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I Warned You.....

If you read my New Year's goals post you may remember that one of my goals was to raise money to help other people by exploiting my friends. Well, I didn't forget. In fact I have a couple of thank you letters that I have been trying to show to everyone who donated to our annual New Years run. If I haven't shown them to you yet remind me the next time I see you. I have them in my truck. One is from a student who received a new pair of shoes, and the other is from the principal at Walter Douglas Elementary. They really got me thinking about trying to help someone else, but school is almost out. I did a little brainstorming (both brain cells working at maximum capacity), and talked with a few of you. This is what I came up with. Caitlin is going to a dance intensive, and summer school at the U of A where she will live on campus for an entire month. It is going to be expensive. Fortunately we (read Amy) are really good at saving money just for this sort of thing. We are also fortunate enough that we have jobs, and have not been affected to badly by the economy. That means we can afford it. I got to thinking about kids that might not be going to have such an exciting summer. I know one young boy who is a new climber who's family has not been as fortunate to survive the economic downturn. He doesn't have any plans for the summer so I figured why not send him to a week of summer climbing camp at Rocks & Ropes gym. I talked to someone close to him, and she said he would love it, and she would help. We need to raise $200 to send him to climbing camp. I have been trying to think of ways to generate the money so if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them. Several things I thought about were stunts I could perform, and you could pay to watch me humiliate myself. Maybe I could get a paddle, and sell swats. Ultimately I figured that would be a bad idea. Some of you would probably give me exactly what you have been thinking I deserve for a very long time. I also thought about auctioning off a day of climbing here locally. Maybe a day of multi pitch at the summit crags, or just cragging where I could belay slave or rope gun if you are not a climber who leads. Ultimately none of these sound like great ideas so help me out, and let me know if you have an idea. *I know I am behind on posts. I have many things that I need to catch up on, but blogger is not working well with my browser. I am trying to get it fixed, but am not sure that this post will even show up on my blog. Please excuse all of the typos and gramatical errors. I can only read parts of this post. I may have to switch to another hosting site, but I promise to get it figured out soon.

Kids and Drums

Brett's oldest daughter takes piano lessons with my mom on Thursday afternoons. Michelle brings her to her lesson, and then has the three younger kids to entertain while Rebecca has her lesson. I sometimes walk or ride the longboard down to my mom's, and get the younger kids to come play over here. I normally push all three of them back on the longboard. I forgot it this last time, and got scolded. I probably won't do that again. I enjoy having people my own age (developmentally that is) to play with, and they don't seem to mind to bad. I think it also gives Michelle a 45 minute break where she can just relax. That's the idea anyway.

If you remember, one of my goals this year was to learn to play the drums. I  found a used kit fairly cheap, and I've been teaching myself how to play from Internet videos and out of a couple of books I got used at Bookmans. The kids seem to like them too.

Tyler will surely be playing in a Metal band before to long. He has a kind of Romaine Goulon style.

If Disney had a drummer princess Meagan would be it. I think she was afraid she might hurt the drums if she hit them to hard.

Erin was slow and steady. No need to be flashy. Just keep time. It has worked for Phil Rudd forever.

To me this has been the best part of owning drums so far. Learning to play can be frustrating. Especially when my arms and legs don't do what I think I am telling them to, but watching the kids play really is fun.

Another Thank You Note

Thank you again to all of those of you who participated in our little fund raiser, and fun run this year. We had a great time putting it on, and  I feel like we did some good that we can see the results of directly. And a big thank you to Lara for her hard work and donation for finisher's awards. She is rad.

Way Behind Again

Anyone know who is in the picture above? I do. That is one of the best friends I have ever had. That is Stayc Webb. I  hate to say Stayc is my oldest friend because I have friends that are older although they are 50 also (oops, I just let the cat out of the bag), but she has been my friend the longest which is what I mean.

Stayc just had a birthday, and I have been wanting to post about her. I have been lazy though. I have reasons why it has taken me so long, but ultimately I am just lazy. We went to dinner with Stayc and her husband Porter so I finally got the picture I needed.

