1. Watch cartoons--Check
2. Make breakfast--Check
3. Get at least a little work done--Check
4. Take the dog to the vet for shots and find out what the fuck was up with her puking and stretching yesterday (everything's fine, she just had some cramps). Very reassuring for $150.
5. Fill up propane tank for outdoor grill. That shit is EXPENSIVE now. There was a dude in front of me with an RV. That must have cost a pretty penny. I was $15 to fill up my tank (about 4.2 gal).
6. Go to parent teacher conference--Check. This actually went well. The HB has shown significant improvements in areas where he needed so (such as shutting up when appropriate). So, they'll continue to cash our checks. Ladies, note, the HB's teacher is hawt and I'm sure gets many googlie-eyes from the moms.
7. Grab lunch--Hm....jalapeño burger.
8. Go to the bank (deposit some checks, transfer some for the IRS...easy come, easy go). Woot!
9. Mail quarterly taxes. Ugh...another reminder to vote Libertarian.
10. Find out if it's the memory card or the camera that's fucked up from my hiking escapade. The camera works, but always wants to reformat the card. The store didn't have any open cards to check. But, I did clean mine with some alcohol. Didn't seem to help.
11. Return movies. The HB said that he wants to watch them again, so we still have them.
12. Buy HB cough medicine--check.
13. Take HB to reahearsal--check
14. Try to get some work done.
15. Drink beer with my buddy Joe (he's gonna be up this way to pick up his sister from the airport).
16. Take HB to Indian Guides and drink beer with the other dads.
I'll update as things progres...
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Pssssssssst....Wanna Buy a Book?
This week my Rotary Club has a ginormous book sale. How big? We'll sell about $20k worth at $2-$4/book. It's a lot of fun and it gives us a chance to let people know the other things that we're up to. I've been there a few times this week and have a shift later today (yay--get to work on my tan!).
The HB had a friend sleep over last night. He's a good kid, but says "What?" to almost anything you say. I can't decide if he doesn't hear well or is just being a jerk. He's very polite, which makes the latter unlikely. But, his dad's a pediatric surgeon, so you would think he'd have his hearing checked. Regardless, my wife is chasing the boys around today and I'll have the HB all day tomorrow.
The Lakers can close out San Antonio tonight at home. I have a good feeling about it.
I've been reading this morning about the democrats having their rules committee decide this weekend about the Michigan and Florida delegates. It will be a disconcerting exercise for fans of Ms. Clinton in that at least one of two things will happen:
1) She's not going to get enough delegates to put her past Obama. This is for certain.
2) Her attempt to get as many delegates as possible is going to maker her look craven and like someone who doesn't want to play by the rules she agreed to play by. She agreed, with the other candidates, not to campaign in Florida and that those votes would not count, but now she wants her share of the votes. Same in Michigan, except she was the only candidate to keep her name on the ballot when all of the other candidates agreed to go along with party rules and not compete there (she beat "uncommitted").
Her strategy is to close Obama's delegate lead and convince the remaining super-delegates that she got the most popular vote (and impossible argument given what happened in Michigan and Florida and that many caucus states don't add up votes like primary states do) and that she wins hypothetical elections in key states against McCain. Note that six months ago she would have won hypothetical primaries/caucuses in almost every state against Obama, but that's why we have campaigns.
One of Clinton's most admirable traits is her grit and determination. She needs to decide whether she wants to focus it on getting every delegate possible in her now seemingly quixotic quest for the nomination, or on unifying her party.
The HB had a friend sleep over last night. He's a good kid, but says "What?" to almost anything you say. I can't decide if he doesn't hear well or is just being a jerk. He's very polite, which makes the latter unlikely. But, his dad's a pediatric surgeon, so you would think he'd have his hearing checked. Regardless, my wife is chasing the boys around today and I'll have the HB all day tomorrow.
The Lakers can close out San Antonio tonight at home. I have a good feeling about it.
I've been reading this morning about the democrats having their rules committee decide this weekend about the Michigan and Florida delegates. It will be a disconcerting exercise for fans of Ms. Clinton in that at least one of two things will happen:
1) She's not going to get enough delegates to put her past Obama. This is for certain.
2) Her attempt to get as many delegates as possible is going to maker her look craven and like someone who doesn't want to play by the rules she agreed to play by. She agreed, with the other candidates, not to campaign in Florida and that those votes would not count, but now she wants her share of the votes. Same in Michigan, except she was the only candidate to keep her name on the ballot when all of the other candidates agreed to go along with party rules and not compete there (she beat "uncommitted").
Her strategy is to close Obama's delegate lead and convince the remaining super-delegates that she got the most popular vote (and impossible argument given what happened in Michigan and Florida and that many caucus states don't add up votes like primary states do) and that she wins hypothetical elections in key states against McCain. Note that six months ago she would have won hypothetical primaries/caucuses in almost every state against Obama, but that's why we have campaigns.
One of Clinton's most admirable traits is her grit and determination. She needs to decide whether she wants to focus it on getting every delegate possible in her now seemingly quixotic quest for the nomination, or on unifying her party.
Monday, May 26, 2008
That's Entertainment
The weather was very weird here again yesterday. Cool and periodic clouds. More like fall than late spring. So, instead of celebrating the weekend with the grilling of the cased meats (which we'll do today), in the afternoon we picked up my parents and went to see the new Indiana Jones movie. We all really enjoyed it and I would say that it is definitely the best of the three sequels.
