tosabarbell

We were in Wichita Falls last weekend for a Starting Strength seminar. Yes, I went back after being gone for only 10 or so days. It was fun to see a few friends again but hard to give more concrete goodbyes. Anyways.

One of the participants was Mike Whities. Now, Whities was so excited to attend the Seminar he actually started his own thread on Rip’s forum about it. No one had done that before so I was interested to see what this guy was aboot. I had seen a comment from him on one of his posts that he was training in spite of losing an arm in an accident but hadn’t given it much thought as to how things were going to go throughout the weekend.

As it turns out, we didn’t need to think of it all. Whities steps up to the platform just like everyone else and probably with more determination than most. He’s also a very nice dude with a quirky sense of humor. This was proven when he was a sport about eating King Alfred’s lunch. No, that won’t make sense to most of you but to us it was awesome.

Read more about Whities and the seminar on Rip’s forum here.

I want to thank Whities for the experience of coaching him and his follow through of letting us know he got home safe and sound after a long drive after a long weekend. It was a blast and I’m a better coach for it. Thanks Whities!

Quote of the Day:

“My best painting is the next one. I haven’t painted it yet. I am in competition only with myself, and that’s tough, because I believe that each thing I do must be better in some way than the last.”

Ted DeGrazia

(http://justdaydreaming.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/ted-de-grazia-01.jpg)

Just when you think you’ll be wearing an original T-shirt at a Starting Strength seminar, the Wolf shows up with the same shirt. Figures.

Anyone who has spent more than two minutes with Oz knows his love for all things military and military history related. Though he’ll read about it all, weaponry; uniforms;battle logistics; etc. all day long he has the most passion for information revolving around WW II. From the time he was four, his favorite movie has been The Longest Day. Yes, four. My four year old would sit down and watch the entire movie of The Longest Day. From there he’s gone on to love Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers but his first exposure to John Wayne sticks closest to his heart.

Oz has been talking about D-Day all week, waiting for it, with full permission from the Ma to sit in front of the History channel all day. ***EDIT: The History channel has chosen today to air stupid shows such as American Restoration and Cajun Pawn Stars. Losers. So the kid is now sitting in front of the Military Channel all day. ***

So when I woke up to an e-mail from Stef with the following video, it made me smile. Stef and Oz are very good buds so of course she’d understand that this is a big day for him. It touches the Ma’s heart, as does the video. I have no understanding what had run through these men’s minds and I’ve had the very honored pleasure of spending time with veterans who stormed two of those beaches. I’ve heard their words, but still have no understanding of what is felt, deep in their hearts. I have no words that could explain the admiration I have for these soldiers courage and bravery. So I’ll stop and simply say thank you.