Finished the first week of the situp program today! I didn’t update on Tuesday, but I did work out (as well as today) I am definitely enjoying the situps a lot more.

Tuesday: 9, 12, 9, 9, 24 (max set, min. of 10)

Today: 12, 15, 11, 11, 24 (max set, min of 15)

It is hard to do situps with Gracie around, and since I was doing them downstairs, she was very curious as to what I was doing. She kept saying, “Daddy! Daddy!” while I was in the middle of a set, haha. It was cute, but hard to concentrate!

Either way, one week in the books. Looking forward to the weather warming up more so I can start running!

I had meant to make this post a couple weeks ago, when it was actually my parents anniversary, but life got in the way and I wasn’t able to find the time to do it.  But now, I feel it needs to be said: my parents are amazing.  Plain and simple.

My parents were married January 11th, 1985 at the courthouse, so they never had their “big wedding”.   When discussions have their 25th anniversary started a couple years ago, a few options were presented.  Kirsten, my lovely wife, brought up the idea of a “renewal of vows” – basically a wedding without the license (since they already have that).  The more the topic was brought up, the more my Mom and Dad loved the idea.  So the plans started in motion – and of course, they started small and grew exponentially from there.  It started with just a few people at an intimate get-together, it grew into a full-blown “wedding” at a chapel with a huge reception afterwards.  In fact, the chapel they ended up going with was the same chapel where Kirsten and I got married (Country Chapel in Appleton – it’s an amazing little place, check it out), so it was fun going back there and reliving all the memories we had almost 4 years ago (yikes!).  My brother and I stood up as best men (I tried to convince my Mom to put “Bestest Man” and “2nd Best Man” on the program, but she shot me down…) and my sister and Kirsten stood up as Maid and Matron of Honor, respectively.  Grace and my cousin Collin (my parent’s godchild) stood up as Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.  We got to ride in a big ass limo to and from the ceremony (and it drove us home – score!)  The ceremony itself was absolutely awesome ceremony.  Everyone ooohed and ahhhed at the cuteness of Gracie and Collin, and of course at how gorgeous my Mom looked (and I am sure a few snickers were had at mine and my brother’s expense, as we were wearing tuxes with pink vests – thanks Mom!)  And then the reception was just a blast, seeing all my the friends and family of our family, some of whom we haven’t seen in a while, just celebrating and partying and having a grand ol’ time.

And why, again, were we there?  Love.  Love was the reason.  The immense love between my Mom and Dad.  25 years of it.  Hell, a lot of people flat out said they weren’t going to make it when they first got together.  But love endures.  Through the first months, through their wedding, through having me (tough enough, I know!), through the hard times, and through the amazing times.  My parents have raised 3 pretty amazing children (if I do say so myself) and now we can get to pass that love on to our significant others and kids.  Kirsten and I have been together for a little over 6 years, and as all couples do, we’ve had our fair share of tough times.  But I always knew – if my parents could do it, then we can too.  I always look up to them as an example of what I want to be, of the type of parent I want to be to my kids.  My parents have always been there for me, no matter what – maybe not giving me handouts and exactly telling me what to do, but showing me the right path and letting me get there on my own.  Sure, I might stumble, but they would help pick me up, dust me off, and keep leading me in the right direction.  That is the parent I want to be.  And I know that the sky is the limit.

I feel like I rambling a little more than I was hoping, but I hope my point wasn’t lost.  This is a simple toast (an e-toast, if you will) to two people I look up to the most in my life.  I love you, Mom and Dad – and here’s to an amazing 25 years together.  And here is also to another 25 more.

Just a note, for those of you asking – I will be posting some pictures and the video that we made for my folks on here shortly.  Just have to get around to doing that, so be patient

It’s amazing how little things can bring back powerful memories.  Like tonight, on my way to get my haircut, I flipped on the radio and the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen was on.  Now, even without these memories, that song is amazing.  One of my all-time favorites.  But it holds a special place to me now…and it’s all because of high school theatre.

From day one in high school, I knew I wanted to do something with the theatre.  I wasn’t sure how much of an actor I was, but I knew if I couldn’t do that, I would do something.  The first play my freshman year was “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.  I decided to try out (no guts, no glory, right?)  When reading through the script, I latched on to the part of Puck (little did I know how huge the part really was)  Needless to say, I didn’t get the part, but as I said earlier, I still wanted to be involved.  So I sold box office tickets.  Sure, not really THAT involved, but it got my feet wet (and I got to see the show for free multiple times)  The next show that year was “West Side Story”.  I have always loved that play, and again, wanted to get involved.  This time, I signed up for the “run crew” – basically, they are the shadows that change the scenes when the lights are down.  A pretty big task, and one of the bigger parts of the “tech crew”.  It was stressful, yet a ton of fun.

If I recall correctly, the third show for that year was “Little House On The Prairie”.  The biggest thing I remember about this show was the fact that the director (Mr. Dayne – love that guy) asked if I wanted to learn how to run the light board.  The current light board operator was a senior and would be graduating, so they needed to start training someone.  So, naturally, I jumped right in.  And I never stopped.  I was the light board operator for every show after that until I graduated.  It was so awesome to be THAT involved in the show.  I spent some really late nights helping hang lights and spent some really early mornings going through light cues with the director.  I was a big cog in the tech crew machine and it was really awesome.

