Peoria

Just got back from spending a few days with Mike and his family in Peoria, Illinois. I had a really great time and can't wait to go back during the summer or some other season when I'll get to see all the corn growing and the farms working away. It's lovely to see all of that open space dotted with farmhouses, silos, weather vanes, and things called grain elevators...which *I think* is what lifts the grain up into the silos.
Drove into St Louis on Wednesday to see Mike's brother Scott and his partner Jason. We got there in time to have a fun Mexican dinner and then head back to Peoria.

Here are some photos/videos from the trip, although I didn't take nearly as many as I should have!

Morning drink at the airport

Silliness after my double bloody mary

At the gate, waiting for the flight to Chicago


At the Bradley vs. Loyola game



Mike's father Terry and cousin Joey at the game


Santa hanging out with the band

Mike with Joey waiting for the Bradley players' entrance (they high-five all the kids that wait by the court).

Me, Karen (Mike's mom), and Terry (Mike's dad) in St Louis



Jason and Scott

blah, blah, blah



Karen and Terry

That's it for now...
Happy holidays!!!

Goldstein

Awesome. NZ is keeping my memories strong:

If you're familiar with the ANZ ad campaign in NZ, then you know all about Goldstein. He's the funny-looking, bespectacled, toothy American banker sent to NZ on business. Much of his exploits include enjoying the scenery and culture of NZ instead of actually working, American-style. He is often seen on the phone with his boss back in the US (New York, perhaps?) giving updates while, at the same time, pulling the wool over his eyes.

Had jury duty this week.
On my first day, stuck in a room with 100 other people, they called the first panel of prospective jurors to be questioned for a case. They didn't call my name, but as I watched the ones called gather at the front of the room, I recognized a familiar face.

Goldstein.

Virtually unknown here, he's a very familiar face on the other side of the world. Ran and emailed all my buddies down under.

Totally made my day. :)