Wow.

It was my very first time in Florida, especially close to a Disney Experience at a conference in Orlando.  I went down with a group from work (Ann DeMarle and 6 students) to attend Learning 2008.  I posted at on the Emergent Media Center blog since it related to work and my boss preferred it.  I feel like it's almost like I am juggling multiple relationships!  Anyway, if you'd like to read more about the work trip, just visit the link and enjoy the post.  You should also take the opportunity to view the students performing the Thriller dance!!!    

The EMC Grand Opening yesterdy went extremely well!  There were tons of people in attendance for the open house and Governor's Press Conference.  The focus was on the students, as it should be, and what an awesome opportunity the EMC creates in the Champlain community.  Even though I barely saw Ray all evening, he was working hard, talking to folks about the student projects and helping to make sure that everything went smoothly. 

One of the best moments was when the ceremonial ribbon was cut - but being a tech center, they decided to cut wire instead!  About 10 people, including Ray, his boss, the Governor, two students, and some representatives from game companies who were in attendance all used specially provided wire cutters for the job!

As we didn't take any pictures, here is a link to the professional photos taken by Champlain College's photographer.   Also, WCAX, one of our local news stations did a bit of a news story about Champlain's move into the Mill and the EMC.

So, I'm going to brag about my husband a teeny tiny bit.  He's been working super hard as of late, pratically non-stop since mid-August, and I'm not exaggerating.  First it was to get ready for the trip to South Africa, then to get things move to the new EMC location, and right now it's been getting the EMC in working order for their big opening tonight!

I know Ray has posted some of his thoughts about his job and how hard he's been working on this blog.  I just want to share with everyone how amazing my husband is.  I can think of only one day since August 16th when he hasn't been working.  He goes in early, stays late and works weekends.  He does this partly because it's his job, but mostly because he cares.  In my MBA program we've discussed the intangibles that make up a business, one of those is the corporate culture, which is set by upper management, but the other is the workforce.  These intangibles are the heartbeat and breathe of a company and influence everything from top to bottom.  I know that Ray feels inspired by the goals of the EMC and the things they have already accomplished.  I also know that what he loves is to help the students succeed: it's the conversations, projects and difference that he gets to have with all of them that make his job worthwhile to him.  He feels fortunate to have a great boss and co-workers who are equally dedicated to these tasks (I know for a fact I'm not the only work-widow).

But I just wanted to take a minute to celebrate Ray!  Today, starting at 4:00, the EMC is having their big open house and fancy dinner.  CEOs of many companies will be in attendance, as will the Governor and likely a Congressman and a Senator (or two).  The EMC even made the cover of The Burlington Free Press today.  I couldn't be prouder of how dedicated to his work he is, how he gives 150% of himself to the center and how he's making a difference both at the Champlain community and in the world.  So as Champlain College and Vermont celebrate the Emergent Media Center today, I want to celebrate Ray, and thank him for everything he does.  I feel both lucky and privileged to be his partner!

Feelin' great after yesterday's win (and the "real" Texas beef that Dad had for dinner) we embarked on our final two tours of our trip.  Now, growing up, my parents lived in Texas and they always told my brother and I how it never rained in Texas.  When I was 13 and they took us on a cross country road trip we drove through the pan-handle of Texas.  It rained the entire time.  This would be my only other Texas experience, and guess what: it's raining today.  Irony folks.

So we departed under drippy and overcast skys for the Texas Stadium Tour.  It was very cool, we got to visit the luxury boxes, the club room (where Troy Aiken announced his retirement from football and TO signed his recent contract extension - remember the huge bowl of popcorn?), the locker room, the infamous tunnel and the field!

Here's Dad in one of the luxury boxes.  For only $3,200 you too can have this box, 8 tickets to the game, food for 24, a case of soda, a case of beer and 3 full bottles of liquor!  The price is so reasonable that companies rent them out for the year!  This box belongs to the City of Irving.    Tax payers love football so much in Texas apparently they pay for this sort of thing!

