Happy New Year!

Back to work, short week

Holidays are almost over. We had a great time in Seattle! I'm back in Denver and back to work today for a short week. However I'm on call this week and this weekend so I probably won't be able to go skiing. I have to stay close to home in case I get a call.

...sigh...

I love holidays! I love vacation time!
.. Back to work...

Flying back home to Denver

After a very white and snowy Christmas in Seattle, we are finally heading home back to Denver. The snow has stopped and now it's back to a wet drizzle. We had a great time! I think we are even still on great speaking terms with the family. We broke my own rule of staying no more than three days with family to not out-stay our welcome. It was really a fantastic time.

Let it snow, let it snow.... Merry Christmas!!

More snow in Seattle!! We've got two Four Wheeler ATV's. I think it's a very White Christmas this year for a lot of people. We're practically snowed in here near Seattle. My rule of thumb when visiting relatives - never stay more than three days. Well we've been here all week in Seattle and we're having a lot of fun!

Let it snow!

Merry Christmas!!!!

December 22, 2008 - Skiing at Snoqualmie

We went skiing at The Summit at Snoqualmie.
James, Sean, Karissa, Denny, and myself.
Tons of powder but very small mountain with short runs.
It was fun though! Great powder!!!

December 20, 2008 - Seattle for Christmas

December 20, 2008
We saw a play "You Can't Take it With You" in Downtown Seattle. Seattle is getting hit hard by snow and flights have been cancelled! It's a really white Christmas.

December 19, 2008
My family are headed to Seattle to spend a week of Christmas. It snowed again, delaying flights, but we made it out.

Space Needle at Christmas

December 17, 2008 in Utah

We drove up to Salt Lake City to catch our 8pm flight to Denver. But... it snowed in Vegas which delayed a lot of Southwest Airline flights. We didn't get out until about 11pm and arrived in Denver around 12:30 or 1am. I didn't get home until around 2:30am and didn't get to sleep until about 3am.

It snows in Vegas and I get delayed going back to Denver.

Earlier in the day I broke away for lunch and drove over to Southtown Mall to see my cousin Hilary Weeks perform. That was cool. My sister met me there also. I talked with Hilary and her husband Tim for awhile.

December 16, 2008 Provo, Utah

I had a great week at Novell Advanced Technical Training! I met a lot of cool people and got to see a lot of people that I haven't seen for awhile. It was great traveling with my friends, Mark H, and Khrys L.

It was great to be back in Provo. My kids live nearby in Spanish Fork so I was able to spend time with Gina, Wesley, and Christian. I spent Monday night getting Gina's iPod ready - her XMAS gift. I spent Tuesday night going to see Bolt 3D with Chris and Wes.

Big announcement - No Brainshare this year. Novell cancelled Brainshare. I think this is a good idea.

My company cancelled their travel plans. In fact I paid my own way to Novell Advanced Technical Training because I didn't want to lose out on this opportunity. We'll just have to make up for it by doing more online training and bringing training to the users and resellers. My company, Alttech, just signed up to be a Novell Authorized Education Center. I'm thinking about persuing my CNI - Cert Novell Instructor - so I can start teaching Novell classes.

December 14, 2008 - Temple Square

I missed Church today so it felt good to take in the sights at Temple Square.

I met this sister missionary from Peru and I congratulated her on the recent announcement of a new temple in Peru. She hadn't heard the news yet so I had to prove it to her through my Blackberry and show her the announcement. She was so excited! It was a cool early Christmas Present for her. That was cool. I toured around Temple Square. It was very peaceful and not too many people were around. If you haven't been to Temple Square in Salt Lake City I definately recommend it. There is a special spirit and peace here.

I went back and picked up Mark and we headed to Provo.

December 14, 2008 - Flight to SLC

It snowed all night and this morning. I woke up early to get ready for my flight to Provo. I was supposed to meet my friend Mark Harvey at the airport for our flight to SLC for Novell Advanced Technical Training this week. Mark arrived in plenty of time to park his car and ride the shuttle to the Airport, but his shuttle broke down and caused him to miss the flight. We de-iced and I made it to Salt Lake without Mark. I had plenty of time to pick up the Car rental and so I took some time to go to Temple Square.

December 13, 2008 - Skiing at Copper Mountain

Skiing at Copper Mountain with James, Zeke, Ethen, and my brother, Evan.
Every year we get cheap tickets through the Boy Scouts of America. $24 for a ski day and lunch included!

Posting updates - last two weeks...

I've got some updating to do for the last two weeks. I've been in Provo, Salt Lake, Denver, and Seattle.
I'll be posting all these updates from Seattle.

