It's that time of year again. The wind is bone-chilling cold, the snow is blowing and falling on about a weekly basis, and just a glance outside makes a person want to don a heavy coat and warm gloves. But all of this makes no difference to a select few of us who are preparing to participate in the annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics.
That's right - myself and about four of my coworkers will once again plunge into the icy waters of Holmes Lake in Lincoln, after the fire department finishes chopping up the ice to make it possible! I am in the process of raising funds for this benefit, and have made it easy for you to donate, should you so choose. Just follow the link below to my fundraising page, and rest assured it is all secure, fast, and easy!
If you're in the area on Saturday, February 23rd, at 10:00 a.m., feel free to dress warm and stop by Holmes Lake to cheer us on. It will be great fun, and the bigger the crowd of folks who are cheering for us, the better!! Thanks for considering a donation and your continued support and well-wishes, and I hope to see you there!
http://www.firstgiving.com/bigkev
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Wind of Change
The wind of change blows straight
Into the face of time
Like a stormwind that will ring
The freedom bell for peace of mind
Let your balalaika sing
What my guitar wants to say
Aaaaaaa....classic Scorpions. I can't help but hum this tune from time-to-time these days, as the year is just fifteen days old and the wind of change is blowing quite fiercely. It's all good change, at least to this point, I think. Oh, and since I know you're wondering just what a balalaika is, you can see for yourself here.
The first big change of the year was at work. After a lengthy application process, I have received a promotion and am now an Emergency Services Dispatcher III (as opposed to an ESD I or II), or commonly known as a supervisor. To be honest, when the position originally came open, I hadn't even considered applying as I didn't feel I had been employed at the center nearly long enough. Four years of time didn't seem like much compared to some of my coworkers who had eclipsed the decade mark and beyond. But when several of those very coworkers strongly encouraged me to apply, how could I say no? Don't get me wrong - I certainly did not make a decision based solely on their suggestions, but their support was definitely a factor. While I gave the process my full attention and best efforts, I still did not think I stood much of a chance considering I was the "newest" of the applicants. You can imagine my shock, surprise, and excitement when I was offered the position. I am humbled, and ready to meet head-on the new challenges which lay ahead.
The next big change this year is my decision to become a Mona Vie distributor. I have but once tried my hand at a multi-level marketing business, and failed miserably. Since that experience, I have always told myself I would never again get involved in such an operation, unless I was very passionate about the product, the business, and the opportunity. Mona Vie has fulfilled that passion, and I am excited about where this has the potential to lead. I am just getting started, and am having the time of my life! The product itself is a nutritional beverage, combining nineteen of nature's super-fruits in terms of essential vitamins and nutrients. It's signature fruit is the acai berry found in the Amazon, and the entire mix is completely natural - no additives. I've never seen my family experience such a complete feeling of overall health and wellness. The company makes no "miracle" claims, but instead simply allows the evidence speak for itself. I will soon have a website dedicated to my new adventure, and will post that in the near future.
Finally, I wrote awhile back about the steps we were taking toward my adoption of Kaedyn. The process has been quite slow, as I expected, and there hasn't been much to update on. Frankly, there still isn't. I had to have a complete background check done, and the results of the check had to be forwarded to our attorney before his office could move any further. That process took nearly three weeks, and we are now at the point of serving papers to Kaedyn's biological father. Trouble is, we are fairly certain he is living in Lincoln, but have no clue as to a specific address. Thus, our attorney opted to send a certified letter to his last known address. Assuming this attempted contact is unsuccessful, we then post a public notice in the local paper which has to run for three weeks. Whether he responds to this or not, and what happens as a result, is nothing but speculation at this point. Therefore, I will avoid said speculation until we have further developments.
I have been waiting patiently for this opportunity for nearly eight years, and while beginning this process has stirred some excitement, I am still willing and able to continue waiting patiently. Even if things do not turn out as we hope, the connection Kaedyn and I have as father and son will never be gone. What is really important is not what a piece of paper or official document states. My son is everything in the world to me, and nothing will ever take that away. Ever.
Yes, the wind of change is blowing fiercely in these parts, and we are running out to meet it! With the year just a couple of weeks old, I would love to hear about some of your changes thus far, or soon coming, or planned for the distant future. Feel free to comment...
