150th!

It's been a while since I posted last and I just saw that this is number 150.

I've been crazy busy away from the internets, so I haven't read anyone's blog since I last posted, and still haven't. I love you all still!

Anyway, Becky and I competed in our first triathlon at the end of June in North Mankato. We finished it together, so our times sucked, but we did that on purpose. We just wanted to finish it. We hadn't "really" trained for it, so we just wanted to take it easy. We both feel we took it too easy and could have finished stronger without killing ourselves, but that's what the next one is for, right? And, yes, we want to do another. Yeah!

Other than that, I'm heading to New Orleans with a charter bus full of high schoolers(!). We are heading to one of the hottest places in the country during the middle of July for the ELCA Youth Gathering. It should be fun and I'm looking forward to it. Wish me luck!

Becky is employed twice over. Once is for MN Council of Non-Profits. Twice is for a Hispanic congregation in South Mpls, El Milagro. These will be great for her, since she was ready to move in this direction anyway. I might actually see her during tax season 2010.

That's all I can write in the allotted 5 minutes. Peace!

2+ Weeks

Well, in the 2+ weeks of blogger absence, I have done little that you all would care to hear, so I'll summarize.

I've been running (made it around Lake Calhoun, ca. 3.1 miles/5km, in about 35 minutes. Awesome!)
I've been biking 80+ miles in May (compare to the 65 miles total in 2008).
I've been swimming.
I'm planning on a triathlon. (!)
I'm 30.
I'm talking a lot about myself.
Becky's job searching, which is a mixed blessing.
She and I did all the above together (some of the biking and running was solo, but the Calhoun was with her).
I was paired up with a youth for Bolder Options, I have yet to meet him or even reconfirm my commitment, but I'm excited.

Now, in the last post I wrote that I was going to submit a composition for publication. I emailed said publishing company on May 11th for their guidelines. When I hadn't heard on May 13th, I called and got the lowdown. May 14th, with much fanfare, literally, I mailed it off. Less than 2 weeks later, I got my rejection email and finally on June 1, I get the email on manuscript guidelines. I got rejected before they even told me how to get rejected!

Anyway, I don't know if I'll resubmit it elsewhere, rework it, or self-publish. I like it the way it is, so maybe I'll look for another publishing house.

This is my life for the last few weeks. Send Becky job finding thoughts (or potential jobs) and have a great while until I see you again.

Aging

So, Thursday, May 14th, I will turn 30 at 6:08 AM. Well, it won't happen precisely then, but you get the idea.

My teens have been long behind me and now I'm looking at the end of my twenties. As many have said when leaving one era and moving on to another, it was great while it happened, but I won't miss it. Especially the last year-and-a-half. Those were the worst 18 months, or so, in my life, aside from the first 18 months. I am told that those were hell for everyone, including me.

Anyway, how does one celebrate their 30th? Why by doing something risky, right? Like skydiving or base jumping or going to Las Vegas. Not I, I will be.... wait for it.... doing something far riskier....

For the regular reader, they might remember that a year or so ago I wrote that I never commit to anything (yes, I'm married, but that's different). I never go all out on anything, so what I'm planning on doing on Thursday is committing to something, putting my best foot forward and taking a "real" risk. I am sticking my neck out. I am using as many cliches as I can muster up.

I am submitting a musical composition for publication.

So, wish me luck. I am not hopeful, because I'm behind the times on my piece. 2 pieces using the same text have come out in the last 2-3 years, so I think that I will not be as likely to get published as I would have been 4 years ago when I wrote it. But this is something to do in order to have done it, then it won't be scary next time.

Wish me luck!