Tick Tick Tick

I was on the phone with my dad last night and I kept hearing a 'beep'.
It was exactly every 5 seconds through the entire conversation.
It sounded like some sort of medical beep... you know, the kind you hear in the hospital.
I asked him about it and he said he could hear it also.
I asked him if it could be his phone battery running out... or anything of the like.
Then it hit me...
"DAD", I said.
"When was the last time you had the battery on your pace maker checked?"
He laughed and said that it was doing fine... The 10 year old battery was supposed to conk out after 7 years and had been checked only 2 weeks earlier.
I was skeptical and told him to go get it checked!!!
The beeping sounded like a warning alarm like it was about to cut off... just like my cell phone!
:)

Push ups

I did a hundred pushups with my sons 2 days ago and still can't lift my arms over my head without pain!
The biggest pain is that I used to be able to bang out any number of pushups and recover quickly... I guess all the miles are catching up with me.
Always remember - It's not the years... it's the MILES.

Dog Obedience School

Our dog Skipper has a dominance problem.
I have taken the time to help him see where he stands in the 'pecking order' in our home - the bottom.
Even my littlest tiniest 2 year old can take food out of his mouth and he's obedient and gentle with her.
But when NEW people come over... he has to challenge them in attempt to place them BELOW him on the order.
Akita mix - typical.
Skipper bit a good friend of ours in the face - well NIPPED rather than bit... but it was out of line all the same and he is currently attending dog obedience school.
I am in hopes of driving this natural desire to dominate out of him... but am skeptical... since it didn't work for me.
:)

Booleans Nightmare

DON'T waste your time making polygons and extruding them...
Boolean add-subtract-intersect.
I built an entire 3D model in AutoDesk ADT 3.3 using this technique and though it looks pretty nice... and is accurate.... all the parts are separate. Thousands of separate little boxes!

My boss asked me to change a few things - simple things like move a few windows - and it took me days.
Here's the rub.
If I had used ADT walls and windows... I could have made the changes in a second (fractions of a second with a fresh cup of coffee). But because I used extruded solids, I had to modify every single rectangle/box that connected to the windows (brick, precast, soldier course, recessed panels, sills, headers, etc.)
Don't do it.
Build your models with true ADT elements and then add MASS MODELING only as appropriate.
Appropriate in this case would be a fancy trellis or a custom light fixture.

Follow this link to Chris Yancher's blog (Between the Walls).
It's a great video on the ease of use of ADT 2004/5 for mass modeling.

Frozen Cameras

Note to Self:
When working in Autodesk VIZ 2005 (great 3d program for rendering architectural models), don't put cameras on a frozen layer!
Some days I am quicker to realize my mistakes... Yesterday was not one of those days.
I wasn't watching which layer I was on (my first mistake), which incidentally happened to be frozen.
I was attempting to add a camera to the scene and for some reason... It disappeared as soon as I placed it.
Weird.
And by sheer instinct, instead of looking for a reason... I quickly clicked all over the nearby vicinity and added 14 or so more cameras... All of which were disappearing as I inserted them (actually they never appeared at all).
They didn't show up in the list of pickable/editable items, yet I could switch the active view to them!
It was downright crazy... I had never seen anything like it.
Beau Turner - alias 'VIZ gooroo' .... Listened patiently to my dilemma and then casually looks over my shoulder and says, "perhaps they're on a frozen layer".
I dismissed this immediately.. No one in their right mine would try to place items into the project without first checking their active layer...
... Dang.
He was right.
:)

I Rolled my Car!!!

Well, actually it wasn't a car... it was a... sand rail (big boys go-cart)!
A friend of mine has a bunch of property south of here in Chesapeake VA and invited me to test drive his newest toy!
 
I was racing around in his oversized go-cart yesterday and rolled it on a sharp corner!
Here's the story:

Mud was flipping up all over the place off the two front tires.  Without a windshield I was getting the flipping mud in my face!  
I blasted down a straight-away and slammed it into a hard left turn... I was sliding pretty good and mud was going everywhere... and then the over-inflated tires caught on some grass or possibly a hedgehog and the whole left side lifted off the ground.
I couldn't compensate and steer right to get it to come back down 'cause there were trees ahead... so I just held on tight and went for a full 360 roll!!!
 
Thank God for roll bars!
It was fantastic!
 
The engine cut off and I was glad not to be bursting onto flames... but that only happens in the movies.
I finished the rest of the course / track with no incident... except for a chicken that got in the way - I swerved around it out of sheer kindness in my heart... and I also found that I was slowing down into corners a bit.
:)
My shoulder is killing me today... I think I pulled a muscle.
 
But as I always say... Whatever doesn't KILL you only makes you STRONGER!
 
Good thing I'm married to a Physical Therapist!!!!

Killer Bumble Bee

Yesterday there was a huge bumble bee swarming around my kids and I as we played in the backyard.
It was honestly the biggest bumble bee I had ever seen... it looked like a giant hornet on some passes as it buzzed our heads, but it was a bumble bee.
Anyway,  it landed on my son and I smacked it off with my hand.
It flew around for a minute or two and then landed right on the top of my head.
I'm a bit low on hair up there these days, but the giant insect held it's grip despite me shaking my head.
I looked over at my son who had what looked like a book in his hand so I told him to smack the bee.
He pause for a second while I leaned over to give him a better shot.
Then WHAP!!!
My head rang with the jolt of the wood plank.
I saw stars for a second and then asked...
"Did you get it?"
 
"Yeah dad... It kinda popped all over."
I could only image what it looked like, but I was glad no one got stung. 
Woof! 

 
Then I woke up... I hate those kind of dreams.
:)

Abandoned

Weirdest thing happened.
Our cockatiels sat religiously on their 7 eggs for three weeks... then just stepped away.
They decided to move up to their perch and relax... after all that hard work.
Weird.
They seem to be back to their old selves again... playing with the little bell and flying onto my shoulder when I step into the room.
My wife says we need to remove the eggs and toss them before they rot.

Lesson learned: grab the eggs early and you can make tiny little omelets.

Thank God!

Wife Appreciation Week is OVER.
But what I learned lives on.
She and my two daughters arrived safely from Jamaica late in the evening.
I saw my wife and kids for 2 hours.
Got 4 hours sleep and caught a plane out of town for a business trip.
Sheesh.
We finally got a good debrief when I returned after 3 days.

I realize now why mommies don't blog.
If they do... they are amazing to be able to fit that in also!
And now that I'm back at my office... I can get some rest and get back into sketching.
I really miss sketching for my other blog - The Daily Sketch.... which will commence immediately.
:)

Tolerating it - Appreciating it

I realize how tough it is to "NOT WORK".
Sheesh.
When women are asked if they work... their answer should be an astounding "ABSOLUTELY!"
I had tons of fun with my kids this week while my wife was out of town and I knew about all the things she does... but I had no idea they all strung together without a pause.

It was walk the dog breakfast change diaper feed fish dishes wash laundry sweep vacuum straighten lunch clean bathroom change diaper let dog out dry laundry fix light bulb dishes wipe nose fold laundry fix door help with spelling wipe nose dinner let dog out dishes put away laundry brush teeth stories wipe nose change diaper jammies prayers let dog in lock up collapse.

All in between these were drawing pictures phone calls playing games going for walks bike rides and fishing down the street at a pond.

Fun but exhausting.
I can't wait for my wife to get home... so I can appreciate her some more.
:)

CODENAME: PANIC

Operation Mommy's Gone has officially begun.
Late night packing and instructions, baby's got a fever, lousy night's sleep... perfect... wouldn't have it any other way.
We're going for full effect here!
She was at 5:00 and out the door at 5:45am.
Baby wakes up at 5:50... fever reducer from the command center and bam... she's back asleep.
So far so good.
I'm going to work half days this week.
Number 2 [my eldest son - henceforth called RAVEN] will watch/guard the fort while I pop off to keep the papers shuffling at work.
I plan to work 6am to 10am to appease the queen and her evil henchmen.
Home by 10:20ish is the plan.
The phone hasn't rung yet... a good sign.
Raven will be getting them breakfast soon.
It's quite... too quiet.
Must stay alert.
Over and Out

Jamaica Missions Trip and Survival of the Fittest

My wife and two oldest daughters are leaving tomorrow on a Missions Trip to Jamaica.
The team has 24 members from 2 churches.
They plan to minister in construction, community development, small group evangelism/discipleship, sports ministries, Bible teaching and preaching.

The team staying home is ME.
I plan to minister in survival training, scavenging, groveling... and search and rescue operations... I may try to have some fun too.
I have been getting ready by stock-piling hot dogs, chips, cereal and spaghetti.
I put all the first aid equipment on the dining room table which I will use as a main outpost center.

Pray that my 3 sons and one tiny [2yo] daughter and myself survive the week.... Oh... and also that the missions trip is a blessing to many.
:)

Yeah, like... Whatever...

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Fatherhood

One for Father's Day.
Here is a GREAT article that a friend passed on to me... Put up the Hoop Sooner.

I have 6 kids.
I love them all dearly and can't imagine my life without them... Honestly.
I figured I knew all the tricks of the trade - 'Fatherhood', but it seems every time I read something, I glean a bit from it that makes me a better DAD.

I think I will dedicate this Father's Day to the ones that call me DADDY!

Seven

Oh... and Maya the Cockatiel layed another egg to celebrate my Birthday!
:> o

Happy Birthday to ME!

