Man Of The Week: Brian H.

People do funny things after they graduate College. Some get really into working out. Some get fat. Some make money. Some make babies. Some lose touch with friends. Some lose touch with reality.

Well, fellow Dartmouth alum Brian "Hendo" H. has probably done at least a few of these things but he's also done one other very big thing: completed his first Ironman.

For those of you who only know the term Iron Man for the watch Hank Paulson wears, it is a triathlon of epic proportions: 2.4mi swim appetizer followed by a 112mi bike ride and topped off with a 26.2mi run (a marathon for the lay people).

Hendo did it in just under 11 hours.

To put that into perspective, the World Ironman Record is 8hrs and 4min. The Lake Placid winner was 8hr 36 min. Brian finished in the 91st percentile. In words: Badass. His words? Humble:

Yea, I signed up last summer and then started training 6 days a week (12-13 workouts a week) in January. I did my first triathlon in May, a Half Ironman in June, and then the full Ironman at Lake Placid a couple of weekends ago. As a first-timer out there with a bunch of multi-year veterans, I was happy to eek under my time goal of sub-11 hours. I may or may not have been passed by a mother of two, but I did beat a couple of pros (which makes for a very fast mother of two). It was a pretty great experience, and a real journey.

If you see this man limping around Boston, kick him in the balls for making us all look bad. But be prepared to run...far.

MOTW: Roger Federer

Greatness was achieved this weekend and I'm not talking about this blogger's ability to check names off lists and pour drinks down people's mouths. I'm talking about Roger Federer, "The Greatest Tennis Player Of All Time" according to Johnny Mac and the world (see above).

Yesterday, Roger simultaneously tied Pete Sampras for most majors won and completed a career grand slam by winning the French Open. Even Pete couldn't do it on clay*.

Roger, if you're reading this (I know you are), congrats bud.


*That's What She Said. A few of us have been on a TWSS kick after ErikJ caught CTF with a botched attempt to toss some food scrap from the floor into the trash:
"If you miss twice, you have to eat it"

Woman of the Week

Besides being the most fun Sri Lankan you'll ever meet, Triple A has just gotten into a very prestigious medical school in the Bay Area. She's surprised (see above). We aren't.

Congrats Ayesha!

(Wo)men of the Week

Two firsts for the MOTW position. 1)There are two of them and 2) they aren't men at all. This of course does not diminish their awesome achievements.

Both have been accepted to illustrious business school institutions. Next fall, Ann will be attending a well-known school in the Bay Area while Lyl is deciding between Ann Arbor football giant / current home to Danny E and a prestigious university in New Haven CT.

Congrats to them both - be sure to give 'em a high-five / grip-slip next time you see these lovely ladies.

Man of the Week - Jack Nicholson

You may be wondering why there's a picture of Lindsay Lohan when the MOTW is Jack Nicholson. Patience is a virtue:
People says
"Around 1:45 a.m., Lohan showed up outside actor Nicholson’s house on Mulholland Drive. Witnesses say the actress, accompanied by pals, buzzed the intercom numerous times and grew agitated, asking for “Jack” to open the gate.
The group was eventually let in, and Lohan remained inside until a bodyguard picked her up about 4:30 a.m. (Representatives for Nicholson could not immediately be reached for comment)."

Don't let his boyish good looks fool you - this mofo is old. 71, to be exact. If I can have burnt-out child stars banging down my door (to get weird, not leave poop / inflame) then I'd be one happy, dirty, old man.


Editors note: I realize that MOTW is meant to be among our friends, but the only cool thing I could think of no pictures could be materialized. So send your suggestions for next week.

Man of the week: This guy

My roommates and I have a pullup bar in our house, which is nice because we can do pullups to exhaustion with minimal downside risk. Not so here. From the looks of it, these guys look like they decided to shoot this little clip on their lunch break. You know what I do on my lunch break? Eat Nutella.

Chills

At least one of us has a Razr-model iPhone, which impedes liveblogging. But I'll recap brief reactions to a few things from today's incredible inauguration ceremony, as seen on CNN:
-The very first thing that gave me chills was Aretha Franklin. Her voice, while not what it once was, remains undeniable and perfect for the day.
-Obama glancing at Roberts to repeat part of the oath was wonderful. [UPDAPE: especially because Robert botched it in the first place!]
-Was Biden saying "change" to well-wishers after he recited the oath?
-Obama's first inaugural address was strong to very strong. His allusion to Washington and the Revolutionary War was inspiring, as was his determination to correct America's course in energy, education, and foreign policy.
-Obama's language, especially about America as a friend to all nations, is so very different from the "Axis of Evil"/with-us-or-against-us rhetoric of the last eight years. He spoke to a global audience today in a tone very far from the tone Bush uses.
-Rick Warren said "Sasha" like a magician says "abracadabra". It was the funniest part of the inauguration.

A great, great day and a day to cherish sincerely.

Man of the Week

Like there should be any question it would be this man. I just hope that when I'm 58 I can stay up past 11.

Man of the Week: ErikJ

Its a bit ridiculous that its taken this long for one of the twins to make MOTW. Erik has more stories* to tell / be told about him than most sickies frats put together. He has his own chainsaw, motorcycle, flannel jacket and beard yet it was this picture that triggered it in my mind.

What more can you say, he's a fvcking Dude.

*Stories not to be disclosed in written form, both to preserve the lore and to avoid legal action

Man of the Week: Dave Wiens

Since no one I know did anything great this week, I'm giving it to the guy that beat Lance Armstrong in a 100mi mountain bike race. Dave Wiens is 44 years old, but made Lance say "I'm done" mid-race for the first time in his unprecedented career. Watch the video / read the article. Sickies.

Man of the Week: Henning

[In an attempt to keep AMDAL fresh while still being able to embarass my friends, I've created a new weekly column to be run on Mondays. I will call it, Man of the Week (MOTW). Insert lightning bolts here].

Not all foreigners hate America. Henning (pictured above), is a nice swedish boy who likes fast cars, iphones and the American dream. His favorite thing is when he can keep a little Euro flair while still enjoying his American politics. See here.

As far as I know, Henning is also single.