Thursday, September 04, 2008
Game On!
Woohoo! NFL season starts tonight! The Giants are currently beating on the Redskins... Can't wait until this Sunday, because I'll be taking Number One Son to San Diego to see his Panthers take on the Chargers. Ahhh, football season!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sasha...
Is the name we've finally decided on....
She's changed quite a bit in the last three weeks...
She's got that whole "one up, one down" ear thing going on, exponentially adding to the cuteness factor...
You can't see too well in the picture, but because of her pigmentation, one side of her whiskers is white, and the other is black...
Sarah Palin
I've been watching with some amusement the near-hysterical exultation/relief that has swept the conservative blogosphere at McCain's choice of running mate.
Having studied up on her bio - like a ton of others yesterday who had never heard of her before - I have to say I like what I see.
There's no doubt that in Sarah Palin, McCain has made an excellent choice, and has made himself much more palatable to those of us on the right, as well as stuffing the whole identity politics thing right back down the Dems' throat.
I have heard that the VP choice of a candidate has little effect on the outcome of presidential elections, but choosing Governor Palin will certainly help settle the conservative base I suppose.
I think we tend to overlook, however, just how much power a president really has - they cannot by themselves institute broad, sweeping changes (which is how it ought to be) - and the impact they will have is often overstated during the run for president. It's still a democracy, with three branches of government - we're not selecting a king.
On that note, the VP has even less impact on the governance of the country. Dems are crowing about Palin's question the other night, "what does a vice-president actually do?" as though its a sign of her inexperience. I think it's a legitimate question, and shows that she knows that not much is expected or required of a VP, that the office of VP is in many ways more overstated than that of president. It's essentially a preparation for the presidency, and thus far I think she would do well in the top spot. I think Governor Palin has an exciting future ahead of her.
Having studied up on her bio - like a ton of others yesterday who had never heard of her before - I have to say I like what I see.
There's no doubt that in Sarah Palin, McCain has made an excellent choice, and has made himself much more palatable to those of us on the right, as well as stuffing the whole identity politics thing right back down the Dems' throat.
I have heard that the VP choice of a candidate has little effect on the outcome of presidential elections, but choosing Governor Palin will certainly help settle the conservative base I suppose.
I think we tend to overlook, however, just how much power a president really has - they cannot by themselves institute broad, sweeping changes (which is how it ought to be) - and the impact they will have is often overstated during the run for president. It's still a democracy, with three branches of government - we're not selecting a king.
On that note, the VP has even less impact on the governance of the country. Dems are crowing about Palin's question the other night, "what does a vice-president actually do?" as though its a sign of her inexperience. I think it's a legitimate question, and shows that she knows that not much is expected or required of a VP, that the office of VP is in many ways more overstated than that of president. It's essentially a preparation for the presidency, and thus far I think she would do well in the top spot. I think Governor Palin has an exciting future ahead of her.
Retreat!
Dropped the kids off with Grandma and Grandpa last Friday and headed out to the desert to this place for a marriage getaway organized by our church.
We got there just as the food was being served Friday night (braised beef short ribs-yum!) and settled in to listen to this little ditty, followed by some "ice-breaking" and then a talk by our pastor. We rounded out the night with some dancing.
Saturday was spent getting together in small groups and discussing ways to improve our marriages as well as finding time to explore the local area and blow a wad of cash on some really good food.
Sunday was an early check-out followed by a wrap-up and trading addresses with the folks in our group who turned out to be really nice people.
It's a popular event - there were something like 300 couple there this weekend...
This was our second retreat and the better of the two. I'm looking forward to next year's.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
New buddy
Here's our new wee Rat Terrier pup - just picked her up today, about a week after her first shots. The epitome of cute. She'll probably be about twice the size of Spartacus when she's grown, since he was some sort of runty aberration. We still don't have a name for her yet, although wifey's leaning towards Sasha. We introduced her to Lena today at a neutral site (aka Grandma and Grandpa's pad) and she gave us a bit of a scare when she nipped the wee one. Seems fine now though, we'll be keeping a close eye whenever they interact of course. This pup is smaller than the rabbit Lena ate a couple of weeks ago...
