Area Champs!

Tanner is at it again. Last weekend and today were the AYSO area 11R playoffs (most of San Diego County). Tanner's team did well enough to make it to the semifinals as the 4th seed, and this morning beat the first seed 2-0, who they lost to last week, also 2-0. This afternoon they beat the second seed 3-1 to win the championship. Next comes the section playoffs, which covers L.A., Orange, and San Diego counties. Congratulations Tanner!

Tanner before the game - it was windy and rainy throughout.

Right after the game.

With the new medal.

Tanner played well and had several steals in the two games. Congratulations Lightning! Next game may be somewhere near you...

Christmas Pictures

Field Hockey, Cont.

We had the pleasure of going to Alicia's field hockey banquet last Thursday night, and got to meet other parents and see how much fun the girls all had together. The coach had some nice things to say about Alicia, who started many games on defense this year.

He mentioned that she is very aggressive on defense and her attitude is that she may not get the ball, but the offensive player won't either even if it means knocking them to the ground (which is fine with the coach). He also loved her team spirit and noted that after a disappointing loss in strokes (like a shootout in soccer), she was the first to run over and cheer and console the goalkeeper.

Congratulations, Alicia!

I did want to note that though Alicia and her teammates didn't notice Riley and his friends storming the field after the last game, the coach did, and mentioned it at the banquet. He called it the best storming of the field he had seen at San Marcos High.

Field Hockey

Alicia's last field hockey game of the season was Tuesday night. They won in overtime, and Riley and his friends stormed the field after the game. Too bad the girls didn't notice, as they were huddled in a victory circle.

Deja Vu

Today were the semifinal and championship games for the boys under 14 division of AYSO region 127. Tanner's team (the Lightning) had an unspectacular season, but since all teams go to the playoffs, they were in. They were fortunate to be put in the weaker of the two pools to start playoffs, but were beaten 4-1 in their opening game by the second place team. They came back in the second game to win and get enough points to make it to this morning's semifinal. In that game, they started very slow but woke up in the second half and ended up scoring four goals to take the win and move to the championship game this afternoon, which would pit them against the number one seed and undefeated Quakes. Riding the emotion of the semifinal victory, they scored two quick goals in the first quarter and added a third at the start of the second quarter. The Quakes answered with a goal at the end of the second, but were unable to put any further pressure on goal in the second half, and Tanner's Lightning pulled out a 3-1 victory to claim the championship. Sadly, Tanner was unable to play due to his recent surgery, but was there to cheer on his teammates. This is his second championship in a row, both with the same coach.

The team banner.

Before the first game of the season on Palomar College's beautiful astroturf field.

Getting the coach's instructions at halftime.

Tanner joining his teammates on the field after the championship.

Tanner receives his medal from his coach, who announced to all gathered that "This game was dedicated to Tanner who has worked hard all year but was unable to play today because he just had surgery." Coach Cesar has been wonderful to Tanner and always talks about how much he loves him because he listens and works hard. His teammates encourage and protect him as well.

I'm number one!

The Lightning with their first place medals. Congratulations!

Post-Op

Here's some high-resolution views of the pain and agony that is Tanner's appendectomy.

Sunday night: He rated his pain level at a 9 here. It might have been a 10 but he kept it down because Jordan in the next bed had an inflamed femur, and isn't that the worst pain? Or was that a broken femur...

This is how he rolls (these days). Tanner on his way to get a CAT scan.

CAT scan: I'm gonna freak if you say my body is going through that little hole.

The pain medicine kicks in.

Monday morning: Tanner checks the I.V. pump just before surgery.

Scored some cool stuff: bubble tape, scented pencil, soccer pillow.

The family came and hung out with Tan for Family Night. He was pleasant and we had some fun though we couldn't make him laugh very much. Obviously still in a bit of pain - coming up on his next round of meds.

Tanner's doing very well. The nurse said his incisions look great tonight. He's made a couple of trips down to the activity room to play air hockey, and can move himself around pretty well. He is hurting but being a real trooper, and was very happy to hear of all the well wishes and those that are praying for him. Thank you all!

Up and Around

Here's Tanner still asleep after surgery. He's awake now and doing OK. He was in some pain and so they gave him morphine, which might be making him a little nauseous. A volunteer came in to tell him about the activity room where they have DVDs, video games, and other fun stuff and Tanner said "Let's go." He got up and walked down to the room, but just when he got there he turned to mom and said "I think I made a mistake." He was still feeling a little sick, but walked all the way back to his room. He and mom are resting now.

