GRAHAM COLTON

It's great when iTunes has their free Single of the Week and it is actually worth downloading. Check out Graham Colton. He has this Howie Day, Ryan Adams with some Pat McGee type sound.

iTunes

ND/USC PICTURE

This is probably one of the coolest pictures I have seen. The parachuters delivering the game ball prior to the Notre Dame/USC game on Oct. 13. Unfortunately one of the guys who did the jump broke his ankle during his landing!

GRAND RAPIDS HALF MARATHON

Have you ever accomplished anything in your life were you felt like you did the best you could? Seriously, the best that you could. You gave all you had. Ever had one of those efforts in your life?

After completing the Grand Rapids half-marathon on Sunday morning, I know for sure that I have had at least one of those efforts in my life. The jubilation of emotions that ran through my body as I crossed the finish line went from a sense of relief to extreme satisfaction within a matters of minutes.

Running those 13.1 miles is, without a doubt, one of the most satisfying things have ever accomplished. It was just a great day on so many levels.

The day started as "atypical running day" when I scraped off a layer of frost from the windows of my vehicle. Talk about a unique way to start your day before running your first half-marathon. A 35 degree start time is a bit chilly!

As for the actual race it was hands down the best race I've ever run. Some of the highlights that I can recall:

* I remember getting a nasty side stitch at mile 1.5 and thinking this is the last thing I need early in the race but fortunately it went away

* During the first three miles I felt like I was running slowly even though I was on a really good pace

* After mile 11 I felt like I was really "gutting it out" with what little energy I had left. Downtown Grand Rapids felt like it was five miles away not two.

* My right knee that I tweaked prior to the race never bothered me during the race

* Nice course! Fairly flat with some small hills to climb

I wanted to finish in 1:40:00 (7:38/pace) and I would be very pleased with that time. I ended running the course in 1:36:39 (7:22/pace)! Yeah, I was super excited about that time! Seriously, the words on this page do no justice to the absolute joy I felt when I saw my time. And my result gets better ...

... I finished third in my age group (25-29) out of 27 runners! I got a medal for that! I remember thinking after my 10K that it would nice to finish in the top three of my age group in a race sometime. I never once dreamed of doing that in my first half-marathon! I was just one second (just one second!!) away from finishing as the runner-up in my group. As I have reflected upon it, I can't find any place during my run that I could have made-up that one second. Seriously, during a 13.1 mile race I can't think of a spot that I "lost" a second or two.

... I finished 49th overall in a field of 892 half-marathon runners. Never figured that would happen either!

... Out of 26 runners, I was the top finisher from the state of Indiana. ;-)

Result Page

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures yet but the Grand Rapids Press did a great job of covering that - here.

The overall event in Grand Rapids is top notch! The staff is excellent, well prepared, friendly and everything you could ask for as a particpant. I highly recommend running this event! I could not have asked for a better first-time half-marathon experience.

END OF SEASON

"It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, you rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then, just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops."

-A. Bartlett Giamatti

So this past season had some interesting highlights:

* Three players hit their 500th career homerun

* A few no-hitters

* The Cubs curse continues ...

* Some guy in San Francisco hit career homer 756

* The Rockies win 14 of their final 15 regular season games

* The Red Sox, unfortunately, won the World Series (curse anyone?)

* Joe Torre ends his amazing tenure as the Yankees skipper

Another baseball season has come and gone. The long chilly, dark days of winter are ahead. How long to pitchers and catchers report to spring training?

PRE-RACE THOUGHTS

There is no real rhyme or reason to what has happened to me over the past several months that I have led up to me running 13.1 miles at the Grand Rapids Marathon Sunday morning. It's really quite insane to think that only five months ago I was content with doing three mile runs per run.

Well there might be some rhyme or reason to it actually, I think I hit the proverbial runners high. Not sure when that actual event happened but it did. So in the course of less than 148 days I will have run a 5K, 10K, 15K and a half-marathon (not to mention a "sprint" triathlon) all for the first time .

