Just another use for the iPhone

As if everyone else hasn't already come up with great apps and uses for the iPhone. I have to say, that this one tops all others in my book. Take a look at this clip from tonight and I will explain afterwards.

I can't believe it, I am getting really old. Maddie decided that the glowing iPhone, like a beacon of hope, was worth crawling for. Now, she didn't have the urge when it was simply Kacey or I a few feet away from her. And not even for food did she ever get the inertia moving toward her goal. Yet, like her daddy, she couldn't resist technology. I am not sure what makes me more proud, my daughters first stumbles of a crawl or her love of technology at such a young age. Either way, I am thrilled.

technology today

I was just reflecting on exactly how much life has changed. I never had a cell phone growing up, yet yesterday I held a conference call with 3 countries from my blackberry. And since I was on my blackberry on the train, I had my iPhone out to check the web while the call was going on. While my wife would disagree, it is amazing how we all multitask nowadays. I am sitting on the train going into the city with my wireless card in my laptop doing emails. I also use my bb to twitter some random thoughts - www.twitter.com/rupp I have a blog, a twitter page, a facebook page, 2 cell phones, 3 laptops, and 2 desktops. This does not include other data storage and random other odds and ends in the technology world. How did people manage 20 years ago? I get frustrated when I can't find a wireless signal and think that my current company is behind the times for not having building wide wireless. My parents didn't have computers, cell phones, or virtual voicemail. It is amazing to me that the world continued to spin without all of the technology that we all depend on daily. Most kids have their own cell phone and computers. I guess I have a love/hate relationship with technology. While it makes life easier, it makes it harder to live without doing more stuffed into every second. In light of this thought, I am going to shut down the computer, both cell phones, and sleep all the way to the city this morning. Now thats doing it old school.

Train pulls in, train pulls out

First, let me tell you that you don't want to criticize your wife to the whole world. I have not gotten past the whole "whose fault was it that Maddie pee'd on me last night". She is still a little bitter, but that is my lot. I even think she got to the train conductor. I was walking down the line to get on the train when it pulled out of the station. Usually, there is a little sound or something to clue you in that the train is leaving. I saw my conductor look at me and with a gleam in his eye, lock the doors and pull the train out leaving me standing alone on the deck. I am guessing that Kacey had something to do with this, but not sure how. That is the thing that sucks about commuting by train. Literally, on the second, the train pulls out of the station. It waits for no one. Like death, there are no second chances.

Don't listen to your wife

Today has been a long day.  It started with a 45 minute wait on an un-airconditioned train that was broke down half way to Chicago.  Of course, since the rest of the trains were delayed we had to make every stop on the way to Chicago which took my 1 hour express train and made it a 2 hour stop at every stop train that couldn't possibly fit another small child.  Amazingly though, the ticket collector was able to slip by everyone and collect tickets on every car.  You would think that they would have given us a free ride after putting up with that.  i would have happily paid the $4 to take me back and just let me drive.  

Either way, my night only got better by some stunning advice from my wife.  She is going to be upset that I wrote this, but this was her fault completely.  Maddie was going to take a bath, so I changed her quickly and was putting on her diaper to take her upstairs.  Kacey says, and I quote, "why would you waste a diaper?  You are just walking upstairs".  So I listen to my all knowing and supremely wise wife who always seems to be right.  Yeah, I turn on the water and put Maddie over my head to give her a quick superman ride.  She gets so excited, she pees all over me and the bed.  Kacey grins and says, "thats funny, I didn't think she would pee".  Really?  Thats all you have when you so blatantly screw up, and you say "thats funny"???  Come on, you have to do better than that.  Thats like driving through a crowd of people and denting your car.  "thats funny, I didn't think about the damage on the the car."  Lets be clear.  That is not funny.  Nor did you think.  Thinking would have been putting the diaper on Maddie to ensure that no accidents happened.  But, at the end of the day, I chose to listen and not put the diaper on.  So I will take roughly 3% of the blame.  Last time I listen to my wife when it comes to human waste issues.

Busy weekend

As you can see, I had a little help tonight with the blog posting.  She felt as though I chose the wrong picture on Friday and wanted to ensure that the pictures showed her in the most flattering light.  She also has been helping me with spelling and a little grammar.  She doesn't really enunciate well, but she is amazing on the keyboard!

So, I know that all of you are wondering what we could have possibly did this weekend that kept me from blogging yesterday.  Well, I have gotten up early both Saturday and today to get stuff done.  I had to get up early yesterday to clean the pool, get gas in Kacey's car, get it washed, get the oil changed, and fill our bike tires with air.  Now that we have the bikes, I thought we should actually ride them.  So when i got home from all of this, we put the bike carriage behind my bike and went on a 1.5 hour bike ride with Maddie.  I thought it would be fun, but for someone who hasn't exercised in a long time, it was more of a tortured roll through the town.  I blamed it on towing Maddie, but its really just me being out of shape.  At this age she can't defend herself so it is just easier to shift blame onto her.

So finally, Maddie was frustrated with the lack of grass in our yard.  She has never played in the grass, so she felt it was time to change that.  I tried to explain to her that the landscapers STILL weren't done and it would be another week or so.  She decided to take control and change things herself.  The next thing I knew, as you can see below, she was working the land like a pro.  I was a little scared, but she did some pretty good work.  Plus, she is a lot cheaper!

1st Cosmetic Surgery for Maddie

So yes, Maddie has had her first elective surgery.  She got her ears pierced today.  She already loves to show them off.  As you can see, she likes the yellow hat as she thinks the pink stones really stand out against it.  She is already a little diva like her mother.  So seeing the immense pain that she went through to get the earrings, it made me glad we did it at such a young age.  But, it also made me wonder why we pierce ears, or any other crevice on our bodies.  There is no functional value to the piercing.  It is not like it fights infection, corrects vision, or even keeps us warm.  At the end of the day it does nothing except increase the risk of getting them caught on something and having our ear lobes torn asunder and needed a second cosmetic surgery to sow our ears back together.  I am not sure why I am speaking in "us" and "we", as I don't have my ear pierced and never will.  i had a couple of friends in high school pierce their ears, guys, and I always thought that they looked stupid.  Lets stick a long, sharp needle through our ear so that people will like us more.  Better yet, my favorite is when people where these big 3 carat diamonds in their ears to look rich.  Like I am going to think better of you because you have a big cubic zirconium in your ear.  Anyway, I think that Maddie looks adorable with the earrings, so I don't mind her having them.  I just don't understand where something like that starts.  How does someone get the idea that poking a big hole through perfectly good skin, making it bleed, and needing to insert some object so the skin doesn't fix the wound, self repair, and close the hole naturally.  And then, how do other people admire that and mirror this strange behavior.  Masochists if you ask me, but cute nonetheless.

