ISTE 2011: Back to Philly

In 2005 I went to Philadelphia for the first time.  As part of my trip to NECC conference I was able to see historic sights, watch the Red Sox, eat great food, find a few geocaches, and learn some new tricks with technology.  Let's just say ISTE 2011 in Philadelphia was pretty much a repeat.

I really like going to Philly.  It's a fun town with plenty to see and lots of great things to eat.  On this trip I did some of each.  Each night it seemed there was something going on and a delicious place to eat.   The diet certainly took a beating during my week in Pennsylvania.  Good thing I hit the hotel gym or else I would have ballooned recently.

A few of my favorite events from the trip:

• The ISTE Affiliates Meeting:  this was one of the primary reasons I went to the conference this year.  As the President of the local affiliate, it was my responsibility to attend the national meeting and learn from the other state representatives.  I am very excited for our conference in March!
• Taking the ferry across the Delaware River and into Camden, NJ.  This was the capstone of my trip from 2005.  Back then I spent a lot of money and time trying to find a way to Jersey for a geocache and I came up empty.  This time I had to get a geocache in New Jersey and this was the best way to make it happen.  It was a fun little trip and we were able to find two caches along the Camden Promenade.  
• Geno's vs. Pat's:  On Sunday night I ate a Philly cheesesteak from each place and I have to say the winner is - Pat's.  Don't get me wrong, they were both awesome.  I ate at Geno's with the rest of my group and took the Pat's sandwich back to the hotel with me.  Even with it being a little cold I like the Pat's sandwich better.  Don't hate me!
• Watching the Red Sox - I can't believe I got to see them again.  That makes 4 our 7 years.  Wow!!!
• Presenting at ISTE:  This trip gave me another opportunity to present in front of a national audience.  It never gets old and in my line of work, it's a huge honor to share with my colleagues.  Our presentation on iPads went well and I hope we'll get another chance to present in the future.

Here are a few more photos from the trip....

Diary of a Red Sox Fan

A few months ago I learned that the Red Sox would be in Philadelphia during the week of my conference. I can't believe this keeps happening to me, but I can't turn down the chance to see Boston when we're in the same city.  There was one problem - tickets.  Since the Phillies are the best team in the National League it is really tough to get a ticket to a game.  Toss in the fact that the Sox are one of the best teams in the American League and add to that the flight from Boston to Philly is dirt cheap - well, you can see this wasn't going to be easy.

I entered a drawing on the Phillies website for tickets to the game, but I think they didn't really have any for fans that weren't willing to purchase a three game pack.  Since I wasn't going to buy tix to Phillies games against the Astros and the D-Backs I figured my chance to attend the game were zero.  Then some friends of mine let me know they were going to buy tickets via StubHub and they asked if I wanted to go with them - what do you think?

Game day was finally upon us and my worst fear game to fruition - Cliff Lee was on the mound for the Phillies and half our team wouldn't be playing.  I like interleague games because it's helped me watch some Red Sox games I never could have seen before.  I don't like it when the games are in National League parks because you can't play the DH.  Who really wants to watch the pitcher strikeout?

In spite of the talent disadvantage it was fun to see Boston play again.  Josh Beckett was on the hill for the Sox and he pitched well, only gave up 5 hits.  The problem was 2 of those hits were home runs.  Cliff Lee was, well, Cliff Lee and the Red Sox could only get 2 hits the entire game.

Final Score:  Phillies 5 - Red Sox 0.

Still, it was fun to go to the game with friends.  It was great to be in a ball park again.  It was cool to break out my Red Sox jersey on the road and hear it from the fans.  Overall, a pretty good evening.

Photo of the Day

Having fun at the drive-in!

Just a Dad

Rather than recap the day that was, I thought I would reflect on being a dad. Here are a few of my favorite things about being Dad.

• Hearing little feet run to the door when I get home from work.
• Wrestling in the backyard for hours.
• Getting hugs and kisses before bed.
• Having a little person lay on my chest and watching TV.
• Filming little home movies with a cast of three.
• Hearing tender prayers from whispered tones.
• Working around the house with some "helpers".
• Having one of the kids ride the bus/trax with me to work.
• No matter where I'm going, asking who wants to come and hearing - "ME".
• Hearing a tiny voice say "LUV U".

Happy Fathers' Day to all the dads out there.  I know I love being a daddy.  There couldn't be anything better.  Thanks to Tara and the kids for a great day....

New Harmony: Our Trip in Photos

Meet Kai

For the past year the kids have begged for a dog.  Tara and I both grew up with dogs in our homes, but we haven't had one since being together.  We were a little hesitant with small kids - especially Dylan.  Still, the kids persisted and this week we finally relented.

Monday night we went to the Humane Society and spent a hour looking at a Australian Cattle Dog.  It seemed like the perfect dog.  Not too big, fairly calm around our kids, and somewhat obedient to basic commands.  So we went up to the desk to adopt her.

"Sorry, but the chart says the dog is a growler."

I don't know the protocol, but I could tell that was the end of the story.  The staff was insistent that the dog wouldn't be a good fit and that was that.  The kids were heart broken, but we felt it was a good first step towards dog ownership.

The next day Tara called and told me about a dog she found on KSL.com.  He was a part Australian Shepherd and part Husky.  We loaded up the car and drove out to Tooele to meet Kai.  His former owner said he loved the dog and hated to give him up, but work wasn't giving him the chance to give Kai enough attention.

The kids immediately loved Kai.  He was active, loved to get attention, and met Alex's one requirement for a dog - he played fetch.  So, we took the plunge and brought Kai home.

It's been a bit of an adjustment.  Kai was pretty quiet the first night, as he was getting used to his new surroundings.  Yesterday, he found his voice when he started to meet the neighborhood dogs.  We'll have to see how it all goes, but the kids love having a dog.  Tara and I are getting used to being dog owners.  I think it's going to be fun, let's just hope we can figure out what we're doing!

Surprise Visitor

A few days ago Tara's brother Paul sent us an email about a surprise visitor at the family cabin over Memorial Day. Apparently a tiny brown bear was roaming around Hobble Creek and decided to drop in for a visit. It was friendly enough; probably just out looking for food and to meet his new neighbors.

We had to smile when we got a call that Paul was going to be part of a news story on KSL about a wild bear loose in the mountains. Guess it was a slow day for the headlines. Still, it was fun to see Paul and his 15 seconds of fame...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Overall, I don't know if there's much of a story here, but it was "kind of awesome, in an awesome way."