I Have a Friend

I have an old friend.

This salsa sums him up on multiple levels.

Interpret as you will.

some stuff

Long time no Bloggy...I will now spew forth:

I flew on some planes this past fall. The airlines charge for checked baggage, so carry-ons just get bigger and bigger and bigger. it was frustrating when there was no space for my little computer bag in the overhead bin. Unrelated, one time the woman next to me got out a small mirror and some tweezers so that she could pluck random facial hairs. she was meeting her boyfriend. but still. and lastly, old people should have their own airlines (and highways). will I be slow and oblivious when I'm old? are they really oblivious or do they just not care? I guess either one is justifiable.

Having 2 kids is fun and funny. The lack of sleep is neither. But the kids are hilarious. unintentionally at this age...Irene just emits hilarity in everything she does. I wonder if God thinks we are funny, like I think my kids are funny. and the fact that I just said "my kids" makes me feel woozy like my brain is going to explode.

The spirit of the Olympic games is cool and great...the epic, made for tv, feel good about our country spectactle is crap. The stupidest part is the "medal count"...who cares?! Let's manufacture another way we can boost our narcistic attitudes in some sort of fake reality that doesn't really matter. just saying. show the events. maybe some nations that we never get to see...maybe do a "puff piece" on any african nation that doesn't have money or snow, yet somehow sends 1 or 4 athletes to compete in the WINTER games...I would watch that. and be interested in that story.

I am "all dough" (Irene speak for "all done") with winter. I saw that the temps are 20 degrees below average here (a lot of places in the south). I would like average to come back...average is good. average is average. maybe we should be content with average in more aspects of our lives

hope everyone is well...

Things That Suck

Not having power.

Not having a job.

Not having power while your neighbor across the street does...

Having a friend who lives in Guam have a baby and then never post pictures of that baby.

Crabby babies who don't get good naps because it is so hot in the house because the power is out.

Trying to pack a house, move boxes, and clean while having no electricity.

Leeches

But really, not having power isn't THAT bad. it is mostly just inconvenient. things could be a lot worse. I just saw Slumdog Millionaire and living in a slum would probably not be very much fun.

Don't be "that guy"...

(this part really isn't relevant, but I just want to set the stage)...About a month ago I took a coaching license course. These courses are part of US Soccer Federation policy/training and are sort of a big deal. the instructors take things seriously and expect professionalism from candidates. there are various levels of licenses (starting at E and going through A)...there were 35 candidates in my "class" all ranging in ability/skill (both playing and coaching) from rec league soccer dad to former and current NCAA division 1 college coaches. this post is about group dynamics and how some people become dumber in a large social setting/environment., especially when education is involved. the course consisted of both classroom lectures and field practicals. Both served as prime environments for the following 'guys' to emerge:

1.) "The Question Guy" = this person feels the necessity to ask questions at any and all times. Social awareness does not apply to this individual. Natural stoppages in a lecture mean nothing. Questions should be asked frequently, repeatedly, and about anything. Even if the answer was just given. We should ask a question to have the instructor repeat what was just said. This 'guy' thinks that extra credit is given for the number of questions asked, no matter how ridiculous said questions are...

2.) "The Statement Guy" = is a close relative of the 'question guy'...similarly feels that the frequency of statements adds extra credit to one's grade. social cues are lost on this individual as they feel that their knowledge is so important that to withhold their knowledge from the group would be like depriving water from a thirsty child. Usually the information shared by the 'statement guy' is meaningless, elementary, or not specifically relevant in any way, shape, or form...

3.) "The Humor Guy" (aka "The Joker") = this guy is sort of tricky to discern at first. his first funny is usually pretty good and can get people chuckling; but he soon steps over the line and inserts jokes often, at inappropriate times, and in inappropriate ways...and then they just stop being funny. Also, this guy is notorious for being the one to laugh loudest at his/her own jokes. the Joker thinks that getting the instructors to laugh equals a passing grade...

4.) "The Smart Guy" = this guy thinks that he is super smart/intelligent but is really not. they DO have the potential to be smart in a certain topic or two, but not the one at hand...they typically try to answer a question or two but in such a way as to give them an "out" if they are wrong.

