Wildflower Triathlon...the end of an era

I will not be on this blog until next Tuesday (and maybe not until Wednesday). I am leaving tomorrow 635 AM for Northern California. My final TNT trip...

Have a great rest of the week/weekend.

Peace.

The Weekend..it just keeps getting better.

another list why Friday, Saturday and Sunday made me smile:

Marc Broussard show
holding hands
send off for Wildflower Half Ironman
sleeping in
long workouts
magbot.magzilla. (enough said)
embracing change
Gateway Church service
smoothie from Lift after long workout
Saturday night date
2 bricks back-to-back, feeling strong
spanish lessons
late night bike ride to J&As

Life is good.

New Job. Livestrong.

It's official and since work knows...I can post it here. I gave my notice today with Team In Training and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. My final day will be May 9th, 2008 and I will be starting a job with The Lance Armstrong Foundation on May 19th, 2008. I am more than excited about this opportunity and know this is going to be a good move for me. Still working in the athletic realm, I will head up the marathon program and work with another guy on the cycling events and other Grass Roots Efforts. And you better believe LAF will have a Triathlon program when I get done with it! This job is allowing me to dream big and put my stamp on the fight against cancer...get ready!

In most types of change comes sadness and I will miss being around my TNT family. I have made some amazing friends, I have grown as a person and I have been stretched to my limits. All of these are good things when you move down a new path in life, having left the full time world of entertainment!

So here I am...moving down a new road. I have so many friends that have come alongside me during all of this. I am always seeing that my life has a Soundtrack to it and this time I have heard India Arie's song..There's Hope over and over again in my head..

There's hope
It doesn't cost a thing to smile
You don't have to pay to laugh
You better thank God for that

Someone wrote this to me recently...“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” That is what I hope for TNT and LLS, that what I have left behind is passion to stay committed to an incredible cause and to a great program that continues to change lives! Patients and families still need us to fight for them until there is a cure.

The key to change is to let go of fear and in the last 5 months...I have done just that! Here is to some pretty incredible change coming up and maybe some good blogging!!

I know what some of you are thinking. Yes, will I get caught staring at Lance's legs? I might but just so you know....I have my eyes on another cyclist legs right now!

Cheers!!!

things that made me smile this week

I feel like for the next 6 weeks I am in the fire. Training 2 times per day, long weekends and finding time for a 40+ hour per week job. I have a bit of a head cold right now, and hope I can shake it. In the midst of all that you got to find reasons to smile cause that is what makes the day go by quicker.

Things that made me smile this week

Late nights.
Early wake-up.
coffee at LIFT.
laundry over at Fuller's.
1:45 100m swim.
iCard from Maggie.
random text messages.
beer at lunch.
the TNT Wildflower team.
Shelby Lynne's latest CD.
Jack Murray.
job offer.
strong run this AM.
feeling smitten.

possibly a new song....

I might have a new muse for some new songs....

He wakes me in the morning
like a satin slip stealing through my window.
He comforts me in evening,
keeps me believin' that he knows me well.
And lately when I'm lonely
and I have only the mountain's sorrow.
He thunders over me and he is carrying tomorrow.....

stay tuned....this was just on the way to work.

"I'm going to do one of my own songs...."

The reason for the title up top is because when Shelby Lynne made this announcement in the midst of doing covers from her latest album (full of Dusty Springfield gems) my face and heart smiled. I had a slight fear that I would only hear songs from her most recent release so this auspicious announcement on Wednesday night, roughly 30 minutes into her show at Atone's was met with cheers and applause!!!

The first of her own songs, “Telephone,” landed with a welcome jolt; (and her comments about drunk dialing couldn't be more true!) something opened up and loosened in her voice, and she seemed infinitely more at ease. This calm self-assurance made the rest of the evening feel almost like a different show.

Ms. Lynne drew from a few of her previous releases, notably “I Am Shelby Lynne,” her major-label breakthrough from 2000. At one point she performed three in a row from that album, beginning with “Where I’m From,” a love letter to her home state of Alabama and then On “Your Lies,” an anthem of hurt and indignation. The harmonies were DELICIOUS as her band joined in.

If you have "Just a Little Lovin'," she includes one original balland on it called "Pretend." She said she included this because she could imagine Ms. Springfield singing it. The arrangement was simple yet so effective. John Jackson fingerpicking an acoustic and Brian Harrison playing a bass flute. Yes, a bass flute. As Ms. Lynne pointed out...."What rock and roll, country artists tours with a bass flute?....f-in me, that's who!"

