The crazy thing about my long silence these last six months is that I’ve had a boo-koo amount of things to write about. I could write a book-Oh! I’ve been so busy doing one amazing thing after another that I’m not sure I would have had time to write it all down. It would have been better than the best blog in the world!
I have done some really cool stuff and found some interesting things to think about. There’s no time to look back, however. Life gets too complicated if I spend my time rehashing events that took place days or even weeks ago. What I need to focus on is the here and now and what I had for lunch… another Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich hit the spot. The future’s got potential, too.
Another word about lunch: Oreos. I packed a few oreos with my lunch today. I was a little worried about them, because I didn’t put them in anything so they were just floating around. They did not disappoint though.
A couple of days ago, I ran into trouble when I tried to put Oreos in the same container that carries my Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich. My sandwich got all hard and my cookies got all soft. It was disastrous! But that’s neither here nor now… although it is about what I had for lunch.
Did I say the best blog in the world? Oh yeah, I thought so.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Once Again...
It happened once again. A long and painful silence from the Muted Guerrilla. It is always such a sad thing. People the world over have tried to deal with the absence, some coping better than others. In some places, entire nations are on the brink of collapse! (I’ve heard I’m huge in Greece .)
But blogging has become so passé. I should be tweeting my twit in outbursts of wit or videoing everything for YouTube. At the very least, I need to log in to FaceBook!
Maybe, I’m writing too much to hold people’s interest, most importantly mine. Maybe I should just write “I had a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich for lunch today. Mmm. It hit the spot.” And leave out the part about the row of goslings that walked right behind me or the ducklings that swam around in front of me or the surprisingly loud noise of several geese flying just over head. Or that I got to thinking about the huge number of geese that are always at the lake compared to the number of ducks, and if I were to go around and bop them on the head, most likely I would say “Goose. Goose. Duck!” And if this is the case everywhere, how did the game become duck, duck, goose?
If I’m going to have another run at this, maybe I should get a new format. I could get a swankier website with really cool applications. I could take polls and surveys and respond to fan mail. I could hire an assistant and a publicist and three or four roving reporters and an intern named Jeff. I could see it now!
Perhaps I’d have better luck if I just wrote more for my audience than for myself. So, here it goes… Hey Dad! How are things going? Things here are good. Tiff says hi. The toilet is making a whistling sound when it flushes, any guesses?
But blogging has become so passé. I should be tweeting my twit in outbursts of wit or videoing everything for YouTube. At the very least, I need to log in to FaceBook!
Maybe, I’m writing too much to hold people’s interest, most importantly mine. Maybe I should just write “I had a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich for lunch today. Mmm. It hit the spot.” And leave out the part about the row of goslings that walked right behind me or the ducklings that swam around in front of me or the surprisingly loud noise of several geese flying just over head. Or that I got to thinking about the huge number of geese that are always at the lake compared to the number of ducks, and if I were to go around and bop them on the head, most likely I would say “Goose. Goose. Duck!” And if this is the case everywhere, how did the game become duck, duck, goose?
If I’m going to have another run at this, maybe I should get a new format. I could get a swankier website with really cool applications. I could take polls and surveys and respond to fan mail. I could hire an assistant and a publicist and three or four roving reporters and an intern named Jeff. I could see it now!
Perhaps I’d have better luck if I just wrote more for my audience than for myself. So, here it goes… Hey Dad! How are things going? Things here are good. Tiff says hi. The toilet is making a whistling sound when it flushes, any guesses?
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Halloween
Halloween happened. It was a bit rainy, but we still managed to unload the bulk of our candy. In an effort to win over the neighborhood kids, I tried to fill our candy bowl with candy meant to Wow! I got some Snickers, some Reese’s, some minty 3 Musketeers, some Twix, some KitKats, and some M&M’s. And I threw in some 100 Grand Bars, which may have just taken the top spot on the My Favorite Candy Bar list.At the last minute, Tiff added some Smarties and some cheapy boxes of “Candy Sticks” that had Marvel Comics on the boxes. I rolled my eyes at her trivial contribution. Her little piles of lesser sweets next to my impressive sum of shiny packaging made me laugh as I mixed them all together. She also threw in some cheap kazoos and squishy eyeballs.
