Summer is too busy

I won't even mention the line that goes something like, "Can you believe how fast summer is going?"

We haven't been all that busy with events and things like that. Our life within pregnancy has seemed to change things. We still go to the Farmer's Market, which is great. Over the 4th of July we went canoing down the Wisconsin river, near Arena and Spring Green. That was great to get on the water and be outdoors. Speaking of outdoors, we bought a great tent (well, it depends who you ask) at REI for cheap. My version of a great tent is one that can be strapped on to your backpack and fits just above your head as you're lying down to sleep at night.












Katie's version is the one that can fit a queen-size mattress and where we can fully stand up inside. We bought the latter. But we'll use that tent for the next 20 years at Family Camps at Fort Wilderness and other State parks around Wisconsin. Look at the view from inside that thing!!!













So we're doing our best to stay active. Katie gets really tired and is just wishing she could work out like she used to. No bike rides, no runs. The paddling wasn't that comfortable for her, either.

Summer has been busy. What's new. But like Matt Metzger talked about today at Blackhawk - we need to be intentional about taking a Sabbath, taking a day off to rest and refresh.

For me, that includes reading and writing. I started this blog to process life, and that's gotten too far and few between. I need this time to create journal memories and document and process.

I need to read b/c readers are leaders - I get refreshed when I read the paper and learn new things.

Concert on the Square

One of my favorite things about Madison is Concert on the Square. For 6 weeks during the summer, the Madison Orchestra performs on the Capital Square as people gather around the lawn with blankets and small chairs. It's actually quite and ordeal - people really go all out on this. Nice food, nice wine. Concerts are upscale events. And we love them.

Of the six concerts, the best one is near the 4th of July, when they do a patriotic concert. My dad always was playing patriotic music when I was a kid, and I developed a big sense of loyalty and appreciation for my country. When I think about the armed forces, I immediately think of the respect I feel towards their service to our country. Their efforts, along with the men and women who served before them - their efforts are why we are free and safe.

There's a point in the concert when Maestro Sewell does a tribute to all the men and women who've served their country. The song starts slow, then it goes into branch's song. As the song for the National Guard plays, anyone in the crowd from the Guard stands to a round of applause. This continues for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Seeing these men and women stand up here in Madison in their civilian clothes, I think about the time they gave to this country. When did they serve? What was their job? What did they see? Learn? Accomplish?

What I like to do after the show is walk over to one of the men I saw stand up and shake his hand and thank him for serving. Here's a couple of the men I saw last night.














This last guy was in the Air Force, and he's the one I thanked this year. I just want to do a small part to show appreciation for what he's done.

4 years and a Baby Shower

The date is one of our romantic anniversaries - June 24th. Four years ago today, I invited Katie to a Brewers' game with some church friends for an outing that I was sure to clarify was not a date. So looking ahead to June 24th on the calendar, I was excited to see that Katie had a baby shower with the women from work. That meant I could pick her up from the shower and take her on a walking date around the old neighborhood where we took so many walks during the summer of 2004.

Regarding the shower - it still amazes me the generosity of our friends. It's been such a help to get the supplies we need for having this boy!









My favorite outfit was the Wisconsin onesie and matching booties! Thanks Linda!!

Gone Fishin'

I just got back from the Robertson Men's Fishing trip in Canada. In the works since last November, I'd been waiting for this trip with eager anticipation. I'm certainly not an experienced fisherman, but any chance to be out in the wilderness on a trip like this is an opportunity for me to cherish.

The final total was 14 men on the trip - 5 uncles and 9 cousins. We had four vehicles meet up in Eau Claire and then Duluth before crossing the border to Canada at Baudett. After gearing up a few last minute supplies, we made our way to the outfitter and were able to check out the 2 houseboats that we rented. We had five small 25-horse boats for our daily fishing. The set-up couldn't have been better.




We ate like kings, thanks to Uncle Tom. How does this menu sound... pork chops, marinated chicken sandwiches, ribs, and steak. That was just dinner. Breakfast was as usual... Wranglers and Lumber Jack - eggs, bacon, pancakes. Life was good. And of course mid-day we had shore lunch, sandwiches filled with the walleye we caught in the morning.