For the first time in what seems like forever, the wife and I got a babysitter and went out. She was lobbying for another movie. My thinking was that we live in the big town and we need to act like it more often. So, we cruised by a playhouse and our timing was perfect. The theater was showing two one act plays by David Mamet (Duck Variations and Keep Your Pantheon). They were different, but both very good and well acted.
After that we hit a wine bar (delish Rioja!) and ordered way too much food (we were starving) and chatted about this (kitchen remodel), that (whether we want to commit to hosting another NZS even though we haven't had the first one yet) and the other. I accidentally caught the Laker score on the TV (they got creamed by the Spurs, so LA leads the series 2-1), which saved me an hour of watching it on DVR when we got home.
This morning I'll head over to my Rotary Club's book sale fund raiser (don't laugh...last year we netted $16). Then off to my sil's for grilling. Later tonight I'll do the pledge of allegiance at our Elks Club (I'm not a veteran, it's something I'm asked to do as being Rotary prez). Then, back to work tomorrow.
For the first time in what seems like forever, the wife and I got a babysitter and went out. She was lobbying for another movie. My thinking was that we live in the big town and we need to act like it more often. So, we cruised by a playhouse and our timing was perfect. The theater was showing two one act plays by David Mamet (Duck Variations and Keep Your Pantheon). They were different, but both very good and well acted.
After that we hit a wine bar (delish Rioja!) and ordered way too much food (we were starving) and chatted about this (kitchen remodel), that (whether we want to commit to hosting another NZS even though we haven't had the first one yet) and the other. I accidentally caught the Laker score on the TV (they got creamed by the Spurs, so LA leads the series 2-1), which saved me an hour of watching it on DVR when we got home.
This morning I'll head over to my Rotary Club's book sale fund raiser (don't laugh...last year we netted $16). Then off to my sil's for grilling. Later tonight I'll do the pledge of allegiance at our Elks Club (I'm not a veteran, it's something I'm asked to do as being Rotary prez). Then, back to work tomorrow.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
2-0
I was going to post last night. But, my mistress Shiraz was too seductive.
The HB and I whipped up some delish stir-fry after his rehearsal and watched the beginning of the Laker game and I picked up the rest of it after he went to bed. LA beat the tar out of them (101-71) to take a 2-0 lead in their best of 7 series. The score was a little misleading as the Spurs rested their starters in the 4th quarter...cuz they were getting their asses kicked.
San Antone looks like a tired team right now. They'll get an energy surge tomorrow when they are back at home, but it may not be enough. LA got a big lift from Trevor Ariza coming back. He ony played 5 minutes, but having his defense will be key as they hit the road. I'm thinking that the Lakers will win one out of two there and take care of things at home for game 5.
My wife called this morning and said she'll be catching an earlier flight home...the HB will be psyched to hear that, even if it ends the bachelor weekend a bit early.
The HB and I whipped up some delish stir-fry after his rehearsal and watched the beginning of the Laker game and I picked up the rest of it after he went to bed. LA beat the tar out of them (101-71) to take a 2-0 lead in their best of 7 series. The score was a little misleading as the Spurs rested their starters in the 4th quarter...cuz they were getting their asses kicked.
San Antone looks like a tired team right now. They'll get an energy surge tomorrow when they are back at home, but it may not be enough. LA got a big lift from Trevor Ariza coming back. He ony played 5 minutes, but having his defense will be key as they hit the road. I'm thinking that the Lakers will win one out of two there and take care of things at home for game 5.
My wife called this morning and said she'll be catching an earlier flight home...the HB will be psyched to hear that, even if it ends the bachelor weekend a bit early.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Freak Storm
The HB and I are doing the bachelor thing through Saturday as my wife hopped on a flight to Chicago yesterday morning. After I picked him up from school, he did his homework, etc., and then we went to local event. The event was partially a "taste of" with lots of great food and partially an expo of local businesses and non-profits. Some of the exhibits were indoors, other outdoors. Then, something bizarre happened....
It RAINED.
OK, those of you who read this who don't live in SoCal are thinking, "Umb, yeah, that does happen, y'know." What you don't understand is that it almost NEVER rains here between April 15 and October 15. It's just the the law. The fact that it was a late afternoon sun shower made it even weirder. The storm lasted about 20 minutes and wasn't that big of a deal (though, it led to mudslides in recently burned areas).
Tonight, the HB and I will indulge ourselves in seafood stir-fry and the Laker game. I cannot wait.
It RAINED.
OK, those of you who read this who don't live in SoCal are thinking, "Umb, yeah, that does happen, y'know." What you don't understand is that it almost NEVER rains here between April 15 and October 15. It's just the the law. The fact that it was a late afternoon sun shower made it even weirder. The storm lasted about 20 minutes and wasn't that big of a deal (though, it led to mudslides in recently burned areas).
Tonight, the HB and I will indulge ourselves in seafood stir-fry and the Laker game. I cannot wait.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
LA's Idol
It was a big night in downtown LA. The American Idol final was at the Nokia Theater and the Lakers played San Antonio in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA at Staples. I'm here to tell ya, the REAL star tonight was Kobe Bryant.
Right now, the Spurs are the Lakers' rival. Sacramento and Dallas have claimed to be at times, but, let's face it, it ain't a rivalry if one team (the Lakers) always wins when it counts. Also, while it might happen in a couple of weeks, the Lakers and Celtics (the TRUEST rivalry in the NBA) have not played in an NBA finals in 22 years (I felt gray hairs sprouting when I read that the other day). True, the Lakers have not held up their end of the bargain the last couple of years not getting out of the first round of the playoffs. But, in the last 9 years San Antonio has won 4 titles and the Lakers 3.
