Suprise!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Friday I came home to a mysterious package from Amazon. I say mysterious because I know that Michelle and I had not ordered anything from Amazon lately. My first thought is that Michelle might have surprised me with the new Call of Duty: Black Ops game I've been going on and on about.

As I opened it up I was shocked to see a new Amazon Kindle. I have been doing some pro bono for my old work and they most graciously decided to send me one.

As you can see it is very simple, which is the greatest thing about this fantastic little device. In the picture below you will notice writing on the kindle. No that is not a sticker on the screen it is the e-ink. The great thing about e-ink is that once the image is on the screen no power is consumed. So when you turn it off a portrait of a famous author or painting is put on the screen while it is off.

After spending about a day non-stop on my new Kindle I can say that this device far exceeds my expectations. Lately I've been feeling like I need to grow up and start bettering myself. For example, in High School I did all I could to slack off, so I've never read the classics like A Tale of Two Cities or anything from Steinbeck, and I've been wanting to start reading more. Well my Kindle has been the perfect catalyst.

First off about the Kindle. The e-ink display is awesome. It doesn't hurt your eyes because it is the same ink that is in a pen, but just electronically manipulated to form the image on your screen. Also the contrast is excellent, and the speed just great as well. But its the features that are so awesome. I have the Wifi-3G model, and I've signed up for the Wall Street Journal. Every morning it just loads onto my Kindle and I can read it. And navigating through the Journal is a breeze. I can sort through the articles by section or briefly read a half page from each.

The Kindle also has a new feature called text-to-speech. This makes the journal perfect to listen to on the way to work or while at work through some headphones.

The Kindle store is also great. I downloaded the new George W. Bush memoir from the store, which would be about $30.00 for the hardcover for $9.99, and it was on my kindle in seconds. There are also thousands of magazines, and newspapers. I have noticed that the price for newspapers is a bit higher than I would like, but for example the WSJ is $15.99, which I will happily pay, and that works out to about $191 per year. I could get the journal at my house everyday for about $120, but the Kindle version has no ads, which is kind of nice.

For other features, the Kindle can play mp3's, has a web browser for checking that is quite functional, and can upload any quotes you like to Facebook or Twitter.

As a close for the price you really cannot beat the Kindle. For those that think they may want an ipad, if you want to read the news and books this device has it beat hands down, which is saying a lot because there are those out there that know how much I like the ipad. I really love my Kindle and I can't wait for the many trips I have to make to Indiana and Canada over the next month.

Sleeping Beauty

Saturday, October 30, 2010

On the surface of this may just look like Delilah sleeping with a Tiara on. But it is also one of the first really decent pictures I've taken with our new camera. I took a bunch of other pictures that were really grainy. Then I decided to mess with some of the settings. So either this is me messing with apperature or sensitivity (still not sure exactly which setting this was so if anyone out there can clue me in I would be grateful), either way I finally felt like I didn't waste $500.

What Delilah Has Been Thinking

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

You know this is exactly what Delilah is thinking now that she's going to have a Brother.

Chrysler Day Picnic

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

You would think that the day I meet the CEO of Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat, Sergio Marchionne, a man that I greatly respect, that might be the highlight of my day. But in all actuality it really was a backstory to meeting the love of my life. If you ask Michelle, she will tell you that I am currently obsessed with the Ferrari 458 Italia. It is the most beautiful car ever, its lines are amazing, and it is fast as HELL!

To my great surprise yesterday one showed up on the Chrysler front lawn along with a Ferrari California, Maserati Quattroporte, and two Maserati GT's. These were all for the Chrysler Group picnic today. What is special about this is that during the DaimlerChrysler days you would have never seen a brand new hot Mercedes along side a Chrysler Group vehicle. This to me was more evidence that this marriage will work out.

Below is my baby the 458 Italia. How how I want this beautiful mid-engined Ferrari. It is even more exquisite in person. Car costs $225,000 for the base model, this one was $247,000. Insurance costs are $2,000 per month and totally worth it.

The California was also gorgeous. I was really able to see how meticulous the interior is crafted in a Ferrari. All hand sewn leather, and all the amenities.

What stole the day for me though was how beautiful a Maserati looks in person. I got a chance to sit in a Quattroporte (the perfect family car) and it was amazing. I have never sat in a more comforatble car. And the styling on these are so striking. In person they are just plain amazing. The great thing about the Maserati's is that they only cost $135,00o for the base model. I could definitely do that, right?

Woodward Dream Cruise

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Since moving away from SLC I have been missing going to parades and stuff. Well I have officially found our replacement. Every year Detroit hosts the Woodward Dream Cruise. The Cruise is the single largest car event in the world. An estimated 50,000 classic cars and 1.5 million people attend. Woodward goes from downtown Detroit all the way out to Pontiac, which is about 25 miles. And its full of classic cars the entire way. We started at 13 mile in Royal oak and walked around that area today. And let me say it was a blast, even Michelle loved it. The best part was that whenever a big angry car revved its engine the fetus would jump in Michelle. Oh yeah, we definitely have a car lover on the way. Here are some of our favorites.

I just couldn't resist the Delorian. Its was also on sale for $23,400, WHAT A STEAL!

D just sat in the stroller and had a blast, she was such a good girl.

