Music for the Masses
Friday, December 4, 2009
This Blog Is Officially Retired
Weef and I now maintain our blog at http://chrisandlori.com. Come read about our mundanity there. :)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
You know it's time to mow the lawn when ...
We seem to be losing water pressure in our sprinkling system. I'm not sure how or why--maybe it's something the city is regulating. I don't know. I *do* know that I popped the lid on our valve box that houses the secondary water line. Much to my chagrin, I found a few disturbing things:
So I put the lid back on and wondered what the heck I was going to do. As I sat on our sidewalk, contemplating my next course of action, I looked around the yard. All along the west side of the property, buttressed up against the shrubs that divide our yard from our neighbor's driveway, were black widow nests. There were at least a dozen ... probably closer to 20. I mean, they were EVERYwhere! That freaked me out.
Due to my quickly browning lawn, I knew I had to stick my hand in there. I also knew that doing so pre-maturely would probably end badly--at least with a healthy (see?! irony!) sized patch of necrotized tissue. Bad juju for someone who uses his hands for a living. Like I said, we have some shrubs that separate our property from our neighbor's. I took a relatively long twig off of it and began poking around in the valve box. Interestingly, the black widow immediately rallied around her two larges, most top-side egg sacs. It was rather cool to see. I mean, no ... she didn't rear up on her hind legs and knock the twig aside, but it was obvious that she was in a completely defensive mode. It was just cool to watch.
I think I'll take some pictures later tonight and post them. I don't really *want* to kill all the black widows. They keep our annoying bug population to a minimum. That's always nice, except our girls like to play in the front yard. Can't have that right now! It's strict backyard outside time for them until I figure out how to get rid of them.
- The inside of the box has become over-run with quack grass rhizomes and shoots. This isn't too surprising because our whole front yard is over-run with the stuff. Nothing I can do will kill it, either ... short of nuking the whole front with vegetation killer, which I *really* don't want to do.
- Nestled among the shoots and rhizomes was THE BIGGEST female black widow I have ever seen. She was at least 2.5" long. That's gargantuan by black widow standards.
- She must be the "get-around spider" of the yard cuz she had egg sacs all over the place. At least 3 or 4 that I could see, and who knows how many there were deeper in the hole.
So I put the lid back on and wondered what the heck I was going to do. As I sat on our sidewalk, contemplating my next course of action, I looked around the yard. All along the west side of the property, buttressed up against the shrubs that divide our yard from our neighbor's driveway, were black widow nests. There were at least a dozen ... probably closer to 20. I mean, they were EVERYwhere! That freaked me out.
Due to my quickly browning lawn, I knew I had to stick my hand in there. I also knew that doing so pre-maturely would probably end badly--at least with a healthy (see?! irony!) sized patch of necrotized tissue. Bad juju for someone who uses his hands for a living. Like I said, we have some shrubs that separate our property from our neighbor's. I took a relatively long twig off of it and began poking around in the valve box. Interestingly, the black widow immediately rallied around her two larges, most top-side egg sacs. It was rather cool to see. I mean, no ... she didn't rear up on her hind legs and knock the twig aside, but it was obvious that she was in a completely defensive mode. It was just cool to watch.
I think I'll take some pictures later tonight and post them. I don't really *want* to kill all the black widows. They keep our annoying bug population to a minimum. That's always nice, except our girls like to play in the front yard. Can't have that right now! It's strict backyard outside time for them until I figure out how to get rid of them.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Heading Up to Yellowstone!
Tomorrow we embark on our 9th annual Yellowstone trip. HUZZAH! Weef and I have been every year with the exception of 2002, and that was only because we were busy commiserating after moving back from Phoenix. Other than that, from 2000 through last year, we haven't missed a year. It's been fun because we've seen a lot of changes in those almost 10 years. Lots of new growth--especially on the road heading from the west entrance to Madison Junction.
To that end, in another 10 years, it's going to be pretty tough to experience Yellowstone the way we're used to experiencing it--wide, open expanses, sweeping vistas ... the new growth is great to see because it means the park is alive and healthy, but it completely obliterates the view from the road.
One of the great thing about this trip is that I'm bringing along some new "toys" for my camera. I have a polarization filter that should allow for some pretty amazing lake and springs pics; I have a UV filter that will add some color depth to the brighter outdoor shots; I have a wide-angle lens that should allow for some broader landscape views; and I have a telephoto lens that I'm not too terribly confident in, but we'll see.
