Happy New Year From Florida!!

When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea- Eric Cantona

"A Renaissance Man"...should have a detached, cool, nonchalant attitude, and speak well, sing, recite poetry, have proper bearing, be athletic, know the humanities and classics, paint and draw and possess many other skills, always without showy or boastful behavior. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymath).

New developments in my life... as such Mark Twain's quote on rumors of his death and some Frank Sinatra lyrics MIGHT be appropriate, but for now a George Costanza quote:

"I am back, baby!"

Happy New Year!

Food and Exercise

It's been an interesting time as usual in New England. Year 4 has started with my running 125 miles since August 7th and a "Fresh Start" in my approach to teaching. Between a daily exercise routine and weekly trivia routine on Thursday, I am finding myself in rituals.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

Perks of the Job

With a student interning with the Yankees, I threw a shirt and tie in a bag and made the 5 hour trip to NYC on Tuesday. After having a quick little dinner at Bobby Flay's "Bar Americain" (fulfilled another little dream goal... been dying to get there forever!), I made my way over to the stadium. It certainly is a modern day Roman Coliseum... of course, the $300 tickets may have helped a lot!

Love the city and I am already looking forward to my program's next trip there in the Fall semester. Off to send out a Thank You note. Ironically, I will be at Fenway on Sunday!

PEI Vacation 2010

One week back from my trip "back home", and I am still in denial. The pictures are in chronolgical order with the video clip at the end from the sailing week... And if a picture is worth a thousand words, the best way to describe the summer at home was "busy". Whether it was first feed of lobster, Canada Day weekend, golfing in the Charlottetown Boys and Girls Club golf tourney (pictured with Bruins prospect Nathan MacIver), sailing in a regatta, attending my 20th High School reunion, or seeing Newfoundland for the first time. It was a terrific trip home. Mom and Dad still are the tops when it comes to my feeling at home.

I wanted to make sure that I mentioned that I saw Leigh MacMillan during the reunion. It was so awesome to know that my blog had another dedicated reader. Jeff and Leigh had apparently been on their own similar "road less traveled" and were very close to New Mexico when I was there, living in Texas. As far as Leigh's comment, "You seem to hold back on here"... it can be best answered with Eric Cantona's answer to reporters after he was suspended for karate kicking a fan.

When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.

There was talk of creating a new blog under a fictional name. Between thiefs being caught on a webcam, the Dr. Phil twins, and some of the other odd adventures post-dissertation, there have been some unbelievable "you can't make this up" moments... but I have learned that you certainly can get in trouble in telling them.

Wishing everybody a terrific end of summer.

Ottawa Weekend

Pictures... "The trip that keeps on giving". Many people have noticed that it was empty; Samuel helping Papa out with the pasta; Thomas and I enjoying a post-pasta picture together.

Nice to get some updated pictures of the nephews after my camera and laptop were stolen last November. Not sure where my life is taking me right now. Home on the Island... or sticking it in Auburn longer. I have a New Mexico visitor coming.

California 2010

A new look to my ol' blog.

To my world, I am back on here. Most of 2008 deleted along with most of my previous life. Unless certain parts are brought up... yet again... they will not be seen.

Now for California. A great trip. I strongly advise a trip after the abrupt end to a school year comes along. I flew in on Wednesday and was happy I had a place close to the airport booked the first night as it helped me gain my bearings. The 6-hour flight did tire me out. However, when I landed I was happy with the texts telling me that the Canadiens won Game 7 against the Penguins. Epic moment.

Day 1 was spent taking the BART to downtown, picking uop my Jeep Wrangler, picking up my Sirrus Specialized bike (a great rental as well!). I loved Bouchaine Winery as I was given an hour and 15 minutes and provided with some great inside information. I loved the Carneros district. I then hit downtown Napa running into some maritimers doing the chicken dance. Entertainment!

Day 2 I biked 21 miles from my hotel through the Stag's Leap District and back. After barely making it through dinner at the Bouchon Bakery (exercise and wine plus food intake equals passing out), I slept well. Thomas Keller's restaurant comes highly recommended.

