THANK YOU LINDSAY

Hello All,

Since I wrapped up our tornado response deployment in central Illinois, I have been traveling around Siberia.  And by Siberia, I mean the upper midwest, where temperatures have resembled what we can expect during the next ice age.

In much more exciting news, a few weeks ago a beautiful woman named Lindsay came from Chicago to volunteer on my tornado response team.  After a calendar year of Dan and me endlessly forced to stare at each other on job sites all around the country, I think we both thought Lindsay was a mirage when she showed up one morning to work with us.

I think I must have blacked out shortly after she arrived.  (pretty women and condiments are two things that have been known to make me faint)  At the end of our day in the field, I miraculously had an invitation to go up to Chicago to visit Lindsay and check out the city!  I don’t think she had any idea what she was getting herself into.  After all, I’m the guy who has no idea why I keep finding two forks next to my dinner plate, and the last time I had on a matching outfit was when my mother dressed me for my baptism in 1983. 

My time in Chicago over this past month has been wonderful.  Lindsay has taken me to do more activities than the guys from Step Brothers could ever dream of.  Theatres, and concerts, and dinners, and art etc.  You spoiled me big time!  Thank you for opening my eyes to things other than college football and the kids menu at Applebees.

All kidding aside, it's not every day that I'm lucky enough to meet someone that serves as an example for how I want to live.  You combine such hard work with hard play, and are incredibly loyal to your family and friends.  It's inspiring stuff.  Thanks for giving this earth wondering nucklehead the time of day.  You are good peoples.

Mark/Chops

PS. I just finished my 1,500+ mile journey from Minneapolis to Boston for the holidays.  I capped off the road trip by hanging out with some great friends and watching Clemson Crew's very own Adam Langlois perform as a stand up comic.  He is incredibly talented and is quickly taking Boston by storm with his jokes and devilish good looks.  I'm proud of you sir.  Keep it up! 

Check him out (maybe NSFW)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUQZC8_f-L4

PPS.. Thanks LK for taking the time.  You are a good friend.

Merry Christmas!

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

LUNCH WITH MS LINDSAY. REST ASSURED THAT SALAD ISN'T MINE.

IF I ONLY HAD $1 FOR EVERY TIME I GOT THIS LOOK FROM SOMEONE

NOT SURE I AM DOING ANYTHING OTHER THAN MAKING LAURA UNCOMFORTABLE.  THERE IS A BABY IN THERE! 

BRAVING ARCTIC TEMPERATURES DURING OUR LAST WEEK OF TORNADO RESPONSE IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS

MET UP WITH DR. KATIE PERKINS DURING A PITSTOP AT MILE 1,050 OF MY ROADTRIP TO BOSTON!

CLEMSON CREW TEAM REUNION AT PLYMOUTH ROCK!  GREAT GROUP OF GUYS.  WE LOOK LIKE WEREWOLVES.  

GREAT PEOPLE. GREAT WORK.

Hello All,

For the last few weeks I have been busy with our tornado response team that is fully engaged in Washington, Illinois.  It is estimated that last months storms left behind close to 2,500 damaged homes, with a great deal of them, perhaps 1,000, completely destroyed. 

On Thanksgiving, I had a father and his 10 year old son drive up to the homesite I was working at in the middle of all the carnage.  The two of them were complete strangers to me.  There wasn't another soul in site.  They rolled down the window and asked me if I was hungry.  The next thing I knew, they brought Thanksgiving dinner right to my work site.  Including all the fixings!  It was surreal, unreal, and heartwarming.  It was a Thanksgiving I will never ever forget. 

Finally, just yesterday my good pal Frank came down from Chicago.  He brought along with him two of his incredible coworkers, Lindsay and Trent, to join forces with our response team here in Washington.  This turned into one of those days/memories that I will hang my hat on for years to come.  Great people. Great work.  Great time.  All in an effort to help a community recover.  Thanks for everything Frank, Lindsay, Trent, and Sam Adams!  You all were rockstars!

 If we can get lucky and hold off that midwest winter and its snow a bit longer, we will continue our efforts here in Washington.  Wish us luck!

