Well that didn't last long...

Ooookkkaayy... well that was quick...

My hopes of posting every day in the month of November failed after only the first week! Here I am near the end of November (already!) and I'm posting again. I guess my poor little blog gets second pickin's after writing for the techie blog I actually get paid for. I work deadlines for that site, and this one I write when I'm able, I guess. That, and I've been swamped at the office, so I'll be glad when the holiday's bring a little less work as most of everyone, it seems, goes on vacation.

I've been well. I haven't done any serious running since the marathon, but I'm starting to feel that icky feeling of not doing much of working out as of late. Lately, I've been getting these interesting aches in my legs, and I'm guessing it's because I'm losing some of my fitness down there. Fortunately, my recent trips to the gym these past couple of weeks have gone well, and I'm easily doing 2 and 3 milers on the treadmill with hardly any effort. That's great news.

I plan on running a 10K Turkey Trot in Kenosha on Thanksgiving day, so my workouts have mostly been focused on that. I haven't done any racing since the marathon, so this will be a welcome treat.

Until next time my friends! Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Pink Xmas!

Happy Pink Xmas!
Originally uploaded by automatic_man2

The Borders near me felt rather festive when I paid it a visit this weekend.

That was further reinforced by this lovely, pink Christmas tree in near the front of the store. Undecorated, but pretty nonetheless :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Crazy working days

Well, the first week of National Blog Posting Month is almost over. I didn't do too bad except for the rather lame post last night- all sleepy-eyed and everything. The weekend is here and time to take it easy.

I've babbled on before how crazy work is due to a year-long project that is just about to wrap up. My company is doing away with its old data line carrier and moving to a new one. The entire process was time consuming and grueling and times. We're so close to wrapping up I can taste it. I've had four weeks of vacation available to me, but barely used any of it because of all the work involved moving over all 13 of our locations nationwide. My schedule is a bit more relaxed nowadays as we wind down into the holidays.

Ahh the holidays- I find it hard to believe they're almost here. I may finally be able to take a week off during Christmas and not think about work at all. We've had two of our staff leave within a two month period, so I've had to take on other responsibilities. I shouldn't complain, after all. I'm happy where I am- even after almost 11 years! IT is what I do. There are still so many challenges ahead, and look forward to learning new things. I wonder where that path will take me...

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

By my chiny chin chin!

Barely got this post in before midnight! Time got away from me today, so that means juicy posts this weekend...

Still so much to write about!

I'm not done yet, my friends :)

Whiskey Sin in JstreetRadio

Whiskey Sin in JstreetRadio
Originally uploaded by automatic_man2

The radio show is going strong. We're booked with interviews clear through the end of the year.

This year, we're celebrating our 5th year on the air.

You can catch it anywhere in the world, Thursday nights at 8pm CDT by visiting http://www.wrlr.fm

- that's a shameless plug if I've ever seen one :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Camping times

-Canoeing on the Wisconsin River in the Dells area.

Wow. So many photos on the phone I've yet to post anywhere! I've been bad, really bad.

I was excited to actually do some camping again this year. On this trip, Katie and I headed up to Point Bluff Resort near the Wisconsin Dells area in late August. It's a spot I've been going to for years, and was excited to see it again after a long time of not going. It was a bit noisier than I remember, but we were camping, after all. The river is beautiful this time of year.

I did plan on doing a 20 mile run while I was up there, but it was not to be. Trying to do a big run like that when I'm out of my "comfort zone" (i.e. home) was a bit more difficult than I imagined. As a matter of fact, many of my training runs for the marathon suffered this year, but I'll save that for another post.

The canoe trip down the river took about three and a half hours to complete. We were spotting bald eagles high above the trees, and the turtles that were laying along the bank. The entire trip is quiet and peaceful, which is why I like it so much. We both managed not to tip over, and came out mostly unscathed!

Another photo is here.

I simply can't wait to get out there again next summer. Maybe we'll hit Cedar Point or the Apostle Islands in northern Wisconsin...

Something to daydream about during the long and dreary winter for sure.

PS: I've updated my races and finish times for this year along the right side on my main page.

Halloween weekend!

Giant marshmallow in the micro
Originally uploaded by automatic_man2
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Yes, folks, this is what happens when you put a marshmallow in the microwave! This one got to the size of a healthy bread bowl- I couldn't believe my eyes! Who would have known?

This was just one of the many highlights of my Halloween weekend!

Katie and I had a two-fer planned for Halloween festivities this past Saturday. My dear friends Kelly and Justin got married and had what might have been one of the coolest wedding receptions ever- just tons of fun. Head on over to http://www.essenpreiswedding.com and check out some of the hilarious photo-booth photos taken that night.

We wrapped up the holiday by attending our friends Matt & Vicki's Halloween party later that night. Good people, food, and games made for a great party.

I can't believe it's November already. Sooo much to catch you guys up on. It feels good to be writing here again, I just hope I can keep it up!

Chat again soon....

National Blog Posting Month 2010

Well... not quite exactly what I had in mind for my first post of the month, but it will have to do. After all, I have a long way to go through the end of November.

Why, you say?

I'm participating in NaBloPloMo again this year- one post for each day of the month in November. I think it will take me just that long to clear out all of the cobwebs in here! I do miss posting in this blog- my little corner in the interwebs.

So much has happened this year- lots of exciting things... summer fun, trips, camping, the marathon... so much I've yet to talk about for sure.

I'm not 100% sure I'll make it all the way, but I'm sure going to try. Some posts will be good ones, others not so much. Maybe I'll post a photo or two, and another post here and there as I'm out and about.

I hope some of you have stuck around, and haven't strayed too far. I'm not quite done with this thing yet. Hopefully this will help spark things up around here.

This is Day 1.

Let's do this.