WOW
Thats all i really can say, it was amazing.. They went alllll out on impressing the athletes, media, and the whole world. Great job China!
Michael Phelps, Shawn Johnson, the US runners, amazing performances.. I hope that team USA can continue that with the Inline World Championships coming up here just a handful of days from now! GO RED, WHITE, and BLUE!!!!
Just a quick thing also. At practice yesterday we had a talk about effort. When you practice/train, make sure you are putting for 110% effort in everything that you are working on. Right now indoor, working on plyo's, strength, core, and outdoor, keeping your strength up, making sure you have that sprint at the end... work to 100% of your ability, especially when you have those off days! When you don't feel good, push that much harder because THAT is when you are going to get better!
until next time, God Bless, and go do some "rollerblading"!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Do you take it for granted?
I was at the gas station today with my wife and her friend, about to head to Chick-fil-A (yumm), thinking that it was a beautiful day, 83, sunny, slight wind.. a great day to go skate, head to the lake, anything but do something inside!
All of the sudden i heard it, you know, THAT sound. Metal hitting metal, scraping, crushing, glass breaking, tires screeching, that thud that is like fingernails across the chalkboard, it makes the hair on your neck stand and your heart skip a beat. I looked over and saw a mini-van, well, with a 15mo old myself i thought the worst,.. kids in the car, Then i saw what hit them as soon as i started running over to see if everyone was OK, a semi-truck! When i got close i saw that there was no-one in the back seats, but i saw that it was an elderly couple. It looked like a pretty bad wreck, driver door was slammed into and wouldn't open, airbags out, dash pushed close to the front seats, front tire bent in half. There was already someone talking to the gentleman, who looked worse than his wife, so i checked on her, as she looked rattled and worried. I opened the door making sure it wouldn't disturb her or move anything that shouldn't have been moved to see how she was. Turns out she just had some minor cuts and scrapes from the glass, but i don't know what else, since she went to the hospital and we didn't. The Gentleman was in worse shape, he was pinned in the car from the door, it looked like his arm might have been broken, his knee was already swelling, and he had quite a few cuts all over too. He looked very short of breath and panicky, so we all tried to calm him, and his wife down to relax themselves. His wife told us he was on some medication for his heart, so we were praying NOT for the worst of course! After a few min, right before the cops and firefighters got there, he started getting color back and breathing more normally. HE even threw in a joke when we told him not to move and just keep relaxed, "well, i don't think i can go anywhere else anyway!" he said. About that time the officers shuffled us away so they could do there jobs, so we walked away hoping for the best for both of them. I gotta thank my wife since she was a first responder in MN, she helped out ALOT.
We haven't heard anything since, but i do wish to know how everything turned out and that both were OK. The truck driver was fine, as his truck was so much bigger than the van.
It made me think all day, any minute, any time, any day, even in 15 min, something could happen that changes all of your plans. Be it for just that day, or a week, or even you or your family's whole life... Makes ya think... Its things like this that make me strive even harder to make sure that i try not to wrong anyone, and keep my friends and family close, and make sure that if something WERE to happen, that not one person could say anything bad about me. Dont take waking across the street, driving down the road, even going skating, for granted, because at any time, something could happen.
Hope this wasn't to long, it took me long enough to type it! Take care, and sit back and think.... God Bless all of ya!
All of the sudden i heard it, you know, THAT sound. Metal hitting metal, scraping, crushing, glass breaking, tires screeching, that thud that is like fingernails across the chalkboard, it makes the hair on your neck stand and your heart skip a beat. I looked over and saw a mini-van, well, with a 15mo old myself i thought the worst,.. kids in the car, Then i saw what hit them as soon as i started running over to see if everyone was OK, a semi-truck! When i got close i saw that there was no-one in the back seats, but i saw that it was an elderly couple. It looked like a pretty bad wreck, driver door was slammed into and wouldn't open, airbags out, dash pushed close to the front seats, front tire bent in half. There was already someone talking to the gentleman, who looked worse than his wife, so i checked on her, as she looked rattled and worried. I opened the door making sure it wouldn't disturb her or move anything that shouldn't have been moved to see how she was. Turns out she just had some minor cuts and scrapes from the glass, but i don't know what else, since she went to the hospital and we didn't. The Gentleman was in worse shape, he was pinned in the car from the door, it looked like his arm might have been broken, his knee was already swelling, and he had quite a few cuts all over too. He looked very short of breath and panicky, so we all tried to calm him, and his wife down to relax themselves. His wife told us he was on some medication for his heart, so we were praying NOT for the worst of course! After a few min, right before the cops and firefighters got there, he started getting color back and breathing more normally. HE even threw in a joke when we told him not to move and just keep relaxed, "well, i don't think i can go anywhere else anyway!" he said. About that time the officers shuffled us away so they could do there jobs, so we walked away hoping for the best for both of them. I gotta thank my wife since she was a first responder in MN, she helped out ALOT.
