Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Saddam Hussein - Dead
Saddam Hussein was executed today.
It's certainly been a long road from way back when I was in Junior High (actually acting in a play that particular night) when Desert Shield became Desert Storm and the First Gulf War began.
I won't pretend to know what this will do to the region. I only hope it doesn't cause further violence. I think there's enough violence in Iraq already.
It's certainly been a long road from way back when I was in Junior High (actually acting in a play that particular night) when Desert Shield became Desert Storm and the First Gulf War began.
I won't pretend to know what this will do to the region. I only hope it doesn't cause further violence. I think there's enough violence in Iraq already.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Terminal Case
I'm realizing that I left off the last day of my trip, the day where I (thankfully) returned home.
Our flight was supposed to leave at noon local time. That would get us home around 6pm Central time. Not too bad and only a little later than I'd get home had I worked a regular day on Thursday.
We left for the airport around 9:30am, since my colleague wanted to get there a little early and do some work. I figured, 'why not', since I had a few books and my iPod. Plus, we would be sitting in the AA Admiral's Club (since he's a member) and they'd have food and drinks there and stuff.
Getting through security was no problem (even with two laptops each) and we headed to the club. We relaxed for a couple hours and then WHAMMO...our flight's departure time was changed to 2:15pm. It stunk, but there's nothing you can do, right?
around 1:45pm, we headed down to the gate...and here comes Round 2. The woman announces that the flight to Chicago that was to take off after ours (originally at 2:15pm, coincidentally) has been canceled. This does not do much for the holiday cheer of those around us. Also, our flight will now *board* at 3:45pm. I say *board* because we will not actually be leaving to fly anywhere. We'll just park somewhere out there because they need to clear the gate. Basically, they need to get rid of us. She said we'd probably leave at 5pm, but she couldn't promise anything. That's always nice.
We go back to the club. There, we hear about a guy whose flight was canceled and he would not be able to get out until that Sunday...Christmas Eve. Yikes.
We did actually board at 3:45pm. And we did actually leave at 5pm. Our seats were in First so even though we sat there without going anywhere for a while at least they were nice chairs. Also, they played the movie "Invincible" which I wanted to see, so that was nice.
When we got there, we headed to our baggage claim and waited and waited. Our flight was up on the monitor for this claim, but it was another flight's baggage. I told my colleague that I was going to look at the other claims and see if our bags were anywhere else. After walking down 4-5 vestibules I found them and called him. After I got my bags I walked past our original claim and told everybody where our flight's bags actually were and people were pissed at the airline big time.
Anyway, I'm just glad we got home Thursday, and safely.
Our flight was supposed to leave at noon local time. That would get us home around 6pm Central time. Not too bad and only a little later than I'd get home had I worked a regular day on Thursday.
We left for the airport around 9:30am, since my colleague wanted to get there a little early and do some work. I figured, 'why not', since I had a few books and my iPod. Plus, we would be sitting in the AA Admiral's Club (since he's a member) and they'd have food and drinks there and stuff.
Getting through security was no problem (even with two laptops each) and we headed to the club. We relaxed for a couple hours and then WHAMMO...our flight's departure time was changed to 2:15pm. It stunk, but there's nothing you can do, right?
around 1:45pm, we headed down to the gate...and here comes Round 2. The woman announces that the flight to Chicago that was to take off after ours (originally at 2:15pm, coincidentally) has been canceled. This does not do much for the holiday cheer of those around us. Also, our flight will now *board* at 3:45pm. I say *board* because we will not actually be leaving to fly anywhere. We'll just park somewhere out there because they need to clear the gate. Basically, they need to get rid of us. She said we'd probably leave at 5pm, but she couldn't promise anything. That's always nice.
We go back to the club. There, we hear about a guy whose flight was canceled and he would not be able to get out until that Sunday...Christmas Eve. Yikes.
We did actually board at 3:45pm. And we did actually leave at 5pm. Our seats were in First so even though we sat there without going anywhere for a while at least they were nice chairs. Also, they played the movie "Invincible" which I wanted to see, so that was nice.
When we got there, we headed to our baggage claim and waited and waited. Our flight was up on the monitor for this claim, but it was another flight's baggage. I told my colleague that I was going to look at the other claims and see if our bags were anywhere else. After walking down 4-5 vestibules I found them and called him. After I got my bags I walked past our original claim and told everybody where our flight's bags actually were and people were pissed at the airline big time.
Anyway, I'm just glad we got home Thursday, and safely.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Can we all just agree on this one thing?
Do we really need instructions for leaving voicemails for people? I swear, when I call somebody and have to leave a message not only do I get a 'leave a message at the beep' from the person, but I get an automated voice "press #, blaa blaa" telling me to do the same thing. 90% of the time these automated messages are longer than the actual person's "I'm not here" message, and 100% of the time they're longer than the message I intend to leave.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
The Light at the End
We checked out of the hotel this morning. We have reservations at another one that's a lot closer to the airport for tonight. Originally I had thought we would be onsite tomorrow as well, but as I looked at the itinerary I saw that we were leaving at noon so going into the office was out.
