An out-of-state reader of this blog has asked me to write on great things about St. Louis. I got to thinking about this and decided that I can't write about what has likely already been written about so I got to looking around. St. Louis magazine has a pretty definitive list:
101 Things Every St. Louisan Must Do
my own personal additions to the list:
.
the view of the Meramec River from the bluffs of Castlewood State Park.
The Katy Trail (the St. Louis-area portion)
the many bike/hike trails all over the area
watching fireworks lake-side at Kirkwood City Park
Friday, August 01, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The One With The Cool Video...
(Title shamelessly borrowed from the style of HM's blog)
Today's GeekBrief podcast world-premiered a music video for Geoff Smith's new song "Only Ones and 0s. The song is about those anonymous folks who leave rude and nasty comments on blogs, YouTube videos, etc...
Check it out on Vimeo:
Ones and 0s by Geoff Smith from Cali Lewis on Vimeo.
(Ones and 0s (or 1s and 0s) refers to binary numbers which form the basis of computer machine language that is the power behind anything Internet.)
Today's GeekBrief podcast world-premiered a music video for Geoff Smith's new song "Only Ones and 0s. The song is about those anonymous folks who leave rude and nasty comments on blogs, YouTube videos, etc...
Check it out on Vimeo:
Ones and 0s by Geoff Smith from Cali Lewis on Vimeo.
(Ones and 0s (or 1s and 0s) refers to binary numbers which form the basis of computer machine language that is the power behind anything Internet.)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Unfortunate...
This little item in today's notes from Rams training camp stuck out at me:
SENE IS REPLACED
Tackle Stephen Sene, an undrafted rookie, suffered the ignominy of being released on the practice field. It happened Monday afternoon, just after the Rams received word that their waiver claim on Miami Dolphins tackle Julius Wilson was successful.
Sene received the bad news from personnel chief Billy Devaney, then was driven away on a golf cart.
That had to hurt!
SENE IS REPLACED
Tackle Stephen Sene, an undrafted rookie, suffered the ignominy of being released on the practice field. It happened Monday afternoon, just after the Rams received word that their waiver claim on Miami Dolphins tackle Julius Wilson was successful.
Sene received the bad news from personnel chief Billy Devaney, then was driven away on a golf cart.
That had to hurt!
Monday, July 28, 2008
What Chili Did On The First Anniversary Of Her Adoption...
It stormed while I was at work last Thursday. Chili-dog gets anxious during storms (as many dogs do) and followed her "denning" instinct to dig a safe hole. Usually my bedroom and bathroom rugs have to suffice.
The Dog Runs Laps...
Chili-dog loves to run laps around my yard. She was not listening to me very well, unfortunately!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday Night Stream Of Consciousness...
While I'm waiting on my videos to upload to YouTube, here's this week's installment, straight out of my brain...
- Yes, that was Fernando Tatis you saw resurrecting his career as a New York Mets outfielder this weekend. The same Fernando Tatis who hit two grand slams in one inning as a St. Louis Cardinal in a game many moons ago. Wow.
- Don't rent "Death At A Funeral" on DVD - it's supposedly a comedy but is in fact not funny, despite the glowing reviews plastered on its case. Save your $2.99, please.
- Chili-dog checked out just fine at her annual checkup yesterday. She does not like getting blood drawn. But then again, neither do I. She weighed in at 71 lbs, which is as much as she should ideally weigh. I think we were slightly offended that the vet techs kept calling her "wiggle-butt."
- A bow-shaped mess of thunderstorm badness is rapidly descending from the north so I'll have to cut this entry short and power down. That's convenient because there doesn't seem to be much on my mind tonight.
- Yes, that was Fernando Tatis you saw resurrecting his career as a New York Mets outfielder this weekend. The same Fernando Tatis who hit two grand slams in one inning as a St. Louis Cardinal in a game many moons ago. Wow.
- Don't rent "Death At A Funeral" on DVD - it's supposedly a comedy but is in fact not funny, despite the glowing reviews plastered on its case. Save your $2.99, please.
- Chili-dog checked out just fine at her annual checkup yesterday. She does not like getting blood drawn. But then again, neither do I. She weighed in at 71 lbs, which is as much as she should ideally weigh. I think we were slightly offended that the vet techs kept calling her "wiggle-butt."
- A bow-shaped mess of thunderstorm badness is rapidly descending from the north so I'll have to cut this entry short and power down. That's convenient because there doesn't seem to be much on my mind tonight.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A Dog For All Seasons...
One year ago today, I drove up to the Humane Society of Missouri and left there with a big brown dog named Chili. We've had an interesting first year together with a lot of good times shared.
She is my dog.
She is my dog.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday Night Stream Of Consciousness...
- Last week I scolded Aaron Miles for his human battering ram impression. Tonight I praise him for his ability to distinguish between "clutch" and "choke." That's the way to do it, folks...if the opposing team walks two guys INTENTIONALLY to get to you, on the assumption that you'll fail, do the unthinkable, the unbelievable. A ninth-inning, walkoff grand salami? Oh, it felt good to be Aaron Miles this afternoon. Especially after playing a full nine innings in the convection oven of a St. Louis July.
- By the way, I never could get the clutch and choke thing down, so I've always stuck to automatic trannys....
- it must be election season; the campaign signs and mudslinger TV commercials are beginning to appear.
- gotta love an honest man who won't sell you something you don't need, even if you think you do. That happened to me yesterday and I was most impressed.
- Memo to my Chili-dog: you're strong and athletic but tree-climbing is not something you should attempt. That squirrel in our redbud tree was making sport of you last evening and it was most amusing. Honestly, did you really think you could launch yourself into that tree?
- John Coltrane was and is The Man.
- By the way, I never could get the clutch and choke thing down, so I've always stuck to automatic trannys....
- it must be election season; the campaign signs and mudslinger TV commercials are beginning to appear.
- gotta love an honest man who won't sell you something you don't need, even if you think you do. That happened to me yesterday and I was most impressed.
- Memo to my Chili-dog: you're strong and athletic but tree-climbing is not something you should attempt. That squirrel in our redbud tree was making sport of you last evening and it was most amusing. Honestly, did you really think you could launch yourself into that tree?
- John Coltrane was and is The Man.
Friday, July 18, 2008
One Year Ago Today...
...this brown dog named Chili was turned in to the Humane Society of Missouri by her unfortunate owners. What would happen to her? With her good looks, surely she wouldn't be there long! Would she find a good home? Stay tuned...
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Classic Sesame Street...
I ran across this today by accident and it cracked me up! A spot-on spoof of "Float On" by The Floaters, from the mid-70s. Dig Bob's falsetto and Luis' "Latin Heartthrob" bit!
For those of you not old enough to remember The Floaters, (myself included!) here's the real thing:
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sunday Night SOC...
- looks like another St. Louis original is biting the bullet (the dust?) to merge with a foreign suitor. Sad. Just sad. I think I hate mergers. If any current A-Bers out there want to know about life under an out-of-town owner, drop me a line.
- One of the great things about this year's Cardinals team is their remarkable ability to come back strong from a bad game. They coughed up a 6-run lead last night and managed to lose to the *ahem* Pirates 12-11. Thanks for putting them back in their place today.
- Memo to Aaron Miles: that "run over the catcher and hope he drops the ball" trick only works if you're not, ah, Aaron Miles. Really - my dog stood a better chance than you did. I know, you were out by a mile and had to save some face. Thanks for the 5 RBIs, though. That's cool.
- Congratulations to my friends B & J on the birth of their first child, a girl on Thursday.
- This year's "PleaseDon'tUTippaMyCanoe" trip was a blast! Thanks, B & G for organizing it. One benefit of our rainy spring was good canoeing on the Meramec with a water level that was just right. So glad I didn't chicken out due to the ominous weather forecast. The air was muggy and the skies were only partly sunny but the water was cool and the fellowship sweet. If any of my St. Louis readers want to try it, check out Old Cove Canoe.
- By the grace of God and Panama Jack, I didn't get sunburned in the least.
- Yesterday's ominous weather forecast of "mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon" translated to a 20-minute rain shower at my house late yesterday afternoon. Yeah.
- Why did it take me so long to re-discover Waterdeep? This week I raided iTunes for several stellar tracks off their "Everyone's Beautiful" and "You Are So Good To Me" CDs which were released years ago. Thanks to the worship leader guy at The Journey - West County for playing "Those Who Trust" last week.
- "Millionaire" craziness at the P-D started today when funny money began appearing in the paper. I know it generates badly-needed advertising revenue for us but this is a rather gimmick-y way to do it and if I were an advertising genius I'd think of a better way. But I'm not.
- I'm up to 95 on the Facebook friend-o-meter. Just 5 more and I'll hit the magic three figures. Come on folks, who out there wants to help me get there?
- so when a gutter screen blows off during a thunderstorm, why does it have to be the one on the most dangerous corner of the roof? The one on the corner of the roof that's the farthest from the ground and I would injure myself most painfully if I fell off the roof while replacing it? Why?
For no particular reason, this bit of Will Rodgers wisdom popped into my brain today:
- One of the great things about this year's Cardinals team is their remarkable ability to come back strong from a bad game. They coughed up a 6-run lead last night and managed to lose to the *ahem* Pirates 12-11. Thanks for putting them back in their place today.
- Memo to Aaron Miles: that "run over the catcher and hope he drops the ball" trick only works if you're not, ah, Aaron Miles. Really - my dog stood a better chance than you did. I know, you were out by a mile and had to save some face. Thanks for the 5 RBIs, though. That's cool.
- Congratulations to my friends B & J on the birth of their first child, a girl on Thursday.
- This year's "PleaseDon'tUTippaMyCanoe" trip was a blast! Thanks, B & G for organizing it. One benefit of our rainy spring was good canoeing on the Meramec with a water level that was just right. So glad I didn't chicken out due to the ominous weather forecast. The air was muggy and the skies were only partly sunny but the water was cool and the fellowship sweet. If any of my St. Louis readers want to try it, check out Old Cove Canoe.
- By the grace of God and Panama Jack, I didn't get sunburned in the least.
- Yesterday's ominous weather forecast of "mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon" translated to a 20-minute rain shower at my house late yesterday afternoon. Yeah.
- Why did it take me so long to re-discover Waterdeep? This week I raided iTunes for several stellar tracks off their "Everyone's Beautiful" and "You Are So Good To Me" CDs which were released years ago. Thanks to the worship leader guy at The Journey - West County for playing "Those Who Trust" last week.
