Last weekend was the kick off to food festival with Oktoberfest in Addison.   I know Stacey is usually excited about this time of year, maybe not as much as I am.   There is something about eating food out of a tent, and even better if you need tickets 8-)

This time sneaks up on me every year… think I would just put it as a reoccurring event in outlook.

I have spoke with more people that maybe interested in attending some of these so expanding the distribution list, you can join us or head out on your own.  If you have a food festival that I should be tracking please send me a note or comment below.   I will be updating my list below as I learn about others we should attend

September Events

Dallas Greek Fest September 23-25

http://www.greekfestivalofdallas.com/

Noland’s plan to attend Saturday afternoon – 4-6ish

Japanese Fall Festival  September 25^th

http://www.jasdfw.org/downloads/20110801%20Akimatsuri%20DJA.pdf

 Texas State fair September 30 – October 23

http://www.bigtex.com/

I am not a big fan of this event, food is usually subpar

October Events

Lebanese Food Festival September 30 – October 2

http://www.ourladylebanon.com/2011_Food_Festival/Flyer2011.pdf

The food is good at this one, but no alcohol.  I need beer with my food on a stick please.

Mid Cities Greek Fest October 7-9

http://midcitiesgreekfest.info/

Looking at dinner Friday night… have Tyler ½ marathon on Sunday and late baseball game Saturday night

World Fest October 22-23 (Addison, TX)

http://www.addisontexas.net/events/Worldfest/

We get to see Rossitza dance, how can we pass this up

November Events

Romanian Festival – November 4-6

http://romanianfestival-dallas.com/

Never been to this one and recently learned about it… if anyone has feedback please let me know

Annual Beaujolais & Beyond Wine Festival – November 18^th

(French American)

http://www.faccdallas.com/

 Fort Worth Greek Festival November 11-13

http://www.fortworthgreekfestival.com/

I have yet to make it to this one, I have been told it is great really want to attend this year

Only a few more weeks until Hood to Coast 2011, amazing that I have not done this since 2008 seems like just yesterday.  Pushing the training still to be able to perform at the required pace.

I am joining the Team MegaHurts again for my 4^th run, but think it is the 11 or 12^th for the team.

Here is a little video we pulled together at the end of 2008.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgN4H9-Czrg

See you on the beach

did my first “test run” today with a new way to carry water.  For those up north they might think this is unnecessary but when it is 85 degrees and 60-70% humidity at 5 am… water is necessary for any runs of good length.  The water sloshed around a bit but think I can get used to it on some longer runs, on the shorter and faster runs I think I can go with it 1/2 full and still have plenty.

I typically run with a water belt with 4 small bottles on my long runs but it does not seem to be enough plus it has been cutting into my sides…some like to run with bottles in their hands but I just have never been able to stand that for long as my hands get too sweaty.   I always thought the bikers have an unfair advantage as they can have tons of water with them and us runners could not… seems they finally figured out how to make a pack that does not completely annoy you while running.   As for getting more sweaty with it…at the point it is pouring off me I don’t think this made it any worse.

Should get some good use over the next few months as I try to get up to 50+ miles a week for the white rock.

If anyone has any experience with these please let me know any tips / tricks with these.   There is another one that I almost purchased that carries the water lower and seems cool as it may slosh around less.

Maybe now I can carry a small towel and can jump in for a swim on the Sunday trail run with @Marc Swinney

http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Packs/2011-Octane-XCT.aspx

It is picture day and Andrew had some specific requirements for Mommy to buy some new clothes for the pictures.   He said that he wanted to look like daddy and have a tie.   I told him it is really better to wear a jacket and no tie, but I can only teach suiting up so fast.

Picture Day

I told Stacey that there is a good chance in High School he is going to want long hair and have baggy pants and t-shirts.

Chris

Where has the time gone in every sense of the word.  I have been a little slow on my posts lately with the new job and trying to keep up with Andrew.  Sometimes I wonder what I am doing as the weeks seem to just fly by.   I felt today deserved a pick little post as Andrew is starting school today at Forest Vista Elementary.   It seems like we just brought him home, but that was so long ago now.

Here is a picture of the little man, and yes that is a tie.  For those that work with me I had no help in picking out or suggesting what he should wear, and really I was against the idea.   Andrew gets to see Daddy dressed up all the time he said he wanted a tie, which every time he and I go shopping for stuff for him we wants a shirt and tie.  Hopefully a future CEO of a fortune 100 company, it is hard to be over dressed. As always SUIT UP!

One project that I am thinking about and want everyone’s opinion on is a list of must see destinations before Andrew gets too old to want to go, or to busy with sports (which he maybe already but that is another story)    Some thoughts I have so far are:  DC & Philadelphia , Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite,  Red wood forest, Yellowstone,  Glacier National Park,  Grand Canyon,  Alaska.  The lists is not exhaustive but please add your comments of other potential spots as I can think of a lot more I need to add as I look back on the last sentence.  So you ask WTF am I thinking?  The goal is to try and give Andrew the ability to experience the see the vastness of America, its history and help establish a stewardship of the land and country (and no I am not a member of the sierra club).   At the end of this we might have a good travel guide on our hands…and then we tackle Europe & Asia…

Chris