Stupid dog, funny kids

This evening, our silly kids come running downstairs, giggling the whole way but not letting us know what's so funny. Moments later, look who comes stumblinginto the kitchen; our stupid dog, Nickel. According to Kiara (our oldest), the girls were worried about Nickel getting too cold in tonight's near-freezing weather, even though she's an inside dog. So, Kiara had Darcy lock her into Nickel's crate where Kiara could then put Darcy's shirt onto the dog. Goofy dog could hardly even walk, since the sleeves were pulled down too far over her front feet.

One moment, Cindi and I are hollering at the kids to get ready for bed; next moment, they do this. Priceless.

Congratulations, Peter!

(I know, I know...this isn't really part of "My life", but that's okay. It's cool nonetheless.)

In yesterday's 66-14 whitewashing of the Kansas Jayhawks, UT redshirt freshman tight end Peter Ullman caught his first collegiate touchdown off the arm of Heisman hopeful Vince Young.

So what? Why am I writing about this?

Peter is the son of one of my friends and coworker, Bill Ullman. Congratulations to Peter and the entire Ullman family!

Now...go kick the tar out of A&M, win the Big 12 championship, and bring the National Championship back home to Austin. Hook `Em!

- Mark

fly fishing report - South San Gabriel River & US183

After not having been out fishing for several months and now having a vacation this week, I ventured out to the 183 crossing of the South San Gabriel on Tuesday (11/8) to see what I could scare up. Something told me not to go, that there probably wasn't enough water in the river to make it worthwhile, but I went anyhow. I shoulda listened to my instinct.

Suffice to say that I fished downstream from the bridge for about four hours, catching only one bluegill between the bridge and CR276 (don't hold me to that...I'm not sure that's the right CR). Yes, I walked all the frickin way down to the next crossing. "How?", you might ask, "that's a long wade." Yes, it's a long wade UNLESS THERE'S NO WATER for about half of the distance.

Anyhow...when I got back to the upper pool that did have plenty of water, I was pretty much defeated, but I finally tied on a muddler minnow and ended up shocked as hell when I was able to catch four cute little bass and one REAL nice bluegill. That last bluegill was the highlight of the day, as he put up a decent fight on my 5wt. The bass each played around for a while, and a couple of them jumped once or twice, but all in all their fights weren't that great.

Think I'll wait for a little more water before trying this again.

- Mark

Swimming coming along

I guess I've been at it for about four weeks now. When I started back in the pool, a 50-yard freestyle was a bit of a struggle, and a 100-yard free left my heart trying to thump its way out of my chest.

Four weeks later, I am routinely managing to complete a workout consisting of ten easy 100-yard free plus some number (usually ten) moderate 50-yard free, along with a short warmup and cooldown. Yesterday morning (Oct 30), I was able to complete five 200-yard free, so I'm definitely making progress; however, I'm also trying to do it using this new Total Immersion style of freestyle, and I know that my form is breaking down a bit after around 125 yards. I need to make sure I focus on my drills a bit more and not try to get too aggressive with distance for a while longer. That will come with time.

- Mark

Happy Birthday, Darcy!

Five years ago today our beautiful little Darcy was born.

Happy Birthday, Darcy!!

Old friends...

Regretfully, I really only have contact with one true childhood friend, and even at that the contact with her is very very infrequent. This is something that burns at my heart quite often; I really must do a better job of keeping true friends close, especially with the super-special ones like her. Honestly, there's only one like Laura though.

Joyfully, I got to chat on email tonight with Laura, and even though it was just simple, faceless email, my spirit is soaring right now just from knowing she is still out there and that I can find her. I hope the day never comes when I cannot.

Sunday nights are often not much fun, knowing that work is again right around the corner, but chatting with Laura made for a delightful way to finish the day.

Thanks, old friend.

- Mark

Miss you, Toby

Dunno why, but I've been thinking of my dear Toby a lot lately. Maybe it's because our new dog, Nickel, is such a pain in the rear.

I love you, Toby.

- Daddy

Awake at 6:15 on a Sunday for THIS?

I got up at 6:15 and to the gym by 7:30 this morning to take my free BodyAge test that came with my membership.

The test components and their results:

• Body Fat percentage - Don't ask. Let's just say "Poor"
• VO2 max - Poor
• Flexibility - Poor
• Strength - Excellent (thanks to my consistent weight training)

According to the test, my virtual body age is 44. I'm actually 39. Ugh.

Time to step it up in the areas of cardio and flexibility. Fortunately, I'm experienced in both (running, swimming, and yoga), so I know I can regain my health in those areas. I know I'm on the right track already since I began swimming again a week or two ago. I just need to stick with the swimming and start stretching again.

- Mark

Hook Em, Baby!

#2 UT - 25
#4 Ohio State - 22

As if it weren't enough that Vince Young can dominate a team so (seemingly) easily with his legs, now he has the nerve to knock OSU out with his arm. UT got only two touchdowns, but they were both off the right arm of Vince. Granted, *I* probably could have thrown the first one, but the game winner to Limas Sweed was a thing of beauty.




