This is a tech toy I would not mind finding under the tree this Christmas.
The Garmin Nuvi 350. Read CNET's review.
The lowest price I have seen so far is at Wal-Mart. Today only, they have it for $298.00.
Susan and I are home now waiting for a floor installer to arrive to give us an estimate to install wood floors in our condo. We've looked at a lot of stuff, laminate, engineered and real wood. We keep coming back to bamboo. We like the look and the fact that it is a sustainable resource. The appointment was for noon, and we both made it here on time! Unfortunately, the installer is running late and now it is almost 1 PM and we need to get back to work. I understand these guys are busy and have a lot going on, but this is like waiting for the phone company! You know the drill...they will give you an appointment window from 8 AM to 5 PM! Ughh! We really want to get the floor in by Thanksgiving though, so we need to be patient and wait.
Lodging: We stayed again at Riverwood on Fall River. There is no other place we would stay when visiting Estes Park and RMNP. The condos have great layouts, the location is perfect for easy access to Estes Park and RMNP. Cheryl and Bonnie always make you feel welcome and the units are always clean and comfortable. We definitely give this a 5-Monkey rating. ;-)
Gear: We purchased new light weight day packs this year from GoLite. The model we picked is the VO24. We liked that it accommodated our CamelBak bladders and we especially liked the pockets on the waist straps. The pack is designed to not interfere with your arms -- complete freedom of movement. Well worth the investment.
The other new gear we had this year was YakTrax. These fit over your hiking boots and allow you to walk on hard packed snow and ice! You still want to use caution, but WOW - no slipping at all. They were easy to use and came in extremely handy during our trip to the Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls. Definitely worth the money and something we would definitely recommend.
Eats: We tried a new restaurant here that had opened since our last visit. Smokin' Dave's BBQ and Tap House. This was some of the best BBQ I've ever had. We ended up eating here twice on this trip. For the first visit, I ordered 6 ribs. Excellent flavor, no sauce needed. The next trip I tried the pulled pork sandwich. The pork is served dry and I added cheddar cheese and the sweet and tangy sauce. Both meals were outstanding. Definitely try this one when you're in Estes Park. (Thanks to Bonnie for recommending this one!)
This is our last night in Estes Park. We are both tired and packing for the trip home. It is a good tired. We did more hiking today. We drove up to Bear Lake and did the 1/2 mile loop trail. This is an easy walk (if you don't count the downhill section that was covered in ice).
Next, we did the Bierstadt Lake trail. This one is about 1.9 miles with about 550' in elevation gain. The 1.2 miles to the top consists of switchbacks. We had to keep stopping to make sure we weren't missing the view. Fortunately, the several breaks I took to catch my breath helped. Once you make it to the top, there is a loop trail that surrounds the lake. When we finally made it to the lake, we were amazed by the beauty and the quiet. We took a few minutes to feel the warm sun on our faces and just breathed the air and the quiet stillness. With our late start into the park today, we were only able to enjoy the lake for a very short time. We wanted to make sure we made it down the hill before the sun set behind Hallett Peak.
Our final stop today was Sprague Lake. This one is also an easy 1/2 mile loop around the lake. The best part on this trail was watching a Marmot swimming in the lake. He was cracking us up. He would swim close to us, then quickly swam away. I think he was having as much fun watching us as we did watching him.
Earlier today, we went to the Stanley Hotel. This is a beautiful old hotel. Many people know it as the place Stephen King wrote the Shining. He was irritated that Stanley Kubrick did not use the hotel in the famous movie. Consequently, he wrote a version for a TV movie that was filmed at the Stanley.
Overall, another great day. Relaxed start, good breakfast, fun in town and some good hiking. The weather was beautiful again with a high in the mid 60's.
Today was another great day in Estes Park. This day started with Mass at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church. This is one of my most favorite churches and something I look forward to with each visit to Estes Park. OLM is a small parish (400 families), that ministers to thousands of visitors each summer. The priest, Fr. Gregory, is from Eastern Europe - Poland we think. At each Mass, Fr. asks the visitors to identify themselves and where they are from. The visitors who have traveled the furthest win a prize. This morning, Susan and I won!
After Mass, we headed to the Donut Haus (picture coming soon). Last year we decided to stop, but they had a problem with the ovens and were closed. This year, we hit the jackpot. They were open and we took a sampling back to the condo. The donuts were really good. One of the fun things about Estes Park is that most of the restaurants are local owned - no chains.
Once we finished the donuts, we hit the road and headed to the Wild Basin trail head. We decided to hike to the Calypso Cascades. This hike is listed as a 3.6 mile round trip with a 700' elevation gain. This was a great hike. The trail parallels the North St. Vain Creek. The scenery is amazing. The sound of the water rushing in the creek was a treat too. We made it to the cascades and decided to hike the additional .9 miles to Ouzel Falls. One of the most interesting sights on the trail was the portions of the forest that were destroyed in a fire in 1978. There are a lot of fallen trees, but many of the dead trees are still standing. Growing in their midst are a whole new generation of trees. It was fascinating seeing an area of the forest regenerating. We enjoyed Ouzel Falls and took some time to catch our breath and enjoy the view. At 2.7 miles one-way, we decided we'd hit our max and headed down hill.
