Well, it's been a really busy past couple of days with some big events, so I'll get cracking.

In reverse order, today we had a teambuilding event with work. We all headed up to Escondido to some Inn and Spa kind of place. The order of the day was some sort of "ropes course", which I didn't know really what that meant. Anyways, we gathered into groups, and did some fun little teambuilding things, like using various tools to get a golfball from over here to over there, stuff like that. Then, we got harnassed up and did the "high ropes" course. They had big logs, probably 35 or 40 feet in the air, with various cables between 'em, and we did some different challenging activities. The first was simply walking across a log suspended that high in the air. Basic balance beam stuff, but it was really wobbly and scary being up that high with nothing to hold on to (of course we were all tethered in in professional climbing gear). The second was a suspended wire with a slack rope suspended about shoulder high above it, and you got across the wire while holding onto the rope for support.

Probably the hardest challenge was as follows. There were two cables suspended up high. A team of two people would climb up a ladder, and each person would stand on one cable, facing each other. Then, by holding hands, you could lean forward, supporting each others weight, and move sideways across the cables. The tricky thing was, the cables got further and further apart, so at the far end you were really leaning VERY far forward to hold each other up. It was very challenging, and very rewarding to even get partway across.

The last challenge was a single log standing vertically, again about 35 feet in the air. A person would climb up the log (using supports that were attatched in), and upon reaching the top, climb up and stand on very top of the log (which was probably 8 inches in diameter). The log was definitely thick enough to hold everyone's weight, but was still really wobbly once you got up that high. Then, above 8 feet away was a suspended trapeze handle, and you had to jump out into the air and grab the handle. It was a really great feeling to overcome the natural fear of that situation and do it. Lots of people did it, and lots of people tried their best and were happy that they even got as far as they did. All in all, a very fun day. Pictures to follow soon, hopefully!

Sunday, Norm and Teri scored some tickets to an Event Box at the Staples Center for a Laker game. There were about 10 of us, including a wee baby and a little toddler, and since the box probably sat 24, we had ample room to stretch out, not only in the seats but in the lounge behind it. It was also catered with some little munchies and we had our very own drink lady. Pretty much top of the line, as far as arena seating goes. It was great. I probably sat in every seat in the box at various times with various people. Only after some serious recollection do I remember who won the game (the Lakers). They were playing the Pacers, where my old chum Scot Pollard now plays. I was hoping I'd get a chance to see him and say "hi", but it wasn't to be. Maybe some other time. Special props to Norm and Teri for making that possible. Every other seat in any other sporting event will now pale in comparison. Thanks a lot. :)

Sunday morning was pretty much spent recouping and recovering from Saturday night, which was a Very Special King wedding! That's right, Miami Kyle tied the knot with Kristy (hope that's spelled right). It was a very, very nice wedding, held at the Torrey Pines lodge. The vows were exchanged outside at sunset, and a rainbow formed as they were walking up the aisle, newly married. Afterwards, the drinks flowed and everyone had a rockin' time.

I hear Diana in the garage, and dinner is hot and waiting, so I'm going to end it there.

UPDATE: Oh yeah, here are some chess games that, for whatever reason, I decided to save. Game1, Game2, Game3, Game4