Photos in the Fall

My hobby is starting to take on a life of its own and I could not be happier. I had the opportunity to capture a few pictures of my co-worker and her family. Her little boy is adorable but he did not like my camera so we had to get really creative to get him to give me a smile  . . . or even look at me! :-) Here are a few that I really like.

My Hobby

I love taking pictures and I am grateful to my friends for allowing me to practice on them. What a beautiful family! I think we got some great shots and I LOVE all the fall colors. Here are a few of my favorites!

So you wanna run a half marathon?

I get to check one off the list - I ran my first half marathon this past weekend. Despite the rain and 40 degree weather, it was an awesome experience. I would not have done it without my dear friends and running buddies: Danny Dahlberg, Laura Mogensen and Colbi Ditter.

This is us huddling under a tree before the race. I am the one that looks like a pink alien. Actually, I look more like Ali G.

Separated at birth? Sarah D and Ali G

Post race and all smiles!! I am ready for the next one!

Fun at 40!

Scot is now 40 but I don't think he acts a day over 39. :-) Here are some more pictures from his fun birthday weekend. Scot's brother and sister came into town for the big celebration and also helped us cheer on Scot and the guys as they completed the Hidden Springs Duathlon.



Yes, I guess I do love the Screaming Chicken!


Scot's big finish!

You can always count on your little brother to be there for you with a wheelchair at the finish of your big race!

Mike Dahlberg, Matt Wolff, Jerret Hopstad, Ben Slaughter and Scot Scheffel post race! Way to go guys!

The Scheffel siblings: Tina, Scot and Pete

Scot's adorable nephew, Caleb. A Bronco fan already - we like to start 'em young!

Scot's family minus little brother Pete. It is hard to get this whole family together for a picture!

I love this picture! 4 generations! Scot's sister Tina, nephew Caleb, Grandma Lois and mom Gaye.

Scot turns 40!

My wonderful boyfriend, Scot is 40 years old! We rang in the big 4-0 with style and a lot of family and friends. The Falcon Tavern was certainly rocking last Saturday night. Special thanks to all the family and friends that were able to make it to Scot's party. He is so lucky to know such amazing people.

Scot and Sarah.

The Screaming Chicken and J White. Special thanks to J for Scot's nickname and his new hat! :-)
A perfect fit!

Best guest book ever!! Thanks Tommy!

Scot's younger brother, Pete, surprised Scot by coming into town for the big birthday weekend!

Scot's sister, Tina, gives Scot a heartfelt toast . . . .

and a new nickname! I love Dr. Scoot!

Celebrating Scot, AKA Doc Schmoops, AKA Screaming Chicken, AKA Dr. Scoot!

What a fun night!

See more pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/sdopko/ScotS40thBirthday#

What the heck do I do?

A couple things:
1) I am not a very consistent blogger. Apologies, I'll try harder.
2) I am going back to Washington D.C. on Monday (second time this summer).

So in anticipation of going back to D.C. I am going to try and explain what the heck I do when I travel for work. Last time I was in D.C. I accompanied my companies customers as they attended an awards ceremony for acheivements in Information Technology. We like to call it the Oscars for Technology. (Insert geek comment here).
So this is what I did:


Posed for lots of pictures - I am the really fair skinned one up there. Hard to miss those white legs. :-)

Ate Baked Alaska! New favorite dessert!

Pretty.

Again, more posing. These are some of my coworkers. They are wonderful!

Wore the US Capitol dome as a hat.

Hung out with Abe Lincoln and THOUSANDS of school kids on summer vacation.

Seriously though, I do a lot of actual hard marketing work but after a trip like this one I find it hard to explain to people what the heck it is I do for a living!

Off to D.C. again. I'll tell Obama you said hi! :-)

Friends

This blog has been an experiment in fun. I have only really posted about good times and random findings. This post is different. My dear friend Molly, her husband Jason and their daughter Mia lost their baby daughter and sister, Logan, last weekend. While such a tragedy does not make sense, I am humbled to see the amount of love that has been poured upon this family by their friends. In a rally cry of food, flowers and company we are all determined to help them through this painful time.

