Hey kids, tomorrow is a rarity. A day off!!! With no icky bits!!! Usually my days off are filled with meeting the cable guy, or the furnace guy, or the tree guy or whatever...
My wife has to work, so I will have a whole day to putter around the house. This NEVER happens. I decided to take the day kinda like a mental health day. I have so many projects I could work on, but I just don't know what to do! So many choices, only one day.
We're supposed to get 6 - 12 inches of snow tomorrow, or not, maybe rain, maybe freezing rain. (I swear they just make this shit up) I will totally refuse to shovel during my day off!!!! It'll have to wait until after work hours!!!!
I'm giddy with the possibilities. I'm definately moving our computer to our newly reclaimed office. And probably cleaning the 3rd floor office/lab.
I make effects pedals for guitars in my secret lab on the third floor and its a freakin' disaster up there. If I could pick, I'd spend the whole day up in the lab! I've got to re-house a pedal (put it in a new enclosure) and I'd like to start work on a few new ones, at least make the circuit boards and drill them.
But hey, I'm NOT WORKING!!! And that my friends is enough for me!!!
m.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Keeping it all together
Whenever I watch my grown kids struggle, it makes me think about when I was in my young 20's and first out in the world. I remember how hard it was. Just to have things that I was already accustomed to, like cable, phone, a car, car ins. etc.
It got Patti and I to talking. Patti thinks it has become much harder to set up house, much more difficult than when we were young. It just may be. We had a hard time when we were young. No money, just keeping our heads above water. Which is where I'd put my kids about now. They are doing it, but it's not easy. But I don't know if it is more difficult.
I have attained the American dream of owning my own home, I've started my own business. I'm able to help my kids a bit. I think I've attained at least what my father did. And from what I've read recently, my generation might be the last to do this.
I do know how hard Patti and I worked. We did without a lot of things many around us acquired. And I think that might be part of the problem. So much of what my kids want is viewed as necessary, not optional. And they will step beyond good sense to reach what they think is their due. Internet access, cell phone/blackberry with unlimited texting, DVR's, Abercrombie hoodies, $150.00 jeans, full-on gaming system with wii!.
Makes me wonder if it's truly harder or that we've set our reach beyond our grasp. Subtle change, but what we found to be essential isn't the same as the next generation. And perhaps, we've set ourselves up to want what we do not need and cannot reasonably afford. How can we not end up either disappointed or unsatisfied?
m.
It got Patti and I to talking. Patti thinks it has become much harder to set up house, much more difficult than when we were young. It just may be. We had a hard time when we were young. No money, just keeping our heads above water. Which is where I'd put my kids about now. They are doing it, but it's not easy. But I don't know if it is more difficult.
I have attained the American dream of owning my own home, I've started my own business. I'm able to help my kids a bit. I think I've attained at least what my father did. And from what I've read recently, my generation might be the last to do this.
I do know how hard Patti and I worked. We did without a lot of things many around us acquired. And I think that might be part of the problem. So much of what my kids want is viewed as necessary, not optional. And they will step beyond good sense to reach what they think is their due. Internet access, cell phone/blackberry with unlimited texting, DVR's, Abercrombie hoodies, $150.00 jeans, full-on gaming system with wii!.
Makes me wonder if it's truly harder or that we've set our reach beyond our grasp. Subtle change, but what we found to be essential isn't the same as the next generation. And perhaps, we've set ourselves up to want what we do not need and cannot reasonably afford. How can we not end up either disappointed or unsatisfied?
m.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Oscars
Patti and I love movies. We have amassed quite the DVD collection over the years and we watch our movies in alphabetical order. I know that sounds anal, but it has worked out to be a really cool way to watch the movies without all the debating over 'what do you feel like watching'.
We tend to like movies that are different, Patti gravitates toward what I describe as 'Twisted Human Wreckage' movies. Which brings me to the Oscars this year.
Now I don't care if they have a show or not, and I know there is a lot of politics, probably payola and a lot of 'campaigning' to get the nominations and the awards. All that aside, we've actually seen 3 of the 5 best picture nominees.
