Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Photo Friday - Health


Lunchtime Jog
Originally uploaded by ddurbin123.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Don't let life pass you by


How do we take time to study our world with

the rush, day to day, consumed by lifes need;


The sum of sights unseen remain untold

by the legions, the throng that must succeed;


Must our existance be driven by thirst

for compliance to a standard ingrained;


To break the praxis bestowed upon us,

a violation of culture retained;


Is it possible for us to prosper

in nature forsaking our need for more?


Stop, observe, reprioritize your lives

absorb the artistry Gods graces implore;

Thursday, June 22, 2006

My Obituary - First Draft - I have a lot of work ahead of me :-)



Fogoflife

Born: 9/11/1965

Died: TBD

We’re gathered here today to celebrate the life of Fogoflife. He would be awed and humbled to see so many friends and family here today. As you know, his humility followed him throughout his life, regardless of his accomplishments; he always looked at those near him as the primary contributors to his life’s successes.

He had a passion for life, a zeal for love, a commitment to honesty and integrity, a childlike innocence, an aged wisdom, a youthful silliness, and above all, a love and obedience to God. He was not an evangelist, yet his message was heard through his deeds.

You are here because he touched you, in one way or another. And that was his life’s aim; to make a difference in this world; to touch as many lives in a positive way as possible.

He was a loving father, husband, son, brother, nephew, uncle and friend. You relied upon him, and he was there for you. His greatest successes are exemplified in his beautiful children and grandchildren who have carried on list zeal for life and love.

His family research brought many of you together, in many unique, interesting, and life changing ways. Through understanding where we’ve been, and what we are, we are closer as a family than we’ve ever been and the results will be felt for years to come, through the scholarship funds and charitable research organizations that carry our name. To be associated with causes that strive to improve life brings dignity and a sense of community to our family that we can rally our children around for generations to come.

As an active member of the community, his efforts were consistent with his spirit, whether serving refreshments at a local fundraiser or emceeing a charity roast, no role was too low or to imposing.

He was an active member of the Church. Reaching out to those in need, touching those who yearned, delivering God’s message the only way he knew how. By sharing his failures, relating his weaknesses to others, and how together, through faith in God, we can triumph over hardship and defeat evil.

He strove to provide a happy and satisfying work environment for the thousands of people that ultimately passed through his companies. His businesses were places people not only worked, but developed and excelled in their trade and in their lives. And when they grew beyond the bounds of the company, they were helped in starting their own enterprises. This concept was unheard of and one that has since enriched the lives of thousands of families and created a groundswell in American small business.

He loved his partners, and his employees like family. He took their dreams as seriously as his own. He never took for granted the help he received. He understood the concept of team work, and the greatness that could be achieved when like minded people worked toward common goals.

Fog is best known for his philanthropy; his work for improving others standard of life, health, education. His work became the foundation of the revolution of business ethics and social compassion we are living today, and that we will pass down for generations to come.

He touched so many with his art; poetry of passion, compassion, reason, philosophy which were captured visually in water color, oils, charcoal and photography.

He was passionate, compassionate, silly, witty and generous. He was also a man, prone to mistakes, and never afraid to admit his mistakes in front of man, and in front of God. And as a man, he had the courage and will to forgive, and leave judgment to a higher power.

And it is for all of these reasons we celebrate Fog’s life, directed by the hand of God, which will remain forever in our hearts, minds, souls, and heritage.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Born of Light

Born of light

Born of light
shrouded by darkness
waiting in anticipation

There are those that wait
those that charge headlong
toward a fate unknown

Driven by hope
guided by faith
our souls are in your hands

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Photo Friday - Automotive


Wipe Out
Originally uploaded by ddurbin123.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Pretention



Pretention

I see you.
Gazing down at me
The audacity to glare at me barefaced.
Soon to be concealed in the shadows again

You and your righteous aura
What makes you so imposing?
So distant
Untouchable, aloof

Ancient beyond years
Beholder of generations
Immortal, yet lifeless
Your eternal glow affords you no reason

Why is it that I talk to you?
I can't be unique
Remaining mute
From your cellestial perch

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Photo Friday - Poverty


Desperation
Originally uploaded by ddurbin123.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Walking the dog(s), one of life's simple pleasures

I completely forgot to mention in my previous blog that I walked all three dogs at the same time Saturday. Well, I did it again today.


I bought two retractable leashes for the pups. For Harry, I use his trusty heavy-duty 6 foot leash. It takes a good amount of coordination to keep two puppies and a full grown shepherd in toe, but I have to hand it to them, they figured out how to stay out each other's way pretty well. They nearly immediately figured out their formation and have stayed in it both walks. Dakota on the left and front, Harry in the middle and driving the pace, Ginny on the right and behind Harry. The rectractable leashes allow the pups to stop and go at their pace eleminating the need to jerk them around by the necks as one dog lags and another races forward.


Crossing streets and turning corners took a little practice. Ginny hesitated at each street crossing as if she were being asked to wade through bile. On the first several corners their formation would break while turning a corner, requiring me to juggle the leashes from hand-to-hand, spin, twist, and untangle, all while trying to avoid stomping on them.


Fire hydrants are Harry's vice. Each and every one must be carefully inspected, for what, I have no idea.