LA started slowly and, due to poor shooting, dug themselves into a 20-point whole midway through the 3rd quarter. That's when Kobe cranked things up and led them on a 14-0 run. He hit the shot that put them ahead with about 2 minutes to go. Just as importantly, Kobe set the defensive tone for the end of the game. When it was all said and done, the Lakers won 89-85.
One can perhaps criticize Kobe for being aloof and how he handled his off-season displeasure with management. However, it's hard to imagine anyone in the NBA right now with his talent, desire to win and ability to perform well in the clutch. He is the MVP.
Right now, the Spurs are the Lakers' rival. Sacramento and Dallas have claimed to be at times, but, let's face it, it ain't a rivalry if one team (the Lakers) always wins when it counts. Also, while it might happen in a couple of weeks, the Lakers and Celtics (the TRUEST rivalry in the NBA) have not played in an NBA finals in 22 years (I felt gray hairs sprouting when I read that the other day). True, the Lakers have not held up their end of the bargain the last couple of years not getting out of the first round of the playoffs. But, in the last 9 years San Antonio has won 4 titles and the Lakers 3.
LA started slowly and, due to poor shooting, dug themselves into a 20-point whole midway through the 3rd quarter. That's when Kobe cranked things up and led them on a 14-0 run. He hit the shot that put them ahead with about 2 minutes to go. Just as importantly, Kobe set the defensive tone for the end of the game. When it was all said and done, the Lakers won 89-85.
One can perhaps criticize Kobe for being aloof and how he handled his off-season displeasure with management. However, it's hard to imagine anyone in the NBA right now with his talent, desire to win and ability to perform well in the clutch. He is the MVP.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
My Dog's Not a Puppy Anymore
Most days I work in my home office, although if it's particularly warm or cold I'll work in the house (the office is separate from the house and isn't as well insulated and only has one window, so has poor ventilation) do that I don't have to run the heater or AC. Nugget has a bed in the office, so she'll sometimes hang out with me when she's not sunning herself.
Nugs was the run of her litter and has the extra energy associated with it. She is a ton of fun and she LOVES the HB (she sleeps on his bed). I'll play with Nugget during the day, especially when she comes in and asks (there's a doggie door to my office). However, I've noticed that she doesn't want to "play" as much as just get the attention. When she was a pup she would want to play frisbee or bring balls back. But, alas, no more. The little girl as grown up some. Sniff.
Nugs was the run of her litter and has the extra energy associated with it. She is a ton of fun and she LOVES the HB (she sleeps on his bed). I'll play with Nugget during the day, especially when she comes in and asks (there's a doggie door to my office). However, I've noticed that she doesn't want to "play" as much as just get the attention. When she was a pup she would want to play frisbee or bring balls back. But, alas, no more. The little girl as grown up some. Sniff.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Roller Coaster Day
The HB started watching a new cartoon recently, Mighty B. Pretty funny stuff and I can see why he relates to it. One episode has her wanting to go on this hellacious rollercoaster. That was kind of my Friday.
Since I work at home, I'm in charge of getting all the house and care repairs done. The wife's car's (2000 Jetta wagon) brakes were squeaking, so I took it in. Let's just say that if she came home one day and said, "Oh, I pushed the Jetta over a cliff" I wouldn't shed too many tears. It's got about 100k miles on it, so I kinda figured it would need some work. Just not $2,500 worth. Holy. Fucking. Shit. That's a down payment on another Prius. But, if she wants that new kitchen, we're not also getting a new car. So, I give the repair dude the go ahead.
A few hours later he calls back and says, "Umb...we can't do all of this in one day, can you leave it overnight." I tell him no, we can't be without the car this weekend while he starts making his future travel plans based on my repair bill and to get it back running and I'll bring it back on Tuesday. I'm going to need to find a new client to pay for all of this shit.
Speaking of client things, I get this very cool e-mail from the client I saw in KC. He requested some additional data analysis (no biggee) and told me who I should work with to expand the project, and copied that person on the note. YES!
Of course, to balance my karma, I got a very bitchy note from another client complaining about a project. I, wisely, waited about 30 minutes before responding. The e-mail addressed some of the factual errors in her note, as well as describing her team's contributions to the supposed shortcomings of the project. Strangely, I didn't hear back from her.
The HB had a later theater rehearsal last night and my wife wanted to do her weekend stuff with my mil. That gave me a free part of the evening. Normally, I would have strongly considered a long bike ride, but my left knee's still swollen and the gashes on the right shin still have a way to go (but, I'm getting on the elliptical on Sunday for a light workout, no matter what). Instead, I headed up to LACMA, where they have jazz concerts on Friday nights. The music was OK and I wandered the galleries during the breaks.
On the way to get the HB, I stopped at a BBQ place I've driven by a million times, but had never stopped at. I grabbed a bbq beef sandwich and some onion rings (to DIE for) and watch the Cavs beat the Celtics to force a game 7 (I've got the Laker-Jazz game 6 on my DVR) then go to pick up the HB.
The HB has been wanting to watch The Simpsons for a long time. The wife and I were holding out as he already had a bit of a smart mouth, and we figured a constant diet of Bart and Homer wouldn't help. We told him that if he watched what he said a bit more (he is 9, after all) we would let him watch it. He has and we did. So, we watched a couple of episodes last night. I've always loved the show and am glad that I can watch it more regularly now.
