2009 will be pretty busy for us with a kid on the way and my search for what Carrie calls a "real job." I know we're both excited, as well as a little scared as well. Here's wishing everyone a happy new year! (Rusty remains curious as always.)
December 2008 Archives
I've got a problem, and I blame Ceasar Milan of The Dog Whisperer. I can't get enough of that show, and now I want a dog of my own. If only there was a breed that didn't smell and was self-cleaning, you know, like a cat. Obviously we won't be getting one anytime in the next decade or so, especially since one of our cats has some anxiety issues (oh, and a kid on the way, too), but I can't get the thought out of my mind. Darn you, Caesar!
We decided to take the boat out on Lake Conroe, and we were not disappointed. The temperature was in the 60's, but the wind off the lake and speed of the boat made it feel much cooler. The best part, though, was the layer of fog that covered the entire lake. Mom asked if I could photoshop in some seals or whales or something to make it look more wintery. I'll let you know when I get to that. In the meantime, you'll have to settle for my regular pictures.
Carrie is taking the pictures as her current 'condition' prohibits hot tub enjoyment. (Also, I'm apparently much whiter than the rest of my family, but they already knew that.)
So we're in Texas now, and it was a bit of a trek. Here are some highlights.
Breakfast at McDonald's, as per tradition.
Breakfast of champions.
Lunch at Panera (or St. Louis Bread Co. as Carrie insists on calling it)
The drive kind of sucked. Not only did we take 13 hours in the trip, but there was almost nowhere to stop in Oklahoma along hwy 69, and Texans can be a big crazy when it comes to driving (don't me with Texas!).
Anyway, we made it just fine, and today I went golfing in weather that was in the upper 60's, low 70's. Oh, and it was the Walden Golf Club, rated #1 in the Houston area and #5 in Texas by Golf Digest. They had lost 150 trees in hurricane Ike, but you'd never know it.
Breakfast at McDonald's, as per tradition.
Breakfast of champions.Lunch at Panera (or St. Louis Bread Co. as Carrie insists on calling it)The drive kind of sucked. Not only did we take 13 hours in the trip, but there was almost nowhere to stop in Oklahoma along hwy 69, and Texans can be a big crazy when it comes to driving (don't me with Texas!).Anyway, we made it just fine, and today I went golfing in weather that was in the upper 60's, low 70's. Oh, and it was the Walden Golf Club, rated #1 in the Houston area and #5 in Texas by Golf Digest. They had lost 150 trees in hurricane Ike, but you'd never know it.
I posted a rather poor score, but considering that I haven't played since last summer and that the slope rating was a stunning 133 from the middle tees (a tricky 140 from the back), I can't complain. I did birdie the first hole, though, and hit some nice shots. Overall, much better than hanging out in the KC weather, which is currently at 23 degrees!
This weekend Carrie and I went to Springfield, IL to celebrate Christmas with the Jones family. On the way there, we saw this sign in northeastern Missouri.
Good marketing or just unfortunate word placement?
On a separate note, I am a failure when it comes to Yankee Swap or whatever you want to call it. I always end up getting gifts that, well, are unsuitable at best. This year was particularly crushing as I had a $10 iTunes gift card in my hand until the very last player decided to nab it. I then ended up with a tool that I already owned. :( Carrie made out well, but unfortunately my streak of failing to get something good in these games continues. So much for that new recording of Music for 18 Musicians.
Good marketing or just unfortunate word placement?On a separate note, I am a failure when it comes to Yankee Swap or whatever you want to call it. I always end up getting gifts that, well, are unsuitable at best. This year was particularly crushing as I had a $10 iTunes gift card in my hand until the very last player decided to nab it. I then ended up with a tool that I already owned. :( Carrie made out well, but unfortunately my streak of failing to get something good in these games continues. So much for that new recording of Music for 18 Musicians.
I'm reading the Lord of the Rings for the (ahem) fifth time, and I've been trying to keep track of things that stick out to me this time.
