Time Flies

How is it already Wednesday?

Another early morning. Work by 7 every day this week and 5:30 am on Saturday. At least I get out when it's still light out. It's all this rush rush rush for another week and on December 26th it's all over. No one remembers why we were there 80 bazillion extra hours in December on the day after Christmas. They started taking down Christmas decorations today at work. What are you putting up next!?!?!? Swimsuits? Oh wait, they're coming, we have some already. Oh work makes me tired, bitter and hungry for a new challenge.

I can't wait to come home, let's be honest. I can't wait to get away from work. It's tiring me out. This whole season is all about amateur shoppers. Even before working retail I don't think I made the person at the register this nuts. I'm pretty sure I roll my eyes after half of all customers. How could they be so stupid? If I get another question about where socks are and I tell them to look 6 feet away from where they are I might explode.

I can't wait until I go home. I want to chat about work; what I'm good at, what kind of environment I want to work in, who I want to work for, how I can grow more confident in interviewing and setting them up. I want to get out of Herbs and turn the page, not erase it, not tear it out, just turn it.

I also want to play in the snow, take pictures, eat fruit soup! and mom's breakfast!. I want to watch football with Eric and talk to Mark about steroids and the NY Yankees. I want to hang out with Eleanor, talk to Em about anything and get Meg whatever she needs! (for a day or two anyway) I want to create a new outfit for Dad to wear when he comes to MN and help Mom cook Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner.

I just wish Katy could have come too. I will miss her family fun and tradition as well. I'd get to open my presents early with her family!

Let's just hope I don't wake up tomorrow and have it be next Wednesday!

Time Flies.


Dear Lord,

I pray that you will watch over and take care of Grams. But if now is the time...at least she will be with my Grandpa.

Love you Grandma K...

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your ultimate Christmas gift. How I realize it more and more each year.

Amen

Someone Dropped A Bomb On Baseball

George Mitchell, a former US Senator from Maine finally came out with his report on steroids in Major League Baseball. It was quite a long list of names including MVP's, Cy Young winners and All-Stars among the numerous insignificant players. I was looking forward to it this morning as I was talking to a younger manager at Herbs. He was interested in seeing who was on the list, as was I.

Anyway, here are random thoughts randomly ordered.

When will some one be honest, be humble, and come forward and tell the truth? Step up someone!

Why does a former United States Senator, George Mitchell, hand names to the public and those players still deny what they did? Is the stereotype of athletes being stupid coming true here? They all "didn't know" what they or others were poking them in the butt with? I will not purchase that argument. I don't think that you should either.

Well then. If we should assume that all athletes are so dumb that they just do what they are told then why do we have so many loud mouths and irresponsible athletes out there shooting at, getting shot at and doing stupid things. Should the investigation move to the training staffs, athletic trainers and doctors of the teams? Should we do two years of researching and interviewing to find out motives and interests of every doctor and trainer?

ESPN Baseball Analyst John Kruk said that the players names should all be kept in house. (within MLB, I'm assuming but "in house") How does Kruk think this should be in house? There's onflict of interest with drug testing "in house" as he wants. It can't happen fairly. Why should the names NOT be released? I need to do some further thinking on that one.

I think Kruk just might want to protect his friends from the union. I don't know. I haven't been a MLB baseball player nor will I ever become one or probably ever understand them completely. But I do know that releasing the names might make one or two of these guys accountable to someone or something.

Do any of these guys have charity organizations set up? What's that organization looking like now?

It was a "soft" report. I still feel, or the media still feels, that this aren't proven facts. It seems to be reported recollections of conversations and memory. Tony Kornheiser is troubled with the lack of proof and so am I as he stated on his TV show on ESPN, Pardon The Interruption.

There are 78 names on this list and not one of them will man up and tell society what really happened? AT LEAST in his own personal case?

