Hitting to all fields...

• In Texas now, heading back home tomorrow. It's been pretty hot here, but not too bad. As with all Texas trips, there has been way too much eating of food. Traveling means eating out, of course, and down here that means BEEF.


• After waiting what feels like FOREVER for this day to finally arrive, we went to see Superman Returns last night. The five of us (from the US, Canada, and Italy collectively) went to the 6:30p showing. We had no troubles getting in but the theater filled up fast. I even picked up a SR mini-poster for my friend's son. (review coming soon)


• I'm very close to being a one-car guy again, as Uncle Tom and Ricky picked up the Contour last Sunday. They're trying it out for a week and we'll talk when I get back. It was a good car--it still is.


• Surprise trip popped up in August. Can't give too much away...you never know who is listening.


• Some sort of beast got into our soffit while I was gone (of course). I was hoping the soffit would keep until next year, but there you go.


• I've given up on baseball this year.


• The NFL Head Coach game came out the other day. I've seen a TON of commericals about it too. Looking foward to that.


• Looking foward to heading home tomorrow...

ESPN.com - MLB - Guillen directs homosexual slur at Chicago columnist

ESPN.com - MLB - Guillen directs homosexual slur at Chicago columnist: "'I don't have anything against those people. In my country, you call someone something like that and it is not the same as it is in this country.'"

What BS. I hate Mariotti too, but Ozzie has lived here for 20+ yeasrs. THIS is 'his country'. He's just using that as an excuse.

The truth is hurting again...

those 3 bears QBs will combine for more victories than m. prior and k. wood this year.

(quote from a message board I read)

Pick a Car-duh

Saturday, it was our intention to go out and look at cars for a few more. More than a few hours later, we had bought a car. That was not the plan, but it worked out nicely anyway.

We first went to a Ford dealership in Elk Grove. I wanted to take an up-close look at the new Mustangs, and maybe...well...actually SIT in one and decide if I even liked it that much. Finding out about the upcoming new addition to our family had soured me on the Mustang a little bit, but not so much as to totally dismiss it.

After looking it over and getting inside, I wasn't ready to come out and say I didn't want it. I think a baby seat would have fit in the back...if only because a baby is about the only kind of human that would fit back there comfortably. Still, I had to think about whether it would be the best idea to get a sportscar when I KNEW there was a baby coming soon.

We left the Ford dealership (with the salesman saying there was room for discussion in terms of price) and went to the Toyota dealership in Lombard. I had looked at it a few times in parking lots and at a dealer, but I hadn't really *looked* at it closely to see how I'd like to own one. Plus, Court had not seen it. After talking with the guy for a while, we took a test drive.

One thing I really noticed about it was how quiet it was. Of course, nowadays, I can barely even tell if a new car is running at all with how quiet they all are. I'm not sure how I feel about that in principle...it reminds me of a Gene Hackman quote from Crimson Tide. "I don't trust air I can't see."

There's plenty of room all around, the handling and acceleration were really nice, and it really was the 'safe' choice in terms of buying a car. Nobody is going to fault anybody for buying a Toyota Camry, really. It's practical. And after thinking about it I figured I shouldn't fault the car for that. While the Mustang would have been the more fun choice (for me anyway, and that's what it's all about, right?) I just couldn't justify it to myself. I'm not exactly planning to be the primary baby transporter (who knows) but the Camry was the safer, more logical choice, ten times out of ten.

We ended up buying one, after I said a million times that day that we weren't. Oh well.

Negotiating with the guy was just like buying that fur hat in Moscow, but writ large. He did all the normal stuff, and worse than that, he was nice. That's the killer. I think we did ok on it, but who knows.

It does have integrated BlueTooth, which is nice. So now I can by that guy talking into the air while I'm driving. Look out.

It's nice to drive, and while it's not a Mustang it does have nice pickup...so I got that going for me.

Breaking Away

After everything that's been going on in terms of time demands, most of my posts are really just pull-outs of links I've seen on fark and other places. I'm going to try to get away from that...but if something funny or interesting pops up, I'll post it.

In an effort to get back to actually writing about actual stuff...

Filming Locations for Knight Rider 2000 (1991) (TV)

I'm not sure what is sadder...

A - The first thing I thought while walking through Rivercenter Mall was that it looked like the place at the end of Knight Rider 2000.

OR

B - That it actually WAS the place at the end of Knight Rider 2000.

If you have some time

Give it a look, and make sure you watch until the end.

Elementary School

In honor of Arthur Conan Doyle's 147th Birthday today, I present my favorite Holmes quote...

`I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose.

A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it.

Now the skilful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic.He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect
order.

It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before.

It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.'

From the "Shouldn't be funny, but still is" file...

