Proud

Proud to be a part of the family. Congratulations, and thanks for setting such a great example.

Bob and Sue Welch

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

August 2, 1958

Your love has built so many happy lives.

Love,Your children and grandchildren

Stranded at the Drive-In....

...branded a fool...

Okay, not really. But, for some reason, whenever I get stuck in an airport, that song from Grease seems to enter my head. So, here I sit. At Logan airport. At the tail end (80 minute delay for my return flight) of one of the worst travel days I have had in quite a while.

Ever wonder how we, as intelligent Americans, continually put our livelihood, schedules, trust, families, belongings, and lives in the hands of such an incredibly dysfunctional corporation as the Airline Industry? Flying out of a smaller airport, like the Greater Rochester International Airport (name is bigger than the building), you get a more intimate look at the inner workings of the airlines. As I sat this morning, watching, listening. I was amazed at the games played by the airline employees to try and adjust for the numerous cancelled and overbooked flights. Flight to Kennedy? Cancelled. LaGuardia? Cancelled. Philly? Cancelled. Dulles, by chance?? Nope. Cancelled. Lucky me, I'm going to Boston. We are just over sold, and waiting on a plane to arrive. Ever wonder where planes come from at 6am??

Games. Like a giant game of checkers. Move these bags here, because these 35 passengers won't need them until there. This will free up weight to allow this passenger to go here, as long as 4 booked passengers will agree to take a comp voucher, and fly a later flight. Move those passengers to the later flight, to allow these passengers from yesterdays cancelled flight to get home. Meanwhile, we all sit, with nary a single flight leaving the airport on schedule.

Don't get me wrong. I understand business. I understand budgets. I understand cost savings, fuel costs, etc, etc. I also realize the impact of weather (my current situation). The airlines are in trouble. I get that. But, back to my original question. Why, as intelligent Americans, do we continue to rely on such a "broken" business without demanding more?

If your car dealer delivered airline quality, you would find a new dealer. If your favorite restaurant delivered airline quality, you would find a new place to eat. But, with the airlines, we accept. We adapt our schedules to airline inadequacy. We don't plan on being on time. We don't plan on our luggage arriving. We don't plan on reliable information or service.

Does anyone else see anything wrong with this?

*This rant has been delivered to you by a tired, and disturbed traveler, wirelessly from the food-court at Logan Airport.

Rain

We have had more than our fair share of rain over the past week. The grass is a beautiful green, and the flowers are all in full bloom. However, there is a downside. We have a water table issue here, as we are so close to the water on the other side of the street. We can absorb some rain, and even a steady rain. But, the heavy, repeated downpours that we have been receiving one, after the other, this week, cause us some troubles.

Here's what I mean. Here is our deck, doing it's best "kiddie pool" impersonation. Yes, that is the water line you see approaching the top of the step.


The bigger issue? Well, see for yourself. The first video was taken on the other side of my basement office wall. The second video just makes me smile.






I have grown to greatly dislike rain.

Going Gangsta

Took my page gangsta for a day. I haven't laughed this hard in a while.

Check out my page translated into gangsta!

WARNING: Not even close to politically correct. Not for those under age 18, or who care about proper grammar!

To try one of your own links to see how it looks in gansta, go to www.gizoogle.com

True Sportsmanship

In this age of professional athletes getting more press for their selfish acts, rather than their self-less ones, this cycling news feed I picked up today completely blew me away. It has been quite a while since I have heard (or seen) such a true example of what it means to be a sportsman of the highest caliber and ethics.

Americans Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer of the Astana Professional Cycling Team spent this past week racing the Cascade Cycling Classic in Central Oregon. Levi was the favorite to win (and ended up taking the overall title), and Chris put in an outstanding week of riding support for his team leader. On Saturday, the final day of racing, the stage ended with an uphill mountain finish. Apparently, well after the leaders of the stage (Levi included) had finished, their was a crash of some of the remaining riders approximately 2 kilometers from the finish line.

Chris Horner, his work for Levi done, came upon it on his way to the stage finish. Now, I dare say that, most professional athletes after putting in a full day (70 miles) of support for their team leader, would simply continue riding to the finish, and call it a day. What did Chris do? Well.....check out the pictures.

Yep. Unreal. According to injured rider Billy Demong of Team American R.A.D.D. (not even Chris' team), Chris stopped and said, "Hey Dude, get on". Giving both injured Billy and his injured bike a ride, UPHILL, the final 2k of the event to cross the finish line!

Bravo Chris Horner. Thank you for, in one simple act, demonstrating that true sportsman still live.

The 4th of July

We went camping for the 4th this year, to no place other than Canada! Seemed a logical choice, right? We have been hearing about Sherkston Shores camping resort for a while now from neighbors, and decided we needed to check it out. Here's the review: go for the amenities, not for the camping.

They had everything we could ever want for activities, and the kids loved every minute. They have miles of beaches, adult and kids pools, water slides, arcades, miniature golf, paddle boats, restaurants, and even a carnival setup while we were there.

The Hewitsons made the drive up (a little under 2hrs) to spend the day with us on Saturday which was a lot of fun. The cousins had a blast enjoying a very hot day at the beach both in the water, and on the sand. Then we all got cleaned up, had some dinner, and headed to the carnival to end the night. Gavin and Ryan spent most of the night on the roller coaster, and walking into the walls of the fun house (while B and I laughed at them). Isabelle and Jessica got their turn on the coaster as well, with Scott and I accompanying them. Good thing they enjoyed it, because I think Scott and I still have marks from stuffing ourselves into those tiny coaster cars!




