Lovely holiday weekend out here in Marin County, CA; hope you are all having fun, too. Highlight of the weekend thus far was hanging out all day today, moistly at Stinson Beach, with our friend's the Schultz's, who moved here a few weeks ago from Chicago.
Time has crept up on me, but just a friendly reminder that next weekend is the Run for Thyroid Cancer. Like last year, all you have to do is something "active" -- you can swim, bike, run, walk, hike -- I don't care. Do something and send me a photo of you doing it -- coupled with your mileage -- and I will be sending a donation to a cancer organization. I think I have a cause in mind; I will talk about it later this week. To kickstart activities, I will be running a hilly 30k race. It's not quite as your as last year's half ironman, but alas, it will have to do.
In other news, Michigan football squad sucks. And while I am at it so do my Yankees.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Democrats
Thought I confess to an inherent bias - I am a registered democrat and have been my whole life, though I hasten to add I have crossed party lines in the past for certain candidates - I think the Democrat's really nailed this convention. Finally.
A couple of things that came across crystal clear the past few days:
-- they have learned lessons from the (Rovian) Republican's and aren't afraid to get a little proactive and take the fight to them direct.
- they've learned the importance of imagery, an area where they have big-time lapsed, post Bill Clinton. From a PR perspective, staging Obama's speech at the football stadium was a masterstroke of brilliance, regardless of how the Republican's try to position it next week. I liked the backdrop too; it made him seem even more presidential.
-- they learned the importance of coming together as one. To this I have to give props to the Clinton's. WIthout question, they did their job. It probably killed them, but they get big time style points for sucking it up and doing the right thing.
-- they kept the speeches tight and they were all good. Every single one of them. Kennedy. Michelle. Biden. The Clinton's. Al Gore. They all killed.
I have to say that Barack is impressive. As many of you know, I've met him a few times in the past when I lived in Chicago and he was a State Senator. He was impressive then, he is obviously impressive now. He killed his speech tonight, he is riding the zeitgiest full tilt, and I believe he will be the next President of the United States.
And he damn well better be a good one because we need a lot of help.
So there it is: my first, and probably last, political diatribe. I've tried to keep politics out of this blog, but given the season, I feel I had to say something.
A couple of things that came across crystal clear the past few days:
-- they have learned lessons from the (Rovian) Republican's and aren't afraid to get a little proactive and take the fight to them direct.
- they've learned the importance of imagery, an area where they have big-time lapsed, post Bill Clinton. From a PR perspective, staging Obama's speech at the football stadium was a masterstroke of brilliance, regardless of how the Republican's try to position it next week. I liked the backdrop too; it made him seem even more presidential.
-- they learned the importance of coming together as one. To this I have to give props to the Clinton's. WIthout question, they did their job. It probably killed them, but they get big time style points for sucking it up and doing the right thing.
-- they kept the speeches tight and they were all good. Every single one of them. Kennedy. Michelle. Biden. The Clinton's. Al Gore. They all killed.
I have to say that Barack is impressive. As many of you know, I've met him a few times in the past when I lived in Chicago and he was a State Senator. He was impressive then, he is obviously impressive now. He killed his speech tonight, he is riding the zeitgiest full tilt, and I believe he will be the next President of the United States.
And he damn well better be a good one because we need a lot of help.
So there it is: my first, and probably last, political diatribe. I've tried to keep politics out of this blog, but given the season, I feel I had to say something.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Random Thoughts
Just back from LA and am utterly exhaused so a few random thoughts:
-- given the choice, I'd pick the Olympics any day over a political convention. Its not even a contest.
-- speaking of political conventions, what is the Clinton's problem? I am a huge Bubba fan, but seriously; this dude has got to get over himself. He just might be the biggest narcissist of all time. Listen, Bill: you ran (actually, your Wife ran). You lost. Sh*t happens. Get over it and let Obama have his moment. It's unseemly to the point where there's no doubt it will have an impact on his legacy.
-- Breaking Bad on AMC; two thumbs up. I rented it on itunes and have on;y watched the first three episodes, but this one is a winner. It's slightly (more than slightly, actually) depressing but really well done and interesting.
-- Vacation is cool. Returning to work from vacation: not so cool.
-- Yankees lost tonight to the season and I'll get on record and say it: this season is over.
-- That said, Michigan football starts this Saturday; the dawning of the Rich Rod era. Hope springs eternal. Go Blue.
-- given the choice, I'd pick the Olympics any day over a political convention. Its not even a contest.
-- speaking of political conventions, what is the Clinton's problem? I am a huge Bubba fan, but seriously; this dude has got to get over himself. He just might be the biggest narcissist of all time. Listen, Bill: you ran (actually, your Wife ran). You lost. Sh*t happens. Get over it and let Obama have his moment. It's unseemly to the point where there's no doubt it will have an impact on his legacy.
