I Think I Think

Part of the Problem

2009-08-15T06:43:00.003-05:00

I think part of my problem is TOO many blogs... I mean really, as a father of 2 (soon to be three), working fulltime, etc... how should I expect to maintain 4+ blogs??? A little overzealous I think :)

Changes

2009-01-04T07:32:00.002-06:00

Well, the New Year looks like it's bringing some changes for me... at least so far. I'm back posting here and it's less than a month or year later :P Not that I have much to write as far as thoughts, but this is something, right? Hopefully future entries are more interesting than this.

Oh, how about this... you know you live in MN when you come back from a 2 week vacation and your garage door is frozen to the ground! Yep, that was me. We returned from vacation in Mexico this past Friday and I tried to open the garage door and it would not budge... in fact, the opener was set so strong that it pulled the anchoring bolts right from the door and the chain ran freely. I spent part of Saturday deicing and fixing the door. Good times in MN!

I think I love living in MN :)

Over a year...

2008-12-26T12:48:00.002-06:00

I think taking a whole year to write a new entry here is really not blogging @ all. It's rather pathetic, perhaps I can do a little better in the coming year ;)

Time, Time, Time

2007-12-02T20:00:00.000-06:00

With everything that consumes our days, I've found that I have far too many things available to me that can take up my time. My wife, my brand new daughter, my eldest daughter... these are the "things" that really should be taking up my time. Instead, I find myself working extra hours, putting in extra effort @ my 9-5er. Wasting time messing around with one of my web sites, ItsJustLooks.com. Balancing my check book and other accounts. Doing laundry, snow removal... the list just keeps going on and on. I don't even take the time to blog any more... until this entry anyway. I used to blog every day on several blogs on Xanga. I ran a daily poetry blog, a movie review blog and then just a plain personal blog. Now my "free" time is taken by the new little bundle of joy. However, I start thinking of that statement and I wonder... should my time spent with my family be my "free" time or should it be my "best" time.... hmm... food for thought.

Nativity Story 2

2006-12-26T11:27:00.000-06:00

This past Friday evening I took my wife & 10 year old daughter to the movies. We were able to watch Night at the Museum and The Nativity Story and both were very good films. Night at the Museum exceeded my expectations and The Nativity Story easily lived up to it's own. We all enjoyed them.

The next day, my daughter and I were finishing up our Christmas shopping. While in the car we were talking about the movies we had seen the previous day. She was lamenting on The Nativity Story and saying how much she enjoyed the film. She said she would love to see the movie again, and then followed that thought up with: "I think they should make a Nativity Story 2".

After recovering from my double take and "what!?!?!" response, I told her that it wasn't possible. Jesus, God's Son, was born of Mary's virgin womb only once. It's one of those things that will only happen once in history and never again. After all, Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection was sufficient once, for all. God no longer has a need for another covert mission like it.

The father/daughter relationship is so much fun :)

High Quality Entertainment

2006-11-08T15:26:00.000-06:00

I've come to a conclusion. I think I work in the best office environment around. I've had this thought in the past, but it was rekindled yesterday afternoon. It started with a challenge to do 500 continuous "arm bends". The motion is the same as a weightlifters curl, but without weight. The place started buzzing like an underground fight club with betting amounts flying through the stuffy air of our office space. The rules were set and the bet was on. They agreed to have the event the following day... so here we are.

It's go time and all the bets are in. The competition field has increased and now there one guy doing 500 in an unlimited amount of time, but it has to be without stopping... another is attempting to do 2500 in under 60 minutes. The actual event went off without too much excitement, perhaps it was because it was too easy to accomplish the goal... but it sure was fun watching all the ruckus.

Mr. Goodwrench

2006-10-30T15:41:00.000-06:00

I did my best impersonation of Mr. Goodwrench yesterday. My car was running very "hard" and seemed to be "missing". Which meant to me that one of the spark plugs was failing or something related like that. Several weeks ago I picked up some new plugs intending to replace mine; however, I just never got around to it. Actually I had started to do it about a week ago and realized it was a much bigger job than I expected. Not that it's hard to replace plugs, but in my Subaru it's a bit difficult to get to the plugs. Well, with all that said it turned out the problem was not my plugs specifically, but one of the plug wires which was bad. So, I ended up swapping out all the plugs AND the wires. Now my Subaru purrs like a kitten.

Even though I was very pleased with the results of my day as a mechanic, I don't think it's time for a career change.

Rib

2006-10-18T08:56:00.000-05:00

I wish I was writing about some fabulous meal I recently had, but that's just not my luck lately. I'm beginning to wonder if I am injury prone, or perhaps I'm just making up for lost time?!?! Growing up I was never sick and was rarely injured, but now it seems to be a regular thing for me. I have a new sprain, not my ankle this time... but a rib. A freakin' sprained rib! Who sprains a rib anyway? The good thing is that it doesn't take too long to heal, as long as I get enough rest.

