Howdy Friends and Family,
I know that my close friends read this blog fairly regularly... so I ask you all for prayer for a friend of mine.
I worked with him for 9 years and actually miss his whit and humor now that I have started my own business. I certainly don't see him and the others at the firm as often as I wish.
Anyway...
His name is Kurt and his wife is seriously ill and in the hospital.
I will not give you the details, but please know that he dearly loves her and wants her to live - and she needs your prayers.
We know that God hears our prayers and according to His will, he governs all life. Please seek Him on her behalf that He would have mercy and allow her to return to full health. Pray also that Kurt would find comfort and rest thru all of this.
Thanks for your friendship and devotion to the KING.
Mike
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Cold Pizza
I figured that cold Chinese food was as good as cold Pizza and was wrong.
A couple bites in I didn’t get the warm fuzzies that I get when eating icy cold left over pizza straight from the frig.
So, I popped my noodles into the microwave for 2 minutes and ate Chinese Food ala Magma. Nearly burned my tongue off.
I chased it with some weak tea that you get in the Chinese restaurants.
You know the type – they dip a tea bag into a pot of water for maybe 3 seconds and serve it to you with a smile.
Good move.
All in all, I discovered something new about life… and can pass it on to my kids.
A couple bites in I didn’t get the warm fuzzies that I get when eating icy cold left over pizza straight from the frig.
So, I popped my noodles into the microwave for 2 minutes and ate Chinese Food ala Magma. Nearly burned my tongue off.
I chased it with some weak tea that you get in the Chinese restaurants.
You know the type – they dip a tea bag into a pot of water for maybe 3 seconds and serve it to you with a smile.
Good move.
All in all, I discovered something new about life… and can pass it on to my kids.
Boulder Cigarette Man
I was in Boulder Colorado the other day…
After a week of enjoying the gorgeous weather and beauty of Boulder, I had to catch a plane at an ungodly hour – 6am… at the Denver airport.
The drive is only about 45minutes, but one must also plan for plenty of time getting thru security etc. so… I had to leave Boulder at 3:30am.
Woof.
I was on the curb outside the hotel waiting for my shuttle and a guy was out wandering the streets. As I watched, I observed him checking in planter beds and along the street edge for cigarettes. He picked up a few and looked at them closely to see if they had any tobacco left for smoking, and then tossed them back down in disappointment.
When he got close enough to me to ask, he did. “Excuse me, you got a cigarette?” Of course I didn’t and I glanced at my feet and saw a couple of choice butts laying there.
I said, “There are a couple over here that look like they have a drag or two left on them.”
He quickly said, “Oh, no thanks… I’ve got some in my bag.”
I don’t think he did.
He wandered on, crossed the street and continued to check the planter beds… and disappeared into the dark Boulder morning.
Funny what a good addiction will do to you.
After a week of enjoying the gorgeous weather and beauty of Boulder, I had to catch a plane at an ungodly hour – 6am… at the Denver airport.
The drive is only about 45minutes, but one must also plan for plenty of time getting thru security etc. so… I had to leave Boulder at 3:30am.
Woof.
I was on the curb outside the hotel waiting for my shuttle and a guy was out wandering the streets. As I watched, I observed him checking in planter beds and along the street edge for cigarettes. He picked up a few and looked at them closely to see if they had any tobacco left for smoking, and then tossed them back down in disappointment.
When he got close enough to me to ask, he did. “Excuse me, you got a cigarette?” Of course I didn’t and I glanced at my feet and saw a couple of choice butts laying there.
I said, “There are a couple over here that look like they have a drag or two left on them.”
He quickly said, “Oh, no thanks… I’ve got some in my bag.”
I don’t think he did.
He wandered on, crossed the street and continued to check the planter beds… and disappeared into the dark Boulder morning.
Funny what a good addiction will do to you.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Jerry Wegener – July1961–Oct 2005
USNavy Seal, Friend, fellow heir to the kingdom of heaven.
I can still see his happy face across the table at Christmas time last year.
Crazy to think he is gone.
I just got home from the funeral.