Here she is in Grandpa's arms with her stylish new collar (that bugs the crap out of her right now).
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
BTW
Sorry for the light posting lately - I've been trying to deal with a fairly serious case of Halo 3 XBOX Live addiction.
It is a sickness - it must be. No sane person should want to go back time and again for torrents of abuse by foul-mouthed teenagers...
It is a sickness - it must be. No sane person should want to go back time and again for torrents of abuse by foul-mouthed teenagers...
Championship...
Well, we had our championship game last Saturday, and...
WE WON!!!
BY ONE POINT!!!
Woohoo!
Man, that was a tough game to coach! We were up against an undefeated team (the Ravens), one that had beaten us 3 times already this season, but since they based their entire offense around one particularly fast kid (who I came to find out was 10 and had no business being in the 7-9 division, but that's neither here nor there), we felt that a zone defense tailored to the few plays they actually used would work for us.
We started out with the ball and got a quick TD. We stopped the Ravens, got the ball back and drove it down field for another. The Ravens came back with 2 TDs, so by the half it was 14-14.
The Ravens got the ball in the 2nd half and broke loose on the first play, scoring then converting. We answered with a TD, but didn't convert, so we were a point down. When they got possession, one of our guys nailed their QB in the endzone, scoring a safety and putting us one point up!
The Ravens got the ball again, and drove down the field. They got to our five yard line with 2 downs to go, and the ref called "Time!"
Very intense game. I think all the parents got their money's worth. We'll be picking up that trophy at the team banquet this Thursday - unfortunately Number One Son won't be there, as he is in camp all week.
This season has been a blast. Can't wait for the Fall season to start up...
PS - I have to give props to my assistant coach and coworker Claudia. She's been a fantastic help throughout. You ROCK, Claudia!
WE WON!!!
BY ONE POINT!!!
Woohoo!
Man, that was a tough game to coach! We were up against an undefeated team (the Ravens), one that had beaten us 3 times already this season, but since they based their entire offense around one particularly fast kid (who I came to find out was 10 and had no business being in the 7-9 division, but that's neither here nor there), we felt that a zone defense tailored to the few plays they actually used would work for us.
We started out with the ball and got a quick TD. We stopped the Ravens, got the ball back and drove it down field for another. The Ravens came back with 2 TDs, so by the half it was 14-14.
The Ravens got the ball in the 2nd half and broke loose on the first play, scoring then converting. We answered with a TD, but didn't convert, so we were a point down. When they got possession, one of our guys nailed their QB in the endzone, scoring a safety and putting us one point up!
The Ravens got the ball again, and drove down the field. They got to our five yard line with 2 downs to go, and the ref called "Time!"
Very intense game. I think all the parents got their money's worth. We'll be picking up that trophy at the team banquet this Thursday - unfortunately Number One Son won't be there, as he is in camp all week.
This season has been a blast. Can't wait for the Fall season to start up...
PS - I have to give props to my assistant coach and coworker Claudia. She's been a fantastic help throughout. You ROCK, Claudia!
My perspective
Those of you, like me, who frequent the gun-nut corner of this here blogosphere will have no doubt seen the recent brouhaha during the last few days over Mike Vanderboegh’s letter to the editor, and his opinions of regarding "the next American civil war". For those of you who aren’t familiar with this particular corner of the web, it may surprise you that there is an incredible diversity of opinion among gun owners (not really incredible to me, since I know gunnies are typically individualist at heart anyway – get ten in a room, and you’ll get ten separate opinions on most anything you care to discuss. Simultaneously our greatest strength, and our greatest weakness – gunnies tend not to jump onto bandwagons).
Sure, our current system of government has its flaws – anything conceived, instituted and ran by humans does – but by God, it’s the best system yet devised in human history and I am proud and thankful to be able to live under it.
The Founders’ promise still holds. Yes, it’s been eroded somewhat, but PLEASE take a look around you.
Where else on this planet do people have the freedoms we have? Just about anywhere else in the world you need to beg permission from your government to own a gun, permission that includes submitting your home to random “safety checks” to make sure your guns are stored properly, permission that means your guns must be stored at a gun club or rifle range, permission that is hard to get and so very easy to lose. Licensing fees and additional costs that put ownership beyond the reach of all but the very affluent. Registration that makes it easy for government officials to confiscate your guns when the time is right – a recent example being the British handgun ban after the Dunblane massacre. Hell, even permission slips to buy ammo.
