Live From Mankato......It's SnL

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T22:29:00.008-05:00

You know it's great when the crowd is already standing before the song is over. This might be the best version I have ever heard of this song. Hope everyone had a great Easter!

It's been a long, long time

2011-03-26T09:33:00.002-05:00

Lazy Saturday morning here at the Nelsen household. Lisa and I had to get up at seven to get Eddie from the kennel and now we are catching up on the shows we missed this last week.

We have been out of town at the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, where the Mavericks played. Talk about a once in lifetime experience. I flew out to Springfield last Sunday night and Lisa joined the fun on Tuesday.

We opened with a great overtime win against Alabama-Huntsville. The highlights can be found below. Be sure to watch, a couple of great clips of Lisa in the stands.

Our second game put us against the #2 team in the nation, Bellarmine. We went back and forth with the Knights until the final five minutes. Nothing to hang your head about, the guys put together a helluva season, tying a school record for wins, with 28.

Here are the highlights from the second game:

Things should start to slow down a bit with the spring sports, they will go by quick and before you know it, it will be summer.

Sorry for the delays, hope everyone is doing well.

Pretty Much Sums it Up

2010-09-19T21:37:00.003-05:00

We lost my grandpa today. This song pretty much sums up how awesome grandpas are.

Finally Got to See the Dave Matthews Band

2010-09-16T21:33:00.005-05:00

Last winter during the Grammy's I saw that the Dave Matthews Band was coming to the cities this fall. I signed up for the "Warehouse" (the DMB) fan club and got in the lottery for tickets and got a pair. I was beyond stoked. Lisa, not so much, but we were going for my birthday so she didn't say much.

Anyway, last night was the show. Needless to say it was everything I could imagine. Lisa even said she had a lot more fun than she expected. Great crowd, great show and a ton of fun to people watch.

Here are some photos from the night. Enjoy them this weekend while I'm on a six-hour bus trip to beautiful Crookston.

* Edit - Lisa said she didn't think that Dave Matthews was good looking...Until last night. Not sure what that means, but it's interesting :)

It's been two years already?

2010-07-25T20:07:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow (Monday) marks our two year anniversary and I can't believe it. These past two years have absolutely flown by. It seems like just yesterday Lisa and I were sharing our special day with so many of our friends.

These past two years have been great filled with some ups and downs, but that's life. This past weekend, Lisa and I had a relatively relaxing weekend planned (we had a wedding on Friday, her dad was going to help me fix the garage window on Saturday and then today we had her goddaughter's fourth birthday party) but the storm that rolled through Saturday morning changed those plans. Long story short, we lost electricity for about a day, but we got it back (and should have a new cable box by Tuesday).

Happy Anniversary Lisa, I can't wait to see what the future has in hold for us!

Get Away

2010-07-20T19:44:00.010-05:00

This past weekend, Lisa and I took a few days off to head down to God's Country (Iowa).

We took of Saturday morning and dropped Eddie off at mom and dad's (where he got lots of walks and lots of car rides) before driving down to State Center to visit the Burdorf's.

We got into town late Saturday afternoon and hung out and caught up for the night. It was a relatively uneventful night, minus Brody punching me in the family jewels (it got a good laugh from everyone, even me).

Sunday morning we got up and walked down to Aaron's ballpark and he showed me what's all changed in the last five years. He's down a great job with the West Marshall baseball program and the diamond looks great. After we got back to the house, Lisa and I got our stuff ready and drove to Des Moines where we had lunch at my favorite Des Moines Mexican restaurant before going out to Jordan Creek to kill some time. We could check into our room Sunday at 2, so we took off and arrived at Lake Panorama around 2:30.

This is our second stay at Lake Panorama and we love it. The hotel we stayed at is small, but every room looks out at the Lake and it was quiet since we were there on Sunday and Monday. Once we got checked in, we hit the pool for a while (I think we were the only people who stayed there Sunday) before eating at the restaurant. Sunday night we drove around (not much to do in the small little town) before chilling in the room and watching the sunset.

Monday we woke up to storms and it stayed rainy until about 10:30 (it was raining so hard we even toyed with the idea of coming home). Once the rain pushed away, we hit the Raccoon River trail for a little hike before stopping at a ma and pa shop for some lunch. Saturday afternoon we were in the pool again for a couple of hours and caught a lot of sun (i got burnt, not honeymoon in Mexico burnt, but burnt). Having ate at the restaurant in the hotel already, we decided that we would drive back into Des Moines for dinner and a movie. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory (didn't realize how spending it was) before going to see the movie Inception. (Sidenote: Highly recommend inception. You think the entire movie and it is exhausting. I want to see it again because I know I missed a lot).

Here are some photos from the trip, I hope you enjoy.

Finally, i would be remiss if I didn't mention a passing of one of my favorite movie characters of all time, sweet Lou.

what's up?

2010-04-27T20:10:00.007-05:00

Hey All-

Been far too long between posts and I hope this note finds everyone well. Posted a video from Saturday Night Live - and this might be one of my favorite skits on the show called "What Up With That". I hope you enjoy it.

Not a lot has been new around here. Lisa just completed her first 5k last weekend and it looks like she is gearing up for another one this weekend. I am so proud of her. She did great and established a new personal best so that was really exciting.

She ran it with Jamie Burdorf and Mandy Hunecke and it was for a great cause as they raised over a 1,000 dollars for Leep. Saturday afternoon I worked the spring football game before we all hung out at Mandy and Justin's that night. It was great catching up with everyone. We live two miles from Mandy and Justin and don't see them enough and we haven't seen Aaron and Jamie since they stayed with my parents for the fourth of July last year.

Work has been good for both of us. The sports season is winding down (everything should be wrapped up by the end of May) and I'm looking forward to a nice, relaxing summer. If I get approved, I'll be heading to San Francisco for work in July and Lisa and I are hoping for a getaway at sometime this summer. Where, I don't know but we want to go somewhere and somewhere were we can do things relatively cheap.

Watching the biggest loser right now and they have to pen cattle. Of all the things they can do... Damn I should have applied for this season. I'm no expert herdsman, that's for sure, but I know that I could do this way better than these City Slickers.

That's really all I got... I'll take vacation ideas in the comments!

Hope all is well-

Scott, Lisa and Eddie

PS: Speaking of Eddie.... Little guy got his first kill a couple of weeks ago

Maybe a summer home away from home...

2010-04-06T19:19:00.002-05:00

Today was a great day in the Minnesota State Athletic Communications office. Through one of my boss's (PA) contacts, we got a private tour of the new Twins ballpark, Target Field.

Talk about a beautiful place to watch a game. Until my sophomore year of college, I had never been to an outdoor ball game before I went to Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City and I have seen about 10 games there. I have also been to Petco Park in San Diego and it (Petco) was the best ball park I have ever been to, until today. From everything I have heard, Target Field takes the best of every new ballpark and combines it into one. What I saw they took from Petco in San Diego was the open concourse. No matter where you walk around the concourse you can see the field basically unobstructed. They have also installed a boat load of HD tvs in the concourse so you never can miss the action. Plus they have added a lot more bathrooms and concession stands, so the lines won't be nearly as bad. Additionally the concourse is twice as wide as it was in the Dome.

For those who want, you can view my album of the day Facebook, here.

We had a good - busy - but good Easter. We drove down to Iowa Saturday night and had Easter Eve supper with Bryon, Brooke and Drake along with my Uncle Arnie. Dad grilled and we watched the Final Four and hung out, it was a good time. Drake is getting big and has a great personality so he's pretty fun to be around right now.

Sunday morning we got up went to church with my parents and then drove to Gaylord to have Easter Dinner with Lisa's family (immediate family, aunt, uncle, cousins and cousins kids). It turned out to be an absolute beautiful day and we hung outside for a couple of hours before heading back to Mankato.

Other than that, there isn't much new in our world. Hope everyone is well-

SnL and Eddie...

Three Things That Tripped my Trigger Today

2010-03-25T21:24:00.004-05:00

Sorry for headline, I'm a sucker for alliteration.

But three things really chapped my ass today.

- Was out walking Eddie today at noon and it was cold (nice, sunny but cold) and walked by the elementary school that's a block from our house and the kids were outside for recess, no big deal right? What really bothered me was the fact that the air temp was like 35 degrees and there were more kids without coats (just sweatshirts) running around during recess. Where are the parents to tell them to wear their coats as they leave the house or even more so, where are the teachers to tell them to wear their coats at recess. Now I'm not one to tell people how to parent or teach, but seriously folks?

Secondly...I had to run back home after lunch to get a camera for the softball game and there were two people with strollers (a guy and a gal) coming off the trail. As I drove by them, I waved (I'm an Iowa farm boy, I wave at everyone) and they just started at me and almost looked annoyed at me as I waved at them. I was so close to rolling down my window and yelling at them to lighten up and telling them to lighten up, it's called a wave and when someone does it to them, you should do it back.

Finally, following supper tonight, I stopped by campus to wash my car and get some gas. As we drove by campus there were two punks that walked right throw the street and onto campus...No big deal right? Well the problem is, like five years ago someone walked across the street by campus was hit by a car and killed. Now this isn't that drastic, but as they walked, they didn't look either way for cars (I did stop). I gave my horn a quick honk, to tell the guys "Hey, you might want to look before you cross" and I was greeted with a the one finger salute. Now whatever, I don't care, but seriously, just care enough about yourself to look before you cross.

Okay, now that I seem like a grouchy old jerk, a couple of notes for you...
- Our softball coach, Lori Meyer, won her 800th game today. A couple of tidbits aboutMeyer... She is the winningest active collegiate coach (all divisions) in the state of Minnesota. During her tenure at Minnesota State, which covers more than a quarter of a century, Meyer has compiled a 800-536-3 (.579) record at Minnesota State and has coached 86.4 percent of MSU’s 925 victories in program history.

Finally, as you both know, Lisa and I both enjoy TV shows... If you aren't watching Parenthood, check it out, probably my favorite hour long (serious type) show on television. Secondly, if 30 Rock isn't the best comedy on TV it's close. And the Big Bang Theory might be 1a.

Okay, lots of random stuff, but that's what I've got.

In the words of Mr. Jon Larsen, what do you think? :)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

2010-03-03T08:57:00.000-06:00

With playoff basketball starting tonight, I just wanted to share this... I love this month!

The office combined with curling

2010-02-25T14:28:00.001-06:00

For those who know me, they know I love "The Office" and curling. Here they are combined.

Ma...The Meatloaf

2010-02-23T19:54:00.004-06:00

Not much going on here in the Nelsen household. Days are getting a bit longer, the sun is getting a bit stronger which makes me happy.

One highlight lately has been Lisa's new favorite cookbook that she found Campbells 1-2-3 Dinner (which I think should be called 1-2-3 supper, but i digress). Basically, it's two or three ingredients and a can of obviously, Campbell's soup. Last week, she made a great potato-broccoli-chicken dish and tonight was an awesome meatloaf. Didn't even need ketchup, it was made with Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup. Amazing.

Currently I have been obsessed with the Olympics (surprise, surprise) and this one has been a lot of fun. Check out the post here about two of our women's hockey players who are playing against each other for the bronze medal. Which is pretty awesome if you ask me.

