William Booth

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the death of William Booth, who founded The Salvation Army. RIP.

OMG

Customer in her '50's: "So you've read The Hunger Games? Did you enjoy it?"

Me: "I did.  It was well done and I thought the characters were surprisingly compelling."

Customer: "You know, some people say that's the best book they've ever read."

Me: "Huh. Some people should read more."

Junie and The Doors

Junie, after hearing The Doors "People are Strange" on the car radio: "I don't like that song. It scary." She looked scared too. Good thing they weren't playing "The End"

200 Years Ago Today

200 years ago today the USS Constitution defeated the British Royal Navy frigate HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, earning her the nickname "Old Ironsides".

- Taken at the Shedd

Love the bass on  Zep's 'Lemon Song" - John Paul Jones, I bow to thee.

Golden Corral

Sarcasm, folks

The most important factor in deciding who to vote for in November: tax returns. Forget the consistent high unemployment, the record number of people on food stamps, high gas prices, the soaring deficit, border agents killed by weapons our gov't gives drug dealers etc. Nooooo, what's truly important is what paperwork they submit to the IRS.

I love this!

A Fatal Frame of Mind by William Rabkin

I finished the last of the five Psych tie-in novels by Willam Rabkin. This one was "A Fatal Frame of Mind", in which Shawn and Gus investigate a murder at an art museum that might lead back to an international cabal dedicated to finding Arthrur's Excalibur. I thought it was a hoot, and wish he'd write some more books in the series. B+ #68

A Quote

"This was a quality in the Major that came out time and again; he was always gentle with those who evoked impatience, and he was always impatient with those who begged for gentleness." - A Bell for Adano by John Hersey pg 48

The Mosque at Ground Zero

Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's in good taste, or an idea that should be supported. A mosque at/near ground zero is ridiculous. I don't care who you vote for, it's still RIDICULOUS. I think The President was cowardly in his comments about it, & I'm so sick of the PC bullshit [supporting it]. - Lisa's status, seconded by me.

Yes, yes, we know its legal, that's not the point I was making. it's tasteless....why would they even WANT to build there? I would not want to build a building of my faith where my faith failed so badly, giving the criminals a false sense of honor in killing. The Christian community wouldn't want to build a church on top of Auschwitz, why do they want to build at ground zero unless their motives are not pure of heart.

Want

My Day

Lazy day off today. I napped in the morning, took the wee ones to a play area, napped again. Made some calls, then spent the evening school shopping with Lisa and YaYa at the mall. I work both jobs tomorrow, so in the end it all evens out.

Helen Gurley Brown

RIP Helen Gurley Brown, long time editor of Cosmopolitan

Joe Kubert

Big news from the comic book world: the great Joe Kubert has passed away. RIP.

Johnny Pesky

RIP Red Sox icon Johnny Pesky, who died today at the age of 92

Equality NOT Equity

Amen! "We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes," - future VP Paul Ryan.

Mickey Mantle

17 years ago today Mickey Mantle passed away. My clearest memory of him: an appearance he made on the Home Shopping Network or QVC in his final years, talking about his career and his alcohol problems while hawking memorabilia. 

Here's to you Mick!

The Other Side of the Mountain

Late last night we fired up the ol' Netflix and streamed "The Other Side of the Mountain" , the 1975 biopic of champion skier turned quadriplegic Jill Kinmont. My Mom watched this each and every time it showed up on the CBS 6 Late Late Show when I was a kid, and it was a hefty piece of nostalgia for me. It's hard for me to grade it objectively because of that, but I'd say the value of Kinmont's story is worth a recommendation all by its lonesome.

The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton

While watching the two lil' ones play at McDonald's I finished reading Michael Crichton's The Terminal Man, a thriller that mixes a phobic distrust of computers with a Frankenstein twist. I think the plot lacks a wee detail - namely an antagonist that isn't a 3rd rate criminal - but overall I really enjoyed it. Grade: B (book #67 of the year)

Wanderlust

Just got done watching the Paul Rudd/Jennifer Aniston comedy "Wanderlust". Unlike most Aniston films this one was actually funny, in no small part to Paul Rudd and a comedy script that actually incorporates a little comedy. Grade: B

The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace

I finished 'The Billionaire's Vinegar' by Benjamin Wallace. It's the very well written history of a wine scandal involving 1787 bottles of wine alleged to have been owned by Thomas Jefferson. I dislike wine and I still found the book fascinating, even if the resolution wasn't worth the build up. I grade this a solid A- (book 66 of 2012)

Congrats to Ichiro on his career-best 5 RBIs in 10-4 win over the Blue Jays!

The Milwaukee Summer Rec Program

For six weeks this summer my kids attended an all day (8AM to 4PM) program offered at a nearby school through the Milwaukee Recreation Department.



 I acknowledged that it was a safe and convenient way to juggle both the demands of summer babysitting and the kids constant need to be doing *something*, but honestly? I thought the kids would hate it, and that every morning would require an argument before they walked out the door.

Not so.

They LOVED IT. The few times we picked them up late, they were angry that we didn't pick 'em up later.

Whodathunkit? Other than Lisa that is.



The kids took field trips to pools and a waterpark. The zoo. A Brewers game  (see the Facebook post below). They spent a day at Silverbrook Girl Scout Camp. Another day at Indian Mound Reservation Boy Scout camp. They had 4H meetings. They did projects. They made friends. For the first time ever they walked to and from school by their lonesome.

The two oldest even joined a softball team that went undefeated. Near the end of the session they got to play a game at Helafear Field, the little league park at the Brewers Miller Park, and while Lisa and I were both working my Dad made the early morning trip to watch them in action! Thanks Pop!

Here's their coach:

August 1st: The three oldest kids attended their first Brewers game of the year today with their Rec Division classes and were treated to a 13-4 win over the Astros. They enjoyed it and commented that there were " a lot" of home runs (4), plus they got

 to see a future HOF'er in Ryan Braun. Lauren was a little hurt she couldn't go w/out parental supervision, but there's always next year. Oh, and on Monday the Rec class had a Brewers day where the kids met Larry Hisle. 

So will we do it again next year? Well, it wasn't cheap -for four kids, and compared to any other program it was, but I'm talking soley in the context of our finances. Still, for the amount of fun they had, and all those experiences, it was certainly worth it. I'd be more than happy to have them enrolled again next summer :)