When I heard the news of his death it didn’t seem real. I wanted to call him on the phone. I still want to.
I hugged his wife and kids and will see them next week.
I saw Jerry one last time and it was clear he wasn’t in his HUGE body anymore.
He professed Christ as his Lord and Savior and I know he is face to face with his maker right now. He was a great husband, dad and friend.
Hundreds of people are going to miss him.
Seems like only yesterday we were carrying a 300 pound inflatable raft on our heads in HELL WEEK… That’s when the instructor wasn’t IN the boat.
Hah.
He and I went thru BUD/S (USNavy Seal Training) in Coronado California together back in the 80’s. Class 131. We laughed recently at the hallucinations we had when deprived of sleep for a week and all the crazy things we did together… and now he’s off to a better place.
Good Bye my friend – I loved you like a brother and am going to miss you.
This was a little wake up call for me to dig-in and really spend quality time with friends HERE and NOW for we never know when it’s our time to go.
When your number comes up… you check OUT… and you check IN to eternity.
I can still see his happy face across the table at Christmas time last year.
Crazy to think he is gone.
I just got home from the funeral.
When I heard the news of his death it didn’t seem real. I wanted to call him on the phone. I still want to.
I hugged his wife and kids and will see them next week.
I saw Jerry one last time and it was clear he wasn’t in his HUGE body anymore.
He professed Christ as his Lord and Savior and I know he is face to face with his maker right now. He was a great husband, dad and friend.
Hundreds of people are going to miss him.
Seems like only yesterday we were carrying a 300 pound inflatable raft on our heads in HELL WEEK… That’s when the instructor wasn’t IN the boat.
Hah.
He and I went thru BUD/S (USNavy Seal Training) in Coronado California together back in the 80’s. Class 131. We laughed recently at the hallucinations we had when deprived of sleep for a week and all the crazy things we did together… and now he’s off to a better place.
Good Bye my friend – I loved you like a brother and am going to miss you.
This was a little wake up call for me to dig-in and really spend quality time with friends HERE and NOW for we never know when it’s our time to go.
When your number comes up… you check OUT… and you check IN to eternity.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
The Geckos are Gone
We let them go.
They were not going to make it in our death trap of an aquarium.
I took them down to the local pet store and due to their condition; the guy didn’t want to take them.
He suggested taking them to a vet for shots.
He said that the shots could probably cost about $40 and the whole visit with paperwork another $40… per lizard.
Lizards.
My kids and I had a little vote and we decided that rather than let them sit in the tank and die slowly… we would let them go.
Yep.
We took them out in the woods behind our home where there was a nice wood pile and plenty bugs for them to eat… and we let them go.
It was raining so we didn’t stick around to see how they liked their new environment.
Sure hope all is well for them.
All in all... I figure they are in a better place.
:)
They were not going to make it in our death trap of an aquarium.
I took them down to the local pet store and due to their condition; the guy didn’t want to take them.
He suggested taking them to a vet for shots.
He said that the shots could probably cost about $40 and the whole visit with paperwork another $40… per lizard.
Lizards.
My kids and I had a little vote and we decided that rather than let them sit in the tank and die slowly… we would let them go.
Yep.
We took them out in the woods behind our home where there was a nice wood pile and plenty bugs for them to eat… and we let them go.
It was raining so we didn’t stick around to see how they liked their new environment.
Sure hope all is well for them.
All in all... I figure they are in a better place.
:)
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Google Earth
Google Earth is totally blowing me away.
It's got no real use yet... for me... but it is totally amazing.
I have been looking at all the 'sites' and Wonders of the World from HOME!
This is going to KILL tourism for the cheap skates... and the simple minded no-money-to-travel guys.
One question: Does anyone know the best lat and long to view the Great Wall of China?
I've followed it all across China and can't get a good view of it.
It's supposed to be the only Man-Made structure visible from space... but a good view of it eludes me.
And is there a good place over Africa where you can see a herd of Elephants?
Lemme know if you do.
If you haven't downloaded Google Earth yet and looked around with a fast connect on the internet... DO IT!