The moment and song I will remember the most is when she started to play "When Johnny met June," off the album Suit Yourself. "Their music wasn't a big influence on me. It was their character, their individual styles, what they were like as people. They weren't afraid to stick out. That's what I so admired about Johnny Cash and June Carter," Lynne said. The lyrics to this song are about what she felt the day she heard that Johnny Cash died. If you haven't heard this tune, go get it. (here is sample of the first verse below, it only gets better from here)

Got some news today from the radio man
He spoke the words softly and as somber as he can
The world stood still and the sky opened up
made my way to fill up my coffee cup.
Then it occurred to me as the daylight sky shone blue
Today’s the day that
Johnny met June.

It was a perfect evening. I was tired the entire next day because well, I had been up since 500 AM for my swim practice but the fatigue was worth it. I finally got to see someone that I have admired since hearing her in 2000. What I love is that you can tell she is who she wants to be up on that stage. She loves what she does for a living and she loves to share it.

I hope I get to see her again.

Thanks Scotty for letting me go for your birthday!! You actually share a birthday with Dusty Springfield....I did in fact raise a beer to you and Dusty! And yes, the pictures above...we were that close. Don't be jealous Scotty!

Cheers!!

Why Shelby of course....

Do we remember this post??

Yes, the dream comes true tonight. Shelby Lynne for $25 is playing at Antone's and I will be there. Can't wait....can't wait.

I have been waiting to see her live for a few years now....thanks to Miss Amber, it all happens tonight!!!

Commitment

I know I said that I would post something about the service at Gateway that was about Commitment, but I am not ready yet.

ACL LINE UP!!!!

September 26-28, this is where I will be. Will YOU??

Busy Bee!!!!

So many many of you comment on my super busy life and what I continue to stay involved in AND train for an Ironman. This past weekend was one of those times that I realized I put a bit too much on my schedule, but in the end every planned minute was worthwhile.

Friday started out with the FUN car trouble and getting myself through that. good times. Then Open water swim on Friday night and I went home and had a few hours to myself before getting a good nights sleep.

Saturday was my bike ride and then off to Courtney S.'s wedding. I was involved in a couple of ways. First, I went and did the makeup for the bridal party. (I know, random piece of information some of you may not have known. I am a free-lance make-up artist for MAC cosmetics.) The other side of this was my 80s band was also playing at the reception. So after, 3 hours of doing make-up, I went into the reception hall and had a sound check with the band, then changed and got myself ready. I was so happy to be around for Courtney's day!! Her wedding was beautiful, her and Peter are PERFECT for each other and the day went off without a hitch! It was awesome! I got home around midnight and then quickly got myself into bed.

Sunday started with singing at Gateway and then coming back home around 1:00 for an afternoon of some fun and some training. I first took miss Eloise (my beatiful Pug) for a walk down to Auditorium shores where she could frolick with the other dogs! After about an hour of that, we walked a bit further down Town Lake and I decided to sit outside and watch some kids soccer going on.

It was at this point that I really wish I had my camera. Man, you can learn SO MUCH about things watching kids soccer. These girls were hysterical!! You have the super amped girl in her flashy red cleats who is ready to take over the world! You have the "pretty in pink" girl (yes, head to toe in pink, even the cleats) that kind of stood near the goal and just twirled her hair, despite what Mom and Dad were saying to her. And then you have the other girls that just follow the ball around wherever it goes....Amanda what did you call it? Beehive girls? They just swarm!! Oh man, You have to take an afternoon out and go watch, you will thank me!

I would like to give a separate paragraph to the parent that put in more miles along the sidelines than both teams combined! It kills me that at 6-7 years old, you expect that much of your child on the soccer field!! I think you lost your voice about 3 quarters into the game and the rest of us on the side-lines were so happy because at that point you just looked like an idiot running & pacing up and down the field. Stop living your dreams through your child.

It was then that Eloise and I headed back home for me to get ready for my long run! After that...showered up to go sing at a Fundraising for some TNT folks...just an easy acoustic set at Irie Bean. It raised good money for a few folks and was fun just hanging out, drinking a Shiner and singing a few tunes!

I slept well on Sunday night. It's going to be a tough week of training and working but the busy schedule keeps me going...you know?

Car Trouble

I just hate it....car repairs suck. And I have had many people keep saying, "the best kind of car is a paid off car." Whatever. I need a car I can rely on OR a job I can bike to work for.

My car has cost me $4000 in repairs in the last 6 months. That sucks.

Mad Love

I've been going to Gateway Church here in Austin, Texas and right now they are doing a series on relationships.
The Barenaked Ladies song, "One Week" set up this week's message..

It's been one week since you looked at me
Cocked your head to the side and said, "I'm angry"
Five days since you laughed at me saying
Get that together come back and see me
Three days since the living room
I realized it's all my fault, but couldn't tell you
Yesterday you'd forgiven me
But it'll still be two days till I say I'm sorry

How can I help it if I think you're funny when you're mad
Trying hard not to smile though I feel bad
I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral
Can't understand what I mean? Well, you soon will
I have a tendency to wear my mind on my sleeve
I have a history of taking off my shirt

It's been one week since you looked at me
Threw your arms in the air and said, "You’re crazy"
Five days since you tackled me
I've still got the rug burns on both my knees
It's been three days since the afternoon
You realized it's not my fault not a moment too soon
Yesterday you'd forgiven me
And now I sit back and wait till you say you're sorry

Whether you do the church thing, believe in God...whatever, I was reminded of some pretty valuable stuff yesterday that I thought I would write out. That way when you all see me slacking, you can reference this and call me on it.

