Six months and counting…

Last night, the little lady and me celebrated six months of holy matrimony. It was pretty weird to think about the fact that we’ve already been married for six months; I can’t imagine the mind blow that one year is going to feel like. We went to dinner at The Villa, had dessert on the circle at South Bend Chocolate, and then stayed the night at The Stone Soup Inn bed and breakfast. It was actually a pretty awesome place, and we’ve decided it’s going to be our “we need to get away, but we don’t have time to get away” location in the future. Just a nice place, very homey and relaxing.

This past weekend was about as slow as possbile, with just alot of homework and a few meetings. This coming weekend feels like the exact opposite. Friday night, we’ll be going to the Pacers vs. Lakers with all of Holly’s Med School class. Then Saturday is an MBA get together in Broad Ripple, and all of that will be followed by THE COLTS IN THE SUPER BOWL on Sunday. We’re going over to Jim and Beth’s to watch the game, and Betsy and Andrew are going to be there too. It should be a lot of fun. Nerdy point though – I actually have an MBA group meeting Sunday from 1 to 3. How did that happen???

I’ve found myself having to work very hard to not be so forward looking towards Law school and August that I don’t concentrate on what’s going on here and now. I’m just ready to move into that phase of my life. I’ve already found a law firm that I want to do internships with and possibly work for, and I’m just way too ridiculously worked up considering I haven’t even taken a class yet. I’m ridiculous.

I can’t believe it’s almost February.

Thoughts at the closing bell:
* Peyton needs this win to finally get respect nationally, and he knows it. That equals a Super Bowl win.
* Tuesday – Thursday nights being full or school is getting old pretty quick. This fun weekend coming up is way past due.
* I really want to go camping. I just want to grap a pack and a sleeping bag and hit the trails. For about a month. I have time for that, right?
* I miss having leisure time to just call people up and “see what’s going on tonight”. Those were the days, I tell ya.
* The workout schedule is going ok so far, I’m getting in the gym at least every other day, sometimes two days in a row. I feel better, and do feel like you can see some difference. Still, lot of work to go to get where I want to be.
* The Pistons and Red Wings are looking good. Honestly, though, my sports passions after Sunday are going to take a fairly big hit until about Feb. 25th. That’s the Fantasy Football draft and the official start of baseball in my book. Good times ahead.
* -11 windshield factor = Andycicle

One love to you all, holla.

Where’s the little kid rappin?

Well, the Colts are finally headin to the Super Bowl. I know some historical nuts out there would say “Technically, the Colts have been to and won Super Bowls before”. Yes, but those were Baltimore days – Indianapolis Colts history only goes back to ‘84. So we watched the game Sunday night, and as soon as Marlin Jackson (Michigan boy, baby!) got the interception, Holly and me threw on our jackets and headed to Monument Circle to party with the entire city. It was awesome, and we both just said that was exactly why we lived downtown, for moments like that. The city was going crazy, people were dancing in the streets, cars were honking all around downtown, just amazing. Hopefully it’ll repeat in two weeks. Last year there was this little white kid from Southside Indy who had a rap, “16-0 (Super Bowl Bound)” that got popular. I wonder where he is now. Probably in jail…thug.

Other than that, this weekend was kinda slow. Friday night we had over Holly’s ICM med school group over for dinner. 10 people over who don’t hang out a whole lot socially, it led to many awkward pauses and stares at moments, but for the most part was fairly fun, lots of comment-chuckle-comment-chuckle interaction, but I guess that’s what dinner party’s are in business settings anyways. Saturday we went to a Total Body class at the Y, and I won’t lie – this 50 something black man whipped my tail. Everything hurt, and I’m not ashamed to say it. We went to church Sunday, then lunch with some friends of Hollys that came to church.

We also got our wedding video’s from her friend Lynne. Her friend Lynne took a TON of footage and put it together as a gift for us. It was so awesome, and got alot of stuff the formal videographer couldn’t get. Great stuff, and it was fun watching everyone party at the reception and to listen to all the personal messages.