It's got no real use yet... for me... but it is totally amazing.
I have been looking at all the 'sites' and Wonders of the World from HOME!
This is going to KILL tourism for the cheap skates... and the simple minded no-money-to-travel guys.
One question: Does anyone know the best lat and long to view the Great Wall of China?
I've followed it all across China and can't get a good view of it.
It's supposed to be the only Man-Made structure visible from space... but a good view of it eludes me.
And is there a good place over Africa where you can see a herd of Elephants?
Lemme know if you do.
If you haven't downloaded Google Earth yet and looked around with a fast connect on the internet... DO IT!
My Boss is a Rat
My Boss is a total Rat.
He breathes down my neck constantly.
Like a vulture - hovering and spying and making a complete nuisance of himself.
That's what he is... a vulture rat!
It used to be I could blog or sketch, surf the web and enjoy life, but now with the Rat constantly watching I feel stifled.
I wish he would let up or fire me so I could get back to my life...
.. oh the perils of being self employed.
:)
He breathes down my neck constantly.
Like a vulture - hovering and spying and making a complete nuisance of himself.
That's what he is... a vulture rat!
It used to be I could blog or sketch, surf the web and enjoy life, but now with the Rat constantly watching I feel stifled.
I wish he would let up or fire me so I could get back to my life...
.. oh the perils of being self employed.
:)
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Camping – Ate A Snake
We went camping in the Blue Ridge Mountain last weekend. It was awesome.
Gorgeous trees and hiking trails, streams and lakes.
We really had a great time.
My kids ran town to the nearby stream and jumped in for a swim while I set up the tend and got the campsite all ready.
It wasn’t 20 minutes they were back at the campsite carrying a snake.
My son had spotted it in the stream (only a few feet away) and threw a rock on it’s head… killing it dead.
I took this as an excellent opportunity to teach my kids about some of the greater things in life… eating snakes.
I showed them how to skin it, gut it, fry it, and eat it.
It wasn’t the biggest snake, so we each only got a few bites… but it was great!
It’s been a long time since I did that… a long time.
We didn’t keep the skin.. which would have been great.
Some critter in the woods is enjoying the entrails and skin right now.
:)
Gorgeous trees and hiking trails, streams and lakes.
We really had a great time.
My kids ran town to the nearby stream and jumped in for a swim while I set up the tend and got the campsite all ready.
It wasn’t 20 minutes they were back at the campsite carrying a snake.
My son had spotted it in the stream (only a few feet away) and threw a rock on it’s head… killing it dead.
I took this as an excellent opportunity to teach my kids about some of the greater things in life… eating snakes.
I showed them how to skin it, gut it, fry it, and eat it.
It wasn’t the biggest snake, so we each only got a few bites… but it was great!
It’s been a long time since I did that… a long time.
We didn’t keep the skin.. which would have been great.
Some critter in the woods is enjoying the entrails and skin right now.
:)
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Surfing Rhode Island
My wife bought me a surf board on my birthday.
What on earth was she thinking?
I can’t surf.
Then I remembered a line from ‘Apocalypse Now’…
“Are we gunna fight or are we gunna surf?”
So I graciously accepted the gift and have been trying to learn since.
Sheesh… it ain’t easy.
Last week we took a vacation trip to Rhode Island to see some old friends.
Well, they aren’t old, it’s just been a long time since we saw them last.
Anyway, we took two days of the 5 and went to the beach – Narragansett Beach.
Awesome waves DUDE!
The typical set was 4 or 5 four foot waves followed by 2 or 3 eight footers!
The bigger ones kick our butts, but we rode the little ones… totally fun.
My 14 year old son is a natural and catches nearly every wave he tries for.. me on the other hand am still playing a balancing game on the board!
I ate more sand in those 2 days than I did in a week of SEAL Training.
I think the SEAL TEAM should teach guys to surf.
I really do.
Surf On.
What on earth was she thinking?
I can’t surf.
Then I remembered a line from ‘Apocalypse Now’…
“Are we gunna fight or are we gunna surf?”
So I graciously accepted the gift and have been trying to learn since.