Most players listed were marginal players, let's be honest. There were some pretty darn good players on this list, however, they would not make a great All-Time Team. They could field a team, and a pretty good team but you've got a ton of Mark Carreon's, Steven Randolph's, Adam Riggs, Bart Miadich's in there. Who are they? I know of David Segui, Hal Morris, Ryan Franklin, Chuck Knoblauch, Jack Cust are though. Evidence suggests that with or without enhancement, they're still a pretty normal group of players. Steroids didn't bring them to greatness, it seems it just kept them in the game longer or productive for another couple years. So then, the question presents itself, why did you take steroids? Or why at least is your name associated with steroids? Can any one of these fine gentlemen tell us anything new and informative?

As my brother in law would say, "craziness!" Can't wait to hear more about it and read some of this 409 page pdf I have on my desktop.

See all of the players here.

Off Task

I'm supposed to be prepping for Bethel's basketball game vs. North Central on Wednesday but I can't concentrate on it.

I've created somewhat of a template for getting ready for games but it's still not making it go any faster because Bethel's new new athletics website that isn't completely loaded with all of the history that's needed and because North Central's athletics website is terrible. Now St. Thomas' athletics website is much better, maybe I should have gone there.

Ok, so I've had today off. I got some things done this morning/afternoon but I started prepping for the Bethel game again and all I saw was dust. Dust dust dust. Got it? I think it's one of my pet peeves. I can't stand it. I have too much clutter and junk around my desk and this 25 square foot apartment that I need a bigger space to spread out the junk, and the dust. Nothing is easy to clean so as I sat here in front of my computer with the sun shining on my desk, all I could see was dust. And it annoyed me. I cleaned it. And earlier today I vacuumed the place. Again though, there's junk all over and you can't move that monstrous vacuum around easy enough.

I want to come home for Christmas. I want to quit so bad, just because I want to be home for Christmas.

I want to hang out with E3 alot as well as M3 (?). I think I'm calling her Maya. Ok Meg? :)

Anyway, I want to be home and come with Katy and sit at the table with everyone and eat fruit soup and that egg and bread bake, Mom puts together.

I want to test my patience on how long I can wait to open presents. I want to see people's reactions to what I got them. It's priceless. I want to steal one of Dad's cordial cherries, look at the clock and see 10:33 am. I want to see if Megan is as crabby as Emily was last year when she was prego. I want to SEE it; not HEAR about it.

I just want to be together for Christmas.

Time to go...prep for Bethel's game and wait for Nick to call. I'm supposed to help him move in.

It Snowed and GradStaff Interview

It's beginning to look a lot like winter here. We got 4.5 inches of snow Saturday morning and afternoon and might get another inch or two from an alberta clipper tomorrow morning and afternoon. It's okay though, I invested in some long underwear. Merry Christmas to me!

Yep, I started my Christmas shopping with Katy this Saturday morning. I didn't get a whole lot done but I checked a few things off the list. I'll have to make an adjustment for Eleanor though. Apparently someone beat me to a snowsuit. :( Ah well.

Saturday, Katy came with me to watch the basketball game at Bethel. Then we hung out for a little while before she went home...

Yesterday we went to a Smorgasboard at Covenant Village where her Grandparents live. We ate fruit soup, pickled herring, ham, meatballs, korv, lefse. Mmmm, Sweedish.

That was about it for the weekend though.

Oh, I finally have an interview with GradStaff. It's Thursday morning at 10:30 and should be 60-90 minutes. They emailed me what to do and how to prepare so give me some ideas of what I could write/say for these situations.

How to prepare:

We will be conducting a behavioral-based interview which will help us understand both your qualifications (skills) and your motivations (career interests). Please come prepared to give specific situations where you have used the following skills:

1) Analytical/Problem-solving
2) Communication
3) Interpersonal
4) Organizational/Administrative
5) Initiative
6) Leadership

You should expect your interview to last approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

So, got any ideas with me?

Until next time...

Eleanor's World Meets Joel's Ultimate Interests

Well, what a day!