iPood

So this is Maddie tonight.  A couple of friends bought this onesie for Maddie when she was born.  I thought that maybe she would wear it in the first couple of months.  Here it is, she is turning 9 months old, and I can finally put her in it.  I have a strange sense of humor, so i find a shirt that says iPood really funny.  It is kind of strange how differently we all adapt humor into our own lives.  While joking about bodily functions of a baby may make me laugh, to some people children are annoying.  My wife always thinks that I am crazy because I find odd things funny.  Like when she is really mad and loses her temper at me, I think that is really funny.  Or when Maddie puts her hand prints all over the mirror, I find that really funny.  Or that new Japanese Game show Wipeout.  I find the original much more funny, this is a can't miss. I mean, where else can you see people run on a treadmill at full speed with swim flippers on while people throw full sized blow up animals at them until they trip and fall in a big shaving cream pool?  Or better yet, make them run up a ramp while throwing logs at them while spraying them with a full sized fire engine hose in the face.  For those of you who think that that sounds funny, this show is for you and the shirt should make you laugh.  The rest of you, lighten up.  Live life a little, and learn to laugh at yourself.  Believe me, over the past couple of months, I have done a lot of laughing at myself for your entertainment.  So loosen up and enjoy life a little.  You might be surprised how unserious and enjoyable life can be.

The cure

So I know you were wondering what cure I might have come up with.  And especially since my career path has not wondered down a path of medicinal purpose, I know you might be lost.  Then, of course, you might be thinking, what kind of disease does he have that he might need a cure from.  All of you would be wrong.  The picture at the top might have given it away, but I cured the smoker tonight.

Of course I didn't start out curing it.  No, I opened the box to 55 pieces of metal and a big box.  Kacey had plans tonight so it was Maddie, me and the big metal smoker.  Additionally, Maddie is going through separation anxiety right now.  Not just the simple, I don't want to go to other people anxiety.  More like the, I don't want to be set down or I will scream like you cut off a finger separation anxiety.  So, it was a lot of fun/frustration putting together the smoker.  The best part was trying to hold a nut and washer on the back of a bolt, while holding Maddie.  Trying times, but Maddie found it entertaining nonetheless.  

Finally, I got it put together, after putting the legs on twice.  Who would have thought they were supposed to stick out to the side???  And i had to go through the cure process.  Having never done it, it wasn't too bad.  You are supposed to wipe down the entire thing with vegetable oil and then start the charcoal and wood chips and let it cook all night.  As you might guess, wiping it down with one hand on Maddie was difficult.  If you look closely at the picture, you can see where I spilled the bottle of vegetable oil on the top of the smoker.  

I was going to surprise Kacey, until I realized that I spent the whole night with Maddie right in front of the smoker, she smells like mesquite wood chips.  I gave her a bath to try to hide the fact that I did this project with Maddie in my arms from Kacey.  So, by the time Kacey got home, Maddie smelled like mesquite wood chips, lavender baby wash, and Lily baby powder. After one waft of the burlesque club scent, I knew I had to try something else.  I found these bath scent oils in our closet.  I thought it might be strong enough to overcome the 3 other scents.  Anyway, by the time I was done, she smelled like a lily scented hiker that had lived outdoors for a month, slept by the campfire and had completely walked away from the showering concept.

Kacey walked in the door, grimaced, asked why she ever thought of leaving me alone, took Maddie, and wouldn't let me explain.  Just another day...

A new smoker...

I have always wanted a smoker.  Why you ask.  Well, I can't really answer that, I just have.  I thought it would be cool to smoke some meat in a smoker.  Now, as far as cooking goes, I watch a lot of it on tv.  So I bought this smoker.  I don't have any real pictures of it yet because work has been crazy and I haven't put it together.  So you will have to rely on the Home Depot website to get your fill of great pictures of the next great tool in my arsenal.  I bought the flavored woods chips and all.  I have never used a smoker, don't really even know how they work.  You have to admit, men, that they are just cool.  Whether you know anything about cooking, smoking meat has been done throughout the generations and is still a manly thing to do.  I am planning on smoking some hamburgers, bacon, and then putting some cheddar cheese and bar-b-que sauce on top.  I know that I am on a life changing diet, but more importantly, I have to use my new toy. 

So here's the background on this tool.  Kacey kept saying, "Why do you want it"?  I could never articulate why, I just knew I had to have it.  She kept saying "No".  I kept asking.  Then, yesterday, i realized that I can just buy it.  I wouldn't recommend this on expensive things, but come on, what was she going to do.  I came home with it and she says, "I wondered how long it would be before you just bought it."  She wasn't even mad.  She was playing some Spock mind tricks on me.  I don't think she even cared if I bought it, but she had some sick pleasure pushing my wants to the bottom of the list.  I had used it as a bargaining chip for years.  She wanted something, so I would say that if she got what she wanted, i would get the smoker.  She always backed down.  Well, now I have to learn to use it.  It may be a year or so before you hear back on this one.  In an optimistic light, I think I am going to try this on the sports car I have wanted and she always says no in response.  I am going to just buy it.  I will let you know how that one goes over.  Hopefully, just as well as the smoker...

I too, can ride a bike

Well, Kacey is not the only one that can ride a bike.  I now have proof that I can also ride on two wheels.  I got a little jealous of Kacey and all the whistles she got as she tooled around on her bike.  So, I went out and bought a bike of my own.  I know you are all jealous, but i had to do it.  Now, when Kacey calls and tells me she is going for a ride, i can rush home, grab a bike of my own, and follow her into the sunset.  I couldn't do the whole comfort bike.  I had to buy a bike that at least is classified as a mountain bike.  Not that I will ever ride off the road, or in the rain for that matter, but I have the option if the opportunity presented itself.  It would pretty much take an earthquake that swallowed up all recognizable parts of Illinois, somehow spared my bike, and I would have to have a reason to peddle into any direction, but nonetheless, I would have the capacity to go off road riding.  At that point, I am guessing it would be better to save my strength to forage for food and to build some kind of domicile, but again, if I wanted to take a joy ride to survey the damage I could.  Truthfully, I am just glad that all the neighbors won't call me a sissy with a big banana seat on my bike.  Now, I will look rough and tumble on my all terrain fully capable mountain climber of a bike.  I think I may even add flames just to ensure no one mistakes this ride as a tame unisex suburban neighborhood bicycle.  No, this is a manly utilitarian transportation machine.  In fact, i liken it to a H2.  Not quite all out, I don't want to go all the way, but the slightly tame, prosumer version of the Army's Hummer.

21st century train ticket

I thought all of you would like to see what my train ticket looks like. Not really, but I wanted to point out the huge security measures that they go through to ensure that no one copies and produces their own tickets. Nevermind, there is no security. Literally, in a half hour I could produce this ticket on photoshop. Then, my favorite, as you can see I have used this pass once. They come around and use a ticket punch, a special star shaped ticket punch I might add. Of all things that I have come across while commuting, this is the most disappointing.