Well.
I made it.
As unbelievable as it is... even to me... I made it 40 years!Yesterday was my birthday.
I don't think I look 40... nor feel 40... but I honestly don't know what 40 is supposed to look and feel like anyway!

I took the whole day off work because for the past 10 years or so... I haven't worked on my birthday and I'm not going to start now.

It was great.
Besides the new shirts, underwear and misc. treats I am fond of...
My wife brought each of my kids and presented them to me as Gifts.... and they certainly are the most wonderful gifts God has given to me.

They proceeded then to make me an incredible breakfast of an omelet, toast with jam, mango slices, cooked ham, and juice... A fresh strawberry/banana shake too.
We rode bikes and played in the yard, and later all went to pizza.
Fun was had by all.
Not everyone gets this when they turn 40... so I am blessed.

Someone along the way told me that when one turns 40, they turn in all their mental problems for physical ones.
Well, I'm not so sure I am ready to give up all my mental problems!
I have taken YEARS to develop these multiple personalities and I'll be darned If we are going to get rid of them so fast!!!!!

And besides, I'm not even half way yet!
:)

Dear Editor

We are not born with character... good nor bad... we develop it slowly over time.
Same goes for habits.
Good or Bad habits are not part of our life when we arrive here on this planet.
So if you have something in your life that you don't like...
or something that you DO like...
it's because you've taken precious time to place it there.

And if you wish it gone... it will take a precious long time to change.

No better time than today to... EDIT YOUR LIFE!
:)

Egg Count

Six.
:o

Fire Fire Fire

My church burned down [well half of it] last night.
I got a call on my cell phone at 1:30am and rushed right over.
Of course there was nothing we could do but just watch the fire fighters blast our church with water... tons of smoke billowed into the cool night air.

It was hit by lightening around 9:30 in the evening while some of my friends were there for worship practice. They said it was incredibly loud and blew out a couple of the channels on the sound board!

They checked all around and even in the attic... nothing.

A fire broke out sometime after 10:00pm.... apparently it smoldered until it caught onto something flammable in the attic.

It's not all bad news though!
We were wondering which way to expand and now it's fairly obvious!

One of the pastors said something really cool...
"The CHURCH didn't burn down... the BUILDING did!"
:)

This whole thing brings new meaning to being "On Fire for Jesus"!!!!

Pet Update

Eggs
Maya [cockatiel] has 3 eggs now... and probably laying another today.
I wired a make-shift plastic nest into the cage and she is using it!!!
She lined it with tissue and is taking turns sitting on the eggs with Rico... the daddy.
Maya is eating the plaster off the wall behind the cage - a good thing I think. She's getting her necessary calcium.
I think.
What is in plaster anyway?

One Legged Gecko
I had to separate the lizards.
Papa lizard was continuing to hurt Mama... [but her tail nearly off] so I build a nifty little separator wall out of wire mesh.
It effectively divides the 20 gallon tank into 2 separate lizard environments.
Mama hasn't been the same... it's like battered women... the love the guy that is hitting them.
Anyway... she isn't eating and it's only a matter of time unless she gets counseling.

Tae Kwan Do for Inmates

My wife was checking out the local Tae Kwan Do school [just to see what it was all about].
The instructor let my kids participate in the back row of his class.
They LOVED it.
Of course they would... this would be an excuse to smack on each other.
Anyway, the guy asks my wife what I do for a living... and instantly she was aware that her answer was going to set the price of instruction.
She, like George Washington, cannot tell a lie.
After he heard that I was an Architect he smiled and told her some ridiculously high price.

I told my wife later that the best response would have been:
"He is in PRISON. And hopes to be paroled soon".
Since that is actually more the truth.
:)

Life in a Comic Strip

I saw something that made me laugh out loud.

I shouldn't blog about it in case she reads it... but I'm fairly safe because only 2 people I know have ever read this.

Anyway... There is this college student that works here at our office [for the summer]... we call them "Summer Scholars", but the truth is we needed some supplemental slave labor.

She is a pretty girl, totally skinny and a very tall.... VERY tall.... with an BIG afro.
She honestly looks like a giant Q-tip.
Her face is like a cartoon character for some reason that I can't place... like I have seen her among my daughters dolls or on Nichelodeon.
It's like having a 'characature' from some comic strip walking around.

Perhaps I AM IN A COMIC STRIP!!!!
:)

Sand Soccer and Swim Suits

What a fun departure from typical soccer.
My kids were involved in a Sand Soccer Tournament in Virginia Beach this past weekend.
It was great fun for all.
The game is 4 and a goalie against 4 and a goalie on a significantly smaller field - if I had to guess it would be 40 x 60 feet or so. Dinky for soccer.
It was lightening fast despite being in deep dry soft sand. The ball must be airborne to go anywhere - on the sand it rolls a few feet and stops.
At one point in the game the two goalies were throwing the ball at each other, each attempting to make a goal!
They broke the game into thirds rather than quarters and took a 1 minute break in between each.
My kids loved it... though their team lost the tournament.

We all ran over to the ocean surf between games to cool off.
Sand castles, waves, beach soccer... perfect weather [partly cloudy with a nice cool breeze].

In the car on the way home I had this glassy look on my face.
My wife looked over and said "What... is anything wrong?"
I said, "Too many boobs."
She smiled. She knows I'm a man and that I love her more than anyone in the whole world.
Still...
I tell ya, it's tough for a guy with integrity when the swim suits all come bouncing by...
Woof.

Quotable Quote

Sitting on my couch the other day, an old idea I had wondered by.
It looked me straight in the eye and said,

"Hi... I'm your great idea. One day you will look for me and I will be gone."

I think it was wandering around as it anticipates my birthday... another year passes.

Eggs in the Nest

Our cockatiel layed 2 eggs this past weekend!
My kids spotted them first of course.
"Daddy Daddy... Maya layed an egg!"
We all rushed up stairs and found Maya trying to sit on an egg in the bottom of the cage - on the bars.
Sheesh.
I quickly grabbed a shallow plastic bowl, lined it with come tissue and set the single egg in it.
Maya hopped over and sat on her egg in the new nest.
Too cool.
I just got a phone call from home regarding yet another egg in the nest!
Woof... think I better read up on breeding cockatiels.. no wait... we're past that... I need to read up on what to expect should these two eggs ever actually hatch!!!
And as I have just read [on the above link] I can expect MORE EGGS!!!!
YIPE!!!!
:O

Chiggers

I seem to have stepped into some chiggers and pick up 2.
If you've never had one here's what happens:

The little buggers are just that... bugs.
They climb up from the ground until they reach the top of your socks... the first SKIN they come to... and then they burrow IN at the edge of a hair follicle.
Yep... they don't just BITE... they actually tunnel in about 1/16th of an inch or so... THEN they start munching on your flesh!

For some weird reason, it itches rather than hurts!
Talk about ITCHY!

A friend of mine stood in a nest of them while we were in Jamaica last summer.
He had over 50! I only got 8 or so that day!
He said the best thing to do was to put fingernail polish on them which would shut off their air supply and kill 'em.
I just left mine alone - ABSOLUTELY NO SCRATCHING.
Mine went away in 3-4 days... his lasted for nearly 2 weeks since they didn't like the fingernail polish and contunued tunneled all around under his skin to get away!!!!!
My advice is simply to leave 'em alone.
:)

Fort Copperhead

My kids helped me move the wood pile that the copperhead was hiding in.
We carefully lifted each peice and relocated it into the woods... no snake.
Good and Bad.
I wanted to terminate it because now I know it lurks around the yard/woods behing our house.
Bummer.
We relocated the wood pile behind our property in the woods... we stacked it up around some elevated planks and made the coolest fort! I fully expect the snake will return to reside under the new fort, but that's actually fine... since the cracks are too small for the snake to get a bite on our feet!

Fun was had by all... expecially when we found 10 wood beetles and some skinks.

Bug Shake

My son and his best friend went into our backyard and collected as many bugs as they could find:

rolypolys, worms, beetles, ants, etc.

They tossed them into the blender....LIVE.
Then they tossed in some ice-cream, splash of milk, fresh strawberries and some yogurt.
The blended it for a minute or so and then filled up a couple tall tumblers!
My son turned around with the first 'bug shake' and said, "Here DAD, you try it!".
So I grabbed the glass and to a few healthy chugs...
IT WAS GREAT!
Well... it was OK... except for the half a worm that didn't get blended... and the beetles leg that got caught in my throat...
but other than that I highly recommend it.
:)
BTW... this REALLY happened.

Snip Snip Snip

All went fine with Skipper the Snipped.
All except that the vet did extra surgery to locate and cut out a non-descended stinking testicle!
What was supposed to be a quick $40 [reimbursed by the SPCA] is now a $200 plus bill!
And they didn't call me to tell me they were going to do it either!

I swear it's just like the repair shop where I USED to take my car.
I take it in for a routine inspection and they replace an axel... "It needud fixin mister".

I hate it when that happens.
Anyway... Skipper is not so skipper right now.. he is just slowly walking around the kitchen looking for some scraps.
No snacks for him until the anesthesia wears off... it makes him vomit.
Which I found out.
:)

Comments

Oh my GOSH!
When I changed templates for this blogger site... I totally lost both of my comments!
:)
A friend of mine says that Blogger has added commenting as a really easy option... we'll see.

Cut That OUT!

