On Friday, my gal Lindsay and I went up to the Wisconsin Dells.  The main reason was because her younger brother, Evan and his girlfriend Catrina were coming to visit.  No, Evan isn’t a 12-year-old.  He’s 24 but has heard about the Dells his whole life and never visited.  His enthusiasm for all the waterslides got me fired up as well.

We even had “customized” t-shirts made.  Actually, they were just t-shirts with “Ark Masters” scribbled on the front with a Sharpie.  We each had a name on the back.  Lindsay was “The Punisher”, Catrina was “Queen of the Dells”, Evan was “King of the Dells” and I was “Court Jester”. 

The waterslides at Noah’s Ark were amazing. We also road the Ducks.  The three of them took a quick ride on one of the roller coasters and we all played a round of mini-golf.   I was leading in mini-golf, but had a meltdown on the 16th hole a la Greg Norman and ended up finshing in third.

However, the most interesting part of the day was that so many of the people who work these places come from foreign countries.  We chatted with a girl from Russia and another one from China. 

I wonder what type of impression that get of America because it appears most of them only see the Dells and perhaps get a day in Chicago if they’re lucky.

I love the Dells, but I hope the girl from China gets a chance to see we have a lot more than just waterslides, an upside down fake White House, lots of fudge and bungee jumping.  I want to take a few of them on a tour so they can see we have some great architecture and wonderful museums. 

Perhaps it’s better if they just stay in the Dells.  Maybe they would be disappointed to find out there aren’t giant waterslides and moccaasins for sale around every corner.

Yeah–I guess I’m interested in whether or not Michael Jackson was murdered. But I find this much more intriguing.

Was Brian Jones murdered? When the former lead guitarist and founder of the Rolling Stones was found dead, floating in his swimming pool in 1969, there was speculation that it was no accident.

And it the 40 years since it happened, the theories have continued to grow. That’s not all that unusual. But what happened today is kind of different. Police in the United Kingdom have received more than 600 documents related to his death from an investigative journalist, and his death is now officially under review.

So if Brian Jones was murdered, what was the motive, and who did it? Books written about the case have variously alleged that he was killed in a vicious argument with a builder who was remodeling his estate, that the Rolling Stones had him killed (by people who worked for the builder), and there’s even  a book that suggests Mick Jagger was at Jones’ estate that night and he murdered Brian.

I guess I don’t know enough about the case to have an opinion on that, but I do know he was an extremely talented musician and rock innovator. Not only did he play lead and slide guitar, Brian also played sitar on songs including “Paint it Black” and “Street Fighting Man” (way before George Harrison got hooked on the instrument), marimba on “Under My Thumb,” and played a lot of other instruments on Stones songs..including Appalachian dulcimer, mellotron, accordion, harpsichord, autoharp, saxophone and oboe. (Wow!)

Gee, I wonder how much time Entertainment Tonight will spend covering this story.

Click here to see a story about the re-opened investigation.

Here’s a link to some of the Brian Jones murder conspiracy theories.

After the Madison Mini Marathon on Saturday, a few of us got to talking about finish line etiquitte, so I thought this might be a good time to share my ideas- which are by no means original thoughts- in fact, they are completely stolen (talk about etiquitte) from a blog that I read on the day I registered for the 2008 Ironman Wisconsin. 

Of course I was pretty excited about the possibilities, so I spent the afternoon, not working out, but surfing the web- for anything I could find about triathlon.  I stubbled on a blog that talked about finish line etiquitte- something I had never thought about before.  The blogger pointed out that the person just in front of you – the one that you COULD pass in the last 10 yards of the race – yeah, that one.  That person has trained just as hard as you.  That person deserves a great finish line photo just like you (but not a photo OF you).  Don’t ruin their (really long) race day by passing at the last second and hogging the limelight at the finish line.

So, ever since I read that, that has been my finish line philosophy.  With 2 slight exceptions.

