Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Troubleshooting to Hot Tub
Yesterday afternoon Dawn and I took a drive out to Lagrange to Carrie and Patrick's house. Patrick had called because he was having an electrical problem. We've known Carrie and Patrick for years. I use to work with Carrie, who is a Dietitian, and Patrick is Derek's boss.
Upon arriving I went and looked at the four switches where the were having the problem. I took the cover plate off and looked for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing. So we went down into the basement and went to the main circuit panel. I took the outer cover off and checked the breaker. It was mounted good and the wire was nice and tight. I hit the breaker and it tripped immediately. We turned all four switches on and tried to reset the breaker. One by one Patrick turned the switches off and had to reset the breaker it time. Then he got to the fourth one. He turned it off and the breaker did not trip.
I went upstairs and asked what did that switch control? Carrie responded that is was the lights on the front of the garage. Carrie and Dawn were out front with their almost 1 yr old son and their dog.
I went out and took the lights off the garage to isolate the line. I attempted to reset the breaker to no avail. It tripped. I put the lights back up. We ended up going into the garage and looked for any shorts in the wiring. Nothing. A hour had past in the troubleshooting. A neighbor of Carrie and Patrick walked by and they started talking to her. That left me to go inside and think. I knew there was no way that with everything disconnected that the breaker should still trip.
I turned all the switches off and reset the breaker again. I turned switch one on. The foyer lights came on. Then number two, the dining room lights came on. I flipped the third and I didn't see anything come on. Dawn "yelled" from the front yard that the front of the garage lights were on. I then flipped number four and the breaker tripped, but not before Dawn saw a flash of light come from on of the porch lights.
We had been troubleshooting the WRONG area.....I couldn't get upset.....
I went out and we took both fixtures off the porch ceiling and isolated both. It turns out that one of the candelabra bulbs in the chandelier fixture outside the front door had blown/melting into the socket and was shorting out the hot and common wires. I disconnected the wires and will be getting a new fixture for them.
We all laughed at the mistake/miscue. Patrick went into the kitchen to retrieve a couple of beers. Carrie and Dawn had already been walking around with wine glasses in hand.
I got cleaned up and went into the kitchen and Dawn was telling Carrie what we both liked in our salads. I had no idea we were staying for dinner. Carrie finished the salads and asked Patrick to put the chicken breasts and brats on the grill. So Patrick and I walked out onto their patio overlooking hole #11 on the golf course that is their backyard with beers in hand. The sun was just about 30 minutes from setting.
By time the chicken and brats the sun was only minutes from setting. Dawn and Carrie brought the salads out and we ate. Enjoying good conversation and good friends.
After eating they asked if we would like to jump in the hot tub. Dawn and I looked at eachother and decided...sure what the heck.
Carrie got Dawn a swimsuit and me a pair of shorts. She also gave us these very soft heavy Hugh Heffner style robes. We walked out onto the deck. Patrick came out behind us with reserve beers. Carrie was already in the hot tub so the three of us jumped in to join her.
We enjoyed more life stories and conversations. After about an hour or so we decided to get out. It was just about 11pm. We went in the kitchen for a nice bowl of vanilla ice cream with fresh blueberries, peaches and strawberries on top.
After about another half hour we decide we should get changed and start the half hour ride home.
I guess I wrote all this because it was fun to be together, just the two of us, and be with good friends. We both had a good time and enjoyed Carrie and Patrick's company.
It was nice to go over there thinking I was there to do a side job and end up having a nice evening.
Upon arriving I went and looked at the four switches where the were having the problem. I took the cover plate off and looked for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing. So we went down into the basement and went to the main circuit panel. I took the outer cover off and checked the breaker. It was mounted good and the wire was nice and tight. I hit the breaker and it tripped immediately. We turned all four switches on and tried to reset the breaker. One by one Patrick turned the switches off and had to reset the breaker it time. Then he got to the fourth one. He turned it off and the breaker did not trip.
I went upstairs and asked what did that switch control? Carrie responded that is was the lights on the front of the garage. Carrie and Dawn were out front with their almost 1 yr old son and their dog.
I went out and took the lights off the garage to isolate the line. I attempted to reset the breaker to no avail. It tripped. I put the lights back up. We ended up going into the garage and looked for any shorts in the wiring. Nothing. A hour had past in the troubleshooting. A neighbor of Carrie and Patrick walked by and they started talking to her. That left me to go inside and think. I knew there was no way that with everything disconnected that the breaker should still trip.
