Cole's Blues

Still Thinking Of You...

2005-11-29T23:29:00.000-08:00

So, I often wonder about what makes us strong and what makes us move on. Well, I can tell you...there are not two stronger people that I have ever known than those you see in these pictures. My Uncle Doyle and Aunt Alice. You know, tonight I was in a mood...call it a pity party, call it what you will. Truth...you can't choose family, as the saying goes, but how did the powers that be ever decide I was worthy enough to have these two in my family and in my life? How was I ever fortunate enough to know someone who had a heart bigger than the world? Someone who would give you the shirt off his back...without the blink of an eye. Even beyond that. There is no one that had so much care in his heart...genuine care and concern. I can still hear him say my name. Just true, genuine compassion. He and Alice got me through that summer in Texas. Never did I imagine how much that would impact my life...and I don't think they will ever know. There aren't words valuable or rich enough to explain either of them. I think for awhile I began to forget about what is truly important...so...I brought out these pictures tonight, among others that my Aunt Alice gave me after Uncle Doyle passed. I have to be honest...I really have been avoiding them. Avoiding them because of pain. Avoiding them because of truth. Avoiding them because of the pains of reality.
In a previous post, I wrote that I felt like Chicago would be the place that I would be...the place I could finally settle. There is a reason behind that. One that was too hard to talk about when I realized why.
Last week, when I flew to Chicago, I was flying in around sunset...it was amazing. It was red and orange but almost looked like a red pond off in the distance. There were masses of clouds that looked like boats. Off to the right of the boats a cloud formation looked like a fish and string...and all I could think was...my Uncle Doyle. He's made it for my arrival and was rooting for me and wishing me luck.
Even after my wallet got stolen, 8 interviews, and sabotage I was calm. My friend Ryan asked me what I was on...how could I ever be so calm...I was never that calm. I think I know why now.
No matter how hard I think my life is...I need to remember that it has all been worth it. I have been fortunate to have wonderful parents, a twin, a niece who holds my heart, an older sister with a niece who I have finally realized is a spitting image of me ;) (sorry Crys!), another adorable niece I can't wait to meet, and an awesome nephew, and the strongest person I know...and will probably ever know...my Aunt Alice. No matter what I decide to do with work and as much as I am struggling with it right now...my struggles are miniscule, and... I have the most amazing person up there on my side.

Still thinking of you...everyday...

Chicago?!?!?!

2005-11-27T10:27:00.000-08:00

So it has been forever and a day since I have been on here. Things have not calmed down a bit. When I got home from Macon, GA for CAT duty it was only a little while before I went to Florida for CAT duty. I am finally back home, but not any less busy. I flew to Chicago last week to interview for the Valuescope Product Manager Position. What a couple of days. Had my wallet stolen on Monday night...nice! $300 bones, a few credit cards, and my ID...damnit, how am I ever going to get on my flight home?!?!??! Went to the police station in the hood and filed a police report. Then had my mom email me a copy of my passport (thank god I sent that to her before I went to Barcelona!!)
Well, the next day I had 7 separate interviews for the position. They went pretty well...but 7, come on!! I really am hoping I get this job.
However, this job would move me back to the windy city...what do I think about that? Well, I know that I don't want to stay in Sactown...but Chicago moves me much further away from Seattle than I really want to be. However, I feel like, with this move, that this is where I'll be. I never felt that immediately with Seattle (only took a couple of weeks for that to sink in!) and I definitely haven't felt it here in Sac.
I finally feel like this may be the place I end up and will be. I am not jazzed for the cold winters and hot summers...but I am jazzed for the prospects. The job would be awesome, I have so many friends there from work (wow! Get a social life...what's that?), I'll be done with school in May, so I can actually experience things. Best of all...will only be a 7 hour drive from Quiggs!! That's nothing. I will even get to go back to Sioux Falls a minimum of once per quarter to visit our operations there. Will get to see friends and Gram more often...can't beat that!

Shytown...I'm good with that!

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GROTESQUE!!!

