Off to NOLA

Today I'm heading to New Orleans with two friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are doing a few days of volunteering for the St. Bernard Project, running a Turkey Day race, sightseeing and of course, eating... The food there can't be beat. I'm hoping to go out for Italian tonight to a great restaurant I went to last January. I don't remember exactly where it is or the name of it but I think I can find it with just a little guidance from the B&B owners. Here's hoping! Happy Thanksgiving!

Veteran's Day

A few years ago I read an article about an American going into a small country church in France that was especially poignant. A woman asked if he was American and when he said yes, she said thank you. He then noticed that she had been at a very well cared for memorial that said something to the effect of "In honor of America and in gratitude to her and her 50,000 sons who now and forever rest in France." (I know the number is off but it was a big one.) I have searched for that article and cannot find it anywhere but wanted to share the sentiment. The story above is about a new Canadian tradition which I thought was really nice. Brian Williams and NBC News do a good job I think of honoring the soldiers. Williams especially loves sharing stories of Medal of Honor recipients on his blog.

In more mundane news, I'm very excited because I purchased cross country skis yesterday and I start lessons tomorrow. The first few weeks are dryland training and then around Thanksgiving time we hope to have actual snow. It's something that I've always wanted to learn how to do so I'm excited that this winter I'll get the opportunity.

I've also been continuing my training for the Frozen Half in January. Yesterday we did six miles which felt great for the most part although a little Tiger Balm really helps too. I learned about Tiger Balm when I was in Cambodia on a cycling trip and knew that it was hard to find outside of Southeast Asia but luckily our world is more global because you can now get it at Walgreen's. I can feel my muscles tingling right now from it. Nice!

A New Day

I think this video speaks for itself. I love the message and wasn't sure about the song at first but now I can't get it out of my head.

GO VOTE!!!