My wife got home around 9, and after getting the boy in bed we chit-chatted and watched the Angels (my fave baseball team) beat the Dodgers (her fave baseball team) then I powered through the Laker-Jazz game while she read the paper. It was a pretty satisfying road win for the Lakers which finishes the series (4-2) and gives them an extra couple of days rest before starting the next series with the San Antonio-New Orleans winner. I'm liking LA's chances in both.
Since I work at home, I'm in charge of getting all the house and care repairs done. The wife's car's (2000 Jetta wagon) brakes were squeaking, so I took it in. Let's just say that if she came home one day and said, "Oh, I pushed the Jetta over a cliff" I wouldn't shed too many tears. It's got about 100k miles on it, so I kinda figured it would need some work. Just not $2,500 worth. Holy. Fucking. Shit. That's a down payment on another Prius. But, if she wants that new kitchen, we're not also getting a new car. So, I give the repair dude the go ahead.
A few hours later he calls back and says, "Umb...we can't do all of this in one day, can you leave it overnight." I tell him no, we can't be without the car this weekend while he starts making his future travel plans based on my repair bill and to get it back running and I'll bring it back on Tuesday. I'm going to need to find a new client to pay for all of this shit.
Speaking of client things, I get this very cool e-mail from the client I saw in KC. He requested some additional data analysis (no biggee) and told me who I should work with to expand the project, and copied that person on the note. YES!
Of course, to balance my karma, I got a very bitchy note from another client complaining about a project. I, wisely, waited about 30 minutes before responding. The e-mail addressed some of the factual errors in her note, as well as describing her team's contributions to the supposed shortcomings of the project. Strangely, I didn't hear back from her.
The HB had a later theater rehearsal last night and my wife wanted to do her weekend stuff with my mil. That gave me a free part of the evening. Normally, I would have strongly considered a long bike ride, but my left knee's still swollen and the gashes on the right shin still have a way to go (but, I'm getting on the elliptical on Sunday for a light workout, no matter what). Instead, I headed up to LACMA, where they have jazz concerts on Friday nights. The music was OK and I wandered the galleries during the breaks.
On the way to get the HB, I stopped at a BBQ place I've driven by a million times, but had never stopped at. I grabbed a bbq beef sandwich and some onion rings (to DIE for) and watch the Cavs beat the Celtics to force a game 7 (I've got the Laker-Jazz game 6 on my DVR) then go to pick up the HB.
The HB has been wanting to watch The Simpsons for a long time. The wife and I were holding out as he already had a bit of a smart mouth, and we figured a constant diet of Bart and Homer wouldn't help. We told him that if he watched what he said a bit more (he is 9, after all) we would let him watch it. He has and we did. So, we watched a couple of episodes last night. I've always loved the show and am glad that I can watch it more regularly now.
My wife got home around 9, and after getting the boy in bed we chit-chatted and watched the Angels (my fave baseball team) beat the Dodgers (her fave baseball team) then I powered through the Laker-Jazz game while she read the paper. It was a pretty satisfying road win for the Lakers which finishes the series (4-2) and gives them an extra couple of days rest before starting the next series with the San Antonio-New Orleans winner. I'm liking LA's chances in both.
Friday, May 16, 2008
5 Fives
Tagged by Jen:
1. What are the last five books you have read?
*The Kite Runner (utterly depressing with a whiny protagonist)
*Blind Side: The Evolution of a Game
*Playing for Pizza
*Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East
*Benjamin Franklin (Morgan)
2. Name five places in the world you would love to go to.
*Spain
*Italy
*Yellowstone
*Arches National Park
*My favorite bar
3. Name five people who have strongly influenced your life, both good and bad,… not counting family!
*Joe
*Lynn
*Lyman
*Duncan
*John
4. Name five things you have accomplished that you are proud of, big or small!
*Starting my own biz.
*Getting my Ph.D. in record time.
*Becoming financially independent
*Making more time to help other people
*Walking away from something I wanted that turned out badly.
5. Name five things you still want to do in your life.
*See the travel section.
*Re-learn to surf.
*Retire while I feel young.
*See my son grow up to be happy.
*Continue to find new things that fascinate me.
Lola, consider yourself tagged.
1. What are the last five books you have read?
*The Kite Runner (utterly depressing with a whiny protagonist)
*Blind Side: The Evolution of a Game
*Playing for Pizza
*Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East
*Benjamin Franklin (Morgan)
2. Name five places in the world you would love to go to.
*Spain
*Italy
*Yellowstone
*Arches National Park
*My favorite bar
3. Name five people who have strongly influenced your life, both good and bad,… not counting family!
*Joe
*Lynn
*Lyman
*Duncan
*John
4. Name five things you have accomplished that you are proud of, big or small!
*Starting my own biz.
*Getting my Ph.D. in record time.
*Becoming financially independent
*Making more time to help other people
*Walking away from something I wanted that turned out badly.
5. Name five things you still want to do in your life.
*See the travel section.
*Re-learn to surf.
*Retire while I feel young.
*See my son grow up to be happy.
*Continue to find new things that fascinate me.
Lola, consider yourself tagged.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Equal Rights? Imagine That...
Today, the California Supreme Court sent a clarion message to the country: The benefits of marriage are a CIVIL right that cannot be denied based on sexual orientation. You can read the ruling here. If the ruling unnerves you in any way, just substitute "mixed-race" for "same-sex" and it will become more clear how stupid the current interpretation is.
