BigCrazyJohn

Please Help John Raise Money for Multiple Sclerosis Society with Bike MS.

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:09:00 +0000

As many of you know, in 2006 & 2008 I participated in the MS Bike Tour. I asked for help from many friends and family who gave very generously so I want to Thank You again for that. The MS Bike Tour is a two day 150 mile bicycle ride, on September 12th and 13^th in Columbia, MO, to raise money and awareness for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. This fund raiser is very near to my heart as my Mother, Uncle, and a close friend of the family are living with Multiple Sclerosis. Which is why I feel compelled to contribute my time, money, and energy to this cause.

I am again riding with the Kaldi Coffee Team which was the 2nd largest team last year, with 116 members, and they were the Top Fundraising Team, with over $102,000 dollars raised for 2008.

I would appreciate your support in whatever amount you can donate even a $1 will help me towards my fund raising efforts. Click here to visit my donation page where you can donate by credit or debit card. If you would like to donate by check or cash just contact me and we can make arrangements. My fundraising ends on Sept 11^th just prior to the ride. Let me know if you have any questions.

Here is the full address for donations: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/MOSBikeEvents?px=5358267&pg=personal&fr_id=9605

If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from the MS Bike Ride are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit http://nationalmssociety.org

Brewtus annoying Calvin and I

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Brewtus is swatting at Calvin from below. Calvin is on top of the
tower and just sits there. Brewus is also chewing on the carpet from
the inside of the cat tower which is annoying me.

Rockwood Reservation Lime Kiln Trail 3.25 miles

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:17:00 +0000

Nice trail good view walking the ridge line. Amie and I could see
hidden valley ski resort from the trail. The picture is of the Lime
Kiln at the trail head. To get here take 44 west to Eureka turn off
onto highway 109 turn right go 4 miles turn left onto woods rd. The
trail was very muddy in spots. 35 degrees out but sunny.

St. Francois State Park - Swimming Deer Trail

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Take 55 south then 67 south past Festus right before Bonneterre the
park if on the left. There where 2 other trails in this park a
Moonshiner trail which is a 2.7 mile loop and another 11mile loop. We
did the the Swimming Deer 2.7 mile loop Amie and I hiked it in an hour
and 45 minutes. We stopped quite a few times to enjoy the overlooks.
It was an easy hike with diverse scenery. We Both enjoyed it and
would return to the park to hike the other trails.

My XBOX 360 Gamer Card

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:05:00 +0000

Cliff Cave Mississippi Rvr. Overlook

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:41:00 +0000

This is a nice little climb to this view.

2008 Year in Review for Bigcrazyjohn

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:01:00 +0000

This is my 2008 Year in Review in sort of chronological order. I hope everyone had a good 2008 I know I did. I hope everyone has a good 2009. This list is more of things I did, participated in or milestones. This has been a very interesting year with the US having the highest and now some of the lowest gas prices we have seen. There has been a Major Global melt down in the economy. China hosted the summer Olympics. A very entertaining election and a historical conclusion to the election with Barack Obama being elected as 44th President of the USA.

I went ahead and posted this but this post is still in draft needs some touch up work and pictures.

