If you would like a copy sent to your mailbox, just let me know where to send it. (Please be aware that I no longer have access to a color printer. Any paper copies will be in grey scale, but all e-mail copies will be in their full color glory!)
Sunday, December 11, 2011
'Tis the Season!
Merry Christmas! Welcome to the second installment of our Christmas letter. If you missed the first one, it can be found here.
If you would like a copy sent to your mailbox, just let me know where to send it. (Please be aware that I no longer have access to a color printer. Any paper copies will be in grey scale, but all e-mail copies will be in their full color glory!)
If you would like a copy sent to your mailbox, just let me know where to send it. (Please be aware that I no longer have access to a color printer. Any paper copies will be in grey scale, but all e-mail copies will be in their full color glory!)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
We're growing up!
Nick and I have taken another step into adulthood.
We have set the first requirement for any house that we may want to purchase/build in the future. While searching for an interesting jigsaw puzzle to build (yes, facebook friends, this post is quite a bit belated), we came across this: LIFE: The Great Challenge.
And just like that, our future house gained a prerequisite: It must have a 15' wall.
Eventually we will become stinking rich, and will have several thousand to blow on a puzzle. When we do, we MUST have a place to display said puzzle. (Especially since it is extremely unlikely that we will have both the money and good eye-sight. But that makes it all the more display worthy .... right?)
We have set the first requirement for any house that we may want to purchase/build in the future. While searching for an interesting jigsaw puzzle to build (yes, facebook friends, this post is quite a bit belated), we came across this: LIFE: The Great Challenge.
And just like that, our future house gained a prerequisite: It must have a 15' wall.
Eventually we will become stinking rich, and will have several thousand to blow on a puzzle. When we do, we MUST have a place to display said puzzle. (Especially since it is extremely unlikely that we will have both the money and good eye-sight. But that makes it all the more display worthy .... right?)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A few thoughts about Obama's speech tonight:
INTRODUCTION:
"I won’t bore you with the details of every plan or proposal, but basically, the debate has centered around two different approaches." -- I want details! I'm not an idiot, and I do not believe everything I hear on TV. I want the details of BOTH plans, so I can decide for myself which is better.
NOT OBAMA'S APPROACH:
"... let’s live within our means by making serious, historic cuts in government spending." --YEAH!! It's about freaking time!!
"Let’s cut defense spending at the Pentagon by hundreds of billions of dollars." --OK, not as good. However, I've never known Obama (or any politician for that manner) to give fair and accurate reporting on an opponents plan, policies, or practices. I'll wait for actual facts before judging this point.
"Let’s cut out waste and fraud in health care programs like Medicare" --YEAH!!! Again, about freaking time!!
"Finally, let’s ask the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to give up some of their breaks in the tax code and special deductions." --We'll get back to this one in a few minutes.
OBAMA'S APPROACH:
"It would reduce the deficit by around $4 trillion and put us on a path to pay down our debt." --I don't want to be 'on the path' I want a balanced budget. I have to live on one, why doesn't Washington?!
"And the cuts wouldn’t happen so abruptly that they’d be a drag on our economy" --You're talking like all of this will happen overnight. NOTHING in Washington happens overnight.
"While many in my own party aren’t happy with the painful cuts it makes, enough will be willing to accept them if the burden is fairly shared." --We'll get back to this one too.
"That’s not right. It’s not fair. We all want a government that lives within its means, but there are still things we need to pay for as a country -– things like new roads and bridges; weather satellites and food inspection; services to veterans and medical research." --You're right. It's not fair. But I have to forgo a LOT of the things I am used to. Why doesn't the government? Why can't Washington make every penny count? What's so wrong with telling some researchers that they have a really great project, but there just isn't enough money in the coffer to help out?
