Sunday, October 13, 2013

The Day I Pulled A 50-Ton Jet

On Friday, October 11 we had the US Airways Jet Pull. This is a fundraiser for the United Way, and teams of 20 come together to pull a plane a specified distance. My group, Accounting and Controls, combined with the Corporate Accounting A/R group and we were The A-Team.

Group picture at the office before heading to the hangar
Showing our muscles
This was the plane we pulled - it is an Airbus A319.
For the month of October, some of the tugs are pink for breast cancer awareness.

Sharonne and I with the Cardinals mascot.
Scott and Riemel
Ready, set, pull!!!

Paula giving it her all.
Chris and Nathan.
The big guys in the back.







Our time was 5.9 seconds. Not close to the top, but not last either. The team that ended up winning was Rampage - they consisted of a bunch of the ramp guys that were probably all at least 200 pounds. So, when you have a team with people my size we really don't have a chance against them :)
Team pic after our pull.
Now I can cross off "pulling a plane" from my bucket list (not that it was on there in the first place).

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Arizona State vs. Notre Dame - Shamrock Series

On Friday afternoon I flew to Dallas, TX for the ASU-ND game on Saturday night. Dad picked me up at the airport because he was on an earlier flight, and we headed into downtown Dallas for dinner. I had done some pre-research for local, organic restaurants in the Dallas area. I found a place called Bolsa, and it definitely lived up to its name. I had a beet salad which was excellent, and the "catch" for dinner, which was grouper that had been caught off the coast of Corpus Christi the day prior.

Saturday morning we didn't do a whole lot and as soon as Kevin and Tyler arrived we headed to Arlington for the game. ASU was playing as part of the Shamrock Series

The ASU flag was flying high.


 It was a "Gold" game, hence the reason we are all in gold.

AT&T Stadium/Cowboy Stadium/Jerry's World definitely lived up to its name. The stadium was amazing inside.

We went in right after the gates opened. It was fun to get in there before there were too many people inside.
Had to get a Cowboys pic in Texas!
We were in the nosebleeds but the atmosphere was excellent.
My cousin Tyler, Me, Dad and Uncle Kevin

The team praying before the game.

The Notre Dame band did a really good job with the halftime show. This is a pair of cowboy boots and a cowboy hat.
They were playing "Deep in the Heart of Texas" here.
Tied at 27 with 8:18 to go in the 4th quarter!
The roof was closed but I think they had the AC on because it was kind of chilly in the stadium - warmer than outside though.
End of the game - ASU lost by 3 :(. Still had fun, but would have been even more fun if they came away with the W.
After the game we saw this guy in the hall. He is an ASU student, but he is always on the big screen at the home ASU games. I think he was first found by the Hair Cam, but he can dance pretty well too. I call him the Gangnam Style guy. Watch the YouTube video with his Sun Devil Story.
All in all a fun trip. GO DEVILS!!!