Now look here at home. Look at the progress we’ve made in the last couple of decades or so.
A majority of Americans support the right to own guns for self defense (which is incidentally an invalid reason to apply for a gun in the UK. Everyone there has a right to life, including the bastard standing over your bed with an ax handle demanding your money, your jewelry and your daughter’s virtue). 37 states thus far have shall-issue CCW (with a further two, Alaska and Vermont, being unrestricted), way up from just 20 years ago. Castle doctrine laws are being passed (God bless Texas!). The Heller decision smacked down DC’s handgun ban, with other cities soon to follow. We’re moving in the right direction. A government of the people, by the people and for the people has to respond, however slowly, to what the people want. Sure, inertia makes it slower than we’d like, but it is moving. Our glass is truly half full.
I won’t deny that there is plenty of room for improvement - especially here in California. I won’t deny that there are abuses by the government that make one angry or nervous. But focusing only on that end of things produces nothing but a siege mentality and ignores the hard work and progress that the supporters of gun rights have achieved. Shit, just look at the internet. Until I began reading the gun blogs out there, I truly thought I was one of a tiny minority, a myth perpetuated by what I saw in print and on the news, courtesy of the MSM. It has been extremely comforting to discover, to KNOW, that I am not alone. I am part of a large, diverse culture – a culture that WILL be heard. A culture that will not be going away any time soon. A culture that I have every intention of passing on to the next generation.
I know America won’t last forever – it had a beginning, it will certainly have an end. I don’t know if it will go out in sudden collapse and societal breakdown, or fade into a more socialist/authoritarian obscurity like the once-Great Britain. All I do know is that right here, right now is the best time and place in history for anyone to live. So I’ll enjoy it while I’ve got it, thanks.
Sure, our current system of government has its flaws – anything conceived, instituted and ran by humans does – but by God, it’s the best system yet devised in human history and I am proud and thankful to be able to live under it.
The Founders’ promise still holds. Yes, it’s been eroded somewhat, but PLEASE take a look around you.
Where else on this planet do people have the freedoms we have? Just about anywhere else in the world you need to beg permission from your government to own a gun, permission that includes submitting your home to random “safety checks” to make sure your guns are stored properly, permission that means your guns must be stored at a gun club or rifle range, permission that is hard to get and so very easy to lose. Licensing fees and additional costs that put ownership beyond the reach of all but the very affluent. Registration that makes it easy for government officials to confiscate your guns when the time is right – a recent example being the British handgun ban after the Dunblane massacre. Hell, even permission slips to buy ammo.
Now look here at home. Look at the progress we’ve made in the last couple of decades or so.
A majority of Americans support the right to own guns for self defense (which is incidentally an invalid reason to apply for a gun in the UK. Everyone there has a right to life, including the bastard standing over your bed with an ax handle demanding your money, your jewelry and your daughter’s virtue). 37 states thus far have shall-issue CCW (with a further two, Alaska and Vermont, being unrestricted), way up from just 20 years ago. Castle doctrine laws are being passed (God bless Texas!). The Heller decision smacked down DC’s handgun ban, with other cities soon to follow. We’re moving in the right direction. A government of the people, by the people and for the people has to respond, however slowly, to what the people want. Sure, inertia makes it slower than we’d like, but it is moving. Our glass is truly half full.
I won’t deny that there is plenty of room for improvement - especially here in California. I won’t deny that there are abuses by the government that make one angry or nervous. But focusing only on that end of things produces nothing but a siege mentality and ignores the hard work and progress that the supporters of gun rights have achieved. Shit, just look at the internet. Until I began reading the gun blogs out there, I truly thought I was one of a tiny minority, a myth perpetuated by what I saw in print and on the news, courtesy of the MSM. It has been extremely comforting to discover, to KNOW, that I am not alone. I am part of a large, diverse culture – a culture that WILL be heard. A culture that will not be going away any time soon. A culture that I have every intention of passing on to the next generation.
