Monday, June 30, 2008
Wimbledon 2008
At work today so no could watch any tennis. I don’t have the Wimbledon package like T.G.
Ladies results
Both of the Williams’ sister won in straight sets and don’t appear to have had a tough time.
And all Williams final? Blech.
I do have to give the Williams' a little love. After their singles matches today they played doubles together and steam rolled over a couple of Spaniards.
All four of the top women are out. Can #5 Elena Dementieva beat Venus if they meet in the semis?
On the gentlemen’s side both Federer and man-crush I mean Nadal cruised through to the quarters.
And TG's dark-horse. Marat Safin, keeps making her look like The Tennis Genius of All Time, by beating Stanislas Wawrinka.
Late note. Andy Murray beat Richard Gasquet in 5 sets and gets to play Nadal for his troubles.
And Mario Ancic's reward for beating Fernado Verdasco is to aaly Federer in the next round.
TG - please correct any assumptions I've made.
Ladies results
Both of the Williams’ sister won in straight sets and don’t appear to have had a tough time.
And all Williams final? Blech.
I do have to give the Williams' a little love. After their singles matches today they played doubles together and steam rolled over a couple of Spaniards.
All four of the top women are out. Can #5 Elena Dementieva beat Venus if they meet in the semis?
On the gentlemen’s side both Federer and man-crush I mean Nadal cruised through to the quarters.
And TG's dark-horse. Marat Safin, keeps making her look like The Tennis Genius of All Time, by beating Stanislas Wawrinka.
Late note. Andy Murray beat Richard Gasquet in 5 sets and gets to play Nadal for his troubles.
And Mario Ancic's reward for beating Fernado Verdasco is to aaly Federer in the next round.
TG - please correct any assumptions I've made.
Most People Just Hang onto Photos
or maybe some letters or a wedding dress.
Anna Nicole Smith's former boyfriend spent nearly $3,000 at a celebrity auction Saturday scooping up lingerie once worn in a Playboy shoot by the late playmate.
Birkhead said he is trying to make sure his 1-year-old daughter, Dannielynn, has something to remember her mother by.
Such a loving and thoughtful dad.
I realize she lead kind of a wild and scandalous life, but couldn't he have found some nicer items for his daughter to remember her mom by? A teddy bear, a picture of the two of them, maybe a silver tea set?
Makes me wonder what the kids will keep of mine when I buy the farm.
What material possessions do I own that they might like?
My savings account with $157.13 in it, is not going to go far when divided among 11 kids.
Pictures come to mind. But everyone has those. And there will be plenty to go around unless my hard drive crashes.
My clothes are boring, at least compared to Anna Nicole’s.
My CD’s? They will probably think they are old and dated just like my Neil Sedaka 8-tracks are.
My running shoes? I don’t think so…I’m being buried with them. They already smell like death anyway.
My most monetarily valuable possessions are my bikes. My triathlon bike in particular with its race wheels (HED3's) could be sold to feed a small African country or buy a tank of gas for our van. Joey and Robert might want them, they are signed up for their first triathlon at the end of July.
So that’s about it…other than my belly button lint collection. Not my own lint - you weirdos. I collect the lint of famous people (EBay is great). Don't laugh. It's the next big thing. Just wait and see.
So far I’ve scored some from Barbara Bush, Woody Allen and Roseanne Barr. I’ve got a line on some from Amy Winehouse…if I can just get it before she smokes it.
That’s the main reason I started this blog. I figured it could be a glimpse into the past and what are lives together were like. So assuming I keep blogging for awhile and it doesn’t get deleted off of some server in the future, this will probably be the best memory the kids will have of our life together.
They will be able to look back and see the craziness that our lives were at times. But they will also be able to recall all the great times we had together. The keeping of the Faith, the laughter, the smiles, the tears and the love. And maybe, just maybe they will apprectiate the lives they had with their mother and I. Hopefully they will understand the reasons we raised them the way we did (assuming they turn out alright).
Not as exciting as lingerie but in the long run I think they will appreciate it more…at least most of them will.
Anna Nicole Smith's former boyfriend spent nearly $3,000 at a celebrity auction Saturday scooping up lingerie once worn in a Playboy shoot by the late playmate.
Birkhead said he is trying to make sure his 1-year-old daughter, Dannielynn, has something to remember her mother by.
Such a loving and thoughtful dad.
I realize she lead kind of a wild and scandalous life, but couldn't he have found some nicer items for his daughter to remember her mom by? A teddy bear, a picture of the two of them, maybe a silver tea set?
Makes me wonder what the kids will keep of mine when I buy the farm.
What material possessions do I own that they might like?
My savings account with $157.13 in it, is not going to go far when divided among 11 kids.
Pictures come to mind. But everyone has those. And there will be plenty to go around unless my hard drive crashes.
My clothes are boring, at least compared to Anna Nicole’s.
My CD’s? They will probably think they are old and dated just like my Neil Sedaka 8-tracks are.
My running shoes? I don’t think so…I’m being buried with them. They already smell like death anyway.
My most monetarily valuable possessions are my bikes. My triathlon bike in particular with its race wheels (HED3's) could be sold to feed a small African country or buy a tank of gas for our van. Joey and Robert might want them, they are signed up for their first triathlon at the end of July.
So that’s about it…other than my belly button lint collection. Not my own lint - you weirdos. I collect the lint of famous people (EBay is great). Don't laugh. It's the next big thing. Just wait and see.
So far I’ve scored some from Barbara Bush, Woody Allen and Roseanne Barr. I’ve got a line on some from Amy Winehouse…if I can just get it before she smokes it.
That’s the main reason I started this blog. I figured it could be a glimpse into the past and what are lives together were like. So assuming I keep blogging for awhile and it doesn’t get deleted off of some server in the future, this will probably be the best memory the kids will have of our life together.
They will be able to look back and see the craziness that our lives were at times. But they will also be able to recall all the great times we had together. The keeping of the Faith, the laughter, the smiles, the tears and the love. And maybe, just maybe they will apprectiate the lives they had with their mother and I. Hopefully they will understand the reasons we raised them the way we did (assuming they turn out alright).
Not as exciting as lingerie but in the long run I think they will appreciate it more…at least most of them will.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The New Running Shoes are Here, The New Running Shoes are Here
A Haiku in honor of my new shoes that the wonderful UPS driver brought on Friday.
Look how nice the shoes look against the black background of my blog.
running shoes are new
but the legs are old and gone
new kicks will revive
but the legs are old and gone
new kicks will revive
Look how nice the shoes look against the black background of my blog.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wimbledon 2008
I didn't get to watch tennis today. Swim meet in the AM and wedding in the afternoon/evening.
So recapping by just looking at the scores.
Nadal won :) 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 over Nicolas Kiefer of Germany.
Richard Gasquet of France beat fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.
Paul-Henri Mathieu of France lost to Marin Cilic of Croatia 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-7.
On the ladies side.
Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) beat Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Venus Williams beat Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain (and I thought some of my kids had long names) 6-1, 7-5.
Elena Dementieva of Russia beat Gisela Dulko of Aregentina 7-6, 7-5
Shahar Peer of Isreal beat Dinara Safina of Russia 7-5, 6-7, 8-6
Yo Tennis Genius,
How did Nadal look? I'm assuming fine going by the score.
And was the Peer/Safina match great?
So recapping by just looking at the scores.
Nadal won :) 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 over Nicolas Kiefer of Germany.
Richard Gasquet of France beat fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.
Paul-Henri Mathieu of France lost to Marin Cilic of Croatia 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-7.
On the ladies side.
Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) beat Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Venus Williams beat Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain (and I thought some of my kids had long names) 6-1, 7-5.
Elena Dementieva of Russia beat Gisela Dulko of Aregentina 7-6, 7-5
Shahar Peer of Isreal beat Dinara Safina of Russia 7-5, 6-7, 8-6
Yo Tennis Genius,
How did Nadal look? I'm assuming fine going by the score.
And was the Peer/Safina match great?
Today's Workouts
4.3 mile run this morning.
Yesterday's workout - 8.6 mile run in a whole lot of heat.
Yesterday's workout - 8.6 mile run in a whole lot of heat.
It was the Lifebuoy
Joey (10) at bed time "Mom, Dad, Dominic (6) called me a stinky butt-head crack and stuck part of my blanket up his nose."
Dad "Send him down here"
Dominic comes down not looking contrite at all.
Dad using his angry voice "You are never to call people names like that, not even politicians. Well OK, maybe politicians. Now open up."
Dad putting liquid dish soap in his mouth. Oh boy that was a lot.
Dad "Now go to bed, turn out the lights and right to sleep...and no blowing bubbles with all that soap I put in your mouth."
Who says parenting isn't fun?
Dad "Send him down here"
Dominic comes down not looking contrite at all.
Dad using his angry voice "You are never to call people names like that, not even politicians. Well OK, maybe politicians. Now open up."
Dad putting liquid dish soap in his mouth. Oh boy that was a lot.
Dad "Now go to bed, turn out the lights and right to sleep...and no blowing bubbles with all that soap I put in your mouth."
Who says parenting isn't fun?
I'm a Lifer!
To you, a job is what pays the bills. You put in your hours, follow the rules, and then go home. Occasionally, you consider quitting, but then you think of how bad the job market is and you reconsider. Whatever happiness you get, you get from your life outside the workplace. Relationships, family, hobbies, and outside creative pursuits are what really matter to you. You're probably taking this test at work because you don't have anything better to do.
Talent: 44%
Lifer: 62%
Mandarin: 36%
Take the Talent, Lifer, or Mandarin quiz.
Got this quiz from my French 'Sister', Catherine.
The above is very true about me. The only reason I work is to pay the bills. I don't care about a career and never have. If I won a big lottery the first thing I'd do, right after buying a Harley, would be to quit my job. I wouldn't even go back to the office. I'd pay someone to go clean out my office.
I would much rather spend my time at home hanging out with Sam and the kids and my runing shoes and bikes.
Don't get me wrong. I don't hate my job. I like the situatuion I have now. The job isn't painful and it pays for my running shoes. But it doesn't define me. I put in my time (usaully) and get my work done (most of the time) and that's it.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Dust off those 1st Communion Photos
Got a good pic? Want to win some stuff? And if you do enter, make sure you mention you saw it on my blog. There is a $100 gift certificate in it for me for refering the winner photo. You didn't think I was doing this to be nice did you. I need some new roasary beads...mine are prayed-out...
Then read on.
The Catholic Company, the market leader for online Catholic books and gifts, has just announced a First Communion Photo Contest. What a great excuse to pull those photos out of the photo book and show them off again. Bloggers, podcasters, and webmasters can also win a $100 gift certificate for referring the winning entry to the contest, so be sure to spread the word. Winners will be featured on View From a Pew, The Catholic Company blog
Then read on.
The Catholic Company, the market leader for online Catholic books and gifts, has just announced a First Communion Photo Contest. What a great excuse to pull those photos out of the photo book and show them off again. Bloggers, podcasters, and webmasters can also win a $100 gift certificate for referring the winning entry to the contest, so be sure to spread the word. Winners will be featured on View From a Pew, The Catholic Company blog
Wimbledon 2008
Today’s highlights, upsets and ramblings
Once again I am the kiss of death for whomever I pick to win the Ladies title and Mary Margaret is The Tennis Genius!
The #1 ranked player in the world Ana Ivanovic of Serbia lost in straight sets to Jie Zheng of China, 6-1 6-4. Zheng is ranked 133rd in the world for crying out loud.
The hotness factor for the ladies draw is dropping dramatically day by day. At this rate we are going to end up with a Rosanne Barr vs. Rosie O’Donnell type final.
