Running Wild

By brian November 26, 2010Columns

Three quarters of the way through my running race at Hanover High School a couple of weeks ago, I sighted my target.

I had tried to remain non-competitive in the race. I signed up to help myself stay in shape and support the athletic program. I didn’t want to get too caught up in things.

But I could see him. I knew I had some energy left in the tank, and he looked like he had trouble maintaining his pace. I had a chance to pass him.

I had to keep a steady pace though. I have only taken part in a couple of races in the past – both back in high school – and neither ended well.

Embracing New Veggies

By brian November 25, 2010Columns, Family, Food

As a kid, I had a tremendous advantage. My parents had already raised seven kids so they didn’t have much willpower by the time I came around.
I didn’t grow up without discipline, but it seems as if they simply gave up trying to maintain an advantage in certain areas of life.
One of these was certainly vegetables. I really had no fear of having to eat my vegetables if I didn’t want to. I don’t really know how all of this developed. It just did. I said I didn’t want to eat peas or corn or anything like that. They didn’t have the energy to fight it. My siblings protested.
As far as I’m concerned, I was merely getting some sort of karmic payback for all the torture I endured from my older brothers. They may have had to eat lima beans, but I got wedgies. Lots of them.

Beer: A Taste of Indiana

By brian November 21, 2010America, Beer, Travel

I have been on the road the last few days for work, attending a conference in Indianapolis. As is my custom when I travel. I tried to limit myself to…

TV Goes 1-for-2

By brian November 16, 2010TV

I had hoped to harness all my blind rage yesterday into a post about the news that CBS has paid jackass, blowhard, tough guy ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd to…

Andrew Alton’s Headlock

By brian November 15, 2010Wrestling

Wrestling fans - ignore the "commentator" yelling at you and enjoy. The kid who got decked is a two-time New York state champ. Holy Christmas, this group of Penn State…

Olbermann’s Schtick is Old

By brian November 10, 2010America, Politics, TV

We have heard many people talk about Keith Olbermann lately. Many, many people. Too many people. In case you have been hiding under a rock or are smart enough to…

Hating the Day

By brian November 9, 2010Columns

With more than a week to think about things, all I have to say is that I’m glad one of the worst days of the year has passed.

I hate the first day of November.

This has nothing to do with the beginning of fall or the impending end of football season. This dislike of Nov. 1 actually focuses on something I love very much: candy.

Over the past six months or so, I have tried to exhibit some sort of discipline when it comes to the sweet stuff. I used to keep a jar of treats near my desk for visitors, but realized that I was the one dipping my hand in it the most.

So I got rid of those empty calories and bought some healthier snacks. I’ll still indulge when people bring in something special. I just try not to have that every day temptation around.

But things totally changed on Nov. 1. Since Halloween fell on a Sunday this year, that meant workplaces everywhere – especially my office – had an influx of leftover candy come Monday morning.

A co-worker came in first thing in the morning and filled my old candy jar with Whoppers. Then someone else came in with a huge bag of leftover candy. I had to get away.