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Hard to believe that it was two years ago that I finished the ING New York City Marathon.
The 2008 installment is Sunday. Watch it at 3 p.m. EST on NBC (check your local listings).
Read about my exploits and experience in the race here. I promise, it's worth your time.
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Friday, October 31, 2008
The Stat Sheet
In the press box at the end of quarters, the public relations or sports information staff hand out stat sheets for the previous quarter. I was never a fan of the stat sheet as stories are more important than stats.
After all, it's the stories that keep us coming back for more. The story isn't who's got the highest batting average. It's whether Chipper Jones can hit .400 which hasn't been done since Ted Williams did it in 1941. That was before the United States got involved in World War II.
Anyway, many of you want to know the latest stats for Derek and Spencer. We had their two month checkup yesterday. Both boys got shots and that made for a long night.
Derek weighs 10 pounds, 5 ounces.
Spencer weighs 9 pounds, 2 ounces.
Both are growing well and maturing everyday. Right now, Derek can sleep 6 hours each night - that's when he chooses to sleep that long.
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After all, it's the stories that keep us coming back for more. The story isn't who's got the highest batting average. It's whether Chipper Jones can hit .400 which hasn't been done since Ted Williams did it in 1941. That was before the United States got involved in World War II.
Anyway, many of you want to know the latest stats for Derek and Spencer. We had their two month checkup yesterday. Both boys got shots and that made for a long night.
Derek weighs 10 pounds, 5 ounces.
Spencer weighs 9 pounds, 2 ounces.
Both are growing well and maturing everyday. Right now, Derek can sleep 6 hours each night - that's when he chooses to sleep that long.
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Our Halloween Costume
We dressed as NASCAR drivers for Halloween.
Insert jokes about Atlanta here or insert the names of your favorite cry baby NASCAR driver here (Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon).
Have a great All Hallow's Eve. And, enjoy All Saints Day tomorrow.
Later - D and Spence ...
The Bottle Opener Travels Well and/or Happy Birthday Scott Kelly
In honor of Scott Kelly's birthday, I decided to post this fine silver bottle opener.
Here's the story behind it:
When Scott and I finished our sophomore year at UW, we moved from the now torn-down Ogg Hall into an apartment on West Washington Avenue in Madison. This was a gift from the students who subletted the apartment to us.
We used it to open bottles of Busch Light and Old Milwaukee as we watched a summer pass on West Wash in Madtown (and there's no better place to spend a summer as a college kid).
This bottle opener then made its way to our new place on Dayton Street where it served its purpose before Badger games and other gatherings. That was move #1.
After junior year, it was off to Fahrenbrook Court and a house that wasn't infested with rats and squirrels. Bottle opener move #2.
After senior year at UW, the bottle opener ended up in my position and made its way to Madison's west side. Then it was off to Milwaukee, then Boise, followed by two stops in Austin, two stops in Houston, and now Atlanta.
Jen and I were sharing a drink the other night after the boys went to sleep and I recalled the travels of this opener.
The bottle opener's made 14 moves since it came into our possession. It's probably spent more time travelling the country than some people.
Here's to the bottle opener and Happy Birthday Scott!
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Derek Picks The Winners
Derek told me he wanted to pick winners of Saturday's football games at the collegiate level.
He told me we were picking straight up, not via point spread. He says when he turns three, he'll start picking against the spread.
Here's who he thinks will be his 12 winners on Saturday ... He wants to call it Daring Derek's Dozen Drop Dead Locks:
1, Michigan State. He knows that mom and dad are Badgers, but the first rule of gambling (and life in many ways) is bet with your head and not with your heart.
2, Texas. Although Derek says that Tech coach Mike Leach is a great soundbite. Derek says he likes it when Leach talks about Pirates and Geronimo. Derek says you should see Leach do the weather. He also thinks Bevo will run wild in West Texas on Saturday.
3, Georgia. Derek has some insider knowledge about how Georgia flew into Athens after last Saturday's game in Baton Rouge. It saves 2+ hours of transfer time between Hartsfield-Jackson and Athens. This move was designed to save time as the Dawgs prepare for the Gators in the game formerly known as the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Georgia wins and prepares for the SEC Championship in December at the Dome and a rematch against Alabama.
4, Boise State. The Broncos easily beat New Mexico State.
5, Oklahoma State. Sorry Aunt Jill. Iowa State is not a good bet.
