Join me for an inspirational breakfast

You like breakfast and coffee, right? :-) Well, join me Tuesday the 29th, and I'll pour the coffee...

Here's a bit of information you may not know about me... I'm a rabid fan of a non-profit organization called Art with Heart.

Art with Heart uses the arts (self portrait workshops, self expression journals, etc.) to help kids in crisis work through their emotions during extremely difficult situations. They have helped thousands of kids over the past 12 years deal with profound challenges such as serious illness, homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect.

Art with Heart's annual breakfast features a wonderful and moving program illustrating how artistic/creative programs inspire children during times of crisis. Trust me - this program will inspire you!

The breakfast is free, and guests will be invited to make a contribution. Most people give at least $150. Some people give even more. Please know that any contribution you make will be greatly appreciated.

Please email me ( andy at three tree point dot com ) if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope you can join me!

The details:
Art with Heart Annual Breakfast
The Westin Hotel, Seattle
September 29th, Breakfast 7:30am - 9am

For more information visit: http://www.artwithheart.org

QFC update, pet rat in the store!

QFC update, pet rat in the store!
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

You just can't make this up. Pet rat in QFC.

Dinner at QFC

Dinner at QFC
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Karsten and I took our boat "barely makin it" to Des Moines for
dinner. QFC chicken and chocolate milk.

Dads camping weekend

Dads camping weekend
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

A few of us old ATT Wireless friends get together every year for dads
camping weekend. Here we are on Blake Island. Britta forgot to bring
shoes. I forgot my sleeping bag. But we survived.

Strange, but the boys liked it

Strange, but the boys liked it
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

If you finish all the cub activities you get a special date with a
sword swinging fair maiden. It's like prom night at cub camp.

Best ever

Best ever
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

This gets my vote as the best cub scout activity ever! Genius.

Scout camp, first few hours

Scout camp, first few hours
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

The rain has stopped. Ready, aim, fire!

Yes, they're good

Yes, they're good
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Butter and garlic makes everything good. Had these on the coast in
Amsterdam.

We have a plate of herring, now it's a party!

We have a plate of herring, now it's a party!
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Perhaps you admire the Dutch for their bikes? Or their canals? Or
their red lights and coffee shops? That's all childs play... this is
the real Dutch shizzle. A full plate of herring at Richard and
Farida's amazing party!! I wish we had more traditions involving
herring in the US.

Raw meat, yum

Raw meat, yum
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

One of my favorite meals... steak tartar in Paris.

Adventures in eating

Adventures in eating
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

For me, our trip was all about eating. The freakier the better. Salmon
tartar in Paris.

Jana is camera crazy

Jana is camera crazy
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Jana and Greg in a photo duel.

Tequila shots in Amsterdam

Tequila shots in Amsterdam
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Jana and I recently returned from a quick one week trip to Europe.
Here's a review of the last few weeks in short iPhone blog style... no
long stories here, only what my thumbs will allow.

The boys in Amsterdam are not as experienced with tequila, but they
are willing to learn!

This is what success looks like

This is what success looks like
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Karsten with his new bike, after a successful test run. Next time I'm
pitching investors or speaking to a crowd I'll remember this photo.
Cool confidence. It says "Yeah, I'm good. Really good. And if you
didn't know it already, well, now you do. Oh, and one more thing, I'd
like to date your daughter."

34th district PCO meeting

34th district PCO meeting
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Ooohhh the political excitement! Speakers for/against each other,
nominations, free food and cool buttons. :-)

Cub scout camp out

Cub scout camp out
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Karsten earned his wolf badge tonight, now were having a camp out with
loads of bug spray.

Bus ride with the kids

Bus ride with the kids
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Kids took the 121 home with me today. We played "I spy" and other
favorites.

Date night at SIFF

Date night at SIFF
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Kids at bestemor's and farfar's for the weekend so were at SIFF!

First dance at drew and kates wedding

First dance at drew and kates wedding
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

NYC hot dog vendor

NYC hot dog vendor
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

I love it, the hot dog vendors walk their stands down the middle of
the street. Took this shot from a moving cab, fun effect.

Band practice in NYC

Band practice in NYC
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Karsten and Viv

Karsten and Viv
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

At Dow Constatines fund raiser.

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Andy Kleitsch
Billing Revolution

Britta and Evan

Britta and Evan
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

At the Normandy Park pool tonight.

Karsten's first job

Karsten's first job
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

He made $7.50 selling juice from the fridge. He'd yell "fresh juice
here" to all the cars passing by.

3 hour tour

3 hour tour
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

The quick boat ride with 3 kids turned into a three hour drift thru
puget sound when both motors died. I finally called ursula, who called
mike, who towed us into the marina. Thanks mike!!

The bump... is gone!

