Christmas 1995
Here it is — the very first Wilcox Christmas Epistle/Letter. Like many people are prone to do, we must apologize for the impersonal nature of a newsletter. While we would rather have personally written everyone concerning our activities, Becky and I decided that we would be doing well to get a newsletter out before Christmas. So, enjoy…
Well, despite my pleadings to elope in Alabama (they have very inexpensive marriage licenses), Becky and I were married on June 24th. The ceremony went well, and I managed to make it through without too many mistakes. We are still attempting to fit all of the gifts into our apartment.
For our honeymoon we went to Dillard, Georgia. We spent most of our time near Franklin and Silva, North Carolina. It was a wonderful change of pace from the wedding preparations, and we were still able to take in a lot of different sights (including Dollywood). We got some great pictures including two rolls of film (five according to Becky) taken during a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Recently, Becky was able to go with me on a business trip to Atlanta for Networld Interop — a large computer show where all the companies try to impress you (successfully I might add) with how much free stuff (i.e. T-shirts) they can give out. While in Atlanta, we were able to go to The World of Coke — a museum-like place setup to “preserve the history of Coca-Cola” and to make as many people sick as possible using special “international” flavors of Fanta. The Coca-Cola people insist that, in Japan, people DO like honey-lemon flavored carbonated beverages.
While at The World of Coca-Cola, Becky was able to get additional information for a special history paper she was working on. Becky is finishing up her last regular semester this December and she will be doing her Student Teaching work starting in January. In April, she will receive her bachelor’s degree in History Education. Also this semester, she has been tutoring at a local elementary school. She has really enjoyed the experience, but she is now even more sure that she wants to teach high school history.
Becky is also excelling in another area — cooking. Having gained her own kitchen, Becky is quickly gaining incredible cooking skill — as my weight gain partially testifies. Meanwhile, I have begun my training — following in the footsteps of my father and his father before him — to become a master grillsman. Soon I will be able to fire up the gas grill with the best of them.
This July, I began working for A+ Network, Inc. (formerly Network USA), a nationwide paging company, as a Software/Programmer Analyst. Recently, I completed my first commercial project (Alpha Plus) which should be released in late December.
In August, Becky and I had to weather a gusty little storm (Hurricane Erin). Then in October (Hurricane Opal), we were compelled by The Weather Sure is Exciting Channel to seek higher ground. A quick (12 hours) trip to Tallahassee served as a wonderful study in Interstate Road Surface that we were able to observe at an average pavement-burning speed of 16 miles per hour. And, as the entertainment value of Road Surface and Traffic diminished, we were able to watch motorists run to nature when nature called.
Our apartment survived both storms with no damage but we were able to gain a new appreciation for the basic necessities like Air Conditioning and Cold Cokes. Speaking of Cokes — Becky has informed me that while you were reading this letter, approximately 1.8 Million people just drank a Coca-Cola. (I’ll bet you’re thirsty now)
Well, I guess that’s about it. Becky and I want to wish you and your family a merry and Christ-filled Christmas. Have a wonderful New Year. Take Care and God Bless!