January 2007

There were 56 posts published in January 2007 (this is page 2 of 6).

Highlights of 2006, Number 3: Travel

Last year brought more travel than I’ve had in a while, Unlike my occasional trips to places like Portsmouth, VA or Lower Armpit, MS, I managed to get to a few more desirable destinations: Australia and Holland among them.

My trip to Australia began in late March and lasted for two weeks. I went there to jump-start my company’s product sales and conduct some training to get our reseller’s competent in their product knowledge. I also went there to represent my company at Linuxworld Australia during the second week. The training went well and sales began to take off, though I had very little to do with that thanks to our fantastic Aussie SE already in place. The trade show went well but not spectacularly well as attendance was quite small. I did however get to do my first keynote speech at a tradeshow, which was fun.

My Australian SE counterpart, Clinton, and the rest of the team made me feel welcome. Clinton invited me to his family’s beachhouse on Phillip Island, souuth of Melbourne for the weekend. It was great to be out in the bush as the Aussies say. It was also my first trip back to the Indian Ocean since my Navy days. I had much work in Australia but treasured the visiting and sightseeing when I could get it.

The first day in Sydney we went to Bondi Beach by ferry. The whole harbor was filled with sailboats racing on the waves, spinnakers flying. I vowed to come back and sail among them someday. It killed me not to be crewing a sailboat at that moment.

I said goodbye to Australia after too-short a visit and then got word that training was needed in Europe. A month later I was in Rotterdam, providing a weeklong session on the product (which went very well, by the way). For some stupid reason I had left my ATM card at home, which severely limited my spending abilties there. I had to be creative but I managed through the whole week. I even got to visit Amsterdam, though only for a few hours. It was enough of a taste of Holland to want more. I hope to return with Kelly and perhaps the kids too, some day.

Among many other trips in the US to places like Newark and Chicago, I got in a trip to Charlotte: my old hometown. While driving through my old neighborhood, I mustered up the courage to introduce myself to the current residents of my old home. They graciously gave me a tour of the house, sparking happy memories from 25 years ago. Man, that made my day! It made me glad to know how happy the current owners are.

There were many other trips to NYC; Boston, South Bend, IN; Chicago; Tampa; Buffalo; and Keene, NH (among others). The fridge is littered with magnets from these and other places. I did get plenty of opportunities to catch my breath, though, and the upcoming travel schedule isn’t nearly as busy.

I look forward to a few more trips this year, hopefully with the family along. Nothing broadens one’s horizons like a little travel. It’s a wonderful world we live in and everyone should see as much of it as they can.

Highlights of 2006, Number 4: Closing Siteseers

I quietly took a step last year that I probably should have taken long ago: I closed my computer consulting side business, Siteseers. Siteseers stopped supporting my family long ago. My full-time job has kept me happy and employed. Thus, there was little use in keeping up with the side company.

I am not entirely through with side projects, mind you. I’m just going to pursue those that can offer me something that I don’t or can’t get with my day job. As for Siteseers, though, it was a good ten year run.

Highlights of 2006, Number 5: Beach Vacation

Next on the list of wonderful events of 2006 was our vacation to Panama City Beach in August. We stayed at the Sterling Beach Resort again and had a pretty relaxing week. Our family friend Carl volunteered the use of a boat during our stay which we used to visit the beaches of a nearby state park. My dad and I joined Carl one early morning for a little fishing. Dad and I each caught nice, 10 pound red snappers among smaller fish. We might have brought in more if we hadn’t been joined by two hungry dolphin and a nurse shark. Still, it was fun and productive. We recently fried up the fish at my parents house and boy, was it good!

The other big highlight of the trip was our fishy kids! Hallie and Travis dove right into the pool with gusto, putting their heads under and everything. We were on our last day there when they decided to do this and we were wishing we had had a few more days to build on it. Even so it was a big step for the two of them and thrilling as a parent to see.

That trip also marked the first time I’d been to Panama City when Grandma’s house wasn’t Grandma’s anymore. It was during our beach vacation two years ago that we last saw Grandma. We miss her but life goes on.

We also missed my brother Allen’s and sister Suzanne’s families, who couldn’t make it this time around. Fortunately we’ve got a family reunion coming up this summer where we can all get together.

