tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36512195990952414842024-03-14T03:17:46.637-04:00a day in the life...Rantings from nowhere...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-5203909052838630712013-01-02T22:59:00.000-05:002013-01-02T23:17:22.840-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIaqayyBUJI/UOUCA9_oXCI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ADNcZZxGc5s/s1600/2012-doomsday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIaqayyBUJI/UOUCA9_oXCI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ADNcZZxGc5s/s320/2012-doomsday.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?<br />
Gained so much weight that I've reached numbers I've never seen before. And I'm not proud. Matter of fact, I'm beginning to worry...<br />
<br />
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?<br />
Absolute FAIL. See #1<br />
<br />
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?<br />
No.<br />
<br />
4. Did anyone close to you die?<br />
No.<br />
<br />
5. What countries did you visit?<br />
None.<br />
<br />
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?<br />
The ability to not be so damn cynical.<br />
<br />
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?<br />
August 10 thru 18, the B.E.S.T. vacation I have ever taken in my life, with the family, to the nicest place with the bestest friends I have. To include meeting some really cool people I'd love to see again.<br />
<br />
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?<br />
Getting some medical issues corrected to allow better living.<br />
<br />
9. What was your biggest failure?<br />
Letting others get the best of me emotionally.<br />
<br />
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?<br />
Not seriously. <br />
<br />
11. What was the best thing you bought?<br />
Smart phones for us both. I feel so 2012-ish!<br />
<br />
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?<br />
Not mine, for sure!<br />
<br />
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?<br />
Republicans. Christians. 86.338% of all others.<br />
<br />
14. Where did most of your money go?<br />
Bills. Food. Kids.Therapy.<br />
<br />
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? <br />
Claire calling me "daaa-deee" for the first time. Nate learning something new every day. My vacation (see above). My family.<br />
<br />
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?<br />
Headlong Flight by RUSH. Seems to sum up where I am in this life.<br />
<br />
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:<br />
a) <b>happier</b> or sadder? <br />
b) thinner or <b>fatter</b>?<br />
c) richer or <b>poorer</b>?<br />
<br />
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?<br />
Play drums. Exercised.<br />
<br />
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?<br />
Try and reason with people who do not understand reality, nor wish to.<br />
<br />
20. How did you spend Christmas?<br />
With the people whom I care most about.<br />
<br />
21. Did you fall in love in 2012?<br />
Yes. With my family life.<br />
<br />
22. What was your favorite tv show?<br />
HOMELAND. Best.Show.Ever. And enjoyed many others as well. Thanks, Mr. DVR!<br />
<br />
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?<br />
No. But there are new names on "the list"...<br />
<br />
24. What was the best book you read?<br />
World Without End by Ken Follett<br />
<br />
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?<br />
A couple of "modern" artists.<br />
<br />
26. What did you want and get?<br />
A vacation that felt like a vacation with people I really wanted to be around.<br />
<br />
27. What did you want and not get?<br />
Inner peace about my past.<br />
<br />
28. What was your favorite film of this year?<br />
End of Watch. Hold-your-breath-good!!! And have to mention MELANCHOLIA. It was so my kind of movie. <br />
<br />
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?<br />
Opened presents from the kids and had my favorite cake in the world- my wife's Carrot Cake. Yummo!<br />
<br />
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?<br />
30 pounds lighter.<br />
<br />
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?<br />
Casual and comfortable in "The Dude"-kind-of-way...<br />
<br />
32. What kept you sane?<br />
My Therapist.<br />
<br />
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? <br />
Still enthralled with the members of RUSH.<br />
<br />
34. What political issue stirred you the most?<br />
All of it. Makes my blood boil.<br />
<br />
35. Who did you miss? <br />
My Alex. <br />
<br />
36. Who was the best new person you met? <br />
The Heathens at the Jersey house. What a great night.<br />
<br />
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012?<br />
I still have a lot of work to do and allow my loves to help.<br />
<br />
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.<br />
<br />
"Life is better than the days behind<br />
What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine<br />
No aggravation that we can't get through<br />
A situation for the lucky few<br />
<br />
And every day is just a little more<br />
Of time together to be happy for<br />
I'm happy even when the times are rough<br />
'Cause any time with you is good enough<br />
<br />
When we love like we do<br />
Love like we do<br />
<br />
I don't believe in hatred anymore<br />
I hate to think of how I felt before<br />
When anger overwhelms your very soul<br />
It's hard to realize you'll never know<br />
All the love that we do..."<br />
chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-46458775820417434252013-01-01T22:42:00.000-05:002013-01-01T22:42:37.168-05:00So. A year has gone without a single post. Seems Facebook keeps everyone informed. But the blog keeps calling me...begging me to rant about so many things that I must keep secret. For the good of humanity (and those around me!). So I will just keep it caged, pent up until old age relieves me of the burden...
