So i can throw you off

What's this? A THURSDAY blog entry? But Kevin? Why???

WHY THE HELL NOT? How bout... i got time. I got thoughts, and I want to write em up! How you like me now?


So this week is slowly crawling along. Its Thursday and it needs to be Friday. Not really a lot to look forward to this weekend. Jamie is having a tournament for his kiddie logrollers. I'll probably go help out with that.

This past weekend my awesome dad helped me build some shelves in our garage. Yep. I'm now an organized garage dweller. It's good to feel like I'm a part of male home ownership. I have a garage I can be proud of. :-) (insert dork comment here).

So recently the blog entries have been a little "boring" to some of you. How can i change this? Or do i even care? I don't. If i want to be boring I will be. So deal with it. :-) Ha ha!

10 things i think i think:

1) I think the gopher basketball team might be getting more hype than the gopher hockey team. Not for the whole season mind you, but for right now. A while back, Kelsey and I attended a gopher hockey game. They lost...bad. This past weekend the gophers beat Army in basketball and got a lot of people excited that we might have a shot at playing well. All i'm saying is that the gophers are turning heads in the barn. And i'm excited!

2) I think the holidays need to hurry up and get here. Work has been stressful enough in the last few months, maybe some "relaxing" (said with a sarcastic tone) holiday break could bring some change into this guy's mind frame. Some things i have to look forward to are getting a new TV, decorating the house, and listening to Christmas music all while experiencing the first Christmas together with Kelsey in our new house. That right there is enough to battle any amount of stress.

3) I think Kelsey is turning me into a more organized person. All my clutter is slowing finding its place. I don't do it because I want to, I do it because it bugs her. I'm fine with doing it, and it does make the house look nice. (Trust me, i won't turn into a neat freak. It's not in my nature.) Sure there are times when i look at her and realize that her cleanliness borders on crazy, but there is a reason behind it that i can understand. I'm bending, but not breaking. I guess that's good enough for now. :-)

4) I think our dog is settling down. Lately i've taken the time in the morning just before my shower to sit down with her and just chill out for 5 minutes. Usually that means that she bites and barks at anything she can. But there are glimmers of moments where she'd be content being petted and spoiled. That is a dog we can't wait to enjoy.

5) I think I need to take a random day off. No wait, make that two. I need to take a random day off where Kelsey and I can just sit around and do nothing all day. Then i need to take a random day off where I can just sit around and do nothing all day. I know Kelsey and I need a little more quality time together, but I think i need some quality ME time too. I think maybe its the few days before Christmas Weekend that would do nicely. I can sit around with Kelsey and let the Christmas music blare and we can have a good day. Then I can sit around and watch some good Christmas movies, or just veg out. Yes.. that sounds like a plan to me.

6) I think all of my Christmas presents will be purchased before December 10th this year. Yep.. i'm setting a date. It'll be a new record. Look at me, planning and what not. How weird is that?

7) I think its still not too late to winter fertilize my lawn. Yep.. i'm a believer. One more time to mow/bag my lawn/leaves and then i'll get out the old spreader and go nuts. Cuz i just don't give a rat's butt.

8) I think i take way too much pride in my house and all the things i do. I mean seriously.. who gets excited about winter fertilizer? Oh yeah.. i do. Yep.. i'm a big ol' dork. :-)


9) I think the idea that I'll never play in a competitive basketball league again is OK with me. The idea of going to the gym to shoot around, or just play some random pickup games puts a smile on my face. I'd rather watch basketball and potentially one day teach my kids how to play. I have logrolling and other new things that i can pursue. Like next year, i'm getting a bike and doin the bike stuff. No joke. That is something that I will look forward to coming home from work and going out on a bike ride. Sign me up!

10) I think that sometimes, i just need to stop, look around and remember just how happy I am right now. Everything else just melts into that and I should continue to live every day without having to feel guilty, angry, frustrated, or upset. This is a great life and I wouldn't change a thing.

