Ben and Jenelle DOT COM

I didn’t have any trouble getting home from Philadelphia on Friday night, even though the weather was a bit ugly both departing and arriving in Chicago.

I worked out again last night at the SCJ fitness center. Over the weekend, I created a new playlist on my iPod called “Exercise”. It’s amazing how the right song can energize you for a workout. Here’s a partial list of the songs on the playlist:

“Gonna Fly Now” (from Rocky)

Survivor – “Eye of the Tiger” (also from Rocky)

John Farnham – “Break the Ice” (from the movie Rad)

“Phil’s Piano Solo” (from Groundhog Day)

Paul Colman Trio – “Run”

Third Day – “Come Together”

“Hospital Chase” (from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

I usually walk for 2 minutes, run for 4 minutes, and repeat the pattern. Yesterday, I was nearing the end of a 4-minute run when “Gonna Fly Now” came on. How can I slow down when that song comes on? Rocky never slowed down. In fact, he SPRINTED when he got near the museum. So, I kept running until the song was over. I managed to log over 4 miles in 45 minutes, which is the best I’ve ever done. We’ll see if I can do as well tonight.

By the way, I’d like to give a shout out to Mike Brinkley, a friend of mine who has participated in several marathons over the years. I sometimes think of his determination when I’m on the treadmill. Thanks for the inspiration, Mike!

I’m still having a good time in Pennsylvania, but I’m getting a bit eager to return home. This is probably the longest time Jenelle and I have spent apart since we got married.

Yesterday was fairly productive. I didn’t do any reading, but I did manage to walk/jog 3.8 miles in 45 minutes on the treadmill while watching two hilarious episodes of Seinfeld.

The cafeteria at the training site has lots of free stuff. You can get any kind of drink whenever you want (coffee, milk, OJ, soda, etc.), and there’s always a bowl of fruit. Lunch is also free. You can get salad, a sandwich with any kind of bread/meat, and there’s also a different hot dish every day. Yesterday, I skipped the breakfast buffet at the hotel and just ate the free stuff until dinner time. When dinner rolled around, I decided to eat some of the groceries I bought on Monday. There’s still plenty left for the rest of the trip.

To sum things up — besides the cost of the class and the cost of the hotel, I didn’t spend a penny yesterday. Since the company pays for my expenses on trips like this, it’s easy to buy expensive and/or fattening meals every day. This time, I’m trying to do things differently. I wouldn’t say I’m eating extra-healthy while I’m out here, but this is the best I’ve ever done on a business trip in terms of minimizing weight gain. Since I’ve spent time in the fitness room in each of the past three nights, perhaps I’ll lose a pound or two.

We’re learning screen maps in ABAP today. It should be a blast. 🙂

After another enlightening ABAP class, I decided to go to a nearby mall for dinner. The King of Prussia Mall, that is. Those of you Wisconsinites who read this: pick any major store that you can find at Mayfair, Brookfield, Southridge, or Regency. I can almost guarantee that you’ll find it at this mall. The most amazing thing about it, though, is that at 6:00 p.m. on a Tuesday night, the place was practically empty. It’s apparently the largest mall on the east coast, and there was no waiting at any of the stores I visited. I spent about an hour there. If Jenelle had been with me (and I really wish she was), we would have spent at least three hours there.

I came back to the hotel and did another 5K on the treadmill. I wish that I had brought my swimsuit with me, because there’s a pool that has been empty every time I’ve walked by it.

Class is starting…adios!

Okay, campers, rise and shine! And don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s COLD out there today. What is this, Miami Beach? Not hardly. And don’t forget about that big blizzard thing… oh, here’s the report: The National Weather Service is calling for a big blizzard thing.

Now, there’s another reason why today is especially exciting (especially cold), yes, especially cold, but the big question on everybody’s lips (chapped lips), yes, their chapped lips, is do you think Phil’s going to come out and see his shadow.

Punxsutawney Phil. That’s right, woodchuck-chuckers, it’s

GROUNDHOG DAY!

Jenelle and I went to Office Depot today and bought a new desk. We moved Jenelle’s computer and the old desk to the guest room. As you can see, there’s plenty of room for all sorts of things on top of the desk. The keyboard is in a drawer.

Two more birthdays today. One is yet another sibling-in-law, and the other is my cousin in Ohio.

Happy Birthday, Brian!

Happy Birthday, Katie!