Sometimes you can send a boy to do a mans job

Topher felt the need to build and he wasn't going to wait to be told what or how. That's my boy. He could have used saw ponys rather then saw horses.

I didn't think I would get into the Olympics this year but I'm hooked. The University of Michigan is single handedly dominating the Men's swimming competition. Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay and Scott Spann are breaking world records and taking home the hardware.

Have you seen the women's beach volleyball uniforms? I have a real appreciation for the sport. Not only do the women have to play volleyball but they also have to navigate keeping their uniforms on. It's a good look.

Yellow Laundry

I've always admired farmers and truckers. Farmers have to deal with planting, weather, locusts infestations and harvesting. Crops don't care if it's the 4th of July, farmers still have to do their farming. Same thing with truckers. They still haul their load on weekends, at night and during holidays. People need their stuff and they want it now. For the most part the only way it gets there is by truck. There are other professions like those in the serve and protect industry that fit this admiration but they get most of the attention. Not many kids growing up say that they want to be a trucker or farmer. So this photograph is my omage to the farmers and truckers of the world.

I had lunch with Kim, Catherine and Rebecca yesterday. It was Rebecca's 5th week birthday. We celebrated at Cameron Bar & Grill. Catherine is looking great. I hadn't seen her since before she had Rebecca and it was my first Rebecca sighting. I have to see Charles as a father. That should be interesting.

The Kleinstacks and I are heading north this weekend. Lori is running in a half marathon in NYC Sunday. Austin and Raven are going o be deposited in New Jersey and stay with aunt Grace. I was hoping to see Grand Master P while in NYC but he won't be in town-he may just be saying that.

Peace.

Random stuff

Classic: Yesterday was Lori's birthday and part of the celebration included taking three bags of clothes to Goodwill. It wasn't taking the clothes that was memorable but rather the bags she put them in. Only Kleinstack would have Coach, Williams Sonoma and Nordstrom's bags to take clothes to Goodwill. I still love her.

Facebook: I recently posted my profile at the recommendation of a friend who said it might be good for professional contacts. After a few days my main question is, why do people I don't know want to be my friend? Who are these people? Is there a friend shortage out there that I wasn't aware of?

Politics: If Obama or McCain aren't doing it for you these days there is a fairly strong Independent guy worth looking at further, http://www.news3online.com/index.php?code=23qE145La693m89VuJxg

Pals: I haven't seen or heard from Charles and Catherine in some time. I've been a bit neglectful myself. That goes for Teresa and Scotty as well. My July 15th resolution is to reconnect with those fine people.

Karma: Do you lose Karma points if you say something less then kind about someone to people who don't know the person being commented on?

Oh Canada

Having run the numbers and reviewed the tapes, I can only conclude that this was the best trip to Howe Island ever!

We have been making the pilgrimage to Howe Island since 1968. This year the Kleinstacks helped rock the island. It was their first trip to Pickett Lane. Imagine if you will, no TV, no video games, no news, no heat, no internet, only fishing boating, running, reading, biking and watching the boats sail past.

The Kleinstacks and I stayed next door at the Gordon's. They have a 3 bedroom apartment which could not have been any more perfect. The deck was an amazing epicenter of bliss. Drinking coffee while watching the boats, come on. I don't care who you are, that's cool. It was next door to where the Custacks and Kaufmans were staying so our commute was minimal.

Very little has changed on the island in 40 years, which is a huge part of the beauty. Aside from a few more cottages and the main ferry increasing capacity to 15 cars, the Kleinstacks saw the island as I did when I was 10 years old. I am so lucky to have shared my favorite spot on the planet with my favorite people on the planet.

If you can't get to Tuscany to write a book, Howe Island would be a great alternative.

Disintegration is the best album ever

Kleinstack and I went to Charlotte to see The Cure yesterday. After U2, The Cure is my favorite band. I would have to say that Bobcat Arena is not a place to see a concert. The acoustics sucked. But Just Like Heaven, Close To You, Love Song, Pictures of You, In Between Days, Let's Go To Bed were covered. They played for over 3 hours and given the sound system I finally had to cry uncle after the first encore. That being said I still loved it and Kleinstack was a real trooper given that she only knows maybe 2 songs of theirs.

Along with the entertainment of the concert there was the entertainment of the audience. There was solid evidence that there's someone for everyone out there. Given the band, the crowd was going to be an assembly of Charlotte's finest characters. If Charles Darwin had a store, several of those people would have come from Darwin's Bargain Basement outlet.

We stayed at The Dunhill (Finished Mountain if you will). It was a perfect location, about 4 blocks from the arena. It was a nice hotel but our room was kind of warm and needed a little cosmetic attention.

The city of Charlotte was a buzz with construction. We were very impressed. It actually looks like a city. Lots of cool architecture and the downtown (or uptown) had a lot going on. I did wonder, if we were in Uptown where was Downtown or Midtown. It may just be a bit of Atlanta envy.

An Update from the Predictions desk at c6

Five month review of 2008 Predictions

1) Half Right-Presidential Finalists Romney and Obama. McCain and Obama
3) Right-Stanley Cup Winner Detroit Red Wings
4) Right-Local office of AccessGLT will be awarded it's first job. Smurfit-Stone
5) Right- Chris will shoot his first commercial job and consider leaving Pharma. Out of pharma and concentrating on photography.
7) Wrong-New England wins the Super Bowl. New York Giants.
8) Wrong-Georges are having a boy. It's a girl-no name yet.
10) Wrong-Teresa and Scotty announce their return to Raleigh. Scotty's job and Teresa returning to school for her PhD will keep them in DC
15) Wrong-NBA Champions Detroit Pistons. Lost to Boston in the Eastern Finals
17) 20% Right-Kim, Chris, Lori, Dan and I will run the NYC Marathon. Only Dan got in.
18) Right-All things eco friendly will become mainstream. Everyday more and more is green from houses to cars and all points in between.

Next Prediction update will be November 5 after a new President is elected.

Today I voted and got a sticker

Today was the primary. Pullen Art center was my spot to exercise my constitutional right. I love the idea of voting and everyone should. However the thing that make the experience somewhat of a buzz kill in the end are the propaganda vultures waiting to pounce on the way into the voting place. These people swoop in with their brochures, signs, buttons and cheers. They truly invade your space. I’ll I wanted to do was go in, do my business and leave, knowing I took part in this 232 year old ritual. Then when you're done voting you walk out and you find that the love is gone. They don't even look at you. They’re too busy hitting on the fresh meat. It's like a one night stand. I feel so used, but I voted.