Things To-Do The Rest Of This Week

Sleep.

Things To-Do The Rest Of This Week

Thanks Veterans.

For everything you've given. Thanks to those of you who saw family members off, some for the last time.

We can't thank or honor you enough, today or any day.

Thanks Veterans.

The Where You Live Meme

1. How many places have you lived in your life?
Places? Evansville.
House? Six. Again, all in Evansville: My parents house on the north side, an apartment on the west side, a duplex with a crappy landlord on the southeast side, a rental house on the east side, an apartment on the farther east side, and our current house on the farther southeast side.

2. Which was your favorite and why?
Either the apartment on the west side; Horrible apartment complex, but it was my first place with Rubi, we had 2 cats, we could walk just about anywhere we needed (except work and school), and it was cheap - or the apartment on the east side; Spacious, I was not responsible for any maintenance, quiet area (at the time), walking distance to stores.

3. If you could live anywhere for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Anywhere with Rubi. Okay, I know, that's cheesy. Someplace spacious, someplace with nice scenery, someplace that doesn't get too hot or too cold, and someplace that is still relatively close to family. Will I ever really live there. Probably not. We'll probably stay in Evansville the rest of our lives.

4. What would your ideal home have in it?
Family. Shelves and shelves of books. Lots of space, room for computers, easy chairs, sofas, shelves and shelves of books, rooms for everyone in the family, quiet places, cool places, shelves and shelves of books, rooms for toys, rooms for hobbies, did I mention books?

5. Can you describe your current house?
A work in progress - as everything needs to be repaired, fixed, or updated. A stepping stone to eventually finding a nicer place.

The Where You Live Meme

96-06 Meme

THEN: May 1996
NOW: May 2006

1) How old were you?
THEN: 22
NOW: 32

2) Where did you work?
THEN:  Where didn't I work would be a better question.
NOW:  Emergency Communications Supervisor

3) Where did you live?
THEN:  Evansville's East side
NOW:  Evansville's Southeast side

4) How was your hair style?
THEN: short, parted on the side.

NOW: short, parted on the side, sprinkled with gray.

5) Did you wear contacts?
THEN: No.
NOW: No.

6) Did you wear glasses?
THEN: Yes.
NOW: Yes.

7) Who was your best friend?
THEN: My wife, Rubi.

NOW: My wife, Rubi.

8) Who were your pets?
THEN: Mozart and Tribble, our cats.
NOW: none

9) Who was your partner/romantic interest?
THEN: My wife, Rubi.

NOW:  My wife, Rubi.

11) Who was your celebrity crush?
THEN:  I don't even remember what I had for lunch today... I can't remember who were the celebs of '96.
NOW:  ???

12) Who was your regular-person crush?
THEN: My wife, Rubi.
NOW:  My wife, Rubi.

13) How many piercings did you have?
THEN: None.
NOW: Same.

14) How many tattoos did you have?
THEN: None.
NOW:  Same.

15) What was your favorite band/singer?
THEN:  Queen, and Petra.
NOW:  Queen

16) Had you smoked a cigarette?
THEN: Never.
NOW: Absolutely not.

17) Had you gotten drunk?
THEN:  No.
NOW: Absolutely not.

18) Looking back at your decade-ago self, are you where you thought you would be in 2006?

Kinda sorta. I did expect to have kids with Rubi. I never expected to be in Emergency Communications though. I figured I might end up as a DJ or radio show producer or radio production manager somewhere in or near the midwest. Then Rubi and I decided to start a family, and I realized how poorly the radio biz pays unless you're big market morning jock.

 

 

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96-06 Meme

Book Review: Iron Dragons

Wow. That pretty much sums up my reaction to reading this book.
Derek P. Gilbert's first published novel is nothing short of excellent. To be honest, I wasn't expecting it to be this good... and I'm tempted to say it's even better than the two novels I've read by his wife.
Iron Dragons is a "fantasy" novel in that it's set in a medieval-type world with dragons, inns along the road, and plenty of ale to knock out the itinerant dragon-slayer. Throw a crazy ragamuffin dog, a priest that's either incredibly brave or incredibly thoughtless, a stable-hand that is quite the man of the world, and another interesting* character or two, and you've got an excellent read. There's action, humor, character development, excellent world-building. And the writing-style is excellent.

