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During the contract years with UT TCDS, Martin also provided media services to EveryChildTexas (continuing to date) and to the Houston based Family to Family Network from November 2002 to May 2018. |
During the last part of 2000, Martin was approached by Debbby Kalk to see if he would provide part time IT services and media support to her company Cortex Interactive. This became a full time position beginning in January, 2002.
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Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum 35 foot bronze star installation - view movie
Superbowl Party 2001
In 1984 Martin was in New York on a trip along the east coast and took this photo of the Twin Towers.
On September 11, 2001 Chris was at home preparing her entertainment booking work for the day. I was working in downtown Austin on East 5th Street for Cortex Interactive as an IT and media manager. Cortex was in the process of completing interactive media training for Delta Airlines that included international security, passenger management and baggage handling. Chris and I produced video at Austin's Bergstrum Airport for the training. I was also continuing to provide media and IT services on the University of Texas main campus. So on that morning I parked at the UT Jester parking lot, caught the Armadillo bus in front of the new Bullock Museum and rode to Cortex. I tried to complete a planned stock purchase, but was told all the brokerage systems were down. Then another employee arrived and said a small plane just hit one of the twin towers. I looked at a news feed on my computer and called Chris to tell her to turn a TV. All the Cortex staff decided to go home. I caught a bus back to Jester and drove home. The second tower and the Pentagon had now also been hit. Chris and I watched with disbelief and sadness as the day unfolded. Cortex closed the following Spring as Delta Airlines was a prime customer and suspended the current training plans.
Portland September 2001
At the Beach
Anthony as "Action Figure"
Chris Soaring over Oregon
Anthony & Friends
Alpine & Fort Davis - November 2001
May 2001 New Orleans with Peter and Elaine • Helen and Bud Baton Rogue
Thanksgiving 2001
Thanksgiving with Bev, Ken, Chris & Martin
Christmas 2001 Newsletter
Season's Greetings,
We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. It's amazing to think that another year is almost at a close. Actually Martin and I will be glad to see 2001 end.
2001 has not been a very good year for us, but in comparison with the terrible events on September 11th, our problems are minor. After our letter last Christmas you are probably thinking we should have a new return address - but alas. We were getting ready to start construction early in the year, when the mortgage company alerted us to the builder's financial problems and he consequently filed for bankruptcy. We are very grateful that we had not actually broken ground. Anyway, we started over and have now found another builder, made some changes to our plans, and hopefully we'll begin construction at the beginning of January. Soooo, maybe by the Summer, we will be in our new home.
Martin did retire from the State of Texas (working at the University of Texas) in May. It's nice to know we get medical coverage and a check every month and Martin doesn't have to go to that office everyday. However, we are actually contracting with UT to continue to do their media work, so are staying very involved. Martin is also continuing to work full-time for Cortex Interactive in downtown Austin. He is the Systems Manager. The job can be frustrating when every computer and system seem to have problems at the same time, but he has learned an awful lot about the inner workings of Macs, PC, networks, servers, DSL, T1, etc., etc! His collection of vintage recording gear keeps growing (there's a studio and museum in the new house when that's complete). A new web site has been created for the collection. See http://phantomprod.com.
I continue to stay busy with entertainment bookings, although the Sept. 11th events have definitely put a dent in company entertainment budgets. I'm sure things will pick up in the spring again. I continue to try to ride my horse at least twice a week and thoroughly enjoy it. I just moved her to a stable just 3 miles away, so can pop in to check on her almost everyday. The last stable was 17 miles, so this is a lot better and hopefully before long I will be able to look out the kitchen window and see her.
We went to Portland to visit Anthony in late September. He is doing well - staying extremely busy with work, playing on two soccer teams, rode a 200 mile bike rally and is currently dating a very nice girl.
Ken is still here in Austin. He is currently doing contract work for a video gaming company named Kalisto and works out of his house. They are developing a video game for the cartoon Jimmy Neutron. Neither Ken or Anthony will be in Austin for Christmas, and Martin and I have been invited to share the festivities with some dear friends.
We wish you Happy Holidays and hope that 2002 brings you good health, happiness and love.
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