Today we celebrated the life of a great man. Paul Farmer was a patriot, a public servant, a coach, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. A graduate of the US Naval Academy, where he was a multi-sport athlete, he spent his military career as an aviator in the US Marine Corps. During a trainingContinue reading “Honoring Paul Farmer”
Category Archives: Profound Life Events
On Infertility, Loss, Life, and Love
As astute followers of my blog know, Memorial Day – and May 28th in particular – is a significant day for me. Although the holiday is intended for remembrance of those who died while serving in the US armed forces, it is also the day my father died and so, for the last 28 years,Continue reading “On Infertility, Loss, Life, and Love”
Gone To Carolina In My Mind
Katie and I are moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina! Those closest to us already know, but it’s time to make this announcement public. Next month Katie will begin a PhD program in nutritional anthropology at the University of North Carolina. This process actually began more than four years ago as Katie became very concernedContinue reading “Gone To Carolina In My Mind”
A Family Wedding
Last weekend I had the honor of officiating my sister-in-law’s wedding in Tahoe. While the details of the wedding itself are private to the family, I’m glad to retell the story of the weekend, which was a grand affair. We flew into Reno Wednesday and made our way to Fjeldheim, a Norwegian family lodge upContinue reading “A Family Wedding”
TEDx Talk About Entrepreneurship
Last year I was honored to be asked to speak about entrepreneurship at Rice’s “Unconvention” in celebration of its centennial year. Instead of talking about lean startup, customer development, fundraising, or many of the other very well covered topics out there, I chose to focus on a framework for entrepreneurship that is, well, unconventional. MyContinue reading “TEDx Talk About Entrepreneurship”
Inspiring TJ Football Players
Last weekend was my 15-year high school reunion, which coincided with TJ‘s Homecoming. I was honored to be asked back by the football coach to talk to the team before the game. I’ve done this twice before and both times the team has followed up with its first win of the season. I can’t claimContinue reading “Inspiring TJ Football Players”
A Life of Significance
In my last post I mused about my pattern of chronic overcommitment and speculated that a contributing factor might have been my father’s early death contributing to a sense of urgency to get something done before it’s too late. This is probably a bit simplistic as it neglects the motivation to do something significant in the firstContinue reading “A Life of Significance”
Finnish Wedding Part 2
Friday began with an amazing breakfast buffet at our hotel. It was a veritable smorgasbord of Nordic staples: pickled herring, mustard herring, marinated salmon, little pancakes, organic spelt/barley porridge with lingonberries, eggs, freshly baked bread, cheese, pastries, nuts/seeds, and fresh fruit. None of this wimpy continental breakfast for us – these Finns know how toContinue reading “Finnish Wedding Part 2”
Wedding Part 6 – Final Reflections
A great deal happened on and around our wedding day. William and Kate were married a week before. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver split up. Our dear friends gave birth to their first child. Animal Kingdom, a horse with ties to Hot Springs, Arkansas, won the Kentucky Derby. Rice baseball swept UH to continue itsContinue reading “Wedding Part 6 – Final Reflections”
Wedding Part 5 – The Aftermath
Sunday morning we woke up for the first time as husband and wife. Practically speaking, nothing had changed. Emotionally speaking, everything was different. We had taken a big step and everything just seemed to shine. At breakfast the honey was a litte sweeter, the smiles a little broader, and the laughter a little louder –Continue reading “Wedding Part 5 – The Aftermath”