Sheesh… it ain’t easy.
Last week we took a vacation trip to Rhode Island to see some old friends.
Well, they aren’t old, it’s just been a long time since we saw them last.
Anyway, we took two days of the 5 and went to the beach – Narragansett Beach.
Awesome waves DUDE!
The typical set was 4 or 5 four foot waves followed by 2 or 3 eight footers!
The bigger ones kick our butts, but we rode the little ones… totally fun.
My 14 year old son is a natural and catches nearly every wave he tries for.. me on the other hand am still playing a balancing game on the board!
I ate more sand in those 2 days than I did in a week of SEAL Training.
I think the SEAL TEAM should teach guys to surf.
I really do.
Surf On.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Geckos on the Edge
My leopard Geckos are dieing.
They are not shedding properly and their eyes are covered with skin.
Can’t see means can’t find food.
Can’t find food means can’t eat.
Can’t eat means can’t survive.
I have been force-feeding them food (I hold them heads-up toward the ceiling and they open their mouths, where I drop in a nice juicy waxworm).
But they have been refusing these lately.. and I foresee a short pier and a long walk on the horizon.
:(
They are not shedding properly and their eyes are covered with skin.
Can’t see means can’t find food.
Can’t find food means can’t eat.
Can’t eat means can’t survive.
I have been force-feeding them food (I hold them heads-up toward the ceiling and they open their mouths, where I drop in a nice juicy waxworm).
But they have been refusing these lately.. and I foresee a short pier and a long walk on the horizon.
:(
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Walking the Dog
You gotta walk yer dog at least twice a day.
Rain or shine.
If ya don’t… you will be cleaning up the mess.
Fairly straight forward... right?!
The other day… we set out around our typical ½ mile loop.
I go for a daily bike ride for exercise, so this loop is just for poop.
I call it the poop walk.
There is an island between two lanes of traffic nearby where we aim.
It’s the neighborhood pooping grounds and since it rains often enough (especially here in May/June), no one picks up the droppings.
Anyway..
On the poop walk we came across a huge black rat snake smashed into the street which the dog promptly grabbed and carried along for the ride!
She even carried it home and chewed on it in the backyard for a couple days… and eventually ate it.
I know, I know… what kind of a dog owner would let their dog chew up and eat a snake.. well, I figured it has just as much nutritional value as the 50lb bag-o-beef-flavored-cardboard-chunks in the garage… and probably tastes better too.
We’ll never know.
:)
Rain or shine.
If ya don’t… you will be cleaning up the mess.
Fairly straight forward... right?!
The other day… we set out around our typical ½ mile loop.
I go for a daily bike ride for exercise, so this loop is just for poop.
I call it the poop walk.
There is an island between two lanes of traffic nearby where we aim.
It’s the neighborhood pooping grounds and since it rains often enough (especially here in May/June), no one picks up the droppings.
Anyway..
On the poop walk we came across a huge black rat snake smashed into the street which the dog promptly grabbed and carried along for the ride!
She even carried it home and chewed on it in the backyard for a couple days… and eventually ate it.
I know, I know… what kind of a dog owner would let their dog chew up and eat a snake.. well, I figured it has just as much nutritional value as the 50lb bag-o-beef-flavored-cardboard-chunks in the garage… and probably tastes better too.
We’ll never know.
:)
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Amazing Mountains… Amazing.
I was in Boulder a couple weeks ago and got this wild hair to climb a mountain.
You know what I mean.
It’s the same feeling runners get when it’s pouring down rain…. Gotta run.
Standing in downtown Boulder I could see a clear view of the Flat Irons.
I ran and got on my running shoes (I don’t travel anywhere without them) and got a lift to a park called Chataqua. It’s right at the base of the mountains.
I was amazed at how lousy I felt after the first mile… Being from the coast of Virginia and living at sea level certainly put me at a disadvantage, but the mountain was there… so I couldn’t stop.
The run turned into a jog and then to a hike… and at the end into a climb.
It was simply gorgeous. I could see the whole world up there.
