Need a vacation....

We need a vacation. Time to relax, time to chill, time to just unwind.
It has been a while since I didn't have to think about problems, projects and plans for work --- even when I was recently out for another surgery, I still kept up with my crackberry and my email almost instantly. It is a hard habit to break, if it can even be done.

Dedication is a tough cross to bear, especially when I am not getting any younger.
Maybe a trip to Sonoma/Napa is still in the works this year especially with some of our projects getting pushed till December now. If not, at least a long weekend trip to see the leaves change would be nice.

One can only hope and plan..... :)

YODA speaks:
"Do or do not...there is no try......."
Hear Yoda speak!!!

Hobby #8 - Handy Andy (Amateur DIY Work)

Columbus Day Project.

Hobby #8 - Amateur DIY'er.

I don't proclaim to be the next "Ty", but I do enjoy working on handy construction projects. This is a project that I started on my 1/2 day off yesterday and finished today. (with the exception of grouting, sealing and polishing the slate) --- It was a good project overall and I bought my own wetsaw out of the deal with a 1/2 price on a Ridgid unit from HomeDepot. Multicolor slate is a difficult material to work with since it is a natural and non-uniform stone (pieces range from 1/4" to 1/2" in width between the same box, much less the whole pallet. Add a few copper accent tiles and a mosiac border and 4" slate tiles around the 2 sides. Not a bad job overall, not truly perfect...but it is just a hobby ---

I enjoy DIY work...enjoy learning and doing.
:)

Before:

 

After:

 

Here is some additional pics of my DIY work done after Katrina:

Slate and Wood Floors:



My good friend - Choppy!



New Cabinet Installation and floors:





Enjoy DIY work, enjoy learning and doing.

Daughter makes me proud. :)

I am very proud of my daughter, Katey as she just moved down here to live with me in August, went to a totally new school with 4 Honors classes and managed to get all A's
on her first 9 weeks report.

It is something that she is definitely "capable of", but most children do not apply themselves, study as hard, nor take such pride in their work as she does. It is that
effort, that extra bit of attention, that additional time spent away from distractions that makes the difference today and will make the difference for her for the remainder of her life.

Smiles!
Daddy

Hobby #9 - Geocaching

 

Picture of my daughter Katey and her first Geocache in Mandeville, LA.

Geowhat?

Geocaching: Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value. Today, well over 800,000 geocaches are registered on various websites devoted to the pastime. Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica.

So, after that but of formality...I enjoy geocaching. I am not an avid hunter, but I do enjoy to go out and seek the GPS treasure about once a month, mostly with my daughter, Katey. (See photo above) - It is a great hobby to keep yourself in good shape (especially if you complete the hunts on major trails/walks/etc) --- you can easily walk for several miles a day easily. That combined with a dog, and a backpack is generally enough for anyone. (not to mention my photog equipment) --- :) Plus you can find a ton of really cool treasure (geocoins) which are trackable and several of the ones I have found have logged well over 50,000 miles around the world and back!

Might go out caching today.... WATCH OUT FOR THE MUGGLES!!!

Cheers,
Andy

Gustav is Gu...Gone.

So, here I sit at our Ops Command Center in Houston as lead on the Network Infrastructure & Operations. The systems all performed flawlessly
and it was literally just another day. The contrast between the bank's infrastructure during this disaster and during Katrina was literally akin to the difference between the two aforementioned storms themselves. I guess it pays to design, build and implement a world-class network if you want quality results. :)
So many people contributed to the collective vision, and it is really nice to observe
its realization when it is truly needed.

So, Gustav is gone...hopefully I will be doing the same...shortly.
I have no damage at home for now, but I heard that there are a multitude of tornados inflicting major damage right now in Mandeville, LA area...so I am not clear yet.

Heading home...mending my life and getting back to some bit of normalcy.
Just another chalk up to my path & life experience...
Cheers,
Andy

Hurricane Story

I had to evacuate for yet another major hurricane. This time for Hurricane Gustav.
Right now it is looking like it will slow down and be a little milder than expected originally. I had to evacuate due to deployment orders with my work to Houston. We have been working in our Disaster Recovery Ops Center non-stop since Saturday. 45 mins of sleep in last 2 days and counting. Going to let the team grab a few hours, then head back out from tonight until the storm passes tomorrow. How will the house hold up, who will flood, who will not? Another rebuild or just a really rough shower?

We shall see. :)

Hobby #10 : Pyrotechnician

 

I thought I would make a list of my 10 favorite hobbies. :)
Starting in no particular order and counting down.

Hobby #10: Fireworks
This is a picture of me (in black t-shirt - click on image for bigger picture) loading aerial shells for a big fireworks show. I was working as lead on the Pyrotechnico Fireworks Crew for a recent casino fireworks show in MS. The power and magic of a fireworks show is simply amazing but pales in comparison to the work it takes to prepare a barge for a show. We are talking 18 hours of hot, grueling work for a 12 minute show. Not the best trade-off, but loads of power packed fun! :)

Cheers,
Andy