Brooke graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Management.
She’s thinking about getting her PMP.
Brooke got a new Honda CR-V with all wheel drive so no more getting stuck in the snow.
Brooke turned 27 or so and I think each one is getting a little harder to admit to.

Mark is still in school with four more classes to go.
He took the fall semester off and if Brooke wouldn’t make him do it, he’d never go back to school as it’s a waste of his time in his opinion.
He’s been busy helping Mike with race4myplace.com, working on his own creation crowdrent.com, talking about continued help with gauto.com, coming up with new ideas.
Mark got a Honda Civic which is affectionately known as the vomit comet since Max gets car sick and it’s not all wheel drive so it should be a fun winter.
Mark is officially a full-time teleworker so we’ll see how that goes.
Mark turned 31 and really couldn’t care less.  I think 31 was harder than 30.
Crowd Rent did it’s first transaction and I made my first three dollars in business.  Doesn’t make me rich, just happy.
Mark is a serial “wantrepreneur“  but has yet to quit his job and make a fortune on any of the many ideas floating around his head.

Our puppies are a year old and entertaining as always.
We still live in the same house now just passing the two year mark.  Longest I’ve ever lived in one spot since I’ve lived on my own.
Our company, CH2M Hill sold our division, EMS, to Golden Gate Capital and we’re now called Critigen.
We’re going to the southern Caribbean this winter for a week.

Oh, and it’s winter again.  It has snowed, it’s been literally freezing, never over 32F/0C all day yesterday, lather, rinse, repeat.

Well let’s hope it’s as bad or worse as they say it should be. We need the moisture badly and I just love the snow. And this is big-flake snow too, not that sissy flurry nonsense. This’ll stick to your ribs and pretty much everything else it hits. And it’ll be in the 60s this weekend. I love Denver!

The vacation started great and got better each day.  We ended up doing a time share presentation and got whale watching, zip line, city tour, and snorkeling.  The whale watching was fantastic.  The people were great and the whales were there almost on command and one even breached.  It was amazing to be so close to 50 tons of animal coming almost all the way out of the water.

The next on the agenda was the zip line.  Zip line was unreal and one of the most fun things we’ve ever done.  It was called canopy chicos and they were friendly and very fun.  The zip lines were upwards of 650 feet up and you got going as fast as 40 miles per hour.  It was amazing and the views were stellar.

Next up was the city tour which wasn’t bad.  It was mainly shopping at prearranged places where I’m sure the prices tripled when the bus showed up.  Lunch was not included, it was in the middle of the “country” south of Puerto Vallarta and it was a rip off.  The highlight of the tour was tequila tasting at the tequila factory.  Juan the guy there was hilarious, the tequila was fantastic and the almond tequila was unreal.

Finally was “snorkeling” which was more of a day cruise.  They dropped a handful of us into the ocean to snorkel and gave us 20 minutes so the other half could go.  There was virtually nothing to look at in the water and there were jellyfish in the area.  So we stop at our first, Quimixto, of two beaches for lunch and a waterfall hike.  We skipped the waterfall and waited for lunch.  Lunch was blah and we were so late leaving we missed our second stop.  Las Animas was supposed to be the reason to go, the most beautiful beach on the trip.  We chased some dolphins on the way back but it was boring.

After the tours we settled in for our first “boring” day at the pool.  This was Christmas day and quite a good time.  The weather in Puerto Vallarta was great and sitting at the pool in 80ish degree weather was even better.  Later that night we found what I’ll call the hands down best fajitas on the face of the earth.  Fajita Banana was amazing.  We’d been the night before and got a sampler platter and then fajitas for other people came out and we regretted our choice.  It was like they made the fajitas from pure goodness.  They were amazing and I can’t wait to go back.  All in all the food wasn’t stellar at the marina but it was good and there was a large variety.  Victors was always popular and Victor himself came out and did a shot of tequila when you ordered a beer.

What is obvious is there are many Mexicos.  There is the resort or multi-million dollars beachfront homes, there are the poor Mexicans in town just trying to earn a living, and then those in the very poor out in the more rural areas.  However, one thing we’ve seen first hand is each and every Mexican from any one of those areas are amazingly hospitable and exceedingly proud of their nation.  It may be the cab driver or the man riding the bus pointing us to downtown thinking we were lost.  Each and every person there was amazing and very gracious hosts.  We can both say we would love to go back soon.  Every time we’ve been to Mexico we’ve been very happy.