My dog is under the knife today!!!
Good Luck Skipper!
Hope everything comes out alright!
:D

Jamb the Bad Luck

My dog got out of the house yesterday, and since he is NOT an outside dog - except to poodoo - he ran like he was on fire!
Down the block and back up the block and across the road and back across the road... he is a totally maniac.
And I must admit, I am a total maniac for chasing him... he thought it was a game and kept running.
Nearly got hit by a car he did.
Finally when I tired he ran right to the front door and my wife let him in.
I jammed my thumb trying to wrestle him into his kennel for a short lived punishment.
My wife is a softy.
He was out right after dinner... dang.
She keeps reminding me that, "He is a puppy still."
It does actually give me some pleasure knowing that as often as he does this... he will get his... we're taking him to be 'snipped' this Thursday!
:)
I hope the smirk I have lasts for a while... at least until my thumb stops hurting.

Jamaica Pie Auction

What an incredibly great idea for a fund raiser!
Our church, Community Church of Chesapeake, is sending a second team to Jamaica this summer.
Similar trip as last year - Practical help for utter poverty and Spiritual Help since everyone needs to know their maker before they meet Him.
:)
To help fund the trip we had as many people donate pies to be auctioned - 40 pies showed up.
Fresh bakes Strawberry, Cherry, Apple and Peach pies... Chocolate, Cheesecake and even a Shepherds Pie!
It was a great showing of church members too.
A friend and I were nominated the 'auctioneers' and we had a total blast of fun for about an hour and a half.
I nearly lost my voice from all the auctioneers talk'.
The average pie went for around $100 and one even sold for $320 bucks!
My wife and I bid on and won 4 pies - the best of which [for me] is a fresh Home-made Blueberry Pie [my wife says the Dutch Chocolate Pie is by far the winner]... regardless... We dine well tonight, knowing that these are the most expensive pies we have ever eaten!
And also knowing that it all goes to a great cause!

We followed the auction with a talent show where anyone could show off their talents.
We laughed for another half hour at least... and fun was had by all.

Jamaica here we come... we raised well over $6000 for the trip.

R/V Fay Slover

The Research Vessel Fay Slover - owned and operated by Old Dominion University [Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences - College of Sciences] set out for a routine research day last Sunday... with ME as one of the crew!

Not officially a crew member, but I helped with the lines and the experiment/research.
I was invited to board and observe as part of an outing by a University Event Planning Group - Town & Gown.
We motored out into the Elizabeth River just off the Naval Operations Base, Norfolk and lowered some equipment into the water.

They had a contraption [I later found that it is called the 'rosette'] that could [and did] take water samples as they lowered it deep into the River... all the while, streams of data [salinity, oxygen levels, chlorophyll, etc.] were being read thru a data cable that ran inside the steel tow cable. A computer on board had multiple screens and readouts that were fairly easy to understand, especially with a scientist rattling off continuous explanations.
Here are some recent pictures of the vessel/operations.
:)
Fun was had by all... but... what on earth are they going to do with this data?
I would really like to follow up and see how they use the data collected... perhaps they can see how the water is changing over time as the Navy Pumps their bilge into the river.
:)

New Addition to the Family

Add to the mix one fine rodent specimen - A Hamster.

We are systematically purchasing all the animals from the local pet shop and creating our own private zoo!
We don't intend to ever sell tickets, but if you happened to stop by the attractions are:

6 fish
2 parakeets
2 leopard geckos
1 dog
2 cockatiels
3 guinea pigs

and now... 1 hamster.

There is rumor of a friend being allergic to their guinea pig... so we may be up for an adoption.
My kids love it... they are getting pretty responsible cleaning cages, feeding and watering, and actually 'playing' with these pets... and not just owning them!

Security Alarm

A friend asked my kids and I to watch/feed/walk their dog while they take a nice 4-day camping trip... no problem.
They do this every other month or so... and the dog is a great big old golden retriever... a great dog.
We look forward to the whole affair since they insist on paying $10 a day... and we all go out for a nice dinner when all is said an done!
:)
Well.. all was well until last night.
They left around 5:30pm and it was approx. 9:30pm - dark neighborhood, people all thinking about going to bed...
... well... not with us setting off the security alarm!
At first I thought it was my 4 year old that tagged along - playing with a toy ray gun.
But when I stepped out the back door it was clearly a rooftop mounted alarm signal - and LOUD!
The neighborhood power had gone off for a couple hours just after our friends left and the security alarm [which they had turned OFF] had reset itself!
It was great.
We called them on my cell phone at the campground and got it settled.
The dog loved the adventure.
It was also a good time for me to teach my kids how NOT to panic when things go wrong.
[They liked the object lesson... but still wished it had never happened.]
:)

Mower Murderer

My old mower was nearing the end of its useful life.
I'm pretty good with mechanical things, so when it started giving me some trouble [not running for more than a minute at a time] I decided to remove the carburetor and clean it.
All went well.
Its incredible how simple yet refined the inside of the little carburetor is.
I cleaned it so that it could pass for a new one, placed it back on the machine and STILL had the same problem.
My lovely wife, bless her heart, waves over the next door neighbor [mechanic] and says we're having lawn mower trouble.
Mr. Redneck has read my mind somehow and blurts out... "Ya got a screwdriver and a crescent wrench?"He said it like I should have had it in my pocket and looks off into the street since I had to go to the work bench to get it.
Before I go further, I'll say.. he is a nice guy, and has good intentions... just don't ever get him mad at ya.
Rednecks are like elephants, not necessarily because of their memory, but more because of the swarming flies.
Anyway, he takes the screwdriver and cranks the set-screws all over the place and then takes the crescent wrench and starts banging on the side of my carburetor.
It took me a second to stop him since he couldn't hear because of all the banging.
He did end up using the crescent to open the carburetor up and monkey with the insides like he was looking for keys or a rock or something to fall out.
I told him I had cleaned it and it was probably something else... but he looked off at the street again like my suggestions were offensive to his master mechanic mind.

I'll shorted this story by saying he stumbled on a solution that worked - forcing the spring-loaded throttle open by wedging the screwdriver into the exhaust housing.
He said, "There ya go.... jest pull the screwdriver out when yer dun mowin'."
Later that evening I found the cable was simply slacking because of a bend in it's routing... that would have been the easy solution.
But there is no REST for the WEARY... the carburetor now leaks like a sieve due to the housing not fitting properly because it has a bunch of dents in it.
Go Figure.
I told my wife to please not invite neighbors to touch anything on our property anymore.
:)
... oh... and I bought a new mower yesterday... since the old one was on it's last leg... or wheel anyway, before it was murdered.

Copperhead

There is currently a fine specimen of a venomous snake under our wood pile.

Yesterday afternoon, a nice sunshiny day, my son went out in the backyard to play.
He came running back to the house yelling "SNAKE... SNAKE", which is translated to "Get out here and check this out guys!" in my family.
A small dust cloud followed us all to the backyard and sure enough there was a snake.
He had hearly stepped on it while throwing a ball.

The snake was clearly an adult Copperhead and was slowly slithering toward our wood pile.
I took a stick and gently lifted the snake up, but he slithered slowly off the stick before I could toss him into the woods behind our house.
He found refuge thru some logs and dissapeared from sight.

I'm glad Copperheads are relatively non-aggressive snakes, but I still don't like having a venomous one in the backyard.
The bite isn't usually fatal, but is extremely painful.
I'm not sure what it would do to our 2 and 4 year old kids!?

We're gunna restack the wood pile just OFF our property, in the woods, later this week... I'll let you know what we spook up!
:)

Chinee Foo

I have taught my kids to say "Chinee Foo" instead of Chinese Food and they love it.
No disrespect intended by dropping the last sounds/letters... that's just how I hear it!
:)
My kids eat the stuff up - even the red hot chili peppers swimming in the Sechuan dishes!
We call them 'Bay Sharks' - they have a bite.
Anyway...
Yesterday we decided to all go out for Chinee Foo and eat AT the restaurant.
The place is an awesome little family run take-out place, but has a couple tables if you wanna sit.
And we always do.
The owners come out and chat with us and we tell them it's the best chinee foo we've ever had.
And it is.
I called ahead to have the order ready when we got there... and it's always waiting for us.. they are quick.
Well, we arrived and all piled in... but no food.
They warmly greeted us... but didn't know of any "foo yoo orde".
I looked at the number I had dialed and sank... I hand inadvertently called the wrong place [their sister restaurant].
I had to make a quick decision either to order here and wait while the other restaurant had a NO-SHOW... or to wave good-bye and eat down the block.
Problem faced - problem solved.
We left and enjoyed the "foo down brock".
No feelings hurt at all... turns out the same guy runs them both.
:)
Great foo was eaten by all... with chopsticks of course.

Food Poisoning

Last week, Wednesday I think, a friend called me and asked if I could meet him for lunch.
I love it when that happens.
So I tossed my chicken salad sandwich into the frig here at work [it had been under my desk].
The next day, to my amazement, I was called by yet another friend to lunch!
Twice in one week... I couldn't refuse.
So my sandwich sat and waited.... thru the rest of the week.. .thru the weekend... until yesterday.
I pulled it out and ate it for lunch.
It smelled and tasted fine... but boy did I get the hot flashes and woozy stomach for a few hours.
My system is pretty tough from all the junk I pour into it... and I made it thru the day without vomiting.
You know what helped also... tons of water.
I must have drank a gallon trying to dilute the acidy feeling I had.
Woof... I sure am glad that's over!

