Happy St. Patricks Day: 2010

Hope you all have a good St. Paddies/ St. Patties (?) Day. I am doing the same thing I did last year. Nothing special. For those that do celebrate, Faith and Begorrah be careful out there. Its amateur drunk night, starting at noon today.

Happy 1st Birthday Mae Leilani

Today is our daughter's very first birthday. Happy birthday my pretty pink princess beautiful butterfly.

Mae has certainly been a blessing in our family, no more so than to her big brother. Their hearts belong to each other, a bond that for the last twelve months has grown exponentially greater as their communication improves.

Mommy and little girl have completely bonded and already created that unique relationship of equal parts love and frustration that I see in every mother daughter relationship.

I was the hardest nut to crack and that's probably why she works so hard to bend daddy to her will. Oh I see the giggles and smiles when I walk into the room. She taunts me with the hugs and love pats when I hold her. But she won't crack me, daddy's are hard. I know. I know. Total crap.

Happy birthday sweetie. We'll continue to raise you as a God loving, sensible, open minded young lady with manners, patience, kindness, fairness, competitiveness and joy. We all look forward to teaching you about this great big world, see you've even been to Europe! Life is a great adventure and you're going to love it. Love it. Almost as much as we all love you.

Happy Birthday

Make this Valentines meal one to remember

Every Valentines Day it seems the same thing; a cycle of flowers, a teddy bear, dinner out, a movie, chocolate, jewelry, a gag gift. Repeat. Aside from the jewelry everything else is such a momentary event. Do you even remember what you gave to a loved one last year? Or what you recieved?

This Valentines Day keep the healthy lifestyle alive. Instead of a calorie heavy dinner out, create a picnic basket of healthy food and head to the park. An intimate meal for two. For ambiance bring your MP3 player and if you haven't done it yet buy a small external speaker like the Gigaware and play some nice background music. Classical and Orchestra are great but stick to stuff you know, Take a look at John Williams greatest hits 1969-1999. Every song is memorable and elicits story's from the past.

The water for your picnic comes bottled thanks to your first gift, a BPA-free Nalgene or SIGG bottle. Use a zero calorie seltzer or sparkling water. If you have both been good with your nutrition splurge on a Martinelli sparkling cider. A word of advice, carbonatedd drinks will seep through a Nalgene lid, not so with SIGG type containers. Trust me.

Start with an appetizer of hot soup and a small slice of french bread. It is eacy to find a tomato bisque that is full of flavor, healthy and warms the belly without the heavy cream found in restaurant fare. Bring the soup in a thermos and serve in a mug. If you have an outdoors side, pack your camping stove and warm it up on the spot.

For the heartier fare, try boneless skinless chicken breasts. Cut and skewer them onto bamboo sticks. Keep the seasonings modest on the chicken, but a small container of mild buffalo wing sauce provides a nice touch for dipping.

Is a pinic a picnic without potato salad? Of course not. If you can't make a healthy version yourself, go ask mom. In lieu of that browse the deli section of your store and keep the portion size small. Stick to mustard versions over mayonnaise.

The third part of your main course served with the chicken and salad is a plate of finger food. Keep it simple and colorful, remember this is only for the two of you. Slice an apple, an orange colored pepper, strawberries and some celery. These provide some much needed crunch to the meal. Add some cheddar cheese and bited sized cuts from the french bread.

By Valentines Day, everyone has had at least a little bit of chocolate and it is expected this meal will do the same, but how do you make it memorable months down the road from all the other chocolate kisses, bars and such? Nutella. Use the remaining strawberries and bite sized bread for dipping in this messy but wonderfully tasting spread. Finish the meal with a thermos of hot tea. Again a camp stove adds memorizing flair and you can pour the tea into the Sigg or Nalgene bottle.

Some other tips to make your picnic momentus. Bring a nice throw blanket for ground cover or if your sitting at a bench it can be used as a wrap. Chemical handwarmers are a thoughtful gag gift that actually have a purpose. Instead of paper napkins buy your significant other a set of cloth napkins for years of use or buy a unique oversized bandanna at a local hiking/outdoor store that can be used for a hundred purposes in the years ahead; if you bought the water bottles and put hot tea in them, use the bandanna as a cozy as the metal bottle will get quite warm. If your partner did not own an MP3 player or an external speaker, then the final gift is when you had them the unit.