"And keep in mind that under a balanced approach, the 98 percent of Americans who make under $250,000 would see no tax increases at all. None. In fact, I want to extend the payroll tax cut for working families." --And now I come back to the two points that I skipped. How is this any different than the last point in the plan that you didn't like? You have 2% of Americans making up all the new revenue, while you give more tax breaks to 98%. How, exactly, is this a burden evenly shared? Do you not pay attention to what happens when you tax an entity (person or corporation) more than others? It just happened in California ... they leave your tax jurisdiction. FYI, they take their money with them.
THE PROBLEM, AS OBAMA SEES IT:
"Now, what makes today’s stalemate so dangerous is that it has been tied to something known as the debt ceiling -– a term that most people outside of Washington have probably never heard of before." --Great. Now we're idiots, and have no clue what is going on.
"Understand –- raising the debt ceiling does not allow Congress to spend more money." --You'll have to go into depth on this one, because I am really not getting it. If Congress doesn't need to spend more money to pay the country's debts, WHY does the debt ceiling NEED to be raised?
"In the past, raising the debt ceiling was routine. Since the 1950s, Congress has always passed it, and every President has signed it." --Yes. Isn't this why we are in trouble now?
"We would risk sparking a deep economic crisis -– this one caused almost entirely by Washington." --Um ... correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't federal spending completely in the control of Washington? So, isn't the whole reason that you had to interrupt my TV show, to insult me, Washington's fault?
"But the new approach that Speaker Boehner unveiled today, which would temporarily extend the debt ceiling in exchange for spending cuts, would force us to once again face the threat of default just six months from now." --Good! I want Washington to keep this item on the agenda, to have the threat of default hanging over their heads until they BALANCE THE DAMN BOOKS!! If this means having a temporary measure passed, and the issue is forced in another 6 months, then fine. But BALANCE THE DAMN BOOKS! NOW!!
"We know what we have to do to reduce our deficits; there’s no point in putting the economy at risk by kicking the can further down the road." --Maybe it will finally get it through your thick skulls that the American people want the DAMN BOOKS BALANCED!
"Again, they will refuse to ask the wealthiest Americans to give up their tax cuts or deductions." --You mean unlike point four in the plan you don't like?
CONCLUSION:
"I’ve told leaders of both parties that they must come up with a fair compromise in the next few days that can pass both houses of Congress -– and a compromise that I can sign." --If a compromise passes both houses, sign the damn thing. If it has a good chance of working, and is constitutional, why in the hell would you refuse to sign it?!
"Now, I realize that a lot of the new members of Congress and I don’t see eye-to-eye on many issues. But we were each elected by some of the same Americans for some of the same reasons." --Yes. The American people want a change, and they didn't think that the current powers that be (first the Republicans, now you) could/would make it happen.
"If you want a balanced approach to reducing the deficit, let your member of Congress know. If you believe we can solve this problem through compromise, send that message." --Seriously? Call your congressman and tell them to vote for my plan? Why? You haven't given ANY details about your plan. All you've done is break into my normal TV programing (again!), insult me several times, give some vague assurances that 98% of Americans won't see their taxes increase, and threaten not to sign any plan that isn't yours. Are you six?
For those of you interested, all of the quotes from Obama were taken from the White house's website. You can find his whole speech here. Thanks for listening to me rant.
"I won’t bore you with the details of every plan or proposal, but basically, the debate has centered around two different approaches." -- I want details! I'm not an idiot, and I do not believe everything I hear on TV. I want the details of BOTH plans, so I can decide for myself which is better.
NOT OBAMA'S APPROACH:
"... let’s live within our means by making serious, historic cuts in government spending." --YEAH!! It's about freaking time!!
"Let’s cut defense spending at the Pentagon by hundreds of billions of dollars." --OK, not as good. However, I've never known Obama (or any politician for that manner) to give fair and accurate reporting on an opponents plan, policies, or practices. I'll wait for actual facts before judging this point.
"Let’s cut out waste and fraud in health care programs like Medicare" --YEAH!!! Again, about freaking time!!
"Finally, let’s ask the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to give up some of their breaks in the tax code and special deductions." --We'll get back to this one in a few minutes.
