The puppy farm

In our ongoing search for our latest addition to our family, we ended going into the very rural parts of South Carolina. We decided to make this trek after seeing pictures of the pups via e-mail. How can you resist?
We had thoughts of pulling up to a house and having puppies run up to us as Liam rolls in the lawn being pummelled by these adorable pups. Not gonna' happen this time.
We finally found the house, and when I say rural, I mean rural! It was a farm. The first thing I noticed was the New truck, Corvette and boat. Boy, they must be growing something at this farm.
They were growing something all right! They were growing puppies. They had our pups staged right in the front of the house. When we got up the pen, I looked around and noticed 2 other pens placed in the yard as well. Huh, they also have Jack Russels and some other breed for sale as well.
There was also this sound coming from the woods. I never heard a sound like this before. It was a chorus of hundreds of dogs in what looked like a makeshift canine concentration camp. These 2 big dogs, one with only 1 eye, came up to greet us. They were the strangest looking animals I have ever seen. Steph and I looked at each other and decided it was time to go. At this time the owner came out and we decided to let liam play with the pups. Heck, we came all this way.
The canine chorus was getting louder from the woods. Steph wanted to see the father, and guess what?, he was in the camp. We had seen the mother, so let's go see the puppies father. On our way down the "kennels" this other dog came hopping up. It looked like a Saint bernard with this calico fur. It looked like he was wearing one of those annoying sweaters that everyone has in their closet. I had one, but I think Steph burned it because I can't seem to find it. I loved that sweater. It was one more way I could find to annoy my wife.
Anyhow, to get on with the adventure, we started down to the "kennels" and the smell got to me as soon as soon as we began approaching. This area was enormous. I think they had every breed known to man in this area. Well, I've seen enough X-Files episodes and after seeing that Mountain Dog with the calico sweater, there is no way I'm going in. I quickly grabbed Tony from Steph and informed them that I was waiting out where I couldn't get traumatized by this bizarre scene. Steph shot me a "you *#$%@" look and headed in.
On the way home she told me that she had seen just about every breed of dog being bred in that area. It was unreal and sureal at the same time. We left the puppy farm. Steph says that from now on we are going to first ask "do you have any other breeds as well?". After this experience it only seems proper.

Lazy day

I spent this morning into early afternoon(before I went to work) just lounging around. Actually I watched 4 episodes from season 2 of the x-files. This has always been my favorite and I just felt like lounging in the best way I could think of. I had my wife right by my side and my baby boy yapping most of the way through it. It didn't matter. It's that good. I went to work and on the way heard an excellent piece by Wayne shorter. Tomorrow morning I'm taking out Steph to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Can it get any better? She likes watching x-files with me, and that is indeed an added pleasure and bonus. Tony is Tony and Liam just aced his spelling test. If Norman Rockwell were still alive, he'd paint me a picture man! Sometimes with all the crap that goes on in the world it's nice to just sit and spin.

Post-notes on last entry

My last entry on Katrina was a little rushed and a bit too sappy I think. You see, I sat down and spent about an hour writing an emotional and not so political entry. When I went to save it, it disappeared. I was so ticked. I was actually drained from writing it, and instead of taking a break, I decided to write on. That is why I feel it was rushed. The original piece was more on an emotional standpoint rather than a "what should we do?" piece.
If anyone reads it besides my few readers, take it with a grain of salt. I still refuse to be political. I would never stop writing.

A Katrina thought and idea

I just got done viewing the photographic slide show off of MSNBC. Normally I enjoy these. Not today. These pictures put a sick feeling in the pit of my gut. These poor, frustrated people. I cannot begin to imagine what they must be going through. I can only feel their frustration through the lens of a photo-journalist. The devastation is so widespread along the Gulf Coast. The main area in New Orleans, but it is everywhere else in that region as well. It is overshadowed due to media sensationalism.
Everyone is pointing fingers. Normally, I am very opiniated and would be very happy to point it straight to the top. I can't. The blame lies with nature. No one in their wildest imagination could have predicted this devastation on scale. Recovery is not immediate. It takes time.
I have an idea on this subject of recovery for these so-called refugees. Imagine that...America now has refugees. WE NEED TO HELP. Not with one-time donations, or telethons...(These are wonderful and show the true heart of the nation, but we must do more).
I think the Nation should raise taxes. I wouldn't mind if $1 came out of my check every week to go straight to a recovery effort of rebuilding land and lives. Don't stop there, how about an added 5% onto sales tax to go directly to the federal Government to disperse how they see fit. I know this sounds kooky but I believe that we are a strong and moral people. I put my faith in this notion. If anyone complains that it's not their responsibility, they need a swift boot in the ass, and then a personal escort out of this great nation. it's nice to sit back and breathe a sigh of relief that it didn't happen to me, or "our gov't will handle it". We need to help out our brothers and sisters. We need to show the world that this nation is a nation of spirit, hope and dedication to all who reside.

