For years now, I've been calling it: Colts/ Vikings Super Bowl.  I'm sticking with that same prediction this year.
After all, the law of averages states that not every Spinal Tap drummer will die a horrible death.... right?

I signed up for Grandma's Marathon.  As did my two brothers.  I've got five months from tomorrow to get in shape. 

Christmas was fantastic.  As much as I don't want to base its goodness on the quality of presents received, I did receive some great gifts.  I'm plowing through "Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box" for my DS and trying to read the last book in the Abherson series so as to get to "On Writing" by Stephen King and "The Big Book of Boy Stuff" which (when the sleeve cover is removed) simply says "Physics".   Good gag.

The burden of playing D'Artagnan in the theatrical production of "The Three Musketeers" has ended.  The play was great and I had a lot of fun swinging on ropes and sword fighting, but the bruising and cuts that occurred on a daily basis were enough for me to be thankful that the most physically challenging role of my life is in the past. 

I spouted out some poetry last night about Vikings Football and how it relates to Minnesotans and their ability to endure.  I think I'll work on a written form.

Theis computer screen is driving me nuts. 

Coming soon... memories of 2009 and resolutions for 2010- because I know you care!

The Timberwolves will make the playoffs this year.
The Vikings will make it to the Super Bowl and lose.
Despite an early snow for the centennial state, Duluth will still see three times as much snow as Denver.
Everything will be cool this Christmas.
Rita Moravec is pregnant and it'll be a boy.
Despite a three year streak, Rochelle will not draw my name for this year's Secret Santa.
Halloween will see me free of the title "dance supervisor" starting in 2010.

More predictions to come...

To my unabashed glee, the movie "Trick r Treat" was actually a great Halloween movie.  Intertwining storylines, colorful settings, and a "Tales from the Crypt"-like twist made it entertaining and spooky.  Check it out if you get a chance.

And now a complaint... I was listening to bits of the Favre v. Packers on Monday night on the radion.  It was the Packer station that I had tuned in.  I didn't care who was telling me the score, so long as I knew what was happening.  Anyway, as I listened, I heard one of the Green and Gold announcers refer to Aaron Rogers as "A-Rod".  At first I thought it was funny.  Obviously the nickname is already called for by Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.  It reminded me of an old ESPN commercial when Andy Roddick (US Tennis Star) barges into Stewart Scott's (ESPN anchor) office and demands that he refer to him by his new nickname.  "What name is that, Andy?" asks Stew.  "You know, A-Rod," answers Andy.  After making the connection, Roddick storms out of the office, apparently dejected.  So, this whole Aaron Rodgers thing is funny.... until the announcer continues to refer to Green Bay's new golden boy as "A-Rod".  Seven times in all over perhaps an hour of radio time did he call him by this name.  Just silly.  Alex Rodriguez, Andy Roddick, Aaron Rodgers... Just call me "L-Mo".

David might be up this weekend for a jump in the lake.  I'm looking forward to that.  It'll be month number 55, I think.

The trick: making Shannon Smith and I wait two years.
The treat: the wait is over on Tuesday.

In October of 2007, Shannon and I went to go see a movie.  The movie was "Trick r Treat", a low budget, traditional Halloween flick that looked as horrible as it probably will be.  The only problem is we didn't get the memo that the film had been pulled.
The story since then can be best summed up by a paragraph from imdb.com

"The film was originally slated to be released in October 2007 for a
Halloween release. Warner Bros. without explanation or reason, pulled
the film from the schedule and no reschedule date was announced. One
reason might have been that Saw IV (2007) was being around the same
slated time and did not want to compete against it in fears of a big
opening against them. Another possible reason the film was buried by the
studio, was possible fall out from the box office disappointment of
Superman Returns (2006), which was co-written by 'Michael Dougherty' and
both produced and directed by Bryan Singer, who's production company
produced this film. There was brief talk that the film would finally be
released late last year around Halloween and possibly early 2009, but
again never materialized. The film will finally be released straight to
DVD in October."

For two years, Shannon and I have been watching closely for a new release date.  For two years, we've been licking our chops backed by sub-pop-culture hunger.  For two years, we've been hypothesising about the inevitable aweful story line, creating elaborate rationale for the delay, and moping about in frustration that this cheap, straight to video film could have just gone there 24 months earlier. 

Two years ends Tuesday.

Will it be a disappointment?  Only if it's really good.


On the other side of my (my only other side), "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" wraps up this weekend.  Time to say goodbye to Duke and his magic marker sniffing habit.  Instead I'll be playing the Dudley Doright of the French speaking world as I take stage in "The Three Musketeers" as Dartagnon (goes up in December).  After that, it's my turn as Dr. Craven in "Secret Garden".  Based the embarassment I felt at auditions I didn't think I was going to land the role- lesson learned... you know, the one about counting chickens...

