The Service

On Saturday, a wonderful service for Uncle Alex was held in Des Moines. As usual, Auntie Helen was looking smashing:



Uncle Alex, as we all know, touched many peoples life. A few are in this picture, many more are already in the chapel:



The service was very nice and touching. Wonderful talks were given by Virginia, Marry, Sarah, and Ron. Also, I was able to speak some very nice words written by my dad, as he wasn't able to be there.

The reception following was wonderful. I was able to meet a lot of relatives from the Gilmore side of the family, and see some other people that I haven't seen in decades.

The feeling of family was wonderful. Our family is extremely special, and I am so happy to be a part of it.

Here are all of the pictures

The words I was honored to deliver on my fathers behalf:

My Uncle Alex is no my uncle by blood, He is my uncle, because he had the inordinately good sense to marry my wonderful Auntie Helen, But by blood or not, he couldn't have been more of an uncle to me. My parents would come to Des Moines, like homing pigeons, every summer we could, for my father's thirty day leave from the Air Force. I would stay with my cousin David for the whole time. That made my Auntie Helen and Uncle Alex my thirty-day surrogate parents. Uncle Alex took his job very seriously. Whenever David and I misbehaved, David would get the swat in the pants first, but that only made it tougher on me, because I knew whatever he got, I was going to get next.
That discipline, was not the only thing that my dear Uncle shared. I always felt his love and caring. H would teach me, amuse me with his terrific sense of humor, play with me, right up to cribbage and chicken foot, and forever enveloped me with a sense of being wanted. Frankly, my whole extended family made, not only me, but all of my sisters, brother, cousins, wife and children feel that warming blanket of love, that I wish every child in the world could have. I had a very wonderful childhood, and my dear Uncle Alex was a very special part of making it that way. He made me laugh with love. What a special gift!
I know he sits in Heaven now, playing cribbage with my father, not just because he is such a good man, but, well... I have always been riveted and enthralled by his war storied. I have been extremely proud of his war record. He served in some of the toughest fighting in Italy, Anzio and Monte Casino. Rough. Real rough. I always felt that an old Marine poem applied to him:
"And when he gets to Heaven
To Saint Peter he will tell
One more G.I. reporting Sir
I've done my time in Hell"
I love you very much. You will be missed!!
--Douglas R. Anderson

Uncle Alex

In very sad news, I have to write about another unfortunate passing. My Uncle Alex passed away on his 90th birthday. Uncle Alex was my father's mother's sister's husband. He was also the grandfather to Ashley. A fiery Irishman with a quick smile and wonderful jokes. A wonderful husband and father, including being a surrogate father at times for my own dad. One of the best cribbage players I know.

He was a soldier in World War II, fighting right up through Italy. Because of his toughness and bravery, I am able to enjoy freedom. Thank you for that, Uncle Alex. Your life helped millions.

Pole Pedal Paddle

Today a group of friends and I competed in the Pole Pedal Paddle race in Bend, Oregon. This is a race that consists of downhill ski, cross country ski, bike, run, and paddling legs. We had two teams this year, the Milkgoats and the Meatgoats (long story). I was the cross country leg for the Meatgoats. To be done competitively, skate skis are a must. I could not find any in Portland, Eugene or Bend, so I had to use my decade old classic gear. Did OK, as far as good 'ol classic kick goes, until the last mile, when my binding broke in two at the start of a long hill. I had to run the rest of the way out. A pain. The rest of my team did a great job, however. The Milkgoats kicked some butt and got third in the Open Division. This garnered each of there participants a cherished PPP mug. Their coffee will forever taste sweeter.

The race was very fun, regardless of my malfunctions. A good group of people gathered at a house in Sunriver, did the race, and then entertained ourselves for the rest of the weekend.

All of the photos...

Passing...

In a very sad note, my third-cousin Ashley passed away this week. I hadn't seen her or her family in years, as they live in Louisiana, but always got updates on them when I was visiting our common relatives in Seattle. I haven't got a lot of detail, but it happened in a car accident when she and her husband were hit by another vehicle. My thoughts and prayers go out to family. You will be missed Ashley.

No, I haven't moved...

After re-reading that previous post, it made it sound like I had moved. Well, I haven't. I am back in Portland now. Theoretically, getting the office space completes the requirements for my paperwork. I am not back in wait mode. This should be fast. I guarantee a big date post when I get a date to post!

What I'm Reading...

...on the web, anyway. A few posts back, I gave you the links for both Josh and Zia's blogs. I also like to read several news sites as well as photography and tech sites to keep up on my geek lingo. Do I check each one daily? I used to, but now I just go to one site that checks their RSS feeds. And, hear are the sites I am reading.

On-Site Update

Well, I arrived in Turkey safe and sound. That night I met with my landlords, got my keys, and they even helped me get a bed and look at appliances (appliances, or 'white goods' as they call them here, are not included in rentals for some odd reason). They don't have Wal-Mart or Costco here, and while IKEA is opening a store in Istanbul tomorrow, it's a little far from Izmir. I know a lot of people think it would be great not to have the box stores, but I am buying a 'budget' mattress for the price I could get a rather decent one for in the States. Same with the appliance prices. That's life.

My landlords, however, are great. Looks like I will have an adopted mother over here. That's a comforting thought. I would have had no clue of where to go for a bed. With their help, I have one coming Saturday. My thanks to The Karakaplan's!

Today was spent looking at office spaces. I think I found a couple that will work in Alsancak. This is the main downtown area. It is a ways from my apartment, but will be a very easy ferry commute.