5.) "The Answer-a-Rhetorical Question Guy" = this guy thinks they are supposed to answer rhetorical questions. They might be the same guy as the 'statement guy' but doesn't have to be...sometimes this 'guy' thinks that by answering a rhetorical question it will give them bonus points, like by showing the instructor that they are paying attention or something...mostly they are just too dumb to realize that it was a rhetorical question.

6.) "The Quiet Guy" = always be aware of the quiet guy(s)...they are usually the ones in the room who know what is up. they know that that know too. so they don't have to talk, be funny, ask questions, or any other shenanigan used to get attention. When they DO talk it is usually insightful\worthwhile and the instructors usually learn something from them as well. the 'quiet guys' are also usually the ones to befriend. they don't need to be friends so hanging out with them you know they aren't in it for narcissistic purposes. if they like hanging out with you, they genuinely like you.

(NOTE: these "guys" are not isolated to my experience. they are sure to arise wherever group gatherings/education takes place. ALSO, "guy" is a gender inclusive term as females can be "that guy" as well)

I guess this post is my way of saying that I am not a fan of 'group dynamics' when it comes to adult-education. I could have written a very similar post when I was in seminary...why do adults get dumber in groups?

Irene pukes a lot...and I'm getting ready to get off the bus

(after consulting with my brother, he reminded me of the "bus metaphor" and how I am packing my things and preparing to get off at the next stop. I have no idea where/when the next stop is, but this crazy bus ride is about to be over...)

Irene goes through about 3 outfits per day and at least 5 bibs. She pukes, spits up, and generally drools all over her clothes. If I were to puke onto the blog it would sound something like this:


-the city of memphis shut down today because there was 3/4 of an inch of ice/snow. the streets were fine. there was slush on some overpasses. you gotta love the south.


-the board of directors at Crichton voted to drop the traditional day student program to focus on the adult evening program...Crichton will be more like a part-time, adult learner, commuter school. there will be no more athletic programs. I am on the job hunt. would love to stay in college coaching and have a few leads but am open to anything. like a sail boat captain and/or a professional dad.


-Irene is super cute. She does new stuff every day. Lately she has started "dancing", signing, clapping, and I swear that she says "dada"...although that is up for debate as she calls a few things "dada"...


-We have started packing up the house. Regardless of what happens, we are 95% certain we will be leaving the house...I recommend moving twice in the span of 2-3 years. Whatever you don't throw away or use after the first move will definitely be tossed during the second one...


-I like it that one of my siblings has a child. I also like the way Shannon described how to say his name...this is my paraphrase: "...it is Ja Vee...but the J sounds like the S in 'measure' or 'pleasure'..."


-there was a guest pastor at church this past sunday. he spoke at 2 services. he did a DIFFERENT message for each one...has anyone EVER heard of such a thing?!


this is the snow that shut memphis down:


















-Neal has a sister named Gwen

What is your point of reference?

I know that a lot of us were together over the Thanksgiving weekend, but I thought I would share some of my experiences from my point of reference:

-we timed the driving with Irene's nap time. Her morning nap is mostly predictable/reliable and she'll be asleep for 2-3 hours. this was brilliant. She slept like a champ on the way up. We made it all the way to Cape G and the glorious PANERA without her stirring! (Memphis is getting our first Panera on Dec 8th...we are rejoicing)...timing drive time with nap time is a good thing.

-babies are fun. we are excited for xavi, jr's birth. from here on out, at our family functions, we will sit and stare and play with and talk about and fuss over little ones. we enjoyed sharing Irene with everyone. she really is a good baby and we were happy that she was (mostly) good for everyone!

-football was fun (and funny) this year. although the teams seemed fairly well balanced, my team definitely piled on the points in the first half (and beginning of second)...other team came back but I still thought it was odd. Anyway, also odd not to have more females out there...Kim lasted 5 minutes before baby Vest needed her. No Cindy who was mom/photographer for the morning. no Welton/Misuraca womens...you were missed...but it was fun to have the whole SUMMIT church out there. go greg. bring the people. also, no juan carlos who was nursing injuries. no MGW for silly shenanigans and at least one (too) intense moment with jon or greg...although the tree play was worked to prefection!

-thanksgiving food is good. I like stuffing. we wondered why stuffing really isn't eaten at other times??? it is good. it should be consumed more often.

