Another PR

I set another PR this weekend. I've set one in all three races I've run this year. That's not quite a cool as it sounds, as I ran two races of distances I've never raced before (5K and marathon), so I automatically got PR's in those. This one was much better though, as I (unofficially) ran in 46:30. The official results aren't up yet. That's right at a 7:30 per mile. Just 18 months ago, running under 8 minute miles for six miles would have blown my mind. So yeay for me ;)

www.heartofsummer.org

2008 Baggo Tournament

I'm way behind on posting. Both here, and to all the places I post pictures. But I have to brag a little about the big baggo (bags, cornhole, whatever you call it). Brian and I won it, and took home a couple Vikings Tailgating chairs ;) That's two years in a row I've won one of those tourneys. Pics below:

Birthday Party

I finally got around to posting some pictures the birthday party for Eric and I last Wednesday night at Club Jager in the North Loop of Minneapolis.

The Bleeding Heart Show

Begining last night, and carrying over to today, I've been listen to "The Bleeding Heart Show" by The New Pornographers, almost on a loop. For some reason, it seems to accurately express my current mood. I say, "for some reason", because I have no idea what it's suppose to be about, even after reading the lyrics. But melodically, at least, it seems correct with me right now. It's starts out very reflective, as if telling a story, and somewhat sad. But halfway through it changes. It becomes much more uplifting. It remains reflective. And it remains resigned to accept the ending of whatever story was just told. But it feels optimistic. Hopeful.

"We have arrived too late to play The Bleeding Heart Show."

Whatever that means ;)

Getting Older

I think I'm turning 29 I think I'm turning 29 I really think so....

I guess there's a lot worse things to be turning -- like purple, or up dead -- but I. Feel. Old. A guy I work with told me that on the morning of his 30th birthday he threw out his back getting out of bed, so I should be warned: There's one year left on the warranty.

To be honest, I don't actually feel old. I'm not sure how to describe how I feel. There are no valid reasons for me to feel old. I'm in the best shape of my life, even running my first marathon a couple of months ago. At worst, most of the hair I had 10 years ago is still there. I have very few "adult" things to worry about in my life. I'm not married. Never have been. I have no children, no mortgage, no real debt. I have a career, and that is pretty much my only "adult" concern.

Maybe that's my issue? Maybe I should be more "adult" by now. (I'm going to keep putting that word in quotes, because I don't know how to define it). I'm 29 and live in the Midwest. To many that means I'm suppose to married with kids, own a house in suburbia, drive an SUV, and complain about how poor I am, how expensive gas is, how I no longer have time for [fill in hobby here]. I'm none of that. I like my hobbies.

The last time I celebrated a birthday without a girlfriend was in 2004. 311 played a free concert in the park. Brad and Dana started dating that day. They now live in Denver. The next two years, we all partied on the rooftop of a building in downtown Omaha. Those parties included Holly, Josh and Ginny, who now live in Oklahoma, Travis (Dallas), and Andy (Omaha), Jon and Molly (Pittsburgh), Brad and Dana (Denver), Andrea and Brian (Omaha) and others. Last year, if I remember correctly, it was just Holly and I. This year, it will be me with my roomates, Kyle, Lindy, and Brian.

Perhaps I feel old because it feels as though I've gone full circle. Like I've moved on to a whole new life with a whole new group a friends, and am going to try it again. Granted, I still to talk to everyone listed in that last paragraph, some (Ginny, Josh, and Jon) more than others (Holly). But none of them will have a drink with me tomorrow, when I "celebrate" moving one year closer to the end of the warranty.

Maybe I feel old because my life is pretty much the same as it was four years ago, just with a different cast and a better job. If I'm this old, should I have more to show for it?

Wiz Banging Good Time

Wiz Bang Days 2008 has come and gone. Got to love good friends, beer, a jetski --with optional tube-- a paddle boat, a couple beer tents, and some fireworks. Throw in some near perfect weather (not including the brief storm Friday night), and you've got yourself a Wiz Banging Good Time ;)

Tonight's Ride

Got the bike out for the first time in a week. Felt great. Absolutely great. I wanted to check out the Midtown Greenway all the way to the river. Did that, then made it downtown complete with a stop at the gym. Still had pizza for dinner though, can't be too healthy ;)

Music Favorites

On Sunday, Katy asked me what my all time favorite song was. That turned out to be an incredibly difficult question. It got me thinking, what are my favorite songs of all time? I eventually came up with "Break Your Heart" by Barenaked Ladies. This is probably accurate. But, and this is important in correctly answering this question, is that I think it depends on my mood. If I'm in the mood to reflect on past relationships, my favorite songs ("Breakfast After 10" by Blue October, "So Long" by Guster) are different than if I'm, say on the Party Bus ("Life is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane, "Sweet Home Alabama" by B.A.M.A Boyz) which is different than if I'm in the mood to dance ("Calabria" by Enur or anything by the Scissor Sisters), although, admittedly, I'm rarely in the mood to dance.

So in the spirit of the question, I've decided to pull a Hi Fidelity, and try to come with my Top Five All Time Favorite Songs. As I type this right now, I don't know what the final list will be. At least one, I know, will seem like a cleshay. Most will probably be tied to one or more memories, good or otherwise. Some these are probably not on any of the playlists in my iPod, and won't be anytime soon. But they were at some point quite important to me, so I suppose that by "All Time", they belong on the list.

So here is what I think should go on my Top Five All Time Favorite Songs, in no particular order:

Barenaked Ladies -- Break Your Heart
Dave Mathews Band -- Ants Marching
Blue October -- Balance Beam
Old 97's -- Barrier Reef
Pearl Jam -- Black

I'm sure, as soon as I hit "Publish Post", I'll want to change this list, but I won't, as it is, right now, a snapshot of what I think it should be. (I had a hard time turning six into five, eventually removing "No Pressure" by Grasshopper Takeover and keeping two songs that I hardly even listen to anymore by DMB and Pearl Jam).

Anyone care to share their top five?

Omahawesome

Whew... what a weekend! I think the pictures best some it up ;)