I struggled with walleye fishing. The bites were smaller and I had a hard time with the feel of it. Now fishing for northerns is a whole different thing. That was a blast b/c the bites were rock solid - there wasn't much of a fight for the fish, but reeling in 8-12 a day was a lot of fun.






The fishing trip to Canada was a great time to spend with family, working and playing together. Everyone chipped in and we laughed a lot. What more can you ask for from a group of men?


















And as I was coming home, it begged the question --- what next?

Memorial Day

I only met Christian one time - at his wedding reception at his parents' home two summers ago. Big guy. Almost quirky, but certainly an attractive personality. I'm not that great with words sometimes and I only met him once, so you will have to trust me in my thoughts here... As I hear about what Katie and her family say about Christian, and as I hear about his funeral and what was said and who attended, I'm left in awe of the man he was.

On a training flight last fall while in Italy, Christian's helicopter went down with 9 others aboard. From the details I've read, he died in the hospital of head injuries.

It's the first time I've admired someone so much from knowing him so little. I don't mean to be trite with this comment, but people say the nicest things about people when they die. But Christian's death was different - and this I could tell from the one time I met him. He had a personality everyone was attracted to. He genuinely cared for people and naturally demanded the attention in whatever room he entered. I won't do him justice... but he's got my thoughts today.

He's survived by his wife, Liz. As I woke up on this Memorial Day, she came to mind very quickly. Patriotism is important to me. Men and women sign up for military service -- Service. And many have to pay the Ultimate Sacrifice. Is there a better way to die? Is there any more honor than dying for your country? Christian would probably say there is, and that would be to die serving your Lord. And Christian did just that. His life was lived in faith, and his death proclaimed that faith. I can't imagine the sorrow of that family, but as a brother I can relate to the pride I have for a man who was so highly regarded by everyone when he left this life. What an example, what an inspiration for any Christian man.

Well done, Christian. We honor you on this Memorial Day.

Crazylegs 2008

I think I've run about 6 editions of the Crazylegs Classic. The 8K run is one of my favorites. This year was a new experience for me b/c we had a team with our life group, appropriately named Team LG. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to run b/c I thought I broke my toe the week prior. But the pain got better each day, and by Friday night I was pretty sure I'd be able to run. My alternative was to walk with Katie and Melissa, but I just didn't want to do that.

So Brian and Melissa picked us up to start the day, and we took our first pic waiting in line for the shuttle that took us from Camp Randall to the start line at the Capital Square.







Katie and I look like the forecast called for 35 and windy
---- oh wait, it was!!












And at the finish,
Team LG was victorious.


For those of you keeping score at home, I ran 41:03 without any training. Katie loves it when I don't train for my races.

New (First) Outfit

I have to admit how much I'm looking forward to dressing my son. I've always been interested in fashion, and those adult outfits in kids sizes are just the cutest thing I've ever seen. So Katie and I decided we should go out and get a first outfit for Baby Boy. Tori was with us, and we had fun looking through Baby Gap and H&M's selection of infant clothes.

I ended up picking up this outfit: a cute baseball-looking shirt with blue sleeves and a brown pair of pants that can be rolled up into shorts. I'm very excited to get Junior into his first set of clothes.

20-week ultrasound

I haven't written about our pregnancy on the Game Plan b/c I had a couple other (out of town) people to tell personally. It's kind of a long story which I can't (and won't) get into. But now it's officially on the blog - we're having a baby, due date August 28.

To all my readers (if there's any besides my 2 moms, let me know), you can keep updated on our progress here, at the Game Plan. This has proven to be a very reflective time for Katie and me. Discussions are different. Planning is ambiguous. But the excitement is high. It's been amazing to see Katie's belly grow with the development of our child.

Seeing our baby for the first time on the ultrasound is a moment I'll never forget. It practically took my breathe away, and it felt like time stopped for 2 seconds.

Calling it a child or baby has been our way of conversation for the last 4 months. Well that changed today! We had our 20-week ultrasound today at 3:15. After 18 weeks it's usually possible to see if it's a boy or a girl.

In the room, the sonographer was going through all these measurements of our baby, similar to the last couple ultrasounds. She measured the head (5cm diameter, 17cm circumference), arms, spine, internal organs. One of the most amazing shots was the 4 chambers of the heart. The heartbeat was 150. She said she had to chase the baby a lot - very active. Then she said, "And that's a boy not afraid to tell everyone he's a boy." There it is - we're having a baby boy!!! !!!

