Volleyball and Bowling and Vacation... Oh My!

This is how I imagine myself playing. In reality, I can
barely reach the top of the net when I jump with my hand
raised.  

It's been a busy month of activity.  Now that school has finished up for the semester and I have a two-week break, this provides me the opportunity to catch up on a little blogging.

I've written in the past about playing volleyball. It's the one sport that I feel I'm good at playing. For the past 3 years I've played with a co-ed recreational team, and this fall it all came together.

We dominated our league, losing only 1 set all season long. The playoffs, a double-elimination format, saw us rolling to the championship. We had a blast, and for once, it was nice being the "bad guy". Our team was clearly the class of the league. But with a championship, come promotion. Next season we will compete in the next higher league. I don't think we'll be as dominant, but at least for one season, we were the best.

Add caption

This fall I took a leap and joined a bowling league in Des Moines. It's an LGBT league and I saw it as a way to meet other gay men in central Iowa, plus, I enjoy bowling.

Being that I really didn't know anyone in the league, I was a bit nervous. Fortunately I was placed on a great team, the "Bowl Jobs". We all clicked instantly and had a great season, finishing tied for 4th (thank goodness for handicap scoring).

The league will be moving to a different night in January which will make it difficult for me to participate on a regular basis. I did tell the guys that I would be happy to fill in when I could.

Joining the league helped take me out of my comfort zone. I interacted with guys that I normally wouldn't and made some good friends in the process.

Friday began our Winter Break. Two weeks off until the beginning of Spring Semester. I have a huge stack of papers and exams to grade, but that's my project for Monday.

I'm just thankful for the time to recharge my batteries and allow my brain to settle down. This school year has been chaotic to say the least, but I wouldn't trade this 7th grade class - they are an awesome group of kids.

Enough blogging for today.  Time to grab a shower and make the most of my Sunday.

Love you Awesome Nerds!
Robert

Me and My Fitbit....

My Fitbit wristband.
Feel free to ignore the furry arm.

...strollin down the avenue.

I turned 43 a few weeks ago and for my birthday I asked the hubby for a Fitbit.

Fitbit is a line of wearable fitness trackers.  Mine counts how many steps I take per day along with how much activity I partake in.  It also acts as a silent alarm.  I can program it using the Fitbit app on my phone.

I like to joke that it's my court-mandated tracking device as I wear it 24/7.  I can ever wear it in the shower.

The goal is to walk 10,000 steps each day.

When it was warmer, I was doing really well at making the 10,000 step goal.  Since the weather has turned colder, I haven't been as successful.

The Fitbit helps serve as a reminder for me of what I can do and who I can be.  I just have to allow myself to let the fit guy trapped inside of me out. :-)

Tomorrow marks my return to the gym.  It's been a while and honestly, I'm nervous about heading back.  But the anti-anxiety meds have really taken hold and I'm feeling the urge to go get sweaty.

Wish me luck.

Love you Awesome Nerds.
Robert

Oh yes it's Bowling Night and the Fingers....

This fall I joined an LGBT bowling league.  I've enjoyed it and have made some really good friends in the process.  We bowl on Tuesday nights, and that brings up an interesting problem.

Follow me on this....

Yesterday I had my annual physical.  During the poking and prodding, my doctor looked at my hands and asked me about a bump on my right ring finger.  I had the bump for seven years and thought it was just a callous that acted up every once in a while.

"I'm pretty sure it's a wart," he told me.  He offered to freeze it off using liquid nitrogen.

I've not had a wart treated before, so I had no idea what would be the result.  He explained that it would blister a little, scab over, and then flake off.  I told him to go ahead and treat it.  No muss, no fuss - it stung for about 30 seconds.

Then this morning, I woke up with a blister the size of a pea - on one of my bowling fingers.  

Uh oh.

Our school nurse wrapped the finger up and it's actually feeling pretty good.  But we'll see how it reacts to the wear and tear of 3 games of bowling.  