To top it off, David Backes and his American teammates downed Canada, 5-3, last Sunday night to win their pool. The Americans now take on the Swiss again tomorrow. Backes - who was both an All-American and an Academic All-American for the Mavericks when he played here is a class act and has a goal (pictured left), two assists and two penalty minutes so far.

I've also gotten into curling (Lisa finds it somewhat boring) but it is on during the day in the office and it's a game that I find fun to watch and full of strategy. I find my self getting mad at Americans a lot and tell myself that I shouldn't be mad because I have never even played the game before and don't know what I'm talking about. Sometimes it is just common sense though, but oh well. We do have a curling club here in 'Kato and I hope to be able to make it there sometime yet this winter.

Tonight have taken the night off from the games (at least for now) to watch two shows. Bryon (my brother) got me hooked on the show called American Pickers on History and I watched it tonight...great show. Lisa wanted to watch Idol (don't like it, don't hate it) since it's the first night that America votes. Tonight it's the ladies...Some are good some are bad. Right now some chick is trying to sing the Beatles and I didn't think it was good, but I guess the judges did. Ellen has made the show more watchable. I'm a huge fan of hers. She makes me laugh and I don't think she's full of her self.

*Note- I've already started the next paragraph but just saw there is a girl from West Des Moines, Iowa. I have a lot of pride in my home state, so I have to cheer for her. Damn this show, I'll probably watch now every week that she is on.

Work for me is going great right now. Our men's hoops team is 23-2, 16-2 in league play and they play for a share of the league title tomorrow against Augustana at 8 p.m. Our women have come on strong as well in the second half of the season and made a push to make the league playoffs. This weekend is a busy weekend for us. Hoops at the University of Mary, track and field is hosting the NSIC championships, our women's hockey team travels to Minnesota for the first round of league playoffs, our men's hockey team hosts the #1 team in the nation Denver, and our men's and women's tennis teams have seven matches in two days. Oh yea, softball added a double-header in the Irish Sports Dome in Rosemount, Minn., Friday morning beginning at 7:30 a.m. (that's right in the morning, wake-up call for the softball team..4:15 am).

Well that's about it for tonight. You may not hear from me until the weekend, or next week, or even next month (it's the same thing :) )...

Until then

SnL (and Eddie)

Ya, I'm famous

2010-02-07T17:25:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was the MSU Athletic Departments annual Big Bobber Ice Fishing trophy and I guess i got my picture taken with the tournament winner!

I scanned this out of today's Mankato Free Press

Say What...

2010-01-30T11:49:00.002-06:00

Just when you thought we were dead.

Sorry for the delay in blogs my friends. It's not that we have been super crazy, it's just that we've been super boring.

Life has been good, just boring that's all. Eddie is doing well. He is a good dog. He loves his trips to "school" and sits so proud in the backseat of the car when he knows that he is going up there.

I've stayed busy with athletics at MSU. Our winter season is in full gear. Hard to believe that the winter sports are almost done and spring sports are around the corner (that mean's maybe a Friday or Saturday night with my wife:) ).

Anyway, hope all is well, we'll be in touch soon.

SnL (and Eddie)

Update

2009-07-10T09:55:00.007-05:00

Greetings All-

It's been a while since I have posted an update that didn't involve a video or a tribute to our brothers to the North, so here it goes.

Yes, the photo above was taken today...in my office. Slow day in Taylor Center 175, but I have my buddy Eddie with. PA is at his son's baseball tournament and it was going to be quiet in here so he came with me, at lease he listens to my jokes.

Life is good, but it is hard to believe that summer is already over. I consider the 4th of July the official end of summer because in 39 days (or roughly 930 hours) the football season kicks off. I actually did do some work today, as I have printed the rough draft of the media guide and am now ready for a round of edits next week.k

We had a good, but quick fourth. My 10 year class reunion was on the fourth (an Armstrong-Ringsted tradition) and it was good to get together and see a bunch of people I haven't seen for a while and Lisa got to meet a bunch of people that she's heard me talk about, but never met before so it was good.

I graduated with 52 people and we had about 22 or 23 show up so it was nice to see people and catch up... here is what the Class of 99 looks like (those who were there), 10 years later.

Saturday night, Jamie (Hunecke) Burdorf and her husband (Aaron) and kids (Jenna and Brody) stayed at my parents place with us Saturday night so it was good to see them.

Sunday morning, I got up for Breakfast at Wimbledon and wasn't disappointed. The only thing that sucked was I had to leave half way through the match and remarkably, my dad got hooked on the match (this, is a good thing) and was calling me asking me questions and keeping me updated. It's funny, I wasn't a big tennis guy until I went to work at Drake, but I love it now. Roddick played well, but am really excited that Federer broke Sampras' record and is now the GOAT (

greatest of all-time).

This past week has been nothing unusual, wake-up, walk eddie-go to work - work out at noon - walk eddie at noon- work - go home eat supper - do dishes - lisa walks eddie - rinse, lather and repeat. But we do have a nice little weekend planned. Tonight I'm meeting a buddy and going to grill and go to fun days while lisa runs some shopping errands. Tomorrow's Lisa's cousin is getting married and then Sunday I usher in church and then gotta mow the yard. Other than that, not much else is planned.

Going to leave you with a couple of things...first, this photo was posted on a friend's facebook status...For those who love the office, they will appreciate it.

And i can't get this song out of my head... (it's not the actual video but you should get the point)

Happy (Belated) Canada Day

2009-07-02T08:14:00.002-05:00

Note: I tried to post this last night, but the link wouldn't work...

I would like to wish a happy (belated) Canada day to all of our friends to the north... Now I love the good ole US-of-A as much as the next person, but the Canadian pride, especially when it comes to their sports team is something unlike anything else. Where in the USA would EVER find this happen at a sporting event..

So I hope all of you Canadians out there a nursing a good Labatt, Molson or Kokanee hangover from last night. I suggest a Coffee Crisp or some Smartee's (for my American friends, these are not the flavored sugar tablets found in clear wrapping) and have some poutine for lunch.

Until next time-

SnL (this message has not been approved by L)

...

2009-06-25T14:50:00.002-05:00

Kinda Boring Really

2009-06-16T19:15:00.003-05:00

Not much new at 505 West 8th Street...Eddie is doing great, we have upgraded him from crate, to basement to full access to the house while we are gone and he does well...He jumped on the couch a couple of times so Lisa has put three folding chairs in front of the couch while we are gone and it has cured the problem. He is a great dog.

We took him to the dog park last week and he had a blast, i'm sure we will try to get there once or twice this week, it's good for him to interact with other dogs.

Last weekend was a good - but quick one. We met some friends Friday night for supper before seeing hangover (great laughs, great movie). Afterwards, we (mainly I, Lisa facebooked...is that a verb? if not, I just made it one) came home and watched Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I was really proud of myself as I didn't check the score or my phone once during the entire movie and watched the game without knowing who won.

Saturday, we woke up and did our usual Saturday tradition, which is brunch at the Hub. After brunch, we met Mandy and Justin at the dog park with their dog Bear. The two had a good time playing together. Afterwards, I came home and mowed while Lisa did some work around the yard. We then had to hurry and get ready as we had a wedding reception on the Mississippi River for my friend, and fellow SID Josh Deer and his bride, Stef. They got married in Mexico back in January (thanks to the scheduling gods) and the reception was this weekend. It was a blast. Good food, good friends and a great time.

Sunday we had every intention on getting up and going to church but opted to stay home and clean up after our buddy Eddy. Love the dog, but he sheds like it's his job. So after vacuuming, sweeping, dusting and other odds and ends had a nice clean house. We went and grabbed some groceries and came home only to unpack and then take Eddie to the park.

Around noon on Sunday, Curt (lisa's pop called) to see what he was doing. During the conversation, the words "Drive-Inn" came out of his mouth and we were sold so we went home and had supper with the Kahle's at the Drive-Inn in Winthrop...A summer classic.

Curt "What's everybody ordering"

Lisa "I'm ordering something different, I always get the California Burger, I just don't know what I want."

wait five minutes.

Waitress: "What do you guys want to order."

Lisa: "California Burger."

We took Eddie with and he got to meet Wally (all we are missing is The Beav) and they got along, wrestled stayed apart, got along wrestled, etc. etc. Eddie has some issues with male dogs, but he is getting better.

So that's it... Not a whole lot new in our world. We'll be going to Gaylord for Father's Day Eve before heading to Ringsted for Father's Day on Sunday.

One more note...My boss, PA, has been named to CoSIDA Hall of Fame. You can find the press release here... Awesome honour (spelled like the Canadians do) for an awesome guy.

SnL

Gotta Love Steve Nash

2009-06-11T09:49:00.001-05:00

Week one in the books

2009-06-08T19:01:00.004-05:00

Well week one with Eddie (aka: Edward and 'Dawrdo) is in the books and we are learning more and more about our little buddy each day.

1) He is a great dog. I know most people say they have a great dog, but he really is a great dog. Doesn't jump (he will climb on you and stay, but he won't jump up and down on you)

2) He poops and pees on walks only, which kinda sucks when it's raining but is nice that I don't have to clean up yard bombs

3) He is house trained, no accidents as of yet (knock on wood)

4) He stays off the furniture

5) He sleeps through the night.

All that said, I'm sure I have probably jinxed tonight but we will see. He gets to meet Curt and Julie tonight, so that should be fun...The little guy doesn't shy away from attention too much.

We took him to the vet today and he got a clean bill of health...Was told he could lose a few pounds, but then again, so could I, so our walks should be beneficial to both of us.

Life around here has been good. I worked the Minnesota State High School Softball Tournament last weekend and he had great weather (never got warmer than like 78). Saturday and Sunday were kind of low key due to the nearly three inches of rain we got in the Greater Mankato Area, but that is fine, we needed it, and the farmers need it even more.

Other than that, life has been good...I start volunteering at the Miracle League field tomorrow night here in town, so I am really excited for that, it should be a blast.

Last night I caught one of my favorite tv shows (Ice Road Truckers, this season is going to be intense) and then watched a new show called Whale Wars (i think) about stopping whaling on animal planet...Looks like there is another show to add to the mix.

That should about do it... Until next time-

SnL

Meet Our New Addition

2009-06-01T21:11:00.006-05:00

For the longest time I have wanted a dog to which Lisa would reply no... Well a couple of weeks ago, Lisa heard from a co-worker that the humane society in New Ulm had Goldendoodles (nonshedding dogs) for $75 bucks.

That got her excited about the idea of a dog. So she called me, I of course said yes and we put the call into New Ulm, however they were out of the puppies already :(

So, for the past two weeks or so, Lisa has been looking up dogs on the net, trying to find one. Can't find a Goldendoodle for under $600 bucks so they were a no-go.

Last Saturday when we were at Lisa's cousin's house, he had three terriers, one of was a terrier/beagle mix (i've always wanted a beagle.). So Lisa found one in Hastings at a Rescue Shelter and we went up today to get our new buddy, Eddie.

Eddie is doing great so far...Went for a walk, has been searching the house and just trying to get acclimated to the new surroundings.

We love the pup, just wish we could have had a little more honesty from the gal we got him from. She told us that Eddie didn't shed much and that he was shedding now to get rid of his winter coat. We got home and gave him a bath and got a lot of hair off him and hopefully it's gone (or close too it). Nonetheless, we think we will have a happy, happy relationship with him. He is great on the leash, haven't heard him bark, and is just a mellow dog, which is a bonus since he's 18 months old.