Jokes have consequences

Liam and I have had a little ritual of putting things in each others shoes. Normally this is very funny to the giver and the receiver. Not quite so this morning. I came home from work this morning and saw his sneaks' laying by the door. I then went to the table and saw one of his many rubber frogs. Even at that wee hour my synapses were firing. AHAH! I grabbed the frog and crammed it all the way up into the toes of his shoes, so he wouldn't see it while putting it on. This game has become very serious and very tactical. I went up to bed smiling, while at the same time thinking, "I bet he'll be running late for the bus and can't get the frog out". NAH, I didn't cram it that far up. I was right on course.
It seems this morning that he was running late. Mom was outside very quietly asking "Oh Liam, please hurry up" through the door, while walking to the bus. My wife speaks so quietly you can even hear her through exterior steel doors. Do you see where I'm heading with this.
Still no sign of Liam. I heard he did emerge from the house somewhat frazzled and crying. The only word steph says she could make out was "DAD". Oh how cute, he misses his dad so much that he is crying. I'd like to end the story there with this cute and cuddly ending, but I must be accurate and honest. It's kind of like in the movies while someone lays dying and they can only utter one word in their last breath. It takes the rest of the film to figure out whodunit. I'll take the shocking ending out of this story. I was the villain.
If this will be turned into a blockbuster, I will add the happy ending. Our busdriver called Steph to let her know that when he got to school he was fine. She gave him some bubblegum and that seemed to do the trick. I have the feeling that this has not quite ended yet. My little guy is smart and swift. I will be on the lookout for things in my shoes before I put them on, and I can guarantee they will not be squishy frogs.

Down from the mountain

Well, we are officially down from the higher elevation. Technically we are still in the mountains, but not quite as high. The move went well. The kitchen is now completed and functional, not to mention beautiful. Liam's bus picks him up right at our driveway, and his bus driver is about as nice as nice can be.
The only frustrating part of this whole adventure was with our cable "provider". And I use this term even more loosely than my last entry about them. I'm not going to go into specifics, but I will say that the term "incompetent Buffoons" came up quite a bit in the last two weeks. I will save the story for a later entry. I can promise y'all this though, it will be a most interesting story.
It's nice to be settled in and getting back to normality(You know I'm using this term about as loosely as my cable "provider"). Steph's enjoying her new kitchen. Liam's enjoying his new street in which to ride his bike and use his new speedometer. Tony just loves attention, although he still has this blank stare when we first moved in, almost as if he relocated to a different planet. What can we expect from a 4-month old. He's still a little angel though. As for me, I'm just enjoying life. What else is there!

Horsepower

Liam seems to be obsessed with horsepower. Anything that moves has horsepower and he needs to know just what that amount is. Yesterday we were traveling on the highway in my Chevy truck, which by the way is a muscle-machine with a 350 under the hood,,,, ohhh,ohhh.
I get the constant question as to how much horsepower I have by my little speed freak. I took the opportunity to show him on hgwy26.
With today's gas prices I normally wouldn't have done this. But with the help of "Wildside",by Motley Crue on my radio, I just couldn't help myself. He felt the jump and looked up from Nintendo and saw the needle slowly beginning to bury. He looked back and saw Steph's van, who was following us, quickly become a small dot. He was amazed when I mentioned that my pedal wasn't even halfway down.
Now, I am a responsible parent and adult. Just don't bug me about horsepower and play heavy-metal at the sametime. I just might explain the whole horsepower theory with visual aids.

Update

1 more day of vacation left. Tony is now baptized. Trip back home went really well. I survived 4 plane rides(although it was not easy with Steph talking to me and others about setting up a will before we left. No captain, don't stop at 35,000 feet, go higher.) Liam and I got a little sunburned yesterday when I finally had the opportunity to take him to the pool and went for it. The cabinets are being inspected by Phil and I tonight and we will begin to put them in on Saturday.
Tony received a gift from his Godfather(Uncle Mark), that was subject to search at the airport terminal. It is a really cool coin bank that is made of pewter or silver and it is in the shape of a little toy car with a winder on the back. It is really heavy because it is solid. The screener opened our bag at the airport and was tickled pink at this item. She was so delighted that she had to show it to all the other screeners.
It's off to the new house for some finish work and lawn mowing. Tony is next to me and chatting up a storm. I think I will leave this keyboard and do a little baby-talk.