This weekend is another slow one, just catching up on MBA work, a little time at the SBCC (South Bend Chocolate Cafe, just a fun way to make a little extra cash), church, and some hang time with AJ (who is having to make up for breaking Dude Rule #1 and giving away the Colts tickets he had to some girl he met at a bar less than a month ago…but I’m not bitter).

Thoughts at the closing bell:
* The president outlined some of his major policy’s for the remainder of his time in office. I think it’s kinda funny, because he outlined things in terms of “a plan for the next ten years…”. Really? You’ve got two years left and you’re working with a Democratic Congress. Go ahead and put the lame-duck shirt on, Georgie Boy.
* He made alot of noise with his proposed environmental proposals. While they were nice, and there always has to be a starting point, the bottom line is this – Coporate Pollution and Pollution in Second and Third Tier Nations is so rampant, that it will take either a MASSIVE overhaul of the entrie global market, or century’s of little moves here and there, to see and affect any real change in the environment. It sad, and that’s not to say we should start doing those little things now, but people who think slowly moving to ethanol or corporations having “emissions caps” is going to have an immediate impact are kidding themselves.
* I won’t lie – Tom Brady with a minute left had me scared.
* This month is looking to be pretty good on the sales front, and I’m hoping to see the fruits of my preaching the gospel of cross-sell to my RM’s.
* The first Fantasy Baseball emails are cirulating, and we have a draft date of Feb. 23. I’m getting excited, just a tad.
* This book I’m reading on the history of the church is actually starting to get interesting. Did you know the Catholic Church didn’t consider that the communal wafers and wine actually became the flesh and the blood until almost the 1300’s. That’s pretty interesting to me – and thus makes me a huge dork.
* Did I mention I’m ready to start law school. I’m kinda bittin at the bit now.

One love to you all, holla.

The frozen tundra of home…

This past weekend was a reminder of just one of the reasons older people flock to the South in the winter, creating the “snowbird” phenomenom. We arrived in Mobile early Saturday morning, approx. 5am. We checked into a hotel to get a little sleep, but just from unpacking, we knew the weather was pretty nice. At 10am, I got up and got ready to go for a run. I stepped outside…and wham! I was hit with a rush of warm air. My goodness, was it in the upper 70’s already? I went for a run around Springdale Mall (as Chris Rock would say:”The mall white people USED to go to”), and was dripping with sweat when I got back. Wow, just amazing.

We spent alot of the weekend in Foley at the outlet malls. That was broken up with trips to the coast, dinner at Lambert’s with my Dad and Nancy, lunch at Dreamland with Mom and Armand, and of course, there was a trip to Waffle House thrown in there. I don’t come south without one. All in all, it was a great trip, and we got the Blazer dropped off at McConnell for sale. That’s right – Sexual Chocolate is officially out of my life. So sad, but it was time. When we got home, it was snowing. Quite the stark contrast.

This week I mailed off the deposit to reserve my seat in the Fall Law School class. That pretty much makes it official that I’m a law student. Holly bought me this shirt that says “Indiana Law Student” in block letters and has a red shark in the middle. It’s as corny and awesome as it sounds – I love it. This weekend we will be having Holly’s ICM class over for dinner, then maybe some Butle Homecoming action Saturday morning, then some time put in at South Bend, church, and COLTS-PATRIOTS on Sunday. Pretty packed weekend.

Honestly, I’m ready for a regular weekend. The past few weeks, all the Mondays off have really kinda thrown me off. I am a creature of habit and routine, I can’t deny that about myself.

Thoughts at the closing bell:
* It’s agreed: Once we’re rollin in dough, Holly and me are for sure getting a house in Gulf Shores. That’s all I need, kids, and I’ll be sound as a pound.
* We just missed the Ice Storm that slammed the south. Excellent timing, I must say.
* Lindsay Lohan is in rehab for…something. Really? Why hide the reason, because with the laundry list the public has on here, isn’t there really nothing that could come as a shock or a dissapointment?
* I will be rooting for the Colts with all my non-Colts fan might, because I want them to shake the Brady/Patriots curse so I don’t have to here and see stories about it for ever and ever.
* AKL’s alumni donation drive that I kinda helped head up has already hit it’s goal, about a month ahead of the deadline. I must say, I’m pretty proud and excited for the guys and what that fortells for the future. It also gets me really thinking that working in some kind of vein to organize projects and drives like this is really something I’d like to do in the future.
* Holly’s mom had us go on a three hour detour in order to get a special item to take back to Indiana. That item? A palm tree.

