To Half or To Hold

So… twice in the past week I’ve been invited to run a half-marathon. Once with my cousin who got me started in this whole mess. And once by my friend Brandon.

I’m sitting here two days after New Years and all the holiday festivities have ended and I feel like there is no way I could compete in something like that. Granted, I’ve felt that way before and pulled it off. But 13 miles? Really?

So I’m not sure, do I “sign up” or do I hold where I’m at and just call it good? I think I know the answer. I should probably do it. Mostly because I don’t want to get lazy again. And once I get running again I know I’ll like it. It’s just all the holiday pounds on my body that are telling me I shouldn’t… but they’re also telling me I should.

So the plan for the year so far…

February: Chilly Hilly – 30 mile bike ride around Bainbridge Island starting and ending on the ferry.

(ONE OF THE FOLLOWING 2 CHOICES)
March: Eugene (OR) Half-Marathon – I’m haven’t signed up for this, but this is one that I was ‘invited’ to (I think I was at least).

April: Whidbey Island Half-Marathon – This would be with my friend Brandon who runs half-marathons except for when he blames things like torn miniscuses.

July: Seattle-to-Portland Bike Ride – Sponsored by none other than Windermere, a 200+ mile bike ride over 2 days between Seattle and Portland.

So I guess I have my answer… I should probably do it. The bike ones don’t intimidate me like the running ones. But I’ve found an online TRAINING PLAN and expect that it will work just fine. Just a little intimidated… yet excited.

What excites me is that this is not a “new year’s” resolution thing. It’s hard to believe I’ve been in this ‘mode’ now since May 2010 and I love it. Now I’m just bumping it up a bit, I guess you’d say.

Looking forward to a fitness-filled year. 2011… Bring it!

The (Facebook) Christmas Story

Every time I’ve checked my Facebook page this past week, I’ve had to read about and see pictures of what my friends are doing in Hawaii at that moment. And because I’m friends with both of them, I “get” to hear about it twice. And while I actually do like hearing about it, it just makes me jealous. So I’m basically vicariously living their vacation through their Facebook updates, and quite honestly, I’m having a lovely vacation.

But it got me thinking, what would be like if we were living the Christmas story right now in the “information era”? Joseph and Mary would have Facebook and Twitter accounts and we would have lived the story vicariously through them and feel like we were truly there. And maybe we wouldn’t feel so removed from this story that has changed our lives.

Here’s my version of the story as told through Facebook statuses:

Mary Stevenson is in a relationship with Joseph Detwiler

Mary Stevenson had the weirdest thing happen to her last night
Comments:
Cindy Luhu: Everything OK? That was cryptic.
Joseph Detwiler: You OK, babe?
Mary Stevenson: Yeah, it’s fine… I think. We’ll talk tonight

Joseph Detwiler is confused
Comments:
Mark Detwiler: Dude, I’ve been telling you that since you were 11.
Mark Detwiler: Seriously though, you ok?

Joseph Detwiler has had a lot of dreams in my life… but that was the weirdest one ever.

Mary Stevenson IS PREGNANT!!!!
Comments:
Sheryl Clark: What!?!? That’s amazing!!!!
Sheila Banks: Congratulations Mary! When is the baby due?!
Cindy Luhu: I can’t believe it! I am too!!!!

Mary Stevenson changed her relationship status to Engaged
Comments:
Sheryl Clark: OMG!!! Congratulations!
Cindy Luhu: ‘Bout time girl! So happy for you!
Sheila Banks: How big is the rock? Post pictures!

Megan Detwiler posted on Joseph Detwiler’s Wall: Joey! I just saw Mary’s FB page! Congratulations on the engagement! Get here soon! -Sis

Joseph Detwiler just heard that I have to go back home so that Obama can collect more money from me. Ugh.
Comments:
Mark Detwiler: I know it’s a long trip, but it’ll be good to see you
Megan Detwiler: What airline are you flying? I’ll come pick you up
Joseph Detwiler: @Megan, used all my miles. We’re coming by donkey.

Mary Stevenson has to take her pregnant belly to see her soon-to-be in-laws in Redmond. Gonna be a long trip.
Comments:
Sheryl Clark: Travel safe preggy! See you when you get back

Josesh Detwiler and we’re off! See you all soon.

Mary Stevenson thinks this donkey and my butt are not getting along very well. But thankful that Joe is letting me ride while he walks
Comments:
Joseph Detwiler: You look cute up there.
Sheila Banks: You guys are funny

Joseph Detwiler really thought this trip was going to be faster. But we’re almost there!
Comments:
Megan Detwiler: Where are you staying when you get here?
Joseph Detwiler: Not sure yet. Was just gonna find a place in town
Megan Detwiler: Everywhere is booked. Ugh. Hurry up!

