Who's in for a three-way?

E! TV would go into shock from the magnitude of it all.

Busy bees

Life have been moving at the speed of light around these here parts. We went to Matt and Angie's wedding on Saturday. While it was good to see old friends we didn't really get to spend much time with them. We did, however, manage to corral Ray-Ray for a good portion of the evening. It was good to get to talk to her, and it was easy. Easy in the sense that sometimes after you don't see somebody for a while you lose the natural flow of conversation you once had with them. That was not the case here, it felt like old times. Pictures coming to Flickr soon. As soon as we get things squared away on our brand spanking new computer!

That's right. Michelle and Chris have moved into the modern age, you're welcome. Sunday morning over brunch we were discussing the state of our computers and it was not good, two PC's, both running Win 98 over a wireless B network. One PII 400 and the other PII 750. In other words, they are ancient. So at that moment we decided to buy a new computer. We drove back to CR from Ames and headed straight to Best Buy where we purchased an HP Media Center PC.

Internet, if you don't know what a Media Center PC is then you should find out, because they rock. Media Center PC's come equipped with TV tuner cards which allow DVR/PVR/TIVO (pick your acronym) functionality on your computer. Initially I thought that the computer would have TV output that would allow me to hook the computer directly to the TV. Turns out it was not so. But after purchasing the rather pricey Media Center Extender box and upgrading my network by purchasing a wireless A+G router we are set. We can now watch live TV, recorded TV, see our pictures, listen to the radio, listen to recorded music, and watch home movies on our TV while wirelessly streaming the data from our Media Center PC.

There are still many features of the new PC we haven't begun to look at yet, but for now I am very happy with our new setup and the coolness factor is off the charts.

In other news, still no baby. Hustle up Luka, everyone is waiting to meet you.

Quote of the weekend:

"But you still eat sausage, don't you?"
- Jones to Ray-Ray

Super secrets

Secrets come in all kinds. Some are good, some are bad.

My boss is a runner. He ran a marathon last weekend. From previous conversations I gathered that at one point he had been a pretty good runner. I didn't find out how good until today. It came up in conversation, I don't know how. My boss wasn't around, but somebody said he had once been a great steeple chase runner. And by great I mean world class, Olympic level.

Very quickly on Google we were able to discern that he is still, 21 years later, the US record holder for the 2000m steeple chase with the 44th fastest time ever recorded in the history of the world. He still holds the NCAA 3000m steeple chase record. Insanity. Apparently he only missed the LA Olympics because of an injury.

It's amazing, my boss is a great guy, low key and unassuming. I don't know that he would have ever told us in regular conversation. Guess it just goes to show that greatness is all around, even where you least expect it, secrets be damned.

Food, folks, and go-karts: Saturday

The whole point of the gathering this weekend was to play a little golf with the boys before David leaves to Ft. Benning to report for duty. It was good that the plan also fell on Father's Day weekend, thus killing two birds with one stone.

I got up around at nine-ish, I wasn't really paying all that much attention. Michelle had already been up and prepared breakfast for everyone, muffins and coffee cake, delicious. I thought that since I hadn't really been out to hit golf balls in a while it would probably be good for Dad and I to head to the range and get a couple of swings in before our round later in the day.

We arrived at the Marion Public Driving Range around ten. I've been there before but I must say it is quite possibly the oddest entrance for a golf range ever devised. The entrance to the range is a narrow driveway sandwiched between two houses. If there wasn't a sign, there didn't used to be a sign, you could miss it completely very easily. The range is bare bones, a machine that takes cash and dispenses tokens, and a machine that takes tokens and dispenses balls, with a mowed tee and some yardage flags, simple as that. We started hitting and lo and behold I was hitting the ball clean and straight. Very few duffs and non-existent slice, a rarity for me and my Salvation Army clubs. Dad took a while but he got it going too. I departed the range feeling great about my game.