This is not the final say in CA. There's already going to be a ballot initiative changing the CA constitution to define marriage as ONLY between a man and a woman in November. Unlike many states, a 50% +1 vote is required to pass a state constitutional change. Hard to say right now whether it will pass (a similar measure, that did not seek to change the constitution did pass by about a 60-40 margin) or whether the court will stay its opinion until the vote. You can support the campaign against the initiative here.
It's on these types of issues that CA leads the nation. Which is not to imply that we're always first. Rather, since CA is the most populous state, other states have a hard time ignoring it when we make these changes.
Between this and the general election, November's gonna be a circus. It'll be interesting to see if Obama comes out (pun intended) to oppose the initiative when he comes to CA to use us as an ATM (he won't have to campaign here).
This is not the final say in CA. There's already going to be a ballot initiative changing the CA constitution to define marriage as ONLY between a man and a woman in November. Unlike many states, a 50% +1 vote is required to pass a state constitutional change. Hard to say right now whether it will pass (a similar measure, that did not seek to change the constitution did pass by about a 60-40 margin) or whether the court will stay its opinion until the vote. You can support the campaign against the initiative here.
It's on these types of issues that CA leads the nation. Which is not to imply that we're always first. Rather, since CA is the most populous state, other states have a hard time ignoring it when we make these changes.
Between this and the general election, November's gonna be a circus. It'll be interesting to see if Obama comes out (pun intended) to oppose the initiative when he comes to CA to use us as an ATM (he won't have to campaign here).
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
What About It?
This was, umb...benchmarked from Lola:
-Would you kill your neighbor? I luhvs my neighbors. We watch each others' pets, drain wine bottles and their kids babysit mine.
-What were you doing ten minutes ago? Responding to e-mail.
-What did your last text message say? I'm not a big texter, but I'm sure it was to Jen.
-Who have you talked to most today? The HB.
-Do you carve pumpkins every year? Yes. And save the seeds to bake with garlic salt.
-What are you wearing? Jeans, sweatshirt, orange Chucks.
-Who’s on speed dial 2? I just got a new phone, so no one yet.
-Whats your favorite season? Sumer
~How are you feeling right now? A bit sore in my legs, but glad to be getting out of Dodge for a couple of days.
~What did you do this past weekend? Mother's Day-o-rama.
~How many times have you moved? Not counting college, twice.
~What is the last thing you touched? The period key.
~Would you do anything for someone else? I'm an amazingly loyal friend. When asked, no rarely enters my vocabularly.
Have you ever been called a punk? Yup.
Was yesterday better than today? So far, about the same.
~What is your ring tone? Just sounds like a phone.
~Do you have a favorite number? 5 (Johnny Bench, catcher for the Reds)
~Do you hate anyone/anything? I'm not much of a hater, and I'm not gonna start sounding like a Miss America contestant either.
~Does your best friend have a myspace? No...we'll if he does I don't know about it.
~Last time you went out to lunch? I think I drove through Wendy's last week (spicy chicken sandwich)
~Do you have any music you’re ashamed of? Nope.
~Have you ever been in a physical fight with the opposite sex? Nope.
~How old will you be in 2 months? 44
~Do you think you’ll be married by then? I figure that I still will be.
~Do you have one or more Britney Spears CDs? No.
~What did you do last month? Worked and went to DC.
~Do you have plans tonight? Client dinner then hopefully a baseball game.
What’s your favorite movie? Either Monty Python and the Holy Grail or Blazing Saddles.
~Do people ever spell your name wrong? No, but they mispronounce my last name a lot.
~Can you sing? Of course. Well? That's a matter of opinion.
~Are you ever a freak about cleanliness or organization? Nope.
~Have you ever been to South America or Africa? Not yet.
~Do you know how to knit? Nope
~What are you doing right now besides this survey? Responding to e-mail.
~Do you know how to play poker? Yes
~Baskin Robbins or Coldstone? Coldstone
~Physics or chemistry? I've always believed in better living through chemistry, but physics is more interesting.
~Do you wear any jewelry? Just my wedding band.
~What color are your bedroom walls? Blue-green
~When do you prefer to take a shower, morning or night? Night
~Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars? Hm...this is tough. I would put LOTR and SW ahead of HP. I'll go LOTR, by a hair.
~Fly or road trip? Fly
~Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Tanner Vineyard, or Shalayna Hatcher? Batmam
~What’s your favorite Disney movie? Not big on the mouse. Pixar on the otherhand...
~What are you excited about? Great music.
Hittin' the Road
Back in the day (before the HB), I traveled a good bit. Probably about 30% of the time. The reasons for this were a) I was trying build a nationwide business, b) I still had a lot of clients in LA (we were living near Boston at the time) and c) I didn't really like being in Boston any more than I had to be.
The guys I worked with at the time did the kind of consulting where you left town Monday morning and came back Thursday night. What boggled me was that they had young kids when they did that. I cannot imagine trying to be a dad that way. So, when my wife got pregnant I cut way back on the travel. Of course, the ever expanding internet helped me do this without hurting my business much.
However, I still have a bit of wanderlust in me. It's good to get away about once of month for a couple of days. The HB's a bit more self-sufficient now, so it's not as big of deal. Careful readers note that the HB and I have more bachelor nights (like last night) than nights when I'm on the road.
So, today I'm off to the plains to make a client presentation. The data came out as predicted, so I have good news for them (and hopefully me in terms of expanded business). I was hoping to catch a baseball game, but the forecast calls for rain. We'll see what the conditions are on the ground. The hotel where I stay has wifi, so I'll be in touch.
