Practice Move!

Next week we are moving across the country.  We are packing up what little possessions my wife has yet to sell, I think if I sat down too long she would try to sell me (ladies save your pennies).  We are driving, that's right kids, driving, across the country in the mini-van with 4 kids, 2 dogs, a trailer, and a fist full of tranquilizers.  We will be covering the 2400 mile journey over 5 days, with 4 overnight stops at some classic American landmarks, like MacDonald's and Wendy's.

So for a little "practice" and some much needed face time, we decided to head down to visit my family in Bowling Green.  Just 200 miles away.

The drive down was nearly perfect.  A DVD played the Bubble Guppies on a loop which kept the twins locked in and quiet.  The big kids tested out their new Nintendo DS's.  Mom and Dad had, for the most part, a pleasant drive.

We got to family number one, and managed to stay for several hours with no blood, no tantrums, and no broken knick-knacks (and believe me the latter was an accomplishment).  Note to anyone entertaining twin two year olds - We will break your stuff.

We laughed, we cried, we hugged, we had a Merry frickin Christmas.

Then we packed up and headed to the hotel, and there everything went awry.

Things started out OK.  The twins tried to break the hotel room phone, the big kids jumped on the bed, I tried to find HBO.  We ordered a pizza.  So far so good.

As a matter of fact everything was good, until we tried sleepy time.  I thought we would be fine with out cribs, the twins are 2 and a half.  They can handle big kid beds I thought.  Uhhhh. No. They can not!

The twins toss and turn like they are going through withdrawal, they are all over the place.  You would think I could hold down a 25 pounder, no... I can not.  After a short nap one of the twins through himself up over a wall of pillows and drove his head smack into the wall.  CRUNCH.  It immediately swelled up.  Now both twins are screaming and I literally do not know what to do.  How are we going to get any rest.

In the middle of the night, I jumped in the car and drove to Wal-mart to buy a pack-n-play.  Now you can make fun of fatties wearing tight sweats at Wally world all you want, believe me you are never so happy as when you find an open Wal-mart in a strange town when your kids are having a melt down.  I get the 70 dollar pack-n-play and rush back to the hotel.

Cyndi gave the twins a bath to keep them calm (brilliant), while I assembled the crib.  I notice a stain and a Lincoln Log in the unit, yeah... I had bought a used pack-n-play from Wal-mart at 1:00 AM.  EWWWW.  (Side note: who is playing with Lincoln Logs in 2013?) At this point, its not like we can stop... its still go time.  We throw both twins in the used crib (with plenty of sheets to protect them from the ewwww) and climb into bed.  This went much better than I thought it would.  The twins were really calm and after spending about the next two hours talking to each other, they finally decided to lay down and sleep.

At one point in the night, I got up and found Grant sleeping nearly standing up, his face pressed into the mesh and his butt sticking straight out.  I should have taken a picture, it was a classic moment.

During this entire period (of screaming and head bumping), the big kids are independently a COMPLETE WRECK.  Carson is complaining of a stomach ache from quite possibly the greasiest pizza ever constructed (we had to wring it out before serving it) and Becks is having full on night terrors (screaming and shaking).

Several hours of VERY LIGHT sleeping later we make it to morning.  The kids wake up like they have been on a spa vacation and are completely refreshed while Cyndi and I feel like we were on an all night bender.  Good Times.  Don't worry... the morning brings more joy.

Cyndi is in the bath getting ready for family #2 and I am cleaning up some dirty diapers.  I change Gabe and start to work on Grant.  I hear the thud of the door banging.  I am not alarmed since the twins have been doing this for HOURS (the neighbors LOVE us).  This time though, the banging stops.  I assume (read make an "ass" of "me") that Cyndi has pulled him into the bathroom. Nope! He escaped!  For a solid 30 seconds my 2 year old is loose in a hotel.  I open the door to look left, don't see him, look right, don't see him.  Anybody with kids knows the TERROR I am experiencing at this second.  I start down the hallway when I hear the tell tale scream of the Gabester.  He is in another room down the hall where housekeeping has scared him back out into the hallway.  The image I see is my two year old, sippie cup in hand, running out of a strange hotel room in a mix of sheer joy and terror.  Its the thrill of being "loose" with fear of being alone without Mommy and Daddy.  I ran to him as fast as I could physically run, if someone had stepped out into that hallway I would have laid them out.  I grab him and he screams and squeals like it was the most fun he had all day.  Punk!

Get back to the room... OK let's get the F out of here before anything more happens.

Now we still have a family Christmas yet to go.  This one was a little rougher, the twins were a little cranky.  We got through and had a great time and finally had to call it a trip when the twins started to go 3-mile Island over the neighbor hood kitty.  We hugged it out, said our goodbyes and jumped in the van.  It wasn't five minutes in the car and 75% of the kids were stone cold asleep (when you have this many you quantify in percentages).

The drive home was again rather uneventful, things got a little rough again with about 20 miles to go, but we endured.  How we are going to endure 4 days of this? I don't yet know, but man what a good story it is going to make.

Thanks for reading.... chat again soon.

- Eric

The BIG Move!

So... I have been rather quiet here because big things have been afoot for us and I thought it would be best to keep radio silence until everything got itself worked out.  As anyone who would read this know knows, I have accepted a job in the San Francisco Bay area and we will be moving out to California to start 2014.

It was a big decision, but I just thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up so we are going to make the leap.

We are going through the normal pains of moving, made a million times worse by trying to move across the country.  My wife has sold nearly all of our possessions, I have spent the last month sitting on camping chairs, eating on a foldout table, and sleeping on a mattress on the floor.  I so look forward to a real couch again.

I will do a lot of blogging and take a lot of pictures.  I plan to share this experience with anyone who wants to share in it with us.  We are going to be tourists on the left coast and see all that the other side of the country has to offer, all while getting paid.  I don't know where this little journey will take us, but I can't wait to get there.

- Eric.

Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day to you and yours.

I know haven't done much here lately, but don't you worry... major changes and updates are coming for the Stary Family.  December and January will be a very crazy time for us.  I will post an update as soon as I am able.

Hope you have a great holiday and a great Christmas/New Year.

- Eric

Cold and Wet

This past weekend was fairly standard late October weather in this part of the country, as a general rule I don't recommend standing out in it for extended periods of time, especially if you are wet.  But for some reason the Stary boys and myself were doing just that TWICE in one weekend.

