It is Monday morning, the day after a good soaking rainstorm. The sun is out, the sky is blue, the grass is green and the trees are blooming. I have two fruitless cherry trees (a misnomer if there ever was one) that are in their pink and white glory right now. I drove into the office this morning albeit a bit late by my standards and the sun was already out and I had to use my sunglasses instead of my headlights. It is true that the dead of Winter is ready to give way to the hope and the beauty of Spring. I was just recently getting to work and leaving work in darkness and now I leave for work at sunrise and leave for home at sunset. Soon I will have sun on both ends of my day and I look forward to it. I have seen some awesome sunrises recently with the clouds on the horizon as well as some incredible sunsets with purples, reds and golds to light up the sky. Nice.
We had a great weekend with the boys. David's basketball team won their first round playoff game with an inspired effort. That win bought them the opportunity to play Natomas for a third time. They are the league champions and beat us twice in the regular season, although we had sizable leads in both games only to lose to a better coached and more athletic squad. This time was different, but we still lost. Natomas played solid basketball from the opening tip and lead almost the entire contest. They had a 7 point lead with just over five minutes left before Woodcreek went on a furious rally lead by a great defensive effort. We scored the next eight points to take a one point lead at 41-40 with under a minute left. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be and Natomas scored twice to win 44-41. Our center, Ike Okouye had a layup fall out that would have given us the lead. They stole an inbounds pass after they scored to go up 42-41 and hit both free throws. Our effort to tie with a three pointer at the end ended up short and the game ended and David's Senior season and high school career came to a sudden and abrupt end. There was a nice picture of David driving for a basket in the game in the local paper, but the online version doesn't include pictures. Here is the story: http://www.thepresstribune.com/articles/2005/02/26/sports/01third.txt
Darla and I took the boys to dinner at Buca Di Pepo on Saturday night. It is an Italian restaurant that serves family style. We enjoyed Chicken Marsala, Lasagna, and a medley of baked pasta dishes. We had a gift certificate that we won at the RGC Christmas party, so it was even better for me. Darla had a CPR class all day on Saturday and got home in time to go to dinner with us.
I, of course, played golf on Sunday. I won't say who I played with because of an incident that happened while we were playing. All of the guys that I played with are good friends and it was nice to get together again and play some golf. One of the guys had a stellar front nine and won most of the money....in fact he won skins on the first seven holes. Unfortunately, his day turned bad from there and he went on to have a horrendous round of golf. He shot 42 on the front and 52 on the back. He was pulling putts and on one hole he decelerated on a three- foot putt to win a skin and hit the ball about one foot. He was not happy and muttering to himself as he walked off the green. One of his best friends told him that he needed to stop "choking". The guy went off and started yelling at his buddy. I had to step between them. He said it was horrible to tell a guy that he was "choking" in the middle of the round and dropped a few expletives. Again, I told him to settle down, that we are all friends out for a fun round of golf. He asked me if I thought it was okay to tell someone they were choking in the middle. I'd about had it with him by then and told him that it was okay to say IF it was true and it was. He muddled his way throught the end of the round, three putting all three of the last holes. When it came time to settle up, he decided to go off on his friend again, literally screaming at him. It was embarassing to watch this guy melt down on the golf course. I stepped between them and put my arm around his back to move him away and he slapped at my hand. I got right in his face and told him to settle down. We've all had bad rounds and he needed to get over it. He didn't and I had to calm his friend down afterward. He was really upset over the way he was treated and needed to vent. We talked out in the parking lot for about ten minuts and left. I expect an apology from this guy this week. He was out of control and obviously has some anger control issues. His anger was misplaced at his friend, when he should have been upset with himself. I was fine, I birdied the last hole and won $16 in skin money from the group. I struggled on the front side with the wet conditions and shot 45, but pulled it together on the back and shot 41 for an 86. It's the third straight time I've shot 86 and I'm anxious to get that down closer to 80 in the near future.
I've had a sore muscle between my shoulder blades and running up to my neck for about a week. I first felt it last weekend when I played golf in the two day tournament. God forbid that my back problems return. It hasn't been too bad, but golf exacerbates the problem. I was so looking forward to the hot tub last night after golf, but the rains came in about 5:30 and by mid evening it was a torrent. Darla suggested that we go in the spa and take a golf umbrella and it took no arm twisting to get me out there. We no sooner got settled in the tub when a hard squall hit and we sat there under the Wilson umbrella trying to stay dry and keep our towels from getting soaked at the same time. I am blessed to have an adventuresome wife. We had a good laugh as the rain was pounding off the umbrella and we sat enjoying a good soak in the tub.
