east of western

the kasprzycki family - chicago

Friday, April 14, 2006

Mr. Cub


Forgot to tell everyone about meeting the Hall of Famer, Ernie Banks, last week while I was waiting for a plane in Dallas. Spoke to him for a good 20-30 minutes. He autographed a photo I had with me of Corrie, Carys and I at Carys's first game last September. The photo was in a mini album that I carry with me when I travel. Some of you have, no doubt, seen this little album. It was a very cool experience for me, being a lifelong Cubs fan.

A day to smell the flowers

What a great day today was... Things at work were fairly mellow because it was the Friday before the Easter holiday. I was able to get some work done but I was feeling a little impatient because I've been working on a deal that was taking longer than anticipated and I was afraid my team might have to be re-dedicated to other projects if I couldn't get this thing locked down soon. They'd already put so much work into it. And the last thing I wanted was this hanging over my head before the holiday weekend... Around 1:30, my client and I agreed to terms on two key projects that will give us an opportunity to do some very compelling online marketing that integrates video and audio. True digital convergence. The program is targeted to teens and will be up in July in time for the Back To School retail boon. I'll keep everyone posted on how the project progresses and when the communications will be in the market. I can't wait...

After that, I had drinks with another client from 2pm - 3pm and our office closed promptly at 3 to parole everyone early to enjoy the holiday. I didn't leave till nearly 4, but when I got home it was at least 75 degrees outside, Carys had just awoken from a nap in a great mood, Corrie was already home and the three of us sat on the front porch chatting with neighbors and enjoying the sunshine.

To top it all off, the Cubs are beating the Pirates in the top of the 9th, 11-6. Another half inning to go. Life is very, very good today.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Ready for a break

I'm very tired today... work's been stressful and busy. I like busy... Last week, I spent three days in Dallas. No travel this week, but it's felt so long. Next week, Wednesday morning, Corrie, Carys and I are shipping out to Seattle to visit Corrie's brother, Geordie for a few days. Seattle is one of my favorite American cities and I can't wait to have a few days off to play with the family. This will be Carys's first airplane adventure. We didn't get her a seat, so she'll be switching off between Corrie and my laps. Seattle should be beautiful this time of year.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Good things

Things with my mom thankfully all turned out well. She did not, in fact, have anything resembling a stroke and the calcification that was noted in the CAT scan turned out to be very mild, normal for someone to have. The culprit, it turns out, was high blood pressure medication that her former shoemaker doctor insisted she take. With normal blood pressure, it drove her pressure down so low that she passed out... twice. She is no longer taking the medication, checking her blood pressure each morning to ensure things are in order. She'll follow up with the doctors in the next week to be sure everything's back to normal, but in the meantime she's back to herself and her old tricks.