Thinking out loud

How come I was the guy who had to stay in Atlanta because of an overbooked flight and all the other passengers were good to go. I was one of only five (as far as I know) that could not get on board. How come I couldn't, even though I had my ticket since May? I was surely not the last guy that bought his ticket.

The thing is that any other time I could have cared less. But this time was the first time I came home for Christmas and it was the only time my parents will be having a combined 50th birthday anniversary party. This time seemed to be important, but 'a higher force' didn't want me to go - so it seemed. Call it destiny, bad luck, god, giant spaghetti monster or whatever. It just didn't seem to be fair. Obviously life is not fair. But why me? It is just another little thing that bothers me. The fact that I got tricked to go to a Baptist University and that always when I travel I share a room with an extremist Mormon seem to add up to a huge complot. Silly I know, but it seems as if some 'divine' power tries to make fun of me - or even punish me. Am I that bad of a person? I am just thinking out loud, since life keeps staying a pain in the ass, wouldn't it be easier to just believe in god, in order to get out of that mess. Just like that guy on my swim team who answered on my question whether he will go to hell with the following answer: "Oh, I am going to heaven, I believe in Jesus." I think I could make myself believe in something, if that gives me a free ticket to an 'easier', or even eternal life - why not. I mean, where is the catch? It seems almost too easy to be true. Who gives things for free in this capitalistic, corrupted world, where everything is overpriced and never for free. The time will come where we will be charged for the air we breathe. After we polluted the earth so badly that air got so scarce we'll have to pay for it.

I understand why people would want to believe in something bigger than life. Something that is responsible for the way earth turns. It makes life easier and blinds us from the real world. It gives you a purpose and a meaning. I am not sure if I really want meaning and purpose in my life. Do I really need to know why I couldn't go to my parents' anniversary? Did it have a purpose, a meaning, or a secret message from somebody? Maybe it did, I don't know. I don't want to know. It just happened to be this way. Shit happens, life goes on.

Happy Birthday

50? Yes, it is crazy how fast time passes. I still remember the times when you took me piggyback, and we went on bike and hiking tours... good were those times. What is waiting for you now, however, is just as good. The kids become (more) autonomous and finally there is time to do the things you never had time to before.



50? Ja, es ist unglaublich wie die Zeit vergeht. Ich kann mich noch gut errinnern in meinen jungen Jahren; da konntet ihr mich noch huckepack nehmen, Fahrrad und Wander Touren machen, ... gut waren diese alten Zeiten. Was nun kommt jedoch ist wahrlich genau so gut. Die Kinder werden selbstständig(er), und endlich ist die Zeit da um Dinge zu unternehmen die man vorhin nicht machen konnte.

Mamma, Papà tanti auguri per il vostro compleanno. Tutti questi anni mi avete sopportato, vi ringrazio per tutto, e spero che ce la fate per altri cinquanta anni. Un bacione da Atlanta,
marcolino...

Ohio State Invitational

The first big meet we had this season was in Ohio State. Various schools (Minnesota, Ohio State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Denver , Iowa, Purdue, Arizona State, Miami, Alabama, Cleveland State) made this invitational an interesting and high rated meet. I did pretty well, I expected a little more from my 500 yards free, but for the first tapered meet the times are acceptable. I also swam my first mile in a yards pool.
After this 3 day meet we came back to the U to finish up the semester.


Der erste grosse Wettkampf in dieser Saison fand in den Hallen der grössten amerikanischen uni statt - Ohio State. Die eingeladenen Teams (Minnesota, Ohio State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Denver , Iowa, Purdue, Arizona State, Miami, Alabama, Cleveland State) sorgten für ein hochstehendes und interessantes zusammenkommen. Ich habe mich gut geschlagen. Habe jedoch für mein 500 Yards Crawl Rennen mehr erwartet. An diesem Wochenende habe ich zusätzlich meine erste Meile geschwommen. Alles in allem war es ein gutes Wochenende.

Hier meine Zeiten:

200 yards Freestyle Prelims 1:40.59 / Finals 1:41.05
500 yards Freestyle Prelims 4:32.09 / Final 4:33.35
1500 yards Freestyle 15:55.49
4x100 yards Freestyle Relay 0:47.20 (starter / Startschwimmer)
4x200 yards Freestyle 1:40.92 (starter / Startschwimmer)

converted into short course meters:
200 yards Freestyle Prelims 1:52.27 / Finals 1:52.78
500 yard Freestyle Prelims 3:58.05 / Final 3:59.15
1500 yard Freestyle 15:52.63
4x100 yard Freestyle Relay 0:52.68 (starter / Startschwimmer)
4x200 yard Freestyle 1:52.63 (starter / Startschwimmer)

Die gesamte Rangliste findet ihr hier. The complete results can be found here.

Update of Pudue Invitational

I still owe you a few lines telling you how it was in Purdue. Well let me tell you - Purdue University has an awesome pool, one 50m pool with adjustable wall (practically 2 pools in one) and a big dive tank. The meet was seated with great teams. Georgia, Penn State, Louisville, and obviously Purdue were the competing teams. You'll find my times on the bottom. The 500free was absolutely amazing. I swam a new personal best time - in the middle of the season. I can't wait to shave my entire body hair. ;)


Ich schulde euch immer noch ein paar Zeilen über den Wettkampf in Purdue. Nun, Purdue University hat ein super Bad, ein 50m Bad mit verstellbarer Wand (praktisch 2 Bäder in einem) und ein grosses Sprungbecken. Der Wettkampf war mit sehr starken Teams belegt. Georgia, Penn State, Louisville und natürlich Purdue waren die anwesenden Unis. Ich hab mich recht gut geschlagen, über 500yards Freistil habe ich sogar eine neue persönliche Bestzeit geschwommen, - und das in mitten der Saison. Ich kanns kaum erwarten meine ganzen Körperhaare wegzurasieren. ;)

Hier meine Zeiten:

200 yards Freestyle 1:42.80
200 yards Butterfly 1:58.30
500 yard Freestyle 4:33.97
1000 yard Freestyle 9:39.05
4x100 Yard Freestyle Relay 0:48.07 (starter / Startschwimmer)

converted into short course meters:
200 Freistil 1:54.73
200 Delfin 2:12.03
400 Freistil 3:59.69
800 Freistil 8:26.61
100 Freistil 0:53.65 (starter / Startschwimmer)

Die gesamte Rangliste findet ihr hier. The complete results can be found here.