No Country for Old Men - is an absolutely amazingly dark crime movie from the Cohen Brothers. Javiar Bardem is chilling as the bad guy (and nearly everyone is at least not a 'good guy'). He's as good a boogeyman as any ever in film. The movie is based on a book by Cormac McCarthy (who is also brilliant - read 'All the Pretty Horses' one of the best books I've read in decades) and the Cohen bros. do him proud. This is my pick for best pic, I'd like the Cohen's to win for director but...
There Will Be Blood - This is a Tour de Force performance by Daniel Day Lewis. The story is solid and satisfying, but this is a performance movie and he is effing brilliant. I saw the movie tuesday and I'm still thinking about it. Paul Thomas Anderson has made some of the best movies over the last 10 years, this has the narrative and performances to possibly bring this guy to the masses. Best actor for Lewis, best director for PT Anderson.
Michael Clayton - Really good, but not in the class of the previous movies. Everyone is great in this movie - Clooney, Swinton, and Wilkinson are all first rate. This is a grown ups movie and really a good time. Definitely worth seeing.
We're going to try to see Juno, which I kinda peg as this years Little Miss Sunshine.
If you like challenging, dark movies, any of the three fit the bill. I think No Country and There Will be Blood will be talked about for years!
m.
We tend to like movies that are different, Patti gravitates toward what I describe as 'Twisted Human Wreckage' movies. Which brings me to the Oscars this year.
Now I don't care if they have a show or not, and I know there is a lot of politics, probably payola and a lot of 'campaigning' to get the nominations and the awards. All that aside, we've actually seen 3 of the 5 best picture nominees.
No Country for Old Men - is an absolutely amazingly dark crime movie from the Cohen Brothers. Javiar Bardem is chilling as the bad guy (and nearly everyone is at least not a 'good guy'). He's as good a boogeyman as any ever in film. The movie is based on a book by Cormac McCarthy (who is also brilliant - read 'All the Pretty Horses' one of the best books I've read in decades) and the Cohen bros. do him proud. This is my pick for best pic, I'd like the Cohen's to win for director but...
There Will Be Blood - This is a Tour de Force performance by Daniel Day Lewis. The story is solid and satisfying, but this is a performance movie and he is effing brilliant. I saw the movie tuesday and I'm still thinking about it. Paul Thomas Anderson has made some of the best movies over the last 10 years, this has the narrative and performances to possibly bring this guy to the masses. Best actor for Lewis, best director for PT Anderson.
Michael Clayton - Really good, but not in the class of the previous movies. Everyone is great in this movie - Clooney, Swinton, and Wilkinson are all first rate. This is a grown ups movie and really a good time. Definitely worth seeing.
We're going to try to see Juno, which I kinda peg as this years Little Miss Sunshine.
If you like challenging, dark movies, any of the three fit the bill. I think No Country and There Will be Blood will be talked about for years!
m.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
This working life
I don't know how you feel about it, but I've been working (for other people) full time since I was 20 years old. That means for nearly 28 years (holy shit!) I've been making other people rich.
And I've seen it first hand. My longest tenured position was 18 years with the same company. I was employee 4. The biz grew and grew making the owner a millionaire. (Probably several times over) And, ya know, I was paid pretty well throughout and my family was well taken care of, so I'm not complaining.
However, I think I worked just as hard (and for the last 8 - 10 years the owner hardly showed up) and he's got millions and I've got a bit of a 401k.
After I left that company experience I was changed. I now don't look at my work life in quite the same way. When I was younger, I gave blood for my job. Losta hours, lotsa personal investment, NO EQUITY!!!
I want to build something of my own. I want to control my own work destiny. I have started a little business, and although it will not likely grow to replace my current income as a software developer, it could be a nice 'retirement income'. I read a book about 'lifestyle entrepreneurship', and what the gist of it is, is that a lot of people build a business, not to be the next MicroSoft, but to be financially independent. Obviously, this means different things to different people.
I don't want to be a bazillionaire, at least I'm not setting out to be. I'd like to be my own thing, where a decision made in another state, by people I don't even know (or who know me) can throw my world into chaos. People travel from different countries just to do what I am doing now after nearly 48 years on the planet.
There are days that go by with no sales and little activity, but things are definitely moving in the right direction and I'm starting to dream a little.
