Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Back on Track

Having taken all of my antibiotics for strep, I resumed my training program in anticipation of my big fight with Apollo Creed. Jumped rope 600 times and hit the heavy bag for 15 minutes. I'm a physical specimen I tell ya. I only hope that John Briscoe's bachelor party on Saturday doesn't set me back too far in my progress. Four words: Ralls County Bachelor Party. Nuff said.

Monday, March 23, 2009

First Fish of '09


What a day. I caught my first fish of the year- a 2.5 pound largemouth bass. Caught three fish total. Then I got the boys' bikes ready for riding season (Truman got a big boy bike with training wheels courtesy of his big brother.) My beautiful bride took over the chore list for the day since she was off work. I may go to the other neighbor's pond and try for some catfish this evening. And, to top it all off, I smell dinner cooking. And I didn't have to make it. What a day.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

My Mentor, My Friend

I was a band geek. I played trombone and was pretty good at it for someone who hated to practice. Aside from my family, there was only one person whose approval or disapproval mattered to me. His name was Craig Buck, my band teacher. But he was way more than a band teacher to me. He was a real role model. He carried himself with dignity, treated students with respect, and motivated me to be all that I could be as a musician.

After high school, my interest in playing waned and after selling both of my trombones to friends, I stopped playing altogether. I tried to learn bass guitar, acoustic six-string guitar, and the trumpet, but they weren't for me. I have occasionally thought about buying a used bone and starting up again, but never managed to pull the trigger. Lately, I have been searching for a new hobby to enjoy between battles with my two year old at the dinner table. Only one idea keeps popping up. "It's time to start playing again," the voice in my head keeps saying.

Thanks to facebook, I reconnected with my old friend and bandmate Brian Montgomery. I asked whatever happened to the old trombone I sold him in high school to help pay for my Monte Carlo. He said he donated it to the HHS band years ago and expressed his apologies. I told him "No worries" and that I would figure something else out. Well, I called my friend Shelly Taylor Bode who is the current vice-president of the Band Boosters and after some sleuthing, she informed me that my old horn is actually still there at the school! I contacted the new band director and proposed a mutually beneficial arrangement. In exchange for donating one or two newer horns, I would take back my old, faithful trombone. (He is looking into the legalities and procedures and promised to get back to me soon.) It seems like fate. I think I was meant to start playing MY old trombone again. I haven't seen that horn in 20 years, and now it's tantalizingly close. I'll keep you posted as I progress in the process.

Meanwhile, back to Craig Buck. I called him today after tracking down his number with more help from Shelly. We talked for quite a while and caught up. It was so good to hear my friend's voice. I mentioned to him that the annual Studio Jazz Ensemble spagetti supper (a tradition he started before he retired) is taking place at the HHS cafeteria on Monday, April 20th. He said, "I'll see you there." I can't wait to see him again after all these years. And he wants to see everyone. So, if you are a former HHS band geek and want to visit with our old friend Mr. Buck, then plan on attending. Also, that evening will kick off the "Jason Dugger Memorial Instrument Drive." I am asking that anyone who has an old, seldom played musical instrument in their closet, to donated it to the Hannibal band program to benefit the next generation of musicians. The donations will be made in Jason's name as a tribute to his love of music and as a way for his friends to honor his memory. This drive will continue until the end of the school year. If you can participate in this event, please email me dacoynol@yahoo.com and let me know if you plan to attend the spagetti dinner to visit with Mr. Buck and/or donate a used instrument.

I look forward to seeing my mentor/friend and all of my other band family soon.

Rocky 10

Day Ten was not a great day. No running, no push-ups, no jump rope. After battling with Truman to get him to drink some juice at lunchtime, I needed to vent. So I went downstairs and hit the heavy bag as hard and as often as I could for five minutes. I held nothing back. Apollo Creed could not have withstood my tiny fists of fury. Had it been our heavyweight title fight, he surely would have gone down in the first round- K.O.'d. I felt much better afterwards but by dinner time, Truman was repeating his same antics and I went out for the evening to get away. Next time I'll go for a long, endurance -building run rather than drive to the beer store.

Two year olds can be effective boxing trainers. Who knew?

Monday, March 09, 2009

Rocky Day 9

* Jumped rope 500 times
* Hit the heavy bag for 20 minutes

*Getting ready to crack open a Boulevard Brewery Bully Porter (or three) to ease the pain.

Also, I think I figured out what my 30 day challenge is going to be for the month of April. Stay tuned...

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Rocky 8

Just...ran...1.2 miles...dying...need...my...inhaler...and...beer...

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Rocky Workout, Day 7

* Jumped Rope 400 times.
* Worked the heavy bag for 30 minutes. (It's no side of beef, but I'm pretty sure Rocky would approve anyway. I bought a 40# Everlast punching bag and a pair of gloves today. It was a prestent for Alex as much as it was for myself. He spent quite a lot of time taking out his frustrations over "not being allowed to buy a Nintendo Gameboy.")

I think I am starting to feel some results after just one week of workouts. I have increased my runs from 300 yards to one mile. I have managed to improve my jump rope totals from 100 to 400 before I felt like dying. And when I worked on the bag, I never felt so tired that I thought I would pass out.

I will be ready to challenge Apollo for the title on April 1st.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Rocky 6

Day Six, Rocky Balboa Training Program:

* Took my kids to Grandma's house
* Took my wife to the ol' Heidelberg
* Drank a pitcher of Fat Tire Amber Ale
* Ate a platter of chili cheese nachos

Bring on Apollo.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Rocky 5

Holy Shit. I'm tired.

* Jumped rope 300 times
* Did 60 push-ups
* ran One Mile in 10 minutes flat

Beer...

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Rocky 4

* Jumped rope 275 times (including 61 in a row)
* Did 50 push-ups
* Ran 3/4 mile in 6:57

* Bought beer
* Gonna watch MU-OU game and pass out on the couch

Ouch.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Rocky 3

Day Three:

* Jumped rope 250 times (Including 53 hops in a row without messing up)
* Did 40 push-ups
* Ran half mile in 5 minutes flat
* Didn't die

I need a beer.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Rocky 2

Day Two:

* Jumped rope 200 times
* Did 35 Push-ups
* Ran 6 laps around our circle drive. One lap = exactly 100 yards for a total of 600 yards or 1/3 mile.

* Oh, and I ate 10 pancakes for lunch and about a pound of Chinese food for dinner. Do you know what they call Chinese food in China? Food.

I'm gonna go puke now.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Getting Stronger

30-Day Rocky Balboa Workout Program, Day One:

* Jumped rope 100 times
* Did 25 Picture Perfect Push-ups
* Shadow boxed for five minutes
* Nearly died of massive coronary