Happiness in ANY kind of relationship (family, friend, lover, spouse...even co-worker) is based on each person's ability to adjust to things beyond his or her control.

Bottom line. We bring family/cultural baggage.

Bono puts it beautifuly: And love is not the easy thing. The only baggage that you can bring. Not the easy thing. The only baggage you can bring is all that you can't leave behind.

Knowing where you come from and what you want to change and what you want to keep is KEY.

Key stuff that I will continue to think/journal/maybe write a tune on:

Grace...gotta have it for others. People mess up.
Decide to grow, not get your own way. (ouch) "it doesn't have to go my way for me to be a happy, well-adjusted person." (that is now on a post-it on my mirror)
Do I ask others to change OR ask God to change me!
No one can take away your power to choose- and that includes your ATTITUDE.

Next week the message is on Commitment...I have NO issues with that..I have heard that marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution yet.

I bet you can't wait until next weeks post!! (if you'd like to check out Gateway here in Austin...click here for Service times.

Cheers & Happy Monday!

I get by with a little help from my friends...

The question mark is for what my life is about right now. Lot's of ?????? being thrown around. Can't go into things in major detail but change is on the horizon and it's cool, scary, overwhelming and exciting all in the same sentence.

Yesterday....friends once again reached out to remind me of who I am and why I matter. Gotta love that.

Jack Murray said..."Colleen, opportunity does not knock, it waits." so very true.

Shelley sent me this..."When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters---one represents danger, the other represents opportunity." John F. Kennedy

And Maggie, Mama T and Amanda all sent me encouragement that made me smile and tear up all in the same sentence.

Plus I got my girls Andrea, Robin and Heidi always backing me up from Orlando.

Deep breathes....Deep breathes.

At the end of the day I was reminded that relationships matter. Sometimes that is the only thing we have to grab onto. Friendship gives value to survival...and I love that.

more to come in a later post I am sure.

Have a great weekend, I am ready for the bike and get back out there running this weekend.

Alida, Homeslice, Fireman's 4, Bike Talk

Last night was a super great evening here in Austin. My friend Alida... Our friendship has a funny story....she didn't like me for the first 5 months she knew of me. Then we both go cycle 100 miles in Tahoe, have a few conversations..fast forward a few months when she moves to Chicago and NOW...good buds. I look forward to her frequent trips to Austin!

This time we both set aside the evening to meet up for beers and Pizza..I have realized in the midst of all the Ironman training it is really really good to have the balance of stopping and catching up with life and good people. You gotta stay connected...and not be TURBO all the time with this training.

What makes a perfect evening...

1. Meeting up with a good friend.
2. Pizza at Homeslice. (I am allowed, it's recovery week!!!)
3. Fireman's 4 beer. (if you aren't in TX, and you don't know this, you are missing out)
4. Excellent conversation where I talked Alida into thinking about riding in a tiny 600 mile road race in Paris in 2011. There I said it Alida..you have to do it now!!

Cheers!!

My brother...making the papers

This is my brother and his friends at an Augusta St. basketball game this past Fall. He went there for 1.5 years. He is the S (not that it matters)

this is him again, just a few weeks ago. He now goes to Univ. of GA (GO Dawgs!! he made me write that) He is checking out scores for March Madness. Sadly, GA did not get past the first round.

He is famous!!!

Take me out to the Ballgame!!

March Madness will wrap up this weekend....and so that means it is Baseball season!

I have many memories at baseball games as I grew up going to St. Louis Cardinals games with my Grandfather and then eventually my father.
Fathers and their kids - have been going to baseball games for over a hundred years. I have been blessed to have shared unique opportunities over the course of our 30+ years together.

Baseball has been a continuing thread in my relationship with Dad, even though we have gone through some very difficult times. Sports always seem to briefly re-unite us.

I remember sitting along the first base line and watching a ballgame together. Ate hotdogs. (I don't really ever do this unless at a ballgame) Worried over defensive alignments. Ducked foul balls. And went home happy.

Next week I got tickets to go see the Astros play the Cardinals in Houston. It's the Astros opening game and I will be in the minority as I come decked out in Cardinal gear. Tuesday, April 8th I will travel down to watch a game and pray for a Cardinal Victory! I wish Dad could be there to share it with me, he lives in Georgia...I am in Texas.

Fathers, daughters and baseball. Life might get better than that, but it doesn't have to get much better.