25 Words or Less: "Digital Fortress" by Dan Brown

Characters too stock. I'm not a smart guy, but I figured out the mystery codeword. I like my books to be smarter than me! Not bad, though.

25 Words or Less: March of the Penguins

Might be the most romantic movie of the year. Seriously. An interesting movie about a fascinating creature. Makes man's search for love seem stupid.

People are Messed Up

Good Lord, what the fuck is wrong with people? Just read this article on ESPN.com about a T-Ball coach who wanted to pay one of his players to hit a disabled kid on the team, ostensibly so the kid would quit. Unbelievable. The flip-side of this story is how the coaches of Gonzaga's basketball team and the community of Spokane have rallied around one of their former players who just underwent heart surgery.

Who Would You Date?

My pal Ang wrote about Samantha from "Sex and the City." It got me to thinking about which "Sex" girl I would want to date. This question is actually so easy for me that I almost deleted this post because there's no debate.

I would date Charlotte in a heartbeat. Carrie is too whiny, and Samantha is too much woman for me. Miranda might be an option.

Why Charlotte? She's nice. She's cute, too, which doesn't hurt. But, she's nice. My list of what I'm looking for in a woman has been shrunk down to one word. 20 years ago, the list was longer than my arm.

Hot Hot Run

Went out at about 4:45pm today for a five mile run. It's was frickin' HOT. Damn. I would've thought running on Maui would've helped the cause. But, I guess Maui at 6:30am isn't as hot as Seattle at 5pm.

Anyway, I finished the run, and I feel pretty good about it. At least that's one good thing that's happened since I returned to the mainland less than 24 hours ago.

25 Words or Less: "The Rule of Four" by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason

Like "DaVinci Code"... only smarter. Two students try to unlock the mysteries hiding in a 15th century document. Quick, lively read. Great for the beach. Buy it

Back to Work

"Rock Star: INXS" night... ugh. Well, it'll give me plenty of time for some updates.

I've talked to a few people who are watching the show and enjoy it. I guess that's a good thing.

I don't think I really like my job anymore. I guess I'll just have to deal with it like a big boy.

Executive Decision

The little dude that sits on my shoulder and tells me what do has made an executive decision. It was made while floating on back looking at crystal clear blue skies in the Pacific Ocean.

We, meaning that little dude, and I will be moving to Maui. Timing is still a question, but I'm guessing either sometime around the start of the new year, or September, '06. We get bonuses and stock and that kind of crap on September 1st, so it makes most sense to try to cash out prior to to leaving.

The other thing that would stop me from 'retiring' would be a family of my own. I would still very much like to have kids. But, if that doesn't resolve itself, or at least look like it could resolve itself (meaning I meet a nice woman who can put up with me) in the next six months, then being the greatest uncle in world to the cutest child in the world will have to do.

It Feels Like Home

God, I love Kihei. I highly recommend that everyone take a vacation to Maui.

Presents!

Cake!

Thank You Auntie Carly

Running on Maui

Had a decent run today. About four miles. I went at 6:45am, but it was already pretty hot and humid.

Got woken up today by the damn chickens. They're definitely a bird I'd rather see dead than alive.

They Say It's Your Birthday

I arrived on Maui yesterday for my niece Kaia's first birthday. Kaia screamed all the way back from the airport. She finally let me hold her at about 6pm, after about four hours of general squeemishness.

She didn't like me again this morning. But, I'm sure she'll be fine this afternoon.

My brother Steve and his life partner Leslie have big plans for today. This is going to the party to end all parties.

I'm also looking forward to seeing my uncle Bill and auntie Janet, the two sweetest people on the planet.

I'll be posting a few pictures later.

Hello World

Hi, my name is Kaia. I'm the cutest baby in the world. And tomorrow I turn one year old!

Going Home

Damn, tonight sucked. But, at least I got some Pagliacci Pizza out of the deal. Tomorrow I need to get up and run. After work, I'll be headed to a bachelor party. Should be fun. Bowling, dinner and drinks. No late rendevouz with Rick's or Deja Vu is scheduled. I'll actually need to get home at a decent hour as Friday morning I'm headed to Maui! Jealous?

Still at Work

Frankly, I'm still bored. This has been a tedious lesson in management. I'm here in case anything blows up... yet, if anything blew up, I wouldn't know how to fix it. I guess I'm kind of like the Close Doors buttons on elevators... I don't really do anything, but if people are feeling anxious, they can take it out on me.

Long Night of Work

I'll be here at work until around 11:00 working on the "Rock Star: INXS" website. Is anyone watching the show?

Any recommendations for the next version of Rock Star? How about "Rock Star: Sublime" or "Rock Star: Blind Melon"? I actually think "Rock Star: Gin Blossoms" could work. If anyone says "Rock Star: Nirvana" I will hunt you down and punch you in the teeth. However, "Rock Star: Hole" would be OK...

I Would Like to Thank Mike Hawk...