OBAMA'S APPROACH:
"It would reduce the deficit by around $4 trillion and put us on a path to pay down our debt." --I don't want to be 'on the path' I want a balanced budget. I have to live on one, why doesn't Washington?!
"And the cuts wouldn’t happen so abruptly that they’d be a drag on our economy" --You're talking like all of this will happen overnight. NOTHING in Washington happens overnight.
"While many in my own party aren’t happy with the painful cuts it makes, enough will be willing to accept them if the burden is fairly shared." --We'll get back to this one too.
"That’s not right. It’s not fair. We all want a government that lives within its means, but there are still things we need to pay for as a country -– things like new roads and bridges; weather satellites and food inspection; services to veterans and medical research." --You're right. It's not fair. But I have to forgo a LOT of the things I am used to. Why doesn't the government? Why can't Washington make every penny count? What's so wrong with telling some researchers that they have a really great project, but there just isn't enough money in the coffer to help out?
"And keep in mind that under a balanced approach, the 98 percent of Americans who make under $250,000 would see no tax increases at all. None. In fact, I want to extend the payroll tax cut for working families." --And now I come back to the two points that I skipped. How is this any different than the last point in the plan that you didn't like? You have 2% of Americans making up all the new revenue, while you give more tax breaks to 98%. How, exactly, is this a burden evenly shared? Do you not pay attention to what happens when you tax an entity (person or corporation) more than others? It just happened in California ... they leave your tax jurisdiction. FYI, they take their money with them.
THE PROBLEM, AS OBAMA SEES IT:
"Now, what makes today’s stalemate so dangerous is that it has been tied to something known as the debt ceiling -– a term that most people outside of Washington have probably never heard of before." --Great. Now we're idiots, and have no clue what is going on.
"Understand –- raising the debt ceiling does not allow Congress to spend more money." --You'll have to go into depth on this one, because I am really not getting it. If Congress doesn't need to spend more money to pay the country's debts, WHY does the debt ceiling NEED to be raised?
"In the past, raising the debt ceiling was routine. Since the 1950s, Congress has always passed it, and every President has signed it." --Yes. Isn't this why we are in trouble now?
"We would risk sparking a deep economic crisis -– this one caused almost entirely by Washington." --Um ... correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't federal spending completely in the control of Washington? So, isn't the whole reason that you had to interrupt my TV show, to insult me, Washington's fault?
"But the new approach that Speaker Boehner unveiled today, which would temporarily extend the debt ceiling in exchange for spending cuts, would force us to once again face the threat of default just six months from now." --Good! I want Washington to keep this item on the agenda, to have the threat of default hanging over their heads until they BALANCE THE DAMN BOOKS!! If this means having a temporary measure passed, and the issue is forced in another 6 months, then fine. But BALANCE THE DAMN BOOKS! NOW!!
"We know what we have to do to reduce our deficits; there’s no point in putting the economy at risk by kicking the can further down the road." --Maybe it will finally get it through your thick skulls that the American people want the DAMN BOOKS BALANCED!
"Again, they will refuse to ask the wealthiest Americans to give up their tax cuts or deductions." --You mean unlike point four in the plan you don't like?
CONCLUSION:
"I’ve told leaders of both parties that they must come up with a fair compromise in the next few days that can pass both houses of Congress -– and a compromise that I can sign." --If a compromise passes both houses, sign the damn thing. If it has a good chance of working, and is constitutional, why in the hell would you refuse to sign it?!
"Now, I realize that a lot of the new members of Congress and I don’t see eye-to-eye on many issues. But we were each elected by some of the same Americans for some of the same reasons." --Yes. The American people want a change, and they didn't think that the current powers that be (first the Republicans, now you) could/would make it happen.
"If you want a balanced approach to reducing the deficit, let your member of Congress know. If you believe we can solve this problem through compromise, send that message." --Seriously? Call your congressman and tell them to vote for my plan? Why? You haven't given ANY details about your plan. All you've done is break into my normal TV programing (again!), insult me several times, give some vague assurances that 98% of Americans won't see their taxes increase, and threaten not to sign any plan that isn't yours. Are you six?
