I've tried several times to post this online but copyright gets me. I'll take my chances on my own blog. Just in case, the song credit goes to Muse and the it's called Madness.
I recently received a new GroPro camera and thought I'd try it out. This is also my first attempt at video editing. It was a slow going project, but I got something done. I'm planning on doing more of this in the future, especially with some great skiing this winter! Keep your eyes peeled if you're interested.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
West Coast Magnet
The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of "leadership techniques", van and trailer driving, camping, racking bikes, learning new computer programs, and ultimately finding out where the 18 of us will be spending our summers. To keep this brief, I'll just give you the highlights.
Arrived at Salt Lake City airport last Tuesday to see 11 other people standing on the curb, large duffles and backpacks in tow. I knew right away I was with my kind of people, smiling, laughing, and looking generally excited. There were a lot of "I remember you (from the hiring event a month or more earlier)"'s and "congratulations" and then we made the 25-minute trek to our "leader houses" in Salt Lake's Cottonwood Heights region. This is a neighborhood that sits directly between Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons.
The next morning we woke up in the 7am range and headed to the "warehouse", since SLC is the United States' hub for Backroads logistics, equipment, and leader training. Here we were given a tour and introduced to the classroom we would be doing many-a-session in. I immediately fell asleep when I saw the classroom, obviously. We met some of the leaders that would be training us over the next two weeks, and began in on splitting into three groups, for organizational purposes. We were each assigned a mentor that we will continue to work with as we go out in the field as well.
The next week was full of classes, driving school, bike mechanics, leadership scenarios, and reading, reading, reading. There are more documents to this company than there are in Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company, I'm sure!
Week two began with a "mock trip" out into the mountains where we learned about the logistics behind van support, meal preparation, and public speaking. It was a beautiful park with a chilly reservoir and tall, green and brown mountains surrounding us. Our bike rides were magnificent, and the camaraderie was superb. The food was ridiculously complex and tasty. How many times have you gone camping and had the privilege of eating tomato bisque, spicy sausage soup, sundried tomato and basil dip, and fresh brownies made in a dutch oven (if you google "dutch oven", it's not THAT kind!)
Upon returning to the Warehouse on Wednesday, we had a few classes as we were driven crazy with anticipation of our summer assignments. Finally, at 4:30 (which became 4:45 before the torture was done being drawn out), we got our little slips of paper with our schedule on it. We had four people that will be heading to Europe, six that will be spending their time in Yellowstone and the Tetons, another couple that are off to the Canyons (Grand, Bryce, and Zion National Park), two to Glacier National Park, one to Maine, one to the San Juan Islands, and I'm the only one going to Yosemite and California Wine Country. These locations hold steady until September when many people could be changing, or wrapping up for the season. I have put in full availability for September and that is Backroads' busiest months so I will certainly be working somewhere!
My trips include a hiking tour and three biking family "premiere inn" trips in Yosemite, and two regular "premiere inn" trips in wine country. Not to mention a training trip, familiarization van drive, and a support van assignment for a Yosemite biking tour. The assignment isn't exactly what I had in mind, considering my general attitude toward wine (don't drink the stuff), and the fact that it wasn't even on my radar, but after some talking to my mentor, and my other leader friends, I realize I earned a really great gig!
Leaving for Seattle on Sunday, spending the week gathering gear and packing more accurately, and then off to Berkeley, CA, where my home base will be, on the 17th of June.
Moving forward, my plan as of now is to work through September, take October to officiate football in Seattle, and then sign up for some winter tours with Backroads. I'm not guaranteed winter work, as only 50% of the people that want it get it, but I'm going to make myself VERY available (which basically includes Christmas and New Years).
Arrived at Salt Lake City airport last Tuesday to see 11 other people standing on the curb, large duffles and backpacks in tow. I knew right away I was with my kind of people, smiling, laughing, and looking generally excited. There were a lot of "I remember you (from the hiring event a month or more earlier)"'s and "congratulations" and then we made the 25-minute trek to our "leader houses" in Salt Lake's Cottonwood Heights region. This is a neighborhood that sits directly between Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons.
The next morning we woke up in the 7am range and headed to the "warehouse", since SLC is the United States' hub for Backroads logistics, equipment, and leader training. Here we were given a tour and introduced to the classroom we would be doing many-a-session in. I immediately fell asleep when I saw the classroom, obviously. We met some of the leaders that would be training us over the next two weeks, and began in on splitting into three groups, for organizational purposes. We were each assigned a mentor that we will continue to work with as we go out in the field as well.
The next week was full of classes, driving school, bike mechanics, leadership scenarios, and reading, reading, reading. There are more documents to this company than there are in Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company, I'm sure!
Week two began with a "mock trip" out into the mountains where we learned about the logistics behind van support, meal preparation, and public speaking. It was a beautiful park with a chilly reservoir and tall, green and brown mountains surrounding us. Our bike rides were magnificent, and the camaraderie was superb. The food was ridiculously complex and tasty. How many times have you gone camping and had the privilege of eating tomato bisque, spicy sausage soup, sundried tomato and basil dip, and fresh brownies made in a dutch oven (if you google "dutch oven", it's not THAT kind!)
Upon returning to the Warehouse on Wednesday, we had a few classes as we were driven crazy with anticipation of our summer assignments. Finally, at 4:30 (which became 4:45 before the torture was done being drawn out), we got our little slips of paper with our schedule on it. We had four people that will be heading to Europe, six that will be spending their time in Yellowstone and the Tetons, another couple that are off to the Canyons (Grand, Bryce, and Zion National Park), two to Glacier National Park, one to Maine, one to the San Juan Islands, and I'm the only one going to Yosemite and California Wine Country. These locations hold steady until September when many people could be changing, or wrapping up for the season. I have put in full availability for September and that is Backroads' busiest months so I will certainly be working somewhere!
My trips include a hiking tour and three biking family "premiere inn" trips in Yosemite, and two regular "premiere inn" trips in wine country. Not to mention a training trip, familiarization van drive, and a support van assignment for a Yosemite biking tour. The assignment isn't exactly what I had in mind, considering my general attitude toward wine (don't drink the stuff), and the fact that it wasn't even on my radar, but after some talking to my mentor, and my other leader friends, I realize I earned a really great gig!
Leaving for Seattle on Sunday, spending the week gathering gear and packing more accurately, and then off to Berkeley, CA, where my home base will be, on the 17th of June.
Moving forward, my plan as of now is to work through September, take October to officiate football in Seattle, and then sign up for some winter tours with Backroads. I'm not guaranteed winter work, as only 50% of the people that want it get it, but I'm going to make myself VERY available (which basically includes Christmas and New Years).
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Of All Roads, I Chose the Backroads...
When times are good, adventure is high, and life seems generally more interesting, it's easy to share with friends and family. When the routine drags you down, and there is little excitement in your day to day activities, the "sharing bubble" bursts. I've been under the soggy residue of a burst bubble for a bit, but I'm feeling much better with some big life changes, and new opportunities.
