Lactose Intolerant

Here come the walls

2007-12-14T16:23:00.000-06:00

My what big eyes you have

2007-12-05T08:45:00.001-06:00

Baby Makayla

2007-12-03T16:59:00.001-06:00

House Progress

2007-12-03T16:55:00.001-06:00

New Uncle

2007-09-18T15:16:00.000-05:00

Born 9/1 - Makayla

Main Floor - Final

2007-06-18T13:51:00.000-05:00

Architects Rendering

2007-05-31T07:39:00.000-05:00

Thoughts? Any suggestions for improvement?

Axioms

2007-04-01T09:55:00.000-05:00

If the love of what you're doing exceeds the labor of doing it....
...success is inevitable

Moving?!

2007-04-01T09:48:00.000-05:00

After 8 years in this pad, I have finally taken the plunge and am putting money down on a new piece of land to be the new bach pad. 2.5, now i'll have to mow the lawn.

I know I dont NEED it but....

2007-03-17T18:52:00.000-05:00

I went to check it out and drooled on it. Now I have to buy it. Drat!

Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock

2007-03-06T10:14:00.000-06:00

10 weeks and counting until ski season starts!!

2006-11-05T18:01:00.000-06:00

Our Love for Thee is far to small
Who love another thing at all,
Unless from Thy pur hand we take
And love it for Thine own names sake.

Happy Bday Ya Melon

2006-09-16T12:06:00.000-05:00

Atta Boy Fletch, Atta Boy

2006-09-11T18:34:00.000-05:00

Ok I realize im totally ruining all the extra tech support I get but I just cant pass up public pics when they are this good.

Sorry Fletch

Happy Bday JSweezy

2006-09-11T12:11:00.000-05:00

Whats up with the cheerleader drink?

Brave kids, gotta love 'em

2006-09-08T13:46:00.000-05:00

Nice pink handle there Fletch.

Summer Fun

2006-08-12T13:05:00.000-05:00

2006 Pyramid Attempt

2006-07-17T12:56:00.000-05:00

Getting Higher

2006-07-17T12:50:00.000-05:00

Fading Away

2006-06-25T15:06:00.000-05:00

Down to 140.8#

Happy Belated Bday - Flono

2006-06-21T12:31:00.000-05:00

2006-04-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

Had a blast in CA. Thanks to Flono and Sarah for hosting us... like your new disco too.

Rhino's

2006-02-14T08:13:00.001-06:00

It's not every day you get to pet the 2nd largest land mamal! (next to the elephant for those who are trvia minded). This rhino was so friendly, he would lift his back right leg when being pet, much like a dog.

Birthday Weekend

2006-02-03T19:15:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to my friends. Happy bday Nikki, Happy bday Q

Congrats Q and Julia

2006-01-31T19:30:00.000-06:00

Congrats on your engagement!

Employee of the Month!

2006-01-13T16:07:00.000-06:00

Congrats to myself. I have been named employee of the month!

I have been given my own parking spot and an outstanding achievement award.

Kudos, to me. I really appreciate my employer

Happy Bday Feleash

2005-11-06T19:30:00.000-06:00

Happy B-day! Despite the whole clutzy thing you showed this past weekend, you keep getting better with age :)

Pursuing the Ultimate

2005-10-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

My Thoughts/Feelings Pursuing Marriage

Marriage: Being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband and wife in a relationship, contractual.

Husband: a male partner in marriage
Wife: a female partner in marriage

I believe marriage is an institution of God. Therefore, if the relationship is of God, by the benefit of God for us, then to actually qualify as a husband, a male MUST be a man pursuing God first. – Can a non-godly man actually ever fit a real role of a husband as defined by God?

Being a Man
What makes a man a man?

At the heart of a man is the sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide and protect women in ways appropriate to a mans differing relationships.

What makes a woman a woman?

At the heart of a woman is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a womans relationships.