On Saturday the boys (Carson and Becks) had a popcorn sale at a the Union Ace Hardware.  It was 40 degrees and raining and the boys were outside for 4 and half hours, pimping popcorn to everybody who needed supplies that day.  The boys were AWESOME!  They were tough, they did their job, and they did it without complaining the entire time.  I was freezing my nads off, and they just kept pushing along.  Its especially awesome for the Beckster who isn't even an official Scout (kindergartners are not eligible), but he stood there with his brother and some new friends and rocked it.  I was so proud of them.

I do have one little complaint.  If it is cold and raining and you see 5 little boys standing out in front of a store to sell you popcorn you don't have to buy.  Its OK.  You can just say no thanks, or you can donate the change in your pocket.  But those dozen or so people who steamrolled by or were dismissive, you are worthless piles of monkeyshit.

Sunday, was a nicer day but the general trend of cold and wet continued.  I did a Tough Mudder.  For those that don't know this is a 12 mile slog though mud and rock over farmland in rural Kentucky.  There are obstacles which freeze, shock, and torture you.  It is absolutely brutal and an awesome time.  It took me 5 hours to complete, mostly because as it turns out I am not terribly good a walking down muddy trails.  I moved slowly and still managed to fall.  A LOT!  I have a couple of awesome bruises and my knees feel like someone bashed them with a hammer, again... I fell... A LOT!

Here are the basic highlights and lowlights of the event from my rookie perspective:

1. The "Arctic Enema" is a ice bath.  You jump into a dumpster of ice water, more ice than water.  Walk about 20 feet.  Go under some boards (to force you to submerge your face).  Then climb out.  Obviously it sucks, but its not that bad.  The cold takes your breath away and you can't get air in.  The worst part was trying to get out, because you just could not do it fast enough!

2. Electroshock.  Two obstacles "shock" you with 10,000 volts.  Yes it hurts.  But again, its not that bad.  The worst part here is that the obstacles force to move rather slowly.  The first has you crawling under barbed wire, the second running through a mud pit.  Side note: it turns out I am very good at crawling through mud on all fours! When you get hit it hurts, but its not that bad.

3. THE MUD! The mud is the worst part of the event (I know... DUH!), but it really does suck.  There are mud obstacles, some of which are so slippery you can't get any traction.  The people behind you have to push, people in front pull.  There were sections of hills (up and down) where you could not stand.  You had to drag yourself up with grass and rock or slide down on your ass.  Like I said, I fell.  A LOT!  My knees are beat to hell.

4. The Walls.  My best bruise is from the wall obstacles.  I am short, so I can't hop up straight into a full extension like some of these guys could (jealous!).  I had to grab the wall, pull myself up and hook an arm over the wall to hold myself while I pulled my body up.  My right arm (I will post a pic), is bruised up like a character on Mike Tyson's punchout.

5. My FAILS! I had a couple fails.  Monkey Bars = FAIL.  I fell off the second bar.  Admittedly, I don't have great grip strength and it showed.  The Warped Wall / Mt. Everest = FAIL.  This is basically a half-pike, you run up grap the top, pull over.  I ran up, grabbed the top, and fell down.  I tried again and again and again and again and again.  I decided after the fifth fail, I would get that one next year.

All in all, it was a great experience.  Its fun to challenge your self like that.  I am very sore right now, and after having done this, I will be much more prepared for next year's event.  51 weeks to train!

My next challenge will be a marathon.  The Flying Pig Marathon will be here before I know it.  Time to get running!

Happy Birthday to Me - Mr. Subliminal

36 was pretty good to me.  37 will be better.

For starters this post should be read as if by Mr. Subliminal (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgqmzk_mr-subliminal_shortfilms)

Physically, I am in the best shape of my adult life.  Yes, that shape is rounder than I would like it to be (more of an ellipse I guess), but it is considerably less round than I was a year ago at this time and far less round than I have been in the past (31 year old Eric had to go buy fat pants).  And let's be honest, 17 year-old Eric was a fat little pud too (not to mention a douchebag), so its not like I used to look like an underwear model.

I am strong for an old man, not 22 year-old Eric strong, but I also don't get to spend 2 plus hours in the gym every day (you would think all that work would have had a better pay-off).  My shoulders and knees now hurt all the time.  The other night I got down on the floor to read books with the wife and kids and my left knee said "stay down" (my left knee talks like Drago from Rocky IV).

I will do better this year than I did last year.  I have a much improved philosophy on eating (less donuts) and I have a great workout plan that I have settled into (go to gym and do stuff).  I will eventually look like an underwear model, now it may be a Depends underwear model, but damn it I got to start my second career somewhere.  I am coming for your title Marky Mark!  C'mon... feel it feel it.

Mentally, I feel like I am right where I should be (still functioning).  I guess.  I can't remember anything my wife tells me.  I can't find my keys or my wallet.  I can't remember where I parked or where I am driving to (sometimes I just drive and hope my wife tells me where to turn).  I can't spell (stupid spellchecker).  I can't remember anyone's phone numbers (stupid smartphones).  I have no idea where I put my pants.  Why did I put this here?  Who was that?  What is her name?  When did we buy this chicken?  Where are my kids?  No seriously... where are the kids?  Oh... cool beans!

Work is work... mehh!  I have a good job.  I am good at it.  I am trapped (mortgage).  I get paid well.  Hello rock this is hard place, hard place meet rock.

My life at home is awesome (loud).  Yes it can be stressful and yes at times I might want to pull my hair out (too late), but I have no complaints.  My wife and kids (and mortgage) are the reason I stay on that wrecking ball.  But the first chance I get to open that burger shop (need $150,000), consider me gone.

I have great friends.  I don't get to see them as much as I would like, but as my kids get bigger and our babysitter options get broader we plan to see more of you and more often.  If you clicked on that link... yep... that is the entire movie.  Copyrights be damned!

I keep getting better with age (like Mexican box wine).  I look forward to another year of kicking ass (my own).

Who-Dey and have a great friggin' "Year of Eric"!

Yeah Football Season

I love fall.  Everything about it is awesome.  The weather, at least in this part of the country, is awesome with cool nights and warm days.  It's blue jeans and hoodie weather, which doesn't cause near the same amount of problems here as it does in Florida.  The beer is great and the food is great as both are flooded in the seasonal goodness that is pumpkin flavor.  However, please note, eating an actual pumpkin tastes like shit.  But on top of all that other general awesomeness is the return of football.