-post turkey naps are good. I am not a napper in any, way, shape, or form, but I was sucked into a post-turkey nap like it was a black hole. I had no choice.

-PIG OUT is a funny game...level of enjoyment definitely depends on fellow players. I had a great time with both groups...one small, one large. go here for a quick fix: http://www.toptrumps.com/play/pigs/pigs.html

-extended family are funny. it was great to see everyone and introduce baby irene to them...

-Ray is a really cute dog...and I mean NO harm by this, but I just prefer small dogs. personal preference mostly. it will be fun to see him next time and see how he has "settled" into your family.

-driving (or flying) home is never as fun as driving toward...

-fun to see Xavi/Amie's apartment...IKEA furniture was great! also, we can skateboard in your basement next time!

(random end note: good to hear MGW and Vicstress were not stranded in Thailand...hope the kiwis are treating you well. watch out for any orks, hobbits, and riders of rohan)

Sri Lonkan Midgets & Red Barns

in anticipation for the football games to be played on Thanksgiving day, I thought I'd post some pix that my dad recently passed on...

I'm not sure what I like more, the tube socks or the awesome landscaping...

Where the hell is MGW?

First, congrats to baby Vest and baby Repking…good times. good times. you will be exhausted for a while. Get used to it.

Second, I am not into posting videos but this one is special. Putting it on this blog works on like 8 different levels…most obvious is that it answers the question where Matt has been...I am curious to hear some thoughts (not guided by my own at first) on this so I will hold off on any more and then offer my own insights in a comment or two:



if you have as many questions as I did about this, go check out: www.wherethehellismatt.com and look at the FAQ's...

Swimming is cool...and so are caves

A swimmer just brought America to its knees...er...well, to its butts in front of our televisions anyway...and it was AWESOME! Michael Phelps was amazing. Go read this article. It is a bit long and requires you to invest 2-3 minutes of your time, but it is worth it.

(my favorite part is imagining sports bars and arenas tuning in every night...reminds me of the WORLD CUP/soccer)

but, I think swimming is odd. It is really cool and really weird all at the same time...here are a smattering of thoughts:

-I know this might not be the deal everywhere in the world, but in America (to the average person) why is swimming only cool at the olympics?

-Why does Andrea Kraemer insists on asking the dumbest/oddest questions she can think of?

-I hate it how we sometimes think silver or bronze or setting a new country record isn't good enough...the women's 4X100 medley team swam a GREAT race and set a new american record but got beat by the insanely fast Aussies (who might as well be all americans) and Andrea Kraemer was asking the team questions like they had lost and they sucked...ARE YOU KIDDING ME, they just swam incredibly fast and did what they wanted to do...someone beat them. that happens. celebrate how great they swam. (this happens alot in swimming...and especially when Andrea Kraemer has a microphone)

-how did Phelps win the 100fly?

-how did Lezak catch frenchie in the 4x100 relay?

-Janet Evans' record going down was pretty amazing too, that girl from britain SMASHED it...that Japanese breastroker was insanely good as well.

-Very cool how all the celebs were in the "cube" watching MP (lebron, kobe, president bush)

-I'm glad I don't have to listen to any more Dora Torres stories...

-Why does Jon hate Rowdy Gaines so much?

-Phelps' mom was super cute...I LOVED her reaction after at the 100fly, and that guy sitting in front of her that race was classic as well..

-I HATE how we compare athletes across sports..."michael phelps did something greater than winning the tour-de- france, more difficult than an ironman, more mentally tough than tiger woods, lebron james, blah blah blah..."...celebrate what athletes do in their own context. I think we would appreciate them more if we could do that...

-swimmers have shorter legs and really really long arms....that is sort of funny. (no offense Neal!?) :-)

-Shan wants to know what happens to women's boobs...are those suits really THAT TIGHT that they just get smashed in? and is that painful in any way?

-my soccer boys trying to impersonate Phelps' stretching routine was pretty funny...

