Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Our deepest fear...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous. But honestly, who are you to not be so? … It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

 

Marianne Williamson in Return to Love: Reflections on a Course in Miracles; Re-quoted by Nelson Mandela during 1994 inauguration speech

 

Monday, June 23, 2008

Going on a trip?

George Carlin was a funny guy who occasionally made us think about things (some more important than others). The first time I ever remember seeing him was when he did the bit on "stuff." Here it is for your viewing enjoyment. RIP, George.



We just got back from a trip to Atlanta and we brought way too much stuff. I used to be pretty good at packing light for a trip, but when travelling with kids I find that we bring a lot of just-in-case stuff. I hate lugging around a lot of unnecessary stuff, but I also want to avoid having a bored kid or a kid with no clean underpants.

Here are a couple of websites that might help you reduce your stuff on a trip:
Universal Packing List
OneBag.com

Friday, June 13, 2008

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

New Car

I bought a car yesterday. Yes, I found a private seller who isn't an asshole...

It's a 97 VW Jetta. I was trying to buy THE PERFECT CAR but I finally realized that car doesn't exist. So, I decided I would get something close and fix whatever is broken. Not as good on gas as my Honda unfortunately, but it's a nice looking car and very zippy. I like the car and I got a good deal, so I'm happy (and glad to be done with it).

  • Thanks to Penny & Marky for watching the kids so we could shop for cars in peace.
  • Thanks to Val for loaning me her consumer reports log-in.
  • Thanks to Drayton & Dee for hauling the Escape Pod to South Carolina so we could take a little more time to find the right car.
  • Thanks to Debi for being oh-so-patient throughout this entire ordeal.
  • Thanks to all my friends & family for putting up with my griping & complaining about insurance & used car shopping.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

The Story of Stuff

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

It's about 20 minutes long and it will not result in a warm fuzzy feeling.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Happy Annivesary Babe!

Happy Annivesary (by Rog Rogers)

I've watched the gold in your hair turn silver
And the sparkle in your eyes dim more each day
And the clutch of your hands getting weaker
All these things say it wasn't yesterday

So darlin', Happy Anniversary
You've made my life for me
Once again, thanks for the memory
My darlin', Happy Anniversary

The paper we signed has turned yellow
Its crumbling edges tend to tell its age
Its meaning we will cherish forever
But in the book of our lives, it's just a page

So darlin', Happy Anniversary
You've made my life for me
Once again, thanks for the memory
My darlin', Happy Anniversary
My darlin', Happy Anniversary

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Memorial Day 2008

My respects to my fellow veterans who have died in the service of our country; my heart goes out to all the families & friends of those vets.

I had a good, low-key Memorial Day weekend. Had a cook-out at my sister’s house Friday night. Visited with my mom & nephew who left on Saturday morning. I went to see Iron Man on Sunday with my Marine niece, who was visiting for the weekend. Then yesterday, Debi and the kids and I just hung out -- watched a movie (Hook) and played games all day.

Its days like that I wish I could bottle and save for some day in the future when they’re all grown up.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Mowing Green Keeps Air Clean

Want to help reduce pollution? Need a new lawn mower? Live in York or Mecklenburg counties? Click here for information on a special deal on a battery-powered, rechargeable mower.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Superman's Mission for President Kennedy

Ok, I know I’m a huge geek, but for me as a kid, JFK & Superman were both larger than life superheroes, so I found this interesting.

The cover pictured below is not the actual cover for the published issue (click on the hyperlink below for the explanation).

http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives/166/




Thursday, May 15, 2008

Insurance and ballet

I'd like to say this is the last word on the insurance settlement for my car, but I'm sure I'll have to vent a time or two before it's all done... I really hate dealing with insurance companies. They are such vile, soulless, money-grubbers. As expected, they're lowballing us on the settlement AND they were mean to Debi on the phone. I may have to use my boss voice.

If anyone has any bright ideas for how to get more money out of an insurance company, I'm open to suggestions.

We went to a couple of used car lots over the weekend. Good god, those people are SLEAZY – I felt like I needed a shower when I got home.

Both the kids are dancing in the Peter Pan ballet this weekend (two different performances). They don't seem at all nervous; I think they're still too young to know they should be. That's a good thing and I hope to keep it that way.

Debi and I are very proud & excited to see them dance. Paw Paw & Maw Maw are coming in all the way from New Orleans to see the production. Now, THAT is dedication. I'm sure I'll be posting pictures.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

The Next Level

It seems this phrase has become part of the American business lexicon. I hear it all the time. Recently, a co-worker posed the question: "how many damn levels are there anyhow???"