E3 came back up and over from Minnetonka this morning for a short visit to Breugger's Bagels and the mall for some breakfast and a short jaunt through Herbs. It was a very nice visit with my sister, brother in law and my niece.

I will now share a couple of the snap shots of our visit.





After the visit Katy and I went and did a little more shopping and picked up some Noodles for lunch and then dinner. We also sat around here and watched some football, did alot of laundry and ironing and enjoying a day without work.

The day is now over and I must head to bed for work comes quickly.

Thanks for coming back up for the visit. :)

Broadcasting Bethel Basketball

I'm doing the guys broadcasting again this season and you can listen to me via the Bethel Athletic website.

BU Men's Basketball

I'm in the background.


That's about it for now. Listen in.

This is an Ultimate Interest.

Life is Quick, Can You Keep Up?

It is time for bed but I must do something semi productive tonight other than grocery shop and watch some Monday Night Football. So here it is!

For those of you who don't know (that's false, everyone reading this blog should know, but I have to project to the masses, for fun, you know) I was at home two weekends ago. My Dad and Mom welcomed me home for a few days to enjoy a fantastic (my new favorite word, like Eric's favorite word last I knew... 'craziness.') time away from Herbs and an even more fantastic football game.

Here's some of the evidence.



On the way to the game.




Eli Manning kinda stinks. He'll never survive the pressures in NY. He's no Peyton, probably not even Phil.



Proof we were on Fox.



How much did this "hot" "dog" cost? Now, I put both words in quotes to qualify it was neither hot nor was it really a dog. It was more like a pre-mature pup. Check out the ketchup packet for size...small huh? Ok, back to the question.

A. $3.75

B. $7.25

C. $6.50

D. $5.00



I like this picture and was glad that Meg and Mark came with us!



The bridge on the way back. I thought it was a fun picture of the scenery.

I didn't do a ton of stuff on Monday or Tuesday but it was nice to be at home. I made some progress with trying to get an interview but I have more work to go.

So, life is quick. It's already been two weeks since I've been home and I'm just blogging about it now. Hopefully I can get some more posts in the coming days since I'll be working from 4-5am until 1-2 pm. Unless I just come home and go back to bed. We'll see.

Echoes of Megan

Can I get a Christmas List?

Em, Meg and ideas for Eric and Mark.

Here's a start of mine. I will edit it as I go...

1. Gift Cards
1. Banana Repbulic-I like Banana Republic. There's a shawl collar sweater I love there.
   
2. Gap-See below
   
3. Macy's-Once in a while I find something there that I don't always want to pay for
   
4. Herbs-Have my eye on a Spyder casual winter coat and an Andrew Marc wool coat--Bought myself the Spyder Coat because it was a great deal! And the Marc? No more in my size...
   
5. Gas-yep, it's like 3 plus dollars a gallon now. Ripoff.
   
6. Caribou-I like an occasional hot chocolate or coffee
   
7. Breuggers-for some good old fashioned breakfast out
   
8. Sports Authority-Need some Nike running tights, a couple pair of Nike running gloves(not fleece)
1. Gift Card available on Nike.com, that I can get via email and use online or in store
   
2. GQ Subscription

That's all I've got for now...

Email me your lists or post them in a comment.

Today's the Day

For what? Nothing in particular but here's the rundown.

Today was the day that Jon and Paul both started new jobs.

Today was the day that work was again a challenge with only two people in men's all day. Today was not a surprise. It's become the usual, being a man down in men's with me usually always serving as one of the two.

Today was the day I visited the mall. Again. Wandering through The Buckle and Express during lunch.

Today was the day I was shocked leaving work at 5:15. It was pretty much pitch black.

Today was the day I, again, didn't run after work because of laziness and darkness.

Today was the day I finally put my spray paint job pictures on the blog here.

Today was the day I wore my old man slippers because the floor in our apartment was too cold.

