Continuing the non-fiction streak.
Margret is on the streets today. Had a guy come up to me in a parking lot at lunch wanting to get details on the car. Interesting that many Boomers have these reincarnation ideas. For me, it is just a small retreat into a simpler time. As I may have shared here previously, my original Galaxie was hardly the most reliable transportation. I developed an electrical problem coming back to Iowa from ND one weekend and the repair did little to correct the problem. The car sat for several months that winter in the lot at ND because I didn't have the money for the repairs and I was afraid to ask Grandpa.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day as people start to take off for the long 4th of July weekend. Our office is open Monday, as most businesses are, but lots of people are inclined to take Monday as a vacation day. If the "markets" are open, Criterium is open.
Phil sounds pretty calm for the father of the bride, just two weeks before the wedding. He says that bride and mother of the bride are still on point.
The Tour de France starts this weekend. Lots of doping controversy. OLN broadcasts the race each day, somewhat live in the AM, and then a produced show of sorts at night. The national news services are now picking up daily stories on the event and the various personalities. If he stays healthy, Basso should be the man to beat.
My partner Bill and his family are moving to a new place this weekend. They built a villa/townhome/condo in one of the new developments in north Bettendorf. Looks like a lot of money and stress to me. I like my house. Just wish it were on a street with a little less traffic.
My tomatos are coming along nicely. I'm already miles ahead of my results last year. I have 4 plants. I remember Mother having row after row of tomato plants in the garden at the original farm house. And she never put stakes or cages around the plants. They just kind of grew in a mess there on the ground. I remember hoe-ing the weeds. And eating tomato sandwiches. And Mother canning tomato juice. Glass jars in the cave that we called a basement. I still like tomato juice and crackers.
Mother also planted lots of potatos at one time in the second garden north of the back yard, behind the peach trees that bordered the old chicken house/coop. I vaguely remember digging up potatos, picking peaches, and gathering eggs. I guess you could say that we were just poor dirt farmers.
Enough of that nostalgia. I'm hitting the hills for 15-20. Thanks for reading. This is always one of my favorite parts of the day (whenever I'm writing the blog). I know that I'm connecting with you guys just down the old electronic hallway. It makes the miles go away. Love you.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Wednesday
Just a few lines today. I'm headed out for another meeting and will not get back to the office tonight.
Had a real good ride last night. 20 + on the hills around DCC, but not on the hill up Wells Ferry as it has that funky surface these days. For some reason I felt strong and was able to go further up different hills without downshifting, or at least not downshifting as early. Must have been the pasta from Monday night, although Kate may beg to differ.
NBA draft tonight. Again, who cares?
I plan to re-assemble the park bench this weekend. I took it apart for the winter and have just never got around to putting it back together. I need to apply a new coat of stain to it first as the sun bleached the original coat away last summer.
AdventureLand made its' way into a number of conversations in KC. I always felt like those were great times for our young family. I continue to have very good memories of those days. The things I would do, like riding the Tornado, for my girls, took me places I had no interest in going. I still smile when remembering Charlie's reply to a statement that we were going to Des Moines, knowing that we were going to stay in Newton. "Dad, it's Newton, not Des Moines,"was her reply with that touch of sarcasm in her voice.
Off to my business. Everyone have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Had a real good ride last night. 20 + on the hills around DCC, but not on the hill up Wells Ferry as it has that funky surface these days. For some reason I felt strong and was able to go further up different hills without downshifting, or at least not downshifting as early. Must have been the pasta from Monday night, although Kate may beg to differ.
NBA draft tonight. Again, who cares?
I plan to re-assemble the park bench this weekend. I took it apart for the winter and have just never got around to putting it back together. I need to apply a new coat of stain to it first as the sun bleached the original coat away last summer.
AdventureLand made its' way into a number of conversations in KC. I always felt like those were great times for our young family. I continue to have very good memories of those days. The things I would do, like riding the Tornado, for my girls, took me places I had no interest in going. I still smile when remembering Charlie's reply to a statement that we were going to Des Moines, knowing that we were going to stay in Newton. "Dad, it's Newton, not Des Moines,"was her reply with that touch of sarcasm in her voice.