Time to catch up

Well, it has been a crazy month. I had hoped to do a weekly entry and look what happens. I travel, spend too much time on the road, and not enough time in a hotel where I can update this thing, and then I fall behind. Oh well, it happens. I hope you all will forgive me. :-)

Since the last posting, I've been to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Colorado, and Washington. I have enjoyed the perks of frequent flier miles and have since made progressive steps to being a fine member of the NWA Gold club status. Right now, I'm a lowly silver grunt, but in two more flights I'll be a bright and shimmering Gold member. Maybe I'll even be upgraded to first class more often. Wouldn't that be nice? :-)

It's about that time of year where I can start tasting the turkey, sensing the crisp cold winter ahead, and eagerly anticipating the best holiday season of all. I am really anxious to get on my roof and put up Christmas lights! You better believe that i'll have the lights up before Thanksgiving, but we won't turn them on until the 23rd of November. That's also when the Christmas music can be legally played in our house. I never imagined that my excitement for Christmas could get any bigger than it already was. But, add your own house to the mix and it throws in a whole new view on the holiday spirit. Your own tree, your own decorations, and all the personal touches that you love. How sweet is that??

OK, so maybe its still a little too early to talk about Christmas, but hey.. I get excited and you all have to deal with it. :-)

It's weird to think that I've grown accustomed to the whole winter aspect without basketball. I have recently decided not to coach this year, and i haven't played in any leagues and don't have any intent to. I guess I never was big on the actual playing part of basketball once i was done with Sophomore year of college (probably because I didn't really play). But now all I need is some time to shoot around at the gym and i'm content. I guess that just surprises me. Oh well, leaves more time for logrolling. Now i just have to get out and do that! Heh heh.. :-/


10 things I think I think:

1) I think Kona needs some reformation. She peed on our upstairs couch last night. Personally I think it was a lashing out at us. And she got us good, but the other side of the pancake is that she gets what's coming to her. No more couch time, and some different treatment from me. Yes, i was the softy. I coddled her too much, but that's cuz she never did anything out of hand. Last night she crossed the line, and so it comes to the fact that we take our house back. We'll see how long it takes me to cave in. :-)

2) I think i was pleasantly surprised on Sunday. We went to a church called Transfiguration Catholic Church. With a name like that Kelsey and I were a little skeptical. But turns out, it was a pretty straightforward church. Nothing too special, looked OK, the priest was pretty normal, and I liked him. There was a full choir and the service was pleasant. Needles to say I was Transfigured. Kelsey, wasn't too impressed, but while she wasn't transfigured, she didn't necessarily hate it. I guess we have a church that is close to our house that we can go to if we so choose. But, we are anything but Tranny's. (Seriously, that's what they call it. Check out the website - www.tranny.org )

3) I think work is on a bit of a downhill phase. Work load has dropped off a little bit, only because projects are currently under way, while others are in hold. That means the work of a project manager is just sit around and wait for something to go wrong. Something ALWAYS goes wrong. It just depends on how bad it is. But if that means that I get to stay in town for a while and every once in a while leave work early? I'm OK with that.

4) I think last nights Heroes episode was amazing. I'm excited for next week!

5) I think with all the good TV, i'm really going to enjoy getting our new LCD TV. Yep, i will be camping out (or more like showing up at the Butt Crack of dawn) at Best Buy for their TV deals. I have about $450 worth of Best Buy Gift Certificates to use so that should help us get a quality TV for our viewing pleasure.

6) I think the trip to San Diego that I want to go on with Kelsey is forming up to actually be pretty beneficial! I can use frequent flier miles to get out there, and once we are out there, it shouldn't be that expensive with all my credit card points, hotel reward cards, and discounts that i've acquired over the two years working with EMC. I'm actually looking forward to it.

7) I think before we go to San Diego we are looking at revisiting Indian Head ski resort in the U.P. Last year we had an absolute blast. We're hoping that it works out where we can hit up the mountain again with the Micro Brewery festival in full swing. A nice large group of all our friends makes it all the more exciting. SHOT SKI!! :-)

8) I think the first snowfall should be sooner rather than later. I would love nothing more than to have snowball fights and build castles. And that means LOTS of snow is needed. Bring it on. :-)

9) I think I might be a basketball fan again. The gophers have their new coach (Tubby!) and the Celtics have a good chance at winning a title! (No, i wasn't always a Celtic fan, but since KG might actually win a ring, i'll give him all the support he needs because dealing with a shit load of unsuccessful years in MN, he deserves it.)

10) I think i want an iPod touch. I'm tired of not having enough space to fit my music on my smaller nano. Oh well.. if I only had the money. :-)

WHAT A WEEK!

