Photo of the Day 3/31/2012 - Advice

This was a special day. The Zags had traveled by plane (not a bus this time) to Southern California for a series of Spring games against Chapman in Anaheim. In this picture Grandpa Boysen and I were discussing pitching - a couple of "southpaws".

I'm not sure who took this picture, but I have more from this day that I'll be sharing in the coming weeks.

I have a lot to say about this picture, but I don't have many words right now other than gratitude that this shot was taken. A moment in time with my Grandpa. I was glad he was there and I'm sure he was proud of me.

For the record, I was the winning pitcher and I was glad that the only college game he ever saw me pitch was a win.

Photo of the Day 3/30/2012 - The Laughing Place

I have a lot of aunts, and all of them are quick witted and funny. When they are together new memories are created. Whether "cooking" turkeys in ovens that have yet to be turned on or donning a rose in your mouth and dancing on tables, they always find a way to have fun together. Their laughter is contagious. In this shot in Park City for Patrick's wedding, Mom and Theresa are picking up right where they left off. The rest of us can only laugh (or snort).

Photo of the Day 3/29/2012 - The Boysen Beauties

Click photo to zoom

There are a lot of beautiful people in this photo. We have high powered sales executives, doctors, operations managers, educators, mothers and friends. Internal and external beauty personified by my cousins (there are more, trust me).

Mobile Wine Tour Released

We have been working on this project for almost a year and we're finally launching it this week at Taste Washington. It's called Mobile Wine Tour and you can learn all about it here. Essentially it's a wayfinding application that allows you to leverage the power of a smartphone and GPS to easily route you to winery tasting room information for wineries nationwide. You can search/sort by what's closest, what's open, wines produced, and more. We have a lot planned for the app, so we'd really welcome your initial feedback. 

To view the App in the Apple App Store click here.

I'll add Android link tomorrow when it is available.

Photo of the Day 3/28/2012 - The Perfect Gift

 Julie - March 28, 1972

Today is your birthday, but each day, you've been the gift to all of us who know and love you. Thick and thin, good and bad, your love has been an unwavering gift to me and our children. I love you with all my heart and wish us all many many more years together. Happy Birthday.

Photo of the Day 3/27/2012 - Mr. Cool

(Click photo to zoom)

I don't really have context for this photo, other than I think this captures the spirit of Andy as a younger guy. He was always joking, quick with a jab, or a funny impression, just like he is today.

Anyone who can offer any insight into the context of this photo is welcome to post those thoughts in the comments.

Photo of the Day 3/26/2012 - Big News

July 1, 2000 was a day of big news. Julie and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary by taking the Spirit of Washington Dinner train to Columbia Winery in Woodinville (you can see it in the background). We had  a great meal, but only I had wine because before we left that day we found out that we were expecting. (Ian would arrive the following February). The other big news, I found out I was losing my gig with Teacher Universe - though it ended up being reversed - something to do with a product launch I was essential to. Anyway, I left later that year when it was clear that things had changed with the acquisition.

I'd say there were highs and lows that day - just like any day. This day, they were just bigger.

Photo of the Day 3/25/2012 - Niagara Pool

Many parties, many celebrations, lots of memories. The Niagara Street pool was a gathering point for birthdays, team parties, and family get togethers. I remember when visitors from Germany did the polar plunge (which for Southern California must've meant the pool was 70 degrees). I'm sure this was a big financial stretch when my parents decided to put the pool in, but I know everyone who remembers the fun we had in and around it was glad they did.

Photo of the Day 3/24/2012 - Boyhood Hero

I wanted to play first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers when I was a boy. My hero, Steve Garvey. I can't tell you how many games I saw him play at Dodger Stadium when I was growing up. We would go to games early, stay late and I NEVER EVER got to meet Steve Garvey. Finally, in my senior year at Gonzaga, I met Mr. Clean.

He was in town speaking at a coaching clinic that was sponsored by Gonzaga. I got to spend a lot of time with him, talking baseball. It was a dream come true.