And it's a nice dream!
m.
And I've seen it first hand. My longest tenured position was 18 years with the same company. I was employee 4. The biz grew and grew making the owner a millionaire. (Probably several times over) And, ya know, I was paid pretty well throughout and my family was well taken care of, so I'm not complaining.
However, I think I worked just as hard (and for the last 8 - 10 years the owner hardly showed up) and he's got millions and I've got a bit of a 401k.
After I left that company experience I was changed. I now don't look at my work life in quite the same way. When I was younger, I gave blood for my job. Losta hours, lotsa personal investment, NO EQUITY!!!
I want to build something of my own. I want to control my own work destiny. I have started a little business, and although it will not likely grow to replace my current income as a software developer, it could be a nice 'retirement income'. I read a book about 'lifestyle entrepreneurship', and what the gist of it is, is that a lot of people build a business, not to be the next MicroSoft, but to be financially independent. Obviously, this means different things to different people.
I don't want to be a bazillionaire, at least I'm not setting out to be. I'd like to be my own thing, where a decision made in another state, by people I don't even know (or who know me) can throw my world into chaos. People travel from different countries just to do what I am doing now after nearly 48 years on the planet.
There are days that go by with no sales and little activity, but things are definitely moving in the right direction and I'm starting to dream a little.
And it's a nice dream!
m.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Holy Crap it's cold!!!
Man, oh man, is it cold!!!! I'm ok with winter, the snow really doesn't bother me, but single digit cold weather is a drag. We get about a week or so of really bitterly cold days a winter here in sunny Buffalo, and although this will only last a few days it's pretty brutal.
The snow crunches under your feet and it really is pretty uncomfortable to be out there any length of time.
It was -4 at the Packers game. -4!!!??? If you ever needed a reason to eat the ticket and stay home and watch the game on your big screen, this was it. I'm not a huge football fan, so I don't even know the coaches name for the NY Giants, but I was worried about him. His face looked like a shiny beet by the end of the game. (And he's no youngin')
We moved the desk into our new 'office' newly vacated by my son's moving out. Very cool to have a dedicated room (instead of an area) for all the house biz. We have some new bookshelves, our filing cabinet, the desk and even a little sitting area with two chairs. It needs stuff on the walls, we've got to pick up a couple of frames, but it's really coming along nicely.
My wife just loves re-arranging the house, and she really does have her own sense of style about it. I don't always know where she's going with stuff, but when it's all done, it looks good. And the coolest part is the rooms feel good. Like somewhere you'd like to sit. I don't know if it's Feng Sui or what, but it's pretty cool...
Have a great monday, y'all...
m.
The snow crunches under your feet and it really is pretty uncomfortable to be out there any length of time.
It was -4 at the Packers game. -4!!!??? If you ever needed a reason to eat the ticket and stay home and watch the game on your big screen, this was it. I'm not a huge football fan, so I don't even know the coaches name for the NY Giants, but I was worried about him. His face looked like a shiny beet by the end of the game. (And he's no youngin')
We moved the desk into our new 'office' newly vacated by my son's moving out. Very cool to have a dedicated room (instead of an area) for all the house biz. We have some new bookshelves, our filing cabinet, the desk and even a little sitting area with two chairs. It needs stuff on the walls, we've got to pick up a couple of frames, but it's really coming along nicely.
My wife just loves re-arranging the house, and she really does have her own sense of style about it. I don't always know where she's going with stuff, but when it's all done, it looks good. And the coolest part is the rooms feel good. Like somewhere you'd like to sit. I don't know if it's Feng Sui or what, but it's pretty cool...
Have a great monday, y'all...
m.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Spring Cleaning starting early
Well, another one bites the dust.
My son (#2) is getting married in June to a delightful girl. She's a peach and will be a great asset to him. They are perfect for each other, they both have similar interests and they compliment each other very well.
Well my future daughter-in-law and my son have got themselves an apartment. This, of course, will be the young marrieds new residence.
So last week my son cleared out his room and most of his stuff. So over the weekend I re-painted his old room, which will become the 'guest bedroom'. Last night Patti and I moved all the furniture into the new room. It really turned out nice. It looks very welcoming, and if we had better dressers, it would almost look like a bed and breakfast room.