I know America won’t last forever – it had a beginning, it will certainly have an end. I don’t know if it will go out in sudden collapse and societal breakdown, or fade into a more socialist/authoritarian obscurity like the once-Great Britain. All I do know is that right here, right now is the best time and place in history for anyone to live. So I’ll enjoy it while I’ve got it, thanks.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Shakin'
Sitting on the second floor of a building during a 5.4 magnitude earthquake centered about 20 miles away can make for a pretty exciting morning, especially when you hear the two large 1800L tanks of liquid Nitrogen right behind your chair bouncing around...
It was all done in less than a minute, but the news folks on radio and TV are still talking about it, even though no damage has been reported anywhere in the Southland. Slow news day, I guess...
It was all done in less than a minute, but the news folks on radio and TV are still talking about it, even though no damage has been reported anywhere in the Southland. Slow news day, I guess...
Monday, July 21, 2008
Action Shots
Number One Son about to complete the handoff...
Number One Son just made a pass right before the sack...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Go Panthers!
Our Flag Football team, the Panthers, won their semi-final game on Saturday, which means they'll be going to the championship! Man, it was an exciting game! We gave up 2 TDs within the first few minutes and things were looking pretty grim... but we pulled it out with a final score of 33-19. We'll be playing the Ravens on August 2nd, who so far have gone undefeated... our last game against them we blew a 3 TD lead, so I know we can score against them - my boys just have to hang in there for the whole game...
My wife took some nice shots of the game... when she gets back from Rollerblading in Newport I'll put them up...
My wife took some nice shots of the game... when she gets back from Rollerblading in Newport I'll put them up...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Sad day
Our mighty little rat terrier, Spartacus, finally met his match tonight. He was bitten by a rattlesnake around 8:30pm in our back yard. I heard him yelp and went over to see what was up, and saw a fat diamondback curled up behind our shed. I grabbed him, ran over to my wife who took him with her cousin to the nearest animal hospital. I ran back to the shed, grabbed a shovel to kill the bastard, but he'd already gone under the shed. I could see him through a hole but it wasn't big enough to get the shovel in. Since we live in the city - albeit on the outskirts - I couldn't shoot the damn thing with a firearm, so I grabbed my BB gun. Yeah. Fat lot of good that did. Just pissed it off and it snuck further under to where I couldn't see it.
Sparty was given antivenom and put on an IV at the hospital, and my wife came back home. They said they'd want him there for a couple of days to watch him.
Well, they just called about twenty minutes ago to say he wasn't breathing on his own... then ten minutes later they called to say he'd passed.
Spartacus was my wife's special little buddy. She took him everywhere, and he'd already been through so much, having fought through a parvo infection when he was just a few months old. He was a tough little trooper, but that snake was just too much. He topped the scales at five pounds max, so his little body didn't have much chance. We did all that we could getting him to the vet ASAP, but it wasn't meant to be. We're going to miss him terribly.
So long, little soldier. Rest in peace.
Monday, July 07, 2008
July 4th Weekend...
...Was spent at the beach in Oceanside, one of my favorite places to go. My wife's parents have a condo about 50 yards from the sand on the second floor, so there's a nice view and we can watch all the fascinating folk cruising up and down Pacific Avenue.
Friday started out cloudy with a marine layer that burned off in the late afternoon for a brief spot of sunshine, but by 7 or 8pm it had come back with a vengeance.
The condo is about a mile south of the pier where they have the annual firework display and is normally a good spot to watch it, but by the time the show started, we couldn't see down the block, let alone the pier. It was so thick you couldn't even see a glow - but we heard the show, right on schedule...
I had such a good time there that this didn't dampen my spirits at all - I was more amused than disappointed. Hanging out with family and watching my kids boogie board was way more important...
Friday started out cloudy with a marine layer that burned off in the late afternoon for a brief spot of sunshine, but by 7 or 8pm it had come back with a vengeance.
The condo is about a mile south of the pier where they have the annual firework display and is normally a good spot to watch it, but by the time the show started, we couldn't see down the block, let alone the pier. It was so thick you couldn't even see a glow - but we heard the show, right on schedule...