So far, no one has been able to provide the answer.

Monday, May 05, 2008

Looking for cheap gas?

There is no such thing as cheap gas these days.

However, a friend sent me this link where you can find the cheapest gas in your zip code. If you're interested... http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx.

Is anyone else tired of hearing about gas prices EVERY TIME you turn on the news?? They're not just giving the nationwide average, they're also giving us the price in every major city along with video footage of some average Joe pumping his gas. Is that really necessary? I know the price is high when I fill up. If I'm curious about gas prices between fill-ups, I can just glance at the sign as I drive by the 20 or so gas stations I see every day during my travels. There's reporting real news and there's beating a dead horse (sorry, probably not the most sensitive cliche I could have used in light of the Derby tragedy).

An interesting footnote to this gas conversation... I visited my hometown this past weekend and my Mom gave me a box with all of the postcards and letters I've sent her over the years since I left home. I've only read a couple at random so far; one was my first letter from Italy -- I was outraged that gas was nearly $4.00 a gallon (it was about $.80 a gallon in the States at the time I think). It's all relative, huh?

Thursday, May 01, 2008

A Parade Float...


Obama's Preacher - Does it Matter?

All the crap with the preacher was dying down, but Rev. Wrong stirred it all up again.

Before it was just a bunch of random sound bites taken (perhaps) out of context over the course of 20 years. But NOW, he’s saying it all again – fresh & new and scaring the hell out of people.

Do the lunatic ravings of his preacher reflect badly on Obama? Initially, I thought not. But he has been attending this man’s church for many years and he’s certainly heard these vile remarks. You can’t say that Obama just napped on the pew on the occasional Sunday and didn’t really know the guy; this man was a spiritual advisor to Obama – they prayed together the day Obama announced his candidacy for president.

I don’t care for it when ANYONE spouts that sort of racist, anti-American, inflammatory BS. If I attended a church or was part of any organization whose ideological leader expressed those sorts of opinions I would definitely leave.

So, it seems to me that the choices are these:
- Obama agrees with his preacher and is just now denouncing him to get elected
- Obama doesn’t agree with his preacher but didn’t have the strength of character to

speak up for what’s right until it became politically necessary

Neither is very appealing to me. Especially not in a presidential candidate.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Fine Living - Again

I posted this picture a few weeks ago of a redneck dream home.

Now, here is the redneck dream vacation home.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Deawy bewoved...

As in-laws go, mine are a pretty good bunch and I have to say that as far as nuttiness goes, my family and Debi's are pretty evenly matched, so we all get along fairly well. I very much enjoyed visiting with them last week when we went to New Orleans for Debi's brother's wedding.

We had lots of good food & drink; the only I didn't get was some good blackened redfish. A gang of us went to the French Quarter on Thursday for sort of a bachelor/bachelorette thing. Except for keeping Debi's sister, Sparkles, out a little too late, we had a fine time. The girls all got their faces painted and glittered & we were all still finding glitter on our persons on Saturday.

The wedding was held at a beautiful old Victorian house in New Orleans on St Charles. The proprietor of the establishment was a little nutty (sort of a Carol Burnett does Nora Desmond character) but it was a perfect day for an outdoor wedding by the pond. We had good Cajun food and an open bar at the reception. Cousin Tina took pictures of E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y. Danny's friend, Mike and his band played some great music (Danny even sang along on one number). But the best part of all (from my perspective) was that Debi performed the ceremony.

She started off with a line from Spaceballs... "Deawy bewoved, we are gavered hair tobay..." Then she said some serious sounding wedding stuff, and ended with some words of wisdom from Dr. Seuss. It was serious, reverent, warm, funny, silly in all the right amounts at all the right times. We laughed, we cried. It was perfect and she did a great job.

After the wedding, we went to the French Quarter again for some fun & festivities. When a guy at the bar asked Debi what was up with the corsage pinned to her t-shirt, she replied "I married my brother today." In most places that comment would turn heads, but you know what they say in New Orleans... Laissez les bons temps rouler.

The happy couple is honeymooning in Puerto Rico and although we had a great time, we're glad to be home.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Earth Hour - March 29 @ 8pm

Turn the lights off for a full hour tomorrow starting at 8 p.m. your time, and you'll join millions of people around the planet coming together for a cause: global warming.

Last year's Earth Hour, which happened only in Sydney, Australia, had the effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for an hour. This year's event is global, so savings will be even bigger.

Get together with friends, and make a night of it.

Turn 'em off at 8 p.m. your local time, Mar. 29.

Earth Hour - pledge to turn off your lights here, and receive Earth Hour updates and tips.

http://www4.earthhourus.org/