Blog Break

I'll be on vacation next week. Joi's family is arriving in Colorado from California, Texas, and Oregon. All next week we have activities planned that include white water rafting, touring the Denver Mint, the APEX Center, swimming and fishing at Bear Creek Lake, BBQ's, Wii Tourniments, Talent Shows, etc. Lots of fun stuff planned and we'll be pretty busy. So, as a result, I'm thinking that I'll probably not have a chance to update my blog. I might surprise you with a quick post here or there, but I'm guessing that I'll be taking a blog break next week. I just wanted to alert my faithful readers (all three of you) that I'll be missing for a week or so. But, I promise to be back with fun and interesting blog posts (that might include some pictures) starting on July 6th. Have a good 4th of July everyone!

Judging a Man by his iPod

I take public transportation on a regular basis. We only have one car and with the awesome public transportation system of Colorado, we really only need one car. Lots of people on the bus or light-rail listen to their iPod's while we traverse to our places of employment every morning. As I listen to my iPod, I glance around the bus or train (when I am not reading). I try to guess what people are listening to based on their appearance, how they dress, or how they tap or bounce to the music. It's a little game I play. But, then I realize that this is ridiculous. There is no way I can tell what someone is listening to. For instance, if I were to look at myself, what would I think I would be listening to? Simon and Garfunkel? The Beatles? Classical music? Enya? Well, Yes. All of these would be true. But, would anyone anyone guess that I might also be listening to N.W.A.? Snoop-Dogg? Eighties breakdance music? Tom Waits? Kate Bush? Daft Punk? Brian Eno? Amy Grant? Within Temptation? Jane Monheit? Body Count? Tourniquet? Gogol Bordello? Emmy Rossum? The Vandals? Mystikal? Bob Marley? Rock Sugar? AC/DC? Zapp and Roger? These are other examples of artists that are on my iPod. I could very well be listening to any of these on any given day. Or any variation from Mozart to Eminem. From Alice Cooper to the Toy Dolls. I love variety in many aspects of my life. Food, experiences, and especially music. So, this morning, as I listened to Fish Bone and then to Death Cab for Cutie and then Sarah Brightman....and then Aaron Copland....and then Bobby Mcferrin...I realized that there is no judging a man by his iPod.

Afer Ventus

Not much to say today. I thought I'd share a very beautiful Enya song with you. This is one of my favorites by Enya. Also, in case you were wondering...here's the lyrics and the translation.

Afer Ventus by Enya

Mare nubium. Umbriel.
Mare imbrium. Ariel.
Et itur ad astra.
Et itur ad astra.
Mare undarum. Io. Vela.

Mirabile dictu. Mirabilia.
Mirabile visu. Mirabilia.
Et itur ad astra.
Et itur ad astra.
Sempervirent. Rosetum.

Afer Ventus. Zephyrus.
Vulturnus. Africus.
Et itur ad astra.
Et itur ad astra.
Etesiarum. Eurus.

Running verse:
Suus cuique mos. Suum cuique.
Meus mihi, suus cuique carus.
Mememto, terrigena.
Mememto, vita brevis.
Meus mihi, suus cuique carus.

(Translation)
African Wind by Enya

Sea of clouds. Umbriel.
Sea of showers. Ariel.
And we go to the stars.
And we go to the stars.
Sea of waves. Io. Vela.

Amazing to say. Marvellous.
Amazing to see. Wonderful.
And we go to the stars.
And we go to the stars.
Evergreen. A Garden of roses.

African Wind. West wind.
East wind. Africus.
And we go to the stars.
And we go to the stars.
Etesians. Eurus.

Running verse:
Each man to his own. Let this be so.
That which is mine I treasure,
And everyone treasures their own.
Remember, earthborn,
Remember, life is short.
And that which is mine is treasured by me,
as everyone treasures their own.)