I love football, not in the "oh goodie my favorite team is on", but in the "yeah sure I will watch a Division III game between two teams which previously haven't won a game in 10 ten years".  I will watch high school games, and then incorrectly remember my own high school football tales of glory.  They are much better in my head than they ever were in real life.  I am a Bengals fan, which means the vast majority of my adulthood was spent angry on Sunday afternoons, but lately the happy Sunday is outpacing the "we suck" Sunday.  As a general rule, if you talk to me on Sunday you should check the score before you call!

Fall will be interesting for the family as well this year.  Carson is in first grade and Becks is in the Big K.   I took today off work (its a Friday), and I am sitting here typing while the twins play.  There is no reason for me to walk outside and curse "Put my friggin' tools back!" or "No, you can't use my flippin' chainsaw".  Both boys are somebody else's problem right now!!! Carson seems to be having a tough time with getting up early, at least he keeps waking up on the cranky ass side of his bed.   Not to mention every school night has been a fist fight at bed time, thankfully my wife doesn't take any shit from grammar school kids.  If it were just me, they would be up playing on-line poker after 10PM, because I am a sucker and poker skills are good for math.

We are going to try cub scouts with Carson this year.  I am a little gun shy because I get the feeling this will end up being an activity where I have to do a bunch of stuff and he pouts about having to go.  Hopefully I am wrong.  We all could use to learn some scout skills, you know... for when the Zombie Apocalypse sets in!  Side Note:  Walking Dead returns in October... yet another reason to love fall.  The scouts brochure is all about camping and fishing and outdoorsie crap, all of which I possess ZERO skills in.  It will make for a good blog post when I am the laughing stock of the jamboree!

Oh well... I am going to go take care of a little work on my day off.  Because I am a sucker!  Enjoy the long weekend, enjoy football season, enjoy fall, enjoy pumpkin muffins from dunkin donuts (seriously...), enjoy some pumpkin beers (soooo many good ones).

- Eric

Mommy's Boys

All my kids will listen to their mom, when mommy gets mad they do what they are told.  With me, for some reason, I have to turn into a green rage monster to even get their attention.

Last night, my wife went out to handle some business.  I was home with the kids after work, I usually find myself in this role once a week so its not like its new.  My kids see this as a "get out of jail free" card and just proceed to act like maniacs the entire evening.  I am certain that 100% of this is my fault.  I tend to let little things slide, I don't get rough with the kids (unless they ask me to pick them up and drop them on the couch), and I am not what you call a disciplinarian.  Admittedly, when it comes to parenting, I am more of a "no blood, no foul" parent.

So... here is a typical night at home with the kids, sans mommy!

6:00 PM - Daddy gets home from work (I leave early on days when mommy leaves).  Eat dinner and listen to mommy tell me what horrible little things they have done that day (just kidding... its mostly all good things).

6:30 - Slip into some sweat pants and go snuggle into the floor of the living room (its gated off so the "heathens", otherwise known as the twins, can't hurt themselves more than your standard double back tuck off the couch.  Tell the big boys to go outside.  We have a big front yard and its still awesome outside, get off your arse and get outside and play with your brother.

6:45 - Take my first of many walks to the door to check on the boys.  I notice Carson has smuggled my iPod outside (against my rules), and is listening to Adele (boy likes some music).  Get into argument with Carson over the volume of the music.  Tell Becks to stay in the yard.

6:50 - Back to the living room, change a diaper.  UHHH.  What did you eat kid?  Its like melted plastic back here.  Notice other twin is now standing on their play table jumping up and down screaming.  Finish diaper, go get other twin.  But wait... what is this... other twin needs a new diaper.  Its like they somehow have a psychic connection which tells the other twin... time to poop!

6:55 - Screaming from the garage.  Becks has crashed his bike.  No major wounds just a scratch, from the sound you fully expect to go out and see a bone sticking out.  Nope... just a scratch.  Band-aid, slap on the butt for good luck.  Get back out there.  Hey Becks... Stay in the yard!  and tell Carson to turn down the damn radio.

7:00 - Feed the twins their next snack.  If you have ever seen the movie "Stitch"... yeah, we have two of those.  EAT EAT EAT EAT EAT, throw crackers at dog.

7:15 - Back outside to check on the boys.  Everything we own is now outside of the garage and piled up in the driveway into what Carson is calling a restaurant.  Me: "Get this crap back in the garage".  Carson: "I can't its our restaurant, what would  you like to order?"

7:20 - On the couch, twins are now LOCKED IN on Disney cartoons, somehow I am also sucked in and strangely concerned about the location of Sophia's magic locket and what has become of the mean Wizard.

7:30 - Outside. Me: "Pick up these mother frickin' toys and get them back in the garage".  30 minute warning to the boys, i.e. 30 mins till bath time.  Becks... STAY IN THE YARD!

7:45 - Pajama time for the twins, like dressing a pissed off pig.  The twins, which are not the best communicators let me know they want something to drink by taking their sippie cups and smashing them into my head and then throwing them into the kitchen, as if to say "fill it up, punk"

8:00 - Big boys... time to come in side.  Sometimes this is easy breezy, sometimes this is full on melt down like I just killed their bunny.  Nothing makes me more mad than a meltdown, I can literally feel the green rage monster forming under my skin.  Spend the next 10 minutes negotiating terms of a bath/shower.  Me: "If you come in now I will let you watch Kindle for 30 minutes".  Boys: "Make it an hour and we get chocolate".  Me: "45 minutes, after bath, one piece of chocolate".

8:15 - Take the twins to bed, best part of the evening.  Most nights they are like little bed time robots.  They climb the steps, laugh, run to their room, slam the door shut, laugh, then proceed to try to flip over their rocking chair.  Hugs... kisses... good night.  For the next hour I can hear the sound of squeaking mattresses as the twins literally jump up and down in their beds.  Non-stop.  Like its a friggin' rave in their.

8:20 - Scream at the big boys to brush their teeth and go to the potty, for the first time.  Note: this will occur at least 8 more times in the next 5 minutes.

8:30 - For the love of all that is good in the world son, go to the potty and brush your damn teeth.

8:45 - Hugs and kisses, Me: "Don't get out of bed, go to sleep"

8:50 - Me: "If you don't stay in your beds, I am gonna come back up here and freak out"

8:55 - Me: "Seriously, why can't you stay in your beds."

