High Altitude Race

Training like the Kenyans had begun! Will have a 5K race at 5300 ft on Thanksgiving day. I get to spend a week with my gf, doing mostly cleaning, shopping, cooking and I get to watch her live everyday on Action 7 News. I'll do it over and over again. To be with this girl is priceless!

Countess

Excitement is in the Air! Looking forward to seeing my Countess!

KOAT Action 7 News

http://www.tvjobs.com/cgi-bin/news/archive.cgi?action=display&Article=732154

Broadmoor Colorado Springs, Colorado

...still in another time zone in a distant place.... having just arrived from an experience of a lifetime at the Broadmoor for the 2009 CIO 100 Symposium and Awards, it would take sometime to get back to reality.... There's no place like Broadmoor. The beauty is truly breathtaking, the service a combination of five-stars and five-diamonds! What a life, even just for a short time!

No schedule whatsoever in Tampa, Florida!

On my 2nd day in Tampa, Florida, after spending a long night full of acticvities for gf and a great dinner for a party of 16 by gf's agent at a fancy French Restaurant and enjoying the majestic view from the 23rd floor of Marriott's Waterside and Marina, I decided to venture out for an early morning run this morning only to be stopped by the security at the gated island. It was just too inviting looking at it from my window. Surrounded by water and connected to the Marriott's by a bridge, my curiousity tells me I had to see what it's like to live in an island facing the water with their fancy boats tied up.

Needless to say, I took another route and crossed a different bridge and found sushi, tapas, seafood and steak restaurants close by Channelside. Since GF has a Medill alumni reception tonight, dinner with her would have to wait until Saturday. Sushi anyone?

Storms in our lives

Praise You In This Storm
by Casting Crowns


I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Všechno nejlepší k svátku miláček!

Všechno nejlepší k svátku krasna princezna!

Swim, Bike, Run

Sometimes I'm amazed that I could swim the distance considering the fact that swimming hasn't been on my training schedule. For the most part I ride the bike from work and run every now and then. I jumped into the pool last Sunday and for sheer determination, I swam 1-km. I may not be efficient like the Duchess but I completed the distance. Yesterday, rather than using my TREK, I rode my Raleigh Competition GS from work and had a speed workout.

Should I check local races again like the 10K I did last month? Perhaps I should do some serious training before signing up again.

Santucci

Seems like it was just yesterday....! It was Sunday, Father's day. I remember dropping off the Duchess with Antonette. The next 12 hrs will forever be etched in my memory. Although I didn't actually witness when she first saw the light, I was there nonetheless standing guard at the door.

The first time I laid my eyes on her, there's no denying.......

Many years of joyfully watching her grow up and put us all through some hoops doing crazy stuffs she was not supposed to be doing....she continues to grow up a fine girl....and closer to my heart each moment, she will always be my Santucci!

Rochester

Had a quick trip to Rochester over the weekend. I really enjoy leaving very early in the morning as I am a morning person. The car was rolling from the driveway at 0400 Sunday and was checking in at the Marriott's before 10. Yes, we got a room as there's not much going on in Rochester this past weekend. Picked up Santucci from the Chapel and in an hour, we had finished loading up the station wagon and her wrangler. Had some downtime at the hotel before getting a call from Hans that he had the key to the house.
Had dinner with Kellie's two brainiac roommates, Roy (PhD Biomed Engr) and Ryan (PhD Oncology). They carried on the conversation to my level which was fine with me.
The drive back was very tiring. I HATE LEAVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY! My body has been conditioned to taking SIESTA! Go to Europe. Everything closes in the afternoon for Siesta and the place does not get alive again until about 5 or 6 pm.

Thinking about seeing Santucci again weekend of the 20th. Of course, I would never forget it! It was some years ago when I had to drive to Shady Grove Hospital on Papi's Day!