But that’s not what this story is about.  This story isn’t about the tech crew vs. the actors.  Sure, there was always a little rift, but for the most part, I knew a ton of the actors/actresses and they all knew us techies, so it was a pretty civil relationship.  At the end of every show, the actors would go into the green room and start changing, the techies would be fluttering around cleaning things up, and then – Bohemian Rhapsody.  I don’t think I ever heard the story of how it started, but apparently it was quite an old tradition.  Everything in the green room would stop, everyone would gather in the center – and sing.  And dance.  And go crazy (at the appropriate part, thanks to Wayne’s World).  Then we would all come together for a big “We Did It” moment at the end.

I’ve been out of high school for 6 years now, and I have heard that song literally hundreds of times since then.  But something about hearing it tonight got to me.  And really made me smile.  And actually gave me chills.  And I will admit, got me a little choked up.  Remembering us all coming together in that moment, after putting on a fantastic show, as one whole group.  It made me miss that part of high school, and made me very grateful for the amazing memories I had and the amazing people I met and hung out with (and some of them I still talk to today) because of theatre.

It’s amazing how little things, like a song, can bring back so many memories…

Well, we might not be very good – but damn it, do we have fun. We went 2 – 5 for the second straight week and still sit firmly in last place. Next week is our first-half position round, and we still have a shot of getting out of last place, which will be a fun incentive to play for! I almost had a triplicate tonight (which is the same score all three games) – I shot a 136, 136, and 134. Actually above average for me, so I can’t complain too much.

This is our third year in this league and we have always been a second half team, so we are definitely looking forward to starting the second half. Technically, it doesn’t start until after the New Year, but due to my parent’s anniversary on January 9th (and the rehearsal being on the 8th), we are pre-bowling after next week’s normal games. So we get to bowl 6 games next week – fun stuff!

I know it would be a silly thing to ask for from anyone, but I am always a dreamer.  This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen (and something I would definitely want in my “man-cave”)

Arkeg

It’s an arcade machine with a tap on the side.  Comes pre-loaded with a ton of classic arcade games and room for one of those skinny 5-gallon kegs.  Now that is just insane.  Now sure, the price tag on it is $3500, but seriously, how could you NOT want one?!  It’s two of the best things ever all in one: beer and video games.  Simply amazing.  Check it out at http://www.drinkngame.com (thanks to @jef4wi from Twitter for posting it)

While we are talking about beer and really sweet gifts, I caught this at Hack-A-Day:

Bender Keg Cooler

It’s a keg cooler; fairly straight-forward.  But it looks like Bender (from Futurama fame, of course)  That is one of those shows that still seems to age really well.  Just a neat looking way to keep your beer nice and cold.

Now it’s time to get ready for bowling! Oh, how I love thee, bowling night

So I sit here checking out my Twitter feed, and all I can see is people commenting on this evening NFL football game.  Now, sure, most people (myself included) would see a lineup of “Browns v. Steelers” and perhaps throw up in their mouth a little bit.  But even still – I am about as diehard football fanatic as they come.  Even if it is just on in the background, I love watching/listening to football.  But when it comes to any game on Thursday nights, I am a little behind the 8-ball – all thanks to my lovely cable company.  You see, Thursday night games are aired on NFL Network.  And I don’t get NFL Network, because Time Warner Cable doesn’t seem to want to to work out a deal with the league.  Time –  can I call you Time? – it’s to the point now where people are beginning to ask “What are you waiting for?!”  The channel has been on the air for 6 years.  You are one of the biggest cable companies in the country.  And you are really my only damn option in this city!

Look – I am not that naive when it comes to this.  I understand the NFL is probably just as much at fault.  And I know it is all about money.  And let’s be honest – even if the Browns/Steelers game turns out to be a barn burner of a matchup (the Steelers choked, by the way, and lost again – big whoop), I won’t lose sleep over missing the game.  But it is the PREMISE behind it all!  As much as I love my Sprint phone and the fact I can watch the games for free on there, watching a choppy video on a 3-inch screen pales in comparison.  Let’s just quit this pissing match, boys, and figure this shit out.

On a related note, I really can’t wait until Uverse is available in my area…

Holy crap – a full-fledged website?  It’s been…well, I can’t even remember the last time I did this.  And I don’t think I ever purchased a domain name for myself before.  But when I found the combination of..

1. Free web hosting
2. $0.99 domain name

How could I NOT let the Andyman’s Hideaway have its own personal home once again.  Sure, everyone and their mother (literally) has a website these days, but it’s still fun and hip…right?  Right?!  Oh boy…

It has been years since my days of trolling around Tripod and Angelfire and Geocities (R.I.P.), and I have numerous failed attempts at a blog, and honestly – if there were a bet out there, I would put my money on me posting on this thing less than once a month.  But at least I have an outlet for really whatever the hell I want now.  Be it my beloved Packers, or the Brewers, or the latest good movie out there, or the funniest new comedy TV show out there, or my absolutely amazing wife and cute-as-a-button daughter.  Wherever the wind takes us I suppose.  Nobody knows and that is the thrill of it, right?  So I guess all I have to say is welcome, and enjoy the ride.