I climbed to within 50 feet or so of the top of the first Flat Iron and had to stop.
I was to a point that unless I had someone with me and some climbing gear, it was going to be dangerous. So I sat down on a small ledge with the warm sun shining on my face and took in the mile high air.
It was thin and crisp.
Surprisingly the only wildlife I saw were some chipmunks on the trail… which was a breeze coming DOWN!
I jogged all the way back to the hotel and felt like a million bucks.
Amazing Mountains… Amazing.
You know what I mean.
It’s the same feeling runners get when it’s pouring down rain…. Gotta run.
Standing in downtown Boulder I could see a clear view of the Flat Irons.
I ran and got on my running shoes (I don’t travel anywhere without them) and got a lift to a park called Chataqua. It’s right at the base of the mountains.
I was amazed at how lousy I felt after the first mile… Being from the coast of Virginia and living at sea level certainly put me at a disadvantage, but the mountain was there… so I couldn’t stop.
The run turned into a jog and then to a hike… and at the end into a climb.
It was simply gorgeous. I could see the whole world up there.
I climbed to within 50 feet or so of the top of the first Flat Iron and had to stop.
I was to a point that unless I had someone with me and some climbing gear, it was going to be dangerous. So I sat down on a small ledge with the warm sun shining on my face and took in the mile high air.
It was thin and crisp.
Surprisingly the only wildlife I saw were some chipmunks on the trail… which was a breeze coming DOWN!
I jogged all the way back to the hotel and felt like a million bucks.
Amazing Mountains… Amazing.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Phil Keaggy
I just saw Phil Keaggy in concert.
That guy is the most amazing guitar player in the world.
Seriously.
He blew the socks off any guitar playing I have ever heard before.
He had some sort of mixer that recorded segments of his music and then played/looped it back when he pressed a button with his foot. He then recorded over that and then again over that. In the end he must have had 20 different sounds/voices playing.. which sounded like he had a stage full of people.. but it was just HIM. He had full control of turning them off and on again to create some of the best guitar music I’ve ever heard.
Inconceivable.
Phil.. you rock.
If you EVER get a chance to hear him in concert.. do NOT hesitate to go.
This kind of music doesn’t come around very often… once in a lifetime I expect!
:)
That guy is the most amazing guitar player in the world.
Seriously.
He blew the socks off any guitar playing I have ever heard before.
He had some sort of mixer that recorded segments of his music and then played/looped it back when he pressed a button with his foot. He then recorded over that and then again over that. In the end he must have had 20 different sounds/voices playing.. which sounded like he had a stage full of people.. but it was just HIM. He had full control of turning them off and on again to create some of the best guitar music I’ve ever heard.
Inconceivable.
Phil.. you rock.
If you EVER get a chance to hear him in concert.. do NOT hesitate to go.
This kind of music doesn’t come around very often… once in a lifetime I expect!
:)
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Old Stomping Grounds
Just did a SketchUp Training session at the firm I used to work at... Cranberry, Heavens, Right-o and Platypus Architects.
It was really fun to see those guys again.
Most of them were surprised to see me step in the door.
They knew I had a side-gig with SketchUp since I had told them even before I left… but it still caught some of them off their guard.
In fact, someone (no one really knows who – nor would tell if they did) was actually MAD that I came and gave the training. That same someone called Boulder CO. (headquarters of @Last Software) and told them off.
Reasons unknown... personal problems if you ask me.
Weird.
I gave them the best training they could get for SketchUp and for some reason someone didn’t appreciate it.
Some peoples kids.
I read a scripture this morning that reminded me of the whole situation:
Jesus said, “A prophet is not welcome in his own hometown”.
Luke 4:24
It was really fun to see those guys again.
Most of them were surprised to see me step in the door.
They knew I had a side-gig with SketchUp since I had told them even before I left… but it still caught some of them off their guard.
In fact, someone (no one really knows who – nor would tell if they did) was actually MAD that I came and gave the training. That same someone called Boulder CO. (headquarters of @Last Software) and told them off.
Reasons unknown... personal problems if you ask me.
Weird.