While GF was doing a conference call from 9 - 11 am, I went next door and visited my favorite car dealership Holtz Audi Porsche. They have my S5 in the showroom ($57K) . I sat in it and it felt just right! I was told that 2009 is the last year with a V8. They plan on putting a souped up V6 next year. Hmm, some decision to make.....

The Duchess

I had to wait for the Duchess until after her 10 o'clock news Thursday night. By the time we got home, it was about 1:00 a.m. Friday. She had me up and running at full speed Friday morning . We took soundbites for her news package, visited a mother who was flying an American flag in honor of her son who is serving in Iraq. Apparently two National Guardsmen took it upon themselves to trespass and took the tattered American Flag down. As an American fighting man (once) myself, I know what it means for the mother to fly the flag tattered and all. She promised her son that she will fly it day and night until he comes home. I helped rig the flag and had her raise it by herself.

It was amazing that a simple act of kindness and patriotism would go a long way. SSgt. Kelso, the son serving in Iraq, called the Duchess early Saturday morning to personally thank her and I for what we did for her Mom. It meant a lot to him. How fitting that this Memorial Day weekend, a soldier in the battlefield took some time off to thank the Duchess rather than the other way around.

Saturday, was definitely a long day. Think of the movie Silkwood. We had to hike half a mile in a jungle hacking tall grass, bushes and thorns to get to the contaminated creek at the bottom of the mountain. The creek was being polluted by the landfill above the other side of the mountain. The landfill was built without a liner and the seepage runs down the creek. Had to rush late in the afternoon to try to come up with soundbites about a single engine plane crash. Of course, I didn't expect to get something from the family in grief and in shock. Home past 6 p.m. I was given a day off today (Sunday) and I believe that I will be off tomorrow too.

University of Rochester

Santucci found an unpaid internship at Mt.Hope. The program is affiliated with UR. This 20 year old girl is trying her best to ...... to prove that..... Helped her pack, empty the dorm and settled into a temp place. She is sharing a 3-br apartment with 2 PhD candidates. Dan is on his 3rd year of grad school (Bio Mech Engineering) and Ryan, also on his 3rd year of grad school (Oncology). Will be back again the end of May to pack and help her move to another house which would be good for the entire summer. Another trip around the end of August to pack and move again for the last year of undergrad at UR.

The Queen, Santucci and the Duchess

In nine days, I'd be on the road real early and drive for about 7 hrs. I have done this process a few many times that I feel I could close my eyes and finish the tasks. I have to size up what needs to go home and which are the ones going to the storage if there is one. Will be traveling on two cars, LTGEN2 and LTGEN4. Three days after I finish unloading, I'll be packing again to fly and spend 5 nights/6 days with the Duchess of Florence! The month of May started with my Queen's Coronation and would end with my Duchess!

Sweet Memories with our Queen Azalea

Things must come to an end. I only wish that it was not so soon. I didn't want to come back yet, but....We had such a great time seeing Magda beginning with the wreath laying ceremony at the MacArthur Memorial. We witnessed her parade downtown Norfolk. She found time to see us and joined us for breakfast on a day when she has late wakeup being Sunday. We literally dragged her out of bed. Thank you sweetheart for finding time to fit us into your very hectic schedule. We will always treasure the sweet memories!

The City of Norfolk fell in love with you!

ABC TV News 13 Norfolk

ABC TV13 News Norfolk has news coverage of Magda's coronation. The package lasted 2:06 min and has footage of her interview:

http://www.wvec.com/video/index.html?nvid=355777

More coverage from Prague

http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/czech-officer-becomes-queen-of-military-festival-in-u-s/373742

Queen's Coronation

http://praguemonitor.com/2009/04/29/czech-officer-becomes-queen-military-festival-usa

Crazy Royalty duties of Queen Azalea

Just how do you squeeze visiting 3 different schools, an Art Gallery and meet the Norfolk City Council in a day? No wonder our Queen had to eat lunch on the car while being driven from one venue to the next. I'm amazed that she could stay awake from all these visits and meetings!

