A taste of what I have been up to at work...

Here's the video that I helped develop, script, shoot (as in I was picking out and interviewing the kids - not filming), and produce for DuPage Chidren's Museum annual gala that was on Saturday night. As some of you might know I've been working pretty hard over the past couple of months along with a great team at the Museum to make this event come together and be a success. I'm proud to say that everyone seemed to have a wonderful time, and that we raised a great deal in much needed donations to support the Museum.

Also should say a thanks to Jini of Clare Communications and Greg of Jaffe films who were a pleasure to work with and had a lot to do with this video being so successful. Greg also helped me get things up and rolling and made sure everything played smoothly for the event so that was very much appreciated.

It was a LOT of hard work, but also a really fun and rewarding experience to be a part of. I was lucky to have wonderful coworkers, volunteers, and several helpful committee members that assisted in making the event such a success. Also, Ashley took almost the entire day to come help out doing everything from raffles, to modeling a necklace, to cleaning up at the end of the night. It was really sweet of her to do that and I REALLY appreciated it. At some point soon we'll probably have pictures up on the Museum website.

If you'd like to make a donation to the Museum, just click here!

You'll be missed Uncle Wes!

My Uncle Wes (my mom's oldest brother) passed away last Saturday from a sudden and unexpected heart attack. We are traveling up to Minneapolis today for a memorial service. He was a good person and I'll miss having him in my life. He was EXTREMELY good to my grandmother who depended on him for many things on a regular basis as well - so please send out a prayer or good wish to my family (especially my grandma and parents who are taking on the lion's share of responsibilities following his death while still grieving losing their son and brother). Here's something I wrote for the service tomorrow:

As we were driving home Thursday night, my Fiance Ashley asked what Uncle Wes was like. That was a harder question to answer than I had anticipated. Uncle Wes was an interesting character. That was for sure. And I found that to describe him and what I remembered about Uncle Wes to someone who’d never met him was difficult. Then it just came to me – his voice in my head, and that’s really how I remember him most. I think I almost scared Ashley to death when I just jumped right into my best Uncle Wes impression…

“WELL T.J…. LET ME TELL YOU HOW IT WORKS…”

He had a big booming voice that carried across the room or the dinner table, ensuring everyone heard what he had to say, whether they wanted to or not. I still wonder about the authenticity of some of his grandest tales, but whether what he was telling us all was true or not was probably not as important as some of the things he taught me:

Uncle Wes taught me that sometimes you SHOULD be loud and brash, even when it’s not the most popular statement or seems a bit odd to everyone else. If you have something that you truly feel needs to be expressed, say it.

He taught me that even as a tiny kid, if I did it just right (and I’m not sure I ever did), I had the power to make a big, black, doberman get in the back of a car.

Finally, Uncle Wes taught me not to worry so much. Just after moving from Colorado to Iowa a few years ago, I was struggling to find my way in life and went into a deep, dark depression that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Eventually, with help from my family, friends, doctors, and medication I was able to slowly crawl my way out of the black hole I’d buried myself in and get my life going in a more positive direction. At the same time, Uncle Wes was in the hospital and not doing well as an infection had put his life in serious jeopardy. I called him a few times to let him know I was thinking of him and to wish him a speedy recovery. On about the third call he asked how I was doing. I was honest, and told him “Better, but not great – it’s still hard to get up in the morning sometimes and I feel pretty lost.” “Ahhh.. I see,” said Wes, “Well I know your mom and grandma have been very worried about you, it’s all they talk about.” Then he went on to the part that I still remember. “Me, I’m not worried about you. Sure, you may need a little help here and there, but you’re NORMAL. You’re TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OLD. You’re not supposed to have any idea what the hell to do with your life. Just quit worrying so much and do your best – you’re just as messed up as the next kid trying to make their way in the world – no more, no less.”

I still remember that phone call and think of it often. Uncle Wes didn’t care that the doctors had diagnosed me as depressed or put any stock into the stigma that often surrounds mental illness. He let me know I was just another person in this world dealing with some problems, and made it clear that he believed I’d figure things out when I was good and ready, and that there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. It made me feel better; it made me feel normal again. And while it’s been a long road, things have been pretty darn good since then.

Thanks Uncle Wes.

Checking in with the ol' blog world!

Hey everyone - It's been awhile since a post, huh? Well there is good reason (I think) for that. I've been SUPER busy planning for both the wedding AND the big gala we are putting on at work. Since switching into my new Corporate Relations and Event Planning role at the Children's Museum it's been crazy as our biggest fund raiser of the year is quickly approaching on April 26 - followed a week later by my wedding.

I'm having lots of fun in the new position but feel like there is something to do just about every minute of the day regarding the gala, not to mention some of the Corporate Relations stuff. The good news is that it all seems to be going well and I'm excited about the event. Want to hear more about the event and see me on TV? I thought you'd never ask. Click here (then on my face where it says DuPage Children's Museum):

http://www.nctv17.com/nctv17-son.html

OK - so hopefully I didn't sound too cheesy!! The new marketing person at the Museum was giving me a hard time for not wearing a tie - but hey, that's me and that's just how I roll. It was fun to be on TV (it was live the first time they showed it) - but not something I think I'd want to do on a regular basis. Ashley actually used to do that at the Animal Rescue League in Iowa each week with a new adoptable pet - she was much better than I am!

