Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Boeing 787 Takes Flight


After countless delays the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took to the air today. As I write this its still slowly circling the Puget Sound doing a litany of tests. What a great day. Enjoy this shot of the moment it lifted off with the T33 chase plane alongside. Photo from the Seattle Times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlmkAdimq4c

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Reelected


Well the year is rapidly coming to an end and for me it also concludes my first year as Regional Executive (RE) of the Ohio Valley Region of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). I was elected last year in a close vote and lets just say I really had no idea what I had gotten myself into. So much of the RE position is done away from Board meetings. The RE is essentially the CEO and Chairman of the board for each region across the country. Each region sets up their bylaws to determine how the RE is elected and how long they can serve. It's been a fun learning experience and I'm certainly glad that I had the opportunity to be in charge. According to our bylaws I am allowed to serve for 2 consecutive terms as RE and I made the decision to run for reelection. Once again the campaign was busy and I'm happy to say that I was reelected to a second term. This time the margin was even closer at just 9 votes from more tan 1000 mailed out. Unfortunately only about 175 were returned, but For those that voted I hope to continue to move our region forward and also I hope to not screw anything up too bad.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Time Flies

Wow has the last few months flown by. It seems that the kids just went back to school. Alas its not the case and as I write this we are closer to Thanksgiving than we are to this past summer. The leaves are gone and I'm once again way late on throwing a blog post up. The kids are playing very competitive hockey this year and Freddy was able to make a PeeWee Major team instead of the expected Minor team. Quite an accomplishment for a kid starting his 3rd year of play. He has passed EVERY single kid that was on his first hockey team 2 short years ago. From last off the bench to starting at center. I'm quite proud of him. Poppy has elevated her game although the boys make it hard. Unfortunately this past Sunday a hit into the boards resulted in the ligaments in her thumb taking a beating. She came out of the game for about 6 minutes and her thumb was quite swollen, but she went back in and iced the thumb between shifts. The Dr. wants her in a splint and tight wrap for 2 weeks then we'll get an MRI and see if the ligaments are torn or if a break has manifested. She is in pain, but she went to practice the next night and gave it a go. We'll see how the season goes. Both are trying to make their respective select teams although both face uphill odds as first year PeeWee's and Squirts rarely make those teams without dad being a coach.

As for dad...I am helping coach Poppy's team and of course I enjoy it. Some times I wish I could take over entirely, but I just don't have the time. I'm up for reelection as Regional Executive of my region of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). I'm being challenged by the person that was the previous RE. Its a bit unorthodox to be RE and then not give the next one a chance, but whatever. i'll deal with it. If I lose it won't be so bad as I will get more free time.

The other reason its been so long since I posted was on October 12th, 2009 my longtime companion Zulu died. Zulu was nearly 14 years old and for a Rhodesian Ridgeback that is an exceptionally long life. Even though I knew the days were numbered the end hit me incredibly hard. Its been almost a month now and i still find myself looking for him dozens of times a day. Zulu was my daily companion for all those years and since for the past 5 I've been at home every day I spent so much time with him. He went with me everywhere. Many people have suggested getting another dog, but truly I'm not sure that another dog will be the same. Zulu had incredible qualities about him that other dogs just didn't have. Its tough to explain, but for the next couple years I think I'll be dog free. He died with me and it was a very difficult last few days and especially hours. Its hard to move on from that.

Again I'm on Facebook and I am able to catch up with so many people there so I post more often over there. Look for me. As of today Ohio enters the realm of states that allow gambling as a statewide referendum was passed yesterday to allow 4 casinos in the major metropolitan areas. This is going to be interesting to watch. I now need to find a place to take the fam for spring break or early summer vacation. Got any suggestions involving warmth and beaches?

Thursday, October 8, 2009

It's HOCKEY SEASON again!

And that explains why I am not blogging much. Well that and the fact that I have not transferred much to my new MacBook Pro. I promise to post soon.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The New Phone Books Here, The New Phone Books Here!

Like Steve Martin's character Navin Johnson in The Jerk I find myself running around with a big smile on my face today. Yes in fact we did get 2 new phone books today, but thats not the reason for my excitement. No the real reason is I got a visit from the FedEx man this morning with a package from Apple Computers. I mentioned in a July blog that I had found my next laptop and it was not the one I thought. I've been content for the last few years to be behind the times with the last iBook G4 to roll off the shelves and while its been a bit long in tooth lately I thought a new MacBook would suffice. It looked much like my iBook in white, but a visit to the Apple Store got me revved up for the Aluminum MacBook Pro. Being the savvy shopper I am I noted that I could get the same form factor in the older model Macbook Aluminum. I found what I wanted and started saving pennies. Monday I pounced. However, it was in fact the MacBook Pro that I snagged and I am so happy with it. It's LOVE all over again. Those of you that are considering the switch to a Mac should be like Nike and Just Do It! The design and style just blow away anything from ANY other manufacturer. Tis thing is so smooth quiet and light with a battery thats guaranteed to go 7 hours between charges. I can even run Windows® if I want. The guts are the same as any other PC and thats good. Whats better is the OS. Thats the difference. Apple works the bugs out before they release a new operating system. Oh well I'm starting to sound like a commercial.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Patrick Swayze


I was not a fan of Dirty Dancing or Ghost for that matter. When the name Swayze was mentioned I always thought of films like Red Dawn, Roadhouse or Point Break. Action films starring the tough guy. With word of his death yesterday the Celebrity Death 2009 Tour keeps right on moving. Its been a tough summer. In tribute I loaded those 3 films onto my trusty ipod video and watched them on and off overnight. 3 great films from one of our best. His comedic genius from that Chippendales stint on SNL will forever be my lasting memory of him. Just like it was for Chris Farley. RIP.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Coming Back to Earth

Wow its been more than a month since I last blogged. The month was so busy that barely 2 days went by where I wasn't consumed with things to do. Since signing up for Facebook I've spent most of my online time microblogging over there. If you want to keep up with me please search for me over there. Leave me a comment and I'll connect with you. So over the last month I've been to school bus races. I've ridden along with a complete stranger at more than 140 mph and spun! I've found that you can ice skate when its more than 90 degrees and the "ice is outside. I've been there when my daughter met her hockey hero RJ Umberger. I've been on the sidelines for another opener for Worthington Kilbourne football. I've had FA-18 Super Hornets stage over my house for a morning when I'm about 600+ miles from the nearest Naval Air Station. So many other things. Lots to write about and somehow i'll cover it. I promise. Fulfilling my role as Regional Executive of the local SCCA region has been a ton of work and a complete eye opener.

I promise to blog more. Really.