-- Breaking Bad on AMC; two thumbs up. I rented it on itunes and have on;y watched the first three episodes, but this one is a winner. It's slightly (more than slightly, actually) depressing but really well done and interesting.
-- Vacation is cool. Returning to work from vacation: not so cool.
-- Yankees lost tonight to the season and I'll get on record and say it: this season is over.
-- That said, Michigan football starts this Saturday; the dawning of the Rich Rod era. Hope springs eternal. Go Blue.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Over Time
Well its over. I'm talking about pretty much everything. My vacation. The Olympics. Summer. Where to begin?
Vacation was great, but as always, too short I was in Lake George and in NJ for the last day and a half (apologies to everyone I wasn't able to see). Yesterday was really special: I think it was the first time that all my kid's cousins (eight in total, plus one second cousin) were all congregated in one place. While we probably woke up the residents across the street (which happens to be a cemetary) it was a very enjoyable day. I was very surprised, too: nine kids ranging from eight months to eight, and there was nary a fight. Ok, maybe a fight or two, but nothing of any real consequance. Lake George was great fun and before leaving on Friday, we were able to squeeze in our annual swim to the Island, where I swim to an Island that's about a mile off shore, while the kids and father-in-law kayak alongside me.
The Olympics? Amazing. I'm already jonesing for more. Best three weeks of the year, sports-wise and I say that being a very serious fan of the Tour de France. There were too many story lines to count, but obviously Phelps and Bolt were the stars of the show. I was a bit dismayed by the performance (or lack thereof) of the mens track and field and boxing squad. We struggled in the sprints, puked the relays (except for 4 x 400) and didn't gain any ground in the distance races. Props to Bryan Clay though for winning the decathlon; that was huge. Anyway, great Games all around. And kudos to China for near perfect execution. Can't wait for London and hopefully Chicago after that.
And lastly, the Summer? Work aside (which was busier than ever), it was absolutely great and came and went too fast. Though ironically, NorCal summer starts around now, weather wise.
What to look forward to now? Certainly the Conventions (any early commentary/thoughts?) followed by the kick off of the Fall TV season. And there's the start of fourth grade for the Boy and first grade for the Girl. And in two weeks we kick off Fall baseball season. And then there's marathon training. All a long winded way of saying that life is good.
Word.
Vacation was great, but as always, too short I was in Lake George and in NJ for the last day and a half (apologies to everyone I wasn't able to see). Yesterday was really special: I think it was the first time that all my kid's cousins (eight in total, plus one second cousin) were all congregated in one place. While we probably woke up the residents across the street (which happens to be a cemetary) it was a very enjoyable day. I was very surprised, too: nine kids ranging from eight months to eight, and there was nary a fight. Ok, maybe a fight or two, but nothing of any real consequance. Lake George was great fun and before leaving on Friday, we were able to squeeze in our annual swim to the Island, where I swim to an Island that's about a mile off shore, while the kids and father-in-law kayak alongside me.
The Olympics? Amazing. I'm already jonesing for more. Best three weeks of the year, sports-wise and I say that being a very serious fan of the Tour de France. There were too many story lines to count, but obviously Phelps and Bolt were the stars of the show. I was a bit dismayed by the performance (or lack thereof) of the mens track and field and boxing squad. We struggled in the sprints, puked the relays (except for 4 x 400) and didn't gain any ground in the distance races. Props to Bryan Clay though for winning the decathlon; that was huge. Anyway, great Games all around. And kudos to China for near perfect execution. Can't wait for London and hopefully Chicago after that.
And lastly, the Summer? Work aside (which was busier than ever), it was absolutely great and came and went too fast. Though ironically, NorCal summer starts around now, weather wise.
What to look forward to now? Certainly the Conventions (any early commentary/thoughts?) followed by the kick off of the Fall TV season. And there's the start of fourth grade for the Boy and first grade for the Girl. And in two weeks we kick off Fall baseball season. And then there's marathon training. All a long winded way of saying that life is good.
Word.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Olympic Beef
I am perhaps the biggest Olympics fan ever. I have watched every single broadcast in its entirety, every night. I have watched it all. I think this is one of the greatest Olympics of all-time, barring the disastrous performance of the US track and field team. All that being said, I have a beef. It's not with the Olympics per se, but rather with NBC. While I understand why they need to focus a majority of airtime on the "desireable" sports: volleyball, swimming, track, and gymnastics, primarily, I really think they have missed the boat by not showing some fo the 'secondary" and "tertiary" sports, many of which have offered their own drama.