6, USC. How can you not take a 40+ point favorite? Derek's 2-months old and knows that you can't turn down this game.
7, Upset #1: Northwestern over Minnesota. NU doesn't lose two in a row. Derek knows that it kills his mom and dad to make this pick. They hate NU and everything associated with NU.
8, Upset #2: Georgia Tech over Florida State. Florida State is too young to be consistent. Tech lost last week at home on the flats in Midtown. Tech wins this week.
9, Central Michigan beats Indiana. Sorry Nico. Indiana just can't win two in a row and a loss to a MAC team will really hurt. Just ask Michigan.
10, Alabama beats Arkansas State. It's another no brainer.
11, Oklahoma beats Nebraska. Tradition is great. Nebraska has a lot of it. Derek says they just don't have many wins lately. Take the Sooners.
12, Michigan. In honor of his cousins in Ann Arbor, Derek takes the Wolverines to upend the Boilermakers who are just bad this year. Not a good way for Coach Tiller to exit.
That's all from the D for this week. He says he'll post his results on Saturday night. As always, D reminds you that these are for entertainment purposes only.
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He told me we were picking straight up, not via point spread. He says when he turns three, he'll start picking against the spread.
Here's who he thinks will be his 12 winners on Saturday ... He wants to call it Daring Derek's Dozen Drop Dead Locks:
1, Michigan State. He knows that mom and dad are Badgers, but the first rule of gambling (and life in many ways) is bet with your head and not with your heart.
2, Texas. Although Derek says that Tech coach Mike Leach is a great soundbite. Derek says he likes it when Leach talks about Pirates and Geronimo. Derek says you should see Leach do the weather. He also thinks Bevo will run wild in West Texas on Saturday.
3, Georgia. Derek has some insider knowledge about how Georgia flew into Athens after last Saturday's game in Baton Rouge. It saves 2+ hours of transfer time between Hartsfield-Jackson and Athens. This move was designed to save time as the Dawgs prepare for the Gators in the game formerly known as the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Georgia wins and prepares for the SEC Championship in December at the Dome and a rematch against Alabama.
4, Boise State. The Broncos easily beat New Mexico State.
5, Oklahoma State. Sorry Aunt Jill. Iowa State is not a good bet.
6, USC. How can you not take a 40+ point favorite? Derek's 2-months old and knows that you can't turn down this game.
7, Upset #1: Northwestern over Minnesota. NU doesn't lose two in a row. Derek knows that it kills his mom and dad to make this pick. They hate NU and everything associated with NU.
8, Upset #2: Georgia Tech over Florida State. Florida State is too young to be consistent. Tech lost last week at home on the flats in Midtown. Tech wins this week.
9, Central Michigan beats Indiana. Sorry Nico. Indiana just can't win two in a row and a loss to a MAC team will really hurt. Just ask Michigan.
10, Alabama beats Arkansas State. It's another no brainer.
11, Oklahoma beats Nebraska. Tradition is great. Nebraska has a lot of it. Derek says they just don't have many wins lately. Take the Sooners.
12, Michigan. In honor of his cousins in Ann Arbor, Derek takes the Wolverines to upend the Boilermakers who are just bad this year. Not a good way for Coach Tiller to exit.
That's all from the D for this week. He says he'll post his results on Saturday night. As always, D reminds you that these are for entertainment purposes only.
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Derek on a Friday morning
Here's D with his tongue out.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Holding Hands
Here is a great pic of them holding hands.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Photos of the four cousins: Ellie, Connor, Derek, and Spencer
Mike and Derek along the Hooch on Saturday afternoon. Connor is in the background deciding whether to chase the ducks. River is low and the temps are comfortable for a few more days. Frost warning issue for the North Georgia Mountains for tonight.
Three of the cousins in the play gym: Ellie, Spencer, and Derek. Ellie and her mom are visiting for about 8 days to help out around the house.
Ellie with the first "grandchild" Spaz.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Random Saturday Night Thoughts
The boys are sleeping and I know you come here for pictures of them, not commentary from me. Yet, I didn't listen to Jon Bon Jovi when he said you don't go to his shows for his politics, you go to hear "Livin' on a Prayer."
Well, this is my space so I'm sharing what I think.
Here are some random Satuday night thoughts:
1, The Badgers are not a very good football team. Coach B is on the Don Morton Highway to irrelevance. Some guys weren't meant to lead a team.
