Sunday, July 31, 2005
A Fine Week In Lake Wobegon
Coming back from town today (no more iTunes slurpee cups), Phil and I listened to "A Prairie Home Companion" on OPB Radio. It was a rerun, but we hadn't heard it the first time around. Following the news from Lake Wobegon, Garrison & Co. brought us a message from the Professional Society of English Majors.
I have only one word to say about that: sinew.
I have only one word to say about that: sinew.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Slurpee/iTunes Recap
It's possible that the Slurpee/iTunes offer is over (there's a contest at slurpee.com that ends today; we'll find out after church tomorrow), so here's a look at what I got with my free codes:
- "Ain't Got No Home" by Clarence "Frogman" Henry
- "Duel of the Fates" from the Phantom Menace soundtrack
- "The Imperial March" from the Empire Strikes Back soundtrack
- "Take On Me" by a-ha
- The 13-tracks on Coldplay's X&Y
- "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon
- "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt
- "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
(the 8-minute cut off I Will Survive: The Anthology)
The Ladies Man
Another slow news day, so here're a handful of pix featuring Phil the charmer: Oh, yes -- Phil's quite the charmer.
How's he do it? Take a look at Phil working his mojo.
How's he do it? Take a look at Phil working his mojo.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
I'm Number One!
It's been a long day and I want to go to be early, so here're the seven most recent search engine searches that have brought people to the blog. (the number in parentheses is the position I held in the search)
That's right, I'm the #1 site for Artpad Skunk.
Further data mining from my stats log shows that visitors from London, England; Waldorf, Md.; Watertown, N.Y.; Dallas, Tex.; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; and Lewisville, Tex., have all found this picture of Phil via Google Images.
That's 7% (the Canadian clicked twice) of my 100 most-recent visitors (the limit on my free stat tracking account). Will somebody please tell me why that picture's so popular?
- "chris tomlin too much free time if the devil was a man" (12)
- "freddy's playland" (2)
- "clone trooper orchestra" (23)
- "jelly belly outlet" (3)
- "enter code for amazon burgerking fantastic 4 cas" (not found)
- "artpad skunk" (1)
- "crest whale toothbrush" (12)
That's right, I'm the #1 site for Artpad Skunk.
Further data mining from my stats log shows that visitors from London, England; Waldorf, Md.; Watertown, N.Y.; Dallas, Tex.; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; and Lewisville, Tex., have all found this picture of Phil via Google Images.
That's 7% (the Canadian clicked twice) of my 100 most-recent visitors (the limit on my free stat tracking account). Will somebody please tell me why that picture's so popular?
Phil's Vocabulary
Dina and I never spoke baby talk to Phil. We considered taking the Pimsleur course, but decided against it. Our long-term goal was to get the boy to speak English. Why handicap him by making that his second language?
By age two, he had quite an impressive vocabulary.
He's continued to embrace big words. After he grows up to be a "camp counselor" he's going to be a "NASA scientist." He uses the word "interested" a lot, as in "I'm going to be a beaver ... Jackson got me 'interested' in the Oregon [State] Beavers." (Jackson's parents are proud alums)
The other day we discussed the differences in pronunciation between "banished" and "vanished" (he said someone had been "banished", but sadly he doesn't know his bilabial plosives from his labiodental fricatives (do you?) and we had to go over it). Aang, the Avatar, had disappeared for 100 years. As far as we know he left voluntarily.
He's learning this week about insects at Pre-K. I asked about the parts of an insect: he remembered they have heads and abdomens, but needed help remembering "thorax" (which he pronounces "fore-axe", so we have some work to do distinguishing labiodental fricatives from the straight dental variety*).
Sometimes he accuses us of "aggravating" him.
Verbal SAT record books here we come.
*At least he's keeping things voiced or unvoiced properly.
By age two, he had quite an impressive vocabulary.
He's continued to embrace big words. After he grows up to be a "camp counselor" he's going to be a "NASA scientist." He uses the word "interested" a lot, as in "I'm going to be a beaver ... Jackson got me 'interested' in the Oregon [State] Beavers." (Jackson's parents are proud alums)
The other day we discussed the differences in pronunciation between "banished" and "vanished" (he said someone had been "banished", but sadly he doesn't know his bilabial plosives from his labiodental fricatives (do you?) and we had to go over it). Aang, the Avatar, had disappeared for 100 years. As far as we know he left voluntarily.
He's learning this week about insects at Pre-K. I asked about the parts of an insect: he remembered they have heads and abdomens, but needed help remembering "thorax" (which he pronounces "fore-axe", so we have some work to do distinguishing labiodental fricatives from the straight dental variety*).
Sometimes he accuses us of "aggravating" him.
Verbal SAT record books here we come.
*At least he's keeping things voiced or unvoiced properly.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Phil Cognito
Who's the boy in the clever disguise?
