Wayne. Gary. :The Langs circa 1980-something.

Kelly. Vallen. Kathleen. Katie.

Browsing old pictures tonight, I was struck by the similar facial angle and articulation, and even expression - would you call it "optimistic hesitancy"?, between my wife circa 2002 (with our first in her arms) and my first real girl friend circa 1987 with her best friend.

Austin

My girls.

Q at G's

Sean. Steve.

Heath.

George John Jared

Papa Charlie's deck, Lutsen Minnesota (2003? - Sean?). Immediately after calling it a day, before the beers have even hit the table or the sweat has stopped flowing. I love this picture because the feeling that you have: of tiredness from hanging on for dear life at high speed all day, is like the tiredness you get from riding your mountain bike anywhere else, but it's just a little bit better. - and looking at the picture, I can remember that feeling.

Luce line just past Watertown.

Stever and the Wolf

You see the wolf under the log there right? If you click on the picture it expands (then use your browser's back). Take a long look at that bow there too, it's the last time you'll see it in the field.

2008 Traditional Archery Shoot today, Father's day. I'm going to have to think about that whole fired thing soon, but not today. Today is shooting arrows, friends, children and families... and beautiful weather, best of the year.

The picture below was the 180 view from my desk, a scene I saw something-like, on a daily basis. Those were my three main partners in crime; Rich, Mike and Tony.

Good News!

Good news: I got fired today. Friday 13 June 2008. Laid off I guess. My IT group downsized 30 people from it's 200. I had worked for the company for 14 years, two completely different jobs, and two promotions within the current job. - and it's not like I'm a schmuck, I rock, and I know my shit. And I want as much new shit as you can throw at me - I love to learn. Fuck it. Change is good. This will lead to better things. I feel optimistic. I feel sad, embarrassed, angry... and free. but right now I feel drunk.

I've got a severance check and insurance though mid-November, and multi-grand investment cash-ins after that if I so choose, which I guess is fair for 14 years. I've got three children and a very savvy wife in school who's now giving me the evil eye. It's not like it's my fault. It was totally a case of "manager-who-didn't-like-me" and my lack of respect for talking about shit you don't understand. Whatever. I needed some time off anyway.

Edit Tuesday 17: I'm so tempted to change this but I want to leave it with all it's raw emotion, raw feelings - I still can't really read it though, so I think I need to leave it until I can. I probably will edit it at some point.

Kathleen, Mara, Maeve, Katie

Heath. Steve. Jared. John.