Here are some things about Stayc.
1. She is the most loyal friend anyone could ask for.
2. When she is your friend count on it being for life. Even is you are as lazy as I am at being a friend.
3. Stacy is married to a man who adores her, and I think she likes him OK too.
4. Stayc makes art out of almost anything, but has taken up welding to make iron art.
5. Stayc loves Andy Warhol, and David Bowie.
6. I have never known one of Stayc's friends to be in need of something when she did not offer to help.
7. Stayc and I became friends at UPS. She claims I was a jerk until she showed me the name on a package that had broken open, and was full of gay porn (thanks for only showing me the label, and not the contents). The name on the label was "Mark Muchmore". We both remember it to this day, and I was not being a jerk.
8. Stayc taught me that "the Russians love their children too."
9. Happy belated birthday Stayc. I love ya.

Here is one of my excuses for being so late on Stayc's birthday post. Not just the TV, but how we ended up with it.  It all started out by deciding we would paint the living room, and move the mountain bikes and drum kit (that will have to be a completely separate post), into the family room. Amy hated the first thing everyone saw when they walked into the house to be a bunch of bikes. So now we are using the original living room again, and the family room I added is bike storage. 

Well, after we finished painting we moved our furniture in. It didn't look great, but it would have to do. Then we moved our 17 year old $7 yard sale entertainment center with the 16 year old TV in it, and that would not do. Especially after I broke off some of the plastic while trying to dust the TV.

Long story short, we ended up with a 42" TV, Blu Ray player, and a new TV stand. What I  thought was funny is the night after we got it I looked up and noticed that Amy was reading her Kindle, the kids were reading books, and I was reading a magazine. Nice to know it won't change our habits too much.

I've been thinking about having a contest for the most unique use for your BB&S, Team Brenton fun run finisher's award. This was sent to me anonymously, and is probably the winner. If you think you can out do it send me a picture.

Happy Birthday Ironman

Today is my friend Kent's birthday. He is 50 years old today. Kent has been one of the most influential people in my life. I've written about him here several times before so I won't go through his bio again. Below is a list of things that I think make Kent great.

1. He always stays in shape. Even with a tough surgeon's schedule, and a family to raise you will never catch him unable to keep up with the group.

2. When Kent makes decisions he first decides what the kind thing to do is.

3. After deciding what the kind thing to do is he does it.

4. He decided to become a surgeon because he wanted to help people.

5. Kent is his wife Janet's biggest fan, and she is his.

6. Kent never wastes money, but truly enjoys the money he spends.

7. Kent donates time traveling to other countries to help under privileged people, and training other doctors.

8. Kent has climbed Denali, and many other peaks.

9. Kent overcame gear addiction. That must not have been an easy one.

10. There is no one who doesn't look up to Kent when they get to know him. Me especially.

Happy Birthday Ironman!

Crappy Day

Yesterday was the crappiest day I think I have ever had, and I've worked for a plumber before.  As you saw in a previous post I took Philip to his new job cleaning horse stalls. I helped him get started, and showed him the pace he should be moving at. If you have a teenager you will understand that. They have one speed. I call it "barely perceptible forward motion." To many years at UPS have made me impatient with anything less than a brisk pace while working.

Once I got him going I went over to talk to my dad and Bill. I started helping my dad work on a chicken coop he was building for Bill's wife. Bill was trying to unplug a sewer. I went over to see if I could help. I won't describe it, but you wouldn't have wanted to be there.

Philip finally finished his job so we headed home. Already feeling like I had bathed in a cesspool I decided to clean out the chicken pen and coop. That I'm getting pretty used to. Because my wife has chickens she gets eggs. I get to clean up after them.

I went into the house only to find another plugged toilet. Fortunately I was able to plunge it. I took a nice long shower, and went for a short run to make myself feel better.

One Other Thing

I played with my iPhone, and tried to take my best David Kellettesque photograph using Instagram.

