From the Seat of 5A

Okay, it's been some time since I pulled out my soapbox but it is time that I pass judgment and share with all of you.

I had to fly up to Philly this week. That's not too surprising since I'm in Philly weekly. My upgrade cleared and I flew DFW-PHL in first. I have to say, I did not enjoy all the travel I had to do last year but making Executive Platinum sure has its benefits. My upgrades are clearing left and right. Anywho... back to my story. I'm in 5A. An older gentleman was next to me in 5B. I would guess he was late 50's, early 60's. Nothing special. Looked like every other schlub out there wearing ill-fitting khaki pants and a sweater that he's had since 1980. But it's an airplane and not a fashion runway. When the flight attendant came by to offer pre-flight beverages he was upset that they did not have his choice of whiskey. He settled for something else and off we went. Once airborne, he kept drinking his whiskey but also had a club soda and a diet sierra mist. That's a lot of cans balancing on our armrest. The flight attendant brought my nuts and as she was placing them on my try he barked at her "where are my nuts?" Well, I could have easily told him where his nuts are and where he could put them but the flight attendant was quicker than me and a lot more tactful. She brought his nuts and he ate them. All is happy. When it came time for dinner I was totally grossed out. He ordered another round of his beverage collection. Then he started eating. Absolutely disgusting. He has crouched over his tray, hovering over his food. He at his shrimp and slurped the cocktail sauce off each shrimp. Then he moved to his main course. Food was falling from his open jaw. I felt like I was on a boat and we were feeding sharks. I was a witness to him devouring his food like it was chum. He took his bread and sopped up every ounce of his leftover cocktail sauce with the bread. Absolutely disgusting. As much as I didn't want to look, I couldn't help but steal a glance. I was never so glad for a meal service to end.

So, lesson in this for me... always remember my manners. Etiquette goes a long way.

Sticks and Stones...

Normally said as an attempt to wash away the bad, this time I say it to usher in some good news. Our little house is underway. Mother Nature spared us from rain for a week+ allowing our contractors to get to work. The ground was leveled out and then raised (long story but they had to raise the house), the dirt was formed, foundation framed, electrical run under the house, and plumbing started. Behold the beauty of our little patch of dirt with things sticking out from it.

Apparently, all this has passed city inspection and the slab will be poured next week. We were hoping for a slab in January but hey, be grateful for what you get. There are people out there without a slab.

Enjoying a rainy, lazy Sunday.

I am so looking forward to enjoying today. First, both Shawn and I are home. Yes, same country, same state, same exact geographic location at the same time. It doesn't happen often. Neither of us have anything planned or prior commitments allowing us to spend the whole day together. It's raining -- While normally that would not be ideal, I love spending a rainy day at home. And lastly, I know next week is going to be a busy one so I am going to enjoy one last stress-free day.

I wish I had fun and exciting news to share but the last few weeks have been pretty typical. I returned home from Amsterdam safely. However, I brought a nasty case of the flu back with me. The flight home was long. And feeling sick made it a million time worse. The rest of the week I took it super easy and tried to recover.

The house is staring to show a bit of progress. It has been a slow start to the build. Mother Nature and all her rain caused the construction crew to hold for a few days. Which turned into weeks. Since last week was rain-free, the dirt was brought in, the house shape outlined in dirt, the foundation boarded, and marked off. Once the plumbers and electricians run all their respective cords and pipes the foundation will be poured. Behold progress...

This is from the street. Front of the house and yard.


This is from the yard, looking to the street.


And Shawn standing in the pool. (You need your creative thinking hat on for this pic.)


I'm hoping the progress continues and that we don't face many more delays.

That's it for now. More to come.

Hallo aan Amsterdam!

Greetings from Amsterdam!

Well, this post is coming from many miles away. Since I'm so many hours ahead of the U.S., it also is coming from the future.

Last week we got approval for our 2010 print creative and an internal sales video. With not much notice, we booked our shoot in Amsterdam.

I left last Sunday, February 14th for Amsterdam with a brief stop in London. Dallas to London direct is a bit of a haul so I'm grateful for business class. Here I am settling in for my long trip across the pond.


