Friday, December 29, 2006

2006 Down the Drain

As we put a bow on 2006 and send it off in style, I am so thankful for such a great year.

  • The birth of our second child came in February, and Lucy has brought us so much joy.
  • Our three-year-old Rigby really became a mature little boy - surprising us with his increased vocabulary skills and always charming us with his consistent good nature.
  • We welcomed back my sister, Tobi, to Chattanooga, as she, Corey and Nellie finished a three-year stint in Asheville.
  • We had a great week's vacation on St. Simon's Island. What a joy to be together as a family, away from all the busy hassles of everyday life. Oh, to win the lottery.
  • Stacy and I lost significant weight after the birth of Lucy. I lost 30 pounds and saw 199 for the first time in a long time!
  • This was a year that I saw my Mocs beat Georgia Southern on a last second field goal - boy that was awesome.
  • We celebrated my 35th birthday in Atlanta at the Tom Petty concert - there will never be another like that man. We also celebrated my birthday with friends and family and my sister and brother-in-law's new house.
  • I had a flat-out great time during UTC homecoming, staying up until the break of dawn with fellow friends and alumni.
  • Stacy and I got to meet John Legend after attending his concert in Atlanta. What a great talent he is.
  • Rich, my fellow Class of 89'er finally got engaged to his long-time sweetheart, Danielle. I really thank my mom and Tobi for meeting and befriending them in Asheville. They are a great addition to our family. Even though Rigby is heartbroken that his first older woman crush is leaving him, he is cool with it. Too bad Rich and Danielle cannot turn on a computer to read this - yuppie Asheville mountain-people types (whatever that means)!
  • We again spent two wonderful Christmas weekends with my mom and Bob and then with Stacy's parents and the rest of the family. What a wonderful month December is for us, even though we packed on some extra pounds from all the tasty eatings.
  • Stacy and I are very thankful for our careers and proud to work for a truly caring company, even though some think we wear devil horns around the office (whatever). We work with some pretty great folks!
Best wishes to all for a superfantastic 2007!

Monday, December 25, 2006

What a Christmas

East Ridge Christmas.
Ford Explorer - rear, filled. passenger seat, filled.
room for Erik, Stacy and the kids? maybe.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Football Championship


Chattanooga hosted its 10th-straight NCAA Football Championship Friday night, December 15.

Appalachian State beat UMass 28-17 in front of the largest Finley Stadium crowd ever - 22, 808.

I was fortunate to have an all-access pass at the stadium and got to visit many great friends.

I watched kickoff on the skybox roof with David Cope and David Smotherman (pictured).

I stood on the field at the 30-yard line with Warren "Moose" Koegel, current Athletic Director at Coastal Carolina. I also got to show pics of my kids to his wife, "Big E" (Elaine).

I visited the Chancellor's box and shared stories with Dr. Brown and UTC alumnus Steve Harvey - and we had some great stories.

I sat in the Coca-Cola skybox with friends - we are so fortunate to have Coca-Cola as a major supporter of UTC.

I hung out in the press box and visited some dear old friends - the most loyal volunteers UTC athletics has.

I saw a great football game with an overflow crowd!

What a night!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

John Legend in the ATL

Stacy and I went to Atlanta last night to see the John Legend concert at The Tabernacle, a former downtown church and historical landmark turned into a music hall. The Tabernacle holds about 3,000 people and is mostly standing room only with a couple balconies for those wanting to sit.

The Tabernacle has been acknowledged as the best concert venue by Rolling Stone magazine.

It did not disappoint. We were three rows from the stage and John Legend put on a heckuva show. It was the second time we had seen him - the first was last year in Birmingham.
And because we got in right when the doors opened, Stacy was one of the first of 100 people to buy a t-shirt, which awarded us backstage passes to meet Legend after the show.

After two hours of G.O.O.D. music, we made our way to meet John. He was very nice and patient considering he had just put on a show and was now meeting 100 people and signing autographs.

What a great night!!