I was so impressed with Marissa this morning. After joining the mass of humanity that was running the Seattle Half Marathon with our friends Matt and Asayo, she was still smiling at mile 12.85… I wouldn’t have been smiling after the first two miles, but that is me.
What a trooper. Almost done and still smiling.
My job was to be chauffeur and Cheerleader-in-Chief, which hopefully I was able to do to everyone’s satisfaction. I will say that it couldn’t have been easier. Everyone I met was having a great time and really enjoying themselves.
My one disappointment was in not seeing the lady who had a t-shirt with picture of herself much heavier than she was. There was a caption that said “I have run my butt off!” Now, that is cool.
On a side note, it is amazing to see so many people of different ages and athletic ability participate in these typs of events. It almost makes me feel bad for being a spectator (but not quite)
Here is the whole crew after the big run:
Congrats!
From Left to Right we have Amy (Cheerleader), Marissa, Me (Cheerleader), Alexis (Cheerleader), Asayo and Matt. Quite a bunch if you ask me.
Everyone seems happy to be at the finish line! Thanks to Amy and Alexis for coming out this morning. I know how important it is for people to see friends and family throughout the race.
Marissa mentioned that if it weren’t for seeing friends; Aubrey, Matt (different one), Carmen, and many others that she would have had a much harder time.
My husband has been awfully busy writing blogposts as of late. I kinda fell away from posting, since I got mad at Nate for his “predictions” post … I’m still thinking about posting my rebuttal. I have a draft on my laptop, but maybe drafting it is enough to get my thoughts off my chest. No need to cause any more marital strife
Instead I’m taking a few minutes away from the Thanksgiving day festivities to tell the blogosphere about how cool our day has been. The Kaiser family currently is gathered around Eryn and Brian’s living room and kitchen. Keith just finished carving both 13 lb. turkeys, and we’re sipping an assortment of alcoholic beverages. Speaking of alcohol, Susie is preparing her world-famous lemon drop martini’s, of which I’m going to try to obstain given I’m supposed to stay hydrated for the pending half-marathon. (But I am drinking a Jubilale and pumpkin ice cream float, which is delicious.)
For most of us, this morning began at the crazy, insane hour of 6 a.m. The kids got up to run the Oregon Zoo’s Turkey Trot, along with 2,500 other people.
Oregon Zoo Turkey Trot
Hazel was bundled and we piled into the Suburban. The four-mile run was less a run than a jog/walk/wait behind other crazy people–some dressed in various animal costumes.
Eryn, Hazel, Nate and I stopped at one point when a dad pushing a running stroller tripped and fell over his stroller. The poor baby was scared and crying, the mom was freaking out and holding the baby, but the dad couldn’t even walk. Oy. Thank goodness for Eryn’s EMT skills.
Despite the setback, we finished the fun run and even took in a viewing of the elephants. Baby elephant Samudra was incredibly cute and entertaining. Hazel wasn’t interested (sleep seemed much more appealing to her) but the rest of us enjoyed the show.
I’ll admit that the best part of the holiday has been doting over our niece. Hazel hasn’t been set down much today… every time she’s set in her baby chair, one of us will go and pick her up. At four-months old, she’s awfully cute:
Hazel, bouncing on Uncle Nate's knee
Uncle Nate and Hazel
So this season, I’m extremely thankful for family, for the chance to relax, for great food and the fact that most everyone I know is healthy, happy and comfortable this holiday.
I am very excited to cheer on Marissa this Sunday at the Seattle Half Marathon! She has been training for the last few months and will certainly do great. I have really enjoyed being Marissa’s Chief-Man-Leader for her triathlons, marathons, sailing, skiing, and on and on. If you want to join me and a few friends as we cheer her on, you can join us at 5th and Blanchard in downtown Seattle on Sunday morning.
