Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
1-Pittsburgh
5-Washington
7-NY Rangers
8-Columbus
Philadelphia
NY Islanders
New Jersey
Carolina
Atlantic Division
2-Boston
3-Montreal
4-Detroit
6-Ottawa
Toronto
Buffalo
Tampa Bay
Florida
Western Conference
Central Division
1-Chicago
4-Winnipeg
5-St. Louis
6-Nashville
Minnesota
Dallas
Colorado
Pacific Division
2-Los Angeles
3-Anaheim
7-Vancouver
8-San Jose
Phoenix
Edmonton
Calgary
Eastern Conference Finals
Pittsburgh over Detroit
Western Conference Finals
Chicago over St. Louis
Stanley Cup Finals
Pittsburgh over Chicago
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Latest 5k recap
Well, I ran my second 5k in 7 days. Usually, I go about five months between races, so I really didn't know if I had the endurance to get through this one. And considering my ankles had been bothering me for most of the week, I wasn't feeling perfect.
I loaded up on pasta with plenty of cheese and garlic the night before and slept about five hours. I woke up at 6:30 and ate my usual oatmeal raisin power bar and drank a liter of filtered water. I wore my sleeveless Jeremy Lin Knicks shirt, gray mesh shorts, and new Saucony sneakers. I left home around 7:45 and drove 15 minutes east on North Avenue to Wheaton Academy, my old high school.
Thankfully, the weather was actually comfortable, maybe 55 degrees. I was so thankful we had better running conditions that last year; it must have been 35 degrees that morning. I didn't see anyone I recognized except Chris Felinski, who has now become the head coach of the cross country teams. I was definitely one of the youngest runners, just like last year. The entire cross country team came to guide us and cheer us on; in fact, I'm pretty sure there were more volunteers than runners!
We started on the practice soccer field and early on, it was obvious that four or five guys were going to dominate the race. I ran a pretty consistent race in terms of my speed. But some things were different than last week's race. In South Barrington, we ran on a flat terrain and it was all asphalt. This weekend, I had to contend with running through grass and up and down these slanted hills. Those are the moments that really tested my will and endurance, but I got through them.
As I came down the final straightaway, I felt like I had just a little bit of a burst left. I manage to pick up some speed as I came across the finish line. I checked the clock and I finished at 22:17. I couldn't believe it, I had shaved 37 seconds off my time from last week. I never thought for a second I had run at a faster pace than last weekend.
Then, one of the volunteers explained to me that we ran 3 miles even, not 3.1, which is a standard 5k. So realistically, I would have finished right around 23 minutes, or maybe a little over. I was pretty content with that time anyway.
I headed over to the snack table for a banana, mini-sized bagel with pumpkin cream cheese, and two bottles of Ice Mountain water. Then, it was off to the gym for the sauna, shower, and whirlpool.
PS How did I get 255 readers of my last blog post when I usually get about 10? I'm not sure how to feel about that!
I loaded up on pasta with plenty of cheese and garlic the night before and slept about five hours. I woke up at 6:30 and ate my usual oatmeal raisin power bar and drank a liter of filtered water. I wore my sleeveless Jeremy Lin Knicks shirt, gray mesh shorts, and new Saucony sneakers. I left home around 7:45 and drove 15 minutes east on North Avenue to Wheaton Academy, my old high school.
Thankfully, the weather was actually comfortable, maybe 55 degrees. I was so thankful we had better running conditions that last year; it must have been 35 degrees that morning. I didn't see anyone I recognized except Chris Felinski, who has now become the head coach of the cross country teams. I was definitely one of the youngest runners, just like last year. The entire cross country team came to guide us and cheer us on; in fact, I'm pretty sure there were more volunteers than runners!
We started on the practice soccer field and early on, it was obvious that four or five guys were going to dominate the race. I ran a pretty consistent race in terms of my speed. But some things were different than last week's race. In South Barrington, we ran on a flat terrain and it was all asphalt. This weekend, I had to contend with running through grass and up and down these slanted hills. Those are the moments that really tested my will and endurance, but I got through them.