Weekly Highlights:
Well there is no doubt about it, the best of the previous week can be summed up in one word (or name rather) and its Gwendolyn. I have a new niece and she is amazing. I got to see her a day after she was born and I can't say enough about her. She is an amazing young girl and we are glad to have her as the newest addition to a welcoming and loving family. She was born on October 3rd at 3:33pm and immediately began establishing herself as a unique individual. Unlike her older brother, she has already been labeled as a "calmer, more laid back" baby. So, let the uncle praising begin, and now that i have two little kids to make me feel young again, you can expect some pretty fun times for the Trauscht/Johnson family.

On another note, Kelsey and I had a great weekend. We were off on Friday to take in the city life and enjoy a nice dinner and some music. We started by taking a trip down to the banks of the Mississippi river just outside of Minneapolis. We found a very nice area that we are secretively hiding as "our own" and enjoyed a very nice outdoor meal overlooking the river and the city lights on a 78 degree night. It was perfect. We then ventured downtown to catch Matt Nathanson in concert. It was everything i hoped for and more. He did all the songs i wanted to hear, and even threw in a cover of "Don't Stop Believing." by Journey that sealed the deal. It was one of the better concerts I've been to. And best of all, it begins a good month for some nice concerts. Yellowcard is this saturday (although not headlining, it will still be fun to watch) and later this month Matt Wertz is coming to town. All in all, a good month for music.

Some other good things to look forward to include the fact that Kelsey has this weekend off, and Jamie and Nate are back in town! Here's to a good weekend.

Wrapping up this week, Jason, Shawn and I got in what could be our last round of golf for the year. It was 87 degrees and sunny on Saturday and i just couldn't help myself. The highlight was when I borrowed Shawn's driver (that I won, and sold to him for $100) to see what i had given up to him. Well, one smack later and I was impressed. I recorded my longest drive ever. And then without missing a beat, Shawn said " I'll sell it back to ya for $150." What an ass. :-)

On Sunday Kelsey and I did some home redecorating and got some stuff straightened out. I got to watch Da Bears beat the packers and life was good.

Of course, today being Monday, i'm finding myself here at work doing work stuffand that figuring out my travel schedule just took all of my morning and most of my afternoon! I have 8 one way flights in 7 days. I can't wait.

With that, its on to:

10 things i think i think:

1) I think I won't really enjoy the benefits of all these frequent flier miles and credit card points as much as i once thought. Finding the time, energy and working out all the details of travel is become such a chore to me that I don't want to do it even for personal travels (vacation, trips etc.) But free miles, and free points are exactly that. Free. If i don't have the energy to do it when it comes time, i'll deal with it then.

2) I think i better restring my guitar(s) soon. I'm going crazy with no musical outlet. With some new songs streaming into my library i know i'm going to want to try some of them out soon. Better get one of my musical instruments fixed.

3) I think yesterday better be the last time Kona tries to escape under our fence. She made it into the neighbors yard under a small hole in the fence that we missed. The bad thing was that this specific neighbor's yard borders directly on Stillwater Blvd. I'd rather not have to scrape my dog off the pavement thank you very much...

4) I think its a turning point in the Bears season. Beating the packers can be a momentum shifter right?

5) I think i don't like work today. People aren't calling me back and i've been slammed with mindless tasks. I can't wait to go home.

6) I think one thing about all this travel stuff is that I get to read again. Yes, its true.. i can read. And i've been doing a lot of it lately with all this ass time on the planes and in the airports. I've started a impressive (if only on a personal level) list of books that i've read and enjoyed. I'm looking forward to the next few i have on my list to finish. Should be fun times.

7) I think i better stop joining all these "priority" or "special" clubs with all these hotels, airlines etc. because before long my wallet is going to explode.

8) I think i want to hope that the MN gophers basketball team has a chance this year. My dad's got tickets again and with Tubby Smith as their new coach, their has to be some hope right? Right??

9) I think I really need to stop and smell the roses, fall wind, freshly cut grass, grilled meals, and every other little thing that i enjoy about this time of year. I dunno.. I guess i think i need a reminder about how good I have it.

10) I think i'm two for two on monday blogs. :-) Can we make it three?