Dad and I arrived about 30 minutes before our tee time at the course. David and Gabe were already there, looking dapper and ready to go. Bill arrived a short time later and we were ready to go. We asked about our situation, with our group having five but apparently we passed muster and it was cleared by the clubhouse, so we were off. I started off well, hitting par on the first two holes. I was hitting the ball clean, just like at the range. I managed a 47 on the front nine, great considering I don't believe I have ever broken 50 in all my previous golfing ventures. I had 100 within my sights. In all the years I've golfed, probably about three times a summer for the last ten years, I've never broken 100. So here it was a 47 after nine. I didn't play my best on the back nine but I played well enough to have a 90 going to the 18th hole. Easy, just get 9 or less and 100 is accomplished....wrong, I got 10. Nothing spoils your day quite like that. I can always dream. I'll just keep trying, it will happen soon.

In the final standings I finished second, behind Bill, but certainly far ahead of my Dad, Gabe, and David.

Back at the ranch, the ladies showed their wares from their day of shopping. Michelle acquired three shirts from Old Navy for me, all for free with various coupons she had, amazing, good job Michelle *whoo-whoo*. In the evening we went for dinner at the city-renowned Hacienda where I partook in the "Carne Asada" dinner. Speaking of, does anyone know the origins of the "Special Dinner" that can be found at most Mexican restaurants? Why don't Italian restaurants have "Special Dinner's?" It is a most perplexing mystery.

The night ended in Balderdash, with the self-titled "Invalids" eating chocolate chips and Bill being informed that "We need skin." Fun times.

Food, folks, and go-karts: Friday

Some weekends are better than others. This happened to be one of those weekends.

Friday

David and Gabe arrived around four and promptly insisted we head to the go-kart track. Sounded fun, if not expensive, but we had some time to kill before heading to the theaters for the evenings entertainment, Batman Begins. We arrived at the go-kart track and I was surprised to see how fast the F-1 go-karts were. We turned over our money and prepared for the race, which included watching a video, putting on a balaclava (sp), and selecting a helmet. Our race came up and we shuffled to our karts. As we waited for the go signal my heart was racing, I imagine it felt something like a real race car driver feels as a race begins. We were strapped in, helmets on and ready to go. Then the race started.
The go-karts were remote controlled, meaning that the race supervisor could raise and lower the top speed depending on the conditions, i.e. a crash occurs, slow down the karts. As we came out the the gate, the pace was slow but that dissapated quickly as all the carts came onto the track. Suddenly, our speed increased dramatically and we were off, all of us quickly discovering how exceptionally easy it was to spin the karts out (speed + racing tires + slick cement + turn = spin out). After a few laps I got the hang of it and started to make some good times. Towards the end I caught up to Gabe and was attemting to pass him, never quite making it though. It was close but he spun out on one a turn where I would have passed him if he wouldn't have spun, as it was I had to break to avoid t-boning him.

All too soon the race was over and we received our stat sheets. While I would like to say I was the fastest of our group I would be lying. David won both the fastest lap honor (28.64 David, 28.88 Chris, >28.88 Gabe) and fastest lap average (31.80 David, 31.84 Chris, >31.84 Gabe). Four-hundreths of a second, can you believe that shit? By the time the race was over we needed to get a move on to make it to the movie in time for the 5:20 start time.

We got to the theater with just minutes to spare. As we were walking in we were approached by a lady who appeared to be high.

LWATBH: Hey, are you going to see Star Wars?
Us: No.
LWATBH: They're giving away free posters if you go to see Star Wars.
Us: *Confused*

Completely random. Then we sat down to catch the show. Needless to say, here is my opinion of Batman Begins. You MUST go see Batman Begins, immediately. Batman Begins kicks all asses, do not pass go, go directly to Batman Begins. You will not be disappointed. I went in thinking it would be good, but it ws terrific, probably the best feeling I've had going to a movie since I saw Gladiator. The action is perfect, the style is perfect, the plot is well done, the movie is perfect....plus, it has ninjas. It blows all other superhero movies out of the water, the competition is not even close, in a word, it was superb.

