1st day back from vacation. Man, I needed some vacation.
It occurred to me that it had been nearly 52 weeks since we had a week off. I was feeling a bit ragged going into vacation, so I guess that explains it. I tend to compartmentalize my work life from my home life, and lately the work life seemed to be my only life.
Vacation helped. We did a lot around the house. Totally re-painted my living room. When we bought our house 5 years ago, we painted the entire 2nd floor where the bedrooms are. Last year we completed the hall and stairs to the second floor and did the dining room. The walls in the entire downstairs were all white. Now, white is ok, but we sure didn't like it. We continued the color scheme from the hall all around the living room. HUGE difference. It doesn't even look the same. We were able for the first time to set up our new Danish Modern living room stuff in the newly painted room. I'll try to post some pics, I've got to hang some pictures and a couple minor things, but it's done!!!!
We did manage to knock off every day by 2 or so in the afternoon, so there was plenty of play time as well. And play we did.
This working for a living thing really cuts into your free time!
m.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
makes ya shake your head....
My son and his new wife arrived back from their honeymoon to discover their apartment had been broken into. Now, as bad as that is, it could have gone much worse. They lost an X-Box, a bunch of games, a laptop (brand new) and a bunch of dvd's. They bad guys crowbar'd the door open.
My son's new mother-in-law was supposed to go and drop off all of the wedding gifts while they were gone, but just didn't get around to it. Thank God for that.
Interestingly, the apartment super had a crew in there replacing windows while they were gone. My son is convinced they saw stuff they wanted, and then one of the crew came back and took what they wanted. Could be, there are cameras all over (it's a high rise 8 floors with bunches of apartments on each floor), and the owner says they've got nothing on camera.
Fortunately, my son has a friend in the police force and he's looking out to see if they can get something done. I've gotten robbed once, never heard another thing from the police. And I get that, I mean, my stuff is small potatoes in the big picture. Still sucks though.
It seems to me these days that evil flourishes. Nice guys finish last.
So where does that leave the good people? Are we just to be fodder for the evil do-ers? Or, do we turn in to the back stabbing pricks that seem to have it all their way these days? It makes me feel impotent, and a bit foolish, to expect people to behave in a civilized manner anymore.
There is no accountability (I really hate that word, but it fits).
Seems to me people do whatever they 'need' to do to get what they want - illegal, immoral or otherwise, and there is no justice, no comeuppance. There is no Kharma, evil wins.
Recent example from my home town. A principal of a high school here illegally suspended a senior for nearly two months, without true cause. (there were allegations that she wore a hoody to school and used her cell phone while at school) There was media coverage, special investigations, board meetings both public and private. This principal has a history of running that school like her own little fiefdom, running teachers right out of the school if she had a mind to.
After months of investigations, the principal was found to be 'in the wrong', but because of protection from the union and the district, was not disciplined. At all. Nothing.
So what is the moral of that story?
Look, I know I'm being a real bummer here, but how are we to teach our children and young people (or grown ups if you can find one) the right thing to do , when the wrong thing will get you farther? How do we teach that doing wrong - IS wrong - when they get exactly the results they want without any consequence?
(Hey, OJ how's that golf game? Hey Enron execs, how your villa in Florence doing?)
I know I can be a cynical prick sometimes (really I do), but I want so badly to believe in the goodness of people, despite the evidence to the contrary. I try to do the right thing, and even if lying, cheating, stealing could get me what I want, I couldn't live with myself. (Lord knows I'm not perfect, but I'm tryin')
So, there it is.
Maybe it's just me.
Maybe I just have an overdeveloped sense of justice,
Maybe I'm out of touch.
Could be.
Still feels wrong to me and I don't know what to do with it.
m.
My son's new mother-in-law was supposed to go and drop off all of the wedding gifts while they were gone, but just didn't get around to it. Thank God for that.
