Dear Diary: Sorry for the long delays between posts, but I have been busy. Here's just a quick update:
Mary Lynn and I went to Disney World and had a really nice time for the most part. There were a few disappointments, but mostly a lot of fun things. We took scads of photos and I'll post a more detailed report - with pics - when I get a chance; maybe during the trip to Tennessee. We are off tomorrow to Kingsport for Thanksgiving with family! (See previous post). We're really looking forward to this. It's a little over 600 miles there, so we're taking two days to get there with a motel stop halfway to make it a little easier for us old folks. ;-)
Oh, great news - Kelly passed the Bar Exam! Yeaaa! (Knew she would - she be one dinkum thinkum!) So if you see her say congrats.
That's all I have time for now so Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Monday, November 21, 2005
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Off to See the Lizard!
Wow! Time flies doesn't it? I need to catch things up here. No change on the job front although I keep sending in apps and getting the odd e-mail response with a (usually) odd job description. I need to stay where I am for sure for a while 'cause it's slowed down a bit out there. Things will probably pick up in the fall. My classes have started at ITT, and they are going very well. The system they have for taking classes online is really great. I just have to do this for a couple years and, poof!, I have an MBA! Meanwhile, there's great doings afoot here at Casa McGee!
A little traveling music please! Mary Lynn and I have made big plans for the next few months to get out of Dodge, see some sights, and have some fun!
First, we're off to Disney World for a week in October to celebrate our 30th anniversary! Yippee! This is significant because we actually went to D-World during our honeymoon way back when. Back then, there were only three things there: the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Hotel, and the Polynesian Resort with a circle of monorail connecting them all. No Epcot, no MGM, no plethora of surrounding themed resorts, etc. But we sure had fun! We went back a few times before we left Florida in '81 but haven't been since so this will be far out! We've got plans to see and do a lot of the things we did the first time – the Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian resort, for instance, all those fun rides, making whoopee, and watching the fireworks! We also have a lot of new things to discover – our resort is by the new Animal kingdom which we'll visit and of course we have all of Epcot to explore. We just bought a new digital camera too so we'll be able to take more pictures than we could the first time (I still have a couple rolls of film to develop from '75 – LOL) Yea!
Then for Thanksgiving, we're going to drive down to Kingsport, TN, to celebrate the harvest with lots of family! There's my sister-in-law, Laurel, her husband George, and their four kids with their assorted spouses, significant others and their kids! Also – bonus! – Kelly will be driving in from D.C. for the festivities. We haven't seen these good people in many years so this will be a real treat! We're going to drive the new van down, making it an easy two-day drive so MLM can rest up and do some pool work halfway there.
Then for Christmas, we haven't decided what or where that's happening, but we're keeping our options open. It kind of depends on if Kelly plans to come to us for the holiday or if she'll have other plans. If she decides not to come, we may go somewhere ourselves instead. Maybe to Florida to see the in-laws (mine, not MLM's). Maybe to Tucson to see my Dad, younger sis Vicki, and her family. Maybe to Seattle to see one of Mary Lynn's best friends, Julie, and her family – we have a god-daughter there we've never met! Maybe to St. Louis to see my older sis Peggy and my niece and her family. All this depends on what the various folks at these potential destinations have planned – no sense going to Tucson if everyone there is going to California, for instance. Anyway, we are just pleased to be able to do these things. We've been immobile for pretty much most of our married life due to shortness of time and money (mostly money and my fault at that). But not anymore. We are making plans and keeping our options open to whatever opportunities come our way. Or, we'll make our own opportunities if we have to.
I'll post more details later. See you on the road!
Today's movie trivia question: In Casablanca, you'll recall Humphrey Bogart played the saloon owner, Rick. What was Rick's last name?
And, no, you can't look it up! A trivia answer doesn't count unless it's already in your head.
A little traveling music please! Mary Lynn and I have made big plans for the next few months to get out of Dodge, see some sights, and have some fun!
First, we're off to Disney World for a week in October to celebrate our 30th anniversary! Yippee! This is significant because we actually went to D-World during our honeymoon way back when. Back then, there were only three things there: the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Hotel, and the Polynesian Resort with a circle of monorail connecting them all. No Epcot, no MGM, no plethora of surrounding themed resorts, etc. But we sure had fun! We went back a few times before we left Florida in '81 but haven't been since so this will be far out! We've got plans to see and do a lot of the things we did the first time – the Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian resort, for instance, all those fun rides, making whoopee, and watching the fireworks! We also have a lot of new things to discover – our resort is by the new Animal kingdom which we'll visit and of course we have all of Epcot to explore. We just bought a new digital camera too so we'll be able to take more pictures than we could the first time (I still have a couple rolls of film to develop from '75 – LOL) Yea!
Then for Thanksgiving, we're going to drive down to Kingsport, TN, to celebrate the harvest with lots of family! There's my sister-in-law, Laurel, her husband George, and their four kids with their assorted spouses, significant others and their kids! Also – bonus! – Kelly will be driving in from D.C. for the festivities. We haven't seen these good people in many years so this will be a real treat! We're going to drive the new van down, making it an easy two-day drive so MLM can rest up and do some pool work halfway there.
Then for Christmas, we haven't decided what or where that's happening, but we're keeping our options open. It kind of depends on if Kelly plans to come to us for the holiday or if she'll have other plans. If she decides not to come, we may go somewhere ourselves instead. Maybe to Florida to see the in-laws (mine, not MLM's). Maybe to Tucson to see my Dad, younger sis Vicki, and her family. Maybe to Seattle to see one of Mary Lynn's best friends, Julie, and her family – we have a god-daughter there we've never met! Maybe to St. Louis to see my older sis Peggy and my niece and her family. All this depends on what the various folks at these potential destinations have planned – no sense going to Tucson if everyone there is going to California, for instance. Anyway, we are just pleased to be able to do these things. We've been immobile for pretty much most of our married life due to shortness of time and money (mostly money and my fault at that). But not anymore. We are making plans and keeping our options open to whatever opportunities come our way. Or, we'll make our own opportunities if we have to.
I'll post more details later. See you on the road!
Today's movie trivia question: In Casablanca, you'll recall Humphrey Bogart played the saloon owner, Rick. What was Rick's last name?
And, no, you can't look it up! A trivia answer doesn't count unless it's already in your head.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Same ol', Same ol' on Jobs, but Movies and Pizza!
No change on the job front. Haven't heard anymore on either the OfficeMax job or the one at Lucent. Maybe I'll just quit talking about them and let whatever happens happen. That's usually a better way to handle uncertainty - then I can focus on what's in front of me and needs handling now. That's quite a bit. I have my second shift job at Zurich, studying now for two more certification exams, and starting my first MBA classes in about 10 days. Should be an interesting Fall. ;-)
Seen any good movies lately? We've seen a lot! About six weeks ago I signed up for the Blockbuster No More Late Fees program. For $24.95 a month I get to check out two movies at a time, keep as long as I like, then swap them for two more. Kind of like Netflix only I have to do the transportation of the disks. Anyway, it worked out great for us at first 'cause the Blockbuster is next to the grocery store we go to all the time - made the swaps easy. I think we watched over 20 movies the first month - more than we'd rented the previous year! Really got caught up on the movies we'd been meaning to see.
Then, a couple weeks ago, Mary Lynn saw an ad online for Netflix - they have more subscription options now and are boasting better service. Now, we tried Netflix when they first started several years ago, but we were living in downtown Chicago at the time and the turnaround time for disks via the mail was to inconsistent. It would take up to a week for them to get to us and there was a pair of disks that never showed up at all, so we cancelled. I think at that time they only had two warehouses for the whole country; now they have lots more distribution centers so we thought we'd give 'em another chance. Well, turns out the local warehouse is in Carol Stream - just a few miles from the house! Very handy. We ordered up Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 - one of our favorite anime series - late in the evening, and it was in the mailbox the second day after that. Since then, we mail 'em back one day, I get an email report when Netflix receives them, and another later in the day that they mailed our next ones, and they're in our hands the next day. I can't complain about a one-day turn-around. Anyway, it's a little cheaper now too - just $17.95 a month for three disks at a time.
The best part is the selection. We were bummed with Blockbuster because once you got through the A-list of new releases and the odd small film that shows up there occassionally, the stock on hand is pretty limited. I have yet to search for an obsure film I've read about and not find it on Netflix.
Ahhh, pizza! We went into Chicago today for doctor's appointments and then went to Connie's Pizza on Archer for lunch! Yummm!! We used to get Connie's all the time when we lived downtown, but it was always delivered - we had never visited the restaurant. Then we moved to Schaumburg and discovered they just didn't deliver that far out of town! Bummer! Anyway, Mary Lynn had the spagetti with meatballs marinara, and I had the chicken caesar salad - then we ordered up a pizza to take home with us. Good plan! Lunch was great, and then I took a couple slices with me to work for dinner - I'm afraid they were gone in the first hour. Too good!
We got three more movies in the mail today. The fun never ends. ;-)
Seen any good movies lately? We've seen a lot! About six weeks ago I signed up for the Blockbuster No More Late Fees program. For $24.95 a month I get to check out two movies at a time, keep as long as I like, then swap them for two more. Kind of like Netflix only I have to do the transportation of the disks. Anyway, it worked out great for us at first 'cause the Blockbuster is next to the grocery store we go to all the time - made the swaps easy. I think we watched over 20 movies the first month - more than we'd rented the previous year! Really got caught up on the movies we'd been meaning to see.