I am so pumped up for this thing yet cautiously nervous. My emotions got jolt of frustration on Tuesday when I tweaked my right knee during a morning run. Slight sprain? Maybe but nothing too terrible yet just enough dis-comfort to be annoying. Over the past few days I've gotten a good rhythm of ice and ace wrap going. The really frustrating thing is that I've gone on numerous runs prior to this and nothing goes wrong but on "race week" a bump in the road occurs.

This event, especially since it's my first attempts at 13.1, has some level of athletic rapture-type experience for me. In someway it has taken on a life of its own, so to speak. The goal is to finish this thing in less than 1:40:00. I'm not racing against anyone, just the clock.

The fun, excitement, nervousness and insanity is about the conclude. Hopefully it will have a good ending ...

RADIO NOWHERE - CHICAGO

Springsteen opens with "Radio Nowhere" on Sunday evening at the United Center and it was spectacular! The video here was pretty much the same view I had on the opposite side of the stage.

PHOTOGRAPH

This picture is either one of the most amazing things I have ever seen or just one odd piece of art. I would recommend you check it out ...

(It's kind of large so you'll have to scroll)

Look

QUESTIONS ON HELL

So I'm sitting in my Christian Apologetics seminar today at Bethel and the professor hands us a sheet with these questions for discussion. And the discussion went on ... and on ... for four hours!! At some point during the chat, I tuned out for about 15 minutes.

1) What doesn’t God let everyone into heaven?
2) What doesn’t God give people a second chance?
3) Why did God create only those people who would go to heaven?
4) What about those who have never heard?
5) Will people in heaven know that their friends or family are in hell? How could this be a good thing? Would we be weeping knowing it?
6) Does everyone suffer the same in hell?
7) Why are people punished infinitely for finite crimes?
8) Does hell just “feel” wrong? (note feelings {likes/dislikes} vs. truth {right/wrong})

WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

My predicting skills have been pretty solid so far this post-season. I've only mis-predicted one series. Unfortunately it was the series with my beloved Yankees but, none the less, I push on with my predictions ...

Rockies vs. Red Sox

The Red Sox have the pitching edge. They also have a slight hitting edge. The Rockies have momentum on their side but with a long layoff since their last game I don't think that will play much of a factor. If they were coming into this series with a smaller layoff I'd probably go with them.

As much as it pains me ...

Red Sox in Five

SPRINGSTEEN IN CONCERT

As Jon Stewart so eloquently said after seeing Bruce Springsteen's show in New York last week:

"Do you like joy? Are you a fan of joy? Then go see Bruce Springsteen."

I just might be the most joy-filled person in the midwest right now after going to my first Springteen concert on Sunday evening at the United Center. I mean, holy flippin' cow ... wow! My expectations for this concert were extremely high and this show was on some level of entertainment ecstasy the best thing I have ever experienced.

The set list was great:

Radio Nowhere
No Surrender
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason To Believe
Adam Raised A Cain
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
The Promised Land
Your Own Worst Enemy
Backstreets
Cadillac Ranch
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
__________________
Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Thundercrack
Born To Run
Dancing In The Dark
American Land

What helped to make the experience more exciting was the crowd. There is just something about 20,000 people sharing the same excitement as you are at the same time. The guy I sat next to said it was his 13th show and each of gets better than the last. After the show on Sunday evening, I certainly can't wait to see him again.

As with all concerts I go to there were a couple moments that are worth highlighting:

Radio Nowhere -- Bruce comes out on stage and asks, "Is anyone alive out there"? The tone for the evening was set with the screaming fans and the first few notes from his guitar were played loudly. It was 100% energy for the rest of the night ...

She's the One -- A personal favorite that certainly did not disappoint. Max Weinberg on the drums was awesome.

The Rising -- Probably his best song of the past 10 years and during the song there was something a little extra special going on inside the arena. Call it spiritual or whatever you'd like but there was an extra bit of "something" happening.

Badlands -- Just absolutely stunning and maybe the peak of the show. The crowd singing the lyrics even after Springsteen and the band leaves the stage gave me chills

Thundercrack -- Is it time for Born to Run yet?

