ApGDooqCrDpsBK9d7KMtwOw-PhcGVPg-kWgBGmIxCmEDAY66rjvvxTv692E/s1600-h/IMG_1146%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="click-clack-boom" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXnKMXj9NG09Mj6tuixqwFWQQgz64lnG1nZ08839yNSf84hAexGChFEVRQa_YlMXLDYYldtLtIXA9ZgAnO4q-TV8aGRXs4DBrUBt2ob0-U6I2RAyk6IqAuth3jvHqDP7haIsjP2Qw6Ng/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="click-clack-boom" width="356" /></a><br />
<br />
These guys were pretty fun, but sadly it was still too early before <b>We Are Scientists</b> so the crowd was a little thin. The next two bands were so-so… I won’t waste my word limit on them. Then the comedic Chris Cain and Keith Murray made their way on to the stage and the crowd erupted.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRBREnj6qEKhCUYy0t6Q5NnH0smpUhlZymPYEdbOO1lLjs_16yq2iZ6rAF_coyPtqhxItjCIxQdYkGmwBxB0yJu8DgYWptVry3gFNbgh0TZeSb3dpWKqqSN3YbklYIssfkLdpe_EEg98/s1600-h/IMG_1165%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="we are scientists" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMJeLfGuD8OTNh1IW-nbG0cQBlqD-BPD3ipKJRJKFfgSw-XWzhyphenhyphenW4cLolq3pSH1F0njWueju22qTjFwNbdc3VsAmiJp127Zp3v9g9bribXrJK6_Hw_gikpAHgwcPRkrFqjML_OFKrYCA/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="we are scientists" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
The guys were hilarious—just as we’d hoped. Their playful banter in between songs kept everyone lively and laughing, which made for a highly entertaining show. They didn’t need to keep us any more entertained than we already were though, because their music did enough talking on it’s own. They started off with “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” and finished with “After Hours.” And they did a lot of cheek-to-cheek singing, even though there were plenty of mic’s, just for laughs…pushing that always-funny, teasing-man-kiss awkward moment envelope.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEtsY2qdn8LZ2ZuR1DVZ4YhvnyOg2CVZ8ufd72fpirZbE3NdyYLOit_W73AdtKrXWTlj3Ks1xUxG1Ar87r8wF9CVeNRRjJGwjxChS_EnvSn2Zfkd5a5CCu8vjDuq8A_CZeHNwWrKosa8/s1600-h/IMG_1175%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="WAS cheek to cheek" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jjYocMAOVlf0BeUFjMyCYVncMjZeto8JY3NJHHfLSuNshZeMRrOSt-hAZem5IPLf5g1G0F2Qek0wE_x4-NM5cPmbQnAv6pQNEgqNicO9JZpQbYiteW3iXZczxvgWBz4TUcUJkT-Pb4g/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="WAS cheek to cheek" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
Like I said, the streets of Austin were bustling. A word that describes the entire city of Austin during the music portion of SXSW…and maybe even the entire festival! It was Austin, but better. Amplified to the fullest. It definitely didn’t feel like Texas. It was L.A. or New York. It was elsewhere. It was a vacation away from home, without leaving home. Just what I needed from a hectic few weeks of work.<br />
<br />
We got home around 1:30 or 2 a.m. and passed out. Brad was a trooper and went to work at 7 a.m., while I slept for the next 12 hours. Ahhh…sleep. Mi verdadero amore. I was recharging for another <a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/03/sxsw-day-2.html">great night</a> to come…Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-80863893613930155862010-03-18T00:30:00.002-05:002010-03-18T00:31:46.898-05:00Hello SXSW! It’s nice to finally meet you.Every year I have to hear it from my brother: “Dude. You have to take off work this year and come to <a href="http://www.sxsw.com/" target="_blank">south-by-southwest</a>. Seriously. No, seriously. Quit saying ‘next year!’”<br />
<br />
Well this year I finally did it. I head out tomorrow after work for the ATX. What changed my mind finally this year? A little group from Stockholm called <b>Miike Snow</b>. A friend of mine suggested their <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13189-miike-snow/" target="_blank">self-titled</a> album to me last summer and I was hyped immediately! It’s indie pop, I think; trendy and catchy, but you won’t find it on your top 40 radio station…at least not yet! Their beats and synth’s and keyboards are great for working out and perfect for running. This was the first single, I think:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/niKT-kJfUz4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/niKT-kJfUz4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div><br />
Yes, I realize that was weird. I’m just hoping the lead singer isn’t as boring live Friday night as he is in this “Animal” video. Tracks I love for running: <i>Cult Logic</i> and <i>Plastic Jungle</i>. Tracks I love for the sake of loving music: <i>Animal, Burial</i>, and <i>Silvia</i>. Ahhhhh, <i>Silvia</i>. This was the one that got me hook, line and sinker. It’s so hypnotic and trancelike and just awesome. I’m not even entirely sure what it’s about, but if I had to guess…it’s about a guy who misses his ex. A lot though, so I’m thinking the split is still very fresh. I could be totally wrong. Who cares, the way the song is structured you can’t help but want to bust a move. Or maybe<b> <u>I</u></b> just can’t help it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aZO1nMuZSnI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aZO1nMuZSnI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> </div><br />