I turned all the switches off and reset the breaker again. I turned switch one on. The foyer lights came on. Then number two, the dining room lights came on. I flipped the third and I didn't see anything come on. Dawn "yelled" from the front yard that the front of the garage lights were on. I then flipped number four and the breaker tripped, but not before Dawn saw a flash of light come from on of the porch lights.
We had been troubleshooting the WRONG area.....I couldn't get upset.....
I went out and we took both fixtures off the porch ceiling and isolated both. It turns out that one of the candelabra bulbs in the chandelier fixture outside the front door had blown/melting into the socket and was shorting out the hot and common wires. I disconnected the wires and will be getting a new fixture for them.
We all laughed at the mistake/miscue. Patrick went into the kitchen to retrieve a couple of beers. Carrie and Dawn had already been walking around with wine glasses in hand.
I got cleaned up and went into the kitchen and Dawn was telling Carrie what we both liked in our salads. I had no idea we were staying for dinner. Carrie finished the salads and asked Patrick to put the chicken breasts and brats on the grill. So Patrick and I walked out onto their patio overlooking hole #11 on the golf course that is their backyard with beers in hand. The sun was just about 30 minutes from setting.
By time the chicken and brats the sun was only minutes from setting. Dawn and Carrie brought the salads out and we ate. Enjoying good conversation and good friends.
After eating they asked if we would like to jump in the hot tub. Dawn and I looked at eachother and decided...sure what the heck.
Carrie got Dawn a swimsuit and me a pair of shorts. She also gave us these very soft heavy Hugh Heffner style robes. We walked out onto the deck. Patrick came out behind us with reserve beers. Carrie was already in the hot tub so the three of us jumped in to join her.
We enjoyed more life stories and conversations. After about an hour or so we decided to get out. It was just about 11pm. We went in the kitchen for a nice bowl of vanilla ice cream with fresh blueberries, peaches and strawberries on top.
After about another half hour we decide we should get changed and start the half hour ride home.
I guess I wrote all this because it was fun to be together, just the two of us, and be with good friends. We both had a good time and enjoyed Carrie and Patrick's company.
It was nice to go over there thinking I was there to do a side job and end up having a nice evening.
Carrie, Patrick, and Broden....from last winter.
Take a Minute
A wonderful video link. It doesn't matter what your political views are...just watch the whole video and you'll understand......
http://s259.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid259.photobucket.com/albums/hh289/Impish_Dragon/Untitled.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1
http://s259.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid259.photobucket.com/albums/hh289/Impish_Dragon/Untitled.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1
Monday, June 16, 2008
Real Hollywood Stars/Heros
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WW II MOVIE STARS
Hope you find this as informative and interesting as I did.
In contrast to the ideals, opinions and feelings of today's 'Hollywonk' the real actors of yester-year loved the United States.
They had both class and integrity. With the advent of World War II many of our actors went to fight rather than stand and rant against this country we all love.
They gave up their wealth, position and fame to become service men & women, many as 'enlisted men'.
This page lists but a few, but from this group of only 15 men came over 70 medals in honor of their valor, spanning from Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, Distinguish Service Cross', Purple Hearts and one Congressional Medal of Honor.
So remember; while the 'Entertainers of 2008 have been in all of the news media lately I would like to remind the people of what the entertainers of 1943 were doing, (65 years ago).Most of these brave men have since passed on.
'Real Hollywood Heroes'
Alec Guinness (Star Wars) operated a British Royal Navy landing craft on D-Day.
James Doohan ('Scotty' on Star Trek) landed in Normandy with the U. S. Army on D-Day.
Donald Pleasance (The Great Escape) really was an R. A. F. pilot who was shot down, held prisoner and tortured by the Germans.
David Niven was a Sandhurst graduate and Lt. Colonel of the British Commandos in Normandy.
James Stewart Entered the Army Air Force as a private and worked his way to the rank of Colonel. During World War II, Stewart served as a bomber pilot, his service record crediting him with leading more than 20 missions over Germany, and taking part in hundreds of air strikes during his tour of duty. Stewart earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, France's Croix de Guerre, and 7 Battle Stars during World War II. In peace time, Stewart continued to be an active member of the Air Force as a reservist, reaching the rank of Brigadier General before retiring in the late 1950s.
