Four More Posts

Four more posts until this site is officially retired. I must say, that 2,000 posts is definitely a lot. I never expected to get to that number when I started this thing. Progress is being made on the new one, but I am running into URL issues (the URL I really want is taken). Anyway, will come up with some sort of fix and will hopefully debut the new one come Monday or so.

I am t minutes 8 days and counting to my 5k open water swim in Chicago with my boy Dave (and probably 500 other people). I'm not enormously nervous, but I'm not feeling exactly ready either. I've really managed to pick up my swimming these past few weeks, but haven't done anything longer than an hour. I'm hoping that all the CrossFit pays off and that my shoulders are able to hold up. Will be interesting, that is for sure.

Another Football Season Is Upon Us

We are a day away from September which means only one thing - football season! I could not be more stoked. Our season kicks off on Saturday night against defending national champion Alabama. I'm not anticipating a great outcome on that one - I don't think we are quite in their league yet (though I think that under the leadership of Coach Hoke, we will get there in time). That said, I am very excited about our prospects this year, especially now that we have a year of Coach Hoke's new system under our belt.

I'm also excited about Denard Robinson's senior season. He's been a fantastic Wolverine - you could argue that he's an all-time great - and I suspect he will give us another great year. One prediction: I expect that he will show significant improvement in his passing game and will cut back interceptions significantly.

Anyway: Saturday night could not come soon enough. Hope springs eternal for this Wolverine.

Go Blue!

9/11 Memorial

One of the things I was able to do while in New York was quickly visit the 9/11 Memorial. Suffice to say, it is a pretty powerful experience in so many different respects. The sadness is tempered slightly by the site of the emerging Freedom Tower, which is absolutely inspiring. Seeing it is one of those moments where you are proud to be an American.

I was also able to pay respects to three friends who perished in 9/11.

Pete Kellerman was my buddy Dave's best friend from college (Tulane). I hung out with Pete a ton while we both lived in New York. He was a character and a great, spectacularly fun guy.

Steve Goldstein was my freshmen orientation roommate at Michigan. He was a fellow Jersey boy and we really bonded. We also lived on the same floor in the same dorm. We went our separate ways after freshman year but remained friends and occasionally got together during the Summer. Another great guy.

Melissa Doi worked for me back in my New York days. She was one of these bright, energetic kids who was always smiling. You had a feeling that she was going to change the world.

I miss the three of you and think of you frequently. You are gone but not forgotten.

Rest in peace, Amigos.

Howard Solomon Run for Thyroid Cancer, Part IV

I just this morning realized that our annual Howard Solomon Run for Thyroid cancer annual event is upon us. That is, if anyone is interested. You guys should know the drill by now - it's pretty simple. Everyone does something physically active (run, swim, walk, hike, bike, tennis, etc) on the designated date. You send me a picture. I post it. In the end I make a donation on our collective behalf.

That's it.

I'm thinking that the weekend after next might make most sense, as that is the date my boy Dave M and I are swimming an open water 5k in Chicago. I'm also doing a 5k run the day following.

September 8th and 9th would be the dates. Requesting a roll call on this; who's in??

And remember: any activity counts and the entire family is encouraged to participate.

Headed Home

Been gone a long while from these here page; was in Lake George for a week and then in New Jersey for several days. Typing this at Newark Airport where my Summer has come to a official end. Today is about getting back to work both figuratively and literally. It's time too, despite the fact that I had a really great time in every respect.

New Jersey was great - saw all of the family as well as two of my very good friends from high school which was a real treat. I'm hoping my boy Geremy revisits this site from time to time. What up Ger?

What else? Went to a Mets game at Citifield (very impressive - the stadium that is), went to Crossfit a few times (it's fun visiting other gyms), got a new camera (thanks Scott), and got a million mosquito bites (didn't miss you at all, Mosquitos).

I've got a lot more posts in the queue, including one on Lance Armstrong.  Will try to knock those put this week and might even unveil the new site, too.

Until then, big thanks to both sets of grandparent - Nana, Papa, Papa Gerry and Nana Ida - for the hospitality.

Greetings from Lake George, Part II

So the Kids are home from camp. IT's safe to say that the kids had a great time. Beyond great, apparently. It's all she will talk about and she's begging us to take her back. It was cute the first day but I'm starting to think she is obsessed. Better to have them love it though than otherwise.

It's great to see them, obviously though the 3.5 weeks was really over in a blink of an eye. We're having a nice time in Lake George and we are really taking advantage of the lake: I swam an hour yesterday and 40 minutes today (I have a 5k swim in a mere three weeks and am not yet ready - though I'm starting to get there) and we borrowed two paddleboards and have been paddling the hours away. Paddleboarding is super fun the the Little Boy in particular is terrific at it.

Tomorrow our friends the Berlents arrive in town, which will be super fun. Pictures will follow.

Here's Where I am At

So, if you recall I said that I was going to stop publishing this blog once I hit post number 1,200. I have ten to go.

A number of folks have encouraged me to carry on, which is really a very nice thing to hear. I wasn't sure if anyone really cared. So, I've struck a compromise.

I WILL carry on - but not with this site. I think it's kind of run it's course title and platform wise. A number of you have said that it's difficult to leave comments here and I've had the same issue, which I simply cannot seem to figure out.

So, I'm toying with a new platform, title, and look and feel. I'm going to continue to play around with it a bit and have some ideas; I'll look to "debut" within the next week or so.

In the interim, I do have a few titles I'm toying with but am open to suggestions.

Anyone? Bueller? Ferris Bueller?

Whomever comes up with a winner gets a (electronics) special prize. So put your thinking cap on. And stay tuned for more.