This is one of my personal favorite songs by Godsmack.
Listen to that groove at 2:40! SO NICE and tight between the guitar and drummer Shannon Larkin...
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Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Just Another "Oh MY! I'm SO BUSY" type post...
Today came and went. I spent a couple of hours doing my contract work, then we went to 11 AM Mass. I played drums with the high school group and that was a lot of fun. I like to play drums for them because there is a nice vocal performance in my ears when I play. It gives me more energy, in a way, to play with them. I liked the set list of songs and that makes Mass even better.
After Mass, we went to eat. The four of us had the brunch and it was an early indication of what our restaurant bills will look like as the kids exit being on the kids menu and instead are the same price as Karen and I. Not a big deal; just kind of something I thought about.
After breakfast, Megan took us for a drive that included a few miles on I-80. Some chick with a New York license plate didn't like the way Megan entered the interstate and honked her horn at us. Karen was in the front seat for this little excursion.
When we got home, our former neighbor Dave called. He had brought a giant TV from Kansas City to North Liberty and needed help carrying it down the steps. We visited for awhile after that and then returned home.
At home, we putzed around. I was going to watch TV but it didn't seem like there was any time because the next thing I knew, it was time to go to Alex's basketball practice.
When we got home from that, we had supper, played a game of rummy, and then I came down here to write about my day.
This coming week is busy but more on that as the week unfolds.
After Mass, we went to eat. The four of us had the brunch and it was an early indication of what our restaurant bills will look like as the kids exit being on the kids menu and instead are the same price as Karen and I. Not a big deal; just kind of something I thought about.
After breakfast, Megan took us for a drive that included a few miles on I-80. Some chick with a New York license plate didn't like the way Megan entered the interstate and honked her horn at us. Karen was in the front seat for this little excursion.
When we got home, our former neighbor Dave called. He had brought a giant TV from Kansas City to North Liberty and needed help carrying it down the steps. We visited for awhile after that and then returned home.
At home, we putzed around. I was going to watch TV but it didn't seem like there was any time because the next thing I knew, it was time to go to Alex's basketball practice.
When we got home from that, we had supper, played a game of rummy, and then I came down here to write about my day.
This coming week is busy but more on that as the week unfolds.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
A Week... Really?
Has it been a week since I sat down here in the den and wrote about life? It's crazy when I put it to myself in that way.
This was the week of band concerts. Megan had her concert band performance on Tuesday, Alex had his concert band performance on Thursday, and Megan had her jazz band performance last night. There is a renewed interest in insisting the kids practice their instruments. New rule: practice 5 out of 7 days a week with the week starting on Saturday. Kids just don't become musicians with a 1/2 hour of a lesson a week. Time has to be invested.
I wish, in some ways, I had that sort of oversight when I was younger. I took snare drum lessons (and then drumset lessons) for years and I never practiced. I wanted to be Peter Criss (KISS) or Liberty DeVito (Billy Joel) but I did not want to put the time into it.
I hope I can teach my kids to want it.
And my comment about having a repairman look @ the dryer? Didn't happen. Our new washer/dryer should be in our house in no less than 3 hours.
This was the week of band concerts. Megan had her concert band performance on Tuesday, Alex had his concert band performance on Thursday, and Megan had her jazz band performance last night. There is a renewed interest in insisting the kids practice their instruments. New rule: practice 5 out of 7 days a week with the week starting on Saturday. Kids just don't become musicians with a 1/2 hour of a lesson a week. Time has to be invested.
I wish, in some ways, I had that sort of oversight when I was younger. I took snare drum lessons (and then drumset lessons) for years and I never practiced. I wanted to be Peter Criss (KISS) or Liberty DeVito (Billy Joel) but I did not want to put the time into it.
I hope I can teach my kids to want it.
And my comment about having a repairman look @ the dryer? Didn't happen. Our new washer/dryer should be in our house in no less than 3 hours.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Done Deal
What a long and eventful day... but it doesn't feel like I did much.