See? Doesn't that admission make it all better???chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-14456575557866682532012-01-19T17:24:00.002-05:002012-01-19T17:30:23.764-05:00Happy Holidays, late...What a great year for us. I can only hope it stays this good...nothing like "sweat equity" to ensure it does!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlEysR3U1Ip_rOHQ9SOxTiX4xHtVATNY8JUaTYqdLFbM20iAkHPaJ-DYioyQP6lTZCpI458bKkmyemISynOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-11314591301555542742011-10-17T21:25:00.003-04:002011-10-17T21:42:25.185-04:00It must be my turn...So wife has boycotted the blog? When the first child came, there wasn't a day (ok, maybe two) missed with some sort of awesomeness by the boy child. But she seems to have fallen off the wagon, and I feel guilt about it.(?) So I suppose I have the duty to spread all the greatness that is baby girl...Claire.<br />she is now 3 months old, and progressing very well. She is so easy (jinxed it, didn't I?) and compared to Nate, almost automatic self-serve! She is so cute:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2k6Ck0tUuM/TpzXLoSZT-I/AAAAAAAAALc/mRKI0to4Gyg/s1600/DSCN8072.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2k6Ck0tUuM/TpzXLoSZT-I/AAAAAAAAALc/mRKI0to4Gyg/s200/DSCN8072.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664639026118348770" /></a><br /><br />don't you agree? If not, then off with you- ya heartless bastard! <br />Anyway here are some more looks at my girl:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cs2EAOGJJG4/TpzYGvFtI2I/AAAAAAAAALo/tDg1gz3ZFcM/s1600/DSCN8051.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cs2EAOGJJG4/TpzYGvFtI2I/AAAAAAAAALo/tDg1gz3ZFcM/s320/DSCN8051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664640041556452194" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6Tjyzc3cbQ/TpzYjyx1aXI/AAAAAAAAAL0/mJ08u6SsrX8/s1600/DSCN8015.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6Tjyzc3cbQ/TpzYjyx1aXI/AAAAAAAAAL0/mJ08u6SsrX8/s320/DSCN8015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664640540763056498" /></a><br /><br />And just to be complete, Nate is now attempting soccer!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxJmHjZbMyg/TpzY7mLE2pI/AAAAAAAAAMA/MRPxZPMsrI4/s1600/DSCN8002.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxJmHjZbMyg/TpzY7mLE2pI/AAAAAAAAAMA/MRPxZPMsrI4/s320/DSCN8002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664640949696125586" /></a><br /><br />And now that the weather is nice, we are enjoying the bike rides. How studly is he?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9OMtf0rELw/TpzZP46E9TI/AAAAAAAAAMM/wnGg_LPx-G0/s1600/DSCN8034.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9OMtf0rELw/TpzZP46E9TI/AAAAAAAAAMM/wnGg_LPx-G0/s320/DSCN8034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664641298322486578" /></a><br /><br />"Things are so enchanting high on life..."chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-8917099303696643062011-08-13T11:21:00.003-04:002011-08-13T11:33:41.820-04:00Saturday...A month since Claire came home, and other than being exhausted things are PERFECT! The Sha family departs today leaving us to find a new norm. Very glad to see the girls, and miss them already. But now on to...what next? Soccer practices, pre-school, play-dates, work, life...then the holidays upon us? WTF!?!?!??! Not yet- slow down!
