The end of a Barney episode was just playing in the background - you know, the "I love you" song - and a chocolate-faced, excited Junie ran into the office, arms open, yelling "Da-dy, Da-dy". She gave me a hug, said "Uv oo" and ran back to the TV.
Published writer, compulsive reader, Old School Whovian, Match Game enthusiast, NKOTB fan, data hoarder, and - surprisingly, given that list - married with four kids. Welcome to my take on life, fatherhood, entertainment, and whatever strikes my fancy. Enjoy!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Perhaps, some Hyberbole. I hope.
Lisa and I just watched the UFC's matchup of Vera vs. Jones. Not our normal viewing habits, but better to watch that shellacking than see our country destroyed at the hands of Obama/Pelosi.
Historians will mark this date as the beginning of the end. It may take 50 years, or 100, but it is now a certainty: America will be a shell of what it was/what it could have been. An obese, ever expanding Federal government; the rationing of our resources; the suppression of the constituency's demands. What a waste. What a pitiful waste.
Facebook: Feb 23rd
Feb 23rd: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.): "Men, when they're out of work, tend to become abusive . . . Women don't have jobs either, but women aren’t abusive, most of the time," he said." THIS is the chosen leader of the Senate Dems? Ru sure he's not a GOP mole? When he speaks its like an episode of Jackass meets Ca...ndid Camera. I'm thinking maybe he and his wife will have the chance to test his theory (incorrect) after November . .
[Mark] Concannon Leaves WITI This is dated info, although it's 'new' on the Journal's site. Either Tim Cuprisin broke the news on FB yest, or I read it on a media blog. Either way, good luck Mark - and ignore the snark in the comments. People protected by the anonymity of the web are, as a rule, suckassy.
* Former NBA star Jayson Williams gets five-year sentence in shooting People are bi**hing about how an NBA star 'got off easy', but the death was clearly accidental. Essentially, he's serving 5 years in prison for hindering the investigation. To me, when u can kill a man intentionally and skate after 15 years, 5 years seems a little steep for idiotically trying to cover up the 'hows' of an accident.
* Wisconsin closes milk-production gap with Calif. Good news WI. About time we started putting fear into those insolent, so-called "happy cows." Be afraid you bovine traitors - Daddy needs a new pair of leather pants.
* Lockerbie bomber Megrahi living in luxury villa six months after being at 'death's door' Remember, he was allegedly released because he had less than 3 months to live. Six months later, he's alive and kicking in a 'luxury villa'. There's no question in my mind that Libya's threats to cut oil contracts led the Brits to release him and disregard both the law and justice. Shame on everyone involved.
* 'My heart, my choice,' Williams says, defending decision for U.S. heart surgery Tsk Tsk. Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) Premier Danny Williams went to the US recently for heart surgery. He "was aware his trip to the [US] for heart surgery . . . would spark outcry, but he concluded his personal health trumped any public fallout . ." Quote: "I did not sign away my right to get the best possibl...e health care for myself when I entered politics." endquote.
* Busy day. Topped off fluids on the car, took the kids to school & Lauren to playgroup, (Smiley's bus never showed) had my crucifix fixed, cleaned fish & turtle tanks & kitty litter in btwn writing. Now Park and I r making a turkey, stuffing (w/ walnuts), rolls & yams for our Tues Family Nt. Then a game & we'll end by reading from Anne Frank's diary. Not 'fun' per se, but they seem woefully ignorant of the Holocaust.
- Family nights have been a hit. They usually start out w/ a dinner I make while Lisa's at play practice (burritos and homemade cornbread the week before, wonderful boneless ribs the week before that), followed by an activity.
* Dinner was A1. Got the kids to eat yams by saying they were carrots. But L & the girls were late bcuz she left the lts on and needed a jump-start, so we xnay'd the game. I did read Anne Frank's 1st 2 entries to the girls. They liked her snarky & somewhat judgemental take on her classmates. Based on her bday gifts, theydecided she was much richer than us :) We'll try reading a few pgs each nt.