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

WASHINGTON, ILLINOIS SHORTLY AFTER THE F4 TORNADO HIT

DAY ONE OF DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

THANKSGIVING MORNING ABOUT TO SEARCH THROUGH DEBRIS FOR MEMORIES

CAUGHT UP WITH MY PAL MIKE FOR A FEW HOURS ON THANKSGIVING.  CONGRATS TO YOU AND ASHLEY ON THE ENGAGEMENT AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME OVER!

BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL REUNION WITH FRANK.  REPRESENTING THE VERY TOP AND BOTTOM OF OUR CLASS RANKINGS.  I'LL LET YOU GUESS WHICH END I WAS ON

TEAMING UP WITH FRANK TO GUT A HOUSE

TRENT, FRANK, AND LINDSAY FROM SAM ADAMS CAME OUT AND DOMINATED WITH SOME OF OUR REGULARS, JOSH AND IRV!

ONE OF OUR INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS WORKING IN THE BITTER COLD.  FOUND OUR HOMEOWNER'S BAR OF SILVER UNDER THE RUBBLE!

WASHINGTON SWEATSHIRT IMPALED PERFECTLY TO A TREE IN WASHINGTON, ILLINOIS

RUNNING A HUGE CREW OF INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS

FRANK THE TANK WORKING HARD!

TAKING A BREATHER FROM DEMOLITION WITH TRENT!

MS. SAM ADAMS AKA LINDSAY, THE ONE WOMAN WRECKING CREW!

FOREVER ON THE GO

Hello All,

Over the last week or so I have been all over the map.  I was lucky enough to join my club soccer team from Boston for our annual team dinner.  These are some of the best people in the world and I am truly fortunate to have them in my life.  (Thanks to the one and only Kevin Broome for picking me up in New York and taking me to the aforementioned dinner in Boston.  You are a man for others!).  

I was also lucky enough to catch up with some of my Clemson pals.  Guys that I never ever get to see and it was such a treat to spend some time with them.  Thanks for making my day Bucket, Wonka, and Aron.  We played golf at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus NJ.  The place is incredible.  Home of a Ryder Cup and multiple PGA tour events etc.  I wouldn't have traded spending that time with you guys for anything.  Did I mention these Clemson friends of mine are pro golfers?!?!  Needless to say, I didn't win golf.  We ended the day watching the Clemson v Georgia Tech game with my pal Kennyballs and the Tigers won big.  A day I wont soon forget.  Thank you.

A big thank you too to my brother Brian and his cash money wife Emily, B and Brenna, and Lindsay for making time to see, house, and feed me on such short notice once again.  My visits are never long enough but it was really great to see you all.

Then, as I was making my way to New York City, tornadoes struck much of the midwest.  Planes, trains, and automobiles later, and I am in Washington, Illinois with my disaster response team.  We are currently designing a plan of attack to get our teams into ground zero to help those in need.

 It's time to get to work.  I'll update when possible.

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

CAUGHT UP WITH THE BEST DRESSED CLEMSON GRAD IN NYC.  KENNYBALLS!

TERRIBLE PHOTO.  INCREDIBLE FRIENDS.  BOSTON SOCCER CLUB ANNUAL DINNER!  VIVA LAFIF!

ONE OF THE VERY BEST - KEVIN BROOME!

CHRISTINE SWEENEY IS NOT IN THIS PICTURE.  MEG IS!!

BEARD GROWING CONTEST AGAINST GREG!

BOSTON SOCCER CLUB GUYS AND CARDOSO'S MUSTACHE.  BOTH AWESOME

THE LOVELY MRS. MCGILVERY!  NOT MY WIFE.  I WISH.

THE PRIDE OF SOUTHIE - MY BROTHER BRIAN

A QUICK LUNCH WITH BLONDIE!!

I'LL LET YOU GUESS WHO ISN'T A PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL...  GREAT TIME WITH SOME OF THE CLEMSON GUYS.  

KAT!! ROSS!! MUSTACHE!!!  

THE SETTING SUN AS I MAKE MY WAY FROM NEW YORK CITY TO ILLINOIS

SMOLDERING SKY SOMEWHERE IN INDIANA

1,000 MILES LATER, I ARRIVED.  MAKING INITIAL ASSESSMENTS AT GROUND ZERO IN WASHINGTON, ILLINOIS

THIS 2,400 MILE JOURNEY WAS ALL ABOUT THE DESTINATION. BOSTON STRONG!

