I passed with PRIDE-

I passed the exam- I am now a CLU and I get another free trip to San Francisco in November- hurray! I can take three more tests for an additional certification- but at this point I am not sure that I really want more letters behind my name on my business card- now I have MBA, CLU. What an alphabet.

I also celebrated the Pride weekend- perhaps a little too much.. I am hungover and sunburned.. it was not a pretty Monday at all- of course the fact that I had to be up at 4:30am to leave for Davenport, Iowa didn't really help the matter one bit. With God as my witness (an my blog readers too)- I never want to drink that much vodka ever again- yikes. Megan made these fabulous screwdrivers that went down very very easy and the parade just kept getting more and more fun. If you want more "stories" of the weekend- you will have to call me personally- I can devulge all my secrets on the world wide web (GASP).

I am starting to feel more in a groove with work- things are flowing very nice. The work at home routine is getting much more comfortable- I still need to spend some time organizing the house and the office- but that will come in good time- for now my philosophy has been to see as many people as I can and try to network in business as much as I can- in this business it is all about networking and making contacts. In the wholesaling world keeping a full calendar is the hardest task at times and right now that is not an issue for me- so I am considering myself lucky and figure a dry spell for appointments will come sooner or later and then I can organize the office.

I just talked to Helene and she is coming up to chicago Thursday- we are going to have such a fun time together. I only wish that she could have brought here dog Austin so that Trevor would have had a playmate on the beach.

Off to relax for the evening- catch you later.

A quickie-

Hello all- I have not forgotten about you- I have just been BUSY BUSY BUSY.

If you believe in prayer (which I do) or good Karma or postive energy flow- then please send me some tomorrow- it is my final exam of my CLU professional designation- it is on Fundamentals of Income Taxation- needles to say I have been spending too much time the last couple of weeks concentrating on that evil subject and not truly having fun. I will be so happy to not have to drive around and listen to those audio review CDs-

This weekend is Pride in Chicago- Megan and I are doing the Run with Pride on Saturday AM and then I am invited to a party on Sunday to watch the parade- how fun is that?

Next week is the excited trip to exotic and beautiful Iowa (Dubuque, Davenport, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids- wohoo!!!!) Can't wait baby- bring it on.

Off to work-

I have confessed-

Last night I took a break from the boxes and from studying for my exam next Friday to see MADONNA!!!!! The United Center was a rocking- the show was incredible-- I went alone but made quick friends with the gay couple next to us- we danced the entire show- my feet were so sore and I had no voice left - but the concert was well worth all the hype and the hefty ticket price!!!

If you can get the chance to see the show- DO IT!! Paul did you guys go out in San Jose?

Yesterday was quite the day- I have a 3 hour planning session with the boss- then 3 appointments, followed by a happy hour, followed by Madonna- yikes!

On top of all that I am now in contract for my condo in OH- YAHOOO--- and I got an incredible offer- which is amazing considering how flat the market is in Ohio right now and there are 14 other units for sale in my complex-- I guess my excellent decorating taste paid off!

I have a very busy Thursday and Friday - I have to do 3 group meeting and present to about 100 brokers- so I will be a busy busy boy!

I wanted to say hello to you all and let you know I am OK and having a GREAT time in Chicago-

TGIF

I have been here for a week, and what a week it has been. The move was rough and bumpy at times-- kind of like and expressway with potholes... but I have made it OK. I am adjusting nicely to working from home and enjoying the commute to my dining with a pot of coffee in hand each morning- it is also nice to spend more time with the dog-- although I was one the phone with a client yesterday and the UPS man came with package, when the doorbell rang it was like Trevor decided to bark up a storm (as always) and the broker was like "what's going on??"

The week has been full of lots of office work, phone calls, a couple of really good meetings and yes UNPACKING- I really feel incredible momentum in the job... from my intial impression of the territory I think this is going to be a great job- I have already getting lots of support and good feedback.

I am really scared about 1 thing- my multi purpose device-- the company bought me a printer, fax, scanner, copier-- You mean it doesn't make toast??? What good is this thing--- and then my Blackberry device just scares me- it is very complicated-- I need to dedicate some time to watch the interactive CD-Rom that came with it--- and now I am planning to go to Best Buy and purchase a GPS system??? Am I insane??? It is so much technology so fast-- I am on overload of new buttons to push-- Yikes!

I am excited because my new neighborhood is having a street festival this weekend- lots of music, artists, dancers, and the like-- I plan to scope it out. I also want to take a Yoga class at my new gym- which is right around the corner (gotta love that)--

I just realized I went car-free for over 24 hours - WOW -- what a great feeling-

Have a great weekend- and please email me at brackenridge43228@hotmail.com with the links to you blogs!!!! I need to keep track of my friends!

Also I do not want to post my new address of phone numbers on here- so if you need them, please email me.

Wow- is this for real??

Reality is settling in- and I can't really believe that this is all happening. It is kind of unreal and yet at the same time very very fun!

I wished Mom & Dad goodbye this morning. It was great to have their love, support, and physical assistance in the move. I think my Mom should have a how-to cleaning show on HGTV-- she scrubbed this pas until she had nothing left to scrub! I still have some boxes (ok many many boxes) to unpack... but I will get those unpacked in good time.

I am really enjoying the new neighborhood-- it is so dog friendly- Trevor has already made many new friends. I am enjoying taking him on walks and exploring the neighborhood.

Also- if you have a blog or friendster site or myspace site- please email the hyperlink to your site- as I lost all my bookmarked favorites in the transition- and I miss reading about all of my friends life and times..

OK - I am tired and ready for a hot shower.

All settled in??

I made it- all the stuff made it too. Who knew that I had that much crap???? I sure didn't! I kept thinking that the movers had to be done -- but no- More and more and more and more boxes kept coming in the door- I couldn't believe it... I have the main floor of the house in decent order- I have clothes to wear to work tomorrow- I can fix a meal in the kitchen, take a shower, and even watch my fabulous new 42" plasma TV--

So far I have really enjoyed the new neighborhood- I haven't "hit the town" yet as the parents are still here and helping me settle- I hope that this beautiful weather sticks around a little longer so that as I become more and more settled and can find some free time to get out and enjoy the neighborhood and all that the city has to offer!

OK- I am tired and will post more later.