Health is not just about what you put into your body or how you exercise, it's also about having a healthy mind. Instead of a generic greeting card, practice a speech praising your significant other that lasts for at least three minutes, saying all the things you love and appreciate about them. Then look into their eyes, hold their hand and give it your best.

Its not difficult to have a healthy meal for Valentines Day. What is hard is making it one that a person will remember for years to come. Catch them off balance by eating outside rather than in and offer gifts and words that promote health that will last for years to come.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Healing Grounds

I know that my life completely changed on 9/11. In no small part 9/11 made me commit to triathlon after decades of being a gym rat, body builder or workaholic. I realized that I could no longer spend ten hours a week enjoying my fitness pursuits indoors and had to move outside. I realized that our lives are far to short and I did not appreciate the wonders of this world enough. It changed my mindset, my nutrition and my fitness goals. I was moving to slow and not living a life of purpose, vision and direction, though I had done much in it already.

While most in the media will mention this day's significance only in passing at the top and bottom of the hour I will spend time at the Tempe Healing Grounds. I will also ignore the arm chair generals who will second guess whether this or that course of action was best and what that meant for the country. Instead I will focus on almost 3,000 flags.

Each 3'x5' flag stands on a white eight foot pole. Each flag has the name and information of a person who died in the attacks. I will be overwhelmed at the loss of life. I will sniffle and I will well up, holding back the tears. Maybe not being so successful at it. I will make it impossible to ignore the families that are without husbands, wives, moms, dads, children, or siblings. These people suffered tremendous pain. I will do my part to shoulder that burden if but for an hour or two.

Take time today to think about how different your family would be if you suddenly were not in it. Think for a moment about your place in life. Consider what you really want to do or be in life, better spouse, athletic pursuit, business opportunity, volunteerism. Then do it. It may take years but take that path.

My path today will wind through 3,000 flags. Outdoors, where the sun will shine and I will give thanks that since September 11, 2001, I have moved so much closer to the richer, fuller life that I wanted.

Happy Birthday America

Amidst the merriment of today do not forget that in 1776 some of the greatest men this world has produced created a document that declared for the first time in history that the people of under their government could pursue happiness, liberty, justice and capitalism without usurpation and with guaranteed freedom.

I love this country, our United States. Happy Birthday to the most generous country in the world. It and we have provided more food, more money and more aid to more countries than any other on this planet. We have sacrificed the lives of more of its citizens in the defense of freedom and protection of democratic values than any other nation that has ever existed.

We have provided shelter for the bereaved, the weak, the oppressed and the poor from all over the globe. We stood up to tyranny on our own soil and our foundation of democracy has been duplicated by free thinking people ever sense, seeking to uplift themselves from colonialism and despotism.

A toast to the greatest nation on God's green earth. Let freedom ring!

Memorial Day

To many of our citizens, this day holds little of the importance it once did. BBQ's and a three day weekend now cover the solemnity of remembering, memorializing, our sons and daughters who have given given their life while in uniform.

In our great experiment of freedom brave souls have stood upon the battlements ready to defend its principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The very protections we are blessed with today are due to the sacrifices others have made for us and this day is set aside to recognize them in a tribute of selflessness.

The men I have known, or been told about, the men of history I have studied, all had similar traits. They cared little for the battle they fought rather it was the cause that captured them. A desire to defend their family or protect the weak. On this day we hold in memory those that died holding the line.

In this age most of our holidays are nothing more than an edifice to commercialism. Memorial day is one of the few that is largely untouched, aside from car and furniture companies creating their three day sale blitz. For those that are deeply cognizant of this day, there is no card or gift that can remove the sadness from the heart. This day does not lend credence to what possession we want next when what we desire most is the return of someones life we held so dear. We dream of never having to hold ourself accountable to someone who we felt left this world too early. God save those that blame them self for the lose of life.

Today is meant to honor duty to county. It is meant to hold in memorial those that gave their full measure of devotion for freedom.

Holiday M-Dot: St. Patricks Day 08

As I finally upload this, it truly is "Top O' The Morning"

Happy St. Patty's everyone and hope that all the training you do tonight out on the roads is safe and with fair weather.


Don't ro

Valentines Day--Bah!!

This is a reprint from a post two years ago. Still relevant.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Let's Be Honest...

