How many times can we travel to Blunder City before we realize it's a shit town??

The title of this post pretty much sums up my thoughts on the Twins season. Numerous highlights throughout the season including the most important: bringing outdoor Major League baseball back to the great state of Minnesota, only to end in disappointment...again. It hurts, it stings like when you stop peeing and try to start again.

How about those Gophers and Vikings? I'm now seriously interested in watching a UND vs. U of M football game, I have no idea what the result would be. What is going on in Minnesota sports right now? Did the sports Gods decide we wasted too many opportunities and are now shitting on us? Baffling.

Otherwise I've been a busy boy this past month and apologize for the lack of posts. Who knew full time graduate school and work would take up so much time? Never the less I'm glad I'm back in school, kind of kicking myself for leaving in the first place but we have to live with our choices right? My life now consists of reading textbooks, powerpoints, writing papers and discussing feelings with anyone that will listen.

Another new found hobby: observing new counseling students. They learn to ask how someone feels about just about anything in different ways and now that's all they do. The following discussion had me rolling in class the other day. 1st Year Boy (1YB) was attempting to flirt with 2nd Year Girl (2YG) and I was sitting between them. The names have obviously been changed to protect the innocent. I should also say that the female:male ratio is about 15:1 so it's pretty obvious to the rest of us when flirting is being attempted.

1YB: "Hi 2YG! How was your weekend?"

2YG: "It kind of sucked I was swamped with homework and didn't get to do anything fun."

1YB: "Interesting, how do you feel about that?"

2YG: "I feel like I don't have any time to do anything."

1YB: "Interesting, what are you experiencing when you feel like you don't have time?"

2YG: "Are you in Counseling Methods class?"

1YB: "I am. I'm wondering what that means to you that I'm in methods class?"

2YG: "It means you just learned how to ask effing feeling questions and are all excited to use them on me. So you can stop talking to me now."

SSWY: "Oh snapdragons!!"

1YB really had no response and hasn't been using his feeling questions in regular conversation anymore. Just a little counseling department humor for you.

Some questions to think about:

How were you feeling while reading this post?

Were there any differences in your feelings at the beginning compared to the end?

What have you learned about your feelings while reading my posts?

The NFL Season is Here!

And this is my reaction to last night's game...huh? I had class till 9:00 then headed to Kelly's Bar hoping to catch an exciting 2nd half. What I got was a less than exciting half. I did however get a nice smoke free atmosphere at Kelly's. I never thought GF would come around so I had that going for me.

Brett Favre looked like he literally came off the couch to play. I don't want to dog him because he's a hero but the name of the game in the NFL is preparation, Favre and the rest of the squad did not seem prepared. Our offense couldn't get anything going consistently and then time ran out quickly on us. I'm not going to say I was impressed with New Orleans either. Sloppy game. Also I hope it's not true but did Jared Allen lose his powers when he cut off his mullet for love? I didn't hear his name much last night.

I'm not really complaining or panicking, it's only week 1 and only 1 loss. I thought going into the game it was a toss up as to who would win and basically that's what it was with a 14-9 score. I have faith that Favre will be ready next week and we'll get the Viking ship sailing.

Skol Vikes!

In other news

• Jacks are 1-0 with a win over Moorhead last week always a big win over Moorhead. Fergus Falls tonight at the Chet.
• I'm officially on the Boise State bandwagon. National Champs over Alabama this year! Then they will be forced to go to a playoff system which everyone wants.
• Twins look well on their way to clinching the Central. Now if we can get some playoff success. And by success I mean World Champs. We're not just happy to get there boys.

Happy Friday! I hope you have a stupendous weekend!

There is a change in the air...

The days are getting shorter, school has started, there is the transition of the warm summer air leaving us for cooler crisp fall air. It’s that special time of year again. Football season is upon us.

Excitement levels are high from Friday night lights in small towns across America to the bright lights of NFL stadiums next week. Weeks of two a days have completed, season goals and expectations are set, everyone is undefeated. There’s nothing quite like the first few weeks of the football season.

There are a handful of teams that I follow regularly every year in addition to the top teams in the land. We’ll start with the hometown kids. With Coach Hendricks returning to the helm last year the Jack’s made it back to the state tournament for the first time since 2001. With numerous starters back the Jacks look to make a statement against rival Moorhead tonight.