Clark Gable (Mega-Movie Star when war broke out) Although he was beyond the draft age at the time the U.S. entered WW II, Clark Gable enlisted as a private in the AAF on Aug. 12, 1942 at Los Angeles. He attended the Officers' Candidate School at Miami Beach, Fla. and graduated as a second lieutenant on Oct. 28, 1942. He then attended aerial gunnery school and in Feb. 1943 he was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group at Polebrook where he flew operational missions over Europe in B-17s. Capt. Gable returned to the U.S. in Oct. 1943 and was relieved from active duty as a major on Jun. 12, 1944 at his own request, since he was over-age for combat.
Charlton Heston was an Army Air Corps Sergeant in Kodiak.
Ernest Borgnine was a U. S. Navy Gunners Mate 1935-1945.
Charles Durning was a U. S. Army Ranger at Normandy earning a Silver Star and awarded the Purple Heart.
Charles Bronson was a tail gunner in the Army Air Corps, more specifically on B-29's in the 20th Air Force out of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan
George C. Scott was a decorated U. S. Marine.
Eddie Albert (Green Acres TV) was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic action as a U. S. Naval officer aiding Marines at the horrific battle on the island of Tarawa in the Pacific Nov. 1943.
Lee Marvin was a U.S. Marine on Saipan during the Marianas campaign when he was wounded earning the Purple Heart.
John Russell: In 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he received a battlefield commission and was wounded and highly decorated for valor at Guadalcanal.
Audie Murphy, little 5'5' tall 110 pound guy from Texas who played cowboy parts: Most Decorated serviceman of WWII and earned: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Star Medals, Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze Star Medals with 'V', 2 Purple Hearts, U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 2 Distinguished Unit Emblems, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France) World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar, French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre, French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier, French Croix de Guerre With Silver Star, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Medal of Liberated France, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm.So how do you feel the real heroes of the silver screen acted when compared to the hollywonks today who spew out anti-American drivel as they bite the hand that feeds them? Can you imagine these stars of yester-year saying they hate our flag, making anti-war speeches, marching in anti-American parades and saying they hate our president? I thought not, neither did I!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
A Cool Breeze
It is Saturday afternoon and I am sitting here at the kitchen table with the window open and a nice North breeze is coming through the window. It is amazing how relaxing a simple breeze can be. My Dad, Corky, taught me along time ago to enjoy the simple things.
I will never forget a life lesson he taught Kurt and I years ago in North Carolina. The three of us were driving up to Mount Mitchell, the highest elevation point east of the Mississippi, when Dad pulled the van off to the side of the road. There was a small dirt pull off that we parked in. The three of us got out and walked up to the guardrail. It was a beautiful day out. Carolina blue sky, a few passing clouds, warm sun on your face. We all stood there just looking out into this valley below us. All you could see was green, until you got to the bottom of the valley and there sat a wonderful blue lake reflecting the blue sky and green trees. Time seemed to slow as we just took in the wonderment of it all.
Dad bent down and picked up a medium size rock and tossed it up in the air and caught it. He did this a couple of times. I looked over at him and he just had this look of deep thought on his face. Dad took a deep breath and said this to us:
"Sons, this rock represents you. And all this, (pointing out to the valley, lake, trees, mountains etc.) represents the world."
He took that rock and threw it out into the valley. We heard the rock hit a tree and then a faint second hit and then nothing.
He then said,"You only have one chance in your life to make an impact that the whole world can hear. Make sure when you get that chance, that as many people as possible will hear it. Make it mean something, make it change themselves for the better."
I will never forget this life lesson. I know my opportunity to make some noise has not past. I look forward to it though. This really isn't what I had in mind to write when I started, but what I wrote was what I was suppose to write today.......
I will never forget a life lesson he taught Kurt and I years ago in North Carolina. The three of us were driving up to Mount Mitchell, the highest elevation point east of the Mississippi, when Dad pulled the van off to the side of the road. There was a small dirt pull off that we parked in. The three of us got out and walked up to the guardrail. It was a beautiful day out. Carolina blue sky, a few passing clouds, warm sun on your face. We all stood there just looking out into this valley below us. All you could see was green, until you got to the bottom of the valley and there sat a wonderful blue lake reflecting the blue sky and green trees. Time seemed to slow as we just took in the wonderment of it all.