* I was going to go all in-depth on tonight's American Idol, but I think I can sum it up nicely: disappointing, boring, and almost enough to convince you the talk about this group being 'strong' is all smoke and mirrors. However, Katelyn and Crystal did well, Lily was @ least interesting, and Michelle was as good as Elle...n said. My picks to go home: Janell and Haeley (sp?).
[Mark] Concannon Leaves WITI This is dated info, although it's 'new' on the Journal's site. Either Tim Cuprisin broke the news on FB yest, or I read it on a media blog. Either way, good luck Mark - and ignore the snark in the comments. People protected by the anonymity of the web are, as a rule, suckassy.
* Former NBA star Jayson Williams gets five-year sentence in shooting People are bi**hing about how an NBA star 'got off easy', but the death was clearly accidental. Essentially, he's serving 5 years in prison for hindering the investigation. To me, when u can kill a man intentionally and skate after 15 years, 5 years seems a little steep for idiotically trying to cover up the 'hows' of an accident.
* Wisconsin closes milk-production gap with Calif. Good news WI. About time we started putting fear into those insolent, so-called "happy cows." Be afraid you bovine traitors - Daddy needs a new pair of leather pants.
* Lockerbie bomber Megrahi living in luxury villa six months after being at 'death's door' Remember, he was allegedly released because he had less than 3 months to live. Six months later, he's alive and kicking in a 'luxury villa'. There's no question in my mind that Libya's threats to cut oil contracts led the Brits to release him and disregard both the law and justice. Shame on everyone involved.
* 'My heart, my choice,' Williams says, defending decision for U.S. heart surgery Tsk Tsk. Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) Premier Danny Williams went to the US recently for heart surgery. He "was aware his trip to the [US] for heart surgery . . . would spark outcry, but he concluded his personal health trumped any public fallout . ." Quote: "I did not sign away my right to get the best possibl...e health care for myself when I entered politics." endquote.
* Busy day. Topped off fluids on the car, took the kids to school & Lauren to playgroup, (Smiley's bus never showed) had my crucifix fixed, cleaned fish & turtle tanks & kitty litter in btwn writing. Now Park and I r making a turkey, stuffing (w/ walnuts), rolls & yams for our Tues Family Nt. Then a game & we'll end by reading from Anne Frank's diary. Not 'fun' per se, but they seem woefully ignorant of the Holocaust.
- Family nights have been a hit. They usually start out w/ a dinner I make while Lisa's at play practice (burritos and homemade cornbread the week before, wonderful boneless ribs the week before that), followed by an activity.
* Dinner was A1. Got the kids to eat yams by saying they were carrots. But L & the girls were late bcuz she left the lts on and needed a jump-start, so we xnay'd the game. I did read Anne Frank's 1st 2 entries to the girls. They liked her snarky & somewhat judgemental take on her classmates. Based on her bday gifts, theydecided she was much richer than us :) We'll try reading a few pgs each nt.
* I was going to go all in-depth on tonight's American Idol, but I think I can sum it up nicely: disappointing, boring, and almost enough to convince you the talk about this group being 'strong' is all smoke and mirrors. However, Katelyn and Crystal did well, Lily was @ least interesting, and Michelle was as good as Elle...n said. My picks to go home: Janell and Haeley (sp?).
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Thank You
Sure, I'm 110% worthy of your adoration, but that doesn't mean I'm ungrateful when you express it publicly. So to everyone who took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday Friday - Thank you!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Our Day
In the dead of night I heard someone mucking around the house and got up to investigate. I found our 2 year old calmly watching TV. "Hi Daddy," she said. I said something less friendly in reply. Hours later YaYa repeated yesterday's tantrum, this time because I wouldn't give her YoGo's for breakfast. Not a good first third of the day.
