Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Cruise Preparations: Expecting the Unexpected
We leave for my parents' 40th Anniversary cruise in a few days. This is our first cruise and we're still finding last-minute things to take care of.
Some of them, like a rushed trip to the vet to get Biscuit's bordatella shot current so we can board her at the kennel, would have needed to be done for any vacation. Others -- like digging through boxes last opened when we moved here, looking for notarized copies of birth certificates and/or passports -- are kind of cruise specific.
Last Saturday, when the boy crawled in bed with Dina and me at 4am, we figured out another thing we had to handle before the cruise. Phil will be sharing a room with his three cousins on the trip. Dina and I will be a room or two away. The 4am visits needed to stop. So we're bribing the boy with Hot Wheels.
Long-time blog readers will remember we used this strategy to keep Phil in bed when we took the side rail off his crib. Thankfully, Hot Wheels behavior modification still works. Phil stayed in his bed the last two nights and earned a Hot Wheels car (he's allowed to get up and pee, but he has to go back to his own bed afterwards). If he makes it through the next three nights he gets another.
Some of them, like a rushed trip to the vet to get Biscuit's bordatella shot current so we can board her at the kennel, would have needed to be done for any vacation. Others -- like digging through boxes last opened when we moved here, looking for notarized copies of birth certificates and/or passports -- are kind of cruise specific.
Last Saturday, when the boy crawled in bed with Dina and me at 4am, we figured out another thing we had to handle before the cruise. Phil will be sharing a room with his three cousins on the trip. Dina and I will be a room or two away. The 4am visits needed to stop. So we're bribing the boy with Hot Wheels.
Long-time blog readers will remember we used this strategy to keep Phil in bed when we took the side rail off his crib. Thankfully, Hot Wheels behavior modification still works. Phil stayed in his bed the last two nights and earned a Hot Wheels car (he's allowed to get up and pee, but he has to go back to his own bed afterwards). If he makes it through the next three nights he gets another.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Flash Game Tuesday
Here are a couple momentary diversions (via digg.com):
Enjoy!
- River Game
Get the folks across the river without violating any of the rules. (scroll down to read the English translation; push the big blue button to begin) - Card Toss
Toss the cards into the top hat. (move your mouse cursor to the right or left side of the playing window to shift get the hand in position) My current high score: 81338.
Enjoy!
Monday, November 28, 2005
CM2: Chris Mikesell's Christmas Mix
Over at The Master's Artist, J. Mark Bertrand talks about preparing holiday mix CDs. While I haven't made Halloween or Thanksgiving discs, I have done Christmas and Easter (Easter's up to a 2-CD cantata). None of these Christmas songs are available on iTunes, but the discs the tracks are from are well worth the investment. All are by Christian artists (or artists who are Christians) with non-secular themes.
My Christmas Mix:
Yeah, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is on there twice: I really like the arrangement off Noel and David Edwards includes the less-popular Civil War verses (Didn't know that Longfellow wrote the carol about the American Civil War? Now you do).
And while I said you couldn't miss getting the entire albums, I can't actually vouch for Paul Johnson's Christmas Guitars or Joyful Christmas. What I've heard of PJCG I really like (I may end up getting the whole shebang this year); the Puff Johnson track off JC is the only one I'm actually familiar with.
If you want more avant garde tracks, you can't go wrong with Sixpence None the Richer's "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and the Lost Dogs' "Chipmunk Song" off Happy Christmas #2.
My Christmas Mix:
- Babe in the Straw
Derri Daugherty, Riki Michelle, Steve Hindalong
Noel - The World Was in His Hands
David Edwards
Christmas Songs Old and New
This song is available for free download from Edwards' website. Enjoy! - A Christmas Song for All Year 'Round
Randy Stonehill
Welcome to Paradise (WtP is about halfway down the page) - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Jerry Chamberlain, Sharon McCall, Riki Michelle, Derri Daugherty
Noel - God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Paul Johnson
Christmas with the Hepcats
(see Paul Johnson's Christmas Guitars)
Hear this song here (about halfway down the page) - By Way of the Sea
David Edwards
The Collected Archives (disc two bonus track) - Angels We Have Heard on High
Carolyn Arends, Stephen Murray, Jenny Gullen
Noel - Miriam
David Edwards
Christmas Songs Old and New
(if you pay attention to how the free song links at Edwards' website are named, maybe you can hear this one for free, too) - Annunciation Medley
(Joy To the World/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard on High)
Paul Johnson
Christmas with the Hepcats
(see Paul Johnson's Christmas Guitars) - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
David Edwards
Christmas Songs Old and New - What Child Is This
Puff Johnson & Choir
Joyful Christmas
Yeah, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is on there twice: I really like the arrangement off Noel and David Edwards includes the less-popular Civil War verses (Didn't know that Longfellow wrote the carol about the American Civil War? Now you do).
And while I said you couldn't miss getting the entire albums, I can't actually vouch for Paul Johnson's Christmas Guitars or Joyful Christmas. What I've heard of PJCG I really like (I may end up getting the whole shebang this year); the Puff Johnson track off JC is the only one I'm actually familiar with.
