Halloween is here again. It’s becoming one of my favorite times of year. I think I’m more partial to the change in seasons and the harvest-y atmosphere than to the spooky holiday, but they all somehow go together.
This year for Halloween will be our first in our new place in our new neighborhood, where the kids seem to far out number the adults and holidays take a pretty high priority. The past years have been spent in an apartment on the fourth floor, out of reach of the typical trick-or-treater, so I am looking forward to the stream of costumed kids threatening me for candy.
It is rather mob-ish, isn’t it? The whole trick-or-treat thing? “I would hate to see something awful happen to you. If you give me some candy, I’ll see to it that nobody gets hurt.” And with the kids in my neighborhood, I think that’s about right. They are probably all good kids, but there are just so many of them that I’m afraid of what would happen if word got out that we had bad candy or, heaven-forbid, we ran out!
News would spread like wildfire! Angry pre-teen mobs with plastic pitchforks and battery-operated torches would storm our home demanding some sort of treat! I could see it now… I’d be trying to hold them off with some sort of distraction (who’s up for a game of quelf?!?), while Tiff would be frantically baking cookies. Oh it would be a mess!
Basically, what it boils down to is this: As newcomers to our perfect little street, we are still defining ourselves to our neighbors, and respect, it would seem, is a five-letter word, C-A-N-D-Y. That’s why I plan on springing for the good stuff… and a LOT of it. Maybe it will keep the neighborhood Goons off my back for another year… or at least a couple of months.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Planning My Day
My list of links includes Joel Achenbach, who writes a blog for the Washington Post that can be found on the Opinions page of their website. Today, among the important-sounding headlines of, "Resilient Baghdad," "The Public Plan Mirage," " Think Before Surging," and "Palin vs. Collins in NY's 23rd," was one titled, "Planning My Day."
I knew instantly that this was more my speed. And upon reading it, I feel that Mr. Achenbach wonderfully words how life should be.
Now if this were some ordinary blog, I would copy and paste this piece from the Post and hope that it pleases you too, but, nay, not I! Something of this calibre is deserving of so much more! That's why I proudly present, my first ever, theatrical reading:
Editor's Note: I had such grand plans for this, but when I got home from work my cameraman was much sicker than when I left her this morning. (Get Well, Tiff!) So I only did one take... I wish it weren't so dark. I also was hoping to get a Masterpiece Theatre feel going, but I didn't at all.And I messed up the two best lines!! - "Chili should be improvisational, kind of like the day itself..." how true, how true.
I knew instantly that this was more my speed. And upon reading it, I feel that Mr. Achenbach wonderfully words how life should be.
Now if this were some ordinary blog, I would copy and paste this piece from the Post and hope that it pleases you too, but, nay, not I! Something of this calibre is deserving of so much more! That's why I proudly present, my first ever, theatrical reading:
Editor's Note: I had such grand plans for this, but when I got home from work my cameraman was much sicker than when I left her this morning. (Get Well, Tiff!) So I only did one take... I wish it weren't so dark. I also was hoping to get a Masterpiece Theatre feel going, but I didn't at all.And I messed up the two best lines!! - "Chili should be improvisational, kind of like the day itself..." how true, how true.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Oh Deer! I'm Late!
A long time ago, I realized that no matter how much time I give myself I will always be running just a couple of minutes late. If I give myself extra time, I will somehow dawdle my time away and am left running out the door.
It leaves me in a constant state of hurry, but unlike a certain white rabbit, it doesn’t bother me too much. Instead it just leaves me thinking, “Aww shucks! I’m going to be late. At least it’s nothing important.”
Today, I actually headed out the door early. I was all set for a good morning and what would surely be a great day… all because I was ahead of schedule. Then, as I was cruising up to some flashing police lights, fate stepped in and I would be late yet again.
I was forced to a screeching halt so as not to rear-end the screeching halt of the car before me. Two cops were stopping traffic both ways, gathering unknowing spectators for a show that was about to start. One was carrying a very sophisticated rifle… I know it was sophisticated because it was all black! He led our attention to the grassy median where a baby deer looked back curiously from the ground. Its leg was covered in blood. The police officer positioned himself about five feet from the deer. Thirty seconds of morbid expectation later, the gun sounded.
They then waved traffic on, the show was over. I’m not much of a gun-loving woodsman, but I understand that there is an over-population of deer. Hunting is somewhat of a necessity. I get it, but right in front of me, really?
The deer had been hit by a car. He was probably thinking, “There is a serious over-population of cars around here.” I just might have to agree with him on that one – if it weren’t for all these cars, I’d have no problem getting to work on time. Then maybe I could finally put that white rabbit to rest.