Work continues to be a source of stress, but also of some accomplishment. We close February today and we will again make a small profit this month. The home office is just closing a deal to bring two of the underwriters from Richter Robb over to Burns and Wilcox as a satellite office. I worked at Richter Robb for three months before jumping ship to Burns and Wilcox. Their office will be in Modesto and they will be a satellite office reporting to the Sacramento office. The two women that are coming over are the two main producers in the home office and handle over $19,000,000 in premium volume. I talked to Dad and he expects Richter Robb to counter, but I just talked to our Underwriting Vice President and he told me that the two women are primed to move. They have already picked out office space and will quit tomorrow. The kicker here is that the owner of Richter Robb has repeatedly lowballed these gals on both salary and income and they know what kind of money they can make here at BW.
I did talk to Dad and a big congratulations to him on taking 1st and 3rd place with his two cars at the Abbottsford Custom Car Show. He said he made a lot of rookie mistakes in setting up the cars and even in classifying the '39 in the modified category rather than in the stock division, but 1st and 3rd in a show that had over 300 cars, not bad. Like a hole in one in your first round of golf. He has been invited to bring his cars up to the Custom Car show in Spokane, Washington the end of March and will do so. The promoter of the show was in Abbottsford and wants Dad's cars for his show. Big props to the old man. Nice job, Dad. Shirley had helped decorate the cars putting a cooler of Cherry Cola and a bowl of plastic cherries in the trunk of the 39 for atmosphere. Funny, but Dad saw Noreen, our cousin and his niece at the show. She didn't know that Dad would be there and saw his name as the owner of the '39 and '46. They were able to catch up and she was with her husband, Brent and some friends, just out for a day at the car show. Small world.
I just checked Jennifer's blog and she passed the promotion board. You go, girl. We'll be soon calling her Sergeant Lyon. Iknow she's frustrated with her role as primary armorer, but it kept her out of Iraq. She volunteered to return to Iraq, but they turned her down as they need her on site to issue the weapons. Dad here is thrilled that they wouldn't let her return to the site of car bombings and insurgents trying to kill all Americans. Stay put there in Kuwait, Jen. In the sunshine and out of harms way. Congratulations, Jennifer. You are my hero.
Well, I've got to get on with my day. We close the books at noon today and I've got to see if I can get some more money booked before we close. I hope all is well with each of you. Give a thumbs up to the Lord. As they say, if you were born once, you'll die twice, but if you are born twice, you'll die but one time. Praise God. Ciao.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Signs of Spring Around the Corner
The sun is out today after another three day weekend of rain, wind, clouds, intermittent sunshine and even two tornadoes and a water spout hitting in Sacramento. I took yesterday off, President's Day here in the good old U. S. of A. Darla had the day off and we were given a floating holiday this year to use as we see fit. It seemed to fit for me. Darla had the day off. She basically gets every holiday and even some that they make up like Happy Monday and Mental Health Friday. I get seven days off a year and a couple of weeks of vacation.
I played golf in the two day qualifier for Spyglass. My partner, Boyd, went to the event last year when he and his partner, Dave Armijo, qualified. I came to find out two days before the event that an obscure rule made Boyd and I ineligible for the qualifier. He went last year and cannot go this year. The rule in fact is not even in the rule book, it was decided back in the late '90's when the same group went three years in a row. I was fine with it and we were still eligible to win money, so we played. Boyd felt bad and offered to back out and let me get another partner. It was wet, windy, muddy and not the best of conditions for golf. Boyd and I ham and egged it on Saturday and shot a 66 to trail the leaders by 6 strokes. I shot 42+42= 84 and Boyd shot 35+41=76. We were 6 under after nine holes and six under after eighteen. The story of our weekend was poor play on the back side. We did birdie number nine and won a $40 skin, but could have scored so much better. Sunday, we again shot 66 and this time we were five under after nine and managed only one under for the back nine. I shot 42+44=86 and Boyd shot 35+42=87. We were 11 under on the front side and only 1 under on the back for the weekend. I had a blast and really enjoy playing with Boyd, who is a solid 6 handicapper and an even tempered, decent man and a great golfer. My only problem with him is that he is a Morman and I don't think we'll be playing golf together in the afterlife.