Let me give you a quick recap of my winter and spring:
After football season ended I picked up the coaching duties again, which in the rainy winters mostly include indoor cycling classes. I also continued to write my football articles on the Pac-12 and Oakland Raiders. Those can be found at collegesportsmadness.com and thepenaltyflag.com respectively. I feel as if I turned out some interesting pieces, even though the weekly tasks became a bit monotonous. I also spent most of my winter months dating, both online and traditional, with little to no success and a generally apathetic view on the whole process.
January rolled around and I began triathlon training again, in an attempt to be a "normal" triathlete that simply enjoys the training and throws in an occasional race. I was, once again, setting my alarms to get up before 5:30am and swim with a master's swim team. Joining in on organized track workouts and watching Friday Night Lights while I rode my bike trainer in the living room. It wasn't the most glamorous of workout routines, but did create some fitness in my lungs and legs.
In February, while visiting my mother and grandmother in Pennsylvania, my dog Linus died of cardiac arrest at the animal hospital. I found while I was standing in line to board the plane from Dulles to Seattle. That may have been the longest, and most miserable flight of my life. Linus was a great little guy with HUGE personality and a million friends, both human and canine.
As the pain from a recent loss of a human relationship, and a man's-best-friend relationship, began to wear off, I found myself in the all-too-familiar "where do I go from here" zone. So, I started moseying down several different avenues to find what was going to motivate me. Although I am enjoying the coaching aspect of my life, and certainly the football officiating, I decided to take a long shot at being a cycling tour guide for Backroads Travel. I filled out an online application and began the waiting game.
While waiting to hear something, anything, I began thinking about my summer without the cycling tour job. I began contacting sponsors, planning a race schedule, getting ideas together for possible travels, and even moved pretty far along in looking for a new dog. My plan B was coming together nicely, and in many ways even started to feel just as appealing as Plan A.
Well, I only had to wait for a couple weeks before I received a call from Backroads looking to do a phone interview. The phone call was short and sweet, and then I received an email several days later inviting me to a "hiring event" in Berkeley, CA. I paid a pretty penny to get to the Bay Area just eight days after being invited. I flew to Berkeley, did an eight-hour interview with 45 other applicants from our "event" and then spent the night in the San Francisco area. The following morning I received a call from an unknown number in Berkeley, CA. I knew that a phone call was possibly a good thing, and it was. I came home as one of nine people with a new job!
The skinny on the job is that I will be leaving Seattle (although keeping it as my current residence and still paying rent), on Memorial Day and flying to Salt Lake City where I will do two weeks of intense job training. Here they will teach us how to be leaders on an expensive biking/hiking/camping/adventure for individuals, families, and couples. Backroads guides tours all around North America and the world. I will likely be in the US this year, although that is not a guarantee. My language limitations will keep my out of places like France, Italy, and Spain, but will work fine in more uncommon language areas like Vietnam, Switzerland, and Morocco.
The pay is great, the traveling will be amazing, and I'm sure the people are right up my alley. Yes, it'll take me away from Seattle during the best months to be here (June-October), but I'll be sure to enjoy the summer either way. My roommate, Steve, will have the luxury of a large apartment to himself (minus the cat, Chili), and I will only bring the necessities with me. Once I leave for Salt Lake, I will not be returning until October, so packing will be an adventure in itself. Especially considering I don't have a clue where my assignments will be until I am already in Utah.
I am going to do my best to update this blog while I am traveling, working, and relaxing. Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures on here and Facebook for all of you to see. I am really looking forward to starting a job that really seems to suit me, keeps me away from a desk, and allows me to work with people.
Thanks for reading!
Check out Backroads.com for an idea of whom has decided to employ me.
Let me give you a quick recap of my winter and spring:
After football season ended I picked up the coaching duties again, which in the rainy winters mostly include indoor cycling classes. I also continued to write my football articles on the Pac-12 and Oakland Raiders. Those can be found at collegesportsmadness.com and thepenaltyflag.com respectively. I feel as if I turned out some interesting pieces, even though the weekly tasks became a bit monotonous. I also spent most of my winter months dating, both online and traditional, with little to no success and a generally apathetic view on the whole process.
January rolled around and I began triathlon training again, in an attempt to be a "normal" triathlete that simply enjoys the training and throws in an occasional race. I was, once again, setting my alarms to get up before 5:30am and swim with a master's swim team. Joining in on organized track workouts and watching Friday Night Lights while I rode my bike trainer in the living room. It wasn't the most glamorous of workout routines, but did create some fitness in my lungs and legs.
In February, while visiting my mother and grandmother in Pennsylvania, my dog Linus died of cardiac arrest at the animal hospital. I found while I was standing in line to board the plane from Dulles to Seattle. That may have been the longest, and most miserable flight of my life. Linus was a great little guy with HUGE personality and a million friends, both human and canine.
As the pain from a recent loss of a human relationship, and a man's-best-friend relationship, began to wear off, I found myself in the all-too-familiar "where do I go from here" zone. So, I started moseying down several different avenues to find what was going to motivate me. Although I am enjoying the coaching aspect of my life, and certainly the football officiating, I decided to take a long shot at being a cycling tour guide for Backroads Travel. I filled out an online application and began the waiting game.While waiting to hear something, anything, I began thinking about my summer without the cycling tour job. I began contacting sponsors, planning a race schedule, getting ideas together for possible travels, and even moved pretty far along in looking for a new dog. My plan B was coming together nicely, and in many ways even started to feel just as appealing as Plan A.
Well, I only had to wait for a couple weeks before I received a call from Backroads looking to do a phone interview. The phone call was short and sweet, and then I received an email several days later inviting me to a "hiring event" in Berkeley, CA. I paid a pretty penny to get to the Bay Area just eight days after being invited. I flew to Berkeley, did an eight-hour interview with 45 other applicants from our "event" and then spent the night in the San Francisco area. The following morning I received a call from an unknown number in Berkeley, CA. I knew that a phone call was possibly a good thing, and it was. I came home as one of nine people with a new job!
The skinny on the job is that I will be leaving Seattle (although keeping it as my current residence and still paying rent), on Memorial Day and flying to Salt Lake City where I will do two weeks of intense job training. Here they will teach us how to be leaders on an expensive biking/hiking/camping/adventure for individuals, families, and couples. Backroads guides tours all around North America and the world. I will likely be in the US this year, although that is not a guarantee. My language limitations will keep my out of places like France, Italy, and Spain, but will work fine in more uncommon language areas like Vietnam, Switzerland, and Morocco.
The pay is great, the traveling will be amazing, and I'm sure the people are right up my alley. Yes, it'll take me away from Seattle during the best months to be here (June-October), but I'll be sure to enjoy the summer either way. My roommate, Steve, will have the luxury of a large apartment to himself (minus the cat, Chili), and I will only bring the necessities with me. Once I leave for Salt Lake, I will not be returning until October, so packing will be an adventure in itself. Especially considering I don't have a clue where my assignments will be until I am already in Utah.