So now it's time for me to jump in the shower so Lisa and I can watch Jon and Kate + 8...Damn show got me addicted.

That's it for now :)

SnL

Birthday Weekend

2009-05-31T12:51:00.004-05:00

It's been a great birthday weekend so far...

Friday night after we watched Big, I called Curt, my father-in-law, to ask him if he wanted to come help me put my grill together...

Thankfully he obliged... if i had tried to tackle this task by myself I'm guessing Lisa and I would have gotten into a fight and then I would have put the grill together wrong and it wouldn't work right....

So, Curt and Jules got here Saturday morning and we went to the Hub for breakfast. This is our (mine and Lisa's) usual tradition every Saturday morning and it was nice to include them. Once we got back to the house, Julie and Lisa went shopping and Curt and I - check that, Curt, put together the grill. I helped, but I basically made sure to stay out of the way...When that guy gets going on a project he is locked in!

After the grill was put together, I took Curt and gave him a drive-by tour of MSU. We then met the ladies at Menards and Lisa and I came home.

Last week, Lisa had asked me what I wanted to do for my Birthday. I told her I want to go to the Drive-In in Winthrop for supper. We went back to Gaylor and Curt, Jules, Lisa and I went to the drive in and it was great. Afterwards, we went stopped by Curt's Cousin's house, to get some asparagus and then went to Curt and Julie's and played a game of Rummy which lasted for an hour and half...Good times, i got second and Curt won. When we came home, I marinated our chicken for lunch and then hit the hay.

Today we got up and went to church and then came home and fired up the grill. Grilled asparagus and chicken and lisa made some rice...It was great! Fresh strawberries for desert here shortly, an guy couldn't ask for much more.

Closed-Circuit To Jamie...I know I said I would never get a gas grill but I have become too impatient with waiting 40 minutes for the coals to get done. I have buckled and went with speed. I did keep the charcoal grill and I am guessing that it will be used every now and then.

This afternoon we are going to run a couple of errands before meeting my folks and Bryon and Brooke in Fairmont at the Channel for supper... Couldn't think of a better way to wrap-up the weekend.

Enjoy yours... I'm going outside, it's way too nice to be indoors.

SnL

Blast from the Past...

2009-05-29T20:32:00.002-05:00

The weekend is off to a great start...Didn't have to go into the office today because our carpets were getting cleaned so I had the day off... Did a few things around the house and once Lisa came home, we went to Menards and got me a new gas grill with my birthday money...Now I have to put it together. After some Buffalo Wild Wings, we came home, at 7 on a Friday night.

Sounds really exciting eh?

But the more exciting part would be that we are watching Big. That's right, the 1988 movie with Tom Hanks...One of my favorites...Classic memory from seeing the original movie with my family...mom and dad had to cover our eyes during the make-out scene because there was a bra showing...ha.

Anyway, i posted the piano sceen.

Enjoy your weekend!

Update- Just saw a pogoball...I used to have one of those, but I don't think they were made for the gravel.

What's missing here...

2009-05-28T20:53:00.006-05:00

Heard on Dan Barreiro's show tonight at 5 for the "Top-5 at Five" The #1 thing at 5 o'clock mentions that the 55-doughnut game between Iowa and Minnesota last November is not mentioned in the sesason results... As Michael Rand of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports here there is mention of the game in at least three other spots. Rand goes on to talk about the rivalry between the two schools and how it's not as strong as it is between say Minnesota and Wisconsin. I really enjoy Rand's blog and can't wait to see him next week at the Minnesota State Softball tourney where we will most likely discuss this topic, among many other.

I couldn't disagree more...Sure Iowa and Iowa State is a big rivalry but the Iowa/Minnesota game... We are talking about the battle for the Pig and it doesn't get much bigger than that! I keep going back to 2003 when Iowa tore down the goal posts after the win against Minnesota

But maybe I'm wrong... Iowa has won 7 of the last 8 meetings in the series and maybe that's why the rivalry isn't as hot as it used to be... Maybe it's the fact that the Gopher fans are sell out and sell tickets to Iowa fans for the game, giving the Metrodome (and I'm guessing TCF Bank Stadium) the name Kinnick North.

Anyway, for Coach Brewster in case he forgot the game, here are the highlights:

Also...one last thing when you go to Brewster's website www.play4brew.com, and click Multimedia you will see that you can't click on the highlights for the Iowa game...Must have forgotten to throw that link up.

We are alive, i promise...

2009-05-25T18:36:00.004-05:00

Hey all- We are alive, feel bad that it's been so long. It's not that we have had a super crazy past two months or anything, i just didn't feel like I had all that much to talk about. So here we go, some one-timers for you on what's been going on in the world of SnL.

- Had a great Memorial Day weekend this weekend. Got off work Friday at noon and came home and mowed while Lisa worked around the house. Friday night we had supper at Big Dog's in Upper North (better than expected) and then had some friends over and had a bonfire Friday night.

- Saturday, we slept till 9 (it's been a long time since we have done that) and got up and did our normal Saturday morning tradition of going to the Hub for breakfast. After breakfast we picked something up for my mom, ran to the farmers market and got some rhubarb & strawberry jam and some rhubarb. We then jumped in the car and drove over to Nicollet to Schmidts Meat Market. The place was way crazier than I expected...Tons of meat options and I could have spent A LOT of money there. We picked up two packages of Philly cheese steak brats and a package of pineapple brats (heard about them the night before and got they got rave reviews, so we got them). After a stop at a friends house we were back in 'kato to get groceries.

- I grilled a package of the philly cheesesteak brats (amazing) and hotdogs (refuse to eat them...they were for Lisa's sister Robyn who joined us for supper and a movie) and made supper before before heading to see Night at the Museum 2. Good movie, not the first one, but good enough indeed. My favorite part might have been the six year old girl behind us that said "Is that the guy from Marly and Me" when owen wilson came on the screen. After the movie we came back to the house and I dominated a game of Rummy (which never happens). After we did dishes and Robyn left, I turned on Saturday Night Live and we went to bed.

- I am convinced this will be the summer of grilling... I think we've done it like six of the last seven days and I hope to continue the trend.

- One quick sidenote... I've always been a huge fan of Saturday Night Live, as has Lisa, but this season was one of the best ever... One of my favorite sketches (which was one Saturday) is this one.

- Sunday we woke up, watched some Jon and Kate + 8 and then packed and headed to Ringsted. Back home we did the tour of grandparents before coming home for pork patties on the grill. After supper we went out to see Jerry and Roxanne's new house and a couple of cold ones. Afterwards back in the house to watch the Twins finish the weekend sweep of the Brewers and hit the hay... Today, I helped Bryon and Brooke move upstairs and dad grilled before we headed back to 'kato.

- Now watching the rest of last season's Jon & Kate + 8 (we are 1:08 away from the much anticipated new season). I like the show, Kate drives me crazy, but i kinda feel bad for the kids with all the stuff going on right now with the family. Hopefully they can figure it out.

- Sports are done for the year and we will await to see where we finish in the Director's cup. I am thinking we'll be in the top four or five nationally, which again will be awesome. Our women's track team had a great showing at the outdoor championships last weekend, with Katelin Rains, our senior pole vaulter, claiming her fourth career pole vaulting title (and first ever outdoor).

- The better half has been hammering away at work and complains more and more about going as each day gets nicer. I don't disagree with her, it's tough to be cooped up in an office when it is really nice out.

- Last weekend we planted a bunch of flowers and they are starting to take. We also planted a green pepper which we hope will bear plenty of fruit for us this summer.

- I hate to admit it, but I've really gotten into birding over the last 18 months. We have two feeders out (our finch haven't been by lately). Our other feeder has had a few cardinals this summer which really has been exciting, but the stupid blackbirds have been eating too much out of there lately so i gotta get a different type of feed.

- Lisa just baked a Rhubarb cake, so I'm anxious to see how it tastes.

- That is really about all that's been new with us lately. I really hope that I can start doing a better with updating the blog.

hope everyone is doing well. Thanks to our service men and women for all you do, have done and will do.

um...AP, that would be "Let's Play Hockey"

2009-04-08T16:40:00.001-05:00

Ya, he's pretty good.

2009-03-30T08:29:00.001-05:00

We're going to the Ship

2009-03-25T21:23:00.000-05:00

Minnesota State's women's basketball team is playing for the Division II National Championship Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.... Tune in

The Rock Says

2009-03-12T08:48:00.001-05:00

Hey-There, Hi-There, Ho-There

2009-03-03T19:05:00.003-06:00

Sorry, had to get my Ned Flanders out of my system (why, I don't know, I haven't watched the Simpsons for forever, but i digress).

Anyway, its been a bit crazy around here lately, as I have done before, I'll shoot some bullet points to highlight the last month (I'm sorry to my loyal followers for not "keeping up" as much as I should).

- Sitting here watching Biggest Loser (of BL as the better half calls it) and I can't believe that I'm sucked into it as much as I have. It's pretty addicting, at least if I am going to watch reality shows, I just as well watch one where people changes their lives in a positive manner and where I can learn something.

- Monday's and Thursday's are becoming a huge night for TV for me (and us). Monday's on CBS is one of my favorite (Big Bang - my favorite Monday sitcom, How I Met Your Mother and 2 1/2 Men). But now 24 is on, Lisa wanted no part of the show, but I got her sucked in. Jack Bauer is a bad ass, and I'm pretty convinced he could destroy Chuck Norris. Thursday is just as good. Just as I got Lisa sucked into 24, she got me re-sucked into Grey's. So we have Grey's, The Office and 30 Rock (my new favorite show) on top of the last season of ER (I am really going to miss that show). I know, those with kids say "Good luck watching TV once you have kids," and you are right, but I guess that's what the DVR is for.

- Congrats to my brother and Brooke (his wife) and our friends Mandy and Justin and Joe and Grace. I can't remember if I said I am going to be an uncle (and I guess that would make Lisa and aunt) and I'm pretty excited about it. Also, we are very excited for Mandy and JR, who have really been working at having a kid for the last couple of years (not that Justin's complaining I'm sure). We are equally excited for Joe and Grace...That's awesome... now send some of the water you are drinking our way :)

- It's officially cross-over season at work. For those not down with the profession of Athletic Communications, crossover occurs when your winter sports (in our case, M&W hoops, M&W hockey, M&W swimming and diving, M&W indoor track and field and wrestling) are winding down and our spring sports (M&W tennis, baseball, softball, M&W golf) start kicking off. Not that I'm complaining right now, but I have men's basketball getting ready for the league tourney and national tourney, and M&W swimming and diving getting ready for nationals, while softball is getting ready to go to Florida for its spring trip. I told Lisa that if we can get through these next two weekends we should be home free, so just bear with me sweetie!

- Our men's basketball team has been riding a bit of a roller coaster over the past month. We look good, we look bad, but we played well last week against Mary and now we are getting ready for the league tourney. I enjoy our draw that we got for the first round, home against Duluth, which beat us earlier. If we can play our game...

- Our women's team was number one for the second consecutive week. They host Concordia in the first round of the tourney and if they win that, they host the semifinals and finals of the league tournament. They are also in the running to host the Central regional tournament, which would be fun.