This video is much less weird, but I’m not entirely sure what a post-apocalyptic storyline has to do with Silvia. And then they set fire to a giant taxidermied jackalope? Hmm. I do like how the one guy is carrying a torch. Get it? He’s carrying a torch for Silvia, his lost flame. I know, I know…you’re such a sap, David. (A little bit of runner’s insight for tonight’s post: at the 2:24 mark watch for a kid running down the street…he’s got a bad case of over-pronation!) If you do like their stuff, you should definitely check out this <a href="http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Miike_Snow/music" target="_blank">remix</a> site where you can download some of songs for free, or can just stream them.<br />
<br />
Another group I’m looking forward to seeing is <b>We Are Scientists</b> on Thursday. I discovered these guys on Alt Nation-21 back when I had Sirius (I really miss it! I wish they could provide a free service…) last year. The song was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSrgJK1CCnA" target="_blank">Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt</a>…a fast-paced track that is ALSO great for running! Stupid youtube won’t let me embed the video for some reason, so click on the link to see their fairly low-budget video for the song. Another song I’m excited to hear tomorrow night is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIyLWDhxXoQ" target="_blank"><i>Chick Lit</i></a>! If you like Weezer, you’ll like this one! The video is pretty funny, so I’m hoping it’s reflective of their live performances. I like bands who crack jokes during concerts and have a good time on stage. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv2_LSIujHk" target="_blank"><i>After Hours</i></a> is another great song with a funny video. And<i> </i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQFAzFMmYOE" target="_blank"><i>It’s a Hit</i></a> is another good one to run to.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zmemusic.com/feature/news/we-are-scientists-talk-about-upcoming-album/" target="_blank"><img alt="We Are Scientists" border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QcHklbs11uh2n49kIrNM8GC2L-JFQM3NN_2XeCKn5tJi5lfBD1IE7gcerDfDBWNDR7VGBnLlKuMkkyEE841ZUdohH7m8tsTB1ElYxh7sgiEZ5Fz7YKEyY5rhJ3Lo-450Z23blZY6omo/?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="We Are Scientists" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
Both of their CDs (<a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8805-with-love-and-squalor/" target="_blank">With Love and Squalor</a> and <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11274-brain-thrust-mastery/" target="_blank">Brain Thrust Mastery</a>) are pretty spectacular, so I’m betting I won’t be the only one lining up at The Phoenix for their midnight show! I’ve never been to this venue, nor do I even know where it is in Austin…but I’m excited nonetheless.<br />
<br />
Another group on the docket for the weekend is <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11260-volume-one/" target="_blank">She & Him</a>. My brother is completely in love with the singer of the two-person outfit. Her name is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221046/" target="_blank">Zooey Deschanel</a> and you might have seen her acting in last summer’s hit indie-flick <i><b>(500) Days of Summer</b></i> or in<b><i> Yes Man</i></b> or <b><i>The Happening</i></b> or <b><i>Elf</i></b> or a few episodes of <b><i>Weeds</i></b>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rtVh8kVZ_XM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rtVh8kVZ_XM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div><br />
She’s an actress. Turned singer-songwriter. Trying to do what so many others have tried to do (see Kevin Bacon, Keanu Reeves, Billy Bob Thornton, Russell Crowe and the only successful ones: Jared Leto, Jason Schwartzman and Jamie Foxx), she’s using her acting success to help boost a singing career. Only she’s good. Not great…but her adorableness helps her mezzo-soprano voice. (I have no idea what that means, but wikipedia says she’s mezzo-soprano…so it’s gotta be the truth, right?) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooey_Deschanel" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> also says she’s known for her deadpan supporting roles, and after looking up the definition of deadpan I’d have to agree: a form of comic delivery in which humor is presented without a change in emotion or body language, usually speaking in a casual, monotone or very serious, solemn, matter-of-fact voice. Yup, that’s Zooey Deschanel’s style of acting!<br />
<br />
The type of music they play seems like something your grandmother would love—meaning it sounds like it would fit in nicely with the always-bubbly 1950s. But it’s catchy enough to have not scared fans away. Plus I’m sure her big, beautiful blue eyes have not hurt ticket sales either.<br />
<br />
Wish us luck on being able to get into these venues. Should be a pretty awesome weekend!Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-88268486265568836242010-03-16T23:09:00.000-05:002010-03-16T23:09:48.227-05:00Running with your favorite tunes…deadly?The great debate about the safety of wearing headphones while running rages on… You always see it in the runner’s guide for big races: “Headphones are strongly discouraged.” Why?! That’s just silly to tell me I can’t wear headphones in something I paid for…a charity running event. If I want to wear old beer cans as a coat with an awesome green vest and scarf, I should be able to.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ-fbKAStNAQkxdSaFCqXgr3klf8jtGQUwdfA_UJA6t2n7h4BzrJabrkWAzC7HHyQy2w4NGqKaAoglgeid1RGYo8sqk0rCC2xbNOdz3W3DIg7-fMC7PyNxLJHd-iF6gt3z0mz3F8vNXw/s1600-h/2009%20cap10k%2008%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="check out that guy back there!" border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ9DgSLJo2UyJmfTTj6N3LISjdzadzp8uaOPCDri-g9PjmPvHfu-I6Z2mvp2LOyqXl50IdL6qJSVti6_1DYik4923NSbpPiZUxl7N6bXxco2A3G_bg1XJm1ep8r0gXypJc-R3e-api-E/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="check out that guy back there!" width="327" /></a> <br />