An photo linkage for those still reading

Brooke played with her, she was lazy and boring.  She played with him and he ran laps around her for 10 minutes.  We put them both together and it was love at first sight.  While we bought them and all the supplies they need, they spent an hour rolling around and playing.  They were both exhausted.

So, we now have Max and Zoey.  Max is the brown one while Zoey is mainly white.  They went to the vet yesterday and got a jillion dollars worth of shots and we’re taking them back in three weeks.  They are getting good at going outside and have had only a few accidents.  She’s a pro, he’s catching on.  They’re in a pen at home to keep them in one place and not going on everything but eventually we’ll let them out to have free reign.  I got up at 2:30 to let them out this morning and I’m going home at lunch to let them out.  They’re a ton of fun, a lot of work, and even more expensive but they are so cute it’s worth it.

Pictures

I was reading an article in the Denver Post about families who have fallen on hard times and are living in some of the seedy motels in the Denver area complete with cockroaches and crack heads.  These are people who are some of the most vulnerable people during such challenging economic times.  People who are good, working class people but living paycheck to paycheck.  When they were laid off from their jobs they couldn’t make rent; living in a dingy motel is all they can do to avoid being completely homeless.  These are proud people forced to swallow that pride in an effort to save their families.

While we’ll be sipping cocktails on the beaches of Mexico there are people who will have to decide whether to buy food or pay rent.  They don’t need charity, they need a helping hand.  They need other good people to offer them a job when no one is hiring, they need a few hand-me-down clothes to make sure their children are warm on the walk to school. People saw this story and donations came flooding in.  Their phone was ringing every ten minutes with people trying to help.  But what struck me most was the woman who was dealing with her own financial issues still found the will and the means to give to someone in a worse situation.  That’s an amazing act of selfless humanity, and they’re happening everywhere and everyday.

Winston Churchill once said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  We need to define ourselves not by what we make but why what we give.  We could certainly give money, food, or clothes to those who need a helping hand.  These are vitally important to helping the community care for our most vulnerable members.  But there’s more, we need to be more involved in our communities and making them a better place for our children.  Kahlil Gibran said “You give but little when you give of your possessions.  It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”  It easy to buy a few cans of soup and donate, but giving up your time takes real commitment.

Brooke mentioned the idea of volunteering at the local Children’s Hospital in Denver.  I thought we’re too busy, when could we volunteer?  And moreover, what can I do for the hospital?  We’re not doctors or nurses.  But there has to be something.  So this new year you’ll make a resolution to exercise more, eat better, or even stop smoking.  These are all very good causes but their inherently your own cause.  Sure being healthier will result in more years with your spouse or your kids which is an amazing gift.  Do those things but all dig deeper, look inwards and give what your cannot buy.  It never goes on sale but it also doesn’t cost a dime.  Give yourself to better the world.  Practice random acts of kindness and make your neighborhood a better place.

It could be as simple as spending more time than ever thought you could bear to stand with a friend who’s unemployed and not finding a job.  Who’s scared he might lose his house but is too proud to admit it.  Invite them over for dinner and games to help take their minds off of reality even if it’s just for the night.  It could also mean volunteering for a good cause like Habitat for Humanity, the Children’s Hospital, or spending an Saturday at a retirement home playing bridge with old ladies.  I want to challenge everyone and especially myself to give more this new year.  Not only give more, but give in ways you’ve never given before.  Don’t just give around the holidays, poverty doesn’t bother to check the calendar. You can make the world a little better than it was when you found; a little better for the next generation.  Define yourself not by what you make, but by what you give.

So it’s been almost a year since Brooke and I’ve been back to Phoenix.  Now let me tell you, having grown up in Phoenix there are absolutely no redeeming qualities.  The people are terrible for the most part (thanks California), it’s hot even in the winter, there is nothing that lives without all the water they get from my great state of Colorado, and they have the Cardinals.  I hate the Cardinals but they do have the Suns so that’s a plus!  Anyway, the only reason to go to Phoenix is family and boy is it a good reason.  So Suns and family are the only reasons.  This guy is a great reason if you ask me:

I liked going over Thanksgiving because we could spend more time and take less PTO at work.  It makes it easier as I have only 10,000 emails when I get back not 100,000.  For instance, Christmas is on a Thursday so we’d likely take Wednesday off and Friday and have to be back Monday.  This is much easier and the air travel nightmares aren’t that bad.  DIA was great on the way out and Sky Harbor was just fine on the way back.  Obviously security is a joke and total “theater” as they do nothing at all to protect you but that’s the same anytime.