We finished our day at Smokin' Dave's BBQ and Taphouse. This is a new restaurant to Estes Park and it was some of the BEST BBQ I've ever had. They also had an outstanding wheat beer - Easy Street (Odell Brewing Company). Great taste and served like a wheat beer should be served...40 degrees and partly cloudy!
The best part of the day was being on the trail with Susan. When we're on the trail in the mountains, Susan's smile is bigger, and she lights up. I'd hike a hundred miles to see her with that smile. This fall trip, is a special time of renewal for both of us.
Susan and I are getting ready to leave for a trip to Colorado. We honeymooned there and have gone back for each anniversary. Our work schedules and non-work schedules are crazy and we are trying to get everything done before we leave. As much as we will try to avoid it, it usually means a late, late night packing. Then we're tired when we get to the airport and exhausted by the time we get to our destination. We have to come up with a better system.
My wife and her best friend just finished the Columbus Half-Marathon. Susan has run quite a few marathons, including the 100th Boston Marathon! This was Julie's first and I am MOHst proud of her! They finished in 1:49:16! The weather here in Columbus is near perfect today. This is my first marathon too, and I've really enjoyed watching all the families yelling and clapping for their runner. A great day!
Last night Susan and I went to the Circleville Pumpkin Show with some friends. This is a quintessential small town festival. It has everything you'd expect rides, food, people watching, the works. I grew up not far from Circleville and have gone many times. I like to get a fish sandwich from the Bennett family fish stand (been there for 75 years!!), and mini donuts from a small wagon run by a really nice couple. They too have been there as long as I can remember. The fun part is that I have introduced the donuts to many friends over the years. This group is no different. The food is tasty, but arguably not the healthiest faire. The point though, is the time spent with friends wandering from booth to booth searching for the perfect corn dog, pumpkin pie, etc. It is a laugh riot with this group and something I look forward to each year. If you're ever in Ohio in October, you don't want to miss the Pumpkin Show!
The results of the CT Scan were very positive. There was no indication of a nodule on my lung. YEAH! I didn't realize how worried I was until I listen to the message telling me all was well. It felt like a huge weight off my shoulders.
Still, I think it is a pretty good wake-up call that I have to start taking some responsibility for my health. Ever since the episode in the gym, I have been hesitant to return. For some reason, I am apprehensive about getting the routine going again. This, of course, is stupid when I think about how much money I am paying for access to the gym and the training staff.
I think I'll go on Saturday morning, and take all the stuff I would on a weekday. Maybe that's a good way to start.
I have no idea what a nodule is - which is a bummer because I may have a 12mm nodule over my right heart wall. That was the result of a chest x-ray last week. We did another film hoping it was an error, incompetence from the tech, etc. Unfortunately, she was spot on and the second confirmed the first. What does that mean? I dunno. Tomorrow morning I go for a CT scan of my chest to see if the docs can get a better feel for what they are seeing. Again it may be something, it may be nothing. I know if it is something, we'll get it fixed and all will be well. It’s the waiting to find out that is making me crazy. If a friend told me they had something that might be nothing, I'd probably tell them to relax, don't worry, it will be OK, etc., etc. The problem is, I can't stop thinking about it.
I am always joking with Susan about some small, but really expensive gifts I'd like for Christmas. In the spirit of making it easier for her to select one of them, I've added my wish list to this blog. If you're reading this and develop a sudden desire to spend a LOT of money on a complete stranger, please feel free to select one of the items on my list!!
Monday, Susan and I went to Cleveland to see The Police in concert. This is one of the gifts I gave Susan for her birthday this year. By the time I realized they were coming to Cleveland, the show was completely sold out. So, off I went to the world of ticket brokers. I ended up getting two seats in the upper section of the arena, but centered on the stage. Paid twice the face value too. The show was OUTSTANDING though, so it was worth every penny. It was fun watching Susan enjoy the music.
We stayed at the Radisson right across the street from the Quicken Loans Arena. Nice hotel, great location - highly recommend it if you're headed to Cleveland for a concert or baseball game. Before the show, we ate dinner in the bar at Flannery's. Good food, fun place.
Overall, it was a nice overnight trip. It was good to get away from work and spend some time with Susan.
Yesterday was an awesome day on the golf course. I was concerned how things would go this week on the Thursday golf league with my slightly injured leg. Following the advice I have gathered from the Internet (patient - use Google and heal thyself) I wrapped the calf with an ace bandage to give it some support and to keep the muscles warm. I took a few swings and decided I'd give it a try. In a golf cart, no walking.