1) If if looks like I could get the last spot at Kona and there is one guy in front of me and he’s in my age group- I’ll do whatever I can to get around him.  NO WORRIES HERE!  NEVER GONNA HAPPEN.

2) If I’m challenged- I’ll race to the finish.  This does happen.  At High Cliff this year, as I was headed down the chute, to the finish line – I heard teammates screaming for me to run harder.  It was then that I realized that there was a kid challenging me, so I sprinted to the finish – we finished exactly even.  I just about passed out.  He calmly walked over to the food table and grabbed a bite to eat.

So- if you are just ahead of me as we turn the corner onto MLK, a week from Sunday – no worries.  You’ll finish just ahead of me.

If, on the other hand, you are just behind me as we turn the corner onto MLK, a week from Sunday – please don’t challange me.  There’s no way I’ll have enough juice left to sprint to the finish.

Besides- I have a really crappy finish line photo from last year- I want a good one this year.

I was on campus yesterday and saw a lot of new students moving into the dorms all around downtown Madison.  It took me back to my first move in day here at the UW.  My folks drove me up to Madison from Chicago and the car ride was fun.  I was excited for school and it appeared my parents were very excited for me.

We pulled up to The Towers right in the heart of beautiful State Street.  The weather was perfect and there were tons of kids all over the place.  I remember feeling like I was late for a party.  I wanted to get out and meet people and settle in to my new digs.

My folks seemed to be having fun too and as they were about to leave my dad said, “Learn a lot but don’t forget to have fun because these four years will go by in an instant.”

They gave me a hug and then drove back to Chicago.  I turned and went inside and didn’t think much more about it considering I’d see them in just a couple of months.

Years later my mom told me that they both cried the entire car ride home.  I remember saying, “Gosh Mom.  I didn’t realize you were so sad to not have me around the house anymore.  I know I’m your sunshine and the only reason for living, but I was only a few hours away.”

Apparently it really didn’t have anything to do with me or having my shining personality around the house.

She looked at me and said, “Yeah.  We were a little bummed you were gone, but we were really crying because we kept thinking we’re too young to have a kid in college!”

Apparently not.  Game developer Harmonix released a statement about Yoko’s visit to their development team.  Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos said “Bottom line: Mrs. Lennon brought our team together at a critical time, in a lovely way, and the game as published is far better because of her input all along – and especially from that day.” 

 Here’s the full story…but I gotta admit, reading a nice story about Yoko is strange.

When Brett Favre joined the Minnesota Vikings last week, I was so hurt and angry, I wrote a poem. Apparently other people deal with inner conflict and turmoil in creative ways as well. Check out this video I found on Youtube. It’s funny for around a minute..and then gets…well…you be the judge.

For the weekend of August 28, 2009

1. Dan Baird, Mauro Magellan, Keith Christopher at Scatz in Middleton. Friday night at at 9pm. $10. Featuring former members of Georgia Satellites. “I got a little change in my pocket, going  jing-a-ling-a-ling..”

2. Orton Park Festival, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Orton Park on Madison’s east side. Highlights include the Rousers and Robbie Fulks on Saturday, and Lynette’s Enchanted and the Cash Box Kings on Sunday. (Robbie Fulks also plays after the festival Saturday night at the High Noon Saloon, but that will cost you $8). There’s also an International Dinner on Friday.

3. Ride the Drive, Sunday from 8am to 2pm on East Washington Avenue and John Nolen Drive. Mayor Dave had this crazy idea to block off the streets and do all kinds of fun wacky stuff that you probably shouldn’t do in traffic..like bike, hula-hoop, or dance.

Freaky Band Name of the Week: Throw Me the Statue, Friday night at the Annex. With The Brunettes and The Nurses. They’re an indie band from Seattle.

Here are the songs played on Wednesday, August 26

Jackson Browne ” Here” from Soundtrack to the Kevin Spacey movie Shrink. Another great song from this classic artist.