Serena Williams beat former winner Amelie Mauresmo of France (sorry Catherine) in straight sets 7-6, 6-1
Now I don’t know who to pick in the ladies draw. I could go with Mary Margret who thinks that Venus Williams might be a good choice. But she reminds me to much of the Predator movies to pick her – yes I’m that shallow people.
There is always Serena Williams but which Serena is here. The one focused on winning or the one distracted by outside interests (not that that is always a bad thing).
I could go with Jankovic but since I just got burned by picking another pretty Serbian – I’ll pass.
So I’m not going to pick…so there.
On the gentlemen’s side the hotness factor seems to be just fine…but what do I know about that.
Roger Federer won easily in straight sets over Marc Gicquel of France (sorry again Catherine) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
The Aussie and former champ, Lleyton Hewitt, also won in straight sets over Simone Bolelli of Italy, 6-1, 6-3, 7-6. Which sets up a nice match against Federer
The Tennis Genius’ crush, Marat Safin defeated Andreas Seppi. Mary Margaret's ledgend grows
Once again I am the kiss of death for whomever I pick to win the Ladies title and Mary Margaret is The Tennis Genius!
The #1 ranked player in the world Ana Ivanovic of Serbia lost in straight sets to Jie Zheng of China, 6-1 6-4. Zheng is ranked 133rd in the world for crying out loud.
The hotness factor for the ladies draw is dropping dramatically day by day. At this rate we are going to end up with a Rosanne Barr vs. Rosie O’Donnell type final.
Serena Williams beat former winner Amelie Mauresmo of France (sorry Catherine) in straight sets 7-6, 6-1
Now I don’t know who to pick in the ladies draw. I could go with Mary Margret who thinks that Venus Williams might be a good choice. But she reminds me to much of the Predator movies to pick her – yes I’m that shallow people.
There is always Serena Williams but which Serena is here. The one focused on winning or the one distracted by outside interests (not that that is always a bad thing).
I could go with Jankovic but since I just got burned by picking another pretty Serbian – I’ll pass.
So I’m not going to pick…so there.
On the gentlemen’s side the hotness factor seems to be just fine…but what do I know about that.
Roger Federer won easily in straight sets over Marc Gicquel of France (sorry again Catherine) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
The Aussie and former champ, Lleyton Hewitt, also won in straight sets over Simone Bolelli of Italy, 6-1, 6-3, 7-6. Which sets up a nice match against Federer
The Tennis Genius’ crush, Marat Safin defeated Andreas Seppi. Mary Margaret's ledgend grows
Maybe I am Getting Old
See my bride’s blog first.
Maybe it’s the tight bike shorts and hard bike seat I use while cycling.
Or all the chemicals in the swimming pool.
I do sit my laptop, with its wireless internet, on my lap all day long.
And there was that time I sat on top of a microwave on full power for 6 hours on a dare.
Try getting any amount of alone time around this place – the only time it’s quiet is 2-4am.
It can’t be me…can it? Not the IronMan...It MUST be her.
I don’t have to turn in my man-card do I?
The baby is only 10 months old for crying out loud…leave me alone people.
Oh well, a touch of grey
Kinda suits me anyway
Maybe it’s the tight bike shorts and hard bike seat I use while cycling.
Or all the chemicals in the swimming pool.
I do sit my laptop, with its wireless internet, on my lap all day long.
And there was that time I sat on top of a microwave on full power for 6 hours on a dare.
Try getting any amount of alone time around this place – the only time it’s quiet is 2-4am.
It can’t be me…can it? Not the IronMan...It MUST be her.
I don’t have to turn in my man-card do I?
The baby is only 10 months old for crying out loud…leave me alone people.
Oh well, a touch of grey
Kinda suits me anyway
You'll Shoot Your Eye Out.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A woman who says she was hurt by her thong panties when a metal clip flew off and hit her in the eye has sued Victoria's Secret, saying in a TV interview on Thursday that the injury caused her "excruciating pain."
Macrida Patterson, a 52-year-old Los Angeles traffic officer, told NBC's "Today" show that she suffered cuts to her cornea from the small piece of metal that had been used to secure a rhinestone heart onto the blue thong.
When Patterson was changing after work, the metal piece snapped, creating a "slingshot effect," and either the pendant or the metal piece "cut her eye," Buccat said.
Who knew thongs were so dangerous. I guess they aren't just for robbing convenience stores any more.
And here I thought only Red Ryder BB Gun's could put out an eye. What's next? People suing when they get a hang-nail from undoing a bra? Running to court when you get a thigh bruised from a Donk kicking you?
Far be it from me to tell a 52-year-old she shouldn't wear a thong...but a rhinestone heart on a blue thong? Honey, what were you thinking? Who buys underwear with rhinestones on them anyway? Well other than someone who works with a brass pole for a living.
Do you hand-wash those things? Or maybe use the delicate cycle on the washing machine? You probably don't want to take it to the cleaners and have the old lady working the register giving you a 'church-lady' look like you are some kinda hussy.
Let's assume for a minute that Victoria Secret is at fault. Just what should the damages be? She suffered pain to her eye and a cut to her cornea that healed. No permanent damage...other than looking silly on The Today Show.
If looking silly was reason enough to be handed a pile of money, I'd own dozens of bikes and piles of running shoes...um...bad example.
Maybe as part of a settlement Victoria Secret could host 'underwear putting on classes'. I'm sure there would be no shortage of guys volunteering to teach that class. Or they could partner with McDonalds to provide the prize for kids meals. Talk about a Happy Meal!
Things sometimes just happen people. Get over it and move on with life. Quit looking for a hand-out by suing over every little thing that happens to you. Or at the least, if you do find a big enough hand-out, share it with me...all these kids are expensive.
Macrida Patterson, a 52-year-old Los Angeles traffic officer, told NBC's "Today" show that she suffered cuts to her cornea from the small piece of metal that had been used to secure a rhinestone heart onto the blue thong.
When Patterson was changing after work, the metal piece snapped, creating a "slingshot effect," and either the pendant or the metal piece "cut her eye," Buccat said.
Who knew thongs were so dangerous. I guess they aren't just for robbing convenience stores any more.
And here I thought only Red Ryder BB Gun's could put out an eye. What's next? People suing when they get a hang-nail from undoing a bra? Running to court when you get a thigh bruised from a Donk kicking you?
Far be it from me to tell a 52-year-old she shouldn't wear a thong...but a rhinestone heart on a blue thong? Honey, what were you thinking? Who buys underwear with rhinestones on them anyway? Well other than someone who works with a brass pole for a living.
Do you hand-wash those things? Or maybe use the delicate cycle on the washing machine? You probably don't want to take it to the cleaners and have the old lady working the register giving you a 'church-lady' look like you are some kinda hussy.
Let's assume for a minute that Victoria Secret is at fault. Just what should the damages be? She suffered pain to her eye and a cut to her cornea that healed. No permanent damage...other than looking silly on The Today Show.
If looking silly was reason enough to be handed a pile of money, I'd own dozens of bikes and piles of running shoes...um...bad example.
Maybe as part of a settlement Victoria Secret could host 'underwear putting on classes'. I'm sure there would be no shortage of guys volunteering to teach that class. Or they could partner with McDonalds to provide the prize for kids meals. Talk about a Happy Meal!
Things sometimes just happen people. Get over it and move on with life. Quit looking for a hand-out by suing over every little thing that happens to you. Or at the least, if you do find a big enough hand-out, share it with me...all these kids are expensive.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Get Free Catholic Schwag
h/t: Mrs. Danielle Bean
Calling all Catholic bloggers, podcasters, vidcasters, and webmasters!
Are you interested in receiving free books, DVDs, and gifts to review on your site?
See Catholic Product Reviewer Program for more details and to submit an application
Calling all Catholic bloggers, podcasters, vidcasters, and webmasters!
Are you interested in receiving free books, DVDs, and gifts to review on your site?
See Catholic Product Reviewer Program for more details and to submit an application
Wimbledon 2008
They are dropping like flies.
Well unlike Mary Margaret the resident tennis genius, I am a moron.
Maria Sharapova was bounced in the second round by fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva (#154 in the world – never heard of her) in straight set 6-2, 6-4.
So my back-up Ladies pick is now Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the #1 seed.
My gentlemen’s pick, Nadal, moved on but he did drop a set and look human at times. He beat Ernests Gulbis of Latvia (#48) 5-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-3. I missed a lot of the match because ESPN2 kept showing the James Blake vs Rainer Schuettler match. Now I realize Blake is an American who is ranked #9 but Nadal is #2 and a bigger draw from my viewpoint. Btw-Blake lost in five sets. It was a good match too. I just wish they would have shown a little bit more of Nadal.
American Andy Roddick (#6 in the world) was upset by Janko Tipsarevic (#40) of Serbia 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 7-6.
In other matches of interest (to me). Venus Williams advanced in straight sets over the scrappy Anne Keothavong of the UK 7-5, 6-2.
Jelena Jankovic (#2) of Serbia beat Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-1, 6-3.
Lindsay Davenport ‘lost’ in a walkover to Gisela Dulko of Argentina.
Well unlike Mary Margaret the resident tennis genius, I am a moron.
Maria Sharapova was bounced in the second round by fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva (#154 in the world – never heard of her) in straight set 6-2, 6-4.
So my back-up Ladies pick is now Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the #1 seed.
My gentlemen’s pick, Nadal, moved on but he did drop a set and look human at times. He beat Ernests Gulbis of Latvia (#48) 5-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-3. I missed a lot of the match because ESPN2 kept showing the James Blake vs Rainer Schuettler match. Now I realize Blake is an American who is ranked #9 but Nadal is #2 and a bigger draw from my viewpoint. Btw-Blake lost in five sets. It was a good match too. I just wish they would have shown a little bit more of Nadal.
American Andy Roddick (#6 in the world) was upset by Janko Tipsarevic (#40) of Serbia 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 7-6.
In other matches of interest (to me). Venus Williams advanced in straight sets over the scrappy Anne Keothavong of the UK 7-5, 6-2.
Jelena Jankovic (#2) of Serbia beat Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-1, 6-3.
Lindsay Davenport ‘lost’ in a walkover to Gisela Dulko of Argentina.
Today's Workouts
16 miles running. 10 miles at long distance pace (8:45), 5 miles at goal marathon pace (8:12), 1 mile cool down.
For my Honey
A little Jackson 5. Back when Micheal was still black and male.
I posted this because she likes the song...not because I'm in trouble with her...that would never happen...I'm the perfect husband ;)
I posted this because she likes the song...not because I'm in trouble with her...that would never happen...I'm the perfect husband ;)
Just Keep Swimming
Dominic(6) and Robert(8) had a swim meet Tuesday night. They are the only kids of mine doing swim team this year. I'm not sure how they did because I was taking pictures of them.
This was Dominic's first ever swim meet. He swam the 25 meter freestyle. I think he was 3rd or 4th out of 6.
This is Robert's 2nd year on the team. Last year he swam Free and Back. When he got to the pool last night the coach told him he was also swimming Fly and Breast. I didn't even know he could do those strokes. Apparently he learned them at practice last week. He was 1st in Breast, 2nd in Back and I'm not sure what he did in Free and Fly. Probably around 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Here are a few pictures
Dominic chilling and getting some advice from his big brother. Or maybe they are checking out the girls race
Getting ready for that big push off the side of the pool
Getting some serious air. Is this a race of Belly Flop contest? We will be working on his starts.
Holy Cow! I made it to the other side of the pool.
The real reason he swims. I usually only buy them snow cones for a win...but since it was his first race, I decided to be nice. I know, I'm getting soft in my old age.
The Old Pro checking out the competition
Look mom, I'm flying
Take the picture already dad. We have partying to do.
This was Dominic's first ever swim meet. He swam the 25 meter freestyle. I think he was 3rd or 4th out of 6.
