This weekend has been so much fun, and inspirational. Let’s see, where to start…

Friday I went to a friend’s benefit for ALS. Doctors diagnosed Mike with ALS last year when he was 24. This year, 350 friends and family got together to raise money for ALS research. The event was a total success and raised $135,000. During a speech, Mike said something that made me think - when doctors diagnose people with cancer or any other type of bad disease, they help you figure out a way to fight it. When they diagnose you with ALS, all they can say is ‘sorry.’  Even though the event was sad, it was also a celebration. Mike is doing well, so far, the disease has only spread into his right arm. As cliche as it sounds: he’s been living life to the fullest. He’s also been busy raising money for ALS research and spread awareness to others. Follow these links for more information about Mike and the fundraiser.

Saturday, despite the dreary weather, was a fun one. It was my second-to-last baseball game at the Metrodome. There were few open seats (not in this photo because it was before the game started).

Months ago, I secured tickets to the Twins/Royals game. Wow. I can’t remember ever seeing the Dome so full and so loud during a baseball game. It was fun… and it’s what I wish baseball were like for all 162 games.

But can someone explain this to me: outside the Dome there are “This is Twins Territory” signs… except they’re right in front of the GIGANTIC Vikings signs now plastered to the gates at the Dome. Clearly the Dome is NOT Twins territory anymore.

Inside the teflon tundra, the energy was electric. The game was amazing. The Twins came to win. There was no denying the were ready to dominate. The Royals put up a good fight though, and for a while the game was close. Scary close. But CuddyBear, Michael Cuddyer came though and knocked one into the seats to secure the win. Now the Twins will have a tie-breaker game against Detroit tomorrow.

Sunday morning I went to cheer my friend/boss Angela on as she pounded the pavement at the Twin Cities marathon.

If this is what running a marathon looks like… I want to do it. Seriously.

I’ve never watched a marathon before, so I wasn’t anticipating the emotional cheering that ensued. While waiting for Angela to run past us, I saw dozens of people wearing shirts that said “I’m running for her” and “running for those who can’t.”

There was also a man wearing Army camo, boots, duffle bag and carrying a flag. I lost it when I saw him.

Angela is a real inspiration though. When I met her three years ago, Angela could barely walk, she had crutches and was in a lot of pain. Sunday she ran 26.2 miles without stopping. That’s insane. If she can do it - there’s no excuse. I can do it. I did get a taste of running in a marathon. At mile 23, I decided to give her a little boost, so when Angela came running by, I jumped in the street and ran alongside her. So to recap, I technically ran in the marathon: I ran a block of it. But it was fairly easy… No big deal. Maybe next year I’ll run the rest of the 200 blocks of it.

That night, I went to the Fine Line to see my friend Dan’s music video debut (video posted above). It is awesome and way better than the stuff you see on MTV. The most amazing thing about it: my coworkers directed it, shot it and created the graphics for it. Seriously, I can’t being to imagine what it’s like to be that talented. The video hasn’t been on YouTube for more than a few hours and it’s already one of the top rated videos. Big things are in store for not only Dan, but for my friends Erica, Maranatha, Joe and everyone else who worked on the video. My “Uncle D” (aka Don Shelby) was also there, he performed with Dan on stage, and if you look closely, you’ll see him in the video too.

Tonight was great. Brett Favre The Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers in the most anticipated Monday Night Football game in years. Tonight’s victory marked an NFL first: Favre is the first quarterback to defeat all 32 teams in the league. No matter if you like him, or hate him, you have to apprecaite that. I think Favre has proved he wants to win, and is helping the Vikes win. Regardless if he returns for another season, the team has learned how to win and he’s beneficial for that reason alone. Oh, and my favorite player Jared Allen also dominated. He had 3 sacks, a forced tumble, five tackles and a safety. I wore his jersey to work today, I think it helped.

Tomorrow, I’m heading back to the Dome to cheer for the Twins. They’ll either clinch the Central Division Title… or they’ll have played their last game at the Dome. Either way, I’m excited I’ll get to say I was there. Yes, I’m getting the day off so I can go to the game. I’m not the only one, my buddy Peter is going too.

Petey such a big Twins fan, he makes me look like a fair-weather fan. Our heads will probably explode from excitement when they clinch the division. :o) I can’t wait… one final Dome Dog to savor before baseball goes back where it belongs: outside.