Tri-ing Again.

I'm going to start doing somethings that I used to do that I don't do anymore, but miss.

1. Blogging--I really enjoyed my blog and I'd like to start writing again. I'll elaborate more later about why I quit.

2. Cycling--I like bikes. I was in a decent bike crash a couple of years ago and the fear that crash induced has kept me from a sport I really enjoy participating in.

3. Triathlons--Ever since I was a kid I have thought triathlons were really cool. I have done a few short ones in the past and I now that I am getting over my fear of bikes triathlons are coming back into my life. My first one in years is this weekend and I am extremely excited about it.

I'm excited about restarting my blog. Should be fun.

Chris

Great Post It Explanation of Lost.

Test.

Testing a new mobile Blogger on my phone.

Fresh Pots.

I'm happy to see that Dave Grohl has the same desire for coffee that I do.

Gotta Love Ted Nugent.

http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b111/busij44/?action=view¤t=Nugent.flv

Gotta Love Ted Nugent.

When I'm Not the Leaver.

I am a good leaver.

It is easy for me to move on to something new, almost to a fault. I'm not sure if it is the because I'm an only child or because I moved out of my mothers house at a young age to live with my aunt. I don't know, but what I do know is that I am able to adapt easily to the "new" and it doesn't really stress me out.

Tonight was different though. Rach and I have some great friends, Tye and Jenn Jones, who are moving tomorrow morning to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Tye got a new job as a cargo pilot and while its a great opportunity for him it's sad at the same time because he will now fly out of Portland, OR rather than Prescott, AZ.

So tonight we got a last chance to have dinner with them and just hang out like we have done plenty of times before, but tonight was different because it will be the last time with hang out with them for a long time, if ever (I am always pessimistic about seeing people that move more that 2 miles away).

I think what was so strange about tonight was how sad I felt when they left to go home. If I were the one leaving I would be sad, but know that's part of deal, but this felt different because they are the ones on the adventure, the new journey and I am just left without 2 of my closest friends in AZ. I don't know if that makes since and while I understand it may seem extremely selfish of me it's still the way I feel.

Tye and Jenn, have a great journey. Enjoy the drive to one of my favorite cities on Earth. Enjoy the whole process, from the surreal feeling of driving away from a home you have known for so long to the debates on where to put the couch in your new living room. Drive carefully and eat lots of junk food, drink lots of coffee and enjoy the new life that lays ahead of you. You guys will be missed. Cheers.

Chris

Neil Young.

Back Where You Came From.

We ended up going to the hospital when Ray's contractions were around 4:30 between contractions (we were told in birth class to go when they reached 5 minute intervals). But, she wasn't in labor enough. So we were there for a couple of hours and they checked her out and while she is having strong and steady contractions she isn't dilated enough so they sent us home where its more comfortable. We got home around 4:30 AM and they expect we will be back in a few hours. Now its time to try to get some rest before heading back. Cheers.

Chris

1:06

So it's 1:06 in the morning and Rachel is having some real intense contractions. They have been building over the past couple of days and now they are really painful. Right now we are at 5:52 between contractions and this number has been steadily dropping from about 10 minute intervals a few hours ago. We are just trying to relax at home until they are close enough to go to the hospital. Cheers.

Chris

My New Best Friend.

For Christmas Rachel got me a Bialetti stovetop espresso maker and I love her for it. Thank you baby for knowing your man so well. Cheers.

Chris

I Gots a Jones.

Man, I am jonesin' some Skyline Chili. Too bad the nearest one is in Indianapolis, about 27 hours away (according to Google Maps). If I was a pimped out rapper with a Bentley and a private jet I would fly to Indy tonight and get some Skyline, but I'm not so I'll just eat my baked potato.

I Think I'm a Little Twisted.

This whole "having a baby and becoming a parent" thing has been a fun process. Its really caused me to examine who I am as a man, a husband, a future father etc. Its given me the opportunity to look at the things that have shaped me (family, music, sports, friend etc) and reflect on how they have all led me to this point, a point of becoming a father. And after examining all of these aspects of my development I realized something (that others have known for a while I presume); I'm a little twisted.

When a woman is pregnant and people talk to her about becoming a mother I assume most women have an overwhelming feeling of pride and joy for the fact that they will become a mother. They think of all the things they will be able to do with their child, how they will be able to care for this precious gift that they feel lucky to be given.

However, every time I hear someone talk to Rachel about becoming a mother something different happens. I grin, to show the person that is speaking to Rachel that I concur that she will be a great mother, but what's going on in my mind is completely different. The only thing that comes to my mind is the Danzig song "Mother". It was one of my favorite videos when I was in high school and while I agree "Mother" isn't a wholesome song about love and everlasting Joy, its what pops into my head. Maybe I'm a little twisted, I'm sorry. Chris.

New Shoes!

Got a hole in one of my tires the other day that couldn't be plugged. Found a great deal on some hardly used tires and wheels in PHX that weren't much more than replacing the one tire I needed to replace. So, baby got new shoes. Ain't she purdy?

Fun.

About Rachel.

Hey guys,

Things are going pretty well with us here AZ. The temperature is dropping, days are become too short and I am stoked for Christmas. We have had a first snow of the year and as the year comes to a close that means one thing to us......BABY! January is fast approaching and we are getting more and more excited about our little bundle of joy to arrive and hang out with us.

During the pregnancy things have been text book. From belly measurements to weight gain to blood work, perfect across the board. However last week Rach had a cold so early this week we went to the doctor to see whats up and they noticed something funny about her heart, its beating like a marathon runners and this concerned them a bit.

So Rach was ordered to get an EKG and go to a cardiologist. The cardiologist so far isn't sure what is wrong with her. After an echocardiogram and some blood work everything looks fine, except for her high heart rate. So today she is strapped to a little machine that records her heart rate and hopefully this will help them determine whats wrong with my beautiful wife.

Please pray that they find the issue and that is something that is easily resolved. Thanks folk. Cheers.

Chris

Take it all in.

I love the smell of a bike shop. If you have a chance tomorrow, go into your local bike shop and take a deep breath. Its something about the mix of rubber, spandex and chain lube that really calms the spirit. I hope tomorrow to have the opportunity to enjoy that smell, that's if the shop is done fixing my rear wheel. Also, a day off + perfect weather = an excellent day to ride.

Chris

Austin City Limits.

Austin City Limits celebrates its 35th anniversary year -- making it the longest running music series in American television history, pretty cool.

Some of the most influential memories regarding playing guitar was watch Stevie Ray Vaughn on ACL. I've watched his live performance at least dozen times and fell in love with the improvisational style. The way he could just play and play and play stuck me as amazing as a young guitar player and I think it had a huge effect in the way I play and jam now.

Here is a article about their 35 years and on there is a great Ben Harper and Relentless 7 performance. Ben is another of my musical inspirations and this live version of Keep it Together is awesome. I really want to see him live some day. Check it out. Cheers.

Chris

I Heart Racial Unity.