Ian Graduates from University of North Texas: Earlier in the year, Ian moved out of a house on one side of the UNT campus to an apartment on the other side. In December of 2012, John and Patrice got a raise. Ian is now a college graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, and working. Actually he has been working for some time at a 24 -Hour Fitness as a personal trainer. The way he got the job was an interesting story. He had been talking to folks at 24 Hour Fitness for a while and had one informal interview and was scheduled for another when he heard that LA Fitness was hiring. Before going in for what he thought would be another informal interview, he asked his old man what he should do if they offered him a job. John suggested that, if he was offered a job, he could ask for a few days to think it over (so he could have time for the 2nd interview with 24-Hour). In fact, that is exactly that happened. Now Ian asked his old man what he should do if in the 2nd interview with 24-Hour fitness he did not get an offer. John suggested that he should tell them that he had a standing job offer to see if he could get them to commit to a job. As it turns out, in spite of a good interview Ian was not offered a job even after he told them of the competing job offer. Again he asked his father what to do. "TAKE THE JOB OFFERED!" Ian's parents all but shouted. But Ian rolled the dice. He wanted the 24-Hour Fitness job, declined the LA Fitness offer, and a few (nervous) days later got and accepted the job offer he wanted. Ian's career plan is to become the personal trainer to the rich and famous. We are not betting against him.

Ian with proud sister and mother.

Ashley and Luis Move to new apartment, Ashley sells Fine Spirits Ashley, husband Luis, and zoo (Mombo, Gwen, and an orange bowling ball named Cinto) relocated into a more upscale area of Austin. Ashley and Luis continue to do martial arts training, (see Ashley showing off her Jujitsu blue belt and medal she won in a tournament). Ashley still works for Gov. Perry but also is promoting all sorts of fine spirits as a part time job. Ashley is pursuing this part time work for a company that does promotions for Fine Spirits distributors with the same professionalism and dedication that she applies to her work for Governor Perry. On her first assignment the guy that worked for the company that she was representing told her: "You need to be here for the entire time that you agreed to, you can't spend all of your time talking on your cell phone, and for god's sake don't get drunk." To which Ashley replied, "Do you think I am 15? I am a professional!" When she was going to represent a sake company she got advice on how to pronounce the japanese names. She has on more than one occassion sold out of one of the products she was presenting. Companies that she has represented have been requesting her specifically for return gigs.

Ashley wins medal in Jujitsu Tournament

Close up of Patrice's Impasto Masterpiece

Patrice takes up painting Patrice and John approach things differently. When John finds out that he can do something with a modicum of skill, he keeps doing it for years. Patrice on the other hand selects a project, works diligently for a long time and then creates a single something of style and beauty and moves on to something else. For instance she designed and built one magnificent house, created one beautiful and talented daughter, produced one handsome and hardworking son, built one beautiful mosaic desk top for her office, trained one husband to be (relatively) socially acceptable and obedient, and in 2012 decided to try her hand at abstract art. She studied the impasto style of one artist she admired and experimented with paint and large pallet knives until she was pleased with her technique. Then painted one spectacular (in John's opinion) 3x4 foot abstract painting. Patrice's work with ShaChelle Devlin Manning appears to be on the verge of creating a new company. Patrice and ShaChelle are trying to come up with a name for it, but all of the good names have been taken. John suggested "ShaCtrice" but no one listened to him.

Patrice's Impasto Masterpiece

John stays busy Since 2007 Zyvex Labs has been sharing the building it is in with Zyvex Instruments which has was acquired and has become part of DCG Systems. Business has been booming for DCG and they needed to expand so in July, Zyvex Labs moved (not far, just across the parking lot). For those of you not familiar with the place John works, ( Zyvex Labs) is a unique company, one of many created by the craziest (or the craftiest) nanotech entrepreneurs on the planet, Jim Von Ehr. Jim has enabled John to work with an exceptionally talented group of people that are trying to change the world with Atomically Precise Manufacturing and is also attempting to heal the blind, really! Heal the blind. See another company that we have started to do this: ( Nanoretina). Working for Zyvex Labs allows John to work with some of the smartest and most talented people on the planet. John really likes his Job. John gets to play some too. He is working with Kevin Page, a guy with a ridiculous resume: Investment Banker, Stockbroker, CEO, Movie and TV actor, and Artist. A little over 10 years ago, John built a robotic paint brush for Christian Seidler. A little over a year ago he build another one for Kevin. Kevin sold his first painting in Dec. He has a one man show at ( Alan Simmons Art Gallery) on Feb 23, 2013. John is also continuing his study on the Alto Saxophone with the Fabulous Pete Branham. John continues to play to rave reviews from friends and relatives as long as he is within earshot.

Zyvex Labs New Home

The Relativity Report:

Most of the Randall relatives still live in Texas. John's mom Vee had her 90th Birthday in 2012. She has a busy social schedule doing DAR events, playing BUNKO (we think that this is legal), attending Church and Sunday school, and other assorted activities. Her grandson Cody (John's brother Mike's son) has come to stay for a few months before he joins the Army, and has just announced his engagement. Brother Mike, splits his time between Vee's house and his wife's Margaret's House. Margaret is a Professor at the University of Houston (John and Patrice's Alma mater). Mike's other child Kalli placed in the Top Ten in the Miss Minnesota Pageant. John's sister Cindy lives near Vee in Houston with Husband Skip and there on-again off-again border-daughter Kelsie who is working and going to school. Cindy's other daughter Shelly and husband Matt also live and work in Houston.

Patrice's two brothers Patrick and Nigel and their families also live in the Houston area. Patrick and wife Erica live near NASA. Their daughter Leanne is in College at Trinity in San Antonio and son Alan is in High school. John is writing this but doesn't believe it. These two were babies just a short while ago. Nigel and Rhonda also have one kid in college, Caitlin who is still an Aggie, and one in High School Kyle.

Ashley, Patrice, Ian, John(yes he's there) and Wolfy wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2013!

---

Back to Randall Home Page. - - - 2011 Letter - - - 2013 Letter

---