I took Darla to dinner on Saturday night at Shanghai Fat's, the new upscale Chinese food restaurant at Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln. This is the Indian Casino run by the Station Casino chain out of Las Vegas. The casino now boasts 14 restaurants (8 of them in the food court) and even has a Non Smoking room for those of us that can't stand the smoke. Dinner was excellent and we even managed to leave the casino about $60 ahead of what we walked in with thanks to a video poker machine that produced four aces with a three kicker for a $200 jackpot before we left. As soon as they build the hotel on site, we may even be able to get Dad and Shirley to come out to California for a visit.
Darla and I were supposed to go up to Reno Sunday night, but the weather did not cooperate and the passes were covered in snow and chains were required. Not my idea of fun to slog about in the snow, so we stayed home and I again treated Darla to lunch at Thunder Valley. We used a coupon and had burgers at Fatburger (Dad and Shirley, this is the same chain as the burger joint on the strip in Las Vegas). With the coupon and gambling, our lunch only cost us about $140. We had fun but couldn't catch a cold on the machines. Luckily we don't hit the Indian Casino much as I think their machines are wound just a hair tighter than they are in Vegas and Reno.
David's basketball team did win their last game last week and entered the playoffs as the number ten seed and second place in their division. A number ten seed travels and our first game is against Downey in Modesto on Wednesday. David is still hurting from smacking heads with a teamate in practice. He got the stitches out yesterday, but the wound opened back up. It is right on his left eyebrow and they put surgical tape over it to hold it closed.
David also will begin an internship at a Sacramento Engineering firm. His job will involve working on the CAD system (Computer Assisted Design) as well as doing all of the "go-fer" legwork for the architects and engineers at the firm. The firm specializes in design and engineering of industrial items, including gangplanks and gangways for cruise ships. It should be a fascinating job and he gets paid to do the job. David wants to be a CAD specialist for a design and engineering firm when he gets out of college and this apprenticeship will allow him to get some hands on experience. Leave it to David to make his first real job such a good one. He's not about to bag groceries or fries for a salary. The kid is something else. How about your little (6'4") brother, eh Jen?
Darla and I are in our third week of the 40 Days of Purpose at church. One of the couples in our study is moving to Austin and I may hook them up with Darryl. They are still looking for a house and won't move until the school year is over, but have been looking in the Georgetown area.
I haven't heard much from Jennifer lately. She sent Darla and I a beautiful arrangement of flowers and a teddy bear forValentine's day. Very cute and very appreciated. She is now the full time Armorer for her unit. She will take the Sergeant's test on March 1st, so say a prayer for her. It means more money and more honor in the military and the girl deserves it.
I lost out in the sweepstakes to hire Pete Morrison. He was interviewing with a competitor and they ended up paying him a signing bonus of $15,000. I was willing to trade a first round draft choice, but the cupboard was bare for signing money. Amazing, when you get into a competition how a family run business can compete so much better than a national company because of things like that. Our salary was better, but they have a good ESOP program and a comparable bonus program. I hated to lose him, but told him that I would have made the same choice he did. I can't blame him. They wanted him and were willing to pay to get him.
Well, there is a ton of work waiting for me and I better get at it. I hope all are well. Keep your eye on the Lord and your feet on His path and all will be bliss. Ciao.
I played golf in the two day qualifier for Spyglass. My partner, Boyd, went to the event last year when he and his partner, Dave Armijo, qualified. I came to find out two days before the event that an obscure rule made Boyd and I ineligible for the qualifier. He went last year and cannot go this year. The rule in fact is not even in the rule book, it was decided back in the late '90's when the same group went three years in a row. I was fine with it and we were still eligible to win money, so we played. Boyd felt bad and offered to back out and let me get another partner. It was wet, windy, muddy and not the best of conditions for golf. Boyd and I ham and egged it on Saturday and shot a 66 to trail the leaders by 6 strokes. I shot 42+42= 84 and Boyd shot 35+41=76. We were 6 under after nine holes and six under after eighteen. The story of our weekend was poor play on the back side. We did birdie number nine and won a $40 skin, but could have scored so much better. Sunday, we again shot 66 and this time we were five under after nine and managed only one under for the back nine. I shot 42+44=86 and Boyd shot 35+42=87. We were 11 under on the front side and only 1 under on the back for the weekend. I had a blast and really enjoy playing with Boyd, who is a solid 6 handicapper and an even tempered, decent man and a great golfer. My only problem with him is that he is a Morman and I don't think we'll be playing golf together in the afterlife.