I had such a good time there that this didn't dampen my spirits at all - I was more amused than disappointed. Hanging out with family and watching my kids boogie board was way more important...
One word questionnaire...
...Shamelessly stolen from Dirtcrashr...
I saw it, and given my fondness for brevity, liked it.
Here goes...
1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket
2. Your significant other? Awesome
3. Your hair? Receding
4. Your mother? Irish
5. Your father? Hero
6. Your favorite time of day? Bedtime
7. Your dream last night? Twisted
8. Your favorite drink? Lager
9. Your dream goal? Family
10. The room you're in? Bedroom
11. Your ex? Stripper
12. Your fear? Failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
14. What you are not? Optimistic
15. Your Favorite meal? Curry
16. One of your wish list items? AR15
17. The last thing you did? Drank
18. Where you grew up? England
19. What are you wearing? Shorts
20. Your TV is? Old
21. Your pets? Dogs
22. Your computer? Stutters
23. Your life? Predictable
24. Your mood? Content
25. Missing someone? Parents
26. Your car? Deteriorating
27. Something you're not wearing? Wig
28. Favorite store? Bookstore
29. Your summer? HOT!
30. Your favorite color? Blue
31. When is the last time you laughed? Today
32. When is the last time you cried? Unsure
33. Your health? Middlin'
34. Your children? Treasures
35. Your future? Uncertain
36. Your beliefs? Unalterable
37. Young or old? Youngish
38. Your image? Fast
39. Your appearance? "Husky"
40. Would you live your life over again knowing what you know? Duh
I saw it, and given my fondness for brevity, liked it.
Here goes...
1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket
2. Your significant other? Awesome
3. Your hair? Receding
4. Your mother? Irish
5. Your father? Hero
6. Your favorite time of day? Bedtime
7. Your dream last night? Twisted
8. Your favorite drink? Lager
9. Your dream goal? Family
10. The room you're in? Bedroom
11. Your ex? Stripper
12. Your fear? Failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
14. What you are not? Optimistic
15. Your Favorite meal? Curry
16. One of your wish list items? AR15
17. The last thing you did? Drank
18. Where you grew up? England
19. What are you wearing? Shorts
20. Your TV is? Old
21. Your pets? Dogs
22. Your computer? Stutters
23. Your life? Predictable
24. Your mood? Content
25. Missing someone? Parents
26. Your car? Deteriorating
27. Something you're not wearing? Wig
28. Favorite store? Bookstore
29. Your summer? HOT!
30. Your favorite color? Blue
31. When is the last time you laughed? Today
32. When is the last time you cried? Unsure
33. Your health? Middlin'
34. Your children? Treasures
35. Your future? Uncertain
36. Your beliefs? Unalterable
37. Young or old? Youngish
38. Your image? Fast
39. Your appearance? "Husky"
40. Would you live your life over again knowing what you know? Duh
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Hands free
Today's the day the cell phone law goes into effect here in California. Get caught using a cell phone without a hands free device, and you'll be popped for a fine of $20. Of course, once all the additional fees and whatnot get added, your $20 fine will grow to $76... for a first offense. Expect to pay $190 for your second. I'm not kidding.
But you know, texting in your car while cruising the highway is still legal. I totally don't get that, unless I'm the only one out there who's all thumbs when it comes to sending texts on my phone... that's WAY more distracting - to me at least - than holding a phone to my ear.
Just another tax, is all.
But you know, texting in your car while cruising the highway is still legal. I totally don't get that, unless I'm the only one out there who's all thumbs when it comes to sending texts on my phone... that's WAY more distracting - to me at least - than holding a phone to my ear.
Just another tax, is all.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Back again...
Wow. Almost 2 months... I have to say sorry I haven't been posting - and I know blowing off your blog for that long is the kiss of death as far as keeping yer hits up, but I just couldn't put pen to paper for a while there. Sure, life's been busy, but I was lacking the inclination to write too. Guess I'm just a flake like that...
I haven't lost the inclination for reading all y'all's blogs, though... I've been lurking but not posting much...
So... what have I been up to lo these last few weeks?
Let's see...
