The online world is really converging. I hate to get all buzzwordy but the old rules of the web are fading and new ones are really taking hold. When people who make way more money than I do at work are using Twitter to update their blogs, for example, I know things are changing.
It leads to some interesting situations, though. This blog is my little quiet corner of the 'net, and as such is part of my personal identity. But it's not part of my professional identity. But as these identities spread, it becomes more difficult to keep them separate.
My professional identity includes LinkedIn, Facebook, and a behind-the-firewall blog at our corporate social media site. It's all tied to my full name.
My personal identity includes a blog, a domain name, a Picasa web folder, an RSS feed, my netflix queue, numerous online site memberships, and who knows what else. It's all tied to one of three nicknames: the name of this blog, my usual forum handle, and my real first name.
Some people straddle both spheres. I have good friends that I trust with both identities. Some family. But there aren't many of them. (It's actually more complex than this --there are people who get "some" of the picture but not all, family members who browse my photos but would have no idea how to find this blog, for example.)
Someone with a little spare energy could connect all these dots, I'm sure. At some point, it will be more work to keep these identities separate than it's worth. But do I really want my boss poking around my blog? If I were to go job-hunting (note to my boss, I am not job hunting :P), do I want my hiring manager paging through my vacation photos or reading about my struggles with my fitness goals?
It may well be that my only other option will be to let one identify disappear. And that just seems so boring....
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Construction Work
So the nesting efforts are increasing daily here at home. Our basement remodel is nearing completion, with recent work on drywalling the bathroom making it look more like a room and less like a plumbing supply store. Yesterday and today were bigger days, though -- last night my father-in-law helped me carry some heavy boxes into the house, and this morning I sat down with my wife and put together a crib, a changing table, and a dresser.
They are antique white, with a green-and-pink bedding set already in place (well, no mattress). She even has curtains up. What's next? Painting, cleaning out closets, good stuff like that.
It's starting to look like a nursery. Give it a few weeks, and it won't be recognizable as a guest room....
They are antique white, with a green-and-pink bedding set already in place (well, no mattress). She even has curtains up. What's next? Painting, cleaning out closets, good stuff like that.
It's starting to look like a nursery. Give it a few weeks, and it won't be recognizable as a guest room....
Friday, February 08, 2008
20 weeks in
That's right -- my lovely wife is a few days past 20 weeks into her pregnancy.
We just had an ultrasound which shows it's very likely going to be a baby daughter we bring into the world 4 months from now.
Four months seems like a long time. It won't be.
We just had an ultrasound which shows it's very likely going to be a baby daughter we bring into the world 4 months from now.
Four months seems like a long time. It won't be.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Superbowl XXX
Superbowl XXX, January 29 1996. Three weeks prior, I had decided to take a job at Data General and let them pay for the rest of my schooling instead of finishing off grad school as a TA. I had been married for just over a year and a half. My good friends, a year behind me in school, were set to graduate in a few short months. Everything was changing. Nobody knew where we'd be in a year's time, but everything seemed possible.
I didn't grow up watching sports -- the Superbowl was a nonevent for me, most of the time. The only Superbowl parties I had been to were quiet during the commercials and talkative during the game.
But everything was changing, as I said. So I crowded into the dorm suite with a bunch of friends and watched the Superbowl. I tried not to ask too many questions (no guy wants to admit he doesn't understand football), and did my best to follow along. It was something new -- people cared about the game. Nobody wanted the Cowboys to win -- even as they mocked the Steelers they rooted against Emmit, Irvin, and Aikman. My wife began cheering on the Cowboys just to be contrary.
Late in the game, Steelers coach Bill Cowher made a ballsy call. Surprise onside kick. It was a momentum changer -- the Steelers had scored ten points in a row and forced the Cowboys to punt with less than seven minutes on the clock.
I didn't know it then, but that was the moment I fell in love with football. Anything was possible, like I said.
The Cowboys won. I learned that ballsy wasn't enough to win a game. And I learned that it's okay to cheer on the underdog even if they don't win.
I watched the next year's games, all the way through Bledsoe's defeat in the next Superbowl against Favre. And I haven't stopped.