Greetings all,

I just made my way from Boulder, Colorado to Boston.  I did the first 1,000 miles or so to Minnesota with my good friend Dan.  I then did the next 1,400 miles on my own and the next thing I knew, I was in Boston.  

This 2,400 mile journey was all about the destination.  I couldn't get there fast enough. My hometown Boston Red Sox just won the 2013 World Series and there was a parade to celebrate.  Given all that transpired this past spring with the Boston Marathon bombings, the Red Sox and their championship season was a rallying point for many here in Boston and I didn't want to miss the celebration of a lifetime in my hometown.  

I made my way out to the parade with my childhood pals B and Dano, as well as with Brenna and Christine. ( two women too pretty to be with the three of us)   The streets of Boston were a madhouse.  The crowd was huge.  The air was electric.  The hairs on my arms stuck straight out while taking part in this celebration.  I don't know... Hard to describe.  It's something I will remember for a long time. This celebration was about much more than a beloved baseball team.  It served as a reminder to me about living the life we dream of and the freedom we have to do so.  It was about the Boston Marathon victims, survivors, and all the heroes involved.   It was an incredible experience!

The second reason for making my way east was to visit my family.  Given my transient lifestyle these days, it is not often I get to see them.  It was so wonderful to make my way down to Cape Cod to spend  some time with my parents, my favorite sister Susan,(my only sister) and my aunt Judy and uncle Bill.  Also, although not long enough I got to spend a little time with my brother Brian and my sister in law Emily while in Boston as well as with my good pal Lindsay, and the McInnes and D'ambra families.  Thanks to each of you for finding time to see me, feed me, and house me!

Who knows when the next party in Boston with 2,000,000 people in the streets will be.  Who knows the next time I'll make it east to see my family and some of my closest friends.  The time for this was now.  The actual journey is already a bit of a blur to me.  What's crystal clear however was my weekend in Boston.  It was for sure one of those moments in my life that I'll hang my hat on forever.

Thanks to all those that made my time in Boston possible and memorable.  

On The Road

Mark/Chops

USUALLY IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY. NOT THIS TIME.  THIS TIME IT WAS ABOUT THE DESTINATION! BOSTON STRONG!

SOO SAD TO BE LEAVING.  I'LL BE BACK SOON COLORADO!

NOTHING TO DO IN THIS STATE, SO WE DECIDED TO CLIMB ON THE WELCOME SIGN

TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WHILE VISITING IOWA.  THE ANSWER:  KEEP DRIVING

BOSTON IN 27 HOURS!

PRUDENTIAL AND HANCOCK BUILDINGS.  WELCOME TO BOSTON!

AN IDEA OF HOW PACKED THE CITY WAS FOR THE PARADE.

YOUR 2013 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS! JOHNY GOMES AND THE RED SOX!

CATCHING THE PARADE WITH MY OLD PALS B, BRENNA, DANO, AND SWEENEY!

BOSTON STRONG.  WORLD SERIES TROPHY ON THE BOSTON MARATHON FINISHLINE (WISH THIS WAS MY PICTURE)

CAUGHT TWO SOCCER GAMES WHILE IN BOSTON.  THE D'AMBRA FAMILY...  AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE VIEW FROM THEIR GAMES.

SO NICE TO SEE THE OCEAN AT MOM AND DAD'S PLACE.  IT HAD BEEN TOO LONG.

JANE AND TED SIMPLY DOMINATING WITH THE YARD WORK.  LOOKING GOOD MOM AND DAD!

SURPRISE VISIT TO CAPE COD TO VISIT MY FOLKS AND THE SISTAH SUSAN! OBVIOUSLY LOVE MY DAD'S CHOICE OF SWEATSHIRTS AND THOSE NECHAMA DISASTER RESPONSE HATS!

WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS

Please let me provide you with a brief list of things I was doing between the ages of 18-24.

• chased women around the clock.  More often than not they ran faster than I could chase.
• sat backwards on a skinny boat for a few hours a day with 7 other college dudes getting screamed at to paddle harder
• collected an endless supply of mediocre grades at multiple institutions of higher learning
• occupied a 4th floor cubicle in Boston
• drove my parents crazy

I'll stop there.  The point being, I wasn't doing anything impressive.  Nothing at all.

