Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas 2009
Our Christmas Eve picture.
Merry Christmas!
Yesterday I had to work 12-6:30 and close down the store. Oh what fun, to be there when business was slow and the only customers who were in the store were the ones who just wanted to prevent you from doing something that evening.
Katy and I finally got to Bob and Deb's having some fun driving in the snow on the way there. I got all the way there, through slippery roads, snow up to our bumper and ended up getting stuck right in front of there house as I was turning around trying to stay completely out of the middle of the road.
We hung out for a little bit before dinner. We skyped Grant and Chris with Katy's parents in Palm Springs as well as Rick and Joy and their kids in San Francisco. It was fun, for a little bit, skyping with them as we all listened to Bopa read the Christmas story and pray.
Dinner was delicious! We ate the korv we made last weekend, as well as meatballs, rice pudding, lingonberries, green beans, red mashed potatoes, crescent rolls, jell-o and cheesecake for dessert.
We opened presents and that was about all for the evening since we didn't get there until 7pm.
This morning, Katy and I, made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and I made coffee. We got ready and then we opened a few more presents-mostly from my family. We did that in our tradition-each of us going one at a time until they were all gone. Last night, we all just ripped into them at once.
We watched a little tv and relaxed before we went to Sherlock Holmes. My oh my, the movies were packed! I never even knew people went to movies on Christmas Day. I guess that's what happens when absolutely nothing else is open.
I thought Sherlock Holmes was okay, not extremely good though. I said 7 out of 10, just average. It was a good story that made you think a little bit and did a good job of revealing and filling in clues as the movie progressed but all in all it was a dark movie-literally-and the story was based on a guy who practiced magic.
We came home and Katy made ham, peas and cranberry's and we ate leftover red mashed potatoes. That was good too and I was glad to get in some ham.
Otherwise, I've just been watching basketball and football and Katy put our spices in their jars on a new magnetic thing on the wall and used our new Kitchen Aid mixer to make more banana bread.
Oh yeah, this weather. I'm sure you think it's worse here than it really is. Yeah, we got alot of snow and there were watches and warnings all over Minnesota but it was supposed to snow all night last night and all day today. Well, what happened? Yeah, I'm asking the same thing. It was really disappointing to me to have just about none of it happen! I got up last night at 3:30am to use the bathroom and looked like a little kid expecting snow on Christmas but didn't see anything falling. I got up at 8:30 and looked out the window again and I only saw a little drizzle! It was on an off for the morning and part of the afternoon-heavy snow in big flakes, rain and drizzle-but when we went to the movie and left it was all slush and rain. It was much too warm today for snow and I'm really annoyed that it didn't snow! I really wanted to have it be 25 degrees and get us a ton more snow. We probably had 10-12 inches on the ground before last night but I'd say that alot of it is melting now with the rain that's coming down now. They compared this storm to the storm of 1991, which was apparently something to talk about. But it was a major disappointment! I think this might have been one of the top three snowfalls I've seen here. I don't think this is any different or worse than what happens in New England for a nor'easter though. New England just melts faster or melts due to 38 degrees or rainy slush coming down. Here sticks because it's so cold-except not this time!
Merry Christmas again!
The new Kitchen Aid mixer in action! Thank you Mom and Dad!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Social Media
Every business/company/entrepreneur is sending people to their Facebook or Twitter pages. I think that is a new, effective and fun way to get information out to people and have it spread like a California wildfire.
However, everyone now says visit our facebook page or follow our tweets. I wonder if there's a study out there that says companies no longer direct people to their own website and more direct them to their facebook pages or twitter accounts.
I just wonder what the next thing is out there in internet technology or information dissemination. I wonder who out there is making a great brand new, interactive, effective, social media, viral website and will direct us to their own site versus directing us to a social media site.
It's just interesting. I bet if you asked an old school boss if it was good to direct people to other websites versus their own he might not be a fan of it. haha, being a fan on facebook. Get it?
I bet a new school boss would say anywhere to get your name out there is an added benefit. Like in the PR world-no publicity is bad publicity because you're in the forefront of everyone's mind.
For example, is Nike struggling now because of Tiger Woods or because they're on everyone's mind are people sub-consciously buying Nike for Christmas. Not until later will golf and Tiger Woods sportswear will drop. I'm not sure, but I'm interested in finding out.
Clearly the news media still directs literally everyone to Kare11.com, myfox9.com etc to find links to other places, stories and information.
I was just thinking as I was listening to KTIS on the radio in the car. She said check us out on KTIS.com or check our facebook page. I know she said her website first but I barely even mentally recognized it, seemingly only hearing facebook page.
So, what is the next big thing. Is someone working on a dynamic website that will stop directing us to social media sites for their products or will it last?
Anyhow...just wondering.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Joel and Katy's Christmas Ideas For Those Who Need Ideas In The Dischinger Household
- Movies-The Proposal, Up, 310 to Yuma
- Books-Hardcover Devil in the White City, Diamonds Gold and War by Martin Meredith, The French Quarter by Herbert Asbury
- Gift Cards-Nike.com (for a custom gym bag), ITunes, AMC Theaters, Borders, Banana Republic, Ikea
- Other-Jump Drive 4 or 8 GB, Adobe CS4(really money for it)
- Coach Legacy Fragrance
- $($$$$ :) for a Canon T1I so I can continue to pretend I can take pictures. Also, we could pair that with Katy's Adobe CS4 package so we could also edit our own images and get our creative juices flowing. This puppy shoots some great still photography and also has video so we can edit both pictures and video.