- "Millionaire" craziness at the P-D started today when funny money began appearing in the paper. I know it generates badly-needed advertising revenue for us but this is a rather gimmick-y way to do it and if I were an advertising genius I'd think of a better way. But I'm not.
- I'm up to 95 on the Facebook friend-o-meter. Just 5 more and I'll hit the magic three figures. Come on folks, who out there wants to help me get there?
- so when a gutter screen blows off during a thunderstorm, why does it have to be the one on the most dangerous corner of the roof? The one on the corner of the roof that's the farthest from the ground and I would injure myself most painfully if I fell off the roof while replacing it? Why?
For no particular reason, this bit of Will Rodgers wisdom popped into my brain today:
"Always drink upstream from the herd"
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Sunday Night Stream Of Conscsiousness...
- Cardinals, Cardinals, Cardinals!!! way to roll over for the Small Bears. Yesterday was nice, but you guys wilted in the hot sun today...ya lost 2 of 3 but kept Jim Edmonds quiet...moral victory, I guess.
- Worshiping at The Journey- West County is pretty cool!
- grrr....I disconnected from Charter Cable 4 months ago when I connected to AT&T U-Verse but I am STILL RECEIVING BILLS from Charter!!!! I have fired off a protest letter to stevegm@chartercom.com which Steve the Charter GM advertises on TV as his e-mail address. Let's hope this works, for my credit rating's sake. This is getting ridiculous!!
- deck = freshly scrubbed and power-washed. lawn = freshly mowed. I thought of my Papaw as I was working on these jobs yesterday.
- Waterdeep was one of the great under-appreciated bands in Christian music.
- I enjoy watching sporting events in high-definition TV.
- Chili-dog sure does enjoy her rawhide bone.
- Those who trust in the Lord are a strong mountain; they will not…not be moved.
- Worshiping at The Journey- West County is pretty cool!
- grrr....I disconnected from Charter Cable 4 months ago when I connected to AT&T U-Verse but I am STILL RECEIVING BILLS from Charter!!!! I have fired off a protest letter to stevegm@chartercom.com which Steve the Charter GM advertises on TV as his e-mail address. Let's hope this works, for my credit rating's sake. This is getting ridiculous!!
- deck = freshly scrubbed and power-washed. lawn = freshly mowed. I thought of my Papaw as I was working on these jobs yesterday.
- Waterdeep was one of the great under-appreciated bands in Christian music.
- I enjoy watching sporting events in high-definition TV.
- Chili-dog sure does enjoy her rawhide bone.
- Those who trust in the Lord are a strong mountain; they will not…not be moved.
Friday, July 04, 2008
I GOT TO SHOOT OFF FIREWORKS!!!!!!!...
Happy 4th Of July, folks.
I did (almost) the complete ride of Grant's Trail on my bike this afternoon then came home and cleaned up for the evening. This year I spent the 4th of July evening in Festus with my parents and friends at a cookout hosted by some of their friends from church. I indulged in the St. Louis tradition of pork steaks and all the fixins' and dessert on the 4th Of July. I am stuffed, I ate so much. There were several kiddies present so we had a twilight kiddie fireworks show with all ground-based ammunition. The big show commenced at dusk at the neighbors' house. It was a BIG show. As in three different launching stations big. A friend and I manned one of them quite ably, thank you. I stuffed the launchers with the shells and my friend lit the fuses. I was a kid again, if only for a few minutes. It was all the stuff I wanted to buy as a boy but was never allowed to!
The Cardinals lost a close one to the Cubbies tonight, 2-1. Jimmy Ballgame made his much-anticipated return to Busch by going 0-4 with 3 strikeouts. At least he's doing it for the other team these days.
I did (almost) the complete ride of Grant's Trail on my bike this afternoon then came home and cleaned up for the evening. This year I spent the 4th of July evening in Festus with my parents and friends at a cookout hosted by some of their friends from church. I indulged in the St. Louis tradition of pork steaks and all the fixins' and dessert on the 4th Of July. I am stuffed, I ate so much. There were several kiddies present so we had a twilight kiddie fireworks show with all ground-based ammunition. The big show commenced at dusk at the neighbors' house. It was a BIG show. As in three different launching stations big. A friend and I manned one of them quite ably, thank you. I stuffed the launchers with the shells and my friend lit the fuses. I was a kid again, if only for a few minutes. It was all the stuff I wanted to buy as a boy but was never allowed to!
The Cardinals lost a close one to the Cubbies tonight, 2-1. Jimmy Ballgame made his much-anticipated return to Busch by going 0-4 with 3 strikeouts. At least he's doing it for the other team these days.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
The Joy Of Baseball...
P-D sports photographer Chris Lee perfectly captured the joy of Troy Glaus' walk-off home run to beat the Mets last night.
See it here.
See it here.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
To The Zimbabwean Spokesman Who Told The West To 'Go Hang'...
"What we have here is, failure to communicate... some men you just can't reach"
Zimbabwe president's spokesman to West: 'Go hang'
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sunday Night SOC...
- Thank you, STL Cardinals, for finally showing up in KC. Your continuous team brain cramps while playing the Royals were beginning to frustrate and confound this blogger. A 6-3 road trip would have been preferable but 5-4 will have to do.
- So sad to say to goodbye to you, JS, but you were out of options here in the 'Lou and the change of scenery will do you good. Your magnetism drew me out of my comfort zone on several occasions. Thanks for getting me into biking.
- Had a nice visit with adorable niece Lydia after work on Friday evening. She's nearly 6 months old now and is growing up fast!
- Had a short intro phone chat with a possibility tonight...where will it lead?
- I'm not much better this year at sand volleyball than I was the previous summers I have played. Still the fellowship is enjoyable.
- Massive sales in the stores...added to the summer wardrobe yesterday.
- Some local access channels have appeared on my AT&T U-verse television service. I've really missed them since I switched.
- 4:00 p.m Friday afternoon. It happened again. Another internet shutdown happened, at the worst possible time for a newspaper to lose internet connection. With no network administrators in the house. This time it was on our end and thank goodness our network administrators appeared out of nowhere to isolate the problem. I was only a half-hour late leaving work, thank goodness.
Will it go 'round in circles? Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky? My latest purchase from the iTunes store.
- So sad to say to goodbye to you, JS, but you were out of options here in the 'Lou and the change of scenery will do you good. Your magnetism drew me out of my comfort zone on several occasions. Thanks for getting me into biking.
- Had a nice visit with adorable niece Lydia after work on Friday evening. She's nearly 6 months old now and is growing up fast!
- Had a short intro phone chat with a possibility tonight...where will it lead?
- I'm not much better this year at sand volleyball than I was the previous summers I have played. Still the fellowship is enjoyable.
- Massive sales in the stores...added to the summer wardrobe yesterday.
- Some local access channels have appeared on my AT&T U-verse television service. I've really missed them since I switched.
- 4:00 p.m Friday afternoon. It happened again. Another internet shutdown happened, at the worst possible time for a newspaper to lose internet connection. With no network administrators in the house. This time it was on our end and thank goodness our network administrators appeared out of nowhere to isolate the problem. I was only a half-hour late leaving work, thank goodness.
Will it go 'round in circles? Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky? My latest purchase from the iTunes store.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A Whole Mess Of Pictures...
I got busy with my camera phone today:
This was lying (laying?) in the street near my house this morning. Never heard of them.
The P-D Business News dept. rejoined the main newsroom today, one floor up from where they'd moved several years ago. This is the former P-D composing room across the hall from the Tech Services dept. where I work. I will miss seeing them every day.
I received this promo in the mail the other day. Thanks, Sprint!
This is kinda hard to make out, but that's news artist John Shew (near the staircase) hand-illustrating a drawing for the paper. He's actually not using a computer, folks. Neat, huh? That spiral staircase leads up to the P-D newsroom.The Gambler...
Today's P-D Sports section featured a story by our summer sports writing intern Drew Schmenner. Drew profiles Anthony Rivera, a young man from one of our suburbs who got into playing poker as a freshman at Mizzou, then dropped out to pursue it full time. He's on the professional circuit now but I found his story to be kinda sad and depressing. Check it out:
I hope that's a misquote or something taken out of context because that's not normal human behavior, to me at least.
Mizzou dropout gambles on gambling, hits jackpot
This quote shook me: "Rivera's frustration mounted during his losing spell in the dingy fraternity basement. Determined to make the transition from casual player to expert by learning "real poker" as a sophomore, the business major used a $1,000 scholarship check to get started.
"Like any normal human being, I put it on the Internet and started gambling with it," Rivera said.
This quote shook me: "Rivera's frustration mounted during his losing spell in the dingy fraternity basement. Determined to make the transition from casual player to expert by learning "real poker" as a sophomore, the business major used a $1,000 scholarship check to get started.
"Like any normal human being, I put it on the Internet and started gambling with it," Rivera said.
I hope that's a misquote or something taken out of context because that's not normal human behavior, to me at least.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Sunday Night Stream Of Consciousness...
- Memo to St. Louis Cardinals: You took 2 of 3 from the BoSox this weekend...you could have just let this one slide without dragging it out 13 innings. I took my dog for a LONG walk after the ninth inning; the game was still going on afterwards. I went and bought groceries; the game was finally over. This was like a prize fight where the two boxers keep punching each other until one of them goes down and stays down. Hate these kind of games...
- Speaking of the Cardinals: this half-season has seen more injuries than a full season of "ER." Seriously! Little Cesar Izturis was minding his own business Friday night when one of his hamstrings decided to strain itself. To the DL he goes. Another player made his major league debut today. ANOTHER player. That makes like, 15 or something. Other teams would have tanked by now but this is a LaRussa team, which makes all the difference. I do concur with the local baseball writers who wonder exactly has control over the 25-man roster. Some of the roster moves, or non-moves, try the fans' patience.
- Almost lost a hard drive on Friday; one of the baseball writers brought in his ailing laptop Friday morning and a co-worker and I worked feverishly to rescue what we could. For a computer technician, the hardest phone call to make, the one you dread, is the one where you call someone and tell them their hard drive has failed beyond all hope of recovery. Luckily, that wasn't the case this time.
- I had dinner and a movie with a small group of friends Friday night. Dinner was at Red Robin, where cheeseburgers come in 25 different flavors. Leave it to me to request a basic cheeseburger and fries. You go with what works, folks. The movie was "Get Smart." I'm really not a fan of Steve Carell so I was pretty non-plussed. There were some moments of hilarity, though.