What's Been Going With Me

Last week Amy and I went on our annual anniversary trip. We went to Flagstaff.  There wasn't much snow, but we managed to find enough to do a little snowshoeing.

 Every morning we ate at Macy's. It is a cool little vegetarian coffee shop (thanks Kent and Janet). Amy really enjoyed the hot chocolate, but I think mostly because of the cool designs the barrista would make on top with the cream. We had several other good meals, but Macy's really stood out. That must be why we ate there three times.

 Brett and Michelle's kids came by to play with me while Rebecca was at her piano lesson down at my mom's house. Tyler shot  baskets, and we rode the longboard. I had a good time.

I made a rope rug, and gave it to Lara for her birthday.

I took to the boy to his first day at his new job. He is shoveling road apples at our friend Bill's stables. Pretty of nice of Bill to give the boy a job. I know I appreciate it.

And I met one of of your twins. I'm not saying which one of you, but you know who you are.



Donation Update

A couple weeks ago Philip had a orchestra concert. While sitting and waiting for the concert to start I spent my time trying to figure out where the awful B.O. was coming from. Unfortunately Amy pointed out the source.  It was coming from a couple of boys that go to Amy's school. I felt really sorry for the boys. No one should have to live like that.  I watched them for a while, and they seemed really well behaved. They did look like a couple of unmade beds though.

Amy texted me this thank you note that one of the boys had brought in to the office. He had been given a pair of shoes from the Family Resource Center. He wrote the note on his own, and it was his idea. His two brothers got shoes too. So thank you to those of you who were so generous, and donated gift cards to buy kids shoes. At least one kid who really needed shoes, and was grateful to get them was given a pair. I feel good about that, but wish I could help these, and other needy kids, out more.



Metallica Inspired Art

 Metallica recently attended an art show that was all art work that was inspired by their music. Here are three of my favorites from the show. This first on is is "Frayed Ends of Sanity". I really liked the way the demon was working his finger tips into his victim. It's a pretty good song too.

This one is "No Remorse". It was a song off of their Kill Em All album. True thrash metal. 

This one was my favorite. It's called "Nothing Else Matters". The song was off the Black album, and in my opinion kind of the last real Metallica album. It definately marked a turn in their music (for the worse). I thought these three paintings were truly quality works. A little dark maybe, but thought provoking if nothing else. It would be tough to hang one of these in the living room. I don't think Amy would dig it. I would be better off buying one of Vivian's paintings.
http://www.vivianhutchins.com/

IDs

IDs are a funny thing. They can be used to identify yourself whether it is to purchase something, gain access to a physical location, or gain access to a virtual location. I have had a few Broken, Beat & Scarred readers say they have had trouble with access to the blog, or that it is just a pain to have to log in. I am going to make it open with no password to log on. If I have posted anything about you that you would not want just anyone having access to let me know and I will remove it. So to keep out the riff raff please don't link this blog to anything where it might be shared to the general public (not that I think that I have anything that the world is just waiting to find, but I don't want any of you to be outed as being a reader of this blog).

B,B&S started out with about five subscribers three years ago. I just keep making more good friends that I want to share the goings on in my life with. I hope you enjoy reading these posts half as much as I enjoy coming up with them, and that you  will visit more often now that access will be easier.

Now, on with the show. As most of you probably already know I had my wallet, keys, and phone accidentally borrowed without permission a couple of weeks ago at the climbing gym. I am quite sure they will be returned as soon as the person who mistakenly took them notices their unintentional mistake.

Amy says they were stolen, and that I am being silly. She says that climbers steal too. I don't buy it. Those people at the gym are like extended family. I may not know them all personally, but I know the type. It was an honest mistake, and I will be vindicated in my faith of the good people of the Tucson climbing community. I mean some of these people are like family to me, and some of them I like much more.