Fathers Day 2010

Yesterday was Fathers Day. I am blessed on a daily basis to be a Daddy. I get so much joy and fulfillment being a Daddy to my G-boys. I love that the boys come running to me when I get home from work with hugs and kisses. In addition, I am thankful that my gorgeous wife gave me three wonderful little boys whom I love very much. I am also thankful that she went through the pain and discomfort to give birth to our sons...and continues on a daily basis to provide for their nourishment, education, and nurturing. I am a proud Daddy!

Yesterday, for Fathers Day, my wife and boys gave me a body pillow (which I desperately needed) and a small booklet on how to identify local wildlife. We already used it to identify a mom and several baby rabbits that live under the deck of our neighbors house (called a Mountain Cotton Tail). I already received a new reclining Daddy Chair and a Fender P-Bass from Joi and the kids a couple of weeks before Father's Day...so the rest of the gifts were just bonus. Afterward, we went to Del Taco for a breakfast burrito (yummy) and then off to church. After church, there was a Philly Sandwich shop that I've wanted to try for a while...so we headed there. But, they were closed on Sunday. So, off to Noodle and Co. I enjoy their Mushroom Stroganoff with Braised Beef (which is almost as good as mine). Uncle Dale joined us at church and then for lunch. After lunch, we met up with the Ferris Family and the Shanahan's at a Greek Festival in Denver. We are short on cash (because of Joi's Family Reunion and having to put $480 into our car in the last month) and only brought $20 with us. Unfortunately, there were a LOT of Greek food booths and the food wasn't cheap. So, we got some Baklava (only 3 pieces, though) and shared it. We all like Baklava (especially Joi). There were a few boutique booths with art, belly dancing outfits (which I couldn't talk Joi into getting), and various other Greek themed stuff. We spent a couple of hours walking around and then decided to head home. We Skyped my Dad for a few minutes to say "Happy Fathers Day!" and then the Ferris' and Shanahan's joined us for BBQ'ing Brats and Hot Dogs. I found some yummy "Jalapeno Cheddar" brats and I cooked them up a la "Biker Jim's Gourmet Hot Dog Stand" with onions caramelized in Coca Cola and some Cream Cheese. They turned out pretty stinkin' good if you ask me. Russell, Dylan, and I braved the Jalapeno Brats and everyone else had some turkey dogs. We also had Ice Cream for dessert. Everyone left at 7:30pm and then our friends from church brought over their son to spend the night because their daughter was having her tonsils removed this morning. So, we got everyone settled down for the night and then I drifted off to sleep with my new body pillow. All in all, it was a good day! Thanks to my wife and kids for making Fathers Day special for me.

We Are The Champions

Game 7 was like a roller coaster and it always seemed like the Lakers were going downhill. Until....the last few minutes of the 4th quarter when the Lakers somehow overcame a 13 point deficit to go ahead by 4 and win it all. Kobe had a terrible night. But, unlikely hero, Ron Artest had a HUGE night. At times, he was the only one on the floor who looked like he wanted a Championship Ring. But, they kept fighting and overcame a double digit lead toward the very end of the 4th quarter. To be honest, after watching the first 3 quarters, I didn't think the Lakers had it in them to win. I thought for sure that the Celtics wanted it more. But, I stand corrected (and you were right, Joi...I should have listened to you all along).

When the final buzzer went off, it was the Lakers who had the 4 point lead and held the trophy above their heads. Kobe was Finals MVP (no surprise there) after sucking hard for the final game. I kind of hoped that they would have given the trophy to Ron Artest for keeping them alive in the final game and giving them the push they needed to succeed. But, if you view the series as a whole, Kobe did deserve it.