- Speaking of women's hoops (and this one is for Angie), how about SDSU being ranked #17 in the latest AP poll...How bout the 'Jacks being two spots higher than Tennessee? That's awesome, such a great program. It'll be interesting how long Aaron Johnston keeps his residence in Brookings. They will be in the tourney this year and I'm guessing they will win a game (or two).

- Our wrestling team is sending all 10 wrestlers to national for the second straight year. Last year we lost by 0.5 points. Hopefully the 'boys can get some revenge. Our women's hockey team also set school history winning a playoff series and now will play Minnesota in the "Final Face off". This is a first-ever in school history, which is awesome.

- Other that, not a whole heck of a lot new in our world. Last week, Lisa and I went to Sioux Falls for a night (we played at Augie, funny how i can take a work trip and turn it into a romantic get away isn't it) and had a blast. We both really enjoy the Sioux Empire Mall and Lisa did a good job giving some of our money to them!

Hope everyone is doing well. Hopefully life will slow down a bit and I will start blogging more.

Until then-

SnL

by the way, rocco was just on "BL" and said that sweet potatoes were the most healthy veggie... I don't know if that is enough to change my mind.

Happy Birthday Johnny!

2009-02-27T09:04:00.001-06:00

Yesterday would have been Johnny Cash's 77th birthday...

here is possibly one of the best videos ever...

WTF?

2009-02-16T10:36:00.002-06:00

Really?!?

2009-02-09T14:55:00.001-06:00

It's not that i condone smoking weed, but give Phelps a break...Seth Meyers put it best on SNL last week.

just for you bird.

2009-01-27T11:21:00.000-06:00

Random Ramblings...

2009-01-26T19:11:00.003-06:00

It's been a while, not a lot to fill you in but some.

1) Our women's basketball team saw its 17-game winning streak snapped in an overtime thriller last Saturday night to Augustana. Tough loss, but it was a great game for a fan. Jo Noreen, our senior guard, poured in 39 points in the loss, including 15-of-15 from the free-throw line.

2) After splitting the past two weekends on the men's side the Mavericks swept their two games this past weekends and are now a half game out of first. Hopefully the cold temp's in Bemidji and Duluth don't slow MSU down this weekend.

3) My sister-in-law (Lisa's sister) scored her 1,000th collegiate point Saturday for Bethany in a tough loss. Luckily, the game was in the afternoon so I got to see it before I went to work that night. Kinda crazy fact: there are currently four women's college players in Mankato who have scored a 1,000 points in their career (two at MSU, two at Bethany) and MSU will most likely add one more in about four games.

4) Lisa and I are going to be an aunt/uncle. My brother (Bryon) and his wife (Brooke) are due in August so that's supper exciting.

5) This post bullet point is most likely only going to be enjoyed by Aaron, but I believe it's hilarious and he's a fan of college hockey (it's kinda addicting). So bird, this one is for you from last weekend's Denver at North Dakota game.

6) Big debate in the office today at work over all-time greatest sports movies (the school newspaper left off Slapshot).
So, with that being said, here is my top-five. 1) Field of Dreams (although Shoeless Joe Jackson batted the wrong way), 2) Bull Durham 3)Remember the Titans 4) Slapshot and 5) The Natural. I need to see raging bull because I've been told it'd jump into my top five, if not top three within one viewing.

7) Lisa and I went to see Gran Tornio last week. All I can say is it was a great movie and is highly recommended (can't believe that it didn't get an Oscar nomination for best movie/best director/best actor) but still has to be one of the best movies I've seen in the last five years (Trailer below)

8) A four-game road trip awaits me this weekend. As mentioned earlier I go to Bemidji and Duluth this weekend before going to Crookston and Moorhead next. I'll be nice to get these two weekends over.

9) Mom is doing great after her surgery. She got had surgery (gallbladder removed, appendix removed, full hysterectomy on Monday and got home Wednesday afternoon. I've been getting daily reports from home and she's getting stronger each day and it sounds like she's getting more and more comfortable. She will have another couple of weeks off but it's long over due.

10) I can't believe the Twins were as inactive as they were this winter. Pitchers/Catchers report in a couple of weeks and the Twins did nothing to get a third-baseman or another starter. They are talking about bringing in Eric Gagne as a set-up man for Nathan and I believe that is a huge mistake. The guy lost it when he left the Dodgers. I don't know how the Twins haven't jumped on Joe Crede yet to play third base. I've seen where people think that Cuddyer should move back to third but I am not a fan of that. I would trade Delmond Young (not going to get what you gave up for him, but you lose a supposed clubhouse cancer) and move span to left and keep Cuddy in right. Hopefully the injury bug doesn't bite Cuddy next year (the accident that sidelined him towards the end of the year - being hit by a line drive- was rather freak). Young can't play defense and although he has flashes at the plate he just doesn't do it for me.

11) I love facebook. I am slightly addicted but the best part of it now is all the older people that are starting to join. I've become "friends" with some of my college profs from Peru as well as people I have met along the way. It's not for kids anymore.

That is it for now, sorry for the delay. Take care and Jamie, make sure Aaron watches that video.

We're Alive

2009-01-08T13:51:00.003-06:00

Sorry I've been a bad blogger lately.

Not much as been new with the Nelsen household. We had a good Christmas and it was great to see family. Unfortunately on Christmas night, Lisa came down with the flu and was sidelined for about five days (including two nights on the couch) so it kinda stunk that she was under the weather as much as she was.

I got some great books for Christmas and I've already finished one. Big Russ and Me, which was written by Tim Russert. It was a good read and he has another book out there that I want to read. I'm about to start a Tiger Woods book and Tony Dungy's book. I don't know if I made it an official New Year's resolution to read more, but I guess I am trying too.

Work is about to get back in the regular mix again. Students are back next week (for 17 more weeks) and all of our winter sports teams are back in full force and our spring teams have begun practice or are about to. Hopefully basketball keeps me nice and busy for the next couple of months (that would mean they are winning).

Totally random thought for ya'll. Last night, at Anytime, I jumped on a treadmill that I thought was tuned to NBC... It wasn't and because I was I had already started I didn't want to get off my machine and go change the channel and risk losing it...I digress... Anyway, it was on A&E and evidently the fine folks at A&E (which time to time has decent programing) decided that it would be a good idea to air a show called Parking Wars. Anyway, seriously (in the immortal words of aaron burdorf) this is what reality tv is coming too? parking wars? talk about brutal (aaron, once again). Looking back on in I should have risked switching the channel... Lucky for me, my ipod is working (i disconnected it too soon yesterday and it didn't sync properly and then it was on the fritz last night) and I don't have to worry about watching tv when i got work out tonight.

Anyway, enough with my random topics...Good luck to the Hawks tonight against the Gophers.

SnL

Love this commercial

2008-12-28T12:27:00.000-06:00

Catching Up

2008-12-24T08:30:00.003-06:00

I don't want to make it sound like I have been ultra busy the last couple of weeks, because the truth is, I haven't. Work has slowed down a bit, and I don't have to travel till the middle of January, but I just havne't been posting as much as I should, so to you loyal reader (hopefully, readers), I apologize.

Life has been good around here lately. Lisa and I both love this time of year. We kicked off the 2008 Christmas Season last Sunday with the Uecker Family Christmas in Gaylord. Lots of good food, family and even some football were the day's themes and it was good to catch up with people that I am still getting to know. We need to get together more, but with today's busy schedules, it is hard to do. The highlight of the day (well, maybe not) would have been me getting barfed on by a five month old, but don't worry Lane, I won't hold it against you. I'm just glad you weren't wearing that ugly maroon and gold jumper that you have.

I took Monday and Tuesday off to just relax, and Lisa had work till Tuesday yesterday. We celebrated our Christmas together yesterday afternoon. The events kicked off with me cooking stuffed porked chops, corn and hashbrowns. After exchanging gifts, I allowed Lisa to do the dishes while I took a nap.

We then went and caught the matinee for Four Christmases (lots of good laughs) and after that it was off to Sears to get my new pride and joy, our 40 inch LCD TV (It's a Samsung, I've named him Sammy, but that really makes Lisa mad).

Last night we ended our night with supper at Dino's Pizza (Voted in Mankato as the best pizza in town, and it lived up to its billing) and came home and watched National Lampoon's Christams Vacation.

Tonight, we will head to our church (Christ the King) for 4 o'clock service before heading to Gaylor for hopefully a 5:30 service at Lisa's parents church (Trinity Lutheran). We will celebrate Christmas with her family before heading down to Iowa to celebrate with mine tomorrow and Friday morning. Thankfully, the weather has been great yesterday, today and hopefully tomorrow.

I hope this finds everyone doing well! Travel safe this holiday season, and remember the reason for the season!

A couple of video's for you to maintain your holiday spirit (including the trailer for Four Christmases).

And, It wouldn't be my favorite without this:

Hope He Bought A Powerball Ticket On His Way Home...

2008-12-17T08:46:00.000-06:00

Man Guesses EXACT Price in Showcase Showdown! @ Yahoo! Video

Tough One

2008-12-15T15:20:00.001-06:00

How do you hire a guy with a 5-19 career record anyway?

Goodbye Amy...

2008-12-15T14:13:00.002-06:00

Amy Poehler has been one of my favorite to appear on Saturday Night Live (or SNL, wink wink). Anyway, two skits from her final episode this weekend... Thanks for the laughs Amy!

Weekend Musings

2008-12-14T15:14:00.005-06:00

Greetings Everyone-

It's been a long weekend. Friday morning, I jumped in a car with our assistant basketball coach and drove to beautiful, Bismarck, N.D., for our basketball game against Mary (which we won). After the game, we drove to Aberdeen, S.D., to play a game against Northern State (which we lost) on Saturday. After the game, we drove back to 'Kato, covering 995 miles in roughly 36 hours.

The trip was good, minus the weather we went through last night... going east and west Saturday night was terrible through the blizzard, but once we got on 29 south it got better. We got home at 3:30 in the morning.

Other than that, there hasn't been much new in our world. Gearing up for the holidays. Hope those of you who drive around the holidays, drive safe.

Hope all is well.

SnL

I hate the wolves

2008-12-08T16:26:00.002-06:00

I was a mild Wolves fan at best when they had KG... I loved Flip as a coach, was pissed when they fired him and not McHale and now they had the opportunity to do the exact same thing (fire McHale) and didn't. So McHale is coaching again but he did relieve himself of his front office duties. Hopefully a good Iowa boy, Fred Hoiberg, can step in well as GM. Seriously, Sam Mitchell is available, as is Flip (who i am willing to bet would come back if given the chance) and they go back to McHale, who makes me McIll. Okay, i promise that i won't blog anymore about the NBA, but i had to get this out.

A Wild Night...

2008-12-04T20:31:00.013-06:00

More so in name than activity. Last night, Lisa and I went to the Wild game with our friends Nathan and Kalli. Lisa, Nathan and Kalli had never been to a Wild game, and I have never been to one as a fan, however I had been to one before as a guest of someone in the pressbox, but never in the stands. We had great seats. I was cheering for the Blues (who were playing the Wild) because one of our former players, David Backes, is on their squad. The Wild won 4-0, but we got to go down and see David after the game where we ran into Gus Frerotte and Jeff Dugan. Frerotte knows the Blues' Keith Tkachuk, who Backes used to live with, so it was cool to talk to them for a while. Dugan remembered me from my days as a PR intern with the Vikings, so it was kinda cool to catch up with them.