The guys I worked with at the time did the kind of consulting where you left town Monday morning and came back Thursday night. What boggled me was that they had young kids when they did that. I cannot imagine trying to be a dad that way. So, when my wife got pregnant I cut way back on the travel. Of course, the ever expanding internet helped me do this without hurting my business much.
However, I still have a bit of wanderlust in me. It's good to get away about once of month for a couple of days. The HB's a bit more self-sufficient now, so it's not as big of deal. Careful readers note that the HB and I have more bachelor nights (like last night) than nights when I'm on the road.
So, today I'm off to the plains to make a client presentation. The data came out as predicted, so I have good news for them (and hopefully me in terms of expanded business). I was hoping to catch a baseball game, but the forecast calls for rain. We'll see what the conditions are on the ground. The hotel where I stay has wifi, so I'll be in touch.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers' Day Wrap Up
The marathon went well and drama free. Here's the synopsis:
1) The camera SEEMED to be working fine, but when I went to take a pic late this afternoon I was getting a funky message about reformatting the memory chip. I'm thinking this can't be good.
2) Didn't have any pain walking, but my left knee is pretty swollen, hence restricting my ability to bend it. This made toilet seats seem very low. However, the knee's feeling looser now, so I'm hoping the swelling will go down some tonight.
3) Made a really good pasta sauce to go with the rigatoni we had at my sil's.
4) Enjoyed a good burger and view at a restaurant at the end of a pier with my parents. The HB had a delicious peanut butter shake.
Unfortch, the Lakers sucked in OT against Utah and the Angels lost their 3rd in a row to Tampa Bay (and fell out of first place). Not a good sports weekend.
My wife just left to catch the red-eye to NYC, so tomorrow's a bachelor night for me and the HB. I'm off to KC on Tuesday.
1) The camera SEEMED to be working fine, but when I went to take a pic late this afternoon I was getting a funky message about reformatting the memory chip. I'm thinking this can't be good.
2) Didn't have any pain walking, but my left knee is pretty swollen, hence restricting my ability to bend it. This made toilet seats seem very low. However, the knee's feeling looser now, so I'm hoping the swelling will go down some tonight.
3) Made a really good pasta sauce to go with the rigatoni we had at my sil's.
4) Enjoyed a good burger and view at a restaurant at the end of a pier with my parents. The HB had a delicious peanut butter shake.
Unfortch, the Lakers sucked in OT against Utah and the Angels lost their 3rd in a row to Tampa Bay (and fell out of first place). Not a good sports weekend.
My wife just left to catch the red-eye to NYC, so tomorrow's a bachelor night for me and the HB. I'm off to KC on Tuesday.
It LIVES
After a night of drying out, as it were, my camera is working fine and I was able to retrieve yesterday's pictures. This was key as there were some of the NZS at his track meet.
The cell phone is still dead. RIP.
The cell phone is still dead. RIP.
Mothers' Day Marathon
Happy Mother's Day! Yeah, those Hallmark bastards have taken it over, but there's nothing wrong with taking one special day to say (official) thanks to mom.
Today, the HB and I will do a little something special for his mom. Then, off to my sil's for a late lunch with my wife's mom. We'll top it off with dinner with my parents. I'm pretty much ready for it, even though it means I'll have to TiVo the Lakers' game.
One small problem is my mobility. I went hiking yesterday and took a bit of a tumble. I'm ok, just some scratches on my right arm/hand but a couple of nice gouges in my right shin and a swollen left knee. I was able to get around pretty well last night (damn stairs) and am about to give things a try this morning. Not too worried.
I did fuck up my camera (which sucks because I took some good pics) and my phone (not so bad as Ms. Sprint grandfathered me one month for my $150 credit, so I'll just get a new one on Monday).
OK, quit reading this and call or go see you mom, ok?
Today, the HB and I will do a little something special for his mom. Then, off to my sil's for a late lunch with my wife's mom. We'll top it off with dinner with my parents. I'm pretty much ready for it, even though it means I'll have to TiVo the Lakers' game.
One small problem is my mobility. I went hiking yesterday and took a bit of a tumble. I'm ok, just some scratches on my right arm/hand but a couple of nice gouges in my right shin and a swollen left knee. I was able to get around pretty well last night (damn stairs) and am about to give things a try this morning. Not too worried.
I did fuck up my camera (which sucks because I took some good pics) and my phone (not so bad as Ms. Sprint grandfathered me one month for my $150 credit, so I'll just get a new one on Monday).
OK, quit reading this and call or go see you mom, ok?
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ktichen Remodel--The First Change
This morning we went to see the NZS at a track meet. Afterwards, the wife, HB and I grabbed some lunch. I was telling my wife that I had spoken to the dude who redid our bathrooms and he confirmed that we should NOT go with Home Depot, but that the local place was selling better stuff and service and a not much higher price. As my wife and I were discussing next steps, she busts out with, "Y'know, I was thinking that the off-white finish I liked last week won't really go with this or that, and maybe we should go with something that matches the wood floors in the dining room."
Uh-huh. This is how it always starts. I'd be shocked if we ended up with natural wood finish cabinets. Oh, and she's not sold on the manufacturer he suggested.
Uh-huh. This is how it always starts. I'd be shocked if we ended up with natural wood finish cabinets. Oh, and she's not sold on the manufacturer he suggested.