All in all it was a great time.  We got to hang out with the coolest nephew ever (see above) and there is another on the way.  Not like I said last night mom, Brooke’s brother (well his wife) is having a baby boy so there could be competition.  We saw like 8 million reliatives, played hand in foot, drank a bit too much as usual, ate way too much (rolls only for me please, thanksgiving food is among the most disgusting fare you’ll ever encounter).

And above all else, Thanksgiving helps you remember to be thankful.  Thankful for the wonderful family we both have and the sacrifices they’ve made (thanks moms) for both of us.  I know we both consider ourselves very lucky to have such a wonderful mom/dad/brother/sister/cousin/grandparent you name it.  So when you’re faced with getting someone something for Christmas who has everything give them something they can’t buy themselves.  Give them something they no gift card could get them, something you won’t find in any store, and the gift that no one else could ever give them.  Give them the gift of family.  We miss everyone of you and we love you more than you could ever imagine.

Oh, and Conner, someday you’ll get a kick out of this picture!

I know I do!

So the first weekend of November Brooke and I went to the Denver Zoo.  Now I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a big zoo guy.  I love a good Sea World but really, looking at giraffes is only so much fun.  Well I have to say, I was very happy we went, it was a great time.  The Denver Zoo does free days late in the season here.  Normally it’s snowed and it’s a lot colder.  Well we went on Sunday and it was in the 70s.  In fact, we were a little warm in jeans and t-shirts.

While the zoo isn’t all that expensive nothing beats free.  Well I guess every other “Denverite” agreed with that sentiment.  The place was mobbed.  A word of advice, get there a bit before it opens.  The line moves quick but the parking fills up fast.  When the gates open, you just stroll right in.  There is nothing to do.  Grab a map and plan your assault of Mother Nature’s playground.  We made a counter-clockwise loop around and made it in time for the sea lion demo.

After sea lions we wandered around some more.  We came the elephant exhibit where they were talking about their diets.  The two elephants lost like 800 (360 kg) pounds each.  On was just shy of 8,000 (3,600 kg) pounds and the other was around 10,000 (4,500 kg) pounds.  I knew they were massive obviously but I was taken a back by the size.  It was amazing, they can move enormous amounts of weight and are able to pick a blade of grass with their trunks.

After elephants it was monkeys and gorillas.  The monkeys are pretty fun but the gorillas were boring. There was one orangutan that grabbed his celery, walked to the other side of his enclosure, but a burlap blanket over his head and went to sleep.  It was hilarious!

All in all the Denver Zoo was a great time and I’d recommend free days but also pay days.  Support your local zoo, they really do good work and they help educate those knuckle-dragging humans like me about the animals we share the planet with.  And aside from stranding a preposition there in the last sentence I’m giving you the best picture of the day.  A lazy camel.  More pictures can be found here:

http://www.brookeandmark.net/photos/main.php?g2_itemId=541

While she’s working 12 hour days at odd hours I’m doing a project for CS 414.  It’s your basic OO design project making a parking garage but it is frustrating given the scope of some of the software I’ve worked with in the past.  Me and my team waited until the last minute to do it of course.  We’re almost done but I’ve been up til 12, 1, and 2 am.  This morning Brooke and I passed each other.  She was on her way out, and I was about to go to bed.  It turned out I went to bed an hour later and couldn’t fall right to sleep.  There is nothing more frustrating than being exhausted and not being able to sleep.  Nature, with the assistance of Benadryl took it’s course but it was nearly 3 am.  And I was up at 8 to start working.  Luckily I worked from home today so I never had to get out dressed and go anywhere.

Now I find out Brooke might have to work the same early shift on Friday too and I have CS 475 homework due on Sunday.  This will take up my entire weekend like it did last weekend.  We’re parallelizing a ton of different problems.  Don’t worry they tell us, this one is easy.  The previous MPI programs were much easier than these.  This class is the most disorganized and frustrating I’ve taken so far in the M.C.S. program at CSU.  One cool thing though is the Mandelbrot set program generated this cool looking image. Oh, and Brooke as always, is powering through her classes while working crazy hours and possibly 60 hours this week.  I don’t know how she does it but she’ll be done here soon.