Brothers 'til the End...

Today, as I was driving from a conference in San Diego to see my brother, Carlos, near Los Angeles, I was trying to figure out how long it had been since he and I had "us" time. Goodness. It must have been... what? a year... two?  No... keep going... to my surprise... how about NEVER. Well, since we were young kids. Considering I left home for the Navy nearly 18 years ago, it has been TOO long.

So although we didn't have but only a few short hours... we ended up...

1. catching up in his hotel (he is working here for a few months)

2. talking about anything really... running, health and fitness, work, family, hobbies, food, the list goes on and on!

3. having sushi at a killer place near his hotel

4. stopping by a nice little coffee shop and realizing we had walked in on a church bible study gathering and it was FULL of ladies chit chatting in great Christian fellowship... but it was SO loud!

5. coming back to his place and bouncing back and forth between things on my computer, his... our phones, papers on miscellaneous things we wanted to share... SO much!

At one point, he had me ingest a glass full of water and with some tiny seeds that resembled a cross between sesame and poppy seeds (chia seeds). We were on the subject of running since he and I are both running a half marathon on Sunday (in Phoenix). He handed me a 287-page book called Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. The cover reads "A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race The World Has Ever Seen" I asked him if it's a good book. He says... "Jose, I have read it FOUR times since November.

I said. "SOLD." Gimme, gimme, gimme! So, I NOW have two days to read it and return it to him by this Friday when I return to catch our flight. I'll keep you posted on my thoughts.

But, the best part... we S H A R E D.

. . .

1. Books.

2. Seeds that I PRAY don't get me to pop on my next whiz quiz at work! Ha!

3. Knowledge.

4. Experiences.

5. Laughter.

6. Plans on the future (he's getting married in the fall and I am his Best Man! SUCH an honor, upcoming marathons, my business trips, etc.).

7. Thoughts.

8. Advice.

and... the best part?

9. Love.

I gave him a part of my heart tonight.
He gave me a part of his.

I love my brother.

Wish I had our old picture to post on here. It was of the two of us on our "cHiPs" motorcycles (with pedals... I think I was Paunch and he was Jon).  I was around the age of 3 and he was around 2.

Anyway... we've sure come a long way from those days.

Who would have guessed we would be where we are today.

W h o  w o u l d  h a v e  g u e s s e d . . .

I could go on and on and tell you about some HILARIOUS times we spent growing up together but...

Saving that for another day! ;)

I'll leave you with this...

All for one and one for all

My brother and my friend

What fun we have

The time we share

Brothers 'til the end

~ Author Unknown

Much to be thankful for...

December 31, 2010

Here we were... onboard Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California.

Weather was just right. It had rained consecutively for two solid weeks.

Then, there was finally a break in the clouds.

And what do we decide to do?

Go shopping. In Fresno. Indoors!

Oh well.  :)  I had a chance to take a few snapshots with my camera before we scurried off.

Totally candid, of course!  ;)

 

On the way off the base, I looked up at the National Ensign and it made me realize just how special we as American citizens are.

To be living in a land where kids can just... Be.

Play soccer in their front yards.

Where families can take a leisurely drive whereEVER.

~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~     
I pray that 2011 continues to bring us many blessings as a nation.

That the war is kept off of our homeland.

And that we are reminded of those who have served in years past.

Those who serve today.

And those who will continue to serve in the future.

Giving us the ability to sleep soundly at night.

Ever have one of those weeks...

Sometimes...

We make mistakes.

Causing terrible, terrible, excruciating and agonizing pain.

Oftentimes.

We do some things that just outright HURT others.

Always.

We are human.

And... 

"To err is human, to forgive divine." ~ Alexander Pope

~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~

This week, I have hurt one person in particular.

I am so, so sorry.

SO sorry.

Like you would not believe.

Words will never be enough to seek your forgiveness.

But...

I have to tell you.

And...

I pray you are listening.

Because...

From the bottom of my heart...

and my soul...

I...

Am...

Deeply...

Sorry.

Please forgive me.

If you cannot, I understand... however, know that I pray for you.

Daily.

* Bling Bling *

Those of you who have been reading my posts and blogs know that I have been running a lot lately.  Started a few months ago and am ready to ramp up for my first half marathon... well, first and second. Running my first one in Phoenix, Arizona (Rock and Roll Marathon) and then one in Hanford, California (just 20 miles east of here).  More on that soon...

First, funny story on this foot medal you see pictured here...

This is my youngest brother Ruben.  The short, frumpy one on the left. No... left as YOU LOOK at the pic.

