Father of Six

Me at 2:06pm
Trying to finish “The First 90 Days” so I can move on to more action oriented tasks.

Niece at 2:17pm
What’s “The First 90 Days?”

Me at 2:25pm
It’s a book from the Harvard Business School Press, by Michael Watkins, about “critical success strategies for new leaders at all levels.” I’m transitioning to a new leadership role in a different organization, and I’m trying to make sure I “do it right.”

Niece at 2:27pm
Wow, impressive

Me at 2:30pm
Well, I try to be a good leader, but what I really aim for is being a perfect leader. I can use all the help I can get.

Niece at 2:35pm
That’s great…so what exactly are you leading?

Me at 2:39pm
I’m the Senior Manager of Facilities Risk Management. My group is responsible for investigating accidents that cause issues to the things we build (rockets, spacecrafts, and satellites.) We are also responsible for performing Risk Assessments, and eliminating bad conditions before accidents happen. Sounds thrilling, right?

Niece at 2:41pm
Sounds pretty intense actually. That’s really cool. Do you like your job?

Me at 2:47pm
Intense is a good way to describe the condition. What I like about my job is being a leader who can guide the team through strategy, helping them achieve success, and add value to the company. Accidents and failures cost money. We want to eliminate those conditions, or at the least minimize the potential for bad things to happen.

Niece at 2:51pm
Did you just read that in your new book? haha Just kidding. I’m glad you can appreciate and enjoy your job.

Due to special request, here is a new post. Let’s see what kind of interest the content of this entry generates.

As of this time tomorrow, I will officially have a new job in a new field.

Chew on that for a while.

Feel free to post your inquiries through the comment function. Or contact me direct, if you are so inclined.

On Tuesday past, me, Tami, Becca, and Boomer went to Pagosa Springs for a mid-week vacation. Our hosts we Greg and Chris George, up from Dallas.

Two old friends, together again.

We had a picnic in a park (eating has always been a big deal for us.)

We manage to play a round of golf.

This was Boomer’s first round too. Here I am giving him a lesson.

Greg and I played guitars together.

The Blues Brothers of Slidell, Louisiana.

I went to the Philadelphia area this week. I like traveling to Philly. My extracurricular excursion this time was a run up to Princeton and a walk about the university campus. I love the library.

Tami is in Minneapolis this weekend. Boomer and I did the grocery shopping this morning, and we’ve spent most of the rest of the day indoors. It’s been over 100 for three or four consecutive days. Yuck.

There are two boxing matches on tonight that I’m going to watch. None of the combatants are particularly appealing, but there is some potential for serious violence. The bouts are on HBO and Showtime.

Yesterday was my birthday. Here’s how I spent the day.

I got up early, got dressed and did the grocery shopping.

Then I changed and went for a 60 mile bike ride.

Then I had a shower, got dressed and had a bbq in the back yard.

Thanks, everyone, who helped make this occasion special. I had a great day.

Every thing went pretty much as I described in the previous post.

I got into Philly at about 8:30 and was on the road in my rental car headed towards DC by 9.

I got to DC around 11pm, turned in the rental car, took the shuttle to the terminal, found my luggage, caught a taxi, and arrived at my hotel at 12:30 am.

14.5 hours of travel. Loved every minute of it.

Just in case anyone forgets … here is a reminder to always “Hook ‘em Down.”

I went to Valley Forge 4/1 through 4/4. Whilst there, I went to the National Park. I think this is a very patriotic and spiritual place. This is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army licked their wounds, re-grouped, and trained to be better soldiers. By all accounts, it was a rough existence.

Here is a photo of the National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge.

Hello all. All is well. Life goes on without out much effort.

Today is Eric’s 24th birthday.

Danielle and I are taking an introduction to fencing class together. Here are a couple of photos in our garb.

Becca recently completed her Driver’s Ed course and now has her permit.

I’m riding my bike pretty consistently - about 90-120 miles per week - as much as the weather will allow. I’m also swimming twice a week and lifting weights twice a week. My calf injury responded well to the treatment by Dr. Kelly. But I’m still not going to run.

All the recent Motte and Bailey projects are complete. We got the new carpet in the basement, new bookcases, re-organization of books, a new couch for downstairs, a new pantry for the kitchen, and a new vacuum cleaner. And yesterday we had a crew come in and do a “spring” cleaning of the entire house. It took them 8 hours.

I have a few specific shout-outs to people so here goes:

Note to Paul - I did the “Strength Finder 2.0″ today.
Note to Eric - Happy Birthday dude. We should do sushi.
Note to Brittany - Get the opera tix!
Note to Daner - Don’t be so hard on yourself. And fencing rocks.
Note to Amanda - Be nice to your mom.
Note to Becca - Don’t wreck the car.
Note to Boomer - Why Robin? I’d really like to understand.
Note to Tami - I like your new sweat pants.
Note to everyone else - I miss you and we should spend more time together.

AMF