Then, a couple weeks ago, Mary Lynn saw an ad online for Netflix - they have more subscription options now and are boasting better service. Now, we tried Netflix when they first started several years ago, but we were living in downtown Chicago at the time and the turnaround time for disks via the mail was to inconsistent. It would take up to a week for them to get to us and there was a pair of disks that never showed up at all, so we cancelled. I think at that time they only had two warehouses for the whole country; now they have lots more distribution centers so we thought we'd give 'em another chance. Well, turns out the local warehouse is in Carol Stream - just a few miles from the house! Very handy. We ordered up Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 - one of our favorite anime series - late in the evening, and it was in the mailbox the second day after that. Since then, we mail 'em back one day, I get an email report when Netflix receives them, and another later in the day that they mailed our next ones, and they're in our hands the next day. I can't complain about a one-day turn-around. Anyway, it's a little cheaper now too - just $17.95 a month for three disks at a time.
The best part is the selection. We were bummed with Blockbuster because once you got through the A-list of new releases and the odd small film that shows up there occassionally, the stock on hand is pretty limited. I have yet to search for an obsure film I've read about and not find it on Netflix.
Ahhh, pizza! We went into Chicago today for doctor's appointments and then went to Connie's Pizza on Archer for lunch! Yummm!! We used to get Connie's all the time when we lived downtown, but it was always delivered - we had never visited the restaurant. Then we moved to Schaumburg and discovered they just didn't deliver that far out of town! Bummer! Anyway, Mary Lynn had the spagetti with meatballs marinara, and I had the chicken caesar salad - then we ordered up a pizza to take home with us. Good plan! Lunch was great, and then I took a couple slices with me to work for dinner - I'm afraid they were gone in the first hour. Too good!
We got three more movies in the mail today. The fun never ends. ;-)
Monday, August 15, 2005
Branching Out Into Office Supplies, Maybe...?
So I have a recruiting firm talking to me about going to work for OfficeMax! That would be pretty cool - printer ink at wholesale and all. ;-)
I went for an interview at the recruiter's office last week and it went very well. They want to submit me as a lead or manager position at the corporate IT center - I would direct a dozen or so people and be the go-to guy for second and third level problem escalations. The best part is that this is a direct-hire position - not contract - so I would have bennies! I have zilch as a contractor; in fact, I'm having to pay COBRA fees to continue my insurance from Sara Lee because the plan from my contract firm sucks blue whale. So this would be better.
It's been almost a month since my interview at Lucent, so I'm going to e-mail the manager there to let him know I'm still interested and to keep on the top of his list. It's good to have choices.
Had a really nice weekend. Mary Lynn and I went to the Egg-clectic Cafe for brunch on Saturday - then did a little shopping at WalMart and Sam's Club. At the cafe MLM ordered a patty-melt on sourdough which she said was the best she'd ever had - she ended up giving me half and I agreed! I had an excellent grilled chicken and fresh fruit and greens salad - had to pack up 2/3s of it to bring home "for later." Then to Woodfield Mall for her to have her nails done and pick up her new glasses at Lenscrafters. The glasses look great on her! Oval lenses in thin RED metal frames. Also, instead of getting the photo-sensitive lenses this time, she got magnetic clip-on shades like I have. We are both very cool now. Then we went to dinner. We'd been talking about trying new places for a while so since we were at the mall Mary Lynn suggested Red Robin (the world's greatest gourmet burger maker), and it was really great! The atmosphere was fun and noisy - lots of families and rock music in the air. Huge, tasty burgers and appetizers - MLM took over half her burger home and I took over half my hot wings appetizer "for later." Anyway, good fun food - we recommend it. ;-) We were going to go to a movie but the day was shot by now and so were we, so we went home to relax.
Took some movies back to Blockbuster and picked up two more that were lots of fun! We recommend Kung Fu Hustle and Guess Who? Check 'em out! If I have time I'll discuss them on a later post. Gotta go for now.
Oooh, it's the ides of August. Everybody watch your step!
;-)
I went for an interview at the recruiter's office last week and it went very well. They want to submit me as a lead or manager position at the corporate IT center - I would direct a dozen or so people and be the go-to guy for second and third level problem escalations. The best part is that this is a direct-hire position - not contract - so I would have bennies! I have zilch as a contractor; in fact, I'm having to pay COBRA fees to continue my insurance from Sara Lee because the plan from my contract firm sucks blue whale. So this would be better.
It's been almost a month since my interview at Lucent, so I'm going to e-mail the manager there to let him know I'm still interested and to keep on the top of his list. It's good to have choices.
Had a really nice weekend. Mary Lynn and I went to the Egg-clectic Cafe for brunch on Saturday - then did a little shopping at WalMart and Sam's Club. At the cafe MLM ordered a patty-melt on sourdough which she said was the best she'd ever had - she ended up giving me half and I agreed! I had an excellent grilled chicken and fresh fruit and greens salad - had to pack up 2/3s of it to bring home "for later." Then to Woodfield Mall for her to have her nails done and pick up her new glasses at Lenscrafters. The glasses look great on her! Oval lenses in thin RED metal frames. Also, instead of getting the photo-sensitive lenses this time, she got magnetic clip-on shades like I have. We are both very cool now. Then we went to dinner. We'd been talking about trying new places for a while so since we were at the mall Mary Lynn suggested Red Robin (the world's greatest gourmet burger maker), and it was really great! The atmosphere was fun and noisy - lots of families and rock music in the air. Huge, tasty burgers and appetizers - MLM took over half her burger home and I took over half my hot wings appetizer "for later." Anyway, good fun food - we recommend it. ;-) We were going to go to a movie but the day was shot by now and so were we, so we went home to relax.
Took some movies back to Blockbuster and picked up two more that were lots of fun! We recommend Kung Fu Hustle and Guess Who? Check 'em out! If I have time I'll discuss them on a later post. Gotta go for now.
Oooh, it's the ides of August. Everybody watch your step!
;-)
Monday, August 08, 2005
Lionel's New Catalog!
Oh, Boy! The new Lionel 2005 Classic Train Catalog Volume 2 is online!
And look! there on the cover! The C&O Allegheny! My favorite engine of all time! One of the biggest, most powerful reciprocating steam locomotives ever built! I actually saw one of the only two still in existence back in 1996 when Mary Lynn and I were in D.C. and visited the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. We have a photo of me hanging from the grab iron on the rear of the tender!
This one is a special Joshua Lionel Cohen commemorative issue with full TCC, sounds, and computerized speed control - along with a host of other features. Which I guess one would expect on a model retailing for $1700! Ackk! Oh, well; Chistmas is coming. Every year, thank goodness. ;-)
Someday... It will be mine...
Someday.....
(sigh)
And look! there on the cover! The C&O Allegheny! My favorite engine of all time! One of the biggest, most powerful reciprocating steam locomotives ever built! I actually saw one of the only two still in existence back in 1996 when Mary Lynn and I were in D.C. and visited the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. We have a photo of me hanging from the grab iron on the rear of the tender!
This one is a special Joshua Lionel Cohen commemorative issue with full TCC, sounds, and computerized speed control - along with a host of other features. Which I guess one would expect on a model retailing for $1700! Ackk! Oh, well; Chistmas is coming. Every year, thank goodness. ;-)
Someday... It will be mine...
Someday.....
(sigh)
Friday, August 05, 2005
Takin' Another Step
So today is my last day at CCH. This was the three-week day job that I've been on for two months now. Everyone is sad to see me go and wishes I would tough it out a few more weeks so they can get the project finished. It's really nice to be appreciated. The people I've worked with here are from Perot Systems or consultants working for PS - PS does all of CCH's IT work. Everyone is top-notch and I'll miss them too!
The night job at Zurich is working out very well. The second shift often has little to do other than be available in case something crashes so I am putting in a lot of time studying. Last night I had an interesting issue with a pair of web and data servers that I got put into a conference call with several folks trying to resolve it. I was the guy actually doing all the analysis on the servers and came up with a solution that worked slick as can be and everyone was happy. It was fun! Other than that, it's pretty quiet and I can study for Network+. My co-workers there are pretty cool as well - IT night staff tend to be an unusual crowd so it's very pleasant there - nobody is uptight or under much pressure (except this one manager but we all know he's got issues). It's going to be great to work there until the Lucent (or something even better!) job comes along.
So with the night shift job I have to change my plans about where to go to get my MBA - did I mention I was going for my MBA? Maybe not. Anyway, I was on track to go to Northern Illinois Univ 'cause they have an excellent night program but that won't work with my current job. So I checked around and found that ITT has an online MBA program - with a tech focus of course - so I've started the process of enrolling there. The classes are rated at four hours and they're on the quarter system so I'll actually finish a lot sooner than at NIU. Wah-Hoo!
My Dad is coming to visit on Monday! He's flying into O'Hare and renting a car to visit us for a couple days before driving up to Milwaukee for the annual reunion of his old army outfit (WW-II). He was in the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge and all that and I'm really proud of him. I just wish he'd get his C.O. to approve a purple heart for him. He was injured in the leg when a truck he was in was blown off the road by artilliary, and though he was offered the medal he didn't persue it because he wasn't actually shot or maimed (and working with a mobile hospital unit he had seen plenty of the worst), but I say, hey, it was under fire so you should have it. I think he might ask this time but who knows, he is a humble man.
I returned the train set Dad gave me but haven't ordered anything to replace it yet. The website he used doesn't have a lot of Lionel stuff right now - they expect a lot of new things in the Fall so I'll probably wait till then.
Last weekend we celebrated Mary Lynn's birthday (it was the 30th) and had a really nice time (Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!). She had to work but got off at 3:00, so I met her then and we went shopping! She got a 'way cool Tinkerbelle wrist watch and some clothes and some new makeup at Sephora that looks great on her! I am very glad that our money was stable with plenty available to give her a nice celebration - God knows she deserves it! I have been known to really FUBAR the checkbook at just the wrong time to screw things up - but not this time, and not anymore.
So this weekend I get to clean out the closet in the guest room - Yea! Should be fun, sorta, I know I've been wanting to do it for weeks but have not had the time.
Later.
