Trip to the beach...

The family went to the beach on Sunday... I stayed home and did projects. I have three projects half finished.

Meghan too...

Here is Meghan at school during water day... They had a jumper with a bunch of 2 year olds in it. What you can't see is that it is nearly 90 degrees that day. The teachers were wilting...
Sean has soccer on Saturday mornings. But Meghan has really taken to the sport and is an excellent dribbler.

Fireplace project....

Sean and I are taking out the original brick work in fron of the fireplace. He is a good worker who listens to instructions and doesn't mind helping to clean.

Knotts Field Trip...

Sean and I went on a field trip with his pre-school troop this week. Sean successfully made it onto the school bus taking us the 3 miles to Knott's. There were a few moments of anxiety on various rides. The second picture is of us on the Log Jam ride. I carried him kicking and complaining the whole way. His fear was only matched by Ishika's. We had a lot of fun and hope to go to get to the circus in two weeks.

Sean's first day playing an organized sport....soccer (futbol)

So this was Sean's first day playing soccer. He did really well. He listened and paid attention to the coach. He was also able to successfully master all the drills like dribbling and passing. At the end Sean was a little upset that they didn't actually PLAY soccer. It seemed there was a lot of waiting in line. Oh, and it was HOT at 9am. As much fun as the kids were having, I think that the parents were more interesting to watch - Like helicopters at a freeway sig alert...Below are the pics...

What do "four and a zero's" do....

They join Rotary. I remember in high school, that many of our community leaders were members of Rotary. I am now able to position myself to start giving back to my community... Here are the pics of my being accepted as a Rotarian this week.

Gone fishin'...

Sean and I went fishin' for the first time. This is at Huckleberry Pond in the Santa Ana lakes. You just show up and they give you the pole, bait, bucket and stuff. They created a little pond and stock it with catfish. You can catch a fish almost immediately which is great b/c four year olds don't have much patience. The catch (pun) is that they charge $4.50/lb for the fish you catch. But at least they fillet them for you. We caught two fish in about an hour of fishing and it cost us (me) $21. At least we were able to cook them for dinner. Catfish is ok, I guess. I prefer trout. Here's the pics...

Jenn's Wedding...

I went to Florida for Jenn's wedding. It was very nice. Here is a picture of the kids and a picture of Jenn and her father.

Goofin' on a Saturday...

Here Wilson is taking one for the team....

A moment of time where these two are not at each others' throats. Even more amazing is that I photographed it.

Fun in the pool on Memorial Day...

Here are a couple pics of the kids in the first pool of the season...

Memorial Day - Finished Fence

Here are the pictures of the finished fence. I didn't get a shot of the gate....

Building the fence part 1

These are pictures of the old fence...
Before I started tearing down the old fence, I built the center sections...
This is a picture of the demo on the left side front...
Here is a picture of Meghan being devilish...
Here is the back side of the propped up temporary fence.

The deed is done...

I resigned today from Cedars.... I think that this picture about captures my feelings...

Nothing of interest..

This is a blog about nothing...

Today and two more....

Is the other foot about to drop? Hmm.

Sil is goind well at her job. Tix.com has a new advertising plan...

Meghan is balancing and climbing...I think that her inability to communicate effectively is causing her some anxiety. The school is good for her. She has a thousand faces.

Sean is growing up so fast. We played miniature golf on Sunday. He is doing much better.

I am wrapping up my pre-flight check. I have clearance, Clarence, and am taxiing to the runway.

1/2 Marathon...and stuff.

So I successfully completed the La Jolla half marathon as a 'four and a zero.' A day without suffering is a day not having lived. Eh, whatever... Some old man passed me at the 12 mile mark mumbling encouragement to me. Rub it in abuelo.

So now that is over with:

• Stucco around the windows.
  
• Seal fence with Thompson's.
  
• Finish landscaping along fence.
  
• Get new business cards
  
• Get key to the office.
  
• Setup notebook computer
  
• Setup desk area
  
• Develop marketing plan
  
• Execute marketing plan.....

Mortgage Broker goal...