I took Darla to dinner on Saturday night at Shanghai Fat's, the new upscale Chinese food restaurant at Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln. This is the Indian Casino run by the Station Casino chain out of Las Vegas. The casino now boasts 14 restaurants (8 of them in the food court) and even has a Non Smoking room for those of us that can't stand the smoke. Dinner was excellent and we even managed to leave the casino about $60 ahead of what we walked in with thanks to a video poker machine that produced four aces with a three kicker for a $200 jackpot before we left. As soon as they build the hotel on site, we may even be able to get Dad and Shirley to come out to California for a visit.
Darla and I were supposed to go up to Reno Sunday night, but the weather did not cooperate and the passes were covered in snow and chains were required. Not my idea of fun to slog about in the snow, so we stayed home and I again treated Darla to lunch at Thunder Valley. We used a coupon and had burgers at Fatburger (Dad and Shirley, this is the same chain as the burger joint on the strip in Las Vegas). With the coupon and gambling, our lunch only cost us about $140. We had fun but couldn't catch a cold on the machines. Luckily we don't hit the Indian Casino much as I think their machines are wound just a hair tighter than they are in Vegas and Reno.
David's basketball team did win their last game last week and entered the playoffs as the number ten seed and second place in their division. A number ten seed travels and our first game is against Downey in Modesto on Wednesday. David is still hurting from smacking heads with a teamate in practice. He got the stitches out yesterday, but the wound opened back up. It is right on his left eyebrow and they put surgical tape over it to hold it closed.
David also will begin an internship at a Sacramento Engineering firm. His job will involve working on the CAD system (Computer Assisted Design) as well as doing all of the "go-fer" legwork for the architects and engineers at the firm. The firm specializes in design and engineering of industrial items, including gangplanks and gangways for cruise ships. It should be a fascinating job and he gets paid to do the job. David wants to be a CAD specialist for a design and engineering firm when he gets out of college and this apprenticeship will allow him to get some hands on experience. Leave it to David to make his first real job such a good one. He's not about to bag groceries or fries for a salary. The kid is something else. How about your little (6'4") brother, eh Jen?
Darla and I are in our third week of the 40 Days of Purpose at church. One of the couples in our study is moving to Austin and I may hook them up with Darryl. They are still looking for a house and won't move until the school year is over, but have been looking in the Georgetown area.
I haven't heard much from Jennifer lately. She sent Darla and I a beautiful arrangement of flowers and a teddy bear forValentine's day. Very cute and very appreciated. She is now the full time Armorer for her unit. She will take the Sergeant's test on March 1st, so say a prayer for her. It means more money and more honor in the military and the girl deserves it.
I lost out in the sweepstakes to hire Pete Morrison. He was interviewing with a competitor and they ended up paying him a signing bonus of $15,000. I was willing to trade a first round draft choice, but the cupboard was bare for signing money. Amazing, when you get into a competition how a family run business can compete so much better than a national company because of things like that. Our salary was better, but they have a good ESOP program and a comparable bonus program. I hated to lose him, but told him that I would have made the same choice he did. I can't blame him. They wanted him and were willing to pay to get him.
Well, there is a ton of work waiting for me and I better get at it. I hope all are well. Keep your eye on the Lord and your feet on His path and all will be bliss. Ciao.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Pebble Beach Memories
Wow. The trip to Carmel and my visit to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am was nothing short of AWESOME. We got to Carmel about noon on Saturday and checked into our hotel. The hotel was small and only had a King bed. We brought sleeping bags for the boys and all managed to squeeze into the room for one night. Tami and Jerry had a reservation at the Carmel River Inn, but were able to extend their stay at the time share they rented in Pacific Grove over the weekend. It wasn't initially available and they were on the waiting list and it opened up. We grabbed their room at the Carmel River Inn, but couldn't upgrade to two Queens or a two bedroom as they were booked what with the golf tournament in town.