;-)
The night job at Zurich is working out very well. The second shift often has little to do other than be available in case something crashes so I am putting in a lot of time studying. Last night I had an interesting issue with a pair of web and data servers that I got put into a conference call with several folks trying to resolve it. I was the guy actually doing all the analysis on the servers and came up with a solution that worked slick as can be and everyone was happy. It was fun! Other than that, it's pretty quiet and I can study for Network+. My co-workers there are pretty cool as well - IT night staff tend to be an unusual crowd so it's very pleasant there - nobody is uptight or under much pressure (except this one manager but we all know he's got issues). It's going to be great to work there until the Lucent (or something even better!) job comes along.
So with the night shift job I have to change my plans about where to go to get my MBA - did I mention I was going for my MBA? Maybe not. Anyway, I was on track to go to Northern Illinois Univ 'cause they have an excellent night program but that won't work with my current job. So I checked around and found that ITT has an online MBA program - with a tech focus of course - so I've started the process of enrolling there. The classes are rated at four hours and they're on the quarter system so I'll actually finish a lot sooner than at NIU. Wah-Hoo!
My Dad is coming to visit on Monday! He's flying into O'Hare and renting a car to visit us for a couple days before driving up to Milwaukee for the annual reunion of his old army outfit (WW-II). He was in the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge and all that and I'm really proud of him. I just wish he'd get his C.O. to approve a purple heart for him. He was injured in the leg when a truck he was in was blown off the road by artilliary, and though he was offered the medal he didn't persue it because he wasn't actually shot or maimed (and working with a mobile hospital unit he had seen plenty of the worst), but I say, hey, it was under fire so you should have it. I think he might ask this time but who knows, he is a humble man.
I returned the train set Dad gave me but haven't ordered anything to replace it yet. The website he used doesn't have a lot of Lionel stuff right now - they expect a lot of new things in the Fall so I'll probably wait till then.
Last weekend we celebrated Mary Lynn's birthday (it was the 30th) and had a really nice time (Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!). She had to work but got off at 3:00, so I met her then and we went shopping! She got a 'way cool Tinkerbelle wrist watch and some clothes and some new makeup at Sephora that looks great on her! I am very glad that our money was stable with plenty available to give her a nice celebration - God knows she deserves it! I have been known to really FUBAR the checkbook at just the wrong time to screw things up - but not this time, and not anymore.
So this weekend I get to clean out the closet in the guest room - Yea! Should be fun, sorta, I know I've been wanting to do it for weeks but have not had the time.
Later.
;-)
Thursday, July 21, 2005
What A Great Week!
So, after our great weekend, the week itself is turning out pretty good. On Monday I had to go to the post office to pick up our copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince we had pre-ordered from Amazon a couple years ago I think, and when I got home our postal lady had another package for us - my diploma! Yeehaa!! It looks really good - the spelled my name right and all. I'll post a picture when I get a chance. Now it's really real!
Tuesday I had another job interview! This for Lucent as an Exchange Communications Administrator. The 'view went very well and I was told I would be called when it was time to assemble the support team. This manager is gathering his potential techs so he can put us in place in a short time once management tells him to do it. The position won't actually exist for two or three months. The timing is working out great for me as I am using the quiet times on my second-shift job to study for my certifications. I feel like things are falling into place at last. I only got to sleep a couple hours last night so I'm really beat, but in spite of that I was really productive at both jobs today!
Wednesday night Mary Lynn had to work 5:00 to closing at Sears and she was really beat when she finally finished at 10:30 so she called me for help. What's great about my shift job is that the Zurich building is right next to Woodfield Mall where she works, so I could buzz out for a few minutes to help her load and unload her scooter in the van. What a blessing that is.
And finally, on Friday, Mary Lynn is scheduled to have her new scooter delivered! Yea! It's brand new with a comfy seat and rear suspension which will really help her back and other joints. So, this should finish up as a great week! Oh, and then on Saturday, Mary Lynn has two job interviews at Nordstrom's Closet. So maybe she can get out of the weird environment at Sears and join the weird environment at Nordstrom's, but for better pay. ;-) I wish her luck!
The only drawback is it's really hot and muggy here right now. Oh, but that won't last. Let's all have a great weekend! Okay?! Good!
Tuesday I had another job interview! This for Lucent as an Exchange Communications Administrator. The 'view went very well and I was told I would be called when it was time to assemble the support team. This manager is gathering his potential techs so he can put us in place in a short time once management tells him to do it. The position won't actually exist for two or three months. The timing is working out great for me as I am using the quiet times on my second-shift job to study for my certifications. I feel like things are falling into place at last. I only got to sleep a couple hours last night so I'm really beat, but in spite of that I was really productive at both jobs today!
Wednesday night Mary Lynn had to work 5:00 to closing at Sears and she was really beat when she finally finished at 10:30 so she called me for help. What's great about my shift job is that the Zurich building is right next to Woodfield Mall where she works, so I could buzz out for a few minutes to help her load and unload her scooter in the van. What a blessing that is.
And finally, on Friday, Mary Lynn is scheduled to have her new scooter delivered! Yea! It's brand new with a comfy seat and rear suspension which will really help her back and other joints. So, this should finish up as a great week! Oh, and then on Saturday, Mary Lynn has two job interviews at Nordstrom's Closet. So maybe she can get out of the weird environment at Sears and join the weird environment at Nordstrom's, but for better pay. ;-) I wish her luck!
The only drawback is it's really hot and muggy here right now. Oh, but that won't last. Let's all have a great weekend! Okay?! Good!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Chocolate is Addictive!
Had a great weekend! Mary Lynn and I cruised into Chicago to get her hair done ( her most excellent stylist, Shellie, has moved to Orlando, but she was back this weekend for a family do and was able to squeeze in a session with MLM). Then we were going to have a late lunch, early dinner at our favorite Greek restaurant, Pegasus, but Shellie suggested we try Costa's (both in Greektown along Halsted, of course), so we did. It was excellent! Great avgolemono soup and the best mousaka MLM's ever had. I got the lamb with artichokes and it was just perfect! Recommended!
Then we went to see Charlie and the Cholocolate Factory and had a wonderful time! We've always been big fans of the 1971 Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder's wonderful, personal, interpretive performance, so we were anxious to see this new take on the story. Well, it is just marvelous! The casting of all the characters is perfect with a natural balance in all the performances. Johnny Depp's Wonka is just amazing - filled with a child-like wonder, an innocence of the world, yet totally in control of his factory and all that goes on there. On the other hand, we see a guy with issues. When his guests mention something or ask a question that triggers an event in Wonka's past we see his eyes glaze over and we dissolve into a flashback of sometimes horrific events that would keep most people on an analyst's couch for decades (in fact, Wonka does go through some analysis with his own Sigmund Oompa-Loompa!)
All the Oompa-Loompas are played by Deep Roy, a 4'-4" tall character actor and stunt man who's been in films like Big Fish, Return of the Jedi, and Planet of the Apes. His characterizations are duplicated digitally up to 165 times for the big music numbers. The music and songs are great - all written and performed by Danny Elfman, another favorite of ours, with production numbers that would flabbergast Busby Berkely!
Anyway, we plan to see it again soon, and encourage you all to do the same.
Mmmmmm, chocolate!
Then we went to see Charlie and the Cholocolate Factory and had a wonderful time! We've always been big fans of the 1971 Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder's wonderful, personal, interpretive performance, so we were anxious to see this new take on the story. Well, it is just marvelous! The casting of all the characters is perfect with a natural balance in all the performances. Johnny Depp's Wonka is just amazing - filled with a child-like wonder, an innocence of the world, yet totally in control of his factory and all that goes on there. On the other hand, we see a guy with issues. When his guests mention something or ask a question that triggers an event in Wonka's past we see his eyes glaze over and we dissolve into a flashback of sometimes horrific events that would keep most people on an analyst's couch for decades (in fact, Wonka does go through some analysis with his own Sigmund Oompa-Loompa!)
All the Oompa-Loompas are played by Deep Roy, a 4'-4" tall character actor and stunt man who's been in films like Big Fish, Return of the Jedi, and Planet of the Apes. His characterizations are duplicated digitally up to 165 times for the big music numbers. The music and songs are great - all written and performed by Danny Elfman, another favorite of ours, with production numbers that would flabbergast Busby Berkely!
Anyway, we plan to see it again soon, and encourage you all to do the same.
Mmmmmm, chocolate!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
A Picture Worth A Thousand Words.
Okay, so you won re-election already! Can we call it quits and bring our troops back home now?
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Another New Job!
So, I'm at work at my little short-time contract job (where they have just assigned me more responsibility and were very complementary about my work and wanted me to do this extra stuff 'cause I'm the only one they'll trust it with), when I get a call from my recruiter at TEKSystems to say I have a job! This is at Zurich - the international finance and insurance company - which he submitted me for on Monday. He said they would probably act fast on their decision and I might start next Monday if everything goes well. The money is right, but the health benefits from TEKSystems suck, and the work is second shift - 4:00-midnight. Anyway, he calls me this morning and says I have the job but they need me to start today!
So, I hurry down to my supervisor's cube to give him the bad news. He totally understood and asked how much notice I was giving and I told him none, really. However, my current contract was scheduled to finish the end of July (about two weeks) so I offered to start there at 7:00am and do the work they have for me and then go to my next job at 3:00. He actually said that would be great and thanked me for the extra effort and not leaving them in the lurch. Kewl~!
So for the next two weeks (or as long as I can stand it) I will be double-dipping as they say which will really help things around the house, dontchaknow. ;-)
The job is going to be very cool in that I will be monitoring several hundred servers and taking calls should anything happen with any of them. We are also decommissioning a bunch of them and adding new ones. I'll learn a lot here! Plus, my coworkers say that when it's slow with projects or anything we can do what we like - which for me will studying for more certifications. It's a win-win.