This year, things are mixed up. The Pats are the heavily favored dynasty, the Giants the scrappy underdog America wants to see win. But I'm getting together with those same friends, and hoping for the same outcome -- the dominant team to win in a game that reminds us why we love football.
Go Pats.
I didn't grow up watching sports -- the Superbowl was a nonevent for me, most of the time. The only Superbowl parties I had been to were quiet during the commercials and talkative during the game.
But everything was changing, as I said. So I crowded into the dorm suite with a bunch of friends and watched the Superbowl. I tried not to ask too many questions (no guy wants to admit he doesn't understand football), and did my best to follow along. It was something new -- people cared about the game. Nobody wanted the Cowboys to win -- even as they mocked the Steelers they rooted against Emmit, Irvin, and Aikman. My wife began cheering on the Cowboys just to be contrary.
Late in the game, Steelers coach Bill Cowher made a ballsy call. Surprise onside kick. It was a momentum changer -- the Steelers had scored ten points in a row and forced the Cowboys to punt with less than seven minutes on the clock.
I didn't know it then, but that was the moment I fell in love with football. Anything was possible, like I said.
The Cowboys won. I learned that ballsy wasn't enough to win a game. And I learned that it's okay to cheer on the underdog even if they don't win.
I watched the next year's games, all the way through Bledsoe's defeat in the next Superbowl against Favre. And I haven't stopped.
This year, things are mixed up. The Pats are the heavily favored dynasty, the Giants the scrappy underdog America wants to see win. But I'm getting together with those same friends, and hoping for the same outcome -- the dominant team to win in a game that reminds us why we love football.
Go Pats.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sanibel Vid
And here's a short video we shot of the birds feeding. Youtube pixelized the water pretty bad, but oh well.
Sanibel Pics
As promised, some Sanibel pics.
These birds were flying all over this slow-moving pool of water in Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, snatching small fish trapped when the tide came in.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Where's Dave?
I'll post some pictures later, but I was away for a week in beautiful Sanibel, Florida. It was a big family trip, with 9 of us (including 3 kids) staying in two condos by the beach. We got in a bunch of quality time, and I caught a killer cold which made me spend a good chunk of it in a drug-induced haze.
Upon my return, I caught some nasty stomach bug, which knocked me on my back for a solid 36 hours and is still leaving me unstable. Since Monday I have eaten very little of nutritional value, and it's really starting to wear on me, but everything I eat of substance sends me back into digestive panic mode. Today's lunch was a slice of bread, a banana, and a yogurt. Hope it sits with me better than the turkey sandwich I ate yesterday did.
Bad times, too much info, etc.
I said I wanted to start eating healthier when I got back from vacation ... not that I wanted to stop eating entirely. Fooey.
Upon my return, I caught some nasty stomach bug, which knocked me on my back for a solid 36 hours and is still leaving me unstable. Since Monday I have eaten very little of nutritional value, and it's really starting to wear on me, but everything I eat of substance sends me back into digestive panic mode. Today's lunch was a slice of bread, a banana, and a yogurt. Hope it sits with me better than the turkey sandwich I ate yesterday did.
Bad times, too much info, etc.
I said I wanted to start eating healthier when I got back from vacation ... not that I wanted to stop eating entirely. Fooey.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Workout snapshot
I'm still struggling to get back into healthy habits after a too-long holiday break. But I have been running and that's a start.
As I plodded along on the treadmill the other day, I realized I really wanted to take a break. I fought this urge, calling back to all the tough-guy mantras about "no pain, no gain" and "pain is weakness leaving the body," and all the things you might repeat to yourself to make sure you can stay on your feet long enough to complete a 10K, for example. I remembered my 30-minute run from just the other day, and how proud I was to complete it after such a long break.
And then I realized how foolish I was being. I slowed down, walked for a few minutes, and then started running again. In the end, I still ran the same amount, but I was exercising for longer because of the walk breaks. I was less physically and mentally beat at the end, and the whole experience seemed more positive to me.
And yet, the next workout, I fought with the exact same urges.
It's just simple pride, wanting to prove I can tough it out. The truth is, right now, it's much more important that I simply stay active than that I "prove" to anyone (especially since nobody is watching me!) that I can run like I was running three to four months ago.
