Two Funerals and a job

So work has been nuts for the past few weeks, but I feel like I am getting in to the swing of things now. Orientation Week went well, we had a lot of events and most of them had great turnout. The first couple weeks of school are usually super busy, but I always enjoy seeing all the students come back. There's something refreshing and hopeful about the beginning of a new school year. I just hope that this year goes a little better than last year. Unfortunately, it hasn't looked that way so far.

I have had to go to two different funerals in the past two weeks. In fact, it was 2 funerals in just 6 days. The first was for my uncle, who was 55, and the other was for a friend/schoolmate/co-worker who was just 25 years old. They were both great guys and anyone who ever met them probably never had a bad word to say about either of them. My uncle was a great father, brother, and grandfather. He taught me a lot about what it means to be a good man and to enjoy life. He was diagnosed with leukemia about two years ago and had struggled with his health ever since. But even though he was sick he came to visit my mom when she was having problems last year. He was always worried more about others than himself, and I admire that. My friend Matt has a very similar story, he was also diagnosed with leukemia about two years ago. He was also just a great guy, someone who would put everything down to help others. I played soccer with him a few times and he was as good a guy on the field as he was off. Even though he passed away young I know that those who have known him will never forget him.

It just gets me thinking about how two of the nicest guys I have ever met could be put through this. I know it was for a reason and that God has a plan, but it seems unfair to me. I know that they are both in a better place where their pain is gone, and that makes me happy, but I will always miss them.

Olympics Time!

Every four years I get very excited for the Summer Olympics. I like the idea of athletes competing at their highest levels to represent their country. Mostly, I watch for the swimming because I know a lot of the competitors or have at least heard of them. I would say that since Friday, the vast majority of my time outside of work has been spent watching the Olympics. I even go online and check the daily results while I'm at work...shhh. The games have been very exciting but also disappointing.

Most of the excitement came from the Men's 400 Free Relay....Wow! I was screaming at the TV in my apartment and cheering as Jason Lezak caught the French team after being down by .6 seconds, a lifetime in swimming. I was so excited to see the passion those guys showed, especially Weber-Gale. I so often think of Michael Phelps as a swimming robot, so it was nice to see him show some emotion. I think I was most excited for Cullen Jones and GW. I was also very excited to see Peirsol do so well in the 100 back, that guy is a machine. Also, Peter Vanderkay getting the bronze in the 200 Free was great, he deserves it. Finally, Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe has been swimming out of her mind. It's great to see her doing so well, because as my brother says, "she's a sweetheart."

Biggest disappointed has to be Brendan getting fourth in the 100 breast. He looked pretty good until the last 15 meters or so. I'm so sad for him because I know how hard he has worked and how quick he can go. If the Olympics were at this time last year we would have destroyed everybody, but I guess even the best have off years. I know he will keep swimming and know he will work even harder to get his world records back. Katie Hoff hasn't been swimming real well either. Luckily she has a few more events in order to get back on track.

I'm looking forward to the men's 400 medley relay, the men's 100fly which will be a shootout between Ian Crocker and Phelps, watching Eric Shanteau swim the 200 breast and hopefully medal, and seeing if GW can medal in the 100 or 50 free.

I'm a bad blogger!

Hey everyone-

I have been horrible about updating this thing, I can't believe it has almost been a year since my last post. Well this has been an exciting summer, but I will not bore you, here are just a few highlights:

• I went up to the state of Washington to visit Seattle and Spokane. What a beatiful part of the country. I got to see the Mariners play and visit a very good friend. Spokane is a neat city, and the Falls were amazing. I have a ton of pictures on facebook, and you should look at them.
• I went to Omaha for the US Olympic Swimming Trials because my little brother was swimming. It was a great few days with the family and my nephew Max. Craig did really well, and it was a great experience. I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished.
• My new nephew, Tyler Wayne Chapman, was born on July 11. From what I have heard he is like the perfect baby, and I am looking forward to meeting him.
• I spent less than 24 hours in South Bend, Indiana, and got to see Touchdown Jesus at Notre Dame.
• I saw comedian John Caparulo at the Capital City Comedy Club, and he was amazing. Probably the 2nd or 3rd best comic I have ever seen live.
• Went to the Kappa Chi Leadership Challenge in New Caney, Texas. There were over 70 young men from 6 states and 13 chapters there. It was a great weekend of worship and brotherhood.

I am going to try and be much better at updating this thing, hopefully at least once a week. The postings might be random sometimes, because I am a random guy, but hopefully it will help clear my head and entertain all of you.