Timmerman Family Reunion 2012

Timmerman Family Reunion 2012

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for July 29, 2012

We drove down to Rock Rapids, Iowa for the annual Timmerman Family Reunion.  I don't know why this building has John Wayne, an airplane, and a bunch of cows painted on it, but it must represent the town in some way.  I have no clue what way that would be, though.

We'd heard that the drought had been really affecting the nation's corn crops, but it looked pretty good to me.  It fit the old saying "Luke High by the 29th of July!"

I've been coming to Miss Sheri's family reunion for nearly 20 years now, but this was the lightest participation level I ever remember seeing.  It might have been because it was raining outside.  

But we did have a bunch of fun people there including Leona and Marian.

Al and Deb are always good for a laugh!

As are Harold, Troy, and Lyda.

And Todd, Tiffany, Betty, and Walt.

After we ate, the boys and I went outside to explore the Rock Rapids city park.

It's a neat place because they trap a bunch of animals there for our enjoyment.

They also have a really cool river and dam.  We had a lot of dam fun while we were there!

I was just starting to question the wisdom of letting the boys walk along the cement blocks beneath the dam when a fisherman walked up to me and said "Don't worry about it.  The water is only a few feet deep there."  He must have been reading my mind.

When the slippery dam rocks get boring, we're lucky to have technology to fall back on.   

Luke and Avery Go To Camp Odayin 2012

Luke and Avery Go To Camp Odayin

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for July 20, 2012

Luke and Avery spent the week at Camp Odayin.  It's an awesome camp for kids with heart conditions and they've been going for several years.  It's always a little bit hard for mom and dad to send them there because we're completely out of touch with them for 5 days and 4 nights.  The only communication we have with them is an online photo album which is updated daily.  Luke took a camera so he also had a bunch of photos from the trip as well.  This post features some of my favorite pictures from their trip.

Ultrabooks: Market Savior or Hopeless Failure?

Theoretically, many experts say, there’s a lot for SMBs to like about ultrabooks, including their slim form factor, low weight, and—most especially—Microsoft operating system. 


“First and foremost, they want the Windows client,” says Todd Swank, vice president of marketing at VAR and integrator Nor-Tech, of Burnsville, Minn. That’s the one thing that a low-end Air can’t provide. Windows won’t run on the entry-level Air, nor can any model handle Windows out of the box. Instead, users must install extra software that, some reviewers say, can reduce battery life by upwards of two hours. 


 And yet, ultrabooks haven’t exactly been flying off the shelves. In fact, “they kind of landed there with a thud,” Swank says.

“It’s a compelling design,” Swank says, “but the resistance is the price. When it comes to them spending their dollars, I found a lot of customers that want to buy $500 laptops. They might go up to $600 or $700.” 


  From Channel Pro Magazine:
http://www.channelprosmb.com/article/30601/Ultrabooks-Market-Savior-or-Hopeless-Failure/

Shortarmguy's Butterfinger Spokesperson Audition

Shortarmguy's Butterfinger Spokesperson Audition

Nobody Better Lay A Finger On Our Butterfinger!

Kid Rock at Mystic Lake Casino

Kid Rock at Mystic Lake Casino

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for July 15, 2012

Our old friend, Amy Montgomery, was able to score Miss Sheri and I the opportunity to see Kid Rock in concert at the Mystic Lake Casino Amphitheater last Sunday night.  It sure was nice of her!

Technically, it was Amy's friend, Mike, that was able to get us in to see the show.  He's a guitar technician for the band.  I only had the chance to meet him for a few seconds, but he seemed like a great guy!

When we first arrived, I felt like we were in the movie Almost Famous.  We were like groupies hanging out with the guards until "Penny Lane" was able to get us the magic access passes to go Back Stage.  I was thinking I might have to go back there and have relations with one of the band members, but none of them seemed all that interested in me.

My badge said I was working for the band.  I'm glad nobody started bossing me around and telling me to carry stuff around or something.  I would have hated to have dropped one of the guitars and ruined the concert!

Amy's badge said she was part of Kid Rock's Family although I don't know how she was related to him.  Kid Sister?  Aunt Rock?  I'll probably never know the truth.

I never actually saw Mr. Rock while we were backstage, but I'm pretty sure he was in one of these buses.  I was tempted to knock on the door and see if he wanted to hang out with me, but figured he might be sleeping or something and decided it would be best not to bother him.

Instead, we took our seats.  They hooked us up with some really nice folding chairs located between the sound booth and the stage.  I was prepared to help them with the audio mixing if they needed me, but unfortunately I was never asked to help.

We were surprised when our old friends, Molly and Brad from Clear Lake, Iowa, suddenly showed up and were sitting in the seats two rows behind us.  I have no idea how they knew Amy's friend, Mike, but was glad to see he was able to get them some seats also.

Kid Rock hit the stage ready to blow the doors off the joint!  He was also very friendly!  I couldn't believe it when he started waving to me, but he did!

I was so impressed that even though it's been almost 12 years since his friend, Joe C, has passed away, he still pays tribute to him in his shows.  I thought that was pretty classy!

It was the first time I'd seen Kid Rock perform live and I loved it!  Here's a couple of minutes of video Miss Sheri shot from the show so you can enjoy it as well!