Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time. - Jean Paul Richter

Another year passes, and the train of time appears to have picked up speed. But what a wonderful and beautiful year the scenery has been.

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August 25, 2010

Annual Horoscope

Whew! Feel that enormous burden sliding off of your shoulders, like you've been carrying around an overstuffed backpack for the last couple of years? That would be Saturn, planet of structures and limitation, moving out of your sign. Congratulations, first of all, on having simply made it through more or less in one piece. You passed through the fire and made it out the other side.

Now, what to do with that spiritual Medal of Honor you've earned? Well, for one thing, establish who it is you really are with both yourself and those around you. Your ability to quietly endure both the big and little outrages of life have served you well in the last couple of years, and many of those around you may have come to assume that either it wasn't as rough on you as it was, or that you are somehow made of steel. In fact, you may have come to the same conclusion yourself. Virgo has a reputation for being able to take care of others with the best of them -- but can you turn that same care and attention on yourself? That's the big question you'll be facing in 2010.

The good news (beyond simply less bad news) is that there will be all kinds of opportunities opening up for you in new directions as far as fun, recreation and romance. So take advantage of those whenever you can. You've earned it!

Hmm, opportunities, huh? Well, bring them on!

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What an exciting year and one full of change. Over the past (12) months, I lost my dear friend, Jake the dalmatian, after over thirteen years of unconditional love and companionship. He is still dearly missed. Speaking of change, in almost (6) weeks, a new life is set to enter this world, another Bollman baby boy ... I can't wait to meet him!

Travels to Jamaica, San Francisco, and Chicago allowed long-distance friendships to be rekindled and new ones to be created. While in Jamaica on the continuing humanitarian trip, I was fortunate enough to find some time to get certified in scuba diving, something I've been longing to do for some time now. For me, nothing is more peaceful than swimming in the ocean. That being said, today I had one of the biggest rushes of my life when I jumped out of an airplane at nearly 14, 000'. Will I do that again? Maybe ... those first ten seconds of freefall were unreal and didn't necessarily leave me feeling the desire to do it, again, anytime soon. Yet, after I got my bearings and knew everything was going to be okay, it was kind of peaceful, and man, what a view!

Working in the mountains of New Mexico continued and while labor intensive, my uncle shares stories about times past that are the best treasures I could have ever imagined and totally worth the sweat labor. My Tio Fidel is an amazing storyteller.

Looking back over the past year, I have been truly blessed by family and friends.

Sand Dunes

One of the most beautiful June days this past summer to hit the Indiana / Michigan beaches. Aidan, my nephew, and Farley, the dog who can't take the heat ... and is scared of the water.

Rockford Air Show - 2009

A beautiful display of excellence at the Rockford Air Show 2009. As you can see, the F-22 Stealth was the main draw; it's precision and performance was unbelievable ... too bad we can't buy parts for it anymore!

Chicago - June 5, 2009

Likely one of the best days for weather in Chicago. Absolutely gorgeous, right around 70 with a slight breeze, but not cold at all.

New Mexico - Spring 2009

Recently, I had the opportunity to take a few days and head to New Mexico to do a little bit of outdoor work. After driving down through Kansas and hanging out in Topeka for a couple of days due to the transmission breaking down, the majestic view of the mountains was well worth the wait, as were the rejuvinating hot springs. Hanging out with my family is always a blast. BTW, the family photo you see above is only a slice of the whole crowd. My Big Fat Greek Wedding has nothing on me ;)!

Usquequaque tardus , tamen puteus dignitas exspecto.

“Usquequaque tardus , tamen puteus dignitas exspecto.”

I believe this is the latin inscription beneath the Bollman family coat of arms. When translated (via online geniuses) it means, “Always late, but well worth the wait.” Last year on my birthday, I posted a year in review and promised to do the same every year thereafter. Nearly seven months have passed since my birthday ... but I told myself I would do it, and I will.

August 25, 2008

Wonderful things are in store for you this year, Virgo! You're experiencing tremendous feelings of rebirth and, as you release old ways of expressing yourself, you'll find yourself walking into all kinds of new experiences.

A re-emergence of your inventive and creative self will give you new ways of taking action and bringing your talents into the world. You will feel secure, safe and centered, which allows you to achieve anything you want in your life. You will feel more spiritually balanced in 2009 than ever before.

Now that half a year has passed, I can say that I’m not so sure about everything this horoscope says, but I will say, some things are definitely accurate … I think the people who write these things are actually lawyers because they’re full of such generalities!

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day, the high, just under 80, sunny, and with a gentle breeze most of the day. Being this was a Monday, I worked J, but celebrated my birthday along with my nephew’s later in the week with my family at the borrow pit.

A lot of traveling was done in 2007-08, but never enough: San Diego, Tijuana, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Phoenix, New Mexico, Washington D.C., Indiana, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. Experiencing, no longer letting life pass by, and realizing just how precious every moment truly is, and feeling the significance of forces much greater than oneself ... these were the recurring themes over the past year.

If you ever get a chance to go the Grand Canyon, do it ... it is not just a hole in the ground J ; make sure you go at sunset, though ... breathtaking.

Regardless of your politics, Obama is an amazing orator to watch in real life, and the effect he has on a crowd of over 20,000 is unbelievable!

Photography tip: Stormchasing is fun, but it’s hard to light a tornado at 1:30 in the morning. Thanks for going Rich!

Being promoted to 1^st Assistant State’s Attorney was an honor, a privilege, and an eye-opening experience. Thank you for the opportunity, Paul.

Animal hoarding is an epidemic that is growing in America and a reminder that you just can’t ignore someone else’s problems because eventually, we all have to address the situation. Thank you for all of your help, Tails!

Speaking of animals, Jake and Farley, the Dalmatian and Weimaraner, are truly inseparable brothers after a year of getting used to one another.

That, in a nutshell is my year in review for 2007-08. I was blessed and privileged to have experienced so much with so many friends. If you want to know more, just ask, or become part of the next year!