Put In Context

jessinmadison: Proposed paid maternity leave laws! It’s about...

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:52:18 -0600

Proposed paid maternity leave laws! It’s about fucking time, America. Welcome to the land of EVERY OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED NATION IN THE WORLD.

http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2012/12/why-paid-leave-could-pass-in-obamas-second-term-americans-want-it/265831/

Oh my God!!!!! New Ice Age.

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:30:23 -0600

Oh my God!!!!! New Ice Age.

So you're in your mid 30's, now what?

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:58:00 -0600

I have an awesome friend, Megan, who wrote the post that I just reblogged. She is will soon be 28 and has set a bunch of goals of things to do before 30. Megan also requested that anyone who is over 30 should given her some encouragement/advice. I’m not much on advice, I’ve made plenty of mistakes and couldn’t hope to tell another person how to live, but I would like to take the opportunity to share my observations about life after 30.

Since turning 30 my wife gave birth our our daughter, I ran the Tough Mudder, went to the first funeral for the parent of a close friend, my job was eliminated, I went on unemployment, ran the Tough Mudder again, sold my house, moved to a new state, got a new job, lived with my in-laws, and now I’m buying my second house.

Aside from going to war in Iraq at the age of 23, this past 24 months has been the biggest roller-coaster-ride of my life. Even with everything that has happened I can still say that I feel more centered and more like myself than I’ve ever felt in my life. I know who my friends are, and who those who are just really fun to be around when I can. I also finally understand that how I want my life to be measured is in how I have fulfilled and enriched the lives of those that I care about.

I’ve been told by my wife that I sometimes don’t give myself credit for what I have accomplished, so in the spirit of Megan’s post here are two lists, awesome accomplishments to date and a list of 35 Before 35.

Significant Accomplishments:

Father
Married for 9 years
Sergeant in the United States Army - Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal (x2), Expert Marksman (Pistol & Rifle)
Tough Mudder (x2)
Twin Cities 10 Mile Run (x2)
Graduated from the only university I ever wanted to attend (This was harder for me than for most of my really smart friends)
Certified EMT for 8 years
Traveled through 9 countries
Professional in Human Resources Certification
Everyday I tell my wife and daughter that I love them

Alright, now for the tough part.

35 Before 35

Sprint triathlon
3 Day hike in in the Porcupines by myself
Finish the basement
Read to Annabelle every day
Explore at least 1 new place every week in my new city
Get my SPHR certification
Start additional education
Eat less
Eat better
Read more Frost
Visit 15 MN state parks
Do 5 pull-ups
Maybe have another child?
Go camping, just me and my daughter
Visit Canada
Take a trip with my wife for our 10th anniversary
Volunteer at the VA hospital
Learn how to cross country ski
Sing again
Do 10 pull-ups
Do the GORUCK Challenge
Do one last Tough Mudder
See the Grand Canyon
Take a cooking or art class with my wife
See a Green Bay Packer game at Lambeau Field
Join a new gym
Restart Get Down Give Back
Get involved at my daughter’s school
Go to China
Start mountain biking again.
Criticize less
Read more Hemingway
Design a garment for myself
Call my mom once a week
Cook something new as often as possible

I’m looking forward to the next couple of years and what the future might bring. What about you?

megan in madison: 30 Things To Do Before I Turn Before 30

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 08:03:39 -0600

megan in madison: 30 Things To Do Before I Turn Before 30:

meganinmadison:

A post I’ve been wanting to write for months. Here goes.

The world has promised I won’t be getting any younger.

Indeed, I am not.

I’m soon going to celebrate my 28th year in the big beautiful world. My 28th birthday looms ahead of me on April 30, 2013. That means I will be two years…

youbroketheinternet

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 08:18:35 -0600

youbroketheinternet

Custom Natural Veg Tanned Bifold

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:47:48 -0500

Custom Natural Veg Tanned Bifold

I absolutely love this. boniverotica: Bon Iver and Ryan Gosling...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:46:42 -0500

I absolutely love this.

boniverotica:

Bon Iver and Ryan Gosling went for a walk around the pond. They each brought me a present. Ryan brought me a pretty rock. Bon Iver brought me the clean skull of a tiny animal, perfectly preserved.

Something new I’m working on.

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:42:42 -0500

Something new I’m working on.

Everything

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:18:56 -0600

Everything

Plans

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:16:42 -0600

Plans

Own and love. thesigother: (via Destination | Apolis: Common...

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:46:00 -0600

Own and love.

thesigother:

(via Destination | Apolis: Common Gallery, Los Angeles | new grass)

I love the UW-Madison Badgers. Found some old school Roos to...

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:12:01 -0500

I love the UW-Madison Badgers. Found some old school Roos to show my team spirit. My tweeps Meg and Joe also showing some school spirit in this photo.

nedhepburn: I’m glad we finally got back at the Libyans for...

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:46:28 -0500

nedhepburn:

I’m glad we finally got back at the Libyans for killing Doc Brown all the way back in 1985. That’s why we’re doing this, right? I forget why we’re involved in Libya. I’m assuming it has something to do with Back To The Future.

washingtonpoststyle: Dan: “You know, I am missing my legs. Is...

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:49:52 -0500

washingtonpoststyle:

Dan: “You know, I am missing my legs. Is that an issue?”

Rebecca: “I never dated a guy because he had nice knees. But I do like nice arms.”

Love after war. Photo by Nikki Kahn (TWP)

WIREDInsider: MAKE YOUR DIRECTORIAL DEBUT

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:42:31 -0500

WIREDInsider: MAKE YOUR DIRECTORIAL DEBUT:

wiredinsider:

Video courtesy of YouTube

It’s easier than ever to film your own movie masterpiece. OK, so maybe “masterpiece” is a strong word. Maybe stupid YouTube video that you and your friends watch over and over again is more appropriate. Either way, here are a few programs that will make your…

Photo

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:30:17 -0500

whiskeysoaked: The Internet Always Wins Always

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:06:07 -0500

whiskeysoaked:

The Internet

Always Wins

Always

Picked this up a few weeks back. Yobokies does unreal mod work.

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:44:19 -0500

Picked this up a few weeks back. Yobokies does unreal mod work.