A ride with destiny

This bike is on its way to a loving home. It will be housed from the elements as I am pretty sure kacey will not be riding in snow or rain. Hopefully, it will be used frequently not out of need but out of enjoyment. Everyone keep Kacey honest now that she has a bike. No more getting her on the phone at home during the day. Reach her on the cell 10 miles down the bike path with child in tow. Everyday is a new adventure on 2 wheels! Maddie can't wait!

Petey the Cymbal Monkey

I have a great story for you.  Back to the post I added when i was in Florida enjoying life as it should be lived, in shorts, 90 degree temps, and unemployed.  Remember the one with the mechanical monkey that never surfaced in FL pawn shops?  Well, guess what.  Someone took the time to find Petey on ebay and actually bought it for me.  I now have a second petey that I can use for parts and completely fix the original up.  This is an actual picture of my Petey.  As if seeing this thing in my office doesn't scare most people, now it will soon clap the cymbals and shriek like he was destined to do.  

Some of you are saying, no way, I have seen him before.  Some of you are saying that you have never seen anything like that.  You are wrong.  Unless you have lived under a rock for the past 30 years, you have actually seen petey in some pretty big roles.  Thanks to the TV Tropes Wiki, I now have a full biography and list of works that petey has participated in.  He has played a stirring role in pop culture.  From Nirvana's Sliver video, to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, to Rugrats, to the Simpson's movie, to Disney's movie Aladdin, to the Kim Possible movie, and finally all the way back to James Dean and A Rebel Without a Cause. 

Now that you have been properly educated, I would like to at least show you the real thing...  My Petey is not yet rehabbed.  I am working with stealth like qualities of an antiquities restorer, but soon and very soon, you will see a new video of a working Petey on my shelf.  But until then, here is someone else's to wet your appetite...

Metz and "Sons"

So this is the truck of the landscaper. Well, I took a picture to remember it by because it hasn't been here very often. I wanted to remember what they looked like in case they ever showed up to finish my yard. No, that is a joke, but let me tell you, that name is no joke.

I have poked humor at this guy and his "company" for a while now. And I am sure that you all think I am exaggerating and not being very straight up. So, I downloaded the following pictures so that you could all make your own minds up. These are unaltered pictures of the "workers" that have been planting all of the plant life in my backyard. I have heard of child labor, but your own children??? Come on, there has to be a minimum work age in Illinois.

In this picture, the 7 year old is just too tired to do any more work. He takes a well deserved break and drinks some water. I think he got his 15 minute state mandated break because someone from the labor board showed up. Otherwise, the children were drinking straight from the pool without taking a break. Thank goodness for the inspector.

I thought this photo was really great. There are 3 children working, can you find them in this picture? Kind of like where's Waldo, except this is more where's the 3 underage sweatshop children who should be out enjoying their summer vacation instead of playing take your children to work with you this summer. Wait. I mean make your children do your work this summer! It looks like these 3 got the short end of the stick. I bet they were wishing their dad worked at Great America or something.

This picture is a classic. The conversation went something like this, "When you grow up son you are going to be driving one of these". The little boy responded, "I can't wait for next year to come already, that looks like fun." The father reprimands him, "Enough watching, get back to digging the next hole."

Finally, since this young lad is producing much less work than you would expect from a 7 year old, he is put in timeout in 96 degree heat in the back of the truck. Since this is his first issue today, they left the window down. Poor boy, he'll learn someday...

Paradise

Well, first of all, there is zero retouching on this photo.  The sun was setting and it could not have been more beautiful.  For the first time, I could actually see the pool lights glowing and the sunlight tossing a beautiful orange over the water.  I have to say, this is the only way that the pool looks good right now.  The landscapers only worked 2 days last week due to weather.  Yes, for those of you in Illinois, it only rained part of one day, so you are as in the dark as I am.  If you see this picture during the day you would see that I don't have a single blade of grass in the yard.  While it has been great on the back as I haven't had to mow an inch of grass in the backyard, I must say I miss being able to walk anywhere but on the concrete.  I have a small mud pit occupying my backyard as I write.  I love the pool, all 10 weeks late of it.  

On one note, I have to say that I had the world's best sprinkler company install the sprinkler.  He coordinated with the landscaper and showed up Thursday.  We never heard him.  He called that night to tell us that he would be here Friday to pick up the check.  We asked when he would be finished.  And based on the others, we assumed we were talking weeks.  He said he had a big team here Thursday and informed us that he was already done.  I don't know who he was trying to impress.  I mean he had a couple of weeks before I would have even worried.  He had at least a few more days to finish and I would have still been impressed.  But, he wasted no time and the company Paradise Irrigations will go down at least in this blog as the best company and the most pleasant experience from this summer.  

Isn't that cute

I have to be honest, prior to my dad passing away last year, I hadn't really shed a tear in a long time.  Probably years to be exact.  But, anyway, I have to say that with the birth of my daughter, I have cried a few times.  Not like a running nose, wailing or anything, but you know, sometimes things bring a tear to my eye.  It is probably good for me, but I never thought I would be that kind of person.  Anyway, this didn't bring a tear to my eye, but Maddie has definitely done that in the past 9 months.  I just thought this was a cute picture.  She really wanted the hat on.  She isn't big enough to wear it yet, but she really wanted to try.  So, I had to snap a picture.  You have to admit, she is pretty darn cute.

My Train's Musical Chair Game

Just to start off, i don't actually know the names of anyone on my train or my water taxi.  I don't want to keep telling these stories that say, "This girl" or "That guy", so i am going to start naming people in my life.  Now you ask, why would I need names for people unless I know them, well in a commuter's life, you live a whole secondary life.  No one knows you, yet you all know each other.  Kind of creepy really.  So, the people on my train are always the same.  The people on my water taxi, again, all the same.  I have invented lifestyles and families for most of them.  Yes, you may think that is stupid, but I figure if I am going to spend 15 hours with them a week, I should know more about them.  And instead of getting really odd looks and being classified as creepy myself, I make it up rather than turning to the woman next to me and asking, "so, tell me more about your family..."

So back to my day.  I get on the train at the first stop.  I have my pick of cars and rows.  I sit in the absolute last car in the last row.  This way, I can make my water taxi with about 1 minute to spare.  Otherwise it adds 10 minutes to my day and most of you know I don't work much as it is... I digress.  So there is a young woman who sits in the same row, opposite side.  I've named her Jenny.  She seems nice and she is very quiet.  Plus, I don't know too many Jennys so no one can complain.  This is where it gets interesting.  There is this guy, Leon, perfect name by the way, and he gets on at the second spot.  The really humorous thing is you can see him staking his ground as the train approaches.  Given the number of people that get on at the second spot, he must get there very early to ensure that he is standing at the exact location that the train doors will open.  A true talent I might add.