Mary Stevenson thinks this baby is coming soon. Gotta get to Redmond…. Fast!

Joseph Detwiler thought Motel 6 was gonna leave the light on for me. Ugh. Now where?
Comments:
Ryan Lancaster: Dude, my family’s all here, but I’ve got a shed in the back yard you can use. It’s got heat at least.
Joseph Detwiler: At this point, I’ll take it. Thanks Ryan. See you soon.

Mary Stevenson thanks @Ryan Lancaster for the place to stay tonight! We owe you!
Comments:
Megan Detwiler: Thanks Ryan! Take care of them!
Cindy Luhu: Hang in there girl!

Joseph Detwiler welcomed little Jesus into the world tonight. 6lbs 7oz and all kinds of hair. Mary’s doing great and lying down with the sheep. LOL!! Check out the pic here!
17 people “Like” this
Comments:
Megan Detwiler: Congrats! I’m on my way over!
Sheila Banks: OMG he is SOOOO cute! Congrats guys! Love you both.
Mark Detwiler: A nephew!!! Finally!

Ryan Lancaster has this crazy-bright star over his house tonight. Never seen anything like it. Check it out here!
Comments:
Joseph Detwiler: It’s lighting up the whole barn out here! Crazy!
Mary Stevenson: Can you hear the angels singing Ryan? Wow!
Ryan Lancaster: Can I? Are you kidding, this is crazy!

We Three Kings wrapped our gifts and are following yonder star… to Redmond. We hear THE King is there.

Mary Stevenson set up a FB page for our new baby Jesus. Add him as a friend… I have a feeling his page is gonna be something special.
1,205,546 people “Like” this
Comments:
Joesph Detwiler: How does he have so many friends already?
Mary Stevenson: Did you see Mark Zuckerberg even friended him?

The End

So, I realize that it’s a bit of a stretch, but as I was writing this, I actually already felt more involved in the story because this is today’s language. As we continue in advent and prepare to celebrate the birth of our savior, I hope you find a way to feel more connected into the story of Jesus’ birth. This helped me.

The Battle For Booze

Years ago, Beth and I went to Hawaii. We were going for the cheapest trip to Hawaii in the history of man. Airline miles for both of us. Free condo for 10 days. A deal on the rental car. All in all, we pulled the whole trip off for about $700. We didn’t really do much while we were there except sit by the pool at the condo and go to different beaches. We packed our lunches and made dinner each night. We had a “night out” because we went to a timeshare thingee and got tickets to a show in town. It was actually quite impressive how we managed to spend so little.

Since this was the plan, we got off the plane and went straight to Costco. It was there that I experienced for the first time Costco-sized alcohol bottle. Yes, I got one of rum so I could make my own mai tais at the condo. The bottles were big and the price was cheap. It was amazing and something I’d never experienced. Now Costco is trying to bring that to Washington.

The state-run liquor stores are facing extinction with imposing threat of Initiative 1100 and 1105. Currently you can only buy liquor in Washington through the state-run liquor stores, unlike most states where you can buy it in the grocery stores, mini-marts, and well… Costco.

Costco is the major funder behind these initiatives because they stand to make A LOT of money from this. Beer and wine companies are against it because they will now have more competition in the grocery stores and mini-marts which drives down their profit. Many people are for it because their booze will cost them half as much as it does now. “Family”-based organizations are against it because they fear it will be easily available to minors and those with liquor problems, thus increasing alcohol related accidents. The state is against it because it is a large revenue stream for them. People are for it because they don’t think the state should be in the liquor business while at the same time in the alcohol enforcement business.

Bottom Line: Money.

Here are two good articles from the Seattle Times if you’re interested. This is the article FOR the initiatives and here is the article AGAINST. Both provide compelling cases.

I don’t drink as much hard liquor as many people, but I probably end up purchasing 12-15 bottles of hard liquor a year. (This may sound like a lot to you, but when you have as many people over to your house as I do in a year and share it, its not much… don’t worry.)

The average bottle that I buy is probably $17. Multiplied by my 15 bottles = $255/year. Assuming the 51.9% markup the state adds is gone because of 1100/1105, I’d save $122.65 per year.

Lets assume half of the 6,500,000 Washington residents don’t buy liquor. And of the remaining 3,250,000 people, my 15 bottles is the average. That means if the state lost $122 from each of these people not buying liquor, the state loses essentially $398M in revenue. Now part of that covers the overhead of running the existing 300+ liquor stores in the state. But that means the rest of it is money for the state, which is currently $6 Billion in deficit.

