Ryan T. Collier Photography

Ok folks, here it is, my first day going back to the gym. At 241 lbs, I was way overdue. Seriously, I have gained 41 lbs since May of 2006? That is crazy!

Though it’s easy to cast stones, I’m liable for my own actions – or in this case in-activities 🙂

I did however find a way to make the time at the gym go by faster, and have a limited impact on my very limited schedule: I brought my text book to the gym and read while I was exercising! I know, I know not exactly the power work out, but hey I was doing double duty – giving my body as well as my mind a good workout!

So far, my schedule will be every other day, T-Th-Saturday, let’s see how well that holds up. 🙂

I was watching a conference on Apple’s iPhone software development kit, and I wanted to share a piece of it, as it’s applicable to the business course I’m currently taking – Small Business Management.

“[Entrepreneurs] do more than any one thing possible, with less than any one thing possible. Entrepreneurs are the risk takers, they’re the revolutionaries, they’re the rebels.”

John Doerr
Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers
VC Firm

Addressing attendees on the formation of its $100M iFund, a fund that software developers can utilize as startup capital for entrepreneurs looking to start companies that focus on developing software for the iPhone.

Mac Developers Conference
Cupertino, CA
March 6, 2008

I signed a wedding tonight with a great couple from Hamlin, NY. The bride-to-be was really nice and friendly, a person that you can connect with effortlessly!

I’m excited about shooting their wedding, it sounds like it will be different from a traditional wedding and intimate as well – which I think is important. 🙂

Congratulations to Tamela & Joel!

It’s almost the end of the week, and I’m especially eager for this weekend. I want to start on one of my class projects, as it will be helpful for my photography startup too. It’s unbelievable how fast school goes by, we’re halfway finished with the Spring semester already! I’ve reached the summit, it’s all downhill from here! 🙂

So, I’m sitting at my desk at home working on some business stuff when I hear what sounds like a large tree hit my house. I can’t say that I’d be surprised at that, there was approximately 3/4″ of ice on my car this morning when I left for work.

Interested, but not fully concerned, I went downstairs, mentally preparing myself to see a gaping hole in my living room wall with a hefty ash tree saying, “Howdy neighbor!” Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. No tree in the living room. At this point, my curiosity is starting to peak. I poke my head outside – nothing. No downed trees, no airplanes in the yard, nothing. Back to work.

5 minutes later I hear sirens. Hrrmm, interesting. First, I hear a loud boom, then 5 minutes later – sirens. Oh ya, that got me out of my chair right quick. What you don’t know is, there’s a gas station a few hundred feet down the road from my house. Large boom. Sirens. Ya, I was pretty much thinking the same thing.

Long story short, I arrive at the gas station and I find myself looking at this:

Fortunately, no one was injured, though I’d say that car is toast – literally.

Well, I was wrong about a mini-heatwave on Tuesday; our reprieve from winter came a day early and was very welcome!

The temperature here in Rochester soared into the mid-sixties with brilliant sunshine and gorgeous blue skies. When you work indoors for 200-some days out of the year, it’s hard to stop and force yourself to take a moment, go outside, and really rebel on it!

Come lunchtime, I did just that; I spent an enjoyable lunch of chicken parm and pasta outside with my good friend Craig and a few other colleagues.

Amazing how a change in the weather can have such a profound effect on one’s demeanour. Whatever the stresses of the day were, they all seemed to take second stage. Sunshine and warm weather are like that; they are positively infectious!

Today is my birthday and Keziah and I are going to Hicks & McCarthy for brunch. If you live in the Rochester area or are planning to visit, you should make it a point to stop there and try them out! Their afternoon tea is authentic and guaranteed to impress.

I’ve been learning more about my new iPhone’s features a little every day. It’s web capabilities are nothing short of very cool! In fact, I’m writing this blog entry via my iPhone! It takes me a little longer to type, but my speed is improving.

It’s a gorgeous day outside, and I’m anxious to get out and enjoy it! In keeping with the traditionally wacky weather, today is cold and 34 degrees; Tuesday it’s supposed to be 54.

Boy, I can’t wait for the melting snow to turn back to ice on Wednesday when the temperature snaps back to 26. Classic.

And like that, were two months into the “Year of the Blog.” I wish there was some grand crescendo that I could play whenever I said, “Year of the Blog.” Similar to Conan O’Briens “Year 2000” theme from about 9 years ago.

Anyway, keeping up with blog entries is definitely a big task; really more of a self-discipline to write something every day. Sounds easy enough, but I guess I should clarify something as something with substance.

What’s comforting for me is that complete strangers will stop by and read my entries! I’m glad they enjoy them, and I’ll do my best to keep them pleased by continuing to write! I haven’t written anything “deep” lately, so I’ll try and dive into my inner-cranium to see what I can find. 🙂

Best to all!

I feel extra compelled to write a blog entry today as the opportunity to write on February 29 only comes once every four years. 🙂

Think there’s very little to a leap day, think again my friends! Check out all the info about leap days and years on wikipedia.

So, how are you going to use this extra day? Comment on this story and let me know!

I’m going to have a great day at work, putting my nose to the grindstone so I can have all my tasks done for an early departure and start my birthday weekend off right! 🙂

I truly have the most amazing wife on the planet – no, the universe.

She took me to the Apple store tonight for an early birthday present – an iPhone! Afterward, we stopped at PF Changs for some Westernized-Asian fare. 🙂

So good! The 6 layer “Wall of Chocolate” came home with us for a treat to be enjoyed at a later day and time. And, by later day and time I mean, 11:26pm while watching “Scrubs.”

Much later, I cracked open my new toy…

Sometimes a tragedy can ultimately have an uncanny ability to unite, as much as it can foster sorrow, confusion, and rage. Such is the case with an old school mate of mine, Lindsay Graygo, whom I hadn’t see since our high-school convocation 11 years ago this June. And, whose recent and unexpected passing has unified so many of us, seemingly overnight.

Lindsay always had an exultant demeanour about her. Strange what one will commit to memory about another; I always remembered Lindsay wearing black Adidas sneakers with 3 white stripes on the sides. Many peers would wear them because they were popular at the time; however, being a talented sportswoman, Lindsay chose to participate in the game of soccer and not in the game of who’s more vogue – wearing those shoes because they embodied who she was, a fierce competitor.

Many knew her better than I, and I don’t lay claim to have been instrumental in her life. But, Lindsay was instrumental in the lives of innumerable others and her passing has affected every one of us who knew her – and even strangers not fortunate enough to. Each of us, her friends, and her family will grieve in our own discrete way, enduring her quietus.

And, as we search for answers and purpose in an unfathomable hour, let us not forget the shoes Lindsay once filled – those Adidas sneakers with their 3 white stripes, representing a mountain, the challenges seen ahead and the goals that can be achieved.