So he bounds up the stairs, as much as a middle aged, slightly overweight, oddly dressed man can bound.  And sits next to Jenny every day.  And if any of you have read the previous posts, you now know train etiquette.  What don't you do???  You never fill a two person seat until all rows have at least one person in them.  But NOOOO, Leon always sits next to Jenny in the last row.  Now, Jenny is single and it creeps her out a little.  Leon, well, he has been married a few times and truly believes he is the lady's man that he sees himself as.  Again, I don't know anything about these people for real, but I am pretty sure I am not far off...

So today, I get on the train, and Jenny moves up a couple of rows.  Now, this never happens.  When you stake out a seat and claim it for multiple weeks, you don't have the option of changing seats, UNLESS, there is a bum or someone has urinated on the seat.  Those two reasons are some of the only ways you can claim another seat.  You see, what happens is when you change seats, the person who, much in a zombie like state, is going to stumble to their predestined seating location is all of the sudden going to be out of sorts.  Just like the visa commercial where someone pays with cash, you will throw the equilibrium of the ENTIRE train off.  It starts a chain reaction that is hard to contain.  Now that you understand the enormity of the situation, you could see my predicament.  There was a reason why she was changing seats and I didn't know what to do.  Do I tell her to quickly get back to her seat before she sets off imbalances in the universe, or do I just let fate take its toll.  I chose numb inaction as the best form of action. 

Leon got on the train at the next spot.  He looked like a frightened puppy dog in a corner.  He glanced sped back and forth, aisle by aisle.  Where was Jenny.  Just then I realized that she was trying to get away from him.  She put her head down and tried to pretend not to be there.  Much like my daughter Maddie thinks that when her eyes are closed that no one can see her, Jenny wished she could be anywhere but there.  Sure enough, he locked onto her with a stalking stare, like "how dare you try not to sit next to me, don't you know you are locked into the seat you have chosen."  I honesty think that Leon felt that Jenny was cheating and not playing by the rules.  Very strange how he sought her out so feverishly.  Anyway, I can guarantee you this was the last time I saw Jenny on this train or in this car.

I felt really bad.  This guy is really creepy, and she can't seem to shake him.  As we got off the train I suggested another train car or train altogether.  I found it quite amusing during the ride.  I felt bad afterwards.  I hope Jenny can forge another bond with an alternative train car.  It was a good 4 weeks and I wish her well.  

Until tomorrow...

The Human Jungle Gym

This will be short and sweet as I am truly exhausted. Many have you have been faithful followers if this blog know that my little sister is pregnant. Very pregnant. As in t minus roughly 50 days to go. Anyway, she was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the 90+ degree weather, the pregnancy, the 4 year old and the 2 year old. When I mentioned this to kacey, she suggested we relieve her of her duties for the night and go take care of them. Now, I love my sis and all, but I was hoping for her to come over so I could spend a little "bob time" in my new pool. Kacey won and we headed to my sister's house with maddie and dinner in tow. As soon as we walked in the door and for the next 30 minutes, I had all 3 kids hanging on my as if I were a human jungle gym. They climbed, they clawed, they jumped, they yelled. I thought I wanted to keep kacey bare foot and pregnant, but I must have been temporarily insane. Now mind you, they were all being good, they were just being kids. But after a night like tonght, I wonder if Madison will be an only child.

Until tomorrow....

The slippery slope

For those of you who don't know what the Golden Corral is, don't guess, you will probably be wrong and I don't want to have to ask where you came up with that guess. As if McDonalds wasn't bad enough today. As I found out today via in person visit and email from my sister, Garretts popcorn is gone. I don't understand how that place is gone as you had to wait over an hour to get popcorn there. Something must have happened, like a small pet in the popcorn or something and they got sued. I mean, it was a cash business that churned people out as if it was a life altering supplement. But, to make my dietary downward spiral complete, I visited the Golden Corral All you can eat buffet.

Let me tell you, one word, SCARY. First of all, I have never seen that much tattoo covered skin in my life. And, on that same note, these people all had large canvases on which to display their art if you know what I mean. You know people are serious about getting their money's worth when they double fist it with plates. One for the hot courses, one for the cold courses, and of course the obligatory strips of bacon laying across the top of both overflowing plates. I have not returned to the buffet since I was young, so the memories had somewhat faded. I have to say, it will be many a decade before these pictures wear away from the walls in my mind. People fighting over whats left of watery scrambled eggs. Kids mixing all of the ingredients on the dessert station. Sticky buns that leak where the shouldn't leak. And the down to earth waitresses busing dripping plates and replacing them with clean fresh saucers on which a week's worth of calories will slide down the throat lubricated with the 3 previous entrees. It was such a site, I was going to take pictures, but this is maybe the one place on earth that everyone was bigger than me. Though I definitely could have outrun them. Starting tomorrow, back on the wagon, fresh from the Golden Corral...

Until tomorrow...

I failed already

I was one day into my new diet and I failed. I was going to have a salad today for lunch. Then, I got into a time crunch and had a carnal desire for McDonalds. Given that I can spit on McDonalds from my window, I felt obligated to go and have lunch there. What I was scared of was the amount that I used to spend there. I didn't want a sudden withdrawal of revenue to after their quarterly earnings, so I am going to try to let them down slow. Starting with dinner I am back on the diet or "lifestyle change". But, I guess that means I could have an afternoon snack. Garretts popcorn is not that far away....

Metra needs to get into this century

Most of you have read about my first day at work and the troubles I had with that. Well, I just wanted to take a moment, while I was on a Metra train, to really complain about how flawed this system actually is. You can't actually use a credit card in any way within the Metra system. This means to park, to buy a ticket, or to renew a monthly pass. This is the most archaic system I have ever taken part in. Don't you think that today, with just a few people on the internet, maybe, just maybe, you might earn a little more money and maybe, at the end of the day, make peoples lives easier??? So, to park, you have to buy a "credit card". Now this card is great. There is no unique identifier on the card, so you can't actually add money to it from the internet. No, you have to get to your train station a good 30 minutes early just to have the hopes of getting in one of 2 lines to add money to your card. Oh yeah, and how to do that is to put $20 dollars, yes, you can only use cash and you can put a maximum of $20 on your card. So the nice thing about this is that every 13 days you have to do this same thing. This seems to me to be a nice Chicago family job running Metra. No reason to do anything about it, it works, we all make money, why make it easier for the commuter.