On the first tee, I hit an awful shot way left and landed on the number 8 fairway. Next was a 2 hybrid attempt to get to the green. Again a horrible shot that went way left again into the TALL grass next to the number 8 tee. By this time, I was really starting to get concerned. I was favoring the leg, not concentrating, and was pretty sure I had lost the ball. Oddly, there it was in and area that had been tamped down. From here I had about 100 yards over some pine trees to the green. I hit a wedge that went up, over the trees and landed about 10 feet from the hole!! I went on to a 2 putt and escaped with 5. While I was on the green, there was a really cool dragonfly overhead. I looked at it and though... man, I could really use a little golf abundance today.
From there, things started to get better. I managed to card all 5's for the first 5 holes. Then, took a 4 on the number 6 par three. On number 7, I put a snowman on the card. Things really did not go well on this one. Then made bogey on number 8. On number 9, I hit a POOR 3 iron about 100 yards. Just barely made it to the women's tee. From there, I had 228 to the green over a pond. I said a small prayer that the ball wouldn't drown and then hit a 7 iron. It was a beauty that landed about 5 feet short of the green. From there I chipped up to the green and left an 8 footer, downhill, for par. I hit the put, it went in the hole, I pumped my fist like Tiger Woods and started to look around for my green jacket.
There was no green jacket of course, but there was a scorecard with a 46 -- the lowest score of the foursome.
I've had a minor setback on my quest for improved health...yesterday I strained a calf muscle in my right leg. Let me tell you how I got to this point...
Recently, a new Gold's Gym opened near our home. I joined before it was built and was eagerly awaiting the grand opening in late June. My initial goals are simple. I want to feel better. For me, I think, that means better eating, improving my cardiovascular condition and a little weight training. Along the way, I would like to get stronger and improve my endurance so I can do some good, quality hiking with Susan.
When we went to the preview open house, I decided to ask about personal training. Basically, I know nothing about weight training or conditioning. I knew I would need some help, but really felt weird about the personal trainer. I guess I just don't see myself as a person who has a 'personal trainer'. Susan went with me to the open house and we met with one of the PT Supervisors. Matt was very enthusiastic. We liked him, and as we were talking we found out he is a Marine who spent time in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Kuwait. In fact, he was in some of the same areas I was long ago in the 1991 Gulf War. He explained the packages and we decided on the one that met my training needs and our budget concerns. Personal Training ain't cheap!
So, I was set up for an orientation with Sean. The day of my appointment, we had a bad situation develop in our family. I called the gym to leave Sean a message that I would not be able to make the appointment. Three phone calls and I finally was able to leave a message. (Gold's really needs to work on the system for leaving messages - it was very frustrating.) The next day I went in to the gym to schedule another session with Sean. When I went back for the session, Sean was apparently already booked up - curios since my name was on the schedule. I gave them the benefit of the doubt - it was a new club, just opened, and everything seemed to be in a state of chaos. When I finally met with Sean, I was a little disappointed. He took my measurements, asked me about my goals (I mentioned wanting to hike with Susan and that seemed to be the thing everyone was focused on - they completely missed my main goal of just improving my overall health). When I told Sean I was interested in early morning sessions (6 AM), he told me he doesn't work that early. This was a bit of a surprise to me because I was pretty specific about that with Matt. Still, I appreciated Sean's directness and honesty. We both agreed he was not the trainer for me. So, back to Matt I went. They did a little scrambling and set me up with Brandon.
My first session with Brandon was an actual training session instead of an orientation. I liked Brandon right away. Shorter than me, a collegiate wrestler and BS in Exercise Physiology. Very easy going, good energy from him. The only small problem was that he read my file and saw that Sean had emphasized hiking. Brandon took this to mean I was preparing for a hike this fall and he built the exercises based on that assumption. We really worked legs. So much so that I couldn't hardly walk the next day. I don't mind muscle pain and discomfort - in fact, given my condition, I expect it. That said, I can't be in a state where I cannot function. So I called Brandon and expressed my concerns. We agreed that an orientation was needed.
We met for the orientation and I explained, again, my goal was improved health and gradual buildup to be able to hike/backpack with Susan in the fall of 2008! Aha he said. Since then, we have had 4 good sessions. I like the work we are doing. Not a lot of use of machines, mostly stuff I could do outside of the gym if needed. Things have been going well working with Brandon. As Susan says, sometimes the universe works things out like they are supposed to be.
I have been improving my cardio endurance on the days I don't work with Brandon. I really like the Cardio Cinema. Basically, this is a movie theatre with exercise equipment instead of seats. It really makes the time on the machines fly by.