Today was the day I made a grocery list with an actual meal or two involved. (Manicotti and Broccoli cheese soup)

Today was the day my back hurt and stiffened up before I ate lunch at 1:30.

Today was the day I needed to be alone for the night.

Today was the day I wondered about Christmas presents during work.

Today was the day I actually shopped while on the clock for some Christmas presents.

Today was the day I checked my bank account and sighed. Again.

Today was the day...

...it wasn't a special day nor was it a bad day. There actually wasn't much day to be truthful, but somehow today still continues. I actually feel like I accomplished a few things...but Tomorrow must be the day.

Tomorrow must be the day that I apply for more than two jobs.

Tomorrow must be the day that I do some research for Bethel basketball which begins in another week.

Tomorrow must be the day that I run in the morning and read in the afternoon.

Tomorrow must be the day that I eat healthy and be confident with my education, resume and writing ability.

Tomorrow must be the day that I walk with Him.

Tomorrow must be the day that I see Katy and have a conversation with her.

Tomorrow must be the day that I look forward, make progress and not study the history of my life.

Tomorrow must be a day that I look forward to.

Don't Quit Poem
by anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Tomorrow must be a day that I wake up refreshed, feel accomplishment with a run and a read, a quick errand or two and a resume rocketed out to a realistic employer, or four.

Tomorrow!

Finshed Product?

Well, there's the semi-final product on my car repainting. That's it an that's all.

Weekendness

Hi!

Well, I didn't have to work this weekend and that proved very useful to get a few things done!

Saturday, Katy and I went to watch Bethel at the MIAC CC meet at Como! It's been a standard to go the last weekend in October for the last 6 years so I kept it up this year! The girls were 4th overall and the guys were 6th overall. Not too bad Coach Timp!



Nikki was 3rd overall.



Dan was also 3rd overall.



And then there was us...on our way home!

Saturday night we did much cooking!

We made a cream sauce with prosciutto for some tortellini. It was great! This is a leftover picture but it was still awful tasty! Proof that I (we...Katy, really) can cook!



But wait, it didn't stop there! In continuation from last weekend (more to come on that one later) we had to use some honeycrisp apples so we referred to Mom's homemade cookbook and made some Baked Apple Pancake and that was just as delicious this morning!

Here it is! Taste this!



So, let's just say I'm not hungry at the moment and we've got leftovers!

But the fun didn't stop there. All of us should know how cracked up my car was. Well, I finally gathered the supplies and the spray paint and went to work. Here displays my work from this afternoon.



Before...




During...

And you'll have to wait for the after. Forgot to take a picture. :)




LAST WEEKENDNESS

Last weekend Katy and I hit Aamodt's Apple Orchard in Stillwater. It was our goal to pick our own apples but little did we know that's over and done with this season. So we were forced to pick them out of a bin in an extremely busy, overcrowded barn. But you saw our apple pancake results, so it must have been worth it.







Then we went to a Switchfoot concert a Concordia University in St. Paul. They're pretty much my favorite musical talent to listen to.





We had a very enjoyable evening sitting in the back. I never learned what you were supposed to do at a concert as a kid so that's why we were sitting in the back. I listen to music, I don't know about what you guys do. So I'm not into standing and making myself look foolish.

Well, that's it and that's all.

Red Sox are up 3-1 but might be in a little trouble. Gotta go watch!

Red Sox Win!

So yesterday night the Red Sox snatched game 7 from the Cleveland Indians. Apparently torture is part of the Red Sox mission statement.

From the Red Sox Mission Statement, "Once we finally win the American League East away from the Evil Empire, let's get hot for the Division Series, cause trauma in the Championship Series then realize we shouldn't toy with our fans emotions, break out for a big late inning, securing a World Series birth." Sure feels like that's the way they wrote it...

Anyway, I watched the whole game last night and thoroughly enjoyed it when Dustin Pedroia hit the two run homer giving the Sox a 5-2 lead...before the Boston bats woke up again in the bottom of the 8th.

