Walking Fundraisers

It's Friday and back to normal Spring weather. I can wait another 2 months for the 85+ degree days that we had about a week and a half ago.

It's about the time when some of the fundraiser walks begin and this year I am walking in the second annual Walk-A-Thon for Preeclampsia. I am walking in memory of my dear friend Shelly who passed away in January 2005 and in honor of her amazing daughter Hailey. If anyone would like to learn more about preeclampsia, go to the site above. If anyone would like to walk with me in Minneapolis on the morning of May 13th (just ride along or meet me there), let me know. Otherwise I'll be walking with Mr. iPod to keep me company. There is also walks in other parts of the country - including Davenport. This one is being setup and run by Shelly's parents and they would love to have more people take part. There is also the ability to donate (tax deductible remember!) without walking from the same registration form.

My brother is also doing his part by participating the same morning in WalkAmerica (March of Dimes) which is the largest walk-a-thon fundraiser nationwide. They do a lot of work and help for babies such as Hailey that was born almost 2 months early and ensure that she will continue to grow up healthy. Here is his website for any family members (or anyone) that would like to contribute to his cause. I think that if he makes his goal of fundraising, he should have to turn it into a triathalon or something. For those that have never met my brother, he is in much much better shape than I am. He was born to run. I was born to eat. He has trophies and medals from running cross country. I have T-Shirts from all you can eat wing eating contests. And a woman's bowling trophy - can't forget that one!!!

I have been going to the RAC pretty consistently the past 2 weeks. What I'm continually amazed at is how we as adults are extreme creatures of habit. I see the same people there every morning (or on the specific days they come for specific events, Tuesday Racquetball, Friday Basketball, etc) arriving at the same time. I'm one in the same with these people. When I drive to work, I will continue to see the same people on Hwy 52 that I saw the day before. I park in very similar parking spot as the day before because I, along with everyone else, arrive at work nearly the same time every morning. I remember discussing this in my 2nd year of Music Theory (the class I probably use most here at my job at IBM.... for analyzing the music that I'm listening to on my headphones). Dr. Prater was discussing the whole concept of "creatures of habit" and brought out things such as putting the same contact lens in first, starting in the same corner when you brush your teeth, putting the same shoe on first. You know what? He is exactly right. Just a random thought for the day.

Plans this weekend include cleaning and practicing tonight, a wedding in La Crosse of one of Hazel's coworkers (reception at the Elite Rochester Country Club (or is that 31337 Country Club)..... CAN'T TOUCH ME!! I'M VIP!) which will be fun. I had a chance to meet a lot of her coworkers at the bridal shower a couple of weeks ago and they are a fun group of people. Doubt there will be many conversations about nerdy things as I'm used to with my IBM coworkers! Sunday will hopefully be spent enjoying the nice weather outdoors with friends here in town. Maybe playing Bob Villa on some things too.

Song of the Day - I've been on a DMB kick all week. I can tell you still that my favorite album is Live at Red Rocks but don't really have a single favorite song to listen to. I do find myself listening to his live CDs more than the studio CDs - probably the only band that I do that with. The only band that puts out 2x as many live CDs as they have studio CDs.

Video of the Day - Everyone changes looks over the years, but we all know that Michael Jackson takes the cake... this is an interesting video to see this transformation.

Webpage of the Day - Thanks to Drew for today's submission. Someone was able to graffiti the President's Plane. Seriously - watch as they get up there and spray paint "Still Free" on to Air Force One.