Christmas Letter 2007

Merry Christmas!
2007

Dear Friends & Family… and complete strangers (for now),

Last year ended with a hint of a year of great adventure for 2007… and here it is: The Official 2007 Christmas Letter for your reading pleasure.

I hope you can take the time to tour through another year, and maybe even visit previous years if you can. For me, the letter has been very, very difficult to write this year. Not for lack of content, but too much content and not enough time to write! I tried writing instead of sleeping, but my body and brain disagreed with my attempts, leaving nose prints on the keyboard and traces of drool stretched throughout from TAB to ENTER. Sadly, no hidden meanings were found in the chaotic patterns; no lottery numbers; nothing more than an insulting finger pointing at my ego…

So, with a clean keyboard and a couple more hours until tomorrow begins (and without further delay and pleasantries), let’s begin:

The mysteries
clouding my life at the end of 2006 were not fruitless after all. Mysteries known to a select few were revealed slowly in December; with growing numbers increasing as the year began. So here it is… I started my own company.

Actually, I incorporated in October of ’06, which was nothing more than paying well earned cash to an attorney I didn’t know. Suddenly, I held an official title known to the State of Oregon and the Federal Government: Supreme Ruler! Ok, it’s actually President, but it sounds better the other way. I may change it later… stand by.

The end of 2006
came with one of the more stressful times in my life: A test! The State of Oregon Construction Contractors Board requires hopeful contractors to pass a lengthy test, taken in a little room no windows, squeezed in front of a little computer screen, next to another test-taker who felt it necessary to curse with each question and perspire profusely… creating a rather stressful environment for taking a critical test.

The test was further complicated by a severe lack of sleep, intense overload of caffeine, and some sugary, sweet chocolate chip cookies. My brain cells were barely hanging by grey matter, thanks to sugar and caffeine. Not many can appreciate the powerful combination of the two… But I pulled out a 98.5% on the test! You might consider consulting a physician before attempting to overload, as I did. I feel the need to issue a health warning, but will refrain for now.

Christmas time last
year came with a terrifying course of events that started on Dec. 18th at 5:30 AM. I don’t think I’ll soon forget JR’s kidney stone attacks that sent him into so much pain he passed out for a few minutes while I rushed him to the emergency room. I won’t go into the painful details, but guess what??? When the boy is loaded on morphine, he’s the sweetest thing! In fact, he was so nice; he caused a ‘nerves-of-steel’ nurse to get teary-eyed when he thanked her for cleaning his vomit off the floor. Santa came by and got him to dance for a second, but I don’t think he remembers it. Strange enough, his video game skills only got better on the morphine… or mine got worse as I missed nearly 3 days of sleep while with him in the little hospital room. My request for a morphine shot fell on deaf ears (just kidding!).

After the 3rd night of JR’s 5 day hospital stay, I began my ‘official’ dating of an amazing woman named Cheryl. Yes, on December 21st we officially began dating. She’s also my dance teacher! Although when I first met her I didn’t want to be anything other than friends, we started to develop more than a friendship that was instantly solidified by a ‘moment’ where time seemed to stop. She stepped up when I was in the hospital with JR; staying with William for the time. My great friends Chris & Ariane spent some time with William, too. William, as it turns out, can be a ball of energy when he’s the center of attention. While he’s just living life, others are left exhausted at the end of the day.

New Years Eve
delivered me and Cheryl to Eugene’s Opera house to see the Pirates of Penzance. Never have I felt so cultured… kinda like warm yogurt. I must say, it was an amazing performance. Fortunately, it was not in Latin or some other mysterious language but in good ol’ fashion English.

To welcome in the New Year, we gave a cheer at the local bar & grill across the street from the Opera house. Unfortunately, a group of college guys & gals were doing the same, but started several hours prior. They were pretty wasted by the time we pulled up to the bar. Apparently, a game of ‘sneak-up and pile drive your buddy’s butt cheek’ was underway and we didn’t realize it. The first ‘smack’ launched the perpetrator’s beer all over Cheryl’s beautiful gown, into her hair, and even on my brand new blazer!

I’m a pretty calm guy, and even in this situation I held my anger in check, but the offending drunkard didn’t know that. His inebriated, soggy, glazed eyes locked onto mine as I drew up next to him. The expression on his face, although delayed, was indeed priceless. As I towered over him, my one hand covering most of his chest, I eased him back away from Cheryl about five paces. Waves of emotion coursed across his face, but fear is the best description, I’d say.

His four buddies all stood to their feet to come to his rescue if things got real ugly, which was a very noble thing for them to do, really. Fortunately, I’m more of a lover not a fighter, but I can come across pretty intimidating with my deep Darth Vader voice, especially to a drunken college student.

“You WILL stay back!” I stated very clear and direct. My words seemed to sink into his chest as he tried backing further away. It was as close to using The Force as I could get. He gave a slurred apology, but I would’ve rather he bought us a beer for our trouble.

So ended 2006: A business plan, a girl friend, kidney stones, a kiss, and a near bar-fight.

2007 began
with amazing adventures on the slopes, most of which did not include me… but that’s alright. Even though it’s MY letter, I like to include others that participated through some of the year’s events. If you recall my Brother-in-Law Rick and The Dunes of Death from a couple years back; or my great friend Chris flipping upside down on the slope, driving his head into the snow only to flip back onto his board before knowing what happened… I’m rarely alone in some of my adventures and sometimes I’m simply a witness to their woes. Sometimes I’m the voice of wisdom, quickly ignored.