It leaves me in a constant state of hurry, but unlike a certain white rabbit, it doesn’t bother me too much. Instead it just leaves me thinking, “Aww shucks! I’m going to be late. At least it’s nothing important.”
Today, I actually headed out the door early. I was all set for a good morning and what would surely be a great day… all because I was ahead of schedule. Then, as I was cruising up to some flashing police lights, fate stepped in and I would be late yet again.
I was forced to a screeching halt so as not to rear-end the screeching halt of the car before me. Two cops were stopping traffic both ways, gathering unknowing spectators for a show that was about to start. One was carrying a very sophisticated rifle… I know it was sophisticated because it was all black! He led our attention to the grassy median where a baby deer looked back curiously from the ground. Its leg was covered in blood. The police officer positioned himself about five feet from the deer. Thirty seconds of morbid expectation later, the gun sounded.
They then waved traffic on, the show was over. I’m not much of a gun-loving woodsman, but I understand that there is an over-population of deer. Hunting is somewhat of a necessity. I get it, but right in front of me, really?
The deer had been hit by a car. He was probably thinking, “There is a serious over-population of cars around here.” I just might have to agree with him on that one – if it weren’t for all these cars, I’d have no problem getting to work on time. Then maybe I could finally put that white rabbit to rest.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Oil Change
I am not a mechanic. The only things I know about how my car is doing I learn from the lights that pop up on my dash. “Check Engine,” “Check Fluids,” the Oil Tank Lamp, “Brakes Out!” my car screams in red and yellow lights and I translate that into “I need a mechanic!” The other lights, the “Gas Low” light and the flashing seat belt guy, I can usually take care of on my own.
Of all those, it’s the flashing seat belt guy that actually screams at you. You’d think the other ones would be just as important, but I guess not. If your brakes go out, everything will be okay as long as your seat belt is on.
My new car, which’s aging as we speak, has several features that I love, and I seem to be finding new ones by the day. There is no Oil Tank Lamp, for instance. Instead, the odometer disappears and in its place is “Oil Life – 10%”, which I’ve since learned to access for an Oil Life Update. Unlike the demanding lights of yesteryear, this car merely suggests that it would be wise to get an oil change. I love it!
About a week ago, on my way to work, a new light popped up that was not nearly as suggestive. It was a picture of a flat tire with an exclamation point! It demanded immediate attention! I counted my lucky stars that I made it to work in one piece. Then on my way to home via the tire shop, the light disappeared. And homeward I continued.
I realized it must be just be the change in weather, with fronts and circling high pressure systems and the like. It apparently wasn’t so urgent, but the Oil Life Update reported just a 30% Oil Life, so I decided to see a mechanic to get an oil change and check my tires, because I am no mechanic.
Now, I am no mechanic, and as it turns out, my mechanic is no John Duffy, meaning just an all-around great guy. I took my car to Goodyear Gemini Tire and Auto in Gainesville , VA where it was worked on by Justin. After three hours of waiting, (and at least a dozen people coming in asking that their tires be looked at because a warning light came on… I’m sure they love that), I picked up my keys and paid for their services.
Glad to be done with it, I headed to my car with a skip in my step. I revved my engine and watched as the panel of lights all go off, save one, a glowing flat tire with an exclamation point. I waited a bit too patiently for the light to go off, before my spirits dropped and I turned to the Oil Life Update, which still read 30%.
If this were the stock market, futures would be down ahead of the bell.
I went back in and explained the issue, Justin from Goodyear Gemini Tire and Auto in Gainesville , VA was scolded and I watched my car through the window this time as they worked on it and finished it up in fifteen minutes.
It was bizarre and makes me suspicious of all mechanics, but the silver lining… I don’t know what Justin did, but now it takes a really long time until my flashing seat belt guy starts to make noise. It’s probably not a good thing, but I can almost make it to the traffic light without having to worry about my seat belt!
Of all those, it’s the flashing seat belt guy that actually screams at you. You’d think the other ones would be just as important, but I guess not. If your brakes go out, everything will be okay as long as your seat belt is on.
My new car, which’s aging as we speak, has several features that I love, and I seem to be finding new ones by the day. There is no Oil Tank Lamp, for instance. Instead, the odometer disappears and in its place is “Oil Life – 10%”, which I’ve since learned to access for an Oil Life Update. Unlike the demanding lights of yesteryear, this car merely suggests that it would be wise to get an oil change. I love it!
About a week ago, on my way to work, a new light popped up that was not nearly as suggestive. It was a picture of a flat tire with an exclamation point! It demanded immediate attention! I counted my lucky stars that I made it to work in one piece. Then on my way to home via the tire shop, the light disappeared. And homeward I continued.