My only concern is Mary Lynn getting to work. We have found the the chair lift in the new van is a lot harder for her to manipulate than we thought it was going to be. She really strains her back when pushing or pulling the scooter in and out. At least once the day job ends for me I'll be around most of the day to help out. Pray with me that she doesn't injure herself in the meantime. That would make the new job not be worth it!
Gotta go now. All skate; all skate....
So, I hurry down to my supervisor's cube to give him the bad news. He totally understood and asked how much notice I was giving and I told him none, really. However, my current contract was scheduled to finish the end of July (about two weeks) so I offered to start there at 7:00am and do the work they have for me and then go to my next job at 3:00. He actually said that would be great and thanked me for the extra effort and not leaving them in the lurch. Kewl~!
So for the next two weeks (or as long as I can stand it) I will be double-dipping as they say which will really help things around the house, dontchaknow. ;-)
The job is going to be very cool in that I will be monitoring several hundred servers and taking calls should anything happen with any of them. We are also decommissioning a bunch of them and adding new ones. I'll learn a lot here! Plus, my coworkers say that when it's slow with projects or anything we can do what we like - which for me will studying for more certifications. It's a win-win.
My only concern is Mary Lynn getting to work. We have found the the chair lift in the new van is a lot harder for her to manipulate than we thought it was going to be. She really strains her back when pushing or pulling the scooter in and out. At least once the day job ends for me I'll be around most of the day to help out. Pray with me that she doesn't injure herself in the meantime. That would make the new job not be worth it!
Gotta go now. All skate; all skate....
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Catching Up
Well, I have a few minutes for a quick update. Let's see... I did not get the job at Bank of America - they said my background was strong but they really wanted someone with trading floor experience. I say, hire me and by day two I'll have the experience you need! Oh, well.
I picked up a short-time contract job that should last until the end of July so that's helping. Also hit the job postings Sunday night and there were a plethora of new openings which I applied for. I have had four calls today from recruiters and have been submitted to about eight companies right now. I figure it's just a matter of time - and pretty soon now. This is good news since my last severance check from Sara Lee arrives this week. Whew! So I've been commuting from Schaumburg to Riverwoods (15 miles) or North Chicago (20 miles) for the last three weeks. It's been a bit of an ego boost since I immediately picked up the focus of the project and began offering ways to accomplish things more efficiently and so became the "go to" guy in a day and a half. Doesn't increase my pay or contract but it makes the work more challenging and fun.
It's been challenging at home lately too. Mary Lynn went into the hospital last month with a severe arthritis-related foot condition. She was in there for a week! 'Course it was the same week I started this new contract job! Anyway, she's doing much better now and she'll share some of the details with you on her blog.
I got some very nice cash presents from family and friends for my graduation. But the best gift came from my Dad - he got me a train set! A very nice one, too, with lots of accessories and an over and under figure eight layout with trestles and all. Very cool. Y'know, he put together my first 4'x 8' train board when I was a lad, with a nifty chain and pulley arrangement that let me lift it up against the wall when not being used. I think he wanted to get it for me since during so much of my growing up years my train time was restricted as being inappropriate. I often felt guilty just running one around the tracks, let alone getting wrapped up in scenery and building structures for it. Oh, well. The sticky bit with this set is that it's in HO scale, which of course I worked in for over thirty years and Dad knew that. However, since I got my Polar Express for Christmas I decided to go with O scale Lionel from now on. I put my HO stuff on eBay, and just a couple weeks ago sold my last set of cars! How ironic. After a few days of trying to figure out how not to hurt his feelings, I called him up and laid it out for him - emphasizing the fact that I REALLY appreciated him getting me a train and that it was very nice one at that. He was very gracious and understood completely and encouraged me to return the set to the company for credit and then get what I wanted for my Lionel. What a guy! So, I sent it back and I'll either get a pair of turnouts or wait for the two new Polar Express cars to come out in August. Whee!
The Lionel is packed away right now due to a financial indescretion on my part - my decision, not punishment - and I'll get it out again when I get a full-time job. Much to do around the house anyway. Much tidying to be done in the office. Also studying for Network+ certification. Once I have Network+ to go with my A+, there are only three Microsoft exams to take and I'll be an MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator). This will definitely help the job prospects down the road. Also working on getting my application together for the MBA program in the fall. Busy, busy!
Saw some great movies lately which I may talk about later. Dinnertime is over now though, so I must go. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth of July!
See you later.
I picked up a short-time contract job that should last until the end of July so that's helping. Also hit the job postings Sunday night and there were a plethora of new openings which I applied for. I have had four calls today from recruiters and have been submitted to about eight companies right now. I figure it's just a matter of time - and pretty soon now. This is good news since my last severance check from Sara Lee arrives this week. Whew! So I've been commuting from Schaumburg to Riverwoods (15 miles) or North Chicago (20 miles) for the last three weeks. It's been a bit of an ego boost since I immediately picked up the focus of the project and began offering ways to accomplish things more efficiently and so became the "go to" guy in a day and a half. Doesn't increase my pay or contract but it makes the work more challenging and fun.
It's been challenging at home lately too. Mary Lynn went into the hospital last month with a severe arthritis-related foot condition. She was in there for a week! 'Course it was the same week I started this new contract job! Anyway, she's doing much better now and she'll share some of the details with you on her blog.
I got some very nice cash presents from family and friends for my graduation. But the best gift came from my Dad - he got me a train set! A very nice one, too, with lots of accessories and an over and under figure eight layout with trestles and all. Very cool. Y'know, he put together my first 4'x 8' train board when I was a lad, with a nifty chain and pulley arrangement that let me lift it up against the wall when not being used. I think he wanted to get it for me since during so much of my growing up years my train time was restricted as being inappropriate. I often felt guilty just running one around the tracks, let alone getting wrapped up in scenery and building structures for it. Oh, well. The sticky bit with this set is that it's in HO scale, which of course I worked in for over thirty years and Dad knew that. However, since I got my Polar Express for Christmas I decided to go with O scale Lionel from now on. I put my HO stuff on eBay, and just a couple weeks ago sold my last set of cars! How ironic. After a few days of trying to figure out how not to hurt his feelings, I called him up and laid it out for him - emphasizing the fact that I REALLY appreciated him getting me a train and that it was very nice one at that. He was very gracious and understood completely and encouraged me to return the set to the company for credit and then get what I wanted for my Lionel. What a guy! So, I sent it back and I'll either get a pair of turnouts or wait for the two new Polar Express cars to come out in August. Whee!
The Lionel is packed away right now due to a financial indescretion on my part - my decision, not punishment - and I'll get it out again when I get a full-time job. Much to do around the house anyway. Much tidying to be done in the office. Also studying for Network+ certification. Once I have Network+ to go with my A+, there are only three Microsoft exams to take and I'll be an MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator). This will definitely help the job prospects down the road. Also working on getting my application together for the MBA program in the fall. Busy, busy!
Saw some great movies lately which I may talk about later. Dinnertime is over now though, so I must go. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth of July!
See you later.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
The Big "I"
So, good news; I have an interview tomorrow! I had a recruiter contact me a couple weeks ago and I went in and met with him and he has submitted me to like four jobs already - Thanks, Quincy! Anyway, the first job he initially called me for is at Bank of America downtown. Mmmmm. So we heard nothing for a while then they called yesterday and said they wanted to do the interview thing. Dress will be business - not business casual - which means a suit and tie. Now, I haven't owned a suit in about 20 years, but Mary Lynn and I looked at each other and said together, "Gotta go get one!" See, this is a bank - typically quite conservative institutions, and it's a contract to hire position so this could work into a long-term gig with nice bennies, etc. It'll be tough enough for them to get over the earring, so it seemed prudent to invest in a suit. Even if this one doesn't work out, I can use it for future interviews.
I went down to the Men's Warehouse and got one in about 15 minutes. Told the guy I had an interview on Thursday and no suit. Said I wanted navy or dark grey with a muted pinstripe and after a quick chest measure he trotted over and pulled out a half dozen likely styles (I appreciate a clerk who knows his inventory!). I picked a navy with a two-tone pinstripe - it alternates between a single thread of gold and a double thread of federal blue - very subtle and classsy. I can then pick out either stripe depending on what shirt and tie I wear. Bought a new tie too. One nice thing happened: (remember that I am exercising and eating right now to get my boyish figure back?) the guy pulled one jacket out and said, Oh no, sorry, that is a portly size. This means I am not portly anymore, just big - Yea!
So, here's hoping the interview gods smile down on me.
Confidence
I went down to the Men's Warehouse and got one in about 15 minutes. Told the guy I had an interview on Thursday and no suit. Said I wanted navy or dark grey with a muted pinstripe and after a quick chest measure he trotted over and pulled out a half dozen likely styles (I appreciate a clerk who knows his inventory!). I picked a navy with a two-tone pinstripe - it alternates between a single thread of gold and a double thread of federal blue - very subtle and classsy. I can then pick out either stripe depending on what shirt and tie I wear. Bought a new tie too. One nice thing happened: (remember that I am exercising and eating right now to get my boyish figure back?) the guy pulled one jacket out and said, Oh no, sorry, that is a portly size. This means I am not portly anymore, just big - Yea!
So, here's hoping the interview gods smile down on me.
Confidence
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Okay, Now It's Real
So, a couple weeks ago I finished my last class and completed the requirements for my BS at Northwestern. Never really believed it though until today. I have had family and friends congratulate me (thanks everyone!) and once I updated my listings on Monster and HotJobs I've been getting four to six calls about jobs per day.
But last week I ordered my announcements. They came today and I saw my name in lovely script stating that I am "a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science!" Whoa! I got chills. I guess they're not kidding, and I won't get that phone call saying "Ha! Fraud! You think we'd give YOU a degree? Mwwahahahahaa!" So, yeah, it seems they will. Yea!!