Dad bent down and picked up a medium size rock and tossed it up in the air and caught it. He did this a couple of times. I looked over at him and he just had this look of deep thought on his face. Dad took a deep breath and said this to us:
"Sons, this rock represents you. And all this, (pointing out to the valley, lake, trees, mountains etc.) represents the world."
He took that rock and threw it out into the valley. We heard the rock hit a tree and then a faint second hit and then nothing.
He then said,"You only have one chance in your life to make an impact that the whole world can hear. Make sure when you get that chance, that as many people as possible will hear it. Make it mean something, make it change themselves for the better."
I will never forget this life lesson. I know my opportunity to make some noise has not past. I look forward to it though. This really isn't what I had in mind to write when I started, but what I wrote was what I was suppose to write today.......
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Frus·tra·tion
frus·tra·tion-–noun-1.act of frustrating; state of being frustrated 2.something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem 3. a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems
Anyone feeling that lately??? I believe to some degree ALL of us have. Gas prices, food prices because of the gas prices, kids, bills, work, boss, c0-workers, politics, McCain, Obama, voting, heat, humidity, stupid drivers, stupid in general, rude, unappreciative, disrespectful, taxes, oil, ANWR, war, military, death, cancer, illness, infection.........
love-noun, verb-
1.a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
2.a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
3.sexual passion or desire.
4.a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.
5.(used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like): Would you like to see a movie, love?
6.a love affair; an intensely amorous incident; amour.
7.sexual intercourse; copulation.
8.(initial capital letter) a personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid.
9.affectionate concern for the well-being of others: the love of one's neighbor.
10.strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking for anything: her love of books.
11.the object or thing so liked: The theater was her great love.
12.the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.
I love #12. We still live in a country with many great freedoms. Freedoms that give us choices. We can love freely. We can use love to remove frustration. What do I love?
Dawn, Derek, Amanda, Danielle, Mom, Dad, Lisa, Tiffany, Kurt, God/Spirit, April 20th, chocolate chip cookies, Dawn's cooking, yellow roses, sunsets, rainbows, Somewhere in Time, ice cold beer, pizza, Rocky River Brewing Co., officiating wrestling, coaching @ St Eds, a babies laugh, a good joke, family pictures, online games, fall leaves, spring flowers, autumn rain, trumpet solo, good sportsmanship, a firm handshake, quiet time with Dawn, walks to no where, crashing waves, pumpkin pie, 300 meter hurdles, a bald eagle, english bulldogs, grilled steak, a hug for no reason, smell of cherry tobacco, thin mints out of the freezer, Dad's laugh, butterfly kisses, a soft breeze, a well run track meet, seeing an old friend, SHMILY, toads, lawn jarts, North Carolina, Kittery, Maine, Dawn's spaghetti, sub homecoming, Caddyshack, thunderstorms, fresh cut grass, #22, love songs, Trugger, Pickle Bill's, candlelight, climbing trees, leaf sliding, Tom & Jerry, Christmas time, Fairview's track/field, Red Perfume, a cool breeze, a back rub, hot chocolate, Fritos, butterflies, a new challenge, Philippians 4:13.......
I do believe my loves far out weigh my frustrations.........
Anyone feeling that lately??? I believe to some degree ALL of us have. Gas prices, food prices because of the gas prices, kids, bills, work, boss, c0-workers, politics, McCain, Obama, voting, heat, humidity, stupid drivers, stupid in general, rude, unappreciative, disrespectful, taxes, oil, ANWR, war, military, death, cancer, illness, infection.........
love-noun, verb-
1.a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
2.a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
3.sexual passion or desire.
4.a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.
5.(used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like): Would you like to see a movie, love?
6.a love affair; an intensely amorous incident; amour.
7.sexual intercourse; copulation.
8.(initial capital letter) a personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid.
9.affectionate concern for the well-being of others: the love of one's neighbor.
10.strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking for anything: her love of books.
11.the object or thing so liked: The theater was her great love.
12.the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.
I love #12. We still live in a country with many great freedoms. Freedoms that give us choices. We can love freely. We can use love to remove frustration. What do I love?