- I would like an updated AP Style Guide so I can consistently and accurately maintain a new secret website I've got going. EMILY-do you still know grammar and writing? Maybe you can hook me up with a good one?? However, I may ask around and grab my own before Christmas.
- Subscription to Workinsports.com I'm thinking something relatively short first, 4 weeks for $30 or 3 months for $50. I'd kind of prefer 3 months since it's such a chore but check it out.
- Books or Magazine Subscriptions-I don't have anything at the top of my head...maybe a year of Sports Illustrated? Maybe an advertising/marketing/public relations publication or journal? Continue my Star Tribune Sunday delivery if you need a cheap add on gift? haha.
- Clothing/Gift Cards-Macy's, Nike.com, Banana Republic, Gap, Piperlime, Jos A Bank (I like the fit of their dress shirts)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Christmas
Also, can Em and Meg send us some ideas?
Also, Mom and Dad-do you want to give us a Kitchen Aid mixer? :) We got a pretty nice deal at Herbs combining some offers. I'm just wondering, shoot me an email if you'd like.
I will try and post our ideas for us soon in case you'd care to see them.
What is everyone doing for Christmas? Is everyone going to CT?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
U2 Tickets!
In a pretty random occurrence of events Katy and I bought u2 concert tickets for June 27th at TCF Bank Stadium.
I went to lunch with Nick who was on the internet looking at trying to buy U2 tickets. We ate a nice lunch in the Bethel dining center and I went to Turn Style to turn over some watches and old photo coasters from our wedding. I had to register in the home part of Turn Style and while I was registering a U2 song was playing on the radio. She said that they had been playing U2 all day and there must be a concert going on or something. For some reason she explained to me that she was a Gophers season ticket holder and they got an email so they could pre-sale the tickets. I said that the tickets were hard to come by as Nick was just looking for them and the website wouldn't let him buy any yet. Then she volunteered to forward me the special email that she got to pre-sale the tickets-which she did!
Later on in the evening Katy was talking about U2 and I remembered the email which we then opened and hit the link.
We ended up checking out with 4 U2 tickets! So, we're going with Nick and Becca, and I emailed it to Paul-who ordered to and Lance will come. I also emailed it to Josh who got tickets for himself and Laura! It's going to be fun!
Katy can't wait! We figured it was a semi-once in a lifetime shot at getting tickets and for a concert, for being U2 they weren't really that outrageous. It was $55 a pop with all of the fees and extras and ticketmaster garbage.
But we're excited to go to U2!
Also on the news front. Katy sliced her finger a couple weeks ago but it's getting better, though she lost some feeling in her left pointer finger. Also, her pickup cost us a little money last week, her starter decided to stop doing its' job. So we fired it and replaced it with a new one for the fair cost of $600! Are you kidding me!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Morning Matinee: Blind Side
Katy and I went to see Blind Side this morning. It is a movie about Michael Oher who now is playing for the Baltimore Ravens.
He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee with a drug addicted mom a dad he never knew and was homeless and bounced from home to home in high school. Not until Sean and Leigh Ann Tuohy had him stay with him for the short term did he have somewhere to go. He then was adopted by him before his senior year of high school.
However, he was extremely gifted on the football field in terms of size-height and weight. He had good footwork and strength. So, he played football in high school was recruited by many schools and decided to go to Mississippi. Just this last season he was drafted in the first round in the 20's by the Baltimore Ravens.
It's a great story. Google Michael Oher, read the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game and watch the movie The Blind Side, released on November 20, 2009.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
New Extreme Tasty Deliciousness!
So, as you know Katy and I take a little bit of time and choose things to eat and create a menu for the week. Now, you might think that is great, which it is but what you might not know is it doesn't always go very smoothly between us. :) "What do you want to eat?" "I don't know, what do you want to eat?" "I don't know!" "Can you just sit down and pick out what you want to eat?" "No, can you just choose because you're pickier than I am?" We both end up annoyed.
However, we've had some extreme tasty deliciousness this week-credit one to me and two to Katy.
Monday night we ate beef stuffed croissants with cream cheese and green chilies melted in there. They were good, nice comfort food but they didn't make great left overs.
Tuesday night we ate spiced beef empanadas with black beans and yellow rice. It also had a lime sour cream to dip the empanada in. It was delicious!
And now, tonight we ate peanut chicken with a chili mayonnaise as well as sesame-orange asparagus. Can you believe it? The flavor that was in the peanut chicken? So you chopped up the peanuts and added a little bit of bread crumbing before splatting it on the frying pan. But also, it had cilantro cut up and on the chicken too. Then you get to dip that in some mayo that's been mixed with chili garlic sauce. But then we added a side of asparagus with sesame seeds and orange juice and sugar that had been reduced a little bit and poured over the asparagus.
It was so good! Sorry, no pictures this time, I ate it too fast. :)
So, that's the adventures in eating today! Let me know if you want the recipes.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
NFL Power Rankings
As it stands at the halfway point of the NFL season.
1. New England Patriots.
They still have a solid preparer in Bill Belichick. They have Tom Brady clicking again. The passing game is very solid spreading it around to Wes Welker, Randy Moss and others. The running game is satisfactory but they pass first. They have the #2 ranked D in terms of points allowed (PA's ol' "bend but don't break excuse."). Also, they have the 7th ranked D in terms of yards allowed a game.
2. Minnesota Vikings
They're always liable to lose a game with uber-conservative play caller Brad Childress at the helm. Statistically, they're not very good-anywhere! Shocking, I know. The Packers are ranked in front of right next to the Vikings in numerous categories that I looked at.