!!! !!! !!! !!! !!!

I can't write without a smile on my face! I'm so excited to see what's next. Now I don't want to wait. Sitting here, I just want to get to the first week in September and hold him.

So stay tuned for pictures and stories. Who knows... maybe Baby Boy will get his own blog. But until then, he'll have to be the star of dad's blog.

Say it ain't so, Billy Joel

I understand that we all get older, and the music we listened to gets more and more "out of date." But like a good bottle of wine, it gets better with time.... right? (Rhymes are flowing today.)

In high school a good friend of mine, Jason Jobke, always listened to the Oldies. He was raised on it by his parents, and so we listened to them so much that the Oldies really grew on me. The summers of 1993 and '94 were filled with nights of shooting pool in his basement, playing basketball in his driveway, and driving to McDonald's at all hours of the night to the soundtrack of the Oldies.

On a different musical commentary, I've never been ashamed of my love for 80's music. A genre in and of itself, the Monster Ballads will always take me to a good place. The music I grew up on was Bon Jovi, Van Halen, the Police, and even AC/DC. Elton John and Billy Joel were classic musicians, not to be confused with the Oldies. NOT TO BE CONFUSED!!!

Yesterday I'm driving home from the club on a beautiful sunny day, and I do the quick scan of the stations to find some good music. I flipped (quickly) through the Oldies station and had to double back to confirm what my ears were telling me. Billy Joel is on the Oldies station!! "Movin' Out" was certainly a catchy tune, and I guess you can even say it "sounds" Oldies, but Billy Joel on the Oldies station is like hearing Def Leopard on the Country station.

What a Shooting Performance

Well I was sure Wisconsin was going to get a decent victory over Davidson in their Sweet 16 match-up Friday night. I wasn't overlooking the Wildcats, but I honestly felt we were a better team. And maybe 8 out of 10 times we are, but last night Curry and Davidson gave the Badgers a whupin'.

Can I say that I actually enjoyed watching that shooting performance? I mean if he had a good look at the hoop, he was amazing. Not much else to say - what a disappointing way to end the season.

NCAA Tournament - 1st two rounds

Well the NCAA Tourney is upon us - what a great time of the year. Now Katie's fully involved, so much so that SHE organizes the office pool! This year Easter weekend falls on the first and second rounds, so I've never watched so much basketball. We were home since Thursday night b/c Katie's sister Tori was coming home from England. Of course Wisconsin played Thursday night, and we watched them handle Cal-State Fullerton. But I was nervous about their second round game with USC - oh wait! USC lost to Kansas State. Well that made my day so much better, as we watched a much more balanced Badger team easily handle the one-player team that is/was the Kansas State Wildcats.

Each night Katie got tired and was off to bed early, so I was able to stay up with dad and Grant to watch basketball. They tried to stay up as late as they could, but each night I closed down the tournament's final game watching teams go down to the wire. Friday night Villanova's defense baffled Clemson and knocked out the 5th seed. Saturday night Michigan State handled Pitt and UCLA barely beat Texas A&M.

Easter Sunday was tough to watch hoops (but we managed to see some of the Tennessee game). Katie and I headed back around 3:30 and came home to watch the last disc of the Office Season 3. We woke up this morning to find out that Georgetown had lost!! This is a big deal b/c it was the 2-seed, and our next opponent. Now we play Davidson!!

I told Katie on Sunday morning that I found myself caring very little about my bracket. (That way when she beats I have less emotion tied to my bracket.) I just want to see really good basketball games, and some upsets. Katie and I agree that we're seeing things we didn't see last year. It's always something new - new, but different.

March Madness

Let the Tournaments begin! It's the first day for a whole new season, and you better be wearing your Wisconsin Red today! (Do I need to tell you..) The Badgers play Michigan at 11:00 this morning, and productivity in the workplace takes a hit. This is such a great time of the year. Just wait until the first four days of the NCAA Tourney...

Favre

So I guess you could say it took me about 35 hours to get to this point: where I could publicly talk about the retirement of Brett Favre. When I heard it on the radio, I really didn't know what to do with the news. I was certainly disappointed, but more so I was just really sad. We all knew the day would come "one of these years."

