Now that summers over.

Good morning.

So I felt compelled to meander back to my blog after being dormant for nearly 4 months. So if my faithful turned disgruntled followers are curious as to my recent life experiences I can take a brief moment to update based on month.

May: Graduation, trip to Seattle with Laura, moved back to Des Moines

June: Back to work at Northwestern Mutual including two weeks of training (blah), frequent trips to Iowa City, Wisconsin for Father's Day.

July: Weddings in Rockford, Kansas City, Des Moines, Ankeny, Dubuque, spent 5 days in Milwaukee for NML's annual meeting, one day of 80-35

August: happy birthday me! Lollapalooza, weddings in Dubuque, Carrol, work in Omaha for a day, and a week long visit from Laura!

That's the brief rundown of my summer, which may not look as busy as it actually was, or felt at least.

Lollapalooza was good as ever, and may have been second favorite year. It was the first year where I would have liked to see every headliner. Say what you about that statement and its inclusion of Lady Gaga or Green Day, but both of those acts provide a purely entertaining experience.

I have failed in doing more reading this summer than planned, and have foolishly been dividing my time betweens books for entertainment and work.

Found some good music a la Lollapalooza, Nixon, Tyler, the internets, etc.

Football is around the corner, (the college season already starting, but oh well) and the only sport that I follow religiously is back in swing. I have one more fantasy football draft, one of three leagues I'm in this year, and I am chomping at the bit for the NFL season to get underway. So months ago, I'm sure you remember, I made predictions for the NFL season and its division winners. Here is that piece copied and pasted:

NFC
North - Green Bay
South - New Orleans
East - New York
West - San Francisco

AFC
North - Baltimore
South - Houston
East - New York
West - San Diego

Wild Cards
NFC
Minnesota & Philadelphia
AFC
Tennessee & Indianapolis

I think that I'm going to stick with this, perhaps the pick of the Giants wasn't great, but I'm not sure how much confidence I have in Dallas. Also, the Falcons from Atlanta could make a run in the South, and no one else is making it out of the West besides the 49ers. In the AFC I'm pretty confident in those picks. I'm sticking with the Texans to edge out the Colts and Titans, and no one way the Steelers bounce back this year.

I'm considering doing a blog on my full predictions for the year, could be fun if I get bored enough.

Hope all is well with the faithful!

We are all so fortunate.