so maybe you already know that my knees and back hurt me almost all the time. if I weigh less, both problems are better... ... america and weighing less don't go together. But, the good news is the doctor game me heat to fit orthotics for my shoes... just baked them and formed them to my feet.
We leave for the airport and Russia in 1 hour... guess I got it done just in time!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Julie & Julia
Yes, we did go straight home, look up a recipe online and try it out. It was the bruschetta from the movie.
I may be the most emasculated guy around writing this, but I gotta be honest. If the movie, “Julie & Julia” is a chick flick, I’m a man who likes them. It was a really inspiring movie. I feel as good as I did after I saw the movie “Marley & me.” Turns out that there are at least a few really good movies being made in Hollywood.
Really the key thing with these films is that the portray life at least to some extent, like it really happens. There are authentic marriages where the couples really love each other and where it’s not just a couple of people who met in the first scene and hopped in the sack.
After “Julie & Julia” I actually feel inspired. I’m not sure what the key factor is. Is it because the couples in the movie actually love each other? Is it because the whole movie is about really delicious food? Is it because the movie’s about a woman who blogs and my secret identity as a blogger brings me great joy? Not sure – but I really miss blogging more often and you’ll be seeing me online more.
I may be the most emasculated guy around writing this, but I gotta be honest. If the movie, “Julie & Julia” is a chick flick, I’m a man who likes them. It was a really inspiring movie. I feel as good as I did after I saw the movie “Marley & me.” Turns out that there are at least a few really good movies being made in Hollywood.
Really the key thing with these films is that the portray life at least to some extent, like it really happens. There are authentic marriages where the couples really love each other and where it’s not just a couple of people who met in the first scene and hopped in the sack.
After “Julie & Julia” I actually feel inspired. I’m not sure what the key factor is. Is it because the couples in the movie actually love each other? Is it because the whole movie is about really delicious food? Is it because the movie’s about a woman who blogs and my secret identity as a blogger brings me great joy? Not sure – but I really miss blogging more often and you’ll be seeing me online more.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Hiawatha Trail (Montana / Idaho)
Rails to Trails – a brilliant idea. The park service has started turning old railroad tracks into mountain biking paths. So the Carew family banded together and saddled up for a 15 mile ride. All downhill. At a nice 3% grade. We just coasted the whole way – gorgeous. We went through 10 tunnels and over 7 trestles (railroad bridges). The first tunnel was 1.7 miles. Cold, damp, dark and disorienting.
The drip, drip of water, the rush of air, and sloshing of the runoff as it flows through the gutters on the right and left surrounded as the light abandoned us. My battery powered spotlight beam wasn’t helping much. Couldn’t see my own nose let alone the path. There was a small red flashing reflector about face level – that was the back of Hannah’s helmet. I followed.
But the ceiling was so beautifully illuminated. A rhythmic white light was passing from right to left and back. It imitated the swaying of my bike. It was as if my light was shining on the ceiling. My light was shining on the ceiling. I adjusted the beam to point forward. And everything went completely black.
The culprit? A loose power cable – kinda difficult to fix in pitch black darkness – so… I followed the floating red dot for 1.7 miles back into the light.
About 1.5 hours into our journey, the heavens opened and dumped on us… Frozen hooked hands gripping the handlebars, I could feel the mud splattering my face and climbing up my back… by the end of our journey we looked like we had survived a horrible bout of diarrhea.
The drip, drip of water, the rush of air, and sloshing of the runoff as it flows through the gutters on the right and left surrounded as the light abandoned us. My battery powered spotlight beam wasn’t helping much. Couldn’t see my own nose let alone the path. There was a small red flashing reflector about face level – that was the back of Hannah’s helmet. I followed.
But the ceiling was so beautifully illuminated. A rhythmic white light was passing from right to left and back. It imitated the swaying of my bike. It was as if my light was shining on the ceiling. My light was shining on the ceiling. I adjusted the beam to point forward. And everything went completely black.
The culprit? A loose power cable – kinda difficult to fix in pitch black darkness – so… I followed the floating red dot for 1.7 miles back into the light.
About 1.5 hours into our journey, the heavens opened and dumped on us… Frozen hooked hands gripping the handlebars, I could feel the mud splattering my face and climbing up my back… by the end of our journey we looked like we had survived a horrible bout of diarrhea.
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Search for engaging entertainment
(Let me preface this entry with a request that you comment with your favorite two player game
Amy and I have a small problem. We LOVE to spend time together. We really enjoy so many of the same things, it’s incredible. Our favorite entertainment is probably popping a big bowl of popcorn and watching a movie together. But sometimes that gets too comfortable. So, we’re seeking other alternatives.
The first idea, of course, is to go to a movie. But that’s a bit counter-productive, since we’re hoping to curb that addiction. We love to go on walks together, cook together, entertain, etc.
