At international academy of design and technology. Talking to a web design class about how the industry works….with my boy Joe Patti.

I’m at Studio 21Tattoo today getting some work done. Here’s a quick pic of Austin getting started on my leg:

Hells yes for vacation week! This is the week that Stephanie and I chartered the sailboat in the British Virgin Islands. I must say…..it’s pretty frickin’ cool. I’m sure we will have more pics once her camera is plugged in to the Mac, but for now my camera phone shots will have to do. Just a select two. The first is our hotel room pre-cruise. The second is my bride as she gawks at Necker Island. No, Stephanie, I will never be able to buy you an island like Sir Richard Branson. You’re stuck with me though lol:

I was on Facebook today and saw this article, which describes U.S. Airways’ refusal to grant a refund to a terminal cancer patient’s family after her condition took a bad turn and her physician advised her to not travel.

Under the terms of her tickets purchased, U.S. Airways is not obligated to provide a refund. The tickets are non-refundable. However, it’s a pretty small amount of money for the airline ($4,200) but a huge amount of money to a family that could be looking at hospice care, planning for final expenses, etc.

Liz Landau, the spokesperson from U.S. Airways, advised “As with purchasing anything, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions of the tickets you purchase,” Landau said.”

That quote rubbed me the wrong way. I think this is a dick move on U.S. Airways’ part and I intend to tell them so.

I contacted U.S. Airways on their Customer Relations page and told them that I would no longer be flying with them. I’ve only spent about $500 with them this year but that represents 10% of the refund that they are refusing to give to the McKain family.

To my friends and readers who fly with U.S. Airways: will you help send a message to U.S. Airways and make sure that this cold-hearted move costs them?

Contact U.S. Airways here and tell them that you won’t do business with them if they don’t help this family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-McpNtHet3w

Sky Combat Ace allows you to take over controls of badass stunt planes and fly like a maniac over the deserts of southern Nevada. To quote one of their pilots, “There’s nothing anyone can do to this plane that I can’t get them out of, unless a wing falls off.” Nice.

Here’s my father in law’s trip, with a fun surprise half way through:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxzEhxS91PM

I’m pretty lucky to be in my family. Every one of my siblings is really exceptional at what they do. My little sister works with kids and has a passion for the young’uns. My brother Pat is a machinist who rebuilds and customizes AK-47s. My brother Rob is an amazing artist and musician, also the best salesman in the family. My brother Mike is CTO for a financial technology company. Finally, my brother Jon is an oceanographer (“wet physicist,” as I call him), aikido black belt (and dojo operator), and, as I’ve found out today, Jon is bilingual.

He’s currently in Kyoto. I’m not sure if it is for vacation or work…but when I saw this picture on Facebook today I realized my older brothers’ true genius. I didn’t know, but apparently he has had time to pursue another language in addition to being a world-class physicist and martial artist.

Jon by a sign.

I had no idea what he was doing until I had the sign translated. Wow:

Jon being a genius.

I have so much to look up to with him. Wow.

Today is a very important day for every citizen of the USA. Memorial Day is our day to honor those who have served in our armed forces and remember those who have given their lives protecting our country.

A few of my good friends have served in the Armed Forces. Here’s a quick shout out to ‘em.

I first met Octavius Ryan while he was working at Calamos Asset Management with my bro Corey. He’s a fantastic software developer. He served in the Navy and did something that involved him flying in planes that were quite close to the ocean. Thanks for your service bro.

In addition to being an online marketing yoda and fanatic fisherman, Scott Ford served our country by doing something he is not at liberty to disclose. All I know is that he is bilingual (Arabic), and despite his friendly demeanor it is apparent that he is a hard ass. Thanks for your service, my friend.

Chris Christenson is my father in law. He was also in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. He’s the reason I am no longer fearful of firearms. He also did a hell of a great job helping his wife Sandy raise two daughters, Sloan and Stephanie. Thanks for your service Chris.