Moving up to the college ranks a few local squads hold a special place in my heart. We’ll start with the hometown BSU Beavers who opened last week with a win over Minot State. The Beavs look to be atop the NSIC leaders this year in the DII ranks.

Then we have the alma mater UND Fighting Sioux entering the final season as the Fighting Sioux. After being a DII powerhouse. I have not gone to a game since the greatest game I have ever attended the last UND-NDSU game. They have now moved up to the DI ranks and have struggled mightily since including last night’s crushing loss to Idaho 45-0. Could be a long season boys. Hockey season couldn’t arrive to soon this year in Grand Forks.

Also grabbing some of my attention will be the home state Minnesota Gophers who have also not been very good in recent years. They have a sweet new stadium that I hope to get to sometime. I’m not sure what to make of their 24-17 win last night over Middle Tennessee State.

Finally in the college ranks my big time favorite Miami Hurricanes. Last year they got off to a great start only to fade towards the end of the season. I love thug nation. It’s all about the U!

And then of course the Minnesota Vikings anticipation is high for the upcoming season after the devastation of last year’s NFC Championship game. That’s all I really have to say about that.

Enjoy the cooler airs and changing of the leaves. It’s a wonderful time of year!

Got My Boots Tied Tight...

The summer from hell has come to an end mercifully. The combination of my manager taking three months off and taking a class proved to be nearly deadly. Last week I took my one day off for the summer and Linds and I travelled down to the Twin Cities to see some friends. It was mostly uneventful but nice to get away to the big city for a little bit. Thanks to our friends for putting us up.

The highlight reel from Summer 2010 is short but sweet...

• B and Kev Bear's wedding. Old college friends and my first experience with cigars and cognac. 'Nuff said.
• College World Series in June. For those that were involved (you know who you are) thank you. It was indeed an epic weekend and the number 1 highlight of my summer.
• July 4th Family Reunion. 105 relatives that see each other so little that introductions were necessary for almost every conversation. Throw some booze, my dad's BBQ and 95 degree heat in there...glorious.
• Paul Bunyan Triathlon. See previous post.
• Short trip to the cities. Mansion walk down Summit Ave. in St. Paul. Anyone want to go in on a 10 bed, 6 bath 1.5 million dollar mansion with us?

With every end comes a need beginning at it's back to school tomorrow for another exciting semester of graduate college. This will be me tomorrow morning minus the school bus. I feel a little bit like Van Wilder in that it seems like I've been in Grand Forks forever, seriously 7 years now. Hopefully I won't have to use my counseling skills to defuse a situation like this atop the Chester Fritz.

I hope I don't get in a fight...

2010 Paul Bunyan Triathlon

As previewed last week the 2010 Dirty Waters Paul Bunyan Triathlon took place last Saturday. The e coli measurements were deemed safe and the torture commenced. 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 , mile run. My goal was to improve last year's time and I accomplished that goal successfully. Last year's time was 1:31:36, this year's time: 1:26:54. An improvement of 4:42.

Reasons for improvement as in almost all aspects of life I think, training and preparation. I only got 2 practice swims in but after doing it last year I was better prepared for what to expect. I jumped in and tested the water temp before the start so I wouldn't be shocked at the beginning of the race. Also I stayed near the back of the pack and walked out as far as I could. I did make the mistake of trying to swim too early, then I realized people were walking by me, so I stood up and continued walking until I couldn't anymore. Swim time:20:48 first transition was 2:00.

On to the bike ride. No real drama here for me. I purchased a new bike in May so Mr. Pete's bike was donated to Sister J for the festivities. I finished the bike portion in 40:39 17.7 mph average, transition was :38. My bike was actually about 30 seconds slower which I was kind of bummed about but my improvements in the other events made up for it.

On to the run, not a whole lot of drama here either and some more improvement with a time of 22:51. I feel like I can still shave some minutes off for next year and the thought of doing the long course has crept into my mind a little bit.

The real drama occurred with the rest of the family partaking in the events. As previewed before, most of Linds' family showed up to test their fitness. Including Linds, Sista J, Sista Mama J, Brotha Z, Sista in-law K and Brotha in-law M who joined as a team doing the bike portion.