One year when I was home on leave (back in Wyoming), I was visiting for two days (hmmm... starting to notice a pattern of short visits) and there was a foot race at Bi-Centennial Park by my parent's house, I was going for a morning run and happened to catch the race JUST before it started.  I remember I ran down to the end of the street, saw a large crowd at the park, jogged up there, saw it was a race and asked what I needed to do to sign up then "BANG!"  Gun went off.  They said it was $20.00 and I, luckily, had that in my armband.  Slapped it on the table and took off as they were yelling at me to fill out the forms... I said "see ya' on the back side!"  So I grabbed a number, pinned it on as I was running and after the race I signed up and... I won a FOOT!  Can't remember what my time was (it was only a 5K) but still, y'know?  Ended up taking first place for my age group. Sweeeeet.

Oh, and the best part, my kids LOVED it because at their school, they earn little, plastic feet for periodic "fun runs" they do.  Imagine the look on their faces when they saw my CHROME, shiny "bling, bling!" as Briana and Logan said... "daddy, you have some maaaad skittles!"

:)

{ listening to a song called What's My Name by Rihanna & Drake... LOVE this song because it reminds me of Briana. I always sing it to her as... "Briiiiiana, what's your name... Briiiiiana, what's your name... Briiiiiana, what's your name..." then yesterday, she came back with "hey daaaady, you're so lame... hey daaaady, you're so lame... hey daaaady, you've got no game..." and I was like... "uhhh" (Logan in the background... hand up to his mouth... "oooooh! you got tooooold!" - sorry, just a random thought}

Back to the half marathons...

FIRST ONE:

Rock and Roll Marathon (Phoenix, Arizona):  From what I have gathered, it is a great time.  Even better for those who drink!  I'll stick to my Powerade and almonds.  I know.  SUCH a rebel.  They have live bands at each mile marker.  People cheering you along the way, cameras taping you and capturing your "magic moments."  And this thought...

All I can think about is the time I was running with my recruits one year as a Navy boot camp drill instructor and I was leading the pack, yelling "COME ON RECRUITS! DANG IT!  I AM TWICE YOUR AGE AND CAN RUN CIRCLES AROUND YOU!!!" Then, walking away in pure DISGUST!  "Sheesh.!" Taking one step into the nearest building, slamming the door (for dramatic purposes, of course) then... GASPING for air!  "WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE NEAREST WATER FOUNTAIN?!"  "GAAAAAAASP!"  I was DYING!  But... shhhhh, our secret.  ;)

So, aaaaaanywaaaaayyyy, here I am thinking...  "Okay.  I'll be running a little over 13 miles.  Cameras everywhere.  Great.  HOW in the world am I going to keep my game face ON?!"  All I know is that they had BEST not get in my way at the end.  I'll be looking for the nearest fountain... that is, AFTER I take that final pic at the finish where it will look as if I JUST started... riiiiiiight!  With MY luck, they'll publish the one where I'll be throwing up, curbside near the middle somewhere.  "Oh!  WAIT!  Come on man!  Hey man!  Hey Man!  I'll PAY you to destroy that shot!"

Registration on this one was around $125.00 plus round-trip airfare from LA to Phoenix, gas to LA and back, lodging, food, etc.  BUT, the fact that I walk away with some bling, bling... PRICELESS.

SECOND ONE:

Half Marathon (Hanford, California):  This one is very close to the base.  Much safer two.  Already scoped out the nearest hospitals and there are three within a 10 mile radius.

Registered today.  It was around $50.00... MUCH cheaper than the Phoenix half!

So, all this, just to say...

PROs:

1.  More energy.
2.  Travel.
3.  New friendships.
4.  Memories with family.
5.  Setting an example for others.
6.  Running for charity.
7.  Live long. And prosper. (for all you Trekies)
8.  Cool t-shirts, beanies...
9.  Bling Bling...

Aaaand we just won't go there now, will we.

CONs:

Come on! Really?!
Here is a link for those of you who Just. Do. NOT. GET it.

{ some people just DO NOT get it } 

Runner's Challenge...

Chasing the "P" to the "Lew"

Attached is a snapshot of the online running challenge I signed up for back in October.  It's called Chasing the "P" to the "Lew" and don't ask me what it means because I joined late.  The rules:  see who can run the most miles in 1 year (from 1 September 2010 - 31 October 2011... I started on 1 October 2010).  There are 22 challengers; 4 of whom have never completed registration and another 4 who have completed registration but have yet to submit any runs.  Of the 14 remaining, I have worked through the 14th, 13th, 12fth (this reads funny but it IS correct), 11th, and 10th place slots and am now in 9th place.

