Commentary on a small town...

This past week I randomly remembered the name I wanted to change my name to as a child. Trisha Schultz. Isn't that awesome? It made me think back to my childhood in a small conservative town. I realized in doing so how different my growing up must have been. Little details came to mind that were commonly held practices of all the people I knew. There are approximately fifty direct parallels between Whitewater and Blaine. I thought I'd take a risk and list some eccentricities for your amusement. This is a segment I have entitled..."Who didn't..."

Who didn't...

think the one foot deep dirty puddle that ran through our town was called a river?

use a key to start the gas pump?

have an alcholic fire chief?

catch crawdads after school every day?

buy all their meat from the meat locker?

have deer whistles on all their cars?

think Avon was the coolest make-up?

have a dad with a mustache?

have homemade swimming suits?

fake cabbage patch dolls?

have the "Heart" family instead of that slutty Barbie clan?

play flute solos at church for special music?

think Keds were the coolest shoes around?

have a mushroom haircut until senior year?

parking clinic.

sarah cannot park her automobile. see exhibit A above. i captured this pick *after* we had eaten lunch...meaning, in sarah's mind, the car was left parked in an appropriate position. notice half of the taurus (taur-cedes) sticking out beyond the parking spot and the 10 foot gap in front of her car. worst ever. also, imagine the frustrated patrons who swerve wildly to avoid a collision as sarah enjoys her backyard burger inside with a smile.

goodbye sleep. goodbye disposable income. helloooo ethan!

Thanks to my employer for scheduling a timely conference this week in DC affording me the opportunity to get a good look at baby Crabb, fresh out of the oven. Dang, freaking cute! According to Mike, Ethan is already a physically superior child and was doing full ab-crunching situps minutes after birth. Mom is glowing and apparently gets to enjoy the post-birth spoils of what medical professionals call a daily "butt bath". I know, I'm intrigued too. A big thumbs up to Ethan for keeping it real and to the Crabb's for a very successful procreation and birth of a beautiful son. Love you guys. I'd also like to extend a discreet thumbs up to the butt bath. Awesome.

The happy family.



Proud papa. ('PAPA...I love it when you call me big...PAPA.' Goulet.)



What a handsome little guy......holding a baby.

Jeff's Demonstration of Pilates

Jeff has been inspired by Dagney as well.

Pilates: The Delicate Version

I wanted to take a bit of time to share about my experiences with exercise videos. My freshmen year in college was my earliest exposure. I will never forget sitting on my bed eating Pizza Shuttle while simultaneously watching the Taebo video and my roommate Jenny punching the air.

This past year a friend of mine suggested we do Pilates one morning. Cool, I thought...since it is in the morning I can just wear typical exercise clothes...which I thought were old shorts and a big t-shirt you don't mind sweating in. That is what I wore, but my two friends were wearing ballerina outfits without the skirts. I looked so cool. The only way I can describe my experience is that while they did Pilates resembling ballerinas lying on their backs...toes pointing and "flat stomachs", my version looked like a controlled seizure. I was totally unable to watch the video, watch my legs, and figure where to roll on the floor. I did get a really good workout though.

Last week I was given another Pilates video that I have decided to attempt for one month. Tonight I simply watched it to get an idea. There were the ballerinas again, the token male, and one lady named "Dagney" that was demonstrating the delicate version. For example while everyone is pointing their feet straight into the air, the hostess would walk over and show poor Dagney with her feet barely off the ground. "She is still working out her powerhouse (stomach)". Even though Dagney can't do the one legged circle it is still effective for her to just lie there and move her toes in a circle. Dagney also demonstrates that if you are "especially delicate", which I am, you have permission to use a pillow, rarely lift your leg or arm, and pretty much just lie there while still being affirmed.

After watching the video I immediately went into the kitchen and ate a few oreos. I was exhausted. Beth said it look like I had been working out since my hair was all messed up and my face was tired. I cannot wait to see my newly sculpted body at the end of this process. I would like to give the charge for someone to invent an exercise video that doesn't use words like "powerhouse" or clap for the people lying on their floor in the living room.

some noteable additions for your enjoyment... TUA