I realized it must be just be the change in weather, with fronts and circling high pressure systems and the like. It apparently wasn’t so urgent, but the Oil Life Update reported just a 30% Oil Life, so I decided to see a mechanic to get an oil change and check my tires, because I am no mechanic.
Now, I am no mechanic, and as it turns out, my mechanic is no John Duffy, meaning just an all-around great guy. I took my car to Goodyear Gemini Tire and Auto in Gainesville , VA where it was worked on by Justin. After three hours of waiting, (and at least a dozen people coming in asking that their tires be looked at because a warning light came on… I’m sure they love that), I picked up my keys and paid for their services.
Glad to be done with it, I headed to my car with a skip in my step. I revved my engine and watched as the panel of lights all go off, save one, a glowing flat tire with an exclamation point. I waited a bit too patiently for the light to go off, before my spirits dropped and I turned to the Oil Life Update, which still read 30%.
If this were the stock market, futures would be down ahead of the bell.
I went back in and explained the issue, Justin from Goodyear Gemini Tire and Auto in Gainesville , VA was scolded and I watched my car through the window this time as they worked on it and finished it up in fifteen minutes.
It was bizarre and makes me suspicious of all mechanics, but the silver lining… I don’t know what Justin did, but now it takes a really long time until my flashing seat belt guy starts to make noise. It’s probably not a good thing, but I can almost make it to the traffic light without having to worry about my seat belt!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Cold and Hungry
It’s been awhile since I’ve written anything substantial. I could point the finger at several things - for instance, we our somehow blocked from using our speedy internet “provider” and are left using a very slow, very choppy internet. But the thing that’s been weighing me down the most is my most recent challenge, which I’m failing at miserably.
I’ve also spent some time wondering what the hell I’m writing a blog for anyways. It seems that writing about whatever you please can never improve your situation… and could quite possibly be damaging somewhere down the line. If I were to run for President of the World or Secretary of the PTA or something, I feel like my inability to cook dinner… or maintain a blog, would somehow come back to haunt me.
Maybe all my posts should be about my brilliant ideas!
Or maybe just about my toenails.
I’m getting sidetracked and will now resort to talking about the weather. Blimey, it’s cold! It’s so cold that Tiff started playing Christmas music and I didn’t think anything of it. Now that I’m a homeowner, though, this change-in-weather-thing is a little frightening. There’s that chance that the furnace won’t start or that it won’t stop heating the house until the whole place burns down. That might be a remote chance, admittedly.
There’s also the issue of cost, which leads me to the question of when are you suppose to turn on your heat. This weekend it was cold. Very cold. But Tiff and I knew that we’d be spending much of Saturday away so we didn’t turn on the heat. Plus, energy efficient experts say that the proper temperature for the evenings is a brisk 55 degrees. T-shirt weather!
Come Sunday morning, we were still in the clear with our thermostat reading a stifling 56 degrees! I finally decided to crank on the heat though, as the news report included frost and some snowflakes in the area. Now, as the temperature warms back up this week, I’m left with the cold.
I’ve also spent some time wondering what the hell I’m writing a blog for anyways. It seems that writing about whatever you please can never improve your situation… and could quite possibly be damaging somewhere down the line. If I were to run for President of the World or Secretary of the PTA or something, I feel like my inability to cook dinner… or maintain a blog, would somehow come back to haunt me.
Maybe all my posts should be about my brilliant ideas!
Or maybe just about my toenails.
I’m getting sidetracked and will now resort to talking about the weather. Blimey, it’s cold! It’s so cold that Tiff started playing Christmas music and I didn’t think anything of it. Now that I’m a homeowner, though, this change-in-weather-thing is a little frightening. There’s that chance that the furnace won’t start or that it won’t stop heating the house until the whole place burns down. That might be a remote chance, admittedly.
There’s also the issue of cost, which leads me to the question of when are you suppose to turn on your heat. This weekend it was cold. Very cold. But Tiff and I knew that we’d be spending much of Saturday away so we didn’t turn on the heat. Plus, energy efficient experts say that the proper temperature for the evenings is a brisk 55 degrees. T-shirt weather!
Come Sunday morning, we were still in the clear with our thermostat reading a stifling 56 degrees! I finally decided to crank on the heat though, as the news report included frost and some snowflakes in the area. Now, as the temperature warms back up this week, I’m left with the cold.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Redskins Win!
Two days after an amazing U2 concert experience left Tiff saying that "It would take a lot to get me go back to Fedex Field," we were given tickets to return to see the Washington Redskins. Thanks Jay! Tiff's not much of a football fan, but there was no question that this was the big event that would have her return. And boy, am I glad we did.
