Vegas Wedding!

I had the opportunity to head to Las Vegas for the nuptials of... MY OWN SISTER! Indeed, Avid Reader, Laura Moore is MARRIED!

I previously posted that Laura was engaged. And at my cousin Christine's wedding, Laura & I had the following conversation:

"Todd, we're eloping. August 28th. In Las Vegas. Get it on your calendar."
"Eloping? You're not eloping if you give me the date and location of your wedding."
"Yes, we are. We're eloping. To Vegas."
"Laura, if I'm invited, you're not eloping."
"It's in Vegas, so we're eloping."
"Um, are you already married?"
"No."
"Will you be married before August 28th?"
"No. That's when we're getting married."
"Then, you haven't eloped nor will you be eloping. And if people are invited, it's considered a destination wedding."
"No, it's not. We're eloping. Todd, it's in Vegas!"
"OK."

So, officially, I went to my sister's elopement! WOO HOO! And Laura Moore is officially married!

It was a charming ceremony at a little place that specializes in these things -- complete with an upstairs chapel that felt like any chapel in any other city in the world. It was awesome to be there -- along with lots of family and a handful of friends. It was touching and calm and real... oh, and at 10:30PM. :) In other words, it was just what it needed to be and now I have a brother-in-law (and a new niece & two nephews) to call family!

Congratulations, Sister.
You mean the world to me.

Take Your Dog to Work Day

Copper decided she'd had it with going to daycare or staying at home during the day and up & declared it 'Take Your Dog to Work Day'!

She was very productive; I was impressed. She jumped in and tackled a Revenue Concentration Analysis, helped to manage the Auto-Test pilot in Australia, Germany and Other Latin America, and ensured she balanced heads-down desk time with plenty of socialization with others Business Group . Needless to say, she was a complete hit -- and SO GOOD all day long.

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Of course, the reality is that she was BANNED from daycare as she was snotty and had developed a cough... turns out she had a dreaded Upper Respiratory Infection (otherwise known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis... Kennel Cough!). Because of the ban and because I didn't have time to rush her home, she enjoyed a day at Microsoft! And, Avid Reader, she was amazing... she hung out in a colleague's office for 1/2 of the day, and under my desk for the other 1/2. This dog is amazing; I'm more in love with her every day!

6-Sept Update: Copper is wonderfully over her cold... thanks in large part to lots of rest, antibiotics, and care from John & Amy Weaver while I was in Las Vegas for my sister's wedding. She's already been back to daycare... The Barking Lounge folks were ecstatic as now she can wear out the other doggies again!

A VMAC Haiku

Charity Event
At the Seahawks Headquarters.
Hello John Weaver!

A Toast to the Roseboroughs!

You may already know my friend Michelle, Avid Reader. I've previously written about her here. First, it was as she fought cancer head-on. Then, it was as my awesome travel companion to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. And, it was as part of The Most Amazing Vacation Of All Time. Now, another adventure to report: Michelle got herself (kinda) hitched! MJ & Saskia and I carpooled to Portland for Michelle & Joe's stunning wedding at the World Forestry Center near the Portland Zoo. It was a touching ceremony altogether as they exchanged vows in front of family & friends.

I say 'kinda' hitched as I enjoy giving Michelle a hard time about what this really was -- a chance for her to party! :) See, Michelle & Joe got married last fall as Michelle had accepted a position in our Hong Kong office. Joe couldn't go unless they were legally married. Ever the problem solver, Michelle hauled Joe to the courthouse. The move ultimately never happened, but here was Michelle -- with husband -- but without a ceremony nor a wedding band.

Again, problem solver, she up & got herself married proper! Michelle went the whole nine yards and planned a stunning wedding and hosted an incredible celebration. And while she went the nine... I would gladly give her a full football field. She's more than an incredible human being who's more than earned it.

Congratulations Michelle & Joe!
You are incredible. And incredible together.

Runge's G.A.P.

It was a sad occasion marked by the happiest of festivities: the "Retirement" of Jason Runge!

Jason was one of the first folks we hired at DRIVEpm as we started to scale our business long before the Microsoft acquisition. I worked directly with Jason prior to moving out to NYC, then in concert with him while there. Inasmuch as I might consider myself a key member of the business, Jason became foundational -- a self-confessed member of the Dream Team.

So, we gathered the troops from near and far and enjoyed a long night of catch-up, bonding, beverages, and celebration at the likes of Slim's Last Chance Chili Shack & Watering Hole, Sea Sound Lounge, Lava Lounge, and later at some Hi-99 casino. Yes, it was in Jason's honor, but it also felt very much like a reunion -- where everyone truly liked and cared for one another. And out of which we built an amazing company. The combination of when we launched, with whom we worked, how well we worked together, and the successes we enjoyed will be something I know I'll be hard-pressed to experience again in my career. But I wish it on everyone as it was fantastic.

As was working with Sir Runge. You will be missed, friend!

I Love Big Al's!

I got to support my dear friend Daniel Kirkwood as he opened his second Big Al's in Beaverton over the weekend! Big Al's is an amazing bowling alley | sports bar | arcade that Dan owns along with his parents, Al & Sandy Kirkwood. Whenever I've had the chance, I've also stopped by Big Al's in Vancouver, and now he's opened a second location right in my sister's & uncle's backyard!

The third of three special openings, Jud and I got to enjoy a free evening of food & bowling. Avid Reader, it is a SIGHT TO SEE! From the HUGE HD projector televisions to the amazing SkyBox to the private bar with Wii Lounge and Virtual Golf Course, I was thrilled A) to be there and B) knowing it's my buddy's place!

Dan was always one to impress -- though never really knowing it. Here he's done it again -- and in a Big (Al's!) way! Congratulations, Friend!

~ Pause ~

Rejoice in nature's gifts.

This was the message Alaska has left with me after an incredible long weekend in Sitka with my dear friend, Colette Nelson. This trip was a gift. Of clarity. Of nature's beauty. Of joy. And of friendship.

Instead of a prose rendition of my time in Sitka, I'll go Happy Thoughts* on you and share the things that made me smile this weekend and cause me to pause now to rejoice in the gifts:

Smelling Alaska air. Seeing my friend. Colette shouting in an crowded airport. Meeting Hannah. Enjoying small town dramas. Helping to set up Ludvig's. "Deadliest Catch"-ing it on a working (and full!) fishing boat. Dive bar Ernie's for frosty cold ones with Hannah. 'I Gotta Feelin' on the jukebox. Dinner at Ludvig's. After party in the restaurant & upstairs with Colette, Hannah, Scott, Clint, Jen & Nikki. Sleeping in & slow mornings. Hike in the rain. Waterfalls in the forest. Hanging out with Jason Shaffer. Working at Ludvig's! Serving the Bartell family & Dr. Keller. P-Bar. More jukebox selections. After party back @ Colette's with Nikki, John, Colette, Hannah, Dana & Brian. Really sleeping in! Walks through Sitka. Two chicks' burgers. More hiking. More waterfalls -- this time with photos. Colette just whipping dinner together. Slow nights in. Hannah playing guitar right now. Feeling a world away. Knowing a Copper Reunion is right around the corner.



I'm pausing now and rejoicing. What a great weekend.