9:00 - RAGE MONSTER!  "AHHH! STAY IN BED!  MAKE DADDY ANGRY!"

9:05 - Give up!  Go to my bed defeated.  Tell my wife everything was awesome, because quite frankly... it was awesome.  I love fighting the good fight with the boys.  I just hope they don't spend 10 years of their adulthood on the shrink's couch talking about the green rage monster.

Wake up. Go to work. REPEAT!

Enjoy your day!  I sure enjoyed mine!!!

Coney Island

Saturday was the annual "Twins Day" at Coney Island, so its an annual thing for us.  Last year was an absolute nightmare we were there for about ten minutes, the twins were insane little scream monsters and the big boys were too small to ride most of the rides (at least Becks was too small).

This year had to be better...

It didn't start off better!  The boys and I had been at a birthday  party earlier in the day, so we were already tired out.  And thanks to Becks putting a solid crack to Carson's face, Carson pulled his last baby front tooth (pic is on the twitter feed).  Tooth fairy had to go to the ATM!  But I digress, when we got to Coney the twins were not having it.  Grant screamed for 10 minutes straight.  I tried holding him, feeding him, letting him run, sticking him in the chair, nothing... just screaming.  That is... until he found rocks.  If you have ever been to Coney you know the picnic area is a big (crappy) playground covered in pebbles.  It seems all my children need to find joy is crappy playground covered in pebbles.  Grant walked around the area for 30 minutes as follows:  step, bend, pick up rocks, throw rocks, laugh, repeat.  It was like magic happy sauce.  It purged whatever demon he was wielding and before we finished our picnic he was again a happy, albeit dirty, child.

So we slapped on the leashes, we have these supper cute baby leashes which I HIGHLY recommend if you have a runner (or two), and went to the park.

The park was a bit of a mixed bag.  You can imagine what twin two year olds running on leashes looks like and when we are all moving in the same direction its cute, but when Grant goes one way and Gabe goes the other, it looks a little "rough", but we endured and no one called child services... WIN!

The rides were awesome.  Carson is big enough (and brave enough) to ride everything with me.  We did the roller coaster and the drop (elevator tower thing).  He was awesome.  Loved 'em and wanted back on as soon as we got off.  Becks is not quite ready.  The tower was a no go from sight, and while we did do the roller coaster together, I can admit the sheer look of terror on his face at the first drop was a bit more than I wanted him to endure.  The "get me off this thing" screams sure make for a "I am the worst parent in the history of parenting moment", which lasts for 2 full minutes during the ride.  All in all it was a HUGE win for the Stary Family at Coney.  Becks even won at the ring toss game, which is friggin' rigged.  I could have played a 1000 times and never won, Becks won on his second toss.  BOOM!

Good Day, Great Weekend, Now... get back to work.

Side note: The neck tattoo count at Coney is ridiculous!

Wisdom Teeth

I am 36 and 11/12ths, I have had a really good run lately with the dentist after basically going 10 years without going (things you don't do in your 20's).  At today's visit, my 4th in the last two years, the dentist mentioned that my wisdom teeth, still sitting patiently in my jaw could be a "problem" down the line.

Insert sad face!

If I have to get my wisdom teeth removed in my 40's because of aging gums, I will cry (just a little) every day for 10 years.  Not only do I not want to have to deal with the pain, I can fairly well assume my crap ass insurance won't cover but a speck of the bill.  Nothing like having to pay through the nose for your teeth.

Oh well... nothing I can do.  At least when it finally happens it will probably inspire a funny story or two for ericstary.com

#silverlining

First Day of School

Carson is now in first grade.  Becks is in kindergarten.  The Twins are, well they are still pooping themselves but damn it they will be in school soon too.  Its crazy how fast it seems to go.  Pics Pics

The first day of school is a weird day.  You picked out your favorite clothes, your best shoes, your new backpack.  You went to giant building filled with 100s to 1000s of other freaked out kids.  You sat down at your desk and then you tried to find another kid who looked or acted or dressed like you.  Misery loves company.

It must be especially weird in first grade and the big K.  Its not like you really know these kids, sure you may know some of the from the hood' but you don't know who this funny smelling kid in the seat next to you is. What are you gonna do if that kid is a turd?  Now you are stuck with the turd, all year!  And let's not even get started on the bus or the lunch room!

My stomach will be in knots all day for my kids, I don't pity that anxiety.  Sure, I am secretly jealous that they have their entire lives in front of them, but those first day of school butterflies.  They can keep them.

Boys, I wish you luck.  Have fun.  Make friends.  Listen to your teachers.  Be safe!  Come home safe!  I love you and I am proud of you.  Now, go kick some school ass!

Wow!

I got 159 page views yesterday, that made me $1.32.  What should I do with all that cash, money!  Perhaps a cup of the finest gas station coffee, 16 ounces of semi-hot truck stop black gold.  BOOM!

New Topic: Trophies.  So the boys got their baseball trophies yesterday, the season has been over for a month now, but we finally had the season ending picnic/trophy presentation.  You should have seen the look of pride on their faces when the coach handed them that plastic piece of awesomeness.  Becks dropped a vicious fist pump, Carson liked his so much he washed when we got home.  They now adorn their dresser as landmarks to their summer.  I still had most of my childhood trophies until just a few years ago when I finally tossed them out (jackass).  My favorite was my "T-ball Champs" trophy, which in hindsight knowing that 4 year old baseball is played without keeping score, lost a little of its luster!  But damn it, I was proud of that thing for the first 30 some odd years I had it!  Another favorite was my "Offensive Linemen of the Year" trophy from 5th grade football.  Who says being a chubby kid with good feet doesn't pay off?

I hope you day sucks less than normal.

- Eric

Week Off

So last week I made a conscious effort to eat as much as I could throughout the day.  I bought a bad of almonds and peanut m&ms and a box of protein bars.  I lifted heavy and shoveled the food in.  I gained 6 lbs in a week.  A WEEK!

I am good at gaining weight.

So that experiment worked a little too well.  I am gonna  have to pull back a bit or I am going to need to go back to my "fat pants" by the end of the month.

I really liked my workout that I put together and I will certainly keep that going.  I think I am going to move the cardio (running) to the start of the workout to make sure I don't skip it.  Then move to the weights.  I am going to cut way back on the carbs for a couple weeks, see how that treats me.

Enjoy the week!