Brett Dennen feat/ Natalie Merchant ” Heaven” another song off Hope for the Hopeless. This song is BEAUTIFUL!!! Listen to the lyrics and you will be reminded of John Lennon’s Imagine.  Don’t forget, Brett will be opening for O.A.R. Sept 3. The show has been moved from Alliant Energy Center to Overture Hall. Take a few minutes and listen to this song.

Kyle Hollingsworth ” Way That it Goes”, album title Then There’s Now, available Sept 15. Kyle is the keyboardist for String Cheese Incident. Here he is at last year’s 10,000 Lakes Festival, with the Mickey Hart Band. Enjoy!

The passing of Senator Edward Kennedy yesterday got me to thinking.

Where’s my Kennedy?

Growing up in a VERY Democratic, liberal household, I was always searching for a political candidate who inspired in me the kind of hope and confidence that John Kennedy and later Bobby Kennedy inspired in members of my family. I know my parents went to a rally for JFK and my mom got to shake hands with Jackie. I’m pretty sure my older brothers and sister thought Bobby Kennedy was pretty cool.

But they were gone long before I started forming my own opinions about politics.

So in 1980, when Jimmy Carter was running for re-election, I put my support behind Ted Kennedy in the Democratic party. Finally it was my chance!  A Kennedy to call my very own! And I was old enough to vote (barely).

I even rode my bike over to UW-Stevens Point to listen to him speak at a rally. Sadly, the main thing I remember about that day is that he was a couple of hours time. This was my first experience with politician time..which is usually a time zone or two later than the one you’re in.

I didn’t get that tingly feeling so many people described after listening to either of Ted’s older brothers. But he definitely had some cool ideas..his long list of legislative accomplishments includes the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Americans with Disabilities Act and creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Okay, I guess I’m feeling a little tingly.

With 2 1/2 weeks before Ironman Wisconsin, I realized that like last year I have been constantly readjusting my goals.  Only difference is – last year I kept udjusting up, this year it’s down.

Last year I went into the training hoping to finish the race.  If I crossed the finish line at 11:59:59pm, I would be fine with that- and I didn’t expect a lot more.  A few months into training, I realized that I could do quite a bit better and I adjusted my goal to 15 hours (10pm).  I was feeling pretty good about everything- except the swim, but I was confident that would come.  About a month before the race last year I readjusted my goal again- this time giving myself a pretty big window- somewhere between 12 and 14 hours.  My teammates thought I was NUTS- none of us will do that, I was told.  BTW- both of the teammates who said it was impossible, finished before me-  one in just over 12 hours and one in about 12:45- I finished in 13:42.

This year has been different.  I went into the training feeling pretty good.  By Thanksgiving time last year I was running faster than I ever have before- had a personal best at the Berbee Derby (7:30 miles!).  Over the winter my swimming improved dramatically- cutting more than 30 seconds of my 100 yard time!  The bike felt great- I felt really strong as Winter ended and we did those first few outdoor rides.  Then I got a late Spring cold.  A really bad one- I was sure I had swine flu- the doctor said I was “a little congested.”  That little congestion took me away from my training for 2 full weeks.  When I returned, my knee was bothering me and continued to bother me through the Summer.  I also never felt like I completely got my strength back.

So now I sit, with 2 1/2 weeks to go, trying to set some goals.  This is tough.  My swim is stronger than ever.  My run is o.k.- don’t think I can do 7:30 miles on any consistant basis- but 8-8:30 on a 10k wouldn’t be out of the question, 10-11 min. miles on Ironman might be possible.  And I just plain feel week on the bike.  Not sure why.  I just have the feeling that I’m not as strong as I was a year ago.  Coming out of Winter- my goal was to be somewhere around 13 hours and if I had the perfect race- around 12 hours.  Now I’m back to the main goal being to finish with a secondary goal of beating last years time.

Unless of course I suddenly feel strong again on the bike- then it’s Kona or bust!