Flash Back Friday: August 8th 2009 - My Other Love: The Big Red!

Today is Fan Day in Lincoln so I thought I'd Flashback to 2009's fan day experience.  This year will be the 8th year I went in row.  Photos soon of the this years event! 

We know I love autographs and but I have another big hobby. I'm a pretty big college football fan. I enjoy college football much more than pro because the players play for the love of the game and not money like the pro's often do. Living in Nebraska, it's pretty obvious I follow the Nebraska Cornhuskers pretty close. I've grown up following them for as long as I can remember and it's a pretty big thing in my family. Today, the Huskers hosted "Fan Day" and I made the trip to Memorial Stadium to join the fun. This is the 7th time in the last 10 years I've went and it gets bigger each year. My Dad is also a big Husker fan and he usually makes the trip down and we make a day of it. He couldn't make it this year and because of the heat, Dawn didn't go so it was just me this year. I still had a great time. I try to get as many signatures as possible in the alloted time. It's pretty hard to get more than a hand full of players with 10000 people all tring to do the same thing in a hour and half time frame so I started "2 year" signed ball. The first I did was 2006 - 2007 and I got about half of the team. The newest ball, 2008 - 2009, I managed to get the entire team minus the Offensive line and tight ends. There just wasn't enought time. I got 40 defensive and special teams sigs last year and added 37 offensive players this year. Heres some photos of the madness today and some of the future Husker Stars. Enjoy!
Some Crowd shots showing the madness!

QB Zac Lee

WR Will Henry

WR Niles Paul

WR Menelik Holt

LB Phillip Dillard

I Back Quentin Castille

I Back Roy Helu Jr

Head Coach Bo Pelini

Me at the end of the day with my nearly complete team ball. :)

Super excited to see a hero of mine....

One would think with a title like 'Super excited to see a hero of mine....', I would be stoked for Free Comic Book Day. It is in just 9 days and I'll get to meet Adam Baldwin who is in 2 of my all time favorite (so far) TV shows. But thats not the reason for my excitement. Every year, for the last 20+ years, Bank of the West (formally Commercial Federal Bank) has hosted a free concert in Memorial Park. Yesterday, they had a press conference announcing this years band, Huey Lewis and the News! Needless to say, I am super excited.

Back in 1984, I was 10 years old. I was just starting to get into music on my own and break away for the country music my parents listened too. The first band I remember really liking was Huey Lewis and the News. When the song 'Heart of Rock and Roll' came out, I was hooked. The sound of the heart beat intro, the saxophone, harmonica, the horns, all this talk of rock and roll..... It was so different. I was hooked. I begged my Mom to get me 'Sports'. I didnt care if it was the record or cassette; It ended up being the later. I wore that tape out. I eventually had to buy a new one as I listened to it all the time, over and over.

In 1985, 'Back to the Future', came out in theaters. I didn't get to see the movie until well after it was out of the theater but that didn't stop me from getting the sound track. Why? Great sci-fi movie with an awesome cast? Nope.... Huey Lewis was on it. 'Power of Love' charted at #1 and was a huge hit of the time. 'Back in Time' was also on the album giving me 2 reasons to pick up the sound track. I knew beats and sound of the soundtrack to the movie before I had even seen the movie.

It was around 1985/86 when I started to style my own hair. Who's hair style would I wear.... Yep, you guessed it. Huey Lewis.

In 1986, the 'Fore' album came out. It was either right as the album came out or shortly after, I remember like yesterday, going to Kmart with my Dad to pick the single of 'Stuck with You' on Vinyl and picking up the cassette of 'Fore' at the same time. 'Hip to be Square', 'Stuck with You', 'Jacob's Ladder', 'Doin' it for my Baby' all went high on the charts and got tons of air time. 'I know what I like' even made the charts but didnt have the success in the top 10 like the other 4 songs did.

In the late 80's and early 90's, I was introduced to Metallica, Guns and Roses and much heavier, faster 'rock' music. My love for Huey Lewis faded but never went away. I found my best friend from my college years who was also into metal music, liked Huey Lewis just as much as I did. We recently talked about Huey just the other day. He got to go see him twice in 2011 and told me his vocals are just as strong today as before and much of the original band still plays with after all these years. Needless to say I was jealous he got to see him not once, but twice.