This is Robert's 2nd year on the team. Last year he swam Free and Back. When he got to the pool last night the coach told him he was also swimming Fly and Breast. I didn't even know he could do those strokes. Apparently he learned them at practice last week. He was 1st in Breast, 2nd in Back and I'm not sure what he did in Free and Fly. Probably around 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Here are a few pictures
Dominic chilling and getting some advice from his big brother. Or maybe they are checking out the girls race
Getting ready for that big push off the side of the pool
Getting some serious air. Is this a race of Belly Flop contest? We will be working on his starts.
Holy Cow! I made it to the other side of the pool.
The real reason he swims. I usually only buy them snow cones for a win...but since it was his first race, I decided to be nice. I know, I'm getting soft in my old age.
The Old Pro checking out the competition
Look mom, I'm flying
Take the picture already dad. We have partying to do.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wimbledon 2008
Interesting Day so far. I had toyed with the idea of picking the third ranked Djokovic. Sure glad I didn't. He was upset today in straight sets by the #75 player in the world Marat Safin, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2.
Mary Margaret and her pick of a possible upset by the Russian Hottie Safin is sure making her look like a genius. I'll be sure to track Mr. Safin's progress from here on out.
And yes MM, a Nadal vs. Safrin final would be just fine with me. If nothing else it would make all the ladies happy to have all that eye-candy on the court at the same time.
In other matches of note today:
#1 ranked Ana Ivanovic of Serbia was pushed to the limit before beating Nathalie Dechy of France (#97) (sorry again Catherine) 6-7, 7-6, 10-8
Top ranked Roger Federer won in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 over Robin Soderling of Sweeden (#41)
Serena Williams (#6) defeated Urszula Radwanska of Poland (#190) in straight sets 6-4, 6-4
Mary Margaret and her pick of a possible upset by the Russian Hottie Safin is sure making her look like a genius. I'll be sure to track Mr. Safin's progress from here on out.
And yes MM, a Nadal vs. Safrin final would be just fine with me. If nothing else it would make all the ladies happy to have all that eye-candy on the court at the same time.
In other matches of note today:
#1 ranked Ana Ivanovic of Serbia was pushed to the limit before beating Nathalie Dechy of France (#97) (sorry again Catherine) 6-7, 7-6, 10-8
Top ranked Roger Federer won in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 over Robin Soderling of Sweeden (#41)
Serena Williams (#6) defeated Urszula Radwanska of Poland (#190) in straight sets 6-4, 6-4
How Many Bikes are too Many?
Ok so I admit it, I may have a bike problem. Is there such a thing as BA - Bikes Anonymous?
To spare y'all from counting (cause I know it's hard for The Donk - what with having hooves and all), there are 28 bikes in the picture. This picture doesn't include my 4 good bikes that no one but me is allowed to touch. Actually my bikes wouldn't be in the shed anyways. They usually stay in the classroom or our bedroom...hey it's a king-size bed so lay off.
We are kinda the default bike drop of house whenever anyone we know is getting rid of bikes (or pretty much anything else - well except for money). They figure we must have someone who will fit the bike. This actually works out fairly well. It saves me from having to do bike maintenance on a lot of bikes. Flat tire? Chain fell off? Tired of riding your sister's pink Princess Barbie bike? Go grab another bike out of the shed.
We had each of the kid select up to two bikes a piece that they wanted to keep and we gave away the rest. 13 were given away and 15 were kept. The shed is now nicely organized and clean...it should last about 15 minutes.
No making fun of my lousy grass...you try growing grass with 11 kids playing soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball, man hunt etc...all over it...
And yes I know that there are trees growing in my gutters. I'm starting a tree-farm to help pay for that new AC unit you see in the picture.
Much thanks to Sam and the kids for cleaning out the shed.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Today's Workouts
9.5 mile track workout and ice bath. Weather is awesome here today.
2 mile w/u
5 X 1 mile with 1/4 mile job between
goal pace 7:20
actual splits:
7:19
7:17
7:19
7:18
7:12
1.25 mile cool down
12 minute ice bath - that was at home...not at the track
2 mile w/u
5 X 1 mile with 1/4 mile job between
goal pace 7:20
actual splits:
7:19
7:17
7:19
7:18
7:12
1.25 mile cool down
12 minute ice bath - that was at home...not at the track
Wimbledon 2008
Started yesterday in case you hadn't noticed or didn't care.
My top picks to win it all. (and no I didn't pick both of them because of their looks)
Gentlemen's winner: Rafael Nadal (Spain)
Ladies winner: Maria Sharapova (Russia)
Todays highlights:
Sharapova beat Stephanie Foretz of France (sorry Catherine) in straight sets 6-1, 6-4
Nadal beat Andreas Beck of Germany in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(7-0). Tip of the hat to Beck. He is the 120th ranked player in the world playing for the first time at Wimbledon. He played on Centre Court against the #2 player in the world and his showing was more than respectable.
Random Updates to follow over the next 3 weeks.
My top picks to win it all. (and no I didn't pick both of them because of their looks)
Gentlemen's winner: Rafael Nadal (Spain)
Ladies winner: Maria Sharapova (Russia)
Todays highlights:
Sharapova beat Stephanie Foretz of France (sorry Catherine) in straight sets 6-1, 6-4
Nadal beat Andreas Beck of Germany in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(7-0). Tip of the hat to Beck. He is the 120th ranked player in the world playing for the first time at Wimbledon. He played on Centre Court against the #2 player in the world and his showing was more than respectable.
Random Updates to follow over the next 3 weeks.
How the Kids Treat Their Mother
Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas on how to stop the 'mom is our maid, cook, laundress, gardener, chauffeur' mentality? Or at least stop them from taking all she does for them for granted.
All our kids have chores each day which they for the most part do. But heaven forbid you ask them to do something else around the house that isn't on the Job Chart.
We've tried time-outs, beatings, grounding, starvation, being forced to listen to Barry Manilow, water boarding, thumb screws etc...(while water boarding seems to somehow not be against the Geneva Convention, I think being force-fed Manilow is, so no tattling to Home Land Security).
We explain to them that this is a large house with a large family living in it and everyone has to pitch in and help. Otherwise the house is going to turn into one of those old-lady houses you see on the news that have been condemned. You know the ones; forty years of newspapers stacked six feet high in there, Big Mac containers from when they used to be Styrofoam, 72 cats living there...If everyone does help out, it really isn't horribly painful to keep this household running.
And I must admit that sometimes we actually get through to them. Usually it's after their mother and I have had our 19th nervous breakdown. But at least that's something.
So we continue on (mainly Sam) trying to make this home a place people feel welcome in. I think most of the time we succeed. Sure there might be a few dishes in the sink and toys scattered about and a bike or ten on the front lawn and the laundry room looks like a clothing store threw-up in it (35 loads a week will do that). But the kids are always having friends over to hang-out or spend the night so it must not be too bad. I mean we haven't had to send out a search party for a missing child in the house.
We love the fact that our kids aren't shy about asking if their friends can come over and hang - better here than hanging out a Mall. Last Thursday night 3 of our teens had 5 friends total hanging out...and that was a light night. We always have plenty of drinks and snacks on hand. Plus we have a really large family room with a cool TV and stereo, plus game tables on the back screened-in porch.
Now if I could just get them to clean-up after these get togethers without complaining...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Today's Workouts
4.3 mile run at lunch time.
Left knee was a little sore...maybe I should buy a new pair or 3 of running shoes.
Left knee was a little sore...maybe I should buy a new pair or 3 of running shoes.
Let’s Put Mothers in Jail..
...or at least those who don't give birth the approved way.
Once again people are trying to get the government all up in people’s business.
This time it’s the AMA (American ‘Medical’ Association). This really not a surprise since over the years they have tried to monopolize every aspect of health care. They are constantly trying to have laws passed to regulate or outlaw alternative medical care. Everything from chiropractic care to acupuncture to vitamin supplements to Naturopathic doctors. Anything they can’t make a buck on must be done away with or at least discredited by them.
Heaven forbid someone try to heal or prevent a medical condition naturally. I mean who wouldn’t want to take one of those prescription drugs you see advertised on TV with 200 side-effects listed at the end of the commercial. Seriously hair-loss, impotence and fat gain seems like a fair trade-off to get rid of your heartburn.
Or the risk of picking up a staph infection that is antibiotic resistant just so you can have back surgery that may or may not actually work is well worth it.
Let’s assume for the sake of argument that hospitals and prescription drugs are perfectly safe ( there are 195,000-280,000 preventable deaths per year in US hospitals and 110,000-200,000 deaths from prescription drugs) And let’s assume that alternative medicine is a crock. SO WHAT?! When did the State become the Nanny of everyone? What gives them a right to boss everyone around? (Other than them owning tons of really big weapons) If someone wants to use Eye of Newt to treat their cancer instead of chemotherapy and radiation, so what? That is their business.
We still use prescription drugs when absolutely needed - after trying other methods first. For example I had Lyme disease 7 years ago. So I took an antibiotic. If Sam deservedly whacked me in the head and I needed stitches, I'd go to the emergency room - well after trying my staple gun and Super Glue first.
So I'm not 100% against using conventional medical procedures but they are last resorts.
Of our 11 kids, 1 has been born in a hospital. That was Alex our first child. It was a big pain in the rear end. We were ready to leave an hour after she was born but the Nazi's wouldn't let us leave. After 6 hours I found a wheelchair and put Sam and the baby in it and then they finally took us seriously. It was like being in jail - and I should know;) After that we realized that hospitals are for sick people (maybe) and pregnancy isn't a disease - although it is chronic with us :)
The next 10 were delivered by midwifes. 8 at home and 2 in their birthing rooms because of commie health insurance. Every one of the births has been a better experience than that first one in the hospital. Hopefully Sam will post some day on the joys of home births...if you can use the word joy in the same sentence as giving birth.
The care is incredible. You have a Certified Nurse Midwife and Birth Assistant (a RN) at constant attention. They are 100% there for you. They don't have patients in another hospital room to worry about. They come early when your labor begins and stay until well after the birth and everyone is well. They even clean-up the house and do the laundry.
Sam loves giving birth in her very own bed and being able to have the kids see the baby just minutes old. They usually stay at my mom's house down the road. They even get to cut the cord. Sam also gets to have her sister there to help her out and me and my limited man-help. "I don't know nothing about birthing no babies".
As for people who have hospital births, that’s fine too. Do whatever you want. I really couldn’t careless what anyone else does. Just do me a favor and don’t tell us what to do with our lives. Just like how many kids we have is none of your business so where we choose to birth them is none of your business.
It costing less (no hospital fee) is just the icing on the cake.
Plus home birthed kids are much smarter...just kidding Alex.
From The Big Push for Midwives
Father Knows Best Meets Big Brother Is Watching
Physician Group Seeks to Outlaw Home BirthIs Jail for Moms Next?
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2008)Just in time for Father's Day, at its annual meeting last weekend, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a resolution to introduce legislation outlawing home birth, and potentially making criminals of the mothers who choose home birth with the help of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) for their families.
"It's unclear what penalties the AMA will seek to impose on women who choose to give birth at home, either for religious, cultural or financial reasons or just because they didn't make it to the hospital in time," said Susan Jenkins, Legal Counsel for The Big Push for Midwives 2008 campaign. "What we do know, however, is that any state that enacts such a law will immediately find itself in court, since a law dictating where a woman must give birth would be a clear violation of fundamental rights to privacy and other freedoms currently protected by the U.S. Constitution."
Until the AMA proposed 'Resolution 205 on Home Deliveries,' no state had considered legislation forcing women to deliver their babies in the hospital or limiting the choice of birth setting. Instead, states have regulated the types of midwives that may legally provide care. Currently, 22 states already license and regulate CPMs, who specialize in out-of-hospital maternity care and have received extensive training to qualify as experts in the types of risk assessment and preventive care necessary for safe and highquality care for women who choose give birth at home. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), who are trained primarily as hospital-based providers, are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The resolution did not offer any science-based information for the AMA's anti-midwife or anti-home birth position.
