Feelin' Gooood

I had a lot of time to get some long work outs in over the weekend since Janna was working for most of it. On Saturday, I braved a boring 26 mile trainer ride (watched Jackass the Movie, which was equally as boring). On Sunday, I did another 18 mile trainer ride and went out for a run right afterwards. It was so nice that I extended my run from 5 to 8 miles. So I ended up doing a decent brick early in the year. I am usually not destroying my knees until May.

I am REALLY looking forward to the triathlon/racing season! I have signed up for the Big Foot (olympic), Lake Geneva (olympic), and Porcupine (olympic) races thus far. Also thinking about getting a new bike, we'll see.

This Wedding Planning Stuff Is Crazy!!!

Janna and I have gotten a lot of planning done, however we are still working on the music entertainment. I can not BELIEVE how expensive a DJ is in the Chicago area! We are talking a minimum of $1,200 for four hours of entertainment. That is $300 an hour! Nutty stuff... I still wish I could get Janna to get married Up North, but I know that is not going to happen! Everyone, but me, does not like the idea. Can not wait for spring to spend some weekends up there.

Flowers, photographer, ceremony, and so on are all pretty much figured out.

I finally got back into some sort of routine in regards to training. I have been spinning three times a week (average of 1 hr 20 min) and running four times a week (average of 6 miles). Nothing near what I should be doing or how much I was training last year. I will be signing up for the Big Foot and Lake Geneva tris this year. Also plan on doing the usual 5K and 10K races. Next big purchase is new components for my bike! Sick of all the old 105 components, on to Ultegra!

Well, the little Lebowski (Millie the beagle) is howling to go outside. Have a good one! Peace.

Soon to be wearing a ring...

Janna and I are finally getting married this fall. We have started the preparations, which include booking the church, country club, flowers, etc.. I am absolutely amazed at how much has to get done and how expensive it all really can be. The wallet will be remaining in my pocket much of the summer since Janna and I will pretty much be paying for the whole thing.

On another note, I have been sucked into creating a myspace account. I still dislike it (very much), but have been pulled into it. If anyone reads this, open one so there are more normal people out there in the myspace community. I swear it was made for people stuck in high school or college.

It just keeps going up?!?!

The stock market continues its nutty ride higher and higher, which is truly difficult to justify. Volatility has somewhat picked up, but still not making trading/life exciting enough. BUT, I am definetely not complaining since I would rather see stocks rise with my equity portfolio than fall.

Talking about a market that is not going up... housing. I am feeling very bad for friends/acquaintances that have just recently purchased homes, unable to ride any of the housing boom's wave higher. So many homeowners made good returns over the previous years that those left out, really were left out with how expensive homes now are. I have been trying to convince some to postpone buying this winter, as the market has a good chance of continuing to soften into late spring of 2007. Certainly do not want to be buying a top.

I feel good about the Dems taking control, Washington definetely needs a shake-up. Hopefully, the senate and congress can actually get something done.

What I am thankful for...

Having a wonderful family that can always get along, even on six-hour road trips.
Loving and being loved by a girl I look up to more than she knows.
Really enjoying what I do for a profession. It is a wonderful feeling to be creating something not many others do (or know how to do) and is used by some of the most important people in the world.
Owning my own home.
Having a wild dog that can not stand still whenever I come home.
Being healthy and fit.
Having goals and surpassing them.
Never being satisfied.
Oh yeah, Borat the movie, should be hilarious...

Have a great week!

Up North In the Canoe With Millie

How Dumb Can TV Game Shows Get?

I have never watched a full episode of Deal or No Deal. Nonethelesss, this past Monday I turned the TV on to watch the new show Heroes (fun show) and caught the last five minutes of Deal or No Deal. WOW! How stupid can a game show be? My dog could actually play the game! The commercials claim that it is a hit, and if it truly is, I find this news to be really, really depressing. The one individual I saw playing asked his buddy for help, who supposedly "crunched the numbers," since he is an engineer, and determined he should go for it. How complicated can it really be?

Markets are picking up in volatility, making life more exciting. Hopefully, it will continue now that the summer months are behind us.

Janna and I went "Up North" this weekend, which was fantastic. Cast a few times for a musky. Got out on the lake on the canoe. Hiked Wolf Mountain. Roamed the woods with Millie (dog). It was a great time and hopefully we will be spending more time up there in the future.

Have a great rest of the week!