If you want more avant garde tracks, you can't go wrong with Sixpence None the Richer's "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and the Lost Dogs' "Chipmunk Song" off Happy Christmas #2.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Spaceman Sifuentes
A few weeks ago Burger King began handing out another set of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith toys with their kids' meals. This afternoon I got TV's Jimmy Smits along with my double cheeseburger meal.
Here's what Congressman Santos looks like as Princess Leia's dad. And the rest of the BK collection.
(I've also got the stormtrooper, Alec "the real Obi-Wan" Guinness, Samuel L. "Mace Windu" Jackson, and Kit Fisto toys. Phil has R2, Chewie, and three of the four vehicle toys.)
We'll probably hit the stores a couple times this week to get a few more inaction-figures before we leave for the cruise. (Anyone know if there's a Burger King in Ensenada?) Phil wants the muppet, I want Emperor P.
Here's what Congressman Santos looks like as Princess Leia's dad. And the rest of the BK collection.
(I've also got the stormtrooper, Alec "the real Obi-Wan" Guinness, Samuel L. "Mace Windu" Jackson, and Kit Fisto toys. Phil has R2, Chewie, and three of the four vehicle toys.)
We'll probably hit the stores a couple times this week to get a few more inaction-figures before we leave for the cruise. (Anyone know if there's a Burger King in Ensenada?) Phil wants the muppet, I want Emperor P.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
One Week 'Til Blogging Vacation
In one week Dina, Phil and I will be heading down to L.A. to celebrate my folks' 40th anniversary (though technically they've only been my folks for just under 37 years). We (my brother, his family, my sisters, the folks, us) will be taking a Royal Caribbean cruise to Ensenada (stops also in San Diego and Catalina) from the 5th to 9th. Then Disneyland. Then home.
I've never been to Ensenada or Catalina. I'm expecting Ensenada'll be a cross between Acapulco and Guadalajara (where I have been); I'm thinking Carmel-surrounded-by-the-Sea about sums up Catalina. We'll see if my expectations will be met or exceeded. This will be Phil's first trip out of the country, as well as his first trip to Disneyland. Dina's been everywhere but Ensenada -- and since she plans on spending as much of the trip as possible poolside, it remains to be seen if she'll have been to Ensenada or not when the cruise is over.
I may blog a time or two before or after the cruise, but at $7.50/minute ship-to-shore don't expect anything mid-week.
I've blogged every day since May 17th. We'll see if I go through withdrawl onboard the big boat. If you start to feel lightheaded while I'm on hiatus, check out the archives (maybe I'll leave you with a "Least-Worst-of" this coming Thursday or Friday).
I've never been to Ensenada or Catalina. I'm expecting Ensenada'll be a cross between Acapulco and Guadalajara (where I have been); I'm thinking Carmel-surrounded-by-the-Sea about sums up Catalina. We'll see if my expectations will be met or exceeded. This will be Phil's first trip out of the country, as well as his first trip to Disneyland. Dina's been everywhere but Ensenada -- and since she plans on spending as much of the trip as possible poolside, it remains to be seen if she'll have been to Ensenada or not when the cruise is over.
I may blog a time or two before or after the cruise, but at $7.50/minute ship-to-shore don't expect anything mid-week.
I've blogged every day since May 17th. We'll see if I go through withdrawl onboard the big boat. If you start to feel lightheaded while I'm on hiatus, check out the archives (maybe I'll leave you with a "Least-Worst-of" this coming Thursday or Friday).
Friday, November 25, 2005
A Game Even My Dad Can Handle
Games don't come any simpler than GridGame. Click on a square and see how long the chain reaction will last. Perfect for people recovering from tryptophan hangovers or post-After-Thanksgiving-Day-shopping emotional meltdowns.
Click on a square. See what happens. We're not talkin' brain surgery here, folks (at least not the way I do brain surgery).
Enjoy. (and try to beat992 1188 1815)
Click on a square. See what happens. We're not talkin' brain surgery here, folks (at least not the way I do brain surgery).
Enjoy. (and try to beat
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Happy Day, Turkeys
Hey, fellow Americans. Happy Thanksgiving! We're enjoying -- okay, that's entirely too broad a pronoun -- Phil's enjoying/we're watching a Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy marathon on Cartoon Network right now. Phil's immune system decided to let some congestion move into his throat, so he's sitting in the recliner with a plate full of shredded hot-dog bun, doing his impression of a duck. (Last night he got freaked out because his voice was broken.)
Visitors from foreign lands (who are numbering about 50% of the count at the moment), have a good day too. It may not be Thanksgiving on your calendar, but don't let that stop you from finding something to be thankful for and telling someone about it.
Me? I'm thankful my family, God's grace, and Boston Market frozen take-out. Number one is encompassed by number two. Number three is testimony to my inherent laziness (which I'm thankful to get away with now and again).
Visitors from foreign lands (who are numbering about 50% of the count at the moment), have a good day too. It may not be Thanksgiving on your calendar, but don't let that stop you from finding something to be thankful for and telling someone about it.
