The Year In Review
What a year this has been! It is hard to believe all the changes that have taken place in my life! In January, I travelled to California with several co-workers for strategy sessions about the year to come. I discussed with my boss the possibility of moving to Dallas in my current position which was approved. In February, I travelled to Dallas to scope out apartments with Shannon and also back to California to visit Lisa and family. In March, things changed again as we worked to create an awesome deal at work and I was asked to put off my move for 3-6 months. My Grandma also passed away which was very difficult. It was easier to deal with knowing she was out of pain and with the Lord. I was with her when she passed in
Tennessee. I traveled back to South Carolina before heading to Oklahoma for the funeral. Except for the circumstances, it was great to see my family. On May 2
nd, we learned that our company was closing our division and that our last day with the company would be July 2
nd. That was not one of the best days of the year but little did I know, it might have been the best thing to happen for me career wise. My boss called me that afternoon and told me not to worry - we would be fine. At the end of May,
Shan and
Jaymeson came to visit and we spent the week exploring South Carolina - specifically Myrtle Beach and Charleston. In June I headed out to Tucson to visit the company who would become my new employer before heading back home to begin to pack. On July 1st, I headed out to start my drive across the country. I stopped in Oklahoma to pick up a few things and Shannon and I drove the remainder of the trip to Tucson before unpacking the truck in the summer desert heat. I couldn't have done it without her!! I started my new position in the middle of July and stayed busy working on creating a new Correspondent division. For Labor Day, I headed back to Myrtle Beach to spend the holiday with Debbie, Tim, Tracey, and family. October was an awesome month. I received a promotion to Regional Sales Manager and went on a cruise to
Montego Bay, Grand
Caymen, and Cozumel. Also, my business travel began with a trip to Chicago. I spent Thanksgiving with Lisa and Mark in California. And that brings us to know. Christmas was awesome. It is hard to believe tomorrow we will begin 2007. If 2006 taught me anything, it taught me to expect the unexpected and that even when things look the worst, given time everything will work out.
Labels: 2006, life lessons
Sorry for the delay!
Sorry for the delay in posting. I hope that everyone had a great Christmas. I know I did. Between travelling for the holidays and recouping from the holiday travel I have been MIA for the last week or two. One of my resolutions this year is to be better with keeping up with the blog. I use travel as an excuse but truth be told most places have an
internet connection (except my parent's house - they have
internet but it is
dialup - I just can't handle dial up). My other resolutions all tie in to taking better care of myself. Since being laid off, I have let myself go. It is time to start eating right again and exercising. I will accomplish these goals at least for a bit because I literally cannot fit into many of my clothes and that bums me out every morning. I figure I will need 1/1 to recover from tonight so I will start my adjusted lifestyle on Tuesday!
Labels: Resolutions
I can talk about it now
It happened over a week ago. It was traumatic. I still cringe when I think about it. Let me set the scene. I was about to leave on a business trip. It was Sunday, the day before I left and I realized I hadn't had my hair cut and it was more than time. So I made the mistake of calling a salon in the mall. I made an appointment and went to have my hair cut and highlighted. The girl seemed friendly enough and seemed to do a good job on the cut. It was then that my day started its downward spiral. To my horror, when handed the mirror I realized my entire head was platinum blonde. She noticed that I was quite horrified and told me she could fix it. She used two different rinses and it was a little better so I left just a little upset. When I got home though I looked again...my hair was orange!! I called back and told her I just wanted to go back to my natural color. My hair is now an blond with a hint of red....ugh! At least only about three more weeks before I can cut it out and start over...at a professional salon!!
Hotel Curtains
I love hotel curtains. This may sound stupid but when travelling for work, I generally stay at the Courtyard by Marriott. The curtains used in this chain are completely awesome. You can close them in the middle of the day and it is as dark as midnight. This is good for an old man like me who needs his naps!
Party!
The office Christmas party was last weekend. This had to be the bomb of office Christmas parties!! Many times you just wonder how long you have to make your presence known before you can escape. This was the total opposite. We had so much fun! Drinks at 7. Dinner and Dancing at 8. Followed by the after party that lasted until 2. At least I think it was 2:00am when I was walked to my room by two couples who were afraid I would wander the hotel in my drunken stuper. The next day I tried to get up at 10 - it didn't work. I made it up by 1 before I napped again at 5:30. I went to bed at 11. It may have taken the day to recover but the party was worth it. Good friends, good food, good drink....who could ask for anything more!
