Updates have been few and far between around here!  I can't remember the last time I did a personal update, but i don't think it's been this year!  I was trying to make an update at least once a month before.  Let me see what I can recap for you...

The wedding plans go well.  We set up TallHalls.com for the wedding blog and information leading up to the event on September 5th, 2009.  I guess I need to get around to posting there as well...

I sold the truck last week.  Moved Kallie's car onto my insurance and we're officially a single car couple.  Kallie will be driving to work once she switches jobs, but I walk, and I'm pretty sure we'll be able to manage fairly easily with just 1 car.  I barely drove the truck anyway.

We're heading to Sacramento for Easter for a week.  Should be fun to spend time with everyone out there again!  I think they're planning Kallie a bridal shower, so everyone should be in.  With that in mind, there are so many events planned in the next few months!  A friend's wedding this saturday, Easter in California, Greek Easter with the Galis family the following weekend, talks of going camping sometime, another bachelor party in may, then the wedding the last weekend, an Avett Brothers concert or two, maybe a trip to DC or two, and i'm sure work is going to take away some weekend time as well.

Work goes well.  Finally got the bump in salary I was waiting for since last year.  That will help out with wedding funds for sure.  Especially since Deirdre's the only one living with me in the house now.  Plans are to start moving my desk and other items into the room across the hall from me and turn it into an office/guest bedroom.  I've actually been A LOT of time in my room trying to get crap cleaned out and make room for Kallie.  I want to get started on that as soon as possible because it will make it a lot less stressful when she's ready to move in.  Right now, I'm able to go at my own pace, little by little.

I've also purchased P90x. to get my butt in shape for the wedding/beach season.  I don't want to start until we get back from California, but I've done a few sessions of it just to get the feel for it, and it's perfect for me.  It's very intense and very scalable to fit what shape you're in.  I lack the motivation to come up with my own routine, and certainly lack the dedication to stick to a program that I created.  It's so easy to just pop in a dvd, do whatever he does for an hour, and then be done.  I know a bunch of people that have gone through the program and they love it.  The biggest problem for me will be the nutritional side and eating.  I don't eat.  It comes with a nice guide there, and Kallie says she'll help take responsibility for that.  I'll be sure to take the pictures, but I'm not sharing them until I see results.  I'd really love to be able to dunk again this year, finish a 5k under 20 minutes, and do the urbanathlon again, but under 90 minutes.

I've been pretty quiet on the music front.  I have a few tracks done, that i just need to polish and post to myspace, but it's hard to find the time to dedicate.  I've been trying to set up a time to go play open mics with Ben Beitzel, so stay tuned for some live dates.

The LEGO class wrapped up, and it was a total blast.  They said the kids loved it too, and they want me to come back next year.  I plan on doing that, but I'd also like to take a stab at making art using bricks as a medium.  That whole idea is laced with legal problems, as I've heard from Nathan Sawaya, but I think I want to start of donating pieces for auction and seeing what kind of feedback I get.  We'll see how that goes.

Other than that, I feel great, staying positive, staying motivated, staying productive, growing in fellowship and communion with Christ, growing with Kallie, learning from Kallie, enjoying life for what it is, and trying to keep it all going.

Note to self - Call off work the month of December.  You will not be able to get anyone to do any work, even if they are in the office, so just avoid the frustration completely.  That's basically how I feel right now.  I had my first project fail last Saturday, and now I have to finish it tomorrow, when I was supposed to be off.  and when I say "have to" I mean, failure is not an option with this project.  I coined a new phrase with this project, "Screw dotting my i's and crossing my t's, I'M JUST GOING TO WRITE IN ALL CAPS."

How about that open mic that Ben and I were supposed to play last week didn't happen.  The BBT, or Bloomfield Bridge Tavern actually had a fire back in October and they've been closed for repair, even though they still have shows booked on their site.  Oh well.  We ended going over to Jordan's and just playing there for some friends.

Speaking of going over to Jordan's, we had our first Beer snob Christmas party this past Tuesday.  I think there were 12 of us total, all brought a case of a micro brew or import beer and we went around swapping bottles to build our own mixed case.  Lots of fun.  I took a mix case of Left Hand Brewing.  I had an ESB at in philly and really enjoyed it, and come on, it's a left hand.   You had me at "Hello."

I'm off to Kallie's Mom's place near Sacremento from the 24th until the 30th.  So crazy to be in a relationship where our families are across the country from one another.  It's sure fun at times, but there are certainly downsides.  Not sure of any plans yet, just spending time with family in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and probably Lake Tahoe too.  I'll be sure to take lots of pictures.

Aside from that, I've been getting involved with a small group from Bellefield and going to the Open Door.  Probably look to get baptized (finally) in the new year.  Keren just got baptized last week, and it was a pretty emotional thing for sure.  I'm so blessed to have such a great family and great support structure.

 

My how the time flies.  I was originally going to title this post "Wake me up, when September ends"  but we're way past that point already.  The alarm has been ringing all month long for me to wake from my slumber, but I've been dreaming and watching everything move at the speed of life.

