Today I had an eye check-up to renew my contact lens prescription. The Doctor recommended "Progressive Lenses" for my contacts and glasses. Turns out that "Progressive Lenses" are a trick way of saying "Bifocals." GREAT. Another sign of advancing age.

So, I thought this would be a good time to share upcoming events that I am planning.

1. In two weeks I have to go to Puerto Vallarta on business (no, really!). While I am there, I WILL be doing the Zip Line tour that Julie speaks of so highly. I did this a few years ago and it was one of the neatest things I have ever done.

2. It turns out that if I'm willing to sit in coach on a long flight, that I can make a side trip to Utah on my way to Puerto Vallarta, so I will be squeezing in two back-to-back days of skiing in Utah on my way to Mexico. Everybody pray for a lot of snow to fall over the next two weeks!!!

3. Once again I will be doing the Muddy Buddy this year. This is a team event where teammates "leap frog" one another on a 7-mile course, alternating between running and mountain biking, completing various obstacles and challenges along the way. The final obstacle at the end of the race is to crawl on your belly through a mud pit to the finish line. Pictures from last year's Muddy Buddy are in my photo gallery. You can get information about the Muddy Buddy at their website, www.muddybuddy.com. The Muddy Buddy is run at various venues around the country. If you are interested, check and see if they are running one in your area!

4. I have registered for the Mt. Marathon Race on July 4th in Seward, Alaska. [Note to OneTallMama: Have you heard about this race?] They only have a limited number of entries available, so my name will be entered into a lottery to see if I get to enter the race. There will probably be somewhere between a 10% and 25% chance of being accepted, depending on the number of entrants. This race runs 1.5 miles up the mountain, climbing 3,022 feet, then turns around and you run (slide?) back down the mountain. Click here for information on the Mt. Marathon Race. You can also look at PHOTOS OF THE MT. MARATHON RACE to see how rugged and beautiful this course is, and you can even see some of the entrants bleeding!!! You may need to enter "Mt. Marathon Race" into the search box.

This Mt. Marathon race is the event about which I am most excited. I hope that I get accepted!!!

Now, if this isn't deparate attempt to cling to my youth, I don't know what is!!!

Some time ago, I scolded my surgeon. I told him that it was represented to me prior to my surgery that this weight loss surgery would prolong my life. I told him that it may have the opposite effect as I just might kill myself doing something stupid now!!!

MOUJ, you really lead an exciting life! I am exhausted just looking at what you are up to. Best of luck to get accepted in the event of your dreams and have some pictures taken so we can all live vicariouslythrough you!

MOUJ: I was actually there for that marathon the summer before my surgery. It looked pretty intense for part of it, especially the coming down part--lots of people getting cut up on the gravel. If you're out to win your division, prepare for stitches! Reminds me of a quote by Bill Cosby: "you are not a grown up as long as you have skinned up knees." Good luck in your battle to never become a grown up! I wish you perpetually "skinned up" knees and a heart that pounds with the thrill of living!

You're freaking amazing! All of this wild fun, a big boy job, family of...what...14 now??? and you make time to visit us here in this itty bitty Neighborhood. I'm proud to call you my pain-in-the-butt-virtual-brother.
xoxo