As I came down the final straightaway, I felt like I had just a little bit of a burst left. I manage to pick up some speed as I came across the finish line. I checked the clock and I finished at 22:17. I couldn't believe it, I had shaved 37 seconds off my time from last week. I never thought for a second I had run at a faster pace than last weekend.
Then, one of the volunteers explained to me that we ran 3 miles even, not 3.1, which is a standard 5k. So realistically, I would have finished right around 23 minutes, or maybe a little over. I was pretty content with that time anyway.
I headed over to the snack table for a banana, mini-sized bagel with pumpkin cream cheese, and two bottles of Ice Mountain water. Then, it was off to the gym for the sauna, shower, and whirlpool.
PS How did I get 255 readers of my last blog post when I usually get about 10? I'm not sure how to feel about that!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Under the Hood
1) Took a good look under the Hood last night (between midnight and 3 am) and I enjoyed the view immensely...
2) Finished the Fellowship Housing 5k in South Barrington in 22:54, good enough for 7h overall out of 140 runners and first place in my age bracket. Plus, I got to meet Olympic runner Evan Jager, which was a real thrill.
3) Jets beat Buffalo, raising their record to 2-1, and it's a good feeling. The defense looks absolutely dominant, with the way they stuff the run and they're doing a better job at rushing the quarterback than they have in years. And the offense totaled over 500 yards; some people didn't think the Jets would amass 500 yards in a two-game span this year! Next week, the Jets go Tennessee, which may have been last season's worst loss. Mark Sanchez threw five interceptions that game and thank goodness he won't be playing this time. Miami and New England may be 3-0, but let's see what happens...Sidenote: I can't feel too sad that the Giants are 0-3. And they lost today to Carolina 38-0!!!
4) Wolfed down a 2/3 pound burger at Fuddrucker's last night, my first visit since I tried to take down the 7 lb monster six months ago. I swear this burger looked like a slider! I wondered if I should have ordered a whole pound! Nice to hang with the Naperville group, especially Ian, Melissa, Rachel, and Maureen. Jason (my sort of twin) showed up. And I met Rebecca, who's a teacher in Oswego, and she was very interesting to talk with as well. She, Jason, Audrey, and I talked about everything from police officers to trains to sesame seeds.
5) I really feel I need to find some good music. I love all my stuff, but it's just starting to get very repetitive.
6) School is 10 days in and it isn't easy keeping up with everything. I wish I could only work four days a week, so I could take a full day, just do schoolwork, and get it off my plate. So far, I have earned 111 of 120 points, for 92%, so I guess that's a solid performance for the first week.
7) I tried to find Silver Linings Playbook in the library, but instead I rented The Hurricane. I always wanted to see the film about wrongly jailed boxing champion Rubin "Hurricane" Carter starring Denzel Washington. I'm sure I'll watch it sometime this week.
8) One more week till the Mets season mercifully ends. At least they swept the Phillies in Philadelphia this weekend.
9) I don't like to curse here, but I would like to give a big F You to the city of Wood Dale, IL for fining me $250 for crossing railroad tracks as the gates were just starting to come down. I couldn't stop the car in time, but there's no way to prove that. Wood Dale businesses will never receive another dime of my money again. And that may even include Top Golf.
10) Three nights till the Matt Redman concert at Willow Creek. For sure, it's going to be special.
2) Finished the Fellowship Housing 5k in South Barrington in 22:54, good enough for 7h overall out of 140 runners and first place in my age bracket. Plus, I got to meet Olympic runner Evan Jager, which was a real thrill.