Bad Sports Day
Last night we did the family trip to the movies to see Iron Man. Pretty good popcorn movie with a cool ending. I generally like Robert Downey, Jr. and he's good in this film.
I TiVo'd the Lakers/Jazz playoff game before we left since it was going to start while we were at the movie. On the way there, we're listening to the Angels' game (against Tampa Bay) and they're tied 0-0. No biggee. After the movie we go get some BBQ (yummmm) and they have the Laker game on. It's the end of the 3rd quarter and I wasn't going to try and torture myself by trying not to watch. Given how crowded it was I knew we'd be there until the end of the game (or close to it). We we got there they were down by about 15, but cut it to 7. Through the fourth quarter they got it down to as little as 4, but couldn't get over the hump and lost. They still lead the series 2 games to 1 and I have no doubt that they'll win the series.
I find out when we get home that the Angels only got 1 hit (against Tampa!) and lost 2-0. OK, Tampa's not horrific this year, but still, one hit? At least they are still in first place.
I TiVo'd the Lakers/Jazz playoff game before we left since it was going to start while we were at the movie. On the way there, we're listening to the Angels' game (against Tampa Bay) and they're tied 0-0. No biggee. After the movie we go get some BBQ (yummmm) and they have the Laker game on. It's the end of the 3rd quarter and I wasn't going to try and torture myself by trying not to watch. Given how crowded it was I knew we'd be there until the end of the game (or close to it). We we got there they were down by about 15, but cut it to 7. Through the fourth quarter they got it down to as little as 4, but couldn't get over the hump and lost. They still lead the series 2 games to 1 and I have no doubt that they'll win the series.
I find out when we get home that the Angels only got 1 hit (against Tampa!) and lost 2-0. OK, Tampa's not horrific this year, but still, one hit? At least they are still in first place.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
It's Not Cheating Until You Get Caught....Again
I wrote earlier in the year about the Patriots and their arrogance and cheating. They've been negotiating with an ex-employee who has claimed that he has more video taken for the team so that they could steal signs from their opponents. Of course, the Pats maintained that the time they got caught was an isolated incident. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Turns out that wasn't exactly the case.
Well, no fucking shit. Belichick, like most head coaches, is a control freak. If something worked once, of course he's going to do it again. And, since he got caught and fined once, you can bet that he has spent a lot of time figuring out how not to get caught again. But he did.
Last go around the league fined him and the team a bundle and took away a first round draft pick. Taking away NEXT year's draft pick obviously isn't going to make any difference. Perhaps suspending his ass for all of next year (without pay) would do the trick.
Well, no fucking shit. Belichick, like most head coaches, is a control freak. If something worked once, of course he's going to do it again. And, since he got caught and fined once, you can bet that he has spent a lot of time figuring out how not to get caught again. But he did.
Last go around the league fined him and the team a bundle and took away a first round draft pick. Taking away NEXT year's draft pick obviously isn't going to make any difference. Perhaps suspending his ass for all of next year (without pay) would do the trick.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sports Catch Up
I haven't written about sports in a while, so here goes.
On Friday I went to the Angels' game with some buddies (and one of them brought his 8 y.o. daughter). I was a bit late because the HB's theater rehearsal got moved and neither my wife or I knew about it, and Friday night traffic completely sucked. But, I met up with them at the bar, had a jager-bomb and a beer and was ready to go.
Right now the Angels are just plugging along. They aren't hitting a ton (Guerrero was in the middle of a 5-game hitless streak) and they're missing two of their top pitchers (Lackey and Escobar). But, lo and behold, they're in first place. I think they are going to stay there for a while. They lost the game I went to (though they've won the three since). But, a good time was had by all.
The Lakers are just smoking. They blew out Denver in the first round of the NBA playoffs and took Utah's best shot (literally) last night and still won. Kobe (soon to be officially named MVP of the league) hit 19 free throws in a row and everyone else chipped in. If the Jazz thought they'd be able to out-muscle the Lakers, they were right (they had a huge rebounding advantage). But, it didn't matter because the purple and gold got some easy hoops and defended well. The Lakers won't get as many foul calls in the next game, but that works to their advantage as they'll have a better offensive flow. I'm thinking they'll win the series 4-1.
I'm not much of a horse racing fan and don't even pay that much attention to the Kentucky Derby anymore. However, this year's was an attention grabber with Big Brown winning going away and Eight Bells being euthanized on the track immediately following the race. I'm not a big animal vet, but when two horses with great bloodlines dies unexpectedly within a few years (see Barbaro), something has gotta be up with the breeding. Not enough variance in the genes? A bad one becoming dominate? Horse racing has enough problems without its potential stars suffering mortal wounds on the track.
On Friday I went to the Angels' game with some buddies (and one of them brought his 8 y.o. daughter). I was a bit late because the HB's theater rehearsal got moved and neither my wife or I knew about it, and Friday night traffic completely sucked. But, I met up with them at the bar, had a jager-bomb and a beer and was ready to go.
Right now the Angels are just plugging along. They aren't hitting a ton (Guerrero was in the middle of a 5-game hitless streak) and they're missing two of their top pitchers (Lackey and Escobar). But, lo and behold, they're in first place. I think they are going to stay there for a while. They lost the game I went to (though they've won the three since). But, a good time was had by all.
