In Which I Defend Jimmy Carter from Spurious Accusations

IMO, the best thing you can say about the Carter Presidency is that it inspired the sitcom 'Benson'. Still, I must call foul on some local radio DJ's who labeled Carter's recent comments "sour grapes" against Ted Kennedy and a 'cheap shot when he [Ted] isn't around to defend himself'. Wrong. As early as his bio "Keeping the Faith" he accused Ted of sabotaging health care reform for his own political gain. This is nothing new.

Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay

Just finished 'Dexter in the Dark', bk #3 in the series & by far the weakest. Demonic possesion? Really? My objection isn't spiritual one. I just think it's far more fun to think of Dex as just one royally f'ed up dude. C.

Lu/Dad time!

Lu last Monday, as we spent an evening of "Dad/Lu" time.

A Rule of Life

A rule of Life, as certain as death and taxes: However much you hope otherwise, damn near everything told to a person - even in the strictest most pinkie swear confidence - will find its way into the ears of their spouse.

Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

I just finished "Dearly Devoted Dexter", the 2nd in Jeff Lindsay's series about serial killer/vigilante/crime lab worker Dexter Morgan. I have to say, it feels a little creepy to laugh out loud during dismemberment scenes; but aside from a novel premise, great characters, and a solid plot, the books are flat-out FUNNY. I tip my hat to you, Mr. Lindsay. Well done sir, well done.

Great Job LuLu!

LuLu is in the dining room reading "The Mouse who Wanted to Marry" to the little ones. Despite a bad cold, she is reading with impressive inflection and emotion; her ma's genes at work. Well done.

Our "S" Flag is up!!!

We bought this flag two or three years ago at the Fireside, but first put it up this week.

we had such a good time at the first and only visit to the fireside, glad to have something so nice to remember it by...Some day when we all have money it would be so fun to take the kids. - Lisa

Our Phones are Down

An accident near the airport has knocked down a Cricket tower, leaving most of the south side w/out mobile service. So if you're trying to call me, try FB'ing instead.

Update: The phones are still down. I have a land line, but truthfully I don't even know where we keep the phone; it's certainly not plugged in. Anyhow, I called the service dept to find out when the tower was going back online. A nice Indian woman who insisted on calling me "Mr. Daniel" said she would be happy to assist me but alas, failed to back up her claim.

I Voted

And . . . the polls are closed. Hope y'all voted today. As usual I took Yaya with me after school, but all that meant was that I had to give her my "I Voted" sticker. Sooooo not fair.

Class. Personified.

What's the point of having your ear pierced if you can't wear three safety pins 'round the house once in awhile?

My Picks

Ok - primary election day is less than 24 hrs away. My picks? Gov: SCOTT WALKER Lt. Gov: KLEEFISCH Senate: RON JOHNSON Congress (4th): DAN SEBRING. And, if I was in State Assembly District 20, MOLLY MCGARTLAND. In my own assembly district 19, I vote for KRISTA BURNS, not because of her party, but because a district that encompasses Bay View should have a rep w/ an address in, gosh, I don't know, Bay View.

My condolences, Dan. I'm on vacation and no one told me you hit your head so hard. - Sandra G

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

I just finished "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" by Jeff Lindsay, the 1st in the series that inspired the show "Dexter". It's great fun, give or take a torturous death or two. What really makes it tick is the playful voice of Dexter himself as he narrates the action. I'm going to read more in the series.

LuLu's Pumpkin!

The pumpkin Lulu decorated @ gma's

My Thoughts

It is my deeply held belief that anyone who insists on backing into a parking spot @ a public venue is a pompous ahole w/ far too high an opinion of their own worth.

Body Work by Sara Paretsky

I finished 'Body Work' by Sara Paretsky. The writing was good, but it seems to rely on character over plot, which is a problem when much of the oomph lies in the the fact the PI is a woman.That may have been a nice gimmick in the '80's, but not today. As to that plot - conspiracy, conspiracy, blah blah. 'Cuz, you know, no one is murdered by anything less than a secret corporate plot. I grade it a C.

The Founders Suite at Miller Park

I'm @ the Brewers/Cubs game @ Miller Park. Courtesy of my buddy Tre, I'm seated in the Founders Suite (#2) right behind the Brewers dugout. 

Best t-shirt so far: I'll root for the Cubs the day they play Al Qaeda

A moving rendition of God Bless America here @ the ballpark, w/ the flag @ half mast for 9/11. @ least for a moment, common ground w/ the Cubs fans here.

                            GREAT catch by Braun!

School Days

Lisa took the kids to the carnival at Junie's school!

She doesn't look happy here, but she was!

Here are some pics outside the older kids school!

ISO

Farmville friends - I'd appreciate it if you could send any of the FV.com exclusive gifts, or better still the white apple tree unique to the iphone. Thanks in advance.

My Farm

An Apology

When a man comes home from wrk, sometimes all he wants to do is park himself in front of the TV in his undies, air out the Lebowski's, and eat some Manwich while watching Dr Who. That's all. So when you invite your SUPER HOT friend over at midnight, thereby forcing me to clothe myself and eat only human sized portions, I get a little pissy-wissy. I apologize for the bed-wetting, but otherwise the fit was warranted.

Ground Zero Update

According to a status update by media writer Tim Cuprisin, Donald Trump is attempting to buy the site of the proposed Ground Zero mosque.

The Fantasy Football Season is Starting

The NFL season starts tonight, which means my fantasy team has yet another opportunity to match the .333 winning percentage I've notched so far this century. Yeehaw! Ah, but I shouldn't let it get me down. After all, "Nobody in the game of football should be called a genius. A genius is somebody like Norman Einstein". -Joe Theismann

Marathon: How One Battle Changed Western Civilization by Richard A Billows

I finished "Marathon: How one battle changed west. civ" by Richard A. Billows. It was good, but of the 200+ pgs, only 30 were about the battle, w/ the rest devoted to centuries of Greek/Persian history. Some background is always nice, but you don't need to know the history of bratwurst making to understand how Rommel fought, do you? So why should I care about similar minutiae in Greek history?

ISO

TIME SENSITIVE: Anyone out there have 12 old Sunday papers (or their equivalent in size) laying around? My wife needs them for a Girl Scout 'sit-upon' project. The other leader had her basement flood and the papers were ruined. The meeting is THIS AFTERNOON.

Big Love S2

We finished the second season of Big Love - a mighty fine show. It's become a favorite around here.