Go buy this book. Now.


*I can't explain additional interesting characters or plot twists, as it would so spoil the fun!

Book Review: Iron Dragons

Are you KIDDING me with this?

Kellie Pickler. HONEY. You are having dinner with Wolfgang Puck. Sit down and act like an adult before I drag you out back and smack you. Nobody can be THIS dumb for real, and still live.

[pant pant] Whew. I feel better.

What else. It is a crime and a sickening shame that Mandisa isn't up there tonight waiting to be announced as the winner. What an incredible talent.

Did Toni Braxton forget her pants or did she mean to do that? I honestly can't tell.

These little blasts from the pasts are delighting me beyond all reason. Rhonetta? Crystal and her tan? Crazy Dave? The Cher guy? After that episode I went around for DAYS singing "Believe" just like that guy did, and giggling hysterically. I thought Kev was going to kill me.

And the Clay fan that had to pee? I was seriously annoyed that they let him sing, until the real C.A. came out and the guy just lost it.

This is FUN! More to come.

Are you KIDDING me with this?

THINKS May 24, 2006

Time once again for some THINKS I've found whilst not doing the house work I probably should have been doing.

First off, Rubi and I have another tentative "date" scheduled about a month from now. We'll be heading to Lousiville (if we can find a babysitter for nine hours) to see Serenity on the big screen.

Thing is, they need at least 200 people to show up to make it work. Otherwise it won't happen. Hopefully we'l find out for sure before we leave town...

I'll never really be able to watch that movie the same way again, since I found Serenity MST3K-ed. Too Funny.

Also, Serenity as portrayed by the Muppets continues. Serenity rocks. Muppets are cool (really! Did you see Farscape?). Serenimuppets are fun. And Kermit the Frog is my hero.

Here's a review of The Best Star Trek, the author says it's DS9. I agree. I wasn't a convert from the start. I watched probably only part of the first season, then skipped seasons two and three almost completely. It wasn't until I heard they were transferring Worf to DS9 because the Klingons were starting trouble again that I thought I'd give it a try. I was hooked, and stuck around enjoying the lengthy story arcs and excellent character development and growth. This was a "Next Generation" where the characters were exactly the same after seasons. These characters had some serious personal crises, had their world-views shattered and rebuilt, had their lives tossed around inside a blender - more than once, and came out stronger characters and a better TV show.

Like to read books? Here's a Book Quiz. It alternately said I was Anne of Green Gables, The Mists of Avalon, or something by Kurt Vonegut.

And for news from ...around the universe? Here's a fun "news" website that takes actual news stories and replaces key words and phrases with science fiction terms.

That's all. I have to go edit some typos in the last post because my 4th-grade daughter is now my editor.

"THINKS": Kev's term combining the words Things and Links: an assortment of images, links, games, trivia, memes, minutia, and whatnot found while browsing and mentioned collectively in a blog or message-board posts.

THINKS May 24, 2006

One Hundred-ish Questions

1. DO YOU SNORE?
A world of yes.

2. ARE YOU A LOVER OR A FIGHTER?
Depends on what I'm loving or fighting. I love pizza, but I wouldn't fight for it.

3. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
Premature death. Either mine or Rubi's.

4. AS A KID, WERE YOU A LEGO MANIAC?
More of a Lego connoisseur.

5. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF "REALITY" TV?
That's not my reality.

6. DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS?
No.

7. There is no question #7.

8. IS THE SINGLE LIFE FOR YOU?
Absolutely not. I would have made a lonely bachelor with delusions of geekdom.

9. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR KEYBOARD?
I don't play the keyboard.

10. DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER?
Sometimes quietly to myself - but usually not.

11. HAVE YOU EVER BUNGEE JUMPED?
Uh, No!

12. ANY SECRET TALENTS?
If so, they're so secret even I don't know about them.

13. WHAT'S YOUR IDEAL VACATION SPOT?
My sofa.

14. IS JAY LENO FUNNY?
Only when his writers have a good night.

15. CAN YOU SWIM?
Basically.

16. HAVE YOU SEEN THE MOVIE "DONNIE DARKO"?
No

17. DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE OZONE?
Only when they have a good sale on engine oil.
Wait, that's AutoZone.

18. HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE CENTER OF A TOOTSIE ROLL POP?
42

19. CAN YOU SING THE ALPHABET BACKWARDS?
Why would I want to?

20. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON AN AIRPLANE?
On an airplane? Yes.
While it is flying? No.

21. DO YOU HAVE YOUNGER SIBLINGS?
No. I have four older siblings.

22. DO YOU PREFER ELECTRIC OR MANUAL PENCIL SHARPENERS?
Electric are more fun, manual are more accurate.

23. WHAT'S YOUR STAND ON HUNTING?
If I had a hunting stand, it would probably be up in a tree.

24. IS MARRIAGE IN YOUR FUTURE?
My marriage continues into the future, yes.

25. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
If I can read it, it's a good day.

26. WHAT ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO?
Aspartame (NutraSweet). Seriously. It gives me excruciating migraines.

27. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SAID?
"I don't think I have," in response to a coworkers question.

28. See # 7.

29. DO YOU CRY AT WEDDINGS?
No.

30. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
With toast and bacon, preferable from a buffet.

31. ARE BLONDES DUMB?
Depends on the joke.

32. WHERE DOES THE OTHER SOCK END UP?
Hiding out with the other shoe that isn't on the side of the road.

33. WHAT TIME IS IT?
Hammertime!

34. DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME?
Kev, Daddy, Dad, Kelvin, Klevin, Calvin, Capnfatpants.
Wait, that last one is a screen name.

35. IS McDONALD'S DISGUSTING?
The physical building usually is, but the food is edible.

36. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE IN A CAR?
Car? a few days ago. Minivan - This afternoon on the way to work.

37. DO YOU PREFER BATHS OR SHOWERS?
Showers.

39. DO YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR NECK KISSED?
Not right now, maybe later.

40. ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?
Depends on what's out there, and what I've been reading or watching on TV.

41. WHAT ARE YOU ADDICTED TO?
Caffeine!

42. CRUNCHY OR CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER?
Creamy on crackers. Crunchy on bread.

43. CAN YOU CRACK YOUR NECK?
Yes.

44. HAVE YOU EVER RIDDEN IN AN AMBULANCE?
I don't think so.

45. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BRUSHED YOUR TEETH TODAY?
Once or twice.
I specifically remember doing it once because I couldn't remember if I had done so yet up until that point.

46. IS DRUG FREE THE WAY TO BE?
Well yeah.

47. ARE YOU A HEAVY SLEEPER?
Sometimes.

48. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES?
Blue.

49. HOW LOUD DO YOU SNEEZE?
I sneeze loud and I sneeze often.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR LIFE?
Yeah!

51. WHO'S BETTER: STONE COLD OR THE ROCK?
I prefer Ritter's to Cold Stone, and The Rock was an okay movie - I think I'd rather have Ritter's than see The Rock again.

52. ARE YOU PSYCHIC?
I knew you were going to ask me that.

53. HAVE YOU READ CATCHER IN THE RYE?
No.

54. DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS?
Does belly fat count?

56. CAN YOU SNOWBOARD?
I can strap on a snowboard and go down a hill. Doing it well is another story. So is stopping. I've been snowboarding once. I frequently dragged my face along the snow to bring myself to a stop. I would seriously love to go snowboarding again.

