The Life and Times of a Mennenoh

SportsTrackLive | mmennenoh | Cycling | lake como

2011-03-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

SportsTrackLive | mmennenoh | Cycling | lake como

Cool App

2011-03-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

SportsTrackLive | mmennenoh | Cycling | lake como

Homeless Man Under Pressure.mov

2011-02-27T15:51:00.000-08:00

2010 Green Bay Packer Highlights - Powerman 5000 - Worlds Collide

2011-02-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

Volkswagen Commercial: The Force

2011-02-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

Just got my ass kicked!

2011-02-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

Blizzard 2011 part 2

2011-02-02T08:02:00.000-08:00

Blizzard 2011

2011-02-02T07:55:00.001-08:00

Simple Weekend

2011-01-30T13:17:00.000-08:00

I love the weekends when we don't do anything but yet feel like I accomplished a lot. Yesterday I worked out in the morning and then the kids and I ran some erands when we got home I made them watch Rocky IV. I don't know why but I will love those movies forever. I do not find them stupid I get inspired every time. When Melissa came home from work we went to Kohls to buy Cassi some running shoes. We found a stylish pair of Nikes that she really likes so it was a painless process. After that we went to Yoshi's for Sushi!!! I can't believe how fond I am of sushi I could eat it everyday. Today we got up and had an excellent breakfast then had to put on the Superman cape and save a friend who had a flat tire. Then I took Melissa over to Body Logic where we are going to start a membership. Their gym is very clean and Melissa felt very comfortable there. When I came home I rode the trainer and now I feel great. This winter is moving quickly before I know spring will be here and the craziness will begin!

Nice Weekend

2011-01-09T17:58:00.000-08:00

We walked down to the lake yesterday and I shoveled a huge area for the kids to ice skate. Today we got up early and Melissa made us an awesome breakfast and we took the kids to the lake to skate. They are getting much better. Melissa and I went for a nice walk out on the lake it was a beautiful day. Came home worked out and got ready for some football!

WOW it's been awhile

2011-01-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

I started a facebook page a while back so I stopped posting here but today I was looking at my older posts and noticed all the pictures on here and kind of missed it. I was joking today on fb that I released Mike Mennenoh 2.0 and what I meant was that I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and luckily my cholesterol was good and I don't have diabetes but I'm overweight and have the beginning signs of high blood pressure. Well this wasn't a shock to me I know how I have been living my life the last two years so I look at it as a good thing that the doctor told me what he did. I use to lose weight and work out just for bike racing and then when the season was over I would go back to eating and drinking like shit. Well the 2.0 means that I'm not working out and eating better for a season or a big race. I am working out and eating better for the rest of my life! I just turned 35 and have a very demanding stressful job so I need to have an outlet. I know I don't have time to do much in the months of April-July but I need to start taking advantage of the time I do have. When I was younger and a litte more hungrier for racing I would come home from work jump on the bike and come home shower and eat dinner at 8:00 well now I come home at 8:00 and thats straight from work thats not stopping at the bar or going to the gym thats just how many hours I work in the spring. So I have to take the rest of the winter and get in shape now before spring hits and when it does I will need to be very conscious of how I'm eating and taking time to walk or ride whenever I can. I often tell people how each day we wake up with options on how we can live our lives and thats a beautiful thing. You might fuck up one day but don't get too discouraged because you can always pick yourself back up.

2010-07-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

I FEEL LIKE I'M MISSING OUT!
BUT YOU CAN CHECK ME OUT ON FACEBOOK

Happy Birthday Cassi!

2010-04-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

12 years ago today was one of the scariest moments of our lives. Melissa and I went to the doctor for Melissa's check up and next thing you know we were driving off to the hospital for an emergency C-Section and we were freakin I was 22 Melissa was 20 and we had no clue what we were getting into. They take Melissa away to prep her and I was all alone calling everyone I knew to tell them to hurry up and get to the hospital. Shortly after that Cassi was born and our lives changed forever! The craziest thing of all is how fast the time goes by. Even though we were so young and scared it is funny how life just works out. Having kids was the best thing we ever have done. Cassi and Camryn are the best two kids and they bring us so much joy every day. I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for them. I worked so hard every day for them. And I am proud of what Melissa and I have been able to provide them they deserve everything.

Riding with Pops

2010-03-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

The last two weekends Dad and I have gone on 30 mile rides! Thats a great way to start the early season riding. This coming week the weather looks perfect to start riding after work. Today we rode the back roads out to Pell Lake I felt great I could have easily ridden 50 today. I still feel like I have tons of energy to burn. So I hope that is a good sign going into this racing season.

It's Time to Ride

2010-03-03T16:39:00.000-08:00

Today was 36* and I got home early enough to go on a ride. It was beautiful the sun was shining and the air smelled fresh (well not exactly you can taste the salt) but it was much better than riding the trainer. I lasted an hour I hope this is the start of a long riding season.