Born to Run, Dancing in the Dark, American Land -- The evening probably couldn't have ended on a better note. Hearing Born to Run live was worth the wait. To spend five-minutes of my life pumping my fist and screaming the lyrics as loud as could with thousands of other Springsteen fans was fantastic.

This guy on stage might be the greatest concert going right now and he is 58! He is twice my age and rocks like he is younger than me. Just awesome!!

Chicago Tribune Review - here
Chicago Sun Times Review - here

THANKS JOE!

Dear Mr. Torre,

I appreciate all the effort you put in while managing the New York Yankees. My favorite sports team in the whole world. I wish it didn't have to end.

Even though the 1996 World Series seems like a distant memory to some people, still remember where I was when Charlie Hayes caught the final out in foul terrority in game six victory against the Braves.

The 1998 season was a personal favorite. The David Well perfect game, the 114-win regular season, the sweep of the Padres in the World Series (I was an idiot riding around a broom in the hallway of my dorm after game 4) it was a great time!

I remember where I was when Derek Jeter became "Mr. November" and then a few nights later watching my beloved Yankees dynasty come to an end on a Luis Gonzelez bloop single.

From Aaron Boone's home run in game seven of the 2003 ALCS to the epic collapse of your squad in the same round the following season I enjoyed every moment you managed my team.

While there are Yankees fans who may cheer harder and be more a devote follower of the Bronx bombers, there may not be a fan out there who appreciates the blue collar, high character effort you brought to the team every day for the last 12 years.

THANK YOU MR. TORRE!!

A SERIOUS PARIS HILTON?

Paris Hilton just may have found God during her time in jail. Granted her below quote doesn't exactly mean she has "found God" but she's moving forward in a seemingly positive direction:

“Before, my life was about having fun. But when I had time to reflect, I felt empty inside. I want to leave a mark on the world.”

Did I mention she is heading to Rwanda for five days?

STEPHEN COLBERT FOR PRESIDENT!

Who needs a Republican or Democratic candidate? Just vote for Stephen Colbert!

Colbert 2008

Colbert for President in 2008!!

HISTORY LESSON

Via - Snopes (and my college roomate)

I'm sure there is some context to each of these quotes and what not so take them as you will. I found it to be rather interesting ...

__________________________

A little history lesson: If you don't know the answer make your best guess. Answer all the questions before looking at the answers. Who said it?

1) "We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."
A. Karl Marx
B. Adolph Hitler
C. Joseph Stalin
D. None of the above

2) "It's time for a new beginning, for an end to government of the few, by the few, and for the few...and to replace it with shared responsibility for shared prosperity."
A. Lenin
B. Mussolini
C. Idi Amin
D. None of the Above

3) "(We)...can't just let business as usual go on, and that means something has to be taken away from some people."
A. Nikita Khrushchev
B. Jose f Goebbels
C. Boris Yeltsin
D. None of the above

4) "We have to build a political consensus and that requires people to give up a little bit of their own...in order to create this common ground."
A. Mao Tse Dung
B. Hugo Chavez
C. Kim Jong Il
D. None of the above

5) "I certainly think the free-market has failed."
A. Karl Marx
B. Lenin
C. Molotov
D. None of the above

6) "I think it's time to send a clear message to what has become the most profitable sector in (the) entire economy that they are being watched."
A. Pinochet
B. Milosevic
C. Saddam Hussein
D. None of the above

Answers:



(1) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/29/2004
(2) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 5/29/2007
(3) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007
(4) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007
(5) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007
(6) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 9/2/2005

Please check on snopes.com -- if doubtful!

NORAH JONES "OCEAN OF NOISE"

Wanted to share something I basically came across by mistake the other day. If it has to do with Norah Jones and it is one of a kind, then it's worth spreading around.

Not sure when she recorded this but she did a cover of Arcade Fire's "Ocean of Noise" and, as expected, it sounds great. Enjoy!

Listen

MOSAIC @ THE MAYAN

I was searching a few news articles today and came across this one from NPR on Mosaic's service at the Mayan in downtown L.A. - here ... Just wanted to share since it brought back some amazing memories of clean-up, worship and fellowship.