I am going to do my best to update this blog while I am traveling, working, and relaxing. Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures on here and Facebook for all of you to see. I am really looking forward to starting a job that really seems to suit me, keeps me away from a desk, and allows me to work with people.
Thanks for reading!
Check out Backroads.com for an idea of whom has decided to employ me.
Friday, December 16, 2011
SWM, 35, Seattle,
You ask, "Who is this guy that I get random blog updates from?" It's Haven Barnes, thanks for asking! Sorry it takes me so long to update this blog. Originally I thought I'd be much better about it, but I realize my sports blogs come first, leaving me with less desire to update my own.
High school football season has come to an end, and I feel I gained a ton of experience this year. I also met some really great contacts, and created some potentially important friendships for future upward-movement. I believe I am starting to make more of a name for myself in the officiating community, and look forward to seeing more action next year. I was recently promoted to the Varsity 2 (V2) title, which means I may have more opportunities to work higher-caliber varsity contests, and will be expected to have more responsibility on the field during the lower-level games. The final step is being promoted to V1, which opens the door to playoff games, etc.
I was waiting for the season to end to make any kind of life decisions moving forward, and I have now done that (at least for now). My ex-classmate Steve and I have rented an apartment in the Wallingford area of Seattle. The apartment is a little noisy from route 99, which runs through my bedroom, I think. However, the view from the living room and porch are pretty much unbeatable! Linus and Chili are happy and healthy in the new spot, as they have a lot more room to roam.
With it stated that I am planning to stay in Seattle for now, I will also say that I am continuing to look for jobs out of the area, as well as locally. The three questions in life, since graduation in June, have been "where am I going to be?", "what am I going to do?", and "who am I going to be with?". One of those questions has been answered for the time being. I'm rarely resolved in anything I do, so asking me to say that is a lot, but I feel good about where I am right now. The second and third questions are to be determined!
During the holidays I am planning to drive back to Colorado and sort, consolidate, and eliminate all of my belongings. I have not set an exact timetable, but it looks like I'll drive through Christmas eve and Christmas day, arriving in Colorado shortly thereafter. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to see many of my friends, and wish a "goodbye for now". Upon my departure, the Manitou house will be ready to rent (which is being taken care of by my property management company). I contemplated selling the property, but have decided to wait until the market returns a bit, or I have a new property I'd like to call home.
I hope everyone, or should I say "both of you", have a great holiday season. Stay warm, stay healthy, and know that I am thinking of you!
High school football season has come to an end, and I feel I gained a ton of experience this year. I also met some really great contacts, and created some potentially important friendships for future upward-movement. I believe I am starting to make more of a name for myself in the officiating community, and look forward to seeing more action next year. I was recently promoted to the Varsity 2 (V2) title, which means I may have more opportunities to work higher-caliber varsity contests, and will be expected to have more responsibility on the field during the lower-level games. The final step is being promoted to V1, which opens the door to playoff games, etc.
I was waiting for the season to end to make any kind of life decisions moving forward, and I have now done that (at least for now). My ex-classmate Steve and I have rented an apartment in the Wallingford area of Seattle. The apartment is a little noisy from route 99, which runs through my bedroom, I think. However, the view from the living room and porch are pretty much unbeatable! Linus and Chili are happy and healthy in the new spot, as they have a lot more room to roam.
With it stated that I am planning to stay in Seattle for now, I will also say that I am continuing to look for jobs out of the area, as well as locally. The three questions in life, since graduation in June, have been "where am I going to be?", "what am I going to do?", and "who am I going to be with?". One of those questions has been answered for the time being. I'm rarely resolved in anything I do, so asking me to say that is a lot, but I feel good about where I am right now. The second and third questions are to be determined!
During the holidays I am planning to drive back to Colorado and sort, consolidate, and eliminate all of my belongings. I have not set an exact timetable, but it looks like I'll drive through Christmas eve and Christmas day, arriving in Colorado shortly thereafter. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to see many of my friends, and wish a "goodbye for now". Upon my departure, the Manitou house will be ready to rent (which is being taken care of by my property management company). I contemplated selling the property, but have decided to wait until the market returns a bit, or I have a new property I'd like to call home.
I hope everyone, or should I say "both of you", have a great holiday season. Stay warm, stay healthy, and know that I am thinking of you!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Football Football Football
SO, it looks like my pattern is once every 45 days or so, in regards to updating my blog! I would probably be doing a better job if I weren't writing blogs for two sports sites, and a fantasy football league! Regardless, here is my update on Haven's happenings over the past couple of months.
Football season, NFL (for my viewing pleasure) and college/high school (for my career's potential) has begun! My current weeks are packed with seven days of gridiron. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are high school and middle school games in which I officiate. Tuesdays are meetings with the Pacific Northwest Official's Association. Saturday's are either a Washington home football game, in which I have volunteered as the official's liaison, or multiple pee-wee football games. Sunday is my chosen day off to watch my Raiders, and obtain content for my weekly blog articles. Lately I've been going to a neat bar in Ballard, just north of downtown Seattle, to watch all the games. On occasional Sundays I can get a friend or two to join me, but others I will go alone. It's not so bad when everyone there is interested in exactly the same thing I am. Tends to lead to a fast and furious friendship (at least for the three hours we're sitting next to each other).
Some of you may be wondering, "what is an official's liaison?" What I do is show up about 3 hours before kickoff at the University of Washington. I don my ALL-ACCESS PASS around my neck, dress in business casual, and wait for the officials to arrive. Once they arrive I introduce myself as their "go-to guy" for whatever they need or want. Then I walk them out to the field, to the television truck, or to the trainer's room for taping, etc. Once they have the lay of the land, they go back into the locker room and have their pre-game meeting. Once they are ready for the field I escort the head referee and umpire to the coaches locker rooms for the officials/coaches conference. After a final escort to the field, with teams in the tunnel, smoke pouring onto the field, crowd screaming, and the occasional plane flying overhead, I am free to watch the game from wherever I want. I usually end up in the press box or on the sidelines. It's the best view in the house for sure! At halftime I make sure they get back into the locker room area safely (with the help of five of the biggest motorcycle cops you've ever seen). I repeat the escort process for the end of the game and then wait for them to do post-game meetings, deliver penalty reports to head coaches and then ensure they get to their cars safely.
I finished my trail running series in August and had an interesting final race. I thought it began at 9:30am, like the rest of the series. It started at 8:30am. Needless to say I was late, and had to run a quarter mile from the parking lot to pick up my number, then do a lap around a field to catch the person that was in 200th position. This is the kind of thing I've literally had nightmares about! The leaders had taken off at least 3 minutes ahead of me and were at least three-quarters of a mile ahead. Luckily, I had 13+ miles to catch them. The unfortunate part was that I had to pass 191 people on single-track trail to get close. I managed to have a good race and finish 9th, but with that additional three minutes would have been in the 6th or 7th range. Regardless, I won the series for the 30-39 age group and finished 3rd overall. There was only one runner to beat me in all four races, and he won the series, needless to say I suppose.