The Force is strong in this one.
But last week I ordered my announcements. They came today and I saw my name in lovely script stating that I am "a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science!" Whoa! I got chills. I guess they're not kidding, and I won't get that phone call saying "Ha! Fraud! You think we'd give YOU a degree? Mwwahahahahaa!" So, yeah, it seems they will. Yea!!
The Force is strong in this one.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Ridin' the Rails!
I finally got the office/guest room tidied up and moved the Total Gym in there. It’s real easy to fold up and roll out of the way if we have to open the hide-a-bed. Yesterday I was tidying up the living room and found I could even put our spare power wheelchair in the office – it’s in front of a bookcase but easily moved, and I can still open the closet door with it there. More good news: I've had this wheelchair on eBay and I think I have a buyer! We've been discussing her making payments rather than come up with the whole price at once and she sounds serious, so cross your fingers.
Anyway, with that done I could set my Lionel back up in the living room which I did last night. Wheee! I picked up a half dozen pieces of track at this local hobby shop that was closing, sad to say. The owner is an older gentleman who was retiring and didn’t want to go to the trouble of selling the shop to someone else; so he just put everything on sale. I dropped by the last day he was open and got some FasTrack at half price. I love hobby shops and it saddened me to see this one go – they’re a lot more scarce now than when I was a kid. Today they have to be pretty big to make a profit. I guess the days of the small neighborhood hobby shop are gone. More and more of them are online now. I know Mary Lynn got my Polar Express at InternetHobbies.com! Oh well, I have a nice dog-bone loop now under the picture window. Sweet!
Anyway, with that done I could set my Lionel back up in the living room which I did last night. Wheee! I picked up a half dozen pieces of track at this local hobby shop that was closing, sad to say. The owner is an older gentleman who was retiring and didn’t want to go to the trouble of selling the shop to someone else; so he just put everything on sale. I dropped by the last day he was open and got some FasTrack at half price. I love hobby shops and it saddened me to see this one go – they’re a lot more scarce now than when I was a kid. Today they have to be pretty big to make a profit. I guess the days of the small neighborhood hobby shop are gone. More and more of them are online now. I know Mary Lynn got my Polar Express at InternetHobbies.com! Oh well, I have a nice dog-bone loop now under the picture window. Sweet!
Friday, May 20, 2005
Two steps forward; half a step back...
Jobwise things are still looking promising. I have half-dozen recruiters who’ve contacted me from my Monster.com posting and I’ve been submitted for two jobs right now, so we’ll see what happens. Also, I got a call from the job placement company that Sara Lee retained to help their laid off employees get new positions. I have a meeting with my personal consultant next Monday and then an orientation after that. Should be helpful!
Health habits are still progressing well. I had to give up giving up diet-Coke for now. Once I get the eating and exercise habits changed I’ll address that. We went out to dinner a couple weeks after I started this and Mary Lynn just ordered me one while I was in the restroom (I haven’t discussed the new program with her so I can focus on it myself without her worrying if I’m doing it or not). It was very tasty and a bit of a relief! So I am using d-C again for now, but much less than I was drinking a month ago. We found a nifty water jug at Jewel a few weeks ago – it’s called a Bubba KEG® 52 and looks like a little barrel with a handle on the side. It’s insulated with a leak-proof lid, a sealable drinking lip, and it holds two liters. I keep it filled with iced water and drink that instead of d-C most of the day.
I have discovered the wonders of exercise! Who? Keith? Exercise? Naaaw!
No, it’s true. You’ll recall I was walking laps around the center court of our apartments – a distance of about 1/3 of a mile – but I kept popping my right knee out and had to wear my patella strap for about three days before I could to the circuit again. So, a couple weeks ago Mary Lynn suggested I use her Total Gym; I said it does just the kind of knee workout I can’t do; she said then wear your knee straps ‘cause they’re supposed to help with that. So I did, and it worked great! The first time I did 50 reps with no knee pain and after just three days of doing this I find my pain is way less and I can do stairs with much less hassle. While I do the knee pushes I also do crunches and upper body work. And it makes me more efficient. For instance, the night I did my all-niter homework I had to get some sleep at 3:30; got up at 6:00 to finish and was dragging around so decided to exercise. I did a full set of 60 and went back to word much more alert. And here’s the weird part: all the following day and into the evening I felt no affects of the lack of sleep the night before. Went to sleep Tuesday night and didn’t have to make up for it by sleeping late. It’s great!
If you’re not execising – just do it! And to all of you who’ve been telling me about this for years now (and you know who you are), I’d just like to say you were right all along, and thanks!
Consistency.
Health habits are still progressing well. I had to give up giving up diet-Coke for now. Once I get the eating and exercise habits changed I’ll address that. We went out to dinner a couple weeks after I started this and Mary Lynn just ordered me one while I was in the restroom (I haven’t discussed the new program with her so I can focus on it myself without her worrying if I’m doing it or not). It was very tasty and a bit of a relief! So I am using d-C again for now, but much less than I was drinking a month ago. We found a nifty water jug at Jewel a few weeks ago – it’s called a Bubba KEG® 52 and looks like a little barrel with a handle on the side. It’s insulated with a leak-proof lid, a sealable drinking lip, and it holds two liters. I keep it filled with iced water and drink that instead of d-C most of the day.
I have discovered the wonders of exercise! Who? Keith? Exercise? Naaaw!
No, it’s true. You’ll recall I was walking laps around the center court of our apartments – a distance of about 1/3 of a mile – but I kept popping my right knee out and had to wear my patella strap for about three days before I could to the circuit again. So, a couple weeks ago Mary Lynn suggested I use her Total Gym; I said it does just the kind of knee workout I can’t do; she said then wear your knee straps ‘cause they’re supposed to help with that. So I did, and it worked great! The first time I did 50 reps with no knee pain and after just three days of doing this I find my pain is way less and I can do stairs with much less hassle. While I do the knee pushes I also do crunches and upper body work. And it makes me more efficient. For instance, the night I did my all-niter homework I had to get some sleep at 3:30; got up at 6:00 to finish and was dragging around so decided to exercise. I did a full set of 60 and went back to word much more alert. And here’s the weird part: all the following day and into the evening I felt no affects of the lack of sleep the night before. Went to sleep Tuesday night and didn’t have to make up for it by sleeping late. It’s great!
If you’re not execising – just do it! And to all of you who’ve been telling me about this for years now (and you know who you are), I’d just like to say you were right all along, and thanks!
Consistency.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Off to Boston!
Boston, you say? Yep! My daughter Kelly is graduating from Boston College Law School! We’re both graduating the same time – cool huh? ‘Course, this is her third (technically fourth) college degree and my first, but I got started late okay? Anyway, I am extremely proud of her needless to say. She is a very together and capable person. At this time her plans are to move to D.C. so she can get to working in her preferred field of Health Law & Policy. Maybe she’ll fix Medicare one day! ;-) So we’re off next Wednesday to see the event and lots of family are coming too. My dad (George) and sister (Vicki) from Tucson and Mary Lynn’s mom and step dad (Marilyn & Dave) from Florida. We’ll have a mini-reunion!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Back from the Shadows Again!
Whew! It’s been a few weeks, but all is going well.
I finished college – Yea! (33 years late, but, hey, stuff happens!
I missed a class in Psych Statistics and so missed a quiz, but my instructor was kind enough to meet me at the college library this Monday (a week after the last class) and give me the quiz – I think I did pretty well on it. Also, she had checked her grade tally and found I had not turned in two of the homeworks! One I just forgot about and the other had been assigned the day I missed class. She said if I did them tonight and faxed them to her before 11:00am she would include them in my grade. Really a nice professor! So I went home and stayed up all night to finish them – eight problems in statistics in both of them, sixteen all together. And these weren’t just figure the mean of a list of scores; no, these were figuring the relationship between two groups of variables and doing probabilities and stuff like that. Again, Whew! But I got them done too, so as of Tuesday morning, 10:05 a.m., May 17th I am allllll done!
I need to go online and order some announcements, I guess, just to prove to everyone I did it. The announcement company has a package that will include a nifty frame for the sheepskin, but it’s a little pricey right now what with the trip to Boston coming up and all. Guess I’ll get the frame later.
I finished college – Yea! (33 years late, but, hey, stuff happens!
I missed a class in Psych Statistics and so missed a quiz, but my instructor was kind enough to meet me at the college library this Monday (a week after the last class) and give me the quiz – I think I did pretty well on it. Also, she had checked her grade tally and found I had not turned in two of the homeworks! One I just forgot about and the other had been assigned the day I missed class. She said if I did them tonight and faxed them to her before 11:00am she would include them in my grade. Really a nice professor! So I went home and stayed up all night to finish them – eight problems in statistics in both of them, sixteen all together. And these weren’t just figure the mean of a list of scores; no, these were figuring the relationship between two groups of variables and doing probabilities and stuff like that. Again, Whew! But I got them done too, so as of Tuesday morning, 10:05 a.m., May 17th I am allllll done!
I need to go online and order some announcements, I guess, just to prove to everyone I did it. The announcement company has a package that will include a nifty frame for the sheepskin, but it’s a little pricey right now what with the trip to Boston coming up and all. Guess I’ll get the frame later.
Deep, cleansing breath...
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Exqueeze Me? Baking Powder?
So, I'm getting hassled about not posting. Well, hey, I've been busy. No, really. I have my last week of class coming up with three finals. I have been studying hard, looking for work, and my days just fly by!
Anyway, I have been tracking my diet and exercise efforts for my Health Psych class and I will post a synopsis when I am finished with classes.
I would like to refer anyone interested to my very first post in which I said "I promise to post any comments, observations or personal news on an inconsistent schedule. No need to check back daily as there probably won't be anything new."