Coronation

At 4:00 p.m. today, our Queen Azalea will be officially crowned at the 2009 International Azalea Festival, Scope Center in Norfolk, VA. Like many ladies before her, she will represent her country the Czech Republic. She joins the rank of "Who is Who" Azalea Queens of the past: Lynda Bird Johnson and Luci Baines Johnson (daughters of President Johnson); Tricia Nixon (daughter of President Nixon); Susan Ford (daughter of President Ford); Jennie Eisenhower (grandaughter of Presidents Nixon and Eisenhower and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Northwestern University); Jennifer Robb (grandaughter of President Johnson and daughter of a former Azalea Queen, Lynda Bird Johnson); Valerie-Anne Giscard d'Estaing (daughter of the President of France); Kari Borten (daughter of Norway's Prime Minister); Monique Van Den Boeynants ( daughter of Netherland's Prime Minister); Emily MacManus (great-granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill).

Congratulations and enjoy the life of a royalty!

April showers bring May flowers

How true! We have been getting soaked a lot lately. The garden is ready for planting and the lawn needs maintenance at least twice a week. I could hardly wait for May to get here. Will be driving to Norfolk, VA on 1 May to see our Queen Azalea. Royalties have busy schedule and Royal protocol must be observed. Hoping to seek an audience with the Queen before heading back on the 3rd. Two weeks and 582 km later, I should be packing Santucci's belongings on two cars for the trip back to Maryland. Three days after we arrive in Maryland, I should be up in the air to see our Duchess of Florence (21-26 May). I'm already running the busy schedule on top of my head, clean the apartment, get groceries, prepare meals, get the car washed, and work as camera man. Before I know it, I would be back again in October to pack and move the Duchess. Hopefully, it would be much closer somewhere on the Eastern seaboard.

Our Queen Azalea and the Duchess of Florence

Our Queen Azalea will be arriving in Norfolk, VA in 9 days and will be officially crowned 2 days later on a week long festival, International Azalea Festival, Celebrating the Czech Republic. Will be joining the festivities 1 - 3 May.

By the time I get back, I should start looking for the best deal to fly and see my "Carry/Conceal", heat packing NBC reporter, the Duchess of Florence.

More DVDs

Burned eight DVDs last night. Will have to QA prior to mailing these DVD resumes to different TV stations. This has been an additional task of mine for sometime now.

The day after

The day after Easter Sunday, I had to go through with what I have been experiencing for a good number of years now. I hate GOODBYEs! I refuse to let go and I have always been like that. The first few days after, I would go into my sulky mood. It takes a while before I could get back into my normal routine again.

I have prepared myself when I see the Countess soon and as is always the case, I anticipate that I would experience being sulky again.... the girls' more appropriate term for it - grumpy!

Panama City Beach Babes

Thank you Christi. Would you be surprised if I tell you the following dates?
12 Sep, 14 Nov and 10 Apr. I might be getting senile but there are still some things worth remembering.

The Girls

Camping out late tonight at BWI airport and wait for Santucci. Come Saturday, tents would go up early dawn at National airport and wait for my Duchess of Florence! It's heavenly to be with my girls!

The Borgquist girls

Wow! I could not believe that somehow, I was able to trace some long lost friends from my years in Panama City Beach, FL. (I hope). Cindi is doing very well, an accounting major from Florida State, '85, CPA, CFO and Sr. VP, with a husband and a son.

Our Lady in Prague

Never fails to amaze us! Our photo-journalist was front and center during the Obama visit in Prague. As a journalist/photographer, not only does she cover majority of the Presidential visits and ceremonies at the Prague Castle but she is also the primary contributor/writer for the Castle Guard of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic (ACR). To see her articles and photos, go to: http://www.hrad.army.cz/.

http://www.sevenvenues.com/show/view/203

10K training

Did a slow 5K run yesterday. Scary, to think that exactly three Sundays from yesterday, I'm going to strain myself doing the 10K. After the 8:00 a.m. race, I have to hurry and get ready for the 2:00 p.m. performance of the Czech National Ballet at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Anti missile shield

US-Russia reset button, what does it mean to the ballistic missile defense system planned to be deployed in the Czech Republic and Poland? With overture towards Russia, chances are that the US would re-visit the planned deployment of the anti-missile shield in Czech and Poland.