Killer Geckos

My kids have inherited two Leopard Gecko's from their cousin... [thank you very much if you read this].
The lizards are a pair.
They procreated a while back [I didn't watch] and laid an egg the other night... right under the heat lamp!
It was dry and looked like a huge white raisin by the time I noticed it in the morning! It was technically my fault for leaving the light on all night and not getting them a 'proper' breeding box... sheesh.
The other day there was a nasty fight.
I figured that was normal. How am I supposed to know?!
It seems fairly normal in the human world, so why not lizards?!
At first I thought my leopard gecko's were just being a little aggressive during mating.
The male was biting on the females neck and back... all seemed fairly normal... until I looked in the cage the next morning!
He had bitten a fairly sizable hole in her tail and chewed off her left hind foot!!!
I hate it when that happens.
It's all healing quite well now, but there for a while I really thought I was going to lose the little female.
Looking back and trying to figure out what happened and what could have caused it... I can only guess it was a fight over food.
I usually feed them 'super worms' which are a very cool giant meal worm looking critter. Every now and then I toss in some crickets, which incidentally the hate and can't catch very well. The crickets also keep me up for a week after I toss them in there... they usually die rather than get eaten. This weekend I tossed in some 'wax worms'.
This turned out to be a very good idea... the geckos are eating them like candy!
The eat one and then sit back licking their lips [or what would be lips], enjoying the moment... and then they go after another one.
All is well for now in the tank, though I am doubtful the foot will ever grow back [like some lizard tails will do].
:)

Whacky Bridge of Death

There is a bridge I cross each day that is insane - The Berkeley Bridge over the Elizabeth River in Virginia.
Here is the situation:
Approaching the bridge from the South [and connecting exactly at the bottom of the bridge] is an on-ramp from a check/weigh station, 2 lanes of North bound traffic from a freeway and 3 lanes of North-bound traffic emerging from a tunnel.
All these hit the 3 lane bridge at the same time... who designed this?.
The constant movement of cars ON the bridge itself explains all chaos theories - because despite the insanity, there are rarely accidents and everyone seems to get where they are wanting to go.
People on the left seem to all want to be on the right [for exits I'll get to] and people on the right want the opposite... no one wants the middle because just past the top of the bridge is one of those plastic and metal smashing posts that helps you choose a direction.
Anyway...
Where was I... Oh yeah....
Should you choose to go RIGHT you have 2 lanes that soon merge into 4 headed East.
Should you choose to go LEFT you have 2 lanes with an option to peal off to the right for a loop-around under toward the West. The 2 lanes that continue forward are greeted with a traffic signal within a few yards as your entrance into the city.

I am sure there are worse situations out there... but for the life of me I can't think of one.
:)

Writing Style Analysis

A friend of mine found this great website and did an analysis of my writing style.
The analysis checks to see if the words were written by a man or a woman!
A simple cut and paste at first seems like no big deal... but when your gender is on the line it's another story.
Thank God the results were in my favor!
I would hate to have to go home this evening and tell my wife of 19 years that I was actually a woman.
Not that there is anything wrong with that!
:D

Dog Nearly Croaked

Our dog 'Skipper' was napping on a cool air vent yesterday.
One of the items on his collar somehow caught on the vent and when he tried to stand up - he couldn't.

He totally FREAKED!

He pulled the whole vent cover off and thrashed about in the kitchen until it finally broke free.
He was thoroughly dazed and in 'shock' for a few minutes... and rightly so.
He had a nasty gash across his neck that, thank God, didn't cut any arteries.
He recovered by sitting the in the sunshine on our back deck most of the day.
Woof.
Who says only 'CATS' have nine lives!

Firsts

There are few things as precious as a child's first steps, first words, first time they call you DADDY, first bowl of spaghetti, first spilt milk, first joke that isn't funny but you laugh anyway...
... firsts are great.
Well, my 3 year old just hit another FIRSTS milestone...
... He figured out [quite well I must add] how to dial my office phone number from home.
The novelty is almost overwhelming.... both of us!
:)

Great... just great.

I put a counter mechanism on my site and then it starts giving me errors.
Fairly typical... since my middle name is Murphy.
Kidding.
Follow this link anyhow for more Murphy's Laws!
:)

Counterpoint

My narcissism was acting up quite badly today.

I decided to put a "counter"element on my other blog... The Daily Sketch.
I just had to know how many folks actually look at the sketches besides a few friends and family!!!
:)

Kyrie Eleison

I always wondered what Mister Mister was saying in that song... "Kyrie Eleison"... now I know.

Great, all these years I thought it was just mumbo jumbo song lyrics like "Inna Godda Davida Baby" by Iron Butterfly, or the lyrics "The girl with colitis goes by..." in Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by Elton John [John Lennon and Paul McCartney original lyrics].
At least those aren't Greek... just mumbles.

Here is a link to more miss-heard lyrics. KISSTHISGUY.COM

Kyrie Eleison is Greek for "Lord Have Mercy".
People cried out for Mercy in the Old Testament and were healed by Jesus on several occasions.

A dying Christian was asked on his death bed, "Are you going to receive your reward?"
"No, no!" he breathed. "I go to receive not my reward but God's mercy."

Top of Mt Everest

Feeling like you're on top of the world?
Check out... this link!
May take a second or two to load... but well worth it.

Empty Trap

Rats!... I mean Mice!
Weird how I was disappointed not to see a mouse in the trap.
I guess deep down inside I'm not convinced that it is over.
I'll keep my eyes open.
If I see any new mouse poo-doo around, I may have to switch to new tactics...
heh heh heh
:)

Got Another One!!!

'SNAP' went the trap.
'SNAP' went the neck.
Mouse number 2 is down for the count!
I can't tell whether this little critter was the parent, sibling or child...
since they are all about the same size.
:)
Dog food was the bait.
A tasty morsel had he got one millimeter further.
Shall we try for 3?

Mouse in the House

Actually, it wasn't in the house... it was in the garage.
Since my wife doesn't read this blog [yet] I can freely say there was a mouse in our house.
She would freak if she knew.
She hates meeses to pieces.
She would NOT venture into the garage if she knew a tiny rodent was lurking around and possibly watching her every move.

Truth is, it was sneaking into our dog food bin.
I wouldn't have known except for when we reached the bottom of the bin... I spotted a little tiny piece of mouse poo-doo.
I knew what it was instantly and set a simple squash-your-head-off trap.
PETA go soak your head.
The trap worked like it was supposed to.
:)
I've used the sticky traps in the past, but different brands make different 'sticky' stuff and mice have escaped... leaving some fur and poo-doo.
The whole idea of being stuck there with their face in a dollop of peanut butter causes them to wet themselves.

I reset the trap just in case he's got a family or some smoking buddies.

Chapped Lip Faux Pas

Cold weather tends to dry out my lips - nothing new here.
YET... when it comes to chapped lips...
Two things I've observed really crack me up.

One is the little kid that licks his/her lips... the skin for an inch around their mouth turns bright red and gets an even worse chap which they continue to lick.
One kid I saw had a chapped face as far as her tongue could reach - from nose to tip of chin and just as wide.
I nearly laughed out loud as the kid stood there coating her lips with saliva every few seconds.
Poor thing.
I can't say they didn't teach her correctly... my kid did it once this winter too and I was always reminding him to use the Carmex.

Second thing that cracks me up happened to me just today.
Here's the scenario:
Chapped lips.
Carmex in my pocket but not being used often enough.
My lip had a little flake of skin flapping up and irritating me.
So I reached up and got a gorilla grip on the little flap and pulled.
I literally filleted my lip.
The flap opened up what I believe was an artery and hurt so bad I yelped.
The stinging and bleeding lasted a good 10 minutes... and did I learn my lesson?
No.
I do this every winter 2 or 3 times.

Take my advice.
Keep some lip balm on ya... and use it.
And when you get tempted to tug at that little irritating flap of chap... DON'T!
Instead... pull out a few nose hairs or pour lemon juice on a hang nail... There is no blood loss and you recover quicker!
:)

A conversation I heard

[Mother who lost her child] "No one cares."
[Policeman at scene] "That's not true... Almost no one."

Back from Brussels!!!!

What an incredible trip.
I can't possibly tell you all that happened, but can say it went incredibly well.
highlights are:
- we rode every possible type of transportation [train, tram, metro-subway, taxi, bus, etc.] all ON-TIME! no delays.
- dogs were everywhere [on leash] and the people did NOT clean up the doo doo. the rain washes it away in an hour or so.
- they brought their animals INTO the restaurants - a cat [not on leash] sat next to me for lunch one day
- it was drizzly and cold the whole time and even snowed for two days
- the people don't think that God is relevant
- people were all speaking French... it was great to use my high school psudo-language!
- i ate pate for the whole week and found out the last day it was goose-liver.
- there is a statue i town that is a MAJOR sight-seeing monument - it's a little statue of a kid peeing.
- Chinese tourists all stand 4 meters apart when they are in public squares and 4 inches apart when they are walking as a group
- the beer is the best in the world
- people don't sleep there - i had lunch with a lady that gets up at 7, work by 8, home at 6, bars until 2... then does it all over again - daily.
- computer keyboards are all mixed up... i was paying by the minute at the internet cafe and had to pick&peck
- Brussels is a gorgeous city despite everything being damp with a constant mist.
- waffles are for sale all over the place... they call them geoffs [pronounced go-fffff].
- there is NO normal coffee there... it's espresso or nothing. if you order American coffee' they fill a cup with milk and add one t-spoon of espresso!
- brussel sprouts are NOT from brussels
- they sell french fries in every single cafe... but don't have any ketchup. typical dipping medium is mayonnaise or hot-spice cheese.
-the currency exchange rate hurt my wallet... 1.29% ouch. hand 'em a 50 [USD] and you get back 38 euro with change. :(

If I think of any more, I will let you know.
:)

Brussels Belgium

I can't believe it's here already... and for those who don't know yet... I'm flying to Brussels tomorrow.
One week walking the streets and talking to everyone willing to talk.