I don't want to get committed to posting regularly because I could become real compulsive about that to the detriment of stuff I really need to do.
So, let's say after next Thursday I'll put some time in to catch up the news.
'K?
Anyway, I have been tracking my diet and exercise efforts for my Health Psych class and I will post a synopsis when I am finished with classes.
I would like to refer anyone interested to my very first post in which I said "I promise to post any comments, observations or personal news on an inconsistent schedule. No need to check back daily as there probably won't be anything new."
I don't want to get committed to posting regularly because I could become real compulsive about that to the detriment of stuff I really need to do.
So, let's say after next Thursday I'll put some time in to catch up the news.
'K?
Friday, March 18, 2005
So far...
So, day three starts out and all is going well. I weaned myself off caffeine (diet Coke) in just two days although I have a slight withdrawal headache today. Last night I picked Mary Lynn up from work and we out to Lone Star - one of our favorite eaterys - and I had a reasonable dinner. Instead of the usual 14oz. ribeye, lettuce wedge with bleu cheese, sweet potato loaded with butter and brown sugar, key lime pie, and two or three jumbo diet cokes, I had the 7oz. steak with 5 shrimp (grilled not fried), light butter and no sugar on the sweet potato, ate half the lettuce wedge, had no dessert, and water to drink. Plenty of food! I was full (I usually took half the 14oz. steak home for "later") and did not feel deprived. Did some light exersize after breakfast this morning (boy, I'm outta shape!) and am off to work.
BTW - the day I had my epiphany, March 15, is an important anniversary for me and Mary Lynn. It is the day we met! Easy to remember thanks to Julius Caesar’s soothsayer and one we've celebrated ever since. I got her Season 7 of As Time Goes By our favorite British comedy series. You should check it out if you haven't seen it. It was a bummer because I picked her up from work, took her home, gave her the gift, then had to leave to take a mid-term. I'm glad it's Spring Break next week so I can spend some evenings with my wife!
Tonight she's cooking leg of lamb as more formal celebration of our anniversary and I'm off to the DeepDiscountDVD.com outlet store (yes we live in the right place for once) to pick up a copy of The Incredibles for tonight's entertainment. Never got to see it in the theater so this will be a trip.
Let's see, the midnight Anime film on Starz Action tonight is Ghost in the Shell which I like but ML doesn't care for (I have to agree partly, the last 15 minutes of voice-over dialog between two lifeless robots - physical functions gone, but brains still ticking - does get a little tedious), so we may watch it depending if there's nothing else on.
Tried to use OnDemand to play chapter one of Hellsing last night but it still wouldn't go - have to call ComCast again. This is not the film van Hellsing with Hugh Jackman, but a wicked Anime series. We did get to see I, Robot on pay-per-view the other night, though. It was a lot of fun - like nothing Asimov would have written of course - and even though it got mediocre reviews we quite enjoyed it. The effects were stunning and the facial expressions realized on Sonny’s face were quite poignant at times. Recommended.
Okay, everyone back on your heads!
Contemplate.
BTW - the day I had my epiphany, March 15, is an important anniversary for me and Mary Lynn. It is the day we met! Easy to remember thanks to Julius Caesar’s soothsayer and one we've celebrated ever since. I got her Season 7 of As Time Goes By our favorite British comedy series. You should check it out if you haven't seen it. It was a bummer because I picked her up from work, took her home, gave her the gift, then had to leave to take a mid-term. I'm glad it's Spring Break next week so I can spend some evenings with my wife!
Tonight she's cooking leg of lamb as more formal celebration of our anniversary and I'm off to the DeepDiscountDVD.com outlet store (yes we live in the right place for once) to pick up a copy of The Incredibles for tonight's entertainment. Never got to see it in the theater so this will be a trip.
Let's see, the midnight Anime film on Starz Action tonight is Ghost in the Shell which I like but ML doesn't care for (I have to agree partly, the last 15 minutes of voice-over dialog between two lifeless robots - physical functions gone, but brains still ticking - does get a little tedious), so we may watch it depending if there's nothing else on.
Tried to use OnDemand to play chapter one of Hellsing last night but it still wouldn't go - have to call ComCast again. This is not the film van Hellsing with Hugh Jackman, but a wicked Anime series. We did get to see I, Robot on pay-per-view the other night, though. It was a lot of fun - like nothing Asimov would have written of course - and even though it got mediocre reviews we quite enjoyed it. The effects were stunning and the facial expressions realized on Sonny’s face were quite poignant at times. Recommended.
Okay, everyone back on your heads!
Contemplate.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
All Shook Up
Time for a change. Time to shake things up a bit. Time to re-focus my priorities.
What with my job ending, me graduating from college (finally!) in a couple months, and new vistas opening before me, I figure it's time to say "Enough!"
Enough what, you say? Enough of sins that are not good for me - specifically gluttony and sloth. I finally see that the price I pay for these is much, much higher than the little pleasure I enjoy from them. Tuesday night, 3/15/05, 9:44 p.m., I'm sitting in the drive-thru at Portillo's picking up a smoothie for Mary Lynn and I have a small epiphany regarding this. I just finally felt so tired of it all - tired of being fat, tired of having no energy, tired of being broke, tired of being tired all the time!
I think the things I'm reading in my Health Psychology class are getting through to me. Such as how much I'm supposed to weigh, how active I ought to be, and - most importantly - what to expect in the future if I don't change. For instance, I have type II Diabetes - you know, what they call adult-onset diabetes. Had it six or seven years now. According to my text, someone who gets it by my age can control it through watching the ol' diet and exercising a bit. Me, I take drugs – two kinds – twice a day. A change in lifestyle will address that and save me some money and energy. When I lose weight I’ll save more money. i.e. if Sears or Target have a sale on men’s pants I can go buy some! Right now I have to order from large guy catalogs (“Introducing our new Hindenburg line”) and pay four or five times what I could pay in a department store. And that, my friend, sucks!
So, I resolved right there in the drive-up to make the change. To start: no caffeine, no sugar, be aware of calories for a change, eat sensibly (cleaning every plate in sight is not necessary), and get moving – get into a regular program of exercise and walk briskly whenever possible – don’t worry about parking as close to the door as possible: just park and walk! Exercise will be the hardest – I have never, I mean never done any kind of regular exercise! And as Cap’t Ron would say, “Ehh, it shows!” I picked up a copy of Men’s Health magazine’s special Weight Loss issue for some pointers – it’s a good read with useable advice and not as threatening as I thought it would be (the regular magazine is rather fascist toward exercise – and they want you to have all this gear! Sheesh!)
So, don’t wish me luck. (“In my experience there’s no such thing as luck.”–Obi-Wan) Just wish me well as I set sail on a new voyage. My motivation will come from a few lines of Kipling that I first saw quoted in Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. Here ‘tis:
The young recruit is silly – 'e thinks o' suicide.
'E's lost 'is gutter-devil; 'e 'asn't got 'is pride;
But day by day they kicks 'im, which 'elps 'im on a bit,
Till 'e finds 'isself one mornin' with a full an' proper kit.
Gettin' clear o' dirtiness, gettin' done with mess,
Gettin' shut o' doin' things rather-more-or-less.
From The ‘eathen by Rudyard Kipling
Courage.
What with my job ending, me graduating from college (finally!) in a couple months, and new vistas opening before me, I figure it's time to say "Enough!"
Enough what, you say? Enough of sins that are not good for me - specifically gluttony and sloth. I finally see that the price I pay for these is much, much higher than the little pleasure I enjoy from them. Tuesday night, 3/15/05, 9:44 p.m., I'm sitting in the drive-thru at Portillo's picking up a smoothie for Mary Lynn and I have a small epiphany regarding this. I just finally felt so tired of it all - tired of being fat, tired of having no energy, tired of being broke, tired of being tired all the time!
I think the things I'm reading in my Health Psychology class are getting through to me. Such as how much I'm supposed to weigh, how active I ought to be, and - most importantly - what to expect in the future if I don't change. For instance, I have type II Diabetes - you know, what they call adult-onset diabetes. Had it six or seven years now. According to my text, someone who gets it by my age can control it through watching the ol' diet and exercising a bit. Me, I take drugs – two kinds – twice a day. A change in lifestyle will address that and save me some money and energy. When I lose weight I’ll save more money. i.e. if Sears or Target have a sale on men’s pants I can go buy some! Right now I have to order from large guy catalogs (“Introducing our new Hindenburg line”) and pay four or five times what I could pay in a department store. And that, my friend, sucks!
So, I resolved right there in the drive-up to make the change. To start: no caffeine, no sugar, be aware of calories for a change, eat sensibly (cleaning every plate in sight is not necessary), and get moving – get into a regular program of exercise and walk briskly whenever possible – don’t worry about parking as close to the door as possible: just park and walk! Exercise will be the hardest – I have never, I mean never done any kind of regular exercise! And as Cap’t Ron would say, “Ehh, it shows!” I picked up a copy of Men’s Health magazine’s special Weight Loss issue for some pointers – it’s a good read with useable advice and not as threatening as I thought it would be (the regular magazine is rather fascist toward exercise – and they want you to have all this gear! Sheesh!)
So, don’t wish me luck. (“In my experience there’s no such thing as luck.”–Obi-Wan) Just wish me well as I set sail on a new voyage. My motivation will come from a few lines of Kipling that I first saw quoted in Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. Here ‘tis:
The young recruit is silly – 'e thinks o' suicide.
'E's lost 'is gutter-devil; 'e 'asn't got 'is pride;
But day by day they kicks 'im, which 'elps 'im on a bit,
Till 'e finds 'isself one mornin' with a full an' proper kit.
Gettin' clear o' dirtiness, gettin' done with mess,
Gettin' shut o' doin' things rather-more-or-less.