But why now? Why not two years ago, when he was coming back to a really crappy team? Why now when the team is so good and we are so close to the Super Bowl?

I'm not calling it a man-crush. I'm calling it fully-devoted appreciation of the blessing Brett Favre has been to Packer fans for 16 years.

Katie got a little annoyed this season when I insisted on watching every game. I told her then and I reminded her now that my reason was simple - I knew this day was coming, and that when it did, we'd no longer be entertained by the hero and the legend that is #4.

So last night I was able to look up some videos and pics from Brett's career. They're so rich with meaning and stories. My favorite is probably this, Favre Soundbites (ESPN).

But I found some good pics too that I can share now. I'll post some more material later.












(below) Diving for the game winning touchdown in the last game at County Stadium.

Mineral Point, WI

When Katie and I decided to get away for her birthday weekend, we had no idea we'd be so impressed by Mineral Point, Wisconsin. It's difficult to describe a town like that, so I'll just recommend you visit it yourself.

Katie and I got into town late. We checked in at the Brewery Creek, a pub owned by the same people who own the cottage we were staying at. It's a very inviting pub, with a simple bar on the left and 8-12 tables in the rest of the room. Old railroad ties line the top of the doorways and windows. Soft lighting makes this pub feels like an extension of the owners' kitchen and dining room. It was just one of those hometown places where you knew you could spend a few hours sitting back to a good meal.

We checked in to the cottage which was exactly what we were looking for: three simple rooms, cozy couches, and a fireplace. Saturday we spent the day reading, talking, and cross country skiing at Governor Dodge State Park. We went to the Brewery Creek pub that night for dinner and ate really good food (fish sandwich and a great version of the classic pub burger). That night we started season 3 of the Office. Sunday morning it was back to the couches for more reading and talking. Katie and I really can't get enough of those cottages.

Irony on the Roads

I was driving home earlier today when a guy in a minivan pulled out in front of me. I wasn't too annoyed as I switched lanes, but I didn't have enough time to get ahead of him before I needed to turn right, so I had to slow down (he had sped up) to get behind him to make my turn. My slight annoyance was calmed when I looked at his windows. He was displaying a marine flag in the side window, and on the back he had a marine sticker and an Ultimate Fighting Championships sticker. Remember: he's driving a (teal) minivan. So I had conflicting emotions. I'm annoyed he pulled out in front of me and then sped up so I couldn't pass. But I'm a little intimidated b/c this guy could whoop me. But he's driving a minivan - so maybe I'd have a chance...

It really begs the question - how many minivans are representing the Ultimate Fighting Championships?

You Know It's Cold When...

You know it's cold when Madison schools are closed. Not the surrounding areas - they're much more likely to have a delay or close. But when the Madison schools close for the day, it's cold. I was all set up to work today, and the Verona website announced "School Closed." It used to be the local news that we relied on for that info - now we go directly to the school's website.

Best Snow and Best Gear

It's hard not to notice how excited Katie and I are to be cross-country skiing this season. I've found two components to making the skiing experience the best it can be: good trails and good gear.

Katie and I moved to the Monroe Street neighborhood and the location couldn't be better for us. We are under one mile from the UW Arboretum - which has miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. The numerous routes take you in and out of prairies and woods, over bridges and even under a tunnel. And the snow today was the best we've ever been on. It was very fresh from the three inches or so that we got last night and even a little this morning. It was soft and slick, so today's event was exceptionally enjoyable.

And I just have to admit- I'm a Gear Guy. I subscribe to two magazines, Men's Journal and National Geographic Adventure. When an issue comes in the mail, I'm tearing through to the gear review and features. Knowing this, my brother-in-law (Peter) and father-in-law (Steve) got me some cool gear for Christmas. I'm really becoming a fan of the Under Armour, which you can see as a base layer shirt and beanie on my head. And Mountain Hardwear has been a top brand of performance gear for a few years. Peter got me their Canyon Pant which is perfect for cross-country skiing and hiking. Thanks for the gifts, guys. I'm doing my best to put them to good use.

53.0 and Counting

This has been the best winter I can remember. When I was a kid, I have fond memories of going to Matt Keefe's house and building forts in the monstrous snow piles. The school playground seemed to always be covered with snow for exciting recess football games. I grew up learning that winter would be filled with months of beautiful snow.