Dina just gave me a bunch of photos taken by camp staff that include our boy. Look for them to start popping up on slow news days like today.
Dina just gave me a bunch of photos taken by camp staff that include our boy. Look for them to start popping up on slow news days like today.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Well, Maybe You'll Need A Pick-Me-Up On Tuesday
Sorry this is coming so late on Monday. If you're working the night shift, it'll come in handy. Otherwise: Happy Tuesday.
I saw this highlighted over at InFuze Magazine last week: a short Lego-based Star Wars film. In addition to the short film InFuze highlighted, there's also a "Clone Trooper Orchestra" short and a "Making of" documentary narrated by Mark Hamill, the voice of Steve in Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders.
Don't miss it.
(BTW I am totally spoiled by broadband; if you're still on dial-up you have no idea what you're missing.)
I saw this highlighted over at InFuze Magazine last week: a short Lego-based Star Wars film. In addition to the short film InFuze highlighted, there's also a "Clone Trooper Orchestra" short and a "Making of" documentary narrated by Mark Hamill, the voice of Steve in Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders.
Don't miss it.
(BTW I am totally spoiled by broadband; if you're still on dial-up you have no idea what you're missing.)
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Clown Food: After The Laughter
On the way into church this morning, Phil and I stopped at the McDonald's in Junction City. The plan was simple: order a couple McGriddles, a couple beverages and get back on the road. Ha!
Knowing that Phil usually winds up eating his sandwich layer by layer, I ordered his w/ the cheese on the side so I could blot away the extra grease that makes the food taste so good and winds up staining tan chinos. Big mistake.
The first Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle with the cheese on the side came without cheese and without the top bun (the cheese did come in a separate box).
The second Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle with the cheese on the side came with the top bun and with cheese.
The third Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle with the cheese on the side came with bacon instead of sausage.
The fourth Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle with the cheese on the side came with sausage, with egg, with two bun halves, and without cheese.
We were late for Sunday School.
Knowing that Phil usually winds up eating his sandwich layer by layer, I ordered his w/ the cheese on the side so I could blot away the extra grease that makes the food taste so good and winds up staining tan chinos. Big mistake.
The first Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle with the cheese on the side came without cheese and without the top bun (the cheese did come in a separate box).
The second Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle with the cheese on the side came with the top bun and with cheese.
The third Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle with the cheese on the side came with bacon instead of sausage.
The fourth Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle with the cheese on the side came with sausage, with egg, with two bun halves, and without cheese.
We were late for Sunday School.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Upping The Ante
The highlight of Phil's party last year was the pinata. This year it was jumping in the lake. Today Phil went to a party that saw my pinata and aquatic fun and raised it a clown.
Here are some snaps of the event:
Is age six too young for a paintball party?
Here are some snaps of the event:
- Phil and the birthday girl, Shelby
(Shelby is one of Phil's friends from his Pre-K class) - Diving in
- Boys of summer
- Blue-water rafting
- Everybody's in
- Jedi warriors
- The clown sets up bubble fun
- Phil makes bubbles
- Phil's inflatable gladiator-wear: 1 2
- The clown pulls a tissue paper chain from Phil's ear
(immediately after this, Phil tried to shove the tissue paper chain back in) - Phil's tattoo
- Too cool for the pool
Is age six too young for a paintball party?
Friday, July 22, 2005
Real-Life Reavers
A few years back "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon (if Buffy's not your bag, he's also written for Disney's Toy Story and Lion King II) developed a SciFi/Western series, Firefly, for Fox. Fox botched the marketing and the series was yanked after eight or nine episodes were shown. The Sci-Fi channel is rebroadcasting the series beginning tonight at 7:00 (you can also get it on DVD), building up to the debut of the big-screen movie Serenity this fall.
Last night I was watching the pilot episode w/ commentary on DVD when a dry lightning storm began a'brewin' outside. Two things need to happen under these conditions: 1) the dog needs to come inside (she doesn't care for thunder) and 2) I need to stand outside like a fool and watch the show.
The show was pretty good. The clouds lit up from the inside, silhouetting the trees and mountains. Big impressive booms. Real end-of-the-world type stuff.
Of course, a lightning strike could spell the end of our camping season, too. Things are still pretty green in our immediate area, but you never know. All of a sudden the show overhead wasn't as much fun as it had been. I found myself looking up and hoping it would all blow away and leave us unscathed.
There's a scene in the Firefly pilot episode that's much the same: the intrepid crew and passengers of the ship, Serenity, find themselves flying by a huge ship manned by Reavers (insane space cannibals). Like a minnow swimming past a shark, everyone hopes the beast has just eaten and doesn't have room for another bite.
