Can I trouble you for a vote?

San Antonio Marathon

20x30-SAPX1688, originally uploaded by cmiked.

Hey! Look at me! I stopped posting for awhile and ran a marathon or two. This was my first. San Antonio Rock and Roll. All the way back in November. In December, I ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon. On Sunday, I'll be running my third in three months as we head to Houston for their big Marathon. Crazy, I tell you.

September 2010

Baylor_v_Buffalo_2010-9110099, originally uploaded by cmiked.

September brought us Baylor Football. Our hopes were low but our spirits were as we kicked off another season. Led by one of the best quarterbacks in Baylor history, RGIII, the Bears have surprised quite a few people this year. The Bears were the first Texas Big XII team to be bowl eligible, led the Big XII South for two weeks, were ranked for two weeks, beat Texas in Austin, and are guaranteed a successful season for the first time in years. Sic 'em!

September also took us back to North Carolina and more golf.  This time with our friends at Axiom.  I'm sure I don't have to say that drink, food, and golf was the game and fun was the rule.

August 2010

Pinehurst_NC_BMS_August_2010-8210081, originally uploaded by cmiked.

In August, we had the opportunity to spend several days with good friends, who also happen to be work partners, in North Carolina. We played several rounds of golf at Pinehurst's different courses including the famous No. 2. We had a lot of laughs, good food, plenty to drink, and an all around good time. Thanks to Sheli and Wayne of BMS for hosting us.

Time Flies....blah blah

I was trying to post at least once a month, I made it to July before I failed.  I owe a write up about our Disney trip in May.  As in May-be I'll get to it.  November is here and getting close to half way already.  Thanksgiving will be here soon.  I'll pull up my Disney notes and get to work on that.  And fill in some empty pieces along the way.

Summer is slipping away.

July_2010-7250167, originally uploaded by cmiked.

Home State Spring Round Up 2010

Kelly_Willis_June_2010-1750, originally uploaded by cmiked.

The boat has been played out. For about 15 years, we cruised Lake Travis on the Spirit of Texas (I think it was called). But when Lakeway built their new condos, the condo association made them move the boat, the captain dies, and the boat was lost. For the last two years we tried to make due with a smaller boat but it just wasn't the same. Then, when last year Lake Travis was just about empty, we hardly cruised at all. So in spite of the protests of an important minority majority(the guy that signs the checks), we decided to scuttle the boat plans and find some Austin music to fill the void.

There was very little debate, as I recall. I think I said something like, "Jen, maybe we do some kind of music this year." Jen said something like, "How about Kelly Willis?" I wondered if we could get her to perform without breaking the bank and neither of us new. So, with the help of Rock and Roller and #1 brother-in-law Dale, we set out to contract Ms. Willis to play for us.

It actually was a very easy process and as you can see, we pulled it off. She was so awesome there are no words. She is as laid back and as Texas as one gets and pleased the crowd for a little over an hour. There were many there who didn't know of her but ended up knowing of her songs. I think we managed to entertain the crowd, even the Boat Man. I can't wait to see what next year brings.

Just for the sake of background, our Spring Round Up is an annual gathering of our business partners we have been doing for 18 years now. We get together on Lake Travis, play some golf, eat some food, do a little bit of business(it really is more about fun here), and generally have a good time. It's a lot of work but we have a system and it's close to automatic sometimes.

10 Years! Killeen - Geocaching Anniversary Event

10_Years_Killeen_2010-5010002, originally uploaded by cmiked.

Will and I attended the 10 Years! Killeen geocaching event at Dana Peak Park on Stillhouse Hollow Lake this weekend. There were events nationwide celebrating the 10th anniversary of the date the U.S. government turned off the GPS Selective Availability making geocaching possible. We had fun visiting some folks we hadn't seen in a long time and some new faces. We did about a 1.5 mile uphill hike and grabbed some caches.

Rainy Day Fun

April_2010-1060999, originally uploaded by cmiked.

The boys got a little muddy today. It's been raining the last couple of days and tough to get out. But we had a short break that allowed us to play some today. Travel time is upon me, Houston for Jen's 40th birthday last Wednesday then we're headed out to sunny San Diego on Friday for the AIR conference. I still haven't swung a club. Hopefully I can try this week.

Baylor Bears Sweet 16 for the first time EVER!

NCAA_Southern_Regional_2010_Sweet_16-1060865, originally uploaded by cmiked.