What does a Godly man look like?
Selfless
Humble
Lives in humility
Grateful
Committed to holiness
Loving
Reconcilable
An expression of God in masculine form
Fears God
Reads the word
Involved in biblical community
Prays
Worships
Agent of sanctification for the female

Why are men and women different? What do the differences serve?
To create harmony and mutuality

What are the roles of a man? (In a marriage, and pursuing a marriage)

While Pursuing a Marriage
While a man is pursuing a woman for marriage, it is important that the man pursues that woman by and large for the purposes of testing the suitability for the two to enter into a marriage that will model the biblical view of marriage. This suggests to me that a proper pursuit of marriage needs to balance the cultures view of dating/relationships/human desires with the prudence of asking the stimulating questions to gauge the plausibility of the relationship working out.

The goal of dating for me then is to determine if our relationship together will model Christ as the head of the church as male is to female in the relationship. It is also important to note and be considerate of human needs such as common hobbies, ease of communication, attraction, lifestyle etc. As important as these human issues are however, the weightier human issue is the ability to foresee this woman as a wife to aid me in my sanctification for God.

All roles of a godly man can be demonstrated in the courting time of a relationship. It does need to be stated though that limited exposure of the roles ought to be present as full exposure of the roles would be giving “the best” of me and those things are to be reserved for the marriage.

In Marriage
The marriage affords the opportunity to be fully transparent and to serve as the husband. To give the best of yourself in the roles of a godly man. To rely on your wife to do a sanctifying work in your life as you pursue God through Christ together.

Woohooo

2005-09-06T15:30:00.000-05:00

Now if only I can figure out the landing part. Intrigual to making this look good in person.

Ever seen a Korean fly?

2005-09-01T15:33:00.000-05:00

When You Dont Listen to the Coach

2005-08-12T14:30:00.001-05:00

See what happens when you dont listen to the coach? Nice shiner.

Doh!

The Benefits of Listening to the Coach!

2005-08-12T14:30:00.000-05:00

When you listen to the coach..... good things happen. Way to go on your fist barefoot attempt!

Success

Whats a Boat Eat?

2005-08-01T21:43:00.000-05:00

So far this year.... 5 of my ski ropes!

Happy Bday Shorty

2005-08-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Brad. Make it a good one, see you on this lake in 1 week, this time we'll waterski it not walk on it. Brrrrr

Water Walker

Top'd Ourselves

2005-07-25T15:29:00.000-05:00

Having just made a 3 person pyramid.... Big Lou suggested "why stop at 3?" Nikki rounded up 2 more volunteers for the next morning. I dont even think words can do it justice so here it is....

Oh yea

Skiing Adventures

2005-07-24T14:35:00.000-05:00

What a great weekend we had skiing. Big Lou came up from Miami to walk on water, he came he saw and he lost to the barefoot boom. Trying to walk on water at 35mph is no easy 'feet'. Unable to make it, Big Lou went flying over the barefoot handle and got tangled up amongst the cables and steel. A gash to the nose, a swollen chin and a bad muscle in the forearm. All this in the first 5 mins of the weekend. Not to let pain get in the way however, Big Lou and I had a goal to learn how to build a waterskiing pyramid. With the aid of Nikki, us amatures tried to figure out on land how this would be accomplished. We tried to build a pyramid on dry land and failed miserably everytime. But like I run my normal life, no planning, I said lets just hit the water and figure it out from there, forget planning. Typical INTP response. We started out 3 skiers in the water, Big Lou and I on the outside with 2 skiis and Nikki in the center on 1 ski. After we were up, we came togethor and Nikki jumped out of her ski and on to the back of our skiis. At this point we were just hoping to get her to our hips. Like a squirel to an oak tree she shimmied up our sides and stood on our shoulders and would you believe it... our first attempt and we had a 3 person pyramid. AWESOME!

First try!

To Duchess

2005-07-18T12:30:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we had a boating accident. Our dog duchess, who loved to get on the boat went overboard and was unfortunately struck and killed with the boat propellar. Here's to duchess.

