Category: Friends

David LaGrand Promises Never to Become A Lobbyist

Just saw a press release from David LaGrand. David, who’s running for Michigan State Senate, has pledged to never become a lobbyist if he he’s elected to state office. I worked on his 2006 State Senate campaign, and know him and his family personally. David’s “no lobbying” pledge doesn’t surprise me in the least. In my experience, David LaGrand honestly only wants what’s best for Grand Rapids and Kent County, and becoming a lobbyist after his term(s) are up will do a lot more harm than good for Grand Rapids and West Michigan in general. I wish a lot more politicians would have the same commitment to the better good that David has.

The full press release is available here:

http://www.davidlagrand.com/index.php/media/archives/46/david_lagrand_discloses_finances_and_pledges_to_never_become_a_lobbyist

Posted on Jun 07, 2010 - 05:52 PM

Song from a friend - Nicholas Kelsay sings “Saturday Morning”

Here's a song from a friend of mine. I've posted his stuff before, but I particularly like this new track of his. It's called "Saturday Morning." Download it in high quality here: Nicholas Kelsay - Saturday Morning
Posted on Jan 12, 2010 - 06:55 PM

We’re Moving to Sacramento!

Lauren and I are moving to Sacramento! Lauren was offered a job 20 minutes after her phone interview, she accepted, and we’re moving!

We’re both glad to move back to California, even though we’ve grown to like Michigan a lot. The people in Grand Rapids are great, Michigan’s outdoors is stunning - even though it’s no Lake Tahoe or San Francisco Bay - and overall, it’s a really, really friendly place. I like Michigan.

But bigger and better things are calling to us. Lauren is flying out a day or two early with our cat, Lion. We’re having our stuff shipped there, and I’m driving our car to California with my Grandpa.

Lauren’s new job is in advertising and marketing, like she does now, and I’ll keep on doing my freelance web/ExpressionEngine development thing. We’re both excited. Pray for us for the trip and for the transition - it’s our first major move, ever.

The photos I used are CC-licensed, from Flickr: you can see the originals at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sp8254/386342786/

and

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51652977@N00/3436016626/

Posted on Jun 02, 2009 - 12:30 PM

My Sister Got Engaged Today!

My sister got engaged today! Congratulations Rachel and Brendan!

I got the call from my sister like three or four times, but I had my phone on silent because Lauren and I had gone to our church’s evening Christmas service. :-(

Anyway, good job the both of you. Can’t wait to see you over Christmas!

EDIT 12/15/08: She just called me today - she just got in to UPenn’s grad program!

EDIT 1/6/09: Here’s a YouTube video of Brendan skateboarding. He’s good.

Posted on Dec 15, 2008 - 01:10 AM

Foosball Tournament

My friend Josh and I entered a foosball tournament Tuesday. It was great fun, but we both got totally smoked. Josh and I were, I think, the best players among our friends in college, but these guys (and one woman) are on a completely different level. Some of them play competitively, in tournaments around the country.

Anyway, here’s a YouTube video of what we were up against: the snake shot. It’s the fastest of the foosball shots, and pros can get it moving at up to 35 miles per hour.

I think between us, we blocked two or three of those shots the whole night.

Posted on Nov 21, 2008 - 05:10 PM