Dawn, Derek, Amanda, Danielle, Mom, Dad, Lisa, Tiffany, Kurt, God/Spirit, April 20th, chocolate chip cookies, Dawn's cooking, yellow roses, sunsets, rainbows, Somewhere in Time, ice cold beer, pizza, Rocky River Brewing Co., officiating wrestling, coaching @ St Eds, a babies laugh, a good joke, family pictures, online games, fall leaves, spring flowers, autumn rain, trumpet solo, good sportsmanship, a firm handshake, quiet time with Dawn, walks to no where, crashing waves, pumpkin pie, 300 meter hurdles, a bald eagle, english bulldogs, grilled steak, a hug for no reason, smell of cherry tobacco, thin mints out of the freezer, Dad's laugh, butterfly kisses, a soft breeze, a well run track meet, seeing an old friend, SHMILY, toads, lawn jarts, North Carolina, Kittery, Maine, Dawn's spaghetti, sub homecoming, Caddyshack, thunderstorms, fresh cut grass, #22, love songs, Trugger, Pickle Bill's, candlelight, climbing trees, leaf sliding, Tom & Jerry, Christmas time, Fairview's track/field, Red Perfume, a cool breeze, a back rub, hot chocolate, Fritos, butterflies, a new challenge, Philippians 4:13.......
I do believe my loves far out weigh my frustrations.........
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Working Class
Both Derek and Amanda have summer jobs. Derek is back working with Patrick doing landscaping, Derek did not work last summer because of his back injury. He loves getting out there doing the hard labor, working on his suntan, and having fun joking with Patrick.
Amanda is working for Dawn's friend Trish at her deli, Pic-A-Deli Cafe. Amanda is excited to be working and earning a paycheck. We are proud of both of them for taking the responsibility on their own to go out and experience the working world. I think they both will have an appreciation for the "all mighty dollar" when it is their own that they have earned.
I just don't understand how we have such high numbers of unemployed people when two teenagers can go out and get jobs....and decent paying jobs at that....but that is a whole other topic that can and probably will be discussed later.....
Monday, June 9, 2008
Monday...Monday
What can I say......it was another Funday Monday at the ol'Manor.
Everything was made good when Dawn got home and made turkey burgers topped with mashed potatoes and cheese, with a side of fresh butter corn. Mmmmm, Mmmmmm good. Some good comfort food.
I did hear one good/funny quote today. We were all watching the Evening News on NBC. Brian Williams was interviewing Senator John McCain. Williams told Senator McCain that Senator Obama was quoted as saying that,"McCain was running for Bush's third term." Senator McCain's response had me on the floor laughing when he said, "Well it looks like Senator Obama is running for Jimmy Carter's second term." Now that is some funny politics.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
A Better Day at Jesse Owens' Track
We got home last night from Columbus with some "hardware" as the boys call their medals. The 4 x 200 meter relay started off the day for the Eagles. Alex ran a great lead-off leg, his split was a 22.3. His hand-off to Derek was lights out and on the money. Derek came off turn 4 and into a nice head wind and still put in a 22.1 split. Derek's hand-off to Mike was in the zone this year. (last year Mike left early and the team was DQ'd in the state semi's) The team was in third place. Mike had a rough weekend...his split of 22.5 put us into 6th. The hand-off to Seth was a little shaky and that took us completely out of a top four finish for sure. (our goal was top 4) Seth ran a blistering 21.9 split and we finished 6th in the state.
The 4 x 100 was up a short time later. Alex once again led off the relay and he did not disappoint. Alex had another nice hand-off to Odis. Odis flew down the backstretch with the leaders. Another nice stick exchange to Seth kept the Eagles in the top four. Seth's exchange to Latwain was a lot better then Fridays. Latwain sprinted down the home stretch all knotted up with 3 other teams trying for spots 3 to 5. As the runners hit the finish line we could not tell who finished where. We all stared at the finish line clock waiting.....first place came up...then second...then third and then Lakewood St Edward came up as the fourth place team!!!! Coach Mann was high fiving everyone around him. It was a good conclusion to a rough couple of days in Columbus.