Again, it was a fun ride watching mr phelps...my favorite image is the one of him celebrating after the 4x100 medley...that was pure passion in human muscle flexing form...the other image I want to take is his face/response after Ms Kraemer asked him another dumb question (yet again). I think the question had something to do with getting 8 golds (this was back when he only had 2 or 3) but his response was something like this, "...lady, I am happy. I am swimming really fast. and that is all that matters right now...I am a swimmer. and I'm doing what I love to do...if I get 8 golds great. but right now I just swam really fast. I am tired. and I am happy" (my paraphrase)...I love that because I think the craziest part about Phelps' journey must have been the mental part of it all. Staying "in the present" to focus on what he had to do for each race must have been tough. I can't imagine the "mental fortitude" (to mimick JCarlos)...and that is why I appreciate MP so much.

If there are any swimmers who might read this blog, please feel free to write your own olympic swimming posts (if you want)...I hope I didn't steal anyone's thunder....I really wanted to write this as sort of a "tribute" to you guys...swimmers rarely get any recognition, but you are stud athletes and mentally tough competitors (no doubt a little loopy too!)...and as boring as swim meets are, there are moments of brilliance and intensity and excitement that are special to the sport.

I wish I could have watched the races with you all...that would have been fun...

Expanding the Network

ESPN revolutionized televised sports. They started small and then expanded to included ESPN2, ESPN CLASSIC, ESPN X-treme, ESPN DESPORTES, ESPN bowling/fishing/olympic sports/andanyothersportsyoucanthinikofnetwork...

I am not saying that BLOGGY is as BIG as ESPN, but our little network is expanding...and I'm happy to partake in the expansion.

mostly set up for picture page viewing pleasures, but also following all rules of parent etiquette these days that state you MUST set up a BLOG chronicling every poop, sneeze, smile, and wink that your baby performs, we HAVE A BLOG...check it out and enjoy the pictures.

the launch might be premature, as we're still figuring templates, colors, fonts, etc...so things may change, but the people have spoken and they want pix of our baby girl...so go check out:

team iwaszkowiec



(I will still be partaking in BLOGGY but felt I couldn't inundate with baby pix, shenanigans, or tom foolery)

LASTLY, ALSO wanted to give a shout out to my sister! We are so excited for her...very proud...and very sad she will be so far away. oh well, she will be rich and can fly home to see the little ones whenever she wants! well done sis...

Boring Holiday Poll. and other stuff.

shan is in MN visiting friends/family. I am bored.

today is memorial day.

It seems like I have a lot that I could blog about, but whenever I sit down and try, I go blank. nothing. nada is in my head. I think my brain is revolting from all the little things in there, like eligibility, budgets, recruiting, uniforms, etc...

so instead of writing something funny or witty, here are some questions I've been thinking about: (answers will follow at bottom)

1. what kind of car would you get if you could get any kind you wanted?

2. what are your favorite kind of chips?

3. what super power would be the best?

4. if you could be a professional in any sport, what would it be? and why?

5. what is the minimum age I can take Sparky into the swimming pool?

6. what is the best game to play while on vacation? for example, if one were in florida with one's family in a big house...

by the way, I just read, "Same Kind of Different As Me"...it is good. read it. also finished, NT Wright, "Surprised by Hope". ditto. read it and then reread it. well, parts of it anyway.

if you haven't already, go listen to Bill Simmons' most recent podcast with Chuck Klosterman.

answers:
1. don't know? but right now I'm secretly coveting a "smartcar"...or a HONDA FIT
2. Jalapeno Cheddar...pringles cheese'ums are 2nd place.
3. teleportation. hands down. breathing under water is a close second.
4. golf. travel to warm/beautiful places all the time. and golf is fun and you can play it until you're 75+.
5. I want to take Sparky in pool right away...I'm trying to research what chlorine does to newborns.
6. the "name game"? zubzub? whoonu? (also known as whoona)

ok. happy answering. I think I will head over to nana and grandad's house soon...good times. I told you I was bored.

Dumplestiltskin back again...check it wreck it let's begin...

I promise nothing in this post except randomness...

1. I'm going to have a "monkey baby". not really, but that is what Shannon called it. we got another ultrasound today at 27.5 weeks (to check the location of the placenta = riveting/fascinating tidbit of information for our readers) and learned some fun things. one of which is that our kid has long toes. really really long toes. I think this is cute and will be fun to have the little one grab us with his finger-toes. Shan thinks it is weird that Sparky will be swinging from the trees.