Surgery Complete

Just a quick update on Tanner. He has just completed surgery to have his appendix removed. The doctor said it was nice and early so it was not ruptured or leaking - a clean removal. They did it laproscopically, so only three small incisions rather than one big one. He is still asleep but should be up and around in about 30 minutes.

He is supposed to get up and walk around today, and if all goes well may be able to come home tomorrow. I'll post any updates as they become available.

This picture is from last night right after getting a room in the E.R. at Children's Hospital. He had just gotten an I.V. and was in a lot of pain. Thanks for all the support and prayers!

Why I'm Voting Yes on California's Proposition 8

All the pictures in this post were taken on my street.


Above is the sign that started it all. This was the sign that was noticed by a teacher at San Marcos High School, prompting that teacher to confront several young men and to verbally berate and abuse them. I suppose that there will be many that will call me a bigot or intolerant for my stance on this issue (and some have). I must emphasize that I do not now nor will I ever hold any ill will towards those who oppose this proposition, and I do sincerely want them to have the rights and protections they deserve. I guess that ultimately my reason for voting yes is the same as theirs for voting no. I feel the need to protect my rights.

In 1996, the Congress of the United States published their findings on families as the Healthy Marriage Initiative. It stated in part that "Marriage is the foundation of a successful society" and that "marriage is an essential institution of a successful society which promotes the interests of children." Unfortunately, studies and the experiences of other nations where same-gender marriage is permitted under law show that same-gender marriage is basically to serve the desires of the adults, not the needs of the children.

Family fragmentation is a serious issue in the United States. In April of this year, the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy released a study showing that family fragmentation is costing taxpayers in the U.S. an estimated $112 billion dollars annually. Programs to support the disintegrating family abound, but there seems to be little effort into fixing the cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptom. The family is too important a unit for us to rely solely on this "band-aid" approach.

Legally, there is much to be concerned about. Freedom of religion in the U.S. allows us to believe as we wish. That protection is not extended to how we act. In other words, we can be morally opposed to same-gender marriage, but if legal we have no protection under law if we refuse to recognize or perform these same-gender marriages. Legal experts agree that there will be conflict on this issue all along the church/state boundary that must be kept separate. These are rights that I am not willing to give up.

In 2004 during the debate over same-gender marriage in Massachusetts, Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon wrote "The experiences in other countries reveals that once these arrangements become law, there will be no live-and-let-live policy for those who differ. Proponents use language of openness, tolerance, and diversity, yet one foreseeable effect of their success will be to usher in an era of intolerance and discrimination. The axe will fall most heavily on religious persons." My experience in campaigning and with my son at school have shown no contradictory evidence.

Ultimately, I have one overriding reason to support this measure. I firmly believe that we have a loving Father in Heaven who is the designer and author of all. Part of His plan is for us to be here on earth, to marry, and to create our own families. I echo the words of men called and inspired of God who solemnly proclaimed that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of his children." They continue: "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. ... Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony and to be reared by a father and mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."

They warn that "the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets." And they conclude with the charge: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

I testify that the family as defined by our Father in Heaven is the most important unit in society. It is the building block of nations. I will do all in my power to defend it and to safeguard it.

High Adventure

Our young men went to Yosemite for some backpacking, relaxation, and a hair-raising climb to the top of Half Dome.

Here's Riley at the entrance to the valley.

All geared up and ready to hike.

Here's the ultimate goal - west side of Half Dome from the trail.

Back of Half Dome from near our campsite.

Far side of Half Dome. This is the first glimpse you get after almost four miles hiking from our camp and about a 2500 foot elevation gain. Still seems way too far away.

The final 400 feet to the summit up bare rock using cables bolted to the rock. Pretty helpful since the middle section is about a 60 degree surface.

Riley and I at the top. This little overhang is known as the "Diving Board". Fortunately, we didn't see anyone dive. While we were out here resting, a raven dove from another section where there were a lot of other climbers - for a minute we thought someone had fallen. From the top it's almost 4800 feet straight down to the valley floor.

A little foot bridge we used to jump in the Merced River. This was a great way to relax - feet in the ice-cold Merced and back on the sun-warmed granite.

A little cascade we slid down. None of us were hurt, but two pairs of swim trunks were destroyed.

Descending to Vernal Fall on our way out. It was a great trip and a lot of fun being with Riley and the young men.