For those of you interested, all of the quotes from Obama were taken from the White house's website. You can find his whole speech here. Thanks for listening to me rant.
Friday, July 22, 2011
It's a girl!
Should you want to see if a blessed event is about to descend upon you, click here. No lab work needed! Results are 100% guaranteed*!
*The result is guaranteed, NOT the accuracy of said result.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Christmas in July
If any of you have the chance to read this book, I highly recommend it. I've been reading it, off and on, for the last 6 months. Recently I've been using it to burn through those pesky 30 minute waits at the doctor's office, as my body decides if my allergy shot is going to kill me. (Judging from some of the welts, it's been a close call. But I diverge. Back to the book.)I thought I'd share a paragraph that completely sums up what I like about this book.
Enter the bee. "What we can smell, honeybees can smell. There is not a big difference," explains German scientist Randolf Menzel. This is good news for smell research, for there are plenty of things you can do to a bee that you dare not do to a human.
The Physics of Christmas, Roger Highfield, pg 197.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Turd Burgers, a soylent green subsitute
There are many things for which recycling can be used for. I'm just not sure that this is one of them.
I think that it's time we admit that there's a limit to what we are willing to recycle.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Did someone say science?
I apologise for the interruption, but this is not the usual sardonic/sarcastic post that I usually generate. I will get back to those next time. I promise.
I recently finished reading an article in Scientific American that discussed the lack of science in the curriculum of early education. They specifically mentioned pre-K through K, but I don't recall much formal education in science before the third grade.
I agree with the article in that we are doing our children a great disservice by not starting formal science education at an early age. There doesn't have to be a downplay, or removal, of anything that is currently being taught in early education to include science. But it will require more early educators to be comfortable with science ... something that is lacking currently.
However, this is something that you can easily foster in the home. Children ask a lot of questions. Especially young children. When they ask a question, take some time to "seek" out the answer with them. I understand that this can not be done for every question. (I was 12 when my youngest sibling was born. I remember how many questions were asked each day!) Even if you choose only one or two questions a week, you will be teaching your child the skill set they will need to reason and apply logic. In short, you will teach them how to learn "science." (When they grow up, they may not like doing it, but they will be able to do it.)
I was fortunate enough to grow up as my dad was going to college. While doing his homework, he would take the time to explain to my sister and I what he was doing. I remember sitting on his lap holding a large flash card with a letter of the alphabet on it. He would be reading a text book, and whenever we came across the letter we were holding, we could yell and point it out. I'm sure it was a huge disruption in his studding (when I was going to college, I would think back to this and wonder how he got any studding done!) but I am very grateful for the time he took.
I would like to encourage all of my readers with young children to take sometime and teach your child how to use the scientific method. If they ask a question, ask them what they think is the answer is, why they think that is the answer, etc. Some kids will get frustrated with this method, so try somethine else. Get them thinking any way you can. Teach them not to be afraid of learning new things, thinking differently from others, and even getting the wrong answer. Help them discover the joys of learning. I believe that this is one of the most important skill sets that parents can teach their children, and I hope to pass it on to mine.
Ok, I've been preachy enough for one day. It's time to slaughter some darkspawn. Dragon Age, here I come!
I recently finished reading an article in Scientific American that discussed the lack of science in the curriculum of early education. They specifically mentioned pre-K through K, but I don't recall much formal education in science before the third grade.
I agree with the article in that we are doing our children a great disservice by not starting formal science education at an early age. There doesn't have to be a downplay, or removal, of anything that is currently being taught in early education to include science. But it will require more early educators to be comfortable with science ... something that is lacking currently.
However, this is something that you can easily foster in the home. Children ask a lot of questions. Especially young children. When they ask a question, take some time to "seek" out the answer with them. I understand that this can not be done for every question. (I was 12 when my youngest sibling was born. I remember how many questions were asked each day!) Even if you choose only one or two questions a week, you will be teaching your child the skill set they will need to reason and apply logic. In short, you will teach them how to learn "science." (When they grow up, they may not like doing it, but they will be able to do it.)