Recently went through an ending of my relationship, so have moved to a small mother-in-law apartment in a friend's basement. It's a temporary fix to a more permanent problem, being single again. It's certainly not the most painful breakup I've had as it was more of a parting of ways, but it's not fun either way. Linus and Chili and I are getting used to our new digs and are doing our best to keep busy. The apartment is dark and a bit depressing, but my friends and pets are quite helpful for the heart. I have a classmate that recently went through the same kind of thing, so we're kindred in that way and spend a lot of time being single guys.
The question now is where do I go and what do I do after football season. Seattle is expensive and Colorado has it's drawbacks too. However, both places are amazing for a lot of reasons and I could be happy in either place. That's the process right now and I should have a better idea in the next month or so. In the meantime, I hope everyone is well! Miss you all!
Football season, NFL (for my viewing pleasure) and college/high school (for my career's potential) has begun! My current weeks are packed with seven days of gridiron. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are high school and middle school games in which I officiate. Tuesdays are meetings with the Pacific Northwest Official's Association. Saturday's are either a Washington home football game, in which I have volunteered as the official's liaison, or multiple pee-wee football games. Sunday is my chosen day off to watch my Raiders, and obtain content for my weekly blog articles. Lately I've been going to a neat bar in Ballard, just north of downtown Seattle, to watch all the games. On occasional Sundays I can get a friend or two to join me, but others I will go alone. It's not so bad when everyone there is interested in exactly the same thing I am. Tends to lead to a fast and furious friendship (at least for the three hours we're sitting next to each other).
Some of you may be wondering, "what is an official's liaison?" What I do is show up about 3 hours before kickoff at the University of Washington. I don my ALL-ACCESS PASS around my neck, dress in business casual, and wait for the officials to arrive. Once they arrive I introduce myself as their "go-to guy" for whatever they need or want. Then I walk them out to the field, to the television truck, or to the trainer's room for taping, etc. Once they have the lay of the land, they go back into the locker room and have their pre-game meeting. Once they are ready for the field I escort the head referee and umpire to the coaches locker rooms for the officials/coaches conference. After a final escort to the field, with teams in the tunnel, smoke pouring onto the field, crowd screaming, and the occasional plane flying overhead, I am free to watch the game from wherever I want. I usually end up in the press box or on the sidelines. It's the best view in the house for sure! At halftime I make sure they get back into the locker room area safely (with the help of five of the biggest motorcycle cops you've ever seen). I repeat the escort process for the end of the game and then wait for them to do post-game meetings, deliver penalty reports to head coaches and then ensure they get to their cars safely.
I finished my trail running series in August and had an interesting final race. I thought it began at 9:30am, like the rest of the series. It started at 8:30am. Needless to say I was late, and had to run a quarter mile from the parking lot to pick up my number, then do a lap around a field to catch the person that was in 200th position. This is the kind of thing I've literally had nightmares about! The leaders had taken off at least 3 minutes ahead of me and were at least three-quarters of a mile ahead. Luckily, I had 13+ miles to catch them. The unfortunate part was that I had to pass 191 people on single-track trail to get close. I managed to have a good race and finish 9th, but with that additional three minutes would have been in the 6th or 7th range. Regardless, I won the series for the 30-39 age group and finished 3rd overall. There was only one runner to beat me in all four races, and he won the series, needless to say I suppose.
Recently went through an ending of my relationship, so have moved to a small mother-in-law apartment in a friend's basement. It's a temporary fix to a more permanent problem, being single again. It's certainly not the most painful breakup I've had as it was more of a parting of ways, but it's not fun either way. Linus and Chili and I are getting used to our new digs and are doing our best to keep busy. The apartment is dark and a bit depressing, but my friends and pets are quite helpful for the heart. I have a classmate that recently went through the same kind of thing, so we're kindred in that way and spend a lot of time being single guys.
The question now is where do I go and what do I do after football season. Seattle is expensive and Colorado has it's drawbacks too. However, both places are amazing for a lot of reasons and I could be happy in either place. That's the process right now and I should have a better idea in the next month or so. In the meantime, I hope everyone is well! Miss you all!
Friday, August 12, 2011
This Long, Cold Summer
While the rest of the country suffers from debilitating heat and humidity, Seattle has granted us only 1 hour and 18 minutes of temperatures above 80 degrees. I have yet to complain about this, but I can't say the same for my friends and long-time local residents. I will always argue that I'd rather be on the cooler side than the hotter. The sun has been gracing us in the afternoons and the weather prognosticators are calling for a mild fall, which bodes well for the upcoming high school and college football seasons.
The Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association off-season meetings have begun and we're going over rules and mechanics reminders on a weekly basis. It's always a slow re-introduction to the rules and and mindset that go along with officiating, but we're getting there. This past off-season I was promoted to the level of V3 (which represents Varsity 3). This means that I can work all varsity level high school games without reservation from the assignor. I am not yet eligible for playoff games, but hopefully in due time. Game start the first weekend in September, shortly after I arrive back in Seattle from celebrating my mother's 60th birthday in Pennsylvania.
Speaking of my trip back east, I am only 2 short weeks away from arriving in Baltimore and driving to Gettysburg to reunite with my mother, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and niece. Shortly after my arrival we will celebrate my mother's 60th year on Earth with a large party at her house. The invites have been received and it looks as if no less than 30 people will be swimming, eating, and enjoying the festivities. I'm really excited to visit with friends and family!
This fall I have volunteered to be the Pac-12 official's liaison for all Univ. of Washington home football games. My duties will include setting up the official's locker room, getting them food/drink, delivering rosters, and escorting them to and from their security detail. I'm looking forward to shaking hands with the people currently holding the job I desire.
I have recently been hired by two blog sites dedicated to college sports and the National Football League. I have already done several articles for www.collegesportsmadness.com and am currently finishing one for www.thepenaltyflagblog.com. I am the covering writer for the San Francisco 49ers (I know, I know, I missed out on the Raiders, but I like the variety). The Penalty Flag Blog has had many of their articles picked up by CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and other big sports news sites. If I write well, and the articles are interesting, I could be featured on these sites. If you'd like to see some samples of my articles, I will link them on this blog.
My current apartment complex is pushing our rent up by 25%, so we have decided to move to a new place across town. The location seems fantastic and the space is cozy and welcoming. We will be closer to friends, and the hippest parts of Seattle (Ballard and Fremont). The one-bedroom apartment overlooks the ship canal leading from the Puget Sound to Lake Union and Lake Washington. There is also a marine fire fighter training facility that will give us the occasional fireworks show, as they put out flames on fake boats and helicopters. As soon as we move in (first days of September), I will take pictures and add them to an email, facebook, or this blog.
Maryland Preview
TCU Preview
Arizona State Preview
Texas Tech Supplemental
San Diego State Supplemental
Kaepernick/Smith article
The Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association off-season meetings have begun and we're going over rules and mechanics reminders on a weekly basis. It's always a slow re-introduction to the rules and and mindset that go along with officiating, but we're getting there. This past off-season I was promoted to the level of V3 (which represents Varsity 3). This means that I can work all varsity level high school games without reservation from the assignor. I am not yet eligible for playoff games, but hopefully in due time. Game start the first weekend in September, shortly after I arrive back in Seattle from celebrating my mother's 60th birthday in Pennsylvania.