The Fair

Yesterday was our annual outing to the Boone County Fair.  Not only is it the best deal in family fun (8 bucks for unlimited rides), but its the single best source of neck tattoo viewing in the greater metro area.

The boys did pretty good, we are in a weird age where the kiddie rides are getting boring for them, but the adult rides are still a little too much.  We rode some coaster thing together and about half way through the screams of joy turned into... are we done?

The big hit was the Ferris wheel.  The boys loved it.  Nothing like being stuck up 100 feet in the air with your life in the hands of Carnie.

We ate too much junk and brought home so donuts for Sunday morning.  Side note: fair donuts are awesome!

See the pics in the twitter feed.  Good Times!

Guess What?!?!

Football season is just 4 weeks away!  #WhoDey

OK.  So my wife is talking with this friend of hers who has a friend of hers who runs a couponing blog with over 5000 readers.  I think to myself, I am funny, interesting, not too bad on the eyes.  I have got to give this another go (which will be my 15th).

I think the problem is that I am not obsessed about... well... anything!

I am pretty big on the family stuff, but 5000 people aren't interested in pics of my kids eating donuts.  My job is boring, I stink at golf, I don't look the part of a guy with a workout blog, I don't drink enough beer for a beer site, and while I do like to eat I don't think 5000 people are going to read about how the folded over Dorito is quite possibly the greatest thing in the world.

So what can I do... What can I say to get 5000 readers.  My career obviously isn't going anywhere :)

This can be as good a hobby as anything else, and it would leave a legacy.  Sort of...

OK.  I will try this again.  I will spend less time looking up funny videos on YouTube.  I will spend more time telling people who don't exist how interesting I am, even if I have to fake it.

Thanks...

- Eric

Focus

I had a big life event, not really something to discuss over this format, but the event has really made me want to focus on a few things.  I plan to make some "updates" to some of the person goals I have been working towards this year.  First and foremost and something I can share here is my workout schedule for the rest of the summer (at least until my birthday).

DAY	Power	Work1	Work2	Work3	Work4	Superset	Cardio
Monday	Bench	Dips	Steam Engine	Push-up	Push-Down	Shoulder Superset	Tabata Set
Tuesday	Squat	DB Front Sq	DB MK Lunge	Ball Pike	Situps	Leg Superset	Treadmill
Wednesday	Pull-up	KBS	Rows	Back Fly	Upright Rows	Bicept Superset	Tabata Set
Thursday	Clean	Dips	Bench St. Eng.	Cables	Ball Squat	Tricept Superset	Treadmill
Friday	Deadlift	Chins	Dead Curl	Ball Pike	Sq. Thrusters	Uphill Walk	Tabata Set

The goal is to incorporate some raw power lifting moves into my interval training workouts which have been so successful for me this year.  Provided I can stave off the injuries which I always seem to get from this type of workout, I hope to add back a little "good" mass to my frame.

The second goal to modify, which I can share here, will be to update my wardrobe (a little) ahead of being ready to buy a whole new wardrobe (I am still carrying ten extra pounds in the middle, keeping away from that 34 inch waist).  But I have to admit my work jeans look terrible (just too big), and I was dressed up most of this weekend, and I have to say... I like the way that Eric looks.  ;)

The other things I need to "update" are a little more personal and not right to share with the world but rest assured a little work there will be a good thing.

Have a great friggin day!

- Eric

YOE - Update

So the Year of Eric had a great start.  I dropped 20 pounds, I got a new suit, and things were looking up.  Around late March I hit a stall and I haven't been able to shake it.  So after returning from my mini-vacation, which was basically ruined by 4 straight days of rain, I am back on the wagon and back in the game.

I am recommitting to my weight-loss plan and this time taking it up a notch.  I will thoroughly document the next 60 days with details, pictures, and notes with the goal of basically having a book on the matter written by the time I am done.  I don't have a number for the scale in mind, this time, but I do have a very detailed plan.

The book will fulfill another one of the YOE goals and I am trying to pick it back up on the others.  The nuts and bolts of the book will basically be a 60 day diary with images of everything I do and eat along with daily pics of me.  Nothing like embarrassing  yourself into success.

New Workout

Day 1: Crossfit
Day 2: Tabatha
Day 3: Crossfit
Day 4: Tabatha
Day 5: Crossfit
Day 6: Tabatha
Day 7: Off

Crossfit:

Warm-up Run
60 Push-ups
50 Kettle-bell Swings
40 Mary-Katherine Lunges w/ weight
30 Sit-ups
20 Ball-squats
10 Burpees
5 Power cleans

REPEAT!

Tabatha:

TBD!

New Tech

So I got a new tablet. Samsung Galaxy . I am very hopeful that this new technology in particular the microphone function will allow me to post much more often.

Eric Stary

Sorry if you received a spam from my Yahoo account.  I have been hacked.

Too much mulch!

So I ordered some bulk mulch over the weekend.  I have never done this before.  I usually always ordered bag mulch.  I would make two trips in the van with the seats all folded down and fill the back up.  Usually 30+ bags of mulch.  And still, it was never enough to finish the job.

So this year, I thought I would order in bulk and get enough.  BOY, did I get enough.  I wasn't sure how much to order so I kind of went based on price.  I ordered 10 cubic yards.  Basic geometry tells me that this is 30 feet wide by 30 feet tall by 30 feet deep.  Basic geometry doesn't do it justice.

First of all a dump truck dropped it off.  A full-on, full-size, construction site dump truck.  BOOM! Dumped right in my drive way.  It's a mountain.  I worked all day Sunday, and didn't put a dent in it.  Now, I have a bit to do left and I have some extra mulch projects I can work on.  But rest assured my neighbors are going to hate looking at that mountain of mulch before I get it all used up.

See the twitter feed for a pic, but it doesn't do it justice.

:)

- Eric

June 6th

One of the things that always bothers me is when people talk about how terrible our collective lives are right now, in this moment in history.  I know I fall victim to complaining every now and again, but as a lover of history I try to keep things in perspective.  There is no greater lens to focus that perspective, in my opinion, than June 6, 1944.  Just watch the first 20 or so minutes of Saving Private Ryan and think about what it was like living in that time, in that world.  Now shut-up that your mocha-caramel-latte  is not properly "mochafied" for your tastes and go about your day.

We are blessed to live in a time of relative peace and prosperity, especially in this country.  Enjoy it!