However, they've gotten spectacular play from Packers legendary quarterback Brett Favre. With the current stats this team has and someone other than Favre at QB this team would be 5-3 at the halfway point. Favre and the Vikes lead the league in team passing/passer rating. However, with their beast Adrian Peterson running the ball they're only 12th in the league in rushing yards per game. Not great, considering AP's goal was to surpass 2,000 yards rushing this year! Haha, that's where I will always stress realistic and maybe slightly more conservative goals for the rest of my life. Though he is still on pace for 1,568 yards and a great year it's been proven he can be slowed or neutralized as a result of two Packer games. In fact, this stud has only rushed for 100 yards twice this year.
The Vikings are relying too much on Brett Favre. At the half way point, his 106 passer rating will only digress, if not a ton, slightly. Meaning, that will result in L's in the standings.
What happened to the Vikings defense? Overall: 17th in yards allowed. 18th in yards allowed per game. 16th in points allowed and tied for 17th in points allowed per game. None of those stats are very impressive. They're 9th in 3rd down percentage allowing a first down 35% of the time. They're only +5 in the turnover ratio.
What say you about these facts?
Might I say the Vikings will slip a bit this second half of the year. Their schedule isn't considerably tough however.
Was it the Vikings plan to throw considerably more with Favre in the first half of the year and rely on a "fresh" Adrian Peterson to carry them down the stretch?
3. Green Bay Packers
Head coach is decent with Mike McCarthy. He needs to step up his game though. Offensively they're fine. Rodgers gets the ball to his guys. I would like a better running game, though they average more rushing yards per game than the Vikings. I would like Rodgers to stop taking so many sacks! They have a sieve for an offensive line. It does nothing to stop the likes of Antwan Odom or Jared Allen.
Their defense is having some troubles adjusting to the 3-4 defense. I would have liked to keep the 4-3 to have Aaron Kampman more effective. However, they're adjusting. Their secondary thinks they're better than they are. Harris and Woodson might be good but Bigbie and Collins aren't great. (Though Collins is fast and tracked down Percy Harvin on a kick return in the second game versus the Vikings)
Clearly the Packers problems don't come from production or stats. They're good. They just have a horrible offensive line and their defense isn't meshing into the new system as well as they could. Also, it might result in some coaching mistakes.
This was going to be very short. But I kept writing.
Mark it down though. Count on a couple brutal losses for the Vikings though. Maybe even in the post season.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
NYC Marathon Observations
Paula Radcliffe is tall and as known to many already, she has a gait that has alot of upper body movement.
Sometimes I really don't like NYC. Maybe because of the yankees, maybe because of the stress of driving through the city. But just watching Mayor Michael Bloomberg sharing the culture and the extremely diverse people of NYC really attracts me to the city.
I think it would be fun to run the NYC Marathon.
Not a real quick pace for the men's leaders. Ten miles in at 54:44 and Ryan Hall has taken his hat off.
Mile 11 55:10-Meb, Hall and many others.
Josh Moen is at the half way point at 1:06:46, putting him very close to the 2:14:30 that the Fantasy Games at Down the Backstretch predicted.
A bunch of relevant runners from around here. I ran against Matt Hooley and Josh Moen in college. Chris Lundstrom is a cross country coach around here-at Como Park Sr. High School.
Mile 17 and 18 were 4:33 and 4:37-significantly different from the 5:33 at mile 1 and 5:00 range in many of the first half dozen to dozen miles.
Mile 18-American's dropping out of the lead pack. Not what I wanted to see.
Paula Radcliffe at mile 22 still has a head bob. What a running style. Always seems gritty.
Meb is back up in the lead pack with 5-6 others.
Last mile the woman's winner went was the fastest. Wow.
Mile 24-4 American's in the top 10. Wow.
All I've got. Not going to polish this up. Great race to watch with Meb winning! First American win since what, 1982? Yeah, 27 years! Ryan Hall in 4th, Jorge Torres in 7th, Nick Arciniaga in 8th, Abdi Abdirahman in 9th, Jason Lehmkuhle in 10th.
What A Day!
My day began getting up lazily out of bed at 9 am before heading out on a run. I didn't know how long it was going to go but I wanted a decent day of running. I went down Hamline to Como Park, where I ran around the lake. However, I just happened to be running around the lake at the same time as a 5K heading in the same direction. So, I just cruised along all the way around the lake, making the 1.6 mile loop a little better effort with all of the 5kers around. I got to the pavilion and decided to stop and see who was going to win the race and in what time. Now, who do I see before the leaders come through? Dave Borner! His wife, Nikki, was running and we watched her finish 4th overall. It was fun chatting with him for a while. I then ran the opposite way around the lake for another 1.6 miles, getting myself up to six or seven miles. It was fun to run a couple miles with Nikki too, she's been running about 60 miles a week, working as a nurse and running very well.
It's always fun to run into Dave and Nikki and I just wish we got the chance to hang out more.
I then continued on my run home, but I ran the back loop of the MIAC CC championship course checking out the ground before the big races went off. I made it home and ended up gathering in 9.25 miles for my day, in 1:04 and change.
I showered, relaxed and then headed out to the MIAC Championships. Bethel's women finished 2nd and Marie Borner won by about 30 seconds. The guys finished with some disappointment, 7th overall. But Dan Greeno destroyed the guys race winning by more than 30 seconds as well.