Too bad there isn’t an additional graph that has to do with both nutritional value as well as tastiness. Obviously the latter would be subjective, but still…
Strange to think that eating beef and drinking whole milk is the healthiest thing to do! That is, of course, 100% grass-fed beef and milk I myself have reduced my overall cholesterol 40 points, as well as bringing down the bad cholesterol while raising the good cholesterol over the past 2 years (2006-2008), by switching to grass-fed and naturally-raised chicken, beef, and lamb, and adding much fish to my diet. I have eaten 2 dark-yolk eggs a day during this time. Trader Joe’s, if you have one near you, offers 100% grass-fed milk (Trader Joe’s Cream Top) and butter (Irish KerryGold) and cheeses. If you phone their main number, they can tell you if a product is 100% grass-fed. As for grass-fed poultry and eggs, you really need to go to Farms That Sell Eggs, or find a grocer who has connections with health-minded poultry-farmers.
Cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease: All have stubbornly resisted billions of dollars of research conducted by the world’s finest minds. But they all may finally be defied by a single new class of drugs, a virtual cure for the diseases of aging.
Call me crazy, but I think it would be great to live forever. Obviously, the above doesn’t address absolute lifespan, but we are getting closer. In my view, there is simply too much to do and see, why not spend forever doing it? (is their an inverse reaction, which would cause people not to do anything simply because they have too much time in which to do it – where is the motivation?)
By popular demand, here are the “ladies” (as Marissa refers to them):
Two of the "Ladies" Henny and Mo
And Eggy:
Eggy the Queen Chicken
Yep, we named our chickens after the Three Stooges. Mo’s full name is Mo Mit-Mit St. Cluck. Named after Mit-Mit St. Claire, a dog I used to know. If you are wondering, they are really easy to take care of, but not exactly an engaging pet. There is no fetch, teaching of tricks, cuddling, taking for a walk, and as of today still no eggs.
As for their humble abode, here is what I built to take care of them:
The "Ladies" Coop
It is two stories with the loft housing the Perch and Nest. There is also a ramp, which you can see behind the water and feed. The front door opens upwards and allows easy access to the hanging feeders and the ramp (for cleaning and modifications). We are using wood chips for bedding in the loft and on the ground floor, which they seem to like quite a bit.
I also used a clear corrogated roof to allow as much sunlight as possible into the coop. Sunlight is what determines when they lay eggs or not so I figured it would be good to put in a sunroof. Only time will tell how the whole setup works.
We also let them out of the coop as often as possible, thought they are more than happy to chill out for a number of days inside the coop. If you want plans for the coop feel free to post a request in the comments. I designed it myself and pulled from lots of other plans that I found online. It took about one day to build about cost about $100 in materials.
We have also created a google groups called UrbanChickens to share ideas, feedback and determine where the best deals are for feed and the like.
Hmmm, I will be warming up the grill this evening. Lets see if that provides the incentive they need to start laying some eggs.
Funny enough, a friend of our’s stopped by last night and noticed something. It is actually quite calming to simply sit and watch the chickens. Who knew…
So, they are getting big. Suprisingly so. Well, I guess it shouldn’t be since all they do is eat and sleep… We are now on the eternal egg watch. No luck yet. Any suggestions for how to “encourage” some egg laying?
A friend suggested firing up the grill, with a few words of warning that grilled chicken may be on the menu shoulld there not be any eggs soon…
She is excited and I mean EXCITED to see Twilight… I had no idea that she was such a big fan of vampires, especially of those that fall in love and show their truly kind, gentle hearts. Here is the new movie that she wants to see:
Little does she know that I am a fan of Vampires, so I just might go. Love stories on the other hand…
These opinions and predictions are mine alone. My amazing, wickedly smart and beautiful wife has her own opinions.
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Barack Obama on his historic election. With last night’s election, I predict the following:
National Security:
We will continue to be tested by countries and groups who fear our freedoms, liberty and equality. Actual strength and the projection of strength matter in the world. It is an unfortunate reality, but a whole new generation of Americans will learn this firsthand, simply by the fact that President-Elect Obama has approached foreign policy from a position of weakness.
How we will be tested, I cannot say. Russia, just this morning (Nov 5th) has already upped the ante. Be prepared for similar responses from Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, among others. Their public stance will be one of reconciliation, while their actions will be anything but.
