Happy Halloween!!!

So I hope your Halloween was fun, and full of mischief! Honestly mine is rather drab! I dressed up as a soldier today at work; unfortunately, so did everyone else! Ha-Ha! (I'll be appearing here all week and don't forget to tip your waitresses!)

I did start out my morning running with a good friend of mine. Cliff and I ran two miles at a slow pace as he is still recovering from knee surgery. We used to run all the time when I worked at the armory before, but since I haven't worked there for awhile, we have both let the running slip. Now that I'll be back there for the next 6-8 months, were planning on doing alot more running. When we returned Tessa, another soldier who works at the armory, was just leaving for a short run, so I ran with her also. Her pace was a little faster and I did end up getting a nice workout this morning. I have decided that I am going to take it easy on the marathon this year. My training has been worse than last year and finishing is far more important than trying to better last years finish!

I have been invited out to lunch on Veterans Day by KZOK 102.5 FM! Sounds like it will be fun. I'm going to take Cliff as well, it'll be nice to go and meet some new people! A free lunch at the Outback, who could beat that mate?

I discovered that there is another National Treasure movie coming out just before Christmas! I loved the last one and am already looking forward to this one! I downloaded the trailer so you can see it here!




I can't wait to take Jen, Adrienne, and Hunter to go and see this. Kinda reminds me of Indiana Jones when I was just a kid.

I almost forgot about the exciting news of the weekend. I received a letter from an adoption agency in Phoenix. You see, about 18 years ago I agreed to place a child of mine up for adoption. I have been satisfied with that decision over the years as I still don't think I could have given her anything close to the life she enjoys now.

However, I have waited a long time hoping that someday I would have the chance to meet her. Her parents contacted me and requested an update of my life that they could share with Annie when they told her about me. I have been patient and respectful of their life together and appreciate very much the connection they have left open, and the occasional updates they have sent. I believe that the time is coming near when I will receive a phone call, an email, or the like, and a new chapter in my life I've been waiting a long time for, will finally open.

Until later,

I gotta run...

Sick and busy, and sick from being busy!

Just a short note, I spent my weekend drilling with the 181st BSB in Seattle, WA. Friday saw us in meetings till midnight. Twas a little better on Sat. & Sun. But I also came down with a nasty cold, I feel like I have a leaky Price Pfister faucet on my face! If you are reading this and are in great health, take a minute to appreciate it. Enjoy it. Be happy not being sick!

I sent out a press release today to a lot of local papers and a few radio shows. We will have to see what comes of it. I'll be putting the full court press on starting next week. The good news is that we are at 18%, the bad news is that we are only at 18%!

More thoughts tomorrow night.

I gotta run...

A lot to cover tonight...

So let's get started! I was up late last night/early this morning tweaking the blog. You'll notice a few small changes. I figured out how to add video and added two clips. The first one you will see is the afore mentioned commercial that my friend Randy Small was involved in. Scott Bennett and a few others I know are also in it as well. I think they did a great job, don't you! The second one is a new commercial from the Army Strong campaign. I love it! The music gets me fired up every time! I really like the new campaign as it delves a little deeper into what it really means to be a soldier.

We have received another donation! We are now at 18%! I'll be sending out some emails in the next day or to remind people about the fundraiser.

The Public Affairs office of the Washington Army National Guard has posted a story about me on their website to help promote the fundraiser. It can be found at: http://washingtonguard.org/news/archive/fo-Korf2007.shtml

Thank you to 1LT Keith Kosik and PFC Chris LaRue. I also want to thank MAJ Osterli, the Public Affairs Officer, for working behind the scenes and supporting my cause. Hopefully he'll be able to land an interview or two in the next few weeks! I'll keep you posted.

Now for some ramblings... For those of you who have been checking in every so often, you already know I'm a big Ozzy fan and just last week was able to go see him live! It was a blast! Well, I'm also registered with his website and get periodic updates. Interesting news tonight, Ozzy is donating all net proceeds from ticket sales and merchandise from his Nov. 20 concert in Las Angeles to the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. The program works to improve the lives of patients and their loved ones by providing at-home help, childcare, transportation, access to support groups and patient care services offered within Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The program also under writes colon cancer education for healthcare providers. To learn more about the program visit http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/6408.html.

