Random Thoughts

It's the weekend!

The boys went to North Manitou Island for a weekend of hiking and camping.  It's a real roughing it trip, no running water, have to pack in all your own food and pack out all your trash.  I stayed home for numerous reasons.

Tom and Reen are coming today for a short visit, on thier way by to a fishing week in norther Michigan.  We're really looking forward to that visit.  We'll be grilling ribs and tater tots tonight!

Happy Father's Day to the Dad's out there.  It's an onerous responsibility, but one that has it's own rewards.  Her's a few of the father figures that that influenced me.

Dad, what a baby face in this shot.

Owen, he never did like getting his picture taken.












 Grandpa Young, not sure who's with him but judging by the year, I'd have to say John Sipley and his Dad.

 Grandpa Ames, on the back step, he was really good with tools.















They're all gone now, so take some advice, if you're Dad's still alive, take a minute and tell him thanks for whatever.  He'll appreciate it and you're feel better.  Oh, hey Bob, Thanks for all that you've done for us.

 While shopping today I stopped in the shaving section and ran across this little item.  It appears to be a cross between a hot wheels car and a razor.  It's intended for shaving one's head.  Interesting.

Have a great day!
Pat

Thursday already

Well, the work week is pretty weird when I spend 3 days at a show.  It's especially odd when the family is with me.  Not because I don't love them but because I'm not used to having them around and having to work a full day and then come back to the hotel and do my email and then hang with the family and then out to dinner until late.  Just makes for a long day. No, really, I'm not whining.  Oh, sure it sounds like it, but I really am not whining.  I'm just saying, it's nice to be home.

Here's a shot of my favorite walls that was still standing in Haiti.  The odd thing was, that little gutter you see between the wall and the road, that's an open sewer.  Still, it's a beautiful shot.

Have an awesome Friday!
Pat

Back from the show

It was a great few days in Chicago at NeoCon.  I am amazed at how many people from within our industry I know.  For example, this morning I was in a showroom working with a good client on a problem.  It's the last day of the show and that's the day when everyone goes into each others showroom and checks out the latest and greatest.  While I'm working with my client an industrial designer from another company comes by and says hi and we chat for  few minutes.  Then a customer from yet another company strolls through and starts chatting with me, I introduced them and after they left I said I told the first guy that I'd be in touch but that this wasn't going to work for problem solving.  It was crazy!

We had lots of our products displayed, but we did it without our own showroom or booth, we had the customers place the products.  It's pretty sweet when it happens.

While I was working, Holly and the boys got to hang out in Chicago.  Their highlights were; Blue Man Group, Museum of Contemporary Art, Aunt Maureen visiting them (Sorry I missed you sis!)

Here's a shot of what I missed the most, home!

Have a great day!
Pat

NeoCon

Well, here we are in beautiful downtown Chicago at the Embassy Suites.  I went to a business dinner and the family went to see the Blue Man Group.  They loved it, I think I got the raw deal.  They assure me that I get to go next time, yeah, yeah, that's what they always say.

On the way down since it was Spencer's birthday, he got to choose the restaurant.  As you can see, he went for the comfort food.

Have a great day!
Pat

On the Road to Chicago

Tonight we went to downtown Rockford and hung out at the Start of Summer Celebration.  It was just me and the boys, Holly was at work.  We got a chance to rock out with The Outer Vibe, we really like this group, lots of good music and a great show.  After that we wandered down the road and watched the fireworks.  Spencer did great standing there, he never did put his fingers in his ears, each year is better.  I really enjoyed the fireworks, it's been nice seeing them the past few years.

Here's a shot of the birthday boy, Spencer.  Today, June 13th, the lad turns 14.  Wow, where has the time gone?  Here are a few shots of the kid.  As any proud parent, I could post hundreds, but I won't, it sure was looking through them again though!

Happy Birthday Buddy!
I love you!
Dad