Back in the Saddle

I am slightly sore today, but that's a good thing. Went to the gym for the first time in almost a year. Chest, back and some cardio. It felt good to be in the gym again. While the 24 Hour Fitness by my house is nice, I could totally tell I wasn't in Green Valley anymore, but it wasn't ghetto by any stretch of the imagination.

With Keds back doing Pilates and me getting back into the gym, I'm confident that we can achieve our fitness goals for the year.

Never a dull moment in a Catholic High School

OK. I was going to do my standard weekend update today, but then my friend Denis called me. He was quite troubled. He is the principal of a Catholic high school in western Kansas. There was an issue today right around lunchtime. There was a battery-operated replica of male genitalia that was found in a woman's restroom. It's a restroom that students and faculty alike use. Oh, and the device was turned on. It was off to the side. Some folks find it funny, some are simply stunned.

Poor Denis wants to figure out a way to identify, the, um, culprit. Keds and I are both at a loss. Can you help out poor Denis?

Update: They are still no closer to figuring out who left their personal property there. The good news is that nothing happened on Tuesday. He is suspecting (jokingly of course) that it is either Thorndyke and/or a blonde friend of Keds' that is married to a very tall cabinet maker. The funny thing is that I can totally see her doing something like that...

I really do watch way too much TV

So I admit it - I watch way too much TV. The sad thing is - I wish I could actually watch more! I would love to get into 24, and we have like 6 episodes of Studio 60 on DVR, not to mention that Keds wants to give Dirt a shot as well. So what did we spend Monday and Tuesday night doing? Watching TV.

Can I just say once again that Barney truly makes How I Met Your Mother one of the funniest shows on TV? And the way Marshall played him to get some extra cash for their honeymoon was legend - wait for it - airy. The Ritchie character on The Class is starting to steal the show as well. His nervousness and general clutziness crack me up! Get that man another chocolate gorilla!

Tuesday night was a bizarre pairing - The State of the Union Address and American Idol. We watched the State of the Union and Democratic Response. In terms of the President's speech - I think it was the speech he had to give. He said a lot of things that sound good, but as they say, the devil is in the details. I don't buy this tax deductibility for health insurance because it has the potential for a lot of employers to drop health coverage and force people into the marketplace. Also, the call for tougher fuel mileage standards is nice to say, but again how?

On Idol, I've decided that I really, really don't like the audition portion of it. First, two hours is too long. Second, the bad singers are really, really bad. I would prefer a good mix of clearly excellent, some middle of the road and some bad auditions. I like it when Randy, Paula and Simon discuss and debate a little more often. I'm afraid as the Idol franchise continues to grow, the audition episodes are going to focus more and more on the bad ones then is giving us a peak into the process...

Is it Monday already?

Wow. Where did the weekend go? It feels like it was just Thursday, and I was looking forward to the weekend. Now, it gone already. As many of you know, Saturday was Keds' birthday. I did the best I could to make it a nice birthday for her. I'll let her go into details on her blog, but I think I succeeded in my goals.

I wanted to thank all of our friends for pitching in for the birthday girl. From her Dad, her long-time friends Teri, Lora, Laura, Janell and Annie to our new friends - Amanda and Brian, Casey and Jennifer, Jennifer and Ian and Lisa and John to my best friend Mike and my family. You all helped in making this a good birthday for Amy - which was no small feat this year. We love you all and you are very important in our life.

Sunday, we were amazingly productive. We cleaned out the guest room, which was no small feat. It turned into the dumping ground for all the shower and wedding gifts as well as some of the stuff that we've brought from her Mom's house in California. Our goal is to get the house organized before we head to LA in February.

This week is going to be hectic! Tonight we are going over to Ma and Pa's hacienda for goulash (Amy's request). Tomorrow night Dave is coming over to watch the first night of American Idol. Wednesday, we are getting together with Shannon for Amy's birthday. And then my Mom's best friend and my uncle are coming to town for a couple of days as she moves cross country from Boston to San Diego. Plus, we need to close out our Macy's Registry by next Monday. UGH!

