Top of the morning to you! I just returned from walking out new puppy Tilly.
She is a Golden Doodle and such a sweet dog. It's amazing how a dog can add to a family! We went to the Mill Creek festible yesterday and they had dog jumping like you see on TV, it was very fun to watch. I have just been watching some tennis videos and really need to figure out what happend to my second service last Friday night against Dave Baska. I was serving for the first set a 6-5 and should have won it. It was definitely the hottest temperature of a match I have ever played in. I would guess over 100 degrees and indoors! I learned a valueable lesson-come prepared to sweat and pace yourself. For a brief momement I was thinking of giving up! The thing I like about tennis
is it's a game of "going back to the drawing board" type of fun. It's a reflection on what you did right and what you need to work on. I would say my second service is something that has hurt me against tougher opponents. I was playing Phil Ansdel in the Seattle City 45's and started out great, up in the first serving well, then my service left me and my second serve was chewed up and attacked heavily. I have been studying where my first and second serves are breaking down and I am ready for an improvement (committed effort) to dig deep and bring out a better weapon. You basically live and die by your service motion and return of service. I think I actually have a pretty decent return game. I am excited about playing in the Washington State Open this year in the Men's 45 age division. I know I do well and it's time for me to put it all together.My doctor called and I need to call and schedule my MRI. I am coming up on my 6th year anniversary. Instead of having a CT/Angio, due to the radiation content, we are switching me to a MRI. I asked the doctor if it was the "tube" one and he said yes... but, they also have the open one as well. Part of me wants to go back and get in that tube and not be scared like I was the night of my open heart surgery.
Kids are having a fun summer and taking guitar lessons and attended a soccer camp. We are going to Lake Chelan with my parents and brother's family in early August. That should be fun and a relaxing time with the family.
Have a great day!
Brian
Wow... I thought I had my life insurance all taken care of. I still have my two previous policies with MCI ($70K) and my Verizon at ($80K). However, my new job only offers $20K coverage. Prior to getting this $20K additional coverage and when I was out of work laid off from Verizon, I met up with a Met Life Insurance rep. I took the tests, and was supposed to be able to get the $100K or $250K policy options. However, I neglected not to go with it as I got the job with Global Crossing and they had a $50K policy. However, when I started at this new company and all they had was $20K, I went back to my MetLife Agent and asked him to see if I could use the previous one I had been approved for. Fast forward and it turns out that I had to re-apply. Great! So, I had the nurse come out again and take the blood tests and BINGO! I get the letter that not only had I not been eligible for the first policy, that they had made a mistake and that I am "declined" coverage due to my Aortic Dissection condition. So... there you have it! I am being discriminated against because of my pre-existing condition and now, if I do find coverage, I am going to probably have to pay out the ear for it. I am waiting to get my test results to see what it is exactly that I am being declined for. However, I haven't heard yet. 
I really feel terrible that I am not able to provide more coverage for my family. I am also going to post this to my forum and find out what other people have run into when trying to apply for Life Insurance. UPDATE: I signed up for AFLAC, a 150K policy and I am waiting to see if I get approved, it's through my work and I am hoping that I get approved. !
Wow, I can't believe that I have been here for almost a month and an half now. Time is just flying by with this company-what a breath of fresh air. These guys have their act together and are a super bunch of fantastic folks to work with. I am so blessed to have landed here. I love my new job! I am doing a bit of everything and it keeps me on my toes. Everything around here is fast paced and exciting. I can't believe the opportunity for learning!
It was 2/24/2009 and I get this strange email from my boss with the email subject line titled "Brian-let's catch up" for a conference call the following morning at 0800am. That particular day the 24th, I was wondering why my boss would want to "catch up" as I was thinking to myself, "Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong?" just what exactly did she want?. Anyway, the following morning, I got on the call and it went like this, "Brian, this is Susan and I have on the line with me, Brandi, Susan doesn't say one more word and Brandi says, "Your position in Seattle has been eliminated" and please go mail back your pc and here our FedEx number to do it. Not one word from my former boss, Susan at Global Crossing. Talk about lack of professionalism? Where's the empathy? Sympathy? Just down right moral values for some one's life? It's didn't exist with her. My wife couldn't believe it either. What a lousy out fit to work for when they treat you with no respect!
After the news, I went and mailed back my pc and had to pay $16.00 to send the darn thing back as their account number didn't cover the "packing" costs. I basically took the rest of the day and started emailing my contacts about my situation and the terrible treatment and unprofessionalism I experienced working for GC. To me, I look at this as their loss and a tremendous gain for my next employeer. There's an old saying, "Champions make their own luck" and that's what I consider myself. So, I knew that they might be able to knock me down, but... I have too much talent to stay down. I started with one of my close friends who I had worked with at MCI for 10+ years. I had explained to him the situation, and like me, he was blown away too! But... little did I know, they wanted to speak with me asap and knew about my experience and desire to win. So, my friend set up an interview for me and 
the rest is history! I am so looking forward to this new opportunity where there is the professionals, empathy, caring people and a proven success formula already in place. The leadership of this company is outstanding and full of talent. I know that GOD had a plan for me and I believe it was "fate" that led me to this new opportunity. In retrospect, sometimes GOD leads you down paths to get you in place and prepared for bigger and better opportunities where you can really make an impact. What the ironic part was that I was actually doing that for GC in Seattle, yet they determined they needed to lay me off. I can now see what that company went bankrupt before, lousy leadership.