For perspective on the Wisconsin situation, look at Coach Dooley at UGA. UGA was his first coaching job. He was hired at a major university with no head coaching experience. Dooley has even said that as an administrator, he wouldn't have hired himself.
Dooley won a national title, thanks in part to a guy named Walker.
He became the AD and stopped coaching.
He hired his former player and assistant Ray Goff to coach. Prosperity didn't follow.
Goff was replaced.
Another hire was made. That didn't work out.
Now, Mark Richt is running the program and that will be the legacy of Vince Dooley.
Does this sound similar to a situation Alvarez faces? Legendary coach hires his replacement. It doesn't work out. How long do Barry hold on? Does it take a third hire before he finds the next Alvarez as Dooley did with Richt? Or, will he get it right the next time around?
2, Those guys jumping out of windows in LA? Fox TV execs on the prospect of a Tampa-Philadelphia World Series. This matchup just doesn't translate into ratings. Maybe Boston can win in seven.
3, Enron wrote a check to one of my former employers for $250K+ per year in advertising. I never understood how Enron made money so I didn't buy their stock.
I have an MBA. I studied derivatives and credit default swaps. I did well on the exams and papers. I got an A in the class. I had the chance to go work at a bank.
I never invested money in these derivatives because I never really could understand how I'd get my money back.
Now, I'm glad I didn't put my money or time in those "opportunties."
4, To steal a line from my buddy Rut Walker, I'm suffering from Electile Dysfunction. I can't get excited about any of the candidates. I feel like I'm voting for the student council president.
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Well, this is my space so I'm sharing what I think.
Here are some random Satuday night thoughts:
1, The Badgers are not a very good football team. Coach B is on the Don Morton Highway to irrelevance. Some guys weren't meant to lead a team.
For perspective on the Wisconsin situation, look at Coach Dooley at UGA. UGA was his first coaching job. He was hired at a major university with no head coaching experience. Dooley has even said that as an administrator, he wouldn't have hired himself.
Dooley won a national title, thanks in part to a guy named Walker.
He became the AD and stopped coaching.
He hired his former player and assistant Ray Goff to coach. Prosperity didn't follow.
Goff was replaced.
Another hire was made. That didn't work out.
Now, Mark Richt is running the program and that will be the legacy of Vince Dooley.
Does this sound similar to a situation Alvarez faces? Legendary coach hires his replacement. It doesn't work out. How long do Barry hold on? Does it take a third hire before he finds the next Alvarez as Dooley did with Richt? Or, will he get it right the next time around?
2, Those guys jumping out of windows in LA? Fox TV execs on the prospect of a Tampa-Philadelphia World Series. This matchup just doesn't translate into ratings. Maybe Boston can win in seven.
3, Enron wrote a check to one of my former employers for $250K+ per year in advertising. I never understood how Enron made money so I didn't buy their stock.
I have an MBA. I studied derivatives and credit default swaps. I did well on the exams and papers. I got an A in the class. I had the chance to go work at a bank.
I never invested money in these derivatives because I never really could understand how I'd get my money back.
Now, I'm glad I didn't put my money or time in those "opportunties."
4, To steal a line from my buddy Rut Walker, I'm suffering from Electile Dysfunction. I can't get excited about any of the candidates. I feel like I'm voting for the student council president.
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Friday, October 17, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The boys inbed with dad after bath time.
Our first trip to a bar
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
A couple October Photos
Happy October!
Our Aunt Carrie took these pictures and here they are for everyone ...
Spencer in his chair. Maybe we could title the photo Eyes Wide Shut since we now have A Few Good Men and that means mom and dad need a daily Cocktail as we go down this road of Risky Business yet not a Mission: Impossible since we didn't name our kids Jerry McGuire.
Yes, Alex, Tom Cruise movies for $500.
Starting to play even at 38 days old.
Our Aunt Carrie took these pictures and here they are for everyone ...
Spencer in his chair. Maybe we could title the photo Eyes Wide Shut since we now have A Few Good Men and that means mom and dad need a daily Cocktail as we go down this road of Risky Business yet not a Mission: Impossible since we didn't name our kids Jerry McGuire.
Yes, Alex, Tom Cruise movies for $500.
Starting to play even at 38 days old.
Check out my sat. night hair!
I could do commercials for TGI Fridays like that dude from Food Network.
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