Here’s our story in pictures:

Early on, we made a pact to eat only red meat for the rest of the trip. This seemed like a right manly idea at the time. The consequences however, would be most unfortunate for one of us.

First thing Saturday morning, we made our way to our boat for a little fishing…

They tell me that, as the boat did have an actual motor,
my constant “vvvvvvvvvvvrrrrrrrrr” sound effects were superfluous

2 minutes later, Silver catches a fish (which may or may not have been embiggened in Photoshop).

4 minutes later, I start to catch something else. Thankfully, knowing my general intolerance for red meat, I plained for such an eventuality and brought my tiny pink buddy aboard. The day was saved.

Fast forward another few minutes and the day was in fact not saved nor was my pride…

I think news of this event had reached all of Firehouse some 30 seconds later. (Thanks, jerks)
For the record: I made it (barely)

After a long day in the sun, the only proper way to finish the evening is with a sugary, fruity boat drink (indefinite article used to protect the guilty):

When boat drinks come together with the great outdoors, things happen. For example: New and creative (albeit not all that effective) pest-control methods are explored…

…talents are revealed…

Not only can Zack juggle, he can juggle while wearing a delightfully-ironic t-shirt.
“Coke is it,” indeed, sir!

…man’s deep connection to fire is explored anew…

Perhaps too much lighter fluid? Maybe.

…flash lights turn into light sabers (of course)…

…eyebrows are torched…

…and light itself becomes a form of artistic expression.

We were trying to spell “association” but ran out of flashlight batteries. Honest

That night, we heard what sounded like a sasquatch arguing with a chainsaw while riding a 12-horse-power riding lawnmower echoing from the canyon walls. Come daybreak, it was discovered that this creature was the source of the ungodly cacophony:

The silver-back couchsquatch’s legendary growl (some might call it a “snore”) is most terrifying
to those unaccustomed to it’s siren’s call.

I think, based upon all the evidence collected over the course of a fantastical weekend, I can confidently say that team building is far more effective when boat drinks and fire are substituted for PowerPoint slides and stale pastries.

Of course, PowerPoint slides, no matter how poorly-formated, won’t cost you an eyebrow. Then again, eyebrows grow back, so given the choice, I’ll take my chances with fire any day.

]]> http://thefurnace.firehouseagency.com/2010/06/08/team-building-trip/feed/ 0 http://thefurnace.firehouseagency.com/2010/05/28/firehouse-celebrates-a-graduation/ http://thefurnace.firehouseagency.com/2010/05/28/firehouse-celebrates-a-graduation/#comments Fri, 28 May 2010 14:45:04 +0000 Doug http://thefurnace.firehouseagency.com/?p=1517 Congratulations Jan Norton — a part of our extended Firehouse family. Jan graduated with Honors from Tarrant County College on May 18, with a degree of Associate of Applied Science in Mental Health Social Work and Chemical Dependency Counselor.

We met Jan back in December of 2008 through the KLTY Christmas Wish program. Jan has battled serious health issues and financial setbacks, all while working on a social degree so that she could share her life’s experience and make a difference in the lives of others.

Jan did not stop — she persevered through it all and graduated with Honors. We are so proud of Jan and her tremendous accomplishment, and pleased that we could play a small part.

Kelsey was recognized as 2009 Teammate of the Year for her hard work and extended hours of market research that generated insightful thought-leadership and made the planning department shine. Everett was awarded the 2009 Firehouse MVP for his art direction and production of impactful TV for our two largest clients, Interstate Batteries & Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Thanks to both of them for their smart work that resulted in great things for our clients’ business. Yay Firehouse!!!

Bolaven Farms is a Fair Trade Organic coffee farm founded by Sam Say, a Lao native now living in Hong Kong. About four years ago Sam was moved to do something for his native homeland. Laos is a very poor country with 85% of the residents being rural farmers. When Sam wanted to make a difference in the lives of the Lao people, he knew where he would have to go. So he decided to provide the farmers on the Bolaven Plateau with training in organic farming techniques and financial assistance. At the end of a two-year training program, resident farmers are eligible for loans to purchase seven-acre family farms and become self-sustaining. It is an inspiring vision that our church and Firehouse have been supporting for over a year.

As I found out, the farm is not easy to get to. All told, it took 36 hours to get from Dallas to our hotel in Pakxong, Laos — some 30 minutes from the farm. During our four days in Laos, our group was able to work on the farm alongside the resident farmers and gain an appreciation for the working poor of the world. The labor on the farm is the way it has been done for centuries, mostly by hand. We experienced a small taste of the daily drudgery of the manual labor as we cleared weeds and planted coffee seedlings — it was a humbling experience. We have already made plans to go back to the farm in November 2013 for the first harvest of the coffee beans from the seedlings we planted. I really just hope the plants are alive in 2013.

We also spent some great time with Sam during the week, as he shared his vision for the farm and his efforts to change the lives of the people. He showed us the other facets of the operation, including future plans for a dairy goat farm at a separate location and a Bolaven Farms café (serving the coffee, along with fresh fruits and vegetables raised on the farm) in urban Pakse, Laos. We even had some time for a little tourism. We were able to take some time to go and see a few of the beautiful waterfalls the country is famous for — some amazing sights.

Bolaven Farms is a testament to impact that one person can have on a community, or a village in this case, and hopefully an entire country. I was inspired to think the way Sam does — about giving back and making a difference. I am also grateful to Firehouse for the Difference Days I was able to use to make the trip a reality.

Last Thursday, something bigger than words can describe started here at Firehouse. It’s an initiative born out of Mark’s belief that big ideas can make a difference, and that the power of prayer is, well, powerful – and can be life changing.

Anna Basso is a 16-year-old girl who lives in Dallas and whose family also lives next door to Mark – they have been neighbors for 10 years. She’s been battling Stage 4 Ewing’s Sarcoma (a rare type of bone cancer) since November 2009 and has a tough fight ahead.

Anna has become an inspiration to us all, and while she is getting terrific medical care, it’s going to take more than that to help her win this fight.

To encourage Anna in her battle against cancer, the agency set a lofty goal of getting one million prayers for her. It all comes together at http://www.1millionprayers.com, where friends, family and even strangers are pledging to pray for Anna and sending their collective goodwill her way.

Please join us in supporting this amazing young woman, day in and day out. A special time has been set aside every day to pray – 12:12 p.m. This time is a direct reference to Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Anna can really feel the strength of each individual behind her.

Pledge to pray for Anna on the website (1millionprayers.com), and help us spread the word via Facebook and Twitter (#1million4anna).

This news clip does a great job of telling the story of the 1 Million 4 Anna project, with footage from a party we hosted for Anna on April 22.