Dance

Podcasts

I know I am assuming that you have an iPod here, sorry. I have found out why people have taken to these little gadgets. I have had one for about a year or so. Sure, it is nice to have a boat load of music in one smaller-than-thinkable device. But, I actually have a different reason for being hooked on this thing. Ever since I have owned it, I have been downloading "Podcasts" If you haven't heard of a Podcast, let me give a brief explanation. They are either audio or video segments that different people and companies put out for your enjoyment. Most of the time they are free. ( I have never paid for one) I have downloaded some of the coolest and most enlightning things along with some that are pure entertainment. For instance, I have one called "The Weekend Puzzle" from NPR. If you listen to NPR on Sunday mornings, you know the show. They Podcast the entire program for you to listen to when you can. I have never listened on Sunday mornings, never. Yet I have listened to pretty much every show for the last 8-10 months. That is NPR broadening its audience. Also, I download a Podcast from Comedy Central that is a 30-90 second portion of a comedian's stand up routine. More often than not, they are histerical. You can find music to work out to, I reccomend, Cadence Revolution. I even subscribe to a Podcast that shows how to cook a healthy "real" meal in 5 minutes. Anyway, if you don't have access to Podcasts, sorry. This is a whole new genre of media that is extending some brands of entertainment. I really enjoy it, I hope you do also. If you'd like to, I bet you could download iTunes and just listen on your computer. Toodles

Bipedality

Running, why running? Why not lifting weights more, or juno... maybe yoga? Why running? There is something so enjoyable about hitting the trail for a solid run. 

Part of it is the exercise, of course. Getting your heart beating, the labored breathing and various parts of your body abused knowing that this will only make you stronger. 

I think the other part, the larger part is the mental part of running. Outside of having to look for traffic, running on the safe side of the road and jumping over curbs you really don't have to think.  In fact, you can let your mind wander off to some very creative, productive and even self-reflective places.  I routinely run at night, something too about the night, the silence.  The Norman Rockwell scenes in the picture windows.  

I digress.  

Running allows your mind to do things that otherwise you don't do.  Just think.  Or maybe better said, think about everything.  I have remembered things I needed to do, forgot to do and thought of things I should do.  I have thought about my life, my family, strangers, friends, collegues and just about whatever pops into this uninhabited skull of mine.  Debriefing from the day.  I have heard others call it a stress relief outlet.  I don't know about that, I rarely notice a difference in my stress level after compared to before a good hearty run.  Moreso, you can't be unhinged by things like a TV, computer or phone calls.  I think this is why I have never joined a running club or done much runnig with others.  I look at them and think, then I'd have to engage in conversation... while I'm running?  

That is the whole point, to get away!  

Do not misunderstand, not necessarily away from people, just away.  I enjoy going for a run the most during those moments when I am already alone. 

'tis my point!  

Running gives me something more than just being alone, it is my "vehicle" to productive thought.  I should point this out, this may be the most profound part of it.  It is almost impossible to be negative while going for a run.  Think about it, you just got off your buttootski to go do something that is good for you, how can negative thoughts creep into that energy. 

They can't!

What is it for you?  Do you have something that does for you what running does for me?

Green causes

Maybe because I am getting older, maybe because of the media I ingest and books I read, lastly, maybe because it's true. Whatever the reason, I have noticed myself becoming more and more aware of environmental waste. You know, the little things that we can do every day to do our part in the greater good of saving the world! (purposely over-dramatic) That being said, the more you pay attention to it the more you start to think some people have just plain lost their mind. I started watching a program on T.V. called "Invention Nation". I great show if you get the Science channel. The ideas behind the show are to highlight backyard inventors that are coming up with ideas that may never get mass appeal, for whatever reason. But, the ideas are all incredible! Making a refrigerator that works on sound waves, or a dairy that uses the cow dung to power its entire outfit, how about using outside air to cool freezers in cold climates. Seriously, here in ND, do we really need to power a freezer unit 6 months out of the year? Probably not, just blow in the outside air. Duh? It has really sparked some intriguing ideas within my teeny tiny grey matter. Then I start to do some checking, on the Internet mostly. I am looking for "green" ideas and ways to do my small part. I believe, with very few sacrifices, one could become totally energy self-sufficient. Wind power, solar power, even hydro-power. You know really going the distance to do your part.

Then you notice these knuckle heads in your community or those ranting on the Internet about the "evil consumers". You know the ones that roll their eyes at your water bottle, non-hybrid vehicle or, heaven forbid, SUV.

I tend to be on the side of Green. It disturbs me some to see entire shores of our lakes rid of trees to throw up these weekend get-aways. In communities, I do wish we could utilize existing buildings rather than raze them to build parking garages.

