A new approach

Okay, I've decided to get more structure for my running. A friend at work suggested Couch to 5K, so I downloaded the podcasts, and I'll be using it to help me avoid burnout and injury.

This Running Thing

I have never liked running. I would prefer to ride a bike, but I know that running is actually a better cardio-vascular workout. Plus, I have that goal of running a marathon. That's not a "bucket list" kind of thing, though. It's just something I've always wanted to do. I don't plan to expend all this effort; run the marathon; and then give up running altogether.

On today's run, about a third of a mile out, I thought, "Why the hell am I doing this?"

Right now, the only only answer I could give was, "Because I want to."

For now, that's enough.

RunKeeper Shared Fitness | Running Activity

Day 2

Ran a mile. Walked the rest. This has to get easier.

My hands were freezing, too.

RunKeeper Shared Fitness | Running Activity

Details of my first run for the dual goals of getting in better shape and Running the Rock.

Kaufman County Politics

Before the February 16th opening of early voting, I will post my opinions on the various contested races in Kaufman County and Precinct 2. I won't opine regarding the Precinct 4 Commissioner's race.

I reserve the right to restrict the comments to the political posts. I won't let my blog become a forum for the candidates and/or their supporters to campaign.

I am likely to make some people unhappy with my opinions, but I've decided the time has come to speak up without fear of alienating certain people.

Ready to Hit the Pavement

I swung over to Luke's Locker after work this evening to get some running shoes. They examined my feet and watched me walk and run to get an idea of what type of running shoe would best suit me. Turns out, I'm a "neutral." I'm still not 100% sure what all the jargon meant, but I trust that they don't want to put me in a shoe that isn't best for me because I'm sure they want me to come back as a repeat customer, and if the shoes don't fell good, I would be less likely to return.

The associate who worked with me recommended that I set a goal of doing the Half-marathon this year and the full next. I understood her point, but I still consider the full my goal for this year. I reserve the right to change my mind on that at any time.

Always look on the Bright Side

I can use the time that the Cowboys would have been playing next week and on Super Bowl Sunday to exercise.

Reset

I had received over 18,000 hits here since I first started in July 2005, but I've reset my counter to reflect the new era.

New Shoes

As I mentioned in my last post, I plan to attempt the White Rock Marathon in December. Thus, I shall need some good running shoes. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.

I'm going to get started with early training this week.

Long, Strange Trip

I can't explain why I haven't updated here since April. Let's blame it on Facebook.

Life has been through many twists and turns over the past 9 months.

To keep it short:

Work is still work.

I won an acting award for my performance in Suessical: the Musical as Best Actor in a Featured Role at the Awards Gala for Kaufman County Civic Theatre.

I decided to run for District Attorney in my county, and then at the last minute I had to drop out because of a work-related issue.

As a result of my candidacy, I missed an opportunity to appear on "Jeopardy!" I can only hope that now that I'm no longer a candidate, they will give me another shot. This is only the latest installment in this saga. You can read a brief account of my Jeopardy! Tale of Woe.

I've gained a little weight, but not so much that it's depressing.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions, but I have decided to get in shape and prepare to Run the Rock in December 2010.

Go Tar Heels!!!!

Great game by UNC to win the NCAA Division I basketball championship.

I still can't figure out how Wayne Ellington was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four™ instead of Ty Lawson.

Lawson outscored Ellington and his 8 steals in championship game set a record.

Meet the Coach

My oldest three girls all started softball this morning with H.E.A.D. (Home Educators Association of Dallas). The middle two are playing T-Ball, and the oldest is playing Coach Pitch. I am one of the two coaches for that group. We don't have enough kids to make up even one team, so for now, we're just teaching some skills. We're hoping that more kids will come out in the next couple of weeks so that they can actually play some competitive games.

My oldest got hit in the head twice this morning. The first time, it was just one of those things that happens. She missed the ball when it was thrown to her, and it hit her right in front of her left ear. The second time, she was afraid of getting hit in the head, so she turned away at the wrong moment. In her effort to avoid getting hit, she wound up getting smacked in the back of her head. She is fine, if a little sore.

Not quite the ending I had hoped for

Congratulations to Penn State. The Nittany Lions played terrific perimeter defense to hinder Baylor's 3-point shooting most of the night. I would have loved my Bears to win the NIT, but I am proud of the way they pulled things together for the Big XII tournament and this one.

Back in Pain

I have a spot between my left shoulder blade and my spine that hurts on occasion. It feels like the muscle are completely knotted up. the past few days have been one of the painful occurrences. I think I am in serious need of a massage. If that doesn't take care of it, I may have to break down and go to a chiropractor.

Sic 'Em Bears

I went to the Dallas unofficial Baylor watching location for tonight's National Invitational Tournament's semi-final game with San Diego State University.

Ran into an old college fraternity brother, and thoroughly enjoyed watching the game with dozens of fellow Baylor Alums.

It's a Wonderful Life

Not just the title of my favorite movie, the heading of this post is pretty much true for me, as well. I have been blessed by God with a loving, supportive wife and four beautiful and smart daughters. My parents did a great job raising me and my brother and sister. My siblings are genuinely nice people who are always willing to listen and lend whatever support they can.

Unlike George Bailey, I wouldn't want to know how the world might have been different had I never been born, but more importantly, I wouldn't want to know how my life would have been different if any of the important people in my life hadn't come along.

Short Update

I'm still out here. Life has been hectic since November. No excuse for not at least posting a little now and then.

Work is work.

Family is fine.

Life is good.

I'll post more later after I get home from rehearsal.

Hope in Waco

My beloved Baylor Bears blew out they-who-must-be-hated, the Texas A&M Aggies. Maybe, this time, the program will be able to turn it around and become competitive in the Big XII. I have no delusions that we will ever be able to fight for a Division and Conference Title on a year-in, year-out basis, but there's no good reason why we can't get to the point of being bowl eligible every year.

2008 Presidential Election Prediction

After I did so well four years ago, I hesitate to put my prognostication skills to the test again, but here goes:

I foresee a win for Senator Obama, but not by nearly the margin that many predict. I have Obama winning 22 states plus the District of Columbia. That means Senator McCain will win more states (28) but they won't be the right ones to get him to 270 Electoral Votes. I have Obama at 273 EVs and McCain at 265. I believe the most EVs Obama will get is 291

If McCain does not win Virginia, I believe it's all over. I have never believed the possibility of flipping Pennsylvania, so McCain must win VA/FL/NC/OH/IN. Then, he has to pull out Colorado because I think New Mexico is a lost cause.

Here are the states I am calling for Obama with their Electoral Votes in parentheses:

California (55)
Colorado (9)
Connecticut (7)
Delaware (3)
District of Columbia (3)
Hawaii (4)
Iowa (7)
Illinois (21)
Maine (4)
Maryland (10)
Massachusetts (12)
Michigan (17)
Minnesota (10)
New Hampshire (4)
New Jersey (15)
New Mexico (5)
New York (31)
Oregon (7)
Pennsylvania (21)
Rhode Island (4)
Vermont (3)
Washington (11)
Wisconsin (10)

The iMac is Back

After going with the family to story time at Borders, we headed over to the Apple Store to pick up my iMac. Hurrah!