I'm hopeful.  

Love you Awesome Nerds!

Better Living Through Chemistry

Ok, now that I have your attention.


Sorry, I got distracted too.  Anyways.


I've been off the blog for a little while.  Okay, months.


I've been a bit overwhelmed with life this fall, primarily with school.

As I've blogged about previously, I have a VERY full teaching load and with our new schedule, the school day doesn't give my mind much of a chance to "breathe".

By the end of the day, my brain is exhausted and I haven't much been in the mood to blog.  In mid-November we had parent/teacher conferences.  I had meetings with 95 parents over the course of 4 days (in addition to my normal teaching duties).

Mentally, I hit the wall.  Conferences are like being on stage for four hours a night, you have to be "ON!" for the parents and when they are over each night, my brain would just seem to stop.  By Thursday, I think the appropriate word was "numb".

I had noticed that I was a bit more emotional this fall than I had been in the past - reading an article about emotional Pixar moments was making me bawl - so I knew I needed to talk with my doctor.

My doctor and I did talk and he diagnosed moderate depression.  As we were talking about the symptoms, I was thinking, "OMG I've been depressed for 15 years!"

So for the last couple of weeks I have been on medication.  It's a low dose and it'll take about 4-6 weeks to fully build up in my system, but I can already feel it working.  I'm less anxious at work and I'm better able to handle pressure situations.  I've also noticed that I've dropped a few pounds (probably a side effect of not having much of an appetite).

And as a few of you have maybe noticed, my blues affected my blogging.  There just wasn't a "drive" to do it, but over the past few days I've rediscovered my spark and will be working to post on a more regular basis.

Thanks to everyone for hanging in there with me.  To those of you who checked in to see how I was doing, I really do appreciate it.

I missed you Awesome Nerds,
Robert

Out Bobsledder Simon Dunn

This week I discovered Simon Dunn, a member of the Australian Bobsled Team  (don't snicker, if Jamaica can have one, why can't Australia?).

Simon is also a member of the Sydney Convicts rugby team and, he's openly gay.

He's presently in Canada training and is raising funds through a GoFundMe account.  I've made my donation. :-)

Simon is also very active on Instagram.  I've posted a few of my favorite photos below.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in the next few years and may need to attend the next Bingham Cup in 2016 when it's held in Nashville.

The Lost Weekend

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Ugh.

I was really looking forward to this weekend after an incredibly busy beginning couple of weeks at school.  Three days off with a few plans and ample time to rest and recuperate.

Until Friday morning arrived.

I went to be on Thursday night feeling perfectly fine, but woke up Friday with sinus pressure and a sore throat.

Crap.

It was too late to get a sub, and we had a special schedule for Friday AND I was giving quizzes to two of my higher ability classes. I kinda had to be there.

It was not a fun day.  I was cranky and irritable, but I did my best to not let it affect my teaching. I'd say I was 90% successful.

At the end of the day I packed up and headed to Wal-Mart. I needed my wonder drug, i.e. Wal-Mart Cold and Sinus (the generic Advil stuff). Of course I forgot to get Powerade, but that's what the hubby is for. :-)

I got home and crawled into bed. We were supposed to go see the Iowa State volleyball team play Stanford.  As soon as Matt got home he took one look at me and said, "you are NOT going". I crashed for the rest of the night.

Saturday wasn't much better - and this was the day that I was really bummed about missing. We were to go to Des Moines for a college football party in the morning and then a bad movie night party in the evening.

Yup, missed both of those by being on the couch feeling miserable.

Sunday I woke up feeling a bit more human, so we attended the Iowa State vs. Florida State volleyball match (we lost 3-0) and then lunch with friends. I was drugged up beyond belief, so at least I felt "normal". I was grateful that I would have Monday off to recover further.

Today I felt about 60%. The congestion in my head has moved south into my chest - yay coughing! I was able to go have lunch with Mom and then work on getting caught up on schoolwork - yay grading!