The "Gigography" at www.hln.org only lists Huey coming to the Nebraska 3 times, 8-1984 to Lincoln, 8-1987 at the Civic and 10-2011 at the Orpheum in Omaha but I remember another time when he also played Rosenblatt Stadium. I dont remember the year and he does not have it listed on his web site. I can only find mention on the web of it being peoples first concert, no other info. Regardless, of the few times he has come to the area, this will be the first time I get to see him. Even better, I get to see him for Free. Thanks Bank of the West!

Huey Lewis and the News with Mockingbird Sun 6-29-2012 6 pm, fireworks at 10 pm after the show Memorial Park, Omaha NE, Free Admission

Heard back from my good friend from college. (Thanks OZ!) Here is what he had to say: They played Rosenblatt in 1992, in May I think. They were touring on the album 'Hard at Play', with the single 'Couple Days Off'. I was at that show at the Civic, too, was the first big show I'd seen. Remember being awed by Bill Gibson's drum solo. When I worked for Hollywood Video years ago, they flew some of us to Vegas for a company convention, and they were our private concert one night. That show had a killer a capella segment that I can still hear in my mind. Love that band.

Now I have issues....

So I have to confess something. I have never bought a comic book for myself until today. Sure, I've bought a book here and there but it was always because either because I could turn it for a profit quickly or I was meeting one of the creators and I could have it signed to again, turn it for a profit quickly. I don't recall ever buying one to read. The only ones I had read, were the ones I picked up at Free Comic Book day over the last several years.

Anyways, a few weeks ago, I was given a gift card to Legend Comics and Coffee. I've been to the shop several times since it had opened but usually it was for business purposes. So on a whim, after getting their e-mail stating Avengers vs X-men 0 was on sale today half off, I thought maybe I'd check it out. They have recently moved into a freshly remodeled store and I had yet to visit and check it out. Also, I'd seen the buzz around the release off issue #1 next week all over. Several stores are having release parties and huge sales just for this issue coming out. I was to guess it's a big deal... So I jumped on the bandwagon. While in the neighborhood of the comic shop today, I swung by and picked up my copy of issue 0. It been a fun read so far. I can see myself getting into comics very easily but had fought the urge for a long time.

So what took long? Why get in now? It just feels right. See, I grew up a small Nebraska town. When I say small, I mean really small. Worms NE... population 19 was my home. You can guess we didnt have a comic store. The only public places in town was the local church and the local bar. The town I went to high school in, Palmer NE, wasn't much better at 500 people. The closest place to get a comic was in Grand Island NE but you had to get lucky and find them at a grocery store or gas station. I'm not aware of a comic shop in town even today. You'd have to drive to Kearney NE to find a decent shop in the area.

Anywho, when I went to college in Wayne NE, again... not comic shop. needless to say I wasn't into sci-fi much than either. That did change somewhere around my junior year. The original Star Wars Trilogy was re-released and the local Pizza Hut was given out coupons for micro machines at Toys-R-US. Sure, we had to drive to Sioux City to use them them, but it sparked an interest in sci-fi for me again which I hadn't had since my child hood. Between that and a Fraternity brother giving me Timothy Zahn's 'Thrawn Trilogy' (thanks Frater Jamison!) to read one day when I was bored, I was starting to get back into the Galaxy far far away I had known so fondly as a child.

After college, I moved to Lincoln NE where I read every Star Wars book I could get my hands on minus the comics. I started collecting the toys and soon autographs as the prequels started to come out. Comics still never crossed my mind. I couldn't even tell you if Lincoln has a comic book store. In fact, anything outside of Star Wars didn't cross my mind. It wasn't until I moved to Omaha, and even at that, many years after I moved to Omaha, did I begin to expand my sci-fi world. Still, rarely even a visit to a comic shop. I only knew one shop and their prices were so marked up past normal retail on the stuff I would buy, I refused to shop there regularly. I know the guys who buy the toys for the shop as I would see them in the toy isles. We all jockeyed to get the new hottest toys and that may of even pushed me farther from comics. Who knows. It just didn't interest me.