The 4 x 100 was up a short time later. Alex once again led off the relay and he did not disappoint. Alex had another nice hand-off to Odis. Odis flew down the backstretch with the leaders. Another nice stick exchange to Seth kept the Eagles in the top four. Seth's exchange to Latwain was a lot better then Fridays. Latwain sprinted down the home stretch all knotted up with 3 other teams trying for spots 3 to 5. As the runners hit the finish line we could not tell who finished where. We all stared at the finish line clock waiting.....first place came up...then second...then third and then Lakewood St Edward came up as the fourth place team!!!! Coach Mann was high fiving everyone around him. It was a good conclusion to a rough couple of days in Columbus.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Kind of Tough/Rough Day in Columbus
Yesterday made for a long day on the track. The boys were ready to get to the track and compete against the best in the state. The 4 x 800 relay was first to go. Peter ran a great first leg...the team sat in a group of teams 5th through 12th. Mike ran the second leg and that is where the relay fall behind. Mike has only been training for the 800 for about a month now. Unfortunatly that is right were some kids that go from a "true" sprinter (400 meters or less) can hit "a wall". Mike's hamstring tighten up on lap two and he fell to about 15th. Matt and Steven ran really good third and fouth legs of the relay. They did end up finishing 15th. We thought they would finish no less then 10th.
Next on the track was the 4 x 200. Alex had a wonderful lead leg. Derek, running the second leg, took off a little early and had to slow down in the exchange zone, which cost us some time. Derek came down the straight away into a strong head wind and put in a 22.1 split. Derek handed it to Brandon, who ran a great curve and then slowed down the back straight away. We found out later that Brandon's hamstring was tighten up on him. He got the baton to Seth for the anchor leg. Seth pushed us into second place in our qualifying heat. We made the finals and will be in lane 3 this afternoon.
The 4 x 100 was up right after the 4 x 200. Again Alex looked like he was shot out of a canon on the first leg....great hand-off to Odis...who put us into first place. Odis handed off to Seth right in front of me...another great exchange of the stick. Seth came of the turn to hand off to Latwain. Latwain left early and hand to almost come to a complete stop....something you can't do in the 4 x 100 relay. All sixteen teams coming in were seperated by .5 of a second!!! We finished 3rd in our qualifying heat and will have lane 1 for the finals.
On to the hurdles and Derek. This is the toughest hurdle field, depth wise, the state meet has seen in a long time. All sixteen hurdlers came in all running under 39 seconds in the 300 meter hurdles!!! Derek was in the first of two semi-final heats. I was on the turn by hurdle four. Derek had a great start to the first hurdle and cleared hurdle two in perfect stride and was in 3rd place (top 4 in each heat make finals). Hurdle three became his nemisis once again. Twice this year his hurdle three during races was set at the wrong height...39" instead of 36". This time the hurdle was at the right height. Derek came off the hurdle and had a slight lean to his left. His momentum caused him to get on the outside of his left foot and he rolled his ankle. He regained his balance/running form, but a this level one mistake and your out of the money. Case in point...Tyson Peoples, from Glenville, who was second in the state last year, did the same thing as Derek did and will miss running in the finals as well. I held back my tears as best I could. We always want the best for our kids.......
Seth was running in the open 200 meters. Many considered Seth the 'wild card' to place in the top 4 this year. He ran a great turn, but finished 5th. He was only .03 of a second out of fourth place in his heat.
Last was the 4 x 4oo relay. Brandon reinjured his hamstring and could not run. So Coach Mann put Seth in to replace him. Seth's calf cramped up on him after running the 200 meters and could not run. So Coach put Derek in. I had to tell Derek he was our only option left to run, while he was sitting on a bench icing his ankle he rolled during the 300's. He said if Coach needs me to go...I'll run. Cam lead us off...Derek ran second and ran a 52 second split. Brandon and Seth usually run 49-50 second range. That 2 extra seconds put us in the back of the teams. Derek handed off to Mike and then to Steven. We came in with a qualifying time of 3 minutes 20 seconds...today we ran 3 minutes 26 seconds and did not make the finals.
This was a lot of drama today. And of course I found myself trying to be a buffer between coaches and athletes...parents and coaches......etc. It got to me today....I even snapped at Dawn. She did nothing wrong, but I let my emotions speak......I told her I was sorry.
We did all have a pretty good time last night out at Olive Garden. The boys sat a one table and the Coaches and our wives and the parents sat at another table. We had some good conversation and food.
We have two relays to celebrate with today. I'll be happy just because they will finish no less then 8th in the state of Ohio today...not many teams can say that....yeah only 8 in each event.
