You know this year is special when....

unreal.........

Could this be a special season?

More Photos from the Nice Bridge......

Who says you can't have fun while you're working....

Here is a shot of our safety boat. The Captain of the boat's name was Diane Morgan......Yes, Captain Morgan. Our poses above the bridge were a tribute......

NFL 2007

The Cowboys will finish 11-5 and win the NFC East.

Bridge Inspections

Several people have asked me how things have changed to me after the Bridge collapse in Minnesota. We are now in the process of inspecting the Nice Bridge over the Potomac in Southern Maryland.

Don't look down......

7 Random Facts

I have apparently been tagged. So here goes.

1. When I was younger, my brother and best friend across the street would spend hours in the woods building forts. When a house was being built across the street, we "borrowed" some bricks to make a patio on the roof of one of our forts. The fort was a pile of rubble within 24 hours of completion of the patio.

2. I am a superhero junkie. I love them all. Superman, Spiderman, Batman. The whole Hall of Justice from saturday morning cartoons.
2a. I also love the Transformers (the new movie is a must see for fans), and when the original cartoon movie came out in 1986, I took my little brother with me so I could see it, and told everyone I went because he wanted to see it.

3. I once kicked a 60 yard field goal during the halftime of a college football game. Why can't I be the one to kick for the $1,000,000 during the NFL Pro Bowl?

4. Growing up, my favorite music was R&B. New Edition. Bobby Brown. Johnny Gill. Luther Vandross. Keith Sweat. Bell, Biv, Devoe. After 7. You name it, I had it. And knew all of the words.
4a. Amy, I love the Bee Gees too.
4b. I know all of Barry Manilow, Kenny Roger, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley songs because my dad would play them on EVERY road trip.

5. I have jumped off of a 10 meter platform. Man it was high up there!

6. I've touched the Pacific Ocean. And I brought back a rock and shell as proof.

7. I don't like tomatos. Yet I like everything that is made from them.

So there it is. I guess that's really 10 random facts, but it's my list, so deal.

And I have no one to tag because all of my blogger friends have already been tagged. Looks like I need some new friends.

Future of Life Point Drama

After my boys saw the amazing LPC Student/Children Ministries Sunday Service, they decided that evening to give us a concert of their own. Complete with music, dance, and costumes. I wonder if they'll be the Dan Tangerine of 2017.....

Memorial Day Weekend.......

Friday Night at the Orioles Game.......

Here's a view from our first seats.....

Then our next seats.......

Then our last seats.......

Then a little play time......

Then the post game fireworks.......

A sight for sore eyes.............

Offense

Defense

LOST.......how will this season end.....

Here are my thoughts......

- There will be several deaths in the season finale. Ben, Charlie, Sayid, and Kate.

- Dharma is coming, and they are bad news.

- Penny's dad or Tom is Jacob.

- They are not dead.

- There is no cloning going on.

- The monster is there to protect the island.

Francis Scott Key Bridge Part 2

Yesterday I was up on a bridge again. This time it was the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. It is a large Truss Bridge with a suspended center span. I walked the catwalks under the Truss section that you can see in the photo.

This is a photo from the first pier we were on. The main suspension span is 200 feet above the water. The pier we are on is approximately 180 feet up.

This is a shot looking down the face of the pier.

Don't worry Jen, I wasn't going to walk out over the edge....

This is the ladder down to the main piers. About 60 feet.

This is a view up from one of the main piers.

This is a view of the inner harbor from the bridge.

We saw this guy at one of the piers. There were 4 eggs just behind the ladder.

New York City in April.....

This past weekend, Jen and I traveled up to New York City for our 12th anniversary. I was the first trip (longer than an overnight) we've had without the boys. We stayed with my friend up near Central Park.

We did some site-seeing on Friday, the World Trade Center site and the Seaport, and met up with my brothers for dinner at Tony's. If you're ever in the city, Tony's is a great Italian restaurant on 2nd Ave just south of 86th Street.

We got up Saturday and headed downtown to do some shopping. I surprised Jen with a "What Not To Wear" shopping spree. We hit a couple stores and walked the town for all of Saturday.

It's amazing how large New York is. And how many people there are. Until you visit, you really don't get the full affect. And the weather was AMAZING! 75 and sunny every day.

I think I can speak for Jen when I say I'd go back this weekend if we could. It was just so great to be adults again. I think it was one of the best anniversary's we've ever had.

