The Pioneer Press is doing a series of front pages articles about youth sports called "a generation on the sidelines." I've been following it, and find it interesting.
Read the latest here
I think it's sad but true - you need money to excel in sports. When you're looking at raw talent in a sport, I don't think financial status matters too much. However, wealthy families can send their kids to fancy hockey camps, play year-round and have better equipment to play the game.
I guess that's one reason I really like the YMCA - they are determined to not turn any families away from being able to use the pool, workout, play sports or go to camp. Every kid should have the right to be active and learn to play with other children, and every adult should have the chance to workout and socialize.
3.24.2009
3.08.2009
14 job-related things about me
25 job-related things about me
I read this article, and thought I'd make a list of my own.
1. My first job was a lemonade stand staffed my my brother, sister and I, and in two weekends, we were able to buy a giant trampoline with our profits. My second was a partnership with my sister to sell beanie baby accessories online - we were not nearly as successful.
2. My first "official" job was grounds crew and leader the of the jail convicts to clean and move thing around the fairgrounds. I lasted five years, and dealt with a lot of garbage!
3. I lasted a whole summer at another fairgrounds, where I regularly cleaned 120 horse stalls with jail convicts, emptied and arranged over 300 garbage cans and mowed over 100 acres of grass. My favorite was mowing until I fell asleep and rode into some soccer nets, and I didn't get to do that so much anymore.
4. At #3 I was required to wear an XXL bright green shirt with the intention to match the sanitation crew. Also, pants all summer, so I ripped a lot of holes in my jeans "by accident" to stay cool. I also learned to drive a skidsteer and tractor, so a big plus there!
5. I worked at a gas station for over five years, and was trained in by someone who quit during my second week to murder someone with her boyfriend, then cut him into pieces and bury him in her parents' yard. So every time I did something wrong, I totally blamed her training.
6. My best job perk ever was getting paid to work on a beautiful island on a marathon. While I worked hard setting up for a weekend, it was warm and sunny, and housing and food were paid for as well.
7. My dream job would be to manage a national tour of triathlons/running races, and set up training trips around the country for athletes (and get to test them out!). I'm also very interested in non-profit leadership, health and wellness, and tourism.
8. My first job out of college was security at a waterpark.
9. I've worked for 28 different organizations. This doesn't take into account working for several departments or several locations one place - always at least 2-3 at a time.
10. I've never been fired.
11. I sold programs and did some marketing for a baseball team, where I met a lot of great people and got free beer and hot dogs after the games. I still miss that job!
12. I used to work two full-time jobs both from 8 to 4. Of course, this was both 8 am and 8 pm that I started (casino and waterpark) and I wanted to die every day.
13. When I quit working at the waterpark, I had to bring a garbage bag full of uniforms because I had worked in every different department to help out at some point in time (my favorite was cabana server!).
14. I've worked on events as large as the Disney Half Marathon, inaugeral events like the Catalina Eco-Marathon, running events in California, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and even directed one with proceeds going to charity.
I read this article, and thought I'd make a list of my own.
1. My first job was a lemonade stand staffed my my brother, sister and I, and in two weekends, we were able to buy a giant trampoline with our profits. My second was a partnership with my sister to sell beanie baby accessories online - we were not nearly as successful.
2. My first "official" job was grounds crew and leader the of the jail convicts to clean and move thing around the fairgrounds. I lasted five years, and dealt with a lot of garbage!
3. I lasted a whole summer at another fairgrounds, where I regularly cleaned 120 horse stalls with jail convicts, emptied and arranged over 300 garbage cans and mowed over 100 acres of grass. My favorite was mowing until I fell asleep and rode into some soccer nets, and I didn't get to do that so much anymore.
4. At #3 I was required to wear an XXL bright green shirt with the intention to match the sanitation crew. Also, pants all summer, so I ripped a lot of holes in my jeans "by accident" to stay cool. I also learned to drive a skidsteer and tractor, so a big plus there!
5. I worked at a gas station for over five years, and was trained in by someone who quit during my second week to murder someone with her boyfriend, then cut him into pieces and bury him in her parents' yard. So every time I did something wrong, I totally blamed her training.
6. My best job perk ever was getting paid to work on a beautiful island on a marathon. While I worked hard setting up for a weekend, it was warm and sunny, and housing and food were paid for as well.
7. My dream job would be to manage a national tour of triathlons/running races, and set up training trips around the country for athletes (and get to test them out!). I'm also very interested in non-profit leadership, health and wellness, and tourism.
8. My first job out of college was security at a waterpark.
9. I've worked for 28 different organizations. This doesn't take into account working for several departments or several locations one place - always at least 2-3 at a time.