Where am I going with this??.....

For the past month I have had a front row seat to watch nine 18-24 year old men and women in action.  These would be the Vinton, Iowa Cedar 4 Americorp NCCC Team that NECHAMA sponsored to aid our flood response efforts.  That's a mouthful.  Essentially you are looking at nine young adults who have committed to a year of around the clock service to better our country.  It could be working with schools, national parks, society at large, or in this case, a community devastated by a natural disaster.  The long and short of it is this...  I watched this group of beautiful young people work from dawn until dusk to better the lives of complete strangers.  They excelled at everything Dan and I asked them to do.  They were all doing the dirty work in the trenches and kept asking for more of it.  Also, like seasoned professionals, they were wonderfully compassionate with our flood survivors.  Bakari, Molly, Sam, John, Patrick, Alan, Mahala, Devin, Bob... Folks, remember these names and faces.  I have no doubt that it's these very hearts and shoulders that will carry our world into a better place.  Good luck to the rest of us to try and keep up with them!

For the past month and a half  I have been up in the mountains north of Boulder, Colorado running field operations for NECHAMA's flood response team.  Over the course of the deployment WE put in almost 4,000 hours in the field!   Together, we worked around the clock to save as many homes as we could that were compromised by last month's floods.  With the help of several hundred volunteers and our AMAZING AMERICORP TEAM, we were able to provide our services FREE of charge to over 30 families in need.

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

IN HONOR OF DAN HOEFT'S ADDICTION TO DIET MOUNTAIN DEW... AMERICORP SHOTGUNS 9 DEWS.  DISGUSTING BUT IMPRESSIVE

BOB, AlAN, PATRICK, SAM, DEVIN, MAHALA, BAKARI, JOHN, AND MOLLY.   NECHAMA'S AMERICORP TEAM FROM IOWA.  INCREDIBLE GROUP. (MOLLY SACRIFICED TO TAKE THE PICTURE.  YOU ARE AWESOME!)

AMERICORP TEAM ARE ALL STARS, IRV AND GENE ARE LEGENDS, DAN IS DARTH VADER

NECHAMA'S LOS ANGELES TEAM!

FOUND THIS WHILE DOING FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS IN THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS 

A FEW WEEKS LATER THIS SHOWED UP IN THE MAIL WITH A THANK YOU NOTE FROM THE HOMEOWNER.  BETTER THAN ANY PAYCHECK I HAVE EVER RECEIVED

GOT TO SEE MY CLEMSON PAL KRISTINA MURRAY WHILE IN BOULDER!  ON THE BRINK OF STARDOM.  SO BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED.  KEEP IT UP KK!
WWW.KRISTINAMURRAYMUSIC.COM

4+ FEET OF MUD AND WATER HAD BEEN IN HERE.  NECHAMA MUCKED OUT AND GUTTED FOR 300 HOURS HERE. READY FOR REBUILD!

CARBONDALE, COLORADO NECHAMA RESPONSE TEAM!

I TURN AROUND AND FIND A DOG IN MY CAR.  I DON'T OWN A DOG.  AMERICORP!!!  CUTE HUH! THE DOG ISN'T BAD EITHER

TOP OF THE WORLD WITH SAM AND ALLEN!

A REMINDER OF JUST HOW SMALL WE ARE OUT THERE

ROCK CLIMBING AT 6,000 FEET

DAN, DEVIN AND ALAN GETTING CREATIVE 

ONE OF THOSE PICTURES THAT DOESN'T DO IT JUSTICE.  SUN SETTING IN THE WEST OVER THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS

TRYING MY BEST TO DESTROY THE RENTAL CAR

BEAUTIFUL VIEW AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.  HEARTS OF GOLD... THESE THREE.  

JANUARY 17, 1883! FOUND WHILE SALVAGING A HOME IN THE COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOWN OF LYONS!

BOYS BEING BOYS ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.  

TOLD YOU LADIES THIS WOULD MAKE THE BLOG.   TOM BRADY CALLED.... HE WANTS HIS UGGS BACK!