Sunday November 30 - Driving in Bad Weather

Update on the Drive Sunday November 30 BAD SNOW and WIND!
We left at 10:30am Sunday morning.
Driving from Denver to Grand Junction, transfer the kids to their Mom, she takes them back to Provo. Merial and I drive back to Denver.
This drive usually takes total anywhere from 9 hours to 11 hours max.

This time we ran into very bad weather from Georgetown to the Tunnel on I70. It took us 1 1/2 hours just to get to Dillon from Georgetown!

The drive from Vail to Grand Junction was fine! No problem. In Grand Junction it was light jacket weather.

On the way back we found out that Vail Pass was closed AND the Tunnel was closed. I decided to take matters in my own hands and exited at Wolcott and drove up 131 with intentions of taking 134 up near Kremling.

Bad mistake!

134 was not driveable. We continued up toward Yampa which made us back-track. We ended up heading up towards Steamboat springs near Highway 40. On the way we pulled some guy and his 4-wheel pickup out of a ditch. So that was cool.

Finally we arrived at Yampa at a service station. A few people were there kind of stranded. We found out they re-opened I70 over Vail Pass and the Tunnel. So.... we drove the 50 miles back to Wolcott. We got back on I70 and it really was no problem getting over Vail Pass, and up to the Tunnel. But on the East side of the Tunnel we had white-out conditions and major blowing snow! We finally made it back to Denver at 1:30am on Monday morning.

It took us 15 hours which usually should take us 10 to drive from Denver to Grand Junction and Back. My kids arrived in Provo at 9pm.

It was worth it to have my kids with me! And.. everyone is safe.

The drive back!

The drive back to Grand Junction! I'm not looking forward to this.

Drive 5 hours through the tunnel, over Vail Pass, to Grand Junction, transfer the kids, drive 5 hours back to Denver!

I looked at the Utah forecast and there is no snow. At least my kids will be safe for the rest of the drive home.

It was worth it!

Happy Thanksgiving with my kids!

I have had the best Thanksgiving Weekend! I was very fortunate to have my four kids over to spend the holiday with. My kids live in Utah with their mom. We did the transfer in Grand Junction last Wednesday and now Sunday we have to do the return trip / transfer.

We had my four kids, and our two step sons. We missed Heather and her spouse, Jon. Not bad. Six kids out of seven and their Grandma Gayle (my mom) over for Thanksgiving Dinner!


I am in Heaven when I spend time with my kids! I wonder if their mom appreciates the time she gets with them. I am thankful for so much! I am thankful for my wife, Merial for everything she does to allow me extra time to spend with them. Today (Saturday) I spent time with Gina and Wesley. We went to the IMAX theater and watched Alaska. We kicked around Denver for awhile. It was tons of fun just to be together!

I have a lot to be thankful for this year! Even though we're not the traditional type family, we're a family!

In memory of the worlds greatest Manager! Joe Ziegler

I first met Joe Ziegler when I answered an ad on Craigslist for a Novell Experienced Engineer for Technical Support. I called the number and Joe answered and we talked. From the first time I spoke with Joe I knew this guy was golden! I talked with Joe a couple of times! He drew me in with a great warmth and character. He practically offered me the job without meeting me. He kept saying, "What's it going to take to get you to work here". I didn't even know it was with Alternative Technology, Inc. I had done a couple of consulting jobs for Alternative Technology through my work with Digeteks.

I came in and this big huge guy came out to greet me! Not just big in stature, but a guy with the biggest heart I've ever met! I had a chance to not only talk with Joe, but talk to some of the techs and they said great things about Joe - "The best manager ever!" I was convinced! Joe hired me! It was because of Joe's management style that I came to Alternative Technology! First of all I gave Joe grief from time to time! I don't know why now, but it took me awhile to settle back into a Tech Support Role, since I had been doing escalation work, field support work, and consulting work for so long. I guess that's why I tried Joe's patience! Joe was just awesome with me though! He never gave up on me and was always easy to talk with. He made me feel like I was a valued member of the team. He said, "Bucky, You're my Superstar!".

It was just about a month ago when I made my final decision to stay at Alternative Technology. I was so happy to have that discussion with Joe. He gave me a huge thumbs up! He said, "Bucky - you made the right decision. You're my Superstar! I have to say that one of the biggest decision makers to stay at Alternative Technology was because I had the world's greatest manager!
... and now Joe Ziegler is gone.

What have I learned from Joe?

Joe had such a way with interacting with people! He had such warmth, such an golden sunshiny aura around him! He always smiled! Even when he was stern he was warm! I want to be a little like Joe. I want to treat people like Joe did. I want to say, "Today is the single best day of my life"! , ... every day! - Like Joe!