With Momo out from last year Linds decided to go along with Sista Mama J at an easy pace. Sista Mama J was using a mountain bike with large tires which was not a good choice, as a result Linds didn't want to stay with her at the slow pace and left her in the dust.

Brother Z is the hunting, fisherman type and pretty much stays away from all physical activity. He made it out of the swim alive and moved onto the bike. Brotha Z has the nicest of bikes and made it through the bike easily. The run is an out and back course so as you turn around you run by everyone who's behind you. I encountered Brother Z walking near the 1 mile mark for him 2 mile for me. Later Linds saw him walk to the turnaround before taking off in a full sprint for about 100 yards before starting to walk again. I wish I could have seen that.

Other drama included Brotha in-law M seeing someone he knew and yelling "good job!" His friend got distracted, drifted off the pavement and bit it hard in the ditch! I also wish I could have seen that.

Then we have Sista J. Sista J has run a marathon and works out regularly. Her swim and bike put her on pace for a very good time. On the run I saw her right after the turnaround and was pretty sure that she was going to catch me so I picked up my pace. After finishing I waited for her to get done. I figured at the most she should be maybe 2 minutes behind me. I kept waiting and waiting...Turns out she blew right through the turnaround and found herself all alone on the long course near Paul and Babe. She then saw the 2 mile mark and figured something was wrong. As a long course runner went by she asked where the turnaround was. He laughed and said it was the water station a half mile back. Needless to say she turned around and finished after having ran an extra mile.

Had she turned around at the station and finished the regular short course she would have beat me and been one of the top female finishers. If this doesn't deserve one of my favorite catch phrases I don't know what does...BlunderCity!

Overall fun was had by all. Here's some pics from the website. Not quite as classic as last year's pics. Others are on my facebook page.

Lost Puppy

Snapdragons that's a long way

Almost done

Black Fierceness

Love That Dirty Water! Ohhh Lake Bemidji, You're So Gross!

Tomorrow morning is the 4th annual Bemidji Paul Bunyan Triathlon, it will the second running for myself and Linds, a recap of last year's debacle here. 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run. Let's do this LEEEEROOOOOOYYYYY JEEEEEEENKIIIIINS!

New this year Linds convinced almost her entire family to partake in the festivities. Both sisters, brother, brother in law, sister in law and her dad. Of course the convincing was done in December when the early registration is half price. For many of the athletes training did not start until sometime in June and we quickly found out that swimming is not on the list of strong family attributes, this "training" lead to one drop out and one doing it as team instead. Some brave souls in Linds' family.

Also new this year E Coli! It was reported that two swimmers have been recently hospitalized with E Coli after swimming in Lake Bemidji at Diamond Point. Diamond Point has since been closed for environmental testing of the water until levels are safe. I'm not a scientist but it seems to me that things tend to disperse in water so wouldn't there be E Coli everywhere not just at Diamond Point?

As if the triathlon wasn't difficult enough the addition of E Coli will make tomorrow and interesting morning. Love that dirty water!!!

Infomercial Nation

While at work every other Sunday morning the person I work with watches the same infomercial everytime. The Xpress Redi-Set-Go cooking machine. It can be seen on t.v. as well as here. I warn you though once you see it you probably have to buy it. This thing will replace your oven, microwave, toaster, Foreman grill and anything else that you use to cook. It's simply amazing. You could get by with having your kitchen be a sink, fridge and this device.

This got me to thinking about infomercials in general and I think they can be broken down into a handful of categories.

• Cooking items such as the Xpress Redi-Set-Go and the Magic Bullet
• Cleaning products like Oxyclean or crazy vacuum cleaners
• Exercise/fitness items or videos. Bow-flex, P90X and the one that started it all The Gazelle. I've heard that P90X is effective it's just that nobody can move after the 1st week and they give up.
• Random tools, gadgets essentially junk that looks sweet on t.v. but doesn't actually work.

Infomercials all have the same basic format. A crazy ridiculous host showing all the features of the item, another person that acts overly amazed at what they see before them, a comparison to similar more common items and how these items are woefully inadequate and special add-ons that you can only get if you order now.

As ridiculous as they are infomercials are hard to turn away from. Why is that? The other thing I think when watching them is who would ever buy this thing? and sure enough I end up seeing them at rummage sales and thrift stores. People got sucked in then decided it was a piece of crap and it takes up space in their garage. Only in America.