Please help me make a difference.

We have all been touched by cancer, whether it’s someone in your own family or maybe just an acquaintance. It is everywhere. Last year, my Dad was diagnosed, treated, and is doing well. It was a huge reality check for me… Now I am doing what I can to help. On October 11th, I will run the Chicago Marathon for the Lance Armstrong Foundation to raise money for cancer research. Here are some things to think about:

1.4 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.
560,000 Americans are expected to die from cancer this year. That’s more than 1,500 per day.
Nearly 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop cancer during their lifetime.
Within the next decade, cancer is likely to replace heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. It is already the biggest killer of those under the age of 85.
"At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we unite people to fight cancer believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything."


I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TIME TO GIVE. YET, I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN AND HELP ME REACH MY GOAL OF $1500. THAT IS HOW MUCH I BELIEVE IN THIS ORGANIZATION. ANY AMOUNT YOU CAN SPARE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2009/chancebchicago09

THANK YOU SO MUCH,
CHANCE BARBER

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” - gandhi

This will make you think.

I feel like I am posting lots of videos, and I have been. This is very thought provoking stuff.

Parenting is HARD...

To become a parent is easy, there's no qualification process, or basic aptitude exam. Being a parent worth anything is hard. You've got to keep balance, let them go and do but at the same time have boundaries.


"the primary objective is to create a fullfilled person"
Laird Hamilton's book "Force of Nature"
...on being a parent

Choose Happy :)

Choose Happy over Sad

It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile.
What you put out, you will receive. Be positive, be happy and you will get that in return from others.
"Aloha," man do the Hawaiians have it right. To translate it means, " to breathe life." The best compliment you could ever get from a Hawaiian would be for them to say you have Aloha. It is to share your life energy with others and with all that surrounds you.


If you don't agree, then just be lazy and use only 17 muscles...

This is going to be good!

George Hincapie the only teammate of Lance Armstrong to ride all 7 Tour de France victories, is getting well deserved recognition outside the peleton. This is going to be good. I am very excited to see this...

How did we become a society of "have nots"...

Why do so many only think of what they want, and not what they have. There is always someone with less, someone who would love to have what you have, be where you are, maybe even be you! Reflection is something we don't practise enough. If you disagree, turn on a TV or computer at look at "the news" for 60 seconds, and you'll see someone with "less," or having a worse day than you.
Let's work toward "half full," and try to get away from "half empty."
Sure things may not be how we want or would choose, but it can always be worse. We all need to take a hard look of where we are and what we HAVE in these difficult times.

If you like running, you'll love this!

Please look into this, it is very well done, and inspirational.

When you are having fun people actually pay attention!

When you are having fun people pay attention. Happy employees are the best thing you can ever have!

Time sure flies, this will make you think.

This will make you think, especially if you have kids.

Please watch this.

Positive & Proactive

These traits will take you far.  Life is coming at you no matter what you do, so by being prepared you can make "it" a smoother road, and a much more enjoyable ride.  Don't just let it happen, be an active part of the swirling movement.  Steer your path, be a good husband/wife, dad/mom, friend.  It takes more energy, but it will come back to you 10 million fold and it's the right thing to do.  The "right" thing to do always takes more effort.  I think that is why so many people take the easy way...it's not work.  The "100 % plan"(my wife should copy write that term & concept), relationships are not 50/50, it's each person giving 100%.   You're backing each other up 24/7.  It's what you do...  Yeah, it takes more effort on both sides, but it's easier & everyone is happier.

...and I'm back.

It's been awhile...  I have turned the corner and am getting excited about training.  I am working hard to be a good Dad & husband, that is my priority.  Every so often you need to renew/refresh that focus needed to be a good family member and leader. I know when I'm doing a solid effort at home the rest of life will follow suit.  I am planning my summer race season too, all things in my life are getting a good track.  More regular posts to follow.

The Jimmy 2008...what a great day.

Sunday October 19, 2008

Manhattan Beach, California USA

I was lucky to be able to be a part of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation's annual surf fiesta! Celebrating Jimmy Miller's life and love of the ocean. A great format of teams, an interesting assortment of boards(that had to be used), and tons of FUN! The turn out was amazing! Those of us lucky enough to have known Jimmy and grown up together, it was a homecoming of sorts. It was wonderful to see many generations of guys & girls enjoying the ocean and each other. The foundation helps those with handicaps escape and exercise via "ocean therapy." A wonderful cause...please take a moment to check it out. If you can help, it's a great cause.

www.jimmymillerfoundation.org

007 is coming...

I am not a big movie fan, but for 007 I have a great deal of anticipation.  I remember growing up seeing Roger Moore (not my favorite Bond), all the interesting places, and of course the kick ass gadgets.  Now with Daniel Craig playing 007, it seems that there is a strong resurgence in the Bond movies.  I plan to be in the theatre on November 14 when the "Quantum of Solace" opens.

New puppy!

We recently added another dog to our family.  We have Barrett (boy)a 2 1/2 year old puggle, and now Miley (girl)a 2 1/2 month old puggle.  She is super cute, but also a lot of work.  We are all adjusting to our new family member.

Evergreen Triathlon (Olympic Distance)

Last Saturday I went to Normal Illinois with Ken to do the Evergreen Triathlon. I haven't been to motivated, so training consistently hasn't really been happening. I hope to have a "personal best" race...interesting expectation. I have only done one previous Olympic distance triathlon(a few years ago), and I made just about every mistake you could. I have learned a lot since then and hoped to put together a good race. As I pulled out of the driveway at 3:45am to go to Ken's to drive down together, it started raining. I hoped that it was raining at the race, or at least maybe by raining now it would all blow through by the time we arrived at the race site. Nice to go to the race with someone that has been there before, and to not have to drive alone. Once we arrived at the race location it wasn't raining, and was much cooler than it should have been. Once all set up in transition with wetsuit in hand, the rain started. The water was just barely wetsuit legal at 77.8 degrees F. I was happy to have the extra buoyancy! I nice 1500 meter swim of 27:12. Somewhere between taking off my wetsuit I lost my two gels in my tri top back pocket. Rainy and windy bike. Happy to not have too many turns under the conditions, completing the 25 miles in 1:15:05. On to the run more rainy fun! A 10K in 52:25 which was okay. I had hoped to do under 50 minutes, but did the nest I could. I think the lack of nutrition was key to the weak run. Still a personal best time of 2:37:54 earned me 7th place in my age group. Motivated to train better! Enjoyable day despite the conditions, and I look forward to returning next year to an even better result.  Ken raced hard to 4th in his age group!

Photos & Fun...

I am learning a lot and enjoying seeing the world around me in a whole new way.

The runs...

Recently I have had string of bad runs. I have been running after work, and they've all been pretty hot days. I can see how this would lead to some not so great runs, but most have been bad. I am looking forward to a change...maybe becoming a year old is what will break the string.

Season starts strong...

Seven Bridges Season Starter is a local 5k and 10 mile run. Early in the season with cool weather for the second year of this race. I improved over last year, and that makes me happy. I finished with a time of 1:13 for 10 miles, and a pace of 7:18. A 17 second per mile pace gain. So far so good...

New interest...

My new interest in photography, is becoming quite enjoyable. It has become a great creative flow of energy. I am learning new things all the time, and really enjoying myself. This photo was from my recent trip to Taos, New Mexico. It is the Rio Hondo River in the canyon that leads to Taos Ski Valley resort.

2008 a year ahead...

I have been having a hard time motivating... I now have an outline for the year's races. I hope to have a good solid year of Triathlon. Hopefully this will help my motivation. Hurry up spring!