Me? I'm thankful my family, God's grace, and Boston Market frozen take-out. Number one is encompassed by number two. Number three is testimony to my inherent laziness (which I'm thankful to get away with now and again).
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Give Me Fever
Phil was home the past three days with a 99-101F fever. No symptoms of anything developed, so it seems he successfully fought off whatever it was he was fighting. He headed off to school today after a minor fit over wardrobe ("I'm not wearing that!") as if nothing had happened.
Over the course of those three days I found myself empathising with those who suffer from Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Phil was just a big huggable lump, which at age five he's becoming less and less all the time. It was good to snuggle up with him in the recliner and watch cartoons (even if it was the abhorrent Yu-Gi-Oh! GX -- I don't get that show).
Plus we saved a bit on our heating expenses, 'cuz, y'know, a 101F boy can heat a small room to a pleasant temperature.
Over the course of those three days I found myself empathising with those who suffer from Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Phil was just a big huggable lump, which at age five he's becoming less and less all the time. It was good to snuggle up with him in the recliner and watch cartoons (even if it was the abhorrent Yu-Gi-Oh! GX -- I don't get that show).
Plus we saved a bit on our heating expenses, 'cuz, y'know, a 101F boy can heat a small room to a pleasant temperature.
Whatever Happened To...
Ever wonder what happened to Lurch from the Addams Family show?
Looks like he wound up working for the U.S. Justice Dept. Here's the photographic evidence: L-R Lurch, AG Gonzales, blonde zombie
(photo AP, via foxnews.com)
In other news, my mailing address has been changed to c/o Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Looks like he wound up working for the U.S. Justice Dept. Here's the photographic evidence: L-R Lurch, AG Gonzales, blonde zombie
(photo AP, via foxnews.com)
In other news, my mailing address has been changed to c/o Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Blogroll Update
I've weeded through the blogs that have died from my blogroll. Some, like SciFi Daily and The Short of It will be sorely missed. Others have moved on to different addresses: Michael Hyatt, Pres/CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, has a general business blog at Working Smart, replacing his TNP-specific blog in my list; Becca Carter's zionsdaughter blog is gone, replaced by BeccaCarter. Heal Your Church Website has a month to get itself back on track or <psshhht> it's gone too (yeah, that'll light a fire under 'em).
New blogs include:
New blogs include:
- At Large Blog
Not quite Dave Barry, but it's good for a laugh every day or three. - Charis Connection
Articles on writing craft from bigshotname Christian authors. - Go Fug Yourself
Spiteful and insightful comments on the famous and their fashion faux pas (occasionally contains dangerous words and images). - Google Video of the Day
I just came across this site this evening. A daily sampling of videos submitted to Google Video. Check out the octopus and shark. The site makes an effort to alert you to subject matter concerns, but be careful out there. - Mick Silva
Mick Silva's writing blog. - PostSecret
People send in their secrets on occasionally-elaborate postcards; this site publishes 'em. Updated Sundays; contains dangerous words/images/ideas. - Storytellers Unplugged
Another group writing blog, includes writing amigo Joe Nassise - TL Hines
Tony Hines' writing blog, currently focused on his forthcoming novel Waking Lazarus.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Which Is Worse?
Someone recently came by the blog via an AOL image search on the keywords: 25 cent ring. Which is worse: That somebody would be looking for a ring worth a quarter or that a photo on my blog would be the sixth option?
This photo to be precise.
And while we're on the topic of the impracticality of 25-cent rings, my birthday's in one month. Happy shopping.
This photo to be precise.
And while we're on the topic of the impracticality of 25-cent rings, my birthday's in one month. Happy shopping.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Party Time!
This afternoon Phil and a dozen or so other kids helped Nate, a friend from church, celebrate his third birthday. How'd that go? Here's a look:
- The lunch table
(Nate is the boy in yellow at the far right) - Lunch with Jackson and Zach
- Boxcar racing w/ Zach: 1 2 3
(Phil and Zach won both heats of the boxcar races; if tandem NASCAR ever becomes big, watch out!) - Brother/sister team: Jackson & Merilee
- Pin the wheel on the tractor
- Being towed by a quad
- In the hay cart
(detail of QuadCart picture) - Minibike riding w/ Nate's uncle Dusty: 1 2 3
- Homemade "go-cart"
- Go-cart rear-view
(yes, the go-cart is a plywood shell over a riding mower) - Nate opens Phil's present: 1 2
(hooray for Hot Wheels! the perfect gift for kids 3 to 36)
Friday, November 18, 2005
Parent-Teacher Conference #1
This morning Dina, Phil and I went to Phil's first parent-teacher conference. They don't give out grades in kindergarten, but by all accounts the kid's no dope.
Prior to today's conference Mrs. Swanson, Phil's teacher, individually tested the students to track their progress. (At the beginning of they year Phil was one of three students who tested "at grade level.") Turns out he knows his numbers (he counted to 50 for me a couple days ago), his alphabet, shapes, colors. He did well on the "use this word in a sentence" testing (w/o resorting to "'Rainbow' is a very nice word"-type shenanegins); some of his sentences were seven to ten words long. In the test where he was supposed to group blocks by color or shape, he went ahead and made things out of the blocks instead of just clustering them.