Resolutions
One of my resolutions for next year is to be more prompt at keeping my blog updated. More than anything, I enjoy reading history of things that long would have been forgotten without this tool. Of course meeting new friends and having discussions are added perks. Thanks for reading and have a Merry Christmas!!
What are my other resolutions you might ask? Like everyone else I tend to hit the gym - next year is all about self improvement!
Camera
As you can see with the pics of the Christmas decorations, I figured out my camera still works - you just have to use it the old fashion way without the screen!
I upgraded
I upgraded to Explorer 7 and I noticed that my picture slide show doesn't display correctly. I think that Firefox had the same problem....so I temporaily removed it. If you need your Daniel fix, you can visit my myspace page. The link is to the right.
The Nativity 2 - No comments about it being placed on the wine rack.
Frosty the snowman!
Even the table is ready for Christmas - though I won't be here!
Festive!
The Nativity - My Mom and Dad made this scene!
My Christmas tree 2007
Six Degrees of Seperation
Primetime did a study on the idea of six degrees of seperation. They took people from various backgrounds who have never met and set out to see if they could connect via a human chain in six steps or less. It was amazing some people were able to connect in less than six steps but everyone connected within six steps. The world gets smaller everyday. How crazy is it that there are people out there who read this blog that I have never met that I could be connected to by six other people. Amazing!
A thought from Santa
My Christmas Space
Be sure to check out my myspace page (link on the right). I have decorated for the season and added some favorite seasonal videos such as The Chipmunk Christmas!
Enjoy!!
Merry Christmas!!!
Cactus Lights
I wish the camera was working tonight...all of the cacti on the mountain were lit up in Christmas lights. Who says it can't feel like Christmas in the desert??
I can't believe this
Since moving, I have not been able to find someone who I like to cut my hair. I am a little particular about my haircut (no comments from the peanut gallery) and to that end I want to find someone who can not only do a good job but also have a personality that clicks with mine. I am going to see this person one on one for a hour every month so it is important the person can carry on a conversation.
I ran out of time to get my haircut so I had to go to the mall today. I called and made an appointment at J.C. Penney. I thought I had found finally found someone. She could hold a conversation, cut and styled it decently, and then she began to highlight. This is where things went horribly wrong. As she began to rinse the highlights out, she handed me the mirror. My hair glowed like the sun...you could see me 5 miles away in the dark. She toned it down twice and now it is not bright but looks hideous. Of course, I have customer visits scheduled this week and I am going to look like a freak...ugh! Lesson learned...never have you hair cut by someone you don't know 24-48 hours before an important meeting!
Update - I went back this evening and she did tone it down so it is not so blantantly orange - still not great but what can you do. I'll get it cut in three weeks and start over!!
I hate flat tires!
Snowmen in Love!
Day 2
So I went running/walking/jogging at the gym again today. Today was much easier. I made it two miles...in thirty minutes. I know not good. My goal for next week is three miles in the same time...still not the best....but a lot better than nothing!
So I did it...
I started running at the gym again tonight! Ugh! I am sooo sore. It is sooo sad. Why do I do this to myself. I get back in to shape...lose the weigt I want to lose, look good, feel good...and then I stop and have to start over...which sucks!
Ugh!
Background on the BC Clark Jingle
For those of you not from Oklahoma who do not know the jingle - be sure to visit my myspace page.
Here is an interesting article on the jingle.
http://newsok.com/article/2980103
I think I am getting a reputation!
| You Are Blitzen |
Always in good spirits, you're the reindeer who loves to party down with Santa.
Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying!
Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini. |
I figured it out!
Car
I refinanced my car this week. It was the easiest thing ever! I applied online. The bank e-mailed me the documents and I signed them and overnighted them back to them. That was it. The easiest financial transaction I have ever been through. Best part - I took a year off of my loan and reduced my payment a bit!
My Christmas Wish
Well - I now want something for Christmas. Something I originally wanted but did not need. Now I need it. Apparently, my camera did not make it home from my last trip unscathed. The display is cracked and broken on the inside. I have been looking for an excuse to buy one of the 7.0 megapixel cameras since they have come down in price. Now I guess I have the excuse. Christmas tree pics may have to wait a bit...
The New Family
Later that evening...
Best Friends
Lasek
I went to my first Lasek appt this week. It was just the consultation. I go back on Jan 8 for the full exam and if everything goes well, I will have the surgery on Feb 1st.
Happy Friday!!
D
The Countdown Begins
Only 24 More Days Until Christmas!!