All that time I got to run around with some good friends: Adam Erickson, Dave and Nikki Borner, Josh Tschetter, Peter Caldwell, Josh Otto, Hannah Carlson and so many more. Quite a fun time running around the course with Bethel running alumni.
After the race, Adam and I went to Caribou to get something warm in our hands and down our throats. It was fun to enjoy a coffee with Adam before getting to work and writing the articles for Bethel's athletics website.
Here's the men's article.
Here's the women's article.
So I went home and wrote the articles and enjoyed some of a quesadilla burger and watched the Phillies-yankees World Series with Katy and Paul while flipping back and forth to the USC-Oregon football game too.
All of that...and I still got an extra hour in the day with day light savings!
And now, I'm up at 7:30 am, writing a blog, waiting for Universalsports.com to air the NYC Marathon. I'm looking forward to watching Ryan Hall run, as well as some local runners from Team Minnesota USA.
What a day!
With more to come today!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Katy's Creativity
So, I guess she decided to spice it up. Here are a couple pictures of her progress I took with my iphone.
She found the pattern from a fabric website and decided to buy fabric, cut it out and stitch it on the dress, which she did the whole dress in about a day and a half.
I think it turned out nice, and definitely made a $10 dress a very unique piece.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
My Thoughts: How It Really Happened Vikings vs. Steelers
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Let's start with a preface.
Last night Katy and I were at Curt and Megan's reception and Nick texts me asking what we were doing. The result was a phone call and a set of Sunday afternoon plans to enjoy chips and cheese and salsa, a veggie platter and some Swedish fish and snickers and an afternoon in front of the old Samsung to watch the highly anticipated Vikings vs. Steelers contest.
We watched all afternoon and enjoyed the food and relaxing with friends. It appeared that the game didn't get real exciting until late but it blew up with action.
I ended up listening to KFAN and their post game shows and heard some crazy thoughts on what happened during the game from callers and hosts. So, here it goes.
During the first quarter the Steelers held a 3-0 lead. Like I said, the action didn't blow up until late.
The second quarter consisted of a five plus minute Viking drive that put them ahead 7-3 on an Adrian Peterson TD, his eighth of the year. Late in the second quarter the Steelers took it right down the field and scored in 1:15, with big passing plays of 22 yards and 40 yards, both to the rookie Mike Wallace. Roethlesberger to Wallace put the Steelers up 10-7 leaving the Vikings twenty-four seconds to put the pigskin in play.
Here is where fans had some trouble in hindsight. Kneeling down with :24 left on the clock.
A few were very frustrated and thought that having twenty-four seconds left in the first half was a great chance to march down the field and get a field goal or a touchdown.
As a fan and a former video gamer aspiring coach, yeah, I absolutely would have liked to see and would have called at least two plays to get into a position to score the football. However, Favre and Childress along with Darrell Bevell must have put their noggins together and decided to kneel down and go into the half down jut 10-7. Again, I thought it was odd that they decided to do that but you can't even come close to assuming they would have scored. That's just a coaching being content for some unknown reason.
Fault: Childress.
Here came the third quarter. The Steelers took it right down the field to begin the second half, using the first 3:55 of time to put it in through the uprights with a field goal by Jeff Reed. 13-7, Pittsburgh with the lead.
In the next 6:21, the Vikings would respond with a field goal of their own, on 13 plays going for 64 yards. 13-10 Pittsburgh still led.
The fourth quarter is when everything ensued. And I mean everything.
The Steelers were driving on their possession from the end of the third to the fourth quarter. However, Rashard Mendenhall took the handoff made a couple of moves and was within sight of the goal line. However, one of his teammates was kneeling down on the ground blocking a Viking defensive lineman. Mendenhall, though at the five yard line, thought it would be fun to go airborne like it was the goal line and add a couple extra yards to the carry. However, the young man's idea backfired on him. He was hit hard in the air, fumbled, and the Vikings recovered.
Vikings Fans: Let's not forget, had the youngster not made the boneheaded play, it would have been 16-10 or 20-10, at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Easily.
Fault: Vikings benefited on the fumble but could have easily given up 3/7 points.
At this point the Vikings took the football back and drove pretty well right down to Steelers territory. This is when more "controversy" happens. Now the Vikings were right down in Pittsburgh territory and tight end Jeff Dugan was called with tripping or leg whipping (both penalties) a defensive player. The television crew (Somebody, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa) thought it was a weak call but didn't sound too emphatic. The KFAN crew (Cory Cove and Mike Morris) thought it was an offense and that it was a penalty.
Fault: Jeff Dugan. You committed a penalty. Either way it went it wasn't a big deal, but it was called so you got caught.
However, three plays later Favre was sacked, fumbled the football and James Farrior of the Steelers took it 77 yards to the house, putting the Steelers up 20-10. (Could have been 27-10 or 23-10 with that Mendenhall fumble snafu, let's not forget that)
Fault: Vikings OLine. You've got to protect your 40 year old quarterback who has made this team as formidable as it is right now. With Jackson or Rosenfels I say the Vikings are 4-2 or 3-3 right now.
More craziness ensues, kicker Jeff Reed boots the following kick to Vikings rookie receiver and special teamer Percy Harvin takes it quickly back 88 yards for a score.
Fault: Nah. Credit. Percy Harvin made it happen. (Just think about this. NFL teams typically return 3-4 punts/kicks back for touchdowns a year. It's not a let's just execute play. Just think if it hadn't happened. It wouldn't be 20-17 at that point. It'd be 20-10 still.)