Hi

Have I missed the boat! I will be working to transition to a scary commission only position in the highly competitive mortgage broker business. So check out my new industry blog...

http://mtmahoney.blogspot.com/

Later...

Mtn Men...

So the boy and I went up to Big Bear for the day on Saturday (Day=2.5 hrs.). We left at 10:45am and didn't arrive until after 1pm. By that time he wanted his mommy. So I mixed new with the old. We had Pizza and Nachos for lunch at a Taco Bell we'd never eaten at before. And visited with Jan at her office for a while. I was able to talk to Paul on the phone too.
We had taken Wilson who was running around like a maddog smelling everything. Neither had seen snow before. There were a few patches in the shade to play in. Unfortunately, there was more mud (chocolate milk) than snow as evidenced by the mud in the car transitioned from Sean's boots and Wilson's paws. I was not guiltless either.
The primary discovery this trip was that snow is cold. Snow balls are very nice; but you have to have your dad make them for you. And Wilson, who is afraid of water but doesn't know that snow is water, likes to eat snow.
After 3pm we headed home. We went the back-way through Redlands to avoid the traffic. The little artic circle though Boulder Bay was closed which meant that we'd have to take the 10 mile detour through Fawnskin. The ride into Big Bear from the Dam provided enough motivation to avoid the traffic causd by flat-landers slow driving.
We arrived home a little after 5pm. Sean was able to sleep once we had descended from the mountains. A successful trip.

Working in the yard....

Well, it was another typical winter day in SoCal - cloudless and 80's. The boy and I were cleaning up after the tree removal people. Here he is helping to lug some mulch in his wheelbarrow. He has that shovel and golf club tucked away nicely.

Shiny stuff....

Your Birthdate: March 14

You work well with others. That is, you're good at getting them to do work for you. It's true that you get by on your charm. But so what? You make people happy! You're dynamic, clever, and funny. And people like to have you around. But you're so restless, they better not expect you to stay around for long. Your strength: Your superstar charisma Your weakness: Commitment means nothing to you Your power color: Fuchsia Your power symbol: Diamond Your power month: May

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I am not sure that I am in agreement with the above. Fuchsia? I can't even spell that color. Isn't that fancy purple or something? Sheesh. And people like having me around? Wouldn't I like to be around other people for that to be effective? Sheesh^2

You Are a Boston Creme Donut

You have a tough exterior. No one wants to mess with you. But on the inside, you're a total pushover and completely soft. You're a traditionalist, and you don't change easily. You're likely to eat the same doughnut every morning, and pout if it's sold out.

What Donut Are You?

Hmm, donuts. Is that dark chocolate?

Miniature Golf w/ a four year old

Sometimes I feel like my four year old's extended battery. Sean and I went to play miniature golf on Sunday. We initiated take-off from the house around lunch time. One quick errand later and we were on our way.

Music request was "Fix you" from Cold Play. So I did the math and the fiftee minute travel time corresponded to just over 3 repeats of that song. Suffering from 'parental love syndrome' it becomes tolerable.

Stars and fries are on the menu for lunch. Luckily their is a "Stars and Fries Place" on the way. Unfortunately, anticipation had spoiled his appetite. I tried the "Only boy who eat a good lunch get to go to the arcade." This opened an extended negotiation of what exactly constituted a "good lunch." This combined with the normal stream of behavioral corrections, was like a shot of emotional novacaine. And being kind of high strung myself, I needed to stay "big picture." The moment I lost my center, we'd best head back home.

Lack of fuel was the first domino in this slow emotional decline. To begin with Sean is "particular." He has to have the yellow putter AND the yellow ball... everytime. Hmm. If the ball goes into the water, then it has to be completely dry before it is again usable. Each instance being a domino lined up to get to the next. But as Sean becomes more tired, he becomes less tolerant. This tolerance factor seems to be the umbelical link upon which flow my energy to him.

We only played 21 holes. But time is relative. It seemed as if the sun had stopped in the sky. Didn't I just tell him not to pickup my ball? Or to wait until his ball had competely stopped before hitting it again? Or to wait until everyone had teed off before running down the hole to see where your ball went? Or to .... AAAARGH!

