I was 20 miles from El Diablo himself Hugo Chavez off the coast of Venezuela. The stench of sulfur was still burning in my nose from his presence. While there, I was depleting the ocean of Kingfish, Tuna, YellowTail and Bonita (all pictured here except for one tuna that I caught).
Here is a video of my son fighting a kingfish and landing it in the boat. Done with only a flip camera.
Click here to watch the short video.
I wasn’t. By the way, Ya’ll is a perfectly good word. If you are a elitist and want to disagree, here’s a quarter call someone who cares.
With GREAT Thanks to all the purchasers of Lenovo products, the family and I are freeloading the Lenovo CEO’s/President’s club for the top sales persons in Aruba. Since a member of my family is running it and another is a top salesperson, here we are.
I suffered through a day of riding the pool slide, working out at the Hotel Gym, swimming about a mile just for fun and to stay in shape, plus eating well. Tomorrow, more suffering with deep sea fishing and more pool/ocean activities.
Here are the locals hanging around the place.
When I get back, I’ll get to some real analyst relations work, like the Forrester Partner Report where IBM’s Partner Programs took best in class in 27 of 31 categories, beating the likes of Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and Salesforce.com. Being modest I’d like to say it was due to great programs and great Analyst Relations work, but I won’t ;-). I’ll let the results speak for themselves.
For those waiting to hear about the report I worked on earlier in the year, this is it. More on it when I return.
I didn’t realize how much I needed a vacation, and I did.
I’m reading wonderful books like Groundswell, that I’m reviewing and Return with Honor, by Captain Scott O’Grady. Captain O’Grady was the guest speaker to motivate the Lenovoites to sell more.
This may sound like nyah, nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah, but we all need to get away. Even typing that I’m on vacation feels good, you should try it.
First things first, it is my parents Anniversary. They would have been married 55 years today. It is the first June 14th that has passed that both of them are gone.
Today is also Flag Day. Unlike the bitter half of one of our candidates, I’ve always been proud of my country.
And of course, the greatest moment in Flag Saving History, Rick Monday Saves a Flag from being burned.
Birth of the Army - In 1775, this was the birth of the Army, thank you George Washington. The only thing the government has done consistently right is to defend our country. I hope the next president keeps that in mind
Fathers day - Tomorrow is Father’s Day. My Dad isn’t around any more. If yours is, appreciate the time you have left. In honor of him, I drove his car, on the curvyest road I could find. His car was meant for the turns.
Today was also the start of the 24 Hours of LeMans. I used to go to races with my Dad, in the car pictured above. So I’m melancholy today. In honor of our memories, I bought a grille badge on eBay.
So I thought about my parents, the country…and while I was exceeding the speed limit, enjoying the curves.
Once again, I’m posting a picture of a car from the Rennsport Reunion, which I attended recently with family.
This was the Porsche that starred in the movie Le Mans (the greatest racing movie ever made) and was driven and owned by Steve McQueen. It is now owned by Jerry Seinfield. Let me be clear that although I think Jerry is funny, it is because he’s a steller collector of vintage racing Porsche’s is why I respect him. While he was a great actor, I think Steve McQueen is a Man’s man. I saw him race in person in 1970 at the 12 Hours of Sebring (different car) and he nearly won the race, and he was held in high regard by other racers as a good driver.
That is not why it is my favorite racing Porsche. It is the car that my favorite driver Jo Siffert drove during the days when I developed my love for the sport of racing. My Father instilled the respect for both Porsche’s and racing as he took me often. I occasionally speak to people about racing and there are generally two reactions. The first is wow, this is my favorite car and driver and series and so forth. The second is I don’t get it, they just go round and round. I’m of course in the first category.
I first saw this car come off of what is known as Nascar turn 4 at Daytona International Speedway at over 220 mph and brake to below 50 in a very short stretch of track, it was over for me…I was hooked. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971, a similar 917 went 256 mph on the Mulsanne strait, not bad for 36 years ago with no computer graphic design to develop the car or wind tunnels to test them in.
Soon, I’ll post my favorite Porsche ever, but it’s because it belonged to my Dad.
With all kudos to Brad Paisley, (Here is Brad singing the song) (Here’s Brad and Hank Jr. singing the song at the CMT awards) I took my son hunting… and here is his first deer, a nice 8 pointer. To you vegetarians, sorry, but I’m an outdoorsman and I believe in being able to take care of yourself which is growing and harvesting your food…..both meat and vegetables.
It’s also because of hunting and fishing that I get to connect with my offspring. I see many parents fighting with their kids, but we’re getting to spend hours together away from the computer, video games and other distractions that are potentially harmful to teenagers. We put the deer stand together, painted it camo, grew the food plots and reaped the rewards.
We also fed a herd of 50+ animals and worked the land from scrub to ecologically very fruitful and crop producing.
As Brad says, “but what can I say at the end of the day, honey I’m still a guy” .
August 16, 2007
Click on the picture for a larger view.
Half a century old. Old as dirt. Official member of the OFC.
Who shares this day with me? Menachim Begin for starters, both Kathy Lee and Frank Gifford with the additional chagrin of Madonna. At least I can claim that the King, Elvis Presley died on my birthday, while sitting on the can.
You can see that the King and I have a lot in common. 