It was awesome. Tiff has an amazing knack for catching great moments of sports games on film with the baseball game, which she barely missed me catching a foul ball, and the soccer game, which she caught the tying goal in the closing seconds. Today though she had to work at, but she got this:
Pretty cool eh? The place went crazy and the Redskins were about to tie it up, but they missed the point after, Doh!
The next series was the big 50-plus yard touchdown that proved to be the game winner, but we don't have that one on film. The Redskins won the game and "Hail to the Redskins!" could be heard all the way till we reached the highway.
Our seats were in the swanky Upper Suite Level and included an all-you-can-eat buffet and we matched the challenge of eating all that we can eat, which makes a great game that much greater.
On a side note: I'm still a huge DC United fan, but it would be nice if they'd win a game once in a while.
It was awesome. Tiff has an amazing knack for catching great moments of sports games on film with the baseball game, which she barely missed me catching a foul ball, and the soccer game, which she caught the tying goal in the closing seconds. Today though she had to work at, but she got this:
Pretty cool eh? The place went crazy and the Redskins were about to tie it up, but they missed the point after, Doh!
The next series was the big 50-plus yard touchdown that proved to be the game winner, but we don't have that one on film. The Redskins won the game and "Hail to the Redskins!" could be heard all the way till we reached the highway.
Our seats were in the swanky Upper Suite Level and included an all-you-can-eat buffet and we matched the challenge of eating all that we can eat, which makes a great game that much greater.
On a side note: I'm still a huge DC United fan, but it would be nice if they'd win a game once in a while.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
U2 Can Rock!
Last Tuesday, I got to see one of the greatest bands of all-time. I've talked about how great U2 is before after seeing their 3-D concert movie, but being there at the show, along with 80,000 of my closest friends, was a truly amazing experience, even from third-level seating behind the stage.
I'm not even that big of a fan, really, but something about their music is suited for huge crowds and everyone singing together. It's hard to compare it to anything, but I would say that, with that many people, it was as close to a religious experience as I've had in a long time. A bit of overstatement, maybe, but that's my line and sticking with it.
Not everyone agreed though. After the show, while I'm still amazed by what I just saw - the music and the stage-presence of the band - I was standing in line for the bathroom behind two guys complaining about the show. Or complaining about something. One said, "I lost interest after he mentioned Nancy Pelosi," who along with a fairly good size list of politicians was in attendance. There was no praise or support for them, Bono - U2's highly political front-man - thanked them for being there. The only praise given was to the USA in general and to President Bush for his work with AIDS reduction in Africa.
The other one in the bathroom was saying, "how much of the money they get do they actually give back? Maybe 2 cents for every dollar... I've lost all my respect for them." What? Really? I don't understand people. And they're not alone! That's what they were talking about on the morning radio show the next day! Most everyone who called in agreed! I don't get it. It was a rock concert!
Whatever... it was just a strange part of an awesome experience. It didn't ruin it one bit. The traffic though, that almost did. Three hours to and three hours back to a venue, Fedex Field, less than an hour away. On the way back, the first two hours were spent sitting in the parking lot watching nobody move.
It made for a very long night and had Tiff saying that she'd never go there again.
I'm not even that big of a fan, really, but something about their music is suited for huge crowds and everyone singing together. It's hard to compare it to anything, but I would say that, with that many people, it was as close to a religious experience as I've had in a long time. A bit of overstatement, maybe, but that's my line and sticking with it.
Not everyone agreed though. After the show, while I'm still amazed by what I just saw - the music and the stage-presence of the band - I was standing in line for the bathroom behind two guys complaining about the show. Or complaining about something. One said, "I lost interest after he mentioned Nancy Pelosi," who along with a fairly good size list of politicians was in attendance. There was no praise or support for them, Bono - U2's highly political front-man - thanked them for being there. The only praise given was to the USA in general and to President Bush for his work with AIDS reduction in Africa.
The other one in the bathroom was saying, "how much of the money they get do they actually give back? Maybe 2 cents for every dollar... I've lost all my respect for them." What? Really? I don't understand people. And they're not alone! That's what they were talking about on the morning radio show the next day! Most everyone who called in agreed! I don't get it. It was a rock concert!
Whatever... it was just a strange part of an awesome experience. It didn't ruin it one bit. The traffic though, that almost did. Three hours to and three hours back to a venue, Fedex Field, less than an hour away. On the way back, the first two hours were spent sitting in the parking lot watching nobody move.
It made for a very long night and had Tiff saying that she'd never go there again.
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