This is a funny graduation prank video. I think the dude on the YourDaily Media site thinks he should have used the name Mike Hunt, but Mike Hawk actually works better... go watch

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

For the first time since the Mariners left the Dome, I attended a game without having planned on doing so. It was such a beautiful day today.

I woke up, went for a run, showered and went to the bus stop. I pleasantly ran into my parents on the bus, so I rode into town with my mom.

Once at the game, I bought a beer and headed straight for the centerfield bleachers. Outside of needing a hat (I look like the Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer) it was a perfect day. Oh, and the Mariners won!

My Running, or Lack Thereof

So, I never updated the 'running back-to-back days' experiment. I crashed and burned. Last Saturday I ran a short, quick four miles, knowing I was also going to run on Sunday. On Sunday, then, I ran a short, SLOW three miles. All was fine until bedtime.

I know my back is screwy when I can't sleep on my side due to pain. I woke up on Monday feeling OK, but not well.

As a result, I called my Hood to Coast manager and asked to be taken off the team. He has plenty of people who can fill my space. I also took the week off, which could explain my horrendous mood last week.

On Friday, our tools were down at work so I left at lunch and ran a quick three miles. Today I ran four.

It's a beautiful day. Hopefully summer is starting!

Something New

Time a for a shake-up. I've been finding myself with way too much time on my hands. Actually, I'll be working late (until about 11pm from Monday - Wednesday... I'm supposed to start helping out with the Rock Star: INXS website) then have a bachelor party on Thursday, followed by a quick trip out town, returning on Tuesday. Phew.

So, in a couple of weeks, I'm going to look into volunteering one night a week... baby steps. I'm pretty sure I'd like to do this at the Redmond library, which is just up the street from my apartment. I'd also like to 'coach' either track or baseball for the Special Olympics. Special Olympics already gets most of my donations, but I'm sure they could use some of my time, as well.

I'd like to think I could read to kids or help out with schoolwork, or something like that. As long as there's no math involved...

25 Words or Less: "A Long Way Down" by Nick Hornby

Hornby has created character-types, not real characters, but his dialogue is top-notch. Not on par with "Fidelity" or "Boy" but still very good.

Where Have You Been All My Life?

Good God, why didn't anyone tell me about the charms of Rachel McAdams. She's some kind of wonderful in "Wedding Crashers." Do I have to rent "The Notebook"? She has a thriller called "Red Eye" coming out in August, which I guess I'll now have to see.

25 Words or Less: 'The Wedding Crashers'

Funniest comedy since "There's Something About Mary." Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are terrific. Great supporting cast. Highly recommended.

My Favorite Blogger Blogs

OK, I've been here on Blogger for about a month now. It's kind of fun clicking through the "Next Blog" in the upper right hand corner. By doing this, I've come across some great blogs. I think my favorite blogs are sort of online journals.

I feel like I've gotten to know a few writers just by seeing what they post. However, reading a mass of blogs can take forever. So, I've narrowed down my journal reading to two: Get Yourself Some Boring and Jessaisms.

Get Yourself Some Boring I've covered here before. Ang and Katy are like two of my best friends, though they don't realize it. Kind of like a reverse Tamagotchi, if I go a day without reading them, I feel like a part of me dies.

Jessaisms is just funny. The writer, Jessa, takes the cutest pictures EVER. Her life is interesting in that she works at an aquarium and has pretty wild friends. However, she's moving to New York, where her world is about to turned upside down. Her new adventures should be pretty interersting.

The Ice Cream Post

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not Coffee Ice Cream, though it is one of my favorite flavors, especially mixed with fudge and almonds.

So, I took it again, and voila:

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Now, that sounds more like me, doesn't it? The difference? I went for pool talk instead of running... that one was a toss-up, and voted for alliance in the food fight, rather than running around.

Damn That Bar Scene

Went to a bar frequented by Seattle's finest singletons tonight called "Joey's" on Lake Union. Ick.

Watching the boys and girls flirt with each other, I didn't know if I wanted to laugh or cry. People try so hard. The clothes, the attitude... it was all so sad.

Was I once one of them? Should I be one of them now? Of course not, I have no game. I'd rather drive nine inch spikes under each of my finger nails than endure another three hours in a place like that.

It's 10:15 on a Friday night and I'm going to bed... alone. And you know what? Life is good.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

You Are Coffee Ice Cream

Energetic and lively, you are always on the go. You're doing a million things at once and doing them well. You tend to motivate others and raise spirits. You are most compatible with chocolate ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Man, I've got Bowie on the head, and I have no idea why.

25 Words or Less: 'Cinema Paradiso'

A beautiful homage to the cinema. If you love movies, you must watch this film. It's sweet and funny. Pure joy.

