Ski Trip W/Thomas

I brought my cameras just to take a few pictures. However, it evolved into this little "Warren Miller" ski video.
More fun stuff.

Tom's 1st Hockey Goal

This was my 1 st. "video" using my new Mac and it remains one of my favorite for obvious reasons. Thomas wasmaybe 6 at the time and pestered us to let him play ice hockey. He attended a 1 week, ice hockey summer camp with the "playoff game" held on Friday @ 12:00 when JoAnne & I both skipped lunch and attended.

I searched the internet to learn how to transfer VHS onto disk & then rip it into the computer's iMovie program. I then added sound effects and it worked. I am now using new online software that eliminates the "evaluation copy" label, however, I have yet to do over this movie.



More fun stuff.

Stingray City in the Grand Cayman Islands

One more thing to cross off my "bucket list".

Zip Line In Labadee, Haiti

Wild windy ride. Tropical storm blew bye 2 days earlier and the remnants limited the # of riders due to wind. The stopping was the hardest part.

ATV in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Fun stuff with Marty, Liz, Joe & Kim.

Wave Rider & the Banged Up Foot

In early November, my running was shut down. I somehow banged my foot while attempting the Wave Rider on our Royal Caribbean, Western Caribbean cruise. I was limping throughout the cruise & only now can I say I'm 98% better. All I can say is "the kids make it look so easy".

2009 YTD Running

2009 Running Summary

My running has basically shut down right after the Cow Harbor 10K run & the Entemann's Half Marathon. I wasn't planning on running the half marathon, only the 10K portion. However, the rain stopped as the starting gun went off & at the 10K/marathon split I decided "why not get my full money's worth". Anyway, I should have committed myself earlier as with 3 miles to go I saw I had a chance to do a half marathon PR @ under 2 hours. Unfortunately I ran @ 2:01:20. I guess that will be a New Years resolution for me.

2009 Cow Harbor 10K Run

This year I got a little competitive.

Training for the Cow Harbor 10K w/Bailey

Cesar Millan

Very charming and sincere guy.

The Dog Whisperer and Me

Cesar Millan was in town promoting his book. As we are fans of his show and the training methods, JQS and I went to the book store for a meet & greet and to get an autographed copy of his book. It was fun. I also made a little video that is posted onto our Facebook page.

Bailey, a 60 lb. Lab mix is my running partner. She's been running a 5K with me 3 times a week for the past 9 months. Initially, we (she) took frequent rest and water breaks. Now, after our 5K I tie her up as I do speed work on the track. Bailey doesn't like being left behind. She constantly will stretch the leash to its limit and meander onto the track only to retreat as I round the corner and return. One time she even managed to "escape" from her running harness and catch up to me at the far end of the track. The track coach and kids were trying to get my attention by waving and shouting to me. I was surprised, being in the zone running and grooving to the Allman Brothers. Bailey, The Escape Artist was just HAPPY to be next to me and running.

Ooops!...She Did It Again!...Bailey

Bailey, the escape dog did again. This time with a little help from her friends... Me!

Seems I left the side gate open when Bailey was in the backyard. I go looking for her, calling her and this time quickly realize she gone. I see the side gate open, curse at myself and walk towards the front expecting a repeat performance from last week.

Luckily, I see her across the street at the bus stop with all the kids. They appear to be happy seeing the loose dog. The bus driver is honking the horn and one other car stops to see the runaway dog. I call her "Bailey!" and crouch down as she comes running. Then, remembering what Thomas said I turn and run into the house as she chases me. Mission accomplished. For today. Until the next time.

Tyler

Tyler was our first dog.

Thomas say's "He was the best hockey playing dog I ever saw!".

JoAnne say's "Tyler was special, a movie star dog!".

Me.....Hard to say, "He did everything".

Everybody in town knew Tyler.

Everybody in town loved Tyler.

Bailey the Escape Artist

Our 2 year old dog Bailey is a Lab mix and my running partner. We got her from the shelter and have had her for 9 months. She has "escaped" five times (and counting).

(1) First time was at the 7-11. She jumped out the car window & waited at the 7-11 door for me. (2) Then at my friends shop. I thought I had learned my lesson & closed the car window tighter. She still got out and again waited for me at the front door. A shop worker yelled "Hey! Whose dog is this?" Me...... (3) Still in the first week of us bringing her home, she bolted out the front door in the night, ran thru the neighborhood frightening our neighbors. (4) In week 2 she opened the front door, crossed the street to sniff around other for other dogs. (5) In the same week she bolted once again out the front door, crossed the street and ran into our neighbors house. Upon seeing a dog in her house, our neighbor non-chalantly said "Oh. Hello. Who are you?" Bailey then turned and was on the run once again with me following. (6 & 7) To follow.

We're getting smarter with each escape. For instance if we run away from her she'll chase us. Also if we open the car door she'll jump in. Unfortunately we are giving the neighborhood alot of entertainment running thru the streets yelling "Bailey, Bailey Bailey"!

Hopefully their turn will come.

Plans for Cow Harbor

I plan to learn more about blogging, internet stuff my Mac as I write this.

Running w/Bailey I decided to set a goal and improve on last years Cow Harbor 10K time. Last year, 2008, I didn't run, didn't exercise and basically partied too much. Consequently, when the put up or shut up time came recognizing I waited until the last minute, I then registered on the last day. I did however run 3 miles 2-3 times before the race. Big deal.

Gotta Start Somewhere

In 2009 I began running again. Primarily, to get some exercise (& relaxation) and also for our new "runaway, escape artist and rescue dog "Bailey. Me, it was alright. I had to do something. Anyway "Caesar Says" an exercised dog is a well mannered dog. So we run.

Starting in February, we ran at the high school. One lap around the school grounds perimeter is 1.25 miles. If I avoid the rabbits and Bailey doesn't pull me over it's OK. Very tough at first. I took frequent stops to catch my breath, cursed at the long, gradual hills and kept my hat on so nobody in town would recognizes me. I tough it out and know if I remain consistent this pain in my chest and the redness in my face will eventually go away. I tell myself "IT WILL GET BETTER"!!! OK but when.

Batter Up!

OK. So I decided to try and create my own blog. I am mildly jealous of the blogs out there on the internet. Many blog writers have an easy flowing writing style. Mine I think is too stiff or structured. I think it is probably due to my professional, exacting background. Additionally, I hope to learn some of the "bloggers tricks" I've seen and work them into my blog. That being said, it's time to process this initial post and see how it looks.