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
So, the Vikings defense forces a Steeler punt and the Vikings go to work from their own 26 yard line looking for at least a field goal to tie the score up and force overtime. Not to make the game boring the Vikings drive down to Steeler territory again.
And in one of the plays of the game that portrays football at its adrenaline contact filled peak, Adrian Peterson catches a pass from Favre, turns and drills defensive back William Gay, before disposing of him and running forward more. It was a beautiful play and Peterson must have been gassed.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
So, Chester Taylor comes in to spell Peterson for a play or two (turns out just two). In that mix, Chester catches one for seven yards. What happens next Vikings fans question for some unknown reason.
Callers on KFAN had perfect 20/20 vision hindsight. What is the best player in the NFL doing on the bench in a critical end of game possession?
Fault: Nobody. Hhmm, AP just drills a DB and gains 29 yards on a huge play filling his veins with adrenaline and he's got to stay in the game? Players come in and out on their own all the time and Peterson needed a breather. Not a big deal, yet Vikings fans/callers yell and scream and rant, how could our best player not be in the line up?
How about this? He got tired. I bet if you made that hit you wouldn't have kept running for a bigger gain! You may have drilled William Gay but you would have fallen down on your face after.
Ok, so Peterson is out and Chester Taylor is in. He's a third down back for the Vikings and he's a better third down back for the Vikings is than Adrian Peterson is. To be a good third down back you've got to be a very versatile, intelligent player. You've got to be a threat to both run and catch, but the emphasis is on catch. You've also have to be smart enough to pick up the blitz and tough enough to get in the way of it.
So Chester Taylor was in, Peterson happened to be on the bench. Favre throws his second consecutive dump off to Taylor. However, something happens with this throw as with many of this other INT's. It's off the fingertips, bounces high in the air, giving plenty of time for the defense to find it in the air and pick it off.
This Favre pass was high. No doubt about it. Chester's hands went up towards his face, the ball glanced off of his fingertips and because it was high to begin with and popped up in the air allowing Fox to pick it off and run the distance to for the touchdown.
Steelers lead 27-17 with the point after touchdown. 1:00 to play after the kick return by the Vikings.
Fans were upset with the play calling and the fact Peterson wasn't out there. Childress was trying to actually win the game by being aggressive and scoring a touchdown! (Refer back to his kneel down with :24 left in the first half please. Too conservative.) Vikings callers wanted them to run it there and get the field goal. Now, isn't that just being like Childress? Too conservative? And they'd be calling after the game yelling if he had played for the tie, got it but lost in overtime.
Fault: Uh, 60-40 Favre and Taylor. Put it this way, if Favre plunks that ball in Chester's gut, does that ball pop up in the air and allow the defense to pick it? I think not. It either hits him in the gut and he catches it, hits him in the gut and he catches it before dropping it because he got drilled in the back or it hits him in the gut and he drops it. Favre threw it high and he paid the consequences for that.
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
I actually laughed when it happened. I immediately thought of how Vikings fans now feel the same way I did on all of the interceptions that Favre threw that were partially his fault but not completely.
One other point. A couple weeks ago, listening to KFAN, someone, brought the bend do not break defensive method to the table. The Rams out gained the Vikings 400 to 377 but someone else was defending "well we bent but didn't break." Well, the Rams were also penalized more than the Vikings and the Rams also won the time of possession battle. Hhmm, seems to me that Jared Allen returned a fumble for a TD in that game too-another similarity between these two games. But the "bend don't break" argument won out versus this Ram team that did some good things against this Vikings team. (Talk of garbage time is another argument and hasn't been thought through-don't bring it to the table :)
So, another set of callers and hosts said that this Vikings team dominated the Steelers and that the Steelers were "lucky" to get the win. Are you kidding me? Please refer to the Rams game. Also, did you see how the Ravens missed a game winning kick indoors from a manageable distance? If he made that, and probably should have, the Vikings would be 5-2.
Also, did anyone see that amazing Favre to Greg Lewis throw and catch to defeat the 49ers on the last play of the game? I think the Vikings were extremely lucky to get out of there with a win. They could be 4-3, could they not be!?
It might not be wise to say "the Steelers got lucky and we should have won" argument. If you do then you would have won the Pittsburgh game but lost the 49ers game as well as the Ravens game, would you not have?
So yes, the Vikings might have dominated statistically but ultimately they did not win and should not have won, judging by the Steelers defense scoring twice and fully employing the Vikings "bend but don't break" defensive style.
Take aways from the game:
Childress is still too conservative. Kneel down with :24 left in the first half? Have fun, pretend you play a game and give it a shot or two! You really should, no reason not to.
The Vikings could have lost by more. (See Mendenhall fumble)
O line did not protect Favre well enough.
Harvin came up big with his kick return.
Peterson fatigued after a big play. Yeah, it happens. People get tired and it's very common in football to substitute.
Favre/Taylor should take blame for their misconnection. Enough said, Favre's pass was high and Chester didn't keep his paws on it.
The outcome was closer than the score.
I don't care if you dominate statistically. You can not and will not win a game if you allow two defensive touchdowns. Please refer back to when Sharper/kick/punt return went against the Giants in the Meadowlands a few years ago. I recall a Sharper INT return, a Mewelde Moore punt return for a TD and a Koren Robinson TD for a score. Vikes won that game 24-21. Sheesh, how bad were the Vikes if they got 3 unusual TD's and only win by 3? Ha.
Don't believe me? I was there. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=251113019
Monday, October 19, 2009
A Discouraging Job Hunt
Job hunting has been discouraging today.