The Lakers are just smoking. They blew out Denver in the first round of the NBA playoffs and took Utah's best shot (literally) last night and still won. Kobe (soon to be officially named MVP of the league) hit 19 free throws in a row and everyone else chipped in. If the Jazz thought they'd be able to out-muscle the Lakers, they were right (they had a huge rebounding advantage). But, it didn't matter because the purple and gold got some easy hoops and defended well. The Lakers won't get as many foul calls in the next game, but that works to their advantage as they'll have a better offensive flow. I'm thinking they'll win the series 4-1.
I'm not much of a horse racing fan and don't even pay that much attention to the Kentucky Derby anymore. However, this year's was an attention grabber with Big Brown winning going away and Eight Bells being euthanized on the track immediately following the race. I'm not a big animal vet, but when two horses with great bloodlines dies unexpectedly within a few years (see Barbaro), something has gotta be up with the breeding. Not enough variance in the genes? A bad one becoming dominate? Horse racing has enough problems without its potential stars suffering mortal wounds on the track.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Dante, Meet Mr. Wrecker
The Dante I'm talking about is NOT the dude from the Clerks movies. Rather, the creation of Faust. I don't know exactly where this one fits, but my wife and I started on a kitchen remodeling project.
I'm not against doing it, but I think of the other things we could do with the money. Put more money into the HB's college account, help Lola break ground on the castle, invest in Jen's med school, or spend a month in Spain. There are some things that need to be done in there, such as new counter tops and replace some facings. But, when it's time, it's time.
I don't care about the money, but doing these projects with my wife can be nerve wracking. We've been through worse. We've hung wallpaper and tiled rooms. In this type of stuff she drives me fucking crazy because she a) can't make up her mind and b) will change it 24 hours later. I've learned to tell her what I don't like (style, colors, etc.) and then let her bounce all over the place. That leads to plenty of hand wringing in the evening, but at least she's the one doing it.
I'll keep ya posted on our progress over the next couple of months (I guess it's possible that today she could completely change her mind about the whole project). It's gonna involve a lot of cocktails and it had better have some kinky jacuzzi sex to make it worth the aggravation.
I'm not against doing it, but I think of the other things we could do with the money. Put more money into the HB's college account, help Lola break ground on the castle, invest in Jen's med school, or spend a month in Spain. There are some things that need to be done in there, such as new counter tops and replace some facings. But, when it's time, it's time.
I don't care about the money, but doing these projects with my wife can be nerve wracking. We've been through worse. We've hung wallpaper and tiled rooms. In this type of stuff she drives me fucking crazy because she a) can't make up her mind and b) will change it 24 hours later. I've learned to tell her what I don't like (style, colors, etc.) and then let her bounce all over the place. That leads to plenty of hand wringing in the evening, but at least she's the one doing it.
I'll keep ya posted on our progress over the next couple of months (I guess it's possible that today she could completely change her mind about the whole project). It's gonna involve a lot of cocktails and it had better have some kinky jacuzzi sex to make it worth the aggravation.
Chutzpah on Parade
It's been said that the definition of chutzpah is killing your parents, then pleading for mercy from the court because you are an orphan. A supreme court case is pretty damn close to that.
Basically, this dude was found guilty of killing his girlfriend. He admits shooting her, but says it was in self-defense. He's taking his case to the highest court in the land because a lower court allowed testimony from her in the form of a police report she filed a few weeks earlier when he threatened her with a knife. His argument is that this was inadmissible because she can't be cross-examined. Of course, that's an incomplete sentence that should read, "she can't be cross-examined because I killed her."
I'm not a lawyer. I do understand that an underpinning of our legal system is that the accused have the right to face those who accuse them. But, imagine the precedent of disallowing evidence of the victim because s/he was killed by the accused. That's just wrong. Off to the slammer for you, dude.
We also have another case of liberal, upper middle class white women wanting to be exempt from the law. This chick bolted from a Michigan prison where she was serving time on a drug charge. She's been on the lam, got married, raised her kids, etc. She says basically, "Hey, I've been a good person since then, why should I have to go back?" Umb, because you were sent to jail for what you did, not what you might do?
Let's forget for a moment how dumb it is to lock up people for non-violent drug charges. This woman has such huge stones to suggest that she, unlike the thousands of people who have since served their time in Michigan, is above the law. It's not like she's been spending her time since her escape trying to spring them. It's like Sara Jane Olson. If ya do the crime, ya gotta do the time.
Basically, this dude was found guilty of killing his girlfriend. He admits shooting her, but says it was in self-defense. He's taking his case to the highest court in the land because a lower court allowed testimony from her in the form of a police report she filed a few weeks earlier when he threatened her with a knife. His argument is that this was inadmissible because she can't be cross-examined. Of course, that's an incomplete sentence that should read, "she can't be cross-examined because I killed her."
I'm not a lawyer. I do understand that an underpinning of our legal system is that the accused have the right to face those who accuse them. But, imagine the precedent of disallowing evidence of the victim because s/he was killed by the accused. That's just wrong. Off to the slammer for you, dude.
We also have another case of liberal, upper middle class white women wanting to be exempt from the law. This chick bolted from a Michigan prison where she was serving time on a drug charge. She's been on the lam, got married, raised her kids, etc. She says basically, "Hey, I've been a good person since then, why should I have to go back?" Umb, because you were sent to jail for what you did, not what you might do?
Let's forget for a moment how dumb it is to lock up people for non-violent drug charges. This woman has such huge stones to suggest that she, unlike the thousands of people who have since served their time in Michigan, is above the law. It's not like she's been spending her time since her escape trying to spring them. It's like Sara Jane Olson. If ya do the crime, ya gotta do the time.
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