"Maternity care is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States," said Steff Hedenkamp, Communications Coordinator for The Big Push for Midwives. "So it's no surprise to see the AMA join the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in its ongoing fight to corner the market and ensure that the only midwives able to practice legally are hospital-based midwives forced to practice under physician control. I will say, though, that I'm shocked to learn that the AMA is taking this turf battle to the next level by setting the stage for outlawing home birth itselfa direct attack on those families who choose home birth, who could be subject to criminal prosecution if the AMA has its way."
The Big Push for Midwives is a nationally coordinated campaign organized to advocate for regulation and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and to push back against the attempts of the American Medical Association to deny American families access to safe and legal midwifery care.
Once again people are trying to get the government all up in people’s business.
This time it’s the AMA (American ‘Medical’ Association). This really not a surprise since over the years they have tried to monopolize every aspect of health care. They are constantly trying to have laws passed to regulate or outlaw alternative medical care. Everything from chiropractic care to acupuncture to vitamin supplements to Naturopathic doctors. Anything they can’t make a buck on must be done away with or at least discredited by them.
Heaven forbid someone try to heal or prevent a medical condition naturally. I mean who wouldn’t want to take one of those prescription drugs you see advertised on TV with 200 side-effects listed at the end of the commercial. Seriously hair-loss, impotence and fat gain seems like a fair trade-off to get rid of your heartburn.
Or the risk of picking up a staph infection that is antibiotic resistant just so you can have back surgery that may or may not actually work is well worth it.
Let’s assume for the sake of argument that hospitals and prescription drugs are perfectly safe ( there are 195,000-280,000 preventable deaths per year in US hospitals and 110,000-200,000 deaths from prescription drugs) And let’s assume that alternative medicine is a crock. SO WHAT?! When did the State become the Nanny of everyone? What gives them a right to boss everyone around? (Other than them owning tons of really big weapons) If someone wants to use Eye of Newt to treat their cancer instead of chemotherapy and radiation, so what? That is their business.
We still use prescription drugs when absolutely needed - after trying other methods first. For example I had Lyme disease 7 years ago. So I took an antibiotic. If Sam deservedly whacked me in the head and I needed stitches, I'd go to the emergency room - well after trying my staple gun and Super Glue first.
So I'm not 100% against using conventional medical procedures but they are last resorts.
Of our 11 kids, 1 has been born in a hospital. That was Alex our first child. It was a big pain in the rear end. We were ready to leave an hour after she was born but the Nazi's wouldn't let us leave. After 6 hours I found a wheelchair and put Sam and the baby in it and then they finally took us seriously. It was like being in jail - and I should know;) After that we realized that hospitals are for sick people (maybe) and pregnancy isn't a disease - although it is chronic with us :)
The next 10 were delivered by midwifes. 8 at home and 2 in their birthing rooms because of commie health insurance. Every one of the births has been a better experience than that first one in the hospital. Hopefully Sam will post some day on the joys of home births...if you can use the word joy in the same sentence as giving birth.
The care is incredible. You have a Certified Nurse Midwife and Birth Assistant (a RN) at constant attention. They are 100% there for you. They don't have patients in another hospital room to worry about. They come early when your labor begins and stay until well after the birth and everyone is well. They even clean-up the house and do the laundry.
Sam loves giving birth in her very own bed and being able to have the kids see the baby just minutes old. They usually stay at my mom's house down the road. They even get to cut the cord. Sam also gets to have her sister there to help her out and me and my limited man-help. "I don't know nothing about birthing no babies".
As for people who have hospital births, that’s fine too. Do whatever you want. I really couldn’t careless what anyone else does. Just do me a favor and don’t tell us what to do with our lives. Just like how many kids we have is none of your business so where we choose to birth them is none of your business.
It costing less (no hospital fee) is just the icing on the cake.
Plus home birthed kids are much smarter...just kidding Alex.
From The Big Push for Midwives
Father Knows Best Meets Big Brother Is Watching
Physician Group Seeks to Outlaw Home BirthIs Jail for Moms Next?
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2008)Just in time for Father's Day, at its annual meeting last weekend, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a resolution to introduce legislation outlawing home birth, and potentially making criminals of the mothers who choose home birth with the help of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) for their families.
"It's unclear what penalties the AMA will seek to impose on women who choose to give birth at home, either for religious, cultural or financial reasons or just because they didn't make it to the hospital in time," said Susan Jenkins, Legal Counsel for The Big Push for Midwives 2008 campaign. "What we do know, however, is that any state that enacts such a law will immediately find itself in court, since a law dictating where a woman must give birth would be a clear violation of fundamental rights to privacy and other freedoms currently protected by the U.S. Constitution."
Until the AMA proposed 'Resolution 205 on Home Deliveries,' no state had considered legislation forcing women to deliver their babies in the hospital or limiting the choice of birth setting. Instead, states have regulated the types of midwives that may legally provide care. Currently, 22 states already license and regulate CPMs, who specialize in out-of-hospital maternity care and have received extensive training to qualify as experts in the types of risk assessment and preventive care necessary for safe and highquality care for women who choose give birth at home. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), who are trained primarily as hospital-based providers, are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The resolution did not offer any science-based information for the AMA's anti-midwife or anti-home birth position.
"Maternity care is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States," said Steff Hedenkamp, Communications Coordinator for The Big Push for Midwives. "So it's no surprise to see the AMA join the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in its ongoing fight to corner the market and ensure that the only midwives able to practice legally are hospital-based midwives forced to practice under physician control. I will say, though, that I'm shocked to learn that the AMA is taking this turf battle to the next level by setting the stage for outlawing home birth itselfa direct attack on those families who choose home birth, who could be subject to criminal prosecution if the AMA has its way."
The Big Push for Midwives is a nationally coordinated campaign organized to advocate for regulation and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and to push back against the attempts of the American Medical Association to deny American families access to safe and legal midwifery care.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Today's Workouts
3 miles running with Joey, Robert and Dominic following on their bikes.
1,000 meters swimming.
1,000 meters swimming.
Reliving my Childhood Today
Via old TV commercials.
Oscar Mayer Bologna Song - Singing it is still the only way I can spell Bologna
He likes it!
Tootsie Pop
Hey Kool Aid!
Two all beef patties...
Ring around the collar
Ancient Chinese Secret
Clearasil
Remember when smokes ads were on TV?
Mother Nature
Mr Bubble
So what are some of your favorites commericals from childhood?
Oscar Mayer Bologna Song - Singing it is still the only way I can spell Bologna
He likes it!
Tootsie Pop
Hey Kool Aid!
Two all beef patties...
Ring around the collar
Ancient Chinese Secret
Clearasil
Remember when smokes ads were on TV?
Mother Nature
Mr Bubble
So what are some of your favorites commericals from childhood?
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Today's Workouts
38 Mile cycling in the early AM with friends.
3.5 mile run in the afternoon with Dominic following along on his bike.
3.5 mile run in the afternoon with Dominic following along on his bike.
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
For your Saturday enjoyment.
10 Quirky Facts About Kissing. From MSN.com
1. Two out of every three couples turn their heads to the right when they kiss.
I’m ambidextrous…I can go both ways
2. A simple peck uses two muscles; a passionate kiss, on the other hand, uses all 34 muscles in your face. Now that’s a rigorous workout!
Will need to start adding ‘making-out with Sam’ to my ‘Today’s Workouts’ posts
3. Like fingerprints or snowflakes, no two lip impressions are alike.
Yeah but can they dust for lip prints…other than on CSI
4. Kissing is good for what ails you. Research shows that the act of smooching improves our skin, helps circulation, prevents tooth decay, and can even relieve headaches.
Well that explains why Sam and I never get sick
5. The average person spends 336 hours of his or her life kissing.
Shoot we get that many hours in during an off year
6. Ever wonder how an “X” came to represent a kiss? Starting in the Middle Ages, people who could not read used an X as a signature. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually, the X came to represent the kiss itself.
X marks the spot
7. Talk about a rush! Kissing releases the same neurotransmitters in our brains as parachuting, bungee jumping, and running.
Now if I could just mix kissing in during my runs
8. The average woman kisses 29 men before she gets married.
Honey I want to see that list and you better not be above average in this case!
9. Men who kiss their partners before leaving for work average higher incomes than those who don’t.
Sweetie, after all the expenses of the last few weeks, you better start puckering-up more in the mornings. I need a raise.
10. The longest kiss in movie history was between Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey in the 1941 film, You’re in the Army Now. It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds. So if you’ve beaten that record, it’s time to celebrate!
Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey are wimps…we can totally crush that time…I’m an Ironman for Pete’s sake and you are the Queen of 12 hour labors
10 Quirky Facts About Kissing. From MSN.com
1. Two out of every three couples turn their heads to the right when they kiss.
I’m ambidextrous…I can go both ways
2. A simple peck uses two muscles; a passionate kiss, on the other hand, uses all 34 muscles in your face. Now that’s a rigorous workout!
Will need to start adding ‘making-out with Sam’ to my ‘Today’s Workouts’ posts
3. Like fingerprints or snowflakes, no two lip impressions are alike.
Yeah but can they dust for lip prints…other than on CSI
4. Kissing is good for what ails you. Research shows that the act of smooching improves our skin, helps circulation, prevents tooth decay, and can even relieve headaches.
Well that explains why Sam and I never get sick
5. The average person spends 336 hours of his or her life kissing.
Shoot we get that many hours in during an off year
6. Ever wonder how an “X” came to represent a kiss? Starting in the Middle Ages, people who could not read used an X as a signature. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually, the X came to represent the kiss itself.
X marks the spot
7. Talk about a rush! Kissing releases the same neurotransmitters in our brains as parachuting, bungee jumping, and running.
Now if I could just mix kissing in during my runs
8. The average woman kisses 29 men before she gets married.
Honey I want to see that list and you better not be above average in this case!
9. Men who kiss their partners before leaving for work average higher incomes than those who don’t.
Sweetie, after all the expenses of the last few weeks, you better start puckering-up more in the mornings. I need a raise.
10. The longest kiss in movie history was between Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey in the 1941 film, You’re in the Army Now. It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds. So if you’ve beaten that record, it’s time to celebrate!
Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey are wimps…we can totally crush that time…I’m an Ironman for Pete’s sake and you are the Queen of 12 hour labors
Friday, June 20, 2008
If it's the 20th of the Month
It must be date night.
The 20th of each month is date night (we were hitched on May 20th).
Unfortunately the 5 oldest kids are at various places for the weekend and I'm too cheap to pay for a babysitter. That means we are stuck - I mean blessed with the 6 younger kids.
So date night will consist of putting the kids to bed early and then watching a movie together and eating ice cream.
The 20th of each month is date night (we were hitched on May 20th).
Unfortunately the 5 oldest kids are at various places for the weekend and I'm too cheap to pay for a babysitter. That means we are stuck - I mean blessed with the 6 younger kids.
So date night will consist of putting the kids to bed early and then watching a movie together and eating ice cream.
Must Have Been a Crappy Wedding
The winner of Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com 4th annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress contest sponsored by Charmin
Today's Workouts
13 mile run at lunch time (an extended lunch hour – it is really too nice out to work).
I found a new way to judge how the economy is doing. This is better than interest rates and unemployment rates.
On my lunch time running route there is an old guy who sits on his front porch and drinks beer and watches TV. I think he watches The Price is Right since he is out there from 11am to noon (good time of day to drink beer).
He used to drink Budweiser but ever since the economy has gone into the toilet he has been drinking Busch beer. If he switches to Red White and Blue or Milwaukee’s Best that will be a sign that we have gone from a recession to a depression.