- I spent an embarrasing amount of time last week situating my home-entertainment situation. My new television arrived on Tuesday so I drove over and picked it up after dinner. I had to drill a couple of new holes in the rear of my entertainment center to accommodate HDMI cables. It wasn't until yesterday that I finally got everything situated to my liking. I rented "2001: A Space Oddysey" to fully test the capabilities of the new screen and DVD-player. Everything is working just fine, as it turns out. I felt as if I were in the space pod next to Keir Dullea while we traveled through mind-bending visuals on the way to Jupiter and the Infinite Beyond. My sub-woofer was sub-woofing mightily; massive, massive rumbling, baby.
- I'm sorry, Chili-dog, but it was past time to get your nails trimmed. I'm sorry I forgot to warn the girl about your nails' long quicks. Maybe if she knew that she wouldn't have nipped you twice and drawn blood. The beef-flavor rawhide bone was a nice treat afterwards, right? And aren't you so glad I was with you during the thunderstorm?
- So now that Tiger Woods is out of the picture for the rest of the golf year, does the average guy care about golf any more? And are his fellow golfers secretly rejoicing that they don't have him in their way? I'm with the P-D's Dan O'Neill, who wrote today that as well as Tiger played on his bad knee at the U.S. Open, he should go ahead and play out the year. He was super-human in that tournament, folks.
- Speaking of the Cardinals: this half-season has seen more injuries than a full season of "ER." Seriously! Little Cesar Izturis was minding his own business Friday night when one of his hamstrings decided to strain itself. To the DL he goes. Another player made his major league debut today. ANOTHER player. That makes like, 15 or something. Other teams would have tanked by now but this is a LaRussa team, which makes all the difference. I do concur with the local baseball writers who wonder exactly has control over the 25-man roster. Some of the roster moves, or non-moves, try the fans' patience.
- Almost lost a hard drive on Friday; one of the baseball writers brought in his ailing laptop Friday morning and a co-worker and I worked feverishly to rescue what we could. For a computer technician, the hardest phone call to make, the one you dread, is the one where you call someone and tell them their hard drive has failed beyond all hope of recovery. Luckily, that wasn't the case this time.
- I had dinner and a movie with a small group of friends Friday night. Dinner was at Red Robin, where cheeseburgers come in 25 different flavors. Leave it to me to request a basic cheeseburger and fries. You go with what works, folks. The movie was "Get Smart." I'm really not a fan of Steve Carell so I was pretty non-plussed. There were some moments of hilarity, though.
- I spent an embarrasing amount of time last week situating my home-entertainment situation. My new television arrived on Tuesday so I drove over and picked it up after dinner. I had to drill a couple of new holes in the rear of my entertainment center to accommodate HDMI cables. It wasn't until yesterday that I finally got everything situated to my liking. I rented "2001: A Space Oddysey" to fully test the capabilities of the new screen and DVD-player. Everything is working just fine, as it turns out. I felt as if I were in the space pod next to Keir Dullea while we traveled through mind-bending visuals on the way to Jupiter and the Infinite Beyond. My sub-woofer was sub-woofing mightily; massive, massive rumbling, baby.
- I'm sorry, Chili-dog, but it was past time to get your nails trimmed. I'm sorry I forgot to warn the girl about your nails' long quicks. Maybe if she knew that she wouldn't have nipped you twice and drawn blood. The beef-flavor rawhide bone was a nice treat afterwards, right? And aren't you so glad I was with you during the thunderstorm?
- So now that Tiger Woods is out of the picture for the rest of the golf year, does the average guy care about golf any more? And are his fellow golfers secretly rejoicing that they don't have him in their way? I'm with the P-D's Dan O'Neill, who wrote today that as well as Tiger played on his bad knee at the U.S. Open, he should go ahead and play out the year. He was super-human in that tournament, folks.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Be Proud Of Me!...
The weather turned G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S today so I took the opportunity to knock out a several miles on the bike after dinner THEN moved on to the Y for 45 minutes more of gym time.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday Night Stream Of Consciousness...
- Poor Yadi Molina; he took the Bruntlett of that home plate collision this afternoon. If C Dunc's throw is anywhere close to the correct side of home plate, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Lucky for him later that Utley's relay throw to Flash Gordon didn't go as planned so he got to be today's hero. Anthony Reyes is today's feel-good story. He was just recalled from minor-league exile and happened to be the last pitcher standing today, so he got the win.
- Father's Day tasted as good as Mother's Day did a few weeks ago. The bro, sis-in-law, and adorable Lydia spent the weekend with the in-laws so the parents met me at Tucker's for lunch. I bought my Dad a nice thick filet mignon. He's more than deserving. I also got him a nice card and the new CD by James Hunter - more on him later. Oh, and he got some Chili-time at my house after lunch. I'd say he had a pretty good day.
- Boy, the blinds above my bed were really dirty tonight. Guess I should have cleaned them at least once since they were installed a couple of years ago.
- Sometime this week I will take possession of the 40" Samsung LCD HD-television that I bought from Ultimate Electronics last week. They were all sold out because the price on that particular model was oh-so-right that many people took advantage before I did. Of course, I had to upgrade my DVD-player as well. Hey, the old stuff was 10 and 8 years old, respectively. It was time.
- got a phone number, should I call?
- As previously blogged, I saw Willie Nelson in concert for the first time in my life last night. Should have gone long before then. Willie was, well, Willie. I couldn't see it in the air but I could smell it. His two teenage sons are playing in his band now. They have a little band of their own and opened the show with a few songs. My seat was in the lower balcony, four rows from the front, just to the left of center. Not bad for waiting until Friday to buy. I was more than a little frustrated with the woman in front of me at the will-call window who suddenly decided to purchase tickets for an upcoming Dolly Parton concert. It was five minutes till show time and she was dickering with the box office clerk for the best available seats, oblivious to those around her silently steaming.
- The second opening act was a British cat named James Hunter. I'd not heard of him prior to checking him out online on Friday. He does retro Motown-style soul, blues, and R&B. His records could have been released in 1965 and they sound authentic. Think early Wilson Pickett and Jackie Wilson and you'll be in the neighborhood. He really wowed the crowd with his sound and sweet vocals.
- Got a bit of poison ivy itch going on on both my forearms. It was part of what my weed-whacker whacked out of my ivy patch last week. I wore long pants but it apparently blew up on my arms.
- A-B is rumored to be mounting a "mexican defense" to fight off its hostile European suitor. ("mexican defense" refers to A-B's purchase of the other half of a Mexican brewery that it already owns half of, thereby making themselves too expensive to take over.) If it works, maybe they can sell it to the St. Louis Rams. It's about the only one they didn't try last season.
-- Very relevant topic we're exploring at my church currently - living life on "empty" (sub-topic: what are you filling your tank with?) The scripture texts are all from Ecclesiastes. 3:14a is a pretty cool verse:
- Father's Day tasted as good as Mother's Day did a few weeks ago. The bro, sis-in-law, and adorable Lydia spent the weekend with the in-laws so the parents met me at Tucker's for lunch. I bought my Dad a nice thick filet mignon. He's more than deserving. I also got him a nice card and the new CD by James Hunter - more on him later. Oh, and he got some Chili-time at my house after lunch. I'd say he had a pretty good day.
- Boy, the blinds above my bed were really dirty tonight. Guess I should have cleaned them at least once since they were installed a couple of years ago.
- Sometime this week I will take possession of the 40" Samsung LCD HD-television that I bought from Ultimate Electronics last week. They were all sold out because the price on that particular model was oh-so-right that many people took advantage before I did. Of course, I had to upgrade my DVD-player as well. Hey, the old stuff was 10 and 8 years old, respectively. It was time.
- got a phone number, should I call?
- As previously blogged, I saw Willie Nelson in concert for the first time in my life last night. Should have gone long before then. Willie was, well, Willie. I couldn't see it in the air but I could smell it. His two teenage sons are playing in his band now. They have a little band of their own and opened the show with a few songs. My seat was in the lower balcony, four rows from the front, just to the left of center. Not bad for waiting until Friday to buy. I was more than a little frustrated with the woman in front of me at the will-call window who suddenly decided to purchase tickets for an upcoming Dolly Parton concert. It was five minutes till show time and she was dickering with the box office clerk for the best available seats, oblivious to those around her silently steaming.
- The second opening act was a British cat named James Hunter. I'd not heard of him prior to checking him out online on Friday. He does retro Motown-style soul, blues, and R&B. His records could have been released in 1965 and they sound authentic. Think early Wilson Pickett and Jackie Wilson and you'll be in the neighborhood. He really wowed the crowd with his sound and sweet vocals.
- Got a bit of poison ivy itch going on on both my forearms. It was part of what my weed-whacker whacked out of my ivy patch last week. I wore long pants but it apparently blew up on my arms.
- A-B is rumored to be mounting a "mexican defense" to fight off its hostile European suitor. ("mexican defense" refers to A-B's purchase of the other half of a Mexican brewery that it already owns half of, thereby making themselves too expensive to take over.) If it works, maybe they can sell it to the St. Louis Rams. It's about the only one they didn't try last season.
-- Very relevant topic we're exploring at my church currently - living life on "empty" (sub-topic: what are you filling your tank with?) The scripture texts are all from Ecclesiastes. 3:14a is a pretty cool verse:
"I know that everything that God does will endure forever" (NIV)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Google Street View Maps...
now include major chunks of the St. Louis area! For the unitiated, Google Street View (part of their Google Maps content) brings you to a street-level view of what you're looking at. A car roamed the streets last year and snapped the pictures you see. Try it out - go to http://maps.google.com and punch in the address of my employer--the St. Louis Post-Dispatch--900 N. Tucker Blvd, 63101 and look for "Street View" in the inset window. You'll see what I see every day! Click in the window and drag your mouse around to move the picture in any direction.
They didn't get my neighborhood. but did get all the way to the intersection at the entrance.
The P-D's "director of social media" blogged about it here.
They didn't get my neighborhood. but did get all the way to the intersection at the entrance.
The P-D's "director of social media" blogged about it here.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Sunday Night SOC...
- It was a quiet weekend 'round these parts. I drug out the ol' Toro weed-eater yesterday and trimmed 'round the edges and corners of my back yard. The jungle that was overtaking my ivy patch also is no more, alas.
- I covered the night shift at work yet again last night. My co-worker wanted to wine and dine his wife for their anniversary, so I couldn't very well say no! : ) Besides, I appreciated having lots of time to get to know my (**CAUTION!! COMPUTER GEEK MOMENT DEAD AHEAD**) new Dell Optiplex GX755! The time has come for us to force-feed ourselves Windows Vista Business Pro and so that little excuse bought us all new computers. They come with all the bells and whistles we need to get our jobs done.