Being in the city with the person you love the most was truly a great experience. I thank God every day for bringing Jen into my life. It's been the best 16 years of my life.

Random thoughts....

- Someone needs to explain to me why it was 35 degrees with snow flurries on Easter

- What a great idea to move Daylight savings ahead 3 weeks

- What a truly amazing skit during Easter Service at Life Point Church. I am so glad we found this church 9 years ago

-Lacrosse is really growing on me

- Do you ever wonder if you are really doing what God wants you too be doing?

- NFL Draft is only 22 days away

- Man, I really wish it was football season

- Yes I realize it is Global Warming!

- Sanjaya........PLEASE STOP THE MADNESS

- The God of the Universe sent his Son to die for me.........Amazing

- Time spent with friends is time well spent

- Do something for your significant other and expect nothing in return

- I can't wait to go golfing this year

- When is the last time you spent an extended period of time with your spouse without the kids?

- When is the last time you spent an extended period of time with you kids alone, one on one?

- I don't remember the last time I went to the movies

- Yes, I admit it, I am looking forward to the Transformers Movie this summer

- And Spiderman 3

- What would you do if you won the BIG lotto?

- Man, I wish it was football season

Francis Scott Key Bridge in Washington DC

I am in the process of inspecting this bridge. It was built in 1925. It is really a beautiful structure. Because the bridge was built so long ago, the means to inspect the bridge were added after the fact. We climb ropes and use ladders on the bridge to inspect it. Here are a few shots of from our inspection today.

This is me climbing up the first part of the arch.

Here I am at the top of the first ladder.




Now I'm looking back down at Tim from the top of the first arch (notice that the ledge I'm on is like 12" wide)

There I am at the top of the ladders at the piers (this is the highest point of the bridge, probably 80 feet).

And here is the view down from the tallest ladder.

Lke I said before, if someone told me 5 years ago I'd be climbing 80' ladders I'd have bet them anything they were wrong. It's amazing what God can help you accomplish.

Well, I've got a few more days on this bridge. Hope I don't slip........

Dancing in Westminster

Last night, Jen and I began our training for Dancing with the Stars. We are taking ballroom dance lessons at Dancing Made Easy in Westminster. Our class is for an hour and a half, and we are learning foxtrot and swing. Our class has about 10 couples.

It was really interesting to "people watch" during the class. And it got really funny when the instructor had everyone switch partners during the moves. Sufice it to say, several of the students who were nervous got REALLY nervous.

I would have to say it was a fun experience. Jen and I both thought it would have been great if some of our friends were in the class too (Lawyers, Burches, Fullens). Maybe the next time.

Jason and Lance, I will say, that the dance instructors have nothing on the BoiseMen group.

DAYBREAK

One of the greatest shows that you will never see. If you have a good internet connection, and some free time, it will be completely worth your while. Go to ABC.com and go to the "watch on-line" link . You won't regret it.

A day on the side of a mountain.....

Monday afternoon, I took Grant to Ski Liberty for an afternoon of snowboarding. I used to ski when I was in High School, but I have never snowboarded. Grant got a snowboard for Christmas, and we finally had a chance to go.

Aside from the temperature not going above 18 degrees, it was a great time. Grant did a great job for his first time ever on a snowboard. He was great at going straight, but could use some work on turning. But all in all, I think he was a natural. Here is a picture of him.

As far as I was concerned, I left the mountain with all bones in one piece. And I think by the end of the day, I was getting the hang of it. I would definitely go again, and as Cole has a snowboard too, I will be going again. Here is a photo of me.

You never think it will happen to you.....

Sunday morning was the culmination of months of hard work. And it would have to say that the hard work was totally worth it.......

I have to say that accepting the Inaugural Sabad Trophy as the Champion of the LPC Fantasy Football League has been a dream come true. It's something that you just never think will happen to you.

I would like to thank my loving wife Jen, who was there through all of the long nights of preparation and the tough decisions. And my boys, who gave me endless support and advice.

The opportunities that it has opened for me are too great to name. I would just like to let my friends know that this will not change me. I will be the same person I was before this.

He will be back.........

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising Again after you fall"

It's all over....

There is no way a team that expects to do anything in the playoffs can lose to the Lions at home. NO WAY

I would like to undo my previous prediction. The Cowboy will not make it to the NFC Championship Game. They would do well to stay within 21 points of the Seahawks. The Cowboys will lose in Seattle and end this sham of a season, 38-24.

Disgracefull is the only word that can describe the last 2 games.

Disgracefull!