Off to my business. Everyone have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Tuesday
Another non-fiction day.
Looks like the "free coffee" day at SB's will be August 25th. I'm working with two other businessmen to do some promotional stuff and now we have each of our staffs carrying the ball. Its a little bigger than I had originally envisioned. We'll see. The twist now is to make it a charity deal with the customers contributing their coffee money to the event's charity, which will likely be The American Cancer Society. Lots of planning yet to do.
My bike ride tonight will be on an alternate route. They have put down some powdery asphalt substance on one of the legs around DCC, so I'll have to make a small mid-course correction. I fell off my bike when I figured out that I shouldn't try riding on the stuff Saturday. Miner inconveniences. The blackbirds have been mostly quiet lately.
Kate's jumper cables saved another guy at coffee yesterday. His Lexus did nothing but clickety-clickety-click when he tried to start it as we left the restaurant. My pal Roy tried to give some technical mumbo jumbo at first, but then said maybe we should try to jump it. He turned to me and asked if I had cables, which Katie had made part of her emergency gear, so I was right there with them. It fired up at the first turn. Roy commented that you should have cables when you have an older car. As though any of the vehicles in his stable are "older." Thanks for the left-handed tweak, friend.
Our buddy was happy with our work and bought coffee for us today.
I think we have a birthday and a wedding anniversry out in the Vegas household this week. Best wishes.
Oregon State won the game last night. By one run on a North Carolina error in the eighth on a routine throw to first base from the second baseman. Ouch. The Carolina pitchers were throwing aspirin tablets.
Yet another totally meaningless fact, Erin Andrews remains my favorite sideline reporter in sports.
Sorry that I have not added much interesting stuff lately. I'll keep trying.
Be careful out there.
Looks like the "free coffee" day at SB's will be August 25th. I'm working with two other businessmen to do some promotional stuff and now we have each of our staffs carrying the ball. Its a little bigger than I had originally envisioned. We'll see. The twist now is to make it a charity deal with the customers contributing their coffee money to the event's charity, which will likely be The American Cancer Society. Lots of planning yet to do.
My bike ride tonight will be on an alternate route. They have put down some powdery asphalt substance on one of the legs around DCC, so I'll have to make a small mid-course correction. I fell off my bike when I figured out that I shouldn't try riding on the stuff Saturday. Miner inconveniences. The blackbirds have been mostly quiet lately.
Kate's jumper cables saved another guy at coffee yesterday. His Lexus did nothing but clickety-clickety-click when he tried to start it as we left the restaurant. My pal Roy tried to give some technical mumbo jumbo at first, but then said maybe we should try to jump it. He turned to me and asked if I had cables, which Katie had made part of her emergency gear, so I was right there with them. It fired up at the first turn. Roy commented that you should have cables when you have an older car. As though any of the vehicles in his stable are "older." Thanks for the left-handed tweak, friend.
Our buddy was happy with our work and bought coffee for us today.
I think we have a birthday and a wedding anniversry out in the Vegas household this week. Best wishes.
Oregon State won the game last night. By one run on a North Carolina error in the eighth on a routine throw to first base from the second baseman. Ouch. The Carolina pitchers were throwing aspirin tablets.
Yet another totally meaningless fact, Erin Andrews remains my favorite sideline reporter in sports.
Sorry that I have not added much interesting stuff lately. I'll keep trying.
Be careful out there.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Monday
This is a non-fiction posting.
Monday is always a tough day for me. I never felt like I got a complete handle on things today, and it is now 6PM. And tomorrow will be an even busier day as I will be out of the office most of the morning.
Charlie had a little excitement this AM when she stopped for gas on her way back to IC. I'll let her fill in the details. It did involve her car keys. I still have flashes of dispair from an episode in the Chicago suburbs before any of the girls were born. We were out on your basic weekend shopping trip and as we approached the car in the parking lot of a big box store, I pulled the keys from my pocket, fumbled them and they fell to the ground. Except the "ground" was a sewer grate and the keys hit one of the cross bars, and then fell through into the deep unknown. We were stuck. Fortunately, we were only a couple of miles from home, it was a decent day, and we were able to walk there, get the extra set of keys and, I think, get our second car and return for the car in the parking lot. Everytime I fumble my keys even today, my mind races back to that time with the sewer grate.