First off, the race went very well.  I did it in just under 2 hours and andy did it in just over 80 minutes.  I learned that I do not have the mind of a competitive runner that day.  I definitely want to keep working and pushing my physical abilities though.  I’m hoping for an 80 minute run next year.  I was able to clear the taxi at the end though, something that I guess no one else was able to do.  Here’s a picture of that. 

Things with Kallie continue to grow.  She got a job here in the ER at Children’s Hospital and starts November 10^th.  She’s also got a nice place a few blocks from my house in the Bedford hill apartments.  We’ve been traveling since she’s come here, so we haven’t had a chance to find a church together yet, but it’s certainly a top priority.  She still has a lot of logistics on her plate, and I’m sure she misses everyone from Philly, so I’m trying to stay supportive, encouraging, and respectful.  I am finding that I can suck at all 3 of those.

How about 4 people I know got engaged 2 weekends ago?  Tis the season?  Keren was one of them.  They’re planning their big fat greek wedding already.  Sounds…interesting.

I’ve just been so jammed packed with activity and travel that I haven’t had much time for music or for trying for my MBA.  Work has been stressful as well with the market in the shape it’s in.  More updates to come as they are revealed.

Birthday is coming up…turning 26…I was telling Kallie the other day, I’m actually feeling good about this birthday, and that’s highly uncharacteristic of me.  I’m seeing 26 as a point of distinguished and responsible status and I’m happy to reach that level.  No definite plans though, usually I take the week off and travel somewhere, but I don’t think I have money for that this year, with that $1500 truck bill I had last month.  I really have to track down those holes in my pockets…

Alright, here we go.  In less than 24 hours, I'll be in manhattan running my butt off and climbing 55 flights of stairs in world trade tower 7.  I'm so not as prepared as I wanted to be.  Laziness, vacation, and other distractions are my excuses.  I'll probably get to my friend Ross' in Brooklyn around 10 tonight, get up at 5am, take the subway over to be at Central Park at 6:30am with a race start of 7am.  The race is a 3 mile run, then some hurdles and pipe crawls, a 4 mile run, then some monkey bars, then up the stairs, then a 2 mile run to jump over taxis and a wall to the finish line.  Here's the website if you want a better description: menshealthurbanathlon.com.  Wish me luck!

you know, I should really make an effort to make personal updates what I have something to say instead of these dull posts that just fade into archives and the history of me never to be read again, as if they were a polaroid photo where everyone has red eye...

anyway.  Drove out to delaware this past saturday with mumsy to check out serah's new house.  It's actually pretty cute.  I like it.  small 1 floor house, but the basement is huge and unfinished, so they can easily double their living space and equity.  good stuff.  Kallie met us there then we headed down to DC together to hang out with friends.  Then up to Philly for some more friends and socializing.  basically the weekend was a lot of driving and a lot of people.

So...Kallie's moving to pittsburgh...not entirely sure when, but it's going to be great.  Gotta help her find a place, since we both think it's probably not wise for her to move in.  Well...she needs to a find a job too...that would be helpful.  Thinks are in the works though.  Things go well on that front though.  I'm excited.

Training continues for the urbanathlon on sept 27th in new york.  I'm actually going to NY next week for work on the 9th, 10th, and 11th (great day to fly out of NY, right?)  and I plan to do a trail run of the course.  I'll see if i can get into WTC 7, since it's right across the office.  I hope they at least let me look at the stairwell to see what I'm up against.  crazy stuff.

Alright, first things first.  I ran my first ever 5k on Saturday.  I finished in pretty much 30 minutes flat.  I crossed the line at ~30:09 and I was in the back of the starting line, so take some time to cross the line.  It was on mount washington's grandview drive, and then part of that hill that connects it to the liberty tunnel, so there were some crazy hills that i was not prepared for.  I definitely walked some of those hills.  I also ran 6 miles in an hour last thursday, so I'm feeling a little less worried about Urbanathlon.  My goal was just to finish it without being last, but if i keep going like this, i might actually be able to build a goal time and work on shaving time off of that.  I know the stairs are going to kill me, so i might start practicing on the 44 stories of the office building.  Wish me luck!

Now, as some of you may be in the loop, i've encountered a wonderful lady friend.  Ask me someday about how we met and i'll tell you the story in person.  Anyway, we've had nothing but fun in the past month or so.  We've got a lot to learn about each other, and a lot of tough ground to cover, but I think she's amazing.  I'm flying out to the state of california this friday to meet her family and such since her brother is getting married.  We're going to go to disneyland and have a great time.  I'll report back when I get back. 

Finally got my raise i was expecting at work too.  I'm going to keep trying to make more than twice my age, then i can retire with my goal of making 6 figures.  I'm not driven by money, i would just like to say that i made 6 figures.  Work's getting better too.  I've got a lot of projects, so i'm keeping very busy. 

Going to the warped tour with erik on tuesday.  I havent been there since i was in high school I think.  can't say that i'm excited to spend my day off there, but oh well.  Maybe i'll take a book and read on the lawn.  How old would that make me look?  fun stuff.