Interestingly, the apartment super had a crew in there replacing windows while they were gone. My son is convinced they saw stuff they wanted, and then one of the crew came back and took what they wanted. Could be, there are cameras all over (it's a high rise 8 floors with bunches of apartments on each floor), and the owner says they've got nothing on camera.
Fortunately, my son has a friend in the police force and he's looking out to see if they can get something done. I've gotten robbed once, never heard another thing from the police. And I get that, I mean, my stuff is small potatoes in the big picture. Still sucks though.
It seems to me these days that evil flourishes. Nice guys finish last.
So where does that leave the good people? Are we just to be fodder for the evil do-ers? Or, do we turn in to the back stabbing pricks that seem to have it all their way these days? It makes me feel impotent, and a bit foolish, to expect people to behave in a civilized manner anymore.
There is no accountability (I really hate that word, but it fits).
Seems to me people do whatever they 'need' to do to get what they want - illegal, immoral or otherwise, and there is no justice, no comeuppance. There is no Kharma, evil wins.
Recent example from my home town. A principal of a high school here illegally suspended a senior for nearly two months, without true cause. (there were allegations that she wore a hoody to school and used her cell phone while at school) There was media coverage, special investigations, board meetings both public and private. This principal has a history of running that school like her own little fiefdom, running teachers right out of the school if she had a mind to.
After months of investigations, the principal was found to be 'in the wrong', but because of protection from the union and the district, was not disciplined. At all. Nothing.
So what is the moral of that story?
Look, I know I'm being a real bummer here, but how are we to teach our children and young people (or grown ups if you can find one) the right thing to do , when the wrong thing will get you farther? How do we teach that doing wrong - IS wrong - when they get exactly the results they want without any consequence?
(Hey, OJ how's that golf game? Hey Enron execs, how your villa in Florence doing?)
I know I can be a cynical prick sometimes (really I do), but I want so badly to believe in the goodness of people, despite the evidence to the contrary. I try to do the right thing, and even if lying, cheating, stealing could get me what I want, I couldn't live with myself. (Lord knows I'm not perfect, but I'm tryin')
So, there it is.
Maybe it's just me.
Maybe I just have an overdeveloped sense of justice,
Maybe I'm out of touch.
Could be.
Still feels wrong to me and I don't know what to do with it.
m.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Ouch!
Well, the plumbing adventure continues...
I've got the quotes on what we need done and man, it's a LOT of money.
Phase one, broken drain in the floor. This only handles the kitchen sink and the stationary tub/washer. They were snaking the drain and hit dirt! Bad sign that. Anyhow, the boys from the plumber's were in yesterday and here's where we're at.
Big pile of kinda stinky dirt in the middle of the floor, and partially completed repair. Things kinda snowballed on the guys (Adrian and Morgan - really good guys), and they couldn't finish.
The good news is we still could shower, use the toilets (whew!), just no kitchen sink, and no laundry. They're supposed to be here at 9 to finish the job, then I've got one heck of a cleanup ahead.
That's the cheaper job. Phase 2 is replacing the sewer from the stack to the vent in the yard. HOLY SHIT that's expensive.
I'm still reeling a bit...
On the good side, one more week of work after today and vacation!!!! (do the vacation dance wherever you are!)
Man, I need that. So does Patti. We're doing veranda beach and I'm thrilled about it. We're going to paint our living room, and really kept it pretty open ended from there.
And that's nice in a way too. We've had a lot of vacations (especially when the kids were small) where we came home more exhausted than when we left!
I'm really looking forward to a whole week with Patti, just hanging out, drinking wine and chasing each other 'round the house!
Have a good one and may the plumbing gods look kindly on you!
m.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
miscellany
I heard from my son on his honeymoon. (is that weird?) He called me to let me know they are there ok and give me an update on how amazingly cool the cruise ship is, and get my Dad's number in Florida so they can visit after the cruise. They'll be snorkeling, dolphin swimming, rock climbing and roller blading. I was exhausted just listening to the itinerary.