And you know it's bad when it's Monday, and you already know you are like four hours behind on good TV!

Well, if I get a chance to come up for air, I'll post again. If not, have a good week!

Weekend Recap

All in all, it was a very productive weekend and I got to watch a good amount of football. Can't really complain too hard.

I was amazed at the competitiveness of most of the playoff games, with both NFC contests really coming down to the wire. I do feel bad the Cowboys lost, but only slightly. I was pleased the Eagles won though. I was however, horribly disappointed in last night's BCS Championship game. The game was over by the end of the first half. Ohio State just flat out embarrassed themselves. What a boring game.

Monday night TV was entertaining. How I Met Your Mother and The Class were funny as always, and we caught up on Sunday's Desparate Housewives.

This week is looking like it will be lots of follow up on open items. Keds and I need to plan our household budget going forward. That should be a barrel of laughs. Lots of dinner plans this week. Dinner out tonight, having friends over Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Looks like we'll be busy!

Have a great week!

Anger Issues

OK. I admit it. I'm dealing with some residual anger issues. And for some reason, they are almost all directed at the Dallas Cowboys. Why do I seem to hate them so much more this year? I'll admit to not being a fan. Having "your team" lose two consecutive Super Bowls to them will do that to you. But it's not like they've been some powerhouse dynasty or, gasp, the New York Yankees.

I could say that I just can't stand Jerry Jones. I can't, but in a "take it or leave it" way. That man is clearly dealing with some residual childhood issues.

I could say that not only did this team beat my team in two consecutive Super Bowls, but the current head coach was the NY Giants head coach that beat my team in their first of four consecutive appearances. But I don't really think it is. Or maybe it was because they signed Drew Bledsoe (aka Frankenstein)? Maybe.

My best guy friend is a huge fan. One of Keds' best friends is a huge fan. My brother-in-law is a die hard fan. I'm surrounded by people I care about who are fans of the Cowboys. So why do I hate them so much, especially this year.

As I sit here and think about it, I think it comes down to having learn to interact with my sister around the Cowboys schedule. They won't travel on Thanksgiving Day because it will disrupt the pre-game routine. Christmas Day plans HAD to be tailored so my sister wouldn't deal with an overanxious husband. I'm really thinking that is it. I know it's not a good reason, but it's why. I think I just don't like planning my life around 1 team anymore. I'm a huge sports fan, and ardently support my teams. But I don't hold my life hostage.

So for my friends out there that are Cowboys fans, I'm sorry. However, I think we'll just have to ride this one out. Go Seahawks!

Friendships and Happy '07!

OK. So it's taken me a while to post. Sorry about that.

Now that we are through the holidays, you would like to think that you can sit back and take a deep breath. However, work is really busy. That's life in a world where you provide phone support for consumer products. One of the things I really like about the holidays is how it makes you want to reconnect with the people that are important in your life.

In a one-week period, Keds and I were touched by new and existing friends alike. My best guy friend was in town to spend Christmas with his inlaws, and we got to spend all Christmas Eve Day Afternoon together. He lives in Colorado now and we don't see each other as much. Circumstances kept him from our wedding, and we were able to close any remaining issues out and move on. I am planning a trip to see him this spring. I can't wait.

One of Keds' best friends from high school was in town visiting her Mother in Law for the holidays, and they were able to spend some quality time together. Plus, it gave Laura a needed escape from her inlaws.

Later in the week, we were able to meet up with two sets of our newest friends. Vegas Princess and Prince Charming had us over for dinner, and a hard-fought game of Apples to Apples. Dinner was very pleasant and we have a great time. It's too bad that, even though we live in the same area code, that we are on complete opposite sides of town. We spent New Year's with a neighbor couple that are quickly becoming close friends. Keds cooked dinner and we have a good time playing board games. I can only think of one better way to ring in the New Year, and we ate too much for that.

All of our friends are very dear to us, and we are grateful that they are in our lives. These were just recent examples.

There are so many people in our lives that I am thankful for, but none more so than my blushing bride and Bestest Friend in the whole world - New White Keds. I love you honey. Happy New Year!