You would think as I talk about going to Free Comic book Day and one of the larger comic book convention in the area, Planet Comicon... Comics would of been a natural fit for me. But, I didn't go to those things for the comics. I went for autographs, costuming and to see friends I've met over the years. Sometimes, thats the only time I get to see some of those friends. Comics were far from my mind. Still, something clicked recently and made wonder what I'm missing. Could comics fill a void? We'll see. Either way.... it should be fun getting into them. At least I hope it will be... :)

MS Walk Omaha, 4-14-12

Next Charity event is off and running... err walking! I'm team captain of "Rebels with a cause" and we are raising money to the MS Society. Members of the Rebel Legion, the 501st Legion and R2-TD will be joining us on April 14, 2012 at the CenturyLink Center Lot D1 at 8:30 a.m. Check-in to pose for pictures before the event. At 9:30 a.m. the Walk Begins.

If you would like to donate to this event or would like to sign up to join these Star Wars fans in fundraising and the walk, information can be found at my page HERE! Thanks!

HAIR!

The day has finally come... Hair cut day. Thank you to to the people who donated and helped me raise $50 for St. Baldricks. Unfortunately, I did not make it to Sioux Falls to join in the fun but that didnt stop me from my commitment.

Here is the Before

And here is the After!

8th Annual Walk & Roll for Disabilities sponsored by the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities

Being associated with the Star Wars groups, Sometimes I get asked if I would be interested in various charity events and walks. One of those events popped up on Sunday. I was asked if I woud bring R2-TD out to the Westroads Mall for the 8th Annual Walk & Roll for Disabilities sponsored by the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities and troop along side the 501st. The event was a great time and raises funds to support recreational therapy programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities in the greater Omaha area. This event also helps raise awareness and support for inclusion for people with disabilities. Everything went well and everyone had a great time. Here are some photos from the event.

Members of the Central Garrison of the 501st legion and R2-TD

This little guy was our biggest fan!  He wouldn't change his shirt to the event shirt because he had on Star Wars shirt.  He than had the honor of leading the Star Wars characters around the mall during the walk.  

One of the larger fund raising groups for the day asekd us to come pose with them

Smiles were all the way around

Over all it was a thumbs up type of day

Polar Plunge 2012 for the Nebraska Special Olympics

The Polar Plunge just happened and let me answer the 2 most common questions right out the gate. Yes, I can be a bit crazy and Yes, it was COLD! :) Dawn and I arrived at Lake Cunningham about 10 am and had no idea what to expect. I had only seen videos on you tube and a couple of news stories over the year. What we came up on was a lot of people! Cars were parked all the way onto the road outside the park. I'm not sure how far that is but it was a long way.... Not everyone were plungers, many were there to support the Special Olympics, a friend or family member or just wanted to see some thrill seekers in action. We managed to invent a parking spot not to far from the lake. We went down and registered and I got my wrist band signaling I was a plunger. I also turned in my final Pledge tally... $300!

After registering, we went back to the van as we were an hour away from the plunge and I wanted to stay as warm as possible. It was a nice, clear, sunny day but the temp out was about 25 degrees. I than began tracking down the rest of the team. Beau, Jamie, Bill met up with us and we discussed how next year... were tailgating the event. Many people were doing just that. It was like a parking lot before a football game... only without the alcohol.

At a quarter to we made out way back down to the area and changed into our Plunging gear. The Special Olympics bear strolled by so we asked if we could get a picture with it.

The announcements began promptly at 11 am which was the scheduled start time. Montez from Channel 94.1 and Mayor Suttle begin talking. We couldn't really make out what was being told to us but got the jist really quick. They had to cut through the ice to prep the lake. A dive team of paramedics are in the water with you and no running or diving. The plunging order was set by the amount of money a team raised. Larger corporations, school and Greek organizations took to the water. We were hanging out next to a changing tent so we got to see the reactions of the plungers as they came out of the water. Some people smiling having a great time, others looked really really cold, shivering and dripping wet. Some had steam pouring off their body. Many went all in... head under water and all. (That was not a requirement)

After about 45 minutes, it was about out teams turn. 'Geek on Ice' was on deck.... We had already been dressed and ready so we took our spot in line. The gal making sure everyone was there asked us about name. "So you guys geeks huh... you work on Computers?" I reply we like Comic books, Beau replies we like Star Wars and Jamie and Bill looked lost. We than get into a rather in-depth conversation on Star Wars. She claimed she had never seen the movies but I think she lied... she knew a lot of details.... :) This was also not the conversation I expected to be having before going in the water.