2. my cousin, who reads this blog and sometime comments but shall remain nameless had a great insight about blogging. This is my paraphrase and I hope I do him justice: two things have to happen for good blogging. first, one has to have the desire and/or content. second, one has to have the time to write. very rarely (if ever) do we have both at the same moment. "bingo" I say.

C. Blue Man Group's comment on the last post (comment #13) was hilarious...however I'm confused, are we not "real bloggers" here at bloggy mcbloggerson?

D. we recently went to Orlando, FL with the wife's family...the whole group was there (brothers, wives, kids, etc). On Saturday we all went to Disney World in our matching green t-shirts. not only were they matching green, but they had disney inspired character names for each of us on the back. the names of the character were supposed to say something about us. Mine was "Rafiki" (the monkey from the LION KING). My sister-in-law loved it and said it was perfect for me. My response to her was: "why is it perfect for me? Is it because I resemble a monkey? Or am sort of wise but sort of crazy? Or that nobody can tell if I’m either? Or that I like to sing when I talk AND I like to talk about myself in the 3rd person?"

E. Other Orlando highlights/thoughts:
-Disney World is tolerable with a niece/nephew whom you love. their excitement was saving for me. (I guess that would apply to my own kids..although I would still vacation on the beach and maybe drive to orlando for a one-day trip to mickey mouse world).
-people in crowds lose 50-90 IQ points.
-resorts with a limited number of chairs by a pool should have full-time Chair Watchers who remove items that are "saving" places for non-people. numerous people who wanted to sit/swim/etc could not find chairs because others had run down at 8am to grab 5-6 chairs for their towels and books to rest on all day. this was maddening.

6. I want a "Guam Update". we may have to start a "brother blog" or a "spinoff" that is soley about GUAMlife. questions: how will MGW and VIC leave clyde the clyde for that long? seriously? (can't imagine leaving Swiffer) who are these hooligans renting your house? do we need to spy on them? I think I know someone with spytech. what are you doing with all your stuff? and how does one pack for a 1-2 year "trip"? when will you be back? for real? you need to set up SKYPE. which means you have to make several quantum leaps on the technology spectrum. but you are a gumshoe. I believe you can do it.

7. Also want a "Xavi Work Blog"...this could be grand. every day at exactly the same time of day, you write a 5-minute synopsis of what has happened so far in your day...maybe eventually we'll all understand what it is you actually do.

8. Jeremy is getting tired. Jeremy probably forgot some of the things he wanted to blog about. oh well.


"Some posts don't have much of a finish...that's the post I took..."

A haiku for Xavi

winter turns to spring.
happy birthday to horton.
congrats on the job.

ki' come?

so I guess my genre for the time being is travel blogs. This past weekend I drove to Lebanon, TN, which is EAST of Nashville about 20+ miles...this trip takes about 3.15 hours traveling at a good rate of 83+ mph and stopping only once for gas/potty break.

the reason why I was in Lebanon is unimportant at the moment (USSF 'D' Coaching License course), as I want to focus on annoying driving habits of my fellow americans. again, these will be random, unoriginal, and somewhat scatter-brained
(which sums up my existence right now as well):

-when renting a car specifically for the purpose of going on a longer trip, specify that you want CRUISE CONTROL...I found out about 20 miles outside of memphis that the car I rented specifically for the purpose of added luxury did NOT in fact have many added luxuries.

-when renting a car specifically for the purpose of going on a longer trip, specify that you want a NON-SMOKING car...this I discovered as soon as I got in to drive...however, I was short on time, they were short on available cars, and I figured my olfactory senses would numb quickly (which they did)...Nurse Racher, that is the proper word right, olfactory?

-ENTERPRISE rental car WILL IN FACT pick you up and drop you off when renting cars from them...they aren't lying in the advertisements.

-People in the south like to speed. well, SOME people in the south like to speed. the others in the south like to go 5 mph UNDER the speed limit. but the SPEEDERS are serious speeders. I'm talking 95+ on the highways. people speed everywhere I know, but down here I think NASCAR is in the genes/blood or something because people drive fast fast. this phenomenon has also been observed by other readers/writers of this blog while traversing the atlanta speedway being passed by 85 year old grandmas...I'm just saying. I am not alone here...