I gave them the best training they could get for SketchUp and for some reason someone didn’t appreciate it.
Some peoples kids.
I read a scripture this morning that reminded me of the whole situation:
Jesus said, “A prophet is not welcome in his own hometown”.
Luke 4:24
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
The W of Chicago
I stayed in a hotel called the ‘W’ a couple weeks ago.
It was crazy.
It was clearly the ritziest hotel I had ever been in.
The room was approx. $300 a night and they spared NO expense on the decorating.
Every single thing in the hotel and my room was unique… the art on the walls wasn’t the stuff you can buy at Walmart (sunset paintings or abstract color swooshes).. they were original works of art.
One especially nice piece was a deep frame that had a metallic mat and bamboo visible thru the 8” opening… it was done very well.
There was a framed window opening into the shower room – and shutters that could be pulled for privacy. Quarry tile covered the bathroom and the shower was nothing more than a single piece of thick thick glass extending out from the wall – to keep the shower water from splashing on the nearby sink.
The shower head was large and mounted on the ceiling overhead… it was more like standing under a waterfall than a shower.
Too cool.
The furniture seemed to be imported from someplace incredible and I didn’t want to sit on anything… for fear I would break it or mess it up somehow.
I realized that I wasn’t actually relaxing… It was all too unique and showy for me to relax.
I tend to enjoy myself in hotels where I am reminded more of my home than a museum.
I was relieved when I checked out… like I had spend a day in a china shop with a bull that I was responsible for.
Stressfully weird.
It was crazy.
It was clearly the ritziest hotel I had ever been in.
The room was approx. $300 a night and they spared NO expense on the decorating.
Every single thing in the hotel and my room was unique… the art on the walls wasn’t the stuff you can buy at Walmart (sunset paintings or abstract color swooshes).. they were original works of art.
One especially nice piece was a deep frame that had a metallic mat and bamboo visible thru the 8” opening… it was done very well.
There was a framed window opening into the shower room – and shutters that could be pulled for privacy. Quarry tile covered the bathroom and the shower was nothing more than a single piece of thick thick glass extending out from the wall – to keep the shower water from splashing on the nearby sink.
The shower head was large and mounted on the ceiling overhead… it was more like standing under a waterfall than a shower.
Too cool.
The furniture seemed to be imported from someplace incredible and I didn’t want to sit on anything… for fear I would break it or mess it up somehow.
I realized that I wasn’t actually relaxing… It was all too unique and showy for me to relax.
I tend to enjoy myself in hotels where I am reminded more of my home than a museum.
I was relieved when I checked out… like I had spend a day in a china shop with a bull that I was responsible for.
Stressfully weird.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Start Up Pains
What a crazy life.
I THOUGHT that by starting my own business… I would have more time on my hands… you know… time to play with the kids, change the oil in the car, rake the leaves… anything.
Let me be the first to say… I HAVE NO TIME AT ALL!
I haven’t found a minute to myself yet... and it’s been a month (on the 11th).
I’ve been busy designing buildings, sketching, site planning, master planning, and traveling (teaching people how to use a program called SketchUp).
I took on the SketchUp training to add variety to my life and to fill in the gaps should my architecture design business fall short… and have found myself REALLY busy.
I’m in hopes that it is a phenomenon associated with START UP, and not going to be like this for the long haul.
One more crazy thing about owning your own business (I’m no pro yet, but will be soon enough).. is billing. I was used to a paycheck every two weeks deposited right into my checking account. Now I send out bills and WAIT. Good grief.. don’t these people know I have mouths to feed around here!
I am in hopes that this too is a symptom of START UP and things will smooth out as I get going.
And finally, I hate how I haven’t been keeping up with the Adventures of Stu the Lemming on my Daily Sketch Blog (What is the true meaning of Daily anyway? I’m not going to even give you a link :(.
For anyone who knows what I am talking about… soddy. Poor Stu is ricocheting around in the belly of a sea creature all this time!
I’ll try harder… When I get some time.
I THOUGHT that by starting my own business… I would have more time on my hands… you know… time to play with the kids, change the oil in the car, rake the leaves… anything.