I'm very excited that they pulled it off and FINALLY beat the Celtics in a Game 7. We are now only one championship away from tying the Celtics for the most Championships in league history. Phil Jackson has now left Red Aerbach in the dust for the most Championships as a coach.  Unfortunately, Phil's contract is up and he's coy and silent when asked if he will return as coach. His reply..."I'll definitely decide in the next week." On top of that, "Old Reliable" Derek Fisher is a free agent. As is, Shannon Brown and Kobe Bryant...plus a few bit players (Mbenga and Powell). Will the team remain intact for a three-peat? Will we cleanse the roster of some useless bit players (Powell comes to mind) and renew the bench mob? Will Andrew Bynum recover and be ready for another run? Will Kobe finally get some rest this summer and heal up? Who knows! But, I'm excited to see how the drama plays out and where the Lakers go from here.

The Lakers Showed Up

Yikes! What got into those Lakers last night? Their backs were against the wall and they came out fighting....and dominating. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, those Lakers were fighting for rebounds, loose balls, and were shooting the lights out. Even Ron Artest found his 3-point shot. The bench scored 24 points before the Celtics bench even scored a single point. They ended up winning the game 89 to 67. Yes, you heard that right...they won by 22 points and they kept the Celtics to 67 points (which is usually a halftime score). This is the Lakers I've been waiting for. If they can keep this up for Game 7, which is tomorrow...we'll be watching the Lakers spill champagne all over each other. If not, I'll turn off the television because I can't bear to watch the Celtics do it again to us. Go Lakers!!!

Tiredness

We've officially helped with two moves in the last six days. Plus, we've painted, cleaned, unpacked, and refurbished one of those homes in between the two moves. We're going back tonight for more painting/refurbishment fun. Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining. I'd do anything for the people that we helped move. It's just that I'm pooped...and so is Joi and my boys. I was telling Russell that it feels like I've walked around Disneyland for an entire day on my hands. My arms and fingers are killing me. I'm looking forward to some rest and relaxation. I'm not sure when. We've got more family coming in tomorrow and then Joi's Family Reunion next week. Perhaps I can find a way to sleep at work. Hmmmm...not likely.

Tornado Sirens and Elk

Today, for the first time since living in metro Denver, we heard tornado sirens. Some nasty looking black clouds were moving through the area. My cell phone went off with a weather alert. It went off twice before I checked it and it said there was a tornado warning for Denver, CO. All of a sudden, I heard sirens outside. I went to the porch to listen a little closer and sure enough...tornado sirens. I went upstairs and alerted Joi and we both came down to decide what to do. We turned on the television and watch the ABC News Weather Alert. The storm was north of us. There wasn't really and wind, rain, or hail falling where we were, but the news said that some ping-pong sized hail was falling just a few miles north-east of us. Fun..fun...fun.

Also, today, we saw two male Elk with huge racks eating grass in the Nature park across the street from our house. We pulled over and got out of the car to see them better. Another person who pulled over had binoculars and let us take a closer look. They were HUGE and beautiful. This is the first time we've seen Elk in the Bear Creek area. It was very, very cool.

The Look-A-Like Bus

This morning, I was sitting on the 87X Express Bus to Downtown Civic Center on my way to work. I was listening to Enya and reading "Blue Like Jazz". Somewhere around mid-trip, I looked up and saw that I was sitting across from Robert Redford and Gary Oldman. Okay, maybe not the real Robert and Gary...but really close look-a-likes. They are regulars on this route. When I saw them for the first time, I named them Robert Redford and Gary Oldman. I toyed with calling the Robert Redford look-a-like, "Cory Miller in 30 years". But, that's a mouth-full. So, I stuck with Robert Redford. It's fun to ride the bus with these look-a-likes. Seriously, they would do well as impersonators. In the meantime, I smile slightly to myself when they board the bus. Unfortunately, I looked at the rest of the bus regulars and no one else looked like anyone famous. I'll keep you posted if any new look-a-likes join the regular bus crew. Although, at a Hershey Conference last October in San Diego, I met a Hershey employee that looks alarmingly like Tim Curry. So, I called him Tim for the rest of the conference (mostly to myself and my former colleagues from APU).