<br />
If I want to wear a beard and a wig in an attempt to emulate <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sozP3BlQmfU">Forrest Gump</a>, I should be able to.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxywWPMaEoQRLBCP76c1QvM2zl6aFEaZ-q-kX-NagnNJBFhjkb7e4t3fM3snqlnUUzCbgk5hg6jlqfqDZkzGPuAK0W1jsTeJcAU_K1_L6bVXdD-HM4eDOjtLbAogenWA6cAlcz4YkBAw/s1600-h/forrest1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="forrest1" border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTOCmeCjGJRVUkX83hakBzqrHKMrS_vvLB5DL6ejfE2jmJc-vxYaZfuqc0JqaRkvdqfJ5bgX1RFCp7BBGdko5suotFTLCE9J4Do7ScRImpK3K-_aKA7JqzJIZIyqfxN0skzWdRe9jEyY/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="forrest1" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyX7BfXHyViRYJF1vSisAQOQCO772SUKejW0PSB6TsT3UlyzNCHVXsrs8YEuNvavXBOxaDClb15jty_zctRqzSoVQfpr97sxpyxuNU7b_Sn2UEd9D7c-O80wsZg0HZhnaUxeM9QMl5io/s1600-h/forrest2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="forrest2" border="0" height="465" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S6BVR7ly0uI/AAAAAAAAAGs/DwRJ1vVMGl4/forrest2_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="forrest2" width="284" /></a> <br />
<br />
I think the theme here is clear: when I run, I’ll do (just about) whatever I want!<br />
<br />
Last week one of my favorite blog writers wrote about the pros and cons of listening to music when running. Like <a href="http://joerunfordom.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/to-jam-or-not-to-jam-headphone-review/" target="_blank">Joe</a>, I almost never run without some good music to motivate me. It’s pretty much a must. I’ve made a few runs without my ZuneHD and it’s just not as fun. I find it harder to “zone out” and escape. I can see how others would feel conversely, but for me…running with my favorite indie tunes (and the occasional hip-hop) is a must!<br />
<br />
Then today another of my favorite blogs wrote up a <a href="http://www.half-fast.org/2010/03/runner-jumps-off-cliff.html" target="_blank">post</a> in regards to a California lady runner who jumps off a cliff to evade this dude:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20000438-504083.html"><img alt="creepy suspect with chicken pox on his cheeks" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWpk-2if3hQZFJwkzxBeRHNmo9pQwYhpvnqiC0p6YY3uc40uslR9SGTJiA9qvxDb3T1wZidLiq0gAqB6J0dBpzoPjF8ac8dRm_cXjh7J9FiPC8I5_2wD2_Q_sAYjXpY4oFw76Hooda-k/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="creepy suspect with chicken pox on his cheeks" width="356" /></a><br />
I won’t try to summarize his post, because he’s pretty crafty with his words in his own right and I want my small flock to go check out his hilariously great work. I will, however, summarize the horrifying story: a chick was running in broad daylight when a guy tried to sexually assault her, she was able to break free from the creep, and then jumped off a cliff. Nuts!?<br />
<br />
Then on my commute home this afternoon, my USA Today app had an <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-16-plane-kills-jogger_N.htm?csp=usat.me" target="_blank">article</a> about a male runner who was getting his daily strut on alongside the beach in South Carolina, (the Hilton Head Island area, near a beautiful golf course and host to the Verizon Heritage Classic next month) rocking out to his iPod when a 4-seater Lancair IV-P plane hits him from behind. He was killed instantly because he couldn’t hear the crashing airplane…what?!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-16-plane-kills-jogger_N.htm"><img alt="lancair iv-p" border="0" height="208" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S6BVSur3UPI/AAAAAAAAAG0/UU618_iydho/lancair%20iv-p%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="lancair iv-p" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
I know we’ve all been in this guys shoes (only we’ve all come out on the more livelier side, thankfully). Who hasn’t been running down the street and been caught off guard by something you probably would’ve recognized without the diversion of music. I’ll be the first to admit, music is a distraction. But it’s a distraction I crave and love. It’s how I zone out and clear my head of workload pressure, bills, debts, girls (ha!), life. Everyone needs a little break once in a while; some more often than others. Music pushes me into the greatest mood of the day…but is this worth it? Do I want to be clipped by a freak plane accident while running down Lake Woodlands Drive bustin’ a move to some Miike Snow? Or do I run without so that I have a chance at escaping a serial rapist via cliff-diving? Hmm. Decisions, decisions. <br />
<br />