It's a survey trip.
We're looking for a good location to start a church.
A christian church that follows the teachings of Jesus.
Seems that according to the lastest survey...
there are only 1% Christians in Brussels.
That's really low for Christ's sake!!!
Apparently all the cathedrals are now museums.


We're NOT going to build anything either.
The church is the people... not the building.
It won't be just another sit-in-the-pew and get preached at church... but a real church.
Probably in someone's flat or a regular meeting in a cafe.

A place where people actually reach out and help each other,
where people see others as more important than themselves.
You know... what church was meant to be.

There are people out there that are at the end of their ropes, that think noone cares and they don't know where to turn next.
There are also people out there that seem to have it all, but are missing the big picture altogether.
[WHOEVER DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS STILL DIES]
Well... I would hope this new church would be a light for them in their darkness and not just meet their spiritual needs... but the physical ones they are dealing with also.

Here's a link to a webcam in the heart of the city - Grand-Place in Brussels.
You may see me there!!!!

Out of the Gutter

Apologies to my dear family and friends for not keeping you abreast of the daily cross I bear.
:)

WE GOT THE DOG.
It seems to be mostly an AKITA... but since it's from the local SPCA it has no doubt been crossed with a LAB.
Seriously.
If you view any of your local SPCA dog 'please adopt me' pages... you'll see that most every dog in there is a LAB mix!
There is either one incredibly busy dog or there is an underground canine society that we don't know about.

The dog has pooped on my floor a number of times.
I remember Triumph the insult dog every time!
"Now THAT is a NICE carpet!"

Stay tuned for my personal training tips on how to break a dog from pooping in the house!
:)

Mind in the Gutter

I was running around this past weekend like a head with my chicken cut off... and finally found a block of time totally free.
I sat for a short time and thought of all the possibilities... bike ride, nice long run, clean more in the garage, play more with the kids...
I had spend all last Saturday in the garage... so that was out.
I had spend all morning playing with the kids... so that was out.
I had already gone for a run.
The chain is broken on my bike... I guess I could fix it...
So what to do?
Then it hit me.
I am sick and tired of cleaning out the gutters on our house.
The gutters are all dented up from Hurricane Isabel that came thru here...
So I did it.
I dragged the gutters off the house!

The task wasn't as easy as you would at first think.
The one over the front of the garage came off pretty nicely and without incident.. but the 2 story eave across the full front of our home was a trick.
I climbed up onto the top of the roof... pulled out a few of the 6"+ nails that hold the gutter to the fascia.
Then I tied a rope around the gutter, up over the house and to a tree.
I did this to the other end [40 feet away] and then pulled out all the nails.
I simply went to the back yard and slacked the rope slowly until the gutter laid gently on the ground.
It was great.
I tell ya... when you're a loner at heart you tend to find ingenious ways to pull stuff off without ever having to ask anyone to help!
:)

WHAT AM I DOING????

I can't believe what's happening.

I just got back from visiting the local SPCA.
My wife is somehow brain-washing me into thinking we need a dog!!!

It took me 9 years to get rid of our first one - it was a Dalmatian.
It had a seizure disorder and lost all bodily fluids once a month.

It took me 9 weeks to get rid of our second one - Miniature dachshund.
He chewed up all my daughters favorite dolls heads... and peed every place but outside.

It's my twin daughters 11th birthday and my wife thinks we need to get them a dog.

By the way... if you girls are reading this I want you to act surprised if I get persuaded to actually get you a dog... OK?!

She [my wife] has got me fully reeled into her delusion and I even said what 'breed' we should be looking for!!!

Golden Retriever

Send help.

Clearwater Revival

I'm losing it.
I actually felt sorry for the fish.
Some friends came over and witnessed the experiment themselves.
They all wanted to know what chemicals I was using to treat the tank...
Chemicals?
There are supposed to be chemicals?
When they left I stared deeply into the murky waters and saw movement... and decide to further traumatize their measly little lives once again...

I did a FULL water change!
I again drained the tank and tossed them onto a temporary flower vase... looked pretty cool actually.
I scrubbed the tank and all items inside... rocks included.
I found a serious micro-culture of algae living under the undergravel filter system!!!! The bloody culprit!

I replaced all and refilled the tank... treated the water with some 'chemicals' and then tossed in the suckers.
I tested the pH levels and the ammonia levels with a handy-dandy kit I forgot I had and all seems fine.. for now.

Water was clear this morning.
They survived the night.

We'll see....
:)

Fishtank of Death

I can't believe it myself.
I took an hour yesterday cleaning out my fishtank and it's totally, no kidding, totally green and cloudy today.

The two remaining fish must really wonder what I'm up to.
You can tell they are alive because every now and then they come over and press their noses against the glass.
My kids get all excited and spread the news that they made it another day... sick I tell ya.

Usually the tank lasts for a week or two before it clouds up... but I must confess... I didn't do a totally thorough job this time.
I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't take out the rocks and scrub each one.

I drained the water, dragged out the sorry suckers [two overworked algae eaters], rinsed the plastic vegetation, even put in a new filter and new treated water... but didn't mess with the rocks.
Dang.
Anyway... the cruel experiment goes on and on.
:)

Headache

I finished out the last 3 hours here at work with the worst headache I've had all year.
Ouch.
I don't think it's caffeine... those usually get me on Sunday.
It's probably the onset of something I DON'T want... like a cold or flu or worse... Anthrax or SARS.
I took Tylenol and Advil and wish I had some Aleeve... that usually works.
The absolute worse part was that I was honestly trying to stay productive at work and felt my head pound at every productive thought.
There was a slight lull when I drifted which made for a very interesting dialog between my work ethic and my sinuses.

Have a good weekend.
I'm going to go get some hot tea and lay down someplace.

Full Benefit

I robbed myself of full benefit of a possible hallucination.
I went ahead and slept 1.5 hours last night.
Dang.
You know... good sleep like that will ruin efforts for a real mental extravaganza!
I was going for "1 hour of sleep in just as many days" to see how long I could go...
... well I broke down and got an extra half hour.
I at least made it 4.
Perhaps next time.

I'm doing a 3D architectural model on the side if you must know... and it's DONE.
I charged the guy $1000 for this wonderful experiment.
[I only got to work on it late at night after i tucked the kiddies in bed... of course with their stories and prayers, etc... so they got full benefit too.]
:)

Marathon Weekend

It's been years since I felt the effects of sleep deprivation.
I've had 3 hours sleep in just as many days... side job.
Remind me again why I do this?
Woof.
When I was in the Navy, part of the 6 months of training was an entire week of ... no kidding... NO SLEEP.
It was Sunday evening... we'd been awake all day of course... the anticipation of the coming HELL WEEK kept all of us from falling asleep in the tents pitched on the sand. We had no clue what was about to be asked of us... and we had no clue what we were about to ask of ourselves. An entire week of psychological and physical warfare.
Too much to tell ya, so I'll just talk about the lack of sleep.
First couple of days were actually easy... constant [no kidding] contests/races/timed events... end to end to end to end.
The instructors came at regular intervals... all well rested.
They fed us 3 meals a day and then another at midnight... we ate like pigs and filled our pockets as well.
You couldn't sit for long at the table or the fatigue ebbed in.
Pain helped. We all had some sort of gash or abrasion, even cellulitus for some... me... I only had a broken metatarsal. Three actually.
The pain was intense but lasted only a few seconds... excruciating went to ludicrous which slipped to numbness as we picked up the rubber boats, put them on our heads and trotted off toward another 'event'.
On the 6th day... they put us in a dim room with Mozart playing... could have been Led Zeplin... we were tired.
They told us to write an essay about our experiences of the week.
I wrote about some extremely vivid hallucinations I had seen... I still marvel at the power of the mind.
Anyway... I made it... so did a bunch of other men I'd fight to the death for.
A week of NO SLEEP. [AND the hardest Military Training on the Planet... but you can see that on TV/movies.]
:)
Oh... I couldn't get to sleep the night Hell Week was over.
Go figure.

Pay people their due

I'm NOT a rocket scientist after all.
There is a satellite over the southern USA called the T5.
Apparently it gives many satellite aiming people trouble... even with sophisticated equipment... So I don't feel so bad.
I called around and it costs upward of $200 to aim at this particular satellite [lowest quote actually was $150 to show up, and $50/half hour from there].
I called one final guy and his 'Mobile-Satellite' Company... he and his wife started a company when he saw how much demand there is out there for this sort of stuff...
He said for a fellow brother [Christian] he would do it for $60.
He's on his way over right now.
Pays to be in the family.
:)

Pay people their due

I'm NOT a rocket scientist after all.
There is a satellite over the southern USA called the T5.
Apparently it gives many satellite aiming people trouble... even with sophisticated equipment... So I don't feel so bad.
I called around and it costs upward of $200 to aim at this particular satellite [lowest quote actually was $150 to show up, and $50/half hour from there].
I called one final guy and his 'Mobile-Satellite' Company... he and his wife started a company when he saw how much demand there is out there for this sort of stuff...
He said for a fellow brother [Christian] he would do it for $60.
He's on his way over right now.
Pays to be in the family.
:)

Satellite Smatellite

I guess it IS rocket science.
I was on the roof nearly an hour with the cell phone... all the while my wife kept me informed of the 'no signal' on the TV screen.
Sheesh.
My sister kindly informed me that there was a device at the store that can help with this sort of thing....
Now I've got to decide whether I want to invest in yet another device that I may or may not have success with... or invest in a guy and his business aligning these things.
:(

On the Roof

It's been extremely cold out at night around here.. and yet I had to get the satellite dish up and running.
NO... it's not for better football coverage for the Super Bowl... though that would be nice.
We've got a direct link with the satellite dish to Bob Jones University for some of my kids home-school classes... and so to keep them up and running [they personally aren't in a hurry].. I've got to get it working.
Here's the history:
satellite was working fine.
Hurricane Isabel came thru and nearly ripped the dish off the roof.
Isabel also took about a hundred shingles and distributed them about the neighborhood.
We had our house reroofed [thank God for insurance - the roof was needing replacing anyway!!! :)]
The clown that took the satellite dish off the roof didn't have a clue how to re-install/re-aim it.
I froze my 'you-know-what's" off climbing up there and mounting it to the 8:12 sloped roof.
I need to figure out where the actual satellite is in the sky and somehow aim the dish in it's general vicinity.

