Random Musings

Well another birthday has come and gone. At this point, I'm looking forward to Social Security and that target date seemingly changes every two or three months so birthdays don't really have too much importance for me personally. The boys however, it means that their's are getting closer so they provide more if not all the excitement for the day. I did however get to have a home made Boston Cream pie made by my lovely wife which was incredibly delicious. OK, enough with that, let's talk about what's going on......

• I have a co-worker that was nicknamed "Flycatcher" by a friend of mine. He got this nickname because of his constant stare and open mouth. Flycatcher likes to think of himself as an authority on many topics, most of which he really doesn't have a clue other than what he has seen on the "intranets". Recently we engaged in a McCain/Obama debate that was quite fun. I wish I would have recorded it, because I know the other people in the office were enjoying our exchange. To sum it up, he would make a statement, then I would retort, "Now R, I'm sure you would agree that a logical person would....." and then go on to destroy his statement. It ended with him saying, "I don't see what logic has to do with anything anyways". Yeah, that was actually said and yes this person does have a license to drive, has a child, and will probably be voting. Sad, isn't it. Maybe one post will talk about our recent overnight stay in Norman where he couldn't believe the hotel didn't have a "Lincoln Continental" breakfast and he was NOT quoting the hit Pixar flick, Cars.

• I'm pretty damn tired of hearing about "Joe the plumber" and also tired of hearing McCain. He's a damn winer, he's so obviously grasping at straws. He knows his goose is cooked and is playing Bush league ball (yes than can have more than one meaning).

• I'm very excited about going to see my nephews and niece in TX, ok I am looking forward to seeing my brother and sister in law also. I have never had the opportunity to see my oldest nephew play any sports, he's very excited about playing football and I am looking forward to sharing in his enthusiasm.

• Dear reader, if you are still awake after reading all of my ramblings, please please make sure that you and your loved ones have a college education. It is literally tearing me up that I am so limited in my career choices. My current position is a decent one, however I can't help myself each day thinking, "If only I would have continued in school, if only I would have applied myself or taken advantage of the situations I was in". I know that hindsight is always 20/20, but I am sure in the fact that my college years were totally and completely wasted and fear that not only am I paying for that mistake, but also my family. Let me tell you dear reader, it hurts like hell.

Well, nothing like ending on a downer but the wine is half way gone and the debate is almost over.

Just keep swimming.....

Man, Time Flies!

I have to apologize dear reader, I have neglected you for almost a month! So much has happened, things get moving quicker and see who suffers. I apologize dear reader, I sincerely do. I'm actually running the risk of being "dooced", but that adds to the thrill of it all.

Let's hit some bullet points:

• Sarah Palin- I wanted to like her. I really did. I was excited when she was announced and thought that maybe, just maybe they were sincerely looking to the future. But then I heard her speak and realized that she is just a pawn who is going to be filled with sound bites and trotted out for the Nascar dads et al. I read a quote from Gloria Steinham that said basically that she is doing nothing for women. Steinham said that feminism does not work for one woman getting a job, but for all women advancing. I truly agree with that statement and hope that more people can understand what she is saying.
• Soccer has started for Boomer. We are taking Otter to practice so he can get some exercise and start to learn how to play. He's doing a good job and actually did a better job of dribbling the ball last night than some of the older kids. The Rockets had their first game last Saturday. Boomer played goalie for three of the quarters and did a pretty good job. The referee came up to him and asked if he was a professional, Boomer just shrugged and said, "No, not yet. My mom says I'm not old enough."
• The return of soccer means the return of KK and family. They are some of the best and coolest people to be around. If I didn't have them for practices and the games I would go crazy. They have the same outlook as I do for the kids in that winning is not the most important thing, that exercise, teamwork, and fun is most important. Unfortunately, there are some parents who feel that kids 5 and under need to be world beaters and dominate every team they play. Seriously, does little Johnny or Jane really need to be screamed at incessantly to kick a ball? Tell them to pay attention to the game and have fun and have a good conversation with another parent while you watch your child PLAY A GAME. Note to certain parents on the Rockets: DO NOT LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOUR CHILDREN. REALIZE THAT THEY WILL NOT COMPETE AS YOU DO AND THAT YOUR SOCIAL STATUS WILL NOT SUFFER IF YOUR CHILD DOESN'T SCORE A GOAL. IT'S ABOUT THE CHILDREN, NOT THE PARENTS!
• Dear Reader, if you read one article this year about the Presidential race, read the current article in Utne magazine about how the Office of the President has transformed into a superhero. Remember how the Office was designed by our forefathers and how limited the power the President truly has and also realize the role of the President not only in our country but around the world and cast your very important vote.....for Obama.

Well, I am going to end this post for now. Don't fret, I will not ignore you as long again! There is much more to talk about! Trips to Norman, Mamma Mia, football, more politics, cooking...the list is endless.

Stay tuned and hey, stay classy....

First Day of School

Today was a milestone for Boomer. He started Kindergarten. He has the new backpack, shirts, shorts, socks, and of course new shoes that make him run even faster than before. He was ready to go at about 7:05, we weren't scheduled to leave the house until 7:45 but he came into our bedroom dressed and ready to go. He had his collar "popped", but decided to go ahead and put it down today so that he wouldn't make his new classmates think that he is "too cool".

Otter has been saying that he is starting school today too, but he still has a little time left before that happens. Grandpa had told him earlier about picking him up from daycare one day when Boomer was at school, so that has been all that he has talked about lately. Grandpa called this morning though and said that he would spend the whole day with Otter. Otter's reaction is below.