One love to you all, holla.

On the road again…home

In just a little over 16 hours, I will be back home in God’s country – Mobile, AL! That’s right, Holly, her parents, and myself will be heading down to Alabama. The official goal is to take Sexual Chocolate (my 2000 Chevy Blazer) to the dealership my dad works out to have it sold off to the highest bidder. It’s a sad moment, but a moment who’s time has come. While in Mobile, though, I plan for us to take in the sights. We’re going to go down to Gulf Shores on Saturday, hit the outlets, maybe hit up Lambert’s, Wintzell’s, Dreamland Bar-B-Q, and then maybe see Ft.Conde at some point. As well, we plan on oging to church Sunday at First Assembly, my old spiritual alma mater.

This will be my first time in Mobile in almost a year. I haven’t been home since I came down to be in Jeremy and Natalie’s wedding last January. I really should make an effort to get home more often, I know. But the incomes of a full and part time (soon to be full time) student don’t exactly afford lots of trips anywhere. Plus, have you ever checked flights into Alabama? It’s one of the most expensive states to fly into, it’s crazy! Why? Because probably noone wants to go there, so Airlines make you pay for runs there. Ridiculous.

Oh well, I’m looking froward to it. The main problem is the fact that I read the last book I had on hand that I truly was looking forward to – “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” (which was excellent by the by). I do have two books that I could read, “Israeli Settlements”, basically a perspective of illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories (I know, I know, it looks as exciting as it sounds), and a book about the history of the christian church from christ on (once again, it’s as exciting as it sounds). I also have some work for school to do on the way, and Bono is fully charged and ready to go. Still, I’m pretty happy that the wife and her parents will get to see where I come from in a little more detail.

Thoughts at the closing bell:
* I’m truly enjoying having a gym membership again. Yesterday I went for a 45 minute workout after work before class, and I’d forgotten how good it feels to be sore. Slim, trim Heaton, here I come.
* The American embassy in Greece was attacked. No one was hurt, it seemed relativley harmless…but still. I feel like this seen will be all too common for many years to come.
* “Children of Men” seems like just the kind of movie I would love, I really want to try and see it while it’s in theatres.
* I recently got three new CD’s. KT Tunstalls “Eye to the Telescope” is very good, not too Lillith Fair which I was worried about. John Mayer’s “Continum”, which is, well, pretty typical John Mayer, but it was good. Wolfmother’s “Wolfmother”. Wolfmother is an Australian arena rock band, with sounds that harken back to 70’s rock bands like Zepplin, a little Sabbath, and very loud and fast. My favorite of the three. Thank you BMG music for the recommendation.
* The more I talk about it, the more I’m getting excited about law school. After the first week of classes, the more I am NOT excited about this semester’s MBA schedule. A little too finance heavy for my liking, but what can you do.
* Is it somewhat sick that I’ve already got a good bit of the next sixth month’s scheduled out?

One love to you all, holla.

Now, back to the ol’ salt mine…

This week is the official kick off of the Spring ‘07 school semester. As opposed to last semester, I have classes on Tuesday’s and Thursdays this semester, with the occasional Wedensday night lecture. I’m pretty happy about it, though, I feel energized coming off my 3.48 first semester. Bring on kaPOWell (as me and Adam from my group will now officially callin Prof. Powell)!

This weekend was fairly slow. Friday night, the Mrs. and myself went to have dinner with the family that she babysat all through college. It’s four boys, ages approx. 12-2, so at that range, you can imagine the energy level in the room. Add on to that the fact that the boys made the dinner from a kids cookbooks. The lasagna was not too bad. The “Gimme Smore” layered chocolate desert – well, I went into diabetic shock, if that gives you an idea on the sweetness level. After dinner, it was off to bowl with some friends for one of their birthdays.