We met Tami and went into Carmel for lunch. We ate at a little European cafe in the heart of Carmel and ate outside in the sun. Saturday was a beautiful day with no breeze and not a cloud in the sky. A perfect day for golf and a perfect day to watch golf. Darla and Tami went shopping after lunch and the boys tagged along with them. I took a long walk down Ocean Street to the beach and down the beach to the golf course. I sat below hole number nine and ten and watched the golfers approach into the tenth hole. Little did I know, but Jerry and his brother, Bob, were set up at hole number nine watching the action. I was below them on the beach.
We met up with Tami and Jerry at their condo in Pacific Grove and had a drink with them and Bob. Bob is a prison guard and had to work Sunday so he made his goodbyes and headed back to Sonora. We walked over to a little Pizza place around the corner from their condo and had dinner. Last year's British Open winner, Todd Hamilton, was in the condo next to Jerry's, but he missed the cut and we assume he was packing up to leave. Dinner was great, but Darla had bought me some new Chaps jeans to wear and they were too tight. My clothes have been getting tighter of late and the jeans really bothered me. I'm back up over 200 pounds and need to lose some weight, so peanut butter on English muffins is off the menu for me and salads are in. I'd like to get back down around 190 pounds and I guess talking about it in my blog should give me the extra motivation I need to lose the poundage.
As we were enjoying dinner and laughing over things going on in our respective lives, a couple next to us asked if we were in town for the tournament. The owner of the pizza joint was just in and let everyone know that the busses to the course out of Pacific Grove would be limited on Sunday as they had some mechanical problems. Jerry had complained of long delays on Saturday (it took them an hour to get a bus out of there). We decided it would be better to leave out of Carmel and Jerry was to meet us at our hotel at 6:45. We got in to Carmel at a little after seven and there were three busses waiting . We grabbed coffee, boarded the smaller shuttle bus that turned out to be an employee shuttle. The driver took us right into the lodge at Pebble instead of to the equestrian center which is about a mile walk from the course where the public is dropped off. We jumped off right at the putting green and saw Mark O'Meara and Jim Furyk practicing. The first tee time was 7:40, so we were able to scout the course and find where we wanted to set up. I wanted to sit at a par three and we finally decided on number 12, which is the toughest par three on the course. We set up right at the gallery ropes and watched all of the competitors come through. The weather had turned for the worse and we endured a driving rain, wind and cold. Jerry had asked me if we should bring the umbrellas and I said no it wasn't supposed to rain until Monday. Oops.
A few observations..Bill Murray is a nut. A truly funny human being. He came to the green and started handing out mini Snicker bars, throwing them to the crowd like a peanut vendor. He missed his putt for par and then stood off to the side as his partner, Scott Simpson lined up a three footer for par. Just as he was about to hit the ball, Murray yelled, "Oh God, I hope he makes this!" Simpson backed off and went back through his routine. Then as he putt the ball, Murray threw a candy bar over his head to someone on the other side of the green. Simpson missed his putt and just shook his head. Chris Berman, the ESPN announcer is grossly overweight, I'd say pushing 280 pounds. He was sweating profusely in the 60 degree weather and dragging a bum leg behind him, probably no better off for having to cart around the side of beef that is his body. He was gracious, but is an inordinately poor golfer at an 18 handicap. I have no idea how his group made the cut. He swung at a ball in the bunker and completely whiffed it.
Most of the golfers were very gracious. Mickelson, who won the tournament, was extremely kind to the gallery and appreciative of the support he got. However, there were a few grumps in the crowd, including one who yelled at a father whose daughter of three was a little unruly. The father told the golfer to do something to himself that is a bit unnatural. There were a couple of golfers that you just hoped they'd miss their putt, they were so grouchy, but for the most part, the pros are just that and realize where their money comes from, the fans.
Friday night was David's game with number one, Natomas. We smoked them in the first half, taking a 30-19 lead and then went on one of those slow falls down the stairs where your head hits the wall, the steps, the landing and it all happens in slow motion. We ended up losing on a three pointer with time running out and it hurt. We are in the playoffs, but the team's confidence is not at an all time high. The goal is to win two games and get to Arco Arena for the tournament. I will have to miss the game on Wednesday as I have a meeting in San Francisco.
Well, that's a bit of a one dimensional view of our weekend and my week, but I have to get to work. Check out Jennifer's blog, she has added to it. Happy Valentine's Day. Ciao.