<br />
<br /><em>Time stand still
<br />I'm not looking back but I want to look around me now
<br />Time stand still
<br />See more of the people and the places that surround me now...
<br />
<br />Freeze this moment a little bit longer
<br />Make each impression a little bit stronger
<br />Freeze this motion a little bit longer
<br />The innocence slips away...</em>chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-84009425884889210512011-07-25T16:14:00.003-04:002011-07-25T16:23:12.373-04:00My oh my...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cB_8sPrDZrM/Ti3QqrNNdpI/AAAAAAAAALU/qsXqFGkxE30/s1600/Photo0892.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 179px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cB_8sPrDZrM/Ti3QqrNNdpI/AAAAAAAAALU/qsXqFGkxE30/s200/Photo0892.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633388140481574546" /></a><br />Today, baby Claire is 2 weeks old. I cannot believe she is here with us, much less in the manner she arrived. All things good come from...all things good. The family is larger than I ever imagined- and dreamed it could be. Not one to believe in much, it is interesting how things happen and change us for the better. Thanks Nate for what you did to me, and thanks Claire for all you've done for me already. And none of it could be possible without my one and only Amy. I love each of you and all of you.chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-13404633829463312242011-05-17T23:06:00.001-04:002011-05-17T23:08:42.390-04:00a day in the life...: The transition dream...A sound track of me...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-76591038541715208702011-05-17T22:13:00.006-04:002011-05-17T23:05:03.925-04:00The transition dream...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNK_33B06O0/TdM2qJYjsSI/AAAAAAAAALI/4cgD32T6YOA/s1600/DSCN6044.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNK_33B06O0/TdM2qJYjsSI/AAAAAAAAALI/4cgD32T6YOA/s200/DSCN6044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607886058707726626" /></a><br /><br />Everything as it is IS everything as it should be.<br />I am so glad to finally be where I have always been.<br />With my family and friends.<br />And they know who they are.<br />Without doubt.<br />I am life.<br />Living.<br />Loving.<br />Being.<br />Thanking.<br />Me.<br />And you...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-70180860511154617362011-01-14T14:47:00.002-05:002011-01-14T14:52:42.996-05:00Eureka!<span style="font-style:italic;">Just give me something to hold on, a piece of the world that won't go wrong. <br />Is there somebody there I can talk to?<br />Somebody sharing the same view?</span><br /><br />Thank you family. I understand now...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-33524164982490369252011-01-08T13:30:00.002-05:002011-01-08T13:35:19.160-05:00why...I have to say that I am so fucking sick of the work ethic that has bastardized the job experience. Why is it more important to have 'friends in the right places' than actually being able to do one's job? I cannot express how hateful I am of this! All I want for Xmas is my 007-licence so I may begin thinning the herd...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-11284630781125400112011-01-05T00:46:00.002-05:002011-01-05T00:56:33.358-05:00WOWJust home from experiencing TRON:Legacy in 3D and it blew my mind. I can say it it really took the original idea and made it better. The plot line was a bit predictable, but the visual was stunning and the soundtrack was fitting. I am now a convert to Daft Punk (OK, I've always liked techno/industrial and now I remember why) and am enjoying some right now... <br />And the night wouldn't be complete without some introspective questioning: with all this technology and potential, why aren't we doing better overall as a society? Or even as a species? I'll be pondering this for a while...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-71629941918914999902010-12-23T17:23:00.008-05:002010-12-23T18:19:45.765-05:00In the tradition of following Amanda's lead, here is my Airing of Grievances for the Festivus season...<br /><br />1. I am tired of people not even attempting to have an open mind about ANYTHING! It makes me sick and saddened that so many people have such closed-off minds--yet I am the one that is considered stupid and in need of being educated...