I also remember a time in Ottumwa when Aunt Martha had driven down for a day-visit with her brood. On her way out of town she had stopped at a store for some things and one of the kids, John maybe, had somehow locked the keys in the car. She had to call Grandpa and I rode in with him to "help." I have a vague memory of waiting in the store's entryway with a somewhat unhappy Aunt Martha for the locksmith. I don't think it was very good weather, it was late, and the kids were a little excited.
There are lots of "keys locked in the car stories." One of my favorites was replayed at almost every ND home football game. Sometime in the first half, the PA announcer would invariably come on and say, "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. A red, four door Ford Galaxie (for instance), Iowa license plate number 90-12345, parked in Red Lot 2, your lights are on, your doors are locked, and your motor is running."
Finals of the college world series tonight on ESPN. North Carolina and Oregon State. ACC and Pac Ten. Are there two other conferences about whom I could care less? But I will watch the game. Both teams can play.
Kate has another interview this week. Knock 'em dead girl.
Charlie can also provide details on Bettendorf cat health care. I can't believe that the cats made the blog.
So everybody be careful out there.
Monday is always a tough day for me. I never felt like I got a complete handle on things today, and it is now 6PM. And tomorrow will be an even busier day as I will be out of the office most of the morning.
Charlie had a little excitement this AM when she stopped for gas on her way back to IC. I'll let her fill in the details. It did involve her car keys. I still have flashes of dispair from an episode in the Chicago suburbs before any of the girls were born. We were out on your basic weekend shopping trip and as we approached the car in the parking lot of a big box store, I pulled the keys from my pocket, fumbled them and they fell to the ground. Except the "ground" was a sewer grate and the keys hit one of the cross bars, and then fell through into the deep unknown. We were stuck. Fortunately, we were only a couple of miles from home, it was a decent day, and we were able to walk there, get the extra set of keys and, I think, get our second car and return for the car in the parking lot. Everytime I fumble my keys even today, my mind races back to that time with the sewer grate.
I also remember a time in Ottumwa when Aunt Martha had driven down for a day-visit with her brood. On her way out of town she had stopped at a store for some things and one of the kids, John maybe, had somehow locked the keys in the car. She had to call Grandpa and I rode in with him to "help." I have a vague memory of waiting in the store's entryway with a somewhat unhappy Aunt Martha for the locksmith. I don't think it was very good weather, it was late, and the kids were a little excited.
There are lots of "keys locked in the car stories." One of my favorites was replayed at almost every ND home football game. Sometime in the first half, the PA announcer would invariably come on and say, "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. A red, four door Ford Galaxie (for instance), Iowa license plate number 90-12345, parked in Red Lot 2, your lights are on, your doors are locked, and your motor is running."
Finals of the college world series tonight on ESPN. North Carolina and Oregon State. ACC and Pac Ten. Are there two other conferences about whom I could care less? But I will watch the game. Both teams can play.
Kate has another interview this week. Knock 'em dead girl.
Charlie can also provide details on Bettendorf cat health care. I can't believe that the cats made the blog.
So everybody be careful out there.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Sunday
Just a few lines this evening. Writing this from Century Heights. Just did a little BBQ with Susan, Charlie and Mom. Good stuff.
Beautiful day today. Church with Charlie. Ross's for breakfast. 30 mile ride.
The kids' triathlon last night was fun. They had about 150 in ages 7-14. There was a short delay for rain at the start, but once things got going, it was pretty well done for a first-time event. Lots of volunteers. Post-race adult beverages at Gov's.
24 won in California on the road course today. About time.
Talked to Mary this afternoon. She was at work. I think that her employers are getting their money's worth out of their interns this summer.
Kate's still looking. Hang in there. Something will come up.
Busy week ahead for me at the office. Getting close on a couple of new things for Criterium. Had hoped to get some pic's at the the tri last night, but the weather did not cooperate. Need to spruce up the website.
Okay. I'll try to get back to Melanie and Frank this week.