Let the Chaos Begin

This is going to be a crazy week. We've got two moves this week to help with. My Uncle Dale is already on his way with my Aunt Cindy. They should arrive this evening (hopefully with enough time to get the paperwork done and get his keys for his new apartment). Tomorrow, we will help Dale move into his new home in Lakewood, CO. I'm taking the day off to help get him all moved in. Also, a few people from our church are planning to help him get moved in.

In addition, this week, Steff and Russell are preparing and beginning to move into their new home. Escrow finally closed and Joi spent 12 hours yesterday at their new home helping them put primer on some awful colors in some bathrooms and get things ready for painting. Steff and Joi looked exhausted by the time Russell and I (who had to work) got there at 5:00pm. I helped Russell make a Home Depot run and tried to help him change his locks. But, I ended up fighting a stubborn dead bolt for a while (I couldn't see a couple of hidden screws in the dark and couldn't figure out why it wasn't coming off). They are in a time crunch because they will be hosting much of the Family Reunion for Joi's family at their new home. People start arriving on June 15th...which doesn't leave much time to get everything done (repainting, re-carpeting, moving in, unpacking, etc). So, Joi and I plan to help them as much as possible to get everything ready. They should have the painting and the carpet done by Sunday for us to help them move into their new house. So, on Sunday...we are helping them move their big stuff (and whatever is left) into their new home.

On top of that, since we will be having some people staying with us during the Family Reunion, Joi has plans about cleaning the carpet and getting everything pretty at our house. She's house-proud and likes things to look nice when we have visitors. So, somewhere in between helping Dale and the Ferris', she wants to steam-clean the carpets and super-clean the house. I'll help as much as I can, but with having to work...most of this falls on Joi's shoulders. Poor wife!

And then...we have the Family Reunion. Which should be fun...but still chaos. We've got lots of activities planned. Water water rafting, BBQ-ing, touring the Denver Mint, going to Red Rocks and Dino Ridge, Wii Tournaments, dining out, talent shows, etc. Lots of activities, lots of visiting, lots of people. I'm looking forward to it. I enjoy Joi's family. But, still....it's going to be chaos.

In early July, the reunion ends and people will start heading home. We've got some friends driving through the Denver area and we will have them over for dinner (probably on the 9th). My Dad and Step-Mom might come to visit on that same weekend. Also, our 11th wedding anniversary is on July 31st. So, that should be fun. I'm looking forward to a little alone time with my wife while the Ferris' watch our boys. The weekend before that is the Ferris' anniversary, which means we will have their boys over for the weekend so that they can get some alone time. Whew! Lots to do. Lots to do! I think Joi and I might just crash and sleep for the entire month of August.

Pepsi Center V.I.P.

At work, we are at the tail end of a two year long Dual System Integration project. We have implemented People Soft (ISIS) and Singularity. I was hired a year ago (June 22nd) to lead up the Singularity integration for Financial Aid. Today, the University had a luncheon to appreciate the members of the System Integration Team. It was held at the Ridgeline Restaurant, which is on the V.I.P. level of the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver. I got to ride in the VIP elevator and walk along the VIP hallway where all of the luxury suites are located. At the end of the long walkway, there was a restaurant overlooking Elitch Gardens and the Bronco's Stadium. The gourmet meal provided consisted of Greek themed food (falafel, hummus, couscous, chicken, pita, vegetables, etc). It was tasty and very nice of the University to treat the project team to a special lunch. I was even surprised when they read my name off and had me stand up to be recognized as an important part of the team, along with another member of Operations. My boss even got an award for his leadership in the project. It was a good afternoon and a free lunch in the VIP section of Pepsi Center. I doubt I'll ever get back into that part of the Pepsi Center...so it was nice.

I like places that take the time to appreciate their staff. Everyone likes appreciation. It makes you feel important and loved. It fosters loyalty and team spirit. Not enough work places properly appreciate their employees. It's nice to be at a place that does.