I want to take my job seriously, and have lots of fun doing it! ... Like Joe!

I want to be able to have respect from my friends and co-workers, even if I do dumb things like sing "I'm a little teapot short and stout"... Like Joe!

I want to have love in my heart for my fellow brothers and sisters who I interact with every day! ... Like Joe!

Joe! I'm not sure how religious you were, but you had a way of reflecting God's love through your normal every day way! You were one in a million! I will miss you!

You were the worlds greatest Manager!

In memory, Joseph Ziegler
http://www.mem.com/Story.aspx?ID=2716356

Happy 150th Birthday Denver!

Happy Birthday Denver, Colorado! 150 Years!
Get out and celebrate!

Click here to find out more about Denver 150 Years

http://www.denver.org/150/home.html

DENVER - To celebrate the city's 150th anniversary, four of the top attractions in Denver are holding a free day Saturday.

Link

http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=104320

DENVER - Trying to fill a room with artifacts commemorating a city's 150 year history is no easy task, but Colorado's Historical Society did just that.

Link to Video

My Boss, Joe passed away today.

Today we received extremely shocking news. My Boss and my friend, Joe Ziegler, passed away due to a heart attack.

Most of my team had gone home but were alerted by upper management.

Man! He's the reason I came to work here at Alternative Technology. This sucks!
Joe was the man! He was so cool, so awesome! A great manager! I knew the first time I talked to him on the phone that he was a fantastic manager, a great guy! Yep. He's the main reason I came here.

I know this is going to pull our team together. Man this is tough!

- Bucky

Space Shuttle Mission STS-126

Ever since I was a kid I have been fascinated with the NASA Missions. Last Friday was the launch of Space Shuttle mission STS-126.

Live screen shots from NASA TV

Follow the mission on NASA TV
Link to NASA STS-126
Link to space.com

Here is the main purpose of their mission:
Veteran space flier Navy Capt. Christopher J. Ferguson will command the STS-126 mission aboard Endeavour to deliver equipment to the International Space Station that will enable larger crews to reside aboard the complex. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric A. Boe will serve as the pilot. The mission specialists are Navy Capt. Stephen G. Bowen, Army Lt. Col. Robert S. Kimbrough, Navy Capt. Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper and NASA astronauts Donald R. Pettit and Sandra H. Magnus. Magnus will remain on the station, replacing Expedition 17/18 Flight Engineer Gregory E. Chamitoff, who returns to Earth with the STS-126 crew. Magnus will serve as a flight engineer and NASA science officer for Expedition 18. Magnus will return to Earth on shuttle mission STS-119.

Endeavour will carry a reusable logistics module that will hold supplies and equipment, including additional crew quarters, additional exercise equipment, equipment for the regenerative life support system and spare hardware. STS-126 is the 27th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

Puppy Cam taking the Internet by storm

This puppy cam is really taking the Internet by storm.
This story is was on NBC Nightly News:

Nov. 14: When a San Francisco couple set up a puppy cam to watch over their dog's six puppies, one thing led to another--and now they're on network television. NBC's Brian Williams reports. (Nightly News)

Link Here

Puppy Cam: Too Cute!

I had to post this because it's very very cute!
PuppyCam!

More Info

Neighbor Election Sign Competition

Last week we came home and noticed our next door neighbor had their Obama sign out on the front yard. My wife and I are supporting McCain, but hey... everyone has the right to express their opinion.

So.. I came home from work one night.. it wasn't hard to notice multiple signs on our yard. I called my wife and she wasn't aware of how these signs got there. Well, come to find out our stepson had somehow "acquired" the signs and placed them on our front yard. I'm not asking where he got them.

Not to be outdone our next door neighbor grabbed the spotlight and shined it on his sign.

I wonder what the neighbors think...

2008 Election Day

Live Results for Election Day 2008

See latest stories on Yahoo! News

In Red Hat RH300 Training this week

I'm in Red Hat RH300 Training this week. This is a very rapid, fast, paced class for advanced Linux users! So far so good!
RH300

Hopefully I'll be a RHCE or at least a RHCT by the end of the week.
RHCE - Red Hat Certified Engineer
RHCT - Red Hat Certified Technician

November 3, 2008

Vote 2008 - Political Dashboard

I predict Obama's our next President of the United States. However I voted for McCain.

Based on latest Polls:

Yahoo Electoral Map

NPR Electoral Map

CNN Election Center 2008

Yahoo Election 2008

Lunch with Survivor Winner Season 4

I don't know how many of you watch Survivor on CBS? My wife and I love to watch Survivor regularly, or at least record it on our DVR and watch when we can.