2005-10-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

So, it has been awhile! Things have been unbelievably busy with school and work. Lots of changes. However, I felt it was very important to include this on my blog as it is absolutely grotesque and appalling. This piece of scum still has no regret!! He is a disgusting human being. Reading this article infuriated me!!

Janklow Seeks Law License Reinstatement
Bill Janklow gave up his law license in 2003 when he was convicted of running a stop sign and killing Randy Scott, of Hardwick, Minnesota.

By Annie Chicoine
KDLT-TV
The bar's disciplinary board has recommended that Janklow regain his law license on February 15th. If the Supreme Court agrees, it would mean Janklow would be allowed to practice law again about a year before his probation ends.

Although he wasn't required to be at the hearing today, former Governor Bill Janklow showed up and spoke.

Bill Janklow says, "I can't undo what happened, I understand that everyday. I understand that someone died in a traffic accident. I don't think it affects my ability to be a lawyer."

Janklow apologized for the accident that killed Randy Scott.

He also talked about his history of speeding and gave somewhat of explanation for it.

Janklow says, "When I was Governor, I was rushing to fires in the Black Hills, rushing to storms in Herrick, or floods in Watertown or tornadoes in Lennox. I was a hero for getting there in a hurry."

Now he says since the accident, those once good things are now bad in a lot of people's minds.

But he says regardless of what happened, he's always been a good lawyer.

Janklow says, "I have never ever knowingly violated any cannon of the law for lawyers. I have been known for vigorously going after lawyers who violated it and I've gone after lawyers who violated it. And I have not complained in the least, until now."

The judges will decide on this case at a later date.

Five lower court judges heard the case today because Janklow appointed the Supreme Court Justices.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9701186/

Bonnie and Colleen: Christmas 2004

2005-08-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

So Tina sent the reunion pictures and there was a suprise pic of Bon and I in there!! Had to post it up since there are so few of her on here!! What a good time we had!! Can't wait for the Birthday bash in 2 weeks up in Seattle!!

Donner Pass

2005-08-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

After driving to Reno for over a year for my job, I finally stopped at Donner Pass on Wednesday to take pictures. Really is a beautiful area. With all these pictures I take when I am to be working...you wonder what my real job is?!?!?! Now, I just have to figure out a way to get paid for taking them...oh wait, I am getting paid...since I am working :)!

I Don't Remember Smoking that Wacky Tabacky?!?!?!...

2005-08-13T01:44:00.000-07:00

...cuz I must have been when I decided to take the plunge of two classes...and they haven't officially started yet! So, I just got done dissecting the syllabus for both classes and making a planner of assignments, readings, discussions, movie classes, and all that jazz. It all has to be worth it I tell myself...at least in the hopes of getting me back to where I really want to be...

Let The Madness Begin

2005-08-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

So, I had a good week. Since I haven't posted in a week, this one is going to be pretty long one. Work was busier than shiznit...but that is getting to be the norm. Driving to Fres-what?...Fres-NO and Bakersfield was such a treat! Nothing but good times! Can't complain too much though...got two Cherry Limeades this week!!

However...I had to ask myself on Wednesday (a famous quote from my brother-in-law), 'Is it my Birthday?!?!?!?!' I was sitting at home diligently working and emailed my mom that I hoped my laptop would show up soon...even though I knew I had a week and a half to wait. An hour later...Mr. UPS was knocking at my door with my brand new laptop!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited!!!! I decided to break down and buy my own instead of using my work one for personal and school. For those that know, it goes deeper than that.

An hour after my laptop showed up, my school books showed up!!!! Come on now...could this day get any better (with the exception of having to drive to Bakersfield)?!?!?! I know...you wonder, how could she be excited about school books of all things? Well...I have had almost a month break and I am ready to go back.

This term I received permission from the Dean to take two classes a term. I think I might be crazy to attempt it with how busy I am at work...but I really want to get this done! Typically you are only allowed one class a term in the MBA program I am in...so in order to continue to take two, my GPA has to stay higher than a 3.5...hey, no pressure there!! However, if I keep it up, I will graduate with a Masters in Business Administration in May!!!!!!!

