Time Traveling 101

Where am I? What day is it? What state am I in?

It has been a long couple of weeks since I have posted anything and I apologize, but I have a good excuse. I've been doing the one thing that summer is made for, the one thing that caters to excitement, and the one thing that might just change you the most: time traveling.

Yes that's right, time traveling. It's the somewhat rare event in life when you spend enough time on the open road, seeing new places, and crossing time zones that you might as well throw the watch out the window because any sense of time you once were comfortable with is long gone. It is a great way to extend your comfort zones and perhaps apply some rusty practical knowledge, the kind of knowledge not found in text books or tested within the classroom. Good ole fashioned street smarts.

Let me give you the quick rundown on the last couple of weeks and their contributions to my 100 days of summer:

July 2nd - July 17: Colorado Rocky Mountains!!! Just a short 12 hour drive to one of the most beautiful places in the United States. More details and pictures coming soon but the list of activities included mountain biking, rock climbing, tent living (the best kind of living), white water rafting, backcountry backpacking, wine tasting, vehicle packing, 14'er conquering, frisbee golf (of course), jamming, driving, zero sleeping, and to top it all of a small 14 hour adventure race. A true smorgasbord of fun. More in depth coverage coming soon.

July 18 - July 20: a quick breath in Iowa City to move all my stuff out. After living in the same house for three years it was hard to say goodbye (I have accumulated way to much stuff). But also the good times collected look odd in the rear-view. Good times ahead though and rest assured, that house hasn't seen the last of me.

July 21 - Present: Florida. Just a short 22 1/2 hour drive with a pit stop in Atlanta (thanks Yoder) got me to Bonita Springs to help my parents move into their new condominium. One small step towards senior citizenship at a time (just kidding mom and dad). Florida is hot and noticeably different then Colorado but I can't complain about a little sunshine. A lot of painting and furniture moving has taken up most of my days but we have found the time to sneak out onto the golf course a couple of times so my mom could hear her only son drop the F bomb too many times. Good times.

Expect more updates at a quicker pace, fall is approaching which means some gears will be shifted and new adventures to be had. Always remember though, their is a reason that the current time is referred to as a present.

Adios and Farewell until next time!

Brad L

100 Holes of Disc Golf - Almost

The world record for the most Frisbee golf holes played in 24 hours is 1,035. They played a nine hole course 115 times and walked over 50 miles. That's cool and all, but what fun is that??

To spice things up a bit, I set out for a nice round 100 holes in one day. Six different courses (4 brand new to me) and who knows how many miles. That was the plan at least. With a little bit of a late start (late nights do not always equal early mornings) we made it to the first course at 10.00 a.m. Along the way we picked up some friends, found some discs, and had a good time. Exploring new courses is the thing to do and the best way to develop your game.

9:30 came along and darkness coupled with light rain soon joined us. We were at the end of the fifth course and the last nine hole course was 40 minutes away. We graciously bowed to the endeavor and ended the journey at 91 holes. The defeat was not bitter however, we had fun along the way, met some new people, and most importantly had some good throws. Coming short on the goal just leaves an excuse to try it again some other time. I will get you 100 holes, oh I will get you...

For those of you who don't know, Frisbee Golf (Disc Golf, Frolf) is played much like normal golf without such the price tag. All you need is a Disc Golf Frisbee and a pair of legs. You start from the tee pads and aim towards hanging chains in a basket. Great time if you like hiking around outside.

Read a Book or Two, or Twenty

"Life of Pi" by Yann Martel is this week's book selection. It recounts the heroic journey at sea by Piscine Patel (Pi) as he spends his days stranded struggling to feed and hydrate himself. Did I also mention he has a huge Bengal tiger as his lone companion on the lifeboat?

The book starts off a little slow with some history of Pi such as how he got his nickname, his family, and the Zoo his dad ran and he called home.

Once the ship sinks though, the book is hard to put down. Mix one part survival story with one part animal psychology and you get one very insightful and interesting read. It takes all of Pi's physical and mental strength just to survive on the lifeboat, and the tiger doesn't help anything.

A great summer read for anyone that is interested in survival tales and insightful narratives. Overall I'd give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Rock On,

BDL

Summer Recipe - The Trifecta

The Trifecta is a very rewarding summer treat. Here I will give you the simple recipe to make one yourself:

Need:

Little Sleep

Sleeping Bag

An Outfit

As Much Food You Care to Carry

*The Trifecta is best served over the weekends.

Step 1:

Throw Some Canoes On The River:

Add a dash of moonlight to start your Trifecta off right by launching off at 8:00 p.m. Just remember to bring your Mag-Lights or headlamps so you can check out all the strange noises you think you will be hearing. Don't be afraid to go in the dark though, the fireflies will light the way as if they are flashbulbs and you are slamming in the game-winning dunk. To complete the night, through down a tent,tarp, and sleeping bag anywhere (anywhere) and work on your moonlight tan as you rest. Set the alarm early though, because the next morning it is time to float again in the daylight.