I’ll keep y’all posted.
I found a new way to judge how the economy is doing. This is better than interest rates and unemployment rates.
On my lunch time running route there is an old guy who sits on his front porch and drinks beer and watches TV. I think he watches The Price is Right since he is out there from 11am to noon (good time of day to drink beer).
He used to drink Budweiser but ever since the economy has gone into the toilet he has been drinking Busch beer. If he switches to Red White and Blue or Milwaukee’s Best that will be a sign that we have gone from a recession to a depression.
I’ll keep y’all posted.
Maybe the Luddites are Right
I’ve had it with technological advances.
Do bad things come in threes for y’all also?
First our AC and Furnace bit the dust and had to be replaced (they were un-fixable), then the computer in our 15-passenger van died. Which of course meant that van died since evidently nothing can run without a computer these days, and then our dryer was making death noises. It sounded like Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now or The Godfather. So we replaced that today. These repair bills are putting a serious dent in my running shoe budget. It's been a heck of a two weeks.
I'm going to have to keep running in my old shoes.
So we as a family are taking drastic measures – not that they know it yet.
I’m quitting my software job and moving out to the country and becoming an organic hemp farmer. I'll be selling the cars and vans and buying a horse or maybe some llamas. We will be going off the grid. No electricity, phone or running water. Sure the boys might start smelling worse than a donkey after awhile and the girls will have hairy legs and armpits and zits all over their faces and I’ll never be able to marry them off…but think of all the things we won’t have to worry about breaking.
I got a great price on this baby. A little paint a few throw-pills…
Plus we will get lots of reading, talking and game playing in. We will become a much closer family and our kids SAT scores will go through the roof.
Of course we will have to have an old hound dog for hunting and protection.
But not everything will change with our new lifestyle.
The kids will still get to swim every day.
And they will still have time outs when naughty.
And Sam and I will still be taking that cruise for our anniversary
I'll be starting a betting pool on how long it takes the teenagers to Go Postal without text messaging.
This post was written on my laptop using a wireless Internet connection while listening to my IPOD. If you will excuse me I need to go answer my cell phone, make an espresso and see what is on cable tonight – the high def channels on our wide screen TV are awesome.
Do bad things come in threes for y’all also?
First our AC and Furnace bit the dust and had to be replaced (they were un-fixable), then the computer in our 15-passenger van died. Which of course meant that van died since evidently nothing can run without a computer these days, and then our dryer was making death noises. It sounded like Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now or The Godfather. So we replaced that today. These repair bills are putting a serious dent in my running shoe budget. It's been a heck of a two weeks.
I'm going to have to keep running in my old shoes.
So we as a family are taking drastic measures – not that they know it yet.
I’m quitting my software job and moving out to the country and becoming an organic hemp farmer. I'll be selling the cars and vans and buying a horse or maybe some llamas. We will be going off the grid. No electricity, phone or running water. Sure the boys might start smelling worse than a donkey after awhile and the girls will have hairy legs and armpits and zits all over their faces and I’ll never be able to marry them off…but think of all the things we won’t have to worry about breaking.
I got a great price on this baby. A little paint a few throw-pills…
Plus we will get lots of reading, talking and game playing in. We will become a much closer family and our kids SAT scores will go through the roof.
Of course we will have to have an old hound dog for hunting and protection.
But not everything will change with our new lifestyle.
The kids will still get to swim every day.
And they will still have time outs when naughty.
And Sam and I will still be taking that cruise for our anniversary
I'll be starting a betting pool on how long it takes the teenagers to Go Postal without text messaging.
This post was written on my laptop using a wireless Internet connection while listening to my IPOD. If you will excuse me I need to go answer my cell phone, make an espresso and see what is on cable tonight – the high def channels on our wide screen TV are awesome.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Today's Workouts
First Brick workout of the year. A brick is 2 workouts back-to-back or stacked like bricks.
21 miles cycling and then 5 miles running with my new training buddy Bryan.
21 miles cycling and then 5 miles running with my new training buddy Bryan.
An Inconvenient Hypocrite
NASHVILLE - In the year since Al Gore took steps to make his home more energy-efficient, the former Vice President’s home energy use surged more than 10%, according to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.
In the past year, Gore’s home burned through 213,210 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 232 average American households for a month.
In February 2007, An Inconvenient Truth, a film based on a climate change speech developed by Gore, won an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The next day, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research uncovered that Gore’s Nashville home guzzled 20 times more electricity than the average American household.
HAHAHAHA – as soon as I can stop laughing – HAHAHAHAHA – I’ll comment – HAHAHAHA
Ok, I feel better now. Oh wait a minute – HAHAHAHA – Ok now I’m done, I promise.
Holy kilowatts! It sure takes a lot of electricity to invent the Internet.
I so love people going around (in Al’s case flying around in a Lear Jet or Gulfstream – that’s much better for the environment than flying commercial) telling others how to live their lives.
From the moralizing Rush ‘drug addict’ Limbaugh to Bill ‘gambling addict’ Bennett to the latest ‘family values’ politician to be caught with his pants down, this just keep getting funnier and funnier – or is it sadder and sadder?
My family of 13 uses way less electricity than Mr. Gore and we rarely fly, heck I can hardly spell Gulfstream.
So Al, buy a regular size home (or at least a smaller mansion) and fly coach and you just might save a penguin.
Al buddy old pal to help you out I’m going leave my new expensive air conditioner off for a few days…that should balance things out.
Yo Brother Al - Matthew 7: 3-5
In the past year, Gore’s home burned through 213,210 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 232 average American households for a month.
In February 2007, An Inconvenient Truth, a film based on a climate change speech developed by Gore, won an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The next day, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research uncovered that Gore’s Nashville home guzzled 20 times more electricity than the average American household.
HAHAHAHA – as soon as I can stop laughing – HAHAHAHAHA – I’ll comment – HAHAHAHA
Ok, I feel better now. Oh wait a minute – HAHAHAHA – Ok now I’m done, I promise.
Holy kilowatts! It sure takes a lot of electricity to invent the Internet.
I so love people going around (in Al’s case flying around in a Lear Jet or Gulfstream – that’s much better for the environment than flying commercial) telling others how to live their lives.
From the moralizing Rush ‘drug addict’ Limbaugh to Bill ‘gambling addict’ Bennett to the latest ‘family values’ politician to be caught with his pants down, this just keep getting funnier and funnier – or is it sadder and sadder?
My family of 13 uses way less electricity than Mr. Gore and we rarely fly, heck I can hardly spell Gulfstream.
So Al, buy a regular size home (or at least a smaller mansion) and fly coach and you just might save a penguin.
Al buddy old pal to help you out I’m going leave my new expensive air conditioner off for a few days…that should balance things out.
Yo Brother Al - Matthew 7: 3-5
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
New Speed vs Old Speed
A mini movie review.
Last week I took Joey (10), Robert (8) and Dominic (6) to see the new Speed Racer movie.
The old original Speed Racer shows were my favorite cartoon growing up. I would run home from elementary school every day to watch it on tv.
They were already familiar with the Speed Racer shows since I bought a set of DVD's of the old TV show a few years ago.
The boys loved it but they would watch a test pattern on TV. I was a little worried that the 2 hours and 15 minute running time of the movie would be too much for Dominic, but he was fine. The movie held his attention.
The movie is very pro family and marriage. The Racer family goes out of it's way to help one another. And lying actually has consequences and people apologize for it.
And Racer X is still the coolest race car driver ever.
Visually it's very very colorful. Like watching a NASCAR race on LSD. The Wachowski Brothers have too much computing power at their disposal.
Why it is rated PG: for intense comic race action and fight scenes (that might be too much for little kids), a dozen or so minor swear words, one instance of someone giving half a peace sign and 1 unfortunate use of Jesus' name in vain.
Last week I took Joey (10), Robert (8) and Dominic (6) to see the new Speed Racer movie.
The old original Speed Racer shows were my favorite cartoon growing up. I would run home from elementary school every day to watch it on tv.
They were already familiar with the Speed Racer shows since I bought a set of DVD's of the old TV show a few years ago.
The boys loved it but they would watch a test pattern on TV. I was a little worried that the 2 hours and 15 minute running time of the movie would be too much for Dominic, but he was fine. The movie held his attention.
The movie is very pro family and marriage. The Racer family goes out of it's way to help one another. And lying actually has consequences and people apologize for it.
And Racer X is still the coolest race car driver ever.
Visually it's very very colorful. Like watching a NASCAR race on LSD. The Wachowski Brothers have too much computing power at their disposal.
Why it is rated PG: for intense comic race action and fight scenes (that might be too much for little kids), a dozen or so minor swear words, one instance of someone giving half a peace sign and 1 unfortunate use of Jesus' name in vain.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Daddy Poopy
So this afternoon Cecilia (2) says she has to go potty. This is a big deal since she is just getting the hang of this potty training thing.
I run her to the potty and she goes. When she’s done she gets off the pot and says “daddy poopy and baby poopy” and points into the toilet.
Sure enough there was a big one and a little one in the toilet. (no I did not take pictures)
I guess it’s ok if she compares me to pooh if it helps with the potty training.
I run her to the potty and she goes. When she’s done she gets off the pot and says “daddy poopy and baby poopy” and points into the toilet.
Sure enough there was a big one and a little one in the toilet. (no I did not take pictures)
I guess it’s ok if she compares me to pooh if it helps with the potty training.
Today's Workouts
Went to the track for an 8 mile run:
2 mile warm up
5 mile tempo run with a goal pace of 7:40
splits were:
7:39
7:38
7:36
7:38
7:36
1 mile cool down
2 mile warm up
5 mile tempo run with a goal pace of 7:40
splits were:
7:39
7:38
7:36
7:38
7:36
1 mile cool down
What is that Haunting Aroma?
I love coffee. I mean I Really love coffee. I'm sure I drink too much of it (like that is possible). But I just keep reading the studies that say it's good for you and ignore the ones that say it's bad for you. It's a system I try to use with anything in life. Sun gives you vitamin D, red meat has lots of protein and iron, tobacco counts as a vegetable etc...
Other than Sam, coffee is the only 'vice' I have ;). Vice in the best sense of the word. I don't drink, smoke, gamble, do drugs etc...Having a well made cup of coffee or espresso is one of life's simple pleasures. And my coffee is simple; just coffee. No cream, sugar, fake sugars, spices or anything else to interfere with the flavor of the coffee. Just good coffee beans that are freshly ground right before brewing.
My most important rules regarding coffee are: DEATH BEFORE DECAF!!! and LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO DRINK CHEAP COFFEE!!!
Two places where I buy quality coffee from:
This one I just discovered.
Mystic Monk Coffee
They are Carmelite Monks. They live in a solitary monastery under the Rocky Mountains in northern Wyoming, the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming seek to perpetuate the charism of the Blessed Virgin Mary, living the Marian life as prescribed by the primitive Carmelite Rule and the ancient monastic observance. This new monastery of contemplative monks lives a life of faithful orthodoxy to the Magisterium, where joy and peace abound in a manly, agrarian way of life. The Carmelite Monks wear the Holy Habit faithfully, which includes the brown Carmelite scapular and white mantle of our Lady of Mount Carmel. These young Roman Catholic monks live a full, reverent, and traditional Carmelite liturgical life, with the Divine Office and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being prayed in Latin with Gregorian Chant.
Selling coffee is how they support themselves. So if you imbibe in coffee check out their selections. I like the Mystic Monk Blend and Breakfast Blend personally. Whole bean of course. Those are the two I've tried so far.
The other place is Coffee Fool
I've been ordering from them for about a year now. My two favorites are their Dark Italian Roast and Velvet Hammer (another Italian Roast). Tip - you can never go wrong with something Italian.
They have many other coffees and I've personally tried around a dozen of them. All have been good to great.