I told Matt tonight that I felt like this was a wasted weekend. Obviously it was a good thing that I had three full days to work my way through this cold and not have to take sick days from school, but that still doesn't make me feel any better about the "lost" weekend.

Oh well.  There's always next weekend.

Love you awesome nerds.
Robert

300!

It's my 300th Post!!!

My next post will be about what I've been up to for the first couple of weeks of school.

I haven't actually seen the "300" movies, I probably should.

The sequel to the original - "Rise of an Empire" starts Australian actor, Sullivan Stapleton.

Thought I'd post a few photos of this 37 year-old hottie for my 300th entry.

Enjoy.

TMI Questions - Happy Birthday!!!!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

1. Do you enjoy celebrating your birthday (forgetting about the getting older part)?

I'm a bit ambivalent about celebrating my birthday. As I've gotten older, I've put less stock in the actual day and and am happy just getting together with friends for a quiet dinner.  

2. What's your sign and is it accurate?
Libra. 

Libra is among the most sociable of the signs. As scales of old were really "balances," so to do you seek balance in all that Libra does. You respond to situations with grace as Libra attempts to put others at ease. Artistically, Libra tries to balance form, content, colors and elements, and for this reason can be drawn toward creative endeavors. 

Libra know how to be the charming host or hostess. Libra can sense what others want before they ask for it. And you can make the needs of others a higher priority than your own. In fact, Libra is the shuttle diplomats of the zodiac, going back and forth between the extremes until a solution is negotiated. 

Yup, that's me.

3. What's your Chinese zodiac sign and is it accurate?

The Pig, the last sign of the Chinese zodiac, is clear evidence of the old saying, “nice guys finish last.” You are honest, good hearted and present a kindly face to friends and strangers alike. Your affection is genuine, and your love has no bounds. You are usually very chivalrous. Courtesy and generosity are a way of life with you.

Being a social animal you have many opportunities to exhibit those qualities. You tend to be naturally happy, due in no small part because you most often avoid making judgments and see the good side of people. You are no punster, but you probably have a nice, earthy sense of humor. All in all, you are pleasant, cheerful, co operative and normally do well in group situations.

I have to say, it's kinda interesting how both Libra and Pig are similar in their descriptions. So I'd have to say that I agree that it's a good description of me. 

4. Do you celebrate your pet's Birthday?

Don't have a pet, so I'd have to say, no. 

5. What was your best birthday?

Hands down my 40th was my best birthday.  One of my best friends and I were born 1 day apart. He and I had a joint celebration - dinner at a very fancy restaurant. The next night, Matt threw a get together for my birthday with a lot of my friends coming over for a great party. I still have many fond memories of that night. 

6. What was your worst birthday?

My 21st birthday SUCKED! It's the big one for a college student - the day you can officially buy alcohol. I was a senior in college and was anticipating that my best friend would plan some sort of celebration. 

Nothing.  Crickets chirping.

I was beyond pissed. No one remembered my birthday.  I'll be honest, I was crushed.

7. What has been your best age so far?

35. It was a good year (that was the "Jeopardy" year).

8. Birthday cake? Candles?

I'm a whore for cake, so YES, YES, YES!  Candles, well, I don't wanna have to have a fire extinguisher nearby.

BONUS

Is birthday sex expected, a present or a rarity? Do you get spanked?

Never expected, but always appreciated.  And what happens in the bedroom, stays in the bedroom. :-)

Commercials I HATE

I admit it, I watch a lot of television.  A lot more than I really should.

Over the years I've become a bit jaded on commercials.  There are the ones I love - that make sense, that are entertaining.  And then, there are the ones that I HATE!

I'd like to share a few of the ones I can't stand, and why I can't stand them.


Dairy Queen - S'Mores

I hate Hipsters.  Even more, I hate commercials that embrace Hipsters as somehow being cool.  What gets under my skin even more is when they are singing the praises of a Dairy Queen blizzard.