All goofiness aside, prayers go out to the family of the killed runner—a father of two. And the lady runner who jumped off a Malibu cliff was taken to the hospital for cuts and bruises. Both horrifying events involving runners…that were or were not wearing headphones. My point? If it’s your time to go, you don’t really have any say in it. But if you turn down your iPod/Zune just a tad, you may be able stick around a little longer. Be safe out there!Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-35555870468882650722010-03-15T00:32:00.004-05:002010-03-22T15:49:06.953-05:00Impromptu weekend plans are the spice of life<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This weekend was a fun one. I decided Friday afternoon I wanted to wake up early Saturday to buy some basketball tickets. Not just any basketball tickets…the men’s 4A championship game between the Lancaster Tigers and the infamous Jack Yates Lions from Houston’s 3rd ward. This Yates team won the 4A championship last year and were looking to repeat this year, trying to emulate those wonderful ‘94-‘95 Rockets </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets#Contending_for_the_championship_.281993.E2.80.932000.29" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">championship teams</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> we all love. These guys even wear the same red and gold!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yates has been in the </span><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick&id=4977305" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">news</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> all season; not just for their undefeated record, but for destroying other school’s teams by such </span><a href="http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/YIJrJZvRrE6N2PhGmfcPjw/yates-lions/basketball/schedule.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">large deficits</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> as 135 points (Lee), 115 points (Davis), and 99 points (twice: Kashmere and Lee). They passed the century mark in over three quarters of their games…simply ridiculous.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><object height="268" id="otvPlayer" width="400"> <param name="movie" value="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk&section=&mediaId=7203129&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&site="></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk&section=&mediaId=7203129&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&site="> </embed> </object></span></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They’re known for their full-court press the entire game—even when the game is far out of reach for the opposing team. If you’re a new-age parent, you might be thinking: they’re a mean team! so hateful! how could they demoralize those other kids like that?! …right? Well, the coach is the one who’s been getting most of the heat and criticism from sports radio and sports writers…and after seeing them Saturday, rightfully so. The players seemed like good kids, so you’d have to put it on Coach Wise for pushing the entire-game-full-court-press approach.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick&id=4977305" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Coach Wise" border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDZRiLYMEtZElZdT3bPHvpg03tVMwBkfBinmbtVSTUaB77EBVFbTaaanT7xZEiNoLuHXVd-AwUeLYRs1pq6uptkeEkduCtgeXH2U9Fc9W4j-8tDGNBBM0aBj0NBmPjQUoXmzFaiVI0Y8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Coach Wise" width="356" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tickets for the championship game went on sale 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. I woke up, got my nose-bleed seats for the hopeful-dunkfest, and made my trip to the state capital. I met up with my dad and we grabbed our seats a little early. I was glad I got my tickets early, because the game was sold out! At will call, there was a guy to my right trying to get tickets to the Session 8 games. All I heard him say was “Two for Session 8, please.” “What do you mean?” “I don’t want tickets to session 9 [5A championship game later that night].” “I don’t understand!” “You’re telling me there’s no way of getting into this game?” “Okay…thanks.” Haha! Uh, dude…you’re trying to get tickets to see the </span><a href="http://www.maxpreps.com/national/basketball.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">#1 team in the nation</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> play, just 30 minutes before their game starts? Idiot.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfgoHyyHGiuUBqKFOCu8bwOXKdidjFm2NY9JejBHmySyBPABJbQ-fjAV5ME2GQ-avclmqc-xGuezAvSPLuaXLriXKbEdvqEgCYCfXgeEPxLADdnalya2pmRAGHolpUt7fIV1kI77UwXY/s1600-h/2010-03-13%2014.02.08%5B4%5D.jpg"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="sold out!" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV_4WwEF_DaIWJYyr93tJMuRxzqfaSghyphenhyphenJOpmNuBzyVO3skzH_AyY0ujhrRK9LdHTMM7P6j_vxxXFJaOEoT7K0OUXJ0HuRn389qh9BMWnJDXMp4G7zx3y2OEyGphNBOUgJofbCNHs4zo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="sold out!" width="356" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My dad made a funny observation: of the four teams we saw (the 2A championship and the 4A championship), team mascots were Wildcats, Lions, and Tigers. The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panthera" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Panthera</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> genus was well represented in Session 8. My brother met us there a little later. Again, we’d all heard about this team in the news but didn’t know what to expect. I can tell you I did <strong>hope</strong> to see a blowout with tons of dunking. That’s not what we got! We got a great game instead, which happened to probably be Yates’ worst game of the season. At one point they were 19-61 on field goals…which is terrible (they ended the </span><a href="http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/basketball/state/boys/boys_boxscores/game16.