Soccer, Week 4

The U8 THD Strikers defeated the previously undefeated, and #2 ranked Martinho's team Friday night, 2-1. The Strikers are now ranked #1, at least until Saturday when the Eagles play. The Eagles are the only team the Strikers have lost to.

The U6 Sharks have a bye this week, which is convenient since the kids are off to Georgia and the North Carolina coast.

Update: The previously undefeated and #1 ranked Eagles lost on Saturday, leaving the Strikers and the Eagles tied for 1st Place, each with a record of 3-1-0.

Terrific Kid

Zoe has been named "Terrific Kid" for her class for March. This is her second time receiving this award. It is presented monthly by the Kiwanis club at a special assembly at Glenwood Elementary School.

Pictured is Zoe, along with Principal Amy Rickard, and the two other students from her class who received the award this month; Sophie, and Megan D.

Certificat D'Excellence

Tristan participated in a French poetry recitation contest this morning at East Chapel Hill High School.

Out of ~40 contestants from 1st grade, Tristan took 3rd Place

Soccer, Week 3

The U8 Strikers are on fire, or they won again at least. They beat the previously undefeated Kiro Kids, 4-2. They are now #1 in the standings.


On Saturday morning. . . . no one was really keeping score at the U6 Sharks vs. Knights. But despite scoring any goals, #55 Zoe Roth played a great game, arriving just after halftime, and playing the remainder of the match.

"New" Job

I've been working at GlaxoSmithKline since Septebmer 2004 as a contractor/contingent worker/complementary employee. I work in the Laboratory Instrumentation Services department as a "Benchmarking Specialist". I do a lot of database stuff, financial reporting, and whatever else is needed. It's a pretty cool job, and a great place to work. Even as a contractor, it's head and shoulders better than working at aaiPharma, my previous employer. There are no benefits, however, so that has been tough.

But GSK has an arbitrary policy that limits workers like me from working there more than 18 months. My eighteen months is up on 3/27. So rather than see me out on the street, my GSK employers got me hired as a full-time, permanent employee of Johnson Controls Inc., a company that handles all of the in-house instrument service, contract management, warehousing, facilities maintenance, etc. for GSK. Starting 3/27, I'll once again be a full time, permanent employee with benefits, and that is a huge relief. My new title is "FMS Systems Analyst". I have no idea what that means. I guess I should figure that out before my new business cards come in.

So when you hear that I have a "new" job, bear in mind that it's the exact same job I've been doing for the past year and a half. Same desk, same phone number, same schedule, same e-mail address. The only thing that changes is who issues my paycheck, the fact that I get a couple of days off every year, and now I can't wear jeans to work anymore.

Winning Streak

Saturday's soccer results, U6 Sharks 8 - Chargers 3. Three goals were scored by #55 Zoe Roth. Weather was in the mid-70s and sunny, which is not too shabby for winter in North Carolina.

Thursday Night Lights

There are no pictures from this week's MYSA U8 night game, because amateur photos of night sports action pretty much suck.

So it's just the summary. THD Strikers vs. Dragons. Strikers win by something like 8-3, with two goals by #99 Tristan Roth, and ~six goals by people other than #99 Tristan Roth.

Next Traveling Roth's soccer action, Saturday morning when the U6 Sharks take on the Chargers.

Soccer Season, Week 1

Opening day for the Mebane Youth Soccer Association U8 Strikers and U6 Sharks.

Opening Day

The purpose of this blog is to document our travels, near and far, in words and pictures. Since we have a few trips on the horizon, we figured this would be the best way to share with everybody where we are and what we're doing.