Saturday I got up and watched “Munich”. It was ok, but it plodded on a bit too often. After that, I spent Saturday night working at the ol South Bend Chocolate Cafe, just too pick up a little extra Christmas cash. Matt Mitchell is in town for some AKL national stuff, so he stopped by and we talked for a few hours, because the place was DEAD. Sunday he came to church with us, and we ate at one of my favorite Mass Ave places after church, Hoaglins-To-Go (it’s a brunch-y type cafe, very clean, very white and colors, very “metro” if you feel my flow here).

I feel as if it’s the kick off for three months of monotony before the next big school break. Just no big “plans” on the horizon. Still, there are enough small plans on the horizon that I’m not down at all about it, and being the creature of habit that I am, I kinda enjoy the return of routine.

Thoughts at the closing bell:
* Going this afternoon to sign up at the YMCA. The “Hardbody Heaton” Campaign is kicking off today!
* I had dinner with my Uncle Tom last week. I’ve never heard someone be so somewhat dissapointed when he heard I was going to law school. The exact reactions – “Are you going to practice law?” “Well, I don’t know, possibly not” “Well, that’s alot of money to spend if you aren’t going to practice law” . I was just looking for a congratulations, but ok, however you see it I suppose.
* Trips coming up in the near future include two months back-to-back of Alabama trips. This weekend, the wife and her parents, we’ll all be going to Mobile for the weekend. Then February is of course, College Night.
* Me and the nano are becoming bestest of pals. Bono (named after his ideological father) is now completely full, and we enjoy our rides to work and back together. We’ve only gone running once so far, but it’s all we hoped it would be and more.
* The “Crocodile Hunter”’s daughter, Bindi Irwin, will be starting her new show soon. Doesn anyone else think that’s just a bit creepy? Maybe it helps the healing process, I dunno.
* Apparently, the recently appointed (and now resigned) Archbishiop of Warsaw used to be a communist spy. That’ll make you think twice about the confessional booth.

One love to you all, holla.

I pictured 2007 as a little taller…

The New Year is here, and I can honestly say that 2007 will be quite an exciting year. 2006 was a roller coaster of ups and downs. I left Hylant Group, got married, spent time unemployed, started my MBA program (and finished the first semester with a 3.45 GPA) and on the next to last day, learned that I had been accepted to Law School. 2007 has some big shoes to fill.

The party at Average Joe’s that I went to for New Years was a lot of fun, and only would have been better if the wife could have come. She had fun with her girls, though, so that’s exciting. Seeing her still connected to her Theta girls always make me motivated to continue my connection to the Bama boys. I also enjoyed staying at AJ’s place this weekend, as his mother was a riot to talk to and she’s actually a pretty sharp lady. We exchanged financial views and tried to convince AJ about what to do with his money. Pretty funny, actually. Of course, I’m an economic savant, just look at my checking account balance!

There are many things I”m looking forward to in the 2007, including:
Enjoying a full calender year with my wife ~ Reading as many books as possible ~ Regaining my summer body before spring gets here ~ Starting law school ~ Trips to bama, including College Night ~ Picking back up my volutneering habit ~ Learning even more about life ~ Traveling in general ~ The Tigers getting another shot at the World Series?? ~ Truly making Indianapolis my city ~ Expanding my networking in school and around the city

Quite an exciting year to look forward to, folks.
Now, thoughts at the closing bell:
* Saddam Hussein is dead. While the execution was horribly thought out, rushed, and could have been stalled to allow more accusers to have a chance at justice at well, at least he’s gone.
* The bus driver on the ride to work this morning was talking to a guy about his theory of 9/11, as he is one of many who thinks that the Pentagon explosion was not a plane at all, but planted explosives or a missile. My own investigations this morning on the net have assured me that he’s theory doesn’t hold much weight, but it was interesting to easdrop on his thoughts nonetheless.
* Michigan just completley dropped the ball last night. They looked like a joke, and just adds fuel the the Florida fires. I’m worried about going into next year, and get a little ill thinking about OSU next November.
* I’m leaning towards getting my JD in International Law and Studies. Translation = A job one day that calls for globetrotting, thus giving me the experience for a political run. Yup, I’m going Councilman – State Rep – Mayor – Govenor – Senator – President??

One love to you all, holla.