Not to try to top that, but how about the actual train itself. If you get on the train at a stop without a ticket booth, which means any 21 of the 23 stops on my line. Yes, there are only 2 ticket counters on my whole line. This means the only place to buy passes is at Chicago Union Station. If you get on the train and don't have cash, they ask you to get off. There is no other option. Now, I have been to restaurants that have wireless credit card adaptors, I have been to theme parks that can give you access badges for rides so you don't have to wait in lines, but metra can't take anything but cash. I have been in third world countries that take more credit than Metra does. And Yes, I have been to third world countries, and yes, for real, they take credit. So then you stand in line in Chicago during rush hour, with about 1,000 of your new best friends in the annals of underground chicago with no air conditioning only to buy your pass from a ticket agent that seems to have cable television behind her on her tv but can't possibly take anything but cash or a paper personal check. Now, Metra can't tell me it is for security because anyone can forge a check. And it is not for a lack of technology as they seem to have phones and cable here. What a waste of time, money, and energy. Metra needs to wake up, or they can just continue to be behind the times and all of us lowly commuters will continue to use them because we have no alternative. But just wait until the hi-speed train comes to chicago from Europe, I bet they will accept credit cards. Nevermind, this is Chicago. Whoever runs Metra will get the promotion to run that line too. Hopeless.

My daily boat ride

As you can see, this is my daily water taxi. It is the commuter’s way to navigate the city. It is nice if you work close to one of its 2 stops. Otherwise, completely useless. Luckily for me, I work about 15 steps from the Michigan Ave. stop. Literally, it drops me off at my building. This is one of those, everyone knows everyone types of closed clubs. I still have not cracked their secret handshake. All spots are spoken for on the boat. I am relegated to the last seat at the back right next to the bathroom. Even when no one else is on the boat, I sit next to the latrine. Kind of embarrassing, but I guess I have to do my time before I can move up. I think someone has to die prior to me getting a respectable seat. The first day I rode, everyone looked at me like I had gotten on the wrong boat. Well, if you remember, I actually was on the wrong boat, but that is another story. Anyway, I am the outsider that no one will talk to on the boat everyday. Kind of funny, but no joke, it is a real clique.

Advice for the non-train commuter

Do not get on the train and sit next to the first person you see. There is etiquette involved here. First of all, there are 2 seats at every position. Make sure at least 1 of those seats is full in every row prior to doubling up. Do not sit next to someone when there are empty rows right in front of you!! Second, when there is one person in every row, look up, the second level is the next place to go. There is no reason that you and your huge laptop bag, lunch bag, and 2 cell phones should be sitting next to me when there are empty rows that can handle you and your entourage without platooning your baggage on my lap. I don't want your apologies or explanations, I want you to sit in your own row. Finally, if you must sit next to someone due to an overly high volume of train passengers due to some catastrophe that every other form of transportation has been found useless and this is the only way to travel throughout the US, sit next to the smallest person first. Yes, I am slightly larger than a lot of people, so why would you choose to cuddle up next to me on the train when there are plenty of 100 pound men and women that you wouldn't have to lean on the entire trip. Just some thoughts for those of you who might occasionally take the train and not know how to handle yourselves. If you have further questions, please ask before acting, it will save you an unexpected departure from the train in a not so subtle fashion.

My wife's protest

I have to admit, I may have to give up this blog. Or, maybe simpler, I may have to stop poking fun at my wife. Unfortunately, she knows that I cannot take care of myself. Actually, I have become dependent on her as she takes care of all of the details of our life. She here is here little protest.

Some of you may remember back a few days ago, I blogged about my wife's insight into life, you know the one where she feels like she needs to have 5 sets of everything she likes from sandals to deodorant. Here is the abundance post if you haven't read it. Anyway, my wife decided it was time to undermine my leadership of the family. She did her normal shopping this week, you know stocking up in case of a flood type of preparation. BUT... instead of buying everything we needed, she selectively left a few things off the list. I went to shave Saturday morning, and I couldn't find the shaving cream. I reached around my 5 deodorant sticks and 3 gallon bottles of contact solution, but to no avail. I figured it was somewhere different, so I just didn't shave. This morning I asked Kacey where my shaving cream was. She informed my that from now on, when i ran out of things, I could add them to the shopping list and she would buy them. She let me know that she didn't want to be a hoarder and fill our cabinets with too much LIKE I HAD BLOGGED ABOUT...

You have got to be kidding! She protested a simple poke of fun with no shaving cream. Now my neck is all raw. She suggested I use soap until she could "get to the store". I couldn't believe the gall it takes to do that. I searched the cabinet and found Nair. I thought about using it, but was disuaded by the idea that it is a chemical peel for hair that disintegrates hair while you watch. I thought that coming to work with half my face missing and explaining that I used Nair on my face wouldn't be the best career move. So I sucked it up and used soap. This will not be the last of this issue, but Kacey won this battle. But don't worry, it is not the last battle...

Until tomorrow...

We got a bike

So we bought Kacey a bike. Here she is on her 5th test drive. I am not sure what has changed over the past week and 5 test rides, but we finally pulled the trigger. She wanted me to buy a bike also tonight. I considered it, but had a question for the sales-guy. Where are the ones with the motors? I don't think that a self propelled 2 wheeled vehicle is conducive to my svelte figure. He laughed and told me I have the wrong store for that. We both agreed and bought Kacey a bike. I hope it treats her well. I think I will drive the chaser vehicle with water and back up tires for her rides. That way, when she is overcome with heat or just tires out after a 50 mile ride, I have her back. She will thank me later. That, or I will ride behind her and give her a tap with the bumper when she slows below 20 miles per hour. We will see, but I will keep you up to date on her "big adventures" on the bike.

I can't figure out why I am overweight

So, just like the other 80% of americans, I am overweight. I read about it everyday on the internet how America is overweight and we have to do something about obesity. While I don't consider myself obese, I do think that maybe I have a pound or two, or fifty to lose. I think about this and with the pool now, I am thinking I will do something about it. So I went out with some people tonight and we decided to share an appetizer. As I ate some, I realized that maybe there is a reason I am not losing weight. I have included the following picture in case you can't figure it out. I am thinking that maybe some wholesale lifestyle changes are in order. As much as I like fries, cheese, extra bacon all topped with a delicate tasting of salt, I think that maybe the salt is a little too much. In case you are worried, I tried to cut back on the salt a touch tonight.

Busy day

Well, today was back to our old life.  I woke up early to go to see my sister.  As you can see from the other posts, we will have a new addition soon of a little boy.  I can't wait to see my little nephew.  Then we had lunch with a bunch of new friends.  My wife met friends on the internet.  I used to make fun of people for doing this, but somehow, these people were somewhat normal.  Remember the days when if you met someone online they were a pedophile and 40 years old.  My step sister michele met someone online and I thought he was going to be like that.  I was ready to guard Maddie from him, and he turned out normal, so I guess there is hope.  So I met that group of people for lunch. Then I rushed home to get ready for school.  I am not sure what I was thinking but I rushed out of the house and got to class by 3pm.  Yeah, my class didn't start until 330pm.  I have no idea what I was thinking, but at least I wasn't late.  Then 2 old friends stopped by for dinner.  I am not sure if stopped by is the right expression.  They brought potatoes, cole slaw, and corn.  We cooked the steaks.  I guess maybe price wise it was equal, but it seemed as though they cooked a lot more than we did.  Then we sat around and talked and then kicked them out when we got tired.  Busy, but somewhat uninteresting day.  Maybe tomorrow will have more stories to keep you all reading.  We will see.