  Unfortunately, Neman Marcus was doing a photo shoot on the field (in the rain?) so there was a crew there building some sort of platform over the infamous centerfield star.  Dad encouraged a little bit of rebellion and I jumped in the middle quickly so that he could take a photo!  Kiss the Star!   This is me in the endzone closest to where our seats had been the day before.  It would be a better photo if those people weren't in the way!  Photo shop!  For a mere $500,000 you too could own this endzone.  If you feel that price might be too steep, guess what, there's more: VIP tickets to the final game in Texas Stadium (vs. Baltimore), photo session in your end zone with Jerry Jones before the game AND a post-game tailgate party in your endzone!  Wowie!  I also had a chance to sit on the 'Boys bench, right near about where Tony Romo had spent some of the day before!

And finally, there's my Dad at the 50 yard line!  Go Cowboys!

  We learned that Texas Stadium will be imploded after the season.  Turns out that while Jerry Jones owns the stadium, he does not own the parking lot.  Not much you can do with a stadium with no parking! 

After our Texas Stadium Tour (and the rain) we headed out to Valley Ranch!  We had a different bus drive than usual for the lucky 30 folks who got to go.  Unfortunately, this bus driver didn't know where to go, and some how missed the HUGE white building with the giant Dallas Star on it.... so we drove around in a huge bus through some condo developments for a while, before the bus passengers nearly mutinied and started yelling directions at him based purely on the location of the afore mentioned building.  We did make it there eventually!

  Here's Dad in front of two greats: Lee Roy Jordan (that's whose jersey he's wearing) and Roger Staubach.  These paintings are in the hallway at Valley Ranch, there is one of each member of the ring of honor.   We also go to visit the on-site TV studio (who knew they had one?), it's not where the press conferences are held (because that's acutally in a hallway, we got to see that too).  But here's Dad and I sitting behind the desk (we have no explanation for the inequitability of the heights of the chairs).   And here is a parting shot of our FAVORITE bus driver (he rocked) and Ronni, the Maximum Sports Connection goddess.  She really rocked it out.  Everything about this tour was seriously awesome!  They took care of everything, and all we had to do was sit back and have an amazing time.

This weekend went by super fast!  It was totally amazing and I had the best company, my Dad (the reason I'm a Cowboys fan).  He picked it right, we had to go before they moved out of Texas Stadium.  That's where the Cowboys have played my whole life, and to miss seeing it would have made me sad.  Now I can't wait to do this again!  Maybe I can convince Ray to do an "away" game at the Giants next year......

As Day Two of our Cowboys weekend dawned, we realized there were some benefits to our room location.  Not only did we get to see all of the players cars outside our window - we also got to see them leave in the morning!  It was funny, there was a fence around the perimeter and people were already lined up outside at 7:30 am, when I woke up.  We could tell if someone was going to walk by our window, because the crowd would start to run in our direction.    Here's Rookie cornerback Mike Jenkins waving to me in my PJs!

Promptly at 11:00 am we loaded up the bus to head to the stadium!  The game wasn't until 4:15, but we had some tailgating to do!

  Once again Maximum Sports Connection had taken care of everything!  We had lots of food, lots of drink, a DJ and a flat screen showing the Colts vs. Texans game!  Dad and I decided to wander around a bit, check out the other tailgates (and a port-a-potty) and take a look at the Pro Shop.  Well, believe it or not, there was a waiting line!  We went as soon as we got there (as advised) and we still had to wait outside for about 10 minutes.  Crazy!

More craziness - here's a great example of the right place at the right time.  Dad and I were just wandering around the perimeter of the stadium when who should appear?  Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.  It was a completely surreal experience and I had some trouble getting a photo, but Dad is one smart cookie.  He positioned himself just right, stuck out his hand and SHOOK JERRY JONES'S HAND!  I believe he also uttered "Nice job with the 'Boys" before the body guards pushed him aside.

  Right around 3:30 we wandered into the stadium, and were pleased to find our seats (they were great)!  Funny thing, I was sitting next to a 30 year season ticket holder, who also happened to be a South African native!  We chatted about my trip and his decision to become an American citizen in the '70's.  He was also a great resource to have at the game, he pointed out where Jerry Jones was sitting, Phil Simms in the announcers booth and the 30 years of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders who were on hand for the game. 

Here are some highlights (though they may be fuzzy) from the game!

Best part about it - the Cowboys won!