Now they are in the Elite 8 for the first time in the modern era. Reliant Stadium was Bear Country for a basketball game that Baylor dominated from start to finish. I've never sen so many Baylor fans in one place at one time. It was spectacular. I'm headed back to Houston in the morning for the Elite 8 game vs. Duke. Something tells me that game is going to be a little more difficult for my Bears. Sic 'em!

R.I.P., Frances

Amy's Aunt Frances passed away this morning. Frances loved my kids and me. She always had the best stories and was a great story teller. I will miss her visits. All my love to her kids, Nick and Alix. Peace.

Waco Theater (Hippodrome) - closed

Waco Theater (Hippodrome)
Originally uploaded by cmiked.
I learned today that the Waco Hippodrome has closed its doors for the foreseeable future and has released all of its employees. It was already having financial trouble and the economy certainly did not help it.

I hope that someone is able to step up and get it back up and running again.

Snowpocolypse Waco 2010

Snowpocolypse_Waco_02_2010-7972
Originally uploaded by cmiked.
We had ourselves an old fashioned Snow Day yesterday. That was the most it had snowed in Waco in a long time. The boys and I had a blast. It was really wet snow too so snowballs and snowmen were easy. We followed it up by drying out in front of a big old fire and drinking hot chocolate. The winter needs to be over now as I am out of firewood. I'm just sorry Amy missed it. She was out of town at her Great Uncle Joe's funeral.

Update:  I see now where a record was set.  3 inches of snow in Waco.

Barred Owl

February_2010-7620
Originally uploaded by cmiked.
Amy was taking Will to his den meeting last night and called me just as she left. I grabbed the long lens and slipped out the front door and sneaked around to the back of the house to get a good look. He was hanging out in our pecan tree just watching things. I hope he hangs around as we have spotted some mice hanging out on the bird feeders.

Texas_Appaloosa_Horse_Show-6892

Texas_Appaloosa_Horse_Show-6892
Originally uploaded by cmiked.

I participated in a photowalk hosted by the Heart of Texas Photographic Society. I've never been to an Appaloosa show before so that was new. I briefly met a few new folks and some old ones as well. I took a bunch of pictures and I'm pretty happy with a few.

Jan_2010-6069 - Kim's Hamburgers Etc.

Jan_2010-6069 - Kim's Hamburgers Etc.
Originally uploaded by cmiked.

Kitok's is still closed for the holidays so we decided to go to Kim's today. The food wasn't great but all these cars pulled in while we were eating. It made for a cool retro shot. Speaking of shots, I'm attempting a Project 365, this is shot number two. I've done two 365's in the past. One for each of the boys 7th year. Since I don't have to have them for the shots this should be easier.

Equity Christmas Party 2009

Dec0912of12-10003
Originally uploaded by cmiked.

This weekend was our Tulsa Christmas party. They hired a photo booth again. It was big fun. The party went well, lots of fun and food. We stayed a the newly renovate Mayo hotel and it was really nice. The trains though, Tulsa has to do something about the trains blowing their horns through town all night.

December 2009

New_York_City_12_2009-5177
Originally uploaded by cmiked.

Back from our annual trip to NYC. The trip was uneventful this year. We stayed in the shadow of the Empire State Building. The rooftop of the hotel provided for some unique views of the ESB unobstructed. Had a great Thai dinner at Kittichai in SoHo. Good times, good friends, good food.

Homecoming 2009

Homecoming_2009-4202
Originally uploaded by cmiked.

A lot of folks made the trip to come home this year, some folks we have not seen in a long time. A long time. Besides the lousy outcome of the footballing contest, we had a great time. I went to Orlando the next day, stayed at Disney and didn't take a single "real" picture.

Fried Butter!

State_Fair_of_Texas_2009-3218
Originally uploaded by cmiked.

I was a little disappointed hearing the big new thing was Fried Butter. It didn't sound appetizing in the least. But Oprah was there, as was Gayle, and they seemed to like it, so I figured I'd better try it. I got the Grape Jelly variety. As you can see, they are about the size of golf balls and covered with grape jelly and powdered sugar. They tasted just like a hot buttered biscuit. That was not at all what I expected. It wasn't bad, but the fried cookie dough from the same stand gets a bigger thumbs up. Amy's fried s'more wins my Fried Food of the Fair award for 2009, however. Two thumbs up!