I think this is awesome! I believe that heroes are people who overcome their faults and do great things for others. I believe that the Ozzman fits this mold, although not perfectly. Which I figure, is just the way he would want it! One of the things I have grown to respect in others is their compassion and what they do for others! It is a trait that I strive to meet in my own life and I challenge everyone around me, or whom I meet, to do the same!

So, last but not least tonight... Tomorrow marks my third wedding anniversary! I truly do not know where I'd be, or whether I'd even be alive, without my loving wife Jennifer. Honey, I know I don't always do the right things and that I'm not the easiest to live with; but I love you more than you know. Thank you for coming into my life. I will forever be a better person with you by my side. I love you.

I gotta run...

Yea for Randy!!!

Here's a big Kudo for a friend in my organ donation family! Randy spoke to 1200 students at Eastlake High School in Sammamish today! It was the first assembly type presentation at a school that any of us has done. He said it was well received and hopefully could be the start of something new!

Randy is also in an organ donation television commercial that is airing in the greater Seattle area. Check it out on youtube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgRCnglbhac. Great job! Randy is also looking forward to meeting his donor's family in the coming months. I know he is excited and I'm sure it will be on the news. I'll add more info on it when it comes available.

Randy, it is truly an honor and a privilege to know you. Keep fighting the good fight!

I gotta run...

I've lost my focus...

I'm not sure why, or where it has possibly gone. But I sure haven't had it lataly. It's after 11:30 pm and I have to get up at 5am to head to work, and I can't sleep. I can't explain the mixed feelings of dread and inattention that have enveloped me. Hopefully this will kickstart me back to where I need to be to ensure that I give this all I can, and all it deserves.

The last week was busier than the one before. Here's a recap...

Monday I attended the Marcus Trufant Bowling and Billiards Classic. On an evening that I should have been enjoying watching my brother in law hanging with his team, I instead found myself attending alone. Not being a true Seahawks fan, I tried to make the most of it. It was enjoyable and I did get a chance to thank Darryl Tapp for signing a football at the Groz-n-Gas Othon. I have met Darryl twice now and he seems to be a well balanced person whom I have enjoyed meeting. He is also a terror on the field which is fun to watch! I would strongly recommend any diehard Seahawks fan to attend this event. It is a great place to get autographs and meet some of your favorite players. It is also well organized and supports a great cause. The Trufant family should be commended. It was a class A operation!

I started my new position with the guard on Tuesday, that led to a lot of driving over the next couple of days. In one 27 hour period I commuted almost 6 hours! I am excited about the mission and look forward to becoming more actively involved in it's operations.

Thursday night found me at the Ozzy Osbourne concert at Key Arena. It was the best. A lot of people will not understand but I believe he truly is a great performer. I am a huge fan and will always go and see him when I have the chance! ROCK ON OZZY!!

As for the training, that is where I have lost a lot of my focus. I am still determined to finish the marathon, but I am doubting how soon I will finish, and in what condition I'll be in the following days. I'll be sending out emails to local papers and radio stations starting this week. We're about five weeks out and I think it's about time to start pushing the story out there. I'll also be posting more posters in earnest as well.

If you have received one of my emails please forward it to all of your co-workers and friends. This is still mostly a grass roots campaign and I will need everyones help in getting the word around. If you haven't received an email drop me a line and I'll include you on the next mass emailing. Until later...

I gotta start running again!!!

Alot has happened in six days...

This week has been busy to say the least. First and foremost, a big Thank You goes out to James Woodford and his students at Franklin High School for having me out to speak to them on Monday. It was fun!!

Tuesday I stayed home and tried to accomplish things on my 'honey do' list. With all that I have going on, things sometimes slide and the misses needs to lovingly remind me of what I need to get done around the house. It just seems like the work never ends sometimes! I ended Tuesday with a night out with Randy. Randy is a fellow volunteer and heart recipient. He inspired me to become the speaker I am today. Being a few 'months' older than I, he is a great sounding board for issues I need input on or to bounce ideas off of. He has dinner at a British pub in Redmond called the Three Lions every Tuesday as they have trivia night. It was quite fun, and pretty easy from what I hear, for my first time. We had a good time and I can see myself down there again. Trivia is also a fun way to keep the brain smart. Something I sometimes have problems with ever since the coma.

