Although I could not join them, I sent my camera out with their guide, and she captured some nice images of them.

Today my staff enjoyed a team building kayak adventure that had them exploring water caves near the Scorpion anchorage off Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park. Regrettably it was necessary for me to remain back at the office to deal with urgent matters. I had to revamp the team building exercises at the last minute since I would not be present to facilitate. I often do my most creative thinking under the gun and came up with a good back up assignment. The weather and tide conditions were perfect and the team returned from their 10 hour adventure both exhausted and thrilled. We enjoyed dinner together as they recounted the exploits of the day and compared wounds (minor cuts and abrassions from close encounters with mussel cover sea cave walls).

I will be working in Santa Barbara this week and enjoyed a window seat with a clean window on my flight from Boston to Los Angeles. It is important to relax now because I am in for a high stress work week the second I touch down. Over the weekend, Sonos transitioned our e-mail system from a local server to one managed by an external IT services provider. About a million things can go wrong and since this initiative was the result of my direction there is a lot at stake for me. Couple this with an unresolved design issue on a product we are about to launch and you have the ingredients for the perfect storm. It will be a 21 hour work day before all is said and done.

This shot took a little more patience and a bit of luck to capture the tiny flying creature on the right. Patience is something I could use more of. My right calf muscle is still too tender to play soccer and the frustration is almost unbearable. I had breakfast with the boys and afterwards we went over to watch the tail end on my team’s game. We were leading the first place team in the division 2-1 late in the game but had to settle for a tie when they equalized.

I decided to do a little macro photography today and found some interesting subjects within a few feet of the back door.

This evening, we attended a mixer for CCHS freshman parents. It was very fattening.

Jeanine and I had dinner this evening at Bullfinch’s in Sudbury with my high school wrestling partner Tom and his wife Karen. Every year the Metzolds host a Fourth of July extravaganza which we enjoy immensely but rarely does that give us an occasion to spend one on one time with them. Karen and I share the same birthday (I am one year older) and Jeanine arranged for this intimate celebration. It was a delightful evening of fine dining and great conversation. Outside of my family I have known Tom for longer than anyone else in my life and feel fortunate that we live in such close proximity. The Metzold’s son Evan is in his first year at the NYU film school and son Eddie attends Concord Academy. Tragically, one of Evan’s close high school friends died earlier this week of swine flu serving as a painful reminder that life is short and must be lived fully each day.

The CCHS Men’s Varsity team had to settle for a tie today against Weston due to some very questionable officiating at the end of the game. Kyle played with great intensity and had a nice breakaway for a good attempt on goal. He is still being played on the front line and I continue to hope he will get a chance to play midfield where I feel his game is even stronger.

Nicolai had a great game today, assisting on three goals and threatening the goal on this cross. Concord-Carlisle beat Weston 5-0. Nico’s distribution was really strong, and once again, he was dominant in the air.

This is the first of a three-page letter from Maya that was waiting for me as I entered Maya’s classroom. My favorite line: I sit with a table of all boys, they’re still learning who’s boss! This child is going to go far.

Today Jeanine and I had to split up to cover back to school activities. I met with Maya’s teacher, Ms. Lyons, and toured the new Willard school which is state of the art in every way. Classrooms have CO2 monitors and adjust the HVAC system to increase oxygen levels as needed to keep students and staff maximally alert. Need I say more. Meanwhile, Jeanine attended a meeting at the high school to learn about everything we need to do in preparation for the college selection process.

I was thrilled to receive this fire pit as a birthday present from the kids and spent a relaxing hour on the patio with Jeanine enjoying the warmth and glow. Jeanine gave me two pair of furry slippers, something I will enjoy as the days and nights become colder. Anticipating that Nala would eat the new slippers as she has every other pair I have owned Jeanine decided to buy an extra set in advance. Time will tell if these are actually a present for me or the dog.

I was late for my own birthday party this evening due to something of a fire drill at work. Fortunately, Jeanine kept my lovingly prepared dinner warm and the kids took a break from their studies to join in the feast. I requested healthy birthday food and Jeanine out did herself with this fantastic fresh fruit tarte with almond crust. Just looking at this on the screen has convinced me I need to go back for seconds. I decided to use my birthday wish to rectify a design issue on our about to be released new product.

It was a very long day in the office, so I am posting another image from the mother-and-daughter NYC adventure. Maya and Lydia pose in front of the fancy restaurant they will be dining at.