Guns N Roses

2010-02-25T17:19:00.000-08:00

I listened to this album from start to finish today and it's awesome! Rocket Queen live was great.

Apollo Michael Ohno

2010-02-23T17:50:00.001-08:00

I kicked these kids butts!! I have been enjoying the Olympics!

Sledding with the Tuna

2010-02-15T15:03:00.000-08:00

Sunday Dad took me and the girls sledding and we had a blast. I don't care how old you are sledding is fun.

Took the Fam to work today

2010-02-13T17:19:00.000-08:00

Today I had to drop off some labels at work and decided it would be fun to take Mel and the kids to see what I have been up to.

Listen to Chevelle while riding!

2010-02-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

This album will help your cadence for sure!

Ice Fishing with Kloppy

2010-02-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Jason and I went fishing for the derby on Geneva. The wind was a constant 25 mph plus!!!! We got on the ice at 7 am and had a good time. Jason buddy caught a 26" and 30" Northern Pike although small they looked so healthy and colorful it was awesome to see. As you can see in the pictures it looked like Walmarts parking lot out on the lake it was crazy to be in a trafic jam on the lake! We were fishing right next to this giant ice buckle which was cool to explore and photograph till we all ran at some dude who fell through the ice! He caught himself with his arms and by the time we got to him he pulled himself up. It was crazy to see, the ice was 13 inches every where except this buckle.

Indoor Training

2010-02-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

I have been pushing hard. I am doing everything right I warm up for 5 minutes with some slow tempo riding then tear it up for some long hard minutes and then end each ride with 'Getting Stronger' instrumental if that doesn't turn me into an animal I don't know what will. Look out Dad I'm gonna tear you up!

I Feel Like Frankenstein!

2010-01-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it is the weather or what, but my joints and back have been hurting so bad I feel like I have been slapped together by some mad scientist. The nuckles in my hands crack so loud and hard it hurts bad. My knees and spine feel the same way. I need some hot humid weather. Fuckin Wisconsin!

Riding and Music

2010-01-19T17:49:00.000-08:00

The last couple years I have really dreaded riding the indoor trainer and would do whatever it took to pass the time if that was watch tv or play video games while riding but I could never get too inspired like I use to. I once loved riding indoors in a controled environment and I would really put myself through a painful workout.

Well I started to ride like that again! I put on my headphones and zone out to some good music. I don't know why I strayed away from listening to music maybe it's that I got so comfortable riding with people that I couldn't bring myself back to that focused state to just ride a bike. This past weekend I rode for an hour both days. Saturday I listened to the Muse and found their techno music really got me jacked up. Sunday I mixed it up with some Kings of Leon and some live Pearl Jam. Today I just rocked Metallica which is perfect, for example 'Masters of Puppets' the song starts out heavy so you can get your cadence up then after a few minutes they go into their instrumental so you can dial it down a bit till they picked the pace up again for the big finish. Perfect interval training. Hopefully I can keep this up and enter the spring in better shape than last year.

Training

2010-01-13T16:36:00.000-08:00

I have been riding my indoor trainer lately in my last ditch effort to race another season. Last year I worked so much I wasn't able to realy ride, train, and race as much as I wanted to but this is a new year and my work is in a better place so I will try to juggle both. I finally feel good after all the holiday eating and drinking so now I am inspired to work hard to get into shape. Not to mention my bet with my Dad. He is going down! I hope every one watched that Packers game. I was pissed that they lost but fuck that was one of the best games I have ever seen!

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

Well I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year! Today I went back to work for the first time in two weeks. Two weeks is plenty of time to be away from work I had a great time hanging with the wife and kids and for the first time in my life i actually got plenty of rest. If this was two years ago I don't think my body could survive a two week vacation. Now that I'm an old fart I spent a lot of this time catching up on 34 years of sleep. Our annual birthday party was awesome we had such a great time and everyone that came brought there A game. Christmas was nice I got great gifts and most importantly the girls were happy. New Years was ok Melissa and I went out to dinner with Brad and Jill and had an awesome dinner but I should have stopped there. We went down to Thumbs and there just wasn't anybody out, I had fun up till midnight but after that the night got boring and I just wanted to go home. Last Saturday Melissa and I went to my Dads with the kids and we went to see Avatar! I thought the movie was really well done probably the best special effects I have ever seen! And I found myself wanting a 10 foot tall blue chick with a tail. After that Dad took us out for some awesome pizza to end a great night. I will post some pictures soon.

Lucia Micarelli

2009-12-25T08:53:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T08:43:00.000-08:00

The Ponds Welcome baby Lucee

2009-12-11T17:28:00.001-08:00

Lucee was born at 8 this morning!

WORS VIDEO!