Another great thing is that the weather is going to be cold and wet--perfect for seeing animals en masse. Yogi, here we come!!
Anyway, I'll post pics on Facebook either when we get back or while we're there, if possible. The hotel we're staying in doesn't have wireless internet or ANY internet, so that might be a problem. There's a little internet cafe around the corner though, so maybe i'll post something from there. We'll see.
Huzzah for Yellowstone!
To that end, in another 10 years, it's going to be pretty tough to experience Yellowstone the way we're used to experiencing it--wide, open expanses, sweeping vistas ... the new growth is great to see because it means the park is alive and healthy, but it completely obliterates the view from the road.
One of the great thing about this trip is that I'm bringing along some new "toys" for my camera. I have a polarization filter that should allow for some pretty amazing lake and springs pics; I have a UV filter that will add some color depth to the brighter outdoor shots; I have a wide-angle lens that should allow for some broader landscape views; and I have a telephoto lens that I'm not too terribly confident in, but we'll see.
Another great thing is that the weather is going to be cold and wet--perfect for seeing animals en masse. Yogi, here we come!!
Anyway, I'll post pics on Facebook either when we get back or while we're there, if possible. The hotel we're staying in doesn't have wireless internet or ANY internet, so that might be a problem. There's a little internet cafe around the corner though, so maybe i'll post something from there. We'll see.
Huzzah for Yellowstone!
Friday, June 26, 2009
So long, Savannah Jane
our little family was blessed with a wonderful 9 month old baby girl for a couple of weeks. it's a rather sad story, and it has so many twists that i don't have time to write about all of it. i can tell you this much: she left a hole in our hearts the size of the grand canyon. what a beautiful, wonderful little angel. we'll miss her dearly.
some things we'll always remember about her:
so long, savannah jane. we all miss you terribly and hope to see you again soon.
some things we'll always remember about her:
- the way she kicked her legs and flailed wildly whenever she's excited.
- how she used to raspberry every so often when she's happy.
- the little vein that ran right across the bridge of her nose.
- her big blue eyes
- how she'd coo in the morning to let us know she's awake, then how it would get more urgent the longer we'd try to sleep ...
- how excited she would get when she saw us first thing in the morning
- falling asleep holding her bottle straight up in the air
so long, savannah jane. we all miss you terribly and hope to see you again soon.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
David Throws the First Stone
www.boycottwarnerbros.com.
That's right. The war has begun. Don't think you can get away with stigmatizing almost every child on my family's side and get away with it, Warner Bros. You picked the wrong person to piss off.
That's right. The war has begun. Don't think you can get away with stigmatizing almost every child on my family's side and get away with it, Warner Bros. You picked the wrong person to piss off.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
David and Goliath--21st Century Style
Read this.
Watch the trailer. Become infuriated. I rarely condone anger on any level. This is one instance where indignation is completely and utterly justified.
I have been enraged to this level one other time in my life. That was the morning of 11 September, 2001.
It's one thing to glorify sex and drugs in movies. That line has been so crossed to the point where we can't even turn around and see where the line is, it's so far out of view.
Exploiting orphaned children, THEN stereotyping and stigmatizing them in this manner is morally reprehensible and dispicable. This line is about to be crossedby Warner Bros and Time Warner. I'm going to do all I can to keep that line from being breached.
At the bottom of the link are 3 addresses. Write to these morally bankrupt companies and inform them of your displeasure with this film. I personally intend to write them scathing letters and inform them that I intend to launch a full-scale attack against their company. I intend to find out if it's even legal to launch this film. To me, this borders on libel and slander of a group of children who are incapable of defending themselves. It stigmatizes and sterotypes children who, for whatever reason, were abandoned.
As a parent whose two angels have come into his life through the miracle and gift of foster care, I URGE ANYONE WHO READS THIS TO TAKE ACTION. The time to sit idly by and hope nothing comes of this is past. Nothing changes if you hope the other guy does something about it. Write. Blog. Post your blogs to social sites and get the word out.
I am also creating a website that will be up and running by the weekend. Look for www.boycottwarnerbros.com to be up and running by Friday. If not, email me and ask what my slow-pokeyness is all about.
This does not happen. Period.