Photo of the Day 3/23/2012 - Lafayette Park

Lisa, Michelle, and Chad (Click photo to zoom)

This was pretty much as close to the President as we ever got during our trip to D.C. I couldn't really believe the poverty and need that existed quite literally in the backyard of the White House. Our group was all smiles and I don't want to diminish our joy at being at the center of government. The reality was that we were visitors, and after we left those that lived in Lafayette Park would continue to call it home.

We came to Washington and learned a lot about the reality of life outside of Burbank. One of the lessons I took from this trip was interdependence - the need to understand that the world is a big place and that the way we all make it is through relationships. I am grateful for the opportunity to take this trip and for the friendships that grew as a result.  

Photo of the Day 3/22/2012 - Pitching in Portland

(Click photo to zoom)

It was once Multnomah Stadium, then Civic Stadium, PGE Park and now is Jeld-Wen Field. At the time this photo was taken it was Civic Stadium and home of the Triple-A Portland Beavers. On this particular day I was pitching against Portland State. I always loved pitching in this stadium because it was BIG and I got a lot of fly ball outs if I was missing my spots. The field was incredibly fast combining the turf and aluminum bats. No one wanted a "come backer"

The field has changed a lot and is now home to the Portland Timbers the MLS Soccer team. It looks very different today.

(Click photo to zoom)

Photo of the Day 3/21/2012 - Spring!

The first day of Spring brings renewal, new life, and hope for the future. This is photo taken a bit after Spring was in full bloom at DeGoede's in Mossyrock, WA. The year was 2003 and Ian had just turned two, Charlotte was on the way and would be born in July. We used to drive down to Mossyrock on a Sunday after Church to explore the tulip fields and buy bulbs to plant in the Fall.







Here are a few bonus pics!

Photo of the Day 3/20/2012 - The Indians Go To Vegas

Brian, Tom, and Chris (Click photo to zoom)

If you were an opposing hitter in the Foothill League in the late 80s you had your hands full with this crew. Chris, Tom and I were the battery for the Burroughs Indians. Chris was a dominant right hander with a great slider and infectious personality. Tom was our catcher and kept us focused and/or loose - whichever was required to get us to perform our best. I was a modest-throwing left-hander who lived on the corners, fooled you with a change-up,  and if you did manage to get on base would likely pick you off. Combined we had an ERA of under 1.00.

This photo was taken during a trip to Las Vegas after we defeated Clark High School (I believe). We rode in that bus along with our bus driver Larry (AKA Lair) and his "escort" (AKA "Lair's Dish")

Photo of the Day 3/19/2012 - Tetris

This is what the grandparents did while visiting us before the kids were born.

Photo of the Day 3/18/2012 - 3-Man

A game of 3-Man (Click photo to zoom)

A game of 3-Man with my cousins -  and if drinking Lucky Lager weren't classy enough, we drank ours from coffee mugs. It's just how we rolled back then.

There are so many memories present in this picture that spanned well beyond this day. There were many happy days playing on Cordova as a child. I first ate Top Ramen, had an omelette, stayed up 'til dawn playing Pitfall on Atari and saw the mud wrestling scene from Stripes in this house.

I miss those long summer days of heroes, villains and make-believe. Somewhere along the way reality of life, school, and growing up brought us to face with the end of those childhood days. This is a picture taken at a time of transition between carefree days and the reality of life. I am saddened that with the passing of Courtney and the distance between John and I that we've lost the opportunity to easily create a new set of memories as cousins, friends, and fathers. We still have the memories and the opportunity to make the effort to create new ones. 

Photo of the Day 3/17/2012 - St. Patrick's Day in Fresno

If I say to you, give me the one word you think of when I say St. Patrick's Day, my guess is that word is not Fresno. Well, in 1991 it was my destination. It was my first year at Gonzaga and my family (and Julie) drove up from Burbank to meet the Zag bus in Fresno. We were completing a road trip to the Bay Area where we had played Oklahoma, Santa Clara, Yale, BYU, and Colorado State (I think). We were going to have a quick couple of games against Fresno State, who at that time was pretty good.

Unfortunately the rains came that night and there were no games the following day. My parents drove up to spend a short time with me at the hotel and at the Fresno Mall before I hopped back on the bus and 18 hours home to Spokane. 

Another interesting fact - Our head coach's son Steve was born while we were in Fresno - I'm not sure if it was on St. Patrick's Day or the 18th.

