Katie’s Beer

March is a big month for me and my family. This weekend kicks off March with my son’s hockey team playing in the Regional Tournament. Then there will be another tournament and a couple of hockey parties. I get to undergo a multitude of presurgical exams, while trying to continue my weight loss plan. There will be baseball tryouts for my son and spring play practices for my daughter. My nephew will have his official adoption hearing sometime this month and I will attend as his godmother. My daughter will sing in the spring sacred music concert at her high school. Then, comes the Taylor Hicks concert. Believe it or not, I purposely postponed my surgery a month in order to attend this concert! I’d already bought the tickets and really did not want to miss it. I really look forward to the concert, even though it is in a dry venue. That has to be something new for a guy who spent the past ten years entertaining in bars and raising (and downing) several toasts per concert. Good thing that it will be a quiet evening because the very next morning, I check into the hospital. I figure I will go under with a smile on my face, a complete lack of hearing and these songs playing in my head…

Click on the photo below to watch a YouTube clip of Taylor Hicks current tour concert.

Tags: Uncategorized, Music, Taylor Hicks by TK
No Comments »

At the risk of sounding like Britney Murphy in Little Black Book, the lyrics to Carly Simon songs often ring very true.

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of…
by Carly Simon
Take a look around now.
Change the direction.
Adjust the tuning.
Try a new translation.
Don’t look at your man in the same old way.
Take a new picture.
Just because you don’t see shooting stars,
Doesn’t mean it isn’t perfect.

Can’t you see…

It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
It’s the slow and steady fire.
It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
It’s your heart and souls desire.

It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

So what’s this about your best friend?
She’s got a brand new shiny boy.
And they’re moving out to Malibu,
To play with all his pretty toys.

And you feel closed in by the same four walls.
The same old conversation,
With the same old guy you’ve know for years.
But use your imagination,

And you will see….

It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
It’s the slow and steady fire.
It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
It’s your heart and soul’s desire.

It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

What if the prince on the horse in your fairytale
Is right here in disguise?
And what if the stars you’ve been reaching so high for
Are shining in his eyes?

Don’t look at yourself in the same old way.
Take another picture.
Shoot the stars off in your own backyard.
Don’t look any further

And you will see…

It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

Tags: Music by TK
No Comments »

If you live in one of Wayzata’s athletic conferences, this story means something to you. This has been a strange year. In youth hockey, I’ve seen both Maple Grove and Wayzata fall to smaller, much less-funded teams than Wayzata and Maple Grove. I don’t feel bad saying that it makes me happy. It is satisfying when hard-working teams can beat equally hard-working teams, despite the money-advantage of the usually dominant team. (Have I said that diplomatically enough?)
From the StarTribune:

Trailing 2-0 late in the second period, Blaine scored four consecutive goals and defeated Wayzata 4-3 in a boys’ hockey Class 2A, Section 4 semifinal Tuesday at the State Fairgrounds Coliseum.
In a rematch of last year’s section final, defending champion Blaine took advantage of two goals by senior Ben Lynch and four points by Joe Beaudette to complete the comeback.
“When they got their second one, I started to get worried because, in my opinion, this [Joe Howe] is the best goalie in the state,” Blaine coach David Aus said. “I knew if we didn’t respond quickly, we’d be in trouble. They responded like they always do.”
Throughout a closely played first period, Wayzata took a 1-0 with 2:27 remaining. Junior Eric Lee scored unassisted, putting a rebound over a sprawled goalie.
The second period seemed to belong to Howe, who made save after save, and the Trojans took a 2-0 lead on a goal by senior Kyle Tierney at the 12:33 mark.
But, just nine seconds later, Blaine broke through with a rebound and cut the lead in half. Blaine tied the score with a putback by Beaudette with 53 seconds remaining in the period.
Blaine took control with a goal 12 seconds into the third period, and Lynch scored his second goal on a shot that trickled off Howe’s pads.

Tags: Uncategorized by TK
No Comments »

I don’t believe I have mentioned yet that I began a weight loss program at the beginning of 2007. Well, I did. I suppose I didn’t mention it because I wanted to make sure that it actually worked. Well, it has. As of today, I’ve lost 27 pounds. I am working toward another 35 by summer for a total of 55 pounds lost. How did I ever end up with 55 extra pounds? That is embarrassing and astounding to me. Those 55 pounds are basically the 2 - 5 pounds a year the average adult over 35 years old gains each. I spent those 11 years in denial that I would end up so heavy.
So why, after 11 years, decide to lose weight? First, I felt awful. Tired all the time, couldn’t focus, felt like I was going to explode, couldn’t do the activities I wanted, couldn’t find stylish clothes to fit… That list could go on and on, but the main reason to lose weight was that I am facing surgery at the end of March and I didn’t want to go into surgery 55 pounds overweight. I sought the help of a bariatric physician who specializes in weight loss and chose a medically supervised modified fast. My diet for the past two months and next two months consists of four shakes, one bar, one frozen entree, unlimited vegetables, a couple of hard-boiled egg whites and a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day. Tough for the first couple of days, until I started feeling so completely fantastic.
After the first month, I entered a state where I am never hungry and rarely think of food (except for pizza and beer). I usually enjoy a nice, small meal out once a week and have a drink or two on the weekends. It’s a very livable plan. I also signed up for a year of maintenance so that I keep my weight loss. I visit weekly with a nurse and a dietitian. I visit monthly with the doctor. It’s a great plan and I highly recommend it. It also costs a good deal of money, but my health had deteriorated to the point that it was a good financial move.
After two months, people are really starting to notice. They mostly notice in my face. A couple of weeks ago, a co-worker starred at me and kept asking me what I had done to my hair. I finally had to tell her that it wasn’t my hair, but my weight. That was funny. Will I be unrecognizable by summer? I hope not.
Here’s a photo of me last summer and one from this morning. I will update again soon.