So for a little while at least, walk breaks are going to be a part of my routine.
I just wish they didn't feel like cheating.
As I plodded along on the treadmill the other day, I realized I really wanted to take a break. I fought this urge, calling back to all the tough-guy mantras about "no pain, no gain" and "pain is weakness leaving the body," and all the things you might repeat to yourself to make sure you can stay on your feet long enough to complete a 10K, for example. I remembered my 30-minute run from just the other day, and how proud I was to complete it after such a long break.
And then I realized how foolish I was being. I slowed down, walked for a few minutes, and then started running again. In the end, I still ran the same amount, but I was exercising for longer because of the walk breaks. I was less physically and mentally beat at the end, and the whole experience seemed more positive to me.
And yet, the next workout, I fought with the exact same urges.
It's just simple pride, wanting to prove I can tough it out. The truth is, right now, it's much more important that I simply stay active than that I "prove" to anyone (especially since nobody is watching me!) that I can run like I was running three to four months ago.
So for a little while at least, walk breaks are going to be a part of my routine.
I just wish they didn't feel like cheating.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Having fun playing video games
Allow me to nerd out a bit about video games. The following are gross simplifications, and I've done exactly zero study on this. In other words I'm blabbing, not researching.
In most games, you provide input to the system, and that input directly corresponds to motion by an avatar of some kind on a screen. Pac-Man moved up/down/right/left, Space Invader shot and moved around, and in Grand Theft Auto you can punch, shoot, run, drive, etc.
There's another kind of game, where the input to the system modifies the experience in different ways, rewarding you for providing the right inputs. For example, the trampoline gymnastics minigame in the Wii Olympics, you press a series of buttons in the order specified during a very short time. Get it right, and your avatar tumbles, flips, and performs a smoothly beautiful routine. The crowd applauds. Get it wrong, and you barely make it back on your feet to jump again, and the crowd registers its disapproval.
Rhythm games definitely fall into this latter category, and the most recent one to get in the public eye would have to be Guitar Hero. I played GH3 for the first time this weekend, and it's difficult to explain how fun it is. The gameplay is fairly simple to describe. Colored markers move towards you, and as they hit a "line" you must press a button corresponding to the marker's color while pressing another button to "strike." It feels very guitar-like -- you're holding down the strings with one hand while strumming with the other.
What makes the game so much fun is the feedback system. Play flawlessly, and you hear the exact song you think you are supposed to hear. Make a mistake, and a note is missed in the song, or worse, an incorrect sound is produced. So you're mentally rocking out to Metallica and instead of hearing what you want, you hear an awkward clanging sound. It throws you out of the groove and makes you flinch. Screw up a few times in a row, and the crowd turns on you, and the pressure grows. Get back on track, or lose the game.
It's a fun game to watch, because you're listening to music and watching the entertaining antics of the fictional band going on in the background as the player focuses solely on the colored dots. And it's a fun game to play, because in a very real way you are creating music by your actions, with immediate positive and negative feedback for every single button press.
I'm far from an expert on rhythm games, having only played Dance Dance Revolution a few times prior to this. But I can say, for me, Guitar Hero is much more fun than DDR. You are producing the music, not just controlling something that moves along with it. It's so much more satisfying when you win.
I can't imagine how much fun Rock Band is.
In most games, you provide input to the system, and that input directly corresponds to motion by an avatar of some kind on a screen. Pac-Man moved up/down/right/left, Space Invader shot and moved around, and in Grand Theft Auto you can punch, shoot, run, drive, etc.
There's another kind of game, where the input to the system modifies the experience in different ways, rewarding you for providing the right inputs. For example, the trampoline gymnastics minigame in the Wii Olympics, you press a series of buttons in the order specified during a very short time. Get it right, and your avatar tumbles, flips, and performs a smoothly beautiful routine. The crowd applauds. Get it wrong, and you barely make it back on your feet to jump again, and the crowd registers its disapproval.
Rhythm games definitely fall into this latter category, and the most recent one to get in the public eye would have to be Guitar Hero. I played GH3 for the first time this weekend, and it's difficult to explain how fun it is. The gameplay is fairly simple to describe. Colored markers move towards you, and as they hit a "line" you must press a button corresponding to the marker's color while pressing another button to "strike." It feels very guitar-like -- you're holding down the strings with one hand while strumming with the other.