If I’d have waited a day, it could have celebrated with Davy Crockett and Mae West, but I’d have to suffer with Sean Penn. A day earlier and it would have been with Napolean Bonaparte and Julie Child.
How in the world did I get this old? Fastest 50 years in history of my life. Wasn’t I just playing on the beach in the sand? Wasn’t it just the other day I was living it up in college, getting my first job? Now I have kids out of college and another driving. Actually, it’s a wonder I’m still alive, with some of the stupid stuff I did when I was young.
I wonder if I’m halfway home, or I’ve done over half already.
One thing that has happened to me is Sirius Radio in my car and on my PC. I’ve been listening to songs from my High School and College days. There’s a song by Clint Black (country songs invariably have the cleverest lyrics which have both meaning and double entendre) that says “Ain’t if funny how melody can bring back memories, take you to another place in time, completely change your state of mind”. I’ve heard songs that have taken me back to places and think of people and felt feelings that I haven’t thought about for in some cases over 40 years.
I’ve worked in the computer industry now for 29 years, which staggers me. I was in it before the PC, cut my teeth on a system 34 and was a Cobol and RPG II programmer….oh yes, I was an accountant too. Over this period of time, I’ve worked with some of the best and smartest, as well as some serious stool samples, some in fact were an especially distinct case of priapism.
So the reality is that I’m only 1 day older, not a year. But turning 50 is a wake up call, especially when you consider how much time you may have left.
Actually how do I feel? Like Captain Kirk back on the bridge of the Enterprise, just after he defeated arch enemy Khan for the second time and the death of his friend Spock…..I feel young. To prove it, I went to karate last night just to fight, and it felt good.
Just so you know, the pictures above are me at 4.5, 5.5 and 19….just for perspective.
My mother died this morning at 8:15.
What is ironic is that she was also born on the 4th of July. While I’m sad and grieving, it is a relief that her suffering is now over and that she is with God in heaven. How can you say that one asks? My mother was a born again Christian, not just a Christian in name…… which means she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior.
Her memory and legacy will go on. The picture above is the Faye Simonds Day Lilly, named for her last year due to her love of flowers.
My sister wrote a beautiful eulogy. Here is a portion of it:
For years, my parents and I have attended the Bach Festival Society’s annual performance together. This past February, I had the pleasure of attending the Bach Festival performance with my mother and my cousin Josie. As we sat together enjoying the beauty of the St. John’s Passion, I looked over at my mother as tears streamed down her face and I knew that she was preparing in her heart to meet her Savior soon, and that she was praising God for the gift of eternal life with Him that He had so graciously given her. In closing, I would like to repeat a portion of the beautiful words of the Passion According to St. John, written by J.S. Bach that touched her heart so deeply:
This setting takes place at the Crucifixion of Jesus, as He bowed his head and breathed His last breath:
O Thou my Saviour, give me answer, dearest Saviour.
Since Thou upon Thy cross are crucified, and Thyself hast said:
“It is fulfilled.”
Shall I from death be ever free?
Can I through Thy despair and Passion, the heavenly home inherit?
Is all the world redeemed today?
Thou canst for pain indeed not answer,
yet bowest Thou Thy head to say, in silence: “Yea!”
Jesus Thou who once wast dead,
Livest now forever.
When the path of death I tread,
Let my seeking never
Elsewhere than to Thee be turned,
O beloved Saviour!
Give me but what Thou hast earned,
More I do not pray for.
Help, O Jesus, God’s own Son,
Through thy bitter anguish,
That the favor Thou hast won
Evil deeds may vanquish.
How and why our Saviour died
We must ponder truly,
And, though weak, leave naught untried,
Lord, to thank Thee duly.
Rest well, Beloved, sweetly sleeping,
That I may cease from further weeping,
Rest well, rest well,
And let me, too, rest well.
The grave that is prepared for Thee
And holds no further pain for me,
Doth open Heaven to me,
And close the gates of Hell.
O Lord, Thy little angel send,
Whene’er my mortal life shall end,
To bear my soul to Heaven!
My body in its chamber sleep,
All torment do Thou distant keep,
Till Thy last call be given!
And then from death awaken me,
That these poor eyes their Lord may see,
See Son of God, Thy glorious face,
My Saviour and my fount of grace!
Lord Jesus Christ, O hear Thou me,
Thee will I praise eternally.
Click to enlarge for inscription.
A special day for me.
Those that know me know that I bleed Red, White and Blue. June 14 is Flag Day. Fly them proud. At the funeral of my father, a representative of the President gave one to my Mom. I visited her during my RSDC trip and am taking it home with me.
It is also the birthday of the US Army. Once again, I’m proud my father, uncle and grandfather served in the Army. In some way, they contributed to the freedom and success that I and others enjoy today. There will be links from the mil-bloggers which I’ll update to.
June 14 is also the 54th anniversary of my parents wedding. Dad won’t be around for the 2nd time and Mom won’t be around next year. It’s difficult to say goodbye to your parents, but I have faith in seeing them again one day in heaven.
I’ll be on the road driving back to home with a car full of memories from childhood. On my iPod is the Star Spangled Banner, which I’ll play, and reveille and taps for Dad.
Update: Flag Links (some also in comments)
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