REALLY?!  Ugh

Breyer's Gelato  

The kid's asleep, let's have our ice cream!  Oh no, the kid woke up!  We have to defend ourselves.

Be adults!  Grow a pair and tell the kid to go to bed.  Life ain't fair!

T-Mobile - Samsung Galaxy S5

BUY THE NEW GALAXY S5!

RUN DOWN ALLEYS!  LAUGH HYSTERICALLY!  PLAY THE TRUMPET!  SHIMMY!

CHEST BUMP!  SKYSURF!  HOLD BURNING THINGS IN YOUR HAND!!!

PRETEND TO SUBWAY SURF!

YES!  YOU CAN DO ALL THIS IF YOU OWN THE GALAXY S5!!!!

Really?!  Make it stop.  I think I hate this one most of all.

Ice Bucket Challenge

You've probably seen multiple videos online of people doing the Ice Bucket Challenge.

The basic rules are that, once challenged, a person can either dump a bucket of ice water over their heads, videotape it, and then challenge three other people to do it, or make a donation for ALS research.

Dozens of athletes, celebrities and regular folk have gotten into it.

ESPN ran a story on how the challenge started.  I'm not normally moved by stories like this, but I have to admit, it got to me.

Back To Work

Well, this week I went back to work.

WHAT?!  School is back in session already?  It isn't Labor Day yet!

Well, here in Iowa we generally start the school year 1 to 2 weeks before Labor Day.  Our district wanted to get first semester finished before winter break, so we had to start our year even EARLIER!  LOL

Matt and I spent last weekend in Kansas City to catch a few baseball games, so last week I made sure to get into my classroom and start putting it together.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are "work days", where we are supposed to have time to get our rooms prepared, but usually we have a number of meetings to attend which eats into our preparation time.

The kids came back on Thursday and Friday. It's great to start the year on Thursday because, honestly, neither the kids nor the teachers are used to being on a regular schedule. Even during the workdays I was tuckered out at the end of the day.

When a district starts on a Monday, by Wednesday the kids and teachers are just zombies.

This year will be quite a year. I'm teaching....

2 sections of Algebra
1 section of 7th grade Accelerated Math
3 sections of 7th grade Regular Math
1 section of Additional Instruction (a class of intensive intervention for a small group of students)
1 section of Tutorial (a structured study hall)

So I've got a good bit on my plate.

Friday night I slept VERY well. It usually takes me a couple of weeks to get my body back on a regular sleep schedule. I get home in the afternoon and desperately want to take a nap. But if I do that, I stay up late, and well, that defeats the purpose.  LOL

Slowmotion Celebration

I seriously want to have an event happen where me and my friends do a slow motion celebration!

Iowa's Great Bike Ride

Last week was RAGBRAI week in the state of Iowa.

What's RAGBRAI you ask?

It is the....

Register's
Annual
Great
Bike
Ride
Across
Iowa

In 1973, two writer's for the Des Moines Register decided to bike ride across the state of Iowa and write about their experiences and invited the public to join them.  That summer, about 300 people rode from Sioux City to Davenport over 6 days.

Riders dip their back tires in the Missouri River
at the start of RAGBRAI.

There wasn't a lot of lead time for the first ride and a lot of readers wanted to do it but weren't able to. So, the Register planned a second ride for the following year and a tradition was born.

Each Spring the Register announces the route for the ride which takes place over a week late July. In addition to the starting and ending cities, 6 cities are selected as "overnight" stops, where riders camp for the night. It is a big deal for a town to be chosen as an overnight location.

Why you ask?

No, seriously, ask "why?"

An overnight stop for riders. 

RAGBRAI is the oldest and, by far, the LARGEST touring bike event in the world. A touring event is one in which the rider just ride, no racing involved.