Speaking of my beautiful fiance, we traveled back to Des Moines last weekend along w/ her mom for the big bridal shower and bachelorette party. They apparently had a very good time. I had a great time too as I got to do many fun things including eating at my all time favorite restaurant, El Rodeo (where of course I ran into someone from my past as always!). On Saturday while the girls were out partying we had a very nice "Pre-Marital Male Bonding Conference." Muchos Gracias to my dad and brother who took care of dinner and hockey tickets for 7 of us guys - that was extremely generous and much appreciated by everyone, including me. After the game we hit up a local smoke free bar and ran into an old friend I knew from high school who was waitressing. She was super nice and hooked me up with free drinks for the rest of the time we were there.

Really enjoyed seeing my parents and catching up with them all weekend as well. My dad has built a gorgeous box to use for cards, etc. at our wedding. It was a great gift and we really appreciate it because he made it especially for us. In fact, for my parents wedding gift to us, my dad has generously offered to make us a table and chairs - any good ideas?? We tend to like very simple, more modern designs - send em my way if you see anything cool! Here's a picture of the box he made us - a special sneak peak before the wedding for you blog readers:



Well that's about all for now. Picked up a new remote for the bedroom TV and I'm LOVING it as I was actually able to program the TV, dish, and DVD player on that one remote. Might get the same one for the living room it works so good! OH - in other news I'm doing a little free-lance writing for the local magazine that featured Ashley and our pets awhile back. I'm hoping the article I'm working on comes out well and that they like what I've done. I'll keep you posted and link to the magazine's website if it's published.

I highly doubt there will be many more posts for about the next month - but I'll see what I can do. Hope everyone is doing good and that it is sunnier where you are than it has been in Illinois lately!!

Part Two: Last 7.5 Minutes of Fame

Check out the St. John Sun Times wrap up of 8 Tuff Miles. A great article on the race and a bunch of good photos, including one smack dab in the middle of the page spread featuring yours truly with running buddies Brian and Brett (took this at the awards ceremony the afternoon after the race took place). As you can see we are proudly sporting our baby blue "Urbandale All Stars" t-shirts I labored away on leading up to our trip. Big thanks to Ella and Gina at the Sun Times for taking the time to email me an electronic version of the story! You can click on the pictures to see a bigger version.

So we just got back from an interesting evening out. We went up to Elgin to see Sarah Vowell speak. She is an author who has written several books on American history, and she's also pretty damn funny and played the voice of the daughter, Violet, in the move "The Incredibles." I haven't read her books but know her from her frequent contributions to "This American Life" the Chicago Public Radio show that is now one of the most popular on NPR and I have become nerd-ily addicted to. I listen to the old

podcasts most days on my commute. If you haven't checked it out,you should, I'd highly recommend it (check out the link to their website over to the right, I'm tired and don't feel like adding it again here!) Anyway, she was very good and although tickets were a little pricey ($20.00), I'm glad we went and look forward to reading some of her books, such as Assassination Vacation.

After that headed out to a small Italian place on the way home and had a fairly good meal served by what Ashley swears were waiters with fake Italian accents. I made the unfortunate decision to make a comment at dinner along the lines of "Too bad we can't keep the house more clean, both of us are very messy people." Well of course this isn't entirely true, and it's me that tends to put off the cleaning, but I seem to have made Ashley feel as if I felt she was a real mess maker too which is not true. Anyway, it's almost 11:45 p.m. and she's in the bathroom cleaning out the drawers!! On the bright side, her bronchitis seems to be much better and she's not coughing nearly as much.

So I hope to get that big trip report done.. eventually.

My 15 Minutes of Fame... St. John Style

So one of the coolest things about the whole St. John trip and the 8 Tuff Miles experience was having an opportunity to be interviewed and featured in one of the St. John Newspapers - The Sun Times.

The morning after we arrived, I went to check in officially at the campground while Brian and Brett got us a cab to go into town and pick up the rental jeep. While I was waiting I saw a copy of the Sun Times sitting on a shelf, picked it up, paged through and saw a picture of me and my dog!! They had used the picture I sent along w/ the entire email interview I had done. It was so crazy to arrive on a tiny island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, and wake up in the morning to find my picture in the paper.

Anyway, the editor and publisher of the paper, Ella, was really fun to talk to and I had a chance to meet her leading up to race day and then right after the race as well (she was the first to greet me and congratulate me at the finish line actually!). She is a really cool person and looks to be doing a great job w/ the Sun Times. So click on the picture of the article and you can read for yourself!!

Got some pictures up!

Well - still haven't had a chance to write about the trip in detail - but you CAN now see all my photos on Flickr. You'll notice there aren't too many from the race day. We had our friend Heidi who we met in St. John take a bunch that day so hopefully I can post them before long. Anyway, for now, enjoy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjhicks/sets/72157604127628531/

Updates on the way....

Sorry for no big updates yet. The new position at work and wedding stuff has been keeping me busy (not to mention watching the resurging Blackhawks and sleeping!). Anyway, check out this article from the Chicago Tribune that popped up in my VI news stories below:

Click Here

Does it mean I'm becoming a "St. John snob" when in reading this all I did was pick out some small inaccuracies?? Oh well. Started uploaded all the photos from our trip last night to Flickr so I should be able to post a link to them soon.