Now the fun part. Moving the 'office' which here to for has been in a corner of the living room, up to the newly vacated room! Which is pretty exciting (I know, I've got to get out more!) It will be really nice to have the office on the second floor, and re-claim the living room.
So tonight I've got to saddle up (and limber up) for the great furniture re-arranging.
So another leaves the nest and we've effectively re-claimed the area for ourselves. I don't think I'm supposed to be happy about the empty-nest thing, but Patti and I have always had kids around. We never were just us!
So now, with the only kid in graduate school, away from home, we're effectively alone for the first time in 25 years!!! Kinda neat!!
m.
My son (#2) is getting married in June to a delightful girl. She's a peach and will be a great asset to him. They are perfect for each other, they both have similar interests and they compliment each other very well.
Well my future daughter-in-law and my son have got themselves an apartment. This, of course, will be the young marrieds new residence.
So last week my son cleared out his room and most of his stuff. So over the weekend I re-painted his old room, which will become the 'guest bedroom'. Last night Patti and I moved all the furniture into the new room. It really turned out nice. It looks very welcoming, and if we had better dressers, it would almost look like a bed and breakfast room.
Now the fun part. Moving the 'office' which here to for has been in a corner of the living room, up to the newly vacated room! Which is pretty exciting (I know, I've got to get out more!) It will be really nice to have the office on the second floor, and re-claim the living room.
So tonight I've got to saddle up (and limber up) for the great furniture re-arranging.
So another leaves the nest and we've effectively re-claimed the area for ourselves. I don't think I'm supposed to be happy about the empty-nest thing, but Patti and I have always had kids around. We never were just us!
So now, with the only kid in graduate school, away from home, we're effectively alone for the first time in 25 years!!! Kinda neat!!
m.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
White coat
I didn't know what a white coat ceremony was (really) before this weekend. Daughter #3 is in graduate school and survived her first semester (3.0 thank you very much) of Pharmacy Graduate school. (It takes 8 years total, 4 years undergrad, 3 years study, 1 year internship)
To kick off the semester they had a 'White Coat Ceremony'. She goes to school about an 1 1/2 hour drive away from home, but my Daughter #2 and her husband, Daughter #3's boyfriend, Son #2 and his fiance and Grandson #3, all made the trek on Sunday.
The ceremony was very nice, and what I didn't know is that this was a rite of passage of sorts for my daughter. Speakers spoke about being in the class that got white coated when they were in school.
So we all piled into the auditorium and one by one the students were called up on stage and the dean of the school of pharmacy would put the coat on them. It was very cool. So now my daughter has her lab/pharmacist coat with her name stitched on the front in red. Then all the students faced the crowd and recited an oath.
Afterward there was a reception with finger foods and wine and cheese. That was pretty nice too, got to meet some of Daughter #3's professors. Then we all went back to our daughter's one bedroom apartment for pizza and beer! (and watched the football playoffs)
It was a very loud, but very cool night - I don't think anyone slept that well, we were stacked up like cord wood. But it was an awesome family time.
The cool thing that occurred to me was how proud (I know I've said this before) I am not just of Daughter #3, but of all my kids. It was great fun hanging out with all of them over a very special occasion.
m.
To kick off the semester they had a 'White Coat Ceremony'. She goes to school about an 1 1/2 hour drive away from home, but my Daughter #2 and her husband, Daughter #3's boyfriend, Son #2 and his fiance and Grandson #3, all made the trek on Sunday.
The ceremony was very nice, and what I didn't know is that this was a rite of passage of sorts for my daughter. Speakers spoke about being in the class that got white coated when they were in school.
So we all piled into the auditorium and one by one the students were called up on stage and the dean of the school of pharmacy would put the coat on them. It was very cool. So now my daughter has her lab/pharmacist coat with her name stitched on the front in red. Then all the students faced the crowd and recited an oath.
Afterward there was a reception with finger foods and wine and cheese. That was pretty nice too, got to meet some of Daughter #3's professors. Then we all went back to our daughter's one bedroom apartment for pizza and beer! (and watched the football playoffs)
It was a very loud, but very cool night - I don't think anyone slept that well, we were stacked up like cord wood. But it was an awesome family time.