Be careful out there.
Beautiful day today. Church with Charlie. Ross's for breakfast. 30 mile ride.
The kids' triathlon last night was fun. They had about 150 in ages 7-14. There was a short delay for rain at the start, but once things got going, it was pretty well done for a first-time event. Lots of volunteers. Post-race adult beverages at Gov's.
24 won in California on the road course today. About time.
Talked to Mary this afternoon. She was at work. I think that her employers are getting their money's worth out of their interns this summer.
Kate's still looking. Hang in there. Something will come up.
Busy week ahead for me at the office. Getting close on a couple of new things for Criterium. Had hoped to get some pic's at the the tri last night, but the weather did not cooperate. Need to spruce up the website.
Okay. I'll try to get back to Melanie and Frank this week.
Be careful out there.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Saturday
So anyway, I stopped by the Bettendorf Library late yesterday afternoon to put on an entry because we had lost power at the office around noon and I had been at a client's all afternoon. I couldn't get anyone on the phone so I figured that we might still be out of power. But I got a phone call just as I was pulling into the library's parking lot and that call took several minutes. So I finally get inside, log in, and almost immediately get the "the library will be closing in 10 minutes" warning on the screen. Then about two minutes later, its "the library will be closing in 5 minutes." So I try to complete the sentence that I'm typing and publish, but before I can hit the "send" key, the screen goes back to "Library Home" and I'm screwed. Sorry.
Had fun last night with some friends and some Tuscan red.
Yard work and a 25 miler this AM. Kid triathlon this afternoon and evening. It will be a good day.
Margret was out all day yesterday.
I have enjoyed watching the college world series this week on ESPN. I can remember many pieces of my NCAA tournament expeience as a junior at ND. We played as an at-large invitee team in a regional in Columbus, Ohio with Michigan, Southern Illinois and Ohio University as the other three teams. The tournament must have had 8 regionals at that time with 4 team each place. We got beat pretty good by SIU in the first game, then beat Michigan in the loser's bracket. Ohio had beat SIU in the winner's game, so we played them again and lost 1-0 on a real freaky play. Ohio then beat SIU again for the ticket to Omaha. Mike Schmidt, now in the Baseball Hall of Fame, was Ohio's star. And he was a stud.
I may check back in later today. Lots going on for everyone. Be careful out there!
Had fun last night with some friends and some Tuscan red.
Yard work and a 25 miler this AM. Kid triathlon this afternoon and evening. It will be a good day.
Margret was out all day yesterday.
I have enjoyed watching the college world series this week on ESPN. I can remember many pieces of my NCAA tournament expeience as a junior at ND. We played as an at-large invitee team in a regional in Columbus, Ohio with Michigan, Southern Illinois and Ohio University as the other three teams. The tournament must have had 8 regionals at that time with 4 team each place. We got beat pretty good by SIU in the first game, then beat Michigan in the loser's bracket. Ohio had beat SIU in the winner's game, so we played them again and lost 1-0 on a real freaky play. Ohio then beat SIU again for the ticket to Omaha. Mike Schmidt, now in the Baseball Hall of Fame, was Ohio's star. And he was a stud.
I may check back in later today. Lots going on for everyone. Be careful out there!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Thursday PM
OK. This is a non-fiction entry. And I want my readers to know that I drove across town to get in front of the computer in time to get an entry posted before my ride.
I have been doing one-on-one employee meetings at a car dealer client this week where we are switching the menu of investments offered in the retirement plan. It has been interesting as I talk with young people who I automatically measure against the ages of my daughters, and then talk with older people close to my age who I automatically compare to my situation. I feel old when I am talking to a twenty-four year old mechanic, and I feel just plain odd when I'm talking to a 55 year old salesman who is considering his years until retirement.
The USA crashed and burned in the World Cup soccer tournament. Stop yawning!
The Miami Heat won the NBA title. And exactly who cares?
The Carolina Hurricanes won the NHL Stanley Cup. That's hockey for anyone who's curious.
Steve Alford got a one year extension and a $72k raise at U of Iowa. Now he is really someone to get excited about.
Susan has a local wedding this weekend. I'm sure that she'll have fun. Did you hear that she is training for Bix?