Speaking of my trip back east, I am only 2 short weeks away from arriving in Baltimore and driving to Gettysburg to reunite with my mother, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and niece. Shortly after my arrival we will celebrate my mother's 60th year on Earth with a large party at her house. The invites have been received and it looks as if no less than 30 people will be swimming, eating, and enjoying the festivities. I'm really excited to visit with friends and family!
This fall I have volunteered to be the Pac-12 official's liaison for all Univ. of Washington home football games. My duties will include setting up the official's locker room, getting them food/drink, delivering rosters, and escorting them to and from their security detail. I'm looking forward to shaking hands with the people currently holding the job I desire.
I have recently been hired by two blog sites dedicated to college sports and the National Football League. I have already done several articles for www.collegesportsmadness.com and am currently finishing one for www.thepenaltyflagblog.com. I am the covering writer for the San Francisco 49ers (I know, I know, I missed out on the Raiders, but I like the variety). The Penalty Flag Blog has had many of their articles picked up by CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and other big sports news sites. If I write well, and the articles are interesting, I could be featured on these sites. If you'd like to see some samples of my articles, I will link them on this blog.
My current apartment complex is pushing our rent up by 25%, so we have decided to move to a new place across town. The location seems fantastic and the space is cozy and welcoming. We will be closer to friends, and the hippest parts of Seattle (Ballard and Fremont). The one-bedroom apartment overlooks the ship canal leading from the Puget Sound to Lake Union and Lake Washington. There is also a marine fire fighter training facility that will give us the occasional fireworks show, as they put out flames on fake boats and helicopters. As soon as we move in (first days of September), I will take pictures and add them to an email, facebook, or this blog.
Maryland Preview
TCU Preview
Arizona State Preview
Texas Tech Supplemental
San Diego State Supplemental
Kaepernick/Smith article
Thursday, July 7, 2011
An Inkling of a Plan
June 18th marked the end of my master's degree program at the University of Washington. It culminated with a commencement ceremony in which my mother, father, grandmother, girlfriend, and long-time friend attended. During the graduation ceremony the staff and faculty from UW introduced the 2012 class, and acknowledged the completion of the 2011 class' journey. It was a celebration that only lasted just over an hour and a half, including the reception that followed. Anyone that knows me well, realizes that this is just my style. I should be receiving the actual documentation of my year's work in the next several weeks, a master's degree in education, with emphasis on intercollegiate athletics.
The job search has been low recently. I look at all the pertinent websites daily and send in an application here and there, many of which I am under-qualified. However, I have agreed to be employed by Cycle University here in Seattle. It is an educational/coaching company that specializes in cycling and multisport. I have been named the triathlon coach and am slowly working my way into the group workouts, informational clinics, and training/racing consultations. Soon I will find myself at local races recruiting more athletes to join the already 50+ members.
In addition, Autumn and I have decided to stay in Seattle until the end of high school football season so I may continue pursuing the officiating route. She has some good job security and has a lot of freedom for mobility. This upcoming football season I have been granted V3 (Varsity 3) status, giving me the opportunity to work many more varsity games, and hopefully more highly contested ones at that. I have also been placed on the board to assist the Vice President of the PNFOA (Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association) in planning, arranging, and organizing the weekly meetings and end-of-season events. Looking forward to gaining a lot more knowledge this year and working my way towards possible upward movement in the association.
Yesterday I returned from a two-week trip to Colorado to work on my house with my father. We had a fantastic visit, accomplished some major repairs on the house, and even threw in a couple races to boot. I arrived on a Friday and the next morning we drove to Beaver Creek, CO for an event called the Tough Mudder. My partner, the always fit Branden Rakita, and I ran a 10-mile running/obstacle course with 4,200ft of climbing at altitudes reaching 11,600ft. We turned in a great time of 1 hour and 29 minutes to finish first overall i the event. With that said, it is advertised as a CHALLENGE, not a RACE. Had you seen the men and women toward the front of the "challenge", you would realize immediately that it was also a "race"! Branden and I have officially qualified for the Worlds Toughest Mudder in New Jersey on Dec. 19th of this year. It is unsure if we will attend, but there is a possible $10,000 prize purse if we can manage to win the event that has us performing similar challenges for 24-hours straight in the misery of a New Jersey December. More to come on that....
After more than a week of carpentry, plumbing, painting, and scrubbing floors my dad and I decided the final two and a half days would be more relaxed and entertaining. The morning of July 4th, Dad and I headed to Palmer Lake, CO for a 4-mile running race that I have competed in two previous times. Dad took some great photos while I nearly threw up in the bushes and then we called it a morning. That afternoon Branden had planned a great 4th of July party, which involved an evening hike up one of the most difficult trails in Colorado Springs (the always-daunting "Incline"). A group of 10 friends of ours hiked up and watched the Manitou Springs fireworks show and then walked the trails (with headlamps, of course) back down. It was a very pleasant evening with great people.
The next morning my dad, Branden, Kaili Purviance, and myself booked a tee time at the Patty Jewitt Golf Course in Colorado Springs and played 18-holes of terrible golf. All of us had aspirations of a competitive session with some quality shots. Those hopes were dashed quickly and spirits dropped, but it was still a beautiful day on the course and a great time with some of my favorite people.
Finally, my last day in Colorado, my dad and I drove to Fort Collins on a recon mission. Fort Collins is a town that has some interest to both of us and we decided to take a day to see what it had to offer. It's quite a pleasant college town with many things to offer. A great lunch and tons of driving/walking around FoCo, as the locals call it, and we headed for dinner in Boulder, CO. On the Pearl Street Mall we had a fabulous Italian dinner and then drove off to the Denver airport for my evening departure.
Saying goodbye to family is always tough, but knowing that we have a birthday celebration for my mom coming up in just over a month make parting a bit more tolerable. The family will be gathering in Pennsylvania in August, from literally all over the world, to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. I expect a big laughs and big love for an entire week on the east coast!
The job search has been low recently. I look at all the pertinent websites daily and send in an application here and there, many of which I am under-qualified. However, I have agreed to be employed by Cycle University here in Seattle. It is an educational/coaching company that specializes in cycling and multisport. I have been named the triathlon coach and am slowly working my way into the group workouts, informational clinics, and training/racing consultations. Soon I will find myself at local races recruiting more athletes to join the already 50+ members.
In addition, Autumn and I have decided to stay in Seattle until the end of high school football season so I may continue pursuing the officiating route. She has some good job security and has a lot of freedom for mobility. This upcoming football season I have been granted V3 (Varsity 3) status, giving me the opportunity to work many more varsity games, and hopefully more highly contested ones at that. I have also been placed on the board to assist the Vice President of the PNFOA (Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association) in planning, arranging, and organizing the weekly meetings and end-of-season events. Looking forward to gaining a lot more knowledge this year and working my way towards possible upward movement in the association.