The Old Washington consensus is dead

The more I think about British PM Brown's remarks, the hotter I get. I'm debating whether I should dig up from under the cobwebs everything I could possibly get my hands on to refresh me and our friends from across the Atlantic what the mighty and civilized United States did for Europe. I won't even go as far back as WWI. The early 1940's would be a fair time line. Should I mention the Marshall Plan that helped rebuild the war ravaged Europe?

True, it does not give America a blank check and I should not probably bring up the past, but the point of the matter is, although we may not see eye to eye as far as Iraq and Afghanistan are concerned, I believe that America should not shoulder everything. Majority of the Americans still believes that the US involvement in Iraq is wrong. The premise of why we got involved to begin with is flawed at best. What about Afghanistan? The Taliban and the Al-Qaeda have moved their base of operation around the Afghanistan - Pakistan area. Should they be left alone? I believe the United States have resolved to eradicate if not totally neutralize their effectiveness by going after them in their own backyard. These groups have no boundaries. In addition to the US, they have also created chaos and bombings in Spain, Germany and other European nations.

We do not need another pat on the back nor a thank you for cleaning up trouble areas close to our European allies. Are we on a partnership in our fight against these groups? If the old Washington consensus is dead then maybe, we should bring our boys home and let others solve the brewing problems close to European soil. America is only a phone call away!

Domino effect?

The reality of hard economic times - after Ukraine, will Hungary be next? Drastic measures need to happen to stop the tide......

The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival

http://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

Afghanistan debacle

The two front wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without a doubt contributed to America's economic woes! So much of the American taxpayers' dollars were poured in without so much of an accountability. There were so much waste and fraud. No amount of American dollars could possibly change a way of life and ways of governing! It's Utopia! Not even Hollywood would touch the idea! These countries have a long history of tribal feud going back centuries. Tribal groups who are set in their old customs and traditions and for the most part are not the best educated will take the American dollars and go about their business as usual.

In my lifetime and yours, we may never see an iota of a change the way the West envisioned it. Years from now, the blood our soldiers would have dried up and the tribal leaders would still be raising their tribal flags and kicking dust in each other's face!

America should never impose its style of democracy on others! Democracy could never be bought. It's not going to happen! Countries do have internal wars and revolution before getting a taste of democracy! They should be left alone and leave them to chart their own course.

European speech Part II

In a speech to be given this Sunday, a new beginning for America, "a world without nuclear weapons."

European speech

Obama is scheduled to deliver his "European" speech this Sunday at Hradčanské náměstí in Prague.

Prague Daily Monitor

3 April 2009 - Puppets and potatoes for Obama!

Elvis impersonator

"Elvis" (former Illinois Governor Blagojevich was indicted by the Federal grand jury on racketeering, extortion and fraud.

Conclusion of G-20

In response to British PM Gordon Brown's comments that the "old Washington concensus is over", cousin Barack says, "I do not buy into the notion that America can't lead in the world, America is a critical actor and leader on the world stage and that we shouldn't be embarrassed about that. But ... we exercise our leadership best when we are listening."

Prague Schedule

The Prague Daily Monitor: Obama shortened his planned schedule in Prague. Rather than having state dinner with Klaus, he'd have a quiet dinner with Michelle. Was the Czech President slighted?

Justice Department

During the Bush administration, a certain zealot lawyer at the Justice Department had this great idea of hiring lawyers affiliated with the GOP party only. Liberal leaning lawyers from the best law schools in the country could not pass muster let alone the GOP's litmus test did not stand a chance of getting hired. Hiring was based on ideology! How pathetic.... What I could not understand though and may never know: why did they go after Sen. Stevens, a fellow Republican? These lawyers who were hired based on their ideologies (not really the best and the brightest) withheld crucial information from the defense lawyers, had a few contempt of court during the trial and was admonished by the judge a few times. Sen. Stevens was found guilty in October 2008, about a week before election. Armed with this information, the Alaskan voters decided Sen. Stevens fate.

