Why am I stressed?!?

I was supposed to run Grandma's Marathon on June 21st. Unfortunately what I thought was typical calf pain turned into something much worse. After battling an ever increasing limp for six weeks I went in to see an Orthopedic doc and a simple x-ray diagnosed a stress fracture in my left fibula. Nothing like training since March and finding out three days before the race that you can't run. Like the Dude said, "that's a bummer man".

Twins vs. Brewers (Milwaukee style)

Or should I say Old Style?!? A crew of us spent the weekend of June 13-15 in Milwaukee for Jared Flewellen's bachelor party (version 1). Highlights included a flooded 10.5 hour drive to Milwaukee, running into Dani Yarie (Lish's college friend), the "H-Bomb", Brandon trapped in a glass cage of emotion at The Safehouse, Vice finagling sack lunches at 2:30am from a neighboring hotel, Dirty Dancing, Vice texting "meat gazer" to a 17 year old girl, a diverse drive to the Lakefront Brewery, the Pied Piper of chicks, Jared shitting (and cleaning) his shorts, random gift of front row tickets, the glasses, a suspenseful Twins victory, the vanishing of Matt Vice, George Webb's restaurant and getting pulled over at 3:00am while walking down the street. Good times.

Grand Old Day 2008

How can it be June already?!? June 1st brought the 2008 installment of St. Paul's Grand Old Day. Participants this year included Shawn & Anton as well as the usual crew of Alicia, Malinda and Zach. The band lineup was not nearly as good this year but fortunately we got good weather so beer + sun = fun.

Shawn, Anton, Alicia's high school friend Dan and I

Until next year. Blink and it'll be here again...

Twins vs. Yankees (Minneapolis style)

On Friday May 30th we had a "couples" night at the ballpark. Alicia and I joined Lish's friends Matt & Alice and Adam & Kim at the Metrodome to watch the Minnesota Twins take on the hated NY Yankees.

Kim, Alice and Alicia

Unfortunately the Yankees won this time around. Hopefully when I see them in NY in July the result will be different.

Memorial Day Weekend 2008

Following Steve & Tina's wedding we had a full weekend lined up. On Saturday May 24th Alicia and I spent the afternoon in Robbinsdale, MN at Lish's friends Matt & Alice James. They had a BBQ with music, lawn games and card games. Later that evening we went to Sally's Saloon to wish Shawn's gal Ciera congratulations on her graduation from the University of Minnesota.

On Sunday May 25th we drove down to LaCrosse, WI and spent time with my friends and family. Gary and Margo Jacob had a BBQ and took us all out on their boat. We got to spend some time with lil' Isaac Stapleton.

Later that evening we went over to the Kruse household and celebrated Justin and Monica's birthday's. Nothing says happy b-day like beer, brats, beer pong and German liquor.

We had a lazy morning in Onalaska with my family. My sister, I mean my parents recently got a new dog. Meet McKinley...

Lots of fun had by all. Time to sleep.

Steve & Tina McHenry

On May 23rd Steve McHenry picked one vagina for the rest of his life and wed Christina Miller in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in Minneapolis. Props to the thug that yelled "you don't know where he was last night" from his vehicle as he strolled by.

Lish and I

Anton & Amanda

Heidi Hovis, Megan Tasca, Erin Cox and I on the dance floor.

Group shot

Steve and I with the serious pose

Classic black & white pick of Christina, Kelsey and Alicia

Congrats to Steve & Tina. Have fun on your honeymoon in Australia and New Zealand!

"We Try Hard" Spring Beer Bust

May 17th brought the semi-annual installment of the "We Try Hard" fundraiser/beer bust. We truly outdid ourselves this year. Apparently we really love PBR, beer pong, tippy cup and bustin' a move on the dance floor.

Hopefully I remember more of the event next year.

Prostate Cancer

It seems cancer has been an epidemic amongst my friends and family recently. In January I buried my great friend Brutus. On April 25th I buried my grandfather - who passed away due to Prostate Cancer. My grandmother has Uterine Cancer. My good friend Korrin Stanek has dealt with cancer that has infected her friends and family. Donnie & Heather Stapleton, who know cancer all to well, recently discovered that there mother Margo has Colon Cancer. And now - my father has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. His surgery was May 5th to have his prostate removed. The doc says they discovered everything extremely early so things are looking positive. That's a tough sell to my dad considering he had to say goodbye to his father less than a month ago. Although I truly feel he will beat this (as will Margo) this is yet another reminder to appreciate the people you are close to. Never forget to tell people you love them. Give free hugs.

Wildman Weekend

May 2nd-4th seemed like a good time to head to northern Wisconsin (Athelstane, WI - roughly 20 miles from the Upper Peninsula) and hit up "The Wildman Resort" for some white water rafting. Who cares that it was still snowing?!? Did I mention it was for Steve McHenry's bachelor party?!? Booyah!

No fatalities. Good times.

"We Try Hard" yet again!

Monday April 28th brought the first game of the 2008 softball season.

Here is the roster for our usual squad:

Brandon Borgen: Pitcher, 1B
Jared Flewellen: 1B, Pitcher, Catcher
Jesse Hogan: Catcher, 1B, Pitcher
Matt Vice: 2B, Catcher
Jason Cole: SS, 2B
Justin Kruse: OF, SS, 3B
Nick Manders: OF
Shawn Buehre: OF
Mitch Williams: OF, 2B
Steve Anderson: OF
Mike Anderson: 3B

Looks like a good squad. I think we've got a chance this year. I'll let you know...