When the kids started coming, Tiff and I sat side by side behind our bowl of treats. We greeted each one and watched as they sifted through the goodies to find the best, and time after time, the best was Smarties, Candy Sticks, and Kazoos.
One Notre Dame football player, helmet and all, began by taking just one thing, a pack of Smarties. I encouraged him to take more, and about five minutes later, he ambled off with his hands full of nothing but Smarties. He must have taken no less than a dozen of them! Hopefully, all those Smarties will go to his head!
We were constantly telling the trick-or-treaters to take more. “Take a few pieces,” I would say; “Take a whole handful!” Tiff would second. I guess most kids were under a strict one piece per house rule. Most kids, though, didn’t hesitate to reach in for more.
One little kid later in the evening, I think he was a Superhero of some sort, spent a good bit of time just looking into the bowl, presumably deep in thought, considering his choices. He tentatively reached in and grabbed the last kazoo. Tiff told him it was a kazoo and that it makes noise. The kid’s face… it was like a light bulb had gone off, and before we could tell him to take a few pieces, take a whole handful, he turned tail and ran off shouting, “I got a kazoo! I got a kazoo!”
All this is to say that I clearly missed the mark on winning over our target audience. Or did I? There’s nothing wrong, in my mind, with left over Halloween candy.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Gearing Up for Halloween
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Montage
Tiff put together a montage of a few of the better clips from our night of Quelf... one of the greatest games of all time.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Johnny Bubblenut
I mentioned Quelf in passing a few weeks ago. It is truly one of the greatest games around. It is however completely random and you have to be willing to do anything and everything from writing and performing your own song to putting six ice cubes down your shorts until you roll a three with the dice.
We got the chance to play this weekend, and Tiff had the camera out at every chance. There were quite a few good ones, but many were too long and just too randomly nonsensical to include. But here's one that I had to do... and every action I made was laid out in the instructions on the card.
Everything except the tie around my head... that was a game-long rule that I had to have a tie around my head like a ninja.
The lighting's not so good because Tiff was acting like Siamese twins with our friend Dustin, so she had moved her seat.
Anyways, Quelf... anyone who's up for fun, and making fun of himself, should give it a shot.
We got the chance to play this weekend, and Tiff had the camera out at every chance. There were quite a few good ones, but many were too long and just too randomly nonsensical to include. But here's one that I had to do... and every action I made was laid out in the instructions on the card.
Everything except the tie around my head... that was a game-long rule that I had to have a tie around my head like a ninja.
The lighting's not so good because Tiff was acting like Siamese twins with our friend Dustin, so she had moved her seat.
Anyways, Quelf... anyone who's up for fun, and making fun of himself, should give it a shot.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Food For Thought
Today, I treated myself to Chik-Fil-A. I’m not sure why, it just sounded really good. Chik-Fil-A proudly claims, repeatedly on every wall, that they “didn’t invent the chicken, just the chicken sandwich.” I don’t know who invented what, but both inventions – the chicken and the chicken sandwich - should go down as miracles. Their sandwiches are just that good.
But here’s the strange part… the music. They weren’t playing “Top40Hits” or “Music While You Work” or “Today’s Best Music” or even some sort of Country that I’ve come to expect at places like that. They were playing straight up Gospel, with a little bit of God Rock in there.
I didn’t recognize it at first. It all kind of sounds the same to me. But as I was watching the water change color in the urinal, I heard something like “Praise Out to Jesus” being sung over and over. I tuned into it after that, and every song offered joy-filled adoration and praise to our lord and savior Jesus Christ.
I was a bit surprised to say the least. I mean I get Chik-Fil-A maintains this closed-on-Sundays, holier-than-thou image. And their chicken, I believe, is truly heaven-sent to satisfy my deepest cravings. Plus, the people at this particular Chik-Fil-A were Ned Flanders happy and helpful – they took my tray when I was done!, but not before asking if I’d like more fries, on the house.