It's not often a TV show is directly applicable to life (the "El Guapo" speech in ¡Three Amigos! comes to mind, but that was a movie). Do yourself a favor and tune in to the Sci-Fi showing tonight (and/or get the DVD boxed set). Great writing, great acting, and Barney Miller's Ron Glass as a chaplain on a pirate ship. It doesn't get any better than that.
(Bad News Alert: If you are offended by Calgon/body-wash commercials and/or are likely to take someone's assessment of someone-else as a whore at face value (even if there's substantial evidence to support it), Firefly may not be the show for you.)
(Good News Alert: If you were considering watching the show until you saw there's a guy named Adam Baldwin in the cast, please re-reconsider: he's not related to Alec and is really, really a lot of fun (really!).)
Last night I was watching the pilot episode w/ commentary on DVD when a dry lightning storm began a'brewin' outside. Two things need to happen under these conditions: 1) the dog needs to come inside (she doesn't care for thunder) and 2) I need to stand outside like a fool and watch the show.
The show was pretty good. The clouds lit up from the inside, silhouetting the trees and mountains. Big impressive booms. Real end-of-the-world type stuff.
Of course, a lightning strike could spell the end of our camping season, too. Things are still pretty green in our immediate area, but you never know. All of a sudden the show overhead wasn't as much fun as it had been. I found myself looking up and hoping it would all blow away and leave us unscathed.
There's a scene in the Firefly pilot episode that's much the same: the intrepid crew and passengers of the ship, Serenity, find themselves flying by a huge ship manned by Reavers (insane space cannibals). Like a minnow swimming past a shark, everyone hopes the beast has just eaten and doesn't have room for another bite.
It's not often a TV show is directly applicable to life (the "El Guapo" speech in ¡Three Amigos! comes to mind, but that was a movie). Do yourself a favor and tune in to the Sci-Fi showing tonight (and/or get the DVD boxed set). Great writing, great acting, and Barney Miller's Ron Glass as a chaplain on a pirate ship. It doesn't get any better than that.
(Bad News Alert: If you are offended by Calgon/body-wash commercials and/or are likely to take someone's assessment of someone-else as a whore at face value (even if there's substantial evidence to support it), Firefly may not be the show for you.)
(Good News Alert: If you were considering watching the show until you saw there's a guy named Adam Baldwin in the cast, please re-reconsider: he's not related to Alec and is really, really a lot of fun (really!).)
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Pepsi, Pepsi, Everywhere
Phil's Pre-K class took a field trip to the Pepsi Bottling Plant today. I spent last week explaining to Phil that he was going to a factory and not some magical Pepsi tree. It's been awhile since I've posted pix of the boy, so I tagged along.
Here's what the trip looked like:Let me break in for a moment. When we arrived at the bottling plant, our guide, Lila, asked if anyone had any questions. Phil raised his hand: "When do we get free samples?" That's my boy.
All the kids had a great time, which they tell me is the point. (When I was a kid and my class took the tour of the bread factory, we all left with a free loaf of Wonder Bread; I think they even had baseball cards inside the wrapper. That was a great field trip.)
Here's what the trip looked like:Let me break in for a moment. When we arrived at the bottling plant, our guide, Lila, asked if anyone had any questions. Phil raised his hand: "When do we get free samples?" That's my boy.
- Skyway conveyor belt
- Another conveyor belt shot
- Chet, the QC guy
- In the vat room
- In the keg room
- More kegs
All the kids had a great time, which they tell me is the point. (When I was a kid and my class took the tour of the bread factory, we all left with a free loaf of Wonder Bread; I think they even had baseball cards inside the wrapper. That was a great field trip.)
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
A Marvelous Night For A Moondance
Today is the thirty-sixth anniversary of the faked moon landing*. Google has some nice shots of the "soundstage" using their googlemap technology. Landing spots of subsequent fake landings are shown as well.
Check it out.
(Thanks JordonCooper.com for the link.
*I kid. I'm a kidder.
Check it out.
(Thanks JordonCooper.com for the link.
*I kid. I'm a kidder.
Just In Time For Merry-Go-Round Day: A Borders Coupon
Save 30% on any book/CD/DVD at Borders/Waldenbooks/Brentano's with this coupon, valid through the 24th.
You know the drill (even though no one's ever followed through): Use the coupon, let me know what you got. (30% off $15 is $10.50 ... maybe I'll get Harry Potter and the Half Blood Pudding after all.)
By the way, Happy "Wrong Way" Corrigan Day!
You know the drill (even though no one's ever followed through): Use the coupon, let me know what you got. (30% off $15 is $10.50 ... maybe I'll get Harry Potter and the Half Blood Pudding after all.)
