On my iPod these days

Today I found myself completely immersed in an album that I haven't visited in about six months: Willie Nelson's Teatro.

There is something incredibly beautiful about this album. The spookiness of the music conjures up images of a desolated and dusty, southwestern town haunted by its past. I am just enthralled with the Latin flare of the guitars, the thoughtful lyrics and soulful harmonies with Emmylou Harris.

Overall, it's a great listen from beginning to end. It's a smart, interesting album and one I historically find myself listening to much more than Stardust, which is widely considered Shotgun Willie's best.

I highly recommend getting this album.

Everybody's working for the weekend

I'm so glad it's Friday...I got a haircut, perhaps found a new daycare for Lewis and overall just feel great.

I went over to my buddy Pete's blog and he wrote this really interesting piece on Cory Lidle's accident this week in NYC. If you have five minutes and are wondering how the hell someone crashes a plane into a skyscraper, take a gander at this.

Speaking of Pete, Kristin and I will be heading to Colo-raddy for his wedding in a few weeks. We're excited about it and looking forward to seeing the a little bit of Denver, and catching up with some RU alum to boast about Scarlet Knights football. In actuality, we'll probably just bitch about witnessing 1-10 and 0-11 seasons under our watch as the Daily Targum sports editors.

Overall, things are going well. I just bought a ticket to attend Peterson Brother Reunion 2007 in Phoenix. Kris and I will be hanging out in the desert for some quality time, perhaps catch a Suns game and do some golfing. Should make for a great weekend.

I must admit that I really kick myself for being so obsessed with Lost. I have been utterly disappointed with the season thus far. I can only retain so many character backstories and unanswered questions. I'm full. None of it sticks. I need to make a new commitment to quality television. And here is a show I just discovered. It's got everything you need...action, love, music (albeit terrible music) and most importantly family. Click here to see my new inspirado.

That's about it for now. Things were busy the last couple of weeks with school now in full swing. Only two more terms and I'm done. It will be so nice to just watch football on Sunday and not think about what I need to be doing.

We are the Champions!!!

After months of servitude to the asphalt, I am thrilled to finally say Kristin and I completed the Portland marathon!

It was indeed—as one might expect— a difficult race. Yet, despite our collective aches and pains, we pulled through and crossed the finish line together at 4 hours 13 minutes. We finished pretty much right where we thought we would so I'm incredibly proud of our effort. I can't begin to express the euphoric joy that overwhelmed my entire body once we finished. The crowd and ambience of a marathon is by far one of the greatest things I've experienced. Hearing words of encouragement during the last 6-8 miles was inspiring and one of the factors that helped us get through it all. Today, day after the race, I am still so proud of our accomplishment, and most importantly, proud of the fact that we did it together. We trained together and stuck through all the fatigue that builds up over 26.2 miles. Kristin is tough, and I have developed a deeper appreciation of her determinism and indomitable spirit.

The marathon was by far the most difficult physical task I have ever endured. It's not just the day of the race that's grueling, but the three months of training runs leading up to it. That's what makes it so sweet once it's over.

At the risk of boring everyone with details of the race, I thought I'd share things I liked and disliked

Good
Ultima Replenisher--tasty and refreshing sports drink
Drum cadences--got me fired up at the beginning
Energy Gels--great shot of energy when blood sugar and electrolytes drop
Gummi Bears--fun to eat out of a Dixie Cup
Bananas--tasted so good at Mile 18
Crowd--lifted my spirits when the race seemed to never end
Weather--in the 60s with no wind

Bad
Live music--great because it was everywhere but there was too much jazz, folk, classical and random bands playing unrecognizable music through most of the course
Energy Gels--absolutely horrible taste but a neccessity
Finishing Shirts--Kristin's long-sleeve shirt looks like Princess Leah's robe in Star Wars (credit: Kevin)


Kevin (Kristin's bro) finished in 3:26. He's fast and made us looked bad. Our sister-in-law, Jen, also kicked some ass in the five mile race.

Here's the collective photo, post race of course.