I'm working as a volunteer this Saturday for a kid's triathlon. The organizer is a SB's regular and I helped him get some other people to volunteer. Should be fun. Ages 7-14. He already has 130 kids and they are still registering. It's received lots of local press and word tends to spread among this type of crowd. Are you going to be there, Charlie? A free T-shirt is involved.
So I know that this hasn't been the most exciting entry, but it is progress. My plate has been pretty full. The road to recovery begins with the first step. Consider this that effort.
Be careful out there.
I have been doing one-on-one employee meetings at a car dealer client this week where we are switching the menu of investments offered in the retirement plan. It has been interesting as I talk with young people who I automatically measure against the ages of my daughters, and then talk with older people close to my age who I automatically compare to my situation. I feel old when I am talking to a twenty-four year old mechanic, and I feel just plain odd when I'm talking to a 55 year old salesman who is considering his years until retirement.
The USA crashed and burned in the World Cup soccer tournament. Stop yawning!
The Miami Heat won the NBA title. And exactly who cares?
The Carolina Hurricanes won the NHL Stanley Cup. That's hockey for anyone who's curious.
Steve Alford got a one year extension and a $72k raise at U of Iowa. Now he is really someone to get excited about.
Susan has a local wedding this weekend. I'm sure that she'll have fun. Did you hear that she is training for Bix?
I'm working as a volunteer this Saturday for a kid's triathlon. The organizer is a SB's regular and I helped him get some other people to volunteer. Should be fun. Ages 7-14. He already has 130 kids and they are still registering. It's received lots of local press and word tends to spread among this type of crowd. Are you going to be there, Charlie? A free T-shirt is involved.
So I know that this hasn't been the most exciting entry, but it is progress. My plate has been pretty full. The road to recovery begins with the first step. Consider this that effort.
Be careful out there.
Thursday AM
I have no reasonable excuse for not allocating my time to get to the blog. To some extent, its been a matter of having commitments at 5PM most weekdays over the last couple of weeks. That has historically been my primary writing time for 4000 Days. Last Saturday I just never got into the office, and Sunday was Father's Day. As I have mentioned many times, 4000 Days is my portal to keep in close contact with the girls. When I am with them, the edge comes off my need to communicate on the blog.
That said, I will do better.
I really enjoyed Charlie's comment. There are some difficult times ahead for Melanie and Calhoun.
Mary's stay in Chicago seems to be very positive. She's working a lot, but its a great experience for her. She does deserve a little pick-me-up when she gets in at oh-dark-hundred.
More later. Everyone be careful out there!
More later
That said, I will do better.
I really enjoyed Charlie's comment. There are some difficult times ahead for Melanie and Calhoun.
Mary's stay in Chicago seems to be very positive. She's working a lot, but its a great experience for her. She does deserve a little pick-me-up when she gets in at oh-dark-hundred.
More later. Everyone be careful out there!
More later
Friday, June 16, 2006
Friday
Wow, what happened to the week? Great time with Roy. Played some pretty lousy golf. The clubs will gather dust until at least January.
Sounds like Mary is doing well in Chicago. Charlie and Susan will be my Father's Day companions. Kate has had a good week in the Cities.
So rest assured that I will be back up fully engaged with the blog next week. I've missed spending the time writing. It feels good to put words together.
Be careful out there.
Sounds like Mary is doing well in Chicago. Charlie and Susan will be my Father's Day companions. Kate has had a good week in the Cities.
So rest assured that I will be back up fully engaged with the blog next week. I've missed spending the time writing. It feels good to put words together.
Be careful out there.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Wednesday
I am actually going to be worse this week than last. Roy has me in his tournament at Crow and that means golf all day yesterday, today and tomorrow. My poor back.
Charlie is back on line. And we missed her. I think Minnie Mouse is a perfectly acceptable wallet.
So I may have a report tomorrow morning.
Be careful out there.
Charlie is back on line. And we missed her. I think Minnie Mouse is a perfectly acceptable wallet.
So I may have a report tomorrow morning.