While we were there Phil read us a short book about Sam, Dan and Dad who are disguising themselves for Halloween ("Are you Sam?" "You are Sam!" Phil did a good job of inflecting his voice on the questions.) He also puzzled out how to print his middle name (Nathaniel) based on the sounds of the letters (we gave him the i as a freebie), which seemed to be a first for him.
When Mrs. Swanson commented on how well Phil pays attention and behaves in class, I suggested that he ought to spend all day in school. It was only partly a joke.
Phil's in the advanced reader group and did well on the math testing (they really haven't covered much math, so his addition and subtraction was impressive). He needs to work on his enunciation skills (/th/ sounds like /f/) and focus on finding the right answer to questions rather than trying to intuit it from the questioner (with yes/no questions especially, he tries to read your voice to figure out how he should answer).
BTW Phil's new favorite word is stench.
Prior to today's conference Mrs. Swanson, Phil's teacher, individually tested the students to track their progress. (At the beginning of they year Phil was one of three students who tested "at grade level.") Turns out he knows his numbers (he counted to 50 for me a couple days ago), his alphabet, shapes, colors. He did well on the "use this word in a sentence" testing (w/o resorting to "'Rainbow' is a very nice word"-type shenanegins); some of his sentences were seven to ten words long. In the test where he was supposed to group blocks by color or shape, he went ahead and made things out of the blocks instead of just clustering them.
While we were there Phil read us a short book about Sam, Dan and Dad who are disguising themselves for Halloween ("Are you Sam?" "You are Sam!" Phil did a good job of inflecting his voice on the questions.) He also puzzled out how to print his middle name (Nathaniel) based on the sounds of the letters (we gave him the i as a freebie), which seemed to be a first for him.
When Mrs. Swanson commented on how well Phil pays attention and behaves in class, I suggested that he ought to spend all day in school. It was only partly a joke.
Phil's in the advanced reader group and did well on the math testing (they really haven't covered much math, so his addition and subtraction was impressive). He needs to work on his enunciation skills (/th/ sounds like /f/) and focus on finding the right answer to questions rather than trying to intuit it from the questioner (with yes/no questions especially, he tries to read your voice to figure out how he should answer).
BTW Phil's new favorite word is stench.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Dude Blogs Like A Lady
Suspense writer Brandilyn Collins featured a link to the Gender Genie in her blog today. Curious as to how the GG worked, I plugged in a few of my longer blog entries.
I'm feeling a bit more positive about my writing ability with that string of males. And while longer writing samples seem to satisfy the Gender Genie, I doubt I'll start making longer posts here. Y'all have busy lives, and it's nice to get in touch with my feminine side occasionally (I just need to stay away from the mustache depilatories at such times).
The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: male! (that's what I like to see)
- Dad's Day Out: The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: female!
- Where'd Church Go: The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: female!
- Pumplin Patch Field Trip: The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: male!
- Game Day: The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: male!
- Halloween Deal of the Season: The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: female!
- The Legacy of "Loco" Komoko: The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: male!
- Several chapters of my work-in-progress: male! male! male! male!
- A passage written from a woman's point-of-view: female!
I'm feeling a bit more positive about my writing ability with that string of males. And while longer writing samples seem to satisfy the Gender Genie, I doubt I'll start making longer posts here. Y'all have busy lives, and it's nice to get in touch with my feminine side occasionally (I just need to stay away from the mustache depilatories at such times).
The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: male! (that's what I like to see)
Narnify Your Computer
I mentioned a few weeks ago that when I went to see Serenity at the theater I saw previews for the upcoming Narnia and Harry Potter films. What struck me about the two trailers was how realistic everything looked in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe and how everything had a cyan tint in Goblet of Fire. Now everything looked cool in GoF, too, but I found it hard to believe that I wasn't looking at special effects tainted by bluescreen work (even though bluescreens are now green). I suspect when I see HP:GoF I'll stay sucked in enough to not notice.
But I'm really expecting great things of TLTW2. If you haven't checked 'em out, browse on over to NarniaResources and get your Narnia desktop news ticker (thanks Infuze Magazine) or NarniaWeb for even more all-things-Narnia fun.
On a side note, it's nice to see that Jim Breuer's SNL GoatBoy has found <beeeehhhhnnnnhhhh> work again.
And if you've read this far hoping for a Babylon-5 link, here's a Narn for you and some potentially exciting news.
But I'm really expecting great things of TLTW2. If you haven't checked 'em out, browse on over to NarniaResources and get your Narnia desktop news ticker (thanks Infuze Magazine) or NarniaWeb for even more all-things-Narnia fun.
On a side note, it's nice to see that Jim Breuer's SNL GoatBoy has found <beeeehhhhnnnnhhhh> work again.