2nd third of the day: so-so. Smiley & I stood on an overpass and watched a train. Then my friend Tre came over, and we took his boy & Smiley/Junie for a walk & to the playground. While there news came that LuLu had yet to be found a full *half hour* after school let out; not in extended care, or play practice, or on the playground. She was found - safe & sound - at a Daisy meeting, but oh man the scenarios in my head!
Facebook Feb 21st - 22nd
Feb 21st: I'm on Club Penguin cart surfing to earn coins for Grace's penguin. Ain't nobody can top me in the mines, N-O-B-O-D-Y. If you think different, step on up pardner. I'm the penguin in the purple gown and the long brown hair racking up the points. Bring your A game and prepare to recognize!
* The First World War (2003) This mini-series is showing on the Military Channel this month and I think it's superb. It's British, so it focuses a bit too much on their experience, but that's to be expected. @ least it makes an effort to inc the Eastern front & the Turks. A bit too heavy on the 'evil' Boche cliche early on, but overall it's balanced if rudimentary. Worth a look.
* Proof that advertising seeps into the brain: I took my two oldest to the grocery store to look for plain yogurt. No luck, but there was plenty of Activia. As soon as they saw it on the shelves both girls pointed and sang, in harmony, the Activia jingle.
Feb 22nd: Pediatricians call for a choke-proof hot dog Jeez-us. What's next? Scooping the crap out of their bum to avoid the risk of a hemorroids? Shaving their head so their hair won't get stuck in a whirlpool? Cut the hot dog lengthwise and problem solved. By the time my kids are my age we'll have ditched the eagle and made our national icon the pu**y.
* Koss sues American Express over Sachdeva purchases What crap. Koss hires a thief, is oblivious to how she's gouging them, American Express notifies them and stops the bleeding - and Koss turns around and sues them. Way to further America's decent into litigious Suckassyness.
* First Dick Cheney is hospitalized, now Bob Dole. It's a Vast Left Wing Conspiracy. I wish them both a speedy recovery
Archaeologist sees proof for Bible in ancient wall
* Dems, GOP: Summit will not break logjam on health Quoting the lead paragraph of the article: "Realistically, he's just hoping to win a big enough slice to silence the talk of a failing presidency." That's a far cry from the fawning MSM of '08.
* Archer's been renewed for a 2nd season! Hot Dog
* Chavez of Venezuela, Uribe of Colombia in shouting match - I'm w/ you Uribe. I'd swear at him too, if he was funding guerillas who cross the border and terrorize my citizens. Not that it matters to El Presidente KooKoo, but he's the reason I haven't visited a Citgo in close to four years.
* For our anniversary we were granted 2 1/2 hr w/out children, all in the middle of the day. Long enough to stop and buy some needed pet food, wait for a table at Olive Garden, and scarf down some food. I'm grateful 4 the break, but 4 the record: on my bday, if I don't find a babysitter, I'm locking the kids in the shed ...with a water bottle, a loaf of bread, and a harmonica. Ok, 2 bottles of water. Maybe 3. ;)
-all kidding aside, my folks and sister Kwatched the little ones for most of the afternoon, and while we had the older girls they did try to stay out of our way (and my mother-in-law kindly picked them up from school, saving us a trip).
* The First World War (2003) This mini-series is showing on the Military Channel this month and I think it's superb. It's British, so it focuses a bit too much on their experience, but that's to be expected. @ least it makes an effort to inc the Eastern front & the Turks. A bit too heavy on the 'evil' Boche cliche early on, but overall it's balanced if rudimentary. Worth a look.
* Proof that advertising seeps into the brain: I took my two oldest to the grocery store to look for plain yogurt. No luck, but there was plenty of Activia. As soon as they saw it on the shelves both girls pointed and sang, in harmony, the Activia jingle.
Feb 22nd: Pediatricians call for a choke-proof hot dog Jeez-us. What's next? Scooping the crap out of their bum to avoid the risk of a hemorroids? Shaving their head so their hair won't get stuck in a whirlpool? Cut the hot dog lengthwise and problem solved. By the time my kids are my age we'll have ditched the eagle and made our national icon the pu**y.