They cost a little less than the good Monks but they don't have a monastery to support...as far as I know.
For all you women and The Donk, both places also sell those flavored frou-frou coffees too. Ladies sorry to include you with The Donk.
My normal routine is to grind just enough beans to make the amount of coffee I can drink before it goes stale. If I’m in a real hurry I use my single serving K-Cup coffee maker. It also makes teas and hot chocolate. Which is why I bought it. No one else in my house drink's coffee - shocking I know. But Sam and the kids like teas and hot chocolate. My next step is to buy a French Press. Then I will feel that my coffee drinking life is complete.
If I’m heading out for the day I’ll make a whole pot and fill up a thermos that I picked out.
From the Steve Martin move The Jerk
How the coffee addiction all began for me.
Other than Sam, coffee is the only 'vice' I have ;). Vice in the best sense of the word. I don't drink, smoke, gamble, do drugs etc...Having a well made cup of coffee or espresso is one of life's simple pleasures. And my coffee is simple; just coffee. No cream, sugar, fake sugars, spices or anything else to interfere with the flavor of the coffee. Just good coffee beans that are freshly ground right before brewing.
My most important rules regarding coffee are: DEATH BEFORE DECAF!!! and LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO DRINK CHEAP COFFEE!!!
Two places where I buy quality coffee from:
This one I just discovered.
Mystic Monk Coffee
They are Carmelite Monks. They live in a solitary monastery under the Rocky Mountains in northern Wyoming, the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming seek to perpetuate the charism of the Blessed Virgin Mary, living the Marian life as prescribed by the primitive Carmelite Rule and the ancient monastic observance. This new monastery of contemplative monks lives a life of faithful orthodoxy to the Magisterium, where joy and peace abound in a manly, agrarian way of life. The Carmelite Monks wear the Holy Habit faithfully, which includes the brown Carmelite scapular and white mantle of our Lady of Mount Carmel. These young Roman Catholic monks live a full, reverent, and traditional Carmelite liturgical life, with the Divine Office and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being prayed in Latin with Gregorian Chant.
Selling coffee is how they support themselves. So if you imbibe in coffee check out their selections. I like the Mystic Monk Blend and Breakfast Blend personally. Whole bean of course. Those are the two I've tried so far.
The other place is Coffee Fool
I've been ordering from them for about a year now. My two favorites are their Dark Italian Roast and Velvet Hammer (another Italian Roast). Tip - you can never go wrong with something Italian.
They have many other coffees and I've personally tried around a dozen of them. All have been good to great.
They cost a little less than the good Monks but they don't have a monastery to support...as far as I know.
For all you women and The Donk, both places also sell those flavored frou-frou coffees too. Ladies sorry to include you with The Donk.
My normal routine is to grind just enough beans to make the amount of coffee I can drink before it goes stale. If I’m in a real hurry I use my single serving K-Cup coffee maker. It also makes teas and hot chocolate. Which is why I bought it. No one else in my house drink's coffee - shocking I know. But Sam and the kids like teas and hot chocolate. My next step is to buy a French Press. Then I will feel that my coffee drinking life is complete.
If I’m heading out for the day I’ll make a whole pot and fill up a thermos that I picked out.
From the Steve Martin move The Jerk
How the coffee addiction all began for me.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Mary’s Plan to End the War
Could a 4 year-old be smarter than the government? (that’s a rhetorical question).
I was hanging around talking to Mary the other morning. Actually you listen to Mary you don’t talk to her. That little sweetie-pie could talk the ears off a jack rabbit.
So she’s talking about everything and nothing all at once. And then she starts talking about her plan to end the war. I didn’t even know she knew about the war.
Mary (4) has a friend her age who we will call Jay. Jay’s dad has been in Iraq since last fall and Mary says Jay misses his dad very much. I’m sure that is true.
Here is her plan:
"I think all the good soldiers (our side) should sneak home at night to see their beloveds (her word – 4 sisters will do that to ya). Then all the bad guys will say ‘hoorah we won’ and take a rest. Then the good guys can sneak back in the morning into the camp of the bad guys and kill them all (she’s a little violent – 6 brothers will do that to ya). Then ‘Jay’s’ dad could come home for good."
Sounds as good as any plan I’ve heard to end this stupid war.
So now who are you going to vote for?
Candidate A
Candidate B
Candidate C
I’d vote for candidate A personally. I’ve had it with lame candidates.
And I refuse to vote for the lesser of two evils. Out of 300 million people in this country, McCain and Obama are the best your dems and reps could come up with? Is this election process as rigged as American Idol? (more rhetorical questions)
Whoa sorry for going all political on you...ok I feel better now...
Important note: this post is in no way directed at anyone serving in the Middle East. I have friends who were over there and ones still there. It's directed at politicians and politically appointed generals
I was hanging around talking to Mary the other morning. Actually you listen to Mary you don’t talk to her. That little sweetie-pie could talk the ears off a jack rabbit.
So she’s talking about everything and nothing all at once. And then she starts talking about her plan to end the war. I didn’t even know she knew about the war.
Mary (4) has a friend her age who we will call Jay. Jay’s dad has been in Iraq since last fall and Mary says Jay misses his dad very much. I’m sure that is true.
Here is her plan:
"I think all the good soldiers (our side) should sneak home at night to see their beloveds (her word – 4 sisters will do that to ya). Then all the bad guys will say ‘hoorah we won’ and take a rest. Then the good guys can sneak back in the morning into the camp of the bad guys and kill them all (she’s a little violent – 6 brothers will do that to ya). Then ‘Jay’s’ dad could come home for good."
Sounds as good as any plan I’ve heard to end this stupid war.
So now who are you going to vote for?
Candidate A
Candidate B
Candidate C
I’d vote for candidate A personally. I’ve had it with lame candidates.
And I refuse to vote for the lesser of two evils. Out of 300 million people in this country, McCain and Obama are the best your dems and reps could come up with? Is this election process as rigged as American Idol? (more rhetorical questions)
Whoa sorry for going all political on you...ok I feel better now...
Important note: this post is in no way directed at anyone serving in the Middle East. I have friends who were over there and ones still there. It's directed at politicians and politically appointed generals
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day
My Father's Day PRESENT from the best kids ever. From Sam's Blog.
Copied below:
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY SWEET HEART...I KNOW YOU ARE NOT MY DAD...BUT WITH GOD'S HELP...I HELPED YOU BECOME A DAD!!! YOU ARE MY SOUL MATE AND BEST FRIEND!!! YOU ARE MY BALANCE AND MY REWARD!!! THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME WONDERFUL CHILDREN...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE MOST SARDONIC DAD WE KNOW...
FROM ALEX:
I love my Dad because he works hard at everything he does no matter what. I love my Dad because he is really cool and funny. I love my Dad because he is always honest. I love my Dad because I can talk to him and he always helps me.
FROM JOSHUA:
I love my dad (unlike Alex’s, whose going to college, my Dad because everyone know s you can’t capitalize dad, mom, aunt etc. after a possessive pronoun) because he hit me in the forehead with a baseball and made me dive into wooden stairs at the boardwalk (I still caught it); because he drove me to my five-thousand sports games, because he and Caleb are the only ones who have the same sense of humor; because he calls me hammer-head, nimrod, nail-boy, run-into-a-wire-holding-up-a-tree-boy, doofus, and says I run like a duck; because he invented being really-really-ridiculously-good-looking and I perfected it; I love him even though he’s a “sad strange little man” and I can fix my hair by looking in his bald spot. I love my dad because he didn’t raise me a pagan (though he calls us heathens) and supports my vocation.
FROM CALEB:
I LOVE MY DAD because he is funny and does triathlons and he drives me to all my soccer games!
FROM ELIZABETH:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE’S SO GREAT HE ALWAYS PROVIDES FOR US AND HELPS US FIX THINGS THAT WE MESSED UP.
I LOVE YOU DAD!!!
FROM BARBARA:
1. You are insane
2. You are funny
3. You are fun
4. You are stylish
5. You are sardonic
6. You love me
7. You love us
8. You are a really good cook
9. WE all Love you
10.You are perfect for us!!! (me)
FROM JOSEPH:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE HAS A COOL LAPTOP, CAMERA, AND PHONE. He also took me to see Speed Racer!
From Robert:
I love you dad because you always tell really, really, funny jokes!!!
FROM DOMINIC:
BECAUSE HE ROCKS! HE IS FUNNY AND HE SPRAYS WIP CREAM IN HIS MOUTH!!!
FROM MARY:
HE DIDN’T BEAT ME FOR WRITING ON THE CAR WITH A ROCK!!!
FROM CECILIA:
BECAUSE HE BLOGS ABOUT ME MORE THAN ANYONE!!!
FROM ERIC:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE LOVES MY MOMMY SO MUCH!!!
Copied below:
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY SWEET HEART...I KNOW YOU ARE NOT MY DAD...BUT WITH GOD'S HELP...I HELPED YOU BECOME A DAD!!! YOU ARE MY SOUL MATE AND BEST FRIEND!!! YOU ARE MY BALANCE AND MY REWARD!!! THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME WONDERFUL CHILDREN...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE MOST SARDONIC DAD WE KNOW...
FROM ALEX:
I love my Dad because he works hard at everything he does no matter what. I love my Dad because he is really cool and funny. I love my Dad because he is always honest. I love my Dad because I can talk to him and he always helps me.
FROM JOSHUA:
I love my dad (unlike Alex’s, whose going to college, my Dad because everyone know s you can’t capitalize dad, mom, aunt etc. after a possessive pronoun) because he hit me in the forehead with a baseball and made me dive into wooden stairs at the boardwalk (I still caught it); because he drove me to my five-thousand sports games, because he and Caleb are the only ones who have the same sense of humor; because he calls me hammer-head, nimrod, nail-boy, run-into-a-wire-holding-up-a-tree-boy, doofus, and says I run like a duck; because he invented being really-really-ridiculously-good-looking and I perfected it; I love him even though he’s a “sad strange little man” and I can fix my hair by looking in his bald spot. I love my dad because he didn’t raise me a pagan (though he calls us heathens) and supports my vocation.
FROM CALEB:
I LOVE MY DAD because he is funny and does triathlons and he drives me to all my soccer games!
FROM ELIZABETH:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE’S SO GREAT HE ALWAYS PROVIDES FOR US AND HELPS US FIX THINGS THAT WE MESSED UP.
I LOVE YOU DAD!!!
FROM BARBARA:
1. You are insane
2. You are funny
3. You are fun
4. You are stylish
5. You are sardonic
6. You love me
7. You love us
8. You are a really good cook
9. WE all Love you
10.You are perfect for us!!! (me)
FROM JOSEPH:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE HAS A COOL LAPTOP, CAMERA, AND PHONE. He also took me to see Speed Racer!
From Robert:
I love you dad because you always tell really, really, funny jokes!!!
FROM DOMINIC:
BECAUSE HE ROCKS! HE IS FUNNY AND HE SPRAYS WIP CREAM IN HIS MOUTH!!!
FROM MARY:
HE DIDN’T BEAT ME FOR WRITING ON THE CAR WITH A ROCK!!!
FROM CECILIA:
BECAUSE HE BLOGS ABOUT ME MORE THAN ANYONE!!!
FROM ERIC:
I LOVE MY DAD BECAUSE HE LOVES MY MOMMY SO MUCH!!!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Today's Workouts
Josh is home from his New Hampshire school for the weekend. He came home for Father's Day and we also went to an ordination to the priesthood this morning (pictures of that to be posted later).
32 miles cycling this morning before the ordination.
Josh and I went for a 3.2 mile run this afternoon. It was very hot out. Here we are pre-run. He's getting too tall. Or maybe I'm shrinking.
Josh and The Sweet Momma
32 miles cycling this morning before the ordination.