And if you've read this far hoping for a Babylon-5 link, here's a Narn for you and some potentially exciting news.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
T-Minus-Ten
Not my request to share, but if you're the praying kind please keep us in your prayers (Mother/Mother-in-Law alert: no one's sick or dying and, yes, we're all wearing clean underwear).
In happier news, ten days until the post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy. If you haven't stopped by the Black Friday website, check it out before all the good electrons are gone.
In happier news, ten days until the post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy. If you haven't stopped by the Black Friday website, check it out before all the good electrons are gone.
Celebrate Halloween All Year 'Round
It's been a while since I've linked to a game here, so for all those who've been muttering "why doesn't he link to another game," this one's for you.
Shrunken Heads
It's not remarkably different from any number of match-three-to-delete games -- and there's some definite ripping off of The Haunted Mansion and Jack Skellington -- but the noises that the heads make when you get a cascade going are wonderful.
Check it out. (play 4 levels online or download free for PC or Mac)
Shrunken Heads
It's not remarkably different from any number of match-three-to-delete games -- and there's some definite ripping off of The Haunted Mansion and Jack Skellington -- but the noises that the heads make when you get a cascade going are wonderful.
Check it out. (play 4 levels online or download free for PC or Mac)
Monday, November 14, 2005
Wrong. Oh So Wrong.
Yesterday I picked Dragonslayer out of the $5.50 bin at WalMart. If you had asked me last week who the male lead of the film was, I would have told you Dennis Quaid. I would've put money on it. Too bad you didn't make/take that bet.
Turns out the lead is Peter MacNicol: The Eel, The Biscuit, Everybody's Favorite Camp Counselor. If you had suggested that, I would've doubled the bet.
A good film. Some of the bluescreen effects are fake, but for a PG film it has some rather gooshy moments (I expect it would've gotten PG-13 had that rating been available in '81). As much as I like the film, though, it was a bit cooler when Dennis Quaid played the role of Galen (I suspect some of my Dreamscape memories got filed in with those of Dragonslayer; must see to my mental alphabetization skills).
(Hmmm ... the Chicago Hope page at imdb.com informs me that I did not hate Kathy Bates (pic) as Camille Shutt; that role was played by Roxanne Hart (pic). Have I been doing drugs and why haven't I been enjoying it more?)
Turns out the lead is Peter MacNicol: The Eel, The Biscuit, Everybody's Favorite Camp Counselor. If you had suggested that, I would've doubled the bet.
A good film. Some of the bluescreen effects are fake, but for a PG film it has some rather gooshy moments (I expect it would've gotten PG-13 had that rating been available in '81). As much as I like the film, though, it was a bit cooler when Dennis Quaid played the role of Galen (I suspect some of my Dreamscape memories got filed in with those of Dragonslayer; must see to my mental alphabetization skills).
(Hmmm ... the Chicago Hope page at imdb.com informs me that I did not hate Kathy Bates (pic) as Camille Shutt; that role was played by Roxanne Hart (pic). Have I been doing drugs and why haven't I been enjoying it more?)
Sunday, November 13, 2005
All Around The World
This morning I checked my blog stats and noticed that over half my 100-most-recent visitors were from outside the U.S. (without things being skewed by an individual visitor). Here's a glimspe of where everyone was from.
I've got a visitor from every continent but Africa (and Antarctica), which is pretty rare for me.
And, while we're on the topic of all things international, here's a travel tip for folks heading to Japan: Whooda thunk it?
(via jordoncooper.com)
I've got a visitor from every continent but Africa (and Antarctica), which is pretty rare for me.
And, while we're on the topic of all things international, here's a travel tip for folks heading to Japan: Whooda thunk it?
(via jordoncooper.com)
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Mechanical Turk Update
Well, I discovered what the three-cents-a-pop photos from The Mecahanical Turk website are for. Check out Amazon's version of Google maps: A9 maps.
I'm up to a buck fifty-three this week.
Early retirement here I come.
I'm up to a buck fifty-three this week.
Early retirement here I come.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Before and After
You may recall about a month ago I blogged on someone from Germany going crazy checking out blog post after blog post (here and here). I know it's been a month because the spike has finally disappeared from my stats graph.
Here's a look at the graph with the spike: the graph with the spike. Note the gentle sinewave in the middle of the graph, balancing out the spikiness of the left-hand side. Aaaaaaah...
Here's the graph today without the spike: the graph today without the spike. What the...! Where's my gentle sinewave? Come back gentle sinewave, come back.
Oh well ... I guess I'll just have to wait for the Germans to attack again (it's what they're known for).
Here's a look at the graph with the spike: the graph with the spike. Note the gentle sinewave in the middle of the graph, balancing out the spikiness of the left-hand side. Aaaaaaah...
Here's the graph today without the spike: the graph today without the spike. What the...! Where's my gentle sinewave? Come back gentle sinewave, come back.
Oh well ... I guess I'll just have to wait for the Germans to attack again (it's what they're known for).
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Roll Out the Red Carpet
Last night was the Soccer Awards program for all the teams that participated from Phil's school. Triangle Lake did quite well: the "minor" team finished in first place for the regular season; the "major" team finished second in their division. Phil's "micro" team was only outscored once in their eight games (not that we were keeping score), so we guestimate they also came in first.