Unfortunately I had a 'flare up' on Wednesday. My disease has a habit of reminding me it is still there and that I have to deal with it every so often. I woke around 3 am with a severe case of the shivers. My teeth were rattling I was shaking so bad. I put more clothes on and grabbed more blankets, only to wake up a few hours later sweating like I was sleeping in the Sahara! I stayed in bed a little longer than I had intended the next morning. I felt like I had been drop kicked in the gut. Not the first time I've felt that, and I'm sure not the last. I believe it has something to do with my Pancreas/Liver. I steered away from food and pushed the fluids al day. I'm off of active duty now so I don't have the luxury of being able to 'run down to Madigan' to get looked at. The rest of Wednesday was pretty drab but I did start to feel better in the evening.

Thursday and Friday I spent on the 'honey do' list again. I have duty this weekend so I'm forced to put the time in beforehand. I did return to running on both days, learning my lesson of taking too many days off. Thursdays run absolutely sucked. Fridays was significantly better.

We haven't received many more donations. I have a big week planned next week and then I'm going to redirect my energies towards promoting the event. I believe it is still too early for the story to peak so I've been holding back. But it's getting close to go time!

I hope to have some more news on Sunday evening and will try to post more frequently than I have this past week. I do have another blog I will be setting up for a book I will be starting soon. Stay tuned because I am going to need your help!

But for now,

I gotta run...

Big Donation! We're getting there!

So Thursday we got our biggest donation yet. $1040, yes that equates to 40 entries. Not bad for a coug! LOL Another donation received this morning brings our total to $1504!! We're almost halfway to last years total and still have seven weeks to go! We should reach $10k no problem.

I will most certainly be adding another Seahawks item to the package in a few weeks. I'll be attending the Marcus Trufant Billiards and Bowling Classic. I'm going to leave this one up to you guys so let me know who you would like me to get an autograph from? Give me a couple of ideas in case one of them is not there. This is your chance to make your opinion count!

I ended up skipping training yesterday; too many things kept coming up. I did however get my Vanessa Carlton tickets! I am so excited!!! I can't wait!

I spent some time with a friend last night in the hospital. I kind of owed him, and still do. He escorted my wife to Germany and facilitated a lot of their travel when I was in the coma. He was getting out last evening but still needs some more testing. Get better good buddy!

I completed my longest run yet. 8.5 miles in just over 1 hour, 9 minutes. I felt pretty good towards the end, first time since I ramped up the training. I'll be doing longer runs in the next 6 weeks to make sure I'm ready. My goal is to break the 4 hour mark. Last year I did it in 4 hours, 45 minutes. If I'm able to break 4 it'll be a big improvement!!

more later,

I gotta run...

Harder than I thought and good news!!!

So, this marathon training seems a lot harder this year than last. It's a good thing I've still got awhile before the race. My body was so run down yesterday that I decided to skip a day. I had errands to do anyways. I did however make up for it today. This morning I ran 6.25 miles in just under 51 minutes without stopping. Another 2-3 tonight and I'll feel better.

So now the good news... no the GREAT NEWS!!!! One of my errands yesterday was to have Mariner Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez sign a plaque commemorating his induction into the Mariners Hall of Fame! It is inscribed "Done Vida (Donate Life), Edgar Martinez" It is numbered 116 of 411 and has two pictures, two medallions, and an information plate. All double matted and framed in beautiful blue stained wood. This is truly a gorgeous piece of memorabilia, and one of a kind! Of all the items I've acquired for the fundraiser, this one is my favorite!

A big THANK YOU!!!! to Edgar Martinez for supporting this fundraiser again this year!!! I'd also like to Thank Buffie at Branded Solutions by Edgar Martinez for assisting with acquiring Edgar's signature!!

So, here is where it's going to be different... I am not including this item in with the rest of the signed memorabilia. Instead I am going to award it to the individual, or business, that makes the largest cumulative donation!!!! A special item deserves special circumstances don't you think? So donate big, or donate small a number of times, to get this awesome collectible!

Until next time...

I gotta run...

Skyline High School visit.