Vids That Crack Me Up

Sometimes during my lunch, I look for strange and funny videos that bring a smile to my face. Sometimes I need a little afternoon laugh. It brightens my spirits and helps me get on with the day. Laughter is good for you! Science has confirmed it. Someone once said "Laughter is the best medicine" and I tend to agree. With that in mind, here are a couple of my favorites.

First, this drummer rocks! But, he's also freakin' hilarious. He is way too cool for that cheesy wedding band and makes up for it by doing weird arm flailing tricks while still keeping the beat to ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man". Keep your eyes on the drummer! He will definitely bring a smile to your face.


Also, this video just cracks me up. This is a remix of another hilarious video that you must watch first to really get this next video. Check out the first vid here. Now that you're warmed up. Watch this video. It's just so funny it brings tears to my eyes.


Now that you've laughed and brightened your spirits, have a great weekend.

It All Starts Tonight

I'm as giddy as a school-girl. The Lakers are in the finals. The Championship series. The last 4-7 games in the NBA season. The one that separates the men from the boys. That's exciting enough by itself. To make things more exciting, they are playing the Celtics. I've been watching the Lakers since the early 80's and the Lakers vs Celtics rivalry is huge. Growing up, I hated the Celtics. They were the Lakers nemesis. I watched some pretty exciting finals match-ups between the Lakers and Celtics over the years. And...here we are again. This series proves to be an excellent match-up and is bound to fuel the rivalry and add to the rich and vibrant history that is the Lakers vs Celtics. I'm pumped. I almost feel like we should have a ceremony before we watch the game tonight. Make some popcorn. Wear purple and yellow. Paint our faces. Have Root-Beer floats. Dig out the giant foam fingers! And then gather around the TV in reverence and with a deep yearning for an extension to the historic rivalry that is the Lakers against the Celtic. I can hardly wait.

Go Lakers!

Photo of the Day

I took this photo at the park nearby our house that has a lake. There is a trail around the lake that is exactly one mile...and we enjoy walking it for exercise. The boys were walking ahead of us and they all spontaneously held hands. I thought it was cute, so I whipped out my camera phone and snapped this shot. Aren't they adorable?

Lookout Mountain and the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum and Grave

Near our house, only a short drive above Golden, CO is a place called Lookout Mountain. I joke with my boys that they named the mountain after a airplane pilot who didn't see the mountain because of obscuring clouds and before crashing, yelled out "Look Out!!! Mountain!" But, once you get up there, you realize that it is named because it is definitely a look out. You can see for miles and miles from up there. You can clearly make out Golden, downtown Denver, and the great American plains in the distance that make up Nebraska and Kansas. It's beautiful up there. We decided that we'd spend memorial day checking out this treasure in our own backyard. Also, on Lookout Mountain is the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum and Grave. Fascinating guy! Besides creating and running the "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show" for many, many years...he was a soldier in the civil war, worked for the pony express, established towns (namely Cody, Wyoming), worked for the railroad, got a medal of honor from the president, an advocate against slavery and a proponent of the respectful treatment of Indians, and was the inspiration for characters in books by Bram Stoker and Emilio Salgari. He died in Denver at his sisters house and his last request was to be buried at the top of Lookout Mountain because "you can see everything from up there". So, we visited his grave and walked through the museum. We had some homemade fudge at the commissary and stood on the lookout and looked...out. Afterward, we went to Genesee Park (which was nearby) to see the wild bison herd that lives there and maybe do some hiking. We went to the very top of another mountain and did a little hiking. We took these pictures there.

On the way down the mountain, we spied a bison eating off the side of the road. Around the next corner, we found the entire herd on the side of another mountain. We pulled off on an overlook and watched them for a few minutes. Then, we went back home and BBQ'd some steaks, made some corn on the cobb, and Joi made her famous Potato Salad. Yummy! Also, we went swimming. The pool in our complex is finally open so we enjoyed it and the beautiful, warm weather. All in all, it was a nice day as a family exploring the treasures in our own backyard. Now we know of somewhere else we can take people who come to visit us.