This weekend was a breakthrough in how to complete the training - prioritize.
There were 3 workouts to do:
2 500 meter timed swims: 12:14 and 12:36 at Banworth Natatorium
40 minute run: new Bicentennial trail
75 min. bike ride
Especially with the cold weather it was a good time.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Millennium Cup
One of the benefit of staying home is being available when a good local offer comes up - like to play in a golf tournament.
The Millennium Cup is a Ryder Cup, 24 players per team/ Red v. Blue golf tournament. When I asked about it 2 years ago, I received a pleasant but firm "invitation only" response.
This year I got the invite - and I was ready.
Yesterday I played with Paul - we're on the blue team. We play out own ball, pick the better score and play match play against the other red team. I shot 85 by myself - pretty good. We lost the front 9, tied the back 9 and lost the 18 hole match. So we scored a 1/2 point to their 2 1/2. Not bad. But Blue is in the lead. We'll see how it turns out today.
The Millennium Cup is a Ryder Cup, 24 players per team/ Red v. Blue golf tournament. When I asked about it 2 years ago, I received a pleasant but firm "invitation only" response.
This year I got the invite - and I was ready.
Yesterday I played with Paul - we're on the blue team. We play out own ball, pick the better score and play match play against the other red team. I shot 85 by myself - pretty good. We lost the front 9, tied the back 9 and lost the 18 hole match. So we scored a 1/2 point to their 2 1/2. Not bad. But Blue is in the lead. We'll see how it turns out today.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Did That Happen?
With my 30th Austin High School reunion (Class of 1983) coming up, I was trying to remember so of the highlights and lowlights of that time. As it was so long ago, I got to thinking - if I can barely remember some of these things, would anybody else remember? And if no one remembers, did it really happen?
Going over the activities that come to mind, the big ones stand out. I played the tuba in the Marching Band for 2 years. That was a lot of fun to go to all of the football games, both home and away, riding the buses and marching in. Some of my classmates that were in the tuba section were Lance Lively and David Jobe. Lance went on to be Drum Major senior year.
By that time I was gone, having left for the greener pastures of the varsity golf team. The team had good success senior year when we were regional qualifers and district runner-ups. I considered myself the senior co-captain with Jeff Seekatz. Jeff usually played #1 and me #2. Jeff also was the individual regional qualifer in our junior year. The level of competition in Austin was pretty high and two of our fellow competitors from Crockett H.S. at that time went on to both play the PGA Tour.
Junior year, I was elected as student council representative. Actually I came in second to Bryan Jamail, but later Bryan was elected as a school level student council officer so the spot for the class representative went to me. Bryan is probably in politics now - he was a natural.
I did make a good effort to be a good student and was a member of the Honor Roll - technically the Third Honor Roll mostly. You had to have a 92 average for the second honor roll and 95 for the first honor. I made the second one once or twice. The top dogs, Dudley McClellan and Bradley McClellan were always on the first honor roll and as a result were valedictorian and salutatorian respectively.
Some of the best memories of that time were not from school but the family that was near. My grandmother Pearl lived in the neighborhood the whole 4 years and so did my uncle Vernon. It was nice to be able to see them when I wanted. Sure wish I could still do that, but they are both gone. They are probably my favorite high school memory.
Going over the activities that come to mind, the big ones stand out. I played the tuba in the Marching Band for 2 years. That was a lot of fun to go to all of the football games, both home and away, riding the buses and marching in. Some of my classmates that were in the tuba section were Lance Lively and David Jobe. Lance went on to be Drum Major senior year.
By that time I was gone, having left for the greener pastures of the varsity golf team. The team had good success senior year when we were regional qualifers and district runner-ups. I considered myself the senior co-captain with Jeff Seekatz. Jeff usually played #1 and me #2. Jeff also was the individual regional qualifer in our junior year. The level of competition in Austin was pretty high and two of our fellow competitors from Crockett H.S. at that time went on to both play the PGA Tour.
Junior year, I was elected as student council representative. Actually I came in second to Bryan Jamail, but later Bryan was elected as a school level student council officer so the spot for the class representative went to me. Bryan is probably in politics now - he was a natural.
I did make a good effort to be a good student and was a member of the Honor Roll - technically the Third Honor Roll mostly. You had to have a 92 average for the second honor roll and 95 for the first honor. I made the second one once or twice. The top dogs, Dudley McClellan and Bradley McClellan were always on the first honor roll and as a result were valedictorian and salutatorian respectively.
Some of the best memories of that time were not from school but the family that was near. My grandmother Pearl lived in the neighborhood the whole 4 years and so did my uncle Vernon. It was nice to be able to see them when I wanted. Sure wish I could still do that, but they are both gone. They are probably my favorite high school memory.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
October 1
Susan's birthday was another hit this year. One thing I'v learned with my years of experience, is that there are a few days of the year that are very important. This day is one of them. I planned ahead for the gifts which were a hit. I planned ahead for the free time for the lunch and dinner. That was good too. I planned the trip afterwards which was awesome.
