One Day

The very first play of the PSU v. U of I game last night was a 79 yard TD. Within seconds, PSU is up 7-0 and, I admit, I thought it was a sign of things to come. It wasn't until Iowa started ignoring the 100,000+ people in the stands that Iowa mounted a defense, made some offensive gains, and walked out of Happy Valley, PA, well... happy. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 and on their way to a great season. Road games are never easy for any team and with the victory, the target on Iowa's back just got larger. I personally think it's too early to start talking about bowl games or a Big Ten championship. There are more games to be played. Iowa does *NOT* have the luxury of looking past their next opponent to a January bowl game. They must remain focused and continue to take each game seriously. I wish them the best of luck and I hope they are successful.

In other news, this is going to be a busy week.

Monday - Megan has a volleyball game and also starts religious ed class since she is not going to Regina anymore.
Tuesday - Alex has tutor until 4:30, Megan has volleyball practice until 6:05 and then Karen, and Megan have haircuts @ 6:30.
Wednesday - Megan has volleyball practice until 6:05, Alex has basketball practice from 6-6:25 and tutor from 6:30-7:30
Thursday - Megan has a volleyball game, there's an ortho (orthodontist?) appt @ 8:00 and it's my 11 year anniversary at my employer. Also, new Survivor and Grey's Anatomy.
Friday - Megan has volleyball practice until 6:05, then we are racing up to Cedar Falls to see my brother-in-law's band the Hoodads play @ the Hub. We're spending the night.
Saturday - I have a CEW meeting from 9-12. Then we'll come home. Iowa plays @ 11. We'll probably go to 5:15 church or possibly stop in Cedar Rapids on the way home.
Sunday - Alex has basketball practice from 6-7.


The week of 10/5 - 10/9 is chaos.

Monday - Megan has a volleyball game and also has religious ed class.
Tuesday - Alex has tutor until 4:30, Megan has volleyball practice until 5:05.
Wednesday - Megan has volleyball practice until 5:05, Alex has basketball practice from 6-6:25 and tutor from 6:30-7:30
Thursday - Megan has her final volleyball game. Also, new Survivor and Grey's Anatomy.
Friday - going to the Lamb of God / GWAR / Job for a Cowboy concert in Des Moines with Phil. Have to decide if I'm going to drink beer because there is a blood drive that day as well and I don't want to donate and drink beer the same night.
Saturday - Iowa plays football, I think. We'll probably go to 5:15 church.
Sunday - Alex has basketball practice from 6-7.

I understand that one day, this will all be over. The kids will either drive themselves to where they need to go or they will be out of the house. It's a crazy time now.

The other big thing is that we sold our camper yesterday... and promptly went to Ketelsen's RV to look at ones they have on their lot. Not sure where that is going to go.

I Didn't Get to Sleep At All...

... because we were watching Mark's band play until 1 AM, then it was decided to go to Happy Chef for breakfast. I ate nothing - I think my 39 years of age were catching up to me. I got to bed @ 3 AM and by 8:30, we were up running around. I'm actually sitting in the data center of the hotel at which my kids are swimming. No, they are not unattended - Karen, Mark and his wife, and Karen's folks are all there. It is ungodly hot in the pool area and I don't want to get sick so I'm sitting in some nice air conditioning for a few moments.

In other news, DailyVault.com published my Queensryche review so that is cool.

Mark asked me how his band played. I like them. I think they sound good. I like that the drummer has electronic drums (Yamaha) that mix into the band's total sound. I also liked the bassist's dexterity. I noticed he doesn't play with a pick so his fingers move fast sometimes.

Among the other tidbits from last night, I played pool. There were two tables. I played next to a "Paul" and "Karen" that had been married 18 years. They have two daughters so we were able to exchange notes re: daughters.

Also, one of my best friends, JR came down to watch the band as well. I like talking to JR. We go back to 2nd grade and have shared many, many, experiences over the years. He is a trusted friend and confidant. We even have our taboo subjects and names we aren't allowed to even say to each other, though.

Tonight is Anthony's bachelor party. I am the designated driver. I did that with Travis' wedding a few years ago. I really don't mind that. I think tonight will be fun.

I'd better return to the ungodly hot pool area before I am missed.

Published, Weekend, and the Future

First, the cool news. Two big pieces posted today @ Dailyvault.com & a hint re: my next review.

1. Death Cab for Cutie review
2. Rush in Moline, IL, concert review
3. My review of Queensryche's CD of cover songs is coming later this week!

Second, we returned from Dubuque today after the funeral for my wife's aunt. She was 89 and died of natural causes. When we went through the wake receiving line on Saturday night, I was asked to be a pallbearer, an honor I accepted. It's an odd feeling when you know you are lifting someone who worked her entire life to lift the people in her life around her. She was a great woman and there are many who are sorrowful tonight as they envision a world without her. She will be missed and her memory cherished.
Third, this week is busy but it doesn't start until Wednesday.
Tomorrow night, unless it's raining, I'll be mowing. It's hard to believe that is the only scheduled activity.
Wednesday, though, is when the fun begins. Alex has a baseball game in Coralville and Megan has 6:30 practice.
Thursday, Megan has a double-header, starting the first game @ 5:30 and Alex has a game as well.
Friday, we leave Cedar Rapids when I get off work @ 5 for Cedar Falls to see my brother-in-law's band play at the Hub. His band is the The HooDads and my brother-in-law is the one with the Fender shirt. Guess what he plays?!?
Saturday AM, we are going to the hotel that my mother-in-law and her sister are staying at so that the kids can go swimming. Then we are leaving for CR to drop off the kids at my parents' house to spend the night. Then we are going to get ready. Ready for what? I am the designated driver for the father of the bride for his future son-in-law's bachelor party. Karen is going out with the girls.
Sunday, I'll grab the kids from CR and prepare for another week of work, baseball games, and who knows what else.