What makes the game so much fun is the feedback system. Play flawlessly, and you hear the exact song you think you are supposed to hear. Make a mistake, and a note is missed in the song, or worse, an incorrect sound is produced. So you're mentally rocking out to Metallica and instead of hearing what you want, you hear an awkward clanging sound. It throws you out of the groove and makes you flinch. Screw up a few times in a row, and the crowd turns on you, and the pressure grows. Get back on track, or lose the game.
It's a fun game to watch, because you're listening to music and watching the entertaining antics of the fictional band going on in the background as the player focuses solely on the colored dots. And it's a fun game to play, because in a very real way you are creating music by your actions, with immediate positive and negative feedback for every single button press.
I'm far from an expert on rhythm games, having only played Dance Dance Revolution a few times prior to this. But I can say, for me, Guitar Hero is much more fun than DDR. You are producing the music, not just controlling something that moves along with it. It's so much more satisfying when you win.
I can't imagine how much fun Rock Band is.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Blu-Ray Wins?
I can't help but think this latest move by Warner is going to finally spell the end of HD DVD.
I admit to having a soft spot for HD DVD, and not just because I bought one of their players (I did so at the $99 price, knowing if it lost the format war the very next day I'd still get my money's worth before buying a BD player -- no regrets). I'm not even sure why, except perhaps that it felt more consumer-friendly. The players were cheaper, the discs were cheaper (to make, not to buy), and there was no region-encoding.
The war's not over, though. I expect we'll see some more battles going on. But my gut tells me we won't be seeing people buying HD DVD players for Christmas next year.
I admit to having a soft spot for HD DVD, and not just because I bought one of their players (I did so at the $99 price, knowing if it lost the format war the very next day I'd still get my money's worth before buying a BD player -- no regrets). I'm not even sure why, except perhaps that it felt more consumer-friendly. The players were cheaper, the discs were cheaper (to make, not to buy), and there was no region-encoding.
The war's not over, though. I expect we'll see some more battles going on. But my gut tells me we won't be seeing people buying HD DVD players for Christmas next year.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Dave's Dirty Secret
(no, not that secret)
Quick link-and-run -- the newest Best of Bootie CD is out. You can download it here. I can't tell you how many times I've found new energy on a run while listening to a mashup of songs I'd never listen to alone.
(just kidding about that other thing)
Quick link-and-run -- the newest Best of Bootie CD is out. You can download it here. I can't tell you how many times I've found new energy on a run while listening to a mashup of songs I'd never listen to alone.
(just kidding about that other thing)
Work is tiring
While I was working with my father-in-law on some home improvement efforts, I realized just how exhausting it would be to do his job full-time. Climbing ladders, hanging siding, hammering, sawing, lifting, climbing, bending over to pick things up, getting your hands all calloused and cut up, etc. I was (and am) so thankful that my job is easier.
And yet today, as I work on my seventh performance review (I have 9 to write), I realize that difficult and exhausting come in all flavors. So, yes, I may not be tired like my father-in-law is at the end of the day, but I'm tired in my own special way :).
Got my second run of the year in today, oddly a more difficult run than my first one, which was breaking over a month of time away from it. Still, got it done. It's nice to have a job that leaves me "tired" in a way that I can still run, I guess!
And yet today, as I work on my seventh performance review (I have 9 to write), I realize that difficult and exhausting come in all flavors. So, yes, I may not be tired like my father-in-law is at the end of the day, but I'm tired in my own special way :).
Got my second run of the year in today, oddly a more difficult run than my first one, which was breaking over a month of time away from it. Still, got it done. It's nice to have a job that leaves me "tired" in a way that I can still run, I guess!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
"A nice relaxing day off."
I was describing today to my mother, and said I had a relaxing day off.
And then I thought about what I did.
I got rid of a huge backlog of laundry from when our basement was torn apart and it was difficult to do any.
I dragged the treadmill out from its hiding place where we had to stick it for the Christmas party, set it up, and did my first run in, well, what, four weeks? Six?