The wedding went very, very well. The kids looked really, really happy. The wedding was at 11 with a reception immediately following. Which was amazing. I hate when there are hours in between. We were home by 4:30 and the kids boarded a plane at 6:45 to begin their honeymoon.
Really very well done, the kids handled themselves with great grace and I was so very proud of both of them.
Another cool thing. I saw my 2 year old grandson out on the dance floor. He did the cha-cha slide with his mom. It was effing priceless. YMCA was great too. He was stomping, jumping and raising his hands it was brilliant.
Had some plumbing fun yesterday. And things snowballed from there. Right now we're facing the breaking up of our basement floor, replacement of a floor drain and a broken pipe, and the re-doing of our sewer run to the street. I'm waiting on the estimate, this is gonna hurt!
Pants. Does that denote the whole garment? Or just a leg's worth. If you need a new 'pair' of pants it describes both legs right? There is a 'pant leg', is that half of pants? Just curious.
Thongs. I love 'em, Patti hates 'em. I don't know what I like better. The look of them, or the thought of them under a garment. Just sayin'.
Hail, Hail the long weekend baby!
m.
The wedding went very, very well. The kids looked really, really happy. The wedding was at 11 with a reception immediately following. Which was amazing. I hate when there are hours in between. We were home by 4:30 and the kids boarded a plane at 6:45 to begin their honeymoon.
Really very well done, the kids handled themselves with great grace and I was so very proud of both of them.
Another cool thing. I saw my 2 year old grandson out on the dance floor. He did the cha-cha slide with his mom. It was effing priceless. YMCA was great too. He was stomping, jumping and raising his hands it was brilliant.
Had some plumbing fun yesterday. And things snowballed from there. Right now we're facing the breaking up of our basement floor, replacement of a floor drain and a broken pipe, and the re-doing of our sewer run to the street. I'm waiting on the estimate, this is gonna hurt!
Pants. Does that denote the whole garment? Or just a leg's worth. If you need a new 'pair' of pants it describes both legs right? There is a 'pant leg', is that half of pants? Just curious.
Thongs. I love 'em, Patti hates 'em. I don't know what I like better. The look of them, or the thought of them under a garment. Just sayin'.
Hail, Hail the long weekend baby!
m.
Friday, June 27, 2008
tick tock
Getting down to it. My son's wedding is tomorrow at 11 am.
Rehearsal and dinner tonight.
I saw son #2 last night and he's calm and collected. Doing a lot of last minute running around for the honeymoon etc.
I really feel good about this one. I'm sure everyone has been to a wedding where it's 'oh boy, I hope they're gonna be ok'. I know I have. And that's probably not very generous, but hey, it's the truth. Patti and I heard through the grapevine that we were given the obligatory 6 months. (23 + years later, HA!).
These two are a good match. And all of the cliches apply. I am gaining another daughter. I really like my (future) daughter in law and I feel she is going to make son #2 a better man. I believe in marriage and I know how the love of a good woman can make all the difference. She's strong where he's not and I think as long as he's listening, she will be a great help to him in his life and career.
Women see the world differently, they see plots and sub-plots of the world in situations that are somehow not obvious to men. That perspective has been a boon to me throughout my married life, and I'm often discussing stuff with Patti to hear what she thinks in just about every situation.
I know this because I lived it. I'm a better man today because of Patti. I can't imagine how different my life would be if she wasn't in it.
And I hold that hope for my son and his new wife.
m.
Rehearsal and dinner tonight.
I saw son #2 last night and he's calm and collected. Doing a lot of last minute running around for the honeymoon etc.
I really feel good about this one. I'm sure everyone has been to a wedding where it's 'oh boy, I hope they're gonna be ok'. I know I have. And that's probably not very generous, but hey, it's the truth. Patti and I heard through the grapevine that we were given the obligatory 6 months. (23 + years later, HA!).
These two are a good match. And all of the cliches apply. I am gaining another daughter. I really like my (future) daughter in law and I feel she is going to make son #2 a better man. I believe in marriage and I know how the love of a good woman can make all the difference. She's strong where he's not and I think as long as he's listening, she will be a great help to him in his life and career.
