I'm about a week late on this one, but wanted to give a shout out to my beautiful wife and congratulate her on successfully being married to me for two years, without pulling all of her hair out or walking out on me.
Most of you will remember that we got married on 10.25.08. It was a beautiful autumn day in Chicago and we all had so much fun! I remember at the rehearsal dinner we handed out gifts to the bridal party, then to each other. Eschewing the traditional gifts - something personalized, or jewelry - I gave my groomsmen iPod shuffles. I thought this was a great gift, so I gave one to Kristen as well. She wasn't able to wear it during the ceremony, but I know she liked it and she used is almost everyday for the past two years. Just a few weeks ago, it stopped working properly and she was really unable to workout to her full potential because she did not have her tunes. So, I thought that this anniversary was a perfect opportunity to replace her shuffle with the new ipod Nano - again, eschewing the convention of giving paper as a second anniversary gift. Needless to say she loves her new toy. It has a lot of bells and whistles, including a built-in clock, which is the modern recommended 2nd anniversary gift... so there you go.
She got me my first French Press! I have to admit I'm a little nervous about being able to make my own coffee at my disposal all day, everyday. I don't want to become one of these folks who is addicted to caffeine. Also, as you all know, I am a bit naturally caffeinated already! Nonetheless, I now have an instant coffee-maker, which I have actually been wanting for over a year now - just one of those things I wouldn't buy myself. So, thanks, babe... and everyone that has to talk to me after I've had a steaming cup of java thanks you also. I am pretty excited to try some cool new coffees and to stay warm heading into the winter.
So that's the wrap up... Two years and going strong! Happy 2nd, K-10, look forward to many many more!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
In case you blinked...
What a great weekend for sports, and we haven't even cracked the bottle on the NFL schedule yet today! Yesterday Kristen and I ventured down to Urbana-Champaign with some friends to watch the University of Illinois Illini pummel the Hoosiers of Indiana. It was a fun time tailgating, being at my first (and probably only) football game this season, and hanging out afterward and seeing some of the campus, including one of the local watering holes! My wife is an alum, so it was good for her to go back to the place where it all started for the 100th anniversary of U of I homecoming. The game was capped off by an INT return for a TD and a safety for the defense... really strong effort by a young team who looks to be a presence in the Big 10 (Big 11? 12?) over the next few years.
If that wasn't enough, the Tigers of the University of M-I-Z-Z-O-U topped #1 ranked Oklahoma for their first win over the Sooners in many years! That was an epic battle on national television - a night game where College Gameday was present and the Feurot Field goal posts came down and marched through the quaint town of Columbia, MO! That truly would have been an epic game to attend. My last Saturday nighter was about 3 or 4 years ago at Mizzou when they beat Nebraska, again after a long drought of disappointing losses. Missouri will undoubtedly move into the top ten with this victory and will hopefully be able to pull off an upset win on the road next week in Nebraska - their last meeting as a conference matchup before Nebraska moves to that other conference. Tough task, but this defense is the best I've seen in years out of this program, and the offense led by St. Louisan Blaine Gabbert has been status quo. A win over Nebraska would put MU in prime position to play for the Big 12 championship game, hopefully in a rematch against Bob Stoops' OU Sooners.
Not a football fan? No problem. The Texas Rangers and S.F. Giants completed their respective Championship Series wins over the NY Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, last year's World Series opponents! It will be nice to see some new blood in the series this year! On a side note, I have to criticize the sports "experts" on the radio and TV who claim that ratings will be low for this WS because no one cares about these two teams. I could not disagree more. First, like I already mentioned, there are two new teams competing for the title, so the parity already makes the series even that much more interesting. Also, the Texas Rangers have a great story - like a Phoenix rising from the ashes of a broken business saved by ex-Ranger Nolan Ryan and Co., these Texas Rangers have won not only their first post-season victory and second series, but have a chance to win their first WS title (obviously)... and I like their odds. Plus, they have a great story (albeit a 3-year-old story) of ex-junkie Josh Hamilton who had to scratch and claw his way back into the big leagues... and do it by starting off with the hapless Cincinnati Reds who looked awful in this year's NLDS! I guess its no secret that I am pulling for Texas in this one. I guess I just hate NL teams NOT named "the Cardinals". I'm also not a fan of Tim Lincecum.... but we all know pitching and defense wins World Series, and both of these teams have those things... Should be a great WS to watch, despite what the so-called experts have to say (and yes, morons, everyone outside of NY DOES hate the Yankees!).