Yesterday I returned from a two-week trip to Colorado to work on my house with my father. We had a fantastic visit, accomplished some major repairs on the house, and even threw in a couple races to boot. I arrived on a Friday and the next morning we drove to Beaver Creek, CO for an event called the Tough Mudder. My partner, the always fit Branden Rakita, and I ran a 10-mile running/obstacle course with 4,200ft of climbing at altitudes reaching 11,600ft. We turned in a great time of 1 hour and 29 minutes to finish first overall i the event. With that said, it is advertised as a CHALLENGE, not a RACE. Had you seen the men and women toward the front of the "challenge", you would realize immediately that it was also a "race"! Branden and I have officially qualified for the Worlds Toughest Mudder in New Jersey on Dec. 19th of this year. It is unsure if we will attend, but there is a possible $10,000 prize purse if we can manage to win the event that has us performing similar challenges for 24-hours straight in the misery of a New Jersey December. More to come on that....
After more than a week of carpentry, plumbing, painting, and scrubbing floors my dad and I decided the final two and a half days would be more relaxed and entertaining. The morning of July 4th, Dad and I headed to Palmer Lake, CO for a 4-mile running race that I have competed in two previous times. Dad took some great photos while I nearly threw up in the bushes and then we called it a morning. That afternoon Branden had planned a great 4th of July party, which involved an evening hike up one of the most difficult trails in Colorado Springs (the always-daunting "Incline"). A group of 10 friends of ours hiked up and watched the Manitou Springs fireworks show and then walked the trails (with headlamps, of course) back down. It was a very pleasant evening with great people. 
The next morning my dad, Branden, Kaili Purviance, and myself booked a tee time at the Patty Jewitt Golf Course in Colorado Springs and played 18-holes of terrible golf. All of us had aspirations of a competitive session with some quality shots. Those hopes were dashed quickly and spirits dropped, but it was still a beautiful day on the course and a great time with some of my favorite people.Finally, my last day in Colorado, my dad and I drove to Fort Collins on a recon mission. Fort Collins is a town that has some interest to both of us and we decided to take a day to see what it had to offer. It's quite a pleasant college town with many things to offer. A great lunch and tons of driving/walking around FoCo, as the locals call it, and we headed for dinner in Boulder, CO. On the Pearl Street Mall we had a fabulous Italian dinner and then drove off to the Denver airport for my evening departure.
Saying goodbye to family is always tough, but knowing that we have a birthday celebration for my mom coming up in just over a month make parting a bit more tolerable. The family will be gathering in Pennsylvania in August, from literally all over the world, to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. I expect a big laughs and big love for an entire week on the east coast!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Where Do We Go From Here?
That's the next question in life. Graduation from the University of Washington IAL program is only 19 days away and I'm no closer to having a job than I was when I was four. I'm not concerned, for a multitude of reasons, but it is worth mentioning considering our rental lease is up at the end of November and most people would probably have a relative plan in place. I, however, will most likely make a plan and change it 6 to 7 days before it all happens. That's me.
Autumn and I are back, as mid last week, from our 5-day trip to Colorado. It was a scouting mission for potential places to live. We seem to have narrowed the search to 4 states (CO, UT, OR, and WA) and will need to spend a little time in each. This trip started in Fort Collins, move to Boulder, then Vail, a great hot spring site south of Salida, and finally in Manitou Springs. It was a great trip, even if the weather tried to ruin it for us. We were able to see some of our target towns, enjoy some beautiful scenery, relax in some amazing hot springs, raft through the Royal Gorge, and then spend some quality time with great friends.
Our next mission is to take a long weekend to Salt Lake City (as well as Bend and Eugene, OR), see some friends, and explore the lands. I know, I know, you're worried about the political and religious atmospheres in Utah... well, don't. Although I have come to the conclusion that a more liberal and less god-focused town is more up my alley, I have managed to live in some of the most conservative places in the country and survived. Carroll County, MD, Orange County, CA, Lake County, FL, and El Paso County, CO. I've done 'em all as one of the most un-ashamedly liberal humanists you'll ever meet.
The reason behind our selections of possible "homes" is currently based on a plan B (or A, depending on how you look at it). That plan is to open a niche restaurant in a town that needs/wants it. We are currently in the process of putting together a business plan and ironing out some early-stage details. It seems like a great challenge for both of us, and I'm excited to see where we can take it. By the way, if anyone would like to see the business plan (and lend an investment dollar or two), let me know.
Another consideration for me, personally, is providing myself the best route to continue to pursue football officiating as a possible career path. Over the past two seasons I have gained some great experience and met some of the right people to help me along the way. It would be beneficial for me to live in an area that I can officiate as many games as possible, and still maintain connections to people willing to help. I was accepted to a Washington Officials Association camp this summer, but had to turn it down as it directly conflicts with grad school graduation and my family being in town. In the future, I hope to be able to attend these camps to gain knowledge, practice, and connections.
The days or beginning to become more sun-filled around the Pacific Northwest. Last June was a rainy one, but I'm hoping for a bright one this year. Training has been going well as May is now my largest month (in regards to miles) of the year, and I still have one more day! This current week should be my largest as well as I hope to hit 45. All of this is in order to make the rest of the Cougar Mountain Trail Series a little less painful than the first one. I ran the first series race (of the 5-mile variety) back on May 14th. I was under the impression that it would be a local-yocal fun "jogging" series that I could use to enjoy running in the woods. Nope. Very fast men show up to put the hurt on me. I finished 5th overall and 4th in my age group. The rest of the series consists of the same pain-distributors, plus an additional 7 miles, 10 miles, and 13 miles.
Family and friends coming to town in two weeks! Can't wait to see mom, dad, Gum, and Jessa!
 |
| Atop the "incline" above Manitou Springs |
 |
| Overlooking Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak |
Our next mission is to take a long weekend to Salt Lake City (as well as Bend and Eugene, OR), see some friends, and explore the lands. I know, I know, you're worried about the political and religious atmospheres in Utah... well, don't. Although I have come to the conclusion that a more liberal and less god-focused town is more up my alley, I have managed to live in some of the most conservative places in the country and survived. Carroll County, MD, Orange County, CA, Lake County, FL, and El Paso County, CO. I've done 'em all as one of the most un-ashamedly liberal humanists you'll ever meet.
The reason behind our selections of possible "homes" is currently based on a plan B (or A, depending on how you look at it). That plan is to open a niche restaurant in a town that needs/wants it. We are currently in the process of putting together a business plan and ironing out some early-stage details. It seems like a great challenge for both of us, and I'm excited to see where we can take it. By the way, if anyone would like to see the business plan (and lend an investment dollar or two), let me know.
Another consideration for me, personally, is providing myself the best route to continue to pursue football officiating as a possible career path. Over the past two seasons I have gained some great experience and met some of the right people to help me along the way. It would be beneficial for me to live in an area that I can officiate as many games as possible, and still maintain connections to people willing to help. I was accepted to a Washington Officials Association camp this summer, but had to turn it down as it directly conflicts with grad school graduation and my family being in town. In the future, I hope to be able to attend these camps to gain knowledge, practice, and connections.