Be careful out there.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Monday June 12, 2006
Wow. Haven't missed this many days since I started in November. But since we had a clan meeting in Kansas City, my absence from the blog should be justified.
I enjoy the "lobby time" of these family gatherings. If you sit in the hotel lobby long enough, someone you know will come by for some conversation. Of course, the same can be said of the hotel bar.
Beautiful day here today. I have Margret out for the afternoon. I'll do a ride in a while. Just missed the 2 days while in KC as I was able to get out for a short ride upon our return.
Interestingly, the big ride to Dubuque that I missed last weekend for the wedding was a bit of a bust. Saturday was cold and rainy and the gal who works for me who is always riding didn't even make the trip. I guess Sunday wasn't much better. There is no way I would have ridden to Dubuque in the rain. So I missed nothing.
I'll try to catch back up to a more regular schedule later this week.
Be careful out there.
I enjoy the "lobby time" of these family gatherings. If you sit in the hotel lobby long enough, someone you know will come by for some conversation. Of course, the same can be said of the hotel bar.
Beautiful day here today. I have Margret out for the afternoon. I'll do a ride in a while. Just missed the 2 days while in KC as I was able to get out for a short ride upon our return.
Interestingly, the big ride to Dubuque that I missed last weekend for the wedding was a bit of a bust. Saturday was cold and rainy and the gal who works for me who is always riding didn't even make the trip. I guess Sunday wasn't much better. There is no way I would have ridden to Dubuque in the rain. So I missed nothing.
I'll try to catch back up to a more regular schedule later this week.
Be careful out there.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Wednesday AM
So I have been a slackard here recently. Sorry
Yesterday didn't work because I had a dinner after work and just never got back to post an entry. I had taken some time at lunch to get in a nice ride, knowing that I wasn't going to get that done in the evening. Same blackbird events.
Sounds like Mary has survived her first couple of days in Chicago. And Charlie has her own juggling act going on in IC.
Looks like a great day today. More later.
Be careful out there.
Yesterday didn't work because I had a dinner after work and just never got back to post an entry. I had taken some time at lunch to get in a nice ride, knowing that I wasn't going to get that done in the evening. Same blackbird events.
Sounds like Mary has survived her first couple of days in Chicago. And Charlie has her own juggling act going on in IC.
Looks like a great day today. More later.
Be careful out there.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Monday Part Two
So today was a good, but not great day here at the office. I wish that I were more productive.
I picked up the much-maligned bifocals today. And new sun glasses. The new prescription is a little stonger and gave me a headache after lunch. Still adapting to the bifocal thing.
Tomorrow is 06-06-06 which has certain bible-thumpers in a snit. There are stories on-line that talk about the biblical/satanic meaning to the number. I have one partner who has refused to have the client number 666 assigned to any of his accounts. I wonder if he will take any dramatic defensive action tomorrow. I think its all hooey.
Speaking of hooey, the talk on the wires about the Constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage certainly creates some strange bedfellows (no pun intended). You have George Bush, Jerry Falwell, the Catholic bishops and the Knights of Columbus taking the high and righteous road. And I'm sure that I'm on the same side of the question with Susan (I can't stand you) Sarandan (and the rest of Hollywood). The Federal government needs to figure out how to balance the budget. And stay out of the bedroom.
I can't believe I'm on the same side as Susan Sarandan. On anything.
Lots going on for everyone this week. Good luck.
Be careful out there.
I picked up the much-maligned bifocals today. And new sun glasses. The new prescription is a little stonger and gave me a headache after lunch. Still adapting to the bifocal thing.
Tomorrow is 06-06-06 which has certain bible-thumpers in a snit. There are stories on-line that talk about the biblical/satanic meaning to the number. I have one partner who has refused to have the client number 666 assigned to any of his accounts. I wonder if he will take any dramatic defensive action tomorrow. I think its all hooey.
Speaking of hooey, the talk on the wires about the Constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage certainly creates some strange bedfellows (no pun intended). You have George Bush, Jerry Falwell, the Catholic bishops and the Knights of Columbus taking the high and righteous road. And I'm sure that I'm on the same side of the question with Susan (I can't stand you) Sarandan (and the rest of Hollywood). The Federal government needs to figure out how to balance the budget. And stay out of the bedroom.