I left Dallas on Sunday at 6:00 PM and arrived Amsterdam Monday at 2:00 PM. Although I was tired, we had work to do starting that evening.

On our way to the hotel I snapped this pic of a mom and her daughter shuttling about town. Yes, EVERYONE does really ride a bike. I wish I could. I'd love living here.


We spent the last few days shooting around town so there hasn't been any time for being a tourist. I'm hoping to have that opportunity on Saturday. Until then, here are a few random pics from around the city. It really is a beautiful place and is so much more than you can imagine.

Busy. Busy. Busy

So much has been going on lately. I feel like I live my life according to colored time blocks on my iPhone. If it's not scheduled, it's just not going to get done. I've even had to start blocking out my schedule for personal things like working out and eating lunch. I don't know how or why life has gotten so busy but here's hoping it slows down soon.

Training is going well. The big training starts 20-weeks prior to the race. My 20-weeks out schedule started February 7. So far it's not bad but no more slacking. Time to get serious. It's hard to leave the house so early, come home 9:00 at night, eat, and get ready to do it all over again. And spending time with Shawn and friends is limited (like right now he's sleeping on the couch next to me but it's the only time we've been together today and he's not even awake for it). All the more reason to make sure we have time together and to make the most of those moments.

Last weekend was an adventure. For Christmas this year I offered my nephews a trip in lieu of gifts they don't really need. I thought a trip would be fun and the memories lasing a lifetime. They decided they wanted to go skiing. They have never been before so not only was this or first trip but it was also a skiing lesson. First off, I haven't been on skis in 15 years. Luckily, it's like riding a bike. In no time at all I was ready for the diamond runs. Both the kids picked it up quick and by the afternoon we were on the intermediate slopes. We did cut it short on Sunday and came home early. It was really cold, started to get windy, and we all had enough by that time.


Last week we also closed on the house. The house on the property will be torn down within in the next week or two. It's already been gutted, utilities disconnected, and the necessary trees toppled. Behold our "new house." The inside is just nasty. It was a rental property for years and looked it.


Shawn and I just locked the exterior elevation this evening. The materials that will be used on the exterior are still TBD but it will be a combination of stucco, wood, and white/light tan-ish color bricks stacked with no grout lines. I'm really excited and like where we've ended up.


Not sure when we can pour the slab. Mother Nature has not been kind so we need to wait for the rain, snow, sleet, and ice to stop long enough for us to pour a slab and start construction.

Lastly, and I'm excited about this, I pack up and head off to Amsterdam this Sunday. The 2010 creative for one of my accounts requires us to shoot on location in Amsterdam. It's going to be super-busy week shooting day and night but hopefully we'll have some down time. I'd like to see the Van Gogh museum and swing by the Ann Frank house. I'll take lots of pics and post them as soon as I can. I was hoping Shawn could get off work and meet me there for a few days but he can't get any time off. I'm sad but will have to have enough fun for both of us.

That's it for now. More to come.

Saying goodby to my best buddy

Today was a hard day. After a lot of great years, we had to put Luke to sleep. He became sick a few months ago but was holding his own and doing well. Unfortunately, he got much worse this weekend and went downhill fast. This morning I knew it was time, when Shawn got home he agreed. We were able to stay with him until the end and for a few minutes after. My heart has a hole but it was the right thing to do.

Week One

This is a big week and it's not really over yet. It's the official start of Ironman training. It really hasn't been long hours of training or anything but to go from zero activity to having workouts everyday (sometimes two a day), is a lot. A funny thing happens to me when I kick-start my body with exercise. I get hungry. Ravenously hungry. My hunger kicked in on Wednesday evening. I think I've been eating ever since. Remember as a kid when Fred and Wilma Flintstone go to the drive-in restaurant and they order the HUGE rack of ribs that tips over their car... I could eat that. And I really don't like ribs (don't get me started on the whole bone-in-meat thing).



I've realized that the next few months are going to be a long, hard road but the end-goal is worth it so I'll suffer in silence (unless of course I vent here, which I will do) and know that I will get through it unscathed. And hopefully with the addition of an ab or two.

Not much else. More to come later. Until then, I'll be planning my next meal.