Don't try this at home...

Well, last night I washed all my running clothes, and when I went to put them in the dryer, I discovered I had washed my iPod shuffle as well. Crap! After a couple minutes of swearing at myself, I plugged it into the charging dock, and eventually the computer recognized it and started to charge it. I wore it on the treadmill at the YMCA this morning, and it worked as well as ever. Nonetheless.....don't wash your iPod kids.

The greatest band in all the land?

Last night Laura and I drove to Frankfort to see a performance by the Capitol City Community Band, in which our fellow choir members Chip and Allison play. The band has been selected to play at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention in Chicago next month and the concert was a fundraiser to help them (duh) raise funds for the trip.

Anyways.....we had no idea what to expect, but the evening started with dinner from Johnny Carino's (we knew dinner was provided, but we didn't know it would be a REAL dinner). After working my way through several Caesar salads (thank you friendly, bassoon-playing waitress) and a serving of lasagna....and a serving of canoli, we settled in for the concert......WHICH WAS AWESOME.

The selections for the evening included: the overture from "William Tell", three marches including "Entry of the Gladiators" which I believe to be the standard circus show march, and several solo performances. There was a Tuba soloist, who played what seemed to be a very challenging piece called Fantasia: "Down in the Deep Cellar." The featured soloist for the evening was Vince DiMartino, who plays the trumpet. Vince Martino is awesome. He played a piece called ""The Carnival of Venice" for which I won't post a YouTube video, but I will say you might check it out if you've got about 8 minutes.

Here is one (obviously older) link to a Vince Dimartino performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJMi4gcGhE

Here is another more recent video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc8PK0SqdeU

The point, however, is that community bands (although Vince DiMartino is not normally a member) can be really good, and well worth the time....and if you ever get the chance to go see Vince DiMartino, you really should.

Turkentucky

Just a quick update on Thanksgiving Day....

If your name is Tom, Sally, Pete, Jenni, Hank, Tammy, Laura, or Pete, I have successfully secured you an entry for the 5K. We get long sleeve t-shirts...AND KNIT CAPS!!!

Look forward to seeing everyone in only 3 weeks!

Taking My Medicine.

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12)"

This is the bible-ism of the day from Hank and Tammy's website. I guess that's an appropriate quote for their website since their beloved Gators broke their 2-game losing streak today; their jubiliation restored. I s'pose a little more praying on my part might have paid off. I'll have to say my prayers that Hank will rub it in, get it over with, and let my life go on. I guess my verse for the day will be Lamentations 3, 31-33:

"Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. "

Therefore, I shall take my medicine like a man, and know that the Cats will live to fight another day. After all, it's all about being 3-2 in the SEC east now, and the season's not over for anyone. Go ahead and call Hank. I promise we'll answer the phone and you can have your moment.

(For all those interested in the fun we had today DESPITE the loss, tune in shortly to Laura's blog)

We're bowl eligible, how about you?

OMG, IDK WTF is going on in LEX, but IMHO, Derrick Locke can be my BFF. If we had lost in overtime, I'd have been ROTF crying my eyes out, but instead I was JUADSMHO (jumping up and down screaming my head off, for those over age 25).



No rest for the WEARY (Wildcats: eat, and rest yourselves) because tomorrow you've got to hit the film room and get ready for the GATORS (Great and terribly overconfident relative southerners). Next Saturday at 3:30, the real showdown occurs as JACOB'S DAD PRAYS(Just as Cats obstructed Bayoubengals, so devastation and destruction plummeting right at your school) that his team can withstand the onslaught of the mighty CATS DEFENDERS (Consistent and tenaciously swift; Dominating effort foils every naysayer; Doubt erased, results superb) and the HEISMAN (His every instinct seems marvelous and notable) worthy Andre' Woodson.



Everyone better tune in. It's gonna be a good one. Watch out for this guy. He's FAT (Fierce and taped).

Victory so sweet....

Did anyone else have a 2002 LSU mental relapse as Brian Brohm threw his final pass with time expiring. Given my position on the corner of the end zone, waiting to scale the goalpost for that game....I certainly did. Thankfully, someone taught this UK secondary (and all the linebackers, since there were only three down on the line) how to tackle. Here's how it went inside my head:

"Sack him!!!! no....they can't sack him, there's only three linemen.....knock it down!! knock it down!!......TACKLE HIM!!! TACKLE HIM!!!...How much time is left? WE WON!! WE WON!! WE WON!!"

Now the big question becomes: Did Florida's pulverizing of #20 Tennessee (59-20...blah blah..way to go Hank) just usher UK into the polls? Obviously someone had to lose to make room for the Cats, and I don't think that #15 Georgia Tech losing to #21 BC is enough to push GT out (although the way UCLA lost to Utah, they might drop ALL the way out). Can the Cat's take the boost of confidence and keep the momentum rolling all the way through (through, not TO) October 20th? Either way, it's nice to know we've reclaimed the Ernie Fletcher cup for the next year. I'll rest easy tonight (if my heart beat ever slows down that is).