Predictable Liam.

Liam is as predictable as he is adorable. As an 8-year old, he is getting himself dressed with the clothes he picks out with no problem.
There is a slight problem actually. This is where the adorable and predictable collide.
If he has red shorts, his shirt has to be red. If his shorts are black, his shirt can only be black. I could go on with all the colors, but you get the point.
The other day, after getting professional pictures taken with little Tony, Liam came home and changed so we could go to the park. He came out with the same black dress shirt and black shorts. I told him to go change his shirt, because it was too hot to wear outside. Now black shorts should go with pretty much any color t-shirt he can pick out of closet.
I hear "alright Dad I'm ready, let's go". I turn around and he has on blue shorts with a blue t-shirt. I ask him why he changed his shorts too. His reply-"I didn't have any black t-shirts".
This has become a game with Steph and I. Everytime he goes to get himself dressed, we wait with anticipation as he gets himself fashionably coordinated. It's like the runway walk at a fashion show. We give ourselves that look when our little man come out in his one color. It is like clockwork. He is very serious about his choices. When you confront him about, he claims that that's just the way he likes to get dressed.
It is these little things that make Liam so unique.
Adorable and predictability do clash quite a bit with him, but the adorable always wins the battle.

A special section in hell!

This has been a busy month for the cowards of the world. They're popping up everywhere from Iraq to England to Egypt. I hope the London cowards are caught and brought to justice here and after they are put down like the disgusting dogs that they are. I have always believed in good and evil, Heaven and hell. The only God that I know of has the final say in the matter. My only hope in this is that God will place these "cowards" in that special section in hell. No compassion or forgiveness should be given to the despicable excuses for human-beings. Their suffering should be eternal.
What is up with these cowards anyway. It seems that their problems lie in their own countries and ruling parties. Why do they come after the civilized section of the world. If they have problems, stay in your own countries and deal with them there. Even the other cowardly cowards in their "section" of the world look on these thugs as heroes with the courage of alah or whatever other being they choose to make up. I got news for these dopes. They are neither. They are cowards who either choose to be the most absurd being to ever walk the face of this planet, a "suicide-bomber". Or they bomb and then slither away under the rocks they entered this world from.
I remember when I saw Henry Rollins perform right after the coward attacked America. He said that instead of going after Afghanistan with bombs, we should fly over and drop RAMONES records for them. It was a humorous statement which now seems kind of depressing. How come human-beings cannot have fun. Why not pop on a RAMONES record and just rock out and have fun. Why is everyone so angry. We are on this Earth for a very limited time. I don't know why the notion of enjoying the moments sounds so absurd.
And I guess that JOHN LENNON doesn't sound like just another hippy freak now does he? He had it right thirty years ago and the message will always go on. PEACE. Why is this such an absurd notion? If you listen to IMAGINE now it almost sounds like a blue-print to solve these problems. Maybe I'm stretching it a little, but I have always held LENNON high on the musical shelf. I have, and will always, believe in his music as well as his message.
We have entered a new era in time in this world. Peace is the ultimate option. But if the thugs will not comply, we must be vigilant and swift in sending them to their own special section.

The project has begun

Spent today, with my good friend Phil, gutting the kitchen to make way for the new cabinets and appliances we are going to install. I bought a 5-gallon bucket of primer so Steph and I can begin the painting tomorrow.
I'm personally waiting for my favorite season-FALL. I can picture myself out on the deck observing the "grounds" in all that crisp weather. I hope it's crisp. Sometimes mother nature ignores my season and blends Summer and Winter together with no crispness. Oh the humanity of it all!!!!!
I've met some neighbors and they seem real nice. I also bought some cookies today from a door-to-door salesman. Well, actually he was about 12, but he suckered me right in. He's pretty good to get anything from the ole' tightwad himself. Well it seemed a good cause, so what the hey!
Time to go watch The Honeymooner's. Over and out.

The new house!

What a busy week. We purchased our new house on Friday. It's an awesome house with a great floorplan, but the yard is the key. I call it the "grounds". Of course mowing it is no day in the park, but it's all worth it.