Lastly, there were hockey double-headers on Friday/Saturday. This is sort of anti-climactic, locally speaking. The Hawks fell to the Blues 4-2 and then lost to the Blue Jackets the next night... ouch (St. Louis went 2-0 in their double-header). That dropped the Hawks to one game over .500 on the season, and tied for 1st in the Division with 11 points, but they have played 10 games already, most in the NHL and 3 more than any other team they are tied with for first in the standings. They need to pick it up, and last year's Stanley Cup MVP Jonathon Toews needs to lead that charge. Hossa and Sharp have been studs with 11 points apiece. But again, it seems like goaltending will be an issue, with the by-committee strategy of early last year seeming to rear its ugly head once again. But so early in the season it's yet to be seen if Turco still doesn't have that fire left and can lead this team to another playoff run if not another Stanley Cup title.
That's the recap. Watch some football today and enjoy the ride! Go BEARS!
If that wasn't enough, the Tigers of the University of M-I-Z-Z-O-U topped #1 ranked Oklahoma for their first win over the Sooners in many years! That was an epic battle on national television - a night game where College Gameday was present and the Feurot Field goal posts came down and marched through the quaint town of Columbia, MO! That truly would have been an epic game to attend. My last Saturday nighter was about 3 or 4 years ago at Mizzou when they beat Nebraska, again after a long drought of disappointing losses. Missouri will undoubtedly move into the top ten with this victory and will hopefully be able to pull off an upset win on the road next week in Nebraska - their last meeting as a conference matchup before Nebraska moves to that other conference. Tough task, but this defense is the best I've seen in years out of this program, and the offense led by St. Louisan Blaine Gabbert has been status quo. A win over Nebraska would put MU in prime position to play for the Big 12 championship game, hopefully in a rematch against Bob Stoops' OU Sooners.
Not a football fan? No problem. The Texas Rangers and S.F. Giants completed their respective Championship Series wins over the NY Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, last year's World Series opponents! It will be nice to see some new blood in the series this year! On a side note, I have to criticize the sports "experts" on the radio and TV who claim that ratings will be low for this WS because no one cares about these two teams. I could not disagree more. First, like I already mentioned, there are two new teams competing for the title, so the parity already makes the series even that much more interesting. Also, the Texas Rangers have a great story - like a Phoenix rising from the ashes of a broken business saved by ex-Ranger Nolan Ryan and Co., these Texas Rangers have won not only their first post-season victory and second series, but have a chance to win their first WS title (obviously)... and I like their odds. Plus, they have a great story (albeit a 3-year-old story) of ex-junkie Josh Hamilton who had to scratch and claw his way back into the big leagues... and do it by starting off with the hapless Cincinnati Reds who looked awful in this year's NLDS! I guess its no secret that I am pulling for Texas in this one. I guess I just hate NL teams NOT named "the Cardinals". I'm also not a fan of Tim Lincecum.... but we all know pitching and defense wins World Series, and both of these teams have those things... Should be a great WS to watch, despite what the so-called experts have to say (and yes, morons, everyone outside of NY DOES hate the Yankees!).
Lastly, there were hockey double-headers on Friday/Saturday. This is sort of anti-climactic, locally speaking. The Hawks fell to the Blues 4-2 and then lost to the Blue Jackets the next night... ouch (St. Louis went 2-0 in their double-header). That dropped the Hawks to one game over .500 on the season, and tied for 1st in the Division with 11 points, but they have played 10 games already, most in the NHL and 3 more than any other team they are tied with for first in the standings. They need to pick it up, and last year's Stanley Cup MVP Jonathon Toews needs to lead that charge. Hossa and Sharp have been studs with 11 points apiece. But again, it seems like goaltending will be an issue, with the by-committee strategy of early last year seeming to rear its ugly head once again. But so early in the season it's yet to be seen if Turco still doesn't have that fire left and can lead this team to another playoff run if not another Stanley Cup title.