We met Tami and went into Carmel for lunch. We ate at a little European cafe in the heart of Carmel and ate outside in the sun. Saturday was a beautiful day with no breeze and not a cloud in the sky. A perfect day for golf and a perfect day to watch golf. Darla and Tami went shopping after lunch and the boys tagged along with them. I took a long walk down Ocean Street to the beach and down the beach to the golf course. I sat below hole number nine and ten and watched the golfers approach into the tenth hole. Little did I know, but Jerry and his brother, Bob, were set up at hole number nine watching the action. I was below them on the beach.
We met up with Tami and Jerry at their condo in Pacific Grove and had a drink with them and Bob. Bob is a prison guard and had to work Sunday so he made his goodbyes and headed back to Sonora. We walked over to a little Pizza place around the corner from their condo and had dinner. Last year's British Open winner, Todd Hamilton, was in the condo next to Jerry's, but he missed the cut and we assume he was packing up to leave. Dinner was great, but Darla had bought me some new Chaps jeans to wear and they were too tight. My clothes have been getting tighter of late and the jeans really bothered me. I'm back up over 200 pounds and need to lose some weight, so peanut butter on English muffins is off the menu for me and salads are in. I'd like to get back down around 190 pounds and I guess talking about it in my blog should give me the extra motivation I need to lose the poundage.
As we were enjoying dinner and laughing over things going on in our respective lives, a couple next to us asked if we were in town for the tournament. The owner of the pizza joint was just in and let everyone know that the busses to the course out of Pacific Grove would be limited on Sunday as they had some mechanical problems. Jerry had complained of long delays on Saturday (it took them an hour to get a bus out of there). We decided it would be better to leave out of Carmel and Jerry was to meet us at our hotel at 6:45. We got in to Carmel at a little after seven and there were three busses waiting . We grabbed coffee, boarded the smaller shuttle bus that turned out to be an employee shuttle. The driver took us right into the lodge at Pebble instead of to the equestrian center which is about a mile walk from the course where the public is dropped off. We jumped off right at the putting green and saw Mark O'Meara and Jim Furyk practicing. The first tee time was 7:40, so we were able to scout the course and find where we wanted to set up. I wanted to sit at a par three and we finally decided on number 12, which is the toughest par three on the course. We set up right at the gallery ropes and watched all of the competitors come through. The weather had turned for the worse and we endured a driving rain, wind and cold. Jerry had asked me if we should bring the umbrellas and I said no it wasn't supposed to rain until Monday. Oops.
A few observations..Bill Murray is a nut. A truly funny human being. He came to the green and started handing out mini Snicker bars, throwing them to the crowd like a peanut vendor. He missed his putt for par and then stood off to the side as his partner, Scott Simpson lined up a three footer for par. Just as he was about to hit the ball, Murray yelled, "Oh God, I hope he makes this!" Simpson backed off and went back through his routine. Then as he putt the ball, Murray threw a candy bar over his head to someone on the other side of the green. Simpson missed his putt and just shook his head. Chris Berman, the ESPN announcer is grossly overweight, I'd say pushing 280 pounds. He was sweating profusely in the 60 degree weather and dragging a bum leg behind him, probably no better off for having to cart around the side of beef that is his body. He was gracious, but is an inordinately poor golfer at an 18 handicap. I have no idea how his group made the cut. He swung at a ball in the bunker and completely whiffed it.
Most of the golfers were very gracious. Mickelson, who won the tournament, was extremely kind to the gallery and appreciative of the support he got. However, there were a few grumps in the crowd, including one who yelled at a father whose daughter of three was a little unruly. The father told the golfer to do something to himself that is a bit unnatural. There were a couple of golfers that you just hoped they'd miss their putt, they were so grouchy, but for the most part, the pros are just that and realize where their money comes from, the fans.
Friday night was David's game with number one, Natomas. We smoked them in the first half, taking a 30-19 lead and then went on one of those slow falls down the stairs where your head hits the wall, the steps, the landing and it all happens in slow motion. We ended up losing on a three pointer with time running out and it hurt. We are in the playoffs, but the team's confidence is not at an all time high. The goal is to win two games and get to Arco Arena for the tournament. I will have to miss the game on Wednesday as I have a meeting in San Francisco.