New toy

We haven't had a car payment for about five years, and it's been wonderful. We have been hoping and praying that our two vehicles would last forever (yes, that would qualify as a miracle) and they have been surprisingly reliable. Well, they still work great but we realized that statistics don't lie, and in a couple of weeks our college students will be home and working. Riley got his license this week and that means we have five drivers, five different work locations for the summer, and two cars to get everyone there. I'm pretty sure we could have made it work, but my plan went something like "I take the Civic to work, and you guys figure everything else out while I'm gone." I do see the flaw in that plan and I think I'm a pretty generous guy, so I'm taking one for the team. That's right - I sacrificed and bought myself a new car. It's been fun, but I'm already having some trouble with the car. It seems that everyone else in the family thinks it's theirs. Here's some photos...

It's a 2008 Honda Civic EX Coupe, and it's a kick and a half to drive.

So we're now a two Civic family. My old one is in the background. I always referred to it as "The Black Pearl" because that was the name of the color. Riley has changed it to "Black Beauty" and when I informed him that was a horse's name, he immediately put a picture from the movie as the background picture on our home computer.

I love the chrome exhaust finisher. The kids love the moonroof.

My favorite thing about it is the stereo controls on the steering wheel. That and the direct connection for my iPod with a little place to put it. The girls all love the blue lighting on the dashboard.

Start spreadin' the news...

I just got back from a short business trip to New York. I spent most of my time at a trade show in Manhattan, but was able to get out and see a few sights, too. My boss wanted me there to show a piece of software I have been working on to our largest customer. It's not every day that people gasp when they see software, but that's the reaction we got. It also started a 45 minute discussion about how the software could be used in their stores. So the show went great, but I had a better time admiring the architecture and culture of the city that never sleeps. This is the Queensborough Bridge, the first built to link Queens and Manhattan, separated by the East River. I got to cross on the bottom level and the top on my two trips across.

The world famous Carnegie Deli. My hotel was right next to Carnegie Hall. I went and got a hot pastrami sandwich from here right when I got into town and it was worth every penny ($13.95). No cheese, but the best hot mustard ever. I also had a slice of their cheesecake which was unbelieveable. No wonder New York is famous for it's cheesecake. These guys will FedEx a cheesecake anywhere in the U.S., and don't think I won't be ordering one.

The glorious hotel Wellington. I took this picture from right in front of the Carnegie Deli after I had bought my dinner. Most of the hotels are older and so exhibit a certain amount of "character". I relate a little more to the elevator in the movie "Thoroughly Modern Millie" which wouldn't go unless they danced in it. The elevators here made some of the same noises.

The view from my hotel room. Apparently you have to pay $400+ per night if you want to see anything remotely interesting from your window. I didn't mind - it was actually very quiet and I was able to sleep well. And I saved the company a few hundred dollars.

My hotel room. It's the "World's Best Hotel Room", much like the "World's Best Cup of Coffee" in the movie "Elf".











A random shot of the skyline in Midtown Manhattan. I found it was very difficult to get good night shots with my little camera. The magnitude of the city is unbelieveable. The little brown buildings in the foreground are taller than anything here in San Marcos.








The show wasn't too far from my hotel, so I decided to walk back through Times Square. I don't even know how to describe the place. So many people, so much action. I couldn't begin to take in everything that is there. I did walk right past the theaters where Wicked, Rent, and Legally Blonde are playing. I stopped in a little shop and bought "I Love New York" t-shirts from a guy that didn't speak much english, but that's not so unusual.




There - you can see the "Wicked" marquee in the top right corner. It's pretty amazing to realize how many thousands they cram into this tiny space on new year's eve.
















The Jacob Javits Convention Center where the National Retail Federation's "Big Show" is held every January. It's even bigger than it looks. The nearest bathroom to our booth was probably 200 yards away.

Here's our booth near the end of the show when things had died down. Throughout the day there were usually 20-30 people in there (even though the Elvis impersonator in the next booth was doing his best to drive away all customers). From left to right: Irvine sales team, UK sales team, New Zealand/Australia sales team (in the back), and the San Diego sales team. Notice the snazzy matching shirts - they brought me a large which I haven't worn since sophomore year of high school, so I had to wear the button down shirt and sweater I had worn over there. They somehow gave me a sponsor sticker when I checked in as well, so I don't know what people were thinking when they saw me not wearing the uniform and a sponsor badge. So I just acted like I owned the place...