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">game</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> 30-83, 36%). They missed so many lay-ups and at one point, Lancaster was leading 5-0 in dunks. Were the tigers about to get an upset?!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpX8PIuCIQH8O0qHm65-6gS8S7USFt36Evjnnm2XzLRzwTFqTUeLjrIjPm4BOKfLrba9XFtZVAqUVrfHIJZe9QC9yuGtnUVH5KaWwhe3KUydkkE6NFOfQj3-uOuLeHZ44tiiEBqJ3w_Y/s1600-h/2010-03-13%2015.46.09%5B4%5D.jpg"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Erwin Center" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5000ERDm0IclQPPqFad9i3oPSpkQhqeOlWBizyUV3OVn0KEwfAHy9zQVk7Tb91GK5MAkDwS2nxyes5_W0nJ36WziyWS3YLv6bngcP9ncTRl1ZrHhPqg620DrBGpFwr_dWi_V7tVWWq3g/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Erwin Center" width="356" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At half-time, Yates was up 44-40. Not 100-12 like the Lee game earlier in the season. Lancaster was actually hanging with them and had started to take control of the game in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Yates 23-21! The second half continued Lancaster’s momentum as they held Yates to just 17 points!?!? How is that Lancaster was not ranked in the national top 10 if Yates is ranked #1?! After three quarters, Lancaster was up 65-61. Their biggest lead was 6 points over the defending state champs, halfway through the third period! This game wasn’t the blowout dunkfest I’d traveled two and a half hours to see…but it was AWESOME nonetheless! Especially in the fourth when Yates was finally able to slam the door shut on Lancaster. Their defense finally came alive at the same time as their offense, as they beat Lancaster 31-8 in the final period. Two or three dunks by Yates kids (including an alley-oop) were just sick. Get-up-out-of-your seat, fist-pumping, “YEAH!”-yelling sick! THIS was what I came to see!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Player to watch at the collegiate level: </span><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=44317&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d44317" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Brandon Peters</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, who has given a verbal commitment to Western Kentucky and is ranked #58 among shooting guards on </span><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/prospects?&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fprospects" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ESPN’s high school prospects</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. We didn’t stick around for the trophy ceremony, but we’re pretty sure he received Tournament MVP honors. This kid was amazing in the championship game, scoring 37 freaking points. He was a beast! Another kid to watch is Michael Young’s (of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phi_Slama_Jama" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Phi Slama Jama</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> fame) son, </span><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=72744&season=2010&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d72744%26season%3d2010" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joseph Young</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. This kid was lights-out from three point range, shooting 43% (6-14) from beyond the arc and ending the game as the second leading scorer with 24 points. He’s signed with Providence University and is ranked #99 on ESPN’s </span><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/espnu100?&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fespnu100" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">top 100</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’m glad the game was amazing—made the trip to Austin more than worth it! After the game, Brad and I moseyed over to Cain & Abel’s to watch the second half of the Big 12 championship game. I’m a huge Kansas Jayhawk fan, so watching this game was a must! They ended up beating K-State by 8, picking up the school’s 2,001st win. I love seeing Sherron Collins playing at his full potential, something he hasn’t done too well the past few weeks, and he was able to pick up Big 12 tournament MVP. The Big 12 regular season and tournament champs made them a lock for the #1 seed in the midwest portion of the </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/bracket" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">tournament</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> bracket. (And YES I’ll be choosing them to win it all when I fill out my brackets this week! Rock chalk all the way!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This was my first trip to </span><a href="http://www.cainandabels.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cain & Abel’s</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, an Austin bar near the UT campus my brother enjoys to visit…simply for the scenery. I noticed a few tables were drinking this yellowey-brown stuff in huge mason jars and had to ask our server what it was:</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3C6guTPLj-i8ja3H0zbMoh4FcKadWUwU8b9ODQVondIESGrb2aBvcWQoijBBTrwWGUsOaqWAmUaXWszlDOO6zbJkBGUkGAkFp91n1n2AjhyNEmwpHTWCPRP6oiqJrhyipd-7RgeKd8o/s1600-h/2010-03-13%2018.40.50%5B4%5D.jpg"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="2010-03-13 18.40.50" border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iSAEJOqBdT6Z-jJcAW4lVEbtYZxOb3MhT27YLONJoFvnnlUZOfaHSG7ldm5YAGFY1I5FjcT3bff3UNbpGLhCO44thJRfei85nFR3c_4zb4za7JYBeh9Q_eF3ISReu7gCwIrHTQgcal4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="2010-03-13 18.40.50" width="267" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wow. “Oh that’s Texas Tea! Like a Long Island, but with an extra shot of tequila.” Mmmm…I’ll take two! It was definitely worth going back for in the future. Their food was good too—I had the Cali Chicken sandwich. This naturally led to calling it an early night, because two will have you feeling pretty great!