The professional fireworks display started Saturday night just as we were trying to put Gavin and Isabelle down, and they were both straight out of their sleeping bags at the first boom. Gavin loved watching from the camper window, while Isabelle spent the whole time curled up on Donna's chest, asking when they would stop. Too bad she missed them, it was a really impressive show.

Sunday was another hot one, and we made the most of it by getting in as many activities as we could. We spent time by the pool, with Gavin enjoying several trips down the water slides (his new passion), then played a round of miniature golf. While Izzy (and Donna) caught a nap, Gavin and I headed over to explore the quarry on a paddle boat. He enjoyed spotting all the fish in the clear, shallow water. Then it was back to the pool to cool off before ending the night by the fire.

We had a great time, with four days of beautiful weather. My prediction is even though the camping leaves something to be desired, we will be back each year to let the kids enjoy all the extras that the resort has to offer.

Road Warrior

The job has had me on the road a lot over the past few weeks. Not like some in my position, who spend countless hours in airports and hotels. I am literally, on the road. Route 90, the New York State Thruway, to be exact. My recent projects have had me doing long hours, several times a week, in Buffalo and Syracuse (with a couple airport trips to Long Island and Boston thrown in to keep things interesting). I am not complaining. Oddly, I am finding the time in the car soothing and balancing, rather than boring or frustrating. I find that the car is my space. My realm.

It can be as noisy, or as quiet as I want it. The mood can be upbeat, or somber. My choice. I can get lost in my thoughts, or simply fire up the Ipod, tuck in behind a good line, and drive. When I took this job, I had a concern about being a road warrior. What it would do to me, my family. Now that I am here, my concerns are less. I still need to manage the impact of time away on my family, but I am starting to think the time on the road is actually good for me. It's an area of balance that was not available to me before. I now have built in time each week to think, sort, plan, veg, smile, frown, vent, absorb, rebuild, and balance. In my own space. That is valuable. That is a job perk that can't be quantified.

I am a road warrior, and it is making me a better man, husband, father.

Soccer Stud

Gavin started soccer this month, and he has quickly turned into a little soccer stud. He and I go every Wednesday night to soccer practice. So far, he is all smiles. Each week we practice kicking, trapping, dribbling, running patterns, and throw ins. Gavin has been doing great, and last week I think we figured out that he is left-footed, just like his old man. He loves the activity, and I love the time I get to spend with him.

Donna and Izzy come each week to cheer us on, and Izzy has even been getting in on the action. Maybe a soccer stud and stud-ette in the Anderson clan?

Drewwwwww!!

Favorite cousin Drew came for a quick visit to kick off July. Gavin could not have been happier to have his favorite cousin in town to play with. Gavin loves telling me all the great things he learned about Power Rangers, Star Wars, Ninjas, swimming, etc, etc, etc from Drew. Gavin already wants to know when Drew will be coming back to play with him.

They made time to play around in the pool. With big cousin Drew doing his best to toughen the boys up a bit with some good tosses.

They played Power Rangers with Gavin learning some great new moves from his "master" cousin. And, they watched Star Wars, with Drew dutifully answering ALL of Gavin's questions on the characters and stories.

Drew is the best. He is welcome here anytime. Just ask Gavin or Donna!

June Happenings

The end of June flew by, with activities seemingly happening for the entire family, kids, or Donna and I each day. Here are some highlights to bring you up to speed:

Father's Day

As is our family tradition, we kicked off our camping season Father's Day weekend with our yearly trip to Hamlin Beach State Park. This year, we had torrential rain right up until the morning we left, so upon arriving at Hamlin, we found our usual site under some puddles and quite a bit of mud. Breaking my normal form, Gavin and I walked several of the other sites looking for alternatives, and Gavin picked a winner. So good in fact, we all agreed it will become our new yearly site choice.
We had a terrific weekend, shared with a few raindrops, and loved every minute of the family time. I received some fantastic handmade crafts for my office, and a terrific gift of a helmet mounted video camera, so keep an eye out on future blog posts for some point of view video from my bike rides.

Izzy's Gymnastics

Izzy completed another session of her Little Gym gymnastics program, and we enjoyed her final show day. She has absolutely no fear, and LOVES to be upside down on all the bars. Her newest accomplishments are flipping over the uneven bars, and walking down the high beam unassisted. At 2 1/2 yrs old!! I give her a '10' for each routine.

Barnard Parade

Donna and B took the kids to watch the Barnard Parade. A chance to relive a bit of their own childhoods, and let Gavin, Isabelle, Ryan, and Jessica see Uncle Dan and Aunt Barb in action on the parade route. Everyone loved it, even if Jess never uncovered her ears. I love pictures of kids from parades. The expressions, and actions never change. Priceless.
Garage Sale

It's official. No more kids for the Anderson's (Dr. Stopp certified). So, that means we cleared all the baby stuff out of the basement, and had a garage sale. Man....did we have a TON of stuff. Clothes, toys, swings, chairs, carseats etc, etc, etc. The sale was a HUGE success. For Donna, cause we made some decent $$, and for me, cause I have my storeroom back!! We actually have empty shelves in the storeroom. Can you believe it?? Check out these pictures. Where were we keeping all this stuff?!?!?!