The BP MS 150 bike ride, April 16-17, 2011

Hello everyone,

I am signing up to do something I have not done in many years.  I am pledging myself to raise money and bike ride in the name of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  I have done this ride many times from Hammond, LA to Percy Quinn State Park, MS and back.  This time I will be leaving Houston and heading to Austin.

Too many people are affected by this horrible disease.  My mom's good friend from college and a former coworker are just two out of the thousands who don't have a choice when it comes to breaking their bodies down piece by piece.

I am dedicating the next 6 months to raising at least $400 in support of this mission. Every dollar counts.  Every dollar takes those doctors and researchers one step closer to being able to slow and stop the effects of this disease as well as help those in need.

If you find it in your heart to give to an organization such as the MS Society, please visit my personal page and donate(the link is at the top of my blog).  All it takes is $10, 25, 50, 100, or whatever you can donate to help the lives of so many affected.

Thank you for taking the time to read and I vow to document my training and stories about the ride so you can get a feel for the work being done here.

God bless you and with sincerity, I thank you in advance.

--Michael Franco

German themed company picnic

Booz Allen Hamilton had their company picnic this past Saturday.  It was German themed with great food, beer, and a German band!!  This is the picnic where the Payback Machine made it's debut.

Here are two videos of the band.

This is some type of horn that was like 8 feet long--looked expensive too

This "instrument" he is playing sounds like a woman in pain--ouch!

Gabriel crawling, bouncing, & spinning...

Gabriel had quite a good time roaming around the house this weekend as well as playing in his bouncer.  Here are some videos of him crawling, trying to climb, and bouncing around....

The Payback Machine

What is a Payback Machine.  Well, you are about to see what it can do....

We had a company picnic and were going to raise money for a local charity.  Instead of throwing pies in the managers faces, I built this with the help of a friend, Nick.  We were able to raise over $600!!  And we had a blast doing it!!

Gabriel talks & a new wallpaper I made

Gabriel had a good day today.  Here are a couple of videos taken today of him saying "dadda."  [For the record: I am pushing him to say momma too :)]

I am trying to learn photoshop and am doing some tutorials.  I made the following wallpaper earlier this evening...

On another note, I have full body soreness from yesterday.  I guess that's to be expected when I have not been able to exercise a lot lately.

Busy busy busy

Wow, what a weekend so far!

Yesterday after getting off of work, Erin, Gabriel, and I went to a party at our friend's house (Dan and Maria).  We had such a good time.

This morning started with a men's group that we have started.  We said a rosary, had some discussion and then challenged each other to be better men.  After that, I went and played football with some friends from work and others.  I know I will be sore tomorrow for sure!

Then Gabriel and I dropped Erin off for a haircut and came back to the house to eat some lunch.  After picking Erin up, I went to a friend's house (Nick) to make something for a company picnic next weekend.

Finally, it's home to rest and watch some football.  Oh yeah--my friend, Matt, and I decided today that we are going to join the Knights of Columbus at our church here in Houston.

That's what has been going on in my life for the past 24 hours  :)