I've been coaching 7-9s Flag Football again - that's been a lot of fun. Our guys are 2-2 so far this season and I'm real proud of how they're shaping up. Everyone on the team has either scored, contributed to a score, or made great defensive plays and I'm loving it. I swear I get more excited than the kids at the games - I'm sure they're embarrassed by their coach!
My kids are out of school for the summer, with all the entailing frantic searches amongst friends/family for childcare while my wife and I are at the salt mine. They'll be going to summer camp for a week at the end of July, cunningly coinciding with our 10 year anniversary (although being the clod that I am, I don't have a big vacation for the two of us sorted out yet).
End of year grades for my offspring were very good - Honor Roll (As and Bs) for Number One Son, and Principal's Award (Straight As - Awwww Yeaahhhh!) For My Little Princess. Very proud.
Lots o' work around the house - put in a garden in the front, watched in despair as my lawn began to die despite having a sprinkler system put in, tried to dig my way through solid granite in order to plant an avocado tree (had to admit defeat on that one - will have to relocate the hole. Can't dig through the rock there, and local ordnances won't let me blast it, worse luck), halfway through laying some pavers/digging out gravel on another side of the house - although the frikken heat put paid to that project for a while these last couple of weeks...
Read quite a bit - several "Brother Cadfael" mysteries (set in 12th century England) by Ellis Peters, "The Pillars of the Earth" (also 12th century England) By Ken Follett, reread the Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell - absolutely one of the best series I have ever read, by the way, "Fitzpatrick's War" by Theodore Judson, "The Dragon Lord" by David Drake, and several others that aren't right in front of me at the moment...
I took the next step in my journey of faith, and got baptized in May. That was a huge step for me and quite an emotional one. More on that later.
Last week, I had a spell of vertigo which scared the crap out of me. Woke up Tuesday morning, got up to pee and promptly fell over. Felt like I was completely wasted - so dizzy I could barely stand. Wifey ran me over to urgent care where they looked me over, pronounced that I had an ear infection, gave me a shot in the backside for the nausea I was experiencing and some antibiotics for the infection. The frikken dizziness did not go away for THREE DAYS! I was off work Tuesday and Wednesday, came in on Thursday, had another major dizzy spell at work in the damn bathroom (staggering upright, swearing to myself "You CANNOT be found like this in here" - visions of Elvis... hmm, probably TMI right there...) and sheepishly returned home.
Though I do have to say, the Heller decision on Thursday brought some much needed cheer to an otherwise crappy week...
Oh, and Saturday, I had the opportunity to go on a ride-along with a friend of mine in a nearby police department. That was very entertaining, although the guy's driving scared the crap out of me...
So, While I may drop out from time to time (I just can't do the whole daily post thing, even though that is supposed to be a big no-no), I will promise that I won't be gone as long as this last time. Thanks for bearing with me.
I haven't lost the inclination for reading all y'all's blogs, though... I've been lurking but not posting much...
So... what have I been up to lo these last few weeks?
Let's see...
I've been coaching 7-9s Flag Football again - that's been a lot of fun. Our guys are 2-2 so far this season and I'm real proud of how they're shaping up. Everyone on the team has either scored, contributed to a score, or made great defensive plays and I'm loving it. I swear I get more excited than the kids at the games - I'm sure they're embarrassed by their coach!
My kids are out of school for the summer, with all the entailing frantic searches amongst friends/family for childcare while my wife and I are at the salt mine. They'll be going to summer camp for a week at the end of July, cunningly coinciding with our 10 year anniversary (although being the clod that I am, I don't have a big vacation for the two of us sorted out yet).
End of year grades for my offspring were very good - Honor Roll (As and Bs) for Number One Son, and Principal's Award (Straight As - Awwww Yeaahhhh!) For My Little Princess. Very proud.
Lots o' work around the house - put in a garden in the front, watched in despair as my lawn began to die despite having a sprinkler system put in, tried to dig my way through solid granite in order to plant an avocado tree (had to admit defeat on that one - will have to relocate the hole. Can't dig through the rock there, and local ordnances won't let me blast it, worse luck), halfway through laying some pavers/digging out gravel on another side of the house - although the frikken heat put paid to that project for a while these last couple of weeks...