I took down all the ornaments, garland, and lights, boxed it all up, then took down the 8.5-foot tree, dragged it outside, and ditched it in the woods.
Finally, I cleared off both cars, shoveled both driveways, and the porch/steps/sidewalks.
Somehow, this was mentally equated with "relaxing" to me. I personally blame the run. Maybe there's a lesson there.
And then I thought about what I did.
I got rid of a huge backlog of laundry from when our basement was torn apart and it was difficult to do any.
I dragged the treadmill out from its hiding place where we had to stick it for the Christmas party, set it up, and did my first run in, well, what, four weeks? Six?
I took down all the ornaments, garland, and lights, boxed it all up, then took down the 8.5-foot tree, dragged it outside, and ditched it in the woods.
Finally, I cleared off both cars, shoveled both driveways, and the porch/steps/sidewalks.
Somehow, this was mentally equated with "relaxing" to me. I personally blame the run. Maybe there's a lesson there.
Monday, December 31, 2007
2008 Goals
Now that the basement remodel is nearly done, I can put the treadmill back out. I'll start running again. And what goals do I have for the new year?
- Get back up to 3 runs a week, every week
- Increase my distance again, and maybe run that 10K in April
- Continue staying fit after baby is born
Everything beyond that is going to be gravy, honestly. I have so much to learn about being a dad. That really is going to be what 2008 is all about. If I can somehow manage to not become fat and lazy in the process, I'll proclaim victory.
See you on the flipside of midnight, folks.
- Get back up to 3 runs a week, every week
- Increase my distance again, and maybe run that 10K in April
- Continue staying fit after baby is born
Everything beyond that is going to be gravy, honestly. I have so much to learn about being a dad. That really is going to be what 2008 is all about. If I can somehow manage to not become fat and lazy in the process, I'll proclaim victory.
See you on the flipside of midnight, folks.
Hi Dad
Finding out you're going to be a parent is one way to force change in your life. For me, the most recent change is reconnecting with my father.
My parents divorced when I was 8, and things were a bit rocky from that point on. My mom did her best to raise my brother and me, but had her own problems. My dad was in his own world, which from what I understand included drugs, booze, and women. We visited him once or twice a week for a couple hours at a shot, but we never really got close.
Once I got married, I drifted even further from my dad, who had in the intervening years stabilized his life quite a bit and married again (they've been married over 20 years now). But we visited yesterday for the first time in several years, and just spent some time reconnecting.
No heavy conversation, nothing big, just catching up on life's little things.
He's going to be a grandfather soon. When I look at how big a part of my life my grandfather was, I can't deny him the chance to do that for my child.
I don't know where this will all go, but for now, it was nice to sit down and chat with my Dad.
My parents divorced when I was 8, and things were a bit rocky from that point on. My mom did her best to raise my brother and me, but had her own problems. My dad was in his own world, which from what I understand included drugs, booze, and women. We visited him once or twice a week for a couple hours at a shot, but we never really got close.
Once I got married, I drifted even further from my dad, who had in the intervening years stabilized his life quite a bit and married again (they've been married over 20 years now). But we visited yesterday for the first time in several years, and just spent some time reconnecting.
No heavy conversation, nothing big, just catching up on life's little things.
He's going to be a grandfather soon. When I look at how big a part of my life my grandfather was, I can't deny him the chance to do that for my child.
I don't know where this will all go, but for now, it was nice to sit down and chat with my Dad.
Farewell to 2007
What happened this year? "Not much," tends to be what you say in casual conversation. But the truth is always more complicated. Here are the things I wrote about in my blog this year:
In March, I started running again after a long break.
In April, we hosted family Easter and weren't sure we wanted to have kids.
In June, I fell in love with running outside all over again.
In July, I shaved off my beard and immediately regretted it.
In August, I exercised every day and turned 34.
In September, I hit a major weight goal and went on vacation to Newport. Somewhere in there, my wife and I had a magic moment (ahem) and a tiny baby started growing inside her. Looking back at April, we obviously changed our minds.
In October, I ran a 5K.
In November, I went on vacation to ice-cold Vermont and didn't run.
In December, I told the world I was going to be a Dad, and hosted Christmas.