Duchess on top of the world

Happy Birthday Flono (dave)

2005-06-14T07:50:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday Dave.... at the risk of enduring the "sit down and listen to me" display you are showing us below, I risk publically saying "happy birthday"

Yea... you tough... you tough

Walk on Water

2005-06-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

Mark the calendar, summer ski goal already completed. I barefooted on the first try with the boom. I will still need to work my speed up to approx. 36 mph whereas I am only at 32 right now off the boom but I am pleased with the intial attempt. Almost smacked my face against the racing water however when I tried to show boat and ski on 1 foot. Slow down there tiger, pace yourself.

Happy Birthday Rob

2005-05-10T08:49:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Rob!

Happy Birthday

Its Open - At 53*

2005-05-05T08:30:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I did it, I waterskied. The weather started off yesterday morning at a very brisk 30* cold enough to have created frost on the vehicles that needed scraping. But by 6pm the weather was up to 68. The water was calm and inviting so we threw the boat in the water, adored the drysuit and hoped in the water. This was my first time in the drysuit and I was a bit hesistant on its ability to work. Amazing. I had normal street clothes on underneath and not a drop of water came in to get me wet. However, hands, feet and head are totally exposed and the water temp being a brisk 53*....... well, it dont take them long to chill over!

The boat was a dream, performed superbly. Tracked well and maintained the perfect speed with little to no additional adjustments by the driver.

Let the season begin!

Todays Guffaw

2005-04-06T06:30:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't wanna meet this crazy Korean in an alley. Whats up with my friends and their hat choices?

Yea, your bad....we know

Spring Thaw

2005-04-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

Minnesota has been having some great weather this past week. Low 60's! Simply gorgeous outside and I am getting very anxious for the lake to unfreeze. In anticipation of the new arrival of the boat, I will be aiming for waterskiing by the first or second weekend in May (call me crazy).
I am also thinking about taking some time off from traveling and working to do some work on the farms near the lake. I have always wanted to drive one of those tractors for the week and get my hands dirty. For inpiration... I look no further than big D.... Nice Hat!

Nice hat!

2005-04-01T12:40:00.000-06:00

The Winner is......

2005-03-28T15:57:00.000-06:00

After all the votes were tallied. Turns out safety (wearing the helmet) only gets you so many points. With a final score of 5:2, Candidate 2 wins. Although.. i think one of candidate 2's points appear to have a clause attached to keeping that point. We could have a recount after the skiing opener.

So is he still pimp in this helmet?

Candidate 2 was most Pimp

Oh Yea!

2005-03-24T08:30:00.000-06:00

New Boat

I pulled the trigger! Looking forward to getting this beast (340hp) onto the lake and tearing it up this summer. All skiers/wakeboarders welcome.

Pimp or Not?

2005-03-22T09:41:00.000-06:00

Whose 'pimp' and whose not! Below are the current candidates... your vote matters. Who really pimps out that scooter! Cast your vote (only once) for the candidate you prefer. Voting will end Friday the 25th and noon EST.

Legal Disclaimer:
Candidate 1, I am exercising my first amendment rights to free speech. If you don't like it... I'll take you to the mat in Halo 2 this weekend.

PS. That helmet is a good look for you.

Candidate 1

2005-03-22T09:36:00.000-06:00

Pimp or not?

Candidate 2

2005-03-22T09:29:00.000-06:00

Pimp or not?

Ski Season Nears

2005-03-21T13:37:00.000-06:00

Tres Amigos

9 weeks and counting until the official start to the 05 waterskiing season. Although depending on weather of course, I could be in as early as my birthday weekend, May 11, to test the waters out. This is the year of the new boat!!! I am eyeing right now I 340 hp ski boat. Quite the jump from the current 160 hp runabout. Although... last year we were able to get up the 3 fellas behind that lil boat!

Skiing goals for the year:
Me - Learn to barefoot ski, show Q the brunette in the bikini
Q - Get up on a slalom ski, get up on the wakeboard, pimp it all in front of the lady J
Luis - Barrel roll in the airchair, finally learn that 'no, aligators are not in the lake and its safe' Silly Cubana

The Wager

2005-03-02T13:30:00.000-06:00

The terms have been set and agreed upon!