By the way, Happy "Wrong Way" Corrigan Day!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Romance Report
Well, I've completed the Romance Challenge. I finished reading Nora Roberts' Midnight Bayou this afternoon. (photographic "evidence")
Here's what I think:
Story: B+
Quite a good plot: romance, spooks & extreme house makeover on the bayou. Stories of reincarnated lovers aren't new, and the gender-bending twist has been done before, most notably in Dead Again. Still, there were some new(ish) things (the male lead psychically experiences giving birth, for instance), and the haunted manor house storyline played out nicely. Points off, though, for skating over the reunion of the reincarnated rapist and his (well, now, her) victim.
Characters: B-
Too perfect. Even with the introduction of Lena's mother (the Billy Clyde Tuggle (yay!) of the piece), the cast is still almost completely perfect. The male lead has absolutely no flaws. The female lead's only flaw is she's too wary to give her heart away -- oh, cry me a blue bayou, would you please? A likeable lot, but there was never any reason to think our lovers wouldn't get together in the end (I expected by default they would, 'cause you know -- Romance; but I never second-guessed the ending).
Technique: C
Some things I liked, like the dual timeline and snappy patter. Some things I didn't like, like the aberrant POV and far too many coincidences. Call it a wash.
Overall: B
I enjoyed the book. Not as much as Misery (which I recommended to Romance Challenge challenger, Brenda Coulter), but more than I expected (so it gets bonus points for pleasantly surprising me). It wasn't all breathless, angsty, or loveydovey like Ifeared thought it would be. I would've liked a little more complexity and real conflict between the major and secondary characters, maybe some arson to complicate things, or actual struggle for the characters to achieve their dreams. But, hey, there are worse ways to spend a handful of afternoons down by the lake.
Here's what I think:
Story: B+
Quite a good plot: romance, spooks & extreme house makeover on the bayou. Stories of reincarnated lovers aren't new, and the gender-bending twist has been done before, most notably in Dead Again. Still, there were some new(ish) things (the male lead psychically experiences giving birth, for instance), and the haunted manor house storyline played out nicely. Points off, though, for skating over the reunion of the reincarnated rapist and his (well, now, her) victim.
Characters: B-
Too perfect. Even with the introduction of Lena's mother (the Billy Clyde Tuggle (yay!) of the piece), the cast is still almost completely perfect. The male lead has absolutely no flaws. The female lead's only flaw is she's too wary to give her heart away -- oh, cry me a blue bayou, would you please? A likeable lot, but there was never any reason to think our lovers wouldn't get together in the end (I expected by default they would, 'cause you know -- Romance; but I never second-guessed the ending).
Technique: C
Some things I liked, like the dual timeline and snappy patter. Some things I didn't like, like the aberrant POV and far too many coincidences. Call it a wash.
Overall: B
I enjoyed the book. Not as much as Misery (which I recommended to Romance Challenge challenger, Brenda Coulter), but more than I expected (so it gets bonus points for pleasantly surprising me). It wasn't all breathless, angsty, or loveydovey like I
Monday, July 18, 2005
Obligatory Harry Potter Post
First off, I don't own any Harry Potter books. Let's settle that straight off. No books. I do own all the movies, and I've read all the books (as of a week ago last Friday). Not gonna buy this book until it comes out in a loverly slipcased set with the rest of the series. But I will mooch it, so when you finish your copy please send it my way.
Do you remember the first time you read the books? I burned through the first three the summer before the first movie came out. I remember thinking, while reading about Harry meeting Ron and Hermione on the train out to Hogwarts and the snack wagon shows up: "Oh man, Jelly Belly has got to do a tie in with "Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans".
They did, and the world was introduced to grass, black pepper, and booger flavors. I don't remember if sardine came out with the first set (red pouch) or the second (blue pouch). Vomit flavor definitely came out with the second (the bean that tastes the same going down as coming back up).
On Sunday, I picked up a pouch (purple this time) of third-edition beans. According to the flavor card that comes along with it, I can now enjoy:
What flavors do you dread Bertie Bott's coming out with? What flavor beans couldn't you get enough of (personally, I enjoy the black pepper and grass flavors). Leave 'em in the comments.
Do you remember the first time you read the books? I burned through the first three the summer before the first movie came out. I remember thinking, while reading about Harry meeting Ron and Hermione on the train out to Hogwarts and the snack wagon shows up: "Oh man, Jelly Belly has got to do a tie in with "Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans".
They did, and the world was introduced to grass, black pepper, and booger flavors. I don't remember if sardine came out with the first set (red pouch) or the second (blue pouch). Vomit flavor definitely came out with the second (the bean that tastes the same going down as coming back up).
On Sunday, I picked up a pouch (purple this time) of third-edition beans. According to the flavor card that comes along with it, I can now enjoy:
- Earthworm
- Dirt
(not sure how that'll differ from worm, but I look forward to the discovery) - Earwax
- Soap
- Bacon
- Rotten Egg
What flavors do you dread Bertie Bott's coming out with? What flavor beans couldn't you get enough of (personally, I enjoy the black pepper and grass flavors). Leave 'em in the comments.