From The ‘eathen by Rudyard Kipling
Courage.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
The Light at the End of the Tunnel May Not Be A Train
Wow! This is pretty good news. ML did a short search on HotJobs last night and found about a dozen jobs that I qualify for! The fact that I finally have some honest-to-God network admin experience helps. ;-)
So, I'm studying now for two mid-terms I have on Tuesday & Wednesday, then it's Spring Break for a week so I can start carpet-bombing the area with resumes! what fun.... shesh! I would like to just once get a job that lasts for a while. I mean, my Dad worked for IBM for almost 30 years! That would be a nice gig. But not me -- I get to do contract consulting where I'm hopping around from company to company for three to six month assignments, or, when I do get hired as a direct employee, the company goes through some kind of merger or reorganization and I get downsized along with a pantload of other worker bees. This has happened to me - no kidding - three times in the past five years!
I went by the office this afternoon to copy off my current resumes and while I was there I packed up a good deal of my stuff (reference books, clock, shuttlecraft, tribble, etc.) and brought it home. Might as well get my cube ready for the next victim. ;-)
Oh, well. I hope everyone had a nice weekend!
And I almost forgot: Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
So, I'm studying now for two mid-terms I have on Tuesday & Wednesday, then it's Spring Break for a week so I can start carpet-bombing the area with resumes! what fun.... shesh! I would like to just once get a job that lasts for a while. I mean, my Dad worked for IBM for almost 30 years! That would be a nice gig. But not me -- I get to do contract consulting where I'm hopping around from company to company for three to six month assignments, or, when I do get hired as a direct employee, the company goes through some kind of merger or reorganization and I get downsized along with a pantload of other worker bees. This has happened to me - no kidding - three times in the past five years!
I went by the office this afternoon to copy off my current resumes and while I was there I packed up a good deal of my stuff (reference books, clock, shuttlecraft, tribble, etc.) and brought it home. Might as well get my cube ready for the next victim. ;-)
Oh, well. I hope everyone had a nice weekend!
And I almost forgot: Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Sometimes the Anwer is No
I got the word this afternoon. I am not on the list. My last day is April 1st - me and several other people. I'm really bummed. I've been there two years and I liked the work and the people. It will be sad to leave. Oh, well, at least I don't have to worry about money right away.
Dang! Now I wish I hadn't moved to Schaumburg! Shoulda stayed in Chicago.
Merde!
Merde!
Merde!
Talk to you tomorrow. Maybe.
Dang! Now I wish I hadn't moved to Schaumburg! Shoulda stayed in Chicago.
Merde!
Merde!
Merde!
Talk to you tomorrow. Maybe.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Pins & Needles
Things are still up in the air at work – they’re reorganizing the IT department by moving the iron to a centralized data center in Cincinnati which is cutting the need for people here by a lot. So, there will be five jobs left here come April 1st – appropriate date doncha think? – one of which I don’t quite qualify for (that Network+ cert would’ve helped there) and the others I’m afraid they’ll say I’m overqualified for. Typical.
Anyway, I applied for all three job types (there’s three first-level techs, one second-level lead tech, and one network tech), and last week I was interviewed for all three. The network tech interview revealed that I knew very little about VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol – that’s where you use the same internet connection your PC uses to handle voice traffic instead of a phone line. Once you buy all the hardware it’s supposed to be ‘way cheaper than the baby Bells). On the other hand, nobody else here knows much about it either since we haven’t been working with it. The interviews for the other jobs went great I think. All the interviewers said we’d know who’s picked in a day or two. That was a week ago today. So what does that mean? Is it just taking longer to decide than they thought? Or have they decided and I’m not in and I need wait for the snail-mail “Good luck with your future endeavors” letter? On the other hand, nobody has heard anything yet so it’s not just me.
Getting canned wouldn’t be the end of the world, at least. I will get severance pay! (Never had that before anyplace I worked; it was always, “Hi! here’s your last check, Bye!”). I’ll continue getting a paycheck until June. This will allow me to finish my last semester at Northwestern and graduate. Sooo many jobs I want to apply for say they want someone with a BS or BA – doesn’t much matter what topic, just a degree. So, I will finally be able to say, “Sure, I got one o’ them.”
Anyway, I applied for all three job types (there’s three first-level techs, one second-level lead tech, and one network tech), and last week I was interviewed for all three. The network tech interview revealed that I knew very little about VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol – that’s where you use the same internet connection your PC uses to handle voice traffic instead of a phone line. Once you buy all the hardware it’s supposed to be ‘way cheaper than the baby Bells). On the other hand, nobody else here knows much about it either since we haven’t been working with it. The interviews for the other jobs went great I think. All the interviewers said we’d know who’s picked in a day or two. That was a week ago today. So what does that mean? Is it just taking longer to decide than they thought? Or have they decided and I’m not in and I need wait for the snail-mail “Good luck with your future endeavors” letter? On the other hand, nobody has heard anything yet so it’s not just me.
Getting canned wouldn’t be the end of the world, at least. I will get severance pay! (Never had that before anyplace I worked; it was always, “Hi! here’s your last check, Bye!”). I’ll continue getting a paycheck until June. This will allow me to finish my last semester at Northwestern and graduate. Sooo many jobs I want to apply for say they want someone with a BS or BA – doesn’t much matter what topic, just a degree. So, I will finally be able to say, “Sure, I got one o’ them.”
Saturday, March 05, 2005
New Wheels!
So to celebrate the fact that I may be losing my job, Mary Lynn and I went out and bought a new van today! They were having a sale at KIA on last year’s models so we went. Of course, the ad was a week old and those were all gone, but they still had $3K in rebates on the ’05 so we went with the new Sedona.
Why KIA? Well ML had done the research and the Sedona had the best crash test results of any van in its class, so that’s good. Also, I’ve been driving KIAs since 1988 in the form of a brown Ford Festiva named Bosco, and then a red Ford Aspire named Smash Mouth – both of these tiny cars were built by KIA for Ford. I’ve had good luck with them, ‘cause they’re pretty dependable. Well, the Aspire had a weird thing with the ignition key switch for a while (stranding Kelly in Boston for a week once – Sorry!), but once I got that replaced it’s been swell. I call the Aspire “Smash Mouth” because I got into an accident with a taxi cab and the front end got all smunched (I drove away, the cab had to be towed – Smash Mouth: 1, Chevy Caprice: 0. ;-). That was several years ago and I haven’t had it fixed ‘cause I didn’t have the deductible at the time, then after a couple years the old insurance just cut me a check to close the account. Paid bills with that and since then have just been waiting until I had a spare three grand to get it fixed. Might be while yet.
The van is a beauty – ruby red with a grey interior, power windows & locks, keyless entry, CD, 3.4 liter V-6, etc. Everything but power seats and leather which we didn’t need anyway and jacks the price up by two grand! We’re even getting a new lift for Mary Lynn’s scooter installed on the same loan. That’ll be a help.
Did we need a new van? Yes! Or rather ML needed it (she’s actually needed it for about three years now). For her to get to her job at Sears, I have to leave work, buzz home to pick up her and her scooter, drop them at Sears, and get back to work (the lift in Smash Mouth is in sections and my sweetie just can’t lift them anymore). This works because we’re two miles from my job and one and a half miles from Sears. This takes me about 40 minutes what with traffic, stop lights, and loading and unloading the scooter. It’s okay with my boss though ‘cause he is a smoker and I pointed out that this probably took me away from my desk about half the time he’s outside feeding his addiction.
Anyway, in another week or so ML will have her own wheels! Yea! This will give her independence once again, similar to the independence she gained when we first got her the scooter almost 10 years ago. It also restores the independence she lost when we moved from Chicago to Schaumburg last year. Prior to that, she could travel all over town on the EL.
All I gotta do now is make payments for the next six years. Wheee!
Why KIA? Well ML had done the research and the Sedona had the best crash test results of any van in its class, so that’s good. Also, I’ve been driving KIAs since 1988 in the form of a brown Ford Festiva named Bosco, and then a red Ford Aspire named Smash Mouth – both of these tiny cars were built by KIA for Ford. I’ve had good luck with them, ‘cause they’re pretty dependable. Well, the Aspire had a weird thing with the ignition key switch for a while (stranding Kelly in Boston for a week once – Sorry!), but once I got that replaced it’s been swell. I call the Aspire “Smash Mouth” because I got into an accident with a taxi cab and the front end got all smunched (I drove away, the cab had to be towed – Smash Mouth: 1, Chevy Caprice: 0. ;-). That was several years ago and I haven’t had it fixed ‘cause I didn’t have the deductible at the time, then after a couple years the old insurance just cut me a check to close the account. Paid bills with that and since then have just been waiting until I had a spare three grand to get it fixed. Might be while yet.
The van is a beauty – ruby red with a grey interior, power windows & locks, keyless entry, CD, 3.4 liter V-6, etc. Everything but power seats and leather which we didn’t need anyway and jacks the price up by two grand! We’re even getting a new lift for Mary Lynn’s scooter installed on the same loan. That’ll be a help.
Did we need a new van? Yes! Or rather ML needed it (she’s actually needed it for about three years now). For her to get to her job at Sears, I have to leave work, buzz home to pick up her and her scooter, drop them at Sears, and get back to work (the lift in Smash Mouth is in sections and my sweetie just can’t lift them anymore). This works because we’re two miles from my job and one and a half miles from Sears. This takes me about 40 minutes what with traffic, stop lights, and loading and unloading the scooter. It’s okay with my boss though ‘cause he is a smoker and I pointed out that this probably took me away from my desk about half the time he’s outside feeding his addiction.
Anyway, in another week or so ML will have her own wheels! Yea! This will give her independence once again, similar to the independence she gained when we first got her the scooter almost 10 years ago. It also restores the independence she lost when we moved from Chicago to Schaumburg last year. Prior to that, she could travel all over town on the EL.