Well, that's a bit of a one dimensional view of our weekend and my week, but I have to get to work. Check out Jennifer's blog, she has added to it. Happy Valentine's Day. Ciao.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Great Weekend...Rain Today
As it should be. It was WARM this weekend with temperatures approaching seventy degrees and shorts and polo shirts the uniform of choice. If we are going to get rain, there isn't much that can dampen your spirits further on a Monday, so what the hey. It is a light, but incessant rain today that is doing a job on my freshly washed car. The forecast was for drizzle today, but when you are standing in the warmth of a perfect Springlike day, it is hard to imagine what is out there right now. I was actually a bit surprised when I opened the front door at 6:25 this morning to see the wet streets and hear the swoosh of tires on wet pavement. Ah well.
The weekend was all sun and no clouds and really put the thought of Spring and unending sunshine in my head. I played in the Super Bowl tournament on Saturday and unfortunately it is generally our most crowded tournament of the year. We got locked in to a late tee time and it took five hours to finish our round. I struggled with the delays and shot 42+45=87 on the day. I don't do well in slow play situations and the geniuses in the club put two fivesomes in front of us. The board got an earful from me when I came in from my round. We cannot allow fivesomes. The new board has made a lot of mistakes in their first month on the job, including dropping over $500 of OUR money on jackets for the board members. Their excuse is that it allows the board to be more visible on the course and helps speed up play. Could have fooled me this weekend.
David played two basketball games this week and had two very different results. We went to Placer, a foothill team of large white boys and we beat them rather handily 66-54, but struggled back at home against our cross town rivals, Roseville, losing by eight points and never really being in the game. The coach played ten players which is too many. He should have a set lineup by now and bring in two or three players off the bench with spot substitutions. We were behind by four points when he took out four of our starters and the reserves managed to fall behind by 12 points and we were never able to make up the deficit. It was a big game as we were 1/2 game out of first place and losing to a big rival made it all the worse.
I am off to Monterey this weekend to watch the AT&T Pebble Beach classic. My good friend, Jerry Tuel, has tickets all week and saved me a ticket for the final round. I may bring Darla and the boys, but I don't know what the lodging situation is as Tami made the reservations and I'm taking it from them. To further complicate matters, David has a game on Friday night and it won't end until 9:00 and it is a three hour drive to Monterey. I may just drive down myself as most of the motels are small and don't have a 24 hour office. Kids sports are great, but they can definitely get in the way of life as well. Darla will not miss a game and I don't like to, but Friday night basketball games are a bit much. It tends to take the starch out of a weekend away.
We had some friends over yesterday to watch the Super Bowl. The right team won by the way as I can't stand Terell Owens and it was great to see him make a heroic comeback, play well, and end up a Super Bowl LOSER. This is a guy who when he played for the Forty Niners would complain and whine if he caught two passes for 12 yards in a game and they won, but not make a peep if he caught twelve passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns and they lost. He has NEVER been about the team and always about Terell. He is the worst of what is wrong with the NFL and I can't stand the guy and take a great deal of joy in his loss. Although, he was NOT upset as he had a good game. It really doesn't matter to him if they lose as long as he gets the ball.
I received a phone call right at kickoff and I almost didn't answer. I figured it couldn't be Jennifer as it was 2:45 in the morning her time. I picked up the phone and Jennifer said, "So, who are we pulling for?" The Army gave the soldiers today off so that they could watch the Super Bowl. Now that is something to salute. I particularly enjoyed the Anheuser Busch commercial that showed the people in the airport standing up and applauding the soldiers as they walked through the airport. I can only hope that it sparks some real appreciation in airports and other public places for our troops and the sacrifices that they make for all of us.
I had my assistant, Anthony and his girlfriend, Erin, join us at church on Sunday. We had Dave Dravecky, the former San Francisco Giant's pitcher speak to us and he gave a wonderful testimony of how God has worked in his life before and after cancer, during his comeback and ultimately after his arm was amputated. He really fired up the congregation and got us ready to do our Forty Days of Purpose study. We took Anthony and Erin out to breakfast afterward. We even saw David and Daniel with their Father at church. I thought the roof might fall in. We also saw them at breakfast, although the power went out and they didn't get to eat. We had already been served and enjoyed our meals, even in the low light of the restaurant when the power was out. It was a great day all in all yesterday. We also had a deep conversation about God and his influence in our lives with Greg and Carla last night. It was pretty awesome. Hearing from Jennifer was the strawberry on top of my ice cream sundae yesterday.