That's the recap. Watch some football today and enjoy the ride! Go BEARS!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Kickin' Balls
When Kris-10 and I moved to this wonderful windy city last summer, we were fortunate enough to have friends in Jaime and Dan that live close and are our age (although I'm a few years their junior...ahem). Me especially since I didn't have a whole lot of friends... well, none actually, outside of the 3 people I've already named in this post. That all changed when I came out to watch Dan's 4 Shadows team play this game called "mushball". What an interesting game that is! 16 inches of softball and no glove!!
I knew I had to have a shot at playing that, so I was fortunate enough to get the call to sub for D.P. when he was away on his honeymoon with his honey. The team let me play and I kind of stunk it up initially, except for smashing a homerun. For some reason they let me come back another week (probably because of the homerun) and I did a better job defensively, playing a very sharp third base... if I do say so myself. That was about the extent of my playing time as I was merely a sub at that point, but at least I was invited out to the bars afterward to join in for (moral) victory drinks... haha! They all went on to play kickball in the fall, which I was unable to play because they had a full roster and I had fall ball in Elmhurst. That was not the case this fall.
After being a starting Center Fielder on the mushball team this summer, I was invited to play on the fall kickball team - an invitation I accepted graciously if not enthusiastically, and especially affirmatively (meaning I said Yes). What a great fall it's been! Let's put aside for a moment the fact that the weather has been not only cooperative, but gorgeous! I have had so much fun participating in this Thursday night sporting activity, and drinking afterward... Okay, who am I kidding, there is drinking going on during as well! Luckily we've switched the on-field hydration from that nasty ol' Miller Lite to the Silver Bullet... tappin' the Rockies every Thursday night!
Anyway, I just wanted to give a shout out on here to my new teammates and most importantly my (not so) new friends - and also I am sure they will be doubling my blog audience, so that's great! It has been great getting to know everyone and I am so thankful you accepted me into your inner circle. Here's to all the members and fans of "Kickin' Balls" (yes, that's really our team name)... Cheers, you guys and thanks for reading Skip To It!! See you all on Thursday!
-Skamp
I knew I had to have a shot at playing that, so I was fortunate enough to get the call to sub for D.P. when he was away on his honeymoon with his honey. The team let me play and I kind of stunk it up initially, except for smashing a homerun. For some reason they let me come back another week (probably because of the homerun) and I did a better job defensively, playing a very sharp third base... if I do say so myself. That was about the extent of my playing time as I was merely a sub at that point, but at least I was invited out to the bars afterward to join in for (moral) victory drinks... haha! They all went on to play kickball in the fall, which I was unable to play because they had a full roster and I had fall ball in Elmhurst. That was not the case this fall.
After being a starting Center Fielder on the mushball team this summer, I was invited to play on the fall kickball team - an invitation I accepted graciously if not enthusiastically, and especially affirmatively (meaning I said Yes). What a great fall it's been! Let's put aside for a moment the fact that the weather has been not only cooperative, but gorgeous! I have had so much fun participating in this Thursday night sporting activity, and drinking afterward... Okay, who am I kidding, there is drinking going on during as well! Luckily we've switched the on-field hydration from that nasty ol' Miller Lite to the Silver Bullet... tappin' the Rockies every Thursday night!
Anyway, I just wanted to give a shout out on here to my new teammates and most importantly my (not so) new friends - and also I am sure they will be doubling my blog audience, so that's great! It has been great getting to know everyone and I am so thankful you accepted me into your inner circle. Here's to all the members and fans of "Kickin' Balls" (yes, that's really our team name)... Cheers, you guys and thanks for reading Skip To It!! See you all on Thursday!
-Skamp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