I declined the fries, but it all got me thinking; is it okay for a general business, open to the public, to play god music? I pondered it and decided that I would expect a McKosher-Fil-A King to play some sort of Hassidic chanting… or at least hope that it would. Somehow though, it doesn’t seem right. This wasn’t the Christian Café, it was Chick-Fil-A. I think it might have just been a bit too close to my shaky faith to be honest.
In the end though, I was cool with it. I praised out to Jesus and enjoyed my sandwich miracle. I did not get a milkshake, even though they are some of the best around... even though they are sinfully delicious.
But here’s the strange part… the music. They weren’t playing “Top40Hits” or “Music While You Work” or “Today’s Best Music” or even some sort of Country that I’ve come to expect at places like that. They were playing straight up Gospel, with a little bit of God Rock in there.
I didn’t recognize it at first. It all kind of sounds the same to me. But as I was watching the water change color in the urinal, I heard something like “Praise Out to Jesus” being sung over and over. I tuned into it after that, and every song offered joy-filled adoration and praise to our lord and savior Jesus Christ.
I was a bit surprised to say the least. I mean I get Chik-Fil-A maintains this closed-on-Sundays, holier-than-thou image. And their chicken, I believe, is truly heaven-sent to satisfy my deepest cravings. Plus, the people at this particular Chik-Fil-A were Ned Flanders happy and helpful – they took my tray when I was done!, but not before asking if I’d like more fries, on the house.
I declined the fries, but it all got me thinking; is it okay for a general business, open to the public, to play god music? I pondered it and decided that I would expect a McKosher-Fil-A King to play some sort of Hassidic chanting… or at least hope that it would. Somehow though, it doesn’t seem right. This wasn’t the Christian Café, it was Chick-Fil-A. I think it might have just been a bit too close to my shaky faith to be honest.
In the end though, I was cool with it. I praised out to Jesus and enjoyed my sandwich miracle. I did not get a milkshake, even though they are some of the best around... even though they are sinfully delicious.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
OMG! IHDEM!
Yesterday I went to the dentist to have my cavities filled. My usual dentist wasn’t there, so just like in school, they brought in a substitute. And just like in school, the substitute wasn’t very good. It was awful and I hate the dentist even more. I started recounting my trials to Tiff and she couldn’t stop laughing at me, so she turned on the camera.
Basically what happened was… after me knocking onto the floor all the stuff that would go into my mouth as I was reclining from sitting to laying down, which I had no control over, I got three abnormally painful shots. They got the top half of my mouth feeling all funny, but they didn’t do the trick for the bottom. So, I got two more shots for the bottom.
The dentist starts working on the top and drill, drill, drill… OW! Insane amount of pain. I raise my hand like I’ve been told to do if it hurts. The first thing he said was something like, “it shouldn’t be hurting now.” And if that wasn’t comforting enough, he then said to his assistant, “Have you ever…?” He explained that if it didn’t hurt before it shouldn’t be hurting at this point. Then he gave me another shot.
As I was waiting for the sixth shot to kick in, I started thinking about my wife’s grandfather who – through stories – apparently cut off part of his toe because of a persistent blister that was bothering him. I’ve heard the story several times and I’ve always been impressed with the level of pain tolerance, but sitting in that chair, for the first time I began to wonder why he didn’t just get a different pair of shoes. It was this story though that helped me through the pain that would come.
Yes, the pain continued. After the amount of time, dear old dentist, with drill in hand, had at it. This time the pain was pretty intense but I was determined to man up and get through it. Plus, I didn’t want the giant needle in my mouth anymore. When after about thirty seconds of drilling, the pain level shot up and I involuntarily reacted, the dentist jerked away from my mouth and said something I hope to never hear again, let alone from a dentist: “You’re scaring me.”
You’re scaring me, doctor. I pushed through until the drilling was done. And then it was time for the fillings, which involved giant metal spacers and picks that stick between your teeth. All in all, it was awful. And while I hate flossing and have trouble doing it, I will be flossing from here on out, if it means that I will never experience that again.
Basically what happened was… after me knocking onto the floor all the stuff that would go into my mouth as I was reclining from sitting to laying down, which I had no control over, I got three abnormally painful shots. They got the top half of my mouth feeling all funny, but they didn’t do the trick for the bottom. So, I got two more shots for the bottom.