Somehow around November, I focused in on the idea of 2 player games. Sure there’s some great card games: war, speed, crazy 8’s, old maid, fish… But we’re looking for some really cool and interesting stuff.
In December, Laura, Amy’s sister, came to our rescue with Mancala. It’s only considered the oldest game in history. It’s wonderful. We also love Blokus (but it’s for 4).
So the quest began. We figured, “when we’re in America, we’ll find some cool games.” And we have.
#1 Lost Cities. Thanks to Matt & Juli Bressie, we’re loving this game. Turns out it’s an international game and they gave us a Swedish copy to try out. It’s really fun. Basically you’re trying to complete 5 expeditions to exotic places like Atlantis. Here’s more information about Lost Cities.
#2 Farkle. It’s a really strange name for a fun dice game. It’s easy to play and all you need is the rules and 6 dice. This was a flashback to Sunday evenings with the Robinson family. I used to get together with the Robinsons and the Boehrs and play… you can play with only two people!
#3 FLUXX. Found this game recommended online and in stock at a store in Indianapolis. It’s got all kinds of awards and turns out that it’s recommended by the MENSA society. So… maybe we’re just not smart enough to play. It’s really cool, because the rules and the goal of the game are constantly changing. Also… two or more players!
#4 Treehouse. Recommended by the guys at the game store. You have to enjoy spatial puzzles and have a good brain to play this one… I think. We haven’t had a chance to check it out.
#5 Guillotine. This game was recommended by all the staff in the game store. They said that when they go to a friends to play the game... they always have to leave the game behind... I'll let you know how great it is after we have a chance to play.
#6 Five Crowns. Just got this one as a gift (early Christmas) and am excited to give it a try. Comes from the makers of SET. Oh, yeah, Set! (see #7). Haven't played yet, here's more info.
#7 SET. Another one of those games that requires good brain power. Once you’ve started playing, it gets easier and more and more addictive (I hear they make it for pocket computers too… hmmmm. Playing games like SET actually make you smarter. I found this game in 2005 or 2006 after reading an article about how to sharpen your mind. There’s some medical study about how older people who play games like this are less likely to have mental problems as they age.
Links to play games online
Farkle
FLUXX
Treehouse
Set
Amy and I have a small problem. We LOVE to spend time together. We really enjoy so many of the same things, it’s incredible. Our favorite entertainment is probably popping a big bowl of popcorn and watching a movie together. But sometimes that gets too comfortable. So, we’re seeking other alternatives.
The first idea, of course, is to go to a movie. But that’s a bit counter-productive, since we’re hoping to curb that addiction. We love to go on walks together, cook together, entertain, etc.
Somehow around November, I focused in on the idea of 2 player games. Sure there’s some great card games: war, speed, crazy 8’s, old maid, fish… But we’re looking for some really cool and interesting stuff.
In December, Laura, Amy’s sister, came to our rescue with Mancala. It’s only considered the oldest game in history. It’s wonderful. We also love Blokus (but it’s for 4).
So the quest began. We figured, “when we’re in America, we’ll find some cool games.” And we have.
#1 Lost Cities. Thanks to Matt & Juli Bressie, we’re loving this game. Turns out it’s an international game and they gave us a Swedish copy to try out. It’s really fun. Basically you’re trying to complete 5 expeditions to exotic places like Atlantis. Here’s more information about Lost Cities.
#2 Farkle. It’s a really strange name for a fun dice game. It’s easy to play and all you need is the rules and 6 dice. This was a flashback to Sunday evenings with the Robinson family. I used to get together with the Robinsons and the Boehrs and play… you can play with only two people!
#3 FLUXX. Found this game recommended online and in stock at a store in Indianapolis. It’s got all kinds of awards and turns out that it’s recommended by the MENSA society. So… maybe we’re just not smart enough to play. It’s really cool, because the rules and the goal of the game are constantly changing. Also… two or more players!
#4 Treehouse. Recommended by the guys at the game store. You have to enjoy spatial puzzles and have a good brain to play this one… I think. We haven’t had a chance to check it out.
#5 Guillotine. This game was recommended by all the staff in the game store. They said that when they go to a friends to play the game... they always have to leave the game behind... I'll let you know how great it is after we have a chance to play.
#6 Five Crowns. Just got this one as a gift (early Christmas) and am excited to give it a try. Comes from the makers of SET. Oh, yeah, Set! (see #7). Haven't played yet, here's more info.
#7 SET. Another one of those games that requires good brain power. Once you’ve started playing, it gets easier and more and more addictive (I hear they make it for pocket computers too… hmmmm. Playing games like SET actually make you smarter. I found this game in 2005 or 2006 after reading an article about how to sharpen your mind. There’s some medical study about how older people who play games like this are less likely to have mental problems as they age.
Links to play games online
Farkle
FLUXX
Treehouse
Set
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