Iraq – We are winning there now. Will he remove troops or stay through to the end? I predict that he will see it through, but that without an iron will to see victory over Al Queda and free and independent gov’t in Iraq that it will be a long time before we no longer have a presence.
National Policy:
We will see major initiatives to increase public spending and expansions of large government programs. I do not think Obama will be able to deliver on all of his promises and his supporters will be sorely disappointed.
His campaign is against Gay Marriage, Pro-Nafta, Anti-Nafta, Pro-Business, Anti-Business, Pro-Taxes, Anti-Taxes and so much more. Triangulation was a political strategy mastered by Bill Clinton, now lets see how Obama delivers on all expectations.
Political Support:
Will wane. As reality sets in, people will start to realize “That isn’t what I thought he said he would do.” “Change” and “hope” are empty terms when reality sets in. They are encouraging, but where are the details.
I have never seen so many people not be able to answer the following questions:
1) What is Barack Obama’s main foreign policy initiative? and not be able to answer
2) Where does Barack Obama stand on Card Check? and not know
3) If you are against increased spending, how does that coincide with Barack Obama’s stated initiatives? and not be able to respond
4) What is Barack Obama’s stance on Israel? no one knows…
Bush Derangement Syndrome (which would have become Palin Derangement Sydrome and may yet): I sincerely hope and expect that the people who did not vote for Obama do not exhibit the same degree of vitriol and disdain for the President Elect as the opposing side has shown to President Bush. Please, no name calling, insults, slurs and vile. BDS never added anything to the national debate.
Also, lets see how long Barack Messiah Syndrome (BMS) lasts. Hopefully it won’t be too long…
Main Stream Media:
Are done… Their credibility, integrity, and carefully constructed facade of neutrality are gone. Now that they aren’t propped up with hundreds of millions of dollars of campaign advertising dollars, lets see how they do. My prediction is that they won’t do well… Blogs and the independent media are here to stay and provide the news and insights that the American people expect.
In response to their loss of standing with the Nation, they will start to highlight the things that should have been covered before the election.
OK, there are some predictions above, but here is the meat of the matter:
Congressional approval will continue to decrease and the democrats will lose both the House and Senate within four years
Moderate republicans will find their voice – fiscal conserative, foreign policy hawk, social moderate. (more of an expectation)
Biden will be a non-entity in the Obama administration
Obama will not let Iran develop the nuclear bomb – his supporters will freak, but the rest of us will be relieved
Terrorist attacks will increase. Back to the strength issue.
I think if we’d stayed in Seattle, we’d have partied all night long. From the Facebook pictures, the parties were wild and wooley with all sorts of crazy costumes. Heck, there’s another dressup pub crawl that we’re missing tonight–all by skipping town and heading to Portland for the weekend. Instead of Sleepless (and likely intoxicated) in Seattle, we’re sleeping peacefully in Portland.
Rather than parties and costumes, our Halloween consisted of staring at our niece and commenting how cute she looks in her Halloween onsie. Nate and I took a twilight run through Forest Park until it got too dark to see, and then we came home to indulge in an awesome fajita dinner.
That was all a prelude to today… the first of November; always the day of the Verboort Sausage Festival. (Before today, I didn’t know or understand the significance.) Since 1934, the small town of Verboort, about 40 miles outside of Portland, has been making and serving sausage and sauerkraut on the first of November. Since 1999 and every year since, 13 tons of sausage and 350 gallons of sauerkraut are prepared for this event. They serve over 8000 dinners throughout the afternoon. Amazing.
We, being in the Portland spirit, joined up with several other cyclists to get there. Brian took the first SAG-leg with Hazel. (He took these great pics.)
On the way to Verboort
We can't wait for sausage!
The cycling gang (and Hazel) at the Verboort Sausage Festival
I took the SAG after 13 miles of riding and followed the cycling gang all the way to the festival. It was yummy! Nate, Hazel and and the sausage are all here to attest to its goodness.
Sadly, it ended in pain for a couple of the guys. New rule: never ride home after ingesting sausage at the Verboort. For me, it ended in a six-mile run. Am I crazy? Yes. But at least I’ll sleep well tonight.