Josh Hall project show coming up on august 24th...and we have yet to practice.  tim is talking about staying out in philly for an extra week.  I'm going to be away until the 11th, and andy has family coming in around the 15th or so and they want to take a trip that would have carried into the show, but he'll come back for it, even though he wants to be away for as long as he can before...so basically it comes down to us MAYBE getting 1 or 2 practices together...this is going to be interesting for sure.

Really, I have to give it up to my body for the past month or so.  It's been through a lot, especially in the past week!  I have poison all over my legs, probably have some sort of sinus infection following a cold a week ago, and I've added a weight routine inbetween days of my ~4 mile runs.  It's been in a constant state of healing for a while now, and it's doing a great job.  Even been getting more sun than normal from soccer and the runs.  Good job, body, keep up the good work.  There's still a rough road ahead of us to get where we need to be for the urbanathlon, or california beach appearance...but each day gets us a little closer.

As for the rest of me, doing pretty well.  I missed a week of work from the tooth surgery, then a short holiday week from the 4th of july, then another week off for staycation.  I was going to go to yankanuck with Deirdre, mom & chris, and even mike, serah, and Josie, but I decided to sit it out and save money for when i will really need it.  All i would do at yankanuck would be play music and read.  I got a lot done though, and things actually worked out very well for me by staying back.  More on that in the future.

Got a lot coming up too.  Josh Hall Project plays at the Cornerstone Kickoff on august 24th, and unlike instruments where you just have to learn the song and you're good, vocals need to be in shape to sing.  So that needs to start NOW.  Need to take a trip up to see grandma.  I've also decided to sell all 4 of my lollapalooza tickets, with a minor loss, so that I can fly to California for that week.  Details to come, but I'm excited for what might be a new chapter...or even expansion pack, to my life.  I try to keep my head on my shoulders and heart in place for the time being, but I'm praying for open eyes to see what God wants to reveal to me.

I guess it's time for one of these.  I didn't post anything in may, so let's see...

New job...is rough at times.  No the work itself, but the people I work with.  There's some serious tension in the group, and I don't see it getting any better until *something* gives.  It's a little ridiculous and unprofessional at times.  Not to mention I didn't get the raise I was looking for.  It's work though, and it's a good place to be to make a move when I decide the time is right.

I've decided to make a summer goal of getting in shape for the urbanathlon in new york on september 27th.  andy vargo did it last year in chicago, and it really piqued my interest.  It's a 7.2 mile race, but throughout the course, there are obstacles like jumping over taxi hoods, and median barriers, and park walls and such, and then at the end you have to run up 52 flights of stairs at world trade tower 7, so it works out to some 8.5 miles.  Pretty intense, right?  I think it will be awesome.  I'm not trying to compete, just finish it.  If I can get myself in shape for this thing, I'm really curious to see how I'll look and feel.  I really will be in the best shape I've ever been in.

I've also picked up fencing lessons in the past few weeks.  Chris Olivieri asked me how much of a geek I was when he called me one day, and I said high to moderate levels of geekiness were seen, and then he asked me if i wanted to take fencing lessons.  I busted out laughing.  It's actually pretty intense and fun.  I do feel like I'm learning a new skill, and I'm definitely getting a leg work out.  I could definitely see myself keeping a set of foils and masks in my closet for some outdoors fencing with friends.  I've done 2 out of 8 classes, so next time I should have a better idea of how good I am.

As far as music goes, nothing formal done with the penguins games going on.  I'll pick up some open mic shows next week and keep those going and I'd like to just have some jam sessions with redfield and see where things go from there.  We were asked to play the cornerstone kick off on sunday august 24th, and that will be awesome if everyone works out.  It would be right in the bellefield parking lot, right across from the towers in oakland, and our music would permeate all the dorms and such.  I'm hoping everything goes well.

Nothing too much planned for the summer, have some vacation time, but I don't think I'll go anywhere.  It's time to save money, and I traveled way too much last year.  Time to work on the homestead and read some books and such.

What a week!  I've accepted a new position at work this week, which is a bit of a promotion.  I've got a whole new team to work with and they seem pretty awesome so far.  The work itself is going to be extremely challenging, as in...what they heck am i doing here??? challenging...but I'll get the gist eventually, I hope.

Tonight is the show at the Robinson Clubhouse.  Take a look at the calendar for more details.  Should be a really good show from our side, but I'm having reservations about the venue's intentions and organization skills.  Unreturned calls, poor planning, saying one thing and doing another, not sticking to the plans that were agreed on, etc.  It's the first time they're having a live band though, so that will count for something I think.  It will be nice to get this out and done with but we have Tuesday's show right around the corner too.

Erik is doing well.  He just got a bicycle, so he'll be getting around pretty easily.  He's been very independent and adventurous, far beyond what I expected.  The best I can do is make myself available to him if he wants anything, but other than that, he's just as independent as any other person I've lived with.

I'm going to a meeting at Carnegie Mellon on saturday with a friend to get introduced to their MBA program.  I'm not overly optimistic i'd ever get in, but it'd be awesome to say I'm going to CMU.  I have to take those gstat tests or whatever they're called.  That, on top of any project managment certifications i'd want to take would be quite a lot of work load.