Shark Attack!
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Friday, 18 July 08 - 04:46 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Misc. Musings / Self-Improvement |
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I'm a BIG Greg Norman fan, have been for a long time, and actually followed him around Medina for the PGA Championship several years back while my wife was unbelievable pregnant, but fully supportive (as always) and trekking around the course with me.
So....LOVE to see this!!! Who knows what the weekend will bring, but love that he's back in the hunt.
Go get em Shark!
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25730979/
Sweet Home....Iowa?
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Thursday, 17 July 08 - 01:44 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Misc. Musings / Self-Improvement |
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OK, so it doesn't make for quite as good of Lynard Skynard song...but...I'M HOME!! Sweet Home Iowa!!! I got to sleep in my own bed last night! I almost didn't know how to react...ha!
I sent my wife a text message from the airplane yesterday (we were still parked at the gate, so I didn't disobey any FAA Regulations, Posted signs or placards, or crew member instructions!) and looking back, it pretty much sums up my summer so far. Here's what it said:
"On plane in Chi almost home for first time in 3 months dont have another flight scheduled"
That last part is the most exciting....for the first time in 3 months, I don't have my next flight booked...nice...
Sweet Home IOWA!
Apologies and Thanks...
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Wednesday, 16 July 08 - 06:39 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Misc. Musings / Self-Improvement |
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Man, I've been bad about blogging.... I literally have not been home enough to find the time. I know that people use the "I'm so busy" excuse a lot and, in my opinion, too frequently...but I've been finding myself using it much more frequently. 
Two tests I have in my head on how much I've been traveling, and gauging if we're on the edge of "TOO MUCH!". 1) Check in to a hotel or airline and they announce that you have achieved one of their "superstar, elite, platinum, etc" statuses. 2) My family doesn't get too upset when I'm packing for yet another trip.
Both have been happening to me, so it's time to be home for a while....if I can help it.
So, apologies for not blogging as much recently. I'll get back on track. And, thanks for the pokes, jabs, and make fun of's from friends/relatives that are still checking my blog and waiting for my next post and razzing me for not being consistent. (if I dish it out, I have to be able to take it!)
Everytime I'm on an airplane, in an airport, in a cab, checking into a hotel, I am faced with experiences that are blog worthy (Oh, that reminds me of a Seinfeld episode...ha!). If you don't let it stress you out and you can get past the irritations, traveling creates some great stories!
But, in my ever expanding love of trying new/different foods, I must blog about this. Bottom right hand side, look at the Cream Cheese and Olive Burger. 
Intrigued, I asked the waitress and she said it was good, so I tried it. One word - fantastic!!! We were up in northern Minnesota at my friend Dave's cabin and this was a little local restaurant. I might have mentioned how good the burger was a couple times the rest of the weekend (ok, maybe I couldn't stop talking about it!). It became the joke the rest of the weekend.
So, last weekend, my wife decided to try to make them ourselves. Here is our experience:
Throw in a side of fried potatoes and onions..... One word...FANTASTIC!! Except that my job was to chop the onions and olives in preparation...now I know why I'm not a chef...
Here's a challenge to you, I do this all the time.... When you go to a restaurant, ask the wait staff, "If you could only order ONE thing from the menu, what would it be?" And then order that! Give it a try, expand you horizons...it's been fun.... AND, how else do you discover a Cream Cheese and Olive burger!!!
A new leaf...
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Tuesday, 01 July 08 - 07:16 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Misc. Musings / Self-Improvement |
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I'm a worrier. Always have been, probably always will be. I had a friend tell me one time, "You know Chad, I think that all your worrying shows a lack of faith". Hmmm...SMACK....right between the eyeballs!
He's right, you know. So then I had something new to worry about...that I worry too much and did it show of lack of faith???
Anyway, all kidding aside, I get tense about things, worry about things, uptight about things all too much I'm afraid. Another friend was fond of telling me "Is this a hill you want to die on?" or "Imagine you have 6 bullets in your gun, is this what you want to fire one at?" Now, at first glance, might seem like morbid comparisons, but really, makes a good point.
I'm busier than ever at work and at home, I simply don't have time worry or react to everything that life throws my way. So, I make choices. As things are put in front of me, do I react? Or do I just smile, nod, and take it in as part of life?
My 15-yr old has long hair, dare I say REALLY long hair (at least by my standards). I used to spend a lot of time worrying and reacting about it. Now - not so much. I can clearly remember my Dad not being particularly fond of my hairstyle while I was in high school. To be blunt, it was a mullet. "Business in the front, party in the back" as they say. Now....well, I don't have any hair! Ok, I have some, but what little I do have, I keep cut very short.
Has my hairstyle really mattered that much in life? Doubt it. Will my son's hairstyle really matter that much in where he ends up in life? Doubt it. So, I'm not wasting a bullet (figuratively of course!) on it. This is the new look he wants. It is what it is....
Ashton - fellow Iowan....if you happen to read my blog, no offense my man...I mean, you're married to Demi for crying out loud, you did something right! 