I was fortunate enough to grow up as my dad was going to college. While doing his homework, he would take the time to explain to my sister and I what he was doing. I remember sitting on his lap holding a large flash card with a letter of the alphabet on it. He would be reading a text book, and whenever we came across the letter we were holding, we could yell and point it out. I'm sure it was a huge disruption in his studding (when I was going to college, I would think back to this and wonder how he got any studding done!) but I am very grateful for the time he took.
I would like to encourage all of my readers with young children to take sometime and teach your child how to use the scientific method. If they ask a question, ask them what they think is the answer is, why they think that is the answer, etc. Some kids will get frustrated with this method, so try somethine else. Get them thinking any way you can. Teach them not to be afraid of learning new things, thinking differently from others, and even getting the wrong answer. Help them discover the joys of learning. I believe that this is one of the most important skill sets that parents can teach their children, and I hope to pass it on to mine.
Ok, I've been preachy enough for one day. It's time to slaughter some darkspawn. Dragon Age, here I come!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Mother's day conversations
Like a large majority of the American public, I call my mom on Mother's Day. This is slightly tricky for us, since my mom's prefered shift is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 3 am until everything gets done.
Anyway, I called around 5 pm (her time) since that seems to be after she get's home, but before she heads for bed. Unfortunately, Mother's day was a long work day. She called me an hour and half later, when they finally let her leave. We had a good chat.
Like all good brothers do, Will came and interupted us. The conversation went something like this:
Will: My elbow hurts.
Mom: You need to give it some time to rest. It will take longer than two days to heal.
Will: I can't! I've got $hit to do!
My mom probably made some approprate comment, but my mind was occupied with the image of my little brother trying to deficate out of his elbow. Not a sight for the weak, but it was funny none the less.
Me: Why does he $hit with his elbow? I use completely different part of my anatomy for that. No wonder it hurts, straining that hard can't be good for you.
Mom, true to form, picked it right up and kept it rolling. The resulting banter is what I miss most, now that I live over 1000 miles from the rest of my family. Hopefully we'll be able to visit soon.
Anyway, I called around 5 pm (her time) since that seems to be after she get's home, but before she heads for bed. Unfortunately, Mother's day was a long work day. She called me an hour and half later, when they finally let her leave. We had a good chat.
Like all good brothers do, Will came and interupted us. The conversation went something like this:
Will: My elbow hurts.
Mom: You need to give it some time to rest. It will take longer than two days to heal.
Will: I can't! I've got $hit to do!
My mom probably made some approprate comment, but my mind was occupied with the image of my little brother trying to deficate out of his elbow. Not a sight for the weak, but it was funny none the less.
Me: Why does he $hit with his elbow? I use completely different part of my anatomy for that. No wonder it hurts, straining that hard can't be good for you.
Mom, true to form, picked it right up and kept it rolling. The resulting banter is what I miss most, now that I live over 1000 miles from the rest of my family. Hopefully we'll be able to visit soon.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
No more empty threats ... PLEASE!
Dear Golf Digest
Please stop threatening to send the last issue, and just send it. We didn't want the first issue and are anxiously awaiting the last issue.
Thanks
Please stop threatening to send the last issue, and just send it. We didn't want the first issue and are anxiously awaiting the last issue.
Thanks
Friday, May 6, 2011
LIMITED MILES INCLUDED!!
I got to admit, I'm a little confused about this. Sixty dollars a day seems a bit much for a moving truck, even if it includes such bonuses as: cart, blankets and limited mileage.
Knowing that they were shelling out 60 clams a day for this beauty, I insisted that we take a pic that night. Little did I know that it would sit in the parking lot for three more days. I wish that I had that kind of money!
P.S. Thanks go to Nick for the title of this post!!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Aaaaggg!!!
With all of the people Obama has appointed into powerless positions, why hasn't he appointed a "snot nazi"? There really should be a quota on how much snot one person can produce in day....and I've exceeded my monthly allotment in just these past few days. Why doesn't anyone shoot me and put me out of my misery?
