This week I was in Houston on business. Quite a few things were accomplished. Primarily, we had the sales kickoff for 2011, which is important but by no means the only thing accomplished. I worked with our development team to talk about database theory to speed things up and a few other important items of business were covered as well.
Houston is not my favorite town. It is way to crowded for my tastes. Traffic is abysmal. As much as I enjoy seeing everyone down there, I'm glad I only visit.
Returning to CO late Friday, I woke up to a busy weekend. The wife recently joined Macaroni Kid as a publisher (http://broomfield.macaronikid.com/). They gather together all the weekly events in the local area and publish them for subscribers. The service is free to subscribers, with everything paid through advertising. Its a good idea and she enjoys it. However, the Denver Baby and Kidz Expo was this weekend and several macaroni moms (Marie included) had a booth there. So it was me and the girls for the weekend.
Kaylee had homework to do, so she stayed home. However, the other two and I got into all kinds of trouble! Well, not trouble, but we had a good time. First, we went to the expo and they visited the petting zoo and rode ponies. After that we headed home for lunch, then back downtown to the Museum of Nature and Science (http://www.dmns.org/).
DMNS is the best museum of its kind. I prefer it to the Smithsonian, though all the Smithsonians together are impressive. We visited the Health Exhibit, the girl's favorite. A Pirates exhibit comes in March and everyone is excited about going to it. My personal favorite though is the dinosaur exhibit. It isn't a few bones scattered around, its a story and a half of fossils packed close together.
On Sunday afternoon we decided to visit the Denver Zoo (http://www.denverzoo.org/). There were several new babies, including a baby orangutan, Hesty, at the zoo. Unfortunately, we have some cold weather coming in Monday/Tuesday and the zoo keepers were bringing the animals inside. Even the seals had only three animals out, and no babies, except for a baby DeBrazza's Monkey. However, we did run around the Tropics room where we warmed up, saw a clutch of Komodo Dragons hatchlings (http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/OTWS.pdf), and dozens of other animals.
A busy weekend with the girls is always great when I get back from a week long trip. I miss them when I'm gone, but it makes spending time with them more valuable. Usually they are asleep when I return, but I check on each one of them anyways. Having fun with kids is important, and I love Denver for having so much to do which is family friendly.
A great weekend after a great week. It doesn't get better.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Goodbye and Goodluck
Today is a relatively bittersweet day. A coworker and friend of mine, Tom, leaves for New York to pursue new opportunities. Tom is great guy and sincerely wish him the best. However, I have enjoyed working with him and watching him grow as a developer and a Project Manager. I truly believe this new position is the next stage of growth for him. Still, it does sadden me to know I will not hear him on the phone.
So, Tom, Good luck and enjoy New York. We wish you all the best. And if you ever make it out to Colorado some time let me know and we will tear up some powder. Keep in touch, buddy.
So, Tom, Good luck and enjoy New York. We wish you all the best. And if you ever make it out to Colorado some time let me know and we will tear up some powder. Keep in touch, buddy.
Monday, January 24, 2011
National Western Stock show
The girls and I visited the National Western Stock show on Saturday. This is the fourth time we have attended the NWS. Twice we attended the Wild West Show, once we went to the Rodeo, and this year we wehnt to the Draft Horse Competition.
I'll admit the excitement level of the Draft Horses does not compare to the Rodeo or the Wild West Show. However, I enjoyed them more than the other two events. Watching the mules run the pole course was amusing and interesting. Mules are not the most submissive of creatures, and they are definitely more willful than horses. Many just walked the course, or trotted. One decided it wasn't going to do it and the rider's argument was moot.
There were seventeen 6-hitch teams competing. Before the event we walked around downstairs and were able to see some of the Percheron's getting ready. They are massive beasts, with hooves the size of dinner plates. Magnificent creatures.
The wife and I also saw a team of Black Clydesdales. Never knew such a thing existed (too many beer commercials I guess). They were beautiful, although I've concluded that all Clydesdales "Prance" when they trot. It's probably just the hair around their legs, but it makes these huge creatures look "girly" for lack of a better word.
So, we had a great time, but we will see if we go again next year.
I'll admit the excitement level of the Draft Horses does not compare to the Rodeo or the Wild West Show. However, I enjoyed them more than the other two events. Watching the mules run the pole course was amusing and interesting. Mules are not the most submissive of creatures, and they are definitely more willful than horses. Many just walked the course, or trotted. One decided it wasn't going to do it and the rider's argument was moot.
There were seventeen 6-hitch teams competing. Before the event we walked around downstairs and were able to see some of the Percheron's getting ready. They are massive beasts, with hooves the size of dinner plates. Magnificent creatures.
The wife and I also saw a team of Black Clydesdales. Never knew such a thing existed (too many beer commercials I guess). They were beautiful, although I've concluded that all Clydesdales "Prance" when they trot. It's probably just the hair around their legs, but it makes these huge creatures look "girly" for lack of a better word.
So, we had a great time, but we will see if we go again next year.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Steelers - Going for #7!