Montez comments on our name but again, I cant really make out a word he's saying. All I heard was the "No Running, No Diving" reminder and "GGGOOOOOO!!" We make the trek forward... no turning back now. The goal is to go all the way to a manikin in water, touch it and go back. At this point, Even I think we and the hundreds of people who went before us, are all really, really crazy.

Initially, my first thought was Wow, this isn't bad. Its not that cold. By the time I got Chest deep in the water... I changed my mind! It was cold. At that point It was just plain time to get out of the water. We get out, dash to the changing tent and get on some dry clothes. I learned one very important lesson and will share with first time plungers.... do not wear socks with your shoes (shoes were suggested). The ice water was trapped in my socks and I had a very hard time getting them off in the tent. My feet felt like a block of ice and actually were the only part of me really cold.

Beau had a really good idea and brought some Hot Cocoa with him. We all poured a glass and began the reminiscing. Was it fun... Would we do again... Absolutely! We instantly began planning next years Plunge. There was a costume / team theme part of it all we didn't really do. I also heard form a bunch of friends that they want to do it next year. So it's safe to say... We will have a another team again next year and it most likely will be bigger and better.


KETV was on hand and wrote the following story which shows some of the actual plunge. We tried getting our own video but had a small mishap with the camea so all we got were a few of the still shots. Next year... we'll document the entire thing and have it all here for you. Anyways the link to the KETV story is HERE!!!!

"2012 Polar Plunge" Fundraiser Great Success - Video - KETV Omaha

Memories

I got a random text the other day from a very dear friend. It simply said "FIREHOUSE ROCKS!" It was completely out of no where. I responded back - "Hello Random text." LOL! After a bit, she responded back she was listening to her MP3 player and Firehouse was one. It reminded her of a time we had went to go see the band many years ago and she just wanted me to know she was thinking about me. (insert warm fuzzies)

Needless to say I still have my concert ticket stub from the show. I save pretty every stub weather it be from a concert, movie or sporting event... I still have it somewhere. Usually, I toss them in a basket I have over by my desk. That night, I dug the basket out and went through all my stubs. Memories flooded back. Some, I don't remember going to but I have the stub.... Some I don't want to admit I went to... LOL!

Anyways, I have this large frame I saved from the trash and had nothing that fit in it. So I took all my ticket stubs and randomly placed them on it. Now, I can flash back more often!

2 out of 3 aint bad!

So Monday, I had a Doctor visit for a follow up on my blood pressure. It was also time to do the blood work for the year to see how my cholesterol and blood sugars were doing. The good Doc was concerned for the last few years and has been watching all 3. The good news is all 3 went down and 2 or f the 3 were great news. Cholesterol was down 4 years in a row. Blood Sugar is down after going up the last 2 years. That was a big one for me and scared me the most. My family has a history of getting Diabetes at age 37. It looks like I am the first one from my Mothers side to break that trend. Well, I shouldnt say that. I dont turn 38 until May but still I'm on the right path. Blood Pressure was also down but not enough to cut the meds he has me on. The only bad thing he had for me was I was 9 pounds from my last visit. Oh well. I'll live with it for now. Just gotta keep chugging along, watching what I'm eating and getting in the exercise and everything will be just fine!

12 months of Giving

I used to be really, really involved with various fund raisers and such. I got burned out on it and let die down a bit. I was still involved with things but not near the level I once once. This year, I'm going to do better at that. Once a month, I'll find a charity or event and do what I can for it.
The events so far:

January - The Super Hero Blood Drive with Dr. SanGuinary at Kypton Comics. R2-TD will be making a stop out to say hi. The 501St will also be on hand from Noon to 3 pm.

February - The Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Nebraska. A team of geeks and I will brave the water provided we meet the required minimum donation. A donation link can be found to right if you'd like to help with that, no matter how small.

March - St. Baldricks is the choice for March. You'll notice my hair is getting a bit long these days. See my previous posts about this event and why its special to me. More on this event as details develop.

April and on - TBA - Check back to see whats in store.

If you have an event or charity you'd like to consider, let me know in the comment section!

