Ashlar Undressed

What to write about today?

When writing a blog some-days I am not sure what to write about. There is a lot of bad financial news out the last couple weeks, but if you want that go watch the news. There is the election coming and that is an interesting race to the White House. I am not sure what to comment about because one day there are facts and the next day they weren’t exactly the truth. Then something else comes out with no validity… Who do you believe?

I love talking about family and my children. I think that is a pleasant topic for today. A friend of mine brought me down to the Columbia Tower Club for lunch today. Ken Wehl, the regional representative for the Bulova Watch Company, invited me down and he needed an hour to get caught up on some work. What better place to hang out and write the blog.

Well the kids started their first week of soccer last Saturday. Can you believe it? A 2 1/2 year old going to soccer training for 9 weeks? There are some parents that push their children to do too much. I feel Fyn was ready to go out and kick the ball non-competitively with other 2-3 year olds. It worked out well cleats, shinguard, and all. It is a program called Kids Love Soccer. The coach is Ian and he is great. Fyn had a great time.

Now Jax also started Kids love soccer last Saturday. He is 4″ taller then the next tallest kid. He is a rambler and maybe rugby is a better sport for him. He too had a great time and looks forward to playing in the mud. I told some of the other parents, don’t let you kid get in the way;)

Soccer is here and it is a great time to catch a youth game.

District 4 traveling gavel

It looks like the district 4 traveling gavel is up for grabs tonight at Greenwood Lodge. Greenwood meets tonight, 6:30PM dinner, 7:30PM meeting.

The traveling gavel is for district 4. The lodge which shows up with the most members gets to take it. You must have at least 5 members and 1 officer. I have heard some rumors that Doric Lodge #92 F&AM is making a move for the gavel tonight. You never know who might show up.

An amazing hamburger

Well I was out the other day and saw an amazing hamburger. It is called a 10-10, ten patties & ten slices of cheese for $10.10. It was such a site I took a picture and I figured it was worth sharing. Email me and I will tell you where I was…

The seminar I attended today at Key Arena

The “Get Motivated” seminar was today in Seattle. I was able to attend the morning sessions and had a great time. Terry Bradshaw and General Colon Powell were both great speakers and I would like to share some of the highlights.

Remarks from Terry Bradshaw:

·         I am excited every time I wake up in the morning!

·         No one likes to hear about your pain, so why should you?

·         Bring a positive impact to all you come in contact.

·         We get nothing out of life unless we say thank you.

·         Don’t waste your life.

·         I threw a lot of interceptions because they are easy to throw.

·         If you drop back and Lynn Swann is open… throw him the ball!

·         Sweat doesn’t kill you.

·         Share your life with others on your way to the top.

·         Remember: One great thing happened to you today.

Terry Bradshaw was a fun entertaining speaker that really enjoys life. His bottom line message was to smile and have fun.

Remarks from General Colon Powell:

·         One of the great things about America is that Americans are optimistic by nature.

·         A leader’s job is to get followers in the position to win.

·         Go through life looking through the windshield, not the review mirror.

·         Lead with passion.

·         China said one day, “Let’s make things” so they did.

·         The whole world looks to America for is leadership because we are a nation of values.

General Colon Powell was fascinating and one of the best speakers I have ever seen. In 1999 I had the privileged to see him speak in Dallas, he was just as impressive.

PNSA is this weekend

PNSA is the Pacific Northwest Shrine Association convention. This year it is being held in Boise Idaho. This is the weekend where all the different units of the shrine compete, meet, and install new officers. I am personally familiar with the PNSOBA- Pacific Northwest Shrine Oriental Band Association. The reason I am familiar with the group is I have been the president for the last year. So, this weekend a new president will be installed.

The band has a competition, parade, rafting trip, dinner, tong degree, and hospitality suite. We are all looking forward to a great weekend.

Columbia Athletic Club

My family recently joined the Columbia Athletic Club off 128th St in South Everett. Are main reason for joining was for the outdoor salt water pool. With the weather getting warm hanging out by the pool is great. You pay a monthly fee and use all you like. The staff and lifeguards are great and the facility is always clean. Here is a link to the latest newsletter and for more information.

Seafair Weekend is this weekend

It is time again for the Thunderboats, Blue Angeles, and the rest on Lake Washington. Seafair has been part of my life for over 30 years. My family has been to the races, been in the pits, seen the Blue Angels, attended the Torchlight Parade, and the many other activities through the years. Now I take my boys to the Blue Angels and then someday to the Sunday Races. Here is a complete guide to this weekends events and a little video that I like.

Masonic Park in Granite Falls

Last weekend was spent at the Masonic Park in Granite Falls. It was the 11 annual luau hosted by my brother. It was also the practice for St. John’s Lodge for the outdoor 3rd degree. The degree is scheduled for next Saturday.

Anyhow, it was a lesson in parenting. The oldest burned his finger on a marshmallow roasting stick, and the youngest fell off the swing and put his teeth through his lip. Then it went from there… The weather was great until Sunday, it rained a lot and with the dry ground there were lots of puddles.

Overall the weekend went great and we are looking forward to next weekend and the 3rd degree (10am).

Dick’s drive in a Seattle icon

Today I brought the boys to Dick’s Drive-in. The hamburger place where my parents used to hang out. The place we stopped after a fishing trip, working with dad, trip to the park, etc.. Then in high school, a place to meet the gang. Then college for the late night burgers after the rugby party. Now I am taking my boys to Dick’s.

We have been there a few times and they like the chocolate shakes and cheeseburgers. But today my oldest was ready for a second cheeseburger. I then handed him the money and sent him to the window by himself. He was a little nervous since this was his first purchase solo (of anything). Out he went and stood in line, he ordered, paid, got his change,and skipped back to the truck. He was beside himself.

“Dad, it was so fast it was like they did not even have to cook it!”, he said. We finished up and I had another great experience with my boys.

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