Expanding my mind.

May of 2003, I took my senior trip to Belize and Cozumel. The sights I saw were mesmerizing. Just witnessing how the market streets functioned through a form of organized chaos made me rethink the things I knew. Something I know of is one way, yet there it was a different way.

A trip to France with my soon to be wife made me realize that my American sense added with my cultural education of east Mexico was still too narrow. Early in the morning, merchants would sell their fresh fruits and vegetables. Meals weren't something to break up the work day, but rather an experience in themselves. Noon didn't mean mid-day break, it meant the tents were shutting down, and it's time to work hard so the pub or the cafe could be enjoyed in merely a few hours.

Invented in America, but perfected in Europe, the trains were amazing. Location after location seemed to pop up, begging you to get off the train car and explore. Can't speak the language? Doesn't matter. The communication of those who can't use words is beautiful.

But as different as we all are, some white, some black, some yellow, some oblivious, we're not too different. My nose is larger than some one else's nose, but we both smell beignets on Canal Street. Your ears may be larger than mine, but let me know how you like the tunes coming from Beale Street. Larger lips? I bet the cherries from France still taste great. What? Your pigment is darker than mine? I bet we can still enjoy the Virgin Islands and the sands of the Florida panhandle together. You might have different eyes, but what about that Eiffle Tower, Mt. Rushmore, the Pyramids, The Great Wall of China, Red Square, the African savannah?

And we all know songs. We all share songs. I found this video by accident, but it's inspiring. One day, we're going to need a helping hand, so please, darling, stand by me. I'll stand by you.

Meg's new phrase: "Dumb Axe"

Paul Bunyan has nothing on us! We braved the rugged wilderness to follow the road less traveled to camp out underneath the stars. The wife, the dog and myself journeyed 34 miles south to tame the wild wilderness of Rocky Springs camp grounds (ha!).

We took a bit to pack the car, loading up the mountain bike, tent, cooler, foodage, sleeping stuff, wood and an axe. We had MB's spot all ready in the car, but of course she didn't want to sit there. Instead, she relaxed like a spoiled child on the pile of blankets. But once we arrived, the park was surprisingly crowded. At least half a dozen campers were there, one van, a truck and us as the the only tent campers.

MB loved the obstacle course of trees and fallen trees. She had a blast. It was funny to see the fat bulldog act like she wanted to be a lab or golden retriever. I think she was practicing for when BJ wants her to play (like that will ever happen, but she can dream).

Meg and I popped up the tent, got the fire going, and cooked our meal (steak!). We also had some jalapeno and cheese dear meat that we devoured. But the night was fun. I got a good bit into Kerouac's On the Road: The Original Scroll. It's a great book. If you've read On the Road, it's the same story, only instead of reading about Dean, you're getting to hear Jack speak of and speak to Neal Cassady. Like I said, good book.

I told Meg my dream is to pack up the car, drive up to Chicago and trek down Route 66. I don't really thing I'm going to get to do that, but you never know. Maybe one summer.

Any way, we barely missed the rain. We woke up (well, we woke up a few times, but we finally got up) and started to pack everything up. We took some bananas for breakfast, so we were about to eat them when the sprinkles started. The car was loaded just as it picked up a bit. But, like I said, we barely missed it.

But today was the last day of furloughs, but after our announcement yesterday, it's day 5 of 10. Like I said yesterday, I'm thankful I have a job. Some of my friends have been laid off, so I'm glad I have weight to pull, and that I get to.

So, the schedule: I'm going to get more into On the Road: The Original Scroll, lift a bit and nap (I don't sleep well on the ground).

Going Camping

As a vision of hope dwindles, we've been told in quarter number two that furlough number two is in the passenger seat. So, April, May and June must have five days away with no pay. This feels like same old song, same old verse and the same old tired tune.

But maybe something good will come of this. A- at least I have a job, B- at least I have my house and C- at least I have my family.

In a few minutes, when I get off work, I'm heading home to gather my family (well, Meg and MB) and we're heading 34 miles down the Natchez Trace to Rocky Springs to go camping. We were going to go this weekend, but some things didn't pan out properly, so we're going tonight (I'm off tomorrow due to what I thought was my last furlough day. I thought wrong).