But that hasn't been the case over the last 10-12 years. I might be in the minority, but I want a little snow by Thanksgiving - just get us ready for December. And if we don't have any snow by the middle of December, how is it possible to get into the Season? I guess I can understand why people get a little depressed at this time of year when it's sometimes bitterly cold and there's no snow. But this year has been such a wonderful surprise! Even Katie has noted how beautiful the outdoors look (and feel) when there's so much snow on the ground. It makes us happier. It's a romantic scene to look at snow-covered roofs, shoveled walkways, and people walking around with bundles of warm-weather coats.

Just how much snow have we been blessed with? We're sitting at 53.0" this season! Have you been enjoying it? Katie and I have had a blast on our new cross-country skis, and we'll be out there again today after a couple weeks off due to very low temperatures.

What I'd pay to hear

When DVDs started getting popular, the thing I liked about them was the special features. I've been known to watch a movie twice in a row - the second time while listening to the director's commentary. It's the behind the scenes material that I can't get enough of.

In the sports world, they put a mic on a player and catch him in a behind the scenes moment on the field. For me, it's a glimpse into the reality of the sport - a sense of how normal (and humorous) these players are. And Brett Favre is probably one of the best. One of my favorites is this clip from ESPN.

While I'm at it, you should watch this video that will get an annoying country song stuck in your head. This is a little cheesy, but you'll miss Brett when he's gone, so watch this video and appreciate what we've got.

And lastly, the ultimate behind the scenes moment comes here, with a home video of Brett Favre, Don Beebe, and Frank Winters going trick or treating to Coach Holmgren's house.

Center of Attention

All week I have had memories of 1996-97 when the Packers were making their great Super Bowl runs. I wasn't listening to sports radio like I do now, but I was into SportsCenter much more than I watch now. Sports Illustrated was on my desk every week. There was a buzz about all the cold-weather conditions, Lambeau Field, and the storied Green Bay Packers. The Packers were the center of attention, and after a ten-year span of mediocrity we are back to the center of attention.

The pictures of their green and gold popping out from a snowed-out landscape doesn't get old for me. Green Bay gets all the glory, but Foxborough will be not much warmer:: The weather forecast for Green Bay on Sunday: a high of 11 degrees. For Foxborough: a high of 16.

But weather has always played a part in memorable football games. Check out this ESPN Zoom Gallery and don't miss pictures 2,3, and 12.

For more information including stats, video, and photos of cold-weather football, check out the sidebar titled "More on Frigid Football".

cPT

I can put cPT behind my name.  Last Tuesday I passed my exam for a certified personal trainer.  I studied through ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) widely regarded as one of if not the best certifications.

It was a very difficult exam.  I knew going into it that I would be a great trainer, but it was just a matter of passing their test first.  What a relief when the computer-based test processed my scores and told me of my passing grade. 

It's still a little intimidating - it's not just "here's some exercises and you should run three days per week."  And I'm thankful that there's so much research and studies about things to look for in people's history and lifestyle.  So it will be a challenge I eagerly accept in coaching others toward a healthier lifestyle.

Playoff Football

It's been an amazing season for the Packers.  What a feeling it is to have your team back on top - like it was back in '96 and '97.  Can you believe that was 10 years ago?  Growing up in Wisconsin, the Packers weren't that great in the '80s and '90s.  But I was always a fan and very mindful of the rich tradition the team holds.  A group of guys got together in a grungy old editorial room at the Green Bay Gazette to organize a football team - they became the Green Bay Packers.  

I could go on and on.  But the story today is the team's victory in their playoff game against the Seahawks.  How great was this game?!?!   I don't even know how much I would have paid to have been at Lambeau today.  That snow on the field was amazing - it's how football is supposed to be in January in Green Bay.

Here's some pictures, courtesy of Sports Illustrated and the Green Bay Packers.

Well that was quick (Part II)

A few months ago, I wrote about how I was raking my leaves one day, and the next day the rake was 6 inches deep in snow. Remember? Well I'm NOT happy to report that the reverse has happened - the snow has disappeared as quickly as it arrived.
Here's the picture from December 3, followed by today, January 9.