10. I've never been fired.
11. I sold programs and did some marketing for a baseball team, where I met a lot of great people and got free beer and hot dogs after the games. I still miss that job!
12. I used to work two full-time jobs both from 8 to 4. Of course, this was both 8 am and 8 pm that I started (casino and waterpark) and I wanted to die every day.
13. When I quit working at the waterpark, I had to bring a garbage bag full of uniforms because I had worked in every different department to help out at some point in time (my favorite was cabana server!).
14. I've worked on events as large as the Disney Half Marathon, inaugeral events like the Catalina Eco-Marathon, running events in California, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and even directed one with proceeds going to charity.
Katie and Keegan do Rochester/Lanesboro, Minn.
Six-word memoir:
Rochester: Very happening city, wasn't expecting that.
Lanesboro: Historic, saloon, river valley kinda town.
Ultimately, Keegan and I were headed to Lanesboro, Minn. on a suggestion from co-workers who have family there. We ended up making pit-stops in Rochester, knowing it is home to Kemps Ice Cream and the Mayo. The only Fazoli's left in Minnesota is there too, along with any stores, restaurants and parks you could ever need.Arriving at the destination, you have have to drive down a big hill that overlooks the town. It was a saloon-type town where there was nothing corporate, nothing to wipe out the small businesses, which was refreshing especially after Rochester. There were a few bed and breakfasts, and outfitters for play on Root River. We saw two deer just hanging out near a library, and a waterfall nearby - this was without having to do any hiking, just heading into a parking lot. I wanted to explore the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, but it got dark and I couldn't see it (there was a ropes course there, though!). There were several large parks as well.
Definitelay a place to get a canoe next time!
(More pictures)
Katie and Keegan do Red Wing, Minn.
Red Wing, Minn. in a six-word memoir: Quaint town, smells like broiled chicken.
For our first Garmin adventure, Keegan and I choose a town about an hour away that was pretty simple to get to with interesting scenery. We ventured to Red Wing, Minn. and also made a stop in Prescott, Wis.
According to the city's website, it has been chosen as one of the 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and highly rated by National Geographic. There are historic houses and shops, a train depot, and it's home to Red Wing Shoe Company, and all situated near the Mississippi River.
(More press about Red Wing)
We chose to hang out at a two-level Caribou Coffee, then view the trains and walk around the shops for awhile. I've rock climbed there before (Barn Bluff) but will be back for more, as well as to catch the train or some good food in the future.
(More pictures)
12.29.2008
The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch
I've been looking forward to seeing this. I must say, I expected a bit more than what seemed like at times to be an advertisement for Carnegie Mellow. But the story and lessons were pretty good.
If you knew you didn't have much longer to live, what would you do with your time? I hope I'm never in that situation, how awful would it be to know you've got a wife and three kids who are going to spend the rest of their lives without their husband/dad?
What were your childhood dreams? I don't think I remember mine. I know somewhere that I have a 50 things to do before I turn 50 that I made in high school, I'll have to pull that out and see how I'm doing.
I've been looking forward to seeing this. I must say, I expected a bit more than what seemed like at times to be an advertisement for Carnegie Mellow. But the story and lessons were pretty good.
If you knew you didn't have much longer to live, what would you do with your time? I hope I'm never in that situation, how awful would it be to know you've got a wife and three kids who are going to spend the rest of their lives without their husband/dad?
What were your childhood dreams? I don't think I remember mine. I know somewhere that I have a 50 things to do before I turn 50 that I made in high school, I'll have to pull that out and see how I'm doing.
Let's blame poor nutrition and obesity on a weak economy!
Should have been doing all along?
I'm going to put this out there - I believe that a big part of why the economy is heading south is because the media don't have anything else to report and the abundance of information we're getting is causing very low buyer confidence.
Recently, I read an article stating that consumer spending on Christmas presents hasn't been that low since 1969. Who needs that much "stuff"? Also, the US has been cutting jobs and laying off people - maybe it's a good thing. We may be just trimming the fat of who's producing the least in the workforce.
Personally, I'm sick of hearing just how bad the economy is. Yup, it appears we've fallen on hard times - deal. I feel that we are now putting blame on it as an excuse. Yes, jobs ARE harder to come by. It may be harder to keep your job - I say work that much harder so you are so valuable to a company that they can't get rid of you. Yes, stocks, bonds and 401Ks aren't doing well, but did you expect that they would just keep climbing? Of course at some point we were going to not buy as many cars, trips, and material things so the production would be slower. I think we as Americans are to the point now where we can just go, "Oh, I'm late to work because of the damn economy" and our bosses would just nod.