-improper merging tactics seem to be rampant everywhere...not just the north. what is so difficult about getting up to the ACTUAL speed limit while one merges? why do we merge at 10-15 BELOW the speed limit?

-truck stop restaurants/gas stations down here are little mini-walmarts. you can get ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! seriously. and the food smells and looks legit. like good home-cooking.

-even without cruise control, it really isn't THAT difficult to keep a consistent speed. come on people! one of my pet peeves is inconsistent speed drivers. seriously. I just passed you like 45 seconds ago when you were going 64 mph. now you're doing 85 flying by me...oh wait...here I am passing you again. I haven't touch my speed, but you are going MUCH slower again..why? I don't get it.

-alone in the fast lane drivers??? = get over. the LEFT lane is for passing and for people ACTUALLY going OVER the speed limit.

-talk radio = good for road trips. time flies when listening to people ramble.

-cell phones = also good for time flying, but sometimes inconvenient to talk on...

alright...that is enough for now. the tragic part is that I have to go back again this upcoming weekend. anybody want to join me?

Another Airport Rant

I've ranted on airports on this blog before (I would link to it if I had the technological savvy of the great white or his sidekick). but I can't resist doing it again. I flew to Atlanta this weekend. I had a layover in Charlotte. kind of dumb but that was best we could do on short notice.

anyway, these are my observations of the good, the bad, the annoying, etc:

-WHY DO PEOPLE INSIST ON STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TERMINAL? these are the reasons that they do this:

1.) to check the ETA/departure board. this is a reasonable reason to stop. however, please move to the very side of the walkway so as to cause the least amount of backup.

2.) to check the directions of the gates (increase or decrease) and/or baggage claim direction...once again, I appreciate that people want to head in the proper direction, but stopping DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE of a very busy section of foot traffic is not ok. imagine if we did this in cars: we are heading down the road when we realize that we may be heading in the wrong direction. so we slam on the brakes and sit there a minute while we figure it all out. this would be disasterous.

3.) to watch playoff NFL football on television screens...this is noble and grand as brings people happiness and comraderie during an unusually lonely and sucky time (traveling), but still, we can think of others and get to a spot which causes the least amount of jam for those people wishing to get by to wherever it is they are going.

4.) for no apparent reason at all. people forget that the world does not revolve around them and act they are in their family room, bed room, kitchen, wherever...you are in an AIRPORT...get where you are going or get out of the way.

-The other RIDICULOUS phenomenon (which I've mentioned on this blog) is people sitting in my seat on planes. IT IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE CORRECT SEAT! I got to experience this on my first flight. all the seats in my row were taken. I informed the women sitting in my seat that it was my seat. She told me that someone was sitting in hers (???? how does this mean that she should sit in mine?!!?!??)...after a minute of the others in the row checking/etc, a man on his cell phone with his computer on his lap pipes up that he is in the wrong seat. he makes no effort to move and continues to work. the stewardess (who is pissed off for another reason) makes no effort to help except for telling me to sit in the open seat. This makes me angry because that is a window seat. not an aisle (which I was supposed to have). stuffing my frustration I sit down next to a nice women who compliments me on taking it nicely and not making a scene. that made me laugh. people are dumb. what can you do? except sit in the proper seat.

-lastly, I will end on a positive note: I like when people pick up on cues. like I don't want to talk. leave me alone. I want to sleep. or yes, I will talk for a bit. but now I don't want to. I had good travel partners.

"Cell Phones Are Awesome............NOT!" (said in Borat's voice)

so I'm sitting on an airplane last night. they load the plane to leave on time but then wait 45 minutes to allow a connecting flight to land so that people aren't stuck in Atlanta (this is nice but somewhat frustrating)...anyway, a woman one seat behind me spoke on her cell phone for the entire time. my head was about ready to explode as I was on the verge of grabbing her phone, hanging up, and chucking down the aisle. mostly, I was tired of listening to poor grammer, meaningless bull%^%#&, and the word "like" 800 times.