Next on the track was the 4 x 200. Alex had a wonderful lead leg. Derek, running the second leg, took off a little early and had to slow down in the exchange zone, which cost us some time. Derek came down the straight away into a strong head wind and put in a 22.1 split. Derek handed it to Brandon, who ran a great curve and then slowed down the back straight away. We found out later that Brandon's hamstring was tighten up on him. He got the baton to Seth for the anchor leg. Seth pushed us into second place in our qualifying heat. We made the finals and will be in lane 3 this afternoon.
The 4 x 100 was up right after the 4 x 200. Again Alex looked like he was shot out of a canon on the first leg....great hand-off to Odis...who put us into first place. Odis handed off to Seth right in front of me...another great exchange of the stick. Seth came of the turn to hand off to Latwain. Latwain left early and hand to almost come to a complete stop....something you can't do in the 4 x 100 relay. All sixteen teams coming in were seperated by .5 of a second!!! We finished 3rd in our qualifying heat and will have lane 1 for the finals.
On to the hurdles and Derek. This is the toughest hurdle field, depth wise, the state meet has seen in a long time. All sixteen hurdlers came in all running under 39 seconds in the 300 meter hurdles!!! Derek was in the first of two semi-final heats. I was on the turn by hurdle four. Derek had a great start to the first hurdle and cleared hurdle two in perfect stride and was in 3rd place (top 4 in each heat make finals). Hurdle three became his nemisis once again. Twice this year his hurdle three during races was set at the wrong height...39" instead of 36". This time the hurdle was at the right height. Derek came off the hurdle and had a slight lean to his left. His momentum caused him to get on the outside of his left foot and he rolled his ankle. He regained his balance/running form, but a this level one mistake and your out of the money. Case in point...Tyson Peoples, from Glenville, who was second in the state last year, did the same thing as Derek did and will miss running in the finals as well. I held back my tears as best I could. We always want the best for our kids.......
Seth was running in the open 200 meters. Many considered Seth the 'wild card' to place in the top 4 this year. He ran a great turn, but finished 5th. He was only .03 of a second out of fourth place in his heat.
Last was the 4 x 4oo relay. Brandon reinjured his hamstring and could not run. So Coach Mann put Seth in to replace him. Seth's calf cramped up on him after running the 200 meters and could not run. So Coach put Derek in. I had to tell Derek he was our only option left to run, while he was sitting on a bench icing his ankle he rolled during the 300's. He said if Coach needs me to go...I'll run. Cam lead us off...Derek ran second and ran a 52 second split. Brandon and Seth usually run 49-50 second range. That 2 extra seconds put us in the back of the teams. Derek handed off to Mike and then to Steven. We came in with a qualifying time of 3 minutes 20 seconds...today we ran 3 minutes 26 seconds and did not make the finals.
This was a lot of drama today. And of course I found myself trying to be a buffer between coaches and athletes...parents and coaches......etc. It got to me today....I even snapped at Dawn. She did nothing wrong, but I let my emotions speak......I told her I was sorry.
We did all have a pretty good time last night out at Olive Garden. The boys sat a one table and the Coaches and our wives and the parents sat at another table. We had some good conversation and food.
We have two relays to celebrate with today. I'll be happy just because they will finish no less then 8th in the state of Ohio today...not many teams can say that....yeah only 8 in each event.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
In Columbus for States
We left to travel down to The Ohio State University at approx. 2:30. We stopped by the hotel, checked in and then went over to Jesse Owens Track at OSU. The boys worked on baton exchanges and we had a nice picnic dinner at the track, made by Coach Mann's wife Donna. I brought some of the boys back to the hotel. The other coaches and a few of the boys went to go watch St Ed's baseball team play in the state semi-finals against Lakota West.
St Ed's, the school where Derek attends and I coach, has had quite a year in sports. They won Ohio state titles in Wrestling and Hockey. They were state runner-ups in Basketball. The baseball team and lacrosse teams are in the final fours. And most important, to me at least, is that the Track Team is sending the most competitors to the state meet in school history.
St Ed's, the school where Derek attends and I coach, has had quite a year in sports. They won Ohio state titles in Wrestling and Hockey. They were state runner-ups in Basketball. The baseball team and lacrosse teams are in the final fours. And most important, to me at least, is that the Track Team is sending the most competitors to the state meet in school history.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Why the Chicken Crossed the Road
BARACK OBAMA:The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken wanted CHANGE!
JOHN MC CAIN:My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON:When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- rightfrom Day One! -- that every chicken in this country get s the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......
