#50 Hand Write and Send Letter. DONE.

In this case it was a "Thank you" letter/note. 

As you can tell from some of my recent posts [Here & Here], I've been playing disc golf and I'm really enjoying the game and the outdoor physical activity. Before I ruptured my Achilles a good friend of mine, "Beans", tore some ligaments in his leg on a disc golf course as he took a bad step walking down hill. During his recovery I mentioned to him that when he was able, we should go throw together. 

Fast forward a few months and I'm the one with an injury. 

After I had somewhat healed and had a good amount of strength and mobility in my leg he calls me up to invite me to play disc golf with him. I was a bit hesitant and very nervous but I met him and some other friends on the course and had a blast. I've honestly not had this much fun playing outside since my days of playing football. The competition, the camaraderie, the smell of the outdoors, the grass and even the smell of my dirty clothes after throwing take me back to my youth. I wish I started playing earlier. 

So, after a few weeks of playing I knew I had to thank him for getting my bum ass off the couch and inviting me out to throw with him and the guys. I grabbed a pen and a thank you card and let him know how thankful I was. 

I should also thank my step-father for hooking me up with an awesome starter kit, a brand new bag full of discs and a practice putting basket. But for him, I think a day or more with him on the course will serve better than a thank you note, I know he loves this game. 


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To see more of my 101 things to do in 1001 days click HERE. 

Again! - 101 Things to do in 1001 Days.

Before injuring my Achilles I was actively blogging, averaging about 18 posts a month. That all ended when my active life slowed to a complete halt, there’s nothing interesting about an adult American male’s monotonous life of recovery. Although, while holding the couch to the floor I did catch too many TV shows about nothing really… You collect miscellaneous garbage and dead cat’s, sign up for hoarders. Do you enjoy casual sex, drugs and alcohol and maybe have a kid because of it, that’s MTV. I’ve got hundreds of channels of high definition rot your brain, time suck “entertainment”. I’m glad I’m feeling much better, indoor life isn’t for me.

With that said, I’ve decided to embark on another 1001 day journey to accomplish and yes, maybe even fail 101 goals. This will be my second go-round with this project and since this is the reason I first started blogging in 2007, I figured it would help get me out of this (lack of) blogging funk of 2012. Check out my list below, check back often and let me know if you’re doing something similar or plan on it. 

My 101 in 1001 Days ends December 9th, 2014.

1 A day with my brothers. 2 Attend a Notre Dame football game. 3 Backyard camp out. 4 Build a raised flower-bed/garden. 5 Build deck in backyard. 6 Build up savings account. 7 Buy and wear more bowties. 8 Buy and Xbox 360 or PS3. 9 Buy heavier dumbbells. 10 Buy more (Vinyl) albums. 11 Buy resistance bands. 12 Clean house daily. 13 Clean out closets and drawers. 14 Clean out garage. 15 Compete in a Disc Golf tournament. 16 Compile a soundtrack of my life. 17 Compost more. 03/14/12 18

Cook/Make something from my Pinterest.

19

Create a budget.

20

Create a photo-journal.

21

Create short movies with videos (Clips) I've taken.

22

Do something I've never done before.

23

Donate clothes I no longer wear.

24

Eat at new (to me) local restaurants.

25

Eat healthier.

26

Eat something I haven't before.

27

Enjoy Epoch responsibly.

28

Eye exam + new contacts.

29

Family picnic.

30

Find a new swimming hole.

31

For each goal completed, award self with $5 to save. [$45]

32

Get a bike (and ride it).

33

Get a Hole in one (Disc Golf)

34

Get a new (larger) vehicle.

35

Get a new tattoo.

36

Get paid more or get a new job.

37

Go Camping.

38

Go Fishing.

39

Go skinny dipping.

40

Go to a concert.

41

Go to a Texas tailgate party.

42

Go to a theme night at Alamo Drafthouse.

43

Go to bed at a decent time for a whole week.

44

Go to Schitterbahn.

45

Go to Six Flags (Fright Fest).

46

Go to the drive-in.

47

Go to the track and play the horses.

48

Go Tubing.

49

Grill Baby Back Ribs (more than once).

50

Hand write and send letters.