The Prize: Q
The Terms if I Lose: Q will remain un-enlightened (some may say persuaded... some) for the remainder of the calendar year of 2005
The Terms if I Win: Q's mind is mine for enlightening
The Means: Uno, best of 5
The Date: March 11th, after dinner (no denim please)
The Place: The premier wedding of the year, the Yosowitz's
The Participants: Myself and the always graceful, always beautiful Jennifer (Flattery get me anywhere?)

Double or nothing for TT?

Happy Birthday

2005-02-27T12:00:00.000-06:00

What a great weekend!

Friday night we had a wonderful time at Triple Espresso. If you haven't seen this yet, its worth it. www.tripleespresso.com I am not one who normally roars out with laughter much, but this show had me doing so on many occasions.

Saturday, we went snowboarding at Afton Alps. The birthday girl and I are quite the beginners and therefore we spent most of the afternoon on the bunny slopes until the couple final runs. First she got knocked out with a decent fall injuring the ever important Sacrum and had to sit the next few runs out. I kept trying and made a wrong turn down an intermediate slope where a showy spill sent me tumbling narrowly missing my own Sacrum but clearly damaging my left ... cheek, yes thats what we'll call it. More padding might have prevented the bone blow I took.

After a challenging day on the slopes, we set out for a late dinner party at The Melting Pot (www.themeltingpot.com). We had a blast. It was a big night out for us all with great food, good conversations and and huge dent in the wallet. All worth it though.

Happy 26th!

Early Day of Flights!

2005-02-21T10:30:00.000-06:00

Todays flight's went smoothly. Early departures, early into the connecting hub, early departure on the 2nd leg and finally an early arrival into Gainesville by 25 minutes!!! This is great.

Just one problem.. All this was supposed to happen yesterday, not today. DOH!

Flight Gremlins 7, Me - 0

You just wont believe this one

2005-02-18T09:00:00.000-06:00

Ok this one... well this one is good.

Last night in Memphis we are all buttoned up in our plane to head to Minneapolis. Leaving on time, appear to have a good group of passengers, this will be a nice flight. Our door is buttoned up, the ramp pulled away, engines are coming to life (its a great sound on a final flight heading home). Im seated in row 5, when the guy in row 6, who has been a talker this whole time, says "hey that van might hit us" I say, not outloud, no no they get close, don't worry about it.

Guy 6 "That van is REALLY gonna hit us!"

BAM! right in row 5

We just got hit, by a vehicle as we are 1 minute away from leaving.

It's just unfathomable, that of all these issues I have been having this year. I am halted by a vehicular crash into my plane, into my row on the plane. So get this, The van is the Priority Pet van. Bringing someone's damn cat (I hate cats mind you) special delivery to the plane. The lady driving the van (see what happens with all this women's lib), gets out of the van with the cat carrier in 1 hand, talking to the cat (obviously this cat needs some baby talk to get on the plane...'c'mon your Morris you're gonna be a good car aren't you...yes your such a good cat'). She fails to put the van in park. To busy worrying about a Cat, she fails to put the van in park!~

This is when row 6 guy, initially said "that van is going to hit us". At the point he say the van leisurely rolling toward us. The cat lady, cat still in hand panics and jumps into the driver seat and tromps on the brake to stop the van. 1 problem she missed the brake and tromped on the accelerator, flooring the van towards us and my row 5. This is now were Row 6 guy said "its REALLY gonna hit!" BAM!

The van is shot in the front. Busted front end, busted windshield, broken lady. The plane load of people are in disbelief. The rest of the people on the plane are in harmony with the thought of, damn cat! This is over a CAT. I was comforted to know I am not the lone member of the cat hater club.

To draw this very bizarre situation to an end. Our plane was deemed un-flyable and we were shuttled to a new plane 90 mins later. Fortunately we all made it safe just 90 mins late, but unfortunately so did the cat.