This all brings us to yesterday morning. It was a non PT morning. I stretched, and then did my 30 minutes on the cardio machines. After that, I thought it would be fun to shoot some baskets. I moved to chase a ball and felt a 'pop' in my right leg. This was followed by a lot of pain. I limped out of the court and ran into Matt. He told me not to flex, hit the showers and then see Brandon before I left. Brandon and Andy (another trainer who focuses on rehab) looked at my leg. They were concerned that I had damaged my Achilles' tendon. Apparently, that is REALLY bad. Fortunately, that was not the case. I had just strained the calf muscle.
I worked from home yesterday and was very diligent about keeping ice on for 20, off for 20 and then repeating. Today, it is still sore, but nearly as sore. Also, there does not appear to be much swelling.
I haven't decided whether or not to keep my PT session for tomorrow. I don't want to be a wus, but on the other hand, I don't want to do something that will slow the healing process either. I'll call Brandon this afternoon and get his opinion before I decide.
The bottom line to all of this is that I am having fun. My muscles ache and I am tired, but I feel good. The environment in the gym is positive, and I know I am making good choices for myself.
Stuff like the calf sprains are opportunities for me to learn what I can and can't do, and how quickly my body can heal itself. Which in itself is pretty amazing.
So, I will limp back into the gym and get back to it. I can't wait to see where I am this time next year!
Thanks to the Mrs. for fronting the entry fee...I'll get it next time! ;-)
I haven't posted much for a while. At work, we have been involved in a final system test for our financials upgrade. In addition to my project management role, I am also a developer working to resolve testing issues. I have responsibility for completing the project and coordinating a team of 20 people over which I have no real authority. It's like trying to push something with a rope.
Also, our new Gold's Gym recently opened. I joined while they were building it. It is really nice. Lots of different equipment, etc. The coolest feature is the Cardio Cinema. Basically, it is a small movie theatre filled with cardio equipment! Time on a treadmill and/or elliptical machine really flies by! They've been playing fun movies like James Bond, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fever Pitch, etc. I want/need to be healthier and this is the place to do it. Now, weight training and exercising have never been my strength. I signed up to work with a personal trainer for a year to learn how to exercise and lift to achieve my goal of better health. Plus, I want to hike with my wife and I want to travel in Europe with her next year. I'll post more about my personal trainer experience. We got off to a shaky start, but I think things are going to go very well now.
Finally, my Brother and his wife are splitting up. She was unfaithful, and by all accounts has turned out not to be the person my brother thought she was. My heart is breaking for Mark. He is a good guy with a big heart and does not deserve what is happening to him. From his perspective, it feels like his world is collapsing around him. And, in many ways, it is. Fortunately for him, he has a huge support net of family and friends. We'll catch him and then carry him as long as it takes until he is back on his feet. I am so incredibly proud of how he has handled things so far. I think he is stronger than he believes himself to be -- he will come out of this OK. We will continue to surround him with love and support as he works to extricate himself from the marriage and start over...
The pie was relatively easy to make. We tested it on some friends at at Buffet Party, making sure not to try any ourselves until at least an hour after everyone else - just in case. Turns out it was pretty good. Very light, very cold, perfect summer dessert.
This might be interesting...
Frozen Margarita Pie
CRUST:
1/2 c. plus 2 tbsp. butter
5 oz. thin salted pretzel sticks, crushed fine(1 1/4 c.)
1/2 c. sugar
FILLING:
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand milk
1 1/2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tbsp. Tequila
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. Triple Sec.
1 drop green food coloring
2 1/2 c. whipping cream
Generously grease a 9 inch pie plate. Melt butter in medium size saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in pretzel crumbs and sugar until well blended. Press firmly over bottom and sides of pie plate. Place in freezer until firm. To make filling, mix Eagle milk, lime juice, Tequila, Triple Sec and food coloring in small bowl. In large bowl whip cream until soft peaks form. Fold in Eagle milk mixture until blended. Pour into crust and freeze uncovered 6 hours. Wrap air-tight and freeze at least 2 hours before serving. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Please keep the family, friends and colleagues of the firefighters who lost their lives in Charleston, SC in your thoughts and prayers. I think we take for granted what these everyday heroes -- all over the country -- do for all of us...
Haven't posted for a while - ( I've been up to my nostrils with system testing and condo grief that I haven't had time). I have been following Jen and Eric's adventures through Europe though, and really liked a recent post about a day spent with Cheese, Chocolate and Castles.
Whispers has a post today about the Vatican installing solar panels which will provide all of the energy needs for the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall.
My Dad and I went the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio today. We were guests of American Express who uses a house on the 7th fairway to entertain clients. This is the third year I have been able to get tickets from AMEX. It's always fun, they have a shuttle to take you to and from the house and they provide food, drink, TV, etc. Dad and I used to buy tournament badges and would go all 4 days. Then, the prices went up and our schedules got busy.