Ok. He was getting frustrated at my continuous corrections. I was getting frustrated also. The immense capacity for patience powered by love and strong desire for this to be fun for everyone or else was creating a kind of Catch 22.

Recognizing you have a problem is half the battle... yeah, the easy half. So I sat down and began to hack off the dysfuntional parental chains of behavioral expectations. Once freed myself, I was able to free my son. And we had a great time.

Until it was time to leave...

Comments added due to popular request...

Ok. So I have succumbed to the immense pressure of one person's comments on a blog 2 clicks removed to add my comments section back to my blog. Happy now, Red Monkey!? Sheesh.

New Year's Eve's Eve's Eve....

New Year's Eve's Eve's Eve.... My cunada, Marisol, hooked us up with the awesome Dinner and a Show. (Excellent Buffet with great seats to Mama Mia). Just admit it. You love ABBA. Best thing to come out of Sweden since the Electrolux vacuum. Good times were had by all.

New Year's Eve's Eve.... After driving back from LV, we all went to Teryaki Hut. Deluxe combo A please.


New Year's Eve... Silvia made Roast Beast to cap off a day at the arcade and a final lunch at The Hat.

Its a Festivus Miracle!

Festivus Miracle: Ok. So I was looking for Festivus information on the internet (using Google, duh.) And I get directed to the Wikipedia which had a great bit about it (Festivus not Google) including its origins. It turns out that the origins of Festivus come from this guy's father who was inspired by this play, Samuel Beckett's Krap's Last Tape. Beckett, who is some famous Irish poet guy, supposedly dated this chick for a while named Peggy Guggenheim. (apparently, the poorer Guggenheim). So this Peggy made her fortune the old fashioned way. She inherited it from her dad, Ben (who got his from his dad but makes bad investment decision to sail accross the Atlantic on the Titanic). Peggy develops a love for the arts and buys three Man Rays, among other art stuff, to show that she knows about the arts and has money. (I personally feel that she would have bought more but she was the poor Guggenheim) So here is where the miracle happens: Man Ray is the name of the Weimaraner dog made famous by photographer William Wegman. And I OWN a Weim named Wilson thus completing a Festivus Miracle!

Merry Christmas!

Well, we've weathered an outbreak of the chicken pox. Silvia had it the worst. Apparently, she'd never gotten it as a child or had such a mild case as to not develop an effective immune response. She came through it fine though. Just a little uncomfortable... and a hit on the pride.
The Yermacks are here and everyone is in good health! Hurray. That is a first! Pics to come post x-mass gift massacre.

Sean's Fourth Birthday!!

Here is the happy family on Sean's birtday!

Holloweenie!!!

Here of some pics of Holloween!

The latest...

Wow! It has only been a month since I last blogged. Well, we made it back safely from Stockholm. It was an awesome trip. It also took a week to get the kids back on Pacific Time.

I finished my class and sent in my application. Then ordered my last class for my broker's license. I resumed my talks with Kirk and start work for him tonight. I send in my exam and license request today. Hopefully I will get the Nov 23 test date.

I saw a house I liked in Cerritos. I will have to list and sell my house to make it happen. Sil is still hedging on the house. It is a 2100 sq ft. east facing 5 bdrm 3bath built on a postage stamp lot. The schools are good and the price isn't outrageous. But we'd like to be closer to a park b/c of the lot size.

My job is turning around. I haven't been surfing much. I will try to go out this weekend. I always say that. I am also going to investigate a PM position at a construction company.

Late.

Copenhagen

Hi,

We went to Copenhagen as a side trip from Stockholm. It rained the day we got there. Here is a picture of Sean and Sil in front of the Mermaid (w/ head intact) in the rain. It was miserable. Sean was a little out of it b/c of all the travel and wouldn't respond to commands. He was either full-throttle or asleep.

The other two days were great weather and we hit Tivoli, the shops, the Viking museum and the palace ruins.

Well, we come back on Wednesday. See you all real soon.