3) Jets beat Buffalo, raising their record to 2-1, and it's a good feeling. The defense looks absolutely dominant, with the way they stuff the run and they're doing a better job at rushing the quarterback than they have in years. And the offense totaled over 500 yards; some people didn't think the Jets would amass 500 yards in a two-game span this year! Next week, the Jets go Tennessee, which may have been last season's worst loss. Mark Sanchez threw five interceptions that game and thank goodness he won't be playing this time. Miami and New England may be 3-0, but let's see what happens...Sidenote: I can't feel too sad that the Giants are 0-3. And they lost today to Carolina 38-0!!!
4) Wolfed down a 2/3 pound burger at Fuddrucker's last night, my first visit since I tried to take down the 7 lb monster six months ago. I swear this burger looked like a slider! I wondered if I should have ordered a whole pound! Nice to hang with the Naperville group, especially Ian, Melissa, Rachel, and Maureen. Jason (my sort of twin) showed up. And I met Rebecca, who's a teacher in Oswego, and she was very interesting to talk with as well. She, Jason, Audrey, and I talked about everything from police officers to trains to sesame seeds.
5) I really feel I need to find some good music. I love all my stuff, but it's just starting to get very repetitive.
6) School is 10 days in and it isn't easy keeping up with everything. I wish I could only work four days a week, so I could take a full day, just do schoolwork, and get it off my plate. So far, I have earned 111 of 120 points, for 92%, so I guess that's a solid performance for the first week.
7) I tried to find Silver Linings Playbook in the library, but instead I rented The Hurricane. I always wanted to see the film about wrongly jailed boxing champion Rubin "Hurricane" Carter starring Denzel Washington. I'm sure I'll watch it sometime this week.
8) One more week till the Mets season mercifully ends. At least they swept the Phillies in Philadelphia this weekend.
9) I don't like to curse here, but I would like to give a big F You to the city of Wood Dale, IL for fining me $250 for crossing railroad tracks as the gates were just starting to come down. I couldn't stop the car in time, but there's no way to prove that. Wood Dale businesses will never receive another dime of my money again. And that may even include Top Golf.
10) Three nights till the Matt Redman concert at Willow Creek. For sure, it's going to be special.
Saturday, September 07, 2013
5 rounds
1) Watching "Phantom Punch", which is a bio on the late Sonny Liston. I'm one hour in and I am certainly enjoying it. That said, Bridgette Nielsen, who plays a Vegas lounge singer, is already stealing the show. Pete Sampras, you lucky son of a bitch.
2) 4 days still I start graduate school. I'm just hoping I can handle it to go along with a full time job.
3) These first two Yankees-Red Sox games have been so dramatic. I can't say I've minded watching the Yankees lose both times...
4) Saturday lineup: Breakfast with Jen at Nosh, Festival of the Vine, Mike's 50th birthday party. The theme of the party is crazy hats, I think I have a good alligator one that will do the trick!
5) People who boast on social media about getting drunk. It makes no sense to me in any way whatsoever. Not that I have anyone specific in mind, but if they spent as much time and effort searching for work as they do drinking and hunting down hockey players, they might actually make something of their lives.
Song pick: "The Man In Love With You" George Strait
2) 4 days still I start graduate school. I'm just hoping I can handle it to go along with a full time job.
3) These first two Yankees-Red Sox games have been so dramatic. I can't say I've minded watching the Yankees lose both times...
4) Saturday lineup: Breakfast with Jen at Nosh, Festival of the Vine, Mike's 50th birthday party. The theme of the party is crazy hats, I think I have a good alligator one that will do the trick!
5) People who boast on social media about getting drunk. It makes no sense to me in any way whatsoever. Not that I have anyone specific in mind, but if they spent as much time and effort searching for work as they do drinking and hunting down hockey players, they might actually make something of their lives.
Song pick: "The Man In Love With You" George Strait
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Those nights...
Around 1:30 am. When you know you need to go to sleep, yet don't want to move a muscle to climb two flights of stairs and walk into the bedroom. But then you're all alone. Nothing else to distract you except your own thoughts. And those are the times sometimes silence is the scariest companion of all. It just won't go away. It won't.