1/26 Attending an awesome Video Games Live concert with Joe and Adam at the Fox.
2/2 Attended Amie's work Holiday party
3/15 St. Patrick's Day Parade downtown St. Louis MO. with Joe and Amie. Good Halo Birthday Party for Joe in March. Sam Adams Keg included for the event.
4/18 Earth Quake morning of April 18th that shook us out of bed. 5.4 earthquake in Mt Carmel IL. http://bigcrazyjohn.blogspot.com/2008/04/earthquake-this-morning.html
Working on the yard and lawn a lot more this year trying to grow a shade mixture of grass.
5/17 We had a big Family party at our house on May 17th so Amie and I did a lot of work preparing for that.
Briefly ruining my credit score and also getting debt free from credit cards, however, I am fair to good on the credit score now and getting better.
6/28 Amie and I had a big garage sale Saturday 6/28 which also required a lot of prep work.
7/11 I bought a 3g iPhone on July 11th the day the came out and it has been awesome ever sense. I am an iPhone addict as my girlfriend will attest to. Selling my first items on ebay and craiglists successfully
July we enjoyed spending Amie's birthday weekend at the lake of the Ozark's with her sister and her family.
In July/August time frame I moved to a new job within the same company I have worked for 9 years now. The previous job I had been reporting to the same boss for 9 years. It was time for a change and it was a very good change, and I am very happy with the new job. I am not the only one because according to Wired Magazine the Apple App store was the #1 technology breakthrough. I also bought Amie an iPhone for Christmas.
Dieting attempts with the South Beach phase 1 I lost 15 or so pounds but gained it back later. It really comes down to a need for a consistent diet and exercise routine which I have yet to manage. I could only do it when I was single it is much more difficult as a couple.
Training and fund raising for MS 150 event and 150 mile bike ride. Lots of long weekend bicycle rides with Team Kaldi in preparation. I plan on starting to train and fund raise earlier in 2009. http://bigcrazyjohn.blogspot.com/2008/12/thank-you-for-donating-to-ms-society-in.html & http://bigcrazyjohn.blogspot.com/2008/08/ms-150-bike-ride-and-fundraising.html#links
Sept 13th Tour of Missouri, went with Amie and her sister and Brother in law to Herman MO. I got George Hincapie signature he is one of my idol's. We got to watch the beginning of the race for the stage that started in Herman then we went to the winery, we all got drunk. It wasn't good for me later. That is all I am saying about that.
Had an awesome time for my birthday during October in Nashville TN., Gatlinburg TN., and the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.
10/4 Ocktober Fest in Soulard St. Louis MO. lots of pints of beer and a cab ride home. Had a great time with Amie, Tara and Matt. We hung out at the Hofbrau Munchen tent, and drank lots of pints of Ocktober fest Hofbrau beer as Hofbrau slogan says "The original brew of the Bavarian Kings!"
11/2 This is the first year I voted. Yes I said it! I have been a lazy fence sitter for many years. I felt strongly about this election and I am happy to say I helped elect Barack Obama as the new President of the United States of America.
11/25 Began my first attempt at brewing my own beer. I used a Mr. Beer Kit I purchased at a Kitchen store in Pigeon Forge while on Vacation in October.
11/26 Purchased http://bigcrazybeer.com and startedhttp://bigcrazybeer.blogspot.com on 11/26 been reviewing beer since.
12/6 My sister and brother in law took Amie and I to see the St. Louis Symphony at Powell Hall for the first time. I love listening to Music Score's like the Dark Knight Music Score by Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard, so I figured I would love this. WRONG, they had opera singing for the majority which none of us enjoyed. It was still a great birthday gift and I did really enjoy the St. Louis symphony when they got to play and there was no singing. I am hoping to go back and there is just the symphony playing.
Amie's Grandmother passed away :-(
I had multiple medical issues this year with potential blood clots both in my chest and leg, both were non existent thank fully. I am living with protein C resistance so it is always a concern of a DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis also known as blood cots. After a chest CT Scan earlier in the year there was concern of small nodules that did not appear after a second scanning many months later. I also had chronic headaches, and inconsistent high blood pressure. The Dr. wanted to put me on high blood pressure medicine I said no i would work out. Which I am finally starting to do. All is good I just need to take my Coumadin regularly, get tested regularly. Work out consistently every week. Have a better diet and drink moderately.
Favorite shows this year Battlestar Gallatica, Heroes, Terminator Sarah Conner Chronicles, The office, South Park, & Family Guy. Favorite Movies this year Batman the Dark Knight, Ironman, & I am Legend came out on the cusp of 2007 and 2008 Dec. 14th so it has to get a mention this year.
Enjoyed many dinners, brews and evenings with the love of my life, my girlfriend Amie of course.

A good Christmas and Happy New year Vacation at home.

Thank You for Donating to the MS Society in 2008

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:38:00 +0000

   The end of the year also ends the 2008 MS Society fundraising. I wanted to share my thanks with everyone that contributed and supported my efforts this year, as well as some of the final totals we achieved with your help. It was a great bike ride and event. I want to give a special thanks to my mom Judy and my girlfriend Amie who voluteered all weekend during the ride. They were very supportive of my efforts. They are already planning on volunteering in 2009 and of course I will be riding in the 2009 Bike MS event as well.
    The Bike MS weekend is a fast-paced weekend with a lot of work and little sleep for volunteers and bike riders. This year my mom and I headed out early Friday to Columbia MO to help setup for the event. My mom provided medical assistance for the bike riders all weekend. Amie helped with a few different jobs: serving breakfast Saturday, supporting riders returning at the finish line, bike check and probably the best job of all the passing out the free beer at the end of the event which was provided by Anhueser Busch. I rode 75 miles Saturday and 75 miles Sunday with 150 total miles for the weekend.   Check out some of the pictures my Mom and I took at:http://picasaweb.google.com/bigcrazyjohn/MS1502008#. I think I stopped at almost every rest stop (about every 10 miles). The Grahamwich was my favorite snack this year.
     I raised $1000 this year which was double my goal, and a new record for me. The final team totals were provided this month and Team Kaldi (my riding team) is the 2nd largest team, with 116 members, and they were the Top Fundraising Team this year, with over $102,000 dollars raised for 2008!! The Bike MS fundraiser is the largest fundraising event for the Gateway Area Chapter of the MS Society. They are still tallying up the pledges for the 2008 year working towards their goal of $2.4 millon. This money will be used by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to not only support research for a cure tomorrow, but also to provide programs which address the needs of people living with MS today. I will be sending out my 2009 Bike MS information in the near future. If you want to read more about the Bike MS go here http://bikemos.nationalmssociety.org/    If you want to read more about the Gateway Area Chapter of the National MS Society go herehttp://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/MOS/index.aspx
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and will have a safe and Happy New Year!
Thank you!
John Drury