Until tomorrow...

Off to the races....

So Kacey is on this kick that she wants to get a bike and ride around with Maddie in tow. I don't know what scares me more, Kacey on 2 wheels or Maddie dependant on Kacey's bicycle skills. No, all joking aside, I am happy for Kacey. So we went down to the local Schwinn dealership and checked out some bikes. I could see it all over the salesperson's face, "what is this fat guy gonna do with a bike? Easy money, right?" Well, to their dismay, Kacey was the one that wanted the bike and she seemed much more adept at riding. I can't even imagine getting on a bike again. It has been years. So I took it easy on the salesperson and didn't get on a bike. I didn't want to pay for a bike that I dropped in the middle of the busy street. Imagine that. I get on a bike, can't peddle fast enough. Fall over. Leave the bike in the middle of the street. And go home. That would have been a good story.

Anyway, Kacey found a bike that she liked, found a child carrier that seems to pass safety standards with 5 point harness and enough padding to get hit by a car. I am not sure why I came along, because she was going to buy them both either way. She looked great on the bike. Maddie is terrified to ride in the carrier. I told Maddie, "Welcome to the rest of your life." She laughed, but then again, she laughs at everything. Well, off to my Intro to Interactive marketing class. Should be a rough afternoon.

Don't forget to email Kacey and tell her how natural she looks!!!

It's a penis!!

Yes, this is the first picture of his little manhood. He was not bashful at all about showing off for the camera. I don't think Kristy and Nate were going to stop breeding children until they got a penis, so lucky for all of us, it happened on the third try. I think that they got the 3-d ultrasound just to make sure that it was a penis and not a third leg on a little girl or something. I was also glad for them because I don't think they would have stopped. I had visions of 13 kids and no little boys. Both of them are a little stubborn, so it could have really gotten bad. I can't wait to meet him in person, but it will still be a few months. It should be fun to have a little boy in the family. Though I certainly hope he is ready for his big sister, she is rougher than most little boys are and certainly has more energy. Good luck. I am open to suggestions to pass on to them for a name, but I am pretty sure that they will want to honor his uncle and name him Bob. I couldn't imagine a more fitting name and couldn't be prouder! It brings a tear to my eye.

It's a boy!!!

For those of you that got really excited, NO, it is not mine. For that matter, it is not Kacey's either. My little sister is having another baby and they found out that it is a boy. For my sister's birthday, my mother got them this 3-d ultrasound. Now, we did this and never really did see Maddie before she was born. My sister goes and does the ultrasound and she has pictures she can put in an album. This is the first picture of my new little nephew. Now he won't be blessed to meet me until this fall, but this will have to do for now. I think he is adorable. He has a polish nose, but other than that, he seems pretty cute. It was great to see my sister and family so happy. Wait for the next post...

God's country

People always ask me "where exactly do you live again?" Well let me clarify. I live in God's country. While kacey and I were out for a drive with maddie tonight, this is what we saw. Luckily kacey saw him before he saw my hood! That's not how I pictured maddie seeing her first deer, splattered on my windshield. Another opportunity to scar my child avoided.

Chicago Apple store line 8:00am

3 city blocks long. Radio stations, tv stations, and a large man dressed as a meatball all harassing the crowd. Couldn't get a good shot of the meatball. I couldn't resist another post just to show the craziness that is Apple. If you want a good laugh, I walked by here and thought that it would be a great morning to buy a holster for my bb. I thought I would just wonder on down to AT&T and pick one up. Oh yeah, they are the ones who are servicing the iPhone and again, oh yeah, they are selling them also. I tried to explain to their security guard (no gun, and no police man here - must not care about people who are not vain enough to actually buy from an Apple store) that I just wanted to buy a holster for my bb and that I don't care about the iPhone. He politely pushed me down the sidewalk and told me to keep walking. What a joke. I can stand on any sidewalk I want. This was a public place. So i looked twice and kept walking. I showed him. Oh yeah, believe it or not, he outweighed me by a lot and had 5 inches on me. I am smart and i knew what was good for me.

Chicago Apple store 755am

Front window, empty store, 14 policemen. I got to work early this morning so that at exactly 7:45am, I could walk over to the Apple store. I thought it would be interesting to see all the folks who have lined up overnight to get their brand new Apple iphone. It was a mad house. I couldn't beleive the level of security. They had armed policeman at the front of the store. Plus, they had Apple Security. Besides the one day a year they release a new phone, what do these guys do? I thought that was strange. Maybe they guard Steve Jobs the rest of the year and on this day, no one cares about him as they are all in line to buy his phones. Just a thought.

Long day

Traffic was way too slow. Took 2 hours to get home. No internet still. Can't wait for half day tomorrow. Realized that bb is not a good blogging device. Need sleep.

Sorry about last night

While installing the landscaping, they cut my phone line. I don't think that I will be able to blog from home for a couple of days. i will continue to do so from my blackberry, but the postings will be somewhat shorter. Wait until you see the pictures Kacey for of "Metz and Sons Landscaping". They really mean Metz and sons. The whole crew was there yesterday and kacey has captured some great shots of the family outing to my house to do my landscaping. As soon as the phone line is back up and thus the dsl reconnected, I will upload the photos.

In the short term, Kacey emailed me an entry from the Urban Dictionary. Here is the word of the day - SEP. Someone Else's Problem. I loved it and have used it aleady today. The guy looked at me like "what did you just say"? I said SEP, someone else's problem. He just cracked up.

Another great photo op

So I was hoping to use the camera phone on a regular basis, but not this quick. After the water taxi, train, and car, I was 10 minutes from home. And then this. 30 minute dxelay due to construction. I am retiring. I can't deal with this any more.

Death train and dropped connections

So, this is the second time I have to write this post. I wrote the whole thing, hit publish, and it deleted my post. I am pretty pissed because it was a long one, but I think I remember a couple of the things that I wrote about. So here goes again...

So this is my view on the train.

It looks like a bomb went off on the train and everyone is dead. They are all sitting with their heads propped on the windows with their eyes closed. It is really strange. It is almost like I have an immunity to the venom that has poisoned everyone else. Then I thought that maybe they are all just completely cashed out from giving their all to the companies that they serve. Then I thought again. I have been in the corporate world for a while and no one gives their all, much less gives enough to be productive. It seems that most people nowadays give just what it takes to get by. Then of course, these are the people that get promoted. They are rewarded for their incompetance. I think this is called the peter principle. Promoted to the highest level of incompetance. I have always thought that in order to get something done you give it to the busist person you can find. But nowadays, everyone is always busy, but good luck getting any detail as to what they are busy with.

