Bill Gates Says

I've seen this before.. but it came around the office again today so I thought I would put it up on the blog for your enjoyment.

BTW.. these comments are NOT directed at my (fantastic!) kids or any of yours. This is just a good reminder of some basic truths.

It would be fun to hear the post-college blog readers weigh in on your thoughts, experiences and the most interesting differences YOU discovered as you transitioned from school to career! So - please share your thoughts via comments!




Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality. This concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Happy Birthday Tod!

Happy 48th birthday Tod.
I believe you love me.
I believe you love Joel and Hannah.
I believe you secretly love our pets.
I believe you are the most dedicated walker I know.
I believe you love Jesus with your whole heart.
I believe you think Michigan will win again.
I believe you have great friends.
I believe we will love growing old together.

The Perfect Season

Tim Logan is a University of Washington alum and a huge fan. So, it was exciting to have a chance to go to the Cal vs Washington football game yesterday with him. And, the day was made extra special since we had the privilege of watching them conclude a perfect season. Yes, Washington went un-victorious for the entire season.

Okay, technically, if you read that last sentence carefully you will note that their perfect season meant that they didn't actually win a game. That in itself is a great accomplishment. You see, no other Division 1 football team was able to do it this year. Only Washington! So, let's take a more positive look at this and count our blessings.

First, their cheerleaders still look good. Ask Tim whose has made it an annual goal to be photographed with the new crew. Check out Harry their mascot. His number is the number of wins this year. Way to coordinate!


Second, at least they lose in the Pac Ten.. so that means we get to go watch them. That means we get to visit places like Berkeley on a beautiful December day (it was 65-70 degrees and sunny!). I think Tim enjoyed getting that Henna tat of the UW dog on his tush. Sweet. And the best part is that when you go to the stadium fresh from the Tattoo parlour they have these special seats with perfectly rotted wood sections to sit on so that your tat area is comfy. Very cool. The third picture is of Tim.. still in good humor after the game! That's the Berkeley Campanile in the background.


Third, you get to spend time with all the other Washington fans. Here's a couple of them that they put up on the Jumbrotron at the Cal game. Those Washington fans.. they are proud! In the second picture you see Tim with his shirt off crowd surfing. He is a party animal. Finally, there's Tim hanging with the UW band.


And lastly, they've helped me learn how to cope with Michigan going 3-9. I haven't had to go through this alone. And that means alot!

So, here's to UW.. the Huskies... the dogs. We love ya!

Christmas Tree 2008

I thought it would be so fun to cut our Christmas tree this year. Sunday afternoon I set out to a tree farm with a friend. Tod was gone to Holland and I thought it would be a great surprise to have the house decorated for Christmas.
Lets just say I do not have the ability to judge tree heights. I should have known there was a problem when I could carry the tree myself.
So this year we have a mini tree. Cute but mini!! The only good thing is the Michigan ball will still be on the bottom branch.

Holland 2

Well, it finally stopped raining for a couple hours – providing me an opportunity for a some exploring – before getting dark. ( The Haag is around 52 degrees north latitude and that means is that it gets light late ~7:30-8:00 and gets dark early ~5:00-5:30. That limits the exploration time. )

Okay first an investigative report. I think I know where the M&M rejects go. To the Netherlands! I bought a pack while out walking today. Lots of them are really small! And the colors seem faded. All in all.. suspicious!

Here’s some pictures of the city. Check out the bikes. The first one is typical. Notice that they are relatively simple (you don’t see 10 speeds and really expensive bikes). Also notice that the wheels are really big. I’m sure someone can explain that is helps making the riding easier or something.. but oddly – the bikes all have really big wheels. The second bike is a sweet variation of the kid carrier!