This CAN'T be rocket science... I mean... there are high-school kids mounting these for summer jobs!
I should be able to do it...
Just how precise do I need to aim... we'll see?
Either I will figure it out... or I will pay the $ to have it done...
But I'm not going to give-up until I at least TRY ....for crying out loud!!!
:)

On Coffee and Caffeine

We were chatting here a couple days ago about how much coffee we drink.
We decided that it may just be easier to get an IV set up with any flavor on a steady drip.
One guy had the best idea of all... and I would be willing to bet this becomes available to the public within the next couple of years....
...A COFFEE ENEMA.

More likely will simply be a caffeine supository.
:)

Post Vacation Blues

It's a natural phenomenon.
Really.
When people take off serious amounts of time and then return... their brain makes the connection that the continuous good times have come to an abrupt end.
Depression, anger, even quitting are common symptoms.
Simply returning from vacation can cause it...
Going home for the evening doesn't usually do it... but there have been some extreme cases that were aided by large amounts of alcohol and sleep depravation linked to this phenomenon.
Weekends will and often cause people to say stuff like... "I'm allergic to Mondays" or "To Hell with this."
People that return from 4-day weekends often take multiple cups of coffee to get rolling and several trips to the uplifting/inspiring poster in the hall to help them slip back into denial.
I personally review my list of other professions I turned down until the coffee kicks in and the 'Blues' subside.
This year has been pretty good.
I've only considered owning a pet store twice, moped rental once and am getting by on 2 cups of coffee a day.
I remember co-miserating once with my office friends when this guy [foreigner] walked by and interjected with a smile on his face... "I don't know what you guys are complaining about... I'm just happy to HAVE a job."
:)
We referred him to this website... www.despair.com

Vacation

I can't possibly tell you all that happened over my vacation... far too many memories were made.
What stands out the most is 'ABSOLUTELY NO AGENDA' for well over a week.
Incredible.

Nags Head N.C. Time share - ON THE BEACH
Sandcastles - every shape and size
Waves - the water was icy
Kites - light breeze, my 3 year old was the most amazed/thrilled
Kill Devil Hills - Wright Brothers first flight site - awesome
Shells - we collected well over a hundred
Sand - our van and pockets are still full
Seagulls - the kids fed them bread and they came from everywhere
Grisham - I finished reading The Testament - I didn't want it to end
Birthday - My oldest son became a teen-ager... here we go.

All in all a totally wonderful vacation
Couldn't have asked for more.
I am currently bracing for POST-VACATION shock...
:)

NON-Fiasco Christmas

One would think that Christmas at our home would be a fiasco… 6 kids and all… but it was incredible.
Sure the kids were up at the crack of dawn and woke us up 6:30… but it was our youngest son that slowed up the whole ‘presents’ thing. We finally dragged him down around 5 til’ seven. He perked right up when he realized what was amiss!
If you recall, the kids made each other presents.
And that was the absolute thrill of the morning.
Each child had their chance to present their hard work to the others one at a time.
The greatest fun I got was not just watching the kids open and squeal with joy at the gifts… but to watch the ‘giver’ squeal as the present was well taken. Awesome. Priceless.
The home-made stuff ranged from stuffed animals to a ‘carrot’ mobile and I even got a game [box, tokens, game board, and instructions!!!]
My youngest son, 3 years old, realized a few days ago that the others were wrapping gifts and placing them under the tree… so he began wrapping his own gifts. He wrapped a sippy cup for our baby… I wish it hadn’t had juice in it. He wrapped his own stuffed animals for the kids [which he quickly retrieved upon their opening]. I was in hopes of finding my glasses, which disappeared about the time he started wrapping!?
I’m sure they will turn up here pretty soon.
I haven’t looked ON the Christmas tree yet… they may be an ornament!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
God Bless You Everyone.

18 Years

I can’t believe it either. 18 loooooooooong years! :)
I remember Indiana Jones saying, “It’s not the years… it’s the miles.”.
My wife and I celebrated our Anniversary by doing the normal 18-year anniversary thing… we went rock climbing. Doesn’t everyone do that?
It was great.
There is a nearby indoor rock-climbing gym with a great facility.
One of the rock faces we climbed had about a 6 foot overhang [about 30 feet up or so]. The instruction we got was to keep our feet on the rocks somehow and NOT to hang like a monkey.
Well… my legs slipped and there I was, hanging by two rocks.
I lifted my legs back up but couldn’t get them to stick… and my forearms didn’t want to move either.
Dang.
So I came down the rope [belay].
Then my wife goes and climbs the wall like a gecko!
She had some difficulty on the overhang too, but managed around and up the rest of the face.
She rocks!
I swore to get back and do it again sometime… we even made plans to visit once a month.
Together! I hope this is a new thing for us… I really like it and spending quality time with her is great too.
We love the kids and all, but it’s nice to hang out together… just us.
We finished the evening off with some coffee at Starbucks and some very well prepared Vietnamese food.
Happy Anniversary Baby… Got you on my mind.

It's Snowing!

I didn't have to look outside the window here at work to know it was snowing... my kids have been flooding my email inbox!
They are so excited.
It usually only snows 1 day a year here in these parts - Virginia USA.
My kids are making a patch of snowballs and putting them in the freezer so they can throw them down my neck when I get home!
I layed down last year and made a snow angel in the 1/8" deep snow in our yard. :) The kids remember it all too well.
I'm glad it's snowing - sure I gotta walk a mile to my car - but hey, it's this white stuff the kids will remember for another year.
:)

Shopping

It's this wonderful 'giving' time of year that reminds me of how much...
I hate shopping.
:/

Quotable Quote

My wife finally had 'THE TALK' with my 10 year old girls.
They had recently heard about the 'Miracle of Birth' [friends having babies] and simply asked...
"Mom, where do babies come from anyway... you know, how does it happen."
My wife told them both gently and carefully so they didn't miss anything.
There was a slightly uncomfortable pause...
And then one of them said, "Oh, poor daddy".
:)

Triumphant Party

Just had our company's Christmas Party.
Heavy hors devours [pork loin and salmon], jumbo shrimp and some drinks... mostly chit chat.
It was good to see everyone with their spouses... you forget what they look like since we only see most of them once a year.
Guys were wearing whatever wasn't in the wash, but the women were testing out their newest dresses.
I'll never understand why some folks think these parties are supposed to be a 'show'.
Anyway.
All in all...
That was a GREAT Christmas Party...
[Please finish the sentence with a quote from Triumph the Insult Comic Dog]

If you don't know what I'm talking about you need to visit this link...
http://www.nbc.com/nbc/Late_Night_with_Conan_O'Brien/video/triumph.shtml

A friend sent me that link and I totally laughed out loud.
Triumph is an extremely rude dog... but hits a funny bone.

We are going to have a fun time with this one for a while.
:)
Here... have Triumph poop on your friends website...
http://www.triumphtheinsultcomicdog.com/

New Christmas Family Tradition

Nothing deeply philosophical today [perhaps I have never been deeply philosophical so who cares]
Just simple blogging...

My kids are all making presents for each other this Christmas.
We've been helping them change their focus away from the commercialism that surrounds Christmas and back to good ol' home-grown family values.
Sure we get them all a stuffed animal, fill their little stockings and pick a 'biggie' off their lists.... but for the most part we we're trying to shift the big 'present-fest' to their birthdays while at the same time shifting emphasis to remember the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas at Christmas.
Um... Emanuel... God with us....Christ born in a manger and all that.
:)
It's really been fun.
The girls are making... holy smokes... I nearly blogged what they are making for each other... I almost did a total blogging faux-pas.
All I can say is there is tons of glue, felt, beans, buttons, wood, nails, sandpaper, etc... all over our craft table and we are totally having a great time doing it.

The hardest thing is NOT making the presents for them. I have had to pull back my artistic guidance more that once as I encourage them to 'do it their way'. So what if they can't tell what it is when they open it... their sibling MADE IT!!!!!
This whole thing was a brainstorm I had last year and was even expected this year since it went so well in 2002.
Hey look at me... starting a family tradition!
Good luck with yours.

Rite of Passage

It's high time I put some thought into this.
My eldest son is about to turn 13... a teenager!
I can't believe it's been thirteen years.
Thoughts come to mind about the passage of Boy to Man.