Photo of the Day 3/16/2012 - Dueling Wagons and a Cowboy

Cowboy ~ 1974 (I guess)
Click photo to zoom and see the curb scraping thingy

You know what's sweet about this picture? No, it's not my matching clothes or cowboy hat. Nope, it's the matching station wagons. Looks like the Forths and the Mudgetts were keeping up with each other very well in the station wagon department.

Another highlight - those curb scraping thingies to let you know when you're about to crash into the curb - you don't see those on cars anymore - why not?

Photo of the Day 3/15/2012 - Leaving on a Jet Plane

Brian, Sean and Eric (Click photo to zoom)

Since I'll be on a plane today (twice actually - down and back from Orange County) I thought this was a fitting picture from my first plane ride to Washington D.C. As part of the Close-Up program I flew with a group of students from Burroughs High School for a week in Washington D.C.

There are some classic photos from that trip that will later appear as Photo of the Day selections.  In this shot, Sean and Eric.

Photo of the Day 3/14/2012 - Brian's Tree

Brian's Tree - 1971 (click image to zoom)

My memory is not so hot when I go back to the weeks shortly after my birth, so I don't have a ton of insight here. Here's what I do know. This picture was taken in front of our house on Catalina St. shortly after my birth. The tree was a celebratory gift from my Uncle (and Godfather), Dick. I don't believe the tree is still there, but I could be wrong. I didn't check during the last trip down to Burbank.

This tradition of giving trees really should get more traction. I know my parents have planted trees in memory of folks and to celebrate their lives. We've also tried to commemorate special occasions with trees or flowering plants, but have been inconsistent.

If you ever get a tree from me, you'll know I'm trying to keep the tradition alive.

Photo of the Day 3/13/2012 - The Van

Ernie's Van - 1995 (click image to zoom)

Visitors to Southern California will often make a list of sights to see. Disneyland, various studios, Venice Beach, The Getty, etc. etc. Sadly this "eighth wonder of the world" is no longer on the "star maps" or "do not miss lists".

As a child I took Ernie's van for granted. I pretty much saw it everyday as he lived right across the street from Grandma and Grandpa's house and right around the corner from Bret Harte Elementary.

I remember Ernie giving us each a $1 on a Christmas Eve when we caroled at his house. I also remember being on the news or the newspaper one time as they featuring him and I was interviewed.

I've tried to block out the speedos.

This photo is of Scott, Jim and Ernie as they were in town for our wedding and were taking in the sights of Southern California.

Photo of the Day 3/12/2012 - "Ready, Aim, Fire"

Boysen Family Reunion (click image to zoom)

This photo was taken Pre-9/11. I'm not certain that water balloon launchers are considered weapons of mass destruction, though it may seem that way if you are on the receiving end. I don't know that Carpinteria State Park Rangers would condone this sort of entertainment.

In this classic "shot", seemingly ordinary citizens are transformed into warriors. I don't recall who the quarry was, but I can assure you this team doesn't miss. Mom and Dad secured the device, Grandma Jo delivered the coordinates, and Joan supplied the needed trajectory.

Incoming!

Photo of the Day 3/11/2012 - The Slip

Weddings can make for a stressful day. Weddings with blended families that have not seen each other in several years and did not part on the best of terms, even more stressful. What's needed is an ice-breaker, something to lighten the mood. All the great play writes, Shakespeare comes to mind used comedy to lighten the mood even when a tragedy was occurring (not that I consider my wedding a tragedy, but I digress).

Anyway...

What's that white object in my mother's right hand? Yep, you guessed it, a slip. During family photos, on the altar, it just, "slipped" off.

The mood was lightened, a great day had by all.

Basement Remodel - Update

Well many of you know our basement had a pretty significant grey-water (read as septic) backup in the Fall. We FINALLY got our money from an insurance company that will remain unnamed, after quite a fight. We've already cancelled with them as it was clear whose side they were on - Hint: it wasn't ours.

The basement is shaping up - drywall is done. Next step is moving all the rest of the items into the garage, living room, and storage room (not pictured). The living room is currently holding a new couch, game table and 6 chairs, and a cellar full of wine (it had to all be moved or it would've been destroyed by the heaters in the basement.