Non-Tri post here folks...Valentines Day is a BS holiday. And not just Valentines Day but Mother's Day, Father's Day, Arbor Day, Halloween theres more; I am an equal opportunity despiser.

I don't think some corporation needs to tell me that regardless of all the good deeds, love letters, flowers and unforgetable moments I give my wife, aka Mistress, during the year; that if I neglect to buy one of their cards or buy some of their candy or overpriced roses and give them to her on February 14th, I am a bad person.

I am not a bad person. I buy Mistress flowers every week, why go out of my way to buy the same bunch for twice the cost during the week of Valentines Day? So I can show society I care about my wife or that I care about the institution of Valentine's Day?

I buy my mom books and candy and speciality things and give her gift certificates all year long to show how much I love and appreciate her. She knows I love her, why do I need to bend to social conformity on Mom's Day? I don't.

Just so you don't think I am some unfeeling robot, let me give you a vision of the personalized side of me. Remember Christmas, just a few months ago really? Remember what people gave you? Maybe one, maybe two gifts. Did you send thank you cards? Come on be honest? To everyone? I do. And when I use their gift for the first time, such as a gift certificate or flashlight or whatever, I send another letter or call them to let them know how their gift was used. This might take all year to use a dinner card.

Just like at Christmas when I wish everyone a un-PC, "Merry Christmas" regardless if they celebrate or not, I will graciously accept all the "Happy Valentines Day" wishes I recieve today. I will even respond will a good heart.

Thats how much I care about people. I love people. I appreicate the gift of giving but don't appreciate the corporate crap that has been heaped on top holidays.

Mistress knows all this. In fact I had a conversation with her because I am conflicted. Yes people I am conflicted. See I will not bow to the Hallmark-Hersey-Industrial-Complex, but I felt that maybe she expected something from the Mighty Mo. Seeing as he is not quite 3 years old that means I would have to buy the card and the gift and sign his name to it. I told her that I would really just like to raise my boy to not have to partake in this holiday and she told me that she only wants something from him when he understands the meaning of the day. She's a good woman. Update 2008: I just mentioned in a post this week that I did take Mo to the mall and he picked out a gift for Mistress for Valentines day. He gave her a yellow girl power ranger so they can play together. Totally appropriate for his age.

She obviously has the more traditional "I've bought in" mentality so she thinks I am being just wierd. I told her that if she wants a card and a gift and flowers then I could do all that AND tell her I love her and then be completely unobligated to do any of that or tell her I love her until next February 14th. She laughed and said, "Ah, No." See guys you will never win with Valentines Day. Your expected to dish out all year long but dish out much more on Valentines Day.

So Flame On folks. I expect many of you who have bought expensive jewerly or two dozen roses or going to an expensive dinner tonight to stand up and defend yourself and your expense. As for me, its business as usual, day as usual.

I thought it would be nice to have you see some of the comments from 2006 and last year as well.

The Big Dozen

Mistress and I have been married 12 years today. Longest relationship I've ever had over three months. I couldn't have married a better woman for me and though like all marriages there are the idiosyncrasies and ups and downs, I have earned a long leash of trust from her. Even when I say I will be back from my workout in four hours and she says, "See you in five," and thats when I get home.

So what did we do for our anniversary? Well we sent Mo over to Grandmas for the night and we went to a high end steak place for dinner. $250 later, I felt pretty damn good and not full at all. Mistress felt a bit full and tipsy. I didn't drink any booze but created my own drink with orange juice, 7-up and cranberry juice, she had a some great Merlot.

The meal was okay, not spectacular. We had crab stuffed mushrooms that were massive and some ravioli for appetizers, she had a 8oz filet and I ordered a 18oz prime rib. It was bone in and I ate about 12 oz which was perfect but the thing was huge. It was thicker than my index finger is long, about three inches. The side for the main meal was a gnocchi, truffles and crab meat which I was not a huge fan of, but Mistress thought was tasty. For desert the restaurant gave us a free slice of very good triple chocolate cake with Happy Anniversary written in chocolate on the plate. Nice touch.

When we got done with dinner, we tried to make it to a movie, but we were in between all the showings. Instead we went home and watched a great movie I rented for her called Stardust. A little quirky but full of fun. A bit like Princess Bride which is her favorite movie.

Mo gets back soon. I am off to do the grocery's for the week and then a 1500 swim/ 30 mile bike brick. My legs are still beat from the great 60 I rode yesterday at 19.5 mph.

