Category Archives: Family & Friends

Lucky Money Toad

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ChanchuA lovely Christmas Eve at Susan’s with her family and friends. Janny (an anglicized version of her Chinese name) gave several us Lucky Money Toads. From the Wikipedia entry:

“Chan Chu means “toad; frog”, especially the “Lucky Money Toad” or “Three-legged Money Frog”, a popular Chinese symbol for prosperity. It is often portrayed with red eyes and flared nostrils, sitting on a pile of traditional Chinese cash, with a coin in its mouth. According to Feng Shui lore, it is believed to drive away evil, protect wealth, and increase income.”

I like that drive away evil part. Thank you, Janny.

Holiday Greetings from Ripley and Lucy

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Far and away the most asked question about the annual holiday card, “How did you get the dogs to sit still for the photo?” The answer has always been a combination of patience and treats. This year, neither was enough to get Lucy to pose. When the camera came out, she freaked and ran. Barb never lost her cool but I really thought this would be the year she’d have to punt.

The image above perfectly captures the exhaustion of everyone involved. Not an award winner, but an honest and true image of the season. We’re all a little exhausted.

Long live King Bob!

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Kingbob200Friend and co-worker Bob Feldisch has been with our company about a year longer than I. He’s taking on new duties and the post on our corporate blog is note-worthy.

When King Bob started with Learfield:

  • Ronald Reagan was President
  • Lee Iacocca was pitching K-Cars
  • “The Terminator” was released
  • Michael Jackson’s hair caught on fire while filming a Pepsi commercial
  • Apple released the very first Macintosh

Since that time:

  • King Bob has logged about one million frequent flyer miles serving his clients
  • He’s driven over half a million miles across Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Oklahoma
  • He has generated nearly 30 million dollars in sales for the company

This makes a great blog post but you probably wouldn’t see this much imagination and fun in a corporate, inter-office news release. I love the fact that the blog was was the first and –as far as I know– only place this news was posted.

Dunklin County Library Hall of Honor

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Barb’s pop –Dr. Paul C. Miltenberger– is one of eleven residents (and former residents) that will be inducted into the Hall of Honor at the county library.

To have been considered for induction, individuals "must have distinguished themselves within their occupation, trade, or field of endeavor, through intellectual, creative, humanitarian and professional accomplishments."

Great opportunity to visit with some old friends and spend quality time with family. Took a drive around the old home town but didn’t take any pix. Just too much plywood.

Kennett bound

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Barb and I headed down to Kennett this weekend. I honestly can’t remember the last time I was there. We used to joke, "Nobody goes to Kennett… you have to be born there." I’m looking forward to seeing old friends.

I’m a little fuzzy on the details, but I think the Dunklin County Library is dedicating a room to some of Kennett’s former citizens, including Barb’s father, Dr. Paul Miltenberger. So the family heading home to show the colors. Won’t be much blogging this weekend.

Turning laptops into puppy chow

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Thinkpad200Henry has been kind enough to sell my IBM Thinkpad on eBay. Proceeds will be donated to the local Humane Society. This baby is in mint condition but you just don’t get much for a 3 year old (?) laptop. I paid $3K for the thing and the bidding is at $50.

I’m told that’s likely to jump up near the end of the bidding period (Oct 14) but I shouldn’t count on it. So, if the thing is gonna go for peanuts, I’d rather it go to someone I know. Might be a good box for student or your grandma. Built like tank. I’m only selling it because Henry nagged me into it : ].

And she can sing

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Sheryl CrowI always get a few “you filthy perv” emails when I post one of these photos of Kennett’s Favorite Daughter, Sheryl Crow. I promise, I’m motivated by nothing more than small-town-pride. And appreciation for the work it must take to keep a 45-year-old body looking this fine. (I’m getting close to perv, aren’t I?)

What can I say? Smart, talented women in control of their lives is a turn-on for me. Okay, it doesn’t hurt if they’re hot.

The cover is from the October issue of Shape. Previous posts on SC.

J-Walk Blog

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“The Web has thousands of halfway-decent blogs. This is one of them.” That’s how John Walkenbach describes his blog. No idea how I missed this wonderful blog all these years, but it’s in the reader now. The few minutes you waste here can be better spent on the J-Walk Blog.

Sign150Update (Sept 30, 2007): Yesterday morning I happened across the J-Walk Blog and posted the link above at 11:22 a.m. CDT. At 10:22 a.m. Mountain, J-Walk gave smays.com a nice little mention. (Not sure how this could happen so quickly because I can’t figure out the time zone thing.)

Not long after the mention on J-Walk, I heard from Keith Povall, a delightful chap (bloke?) who blogs from the UK. Keith is also the genius behind the Sandals and Socks website.

UPDATE: John abandoned his blog somewhere along the way in favor of Google+ and Facebook. Alas.

West Coast Fez

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Fez #7Bay Area buddy Jamie Nelson is the newest member of the Order of the Fez. Jamie might look familiar due to expensive (and painful) cosmetic surgery that allows him to pass for a young Larry David.

Jamie is thrilled “to be part of the fez-wearing, non-little-car-driving, elite” and is the first tassel-less member.

“I like the more stripped down, Istanbul “street” look: More stability in a strong breeze off the Hellespont.”

Jamie is the 7th (often regarded as a mystical and powerful number) member of The Order.