Congratulations to Carrie for completing the 2009 Houston Marathon in 05:04:05

Time: 05:04:05.500 Pace: 11:36 min/mi
Ranks: Overall: 3211
Female: 1099
F30-34: 207
Last Chip Read: 18-Jan 12:13:08
Checkpoint Course Split
6.2 miles 01:09:05.000 11:07 01:09:05.000 11:07
13.1 mile 02:24:00.000 11:00 01:14:55.000 10:53
18.6 miles 03:28:17.000 11:10 01:04:17.000 11:36
Finish 05:04:05.500 11:36 01:35:48.500 12:41

I guess I didn't make any resolutions for 2008, or at least didn't post them. In any case, my main goals for 2008 were to travel, and to earn my yoga teacher certification.

1) travel - went skiing in Vail, visited Machu Picchu and Cuzco in Peru, and spent two weeks in Toyko and Kyoto in Japan. Stayed at a Ryokan, rode the bullet train, and ate lots of excellent Japanese food.

2) yoga - completed yoga teacher training, passed certification test, and became an instructor at Abhyasa Yoga studio. Also taught classes at Heights Massage & Day Spa, Texas Rock Gym, and Lululemon. As soon as the paperwork goes through, I should be able to put "RYT-200" after my name. Plan to continue teaching in 2009 and probably continue with advanced studies if the opportunity arises.

2009
====

Not sure if I have actual resolutions for 2009. Here's as close as I can get:

1) branch more into jazz guitar, learn and practice to the point where I could sit in at a jazz jam and keep up. Alternate: break out of the pentatonic box.

2) cut off the cable TV

3) slow down - having commitments every night of the week is too much

4) think of some more resolutions

I'll be teaching the "Active Beginner" yoga class next Monday (Aug. 4) and Wednesday (Aug. 6) at Abhyasa Yoga Studio - located on the 3rd floor of the Skybar building at the corner of Montrose and Hawthorne. 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For more details, check out the website: http://www.abhyasayoga.com/

I'll also be teaching a FREE yoga class at the Lululemon store (4400 Westheimer, inside the 610 Loop) on Sunday, August 24, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

For more details, check out the website: http://www.lululemon.com/houston/highlandvillage

Everyone is welcome to attend these classes!

I'll be teaching both the "active beginner" and intermediate/advanced classes tonight at Abhyasa Yoga Studio - located on the 3rd floor of the Skybar building at the corner of Montrose and Hawthorne.

Active Beginner - 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Intermediate/Advanced - 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

For more details, check out the website: http://www.abhyasayoga.com/

Carrie successfully completed the Houston Marathon this afternoon, despite having severely sprained her ankle last Friday (it was swollen to the size of a grapefruit for a good part of the week). Her completion time was just under six hours this year.

I'd post the official results from the marathon web site, but their technology provider totally sux @$$ and doesn't have the correct stats for her. Also, their real-time pager alerts didn't work, their tracking map and website were "page not available" for most of the race, and when it did work, it showed her as being slightly behind the Kenyan guy who won the race in 2 hours 12 minutes.

Way to go Carrie!

Happy birthday today to Matt! Although he sometimes complains like a grumpy 70-year-old, he's actually only 26!

Here's a photo of Matt with one of his many lady friends.

Carrie and her sister Stacy had a dance recital tonight at the Arya Samaj Temple. Apparently they're so good at Indian/Bollywood dancing that they're like "first chair" dancers. See for yourself:

http://www.jamesdekan.com/images/bollywood/

Happy birthday today to German Cynthia (21) and Huey Lewis (57).

Poll: if Carrie puts money in the trash can, and Jim finds it, should Jim get to keep it?

The Ringwalds just played the annual summer party for Delorean Motor Company. Of course there were a few photo ops. This DMC-12 is owned by James Espey, one of the current DMC execs, and was the last Delorean to roll off the assembly line. Click on a photo for the hi-rez version.

A flyer was posted at the vet's office about this rescue kitty. Even though he lost both eyes, they say he can still find his way around and is friendly and playful. I hope someone adopts this cat soon!



Mail to: tayloredna@msn.com

CAPTAIN
I was rescued from animal control with one eye missing and my other eye had ruptured from a terrible infection. I was scheduled for euthanasia, but a very kind-hearted woman with Houston Siamese Rescue decided to save me. She had experience with totally blind cats before and knew I was the prefect candidate for a full recovery and a very long and happy life. She saw in me, the calm, outgoing personality and indomitable spirit needed to become the perfect companion cat. I am fully recovered from surgery, and just as my rescuer believed, have proven to be an exceptional fellow. I have no difficulty navigating my surroundings, once I'm familiarized with them. In fact, my foster Mom is constantly amazed by my uncanny ability to avoid obstacles. My incredible sense of smell and highly developed hearing assist me. I won't trip over things or bump into the furniture. As a matter of fact, once I have been in your home and walked about for a day or two, YOU will forget I'm sightless. I'll jump up in your lap and sleep in your bed. I have impeccable house manners, and enjoy the company of other cats and a small dog. You'll be amazed and impressed by my relaxed and accepting attitude towards all things. I'll shower you with nuzzles and purrs and "chirp" for you if I'm not sure where you went. Just call to me I'll be at your side in a moment, twinning around your ankles. Please consider adopting me, and give me the opportunity to share your love, life and home forever!