Slow Blog Day
I've had perfect attendance here on the blog since April 18.
Three months. Way to go, me.
Three months. Way to go, me.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
A Movie In My Future?
Wedding movies are big box office business: Father of the Bride (& Redux), The Princess Bride, The Wedding Singer, The Wedding Planner, Runaway Bride. Wedding Crashers just opened this weekend.
So I figure it's time to work on my script for The Wedding Soundguy. See him fade out track 5 as the flower girl reaches the front of the aisle, then rapidly hit pause, skip track and play in time for the bride and her father to start down the aisle. Will he remember to bump the volume back up? Will he??? For the love of little chocolate donuts, WILL HE?!?!?! Yes, he did. Want more? Thrill to the excitement of The Wedding Soundguy adjusting the EQ on the CD track accompanying the lighting of the unity candle. Wow! Can you feel it? I can ... I lived it.
Just got back in from a wedding. The family was kind enough to invite the sound guy to the reception, so I was out a bit longer than I'd expected. I'd tell you more, but what happens on the 12th floor of the Eugene Hilton stays on the 12th floor of the Eugene Hilton ... at least until the custodial crew vacuums.
Well, Hollywood, what do you think? Should I get ready for my close-up?
So I figure it's time to work on my script for The Wedding Soundguy. See him fade out track 5 as the flower girl reaches the front of the aisle, then rapidly hit pause, skip track and play in time for the bride and her father to start down the aisle. Will he remember to bump the volume back up? Will he??? For the love of little chocolate donuts, WILL HE?!?!?! Yes, he did. Want more? Thrill to the excitement of The Wedding Soundguy adjusting the EQ on the CD track accompanying the lighting of the unity candle. Wow! Can you feel it? I can ... I lived it.
Just got back in from a wedding. The family was kind enough to invite the sound guy to the reception, so I was out a bit longer than I'd expected. I'd tell you more, but what happens on the 12th floor of the Eugene Hilton stays on the 12th floor of the Eugene Hilton ... at least until the custodial crew vacuums.
Well, Hollywood, what do you think? Should I get ready for my close-up?
Friday, July 15, 2005
Apple & Sugar Water, At It Again
I drove in to Eugene this afternoon to run sound at a wedding rehearsal. About halfway in I began to feel a bit parched, but what to drink? The autoresponse to that question is always coffee, but with temperatures in the 90s I thought something cooler would be better. Soda? Meh, if it comes to that, but let's keep thinking. There's a Jack in the Box on the way to church, and they've got a new blueberry milkshake, but hot weather and dairy don't always agree with me. So, soda then....
And then inspiration hit: Slurpee.
So I stopped at a 7-11 and got 32 ounces of brainfreezing goodness. Then I noticed the announcement on the cup that every 32 oz. Slurpee comes with a free iTunes code. So, a buck-thirty-five scores a song and a simulated stroke sensation.
iTunes is also counting down to their 500,000,000th download with free iPods every 100K rollover, so each Slurpee also gives you a shot at that, too.
It was still in the high 80s after the rehearsal, so I picked up another. My two songs? Clarence "Frogman" Henry's "I Ain't Got a Home" and "Duel of the Fates" from Star Wars Episode One.
And then inspiration hit: Slurpee.
So I stopped at a 7-11 and got 32 ounces of brainfreezing goodness. Then I noticed the announcement on the cup that every 32 oz. Slurpee comes with a free iTunes code. So, a buck-thirty-five scores a song and a simulated stroke sensation.
iTunes is also counting down to their 500,000,000th download with free iPods every 100K rollover, so each Slurpee also gives you a shot at that, too.
It was still in the high 80s after the rehearsal, so I picked up another. My two songs? Clarence "Frogman" Henry's "I Ain't Got a Home" and "Duel of the Fates" from Star Wars Episode One.
Where Two or More Are Gathered
When I put Phil to bed tonight, he wanted his teddy bear to pray along with him.
It went something like this:
I'll keep you posted if the boy starts in with "redrum, redrum" or the house begins filling up with giant invisible rabbit pellets.
It went something like this:
Phil: Dear Jesus,At which point I broke in and told him to knock it off, although I was impressed with the boy's wit (and since he wasn't smited, I think God smiled, too). The rest of the prayer went smoothly, although at one point Bear started praying first and Phil echoed.
Bear: (in falsetto voice) Dear Jesus,
P: Thank you for today.
B: Thank you for today.
P: Thank you for the sunshine.
B: Thank you for the sunshine.
P: Thank you for the waterfront.
B: Thank you for the waterfront.
P: Hey Bear, you weren't at the waterfront.