The dentist starts working on the top and drill, drill, drill… OW! Insane amount of pain. I raise my hand like I’ve been told to do if it hurts. The first thing he said was something like, “it shouldn’t be hurting now.” And if that wasn’t comforting enough, he then said to his assistant, “Have you ever…?” He explained that if it didn’t hurt before it shouldn’t be hurting at this point. Then he gave me another shot.
As I was waiting for the sixth shot to kick in, I started thinking about my wife’s grandfather who – through stories – apparently cut off part of his toe because of a persistent blister that was bothering him. I’ve heard the story several times and I’ve always been impressed with the level of pain tolerance, but sitting in that chair, for the first time I began to wonder why he didn’t just get a different pair of shoes. It was this story though that helped me through the pain that would come.
Yes, the pain continued. After the amount of time, dear old dentist, with drill in hand, had at it. This time the pain was pretty intense but I was determined to man up and get through it. Plus, I didn’t want the giant needle in my mouth anymore. When after about thirty seconds of drilling, the pain level shot up and I involuntarily reacted, the dentist jerked away from my mouth and said something I hope to never hear again, let alone from a dentist: “You’re scaring me.”
You’re scaring me, doctor. I pushed through until the drilling was done. And then it was time for the fillings, which involved giant metal spacers and picks that stick between your teeth. All in all, it was awful. And while I hate flossing and have trouble doing it, I will be flossing from here on out, if it means that I will never experience that again.
Something to Look Forward To...
I just bought some new underwear the other day. I sprung for the middle tier price. It was worth every penny. I think that underwear shopping should be a regular event, much like checking your smoke detectors and visiting the dentist.
So I’m marking my calendar: I bought them on Sunday, September 13. Six months would be March 13, 2010. Now that is something to look forward to.
So I’m marking my calendar: I bought them on Sunday, September 13. Six months would be March 13, 2010. Now that is something to look forward to.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
So I Married a Vegetarian
Tiff’s gone all vegetarian on me. I have not. I have a movie to thank, Fast Food Nation. I’ve read the book, which was disgusting, but in the movie, which I haven’t seen, they show the process. It sounds even more disgusting and would likely lead even me to go vegetarian. Tiff’s talked about going vegan, but I think she feels like that’s more about reading labels than eating food, so that hasn’t happened… yet. Plus, to have to go through life without cheese would just be a shame.
It happened on my birthday, so she’s been going for four months strong now. It’s not exactly what I wanted for my birthday, but it hasn’t been nearly as bad as I would have thought. Our meals haven’t changed too terribly much, and we are eating a lot of pasta and Mexican-type food. When we go out to eat I still get meat, so we have been going to Chipotle and Red Robin a lot more. Red Robin has great hamburgers, and according to Tiff even better veggie-burgers. We still go to Five Guys too, and she’s got me eating the veggie sandwich, which is just their fully loaded burger without the meat. There is no veggie patty and you don’t really miss it.
I do however eat quite a bit less meat now. My lunches are now strictly peanut butter and jelly. We don’t eat chicken and sloppy-joe’s and meatloaf of course, but I’m eating a whole lot more hot dogs, for better or for worse. She’s got me thinking about it quite a bit, which is strange. Our milk is now organic, which is better for us too because we never drank a lot of it and the organic stuff is good for like a month before it spoils. Our eggs are from a local place too, on the way to my in-laws. Last time I drove out there, I had to slow down because the chickens were walking across the road - I’m not sure why.
Anyways, all this is old news and has become part of our lives, but I mention it now for this. I went vegetarian once. I sacrificed meat for a whole month, it wasn’t too bad and it made for some fun times. I’ve started up the Sacrifices again… starting with video games. It’s not too terribly exciting, but I’m doing it and you’re going to hear about it, so check it out!
It happened on my birthday, so she’s been going for four months strong now. It’s not exactly what I wanted for my birthday, but it hasn’t been nearly as bad as I would have thought. Our meals haven’t changed too terribly much, and we are eating a lot of pasta and Mexican-type food. When we go out to eat I still get meat, so we have been going to Chipotle and Red Robin a lot more. Red Robin has great hamburgers, and according to Tiff even better veggie-burgers. We still go to Five Guys too, and she’s got me eating the veggie sandwich, which is just their fully loaded burger without the meat. There is no veggie patty and you don’t really miss it.