First, went to Shueyville to turn our taxes in to our tax lady.
Second, drove to see my mom in the nursing home.
Third, visited my dad and got his laptop to access the internet with AOL dial-up. GAG!
Fourth, saw the latest Harry Potter movie.
Fifth, stopped at 1/2 Price Books and got MASH Season 2 on DVD and Metallica's Death Magnetic both for under $12.
Sixth, drove home and went to 5:15 Mass.
Seventh, bought a new washer and dryer @ Sears.
Eighth, ate supper at Chilli's.
Ninth, listened to the new Bayside.
Tenth, found out that Emily's graduation party may not be on 5/21 so it's possible I may be able to see Bayside in Des Moines on 5/21. That would rock my world...
Eleventh, watched this video
First, went to Shueyville to turn our taxes in to our tax lady.
Second, drove to see my mom in the nursing home.
Third, visited my dad and got his laptop to access the internet with AOL dial-up. GAG!
Fourth, saw the latest Harry Potter movie.
Fifth, stopped at 1/2 Price Books and got MASH Season 2 on DVD and Metallica's Death Magnetic both for under $12.
Sixth, drove home and went to 5:15 Mass.
Seventh, bought a new washer and dryer @ Sears.
Eighth, ate supper at Chilli's.
Ninth, listened to the new Bayside.
Tenth, found out that Emily's graduation party may not be on 5/21 so it's possible I may be able to see Bayside in Des Moines on 5/21. That would rock my world...
Eleventh, watched this video
The Night
Sometimes, I just do not like the night. You go to bed and the world makes sense and you wake up to chaos.
I went to bed ~10:00 last night, maybe a bit later. Karen was watching "Say Yes to the Dress" and a new "Four Weddings" was going to be on after that. I have zero interest in either show. I went and laid down in bed. The next thing I know, it's 7:15 AM. Karen says, "Guess what? The dryer doesn't heat up."
The dryer for all I know worked when I went to bed. Strike one for the world not making sense.
I get up and walk by the living room. Megan is on the couch watching TV. She says to me, "I can't hear out of my left ear."
Her ear for all I know worked when I went to bed. Strike two for the world not making sense.
I go downstairs to the den. At this point I'm thinking this is all a crazy coincidence and some new Bayside will put life back on the right track. New Bayside? Why yes. Yesterday, I made contact with Bayside's new record label and received a promo of Bayside's new release! I can listen to it by streaming, a technology I am not all that familiar with, but it was purely awesome. I listened to some of the songs yesterday. Bet you know where this is going. The link to the promo location worked fine. I even emailed my editor and asked about running a 'day of release' review on Tuesday. Sure, send a review by Sunday and we'll run it. I fire up my PC, click the link (that worked yesterday) and "ERROR! Cannot read server."
What the hell.
I tried it on a separate PC and nope. Broken.
There it is. I went to bed last night with all of the above things in life making sense and during my restful sleep - I was tired obviously - I did not have anything to do with anything breaking or suddenly not working. Yet, I wake up to chaos and uncertainty.
We'll probably call a repair guy to look @ the dryer on Monday. Megan's ear will hopefully clear up without a visit to the doctor. The link to the promo will hopefully be rsolved soon.
I went to bed ~10:00 last night, maybe a bit later. Karen was watching "Say Yes to the Dress" and a new "Four Weddings" was going to be on after that. I have zero interest in either show. I went and laid down in bed. The next thing I know, it's 7:15 AM. Karen says, "Guess what? The dryer doesn't heat up."
The dryer for all I know worked when I went to bed. Strike one for the world not making sense.
I get up and walk by the living room. Megan is on the couch watching TV. She says to me, "I can't hear out of my left ear."
Her ear for all I know worked when I went to bed. Strike two for the world not making sense.
