Well, I'm back at Microsoft again. I come to the Microsoft campus two to four times every year it seems. And this year will be no different. In fact, I already know that I'll be back here in November later this year.The Microsoft campus is both impressive and, at the same time, unassuming. On the one hand, the buildings are very pretty. They don't build their buildings any taller than the treeline. So most buildings are no more than 4 floors high. An interesting cultural thing that dictates a lot about how they construct their campus of buildings is that every employee gets a real office - no … [Read more...]

I got this idea from my buddy, Steve. You can read his blog by clicking on the link for "Jethro's Journal of Madness". Steve has been one of my bestest friends since way back in the 5th grade at Weatherly Elementary School. Somehow, he managed to like be despite the fact that I was a jerk. Thanks Steve!Ok - so I took the test and here are the results for me. This sounds about right to me. Your Linguistic Profile:55% General American English35% Dixie5% Midwestern5% Yankee0% Upper MidwesternWhat Kind of American English Do You Speak?Why don't you give it a try and see how you come … [Read more...]

I love open air markets. I love open air markets in Europe most of all. I've decided that I'm going to go to more of them. In fact, I'm going to go to the biggest and most bustling open air markets in every Euro city I visit. One thing that you notice in European open air markets is that the vendors take placement and color very seriously. The market booths are really much prettier than what you'd find at the Farmer's Market back in the States.I was fortunate enough to spend some time in the St Joseph Mercad in Barcelona - and it's just way too much fun. The little girls had put in an order … [Read more...]

It's been a long time since I've done a Remembrance Monday. So it's time to do another one.I'm on another fricken business trip, this time to Seattle, for meetings with the big-M. (Big-M is a euphemism for the world's largest software company, headquartered in the Pacific Northwest.) Now don't get me wrong, I like the Big-M and like trips up here. But I'm just worn out from too much travel. On top of the fatigue and travel, I'm suffering from a nasty case of poison ivy. Oh joy!So anyway, I'd like to talk about a few things I'm thankful for today.1. I'm thankful for an incredible King Salmon … [Read more...]

I had a chance to help my friends from my church at Grace United Methodist with their new and improved physical therapy clinic. The picture at left is of Sharon Lyttle (of the Lyttle Fox's Clinic) and Tim Cochran, another friend from church who was also helping that day.I don't have a picture of Niki Fox, the other partner in the clinic. Niki was there in the morning and had to leave just as I was arriving. But it was good to see her and to let her know that we were thinking about her.A pretty large number of people came by that weekend to help Niki and Sharon get set up in their new space. … [Read more...]

As the father of three daughters, I constantly worry about the threat posed by other human "predators". The statistics aren't good. Something like 20-25% of women in the USA will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. That number terrifies me because, if true, it virtually assures that one of my girls will come under assault at some point.So this website is just amazing. Enter your address, city, state and zip code and a map will appear that will show you if & where there are registered sex offenders living near you. There is a color-coded legend that shows you what type of offender they … [Read more...]

I'm just trying to fit in a few more great pics from the trip to Montserrat. Most of these are actually big pictures. Just click on them to see the full-sized picture.This first picture is of the backside of the Basilica. It's quite beautiful. The second picture on the right is of the inside courtyard of the basilica. It's also very beautiful. (I'll be repeating myself a lot if "beautiful" is the only word I can think of to describe this place. It's all beautiful!)I found the statuary over the door portals to be the most attractive to the eye. And of course, you need a pic of yours truly to … [Read more...]

Montserrat means "Mountain of Teeth" and it surely looks like it. I have to say that this was the most invigorating part of any of my trips to Spain.The Montserrat Benedictine monastery and church is nestled in the lower reaches of the Pyrennesse mountains that separate Spain from France. The area offers you some of the most spectacular mountain views of Catalunya. I was able to visit the holy grotto where visitations by the Virgin Mary were reported. I got hear the Montserrat Choir boys recitals and take some mountain hikes with breathtaking views. I also took a funicular (one of those steep … [Read more...]

It hasn't been very long since the last time I was in Europe. However, it has been a couple years since I was in Spain. I always enjoy Spain because of its temperate climate, great history, beautiful architecture, and friendly people.I was really lucky this trip. I barely made it out of Nashville before the heaviest snow hit. The trip from Nashville to Atlanta was really bland and fortunately only 35 minutes. However, I totally lucked out that my flight from Atlanta to London was upgrade to business class. Can you see how much leg room there is in the photo on the left?Day One in Barcelona, … [Read more...]

Check this out - http://kevan.org/johari?name=zebraman076. I've posted 5 or 6 words that I think sort'a describe me. You can post 5 or 6 of your own. Then I'll have an idea of where I'm accurately perceiving myself and where I'm waaaay off base. Oh, and sorry, the word "butthead" is not one of your choices. -KevP.S. The previous post is called "Valentime's Day Brick" because Katie Jo calls today ValenTIME'S Day instead of ValenTINE'S Day. And the choco-brickerrific gift came from my mom. … [Read more...]