In addition to potluck desserts, Phil snagged a certificate and soccer ball (thank you TLS booster club for the ball).
In addition to potluck desserts, Phil snagged a certificate and soccer ball (thank you TLS booster club for the ball).
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Disneyland Is Looking Good
When Phil was seven or eight months old we took him to Disneyworld (pictures here). Suffice it to say, it wasn't a memorable experience for the lad. Next month he gets his first Disneyland trip. I was worried that he'd be limited to riding Dumbo and the teacups--he's 42.67". But according to mouseinfo.com he's cleared for everything except the Indiana Jones ride (and since Dina doesn't like that one, he's got childcare squared away while I ride it).
The last time Dina and I went to the park ToonTown had been built, but being childless we didn't go in. This time I expect we'll be spending quite a bit of time there. Maybe we can work out a tag-team deal with Uncle Bill & Aunt Brenda and the Grandparental-Units to keep Phil and Cousin Jack supervised but still get in a ride or two at the Haunted Mansion. Phil did a free deal with Disney's online ToonTown; wonder if the real thing will meet or exceed his expectations.
Look for an update mid-December.
The last time Dina and I went to the park ToonTown had been built, but being childless we didn't go in. This time I expect we'll be spending quite a bit of time there. Maybe we can work out a tag-team deal with Uncle Bill & Aunt Brenda and the Grandparental-Units to keep Phil and Cousin Jack supervised but still get in a ride or two at the Haunted Mansion. Phil did a free deal with Disney's online ToonTown; wonder if the real thing will meet or exceed his expectations.
Look for an update mid-December.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Find Jesus at iTunes Music Store
One of the free songs at iTunes this week comes from Christian musicians (or is it "musicians who are Christians"?), Telecast: Wounded Feet. It's on the slow side, but still listenable. I've got their album Beauty from Simplicity (recommended!); their new disc is Eternity Is Now.
iTunes is also adding Christmas music, including Diana Krall, Mannheim Steamroller (other MS albums also available), and <drumroll, please> The Smurfs.
Live it up.
iTunes is also adding Christmas music, including Diana Krall, Mannheim Steamroller (other MS albums also available), and <drumroll, please> The Smurfs.
Live it up.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Food Trend Alert
At dinner tonight Phil declared that mandarin oranges are "the new banana." I'm not entirely sure what that means, but if you do ... well, there you have it.
Also, a reminder: Egg Nog Lattes before Thanksgiving? Might as well wear white after Labor Day, you tacky, tacky person.
Also, a reminder: Egg Nog Lattes before Thanksgiving? Might as well wear white after Labor Day, you tacky, tacky person.
Payday
While I'm on the cusp of being a published author (my piece has appeared online, but I've yet to see it in print), today I became a paid author. And in a world of contributor's copy bartering, that's no mean feat.
On top of that the check was for considerably more than I anticipated. I expected something along the lines of a framable green-tinted picture of Abe Lincoln (and would've been glad to get it; the bio-enhancing clip was about all I really hoped to gain). So this is quite nice (and not to be framed ... maybe a photocopy).
And while I'd like to blow it all on a pizza party for my regular blog readers, postage would quickly throw me out of the black. Instead, there's a freebie for you over on my other blog. It'll come in handy next time you enjoy a slice of pizza not congealed and cold and leaking out of a Priority Mail envelope.
Enjoy!
On top of that the check was for considerably more than I anticipated. I expected something along the lines of a framable green-tinted picture of Abe Lincoln (and would've been glad to get it; the bio-enhancing clip was about all I really hoped to gain). So this is quite nice (and not to be framed ... maybe a photocopy).
And while I'd like to blow it all on a pizza party for my regular blog readers, postage would quickly throw me out of the black. Instead, there's a freebie for you over on my other blog. It'll come in handy next time you enjoy a slice of pizza not congealed and cold and leaking out of a Priority Mail envelope.
Enjoy!
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Best Thing Since Sliced Bread, Meatballs Sold Separately
As I mentioned yesterday, Eugene just got a 24-hour Wal-Mart Superstore. I'm glad this wasn't around six years ago when Dina was pregnant with Phil. Then the 2am craving for particleboard furniture or 1-hour photo developing could be quelled with "No place is open ... do your breathing exercises." Now I'd have to go, and I'd probably pick up a couple 2/$11 videos or something from the action figure aisle while I was there. And how many copies of Sleepwalkers and Creepshow or the Ultimate Rhino do I really need?
Still, it's been fun to wander the aisles of the new grocery section. Prices are amazingly low (possibly a limited-time deal) and the frozen food section is better stocked than the Safeways and like groceries in the area. Case in point: I'd never had the Swanson's Hungry-Man "Hearty Hero" Meatball Sandwiches before yesterday. First, and most importantly, they taste very good (I had to nuke them at 40% power instead of the recommended 50% to avoid "hoagie toughness"). Second, and a close second at that, I can only eat one at a time. The Hot Pocket box counts both pockets as a separate "meal" but they don't really mean it. The Hungry Man box counts two meals and it's the real deal. I need to change my thinking that "eating a box of something at one sitting" equals "I'm full" and this is encouraging. Third, the sandwiches don't keep me up at night the way Subway's do. And then I don't keep Dina awake, either, so that's a very good thing for both of us.