Boat ride...

Hi,

We went on this awesome boat ride today. It was a speed boat tour of the archipelago here in Sweden. The inflatable boat was powered by two 250hp outboard Mercs. The driver took it easy on us b/c we had small children... otherwise it was 50knotts easy.

It has been sunny every day this week! Unbelievable weather. All the locals are back from their travels and are swarming the leisure spots for their last hurray b/c school starts on Monday here. I think tomorrow we are going to drive to a Viking village.

The ferry ride too and from our island destination consisted of an endless stream of threats to small children for their endless hyperactivity in a confined area.

There is McDonalds here of course. And there is a knock-off called MACS. It is ok. There are no Starbucks! Hurray!

Vasamuseet...

Here is a picture of Warren and Sean making faces for the camera on the streets of Stockholm while waiting for Aunt Rocio to finish shopping.

Stockholm is a sleepy little town that you can walk accross in about 45 min. If you miss your bus, then it is usually quicker to just walk there.

There aren't as many playgrounds as Berlin, but there are more indoor facilities such as playrooms and kindergyms. We are staying at the Wenner-glen which is an apt building on the north end of the city.

The gov't actively supports the family. They give a lump sum of $10k/child every year for families. But the population is still in decline. The lifestyle for single adults must be pretty nice.

Everyone drives like a senior citizen and the city is even cleaner than Paris. There are no deisel engine cars here as environmentalism is as important as feminism to Swedes.

So we managed to get enough energy up to go see the Vasamuseet and Skansen Zoo. The Swedish Man-o-War was an awesome site. Sean was interested for about 10 minutes. So we only got to spend about two hours there before going to a McDonald's knock-off for lunch. Sean welcomed the culinary delight of chicken nuggets. But he is having ranch dressing withdrawls.

Sil has a sore throat and Meghan woke up with a fever this morning. But at least we are sleeping through the night. Sean has the sniffles too today.

Last night we ate at the Mongolian BBQ. It was good. Everyone eats outside here if possible. Today is a cloudless day like CA but 25 degrees cooler.

Meghan's First Birthday.. and our 8th Anniversary...

Hi Again,

Today is a special occasion. It is both Meghan's first Birthday and my wedding anniversay. We plan to celebrate by taking many naps and not leaving house if at all possible...

In Stockholm at last...

So we made it finally to Sweden! First our Britch Airhole flight was cancelled the morning before we leave. So Silvia found a Continental flight the next morning to Newark with connection to Stockholm. But that plane had a mechanical we didn't know about. So it was late. But we arrived at LAX at 5:30am only to be greeted by a huge line of people. About 2 hours into line the terminal was evacuated onto the curb for 2 hours. Then we finally get checked in and fly out at 2pm! We had been traveling for 9 hours and hadn't even left LAX!

We get to EWR (Newark) and it is about 10:40pm ET. We get our vouchers for a place to stay and then our bags which we short checked to EWR (luckily). Then we take the tram to the hotel shuttles at 11:30pm. Unfortunately, the hotel stopped their shuttle service at 10:30pm. So we, along with the other 20 stranded international travelers bribe another random shuttle driver to drive us to our hotel. But then at the last minute, two of his customers have arrived. So we had to drop them off first! That made our 15 minute ride 45 min! Finally, checked in and settled at 1:30am.

The next morning was more of the same. It started out way too smoothly. First of all, we get strip searched every time we go through security. That is a huge problem with a 3 year old who is crying after being corrected for running off every two seconds. Then they want to pat him down too but I called them on it b/c I know if he doesn't trip the metal detector, then kids under 12 don't have to be searched.

We spend out food voucher on really greasy food at Nathan's, cruise the shops and then finally board at 6pm hopefully ending our wonderfully hot and humid day in NJ. But it wasn't to be. The gravity was too strong and we couldn't escape. Thunder storms and the associated wind sheer kept us on the runway for 2 1/2 hours. The kids slept and then woke up when we took off. They stayed awake for another grueling 3.5 hours and finally passed out. We arrived in Stockholm 4 hours later.

