Man in the Mirror...

You know. I gotta say, I'm not really a big Michael Jackson fan. But as I'm sitting hear engrossed in my code development at work, I'm listening to 80'S FM on Big R (Internet) Radio. On a side note, how GREAT is it that I can listen to all the 80's music to my hearts content, for free, on the Internet. Now back to the story...

I'm listening, and Michael Jacksons' song Man in the Mirror came on. As I paused to listen to the lyrics, and I'm thinking my gosh. He's practically pitched the Team World Vision, World Vision, my families, and my own person vision. Its so easy to, for us, to take things for granted, to look the other way, to make bold statements, to assume the problem is to big. Its all starts with you. With me. We just need to look in the mirror, and say. "Today is the day. I'm gonna make that change"



Perhaps you are ready to make a change. Anything and everything can and DOES help. Perhaps its a prayer. Perhaps its forgoing that extra helping of food, or skipping on night out. Passing for 1 day on that morning Latte. Or perhaps you are in a position to help me and World Vision bring that Change to a larger audience. If you are able to, won't you consider sponsoring me. You click on the link below to learn more.



Peace to you today and everyday
Ted

A hop, a skip, and a SPLASH!

You can put it in the books. My first triathlon since August of 2007 is complete. It was a pretty good experience. I was a smidge worried about the cooler temps at the start. But the weather quickly turned in our favor. I'd guess they were high 50's and the 60's by the post-race party. Pretty darn good racing weather if you ask me.

As for the time, I can't really say. I wasn't timing myself (part of the whole, lets not take this year seriously thing). I believe I finished about 1:20ish. We'll have to see once the official results are posted. I had a better than expected swim. I felt strong on the bike, though looking at some earl er results, it looks like I didn't average as well as I had hoped. The run, it never easy to tell a triathlon run. You can feel slow, but be fast, or vice-versa. Again, I'll have some official results once they are posted.

In all a good day. The guys I went down there with TL and TD both had great days. TL CONGRATS! It was your first tri and you looked really good. The family was out also. To be honest I was surprised, but very happy to see their smiling faces cheering me on. And I saw them 4 times to boot! Thanks guys you ROCK!

More to come.. Peace

Its time. Its time. Did he just say its time???

Beep Beep Beep... was the rude noise that has gotten me and perhaps close to 1000 other people up this early on this 2nd Sunday of June. Its 54 degree out, weather looks like it will be good, later in the day, but a bit chilly for a swim this morning.

The 2009 Triathlon season officially kicks off this morning. Its gonna be an experience after taking 2008 off. With some friends competing, and some other friends volunteering. Should be a fun time. We'll see how it goes. Good luck to all..

Peace

Just around the corner

My first Triathlon since August of 2007 is coming up on Sunday. While only a Sprint tri (400 meter swim, 14.7mile bike, and 4.1mile run), it should still be fun. Especially since I'm preparing for it by staying up late most days this week working!

Seriously though with a lackadaisical training plan, this will be a good test to just how bad (or good) of shape I'm in.

Why do I Tri? Not because I can. Rather I Tri because I care. I Tri for Hope...

Peace

Face off..

The "To Facebook or not to facebook" poll is over. Not to many people responded, but of those that did, only a couple said they would follow the posting if this blog went away. I did open a Facebook account, but I've not done anything with updating it. I needed to do that to see what capabilities it had, and frankly, it wasn't obvious how I'd replace this blog with it anyway. So I'm here to stay. Maybe one day J will start posting again...

Over the teeth, through the gums, look out stomach...

Here its it comes, the endoscope that is. Tomorrow I'm headed over to the hospital for an upper endoscopy. My PCP suggested I see a GI guy about some things. The GI guy wanted to take a look to see whats really going on. So tomorrow, I'm off to see the wizard, er I mean the GI guy who's gonna stick a camera down my esophagus to see what he can see. He mentioned what he's looking for, and what would be good to see and what would not be so good to see. But that's another story. So as you go through your daily prayers, or thoughts of others. Maybe you could add me into your intentions that all goes smoothly and they do not find anything of consequence.

Peace

The Nature of Marriage

Not really a part of the "Reading of the Day..." series I post periodically. But along the same vein. As I read the daily readings for today, I usually follow that up with reading a reflection called "One Bread, One Body" on those readings put out by Presentation Ministries.

Today's reflection on Tobit 2:9-14, I found particularly thought provoking. Especially with some a few couples close to us getting married this summer. They don't really read this blog to my knowledge, but that OK. Even if they aren't thinking about us, we're thinking about and praying for them.

From OBOB reflection on June 2nd, 2009

...Although some of our expectations for husbands and wives are mere cultural biases, some aspects of marriage are established by God's design. Therefore, before we exchange male and female roles, we must take care that we are led by the Holy Spirit in accord with God's word and not manipulated by our ignorance, hurts, or various lobbying groups.

There is such a things as object truth. Marriage is not whatever we want it to be, but it has been created by God to work in a certain way. Husbands and wives are both equal and different. Each has a unique role in developing their marriages to be signs of God's love for the Church...

Have a great day.

Hi Ho Hi ho.. its off to Church we go...

Spring is officially here, as our family biked to Church for the first time this year. What was fun is that E1 road his "3rd wheel" bike. So E1 was attached to Papa's bike, and E2 was pulled in the Chariot behind Mama's bike.

It was tiring, just ask Mama. But the boys had fun. With our weekly coffee house trip, it added some extra miles onto the ride. So by the time we got home, Mama was really pooped from the 15 mile ride.

What a great way to spend some family time on a Sunday... We hope you all had a great day as well.

Peace

FORE!

The day has come. To be frank, I was not sure that it ever would (not that I was really waiting on it). I pulled the Golf clubs out of the attic of the garage. And just as I expected, they have about 3+ years of dust and garage attic grime on them.

With a Golf outing with my Dad and Brother coming up, I thought it best to get out to a driving range to swing the sticks. Don't want to hurt myself you know (physically). Pride (from lack of golfing skills? naw.. not a factor). I cannot say its exactly the same as learning how to ride a bike. I could still swing, but well... I guess its a good thing its a best ball tourney.

It was a great sunny day. I actually had a bit more fun than I thought. I'll probably get out one last time this week. They way I figured it, today was to shake out the cobwebs and get all the uglies out. The 2nd trip would be to actually try to control the ball a bit. Should be a fun time next weekend, if for nothing else, then to spend some quality time with my Dad and Brother.

Peace

26.2 for Africa

It has begun (officially) the fund-raising for this years Team World Vision "26.2 for Africa" campaign. The first weekend of May our family held a garage sale and Bake sale. The results are in and together we raised $300. All of those proceeds will go towards our Team World Vision fund. You can find that page at http://www.firstgiving.com/twollnik2009

The economy stinks, and times are tough, but we are still amongst the most blessed people on the planet. Our easy access to clean water, superb health care, grocery stores and restaurants on most commercial street corners. Things are very tough out there I know that, they are tough within my own home as well. However, if you feel moved, we would love to have your support. We can say with absolute certainty that every contribution leads to live giving aid. We've witnessed this aid.

Peace