The magic of fireflies

Well, after a week of frustration with our cable "provider"(and I use that term sparingly), we are back up with both our phones and our internet. I'm not even going to rehash this story because I'm finally over it.
We took a family ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway last week, and it was awesome. The perfect time of day as well as perfect weather. It's cool just viewing the incredible scenery of the mountains, but to actually cut through the mountain in sporadic tunnels was just as cool. Just ask Liam.
I finally can let loose the guilt of scratching up Steph's van. After stopping for a bite after our voyage over the mountains, I couldn't help but notice these 4 indentations on the outside of the passenger door just below the window. After closer inspection, I noticed another indentation on the inside of the door just below the window. Using my skills learned from my favorite cop shows, I figured out the cause of the damage. Steph's white-knuckle adventure over the mountains.
Last night after gathering up fireworks for the fourth, we came home and Liam hopped out all excited not at the fireworks, but what he called Firefly holiday. Our back yard was blinking like an invisible Christmas tree. He was catching them and showing me as well as trying to bring them in the house to show Steph. It was a magical scene and one of the memories of summer that would be called a masterpiece if painted right at that moment to capture the innocence and magic of it all.

PEACE!

The math question

The other day I was lounging around holding little Tony, when I asked liam to massage my feet. I told him I would give him $1 for 10 minutes. He said "How long?". I said "well how about three hours?". In about 15 seconds he said, "hey that's $18". I think that was pretty quick thinking for an 8 year old.
Speaking of feet; We both have this little ritual of sticking things in each others shoes. I'll get ready to leave for work and try to step into my shoes, only to find out they have been filled with gushy creatures or golf balls. He'll be hiding around the corner and then point at me with an "AH-HA, GOTCHA". I always think that I can outdo him. The other morning crawling into bed, I almost leaped out of my skin. He put his lifesized gushy bull-frog in the middle of my side. Don't worry folks, vengeance is mine and I will have my day. "HA-HA"

Natural Wonderland

Just got back from a little side trip with the family. We decided to explore Pisgah Forest, and man let me tell ya, it was breathtaking. The weather was perfect. A storm had just passed through and it smelled like fresh wintergreen. This is one of those sights that just makes one feel an overwhelming sense of awe. The higher up you get, the more "no picnicking" signs you see. It is bear country up there. I mentioned to the wife that we should try camping. She reminded me of little Tony in the backseat. Okay maybe not. I said Liam and I will go, and if we encounter any bears we'll fight em' off. Right son? Liam's response-"well I guess so". Not quite the 8 year old gladiator I had in mind when I posed the ridiculous question.
Little Tony was just sittin' back and sniffing in the crisp clean air.
Our next vacation is going to be investigating the forests around WNC. We all can't wait.
Pure Natural Beauty.

Tony and I in the wee hours of morning

I'm sitting here with my boy(actually he's in a bouncy staring outside) in the early morning. We're listening to AUDIO VISIONS on XM. I chose this station because it might soothe him and put him into a deep and long sleep. It doesn't seem to be working. When i first connected to the XM, a beautiful song came on that was by Anthony Miles. It was called "Sleep of the Innocents", off of his Songs for Children album. Listen to me calling it an album. Come on gramps it's a CD. Sorry, I come from the old school who still feel a passion for the album's. Anywho, it seemed like a sign that this is going to work. 1/2 hour later he is still wide awake and seems to find the outside really interesting.
Actually you know what?, with this soundtrack in the background, the outside does seem to have a certain draw to it. The light is slowly creeping into the day and the birds have just started singing. If this keeps up I'm going to have to go grab the Anne Murray collection and do it right. I don' t think so.
Actually Anne Murray(I hope it's Anne not Ann) will always hold a place in my memory. The year is 1991. I show up at my Aunt's house to pick my wife up after they threw her a bridal shower. We ended up staying for hours after everyone left. I remember cold michelob's and slow dancing with my wife to Anne Murray. I was with my future wife, my favorite aunts, ice-cold Michelob's,and Anne Murray. It was a night I will never forget and i thank my family for saving this for me.
As always LIFE IS GOOD!

PEACE

mariah who?????