Obviously, we had it coming. The "war" is costing us billions for one. And the main reason is that people had it good, bought houses, cars and things that they couldn't afford in the first place, and now wonder what the hell happened. Sure there were some predatory lending practices - but who can't look at how much they make and how much the house will cost and realize the latter is more?
I know we've fallen on hard times, but come on people - you can take some of the blame too.
Anyhow, in reference to the article, I'm curious - do you think the economy is causing us to make poor food choices? Do you think the economy would make obesity rates lower because we go without food, or higher because we choose soda over milk?
It did make me sad to read this article. We're paying tax dollars to feed people, I think we have a right to at least know that they're purchasing more than chips and candy with it. If that means educating people on the basics of nutrition and exercise, than so be it.
I'm going to put this out there - I believe that a big part of why the economy is heading south is because the media don't have anything else to report and the abundance of information we're getting is causing very low buyer confidence.
Recently, I read an article stating that consumer spending on Christmas presents hasn't been that low since 1969. Who needs that much "stuff"? Also, the US has been cutting jobs and laying off people - maybe it's a good thing. We may be just trimming the fat of who's producing the least in the workforce.
Personally, I'm sick of hearing just how bad the economy is. Yup, it appears we've fallen on hard times - deal. I feel that we are now putting blame on it as an excuse. Yes, jobs ARE harder to come by. It may be harder to keep your job - I say work that much harder so you are so valuable to a company that they can't get rid of you. Yes, stocks, bonds and 401Ks aren't doing well, but did you expect that they would just keep climbing? Of course at some point we were going to not buy as many cars, trips, and material things so the production would be slower. I think we as Americans are to the point now where we can just go, "Oh, I'm late to work because of the damn economy" and our bosses would just nod.
Obviously, we had it coming. The "war" is costing us billions for one. And the main reason is that people had it good, bought houses, cars and things that they couldn't afford in the first place, and now wonder what the hell happened. Sure there were some predatory lending practices - but who can't look at how much they make and how much the house will cost and realize the latter is more?
I know we've fallen on hard times, but come on people - you can take some of the blame too.
Anyhow, in reference to the article, I'm curious - do you think the economy is causing us to make poor food choices? Do you think the economy would make obesity rates lower because we go without food, or higher because we choose soda over milk?
It did make me sad to read this article. We're paying tax dollars to feed people, I think we have a right to at least know that they're purchasing more than chips and candy with it. If that means educating people on the basics of nutrition and exercise, than so be it.
12.03.2008
A Ryan and Katie vacation
After the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving with a brand new baby (also known as the "four family tour" - breakfast and late supper with Ryan's families, lunch and dinner with mine, and I'm not talking immediate family here), we unpacked our warm clothes and packed up the long underwear and plenty of layers for a trip to Lutsen, MN.
Now, admittedly, we first took this trip after finding out Cowboy Mouth would be doing a concert at Papa Charlie's. But it's a four-hour drive from home, so that meant a hotel stay. That turned into finding a deal where we could get two nights in a hotel, two lift tickets, AND two rentals all for the price of one. PLUS booking the multi-night stay got us free concert tickets. So, with Grammy Pammy and gRONpa begging us for more time with their grandson, we obliged.
Off to become snow bunnies gracefully jetting down the mountain, right? Wrong. At least for one of us.
After a late night with the Mouth at the bar, we layered up and hit the mountains the next morning. After TWO trips down the bunny hill for me (where you conveyor belted up) with Ryan coaching me on how to ski (previously, I went once in college with no instruction, it was a doozy), we got into the chair lift. Apparently there was a bigger bunny hill somewhere up there, but somehow we missed something and hit only blue squares and black diamonds. So, after two good falls, some swearing and nearly having to change my three layers of pants, we got to the bottom and found a map.
I became a bit more confident after we took the gondola to the other mountain. We ate a bit in the chalet, and feeling a bit better about my skiing skills, I whizzed down the mountain and took an amazing fall. My hat was ten feet from where I ended up, my sunglasses shattered and my knees, head and pride all injured.
Back to the ACTUAL Big Bunny we went. While I stuck to that one, and another similar one, Ryan took some other routes that ended up in the same place.
After we exhausted ourselves, it was time for the hotel hot tub and sauna, where we met three drunk girls. We got some dinner, then more hot tub and wine. I awoke the next morning and nearly fell out of bed, I still hurt from all that skiing/falling. But all in all a very good trip, and a night full of sleep with no late night feedings to worry about.
But again, back to reality. Now, I sit with a sleeping baby in a very Christmas-themed apartment, but in a few hours, I've got 18 rugrats to bring home from school and try to keep from killing each other, followed by around 30 more to watch while their parents work out.