It was a really fun night, and I recommend going to a Wild game whenever you would get the chance... The X alone is a beautiful site to see.

Hope everyone is doing well-

SnL

I'd Hate To Pay Their Electric Bill

2008-12-04T14:27:00.001-06:00

Great Weekend

2008-11-30T19:35:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone-
It should be a law that every week includes a four day weekend. Our weekend started Wednesday evening as we drove to Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. On our way down, we stopped in Fairmont to see a our friends (Jason and Betsey's) new baby girl, Ainsley Renee. She was adorable and it's crazy how small they are at first. Big sister Ella (who is four years older and shares the same birthday as her new sister) was doing a great job helping out mom and dad while we were in the hospital.

We got home Wednesday night and my Grandma Arlene and uncle Arnie came over along with Bryon and Brooke to celebrate the Twait side Thanksgiving with some Godfathers pizza. We got a game of Texas Hold'em going around 10 and we were done around 11:30 then we went to bed.

Thursday, we got up and celebrated Lisa's birthday (about two weeks early) with my parents before heading over to Daniel and Sue's for the Nelsen Thanksgiving. It was great to see everyone and talk for a while. After a great meal, we jumped in the car and drove to Gaylord and hung out with Lisa's family for the night and ate more food. We came back late Thursday night and attempted to sleep in Friday morning.

Once we got up, we went to the Hub for breakfast before going to MSU together so I can get some work done. After getting my work done in about an hour, we came home and put up or tree and stuffed Christmas letters and dropped them in the mail. Lisa's brother Ryan, and her two sisters, Lindsey and Robyn, stopped by to get a set of box springs that he had bought from us late int he afternoon. While he was here, he figured out our problem with our outdoor lights and we got them going which was exciting. Friday night, we drove out to the mall to get our Christmas gift from Grandma Nelsen and did a little other shopping.

Saturday, we got up and went to Anytime and worked out. After that, I went to the mall and got my haircut before I went into work to prepare for the MSU vs. Bethany game. After the game, we had supper with Lisa's parents (Lisa's sister, Lindsey plays wbb for Bethany, so they all came to see MSU win 84-45.). Lisa and I got home and decided to go back to Gaylord and surprise her parents because we were bored and didn't want to spend any money entertaining ourselves so we figured we would go home and hang out with her rents. We got up today and came back and have been bumming most of the afternoon and evening. I set up our new printer (which we got with G'ma Christmas money) and Lisa wrapped some gifts. Other than that, we've been bums and it's been enjoyable sitting at home with nothing going on. I have the Vikings game on, however I don't think that will last for long. Family Guy starts in like 15 minutes and the Vikings just gave up a 65-yard touchdown pass.

My work calander looks good for the week, so it should be a nice, relaxing week for me. I hope everyone else's week is the same.

Until next time-

SnL

Happy Holidays

2008-11-28T15:57:00.001-06:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Long, But Good Weekend

2008-11-24T20:11:00.002-06:00

It was a long weekend this weekend, but a fun one nonetheless. We hosted our Pepsi Tip-Off Tournament Friday and Saturday which consisted of eight basketball games in about 36 hours. It was a lot of fun, MSU went 4-0 (men's and women's games). Our women played great both nights and our men played really good on Friday and struggled Saturday, but got the win. I guess that's what good teams do, they win even when they aren't playing the best.

Sunday, Lisa and I woke up and went and worked out. Once we came home and showered, we headed out to the mall and got some Christmas shopping done. To my calculations we only have four more people to get so that will be nice to have done. After shopping we got some groceries then came home. We watched Grey's (which is getting really, really weird) and then some of the Grey Cup before getting a phone call from Lisa's parents who were in town shopping as well. So we met them for supper and they came over to hang a couple of things in our house (Curt is much better at this than I, he acutally measures and centers, I just throw a nail up there). We hung a wall decoration in our room and then our jewelry Christmas Tree in our living room that Grandma Lucielle gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago.

Last weekend, we hung the Christmas lights outside when it was nice out and I'm glad that job is done. Friday evening, we are going to hang our Christmas Tree and decorate the house so that will be exciting. We are both prety big fans of the holidays, but I told Lisa that we couldn't put anything up until after Thanksgiving.

We are heading home Wednesday evening for Thanksgiving and then driving to Lisa's parents Thursday afternoon. It should be a fun weekend, it is always good to get together whith friends and familie's over Thanksgiving.

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and please travel safe.

Until next time-

SnL

Oh, for those who forgot

And possibly the best memory for the Dome...

Okay, i'll get over it but really, it was 55-0.

55-0. Enough Said

2008-11-23T16:12:00.001-06:00

I promise to blog more later. This is about all i need to talk about for right now though.

Follow Up From Mandy's Post

2008-11-17T21:42:00.003-06:00

Hi everyone...I first off want to echo Mandy's sediments that she posted on her blog... I saw that episode of "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" live and his show is one that I watch on a regular basis, much to Lisa's chagrin (she doesn't like politics, finds it boring)... Anyway, when he had is special comment it tugged at my heart strings... I thought I'd post the entire video for you.

Live from Mansfield, Ohio

2008-11-14T20:01:00.003-06:00

It's just SN, no L tonight.

I'm in Mansfield, Ohio as we open the NCAA playoffs for football tomorrow for the first time since 1993...We chartered a flight from the cities and touched down in Akron, Ohio this afternoon at 1, local time...After renting a car, our AD, beat writer and I cued up our Garmin GPS and made our way to Ashland/Mansfield...

After a walk through and a coaches meeting, I've just finished my supper and now am officially a sports/politics geek (i guess that's not really breaking news)... I have our men's hockey video and radio feed up on my laptop, I have the Rachel Maddow show on the TV to my right (Obama just picked up one more electoral vote today.... Nebraska awards electoral votes by congressional districts and they finally counted the votes in Omaha) and I'm awaiting our swimming results from tonight, so I'm basically in heaven... Casey (our radio play-by-play guy and I have a great suite, king size bed (Casey's), pull out couch (Mine), a bathroom and kitchen.. who says it doesn't pay to travel on the NCAA dime... The only thing that is missing is my wonderful gal, who is busy Christmas shopping with her mom and Lindsey in Mankato...

I love travelling and seeing the country, but it's tough to be gone, especially as often as i am in the winter and fall...Lisa's pretty understanding of the whole thing, but it doesn't make being away any easier. Thank god for cell phones and text messaging, as we can stay in contact basically the entire time, which is nice. It's also really nice we have a charter plane, because we should be home as soon as we can load the bus, get to the airport and have the plane ready for us. Love you sweetie, see you tomorrow!

If we win tomorrow, we do this all over again next week, if we lose, I'm home for our eight-team, Pepsi Tip-Off tourney next weekend, so the madness doesn't end.

I hope we start to get some hard freezing here in the next couple of days...With the moisture we've had, it's been tough to get the 250 (give or take 30) acres of corn that Dad and Daniel have in the field out... I hate talking to grouchy farmers, I always feel guilty that I'm not home to help.

Well that's it for now, I'm going to clean out my inbox for my school email and start to get things ready for next week.

Until next time,

Sn (and L)

Playoff Bound

2008-11-10T19:32:00.003-06:00

And the Mavericks are playoff bound... So far it's been a great week for MSU athletics to say the least (I know this is a Scott and Lisa blog, but I should fill ya'll in). Saturday, our men's cross country team advanced to nationals and our football team beat St. Cloud State, bringing home the storied Training Kit. Then on football found out that they are advancing to the NCAA Playoffs (yes, there is actually a football playoff in NCAA Division III, II and Championship Sub-Division). Then, today we found out that our soccer team will be heading to Denver play in the NCAA tournament. We were a pretty safe bet to make the tournament prior to last weekend's NSIC tourney, but after we beat Winona State (at Winona State), we received an automatic bid.

So needless to say, it's going to be a busy week (or two) in the MSU Athletic Communications Office and I (we) wouldn't have have it any other way. I'll be leaving with our football team for Ashland, Ohio on Friday and return Saturday night. The great part about the trip is we will be flying and should be home in time for our basketball game on Saturday night (we have a hockey doubleheader at the Civic Center on Friday and Saturday and as volleyball, women's basketball and men's basketball tripleheader in the Taylor Center Saturday).

Life at 505 West 8th street has been great lately. Yesterday, a friend of Lisa's came by to do some electrical work on the house (he had done some when we moved in as well)... We had him put in an outlet outside our front door for Christmas Lights... Note to self, hang Christmas lights before it gets crappy outside. He also put in a dim slider in our dining room to replace our dimming knob which always fell off and he put up our motion light outside. We are pretty excited about it all, and it was relatively cheap which is even better! Tonight we ran a few errands and are planning a date night on Wednesday to see Role Models before I leave for Ohio on Saturday.

Enjoy the trailer to Role Models before I sign off.

Hope everyone is doing well...

Until next time-
SnL

Election Night

2008-11-05T16:47:00.006-06:00

Needless to say, it was a happy night in the Nelsen household last night. I think it's rather obvious, who I have supported for President, and am excited to see what the next four years can bring. On the other hand, I believe my wife is excited for the election to be done, so she can go about her business and not be "bored" during TV time at night :) (love you sweetie).

Above is a video that Will i Am of the Black Eyed Peas made following the New Hampshire primary. When looking at election stuff at work today I stumbled across his Hologram interview with Anderson Cooper (which i've put below) and he said that President-elect Obama's speech in New Hampshire is a speech that reminded him of the ones he had to learn when he was in school, so he made a song to it. I'm impressed by it, I'm sure some of you won't be, but that's the beauty of America.

Below, you will find the Anderson Cooper interview with Will i Am.

That was a Fun Weekend...

2008-11-03T20:17:00.002-06:00

Great weekend for the Nelsen's this weekend.

I had a rare opportunity to have a Friday night off, so I left work early and came home (Lisa had the afternoon off) and she made bars for the press box on Saturday and I lounged around and did nothing.

Friday night, we ordered take out (actually delivery) from one of our favorite restaurants in Mankato, Blue Bricks and watched the MSU game against Minnesota (3-3 tie). It was a great game, and I'm sure Lisa thought I was getting a little too excited at times.

Saturday saw MSU host a football game against Upper Iowa. Lisa worked the press box again, answering the phones and her bars were a big hit. After the game, we drove to the Xcel Center in St. Paul to watch the second game of a two-game series between MSU and Minnesota. I had to work, and Lisa sat in the press box and watched the game. We lost, 6-3, and afterwards, we drove to Gaylord to spend the night at Lisa's parents. Sunday, we got up and Lisa and I got our but kicked by her sisters in Pictionary before we went into town to celebrate her grandma's birthday with all her aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was a lot of fun and we had some great food.

Last night, we ran a couple of errands when we got home and chilled out before heading to bed early. We joined Anytime Fitness last week, so we've been getting up early to get in so we can be ready for work on time. It's been going good so far, so that is good...

Today was absolutely gorgeous outside, and a day that I often found myself wishing I was back home helping out the field. It would have been a great day to be in the field helping out that is for sure...Hopefully everyone can get the majority of their work done before the potential snow hits this weekend.

Tomorrow is a big day, that's for sure. Whether you are a Democrat, a republican, a libertarian, a member of the green party, an independent or a member of the socialist workers party, I ask that you get out and vote. It's a big election, that is for sure, and make your voice heard. Okay, I'm going to get off my soapbox now and continue to watch the SNL Election Bash on NBC.