None the less, I celebrated! Here is the evidence of the Red Sox getting to the WS for the second time in 4 years!



I apologize for my lack of clothing...I was getting ready for bed before the end of the game and I had to find my Red Sox that Chris Dooley and I bought senior year, before they won the World Series in 2004.

I predict the Sox win in 6 games for the second title for Red Sox Nation in my lifetime!

Friends Connecting

It's now Monday afternoon and I've spent the last hour and a half applying for jobs and decided it was time for a break. A time to write and reflect on a pretty enjoyable weekend.

Not only am I still on vacation today and tomorrow but Friday night I was able to be at Chad and Kristen's Wedding while spending that time with the usual, Katy and Paul, and seeing the unusual, Ben Braff, Beth Wilson, Jill Helleloid, Julie Dahlof. The wedding was great and the way that they brought people together at this wedding was unusual as well. Typically there's a disconnect between table and even within the same table. People don't know others, don't know how to introduce others (or maybe that quality is just mine) or are maybe just disinterested. You never know. But sitting at a table with Katy, Paul, Ben Braff, Julie Dahlof, Justin Buol, JeaNell, Jessica Beaudry and her husband was a great time! Connecting from freshman year in Nelson to discussing jobs, careers and plans. It is interesting (also depressing for me) to hear what people are doing and how they got there. Mostly because I am extremely dissatisfied with the program that I graduated from at Bethel. They're making more of their education than I am and I get frustrated over that. But the connection that this table had enabled a great night!


And Congrats to Chad and Kristen! I hope Chad is loving Fenway Park right now!



MORE FRIENDS CONNECTING

Sunday morning The Four plus Katy, Paul, Lance and Jon got together for the Twin Cities 10 Miler that Chris and I ran! It was an early morning and a warm day but we finished 210th and 211th in 1:11:52!

But it was a great weekend having Nick come from Kearney, Chris from O'Fallon, Lance from Verndale and the rest of us here. I really enjoyed the weekend not working but spending some quality time with friends.

Chris and I with 800m to go!








The Four--post race.




Yay, I finished! Haha, I better have, and it probably should have been faster. It was a great weekend, can't wait to do it again!

Lately...

Tonight starts my vacation! I'll be off Wednesday through Friday this week and Monday and Tuesday of next week!

I'm looking forward to spending a good chunk of hours looking for a job and getting some things done with Bethel Basketball and starting some new things for the hopeful season of basketball on the radio again. I've got plenty to do and it'll be a nice time away from work, only to look for more work.

This week at work has been good though I keep talking to people about how I've got to get out of retail and Herbs. We had a huge new fixture drop at work today so I helped out the Izod Rep install 8 new fixtures and place the product on all of them. Man, they don't pay me enough to do all of that. But it was a good day, she was so appreciative she gave me a Subway Gift Card! :) I think the smallest most unexpected gifts are the ones that make the world a better place. There was no expectation, no real need to get me one, but it was a conscious decision to give someone a positive act. I think the world needs more of that. Maybe not totally random, but acts of kindness. Whether thought out or completely random, anyone can use a little more encouragement in life. So I appreciated Kate's unexpected thanks! I just wish I got a picture for all of you! (haha, just me-no one knows about my blog yet-I'm still in the experimentation phase)

It's also great to be off for the Twin Cities 10 Miler! Chris, Nick and Adam and I were supposed to run but it turns out just Chris and I will but Nick and Adam will still be there! I'm looking forward to spending some time as The Four again!

I've been putting in some decent training lately and I'm looking forward to putting it to good use.

Regret to Mention Last Weekend's Enjoyment

Last weekend was an enjoyable one for many reasons. Mom and Dad came to town and took me, Katy and Grams out for dinner to Jax on University Ave. It was quite the expensive place but it was quite the palate pleaser as well. I enjoyed a steak and baked potato. We also went to Key's Sunday morning for breakfast before heading to see the 35W Bridge. They were cleaning up the place quite well but it was still amazing to see the steel bent like a ribbon and the concrete pancaked on either side of the former supports.

