ALDP Graduation

Today I went up to Seattle again for my final ALDP session, which was technically 'graduation' and included presentations by each of the participants on the books/topics covered in the course. I got to present on Topgrading, a book which details a methodology of hiring, coaching, and retaining 'A' players (top 10% of people available for a given position). It's an interesting topic, and we had a lot of thought provoking questions after our presentation ended, but I think everything went pretty well and I got good feedback when all was said and done.

The lunch that they served after the session ended was really good too! We had some sort of Asian fusion cuisine, including yakisoba chicken and noodles, rice and a vegetable stirfry. Of course there was an oriental salad and fortune cookies (at my request).

I should have taken a picture of the tasty spread!

Suzanna went to scouts for the first time today as part of her new calling as a Webelos den leader. I haven't heard too much from her about it yet, but I think she said that it went pretty well. I hope she enjoys her new calling!

msh

See you on Friday!

Suzanna took the three kids up to Gig Harbor tonight. They'll be staying with Natalie and co. for the next couple nights. Shannah and Skyler will be in Seattle for work, so the three former roommates and kids will get to spend some time together over the next couple of days. I think they'll have fun, and hopefully there will be a lot of pictures!

I snapped this photo as they was pulling out of the driveway. All three kids crammed in the back of the Fit.

Goodbye!

As they drove away, I couldn't help but think that the four most valuable things in my life were in that small car together, and I had a prayer in my heart the rest of the evening until Suzanna sent me a text message, telling me they had arrived.

msh

Take me out to the ball game!

When I go to Seattle for work, this is usually what I see on my way in. Overcast skies, lots of tall buildings, and about 40 miles of treacherous traffic! This photo was taken in June when I went up to present a couple of Peer Review training sessions for our Seattle folks.

This morning the skies cleared up by the time I was nearing the city (8:15 or so), but a thick layer of fog remained on the west side of downtown, including around the Space Needle. I thought this was a pretty cool photo. 

I went up today for an ALDP (Actuarial Leadership Development Program) session based on the book Execution. We've had a number of fascinating sessions and discussions about a series of leadership and soft skills books, but more on that another day. The other highlight of the day was that today was the Seattle and Burlington yearly 'team building' activity. This year's activity: a Mariners matinee!

I got a pretty cool fish-eye type shot from our seats in section 340 at Safeco field. I hadn't been to an MLB game before, so this was a really cool experience! The ambiance was very similar to those at the Broncos and 49ers games we went to in the last couple years. So were the concessions prices!

Anyway, despite being in the nosebleed seats, our view was unimpeded and really quite good. The Mariners took a quick two run lead in the first inning but then fell behind 5-2 after the Blue Jays had a great second inning. I stuck around long enough to see the Mariners explode for six runs in the fifth inning to take a two run lead, 9-7. After one more at-bat for the Blue Jays, I decided to make the two mile jog back to my car to get on the freeway and hopefully avoid the terrible rush hour traffic. There's a reason Seattle has the ninth worst traffic in the US, and I've been stuck in it before!

I listened to the end of the game as I drove out of town, back home to Vancouver. Final score: Mariners 9, Blue Jays 7. Looks like I didn't miss out on any great offense by taking off early!

Oh, one other interesting side note was that there may have almost been as many Blue Jays' fans there as Mariners' fans! Turns out all of Canada cheers for their lone MLB team, so the Canucks in Vancouver BC travel the 150 miles or so to Seattle very easily and en masse, apparently. Easier than driving 4,400 km to Toronto!

Anyway, it was a beautiful day for a ball game, and I'm glad it turned out well for the real home team. See photos below for evidence of the beautiful summer day in the Pac NW.

msh