Well, I was only able to squeeze one 4 mile run in today. Probably best, I was a little wore out from yesterdays double. But I'm hitting it hard again tomorrow.

I missed this mornings run because I was invited out to Skyline High School on the Sammamish Plateau to speak to four classes. A big THANK YOU!!!! to Miss Taryn Buehler, and her classes. I had a blast again today speaking to young men and women about organ donation. It was my first visit to Skyline and I was impressed with the school, and more importantly, its students.

One student was kind enough to draw a picture for me that I will soon scan and post onto the blog for all to see. I love seeing creativity in people who are brave enough to share. Having written some poetry myself I know to well the anxiety of opening yourself up to others opinions.

Tomorrow I am off to try and meet with former Mariner Edgar Martinez. He has agreed via email to sign a framed collectible celebrating his induction into the Mariner's HOF. This will also be added to the long list of signed memorabilia I am giving away!

So here's a funny, and ironic, story. I used to be into collecting signed memorabilia when I was younger. I'm not sure when I got away from it but it just isn't that high a priority anymore. Except for my one collection of signed baseballs. I have been slowly trying to acquire a baseball signed by each one of the 2001 116 Game Wining Mariners Team. I am about half way there now. Ironically, one of the baseballs I need is that of Edgar Martinez. He was very supportive last year of signing one for the giveaway which I had in my possession for over a month. My loving wife had a blast constantly reminding me that I still had to give it away. And when the time came after the marathon, give it away I did. I'm not to worry though, I'll add one to my collection at some time or another.

Also tomorrow I will be stopping by the Crocodile Cafe to gather information on possibly setting up a meet and greet/photo op with Vanessa Charlton. Wish me luck!

I gotta run...

First day of two-a-days and a dream come true!

So the first day of two-a-days is done. 4.5 miles on the Duvall trail this morning and another 2.5 miles in the gym tonight. I'm also starting a whey protein regimen tonight. Hopefully that will fill me up a bit and help shed a few more of those pounds I have left towards my goal. But tomorrow is going to be harder. I am speaking at Skyline High School tomorrow so I will have to get up at 5am to get my morning run in at the gym. I'm not used to running that early unless I'm at an active duty school or something. I can already tell I'll be tired tomorrow evening.

So the high point of my day was receiving my ticket to go see Ozzy in concert again. I'm not expecting too many people to understand, but I love seeing Ozzy in concert! This will be my fourth time seeing him and the second time in three months (he was just here for Ozzfest in Aug!). I am so psyched!!! Ozzy was the first tape I ever bought (do you even remember tapes? Yes I'm old!), the first concert I ever saw, and for the last three years he's been the last concert I've seen. But not for long...

Big surprise!!!! VANESSA CHARLTON is coming to town!!!!! So many of you won't understand until you finish reading about this story. While in Germany on annual training in 2004, I had to have emergency gall bladder removal surgery. I was sent to a German civilian hospital and during the surgery, the doctors lacerated my liver and bile ducts. I was slowly bleeding to death internally and needed a second surgery. During that second surgery I went into Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and fell into a coma. My parents were placed on active duty orders and flown to Germany to make the decision to pull the plug.

Every day for three or four days they met with the doctors and evaluated my condition. I wasn't getting any worse so they would 'give it another day'. My girlfriend at the time (now my wife) flew over also. She has some knowledge of how the brain works and so she started playing music to me. After a few days she went out to the Chech. boarder and picked up a few pirated cd's with music she knew I liked. Unfortunately there was no change in my condition, until one of my favorite songs played. Alarms on the medical equipment started to go off and nurses and doctors rushed in. After about 5-6 days of being in a coma my brain started to show signs of life. From the point that that song played, I started to recover.

I wouldn't come out of the coma until after a total of ten days, and that would only lead to 9 months of rehab and the diagnosis of my disease. But I would eventually get better. Within five months of returning home I made that girlfriend my wife, and we are still happily married. That song holds a very special place in both of our hearts for if she hadn't have played it, I might not be here today. That song was 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Charlton. It has been a dream of mine to hear her perform that song live, and now that dream will come true.

Sorry Ozzy, until you come around again, Vanessa Charlton will be the last concert I see should I die. But that's ok.

I gotta run....