Josh and I went for a 3.2 mile run this afternoon. It was very hot out. Here we are pre-run. He's getting too tall. Or maybe I'm shrinking.
Josh and The Sweet Momma
Friday, June 13, 2008
Today's Workouts
4.3 mile run at lunch to loosen up my sore old legs.
600 meters swimming after work.
600 meters swimming after work.
Finally, Juice Boxes for Adults
Pairs, France - Purists are spluttering over their decanters after a fine wine-maker announced plans for drinkers to take their wine through a straw from small plastic cartons.
The containers, like those used for lunchbox-sized fruit juices, go on sale in supermarkets next month in the latest attempt by the French wine industry to boost consumption among young urbanites
Is this a sign of the apocalypse? Maybe my French visitor can help us out. Have the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse been seen on the outskirts of Paris Catherine? Have you seen these things in stores of there? If so, what do people think about them?
I don’t know if this is a good idea or not but it seems like a real easy way to drink a lot of wine fast. Have you ever had a juice box? It’s very easy to suck one of those things down in a few seconds. This could be more fun than playing quarters or thumpers. They better be careful with them.
Sitting down to a nice dinner of Blanquette de veau and then shoving a straw into a juice box doesn’t seem quite as classy as pulling the cork on a nice bottle of Merlot. Does Merlot go with Blanquette de veau? I always get confused with what wine goes with what. You would think as a Catholic with Italian blood in me, I'd know wines better.
I’m not sure why I’m making fun of wine in juice boxes since I used to drink Boones Farm wine in college - hey it was all I could afford. That stuff couldn’t have been put into juice box containers; it would have melted through them. Here’s an old picture of me from college that I dug up.
Just don’t get them mixed up with the kid’s boxes and send some Bordeaux with your kid’s lunch to school. The school administration Nazi’s would probably expel them for life, after drinking your kids wine. It's ok for the schools to drug your kids with Ritalin and Concerta but heaven forbid little Johnny have a taste of vine.
The containers, like those used for lunchbox-sized fruit juices, go on sale in supermarkets next month in the latest attempt by the French wine industry to boost consumption among young urbanites
Is this a sign of the apocalypse? Maybe my French visitor can help us out. Have the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse been seen on the outskirts of Paris Catherine? Have you seen these things in stores of there? If so, what do people think about them?
I don’t know if this is a good idea or not but it seems like a real easy way to drink a lot of wine fast. Have you ever had a juice box? It’s very easy to suck one of those things down in a few seconds. This could be more fun than playing quarters or thumpers. They better be careful with them.
Sitting down to a nice dinner of Blanquette de veau and then shoving a straw into a juice box doesn’t seem quite as classy as pulling the cork on a nice bottle of Merlot. Does Merlot go with Blanquette de veau? I always get confused with what wine goes with what. You would think as a Catholic with Italian blood in me, I'd know wines better.
I’m not sure why I’m making fun of wine in juice boxes since I used to drink Boones Farm wine in college - hey it was all I could afford. That stuff couldn’t have been put into juice box containers; it would have melted through them. Here’s an old picture of me from college that I dug up.
Just don’t get them mixed up with the kid’s boxes and send some Bordeaux with your kid’s lunch to school. The school administration Nazi’s would probably expel them for life, after drinking your kids wine. It's ok for the schools to drug your kids with Ritalin and Concerta but heaven forbid little Johnny have a taste of vine.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ron Paul to End Campaign
One of the few politicians I actually liked and would have voted for. Um, actually the other one I can I think of at the moment.
By JIM VERTUNO / Associated Press
Maverick Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will end his campaign Thursday night in a speech near the Texas Republican convention and start a new effort to elect libertarian-leaning Republicans to offices around the country.
Campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said the announcement was "not a disappointment at all. I think this is really exciting."
A announcement at the state GOP meeting in Houston to end the campaign will be a formality, considering Paul won few delegates during the Republican primaries. But he raised large amounts of money online and developed a huge grassroots following.
By JIM VERTUNO / Associated Press
Maverick Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will end his campaign Thursday night in a speech near the Texas Republican convention and start a new effort to elect libertarian-leaning Republicans to offices around the country.
Campaign spokesman Jesse Benton said the announcement was "not a disappointment at all. I think this is really exciting."
A announcement at the state GOP meeting in Houston to end the campaign will be a formality, considering Paul won few delegates during the Republican primaries. But he raised large amounts of money online and developed a huge grassroots following.
Today's Workouts
15.5 mile run in the morning
10 miles at long run pace
5 miles at goal marathon pace (8:15)
.5 mile cool down
As Neil Young would say, this run left me feeling:
"...Helpless, helpless, helpless..."
600 meter swim after work
10 miles at long run pace
5 miles at goal marathon pace (8:15)
.5 mile cool down
As Neil Young would say, this run left me feeling:
"...Helpless, helpless, helpless..."
600 meter swim after work
For Men Only
Does this conversation sound familiar?
The Wife: ‘honey can we go out to dinner or a movie sometime?”
The Husband: ‘Why? One of the reasons I got married was so I didn’t have to go out on dates anymore. Dates are big pain in the rear and cost too much. Can't we just watch Ultimate Fighting on TV instead. And yes I’ll go make myself comfortable on the couch for the night’.
It took me years to realize the importance of dating your spouse. Women evidently love that type of thing. I on the other hand thought everyone liked to sit around the house at night and not talk – go figure. I think it's some type of emotional bonding thing that makes them feel closer to their husbands. Whereas all it takes men to get emotionally attached to their spouse is something that comes in one of these bags.
I’ve come to realize that dating your spouse is not optional; it’s a ‘gots to do’. This is especially true for stay at home moms whose only adult conversation comes from talking to the mailman or Amway salesman. Heck Sam rushes out of the house once a month when the guy comes to read the power meter just to get in some talking time. She was driving him so crazy they no longer read the meter and we get free electricity now.
It doesn’t have to be expensive…go for a walk, have dinner at home then go out for coffee and dessert, sit in the car by yourselves and neck like 'white-trash'…I’m sure our wives can come up with a 1000 things they would like to do other than the ONE thing we would like to do. And who knows, do something they like to do and you just might get to do something you like to do.
Try and dress up a bit too. Nothinig fancy but no looking like this dude.
Note to regular readers - this is not a picture of The Donk. The Donk wishes he was that good looking.
It also sets a good example for your children. It shows your sons how they should treat women and it shows your daughters how they should expect to be treated.
So Tuesday I was working from home and me and the Hunny went to the local Italian Grille. Nothing fancy and it only took an hour and cost 20 bucks. But it was an hour of conversation without interruption. No kids asking for a drink or snack, no kids butt's to wipe, no breaking up fights over Happy Meal toys, no yelling at the teenagers to get of the phone and do their chores. Just the two of us hanging out and talking and playing footsie under the table.
Maybe other guys already knew this and I'm just slow. Momma always did say I was special. But I put this out there as Public Service Announcement to my fellow husbands. Because sleeping on the couch is fun once in awhile but does get old after awhile.
I'm not sure why I titled this post 'For Men Only'. I think only women and The Donk read this blog.
The Wife: ‘honey can we go out to dinner or a movie sometime?”
The Husband: ‘Why? One of the reasons I got married was so I didn’t have to go out on dates anymore. Dates are big pain in the rear and cost too much. Can't we just watch Ultimate Fighting on TV instead. And yes I’ll go make myself comfortable on the couch for the night’.
It took me years to realize the importance of dating your spouse. Women evidently love that type of thing. I on the other hand thought everyone liked to sit around the house at night and not talk – go figure. I think it's some type of emotional bonding thing that makes them feel closer to their husbands. Whereas all it takes men to get emotionally attached to their spouse is something that comes in one of these bags.
I’ve come to realize that dating your spouse is not optional; it’s a ‘gots to do’. This is especially true for stay at home moms whose only adult conversation comes from talking to the mailman or Amway salesman. Heck Sam rushes out of the house once a month when the guy comes to read the power meter just to get in some talking time. She was driving him so crazy they no longer read the meter and we get free electricity now.
It doesn’t have to be expensive…go for a walk, have dinner at home then go out for coffee and dessert, sit in the car by yourselves and neck like 'white-trash'…I’m sure our wives can come up with a 1000 things they would like to do other than the ONE thing we would like to do. And who knows, do something they like to do and you just might get to do something you like to do.
Try and dress up a bit too. Nothinig fancy but no looking like this dude.
Note to regular readers - this is not a picture of The Donk. The Donk wishes he was that good looking.It also sets a good example for your children. It shows your sons how they should treat women and it shows your daughters how they should expect to be treated.
So Tuesday I was working from home and me and the Hunny went to the local Italian Grille. Nothing fancy and it only took an hour and cost 20 bucks. But it was an hour of conversation without interruption. No kids asking for a drink or snack, no kids butt's to wipe, no breaking up fights over Happy Meal toys, no yelling at the teenagers to get of the phone and do their chores. Just the two of us hanging out and talking and playing footsie under the table.
Maybe other guys already knew this and I'm just slow. Momma always did say I was special. But I put this out there as Public Service Announcement to my fellow husbands. Because sleeping on the couch is fun once in awhile but does get old after awhile.
I'm not sure why I titled this post 'For Men Only'. I think only women and The Donk read this blog.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Today's Workouts
5.5 mile run at lunch time. Nice temps today. Still warm but not stinking hot and humid.
Black Cinderella
"Black Cinderella, Black Cinderella. I want to watch Black Cinderella"
That was Mary running through the house the other night. It was her turn to pick out a movie. (Mary isn't very politacly correct - she get's it from her mother)
I HATE this version of Cinderella. Not cause it's musical (all though that is reason enough) and not cause it's a 'girlie' movie.
No, I hate it because of the silly political correctness.
The stepmother is White (Bernadette Peters). One of the step daughters is Black and one is White. Cinderella (Brandy) is Black. Ok that’s not to terrible but now we get to the Royal Family.
The King is White, the Queen is Black (Whoopi Goldberg) and the Prince is an Asian dude. Do they think we are stupid? Are they that desperate to seem inclusive that they go to these extreme lengths?
Even my kids think it’s silly. Why not just make one with an all Black Royal Family or an all Asian Royal Family? Heck they could even do an all Donkey Royal Family and I would be ok with that.
That was Mary running through the house the other night. It was her turn to pick out a movie. (Mary isn't very politacly correct - she get's it from her mother)
I HATE this version of Cinderella. Not cause it's musical (all though that is reason enough) and not cause it's a 'girlie' movie.
No, I hate it because of the silly political correctness.
The stepmother is White (Bernadette Peters). One of the step daughters is Black and one is White. Cinderella (Brandy) is Black. Ok that’s not to terrible but now we get to the Royal Family.
The King is White, the Queen is Black (Whoopi Goldberg) and the Prince is an Asian dude. Do they think we are stupid? Are they that desperate to seem inclusive that they go to these extreme lengths?
Even my kids think it’s silly. Why not just make one with an all Black Royal Family or an all Asian Royal Family? Heck they could even do an all Donkey Royal Family and I would be ok with that.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Today's Workouts
8 miles total running on the track at the local High School.
1st track workout since last August. Mile intervals today. With a target pace of 7:25 for this first time. I want to work that down to 5 of them at a 7:10 pace.
Todays Workout:
2 mile warm up (i think i was warm by the first lap)
4 X 1 mile with 1/4 mile jog in between. 1.25 mile cool down.
actual mile splits:
7:12 - need to work on pacing
7:20
7:18
7:29 - I knew I'd pay for that first one.
I went around 7am to try and beat some of the heat
1st track workout since last August. Mile intervals today. With a target pace of 7:25 for this first time. I want to work that down to 5 of them at a 7:10 pace.