I do however eat quite a bit less meat now. My lunches are now strictly peanut butter and jelly. We don’t eat chicken and sloppy-joe’s and meatloaf of course, but I’m eating a whole lot more hot dogs, for better or for worse. She’s got me thinking about it quite a bit, which is strange. Our milk is now organic, which is better for us too because we never drank a lot of it and the organic stuff is good for like a month before it spoils. Our eggs are from a local place too, on the way to my in-laws. Last time I drove out there, I had to slow down because the chickens were walking across the road - I’m not sure why.
Anyways, all this is old news and has become part of our lives, but I mention it now for this. I went vegetarian once. I sacrificed meat for a whole month, it wasn’t too bad and it made for some fun times. I’ve started up the Sacrifices again… starting with video games. It’s not too terribly exciting, but I’m doing it and you’re going to hear about it, so check it out!
Monday, September 07, 2009
In Training...
The Krispy Kreme Challenge is only a few short months away!
It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger!
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Taking the Challenge
I’m in training… well, maybe I’ll start tomorrow.
I’ve wanted to get in shape and maybe a drop a few pounds for quite some time. I don’t think I’m crazy out of shape, and I’m not crazy big, but it would be nice to start to feel like I’m healthier. The problem is that I like to eat.
I eat sweets. I eat other stuff, but it’s sweets that get me. I don’t think I’d have much trouble not eating squash or not eating cabbage, but the thought of not eating sweets is awful… and I should know! I’ve tried it before! And look where that got me – sure I may have felt better, but it left me with nothing to say – nothing to say to you, the world!
I think I’ve found a solution to all my problems. It is something that combines what I want from myself and what I want for myself; it gets me in shape and lets me eat cake. Well… maybe not cake, but the Krispy Kreme Challenge is all about running and eating donuts. I’m seeing two big positives – where could this possibly go wrong?
Okay, so the annual race, in its fourth-year this February, has you run through Raleigh , NC for 2 miles, stop and eat a dozen donuts, and then run back 2 miles to where you started. It is brilliant! I’m so excited!
I do need to seriously start training up for it though if I’m going to be able to do it. So, Today: I’ll try to eat a dozen donuts. Tomorrow: I’ll try to run 4 miles… and if I’m feeling up for it after that, I might try to eat a dozen donuts, too.
I’ve wanted to get in shape and maybe a drop a few pounds for quite some time. I don’t think I’m crazy out of shape, and I’m not crazy big, but it would be nice to start to feel like I’m healthier. The problem is that I like to eat.
I eat sweets. I eat other stuff, but it’s sweets that get me. I don’t think I’d have much trouble not eating squash or not eating cabbage, but the thought of not eating sweets is awful… and I should know! I’ve tried it before! And look where that got me – sure I may have felt better, but it left me with nothing to say – nothing to say to you, the world!
I think I’ve found a solution to all my problems. It is something that combines what I want from myself and what I want for myself; it gets me in shape and lets me eat cake. Well… maybe not cake, but the Krispy Kreme Challenge is all about running and eating donuts. I’m seeing two big positives – where could this possibly go wrong?
Okay, so the annual race, in its fourth-year this February, has you run through Raleigh , NC for 2 miles, stop and eat a dozen donuts, and then run back 2 miles to where you started. It is brilliant! I’m so excited!
I do need to seriously start training up for it though if I’m going to be able to do it. So, Today: I’ll try to eat a dozen donuts. Tomorrow: I’ll try to run 4 miles… and if I’m feeling up for it after that, I might try to eat a dozen donuts, too.
Friday, September 04, 2009
US Open Cup
I cheered till the bitter end.
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DC United hosted the US Open Cup, but it was the visitors that hoisted the US Open Cup. Congrats to Seattle, who won the game, and has clearly won the hearts of some die-hard fans.
The game Wednesday night was truly great. Despite being outplayed through much of the game, DC lost in dramatic fashion, down a man, with several opportunities to even it up in the final minutes. This video my wife took... I didn't realize she was so short... no wonder she didn't like it as much as me.