<br /><br />2. I cannot tolerate any longer the abuse, misuse and general torture of our language. Hey, dumb-asses, consider the following:<br /> a. Using 'myself' instead of 'me' does NOT make you sound more intelligent. <br /> Example: "Please contact Bob or myself if you have further questions." No, do not say this again! <br /> b. Using a pronoun directly after a proper noun is just simply ignorant. <br /> Example: " My sister Susan, she said hello." This is something you should have learned in 3rd grade.<br /> c. Not using spell-check is nothing short of sheer laziness! This is inexcusable, period.<br /> d. If you speak English, there is no need to pronounce your foreign name with the accent and emphasis of the native language you used to speak. You are here now.<br /><br />3. I am tired of the partisan politics being one-sided. I am a left-of-center moderate. All you right-wing-nut-job-tea-baggers need to see #1 above. <br /><br />4. The left lane on the roadway is for PASSING other vehicles. If you are driving slower than someone else or just cruising down the road oblivious to anything around you, then get in the fucking right-hand lane and stay there! YOU are the hazard, ass-monkey!<br /><br />Ahh, I feel so much better...<br /><br />Happy Festivus!!!<br /><br />.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4BNYpjQHKvI/TRPTtEvZBHI/AAAAAAAAAJw/tw6sEbIFWaQ/s1600/happy-festivus.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4BNYpjQHKvI/TRPTtEvZBHI/AAAAAAAAAJw/tw6sEbIFWaQ/s200/happy-festivus.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554015536798041202" /></a>chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-72750629618707601582010-12-21T23:31:00.002-05:002010-12-21T23:33:41.059-05:00Another year almost gone. But what a year it's been. Great living, clearer view, big changes and unobstructed path. What else could I need? A HUGE secret to be revealed soon. Stay tuned...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-41645461984929435932010-09-12T18:42:00.000-04:002010-09-12T18:43:01.976-04:00I want a fruit smoothie. That pretty much sums up my life...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-49306282121435168452010-07-26T14:35:00.002-04:002010-07-26T14:41:59.591-04:00Been a while...It has been quite some time since I wrote anything here, and I believe it proves no one reads it but me. And I am realizing I don't really have much to say when things are going well. So what does it all mean? Hmmmm...<br />And things are going pretty well I must admit. Great kid, perfect wife, decent job. What's to complain about? I'll find something I'm sure...and when I do, I'll report it here!chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-44583494518979075672010-02-17T09:31:00.004-05:002010-02-17T09:47:22.151-05:00I am feeling it today...Just give me something to hold on; <br />a piece of the world that won't go wrong. <br />Is there somebody there I can talk to? <br />Somebody sharing the same view...<br /> Facing the wind.<br />One avenue that would lead to <br />a place on this earth where we all grew. <br />Longing for travel we stood still- <br />watching the skies that were once blue...<br /> Facing the wind? Facing the wind! <br />Each line that we throw gives us false hope;<br />One ray of light ,god I can't cope<br />Thinking about what we all are<br />One human race that's gone too far!<br /> Facing the wind...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-87270127511932230702010-02-03T15:31:00.002-05:002010-02-03T15:37:47.421-05:00Where have I been?What have I been doing- ignoring all the non-existent readers of my blog? Sorry all you ghosts out there for my lack of attention...ghosts need love too. So I've been living a quiet life, staying away from the bane of my existence- all things political. Our politic is in such a state of disarray that any and all complaints and suggestions are worthless and futile. So I just live in a constant state of ignorance...bliss as some will say...and await the return of sense to the general public. Until then I will maintain my high degree of intellect and simply enjoy the silence...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-90764811440574103902010-01-01T12:11:00.004-05:002010-01-01T13:06:35.266-05:00New Year TraditionThanks to Amanda, I too will try this as a tradition....<br /><br />1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?<br />Look back on the year and regret how quickly it went by.<br /><br />2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?<br />Yes. I resolved to let life happen and enjoy every day as it unfolds.<br />This year, I want to be better about my eating and physical conditioning.<br /><br />3. Did anyone close to you give birth?<br />No<br /><br />4. Did anyone close to you die?