SKID ROW RIVALRY

There's something about bringing people together through athletics. When the Union Rescue Mission and Midnight Mission get together for some basketball, nothing but good things come from it.

The L.A. Times just did an outstanding and somewhat sobering article on how basketball is helping some of the homeless along Skid Row.

You are a power forward and a crack addict. A point guard and a meth head. A center, but you can't stay away from booze and weed and women. - Continue Here

RUNNING vs. CABLE TV?

Since I haven't had cable TV for over two years now, I thought this thought/quote applied rather ammusingly to me. So just for some fun ...

"You can spend a whole month watching TV or for the same money you can run a marathon! But the bragging rights are a whole lot better."

ALCS & NLCS

I know I'm a day late in posting my predictions but I promise this is what I thought was going to happen even before the first-game of NLCS. I was rather pleased with my first-round predictions. Of course, it pains me to watch October baseball without the Yankees but I'll survive just fine.

Red Sox vs. Indians

I think the Red Sox middle relief with hurt them a little bit. However, the Boston starting rotations is solid and deeper than the Indians. This is a tight series but I think the Red Sox are a little bit better.

Red Sox in 6

Rockies vs. D'Backs

The Rockies are about as hot as any team in the history of organized athletics. They are a better team then Arizona and it will show through out the entire series. They can pitch better, they can hit better and, more than anything else, they are playing with an immense amount of confidence.

Rockies in 5

REAL MEN OF GENIUS - ND STYLE

Without a doubt, one of the most hilarious things I have seen on YouTube ... Please Enjoy!!

TOUGH SPORTS WEEK

It was a rough week to be a fan of my sports teams this week ...

... the Dolphins are now 0-5 and might be the worst team in the NFL. I think even the Joey Harrington led Falcons could be Miami right now. Can you say, "With the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, the Dolphins select ______ "

... the Yankees lose in the ALDS for the third straight year. However, can we please keep Joe Torre? Please!!

... The Longhorns start conference play 0-2 for the first time in 50 years! It can't get much worse, can it?!?

On the bright side of all my sports misery this week, the New York Islanders started their season by winning their first two games!

IDIOT OF THE WEEK

... maybe the idiot of the year.

The old saying goes, "cheaters never prosper" and, well, when the cheater makes it so obvious they are cheating, it makes it much easier to catch him! - Story

G.R. HALF MARATHON

I was going to keep this information to myself but I'm to excited to do that. I got this e-mail this morning ...

Dear Stephen Hinkel:

Thanks for registering for the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon. We're working to make this the best event you'll ever run, and looking forward to seeing you in October.

In the meantime, check back from time to time at grandrapidsmarathon.com. There you can find lots of info, links to our blog, and weekly inspirational message on marathonminute.com. Now get out there and put your miles in and I'll see you in October.

and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
Race Director

Now, rest assured, I am running the half-marathon (13.1 miles)! I'm not quite ready for the test of a full marathon yet but I am just about as ready as possible for this event.

After running the Salmon Chase a few weeks ago I started thinking about running a half-marathon and I've continue to increase my weekly milage during my runs and I'm feeling great.

Registering for this race was a birthday present to myself ;-) ... So if you are anywhere near the Grand Rapids on Sunday, Oct. 28 I would love your support!

MAGIC

Make no mistake about it, I am very bias in writing my quick review of Bruce Springsteen new album "Magic." However, my opinion is shared by many, many critics who know more about reviewing than I do.

The question for this album isn't -- will it be nominated for any Grammy Awards? The question is - how many Grammy Awards will this album win?

This album is potentially the best album he has ever put together. If it is not his best work, then it's at worst his second best since "Born to Run" will probably be viewed as his best piece of work.

This album is about as perfect as an album can be. The lyrics are fantastic, the E-Street band sounds amazing and Bruce's voice, while one of a kind, is great.

Some of the lyrics may upset people because his anti-war stance but at least the guy is thoughtful and very creative in his song writing. For example, take the song Devil's Arcade about guy who is struggling with his post-war experience. Absolutely brilliant writing. The whole album is filled with amazing lyrics.