I can't believe I'm on the same side as Susan Sarandan. On anything.
Lots going on for everyone this week. Good luck.
Be careful out there.
Monday
Guilty.
Really a good weekend though. Rode all three days. Just a little wind. No sideways rain. Angry bird on only two of the three days.
Enjoyable evening with friends on Friday night. Cookout with the girls on Saturday. Busy Sunday with Mary off to Chicago, yard work, a short ride, and a little FFF/pizza in the evening.
This will be a short week with a KC departure on Thursday.
Funny how getting a posting done everyday can get hard, particularly on the weekend. If I had a computer at my house, it would be easier. But getting to the office at 8PM just doesn't happen. My Saturday AM meeting this past weekend was unusual, but we have the wedding this weekend coming up and there will be other commitments this summer. The consolation to me is that, like this past weekend, my time away from the blog did include time with the girls. One of the original objectives for the blog was to keep that contact with the girls active. Real contact is better than electronic contact.
So consider this the Sunday entry. I'll check in later with Monday's.
Mary is in NYC for the day. Knock 'em dead, girl.
Have a great day out there.
Really a good weekend though. Rode all three days. Just a little wind. No sideways rain. Angry bird on only two of the three days.
Enjoyable evening with friends on Friday night. Cookout with the girls on Saturday. Busy Sunday with Mary off to Chicago, yard work, a short ride, and a little FFF/pizza in the evening.
This will be a short week with a KC departure on Thursday.
Funny how getting a posting done everyday can get hard, particularly on the weekend. If I had a computer at my house, it would be easier. But getting to the office at 8PM just doesn't happen. My Saturday AM meeting this past weekend was unusual, but we have the wedding this weekend coming up and there will be other commitments this summer. The consolation to me is that, like this past weekend, my time away from the blog did include time with the girls. One of the original objectives for the blog was to keep that contact with the girls active. Real contact is better than electronic contact.
So consider this the Sunday entry. I'll check in later with Monday's.
Mary is in NYC for the day. Knock 'em dead, girl.
Have a great day out there.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Friday
No blog Friday.
Just had most of the day blown with my securities Compliance Officer out of Des Moines. She had us digging up correspondence and confirmations of all our transactions in the last year. What a pain.
Beautiful day here. I'm going out for a ride. Then maybe some Tuscan red.
Be careful out there.
Just had most of the day blown with my securities Compliance Officer out of Des Moines. She had us digging up correspondence and confirmations of all our transactions in the last year. What a pain.
Beautiful day here. I'm going out for a ride. Then maybe some Tuscan red.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Chapter Four - Continued Blog Date 060106
Cedar Rapids 19April05 1430
Melanie opened the door and greeted Carmondii, "Hello, Anthony. Sorry that I can't say that I am happy to see you, but I'm sure that you understand."
"Always good to see you too, Melanie," he replied as she shut the door and lead him to the library.
"I just opened a half gallon of real grapefriut juice," said Melanie. "Care for some?" This small indulgence was a remnant of Melanie's West Coast days. She hated the frozen juices sold in most of the local stores. This came from a health food place in Iowa City.
"Yes, thanks," he said with a wry grin. "Just like home."
She poured him a tall glass and they sat down, she in her favorite wingback chair and he in the loveseat facing her. Their drinks rested on convenient end tables. Anthony seemed slightly distracted and Melanie could tell that he wished that he was elsewhere, tending to other business. He had only been to see her in Iowa twice before, both times to obtain her signature on time-sensitive corporate documents for Cyberware. He did not make these trips without a major reason. This would definitely be interesting.
"Melanie," he began, "I need some time on this dividend thing. I'll get you your money, but I'm in a bit of a bother right now and Cyberware's 90 day cash flow projection is negative. We were notified just last week that payment on a big contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) got rolled over to the fiscal year beginning October 1st and that has really put a crimp on things."
"That's original, Anthony," responded Melanie. "Blame it on the government. Are you running for office?" She had expected a song and dance, but this was a pretty pathetic effort for a guy whom she knew was a financial expert. She wondered what the real story was, so she pressed further, "You flew here today thinking I would buy that story? You'll need to do better than that."
