I can't believe my luck...

I've been on line recently trying to track down old friends from years past. Not sure why we do that when we get older but never the less, I was looking. I ran across a blog from a person in the Phoenix area that mentioned the name I was searching. I dropped in to take a read and staring at me out of the screen was my friends wife!! Amazing luck, right?
I asked the blogger if they would pass my email address on to him and today I got a response. Wow. I haven't seen or talked to this guy since about 1980 or so. We were great friends back then, chasing girls and generally raising a little hell, all in good fun.
I'm really looking forward to catching up on what's been going on in his life as well as his family.
A real blast from the past...

You've gotta try this...

This is awesome. If you put this on your head your tongue will beat your brains out trying to get to it.

WHITE CHOCOLATE & CINNAMON BANANA CREAM PIE

Why you need to build this:

This pie is low fat, very low sugar and if you don’t tell anyone they’ll never know. It’s perfect for your friends that can’t have much sugar in their diets. And it’s tasty!!

Gather your tools:

pie pan

wire whisk

Bill of Material:

1 cup Graham Cracker crumbs

½ stick of real butter

6 of those little paper packets of Splenda

1 ½ banana

1 ½ cups cold fat-free milk

2 pkgs. (4 oz.) Jell-o White Chocolate Fat Free Sugar Free Instant pudding

½ to ¾ tsp ground cinnamon

8 oz. tub of Cool Whip Sugar Free whipped topping

Some Assembly Required:

Melt the butter in the microwave. Put the Graham cracker crumbs and Splenda into the pie pan and pour the butter over the top. Mix it completely then press it up the sides and into the bottom. Slice the bananas into medallions about ¼” to 3/8” thick and install one layer thick on the crust.

In a large mixing bowl add the milk, pudding mix and cinnamon. Stir with your whisk for a minute or so. It gets thick quickly. Gently stir in the Cool Whip. Spoon the mixture over the bananas.

Refrigerate for 4 hours or so.

Tips and Notes:

The easier you stir in the Cool Whip, the fluffier your pie will be.

As written, this has about 5 grams of sugar per serving. If you want to reduce this to about 1 gram, use some sugar free shortbread cookies in place of the Graham Crackers.

Thanks James Hetfield...

And if I close my mind in fear 
Please pry it open... 
And when I start to come undone 
Stitch me together... 

I'm in a Metallica kind of mood...

Spent...

Just this morning I returned from Indianapolis after attending and working at FDIC 2008, which is our industry's largest trade show. I was responsible for setting up, working the show floor, and tearing down our massive show display. I'm exhausted.
We stayed at the Marriott across from the convention center and I must comment about their excellent customer service. I would recommend that hotel except for one thing. The beds SUCK!!! I haven't slept for a week.
I may blog more on this later but for now I'm too tired.
Did I mention that it snowed on us last night?
I love Florida...

No fun for my kayaking friends...

Typical spring day in north Central Florida...

Handcuffed by time...

I can't believe how busy a single, no kids guy can be. Every time I think about this blog I'm always in the middle of something else and I can't seem to find the time. So today I'm making time.
This morning here in north central Florida we are experiencing a phenomena that is unique to our area, and that is "liquid sunshine". It's bright and sunny this morning but it's raining. The first time I experienced this I thought I was in the twilight zone. I was driving down the Turnpike headed for Orlando, window down, tunes blasting and something wet hit my arm. Of course I thought some bird had made a deposit but the fluid was clear. What the?!?!? Then came the drops on the windshield. I had to look up into the bright clear sky to be sure I wasn't hallucinating.
It's a bit wild...

We waited, we watched...

Tonight, Charlie and I waited in the backyard to watch the shuttle fly over. On many of the return flights, the path brings them almost directly over our house, and night time landings are prime viewing for us. Tonight the shuttle Endeavour flew over our heads almost right through the constellation, Orion, on a southward path. Somewhere south of Orlando they begin the u-turn back north to land at Kennedy Space Center.
It's rather strange to look up into the night sky and see no commercial flights (closed airspace over us during shuttle landings) and finally see the lights of the shuttle streaking silently through the night sky, and believe me, when I say streaking I mean it really hauls ass. On occasion we hear the twin sonic booms, but not tonight. Tonight it was quiet. For a few minutes I was in awe of the accomplishments of man and I wonder what it will be like in 20 years when I am an old man. Will I still be amazed? Or will I be like so many that take technology and the wonder of science for granted. Likely not.
As I look into the night sky I give thanks to God for the advancements of Mankind and everything it brings to us.
Our lives are rich...

Fun times on the way...

Tomorrow the CEO of IDEX Corporation (IEX if you are an investor), our parent company, will be visiting our offices. He plans on having an "all employee" meeting and hopefully he will open it up to questions. My question? What are you going to do to bring up my stock price?!?!?!?
Enough of that... my friend Lani (click on the link, left side) is in town and were meeting for a drink after work with about 10 of our best friends. WooHoo!!
Friday is kayaking with the manatees over in Crystal River, should be a hoot as well as a very relaxing day with nature.
I can't wait...

Finally...

It finally feels like summer is on it's way. Temps were in the 80's today and it was sunny and gorgeous!!!
I got the yard in shape today, trimmed the Crepe Myrtles and the Philodendrons as they were looking a little shaggy after a long, long winter.
Yesterday Emily, Kristin and I went to see Blue Man Group at Universal. The show was awesome but not quite as good as the one in Las Vegas. Blue Man gets a bad rap by lots of people, but I think they put on a fantastic, funny, high energy show that's well worth seeing.
Afterwards we met Amber in Winter Park and checked out her new apartment. It's pretty nice and close to the UCF campus. We all had dinner at CheeseCake Factory, the food was great and the waiter spent most of the time flirting with Amber and Sadie, Ambers friend from Tampa. But you can't hardly blame him... those girls are stunning!!!
Finally got out of there and headed for Ocala. I got home to find Charlie sprawled out on the couch sleeping.
It's a dogs life...

You can put a tuxedo on a goat...

but it's still just a goat...