Baseball

So baseball has been really getting better.  The boys are active, participating, and really trying.  They aren't quite grasping all of it yet, but their effort has really made me happy.  They swing, and run, and chase.

Catching... on the other hand... no so good.

Becks took TWO off the face, the face, yesterday.  I felt so bad for him.  Thankfully we have a week off, so he may forget about it.  I have tried to teach them how to protect their face, but clearly I have failed.  We are going to have to work on it.

Working

So after two months of completely disregarding my diet, I am pretty well back on the wagon.  I am tracking my food again and trying to really watch my intake during the week.  As for the weekend, well... anything goes.

My goal here will be to lose 2 lbs a week during the month of June.  If I can pull this off, I will be just 10 pounds from my Year of Eric goal with 6 months left to get it.

Workouts are good, doing a lot of crossfit/interval type stuff.  Its very tiring, exhausting stuff, and a killer on your arms since pretty much every routine somehow involves 100 pushups.  I need to add chinups or something to this stuff or I am gonna end up looking lopsided with zero back muscles.

Today I am going to run and maybe do a small version of the ladder workout (below) but substituting something for pushups.

50 Pushups
40 Lunges
30 Situps
20 Squats
10 Burpees
Plank (one minute)
- Repeat in reverse order.

Weep.

Finished.

Boom.

June.

I can't believe its already June.  The end of this month marks two years at Medpace, another "hard to believe" fact.  Time to get my ass in gear or the Year of Eric is going to fall flat and need a do over of its own.

Goals for June:

1. Drop 8 pounds
2. Stop dropping softballs in the outfield (I had two errors yesterday.  UGH)
3. Have a date night with the wife
4. Do something awesome with the big kids (I am thinking Kings Island)
5. Do something awesome with the whole family (I have a mini-vaca, 4 days off this month)
6. Play a round of golf
7. Keep working on my HTML book
8. Keep on searching

Let's hope for good weather and some good breaks.  Enjoy the month.

Just making a point

I am sitting on my patio, reading my Learning HTML book, its 70 degrees and awesome.  All 4 kids are playing on their Little Tikes playsets.  We are getting ready to go to baseball at 1:00 with daddy's softball game tonight at 6:30.

Not everything in my life is perfect, but more is perfect than not.  Here's to another awesome summer weekend at the Stary House!

Yard Work

Something happens when you buy a house, a chore which annoyed you as a teenager becomes a task you relish. I love mowing the yard!

Memorial Day Weekend - Start of Summer 2013

It has been a ridiculous couple of weeks and not the good kind of ridiculous (aka ridonkulous).
1. Work has been insane, staying late nearly every day.  Everyone needs everything URGENTLY.  I am working so fast I can't see my fingers move, it looks like a movie montage.
2. Kids have been sick, nasty little stomach bug.
3. Appointments, meetings, generally busy...

But this is a holiday weekend and by damned it we are gonna go out and have some fricking family fun.

We are gonna play, and do yard work, and drink beer, and eat hamburgers, and exercise, and did I mention play!

Have a safe and Happy Memorial Weekend.  Long live summer!

Summer Workout

Complete 2 sets each group, no rest in group.  2 times per week.

Jumping Jack

Mountain Climber

Burpee

Ball Pike

KB Swing

Curls

Lat Raise

Bicycle

Sq. Thrusters

Tri - PD

Chest Fly

Crunch

One-Arm C&P

Back Fly

Skulls

Mountain Climber

DB Lunge

Ball Squat

Wood Chop

Hammer Curl

DB Side Crunch

Wt. Push-up

Chin-up

Ball Twist

Jumping Jack

Mountain Climber

Burpee

Ball Pike

21's

Impulse Decisions

I am a bit of an impulse buyer.  I see something, I want it, I get it!  In an effort to expand on my YOE plans, I am going to try to pull that back.  Let’s see if for one month, I can make ZERO impulse buys.  I am starting tomorrow because I need a new pair of shoes, but I really do need them J

Happy May

It is hard to believe that summer is almost at hand.  I really have to get cracking on those Year of Eric goals before the year is over!

Goals

Perhaps the most important thing about having personal goals is being able to admitting that you failing and that you need to start over.  I was so effective the first two and a half months of this year, that I think I got a little cocky, over sure.  I stopped putting in the effort.

- REFRESH -

Ok.  So I pretty much sucked the entire month of April.  I have gained weight, ate like crap, learned nothing, and continued to not put my best foot forward.  So after hitting bottom last night (when I feasted on chips and beer then somehow managed to top it off with a bowl of ice cream), I get to start anew.

Starting this morning, after breakfast which also was no so good. I am picking it back up.

I am back on the wagon!

ericstary.com

I am an impulse buyer just waiting to happen.  So I just re-re-re-re-re-re-upgraded the ericstary.com account to a full website and I will re-re-re-re-re-re-re-commit myself to developing the page and turning it into a profitable endeavor.

I had a solid conversation/bitch-fest with a great friend the other day, and after hearing myself speak I think this is the best way to ensure I continue developing professionally and personally.  I have been complaining for sometime that I needed a hobby beyond getting older.  Well hobby, here you go.

Plus, this fits in with the whole YOE concept well.  Nothing better than committing yourself to being a better person and blasting that commitment to the planet.  Like an open invitation to a sink or swim event.

So... the next question is what should this little project focus on.  I guess to be fair to myself and my legions of fans, I should focus on me and what I deal with daily.  With that said here are the agenda items for ericstary.com version 2.0 (its more like 18.0 but I really don't count the other 17 attempts at this).

1. Parenting, after all it is the majority of my free time
2. Work, or at least the things I can talk about as part of work
3. My never ending struggle to be fit, there is a topic I can always fall back on
4. Professional development, namely HTML and Data skills I wanted to develop anyway
5. Life as a 36 year old personally satisfied, professionally stagnated, dude

I think that should cover this nicely.  Wish me luck!

- Eric

Phase 2 - YOE

Happy Tuesday.

Well yesterday, I kicked off phase 2 of the year of Eric.  I basically took the second half of March and first half of April off.  One too many beers, one too many bowls of ice cream.  I did a whole lot of work and I weigh 2 pounds more than when I stopped in mid-March.

Unlike the first round where my focus was really on losing the poundage, this is more of an overall fitness goal, so I am not going to restrict my diet as much.  Instead I will focus on eating the right foods and the right amount of them while trying to push the workouts just a little harder.  This time of year offers the bonus of the great weather which always helps at "dinner" when instead of eating a second plate, we are running outside to play in the grass.