Enough of that conversation that everyone will shake their head in agreement with. Yes, everyone agrees with that, yet most of them are actually the problem. Slightly pesimistic, yes. Completely true, absolutely.

Child Labor Laws

It was kind of strange. My landscaper said he couldn't have possibly have worked yesterday. He said with the rain, the ground was just too soft. I asked him if he came or if he just assumed. He mumbled something and walked away. Of course, we were supposed to get huge storms yesterday, but no, the weather man was wrong. We never actually got any rain. According to my highly scientific methods, dry ground and dry pavement, we had absolutely no rain. But just the threat of rain, delayed another day of landscaping work.

So I look outside my window this morning, and it looks like there is a school field trip in my backyard. There are 7 kids back there. Ranging in ages from about 5 to 14. They are all playing in the dirt and rocks. It must be bring your kid to work day. School is out for the summer, so the landscapers brought their kids. I look in the side yard and they have the oldest two digging a trench by hand. If you have ever done it, it is rough to do even for an adult. I ask the landscaper today why the kids are digging the trench and if he has workers that didn't show up or something. He says they are off school for the summer so they should do something productive. Really strange, but I guess my contract with them didn't stipulate the age of the workers or legal status for that matter.

Oh, and I got a great call from the pool guy. He says, "I need to know what color cover you want". Now keep in mind, the pool cover was supposed to be installed yesterday, but again, the weather scared them away also. When i tell him the color, for about the 5th time, he says great. i ask him if he is just ordering it today. He says oh no, he ordered it weeks ago. I ask him how he could have done that without a color. He goes on to lie to me about how they don't need the color until the end. Yeah, and I when I bought my car, they just wanted the details, and I called up to Detroit the day before it was to be delivered to tell them what color to put on the final coat. Yeah, it makes no sense, I called him on it, he lied. I am really beginning to hate this guy.

So to wrap up, I was thinking about yesterday a little more. My 2 aunts that joined me for dinner are probably ostracized by the family up there now. All for eating dinner with me. Now, I really thought about the fact that they did what they felt was right no matter what anyone else said/did. Now, I really appreciated it - as I didn't want to eat by myself after driving almost 4 hours. But, nowadays, so few of us just do the right thing. We take short cuts, we bend the rules, we try to take the easy route when it suits us best. I challenge everyone to take time out of their day tomorrow to try to find someone doing something right simply because it was the right thing to do.

Well, for the first time in 3 months, Maddie decided to head to bed early. It is 10:21pm and i am going to go celebrate, by going to bed early.

Until tomorrow...

The good and the bad

Well, when i started this blog, I promised to open my life a little bit.  While I am quite private and use humor to shield prying eyes from more personal matters, I feel obligated to share today's experiences the same way I have shared the other moments of my life the last few weeks.  Today is the 1 year anniversary of my father's death.  He died of congestive heart failure on 7-7-07.  Yeah, what a lucky date that turned out to be.  If you want an even better one, he was buried on 7-11-07, my sister's 30th birthday.  As you can guess, completely unexpected.  There are a lot of circumstances as to why this was hard, but I will not get into the details.  So, I will try to be honest, and of course add some tinges of humor along the way.

First of all, I drove 400 miles just to go there today.  In case you are wondering, I am not broke.  I drive a hybrid.  No, not to save the earth as my wife would like to believe, but to save me money.  When I bought it I was commuting 45 miles each way every day and I thought I would give myself a pay raise.  Funny thing about today, I filled up before I left.  Drove there and back.  And still had gas in the tank.  At 50 miles to the gallon, life was good.  To save a little extra money, I get as close to semi's as I can and draft off them.  It is as close as I will get to being a race car driver and it saves me some money.  Most of the time they don't even know I am there.  One day one is going to hit the brakes and I am going to drive right under him.

So I got to his home town and it brought back some memories.  It was a little rough, but life does move on.  I was supposed to be out of the country this week and Kacey was going to travel, but with the job change and all, everything changed.  So I told Kacey I was going to make the trip alone.  As much as I would have liked a chauffeur, with Maddie and 3.5 hours in a car, I thought it best to go alone.  

I got up there in the late afternoon.  There were storms around, but it was not raining.  My family is mad at me up there, I will get into that later, but 2 of them joined me at the grave site.  It is odd to see your own last name on a grave.  It really makes you contemplate your own mortality.  I thought about the last time i saw my father.  Due to the situation, he had never seen Maddie.  She was born after he passed.  I thought about how much he would have loved her and how much he might have played with her.  I left a picture for him.  I thought he would get a kick out of her in a Redskins Cheerleading outfit.  Anyway, life is hard sometimes, but you pick yourself up and move forward, you don't have a choice.  Do I wish things had been different?  Yes.  Would I change how things happened if I could do it over? Yes.  Can I change anything? No.  Will I take these lessons and ensure that Maddie knows that her father loves her every single second of every day.  Absolutely.  You have to move on in life, but you don't have to forget.

So now for a little lighter side of the day.  So my family, excluding 2 of my aunts, want nothing to do with me.  And guess what?  Like every other disagreement surrounding a death, it comes down to money.  This guy, who mind you had never met me and wasn't even in the family when things happened, has convinced them that I am out for money.  Great guy, can't you tell already.  So, my father had a pension policy that goes to next of kin.  He convinces everyone that they lost the paperwork and that is how the money was given to me and my sister.  Here is the best part of the story.  ANYONE that really wants to know the truth, could pick up the phone and find out from the pension provider.  They all want the drama, they don't want the truth.  I offer to get everyone in a room and call on speakerphone to show everyone the truth.  Never mind, I couldn't make that offer today, because no one besides my 2 aunts would show up.  Not to mention, none of the others would even tell me why or how they feel.  Keep in mind also, it is not like I can retire on this money.  In fact, over the next few months, I will keep you all up to date what I do with the money.  I have some plans in mind and I will share you once I take some action.

So that gets me thinking again.  I think people inherently like drama.  No one wants to take the time to get to the bottom of the situation, because it will be a huge let down.  No one cares if everything is above board and there are not these elaborate sub plots.  What would everyone talk about?  I think most people would rather believe a lie and find it interesting than to try to find the truth and be bored.  I have seen this in families, in works, and in some friends.  Sad and pessimistic, but I have seen it a lot. 

I leave you with a verse from the Kenny Chesney concert:

Goodbyes are like a roulette wheel

You never know where they're gonna land

First you're spinning, then you're standing still

Left holding a losing hand

Pool Party!!

Finally, as you all have read, we had our first pool party.  I won't bore you with the details as it was much more a family get together as it was just family and not really a "party".  But it was fun nonetheless.  And to prove how much fun we had, here is my 86 year old grandfather in the pool.  Note the pink and purple fun noodles.

