NickTrip.com

Since this Big East game decided to go overtime, I’m waiting to catch KU-MU for another 10 minutes. I’m planning on enjoying another sunny day in Portland. It should be rainy and 40 degress or so, but sunny and 60 sounds good. Great winter continues. What up to the Gabler. Thanks for the comment. All is well out here. Hope you’re doing well too.

March madness going on, spring break a few weeks away. It’s track season, and I love that too. I went to a breakfast at church this morning. Good talk about finding God’s call in my life. Listening and praying. I need to do more of that, and I’m committed to that now. It’s taken me a while to find my path, and a lot of bumps along the way. Life with God is great. Better than anything in the world.

Did you catch the KU game? They seem to have a tough time in Stillwater. Most teams do. 2 more big games. Rumor has it the game Wed. versus KSU is not on tv, just the espn full court package. That can’t be accurate, can it?

Since Aug, I have read a few books. I have been enjoying a book on Christopher Columbus’ final voyage, and read another book by an actor, Hill Harper, “Letters to a Young Brother”. Good read, regardless of age. I have taken more time to read the Bible. That, of all the books I’ve ever read, or will ever read, is the best, hands down.

My culinary skills have developed a bit more.. I made a nice batch of enchildas recently, and some hamburgers as well. I have seen a lot of movies, mostly rented from the library. Not a fan of $10 movies, so free is a better option. I did finally see Hustle and Flow. Good. I watched Once Upon a Time in Mexico, which I’ve seen before, but I watched it from a statement standpoint, which far outweighs the action.

I went to a Blazers game when my mom was in town, good seats. But, I’m a Lakers fan, and I have tried to fake being interested in the Blazers, which I can no longer do. I won’t root against them, but I won’t root for them. Even though the KU game was a loss, and the crowd energy a let down (the reality of KU as a bball school became evident yet again during a home football game), I was SO happy to be back in Lawrence on a  sunny day. It was great. I haven’t been out to travel much this year in Oregon, but I’m headed to Multnomah Falls this weekend.

I’m excited for the spring, March Madness. Let’s hope the best for KU this year. Coach Self has those guys playing, and they keep getting better, with some lapses, but the key is that each game they are improving.

Take care to those who are still Nick Trippin’.

My last post was on my birthday, Aug. 26. What was I doing that day? I was back in Portland, fresh off a trip back to Kansas. The weather was great in Aug/Sep in Portland, and even though winter in Kansas has been rough, out here, other than a few days, Nov-now have been great. Here’s to hoping!

Since I’ve been back in Portland, I have been back twice to Kansas. Once in Oct., spur of the moment, our Jayhawks versus the Sooners, which was surely to be a KUvictory. Just the  beginning of the end for my boy Mangino. Then, I headed back, all in less than 30 hours. I think. I also came back in Dec. for almost 2 weeks. It was great to just relax, and stay snowed in. That was my favorite part. Love the snow, generally.

I am headed to San Jose soon, and then back to Kansas sometime in a few months. Since last time I posted, I have been doing a bit out here. Working out has not been one of those. I thought resting my back would help, but it’s just as weak and tired. A total of 2 workouts since Aug. I won’t be participating in the Cascades Lakes Relay, but I do hope to start stretching out, working on strength and flexibility for a few months, and see where I am at in May. Perhaps I will start today.

If you know football coaching tirades, you might get this one. Dennis Green, talking about the Bears a few years ago.

Ok, so the weather cooperated, the food was great, and the only thing on my list that I didn’t get to do was go to a Royals game. But I did manage to watch them on tv for a bit. I watched some Chiefs preseason football. My prediction, after some early season struggles with the line and the running game, they will start to click, just in time to close the season on a nice run for a 5-11 season. I make a bet that they don’t finish last. Any takers?

Some of my restaurants of choice on this trip (ranking from favorites down to lesser favorites. Note, the last few on my list are still good choices…at least to me, if for nothing else, some nostalgia)  Taco Via, Planet Sub,Minsky’s Pizza, Chilis,Chipotle, Applebees. Taco Via is second to none. The flat nacho, what an invention!

I was able to get around into the suburbs, check the Waldo area out, head down to the Power and Light district (which may be too swank and pricey for me), but still a GREAT option for the KC area. I loved the rainshowers that came down, the evening storms that only folks in the midwest can appreciate. I could sit and watch a stormcloud and watch lightning for hours. Made it to a casino, Ameristar, and lost $20 dollars. I hadn’t been in a while, almost 3 years.

Overall, the trip was great. I was able to catch up with a lot of friends and family. The enchilada party with some Rummikub was great, followed a week later by an ever larger taco party at home. I played some dominoes also, which was fun. Had to leave early…but with a comfortable lead. Ate some porkchops as well, and got some brisket sandwich in me, to get my bbq fix. Seeing my family was great, catching up with former co-workers, and friends is always nice.

So, I am planning on getting back in December, rather than wait another year to come home. See you in a while. Take care, keep in touch