So each year, upwards of 10,000 people hop on their bikes and eat, drink and ride across the state.

Yes, I said "eat and drink". RAGBRAI is a rolling party. Iowans along the route will set up stands to sell just about any type of food - especially drinks and pies. And let's just say that bars along the route do VERY well.

RAGBRAI riders come from all over the world, and many rider as part of clubs or teams.  Teams create a social and support system for the riders. Teams will have a support vehicle - school bus or RV - that will carry supplies for the team's riders.

Riders will either camp in the overnight town, or find "lodging" with locals.

It's a huge event in the state and there seems to be no slowing down for it.

What I love about it is that anyone can do it - from the young to the old.

And I kinda, really wanna do it.

So come November, I'm going to apply for the RAGBRAI lottery and hope to win a wristband for the 2015 ride.  I also might be able to hook up with a team (a MUCH better option) and score a slot that way.

I've lived in Iowa for 19 years. It's time to do RAGBRAI!

I've included a few more photos just for fun. :-)

Heading out in the morning.

Oh and the occasional hot guy in spandex. :-)

This is just a cool photo. 

Ending the ride by dipping front tires
in the Mississippi. 

4th of July in Vegas, Part 1

I've had a bit of writer's block over the past few weeks and I'm determined to break out of my slump.

Last weekend, Matt and I spent the 4th of July weekend in Las Vegas.

Enjoy!



Matt's birthday is July 5th. This year to celebrate we traveled to Las Vegas.

Under normal circumstances, Las Vegas in the summer and it's 100+ temps, would not be our first choice of vacation spots.

This was a special occasion, on the 5th we had the opportunity to see Olivia Newton-John in concert at the Flamingo Hotel.

Let me say for the record.....

THE SHOW WAS AMAZING!

Olivia is in residence at the "Donny & Marie Theater" at the Flamingo. It has a very Rat-Packy kinda vibe to it, and we loved it. It's a very intimate setting and for Olivia, it is a perfect concert venue.

The crowd skewed in one of two ways - older, or gay.  We kinda fell into both categories... lol.

There's something to be said for the stereotype that gays have a lot of disposable income, because the gays showed up in force and paid the big bucks for the "Meet and Greet" tickets ($249 each!).

We're frugal gays, the $99 seats were fine for us. :-)

The show felt like Olivia had invited 400 of her closest friends for an intimate concert. She looked and sounded amazing. Her voice is just as clear as it was when she began her career back in the early 70s.

We had smiles on our faces for the entire show. She sang selections from throughout her career. From "Have You Never Been Mellow" through her "Xanadu" days and then into the 80s. I was thrilled that she performed "Suddenly", a duet with Cliff Richards from "Xanadu".

I loved that she began performing a stripped down version of "Physical" and then stopped, "asked" the audience if they'd rather hear the original (DUH!) and then got down.

Another highlight was the "Grease" sing-a-long. The words to the songs were put up on video screens for the crowd to follow along with, but seriously, they weren't needed.

Before we knew it, Olivia was finishing up her show. :(

But overall we had a wonderful time and if you have the means and the opportunity, we HIGHLY recommend that you go!

My one tiny gripe was I had wished the gay in the front row wouldn't have kept yelling "WE LOVE YOU OLIVIA" after EVERY song.  Dude, we got it, you love her.

Following the show we had Matt's birthday dinner at Serendipity3 at Caesar's Palace. The food is delicious, but what you really go there for is the dessert.

Last November we fell in love with their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It's made from 23 different types of cocoa and is absolutely delicious.

From the first sip, it truly lives up to the hype.




Alright, it's time for me to get some sleep. I'll finish up my trip recap tomorrow.  But I'll leave you with a little Olivia.

Love you Awesome Nerds!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!

Happy 238th Birthday to the United States!

My regularly scheduled blogging will resume on Monday. :-)

But until then, please enjoy a few patriotic hunks.

Love you Awesome Nerds!

Robert