2009-11-24T17:20:00.001-08:00

WORS 2009 Movie - Part 6 TREADFEST and WOLF RIVER from Team WORS on Vimeo.

2009 Turkey Trot

2009-11-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

Don't ask me what I am doing! I ran for 30 minutes two weeks ago for the first time in like two years! So why did I think it was ok to run a three miler today? Because Cassi and her friend Shae wanted to do it and I was not about to miss out on that. So the girs did a really fast one mile run and then Emily and I did the three mile. My feet were killing me. I had fun though and It was perfect weather.

Cutest Sick Kid Ever!

2009-11-10T18:02:00.000-08:00

Awesome Weekend

2009-11-08T16:19:00.000-08:00

I love this weather! Yesterday we spent the day cleaning the lawn and our basement I had a huge fire going and I burned my old dressers that I have had since I was 11 and then I cleaned our gutters which I hate! But it felt great to get all those things done. After the chores were done I went kayaking with Brad, Jason, and Steve this has been my second time going this fall and its a riot. Great workout it takes us about 2-3 hours to travel the distance and yesterday was great cause the river was high. Kloppy was hilarious he tipped 3 times right before we got to the end he was freezing. Today I went running with Cassi we ran for a half hour that was the first time we ever ran together and it was amazing to think my little baby can run with her Dad. The rest of the day we went on bike rides and played catch with the football.

PODCASTS

2009-10-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

I am addicted to Adam Carolla's podcast! At first I didn't totaly understand the concept behind a podcast I knew it was streaming online but I wasn't sure what the difference was between a radio show and a podcast well its insanely different cause you don't have to worry about censors and corporate sponsors telling you what you can and can't do. Adam says Fuck about 100 times a show! Which I am that low brow I like to hear people talk freely like there in a bar. But Carolla's show is more than just bad language he has great interviews with a lot of my favorite actors and comedians and they always talk about how they got started and how much they had to struggle to get where they are. Crazy how many people were put in a box because they didn't fit into a traditional school system and how many teachers made them feel ashamed for there artistic talents. It is also crazy how every single person had that 1 special teacher, instructor, or mentor that put them on there path to success. It is worth the hour to listen he has a funny view of the world and you don't have to agree with anything he says but it is worth hearing everyones stories. Check him out www.adamcarolla.com

Our 11th Anniversary!

2009-10-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

Melissa and I are celebrating our 11th anniversary today. I can't believe how fast time goes by. But we have had a lot of fun these past 11 years. Melissa sure is lucky to have found such a good looking smart funny awesome personality not to mention my DNA to create quite possibly the two best children ever made! Of course I'm just kidding. I will let you know how our night out goes tomorrow!

Mennenoh's visit Zoo

2009-10-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Camryn

2009-10-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Camryn's birthday she turned 9!

WHY ARE WE BOMBING THE MOON!!!!!

2009-10-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Its funny to think that America is practicly bankrupt but we can spend billions of dollars to send a probe up to the moon and shoot it with a missle! They are doing it with hopes to find water! OK so how bad is our water reserves if we are doing missions like this should we all be a little more worried about our water consumption? Even if we could extract water from the moon and it was good water how much would that cost? Hell we think it cost a lot to import oil from the middle east can you imagine your plastic bottle of moon water!

I'm old

2009-10-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

I have been drinking by myself all night since my whole family is ill and I have been listening to good music and rumaging through old stuff and I'm looking at old pictures of Cassi, and Camryn when they were born and all I focus on is me and how I don't think I look much different but I know I do. Cassi is almost 12 Camryn will be 9 and all the pictures show us in a different house different decorations same friends who look all different the music is the same the passion is the same but yet we are so different. I know how different I am but yet I know that I could be old me in a nano second and not have a single regret. I like who I was and who I am I had fun I did lots of shit people would not like or agree with but thats what I was doing at the time and thats that. I have the same friends to the number same people since high school is that weird or is that cool I don't know. I listen to the same music and like the same movies and the same girl is that weird or cool I don't know. I look at Cassi when she was a baby and she has huge smile on her face and look at Camryns pictures and she has huge smile on her face then I look at there pictures from this year and they both have huge smiles but look soooo different my kids have changed so much but yet they are still Cass and Cam I still see them as the same exact people as they were when they were born even though Cass understands math better than me hahaha but all these memories of them getting older just seems to meld into one vision and it doesn't seem like we got older it just seems like things got different even though in my eyes it never seems to change. The girls and I can watch tv or talk about the environment or bike racing and they seem to get it all. I don't know maybe its the vodka but life is pretty funny. Funny the way it is

Ninja Assassin

2009-10-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

flashforward

2009-10-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

I just started to use HULU it is awesome and tonight I watched the new show Flashforward and it is awesome everyone should check this show out!