One particularly striking scene was when the council was held in Rivendell to determine how to handle the One Ring. After they decided to destroy the ring, none at first chose to undertake the quest. Then, among the great heroes and lords of Middle-Earth, Frodo of the Shire says,
"I will take the ring, though I do not know the way."
Such bravery, and yet at the same time such humility. I had to stop reading for a bit at this point, just to consider how much was packed into this little sentence.
One particularly striking scene was when the council was held in Rivendell to determine how to handle the One Ring. After they decided to destroy the ring, none at first chose to undertake the quest. Then, among the great heroes and lords of Middle-Earth, Frodo of the Shire says,
"I will take the ring, though I do not know the way."
Such bravery, and yet at the same time such humility. I had to stop reading for a bit at this point, just to consider how much was packed into this little sentence.
I really enjoy the changing of the seasons. There is something about the cyclical nature of the weather that gets me, and being in the midwest I get a little bit of everything. I really enjoy smelling the seasons, too. And I know that I'm not the only one, so please don't think I've totally gone off the deep end just yet. There is always a particular day when I smell the next season, and one of these days I'm going to chart exactly when that occurs to see how consistent my nose can be. (Nerdiness and aesthetics combined!)
Anywho, one of my favorite things about winter is the cold winter nights. Carrie probably thinks that I'm crazy, but I probably walk to the grocery store more in the winer than in comfortable weather. For instance, tonight it is 17 degrees, which might seem pretty cold to some but there is barely any wind, so I did a little grocery shopping. (Carrie has been jonesing for some sugar cookies.) Sure, I could have driven to the store as it was on my way home this evening, but I thought it would be better to walk the couple of blocks. I'm still trying to figure out exactly why, but I have a theory.
There is just a stillness about winter nights that does not exist during other seasons. People are naturally more inclined to be indoors, especially since the sun sets much earlier. Likewise, wildlife is usually much quieter as well. Think about a summer evening compared to a winter one. In the summer you are usually bombarded by crickets or cicadas (at least around here), but what do you hear in the winter? Winter nights, then, tend to be really still. That's the best word I have for it at the moment. This stillness, combined with the better hearing (due to the denser air) gives a remarkable feeling of calmness and peace that does not seem to exist at another other time of the year, and I can't get enough of it.
So if you see me wandering around late on a chilly winter night, know that I am neither lost nor losing it, I am just trying to experience something that happens at certains times of the year.
Anywho, one of my favorite things about winter is the cold winter nights. Carrie probably thinks that I'm crazy, but I probably walk to the grocery store more in the winer than in comfortable weather. For instance, tonight it is 17 degrees, which might seem pretty cold to some but there is barely any wind, so I did a little grocery shopping. (Carrie has been jonesing for some sugar cookies.) Sure, I could have driven to the store as it was on my way home this evening, but I thought it would be better to walk the couple of blocks. I'm still trying to figure out exactly why, but I have a theory.
There is just a stillness about winter nights that does not exist during other seasons. People are naturally more inclined to be indoors, especially since the sun sets much earlier. Likewise, wildlife is usually much quieter as well. Think about a summer evening compared to a winter one. In the summer you are usually bombarded by crickets or cicadas (at least around here), but what do you hear in the winter? Winter nights, then, tend to be really still. That's the best word I have for it at the moment. This stillness, combined with the better hearing (due to the denser air) gives a remarkable feeling of calmness and peace that does not seem to exist at another other time of the year, and I can't get enough of it.
So if you see me wandering around late on a chilly winter night, know that I am neither lost nor losing it, I am just trying to experience something that happens at certains times of the year.
The last few months of the year are commonly known as the season of giving, but this year America is on pace to give less money than it gave last year--something that has happened only once in the last forty years. The reasons are understandable, as more and more families feel the crunch of the troubled economy. But of course, with a struggling economy, more and more people are in need of such giving. I think you see the problem.
So, just a little reminder that while everyone is seeing where they can save a few bucks, charitable donations should be awfully low on that list. One easy way to donate is to just automatically give on a monthly basis, and if you need help finding a charity, Charity Navigator is an excellent resource not only for locating charities but evaluating their financials as well.
So keep on giving this Christmas season. It's even more important at times like this.