In March, I started running again after a long break.
In April, we hosted family Easter and weren't sure we wanted to have kids.
In June, I fell in love with running outside all over again.
In July, I shaved off my beard and immediately regretted it.
In August, I exercised every day and turned 34.
In September, I hit a major weight goal and went on vacation to Newport. Somewhere in there, my wife and I had a magic moment (ahem) and a tiny baby started growing inside her. Looking back at April, we obviously changed our minds.
In October, I ran a 5K.
In November, I went on vacation to ice-cold Vermont and didn't run.
In December, I told the world I was going to be a Dad, and hosted Christmas.
Friday, December 28, 2007
I bought myself a present
I bought myself a present today ... a domain name.
Yes, I finally got onboard and grabbed eagerfeet.com. I would have bought it a while back but someone else had it and was hosting a rarely-updated blog on it (oddly enough, a blog they created via blogger.com, which wasn't named eager feet .... ).
Anyway, on a whim I checked, and it was available again. For ten bucks, why not?
I may or may not get hosting at some point. For now, you can find this blog here at blog.eagerfeet.com, and I'll tinker with the rest of eagerfeet.com in other non-disruptive ways.
Yes, I finally got onboard and grabbed eagerfeet.com. I would have bought it a while back but someone else had it and was hosting a rarely-updated blog on it (oddly enough, a blog they created via blogger.com, which wasn't named eager feet .... ).
Anyway, on a whim I checked, and it was available again. For ten bucks, why not?
I may or may not get hosting at some point. For now, you can find this blog here at blog.eagerfeet.com, and I'll tinker with the rest of eagerfeet.com in other non-disruptive ways.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
How Brenda saved Christmas
So we made it through Christmas alive and well, with our joy mostly intact.
The plumbers finished their work on Wednesday the 19th, so we had two full days prior to our party on the 21st. Of course, I was working full days both those days, so a lot of prep work fell on poor Jessica (who did manage to snag from help from her parents on Thursday), and then on me in the evening. So, 3 very busy days in a row leading up Saturday's party.
Saturday, I dragged out the snowblower (only used once so far) to clear away parking spaces (about ten cars, in two driveways, means you need to clear some space on the lawn). It had a flat tire! Now, if you aren't snowblower-savvy, a flat tire may not sound like a huge deal. But putting air in a tubeless tire with no seal on it is kind of very difficult. I went into full-blown panic mode while Jess got the house ready. Our first guests were set to arrive at noon and the morning was disappearing fast.
I ran to the store, bought an air pump, and struggled further. Finally, I gave up on it and decided to wait until Steve and Brenda and the kids arrived (they were coming first, a good hour before anybody else) before doing more. I ran inside and started helping Jess, the whole time picturing the three of us (myself and the other two non-pregnant adults) shoveling this 18 inches of cold snow. Ugh.
Finally, they arrived, and the three of us struggled with the "put vaseline on the rim, tie a rope around the tire method" which they independently confirmed. We ended up using some A+D Ointment because we had no vaseline, and an old extension cord because we had no rope. It took us a few tries, but we finally got it going. (I say "us" and "we" but it was really "they" who got it going. I mostly watched and ran and got things. I'm really a lousy homeowner.)
Anyway, after we got it started, I saw the gleam of pure envy and realized joy in Brenda's eyes. Evidently she's some kind of snowblower addict, and with theirs broken down she hasn't been able to snowblow for a while. So, yeah, that's the story of how my sister-in-law snowblowed out parking spaces while I showered and got ready for the party. I kid you not about the extent of her snowblowing -- she would have cleared out our whole property if I had let her, I think.
In the end, we were all safe inside by the time the rest of the guests arrived (well, except for Jess's parents, who came while Brenda was still snowblowing), and I had spent enough time catching my breath to be sane.
The rest of the day was what family Christmas always is. Gifts, food, drink, games, laughter, telling stories outside by the fire (started by Brenda, after we had decided that the weather wasn't nice enough to start one), and all that. It was a beautiful wonderful time, as it always is. And we were completely exhausted when it was over.