But I still got a call from Sarah that morning - couldn't get the flowers ordered online. Could you do that please Dad?
Dad to Jac-Lin Florist to Susan - done! Like Tinker to Evers to Chance.
Happy Birthday Dearest!
But I still got a call from Sarah that morning - couldn't get the flowers ordered online. Could you do that please Dad?
Dad to Jac-Lin Florist to Susan - done! Like Tinker to Evers to Chance.
Happy Birthday Dearest!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Rosh Hashanah
Today is Rosh Hashanah, the new year of the Jewish calendar. I just found that out today, somewhat by accident.
It reminded me of when I was in Junior High. There was a Big Man on Campus, named "Stolaroff". Captain of the football team, dating in junior high, good looking, and a pretty nice guy to me overall. A real winner in life.
Occasionally Stolaroff was not at school. When we inquired where he might be, the typical answer might be that it was a Jewish holiday that day. That seemed very interesting.
I'm sure he was not the only Jewish person in that school, but he was probably one of the more noteworthy ones. I also expect that he was as devout in his 7th grade way as any Christian might have been. After all, we took the holidays too.
Fast forward to 2013. I'd like to think I know a lot more about Judaism now, am more open minded, and do consider myself a friend of the Jewish community here in McAllen. Positive growth.
Happy Rosh Hashanah Stolaroff! You're still remembered these many years later.
It reminded me of when I was in Junior High. There was a Big Man on Campus, named "Stolaroff". Captain of the football team, dating in junior high, good looking, and a pretty nice guy to me overall. A real winner in life.
Occasionally Stolaroff was not at school. When we inquired where he might be, the typical answer might be that it was a Jewish holiday that day. That seemed very interesting.
I'm sure he was not the only Jewish person in that school, but he was probably one of the more noteworthy ones. I also expect that he was as devout in his 7th grade way as any Christian might have been. After all, we took the holidays too.
Fast forward to 2013. I'd like to think I know a lot more about Judaism now, am more open minded, and do consider myself a friend of the Jewish community here in McAllen. Positive growth.
Happy Rosh Hashanah Stolaroff! You're still remembered these many years later.
Friday, August 30, 2013
The Witching Day
There are some days of the year you remember more than others. For me, the Friday before Labor Day is one of them. It sometimes seems like an unlucky day.
I think that is because since Monday is a holiday that whatever needs to be done is always in a rush. And you know what happens when you rush: stress, tempers, mistakes. I've tried to fight back by not scheduling much on this day. And when things come up, realize that it can wait until next month, Tuesday.
It's also an anniversary of sorts. Back in 2004, I had a matter come in. This must be done today! So I did it. 9 years later I'm still working on the same client matter!
I think that is because since Monday is a holiday that whatever needs to be done is always in a rush. And you know what happens when you rush: stress, tempers, mistakes. I've tried to fight back by not scheduling much on this day. And when things come up, realize that it can wait until next month, Tuesday.
It's also an anniversary of sorts. Back in 2004, I had a matter come in. This must be done today! So I did it. 9 years later I'm still working on the same client matter!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
What I Did on My Summer Vacation
It's the final weekend of a week's vacation this summer. Writing on the blog is always fun, even on vacation. We're here at South Padre Island TX for the Fishing for Hope tournament. Fortunately for me, I am not fishing this year and that is OK. No getting up early, hot sun, clueless about the competition. The party is this afternoon - I'll see the sunburned and tired come in.
Working backwards I was in Houston on Thursday after flying home from Rapid City SD. I stayed at Ed and Kate's that Thursday night. Vivian came over and she was a lot different when it was just her. A middle child syndrome I guess. Friday I drove back to McAllen. After my last drive, I tried to get here faster and made it in 5:45. Still made 4 stops :) - Wharton, Victoria rest area, Refugio, Brooks rest area. That's what those rest areas are for - right?
We left for Rapid City on Saturday from IAH to RAP, nonstop on United. Arriving, we got our rental Subaru and headed to check in at the Hotel Alex Johnson, a historic hotel downtown. They directed us across the street to our first find, Tally Silver Spoon Cafe. Guy Fieri couldn't have picked a better place. I had the Buffalo hangar steak and eggs - worth skipping breakfast in Houston over. We liked it so much that we went back each day we were in Rapid City.
That afternoon we drove to Crazy Horse, the Native American answer to Mt. Rushmore. Bigger,rawer, unfinished. All good things. This one is definitely about the journey. We could see the monument from the visitor's center, but paid another $4 to take a bus to the base. Well worth it. Closer views and it was nice to be closer to the mountain away from the hustle and bustle.