Watch the trailer. Become infuriated. I rarely condone anger on any level. This is one instance where indignation is completely and utterly justified.
I have been enraged to this level one other time in my life. That was the morning of 11 September, 2001.
It's one thing to glorify sex and drugs in movies. That line has been so crossed to the point where we can't even turn around and see where the line is, it's so far out of view.
Exploiting orphaned children, THEN stereotyping and stigmatizing them in this manner is morally reprehensible and dispicable. This line is about to be crossedby Warner Bros and Time Warner. I'm going to do all I can to keep that line from being breached.
At the bottom of the link are 3 addresses. Write to these morally bankrupt companies and inform them of your displeasure with this film. I personally intend to write them scathing letters and inform them that I intend to launch a full-scale attack against their company. I intend to find out if it's even legal to launch this film. To me, this borders on libel and slander of a group of children who are incapable of defending themselves. It stigmatizes and sterotypes children who, for whatever reason, were abandoned.
As a parent whose two angels have come into his life through the miracle and gift of foster care, I URGE ANYONE WHO READS THIS TO TAKE ACTION. The time to sit idly by and hope nothing comes of this is past. Nothing changes if you hope the other guy does something about it. Write. Blog. Post your blogs to social sites and get the word out.
I am also creating a website that will be up and running by the weekend. Look for www.boycottwarnerbros.com to be up and running by Friday. If not, email me and ask what my slow-pokeyness is all about.
This does not happen. Period.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I *Had* To Mention This ...
So, girl 2 is just about done with potty-training. Stubborn little pill that she is, she fought us tooth and nail (or bum and toilet paper, as I guess is more appropriate), but in the end, she/we did it.
With one fairly recent distinguishable exception ...
On Saturday, she was outside playing with girl 1, then I heard someone come in. A few seconds later, I heard the toilet flush. Then she came down stairs with her big announcement.
"Daddy! I went poo!!!"
"Great job, sweetie! I’m so proud of you!"
"In the backyard!!"
*silence while she grins her toothy grin and jumps up and down clapping*
"ummm … what?"
"Then I picked it and put it in the toilet!!"
*more silence*
"I …"
"AND FLUSHED!!"
She said all of this with so much enthusiasm that it was hard to be upset about it. She was so proud for not pooping in her panties, as is so often the case with her, that all I could do was just sit there and let my mind flip flop back and forth between heaping praise on her for actually not soiling herself, and putting her in timeout for pulling down her pants and pooping on the back lawn like a dog. In the end, I did pretty much nothing other than stare back stupidly at her in sheer dumbfounded-ness.
Gotta love that kid.
With one fairly recent distinguishable exception ...
On Saturday, she was outside playing with girl 1, then I heard someone come in. A few seconds later, I heard the toilet flush. Then she came down stairs with her big announcement.
"Daddy! I went poo!!!"
"Great job, sweetie! I’m so proud of you!"
"In the backyard!!"
*silence while she grins her toothy grin and jumps up and down clapping*
"ummm … what?"
"Then I picked it and put it in the toilet!!"
*more silence*
"I …"
"AND FLUSHED!!"
She said all of this with so much enthusiasm that it was hard to be upset about it. She was so proud for not pooping in her panties, as is so often the case with her, that all I could do was just sit there and let my mind flip flop back and forth between heaping praise on her for actually not soiling herself, and putting her in timeout for pulling down her pants and pooping on the back lawn like a dog. In the end, I did pretty much nothing other than stare back stupidly at her in sheer dumbfounded-ness.
Gotta love that kid.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Popcorn Goodness
There are some things that you just can't keep to yourself. I have decided to share my popcorn recipe that we concocted the other night.
We prefer hot-air popcorn, but this works for popcorn in a kettle, too. If you're still using microwave popcorn, may God have mercy on your soul.
======================
1 cube butter
1 Tbsp garlic SALT (not powder)
1 half cup shredded parmesan, mimolette, romano, or asiago
1 big bowl of popped popcorn
Grate your cheese of choice. Set it aside.
Pop the popcorn. Simple enough, right?
Pour popcorn into a bowl to about 2/3 to 3/4 capacity.
Mix butter and garlic salt with a fork. Or spoon. Or ... whatever. Just mix it. Melt butter over medium-low heat, preferably on a gas burner, but if not, over an electric burner. Let the butter froth and bubble. Once it starts doing that, it's ready to pour over the popcorn.