As previously planned, I will keep taking before and after shots.  Hopefully by late September I will be proud enough to actually display them.

BIO

I was looking through this site and couldn’t help notice that I really don’t have a BIO.  How can this be my personal branding piece if I really don’t explain who I am, or at least my perception of who I am?

 

So, here are the things that make me… ME!

 

I am a husband and father of four.  That gets listed first because for the last few years, especially the last two (our twins are two years old), this has been the majority of my life when I am not at work or asleep.  The kids (all boys) are 2, 2, 5, and 6.  They have personalities as different as complete strangers yet striking similarities.  The oldest two, often get assumed to be twins even though Carson is a good 6 inches taller than Beckham.  Carson is a sweet, sweet kid but brave and tough.  Becks is rough tough kid, but gentle and shy.  The twins are, well… twins.  We don’t know if they are identical but man they sure look it.  They each have little quirks that make them unique but their actions can be so freakishly similar at times.

 

I am trying to become a better “homeowner” and develop my fixing skills.  We have a 20 year old house which has 20 year old house issues and I am learning on the fly.  I find it incredibly satisfying when I fix or make something (like the kids play set).  It’s a feeling that work rarely duplicates.

 

I work in pharmaceuticals and have for the past 13 years now (since I graduated in 1999).  I like to think of myself as a Project Manager first and foremost although my current job title is Account Manager, many of the same tools and techniques are used.  I hold two graduate degrees (MS and MBA) which I am very proud of and a couple professional certifications (PMP and SSBB) and I am always looking for something more to learn.  I am very well versed in Office applications and possess some database skills which I am trying to grow as “Big Data” becomes a possible career track for me in the future.

 

I love football, the Bengals own my Sundays in the fall.  My kids love watching Daddy freak out while watching the game.  I like food but I am not a foodie, I like working out but I am not a gym rat.  I love technology but I am not a nerd/geek (or whatever the cool term for that is nowadays).   I love movies much more than TV shows, I like to get the whole story in one sitting.  I am proud of my iPod music collection but I rarely turn my radio off of NPR (what a nerd!).   A great weekend for me involves pizza and beers with a movie on Saturday night followed by football and home improvement projects on Sunday.

 

I am proud of what I have accomplished thus far in my life, I am genuinely very happy with the first 36 years.  I look forward to the next challenge and the opportunities that come with it.

 

Thanks,

 

-          Eric

 

Update to the YOE

So far so good on the YOE (Year of Eric).  My original list of ten items to work on this year has really been consolidated down to 5.  With fairly good results after the first 100 days of the year.

 

Goal 1 was to get in shape for personal and professional reasons.  I have done pretty well, in that I managed to lose 20 pounds in about a month and a half, but then the loss slowed and now it has basically stopped.  I just finished my “break” from dieting, so now it’s time to get back on the horse and eat like grown man not a pubescent Tasmanian devil.  I have a great work out plan and schedule.  And I have stated that I will post some pics, but not until I get a little more work done.  J

 

Goal 2 is to find some time to focus on this blog and my internet presence both for professional and personal reasons.  I have done a fairly good job of updating the past few weeks, and I have updated the look by adding a few sweet tools to link up FB, Twitter, and YouTube.  As a side note, I finally passed $100 in rewards from Google (which operates the blog) so I will get a check in the next month.  The check, goes straight to the boys college fund is hopefully the first of a few more.

 

Goal 3 is to work on my personal and professional image, my brand if you will.  I let that suffer a little bit in the last couple of years.  Goals 1 and 2 play heavily into it, but they aren’t the whole ball of wax.  I way too often dress like a homeless man, and I know I have to clean that up.  I am in favor of the “uniform” fashion strategy, so all summer you will see me in polos and khakis instead of sweats and hoodies.

 

Goal 4 is to update my professional skill set through continued education.  I was looking into Spanish and HTML, but after some reading and thought, I am shifting to Bid Data and Data Analytics, primarily because its FREE!  I have always enjoyed that kind of work and from what I gather it’s the next “big wave”.  I plan to dedicate 1 – 2 hours per week (i.e. like going to class) for the rest of the year.  I created a page and will post the certificates as I attain them.

 

Goal 5 is to be more outgoing and social, to do more things outside of the home and just as important to go on some “dates” with the wife.  Admittedly this is the hardest piece because it’s the only one on this list that is somewhat out of my control.  I am a little down financially due to the pending new A/C which will crush me financially and spiritually (sooooo expensive).  But I must and I will do better.

 

Today is the “Refresh” day, where I take inventory and start over.  Important in my process, its kind of like hitting restart.  Wish me luck or at least wish me focus on the next 100 days (the best 100 days of the year)!

 

-          Eric

Spring Break

There was a time in my life, many years ago where Spring Break meant sleeping in a 2 bed hotel room with 7 other guys, unless you were fortunate enough to find another place to stay.  Spring Break was awesome, I went 6 times (high school, 4 times in undergrad, and once in grad school), the last time I felt like a creepy old man only there to hit on young girls.  I knew it was time to stop going, when I found myself concerned over the safety and well being of these kids.  Still it was a pretty good ride, and one I will happily tell my kids to take.

Fast forward 15 years, and Spring Break is about a completely different thing.  We just finished our first family break (see tweets and FB pics).  It was great, we did the Zoo, Aquariam, Putt-Putt, and a couple Parks.  We played in the yard, we cooked out, we played toys, all that and I only took an extra day and half off work.  Nice Clark, Real  Nice!

I can't wait till Summer break!

Stupid Wagon

Yesterday, I had clients in to discuss some items for some projects we are working on.  So... I put on some nice pants, at least I tried to put on some nice pants.  I don't know what I did the last time I went shopping or if every ounce I lost came out of my waist and ass, but none of these pants fit.  They are all a size too big in the middle and two sizes too long (I know I didn't shrink).

Now I am going to have to go blow up Macy's over the weekend and by some new pants.  Part of my year of me, was to improve the wardrobe so its still part of the plan.  I was just hoping to do the shopping later in the summer after I have had a chance to knock off a few more pounds.  But, lately the scale is moving in the wrong direction so now is as good a time as any.

The new "uniform" will be dark slacks (yeah... I said slacks), solid color polo, nice shoes, and maybe a pimp challis.