So we got our rental car and followed David to his apt for a typical Swedish lunch of bacon, potatoes, and creamed spinach with just the babies.

A three day odessey ends successfully. Our motivation was too strong. Stubborn has its advantages.

7 Days.... not a problem.

I don't dream while sleeping. At least, not that I can remember. But I dream while awake and work to make those come true.

The day before Friday...

Pic of the day... I can only aspire... But I will be trying on Saturday at 18th and PCH at 6am sharp if you want to join our motley troupe. I will be the one doing my best imitation of clothes in the wash-cycle.

Mulhearn wants to give me his schpiel on Sat at 10am. I hope to squeeze a recommendation to the commercial R/E side. Or something other than grinding out residential sales.

I have calculated that in residential sales I would have to close two half million houses a month to make my salary. That's a tall order. I can probably do it; but it would be hard to do it surfing. It would mean losing my weekends too. But I could sleep in... Income property is a clear sideline... I need to learn how to do RoA for income property...

I am going to see what kind of educational materials I can get while finishing my salesperson's requirements. I will not list a broker until I talk to Gil.

Key word is "value." What is my value to Mulhearn? What is his value to me? Maybe I'll be surprised. I won't know until I go down and talk to the guy. It is a great networking opportunity as he is well respected and very successful.

Work is good. But the tactical plan calls for some serious change in the organization and I am not sure that it can handle it. In addition, the assumptions to the plan were primarily monetary. Having the money isn't the issue. Where and how to spend it is. I think the assumptions should have been less monetary related and more strategically related. Instead of saying," We have $25M for IT and where are we going to spend it?" We should have asked,"We need to accomplish this strategic organizational goal, how are we going to achieve it? And what is it going to cost us?"

That's my two cents from the cheap seats.

Tick off the days....

Armstrong is my hero...

www.letour.fr

Ok. So Floppy Joe intro'd me to this guy... http://travinator.blogspot.com ... Travis. He reminds me of my old army roommate, Greg Crouch - Same type of surf mentality. I think am going to have to get up earlier...and go to work later. And find a job in HB.

"...my Costco wetsuit..." awesome line.

I got worked on Saturday in the HB surf. It is a bit quicker than lake doheny. I'll work it out though. I think that I have to stand up earlier and practice my pop.

So, I found an old transcipt for RE Appraisal and Finance. This is good b/c it takes care of two requirements for my broker's license. Now all I need is Practice and R/E Law. Sweet. Saved some money there.

Sweden trip looms on the horizon. We have a shopping list para me cunada. Breakfast cereal and material to make fitted sheets." You know you're in the country for the long haul if you take your sewing machine with you.

My 3 yr old quote of the weekend - "Look at that big-action construction site!!!"

Armstrong is my hero...

*******End of Report*********

Going to Sweden....

So the family and I are packing it up and going to Sweden! Tickets are purchased and they weren't cheap. But you only live once. Or is it that you only die once? No. I got it. Heros die once and coward a thousand deaths. That's the one. I think that we are going to go a couple weekend trips to Copenhagen etc. Sil bought some books.

I am getting over 70% on my practice exams.. So that is looking good.

I am going surfing all three days this weekend. I gotta think of some stuff to sell on ebay so I can get a new surfboard. Mine is too short. Joe bought a new board - 10'.

Everyone is doing well. Suegra is back and working still. She got some award and now won't quit. I don't get it and she won't explain it to me so I'll back off. Given the opportunity to retire early without penalty, I'd take it.

Trip prep....

So we are all going to Sweden in August. I talked Silvia into going for 3 weeks. This is going to be cool.

I take my R/E exam on July 9th. I hope I pass. Failing sucks.

We went to the beach yesterday and took pictures with the new camera. It is much better to have a point and shoot.

The girl is making wacky sounds all the time now. The funniest is the "wail of hunger" where she screams a huge short 'A' sound at the top of her lungs until small bits of food are placed in front of her.

Sean is almost potty trained. Four more poops and he get a bike. Finally.

Silvia's work continues to ramp up. She is doing the RFP's now.