OSU played great, but it seems that finally UT may be living up to that top ranking. Dunno if they're of the same calibre as USC, but hopefully we'll find out next year in the Rose Bowl. Many more games to play still, including some game on October 8. I forget who that's against...

- Mark

Calf cramp!

Holy treading water, Batman!

Years and years ago, back in Jr. High and High School, I was a pretty good competitive swimmer. I specialized in backstroke and breaststroke, and I rarely lost a race in those two disciplines. I had a passable butterfly, and a decent freestyle, which combined with my back and breast made me okay in the individual medley as well.

Anyhow...a few days ago, after having spent the previous few days in the new pool at Lifetime, I decided to see if I could do a 100m IM. I hadn't swum a length of fly in over 20 years, so I knew that that would be the big struggle; however, I had no idea how bad it would be. I started out okay and was reasonably strong for the first 3/4 of the lap. At that point - and at the same time - both of my calves cramped up. Ever had both calves cramp at the same time? I don't recommend it.

In the end, I toughed it out and was able to struggle along through back, breast, and free in what was probably the slowest time ever swum for 100m IM. Thankfully, I don't know what that time was, despite the looming presence of race clocks at each end of the pool. I don't think I'll be using those clocks anytime soon.

Man...one would think that I've gotten older and fatter or something. Sheesh.

- Mark

Opening of Lifetime Fitness Austin

Well, I'll sure miss my old gym (Full Court Fitness), but man am I excited about the now-open Lifetime Fitness. Austin's first Lifetime is now open on the southeast corner of FM620 and Parmer Lane. If you have never been in to a Lifetime, you should go take a look. This place has far more than I care to describe or list, so go http://www.lifetimefitness.com/austin for more details. I loved the cozy feel of Full Court, but Lifetime so far has it beaten hands-down.

They opened yesterday, and I've already been there three times. :-)

- Mark

ah! climbing again...

Went out to Reimers Ranch with Dominic, Kiara and Darcy (my daughters), and Travis Newman on Saturday. This was Travis's first time ever climbing outdoors, and he did great. I tell ya, what a pleasure it is to teach new climbers, especially those as attentive as Travis was. Anyhow...by the time the day was done, Travis had toproped a 5.8, led a 5.7, and learned how to safely belay. Yes, I did say that he LED a 5.7. No, leading a 5.7 isn't a big trick, but yes it's pretty good to do that on your first day of climbing. Great job, Travis.

It was also a huge pleasure to have Dominic out on the rock with us again. Dom taught me so much of what I know now, and it really brings my spirits up to have him out there, even if (as was the case Saturday) he doesn't end up climbing very much. I always enjoy listening to him teaching others (he taught Travis about backclipping and how to flake a rope). I hope he and his girfriend, Rebecca, will be able to make it out more often as soon as the weather starts to cool off.

I always love having Kiara out with me, and Saturday was no exception. What was new was having Darcy out there this time. She came out one other time last year, but more to watch than to climb. This time we actually put her in Kiara's harness and let her climb a bit. She was able to make it about 6' up a little 5.7 route before she ran out of things she could do. That's cool though. I'm SO proud of her and excited that this is something she wants to do. Will she and Kiara stick with it? Heck, I dunno. Don't care either. For now, I'm just enjoying the thrill out taking them out with me.

As always, the post-climb consisted of slow-cooked dead animal. This time it was at the FM620 location of Rudy's BBQ. Yum yum yum yum yum. And man did a big ol' iced tea hit the spot after what was a typical Central Texas furnace summer day.

Mark

Gearing up for school again

Well, it seems as if it was only yesterday that I completed my undergrad (BBA) at St. Edward's University, but I guess I'm turning out to be a glutton for punishment. I head back to SEU on September 12 to begin my pursuit of a Master of Science In Organizational Leadership and Ethics.

The undergrad was, well, a necessary evil, but I'm very excited about getting started on MSOLE. What will I do with it? I don't really know, but that's okay. The most important thing is that I am following my heart and doing what really interests me. Call it getting prepared for the next step and trusting that the next step will reveal itself somewhere along the way.

Maybe today, perhaps?

Thinking of my Georgia family

My heart continues to ache for my family after the sudden loss of my nephew on August 10. I was in Georgia from August 12-16 trying to help out, and I believe that I did some good. Now, however, my birth mother Sharon Duble and her husband Allen Duble are home alone on Lookout Mountain, and I just know that times will be hard for them for a while longer. Thankfully, the Lookout Mountain Duble contingent is very large and very strong, and their local community support system will take very good care of them. Still, I don't like knowing that my family is hurting with me so far out of reach.

My new blog

This is a new thing for me, and I hope to keep it going for a while. Those who know me know I have a way of picking something up, going gangbusters on it for a while, and then moving on to the next thing.

Will this be different? Who knows? Time will tell, I guess.

For now, welcome to all who find their way here.

Mark