St. Augustine Day #1

When Kelly and I planned our trip to Florida we talked about things we could do to have a little "quality time" together. We love our families, but there are times we need to spend with each other. Our schedules are crazy and the summer has been flying by. When we finally decided to visit Florida, Kelly started talking about St. Augustine.

St. Augustine is the "oldest" city/European Settlement in North America/United States. For more information click HERE.

St. Augustine is on the east coast of Florida. It's halfway between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. It was a short 3 hour drive from the Tampa area. The trip started off great when Kelly and I went to pick up our rental car. I reserved a "small" car. Our small car turned out to be a 2008 Volkswagen Bug. Kelly used to have one in high school and always talks about a BUG would be a "Fun" car to own.

We jumped in the Bug and headed to St. Augustine. A few people told us how beautiful the town is, but they did not do it justice. We arrived in town and parked next to the Spanish Fort. Just in time to see the Cannon demonstration. After touring the Fort, we headed into town. The town reminds you of old world Europe. There are a ton of shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, tours, historic buildings and photo opportunities. We spent our first day just walking around the town soaking everything in.

Here are the photos from Day #1

Castillo de San Marcos

Cannon Firing demonstration

Oldest wood school in the United States

Spanish Dinner on our first night

St. George Street

Enjoyed an "adult" beverage to end the night. Very good.

Florida with the Family

There are a lot of issues with airlines right now, but one perk is frequent flyer miles! All of my traveling over the past year was converted into two free tickets to Florida to see my family. Kelly and I wen to Florid July 1st to the 9th. I haven't seen my family in a while and visiting during the Fourth of July was great. We spent time at the beaches, relaxing, spending time with the family and enjoying the weather. We took a ton of pictures, so I'll do my best to post some of the better pictures and stories.

July 4th Story
Instead of watching the normal government/professional fireworks, we went to the house of my mom's boss. They have a house on a marina and all of the residents have a yearly competition to see who can put on the best "Civilian" Fireworks show. The displays were very impressive. People were shooting off fireworks for at least two hours. They shows were dangerous too! No one was injured, but several of the fireworks never made it in the air. Fireworks in the sky are a lot better than fireworks on the ground.

My brother, Kelly and Mom at Clearwater Beach

GIANT grasshopper in my mom's backyard

Thunderstorm approaching at Clearwater Beach

Pirate Ship Tours of the Gulf of Mexico

Celebrating my brother's 21st Birthday

The house of my mom's boss!

Historic Ybor City Trolly

Ybor City near downtown Tampa. This historic part of town reminds people of New Orleans. The area is full of restaurants, clubs, bars and unique shops. We stopped in to shop at the farmers market and have lunch.

Clearwater Beach. The water was GREAT!

Kelly and I with my mom, sister and brother

Mom and Kelly at Bradenton Beach

Fourth of July sunset near Apollo Beach 

"Civilian Fireworks"

Be careful when using "civilian fireworks!"

30 Days and No blogs!

The last 30 days have been pretty busy! I've been flying and driving all over the place. July 1-9, I went to Florida with Kelly to visit my family. My brother flew back with us to celebrate his birthday. He was here July 10-20. It was his first time to Arizona, so Kelly and I showed him around the state. That left no time for blogging and now I'm playing catch-up. Be on the look out for Florida pictures and stories, my Arizona adventures with Kelly and Jim and just blogs of me getting a few things out of my head. Sorry for the absence, I'll be blowing up the blog over the next couple of days!

Happy Birthday Jim!

Today is my brother's 21st Birthday! He came out to Arizona to celebrate! Here are some random shots from his b'day. Kelly and I will be celebrating with him all week.

University of Phoenix Stadium and it's moving field. The field moves outside when the stadium is used as a convention center.

Jim's dream...to visit Japan

Soaking in his 21st B'day

Treating my brother to his first "adult beverage." Happy Birthday Jim!

Applebee's Commercial

A few months ago I got the opportunity to work on a commercial for Applebee's Restaurants as a customer (extra). I've seen the commercials several times but couldn't find a copy to post on the internet until now.

Click on this LINK, then click on either of the Perfect Portions commercials. At the end of the commercial, look over the mom's shoulder and you'll see me laughing and pretending to eat the day old Applebee's food they had on the table.

Take me out to the Ball Game!

After my 18 hour adventure to return home, I spent time with Kelly and her family for Father's Day. I was going to enjoy a round of golf with her dad and brother in law but that didn't work out.

On Father's Day we all went to see the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Kansas City Royals. We went early to watch batting practice but the Royals didn't take any. Kelly's nephew was able to get a few autographs and run the bases after the game. Here are a few photos from Father's Day and of the Red Chilli's that grow outside of our patio.

Me and Kelly's Nephew

Got to Love the Mohawk!