The first of many (Hopefully)

Hello and welcome all, to this, a new phase of my life. Don't jump to conclusions, this isn't a "life altering" phase. Just a change i thought would be acceptable to help create a different viewpoint for how i approach this stage in life. OK, that was way too dramatic. How bout I just write all the things that I don't typically say out loud. (This can be inclusive of about 90% of my thoughts because as most of you know, i really only talk about 10% of the time.) Consider this your insight to me and my self proclaimed logical thoughts.

Lets begin with a little refresher shall we? I used to write a weekly entry on my MySpace page to keep people up with my activities. I thought it was kind of fun to just lay stuff out there so I could at least feel good about venting, explaining, or simply stating some thoughts or actions I used to do. The whole process became awkward when Kelsey would read these entries and say "I never knew you wanted to do ..." or "When were you planning on telling me that?" It wasn't that I tried to keep things from her, its just when i type I have completely random thoughts that may or may not carry weight later in the grand scheme of things. The few that did, i expect, didn't always sit well for Kelsey, and everyone else who was involved. Which I felt that they were just in raising these questions because I suck at explaining or talking about certain things.

So why do it again? I dunno. I guess life is becoming really busy, and i want to be able to reflect on some thoughts before any major changes take place in my life. Work is creating an atmosphere that is taking up a lot of time in my day to day activities. Yes, back in the day when i did write entries, i HAD free time. I had time to waste. I could pump out an entry in about 20 mins. Now, this entry will probably take me all day. (With that point, i'll probably write weekly sunday night so i don't waste too much time at work. It just causes more problems for me and my co-workers.)

I guess I could just try and catch everyone up now. Typically I do a "Weekend Update" (please note that i'm aware off all my shameless copy cat/stealing of ideas), but seeing as how more than a weekend has gone by I should just stick to an "Update."

Kelsey and I own a house in Oakdale. The "projects" are still on a list that will get done. The list isn't that long anymore and most of it is now just preferential projects that we'd like to get done, and none that really "Have to." The have to phase was really annoying, and it makes the house much more enjoyable if the projects consist of visual results that appeal to Kelsey and I. Home owning is definately something i am still enjoying and I look forward to every minute i get to spend in the house. ESPECIALLY with a new puppy. We found ourselves a Shiba Inu puppy and named her Kona. She is doing her own little remodeling of our house. Her most recent contribution was a nice little hole in our couch upstairs (thankfully it was our "garage sale" couch and not our $2K leather sectional). I dunno, i like the new feature Kona put in the couch. It adds character. Kelsey doesn't agree. Kona is still every bit of a puppy, but we're rigorously trying to cement the fact that we are the masters into her brain. I am definitely the sucker and the one that lets her get away with EVERYTHING! I don't seem to mind so much when she acts out or redecorates our upstairs carpet, because she's just a puppy. But there are certain people who do not enjoy me supporting this behavior. So, i have agreed to be a little more careful of what Kona can and cannot do. With this in mind i'm hoping we will have ourselves a nicely behaved, but a still full functioning awesome dog, very shortly.

One such challenge we're about to face is pictures. We haven't been the best of puppy parents and been snapping away at our cute little dog, so I really wanted to get a good picture of all 3 of us before she gets too big. We're getting professional pictures taken tomorrow. I got Kelsey a photo session for us last year for Christmas. We're finally getting around to using that present and i couldn't think of a better time to use the pictures with our new little puppy! (NO, NO OTHER SCENARIO WOULD BE BETTER! I don't know what you are all talking about.. you're supposed to take pictures when you get a ring? What?) So be on the lookout for some cool pictures of cool people.

Other than that, I guess things are pretty normal. I don't think i'll be coaching basketball this year. I'm more into trying to get a little better at Log Rolling. Hell, i'd just be happy to be in shape next summer. I guess that means more trips to the YMCA and hanging out with some old friends. I'll take that, plus the free weekends i get by not coaching basketball. I'll coach when i have a kid. :-) About 50 years from now.


With me moving blog locations, i have given up certain attributes that i liked with the MySpace blog entries. One such attribute i enjoyed was the fact that music could play in the background. I haven't figured out if this site has that capability, but i am going to assume it doesn't. As such I'm incorporating a new feature to my blog. My weekly music suggestion. One song, each week, that i enjoy and figure you all might enjoy as well. It will be listed at the end of the blog, and right after my favorite part about these entries... the "Ten things i think, i think."