Black and white
I found myself in a room of chaos
Nowhere to move
The world spinning around me
There it appeared before me
Perfect as can be
Pure as black and white
No colors, no lights, no sound
Just so sudden
So striking
Unable to move
Not a sight, nor a sound
It was right there standing before me.
It was all I could want.
It was clear as black and white.
Then it came closer
That perfect blend
Of dark and light
Of fear and hope
Of mystery and clarity
Of black and white
Coming closer still.
I had to move.
I managed to extend a single hand
God, I had never felt this softness, this silkiness, this smoothness
Conforming to my hand.
I couldn't let go
But I held on too tightly
Or maybe I was afraid to hold on tight
The greatest thing I'd ever held
Slipped out of my hand
Gone as black and white
Nowhere to move
The world spinning around me
There it appeared before me
Perfect as can be
Pure as black and white
No colors, no lights, no sound
Just so sudden
So striking
Unable to move
Not a sight, nor a sound
It was right there standing before me.
It was all I could want.
It was clear as black and white.
Then it came closer
That perfect blend
Of dark and light
Of fear and hope
Of mystery and clarity
Of black and white
Coming closer still.
I had to move.
I managed to extend a single hand
God, I had never felt this softness, this silkiness, this smoothness
Conforming to my hand.
I couldn't let go
But I held on too tightly
Or maybe I was afraid to hold on tight
The greatest thing I'd ever held
Slipped out of my hand
Gone as black and white
Thursday, August 22, 2013
The Total Package
1) As I write, I am listening to Lex Luger's interview on Pro Wrestling Powerhouse. He's one of my favorite pro wrestlers ever and he just released his autobiography this past week. What's so interesting is that Tyndale in Wheaton, which is just 20 minutes from my house, is the publisher. I know a few people who work there and I even applied for work there several times. I am definitely looking forward to reading Wrestling With the Devil; I just hope Lex comes to Chicago so I can get my book signed. Hopefully, it won't take 13 years, like with Mick Foley.
2) Today, I achieved my highest error rate at Kaplan. I completed 37 of 38 submitted files correctly for a 97 percent rate, over 30 percent better than my score on Tuesday. I'm very happy about it and I was also pleased when two of my colleagues congratulated me. But now I have to keep it going. It was one day. I proved what I am capable of. Now I need to prove that I can keep my performance at that optimum level.
3) Let's see...today, Dad went to Mets vs Braves, Catherine went to Yankees vs Blue Jays, Julie is now in NY after winning the Mets FanCave contest and is going to two games. What am I still doing in Chicago?!
4) I'm not feeling a burning desire to attend my 10-year college reunion in Massachusetts in six weeks. Between flying, renting a car, finding a hotel, and not knowing who I will and won't see, I just don't know if this would be worth it.
5) The "break" has essentially been made. It was a long time coming. It had to happen. And then are are those who can't accept a break has happened. Some people need to just move on and let certain things go. And to stop reaching for things that can never be reached.
Song pick: "We Had It All" Waylon Jennings
2) Today, I achieved my highest error rate at Kaplan. I completed 37 of 38 submitted files correctly for a 97 percent rate, over 30 percent better than my score on Tuesday. I'm very happy about it and I was also pleased when two of my colleagues congratulated me. But now I have to keep it going. It was one day. I proved what I am capable of. Now I need to prove that I can keep my performance at that optimum level.
3) Let's see...today, Dad went to Mets vs Braves, Catherine went to Yankees vs Blue Jays, Julie is now in NY after winning the Mets FanCave contest and is going to two games. What am I still doing in Chicago?!
4) I'm not feeling a burning desire to attend my 10-year college reunion in Massachusetts in six weeks. Between flying, renting a car, finding a hotel, and not knowing who I will and won't see, I just don't know if this would be worth it.
5) The "break" has essentially been made. It was a long time coming. It had to happen. And then are are those who can't accept a break has happened. Some people need to just move on and let certain things go. And to stop reaching for things that can never be reached.