But it's when you go from Green living to Green Snob. That is when you've gone too far. I say, live your life, love your life. This is the new social "nose up-turn", the "I'm an environmentalist" and you suck because you aren't.
Live and let live people. You do your part, forget about those who either choose not to, or are may a little to ignorant to know better. If you have a better idea, get involved in the process. Don't save your ideas for the "blog-o-sphere" and boutique organic coffee shops.

Photo courtesy Flickr: Batram

Rep. Pomeroy Representing ND

Happy Halloween

Here are the Jack-o-lanterns that Kya, Quinn and I carved for Halloween this year.

Kya in the dirt

I am doing "a little landscpaing" at the lake. Kya seemed to really enjoy the pile of black dirt I have on the lot. For a girl that wouldn't have a grain of dirt on her hands just a couple short months ago, she sure has gotten broken in out at the lake.

1st day of Pre-school

Here is a picture of Kya and Jackson (cousin) at their first day of Pre-school in north Fargo. Note the abundance of pink on the little lady. Jackson has been enjoying going to Pre-school with his best friend and cousin Kya. They sang "I'm a little tea pot".

Start 'em young!

Alright, now that is what I call a "go-getter". She has emails to reply to, voice mails to listen to, notes from a conference call to review and she can do all that from the comfort of PJs with feet! Did I mention that her boss is constantly getting after her to take the pacifier out of her mouth while she is addressing the group, I guess that really ticks him off!
Here is Quinn, our gadget girl. She love to get into Mom's computer and cell phone.

Sleepy Quinn

CAN

Jackson shooting the Basketball @ Happy Joe's

A clip from Minneapolis news story

Here is a news clip from WCCO in Minneapolis on the ProDisc-L. This is one of the devices that I sell for Synthes. Thought you may find it interesting.
http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=25187@wcco.dayport.com

The Girls

Here are a couple pictures of the ladies. I know I will catch some hell from the first one of Kya and Quinn because of nothing in Kya's hair to keep it out of her eyes, c'mon little slack would be appreciated. Did you know you have to put those in like everyday! It is a picture by the stairs which always keep Quinn on the edge of her game. She wants so badly to be able to fly down the stairs like her big sister, not yet, but soon! She is walking and getting around very well. She has been walking for about 3-4 weeks and seems to have given up crawling like moving from the JV to Varsity.

The second picture is a typical happy Quinn, a mouth open so wide she once accidentally caught a barn swallow.

We here at the Benson's, Post 58104, would like to wish everyone a very optimistic and enjoyable spring. I'm sure everyone is as excited as we are to enjoy the summer.

Mitch

Hola!

At the end of February The Welks and Jen & I took a trip south, to the Riveria Maya just south of Cancun, Mexico. This first picture is by the pool at the resort. It was a pretty amazing pool, probably about 1 city block in lenght. It had many bridges that went over it and it had 2 swim-up bars. On the first day we were there, Rick and I participated in a water balloon fight! They filled up balloons about 1/4 water and the rest air, we had to through them back and forth over a volleyball net, the team with the most balloons on their side after 1 minute (or so) lost. I was suprised just how fun this was, many of the balloons broke in your hand as you were trying to throw them and many burst when they landed on the head of you foe on the other side. None the less, everyone had smiles from ear to ear for the whole "fight". The next picture is of the dolphin interaction area. This was on a small island called "Isla Majerus" or Island of the Women, about a 30 minute ferry ride off the coast of Cancun. This rec area is right in the ocean water and each of the pens has dolphins in it. The large area in the background is where all four of us swam with the dolphins. You hear about this being such an amazing experience and how the dolphins are so smart and interactive and so on. I have to tell you, its all true! We had a great time kissing them, dancing with them, splashing back and forth and talking with them. But the truely memorable part is when you are literally swimming with them. At one point they had us, one at a time, float in the water with our feet hanging down and our arms out like we are a "T". Then two dolphins, one on each side, swim on either side of your and you hold on to the dorsal fins while they tow you along. Even better yet, and this one you have to watch our DVD to fully appreciate, they do a "Dolphin push". This one, you float on the water belly down and legs locked. Then two dolphins each put their nose in the balls of your feet and push you up! You are standing out of the water straight up in the air! No effort on your part other than to keep your legs straight. You would think you would have to balance or something? No. Just stand there as they carry you for about 25 yards. Awesome! Regard to say, we all had a great week in Mexico. If you could just take out the travel time and headaches, it would be perfect. I know for a fact we will be going back, so anyone who wants to go to Mexico keep us and Rick & Mandy in mind. We're game!