The plumbers finished their work on Wednesday the 19th, so we had two full days prior to our party on the 21st. Of course, I was working full days both those days, so a lot of prep work fell on poor Jessica (who did manage to snag from help from her parents on Thursday), and then on me in the evening. So, 3 very busy days in a row leading up Saturday's party.
Saturday, I dragged out the snowblower (only used once so far) to clear away parking spaces (about ten cars, in two driveways, means you need to clear some space on the lawn). It had a flat tire! Now, if you aren't snowblower-savvy, a flat tire may not sound like a huge deal. But putting air in a tubeless tire with no seal on it is kind of very difficult. I went into full-blown panic mode while Jess got the house ready. Our first guests were set to arrive at noon and the morning was disappearing fast.
I ran to the store, bought an air pump, and struggled further. Finally, I gave up on it and decided to wait until Steve and Brenda and the kids arrived (they were coming first, a good hour before anybody else) before doing more. I ran inside and started helping Jess, the whole time picturing the three of us (myself and the other two non-pregnant adults) shoveling this 18 inches of cold snow. Ugh.
Finally, they arrived, and the three of us struggled with the "put vaseline on the rim, tie a rope around the tire method" which they independently confirmed. We ended up using some A+D Ointment because we had no vaseline, and an old extension cord because we had no rope. It took us a few tries, but we finally got it going. (I say "us" and "we" but it was really "they" who got it going. I mostly watched and ran and got things. I'm really a lousy homeowner.)
Anyway, after we got it started, I saw the gleam of pure envy and realized joy in Brenda's eyes. Evidently she's some kind of snowblower addict, and with theirs broken down she hasn't been able to snowblow for a while. So, yeah, that's the story of how my sister-in-law snowblowed out parking spaces while I showered and got ready for the party. I kid you not about the extent of her snowblowing -- she would have cleared out our whole property if I had let her, I think.
In the end, we were all safe inside by the time the rest of the guests arrived (well, except for Jess's parents, who came while Brenda was still snowblowing), and I had spent enough time catching my breath to be sane.
The rest of the day was what family Christmas always is. Gifts, food, drink, games, laughter, telling stories outside by the fire (started by Brenda, after we had decided that the weather wasn't nice enough to start one), and all that. It was a beautiful wonderful time, as it always is. And we were completely exhausted when it was over.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Christmas Chain Mails
Instead of a blog, my family uses chain mails. They will mail each other a touching news story, a funny picture, or a survey, just like some of us use blogs. Of course, every single one comes with directions to forward on, and as a longtime net user such things ignite me with the burning rage of a thousand suns.
Well, maybe not that bad. But I was on the Internet before AOL was. I remember when forwarding a chain mail got your account suspended and you had to go beg a sysadmin with a beard and hobbit feet for it back.
Anyway. So rather than answer their latest chain and forward it, I'm posting about it in my blog. Here goes.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Depends on the package. Since I love ripping open paper, I love giving gifts wrapped in paper, but some gifts just don't go that route easily.
2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real.
3. When do you put up the tree?
The weekend after Thanksgiving, or one week later.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Depending on how dead it is, between Dec 26 and Jan 1.
5. Do you like egg nog?
Sort of, mainly as a delivery vehicle for spiced rum. My stomach is sensitive to dairy though, so I can't drink most egg nogs.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I only remember one Christmas as a child, and I remember getting cars that you pulled back and which launched forward when you let them go. So I guess that will default to my favorite.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
A small one, yes. I could write a whole blog post about this singular topic, and maybe I will when I have more time.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Probably Andy (my wife's cousin's husband, a great guy who has few vices or money-wasting hobbies, and who buys himself things he needs)
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Steve Sr. (my father-in-law, who never complains if you ask what he wants, and in fact will give you a list including something he probably needs for his work as a general contractor)
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Snail mail all the way.
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received
Nothing stands out. Off the top of my head I remember getting clothes that didn't fit, but that's about it. There are always gifts which don't get much use, but none of them stand out as "worst."
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Probably Christmas Vacation, with Chevy Chase. It gets me laughing and puts me in the holiday mood.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Mid-November, online. I tend to put off last-minute stocking stuffers for the final week though. I still need to buy some and probably won't until Friday.
14. Ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Nuts & Bolts, my grandmother's recipe for homemade chex mix.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Both! No blinking, though, please.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
Carol of the Bells, instrumental, or (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays as sung by Perry Como.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I travel when I need to but enjoy staying home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Not without online assistance.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
It falls in Q4, which means work is usually crazy at the same time. I wish I had more time to relax and soak in season before the actual event.
That, and parking at stores. And driving near stores.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Eclectic.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
To have a great party at our place, and to have zero traffic snags when we have to travel. Everything else is a bonus.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this?
Nobody reads my blog, so nobody.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this?
Jessica. Even if she read this, she would not have the patience to write one herself.
Well, maybe not that bad. But I was on the Internet before AOL was. I remember when forwarding a chain mail got your account suspended and you had to go beg a sysadmin with a beard and hobbit feet for it back.
Anyway. So rather than answer their latest chain and forward it, I'm posting about it in my blog. Here goes.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Depends on the package. Since I love ripping open paper, I love giving gifts wrapped in paper, but some gifts just don't go that route easily.
2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real.
3. When do you put up the tree?
The weekend after Thanksgiving, or one week later.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Depending on how dead it is, between Dec 26 and Jan 1.
5. Do you like egg nog?
Sort of, mainly as a delivery vehicle for spiced rum. My stomach is sensitive to dairy though, so I can't drink most egg nogs.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I only remember one Christmas as a child, and I remember getting cars that you pulled back and which launched forward when you let them go. So I guess that will default to my favorite.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
A small one, yes. I could write a whole blog post about this singular topic, and maybe I will when I have more time.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Probably Andy (my wife's cousin's husband, a great guy who has few vices or money-wasting hobbies, and who buys himself things he needs)
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Steve Sr. (my father-in-law, who never complains if you ask what he wants, and in fact will give you a list including something he probably needs for his work as a general contractor)
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Snail mail all the way.
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received
Nothing stands out. Off the top of my head I remember getting clothes that didn't fit, but that's about it. There are always gifts which don't get much use, but none of them stand out as "worst."
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Probably Christmas Vacation, with Chevy Chase. It gets me laughing and puts me in the holiday mood.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Mid-November, online. I tend to put off last-minute stocking stuffers for the final week though. I still need to buy some and probably won't until Friday.
14. Ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Nuts & Bolts, my grandmother's recipe for homemade chex mix.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Both! No blinking, though, please.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
Carol of the Bells, instrumental, or (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays as sung by Perry Como.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I travel when I need to but enjoy staying home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Not without online assistance.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
It falls in Q4, which means work is usually crazy at the same time. I wish I had more time to relax and soak in season before the actual event.
That, and parking at stores. And driving near stores.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Eclectic.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
To have a great party at our place, and to have zero traffic snags when we have to travel. Everything else is a bonus.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this?
Nobody reads my blog, so nobody.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this?
Jessica. Even if she read this, she would not have the patience to write one herself.
Monday, December 17, 2007
A Major Announcement
So, 3 weeks ago I said I had more details on the other reasons things are hectic for me right now. And then I never updated.
Sorry about that. It's been, well, like I said, crazy.
And part of the reason is that by midyear 2008, my wife and I hope to be a family of three, not just two. That's right -- we're expecting. Due date: June 18.
As a teen, I was certain that I wouldn't want to have children. I was the angry rebel, looking down my nose at breeders filling the world with more kids to use up our scant resources.
Things have changed a bit over the intervening years. And now I keep looking ahead to the future, to being able to create a new life out of the building blocks of my own and Jess's, and shaping a mind into someone who can hopefully make the world better.
The changing diapers part, well, not so excited about that.
Sorry about that. It's been, well, like I said, crazy.
And part of the reason is that by midyear 2008, my wife and I hope to be a family of three, not just two. That's right -- we're expecting. Due date: June 18.
As a teen, I was certain that I wouldn't want to have children. I was the angry rebel, looking down my nose at breeders filling the world with more kids to use up our scant resources.
Things have changed a bit over the intervening years. And now I keep looking ahead to the future, to being able to create a new life out of the building blocks of my own and Jess's, and shaping a mind into someone who can hopefully make the world better.
The changing diapers part, well, not so excited about that.
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