SI.com - Writers - The 10 Spot: "Barrett's right cross has been second-guessed by players throughout baseball, who question why Barrett didn't hit Pierzynski hard enough to deck him."

She's having had a baby!

or

Say Uncle

Big Time congrats go out to Aimee and Chris, who welcomed little Jakub Mitchell (7lbs 9oz) into the world just in time for first pitch for today's Cub game!

We look forward to getting to know the little guy.

Mars to Earth

TV Guide Community: Ausiello Report: "It's Official: Veronica Mars Renewed,"


WOOOO HOOOOOO!

and what have YOU done?

[x] I have read a lot of books.
[] I have been on some sort of varsity team.
[] I have run more than 2 miles without stopping.
[x] I have been to Canada.
[x] I have been to Europe.
[x] I have watched cartoons for hours.
[x] I have tripped UP the stairs.
[x] I have fallen down an entire flight of stairs.
[x] I have been snowboarding/skiing.
[x] I have played ping pong.
[] I swam in the ocean.
[] I have been on a whale watch.
[x] I have seen fireworks.
[x] I have seen a shooting star.
[x] I have seen a meteor shower.
[x] I have almost drowned.
[x] I have been so embarrassed I wanted to disappear.
[x] I have listened to one CD over and over and over again.
[] I have had stitches.
[] I have had frostbite.
[] I have licked a frozen pole and got stuck there.
[x] I have stayed up til 2 doing homework/projects. (I, in fact, still do this daily.)
[x] I currently have a job.
[x] I have been ice skating.
[x] I have been rollerblading.
[x] I have fallen flat on my face.
[x] I have tripped over my own two feet.
[] I have been in a fist fight.
[x] I have played videogames for more than 3 hours straight.
[] I have watched the Power Rangers.
[] I attend Church regularly.
[x] I have played truth or dare.
[x] I have already had my 16th birthday.
[x] I have already had my 18th birthday.
[x] I've called someone stupid.
[x] I've been in a verbal argument.
[] I've cried in school.
[] I've played basketball on a team.
[x] I've played baseball on a team.
[x] I've played football on a team.
[x] I've played soccer on a team.
[] I've done cheerleading on a team.
[x] I've played softball on a team.
[x] I've played volleyball on a team.
[] I've played tennis on a team.
[] I've been in the marching band.
[x] I've been swimming more than 20 times in my life.
[] I've bungee jumped.
[] I've climbed a rock wall.
[x] I've lost more than $20.
[x] I've called myself an idiot.
[x] I've called someone else an idiot.
[] I've cried myself to sleep.
[x] I've had (or have) pets.
[] I've owned a Spice Girls CD.
[] I've owned a Britney Spears CD.
[] I've owned an N*Sync CD.
[] I've owned a Backstreet Boys CD.
[] I've mooned someone.
[x] I have sworn at someone of authority before.
[x] I've been in the newspaper.
[] I've been on TV.
[x] I've been to Hawaii.
[] I've eaten sushi.
[x] I've been on the other side of a waterfall.
[x] I've watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies.
[x] I've watched all the Harry Potter movies.
[x] I've watched all of the Rocky movies.
[x] I've watched the Three Stooges.
[x] I've watched "Newlyweds" Nick & Jessica.
[x] I've watched Looney Tunes.
[] I've been stuffed into a locker/I have stuffed others into lockers.
[x] I've been called a geek.
[x] I've studied hard for a test and got a bad grade.
[x] I've not studied at all for a test and aced it.
[x] I've hugged my mom within the past 24 hours.
[] I've hugged my dad within the past 24 hours.
[x] I've met a celebrity/music artist.
[] I've written poetry.
[] I've been arrested.
[x] I've been attracted to someone much older than me.
[x] I've been tickled till I've cried.
[x] I've tickled someone else until they cried.
[x] I've had/have siblings.
[] I've been to a rock concert.
[x] I've listened to classical music and enjoyed it.
[x] I've been in a play.
[x] I've been picked last in gym class.
[x] I've been picked first in gym class.
[x] I've been picked in that middle-range in gym class.
[] I've cried in front of my friends.
[] I've read a book longer than 1,000 pages.
[] I've played Halo 2.
[xxxxxx] I've freaked out over a sports game.
[] I've been to Alaska.
[x] I've been to China.
[] I've been to Spain.
[x] I've been to Japan.
[] I've had a fight with someone on AIM.
[x] I've had a fight with someone face-to-face.
[x] I've had serious conversations on any IM.
[x] I've forgiven someone who has done something wrong to me.
[x] I've been forgiven.
[] I've screamed at a scary movie.
[] I've cried at a chick flick.
[x] I've watched a lot of action movies.
[x] I've screamed at the top of my lungs.
[] I've been to a rap concert.
[] I've been to a hip hop concert.
[x] I've lived in more than 2 houses.
[x] I've driven on the highway/been on the highway.
[x] I've driven more than 40 miles in a day/been in a car that went more than 40 miles in a day. (40 miles? That's nothing)
[x] I've been in a car accident.
[] I've done drugs.
[x] I've been homesick.
[x] I've thrown up.
[] I've puked on someone.
[x] I've been horseback riding.
[] I've filled out more than 10 MySpace surveys.
[x] I've spoken my mind in public.
[x] I've proved someone wrong.
[x] I've been proven wrong by someone.
[] I've broken a leg.
[x] I've broken an arm or a finger.
[x] I've fallen off a swing.
[x] I've swung on a swing for more than 30 minutes straight.
[] I've watched Winnie the Pooh movies.
[x] I've forgotten my backpack when I've gone to school.
[x] I've lost my backpack.
[x] I've come close to dying.
[] I've seen someone die.
[x] I've known someone who has died.
[] I've wanted to be an actor/actress at some point.
[] I've done modeling.
[] I've forgotten to brush my teeth some mornings.
[x] I've taken something/someone for granted.
[x] I've realized how good my life is.
[x] I've counted my blessings.
[x] I've made fun of a classmate.
[x] I've been asked out by someone and I said no.
[] I've slapped someone in the face.
[x] I've been skateboarding.
[x] I've been backstabbed by someone I thought was a friend.
[x] I've lied to someone to their face.
[x] I've told a little white lie.
[x] I've taken a day off from school just so I don't go insane.
[] I've fainted.
[] I've had an argument with someone about whether cheerleading is a sport or not.
[x] I've pushed someone into a pool.
[x] I've been pushed into a pool.
[x] I've been/am in love.