DR. PHIL:The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goesafter the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT'problems before adding 'NEW' problems.
OPRAH:Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
GEORGE W. BUSH:We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken iseither against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
COLIN POWELL:Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
JOHN KERRY:Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE:That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN:To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART:No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS:Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY:To die in the rain. Alone.
JERRY FALWELL:Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
GRANDPA:In my day we didn't ask why the chick en crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS:Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how itexperienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE:It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON:Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES:I have just release d eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ....... reboot.
ALBERT EINSTEIN:Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON:I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE:I invented the chicken!
COLONEL SANDERS:Did I miss one?
DICK CHENEY:Where's my gun?
JOHN MC CAIN:My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON:When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- rightfrom Day One! -- that every chicken in this country get s the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......
DR. PHIL:The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goesafter the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT'problems before adding 'NEW' problems.
OPRAH:Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
GEORGE W. BUSH:We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken iseither against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
COLIN POWELL:Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
JOHN KERRY:Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE:That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN:To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART:No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS:Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY:To die in the rain. Alone.
JERRY FALWELL:Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
GRANDPA:In my day we didn't ask why the chick en crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS:Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how itexperienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE:It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON:Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES:I have just release d eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ....... reboot.
ALBERT EINSTEIN:Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON:I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE:I invented the chicken!
COLONEL SANDERS:Did I miss one?
DICK CHENEY:Where's my gun?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Track Banquet
I guess I'll start with the bad crap of the day. It was a horrible day at work. Work orders out the wazoo, staff with their heads up their arses, people parking illegally in Handicap Parking...it was not a good day at the Manor. Enough of the crybaby negative crap....onto the good stuff.
Tonight was our track banquet. Derek was awarded his third varsity letter plaque and the Most Valuable Hurdler/Sprinter Award. My shot putter, Shane, was awarded the Outstanding Freshmen Award. Derek received that award as a freshmen. We have ALOT of really good Seniors leaving us this year. Mike, Brandon, Peter, John, and Ingold. All of them are good athletes, but more importantly, they are all wonderful young men who will be greatly missed.
On a side note....very side note....it looks as if the Dimocrats are FINALLY going to pick a canadiate to face Sen. John McCain......but who really cares???????
Tonight was our track banquet. Derek was awarded his third varsity letter plaque and the Most Valuable Hurdler/Sprinter Award. My shot putter, Shane, was awarded the Outstanding Freshmen Award. Derek received that award as a freshmen. We have ALOT of really good Seniors leaving us this year. Mike, Brandon, Peter, John, and Ingold. All of them are good athletes, but more importantly, they are all wonderful young men who will be greatly missed.
On a side note....very side note....it looks as if the Dimocrats are FINALLY going to pick a canadiate to face Sen. John McCain......but who really cares???????
Monday, June 2, 2008
Monday...Monday
Mondays are not 'fun days'...that is for sure. Love coming into work to see my Work Order box overflowing with work orders for work to be completed.
I just have to laugh at the whole Democratic party. I have never seen a party that is so divided on two candidates. Obama claims he has the nomination, yet Hilary just keeps plugging along...and winning. She just won Puerto Rico by a 2 to 1 margin. The real downside for Obama is the fact that a "Pledged Superdelegate" is not the same thing as a Superdelegate that has cast their vote!!! I still say Hillary Clinton wins the nomination and if she does...I just might vote for her over that moron John McFiengold!!!!
Borrowed from DTD.
I just have to laugh at the whole Democratic party. I have never seen a party that is so divided on two candidates. Obama claims he has the nomination, yet Hilary just keeps plugging along...and winning. She just won Puerto Rico by a 2 to 1 margin. The real downside for Obama is the fact that a "Pledged Superdelegate" is not the same thing as a Superdelegate that has cast their vote!!! I still say Hillary Clinton wins the nomination and if she does...I just might vote for her over that moron John McFiengold!!!!
Borrowed from DTD.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Relaxing It Was-Mostly
After I went out and cut the grass, ate lunch, and grabbed a shower...it was pretty much a relaxing Saturday after that. Watched some TV played on the new laptop. Derek went out with Kit, Amanda had Brianna over, Dawn, Danielle and I watched some TV and relaxed. We actually watched a pretty good show on PBS...the best of the Dop Wop bands. It was fun to listen to all the old songs.
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