D.A.D. (Dave Davis) is my friend/neighbor who lives just down the street and he is the one who invited me to join.  His wife is a personal trainer on base and they are both big time runners.  He has a wall FULL of medals from marathons.  When I saw his wall, and for the first time realized you can get "bling-bling" from these events, I was sold on marathons!  Signing up for my first 1/2 marathon due to occur in February.  Then, a 180-mile, 12-man relay in the summer.

It's the dad in me wanting to have those medals to serve as a visible example for the kids to see that it is possible to remain fit, even as an old man.  ;)  Logan's smack talkin' (and he is a HUGE smack talker at that!) is getting old and I need to set the standard... NOT the other way around!  He AND Briana already have shelves full of trophies, ribbons and necklace charms from competitions (e.g., basketball, baseball, soccer, track, etc.)!

You can see MY smack talkin' on the right. ;) And I don't even know who the other competitors are!  I'm SURE they are like "who the heck does this guy think he is?!"  To them I say, "move over bacon... time for new Sizzlin" - from an old 80's commercial). ;)

My goals:

#1:  pass Dave Davis! (move into 8th) (Dave... sorry bud, no hard feelings!)

#2:  pass "ajanehere" (move into 7th)

#3:  pass 'MadCammer08" (move into 6th)

Once I am settled comfortably into 6th, I will re-evaluate my goals, take a step back, assess the overall situation (running style, shoes, gear, form/technique, diet, daily workout and eating routine, etc.).  Then, make adjustments, as necessary.  There is ALWAYS room for improvement.

If you look closely at 3rd, 4th and 5th place runners, they are all neck-in-neck AND there is about a hundred mile spread between 5th and 6th, so this is how I see it.  I will have to do something dramatic to catch them.  Right now, I'm looking at my short-term goal of getting into that 6th place slot.  Then, as I re-evaluate my goals, I will start over with a NEW set of top 3 goals (don't like to roll onto goals #4, #5, etc... 1, 2 & 3 sound MUCH more inspiring, achievable and closer-range, realistic objectives).

Then, this IS what will happen... (saying this with conVICtion!)

NEW GOAL:

#1:  Kick it into gear and make HUGE strides in catching that 5th place runner.  Goal is to catch them by surprise.  They, currently, do not see the 6th place runner as a threat... YET.  But, as I prepare for "combat," I will THEN catch them TOTALLY off guard and then it will REALLY be "game on!"  I will NOT mess around with "neck-in-neck."  I'm shooting straight for passing them and gaining at least a good 50-mile cushion (figure I'll make it a good 2 marathon distance to get into their heads... psychological warfare). ;)

Then, if the ranges remain as they currently stand, I do not expect to move up into 1st or even 2nd.  "orthoclydesdale" and "BigBri16" can duke it out since they are obviously more motivated than I am... but... B U T... I'm not firm on my decision, yet.  I may shoot for #1.  EVEN IF IT MEANS I TAKE TIME OFF TO CATCH THEM.  Ha!

"Wish me luck!"

Spain { Palma de Mallorca } . . . 2001

I figure it is time to start talking about my overseas experiences.  Where to begin...

Palma de Mallorca, Spain - An island to the east of Spain's mainland. Much to see. Much to do. All I knew at the time was that I had just been onboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) for quite some time (months) and I was ready for a break from 7,000 of my best friends. From the grueling and intense 20+ hours a day, 7-day work weeks. Luckily, I had enough sense to bring along my mountain bike... a Trek 930 single-track, hard tail. I started out biking a few years earlier with a Trek820 and had just recently upgraded to this one. It was a nice improvement and the best part was the front shocks. Made for a much more pleasant ride on those bumpy cobblestone streets.

Getting off the ship for the first time in Palma, I felt a great sense of liberation. From, not only the ship, but from the typical cab rides/fares, trains and buses that everyone else had to take. We were Freeeeeeeeeee! FINALLY. From our ship's Commanding Officer: "Liberty Buddy" rule in effect. This called for us to always have at least one other Shipmate with us - at all times. Oftentimes in overseas ports, Sailors (along with civilian tourists) were easy targets for local criminals. Especially at night. Can't tell you how many times I have been a target myself. But remind me to tell you about it later... (kids picking my pockets, knife up to my throat, being shot at, fight... for my life, etc.).

But back to Palma...