This isn't to be confused with the very articulate, yet extremely LOUD man earlier in the evening who felt it necessary to make sure the entire gate (waiting area) could hear about his gambling experience in which some man wouldn't let some woman roll and finally hit "sevens" after 15 minutes...or how he had lost $600 but won it back. I think he was talking to his children too. that made it even better.

by the way, I finally saw "Borat". too much fuss about that one...although the scene where he prays in tongues and talks about his friend, "Mr. Jesus", had me rolling...

Ode to "Joff"

"ki’ come?"

"Rambo, force of free-o"

bear bear

jordache kid

King Josiah….he’s a good good king.

salsa in the road

"uncle travel fred"

"a Horton says whatin’?"


Happy Birthday Bro!!! I hope you have a great day!!!

Tortoise or Hare?

"...you can't stop him...you can only...hope...to contain him..."

MGW has exploded out of the gate. numerous, lengthy 'comments' abound. Creative ideas, shenanigans, and ballyhoo are aplenty. Will it continue at such a frenetic pace or will fizzle out? time will tell...

"...some rides don't have much of a finish..."

or was it...

"...sunrises don't have much of a finish..." ????

good times good times

Bill Simmons is a genius...

...I just finished reading his latest column regarding the NBA all-star weekend [It can be found at www.espn.com on the front page...easy to find]..Go read it now.

Much of his appeal comes from his "average guy persona". He was working as a bartender and writing for a personal website he set up when the internet was just getting started (in the mid 90's). He essentially uses common sense, some creative thinking, and a bit of comedy to rethink and retell our sporting (and other pop culture) experiences (essentially, he is exactly like our friend Matt).

I think that Bill S. is a bit more genius though than he comes across. He has transformed the relationship between fans and professional sports. To use one of my dad's favorite words, he shifted our "paradigm". He saw a new technological medium untapped and a public hunger for connectedness. He prides himself on being an "average fan" and writes from that perspective versus an elitist or superior level...He has bridged the gap between casual fan and super star athlete by making them more human and giving us (casual fan) more of a voice. He also makes me laugh. A lot. Laughing is good.

I like him. I look forward to his columns...

The end.

I have issues...

(about this blog site: I was confused at first and didn't realize that Jon was inviting me to be a contributor...thanks for the invite! Apartment 5B look out!)

Psychologists use the term “differentiation” or “differentiated” frequently. It is not easily defined and complex to understand. My paraphrase goes something like this: it is one’s ability to hold onto the best parts of oneself while staying connected to another in an intense and/or emotionally meaningful relationship without losing one’s self into the other and/or consuming the other into one’s self.

That is a bit heady (I understand…read it again if you need to). Typically, it is used to discuss the relationships of people. However, I’m having a tough time being differentiated from my house….here’s the deal:

Shannon and I are moving to Memphis. We put our house on the market last Thursday. We have had a boooooooatload of people come through (what else is there to do in Minnesnowta when it is -6˙ F)…thanks to modern technology which allows prospective buyers/realtors to leave comments for us to see (along with our realtor talking with those same realtors) we have read/heard some not nice things about our house. “too small”. “bad colors”. “ugly tile”. My initial/visceral response wants to fight/challenge/defend our house! We love it! We wouldn’t be leaving if not for an out of state move!!!

All that is to say that I was taking things personally and feeling people’s bad feelings towards my house as bad feelings towards me. But that is dumb. They don’t know me. And they don’t know my house either (not much anyway). Thus, I was feeling emotionally fused (another psychological term) with my house. I needed to get over it. So I did. I made a conscious decision to believe that it will sell and someone or some couple will love it. And that all people are different and they are entitled to their opinions and they don’t have to like my house. It says nothing about their feelings/thoughts for me and/or the reality of the greatness of my house. My house doesn’t need me to defend it. It can do that on its own.

This leads me to think of several different strands of continued thought:

1. What other inanimate objects do we get emotionally fused with?

2. Has anyone else sold a house and wanted to personally tell prospective buyers how great it is?

3. A house is more than the size of rooms, color of walls, and type of siding…this house is mostly about the first 5 years of our marriage and all the up/downs that went along with it. We love this house (queue sappy music).

4. I'm working from home. I obviously have issues with this and have too much time to ramble psychological/philosophical thoughts about a dumb house...



(it looks better in summer/fall with green leaves, bushes, plants...but this is all I had at the moment)