100th Post

Here it is. My 100th post. Thanks for waiting on this one! This blog is not dead.

I've been holding out for something of substance to write about (Or so I think). It's a long one so bear with me!


Shoes/Running/Biking
I have decided to betray my allegiance to New Balance and try out some Asics. I went to Movin' Shoes on Park St. yesterday and picked me up a pair of Asics GT-2140's. I've read reviews and this model is like the number one running shoe right now. I thought I'd give it a shot. I did a short run yesterday and I love that it's lightweight and the amount of cushioning is perfect. I think my problem with NB is that I always ended up getting the stability model which I thought I needed. But after running in those shoes for the past 2 years, I've decided otherwise. I just need a flat-out running shoe.


I'm pumped for the Crazy Legs coming up! A bit nervous as well. This was the race last year that I did incredible at and then I got injured a few days after. But a lot of people I know are running this race so it should be a great time! Then the next week I'm running the PDC Half Marathon with Minnesota Gold Rush; this will be our 3rd year doing it. Perhaps they'll have their act together this year. And perhaps the weather won't suck either. Regardless of weather, I'll be camping alone at Wyalusing State Park that Friday night before the race. PDC Baby!!!


After my runs in May, I plan on start biking quite a bit. I got my first pair of clip shoes for my bike from my uncle and I'm eager to try them out. I told my buddy, Ed, that I would do the 90 mile Race the Lake with him in August. It's a bike race around Lake Winnebago. I know what some of my friends are thinking right now; I know I have a problem with long distances races in the past, but my bad luck has got to end someday, right??


In addition, I would like to do my first Triathalon this year. Either do a sprint one by myself or an Olympic Distance one on a team. I've been looking a bit online and there are a ton of Tris in Wisconsin throughout the summer. Just gotta learn how to swim, right?



Shelter
This past Tuesday I helped serve breakfast at the homeless shelter again. For the first time it struck me as I was interacting with some of the people there: "What makes me different than anyone else here?" In a worldly sense, the only difference is money. The fact that I have money to buy food, a house, car, bills, etc is the only thing that is keeping me out of a homeless shelter. The Grace of God, of course, for providing for me I am very thankful and forever in debt; but why me and not them?? I definitely don't deserve the life I have. A few minutes later, one of the other guys serving with me, came up to me and asked me the same question; it was so weird. I told him I was just thinking the same thing. I guess it's not for us to know. But it's up to us to help these people out and serve them the best way we know how.



LoveMadison
On Sunday, May 3rd, Blackhawk is cancelling all services and the congregation will be out in the community doing various service projects the entire day. The idea is to worship the Lord in a whole new way. Usually, when we think of worship, we think of singing songs in church. But we can worship in everything we do! When I first heard about this I did a fist pump in the air because this is exactly the kind of thing I think the church should be doing: making an impact within the community. I signed up to be the Project Captain for the Isthmus Cleanup in the morning. I will be helping to lead and organize about 70 volunteers to cleanup the trash around the inner and outer squares of the Capital. Today I met with some supervisors from the City of Madison to go over the game plan, where we plan on cleaning up, where to place the filled trash bags so they can pick them up. I think I got it all figured out. Then this evening I'm meeting one of the other Captains so we can figure out how to coordinate our two groups. I really hope Blackhawk will make this at least an annual thing. If I had it my way, I would make this a quarterly thing, but I realize that would be way too difficult to organize 4 times a year. I've been praying that the day goes smoothly and we make a positive impact!

Music
Well, I have been doing some official recording on my new recording rig and let me tell you, it is not all fun it games. It is hard work! After a conversation with M. Todd last Saturday night, I realize I need a producer. Someone to tell me when a song is finished. I'm too much of a perfectionist and I find myself doing a ton of takes to get a song perfect and I can never get it just right. At this rate I'll get nothing accomplished. On top of that when I go to record something, I noodle around on the piano for a while and end up coming up with a cool new chord progression and a new song and I start to record that one instead of finishing up an old one! I know have "New Song 1" through "New Song 5" in my recording folder, all just parts of songs. But I kinda knew this would happen. I suppose it's better than having no ideas. I also am having a real problem finishing a song because if you think about it, there are millions of ways a song can sound, but you can only have on final version. What happens after I finish something and then a few months down the road I think of an even better bass line or extra hook in the lyrics. That would just piss me off. This is why I need a producer. And an actual band to keep me in check. This is overwhelming I tell you. But I borrowed Shaft's mic the other day so maybe I can start laying down some vocals. Now that is scary! I have to get used to hearing the sound of my voice on playback.

Concert
A couple of big concerts coming up in the next few weeks. Sunday is Death Cab for Cutie at Carrol College in Waukesha. I love that it's in a smaller venue. The last time I saw them was at Millennium Park in Chicago which was huge and great, but a band like them is more fitting in a more intimate setting. Then next week, I'm going to the Guster show at Memorial Union. I got a free ticket through 10000 Hours Madison . Buck told me about this. Thanks! If you log over 10 hours of community service through certain organizations you get a ticket to the show! With my service at the shelter I was eligible. I'm also pumped for the opening band "Pictures and Sound" I saw them a few months ago and they are phenomenal. I bought their album right after the show. I'll be going to that show alone. but that's OK, I'll singing every word to very song anyway. I really, really love music.

Beer
OK, so the Pilsner didn't quite turn out the way I thought it would. So what's next?? I'm thinking a nice summer wheat beer. Something to drink on the front porch after a nice summer evening run with the Brewers on the radio. Perfect. My buddy Mark is going to make an Amber but do his own recipe. I told him that if he perfects it, we'll go into business and make our own Brewery. Just like the commercial. Dude 1: "We need to celebrate!" Dude 2: "We need to expand!"

Softball
Softball season is here!! First game on May 7th. We have a ton of new players but I think we'll do well. I dropped our team down a notch so it's a bit more competitive. Can't wait to put on that Longshots jersey! I'm most excited about seeing everyone again. I really like the guys on the team and everyone gets along great. However, we no longer have Mr. Arty "The Meat" McMeatmaster III on our team as he moved away. Gotta find a new 2nd baseman.

Well, I think that's enough for now. I'll try to blog more often, I promise. Stay tuned!