Shopping in Merida

Whaaa?!

Merida, Mexico

Dinner downtown and a walk...

Victoria Canada

Atlanta

Here is the lobby of the world's first atrium hotel!

East Lansing, MI

I finished the MSU Museum Dino Dash 5k in 19:49, a 6:23 pace and 38th overall, 5th in my age/gender bracket. It was my best time ever, but a step back in my placement - historically I should have placed better... meaning this was a more competitive race this year. Results: http://www.playmakers.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=242

Must have been the MSU victory over U-M.

Go State!

I Love MSU

Home opener @ MSU

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Quiet Morning at Camp Lake, Wi

View from the porch of Andrew's parents cabin.

A blessing to sleep in finally and have a nice calm day...

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Funny tshirt in Omaha

A simple message

"Nuke a godless gay baby seal for Christ"
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Omaha

Funny, check out the car they gave me for my day here. Fun!

Good day of work... Weather is gorgeous, sunny and mid-80s. Having lunch in the old market section of town... Lots of old buildings with unique eateries and boutiques. Cute!

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BBC News | Shots fired near Waterloo Station - We were there!

We were there right after it happened. Our photo attached.

Many people diverted trying to get to Tate Modern Museum... Including us!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/ukfs_news/mobile/newsid_8180000/newsid_8186000/8186087.stm

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London lunch view from Oxo Tower

Wow!

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Soft ijs in Brunssum

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Lunch in Brunssum

At a cafe just across from the old indoor mall / V&D in Brunssum...

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Pride Parade in Amsterdam

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Andrew at Atlantis Coffeeshop in Amsterdam

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Schloss Charlottenberg in Berlin

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Kaiser-Wilhelm Church, Berlin

Just as impressive as I remember 24 years ago!

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Memories of East Berlin

I sit where, 24 years ago, I crossed into East Berlin with my parents. Memories flood back - not going near the wall for fear of being shot, the DDR soldiers with sharp green uniforms watching our bus holding machine guns when going through Checkpoint Charlie, my dad in his USAF uniform scaring me a little as we cross into the Soviet bloc, strange feelings of unease as we walk through the city in our stylish clothes amongst the drabness of the Easterners.

Now here I sit looking at Checkpoint Charlie from a cafe called "Snack Point Charlie". The checkpoint is rebuilt now and you can get your photo with a cute US Army guy and DDR soldier girl, flag in hand, for 2 €. Souvenir shops abound with replicant DDR hats and flags, signs you can bring home announcing "you are leaving the American sector" and even a Checkpoint Charlie candy bar. Such is commercialism. Welcome to the West!

But amidst all this are my memories. I can't help but be moved as I walk past remnants of the wall, and the cobblestone line in the street tracing where it once stood. There used to be a death wall here! People DIED here trying to escape to freedom. The epitome of suppression adjacent to such opportunity for expression, a wall separating the two and armed soldiers enforcing it.

Among all the postcards and mugs at this cafe are young Americans born since the wall fell. To them it is a history lesson and a souvenir. I had a beer at Checkpoint Charlie they will tell their friends back in Chattanooga and Phoenix. For only 5€ I could even keep the glass! See!

To me, it is memories of those feelings I once had. I am always touched by stories of oppression, and this one hits me personally. I saw it. I experienced it. 24 years ago. And I remember.

It is my life... And I am moved.
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Memories of East Berlin

I sit where, 24 years ago, I crossed into East Berlin with my parents. Memories flood back - not going near the wall for fear of being shot, the DDR soldiers with sharp green uniforms watching our bus holding machine guns when going through Checkpoint Charlie, my dad in his USAF uniform scaring me a little as we cross into the Soviet bloc, strange feelings of unease as we walk through the city in our stylish clothes amongst the drabness of the Easterners.

Now here I sit looking at Checkpoint Charlie from a cafe called "Snack Point Charlie". The checkpoint is rebuilt now and you can get your photo with a cute US Army guy and DDR soldier girl, flag in hand, for 2 €. Souvenir shops abound with replicant DDR hats and flags, signs you can bring home announcing "you are leaving the American sector" and even a Checkpoint Charlie candy bar. Such is commercialism. Welcome to the West!