While in Heyward (Near Oakland) California doing a consulting gig, I happened to meet Vecepia or "Vee" as she was called on Survivor Season Four (Survivor Marquesas May, 2002). Vee won the million dollars on Season Four.

Season Four introduced us to Boston Rob who was voted out earlier, but came back on Survivor All-Stars to win big and get married on the show.

A director introduced me to Vecepia and invited her to sit down with us at lunch. I didn't recognize her at all until I was told that she was a Survivor winner, and then it came back. Mostly I recognized her voice.

Vecepia is a very upbeat person and often gives motivation talks. It was a real treat to get to spend my lunch time with and meet a Survivor winner!

- Bucky

Reference:
Survivor Winners

San Francisco - Oct 28 to 31

I'm heading to San Francisco / Oakland area for a quick Novell Migration Job

To Toronto

I am getting ready to fly to Toronto, Canada this week for a Novell Platespin event. This should be fun. ... More info later ... Sent from my Blackberry.

Garden of the Gods - September 28, 2008

We had family in town for a wedding this last weekend. Sunday I took them down to Garden of the Gods, near Colorado Springs. The price is right! Free! And the views are spectacular!

Emily's Parade - September 27, 2008

This last Saturday I had the privilege of riding in the Third Annual Emily's Parade! It was pretty cool! We started at Columbine High School in Littleton and finished at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey. There were tons of people cheering us on all along the way. It took about an hour for the ride up. I'll be there again next year. Each Motorcyle rider donated about $27 to be in the ride.

9News Report - Emily's Parade

www.iloveyouguys.org - Emily's Parade

Emily's Parade - YouTube Video

More Photos

Scooter News Article

Cats in Chatroom

http://www.garfield.com/

My Hog

This is a shot of my bike when I rode from Denver to Provo, UT, then back again to be with my son, Wesley, on his birthday! Left August and came back September 2, 2008.

Long ride!

Ridin with the Temple Riders!

Saturday September 20, 2008
This last Saturday I was out on my first ride with the Temple Riders! I guess I'm part of a Motorcycle Gang!

We rode from Castle Rock to Conifer / Bailey. Then we rode south through Pine Junction near Pikes Peak and out to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Then we rode back on Hwy 83 from Colorado Springs to Franktown and then over back to Castle Rock!

There is a new meaning to the phrase, "Hog Heaven", 'cause I was in it! Once one goes ridin, it's easy to get hooked!

Next week is the Emily Keyes "Iloveyouguys" ride! From Columbine High School to Platte Canyone High School. There will be thousands of riders! I have a family wedding to go to so I will just be able to see the beginning and ride for a little while. Then I'll have to bail out and go to a family wedding. I know it's not my priority... it's my wife's.

I'd rather be ridin!

At Mark and Valerie's Wedding

Mark and Valerie threw a great wedding party!
Friday September 19, 2008
I'll post more photos later.

How fast can you type?

How fast can you type?

80 words

Speedtest

At NanDesuKan and God's Word!

So what is NanDesuKan? It's an Anime Convention. What am I doing at an Anime Convention? Well. My daughter who lives with her Mother in Utah, saved up her money to travel back over here to Denver to attend the Anime Con called NanDesuKan. I attended Saturday with her. It was pretty crazy! Lots of people dressed up like Anime Characters and such. I attended a Q& A with Vic Mignogna. I was extremely surprised to find out what an awesome person Vic is. He is an awesome Role Model which I didn't expect to find at this Anime Convention! I had a chance to talk briefly with Vic and he was very ecstatic to see parents attending these types of conventions with their kids and to support their passions! I took a picture of my daughter with Vic.

I know I was happy when my parents supported my passions with Star Wars back in the late 70's! We should be getting more involved with our kids also!

Vic Mignogna is using his Celebrity Status to preach God's Word. He was giving out free CD's that he recorded of the Gospel of John. The only cost? That we listen to it! It's also a free download!

No Rush Hour during Obama at DNC

Wow! I'm looking at some web cams and I have never seen the I-25 Highway this quiet! They closed down the main highway going North and South in Denver from 5pm to like around 10pm. Obama doesn't have his historic speech until 8pm.

Look at the time stamp on this Web Cam Picture with the view toward Invesco Field at MileHigh.

Dodging the DNC in Denver

Lucky I live and work South of Metro Denver and I don't have to commute like I used to. I'm riding my motorcycle most days and staying off the highways. It typically takes me less than 15 minutes to ride to work.

So.. I really don't see much of the Democratic National Convention in Denver except for what I hear and see on TV and the Radio.. which is a lot!

At Alttech

Wow! It's been forever since I posted!
These days I'm working at Alternative Technology in Englewood, CO.

www.alttech.com