Funny thing was, those delightful noodles didn't seem to bring a smile to his face.  You would think that he didn't want to be in the pool on a 90 degree day.  I think he was just a little upset that the landscaping wasn't done.  Then again, maybe his soda wasn't cold.  Who knows.  And for all of you who laughed, lets wait and take a picture of you when you are that age.  Keep in mind, he gets up at 8am and works outside all day until about 9pm when he finally sits down.  He won't sit down in front of the TV or on a couch during the day because he doesn't want to fall asleep.  I was thinking to myself, I could really use a nap most days.  But, him, at 86, when no one would blame him, chooses to stay awake.  I can't wait to be that age just so no one will yell at me for sleeping 16 hours a day with an hour nap thrown in for good luck.

So here is a funny story about my wife.  Well, not really a funny story about here, but more of a quirky side to her.  She always seems to find a funny present or something that will bring a smile to your face.  Anyway, part of getting together this weekend had to do with my little niece turning 2.  Kacey went out and bought the gifts.  Really, I don't do any shopping, so going forward if you hear a reference to a gift you can assume that Kacey has purchased it.  Granted I have to buy any present that is for Kacey, but I am hoping that my new admin picks her style up quickly.  

Back to the present.  So I haven't seen the presents until my little niece Ellie opens them.  I never do, but i have that great expression of "yeah, I thought you would like that" down pat.  I don't think anyone has picked up on that yet, but I think that I just announced it to everyone.  Anyway, this is the picture of Ellie opening the present.

So she buys all of our nieces these onesies that all say "I love my Aunt" or "I love my Uncle".  I love them, but I haven't ever seen any of them wear them.  They must be worn out from wear by the time I see my nieces.  

Finally, one other thought that comes to mind.  My sister calls her daughter "Ellie Belly".  I love the name.  What do you all think?  Does it fit?  While yes, I would agree with her that Ellie does in fact have a bellie that protrudes farther than what some would consider normal for a young girl of her stature.  I do think we should give her a chance to grow into that stomach.  Though I do have to say, it does bring a small smile to my face every time I hear that.  

Well, until tomorrow...

Maddie's first swim (with pic)

So here is the obligatory feel good blog.  Maddie was so excited this morning, I at least think she was.  Like a dog, she kicked her legs and just as I was throwing her old diaper away, she pee'd all over the changing mat.  Normally, I would have been frustrated, but not today.  Today, for the first time ever....   We swam in our pool.  Now granted, there is gravel and dirt completely around the cement.  If anyone accidentally slips, you will cut up your feet pretty good.  And of course there are the un-installed segments of the fence laying in the rocks.  And of course you see the cut up remains of the old sprinkler system across the rocks.  And of course we have no privacy because no plants are planted yet and the walking path is only 10 feet from the pool.  And you have to walk through mud to get to the garage because we have no walking path yet.  And the weeds are taller than small children because the landscaping is 7 weeks behind.  But.... The pool is swimable.  So, here is Maddie all ready to get into the pool for the first time.  Now, of course this just marks the start of a life of chasing children all over the pool, being exhausted every night, and cleaning the house once everyone leaves only to collapse in bed at night when it is all over and questioning the installation of the pool itself.  But, nonetheless, it has begun.  I know what you are all thinking, how could one child inherit so much cuteness from her father??  I even have a hard time knowing she takes after me so much!  Though I am proud.

I even have pictures

So for all of you that thought I was joking and that I didn't really have a handy man that looked like Charles Manson...  I now have picture proof to upload.  I had Kacey stand in front of me and make it look like she was taking pictures of me next to the pool heater.  I had to practically beg her to do this.  I think she was as scared as I was, though she won't admit it.  Kind of odd, and I am sure that Charlie thought we were odd, but it was all for you guys.  I am going to try to start adding the photos to go along with my stories.  I have a new blackberry that has a decent camera on it, so as soon as I figure out how to download from it and get it onto the blog easily, you will get much more pictoral basis from my life.  

So here you go, here is the picture.  Please let me know if you agree with me...

I think Kacey did a great job taking the photo.  She was mad at me for making her do it, but come on, don't you think it was worth it...

Charlie Manson is back

So I wake up this morning to a bunch of drilling and sawing. Kind of funny when you weren't planning on someone cutting a hole through the wall into your garage at 7am on a Saturday morning of a holiday weekend. Maddie starts screaming. Kacey is mad. I am somewhere between a elephant safari ride and trying to explain to George W. that I need some funding for my new job. I was in such a deep sleep, I was trying to figure out how to get off the elephant to figure out what was going on downstairs.

So I just out of bed, put some clothes on. Yes, i sleep with clothes on, just not enough to walk out in front of all my neighbors. I finally stumble outside, without contacts in, to try and figure it all out. There is Charlie and and brother Bill with a big grin on their face. He laughs and says that they had a bet on how long it would take for me to get outside. I ask them what the hell they are doing sawing through the garage wall directly under my bedroom at this time???? He says he wanted to get a jump on getting the door installed and they wanted to get it done today. In order to finish the project today, they had to start early.

I ask him if he owns a phone. He asks me to pull my car out so they have better access to the hole. I ask him again if he has a phone he could have called us on, he asks me if I want the stuff in the garage covered. I am tired, groggy, can't really see anything. I give up on the veiled threats and decide to go get breakfast.

I figure I deserve a pizza after a long week, fireworks with Maddie, and fighting with the pool guys everyday. Couple of great stories to come. Strangest Taxi ride ever!! Pool guys who still don't understand that I have a party on Sunday. And Pool fountains that aren't so straight.

1 down, 1 to go

Well, I finished my ethics class tonight with a bang.  I finished the paper last night before I went to bed and i finished the presentation about 5 minutes before walking out the door to go to class today.  I was second to last and everyone wanted to go to the fireworks so i felt obligated to speed through the delivery of my presentation.  Doesn't really matter as I have one more class, 7 sessions of that class, and I am done.  Not too excited yet, really.

So I feel like a celebrity.  Not because of my rugged good looks.  But because every time I walk out of my building people are taking pictures of me.  At first I thought someone was behind me.  Then I considered that maybe they thought I was someone famous.  Then, I looked back to ensure the building wasn't falling down or something.  I looked for Spiderman or some bum climbing the building.  Come to realize, that everyone takes a picture of the building. Tourists seem to think that when they get back to France or South Dakota, where ever they came from, that they will want a photographic reminder that they stood in front of the Wrigley building.  Not sure why this is, but they all want this picture.  So, after my hopes and ego were wiped from this earth, I realized that I just happened to be in their pictures.  Not nearly as cool as I thought I was, but none the less, I am in all of their pictures.  I thought about trying to sign autographs also, but no one spoke my language much less wanted my autograph.  Somewhat disappointed but energized none the less, I went home.  

Class is over, 1 to go.  4th of July tomorrow.  Pool is almost done.  Pool guy says we will swim on Sunday.  yeah right.  I am not holding my breath.  

Until tomorrow.