Here's a bit more for those of you who missed it (Why the hell weren't you watching ESPN Classic btw....???????)
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3022181&n8pe6c=1

Training update

Just in case anyone was wondering how MY training is going for Turkentucky, last Saturday I ran three (3) mile repeats at the track: 5:37, 5:36, 5:50. Sunday was a 7-miler at a relaxed tempo. Monday I took the day off to go to the zoo. Tuesday was 8 x one minute hill repeats. Wednesday was 4.5, relaxed. Thursday was 5 miles, Friday was an off-day, and Saturday was 3.5 miles with Laura before another 5.5 on my own.

In a little (pessimistic) off-hand math, Team Crawford figures to run a combined time of 47:30 at the thoroughbred (I'm forcasting an 18:30, and I think if Laura had to do it tomorrow, she'd run about a 29:00).

If Jenni comes through in her forecast time of 24:00, Pete Carter needs to crank out about a 24:00 himself to keep the pressure on. My chief concern at the moment is whether or not Sally can get Hannah through the course before Tom can get Ben through in the stroller.

Last day at the pool

The pool at the YMCA closed for the year today, but not before it was open for the Pooch Plunge this afternoon. Have you ever seen a cartoon where the character walks into an open manhole and just disappears?

Thats pretty much the same thing that happens when Hannah walks off the edge into the pool, thinking she's walking into the shallow end. She doesn't know how to run and jump (in fact, she'd ONLY get in at the shallow-just-like-the-beach-end if she had the choice.

We'd also like to send an apology out to Abby, the small golden retriever, who was today's recipient of the "dog Hannah just can't seem to get along with" award.

In other news, Kentucky Football is 2-0, Florida is 2-0, and the showdown is October 20th. Hank, I'll send you a couple pistures of all the UK students riding the goalposts off into the sunset after the game.

I'd blog about the Bears loss today, but I think I need to calm down a little first after all the fumbling. Good grief.

Josie's Blog

Today, I thought I might create a blog for Josie (the cat), so that she could have a chance to write about her daily experiences and tell the world about her feelings. Then I said to myself....why create her own NEW blog, when I can simply offer her the opportunity to occasionally report on her adventures here on my blog. She jumped at the offer! Here's Josie:

This morning, I woke up on the Yellow Grams Chair, and felt grumpy. The boy left the room to let the dog out (without petting me) and this made me even grumpier. I got up tried to leave the bedroom just after the girl got up and went into the bathroom, but the door was closed and I was forced to paw at it until the boy let me out. I ran quickly to the blue couch, in order to avoid the dog.

There was about an hour of freedom, while the dog was at the vet, but I was still pretty PO'd about having to wake up at all that morning, so I decided to hunker down on the couch and be as solitary as possible. The girl went to work, the boy and dog came home from the vet, and I fell asleep around 11:00 AM. When I woke up at 3 PM, I ate some kibbles, even though my prescription food makes me grumpy. I thought about taking a trip to the litter box, but the dog was asleep only 30 feet away, so I decided to go back to the couch. (Additional naptime ensues)

When the girl got home at 7:15, she went outside with the dog, and I seized a moment to visit the litter box, visit the roller-ball-scratching-pad, and steal a drink from the dog bowl (the only good thing about the dog is the giant water bowl) before settling down for a nap. After the boy and girl ate dinner, I spent a couple minutes sitting on the OTHER couch with them, but the dog kept breathing, and that makes me grumpy, so I decided to just call it a night. Maybe tomorrow they'll forget me in the bedroom and I can spend the whole day sleeping under the bed.

That's it for the life of Josie right now. Really that's pretty much a standard day for Josie, so if you want to know what she's doing tomorrow, just read this blog again (and repeat as necessary).

I guess I'll rate the need for Josie to have her OWN blog by the comments this one receives. Let me know if I need to set her up with a way to express herself more fully.

It's been a while...

Well, it has only been 5 months and 21 days since I last posted, but I guess its time for an update. Part of the layoff has to be attributed to the fact that "old blogger" became "new blogger," and after months of declining to "upgrade your blog to a google account" I was locked out for good! Laura figured out how to reclaim hers through some 15-step process (yes indeed, more difficult than recovering from alcoholism) but that seemed like to much effort to me, and I resolved to never blog again. Laura must like my blogs however, so anyone who reads this can thank her for taking the time to reclaim my blog (dated though it be) and allow me once again to blog for your reading pleasure (or general disdain if you happen to root for the University of Florida).

That's right folks, the resident Gator Hater is back just in time for football season. But we'll save that for later on... (likely October 20th, as soon as the Cats get done drubbing(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/drubbing) the Gators here in Lexington).

So what's been happening here? I guess I could recap the last 5 months in reverse: sdrawkcab epyt dna yrt ot truh niarb ym sekam ti tuB. So maybe I'll just hit a couple of the highlights, focusing on things Laura hasn't blogged about.