Polar Bear Plunge 2012

MY DONATION PAGE is now live. In order for me to take the plunge, I have to raise at least $50. I think I can do better than that and have set my goal at $100. Actually, I think I can even better than. Help me prove me right. Donate today by either click the link above or the First Giving widget on the right hand side. Thank you in advance.
More on the Polar bear Plunge from the Special Olympics of Nebraska:
This bone-chilling event invites participants, also known as plungers, to collect pledges from friends and family for plunging into the icy waters of Cunningham Lake, located at 8660 Lake Cunningham Road in Omaha.
A plunger can be anyone with enough nerve and heart, willing to dip more than their toes in some freezing water for a good cause. Minimum donations start at $50. Plungers can participate on an individual basis or be part of a team. And if you’re taking the plunge, just know that this event is all about having fun while doing good. In other words, dress up in a costume or come up with a theme for your team, the wackier the better.
Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Teams and individual plunges will start at 11:00 a.m.

Gee... I wonder what kind of costume I'll come up with????

That little green guy was always right...

To quote Yoda "You must unlearn what you have learned." "Mind what you have learned. Save you it can." "Much to learn, you still have." "Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose." "How you get so big, eating food of this kind" "No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try." "No! No different! Only different in your mind." "Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size do you?" "Hmm. Control, control. You must learn control." "Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny." "A little bit less but a little bit more" OK... I made that last one up. Yoda did not say that... yet.... but it seems to fit in my train of thought.

A little bit less but a little bit more. That's pretty much what I have running through my head. The little bit less is to remind me I don't have to eat the massive amounts of food I eat. The little bit more is for my exercise. It reminds just do a little bit more that yesterday.

So far so good. I trimmed little things out to cut down my calories. For example, I used to make 2 sandwiches for lunch. One day, I cut out a slice of bread and made 1 sandwich with 3 slices of bread cutting out a slice. Eventually, I'll take another slice and be down to just 1 sandwich. I thought about using the food tracker at www.myfitnesspal.com/ but I really want this to be a lifestyle change.... not a task or a chore. Food tracking is fine but inputting can be a huge hassle especially if you have to add in a ton of stuff to the database.

For the walking, I wish I would of never stopped walking last year or better yet 2 years ago. I was up to several miles during lunch break last year and even double that 2 years ago. Right now I can do the pace I was at last year but not near the distance. I'll get there. Each day I'm adding in a few more steps. Its only been 4 days since I started going again. Day 1 6609 steps, Day 2 6299, Day 3 7839, Day 4 8452. I was in great pain day 1 but each day the pain has gotten a little less. I took a few small breaks also those first few days and today I made it without a break.

Now for the payoff.... Down 5 pounds in the first week. But still a long ways to go.

Yeah I'm cool.... err Cold!

The 2011 Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Nebraska is rapidly approaching and this geek will be joining the fun. The event in Omaha is at Lake Cunningham, 86th & Lake Cunningham Rd, February 18, 2012. In order to plunge, I need to raise at least $50. As soon as I have a link to my doantion page... I'll post it up here.

Walking to Mordor... One step at a time!

A few years ago when the Lord of the Rings trilogy was out, my friend Heather issued a challenge to us all. She wanted us to walk to Mordor with her. She figured out it was 1225 miles for Frodo to walk from the Shire to Mordor. The project started but went dead after a bit.

Recently, we found out "The Hobbit" is coming out in December 2012. Basically about a year from now. What better way to get into 'movie' shape than walk to Mordor! Heather and I are on our way. My tracker is to the right and I'm day 2 of my journey. 6609 steps day 1 and 6299 steps today. I'm well on my way to the 2,431,625 steps it will take me to go all 1225 miles! Check back often to see how I'm doing. If you see me slacking, feel free to abuse me. (just not to much abuse!) :) Also, check out the first trailer for "The Hobbit" below.

Happy New... Hair?

2012 is here and I have a new project... . so to speak. I'm growing my hair. Many of you who have known me for a while, know I usually have a shaved head.

Even back as far as 1992 in High school it was pretty short.

I only remember growing it once and that was in college. I got it so I could put it in a small pony tail on top on my head and that was it... Couldnt stand it. Time to shave it again. LOL!

Well, I'm on a mission this time. I have a reason to grow it. My friend Rob invited me to participate in a ST. Baldricks event this March. Rob has a son, Ian, who I meet a few times at few Star Wars troops. Ian has cancer and is pretty young. I'd say around 7. He is one of the coolest kids and I had a ton fun watching him have fun at the events.

It's an honor to do an event like this for kids like Ian.

Anywho, here is my new year hair so far. Check back to see the 'growth'.