First-Person From Kenya

I have a confession: I often see international news through the lenses of an ignorant American. If I take the thought a little further, I'd have to admit that I have learned that the chaos that happens over there... "that's just what happens over there." And I'm immune to any sympathetic emotions I may have for the people in these countries where danger and poverty are common.

Until now.

Katie and I support a pastor in Kenya, who Katie met while she was in Bible school in Germany. Geoffrey works with a Children's Project where they school many students, some of which have lost their parents.

If you haven't heard, Kenya's elections created chaos in the country. To learn more, you can read this article from the New York Times:
Kenya, Known for it's Stability, Topples Into Post-Election Chaos.

When we heard from Geoffrey, he said that he and his family are trapped in their house, and media had been shut off (but he was able to email). His mother-in-law and her children were forced to flee to the forest as their home was burned to the ground - they slept in the forest.

Such news has never reached my ears until I heard it first-person from Kenya. And now (thankfully) I will never be the same.

It's not over. Here's the latest communication from Geoffrey:

Dear Hans,
Thank you dear friends for your committiment in prayer for us.
Yesterday there was much fear in our Village that a group of people was coming armed to kill people.We did not sleep but kept on our watch over the whole night.Indeed they came, but praise be to God that their was an heavy prense of the police around.Food and other comodities have become very expensive.Very few people do gaher in the Church since their is no
security enough.A Church in Eldoret was burnt down with a bout 50 people inside who had ran their for their safety.
Today morning,most of the Cities had problems as demonistrators went to the streets.All shops in the Cities and some parts in the villages are closed down.Houses have been burnt and as hundreds of people loosing their lives.
Fear has gone deep into our hearts.Pray for us and our Country and may God save Kenya.
Geoffrey and family.+

Cross-Country Skiing

Last winter Katie and I got out on the frozen Lake Mendota and got to cross-country ski. We absolutely loved it! We decided that this year we wanted to save for our own set of skis. Friday after work, Katie found a pair at Play-it-Again Sports – a “vintage” pair that are just perfect for her. The next morning I was able to find what I was looking for at REI. That afternoon, we hit the trails for the first time on our own skis. What a joy to begin this outdoor winter activity. Sunday, I explored the UW Arboretum, and Monday I took Katie there for her first time on the trails.

Hans Has (Re)Entered the Kitchen

We all have our guilty pleasures - mine is Starbucks' Crumble Cake. I don't know exactly how they make it or what's in it, but I know it can't be healthy - thus, a guilty pleasure. An avid reader of the Game Plan would be able to reference a post this summer in which I discussed how men should feel comfortable (and competent) in the kitchen. This morning I continued my quest for excellence in the kitchen with a first attempt at coffee cake.






The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook was the source of our recipe today. Katie and I spent about 25 minutes preparing the batter, and 35 minutes later we pulled out our first coffee cake from the oven.















What a delicious first bite! Katie wouldn't change a thing. I would make it a little less fluffy - Starbucks has set my standard for a firm coffee cake. The blueberries melted in the mouth and literally each bite kept getting better.







Emeril's job is secure, but I have to say I'm slowly making a name for myself in the kitchen.

Hot Lunch on a Cold Snowy Day

I never like this meal growing up, but my mom and her parents ate it growing up on the farm and I always new it was a classic: Campbell's tomato soup and grilled cheese.

I got home from a day in which we probably shouldn't have gone out. The snow flakes were huge and eventually very wet when you're working in it. I couldn't wait to get home and clean up, knowing the delicious meal ahead of me.

And I must say, our house truly comes into character on these winter days and nights. The old cottage reminds me so much of my grandparents' house. And tomato soup with grilled cheese is just the meal my grandpa would have eaten after coming in from his chores.

The Perfect Dress Shirt - Like You Care

I've faced reality - not many men I hang out with appreciate style like I do. Now I'm not saying that I'm the most stylish man I know... but wait, I am the most stylish man I know. Let's give credit where credit is due - Katie has contributed a significant edge to my wardrobe over the last three years. But I've always had an appreciation for stylish clothes and creating a "look" of my own.

For a couple years now, I've been looking for the perfect dress shirt. It's a staple of the man's wardrobe. At first glance it's a necessity for black tie affairs (weddings and funerals), but more and more it can be worn with jeans with or without a tie. During these winter months I love a collar under a nice wool sweater. My search for the perfect white dress shirt was a joy to research. I'll spare you the ones that didn't make the cut. Every man should know that Brooks Brothers makes the perfect All-American dress shirt.