The Black Hills is the Augusta of motorcycling and I understand why. Rolling but not difficult hills and great scenery. It reminded me more of the NC/VA/TN area. A great place for driving.
Sunday we left early (my suggestion) for Mt. Rushmore as I did not want to get into a weekend traffic jam like we did at Hoover Dam. That made it so we could drive Iron Mountain Road up there which was created as the entranance from Custer State Park when Mt. Rushmore was being built. That was a great road with 3 tunnels and what they call the pigtail bridges which were architecturally very interesting (descending, swirling, with natural materials)
Mt. Rushmore did not disappoint and we like it. Ed had been there before and said it had not changed. A very uniquely American place. God Bless America!
That afternoon we went to Hot Springs SD in the southern part of the Black Hills to play 9 holes of golf. At Southern Hills. It was a nice round and I liked the course.
That Sunday night was dinner at Botecelli's in Rapid City - very tasty Italian.
Monday we drove south to Mullen NE for our golf destination. Sand Hills is in the Sandhills region of Nebraska, which as I discovered is a very large and rural state, even by Texas standards. Mullen is a town of 500 people and that is not very small for this region. The course was 12 miles south.
The club was like going to a hunting club in the country. Once you were there you felt very nice and apart. No cell phones or internet. As they say, leave your business at home. I could tell it would take a few days to achieve that Nirvanic state.
When we got there we went out for our first 18. As it turned out it was rush hour as the morning groups were all at Ben's Porch. So it was a bit hectic for the staff of 2 but we got through and the starter Mike nicely paired us with another father/son who were just arriving as well. Arnie and Jason made for good companions and we played golf together that day and the next and had dinner together Mon. night as well.
I played 4 rounds at Sand Hills - Mon afternoon, Tuesday 36 holes and Wed. morning. The scores declined as expected from 96 to 85. The course is very rural and runs thorugh the hills. It is hard to see another hole from where you are unless you are atop a hill. Pictures dont' tell the story of the expansive view, the myriad of sunflowers (we must have caught the season just right) and the natural feel of the course.
To make such a course in this location was really an original idea. I did meet the inventor, who is Dick Youngscap and hats off to him. Part of the allure is the location which is not only of great natural beauty but is removed enough that you can't help but pay attention to nature. Another great idea was the artists/architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw who made this a fine example of their minimalist, naturalist design philosophy. This course made them a club-household name. But as they say, overnight success takes about 15 years. Not their first rodeo.
After 1 round, I was asked what were the best hole and what was the hardest hole. After 4 rounds the answers remain:
Best: 8 - short par 4, in the amphitheather, surrounded by bunkers. Even with a little wedge into it, still a tough par. I did birdie it twice though.
Hardest: 11 - another short par 4 (from the middle tees). Don't miss the green left (lost ball) or back, right or front (will roll off leaving a tough chip, which might roll off back, right or front again).
Typical of the course, the hole bends right to left with your iron shot having to come in with trouble left, making the drive placement that much more important. See #4, #7, #10, #14, #15, #16 and #18 as well).
The last day, it was just Ed and I and we were the last group off as desired. So as not to press the group in front we dropped back and played some holes twice, # 12 and #15. At # 12 we also moved to the forward tees and it was a different but still tough course from there. At this point, we had the place all to ourselves. It was that Nirvanic state I'd been seeking.
While the golf crowed talks of Ben's Porch, my recommendation is Chef Jake and Co. in the clubhouse. This is beef country and the bone-in steak looked good but the Tuscan strip steak Tuesday was one of the best I've had. Plus the homemade ice cream. Worth going just for the food.
Wed. afternoon it was back to Rapid City via Valentine, NE and US 83. We visited with the pro at the Prairie Club and he was familiar with South Texas as he said that is where the Nebraskans go for work in the winter. He pointed out that US 83 is the same highway and it was true! That was cool to know. Also on the map were US 77 and US 281. I felt right at home.
Thursday it was back to Houston. It seemed a whole different pace. You've got to keep the wheel spinning to maintain the growth and size of Houston. The people in Nebraska obviously know there is a different way to go.
Working backwards I was in Houston on Thursday after flying home from Rapid City SD. I stayed at Ed and Kate's that Thursday night. Vivian came over and she was a lot different when it was just her. A middle child syndrome I guess. Friday I drove back to McAllen. After my last drive, I tried to get here faster and made it in 5:45. Still made 4 stops :) - Wharton, Victoria rest area, Refugio, Brooks rest area. That's what those rest areas are for - right?