B: Well, I ... <general bickering ensued>
I'll keep you posted if the boy starts in with "redrum, redrum" or the house begins filling up with giant invisible rabbit pellets.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
There's a Wrong Way and a Right Way
I can't remember exactly where I first saw this, but it's wrong, oh so wrong: Gene Kelly/VW Golf ad
This, on the other hand, is the right way to do things: Virgin Trains: Return of the Train
Not everything on visit4info.com is appropriate for all households and workplace environments (if you know what I mean, and I think you do). So be on your best behavior, okay? Okay.
This, on the other hand, is the right way to do things: Virgin Trains: Return of the Train
Not everything on visit4info.com is appropriate for all households and workplace environments (if you know what I mean, and I think you do). So be on your best behavior, okay? Okay.
Strange Things Are Afoot at the Circle-K
I stopped in at a Circle-K this evening and it was like being transported to a less western time zone. Why? Nathan's hot dogs in the self-serve deli. Mmmmm. Not quite the full-on Chicago dog experience, but tasty.
I stopped by Fred Meyer's processed meat section and they're stocking Nathan's, too.
If they ever get Flint-style coney sauce and Koegel's dogs I'm gonna have to see if I can get my fat pants back from Goodwill.
I stopped by Fred Meyer's processed meat section and they're stocking Nathan's, too.
If they ever get Flint-style coney sauce and Koegel's dogs I'm gonna have to see if I can get my fat pants back from Goodwill.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Midnight Bayou - Early Impressions
Well, I'm 20% of the way through Nora Roberts's Midnight Bayou, the same point I was at when I bailed out of Jude Devaroux's Enchanted Land. So, how do the two compare?
First, I'm enjoying MB much more than I did the other novel. EL was entirely set in the 1800's, MB has flashback chapters to the turn of the 20th Century, but is primarily set in the early 21st. The contemporary setting is nice. The split timeline is nice.
In fact, everything is nice, and this is a problem I had with Devaroux's book, too. Everyone is beautiful. All but a few people are exceedingly charming and those folks are nefarious villains (the rapist/murderer and his apron-strings mama), and even they are beautiful (maybe a Billy Clyde Tuggle will be introduced later). Still, MB does introduce the villains early, even if they disappear for chapters at a time while we see the aftermath of their dastardly deeds.
MB has a male protagonist, and he's got it together; a little too together, but it's better than the naive yet pushy yet whiny female protagonist of EL. MB has completely unnecessary profanity (which I could do without). MB has engaging dialogue (again, perhaps too much so). The creepy atmosphere of haunted Manet Hall is good, I have less of a feel for N'Walins; I had no feel for anything in EL.
The most noticeable thing the two books have in common is a completely aggravating POV technique. We'll be going along with the main character Declan's thoughts and suddenly we'll get a thought or two from another character's perspective and then back to Dec. If it happened more frequently it'd be standard omniscient, but this is more on-a-whim than that. It annoys me.
I like Midnight Bayou, but if the POV thing is par for the Romance course, I'm not lovin' it.
First, I'm enjoying MB much more than I did the other novel. EL was entirely set in the 1800's, MB has flashback chapters to the turn of the 20th Century, but is primarily set in the early 21st. The contemporary setting is nice. The split timeline is nice.
In fact, everything is nice, and this is a problem I had with Devaroux's book, too. Everyone is beautiful. All but a few people are exceedingly charming and those folks are nefarious villains (the rapist/murderer and his apron-strings mama), and even they are beautiful (maybe a Billy Clyde Tuggle will be introduced later). Still, MB does introduce the villains early, even if they disappear for chapters at a time while we see the aftermath of their dastardly deeds.
MB has a male protagonist, and he's got it together; a little too together, but it's better than the naive yet pushy yet whiny female protagonist of EL. MB has completely unnecessary profanity (which I could do without). MB has engaging dialogue (again, perhaps too much so). The creepy atmosphere of haunted Manet Hall is good, I have less of a feel for N'Walins; I had no feel for anything in EL.
The most noticeable thing the two books have in common is a completely aggravating POV technique. We'll be going along with the main character Declan's thoughts and suddenly we'll get a thought or two from another character's perspective and then back to Dec. If it happened more frequently it'd be standard omniscient, but this is more on-a-whim than that. It annoys me.
I like Midnight Bayou, but if the POV thing is par for the Romance course, I'm not lovin' it.
You Say Monday, I Say FUNday
Here are a trio of links (courtesy digg.com) to brighten up your Monday:
Please share your ArtPad magna opi in the comments.
- Curveball
Like Pong, but in three dimensions and some wicked english (no, not Brits like Henry VIII or Cromwell; I mean top-, bottom- and sidespin). I've topped out at Level 8, how 'bout you?
[Update: to play again, right click on the game at the "game over" screen (or after missing an easy one in Level 2) to bring up the Flash option menu, then choose rewind; "high scores" doesn't seem to work, so don't worry about it.] - ArtPad
Feeling artsy? Check this out. - Dragger
A fun little puzzle game. Eventually the pictures start repeating, but be patient. I wound up clicking "continue" when presented with a repeat and kept finding new puzzles (sometimes after 10-15 reruns).