Women see the world differently, they see plots and sub-plots of the world in situations that are somehow not obvious to men. That perspective has been a boon to me throughout my married life, and I'm often discussing stuff with Patti to hear what she thinks in just about every situation.
I know this because I lived it. I'm a better man today because of Patti. I can't imagine how different my life would be if she wasn't in it.
And I hold that hope for my son and his new wife.
m.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Wedding March
Getting down to it. Son number two gets married next weekend.
The shower, stag and stagette (?) have come and gone. Today I have to go and get fitted for my tux. Tonight, Patti and I are going out looking at dresses. This mother of the bride stuff is a lot of pressure for Patti. She's not a 'girly' girl, if you know what I mean. She understands the social expectations, but she's doesn't really doesn't respond well to that sort of thing.
I don't either, for that matter. We both tend to view social obligations as a royal PITA. I mean, I got off easy with the tux. They even picked the shoes. We guys really do have it easier. With guys, it's like a uniform. A suit, a tux, a sport coat. Done. It's a LOT more complicated for Patti.
So it translates into a measurable amount of stress. So we'll do the thing and see what happens. When son #1 got married, we actually found 2 dresses that she liked. (it was like a freakin' miracle) Not to mention, shoes, accessories, undergarments for the chosen dress...
bleh...
Patti is a small women (we're like a miniature family - everyone is there - just smaller) and although she turns 50 this year, you'd never know it. Patti used to color her hair, now there is quite a bit of grey, but still she looks much younger. She looks fabulous. But there is the standard measure of female insecurity there too.
So, my part in this is somewhat delicate. I will have to navigate the 'does this make me look fat' conversations with great diplomacy. It's strange how even very attractive women get caught up in all that, and it can be a bit of a mine field for us guys - I would never want to hurt her feelings over a stupid dress that she'll probably wear once. For example, the dress just doesn't look good on her. Maybe it's the cut, the color, whatever. There's the rub. Communicate that carefully, my friends.
And the irony in all of it is that she has excellent taste and whatever she eventually buys will be flattering and tasteful for the occasion.
geez, this IS a PITA...
m.
The shower, stag and stagette (?) have come and gone. Today I have to go and get fitted for my tux. Tonight, Patti and I are going out looking at dresses. This mother of the bride stuff is a lot of pressure for Patti. She's not a 'girly' girl, if you know what I mean. She understands the social expectations, but she's doesn't really doesn't respond well to that sort of thing.
I don't either, for that matter. We both tend to view social obligations as a royal PITA. I mean, I got off easy with the tux. They even picked the shoes. We guys really do have it easier. With guys, it's like a uniform. A suit, a tux, a sport coat. Done. It's a LOT more complicated for Patti.
So it translates into a measurable amount of stress. So we'll do the thing and see what happens. When son #1 got married, we actually found 2 dresses that she liked. (it was like a freakin' miracle) Not to mention, shoes, accessories, undergarments for the chosen dress...
bleh...
Patti is a small women (we're like a miniature family - everyone is there - just smaller) and although she turns 50 this year, you'd never know it. Patti used to color her hair, now there is quite a bit of grey, but still she looks much younger. She looks fabulous. But there is the standard measure of female insecurity there too.
So, my part in this is somewhat delicate. I will have to navigate the 'does this make me look fat' conversations with great diplomacy. It's strange how even very attractive women get caught up in all that, and it can be a bit of a mine field for us guys - I would never want to hurt her feelings over a stupid dress that she'll probably wear once. For example, the dress just doesn't look good on her. Maybe it's the cut, the color, whatever. There's the rub. Communicate that carefully, my friends.
And the irony in all of it is that she has excellent taste and whatever she eventually buys will be flattering and tasteful for the occasion.
geez, this IS a PITA...
m.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Father's Day
Father's day started pretty early for me on Sunday.