The days or beginning to become more sun-filled around the Pacific Northwest. Last June was a rainy one, but I'm hoping for a bright one this year. Training has been going well as May is now my largest month (in regards to miles) of the year, and I still have one more day! This current week should be my largest as well as I hope to hit 45. All of this is in order to make the rest of the Cougar Mountain Trail Series a little less painful than the first one. I ran the first series race (of the 5-mile variety) back on May 14th. I was under the impression that it would be a local-yocal fun "jogging" series that I could use to enjoy running in the woods. Nope. Very fast men show up to put the hurt on me. I finished 5th overall and 4th in my age group. The rest of the series consists of the same pain-distributors, plus an additional 7 miles, 10 miles, and 13 miles.
Family and friends coming to town in two weeks! Can't wait to see mom, dad, Gum, and Jessa!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Sun Returns
The weather reports tells us that rain is in the forecast nearly every day (probably the safe route for a weatherperson), but we've seen a fair amount of sun over the past five days here in Seattle. This past weekend it was in the high-60's with loads of bright light everywhere. I was explaining to people that is was this really hot ball of fire that sits only three planets away from Earth. I was informing them that it can be quite warm, and even burn you if you're not careful. They sat around me with eyes full of wonderment and excitement. This was a whole new world for them, and it was an amazing opportunity to enlighten people about the universe.
On a more serious note, I'm glad spring is in full bloom and am looking forward to more warm weather soon. I would have to say it has been quite the abrupt contrast between the Colorado's 200+ sunny days per year and Seattle's 70. However, it was a very gentle winter here in the Pacific Northwest and is a great place for people that like winters boasting an average temperature of around 50F. In addition, if you can wait out the rainy winter, the summer only averages about 1 inch of rain per month, which is quite low.
School.... ah yes.....school has been going well. Had a very good quarter in the winter, although heavy on the work-load. The program has set us up nicely in the sense that the final quarter only requires one course, plus finishing up internships. The final course is an ethics class taught by the FAR (Faculty Athletic Representative) at Washington. He has a very interesting and deep perspective on the how the academic realm of colleges can work together with the athletic side. It fits in nicely with the internship I'm currently working at Seattle University. I am helping JoAnn Hulbert-Eagan with Student-Athlete Academic Services. I have been monitoring study hall sessions, tutoring several student-athletes, and will hopefully be writing a summer writing program for at-risk student-athletes. There are several more things we have talked about accomplishing over the next 7 weeks, but much of it would be quite boring for you all.
I will be graduating on the 18th of June here at UW. In attendance will be my friend, Jessica, and of course Autumn, my mother, father, and grandmother. We are planning to have a few extra days to kick around in Seattle before and after the festivities as well. The night before graduation, the current grad class, in conjunction with several alumni, is going to meet up with the incoming class (as their day 1 is our day 365) and begin some networking/orientating. We will be the first class to do so, and I think it is a wonderful idea.
Recently I made a two-day trip to Colorado, for a short and sweet mission to rescue my homeless cat, Chili. I was dreading the trip as I know that he is not a man of adversity. He has quite a voice and I had to mentally prepare myself for the hatred that would be displayed to me by my fellow traveler. Luckily, I went to the vet when I got the CO and he said that not only was he healthy as can be (great for a 10-year old), but that he could prescribe a relaxant for Chili to take on the plane. It worked like a charm as he was silent from the moment we arrived in the airport until Autumn met me at the curbside in Seattle. Shocking! He is here with us now, happy and healthy, even if he is an illegal housemate according to our apartment complex. "From my cold, dead hands".
From the plane to CO Chili in the carrier
Autumn and I have been trying to do some more fun things in the Pacific Northwest before our plans are unknown, beginning at the end of August. So, we have been buying Groupons (if you don't know what they are go to www.groupon.com) and trying new things. Two weeks ago we went to Oceanside, OR and stayed on the coast in a sweet little rental. The weather didn't much cooperate, but the surroundings were amazing anyway. I ended up doing an unintentional 17-mile run around the peninsula we were staying on, so that gave me an opportunity to check it ALL out! By unintentional I mean that I was 10 miles in when I realized that the fastest way back was 7 miles, instead of the anticipated 3-4.
In addition to a Rise Against concert, last weekend we had a Groupon for whale watching out of Everett, WA. It was a 2-3 hour boat trip in which we saw two gray whales, several sea lions, and most amazingly, five bald eagles scrapping and scratching over one piece of fish. In my lifetime I've only seen three bald eagles in total. In this 15-minute period I saw five of them flying over our heads.... amazing! (Photos of the above adventure can be seen on my facebook page)
Coming up we have a trip to Colorado planned, as well as playing paintball, running a half marathon (Autumn running and me supporting), and family visiting us here in Seattle. After graduation we have a planned drive through some of the western states and ultimately end up in Colorado to do some work on my house, visit with friends/dad, and then continuing on with figuring out my life's plan!
Linus has been doing very well these days. He has the occasional health issue (ear infection, bruise that bubbled into a huge mass, lost a dew claw, stung/bitten by something with corresponding allergic reaction, and an eyelid that became infected), but other than that he is happy as a clam in the apartment, at the dog park, on runs, and in the car.
I am running regularly and have been hovering between 30-40 miles per week. I have a plan to run a trail series that starts with a 5-miler and works it way up to a 13-mile finale. I'm unsure about the competition in these races, but I can assure you that they will hurt either way! We are also signed up for a 3.5 mile "Warrior Dash" that involves mud and other obstacles. That not being enough apparently, I had to also sign up (with some CO friends) for the 10-mile version of that in Colorado called the "Tough Mudder". Should suck.
I'm going to try to keep this rolling more often, and I apologize for such long durations between each of these. The only problem with updating more often is that if I'm looking for interesting material, it might end up on religion and politics... and no one wants to hear my thoughts on that! :-)
On a more serious note, I'm glad spring is in full bloom and am looking forward to more warm weather soon. I would have to say it has been quite the abrupt contrast between the Colorado's 200+ sunny days per year and Seattle's 70. However, it was a very gentle winter here in the Pacific Northwest and is a great place for people that like winters boasting an average temperature of around 50F. In addition, if you can wait out the rainy winter, the summer only averages about 1 inch of rain per month, which is quite low.
School.... ah yes.....school has been going well. Had a very good quarter in the winter, although heavy on the work-load. The program has set us up nicely in the sense that the final quarter only requires one course, plus finishing up internships. The final course is an ethics class taught by the FAR (Faculty Athletic Representative) at Washington. He has a very interesting and deep perspective on the how the academic realm of colleges can work together with the athletic side. It fits in nicely with the internship I'm currently working at Seattle University. I am helping JoAnn Hulbert-Eagan with Student-Athlete Academic Services. I have been monitoring study hall sessions, tutoring several student-athletes, and will hopefully be writing a summer writing program for at-risk student-athletes. There are several more things we have talked about accomplishing over the next 7 weeks, but much of it would be quite boring for you all.