Please share your ArtPad magna opi in the comments.
Philism
What are the kids saying these days? What's the "in" lingo?
Well, for the five-year-old set the word is "cuffle."
Cuffle (vt, rhymes with duffle): To roll into a cuff, as a pantleg or a shirtsleeve.
"Daddy, please cuffle my pants," said the polite little boy with the too-long blue jeans.
Well, for the five-year-old set the word is "cuffle."
Cuffle (vt, rhymes with duffle): To roll into a cuff, as a pantleg or a shirtsleeve.
"Daddy, please cuffle my pants," said the polite little boy with the too-long blue jeans.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Hottest of the New Hot Wheels
From what I've seen in the stores, I'm not impressed with this year's batch of Hot Wheels cars. I last posted on the subject back in March, and the pickins are still pretty slim.
I haven't seen any of these in the stores yet, so maybe there's hope for the season after all:My personal favorite, though, is this one:And, since it's all about J. Mark, here's one for him:
(thanks to South Texas Hot Wheels & Diecast Collectors Website for keeping me up-to-date on what I can't afford)
I haven't seen any of these in the stores yet, so maybe there's hope for the season after all:My personal favorite, though, is this one:And, since it's all about J. Mark, here's one for him:
(thanks to South Texas Hot Wheels & Diecast Collectors Website for keeping me up-to-date on what I can't afford)
Friday, July 08, 2005
Personal Blogging
Aahhhh ... blogging on the commode.
Remember to wash your hands and tip the man with the towels when you're done reading this.
Remember to wash your hands and tip the man with the towels when you're done reading this.
I'm Over Here
Blogging in the living room.
No wires.
Slightly less signal reception, but still plenty fast.
Let's see what happens when I walk down the hall...
No wires.
Slightly less signal reception, but still plenty fast.
Let's see what happens when I walk down the hall...
I'm In
I'm posting this from my PowerBook.
Wirelessly.
And at high speed.
Woo-Hoo!
Wirelessly.
And at high speed.
Woo-Hoo!
Twenty-Percenter
Well, I had hoped to blog on how exciting it is to be on wireless DSL at home, but my service provider's DSL system has been down for two hours. <grrrr>
Instead, I have an update of the countries that have visited my site. I'm up to 45 now, or 20% of the world (by number of countries, not size or population).
Here's the map.
(thanks World66 and StatCounter)
Instead, I have an update of the countries that have visited my site. I'm up to 45 now, or 20% of the world (by number of countries, not size or population).
Here's the map.
(thanks World66 and StatCounter)
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Our New Neighbors
The other day as I was walking back to the house, I heard a strange scratching noise up one of the trees outside my office. It sounded a lot louder than the chipmunks and squirrels that usually climb our trees. So, having learned nothing from the horror movies I'm fond of, I looked up the tree to see what was causing the ruckus.
Hmmm ... something large and black moving up there. Well, there's been a black and grey cat wandering around lately. No, wait ... white stripe ... aaaghh -- it's a skunk! Having learned nothing from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, I continued looking up the tree and realized it wasn't a skunk, it was a raccoon. And then, not just one raccoon, but at least four.
By the time I casually ambled into the house and grabbed the digital camera, this was the only one still interested in what was going on at the base of the tree.
Haven't seen them since, well, except for the picture....
Hmmm ... something large and black moving up there. Well, there's been a black and grey cat wandering around lately. No, wait ... white stripe ... aaaghh -- it's a skunk! Having learned nothing from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, I continued looking up the tree and realized it wasn't a skunk, it was a raccoon. And then, not just one raccoon, but at least four.
By the time I casually ambled into the house and grabbed the digital camera, this was the only one still interested in what was going on at the base of the tree.
Haven't seen them since, well, except for the picture....
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Fireworks & Phil
On Sunday I stopped by the fireworks stand our church youth group is sponsoring and dropped $3.50 on a modest assortment of incendiaries: a couple things that shoot sparks and whistle, a pack of six things that shoot sparks and make exploding noises, and a pack of six sparklers.
While I think the youth group cleared a nickel on the transaction, Phil and I and a few friends had an enjoyable fifteen minutes lighting them off. Here are some of the sparkler photos:
While I think the youth group cleared a nickel on the transaction, Phil and I and a few friends had an enjoyable fifteen minutes lighting them off. Here are some of the sparkler photos:
- Group Photo
(l-r: Aniele, Anaïs, Raven, Phil, Pill (the camp nurse, Aniele and Anaïs' mom), and Beckham. Raven & Beckham are two of our international counselors from Russia and Ukraine) - Phil and the girls
- Phil solo
Monday, July 04, 2005
Almost Googlewhacked
Googlewhacking occurs when you enter two words into Google and only come up with a single result. Recently my StatCounter log has shown a couple search phrases that resulted in only two results, mine and (hopefully) what the searcher was looking for.A true googlewhack (that I happened upon for purposes of illustrating this entry) can be found by searching for "cerebrectomy" and "pilfer".