Christmas and the New Year

Here are some recent pictures of the kids. Here is Quinn on her new rocking chair. Kya is enjoying the latest and greatest Blues Clues on her new DVD player. As you can see, it didn't take Kya very long to get comfy with the DVD player. We had a great holiday season, they were busy as is expected, but this year Kya really got into the whole Christmas thing. Quinn made it her mission to find every last little piece of scotch tape and try to eat it. We did the family fun a.k.a. White Elephant present exchange at both Jen's moms and Mitch's mom's family gatherings. It is now confirmed Mitch is the worst White Elephant player ever! It is too long of a story to explain here, but let me just tell you this I have drawn #2 every time I have played!

Jen and I have had a very busy January gallivanting across the country traveling for work. For my work I have crammed a years worth of travel into one month, but I have to say spending an extended weekend in Redondo Beach, CA (LA) was very nice. Along with running on the "strand" by the ocean every day, I was able to catch up with a great friend of ours, Kit and see the town a little. Thanks Kit! This week has been interesting for us, this is the first time that we have both been away at the same time. Grandma "Nana" & Auntie Jaime took the duties for the four days we were both gone.

Quinn is growing up fast, as they all seem to. She just recently started to do Baby Signs. She can ask for milk, ask for "more" and say "all done". It seems like yesterday that her belly-button fell off. Kya is adjusting to being a big sister. She loves everything about it, from helping Quinn out and showing how to do stuff to tormenting her by simply holding onto her blanket so Quinn can't have it. I think this is in the 1st Child handbook... sound familiar Chad??? As you can see from the pictures, life it treating us very well. We have two fun, happy and healthy little ladies that enlighten our lives daily.

ATV Ride

A couple Sundays ago the weather was just too perfect to stay close to home, so I grabbed Kya and Jackson (my nephew) and we headed for the outdoors. We made our way south of town and found some open space to roam. Since they both loved to ride in the front we had to stop occasionally to switch them around. Don't worry we stayed on nice level land and I was sure to stay clear of any little cliffs or dramatic drop-offs. They had a great time and could hardly contain themselves when we were just getting started. They especially loved pointing out all the things we saw on the way out. We saw some really neat old barns, we saw some combines in action, we even saw some field on fire. They thought that was wild. One time we went over this really old iron bridge that had a max load of 6,000 lbs with the truck and they both were glued to their windows as we idled over it, looking at the small creek below. I took quite a few pictures and I'm sure Jen's new passion of scrapbooking will dedicate a page to "The ATV trip".

Pictures

Here are a couple pics for you to enjoy. The first on is of Jackson and Kya hanging out on my newly built shelves above the stairway in our garage. Brave little souls, don't ya think. The other is of Kya's pre-school project. She made some elephant ears and is more that happy to show them off.

From my phone, with irony.

Hey all, get this I forgot my computer at home. (I'm gone on a small business trip) So I am sitting here wondering about this blog and whether I can access it from my phone. Holy speezwaz Swenson, I can! Now I am sitting here in my hotel thumb typing away like crazy. My thumbs haven't gotten a workout like this since running circles around Chad's Vikings with Sweetness and the Bears on a tailback sweep on Tecmo Bowl. I know t has been a while since I have updated this blog, sorry. I hope everyone has enjoyed our perfect summer and fall, I have. Jennifer, Kya, Quinn & I have had a great summer at the lake, especially since Chad is the Big Cheese in Hankinson (where we have a Lake lot). It has been great having them so close, still wish there was more time for getting together. I am experiencing major thumb fatigue. Gotta go. I will be back!!! Mitch

Well hello there...

Well well well, Mr. Benson it is about time you come back and maintain your little blog. There I said it for you. Sorry it has been so long since I checked in. Crazy times. New job. Second child.

Synergistic. That is how I describe adding another child. It definitly is not 1+1. It somehow compounds the workload much more than that. And to think Chad and Kristy, along with some good friends of mine, Shawn and Gwendy, just added #4 to the mix. ZZZZZZZZZZZ I just took a quick 10 minute nap just thinking about it! Quinn has been such a blessing for us, she is a gem of a child. I have to admit the joy she steals from us between 10 pm and 6 am she makes up for the rest of the day. She may not sleep through the night, yet. But during the day she is one of the most smiley happy babies on Earth. Kya has taken to being a big sister well. She takes the roll seriously, regular picking just to let Quinn know who was here first. Just tonight while taking a bath with Quinn, Kya was "helping" out by washing Quinn up. She was doing a great job lathering up the pudgey one and then just because put a little heap of sudds on Quinns nose. A little more than would be a cute Kodak moment, just enough for Quinn to get annoyed. What can you do? She loves everything about being the big sister.

That's all I have for now. Don't be a stranger, I will be checking in sooner than you think. MAB