- I covered the night shift at work yet again last night. My co-worker wanted to wine and dine his wife for their anniversary, so I couldn't very well say no! : ) Besides, I appreciated having lots of time to get to know my (**CAUTION!! COMPUTER GEEK MOMENT DEAD AHEAD**) new Dell Optiplex GX755! The time has come for us to force-feed ourselves Windows Vista Business Pro and so that little excuse bought us all new computers. They come with all the bells and whistles we need to get our jobs done.
- Near the end of my shift (1:00 a.m.-ish) I discovered a neat little video channel on YouTube. Someone took the time to put together the opening theme songs and credits for old television shows starting in the late '70s, running through the 1990's. Talk about a time machine!! I discovered obscure and short-lived TV shows I never even knew existed. My favorite so far is an Andy Griffith potboiler from 1979 called "Salvage 1." This show found Andy Griffith playing a salvage man whose dream was to get to the moon and retrieve old space junk for later sale back on Earth. I'm not making this up! It gets better - he hires a "former astronaut and a fuel expert" to collaborate on a moon mission. Unbelievable. It only lasted a few months, according to TV.com. Check out the YouTube channel here. One thing is for sure - today's TV landscape is not what it was 30 years ago.
- What can Big Brown do for you? Only win the first two legs of the Triple Crown and then flame out spectacularly during the third one. The jockey said he could tell his horse just ran out of gas and wisely stopped him before he hurt himself. Today I read that subsequent medical tests revealed nothing in particular wrong with him. Nothing that would explain why he didn't do his thing yesterday. I think the horse just decided he didn't want to run yesterday. Maybe he was in a contrary mood. It could be he did it to spite his trainer, who is said to be an arrogant, bombastic man. Whatever the cause, a longshot that no one was expecting to win actually went wire-to-wire to win the Belmont Stakes and I find that most exciting storyline of the race.
- My brother and sis-in-law's church made the New York Times on June 1! Check it out here. They're doing church differently and I find their approach innovative and refreshing.
- I caught much of Hillary C's concession speech on the radio yesterday. How much did it pain her to have to say those words "Yes We Can!" and "I endorse Barack Obama" ??? I think someone shot her up with a whole bunch of morphine so she wouldn't have to feel it. (JUST KIDDING!!!!) It's now Obama vs. McCain for all the marbles, folks. This one should be a doozy.
- I'm convinced that the Sonic Lemon-Berry Slush should be a new Wonder of the world. It's just that good.
Off to bed.
- What can Big Brown do for you? Only win the first two legs of the Triple Crown and then flame out spectacularly during the third one. The jockey said he could tell his horse just ran out of gas and wisely stopped him before he hurt himself. Today I read that subsequent medical tests revealed nothing in particular wrong with him. Nothing that would explain why he didn't do his thing yesterday. I think the horse just decided he didn't want to run yesterday. Maybe he was in a contrary mood. It could be he did it to spite his trainer, who is said to be an arrogant, bombastic man. Whatever the cause, a longshot that no one was expecting to win actually went wire-to-wire to win the Belmont Stakes and I find that most exciting storyline of the race.
- My brother and sis-in-law's church made the New York Times on June 1! Check it out here. They're doing church differently and I find their approach innovative and refreshing.
- I caught much of Hillary C's concession speech on the radio yesterday. How much did it pain her to have to say those words "Yes We Can!" and "I endorse Barack Obama" ??? I think someone shot her up with a whole bunch of morphine so she wouldn't have to feel it. (JUST KIDDING!!!!) It's now Obama vs. McCain for all the marbles, folks. This one should be a doozy.
- I'm convinced that the Sonic Lemon-Berry Slush should be a new Wonder of the world. It's just that good.
Off to bed.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Really?...
There really is a National Teachers Hall of Fame! In Emporia, Kansas! Who knew? How do I go about nominating my mother and my Aunt M.?
Sunday Night SOC...
- I pulled into my driveway at 5:10 this evening. 6 hrs, 40 minutes on the return trip. 900+ miles on my car's trip meter. All that driving for an 18-hour whirlwind tour of southeast Kansas. Not a bad trip, but don't ask me to do it every weekend, please, thanks! My hotel accommodations at the Best Western Airport Inn and Conference Center were adequate; not fancy but not roach motel-ish. The wedding reception buffet was definitely the best meal I'd had all week.
- Chili-dog was overjoyed/ecstatic to see me tonight. Charlie Brown said "happiness is a warm puppy," (am I correct?) but give me a 65-pound brown dog who is beside herself at her owner's return anytime. The pet sitter service apparently didn't walk her while I was gone so I took her on a nice long walk in the late-afternoon sunshine.
- I've been getting some new on-the-job training lately. The most recent round of layoffs necessitated my learning how to back up our telephone operations staff whenever needed. Basically I've learned how to program new phones, and move wires around appropriately when people move to a new desk. My dad's a retired phone man so he'd be a bit proud if I could ever remember to mention it to him.
- So Hillary C. was ecstatic about winning the primary in *ahem* Puerto Rico. I could hear Barak Obama yawning all the way from my car on I-35 in Kansas.
- Gotta hand it to my Cardinals. They're hanging tough in the NL Central behind the *ahem* Cubs. Don Tony's been surprisingly open minded about using kid players this year. He did the smart thing, tough as it was, in kicking Chris D. back to Memphis to get his head and his swing together. That kid Joe Mather that I mentioned recently came up to replace him and hit the ground running on Friday night. His RBI proved to be the game winner in his major league debut.
- Chili-dog was overjoyed/ecstatic to see me tonight. Charlie Brown said "happiness is a warm puppy," (am I correct?) but give me a 65-pound brown dog who is beside herself at her owner's return anytime. The pet sitter service apparently didn't walk her while I was gone so I took her on a nice long walk in the late-afternoon sunshine.
- I've been getting some new on-the-job training lately. The most recent round of layoffs necessitated my learning how to back up our telephone operations staff whenever needed. Basically I've learned how to program new phones, and move wires around appropriately when people move to a new desk. My dad's a retired phone man so he'd be a bit proud if I could ever remember to mention it to him.
- So Hillary C. was ecstatic about winning the primary in *ahem* Puerto Rico. I could hear Barak Obama yawning all the way from my car on I-35 in Kansas.
- Gotta hand it to my Cardinals. They're hanging tough in the NL Central behind the *ahem* Cubs. Don Tony's been surprisingly open minded about using kid players this year. He did the smart thing, tough as it was, in kicking Chris D. back to Memphis to get his head and his swing together. That kid Joe Mather that I mentioned recently came up to replace him and hit the ground running on Friday night. His RBI proved to be the game winner in his major league debut.
Breakfast in Wichita, 6/1/08...
I joined my St. Louis pals for a wedding-day-after breakfast at this eatery in "old town" Wichita. For the record I had a ham and 3-cheese omelet with sourdough toast, bacon, and house potatoes. with orange juice and milk on the side. I didn't need to eat again until mid-afternoon.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wichita Blogman...
I'm in Wichita, Kansas tonight, where I attended the wedding of a friend of mine. He'd lived in St. Louis for several years before returning to his native Kansas to be firefighter a few years ago. We were in a small group together through our church with a few other guys and we all became pretty close as a result. Several of our friends from that period of our lives came in for the wedding, some of us married to each other, others still single. It was nice ceremony, short and sweet. The reception was great and now I'm back in my hotel room.
I arrived in town this afternoon and didn't have time to sight-see at all. Won't have time tomorrow, either. The drive is about 7 hours from St. Louis, all interstate. Scenery-wise, not much to see, except for the beautiful Flint Hills area of Kansas between Emporia and El Dorado. It reminded me a bit of Ireland (not that I've been there, just what I've seen on television!)
I arrived in town this afternoon and didn't have time to sight-see at all. Won't have time tomorrow, either. The drive is about 7 hours from St. Louis, all interstate. Scenery-wise, not much to see, except for the beautiful Flint Hills area of Kansas between Emporia and El Dorado. It reminded me a bit of Ireland (not that I've been there, just what I've seen on television!)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
In A Few Hours...
this morning Chili and I walked in air so thick and humid you could cut it with a knife. I just went out to get the mail and, well, let's just say a cold front has passed over since then. I guess that explains the showers we got in late morning.
P.S. sock it to me! will miss ya, Dick.
P.S. sock it to me! will miss ya, Dick.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunday Night SOC...
-- I'm covering the Sunday night shift for a vacationing co-worker. The phone's been ringin' in above-average mode for a Sunday night tonight. Well, I've been putting out the fires as they have flared up so far (crossing fingers.)
-- Weather forecast for the next two days, both of which I am off work: They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday's just as bad...bleh...
-- Speaking of weather, a warm front and a cold front have been butting heads 'round the St. Louis area all weekend long and it's been scattered storms today. I hate that Chili-dog has to be home alone tonight--local radar shows heavy weather right over my little corner of St. Louis County. She gets visibly upset, as most dogs do, in times of storms. The bathroom rugs and (if I don't close my bedroom door) my bedroom rugs bear the brunt of her anxiety. Fortunately I remembered to close my door before I left tonight. She got a visit from St. Louis Pet Sitters tonight so that's a bit of relief.
-- Tried out the new McAlister's Deli that has opened near my house. Was not overly impressed. They do same basic thing that Quizno's and Bellacino's and Subway does, just with a wider selection of sandwiches and sides. I got a 6-inch toasted roast-beef and cheddar sub with a side of mac and cheese and a nice big cup-o-Sprite for $8.00 and change.
-- I rented "Juno" last night. Not a bad little movie. Ellen Page was good in the title role, but I really liked J.K. Simmons in his role as the dad. I have always liked him whenever he popped up as a psychiatrist on Law & Order. He's one of those low-key character actors that brings a lot of believability to whatever role he plays.
-- Tragic scene near my house yesterday - a woman suffered a seizure while driving past a bus stop at South County Center shopping mall. Her car ran over several people at the bus stop and landed on a parked car behind it. One teenager is dead and several others were injured. You just never know when your time's coming, folks. What if that kid could have known when he woke up in the morning that his life would be over in a few hours?
-- Ominous rumblings from the intersection of Arsenal and Pestalozzi streets in St. Louis. Anheuser-Busch is **reportedly** being pursued for merger by a foreign beer conglomerate. A-B is very much the heart and soul of the St. Louis economy and I hope they can successfully fend off their pursuers. I find it interesting that this news was first reported in an internet blog. Wouldn't have happened like that even 5 years ago. 5 years ago, most people thought a blog was the sound you made whilst driving the porcelain bus.