Rolling Stone gave the album a very rare five-star review - here. If you like good classic rock and roll, then go buy this album immediately.

BIRTHDAY THOUGHTS

So, here I am celebrating my last birthday in my 20's. The big 2-9! Come to think of it, does anyone ever celebrate a "little" birthday!?!? Anyway ...

... in the past I have noted special things and quarks about my 27th and 28th birthday but this year I'm not totally sure what to say/think. It's totally odd to think about a few things my roommate from college e-mailed me:

"... half way to 58, closer to 36 than 21 and it has been over a decade since we graduated high school. Its funny how as we age we relate differently to the time over the course of a day. For example, when I am up at 4 a.m. now it is really early, not that long ago if I was up at 4 a.m. it was really late."

Man, not only am I getting older in age but I might be wiser and more mature too. Now, that's a scary thought!

STARBUCKS

Do you know what you Starbucks SBQ is? Some people in Chicagoland have taken this to an "interesting" level - here.

Just for the record -- there are 10, yes 10, Starbuck locations within five miles of my apartments! Yet, in the entire county of Lancaster, Pennsylvania (where I grew-up) there isn't even five! So insert your Amish/Mennoite joke here ____.

NHL THOUGHTS

The start of the NHL season seemingly sneaks up on me every year and, once again, the same thing happened this year. I really love hockey. It's one of those sports that once you figure out some of the quarky rules and strategies, it is a beautiful sport. Here are some of my preseason thoughts:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Pittsburgh -- This team has come a long way over the last 5-7 year. With Sidney Crosby in your line-up every night, your squad is going to win a lot.

New Jersey -- Martin Brodeur gives you a chance to win each time he's in net but they may not be able to score enough goals.

New York Rangers -- One of the best team in league. They can score, they can play but they might be a bit on the older side with some of their star players which could become a problem later in the year.

Ottawa -- Probably the best team in the preseason in the East. Dany Heatly is a stud on offense and Ray Emery is solid in goal.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim -- The defending Stanley Cup champs will once again be there among the best all season.

San Jose -- A lot of their success depends on Joe Thornton. A great year for him means success for the Sharks.

Detroit -- They are always among the best in the league so this year will be no different.

Stanley Cup Finals -- Anaheim over New York Rangers in Six.

MLB DIVISION SERIES

If the the MLB Playoffs this season are anything like the Rockies-Padres one-game playoff on Monday evening, then sports fans everywhere have a lot to be excited about. So without further waiting, here's what my twisted and sometimes brilliant mind thinks will happen over the next 8-10 days:

Yankees vs. Indians

Do you really think I'm going to pick against the Yankees? Umm ... No! I think Cleveland has a better starting rotation but no a whole lot better. They don't have a group of pitchers that will overwhelm the Yankees offense which is as scary to go up against.

Yankees in 4

Red Sox vs. Angels

The Red Sox are playing better right now and the Angels don't have enough fire power behind the plate or on the mound to compete with Boston.

Red Sox in 3

Phillies vs. Rockies

This is one of the most intriguing match-ups I can ever remember in a playoff series. Before the season started, how many people out there thought these two teams would face each other in the playoffs? The Rockies are playing some great ball right now and Phillies starting pitching staff is decent at best. The edge on offense goes to Colorado.

Rockies in 5

Cubs vs. D'Backs

I might be picking with my heart a little bit more on this one. My head says go with the Cubs but I'm slightly bias toward former Silver Hawk players so ...

D'Backs in 5

MATT NATHANSON

I'm going to "get in" on pumping up Matt Nathanson. Last week iTunes had his single "Car Crash" as a free download and the sometime cheap-skate that I can be, I downloaded.It was a smart decision ... This is guy has a great sound. Something along the lines of Howie Day, Dave Matthews and Dashboard Confessional.

DAFUR & EXODUS?

Of all the stories that have been written about the tragedy of Darfur, this one came across as one of the most fasintating and interesting to me. The title speaks for itself and it's well worth the five minute read.

Is the Book of Exodus a Call to Save Darfur?

"MAGIC"

Today is a good day for some "Magic" ... I'll post more thoughts on the album later