Into the face of time
Like a stormwind that will ring
The freedom bell for peace of mind
Let your balalaika sing
What my guitar wants to say
Aaaaaaa....classic Scorpions. I can't help but hum this tune from time-to-time these days, as the year is just fifteen days old and the wind of change is blowing quite fiercely. It's all good change, at least to this point, I think. Oh, and since I know you're wondering just what a balalaika is, you can see for yourself here.
The first big change of the year was at work. After a lengthy application process, I have received a promotion and am now an Emergency Services Dispatcher III (as opposed to an ESD I or II), or commonly known as a supervisor. To be honest, when the position originally came open, I hadn't even considered applying as I didn't feel I had been employed at the center nearly long enough. Four years of time didn't seem like much compared to some of my coworkers who had eclipsed the decade mark and beyond. But when several of those very coworkers strongly encouraged me to apply, how could I say no? Don't get me wrong - I certainly did not make a decision based solely on their suggestions, but their support was definitely a factor. While I gave the process my full attention and best efforts, I still did not think I stood much of a chance considering I was the "newest" of the applicants. You can imagine my shock, surprise, and excitement when I was offered the position. I am humbled, and ready to meet head-on the new challenges which lay ahead.
The next big change this year is my decision to become a Mona Vie distributor. I have but once tried my hand at a multi-level marketing business, and failed miserably. Since that experience, I have always told myself I would never again get involved in such an operation, unless I was very passionate about the product, the business, and the opportunity. Mona Vie has fulfilled that passion, and I am excited about where this has the potential to lead. I am just getting started, and am having the time of my life! The product itself is a nutritional beverage, combining nineteen of nature's super-fruits in terms of essential vitamins and nutrients. It's signature fruit is the acai berry found in the Amazon, and the entire mix is completely natural - no additives. I've never seen my family experience such a complete feeling of overall health and wellness. The company makes no "miracle" claims, but instead simply allows the evidence speak for itself. I will soon have a website dedicated to my new adventure, and will post that in the near future.
Finally, I wrote awhile back about the steps we were taking toward my adoption of Kaedyn. The process has been quite slow, as I expected, and there hasn't been much to update on. Frankly, there still isn't. I had to have a complete background check done, and the results of the check had to be forwarded to our attorney before his office could move any further. That process took nearly three weeks, and we are now at the point of serving papers to Kaedyn's biological father. Trouble is, we are fairly certain he is living in Lincoln, but have no clue as to a specific address. Thus, our attorney opted to send a certified letter to his last known address. Assuming this attempted contact is unsuccessful, we then post a public notice in the local paper which has to run for three weeks. Whether he responds to this or not, and what happens as a result, is nothing but speculation at this point. Therefore, I will avoid said speculation until we have further developments.
I have been waiting patiently for this opportunity for nearly eight years, and while beginning this process has stirred some excitement, I am still willing and able to continue waiting patiently. Even if things do not turn out as we hope, the connection Kaedyn and I have as father and son will never be gone. What is really important is not what a piece of paper or official document states. My son is everything in the world to me, and nothing will ever take that away. Ever.
Yes, the wind of change is blowing fiercely in these parts, and we are running out to meet it! With the year just a couple of weeks old, I would love to hear about some of your changes thus far, or soon coming, or planned for the distant future. Feel free to comment...
Friday, January 4, 2008
Orange Bowl Champs!
The 2007 Kansas Jayhawk football team began the season as barely a blip on anyones radar. After their 6-6 campaign in 2006, the college football ranking powers-that-be gave them little or no regard as a team who might possess enough talent to crack the top twenty-five.
'Course, the Kansas football team is pretty used to utter disregard. For years, Kansas has been regarded as an easy 'W' for teams in the hunt for a national title. Kansas week usually meant about thirty minutes of playing time for the opposing starting squad, then a good hard practice for the backups. Heck, Kansas is a basketball school, for Pete's sake. Nothing more than a league doormat on the gridiron.
Problem is, someone forgot to inform head coach Mark Mangino and the rest of the Jayhawk football squad of such this year. Or, maybe they just missed that campus memo.
After beginning the season unranked, Kansas blasted nearly everyone on their schedule as they rose to #2 in the nation, their highest ranking in school history. Once they stubbed their toe against Missouri, though, the critics surfaced again.
"Their schedule was too easy."
"They really weren't that good."
"Told ya so."
And once again, Kansas faded into the college football background in the eyes of most of the nation. Once again, the forgotten Jayhawks. Once again, a doormat. Though their success this season earned them a birth in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech, it seemed just a courtesy invite. Surely KU didn't stand a chance. Once again, Mangino and Company missed that memo.