It was named best dress shirt by the New York Times Magazine. It's a classic. I know most people I run with don't read the magazines I read, so I'm here to tell you (and you should tell your friends) that it is widely assumed that Brooks Brothers has perfected the classic dress shirt.

Well Saturday night I was in Chicago with Katie and some cousins. We have made it an annual trip to the Windy City for a Christmas festival called Christkindlmarket and we make some time for good shopping. This year I told Katie the only thing I wanted was the Brooks Brothers dress shirt. In true Hans fashion, I let the crowd move on ahead so I could soak in all that is Brooks Brothers (what a great store on Michigan Ave). It was a quick purchase - he sized me up, still 15 1/2 and 34. He got it off the shelf for me, and I was done. Of course I wasn't done. I had to indulge in everything else Brooks Brothers had to offer, but I had gotten what I came for.

Well That Was Quick

If you blinked, you missed it. I guess that's not necessarily true because I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Saturday's snowfall. It started right when they said it would - 10am. The next thing you know, the ground is covered with a white blanket. Katie and I spent the day getting the house ready to host some friends. The previous week I was working on green grass, but that changed after Saturday's accumulation. The day before, I was doing one last rake of the yard. I left the rake outside, and this picture kind of tells the story about how fast this year's first snowfall hit us here in Madison.

Many Storylines, Same Ending

Thursday night had many story lines surrounding the Packers-Cowboys game.

• I could talk about Charter Cable and their battle with the NFL Network over including it in their basic package. The two organizations and their greed are hurting the fans they're trying to serve.
• I could talk about working until 7:00 pm and missing kickoff.
• I could talk about my shock when Aaron Rodgers took the field as Brett Favre was on the sideline getting a forearm massage. I couldn't lift my jaw off the ground for 2 full minutes as the scene unfolded.
• I could talk about standing for the entire game, by myself. By Myself. My brother had a life group engagement and my other Packer-Fan-Friend is in California (miss you Todd). Actually, I'll probably talk about this story line later.

But the story line Thursday night was Packer Fan Community. Packer Fan Community was alive at the Great Dane, and probably every other establishment in Madison.

A lot of bad things happen in bars. People drink too much and get in fights. People drink too much and go home with someone they met, creating regrets for the next morning. People drink too much and then can't afford their bills. People drink too much and don't spend enough time at home with family. People drink too much, get behind the wheel, and become the most dangerous car on the road. Very bad things start at your local tavern.

But Thursday night at the Great Dane was electric. I got their late because I was working and had to take Katie home from the gym. I was supposed to meet some friends out, but they decided to watch it at the UW Training Rooms with another friend - I needed food and more excitement that 4 people watching the biggest game of the season. So I went to Old Faithful, the Great Dane Fitchburg. Our softball team has been sponsored by the Dane for three seasons now. It's familiar and fantastic - atmosphere, food, beer. I knew what the scene would be like, but I didn't care. There's just something magical to me when perfect strangers gather at a public establishment for a common cause - especially Packers' Football.

It was standing room only. I was directly under the projection screen, looking straight up for a quarter. Two men abandoned their spot, so I actually ended up with a front row view. To the NFL Network's credit, their camera crew is fantastic. The game seemed so much faster. And it all came to life when Ryan Grant made a cut off the line and broke free from the Dallas defense. The cheers at the Dane were special. I'm not a writer, so I can't describe what I felt at that moment, but hopefully you were somewhere that experienced the same excitement. Everyone in the room (and it's a big room) were as happy as they could be to see their team pull off a great play that went for 6 points. At that moment, life didn't get any better.

Camaraderie is magical to me. The bar is full of people like me - we want good food, good beer, and we don't have the freaking NFL Network. We're all together in the same situation, eyes glued to the same game, experiencing NFL football together. At that moment, we're all friends even if we don't know everyone's name (cue up the Cheers theme song).

The whole game was like that. Brett Favre went out of the game and was replaced with Aaron Rodgers, which didn't make fans happy, but Rodgers grew on us. The game got extremely exciting until our time ran out as Dallas got a first down with about 2 minutes in the game.