Read quite a bit - several "Brother Cadfael" mysteries (set in 12th century England) by Ellis Peters, "The Pillars of the Earth" (also 12th century England) By Ken Follett, reread the Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell - absolutely one of the best series I have ever read, by the way, "Fitzpatrick's War" by Theodore Judson, "The Dragon Lord" by David Drake, and several others that aren't right in front of me at the moment...
I took the next step in my journey of faith, and got baptized in May. That was a huge step for me and quite an emotional one. More on that later.
Last week, I had a spell of vertigo which scared the crap out of me. Woke up Tuesday morning, got up to pee and promptly fell over. Felt like I was completely wasted - so dizzy I could barely stand. Wifey ran me over to urgent care where they looked me over, pronounced that I had an ear infection, gave me a shot in the backside for the nausea I was experiencing and some antibiotics for the infection. The frikken dizziness did not go away for THREE DAYS! I was off work Tuesday and Wednesday, came in on Thursday, had another major dizzy spell at work in the damn bathroom (staggering upright, swearing to myself "You CANNOT be found like this in here" - visions of Elvis... hmm, probably TMI right there...) and sheepishly returned home.
Though I do have to say, the Heller decision on Thursday brought some much needed cheer to an otherwise crappy week...
Oh, and Saturday, I had the opportunity to go on a ride-along with a friend of mine in a nearby police department. That was very entertaining, although the guy's driving scared the crap out of me...
So, While I may drop out from time to time (I just can't do the whole daily post thing, even though that is supposed to be a big no-no), I will promise that I won't be gone as long as this last time. Thanks for bearing with me.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Wow!
A conservative is elected as London's mayor for the first time in 30 years! Could this be the beginning of a turning point in old Blighty? We'll have to follow this one pretty closely...
What I'm reading right now...
Having devoured the first "Flashman" book, I dug through the pile of boxes in the shop to get out the second in the series, "Royal Flash".
Our intrepid hero is abducted by Otto Von Bismarck in Germany and forced to impersonate a local prince in order to seal a marriage. The original prince is suffering from a "social disease" and so cannot marry at the moment.
I'm loving Fraser's attention to detail, as well as his depiction of Flashman - he truly is a despicable character...
Our intrepid hero is abducted by Otto Von Bismarck in Germany and forced to impersonate a local prince in order to seal a marriage. The original prince is suffering from a "social disease" and so cannot marry at the moment.
I'm loving Fraser's attention to detail, as well as his depiction of Flashman - he truly is a despicable character...
Sunday blah
Its a boring day... our church had a "worship only" service that means all music, so I elected not to go. My wife and kids still went, so I'm here by myself, trying to find reasons not to dig in the front yard - we're putting in some plants and a walkway. Digging in this "DG" - decomposed granite is pretty tough, especially in this heat. Lots of water needed...
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Suspense...
So... last month (well March 25th) I had my citizenship interview. I needed to get together some additional paperwork for the officer and I had 30 days to do it. It was a bit of a challenge tracking the stuff down, but I did it and sent it via certified mail about 4 days prior to the deadline...
When we got home today, we usually enter the house via the garage. About an hour after we got home, I opened up the front door to let the house air out, and saw a message from the post office jammed in the screen... they tried to deliver a certified letter from the Dept of Homeland Security, but no-one was around to sign for it. I can't go pick it up until tomorrow. Since I have a hard time handling suspense, I hopped onto the USCIS website to view my case status online - which I've been doing pretty frequently, despite my almost overwhelming fear of finding "denied" under my case number. Still at pending.
So, of course, I'll probably get very little sleep tonight...
When we got home today, we usually enter the house via the garage. About an hour after we got home, I opened up the front door to let the house air out, and saw a message from the post office jammed in the screen... they tried to deliver a certified letter from the Dept of Homeland Security, but no-one was around to sign for it. I can't go pick it up until tomorrow. Since I have a hard time handling suspense, I hopped onto the USCIS website to view my case status online - which I've been doing pretty frequently, despite my almost overwhelming fear of finding "denied" under my case number. Still at pending.
So, of course, I'll probably get very little sleep tonight...
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