I now own bigcrazyjohn.com!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:34:00 +0000

I purchased http://bigcrazyjohn.com from godaddy. I have it forwarding to this blog. A friend had it for the Bigcrazyjohn band (I wish they would play a reunion tour). No major plans for the bigcrazyjohn site just wanted to make sure I had the domain. My current project is http://bigcrazybeer.com aka http://bigcrazybeer.blogspot.com

I would like to sort my 3g iPhone apps into Categories!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:28:00 +0000

I recently posted this to the apples iPhone feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html I called their support line today and they could not assist and directed me to the feedback to submit my enhancement. I would ask that you post the same message or something similar if you are a iTouch or iPhone user and are a fan of the apps I am sure you have pages of Apps. I have tried organizing the apps on different pages but it is still frustrating. It is so frustrating because I have seen the hacked iPhone and the app that allows you to categorize the apps. I want that! I do not want to void my warranty by hacking/jailbreaking the phone so I called apple and all they could do was to suggest the enhancement. Now I will wait patiently or create a ruckus haven't decided yet. Here is one of many examples on You Tube of the category app on a hacked iPhone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z64WA0hPrtA
___________________________________________________
WHAT?
I would like an enhancement or a down-loadable app for the iPhone to make folders or categories on my iPhone to organize my apps. Yes I can move around apps to have their own pages but not nearly as organized if I had a home page or 2nd home page with potentially 16 categories.
WHERE? On my 3g iPhone home page (ideally) or a down-loadable app.
WHEN? As soon as you can Please!
WHO? For the iPhone and iTouch users
WHY?
1) Because you have the apps organized in categories in the app store for us to download. Why can't we categorize them on our phone?
2) I have 6 almost 7 pages of apps that are a mess and it makes it difficult to find apps at this point. I organized them once but through the process of updates they are a mess again.
3) I am not the only one other people want to categorize: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8308719
4) When people hack or jail break their phone they can do it. I do not want to void my warranty and potentially break my phone just to have this feature.
5) The apps are awesome just give us the ability to organize them.
6) This will reduce finger swips and time across the iPhone world. 7 or 9 swips to get to the last page. Or touch games category and touch or swip to scoll and touch the game.
7) I would pay for this feature! This might allow for people to download more apps because they won't be so overwhelming. Make it an app for download and profit off it!

"Best Princess Leia costume. Ever."

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:07:00 +0000

Friend of mine sent this to me. I felt compelled to share.

Doppler Was Good No Blood Clot

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:55:00 +0000

Posted with LifeCast

MS 150 Bike Ride and Fundraising

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:02:00 +0000

Please donate click here

I've registered for the MS Bike Tour because I'm riding for my mom, uncle and friend of the family that are living with MS. I want to do something for the people who have been diagnosed - and because I want to do what I can to assist people in learning what it means to live with this disease. Today, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, and with diagnosis occurring most frequently between the ages of 20 and 50, many individuals face a lifetime filled with unpredictability.

Southbeach Diet Phase 1 a Success?

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:33:00 +0000

I would say it was a success for phase 1 being on it 13 days I lost about 13 pounds. We are leaving tonight for a extended weekend trip filled with a lot of non phase 1 eating. :-)

Southbeach Diet Day 5

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:30:00 +0000

I weighed in this morning at 245.8 so the diet is obviously working that is 7 pounds I have lost now. I'm sure if I added more activity I would see greater gains. The extent of my activity so far is a 35 minute walk and 35 minute bike ride Sunday.

I have had multiple opportunities to break the diet. Sunday my fathers birthday lots of food at my sisters but I stuck to the diet. Monday night I had friends over they ordered Pizza I ate a salad with chicken slices. Today went out for lunch with co-workers at a nice restaurant I had a salad with salmon. I was just offered a home baked cookies from a co-worker and I actually picked one up and then realized oh my god I'm on the diet! NO! I put it back down (I know yuck I touched it and put it back down but oh well) I'm glad I caught myself I'm 5 days into this.

I actually feel good. Eating lighter and many times a day does help with not feeling so bloated from eating to much and having the desire to take a nap. I think it is that coupled with losing weight and feeling better about myself.