Hope all is well with everyone-

SnL

It's Official

2008-10-30T19:03:00.002-05:00

So if you asked Bryon, he could have told you he has known this all his life...If you ask Lisa, she'd probably say "There were times that he is," but now, you can officially say, I'm a dumba$$.

Here's what happened yesterday. Lisa and I got home from work around the same time and we decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and do some work outside. So, i grabbed my ipod and rake and started working on the front yard with the rake. Lisa went to the basement and grabbed her bags of tulips (28 to be exact) and we went our separate ways.

After an hour, I was done and went toward the driveway to see how things were going for my sweetie. I placed my ipod on my trunk and helped Lisa wrap-up her tulip planting.

Well, we were done and we decided to run to Jimmy John's to get something to eat so we could get home in time to watch the Barack Obama commercial on TV.

Let's fast-forward to 2 p.m. today. I'm working in the office and (Brian) Zins comes in and says "Hey, I found these earbuds wrapped around your antennae on your car." I respond with "Huh, if those are my earbuds, I wonder where my ipod is."

So I got up and left the office and came home to look for my ipod, which I've had for almost two months. I got home, walked around the drive way and around our property and didn't see it and figured "Ah hell, it is probably gone."

So, I go back to the office and break the news to Lisa that I couldn't find my ipod and she's not thrilled to say the least (and neither was I). I got what I needed to done at work and left around 4:10 so I could come home and do some more searching.

Well,I got home and decided to walk the route we would take to Jimmy Johns to see if it fell off my trunk in my neighborhood. About 30 feet from my front yard, I found the ipod, laying on the ground (not smashed) in front of my neighbors house. So i picked it up and turned it on and it still worked! The back of the ipod was a little chewed up from the fall, but other than that, it was working great.

So, there you have it people. I'm the dumbass who has a 200 dollar ipod and I leave it on my trunk as I try to drive away. Let this be a lesson to you all!

Getting back to the Barack Obama commercial. I thought wow, I wonder how much money this was costing him and if it would be potential overkill. Anyway, I settled in last night and watched it and was amazed. I have been an avid supporter of Mr. Obama since I first heard his speech at the 2004 democratic national convention and I thought last night's presentation was amazing.

Busy weekend of MSU athletics ahead this weekend. Tomorrow night (Halloween), Lisa and I are going to stay home and watch the Minnesota State vs. Minnesota game on FSN North and hopefully hand out candy. Saturday, MSU has a home football game that I am working, and Lisa is answering the pressbox phone. Afterwards we are going to the Xcel to watch the second game of the MSU/Minnesota Series (also on FSN North). So cheer on those Mavericks this weekend!

Hope all are well and we wish everyone a Happy Halloween!

For the sake of time...

2008-10-29T08:35:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had stated (for the sake of time) that Jamie (Hunecke) Burdorf was someone that "I had graduated with."

She's more than that. She was one of my closest friends in high school and I have even been fortunate enough to have been featured in her family photo album. We laughed together, we cried together (stupid North Iowa basketball) and we've had the best of times and the worst of times (see cried together).

Anyway, Jamie, I didn't mean to offend you when i said "we graduated together".

Howdy

2008-10-28T16:15:00.003-05:00

In an attempt to blog more often, here I go.

Things have been going well up here. Last weekend was fun as Friday night, Lisa and I went on a double-date with our friends Zins and Tracy to the MSU volleyball game and then downtown for supper.

Saturday saw us getting up early for a great breakfast at the Wagon Wheel (a Mankato must) before I left for Marshall, Minn., with our football team (we won.). The best part about the local games is we were home early and we got home around 7.

After running home to change clothes, Lisa and I went to our friends Mandy and Justin's and got to see Aaron and Jamie and their kids. I went to high school with both (Aaron is one of my best friends and Jamie and I graduated together, and she's Justin's sister, so there is your reason they were in 'kato) so it was good to hang out.

Lisa and I decided to go for a late supper, but ran into huge crowds so we went to Hooligans for supper around 9:30... Once we got there, there was a bunch of sweet looking people (really not so sweet) dressed in Halloween costumes so we had fun making fun of them from our booth.

Sunday was a lazy day as we got up, watched the Office and SNL before running errands and watching Weeds and Martian Child. Last night we continued the movie "W" with our friends Chris and Candice... It was good movie, pretty onesided (or my-sided) and entertaining at least for me. Lisa wasn't too big of a fan.

Tonight, Biggest Loser is on, so that will consume most of our time... It's a good season, but not nearly as good as last years.

Hope all is well-

SnL

Ya, we are alive

2008-10-20T20:05:00.003-05:00

Hey there... we're alive... I've been busy with work lately and Lisa's not big into blogging, so I promise I'll work harder to keep the updates rolling.

As mentioned, I've been pretty busy at work (who hasn't thou, right?) between travelling with football and assisting with our other events. I love it, and I'm really excited to see how Lisa's jumped on board to back the Mavericks...

Not too much new around here, last week, Lisa and I went and saw a great movie, the Infinite Playlist of Nick and Nora and really enjoyed it, it is a great date movie, that's for sure. Yesterday we went out to Minneopa to try to catch some of the color, but it was rather unsuccessful because the color was mainly on the ground. We were glad to go, nonetheless, so now we know next year, to go out there early and often, because it is truly beautiful.

We got back and racked leaves into the road for the city to come by and vacuum... That was fun.

That's about it for now, hope all are well-

SnL

Wow..It's been a while

2008-09-22T19:15:00.006-05:00

Hey There-

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, we've been a bit busy (still no excuses i know).

Lemme give you a readers digest version if you will of our past month.

Lisa and I travelled with our men's basketball to the beautiful island country of Barbados for a three-day tour. The guys played great and we had an awesome experience on the island.

When we returned home, I was home for an abbreviated stay and then left for Bemidji with our football team. A win for the Mavericks - the first in our new league - and a long bus ride home got me nice and tired. The following week we got new furniture and we hosted our first home football game - another win.

A little bit about our new furniture... It looks great, we got it from from A&W furniture in Redwood Falls and it took a little over a month for us to get and now we finally got it. The living room furniture (couch, chair and footstool) is awesome as is our bedroom. We got a brand new bedroom set, including a bed (with storage), dresser, bureau, mirror and mattress. Like the living room furniture, it looks great except for one small problem...The bed stands a good three and a half feet off the floor and when laying on it, i can touch the ceiling....We shopped around for low profile box springs to help the problem and were told that the cheapest (and most effective thing to do) would be to just put a sheet of plywood down and put the mattress on top of that, so that's the new plan.

Had a great weekend last weekend as Lisa and I travelled to Ringsted for my mom's surprise 50th birthday party...We succeeded, she was surprised and we had a blast. Even got to drink a little Danish whiskey...terrible, but it was sort of a right of passage (we drank it with my grandpa).

Can't believe that September has already passed and October is knocking on the door...22 days till basketball starts, little over 10 weeks till Lisa's Birthday and about 12 weeks until Christmas. Wow.

That's it for now.... Hope everyone is doing well, hopefully I will start updating more frequently.

Scottie (and lisa)

2008-09-22T16:05:00.001-05:00

Quick Update

2008-08-27T16:22:00.001-05:00

Hey All:

Just a quick update for you... Lisa and I will be leaving tomorrow (Thursday) and out of town till Monday as we will be traveling with the Minnesota State men's basketball team on its exhibition tour of Barbados.

I've added a link to the MSU men's basketball blog on the left, that will be updated daily (if not tri-daily) so you can follow our journey there.

Hope all is well!

SnL

Wedding Pics

2008-08-23T07:54:00.002-05:00

Hey all:

Just a quick update for you before Lisa and I begin our "tour of grandparents" today in Ringsted. Our wedding photos are posted online and you can view them at:
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=1280.

Type my name in the name box and then the password is 19256-1.

That's it for now.

It's been a while

2008-08-10T16:45:00.004-05:00

Hey everyone-

Let me first begin by saying, sorry for the lack up updates on the blog over the past month, it's been a while, and we've been busy.

As you can probably see, we are now married. The big day was July 26, and we couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect, the flower girl and ring bearer didn't scream during pictures and they walked down the isle, and we had a great reception at the Best Western.

There is so much I could talk about in regards to the wedding, but since most of you who read this blog were probably there, I won't get too deep into details. The thing that shocked me most about the day was how fast it went. From when we started pictures until the end of the dance still seems like a blur, and I'm sure that once we watch the video, things will start to pop back into our head from the day.

After the wedding, we opened gifts at our place and then headed to the cities. We had a visitor with us to the cities, as my (Scott) college roommate of 3.5 years decided to come to the wedding on the Friday before the wedding (he lives in Arizona). So, he caught a ride with us to the airport and flew out Monday, while Lisa and I jumped on a plane and headed to the Rivera Maya in Mexico for our honeymoon.

We had a great day of travel, no delays, no drama and after nearly 12 hours of travelling (we had to leave for the airport at 4:30 in the morning, we arrived in Cancun. After going through customs and checking in with our travel company we were in a van and on our way to our resort, the El Dorado Royale. It was an absolutely beautiful place - and 100% kid free - and Lisa and I had a great time. We stayed their for eight days, swam with the dolphins, went snorkeling, and most importantly relaxed and shut ourselves down from the outside world. By the end of the trip - as with any trip - we were ready to get home and back to a structured schedule.

This past weekend was a busy one for us as well. Friday night, we went back to Gaylord to the in-law's and rehashed the wedding and caught up. Sunday, we were up early and off to Redwood Falls to A&W Furniture to get ourselves a new bedroom set, mattress, couch, chair and footrest. Last night, after running a couple of errands, we finally settled down and caught some of the Olympics (I'm a geek about the Olympics and was kind of disappointed with myself for not seeing much of the first full day of competition...heck, I was lucky to see the ending of the opening ceremonies on Friday night).

Today we got up and met my brother and his wife, and Jason, Betsey and Ella at TGIFriday's for lunch, afterwards, we went to Target and used a bunch of gift cards and purchased several items that we needed for our house...So as I sit here and type, Lisa is busy putting stuff away, but it probably works out better that way because I'm out of her way.

That's it for now, sorry again for the delay, but hopefully I can get in a regular posting mode.

Hope every one is well, I'll leave you with some photos of the wedding day-

SnL

Rehearsal Squared

2008-07-13T19:32:00.008-05:00

Hey All- I might be one of the worst ever at blogging, I apologize for the delays in updates...

Hope this latest update finds everyone doing well.

It's been a crazy month since my bachelor party in the middle of June.

Two weeks after my bachelor party, I travelled to Tampa, Fla., for our annual CoSIDA convention. CoSIDA stands for College Sports Information Directors of America. It was a great trip, I learned that although I'm sure that Florida is a great state, it is a state in which one should not visit between the months of May and September. The humidity down there was crazy. It was a lot of fun, got to catch up with a bunch of SID buddies and learned quite a bit too. One of the highlights of the trip was when Dick Vital spoke to our organization. He received an award from our organization and I actually had the opportunity to get my picture taken with him. Billy Packer, who for some reason keeps getting asked to come back to CBS to do the Final Four, also received an award, he told some good stories, but he couldn't get out of there quick enough which annoyed me a bit. UPDATED July 14, 9:02 am... After receiving an email from fellow SID Josh Deer, I have found out that Billy Packer has been released by CB S.