The cool thing that occurred to me was how proud (I know I've said this before) I am not just of Daughter #3, but of all my kids. It was great fun hanging out with all of them over a very special occasion.
m.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Their own voice
Patti and I got into a discussion about music and artists that have developed their own voice. Not an easy thing to do.
Like in the 90's with the grunge thing, Nirvana and Pearl Jam are huge successes (and I believe had their own thing going) and then for the rest of the 90's a bazillion bands come out that sound like them.
I like the Killers, their 1st CD is pretty solid and Sam's Town wasn't the smash the first one was but it wasn't bad. They sound like themselves. I know they are kinda retro 80's in their sound, but if you hear them - you know it's them. And very few artists achieve that.
U2 - same thing - you KNOW it's them, from the first chord usually!
I keep getting bands like the All American Rejects, Yellowcard etc confused. SSDD, ya know?
So a partial list of bands that are their own thing:
The Rolling Stones
Zep
Pink Floyd
Tom Waits
Leonard Cohen
Dave Matthews (I'm NOT a fan, but hey he's an original)
Depeche Mode
The Clash
Others?
m.
Like in the 90's with the grunge thing, Nirvana and Pearl Jam are huge successes (and I believe had their own thing going) and then for the rest of the 90's a bazillion bands come out that sound like them.
I like the Killers, their 1st CD is pretty solid and Sam's Town wasn't the smash the first one was but it wasn't bad. They sound like themselves. I know they are kinda retro 80's in their sound, but if you hear them - you know it's them. And very few artists achieve that.
U2 - same thing - you KNOW it's them, from the first chord usually!
I keep getting bands like the All American Rejects, Yellowcard etc confused. SSDD, ya know?
So a partial list of bands that are their own thing:
The Rolling Stones
Zep
Pink Floyd
Tom Waits
Leonard Cohen
Dave Matthews (I'm NOT a fan, but hey he's an original)
Depeche Mode
The Clash
Others?
m.
Friday, January 4, 2008
White coat Ceremony
I'd never heard of a 'White coat Ceremony' before. My daughter (#3) successfully completed semester #1 of graduate Pharmacy school, so on Sunday we're going to attend her White coat ceremony. (Maybe it's whitecoat - help me out grammar people!)
Here she will be given her very chic Pharmacy lab coat with her name stitched in to it. Very, very cool.
My son (#2) and his fiance, Daughter #2 and her hubby and grandson #3, Patti and I are all going up to attend the ceremony. Gonna be kinda crowded in the one bedroom apartment. Thank God we're all family. We're gonna be stacked up like cord wood to sleep over!
Dinner with daughter #2 and #3 was terrific. We ate huge plates of seafood, the service was good and the food was very good. I had a surf and turf and it kicked ass. I haven't had a lobster tail in a while and I really enjoyed it. I used to travel to Boston for biz and always scored some kind of lobster dish when I was there, but I've been off the road (thankfully) for several years so I haven't 'lobstered up' in a while. I remember a plate of lobster ravioli in the north end of Boston that I had 15 years ago, geez that was amazing food!
So it should be an interesting weekend and I gotta say I'm looking forward to it!
m.
Here she will be given her very chic Pharmacy lab coat with her name stitched in to it. Very, very cool.
My son (#2) and his fiance, Daughter #2 and her hubby and grandson #3, Patti and I are all going up to attend the ceremony. Gonna be kinda crowded in the one bedroom apartment. Thank God we're all family. We're gonna be stacked up like cord wood to sleep over!
Dinner with daughter #2 and #3 was terrific. We ate huge plates of seafood, the service was good and the food was very good. I had a surf and turf and it kicked ass. I haven't had a lobster tail in a while and I really enjoyed it. I used to travel to Boston for biz and always scored some kind of lobster dish when I was there, but I've been off the road (thankfully) for several years so I haven't 'lobstered up' in a while. I remember a plate of lobster ravioli in the north end of Boston that I had 15 years ago, geez that was amazing food!