We were watching grandson #3, and everything was going swimmingly. We had an excellent day with the boy and got him to bed without incident.
Then, things got weird.
About 12:30 am or so, he fell out of his bed. He's two years old and a couple of months and we have this toddler bed that fits him just fine. It's only a foot and a half off of the floor. Well, when he fell he landed right on his face. He cut his face just under his lip. At first, I thought he had driven his teeth right through, but he just tore up the inside of his lip pretty good and I was able to get the bleeding to stop. Poor kid looks like Jake Lamotta now though. Ok, Jake Lamotta with Pamela Anderson's lips!
He took a bit to settle down, and we were feeling like awful grandparents. Anyhow, we're just getting back to sleep and there was a crash of glass breaking.
It was hard to figure if it was inside or outside of the house. I ran downstairs and went out to the porch where I saw a car had jumped the curb, plowed a chunk of my lawn up and took out a sign. He was in the process of backing back onto the street, which he managed, but when he tried to leave, his front bumper was dragging under the car. So he did what we all of us would have done, he got out of the car, ripped the bumper from the car and threw it on my lawn and drove away.
This was about 1:30 am. So I went outside and checked things out. He'd left his grille, some headlights, lots of busted stuff and the bumper.
So I called 911 and let them know what had just happened. They asked if I had a description of the guy and I did, but really it wasn't much to go on. Then they asked if I got the license plate. Well, I did. It was still attached to the front bumper!!! The dispatcher said 'that'll make it easy to find him' and laughed. What a dumbass...
They told me to just wait and they'd send a cruiser over. About 1 1/2 hours later two female officers arrived and we did the report and they told me I could clean everything up.
So I cleaned up all the car parts, grass and dirt from my front lawn. I got to bed about 4 am.
I did manage a nap after my son in law picked up the boy, but I never really felt all that together for the rest of the day. The kids stopped by and wished me a Happy Father's day and Patti and I had a nice evening together.
Certainly, not your average Father's day!
m.
We were watching grandson #3, and everything was going swimmingly. We had an excellent day with the boy and got him to bed without incident.
Then, things got weird.
About 12:30 am or so, he fell out of his bed. He's two years old and a couple of months and we have this toddler bed that fits him just fine. It's only a foot and a half off of the floor. Well, when he fell he landed right on his face. He cut his face just under his lip. At first, I thought he had driven his teeth right through, but he just tore up the inside of his lip pretty good and I was able to get the bleeding to stop. Poor kid looks like Jake Lamotta now though. Ok, Jake Lamotta with Pamela Anderson's lips!
He took a bit to settle down, and we were feeling like awful grandparents. Anyhow, we're just getting back to sleep and there was a crash of glass breaking.
It was hard to figure if it was inside or outside of the house. I ran downstairs and went out to the porch where I saw a car had jumped the curb, plowed a chunk of my lawn up and took out a sign. He was in the process of backing back onto the street, which he managed, but when he tried to leave, his front bumper was dragging under the car. So he did what we all of us would have done, he got out of the car, ripped the bumper from the car and threw it on my lawn and drove away.
This was about 1:30 am. So I went outside and checked things out. He'd left his grille, some headlights, lots of busted stuff and the bumper.
So I called 911 and let them know what had just happened. They asked if I had a description of the guy and I did, but really it wasn't much to go on. Then they asked if I got the license plate. Well, I did. It was still attached to the front bumper!!! The dispatcher said 'that'll make it easy to find him' and laughed. What a dumbass...
They told me to just wait and they'd send a cruiser over. About 1 1/2 hours later two female officers arrived and we did the report and they told me I could clean everything up.
So I cleaned up all the car parts, grass and dirt from my front lawn. I got to bed about 4 am.
I did manage a nap after my son in law picked up the boy, but I never really felt all that together for the rest of the day. The kids stopped by and wished me a Happy Father's day and Patti and I had a nice evening together.
Certainly, not your average Father's day!
m.
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