I was glad to see Mom and Dad and get to hang out with them for a little bit. It's always nice, even though it's always so short.

Saturday, Katy and I also went to the Bethel Homecoming game and got some sun during the rout of Carleton. We saw Dad there too, pretending to man the Alumni tent!

Hhmm, what else. It was a nice weekend but it went so fast. I just can't wait until this weekend when Nick and Becca come visit for an interview and the Griak, then I start a vacation on Wednesday. I hope to be home alone enough to get some stuff done...like find a new job! A real new job!

Though I'm still kicking around the possibility of going to shoes at Herbs or selling some suits with Jos A Bank.

Any opinions?

Up, Down, Repeat

I'm just living life...

But it goes so far up and so far down, especially lately. I get too stressed out about too many things. I could rattle a good number of things that I need to get done or are just worrying about.

What you ask? Where do you want me to start? I need a job. Can I get one through Bethel's Athletic Department? Herbs still? Do I sell shoes? Do I sell suits at Jos A Bank? Do I just keep what I've got now and keep looking from there? All things I don't know...

My car? Hhmm, just need things to get fixed. My bumper needs to be scraped and painted. My left blinker and light are busted. My muffler sounds like I'm a poor HS kid from NBHS. All money I just don't want to throw in a car with 142,000 miles on it.

Stress about Katy...her having a solid consistent job. A place to live. A car. She's been without the first for a couple months, and a car for going on 3 weeks. That's just too long. Insurance and such should have taken care of that long ago. Ah well.

The stresses of life are just too evident.

What makes you happy? How do you stay happy? How much time do you get alone? How much time do you get to be social? How do you quantify your satisfaction in life?

It's great that Katy starts at Target tomorrow. I hope she gets her car taken care of soon. Now I just have to take care of business myself. Get on the job bandwagon and keep doing things that keep me disciplined and heading in the forward direction.

That's all for now.

I asked- He Answered

Today was an interesting day...

It started as the typical unexcited, unproductive day as I prepared to go to work once again. I failed by turning my alarm off to go running before work, I failed in the sense that I was running semi-"late" getting ready for work. I was just finishing my cereal at the coffee table while doing the usual watching of SportsCenter and I looked at the clock on the stove. I was running about 15 minutes late which meant I had roughly 40-45 minutes to make myself a lunch, check my email and use fifteen minutes to commute.

Time must have slowed down for me this morning. I finished making lunch, brushing my teeth, checking my email and still had time to do my morning devotions. They're typically just a short little bit but since I was running later than usual I wasn't sure I'd get it in there. But I did, and had time to spare. I used that time to pray. It's been a while since I've really buckled down and prayed for a longer period of time. Let's be honest, it hasn't been on the top of my priority list for a number of my own reasons. But there I was, praying that I would see the Lord today. I asked him to reveal himself to me. I needed it, and I have for some time now.

I arrived at work, 45 minutes earlier than scheduled, but my manager and I had some things to get done and we were without a co-worker since she stopped showing up for work so we couldn't do it when we were open because it'd take too much time away from the customers. So it was an early morning getting right to work. And I was getting return after return which really annoys me when I have other things to get done. Being in retail for two plus years, that wears on you. Why can't they just try it on? Why don't they know their husband's size by now? I think it's lame. So the day didn't start out great. Nor was it progressing well. I was starving by noon and wouldn't be able to take a break until about 1:30pm. Lots of little things that add up to annoy me during a typical day. But I had given the day to the Lord, for once.

I finally got to lunch and made my usual call to Katy to see how she was doing but she didn't answer both times I called her. I left her a message the second time wishing her the best on an imaging test she was taking at Target, as she's been visiting or interning with her uncle there for a few days lately. So she was finally going to take the imaging test that one of the art directors wanted her to do to she could potentially freelance some work for her.