What's in a name?

Popular baby names

Of the perspective names we have chosen for our little sprout, our boy name is between 50-100 and our girl name is between 1-50.

See if you can't take a guess. :)

Against the Wal

Conversation between me the girl at checkout at Walgreens the other night.

I had my Cub pullover on.

Her: "I liked you until I saw you were a Cubs fan."

Me: "Well, I guess you can at least sympathize with me now."

Her: "Aw, they're a good team."

Me: "I keep telling myself that, and they're proving me wrong."

Her: "Well, at least you're not like us with all the new bandwagon fans."

Me: "yeah, I guess I can at least take solace in that."

(walks out of the store with my head down)

Texas-style Fried President

Daily Kos: Re-Improved Colbert transcript (now with complete text of Colbert-Thomas video!): "The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change; this man's beliefs never will. As excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story: the president's side, and the vice president's side."

You've got to take a look at this if you get the chance. heh heh

So much time and so little to do

Strike that, reverse it.

The lack of lengthy posts over the past few weeks aren't the sign that nothing is happening. On the contrary, it's been craziness ever since we closed on the house.

Shortly after I got back from China we moved in, with the help of friends and family. Thanks to everybody who helped out, big time. The storage spaces were emptied and furniture, boxes, and tubs were moved into the house and the garage. We're still going through everything.

A few days later, I went to Houston for a tradeshow. Somewhere in between there we bought a new bedroom set, living room couch and loveseat, and a set of new bookcases. We had originally planned on keeping our queen-size bed but decided after a night with the two of us and the cat and the dog that it was time to get a bigger bed. We'd always talked about it and now that we plan to have our bedroom set for a long while we figured it was time to get the king-size. We went to a local place for the mattress (the guy looked like a real-life Peter Griffin) and it all got delivered this past Saturday. The bedroom looks nice all put together and everything.

We spent the rest of Saturday going to Home Depot and picking up supplies for the lawn and some other stuff. I put down grass seed on Sat afternoon (the lawn is an embarassing mess) and raked and watered, etc.

It's just been a crazy past few weeks. I leave for LV on Tuesday again. Hopefully once I return that will be it for travel until June or so.

X-box to the rescue

Superman Returns

Wow. Too bad it's not for PC though!

Got gas?

Oil breaks through record $75 as gas shortages reported - Apr. 21, 2006

Not too surprising, as gas has gone up and up in recent days. Luckily enough, my car is pretty effcient...mostly due to its low weight and small engine.

I'm wondering what has happened to all the oil we were supposed to be getting from Iraq??

random fact about me

Sometime I turn the Tivo sound effects on just so I remember why I turned them off.

She be the Judge

CNN.com - Ex-governor guilty of racketeering - Apr 17, 2006: "Rather than declare a mistrial, U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer decided to replace the two jurors with alternates and, over the objection of Ryan's attorneys, ordered the jury to start deliberations over again."

Interestingly enough, she was the Judge when I did my two-week stint as a juror in Federal Court some years ago.