IHLA Stars of the Industry Reception

Yesterday, I attended the Indiana Hotel and Lodging Association's, Stars of the Industry Reception. The reception honors outstanding employees and leaders in the Hotel and Lodging Industry. Numerous employees won awards for their outstanding commitment to their organization.

The keynote speaker was Indiana Secretary of the State, Todd Rokita. He spoke of the importance of civic engagement and Indiana's challenges as the business environment continues to flatten.

Overall, the reception was outstanding and congratulations to all the award winners.

Book Review - Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

In 'Wild at Heart' by John Eldredge, the reader takes a look into today's masculine soul. For me, the book was a series of ups and downs. I felt the author makes some strong points about man's struggle to conform to modern Christian principles without losing a sense of masculinity. I did feel a little lost when he fails to recognize societies influence on the masculine soul. As a young millennial, I feel safe displaying some slight feminine tendencies, but according to Mr. Eldredge, this is a result from some intricate failure in my boyhood. I'm happy with myself. I'm in love with my wife. If I want to take a break from car engines and fishing, and enjoy baking a cake or go on a shopping spree at Bath & Body Works, that's my prerogative.

Overall, this novel is worth the read because it causes one to think about themselves in a more intimate way.

Here's a description from www.christianbook.com:

"Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, Wild at Heart, a guide to understanding Christian manhood and Christian men, offers a refreshing break from the chorus of voices urging men to be more responsible, reliable, dutiful ... and dead. God designed men to be dangerous, says Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in every boy's heart: to be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires---aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It's no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be---dangerous, passionate, alive, and free."

Retail Price: $21.99

The destruction of happy alligator.

To reward our puppies for such good behavior this past week, we brought home a stuffed alligator as a present.










(Showbiz doing the grab and hide)









(Lola's turn)









And finally, we see what came of Mr. Happy Alligator.

Muddy Chihuahua!

In Indiana, it snows one day and rains the next. Lola loves driving me crazy by getting muddy. Here's some pictures after her latest romp.

The Road Less Traveled

Today, I received an offer of employment from Yum Brands, and I have accepted the offer. As the a new manager in the Taco Bell division, I am looking forward to making an immediate impact. With a customer focused approach, I hope to be the difference maker in the organization. Passion. Leadership. Integrity. Those are the principles that will guide my career at Yum. Also, I would like to thank a few people. First, I want to thank Johanna & Sandy for introducing me into the organization. Many thanks to my friends and family for the support provided during my job-search. I also want to thank Starr Services for lighting a fire in me. Most of all, I want to thank my stunningly beautiful, and very patient wife, Stacy. You make roses blush for shame. I love you.

Finally, I want to post one of my favorite poems. I know there will be a lot of questions about why I am entering the food industry, but like a candle without a room to brighten, I need a challenge to become the professional I am meant to be.

ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth

Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference


Robert Frost

What I learned at Church today...

I felt today's sermon was very enlightening. Pastor Dave Crandall delivered a very powerful message with the central theme - Another Year, Another Dollar. Here's some highlights from his presentation.

Money Isn't The Issue, Godliness Is!

Proverbs 28:19-20 (NLT): "Hard workers have plenty of food; playing around brings poverty. The trustworthy will get a rich reward. But the person who wants to get rich quick will only get into trouble."

In my opinion, this says, "If your focus is wrong, your goal will be wrong."

Here's another great idea from his sermon.

Enjoy your rich rewards!

Colossians 3:23-25 (NLT): "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you inheretance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites."

Here's what I get from this, if your focus is on Godliness, understand the rewards that will be reaped. Overall, the idea behind the theme is that you can have sound finances and live in God's light.

If you would like to learn more about Dave Crandall or Friendship Baptist Church please visit the website. http://www.friendshipbc.org/

Family, Steak, & Eric Gordon Sr.

(picture provided from www.donshula.com)

So this past Friday, I was treated to a steak dinner at Shula's Steakhouse by my sister and her husband. Let me say, Shula's Steakhouse is well worth the bill. The steak was outstanding, the environment was 'man' classy, and they offer a great Winterfest menu. My wife enjoyed a glass of J Lohr Riesling with her steak. It offered a sweet taste and flavorful aromas.

The whole dinner was a great event. I was able to catch up with Holly & Tom. I learned some great things. First, Tibbett's are prone to head injuries and emergency room stitches. Here's a few pictures of Daytona's latest run in with a chair. Second, if Buffalo Wild Wings were the Mafia, Tom would rank as West Lafayette's king pin.

Finally, I get to bring this whole discussion together. While dinner was fun, the craziness started following the check. After consuming about 7 glasses of water and a pint of Guinness, my eye's were floating. Being chivalrous, Tom and I let the ladies attend to the restroom first while we enjoyed the photographs displayed outside the restaurant. When they returned, we were in an engrossing conversation about Indiana Basketball History. This conversation continued into the restroom. While I was performing my manly duty, I made the profound statement, "Eric Gordon should not be playing college basketball." With all self-glorification aside, this statement was in no way derogatory to Eric Gordon. In context to the conversation, I was merely pointing out that IU's increased defense intensity led by EJ and his unstoppable abilities to penetrate and shoot, would have made him an asset on most NBA teams this season. Also, let me mention that this comment was obviously spoken prior to EJ's performance against Connecticut, but I feel that these words still holds true regardless of how one may debate this slight step back. Following my comment, and amid my 'manly' performance, a third party joins our conversation stating, "You know that's my son you're talking about."

At this point, an individual with self-confidence and poise would have congratulated the man on raising such a talented young man, or shown intelligence by quoting an obscure Indiana basketball statistics, or even opened the discussion to drive into more qualitative knowledge such as EJ's bench press numbers or cumulative GPA. Needless to say, I was silent. Wordless. Speaking in broken English, I was able to mutter "Illinois, bad" and "Thanks". Yes, I thanked the man. For what, I'm not quite sure. Maybe for talking to me while I was relieving myself, for having such a talented basketball player as a son, or maybe a thanks was given to show my appreciation for allowing EJ Jr. to choose IU over that second rate 'Orange' university. Either way, my conversation skills at that point faded from Dale Carnegie to more of a Captain Caveman approach.

Overall, the dinner was outstanding and made for some great memories.