The Giant Sequoia

The Holidays. Food, family, friends, the Giant Sequoia. My father in law, Vince, is the undisputed Giant Sequoia. The Giant Sequoia is a family tradition. My wife's crazy family's tradition. He who consumes the most food and drink during a holiday celebration will henceforth be known as the Giant Sequoia. A holiday dinner with Ellen's family is a day of loud talking, arguments, and confusion followed by voracious feeding. The actual meal lasts a brief 10 or so minutes. Chairs lean back as contented bellies are patted. A few deep knee bends to aid digestion, and it begins once again. Round two, and so it goes. Vince honed his iron stomach eating kielbasa and stale rye bread while growing up in the Polish ghetto of Lackawanna, New York. We are mere saplings in Vince's presence. He is truly the General Sherman among the redwoods. I love this time of the year. There is nothing better than watching a happy man attack a plate of food.

Lizard's Mouth

Great Fall Day

Ran 20 with my friends Fred, Troy, and Betsy, then it was off to see my Trojans play Oregon St. A great day.


-- Post From My iPhone

Foster Botanical Garden

Foster Botanical Garden is one of my favorite botanical gardens. It is a gem, hidden in downtown Honolulu.

Running in Waikiki

One of my favorite run workouts while staying in Waikiki.

Guilt Free Pleasure

I'm kicking back at the MaiTai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian not feeling a bit guilty about missing tomorrow's dreaded Rusty Snow run workout.


-- Post From My iPhone

Some work, mostly play

I've been off to Honolulu for the past few days attending my annual national meeting. It's a bummer they had to pick such a hell hole.

North Pole Swim

I am always amazed what the human body is capable of doing. Here is a video of Lewis Pugh swimming the sub freezing waters of the north pole. Pugh's talk is taken from this year's TED conference. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an invitation-only event where the world's leading thinkers and doers gather to find inspiration. You can watch more thought provoking stuff HERE.

No Luck

Well, I didn't win my millions in the Lotto, so I'm back at work, slightly disgruntled.

Lotto Fever

For my birthday on September 9th, one of my hygienists bought me 9 lotto tickets at 9 am on 9/09/09. I'll know Saturday whether or not I start early retirement. Stay tuned...

Hurricane Harbor

Some of my office staff and I spent a day of fun at Hurricane Harbor.

Old Rincon Road

The Rincon Road, circa 1913

There were two ways for motorist to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco during the turn of the century. One was through the Casitas Pass, which was considered treacherous and often times impassable. The alternative was driving along this rickety pier-like road which hugged the coast from Ventura to Rincon point.

Seven Blunders

"Seven Blunders of the World"

1. Wealth without work

2. Pleasure without conscience

3. Knowledge without character

4. Commerce without morality

5. Science without humanity

6. Worship without sacrifice

7. Politics without principle

—Mahatma Gandhi

Amazon Swimmer

You may remember my rant about Jennifer Figge's claim about swimming across the Atlantic ocean in 19 days. That one really set off my BS detector. Well, here's another one. 55 year old Martin Strel claims he swam the entire length of the Amazon River. That is 3,274 miles, 66 days, 10 hours per day, non-stop. Strel battled the constant threat of piranhas and crocodiles averaging 50 miles a day. Impossible? I'll let you decide.

Plantar Faciitis

Plantar Faciitis is one of those nagging injuries that can last for months. I haven't had a problem for years, but it reared its ugly head after my Ironman race. Here is how I handled the beast.

1. Ditch your old shoes and get some new running shoes.
2. Wear supportive shoes at all times. No bare feet or flip flops.
3. Self massage. I use these round rubber spikey things, but some people just roll their foot on a golf ball.
4. Stretch your calf and hamstring muscles
5. Ice your foot after every run and before you go to bed.
6. Dorsal Night Splint- It holds your foot in dorsal flexion while you sleep. It really helps prevent that initial pain when you first get up in the morning. I got mine from ActiveAnkle.com.

That's my secret. It works for me. It will work for you.

Susan Boyle you're not

First of all, I just want to say I am not anti-Christian or anti-religion, but I'll buy you a beer if you can watch this video all the way through. I dare you. Double dog dare.

Old Man of the Sea

My buddy Jim was quite proud when he landed this 42lb white sea bass while kayak fishing last weekend. I didn't have the heart to tell him I once caught a 400lb marlin armed with only an old inner tube, a spool of dental floss, and an earthworm.

Health Food

Who will benefit most by national health care? The residents of Wisconsin for one. Here is an amazing article about a new food sensation sweeping the state: chocolate-covered-bacon-on-a-stick.

The Monkey King

My torn rotator cuff aches just watching this video.

Mr. Cricket meets Morgan

I hope PETA doesn't see this video.