Song pick: "We Had It All" Waylon Jennings
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Fortunate Sons Setlist
Wood Dale Prairie Festival
8/11/2013
Born on the Bayou
Green River
Down on the Corner
Good Golly Miss Molly
I Put a Spell On You
Hey Tonight
Someday Never Comes
Lodi
Travelin' Band
Suzie Q
Who'll Stop the Rain
Have You Ever Seen the Rain
Looking Out My Back Door
The Midnight Special
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Bad Moon Rising
Proud Mary
Fortunate Son
Encore
Commotion
Up Around the Bend
Long As I Can See the Light
8/11/2013
Born on the Bayou
Green River
Down on the Corner
Good Golly Miss Molly
I Put a Spell On You
Hey Tonight
Someday Never Comes
Lodi
Travelin' Band
Suzie Q
Who'll Stop the Rain
Have You Ever Seen the Rain
Looking Out My Back Door
The Midnight Special
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Bad Moon Rising
Proud Mary
Fortunate Son
Encore
Commotion
Up Around the Bend
Long As I Can See the Light
Saturday, August 10, 2013
NFL predictions
AFC
East
y-New England 12-4
Miami 6-10
NY Jets 6-10
Buffalo 5-11
North
y-Pittsburgh 10-6
x-Cincinnati 10-6
Baltimore 7-9
Cleveland 4-12
South
b-Houston 11-5
Indianapolis 9-7
Tennessee 8-8
Jacksonville 3-13
West
y-Denver 11-5
x-Kansas City 8-8
San Diego 7-9
Oakland 5-11
NFC
East
y-NY Giants 11-5
Washington 10-6
Dallas 6-10
Philadelphia 5-11
North
y-Green Bay 10-6
Detroit 9-7
Chicago 7-9
Minnesota 6-10
South
y-New Orleans 11-5
x-Atlanta 11-5
Tampa Bay 8-8
Carolina 5-11
West
y-San Francisco 12-4
x-Seattle 11-5
St. Louis 7-9
Arizona 4-12
AFC Championship
Houston over New England
NFC Championship
Seattle Green Bay
Super Bowl
Houston over Seattle
East
y-New England 12-4
Miami 6-10
NY Jets 6-10
Buffalo 5-11
North
y-Pittsburgh 10-6
x-Cincinnati 10-6
Baltimore 7-9
Cleveland 4-12
South
b-Houston 11-5
Indianapolis 9-7
Tennessee 8-8
Jacksonville 3-13
West
y-Denver 11-5
x-Kansas City 8-8
San Diego 7-9
Oakland 5-11
NFC
East
y-NY Giants 11-5
Washington 10-6
Dallas 6-10
Philadelphia 5-11
North
y-Green Bay 10-6
Detroit 9-7
Chicago 7-9
Minnesota 6-10
South
y-New Orleans 11-5
x-Atlanta 11-5
Tampa Bay 8-8
Carolina 5-11
West
y-San Francisco 12-4
x-Seattle 11-5
St. Louis 7-9
Arizona 4-12
AFC Championship
Houston over New England
NFC Championship
Seattle Green Bay
Super Bowl
Houston over Seattle
Friday night's man
What I would give to be the diamond in your eyes again.
What I would give to bring those old days back again.
What did I do or say to make you change this way?
Maybe I'll just go away.
Forget about life, forget the hurt, forget the rejection.
You have only right now.
Stroll right in.
Gaze around, you don't know a face, but you recognize why they're all here.
See if you can find your place in here.
Let the bright lights and the pounding beats and the noise intoxicate your soul.
Your world can be erased, just a $5 cover charge.
You see the smiles on everyone else's face.
You try to force one, but it feels so fake
You see her, a distance away, yet she seems mere steps away from your lonely chair.
A connection just seems so far away tonight.
You just don't want to feel alone.
So you'll use her for a little while.
Imagine her smile is really for you
And that it's not there just because it's the nice thing to
Pretty soon you're both dying to escape.