Different cultures do it differently... like a show I watched when I was a kid about natives that had to tie vines to their ankles and jump from the tops of trees. They had to TOUCH the ground with their hand before the vine jerked them back up again. If they didn't touch... it didn't count. [Likewise if they miscalculated it and touched with their whole head, they were instantly taken from the gene-pool]. It what the very first bungy jumping I believe.
Other cultures have their kid go out on wild adventures alone and return "A Man".
Yet others take the kid behind closed doors and perform 'rituals' with/to them.

In today's 'rich culture' most kids kinda just grow up, often without rites and ceremonies... and even more often, without any guidance whatsoever.
Somewhere in the late teens they look around and wonder where to go or what to do... and in their 20's they look back and say... "I guess I'm here."... not knowing if they have actually arrived, since most of the trail markers are gone.
Some kids have a party where they are patted on the back, but I think real guidance is often overlooked.
Other kids get blistering drunk or high or pregnant or locked-up with their friends... or worst of all their ritual, their rite of passage is nothing more than 'FINALLY LEAVING HOME'.
It's more of a departure than an arrival.
In some families both the parents AND the kids look forward to it.

I certainly don't know all the answers... but I see much room for improvement on the way this is typically handled... or NOT handled as the case may be.

I see I need to give this some special thought.

If you're not cheating you're not trying.

Boy did I get a ration for saying that.
My wife couldn't believe I said it in-front of the kids.
She couldn't believe I said it at all... and then I really got a second dose when I told here I liked the saying because I believe it. But she wasn't going to sit around and listen to my defense/explanation... and so I can only hope she reads it here.
:)
Woof.

I defended the saying that I had heard echoing from my UDT/SEAL instructor.
It didn't mean to blatantly 'cheat' and be a deceitful schemer and a liar... it was more.
It means that life can sometimes throw you a curve ball and you may have to break a few rules to stay in the game.
That didn't sound any better...
It means that sometimes you will have to think outside the box to accomplish your goals - especially when the odds are stacked against you.
That sounded better...
There is the quick story of when I heard this saying - for the first time...

SEAL training isn't all eating sand and carrying logs... we actually had formal classroom training too. Go figure. You don't learn about weapons,bombs and tactics by trial and error.
Anyway. One day we all found ourselves on the floor between desks pressing out 50+ pushups and barking out the count for each. [Someone must have asked a stupid question]. Anyway, the instructor stepped outside the room and down the hall but kept a ear tuned to our progress. It wasn't very long before one at a time we all started laying on the deck, still barking the count, but NOT doing the pushups. The camaraderie was incredible. You could feel the whoosh of TEAM flow thru you as we ALL joined in 'getting one over on the instructor'. We reached 50 and yelled 'HOOYAH' at the top of our lungs. [That was the way you asked to 'recover' back to your seats.] By now we were all 'up' and looking like we had done 50. The instructor stepped into the room with a huge smile on his face. "Don't even think for a second I don't know what you did". Instant internal panic. "Good job... If you're not cheating you're not trying... now HIT THE SURF." We all scrambled to our feet and climbed over desks and men out the door and into the nearby waves. We returned to our seats soaking wet and continued the class - pools of sea water widening under our desks.

Glean what you can from that... I learned something about being on a TEAM.

There are many stories like this that I will pass on to my sons as we go.
And God willing - they will be the kind of men that kill dragons for their wives. You'll see.

Sorry honey, It's a guy thing.

Sea of Sedan

Didn't see a single Hummer today.
No Mazerattis, no Porches, no Lamborghinis, no Corvettes... nothin'.
I drove home in the drizzly rain in a sea of sedans.
There was an SUV or a pickup here and there... but I would say 90% of America owns a car that looks pretty much like everyone else's car.
Do you remember when we were kids and you would ride in your parents sedan with your nose on the side window?
You and your siblings [usually boys do this] calling out car makes.
"There's a Chevy."
"That one's a Ford."
"Hey, I see a Dodge, no wait... it's a Chevy."
Kids these days just don't do that... all the cars look the same.
It's like... who cares.
Do kid's count cows still? You know... driving thru the country... you take the left side and I take the right... whoever gets a hundred cows wins... and a horse erases all your cows!
We used to play the Alphabet game too. Pulling A-Z off of signs, billboards, license plates... anything - to see who could get thru the alphabet first. I STILL play that game! My kids love it and even wanna try it on our way to church on Sunday.
Most kids I see these days are playing with a Gameboy or have earphones on... mostly so they don't hear their parents.
Sad.
Crazy how things change.

Hummers

Ok... who are these people?
I saw a Hummer parked in front of our office yesterday... and another one rolled past me on the freeway this morning.
What do these people do for a living?
I mean, isn't the H1 or H2 an $100k [one hundred thousand dollar] car?
That's more than the first house I bought when I got married!
I'm NOT complaining. This is America and you can spend your money on whatever you want to... but I just wanna know who these people are and what they do for a living.
They're NOT rocket scientists I don't believe.. because last I checked, rocket scientists earned only about 70k/year.

I don't know... perhaps I'll just ask the next guy I see that hops out of one.
If I do... I'll blog about it.
Promise.

4 Glorious Days

I had forgotten what a 4 day weekend will do for you.

Thanksgiving turned out to be fine.
I didn't overeat. Tempted, but I had discipline.
Friday was a wonderful day bike-riding and playing with the kids - sun up to sun down.
It's incredible how rejuvenating laughing kids are.
Saturday we purchased our Christmas tree [we always get it on Saturday after Thanksgiving].
We stuck it in a bucket in the backyard to drink... I think it helps.
We went and saw a great film too - Master and Commander. Very well done. Made me want to sail again.
Sunday after church we brought the tree in and trimmed it.
Lights on the house are up too.
I tell ya...
That was the longest funnest weekend I've had since last year.
Somehow there is something wrong with that.
:)

Turkey Day Tomorrow

I can't believe it's here.
Didn't we just gorge ourselves with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, string beans, corn, biscuits, gravy, wine, pumpkin pie, apple pie and ice-cream?
[I'm sure I missed something]
If I recall, we all laid on the couch afterwards groaning and swearing we wouldn't do that again... and here we are... getting ready.
It's much like the lemmings in my sketch blog - The Daily Sketch.
One after another, over the cliff of self control.
We'll see!

Well, at least here will be turkey sandwiches for a few weeks!
:)

Turning Over a New Leaf

I got up this morning and re-aimed my headlights and washed my car.
Yep. It hadn't been washed in 2 years and was beginning to get moss on the north side.
[The line about a rolling stone isn't true if you park in the same place every day].

I've decided to turn over a new leaf.
I've decided to fill up the tank before the idiot light says I'm out of gas.
I've decided to change the oil before the engine overheating light comes on too.
I'm going to put brake fluid in before I roll thru an intersection and change the brake pads before that awful grinding sound starts.
I'm going to put steering fluid in while I can still turn the car with both arms and I'm going to put water in the radiator before I see steam.
I'm going to put air in the tires before I see the steel belts coming thru and I'm going to change the transmission fluid before it starts slipping out of gear.

That's it.
I've finally reached the conclusion that living on the edge of a vehicle disaster is slowly killing me.
All this started not because I had a bad dream or a bad counseling session either...
And its not one of my dormant multiple personalities just waking up.

It's because my car failed the state inspection two weeks ago and the list was quite long!!!
And I really need the car to last me another year.

I used to be better, honest... but 6 kids tend to rearrange your priorities!
:)

Homeless and Unemployed

That's right... totally homeless and totally unemployed... and totally having a great time.
I speak of my mom and step-dad.
Sound terrible?
Well, it ain't.

Instead of a home, they live on an incredible sailboat [Loup De Mer - Tayana 37']. They sailed for 4 years up and down the coast of Mexico and 2 years ago moved their boat over to the Gulf of Mexico... sailed up the coast [thru the ditch] and to the Chesapeake Bay.
I must be very careful NOT to covet their homelessness. They spend 6 months or so on the boat, then transfer to their RV for the remainder of the year!

My poor unemployed folks... they draw off the dividends from their wise investments over the years [Capt. Burk retired a very respected engineer from Proctor and Gamble].

They just yesterday, rigged the vessel for winter storage and rolled off toward good ol' Louisiana, where they'll spend Thanksgiving [my mom, the Admiral, has tons of family there], and then its off to the mountains of California for a wood-stove/snow-shovel winter in a cabin.

Capt. Burk says, "Keep working hard and putting money into Social Security" and "Retirement is TOUGH... but somebody's gotta do it!".

Forgot

[prior reading suggested - "Architect gone Mechanic" - 20nov03]

I waited patiently for my new silicone sealed gasket to cure - 24 hours.
Filled the cooling system with some good ol' green anti-freeze [50% water too - see I can learn].
Reconnected the battery - not normally part of the procedure, but if I don't disconnect my battery terminal each evening... well, it goes dead. Something to do with a 'phantom power drain'. But that's another issue.
Where was I , oh yeah... I waved good day to my wife and kids and drove off down the street... pouring green slimy coolant all the while.
For some reason I stopped at the corner to look under for leaks. ~ I hate having a habit of looking or problems with my car... but must get over it... I've done it too long now to quit.
Anyway... I barely made it back home.
Seems I FORGOT to tighten up the 2" hose that connects the water pump to the radiator.
Good grief.
REMINDER: Get a mechanic. Pay him well.