When we got to the AMEX house and checked in, they handed us our tournament badges. I noticed they were marked Clubhouse, not the usual Patron. I quietly took the badges and ran for the gate! Dad didn't believe me when I told him we would be able to get into the clubhouse, but in we went! He and I have always thought it would be neat to see inside...mostly because, as commoners, we've never been allowed inside.
The clubhouse itself was not remarkable. What was cool was the trophy case. We saw the actual Memorial Tournament trophy engraved with all the winners (see pic). Plus, we saw the US Open, US Amateur Open and British Open trophies - all won by JACK NICKLAUS!! I know I'm a nerd, but it was very cool to see them!
We decided that we were having lunch in the clubhouse - whatever the cost. So, we spent $50 for a buffet. Now, the food was really good, and we sat in big comfy chairs with plates, silverware and, most important -- NAPKINS. Jack doesn't allow napkins on the course! ;-)
It was a neat opportunity and a fun day watching golf.
I would like to go back to Europe. In 1989, I was fortunate to be stationed in Germany with the US Army. My unit was assigned to Ray Barracks in Friedberg, Germany. This gave me the opportunity to see some amazing places.
I'd like to pack a bag and go back now with Susan. I want very much to have the opportunity to return to Ray Barracks before it closes in 2010. We've talked about it, but not sure Susan is too excited about the idea. (To be fair, Susan has ventured on several vacations that I have wanted to do. She has said that wants to go to the mountains. Backpacking is not in the cards for me right now...but, if we could find a compromise around that, I would love to go with her to the mountains that hold such a special place in her heart.)
That said, I found a blog called JENERIC Travels. It's the blog of a couple who are currently traveling in Europe. Thought it might be fun to read along and travel vicariously through them...
I spent the first part of this week in Vegas!! Susan and I traveled with Scott/Cindy and Kent/Mark. We were celebrating Kent's 50th Birthday! We had a blast - this is a fun group.
We stayed at Luxor Las Vegas. I stayed there in 1993 and, except for the towers, not much has changed. Kent said he wanted to sleep in a pyramid, so that's what we did. Scott scoured the internet and found us an outstanding room rate. The rate was good, but staying there, you sacrifice proximity to the heart of the strip. In the last few years, Susan and I have stayed at Paris Las Vegas. We both like the location, the casino and the rooms. They seemed brighter than the rooms at Luxor. Plus, they have crepes! ;-)
I played a lot of blackjack this trip. My favorite place to play is O'Sheas Casino. It is across from Caesar's Palace. O'Sheas has single deck blackjack, and you can usually find a seat at a $5 table. This time though, I played a couple of times at $10 minimum tables. I figure it is only a matter of time until that is the minimum everywhere, so I better get used to it. On the first day, I made $125 playing the $10 table! This is a good way to start - it is better to play with the Casino's money!! On a sad note, I bet $20 on Ottawa to win game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. It looked like they had things well in hand too, then Anaheim snuck up and won the game in the third period, and just like Ottawa, I was a loser at hockey...but still up $105!
The next day we got off to a slow start. Scott/Cindy and Susan/Me hung out at the pool at Luxor, then went to Hooters for lunch. Susan had to work a little, so she skipped lunch and joined us later. We took the monorail ($8 ticket for all day riding is a good way to get up and down the strip) up to Sahara and then walked to the Stratosphere. Scott and Cindy wanted to play single zero roulette. Kent and Mark (well, Kent anyway) were watching the roulette action and then settled in at the slot machines. Susan played a little roulette and lost $8!! Then, she joined me at the blackjack table. Things had been up and down there for me and when Susan joined me, they were down. But, things got a lot better. We got a new dealer - Olga who was a lot of fun. Susan had a green chip and 3 reds. When she tried to change the green to reds, Olga told her she wouldn't need to because she was going to win - and Olga was right! Susan won quite a few hands and walked with somewhere around $125. Her good fortune helped me too and I was able to double my money there and walked with another $100. By the end of day 2, I was up $205!
Day three started with a hearty breakfast at McDonald's. Then, Scott, Cindy and I headed up the strip to O'Sheas. I played blackjack at a $5 two-deck table and slowly, and quite painfully, lost $100. Scott was doing well though and stayed after I had been dismissed. Then, the $5 single deck table opened and I was sitting in the first position (my preferred slot). Things were up and down for a while, more up than down and it looked like O'Sheas was going to take another Ben Franklin from me. Then, dealer Steve arrived. Steve seemed like a good guy and I was feeling good energy at the table. I told Steve I would like to see a winning trend and he said he'd see what he could do to help. For the next 5 or 6 shuffles, it seemed like Steve had not understood what I meant when I said winning trend - I meant me, not him. Then, things started to click a little and we off and running. I had a 15 hand winning streak! It was FUN! I ended up leaving the table with $175. Still down $25 for the day. By the time I left, Steve had moved on to other tables. Scott say him at the game where you bet a number on the wheel and they spin it (something you'd see at a carnival or fair). Scott put $5 on the 10 to 1 spot and I put $5 on the $5 to 1 spot. Steve spun the wheel and I won $25! I tipped Steve the $5 bet and thanked him for a fun day. At the end of 4 hours of playing, I was even money. I never expect to win in Vegas. I like to play the games and usually hope to have some ups with the downs so that I can extend my money and have fun.