Did you ever notice the bump on my head? I'm kinda tall, so perhaps you missed it. Of course, my lack of hair makes my bump more pronounced than most.... I caught one guy staring at it.

How did i get it you ask? Jana with a frying pan? Windsurfing in Hood River? School of hard knocks? Who knows... but it was slowly getting bigger! So that sucker had to go.

Jana and I just watched Farrah Fawcett's cancer video (gulp!), so perhaps that's why I thought documenting my bump removal would be a good idea!?? Jana is disgusted. "Who would want to look at this?"

The top of my head. Notice the lack of hair. Notice the bump?


The blood, ohhh, the gore!


The birth of the alien bean. Dude... WTF?! (i asked the receptionist to take the photo)


OMG and WTF?!?!

Boat'n to work

Boat'n to work
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

I took a few waves over the bow during the commute this morning. I'm
parked down at pier 66, taking board members out for a spin tomorrow
after the board meeting. :-)

Shotgun

Shotgun
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

It had to happen.

Drinkin on the boat

Drinkin on the boat
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Drews bachelor party on the boat in elliot bay. :-)

Dinner!

Dinner!
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Big plate of mushrooms for dinner.

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Andy Kleitsch
Billing Revolution

Lunch!

Lunch!
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Okay, this wasn't my lunch, but the table next to me enjoyed this
sucker. Wow.

It's Friday, fire up the hookah!

Firing up the hookah
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Raj brought in his hookah for "show and tell" today. We cleared off
the conference room table, broke out the rose flavored shisha, and yum
yum goodness! And no, we're not smoking wacky stuff, this is not mind altering... just mellow rose flavored smoke.

Pinewood Derby!

Pinewood Derby!
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

We're prepping the cars, talking trash, and getting ready to light 'em
up!

The mock-o-chocolate shake

The mock-o-chocolate shake
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

It's almost impossible to satisfy my sweet tooth while on my no-sugar
diet. Kiwis, grapefruit and berries are okay... but this mockshake is
pure indulgence!

Blend banana, almond butter, soft tofu, carob powder and agave nectar.
Duuuude.

Yummy juice!

Yummy juice!
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

The kids just helped me make our first juice: turnips, cucumber,
ginger, celery, carrots and beets. De-lish! Thanks to L.B. for loaning
me the juicer. :-)

My new lunch menu

My new lunch menu
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

I'm on day 36 of my new detox diet. No wheat, sugar, coffee or
alcohol. My lunch today: red leaf lettuce, beats, apple, pumpkin seeds
and saurkraut.

Finally, bought a boat!

We've been living at the beach for 10 years... and we've never owned a boat. For the past few years we've been borrowing my father-in-laws row boat, but it would take days to row to Tides Tavern or Port Orchard! Here's the description of the new boat we're going to call "barely making it":

1986 18' Tiderunner cuddy cabin with extended transom, 115 Yamaha OB w/600 original hours, serviced at Auburn Marine, canvas 3 side enclosure, fishbox, rodholders, wiring for downriggers. Lorance GPS/Sonar Fishfinder, Icom VHF Radio. Since purchased in 2005 also added the following: New Sleeper seats, new upholstery, new dual batteries and switch, new steering cable (2007), new motor control cables, new fuel tank 37 gallons, new dual bilge pumps with FL switches, new trailer bearings and leaf springs. Boat includes anchor w/rode/flares/bumpers/lines/life vests/rail mounts/wiring for down rigger/swim step/trailering cover. Also replaced much of the wiring and tuned prop. Outstanding fishing boat, motor runs excellent.

Please put your seat back forward for takeoff!

Please put your seat back forward for takeoff!
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

About one minute after takeoff the entire row of seats across the
aisle from me tipped backwards! The bolts holding the seats to the
floor stripped, with the force of takeoff (heading up, up and away)
the broken row was pinned to the row behind them. Luckily, nobody was
sitting behind the broken row, or their legs would have been crushed.
Needless to say, it was an Alaska flight. The flight attendants had
never seen anything like it.

We put the "mobile" in mobile billing

We put the "mobile" in mobile billing
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Day two in the Billing Revolution meeting room at CTIA. We're loving
the RV.

Randy in the RV

Randy in the RV
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Randy chillin in the RV, getting ready for meetings.

Hike with tom

Hike with tom
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

I grabbed an early morning hike with my old college buddy (and best
man at my wedding) tom. Up the Hollywood hills. I'm off to vegas in a
few hours.

Raccoon Karsten

Raccoon Karsten
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

He fears them, and now he is one.

Clam eating champion!

Clam eating champion!
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

Karsten once again won the clam eating contest!

Husky ice cream

Husky ice cream
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch

The kids and I are shopping in west Seattle today. Ice cream stop was
a must.

Stone G and friends at the can can

Stone G and friends at the can can
Originally uploaded by Andy Kleitsch