No Surprises Here

2005-02-14T08:30:00.000-06:00

Another on time 'gate departure' last night from Minneapolis to Memphis... or so we thought. We sat on the tarmac whilst the pilots ran through their final checks of the plane. One of the last checks was the electrical system between the cockpit and the flight attendants. Running through the diagnostics of this system made the plane go haywire. Our overhead lights flashed in and out, buzzers rang, intercoms screeched loudly. This proceeded for 45 minutes before we went back to the gate for maintenance to attend to our plane. Knowing now this would take another 30 mins and my connection would be long gone, I jumped off the plane and took the next morning were... TA DA! I made in on time. Of course as past experiences show in this wonderful year of travel blogs, the next morning is the one were I have get up at 3:30 in the morning. I hate that flight.

World Travels

2005-02-09T13:42:00.000-06:00

I found this cool site that allows you to map out your domestic or foreign travels. Still a lot of white area left to cover! . Make your own 'mark' on the world here http://www.world66.com/myworld66

Stop the insanity

2005-02-07T15:44:00.000-06:00

When will the flight issues end. Normally I try to ensure that I am at a client site by 10 am Monday morning else my personal convictions require me to travel Sunday night. This week however, I violated my rule in order to catch the Superbowl. I booked a flight at the "oh my gosh who flies this early" time of 5:15 am. My routing was MSP-ATL, connection ATL-GNV. First off, I should have known better to fly via ATL but, hey its once a year SuperSunday right? Get up at 0-dark:30 (3:50) to shower and catch my cab coming for me at 4:15 am. All is well with the world, a bit tired but shoot, the starbucks at the airport was even open at 4:30 am. mmmm latte. I get this straight arrow dude sitting next to me blocking me into my window seat, bummer, when the door closes and I start giving him head nods to move to that wide open row up in front of us. Psst, yo-mister, see that whole row to yourself, scram. C'mon, don't you read head nods. I cant move, you've pinned me in. grrrr damnit man. Well we go from bad to worse. "Folks we have some minor mechanical issues, this is very minor, it doesn't impede any of our flight controls only the backup to the auto brakes for landing, we will check with maintenance and get you a status........... ok we have to return to the gate for repairs." damnit again. He said it's not essential, fly this bird. Well, not like my vote counted or anything, but I lost that argument. 60 mins later we are fixed, 1 hour late so far, I can still make my connection. 'Course that would be to easy. Only now after we are all done does the gas truck come over and the pilot announces he is going to put some fuel on board. Fuel? We haven't gone anywhere what do we need more fuel for. THIS takes another 15 mins. Thats it im screwed now on the connection. What irks me is if you wanted fuel, why didn't you order the dang truck to pump simultaneously as we were being repaired? Does common sense not exist in the airline industry?

So I have a pleasant flight next to mr "I gotta keep my assigned seat please", and we make it to ATL where I miss my connection by 2 minutes. 2 mins!!! Stupid refuel. The gate agent, however, so ever nicely and bubbly says, Dont worry we have auto-booked you on the next flight. Ma'am I wasn't worried to begin with, just irked at the issues. Next flight...... 3 hours later. So, recap. I get up at dark dark, run to the airport at dark dark still, catch a flight that goes no where until sun-up to spend 3 hours in ATL and arrive at work at 2:15 pm. Delta, you rock.

On a happy note. I am easy-come easy -go, this stuff doesn't really bother me, just fun to vent a little bit. I did however call NorthWest to offer a small complaint about the attendant who lost her badge and was awarded 7,500 free miles this morning.

El Nino Effect?

2005-02-03T09:30:00.000-06:00

In 8 years of week-in, week-out travel, I have had a pretty flawless record when it comes to delays. However, in the past month, I have had at least an hour delay on everyflight. The reasons are not weather or mechanical issues either.

Flight from Memphis to Gainesville, ready to button up the door when our flight attendant ralphs. Time to let her off and wait for a replacement.

Flight from Memphis to Gainesville again, 1 week later. Flight is delayed 80 minutes because the flight attendant lost her ID badge somewhere between the lounge and the gate and they won't let her fly withouth it.

