Near.... Far....

Late evening at the office while waiting for projects to render.

TBT Olympic Style

Rewind about 10 years and my dad and I were headed up to Chicago to watch my friend Matt run with the Olympic torch on its journey to the Salt Lake City games. After 10 years my mind is a bit fuzzy, but there are a few distinct memories.

This college student didn't have a very good camera at the time. I recall seeing Matt jogging down the street and me taking photos like a mad person and running alongside for a bit. It's amazing I even got a decent shot. Sponsors of the Olympic games provided us mini US and Olympic flags to way along the way. Good thing too because glow sticks wouldn't have done much good in the daytime.

I don't remember the exact timing of the torch carrying in relation to Matt's competitions or training, but I do recall he was headed out of town from Chicago that day or the next. The ziploc bag in my coat pocket contained spritz cookies for him to enjoy on his flight. I'm pretty sure they never even made it to the airport

It was quite the thrill to be there to cheer Matt along, as I had never been fortunate enough to travel to one of his competitions. Sure, I saw him skate in exhibitions in Peoria, but to see people recognize him outside of a Peoria Steak n' Shake was pretty cool. In case you're wondering, Matt did not compete in the 2002 games in SLC, but was an alternate to the team.

Four years later in 2006, it was a different story. My parents and I all attended a portion of the US Figure Skating Nationals that took place in St. Louis. I was very excited to see Matt compete live, but it was sooooo nerve-racking! I have no clue how his parents did it for all of those years.

Sure, it was 4 years later, but I still didn't have a better camera. I do have some great pics of Matt looking like a flying ant on a big sheet of ice! I can't even begin to explain what it's like to see your best friend place 3rd and be named to the Olympic team.

Somehow after his skate was over, I bumped into his mom on my way out of the venue. She snagged me so I could join his family in celebration in one of the suites. As the group waited for Matt to join us, people were wondering what was taking so long. I overheard some extended family members of his saying that he was probably with Jane. Ummmm, nope, I'm Jane, and I'm right here.

Nobody could get through to him on his cell phone and then eventually my phone rang. Matt was walking his way to Union Station to get a sandwich and wanting me to join before I drove back home that night, all while family and friends awaited his arrival in the suite. Absolutely classic! We got him to turn around and join us, but from there, the order of events are pretty blurry. There were hugs, tears, photos (getting chastised by the venue for using flashes that could distract the women skaters), but eventually we did get that bite to eat.

In case you missed it, here's one of Matt's performances from Torino where he finished 7th.

If Catching Snowflakes was an Olympic Sport

Basically, I got bored at work today. With the snow/sleet/icestorm I decided to stay in over lunch and shortly after I started to get ants in my pants. My remedy for this was to go outside and catch some snowflakes. As you'll see, that was no difficult task.

Post snowflake catching. As you can see, I was a snowflake magnet. I'd be a contender if this was an Olympic sport.

The Hermit Left the House

I truly enjoy looking at the snow as it falls and leaves a fluffy white layer across the landscape and then slowly turns into icicles as the sun beats down on it. But with this weather comes the cold. And with the cold, I turn into a coach burrito.

I suppose it doesn't help that I'm an Olympics junky and they've be on TV for a good week now. Competition at it's highest level is pretty awesome. Especially when most are "Regular Joe's" that don't get paid millions to compete in the sport they love. The drive most have is inspirational.

Between this super cold and ultra snowy winter I could easily be inside watching the fascinating Olympic stories unfold 24/7. Of course, I'd need to have cable and a limitless amount of vacation days.

It's late and I'm not 100% sure where I'm going with the flow of this blog, so I'll just get to the point. Thanks to some wonderful people in my life, I actually got pulled out my cozy warm couch burrito during the last week.

I managed to stop by and bug the parents and grandpa. I caught The Princess Bride on the big screen at the Peoria Riverfront Museum with Laura. Chillaxed for an evening with the Iadipaolo's. And I have to include running a concession stand with Tom during a Dunlap basketball game.

Hopefully I can bust out of the couch burrito this coming week too.

Nice Try, Old Man Winter!

This has been quite the winter for us Midwesterners. Old Man Winter is definitely making up for the last couple mild years we had. Goodness only knows how much snow truly fell in my neck-of-the-woods considering I had parts of my drive with one inch of snow and other areas drifted up to my knees this morning.

Before I start into my day, here's a pick a took on my way home from work of what I consider a "tidal wave" of snow. I love how it's oozing off the rooftop, awaiting for the perfect moment to surprise it's victim below. (If only this business was actually open).

Moving along. I underestimated how long it would take to clear my driveway this morning so I could leave and make my way into work. The snow drifts were ridiculously high for a one person shoveling crew. I feel bad for piling snow on the neighboring house (nobody lives there), but I really don't have any other choice.

As I shoveled my drive, I wondered what Mr. Plow, who was clearing the parking lot across the street, must be thinking. Was he laughing inside at the one person on the block outside attempting to clear their drive with a measly plastic shovel? or would he decide to come to the rescue, allowing the universe to throw some good ju-ju his way?

Mr. Plow put a smile on this frost-bitten face as he pushed aside snow from the last 6-foot or so of driveway! No city snowplow was going to bury the end of my driveway! I hope Mr. Plow had a good day.

I got to work a bit late, sore and tired... for various reasons, but you'll have that. Skipping ahead, I opted to go home for lunch because I needed to turn my crappy mood around. Upon returning to the office, I noticed the back lot had good portion of untouched snow! Our local plow had yet to return and finish clearing the parking lot.

Still in need of an attitude adjustment, I did just what the doctor ordered. DONUTS IN THE BACK LOT! Second best part about it, I was spotted mid-spin by my co-worker as he left for lunch. He gave me a thumbs up! Third best part, as I was walking through the building to my office, another co-worker called me out for having a devilish grin on my face. I don't know what she was talking about.

Here's my damage! I'm not sure how, but I resisted doing more donuts as I left work this evening.

When I sat back down at my desk after lunch, I followed-up with Sandra about her proposal to do snow angels at lunchtime. She totally chickened out! Afraid of getting wet or too cold or some other sort of nonsense. As someone else put it, "Indian-giving snow angels oughtta be a crime!"

As most know, when I get an idea in my head... well, it's gonna happen come hell or high water. I had an immediate response from Theresa that she would drive over to accompany me in snow angel making. The plan was in place, 2:30 Snow Angels!

Showing up early, my Angell (Theresa, Theresa Angell), stopped in the office with donuts and cocoa for a post-snow angel snack. How awesome is that!!!

I was able to round up 2 additional troops and the 4 of us headed outside. With enough peer pressure, you can get Sandra to do about anything. Below, Sandra is pre-snow angel as she yells as Stephanie. Steph did that old trick of, "Let's make a snow angel on the count of 3", but Steph didn't sit down. Classic!

I gotta give Steph the award for best snow angel technique. It's as if she could foresee the day's event unfold as she got ready for work. Her Nanook of the North coat and snow boots gave her an unfair advantage.

Now for a little proof of the 4 individual snow angels. I hope to see some additions to the lineup when I walk into work tomorrow morning.