Building a network of friends is a like a patchwork quilt of personalities and experiences. Some friends have known each other since childhood. Others are new to each others lives and events like parties, Sawtooth Relays, or a weekend in Vegas make those new friends seem like old ones. In the good times it is easy to want to be around each other, easy to participate in social functions. It is not so easy to think about what would happen in a tragedy.

Here is where the humbled part comes in. I knew I was lucky to have this network of people as my friends, but I am overwhelmed with just how lucky I am. Observing the way my friends have mobilized to support Logan’s family in every way they need is humbling. Dinner schedules, flowers, food, trips to the park, long visits, short visits. Whatever it takes to hopefully help with some of the pain. The greatest part is that this amazing outpouring of support seems effortless because it is all based out of love. We all really want to be there and do something for our grieving friends.

I am sure that somewhere in the future we will all laugh and party together again, but it is amazing to know that I have found a group of friends that will carry each other through the tough times too.

So be at peace sweet Logan, we are going to do our best to carry your family.

With love,
Your friend, Sarah


I am lucky to have a friend like Molly

I heart New York

First time to New York City a couple weeks ago. If you are on a budget (like me) the best way to travel to NYC is for work. :-) Hotel in the heart of Times Square: check! Limo ride home from the golf tournament in New Jersey: check! Reception on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange: again, check!!
While I did a lot, I still feel like I have unfinished business in the Big Apple. I can't wait to go back!

Exiting my limo! Getting a ride home from work should always be this good!

I spent a lot of time alone seeing the sights. This is me with the Empire State Building in the background. Picture taken from the top of the Rockefeller Building.

I am all smiles out in front of the New York Stock Exchange. My company had a private reception on the trading floor. It was shwanky! :-)

View of Times Square from my hotel room. Not too shabby!
This building sign sums it up! Hell, yes! I had a great time in New York!

DiskDigger

While in New York a couple weeks ago I took a LOT of pictures. On my last night in town something happened to my camera and all of the pictures of my New York adventures were deleted. I swear this was not user error, this was the camera's fault. Anyhow, I found this awesome software that allowed me to plug in my SD card and it was able to recover most of my pictures! Best of all . . . it was free!
So if you are ever in need, DiskDigger to the rescue.
http://dmitrybrant.com/diskdigger

Next up: Pics of New York!

Chinese Downhill 2009

"And now for the rules of the International, Chinese downhill: there are none."

Without a doubt, one of the best ways to spend your Saturday is at the annual Chinese Downhill race at Bogus Basin. A collection of friends, ski bums, beer enthusiasts and people who just love costumes gather in a muddy parking lot to drink up, race down, eat brats and celebrate our collective love of acting crazy!

Check out more pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/sdopko/ChineseDownhill2009#

Dana also has some excellent pictures at:
http://photocast.mac.com/danagrinnell/iPhoto/chinese-downhill-2009/index.rss

I'm a 'Snow Bunny' . . get it? :-) Seen sporting my new camera.

Dana Grinnell, the official photographer of the 2009 Chinese Downhill. She could not be cuter in that pink tutu!

Scot biffs it at the home stretch.

Don't worry, he manages to finish strong!

Well done Scotty! Man, he looks like a shady character in this picture!

Who is that mysterious man with that hot blonde bunny?!?! :-)

The gals at Chinese Downhill. Carmal, Sarah, Dana and Jen (Nooner)!

Tyson Hart - our fearless leader of the Chinese Downhill. Tyson, we'll miss you in Boise. Portland better watch out for those spandex pants!

Finally, for your viewing enjoyment . . . . the 'official' start to the 2009 Chinese Downhill race!

Scot is the dashing fellow in the sombrero.