If you haven't tried them before, and meatball sandwiches sound even remotely appetizing, check 'em out. You're on your own assembling the particleboard furniture.
Still, it's been fun to wander the aisles of the new grocery section. Prices are amazingly low (possibly a limited-time deal) and the frozen food section is better stocked than the Safeways and like groceries in the area. Case in point: I'd never had the Swanson's Hungry-Man "Hearty Hero" Meatball Sandwiches before yesterday. First, and most importantly, they taste very good (I had to nuke them at 40% power instead of the recommended 50% to avoid "hoagie toughness"). Second, and a close second at that, I can only eat one at a time. The Hot Pocket box counts both pockets as a separate "meal" but they don't really mean it. The Hungry Man box counts two meals and it's the real deal. I need to change my thinking that "eating a box of something at one sitting" equals "I'm full" and this is encouraging. Third, the sandwiches don't keep me up at night the way Subway's do. And then I don't keep Dina awake, either, so that's a very good thing for both of us.
If you haven't tried them before, and meatball sandwiches sound even remotely appetizing, check 'em out. You're on your own assembling the particleboard furniture.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Doopadee Don't
This afternoon Phil and I saw the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (technically the only CatCF, since the title character in the the Gene Wilder version was Willy Wonka). With the exception of the Oompa-Loompas, the production values in the inventing room (though the scene itself was lacking), and the expanded roles of the other three grandparents, I found very little that was handled better than in the original version.
Substituting Wilder's literary references ("'Round and the world and home again, that's the sailor's way" --Allingham's "Homeward Bound"; "Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker" --Ogden Nash) with hippy cultural references ("groovy"; "keep on truckin'"; "Good morning, starshine/the earth says hello" -- cast album: "Hair") just didn't work for me. And with the exception of Mrs. Bucket's lament, I liked the added songs in the first version (I regularly sing Grampa Joe's "(I've Got a) Golden Ticket" and Wonka's "Pure Imagination," just because). The Willy Wonka Welcome Song was too much like "Welcome to Duloc" in Shrek (though I liked the "relatively new" puppet hospital and burn center on the chocolate factory tour).
I really didn't care for the Willy Wonka backstory. The Hall of Flags was a nice bit, but as a sight gag it didn't fit with the rest of the movie (if the Zucker Brothers had it in a spoof film it would've been a hoot). It's always good to see Christopher Lee, though, and Geoffrey Holder as the narrator was a good choice (though halfway through I wanted to drink something "crisp and clean with no caffeine--ha haha haaah"). Still, changing the ending from Charlie shining "a good deed in a weary world (--Shakespeare)" to reuniting Wonka father and son ... feh.
While I didn't hate everything in the new version, there wasn't enough I liked to cause me to camp outside Wal-Mart to get a copy Tuesday (esp. since we just got a 24-hour store). If you liked the new version better, though, I'm not going to say anything against you. Your opinion may clearly be nonsense, but (in the words of the one, true Wonka) "a little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."
Substituting Wilder's literary references ("'Round and the world and home again, that's the sailor's way" --Allingham's "Homeward Bound"; "Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker" --Ogden Nash) with hippy cultural references ("groovy"; "keep on truckin'"; "Good morning, starshine/the earth says hello" -- cast album: "Hair") just didn't work for me. And with the exception of Mrs. Bucket's lament, I liked the added songs in the first version (I regularly sing Grampa Joe's "(I've Got a) Golden Ticket" and Wonka's "Pure Imagination," just because). The Willy Wonka Welcome Song was too much like "Welcome to Duloc" in Shrek (though I liked the "relatively new" puppet hospital and burn center on the chocolate factory tour).
I really didn't care for the Willy Wonka backstory. The Hall of Flags was a nice bit, but as a sight gag it didn't fit with the rest of the movie (if the Zucker Brothers had it in a spoof film it would've been a hoot). It's always good to see Christopher Lee, though, and Geoffrey Holder as the narrator was a good choice (though halfway through I wanted to drink something "crisp and clean with no caffeine--ha haha haaah"). Still, changing the ending from Charlie shining "a good deed in a weary world (--Shakespeare)" to reuniting Wonka father and son ... feh.
While I didn't hate everything in the new version, there wasn't enough I liked to cause me to camp outside Wal-Mart to get a copy Tuesday (esp. since we just got a 24-hour store). If you liked the new version better, though, I'm not going to say anything against you. Your opinion may clearly be nonsense, but (in the words of the one, true Wonka) "a little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."
Friday, November 04, 2005
Stress-Testing The Mechanical Turk
Amazon has a new web-tool named The Mechanical Turk (TMT). Right now the site's getting slammed due to people talking about it at Slashdot and Digg (and now my site).
