Bear, Ninja, Cowboy

This week I attended my company's annual retreat at the Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin where leadership, creativity and team building were on the agenda. But the real story of the week was bear, ninja, cowboy - a full body version of rock, paper, scissors. Just remember:

Bear beats ninja
Ninja beats cowboy
Cowboy beats bear

Denver & Red Rocks

Went to Denver last weekend and enjoyed everything the area has to offer - music, beer and the outdoors. Saw OAR at Red Rocks, visited Oskar Blues brewery and took a hike at Castlewood Canyon State Park.

Adventures in Missouri - Garage Saling

The family and I just returned from a week long adventure in wilds of Missouri. After baking ourselves in the 100 degree heat in Lake of the Ozarks, home of Party Cove, we drove back to the flat lands of Illinois. We took the scenic route back, covering many rural communities and enjoying the rolling hills of good ole Missouri. If we hadn't taken this route, we would have never found these: Busch Bavarian beer sign and 2 two gallon Western Stoneware jugs.

 Pretty good score in the middle of nowhere!

And this wasn't the best part. After small talking with the guy putting on the garage sale, he found out that I was from Chicago. Well, lo and behold, his wife is from Illinois, so obviously we have something in common or must know the same people! So now he is yelling at her to tell him where she is from since he forgot, but she is ignoring him. Next thing you know he is telling me she is from mile marker 148! Where the hell is that dude?! Like I am supposed to know where mile marker 148 is.

Airplane Love

The following is a conversion my wife and I had on an airplane trip by passing my iPhone back and forth writing notes. I was venting about the children behind me and their 'childish' behavior during a 6am flight.

Me: They open the window shade that is right in my periphery and kick, pinch and grab my seat. I am furious.

Wife: You really seem cranky today. You should smile more and be happy. You are with your family and they love you. Breathe deep.

Me: My toys do not work. I am tired. Tired of stupid people. Tired of the bitch and her kids kicking my fucking chair!!

Wife:  I love you.

Me: It took you a long time to write that. I will be fine once we vacate this plane.

Wife: Silly.

Me: I think we should buy an iPad 2.

When I grow up....

Sitting around the breakfast table, my son, age 4 says, 'Can I put chocolate sauce in your coffee?' I politely decline. He says, 'When I am a parent, I am going to put chocolate sauce in my coffee.'

Now only if I had foresight when I was 4. 

Blanket Tents

Remember the days when blanket tents were made on rainy days using chairs, couches and cushions? Well I don't need a rain day to bring out my inner kid again. Nothing was better than watching the Bulls waste the Heat while in the comfort of my blanket tent.

Now my wife is especially happy for this tent. Notice the two supporting poles in the middle of the tent. A crash symbol and high hat are acting as my roof support and as long as these are holding up the roof, I can't bang on them. Well, now that I think of it, my neighbors are probably excited about my blanket tent too.

Growing Pot

In my dark basement, there is a light. Currently, it is situated over some green plants that have been carefully sowed in potting soil.

And yes, there are herbs.

Since there is limited space in my backyard for a garden, I have resorted to container planting for many of my plants. Hence why I am looking for a 'growing pot', AKA containers. If you have any you are not using, send them my way.!