<br />No<br /><br />5. What countries did you visit?<br />None. <br /><br />6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?<br />Money to make upgrades and repairs to the house.<br /><br />7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?<br />Every day was amazing since Nate was becoming a person.<br /><br />8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?<br />Letting go of my past. And building a shed from scratch in the backyard.<br /><br />9. What was your biggest failure?<br />My physical shape. And not completely finishing the shed in the backyard.<br /><br />10. Did you suffer illness or injury?<br />I injured my shoulder which caused a problem with my upper back. Therapy helped.<br /><br />11. What was the best thing you bought?<br />More therapy...<br /><br />12. Whose behavior merited celebration?<br />Alex made major changes, learning some valuable lessons at college.<br /><br />13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?<br />Republicans.<br /><br />14. Where did most of your money go?<br />Bills. Repairs to the house.<br /><br />15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? <br />Nate learning to walk. <br /><br />16. What song will always remind you of 2009?<br />The theme for "Jack's Big Music Show".<br /><br />17. Compared to this time last year, are you:<br />a) happier or sadder? happier<br />b) thinner or fatter? fatter<br />c) richer or poorer? neither and both!<br /><br />18. What do you wish you’d done more of?<br />controlled my weight<br /><br />19. What do you wish you’d done less of?<br />give in to my food desires<br /><br />20. How did you spend Christmas?<br />In bed with the flu.<br /><br />21. Did you fall in love in 2009?<br />No one new. But I did reconnect with old friends, which made me nostalgic for the old days.<br /><br />22. What was your favorite tv show?<br />Several: The Big Bang Theory, 24, Dexter, Sons of Anarchy and Jacks Big Music Show. <br /><br />23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?<br />I've tried to do away with hate. There's plenty of it in conservatives to go around. <br /><br />24. What was the best book you read?<br />The ones I read to Nate each night before bed.<br /><br />25. What was your greatest musical discovery?<br />Trying new music outside of the old school.<br /><br />26. What did you want and get?<br />I wanted to be a better person all around, and I think I succeeded.<br /><br />27. What did you want and not get?<br />For the majority of people to care about something more than themselves.<br /><br />28. What was your favorite film of this year?<br />The Hangover. Hands down.<br /><br />29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?<br />Tried a new sushi place and had a quiet evening with Amy. 43.<br /><br />30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?<br />Winning the lottery.<br /><br />31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?<br />casually comfortable.<br /><br />32. What kept you sane?<br />Dr. Haddaway.<br /><br />33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? <br />Erin Burnett- ooh la la!<br /><br />34. What political issue stirred you the most?<br />The right-wing completely losing touch with reality. and then thinking it was the left causing all the world's ills.<br /><br />35. Who did you miss? <br />Alex<br /><br />36. Who was the best new person you met? <br />I met several new people this year and enjoyed them all.<br /><br />37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?<br />What is IS. You can't control everything, so enjoy the surprises.<br /><br />38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.<br />The wheels keep on turning and turning/nothing's disturbing the way they go around/<br />Maybe you ride a different wave/ Maybe you catch a different ray of the sun that I've just begun to feel/ Back and forth... around again...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-25173655866225626752009-10-26T13:42:00.002-04:002009-10-26T13:45:41.295-04:00October, where art thou?The end of October? Really? Where has it gone? The year, I mean... what a good one it has been. All Nate, all the time. I cannot believe how he's grown. Trips to visit everyone out west, walking and talking, climbing and jumping. And now we approach the holiday season, and my renewed excitement of it. I hope everyone out there has a good outlook like I do. Be well.chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-47987779880956092032009-07-14T22:02:00.005-04:002009-07-14T22:23:43.570-04:00JulySo another month has gone by...and nothing new to