I had to get some of our new products in there, a.k.a. the Fiat 500's. Cool little cars.

yes, Michelle knows I'm posting this super sexy picture, this is the only picture of her. Isn't she one sexy woman? Or is she on drugs in this pic?

Golfing @ Copper Hills

Today I had the pleasure of golfing at one of the best courses in Michigan. Copper Hills GC is an amazing course. Here's a list of awards.

Awards & Recognition

2009 - National Honors, the #9 hole on The Hill Course was picked
as one of the "18 Most Beautiful Brutal Holes" in the US and canada. Read this Article

2008- Golf Digest - "Best Places to Play" Four star rating

2007 - Golf Digest - "Best Places to Play"

2006 - Golf Digest - "Best Places to Play"

2005 - Golf Digest - "Best Places to Play"

2004 - Golf Digest - "Best Places To Play"

2003 - Detroit News - #1 Best Designed Course in Michigan

2002- Golf Digest - "Best Places To Play"

2000-2001 Golf Digest - "Best Places To Play"

1999 - 2000 Golf Digest - Ranked Copper Hills #16 in the State of Michigan.
(This includes all Private, Public and Resort courses.
(Copper Hills is ranked #3 in State for public-non resort course)

1999 - Golf For Women Magazine - Top Fairways 1999 -
Top 100 Women-Friendly Coursed Award

The picture above is from the tee box. Its a 173 yard shot just to the narrow fairway.

This green might as well have been an island green because it was the tee box, marsh and then the green. Lucky for me I hit the ball within 10 feet of the pin.

Schweiger & Associates

Thursday, August 19, 2010

I have recently been asked to blog some of my work from my time at Schweiger & Associates. Many of you may remember that I worked for SCAAS during my MBA program as a consultant. Please check out my blog post on Global Economic Growth from 2010 to 2030.

http://www.scaas.com/insights/global-economic-indicators-2010-2030-part-i/

Once your in a position of power or leadership you need this!

Monday, August 9, 2010

What you might ask do Steve Jobs (Apple CEO), Segio Marchionne (Chrysler/Fiat Ceo), Larry Ellison (Oracle CEO), Hugh Hefner (need I say more?), Kim Jong Il (dictator and douche bag extraordinaire), and Fidel Castro (dictator and douche bag extraordinaire of the previous generation) all have in common. They are all in positions of power or leadership, but more importantly they have very carefully crafted a look based on their clothing. Whether it be the standard jump suit for a dictator in "Dictator Green/Tan," the robes of the original playboy himself, or the ultra business casual look of CEO's, these men have all gone to great lengths to ensure their personal brand is associated with a certain clothing style. Someday when I become a CEO, Playboy, or Dictator (preferably dictator) I am going to need to craft myself a look. Any suggestions anyone? Jumpsuit, Robe, Business Casual, or something?

Daddy and Delilah Day

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Recently Michelle was sick on the weekend. I had spent all wek at a plant in Toledo and was a bit antsy to get out of the house and have some fun. So Delilah and I decided to hit up the Somerset mall. The one thing about the Somerset mall is that its a bit upscale. That being said somebody has to teach this girl how to shop for the finer things life. Below is a list of some of the stores we window shopped at.

I really love window shopping for incredibly expensive items. I was tempted to buy a $300 Zegna dress shirt, but thought that might need to wait until the student loans are paid off, but when that day comes I'm treating myself to a Zegna dress shirt. We also window shopped at Tiffany's and then went into the Cole Haan store. I love Cole Haan shoes, they are worth the $200 definitely. I think this is an area where Michelle and I differ. Michelle loves Old Navy and Gap, I love Zegna and Armani suits and John Hardy cufflinks.

Trip to the Car Show

Saturday, June 12, 2010

I know this may not interest many people out there, but here are a few shots from our visit to the Chrysler Employee Motorsport Association car show.

Bunch of sweet Dodge Vipers

Beautiful Lime Green

I so want a 1983 Mercedes SL300. The greatest car EVER!

You really can't beat the spoiler on the Plymouth Superbird.

Superbird Spoiler on a new Dodge Challenger

And a classic old Jag to wrap it all up.

Eat it Michelle!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Well Michelle, your not the only one who can cook in this family and blog about it, so for all those people out there that want man food, this ones for your.

I got this steak as a present to myself for graduation last night, because nothing says celebration like a fat chunk of cow meat.

First start off with a raw 20.4 oz porterhouse steak (or NY strip, t-bone, or ribeye, anything else isn't worth it in my opinion).

Next off is put on some of my favorite rub. This is Spade L ranch beef rub. It also comes in pork and chicken rub. You can only find it in Utah, and I always get it at Smith's or Kroger or whatever its called now. P.S. Thanks to Brandt for keeping my supply up. Once you have the steak all rubbed down, let it marinade for 2.5-4 hours, trust me its worth the patience.

When your ready to cook it, put some olive oil on a normal cookie sheet.

Throw that fat piece of steak down on your cookie sheet (doesn't she look beautiful).

Here's the twist as you may notice I am not grilling it. Throw it on a low broil in the oven for about 10 minutes per side. Honestly it tastes better than grilling because it sits there and just cooks in its own juices rather than surrendering them to the coals or propane fire below.

After twenty minutes, let it sit for about 5 more because the steak will continue to cook once its out of the oven. Once your ready grab a coke and go to town.

And here is the end result of all your hard work, a full stomach.