Happy Birthday to me!

Birthday boy here, with little signs of aging except that I wish I could forget how old I'm getting.  I shouldn't feel so lonely about it, though.  A couple of my friends had their birthday yesterday, so they feel the pain before I do.  Also me and my sister-in-law are the same age so I know someone must be able to empathize. 

Running made me feel better.  I've been running lately, and today I ran 3 miles for an average of 10 minute mile.  I used to run 3-5 miles on the X-Country team in High School, and it seems my body is adapting to the training I used to do back then.  I am trying to get my heart healthy and strong, and to get back to my leaner and stronger self.  Beginning to feel and enjoy the energy and endurance benefits, be it ever so slightly.

It still hasn't really sunk in that we are moving to Seattle.  I will miss all the flowers Cami and I planted here.  I'm considering digging up a few and taking them with me.  If I don't, I will have to get a few roses and lavender plants to start anew up north.  Here is a shot of our hollyhocks in (almost) full bloom. 

It's gorgeous outside today, it's supposed to get up to 83, which is about perfect!  There isn't a cloud in the sky.  Color me happy.  Cami is going to take Molly and I shopping and for a lunch in Clackamas.  I theoretically have the day off from work, but let's not go there.  Since taking VMware live back in June with their spanking new Oracle Identity & Access management solution they have had fewer problems (thankfully) and everyone is happy including me. 

Time for me to go.  Have a great day!

The best advice Michael Dell ever received

I watched a quick clip with Michael Dell on CNNMoney.com where he talked about his business and his success.  When asked about the best advice he ever received in his career, he reflected upon the wisdom of the late Dr. George Kozmetsky.  "When you encounter a problem, fix it as fast as you found it."

I think this is generally good advice for business and  success in life.  Problems that lie at the back of the burner can often consume energy (create ulcers/headaches, et al.) and a degree of thought that is disproportionate to the scale of a problem.  Utilizing whatever tools you have at your disposal, assess, manage and resolve problems in an efficient manner to free yourself and your time to focus on other more profitable and productive tasks.

It's my birthday week!

Howdy.  We are packing up the house and getting ready to move to the Seattle area in August.  It's sad to leave our home here in Portland behind but it's exciting at the same time.  Cami is working on some business plans with her sister that looks pretty dynamite, and I can hardly wait to share the details here when they begin to materialize. 

I was reading Jessica Claire's blog today, and discovered that her and I share the same birthday week, anyways.  Does anyone know what day her birthday is?  Mine is the 24th.  Wouldn't it be cool if my birthday was the same as Jessica Claire's?    

Having a birthday in the summer is the best!  I remember going to Water Works Park with all my friends in the middle of summer in Redding (NorCal where it is typically 107 degrees but we didn't care) and made a day trip out of it.   I miss those days.  

Here's what I looked like last summer on my birthday.  The saying on this shirt pretty much sums up the way I feel this week.  I hope to take it as easy as I can.

Here's what's on my birthday wish-list.  You can help me out by leaving comments for my wife to read and tell her how badly I need these things.  Because she will probably read it once and laugh out loud.  Joke, hahahaa, funny funny.  Why is it so funny?

1. Suunto T6c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch (Black)
2. DLO Action Jacket Armband Case for Zune 30 GB (Black)
3. Fossil jeans (dark denim)
4. Totally Rad Actions 2, The Revenge
5. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
6. A date with Jessica Claire and Becker (in Seattle this fall)
7. Greg Gorman workshop in Mendocino
8. The Fine Digital Print I & II Workshop with John Paul Caponigro
9. BMW Z4 2006 Black (even though I'd have to pay for it, hey worth asking anyways)
10. Weekend retreat on the coast

Be thankful you're not married to me!

Quintuplet Photo Shoot

 A few weekends ago I enjoyed taking time out from work and writing for a photo shoot with my nieces and nephew.  My sister-in-law was approached by a producer in L.A. about making her or the quints the subject of a reality t.v. show.  So I did my part by helping out with an updated portfolio shoot.

It's a shame, isn't it, that this if my first real shoot with them and they are already 2 years old!  At this age it's more like shooting at them rather than with them, and for all you moms and dads out there with 2 year olds, imagine multiplying that challenge by 5!  What a hoot!  I know now surely that children's photography isn't my cup of tea for various reasons, although for family and friends it's quite a delight.

http://www.stevetout.com/stevenson

I  also had the pleasure of having a couple shooting sessions with Courtnee.  She's so easy to take pictures of, and the camera loves her. 

http://www.stevetout.com/courtnee

You can Google: "stevenson quints" to read volumes more about their lives.  Or feel free to check out their website at www.stevensonquints.com  (currently being redesigned and managed by Uncle Steve himself)

Enjoy!

Back in the air

I've been working from home for six weeks until today, and it's been awesome to be able to spend so much time watching Molly grow and develop into the little person that she is.  So it's with mixed emotions as I get back on the plane today and head back to "work" in the Bay Area.  This 86m flight above the clouds reveals such rich moments of reflection and clarity about life.  I know they tell you how its so safe to fly but you can't say that the thoughts of "what if..." never cross your mind once in awhile.  I use the time to count the many blessing in my life and ponder my contributions.  It's unfortunate that we so easily forget about the profound in the little every-day things, and often don't make the realizations until we fly in a jet, or whatever other larger than life experiences you may participate in.

Last night I turned on the TV, expecting to watch all the latest news about the Feds stepping into the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac situation.  As I flipped through channels I was surprised to find more coverage on Tony Snow, the third White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush, than the pains being felt in the mortgage industry.  He's a young man, older than me but younger than my parents anyways, and it was sad to me because he seems like such a great guy.  The thing that I will remember about him most is the retelling of a conversation he had with Ari Fleischer prior to his passing.  That in spite of the fact that nations operated under Tony's watch at times throughout his career, holding prestigious positions in the White House, CNN, The O'Reily Factor, and according to some one of our nation's "finest writers" that he recounted the best and most important times of his life were those which he spent with his children.  Those values, to me, go much deeper than partisan politics, and I hope goes appreciated by all whether democrat, republican, or independent.

On the surface, daily headlines about our economy and world relations give enough cause to be down in the dumps about life and our nation.  But don't forget to take time out to count your blessings closer to home.  Unplug yourself from WiFi and the Blackberry for awhile, and take time to think about life and your priorities as often as you can.  It's refreshing, and you will be glad you did it.