* Koss sues American Express over Sachdeva purchases What crap. Koss hires a thief, is oblivious to how she's gouging them, American Express notifies them and stops the bleeding - and Koss turns around and sues them. Way to further America's decent into litigious Suckassyness.
* First Dick Cheney is hospitalized, now Bob Dole. It's a Vast Left Wing Conspiracy. I wish them both a speedy recovery
Archaeologist sees proof for Bible in ancient wall
* Dems, GOP: Summit will not break logjam on health Quoting the lead paragraph of the article: "Realistically, he's just hoping to win a big enough slice to silence the talk of a failing presidency." That's a far cry from the fawning MSM of '08.
* Archer's been renewed for a 2nd season! Hot Dog
* Chavez of Venezuela, Uribe of Colombia in shouting match - I'm w/ you Uribe. I'd swear at him too, if he was funding guerillas who cross the border and terrorize my citizens. Not that it matters to El Presidente KooKoo, but he's the reason I haven't visited a Citgo in close to four years.
* For our anniversary we were granted 2 1/2 hr w/out children, all in the middle of the day. Long enough to stop and buy some needed pet food, wait for a table at Olive Garden, and scarf down some food. I'm grateful 4 the break, but 4 the record: on my bday, if I don't find a babysitter, I'm locking the kids in the shed ...with a water bottle, a loaf of bread, and a harmonica. Ok, 2 bottles of water. Maybe 3. ;)
-all kidding aside, my folks and sister Kwatched the little ones for most of the afternoon, and while we had the older girls they did try to stay out of our way (and my mother-in-law kindly picked them up from school, saving us a trip).
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A Good Day. A Bad Day.
A good day so far (knock on wood), but w/ an unexplainable current of anxiety right below the surface. As good as it's been, I think I'll be glad when today is done.
update:
And the day(light) ends crappy, w/ YaYa having an epic fit outside. One so ghastly I threw her over my shoulder and carried her inside, where her theatrics continued. God Bless my Mom for teaching me to reign in my temper, because I was damn close to losing it tonight w/ YaYa.
Pink Snow Boots on a Sunny Spring Day
Despite it being a lovely spring day, Junie is obsessed with wearing her pink snow boots around town, and Lisa's drawn a line in the sand.. "I'm serious, you're not going anywhere unless you put shoes on. There is NO SNOW. You look like a goof. You're making US look like goofs. Take them off. Now!" Good luck w/ that. I caved after 5 min yest.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
ISO
Is anyone on FB going to take part in a fantasy baseball league? I'm looking to join a free but competitive league on one of the major sites and would welcome the company.
Not on My Watch
Just read an article about a 68 yr old in Ohio punching little kids in their heads w/ a closed fist (and a key sticking out) at walmart. Said he's been coming there since January to punch random kids because they don't fight back. Nice......dude better steer clear of this mama! - Lisa
Monday, March 15, 2010
Signs your daughter knows you too well
On Sunday night I picked YaYa up from her friend Meadow's house. On the way home, needing garbage bags and cat food, I pulled into a store's parking lot.
"Dollar General?" she said. "Do we have to go here *every* day?"
"Yeah, actually, we do," I replied. "I like this store. And you wanna know why?"
Before I could voice a reason, serious or silly, she beat me to the punch.
"One," she said, counting on her fingers. "Good food. Two, low prices. Three, cute cashiers."
And then she zig-zagged her head sideways like "Oh, yeah, I went there".
"Well," I said, and was struck silent for a moment. "Yeah, actually that pretty much sums it up."
"Dollar General?" she said. "Do we have to go here *every* day?"
"Yeah, actually, we do," I replied. "I like this store. And you wanna know why?"
Before I could voice a reason, serious or silly, she beat me to the punch.
"One," she said, counting on her fingers. "Good food. Two, low prices. Three, cute cashiers."
And then she zig-zagged her head sideways like "Oh, yeah, I went there".