Let me be the first to say… I HAVE NO TIME AT ALL!
I haven’t found a minute to myself yet... and it’s been a month (on the 11th).
I’ve been busy designing buildings, sketching, site planning, master planning, and traveling (teaching people how to use a program called SketchUp).
I took on the SketchUp training to add variety to my life and to fill in the gaps should my architecture design business fall short… and have found myself REALLY busy.
I’m in hopes that it is a phenomenon associated with START UP, and not going to be like this for the long haul.
One more crazy thing about owning your own business (I’m no pro yet, but will be soon enough).. is billing. I was used to a paycheck every two weeks deposited right into my checking account. Now I send out bills and WAIT. Good grief.. don’t these people know I have mouths to feed around here!
I am in hopes that this too is a symptom of START UP and things will smooth out as I get going.
And finally, I hate how I haven’t been keeping up with the Adventures of Stu the Lemming on my Daily Sketch Blog (What is the true meaning of Daily anyway? I’m not going to even give you a link :(.
For anyone who knows what I am talking about… soddy. Poor Stu is ricocheting around in the belly of a sea creature all this time!
I’ll try harder… When I get some time.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
New Addition to the Family
We were tired of owning dogs that bit people’s faces off … so we decided NOT to rescue one from the SPCA… like we have done in the recent past.
We had tried it one last time a week ago and what a disaster.
The dog actually bore it’s teeth to me when I asked it to get off the couch.
I nearly didn’t get my hand out of the way when it lunged and snapped it’s jaws! And then it decided to hump my kid's legs during breakfast… good bye you freakazoidal maniac dog.
We researched every dog on the planet and found a match for our family… a Mexican Hairless Chihuahua. We cooked it up with a side of potatoes and gravy and then went to North Carolina, to a breeder of fine dogs and purchased a purebred Golden Retriever.
She is gorgeous. 9 weeks old, gentle as can be and is already learning to go to the back door (to be let out) to relieve herself.
She romps and plays with the kids in the backyard and sleeps at the end of our daughter’s bed (in a doggy bed) during the night.
We called here Biscuit.
We’ll need to come up with 3 names for the proper registration of a purebred. (silly breeders)… but for now it’s just Biscuit.
I can even see a cat named Gravy in our future.
:)
You know… it honestly looks like she will be a perfect addition to our family.
We had tried it one last time a week ago and what a disaster.
The dog actually bore it’s teeth to me when I asked it to get off the couch.
I nearly didn’t get my hand out of the way when it lunged and snapped it’s jaws! And then it decided to hump my kid's legs during breakfast… good bye you freakazoidal maniac dog.
We researched every dog on the planet and found a match for our family… a Mexican Hairless Chihuahua. We cooked it up with a side of potatoes and gravy and then went to North Carolina, to a breeder of fine dogs and purchased a purebred Golden Retriever.
She is gorgeous. 9 weeks old, gentle as can be and is already learning to go to the back door (to be let out) to relieve herself.
She romps and plays with the kids in the backyard and sleeps at the end of our daughter’s bed (in a doggy bed) during the night.
We called here Biscuit.
We’ll need to come up with 3 names for the proper registration of a purebred. (silly breeders)… but for now it’s just Biscuit.
I can even see a cat named Gravy in our future.
:)
You know… it honestly looks like she will be a perfect addition to our family.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Setting Sail
My apologies to those who don’t know yet… I have been extremely busy.
I have departed the wonderful Architecture firm HEWV and started my own Company (I'll get you a web-address when I get one).
I’ve been doing freelance work on the side for quite some time and had finally reached the point where I was getting no sleep at all.
My last day was 11Feb05… and tomorrow morning will be my first day at my new OFFICE! (home)
The kids are all excited because they think I don’t have to ‘GO TO WORK’ tomorrow… little do they know that I will certainly be going to work!
Quite possibly even more than before!
I am going to be quite holistic in my approach to an Architecture/Design Firm. (3 main areas)
1. I am going to be doing quite a bit of Master Planning, Site and Building Design, Feasibility Studies and Preliminary Design. I'm going to try to lay low on shop drawings, bathroom and stair design and specifications!)