It was good to see all the folks who were in town this past weekend (most of whom saw the show).  If you were up for a visit (that's you, David, Chadley, Dan, Mom, Dad, Steve, Amber, Jim, Deanna.... is that everyone?) I'll just say that I appreciate seeing the familiar faces in a familiar place.  Refreshing.

Someone done gone to that Limey state of Enk-lund for the semester.  This same someone had two pets of the feline variety that needed tending to until the end of the almanacable year.  Another someone needed to administer the tending.  This most recently mentioned someone is me.

Mr. Gibbs and Gracey are two horrible creatures from (according to their breed) Siam.  They avoid me like I was growing buboes all over my face.  They keep me awake at night, they freak me out by hidding behind my George Foreman grill, and they show zero appreciation for the services I provide.  These things and more make them the perfect cats.

I like a pet who can be a jerk.  I like a pet who wants me around as much as I want it around.  It's strange that we all search for a relationship in this world that reciprocates love, but what about hate?  Would a relationship of mutual and equal committment that is based on hate rather than love be any less fulfilling?  Are we really searching for love, or is a symbiotic existence all we really need?

Perhaps love can be born through hate.  I still feed the cats.  I am keeping them around.  I do nothing to torment them asside from laughing while they dash about my living room chasing the elusive red dot from a laser pointer.  Watching them fail brings me joy.  Executing my hatred is what I've come to love.  It's become a game, it's never truly been hate.  It's a friendly rivalry; who can bother who more.  This is the game I've been searching for my whole life...

And I love it. 

About a month and a half ago I began trying to break the 5 minute mile. 
In high school, though more of a two-mile track runner, I ran a 5:10 my senior year at the Central High School Invite in St. Paul, MN.  In college, I ran a 5:17 split at the 8k Cross Country Regional Race in Valley City, North Dakota.  Today, ten years after high school and six after college, I am still working at besting both of those times.
Sometime in late June I ran a mile at the UMD track.  I clocked in, exhausted, at 6:05.  Twas somewhat pathetic and a 5 minute mile felt far away. 
What a difference a few weeks makes!  I kept running.  The next day, I ran it again, this time finishing in under six.  Each time I ran I got a little bit faster.  Earlier this week, I ran a 5:32.  Considering that my goal is sub 5, or a 4:59, I'm exactly half way there from the day I started with that 6:05.
To be fair, I actually attempted this feat one other time about 3 years ago.  I whittled the time down to 5:18... and then I just stopped.  I can't remember why.  But this time it's about sticking with it.  Sure, the school year will start up in a few weeks and life will get busy, but I think that this time, I'll make it the whole way. 
33 seconds to go.

Hello Strangers!

At the beckoning of others, I'm back on the LJ kick.  I can already tell that I'd missed it. 
For those not already in the loop, my bike brake broke besterday.  Instead of having it fixed by a professional, I went about knotting up some old guitar strings to reconnect the severed line.  Now, when I'm barreling down a hill at 35 mph, the only thing between life and death for me will be an few old E strings and a fierce faith in my own handy work. 
"The Great American Trailer Park Musical" is underway... rehearsals anyway.  The show is a hoot.  I get to speak with a southern drawl, drive wrecklessly, shoot up mobile homes and run after strippers.  It's the role of a lifetime. 

With the hopes of this updating becoming more regular, I'll keep this short.

Ta!

Jumped in the Lake this weekend.  45 months in a row.  Three more and I'll be at the four year mark, which means just one more year until the 5 for $5.95 with 5 people Arby's jump.  I'm excited.

I finished the 2nd draft of my first book yesterday.  Today I'll be revising and adding and getting some of the geography in order.  Hopefully I'll be working on the rough draft of the 2nd book by  January 1. 

We got a heap of snow here in the Northland this weekend resulting in a late start at work this morning.  Finals week means I don't work, I just ipdate my journal. 

Christmas in Duluth this year.  No traveling for me!  Hooray!

Yes, it's been some time since updating, so here's the skidders.

-David and Erin were married on the 25th of October.  It was a hoot, what with the corsica breaking, the playground photographing, the air guitaring, the Steve Plude (included so he can Google himself and find one more hit). 
-Bat Boy the Musical wrapped up and I had a theraputic time with strike.  I tore that set down like no other.  I don't think I'll ever be in another musical ever again.  I'm scarred. 
-I finished up the rough draft of my first book.  It's the first in a 9 book series called "Plum", in case I haven't mentioned it enough.  Editing begins yesterday.
-I just got back from a conference in Orlando.  What a blast!  I even had time for a trip to Magic Kingdom.  And because we were staying at a Disney Hotel we got to stay an extra 3 hours.  That's right, the park was open til 2am!  Unfortunately, I didn't make it that long.  At half past midnight, I caught the bus back to Coronado Springs.  The conference was enlightening too.


How's that for a straight to the point post?  Oh, and I almost forgot my token subject: I'm still single.