Anyway, I had to cancel the two credit cards I carry, get a duplicate license, and get a new phone. Did I mention it is an iPhone? Yes, I really do like it. Caitlin is helping me set it up. It's a good thing because I could never get that done on my own.

Losing my phone really was the worst part of the ordeal, besides thinking that a climber had stolen from me, was not having a phone for four or five days. I felt really isolated from all of my friends, and was worried I might be missing important messages from them. You know, climbing trips, trips to the gym (where I now have a locker), maybe a trail run, or the multiple daily text messages I look forward to from Amy.

In the end I am happy to have an iPhone, glad I didn't lose much more than the teenage girl phone, the cost of the iPhone, and a $50 gift card. I guess it is not that big of a deal since my stuff will be returned any day now (that will show Amy who's a Pollyanna).

Resolutions Old and New

I made some goals at the beginning of the year last year. I thought we could take a look and see how I did. I think that some of my goals were a little vague last year so this year I am trying to do a little better.

2011
1. Red point Steve's Arete (5.11a). Ryan and I gave it a go, but neither of us were able to clip the chains without a fall.
2. Get good at placing gear. The gear I placed last week kept me off the deck, but I still find myself fumbling while trying to find the right piece sometimes. Half credit I think.
3. Save for and buy a new mt. bike. I bought one, but I am still working on paying the savings account back. What do you think? Quarter credit?
4. Climb at Red Rocks. Full credit.
5. Climb at J-Tree. Full credit.
6. Publish writing. Not only no credit, but I will give myself an Epic Fail (in the words of my son). Truth of the matter is that I hardly wrote anything at all.
7. Run Regularly. Vague at best, but I did do a decent amount of running last year. My two let down times were summer and December. Half credit I think.

2012
1. Steve's Arete, and 10 routes that I want to get done. I am still working on my the list. Ryan has his. I think we can get this done this year.
2. Get Better at placing gear. I know it's not terribly specific, but as long as I am working on it I think that will suffice.
3. Finish paying for mt. bike. Pretty specific I think.
4. Publish writing. Sounds familiar.
5. Run hard and far. I have an idea for that one. We'll see if I don't wimp out on it again.
6. Write and record a short for The Dirt Bag Diaries pod cast. My friend Steve did one a few years ago that was awesome. I still listen to it for motivation sometimes. In fact that is how I met him. I think I can make that happen.
7. Get Gus on the road. This is one that is just going to take a little money like the mt. bike. Fortunately I shouldn't need to build a chicken coop again this year.
8. Take drum lessons. I used to play the guitar, and thought I would take it back up when one of the kids got interested in it. Philip is getting pretty good for being self taught, but climbing has made my fingers to stiff for some cord shapes. Drums are cool, and I've always wanted to drum too.
9. Make a significant dent in my honey do list. Self explainatory.
10. Eat better. Shouldn't be to hard.
11. Raise money for charity to help others by exploiting my friends.

What are some of your goals for 2012? How do you plan to achieve them? Leave a comment with your ideas on the subject.

New Year's Run 2011-2012

 We had a good local turnout for our run this year. We met at Reid Park, and ran around the golf course on the paved path. This was the first year we planned to meet up and run together. Brett, Mike, Terry, Bella, Shaun, Amy, Philip and I all showed up to run out 1.55 miles before midnight, and 1.55 miles after midnight. I had a great time, and I hope everyone else did too. The Leonard clan brought hot chocolate that was so good I could have drunk gallons of it, and Amy brought gingerbread cookies.

 Here is the group coming into the finish.

Here are the finisher's awards, and a few of the Payless gift cards that were donated. If you participated your award is on the way. Special thanks to Lara at Rainbow signs for making them so professional looking. To all of you who donated to the Walter Douglas Elementary Family Resource Center we really appreciate your generous donations. There will be a few less kids in need of shoes.

We would like to make this event bigger and better next year, and possibly do something during the year to help someone in need. If you have any ideas we would love to hear them.

So consider this fair warning that it is going to happen again next year (Ann). That is of course if the world doesn't end on December 21.