Driving home this morning I heard a news flash that almost had me curtailing down the side of the mountain. It seems that there is a particular "artist"(and I use this term very loosely) who is making history. This "artist" has more #1's on Billboard than any other "artist" on the scene today. What made me almost careen down to my death was the reference that this "artist" may eventually surpass the only 2 other acts before her:THE BEATLES and ELVIS.
I don't know about you, but I feel very strongly towards these 2. They were true "artists" in the way they went about sharing the wonderful gift of music to us all. They are both easily recognizable, and a true musical treasure. I hold THE BEATLES at the top because they are the only TRUE act which wrote and performed all their own songs. Unreal in todays market.
For those purists out there who think rock is dead, check out Brian Wilson's SMILE. WHOAHH!
I can go on and on with this subject. I truly believe that music is not dead, just stagnant, and that there are glimpses of a pure light of brilliance that shine and surely make me smile!

Captain,set a crash course!!

Looking over past news articles this week, I have discovered that the road to hell is indeed paved with bad intentions. You really have to sit back and shake your head at these 2 items.
1:Paris Hilton advertisement for a hamburger:
A)Is it too racy?? I don't know if you've seen this but this is something that you would see if one subscribed to the Playboy Channel. My God!! Where are we heading Jude Cleaver? I am a male and I am also a father and role model and I think this is just plain smut from an industry that feels the need to cloud our youngun's minds with pornography that sells.
A recent pole on MSNBC. Over 13,000 people were asked if it was too racy. 61%yes/39%no.


2:Giving Viagra to sex-offenders:
A)unbelievable but true. And our government is paying for it. Finding out this information not only makes me sick, but can really piss-off me off when it is in fact the taxpayers that are footing this ludricous, unconscionable expense.


To sum both of these stories up. I hope I don't offend anyone in the 39%, but don't worry , just move to New York and your Viagra will be free.

Hitting the wall

Well, I've gone and done it. With steph's new mini-van that is. We are so careful when we take it out. We make sure we park miles away from any human or machinery contact. If someone parks right next to us, which seems to be the case most of the time with this metal magnet, we check to see if they left a ding or scratch on our vehicle.
To get on with the story, I, who is the infallible driver(hey, I always brag how on my job I drive heavy machinery all night without ever an incident), put not only a scratch or a ding, but both!!
This happened while I pulled into the garage. I knew I was cutting it close(I even mentioned out loud that I was) but I still went ahead with the docking process. You could hear the scrape along the wall as if it was playing through our speaker system in the van. I said "oh *#!%. Steph jumped out and looked at the front quarter of the ship. I though she was going to breathe a sigh of relief and then shake her fist at me. Instead she said something similar to my outburst, but longer. She didn't shake her fist at me either.
She disappeared inside, leaving me to carry in the baby and the other items we had to carry in. Imagine the nerve!?!?
I looked at the damage and I almost threw up. I felt my knees buckle and held myself up before I put anymore of my insignia on the van. I made it through without at least denting it. I wasn't about to do that with my skull. I was sure steph would appreciate that, and somehow forget the whole event. She did..........Eventually.
Many thanks to Honda for including the touch-up paint they gave us when we purchased the van. How did they know!?!?
EPILOGUE:
We were out today looking at land with our new agent. She asked me how I liked the van. I went on to tell her of the main event on Saturday. She saw the humor in the story(why can't my wife see it!?!?). Of course Steph had the last laugh when she informed me of my much developed ignorance when she said "YOU KNOW, SHE WORKS FOR OUR LANDLORD!!"


DOHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

coffee & jazz

While Tony and the wife are catching up on some much needed z's, I'm sitting here in the sun-porch drinking java and listening to some jazz. It always seems to get my creative juices flowing. Java & Jazz-what a mix! I like to practice the bass to "beyond jazz" on XM radio. Some of the most interesting and flawless players can be found in this realm.
On a side-note, just bought myself a 4-cd package of Jerry's performance from his attack on Broadway in 1987 for a stint of 18 shows in 16 days at the famous Lunt-Fontanne theater. The performance I'm getting is the October 31'st(Halloween) performance. It is the complete performance, featuring both acoustic/electric-matinee/evening performances. If anyone is diverse in his musical tastes and styles, it is Jerry. Which makes this set a must have for the music lover in me. I cant wait to pop it in the portable, sit back and enjoy my favorite guitarist in action.
Tony is getting bigger every day. It's amazing this boy's milk consumption. Poor Steph. She is as proud as she is diligent in nurturing our boy as she has done with liam. She is the poster-child for the perfect mommy. I thank God every day for not only blessing me with 2 beautiful children, but also for blessing me with a wonderful, loving and giving wife. It all adds up to a recipe that is not only delectable, but filling as well.

Peace to Y'all!!

The system is really down!!