Anyway, she didn't answer which wasn't a surprise but I would have liked to talk to someone...

I got back to work shortly after that and was left alone in the whole men's department for about an hour and a half. Not really what's supposed to happen at a big department store. But I held down the fort fairly well and finally made my way home at 5:30.

Just as I was about out of the mall parking lot Katy gave me a call to say hi and see if we'd meet up and hang out tonight. She asked how my day way and I asked how hers was too. She told me that the test took her 45 minutes and the next thing I remember her saying was something to the effect that she started on Monday to which I replied "what?!" Again I heard, I did well enough on the test and I start at Target on Monday! I was amazed, almost speechless. I was very happy for her. She'd been spending some time there and getting to know some people, doing some informational interviews trying to make an impression. Well, she must have. Katie (don't know how to spell her name but we'll differentiate to lessen confusion) must have liked her enough to offer her a freelance imager position next week. 40 hours! And hopefully more after! It was refreshing to hear, and I thought about my chat with the Lord earlier in the day. Claiming that I never saw Him. Well, there He was. Right smack dab in front of my face. I asked that He be obvious. And he was. He is! That was the start...

Right after I hung up with Katy I got a message. Dale Eng, called me back from Bethel about doing BU basketball on the internet again. He said that would probably be a good option and we'd have to talk more about it soon but it sounded promising again.

He continued by saying on a side note...that he knew a guy named Randy Dischinger and was wondering if we were related. Uncle Randy!? He continued by saying he had a good friend in college when he was at Bethel and was wondering if I was related to or knew Emily Dischinger! Emily! He then continued that she wasn't Dischinger anymore but she was a Runyan, who married one of his former college roommates Eric! No kidding!

Who is setting all of this up!? Are you kidding? So after not calling him out of nerves for over a week, I call him, get a response two days later to find out he knows my sister, brother in law and uncle! Amazing. He is around. He works in strange ways but he has made me aware today.

I need Him. I can't do anything without Him. I need to come to God more often. I asked him in my morning devos that He'd show himself to me today in some way. He waited. Not when I was at work. Not at lunch either. Not until I was done with my day did He present himself to me. I was glad he did. That hour of my time I was finally happy again. Finally positive on my outlook about Katy and a career. So happy I called Eric right away and talked to him about it.

Today's TakeAway- If you ask God to do something, don't be surprised if he answers you. Sometimes you might have to look for it, but other times he is as clear in his message as we should strive to be in our communication.

One Week Later

I guess blogging is a discipline. I have discipline somewhere in my blood but comes and goes as it wishes.

About a week ago, without my girl, I decided to hit a St. Paul Saints game. I took a gamble on a promotion they were having but it paid off! As we have all heard, Michael Vick ran into some trouble with the law. It seems that pit bulls were his downfall, hosting dog fighting on his property, killing dogs and gambling on them. Big mistake. So, the St. Paul Saints, an independent minor league team and it's owner Mr. Veeck took advantage of him by putting out a dog chew toy with his name and number on the back of a pig. (Saints mascot) I didn't care so much to have one but I figured Katy's brother and sister in law, her aunt and uncle and her mom and dad had all heard me talk about the promotion so I went out and got one. So...here it is. The next question is who's going to get it!? Katy and I think Libby might like it the best.

So, two weeks, two blog posts. It's a start. Enjoy the pig!

Joel has a Blog?

Well, yes. The simple answer is yes, I now have a blog.

I've talked with friends about doing a sports blog for some time now and Emily and Eric have one so I guess it's another way to keep in contact with people...so it's going to turn into a way to keep up with me (I hope), a way to get my opinions (mostly on sports I'm going to assume) and talk a bit about my other random interests here and there. We'll see how it evolves...and if something takes up too much of my blog on this blog then I'll create a new blog and blog over there.