Oh, to graduate from high school

High school seems like so long ago. I mean, I graduated eight years ago, almost to the date! My life was so different then. I had no idea what I was going to do with myself, I was getting ready to go to college (and major in Computer Science nonetheless!), and I didn't have any really good friends to confide in.

This past weekend Janelle and I went back to Peoria, IL to celebrate my brother Cory's high school graduation from East Peoria Community High School (also my alma mater). We've been back to Peoria more times than I can count since I graduated, but it had been so long since I'd been back to the high school. It brought back so many memories-not just those of my own graduation 8 years ago, but of the 3 graduations held each year prior to my own. You see, as a high school band and choir geek, I had to attend graduation every year to play Pomp and Circumstance as well as play and sing selected pieces with the band and choir.

All of a sudden, while I sat on those ever-so-uncomfortable bleachers in the gym as the ceremony started, floods of memories poured into my head-of faces, laughs, music, teachers, and even homework-all of them, as if they had been hidden under a rock for all these years and just now uncovered. It was almost surreal.

Musings on Mini-Golf

Okay. So some of you have heard, others haven't, but I've been inspired recently to someday open and run my own mini-golf place. Not the traditional windmills and loop-de-loops of years past, but one of the more modern, "adventure" golf courses. One with the waterfalls, caves, landscaping, ponds, rivers, and challenging-but not too challenging-holes. My research says that I should stay away from "themes"; ie., pirates, jungles, mermaids, trolls, what have you; as they are more suitable for resort areas. If I stick to a more natural setting, have great visual appeal without going overboard or being cheesy, but still have a moderately challenging 18 holes, then people will keep coming back!

Also Greeley has no competition in this business! I would be a monopoly! Ha, ha, ha!

Seriously, though, after thoroughly researching this idea, it seems as though these quality mini-golf establishments do really well for themselves. They usually pay for themselves in the first year, even when their seasons are usually less than 6 months!

I have started a business plan and have even scouted some possible locations in the area. There are lots of options, but I don't know about prices yet. I know I could do all of this, except for the money part. That part being that I have none. And unfortunately it takes a lot to start up a new business. So now I'm stuck-how do I get started?

Sorry 'bout the wait, folks!

I want to honestly say "I'm sorry" to all of you who frequent our blog, that it has been so long since we have posted anything at all. You may have thought that we were just bored during April, and did nothing of substance to write about. However, if you did, you were most definately mistaken. It was quite the opposite in fact. There were two separate week-long trips to Chicagoland, 4 days in Albuquerque, NM, separate trips to Breckenridge and Vail, and multiple trips to Denver. I actually only worked in my office for 1 full day in April.

So, alas, I have much to write about, much to share. But unfortunately, I can't begin yet. I have over 30 voicemails to deal with, 10 emails to respond to, and 2 more travel reimbursements to finish today, and less than 3 hours left at work. AHHHHH!