Monday, June 19, 2006


Thirty Sleeping Dogs

As the last few hours of my thirties creep by, I can say without regret:

Buh - frickin' - bye!

The years between 30 and 39 have been both amazing and yucky. I put 15,000+ miles on my bike, saw Alaska and Montana and Iowa via two wheels, I met an amazing woman (who moved in with me), and I have met some of the most influential people in my life.

But, I also went through 4 different jobs, lost a couple of the most amazing men in my life and oh yeah, had a bout of cancer.

I'm not going to dwell on all that has been. I am grossly a "glass half full guy", and every day is my future, and I see moments of brilliance and occurrences of something amazing happening every day.

Bring on 40. I'm ready for anything...

And ready to make awesome things happen.

Let sleeping dogs lie and let the thirties go by
I'm not gonna miss them.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Got Ketchup?

Pete Campbell once told me that the greatest compliment anyone could give you was to throw you a surprise birthday party. Although Pete was an idiot, I had to agree.

This weekend, I was given the greatest compliment. For those of you who were there, I cannot thank you enough. I am a very lucky person to have the friends and family I have. My beloved mentor, George Clark, told me over and over again that good attracts good. And if that's true, then I must truly be a good person.

The most beautiful thing that happened for me Saturday night occurred almost immediately after I walked in. I made my way around the room and greeted every person in attendance.

Oh, and the tequila shots didn't suck too much, either! :)

A lot of people get hung up on turning a certain age. In my case, it was 28. I was celebrating my birthday while living in Texas, and I felt like I hadn't lived up to the amazing things that I should have been doing with my life.

Seven years later, I was celebrating my birthday loaded to the gills with chemo.

It's all about perspective. Turning 40 will be a blessing.

My dad died at the age of 48, and my goal ever since then was to see 49. But as long as I have some semblance of health, why not shoot for 80+?

I spent 39 years accomplishing everything I needed to accomplish in life. Now, there are amazing things that I need to accomplish with Sheryl by my side. You just watch... one of these days, Sheryl and I will be on Oprah or something, inspiring others to achieve the great things that are already inside of them.

I can't wait for June 20th and my 40th birthday. I can't wait for my 50th birthday and 60th, too.

Each and every day is chock full of stories and accomplishments, and as fast as time goes by, each year is like a lifetime to me.

I am a lucky man, and am eternally grateful for all of my friends and family - particularly the ones who helped me usher in my 4th decade of life.

God bless and all good things...