2010 Intel Solutions Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada

2010 Intel Solutions Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada March 21, 2010
It was Vegas time this week!
Dr. Bollig and I headed to Sin City this week to connect with our Good Friends at the Intel Solutions Summit and learn all the cool stuff the world’s largest semiconductor company is doing in 2010. This is our old buddy, Max Glover, doing a presentation on the new product roadmaps. Being this was the second day of the convention, I noticed a lot more empty seats than I saw on the first day. I guess too many people have been watching that movie, The Hangover, and ended up trying to re-create it while they were in town!
You can hardly blame them. Intel set us up right in the middle of the strip at The Palazzo. Combined with it’s sister hotel, the Venetian, it is the largest hotel in the world. It has more than 7000 rooms! I’d sure hate to be the guy responsible to keep them all clean! I had a hard enough time just trying to walk by all of them on my way to different classes each day!
Of course, the best part of going to ISS is the chance for us to connect with old friends like , Friedrich, who Dr. Bollig and I used to work with for many years while we were at Globelle. We also had the chance to meet Friedrich’s awesome wife, Ann, and our newest friend Mitch who hails from Moorhead, Minnesota. Mitch and David hit it off so well that they both started wearing the same shirts everywhere they went!
We had lots of fun with our Intel rep, Scott, and our old pal, Byron, who we’ve been hanging out with at ISS for many years. Here we’re at the Shops in the Palazzo mall. Doesn’t that sky look real?
No Intel trip would be complete without seeing our previous Intel Rep, Ratika. Ratika was married this past summer and is doing absolutely fantastic! She’s now a certified Passion Test Facilitator as well. Check out her website here: http://www.toyourpassionatelife.com/
I was lucky enough to meet some new friends as well. This gal had the shiniest fingers I’ve ever seen!
Probably our favorite new friend was the Hula Hoop Girl at the Intel Vendor Pavilion. She’s from Russia and really knew how to spin a hoop!
Here you can watch her give Dr. Bollig a very special Hula Hoop Lesson!

On the last night we were there, Intel rented out one of the coolest clubs in town called Lavo. We danced our butts off.

The hallway leading to the nightclub is lined with sinks featuring faucets running water. I’m sure some people think they’re cool, but they just made me have to go pee.
I came home on Wednesday and remembered we had a dinner with Microsoft on Thursday night. I showed up, but was a good boy and came home early. Poor Miss Sheri had a long week at home by herself so I figured I’d better not push my luck! I heard some of the other fellows stuck around, though, and had a really good time!
Avery had an eye exam at school and the nurse told us we should have his eyes checked by a professional. Turns out, the kid needed glasses! So on Saturday, that’s what we did. The doctor said he only needed to wear them when he wanted to see far, but they must really be helping him because he wants to wear them all the time. Luke was pretty happy because he didn’t need to get glasses. So was my wallet!

Quote of the Week

“Courage must come from the soul within; the man must furnish the will to win. So figure it out for yourself, my lad. You were born with all that the great have had.”

– Edgar Guest, poet

Sunny was also happy this weekend because the ice on the lake has finally melted enough so he can resume one of his favorite activities: Terrorizing Geese! Have a Great Week Everyone!!

Shortarmguy's Crazy Emails for January 6, 2013

Playoffs 2013

Good News For Grandma

Shark Eating Shark

Shortarmguy's Crazy Emails for December 30, 2012

Christmas Funnies 2012

Stacking Wood


Still The Light, By Cameo Smith (Mt. Wolf, PA)

Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
their smiles were contagious,
their laughter filled the air…
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
Remembering nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“This is Heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

In that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew to the arms of their King
As they lingered in the warmth of His blessed embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
When He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now my children, let me show you around.”
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”

Shortarmguy's Crazy Emails for December 16, 2012

Dear Santa, How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? I hope everyone, from the reindeer to the elves, is fine. I have been a very good boy this year. I would like an X-Box 360 with Call of Duty IV and an iPhone 4 for Christmas. I hope you remember that come Christmas Day. Merry Christmas,
Dear Timmy, Thank you for you letter. Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves are all fine and thank you for asking about them. Santa is a little worried all the time you spend playing video games and texting. Santa wouldn’t want you to get fat. Since you have indeed been a good boy, I think I’ll bring you something you can go outside and play with.* Merry Christmas,* Santa Claus*** * *
Mr. Claus, Seeing that I have fulfilled the “naughty vs. Nice” contract, set by you I might add, I feel confident that you can see your way clear to granting me what I have asked for. I certainly wouldn’t want to turn this joyous season into one of litigation. Also, don’t you think that a jibe at my weight coming from an overweight man who goes out once a year is a bit trite? Respectfully, Tim Jones * *
Mr. Jones, While I have acknowledged you have met the “nice” criteria, need I remind you that your Christmas list is a request and in no way is it a guarantee of services provided. Should you wish to pursue legal action, well that is your right. Please know, however, that my attorney’s have been on retainer ever since the Burgermeister Meisterburger incident and will be more than happy to take you on in open court. Additionally, the exercise I alluded to will not only improve your health, but also improve your social skills and potentially help clear up a complexion that looks like the bottom of the Burger King fry bin most days. Very Truly Yours, S Claus * *
Now look here Fat Man, I told you what I want and I expect you to bring it. I was attempting to be polite about this but you brought my looks and my friends into this. Now you just be disrespecting me. I’m about to tweet my boys and we’re gonna be waiting for your fat ass and I’m taking my game console, my game, my phone, and whatever else I want. WHAT EVER I WANT, MAN! T-Bone * *
Listen Pizza Face, Seriously??? You think a dude that breaks into every house in the world on one night and never gets caught sweats a skinny G-banger wannabe? “He sees you when you’re sleeping; He knows when you’re awake”. Sound familiar, genius? You know what kind of resources I have at my disposal. I got your shit wired, Jack. I go all around the world and see ways to hurt people that if I described them right now, you’d throw up your Totino’s pizza roll all over the carpet of your mom’s basement. You’re not getting what you asked for, but I’m still stopping by your crib to stomp a mud hole in you’re ass and then walk it dry. Chew on that, Petunia. S Clizzy * *
Dear Santa, Bring me whatever you see fit. I’ll appreciate anything. Timmy * *
> Timmy, > > That’s what I thought you little bastard. > Santa

Not Afraid of Heights

Snow Quilts

Artist Simon Beck must really love the cold weather!
Along the frozen lakes of Savoie, France, he spends days plodding through the snow in raquettes (snowshoes), creating these sensational patterns of snow art.
Working for 5-9 hours a day, each final piece is typically the size of three soccer fields!
The geometric forms range in mathematical patterns and shapes that create stunning, sometimes 3D, designs when viewed from higher levels.
How long these magnificent geometric forms survive is completely dependent on the weather. Beck designs and redesigns the patterns as new snow falls, sometimes unable to finish a piece due to significant overnight accumulations.
The main reason for making them was because I can no longer run properly due to problems with my feet, so plodding about on level snow is the least painful way of getting exercise. Gradually, the reason has become photographing them, and I am considering buying a better camera. – Simon Beck