Poop

2006-10-13T09:21:00.000-05:00

While standing at the sink washing my hands, the stall door swings open as a co-worker has just finished his business. I make room at the three spot sink area; however, joe co-worker just passes by and walks out of the restroom. I think... if you take a dump, you must wash your hands. Failing to is just nasty!

...hmmm, perhaps it's a Friday 13^th thing?!?!

Sleepy

2006-09-01T15:46:00.000-05:00

I think it's time to get some extra sleep. Getting up for work every night this week has taken it's toll and my body is screaming for some rest. Don't get me wrong, I love my job... but I am sure glad I do not need to do this on a regular basis.

Kicks

2006-08-24T08:24:00.000-05:00

Since I'm still recovering from my ankle sprain and I really miss playing basketball, I decided to do the next best thing... I bought some new basketball shoes! I think this will go a long way towards speeding up the healing process.

Hurts

2006-08-10T14:42:00.000-05:00

Nope, I'm not thinking about the quote from The Naked Gun movie referring to jumping on a bicycle with it's seat missing... nor am I thinking about how the truth hurts. I am thinking about a physical pain. I think it really hurts to play basketball, make a move to the basket, jump, shoot the ball and then come down on another player's foot... thus creating the reaction of a severe ankle roll (pictured right) in which three simultaneous loudly noticeable cracks echo in the gym, followed by collapsing to the floor. I think that really hurts.

Turns out this didn't result in any broken and/or fractured bones, but it sure does hurt. I'm sure I'll be fine in a few days and probably be playing basketball again in no time, but for now... ouch!

Condolences

2006-07-17T14:25:00.000-05:00

This past weekend my grandmother's sister passed on. I just called her one and only daughter to check up on her and see if there was anything I could do... which got me thinking of condolences. I've heard the word used before in the context of "my condolences", "sending condolences", etc... Then I wondered, "what are condolences anyway?" So, I looked it up.^(link)con·do·lence

Sympathy with a person who has experienced pain, grief, or misfortune: paid a visit of condolence to the grieving family.
An expression or declaration of such sympathy.

Ah! Now, I get it. Basically it's sympathy in the case of death. Well now I know... and knowing is half the battle. Yo Joe!

I Know

2006-06-28T11:46:00.000-05:00

I know why road rage exists! As I was driving to work this morning, I was thinking... and I remembered a particular incident that was a prime example of road rage stimulation. This was the situation:

I was at a stop-light facing south in the far right lane on a four lane road (2 in each direction). I had about 1/3 of a mile to get in the left lane so I could make a left hand turn at the next street after the light. The light turned green and I started looking for my spot. A gap of at least 6 car lengths opened up, so I positioned myself to make my lane change and turned my blinker on. It was at this moment a guy in a pick-up slammed on the gas to close the 6 car length gap I had. After a near collision I modified my lane shift to get in behind the truck. His move was unnecessary and idiotic and would cause anyone to fume from the ears and want run this turkey off the road. To cap it off, this genius lives in my neighborhood! No, this was not on the highway far from home; this moron performed his act of stupidity 4 blocks from his own house! Dude, now I know where you live! I should get some eggs and TP and head on over to his place.

Balls

2006-06-23T15:26:00.000-05:00

A couple weekends back, my family visited from Wisconsin. As custom, we talked for a while in my driveway before they hit the road. While we were chatting a comment was made I will never forget: "Do you always have your balls hangin' out in the yard?" The question was posed by my grandmother, which made it all the more funny. Soon after I began laughing uncontrollably she scolded me for having such a dirty mind, and then a second comment I won't forget was made: "What else are you supposed to think?", which was voice by my grandpa. Priceless... I think I'll have to make sure I keep my basketball out of the yard.

Intelligent

2006-06-22T15:43:00.000-05:00

I agree with Mark Cuban^{(blog entry)}, maybe not in the sense that Bill Simmons is my new hero or anything like that. However, I think Mr. Simmons wrote one of the most intelligent articles^(article) in regards to the NBA I have ever read. His points about the playoff's shaky officiating, free throw disparities, and Wade's unstoppability were right on point. He also highlighted the evolution of the game and I agree completely. Well done, Billy.

Spinning

2006-06-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

No, I didn't go to one of those bicycle classes at the health club. I was alcohol free, yet in the middle of a phone conference @ the office the room began to spin. After the conclusion of the meeting I returned to my desk and things got worse. I felt more and more queasy as the room continued to spin. I wrapped things up and proceeded to walk to my boss' office to let her know I was leaving. After a nap in my car, so I felt I could drive, I headed home. After a good two hours worth of napping I felt pretty good. It was just weird.

The Slip

2006-05-26T15:44:00.000-05:00

As I sat at my desk in room full of coworkers I contemplated quietly passing the gas that was building within my innards. In a split-second I made my decision... nearly in the same tick of the clock I realized it was a mistake. Gas was passed, but silent it was not. Did anyone notice? I hope not.