Tags: weight loss, health by TK
10 Comments »

Martin Luther

beer

women

music

I like to check the referrals section of my stats. Yes, stats are addictive…and FUNNY, too. For instance, at 9:41pm last night, some poor soul from Bob Jones University typed this into his/her Google engine: martin luther beer women music. Do I have to explain why I find that funny or can you see the humor without any explanation? I hope so. I GUARANTEE you that, at Bob Jones University, those search terms are synonymous for SIN.

Tags: Religion, Lutheran by TK
4 Comments »

This song is on my iPod and I’ve been listening to the acoustic version lately. I can’t think of a lovelier love song than this. Seal’s acoustic version sounds like a Middle Ages love song, with ancient sounding instruments. According to Wikipedia, “it was rumoured that “Kiss from a Rose” is potentially about the use of cocaine. Some lines such as “…and did you know, that when it snows, my eyes become wide…” and “…the more I get of you the stranger it feels…” may reference the color and effects the drug has. This has been disputed by others, who argue that it is more about the pure love between a man and a woman…” I certainly vote for the later. I think that the cocaine interpretation is pretty weak. Wikipedia also notes, “with its 3/4 time signature (rather uncommon for a pop song) and its danceable tempo, “Kiss from a Rose” is one of the most popular waltzes written in the 1990s.” What a lovely thought: to dance a waltz to this song. The lyrics read like poetry.

A Kiss from a Rose

by *Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel* aka Seal

There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea.

You became the light on the dark side of me.

Love remains a drug that’s the high and not the pill.

But did you know that when it snows,

My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen.

I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey.

The more I get of you, the stranger it feels.

Now that your rose is is in bloom,

A light hits the gloom on the grey.

There is so much a man can tell you,

So much he can say.

You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain.

To me you’re like a grown addiction that I can’t deny.

Won’t you tell me is that healthy?

But did you know that when it snows,

My eyes become large and

The light that you shine can be seen.

I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey.

The more I get of you, the stranger it feels.

Now that your rose is is in bloom,

A light hits the gloom on the grey.

Tags: Uncategorized by TK
No Comments »

Wonderwall 1974 has posted a few new songs. I wonder if anyone else is keeping track of this guy. I don’t know exactly why, but his voice and guitar make me feel calm and pleased. After hearing these songs and reading about them and the British group, Oasis, I now know where Wonderwall1974 got his moniker from.
Take Me Away

Listen to Wonderwall 1974’s version here.

Just when it falls apart
And when its time to start
Will you sit down here for another day
And when its time to be
All the things that we
Are wishing away for another day

Cos in my soul we know where were goin
Were goin where the grass is green, the air is clean and the good times are growin
So take me away
Just for today
Cos Im sat here on my own
Id like to be
Under the sea
Where theyd probaly need a phone

And just when it falls apart
And just when its time to start
Will you sit down here for another day

Cos in my soul we know where were goin
Were goin where the grass is green, the air is clean and the good times are growin
So take me away
Just for today
Cos Im sat here on my own
Id like to be
Under the sea
Where theyd probaly need a phone
I could be you
If I wanted to
But Ive never got the time
You could be me
And pretty soon you will be
But youre gonna need a line

Wonderwall

Listen to Wonderwall1974’s version here. “Wonderwall” is a song and subsequent single by British rock group Oasis taken from their second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. It was written by Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher.

Today is gonna be the day
That they’re gonna throw it back to you
By now you should’ve somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don’t believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

Backbeat the word was on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I’m sure you’ve heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don’t believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now

And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
But I don’t know how

Because maybe
You’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You’re my wonderwall

Today was gonna be the day
But they’ll never throw it back to you
By now you should’ve somehow
Realized what you’re not to do
I don’t believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now

And all the roads that lead you there were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don’t know how

I said maybe
You’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You’re my wonderwall
You’re my wonderwall
You’re my wonderwall

Tags: Music by TK
No Comments »

Posting will be lighter than usual for several days….  My email works, though!

Tags: hockey by TK
No Comments »

Thanks to Norman Teigen of Norman’s Demense for sharing this great video!

A must-watch video!

Tags: Technology by TK
1 Comment »

Barack Obama speaking at Iowa State University. Click on photo to view video.

You know…I’ve spent more than a few moments this past year wondering how in the world I would get myself pumped back up to cover the upcoming presidential race. No more! Thanks to Barack Obama I now have full confidence in my ability to opine on comments like this one made at Iowa State University last weekend:

We ended up launching a war that should have never been authorized, and should have never been waged, and to which we now have spent $400 billion, and have seen over 3,000 lives of the bravest young Americans wasted. ~Barack Obama

Now to be fair, let’s see what he had to say afterward when called on by the press to explain his comments.

Obama, in an interview with the Des Moines Register right afterward, told the paper, ‘’I was actually upset with myself when I said that, because I never use that term,'’ he said. ‘’Their sacrifices are never wasted. . . . What I meant to say was those sacrifices have not been honored by the same attention to strategy, diplomacy and honesty on the part of civilian leadership that would give them a clear mission.”

There! That made things perfectly clear. Can’t wait to hear four years of explanations like that! And to think that liberals like to accuse President Bush of being incoherent. Watch the original speech on YouTube.
Hat tip to James Taranto’s Best of the Web (WSJ Opinion Journal feature) and the Chicago Sun Times.

Tags: politics, Election 2008 by TK
No Comments »