Eric Burnes

Kelly's dad, brother in law and nephew

Cincinnati

Last week I was in Cincinnati for the Coleman Productions Retreat. All of the speakers (edutainers - We educate and entertain) were in town to plan out our 2008-2009 year. A lot of great plans were put on the table. A few I can talk about today, a few others are still being worked out logistically and legally. It was good to see a few old friends and a few new friends. One of the best parts of the retreat was Friday when all of us performed in a showcase for everyone else. We all know each other, but we haven't all see each other perform live. Performing in front of your peers felt a little like American Idol. You can see people writing down notes while you're performing. When you're done you wait to see what the "judges" have to say. You're also worried if one of your peers will act like Simon! =0 )

Things went well for everyone. Rodger and I will be moving on to the next competition. (lol) We all provided each other with a lot of good feedback. We want everyone to put on the best performance possible so the company looks good.

The big news is I committed to co-writing two books. The books should be out in January of 2009. I will write one chapter in compilation book by all of the Coleman speakers. On top of that, Rodger and I will co-write a book together on our "Are you a BAD Apple?" speech. A lot of people have been requesting we do so. When things are completed, I'll be sure to put information on the blog.

I've also added a few more dates to my upcoming calendar:

Canisus College - Buffalo, NY - August 5, 2008
Cabrini College - Philadelphia, PA - August 21, 2008
Tri-State University - Indiana - September 3, 2008
Franklin College - Indiana - October 7, 2008
Tri- State University - Indiana - February 6, 2009

Here are a few pictures from my adventure to Cincinnati.
Special Note- It was an Adventure because my flight got delayed by all of the bad weather in the midwest. I ended up sleeping in the Houston Airport and my flight home became an 18 hour "adventure."

Happy Birthday Del and Mike...Fun times at the Mongolian BBQ

Max. The new Coleman Mascot A.K.A "Brooke's little man"

Rodger participating in Debbie and Mike's workshop

Jackie (Entertainment Division Agent) participating in Debbie and Mike's workshop

David Coleman, the world famous "Dating Doctor" also participating in Debbie and Mike's workshop

Super Church on the way to the Datyon Airport. Very impressive statue.

Matt taking charge at Carrabbas!

Mike and Debbie (yes they're married) demonstrating self defense techniques.

Our Super Agent.....Brooke

For more information on Coleman Productions Speakers, clickHERE!

Congratulations!

I have a couple of friends celebrating/have celebrated special occasions this month. I would like to say Congratulations to the following people:

Weddings
Jon and Michelle - June 7th
Jessica and Josh - June 28th

Father's Day
Brian - 1st
Kevin - 1st
Frank S. Kitchen - My dad
Cornelius- My grandfather
Rodger - One of my best friends
Mr.C - Like a dad

Birthdays
Lo - June 3rd
Rachel and Becca - June 18th

Enjoy your special days!
Frank

Where is my stimulus check?

Many of you who read this blog are probably like me......wondering when the government is going to have the IRS send us a check to help "stimulate" our checkbooks. I've walked to the mailbox for the last two weeks and crossed my fingers. No check! Crossed my toes. No check! Crossed my eyes. Still no check!

So I jumped on the internet and found some information that will interest many of you.....the dates your check will be mailed out. The checks get mailed out based on the last 2 digits of your social security number!

If you chose to have your tax refund mailed to you, and your Social Security number ends in:

00-09: Your check will be mailed on May 16
10-18: Your check will be mailed on May 23
19-25: Your check will be mailed on May 30
26-38: Your check will be mailed on June 6
39-51: Your check will be mailed on June 13
52-63: Your check will be mailed on June 20
64-75: Your check will be mailed on June 27
76-87: Your check will be mailed on July 4
88-99: Your check will be mailed on July 11

I hope everyone's check's arrive in time to fill up there cars! $4 gasoline is not stimulating the economy or people's bank accounts.

What's been going on?

Sorry for the lack of blogs. Been keeping busy enjoying life. The weather has been great and Kelly is off for the summer! We've been able to have some quality time over the last couple of days. Caught some of the blockbuster summer movies. Been working out (Cruise in December and marathon in January). The grill has been used just about everyday and our garden is starting to produce some tomatoes (One a week! lol). We're doing some spring cleaning around our place, making plans for the summer and fall. I'll also spend a little time serving jury duty this summer. "Welcome to Arizona and Thank you for being a registered voter!'

I'll be back on the road soon, so I'll have new stories and photos for the blog.

Here are a few random photos from the last two weeks. I would also like to congratulate our friends Holly and Kevin on the birth of their daughter!

Common Sense

A friend sent me a great e-mail about common sense. The e-mail is about the "death" of common sense. Enjoy

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by until today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance. For Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.

Obituary for Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a class mate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter,Responsibi lity; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.