2. Along with this I will be creating Architectural Graphics (pretty pictures of what the design will hopefully look like when it’s done) – Site and Buildings alike.
3. And lastly I will be Training people to use an incredible program that I have become quite proficient at – SketchUp. I hope in the future to train Autodesk Products like ADT and Revit... but we’ll see how that goes.
For now… I’m going to go for it and remember the slogan my fellow comrades used to quote in my days with the US Navy Seals…
“The only easy day was yesterday”!
I have departed the wonderful Architecture firm HEWV and started my own Company (I'll get you a web-address when I get one).
I’ve been doing freelance work on the side for quite some time and had finally reached the point where I was getting no sleep at all.
My last day was 11Feb05… and tomorrow morning will be my first day at my new OFFICE! (home)
The kids are all excited because they think I don’t have to ‘GO TO WORK’ tomorrow… little do they know that I will certainly be going to work!
Quite possibly even more than before!
I am going to be quite holistic in my approach to an Architecture/Design Firm. (3 main areas)
1. I am going to be doing quite a bit of Master Planning, Site and Building Design, Feasibility Studies and Preliminary Design. I'm going to try to lay low on shop drawings, bathroom and stair design and specifications!)
2. Along with this I will be creating Architectural Graphics (pretty pictures of what the design will hopefully look like when it’s done) – Site and Buildings alike.
3. And lastly I will be Training people to use an incredible program that I have become quite proficient at – SketchUp. I hope in the future to train Autodesk Products like ADT and Revit... but we’ll see how that goes.
For now… I’m going to go for it and remember the slogan my fellow comrades used to quote in my days with the US Navy Seals…
“The only easy day was yesterday”!
Friday, February 11, 2005
Think Impossible Things!
"There is no use trying," said Alice. "One can't believe impossible things."
"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
--Lewis Carroll
"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
--Lewis Carroll
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Gladiator
"If you find yourself riding thru green grass and feel the warm sun on your face... do not fear... you are already dead."
Maximus
Maximus
Monday, January 24, 2005
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Happy New Year! 2005
We took the family down to Nags Head NC and spent the week between Christmas and New Years on the beach. Fresh Rock fish tastes sooo good when you know the thing was swimming only an hour before!
It was great.
We had some snow flurries for the first couple of days, but then the weather turned warmer and the sun came out.
Our home town of Chesapeake got 6 to 8 inches of snow (absolutely unheard of) and we totally missed it!!!
We built sand castles to beat all sand castles (modeled after the strongholds of The Lord of the Rings Movies) and frequently ran in for hot chocolate.
I had forgotten how nice the early morning fog is for walking on the beach.
Good times were had by all and we came home on the 2nd.
I think my kids collected over a hundred shells which accounts for our weight and bad gas mileage on the return trip.
To our great joy no pets had died!
Our friends had remembered to water and feed them all (hamsters, guinea pigs, parakeets, geckos, cockatiels, and fish).
I was especially happy we cleaned the house BEFORE we left... I hate coming home to a mess... especially following a vacation.
:)
Let's see what 2005 holds... I see the winds of change.
It was great.
We had some snow flurries for the first couple of days, but then the weather turned warmer and the sun came out.
Our home town of Chesapeake got 6 to 8 inches of snow (absolutely unheard of) and we totally missed it!!!
We built sand castles to beat all sand castles (modeled after the strongholds of The Lord of the Rings Movies) and frequently ran in for hot chocolate.
I had forgotten how nice the early morning fog is for walking on the beach.
Good times were had by all and we came home on the 2nd.
I think my kids collected over a hundred shells which accounts for our weight and bad gas mileage on the return trip.
To our great joy no pets had died!
Our friends had remembered to water and feed them all (hamsters, guinea pigs, parakeets, geckos, cockatiels, and fish).
I was especially happy we cleaned the house BEFORE we left... I hate coming home to a mess... especially following a vacation.
:)
Let's see what 2005 holds... I see the winds of change.
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