-- I really, really hope that gas doesn't hit $4.00 a gallon this week. That will SO freak me out. Don't you think that somehow, somewhere, the Middle East oil barons are having a prolonged good laugh at our expense? I was amused that our Congress held another committee meeting to publicly flog Big Oil's CEOs last week. You can do that as much as you want, boys, but guess what: THEY DON'T CARE. We're gonna keep on buying what they sell, no matter what the price.
-- YAYIAMHAPPY that the Cardinals took 2 of 3 games from the Padres and Dodgers. They're hanging in there. ESPN.com commented that we have a fearsome 3-4 combo in Pujols and Ludwick.
That's all for now.
-- Weather forecast for the next two days, both of which I am off work: They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday's just as bad...bleh...
-- Speaking of weather, a warm front and a cold front have been butting heads 'round the St. Louis area all weekend long and it's been scattered storms today. I hate that Chili-dog has to be home alone tonight--local radar shows heavy weather right over my little corner of St. Louis County. She gets visibly upset, as most dogs do, in times of storms. The bathroom rugs and (if I don't close my bedroom door) my bedroom rugs bear the brunt of her anxiety. Fortunately I remembered to close my door before I left tonight. She got a visit from St. Louis Pet Sitters tonight so that's a bit of relief.
-- Tried out the new McAlister's Deli that has opened near my house. Was not overly impressed. They do same basic thing that Quizno's and Bellacino's and Subway does, just with a wider selection of sandwiches and sides. I got a 6-inch toasted roast-beef and cheddar sub with a side of mac and cheese and a nice big cup-o-Sprite for $8.00 and change.
-- I rented "Juno" last night. Not a bad little movie. Ellen Page was good in the title role, but I really liked J.K. Simmons in his role as the dad. I have always liked him whenever he popped up as a psychiatrist on Law & Order. He's one of those low-key character actors that brings a lot of believability to whatever role he plays.
-- Tragic scene near my house yesterday - a woman suffered a seizure while driving past a bus stop at South County Center shopping mall. Her car ran over several people at the bus stop and landed on a parked car behind it. One teenager is dead and several others were injured. You just never know when your time's coming, folks. What if that kid could have known when he woke up in the morning that his life would be over in a few hours?
-- Ominous rumblings from the intersection of Arsenal and Pestalozzi streets in St. Louis. Anheuser-Busch is **reportedly** being pursued for merger by a foreign beer conglomerate. A-B is very much the heart and soul of the St. Louis economy and I hope they can successfully fend off their pursuers. I find it interesting that this news was first reported in an internet blog. Wouldn't have happened like that even 5 years ago. 5 years ago, most people thought a blog was the sound you made whilst driving the porcelain bus.
-- I really, really hope that gas doesn't hit $4.00 a gallon this week. That will SO freak me out. Don't you think that somehow, somewhere, the Middle East oil barons are having a prolonged good laugh at our expense? I was amused that our Congress held another committee meeting to publicly flog Big Oil's CEOs last week. You can do that as much as you want, boys, but guess what: THEY DON'T CARE. We're gonna keep on buying what they sell, no matter what the price.
-- YAYIAMHAPPY that the Cardinals took 2 of 3 games from the Padres and Dodgers. They're hanging in there. ESPN.com commented that we have a fearsome 3-4 combo in Pujols and Ludwick.
That's all for now.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
I Am A Fundamentalist...
Last evening I enjoyed a rockin' concert in the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill. A friend of mine from church plays guitar in a local band called Fundamental Elements. They held a CD release party to celebrate the release of their latest and greatest CD, "The Cycle We're Living In." I had never heard the band play a note before so I went having no idea what to expect. What I heard was definitely pleasing to my ears. Their sound is influenced by pop, rock, funk, and hip-hop elements that plays very well in concert. For a $5 cover charge and $5 more for the CD, I felt I got my $10 worth. The band's opening act was a duo known as "Scratch Track." Think Johnny Cash meets Gnarls Barkley (thanks to my friend Jim Barnard for that description from his review of the concert.) They joined FE on stage near the end of their set and that really turned things up a few notches. Below is a 30-second cell-phone video of the combined band's funked-up arrangement of "Man Of Constant Sorrow." It REALLY cooked!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Made In Russia...
Because it's the Friday before Memorial Day and because I can...
Leningrad Cowboys & Red Army Choir - SWEET HOME ALABAMA
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Memo To The San Diego Padres...
Just stay out of Albert Pujols' way, OK? It's just the safe thing to do.
That is all.
AP takes out a Padres pitcher AND catcher in the same inning.
That is all.
AP takes out a Padres pitcher AND catcher in the same inning.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Nothing Like A Good Joke...
What kind of number travels a lot? A roamin' numeral, of course.
Friend of mine started this new diet where all you eat is spices. He ran out of a certain one and had to run to his neighbor's for more. Now he's living on borrowed Thyme.
Friend of mine started this new diet where all you eat is spices. He ran out of a certain one and had to run to his neighbor's for more. Now he's living on borrowed Thyme.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday Night SOC - Quick Hitter..,
- Have to settle for a quickie tonight, folks. Time got away from me as I the boob tube enveloped me in its tractor beam. Both the M*A*S*H finale and "The Empire Strikes Back" were on at the same time tonight!
- My lawn mower is out of commission - I think the throttle control is out of whack. Adjusting the coil-spring did no good. Apparently I am able to work on computers all day but 2-cycle engines are lost on me. It died on me as I was about to cut my front yard yesterday. The back yard looks great; the front, not so much! Now, how to fit it in my car's trunk to make the trip to the repair shop? Stay tuned, people!
- The Cardinals' ship has been listing to port all week. They lost 2 of 3 series but got back on track this weekend, beating the Tampa Bay (don't call us Devil) Rays at home 2 out 3 games. Injuries are beginning to creep in oh-so-ominously. Closer Izzy has been banished to Florida to recover his psyche and maybe some of his pitches, too, who knows? Center fielder Ankiel's shoulder is reportedly sore. Local sports scribes are clamoring for the appearance of someone named Joe Mather from the minor leagues team. I hope Don Tony can hold the team together.
- What can (Big) Brown do for you? Only win the first two races of the Triple Crown. He looks like the real deal but Pimlico has been the undoing of many a great horse, so we'll see in three weeks. No horses expired after the race yesterday so PETA had nothing to complain about. No more than usual, that is.
- My lawn mower is out of commission - I think the throttle control is out of whack. Adjusting the coil-spring did no good. Apparently I am able to work on computers all day but 2-cycle engines are lost on me. It died on me as I was about to cut my front yard yesterday. The back yard looks great; the front, not so much! Now, how to fit it in my car's trunk to make the trip to the repair shop? Stay tuned, people!
- The Cardinals' ship has been listing to port all week. They lost 2 of 3 series but got back on track this weekend, beating the Tampa Bay (don't call us Devil) Rays at home 2 out 3 games. Injuries are beginning to creep in oh-so-ominously. Closer Izzy has been banished to Florida to recover his psyche and maybe some of his pitches, too, who knows? Center fielder Ankiel's shoulder is reportedly sore. Local sports scribes are clamoring for the appearance of someone named Joe Mather from the minor leagues team. I hope Don Tony can hold the team together.
- What can (Big) Brown do for you? Only win the first two races of the Triple Crown. He looks like the real deal but Pimlico has been the undoing of many a great horse, so we'll see in three weeks. No horses expired after the race yesterday so PETA had nothing to complain about. No more than usual, that is.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A Dog-gone Good Time!...
Today I took Chili up to
Forest Park for the annual "Bark In The Park" festivities. Dogs of all shapes and sizes (and their owners of all shapes and sizes) converged on Cricket Field in Forest Park for the Humane Society of Missouri's annual benefit for rescued animals. There was a mass dog-walk to start things off (we got there late and snuck into the middle of it) and then all the dogs mingled amongst the tents set up for dog-related organizations from all over the area. Several local bluegrass bands performed throughout the day, which I thought was very cool, personally. The Purina Incredible Dog Team performed aerial acrobatics and the St. Louis Police Canine unit showed off their skills. I showed Chili around Forest Park a bit afterwards. She was plum tuckered out! I have posted pictures at my Flickr account.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sunday Night SOC...
-- this one's early tonight because I covered the late shift at work last night and didn't sleep until after 2:00 a.m., so I'm bedding down early tonight. Yes, that was me you saw watching reruns of "Emergency!" on hulu.com late in the midnight hour. Television medical dramas have come a long, long way in 36 years.
-- Mother's Day tasted good this year! I
joined my bro, sis-in-law, and adorable Lydia at my parents' church in Festus this morning. My parents proudly showed off Lydia to their friends as they passed by. She was quiet through most of the service but she got fussy towards the end. We had lunch and a lazy afternoon at my parents' house afterwards. The weather was unpleasantly cool, cloudy, and extremely windy but the sun broke through by late afternoon.
-- felt a twinge of sadness when I read of Dottie Rambo's untimely death overnight. She'd just sung a concert here in the St. Louis area and was en route to a Mother's Day concert in Texas when her bus wrecked on I-44 near Mount Vernon, MO. I suppose if you're a traveling gospel singer as she was, that's how you might hope to go, in a bus on the way to your next gig. I always hate to hear of people dying suddenly, with no chance to say goodbye to their loved ones. Another living legend of gospel music gone on to glory.
-- have you seen that Dannon Activia yogurt commercial with Jamie Lee Curtis? The one that really annoys me? Does anyone really believe Jamie Lee Curtis stopped in the dairy aisle of her local A & P to read a yogurt carton? I mean, really! That almost insults my intelligence. And that $25 phrase she throws out in the middle of the monologue, "Bifidus Regularis" - that has nothing to do with yogurt. It describes Biff after his nightly dose of Metamucil.
-- more musical goodness from Dusty Groove America coming in the mail tomorrow. Yay!
-- was disappointed in Hallmark's offering of Mother's Day cards this year. I didn't find a single one that I liked. There was a LOT of pink and purple and flowers on the cards this year. Add in a ton of trite poetics and you get one non-plussed Matlockjohn. I stopped in at a nearby Family Christian Store and bought a Dayspring card with a nice bible verse inside.
-- memo to all stores who offer "rewards" cards that are all the rage these days. no, I don't have one of your rewards cards, and I don't want one, so please just ring me up and let me get on with my life. That is all.
-- on the lighter side, did you know that the Cateract is the favorite American car in Japan? No charge for that one, folks.
-- it's time to fold laundry and then fold myself into the sack. Have a good week, gentle readers.