Escape alone, admit this wasn't what you'd been looking for.
Then again, what did you really yearn for in this place tonight?
You head to the door.
Nobody would dare step in your path.
But please come back next week.
And bring back your false hope.
Just letting yourself get fooled once again.
What I would give to bring those old days back again.
What did I do or say to make you change this way?
Maybe I'll just go away.
Forget about life, forget the hurt, forget the rejection.
You have only right now.
Stroll right in.
Gaze around, you don't know a face, but you recognize why they're all here.
See if you can find your place in here.
Let the bright lights and the pounding beats and the noise intoxicate your soul.
Your world can be erased, just a $5 cover charge.
You see the smiles on everyone else's face.
You try to force one, but it feels so fake
You see her, a distance away, yet she seems mere steps away from your lonely chair.
A connection just seems so far away tonight.
You just don't want to feel alone.
So you'll use her for a little while.
Imagine her smile is really for you
And that it's not there just because it's the nice thing to
Escape alone, admit this wasn't what you'd been looking for.
Then again, what did you really yearn for in this place tonight?
You head to the door.
Nobody would dare step in your path.
But please come back next week.
And bring back your false hope.
Just letting yourself get fooled once again.
For Granted
I would bend myself over backwards
If it would prove to you just how much you mean to me
Now I'm so sore
And even more unfulfilled
You take me for granted
A man can't spend his lifetime like this
I've got to keep going
Travel down this straight lonesome road
Wanting what can't be had
And refusing what wants me
Jesus, Jack, and Jeremiah
They never run off
They'll keep me company tonight
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Last hours at 31
Lord, this is the last night of my 31st year on Earth. Thank you for the joys and pleasures I have known this year. As I experience more, I want to remember them better and I want to acknowledge you as the source that they come from. God, I have so much to work on still and I know I always will. I hope you understand. I pray too that my friends would be understanding of me just like they would want me to be understanding of them. Please let me have some peace of mind and more purpose in this upcoming year. Amen.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
ROH World Title Tournament
So for the first time in Ring of Honor history, the World title is vacant due to Jay Briscoe's shoulder injury. A 17-man tournament will be held during the summer and early fall, which will culminate in September in Philadelphia. The winner will become the new ROH champion. Here are the first round matchups and my predictions for the full tournament.
First round
Adam Cole vs. Mark Briscoe
Pick: Cole
Jay Lethal vs. Sonjay Dutt
Pick: Lethal
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Silas Young/Adam Page
Pick: Ciampa
Michael Bennett vs. BJ Whitmer
Pick: Bennett
Karl Anderson vs. ACH
Pick: Anderson
Michael Elgin vs. Paul London
Pick: Elgin
Roderick Strong vs. Matt Taven
Pick: Strong
Brian Kendrick vs. Kevin Steen
Pick: Steen
Second round
Adam Cole vs. Jay Lethal
Pick: Cole
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Michael Bennett
Pick: Ciampa
Karl Anderson vs. Michael Elgin
Pick: Elgin
Roderick Strong vs. Kevin Steen
Pick: Steen
Semifinals
Adam Cole vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Pick: Cole
Michael Elgin vs. Kevin Steen
Pick: Elgin
Finals
Adam Cole vs. Michael Elgin
Pick: Adam Cole
My rankings on who will win.