So it should be an interesting weekend and I gotta say I'm looking forward to it!
m.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Dinner with my daughters
Tonight is going to be fun!
I'm taking daughter #2 and #3 out to Red Lobster for dinner. Patti doesn't like Red Lobster especially if there are crab legs, lobster and shrimp involved. She thinks they look like bugs! Albeit she has a point. If you took a toddler and placed a lobster or a crab down nearby, they'd likely think it was a huge bug. Patti just can't get by that, she freaks out about bugs in general.
So tonight, Patti is watching grandson (#3 - nearly two years old) and we're going to eat huge plate fulls of bugs!!!
Daughter #3 goes back to Pharmacy school this weekend so it'll be a bit of a send off as well. Both daughters love seafood, so this should be a lot of fun.
As with most parents of adults, we just don't have the time or opportunity to just have a nice night out. Plus the grandkids make it hard for Daughter #2 to get out and do something like this.
I'm really looking forward to tonight, a little white wine and a nice large bug with drawn butter!
mmmmmmmmmm.
m.
I'm taking daughter #2 and #3 out to Red Lobster for dinner. Patti doesn't like Red Lobster especially if there are crab legs, lobster and shrimp involved. She thinks they look like bugs! Albeit she has a point. If you took a toddler and placed a lobster or a crab down nearby, they'd likely think it was a huge bug. Patti just can't get by that, she freaks out about bugs in general.
So tonight, Patti is watching grandson (#3 - nearly two years old) and we're going to eat huge plate fulls of bugs!!!
Daughter #3 goes back to Pharmacy school this weekend so it'll be a bit of a send off as well. Both daughters love seafood, so this should be a lot of fun.
As with most parents of adults, we just don't have the time or opportunity to just have a nice night out. Plus the grandkids make it hard for Daughter #2 to get out and do something like this.
I'm really looking forward to tonight, a little white wine and a nice large bug with drawn butter!
mmmmmmmmmm.
m.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Winter Classic
Well it's over!
Buffalo (my home town) hosted the 'Winter Classic' yesterday an NHL hockey game played outside at Ralph Wilson Stadium outside of Buffalo.
This was a very big deal for this town. I was offered tickets by my wife's boss and my daughter (#2) asked me if I'd like to go with her. Tickets sold out in like 5 minutes for this thing. Over 70,000 seats! It was the toughest ticket in town.
I just couldn't rationalize sitting out there in the cold all day. And we're talking all day. Buffalonians know how to party. The tailgaters were out bright and early for this one. I even heard they pelted the Penguins team bus with snowballs when they arrived. (Excellent work out there people!) I did watch parts of it, I am a hockey fan.
So Patti and I had the day to ourselves, which was really nice. We went out to breakfast together then I came home and popped a nice little 14.5 lb turkey in the oven for dinner.
So we caught the end of the game while eating a full-on turkey dinner in front of a nice fire.
Now I know, I missed an historical sporting event. But I still think I got the better part of the deal!
This town is a riot when it comes to its sports teams! And I think we looked pretty good on TV, even with all the snow! Did any of you catch the game?
m.
Buffalo (my home town) hosted the 'Winter Classic' yesterday an NHL hockey game played outside at Ralph Wilson Stadium outside of Buffalo.
This was a very big deal for this town. I was offered tickets by my wife's boss and my daughter (#2) asked me if I'd like to go with her. Tickets sold out in like 5 minutes for this thing. Over 70,000 seats! It was the toughest ticket in town.
I just couldn't rationalize sitting out there in the cold all day. And we're talking all day. Buffalonians know how to party. The tailgaters were out bright and early for this one. I even heard they pelted the Penguins team bus with snowballs when they arrived. (Excellent work out there people!) I did watch parts of it, I am a hockey fan.
So Patti and I had the day to ourselves, which was really nice. We went out to breakfast together then I came home and popped a nice little 14.5 lb turkey in the oven for dinner.
So we caught the end of the game while eating a full-on turkey dinner in front of a nice fire.
Now I know, I missed an historical sporting event. But I still think I got the better part of the deal!
This town is a riot when it comes to its sports teams! And I think we looked pretty good on TV, even with all the snow! Did any of you catch the game?
m.
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