-- Mother's Day tasted good this year! I
joined my bro, sis-in-law, and adorable Lydia at my parents' church in Festus this morning. My parents proudly showed off Lydia to their friends as they passed by. She was quiet through most of the service but she got fussy towards the end. We had lunch and a lazy afternoon at my parents' house afterwards. The weather was unpleasantly cool, cloudy, and extremely windy but the sun broke through by late afternoon.-- felt a twinge of sadness when I read of Dottie Rambo's untimely death overnight. She'd just sung a concert here in the St. Louis area and was en route to a Mother's Day concert in Texas when her bus wrecked on I-44 near Mount Vernon, MO. I suppose if you're a traveling gospel singer as she was, that's how you might hope to go, in a bus on the way to your next gig. I always hate to hear of people dying suddenly, with no chance to say goodbye to their loved ones. Another living legend of gospel music gone on to glory.
-- have you seen that Dannon Activia yogurt commercial with Jamie Lee Curtis? The one that really annoys me? Does anyone really believe Jamie Lee Curtis stopped in the dairy aisle of her local A & P to read a yogurt carton? I mean, really! That almost insults my intelligence. And that $25 phrase she throws out in the middle of the monologue, "Bifidus Regularis" - that has nothing to do with yogurt. It describes Biff after his nightly dose of Metamucil.
-- more musical goodness from Dusty Groove America coming in the mail tomorrow. Yay!
-- was disappointed in Hallmark's offering of Mother's Day cards this year. I didn't find a single one that I liked. There was a LOT of pink and purple and flowers on the cards this year. Add in a ton of trite poetics and you get one non-plussed Matlockjohn. I stopped in at a nearby Family Christian Store and bought a Dayspring card with a nice bible verse inside.
-- memo to all stores who offer "rewards" cards that are all the rage these days. no, I don't have one of your rewards cards, and I don't want one, so please just ring me up and let me get on with my life. That is all.
-- on the lighter side, did you know that the Cateract is the favorite American car in Japan? No charge for that one, folks.
-- it's time to fold laundry and then fold myself into the sack. Have a good week, gentle readers.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Height Of Evil!...
A good portion of the country of Myanmar was wiped out by a cyclone last week. A humanitarian crisis has ensued as the death toll has reached well into the 5 figures and many thousands more are without adequate food or shelter. Some foreign aid has reached the country and more should be on its way but the military junta government is going on its merry way conducting the country's business as if nothing is wrong! They have blocked distribution of all relief supplies and food so far.
I know the Bible tells us in Psalm 37 to not fret because of evil men, when they succeed in their ways, but I'm having a hard time with this, folks.
I know the Bible tells us in Psalm 37 to not fret because of evil men, when they succeed in their ways, but I'm having a hard time with this, folks.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Multiplyin' Like Rabbits...
Incredible, but true, folks...I don't make the news, just pass it along.The Duggar family of Tontitown, Arkansas, 17 children strong, will welcome their 18th(!) child next January.
Read all about it here.
Forgive me, folks, but I find it funny that the husband's name is Jim Bob.
Not A Best Buy...
I was in my local Best Buy last night doing a bit of shopping because I was considering a new cell phone for a certain maternal relative of mine who has a holiday being celebrated this weekend. My eyes fell upon a certain display phone that had no price tag associated with it. I asked a young blue-shirted associate about this and he checked behind the counter. His reply: "we actually don't any in stock and we don't even sell that phone anymore."
Stupidly, I continued on in this conversation. "So if this phone isn't being sold and no one has any hope of getting one from this store, why is it still on display?" "Because we haven't had time to take it off display," he replied. This was about 15 minutes before closing time. There was not much traffic in the store and there were at least 5 other associates milling around not doing much of anything.
I went and looked at LCD flat-panel TVs until about 5 minutes before closing time. The phone was still on display when I passed by.
sigh...
Stupidly, I continued on in this conversation. "So if this phone isn't being sold and no one has any hope of getting one from this store, why is it still on display?" "Because we haven't had time to take it off display," he replied. This was about 15 minutes before closing time. There was not much traffic in the store and there were at least 5 other associates milling around not doing much of anything.
I went and looked at LCD flat-panel TVs until about 5 minutes before closing time. The phone was still on display when I passed by.
sigh...
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
I Am Amused...
at the Major League Baseball Players' Association. They have opened an investigation into why several of its big-name players are still free agents. Players such as Barry Bonds, Kenny Lofton, David Wells and Mike Piazza are still jobless as of this writing. A few teams have job openings that these players would fit nicely into, yet they remain unsigned.
I have a theory, maybe I'm wrong but hear me out. These "star" players they're concerned about are all near or above the age of 40! It's called "they have nothing left and but won't admit they're through!" What's more, Barry Bonds, who is the biggest of the big names, IS UNDER INDICTMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!! HELLO! No team is going to touch him as long as that monkey is riding shotgun on his back. The fact that Bonds' old team, the San Francisco Giants, have removed all references to him from their stadium should tell you how they feel about him.
Now, mind you, I have nothing against the age of 40 or athletes who play up to and beyond that age but if you've got no gas left in your tank you should just retire quietly and move on. Matt Morris is a good example of this - he is still in his early 30s but retired this week after being released by the Pittsburgh Pirates. If the Pirates can't use you, then you know your career is really over, folks.
Should all Realtors whose listed homes aren't selling band together and investigate why that is so? Should all salesmen whose products aren't selling investigate why their products won't well?
Give me a break...
I have a theory, maybe I'm wrong but hear me out. These "star" players they're concerned about are all near or above the age of 40! It's called "they have nothing left and but won't admit they're through!" What's more, Barry Bonds, who is the biggest of the big names, IS UNDER INDICTMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!! HELLO! No team is going to touch him as long as that monkey is riding shotgun on his back. The fact that Bonds' old team, the San Francisco Giants, have removed all references to him from their stadium should tell you how they feel about him.
Now, mind you, I have nothing against the age of 40 or athletes who play up to and beyond that age but if you've got no gas left in your tank you should just retire quietly and move on. Matt Morris is a good example of this - he is still in his early 30s but retired this week after being released by the Pittsburgh Pirates. If the Pirates can't use you, then you know your career is really over, folks.
Should all Realtors whose listed homes aren't selling band together and investigate why that is so? Should all salesmen whose products aren't selling investigate why their products won't well?
Give me a break...
Monday, May 05, 2008
Pedal Pusher...
I did get in a nice 1.5 hr ride on Grant's Trail late this afternoon, a little over 13 miles round-trip. Temperature was just right with just a bit of breeze. On the map above, I went from 1 to 8 and back.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Sunday Night Stream Of Consciousness...
Last Sunday night's ramble produced one positive review, so I'm going at it again tonight. Let's see what comes out of my brain this time...
-- My Saturday was good, thanks for asking. I took Chili to a couple of pet stores to sniff around and meet other dogs. We came home and did a bit of yard work in the back yard, interspersed with some romps in the grass. Romping is good for the soul, I have come to believe.
-- I'm having a couple of people come by tomorrow to give me estimates on replacement windows for my house. I'd promised myself I'd take this summer off from doing any home-improvements, but it can't hurt to look into it, right? My windows are old, single-pane, and drafty. Not to mention not energy-efficient in the least. Maybe some siding, too? We'll see.
-- "Charlie Wilson's War" - rented it Thursday night. Another great movie. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are the big name stars and they turn in their usual stellar performances. However, the reason to watch this movie is Philip Seymour Hoffman. He's one of my favorite actors. His role as a dumpy, profane spy is a perfect one for him. He steals every scene he's in.
-- Come on without, come on within. You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn.
-- My friend J delivered baby Logan on Thursday evening. The pictures I've seen show a happy family. I'm happy for them. Feeling guilty that I didn't remember to go visit them and another hospitalized friend Friday night.
-- My parents babysat Lydia Joy last night while her parents went to church and out to dinner afterwards. I stopped by and visited them and her. Finally! Finally! I got to hold her for an extended length of time! I hadn't held a baby like that since I was back in the nursery at Faith Baptist Church ten years ago. She is four months old tonight. Can't tell you how satisfying it is to see my parents finally getting to enjoy her after being preoccupied with my grandpa's illness for so long.
-- The weather was picture-perfect today, absolutely perfect in every respect. Abundant sunshine, cloudless sky, and just-right temperature. A fine day for a picnic. Which is what I attended after church today. My Monday-night bible study's annual Spring outdoor party took place at Queeny Park and we had a great time enjoying good food and fellowship. Yes, I got some sunburn. Yes, it will probably smart a little in the morning.
-- Will try to get in a bike ride on Grant's Trail tomorrow. I found out I can't participate in the fund raiser bike ride my biking friends are preparing for because it's happening on the day I'm away for my friend's wedding in Kansas. Bummer!
-- Look up the expression "old master" in the dictionary and you'll find a picture of Freddy Cole. He's Nat "King" Cole's younger brother and he's been a jazz vocalist in his own right for decades. His latest CD was Grammy-nominated for good reason. His voice is superb and the Bill Charlap trio backs him up perfectly.
-- My Saturday was good, thanks for asking. I took Chili to a couple of pet stores to sniff around and meet other dogs. We came home and did a bit of yard work in the back yard, interspersed with some romps in the grass. Romping is good for the soul, I have come to believe.
-- I'm having a couple of people come by tomorrow to give me estimates on replacement windows for my house. I'd promised myself I'd take this summer off from doing any home-improvements, but it can't hurt to look into it, right? My windows are old, single-pane, and drafty. Not to mention not energy-efficient in the least. Maybe some siding, too? We'll see.
-- "Charlie Wilson's War" - rented it Thursday night. Another great movie. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are the big name stars and they turn in their usual stellar performances. However, the reason to watch this movie is Philip Seymour Hoffman. He's one of my favorite actors. His role as a dumpy, profane spy is a perfect one for him. He steals every scene he's in.
-- Come on without, come on within. You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn.
-- My friend J delivered baby Logan on Thursday evening. The pictures I've seen show a happy family. I'm happy for them. Feeling guilty that I didn't remember to go visit them and another hospitalized friend Friday night.
-- My parents babysat Lydia Joy last night while her parents went to church and out to dinner afterwards. I stopped by and visited them and her. Finally! Finally! I got to hold her for an extended length of time! I hadn't held a baby like that since I was back in the nursery at Faith Baptist Church ten years ago. She is four months old tonight. Can't tell you how satisfying it is to see my parents finally getting to enjoy her after being preoccupied with my grandpa's illness for so long.
-- The weather was picture-perfect today, absolutely perfect in every respect. Abundant sunshine, cloudless sky, and just-right temperature. A fine day for a picnic. Which is what I attended after church today. My Monday-night bible study's annual Spring outdoor party took place at Queeny Park and we had a great time enjoying good food and fellowship. Yes, I got some sunburn. Yes, it will probably smart a little in the morning.
