UNDER QUALIFIED AND OVERCONFIDENT: STORY OF MY LIFE?

Hello All,

After a 3 week flood response deployment in Illinois, I have made my way to southern Minnesota. While here, I have been doing some prep work for NECHAMA's next deployment and will begin some chainsaw training in the morning.  This is probably long overdue.  It will be nice to no longer have to pretend like I know how to use a chainsaw.  That was getting hard to fake.  This will also come in handy as it is quite likely that the next storm I respond to and lead field teams for, will be in response to a TORNADO, as that season is upon us.

As the weeks have gone by out here, I have really fallen for the Midwest.  It really is just a different way of life here.  I love Boston.  Always have, always will.  However, there is just something to life out here that is leaving a lasting impact on me.  I don't know what it is, but I know it isn't the cheese curds or 16 inches of snow Minneapolis just got last week.  

In the past week, I have learned how to skydive.  Not just jump out of a plane.  I had that down pat, but actually learned how.  Learned how to ride a horse??  Start off by giving treats to Sophie.  A little kick got Sophie to walk.  Clucking sounds with my tongue got a trot.  Making kisses had her running.  I think that's all there is to it, right?  Next up?  Riding a bull.  Dead serious.  That will be FANTASTIC.  Dan also showed me how to change the oil.  A small step for mankind certainly, but a huge step for a McGilvery man.   We are pros at driving the car to Jiffy Lube and asking nicely for someone else to do it.

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

I DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT I AM DOING OTHER THAN HOW TO JUMP OUT.  I HAVE THAT DOWN PAT!  DIDN'T STOP ME FROM PRETENDING LIKE I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING.

A LITTLE F SCOTT FITZGERALD AS THE SUN SETS ON LAKE CALHOUN, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

ME: 5 QUARTS OF OLIVE OIL?  DAN: DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING.  

PUTTING A YOGA MAT ON SOPHIE

GIVING SOPHIE TREATS PRIOR TO BOARDING.  NEVER BEEN ON A HORSE BEFORE BUT THAT'S NOT ABOUT TO PREVENT ME FROM RUNNING HER LIKE IT'S THE KENTUCKY DERBY

AT THIS POINT I AM HAVING A FULL ON CONVERSATION WITH MY HORSE ASKING HER NICELY TO RUN UP THE HILL.

IM THE COWBOY ON THE LEFT.  TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH A PROFESSIONAL RIDER

SOPHIE GAVE ME A PASS ON MY AWFUL COWBOY ATTIRE. I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO WALK TOMORROW