"Well," I said, and was struck silent for a moment. "Yeah, actually that pretty much sums it up."
RIP Fish
Good news: Smiley's cast will come off at 9 a.m. on my birthday. Bad news: one of LuLu's fish was obviously dying, and so I fed him to our turtle (circle of life and all). I had Park and Junie say a prayer over him as they were a bit too gleeful over the feeding bit. He was a good fish, nothing more than a 30 cent feeder that's lasted since last May. RIP noble swimmer.
The Census
I received & completed the census form today. We were already subjected to the 'long' form earlier in the year. Assuming u don't mind answering questions about your race, bills, income, transportation, etc. the long form isn't invasive at all ;)
Today's form was easy-peezy, and I'll admit I felt proud listing the whole family. In a weird way, I feel we now 'exist' in history.
Me Too
"I want to be remembered when I'm dead. I want books written about me. I want songs sung about me. And then, hundreds of years from now, I want episodes of my life to be played out weekly at half past nine by some great heroic actor of the age." - Happy International Blackadder Status Day!
Facebook Feb 19th - 21st
Feb 19th: The man who allegedly accosted Mitt Romney on the plane was Berry Gordy's nephew, a rapper from LMFAO. He claims Mitt started it. Hmmm. I wonder which one to believe.
* re: Tiger Woods' apology: From Tim Cuprisin: Best line tweeted by Channel 6's Ted Perry "Did Tiger just say he's studying "Bootyism"? I thought he was teaching it."
* It'll be 4 years since I quit smoking and Newport still sends me coupons. If you smoke Newports, and would like $1 off/pack on the delicious, relaxing yumminess that is a menthol cigarette enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the dead of winter then [slap!]. Whoa. Maybe that's y they still send them, to tempt you. Anyhow, ur welcome to the coupons.
* Excuses for Obama's Failure to Lead The Dems should've ran Hilary. November '08 might have been iffy-er (but manageable) but at least after a win they'd have had someone who was good at something other than campaigning.
* National Enquirer in the running for Pulitzer I'm fine with this, btw. If they did the work, and got the scoop, then why not acknowledge it? Because of 'standards'? Puleeze. Need we bring up the recent Nobel Prize?
Feb 20th: Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig dies at 85
* Germany plans to allow the sale of Mein Kampf w/in their country: From an American POV it seems barbaric for the state to ban the publication of any book, especially one of historical significance, nor does it seem right to ensure the sale of used copies is 'tightly regulated'. This isn't a textbook on bomb making, its a whacked out political tract/autobiography. If the people of Germany are so prone to hate that a bk can bring back the Reich, then all is lost.
- It's been 70 years, first of all. & I think the idea that Germany was somehow brainwashed by Hitler was a fiction that conveniently (and correctly) allowed Germany to resume life at a time when it was a battleground for the cold war. No knock on Germany - my kids are half German - but go as far back as 1000 years and you'll find a history of Jewish persecution unique to that region. Mix that in w/ all the bitterness of the Great War and anyone, or any philosophy, could have ignited a fire.
* re: a nut who ran his plane into a building to protest the IRS: This is the headline on the article "Attack on IRS part of long line of tax protesters". Yeah, uh, NO. Tax protesters generally don't follow Bin Laden's advice and fly planes into buildings. He was a f*ing nut.
* Milwaukee Forge likely to be sold This is a Bay View landmark. My Mom remembers falling asleep to the rhythm of the drop forge as a child, and you can still hear - scratch that, feel - it running today.
* I'm looking for marbles to replace missing pieces from Smiley's Hungry Hungry Hippo game. None of Milwaukee's grand and varied Dollar stores carries marbles, or at least had them in stock. Any (really cheap) ideas on where I can find some? I don't want to spend $6 to restock a $9 game that's already well worn.
Feb 21st: Safe in the comfort that it is now 1:24 AM, and that this will be buried down the feed by the time any youngin's return to FB in the morning. I present a great memory from my college days (early '90's) I still can't believe they played this, unedited, on AM radio here in Milwaukee. God bless the WARP.