Also, why do I have to create a username, password and register for each and every freaking job (company/website) I wish to apply for? Ridiculous! And ridiculously time consuming!
And maybe a little maddening.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Twin Cities 10 Mile Pictures
Abdi Abdirahman
Abdi again in a record run for the Twin Cities 10 Mile-46:35
Josh Moen-"ran against" this guy in college. I was far behind, he ran for Wartburg College in Iowa. He was second in 46:38, he and Abdi ran a great surging race from what I read and hear.
Here I come, a little ahead of schedule.
I was pumped. I was well ahead of schedule and cooking the last half mile. I was also glad to see everyone in front of the Cathedral.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Getting Involved
I have too many things I want to do and learn and get experience with. How do I do that?
How do you do it?
Also, it is good to sit in the quiet sometimes. I am more creative on the pot than anywhere else these days because of the distractions and things around me. I have time to think.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
TC 10 Mile Is Here
Capitol Sunshine
Post race-watching for people we know.
Laura!
Rise and shine!
Up and about at 5:15 am was the appetizer of the day! Today, was the TC 10 Mile and Marathon Events race from Minneapolis to St. Paul. You should be able to link to the course map from this link-map.
It finally stopped raining the last couple days, so it wasn't a miserable 10 mile or marathon. At the start it was about 44 degrees and fairly cloudy. It turned out to be pretty good running weather.
Nick and Becca dropped me off at about 6:05am where I just walked about for a little bit before heading to the Metrodome to relax and get ready for the run. I ended up hanging there most of the time, got in a 3:04 warm up and hit the start line. It was tough having to drop your warm ups a ways away before starting in the race. I ended up sitting there in my shorts, top, arm sleeves and gloves for fifteen minutes or so just trying to stay warm.
I said hi to a couple of people I recognized and then it was race time.
Coming off of my four miles yesterday, which was at 6:30am and cold and drizzly, I wasn't very confident. I felt pretty slow, heavy and lethargic not really the way you'd want to have a warm up the day before a big race go.
But I jumped in towards the front of the starting corral and off I went. I hit the mile split at about 6:25-6:30ish, about thirty-five seconds faster than I wanted to go out. So, I felt like I adjusted a little bit but went by Nick, Becca, Chris, Lance and Paul by Riverside Park at 12:35ish, which was about the two mile mark. That was even faster than I wanted to be at 2 miles, by about a minute and thirty seconds. But I still felt okay, proceeding to give some ground to some runners coming from behind but still maintaining a comfortably hard pace.
I got up the hill by Riverside Park and hear "that's my nephew!" I thought that was strange, so I turned my head a little bit and then heard "Dischinger!" and saw it was Mary out watching the race!
That was nice to have someone unexpected scream. I just kept on rolling, knowing I was still ahead of where I should be but there was no point to intentionally slow my pace to re-adjust. I hit about the 3, 3.5 mile mark before I saw Rachel Karel and she cheered me on too. Another time where I tried to relax and pick up the pace and stay comfortably hard.
I hit the 5 mile mark and started to get tired and then mentally faded a touch, thinking about how I had so much left to go. I hit the 5 mile mark in 31:47, if my memory serves me correctly. I continued to run faster than I wanted to, now I was about 3:13 faster than I wanted to be. My original plan was to go through 5 miles in about 35:00 and 6 in 41:00ish and start picking it up from there little by little.
So, being so far ahead, I at that point decided maybe it was my day to have a good run. I went through six miles in just under 39:00 but at that point could have been out of luck. But I must have focused back on running at that point because I don't remember a 7 mile split. I remember being at about 7.8 miles at 50:14ish, a few minutes quick still. But at that point I just had to charge hard and keep going.
I came up on 8 miles and though "ugh, two more miles still. I've got to just keep going okay, just steady for the next mile and we'll go from there." I kept rolling along on the road keeping my intensity consistent.
I got to the 9 mile mark and figured I had enough energy to continue to churn away. I was still ahead of pace after keeping a very consistent pace up to that point, surprising myself a bit. I remember thinking that if I kept rolling I could be at about 64 minutes, well ahead of my 67:00 goal.
Nine miles came and went, I veered left heading down Summit Avenue trying to continue to pick up the pace as I still felt good enough to do so. I did need someone to cheer me on a bit earlier but I kept rolling and saw the squad again at the Cathedral. At that point I felt really good and put on a nice kick to get to the finish.
It was great hearing Chris yelling "Disch!" as loud as he could as I streaked by. It was fun to see Nick smiling, Becca taking a picture and Katy taking a picture as well. I also saw Deb cheering me on but somehow missed really locking in on Bob's face. I went another 200 meters and saw Lance and Paul on the right and started kicking harder.
Also, at that point I could have just hit the ground at anytime as I was not even taking much oxygen in but was coming down the hill hard.
I come to find out later that they were waiting for me at the Cathedral and Nick approximated I'd be coming in in another few minutes-according to my predicted time. Apparently, Chris yells something to the effect of "here he comes!", still minutes ahead of where I thought I'd be. I came and went, heard Chris cheering for me and as I ran by I heard him following me yelling for me to keep going. Now that I think about it I remember trying to out run Chris at that point.
I ran through the finish in 1:02:55, about 4 minutes faster than I anticipated I could do. I walked through the finishing area got my warm ups, put them on while saying hi since they came down to the finishing area.