Kent had joined us by the time we finished gambling. We realized we hadn't eaten since our McD's power breakfast and were all hungry. I noticed that 4 hours of no food, combined with a steady stream of Corona's, had made me hungry with a little buzz! We hit the food court @ O'Sheas and waited for Susan to join us. Our next stop was Sahara's. Scott gave me a quick lesson on craps and off we went. Craps is one of the most intimidating casino games - and also won of the most fun! I started with $60. We were up and down, and at one point, I think Scott was down to $6! We hit a couple of points and had some good shooters. My second turn as a shooter was great! I hit several points and threw for about 15-20 minutes before I crapped out. By the time we left, I turned $60 into $150!!
I bet another $20 on Wednesday's game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals. This time, I bet on Anaheim. They won the game 1-0 and I made $15.40. So, overall, I lost $4.60 on hockey. The games take on a new meaning when there is money on the line... :-)
By the end of day 3, I was up $295!
Susan and I had an early flight on Thursday. We got to bed about midnight and were back up at 3 to pack. While Susan was getting ready, I headed down to the Luxor casino to play blackjack one last time. I hit a single deck $10 table and played for 20 minutes. I turned $50 into $100. In 1993 when I was at the Luxor, my father and I played $50 a piece right before we left. The dealer that day took our money in 10 minutes! It was horrible. So, I was very pleased to avenge that loss and, 14 years later, get my $50 back. Although, adjusted for inflation, I probably only won about $21.75 of what I lost! :-) Still, it is the symbolic victory that counts!
With cash spent on food, drinks and a couple of foolhardy money fed to the slots, I was up about $150 for the trip. That means, I earned 30% on the money I allotted for gambling. Pretty good return if you ask me.
Vegas is fun, and best when enjoyed in short visits with good friends.
These guys are awesome! If you like jazz, you should try to catch one of their shows. Tonight they are playing at Brew-stirs at the Continent. I am certainly no Jazz aficionado, but I know what I like to hear. The music is awesome, the guys are fun to watch, and it is a perfect evening for live music outside with friends.
While I was golfing, my Mom called to say that she was in the Emergency Room with an acute appendicitis. I wasn't overly concerned because she was A) in the emergency room and B) the appendix had not burst. What struck me about the message was the tone of her voice. It was the first time in my life I have ever detected fear in her voice. As the Mother of three sons, I am sure she has been scared countless times. She never let us see her afraid of anything. As a result, we never learned to be fearful either. Even when I was deployed to the Persian Gulf during the first Gulf War, I never hear any fear in her voice when we talked on the phone. I know she was worried for me, but she never let me hear it. Even then, she was protecting me. When I heard her message, I knew I had to get over there to show her the same fearless support she has always shown me.
Anyone who goes to the hospital knows it is a good place to 'have some repair work done', but it is not the best place to heal. I arrived at the hospital around 8:30. Mom and Dad were in the ER waiting to see a doctor. We waited, and waited, and waited... Around 10 PM, they took Mom for a chest x-ray. I took that opportunity to suggest that Dad and I go get something to eat. Dad looked tired, and I know he was hungry. We made like a bread truck and hustled our buns to the cafeteria. Mom beat us back to ER, but at least Dad was able to get some food. We finally saw a surgical resident around 12:30 AM. He told us they would not operate until later that morning, sometime after 7 AM. In the meantime, Mom was going to be admitted. I encouraged Dad to go home and get some sleep, and I stayed with Mom until she was moved to her room - at 2:00 AM!
A long night...
The new handicaps are out and I have dropped two strokes to 19. That's a good trend and one I would like to continue. Jared is out-of-town this week so I've got to round up a sub. The team we're playing this evening have 5 and 11 handicaps. If I'm ever going to have a 'magic' round, this would be the night. I'm wearing my Tiger Woods red Nike shirt - guaranteed to intimidate my opponents! :-)
Avast me hearties...it's almost time for Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End. I've assembled a crew of mates to see the movie so's I don't have to go by me onesies. That'd be me wife, me mum, me pops and Miss Abigail (a wee pirate herself). We have an accord to see the movie on Friday...and keepin' to the pirate code - them that fall behind, stays behind...AAARRRGH!!!
Today began with 9 holes of golf with my Dad. It was a little chilly with light rain at 10:15 this morning. We were supposed to start at 10 AM, but I was little late...again. We were behind a group of 8 women. The first group was moving pretty good, but the group ahead of us was SLOW. That said, they did show good golf etiquette and let us play through.