I go downstairs to the den. At this point I'm thinking this is all a crazy coincidence and some new Bayside will put life back on the right track. New Bayside? Why yes. Yesterday, I made contact with Bayside's new record label and received a promo of Bayside's new release! I can listen to it by streaming, a technology I am not all that familiar with, but it was purely awesome. I listened to some of the songs yesterday. Bet you know where this is going. The link to the promo location worked fine. I even emailed my editor and asked about running a 'day of release' review on Tuesday. Sure, send a review by Sunday and we'll run it. I fire up my PC, click the link (that worked yesterday) and "ERROR! Cannot read server."
What the hell.
I tried it on a separate PC and nope. Broken.
There it is. I went to bed last night with all of the above things in life making sense and during my restful sleep - I was tired obviously - I did not have anything to do with anything breaking or suddenly not working. Yet, I wake up to chaos and uncertainty.
We'll probably call a repair guy to look @ the dryer on Monday. Megan's ear will hopefully clear up without a visit to the doctor. The link to the promo will hopefully be rsolved soon.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
18 Things to Go
I have accumulated 19 things I wanted to post to this blog. The things that I want to write about go through a wide range of subjects. The first comes from the Culture Loves Us blog and is one of my favorite things in life: a comic that does not shy away from the controversial issue of race. Careful treading - foul language.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
There is NO tommorrow
Live life as if you won't have another chance to live the day because, frankly, it is true. You only have one day to live the day.
I took Alex to the Iowa men's basketball game. Iowa lost in OT to Wisconsin. WI is ranked #12 or #14 in the country. They are a good team. Iowa had a 7 point lead but couldn't keep it. Good effort, just came up a little short.
MN is in for a fight on Sunday in Carver Hawkeye Arena.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Iowa Dominates!
It was amazing. The score was 72-52 at an Iowa Hawkeye men's basketball game. This season, you would be correct (normally) if you said that Iowa was the 52 point team, especially if it's MSU that is the opponent. Instead, last night, the Iowa men's team defeated MSU 72-52. It was beautiful. I laughed at how well the team played. Gatens passed the ball slightly ahead of Eric May who took the ball and jammed it. Another time, Cole swiped the ball away from MSU, took it and jammed it. Gatens had a breakaway jam. It was fun to watch them. MSU cut the lead down to 15 before they ran into a dry stretch and Iowa escalated their defense. The next game is Sunday and it's at Indiana, the team Iowa defeated to get their first conference win. They are playing spoiler now. they will not be expected to do well in the Big Ten tournament.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Old Man / Old Woman Joke
The husband leans over and asks his wife, "Do you remember the first time We had sex together over fifty years ago? We went behind this very tavern where you leaned against the back fence and I made love to you."
"Yes, she says, "I remember it well."
"OK," he says, "How about taking a stroll around there again and we can do it for old time's sake?"
"Oh Charlie, you old devil, that sounds like a crazy, but good idea!"
A police officer sitting in the next booth heard their conversation and, chuckling, thinks, I've got to see these two old-timers having sex against a fence. I'll just keep an eye on them so there's no trouble. So he follows them.
The elderly couple walks haltingly along, leaning on each other for support aided by walking sticks Finally, they get to the back of the tavern and make their way to the fence. The old lady lifts her skirt and the old man drops his trousers. As she leans against the fence, the old man moves in. Then suddenly they erupt into the most furious sex that the policeman has ever seen. This goes on for about ten minutes while both are making loud noises and moaning and screaming. Finally, they both collapse, panting on the ground.
The policeman is amazed. He thinks he has learned something about life and old age that he didn't know. After about half an hour of lying on the ground recovering, the old couple struggle to their feet and put their clothes back on.
The Policeman, is still watching and thinks to himself, this is truly amazing, I've got to ask them what their secret is.
So, as the couple passes, he says to them, "Excuse me, but that was something else. You must've had a fantastic sex life together. Is there some sort of secret to this?"
Shaking the old man is barely able to reply, "Fifty years ago that wasn't an electric fence."
"Yes, she says, "I remember it well."
"OK," he says, "How about taking a stroll around there again and we can do it for old time's sake?"