Here are the photos from our recent trip to Norway. Beth is doing great up there. Stavanger is a really nice town and there's lots of cool stuff to do. Only drawback is that it's quite expensive there. A beer costs about $10, a hot dog from the gas station is about $5, and a half-liter of Coke is about $4.00. We saw two live bands, and they both were great. They were both cover bands, and they played mostly 80's top-40, with a few older and newer tunes thrown in for variety. Some of the songs included "Boys of Summer" (Don Henley), "Don't Get Me Wrong" (Pretenders), "You Shook Me All Night Long" (AC/DC), and "Every Breath You Take" (Police). There were some interesting street musicians as well. If you want to hear more about the trip, then ask me the next time you see me.

http://www.jamesdekan.com/images/norway/

Item #4 from my 2007 New Year's Resolutions list can now be marked as "completed" as we just returned from a ski trip to Washington State. Why Washington? Because it was the only destination with open seats on the planes over the busy Presidents Day weekend.

We spent two full days skiing Crystal Mountain and spent the third day hanging out in Seattle. Here's the photos:

http://www.jamesdekan.com/images/ski07

Congratulations to Carrie for completing the full Houston Marathon. Her goal this year was to complete the marathon in under five hours.

Completion goal: 5:00:00
Final chip time: 4:59:55

Photos and maybe even a video clip to come later today.

CARRIE CARTER  (MAR)  | Bib #7216  |  HOUSTON, TX - USA  |  Age 31  |  F				MAPTRACK
START	10k	Half	30k	FINISH
6:59:14 AM CST	01:09:19	02:26:28	03:30:21	04:59:55
TIME  Chip Time: 04:59:55  Clock: 4:59:55 Pace: 11:26  Placement  Overall: 3946  Gender: 1290  Division: 205

New resolutions for 2007:

1) resume yoga, get flexible
2) do some type of cardio every other day
3) for Halloween, go as something other than "Toga Guy." Goal: to go as an Aztec Warrior.
4) snow ski (let me know if you wanna go along!)
5) one big international trip, maybe Machu Picchu in Peru? Europe?
6) maybe enter a jiu-jitsu competition/tournament
7) see more Lite Rock and Disco Expressions gigs
8) more Jay Lee time

Resolutions from 2006:

1) put 1000 miles on my bicycle - only put 110 miles on it, then switched to doing other types of exercise like lifting weights, muy thai, etc. I kept up the exercise though so I'll call this one a success!
2) finish the house and have a housewarming party - Success!
3) start an Eric Johnson tribute band - Failed.
4) use up all gift cards - used most of them but not all.
5) take at least two trips with Carrie - Success! Went to Belize for 10 days and to Vail for three days.
6) go through the entire series of Pimsleur Spanish lessons - Failed, again not enough time.
7) make homemade croutons - Failed! You can get them cheap at Central Market, why bother?
8) convince at least one other person to get their hair cut with me in the back of the Tejano record store off of 14th street - Failed, but they did a bad job when I went back so now I go to the "stuffed animal head" place at Studewood and 20th.
9) add one new customer to my list of companies that I do part-time computer work for - Success! Did some work for a small collections agency.
10) learn at least two or three complete songs on piano - Failed!

Am I really that much taller than Carrie? Did she shrink?


(Click for full-size photo)

One of my New Year's Resolutions for last year was to see more live comedy. That's one resolution that I was actually able to accomplish. For the current year, I haven't been at all, mostly because comedy clubs are so damn expensive. However, I am going to see Mitch Fatel this week at the Laff Stop, either Wed. or Thurs. evening (Nov. 29 or 30, showtime at 8:00 p.m.). If anyone wants to come along, send me an email.

Tickets are $20.00 plus tax, plus a 2-drink minimum plus tax plus tip. If you enjoy the comedy of Dave Attell, Mitch Hedburg, or Sam Cannariato, then you'll probably like Mitch Fatel.

http://www.mitchfatel.com

If anyone is interested in going to see the Borat movie tonight, shoot me an email or call me.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0443453/

Milestones for the year of 1981
===============================

August 1, 1981: MTV is launched

September 21, 1981: Sandra Day O'Connor becomes the first chick on the Supreme Court

October 30, 1981: Dekan beats the high score on the Asteroids machine down at the Dairy Queen

November 1, 1981: Mrs. Barnett gives birth to baby Matt

Happy Birthday Matt!

Does anyone out there have Showtime, and is planning to watch the Liakhovich/Briggs fight this Saturday, Nov. 4? The Ringwalds have the night off and I'd like to see this one.

Also, if anyone is interested in coming over after the CC show on Friday Nov. 10 to see the Holyfield fight on pay-per-view, let me know. What is Evander, like 44 years old now? That's even older than Gene Ringwald! Carrie and I will both be cheering for Evander.

Oh yeah, happy halloween everyone!

Matt was recently complaining that he'd never seen either Carrie or me dressed up. Carrie took me to Morton's Steakhouse for my birthday this year, and we got "dressed up" for it and snapped a few photos for Matt. And knowing, of course, that these photos would be of great interest to the general public and possibly the papparazzi, I have decided to post them for everyone to see.

http://www.jamesdekan.com/images/suit