Week #9: Walking in the snow and trying to stay out of the gutter

Two for one this week. We headed to Door County WI this weekend and my wife mentioned that I should try snowshoeing. I checked around the Internet and found a place that rents out snowshoes for the day and found out that they have "snowshoe only" trails in the state park across the street. It was getting late in the day so we decided to take the kids bowling for the first time (we would snowshoe the next morning).

It was an old school bowling alley in Sister Bay. To our dismay, we found out they did not have bumper guards (which prevent children from getting gutter balls). But they did have this strange metal slide contraption, which made it easier for the kids to roll the ball down the center.

It did not stop MANY MANY gutter balls. The kids got frustrated a few times, but after all was said and done I think everyone had a good time. Thanks to the magical bowling contraption, our youngest child had the highest score (even though none of us broke 100).

The next day, I went snowshoeing for the first time. I drove to Peninsula State Park and parked the car getting ready for my 3 1/2 mile hike. I got out and while trying to figure out how to put on my shoes, I spotted two women walking up to the trail. I mentioned to them that it was "my first time". I am glad that I spoke up. They were great ladies. Susie "the expert" and Pam "the fellow first timer" and I hit it off right away. Susie actually put on my snowshoes for me and asked if I wanted to walk with them. So off we went with Susie showing her friend Pam and I the ins and outs of snowshoeing. It was great to have a guide and the three of us had good conversation throughout. They left a little before me and I finished the 1 1/2 hour hike by myself. I loved it! The hike was beautiful with oak and pine trees as far as the eye could see in all directions. I am especially grateful to Pam and Susie for the help and conversation. I hope to run into them on a hiking trail sometime soon.

I have included photos of me with Susie and Pam and some scenes from the hike. Also from bowling, I included a short video of my youngest knocking down a spare!

Week #8: What have you been up to? ... its been a long time!

On Monday of this week, I was invited to dinner by a good friend of mine, Jan. When I showed up, I realized that he had invited a few other guys including my brother, and a guy that I had not seen for 30+ years. Due to my 52 week blog, I had been meaning to call him in the next few weeks. I wanted to get in touch with someone I had not seen in a long time. I was beat to the punch when I surprisingly saw my old friend David. I told him "I was just about to call you." Which he of course didn't believe. How many people that you have not seen or talked to in 30 years can you get away with the "I was just about to call you" line. We grew up two houses away from each other and hung out all the time. David and I ended up having a great conversation throughout the night. We used to be inseparable best friends when we were young, until we got in a fight around first grade. We never really saw each other again. We talked about the past and realized how silly our fight was (we were fighting over an Intellivision game (called Utopia ... great old school game though)).

I plan on staying in contact with David and we are hopefully going to go out for lunch soon. I had a great time catching up and finding out about his wife, children , and occupation.

When Jan drove me home that night, he kept calling me "Earl". When I explained why I wanted to reconnect with an old friend, he said it sounded like that show "My Name is Earl". So now I have a few friends calling me Earl. Either way, I can cross off : reconnecting with an old friend

from my list.

The photos above is my kindergarten picture with David and I circled. Coincidentally, my wife's picture is above David's in the upper right corner.

Week #7: It's time to Face It

This week I joined the ever growing Facebook community. I have read a lot about its popularity and I know many people who are members. I felt like I might be a little too old for this type of thing, but have grown to really like it this week. It becomes quite addictive. Actually, some guy named Matt Brusky wants to be my friend (I think I remember him from high school). This will take some time to get used to. Will you be my friend??? Just kidding, sounds a little creepy though. So far I only have a couple of "friends", but I am sure they will increase as the year goes on. If you check back in a few weeks, I will update my facebook experience.

Week #6: Doin' the Harlem Shuffle

Crazy time this week!

A while back, I lived in New York City for about a year and I still get back to NYC for work around 2-3 times a year. Realizing that I was heading back for a conference and had one free evening for myself, I thought what can I do that I have never done before in the city? Then it struck me, how about Harlem and if you are doing Harlem, it might as well be the Legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre. I found out later that I missed the 75th anniversary of Amateur Night by one week. Apparently, there were lots of celebrities here last week. They have had Amateur Night every Wednesday nonstop since 1934. http://www.apollotheatre.org/

I had to find someone who would come with me to the show. I immediately called my friend (and former colleague) Tim to see if he had any interest. After a little encouragement, he relented and said he would go with me, but he said it sounded "a little crazy". I checked online for tickets and was offered front row center. That seemed a little too close, so I choose right of center section row B. Little did I know there was no right section row A! We ended up in the front row, so close that my legs were leaning on the stairs that performers use to get on the stage. They had to kick some people out of our seats when we arrived just before showtime. It was now time for the show.

The show started strong with the host singing some great intro songs followed by a funny monologue. Quickly though, I (along with Tim) became part of the show! The MC asks what are we doing there? He followed up by asking me to get up on STAGE! I reluctantly did so, and while Tim tries to take my picture he is also brought up on stage. I am thinking "What the hell am I doing up here!" My plan was not to be ON the stage! I can't see anything except very bright lights and then the host continues to give me a hard time. Tim jokes that we (Him and I) all look alike. Which was misunderstood, "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING WE ALL LOOK ALIKE!!" The people around us boo while we explain that we said that WE (being Tim and I) look alike (which we did with matching jeans black shoes etc. by accident) not you. Anyway, he roasts us on stage for a minute or two and then moves on. I am proud to say that I now have been on the same famous stage on the same Amateur Wednesday night as James Brown, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Lauren Hill and many others.

The night was really fun. We learned about Harlem's famous Tree of Hope that all performers rub for good luck. We got to loudly boo people off the stage and jump up and down to cheer the great ones. Some really talented people performed that night. As my friend said, the night was definitely a Home Run! Great great time!

I have included a couple of pictures. The third one shows the Tree of Hope in the background and the last one shows how close the seats were (picture taken after the show). Also I filmed two short videos quickly before security grabbed me again.