A Letter from Nuevo California

Saw this post while randomly clicking on blogs. The writer of the letter basically wants to leave the red states to their own devices, while the blue states form a new country called Nuevo California. The stats the writer gives about poverty, education, etc. are quite amazing. Read it here

25 Words or Less: 'The Wedding Banquet'

Ang Lee's one of the best directors around. This film is extremely funny, poignant, and a must see... especially if you're single with doting parents.

Recent Runs

My four mile run in LA along the coast went really well. Finished in roughly 36 minutes. Never really felt tired except when I had to climb the hill from the beach to Ocean Ave.

Today's five miler went well, too. I seem to be having a "starting" issue. My first mile of pretty much every run sucks. But, then things smooth out.

I need to run more often. Ignoring my doctor's advice, I'm going to go out tomorrow for a short run. Three miles at a slow couldn't hurt anything... could it?

Running to Stand Still

The title is a U2 song on one of the five greatest albums of all-time, "The Joshua Tree." It also sybolizes my life in that I can't think straight unless I run. But even more so, I'm working really hard to go forward, but I feel like I'm on a treadmill not really advancing anywhere... professionaly or personally.

Here we go... I think I'm about ready to dive headfirst into a serious mid-life crisis. However, I'm only 37, and I'll probably live longer than 74, so maybe mid-life isn't the proper term. Anyway, I think that big changes are afoot. Options:
1. Keep the status quo. Things are good. Life is good. Why change?
2. Keep my friends, car and apartment, but change jobs
3. Keep the job, sell the condo and go back to renting on Queen Anne
4. Keep the job, sell the condo and buy something in Seattle
5. Quit the job, sell the condo, and rent on Queen Anne
6. Get rid of everything and move to Maui
7. Get rid of everything and move to Costa Rica

I'll keep you posted on the final decision. I hope to have this wrapped up by the end of the summer.

Working on the Road Sucks

Not like construction (which probably sucks, too)... I mean traveling to a different city and working. You spend all day in meetings, then you get back to your hotel room and you need to do your real job.

I may need to head back down here next week for a meeting, but if not, I don't plan on traveling for work for awhile.

One More Thing

I forgot toothpaste, too.

In LA

Hey, the new restaurant/shop area of Sea-Tac is nice! It's roomy and there's an Anthony's Homeport... home of the best clam chowder in Seattle. There's also a Kathy Casey restaurant (that might actually be spelled Cathy Kasey... whatever.)

Did a piss-poor job of packing. Forgot both razor and shaving cream, so I had to stop at the drugstore prior to coming to the hotel. Then realized I forgot socks and sunglasses. Idiot.

The weather seems pretty nice, though.

Nice Run Today... For a Change

Only went four miles, but it felt nice. The weather was beautiful. I leave for LA tomorrow, so on Thursday I'll be running along the Pacific from Santa Monica to Venice Beach. I love that run!

25 Words or Less: War of the Worlds

No one can do an action film like Steven Spielberg. However, for all the film's great moments, the last 15 minutes blow. See it, though.

www.seatownsports.com

OK, we're live. You can visit my new/old Seattle sports blog here. Enjoy!

New Blog from Yours Truly

I decided to scrap the whole Surfing on Maui thing. I had no idea what to write, and frankly, I don't know jack about surfing.

I purchased the domain name SeatownSports.com. It's not live yet, but eventually, all of the content on my old surfingonmaui.com site will be moved over to the new domain. SurfingOnMaui will go into hibernation until I move to Maui.

For a preview of the site, you can see the new artwork at the old site http://www.surfingonmaui.com. The new domain should be live by the end of the week.

Baby Fever... Or Not

I spent a couple of hours at a friend's house today to celebrate his daughter's 2nd birthday. For most of the time, I was the only person at the party with no children. There were kids everywhere! All were between the ages of 6 months and four years old.

Eventually, my friend Gregg showed up. As we were leaving, he asked, "so, does this party make you want to have kids... or do you feel like running away screaming?" Good question.

I'm pretty sure I want kids (maybe not plural,) but, good golly, those kids are a handful. I bow down to all of you parents out there!

Six Stinky Miles Today

Whew, rough one today. Finished the six miles I set out to do, but good Lord, it was difficult. Finished in 1:01:10, but it felt like two hours. I'm in horrible shape right now, and my back isn't being kind to me. Went four on Friday and three on Wednesday.

I think I'll stay at about six miles for a few weeks, and see how things go.

At this point, I'm 75% sure I'm going to drop out of Hood to Coast. Someday, I'd like to be able to carry a baby... be it my own, or one of my brothers'. My gut tells me, Hood to Coast will cripple me for at least a year.

Sometimes It's Just Good

You know what I'm sayin'? Life is difficult. For most of us, work sucks. Relationships generally take more work than actual work... and you don't get paid for them.

But sometimes, it all comes together, and life is just good.

25 Words or Less: 'the curious incident of the dog in night-time' by Mark Haddon

A smart, wonderful novel narrated by an autistic teenager. Equal parts funny, mysterious and sad, you'll love this book. Buy it here