At least You Finished

2009-09-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

You know that means something but not when you have been racing for 10 years. I know that I have not ridden at all this season but no matter how little I ride it I don't care if I have not ridden in five years and I'm 250 pounds it still hurts the psychy you know. Because I know what I am capable of I have been there before so to see myself at this level sucks. I felt really good yesterday my legs felt good and so did my lungs but I could not keep my bike right side up to save my life. After a while I was like if I fall one more fucking time I am going to quit this stupid fucking race. But the thought ran through my head no matter how bad it gets just finish the race. I love racing more than anything so it does feel good when you are out there no matter where you place, but it wasn't that long ago when I would go to that race and go all out. Thats how I would race all races I would go as hard as I could for as long as I could sometimes it payed off, sometimes it wouldn't but I pushed it hard! Now I have the bull shit attitude well at least I finished (finished what a 25 mile race?) I need to get into shape so I can compete they way I should be. I had some fuck behind me telling me this was his first race EVER! I was thinking please just crash into a tree so I have to be carried out by the medics and have an excuse why I suck so bad. Then I get to the finish and hear 'Well at least you finished' I was like fuck that I am going to get back into shape and tear the fucking legs off of every turd out there!

More pictures from Cable and Wausau

2009-09-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival 2009

2009-09-21T12:19:00.001-07:00

I don't always know how things are going to work out but I sure love it when I am surprised! We just got back from upnorth for our 8th year doing "the race" the fam and I left early on Wednesday and we headed up to Wausau which is my favorite part of Wisconsin to camp and check out the scenery I have been to Wausau a lot to do races at 9 mile forest but I have never been there to check out Rib Mountain the highest point in Wisco and man was it impressive we had such a beautiful camp site that over looked the city and we hiked to the top where you climb up a 60 foot tower for an amazing view. We had an awesome camp fire and camp food we got up early the next day and hiked for about 2 hours and then I rode from town up the 700 foot vertical climb to the top of Rib Mountain it took me 25 minutes of straight climbing to reach the top. We packed up and headed to Cable. We met up with Dad and Sue that afternoon and played in the lake and had another camp fire and lots of beer. Friday we got up and went kayaking out to the Island Cassi and Camryn were funny now that they are big enough to kayak out there without us to help them. Dad and I went on a nice 20+ mile ride where we got to talk and catch up a little. Saturday was race day and I was scared as hell. I have not even ridden 40 miles at one time this year so I thought I would be lucky to just finish. So my game plan was to hang on Dads wheel and let him pace to the finish. About halfway I made a comment to Dad that I have not even started to breath heavy yet and that I was scared for feeling so good cause I knew the bonk was around the corner. Then we hit some big hills and I noticed that Dad dropped back a little and in my head I thought I was working too hard I am going to bonk but I didn't then I noticed we had 4 miles left I couldn't see Dad and I was still thinking that I was going to break down any minute but I didn't before I knew it all the hills that used to kill me where like nothing and that the finish line was just around the corner and I felt like I didn't even put out much effort at all. It was my 3rd fastest time and the best I ever felt. I had fun that race I talked to Dad and I took everything lighlty rather than race all out to the end. I am glad to be home and ready to race next Saturday at the Kettle. Thanks Dad and Sue we had an awesome time. Can't wait till next YEAR!

Another Cracked Frame

2009-09-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

After the race I noticed that the sun was reflecting on my frame and I notice this little sliver here I started scratching my head and asked Don what he thought and he confirmed that it is a crack. He thinks that it should hold for a little while after Chequamegon I will take it in. Bummer Man! In this picture you can see the weird little slit down to the left of my head set.

2009 Treadfest

2009-09-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

I have barely ridden a bike this year so its funny how I think that its a good idea to do a back race when I am in the worst shape of my life. I was telling Melissa that its so different doing endurance sports. If you were playing basketball and have not played in a while you can get hot and hit some threes and have a good game. Or like Rocky thats believable cause he was a heavy hitter who faught weekly and broke Creeds ribs. But in cycling or running there is no digging deep to catch the faster guys, you can dig deep to FINISH but not to all of a sudden get faster and pass everyone not without training. You can't just decide to run a marathon without any training and think you will finish you have to invest hundreds of hours to do that. Same thing with racing WORS you can't just show up without training and spending all summer working and drinking and think you are going to do good. Its just impossible. I had fun today and thank god I have years of experience otherwise I would have never finished! Dad awesome race same to you Dave and thanks to the club for putting on such an awesome event!

The Eye of the Tiger

2009-08-29T08:58:00.001-07:00

Look at the determination on my face to make sure I smash into Camryn's car........I think I have a problem!

Lake Geneva

2009-08-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was Venetian Festival which is my favorite time of the year. Saturday I got off of work and pick my children up from my Dads and then took them to the fest we played games till I was tapped out of money but we didn't want to go home so I took them to the lake shore path and we just hung out it was a great night. I never forget how beautiful this town is but I did forget about some of my favorite spots on the path. We went back there Sunday with Melissa and took about 200 awesome pictures.