It's about 3:15pm in the afternoon on MLK day. I am very thankful for all the great things that MLK was able to accomplish to make our nation a better place to live in. It's sure nice to also have the day off! The way the economy is going, many folks are going to find 2009 to be one of their toughest years ever. I know that I am so blessed to have a job again after my layoff. It's so evident that you need to have a "plan B" which includes a savings plan to be able to cover your expenses for at least 6 months. I was also lucky enough to have been granted a severance package which lasted me 6 months. It's tough now as I am not making the amount of money that I had made the last 10 years.... I am going to have to really watch everything as I am trying to basically live on 50% less than our family is used to living on.
Well, it's a new year and a chance to start again with a "blank state" and really reach deep down -anddecide if this is going to be the year you really do reach those goals. Are you trying to get a promotion at work? Loose some weight? Get married... Really decide if you are going to live your life and be thankful each and every day. Why do we need this Jan 1st date to try and reinvent ourselves? Why can't we do it each day? We are so fortunate to have a room over our heads, food on the table and friends/family that care about us. I know that I am so blessed with a great new job that I was able to finally get on 10/20/2008 and 
really feel that GOD had this planned for me the entire time. It was a job that I really didnt' even apply for. There's a tremendous opportunity for growth here... especially with the economy the way it is, many companies will be looking to reduce their expenses and I feel lucky to have landed with this great company. The potential is tremendous!
I love a great cup of coffee. I have a bizarre coffee ritual. We have a Saeco Vienna Deluxe which I like to make the drink first thing in the am as I just have to press 1 button and I have a cross between drip coffee and a late. About 9am I then like to have my cappuccino and I will be making my own this year as I am getting a Gaggia Coffee to make myself my drink and save $$$ by not going to Starbucks. 
Around the 2-3pm, I like to have a simple cup of drip coffee. I have discovered that Keurig K cup system works really great and usually have one of them. This could be pretty expensive if I bought it all at Starbucks, which is why I make it at home now. I also discovered that drinking coffee in my Bodum glass blown cup makes the coffee/cappuccino stay hotter longer. You should try them.. You will never go back!
We are having Thanksgiving at our house this year and I think there's going to be 16 people! Everyone brings something and we do the Turkey and drinks!
Next problem... I sold my stringer too! Then, I decided to get the new Top of the Line, LaserFibre Quantum. That's what I ordered last week and was told it would ship out this Friday, 11/7/08. However, that got shipped out yesterday and left my bank account in a negative situation. I contacted the LaserFibre folks and asked them what happened? I also asked for a refund of the shipping charges as it's the least that they can do for the screw up that they caused me!
Well, it's back to work for me.. finally, after being laid off on 5/2/2008, I landed my first day on the job with Global Crossing on 10/20/2008. I really like the company so far and the people are great! It's nice to be in a much smaller company than BIG BROTHER VERIZONBUSINESS. I am so happy to have a job at such a great place. The being out of the work realm was a bit tough to get back used to. I am still struggling a bit to try and stay focused. I am getting better and better each week. I also got my first paycheck and just in the nick of time!
This is my brother's family and it's about 2 years ago on Christmas Eve and my parents house. I can not begin to tell you how thankful I am for my brother and his LOVING family. My brother was there for me, as well as my entire family when I was in the hospital. He was TRULY amazing and is a TRUE BLESSING from GOD! I can remember babysitting their oldest daughter, Kylie when she was just a baby!
This is my brother and his wife at their new house, it's a beautiful house and it has a tremendous view of the mountains and water! They are wonderful!
Well, after being laid off since 5/2/2008, I received word today that my paper work is all done, my background checks are completed and now I am waiting for my official start date. I am excited to be finally getting back in the working world. And.. not a minute too soon! My severance is just about gone and my UE is about to run out.
Well, I got the call today and the offer letter is to be overnighted to me and arrive tomorrow. I am planned to start sometime around the 7th/8th of October for Global Crossing. I am so excited and just in the nick of time! I am out of my severance funds and my unemployment benefits are due to run out as well. God works in mysterious ways! I am so thankful that I am going back to work and for a great bunch of folks.