This is a hilarious entry from the resulting googlewhacked blog.
This is a hilarious entry from the resulting googlewhacked blog.
Phil's Festive Fourth Fashion
Phil made a festive red-white-and-blue vest at Pre-K last week.
Here's a look at Mr. Stylish: Front Back
Hope your Independence Day is hot-dog filled and firework-related-injury free.
(For my Canadian and Australian readers: If you say something mean about the monarchy, you may have a hot dog; light fireworks at your own risk, though. Of course, if you try to blow up Parliament you'll get a holiday named after you...not that I'm suggesting you actually do that....)
Here's a look at Mr. Stylish: Front Back
Hope your Independence Day is hot-dog filled and firework-related-injury free.
(For my Canadian and Australian readers: If you say something mean about the monarchy, you may have a hot dog; light fireworks at your own risk, though. Of course, if you try to blow up Parliament you'll get a holiday named after you...not that I'm suggesting you actually do that....)
Free Amazon Cash From Burger King
Right now, as part of their Fantastic Four promotional, Burger King is giving away free Amazon cash cards with the purchase of Large or King Size value meals. Upsizing to "Large" costs fifty cents and each Amazon card is worth at least a dollar, so you make fifty cents on the deal, plus have extra fries so you're left with some when the kid starts mooching off you because you made him get applesauce with his kids meal (or maybe that's just me...).
You can also get a free card by sending a SASE to Illinois (actual address and details here). You only make twenty six cents that way (or more ... some cards are worth $10,000 -- just not the ones I get).
Of course, if you live in Vermont or Canada you've got a better deal. First, you live in Vermont or Canada. But wait it gets better: Vermontonians can skip the return postage, as can Canadians. Canadians can also get a card with any salad purchase, including the el cheapo side salad. Technically, it's Canadian BKs that are giving out cash cards for salad purchases. If you live within driving distance of a bordertown BK, I suppose non-subjects-of-HRM could triply benefit from a favorable exchange rate, free Amazon cash (da rules say Canada cards pay out at CDN rates), and a "nutritious" meal/side dish.
Quebec for some reason is excluded from participation. Sorry hoseurs.
You can also get a free card by sending a SASE to Illinois (actual address and details here). You only make twenty six cents that way (or more ... some cards are worth $10,000 -- just not the ones I get).
Of course, if you live in Vermont or Canada you've got a better deal. First, you live in Vermont or Canada. But wait it gets better: Vermontonians can skip the return postage, as can Canadians. Canadians can also get a card with any salad purchase, including the el cheapo side salad. Technically, it's Canadian BKs that are giving out cash cards for salad purchases. If you live within driving distance of a bordertown BK, I suppose non-subjects-of-HRM could triply benefit from a favorable exchange rate, free Amazon cash (da rules say Canada cards pay out at CDN rates), and a "nutritious" meal/side dish.
Quebec for some reason is excluded from participation. Sorry hoseurs.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
More Birthday Pix
Here are pictures of the haul Phil came away with from his birthday on Tuesday:
Phil also got a couple nice shirt and shorts sets. He's wearing one in yesterday's boat picture. He also got some gift cards and cash. Gramma and Grampa Mikesell sent him the same Spider-man birthday card for the second year in a row (one of Phil's aunts got the same card (not Spidey) three years in a row; this was back in the '80s, so we can't really tell if senility is setting in or not...).
Thanks everyone!
- A nice tan outfit
- Spongebob shirt
- The whole Spongebob ensemble
- Robots product-placement t-shirt
- Baseball t-shirt
- Retro Atari paddle video game
Phil also got a couple nice shirt and shorts sets. He's wearing one in yesterday's boat picture. He also got some gift cards and cash. Gramma and Grampa Mikesell sent him the same Spider-man birthday card for the second year in a row (one of Phil's aunts got the same card (not Spidey) three years in a row; this was back in the '80s, so we can't really tell if senility is setting in or not...).
Thanks everyone!
Friday, July 01, 2005
Wasted
I know I'm falling behind on stuff (TXPTLMS & birthday pix), but Phil and I spent last night sleeping over at the fireworks booth our church's youth group is sponsoring (along with the youth pastor and his almost-five-year-old son and a few of the high schoolers). It's now just after 9pm and I'm burnt out.
To make up for my lack of posting anything of substance the last few days, here's the sweetest picture ever: Phil & his camp friend, Aniele.
To make up for my lack of posting anything of substance the last few days, here's the sweetest picture ever: Phil & his camp friend, Aniele.