So, just a little reminder that while everyone is seeing where they can save a few bucks, charitable donations should be awfully low on that list. One easy way to donate is to just automatically give on a monthly basis, and if you need help finding a charity, Charity Navigator is an excellent resource not only for locating charities but evaluating their financials as well.
So keep on giving this Christmas season. It's even more important at times like this.
Time has recently put up their Top 10 Everything of 2008, and as part of that they listed the Top 10 viral videos. I don't know how I missed this one until now. (The best line comes toward the end... and I think even you non-Star Wars fans will appreciate it).
While I enjoyed watching Up the Yangtze, I did have a bit of trouble
actually getting to watch it. You see, I lost the DVD, and was unable
to find it for a over a week. I then contacted Netflix to let them
know I was bad (I still blame the cats) and that I need to pay for the
DVD. The $20 charge kind of sucked, but their policy is actually quite
nice. If I found the DVD within a year and returned it, then I'd get a
full refund on that charge. Well, just as washing the car ensures that
it will rain, paying for the lost DVD is a great way to make sure it
turns up. So here's to Netflix's rather flexible lost/damaged DVD
policy!
On another note, today is the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment. Yay! Not up on your constitutional history? Well, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment. In other words, prohibition ended 75 years ago, which is as good a reason as I've heard lately to enjoy a beer. :) This being the last day of classes doesn't hurt anything, either.
On another note, today is the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment. Yay! Not up on your constitutional history? Well, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment. In other words, prohibition ended 75 years ago, which is as good a reason as I've heard lately to enjoy a beer. :) This being the last day of classes doesn't hurt anything, either.
I've tried to blog about this documentary a few times, but have been unable to find the words to best describe it. Instead of a more articulate review, I'll just say that I highly recommend this film. It can be difficult to watch at times, but it's well worth it.
In China, it is simply known as "The River." But the Yangtze--and all of
the life that surrounds it--is undergoing a truly astonishing
transformation wrought by the largest hydroelectric project in history,
the Three Gorges Dam. Canadian documentary filmmaker Yung Chang returns
to the gorgeous, now-disappearing landscape of his grandfather's youth
to trace the surreal life of a "farewell cruise" that traverses the
gargantuan waterway.
With Altmanesque narrative agility, a humanist gaze and wry wit, Chang's Upstairs Downstairs approach beautifully captures the microcosmic society of the luxury liner. Below deck: A bewildered young girl trains as a dishwasher--sent to work by her peasant family, who is on the verge of relocation from the encroaching floodwaters. Above deck: A phalanx of wealthy international tourists set sail to catch a last glance of a country in dramatic flux. The teenaged employees who serve and entertain them--now tagged with new Westernized names like "Cindy" and "Jerry" by upper management--warily grasp at the prospect of a more prosperous future.
Singularly moving and cinematically breathtaking, UP THE YANGTZE gives a human dimension to the wrenching changes facing not only an increasingly globalized China, but the world at large.
In China, it is simply known as "The River." But the Yangtze--and all of
the life that surrounds it--is undergoing a truly astonishing
transformation wrought by the largest hydroelectric project in history,
the Three Gorges Dam. Canadian documentary filmmaker Yung Chang returns
to the gorgeous, now-disappearing landscape of his grandfather's youth
to trace the surreal life of a "farewell cruise" that traverses the
gargantuan waterway.With Altmanesque narrative agility, a humanist gaze and wry wit, Chang's Upstairs Downstairs approach beautifully captures the microcosmic society of the luxury liner. Below deck: A bewildered young girl trains as a dishwasher--sent to work by her peasant family, who is on the verge of relocation from the encroaching floodwaters. Above deck: A phalanx of wealthy international tourists set sail to catch a last glance of a country in dramatic flux. The teenaged employees who serve and entertain them--now tagged with new Westernized names like "Cindy" and "Jerry" by upper management--warily grasp at the prospect of a more prosperous future.
Singularly moving and cinematically breathtaking, UP THE YANGTZE gives a human dimension to the wrenching changes facing not only an increasingly globalized China, but the world at large.