Rest assured, the man-room will be back to brewing soon (if I have time), and the basement will soon be ready for guests as the bathroom and guest room are getting a full makeover.

Come visit, just wait until April. :)

Photo of the Day 3/10/2012 - "Roses are Red"

Have you ever read any Stephen King? If so, have you read or heard about Rose Red? Well, this is where it was filmed. We had 27,000 square feet of castle and about 3 acres of grounds on American Lake to ourselves one Saturday in August of 1999. The castle is 500 years old. Actually it has only been in Lakewood, WA for a little over 100 years, but prior to that it stood in England for 400 years until it was purchased by Chester Thorne, dismantled and then re-assembled at its present site. You can read all about it here.

Our room was at the far east end of the castle and had the entire place to ourselves - even the caretakers were gone. I don't know if either Julie or I slept a wink as every creek and every squeak kept us on edge.

And yes, it may be haunted. Its nickname - The House that Love Built.

Photo of the Day 3/9/2012 - The King of Pop

Not long after this incident, a very creative person near our Tacoma office (at the time) - created this "tribute". It was the talk of the town for awhile and eventually The King retreated to his room.

This raises several questions, including a simple one, Why?

Only in T-Town.

Going Back to Cali, Cali, Cali

Just like that, I'll be on a plane back to the OC next Wednesday. Seems the power of word of mouth and referrals has me leading the jet-set life back down South. It will just be a short trip, a day trip, if you will - but it's worth it if we can add another satisfied customer.

It is our intention to make and keep big promises - if we do that we can be a fish - big or small - in any pond.

Photo of the Day 3/8/2012 - Play Ball!

During my baseball playing days I was able to play games in several different places. I loved the travel, loved the stadiums, the time on the road with the team. It was always a pleasure to have family be in the audience for games. It did not happen all that often as I was in Washington state and most of my family was everywhere else.

One of my favorite tournaments was in the now-extinct Kingdome in Seattle, WA. During this particular trip, Uncle Frank and Aunt Rose attended the game (along with my folks from GA, Uncle Dick and Julie from Spokane). Following the game we ate at a restaurant a few miles south of the stadium in old train cars.

I think this was the last time I saw Uncle Frank.

I have many fond, though fleeting memories of trips to Seattle to visit Uncle Frank and Aunt Rose when I was much younger. I remember being afraid of their basement - even though I think there was a pool table. I'm told I was bit by their dog (it was my fault, but Uncle Frank wanted to punish the dog), I tried Pecan Pie (didn't like it), my parents both caught big salmon on a chartered trip, and I was Aunt Rose's "precious angel".

South Sound Technology Conference

If you're in Tacoma, I'll be speaking at this Friday's South Sound Technology Conference on Mobile. Word on the street is that registration is filling up fast, or has already filled up, so visit the event page to register and reserve your space.

We'll be discussing Mobile Wine Tour, MultiCare Urgent Care Wait Times, as well as how to execute on a mobile strategy.

Hint: An "App" is not a strategy.

Photo of the Day 3/7/2012 - Land Cruising

1972 was a good year - and if you ask me it was the perfect year for Land Cruisers. This photo was taken out in front of Dick and Sue's house in Spokane, WA shortly after I moved north from California in the summer of 1990. I lived for the first year in Spokane at Dick, Sue, Rebekka and Paul's house. Dick had the white and red cruiser with the canoe on top, mine was the green one. I learned to drive in winter snow, did a couple 360s through the intersection of Maple and Northwest Blvd on ice and made the trip to and from Burbank a couple of times in the Bwana.

We purchased the 1972 from Tim Champ before heading north. I sold it in the summer of 1993 while coaching in Wenatchee, WA and ended up purchasing an RX-7.

It would've made a great fishing rig about now.

Photo of the Day 3/6/2012 - A Game of Toss

During the summer of 1992 (I believe) I spent some time back home in Burbank. Dawn, Tim Paul, Timothy and Kendra were living in the John Boysen's childhood home on Cordova. As a way of passing time, we decided to play a game of toss with Timothy. I'm pretty certain he could toss either us much further today - and despite the game he turned out pretty awesome. This photo was taken by his mother.