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sunday we were treated to Conan’s Pizza. This place looks super weird, or as my brother puts it: a time-warp back to the ‘80s. But the pizza was pretty darn good. They don’t claim Chicago-style on their deep dish, but that’s what it is! I got a small 10” </span><a href="http://conanspizza.com/specialties" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Savage</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and somehow ate the whole thing. No bueno. I mean it was good! But an entire pizza? Yikes. I made sure I ran a quick 4-miler (7:25 pace) when I got back to Houston to (somewhat) offset the onset of calories and unsaturated fat that will take weeks to rid my body of!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was another beautiful day in Austin, so we got a frisbee and found the nearest park to soak in the sun. Afterwards we drove by the </span><a href="http://www.zilkerkitefestival.com/Webpages/index.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">kite festival</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and it looked crazy-packed at Zilker Park! It was definitely a great day to be in a jeep, and my dad’s was just the ticket. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’m not really looking forward to working this week, but it’ll be a short one as I head to Austin again Thursday night for </span><a href="http://sxsw.com/music" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SXSW</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">! Hopefully I’ll get a post up of the bands I anticipate seeing before I head that way. </span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-70950660390228136422010-03-07T15:50:00.003-06:002010-03-07T15:52:44.846-06:00Jokers running for strokers<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I signed up to run with a friend’s Stride4Stroke team this past weekend in a run/walk 5k through Rice University. Our team name was NICU to the Rescue (neurosurgical, not neonatal!) and we dressed up in capes as superheroes. We had a cape designing party Friday night that turned out to just be a laugh-fest while episodes of Arrest Development played on the TV. I’m kidding; it was a successful evening as Ashley kicked butt on the sewing machine making my sweet red cape!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Afterward I met up with some other friends at Sam Houston Race Park for 50-cent beers. Yes, 50-cent beers the <a href="http://www.shrp.com/liveracing_april2.html" target="_blank">first Friday</a> of the month. In this day and age…and in Houston? No way! Sounds like a fun idea, right? (Great find, <a href="http://seanandshanda.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shanda</a>!) Only I didn’t drink because of the race the next morning. You might think: “But David, it’s only a 5k. You can have a couple!” The thought did cross my mind! But I tried to be a responsible runner and instead used my drinking money on making thoroughbred bets. We had a blast betting on horses! Can’t wait to do that again soon.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will say I’m not a fan of greyhound races, which were being shown (and bet on) via simulcast. It breaks my heart seeing them race, knowing that as recently as a couple years ago these beautiful dogs were being <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article688883.ece" target="_blank">slaughtered</a> and their bodies dumped in fields after their racing days were over. Nowadays, there are numerous greyhound (and Italian greyhound!) rescue groups that help these dogs find new homes and owners who will love them for their non-racing qualities…something their previous owners didn’t do. What makes horses okay to race and bet on, but not greyhounds? I don’t know. I guess it makes me hypocritical. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I’ve never heard anything about this happening to horses after their racing days are finished. Or maybe it’s because I’m an avid dog-lover and have never really been around a horse.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Saturday morning I woke up bright and early at 6:30 a.m. to make my way downtown to meet up with my Team NICU friends: Ashley, Amanda and Jason. Everyone really seemed to love our capes and the enthusiasm we put into this fundraising event!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DrkulpiH21zvOfugFAhaQ7t2Hr0upJQG4_mT2Oo3Aizl18IkimcTEHqnJgxPhwZk2fnThjojM916MsLaJsFj2mdE_IFvlLs0AAKErmwMcpmEFJbveQvgM-lt9dl1IhiKFz44gJkT6hg/s1600-h/2010-03-06%2008.19.40%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="2010-03-06 08.19.40" border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fUIOTDZ9bOETb-wA9uUmqnYDS0J-ABYUBr9rX2_1ePW-fYuRQxRXQNGnCItO9PpoYaqzMpfJYtUKlBDnVx4zUbaAF3euwmQ9r21a_4lA7Sy_TwWEbT9qBIbblzBlUS5gf_JX4GRdS0g/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="2010-03-06 08.19.40" width="356" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The race started a little after 9 and I took off on a much-too-fast pace, leaving my teammates behind who wanted to walk the first part of the race with the rest of the team. I had told myself this was just going to be for fun so I wasn’t going to push myself and I’d just run with friends. But as we walked up to the starting line on this incredible Saturday morning, my overly-competitive side kicked in. Darn.