Team Helmets

Calling all BK alumni.  Please comment on which you like.  I think the white needs to happen.

Please keep in mind, there will be helmet stickers on there as well.  The BK crest on one side, numbers on the other.

Keep these unis in mind

It’s October?

The last couple of months have gone by faster than any two in my life.  First, a quick mustaches vs cancer update.

Bring your telescope to get a glimpse.

Things aren’t going so well on my quest to raise money for kids with cancer.  Not just because I’ve only raised $15 in the course of a week, but also because I clearly wasn’t meant to grow a mustache.  It’s alright though, because it’s a lot easier to rock a goofy looking mustache than it is to have cancer, and I’ll continue to do my part.

I’ve been a full blown teacher for about a month and a half now out at Kuna Middle, and I’m finally starting to hit my stride.  First observation was last week and I think it went really well.  Post-observation meeting had to be rescheduled, but I’m confident that the tone of it will be pleasant.  The staff is really friendly, and my team is really supportive.  The time commitment can be overwhelming at times, but it’s what I want to be doing.

Dana and I are in the process of buying a house.  Here’s a pic:

In the middle of our street

With any luck we should close on it by the 30th of this month.  It’s in Meridian near Rocky Mountain High School, so Dana will have a short drive over to Centennial in the mornings, and I have a straight shot out to Kuna.

I’ll keep the mustaches vs cancer updates coming.

Mustaches vs Cancer

Starting today I will be taking part in the annual Mustaches vs Cancer competition, which will involve me growing out my mustache (or whatever you want to call the thin range of whiskers atop my upper lip) for a full 8 weeks.  Over the course of that time period, I will be soliciting pledges in support of my exercise in masculinity.  All money generated will go towards pediatric cancer research at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

To sponsor me, you can click here.  My competition name is “Mr. Kotter”, in honor of one of the most famous mustached teachers of all time.  For my friends in the teaching field, don’t worry, I’ve already cleared this with my principal.  She thought it was hilarious.  For now, here’s my “shave day” picture.  The mug shot will be updated at least once a week.

Shaving my practice stache made me sad...

It is so football season.

Dana’s Player Sink 3/4 Court Shot

This was during the semi-finals of their conference tournament last year.  I was the official stat-keeper but couldn’t contain my excitement.  I jumped out of my seat so fast the chair flew back in to the stands.  Thank goodness nobody was sitting directly behind me, cause I might have injured someone.

Tahoe Pic

So none of the team photographers (or Woozlettes as we like to call them), have posted their Tahoe pics on facebook yet, so I haven’t been able to throw any of them up here. Luckily BigFoot’s team photographer put a couple up from our game against them on his website. In any case, here’s a pretty solid one. Notice the new unis this year…lots of pink.

If you’re thinking that I look small compared to everyone out there…you would be correct. I think I’ve been the smallest guy out there two years running. Had a good time, but there are some things we need to fix before heading back next summer.

The British (Bogus) Open

Periodically a few of us who enjoy disc golf put together “formal” competitions.  It’s not like we don’t compete every time we go out, but these special events are ones that come with bragging rights built in.  In honor of the recent British Open, we decided to drive up to Bogus Basin to play a treacherous course none of us had ever experienced before.

The views were amazing.  Here’s Porter teeing off on the fourth hole.

Basket is in the group of trees down and to the left

It was weird seeing Bogus without any snow.  It’s hard to imagine smooth clean runs when all you can see are rocks and shrubs.  While the views were great, the course made it hard to hang on to your discs.  I personally lost two (one particularly good one), while Porter and Jake lost one a piece.  Chris was the only one to come out unscathed in the disc department.

Speaking of which, Chris won “The British” by two strokes.  I took second, which is my best showing in one of our formal competitions.  Chris got me by two strokes.  Going in to the back nine he was up four, and I brought it back to within one, but he closed it out nicely.  I did have a good highlight on the day though, hitting a put from about 30 yards or so.  I took a picture from where I stood right after it went in.  You can kind of see my pink putter in the bucket.

Porter Giving an Approving Thumbs Up

We’re considering having one more “major” before Porter takes off for the Peace Core.  Hopefully I’ll sneak one out then.

The Criterion

Had a couple of awesome days this week.  The first involved an evening at the annual twilight criterion in Downtown Boise.  Dana and I were joined by Beth and Porter.  We started off with our usual view atop the Hotel 43.

View from up top

A couple next to us were rocking a green laser pointer, which they were flashing on to the sidewalk down below.  The guy was putting it right in front of kids who were walking with their parents.   The kids would be startled but then start looking around for the culprit, usually unsuccessfully.  A few dogs fell victim to the antics as well.

Then we moved down to the street level.  The corner of Grove and 10th offered a view from a grassy hill, allowing us to sit down and relax while the riders went by.  I took a picture with my camera phone as the bikes went by from about five feet away.  It created a cool ghost like effect.

This must be what bike races look like in the after life

I’m a little bummed that they don’t use the old course which circled around Main and Idaho street.  The parking garage by the Egyptian gave an amazing view of the finish line.  Now you have to crowd in next to the fences down below to catch a glimpse of the end of the race.  Hopefully they’ll move it back in the next couple of years.  Still a great time though.

Crazy Couple of Weeks

Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks it’s been. First, Dana and I had a fantastic time in Seattle for Tom and Heather’s wedding. I love weddings where the bride and groom are buddies with all of my other friends. It was a great excuse for a lot of us to see each other again and have a good time doing it. A pic of the “Boise Table” and the happy couple below:

With Dana as photographer

Friday was also fun though, as those of us who weren’t in the wedding party took in a Seattle Mariner’s game. They might be in the same division as the Angels, but that didn’t keep me from having a great time watching (plus they were playing the Rangers, who are more of a threat in the division at the moment). The center field bleacher seats were fantastic. Great crowd of people who were interested in having a good time.

Our view from the bleachers

Like I said, we had a great time. The only problem was that we got back in to Boise on a Sunday, and the BK camp started on Monday. Not a lot of time to relax before a week full of what are essentially two-a-day practices (with each lasting approximately 3 hours). The good news was that I had a great staff this year, and the camp went off without a hitch.

So now it’s time to buckle down on thesis writing. Looking to finish the MAT up by the end of August.

July 6 = 2 years

But it only feels like 2 weeks.

Still not sure how I pulled this one off