complain about. New work schedule is good so far as I have bigger chunks of time home with the family. Kids are growing faster and days are growing shorter. Money growing smaller, waistline growing larger. The balance of life seems...tilted. <br /><br />"<span style="font-style:italic;">Oh, the wheels keep on turning,and turning, and turning again. Nothing's disturbing the way they go around. So maybe you ride a different wave. Maybe you catch another ray of the sun that I've just begun to feel. Back and forth and back and forth and back and forth around again... </span>"chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-43710736639156286442009-06-10T22:32:00.003-04:002009-06-10T22:41:59.624-04:00same ol' same oldNothing new in this world. Shed still not complete. Weather, work, kid, wife. All the usual excuses... But this weekend will find me out there finishing the task. Pix later. Enjoy your life and- <br />BE loved. BE kind. And just BE.chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-73458712433413644922009-05-17T22:20:00.002-04:002009-05-17T22:27:00.395-04:00weekendso I've been rained out of shed progress for 2 days now. And I had to work another. So the project is at a stand-still; tomorrow is supposed to be a good day and I hope to finish. But today I was given a hall-pass and went to the movie- wait for it- Star Trek! The I-Max version was cool, but the movie itself was AWESOME! It really sets up the series for a new generation, and I do expect more to come. And it made me think of how sad it is that I won't be around to see something like this come to reality. How cool is space travel? I would go in an instant. But not possible in this lifetime...to dream is all I have. Maybe I can get Nate interested in the concept, and he can do it for me. We'll see. But at any rate, go see the movie- especially if you are a fan of any of the incarnations. You'll be glad you did!chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-72943069661620312882009-04-20T21:21:00.006-04:002009-04-21T14:26:41.056-04:00Opening day...Today was the opening day for our local baseball team (Norfolk Tides, affiliated with the Orioles) and, as always, it is "Public Safety Recognition Night". For the last 5 years I have attended the opening day cerimonies. Today was no different, though it looked as if the weather wasn't going to cooperate. But as I walked into the park, the sun came out and the field was ready. B-E-A-Utiful!!! I had just gotten my usual jumbo hotdog with the works and looking for my seat (5 rows above the home dugout on the home plate side!!!!)when the phone rings. Amy: "<sobbing> I need you to come home!" Me: "What?!?!?!" Amy:"Bosco just bit Nathan and he's bleeding".<br />Well, no shit. I immediately leave to go home and inspect this "bite" and prepare to laugh at the typical mother over-response. Upon my arrival, I see the bite and no kidding- it's a bite! Upper arm gash, bleeding, and in need of stitches! So the rest of my evening was spent in the ED and though no stitches were needed, the cleaning and Steri-strips were enough to piss him off. What a day. I wonder how the game went...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4BNYpjQHKvI/Se0mRCiCAII/AAAAAAAAAJU/XGz0g7NbPZI/s1600-h/nate+bite.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4BNYpjQHKvI/Se0mRCiCAII/AAAAAAAAAJU/XGz0g7NbPZI/s200/nate+bite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326956008428404866" /></a>chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-65447592420851725652009-04-17T09:31:00.003-04:002009-04-17T09:38:38.820-04:00SpringSpring has sprung! Today is garden day, placing the hands into mother earth and linking myself to the ancestry. Here's to a bountiful harvest (and if it fails- there's always the farmer's market!) And then a relaxing evening on the patio with the rocking chairs and fire pit. Am I ready for retirement, or what??chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651219599095241484.post-79020273192567509062009-04-06T21:27:00.003-04:002009-04-06T21:38:00.648-04:00Old friendsYesterday I met up with some friends from high school, both of which live close to me. We met at a town mid-point to all, and had some dinner. Stories were told, laughs were had and names were mentioned: many of which I hadn't heard or thought of in 25 years. "I always wondered what ever happened to...". Nostalgia defined. <br />Thanks guys for a great evening- and here's to the next. Let's see if we can't expand the circle...chimchimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626950099800993103noreply@blogger.com0