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YsZSY1xlg-od7onwvXRk_dlNim8gJEg4hqiaOaAMAuZvaJiBBQWTDQ0pvIA2CFs-aeGqmu3aNxNGOQDD5C5pcoNUBd6UMNyMgk9GU1ilJ4R-0JtAQsJ2F3vMOlyLmBDSH46kWH6g3IA/s1600-h/2010-03-06%2009.01.21%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="2010-03-06 09.01.21" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJTjlcFkSbxPVzu6M7tKu7FsLiGkZi3MJccQXdLmShDqWkcJXBLFawEp2UMZR-dj2kSvRThG9Oz0BVQfRWS5DpBDW5bh09OF0IX57qSgcwGB3wd0DUF7puMthhq1XI9Bi3g9XgTev5nc/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="2010-03-06 09.01.21" width="299" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As the tiny group of serious runners broke away from the casual runners, I found a 50ish year old lady who was running a pace I liked and had great footwork. I made it a point to try to keep pace with her to see where it took me. Well…it took me too fast! I started to feel tired and looked down at my Nike+ Sportband: 1.52 miles. Ugh! I had nothing left in the gas tank! What was I doing?! I’d taken a Hammer Gel right before the race started (to experiment the effects of taking one before a short race) and it had given me the energy to run this pace to this point, but now I was running on fumes. My unofficial pacer lady was starting to leave me. I kept pushing though, thanks to a pride that doesn’t like to be shattered by quitting. I somehow caught back up with her and hung with her all the way to the final straightaway, at which point I passed her and crossed the finish line 5 feet in front of her. Yeah…I wasn’t about a lady of this age beat me!!! (My apologies for the obvious ageism!)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I did find her afterward and thanked her for pacing me and keeping me honest. She laughed and said she was honored. Ha! Runners are awesome. Oh yeah, want to know what our time was? 21:01… “I’m sorry, what?!?!?” 21:01?! This 50ish year old lady led me to a new 5k PR?! AWESOME!!! I’m not even sure what my previous 5k PR was, but I know a 6:46 pace shatters it. haha Sounds like my 7-year-old days when I would just <a href="http://runnersblotter.blogspot.com/2010/02/dont-fire-until-you-see-whites-of-their.html" target="_blank">sprint the whole thing</a> and heave my dinner at the finish line. Absurdness I tell you! Simply ridiculous. Back-to-back weekends of new PR’s…you can’t ask for much more than that!<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After finishing I stuck around the finish line to see Team NICU come through. Ashley had a great time, for someone who said they didn’t train much! Check out her awesome pink cape!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzwCojZnU-EgDY2t4vFhbVhqkt-GWfZ6W5f_L1sR1TIbnT7vQ0WskhQ9Zrxj-a2d3czEdTDXzhKNhGV3PY9OyvYvt0JLUpGHcucEsIx3o8QIXsRldTVO85zwQKYeJVy0XixG3jSYnNqk/s1600-h/2010-03-06%2009.34.16%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="look at her go!" border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0jXQ74voKEfVg_NofutrYfolMBW9S6cQh1m7E9vygPdhw9ngq6kbcUcs7O8jdoOM5F4PgdWFE_LUylXVGyaxv3olYGHnEhuceVxB7JF-j30RqKh2USlHT5G0LHV9Jo632EyWwsX-eVY/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="look at her go!" width="356" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here comes her sister Amanda, right behind Jason who was running so fast I wasn’t able to get a picture of him!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4b8KRfQ1RF8gQNKWr1no413y7cDDWX2r7Qk_J92Ss7VBErzemDAt9NReAtj9ZBFOUfysj8cBZ_Dl39k9x8T3DjBXXvAnpbsNXfPPvYctB2M-5yjbV1AFrqFY93HRBh7c8CettsgHkSo/s1600-h/2010-03-06%2009.37.55%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="amanda" border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4Lhdp6gsrEyopbGFVp5yPC4CFvFfH0-Fjmj3us4QO5he49JQjiv4v3TBnl1ThGL1hn9O0X7PQhUJ0C7HCdj4kq78o58O57IyP6SXkKD_8pSZV02DVesYgbzgPQ5rKuflqourdfuNxtY/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="amanda" width="356" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Later I found Patrick and Brant walking with Brant’s two gold labs!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WNQq-i-H4Gt4oA2DyiVqMde7db7Xgjuo-2bwCDkLRUAxn1h9s36znufGfVBPJJvi6TL3_FxdYgAB0SBS80HbMrVs6upMwn_JK9I7NB1kE15e7UZd9LOM-Ut4htEycllXwusRFQ6rAhk/s1600-h/2010-03-06%2010.02.09%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Patrick and Brant" border="0" height="272" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S5Qe34sID9I/AAAAAAAAAF4/xYstprQZnBU/2010-03-06%2010.02.09_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Patrick and Brant" width="356" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Congrats to everyone who helped raise money and compete! Next race for me? I don’t know! Anyone have any suggestions? I’m kinda tempted to do the <a href="http://www.runlongbeach.com/" target="_blank">Long Beach, CA Marathon</a> in October. Who’s with me?! If you’re interested, friend them on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/pages/Long-Beach-International-City-Bank-Marathon/53106220828" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for updates!