But my fashion choices aside this seems to happen to me once every two years.  I lose weight or gain weight, have to buy new clothes then 6 months later, the clothes don't fit because that I fell off the stupid wagon again.  Perhaps this time, in the year of Eric, I can keep it up.

Play Ball!

I don't know if you have ever been to a 5-6 year old t-ball/baseball game, but I HIGHLY recommend it sometime.  From the moment you arrive at the field it is pure hilarity.

So the boys had their first game last weekend.  I did not get them into sports earlier than this because I just assumed it to be a waste of time and effort.  3-year old soccer is just silly.  So this really was their first experience and on top of it all, they only had 2 practices to date.  They had spent a grand total of 2 hours learning about baseball and were now going to try to play a game.

I will readily admit that I have not hammered sports into their heads, I don't want to be "that Dad", but if you know me you would know I like my sports, I like competition, and I want my kids to be good at it.  So there is a bit of pain watching your kids dig in the dirt while playing third base, standing completely still when a ball is hit at them.  They stare at it like the ball had koodies.

Enough with the generalities, lets talk about the specifics.  First of all, I was beaming with pride as BOTH of my boys hit from the pitching machine in their second at bat.  Both made contact.  It was amazing.  Carson actually had a pretty good hit to boot.  The true joy came after contact.  When Carson  hit, he hit it right back to the pitcher and it was a good enough hit that she scooped it.  Both kids (Carson with bat in hand, her with ball in glove) stood there, still as stone, while 70 parents screamed directions at them.  I was over by 3rd base and as Carson found me he had this priceless expression of "now what"!  The kid playing pitcher didn't want to tag him and  he didn't want to run her over so they stood there, slow dancing.  I don't think I have ever laughed so hard.

Becks experience was just as awesome, my favorite moment being his running from second straight to home after a hit by another kid.  After all he did exactly what we told him, he just skipped a step.  Both boys were so proud of themselves and I was so proud of them.  It was an awesome moment for me and I hope for them.  Bumpa was there and got some pics and I think a video of the action.  I will post it as soon as I can get it from him.

We have another game in two weeks.  Now, I just have to teach them to play!

Revelation

I have had a revelation these last couple of days.  Maybe its the spring, thawing the crust of winter off my face.  Or maybe its the 20 pounds I lost (boom!).  Either way, I have decided that if I am going to make anything of myself, this work, my "real work", or anything for that matter, I am going to do it MY WAY.

I am done trying to fit into a mold which clearly does not fit me.  I am done trying to shape myself into something that I am not.  I am not Jack Donaghy, and I am done trying to convince myself that I am.  All that stuff I said just two weeks ago about shifting my focus, well shift that stuff right back.

This is going to be a work about me, who I am, and what I want to be.  This is going to be a work, to capture what legacy I have and one day my kids will be able to look at this, edit this, watch this, and see what kind of person their father was in the middle of his mid-life crisis ;)

Enjoy the work... I will!

Big Data University

So, I think I have discovered my next project for both personal and professional development.  I am going to start taking courses through IBM's Big Data University.  Its mostly free (which is nice said the guy with too much college debt), and it helps to introduce me to new data concepts which has always been a interest for me (I know... that is weird).

I plan to start this weekend and will try to finish courses as fast as practically possible.  Completion of courses will come with certificates of completion, which I will post here and on my CV page.

Wish me luck!

- Eric

Project Management

As a certified PMP, I am admittedly a little biased when it comes to project management.  I think organizations that don't use Project Management, with a true project leader role (one responsible for all aspects of a given project) are ultimately only harming their own productivity  and profitability (at least in the long run).

A strong project manager will focus not only on project deliverables, but scope, budget, and quality as well.  It is this singular role which leads all facets of the project which most directly leads to a given projects success or failure.  If no one person is accountable, then no one is accountable (you can always point to the other hand).

I like to think of each project as its own little company.  There is a budget, a resource model, a business plan, a quality plan, SOPs, risk plans, communication plans, etc... Would you run a company without a President/CEO type role?  Of course not.  Would you have a team without a coach?  Why have a project without a project manager?

Treat each project as its own entity and structure it that way and success becomes much easier to quantify.

Language

I need to start working on teaching myself Spanish again.  5 years in school and about the only thing I can do is order a beer.

Spanish is on the YOE, list of things to do.  So...

Vamanos amigos.

Happy Easter/End of Phase 1

Here is the Year of Eric update for Phase 1.

First three months are in the book.  I lost 20 pounds, and one pant size (one and a half really).  I am not doing so well on some of my "other" yearly goals, so that stuff is getting a refresh starting today.

April is going to be my transition month.  I will double-down on the workout/weight loss stuff.  I need to get to a happy place so I can go update my wardrobe.  I thought I had a flat ass before, but it looks terrible in jeans that are a size too big.

My next big goal is to really refocus on writing and getting my sites back out of "storage".  What is the point of having all this awesomeness, if I don't share it.

Wish my luck in Phase 2.

Reminder about your invitation from Eric Stary

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Single Source of Truth

I think many companies struggle with the importance of data.  Not just in being able to answer questions, but answer them correctly, and answer them quickly (at least in a reasonable amount of time).

Here is my one point of advice to anyone planning on building a company.  If you plan on collecting any data, and you should!  Hire yourself a really qualified and skilled database administrator.  Build yourself a scale-able database that can be added to without complication or trouble.  Think ahead, not just what your needs are today but what your needs are going to be down the road.  And most importantly, develop processes that drive your employees to actually use the database.  It should not be "another step" that teams have to complete.  It should be incorporated into processes.  It should make their jobs easier, not harder.

Shift of Focus

So, I have been reading a lot about personal branding.  About how the next generation of job seekers won't even have resumes/CVs, but rather they will use the internet, their profiles, their websites to create a personal brand which will draw employers to them.

I don't quite know if I am on board with all of that, but I can certainly do my part to make sure I don't get left behind.

As of March 21, 2013 (first full day of Spring), this will no longer really be my personal blog (family site) but rather my professional branding site (whatever that means).  If you are interested in the personal stuff, I will keep that up on my older page http://www.4boysunder5.blogspot.com

Here I will try to showcase my professional strengths, my interests, and my talents.  I will try to create useful tools for others to borrow from and I will try to create value.

I won't remove my older posts, at least not at the moment.

Thanks,

- Eric

Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

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