I'll have a new holiday M-Dot picture going up before New Year so stand by.

Merry Christmas to All

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" Luke 2:8-14 KJV

On Christmas morning at our house we are celebrating the birthday of Baby Jesus. Mo thought it was very important that we have a birthday cake for him. So he made one, almost all by himself. Mistress helped but all the labor was done by him. Then before he took all his medicines before bed, only four of them at night, we gathered around and sang Happy Birthday to baby Jesus.
I am also debuting not one but two holiday M-dot's. Hope you like them.

On Christmas morning our family has a special breakfast tradition started by my grandmother over 40 years ago. Mistress and I started our own family tradition about five years ago for dinner. Instead of the typical ham or turkey, a rehash of Thanksgiving, we started a Hawaiian luau, to honor my family's heritage. Yes you see a white leg above, but I am half Hawaiian on my fathers side. Mistress has learned to cook a pig in the Hawaiian style using my grandmothers recipes and we add pot stickers, exotic tropical fruit salad, beer battered coconut prawns, chicken lettuce wraps, coconut pudding, lomi salmon, among other south pacific cuisine rotated in and out each year. It's quite a feast. Enough to feed 3 Hawaiians or 15 howly's.

Merry Christmas my fine, fine friends. Merry Christmas to you all. You have no idea how much you have risen me up and given me hope and fellowship when I have needed it most.

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody

I can sincerely say that my life is healthier and more fulfilled with you in my life. Thank you for stopping by and reading about my battle with Common Man Syndrome on a regular basis. I appreciate all your comments and concerns and as most of you know, I try to respond to every comment.

You have made my Thanksgiving Day a day of humble remembrance of so many things but mostly for being with me in this thing called life. I wish I could sit down and eat with every single one of you today, but know that all of you will be in my thoughts as I eat with my family.

Flipping Pies

I got an email from a friend, a personal trainer, who was sending out his defensive strategies for Thanksgiving. He asked for some feedback on what has worked for us receiving the message and he would share them with everyone else.

Here was my contribution. I am interested in yours...

I think a lot of families remember us (guys in particular) as “ravenous, eating contest with Uncle Bob teenagers”, not the triathletes we are today. It takes supreme effort to maintain control at the family gathering but I always treat the snack table as a run aid station. I don’t stand at the table I walk or run through. I grab something to drink, something to nibble in one hand and then gone, just like a race.

During the meal, just try to stay under the radar. Make the plate look full by spreading everything around.

After all that effort to maintain control during the meal it can all fall apart at the end when we leave. Everyone is offering leftovers and that’s when you ‘give in’. Ask everyone else to take their share first and then take everything offered, especially slices of pie and cake. Don’t hold back. You will get claps on the back for finally indulging yourself as you walk out the door loaded down.

Then as soon as you pull into the driveway, throw it all in the garbage can beside your house. Every last bite. You don’t eat all the calories and your family will think they finally broke you down.

Yawn..it sure is bright out there.

I woke up this morning feeling a bit sheepish regarding the weekend. Even being off formal training the last two months, (it feels longer), I still get out and do a little sum'em sum'em on the weekends.

This weekend was spent on the couch with Mo or playing in the backyard with Mo or taking it easy myself. Mistress spent most of the weekend sleeping, which you know what, good for her.

I feel good about this week and have planned a two mile run and one mile swim for today. Its baby steps back into consistent base training.

My one foray into society was Sunday when I went grocery shopping at WalMart. They had Halloween stuff up already in the crafts section. Its July. I really don't need to see Harvest this or that or little ghosts and witches already. I didn't even register it till writing this post but they had Christmas stocking projects hanging up too. I suppose I won't begrudge that because my mom hand stitches beautiful stockings and it takes her six months to get them done.

But c'mon do we need the foam Halloween stuff up already?

Happy Birthday America!!

God I love this, our United States. Happy Birthday to the most generous country in the world. It and we have provided more food, more money and more aid to more countries than any other on this planet. We have sacrificed the lives of more of its citizens in the defense of freedom and protection of democratic values than any other nation that has ever existed.

We have provided shelter for the bereaved, the weak, the oppressed and the poor from all over the globe. We have stood up to tyranny on our own soil and our foundation of democracy has been duplicated by free thinking people seeking to uplift themselves from colonialism and despotism.

A toast to the greatest nation on God's green earth.