51

Have another "Super Saturday".

52

Have clothes tailored.

53

Have house sale-ready.

54

Host a Halloween party.

55

Host an Outdoor Movie Night.

56

Inspire. - 03/14/12

57

Keep records of yard work.

58

Lay a dry creek bed in backyard.

59

Learn a full song on the guitar.

60

Maintain Up-To-Date resume.

61

Make a damn good Pomarita.

62

Make my own beer.

63

Make my own wine.

64

Massage (at least ONCE).

65

Monthly outings with The Cohens.

66

New dentist + dental work.

67

No fast food for a month (Including breakfast).

68

Open separate savings account.

69

Pay off credit card.

70

Pedicure/Manicure (at least) twice a year.

71

Play and beat LIMBO.

72

Play the lottery.

73

Raise chickens.

74

Read books that are on my shelf looking much smarter than me.

75

Record more video.

76

Reverse pick-pocket someone.

77

Ride a train anywhere.

78

Run a 5k.

79

Say yes more.

80

Score within 5 strokes of par.

81

Sew my own shirt.

82

Skydive.

83

Take a Yoga class.

84

Take family photos.

85

Take son to a sporting event.

86

Take son to Blues on the Green.

87

Take son to Shady Grove Unplugged.

88

Train more, train harder.

89

Transition to Apple (iCal, Notes, Reminders, etc) exclusively.

90

Try rock climbing.

91

Update blog tags.

92

Update iTunes content.

93

Vacation at the beach.

94

Vacation to a place I have never been before.

95

Visit a cave.

96

Visit a winery.

97

Win a "Super Saturday" (Disc Golf).

98

Write & send DG course proposal to city council.

99

Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years.

100

Write a letter to myself to open in 5 years.

101

Write in Journal. 

Disc Golf Kit + Gear

CamelBak - USMC Boonie - HD Ultra - Water Bottle - UA Loose - UA Compression - UA Running Short - Zensah Compression Sleese - The North Face Ultra 105 GTX XCR

QJLS - Wolf - #2 Upshot.

Disc Golf

In an effort to gain some physicality back after the surgery to repair my ruptured Achilles (and after ONLY a few visits with physical therapy) I decided to try my hand and foot at the game of disc golf. Like ball golf or regular golf, the goal of each hole is to make your disc into a basket in the least amount of throws and end the game with the lowest total score amongst competitors.

In high school after a shitastic cornea transplant, I was left on the sidelines of the football field when my doctors thought it would be in my best interest to reduce and cutout all full contact sports. A few of my friends were on the (Ball) golf team so with the suggestion of my doctors, disappointment and lack of complete motivation I got together some basic clubs and tried golf. I was a hyper teen, I could go from coma to sugar overdose quicker than a sneeze, I lacked patience and focus. My golf career lasted maybe a month, the only good drives I had were when I shouldn’t have been driving. I remember one day we were playing Riverside and there were some guys ahead of us who were moving pretty slow, my buddies knew I had nothing for a drive so suggested that I tee off (It didn’t matter anyway). Well, I cracked into the ball with punishing force, I watched it as it screamed off the club, my friends voices yelled too –“FORE!”- as the ball approached the group ahead of us. It was AWESOME! The ball ricocheted and pin-balled around their golf cart as they were loading up. That was my first best-drive but not the last of the kind. Haha.

Alright, this post is about Disc Golf not the silly nicker wearing ball golf. What I like about disc golf is its availability and cheapness, not to mention it’s attractiveness to beginners and seasoned vets. Just about anyone of any level can play with no prior skill, practice or expensive equipment. Also, it’s another reason to get up and enjoy fresh air, the outdoors and competition with friends.

Disc golf has been, ehh, somewhat in my life for as long as I remember. While I’ve never actually played until recently, my stepfather has been a rabid competitor for years so I’ve heard terms and stories of his victories and losses. Lucky for me too, is the fact that when I rang him, letting him know that I was invited to play and asked him if he had a simple set-up I could borrow, he said yes. When I showed up to get my gear, he really hooked me up. He gave me a disc bag, a few discs –which included drivers, mid-rangers & putters- he also gave me a sweet-ass practice basket which I’ve recently started bringing to work to get 15 minute practices in here-and-there.