Just read an article where the band System of a Down used expletives while performing on a live broadcast of SNL. They were told not to use the words which are in their "new hit". What an oxymoron.. Or just plain, what a bunch of morons. SNL was able to bleep out 5 swears, but they snuck a fifth in. Where in the hell is the music industry going. They gave Elvis a hard time and Jim Morrison a hard time for piddly things. They, the sensors back then, would be rolling in their graves if they knew how far we have come. It's just disgusting that a band has to rely on vulgarity to get their "message" across.
This(the song listed below, not the crap from the system)is lyrics from a song that is true poetry in motion. This band has always been given a hard time(not because of vulgarity, but because of the counter-culture that followed them from their early roots and never let go. More power to them. This was taken off the back of a book I am reading on this band now. The writers are listed at the bottom. It should take no introduction.
This is where it's at, and where it should stay.

There were days
There were days
There were days I know
When all we ever wanted
Was to learn and love and grow
Once we grew into our shoes
We told them where to go
Walked halfway around the world
On promise of the glow
Stood upon a mountain top
Walked barefoot in the snow
We gave the best we had to give
How much we'll never know, never know


Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia, "Days Between"

ANTHONY HAS ARRIVED!!!!

Our 2'nd little angel has arrived into our lives and it is wonderful. He sleeps and poops, and sleeps and poops. This is normal so it doesn't concern me. If he's 14 and still maintains this cycle, then I'll worry a bit.
My boy's are my passion(sorry Steph, you're a whole different passion). Not a day has gone by where I've missed Liam's smile. Tony can't smile right now, but I am almost certain he will be soon.
Life is good!!!!
Life is ever changing!!!!
Life is good in packages of 4!!!!

A letter to the President from Liam

This is a letter to our President from my 8 year old son Liam. 3 points to consider:
1:This is soooooo cute!!(sorry Liam)
2:I in no way indorse this letter!(sorry Mom and Dad-in-law)
3:I am not going to use spell check on this one!
This is verbatim;
Hi Goge Bush,
I think you'r a grat President. I know your dowing great job for the contry. Your dowing a great job. I condint vote for you cus I moved to Noth Carolina. I also codin vote because I'm only 8 and I half to be 18. Ten more years. So have good luck.
Yore friend' Liam

Please, just take the urine.

Had an exciting time today trying to drop off a urine sample to the lab. Well, not just any sample, but a gallon of urine. To begin my story, my wife after having seen the doctor on Monday, was put on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy. She was also to submit a 24 hour urine sample. Needless to say with all the fluids she's been drinking and little Tony kicking her bladder, she goes a lot. I was expecting a little cup, and went whoa when she presented me with the gallon. She informed me that you have to save it everytime you go in a 24 hour period and then keep it on ice.
Well to move this tale along;We were on our way to the doctors and decided we should drop off the sample to the lab first, which is about 5 miles up the road from her doctors office. I will run the sample up to the lab seeing she is supposed to be on bedrest and really shouldn't overdo it in any way. Steph tells me the lab is on the 4'th floor. I got to the floor, carrying the gallon, and there is no lab. I ask, and it is on the 2'nd floor. I wait for the elevator-too slow--so I take the stairs. Get to the "lab", and it is a big room with a whole bunch of people waiting in line to see the receptionist. I think "this can't be it!". I ask and it is. wait in line. I stand behind about 4 people and wait to go up the glass window. Everyone's presenting insurance cards and filling out papers. I'm standing there looking at my watch and holding a gallon of urine.
I finally make it to the window. Hand her the paperwork and am about to hand over the increasingly heavy gallon. She says steph has to sign a consent form. I tell her that she is on level 4 and is not supposed to exert herself. She says I can run it out to her and have her sign it. What??? It's a urine sample for protein, not a DNA test. She then says that I can have a seat, there are 3 people ahead of me. What????
I'm getting hot at this point and keep telling her that this is making no sense. I look at my watch and in 6 minutes we are going to be late. Steph hates to be late. I storm out of there, holding the gallon I thought I could just drop off, and head for the stairs. One problem I can't find them(and I'm certainly not going to ask those bozos at the "lab").
This 2'nd floor is like a huge labyrinth, that leads to the same waiting area. I get frustrated and open a door that this no markings on it and hope that this is the exit. I walked in on a person getting a pretty intense exam. I closed the door quickly with a quick "sorry". How embarrassing for them and me.
I finally make it out. We get to the appointment fashionably late, tell them my story. They call over and then tell me that all I have to do is go back and drop it off. No more problems.
I go back after the appointment, and wait in line for a different receptionist this time. She says "oh yes", and then proceeds to tell me to have a seat and someone will be with me shortly.
AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the show my friend.