So, classes start on 8/29...which gives me two weeks to get a head start on homework. I will be in MBAK602 Marketing Management and MBAI602 Issues in International Business. So, as you can see...I have my books laid out and I am getting a jump start. I went online and am in the process of printing all the cases for both classes. In addition to all my texts...I have 4 cases for Marketing and 8 cases for International Business...each avergaing 15 to 26 pages. Each week for each class I will have a 5-7 page paper due along with additional assignments. Okay...I'm nuts...but ready!!!!!!!!! I have to remind myself of the last three semesters of undergrad...anywhere from 2 to 3 jobs and 18 credits a semester and the highest GPA of my college career...this should be cake...right?

P.S. Nice new laptop to start the term!
LET THE MADNESS BEGIN...

Memory Lane

2005-08-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

So I spent the day cleaning my atrocity...aka...my office. What a nightmare and I am not even half way through!! However, I got a nice little distraction when going through one of my boxes. I found pictures from Christmas 2004...and all I did was smile and laugh! Didn't help me in getting my office cleaner any faster...but it was worth the break!! I love all the ladies in these pics!! P.S. My twin and I still have the moves!!!

Gross Monstrosity

2005-08-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

I love my Brother-In-Law, Lon...but come on!!! My niece Nova is going to have a damn complex when she grows up if you keep dressing her in that horrendous thing that represents a so-called-football team!!!! ;)...Kisses!

Fun with Kristi

2005-08-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

Colleen and my Russian Friend

Colleen, Trent, and Kristi

Kristi, Cole, and Colleen

Kristi and Colleen
Thursday and Friday night I spent with my friend Kristi and her sister Cole in Los Gatos, CA. Met some very cool people while out. I am so lucky to have such a great friend as Kristi! She cracks me up continuously and is such a great person! Wish we lived closer!

The Coolest Tree

2005-08-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

Redwood in Mill Valley, CA...
I was working in the field with an appraiser today...so instead of taking pics of the damaged car...this seemed more interesting...I get paid for this?!!?!

Barcelona 2005

2005-08-01T22:01:00.000-07:00

Some of the Most Beautiful Places I've Been

2005-08-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

My Twin

2005-08-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

Adorable...even after a nap!

NHL Draft

2005-08-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Have to give a shout to the Avs!! Looks like all of my favorites are returning...so I will have plenty of good hockey with the Avs and the Blues! Left to right Hinote, Abeischer, and Sakic...three of the finest players...what up hotties!!!

COLORADO
David Aebischer, Peter Budaj, Brett Clark, Jeff Finger, Riku Hahl, Milan Hejduk, Dan Hinote, Tom Lawson, John-Michael Liles, Kurt Sauer, Philippe Sauve, Karlis Skrastins, Marek Svatos, Alex Tanguay.

ST. LOUIS
Eric Boguniecki, Trevor Byrne, Mike Glumac, Colin Hemingway, Ryan Johnson, Jamal Mayers, Chris Pronger, Mark Rycroft, Bryce Salvador, Brett Scheffelmaier, Peter Sejna, Mike Stuart.

COLORADO
Vincent Damphousse, Adam Foote, Peter Forsberg, Darby Hendrickson.

ST. LOUIS
Alexander Khavanov.

OPENING DAY: OCTOBER 5, 2005!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-07-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 5TH AGAINST THE RED WINGS!! GO BLUES!!!!

Update:

8/1/05: Blues Sign Right Wing Aaron Downey. SWEET!!!!!! Blues Select T. J. Oshie With First-Round Pick In 2005 NHL Entry Draft
St. Louis Native Ben Bishop Taken In Third Round. Shaping up to be a great year!!!

Ten Year Class Reunion

2005-07-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

So, we just had our ten year class reunion. Nothing out of the ordinary and nothing I didn't expect. It was great to see all the friends that I have stayed in contact with and still realize that I will never have friends like that again...they really do remain true.
Kim, Tina, and Colleen

Barcelona

2005-07-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

This is Taylor and I in Barcelona. Barcelona was phenomenal!! I went there for school...but did I really. I think that was just a past time before the partying began!!