Todays Workout:
2 mile warm up (i think i was warm by the first lap)
4 X 1 mile with 1/4 mile jog in between. 1.25 mile cool down.
actual mile splits:
7:12 - need to work on pacing
7:20
7:18
7:29 - I knew I'd pay for that first one.
I went around 7am to try and beat some of the heat
Heck She Might As Well Come Live With Us
Woman lives in man’s closet for a year in Japan.
TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- A homeless woman who sneaked into a man's house and lived undetected in his closet for a year was arrested in Japan after he became suspicious when food began disappearing.
Police found the 58-year-old woman Thursday hiding in the top compartment of the man's closet and arrested her for trespassing, police spokesman Hiroki Itakura from southern Kasuya town said Friday.
People seem to be amazed that it took this guy a year to realize someone else was living in his house. I'm not amazed. It could happen easily at our pad.
They should check out our house. I have no idea of the exact number of people that are in my house at any one time. It’s always in flux (that’s my word of the day – it’s fun to have a word).
For example just this past week on Wednesday night Caleb had 2 friends over and Alex had 6 over. Then on Thursday night Caleb had 2 friends spend the night. And this dude from Japan thinks his food disappears? Please! He should see my grocery bill.
Half the time I don’t even know if someone is over. I'll come walking out of my bedroom at night to check on the house and the kids, and people are over hanging out, watching TV etc... It can make it kind of embarrassing when I’m wearing just my underwear – for the other people not me.
And living in the closet undetected is no big deal either. When Caleb was 8 he decided he didn’t like sharing a bedroom with his older brother. So he cleaned out the coat-closet under the stairs. You know the kind, narrow with the sloping ceiling. He put a sleeping bag and pillow in there. He ran an extension cord in there and hooked up a small lamp and a CD player. He put in a little shelf to hold books and CD’s and things.
He lived in there for months until we got him to come out of the closet…so to speak.
TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- A homeless woman who sneaked into a man's house and lived undetected in his closet for a year was arrested in Japan after he became suspicious when food began disappearing.
Police found the 58-year-old woman Thursday hiding in the top compartment of the man's closet and arrested her for trespassing, police spokesman Hiroki Itakura from southern Kasuya town said Friday.
People seem to be amazed that it took this guy a year to realize someone else was living in his house. I'm not amazed. It could happen easily at our pad.
They should check out our house. I have no idea of the exact number of people that are in my house at any one time. It’s always in flux (that’s my word of the day – it’s fun to have a word).
For example just this past week on Wednesday night Caleb had 2 friends over and Alex had 6 over. Then on Thursday night Caleb had 2 friends spend the night. And this dude from Japan thinks his food disappears? Please! He should see my grocery bill.
Half the time I don’t even know if someone is over. I'll come walking out of my bedroom at night to check on the house and the kids, and people are over hanging out, watching TV etc... It can make it kind of embarrassing when I’m wearing just my underwear – for the other people not me.
And living in the closet undetected is no big deal either. When Caleb was 8 he decided he didn’t like sharing a bedroom with his older brother. So he cleaned out the coat-closet under the stairs. You know the kind, narrow with the sloping ceiling. He put a sleeping bag and pillow in there. He ran an extension cord in there and hooked up a small lamp and a CD player. He put in a little shelf to hold books and CD’s and things.
He lived in there for months until we got him to come out of the closet…so to speak.
Monday, June 9, 2008
A Day in the Life
Of a Dad of 11. Per Jennifer's request.
Actually here is our weekend.
Friday:
5-6am Sam goes to Holy Hour. I'm either asleep or hanging out with the little ones if they wake up before she get home.
7am get up and get ready for work (Tuesday's and Thursday's I work from home), make breakfast and lunch.
7:30 Leave for work
8am get to work.
11am I take my lunch break and go running. I run somewhere between 4.5-5.5 miles. Shower at the office and eat lunch at my desk.
4pm Leave for home. This past Friday I met the family and some friends at the pool to hang out and have dinner.
During the summer when the neighborhood pool is open that is the normal. Meet the family at the pool and swim and eat there or go home after a few hours to eat. When its not summer there are usually sports practices to take kids to.
8pm we headed home from the pool. Spent some time pulling every fan and window a/c unit's out of the attic that we own, since our air conditioner died and it was 95-100 all weekend here (but that's a whole nother post)
9-11pm I watched the a replay of the Men's Semi-Final match at the French Open.
11pm bed
Saturday:
6:30am Got up to get ready to go cycling with friends. We go early to beat the heat and get home before we get more 'heat' from our wives :)
7-9am Biked 42 miles.
10am Sam and the other kids took Joey to his baseball game until around 2pm. I would normally have gone but I had grass to cut at my dad's house.
10:30-12:30pm Cut my dad's grass. 2 acres or so. I'm his yard boy.
12:30-1pm Ran 3 miles in my dad's neighborhood. Then I went in his pool for awhile to cool off.
1:30pm Meet up with Sam and the kids at the house. We then divided and conquered. Sam stayed home with the little ones (nap time) and the older ones who didn't want to go to the pool.
1:30pm I went to the pool with Mary, Dominic and Robert. To get away from the heat at home. The workmen were at the house at 9am until 4pm getting the new unit in.
I stayed at the pool until 6pm. Sam came around then. After the little ones finished napping they all went to a graduation party.
6pm I took 3 of the kids who were hungry back home to grab a bite to eat. We also watched Big Brown lose the Belmont Stakes.
6:30 - We went back to the pool.
7:30pm I went home for good. 10+ hours in the sun and brutal heat were enough.
8:00pm watched a movie and then went to bed
Sunday:
8am Mass for me and 5 of the kids.
9am-11am Watched Nadal destroy Federer in the French Open
Noon Sam and 2 of the boys went to Mass. Robert was signing and Caleb was serving.
1pm met them after Mass for the church picnic. Our church is Sacred Heart and we celebrate the Feast Day on the second Sunday of June.
1-3:30pm sweated it out in the 98 degree heat at the picnic.
3:30 - headed to the pool, got text message from oldest child who was already at pool, that someone had an 'accident' in the pool and it was closed.
3:30 - 6pm went to neighbors house and played in the sprinkler and ordered pizza
6:30 - 9pm opening night of the neighborhood Whiffle Ball season. The kids had a blast
Actually here is our weekend.
Friday:
5-6am Sam goes to Holy Hour. I'm either asleep or hanging out with the little ones if they wake up before she get home.
7am get up and get ready for work (Tuesday's and Thursday's I work from home), make breakfast and lunch.
7:30 Leave for work
8am get to work.
11am I take my lunch break and go running. I run somewhere between 4.5-5.5 miles. Shower at the office and eat lunch at my desk.
4pm Leave for home. This past Friday I met the family and some friends at the pool to hang out and have dinner.
During the summer when the neighborhood pool is open that is the normal. Meet the family at the pool and swim and eat there or go home after a few hours to eat. When its not summer there are usually sports practices to take kids to.
8pm we headed home from the pool. Spent some time pulling every fan and window a/c unit's out of the attic that we own, since our air conditioner died and it was 95-100 all weekend here (but that's a whole nother post)
9-11pm I watched the a replay of the Men's Semi-Final match at the French Open.
11pm bed
Saturday:
6:30am Got up to get ready to go cycling with friends. We go early to beat the heat and get home before we get more 'heat' from our wives :)
7-9am Biked 42 miles.
10am Sam and the other kids took Joey to his baseball game until around 2pm. I would normally have gone but I had grass to cut at my dad's house.
10:30-12:30pm Cut my dad's grass. 2 acres or so. I'm his yard boy.
12:30-1pm Ran 3 miles in my dad's neighborhood. Then I went in his pool for awhile to cool off.
1:30pm Meet up with Sam and the kids at the house. We then divided and conquered. Sam stayed home with the little ones (nap time) and the older ones who didn't want to go to the pool.
1:30pm I went to the pool with Mary, Dominic and Robert. To get away from the heat at home. The workmen were at the house at 9am until 4pm getting the new unit in.
I stayed at the pool until 6pm. Sam came around then. After the little ones finished napping they all went to a graduation party.
6pm I took 3 of the kids who were hungry back home to grab a bite to eat. We also watched Big Brown lose the Belmont Stakes.
6:30 - We went back to the pool.
7:30pm I went home for good. 10+ hours in the sun and brutal heat were enough.
8:00pm watched a movie and then went to bed
Sunday:
8am Mass for me and 5 of the kids.
9am-11am Watched Nadal destroy Federer in the French Open
Noon Sam and 2 of the boys went to Mass. Robert was signing and Caleb was serving.
1pm met them after Mass for the church picnic. Our church is Sacred Heart and we celebrate the Feast Day on the second Sunday of June.
1-3:30pm sweated it out in the 98 degree heat at the picnic.
3:30 - headed to the pool, got text message from oldest child who was already at pool, that someone had an 'accident' in the pool and it was closed.
3:30 - 6pm went to neighbors house and played in the sprinkler and ordered pizza
6:30 - 9pm opening night of the neighborhood Whiffle Ball season. The kids had a blast
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Another One Bites the Dust
On Thursday I decided to try out the air conditioner for the first time this year since a heat and humidity wave were heading this way.
Friday was 90, Saturday 96 and today it's going up to 98 with a heat index of 105. It's hot enough to make a Nun swear. Man I wished I had kept those thongs from the robbery.
Clicked the central air on and nothing, zilch, nada. It was deader than Hilary's campaign.
So on Friday a friend and his business partner who do HVAC came over and confirmed that I had a better chance of being elected Miss America than this old AC unit had of coming back to life. Actually me being elected Miss America isn't that far fetched...have you seen me in a wedding dress?
A whole host of parts were busted on it. It would have cost thousands of dollars (or Euros) to get it running with no guarantee that it would run for long. So we decided to pull the plug on it and get a new unit. We are told the old one was 20-25 years old. Since they were pulling everything out we had them replace the old furnace with a new high efficiency one.
Late Friday afternoon the repair dudes rushed down to the Carrier Dealer and picked up a new AC and Furnace. Then bright and early Saturday morning they were at our house ripping out the old one. I think they felt sorry for us and all the kids. Or were afraid we'd kill each other trying to live in that hot house all weekend. How did people survive the heat before AC? I'm such a wuss. I need my AC.
By 3pm the guys had cold air blowing throughout the house!!!
Well Done Good and Faithful Servant
The Humpty Dumpty of AC Units
Size does matter
The repair guys say I now have the biggest unit in the neighborhood
I wonder how much this sucker is gonna cost to run...
Friday was 90, Saturday 96 and today it's going up to 98 with a heat index of 105. It's hot enough to make a Nun swear. Man I wished I had kept those thongs from the robbery.
Clicked the central air on and nothing, zilch, nada. It was deader than Hilary's campaign.
So on Friday a friend and his business partner who do HVAC came over and confirmed that I had a better chance of being elected Miss America than this old AC unit had of coming back to life. Actually me being elected Miss America isn't that far fetched...have you seen me in a wedding dress?
A whole host of parts were busted on it. It would have cost thousands of dollars (or Euros) to get it running with no guarantee that it would run for long. So we decided to pull the plug on it and get a new unit. We are told the old one was 20-25 years old. Since they were pulling everything out we had them replace the old furnace with a new high efficiency one.
Late Friday afternoon the repair dudes rushed down to the Carrier Dealer and picked up a new AC and Furnace. Then bright and early Saturday morning they were at our house ripping out the old one. I think they felt sorry for us and all the kids. Or were afraid we'd kill each other trying to live in that hot house all weekend. How did people survive the heat before AC? I'm such a wuss. I need my AC.
By 3pm the guys had cold air blowing throughout the house!!!
Well Done Good and Faithful Servant
The Humpty Dumpty of AC Units
Size does matterThe repair guys say I now have the biggest unit in the neighborhood
I wonder how much this sucker is gonna cost to run...
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