I was striking the white ball pretty well today. I shot a 45! Again, that is GOOD for me. Pop shot a 46. I think he was irritated by the group in front of us. Plus, I think he was trying to hit the ball as far as I was. He doesn't have the distance, but he WAY more accurate than I am. I won today playing at the best of my limited ability. He was just off a little. He doesn't have much to worry about from me - yet. We'll see how the summer progresses. :-)
Scores aside, it was just nice to be out there on the course with my Dad. The weather was good and the course was in pretty good shape. When I was a kid, I rarely had this kind of time with my Dad. Now, it is time I look forward to. This week, I am going to take Friday off and he and I are going to play 18 at a local golf course. Good stuff.
Around 2, Susan and I met the 'gang' for lunch at Buca. This consists of a group of people that have melded together over the years. Scott and Cindy ( I met Scott in college), Kim (Scott's sister), Lori (we each owned a condo in the same complex), Lori's friend Brenda (visiting from out-of-town), Jessica (my sister-in-law -- my brother was recuperating from a long drive up from Florida), and my Mom and Dad. We had a couple of MIA's, but that's basically the group. It is fun when we get together. We don't do it as often as we used to; we all have busy lives and schedules.
We had fun visiting and laughing, and we ordered WAY too much food. It is like an extended family. Susan says that family is the people you choose to spend time with (or something to that effect).
After that, we went to see Shrek the Third. We had planned to meet the MOH and Rissa (the MOH's daughter) and Mom and Dad went too. The Shrek movies are fun.
Finally, Susan and I ended up back at home. I cleaned my clubs, Susan fixed the garbage disposal. ;-)
I am tired - the good kind. It was a fun day with family, friends, and friends who are like family.
Today I walked in the Race For The Cure. A group of us walk to support Lori, our friend and breast cancer survivor. Its usually a very fun day and a chance for our gang of friends to get together. My wife runs with the 'MOH' (MOH = super awesome friend of ours...the one who introduced us and was Susan's Maid Of Honor). The rest of us walk. (If no one is chasing you, then why run?!?!) This year Cindy ran too! We're very proud of her!
Of course, we now have a post race tradition where we all meet at First Watch for a HUGE breakfast.
Lots of brave people in the crowd each year. It's a no brainer to get out there and show some support. After all, we all have a mom, a sister, an aunt, a friend...
Brown could close its doors forever. That's what Brown can do for me. I placed an order on Wednesday. It was shipped next day air via UPS - guaranteed to be delivered by 10:30 AM on Friday. It is 3:09 PM. No package. I called UPS and they "apologized" for not meeting their commitment. Why didn't they meet their commitment? The driver has been really busy today. Isn't it their job to manage the driver's workload so that they CAN meet their commitment. Two tries to get a call from the local supervisor have resulted in NO PHONE CALL. I don't know where my package is, don't know when its coming. UPS failed to meet their commitment - but they sure aren't offering to refund the extra money paid to have it here by 10:30! And it's not like this is the first time I've ever had trouble with UPS. They consistently fail to meet expectations. Right now I'd like to flush Brown down the toilet.
I ended up with a 54 for the back nine at Blackhawk. Which is not really that bad for considering I put 3 balls out of bounds and have never played the back nine. The difference between the front and back nine is amazing. I liked it, and hope we get to play it again on the Thursday league.
On 18, I hit a MONSTER (for me anyway) drive - straight down the fairway. With the bounce and roll, it was about 290 yards! From there I had about 115 yards up hill, out of the tall grass ( I rolled past the fairway about 6 inches). I hit a nice nine iron, but came up about 3 feet short of the green. Had a pretty good chip from there, and left myself a 6 footer for par. My putt had the right line, but I muscled it passed the hole about 4 feet. Sent that one home for a bogey.
Next week, I am going to the course early to hit a small bucket of balls. I'm thinking that loosening up a little might help things along.
Jared halved the points with his opponent; my opponent was a no-show.
So far, not very good. One triple bogey, one double bogey, and I just hit one into the woods. That sound you're hearing is the sound of a rising handicap. In theory, I could set a leauge record...
Based on my 61 and 55 from weeks 1 and 2, I have been given a 21 handicap. There are only two of us with a handicap over 20. What does that mean? Well, in layman's terms, it means I SUCK at golf. I am able to hit the ball well, but only occasionally. My goal is to get below 20 on the handicap scale as quickly as possible. Looks like I will have to hit the range (yuck). Its not that I am against practice, its just boring. I would MUCH rather be out on the course.
I talked with the hiring manager today. The rage for the position did not match up well with my compensation requirements. The news leaves me with mixed emotions. On one hand, I am disappointed. The thought of starting something new definitely appeals to me. On the other hand, I am a little relieved. I think I feel relieved because I do not have to make a touch decision. As my very wise wife says, '...we trust that things will work out the way they are supposed to...'