Not Enough Time

2009-08-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

The last three weeks we have had family over. The first two weeks of August we had my Bro and his family stay with us then we had Melissa mother stay for two weeks. This picture of Bob doing a back flop is pretty funny. And then there is this picture of my nephew Nick he is an animal!

WE WON

2009-07-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

We won our first game in months! I was just laughing about all I blog about is my mediocracy well tonight we had a great softball game it was just like the Natural it was a slow rain the whole game we all made some good plays I went 3 for 4 we were all rooting each other on! Winning is fun especially when it doesn't happen that often.

Destroyed

2009-07-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

I got destroyed on Saturday! I left on my bike thinking that with the kids gone and wife at work I have all day to do a nice long ride. Well 20 minutes into my ride this dude pulls up along side me and I am listening to my zune so he scares the living hell out of me and the guy just starts chatting so I take my earbuds out and start talking to this guy and by within second I realize this dude is a big time biker he weighs 148 pounds his legs are tree trunks and his bike is all customed out. Right away he asks about my bike and compliments on how awesome it is then he starts talking about the tour and how he has ridden up Mont Ventou and other epic stages as he is bragging at all of his biking success I realize that he is just working me over I am breathing heavy my legs are hurting and this guy just keeps pushing the pace, so after an hour we are on the other side of Burlington and I split off from him to start going home when it hits me that I have nothing left I am bonked! I have nothing on me except half a water bottle so all I can do is just ride smart and keep turning the pedals there was some construction so I bumped myself out onto hwy 11 and knew that I would eventually get to Bowers but it seemed to take forever once I turned down a road I was familiar with things got a little better but all kinds of weird shit was going on, I had some little dude on a lawn mower come right out to the edge of the road and turn the mower right at me where the clippings and dust shot out at me like the fuck was doing it on purpose. I had cars passing other cars and would come over the white line like they were going to hit me, I kept thinking I was lost even though I knew that was impossible but I felt like I was out there. When I got home I just crashed I was destroyed.

Yesteday Melissa and I went out on the boat just the two of us for 10 hours it was great just doing nothing but listen to music and swim. We did end up getting drunk and having way more fun than two working people should have on a Monday but it was worth it! I got so much sun my back and my chest are glowing red right now. But I made it into work early and stayed late like the fucking trouper that I am. Now I must go to play softball and get our asses kicked for another week.

My Return to Racing

2009-07-19T17:52:00.000-07:00

I have not competed in a race since last September and it showed! I have only been riding consitantly for about 3 weeks not nearly enough to compete with dudes that are in mid season form and I knew that going in but when you see the course and the familiar faces you kind of forget how long you've been away so you get dillusional! Especially this is always one of the tuffest races non stop climbing and for someone who has been eating and drinking like a normal American as of late that is a bad combination. But I finished and had fun. I got to hang with David and Dad so it made all the suffering worth it. I have two months to get into shape for our Lake Geneva race, and the Chequamegon!

Looks like Alberto Contador just put his stamp on the Tour today. Lance should finish 2nd which for his return and age is very impressive. I know there is a lot of racing left but man with the way teams control races now there is almost no way he will fail unless he crashes or gets ill.

Col De Tourmalet

2009-07-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

If anything the Tour de France is awesome to watch for the scenary alone. Today as they climbed up the Tourmalet the high mountains in the pyranees the landscape was amazing, as they reached the top they then descended down the back side at 55mph it is pretty cool watching the pelaton in a single line rapping around the tight turns like a snake. Lance and team is in a great spot it doesn't look like there is any one team that will be able to beat Astana. The drama is if Lance can beat the younger Contador who is a few second up on Armstrong.

Lance Armstrong

2009-07-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

Lance is amazing! I know its a long race and the odds of him winning are slim but damn thank god he is back he brings an element to the race it needs. The last few years the headlines were all about doping now there is something more positive to talk about.

DON'T CALL IT A COME BACK

2009-07-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

Lance Armstrong made his return to the Tour de France and after the first two days there team looks great. I started my own come back this week I went on 3 rides this week and plan on riding a lot to get into shape for Chequamegon in September. On my ride today I was thinking about how its been ten years this month that Dad, Frank, and I did the Minneapolis-Chicago Aids ride. 500 miles in one week. That was a great time and it motivated Dad and I to start racing. Since then we have done over a hundred races and ran the Chicago Marathon. Now that work has slowed down for the summer I will be able to start focussing more on riding, and having fun! Although from my last few posts I have been enjoying myself lately.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

We had a blast the last two days, once again we had the friends gather together for beer food and boating. Brad brought over some big booms that shook the foundation of our neighborhood we are all lucky to still have our fingers. Tony and I dominated bean bag toss, and the kids ran wild.