The most exciting Packer game I've seen this season was special in so many ways. Sure, I was by myself. Sure, I missed kickoff. Sure, my team couldn't pull out a win. But Packer Fan Community was alive and strong.

And this year there's always the Playoffs.

Just done being sore

I can't say that I'm complaining. The soreness that I'm just getting over is 7 days old now. At the annual Robertson family reunion, the guys get together and play some football. I tried to make a quarter of it tackle this year, but that didn't happen. And as it turned out, I got beat up enough playing two-hand touch.

We played Thanksgiving morning and the day after. I think I'm so sore b/c I didn't really take any plays off. I'm out there running as fast and as hard as I can. And I really miss (from the high school days) the rough tackling and blocking and diving on the ground. A little hitting before the game, some sliding catches during the game, and hitting Justin off the line makes for some aches and pains afterwards. And Uncle Paul packs more of a punch than I expected (nice blocking).

But what a time to bond with the guys. Throwing a football and playing the greatest game in the world. On the second day, there were huge flakes falling from the sky as we played. Tucked in a little field, it was a picture-perfect setting.

My one regret is that we didn't take any pictures - my bad.

First Real Snowfall

Well last weekend I think there were a couple flurries in the air. I would be the one noticing b/c the first snowfall is noteworthy for me. But I can't say last weekend was our first snowfall. Nothing even came close to accumulating.

But tonight is another story. Tonight the flurries have started and we're expecting accumulation as the Thanksgiving traffic gets underway here in Madison. And what was I doing when the snow began to fall?!? I was out for a run. Bundled up in all my running gear, it was cool and a little damp, but picturesque indeed.

Familiar Voice

For the last couple years, I've really enjoyed sports radio. I think it actually started with the Jim Rome show. Once you get used to Romie, you kind of like him. But then you move on to more polished and reputable hosts like Mike and Mike in the Morning. The afternoon show that I often missed was Dan Patrick, the former host of SportsCenter. Dan's one-liners have become a legendary part of the show, but he took his opportunity and went into sports radio. Dan would have Keith Olbermann on for one hour of the show and it was called The Big Show. These two were absolutely great together!

Well sadly Dan Patrick left ESPN in August. He said he was returning somewhere, sometime - but we didn't know the details. Well I heard he was on Fox Sports Radio (100.5 here in Madison), so I tuned in Tuesday morning. This may sound funny to those who don't appreciate sports like I do, but hearing Dan's voice back on the radio was familiarity rediscovered. Sports are such a big part of our culture. While I need to keep my fanatic behavior under control, sports radio has pushed me to think critically about football, baseball, basketball, and the players in the headlines. (I draw the line with car racing and condemn ESPN for including it as a sport -- "you're driving a CAR". )

And my critical thinking has lately come to this: When I was younger (yes, I'm pulling out that line that solidifies the fact that I'm 30 years old) ---- when I was younger, athletes and sports were role models. There were guys I didn't care for, but there were superstars that were bigger than life. Today, athletes just disappoint me. Now someone 10 or 15 years older than me might say we had those kinds of players back in the '80s, too but I would disagree with the extent of letdown these players are exhibiting.

What a privilege to play a sport for a career! You throw and catch a football to collect a paycheck. You hit a ball and run on a manicured field like I dreamed about since I went to my first game and County Stadium. You get paid millions of dollars and years of wonderful publicity to do it. And now you're extremely likely to let us all down and force us to sift through our favorite athletes knowing it's entirely possible that you're two days away from having a major character malfunction.

Micheal Vick: a dog-fighting ring, disgusting
Marion Jones: steroids
Pacman Jones (stupid half-brother?): hanging with thugs involved in a shooting in Vegas
Ricky Williams: can't stay off weed long enough to take three handoffs
Stephn Marbury: gets benched, blackmails coach regarding coach's sex-abuse case
Barry Bonds: takes HGH, lies to a grand jury, and will disgrace the MLB record books

Athletes will let us down. It's not an epiphany for me, but it's sinking in as a reminder that they are just humans, and that they are part of an athletic culture that is often bigger than the games that they play.

I wouldn't compare sports radio to journalism like the New York Times or Fox News, but sports radio gets and keeps my attention. It forces me to think critically about issues and people. And it helps me keep sports and the athletes in perspective with the happenings in the rest of the world. Dan Patrick is back on my radio - life is good for a couple more days.