57. HAVE YOU BEEN CAMPING?
No.

58. DO YOU SNORT WHEN YOU LAUGH?
No.

59. DO YOU BELIEVE IN FATE?
No.

60. ARE DOGS A MAN'S BEST FRIEND?
Depends on the dog and the man.

61. DO YOU BELIEVE IN DIVORCE?
Only in certain circumstances.

62. CAN YOU DO THE MOONWALK?
I've never been to the moon.

63. DO YOU MAKE A LOT OF MISTAKES?
Daily.

64. IS IT COLD OUTSIDE TODAY?
The high was supposed to be 80 degrees.
That would be a NO!

65. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
One of those mozzarella string cheese sticks.

66. WHAT DO YOU SMELL RIGHT NOW?
The ionized air from the air cleaner across the room.

67. THIS IS NOT THE QUESTION THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.
Great! Can I go about my business and movealong?

68. WHAT'S THE MOST ANNOYING TV COMMERCIAL?
Yes.

69. DO YOU SHOP AT AMERICAN EAGLE?
That would be in a mall right? And they are more expensive than Wal-mart, right?
That would be a "no".

70. FAVORITE SONG AT THE MOMENT?
At this moment, I don't have one, as I'm not listening to or thinking about music. If I had to choose - One Vision by Queen.

72. FAVORITE TV SHOW AT THE MOMENT?
Stargate SG1, even though it's not the same since MacGyver left.

73. EVER CURSE AT YOUR PARENTS?
Never.

74. WORST PUNISHMENT YOUR PARENTS GAVE YOU?
A good talking to. Man, lectures made me feel lower than dirt.

75. BIGGEST TURN ON?
Rubi.

76. See # 7

77. MOVE ALONG, NOTHING TO SEE HERE. CARRY ON, PLEASE.
Okay, stop that.

78. FAVORITE OLD NICKELODEON SHOW?
Never watched Nickelodeon. Didn't have cable growing up.

79. DO YOU ANSWER BLOCKED/RESTRICTED CALLS?
I rarely answer the phone at all unless I'm at work.

80. LAST CONCERT?
Jump5 and Zoegirl with my 9 year-old daughter.

81. LAST KISS?
Kissed Rubi good-bye as I went into work.

82. LAST SONG HEARD?
Don't remember.

84. LAST PERSON YOU FOUGHT WITH?
Physically? Don't remember. Verbally? Probably Rubi.

85. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Probably Serenity on DVD.
See the side bar.

86. LAST PLACE YOU EVER WANT TO GO?
Heaven.
Does that make sense? Heaven is the last (final) place I want to go. I don't want to go anywhere else after I get there.

87. LAST THING YOU SAID?
Uh, see #27. I've probably spoken since then, but I don't remember.

88. LAST TIME TAKEN ANY DRUG?
I took an allergy pill this morning.

89. LAST THING YOU READ?
This question.

90. WHO DO YOU LOVE RIGHT NOW?
Rubi. And my kids. And anyone who would bring me pizza or ice cream!

92. WHO DO YOU HATE RIGHT NOW?
I don't hate anyone. There are people I'm not fond of.

93. NO QUESTION FOR YOU! YOU GO NOW! YOU BEEN HERE FOUR HOUR!
No, I've only been working on this for about an hour.
However, now I want to go to a Chinese buffet.

94. GO ON, GET! I'M ANNOYED!
Okay, this is getting too silly.

95. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST REGRET?
Starting this list!

96. WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING NOW?
Paying attention to what's going on around me at work.

97. See # 7

98. WHAT TIME IS IT?
Really? Come on! Ask some better questions!

99. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW?
Finishing this thing.

100. WHAT IS LOVE IN ONE WORD TO YOU?
"Love."
That is one word.

Took most of the questions from: http://kradical.livejournal.com/504714.html?#cutid1

One Hundred-ish Questions

Happier today.

Ahh. Much better. Kev rocks, because he gives me chocolate.