So, I'll keep you up to date and maybe even have pictures. This is going to be interesting. Hope we survive.

(If you noticed my "title" is the date, for some reason I can't get the date to show up where it's supposed to. Oh well. Fixed that problem . . . . sort of).

I won a trophy

The Rush to Brush 5K was held this past Saturday, and my goal was to break 22 minutes. I fell just short of that. I ran a 22:40 5K to place 31 overall (out of 255) and 3rd in my age group.

I was excited to place, but I was sort of disappointed that I didn't reach my goal. But there's always room to improve, so I'll probably make the St. Paddy's Day 5K my new 22 minute goal.

I've figured I need to work more on my speed work, running some intervals and sprints along with working a bit harder at spin class (which I have tonight). Hopefully, that'll pay off.

* * * * *

Today started off with a bang. I'm having to finish a whole paper by 5 p.m. today, so we'll see how it goes.

"Active" season has started

I'm back! Actually, I've been here for a while, just been really busy. I've upped my running routine, trying to get it back up for running season, and I've started lifting (really lifting). Dan and Matthew have helped me out a bunch, and they push me to lift more, which is great motivation.

But like I said, "active" season is upon us. I've ordered (and received) a suspension fork for my mountain bike, a Yakima rack for my car and now I'm on the hunt for some Aerobars for my road bike. I'm on a kick this week to get my butt into gear to train hard for some long rides, 5Ks and a triathlon this year. I'm excited.

I heard a friend and coworker and fellow runner say one way they train isn't by attempting to finish lengths, but rather to run "times." Yesterday I ran for 45 minutes and did about 6 miles. Today, I'm only going to lift (but it'll be alone), and tomorrow I'm taking the day off.

Saturday I have my first 5K of the season, the same first one I ran last year: The Rush to Brush 5K benefiting the Blair E. Batson and UMC dental program. Glad I can help. Last year, I took the cold part of December and January off and finally laced up my shoes the day of the race.

My time was miserable. I ran 3.1 miles in 27:33 finishing 80 out of 216. Although it was good to finish in the top half, but I know I can do better this year. I'm better prepared. Last year, my last race (The Hap Hudson 5K at Mississippi College) I finished and set a PR at 22:52. My goal for the Brush 5K is to break 22 minutes. I think I can do it. I've got to push myself, but I can do it.

I'm also wanting to race the MS Heatwave Triathlon on June 6. I'm determined to do it. And we're going to the Double Decker festival in Oxford, MS, this April. They have an early morning bike ride that Saturday I think I'm going to ride in. They have 24, 50, and 66 milers. I can do the 66, but I might just do the 50. Who knows.

But today, I have to finish working. I have about 3 or 4 hours left. Then it's off to lift. I'll post my time Saturday after my race.

Never down and out

Today, I'm a domino

Been a while. Been busy.

Recently, I've been trying to hit the gym a little bit harder. I'm not wanting to be a meat-head or anything, but because of a few recent transactions, we've been lifting more.

Dan and Ashlea finally got engaged, so because of that, we're all wanting to look good in our wedding party clothes. Should be fun. I do have to admit that I'm enjoying the sado-masochist idea of beating myself up to make myself stronger.

But this week I've got to go hard because I've got a 5K in a week and a half. So next week is taper week.

* * * * *

This past weekend, Meg and I helped with Wynndale Baptist Church's Discipleship Now. We had a good time. The format has a changed a bit since when we all were in high school. It was more conference/seminar style. Instead of it being a "retreat" it was more like a conference. The speaker was great: John Vermilya.

He not only was a good speaker who spoke a lot of truth, he had one quality I think most "cool" kids who grow up lose. He was still cool. I'm realizing I'm losing my "cool" (well, whatever cool I once had).

But the weekend was great. I learned to be a domino. In a "domino effect" I only need to be one domino. It takes millions of dominoes to make those cool displays. I only need to worry about being one. That takes the overwhelming task of saving the world and makes it null and void. I just have to be who God wants me to be, daily.

Instead of making me feel like it's impossible and quitting, I get to take care of today. In my group, we said we wanted to be fat oak trees. Takes some time. Be a fat tree. Be a domino.