South Beach Diet Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:40:00 +0000

248.7 pounds this morning. Yesterday went good except left dinner craving more. I am use to having a BIG dinner with lots of carbs. Amie made "surprise potatoes" which was cauliflower blended with butter buds(fake butter) and fat free half and half. She also made a cabbage stir fry with broccoli, grape tomatoes. I really don't care for cauliflower or cabbage normally so it was surprisingly all good since its vegetables I'm not a big fan of.

South Beach Diet

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:54:00 +0000

I bought South Beach Diet Super Charged book at Sam's. Amie and I started Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet today. We shall see how this goes. I weigh 252.70 pounds. I would like to get back to my Post Marathon weight of 200lbs.

I have been in a relationship for the past year and 1/2 and I have become less and less active and gained worse and worse eating habits. I have noticed this is the case for a lot of relationships not only mine. People get comfortable and lazy.

After the first phase I plan on getting back on the bike, short runs, and weight lifting. The first phase is only 2 weeks. It is basically low carb, lean meats, and vegatables, no fruits.

Cheap Gas?

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:02:00 +0000

Not really cheap gas it is only going up. I was looking for Gas Stations in Downtown St. Louis that I wouldn't get mugged at. I found this site and really like the map and some other features that show local gas station prices.

Looks like Sam's and Costco are the best bets, obviously you have to pay extra to become a member. Costco near me was $3.35 where the average was $3.48

EarthQuake this morning!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:17:00 +0000

I was woke up by an earthquake at about 4:37am cst this morning. I have never experienced anything like this. It was exciting and concerning all at once. We have wine glasses that hang upside down that were clanging together, in a bar area outside our bedroom which is in the basement. I felt the bed shaking, I heard the wine glasses and glass bottles clanging together which I assume woke me up. I woke up my girlfriend asked her if she felt it told her that we should go upstairs I think we are having an earthquake. She was in disbelief and half asleep. I went to the bedroom doorway then she followed me upstairs. I pointed out the wine glasses were shaking when we walked by them. We went upstairs and didn't see or hear anything. I'm not sure the time frame of how long it occurred maybe a minute. Seemed a while considering I laid in bed for a bit, and took time to go upstairs while it was going on.

I turned on the news this morning and there was a 5.2 earthquake in Mt Carmel IL.
I also found information on this government site and I filled out a survey on this site. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/us2008qza6/

Cards game

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:20:00 +0000

Ridiculously Bright Sun

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:42:00 +0000

This picture is from my desk at work.

110 or Bust!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:14:00 +0000

Less than 24 hours till the Tornado Alley 110.
They have the detailed course map online today http://ta110bike.com/Map%20Page.htm.

I'm excited and nervous, pre-race excitement is building. Wanted to get plenty of rest, so I slept in till 10:30 went to bed at Midnight. I have a few things to accomplish today luckily I'm off work today. I need to get an Oil change, Massage, and of course pack, Amie and I have a 4+ hour drive to Joplin MO. tonight we will be getting in late to Joplin since Amie gets off work at 5:00. Early day tomorrow probably get up at 4:30 get ready and go register at 5:30 then hurry up and wait till 7:07 am. I think it is fitting the Tour De France starts today and also the ride starts at 07/07/2007 at 7:07am.

This is one of the reasons why Lance Armstrong is the F'n man

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:51:00 +0000

Lance Armstrong Climbs Luz Ardiden 2003

Waiting for Halo3 Beta :-(

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 16 May 2007 16:16:00 +0000

I took off work today to play Halo3 Beta which was schedule to be released this morning for those of us that bought an early version of the Crackdown game for the xbox 360 and wouldn't you know it the download is delayed. Thank Microsoft. There are other

Here is the latest on Bungie's webiste. Doesn't seem to be their fault it is a problem with Xbox live which is microsofts responsibility.
BUNGIE: Crackdown Delay: We Know!

Posted by Frankie at 5/16/2007 5:22 AM PDT
Folks are reporting problems downloading the Halo 3 Beta via Crackdown this morning. We have alerted the appropriate Live authorities and they are taking care of the problem as we speak. More news as it comes in.

I've heard different reports that it will be Noon today or it may even be tomorrow.
NOT TILL TOMORROW?
http://www.n4g.com/xbox360/News-40023.aspx

GOOD NEWS
They announced the Sept 25th release date of Halo 3.
http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12467

I can watch this guys web cam while he plays Halo3 Beta since he had an invite and movie he has of his first game. I can't wait. Look awesome.

I'm off to do something worth while with my time since I can't play the Halo3 Beta.

Game Got Rained out even before it started. :-(

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:09:00 +0000

Really good seats Section 139 row 12. Makeup game is TBD.