Architect gone Mechanic

Sometimes I amaze myself... but more often I don't.
Believe it or not.... I changed my car's water pump last night!
It was pouring rain so I pulled the nose of my Volvo as far as I could into the garage [which was 3' due to an over population of bikes].
I still got wet 'cause the rain was splashing off the windshield and was somehow getting around/under the raised hood.
It was dark too, but I had my trusty task light bulb-on-a-wire, which incidentally cast distracting shadows all over the place and had a mind of its own to see how often it could rotate and shine in my eyes.
I was amazed at how much of the engine I had to remove to get TO the water pump, let alone how many screws it takes to get it OFF the engine. I can't image doing this for a living... but some do.
It took me 3 hours and a quart of hand cleaner.
And here's what I learned: Get a Mechanic. Pay him well. The entire time that I was monkeying around trying to remember where I had put all the screws, bolts, nuts and misc. parts, busting my knuckles, and hoping I could remember how all this could possibly go back together.... one thought kept running thru my mind, over and over.... Mechanics don't Blog.
:)

Hydrogenation or Bust

Today's blog is dedicated to my wife who I don't believe has ever read any of these - yet.
Who knows, you may be the first and only person to ever read this too.
:)

Can't find anything processed in my frig anymore... or in the cupboard either for that matter.
My wife has recently found a new quest in life. She is single-handedly removing any processed food that has hydrogenate oils in it from our diet.
Something about trans-fatty acids.
She's got the power to do it too since I can only make toast, no wait... I can boil water for spaghetti too.
I wish I had the article she read, but apparently there is a direct connection between hydrogenated oils and cancer.
FDA will quickly deny anything I'm sure - so companies don't go out of business. But processed food is killing us all.
I know, I know... you gotta die of something.
I always thought I would die of old age, but now-a-days, there is a much greater chance that you die of cancer than anything else.
I think it's up to 1 in 3... which means you probably know someone that has cancer or has died already.
I'm not trying to scare anyone, I just think it's pretty crazy how in the past few years, sooooo much of our diet has turned to processed foods.
When I was a kid, we had a garden and mom made bread at home.
When the 'twinkie' hit the market, sure, we all got one in our Kung-Fu lunchboxes.
It's been downhill ever since.
Yeah, ya gotta die of something... but why hurry it along?!
I think the very first twinkie ever produced is still on a shelf... and looking mighty fine I might add... and probably will be for many years after we are gone. Here are some Twinkie Trials.
:)

God Bless America

I'm the Mishuns Guy at our church which means I communicate with our missionaries around the world and then communicate their needs and praises, challenges and victories to the church.
As I continue conversations from friends in 16 different countries and see how many are truly persecuted for their beliefs it makes me realize how much a privilege it is to live in AMERICA.
FREEDOM.
Freedom to believe whatever you want to.
Sure I believe that Christianity is the Truth, and here in America you can join me or not... and not have to worry about being KILLED over it.
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Bizzare Blog Culture

This is crazy.
I don't know how others do it... but I find this blogging a crazy new attachement to my life.
I find myself walking to work [it's a mile from where I park to my cell] searching the past day for signs of anything worthy.
I think about my family who may read it or misc. visitors or even friends that may not put a link on their sites if I start blogging something bogus.
I also find myself weighing my proposed input also with that of other blogs out there... and don't see any real threats.

I read one persons blog and they talked about the desert they ate for dinner... another guy is really ragging on a small island nation across the world, another can't believe his mother found out about his blog and one kid has had recent dreams of being a werewolf.

I realize it's NOT about anything that's out there... or even my contribution to the planet... and I'm NOT even looking for an answer to a question I haven't even posed yet.

It just struck me funny, that I was a review critic on a short film called "Since the last Blog".

There's an "EDIT YOUR LIFE" sign on the wall near me.

Weird.

Martix Revolutions

Finally saw it!
Personally.. I thought it was great.
There were two particular reviews that actually made me doubt.. .but only for a second.
1. Someone said to just go watch the first movie [Matrix] again and forget the other two ever happened.
2. The next review said that the best part of the entire experience was the Shrek 2 preview.
:)
As for me... I liked it a lot.

Matrix introduced a whole new thinking about what's real and what's not.
Matrix Reloaded was, I admit, mostly filler. We learned about Zion and the other ships... and don't forget the run-away program Mr. Smith.
Matrix Revolutions wrapped it all up nicely.
So there.
I say... Go enjoy it... skip Reloaded it you must... but all in all... a real good Trilogy...

What's real anyway?

Recent phone message

Hmmm... where's the beep?
There is supposed to be a "beep".
Weird.

Ducks and Trucks

I saw the second worst thing I've ever seen this morning.
I was sitting at an intersection [front car in my lane] and watched a family of ducks attempt to cross the road... right in the middle of the intersection.
But that's not what I first saw.
It started when I first pulled up and glanced around... I spotted something tiny and frantic in the intersection and pretty quickly recognized it as a tiny duckling.
Trucks and cars were wooshing over it and the tires were close every single pass.
It wandered back and forth between lanes and I keep squinting closing my eyes when cars passed, 'cause I really didn't want my eyes to witness the impact/squoosh.

Stuff like that just doesn't go away... It's permanently imprinted in your mind and plays back later in life.

Anyway... it was then that I spotted another one, coming around the end of the median... just as panic stricken. My eyes quickly flashed from one to the other, wondering which was going to get it first... then I saw the mother duck. She had some tiny frightened ducklings under her feet tripping her up as she waddled toward the edge of the road... all the while looking back at the other two...

The idiot behind me honked and I noticed it was my turn to dodge ducks, which I did and drove off toward my office with a feeling of helplessness and hope...

I did let my mind paint a pretty picture of a safe family of ducks in the hearby park quacking a soft "Thank you God" as they dusted off. Never know I guess. I like my possible ending.

I did also wonder if there were people out there just as frantic and helpless as life is maddeningly running them over.... perhaps I can possibly be of more help than I was to the ducks, as I drove by....
Something about a good samaritan comes to mind...

Soccer Tournament Weekend

Good Grief... what a long cold soccer weekend.
My kids had soccer games all Saturday and Sunday.
The wind was a bitter cold and blowing right in our faces most of the time.
On the field, the kids couldn't control the ball like they were used to.. but neither could their 'enemy'. I always call them that... and sometimes you can hear me yell, "Kick 'em in the teeth".
All the parents just look at me. :)
Two of my sons fell asleep under a nice warm blanket on the ground.
They made a little shelter and laughed and chatted for a while, and then both fell asleep... we had to wake them when the game was over.
We lost games left and right, but we had fun... and that's what I told my kids we were out here for.... that and the hot chocolate!

Sailing

Went sailing in the Elizabeth River yesterday.
I wished we had gone out into the Chesapeake Bay... but hey, as I always say...
DON'T SNIFF A GIFT FISH.
The channel was full of container ships, tugs and small craft... that that actually made it more challenging!
I got to take the helm [It's my step-dad's boat] and got mixed up a couple of times since this boat has a 'wheel' and my little sailboat has a 'tiller'.
But once I got the hang of it I could keep the sails fairly trimmed and not hit any ships.
:)

Experiments

I had this thought this morning that we were all involved in a crazy experiment.
The earth is like a gigantic petrie dish and we are all little squirmy things in a fluid... like spermies.
There is this eggie thing in the dish that we are all trying to get into... some do... don't.
Those that make it in... begin developing into incredible creatures, and they in turn get extracted out of the dish and placed into some sort of incubator for further development.
Those that don't make it into the eggie thing, just die in the dish.
Woof.

LIFE

Had a great conversation with some friends last night.
It was all about the meaning of life.
Not the movie.
We were all past whether here is a God or not... answer = IS.
The conversation was all about WHY.
Why did He make this whole crazy universe?
Answer = I DON'T KNOW.
He created a perfect world and had a perfect relationship in the Garden of Eden [with Adam and Eve].
They did something the he said not to... which we call SIN, which ruined that perfect fellowship/relationship.
Our chatting brought out some sort of conclusion about His wanting to restore his relationship with Mankind once and for all.
He sent his kid, Jesus [which incidentally is a extrememly complex form of himself] to do the work of restoration - thru a self sacrifice... but we don't seem to get all the benefits of this 'restoration' until some later date.
Weird.
Apparently, belief in Jesus and the fact that he died for us only gets us a promisary note of a greater reunion.
Call me sacreligious, but I really thought that we could have some sort of relationship HERE and NOW... not wait until later.
I'll keep looking for my FRIEND... the incredibly awesome... the One and ONLY... God.

Killer Bees!

Craziest thing happened yesterday.
My kids were playing in the woods behind our home and walked into a nest of ground wasps.
The wasps swarmed up and out of the ground and surrounded my kids with a cloud of stingers and buzzing.
Each kid [4] had at least 50 wasps crawling on them looking for a place to sting... and they found plenty places on their arms and neck!
The kids came running screaming into our home covered with wasps.
My wife had them remove their shirts and throw them outside but it was too late... wasps were in the house!
The funny thing [if there is one] was that the wasps were attracted to our torch lamp [halogen] and swarmed around it - one at a time they tried to fly into the halogen lamp and disappeared into flames and smoke [quite stinky I must add]... until they were all gone.
Crazy.
The adventures continue!

Halloween

Happy Monday.
Halloween was pretty fun.
My kids has nearly as much fun as I did.
The girls went as kitty kats, youngest son got a free costume from a neighbor [Robin of Batman and Robin]. My other two sons love Lord of the Rings and went as Aragorn and Gimli.
Aragorn was easy... but the Gimli outfit took me 5 hours to make with cardboard and a gluegun. He even had a beard and braided mustache.
Very cool.
All in all a pretty good Halloween.
Except for all the kids that were running around 'trick-or-treating' with NO costumes on.
Weird.