Flight from Atlanta to Minneapolis, 1 week later again. Flight is delayed 45 mins whilst we wait for the first class cabin (of which I wasnt in mind you), to get catered for their SNACK! This is crazy seeing as this is the last flight to MN for the night (leaving at 8pm) and people on the plane have connections in MN. When we get to MN they have all missed their connections and now Delta has to put them up for the night, but good thing first class had their fruit plates.

Hopefully thats the end of it. These flight stories will be fun to relive someday when I am not traveling anymore.

Flight 591... Memphis to ....Memphis??

2005-01-10T14:18:00.000-06:00

Consulting has its perks, traveling, 4 day work weeks, a little bit of a glamorous lifestyle sometimes with eating out, luncheons, great pay. But just so our consulting heads do not get to big we need to be reminded of why the pay and the fringe benefits exists.

A routine flight from Minneapolis (MSP) to Gainesville, FL (GNV) connecting via Memphis (MEM) is what I embarked on yesterday for my client. It wasn't my favorite to begin with as I had to leave at 3:30 right when the Vikings/Packers game was to start (Shameless plug - GO VIKS). Earlier that day I had decided to program into my cell phone all the travel partner phone numbers, Hertz, Avis, Hilton, etc. I had a funny feeling it was not going to be a good travel day (did I doom myself?) Left the gate on time in MSP when the pilot announced we needed to de-ice and it would take 10 mins. 45 mins later we, being the first plane into the de-icing area, were the last to leave. Landed in MEM with 5 mins to catch my next flight, the last of the night to GNV. Naturally, I missed it and they wouldn't hold it for 5 more mins so I could Carl Lewis it to the other concourse. Next flight to GNV, 2pm the next day!!! Quick on my feet I see that a flight to Jacksonville (JAX) is leaving in 20 mins and I can drive 75 mins to GNV. I take it!! Running to the next flight I call the airlines desk and notify them I will be submitting my car rental bill for their reimbursement. I make the flight, and we take off. This is good, only a minor technicality but all is well with the world and im enjoying my wine in first class. I am watching a movie on my portable DVD player but I can overhear the announcement from the pilot.... "folks, bad news, we are almost to JAX (2 hr flight mind you) and the airport just closed. We are returning to MEM and you will be reaccomodated for tomorrow". Oh great. I just flew MEM-MEM and ate up 3 hours.... Do I get frequent flyer miles for this? Add insult to injury.. the big lady next to me must get gas when she is stressed out because the flight back was terrible!

Landing in MEM, I am first in line for reaccomodation when I inform the gate agent, no, I don't want to go back to JAX tomorrow, I did that for tonight, put me through to GNV my original contract with you. She says no, ill get to you last. LAST?! I was in line first! Funny though, this woman came off the plane last, walks past us with her child happy, came back 2 mins later to the front of the line and says "Are we in Memphis????" with the most bewildered look on her face. I heard the announcment over my headsets and movie on the plane, where was this lady on the flight? She was so shocked and beside herself it was quite the laugh. She had no idea we flew all the way back to Memphis. Long story short. I was rebooked at the terrible hour of 5 am departure to Atlanta (ATL) then to GNV arriving at 9:30. ok great 9:30 am not to bad, but 5am, that's horrific. I would have to get up at 3:30. I am shuttled off to a hotel some 20 miles from the airport and set the alarm and hit the bed. I awake at 5am!! The hotel alarm didn't go off and I missed the flight.

To recap. I normall go MSP-MEM, 35 minute layover, MEM-GNV. 4:30-9:30 with the loss of an hour. Now I went MSP-MEM, miss flight to GNV, MEM-MEM, miss flight to ATL, MEM-ATL, ATL-GNV. Total time... 22 hours!

Needless to say, I am here, in GNV where I hustled to... well.. err... what did I hustle for, now I have to work.

Lil' People

2004-12-28T16:40:00.000-06:00

This past xmas season brought forth two healthy wonderful children to dear friends in my life. Welcome Sarah Christina to Melissa/Todd and Gabriel to George/Anna. May your lil ones bless you and grow up wise in the ways of the Lord.

To God be the glory for the miracle of lil people.