We haven't heard anything since, but i do wish to know how everything turned out and that both were OK. The truck driver was fine, as his truck was so much bigger than the van.
It made me think all day, any minute, any time, any day, even in 15 min, something could happen that changes all of your plans. Be it for just that day, or a week, or even you or your family's whole life... Makes ya think... Its things like this that make me strive even harder to make sure that i try not to wrong anyone, and keep my friends and family close, and make sure that if something WERE to happen, that not one person could say anything bad about me. Dont take waking across the street, driving down the road, even going skating, for granted, because at any time, something could happen.
Hope this wasn't to long, it took me long enough to type it! Take care, and sit back and think.... God Bless all of ya!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Mornin!
Well, Ive been thinking this morning a little, with the Olympics going on, all the races around, residency, just getting finished with Indoor nats, etc.
First of, congratulations to all of the competitors at IDN, and a special congrats to the medal winners, and record breakers (theres alot!). Alot of the divisions were very close this year, and it could have been whoever who ended up medaling. Senior men for instance had at least 6-7 skaters that were easily fast enough to wind up in the top 3, but as we know, there is ONLY the top 3! Kevin Pearsall, i thought was the one to win, ans i would have put my money on him, but in the last race, he ahs a mental block and was not in the right place at the right time. It has happened to all of us, myself more than i want to admit too! It ended up that Kevin got a bronze medal, which is fantastic, but it could have been any of 6-7 skaters in that positition. Another division was freshman ladies, SUCH awesome racing, along with sophomore men, there were easily 4 skaters that could have won or got a silver, but with falls, dq's, and bad placement, it happened that 3 skaters were left looking at someone else skating up and getting the gold (yes, I'm proud, it was my brother Jonathan).
Point is, if you placed, awesome!, if you didn't, you are just about there, so work to get there! It really is a great feeling having your name called up to the podium, especially the top of it! Another thing, to the skaters that won, keep your head on straight, you have no idea who is looking at you wanting to be in your position in the next few years. If you act out in any way, that kid that idolizes you, might be disappointed, or worse, act the same way. Just because you won, placed, set a record, or even won your semi, you have no right to be arrogant about it, proud yes, but not arrogant. It might be how I was brought up, i try to be the to one to congratulate everyone, no mater if you, OR I came in first or last, but i have even had to check myself a time or dozen in the past and I'm sure i will in the future. Remember though, God gave you the ability, he can take it away in the blink of an eye!
I had more to write, but i will do it later Ive got to get back to building the boots by the skater for the skater... ;) take care and God bless
First of, congratulations to all of the competitors at IDN, and a special congrats to the medal winners, and record breakers (theres alot!). Alot of the divisions were very close this year, and it could have been whoever who ended up medaling. Senior men for instance had at least 6-7 skaters that were easily fast enough to wind up in the top 3, but as we know, there is ONLY the top 3! Kevin Pearsall, i thought was the one to win, ans i would have put my money on him, but in the last race, he ahs a mental block and was not in the right place at the right time. It has happened to all of us, myself more than i want to admit too! It ended up that Kevin got a bronze medal, which is fantastic, but it could have been any of 6-7 skaters in that positition. Another division was freshman ladies, SUCH awesome racing, along with sophomore men, there were easily 4 skaters that could have won or got a silver, but with falls, dq's, and bad placement, it happened that 3 skaters were left looking at someone else skating up and getting the gold (yes, I'm proud, it was my brother Jonathan).
