Blackmans on the Web (log)

At "The" Bridge

Ann and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary last week in San Francisco. We both ended up there by way of the Winter 2009 Educator Conference which was jointly sponsored and organized by the National and Mid-Pacific ICT Centers. She as a participant through the Convergence Technology Center and I as a presenter representing my company Avalon Consulting, LLC where I’m the e-Learning Practice Manager. We offer a variety of e-Learning solutions to our clients.

Ann had been going to these conferences for several years and I’d never had the opportunity to go. The stars and planets aligned and things work out for us both to be able to go – and during our anniversary no less!

One of the great benefits of going together was to finally have a chance to meet many of the folks that Ann was forever talking about who were deeply involved in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). I encourage you to visit the links in this post to learn more about the work that the National Center for Information and Communications Technologies is involved in. It’s fascinating and important work. Those involved in the national and regional centers are passionate about what they do and it shows in their enthusiasm when they talk about their mission.

One of the people I had heard Ann talk about a lot was Mike Qaissaunee. Mike is an Associate Professor of Engineering and Technology at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ. Mike and I hit it off and enjoyed having some time to “talk tech”. Mikes the “real” geek. I’m just geeky enough to be dangerous! It was great to meet him. Ann was left to watch in horror as her worlds began to collide! But let Mike tell you about that. You have to read his When Worlds Collide post. His Seinfeld analogy hits the nail on the head.

Here’s a few selected shots from Christmas 2008 (Click on the “2″ next to upper right image for more photos.)

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Year two with the Metcalf/Tuite families. We all had a fantastic time on Christmas day with Mike and Suzanne Tuite. Peggy, Kurt, Michelle, Kevin, Kurts mom and dad Jan And Phil, Michelle’s mom and dad Fran and Linda, Linda’s best friend Loraine, Mike’s brother John, Matt and Deanna and my mom and dad and all the the kids gathered at Mike and Suzannes. Fried turkey, ham and beef, potatoes and a 10 layer jello salad. Great fun was had by all!

Thanks Mike and Suzanne!

The 1994 Camry finally gave up the ghost. Power steering started failing and before we knew it we were looking at the possibility of $3500 in repairs. So Sam started scouring Craigslist for a deals. Didn’t take him long to find one! 1992 Mazda Miata with only 89,800 miles. New paint. Excellent interior. 

Needless to say – he can’t stop grinning. And who can blame him. 

The tradition continues – photos from our 2008 Thanksgiving gathering. We had a great day. Food was fantastic!. Having friends and family together, even better.

Yes, I’m a little behind! Had some birthday and homecoming photos that I never got around to sharing.

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Scott and I are both making an effort to clean up and sort our many, many photos. These are both from May, 2002. My, how time flies!

We are very indebted to Rick and Penny McLeod, CGS ranch managers in the early 2000′s for their very BIG positive influence on both Alex and Sam. Here, left to right, is Sam, Rick and Alex after a big day of cleaning stables, giving hay rides and generally just hanging out with the horses.

As much as I didn’t want to admit it at the time, Meg was right: She sent the boys BLUE SPARKLY hair gel which they got into before I even knew it had arrived in the mail. I was not pleased! Meg’s comment to me was that it’s just hair and gently suggested I could save my bluster for bigger issues. While we have been very blessed to have the many, many positive influences and support systems we have, I’m just glad it’s now Meg’s turn to have tween-age boys!!!

Cali, Alex, Sam and Ann

Sam is hanging out with Alex this weekend at Tarleton. We met Alex in the Fort Worth Stockyards for dinner. He brought his friend Callie along. Callie is from Denton and her dad happens to work at Collin College in Frisco.

It was great to see Alex. Sounds like things are going great at Tarleton. He’s enjoying school, his new friends and his job with Kobie Wood. Kobie is a horseman in the Stephenville area. He’s letting Alex work at his ranch. Another great opportunity for Alex to learn from people in his field of interest.

Keep up the good work, Alex!