January 2017

Because of the big ski trip we weren’t together for B’s birthday.  I made him a birthday cake the day he got home, but since it was late at night and he didn’t want anymore sugar – it literally sat on the table waiting to be candled up and eaten for 3 days.  TT was dying to eat it so TT and I sang to B with master D and Maddie on Facetime…which is why I didn’t take a photo.  We were never all home at the same time, so TT ate B’s cake pretty much for breakfast, snack and dinner all on his own for a couple days.  On the following Saturday Jan 21, 2107, Maddie’s dad and sister were in town and we all met for a birthday dinner downtown at our favorite Italian restaurant – Valter’s.  This is Valter – he is quite the Italian chef who comes over to each table and kisses all the women on the cheek. 

Birthday questions 2017

1. If you were a cake which cake would you be?

A fake plastic cake so everyone would admire me and no one would eat me.

2. What is one thing you’re embarrassed to admit you want to try?

More business ideas.

3. Are you proud of what you’re doing with your heart and time right now?

Yes and no.  Yes in being blessed with success as a CEO.  Our company successfully refactored both our software and team after hyper business growth and a bad executive hire nearly ruined us (the worst mistake in my business career).  No in time spent as a father with my family.  Now that the company is secure with a talented executive team and scalable software archtectutre I can (need to) spend more time with my family and enter a new era.  I need to work smarter instead of harder.

4. Have you ever won anything? Big or small?

A drawing at a trade show, but it was rigged by the giver. Football games and wrestling matches. Intramural arm wrestling, 3 years in row.  Never lost at arm wrestling.

5. What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat?

Cake with Crisco icing.

6. What’s the best way to comfort you when you’re having a really terrible day?

Come home to a nice meal and a hug and good hard outdoor exercise

7. where is the most beautiful place on earth and why?

Anyplace with my family

8. Are ghosts real?

Spirits are real

9. Are aliens real?

Yes, not on earth but somewhere

10. What’s the saddest song you’ve ever heard?

“Enya – Orinoco flow” under the context of driving to the airport to leave my then fiance behind for a week (Hopper).

11. How about the sweetest song?

The primary song “Hello, Hello” we sang to Master D and his brand new girlfriend Maddie the first day we met her.

12. What was the name of the first person you ever had a crush on? Why did you like them?

In kindergarten, I can’t remember her name, I was sad when she moved to Anaheim.  I wanted to have a sleep over at her house, and couldn’t understand why my mom wouldn’t let me.

13. What do you think you cook or bake the best?
Steak and everything sandwiches, or just grilled steak and fried potatoes,

14. If you could change your first name what would it be?
I *like* my name

15.When you’re upset, do you want space or attention?
space

16. What’s #1 on your bucket list?
Cabin

17. What embarrasses you the most in front of other people?

When I bonk.

18. Who are you most envious of—real or fictional—and why?
Long distance trail runners because I have largely lost that ability.

19. What are 5 things that give you complete peace of mind?

Financial security

Stable family

Science

Beautiful loving wife

Eternal family

20. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
In business: negative energy

In family: “he/she did something (anything) first”

In church: freaky testimonies

In politics: the politicians and media (aka the actors and the entertainment producers) distracting us from the real issues

In outdoor activities: that Saturdays are always bad weather and Sundays are always bluebird skies

In life:  That I can only have one and can only choose one path.  I would like to try multiple paths, careers and theories to enjoy and learn from different experiences. I have a lot of ideas and not enough time.

People that provide more than one peeve when asked only for the “biggest”

People peeved over me peeving about people listing more than one when I am the peever.