Ahhh, summers in Utah!  I do have to say that one of the things that we have enjoyed most about our move back is the spring and summer.  One of the best parts is the grass.  I know it sounds funny but the grass here is great!  Nothing better then sitting on the grass under a large shade tree and watching the world go by.

This last weekend we took Radar and his cousin Gizmo to Strut your Mutt in Sugarhouse Park.  This was the first time we had been to the event and it was a lot of fun.  It is a fund raiser for No More Homeless Pets in Utah and there were a ton of people and dogs there.  We had fun, and I think Radar did as well.

In other news, Ashley is now in her 25th week and the big day will be here before we know it.  We have been working hard and have the nursery all setup and ready to go.  I will be getting a picture of the room shortly and posting it to my flickr account so everybody can take a look.  We are really excited but I think my mom is the most excited.  She called yesterday to ask if I was aware that they made little baby sunglasses.  She only knew this as she had been out shopping...

No new news on the job front.  The 31st was my official last day with Zions Bank.  I have been searching the various job boards with mixed results.  Unfortunatly there just isn't a ton of jobs out there, which I suspect is directly related to the economy.  I am working several leads and chasing down some potential oppertunities.  I do have to say I have enjoyed the time off, but getting back to work would be great!

On Thursday the 9th I was advised that my current position with Zions Bank was being eliminated due to restructuring.  As you can imagine this was not the greatest news for Ashley and I but we are making the best of it.  Today I received my separation paperwork and they have requested I stay on through the end of May to assist with the transition to the new team. 

At any rate, I am, and have been since the 9th, actively searching the various job boards.  You forget how hard and frustrating searching for a job can be.  Gone are the days of personal contact, it is nothing more then clicking a few buttons and then waiting for somebody to call back.  From the business side I understand this, especially in this market.  When I have hired for positions in markets similar to this with other companies, we would get a thousand resumes in 24 hours.  If everybody was to come in and call it would put quite a strain on the hiring managers.  So the use of an electronic system is the logical choice but it really cuts the personal touch out of the search. 

Last weekend I volunteered for the Salt Lake Marathon and all went well.  We had a few minor issues but nothing major.  I was in one of three SAG vehicles that were surfing the course for injured or tired runners.  This weekend I am helping out with the Spring Sprint Triathalon.  It should be a good event and interesting as I have not supported a Triathalon before.  It is also neat as the base for everything will be at the Olymipc Oval that was used for several events in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.  I have not seen the facility and am looking forward to being able to check it out.  I also got word this week that two of my photographs were accepted into the South Jordan art Show.  They will be on display in one of the city buildings and then at the city celebration known as Country Fest.  I will post more detas as we get closer to them being on display.

On a compleatly different note, some of our friends in Colorado (Jeff and Tricia) posted the video below to You-Tube today.  They had discovered a hole by their front porch but weren't sure what had made it.  Well they found out and this video documets it quite well...

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Oh man!  Can I just say how glad I am that its Friday?  Late last week I was informed that my position with Zions Bank has been eliminated due to a restructuring.  In the new configuration there are positions like mine but I will have to interview for them.  So, on Monday of this week I essentially had to interview for the job that I already have.  This has obviously made Ashley and I really nervous as this is not a favorable market to start a job search in.  The interview was hard to gauge, but I should know something next week.  A good portion of this week has been spent on initiating my job search.  I always tend to forget how frustrating looking for work is.  I really miss the dot com days when you could just walk into a place and they would hire you.  The goal for this weekend will be not to think/stress about it...

Last weekend I officially started the Public Service Event volunteering season with the Walk MS.  The Utah Multipls Scelerosis Chapter held their annual Walk fund raiser in downtown Salt Lake City.  There were an estimated 3900 people that participated in the event raising all kinds of money.  Ashely was also able to come with me, which was nice.  Since she is a HAM now she is thinking about participating a bit more.  Of course, the baby might have other plans.  This weekend I will be working the Salt Lake Marathon.  This is my second year helping with the Marathon communications and it should be a great one.  The weather is looking like it will be great!