On the nightcap we returned to my humble domicile to await the arrival of my parents and Colleen, whereupon we ate food, drank beer and generally made marry.

Next: Saturday

Fear the fro'

If there is one undeniable truth, one unexplainable force in the universe, it is not "The Force," nor is it dark matter, or the mysterious powers of all the deities ever worshipped. It is the galvanizing power of one man's hair to change the course of basketball history. Ben Wallace is that man, his hairstyle dictating the fortunes of the Pistons just as Sampsons golden locks dictated the course of biblical events. We all know, overtly or secretly, it's why the Pistons have evened the NBA finals. Scoop Jackson explains for the masses.

"One day he came in his pajamas"

Triumph reports from the frontlines of the Michael Jackson trial.

If you like the NBA at all

You should be reading this.

Petters lick Amy Arrington Realtor on the head

(AP) - Wednesday night men's league concluded last night in thrilling fashion as hot-handed captain Bobby Tight Pants drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded and two out to lead Heavy Petting past Amy Arrington Realtor 15-14 in an exciting Green Division softball match.

Amy Arrington Realtor jumped all over Heavy Petting early, taking a commanding 9-3 lead into the bottom of the fifth. Heavy Petting then went to work, earning three walks off of the previously unflappable George and ultimately driving in six runs to tie the score at 9 at the top of sixth.

Following a scoreless top half of the sixth, the Heavy Petters hot bats continued, punctuated by a highlight-reel in the park homerun by Mr. Towell. When all was said and done the Heavy Petters entered the seventh with a commanding 13-9 lead. Amy Arrington Realtor, however, would not be denied. In a frantic scramble to keep the game alive, the aspiring real-estate moguls managed to score five in the top of the seventh, setting up Bobby Tight Pants thrilling heroics.

With the win Heavy Petting moves to 4-4 on the season.

Law & Order: Rash Unit

This morning I am on prednozone, again. It seems to be a rather regular occurrence for me, rather like a winter cold or spring allergies for most people.

While on a fantastic vacation to Montana last summer I had developed a gigantic blistering rashes on my arms that required a trip to the clinic for, you guessed it, prednozone. On our wedding night I used a fancy hotel shampoo, which by the next morning caused my ear to swell up and ooze which eventually sent me to the doctor for, you guessed it, prednozone. I am highly allergic to Cocoa butter/vitamin E, don't know which exactly, it causes a weeping rash beyond belief. In the last few years I seem to have become allergic to all but the most mild deodorants. I am currently getting over a $300+ dollar case of jock itch: 4 tubes of OTC cream, 2 visits to the doctor, 1 tube of prescription cream ($50), 1 month supply of prescription oral Lamisil ($160!).

I am allergic to stuff. Why I don't know. I didn't get a lot of rashes growing up. I remember on particularly bad rash during football junior year. I didn't get jock itch for the first time until I was in college. I discovered the cocoa butter allergy while trying to smooth out some stretch marks while I was an intern. Then Shel and I started going out, and have been in a nearly perpetual state of rashes since then. I was starting think I was allergic to her, or at least something she wears. But it's not like I can get rid of Shel, she feeds me...among other things. Plus, she's cute.

So I was pleasantly surprised when the doctor at urgent care yesterday suggested that the source of many of my rashes may in fact be light sensitivity. It makes sense, I only seems to break out after I've been in the sun a lot. This past weekend I went for to the dog park, went on a bike ride, mowed the yard, and played softball. The rashes seem to stick to places that are exposed: ears, neck, forearms, upper chest. It makes sense to me, but it means that I will probably start, for the first time in my life, wearing sunscreen on a regular basis. I will also probably have to get more safari/golf/cowboy hats, well, maybe not cowboy. I don't like these options, but I will try them to at least see if the rashes stop. If they do then I'll probably just have to keep wearing sunscreen if I want to continue the vast array of activities I enjoy in the outdoors.