1. Adam Cole
2. Michael Elgin
3. Tommaso Ciampa
4. Jay Lethal
5. Kevin Steen
6. Mark Briscoe
7. Roderick Strong
8. Karl Anderson
9. ACH
10. Mike Bennett
11. Brian Kendrick
12. Paul London
13. BJ Whitmer
14. Matt Taven
15. Sonjay Dutt
16. Adam Page
17. Silas Young
First round
Adam Cole vs. Mark Briscoe
Pick: Cole
Jay Lethal vs. Sonjay Dutt
Pick: Lethal
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Silas Young/Adam Page
Pick: Ciampa
Michael Bennett vs. BJ Whitmer
Pick: Bennett
Karl Anderson vs. ACH
Pick: Anderson
Michael Elgin vs. Paul London
Pick: Elgin
Roderick Strong vs. Matt Taven
Pick: Strong
Brian Kendrick vs. Kevin Steen
Pick: Steen
Second round
Adam Cole vs. Jay Lethal
Pick: Cole
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Michael Bennett
Pick: Ciampa
Karl Anderson vs. Michael Elgin
Pick: Elgin
Roderick Strong vs. Kevin Steen
Pick: Steen
Semifinals
Adam Cole vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Pick: Cole
Michael Elgin vs. Kevin Steen
Pick: Elgin
Finals
Adam Cole vs. Michael Elgin
Pick: Adam Cole
My rankings on who will win.
1. Adam Cole
2. Michael Elgin
3. Tommaso Ciampa
4. Jay Lethal
5. Kevin Steen
6. Mark Briscoe
7. Roderick Strong
8. Karl Anderson
9. ACH
10. Mike Bennett
11. Brian Kendrick
12. Paul London
13. BJ Whitmer
14. Matt Taven
15. Sonjay Dutt
16. Adam Page
17. Silas Young
Monday, July 22, 2013
Shutdown mode
1) I think my mission of the last 24 hours has been to catch up on sleep. After getting back from the Warren Dunes in Sawyer, Michigan, I slept seven hours, then late this afternoon, I slept another two hours.
2) And what a trip it was. I left home at 7 am and arrived around 10 (Eastern time zone). About 20 of us from group came. I got to hike up the dines and sprint back down and warp speed. We spent a lot of time floating in Lake Michigan, tossing the football and Frisbee around. Later, we spent some time walking down this stream that goes from the beach that leads into the woods. And against the sides of the stream, gray clay forms. So we painted each other up in clay and hiked down the stream through the rocks and trails and pits. Five of us, Faustino, Jason, Clarissa, Hilary, and myself went much farther, we probably hiked in the stream for about two hours. We all slipped and fell a few times, but thankfully, no one got too injured. I did lay out in the sun for an hour, and despite my best efforts to keep re-applying my 30 SPF, my shoulders and upper back still turned red. I'm so glad that someone invented Solarcaine.
3) We left the beach around 5 pm and headed to the Greenbush Brewery for dinner. I actually arrived about 45 minutes before everyone else in the group. I explained we had about 30 people coming and I don't think this place could seat more than about 50. But they eventually made room for us and we had a great time. I enjoyed an amazing turkey bacon melt. The turkey was brined in root beer and put on multi-grain bread with Michigan white cheddar, bacon, spicy remoulade, and some ancho chile. An absolutely tremendous sandwich. Along with two pints of locally brewed Emptiness beer, I only paid $15.50; there was no tax!
4) After a quick run across the street for some ice cream (I passed), we went back to the beach, hoping to catch the sun set. We arrived around 9:30, just a little too late. The park closed at 10, so we didn't have a whole lot of time. I remember it took us till about 10:20 to actually figure out who was going to be riding back with who. Eventually, it was decided I would drive back Luke, Jennifer G, and Hart. Talk about a dichotomy of personalities. A playa, a conservative girl, a borderline playa, and me. But the ride went quite well. We actually had a pretty good talk about topics like sex before marriage, adultery, past loves, traits we all wanted in our future partners, etc. After a quick stop for a tank of gas and a cherry Coke, the 90 minutes passed very quickly. Luke and I will never be best friends, I don't like what an obnoxious flirt he is, but I'll admit it wasn't that bad sitting next to him.
5) Rev. James Meeks of Salem Baptist Church is just an amazing pastor and speaker. We got to hear him speak at Willow Creek this morning on why our prayers matter so much to God. A very unique, vivid, and educational message. And his choir and band came as well to lead worship and they had us very active and worshipping with a lot of passion and energy. I didn't expect to run into my ex, I'd never seen her at Willow, but hey, I guess crazy things can happen. The meeting lasted five seconds, which in retrospect, feels about as long as our relationship!