Day 3 was spent at the sterling Vineyard... great spot before biking back to my parking spot at the Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga. After chekcing in my hotel, I completed a dream journey to DeLoach vineyards followed by a great dinner at the Harvest Moon Cafe. Amazing spot.

Day 4 was spent at Benziger Winery. This was an amazing spot! I also bought the book "Hope's Edge". I then made my way into Petaluma... a great night. My last two days, I toured San Francisco, saw Alcatraz, biked Golden Gate, saw Sausalito, went to Restaurant Gary Danko (two month reservation)... and left with a little calamity. Met some great people...

FYI: Scrapbooking... that's a whole new industry!

Currently working on our COSMA certification. Off to Ottawa to go see the family for Samuel's birthday.

The Final Push...

Pictures of 1. My first Weber. 2. First family road trip in 21 years. 3. Dad's retirement weekend.









Huh? What just happened? Florida came and went (19 college kids and I was one of two coaches... never is a long time but never again!). I went home, we came back, we did Opening Day, and next week is tennis playoffs?!

This week... off to Carolina for the College Sport Research Institute (CSRI) conference in Chapel Hill where I am presenting twice, taking an undergraduate team to a case study competition, and participating in the Annual Drake Group activities.

Conference, last week of classes, exam week, graduation, our annual faculty retreat and then... I am allowed to say it... the countdown to my May trip to California is on. 22 days to Napa!

*Happy Birthday to Dianne Brander and happy 42nd wedding anniversary to Mom and Dad.

Orlando, Part II

As the cycle of life continues, we often find new traditions begin. Looking forward to catching up with Paul over coffee this week at the hot tub before the tennis team wakes up. Jogging begins back with less effort this week, too. While there is less excitement in my life than this time last year, this also means less drama...

Looking forward to my week with 70 degree temperatures.

Canada Wins!

Photo: Post-game champagne after the game for the ages! I am celebrating not getting any abuse for 4 years.




What a month. That's all I can say. It began with a championship in intramurals, a court case, the Olympics, impromptu pub crawls and ended with a day where United wins the Carling Cup and of course Canada's 3-2 win over the USA.

Winter Survival

Pictures... loving my fireplace, my Napa/Sonoma trip has been planned, dreamed about, and booked, and finally, after the great efforts in intramurals, I got to pose by the ultimate soccer club championship trophy.

Oh, the stories... between court dates and limo rides on pub crawls, it's been quite a month already. 20 days to Orlando...

Joel

Champion Again...

As the picture shows, after playing intramurals at several schools as a student, I finally can say I won an intramural championship winning the NISL (Nichols Indoor Soccer League) championship last night with Dappermans FC. My first championship since the UNM Icewolves won the Southwest Showcase and my first as a participant since the 1997 Alpine Rec. League Championship. At 37 years old, you begin to appreciate these things more.

Back in November of 2006 on my birthday while having breakfast at "The Grove" on Central Avenue (miss that place!) in ol' ABQ, I set the "Big Four" goals I wanted to accomplish, one of which was "to one more championship or race as a player or participant". While I fell short that year in a few of my efforts (despite a great hat trick performance in the UNM playoffs), a great job, a Ph.D., and a championship won have eventually come along... nice to see the running on the beach last summer and in Florida also eventually paid off as well.

It's 6 AM the day after a big game and I am wide awake... I feel like a kid again. Campione, campione, ole, ole, ole!

Beginning of the Third Winter Semester

This morning I somehow had the wherewithal to take a picture at 6:30 AM to capture the moment. So here I am holding up three fingers to signify my third WINTER semester at Nichols. At the end of this year, I will have spent more time at Nichols than any other school... wow. Despite the snow, I am quite happy to be at Nichols College.

Big news... my court date is on February 8th. My Red Sox tickets are in my usual hiding spot so that means my favorite ex-landlord's heoin addict roommate still might be able to find them if he gets into my house in the near future.

Florida dreaming... heading back there in 52 days for tennis.

Florida Video...

Pelicans diving, Christmas lights on a boat, dolphins, and fireworks on New Year's Eve...