I suppose 102.1 is as close as you'd get to the WARP today, but it lacks the panache. That gorgeous tinny AM sound, the lack of any DJ's, the canned, monotone introduction to each song. It was grand.
* re: Tiger Woods' apology: From Tim Cuprisin: Best line tweeted by Channel 6's Ted Perry "Did Tiger just say he's studying "Bootyism"? I thought he was teaching it."
* It'll be 4 years since I quit smoking and Newport still sends me coupons. If you smoke Newports, and would like $1 off/pack on the delicious, relaxing yumminess that is a menthol cigarette enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the dead of winter then [slap!]. Whoa. Maybe that's y they still send them, to tempt you. Anyhow, ur welcome to the coupons.
* Excuses for Obama's Failure to Lead The Dems should've ran Hilary. November '08 might have been iffy-er (but manageable) but at least after a win they'd have had someone who was good at something other than campaigning.
* National Enquirer in the running for Pulitzer I'm fine with this, btw. If they did the work, and got the scoop, then why not acknowledge it? Because of 'standards'? Puleeze. Need we bring up the recent Nobel Prize?
Feb 20th: Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig dies at 85
* Germany plans to allow the sale of Mein Kampf w/in their country: From an American POV it seems barbaric for the state to ban the publication of any book, especially one of historical significance, nor does it seem right to ensure the sale of used copies is 'tightly regulated'. This isn't a textbook on bomb making, its a whacked out political tract/autobiography. If the people of Germany are so prone to hate that a bk can bring back the Reich, then all is lost.
- It's been 70 years, first of all. & I think the idea that Germany was somehow brainwashed by Hitler was a fiction that conveniently (and correctly) allowed Germany to resume life at a time when it was a battleground for the cold war. No knock on Germany - my kids are half German - but go as far back as 1000 years and you'll find a history of Jewish persecution unique to that region. Mix that in w/ all the bitterness of the Great War and anyone, or any philosophy, could have ignited a fire.
* re: a nut who ran his plane into a building to protest the IRS: This is the headline on the article "Attack on IRS part of long line of tax protesters". Yeah, uh, NO. Tax protesters generally don't follow Bin Laden's advice and fly planes into buildings. He was a f*ing nut.
* Milwaukee Forge likely to be sold This is a Bay View landmark. My Mom remembers falling asleep to the rhythm of the drop forge as a child, and you can still hear - scratch that, feel - it running today.
* I'm looking for marbles to replace missing pieces from Smiley's Hungry Hungry Hippo game. None of Milwaukee's grand and varied Dollar stores carries marbles, or at least had them in stock. Any (really cheap) ideas on where I can find some? I don't want to spend $6 to restock a $9 game that's already well worn.
Feb 21st: Safe in the comfort that it is now 1:24 AM, and that this will be buried down the feed by the time any youngin's return to FB in the morning. I present a great memory from my college days (early '90's) I still can't believe they played this, unedited, on AM radio here in Milwaukee. God bless the WARP.
I suppose 102.1 is as close as you'd get to the WARP today, but it lacks the panache. That gorgeous tinny AM sound, the lack of any DJ's, the canned, monotone introduction to each song. It was grand.
2010 Census
I received & completed the census form today. We were already subjected to the 'long' form earlier in the yr. Assuming u don't mind answering questions about your race, bills, income, transportation, etc. the long form isn't invasive at all.
Today's form was easy-peezy, and I'll admit I felt proud listing the whole family. In a weird way, I feel we now 'exist' in history.Smiley's cast will be coming off
Good news: Smiley's cast will come off at 9 a.m. on my birthday. Bad news: one of LuLu's fish was obviously dying, and so I fed him to our turtle (circle of life and all). I had Smiley and Lulusay a prayer over him as they were a bit too gleeful over the feeding bit. He was a good fish, nothing more than a 30 cent feeder that's lasted since last May. RIP noble swimmer.
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