"Work Break"

Brushy Creek - Hole 3 - Par 4

If you ask me, I should have started playing this long ago, maybe in high school instead of ball golf. I’m not bragging but I ain’t gonna lie, I’d probably be pro by now. Hey, I’m just saying. I’m not that good but I’m not at all close to bad and I keep getting better. Disc golf is a great game, I’ve only played 9 times and each time is a new experience and the time in between playing all I want to do is play… So far, throwing disc is the closest I’ve felt to being a kid again. I just want to play.

Brushy Creek - Hole 7 - Par 3. Birdie!

Today marks the 8 month anniversary of my surgery to repair my ruptured Achilles. At the end of January I began playing disc golf, a game I highly recommend to almost anyone recovering from an Achilles injury. The game isn’t violently demanding on the body, you’ll begin to stretch and bend your ankle on uneven ground, all while playing a fun game with friends and family, outdoors and gaining back confidence in your physical ability and range of motion.

"Where you at?" You know who you are.

Hitler Reacts to the Final UT vs A&M Game

Notre Dame Football Promo

For the 1st Time in 82 Years...

GO IRISH!

80 Years Ago Today

I've been a Notre Dame fan since I was a kid, something some folks find a bit odd... Seeing as I'm from the city that bleeds Burnt Orange. Initially as a child I didn't care much for sports, I mean I liked playing, what kid doesn't but I didn't want to sit around and watch hours of games when playing was much more enjoyable. But at church on Sunday's after mass Father John would talk about Notre Dame Football games and the passion in his voice was just the same as his service. He'd go on and on about their losses and what they should or could have done or he'd speak proudly as they triumphantly conquered opponents. His recaps were amazing and it stirred excitement in me, I wanted to know more about the Fighting Irish he talked about and that began my love of Notre Dame.

As I got older I was more involved in organized sports (Football) I even took timeouts away from playing outside to catch games and sat in awe as the Gold Helmets took the field. I often dreamt of attending Notre Dame with hopes of being a part of the tradition and maybe even trying out for the team. Haha. I never made my way to South Bend but the tradition became a part of me. On game days I'd watch with excitement and took cues from the fans in the stands as they chanted and cheered, the history was becoming apart of me and I was becoming a part of it, I was... No, I am Notre Dame.

You can't be a Notre Dame Football fan and not know the name Knute Rockne, the man is a legend. 80 years ago today a plane crashed in Bazaar, Kansas, Knute Rockne was on that flight, he died at the age of 43. 80 years later his legend lives on.

Read More Here: The Republic - Knute Rockne's Untimely Death 80 years ago.

The Rise to the Top Begins in the Fall: 2011

The Rise to the Top Begins in the Fall

GO IRISH!

I'm Going to the Super Bowl...

... Well not really, but my team from my Fantasy Football league is going. Go Pack Go!

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TEAM

Go Pack Go!

Let's Go Packers! 

Notre Dame -Better Than- Texas

At least that's the case this season and from the looks of things in Austin, it will be a while before Texas reaches the top tier again. I hope the same doesn't go for Notre Dame, I look forward to Brian Kelly and his squad doing big things in the future. As for Texas, they've got some foundation work to do.

By The Numbers:

Notre Dame's (8-5) Schedule featured:

-9 Teams that made it to a bowl game / 4 Losses - 3 Wins & 2 TBD.

-2 Teams with no bowls / Purdue (4-8), Western Michigan (7-6)

-1 Team with NCAA Sanctions, USC (8-5)

Texas' (5-7) Schedule featured:

-7 Teams that made it to a bowl game / 3 Wins - 3 Losses & 1 TBD

-5 Teams with no bowls / Rice (4-8), Wyoming (3-9), UCLA (4-8), Iowa State (5-7), Florida Atlantic (4-8)

The truth is in the numbers, as is the norm Notre Dame had a stronger schedule and after a slow but competitive start they picked up steam in October, fizzled out, then suffered a Quarterback loss when Dayne Crist's season ended with knee injury. Freshman, Tommy Rees stepped in and Notre Dame went  undefeated in November earning them a bowl invitation.