At one point Harry felt nature's call, and not to lift a leg. I had bags with me, but I discourage this kind of behavour. A quick rebuke and he decided he could hold it.


As we returned home, Harry was gasping and the pups had lost only a little spring in their steps. Of course Dakota spotted another dog walker with a big hairy beast at her feet; a boston terrier. It was all I could do to get him to keep walking while sounding the alert to all nearby terriers that a beast was in the midst.


We get home, and I walk them through the gate to the back yard, and of course Ginny is terrified of the gate and won't pass the threshold. After unclipping the 2 boys, I pick up the girl and carry her across, set her down and unclip the leash from her.


At this point a great wail and gnashing of teeth came from behind the house. Turning the corner I find the neighbors dachsund, Cooper surrounded by all three of my dogs. Now Cooper is known to be a hyper little fellow, but at this moment, being outnumbered, he willfully submitted the traditional sniff test.


No unpleasantries ensued, and all four looked happy to get to know each other. I knew that the neighbors would be looking for Cooper, so I swept him up from the fray and took him back to his family.


We spent the remainder of the evening watching the Cubs win (almost a no-no for Zambrano), watching Law and Order, and now 2 episodes of the x-files. I should have gone to sleep hours ago, but I've been half watching the tube and half working on some new web site content for my company. It's about time the site actually reflected the work we really do :-P

Saturday in the burbs, you'd think it was the 3rd of June...

My day started with a ringing phone at 7:09am. I was half awake anyway, contemplating rising. It was my wife calling to say she was "home" and that she'd forgotten to call the prior night. I asked what her plans were for the kids and her folks regarding the Parelli seminar. It sounded like she and her brother were going early to get seats, her mother and my daughter a little later and that they'd probably leave after lunch to do some shopping. My son and grandpa would also go later so they could return home when they wanted, independant of everyone else. I wished her fun for the day as she did me.

My morning was sunny, the pups were hoppy, and I chomped on toast as I watched the 3 canine tip-toe through the grass, happy to be out and alive. With class starting at 9am I had to hurry them back in, coax the two runts into their crates, feed the big guy his kibble and cut green beans and be on my way.

The mornings commute was also a 2 diet pepsi drive, and rather than listen to Mike & Mike I cranked up Korn's latest efforts and drove with the windows down revelling in the wind and sun.

The morning session was to be delivered by Tom Trone, a serial entrepreneur and current executive at Deere. The topic: Leadership and Management. I like Tom. He's a very down to earth person and instructs from experience, which he has much of. I've known it for a while, but I much prefer leadership to management. I'm glad there are people that have the attention for detail to be managers, otherwise what a mess business would be!

My partners and I did lunch at Giordano's, a local pizza house, but we were good and had salads. I added a cup of minestrone soup. $12 for soup,salad, soda, and tip.

As this was the last class session prior to our oral presentations, the afternon started with a review of the presentation outline and expectations for its contents. The finale was a review of process engineering related to positions and role definition.

Happily we were dismissed earlier than I expected, around 3pm. After wishing the others good weekends, I set off, with the sun still shining upon me. I stopped by Bust Buy to drool over the DSLRs, but really to use their restroom. I was highly tempted to get the Canon Digital Rebel XT, as there's a $100 rebate making the price just over $700. However once you add a zoom lens, memory card, bag, and other goodies, the price would be well over $1000, so I resisted.

I grabbed some soda, diet Dr Pepper since the diet pepsi was warm, and made it home to let the pups out. I was thrilled to find they hadn't messed their crates and they were thrilled to have me let them out. They are like popcorn kernels popping when they get out, hopping up and down, on top of each other, over each other. It never fails to make me smile and often evokes laughter.

We played in the yard for a good amount of time. At one point Ginny snuck under the fence into the next yard. When I called her back, Dakota was standing near the fence, looking at me, then the hole under the fence, then back at me. From the hole spung this little terrier in a bound like a jack in the box clown! It was hilarious.

Since we were in the yard, and the weather was great, I decided to start weeding the flower beds and made some good progress. I also fed the roses with miracle-gro rose food. Can't wait for them to come up fully. I have about 15 planted in an area behind the house.

Harry reminded me it was time to eat with his usual woo-woo-roo. More kibble and green beans, and this time the babies got a couple of beans too.

By this time the sox game was on as well as the NBA semi-finals. I watched both, but mostly the Sox. I tinkered around with the web sites I frequent, worked on some of the Zombie mix from the night before and shot of some stupid emails (sorry).

My son decided to take a late dinner with his girlfriend which reminded me I was getting pretty hungry myself. So instead of eating, I headed to a bar and grill downtown Naperville. Since I'd never been in there at night before, I didn't know what to expect. Good grief the crowd was young!

I talked to one of the bouncers for a while, an underage bouncer. I didn't know that they could be underage, but he seemed pretty good with the position. Another kid had only been working there 2 days. I was impressed with the number of bouncers and coordination between them. Kinda like the movie "Roadhouse" without the fighting lol. I also talked to a 22 year old kid just graduated from college now working in his dads jewelry store.

Convinced by now there was nobody older than my own kids in the place, I left and picked up more Taco Bell than I should have and returned home. My son and his girlfriend were there. Being rather late, I drank some water and hit the sack and slept like a baby (except for the waking up crying once an hour).