After a thorough investigation by the current AG, it was recommended that the case against Sen. Stevens be thrown out. Does Sen. Stevens have a recourse?

Pike's Peek 10K

What was I thinking? I must have been so bored over the weekend that when I got on line and checked out local races, I did not hesitate and signed up for the Pike's Peek 10K on 26 April. For years, I had conditioned myself to think that anything over 5K is a marathon! I haven't really done any training at all. The occasional Trekking from work to home could not be considered as part of my training. The Pike's Peek 10K (Rockville Pike) should I say is parallel to the Metro Red line and the first thing that came to mind is Rosa Ruiz. To refresh your memory, she ran the NY Marathon one year long time ago. Rather than running 26.2 miles, she hopped on the NY subway part of the way and got off close to the finish line. Needless to say, there were cameras to prove what she did. In addition, if you are an unknown runner, and took the subway, you have to strategically figure out how you should finish the race in relation to the Kenyans. Yes, she did! She came in before the Kenyans! Miscalculations if you would ask me.

On a second thought, no! Not for 10K! I'll crawl if I have to!

Ukraine

Among the European countries, Ukraine has been hit the hardest by the economic meltdown. Imagine factory workers going home after a week's work getting paid not in Hryvnia but by the product they produced, towels! The economic meltdown is global and it's so sad to hear and read the struggles everybody's going through! There's massive layoffs in Europe and it affects so many lives back home. People from different countries migrated to other European countries to seek better job and send hard earned currency back home to their loved ones. What happens next after this person becomes irrelevant as the British puts it is truly heart breaking!

NATO

Former Eastern Bloc countries of Albania and Croatia joined the NATO community expanding the alliance to 28 countries.

Injustice

So what now? Former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was railroaded by the Bush's Justice Department back in October 2008 by withholding crucial information from his defense lawyers. The following month, Alaska voters cast their ballot against poor Ted. Should there be a recount or a special election to make amends?

QE II

I suppose, the crowds were waiting for the POTUS to present QE II with something very valuable, like maybe a portion of the Stimulus package? Which by the way is almost gone anyway... But instead, the POTUS presented the Queen with something truly American - the Ipod!

2009 International Azalea Festival

The 56th International Azalea Festival will be held in Norfolk, Va 27 April - 3 May 2009. Our Prague connection was selected and will be crowned as Queen Azalea 27 April 2009, Captain Magdaléna Dvořáková.

http://azaleafestival.org/index.asp

We will prevail

Addressing Russian President Medvedev describing the US and Russia's nuclear warheads - "gravest threat to humanity."

...and on the economy at home, "Basing decisions around fear is not the right way to go," he said. "We are going to get through this difficult time."

So far, so good..... NATO, Prague and Istanbul still to come...

Let there be no doubt

G-20 summit in London, meeting with NATO allies, European speech in Prague and a meeting in Istanbul. Obama left with a full plate and hopes that his First European trip as POTUS would produce fruitful results(economy, political, social justice and world peace).

40 days of Lent

..as they say, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel..... In eight days, Santucci would be home. The Duchess arrives two days later. Also on that day, my self imposed, "what am I giving up for Lent" comes to an end and I get to sign back on my Facebook!

Actually, it was tough the first few days but eventually, I conditioned myself to get used to it. With access to hotmail, yahoo and msn email accounts, tmobile and verizon cells, Linkedin and twitter, it was not really much to give up Facebook for a few weeks.

The challenge as someone suggested was to give up (It) after all, man does not live by bread alone! Wow, this is something to think about next Lent! I suppose if one really puts his mind to it, re-examine one's self and priorities in life, it's doable.