Once things settle down TMT looks like it'll be a fairly painless way to make a little spare change. What you do is this: complete a mundane task, get a few cents. For instance, I've made a dollar looking at 34 sets of pictures, trying to find one that has a decent image of a business storefront.
Most pictures seem to have been taken in a moving vehicle w/ GPS data linked to the pictures; then a business is matched to the GPS data and you try and find if a decent picture was captured. In a lot of cases the GPS data seems to be off. A half dozen shots of a parking lot come up instead of a business. In one case a semi-truck was parked in front of the business, blocking the camera's view (you could see street numbers on the businesses on either side).
Right now it can take five minutes or so to get a photo set (or get your response submitted), so the time/pay ratio is frustratingly low (mostly the time factor; can't get bent out of shape about the three cents per task). Still, if you're surfing wirelessly watching the tube you can make stoop labor money reclining in your Barcalounger. (Oh lighten up Cesar Chavez, go haunt someone else.)
If you're tight on Christmas cash this year, check it out (you can sign up for an e-mail alert that'll let you know when system-use levels out).
Once things settle down TMT looks like it'll be a fairly painless way to make a little spare change. What you do is this: complete a mundane task, get a few cents. For instance, I've made a dollar looking at 34 sets of pictures, trying to find one that has a decent image of a business storefront.
Most pictures seem to have been taken in a moving vehicle w/ GPS data linked to the pictures; then a business is matched to the GPS data and you try and find if a decent picture was captured. In a lot of cases the GPS data seems to be off. A half dozen shots of a parking lot come up instead of a business. In one case a semi-truck was parked in front of the business, blocking the camera's view (you could see street numbers on the businesses on either side).
Right now it can take five minutes or so to get a photo set (or get your response submitted), so the time/pay ratio is frustratingly low (mostly the time factor; can't get bent out of shape about the three cents per task). Still, if you're surfing wirelessly watching the tube you can make stoop labor money reclining in your Barcalounger. (Oh lighten up Cesar Chavez, go haunt someone else.)
If you're tight on Christmas cash this year, check it out (you can sign up for an e-mail alert that'll let you know when system-use levels out).
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Slow Blog Day: Borders Coupon
The title says just about all there is to say. 25%-off coupon good through the 6th.
If you use the coop, be snarky about it.
If you use the coop, be snarky about it.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Watch Your Back, Santa
Coming home from Wednesday-night activities at church tonight Phil announced that it's deer and elk season (he has sources in-the-know, apparently). He wanted to know what an elk is. I told him it was like a big deer.
"Oh," he said, "so it's just deer season."
No; I explained an that an elk is like a big deer, but different.
"I think it's really deer and elf season."
"Really?" I asked.
"No, I was just making a crack."
Kids these days.
"Oh," he said, "so it's just deer season."
No; I explained an that an elk is like a big deer, but different.
"I think it's really deer and elf season."
"Really?" I asked.
"No, I was just making a crack."
Kids these days.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Halloween Recap
Phil and I spent yesterday afternoon carving his pumpkin. Here's how that went:
Phil was one of a bazillion Batmans at the mall (Darth Vader and Superman were also popular). Still, when the shopclerks oohed and ahhed about Batman coming to their store Phil thought it necessary to offer the following disclaimer: "No, it's just my costume." Kid knows who he is, I'll give him that.
Best costumes at the mall (besides Phil): Three baby girls (we're guessing triplets) dressed as sunflowers in a triple-wide stroller; in a mall full of Supermans there was one Supergirl (same costume as the boys, but with a wide red headband); an 18-month-old toddling around like Bruce Springsteen on the Born in the USA album cover (tucked-in t-shirt, bluejeans, red bandana in the back pocket).
I think we've got enough candy to keep us through Christmas, if not Valentine's Day.
- The Great Pumpkin
- Master Plan
- Pumpkin gets a tattoo
- Manual cerebrectomy
- The end result: 1 2
- Ooooh, spooky!
- A boy and his gourd
Phil was one of a bazillion Batmans at the mall (Darth Vader and Superman were also popular). Still, when the shopclerks oohed and ahhed about Batman coming to their store Phil thought it necessary to offer the following disclaimer: "No, it's just my costume." Kid knows who he is, I'll give him that.
Best costumes at the mall (besides Phil): Three baby girls (we're guessing triplets) dressed as sunflowers in a triple-wide stroller; in a mall full of Supermans there was one Supergirl (same costume as the boys, but with a wide red headband); an 18-month-old toddling around like Bruce Springsteen on the Born in the USA album cover (tucked-in t-shirt, bluejeans, red bandana in the back pocket).
I think we've got enough candy to keep us through Christmas, if not Valentine's Day.
Five Questions
Chris Well, author of Forgiving Solomon Long (and the upcoming Deliver Us from Evelyn, pre-order today!), asked me a few questions last week about my National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) survival experience. As the request for the interview came before I was a hoity-toity published writer, I answered the questions without running things by my press liaison (note to self: hire press liaison).
He's got all that (and more!) over on his blog. Check it out.
He's got all that (and more!) over on his blog. Check it out.