We are having server problems this morning at work and I have to tend to that. We can not get on our server and therefore our network this morning. I have our Regional VP in this morning and he will interview Pete Morrison and perhaps offer him a job today. I can only hope.
Take Care. Ciao.
The weekend was all sun and no clouds and really put the thought of Spring and unending sunshine in my head. I played in the Super Bowl tournament on Saturday and unfortunately it is generally our most crowded tournament of the year. We got locked in to a late tee time and it took five hours to finish our round. I struggled with the delays and shot 42+45=87 on the day. I don't do well in slow play situations and the geniuses in the club put two fivesomes in front of us. The board got an earful from me when I came in from my round. We cannot allow fivesomes. The new board has made a lot of mistakes in their first month on the job, including dropping over $500 of OUR money on jackets for the board members. Their excuse is that it allows the board to be more visible on the course and helps speed up play. Could have fooled me this weekend.
David played two basketball games this week and had two very different results. We went to Placer, a foothill team of large white boys and we beat them rather handily 66-54, but struggled back at home against our cross town rivals, Roseville, losing by eight points and never really being in the game. The coach played ten players which is too many. He should have a set lineup by now and bring in two or three players off the bench with spot substitutions. We were behind by four points when he took out four of our starters and the reserves managed to fall behind by 12 points and we were never able to make up the deficit. It was a big game as we were 1/2 game out of first place and losing to a big rival made it all the worse.
I am off to Monterey this weekend to watch the AT&T Pebble Beach classic. My good friend, Jerry Tuel, has tickets all week and saved me a ticket for the final round. I may bring Darla and the boys, but I don't know what the lodging situation is as Tami made the reservations and I'm taking it from them. To further complicate matters, David has a game on Friday night and it won't end until 9:00 and it is a three hour drive to Monterey. I may just drive down myself as most of the motels are small and don't have a 24 hour office. Kids sports are great, but they can definitely get in the way of life as well. Darla will not miss a game and I don't like to, but Friday night basketball games are a bit much. It tends to take the starch out of a weekend away.
We had some friends over yesterday to watch the Super Bowl. The right team won by the way as I can't stand Terell Owens and it was great to see him make a heroic comeback, play well, and end up a Super Bowl LOSER. This is a guy who when he played for the Forty Niners would complain and whine if he caught two passes for 12 yards in a game and they won, but not make a peep if he caught twelve passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns and they lost. He has NEVER been about the team and always about Terell. He is the worst of what is wrong with the NFL and I can't stand the guy and take a great deal of joy in his loss. Although, he was NOT upset as he had a good game. It really doesn't matter to him if they lose as long as he gets the ball.
I received a phone call right at kickoff and I almost didn't answer. I figured it couldn't be Jennifer as it was 2:45 in the morning her time. I picked up the phone and Jennifer said, "So, who are we pulling for?" The Army gave the soldiers today off so that they could watch the Super Bowl. Now that is something to salute. I particularly enjoyed the Anheuser Busch commercial that showed the people in the airport standing up and applauding the soldiers as they walked through the airport. I can only hope that it sparks some real appreciation in airports and other public places for our troops and the sacrifices that they make for all of us.
I had my assistant, Anthony and his girlfriend, Erin, join us at church on Sunday. We had Dave Dravecky, the former San Francisco Giant's pitcher speak to us and he gave a wonderful testimony of how God has worked in his life before and after cancer, during his comeback and ultimately after his arm was amputated. He really fired up the congregation and got us ready to do our Forty Days of Purpose study. We took Anthony and Erin out to breakfast afterward. We even saw David and Daniel with their Father at church. I thought the roof might fall in. We also saw them at breakfast, although the power went out and they didn't get to eat. We had already been served and enjoyed our meals, even in the low light of the restaurant when the power was out. It was a great day all in all yesterday. We also had a deep conversation about God and his influence in our lives with Greg and Carla last night. It was pretty awesome. Hearing from Jennifer was the strawberry on top of my ice cream sundae yesterday.
We are having server problems this morning at work and I have to tend to that. We can not get on our server and therefore our network this morning. I have our Regional VP in this morning and he will interview Pete Morrison and perhaps offer him a job today. I can only hope.
Take Care. Ciao.