Notre Dame 33 - Miami 17

The Riddick - Shot by: AP-El Paso Times-Mark Lambie

Cierre Wood - Shot by: AP-El Paso Times-Mark Lambie

Michael Floyd - Shot by: AP-El Paso Times-Victor Calzada

Cierre Wood & Robert Hughes - Shot by: Ap-El Paso Times-Ruben R Ramirez

Going Bowling

With matching 7-5 records The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will renew their rivalry with the Miami Hurricanes in the 2010 Sun Bowl on December 31st in El Paso, Texas. Every season the talking heads and those who listen but don't know any better discuss to no end how irrelevant Notre Dame is to college football. Any and all of these discussions is blasphemy, there is college football and then there is Notre Dame.

This season alone Notre Dame has played in the "hottest ticket" game twice, the first was week 8 against Navy (Meadowlands) and the second was against Army (Yankee Stadium). Now they're a part of the fastest sellout in Sun Bowl's 77 year history. To put this in perspective, last season's Sun Bowl mathcup between Oklahoma and Stanford was the fastest sellout in history, when it sold out 10 days prior to the game.

THE TEN MOST EXPENSIVE TICKETS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL (2010)

#10: Miami (FL) @ Ohio State: $374 per ticket

#9: Penn State @ Ohio State: $375 per ticket

#8: Alabama @ LSU: $401 per ticket

#7: Florida @ Alabama: $440 per ticket

#6: Florida @ Georgia: $460 per ticket

#5: Auburn @ Alabama: $471 per ticket

#4: Oklahoma @ Texas: $482 per ticket

#3: Michigan @ Ohio State: $519 per ticket

#2: Penn State @ Alabama: $524 per ticket

#1: Notre Dame vs. Army @ Yankeee Stadium: $583 per ticket

GO IRISH!

The Irish Bust the Trojans

Of all the games this season and every season, the one I look forward to most is when Notre Dame takes on The Trojans of Southern California. It's a rivalry game at it's finest and as soon as the schedule is posted, I make sure to circle that date. Recently however; and by recently I mean the last 8 match ups and 2 coaches ago, Notre Dame hasn't made this meeting much of a rivalry. The closest and best game was in 2005, Charlie Weis' first season, when Notre Dame lost 31 - 34 on the infamous "Bush Push" play. Reggie Bush went on to win the Heisman that season and his Trojans were defeated by the Texas Longhorns in the National Championship, Hook'em.

Bush Push

It's 2010 now, Reggie Bush is no longer the proud winner of the Heisman Trophy and The Fighting Irish are now coached by Brian Kelly. The feeling was different this season, instead of believing there was a chance ND could win this game I knew they could. They had the talent and heart to do it and they had just come off a two game win streak, with a win over USC they would be undefeated in November.

Unfortunately I was unable to see the game as I live in the heart of BIG XII country, Austin, Texas and ESPN on ABC was regionally and pretty much nationally showing the Oklahoma vs Oklahoma St. game. I guess it makes sense, they were respectively ranked #13 and #9, while Notre Dame is unranked and USC is under sanctions so they don't really matter. But that sucked for me. At least Notre Dame is on point and put the highlight reel together. How I wish I could have seen this game, guess I have to wait until they go bowling.

Robert Hughes Game Winning Touchdown. AP: Jae C. Hong

GO IRISH!

Wrigley Field vs Yankee Stadium

One got it right and the other... Got it horrbily wrong. Stamp FAIL on it, cause this is a joke. And what was ESPN's College Gameday thinking hosting their show there? The better choice should have been obvious. I would choose tradition in excellence, always, before anything else.

Wrigley Field FAILED

Army vs Notre Dame @ Yankee Stadium

 

New York Times: Army-Notre Dame Stirs Yankee Stadium Ghosts

Zenyatta

I wish I could have seen the race... Live. Instead it is now 8:30 (C) and I just saw it...

I wish I wasn't so pissed that the outcome was ruined for me hours ago.

I wish (most of all) that Zenyatta could've won the race.

She had an amazing run and came so close to perfection, if only she would have gotten her jump a bit earlier, but champions aren't made of if's. And Zenyatta is a champion.