Chicago

I’m in Chicago now. The Southwest flight from Raleigh was smooth and easy, with only about 35 passengers total. I had an easy time getting downtown, though next time I’ll take a cab from the airport: parking costs an arm and a leg downtown. With all the travel I’ve put in to NYC I should’ve anticipated that.

It isn’t as cold as I expected, though I’ve been holed up in the hotel for a while. My appointment is in a few hours, so I have a little time to myself. I should have plenty of time afterwards for a look around town, though this place is so huge I’m not sure where to start.

On a different note, I had a terrible night of sleep. I felt I couldn’t breathe clearly, like I was back to where I started before my first ENT visit. I’m inching closer and closer to scheduling that surgery to get this licked once and for all.

Gone To Chicago

I’m off to Chicago tonight for a few days of work. Forecast for Chicago is “Butt-Ass Cold:” high of 30 degrees and a gentle 10-15 MPH breeze. It should make the recent weather in Raleigh look positively balmy.

I’m reading Double Cross right now, a biography of mobster Sam Giancana. It should put Chicago into proper perspective for me.

Birthday Weekend Recap

Hard to believe I have to wait another 364 days for my birthday. In fact, the Birthday Flag won’t fly at Casa MT.Net again until June. It was fun weekend, though, and we made the most of it.

Friday night my parents came over to kid-sit Hallie and Travis while Kelly and I went out for a rare dinner together. We enjoyed our meal at Caffe Luna before wandering over to the Pour House for a few games of pool. After we split 4 games (Kelly claims I beat myself, but she is better than she admits), we headed to Five Points to the Hayes-Barton Pharmacy for a slice of apple pie and coffee. Then it was a quick walk around the neighborhood before heading back home.

Saturday morning we were awakened by T calling for his “D-Daddy” (my dad) and Hallie gleefully climbing onto our bed. We went to the train store and got some new parts for our train. Then it was the kids naptime so I read stories to Travis before heading out to meet Scott for the NCSU-Duke game. I got back after the kids were awake, at which time we had a challenging dinner with the kids. Fortunately things were smooth at bedtime, so it all ended well.

Kelly and I watched The Bourne Supremacy Saturday night. I gave up after 45 minutes of confusing plot, undeveloped characters, improbable events, and terrible camera work. How so many Netflix users could recommend this movie is beyond me.

Sunday morning began with Hallie charging into our bedroom wishing me a happy birthday, her blue eyes flashing. This was followed by opening presents and a birthday breakfast of pancakes and bacon, after which we played with the train for a while and got dressed for our skate. After lunch we headed over to the Factory Ice House and spent a few hours getting really sore!

I was amazed at how stiff I felt out there. The leg muscles used in skating are those I don’t normally use in walking. I felt pretty out of shape and decided I want to work on them some more. Whether through skating, lifting, or cycling, I need to do this. The kids loved skating in spite of their inexperience (but who am I to talk) and we want to get them more time on the ice.

I chatted with my birthday brother Allen, my brother Jeff, my parents, and Kelly’s parents. It was nice catching up with all of them.

After dinner, Kelly appeared with a birthday cake which was apparently hidden in the garage all night! In spite of its night in the garage it provided a tasty dessert to a delicious meal.

It was an enjoyable, relaxing birthday weekend. Thanks, everyone!

Birthdays

It’s my twin brother’s birthday, too. I hope Allen is enjoying his birthday as much as I am mine. Happy Birthday, Al!

Yesterday my buddy Scott took me along to the NCSU-Duke basketball game. It was fun to go even though Dook won.

Today we’re going to take the kids to the Factory Ice House in Wake Forest for their first taste of ice skating. It should be fun!

It’s For The Kids. Honest.

I spent time yesterday taking the kids to visit Tom’s Trains in Cary’s South Hills Mall. I’d taken out my old train set every now and then for the kids but it was in pretty bad shape from the 30 years its been in storage. The kids recently became obsessed with it so I brought it out of retirement.

Tom’s Trains is an amazing place for a model railroader. The kids played with the Thomas train set while I picked up some new supplies for our Lionel Southern Express train. Len, the “shop supervisor,” gave me tips on how to clean and lubricate the engine. I enjoyed taking it apart and working with the gears and motor. It now sounds and runs better than it has since it was new. The track is expanded, too, with a siding and switches added on which to park unused rolling stock.

Yeah, I enjoy playing with it, but not as much as watching the fun the kids have when they’re running it.