Alpine part 2

2009-06-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

I didn't know I still had it in me 2 straight days of phish and I made it out alive! The band played some great sets they mixed in a lot of there old school music, and had a lot of fun with the crowd as you can see in the picture where they are all playing phunky instruments Trey with his 5 neck guitar. I wish I could spend every weekend doing that. Alpine was jammed a second night, but luckily I had a seat and a much better view of the band. Trey ripped it up both nights he seems totaly focused and better than ever its great to see him on his A game again and lets hope he stays sober! 1996 was our first phish concert at Alpine it was fun to go back 13 years later with almost the same group of friends it was worth the hang overs!

EPIC SHOW

2009-06-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

Man I forgot how much I missed this band. Alpine was rocking. I haven't seen that many people at a show in a long time. We had a great day great friends great music you couldn't ask for much more.

Phish is BACK!

2009-06-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Today we will head up to Alpine Valley to see Phish! It has been about 5 years since I last saw them at Alpine so this is a big deal for us. Alpine will be packed by far the biggest crowd they have had since phish 1996 that was insane almost too many people but then back in those days I didn't care about shit like that, more people the better.

All Work and No Play

2009-06-13T06:50:00.001-07:00

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best video ever

2009-05-21T18:33:00.001-07:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Holy Shit What a Month

2009-05-21T18:02:00.001-07:00

Well I don't know where to begin. I have been so swamped with work it is all happening. We are having a record spring, my perennials are look great, my customers have all followed me to Maraini's and we are in full swing.......My family is doing great Cassi got second place in the 200, and 100 meter dash on Wednesday. Camryn is rocking she went to Milwaukee on a field trip (I'm a little worried about the crowd she is hanging with but what can ya do) :) Every person we know is pregnant. The weather has been great. What more can I say I'm just sitting here listening to Janes Addiction drinking a Margarita. Life is busy but good.

Happy Birthday Bob

2009-05-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

WOW does time fly. You are 36! Shit man whats happening to us?

Happy Birthday Cassi!

2009-04-17T19:26:00.001-07:00

Cassi could have done anything for her birthday but she chose to go rock climbing. We had a blast the girls were awesome. Cassi did every wall no problem except the most difficult but she tried that last, and if she wasn't so tired she could have done it!

Playing in the dirt

2009-04-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

Today I was teaching the next generation how to plant.

The Babies are growing

2009-03-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

My Week

2009-03-14T17:07:00.001-07:00

55 hours of work this week but I got 2 months worth of planting done in those 55 hours. I work so far in the sticks that we still have dirt roads and we have a lot of trucks drive down these roads I had to fill in all the pot holes and use the roller to smooth the road out. I thought I was just a grower! The bottom picture Gabe, and Nacho are striking a pose:)

PHISH

2009-03-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

Phish played three nights at Hampton VA, and it was a marathon they played 82 songs! You can tell they were pretty rusty but as the shows were progressing they were getting better. The cool thing is that if you go to phish.com you can download all three shows for free! I can't wait till June

Watchmen

2009-03-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

I saw Watchmen lastnight and must say it is one of the best superhero movies I have ever seen. It was rated R which was awesome cause the violence, and bad language was great. Not to mention hot naked superhero chicks! Awesome movie go see it. One thing I loved about this movie is what it would be like if a superhero kicked a normal thugs ass with no holding back, it was great.

The Dells

2009-02-23T15:54:00.001-08:00

I took the fam to the Dells this weekend. We stayed at Chula Vista Resort it was beautiful the room was spotless, and the water park was huge. I went down every slide as much as I could. Camryn was playing one of those stupid games and she hit the jack pot she one 1,300 tickets! Of course you still couldn't buy anything good, but it was still fun to watch. Every kid in the hotel stopped in awe when she walked by. It was a fun weekend.

There Back!!!

2009-02-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Phish is back!

Where do I begin

2009-02-10T19:19:00.000-08:00

A lot of stuff has happend since my last update. For one the weather has been great. I got out on Saturday and rode for almost 2 hours then I was able to ride again today for an hour! Feels so good to be outside breathing in the fresh air. Don't get me wrong I love the smoked filled smell of my local watering holes. Funny that I say that cause today the cycling gods had fun with me. They threw strong gusts at me and turned the lights out before I could get home. But it was still worth it, I got to ride my road bike, and I tell ya I forgot how awesome that is. I also love the smells when the snow melts away and the mud in the fields gives off this smell that I remember ever since I was a kid. Every spring I think of that smell.

