Cache of the Day - Derby Madness (and Sadness)

I don't know what it is about horses, but I have loved them my whole life. I love the power, the grace, the spirit. And when the Kentucky Derby rolls around, I celebrate like it's a national holiday.

This "first Saturday in May" was this past Saturday and Eagle Pointe (where I live) had a Derby Party at the Eagle's Nest. In addition to the comfort food (lots of potatoes and ham and barbequed green beans), we had an open bar with - of course - Mint Juleps (among other libations, since Mint Juleps taste TERRIBLE!!!!).

They also had a Derby hat contest (which I didn't win...but I was close!), and a great auction for the horses that were running.

We watched the race, where I was cheering on Eight Belles, because of her stats and, yes, because she was a girl out to beat the boys. And she beat 18 of them by coming in second! That was so cool. Until they discovered that she had broke her two front ankles and they had to euthanize her (thus the "sadness" in this cache). Of course, I cried uncontrollably.

I actually had a chance to go to the Kentucky Derby in 1992 and it was one of the most memorable days of my life. I can't wait to go again!

Cache of the Day - Birthday Fun

Thanks for all of you who joined me for the "birthday crawl'! Despite a couple of setbacks (Trulli Flatbread - our first location - decided they needed to close for two weeks and THEN I had the date for Dot Dot Dot wrong and we ended hanging out at the Bluebird for a random band and then onto Sports with no band) we still had a good turnout and I LOVED hanging out with a wide diversity of friends.


Here are some shots from the night:











Shannon and Lara on the left and Ryan and Gretchen Bass on the right, with Stacy (aka "Bono") at tutto bene.
















Also at tutto bene was Sharon and Michael (left) and Brandon and my nephew Eric on the right.




Jeff, my buddy from Sunrise (and mountain bike riding pal) joined the group at The Irish Lion (see below). To the right is Travis, who brought along his friend Brian (left), and my good friend James is on the right. Travis said he would bring along Bill Clinton, but Travis is a liar.







Yes, everyone is wearing crazy glasses, which they found in their "party box". If you wore the glasses, the party seemed funner.







I enjoyed the whole evening! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate!

Cache of the Day - Bloomington Business Expo

The Bloomington Business Expo is sponsored by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and features over 170 exhibitors and is attended by over 3,000 visitors. Employment Plus had a booth this year and here are the girls ("assume fighting position") that were partially responsible for greeting attendees and letting them know of our products and services. Here is Sarah, Elizabeth, me, and Gahimer.

It's also fun to see what other businesses have got going on. I really enjoyed the "hook" that this local financial institution had to draw people in. I had 15 seconds to gather all the "cash" I could while it blowed around the booth. I was able to stuff something like $473 into my fanny pack, which wasn't enough to win "real" cash, but it was still lots of fun.

Thanks to Deb Owen for snapping the money booth pics. Visit her other great shots by going to her site http://debowen.typepad.com/photoblog/

Cache of the Day - Getting Coined

After a recent presentation on Leadership that I provided to the Indiana National Guard, I was pleasantly surprised when the General "coined" me. I had heard of the military tradition, and I knew it was some sort of an honor, and I took it as such. Check out my picture of my coin.

The General - before presenting the coin to me - told me that he awarded this for exemplary performance and he felt that my presentation had a profound impact on his people (I had about 70 in the audience) and that I probably didn't even realize the extent of the impact since I wasn't familiar with the individuals. He said the activities I provided and the course of the topic was perfect for creating a sense of leadership amongst the individuals and set the teams up for a greater understanding of how to create a synergy of leadership, regardless of their "rank".

He then displayed his open palm with the coin you see here, and then shook my hand, thereby placing the coin into my palm.

I was flattered and honored and my half day with the Indiana National Guard created in me an even greater awe of the strength and conviction of our armed forces.

Click here to learn more about the coining tradition in the military.

Cache of the Day - Young Talent

I've been involved in several recent classical music events that have involved incredibly talented high school kids.

Here's some shots from the BSO's "Young People's Concert" where, in addition to the BSO musicians sitting side-by-side with high school students from Bedford and Bloomington, selected soloists also play concerto selections to highlight their talents.


A similar concert was held in Indianapolis where the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra held their Side-by-Side concert and also featured selected soloists. Our conductor of the BSO was guest conductor, so of course we had to see and support this concert, and we celebrated afterwards with a reception.






But nothing is as outstanding as seeing my daughter Taylor play her clarinet in the Mitchell High School band, which had its "Winter Into Spring" concert this past Monday. The best concert of all!

Cache of the Day - Getting Snowed In

Okay, I didn't actually get snowed in - the storm wasn't THAT bad - but it sure was nice to wake up and be surrounded by a snowy blanket and not have to GO anywhere.

I did get out and about and had a run around Eagle Pointe. Here are some shots.

This is my condo.

Here is a path that I run on.










Here's the clubhouse.










My steps through the virgin snow.






Just a great view.

Cache of the Day - My Pal

After being the best pals in college, my friend Andy Anderson met up again in Phoenix last year. Andy - being the tech-wiz he is - found me by googling the Internet and then sent me an email. Taylor and I went to Phoenix last year for Danny and Ally's wedding, and Andy and I had a chance to get together.

And this year, Andy came to Indiana. Being the world traveler that he is, he knew that he just couldn't pass up Bloomington.

Although I was working while Andy was here, and then got SICK, we still had a chance to explore Bloomington. Andy went off to Louisville by himself, as well as French Lick, and then we had a chance to visit Indianapolis together, and got to see the U23D show at the IMAX.


Here we are at Spring Mill State Park near Mitchell.

Best of all, we had some great "catch up" time. We're not planning to wait 30 years before we see each other again!