Just this past weekend I went to a 5k in Somerset (an hour and a half south) because on of my stores was setting up a booth. I figured I'd run in the race, just for fun. SOMERSET is HILLY, but I came out on top, and won a $100 (that more than paid for the gas and entry fee). I also won a door prize from one of the sponsors (a local dentist) and got a bag full of toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss. Anyone who forgets theirs for Turkentucky is in good shape....have no fear.

It's been pretty hot here (not that it hasn't been hot everywhere) but our garden has suffered a bit. The first flourish of tomatoes was a good one, but everything to come ripe since then has been pretty small. We've lost all but one watermelon to the chipmunks, rabbits (I hate rabbits) and/ or sunshine. The squash looks like it may be in for a similar fate (don't worry Jenni, I think we'll get enough that you don't need to send us any).

Laura started running earlier this summer, since I'd declared that the only way she'd ever get me to audition for a musical would be to come and run a half-marathon the next time I go for the full distance. We started running together (I wore the stopwatch, and usually pretended I wasn't listening whenever she asked for a walk break) She's made fantastic progress, finished this years "A Midsummer Night's Run" without walking, and is now going for 30 minute runs without me. We're now in training for the Thoroughbred Classic, as it seems there's a showdown brewing....stay tuned for more updates on that front. If you see me at auditions for The Music Man next spring, you'll know I'm just holding up my half of the bargain.

Okay, thats it for tonight. If you need to know any more about me lately.....just go read Laura's blog. I promise to include pictures next time around.

10 mile run in Kentucky....

Today was beautiful. We hit 70 degrees....yes, 70....in Lexington, so I broke out the shorts and went for my first long run of the year. Usually my runs are pretty boring, but everyone was out today, so I thought I'd publish a mile-by-mile recap of what I saw.

Mile 1:
3 of these tried to break out of their yard and chase me. Luckily the fence held fast.


Shortly afterward, one of these tried to get hit by a car:


Mile 2:
I jumped out of the way of this combination:


Mile 3:
Sadly Uneventful.

Mile 4:a couple of cool 15 year olds on one of these (not observing stop signs, correct side of the road, or right of way for pedestrians). Note: it was not a scooter built for two.


Mile 5: A little bit of this

and a little bit of that


Mile 6:
and fight over

Mile 7:
on one of these:

Mile 8:
My personal favorite. A domestic dispute....in the front yard....between these two:


Mile 9:
The previously referenced scooter must have had a full tank of gas. It took one more shot at running me off the road.

Mile 10:
These three made their own attempt at a career as speed bumps.


All in all, a pretty entertaining afternoon. Just to reassure everyone: All the children narrowly escaped their dooms, I don't think Eminem and the Wendy's girl ever actually came to blows (though the local kids may have learned some potty words), and I overcame my inner demons and resisted poking a stick through the spokes of the moped as it breezed by.

Know Your College Basketball

In an effort to make sure everyone is ready for March Madness (especially you football fans out there in Nebraska), I've put together a small quiz. There is only ONE correct response to each question, so please choose carefully (answers at the bottom).

#1) Which of the following coaches has never won a national championship?
a)b)c)

#2) Which of the following coaches is NOT Rick Pitino?
a)b)c)

#3) Which of the following college freshmen is really a 35 year old?
a)b)

#4) Which of the following pictures most resembles a rat?
a)b)c)

#5) (Double points for correct answer) Which of the following is the biggest horse's ass?
a)b)c)

#6)True or False: The following two individuals were separated at birth:



NCAA Tournament Bracket contest info coming soon. Until then, keep brushing up on your trivia.




Answer Key:
1)c 2)b 3)b 4)c 5)c 6)True

Posting On-Demand

Hank wanted a post. I'm posting for Hank, even though nothing exciting is going on.

Hank is a graduate of the University of Florida, home of the Gators, playing for the national championship on Monday night against the Ohio State Buckeyes.


Hank,
That nut looks pretty intimidating, but on the chance that Florida loses, just keep in mind that they beat everyone else they played....except Auburn.....who lost to Georgia.....who lost to Kentucky.



Pete and Jenni are Longhorn fans. The Longhorns won their bowl game, a late comeback victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.



Initially Hank, you might take hope in seeing that the wee little longhorn calf was capable of knocking off the big, burly hawkeye......but please keep in mind that Texas did lose to Kansas St. (sorry to bring that up Jenni)....who lost to Baylor.....who lost to Army.....who lost to Middle Tennessee St.....who lost to Central Michigan (sponsored by New Balance)....who lost to Kentucky.


Pete and Laura are from Kentucky, both proud graduates of UK, home of the mighty Wildcats!!!!!


If I were a little Clemson tiger, I wouldn't screw around with the Wildcats either. (UK 28, Clemson 20)

All I can say to the inevitable "but Florida beat Kentucky" rebuttal is.....um.....well....."We're from KIN-TUCK-EE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"