Darwin Mayflower said, “Happiness in life comes from the achievement of goals….But now I have a new goal, WORLD DOMINATION!” In actuality, I think that is more of a long-term vision than an actual goal.

So this last four months was run-a-lot, bike-a-lot, or swim-a-lot. But with new employment comes new direction. This web-site has been the albatross around my neck for many years, so I hope to spice it up a bit and eventually get it rolling in a slightly more respectable fashion.

So what will I talk about? The telecom industry, web technologies, Java technologies, or personal accounts of industry?

I may just write 30 Rock recaps and tell you how awesome Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is. The important point is, I need to be more vigilant in the updates, maintenance and upkeep of this place.

So get ready, keep your fingers crossed, and hope I don’t delete this post soon!

Anyway, I’m gonna go running tomorrow morning and hopefully I’ll get a chance to take some pics this week and post ‘em online.

Initially, I was scheduled to leave on the early United flight to Edmonton via Chicago, but when I called the airline a few hours before I found out it had been cancelled due to a lack of crew. I quickly rebooked on a later Delta flight leaving in the early afternoon and expected to arrive a little before 10 PM MST.

Check in was fun at the airport, a Delta agent acted like a jerk and I got a full pat down at security. Also, thanks to a false-positive, I had to have all of my carry-on run through the chemical detector.

The flight to Salt Lake was delayed a bit, but since I had a 3.5 hr layover, I wasn’t bothered too much. The only really interesting thing was hitting some turbulence as we manuvered towards approach, but then I like to hear a plane full of people collectively go, “Oh!”

Once we got ready to depart for Edmonton the pilot made an announcement that foul weather ahead might cause us to divert to Calgary. So on we flew into the night almost to Edmonton, but we had to divert to Calgary after all. The Calgary landing was a real nail-biter and we took a pretty good bump landing. And then we sat. And sat and sat some more. Over an hour by my reckoning.

Finally we got the all clear window and took back off to Edmonton where about 20-30 minutes later we landed and proceeded to sit on the tarmac NEAR the gate for another hour.

Once inside we cleared customs where I was selected for an additional screening interview and politely reminded I could be deported without proper documentation. Whee!

As I left customs the bags were just starting to come off the belt when, the bags suddenly stopped. We then sat for another 45 mins while the ground crew waited out lightning.

By the time I got my bag and left it was about 2:15 am. the car rental place had closed so I took a cab ride downtown to my hotel.

This morning I have been a bit of a zombie in the office, but nothing a little rest can’t cure.

Customs in Edmonton

Is there a moral to the story? Just that being an effective traveller often means swallowing your pride or achieving a zen-like state of acceptance. Sure I was tired and frustrated, but you have to let it wash over you or you’ll never make it out alive. Besides, it’s better to let other people lose their cool in the airport for you. And hey, it all balances out in the end. I am sure travel karma will come back around and do me some good soon!

So, what’s happened in the last month?

• Together you guys have rallied and helped me raised almost $1300!
• I have been vigilant in my training maxing out the miles running, biking, and swimming
• I have had several trips, both business and family and have been training in interesting locales.
• Succesful open water and transition training this weekend at Lake Joe Pool.
• Prepping for several weeks of work in Edmonton, Canada which should make for an interesting training locale.

And now, here’s a group photo from the T4 training Way to go TEAM!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

For more info on the mechanics of Marrow and transplant process see the above site or visit Wikipedia’s Entry.

If you have the opportunity, I suggest you sign up, it’s painless to sign up and you could save a life someday!

Monday: Swimming with the Wetcats for 2500 yds and a 30 min run Monday afternoon.

Tuesday: 12.5 Miles on the bike

Wednesday: 4.6 Mile run

Thursday: 8.1 Miles on the bike

Friday: nada. nyet. zip. zero.

Saturday: Saturday morning was the run before the honored heroes breakfast. Together myself and team green covered just over 5 miles.

Sunday: I got lost on the way to the swim clinic, so I swam over at the crap pool at 24 fitness. Blech, it’s such a nasty pool. Also, put in 30 minutes on the bike that afternoon.

Total distance: 4100 yds Swum. 13.21 Miles Ran 27 Miles Biked.

Thought of the Week: The truth is, it’s difficult to find the daylight hours to get the time in. If a conference call starts early or something else comes up you miss the AM window to get stuff done before work.

Additionally, a big shout out to the GREEN team for staying behind and changing tires with me.