2) And what a trip it was. I left home at 7 am and arrived around 10 (Eastern time zone). About 20 of us from group came. I got to hike up the dines and sprint back down and warp speed. We spent a lot of time floating in Lake Michigan, tossing the football and Frisbee around. Later, we spent some time walking down this stream that goes from the beach that leads into the woods. And against the sides of the stream, gray clay forms. So we painted each other up in clay and hiked down the stream through the rocks and trails and pits. Five of us, Faustino, Jason, Clarissa, Hilary, and myself went much farther, we probably hiked in the stream for about two hours. We all slipped and fell a few times, but thankfully, no one got too injured. I did lay out in the sun for an hour, and despite my best efforts to keep re-applying my 30 SPF, my shoulders and upper back still turned red. I'm so glad that someone invented Solarcaine.
3) We left the beach around 5 pm and headed to the Greenbush Brewery for dinner. I actually arrived about 45 minutes before everyone else in the group. I explained we had about 30 people coming and I don't think this place could seat more than about 50. But they eventually made room for us and we had a great time. I enjoyed an amazing turkey bacon melt. The turkey was brined in root beer and put on multi-grain bread with Michigan white cheddar, bacon, spicy remoulade, and some ancho chile. An absolutely tremendous sandwich. Along with two pints of locally brewed Emptiness beer, I only paid $15.50; there was no tax!
4) After a quick run across the street for some ice cream (I passed), we went back to the beach, hoping to catch the sun set. We arrived around 9:30, just a little too late. The park closed at 10, so we didn't have a whole lot of time. I remember it took us till about 10:20 to actually figure out who was going to be riding back with who. Eventually, it was decided I would drive back Luke, Jennifer G, and Hart. Talk about a dichotomy of personalities. A playa, a conservative girl, a borderline playa, and me. But the ride went quite well. We actually had a pretty good talk about topics like sex before marriage, adultery, past loves, traits we all wanted in our future partners, etc. After a quick stop for a tank of gas and a cherry Coke, the 90 minutes passed very quickly. Luke and I will never be best friends, I don't like what an obnoxious flirt he is, but I'll admit it wasn't that bad sitting next to him.
5) Rev. James Meeks of Salem Baptist Church is just an amazing pastor and speaker. We got to hear him speak at Willow Creek this morning on why our prayers matter so much to God. A very unique, vivid, and educational message. And his choir and band came as well to lead worship and they had us very active and worshipping with a lot of passion and energy. I didn't expect to run into my ex, I'd never seen her at Willow, but hey, I guess crazy things can happen. The meeting lasted five seconds, which in retrospect, feels about as long as our relationship!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Overdue NHL recap
So I made both regular season and playoff predictions for the NHL...how did I do? Well, I correctly predicted 5 of the 8 playoff teams in the East and 7 of the 8 playoff teams in the West. I picked Pittsburgh to beat Boston in the Easter Conference Finals. I got the teams right, although Boston won. the West...well, I picked San Jose and St. Louis and they won one playoff round between them.
As for the playoffs, I predicted seven of the eight first round series correctly and then all four second round matches and both Conference Finals correctly. In the finals, I had the Bruins over the Blackhawks, but credit to the Hawks for winning their second Cup in four years.
It still feels like the season ended two weeks ago. And I don't really miss it. I'm in total baseball mode right now, even if the Mets aren't really in the mix to make the playoffs.
As for the playoffs, I predicted seven of the eight first round series correctly and then all four second round matches and both Conference Finals correctly. In the finals, I had the Bruins over the Blackhawks, but credit to the Hawks for winning their second Cup in four years.
It still feels like the season ended two weeks ago. And I don't really miss it. I'm in total baseball mode right now, even if the Mets aren't really in the mix to make the playoffs.
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