November 2013 Update coming soon!

Let me just say, I always wonder how busy I am and then I look back at my blog and say I gotta to an update and then I look at all the pictures that I uploaded and say HOLY CRAP!! I did a ton in a short period of time!

So my quick update to you is I love Dropbox! as it allows me to take pictures and then automatically upload them to all of my computers! I can't tell you how easy my life is with having this easy option, so thank you DROPBOX!!!

So many things happening along with all the holidays its just busy. I am finding that as I get older it becomes increasingly difficult to fit all of life's goings on's into a day, week, month and even a year!!
So my advice to you is get involved, activate yourself and pursue your dreams. Things don't always land in your lap so if you aren't out in the world looking for connections and living life you will most definitely miss out on so much!

StartUp Weekend Buffalo October 2013

Startup Weekend - Buffalo

This event takes place all over the world at different times. October 4-6 was the third installment of the Startup Weekend here in Buffalo NY. UB Davis Hall

If you want to read about the main details check here - http://startupweekend.org/

For the Buffalo version, click here - http://buffalo.startupweekend.org/

My take on being at my first startup is that being involved in any level for this event makes you smarter for being there. On top of it you meet a lot of great, intelligent and hard working people that want to make a difference. Let me tell you, it was a lot of fun and is a great experience to say the least.

Here are some of my pictures from the event!

Getting the food setup and here comes Jon Spitz the organizer!

Getting registration going.

Our tradeshow table as we were sponsors of the event.

My neighbors!

Registration and free T-Shirts!

NewEra Cap was a sponsor and gave a way a ton of awesome hats!

People meeting each other to get a feel for what might work for their ideas.

People start coming in!

The intro!

Half-Baked was a funny start to the event sort of like an ice-breaker to get everyone ready. I was asked by my team to pitch an idea and it was well received! 

People started pitching their ideas and then once all were done they would pick an area and try to get votes to move on. I had three ideas i liked and posted my stickers on each one of them.

Once they were all picked the teams were formed based on needs and wants and by 10:00 p.m. Friday teams were working toward the goal of completing their idea to pitch to the judges. 

The winning team, was my favorite - Rent Check - a payment platform for Landlords.

Congrats to all that participated, helped, and organized this wonderful and very needed event!

Camping at Fort George in Niagara on the Lake!

Our Scout Troop signed up for a Battle Reenactment at Fort George in Niagara on the Lake.

We had a total of 14 (Scouts and Parents/Siblings) and we represented the US Army 6th Regiment.

These first photos are our campsite setup on Friday night. It was 80 degrees when we left, and it started to rain at around 1:00 a.m. and didn't stop until 8:00 p.m. Saturday night.

The main Battalion was setup in the center of camp and we met as a militia and we were assigned to a company, Company K!

Here is Nick signing his allegiance to the US Army.

As I said before, it rained all night and continued throughout the day which made everyone soggy!!

But we still formed up in our Battalions and marched to the Fort. It was a sight to see! 

This is my panoramic shot of the center of the Fort and all the companies from both British and USA!

Inside the fort buildings were many neat exhibits and areas that showed all sorts of ways the early citizens in the US lived.

This was the Tunnel that led to the Guard house. It was cool and the only way to get to the guard house! 

After we hiked back to our camp and then got ready for the Parade where the entire group marched into Niagara on the Lake and it was really cool to see.

After the parade the kids were released and could go about town to shop or just look at all the neat places in town. So myself and our ScoutMaster have a Geocaching obsession and we found a couple along the way!

Lots of yummy treats all over the place!!

As the day progressed on it rained heavier and got windier and colder! Yikes! Our tents got soaked through and many left in the late evening. We didn't however!! It was hilarious as we had to hold our tent poles in our large tent and even though we were worried a little we laughed and made the best of it. 

Very windy and rainy night!

This video made me smile as we were walking around camp we noticed many people had left but as we approached this tent we could hear singing and it was so peaceful and quiet after a long wet day it made me feel good and gave me strength to go one more day!

These last few slides were the day of the battle and are great. I wish I could have captured more of the day but this is a small tribute to it.

This was a very awesome day!!! The folks that ran this event did an excellent job and I hope our troop does it again and again!