In the meantime, I am working on my flying issue. I discovered (what I believe is my cure) a book called "
I love this beautiful picture of a ladybug. She's just relaxing there on her leaf and doesn't have any cares or worries. It seems to parallel our lives sometimes. We'd do wonders to emulate the ladybugs characteristics of calmness in our everyday lives. With school having just started - a week under our belts, things are beggining to settle down. My offer letter from my new employer is scheduled to arrive this week and I can not wait to get back to working again. There is life after MCI/VerizonBusiness - a better life with endless opportunities and destinations! Like this ladybug, if she's not content with where she happens to have landed, she can choose to move to a different leave and start again. We can do the same thing in our daily lives. As an aortic dissection survivor, once you have literally come back from the dead and now see the world through a new lens, it's amazing the real beauty that you can find. Why did it take a near death experience to ignite the true pleasure that life has to offer each and every one of this. Do you think Jesus Christ put on this earth to live in misery? Do you think we were put on this earth to have a "free ride" ? I don't believe so, each day is a mini life in itself and we need to break it down that way. Take each day one step, one breath, one praise at a time. After surviving an aortic dissection
, you begin to really realize that you are given a certain number of days on this earth that GOD will allow you to live here. Each day is like a new flower spreading it's leaves and growing a bit, and it eventually becomes a beautiful piece of art work. It's being able to see the beauty in each day. Everyday that we have on this earth is a chance to make sure that we tell our loved ones... hey... I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! And to make sure that they know you are there for them unconditionally.
I found this picture after reading and article today about a surgeon who had performed a 
Well, today is my 5 year anniversary or birthday since my aortic dissection back on 8/22/2008. I remember it as if it were just yesterday. I had started out the day still trying to negotiate this "semi-wrecked" motorcycle and how much I was going to pay for this site unseen bike from my customer who happened to work at Microsoft. Then, I was also trying to line up a truck to pick it up with as well. I had planned to use my other friend at Microsoft (my former customer) truck. On top of that, I was also going to play tennis that next morning at 0700am as well. I was also playing tennis on 8/22/2003 (Friday - most AD's happen on a this day!) at 4:00pm with my usual buddy Jack. In the meantime, I had went to get some teriyaki lunch (high in sodium) and I know my blood pressure was high as this motorcycle negotiation was consuming my day. Not to mention, I was late for my 4pm tennis match and realized I had forgot my shoes, so I had to return home and grab them and hustle back. I stepped out on the court, played about 2 games and "wham" that's when my life changed forever. That's when you realize that you are not immortal and that the GOOD LORD has a plan for your life and can take you out when he's ready for you. I remember that GOD had to be looking over me as my survival was a miracle. My first miracle was that I did not take my partner's advice and have him drive me to the ER department at 5pm on a Friday afternoon in rush hour traffic. Not to mention, in and AD situation like mine, (Type A), you don't have time on your side. Had I gone that route, I could have been held up in the ER check in process and waiting in the lobby for all I know. Furthermore, when you ride with the paramedics, they get you through traffic quicker and get you right into a room - at least that's what happened to me. My second major 
miracle I would find out 3 years later was that in this same ER department, and the same ER doctor would see a man 54 years of age come through with similar symptoms exactly 40 days before I arrived there and get "miss-diagnosed" for an anxiety attack and essentially die in the ER room from an Type A aortic dissection. They (ER Department) flat out missed the diagnosis. Did they have that heavy on their minds when I arrived? I was 40 years old and in pretty darn good shape and healthy. I heard the 54 year old man was in good shape as well. What I would later find out is that apparently the last thing that they did was a blood test (possibly a d-dimer) that came back high for a pulmonary imbolism and that's when I remember being shot down this tube -completely inside it and they were taking pictures of my heart. I just wanted out of there! Next thing, a tall man, my surgeon, Dr. James Brevig would be telling me that I had a 50/50 chance of living due to my aortic dissection and needed surgery right away.
Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Hebrews 11:1. It's amazing what Faith can do for you and how we don't even know how much it goes on in our daily lives. As many of you know, I was laid off on 5/2/2008 and have been looking for a job since 5/3/2008. Up until a few days ago, I was at my wits end and really thinking that I was going to get this job with TWTelecom.com and was told that I was one of the final candidates. I was also told I would hear by Monday of last week that the decision would be made. As of 8/17/2008, I still have not been told. About a week ago, I got an email from a friend of my wife who had sent her something about things women at 45 years of age should not be doing. Anyway, I had my wife send me the email and I saw on the email header a name of a gal that my wife had played on a soccer team with a few years ago. I had actually remember meeting her and speaking with her as we both had worked on the same account, Microsoft. Well, when I got the email from my wife, I decided to email this gal and tell her what happened to me and ask her to send my resume around. On Saturday, the 16th of August, while out on the boat (my sister in laws) on Lake Entiact, I got a call froma recruiter about an opening for their Seattle market. I would have never heard about this opportunity had I not sent this gal an email about asking for help and hoping (faith) that something might become of it. It turns out that after speaking with the recruiter, they think I am perfect for the job and I have one more interview to go! I am supposed to hear from the hiring manager on Monday.