One example takes us to JR (oldest son). ‘Tighten your snowboard bindings’ I repeated many times. ‘If you don’t keep them tight you can get hurt’ I’d say… but alas, my words fell upon the selectively deaf ears of a 12 year old. Apparently the apple didn’t fall too far from the family tree, because the next thing I know he’s grasping his knee in pain, tears streaking down his snow-covered cheeks. In my mind, I said “I told ya so!” Well, I think it was in my mind, at least. Anyhow, who could hear over all the wailing…? A nice ski patrol guy came by and called the snowmobile driver away from courting the girls at the lodge to help the balling boy.

Next thing I know, JR is getting his 2nd snowmobile ride due to an injury, whereas I have yet to have even 1 ride! For all the injuries I’ve had, you’d think I’d get at least a ride out of it…

In the end his knee turned out to be okay. The swelling went down within a day or two and the crying stopped as they gave him hot chocolate. For JR, between kidney stones and a knee injury, he’s had a tough couple months.

This was Cheryl’s first year with snowboarding, and even though she only had one lesson, she picked it up amazingly well. Unfortunately, she picked it up so well, that she became a bit confident, and in her competitiveness crashed fast and hard on her ribs.

It was terrible seeing the pain on her face as she pushed through the agony to keep going. It brought back memories of my first time, including rib injuries and an unwillingness to give up on the challenge… how sweet it is being on the un-injured side of things for once.

I, the voice of wisdom for all ears to ignore, told Cheryl “don’t look at the things that you want to avoid - for example, trees and cliffs. They’ll pull you straight toward them like a great invisible hand.” Well, I didn’t say this because I read it in a book somewhere; I’ve actually felt that terrible invisible hand, smacking me into trees and pulling me to the edge of certain death… but some people want to write their own Christmas letters, it seems.

Cheryl crashed a lot, and suffered several injuries, but refused to give up. Even when her face turned white from pain, she wouldn’t give in.

Cheryl, being a beginner snowboarder, and closer in height to the boys than I, became the only voice the boys could hear on the slopes. William, for example, couldn’t hear me right next to him, but could hear Cheryl from across a broad open slope yelling “Shake Your Booty! Shake Your Booty!” William proceeded to shake his booty to scoot across the slope away from the trees that tried desperately to pull him in.

Getting a business
going proved excruciating to all those willing to hear the stories of my woes. Financing possibilities that seemed like a sure-thing fell to nothing and other possibilities worked out without much stress at all.

One example of a sure-thing that fell through started with a reference by a local Albany banker. He referred me to a Small Business Association specialist in Albany – we’ll call her Brenda. Brenda always called me at work, and clearly wanted to be my best friend, until I asked why she wanted money upfront for her services. She never had a good answer to my questions. She had a Jekyll-and-Hyde thing going on, too. One minute she’d tell me everything was on-track for $250,000, and then she told me I needed to sell everything I owned. Then she drilled me with questions like “what have YOU done to make this business start?” and “Do you REALLY want to do this, ‘cuz I don’t think you do.” She ended up yelling at me and insulting me in a terrible slur of anger, but I’m not sure which of her multiple personalities did the yelling. A terrible way to treat a potential customer, huh?

The month of May
came pretty quick, which brought a Cinco De Mayo! Normally, this is not a holiday I’d celebrate… but when Cheryl asked if I’d teach a birthday party of eleven year old girls how to do the Electric Slide, Salsa, and Merengue, how could I say no? Cheryl coached me with tips like “talk softly” “be effeminate” and “don’t use your loud, booming voice.”

I entered the crowded room of excited little girls, a couple depressed little boys, a mom, and a grandma. Everyone hated the partner dancing, but did it anyway. The Electric Slide was a different story… The girls LOVED it! In fact, they danced until 4AM using the disc I left them after my hour lesson. I tried to follow Cheryl’s tips for approximately 2 minutes and 34 seconds until I realized these girls were totally crazed! I switched to my booming voice, the one that my boys tremble at. My commanding voice got their attention pretty quick, and I had them moving like little dance soldiers. In the memories of the mass of little girls, I will be forever be known as “The Dance Guy”

When June came,
my world changed. I officially resigned from my 8 ½ year position with the City of Albany on June 1st at 5:00 PM. At 5:30 PM I had my first official staff meeting for Atlas Professional Services, Inc. Nothing like hitting the ground running…

One issue that complicated my departure from the City was the terrible fact that I had NO customer base. I had a long list of potential clients, but most of them were contractors I managed on construction projects and inspected their work. Some of the contractors, as I suspected, hated me with a deep burning passion. Others enjoyed the way I handled my position with the City and have elected to use my services exclusively. Trust me when I say this was no picnic. I learned very well how to suppress panic while standing in front of my staff.

July came
with a surprise to a lot of people… I asked Cheryl to marry me. On August, 11th, we were married in a friend’s house with a small group of friends and family. It was a beautiful experience, and I even think she likes me! J Ok, we’ll go with deeply in love. Seeing how she helps me with my books, I guess I married my office manager. Very cool…

After August, the company financial picture started looking a little rough. A new marriage, a new business, a new life… all put under pressure but held together with constant prayer and more than a few sleepless nights of worry.

I must say, Cheryl’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me! I’m not simply saying this because I know she’ll read this, but because she’s taken this wild ride the entire time and stood by me without question.

The wild ride of life changes from week to week, month to month, and this month is completely different than any other month I’ve ever lived.

As of two days ago, I joined a multi-state organization that could launch my business to a whole new level. I’m not sure what next year will bring… I suspect it will be a much different adventure than I’ve ever had before.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

“To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.”
Anatole France (1844 - 1924)

John