-- Will try to get in a bike ride on Grant's Trail tomorrow. I found out I can't participate in the fund raiser bike ride my biking friends are preparing for because it's happening on the day I'm away for my friend's wedding in Kansas. Bummer!
-- Look up the expression "old master" in the dictionary and you'll find a picture of Freddy Cole. He's Nat "King" Cole's younger brother and he's been a jazz vocalist in his own right for decades. His latest CD was Grammy-nominated for good reason. His voice is superb and the Bill Charlap trio backs him up perfectly.
The Odd Things I See Sometimes...
A couple of oddities from the weekend...
Chili and I encountered this on our evening walk last night - look closely:
Taken from inside my car before leaving church this afternoon. Click on this picture and you'll see a PT Cruiser with, yes, *whitewall tires* and 1940s-style hubcaps. oh-so-retro:
Friday, May 02, 2008
Modern Manners...
Today's Miss Manners column was a doozy...witness:
Dear Miss Manners: What do you do when your only daughter has her mother (a redneck) escort her down the aisle instead of her living father? The mother is the force behind this.
As a young couple, the two divorced early. My brother went his way, and she did also. Over the years, he supported the child monetarily and not as much physically.
Her mother's side is more controlling. As aunt and uncles, we all sent gifts, but all went unrecognized. We have excused this with lack of manners from parents.
Should we lower ourselves as rednecks and take care of them in a restroom? Or pretend their actions are a slap in the face to our family, especially my brother, who did the best that he could as a young dad and adult? It leaves me to believe that they are vindictive and money grubbers.
Please help me understand their ignorance. Your comments and suggestions are important and much needed.
Gentle Reader: It strikes Miss Manners that what is needed is a security guard in the restrooms.
Her suggestion is that you all calm down and not hurl charges of ignorance (along with other insults) that could better be used against you.
Galling as you will find this, having the parent who actually reared the daughter give her away at her wedding is traditionally correct. With two parents in the house, it was the father, but the underlying idea was that the bride had been living under his protection, and he was about to transfer custody to the bridegroom.
Now we all know that today's bride does not care to consider herself in need of either such protection. But if she likes the anachronistic custom, she need not scurry to find a male to do it. In the absence of a custodial father, the mother is not an improper choice.
(I added the bold and italics)
Dear Miss Manners: What do you do when your only daughter has her mother (a redneck) escort her down the aisle instead of her living father? The mother is the force behind this.
As a young couple, the two divorced early. My brother went his way, and she did also. Over the years, he supported the child monetarily and not as much physically.
Her mother's side is more controlling. As aunt and uncles, we all sent gifts, but all went unrecognized. We have excused this with lack of manners from parents.
Should we lower ourselves as rednecks and take care of them in a restroom? Or pretend their actions are a slap in the face to our family, especially my brother, who did the best that he could as a young dad and adult? It leaves me to believe that they are vindictive and money grubbers.
Please help me understand their ignorance. Your comments and suggestions are important and much needed.
Gentle Reader: It strikes Miss Manners that what is needed is a security guard in the restrooms.
Her suggestion is that you all calm down and not hurl charges of ignorance (along with other insults) that could better be used against you.
Galling as you will find this, having the parent who actually reared the daughter give her away at her wedding is traditionally correct. With two parents in the house, it was the father, but the underlying idea was that the bride had been living under his protection, and he was about to transfer custody to the bridegroom.
Now we all know that today's bride does not care to consider herself in need of either such protection. But if she likes the anachronistic custom, she need not scurry to find a male to do it. In the absence of a custodial father, the mother is not an improper choice.
(I added the bold and italics)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Bloglines Notifier...
This little blog is beginning to pick up a bit more traffic lately, so I want to let my readers know about Bloglines Notifier. It's an unobtrusive piece of software that resides in your Windows system tray and notifies you when your favorite blogs are updated. Thus, you would avoid needlessly clicking over here to see if I've updated. Simply download and install the software for free, then type in the names of each blog you read and et voila! I have about 11 blogs that I read regularly so this little program is a real time-saver.
Worth A Read...
Couple of good columns in today's newspaper. Bill McClellan laments the decline and fall of the Pulitzer family culture at the Post-Dispatch. Meanwhile, sports columnist Dan O'Neill weighs in with a great commentary on the decline and fall of Roger Clemens.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
A Suite Experience...
I had a great time at the Cardinals game tonight. The Cardinals had a great time at the game too, winning 7-2 over the at-least-for-tonight hapless Cincinnati Reds. Joel Piñeiro held the Reds in check for 7 scoreless innings. Ron Villone and Anthony Reyes finished up, with Reyes ruining the shutout by tossing one errant pitch that landed over the center field wall. The Reds started off poorly with a Keystone Kops-style base running play that killed the momentum they were building. Troy Glaus notched a Little League home run, circling the bases after a Reds outfielder misplayed his double. I think he's still running as I write this.
The suite experience was nice. I consumed a hot dog and 2 plates of nachos, a soft pretzel, and some Blue Bunny Screamer ice cream. Free food does, in fact, taste better. Especially when the home team is winning.
I posted some pictures here.
Oh, and during the game I worried a bit about having to walk back to my car afterwards. I parked in a lot 5 blocks away from the stadium and even if I stayed with the crowd, well, you just never know. Well, as I'm walking away from the stadium, who do I find in front of me but one of the pastors from my church, his wife, and another couple whom I know! They were parked in the same lot as me so we all walked together in safety. Thanks, God!
The suite experience was nice. I consumed a hot dog and 2 plates of nachos, a soft pretzel, and some Blue Bunny Screamer ice cream. Free food does, in fact, taste better. Especially when the home team is winning.
I posted some pictures here.
Oh, and during the game I worried a bit about having to walk back to my car afterwards. I parked in a lot 5 blocks away from the stadium and even if I stayed with the crowd, well, you just never know. Well, as I'm walking away from the stadium, who do I find in front of me but one of the pastors from my church, his wife, and another couple whom I know! They were parked in the same lot as me so we all walked together in safety. Thanks, God!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday Night Stream Of Consciousness...
-- I really enjoy sleeping late on Saturday mornings; by late I mean 8-8:30 a.m.-ish. The usual routine is: take dog out to do her business, come back to do spiritual business (morning devotional: My Utmost For His Highest, Updated Edition - I highly recommend it), throw on some clothes and take dog for walk if weather is good, return and have breakfast, and then on with the day.
-- Did some shopping yesterday. Really need some new work shoes and non-work tennis shoes. Could not find anything that I liked. Made a late-afternoon trip to Crestwood Mall. (sorry, recently its name changed to Crestwood COURT since its new owners took over). The mall is in really sad shape these days. Almost a ghost town inside, a far cry from when my mom and brother and I would journey up there from Festus when I was a teenager. I did find a new pair of khaki Dockers to replace my current pair of khaki Dockers, which are an unknown number of years old and falling apart at the seams.
-- I'm so proud of myself. I have actually purchased a wedding gift more than a week in advance of the wedding. Wish I could get off work the day before the wedding, not looking forward to the solo drive to Wichita.
-- I'm proud of myself for another reason. I accomplished a household repair all by myself! The toilet in my half-bath was leaking water all over the place so one new water supply line plus one new fill valve equals no more leaky toilet. YAY!
-- Rented "Lars And The Real Girl" last night. It's a quirky little movie that you, too, should rent. Trust me on this one.
-- I am now the owner of a really nice La-Z-Boy side chair/recliner and 2 end-tables that had been in my Papaw's front room. My front room needed some more furniture so my mom brought them back with her yesterday. She was in Malden Friday and Saturday beginning the long process of cleaning out the house and preparing it for sale. Yes, it will be hard to say goodbye to that house. If I had the money, I'd buy it.
-- My mom and dad logged some Lydia-time at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Wednesday and they got in some Chili-time while they were at my house today.
-- My friend J was due to have her baby today but her husband G reports tonight that baby L is reluctant to come out so J will be induced later this week.
-- Got a bad case of love, people, my heart is filled with misery - so sings B.B. King. That song blew my mind when I was shopping at Eddie Bauer one day. I immediately iTunes'd it onto my iPod when I got home that day. Some people play air guitar or air drums; being a one-time keyboard player, I play air-organ on that song.
-- Employment at my company does have its occasional perks. I and my co-workers will be enjoying this Tuesday night's Cardinals baseball game from one of the Busch Stadium suites, courtesy of our advertising division. In addition, I was able to score 2 FREE TICKETS to an upcoming performance of Jersey Boys at the (Fabulous) Fox Theater. Enjoy the show, Mom and Dad!
-- was supposed to ride bikes with last Sunday's pack of riders but it was raining and 49 degrees at the pack leader's house this afternoon so he cancelled our ride. Amen, brother.
-- It's now after 11:00 so I really should do my body a favor and get to bed soon. I leave you with the end panel from a recent re-run of a Calvin and Hobbes comic. It really hit me hard, in light of recent events in my life. The context: Calvin has just found out the baby raccoon he rescued has died. His words :
-- Did some shopping yesterday. Really need some new work shoes and non-work tennis shoes. Could not find anything that I liked. Made a late-afternoon trip to Crestwood Mall. (sorry, recently its name changed to Crestwood COURT since its new owners took over). The mall is in really sad shape these days. Almost a ghost town inside, a far cry from when my mom and brother and I would journey up there from Festus when I was a teenager. I did find a new pair of khaki Dockers to replace my current pair of khaki Dockers, which are an unknown number of years old and falling apart at the seams.
-- I'm so proud of myself. I have actually purchased a wedding gift more than a week in advance of the wedding. Wish I could get off work the day before the wedding, not looking forward to the solo drive to Wichita.
-- I'm proud of myself for another reason. I accomplished a household repair all by myself! The toilet in my half-bath was leaking water all over the place so one new water supply line plus one new fill valve equals no more leaky toilet. YAY!
-- Rented "Lars And The Real Girl" last night. It's a quirky little movie that you, too, should rent. Trust me on this one.
-- I am now the owner of a really nice La-Z-Boy side chair/recliner and 2 end-tables that had been in my Papaw's front room. My front room needed some more furniture so my mom brought them back with her yesterday. She was in Malden Friday and Saturday beginning the long process of cleaning out the house and preparing it for sale. Yes, it will be hard to say goodbye to that house. If I had the money, I'd buy it.
-- My mom and dad logged some Lydia-time at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Wednesday and they got in some Chili-time while they were at my house today.