It's a great day to be alive :)
Now, admittedly, we first took this trip after finding out Cowboy Mouth would be doing a concert at Papa Charlie's. But it's a four-hour drive from home, so that meant a hotel stay. That turned into finding a deal where we could get two nights in a hotel, two lift tickets, AND two rentals all for the price of one. PLUS booking the multi-night stay got us free concert tickets. So, with Grammy Pammy and gRONpa begging us for more time with their grandson, we obliged.
Off to become snow bunnies gracefully jetting down the mountain, right? Wrong. At least for one of us.
After a late night with the Mouth at the bar, we layered up and hit the mountains the next morning. After TWO trips down the bunny hill for me (where you conveyor belted up) with Ryan coaching me on how to ski (previously, I went once in college with no instruction, it was a doozy), we got into the chair lift. Apparently there was a bigger bunny hill somewhere up there, but somehow we missed something and hit only blue squares and black diamonds. So, after two good falls, some swearing and nearly having to change my three layers of pants, we got to the bottom and found a map.
I became a bit more confident after we took the gondola to the other mountain. We ate a bit in the chalet, and feeling a bit better about my skiing skills, I whizzed down the mountain and took an amazing fall. My hat was ten feet from where I ended up, my sunglasses shattered and my knees, head and pride all injured.
Back to the ACTUAL Big Bunny we went. While I stuck to that one, and another similar one, Ryan took some other routes that ended up in the same place.
After we exhausted ourselves, it was time for the hotel hot tub and sauna, where we met three drunk girls. We got some dinner, then more hot tub and wine. I awoke the next morning and nearly fell out of bed, I still hurt from all that skiing/falling. But all in all a very good trip, and a night full of sleep with no late night feedings to worry about.
But again, back to reality. Now, I sit with a sleeping baby in a very Christmas-themed apartment, but in a few hours, I've got 18 rugrats to bring home from school and try to keep from killing each other, followed by around 30 more to watch while their parents work out.
It's a great day to be alive :)
Family Vacation
So, my two-month old son is now a plane travel expert and been in more states than I was at 19. I think he's even picking up a bit of Spanish!
We took a much-needed vacation to California just before Thanksgiving. The trip started with an early morning flight out (we had to take the sleeping Keegster out of his car seat and snowsuit to get through security!) from 13 degrees in Minneapolis to 83 in San Diego. The three of us walked the La Jolla caves and shops before taking our time getting back to Palm Springs.
We stayed in the Springs for two nights at my favorite, semi-cheap tiki-themed hotel. Keegan went swimming for the first time and loved it (then not so much the second time), we ate GREAT food that I missed, and met up with JP and his girlfriend. The second day, we got out to Idyllwild to hike the Devil's Slide and visit various little shops. The next morning before heading back to San Diego, we hiked the Museum Trail (Lykken) and had breakfast with some friends.
That night we found Old Town and had GIANT margaritas and awesome Mexican food. The next day, we experienced Balboa Park, Ocean Beach and played around at Horton Plaza. For our last full day, we walked the boardwalk and piers of Mission and Pacific Beaches, went to Hotel Coronado and rounded out the night with some Inn-N-Out burgers with animal style fries.
It was pretty sad to leave, especially since it was a cool 80-90 degrees throughout our stay, and Minnesota was insane coldness. But California will always be just a plane, train, or automobile away.
We took a much-needed vacation to California just before Thanksgiving. The trip started with an early morning flight out (we had to take the sleeping Keegster out of his car seat and snowsuit to get through security!) from 13 degrees in Minneapolis to 83 in San Diego. The three of us walked the La Jolla caves and shops before taking our time getting back to Palm Springs.
We stayed in the Springs for two nights at my favorite, semi-cheap tiki-themed hotel. Keegan went swimming for the first time and loved it (then not so much the second time), we ate GREAT food that I missed, and met up with JP and his girlfriend. The second day, we got out to Idyllwild to hike the Devil's Slide and visit various little shops. The next morning before heading back to San Diego, we hiked the Museum Trail (Lykken) and had breakfast with some friends.
That night we found Old Town and had GIANT margaritas and awesome Mexican food. The next day, we experienced Balboa Park, Ocean Beach and played around at Horton Plaza. For our last full day, we walked the boardwalk and piers of Mission and Pacific Beaches, went to Hotel Coronado and rounded out the night with some Inn-N-Out burgers with animal style fries.
It was pretty sad to leave, especially since it was a cool 80-90 degrees throughout our stay, and Minnesota was insane coldness. But California will always be just a plane, train, or automobile away.
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