As my wife said at the time, “Why can’t the whole game be like this?” The surprisingly large-ish crowd was loud and raucous throughout the game and for me, it was really cool to be a part of it.
Seattle though, a city that’s almost 3000 miles away, had a good size crowd of supporters there themselves, and they got the run of the entire upper-deck. I’ve said it before, it’s pretty damn impressive those fans of theirs.
While there was little to celebrate afterwards, the atmosphere at the game was wonderful and it makes me want to go again and again, even if I have to go alone. I think my wife has reached her fill of soccer for the season, but there’s always next year.
Plus, tomorrow night DC United’s on TV! Hopefully, I can cheer till a better end.
DC United hosted the US Open Cup, but it was the visitors that hoisted the US Open Cup. Congrats to Seattle, who won the game, and has clearly won the hearts of some die-hard fans.The game Wednesday night was truly great. Despite being outplayed through much of the game, DC lost in dramatic fashion, down a man, with several opportunities to even it up in the final minutes. This video my wife took... I didn't realize she was so short... no wonder she didn't like it as much as me.
As my wife said at the time, “Why can’t the whole game be like this?” The surprisingly large-ish crowd was loud and raucous throughout the game and for me, it was really cool to be a part of it.
Seattle though, a city that’s almost 3000 miles away, had a good size crowd of supporters there themselves, and they got the run of the entire upper-deck. I’ve said it before, it’s pretty damn impressive those fans of theirs.
While there was little to celebrate afterwards, the atmosphere at the game was wonderful and it makes me want to go again and again, even if I have to go alone. I think my wife has reached her fill of soccer for the season, but there’s always next year.
Plus, tomorrow night DC United’s on TV! Hopefully, I can cheer till a better end.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Another Weekend Older
This past weekend we had company in town, which is always fun. We played a few games, we ate a few meals, and we saw a few very young people.
First off, we played a few games, beginning with ping-pong. Here’s a quick video:
We also played a couple of board games, including a game that we just got called Quelf. It may be one of the greatest games ever made. It is like a very random Cranium game for grown-ups… mixed with some rules from drinking games. It is sublime.
I also have to say that we went out to eat twice, both of which were playing sports on their TVs. And that sport… soccer. Off the premium soccer channel, no less. There we were, eating our food, watching Italian soccer like it was baseball or football or something. It was great! I imagine with the start of college football this weekend, that trend will quickly end. It was good while it lasted.
And lastly, on Sunday, we slept in and got a slow start and then drove the hour or so down to my old college campus, Mary Washington College. We walked through the neighborhood a bit and then walked down Campus Walk and checked out all the new improvements they have made over the last seven years... which are quite impressive. We didn't see many people, so when we saw some students, we asked them when classes started and everybody returned to school. The answer surprised us at first: Classes started last week. It's just Sunday... and it's still early. Then I looked at the clock and remembered... 1:30 in the afternoon on a Sunday was early at one time in my life.
Oi... I'm getting old.
First off, we played a few games, beginning with ping-pong. Here’s a quick video:
We also played a couple of board games, including a game that we just got called Quelf. It may be one of the greatest games ever made. It is like a very random Cranium game for grown-ups… mixed with some rules from drinking games. It is sublime.
I also have to say that we went out to eat twice, both of which were playing sports on their TVs. And that sport… soccer. Off the premium soccer channel, no less. There we were, eating our food, watching Italian soccer like it was baseball or football or something. It was great! I imagine with the start of college football this weekend, that trend will quickly end. It was good while it lasted.
And lastly, on Sunday, we slept in and got a slow start and then drove the hour or so down to my old college campus, Mary Washington College. We walked through the neighborhood a bit and then walked down Campus Walk and checked out all the new improvements they have made over the last seven years... which are quite impressive. We didn't see many people, so when we saw some students, we asked them when classes started and everybody returned to school. The answer surprised us at first: Classes started last week. It's just Sunday... and it's still early. Then I looked at the clock and remembered... 1:30 in the afternoon on a Sunday was early at one time in my life.
Oi... I'm getting old.
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