I don't know why but today I am thinking about concerts that I have seen, and I have seen many. The one thing that irks me is having to stand when you paid for a seat. I go to watch the performers and find it very uncomfortable to stand for 2+ hours.
I go to shows to watch the music being performed(maybe it's the musician in me). I go to hear it as well. I don't see the point in treating it like one big party and standing with all the other patrons. Don't get me wrong, some music requires standing--Punk or Rap. If I ever attend a rap performance just bring the van around back, put me in a straight jacket and off to the padded cell I go.
I once bought tickets for steph and I to a Rush concert(still one of the few bands we both enjoy and love). Now I paid a steep price for these tickets because I wanted to get as close to the stage as I could get. I was so excited when the "scalper" said he had 2 in the 7'th row. Wow!!!
Well we got to show and I looked totally 80's, with my long blown-dried hair and especially my boots. Sort of a cross between cowboy and heavy metal.
We got to our seats on the floor(I felt so important), and we were so close to the stage.
Well when the lights went out and the show started, not only did we stand, but we stood on our chairs. I spent the whole show trying to keep my balance on this fold-up chair in my country-metal boots.
Needless to say I don't go to many big shows anymore; and I certainly don't want to get on the floor.
And to this day I have no hair or any idea where my boots are.

To ERR is in-human

Even though I oppose the death penalty at times, and at times I want it installed(totally wishy-washy Charlie Brown), I have to admit I wanted it for ERR(Eric Robert Rudolph). I try not to be too political or let you know what side I'm on. And I'd like to try for once and let things not bother me. But these type of individuals burn me up one side and straight down the other.
Nutjobs who take innocent lives to meet their agendas have no place in my world. I can still remember the day that the Oklahoma city bombing happened. Why would this happen?? I'm not interested in why did this happen? Seeing that picture of the firefighter carrying off the limp,lifeless body of an infant was too much for my human heart to handle. I'm disgusted in any type of terrorism. To go to an extent of taking an innocent life is unconscionable.
I don't care what ERR has to say for himself, or if he shows no remorse. He is a coward, and should be put down.
I'm sorry this is so dark, but as a human being with morals attributed to cosequences, I feel obliged to write my feelings down.
In my life every coward I have seen from Columbine to TWTC, has made me feel for victims, their families and everyone else on that downward spiral into WHY?, WHY?, WHY????.
I pray for peace.

Spotlight on the human condition

I was brought to the attention of a certain condition this week by my wife. I have to slow down and pace myself while communicating effectively. She couldn't be more right. She nailed it on the head. If we move too fast through life and don't try to stop and enjoy and figure things out at our own pace, we will never figure them out.
Now, I'm not preaching stop and smell the roses, but if we don't stop, we will be wondering what that beautiful fragrance is that just whisped up my nose.
On a sidenote, check out this article. God is not dead! If some of these folks in this article would slow it down, they might just see what the real human condition is, and how an important human being spent his life perfecting it.(I had to change this post because the actual article is under congressman joe)

lyme disease????

Well it's been a week since my last post. We did find our stroller.It's the first stroller that we looked at before we began our buying odyssey into infant retailers.
I have been feeling a little tired lately. I think it's due to our vacation and then the massive shopping spree in Greenville, S.C.. I know the one thing it's not due to, Lyme disease.
When we lived back in New England, it seemed the doctors answer to any ailment was lyme disease. I came down with a summer cold(which I caught from a co-worker, not a tick), went to the doctor and , after I told him what it was, he insisted I had lyme disease. He put me on medication immediately and ordered blood tests. While taking this medication, I was to avoid all contact with the sun.
Now this was in the summer. Imagine seeing a guy mowing his lawn in 90 degree heat, with longpants, a long shirt and a cowboy hat.
The real kicker was when I took our 13 year old chihuaha to the vet, because her hind legs were useless, and we thought she had a stroke. Guess what the vet's diagnosis was. Yup, you guessed it-Lyme disease.
I don't want to sound like the medical establishment in New England was made up mostly of quacks. My blood test came back negative, almost the time when I was to take my last pill. Maybe it was just being cautious, or paranoid. All I know is I'm starting to get a little more energy now!