All I gotta do now is make payments for the next six years. Wheee!
Friday, February 25, 2005
Highly Skilled IT Tech Will Work for Food
This week they posted the new jobs for my office (my current job is going away) – there will be five positions left here at three levels – I decided to apply for all three but I held off until I took my Network+ exam (it’s a certification that says you know about networks & such). I have been studying for it on my own (can’t afford a class) and using an exam prep book I got from the library. So yesterday I went down to take the exam and I failed. Crap! $200 down the tubes! They asked a lot more Linux questions than I was ready for – I think that’s what killed me. Lesson learned: When studying for a tech exam, don’t use a three-year-old book from the library – bite the bullet and buy a new one with all the latest info!
So I went ahead and applied for the jobs without the extra cert. At least I customized the front page of my resume for each different job. I look like the logical choice! Wish me luck.
So I went ahead and applied for the jobs without the extra cert. At least I customized the front page of my resume for each different job. I look like the logical choice! Wish me luck.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Mid-week Musings
So Valentine's Day turned out pretty good although not as planned. Friday I got the pendant at the mall, focusing on a nice deep blue for the opals with a nice chain to match. Then Friday night Mary Lynn says, "You know, I think I'd rather have an iPod for V-Day. Is that alright?" Well, I didn't want to blow the surprise OR take the pendant back so my head went to work on a plausible resolution that would allow me to give her both.... (A wise man once said, "My head thinks it can kill me, and go on.")
No prob. She didn't get the pendant before because we couldn't afford it. (fact: we actually got the pendant for our anniversary and I had to take it back a few days later 'cuz we were broke - my bad; whole 'nother story there). Anyway, I said I'm not getting her the pendant for V-Day; I'm getting it to replace the one we had to return. Brilliant! Now the iPod can be the actual present.
So, Saturday we went to the Apple store in the same mall, and got her a nice 20gb pod with add-ons - protective shell, smaller ear buds, nifty sock-like bags to store the pod and parts in, and a 2-year warranty. (It's not that I don't trust Apple.... It's just that I don't trust them.) We also stopped at Sears and got her a new watch for work. It's quite nice, readable face with numbers, was on sale, plus she used her employee discount.
Saturday evening we set the iPod to charge and looked over the accessories and installed the software on her laptop. I wrapped the watch and gave it to her along with - Surprise! - the gold and opal sandal pendant! Lead balloon time! The pendant was not acceptable! Dang! Seems I was focused on color when I should have been focused on fire. She wanted opals that would show depth and sparkle in the light - (if you know opals you know what I mean). Also the diamonds and their mounts seemed kind of dull - not sparkly at all. Bummer! I made up for it by getting her iPod set up to load her favorite CDs and she zoned out to the music! We went out and had a great dinner at Lone Star and brought home leftover steak and sweet potato "for later."
No problem with the pendant though - Sunday we went back to Na Hoku and swapped it for the perfect one! (Might even be the one we bought last October and had to return.) Stopped at the Verizon store and got me a mini headset for my cellular so I can talk for extended periods without burning off my sideburns - my little phone gets way hot when it's on for more than a few minutes, right at the spot where it touches my cheek. Good engineering!
So we ended up having a nice weekend. Now all I have to do is find out what's happening with my job. More on that later.
_____
Watched Bad Santa last night (sorry, Bood!) and laughed and laughed. However, I can in no way recommend the film to you. It was one of the funniest and most profane films I've ever seen. You have to be in the mood and DO NOT take it seriously - they aren't.
We immediately watched Santa Clause 2 to cleanse the pallet.
Gotta go home and clean up the office so I can move the Total Gym in there from the living room so I can set up my Polar Express again. I also get to order more track when this is done! Excellent! Mary Lynn thinks I just want a slightly bigger loop. Ha.... haha..... Mwuahahahahaha!!!! Fact: When we finally buy a house, I'll be looking for a basement for my train(s) - if there's a decent house up above, so much the better.
____
Today's Name That Film!
Jack Chester (dejected): Do you know what it's like to peak when you're seventeen?
Scully (reflective): Yes... I do.
No prob. She didn't get the pendant before because we couldn't afford it. (fact: we actually got the pendant for our anniversary and I had to take it back a few days later 'cuz we were broke - my bad; whole 'nother story there). Anyway, I said I'm not getting her the pendant for V-Day; I'm getting it to replace the one we had to return. Brilliant! Now the iPod can be the actual present.
So, Saturday we went to the Apple store in the same mall, and got her a nice 20gb pod with add-ons - protective shell, smaller ear buds, nifty sock-like bags to store the pod and parts in, and a 2-year warranty. (It's not that I don't trust Apple.... It's just that I don't trust them.) We also stopped at Sears and got her a new watch for work. It's quite nice, readable face with numbers, was on sale, plus she used her employee discount.
Saturday evening we set the iPod to charge and looked over the accessories and installed the software on her laptop. I wrapped the watch and gave it to her along with - Surprise! - the gold and opal sandal pendant! Lead balloon time! The pendant was not acceptable! Dang! Seems I was focused on color when I should have been focused on fire. She wanted opals that would show depth and sparkle in the light - (if you know opals you know what I mean). Also the diamonds and their mounts seemed kind of dull - not sparkly at all. Bummer! I made up for it by getting her iPod set up to load her favorite CDs and she zoned out to the music! We went out and had a great dinner at Lone Star and brought home leftover steak and sweet potato "for later."
No problem with the pendant though - Sunday we went back to Na Hoku and swapped it for the perfect one! (Might even be the one we bought last October and had to return.) Stopped at the Verizon store and got me a mini headset for my cellular so I can talk for extended periods without burning off my sideburns - my little phone gets way hot when it's on for more than a few minutes, right at the spot where it touches my cheek. Good engineering!
So we ended up having a nice weekend. Now all I have to do is find out what's happening with my job. More on that later.
_____
Watched Bad Santa last night (sorry, Bood!) and laughed and laughed. However, I can in no way recommend the film to you. It was one of the funniest and most profane films I've ever seen. You have to be in the mood and DO NOT take it seriously - they aren't.
We immediately watched Santa Clause 2 to cleanse the pallet.
Gotta go home and clean up the office so I can move the Total Gym in there from the living room so I can set up my Polar Express again. I also get to order more track when this is done! Excellent! Mary Lynn thinks I just want a slightly bigger loop. Ha.... haha..... Mwuahahahahaha!!!! Fact: When we finally buy a house, I'll be looking for a basement for my train(s) - if there's a decent house up above, so much the better.
____
Today's Name That Film!
Jack Chester (dejected): Do you know what it's like to peak when you're seventeen?
Scully (reflective): Yes... I do.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Valentine's Day
Well, the day dedicated to the memory of St. Valentine and St. Hallmark is just around the corner. I am going to have to observe this day with Mary Lynn on Sunday, I think, since I have class this semester on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening. I have to leave work at 4:00 to catch the commuter train into Chicago for my classes at Northwestern (last semester, yea!)
Anyway, I am going to the mall to get the pre-requested gift - it is a little jewel of a flip-flop sandal about three-quarter inch long; in gold with a blue opal sole and diamond studded straps. Pretty neat. Mary Lynn is from Florida so she loves stuff like this! I will need to get a chain as well so she can wear it around her neck. I tried to get this for her for our anniversary last October but just didn't have the money, but now I do (thank you, student loans!). I'm getting it at this Hawaiian jewelry store called Na Hoku - really beautiful stuff there! You can see the sandal on their website here. She has a blue topaz pendant and blue topaz rings and earrings I've giver her in the past, and the color of the opal just matches.
So Sunday evening I'll make a nice dinner or we'll go out or bring in - her choice - and probably watch a favorite movie and snuggle. Couldn't be better! I want this to be special since Valentine's Day is kinda tough for my wife. Her father passed away on Valentine's Day in 1996 so that has really taken the joy out of it for her until the last couple of years.
I hope everyone out there has a special someone they can share the occasion with. If nothing else, try to spend some time with friends, or contact someone you care about and let them know you are thinking of them - almost as good as flowers!
"All love that has not friendship for its base,is like a mansion built upon the sand." ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Anyway, I am going to the mall to get the pre-requested gift - it is a little jewel of a flip-flop sandal about three-quarter inch long; in gold with a blue opal sole and diamond studded straps. Pretty neat. Mary Lynn is from Florida so she loves stuff like this! I will need to get a chain as well so she can wear it around her neck. I tried to get this for her for our anniversary last October but just didn't have the money, but now I do (thank you, student loans!). I'm getting it at this Hawaiian jewelry store called Na Hoku - really beautiful stuff there! You can see the sandal on their website here. She has a blue topaz pendant and blue topaz rings and earrings I've giver her in the past, and the color of the opal just matches.
So Sunday evening I'll make a nice dinner or we'll go out or bring in - her choice - and probably watch a favorite movie and snuggle. Couldn't be better! I want this to be special since Valentine's Day is kinda tough for my wife. Her father passed away on Valentine's Day in 1996 so that has really taken the joy out of it for her until the last couple of years.
I hope everyone out there has a special someone they can share the occasion with. If nothing else, try to spend some time with friends, or contact someone you care about and let them know you are thinking of them - almost as good as flowers!
"All love that has not friendship for its base,is like a mansion built upon the sand." ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Friday, February 04, 2005
Just breaking through.... now.
Bowing to the pressure of public vanity and inspired by the lucid and pithy postings I see in other blogs, I have blogged in with my own -- primarily so when I respond to others in blogland I can be a more interesting person than "Anonymous." I promise to post any comments, observations or personal news on an inconsistent schedule. No need to check back daily as there probably won't be anything new.
Anyway, thanks for dropping by.
"Watch out for Stobor."
Anyway, thanks for dropping by.
"Watch out for Stobor."
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