Here is all of my data and a link that might work? Joel's 10 Mile Race Results
(Search Dischinger)
NO | FN | LN | DIVISION | OVERALL | DIVPL | SEXPL | CHIP TIME | TIME | PACE |
10376 | Joel | Dischinger | M2229 | 96 | 49/436 | 85/2254 | 1:02:55 | 1:02:57 | 6:18 |
Well, to continue the trend of writing...
Josh came through the 10 mile in 1:24:21.
Laura came through the marathon in 3:38:27 and qualified for the Boston Marathon! From what I hear, she's also already registered!
Maybe we'll make a trip to the East in April!
More pictures will be added later. Katy used Josh's camera and we've got to get the pictures off of that.
I'll let you know what's next!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Bethel Coverage at the Roy Griak
I covered the men's and women's teams for Dale.
Men's Story @ Bethel's Website
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Dan Greeno (Sr., St. Michael, Minn.) ran tough all morning but wasn’t able to file away his second Roy Griak Invitational victory. Greeno ran 25:40 for the eight-kilometer course finishing 13 seconds behind UW-La Crosse’s Zach Whilhelmy.
The Royals finished 14th in the field of 35 teams on a clear, warm morning at the Les Bolstad Golf Course on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota.
Bethel’s second and third runners were Sam Greeno (So, St. Michael, Minn.) and Zach Haskins (Fr., Maple Grove, Minn.) placing 59th in 27:20 and 102nd in 28:08.
Haskins has steadily improved early on this season improving on a 28:16 eight-kilometer performance at Les Duke on September 12th also improving on his team position moving from Bethel’s fourth runner to the third spot.
Austin Hinrichs (Jr., Clara City, Minn.) and Brian Anderson (Sr., Andover, Minn.) completed Bethel’s top five running 28:14 and 28:24 respectively.
Bethel University will run next at the Blugold Invitational in Colfax, Wis., on Friday night, October 2, at 5 p.m. The meet is hosted by UW-Eau Claire.
Women's Coverage at Bethel's Website
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Marie Borner (Sr., Cottage Grove, Minn.) won her third consecutive meet to start the season as she took her first Roy Griak Invitational title. Borner quickly went to the front of the pack and didn’t look back as she took the win in 21:36 on the six-kilometer course.
The Royals took fourth place out of 37 teams and look to improve their USTFCCA National Rankings, as they stand in 10th place before the new poll comes out on September 30th. They also finished as the top team in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) as all eleven schools competed, giving the Royals a gauge on the competition for the rest of the season.
Alex Potter (Jr., Windom, Minn.) and Kristin Mork (Jr., Cambridge, Minn.) were 10th and 19th, respectively, in 23:05 and 23:23, while Heather Jelen (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Kayla Jelen (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) finished out the top five for the nationally ranked team.
Bethel’s next meet is scheduled for Friday night, October 2, at the Blugold Invitational in Colfax, Wis., hosted by UW-Eau Claire.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Restaurant Review- Joe's Garage Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Next to Loring Park
Katy and I finally used our gift card from her purchase of her wedding dress at David's Bridal. We got two $25 gift cards, one for Lindey's Steakhouse and one for Joe's Garage.
(Bonus to note-we won't be going to back to Lindey's anytime soon. It smelled pretty old, was definitely not the decor Katy and I like, and truly our meal wasn't very delicious to be as wordy as a restaurant critic can get.)
So, Joe's Garage specializes in burgers and their baked potato bar. Joe's Menu.
Katy and I sat outside on the roof on a beautiful evening, other than a few bugs. They also have some indoor seating and some down on the first floor on the sidewalk.
My order: Cornmeal Fried Walleye - Served on roasted garlic, mashed potatoes, with pico de gallo, chipotle cream sauce, and garlicky green beans - $18
Now, I asked about what to get before I finally decided and was told about their burgers and their potato bar. However, I wasn't into the waitress' suggestions of very odd burgers all loaded with salt, nor was I into her suggestion of the Jamaican Jerk Baby Back Ribs.
Okay, so I got the cornmeal fried walleye. The cornmeal on the fish was just fine, it gave it something to hold on to, otherwise, the fish would have completely fallen apart. It's a pretty gentle fish that seems to fall apart on its own. However, the fish alone was pretty, actually, very bland. I wasn't completely satisfied with the fish alone.
The roasted garlic mashed potatoes were pretty good, I'd say they were a very comparable item to the potato bar menu items.
What made this dish was the chipotle cream sauce and the pico de gallo. Pick one or the other or even both and grab some walleye or the green beans and it was delicious. Also, alone the chipotle cream sauce was good as well as the pico de gallo. Alone, the pico de gallo was extremely springy and fresh, giving a cleansing effect to your tastebuds.
The garlicky green beans were okay but as I'd assume most higher quality cooking were cooked less and left a little more crisp. Growing up on Grandma K's canned green beans I completely prefer a canned soft buttery green bean. It seems as if the less cooked ones don't absorb as much flavor and I definitely prefer the softer canned.
Overall, on my meal I would give an 80 out of 100. Parts were very tasty and it was generally balanced and healthy, however I can definitely picture a better meal out of this.
This was Katy's customized burger. It was a half pound of ground chuck with delicious gorgonzola cheese draped all over the top with a side of fries. I thought the burger was done pretty well, maybe left on there a minute or two long since I prefer my meat cooked medium. But the gorgonzola has such rich flavor it really rescued a little of over cooking and made the burger perfectly acceptable.