I just finished planting my first 10,000 perennials for work, I have 100,000 more to go. Spring will be here before I know it and then I will have no time for nothing. Dad sent me a calender of this years events and it looks like I could do about 7 wors races plus 12 hours of Muir, 24-9, Ore to Shore, Chequamegon, Fall Color Fest, and Ice Man. I hope I can hold up:)

Today has been a full year since I started this blog, so I was looking back at the past year and wow what a fat glutton I am! Lots has happend in the past year, it will be interesting to look at this next year.

Super Bowl!

2009-02-02T15:35:00.000-08:00

For almost 10 years Melissa, and I host a super bowl pary. It is funny how much it has changed, we use to take our kids to the sitters, and we would tear it up all night. Now we had almost as many kids at the house as we did adults:) But we always have a great time. The super bowl is my second favorite eating day of the year, all I did was eat yesterday, and drink margaritas!

Metallica

2009-01-28T15:02:00.000-08:00

Lastnight I went to see Metallica in Chicago! What was I thinking, I am 33 years old and the concert was on a Tuesday! I didn't get home till 2:30 and had to wake up at 5:15, talk about a long day. Good news was that I didn't drink so I didn't have to deal with a hangover! The last time I saw Metallica I was 16 years old thats 17 years ago man, and Metallica was much better then. I don't know if its just that I am more mature (yeah right) or that Metallica is a much different band. When I saw them in 1992 they were still on tour with the black album which was there first sign of selling out. But they only had that one cheese album, now they have a whole shit load of cheese music out there and they are not shy about playing it! Of course I heard some awesome classics, and the light show was great but I liked the memory I had of them when I was 16 and wild, not now when I am 33 and had to go to work the next day:) Don't get me wrong I had a good time, but I have seen so much good music in my life I think my standards are just too high. I took some pictures on my phone so they don't look the best but you will get the point.

Wish I was there

2009-01-26T17:48:00.000-08:00

The girls went to the Dells this past weekend with the Todds to celebrate Damons birthday. They had a great time swimming, I could go for that right now!

P.S. I am going to METALLICA tomorrow!

The Wrestler

2009-01-25T09:02:00.001-08:00

Melissa, and I saw The Wrestler yesterday, and it was one of the best movies I have seen in years. I have never seen a movie that was so real, it seemed like we were watching a documentary. It was such a tuff movie to watch. Micky Rourke should win everything for this movie.

Best movie ever

2009-01-09T17:45:00.000-08:00

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809424382/video/10509645

The life and times of the Mennenoh's

2009-01-03T16:53:00.001-08:00

Two months ago Melissa and I went to see Wicked for our anniversary, and we thought it would be a shame for our children not to witness so when we got back we bought tickets for the four of us and that was the kids Christmas present. We had a great time! Cassi, and Camryn totaly appreciated what they saw, it was cool seeing there excitement throughout the whole show. Then we took them to dinner at a famous restauraunt called Patterino's where they have charactatures (how ever you spell it) of all the famous people that came in. We sat right under Obama's picture! We took the train there and back and had an awesome time.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

Being the responsible parent that I am the girls and I were playing on the ice yesterday, and I let them break up the ice by the shore and jump in they loved it!

The girls were showing off there art skills in the snow.

My liver is pissed off at me:) what a new year we partied pretty good lastnight, and this morning! It was awesome seeing my summer friends lastnight. Shit I need to go back to work just to get some rest.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

Well I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. It has been crazy around here with all the parties and family. I don't have anything left for New Years. But I am sure if I dig deep I will be up to it. I can't wait till summer I want to ride my bike. I went for a ride yesterday outstide and it was so windy, we had like 40 mph wind gusts and I was out on a 20 mile ride it was brutal. It was great breathing in fresh air. Before I know it, it will be spring and I will be on some nice trails like the picture on the bottom.

How Perfect is This!

2008-12-19T13:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA

MyFaceLOL

2008-12-19T13:36:00.001-08:00

Click here to create your own video

Happy Birthday Melissa

2008-12-17T10:36:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Melissa! 31 thats crazy, soon you will be too old for me:)

It's my birthday

2008-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today I am 33, and that is not a good feeling. It is funny watching my kids get so excited the days leading up to there birthdays, and I remember how excited I would get too. Now all of us my age say its just another day, but its not just another day. 33 years ago December 16th 1975 I entered this world, and at that time who could have guessed what kind of person I would turn out to be? My life so far seems to be broken up into 3 parts. Part 1 birth-highschool (the best times. I loved being a kid skateboarding, bmx, basketball, back yard football, and baseball, just being outside. Part 2 Moving to Geneva when I was 16 to when Cassi was born. I am in Part 3 right now you look forward to your kids birthdays, and accomplishments more than you do your own. Which is kind of nice the pressure is on them now. Today I plan on taking it easy the temperature is only 2 degrees right now so I don't plan on doing much outside today.