I will be graduating on the 18th of June here at UW. In attendance will be my friend, Jessica, and of course Autumn, my mother, father, and grandmother. We are planning to have a few extra days to kick around in Seattle before and after the festivities as well. The night before graduation, the current grad class, in conjunction with several alumni, is going to meet up with the incoming class (as their day 1 is our day 365) and begin some networking/orientating. We will be the first class to do so, and I think it is a wonderful idea.
Recently I made a two-day trip to Colorado, for a short and sweet mission to rescue my homeless cat, Chili. I was dreading the trip as I know that he is not a man of adversity. He has quite a voice and I had to mentally prepare myself for the hatred that would be displayed to me by my fellow traveler. Luckily, I went to the vet when I got the CO and he said that not only was he healthy as can be (great for a 10-year old), but that he could prescribe a relaxant for Chili to take on the plane. It worked like a charm as he was silent from the moment we arrived in the airport until Autumn met me at the curbside in Seattle. Shocking! He is here with us now, happy and healthy, even if he is an illegal housemate according to our apartment complex. "From my cold, dead hands".
From the plane to CO Chili in the carrierAutumn and I have been trying to do some more fun things in the Pacific Northwest before our plans are unknown, beginning at the end of August. So, we have been buying Groupons (if you don't know what they are go to www.groupon.com) and trying new things. Two weeks ago we went to Oceanside, OR and stayed on the coast in a sweet little rental. The weather didn't much cooperate, but the surroundings were amazing anyway. I ended up doing an unintentional 17-mile run around the peninsula we were staying on, so that gave me an opportunity to check it ALL out! By unintentional I mean that I was 10 miles in when I realized that the fastest way back was 7 miles, instead of the anticipated 3-4.
In addition to a Rise Against concert, last weekend we had a Groupon for whale watching out of Everett, WA. It was a 2-3 hour boat trip in which we saw two gray whales, several sea lions, and most amazingly, five bald eagles scrapping and scratching over one piece of fish. In my lifetime I've only seen three bald eagles in total. In this 15-minute period I saw five of them flying over our heads.... amazing! (Photos of the above adventure can be seen on my facebook page)
Coming up we have a trip to Colorado planned, as well as playing paintball, running a half marathon (Autumn running and me supporting), and family visiting us here in Seattle. After graduation we have a planned drive through some of the western states and ultimately end up in Colorado to do some work on my house, visit with friends/dad, and then continuing on with figuring out my life's plan!
Linus has been doing very well these days. He has the occasional health issue (ear infection, bruise that bubbled into a huge mass, lost a dew claw, stung/bitten by something with corresponding allergic reaction, and an eyelid that became infected), but other than that he is happy as a clam in the apartment, at the dog park, on runs, and in the car.
I am running regularly and have been hovering between 30-40 miles per week. I have a plan to run a trail series that starts with a 5-miler and works it way up to a 13-mile finale. I'm unsure about the competition in these races, but I can assure you that they will hurt either way! We are also signed up for a 3.5 mile "Warrior Dash" that involves mud and other obstacles. That not being enough apparently, I had to also sign up (with some CO friends) for the 10-mile version of that in Colorado called the "Tough Mudder". Should suck.
I'm going to try to keep this rolling more often, and I apologize for such long durations between each of these. The only problem with updating more often is that if I'm looking for interesting material, it might end up on religion and politics... and no one wants to hear my thoughts on that! :-)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Closer and closer and closer
Three quarters down, and only one to go before graduation from the University of Washington with a M.Ed. in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership. What am I going to do with that, you ask? Well, I don't know just yet but hopefully my final internship will help me narrow it down. At the moment it appears I will be assistant with academic support at Seattle University, focusing primarily on men's and women's basketball. More sports could use the help, but in times such as these, the revenue-generating sports must take priority. US does not have football, so basketball it is for now. I'm just happy to have the opportunity to work with some athletes that may be going through the same thing I did int heir collegiate experience.
This past quarter I helped the track and field teams with organization and implementation of their indoor track meets. Unfortunately this did not include any kind of coaching, but I did get to see some fantastic running, jumping, and throwing, as well as catch up with a few old teammates!
I'm living in a new apartment just Northeast of UW. I moved in with my girlfriend, Autumn and we both have our dogs, Maxine and Linus. Things are going well and we've got plans to be here at least through the end of the summer. I miss my friends from Colorado and wish I could spend this summer with them, but we'll see what the future holds me in Colorado.
On the home front, I had a major pipe burst in my basement in Colorado about a month ago. All said and done it was about $9,000 in deconstruction and reconstruction. Luckily homeowners insurance covers that mess. My renter's are moving out at the end of March and the house is going to go without tenants for a bit of time. Hopefully I'll have a few friends going over once in a while to make sure it's still standing. In the process, however, of finding a home for the cat. He has been hanging out in the upstairs bedroom for about months, due to his fear of the visiting dogs, so at least he'll be relieved of that. It may come down to a quick trip back to Colorado to pick him up, however. There is no place for him out here where I'm staying, but maybe I just won't tell my landlords that one! ;-)
I've picked up my running a bit and plan to do a trail running series this summer, with a few other races sprinkled in. There is at least a little bug int he back of my mind that tells me I should run a marathon at the end of this year, maybe in November or so (somewhere warmer, of course!). We'll see how my body holds up since after my first 40 mile week I'm having all kinds of problems with groins, hip flexors, and hamstrings.... I know I'm not THAT old, but c'mon!
Thanks for reading!!!
This past quarter I helped the track and field teams with organization and implementation of their indoor track meets. Unfortunately this did not include any kind of coaching, but I did get to see some fantastic running, jumping, and throwing, as well as catch up with a few old teammates!
I'm living in a new apartment just Northeast of UW. I moved in with my girlfriend, Autumn and we both have our dogs, Maxine and Linus. Things are going well and we've got plans to be here at least through the end of the summer. I miss my friends from Colorado and wish I could spend this summer with them, but we'll see what the future holds me in Colorado.
On the home front, I had a major pipe burst in my basement in Colorado about a month ago. All said and done it was about $9,000 in deconstruction and reconstruction. Luckily homeowners insurance covers that mess. My renter's are moving out at the end of March and the house is going to go without tenants for a bit of time. Hopefully I'll have a few friends going over once in a while to make sure it's still standing. In the process, however, of finding a home for the cat. He has been hanging out in the upstairs bedroom for about months, due to his fear of the visiting dogs, so at least he'll be relieved of that. It may come down to a quick trip back to Colorado to pick him up, however. There is no place for him out here where I'm staying, but maybe I just won't tell my landlords that one! ;-)
I've picked up my running a bit and plan to do a trail running series this summer, with a few other races sprinkled in. There is at least a little bug int he back of my mind that tells me I should run a marathon at the end of this year, maybe in November or so (somewhere warmer, of course!). We'll see how my body holds up since after my first 40 mile week I'm having all kinds of problems with groins, hip flexors, and hamstrings.... I know I'm not THAT old, but c'mon!
Thanks for reading!!!
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