My family and I are big Steelers fans. Wathcing them win today was awesome! I didn't place any best, unlike a buddy of mine (http://gummyswedes.blogspot.com/2011/01/bets.html). However, I am ecstatic about it and look forward to a great game against the Packers in 2 weeks!
Friday, January 21, 2011
MagnaCon
Last Saturday and Sunday I ran some games at MagnaCon. MagnaCon is a small, pure board game convention held here in Denver. As always, playing games is enjoyable. I ran a game of Descent:Journeys in the the Dark, and a game of Battlestar Galactica:Exodus. Reviews of these can be found at my other site: http://gamesstrategyandtactics.blogspot.com.
Games have been a major part of my life since I was a kid. I now design game systems for fun. My first system was invented when I was 10 years old. It was for my own personal enjoyment, but it was my first attempt. Decades later, I'm still trying to develop games and sell them. I'm getting better at it.
Tomorrow, my family and I will visit the National Wester Stock Show. We have been several times before, but we go to different events every year. This year we will see the Draft Horses event. Given the girls love horses, I know they will enjoy it.
Games have been a major part of my life since I was a kid. I now design game systems for fun. My first system was invented when I was 10 years old. It was for my own personal enjoyment, but it was my first attempt. Decades later, I'm still trying to develop games and sell them. I'm getting better at it.
Tomorrow, my family and I will visit the National Wester Stock Show. We have been several times before, but we go to different events every year. This year we will see the Draft Horses event. Given the girls love horses, I know they will enjoy it.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Date with my Daughter & a Busy Weekend
I plan on posting on Saturdays, unless something truly newsworthy happens or, as in the case this week, something is coming up that will interfere with the schedule.
On Sunday my eldest daughter and I went and saw Tron:Legacy at the theater. We enjoyed it and had a good time. Afterwards we visited Starbucks, enjoyed some coffee, and then picked up food for dinner.
Years ago I used to have "Dad's days". I would take one of the kids and we would spend a day doing something. Going to Art museums, Science museums, zoo. Since Kaylee has gotten older those "Dad's days" are becoming farther apart. I still treasure each one, knowing sometime soon they will come to an end. I hope come the future it is those days the kids remember, I know I will.
In other news is the reason I will not be posting on Saturday. I will be at Magnacon this year in Denver. I will be there with a copy of my game: Fallen Hammer and a few others I have prepared for play testing. Fallen Hammer is undergoing some revisions and a new theme (my friends from Recon will like it), but the game is playable as is, so it is going.
I'll post next week about the con.
And for Akhtar, my first follower, I have a message for you: Exodus is on its way!
On Sunday my eldest daughter and I went and saw Tron:Legacy at the theater. We enjoyed it and had a good time. Afterwards we visited Starbucks, enjoyed some coffee, and then picked up food for dinner.
Years ago I used to have "Dad's days". I would take one of the kids and we would spend a day doing something. Going to Art museums, Science museums, zoo. Since Kaylee has gotten older those "Dad's days" are becoming farther apart. I still treasure each one, knowing sometime soon they will come to an end. I hope come the future it is those days the kids remember, I know I will.
In other news is the reason I will not be posting on Saturday. I will be at Magnacon this year in Denver. I will be there with a copy of my game: Fallen Hammer and a few others I have prepared for play testing. Fallen Hammer is undergoing some revisions and a new theme (my friends from Recon will like it), but the game is playable as is, so it is going.
I'll post next week about the con.
And for Akhtar, my first follower, I have a message for you: Exodus is on its way!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Lowes and Home Depot open the New Year
Started this year with the promise to keep the blog updated. I will succeed at this. This blog is for my personal space, stuff friends and family may be interested in, but nothing 'professional', except where it impacts the family.
So, my youngest two girls and I started the year at Home Depot doing the kid workshops. We built a battery organizer. Arionna and Alora built both of them with minimal involvement from dad and they did a fabulous job.
Today we did the same at Lowes, only this time we built a "game box". Considering how much our family likes games, it was great. Both girls made a little mistake on their boxes, they put one side panel upside down. So, I had to jump in and beat the crap out of a nail. Not sure what wood those sides were made out of it, but they put up quite a fight before we were finished.
Tomorrow I hope to take Kaylee to the movies to go see Tron: Legacy. She hadn't seen the original Tron, so I had to rectify that little oversight. We laughed at the horrible graphics, but she spotted several of the easter eggs in the movie (mickey mouse image in the background, pac man, etc.).
So, my youngest two girls and I started the year at Home Depot doing the kid workshops. We built a battery organizer. Arionna and Alora built both of them with minimal involvement from dad and they did a fabulous job.
Today we did the same at Lowes, only this time we built a "game box". Considering how much our family likes games, it was great. Both girls made a little mistake on their boxes, they put one side panel upside down. So, I had to jump in and beat the crap out of a nail. Not sure what wood those sides were made out of it, but they put up quite a fight before we were finished.
Tomorrow I hope to take Kaylee to the movies to go see Tron: Legacy. She hadn't seen the original Tron, so I had to rectify that little oversight. We laughed at the horrible graphics, but she spotted several of the easter eggs in the movie (mickey mouse image in the background, pac man, etc.).
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