I returned home at 3:30 in the morning on the 3rd of July after being stuck in Detroit Airport due to thunderstorms. Lisa and I did not have any major plans for the weekend and we just played it low-key. I got up on the third, did laundry, we went and had brunch and ran some errands than that night we went out to the campground to hang out with Lisa's brother Ryan and his wife and some of their family and friends. It was a good time, I even got to play some cribbage (and won a game) so it was fun.

The fourth was rather low-key as well. Some of the highlights included watching City Slickers along with the Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest. Lisa was a little grossed out about the idea of eating somewhere around 63 Hotdogs in 10 or so minutes (and truthfully as was I), but none the less it was entertaining. That afternoon we laid low, I mowed the yard and Lisa weeded our flowerbed before having our friends Nathan and Kalli over. We played bocce ball (Nathan and I dominated) and then went to Blue Bricks for supper before coming home and having a fire and then going to Nathans to watch the fireworks. Saturday we went back to Gaylord and took Lisa's parents to the Drive-In (in Winthrop, great place for a meal) for their anniversary and then went back to their house and played a game of Rummy. Sunday included a trip to church and doing odds and ends around our house.

There was a bit of unfortunate news over the weekend of the fourth as Lisa's great-aunt passed away. So, we were back in Gaylord for the wake and funeral before returning to Mankato Tuesday afternoon.

It was a rather quick week for me at work, as I basically worked half a day Monday, a fourth of a day Tuesday, all day Wednesday and Thursday and had Friday off so Lisa and I could travel to Sioux Falls for a wedding of my close personal friend Shane Drahota. I was a groomsman in his wedding (and thus, that's where the picture at the opening of this post was taken) and Shane will be a groomsman in our wedding. It was a great time, we had an opportunity to catch up with some friends that I haven't seen in a while and we danced the night away... I used to have no rhythm, now i have a minimal amount, but don't try telling me I'm a bad dancer, because I can bust a move like my boy Justin Timberlake.

When we got to the rehearsal Friday Shane looked at me and said, "This is you in two weeks." It then dawned on me on how close our wedding really was, so I dubbed the weekend "Rehearsal, Rehearsal" or Rehearsal Squared. It was a great weekend and it made me even more excited to marry Lisa in less than two weeks.

Dirty?

2008-06-19T19:23:00.013-05:00

(Bryon on the left, Jason on the right)

So, talking to my brother tonight, he brought up a situation from his slow pitch game last night...

Here it is, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this...

Last night, my brother's co-ed slow pitch team (East Forks Trucking), the second-best team was playing the top team in the Ceylon League, H&D.

Trailing 8-3, and with Bryon on the mound and a runner first and one out, the gal at the plate hits a top fly in front of the mound.

Bryon, thinking head's up, yells to Jason Ulrich (both Bryon and Jason are second-generation slow-pitch players), jay-jay, two two... Bryon let's the ball drop, throws it to Jason who touches second and relays the ball Darci at first for the double play to end the inning (the hitter never even left the box, assuming it was going to be an out). the other team goes ballistic, calling it a dirty play... One of them yell's at the umpire "That should have been an infield fly," to which Bryon replies "Know the Bleepin rules," and chirping ensues, they call East Forks a bunch of dirty players, blah blah blah...

Bryon ends up hitting two bombs and East Forks comes back to win 13-12. SO tell me this, is the play dirty?

I don't think so, and here is my reasoning... They're playing the top team in the league, who don't get their by luck, so, they should know to run out every play. Secondly, it's not as if Byron's team was winning 10-2 when it happened, they were down and you gotta get outs right? Finally (or D) although i don't know this for sure, but I'm sure regular season record as an effect on tournament seeding, so that being said, a win against the top-ranked team in the league will give Bry's squad a tie breaker in the end.

I've emailed fellow SID friends for their opinion and will post them below... Please leave your opinion in the comments section too...

Josh Deer, SID Concordia-St. Paul : No, hustle down the line.. I run out everything in softball, figure it out.

Paul Allan, Assistant AD/Director of Athletic Communications, Minnesota State University: Correct me if I'm wrong here. BUT THIS IS SLOW PITCH! I thought it was a great play...and likely would have told the guy who hit the ball that maybe he should have been running.

Craig Roberts, BSM High School SID: Not a dirty play but the umpire apparently screwed the pooch on the play. Per USSSA Slow Pitch rules:

Rule 9: Ball in Play and Ball Dead

Sec. 3. THE BALL IS DEAD AND NOT IN PLAY:

K. Intentionally dropped fair fly ball or line drive, by an Infielder (See 7-2H)

Rule 7. BATTING

Sec. 2. THE BATTER IS OUT IF:

H. He hits a fair fly ball or line drive that an infielder intentionally drops, with a runner on first, runner on first and second, first, second and third or on first and third with less than two outs. NOTE: A trapped ball that hits the ground is never ruled intentionally dropped.

Josh Deer, CSP, Response #2: I agree with PA - run it out, especially if it is 1 vs. 2 in the league.

Since I have little power (1 career blast), I run my ass of on everything, case and point, I hit a lazy liner opposite field just to my right of the second baseman, and it kind of just slowly bounced to the right fielder. He booted it somehow, and since I was in a dead sprint, I saw this happen as I rounded first and never slowed down, reaching third on the play.

Maybe if this guy or gal at the plate would have had even a little bit of hustle, she'd have kept things going and they would have scored the necessary amount of runs to put the game away. Every run counts, and the little things can add up to that extra run!!!

Shane Drahota, former MSU Asst. SID/USD Asst. AD/SID, Current MSU Director of Compliance and Student Services: My opinion...it's not a dirty play, but it is a little Bush League. I certainly appreciate the heads-upiness (yep, I coined that) of the younger Nelsen, and it is likely something I would have done were I in that situation, I would have probably erupted if I were the other team
as well and called him not nice names.

I am going to point out that far, FAR too much time has been spent discussing a slow-pitch softball game that none of us were within 60 miles of when it was played. As a form of revenge, expect an "Opinion Needed" from the Jackson Golf Club Championship in August as there is
almost always controversy surrounding that event.

Matt Magers, Former Chicago Cubs Draft pick, Current MSU Baseball Coach: It's a great play. The guy (on the other team) was probably pissed his wife got out...Don't take your personal problems to the field...

Nick Ferentz, Lawyer (owner of Frentz and Frentz Law Firm, 345-4505, played college ball at Mcalaster), No it's not dirty, she should have been running.

My Bachelor Party...

2008-06-15T21:47:00.008-05:00

Hey everyone-

Hope those who are fathers had a great weekend and I hope those who have fathers made sure they told them they appreciated them.

I, myself, had a great weekend. It started Friday afternoon when i left work at noon for an eye-doctor before coming home to do some yard work. After weeding the new grass I planted a few weeks ago, I mowed, planted some new grass around a tree, watered and then started the coals for some steaks. (we got a 1/4 of a steer from Curt and grilled our first pack of Ribeyes...it was the best).

After sipping on a couple of summer shandy's over the coals and our meal, Lisa and I decided we should go to New Ulm to return some stuff to K-Mart, after K-Mart wouldn't accept our return, we took the long way home and stopped at Curt and Julie's for a bit. I greatly enjoyed the ride, it was a beautiful night and I could "scout the crops" on our way after the rains that happened last week...Some pretty big wet spots, but hopefully today's winds and a favorable forecast this week will help dry out the fields so the fellas can go in and spray.

Saturday was my bachelor party and it was a blast... The day started with the Ringsted portion of the crew meeting at our house around 10 am and going to Canterbury. After watching the guys bet on some cards (i only played cards for about 10 minutes, I wanted to play money on the ponies) we went upstairs for lunch and then settled in for the races.

I played a horse here or there and was suddenly down to my last ten bucks before my buddy and horse guru, Denny Wheller pointed me towards a horse, LemonLime... After the big win (which paid me 38 bucks, bringing me back to even for the day), I ended up losing twenty bucks and finished the day down 20, which in my mind, for the entertainment value was a pretty good deal.

We got back to Mankato around six and went to the Moondogs game and sat on the Dogpound. It's basically all you can eat food, on top of two free beers and dollar beers after that, and it was a good time. At one point, when there was about a good 15-20 of us behind the third-base dugout, none of us where watching the game and had formed a big circle and started talking and telling stories.

After the game, which the Moond ogs won, we went down to Blue Bricks where we continued the festivities. I called it a night around one, and my brother Bryon and I were the first to leave,

but it was a great time.

After getting up today - and questioning why I drank so much the night before - Lisa and I got ready and went to Gaylord to celebrate fathers day with Lisa's family. I being the guy who loves to grill, stood over the grill and got burgers and 'dogs ready while we broke down the night before. After a great lunch, I had a nice nap during the end of the Twins game before waking up talking with the family. We got in the car around 6:30 and came back to Mankato, which segues into my topic of discussion...

We literally got back to 'Kato in the nick of time. I popped myself down in my chair and turned on KARE 11 to hopefully catch the last few holes of the US Open...Little did I know, that Tiger

Woods, who was playing in the final pairing, was on the 18th hole, with about a 12-15 put for birdie to force an 18-hole playoff tomorrow. Then, we turned on the basketball game and watched Paul Pierce go off for 21 in the first half, including a three-pointer in the final seconds of the first half to cut the LA lead to 55-52 at the break.

Now, as I type this, Pierce has gotten in a little foul trouble, and the Lakers are up six in the waning moments of the first half, but he's had a helluva series and has to be the MVP, should Boston hold on to win. Without a doubt, Tiger Woods is the tougher of the two athletes, however Paul Pierce has really made me appreciate his game this week.

On the wedding front, OMG (that's Oh My God) for those of you don't know, we're down to 40 days before the big day... Getting pretty exciting, on our way back from Gaylord today, we mad

e a list of what we wanted to accomplish this week.

Photos: The Ringsted crew, Colin Bonnicksen, Bryon Nelsen (my brother), myself, Dennis Nelsen (my dad) and Arnie Twait (my uncle).

Ryan Kahle (future brother-in-law) and myself

Paul Allan, some gal from a bachelorette party and myself

Nathan Christensen, Myself and Cory Christensen, the other part of the Ringsted crew

Myself and Dan Rickbeil (and his daughter)

Barack and Roll

2008-06-03T23:49:00.001-05:00

Hey all...Real quick before we head to bed... Lisa and I went to see Barack Obama tonight at the X...Pretty much amazing...Here are some of the photos..

Showers and Flowers Galore

2008-06-01T18:07:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone.... it's been a while since I posted (I know, some of you have been checking daily to see if there are new posts, and there is not so I digress).

Was a busy weekend at the Kahle (soon-to-be) Nelsen household. Friday night (or as I like to call it, my birthday eve), we met Lisa's parents and sister (Lindsey) at Jonny B's (home of our reception supper) for a bite to eat and then came back to our place and relaxed.

Saturday morning began at 5:30 as we were to be in Ringsted by 9:15 for the start of our shower. Lisa's parents (her dad came with to so he could kick it with my dad), sister's (and sister-in-love Becky) and G'ma Uecker came with and we headed down to God's Country. We got there and dropped Curt off with my dad so they could drive around and look at the dirt in the fields while the rest of us attended our shower.