Step 2: 
Climb Some Rocks:

Grab some quick-draws and get after it. Just keep breathing and get to that next bolt. Don't be afraid to fall. Your fingers may hurt afterward but you will become a stronger person:






Step 3:
Go For The Long Run

Top off the Summer Trifecta with a nice, smooth, long run. Take your time to think and reflect while always moving forward. Let your muscles relax after serving.





And there you have it, the Summer Trifecta. Although ingredients may vary, making your own Summer Trifecta can be easy and always fun. Try one yourself and see it how it feels.

Get out and Do Something,

Brad

Golf... And the End of Man-Kind

Never could I believe such a tranquil sport could bring out the animal in me. Never before have I said so many consecutive curse words in front of my parents. And still to this day I can't seem to play golf well... or at least consistently.

I spent last weekend at home golfing with my parents. It is always great to spend some time with my parents, a fortune often overlooked. We hit the greens on Saturday and give or take 15 mulligans, I thought I played pretty well. I'm no Rory McIlroy by any means but I was hitting greens, slicing smooth sod off the fairway on each hole. When you are hitting the ball well, your pants could be on fire and you wouldn't care.

Day 2: Went in with expectations - Big Mistake. Just when I thought I was grasping my game a bit, Golf soon taught me a lesson. As soon as you think you understand something, a sobering moment must come that you realize your blind ambition and you can see that maybe, just maybe, you know absolutely nothing at all. That is my golf game in a nut-shell.

Like with everyday situations, you must take each shot one at a time. Don't worry about the previous 5 mulligans or your overall score, don't worry about how everyone else is playing, just take your time, keep your head low, and swing smooth. And most importantly, just as you start to feel your rhythm, realize that for every new shot, you're still just a beginner.

Over and Out,
BDL

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful

What's the deal Iowa? What happened to Spring time and my evenings playing in the falling sunshine? Lately it's been all rainy mornings and wet afternoons. And if not that, you've been hanging around 95 degrees a bit and are always inviting the gnats and mosquito's.

It's a lesson I should have learned by now, yet I am always surprised at the variations involved in Iowa's climate. It can catch you off guard. My best advice on packing for any trip in Iowa is wear what's comfortable at the exact moment, and pack different clothes for the exact opposite weather. And if you bring a rain-coat, it will never rain.

It's not all bad though. A four-season year (5 if you count thunderstorms as a separate season) does allow you to appreciate the different climates. It's the Yin-Yang effect, the good and the bad, and sometimes the downright ugly. Weather of 80 degrees and sunny seems like a distant world when snow and below freezing winds cover the state. Remembering my frozen past always makes the glow of the sun a little warmer. And these days, a different warmth of opened eyes and freshness blankets over me as the sun breaks through the storm clouds.

Iowa Weather, you are a fickle beast and I am never content on neither loving nor hating you just quite yet....

Go Out and Play


-Brad

Problems, Problems, Problems

Problems, Everyone has them, some more serious then others, but everyone has them. Whether they are the everyday sort or a lingering nag in the back of your head they can stress you out, leave you feeling empty, and ultimately make life seem a little shorter. But I am trying to flip the outlook, to look at them from a different angle, and to ultimately let my problems empower me and to illustrate just how fortunate I am to have these problems.

Some problems are more serious then others, not everyone has the privileged lifestyle that I have become accustomed to as a white male with a college degree, but I believe that everyone can take their own problems and flip the page to see that maybe problems aren't always a bad thing.

Problems can take many shapes, often they come from money, relationships, or the everyday struggle. My thought is to no longer let these problems stress you out too much, to instead appreciate your problems, to appreciate that you even have these problems.

The thought stems from friends who as we sat in their Colorado mountain laced backyard were semi-stressing out about the yearning to move towards a warmer climate, perhaps a beach. I remember thinking "what a great problem to have, to stress about wanting to move from one beautiful landscape to another." And then I realized, all of us have these great problems.

I stress out about my future quite a bit, about having to make decisions about my career, about how to use my degree to its greatest advantage. I also stress about my relationships with friends and closer acquaintances. I have to stop and remind myself sometimes that I have great problems. I am in a great position to accelerate, to love, and to learn. And so are you.

Every time you are stressing out about a home payment, a non-attentive child, a busy work schedule, or any other daily life schedule; remember you are fortunate to have these struggles. Remember that your problems are not a reason to stress, but a reason to celebrate, a reason to sit back and relish in what you have created.

It could be a stretch, and for some people with more serious problems it may be a hard sell, but everyone can hopefully take a moment to look at their problems and realize that maybe it's not so bad, and to realize that perhaps many people would love to have your problems. So next time you are sitting with people you love, raise your glasses not just for your blessings but for your problems as well.