I was surprised that I didn't have to hold back as many tears as I did last year when dropping Boomer off. I suppose it's because he's an old pro now and knows where to go, friends to see and hang out with. I can vividly remember bringing him home from the hospital and now here he is going to school. All day, having lunch, recess, all the big kid stuff that he is ready for.

Just not me...not just yet anyway.... aww heck, here come the waterworks

Here She Is!

There she is! Miss S.C. entered the world on August 7, 2008 weighing in at 8lbs, 4 oz and a 20 1/4 inches long. At post time, both mother and baby are doing extremely well and are at home. She got to bond with her current favorite uncle (her other uncle hasn't made the trip to see her yet) for a few minutes the day after she was born. She said she was still a little tired from the move, but is excited at the idea of living with her two older brothers and getting into lots of trouble with them. The proud father taped the morning of her birth and asked everyone if they were excited about S's arrival. Her 4 yr old brother was a bit apprehensive, but once he saw her he was more than ready to bring her home. I'm sure they will be fast friends very soon.

In addition to seeing Miss S, our trip down south was also a mini-Vacation (see Otter above in full vacay mode) so we took the opportunity to visit some of Dallas' attractions. We went to the fair park's aquarium, natural history and science museum and botanical gardens. All were quite impressive and we had a fun and educational time. Ask Boomer and Otter though and all they will talk about is the pool at the hotel and how Boomer had shrimp for the first time (He deduced that it tasted a lot like chicken).

We had a great meal at Pappadeaux, picked up some cupcakes from Sprinkles and made the obligatory visit to Whole Foods. Plus, of course a little bootlegging (time to get with the times Oklahoma- 3.2 sucks!). The trips down south are never long enough, but we are already planning another to take place sometime in October to visit life size dinosaurs and to check out a travelling exhibit of some works by Van Gogh ( a favorite of L*). Plus I am sure we will get all of the boys together for some good quality time as well as sampling some fine Tex-Mex cuisine.

With that dear reader, I leave you with another picture of Otter and his new best friend, Cody.

Went to the movies! And it wasn't rated G!!

For the first time in I don't know how long, L* and I went with some friends for dinner and a real movie. A real movie I said, not Wall-E, Kung-Fu Panda or Horton Hears a Who or anything like that. This movie had real people in it! They didn't have super powers or spoke to flowers, these were real live PEOPLE!!

The dinner was great. We met at an Italian place called Carrabas. L* had a great fettucini alfredo dish, I had the seafood special. Very good stuff although I was a little disappointed by the wine. It was an Estate Clos du Bois Cabernet and I felt it was extremely lacking. It didn't pack a punch at the first sip nor did it cleanse the palate as I am accustomed stronger wines to do. It was however, very drinkable and the bottle was gone fairly quickly- can't let a bottle of wine go to waste no matter what is what I always say.

Now, the Main Event, the Big Kahuna, the MOVIE!! We went and saw.....


just wait for it.....


still waiting.....????


is this annoying yet?????


We saw.....



MAMMA MIA!!!

I first fell in love with the play when L* and I were in Las Vegas a few years ago. It was awesome, people were dancing in the aisles laughing and singing along with the cast. For those not familiar with Mamma Mia (you should be ashamed of yourself), it's a story about a girl who is getting married, doesn't know who her father is, reads her mother's diary, figures it's one of three men she knew one summer, sent invitations to them, so on and so on...blah blah blah. The star of the show is the music. The music is from the Swedish Supergroup...Abba. That's right, Dancing Queen, SOS, Waterloo, Mamma Mia (of course), Voulez-Vous, all the hits you remember. If you don't remember (shame on you), run out and grab a copy of Abba Gold.

To be honest, the acting was awful and the story is less than plausible, but you could see that the actors had as much fun filming the movie as the viewer has watching it. While in the theatre, no one was dancing, but there were plenty of folks singing along and many clapped when the movie was over. When was the last time there was actual applause at the movie theatre??

I laughed so hard I was crying and had just a great time! I can't recommend any higher for you, dear reader, to go see this film. You will walk out of the theatre with a spring in your step while humming Waterloo then Mamma Mia then Take a Chance on Me et al.

First Day on the New Job and WII!!

So today was the first day of the new gig. I was the first one there this morning, which of course I didn't have a key so I had to sit out in the lobby for a bit. Once one of my co-workers arrived, I was shown my desk, computer, cards, camera, briefcase and various other office products. For the first time in quite a while, I don't have work email address, so much for having much else available in the 21st century. Granted some information is available on a computer, most is still done the old fashioned way- pencil (not kidding) and paper.

I didn't get to go out and do any assessing today since the assessor was gone and the person whose position I am taking didn't come in today. So I busied myself looking up various properties and reading manuals. Pretty eventful first day let me tell you.

However, once I got home. L* and the boys had done some shopping. They found a Wii at the local Walmart. The boys were told that once I got home, I would be the one to hook it up so they could play. Nothing like having a 5 and 3 yr old "helping" you with electronics. Fortunately, it wasn't a difficult procedure so we had the games up and running in no time.

Now, I used to work with a person who raves about the Wii. Now I know why. That thing is a lot of fun! It was getting quite addictive. I am going to have to video L* and the boys at bowling, it's too funny. They have perfect form, complete with the full follow through and kicking the leg out to the side. Pretty funny.

No one has beaten good ole Dad though, I'm sure that will change.

Ask a 3 yr old a question? You get what you ask for!

This afternoon while home for lunch from the new job started today. L* asked Otter if *WARNING-IF YOU ARE OFFENDED, DISGUSTED, HAVE A WEAK STOMACH, OR ANYTHING SIMILAR-STOP READING NOW* he had gone to the bathroom and didn't yell for her to come "finish up". Otter paused for a second, then stuck his finger down his pants looked at it and said, "Yep".

That's my boy!