We get back home tomorrow around 6pm. A Monday--->Thursday night trip, so that's not too bad. At least our flight home is in first.
Also, we passed a Chick-Fil-A between the John Wayne airport and the office. Maybe we'll stop there to eat dinner on our way back.
We get back home tomorrow around 6pm. A Monday--->Thursday night trip, so that's not too bad. At least our flight home is in first.
Also, we passed a Chick-Fil-A between the John Wayne airport and the office. Maybe we'll stop there to eat dinner on our way back.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Me Gone
I somehow lost my sunglasses today. I'm not sure where. They were my good pair too, damn it. The hotel took my info so if they ever find them (yeah right) they'll send them to me.
IF somebody found them and kept them for themselves, Merry Christmas I suppose.
We went to a local mexican place for lunch. I had tacos and they were pretty good. At this place they put the cheese in first, and then the meat, which I thought was odd.
We went to a sportsbar for dinner. NIU was playing in a bowl game and getting their ass kicked but we got to see the end of the Bulls/Lakers game and the Bulls won.
For Fantasy Football, even though I'm out of the money (and have been for a few weeks) I'm in the playoffs (consolation bracket) and will play this weekend for 5th place. Not *too* bad in a 10 team league, especially since I haven't been able to spend as much time with it as I'd like...mostly I just add free agents who are better than my guys and start yahoo's recommended roster. I just haven't had the time to research guys like I normally might.
In the other yahoo league I'm in (where I'm the commish) I've gotten my ass kicked all year and I'm in last place by far...even worse than a guy who doesn't even check his team I'm sure.
Oh well.
Being away stinks. I miss my family. I'll be happy to be back home...and then Christmas will be right around the corner.
IF somebody found them and kept them for themselves, Merry Christmas I suppose.
We went to a local mexican place for lunch. I had tacos and they were pretty good. At this place they put the cheese in first, and then the meat, which I thought was odd.
We went to a sportsbar for dinner. NIU was playing in a bowl game and getting their ass kicked but we got to see the end of the Bulls/Lakers game and the Bulls won.
For Fantasy Football, even though I'm out of the money (and have been for a few weeks) I'm in the playoffs (consolation bracket) and will play this weekend for 5th place. Not *too* bad in a 10 team league, especially since I haven't been able to spend as much time with it as I'd like...mostly I just add free agents who are better than my guys and start yahoo's recommended roster. I just haven't had the time to research guys like I normally might.
In the other yahoo league I'm in (where I'm the commish) I've gotten my ass kicked all year and I'm in last place by far...even worse than a guy who doesn't even check his team I'm sure.
Oh well.
Being away stinks. I miss my family. I'll be happy to be back home...and then Christmas will be right around the corner.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Away Message
I have been lucky enough over the last 6+ months to have not had to travel for work.
That ended this week, unfortunately. Leaving home and my wife and daughter stinks.
I'm not sure if it is easier leaving a baby than it is leaving a child who's a little older. I suppose an older kid can understand and talk to you about it and stuff, whereas with a newborn, who knows what they are thinking, if anything about it at all. I know I miss her a lot. I'm sure I'll have to travel again. Who knows when. I'll try to make it the bare minimum I can. If it wasn't for the busy weekend we just had and the weather at home, I would have taken them both with me here. Maybe the next trip will be to somewhere where we can take a little vacation.
One saving grace was that the destination wasn't too bad a place...Palm Springs, CA.
The flight wasn't too bad. I started the new Michael Crichton book "Next" at the airport and read the whole flight. I think I might have tried to close my eyes for about 10 minutes but that didn't do any good. Even though I got up early (for me) and Sunday was a late night, it didn't matter. The book was good though. I actually had about 20 pages left by the time I went to bed in the hotel, so I just finished it.
We landed at the John Wayne airport. They even have a statue of him down there by baggage.
Because the location we're visiting is kinda the middle of nowhere, the hotel was about 2 hours away from the airport. We didn't fly into the Palm Springs airport
for some reason...either itinerary or price, I don't remember which. Anyways, we rented a car and drove there.
The hotel is nice. It kinda reminds me of the hotel in "The Shining" because it's so empty. It's a golf resort and I guess most peopel think it is too cold to golf here now. I don't think it's too bad...though it gets pretty cold (maybe ~40F) at night. There are mountains all around us. IT's weird...growing up in the midwest and spending most of my life there, I always think the mountains look fake somehow.
That ended this week, unfortunately. Leaving home and my wife and daughter stinks.
I'm not sure if it is easier leaving a baby than it is leaving a child who's a little older. I suppose an older kid can understand and talk to you about it and stuff, whereas with a newborn, who knows what they are thinking, if anything about it at all. I know I miss her a lot. I'm sure I'll have to travel again. Who knows when. I'll try to make it the bare minimum I can. If it wasn't for the busy weekend we just had and the weather at home, I would have taken them both with me here. Maybe the next trip will be to somewhere where we can take a little vacation.