Holiday M-Dot: St. Patrick's Day

Faith and Begorah me fine friends. Be wishing you a right St. Patty's day and long health. Have a baked pah-ta-toe this fine day and lift a glass to rainbow. May you find your lucky charms and your pot of gold.

Happy Presidents Day

Holiday M-Dot: Valentines Day

I had some friends that backpacked Europe after high school. They stole a garden gnome from a random family in the neighborhood and took it with them, taking pictures and sending them back all through the summer. At least were I came from, Seattle, this was odd but not uncommon and the gnome was returned safely and anonymously when they came back. Travelocity now has a ad campaign around the roaming gnome phenomenon.

I thought it would be 'interesting', (at least to me) to dress up my tattoo with a holiday theme or take pictures of it in front of interesting places and post them online. Of course I promptly forgot to do that in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Here is my Valentine's Day tattoo.

My dad is a carpenter by hobby and I am going to have him work on a m-dot for traveling purposes since I can't wrap my mind around how to frame and take a picture of my calf AND get an interesting shot of a famous place like in the gnome shot above.

For those of you who enjoy today's date, celebrate. For those of us who don't, do yourself a favor and transfer the $50 you would have spent on flowers, dinners or gifts into your savings account or make a donation to a wonderful cause. Several of the Tri-Blog Alliance support and race for charities.

Valentines Day Humbug

This is a re-print of my Valentine's Day post last year. If anything my position has been more solidified. However, now that I am an Ironman *cough*cough* tomorrow I will debut a new holiday picture for you that I hope to be able to do each holiday regardless of how pointless or sexist I think it is. Oh c'mon, Valentines Day is sexist ;)

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Let's Be Honest...

Non-Tri post here folks...Valentines Day is a BS holiday. And not just Valentines Day but Mother's Day, Father's Day, Arbor Day, Halloween theres more; I am an equal opportunity despiser.

I don't think some corporation needs to tell me that regardless of all the good deeds, love letters, flowers and unforgetable moments I give my wife, aka Mistress, during the year; that if I neglect to buy one of their cards or buy some of their candy or overpriced roses and give them to her on February 14th, I am a bad person.

I am not a bad person. I buy Mistress flowers every week, why go out of my way to buy the same bunch for twice the cost during the week of Valentines Day? So I can show society I care about my wife or that I care about the institution of Valentine's Day?

I buy my mom books and candy and speciality things and give her gift certificates all year long to show how much I love and appreciate her. She knows I love her, why do I need to bend to social conformity on Mom's Day? I don't.

Just so you don't think I am some unfeeling robot, let me give you a vision of the personalized side of me. Remember Christmas, just a few months ago really? Remember what people gave you? Maybe one, maybe two gifts. Did you send thank you cards? Come on be honest? To everyone? I do. And when I use their gift for the first time, such as a gift certificate or flashlight or whatever, I send another letter or call them to let them know how their gift was used. This might take all year to use a dinner card.

Just like at Christmas when I wish everyone a un-PC, "Merry Christmas" regardless if they celebrate or not, I will graciously accept all the "Happy Valentines Day" wishes I recieve today. I will even respond will a good heart.

Thats how much I care about people. I love people. I appreicate the gift of giving but don't appreciate the corporate crap that has been heaped on top holidays.

Mistress knows all this. In fact I had a conversation with her because I am conflicted. Yes people I am conflicted. See I will not bow to the Hallmark-Hersey-Industrial-Complex, but I felt that maybe she expected something from the Mighty Mo. Seeing as he is not quite 3 years old that means I would have to buy the card and the gift and sign his name to it. I told her that I would really just like to raise my boy to not have to partake in this holiday and she told me that she only wants something from him when he understands the meaning of the day. She's a good woman.

She obviously has the more traditional "I've bought in" mentality so she thinks I am being just wierd. I told her that if she wants a card and a gift and flowers then I could do all that AND tell her I love her and then be completely unobligated to do any of that or tell her I love her until next February 14th. She laughed and said, "Ah, No." See guys you will never win with Valentines Day. Your expected to dish out all year long but dish out much more on Valentines Day.

So Flame On folks. I expect many of you who have bought expensive jewerly or two dozen roses or going to an expensive dinner tonight to stand up and defend yourself and your expense. As for me, its business as usual, day as usual.

I thought it would be nice to have you see some of the comments from last year as well.