But amidst all this are my memories. I can't help but be moved as I walk past remnants of the wall, and the cobblestone line in the street tracing where it once stood. There used to be a death wall here! People DIED here trying to escape to freedom. The epitome of suppression adjacent to such opportunity for expression, a wall separating the two and armed soldiers enforcing it.

Among all the postcards and mugs at this cafe are young Americans born since the wall fell. To them it is a history lesson and a souvenir. I had a beer at Checkpoint Charlie they will tell their friends back in Chattanooga and Phoenix. For only 5€ I could even keep the glass! See!

To me, it is memories of those feelings I once had. I am always touched by stories of oppression, and this one hits me personally. I saw it. I experienced it. 24 years ago. And I remember.

It is my life... And I am moved.
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Gas Mask for sale

Welcome to Berlin!
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Going to T5 at Heathrow

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White Sangria at S Congress Cafe, Austin

Last day is great! Very relaxed.

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Poolin' in Austin

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My beer in Austin

.. And only $2 at the Thirsty Nickel !
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Saturday morning market in Zurich

Right outside of the hotel before my flight... Classical music, cheese, flowers, meats and sausages, and more flowers!
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Decided to go to the city center, stroll around the old streets and tour the cathedrals. Great end to the trip, home tomorrow!

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Market Day in Zurich Part 2

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Market Day in Zurich

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Zurich Day 2

In front of Oerlikon bahnhof.
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View from my room in Zurich

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Zurich Day 1 commentary

Arrived a few hours ago. Slept about 4 hours on the flight. Weather perfect 75 and sunny. At a cafe having lunch and an Eichof beer. Not at the Park Hyatt - rate is nearly $1,000 a night - so at the Swissotel at a more reasonable $250 a night for a room as big as my closet. North end of town, not near tourist area. Likely may just stay up here today; it is Sunday so all the stores are closed. Not much to do downtown if that is the case. I ran 4k and exercised already so that is good... I have a work function later and have to do some work tonight before I go to bed, so taking it easy.
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Zurich Day 1

Gorgeous weather about 75 light breeze!

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Party in Anaheim

Here is where my vendors party is!
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My view from the bar in Cancun

Long day of work and at least the view is a great reward!

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Cancun Day 1

Must be 90 degrees and humid as all hell. Water gorgeous but barely saw it as I worked all day... Depart on Weds.

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Wow! Ran this in exactly 20:00! I finished 30 out of 1,592 people, or top 2%. Within my age/gender group, I finished 2nd of 60, or top 3.3% Check out the results:
http://www.theracershub.com/results_view.php?id=526&result_type=db

I supposedly won something, we shall see....

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Sierra and Sage at Millenium Park

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Race #2

Just before the 3.5 mile J.P Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge. Finished at 22.13 minutes!
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Bark in the Park 2009

Roxi as usual on her own!

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Race to Wrigley 5k

I'm not big into running; actually, I don't like it very much, but I'm athletic so I decided to set a goal to place maybe in the top 500 for a race in Chicago.

I well achieved my goal. I placed 133rd out of 3,123 or 9 out of 109 in my gender/age group. That's top 5% overall and top 9% by group. My pace was 6:58. I'm a bit stunned that I did so well. This motivates me to do the Run for the Zoo in June.

Results: http://theracershub.com/results_view.php?id=497&result_type=db

Seven years ago I did a run in East Lansing, MI - Bob's 5k for the Listening Ear Center with my friend Michelle. With no training, I placed 5th of 10 in my group, 48th of 304, or a pace of 6:36. So 7 years later with training, I'm able to only lose a bit of my pace - but in such a huge event place much better.

Results from 2002: http://www.kicksports.com/results/02/mi/Jun23_Bobs5K_set1.shtml

I am THRILLED!

Go State!

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Final Four Detroit

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My ticket to the Final Four - Detroit

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Magic Kingdom

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Key West to Orlando in 8 hours?!

We hope so! Lunch at Scully's in Boynton Beach. Had to eat a famous "Scullyburger!"

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At Schooners Key West - Day 3

This place is Awesome!!!

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Key West - Day 3

Lounging at the pool...

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