Without further adieu:

"Ten things i think, i think" (original concept by Peter King)


1. I think its good to be blogging again. If not for myself, than maybe for my family. My mom actually asked for the page that i "blog at" because she was tired of not hearing all the news about Krissy and Trevor. I'd come home and say this and that about Trevor and she'd ask where i'd hear it from. When she learned about the blog sites she figured it was a good way to keep tabs on her sons and daughter. I being the only son that didn't have a "blog" page, i figured why not make the aspect a complete family outing and have some fun? We'll see how it goes, and i'll try to make sure everything is "mom safe" and yet still funny and inclusive of all that is my craziness.

2. I think everyone needs to own their own pet some point in their lives. If you had a family pet when you were growing up, you know how much fun it was. Its even better when you have your own. Sharing that responsibiliy is OK, but the real joy is seeing what kinds of emotions, actions and thoughts it brings out in you, or someone you love. Its a window into a whole other complex and rewarding side of yourself and those close to this new thing in your life. The idea that a dog is a dog, or a cat is a cat is idiotic. They are individual, unique, and completely life changing (if not all at once, then gradually over time they will change your life.) I recommend that anyone who thinks otherwise needs to read "Marley and Me." It is an excellent book and well worth anyone's time.

3. I think I'm extremely excited for October. For many reasons i won't go into, October will be a great month namely because Matt Nathanson, Yellowcard, and Matt Wertz are all coming to MN to be in concert. Coupling Matt Nathanson with a night of drinking at the Lion's Pub, what could be more excellent than a night of great music, fun entertainers, and a great beer and a fun bar? I see you're speechless. :-)

4. I think I better have a promising performance review in the next two weeks. With the amount of money EMC stands to make, how much work John and I have been doing to help bring in a large chunk of that money, I, like any other person, would like a fair return on that work. Here's to hoping everything goes well! :-)

5. I think i need a new phone. I think i really like the iPhone, but am not sure that switching to Cingul...er... AT&T is worth the hassle its going to create with Kelsey and I (both currently on Verizon) or work (EMC might get work phones for its employees). I guess we'll see what comes out of the discussions with work before i have to make any decisions.

6. I think i'm completely excited to be an uncle twice over. I guess i'm surprised i saved this for number six, but in reality it isn't as big as Trevor being born. Yes, this young child will have to encounter the wrath of the number two child (possibly even middle child issues) and will still be loved by all including me. But Trevor will always be the one i gravitate toward for no reason other than I am "The Godfather." Yes, call me a dork but i love that title. I really enjoy being the godfather and maybe someday Trevor can look at me as an uncle on a different level than all the rest. Otherwise the new addition will be fun to play with too... there are certain ages that are more enjoyable as an uncle, and i definitely can't wait for those days, but i am also looking forward to these next few years hanging out with Trevor as he experiences new things. I'll leave the superior spoiling to the pro's (mom, dad, grandma and grandpa, and buh-ba and papa.)
for the new arrival.

7. I think i've waited a long time for fall. Summer was great, but it was crazy busy. All of a sudden Kelsey and I have weekends where we get to be together, just the two of us, we actually have time to do things, and enjoy not working. I knew we'd have days like this, i just didn't know they'd be so few and far in between. Add to it, the perfect weather (60-70 degrees) and some new cloths, new activities, and sharing some awesome time with the girl of my dreams and i'm set. Work can't even take that smile that i've found again off my face.

8. I think i can finally nail down my fashion style. I've always joked how i think my fashion style is "whatever is comfortable." But now i think i've narrowed it down for you all. My fashion style is "Long Underwear." I joked with Kelsey about this, and i think it fits me. We went out and got a few new articles of clothing for various reasons. I needed a few new shirts to complete my vast assortment of clothing styles, and with our venture i found some really comfy shirts. J Crew, Gap and Eddie Baur all label the type as "Thermal" or "waffle stitch" but i'm smarter than that. It's long underwear... and it rocks!

9. I think I'll never be able to see my two favorite Chicago teams thriving at the same time. The cubs are in the playoffs and the Bears are struggling. Oh well... GO CUBS! Side note: Grossman can beat the Lions.. what say you now all you haters? Griese sucks too! Deal with it! Grossman for Prez!

10. I think this was an OK first blog. I hope all you enjoy it! More to come next week!



Recommended listening for the week:

Matt Nathanson - Car Crash


Enjoy! Have a great week everyone!