Absent, but not forgotten
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Friday, 27 June 08 - 08:23 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Misc. Musings / Self-Improvement |
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I know, I know....it's been a while since I posted anything. I've taken a fair amount of grief about it too - which is only right, as I am the first to razz others who don't post regularly....RYAN!
Not looking for sympathy or an excuse, just a little explanation. I've been traveling the country for work and my job duties have multiplied. I've spent very little time in the office, or at home for the last 30-45 days....so when I'm not in a meeting, catching up on e-mail, on a flight, or sleeping miserably in a hotel 1000 miles from home, I've had very little free time and have tried to allocate it to my family.
I promise that I will try to get back on a regular posting schedule. After about 30 flights this month, I certainly have enough stories to tell!!!
Have I ever mentioned that travel is not glamorous...??
Ever feel like Jack Butler?
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Friday, 30 May 08 - 02:01 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in About Me and this site |
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Imagine, if you will, it's 1983. Husband, Jack Butler, loses his job. Wife, Caroline Butler, goes back to work to help the family out. Jack assumes the household duties. And things get crazy from there.... In case you don't know, that's the plot of the movie "Mr. Mom" from 1983, starring Michael Keaton and Terri Garr.
In one scene, Jack is taking the kids to school. Having never done it before, he gets some rude looks, comments and even a scolding from a crossing guard for not doing it the "right way"!
Fast forward to 2008. Chad, the husband, is working from home. Michelle, the wife, is running some other errands. Chad, having done this very few times, goes to pick up their youngest from elementary school. Well, you can guess the rest. Those moms in mini-vans can get testy! But, we survived, we made it home. My 8 yr old just laughs and says "Dad, this isn't how Mom does it!" Yikes.
I felt like saying, "Yeah, 220, 221, whatever it takes". If you don't understand that quote, watch the movie.
I'll stick to my day job....
"IRV! Clean up in Aisle 4!"
Some more info....
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Friday, 23 May 08 - 02:19 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Religion/Faith |
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http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/
Sad story....
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Thursday, 22 May 08 - 03:00 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Religion/Faith |
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If you listen to Contemporary Christian Music at all, you know the name Steven Curtis Chapman. If you've ever considered adoption, you probably know the name Steven Curtis Chapman. He is a prominent voice in both.
Some very sad news today:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24766629/
He has a new song entitled, "Cinderella" and reportedly, the song was written about this very daughter that died yesterday. Read through the lyrics, I'm sure he didn't realize when he wrote the song how meaningful the lyrics would become, "...'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she'll be gone..." I'm sure Steven and the family could use our prayers.
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you
There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
I challenge you...
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Wednesday, 21 May 08 - 02:13 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Misc. Musings / Self-Improvement |
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Forget random acts of kindness (ok, not really, I just said that for effect!) - be a part of an INTENTIONAL DAY OF KINDNESS:
http://knwi.nwc.edu/page.php?id=141
I encourage you, I challenge you, I triple dog dare you... be a part of it!
What would happen if hundreds, thousands of people did this in the city....the state.....the nation....the world!?!??!
Let's try it!
Ok, let's be real....I know things are tight for many people right now and gas prices are through the roof, etc, etc. So, if you can't afford to pay for the person's order behind you...don't. Find another act of kindness you can do...it can be simple, it can be complex, it can be cheap, it can be expensive.....but do something, anything, out of the ordinary and particularly kind for someone tomorrow.
If you need some ideas - go Google "Random Acts of Kindness" and there are many sites you can look at for ideas.
You may not think your one act can change the city, or the world....maybe it won't, but it will change the person on the receiving end. And put hundreds/thousands of "single acts" together in the same day...now you're talking. And then, just for fun, go watch "Pay It Forward".
Totally Random...
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Tuesday, 20 May 08 - 08:21 PM (GMT) By Chad Holtz in Misc. Musings / Self-Improvement |
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I'm not a huge baseball fan, but when your kid is playing several nights a week in a competitive league, you find yourself paying a little more attention to it. In the last week, I've seen highlight reels of professional games with the following: a) an un-assisted triple play, b) a no-hitter, c) a 3-run in the park homer. Nice.
Regardless of your political affiliation or personal opinions, more bad news in the Kennedy family. Through the years, this family has seen more than it's fair share of bad news: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24728667/
A few of my good friends have experienced death in the family recently. I really feel for them. Such a hard thing to go through. I pray for strength and peace for them.
On the plane (ok, it was actually 4 planes) last week, I read Tony Dungy's book "Quiet Strength". Possibly one of the best books I've ever read. Not because of how it is written, but because of the way this man lives (has lived) his life. Man...I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to read it. It's been in a pile collecting dust for a while, but the lessons learned would have been beneficial to me sooner. It's sparked me to evaluate some things and spawned some new ideas for things I might do too. More details as they develop. Read the book. It's worth your time.
My wife continues to amaze me. We went for a couple long (for her as a new rider anyway) motorcycle rides this past weekend. She did awesome. She is relaxed, comfortable and rides like a champ. Hard to believe that in October she had no clue how to even start. Pretty cool to be able to share such a passion for riding with her.
Obama's in town tonight - Will he declare "victory"? Could be interesting.
... More items are available in my News Archive