The shower was good and we got a lot of nice things which made it even better. After the cars were packed, we sent Robyn, Becky and Lindsey back with a load and we stayed at my parents for a bit and had lunch. Some friends of ours, Jason and Betsey, along with their daughter Ella, stopped by and had lunch to so that was nice to catch up. After lunch, we stopped out at the farm to see Grandma and Grandpa Nelsen before heading back to Mankato.

Once returning to Mankato, we unpacked (which stinks) all of our stuff and got everything as situated as possible. After a few drunk calls from Lisa's siblings, we decided to head home and hang out with them in Ryan and Becky's garage. It was a good time, and we stopped at Taco Bell so I could have my birthday supper on the way.

We got there and played a few games of Polish Golf and caught up before heading back to

Mankato.

This morning we slept in till 9:30 (that never used to be sleeping in back in the day, I don't know what's happening to us) and then finished putting stuff away. My parents came up around 1:15 and took us out to lunch and then we went to Menards and used a nice gift certificate that we had gotten for the wedding. We bought a Sheppard's Hook (for our new bird feeder), two pots, a garden rake, grass seed, potting soil, a hose, a hose gun, and a variety of flowers.

One quick side note, my mother, god-bless her sole, loves flowers... At Menards there was a trash can filled full with waving pansies. Mother said they were perfectly good flowers, so she talked to the associate there and got six flats of them for 5 bucks. And then donated them to our cause.

So we got home, dad helped me plant the grass quick and I watered it while Lisa pulled weeds and mom looked at our shower cards. Mom and dad left and Lisa planted our flowers before we retired for the night. They look nice and hopefully they will look good all summer and hopefully the neighbor kids will stay off our grass.

So, here is what the flowers look like...Lisa did such a good job didn't she?

This is where i planted the grass seed

These are the flowers that were saved from the dumpster...I just hope I don't have to put them there in a week.

What A Great Week (& End)

2008-05-19T19:24:00.000-05:00

Last week could go down as one of the all-time best.

I took Monday and Tuesday off to relax after being gone for eight of the last nine days and to celebrate the end of my athletic season at MSU.

Monday was great... Mowed the yard, went and got our invites figured out with our printer, ran some errands, fertilized my yard, planted some green peppers, went for a walk down the Red Jacket Trail and ended the night by grilling some chicken.

Tuesday I got up, went for a walk and then ran a bunch of errands (which included getting our wedding invites) before coming home for lunch with Lisa...After that, we went and got our marriage licence and then I came home pulled bushes out of yard (six in front of the house and three in front of the garage...)

It was back to work on Wednesday, but I really wouldn't call it much work...Our baseball team qualified for the national tournament so i went into work for about six hours Wednesday thru Friday to man the phones.

Friday night, Lisa and I went out for supper at the Tav and then came home and watched the Kingdom on DVD (we're big fans of Netflix...highly recommended)...Saturday was a busy day as we got up, went to Target to get a fire pit and then Shopko...After dropping Lisa off at home, I went to watch the Mankato East baseball team play (my boss's eldest son got called up to varsity) and then came home and went for a walk/jog.

Saturday night, we had some friends over and broke in the fire pit with my buddy Nathan and Alex as well as our neighbors who are kiddy corner from us...They are around our age and have been married a year and seem pretty cool, so that's exciting. We sat around the fire, drank some margarita's and beer and come 11:30, we figured it'd be a good idea to call and get some Gary's Pizza. I've never hard Gary's sober, but with a few cocktails in you, it's the closest thing to heaven on earth.

Sunday we went to church at 9:30 (so mad we got up that early) then ran to Wally World to get a few groceries, came home and cut coupons before going for a nice walk down to Sibley Park (a hidden gem in Mankato) before coming home and mowing yard once again. Last night, my cousin Morgan who goes to Gustavus and her boyfriend Brad came down and we grilled burgers.

So, last night as we were watching the Academy of Country Music Awards, I looked at Lisa and said "this was a great weekend" and it really was...it was the first weekend in a long, long time where we had absolutely nothing on the agenda and absolutely nothing interrupted our time together. It was great being with her because I'm gone so much...

Anyway, really not much else is new in the world of ScottnLisa...

However, with it being May Sweeps, I'd love to discuss a few of my favorite TV shows...

The Office: Great finale..The Kevin subplot was brilliant, and I can't believe the end with Dwight and Angela. I'm ready for Jim and Pam to get engaged already and pretty shocked about what happened with Ryan.

ER: My guess is Dr. Pratt was in the ambulance, however I'm usually wrong with these things. It was a great show, and the Steve Buscemi was really good on the show.

The Big Bang Theory: I'm really not into this show big time, however it's right before one of my favorite show's on TV, but tonight's show was decent...it's getting better

How I Met Your Mother: I love the way Jason Segel plays the character Marshall Eriksen. I'm also not the biggest fan of Neil Patrick Harris but he is dynamite in the show. Tonight's season finale was good...I highly recommend catching the the season this summer when it's re-running on CBS...And I never saw that ending coming

Final note: The Mavericks of Minnesota State won the 2008 NCC Cup...May not sound like a big deal but it's the fourth straight year that we have won the award (our men won the men's title for the fourth time as well and the women won the women's title for the first time since 1996). This is truly an honor that the entire athletic department should be proud of as it measures the success of all your sports not just one. Nationally we rank second in the Director's Cup race (which measures basically the same thing, just on a nation-wide scale) which would be our highest finish in school history.

I'm a little biased, but I do believe that MSU athletics is still an underrated commodity in this area. It's cheap, exciting entertainment and the way that this season has gone, if you go to a game, there's a better than 70% chance that you'll see the home team win. Seriously, if anyone would ever want tickets next season, let me know, I'd love to get you to a game.

So there you have it, you're probably bored out of your mind, but thanks for reading...

I'm Back...

2008-05-11T21:21:00.000-05:00

Rumour has it that people have missed my witty and smart alecky posts...(Pause while i pat myself on the back).

I just got back from a road trip that put me at our house for just one day over the last nine. I spent the first three days (May 2-4) of the trip in Duluth with the softball team and was there until Sunday...Then I got home at midnight, went to work, then had a date with my fiance before grabbing a plane and flying to Kansas City for a softball tournament from Tuesday-Saturday. It was a double elimination tournament so we got rained out on wednesday, lost thursday won two games friday, won one game saturday and then lost our last game saturday. We made it to the airport by a mere seven minutes before our seven o'clock flight saturday and made it home around 11 o'clock last night... hotels, and eating out every day gets old and living in Emporia for four nights and five days isn't that great.

But i loved getting home last night... Lisa was awake when i got home and its never felt so good to get hugged! We slept in today and then went back to Gaylord to celebrate mothers day and robyns birthday at the Prairie House. Then we were home for an hour and drove to Fairmont to have supper for with my grandma, uncle, mom, dad and brother...165 miles on the car today, but it was worth it.

Anyway, sorry for the rather boring post... happy mothers day everyone you are appreciated.

Scott n Lisa

Priced To Sell...

2008-04-30T21:53:00.000-05:00

Little bit of a whirlwind evening tonight for Lisa and I...

Between moving in together and joining all of our stuff and two weddings showers, we have accumulated a bunch of stuff that we no longer need/want. I wanted to toss it... My future mother in-law claimed it would sell at a garage sale.

So, last Saturday afternoon, we priced everything (and trust me, it's priced to sell) and took it back to Lisa's Aunt Connie's house. After some discussion, we chose tonight to take it back to Gaylord because I leave for Duluth for a softball tournament this weekend for MSU.

It's a multi-family garage sale, so there is a lot of "stuff" stuffed into this garage. We left after about an hour and I'm rather positive that more stuff was placed in the garage after our departure. Anyway, the whole garage-sale phenomenon; baffles me (nothing against those who garage sale)...When thinking about it, wouldn't a person be better off , itemizing the stuff you want to sell cheap and give them to the Salvation Army or Goodwill and getting the tax break from it? Oh well, to each their own... All I have to say, is that I hope that whatever doesn't sell, doesn't make it back to our place.

It was great however getting to see a lot of Lisa's family. I've meet everyone now, but it's always good to get together and get to know them better...the faster they learn my sarcasm, the faster we'll get along :)

It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed driving through the country to see the tractors and planters playing in the mud. This time of year is one of my favorites, along with the fall, because I love driving through the country and watching people farm. (You can take the kid out of Iowa but you can't take Iowa out of the kid). I'm sure my old man gets tired of me calling him twice a day to get updates on how the planting is going, but it's how i stay in touch...Now i got my future father-in-law that I can call to, which is nice.

Speaking of Curt, when we stopped by the Kahle residence he showed me his unexpected new arrival on the farm (one of his heifers had a baby calf, much to the surprise of Curt, and I probably assume the heifer as well)... I love being in the barn... I miss the farm.

Oh well, there you have it lots of rambling, but in all it was a great day... Got to spend some time with the sweetie, see the future in-laws and had supper at EJ's.

Ever Had One Of Those...

2008-04-29T20:11:00.001-05:00

Maybe Daniel Powter knows what he is talking about...

Today was one of those days..

1) Had to begin the day by going to the dentist. Enough said (two minor cavaties to make it a little worse)

2) After I got back from lunch, I managed to spill an entire glass (roughly 32 ounces) of water all over my desk at work... Some of the water splashed onto my new (new as in new last August) keyboard and it decided to not work on me, so I had to steal a keyboard from our main lobby and then take my old one over to IT, so lord knows when I'll get it back.

3) Found out I'll be going on a road trip (five days long) about a month after we are married... It's for work and it'll be fun, but it will stink to be away from my lovely bride-to-be just a month into our new marriage.

4) Then, after Lisa and I got back from our walk, one of use went to use the bathroom and clogged up the toilet... All I could think of was Cousin Eddie saying "Shitter's full Clark" and all Lisa could think about was the potential mess that it could have made...Problem was resolved without any spillage, thanks for asking.

Oh well, for every crappy day, there has to be a happy day. And I'm sure there will be plenty of days like this to come, but hopefully that for every bad one, we'll have a week's worth of happy days.

On a totally unrelated note... There is nothing better than playoff hockey... I just wish ESPN would pick it back up so I don't have to find it on Versus... Oh well, that's a whole nother post.

Let's Get This Started

2008-04-28T20:42:00.000-05:00

Hey all...We're not really sheep, but it does seem that everyone has a blog and we've decided to create one ourselves as we prepare for our wedding (89 days away) on July 26.

Hopefully this can been used as a good way to communicate with our friends and family scattered throughout the Upper Midwest.

A quick update for everyone... Lisa is the office manager for Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato, Minn. She's been with the OT (as I like to call it) for the last seven years, and with any job, it has its good days with its bad.

I'm wrapping up my second year at Minnesota State University where I work in the athletic department where I work as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications. Basically, I help with the media relations efforts of our 23 NCAA Division I and II sports teams. My direct responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day media relations operations for men's basketball, football, softball and men's & women's swimming and diving.

We reside in Mankato, Minn. where we have purchased a house at 505 West 8th Street and are enjoying the perks of being a home owner. We're excited to spend our first summer together in the house and the remodeling that we wanted done right away (master closet, guest closet) has been completed (thanks Curt), so we can now enjoy our house each day.

So stop by periodically if you want to know what's going on in our world... Hope all is well with everyone...

SnL