Counting down now. 

This will be my third plunge into the very icy waters of Lake Champlain here in Northwestern Vermont.  In February.  Seriously.

Want the whole story?  Ok.  I am glad to share.

So as many of you know Kasey and I relocated to Burlington, Vermont in the fall of 2005 as part of a life strategy to raise a family away from the "city lights" and all that goes along with it.  We came here on a leap-of-faith not knowing really anyone or having any family around.  Being the outgoing and curious people we are, we joined in the festivities of the Burlington Winter Carnival that first winter.  One Saturday morning we found ourselves standing on the icy shore of Lake Champlain watching a whole bunch of selfless (and perhaps intoxicated) people raising cash for a cause by running full-speed into a large hole cut into the thick ice.  It was then that I knew that however my new position with SymQuest might work out, one of my personal goals would be to pressure as many people as I could into following me, thier new (and fearless) leader, into a fund-raising-team-building event that would forever change the face of the team.

I can say, without hesitation, that I accomplished that goal.

The 2007 SymQuest SafetyNuts raised over four grand for Special Olympics Vermont and was a bonding experience with my team that I will never forget.  An impromtu pizza after-party at my home was a great time and real moment in my career as a manager and "leader" of people. 

The 2008 SymQuest SafetyNuts raised over six grand for Special Olympics Vermont and led to a full-on planned and catered house party that should be in everyone's memories for some time to come.

For 2009 things have changed somewhat.  Although I am no longer a member of the SymQuest Group career-wise, I remain very close with my former team.  Therefore, I have chosen to maintain my affinity with the SymQuest Group as an alumni and will support the SymQuest SafetyNuts team.

Please consider supporting me in my efforts to raise funding for a worthy cause.

Shaking and stirred,

~RTB