Here’s another picture of the Hotel Des Indes where we stayed - this time from the outside. This was once (like 150 years ago) a private residence that was converted into the finest hotel in the Netherlands. It is pretty sweet and many famous people have stayed here including many US Presidents. So, obviously - they were wondering what we were doing here ;)

Here’s some other pictures from the city. All in all – this was a short visit with lots of work and not too much play. I look forward to coming back again some day when a) it is not raining, b) it is not December and c) I have more time to explore.
































I’m looking forward to getting home!

Greetings from Holland

It’s Sunday night and I’ve been in rainy Holland for a day or so – on business. We’re staying in The Haag.. which is south of Amsterdam.

I haven’t had much time to explore yet – as we prepare for meetings tomorrow.. but here’s what I’ve got so far!

1st.. there are TONS of bikes in this country. Here’s a bike rack… or should I say a series of bike racks outside a public building. That’s a lot of bikes.

2nd.. our Hotel, the Des Indes, is really beautiful. 14’ ceilings in the guest rooms. Georgous architecture. Very ornate! Here’s a picture of part of my room. It’s comfortable.. but lonely without Julie ;(

3rd.. this is a cool mixture of old and new Europe. Here’s a picture I got in the brief time period where there wasn’t rain and I got to get outside and walk around. Everywhere in Holland there are rivers/or canals.. or whatever you would call them. I tried to capture this picture that is an old style building with lights reflected in the canal… with the outlines of more modern buildings in the background. The old with the new. Anyways.. I tried ;)

Okay.. off to bed for me in preparations for our meeting tomorrow. I love you all and look forward to getting back home!

TKA Alumni Game

Wednesday afternoon the TKA Knights alumni took to the basketball court to play against the current varsity basketball team in this annual pre-Thanksgiving day event.

Hannah was among the returning alumni that played!

The alumni teased the varsity - even letting them get ahead early in the 4th quarter - before yanking the meat from their forks and nailing down a solid victory.


Just to tell you how seriously the girls take it... at one point the referee had to warn the alumni team to 'stop playing so aggressively' - or he was going to start calling technical fouls and throwing girls out of the game ;) I think he was scared for the varsity!

















































Here's one of my favorites! Hannah and Blair chest bumping after the victory. Ahhh.. how sweet it is to remember the old days!

In any event.. Hannah the rest of her friends were walking gingerly on Thanksgiving - nursing their wounds - but basking in the glory of their victory.

Sweet Victory!

Cal vs. Stanford is the 'Big Game' in the Pac 10.

Yesterday Stanford came to Cal attempting to prove there is parity in the Bay Area!

Just checking out Hannah's joyous celebration.. you know that there is none! Cal handed Stanford a decisive spanking winning 37-16!

GO BEARS!!

So, Hannah text messages me right before the end of the game asking me "if I get arrested.. will you pay my bail?!". Too funny. The moment the gun went off to end the game.. off went Hannah and her gal pals to celebrate!

Here's the email I received last night from her:

Hi daddy, so i know you are probably depressed about Michigan getting their butts handed to them... so i thought i would cheer you up and send you the AWESOME photos we took today when we rushed the field!!! Unfortunately, i did not get arrested, but i did get to meet a lot of players and take pictures with them!!!! It was the best game ever!! K enjoy!!

So, Hannah - you perfect daughter! Here you go! Congratulations on a fabulous victory!

Need a Job?

Shhhh! Don't tell anyone... but hard times are hitting the defense electronics world too. So, we here at .. let's just call it ABC Industries for now... are working on a fabulous new low cost weapon system to keep our sales up.

We've just implemented a prototype and are looking for a few good people to join our team as test engineers.

Applicants should possess the following:

-> willingess to travel
-> desire to work outdoors with your hands
-> love of handguns
-> excellent eyesight
-> ability to stay calm under stressful situations
-> ability to reload a handgun while pulling 8Gs without loss of consciousness

Not Just Fun and Games

This weekend was spectacular! It's been in the mid 70's to low 80's!

However, there is a downside, of sorts. It's not S*N*O*W.. Joanne... but it is M*O*W!!

Have a great week!