We left for Rapid City on Saturday from IAH to RAP, nonstop on United. Arriving, we got our rental Subaru and headed to check in at the Hotel Alex Johnson, a historic hotel downtown. They directed us across the street to our first find, Tally Silver Spoon Cafe. Guy Fieri couldn't have picked a better place. I had the Buffalo hangar steak and eggs - worth skipping breakfast in Houston over. We liked it so much that we went back each day we were in Rapid City.
That afternoon we drove to Crazy Horse, the Native American answer to Mt. Rushmore. Bigger,rawer, unfinished. All good things. This one is definitely about the journey. We could see the monument from the visitor's center, but paid another $4 to take a bus to the base. Well worth it. Closer views and it was nice to be closer to the mountain away from the hustle and bustle.
The Black Hills is the Augusta of motorcycling and I understand why. Rolling but not difficult hills and great scenery. It reminded me more of the NC/VA/TN area. A great place for driving.
Sunday we left early (my suggestion) for Mt. Rushmore as I did not want to get into a weekend traffic jam like we did at Hoover Dam. That made it so we could drive Iron Mountain Road up there which was created as the entranance from Custer State Park when Mt. Rushmore was being built. That was a great road with 3 tunnels and what they call the pigtail bridges which were architecturally very interesting (descending, swirling, with natural materials)
Mt. Rushmore did not disappoint and we like it. Ed had been there before and said it had not changed. A very uniquely American place. God Bless America!
That afternoon we went to Hot Springs SD in the southern part of the Black Hills to play 9 holes of golf. At Southern Hills. It was a nice round and I liked the course.
That Sunday night was dinner at Botecelli's in Rapid City - very tasty Italian.
Monday we drove south to Mullen NE for our golf destination. Sand Hills is in the Sandhills region of Nebraska, which as I discovered is a very large and rural state, even by Texas standards. Mullen is a town of 500 people and that is not very small for this region. The course was 12 miles south.
The club was like going to a hunting club in the country. Once you were there you felt very nice and apart. No cell phones or internet. As they say, leave your business at home. I could tell it would take a few days to achieve that Nirvanic state.
When we got there we went out for our first 18. As it turned out it was rush hour as the morning groups were all at Ben's Porch. So it was a bit hectic for the staff of 2 but we got through and the starter Mike nicely paired us with another father/son who were just arriving as well. Arnie and Jason made for good companions and we played golf together that day and the next and had dinner together Mon. night as well.
I played 4 rounds at Sand Hills - Mon afternoon, Tuesday 36 holes and Wed. morning. The scores declined as expected from 96 to 85. The course is very rural and runs thorugh the hills. It is hard to see another hole from where you are unless you are atop a hill. Pictures dont' tell the story of the expansive view, the myriad of sunflowers (we must have caught the season just right) and the natural feel of the course.
To make such a course in this location was really an original idea. I did meet the inventor, who is Dick Youngscap and hats off to him. Part of the allure is the location which is not only of great natural beauty but is removed enough that you can't help but pay attention to nature. Another great idea was the artists/architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw who made this a fine example of their minimalist, naturalist design philosophy. This course made them a club-household name. But as they say, overnight success takes about 15 years. Not their first rodeo.
After 1 round, I was asked what were the best hole and what was the hardest hole. After 4 rounds the answers remain:
Best: 8 - short par 4, in the amphitheather, surrounded by bunkers. Even with a little wedge into it, still a tough par. I did birdie it twice though.
Hardest: 11 - another short par 4 (from the middle tees). Don't miss the green left (lost ball) or back, right or front (will roll off leaving a tough chip, which might roll off back, right or front again).
Typical of the course, the hole bends right to left with your iron shot having to come in with trouble left, making the drive placement that much more important. See #4, #7, #10, #14, #15, #16 and #18 as well).
The last day, it was just Ed and I and we were the last group off as desired. So as not to press the group in front we dropped back and played some holes twice, # 12 and #15. At # 12 we also moved to the forward tees and it was a different but still tough course from there. At this point, we had the place all to ourselves. It was that Nirvanic state I'd been seeking.
While the golf crowed talks of Ben's Porch, my recommendation is Chef Jake and Co. in the clubhouse. This is beef country and the bone-in steak looked good but the Tuscan strip steak Tuesday was one of the best I've had. Plus the homemade ice cream. Worth going just for the food.
Wed. afternoon it was back to Rapid City via Valentine, NE and US 83. We visited with the pro at the Prairie Club and he was familiar with South Texas as he said that is where the Nebraskans go for work in the winter. He pointed out that US 83 is the same highway and it was true! That was cool to know. Also on the map were US 77 and US 281. I felt right at home.
Thursday it was back to Houston. It seemed a whole different pace. You've got to keep the wheel spinning to maintain the growth and size of Houston. The people in Nebraska obviously know there is a different way to go.
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