Point is, if you placed, awesome!, if you didn't, you are just about there, so work to get there! It really is a great feeling having your name called up to the podium, especially the top of it! Another thing, to the skaters that won, keep your head on straight, you have no idea who is looking at you wanting to be in your position in the next few years. If you act out in any way, that kid that idolizes you, might be disappointed, or worse, act the same way. Just because you won, placed, set a record, or even won your semi, you have no right to be arrogant about it, proud yes, but not arrogant. It might be how I was brought up, i try to be the to one to congratulate everyone, no mater if you, OR I came in first or last, but i have even had to check myself a time or dozen in the past and I'm sure i will in the future. Remember though, God gave you the ability, he can take it away in the blink of an eye!
I had more to write, but i will do it later Ive got to get back to building the boots by the skater for the skater... ;) take care and God bless
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A beginning.... 8-8-08
Well, I did it... Actually, let me rephrase that... WE did it. Kelli and I are officially married! We went down to Destin Fl, because her dream was to be married on the beach, so we made it happen. we both surprised our parents with plane tickets(and a ride) there, because both of us really didn't feel right if they weren't. Let me tell you this, i am SOOOOO happy right now! God allowed it to happen with less than 5 days of planning, so yea, you can call it a shotgun wedding! LOL The ceremony was beautiful with the sun setting in the distance, but it was not as beautiful as my bride walking down the beach in the most beautiful wedding dress, and looking more radiant than i can even describe! (think i am a proud husband?)
All I will say, is it was a perfect weekend, other than her mom getting stung by a jellyfish. I thank God that my dad, mom, mother and father in-law got to attend and witness it.
OK, enough about me, here is the juicy stuff!
I get back on Monday and had been getting calls ALL day. This, that, whens my boot ready, you need to order this.. etc.. and i think wow, can i go back to FL????? HAHAHA I have heard some about residency, how the kids and adults and coaches are skating, acting and performing. It all sounds like we might do pretty well at worlds this year! Some squabbling here and there should be addressed, but I'm not there, so i cant really speak my mind in all honesty. I hope everyone just keeps working as hard as they can to do put on the best performance that the US can!
Another thing that is on my mind... Typically the best/most popular indoor skaters are from the east coast, as deserved, because most of the huge indoor meets are over here(Greensboro, Roanoke, Georgia). But (imo) the most recognised Outdoor skaters are from the Midwest. There are ALOT of races in the Midwest area, it seems like if you live around there, you get a very good cance to hit a race at least every other weekend there! I think we need more races ALL around the country indoor and outdoor.. Inline planet, skatelog, are all great sites to promote the races and the sport. Also, i think clinics are very good to help new skaters get started in skating, and get them introduced to some of the more elite skaters and maybe start some friendships. If you can get to a clinic or two and help a skater, learn new things, or just support a good cause, make some plans!!!
Until next time, .. Take care, and God bless!!
PS, you thought you were gonna read about that other blog, lol naw, its not worth my time...
All I will say, is it was a perfect weekend, other than her mom getting stung by a jellyfish. I thank God that my dad, mom, mother and father in-law got to attend and witness it.
OK, enough about me, here is the juicy stuff!
I get back on Monday and had been getting calls ALL day. This, that, whens my boot ready, you need to order this.. etc.. and i think wow, can i go back to FL????? HAHAHA I have heard some about residency, how the kids and adults and coaches are skating, acting and performing. It all sounds like we might do pretty well at worlds this year! Some squabbling here and there should be addressed, but I'm not there, so i cant really speak my mind in all honesty. I hope everyone just keeps working as hard as they can to do put on the best performance that the US can!
Another thing that is on my mind... Typically the best/most popular indoor skaters are from the east coast, as deserved, because most of the huge indoor meets are over here(Greensboro, Roanoke, Georgia). But (imo) the most recognised Outdoor skaters are from the Midwest. There are ALOT of races in the Midwest area, it seems like if you live around there, you get a very good cance to hit a race at least every other weekend there! I think we need more races ALL around the country indoor and outdoor.. Inline planet, skatelog, are all great sites to promote the races and the sport. Also, i think clinics are very good to help new skaters get started in skating, and get them introduced to some of the more elite skaters and maybe start some friendships. If you can get to a clinic or two and help a skater, learn new things, or just support a good cause, make some plans!!!
Until next time, .. Take care, and God bless!!
PS, you thought you were gonna read about that other blog, lol naw, its not worth my time...
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