It has begun

2008-12-15T16:53:00.000-08:00

My bike looks pretty with the lights of the Christmas tree. I started my winter training this weekend. Saturday I went to the gym and shot some hoops, rode the bike, and lifted some weights, Sunday I repeated the same routine, and today I rode my trainer which I hate, but it beats getting fat. The bottom youtube is from my friend Brett in Colorado and watching these guys ride down this hill makes me feel all funny inside.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebhTGOncLUs

A New Day

2008-12-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

Winter in Wisconsin is awesome. We have lots of snow and the landscape looks beautiful. People have already started ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and shoveling:)

Tuff Times

2008-12-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

Bob emailed me and wanted to know why I haven't updated my blog in a while. Well brother when I have nothing positive to share with people its better that I keep it to myself. The holidays are always tuff too many parties to go to. The only thing good to say is that Cassi was in the Christmas parade, which Camryn, me, and the Ponds went to watch. On Sunday the girls and I bought our Christmas tree and we decorated it. I guess I could have put a picture of the tree on here and blogged about that:) Next week is my 33rd birthday:( I can't believe it once you turn 30 its all over!

Baby Kaden

2008-11-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

One more thing to be thankful for! Congratulations to David and Jackie. What a beautiful baby boy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

I love Thanksgiving nothing is better than eating all day. This year I think I have more to be thankful for than past years. I am thankful to have such a great job, and I will never take it for granted. I am thankful that my family is healthy, and happy. I am thankful that we have a new President. I am thankful for my house. I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful that I was able to have another year of racing, and doing the things I love. I am thankful that my brother has found success in work and in life. I am thankful that life tends to challenge us for the better. I am thankful that I still feel like I am ten. Life is good, and I hope everyone feels the same way.

New Truck

2008-11-10T18:11:00.000-08:00

I always wanted a truck, and finaly pulled the trigger. I can not believe the good deals out there right now, and what I am most excited about is that we were able to unload the Aztec I hated that car! This truck is awesome, it drives like a dream.

Motivation

2008-11-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: YES WE CAN

WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-05T03:38:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am waking up to a new world. I am so proud of all the people that voted, it is clear how sick our country is of George Bush. This morning they showed all the people celebrating in Chicago, but what made me emotional was when they showed people rushing the streets in Seatle, and cars stopping in the middle of the road and hugging strangers, then they showed countries around the world erupting in cheers when Obama won! Thats what we need! We need a man that can make other countries excited. We did it! This reminds me of Return of the Jedi when they blow up the death star and the evil empire was destroyed they show all the planets celebrating, well thats what happend we got rid of the evil empire! Today is a new day. When I voted yesterday there was a line that went out of the building and I thought to myself this is what I expected, then a fellow came up to me and said are you registered, and I said yes he good come this way. Two minutes and I was done. That line was new voters who were not registered. Thats how powereful this election was. Obama received more white votes than any democrat since Carter, and he won by the biggest margin since Lindon B. Johnson! I know that there is racism, but I feel that America knew what was at stake, and voted with there hearts not there eyes. Today is a good day!

HOPE

2008-11-03T15:27:00.000-08:00

Obama gives me hope! I am excited to start believing in our counrty again.

The Life and Times of Camryn

2008-11-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

Cassi, went to the Dells for the long weekend so Melissa took Camryn to the apple orchard, and to the pumpkin farm with Ellason, and Heather. Camryn is very photogenic!

Anniversary part 2

2008-10-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! Melissa, and I celebrated our 10th anniversary in Chicago. We left Friday after work, and stayed at Dana's hotel and spa. We went to Wicked on Saturday what a show it was such a fantastic production, I want to see it again. We were blown away. After Wicked we went to Gene and Georgetti's Steak house for some of the best food, and service I have ever experienced!! Top notch. When we left there we stumbled into Blue Chicago and had a great time listening to the blues! As you can see from the pictures I was over served by our lovely waitress! Melissa and I some how managed to stumble back to our hotel, at some weird hour at night:) All was good we had a blast, and live to tell about it. I love Chicago the sights the sounds it is truly a beautiful city.

Anniversary part 1

2008-10-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

Mornings

2008-10-18T05:35:00.001-07:00

It wasn't that long ago that when you saw the sun rise it was time to go to bed :)

WWE: Mediaplayer > List This! Hardest Hitting Betrayals #3: Randy Savage turns on Hulk Hogan - The Main Event 2/3/89

2008-10-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

WWE: Mediaplayer > List This! Hardest Hitting Betrayals #3: Randy Savage turns on Hulk Hogan - The Main Event 2/3/89

Happy Birthday Camryn!

2008-10-12T07:21:00.001-07:00

It's good to be 8. It feels like yesterday when I was 8. All I cared about was star wars toys and riding my bike. All Camryn wants to do is go shopping. She's such a girl. Camryn is all personality, she keeps our family laughing all the time. Happy Birthday Baby.

Aliens on Earth

2008-10-10T17:23:00.001-07:00