The question in my opinion isn’t so much, if the State should be out of the liquor business. To me, the question is revenue. Is now the time to be cutting more state money when we’re trying to build it back up. I’m not sure I know the answer to that yet. Which is why I’m writing this here. I’m processing… not answering.

But I’m not sure me saving $122/year is worth furthering our state deficit, state monopoly or not. Should they have a monopoly, probably not. Should I eat fried chicken? No. But I do. The point is that there are things that may be wrong, but we have to change it when it’s right to change it. And is that time now? Or is Costco feeling the effects of the recession like everyone else and realizing this would help their company more?

Last bit, and then I’ll quit cause this is getting long. On the PRO side… we can realistically expect hard alcohol sales to go up because it’ll be cheaper. This will actually cause more tax revenue to the state then they’re getting now, lessening that (hypothetical) $398M gap that I mentioned earlier. So there is potential for that not being as bad as it seems.

I’ve been to Hawaii and I’ve seen that big, cheap bottle… that’s what makes this so hard.

I’m by no means an expert on this stuff. And I’m sure I’m missing some major piece of information. So don’t get jumpy if reading this. Just interject more information as needed.

Also, I’m not opposed to other’s opinions. My vote is still uncast. I have until Tuesday. What do you think? If you answer, be respectful of other people please. I’m not looking for arguments, I’m looking for information and other thoughts.

Tully’s vs Starbucks

Saturday night I went to a wedding of an old friend and had a wonderful time. Congratulation Heather (& Drew… even though I don’t actually know you). One of my friends was there, Justin, who works at a Starbucks in Woodinville. He says to me, “I see on Facebook that you’re at the Hollywood Hill Tully’s a lot. Why not just come a little further and come hang out at the Starbucks where I work? Then you can see me too.”

Hmmm… Good question.

So, here I am, not two days later sitting at Tully’s (Redmond – Bella Bottega) again and thinking, maybe I should have gone and hung out at Justin’s Starbucks. It’s just coffee, afterall, right?

I’m not sure.

Overall Business: I’m not opposed to mega-stores per se. But Starbucks is about as corporate as it gets and there is something kinda nice about “small time” Tully’s. Sure I know it’s still corporate with a almost 200 locations. But its not like Starbucks. Tully’s had a $6M net loss in FY2010 and Starbucks $100M+ profit or something just in Q3 reports. (not entirely sure on that because their balance sheet had way too much information on it and I got confused). So I feel a little like I’m supporting the local underdog by being at Tully’s. Point: Starbucks (Sorry Tully’s on this one you’re just running bad business)

Coffee: As far as the straight coffee goes… I’m not sure which is better. I’m currently drinking straight black coffee and they’re both kinda gross as I’m getting used to drinking it straight up. Point: Tie

Environment: At Tully’s you walk in and feel like they say to you “Please sit down. Stay as long as you’d like. Here’s a fire for you. Have some coffee if you want too. Oh… what’s that, you want more… here’s a free refill.” At Starbucks, I feel like… here get some coffee and stay a little if you must. But we’re going to put all of our uncomfortable seats in traffic areas so you don’t stay too long.” Point: Tully’s.

Internet: For years Tully’s has had free internet and really easy to use. Recently, Starbucks has adopted this mentality. My guess is that they didn’t want to end up having you sit too long and take up space in their store with your computer. Plus they probably had a contract with AT&T they had to finish out. Then they had ‘free’ internet as long as you set up an account and even still you couldn’t use it for more than 2 hours. They’ve since made it essentially just like Tully’s and it’s easy to use. But their bad internet years ago allowed me form a habit of going to Tully’s. Thus, Point: Tully’s.

Food: Not that I eat much food at coffee shops, but I must say the Starbucks selection and quality blows Tully’s out of the water. Top Pot better thank Howard Schultz daily. Because they were nothing before Starbucks. Starbucks is to Top Pot what Oprah is to Dr. Phil. (seriously, you should click that link there… that’s funny stuff) Even though I can’t stand Oprah… Point: Starbucks

So with all that said… That’s a score of 2.5 for each place. So I guess it’s all a matter of preference huh? Where you do you drink your coffee? Tully’s or Starbucks? (Yes, I know many of you prefer the ‘non-corporate’, specialty coffee places like Victor’s where they make pretty pictures with the foam on top… I like them too, but I’m only talking Tully’s & Starbucks here)

(yes I realize the picture up top has Seattle’s Best Coffee as well, but come on… they’re pretty much irrelevant anymore.)