One saving grace was that the destination wasn't too bad a place...Palm Springs, CA.
The flight wasn't too bad. I started the new Michael Crichton book "Next" at the airport and read the whole flight. I think I might have tried to close my eyes for about 10 minutes but that didn't do any good. Even though I got up early (for me) and Sunday was a late night, it didn't matter. The book was good though. I actually had about 20 pages left by the time I went to bed in the hotel, so I just finished it.
We landed at the John Wayne airport. They even have a statue of him down there by baggage.
Because the location we're visiting is kinda the middle of nowhere, the hotel was about 2 hours away from the airport. We didn't fly into the Palm Springs airport
for some reason...either itinerary or price, I don't remember which. Anyways, we rented a car and drove there.
The hotel is nice. It kinda reminds me of the hotel in "The Shining" because it's so empty. It's a golf resort and I guess most peopel think it is too cold to golf here now. I don't think it's too bad...though it gets pretty cold (maybe ~40F) at night. There are mountains all around us. IT's weird...growing up in the midwest and spending most of my life there, I always think the mountains look fake somehow.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Puttin' on the Ritz
Peter Boyle died today.
I thought he was great as Raymond's father on Everybody Loves Raymond, but I first saw him in Young Frankenstein.
He was a great comedian. He'll be missed. RIP
I thought he was great as Raymond's father on Everybody Loves Raymond, but I first saw him in Young Frankenstein.
He was a great comedian. He'll be missed. RIP
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Ravensoft Elite Force General Board
Monday, December 11, 2006
This could be a bad sign
The previously owners of our home had satellite internet. Because of that, they had an antenna on the roof which was attached to a tripod. They removed the antenna when they left, but the tripod was attached to the roof and I told them they could leave it. I figured we could put a flag up there or something, but I didn't do anything about it for months.
A month or so ago, I bought a Bears flag and attached it to the tripod. I didn't do a very good job of attaching it but I figured I'd get back up there later and really make sure it was secure. Cold weather and snow came shortly after and I didn't do anything about it.
The other day, I noticed a weird formation of ice coming over the gutter in above our front door. I broke some of it away, and I noticed a part of my Bears flag was underneath it all.
Yes, the Bears flag is now in the gutter. The snow is melting today, so I'll retrieve it--but this does not bode well for this season.
And yes, I'm the same guy who attached his Bears windsock to the Santa Fe for the drive up here. The wind tore it to ribbons.
A month or so ago, I bought a Bears flag and attached it to the tripod. I didn't do a very good job of attaching it but I figured I'd get back up there later and really make sure it was secure. Cold weather and snow came shortly after and I didn't do anything about it.
The other day, I noticed a weird formation of ice coming over the gutter in above our front door. I broke some of it away, and I noticed a part of my Bears flag was underneath it all.
Yes, the Bears flag is now in the gutter. The snow is melting today, so I'll retrieve it--but this does not bode well for this season.
And yes, I'm the same guy who attached his Bears windsock to the Santa Fe for the drive up here. The wind tore it to ribbons.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
If I was a show, I wouldn't even watch me.
3 Episodes ( 53 Costs, 36 Reception, and 46 Cult Appeal ) |
Everything seemed to go wrong with you. You had high hopes and high expectations, and you poured the money into making sure it happened. But something along the way went wrong. People just didn't tune in. And because you tried to go for the bigger mainstream audience, you didn't inject enough innovative material to make the experts take notice. An failure in every sense of the word, FOX lets you go after a meager three episodes. |
 |
My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The When Will FOX Cancel You? Test written by hashtable on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
The Undiscovered Country
I just read that yesterday was the 15th anniversary of the opening of the movie Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. It's the first Trek film I can remember going to see. I saw it in a theater in Naperville with my Uncle. It sure doesn't feel like 15 years ago. Yikes.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
What did I do in 2006?
What have you done in 2006?
With 2006 coming to an end, have you...
1. had any relationships this year?
yeap, with my wife.
2. had your birthday yet?
Yes
3. cried yet?
I don't think so. I was upset when I thought my daughter might be in danger before the c-section, but I don't think I cried.
4. cheated on someone?
No
5. been to a live play?
No
6. drunk Starbucks?
I'm trying to think if I've had a caramel apple cider since we moved back. I don't think so.
7. gone camping?
No, but it would have been nice.
8. bought something?
Sure
9. met someone special?
yes, my daughter. :)
10. been out of state?
State, Country, Hemisphere
11. gone snowboarding?
No, but it would be neat.
12. What are you thinking about?
my upcoming trip
13. hugged someone?
Yes
14. slept in someone else's bed?
Plenty of hotel beds
15. drunk any alcohol?
Yes
16. loaned out money?
Not more than $5-$10 over the course of a day or two.
17. gotten in a car accident?
No, but I got a ticket in February.
18. gone over your cell phone bill?
I don't get billed for my phone, but my wife has gone over hers.
19. been called a whore?
heh, I don't think so.
20. done something you regret?
yeah, today's lunch at portillo's. I should have had a salad or pasta.
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