The first night of golf league was last Thursday (5/3). Jared and I had the late tee time. This was not good since it was the first night of the league and they all got a late start. The course is fun, and for me at least, very challenging. The problem with our league is that there are a handful of guys who A) Think they are playing the final round of the Masters and/or B) think this is a USGA sanctioned tournament event. That said, all USGA rules apply and we try to follow them. In reality though, we are a bunch of recreational golfers who shoot 40-70 for nine holes, playing 9 holes a week. It should be fun. Most of the time it is fun. Many of the guys are friendly, don't take it too seriously, and keep things moving.
A lot of golfers on this league stare at their putts from several angles. The hold their putters up. These guys probably can't read a map, let alone the intricacies of a green. Then, you have the guys who can't hit a drive much farther than 180 yards ( I am one of these 180-230 seems to be my range) and they will wait until the group ahead is 300 yards out before they play a shot! They couldn't hit the group ahead with a remote control, rocket booster and satellite navigation!
At the end of the day, we finished the 9th hole almost in the dark. I let this put me in a foul mood. Had a little marital discord at dinner. All in all, not so good. For the 9, I shot a 61. Got myself into a pond and some trees. Poor chipping and average 2.8 putts per hole. I can shoot in the low 50's and need to get there soon. I've got to relax and go with the flow.
All that said, I like golfing with Jared, and I like getting out every Thursday to play nine holes.
I talked with the guy from JPMorgan Chase today about a job opportunity. The position is a support role to the internal audit department. Basically, this group pulls data from the various retail systems throughout Chase and then analyzes it based on the requirements provided by the auditors. There is some DB2, some VSAM, some relational databases via ODBC. I like the guy I was talking with. I was curious about hours, salary, etc. The hours are 40 - 50 per week depending on the work load. Salary information would have to come from his manager. The position is mildly interesting. I'll want to know the salary range though before this progress any further. I don't want to waste their time, or mine for that matter, if the salary range is not in the ballpark. It has my interest peaked, that's for sure.
I received an email from 'the bank' today letting me know there is a position in the retail audit department that might interest me. I am definitely interested in hearing more about it. I have mixed feelings though - excitement, fear, sadness. I know I cannot continue in my current position. It is an unhealthy mix of personalities and job responsibility. The thought of sitting in a cube and writing code for the next 25 years makes me crazy. In that respect, this is an exciting bit of news.
On the other hand, there is a glimmer of hope. I have been with my current employer for almost 10 years. The most enjoyable part of my position has been working with the HR software and the HR team. There is a really good group of people in our HR division. The only problem is, they are a bit challenged by technology. In the last couple of years we got a new VP of HR who recognizes the value in a system that will position HR to provide data on the workforce to senior management. She recently hired a new director of benefits and HRIS. She is over-qualified for the position. The most refreshing change is that she wants to know what is going on with her system! She is leading the current project to replace the system. I am tasked as a technical resource and have been putting together the census data. I am working long hours to meet the schedule and I am having FUN!! There are so many cool things this system will be able to do to allow HR to gain more knowledge on the workforce (our #1 expense) and then leverage that knowledge to hopefully make us more productive as a company.
At any rate, I think the division could use someone with my skills on their team. My technical and analytical skills would be an instant asset. I could learn the Benefits and HR side on the job and maybe pursue the PHR certification.
Plus, I like the new manager. I like her approach - calm, measured, confident. She clearly knows her stuff. Best of all, she hates the phrase 'because we've always done it this way"! I've hearing that for 10 years! Uhhg!!
The glimmer of hope would be that HR might create an HRIS position…then I could stay here, but starting over in a new role.
I played my first 9 holes of golf for the year this past Sunday. It was a picture perfect day. Warm, blue skies, light breeze. My playing partners were my Dad, Brother and my fried Kevin. No trips to the range, only a couple of practice swings and BAM! - off the tee with a nice 225 yard drive landing right in the fairway. Followed that up with a sweet 8 iron to the green (left myself plenty of green to work with, btw). Two putted my way to a par. The first of 4 pars for the day. Ended the round with a 10 over par 45! (beat the other 3 too!)
Dad was consistent as usual, but lacking some distance and irons were not on the usual deadly mark. My Brother did pretty well. When he keeps his head down, he has a really nice golf shot. It won't be long before he drops 10 strokes from every 9 and really gets going. Kevin apparently cannot hit a driver. Instead, he tees it up with a three iron. He has pretty good length and is usually dancing in the fairway.
Overall, it was a good time. The course is a 9-hole municipal course. Not difficult and flat. Perfect for practice. I want to make more of an effort this year to play 9 or 18 there each week.
Golf league starts Thursday…Stay Tuned.
This will be my version of a journal. I like techy stuff, so off we go into the techy version of a journal!
