A quick update.

Thanksgiving was nice. We went to Tim and Jeanne’s and had a wonderful afternoon. We missed Amanda as she was in Nebraska with her boyfriend and his family. (Ugh. Lame Bug-eaters.)

Tami and I are headed to San Jose this afternoon for an organizational off-site at the Seascape Resort in Aptos, California. It’s a nice little perk.

Anyone interested in College Football? If you are, you might know that there is still more controversy with the BCS. The system is flawed, and it seems that every year, yet another problem is uncovered. That is a process that needs an improvement and a mistake proofing focus. At any rate, it has allowed my beloved Oklahoma Sooners to play for the Big 12 Championship (against Booger Daniel and the Missouri Tigers.) BOOMER SOONER!

My new job is everything I expected it to be. I love going to work every day. And I love leading people to do their absolute best.

If I could ever find the time to spend some quality time with my brother Paul, I could not only catch up had have a great conversation about careers, strengths, and friends, but I could really make some much needed enhancements to this blog. (Like a “twitter” widget, for one.) Maybe over the Winter Holidays?

Everyone who reads me on Facebook, I really enjoy the interaction. It is so interesting to be plugged in to this age at what it offers.

I hope to give this blog a renewed energy in the coming weeks, or at least by the first of the new year, so thanks for being patient.

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.

(As with all these photos - click to enlarge.)

My smoker is a Kenmore vertical electric model.

There are multiple rack locations inside the smoker. I usually put whatever I smoke in the top position.

At the bottom, near the electrical element, I have two pans. The one on the left is for fluids for steam generation. I’ve used water, beer, and wine. On the right is the wood chip pan. I’ve only used apple tree chips.

At the top is the brisket - completely marinated, rubbed, rested and with a thermometer.

After four or so hours of smoking, I remove the brisket …

… then cover in Italian dressing, wrap in foil, and put back into the smoker for another 3-4 hours.

At 170 to 180 degrees it is finished.

It was fantastic - served with salad, baked beans, mashed potatoes, green beans, and asparagus.

This franchise of the Melting Pot is in the former Carnegie Foundation Littleton Public Library, built in 1920, at the far west end of Main Street.

Here is how the building looked in 1920:

And here is how it looked last night (11/1/2008.)

The Melting Pot sign.

Here is a photo of Tami and I, shot into the mirror, while we were waiting Tim and Jeanne.

We were seating way down in the dungeon portion of the building (some say the haunted portion) at a cozy, two-burner table.

Both couples decided upon the Fall Feast, which included a three course fondue, salad, and a bottle of wine.

The first course was a cheese fondue, made with four cheeses, lager beer, and scallions. This is served with raw vegetables, granny smith apples, and an assortment of bread.

The second course was our salads. Me, Tami, and Jeanne all had the California - with a spring mix, crumbled bleu cheese, walnuts, crushed tomatoes, and a tasty raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Tim had a Caesar.

Next, course three, was our main entree. We had chicken breast, three differently prepared styles of steak, shrimp, and salmon. Additionally, we had broccoli, zucchini, mushroom caps, and potatoes. This was all served with seven different dipping sauces.

Finally, the fourth course - dessert!
We had the Flaming Turtle chocolate , and Tim and Jeanne had the Bailey’s Irish Creme chocolate. This came with brownies, rice crispy treats, graham cracker covered marshmallows, Oreo cookie crumb covered marshmallows, strawberries, bananas, and a piece of cheesecake.

A fantastic dining experience, with the best company, left us all very satisfied.

Adding the last block (a record 20!) and then ….

… it all came crashing down.

Boomer was Buzz Lightyear.

To Infinity, and Beyond!

Becca was a Firefighter.

Danielle was Lindsey Lohan and Brittany was a Valkyrie.

(Show it full screen and turn it up.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0jRN6aFEXQ

Now tell me you’re not impressed. Never mind his unique-ness. That performance flat out SMOKED!

On Thursday, September 25th, we drove to Lexington, Missouri to Dad and Susan’s house. Sheila was there too, as she had plans to go to the NASCAR race on Sunday at the Kansas Speedway with her brother Dennis, who would be arriving on Friday evening. We stayed up to watch the Oregon State Beavers upset #1 ranked USC Trojans. Boomer Sooner!

On Friday, September 26th, Tami, Boomer, Dad and I drove to Pittsburg, Kansas. We checked into our hotel, and then drove to Columbus, Kansas to my sister Robi’s house. Her husband Mark made buffalo chicken legs, and brats for dinner. Tami, Boomer, Dad, Robi, niece Maria and I then drove to Coffeyville, Kansas to watch Maria’s high school football team, the Columbus Titans, play against the Coffeyville Golden Tornado. The Titans staged a 4th Quarter comeback and were victorious, 20-7.

We drove Robi and Maria back to their house, then we headed back to our hotel in Pittsburg.

On Saturday, September 27th, Robi, Maria, niece Valerie and her girls Laila and Geogia, met us at our hotel. From there, we went to Pittsburg State University (home of the Gorillas) for their football game against the Mules of Central Missouri University. It was a beautiful day and we took photos as we strolled through the campus. We then went to the pre-game tailgating event, affectionately called “GorillaFest.” We each had a fantastic barbequed pork sandwich. The day got better (and hotter) as the Gorillas handily defeated the Mules, 49-28.

After the game, we all went to Robi’s house, where Mark prepared his superb spaghetti and meatballs, and salad. Awesome! We had a fire in the pit and the evening was just outstanding. Before heading back to the hotel, Robi gave us a tour of the school where she works, and all the exceptional art and murals she and her mother-in-law, Dorthy, had created together. You should be very proud, Robi!

On Sunday, September 28th, we left South-East Kansas and returned to Lexington. We spent the rest of the afternoon watching the Kansas City Chiefs embarrass the Denver Broncos. That was unexpected. Later, Dennis arrived from his day at the races. I hadn’t seen Dennis in more than 20 years, and Tami had never met him. It was a good, albeit brief (i before e, except after c - that rule didn’t apply just now) visit.

On Monday, September 29th, Tami, Boomer, and I loaded up the car and drove back home. As usual, it was a long day, and the wind was howling across central and western Kansas.

A most excellent visit. I’d like to make this an annual trip, probably later in the fall.

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.