The Jayhawks came to play last night, and they played with the chip on their shoulder they have carried all season. They played intelligently, they played with fire, and they played to win. The entire team seemed to play with a confidence which is normally found in teams who are on the "big stage" year after year. Such has not been the case for Kansas, but one couldn't tell last night. The Jayhawk defense swarmed to the ball, created turnovers, and hit hard. Quarterback Todd Reesing made his mistakes, but made just as many fantastic decisions. The Jayhawks will take their 24-21 season-ending victory and the Orange Bowl trophy home with them. More importantly, they take the respect and admiration of the college football world home with them.
Congratulations, Kansas. Welcome to the big-time. Savor this victory, for it is a special, special moment in the history of your university, and you've earned it!
'Course, the Kansas football team is pretty used to utter disregard. For years, Kansas has been regarded as an easy 'W' for teams in the hunt for a national title. Kansas week usually meant about thirty minutes of playing time for the opposing starting squad, then a good hard practice for the backups. Heck, Kansas is a basketball school, for Pete's sake. Nothing more than a league doormat on the gridiron.
Problem is, someone forgot to inform head coach Mark Mangino and the rest of the Jayhawk football squad of such this year. Or, maybe they just missed that campus memo.
After beginning the season unranked, Kansas blasted nearly everyone on their schedule as they rose to #2 in the nation, their highest ranking in school history. Once they stubbed their toe against Missouri, though, the critics surfaced again.
"Their schedule was too easy."
"They really weren't that good."
"Told ya so."
And once again, Kansas faded into the college football background in the eyes of most of the nation. Once again, the forgotten Jayhawks. Once again, a doormat. Though their success this season earned them a birth in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech, it seemed just a courtesy invite. Surely KU didn't stand a chance. Once again, Mangino and Company missed that memo.
The Jayhawks came to play last night, and they played with the chip on their shoulder they have carried all season. They played intelligently, they played with fire, and they played to win. The entire team seemed to play with a confidence which is normally found in teams who are on the "big stage" year after year. Such has not been the case for Kansas, but one couldn't tell last night. The Jayhawk defense swarmed to the ball, created turnovers, and hit hard. Quarterback Todd Reesing made his mistakes, but made just as many fantastic decisions. The Jayhawks will take their 24-21 season-ending victory and the Orange Bowl trophy home with them. More importantly, they take the respect and admiration of the college football world home with them.
Congratulations, Kansas. Welcome to the big-time. Savor this victory, for it is a special, special moment in the history of your university, and you've earned it!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
One Year Old!
"Biotikology" is quickly approaching the one-year mark of existence, and I am happy to report I have thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of blogging over the course of the past year. Although I still have trouble finding the time to write as much as I would like, blogging has at least given me the means to share with others what's on my mind. In addition, I have had the opportunity to keep in touch with others who count themselves amongst the community of bloggers.
Many thanks to those of you who have contributed to the discussions, either by adding comments or visiting with me in person. Also thanks to those who continue to encourage further writing - it's always a pleasure to know people are reading! And finally, I'm always hoping and looking for new wisdom. Feel free to comment on anything and everything, or suggest a new topic!
Many thanks to those of you who have contributed to the discussions, either by adding comments or visiting with me in person. Also thanks to those who continue to encourage further writing - it's always a pleasure to know people are reading! And finally, I'm always hoping and looking for new wisdom. Feel free to comment on anything and everything, or suggest a new topic!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
How 'Bout You??
Since the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve the other night, I've been thinking a lot about what 2008 has in store for me, my family, and my friends. Mandi and I had a discussion about our predictions for 2008, and it included everything from finances to careers to family matters. Continued weight-loss, restructuring our schedules to accommodate more time with the kids and ourselves, and strengthening our financial situation were just a few of our "resolves."
So now I'm wondering what some of you have in mind for this new year. Are you planning big changes? Are you hoping/wishing for something? Anything new and exciting which you hope will come to pass in 2008?
I'm looking forward to reading some of your thoughts, should you so choose to comment!
So now I'm wondering what some of you have in mind for this new year. Are you planning big changes? Are you hoping/wishing for something? Anything new and exciting which you hope will come to pass in 2008?
I'm looking forward to reading some of your thoughts, should you so choose to comment!
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