On the hunt for strollers

Well, We're back from Memphis. Now we're off to Greenville on our continuing hunt for the right stroller for Anthony. No we didn't go to Memphis to look for a new stroller, although we did look in a few places. If we didn't, I never would have seen Guitar Center and bought my new Fender Bass.
Today we'll go off to Greenville,and hopefully find the one we're looking for. As usual Steph has done extensive research, so I'm certain if it's not found today, we'll be ordering on-line. It's so much easier that way, but you can't test drive a stroller on-line.
I'm off to practice my base, while waking the family up.

Greetings from Memphis

Sending this from the gorgeous city of Memphis, T.N.. Spent about 10 hours driving in the rain to get here yesterday but it was worth it.
Stopped by Elvis's house today. He wasn't home. Then went to Beale st., and took a horse and buggy ride around the section of barbecue and blues. During the ride, we found out about the "duck march" at the Peabody motel. If none of you understand this, I'm not going to explain it. Just hop on a bus, train or plane and see this.
Tomorrow we take Liam to the zoo.
We are so proud of him for not asking the tour guide at Graceland, where the famous toilet was.

Happy birthday Liam from the United States Post Office

Liam's birthday was this week and he has received a few packages in the mail. The last one we received was a little strange.
The package was from my sister, who always sends Liam really nice clothes. Liam at a younger age didn't care for things made out of cotton, he wanted plastic and metal. He's come around lately, and I must say when he dresses himself he is color-coordinated(even a color-blind person would agree).
Enough rambling, here's the meat. You can just imagine an 8 year old boy's expression when he opens his box to find a cute pink dress(I'm not making this up) with little buttons and bows sewn on it.
I repressed my whacked sense of humor and didn't make him try it on. The weird thing was it looked to be about his size.
The reason we received the little pink dress with little buttons and bows sewn on it, was due to the fact that the original box was somehow damaged, so I guess they somehow sent Liam's new shirt to a little girl, and a pink dress with little buttons and bows sewn on it to Liam.

Racing the clouds home

Well, woke up today about 1:00 p.m.(no, I'm not a rockstar, I work 3'rd shift), and after Steph and I picked Liam up from school we decided to go and look for strollers for Anthony who is still having fun using mommy's bladder for a punching bag. Right before we left I was watching the Weather Channel and noticed in the forecast they were calling for thunderstorms and possible hail. Being the great conversationalist that I am, I didn't mention this to my wife, who is still carrying the paranoid feeling of putting any kind of scratch on the new odyssey. I mentioned this "possible" weather report about 25 minutes into our drive. We debated whether or not to turn around and go home. We decided(well actually I decided) to venture on.
I guess I didn't help matters any by constantly pointing out the ominous black clouds that kept forming in all directions. Liam didn't seem to notice. That could be to the fact that he was only interested in the gameboy he was playing in the back of the van. Steph certainly noticed.
To make a long story short, we raced the clouds home, with a brief stop for our favorite grinders,and made it safely into the garage.

If it's too loud your too old!

I saw this statement on the back of a kiss tour shirt back in the late 70's, and it made me laugh. Well, after last night's Steve Vai show at the Orange Peel in Asheville N.C., I wasn't laughing anymore. I bought ticket's for myself and Phil, my good friend, last month. Now Phil is 54 and I am 37, so before the show I asked him laughingly if it would be too loud for him. To my major surprise it was too loud for even me ("the louder the better"). I asked Phil, on the way home, if it was too loud for him but I couldn't hear his answer.
Don't get me wrong, it was an incredible show with musicians who are into what they are playing. It was just too loud. Man, do I feel old!!!!!!
On a softer note, today is my son Liam's 8'th birthday. He is truly a gift from God and not a day goes by that I don't realize this. Happy birthday little buddy.
I have another gift arriving next month. The stork will bring us another boy named Anthony. Can't wait. Of course I'll probably want to take that back in 2 months, Just Kidding.
The moral to the top of this entry is if it's too loud, it's just too loud!

A new car for the wife, and a new hat for me.

Spent the last 2 weeks finalizing our decision after 14 years of marriage, 1 son and another on the way, to go all the way and buy a new car. Not just any car, but the dreaded mini-van.
My wife deserves this more than I can describe. It's not only just a "mini-van", but a Honda Odyssey.

To make a long story short, to seal the deal with the salesman, I told him to throw in a free Honda hat. My wife cracked up, as did the salesman, but when we were driving off the lot I had a goofy grin on my face and a hat on my head.

By the way, this first post is with great teaching by my father-in-law.