Drizzle the melted butter over the popcorn. Shake the bowl so the butter is distributed somewhat evenly throughout the popcorn.
Sprinkle the cheese over the popcorn. Shake the bowl in a similar manner to how you shook it for the butter.
Consume. Engorge. Enjoy.
**NOTE**
This is best consumed while watching a good movie. Or a good TV series on DVD. Also, you might want to have a tall glass of milk standing by. It's VERY good with the popcorn.
=========================
There you go. You're welcome.
We prefer hot-air popcorn, but this works for popcorn in a kettle, too. If you're still using microwave popcorn, may God have mercy on your soul.
======================
1 cube butter
1 Tbsp garlic SALT (not powder)
1 half cup shredded parmesan, mimolette, romano, or asiago
1 big bowl of popped popcorn
Grate your cheese of choice. Set it aside.
Pop the popcorn. Simple enough, right?
Pour popcorn into a bowl to about 2/3 to 3/4 capacity.
Mix butter and garlic salt with a fork. Or spoon. Or ... whatever. Just mix it. Melt butter over medium-low heat, preferably on a gas burner, but if not, over an electric burner. Let the butter froth and bubble. Once it starts doing that, it's ready to pour over the popcorn.
Drizzle the melted butter over the popcorn. Shake the bowl so the butter is distributed somewhat evenly throughout the popcorn.
Sprinkle the cheese over the popcorn. Shake the bowl in a similar manner to how you shook it for the butter.
Consume. Engorge. Enjoy.
**NOTE**
This is best consumed while watching a good movie. Or a good TV series on DVD. Also, you might want to have a tall glass of milk standing by. It's VERY good with the popcorn.
=========================
There you go. You're welcome.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Death
I got an email from my step-mom this morning. Her mom passed away on Saturday. She actually sent the email on Sunday, but our lovely client-based email crapper (read: Outlook) decided not to download any messages until today. Of course, I sent a heart-felt letter of condolence and expression of sympathy, but it just seemed ... hollow? Empty? Not because I didn't mean what I said; I absolutely did. I don't know ... I just felt like i was reciting from memory what I knew was appropo to say, yet it was exactly what I felt.
So now I feel like not a good step son. I'm an English major; I work with words for a living. You'd think I could find something a little more eloquent than rote dialog suitable for a passing, but no ... blank as a fresh-off-the-assembly-line chalkboard. Other than the expected churn, of course.
I don't know ... it's always difficult to know what to say to someone who's just lost someone. I mean, I always *want* to say, "Ohhh ... s/he's in a better place." But really, who wants to hear that? Or there's "I'm so sorry for your loss," "My deepest sympathies," "Our condolences" ... they all sound so trite and canned. But the reality is that she IS in a better place. I am sorry for my step mom and sister's loss. She was a wonderful woman. So warm, and kind and loving. We have such fond memories of her of when we'd visit in the summers and go to their cabin on the lake.
Which is precisely what I ended up telling her, along with the expected lines. The thing with death is that it's an end--someone or something loses the breath of life and pass on to the other side. They really are better off. We are the ones left with the heartache and void that seems so impossible to fill.
Goodbye, Grandma B. May you rest in peace and find your loved ones waiting for you on the other side.
So now I feel like not a good step son. I'm an English major; I work with words for a living. You'd think I could find something a little more eloquent than rote dialog suitable for a passing, but no ... blank as a fresh-off-the-assembly-line chalkboard. Other than the expected churn, of course.
I don't know ... it's always difficult to know what to say to someone who's just lost someone. I mean, I always *want* to say, "Ohhh ... s/he's in a better place." But really, who wants to hear that? Or there's "I'm so sorry for your loss," "My deepest sympathies," "Our condolences" ... they all sound so trite and canned. But the reality is that she IS in a better place. I am sorry for my step mom and sister's loss. She was a wonderful woman. So warm, and kind and loving. We have such fond memories of her of when we'd visit in the summers and go to their cabin on the lake.
Which is precisely what I ended up telling her, along with the expected lines. The thing with death is that it's an end--someone or something loses the breath of life and pass on to the other side. They really are better off. We are the ones left with the heartache and void that seems so impossible to fill.
