John and Patrice get extrospective: Rather than contemplating their navels, Patrice and John have been inspecting the vastness of the universe. Even in light-polluted North Dallas, there are plenty of planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies to observe on clear nights. The two engineers have taken to watching the heavens on such evenings. In spite of the wonders of nature, the most interesting sightings are from the third rock from the sun. Satellites with north-south trajectories are the most commonly observed. In less than an hour it is not unusual to see three. These space travelers are put up by the three letter folks so John and Patrice wave to them as they pass by looking down.

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John Jumps to Janitor: Jim Von Ehr decided to promote John from Vice President to President of Zyvex Labs. In comments to the company he indicated that this meant more responsibility and a continuation of all duties currently undertaken including unplugging the toilet when required. Zyvex Labs has kept John busy traveling far and wide including Australia, Singapore, Europe, and Israel. See picture of John being a tourist in Jerusalem. In addition to having a plot to rule the world with Atomically Precise Manufacturing (Zyvex Labs made it to Phase 3 of its DARPA Program) Zyvex Labs is also part of an effort to heal the blind (Nanoretina).

Patrice's Secret ShaChelle Mission Patrice continues to work with ShaChelle Devlin Manning on efforts to commercialize a huge pile of patents that have been buried in the hills of Southern California. John gets to hear about some of the technical wizardry and various plans to unleash it on the world but he is sworn to secrecy. Nudge, Nudge; Wink, Wink; Say no more!

John's Secret Mission: John also has a secret mission with a mysterious character who has been in films, on TV (and soon to be seen in the new version of Dallas), an investment banker, and an artist. We can't say much until the public launch in 2012 but here is a hint:

Ian, John, and Patrice tour California: A strange confluence events conspired for John to have business in northern California and Patrice to have business in southern CA. So dragging Ian along just for fun, we all had great fun with David and Valerie Long in and about Los Gatos, in Napa where John had a workshop and in the LA area where we stayed in a FABULOUS rental house overlooking the Pacific (See Ian enjoying the Digs) and visited Dana and Mike on Venice Beach.

Ian Still a Professional Student: Ian is in his senior year at the University of North Texas and should graduate at the end of 2012. Ian is the guy on the right. The guy in the middle is some Microsoft VP. Ian is currently living in Denton with four fellow students and has found the difficulties of running a house. In addition to finishing another semester this fall, he managed to keep the house he is living in standing. Ian will be taking a certification test soon in order to become a licensed personal trainer, and just in time to help everyone's new year resolutions.

Ashley still works for Governor Perry: But no longer works in the Criminal Justice Department. She has joined the group that she was an intern and contractor for, the Emerging Technology Fund. She and husband Luis are still living in Austin and are both active in martial arts. See the picture of Ashley on the left with one of her instructors and Luis on the right with Mixed Martial Art fighter Nate Marquardt. In their apartment, Luis and Ashley hold Friday Night Fights (or rather Friday training sessions). Sometimes people get hurt. The most recent victim was a Friday Night Fighter that made the mistake of saying that Mambo (Ashley's dog) barks like a sissy.

Pet Report Our favorite canine and third child Wolfgang (Wolfy) is a happy, friendly (unless you aim to do harm to his pack leader Patrice), and very furry dog. Wolfy likes to lick virtually anything and sings (well howls is probably more accurate) whenever John plays a tune that Wolfy recognizes on the saxophone. His favorite song is "Misty". Miraculously Patrice has trained him not to go upstairs and to the best of our knowledge he never has. He does run around downstairs however, and when he runs through the downstairs there are fur flurries in his wake.Patrice complained so regularly that he sheds way to much fur, that John challenged her to show him by brushing Wolfy and collecting all of the fur in a garbage bag. John had to admit that this was quite a bit.

The Relativity Report:

Most of the Randall relatives still live in Texas. John's mom Vee; brother Mike, his Wife, Margaret; and sister Cindy and her crew: hubby Skip, daughter Kelsie, daughter Shelly and her husband Matt, all live in and around Houston. Patrice's brother Nigel and his crew: wife Rhonda, son Kyle and daughter Caitlin; as wells as brother Patrick and his crew: wife Erica, son Alan and daughter Leanne all also call the greater Houston area home. Vee is doing well and has a ridiculously busy social schedule. She and John went to Odessa for Richard Saxe's (Uncle Dick) funeral. While mourning Richard's passing we enjoyed seeing the West Texas branch of the family and all of their very interesting friends. Mike and Margaret travel extensively. Wherever there are large numbers of folks on titanium and carbon composite two wheeled person powered vehicles within 800 miles of Houston, you will find Mike and Margaret. They also went to Minnesota (along with Vee) to see Mike's daughter Kalli compete in the Miss Minnesota pagent. No she did not win, but she looked FABULOUS! Cindy also travels extensively, wherever within a 3-state area, you have a large number of boys and girls flying through the air with all sorts of improbable flips, twists, and turns, you will find Cindy peddling Spandex and Sequins to the parents of these young competitors. Cindy's daughter Shelly is working for Ricoh. Kelsie is going to college. Nigel and Rhonda keep threatening to move but their dog Casey won't let them. Nigel and Rhonda are still being overworked by the Houston Police Force. Kyle is still in High School. And Caitlin is still an Aggie. Patrick is still being overworked by his consulting firm. Erica is feeling much better. Alan is still in High School. And Leanne has started college at Trinity University in San Antonio.

Ashley, John, Patrice, and Ian wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2012!

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