</div>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284550562608811862.post-23543360646445772122010-03-04T23:34:00.000-06:002010-03-04T23:34:53.908-06:00Give us a change we can actually believe in<blockquote style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sometimes people like to annoy people, just for shear enjoyment. Sometimes government agencies join in on this bonanza of head-messing in order to make their boring government jobs a little more interesting. The Texas government approved a <a href="http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr042209b.htm" target="_blank">new drivers license</a> last April (in secrecy apparently, as I’ve not heard of anyone who has this) and it’s umm…different. I recently moved to another part of Houston and so by law I had to get a new ID. This is what I got in the mail today: </blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcgzbU95IYLOdVFqQcY4Xb0zYLjUwWcFlm5v0vOJy_Qy_BGXozVpzsUINHqsY9illqDJsbcVzKuBxjGKStGO6X1GNEEG95AIeAuAoaOF0__wOWuzXHB2X2nBEdvll8Uw0VYhjTMT-j4I/s1600-h/id%5B11%5D.jpg"><img alt="id" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88hnRhnuvDiIGqqGLPcv1_CdO-GzweII22nNwu3BOM33uGEUERh1rMDq9BJBNN7RST_tInAN_fJklf3F-TPsp5JKLQGNOQsnsapIBGbbmJx9u8pugMFA770c30S22b89_Yuj0AO0KidQ/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="id" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
What I think is funny, is that they’ve got what looks to be the Austin skyline along the top and in the top right it says “USA TX” in case you forget where the state of Texas is located. What if you’re a hardcore Texas A&M Aggie? I guess that’s a dumb question—all Aggies are hardcore Aggies. And hardcore Aggies hate UT, burnt orange, Bevo, and the city of Austin (for the most part). I’m sure these hardcore Aggies are not going to be happy with this new background scenery. A UT alumni definitely had something to do with this!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UhwFKUOrA3w/S5CXH86oLJI/AAAAAAAAAFE/nLw9ZV_hCqI/s1600-h/bevo%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="bevo" border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EQGkUl0tOCVT9iC9xmT158qgKRv3Wg2kGolDjZ6WZly0GK-U6aUTX25hB4YIjUQpbSIGPOC3LUyNRB7Drn8jWgcXsmy7wjHW96CJ40pbHwGtJ5bLCzDDMdpk9lgDaBJQOzHeBDDKn1k/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="bevo" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
Something else funny…not sure what END means on your license, but if you have brown eyes you get a ‘NONE BRO’ in huge letters on your ID! On past ID’s, END was always left blank. Another new feature is on the chin of your mug shot is your birthday embossed in a mmddyy format. A feature Texas has retained is the missing dot on the first i of “Directive” on the back of the card. I find all this stuff interesting because I used to be a door guy for a local bar in Rice Village. Catching fake ID’s and real ID’s in the hands of minors was always a fun part of the night because we rarely had kids wanting to come into das bierhaus. We had no liquor, only hundreds of over-priced beers from all over the world. Most kids don’t want expensive non-light beer…they want shots!<br />
<br />
I like change, when it’s for the better. I don’t like change for change-sake. The old one was classic Texas; the new one doesn’t even have the Texas flag on it! I mean c’mon…Texans <b>love</b> that flag. How many other states have flags as large as Texas’ flags? Some of the ones you see waving over car dealerships in this great state are bigger than you and your neighbor’s house put together! We take pride in being Texans, so put our flag back on the ID! Somewhere. Anywhere. Please! Thanks a mil.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.onefemalecanuck.com/uploaded_images/IMG_2196-734771.JPG" target="_blank"><img alt="texas flag" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodHmmo0GOPNQnzFIAWcmaXyVC2m-HMbZCRD5qi-P69BmDDNe-OGPOe1rn40iIExQoE50pYPGlRZpU-C4TLlrBIld5e2HAQVgf7GfkyNLFnCx0ZvA8KND4JXQyYbeHSBclEy5uaQqvcNM/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="texas flag" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
So if you see me on the trails and ask me how much I like the new Texas ID, I’d just give a simple “None, bro.”<br />
<br />
Got in a quick little 3-miler this evening after my abs workout in preparation for this weekend’s <a href="http://www.methodiststride4stroke.com/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=329102" target="_blank">Stride4Stroke</a> 5k. This race will just be for fun so I’m not too worried about being ready for it. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.methodiststride4stroke.com/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=329102" target="_blank"><img alt="s4s" border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGql9LiZSNZFfG653VkRvwdXuiKIdLTooiDOp5APVZ_NnrE4vIX81K0vGQMN0_y3IK0G91tOOUnHFAeqtyJa00zkZZtD3-068RpU6NQX9evIgsm3DAk3qspzPEkRwIlCHtC4JUfZksgZg/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="s4s" width="356" /></a> <br />
<br />
The name of the team I’m on is NICU to the Rescue (made up of mostly nurses! yesssssss!) and if you’d like to donate to the cause you can do so <a href="http://www.methodiststride4stroke.com/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=329102&lis=1&kntae329102=314CF1CBD31546A2B4DD652EEEBC9861&supId=0&team=3640233&cj=" target="_blank">here</a>. We’re having a cape-designing party tomorrow night so that we can dress up as super heroes Saturday morning! I can’t wait!</blockquote>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269262954413718833noreply@blogger.com0