Rash man, out.

It was a good day

Yesterday I got up and went to work, absurd isn't it, working on a Saturday. I accomplished quite a bit in the 3 hours I was there though so it was worth it. When I got home we took Bernie out to the dog park. We had never been out there before, I must say it was pretty nice. It's good to let the dog off of the leash sometimes and let him run. He needed it. By the end he could barely stand up and was slobbering all over himself with reckless abandon.

After that we went over to Jaime and Jason's and after much preparation I went on a bike ride with Jason and the boys. We went about sixteen miles and a pretty good conversation. It is definitely good to get to know Jason better, he has pretty similar interests to myself. We decided we really need to go skiing next winter and that at some point, maybe next year, we are going to ride RAGBRAI.

All in all, it was a good day.

The case of the rotting leg

Ok, my dad has this problem with his leg. It seems to be consumed by some flesh eating disease. It has been going on for years, all the while getting progressively worse. I tend to ignore it or think about other things. But now it needs attention. My sister posted (warning: it's gross) this snapshot* from the other day.

Michelle is completely freaked out about this, and rightfully so. It freaks me out to, I've been seeing it for so long that it appears "normal" in person, but yikes, it's amazing what one picture can do to one's mindset.

So, dad, we love you and we would appreciate you being around awhile, preferably without a peg leg and a parrot. GO TO THE DOCTOR you damn fool. GET IT FIXED NOW! Don't be stubborn, don't be obstinate, proceed directly to Go and don't stop until you have hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place. Keep hassling the doctor until it is ok. Besides, how in the world are you supposed to get around Disney World next summer on that. Get it taken care of.

* my large softball scrape is the second picture, but it is nothing compared to pops

Ditto dawg

I agree whole-heartedly Shel.

And now back to regular programming.

So we had a pretty active weekend, went to a college party on Friday night, then went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and since we had enough time we also went to Home Depot on Saturday. Ok, so that didn't really happen, but we did go see Cinderella Man on Friday. I thought it was a pretty good flick, the amazing part being that most of it is a true story. I can't imagine being a boxer and going from dead-broke and out of boxing to world heavyweight champ in less than a year. Yet that's what really happened, and to think I had never heard of Jim Braddock before last week.

On Saturday a went to work in the morning. I am really busy recently and need to start putting in some long hours probably right up until the baby decides to leave what I like to term as the "baby dome." But Saturday afternoon we did some shopping and got ready for our anniversary dinner out. We went to Vino's, neither of us had ever been there and I was pleasantly surprised. The food was good, I had Italian Ribeye (yum), and the atmoshpere was excellant. It's just a small, intimate, Italian restaurant here in town, but I would certainly recommend it to anybody.

On Sunday it was back to work during the morning and then to the mall so we could find outfits for a wedding we're going to in a couple of weeks. Usually, with my size, this is no small feat. Fortunately, we were able to find good outfits relatively quickly and for good prices. It rocked.

That is the weekend that was.

That's the way we became...

Ok, so we are up and running. Kudos to GMoney Bailey for the cool graphic (it will be updated later to include pics of T-Unit and the baby).

Last night, Shel, in her infinite sneakiness, decided to check this site again* and found the new graphic, so with all that exposed she got her anniversary present early. Happy Anniversary honey! She felt bad so she decided to give me my anniversary present, a brand spanking new copy of 1776. It is going to rock, for those who don't know it is the story of the American revolution as told by the guy who wrote John Adams. I am sure it is going to be fantastic.

The anniversary is next week but we are going to celebrate with a nice dinner out on Saturday, followed by who knows what; Shel is in charge of planning so it should be fun. Until we meet again dear readers.

* She had previously found it this weekend when I made the mistake of leaving in the history.