Goodbye, Grandma B. May you rest in peace and find your loved ones waiting for you on the other side.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sad Day
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/02/25/bnl-page.html
I can't say this surprises me at all. The last show we went to in November 2006, Steve seemed ... out of it. Like he wasn't into the show at all. The rest of the band didn't seem all that into it either, but Steve particularly seemed lackluster and out of it.
Apparently, the band is going to continue ... just not with Steve. There's enough talent in that band to keep it going for a long time though. Kevin, Jim and Ed are creative enough to come up with good material. And really, I think Jim's only contributed 3 songs since the inception of the band. His side project--The Creegan Brothers--is good material! He SHOULD contribute more to the band. And Kevin ... his talents are bottomless (Much like the hiphopopotomus' lyrics ...)
Anyway, Lori and I will always have awesome memories of our Ladies' shows. We've seen them 5 times: 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. Not a bad run! Every show was amazing ... even the last show that "sucked."
All the best to Steve and the band. I hope they will all find happiness in their new paths.
I can't say this surprises me at all. The last show we went to in November 2006, Steve seemed ... out of it. Like he wasn't into the show at all. The rest of the band didn't seem all that into it either, but Steve particularly seemed lackluster and out of it.
Apparently, the band is going to continue ... just not with Steve. There's enough talent in that band to keep it going for a long time though. Kevin, Jim and Ed are creative enough to come up with good material. And really, I think Jim's only contributed 3 songs since the inception of the band. His side project--The Creegan Brothers--is good material! He SHOULD contribute more to the band. And Kevin ... his talents are bottomless (Much like the hiphopopotomus' lyrics ...)
Anyway, Lori and I will always have awesome memories of our Ladies' shows. We've seen them 5 times: 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. Not a bad run! Every show was amazing ... even the last show that "sucked."
All the best to Steve and the band. I hope they will all find happiness in their new paths.
Friday, January 23, 2009
ObamaWatch: Day 4
Well well well. This didn't take long.
Our new president has had a busy week. So far, he's ended the war on terror, closed Guantanamo, and freed up federal funds for foreign interests that support abortion.
Links:
End to war on terror: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28807952/
Closing Guantanamo: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28788175/
An all-too telling bridge between those two articles: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28800516/
Abortion funds:http://www.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=5396819
It is very likely that you, my devoted readers, are going to notice a very heavy political slant in my posts over the next 4 years. Maybe 8, if the country is that stupid. Everyone complained about how President Bush had low approval ratings. Yah, well ... the smart thing to do isn't always the most popular. He executed his job in office with as much precision as Reagan and FDR. You can argue that he "mired" us in Iraq, or that he's a failure because we haven't captured bin Laden. Truth is, we haven't had any other terrorist attacks on US soil since 9/11 . that is a direct result of the programs HE instituted, and that President Obama is whole-sale rejecting and reversing as fast as his little hands can sign paperwork.
4 days into office, and I already don't like this guy. I was afraid this would happen. And trust me ... I *wanted* to like him. I want to believe in his vision of "the future America." However, he's literally opening doors for terrorists to attack. You can say what you want about Bush; he kept this country safe. Show me what Obama is doing to ensure that same safety.
Our new president has had a busy week. So far, he's ended the war on terror, closed Guantanamo, and freed up federal funds for foreign interests that support abortion.
Links:
End to war on terror: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28807952/
Closing Guantanamo: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28788175/
An all-too telling bridge between those two articles: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28800516/
Abortion funds:http://www.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=5396819
It is very likely that you, my devoted readers, are going to notice a very heavy political slant in my posts over the next 4 years. Maybe 8, if the country is that stupid. Everyone complained about how President Bush had low approval ratings. Yah, well ... the smart thing to do isn't always the most popular. He executed his job in office with as much precision as Reagan and FDR. You can argue that he "mired" us in Iraq, or that he's a failure because we haven't captured bin Laden. Truth is, we haven't had any other terrorist attacks on US soil since 9/11 . that is a direct result of the programs HE instituted, and that President Obama is whole-sale rejecting and reversing as fast as his little hands can sign paperwork.
4 days into office, and I already don't like this guy. I was afraid this would happen. And trust me ... I *wanted* to like him. I want to believe in his vision of "the future America." However, he's literally opening doors for terrorists to attack. You can say what you want about Bush; he kept this country safe. Show me what Obama is doing to ensure that same safety.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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