Carmondii was not surprised by Melanie's reaction. She had worked for several years in the Family Practice section of the Carruthers Finch law firm and she was far from naive when it came to fabricated explanations. But his curiosity to test her current level of savviness after several years of being out of practice had made the FEMA story an inexpensive trial balloon. He had also wanted to witness in person her demeanor in repsonse to what he knew was an outrageous story, or her reaction to his darker message, if it came to that. Well, he thought to himself, Plan B was really the plan anyway.
"Okay," said Carmondii, "here's the deal." His tone turned cold, almost evil. "Cyberware can't pay you the cash today. Unless certain things fall into place, you won't get another dime out of Cyberware or me. If you want to play hardball with me, your share of the company will be worthless when the restrictions on the sale of your stock expire in August. You may own half of my company, but if you turn this into a public legal battle, or you get the Department of Justice involved, I can assure you that you will end up without a pot to piss in."
Melanie was speechless. Her heart raced.
Carmondii stood and walked from the room, but stopped and turned before reaching the foyer. "Melanie, there are some people involved in this thing who have lots of money at risk. They have given me a very small amount of operating space and a limited amout of time to complete a financial restructuring of the business. If you stir up a mess, they will be very unhappy."
She watched him leave and close the door. She was afraid. And alone.
Melanie opened the door and greeted Carmondii, "Hello, Anthony. Sorry that I can't say that I am happy to see you, but I'm sure that you understand."
"Always good to see you too, Melanie," he replied as she shut the door and lead him to the library.
"I just opened a half gallon of real grapefriut juice," said Melanie. "Care for some?" This small indulgence was a remnant of Melanie's West Coast days. She hated the frozen juices sold in most of the local stores. This came from a health food place in Iowa City.
"Yes, thanks," he said with a wry grin. "Just like home."
She poured him a tall glass and they sat down, she in her favorite wingback chair and he in the loveseat facing her. Their drinks rested on convenient end tables. Anthony seemed slightly distracted and Melanie could tell that he wished that he was elsewhere, tending to other business. He had only been to see her in Iowa twice before, both times to obtain her signature on time-sensitive corporate documents for Cyberware. He did not make these trips without a major reason. This would definitely be interesting.
"Melanie," he began, "I need some time on this dividend thing. I'll get you your money, but I'm in a bit of a bother right now and Cyberware's 90 day cash flow projection is negative. We were notified just last week that payment on a big contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) got rolled over to the fiscal year beginning October 1st and that has really put a crimp on things."
"That's original, Anthony," responded Melanie. "Blame it on the government. Are you running for office?" She had expected a song and dance, but this was a pretty pathetic effort for a guy whom she knew was a financial expert. She wondered what the real story was, so she pressed further, "You flew here today thinking I would buy that story? You'll need to do better than that."
Carmondii was not surprised by Melanie's reaction. She had worked for several years in the Family Practice section of the Carruthers Finch law firm and she was far from naive when it came to fabricated explanations. But his curiosity to test her current level of savviness after several years of being out of practice had made the FEMA story an inexpensive trial balloon. He had also wanted to witness in person her demeanor in repsonse to what he knew was an outrageous story, or her reaction to his darker message, if it came to that. Well, he thought to himself, Plan B was really the plan anyway.
"Okay," said Carmondii, "here's the deal." His tone turned cold, almost evil. "Cyberware can't pay you the cash today. Unless certain things fall into place, you won't get another dime out of Cyberware or me. If you want to play hardball with me, your share of the company will be worthless when the restrictions on the sale of your stock expire in August. You may own half of my company, but if you turn this into a public legal battle, or you get the Department of Justice involved, I can assure you that you will end up without a pot to piss in."
Melanie was speechless. Her heart raced.
Carmondii stood and walked from the room, but stopped and turned before reaching the foyer. "Melanie, there are some people involved in this thing who have lots of money at risk. They have given me a very small amount of operating space and a limited amout of time to complete a financial restructuring of the business. If you stir up a mess, they will be very unhappy."
She watched him leave and close the door. She was afraid. And alone.
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