In only having a few bites and a couple of bites I would give this burger an 83 out of 100. It was pretty well done, just a little long but the accompaniment of the gorgonzola, the bun was buttery and soft and the fries were suffice. Again, I can picture better and have had better but I, ultimately, would go back for an item on their menu that was more of their specialty.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Hire a Runner
In a previous life, I owned a retail and manufacturing business. One of the most challenging aspects of owning a business is finding the right people to work with you.
I ended up with some very good people but it was difficult to tell who they were in an interview and nearly impossible from a resume. The resume has become an exercise in exaggeration.
Since I sold my business I have come to know a lot about the training of distance runners, and something that makes hiring a lot easier.
The dominant characteristic of distance runners is discipline. These people train every day, sometimes twice a day. They eat and sleep well. A lot of the training is done alone or in small groups, so they know how to work on their own.
It takes years, sometimes a decade, to be a good distance runner. You have to settle into the routines and deprivations of training, and proceed without reward for a long time. What you did last week is important, but it is the years of work that make a good performance. When gains are made, it is by a few seconds. The rest of the time these runners settle into the pleasures of the routine of work.
Runners live with the tyranny of the clock. They have learned a hundred times that what you say makes little difference, what matters is your performance.
These qualities make excellent employees. They are people who will get the job done, and done well, before they go home. They will not promise what they will not deliver. They will not show up for work hung over. They have both a physical energy and a calmness that comes from intense training.
Many distance runners are introverts, which can look like shyness, but is not. Introverts are observant, and understand people well, but are rarely the first to speak. This can lead to a quiet interview, where they under-represent their abilities. But they understand and can work well with the people around them. They can do more than they will say they can. They are productive, capable people.
When they are in intensive training they will only be able to work part-time and will need a flexible schedule to travel for competitions. When they are ready to retire from competitive running, they will embark on their next career with ambition and dedication. Hire them while they are still in training and your company will be well rewarded.
I know a headhunter in the pharmaceutical industry who chooses his people by their athletic background. He was a national-level gymnast and understands the discipline and character involved.
Look for the lean face, the eye contact and the quiet presentation. Check their academic record. Look to the bottom of the resume, under other interests. Phone their coach. He or she will know them very well, often over many years, and will know how they act in high-pressure situations.
Then hire them. You will not be disappointed.
John Marsden is a local runner. His column appears every other Tuesday. He can be reached by email at john@tenda.ca
INTRSCT-Chicago
INTRSCT
Meeting the educational and spiritual needs of Urban Youth
A classmate of mine at Bethel works there now and put out that question you answered about using an easy website to gather donations. I'm not quite sure if she founded/began whatever you want to call it or if she joined in pretty close to the beginning. Actually, it looks like it was already an organization before her but she's climbed the small ladder.
Anyhow, just thought it might be worth a look since you're both in Chicago.
Monday, August 31, 2009
JDischinger's Power Rankings
Here are my power rankings.
1. Patriots 11-5
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady together again. Also, Randy Moss along with some other guys who want a ring; Joey Galloway and Laurence Maroney. Coaching is top notch here, no one messes with Coach Belichick's game preparation. They won with so and so before and they'll win with the same team concept again this year. Also, 11 wins with out Brady is also very impressive.
2. Vikings 11-5
Defense is the key to this vehicle. Though, the keys may be evening up with Adrian Peterson playing well again, splitting a little bit of time with Chester Taylor. If they improve their special teams, which were terrible last year, they will improve as a team by a half click. Brett Favre brings plenty of experience though they'll have to keep him very healthy and protected. It'll be fun to watch Peterson, Harvin, Allen and Winfield.
3. Packers 10-6
Rodgers is back and will have much better stats than Favre. Greg Jennings and the reciever core will be great to watch. Watch out for Ryan Grant but let's hold our breath on the offensive line. Hopefully the transition of the defense from the 4-3 to the 3-4 is smooth. BJ Raji looks to be a monster in the middle, hopefully Aaron Kampman can capitalize and the linebackers can make plays and the secondary is solid. They were a sieve last season so let's hope Woodson, Harris and the guys back there play well.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Lake Como Today
So, I ran to Lake Como and around twice and back home to get 8 miles in for the day. Take a look and see how it went!
It was a pretty chilly morning-about 55 degrees but felt good and I think it resulted in better running.
More to come!
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled
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Thursday, August 27, 2009
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled
Take a look at the watch that Mom and Dad got me. You can even tag along now!
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Question from a friend
Passing this question on to gather more opinions from people for a friend from Bethel.
Poll:If you were given the easy tools to create a personal webpage to fundraise for a cause you believed in, would you?
Let me know!Thanks!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tony Dungy's Books
I read Quiet Strength and Uncommon by Tony Dungy. I would recommend both as a very easy read and a book with alot of insight and wisdom.
Quiet Strength reads more about football, family and stories of both and his life as a kid growing up.
Uncommon was more of a self help book with alot of bullet points at the ends of chapters and sections of Dungy sharing his experiences and his wisdom. It was much more of a book of Dungy's beliefs and convictions which was also nice to read; a coach sharing what he believes and why.
All for now.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Las Vegas Pictures
The Bellagio before the beginning of the water show.
Sunday night we went to Serendipity 3 for a hot chocolate ice cream and then sat outside talking for a while with Ashley and James.
Red Rock Casino buffet with Ashley, James and Mrs. Magnuson.
Trying to get on top.
James and Joel.
Ashley and Katy.
Red Rock again, though you should have seen the pool!
Las Vegas Nature Preserve
The strip after the Switchfoot concert.
Building the new bridge over the Hoover Dam.
The power plant inside the dam.
Inside one of the tunnels on the way to the power plant.