"Oh Charlie, you old devil, that sounds like a crazy, but good idea!"
A police officer sitting in the next booth heard their conversation and, chuckling, thinks, I've got to see these two old-timers having sex against a fence. I'll just keep an eye on them so there's no trouble. So he follows them.
The elderly couple walks haltingly along, leaning on each other for support aided by walking sticks Finally, they get to the back of the tavern and make their way to the fence. The old lady lifts her skirt and the old man drops his trousers. As she leans against the fence, the old man moves in. Then suddenly they erupt into the most furious sex that the policeman has ever seen. This goes on for about ten minutes while both are making loud noises and moaning and screaming. Finally, they both collapse, panting on the ground.
The policeman is amazed. He thinks he has learned something about life and old age that he didn't know. After about half an hour of lying on the ground recovering, the old couple struggle to their feet and put their clothes back on.
The Policeman, is still watching and thinks to himself, this is truly amazing, I've got to ask them what their secret is.
So, as the couple passes, he says to them, "Excuse me, but that was something else. You must've had a fantastic sex life together. Is there some sort of secret to this?"
Shaking the old man is barely able to reply, "Fifty years ago that wasn't an electric fence."
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Ambitious Goals
My goal is to reach 1000 posts by 12/31/2011. How crazy is that? Only crazy b/c I don't know that I have that much to say. Two self-imposed rules: no single sentence entries - each entry must be long enough that it makes sense so don't expect one word entries just to make a quota. The other rule is that it can't just be a series of youtube videos - I want CONTENT! - so that I can look at this as an accomplishment, not just a way to fill in cyberspace.
That all said, I made a startling discovery. I kept an Excel file that lists all my CDs and DVDs and music and I knew it had been a while since I had updated it. I create a new file for the current year by copying the previous year's file and renaming it to the current year. I just created Tapes11.xls (from Tapes10.xls). Guess what the modified date/time was on Tapes10.xls?
1/1/2010.
I kid you not. I went a year and one month (to the day) without updating my Excel file. I don't know if that is a sign that I shouldn't care what I have or if it means that I will never be able to get caught up. I'll stew about it for a bit. I do know I have 13,000+ MP3s on my external HD and assembling those files into my existing layout will be a challenge. Plus, I have ripped various CDs to MP3 (and onto the external HD) so I can listen to them without physically having the CD. How do I accommodate that? Do I artificially inflate my total count just because I wanted to be able to hear Mothermania, Count the Stars, Bayside, and countless other favorite bands from my external HD and not have to carry a physical CD of it? I'm not sure how the MP3s fit into the paradigm of spindles of CD-Rs. And here's the issue. I want to listen to Lamb of God's "New American Gospel." It is on spindle A20, according to the list I have. Is that really where it is? How outdated was the list when I stopped updating it?
That all said, I made a startling discovery. I kept an Excel file that lists all my CDs and DVDs and music and I knew it had been a while since I had updated it. I create a new file for the current year by copying the previous year's file and renaming it to the current year. I just created Tapes11.xls (from Tapes10.xls). Guess what the modified date/time was on Tapes10.xls?
1/1/2010.
I kid you not. I went a year and one month (to the day) without updating my Excel file. I don't know if that is a sign that I shouldn't care what I have or if it means that I will never be able to get caught up. I'll stew about it for a bit. I do know I have 13,000+ MP3s on my external HD and assembling those files into my existing layout will be a challenge. Plus, I have ripped various CDs to MP3 (and onto the external HD) so I can listen to them without physically having the CD. How do I accommodate that? Do I artificially inflate my total count just because I wanted to be able to hear Mothermania, Count the Stars, Bayside, and countless other favorite bands from my external HD and not have to carry a physical CD of it? I'm not sure how the MP3s fit into the paradigm of spindles of CD-Rs. And here's the issue. I want to listen to Lamb of God's "New American Gospel." It is on spindle A20, according to the list I have. Is that really where it is? How outdated was the list when I stopped updating it?
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