NOMINATING COMMITTEE DAY

The big day has arrived! In less than two hours, I will be interviewing for the 2009 Secretary position. Last night I had dinner with several of the candidate's and talked about 2009. Hope all goes well.

DAYTONA 500 EXPERIENCE WITH TOM FEENEY

What a night we had last night at Daytona. I attended the Tom Feeney Fundraiser on NAR/FAR's behalf. We started out at the Daytona 500 Experience with driving the simulation car and then went to the 500 Club for cocktails and food. As an avid NASCAR fan, it was great to relax where the big wigs make their home. After something to eat we headed out on the track for "Hot Laps". I mean 140 mph - see the video. Altogether it was a great experience and Congressman Feeney just had a big victory the night before in the primary.

MOSS PARK TRIATHLON 8/23/2008

For a week we were soaked with Tropical Storm Fay. I had signed up for my second triathlon and hoped that it would be a go. I went out to the walk-through on Friday in the rain. I wondered if this would actually happen. When I went to check in the girl said,'"You're going to get wet tomorrow." I was thinking, how can it rain for the 4th day in a row. She then said, "You're going swimming, aren't you."



The whole family loaded up and we left the house at 5:30am. This was the first time that everyone has gone, so I needed to perform. My previous best time was 1 hour 47 minutes and 14 seconds, which isn't bad for the first one. I had been training pretty hard for this triathlon and knew that I could cut some time off the previous one.



As the sun came up across the lake, I knew it was going to be a stellar day. The announcement came, 10 minutes to race time. Of course if you have ever done one of these, it's pretty nerve racking. The gun went off and all 200+ people jumped into the water. It was chilly from the four days of rain. When I turned the last buoy I knew that I had some improvement. The transition area was about 300 yards long, which is a long way when you have been swimming for 16 minutes. As I mounted the bike, I knew that the course was laid out prefect for me, and it showed with a time of 12.5 miles in 36 minutes. I had a great transition from the run to the bike and my body was responding very well. So I knew the next 2.7 miles was going to be good. The run was wet but fast.



My new personal best time was 1 hour 23 minutes and 54 seconds, almost a 24-minute improvement. I knew that I worked hard to trim time off over the past couple of months but never expected the time to be that good.



We were leaving to go to the beach and I had told Wendy when the race is done let's get out of there. One small problem, I told Wendy, we can't leave. I won third place and would receive a plaque at the awards presentation. WHAT A DAY!



With hard work and determination you can do anything. Check out the video. See you soon.

DISTRICT 2,10 & 12 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

The event started out with a wonderful venue at the top of Orlando. We also had Districts 2 and 10. Our President-elect Cynthia Shelton was in attendance. She was gracious enough to host a question and answer program. After all the candidates spoke, we adjourned to have dinner 16 stories above Orlando. A special thanks to Sandra Miller, District 2 DVP, Matt Ruthven, District 10 DVP, and District 12's DVP Randy Martin.

DISTRICT 7 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

This event was hosted at the brand new Hernando County Association offices. It started out with a fabulous catered lunch followed by comments from the candidates. During the Q&A session, we took lots of questions on the impacts Amendment 5 will have on the cities and towns within the District. We ended the afternoon with a tour of the new facilities. Thanks to Harry Willett, District 7 DVP, for his hospitality.

DISTRICT 9 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

In one of the most beautiful parts of our State, we met in Pensacola and took a tour of the beaches before going to the Pensacola Association luncheon. They had over 100 people in attendance. After lunch we went to the Pensacola Association building for a tour. Thanks to Charles Michaels for a great event.

We then headed east to the Emerald Coast Association. Before the event began, Bob Hudgens gave me a personal tour of his hometown, Ft. Walton Beach, and then we drove to Destin. The District 9 gathering was very well attended and a great event despite the fact that I was the only one that was in a suit. Thanks to Teresa Dyer, District 9 DVP.

BALDWIN PARK TRIATHLON

In between "Meet the Candidates" I thought I would enter into a new hobby(swim,bike,run) Wearing the Big E's number 3, it was a lot of fun and now the bug has caught on.

SUNSET IN THE KEYS

Before we go to dinner, we make one more stop at "Lorelei". This is the location where Wendy and I got engaged 9 1/2 years ago. So the group makes me do it again. What a night!

DISTRICT 4 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

We all meet again at the Key Largo Grande Resort and Beach Club for our interviews at 4pm. Everything went great. How can it not in the Keys. I would like to thank Renate Smith, District 4 DVP, for a great job with putting this event together.

All the candidates decided to go out together to dinner. Driving south on US 1, I couldn't pass up the World Famous Tiki Bar. So here we are before dinner.