Granted, I'm a bit unique (read: weird) in terms of my love for esoteric sports, but it;s ridiculous to me that the only way I was able to watch certain sports, namely men's and women's triathlon and the marathon swims, was via the NBC website. To add insult to injury, these broadcast didn't even feature an audio feed. I had to watch them in utter silence. And as it happens, men's triathlon and the men's 10k open water swim (my new favorite sport) were unbelievable races that were decided in the final meter. If you can find them on Youtube, I suggest you check them out -- they are both well worth watching.
It's not that I don't get it -- I fully recognize where the ratings come from -- but I think they could have showed these sports a little love, if only in even recapping their respective finishes. The beauty of the Olympics in my opinion is recognizing human achievement, and I don't think achievement is limited singularly to top tier sports.
That's one man's opinion.
And once again; men's 10k marathon swim. Wow is that badass. The dude who won is a cancer survivor who at the time was given a very dire diagnosis. Today he's a gold medal winner. Nothing quite like the Olympics.
Granted, I'm a bit unique (read: weird) in terms of my love for esoteric sports, but it;s ridiculous to me that the only way I was able to watch certain sports, namely men's and women's triathlon and the marathon swims, was via the NBC website. To add insult to injury, these broadcast didn't even feature an audio feed. I had to watch them in utter silence. And as it happens, men's triathlon and the men's 10k open water swim (my new favorite sport) were unbelievable races that were decided in the final meter. If you can find them on Youtube, I suggest you check them out -- they are both well worth watching.
It's not that I don't get it -- I fully recognize where the ratings come from -- but I think they could have showed these sports a little love, if only in even recapping their respective finishes. The beauty of the Olympics in my opinion is recognizing human achievement, and I don't think achievement is limited singularly to top tier sports.
That's one man's opinion.
And once again; men's 10k marathon swim. Wow is that badass. The dude who won is a cancer survivor who at the time was given a very dire diagnosis. Today he's a gold medal winner. Nothing quite like the Olympics.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Baseball Hall of Fame
My father-in-law and I took the Little Boy to the Base ball Hall of Fame. The day could be summed up best by the Little BOy himself, who turned to me at one point and said "Daid, I think this might be the greatest day of my life."
It's the second time I've been to the HOF and I have to say that it is beyond amazing. It's amazing even if you aren't a baseball fan. We had a fun-filled seven hours (despite having to take a number of work phone calls) and we could probably have stayed longer. Highlights, in no particular order (and I will attempt to post some photos tomorrow) included:
-- an original Honus Wagner card; the "Holy Grail" at the HOF itself refers to it
-- Babe Ruth's locker and uniform
-- Ditto Lou Gehrig
-- the Barry Bonds "asterick" home run ball number 756
-- the glove WIllie Ways wore during the Vic Wertz catch
-- lunch at Sal's Pizza, one of the best freaking pizza joints in the country
-- Cy Young's glove
And the list goes on. Fantastic day; something every father and son should do in a lifetime. Big props to the father-in-law for helping make this trip happen.
It's the second time I've been to the HOF and I have to say that it is beyond amazing. It's amazing even if you aren't a baseball fan. We had a fun-filled seven hours (despite having to take a number of work phone calls) and we could probably have stayed longer. Highlights, in no particular order (and I will attempt to post some photos tomorrow) included:
-- an original Honus Wagner card; the "Holy Grail" at the HOF itself refers to it
-- Babe Ruth's locker and uniform
-- Ditto Lou Gehrig
-- the Barry Bonds "asterick" home run ball number 756
-- the glove WIllie Ways wore during the Vic Wertz catch
-- lunch at Sal's Pizza, one of the best freaking pizza joints in the country
-- Cy Young's glove
And the list goes on. Fantastic day; something every father and son should do in a lifetime. Big props to the father-in-law for helping make this trip happen.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Lake George, NY
A lovely time is being had by all in Lake George. After a bit of a rocky trip getting here in which I slept of all, oh about two hours it was great seeing the Wife and Kids. We came up to my in-law's house, which sits on Lake George, and despite the fat that I fell asleep every time I sat down, immediately felt relaxed. Today's activities included a ten mile run (I am NOT used to the heat; I absolutely melting), a three hour sail (the little girl's new favorite activity; this kid is a total water bug) a little whiffle ball playing, dinner with some friends and now the Olympics. All in all, a pretty darn near perfect day.
Tuesday my father in-law and I are taking the Little Boy to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. I'm not sure which of the three of us is more excited but if I were betting, i'd probably say the Little Boy.
Tuesday my father in-law and I are taking the Little Boy to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. I'm not sure which of the three of us is more excited but if I were betting, i'd probably say the Little Boy.
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