Elizabeth rocks, because she brought home a Six Flags ticket. She got the ticket for excelling in her reading program at school. Proud of her!

Our friends returned from a trip to China last night, laden with gifts. They're SO thoughtful. Elizabeth's whole class got cute little packages of cookies. Elizabeth got a beautiful bookmark with her name on the front in Chinese characters, and the literal translation of the characters on the back. Also a cute toy panda, and an Olympic souvenier pin. All wrapped up in a pretty silk bag. Adorable stuff.

I got a lovely silk decorative piece with amazing embroidery, (sort of like a doily, but absolutely gorgeous. Matches my bedroom colors beautifully.) some pretty stationary, and a pen. I love the pen especially, because Elizabeth's friend K. is the one who chose it for me. It's got pandas and bamboo. Very cute.

Two other moms, and their daughters, got the same things. The four of us are good friends. S. was most annoyed that she didn't get more time to shop. She was looking for robes for all of us, and was upset that she didn't have time to find them. But I was delighted with my goodies - the fact that they were on the other side of the planet, and still thinking of their friends, was wonderful. So sweet.
I talked to her for quite a bit today, getting all the details on their amazing trip. Very cool, and I can't wait to see pics.

Ooh, ooh! Almost forgot. While they were in the silk market, they bought a chenogsam (I think I spelled that right) for their three year old daughter. She had it on today, and it was absolutely precious! S. intended it for dress up clothes, but her daughter wouldn't take it off! She was so cute I couldn't stand it! Heck, it's a silk dress. Wear that sucker to church or something! I told her it was crazy to keep it only for dress up.

Happier today.

BWAHAHA!

MCF, you made my day. Nay, my week! Thanks, man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLyuTU26sDk

BWAHAHA!

Great book!

I am reading the most wonderful book right now. It's Life Management For Busy Women, by Elizabeth George. Excellent, excellent book. Very straightforward, without relying on a bunch of complicated gimmicks, tricks, self help systems, blah blah. It's just, "here's what you need to do. Here's the Biblical basis for it, the Biblical helps for it, and how to do it. Now go."
She covers every role a woman has: a Christian, wife, mother, friend, homemaker, employee, and steward (Of your finances).

I've read it once, and started applying it to my life on a simple basis. Now I'm starting over with the goal of applying it more in depth.

Have you read it? Discuss. Not read it yet? Go get it. You'll be glad you did.

Great book!

my kids rock!

Alexander, Catherine, and I were shopping at Sam's Club today. While we were checking out, in the lane next to us was a child probably about three years old. He was throwing a fit and crying.

He sounded just like the siren on a fire truck.
I told Alexander and Catherine how well they were behaving and how proud I was of them.

my kids rock!

Love!!

Oh, this just made my night. Thanks and hugs to Miranda the Hoser for showing me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

Love!!

Vent-o-rama.

Alexander's graduation ceremony started at 6:30. We had to drop the kids off at their classrooms at 6:15. To get good seats, we arrived at 5:45, to find seats in the church worship center. (This is what's called a "mega-church". There aren't pews, but seats like a theater. Each seating section is about 15-20 seats wide) So I headed to the section that would put us directly in front of Alexander. No go, the seats I wanted were saved.

You know how you'll put your coat or handbag on a chair to save it? Someone had arrived before I did with an armload of blankets, and spread blankets over the two front rows, from end to end. They had saved the ENTIRE two front rows for themselves. At least 30 seats. For the graduation of ONE four year old. People, I was hot.

I don't mind seat saving. My friend Betsy told me later that she'd had to stop by the church at about 3:00 that day for something else, and popped in to the worship center to save a seat for her and her hubby. Two seats. To me, that's reasonable. But 30? The ENTIRE two front rows? Am I out of line in thinking that is incredibly rude?

I was really shocked when I found out who it was - it's someone that I really like, and wouldn't have expected her to pull a stunt like that.