On second thought, I think I will just go back to bed. I'm not quite ready for Obama care.
**This is just another prime example of why blogs and colds should be kept as far apart as possible**
On second thought, I think I will just go back to bed. I'm not quite ready for Obama care.
**This is just another prime example of why blogs and colds should be kept as far apart as possible**
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Happy sweet sixteen
While browsing through the T-shirts at cafe press, I came across this little gem. I thought it was funny. I shared it with Nick.
And BOOM ...
Just like that ...
Our daughter's 16th birthday gift was decided. I like the way he thinks.
And BOOM ...
Just like that ...
Our daughter's 16th birthday gift was decided. I like the way he thinks.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Mail order hot cooca
This is the end result of having Stephen's hot cocoa delivered.
One of my favorite things to do when I get a package is to spread the peanuts all over the floor. Then I run, jump, hop, skip through them. They make such a delicious crunching sound. When I get bored of that, I'll snap them at Nick. That never fails to start a peanut fight!
P.S. I'll have you know that I didn't loose this fight, despite what the photo evidence shows. Nick rolled me around in the peanuts AFTER the fight, RIGHT before the photo. In short...he cheated.
Now that you're wondering how in the heck that could result from something so innocent, I'll explain. It all started with the last cup of hot cocoa, about two weeks ago.
I am kind of a hot cocoa snob; I think that the quantity of cocoa I consume gives me this right. So, we mail ordered some Stephen's cocoa. It came yesterday. Three cans of chocolaty goodness .... deliciously packed in peanuts!
I am kind of a hot cocoa snob; I think that the quantity of cocoa I consume gives me this right. So, we mail ordered some Stephen's cocoa. It came yesterday. Three cans of chocolaty goodness .... deliciously packed in peanuts!
I looked longingly at the peanuts, and started to unpack the cocoa. Nick saw my responsible behavior, and decided to take over. He took the box....and spread the peanuts all over the floor! That's when the fun commenced! Nick's the best!
One of my favorite things to do when I get a package is to spread the peanuts all over the floor. Then I run, jump, hop, skip through them. They make such a delicious crunching sound. When I get bored of that, I'll snap them at Nick. That never fails to start a peanut fight!
P.S. I'll have you know that I didn't loose this fight, despite what the photo evidence shows. Nick rolled me around in the peanuts AFTER the fight, RIGHT before the photo. In short...he cheated.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Random Thought
Here's why I'm extremely glad that I don't work in a cubical:
Here we work like ants in plexi-glass
Ants in plexi-glass
Ants in plexi-glass
Here we work like ants in plexi-glass
Toiling our lives away.
Here we work like ants in plexi-glass
Ants in plexi-glass
Ants in plexi-glass
Here we work like ants in plexi-glass
Toiling our lives away.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011: a year for fun!
Wow, where has the year gone? It seems like only a few months since the last time I followed this tradition. Well, let's do this right.
First, an update on last year's resolutions:
So, the New Year Resolutions for 2011 are as follows:
*For my view on the practice of making New Year Resolutions, please go here.
First, an update on last year's resolutions:
- Ok, so I did start reading some right wing literature. More specifically, the comments on certain right to carry and emergency preparedness articles. ROFLAO, there really are some idiots out there!
- Sadly, all poo remains unsculpted.
- I made some progress with my OCD. I now call it CDO.
So, the New Year Resolutions for 2011 are as follows:
- I am going to become addicted to video games. Alcoholism didn't work, why not let the MMORPGs take over? Plus, I really want to join a self-help group.
- I think that I'll start pimping. If I loose my job and savings to the previous resolution, I'll need an alternate form of income. Besides, Nick is cute!
- I will start leaving little messes all around the apartment. If Flemming could discover penicillin by leaving the dishes in his lab undone, with a whole apartment I could discover the cure for cancer!
*For my view on the practice of making New Year Resolutions, please go here.
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