There was so much to see and so much to do and I had at least 3-5 days to squeeze it all in. We bungee jumped, swam in the Mediterranean, rode all sorts of carnival rides, ate fantastic, exotic food, met people from all over the world and the best part... rode the countryside and just absorbed the natural beauty of Spain, itself. As the days went on, I found other Shipmates who had also brought their mountain bike and we would meet up and ride for a few hours then roll on and meet up with our original friends. We each brought a backpack which contained some clothes and hygiene kits; sleeping anywhere we wanted to. In a hotel. On a beach. Under the stars. Then, in the morning, we'd simply go to the beach for a swim, then shower on the boardwalk. We were always very good about looking out for one another. The great thing about having a bicycle, a MOUNTAIN bike, was that we could not only ride the neighborhood streets, but we were constantly veering off the main roads and riding across parks, dirt fields, rocky terrain, through heavy traffic and it was crazy. The drivers overseas are so nonchalant that we were not used to it. We were always very vigilant yet I clearly remember at least two times that someone either brushed up against me (with their vehicle) or I'd slammed into their bumper. "Peace! See ya!" (You think I want to be responsible for creating an "international incident?!" Um. NO.)

Forgive my ramblings... it has been so many years that I wish I would have documented everything as it happened. So, for now, ramblings is the best you will get. Here are some more. In random thoughts...

- eating a huge Burger King Whopper with Cheese and thinking "I wonder if they have portion limitations over here because this is GOOOOD! LOVE the extra cheese, mayo, pickles and bigger buns!"

- ordering a chicken plate at an outdoor cafe and expecting a plate with maybe some potatoes, greens and a chicken breast but instead... getting a FULL SIZE CHICKEN with the head and all! Looked like a Thanksgiving Turkey but much smaller and we finished it (we EACH had one full one)!

- getting sky-rocketed in one of those slingshot type balls at the carnival. Wishing I would have opted for the video. I had a great time but the super chubby (okay, he was FAT), British, tourist kid (around 12) lost his cookies and luckily I gave him this look in that millisecond of time that told him "I don't care HOW young you are or how much cushion you've got under those poor, poor clothes... Look Away NOWWWW or I WILL HIT you!" This, all as we were at the peak of the free-falling ride - suspended at the top - and were about to make our descent. Poor kid. He looked at me with a mouth full, eyes bulging, then looked away and released. NASTY. We pressed on. My buddies laughing at me! We got a kick out of that kid but I felt bad for him. Looking back. Wanted to tell him "thanks" but didn't want to risk losing it myself. Weak stomach. OH! You know who he reminded me of? Augustus Gloop! From Willy Wonka.

This is only the beginning of my ventures in Palma, but I wanted to at least give you something to look at for now. I'll be jumping all over the place as time goes on so I will be sure to revisit with you.

What you see in these next few shots are, unfortunately, very low quality pictures that I took with my digital camcorder. At the time, it was state of the art. Ha! Way to go J. Should have just bought a camera because now, I have a drawer full of mini-DV tapes and I have NEVER watched them. They just sit. Collecting dust. I'll have to get them converted to 8-track sometime... er, I mean cassette... no, CD... DVD? Point is, by the time I get to it, i GUARANTEE they will need to be converted to some type of holographic imagery that it might not even be worth it. For now, we have these pics. Enjoy! Oh, the chalkboard was just to fancy them up some. Does it help? ;)

A Trip Home (Texas, Colorado & Wyoming)

My last post... showed my travels to San Antonio.

Here are a few pictures from that trip.

And a few more as I ended up flying to Denver, CO for a few days then driving to Gillette, WY for one night.

Can't believe how much can happen in just a short amount of time.

I'll say this much...

There is a lot going on in my life.

Lots of moving pieces... lots of love, sorrow, happiness, pain, and...


Definitely an emotional roller coaster.


But. I am trusting in God. Trusting that he will take care of me and my loved ones (you know who you are).


I am blessed that I am still here. Walking on this earth. The same land that He walked on just a couple thousand years ago. Think about things like "Why am I here? Why have you saved me so many times in my life. What purpose do you have for me?" And I anxiously await the answer.


I have taken advice from so many people throughout the years but there are a few people in the entire world that I can say I LISTEN to. My advisers, so to speak, of sound, sage guidance. This trip, I was reacquainted with a few of those people. And, know this... I trust you. Completely.


What you see...


Me, cousins, cousins, and MORE cousins, mom, dad, brothers, sisters, niece, nephews... view of Wyoming hillside... .. Tamales in the making. ;)


What I see... many other family members missing from my life.  ~ Someday.


{ confusing, this one... i know }