My Blog Was Published!

Yeah… you read that correctly. And I’m not talking about being published in my mom’s Christmas card or anything. The “Hope Encounter” which is the national publication of Children of the Nations selected my blogged thoughts and writings of my trip to the Dominican Republic for their piece to update people what is going on in the Dominican.

For those of you that didn’t read the updates each day while we were there… shame on you by the way… you can still read them by scrolling down three posts on this page. Specifically it was “DR – Day 8″ that made it into the magazine. But if you’re interested in the whole story, I’d encourage starting at Day 1 and learning about our trip. God did some pretty cool things in all of us.

We’ve been back now for almost three months and I’m still planning on trying to get down there again next summer again. I’m not sure that I’ve told the right people that yet, but that will come. Are any of you interested, by the way? Or even intrigued? Because I’ll tell you more about what we could do there.

Anyway… I just wanted to share the excitement of this blog being published for its first time.

(the picture here is of the “Algadon” bateye which was referenced in the piece they published)

Cavemen Rode Bikes, Didn’t They? (264 Days To Go)

Today is also the first day of eating as my ancestors ate. No, not Grandpa Bill. And not Great-Grandpa Ryden. I’m talking my annnnnnnncestors. You know… 700 generations ago. When they carved writings into the walls of caves. That’s right friends… cavemen.

To go along with my bike training, I have started eating those things that the cavemen ate. Honestly, I don’t fully understand it yet. But Beth does and she helps feed me. So that works out well. Essentially it’s not eating things with ingredients I can’t pronounce. Cutting out sugar and dairy and things like that. So we’ll see how that goes. It’s actually pretty intriguing. Sounds crazy and obnoxious doesn’t it? Before you judge, check out my friend Joey’s blog and scroll through her pictures and tell me you don’t want to eat all of that. Granted she’s a professional photographer so her presentation may look a little better than it will at our house, but that’s right friends… that’s dinner in our house these days. Last night was chicken with squash and zucchini. Yep… it was tasty.

Yesterday we went to Costco and bought more meat than I’ve ever purchased at once. This wasn’t even all of it in the picture… I just ran out of room on the counter.

Progress Report:
Yesterday’s Exercise: Ran 3 miles with the dog
Ate: Mostly all caveman foods (hadn’t officially started yet)
Today’s Weight: 192.8
Energy Level: Still high

268 Days From Today…

So… I think it’s official. And by “official” I mean that I’m not entirely convinced but don’t have any reason that it shouldn’t be official. On July 9th, my legs are going to pedal the rest of me all the way from Seattle to Portland in the Cascade Club’s Annual Seattle to Portland bike ride.

It’s now been a month since I competed in my first triathlon. And in that month, I can already feel myself slipping in my effort to exercise and continue losing weight. And that’s not going to get me anywhere but a quick trip back to where I was back in May of this year… fat and out of shape. If I’ve learned anything from the last 5 months of changing my lifestyle it’s that I succeed much better when I have something to work toward. I don’t have that self-motivating characteristic that can just do things without a goal at the end.

After starting to train for the triathlon and riding my bike, a friend of mine (Jon) asked me if I wanted to do the STP with him next summer. In my younger days, 9th grade(ish), I’d wanted to do it. But I hadn’t even thought about it much since. But I thought about it and then two days ago I found out at my office that Windermere is going to be a major sponsor of the STP 2011. So I could go and represent the company as well and wear an awesome Windermere bike jersey. You know you want one… I could work on that for you.

So here I am… the furthest I’ve taken my bike in one ‘sitting’ in the past 15 years is 26 miles. So I’ve got to add another 174 more and I’ll make it to Portland. Sounds like I’ve got some work to do.

So here’s my goal: To complete the STP. 85% of riders take 2 days to ride it. 15% do it in 1 day. Not sure where I’ll fall in that, but I’d love to do it in one.

What I’m Going To Do To Train:

1. Ride my bike on training rides and update you along way. (I know you’re dying to know where I’ll be riding.)
2. Lose more weight (less to push on the bike, see) – I’m floating around the 195 mark right now. I hope to be closer to 185 by then. Maybe 180 by July? Man, I’ll be a rail. Beth and I on Monday are going to start the Paleo Diet for one month. This is to cleanse our bodies and learn to eat foods that are not ‘produced’. Stay tuned for details on that as we start it in a few days.
3. Work on my endurance. This will come by riding increasingly longer distances, obviously. But also by running two or three times a week. Currently I can run 3 miles with not much of a problem. I’d hope to grow that distance to 5 or 6 miles without much problem.

Any other crazies out there want to ride to Portland with me?