Ian Young and I first met at SellingSource. He’s the rhythm guitarist for Raising Craiger. He went to the Air Force Academy and later served our country as an analyst, doing fighter aircraft testing. Although I have no idea what the hell that means, I do know that Ian is great at math…so it probably involved that. Thanks for your service, my friend.

Alan Hamilton is one of my favorite people in the internet marketing space. He kept our country safe as a member of the Marine Corps. Thanks for your service, Alan.

Today is my 4th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, due to work I had to go to KC for the day today. My goal was to wake  her up with breakfast in bed and give her a fun surprise, but since I’m out of town I thought it would be fun to blog about it.

Stephanie and I were married on 5.26.07 in Sedona, AZ. It was a pretty fun, low stress wedding. She was a beautiful bride and I really enjoyed the whole day – we had a great wedding planner so Stephanie and I just got to hang out with our guests and drink. No drama at all. (Actually, that isn’t quite true. We had a trolley running people from the hotel to the wedding site and after the wedding my brothers tipped the driver a couple hundred to take them trolley bar hopping, at which time they proceeded to completely trash said trolley. Oh, and my Dad lost a pair of suspenders that my buddy Joe found later in a very strange place.)

Because of work schedules and budget, we did not take a honeymoon. We wanted to go to Parrot Cay but that is pretty spendy.  To make up for it, for our fourth anniversary I’m taking my sweetheart on the honeymoon that we didn’t have. But…we aren’t going to Parrot Cay. I think I found something better.

Before I get to that, though, I need to say some things to my hot, lovely, funny, awesome wife.

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Dear Stephanie,

Wow – I can’t believe it’s been 4 years already. You sure are hot, lovely, funny, and awesome. I’m sad that we’re spending today apart but I’m really happy to be celebrating another year with you. I couldn’t be more proud that you are Mrs. Lilly – to be more specific, MY Mrs. Lilly. I wake up every morning and feel fortunate for what we have built together over these last four years, and I can’t wait to see what the next 4 years hold. Or the next 7, 13, 25, or ….? (Can you guess the next number in the sequence?)

I really admire you – your love and passion for our critters, your commitment and loyalty to our families, your business genius, your craftiness, and your beauty. You’re the total package, baby.

Thanks for being so patient and understanding with my crazy work schedule. I love you.

-Joe

P.S. I couldn’t figure out a better way to surprise you with this gift, so I thought I’d post it on Facebook for everyone to see. I hope that’s ok.

P.P.S. I have more to tell you that I’m not going to put on the internet, but that will have to wait for tonight.

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On to Stephanie’s surprise….

See how fun cruises are?

We went on a really fun vacation last year with Stephanie’s family. Her folks took the fam on a cruise for their wedding anniversary. We had a great time and ever since then I’ve been looking around for other fun vacations in or around water. I thought about renting a house in Cabo or doing another cruise, but neither of those seemed fitting for an anniversary present for the best wife in the world.

I’ve been searching for the last year, but as of two weeks ago I had not found anything that really captured my interest.

Until I found the Rhapsody.

The Rhapsody!

The Rhapsody is a 72′ Irwin sailboat that sails out of the Virgin Islands. It’s not a cruise. It’s a private charter that specializes in couples and honeymooners. It’s all inclusive. There’s even a hot tub on deck.

They have the normal fun water sports equipment (fishing poles, snorkeling gear, a zodiac, wakeboards, water skis, etc.) and can also help us connect with deep sea fishing charters, dive boats, and the normal tropical touristy stuff.

They set the itinerary and menu based upon our requests. It’s a custom-built cruise for two. Since the 4th anniversary is traditionally the “fruit or flowers” year, they are going to have plenty of fresh fruit and flowers on board.

On December 4th, 2011, we are going to head for the Virgin Islands and spend 6 sun-filled days aboard our own private yacht. There are 6 staterooms, so at Stephanie’s option we can invite some friends or just have the boat to ourselves for an entire week.

We probably need to stock up on books and sunscreen.

Sounds fun huh?

Happy anniversary Stephanie. I love you.