So. PSA for the day. If there are well over 100 kids in the preschool graduating class? Try to take two seconds to remember that your kid is only ONE of them, and other families are there too. Yeesh.

Vent-o-rama.

Updating on the fly.

Past my bedtime. Waiting for Kev. Updating quickly.

Does it weird people out to know that they've been Googled? Someone told me the other night that she Googled me (Hiya Betsy!!), then was a little apologetic about it. [shrug] I never mind someone Googling us. If you put it out there on the net, well, it's out there. Why is it weird that someone looks at it? I Googled someone a while back. Mentioned it to a third party, and she acted like it was way odd. I don't know. Weird late night thoughts.

I'm so proud of my kids today. Alexander graduated from preschool last night, and was insanely adorable in his wee cap and gown. It was a very long program, and he performed all the songs, dances, and sign language beautifully. Pics to come soon.

Elizabeth got an award at school today for excelling in the AR program. She accumulated the second-most points in her class, and got a Barnes and Noble gift card. She was also invited to participate in Spell Bowl, an academic thingy that's invitation only. You go, girl.

Catherine...well, she was beautiful and charming.

American Idol. Awesome tonight. Elizabeth announced about halfway through that she has the McPheever. That's my girl.

I missed Bones. Suck!

Is that it? Think so. Night.

Updating on the fly.

Book Review: Dragon Champion

I recently finished reading Dragon Champion, by E. E. Knight.

Dragon Champion: Book One of the Age of Fire

This is an excellent book!

The main character is a dragon. And the story is told from his point of view from hatching, through his formative years (which are quite entertaining), and up into his adulthood - or drakehood as it's called in the book.

The books is subtitled Book One of the Age of Fire. I guess that means there will be more books set in this same world. Good, I can't wait! This book ends with a happy ending and it could be a perfectly good standalone novel - but if the author, E. E. Knight, can make future installments as good as this, I'll read them!

I'm going to look up some E. E. Knights earlier works too. My local library doesn't have them, so I may have to actually purchase one to see if it's as good, and worth buying more.

Book Review: Dragon Champion

MCF Tests Us Again

M.C.F.A.T. Volume XII

Yay MCF! More testing! These are great!

 

1) What are some of your favorite season finale cliffhangers from your favorite shows over the years?

I honestly can't remember any cliffhangers. I know there were cliffhangers on the shows I watched, I just can't remember any favorites. I'm usually spoiled on the cliffhanger resolutions (SG1, SGA, BSG - previously on Buffy and Angel, even Beast Wars), so I can't say those were my favorites. I don't recall any cliffhangers from the TV when I was younger - I know they happened, I just don't remember them.

2) As we grow older time, at the very least by our perception of it, elapses faster and faster. True or false? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

I've noticed that too - True. I think it's a bad thing. I think it means we are spending less time savoring life - taking time to truly enjoy and be in the moment and commit it to memory.

3) What do you remember about your first day of school?

If you mean kindergarten, elementary school, or high school - I don't remember the first day. I remember specific incidents and snippets from school life, but I can't remember my first day.

As for college - I remember some of that day. It was my 18th birthday. I met up with some friends from high school before classes just to touch base with them - but that's really all I remember. I don't remember classes or anything educational.

4) What's the best thing to put on ice cream?

My mouth.

5) How do you defend the things you enjoy?

With large pointy swords, hired ninjas, and booby traps.

SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Who is Liddy Wales?
A large aquatic mammal fond of tupperware.

 

 

 

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MCF Tests Us Again

Yay! No wait - Ugh! No wait...

George Lucas has found yet another way to hose us, I mean sell us what we want.

 

For a limited time only!

Buy the Original Star Wars Trilogy as it was seen in theaters!

 

The only catch is, the DVDs you buy also have the updated versions with all the extra effects and Greedo shooting first and whatnot... the versions we already have on DVD.

 

Yes. I will be buying them.
Yes, George Lucas is a money-hungry somethingsomething.

Yes I'm a sheep.

 

 

 

 

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