-- My friend J was due to have her baby today but her husband G reports tonight that baby L is reluctant to come out so J will be induced later this week.
-- Got a bad case of love, people, my heart is filled with misery - so sings B.B. King. That song blew my mind when I was shopping at Eddie Bauer one day. I immediately iTunes'd it onto my iPod when I got home that day. Some people play air guitar or air drums; being a one-time keyboard player, I play air-organ on that song.
-- Employment at my company does have its occasional perks. I and my co-workers will be enjoying this Tuesday night's Cardinals baseball game from one of the Busch Stadium suites, courtesy of our advertising division. In addition, I was able to score 2 FREE TICKETS to an upcoming performance of Jersey Boys at the (Fabulous) Fox Theater. Enjoy the show, Mom and Dad!
-- was supposed to ride bikes with last Sunday's pack of riders but it was raining and 49 degrees at the pack leader's house this afternoon so he cancelled our ride. Amen, brother.
-- It's now after 11:00 so I really should do my body a favor and get to bed soon. I leave you with the end panel from a recent re-run of a Calvin and Hobbes comic. It really hit me hard, in light of recent events in my life. The context: Calvin has just found out the baby raccoon he rescued has died. His words :
"I'm crying because out there he's gone but he's not gone inside of me"
Friday, April 25, 2008
Whatchootalkinbout?
I almost never spend any time watching the BET cable network, but last Sunday I was surfing and happened upon a rerun (re-run?) of "Diff'rent Strokes." Oh, the nostalgia...
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Feel The Burn...
knocked out 15 miles on the bike today. Some friends from church and I met at Creve Coeur Lake to enjoy the Spring sunshine. We went west across the northern edge of the lake then turned northwest to parallel the Page Ave. extension and crossed over Missouri River, before turning around at the Katy Trail. I neglected to bring sunscreen so I may be feeling the "burn" tomorrow, hopefully not too bad. I had a great time and managed to keep up with the others pretty easily. Not too bad for my first long ride of the year. I did a short preliminary ride on Grant's Trail yesterday to make sure my bike was still in good shape.
I would like to teach Chili to run beside me as I ride; am I dreaming?
*EDIT* - no sunburn but lingering soreness... : )
I would like to teach Chili to run beside me as I ride; am I dreaming?
*EDIT* - no sunburn but lingering soreness... : )
Friday, April 18, 2008
They Found Him...
....that person that TV news always seems to find when covering a natural disaster. By the way, Chili and slept through the earthquake but I did feel the aftershock this morning.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Another Year Older...
Now I am officially 34 years old. I am reminded as I am every birthday about the OB/GYN whose lunch hour was interrupted so I could be delivered safely. My arrival was early by about 6 weeks; I guess I just couldn't wait any longer.
Much has happened in the last year. It hardly seems possible that a year has gone by, actually. I still remember well what was happening this time last year. My unfortunate root canal, the Virginia Tech shootings, my birthday supper at Pietro's.
If I'd only known how much would be different a year later! I am a first-time uncle (love ya, Lydia Joy!). I am a first-time dog owner (love ya, Chili-dog!). I am now grandparent-less (love ya, Papaw and Clara!).
What will this birthday year bring?
Much has happened in the last year. It hardly seems possible that a year has gone by, actually. I still remember well what was happening this time last year. My unfortunate root canal, the Virginia Tech shootings, my birthday supper at Pietro's.
If I'd only known how much would be different a year later! I am a first-time uncle (love ya, Lydia Joy!). I am a first-time dog owner (love ya, Chili-dog!). I am now grandparent-less (love ya, Papaw and Clara!).
What will this birthday year bring?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Annoying...
It's annoying when a co-worker's unattended cell phone rings, but if their ringtone is REO Speedwagon, I guess it's not so bad.
Our Security Is Outsourced...
A few days ago, a company-wide e-mail was sent reminding all employees to wear their badges at all times while in the building. I didn't think anything about it but I really should have. Today another company-wide e-mail was sent announcing the outsourcing of our security guards to a local security company. I assume this means all our company-employed security guards will be out the door soon. This is why we should wear our badges because the new guards will not know who we are, as opposed to our familiar guards, whom we see every day and know who we are. I suppose some of our guards could still be around but they'll be working AT my company instead of FOR my company, likely at a lower salary and benefits level.
**SIGH** another harsh reality of corporate life in the modern economy...
And if you're wondering if this could happen to me, it could--but it absolutely won't, I am assured by my managers.
**SIGH** another harsh reality of corporate life in the modern economy...
And if you're wondering if this could happen to me, it could--but it absolutely won't, I am assured by my managers.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Best $5.99 I've Spent In A While...
10 Matlocks headed to Steak and Ale tonight for dinner and conversation. The steaks were really, really, good. What better way to top it off than with a slice of apple pie? My Uncle J. and I decided to indulge. This was the restaurant's version of apple pie:
a MINIATURE apple pie, served warm and a la mode.
Oh. My.
It was as good as it looks. The cost? $5.99 but I would've paid twice that.
a MINIATURE apple pie, served warm and a la mode.
Oh. My.
It was as good as it looks. The cost? $5.99 but I would've paid twice that.
Down South(west)...
I'm blogging tonight from Springfield, MO. My cousin S. got married here a few hours ago. All but one of the Matlock brothers and sisters came for the occasion. (Well, the sister had to be here since it was her son getting hitched!) It was a nice wedding and reception. We are getting together tonight for a dinner and "catch-up" session at local eatery somewhere close by.
It's been 13 years since I've been in Springfield. The last time was during a tour stop with the NEMO Singers of what was then Northeast Missouri State University. One thing I will take away from this trip: if you want to get anywhere in this town, you have to take Glenstone Ave. to get there, at some point.
Chili is once again being served by St. Louis Pet Sitters. Their last visits with her were, in their words, g-r-r-r-eat.
It's been 13 years since I've been in Springfield. The last time was during a tour stop with the NEMO Singers of what was then Northeast Missouri State University. One thing I will take away from this trip: if you want to get anywhere in this town, you have to take Glenstone Ave. to get there, at some point.
Chili is once again being served by St. Louis Pet Sitters. Their last visits with her were, in their words, g-r-r-r-eat.
Friday, April 11, 2008
At Three Months...
My niece Lydia Joy turned 3 months old last Friday and was dedicated at her church on Sunday (along with 22(!) other babies and toddlers). She wore a white dress that was a gift from my dad.
She did make the trip down for her great-grandpa's funeral, but had to hang out in the church nursery. She met lots of family members for the first time!
My brother sent a bunch more pictures out on Wednesday - see them here.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Back Home...
I'm back in the saddle of the 'Lou tonight. It's way too early to write in-depth about what I experienced over the weekend. For now I'll just describe it as distinctly cathartic, if I'm defining that word appropriately. Lots of releasing happened; stress, tension, pain, and emotion were released in varying degrees.
Thanks to everyone who prayed.
P.S. - Thanks to St. Louis Pet Sitters for taking such good care of my doggie!
Thanks to everyone who prayed.
P.S. - Thanks to St. Louis Pet Sitters for taking such good care of my doggie!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
In Memory Of...
Bill and Clara. They married quietly on a Sunday afternoon in June, 2005--two widowers who needed someone with whom to continue the sunset of their lives. I was more than a little wary when they announced their decision to marry but I figured they were old enough to know what they were doing! Clara proved to be a sweet woman, different in many ways from my beloved Mamaw but still a wonderful partner for my Papaw.
Their earthly bodies died within forty-eight hours of each other this week. Clara passed away on Wednesday morning following unforeseen complications after surgery on March 27. Bill's struggle with cancer ended on Friday just after 8:00 a.m. His health had been in decline since last summer and his last months were spent at home in hospice care.
I was fortunate and blessed to have known them. Gone but never, ever forgotten.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his godly ones. (Psalm 116:15 NASB)
Indeed.
Friday, April 04, 2008
They've Gone Away...
The smile of your spirit
The glory of your soul
Aren't you so happy to be free
And flying in the air, so wonderful....
The glory of your soul
Aren't you so happy to be free
And flying in the air, so wonderful....
Thursday, April 03, 2008
U-verse: Installed and Online...
I've been online with AT&T's U-verse internet TV and broadband service for a few days now and I'm very happy with it. If any of my readers have the chance to get it where they live, check it out! My installer was very professional and competent. It took about 4 hours to get everything wired and installed properly. The TV comes in through my existing co-axial cable so no new holes in the house! YAY! The picture seems brighter and clearer, somehow. I guess it's that digital signal coming in, huh? : ) I'm now using the co-axial cable that fed into my computer room but never got used. The broadband internet is as fast as promised as well.
I discovered a really cool feature the other night. I can browse my Flickr photos on my TV! Since my TV signal and broadband share the same connection, my TV and computer can interact. I switch to a certain channel, press a button on the remote, and in a few seconds, my pictures come up! This happens because my Flickr login is the same as my AT&T/Yahoo! login (Yahoo! owns Flickr and is partners with AT&T).
Now, being an incurable button-pusher, I have already managed to screw up a button or two on the remote, so I'll be calling tech support at some point.
I discovered a really cool feature the other night. I can browse my Flickr photos on my TV! Since my TV signal and broadband share the same connection, my TV and computer can interact. I switch to a certain channel, press a button on the remote, and in a few seconds, my pictures come up! This happens because my Flickr login is the same as my AT&T/Yahoo! login (Yahoo! owns Flickr and is partners with AT&T).
Now, being an incurable button-pusher, I have already managed to screw up a button or two on the remote, so I'll be calling tech support at some point.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Girly Rasslin'...
It seems my alma mater Missouri Baptist U. is ahead of the curve for once. P-D sports columnist Kathleen Nelson writes that MBU is going to field a women's wrestling team next fall. They'll be just the eighth college in the country at any level to do so.
Oh the Missouri Baptist Convention is going to love this... : ) Oh, wait, they don't love MBU as it is.
Oh the Missouri Baptist Convention is going to love this... : ) Oh, wait, they don't love MBU as it is.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Townhouse For Sale...
My bro and sis-in-law have put their house on the market this week. They need more room now that Miss Lydia is on the scene.. It's a great house in a great city location and it shows very, very well. Interested? Leave a comment or follow the link below.See it here.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Boob Tube Groove...
I decided to take the plunge tonight. At the risk of promoting a monopoly, I ordered up AT&T's new television service with a souped-up internet connection thrown in. After Sunday it'll be goodbye Charter, hello 100 channels of U-verse goodness.
In other, less glamorous news, I'm taking a day off work tomorrow to get my car serviced and a tooth serviced at the dentist. Bleh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)