Cate's School Choir Performance

Cate's 6th grade class at Minnetonka West Middle School put on a spring choral performance today. They performed three songs in a performance that also included the schools string orchestra and the stage band. Being of Wunrow height she was in the front row for all to see. So, the proud parents that we are got a chance to smile from ear to ear watching our beautiful little girl singing like an angel.

Catie after the group is introduced

Cate and her proud Mama

Me and my beautiful girl


Our own little Mount Rushmore

It's that time

One man's dream is another man's nightmare. For years, Alex has dreamed of the day when he would take the wheel of a car and begin drivers ed. As a father, I too have dreamed of this day in a slightly different context! Alex began his classroom drivers ed instruction this past Monday, at Minnetonka High School. The course will have several weeks of class room instruction followed by several weeks of behind the wheel training with an end result of Alex receiving his learners permit. He will then have to drive with Chris and I for six months before he can take this road test and get this license.

The same day that Alex started Drivers Ed, he and Chris started him driving in our small neighborhood driving up and down the street and around the cul de sac. We want him to get the feel of the sensitivity of the gas and brake peddles, the responsiveness of the steering input and gadging distance, speed and braking. He is doing a good job, but as I've explained to him the biggest factor is becoming a safe driver is practice and experience. You have to know what to do and when to do it without having to think about it. My little boy is growing up. This is a big step in his preparation for leaving the nest some day. I'm excited for him but a little sad for me as I see him leaving childhood in the rear view mirror.

2007 F1 Season Predictions

Time for my annual predictions for the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship. With Michael Schumacher now retired the tables have been turned on end. Usually after the first two races I have a pretty good I idea of how the teams and drivers stack up. This year for me the picture is less clear. However, the 3rd race is coming up this weekend so I can't wait any longer, so her goes.

2007 F1 Drivers Championship
1. Fernando Alanso
2. Kimi Raikkonen
3. Lewis Hamilton

The top two teams, McLaren and Ferrari are also the two I've got concerns about. McLarens early strong form is a big step forward from its performance last year. Is this their true pace or will the mechanical gremlins that plagued them during Kimi's time there return as the season wears on? Ferrari was extremely quick the first race, albeit with some mechanical problems that we would never have seen there during the Schumacher era. My prediction is that Alanso is easier on his equipment and also excellent at developing the car through out the season. Kimi, even though Ferrari has the faster package right now is much harder on the equipment and has not proven himself to be able to improve his care over the course of the season. Hamilton, barring a rookie meltdown will finish third thanks to the reliability of the car that Fernando has developed. Having said all that it will be a very close fight right down to the end with the championship decided by less that 10 points.

2007 F1 Constructors Championship
1. McLaren
2. Ferrari
3. Renault

Consistency is what wins championships. There is no one more consist ant if F1 right now that Fernando Alanso. Pair that with a young team mate that is extremely talented and a McLaren team that is responding well to having a true team builder of a driver leading their team in Alanso and they will be the most consistent podium finishing team, taking the constructors championship. Ferrari will show flashes of absolute brilliance but the inconsistency of their drivers and the inability of their drivers to develop the car over the course of the season will prevent them from winning it all this year. Renault, off to a shaky start in the first race will find the consistency they have been known for and edge out BMW who will continue to struggle in getting two cars in the points on a consist ant basis.

Other Predictions
The 2008 Formula 1 grid will be short two teams, Super Aguri and Toro Roso. There is no way Honda will be able to justify it's current level of involvement to their share holders with the kind of results there four cars are bringing. Red Bull, much as I like them, can't continue to bleed cash into racing at the pace they are. This is unfortunate because with Toro Rosa out, there is not a place for Scott Speed who will be racing in Champ Car in 2008. It's a good thing Pro Drive will be joining the grid or it would be a pretty thin grid.