97 lost a top front tooth today. And then she truly lost the tooth. What to do? Why, just jot the Tooth Fairy (TF) a note explaining the matter. Sorted.
Actually, she was quite upset about it. After all, how will the TF find me and will she believe the tragic story?
Big Sis to the rescue. Thus, the Tooth Fairy Method, according to 94:
1) TF has a giant tooth map, which shows all people's mouths, everywhere
2) Said map is color coded, with different tooth stati showing in different colors
3) Using the map, TF has unequivocal evidence of 97's tragedy
4) I guess TF points to the mouth on the map and, ZAP, she is transformed into vapor to remain undetected, floats into the room, takes the tooth, leaves appropriate compensation, points to home on the map, and...
5) ZOOOM! TF is teleported directly back to TF land
According to 94, she's sure about this because, after all, she's had 10 years to figure it out.
Love love love love!
Friday, January 14, 2005
Waking Dream
Don't you love those dreams you have where you can control the action?
As I drifted off last night I had the most wonderful dream. I can't possibly describe it here because you know how nonsensical dreams can be. It involved me at a much younger age offering aid to a girl I guess I knew. We fell madly in love. All in about 5 seconds. It left me with a feeling of such hope and peace because I've actually had those experiences, though not the same circumstances. I'm very blessed.
Unfortunately I woke back up too soon, and couldn't return to that place. That's okay though, because the memory remains. Rare with me and dreams.
Also, the dream affected me so that I couldn't return to sleep. I got up and puttered about and went back to bed at about midnight, then lie awake thinking until about 2:30.
What did I think about? You know, I'm only 40 (and still get carded buying beer): I could shape up a bit and be quite the stud. These past two years since the divorce I've had absolutely no desire to do that. Until now.
Hmmm...
As I drifted off last night I had the most wonderful dream. I can't possibly describe it here because you know how nonsensical dreams can be. It involved me at a much younger age offering aid to a girl I guess I knew. We fell madly in love. All in about 5 seconds. It left me with a feeling of such hope and peace because I've actually had those experiences, though not the same circumstances. I'm very blessed.
Unfortunately I woke back up too soon, and couldn't return to that place. That's okay though, because the memory remains. Rare with me and dreams.
Also, the dream affected me so that I couldn't return to sleep. I got up and puttered about and went back to bed at about midnight, then lie awake thinking until about 2:30.
What did I think about? You know, I'm only 40 (and still get carded buying beer): I could shape up a bit and be quite the stud. These past two years since the divorce I've had absolutely no desire to do that. Until now.
Hmmm...
Thursday, January 13, 2005
The Force
Divorce really sucks. What came before it was worse. Therefore I am fortunate. So are my children.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Good Boy?
Howdy is really a dog, methinks.
Sure, he's got cute cat ears, a long cat tail, and poops in a litterbox, but I think it's all just an act.
Lately he has needed to scream (bark) at me from the second I come home. Until I sit down. Then he needs to be up on my lap. Then he brings me things and wants to play "fetch". We finish the day with him curled up beside me in bed.
Now I've had a dog before. He was a Westie, so I know whereof I speak. Wait, upon reflection I suspect he was a fuzzy lightening ball who scratched at the patio window at 4 a.m.. No, he was definitely a dog. Maybe.
Anyway I loved that dog, but I didn't purposely adopt one from the Humane Society when I picked up Howdy. No, I'm looking at his papers right now, and they say "Male, neutered, tabby CAT". In black and white, no less, right in the middle of the coffee ring, as if for added emphasis.
This raises a boatload of issues: Do I have to take him for walks? Should I buy Dog Chow? Crap! My lease doesn't allow for dogs!!
Fellow bloggers, I'm at whit's end. Can anyone help?
Sure, he's got cute cat ears, a long cat tail, and poops in a litterbox, but I think it's all just an act.
Lately he has needed to scream (bark) at me from the second I come home. Until I sit down. Then he needs to be up on my lap. Then he brings me things and wants to play "fetch". We finish the day with him curled up beside me in bed.
Now I've had a dog before. He was a Westie, so I know whereof I speak. Wait, upon reflection I suspect he was a fuzzy lightening ball who scratched at the patio window at 4 a.m.. No, he was definitely a dog. Maybe.
Anyway I loved that dog, but I didn't purposely adopt one from the Humane Society when I picked up Howdy. No, I'm looking at his papers right now, and they say "Male, neutered, tabby CAT". In black and white, no less, right in the middle of the coffee ring, as if for added emphasis.
This raises a boatload of issues: Do I have to take him for walks? Should I buy Dog Chow? Crap! My lease doesn't allow for dogs!!
Fellow bloggers, I'm at whit's end. Can anyone help?
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Lunch
It is very theraputic to act like a 16 year old once in a while. It is downright cathartic to act like a 16 year old with three coworkers. In public.
Things at work are, well, suboptimal. Long-ignored discontent has lead to a really crappy morale situation. So, once in a while we need to get out and let off steam. The underpaid staff at our local Culvers now bears the burn marks from the aforementioned steam.
Now, before you let your imaginations go too wild, nobody was hurt and nothing was broken. And no, thank you very much, we were not kicked out. However, I must admit not participating (sober) in such an uninterrupted stream of juvenile humor and loud guffawing since high school. They wanted us gone, too, because we were asked by 4 different employees if they could clear our trays.
Now, when I say "juvenile humor", what do I mean? Here:
Female Coworker: "Maybe I can get that trucker to blow his horn."
Me: "Yeah, you'd love to blow that trucker's horn."
And that's the high-brow stuff.
Fastest hour I've spent in a long time. But, back to work we all dutifully went. Har humph.
Things at work are, well, suboptimal. Long-ignored discontent has lead to a really crappy morale situation. So, once in a while we need to get out and let off steam. The underpaid staff at our local Culvers now bears the burn marks from the aforementioned steam.
Now, before you let your imaginations go too wild, nobody was hurt and nothing was broken. And no, thank you very much, we were not kicked out. However, I must admit not participating (sober) in such an uninterrupted stream of juvenile humor and loud guffawing since high school. They wanted us gone, too, because we were asked by 4 different employees if they could clear our trays.
Now, when I say "juvenile humor", what do I mean? Here:
Female Coworker: "Maybe I can get that trucker to blow his horn."
Me: "Yeah, you'd love to blow that trucker's horn."
And that's the high-brow stuff.
Fastest hour I've spent in a long time. But, back to work we all dutifully went. Har humph.
Moss Moon Full Over Lambeau
I'm a reasonable man. As Packers fans go, I'm one of the biggest, but I can discern the truth about my team. We played terribly against the Vikings in the wildcard game. Honestly we didn't play well enough to win. Now our season's over. That's the NFL.
What's not the NFL is that punk with a 'fro, Randy Moss. Walks off the field last week, and this week he pretends to moon the fans at Lambeau. C'mon Randy! Grow a pair and show us your punk ass for real next time. And no comment from Mike Theiss, the bum? If you don't set limits for your kids, Mikey, they'll just keep walking all over you.
Alright, enough for that rant. Gonna be a long offseason.
What's not the NFL is that punk with a 'fro, Randy Moss. Walks off the field last week, and this week he pretends to moon the fans at Lambeau. C'mon Randy! Grow a pair and show us your punk ass for real next time. And no comment from Mike Theiss, the bum? If you don't set limits for your kids, Mikey, they'll just keep walking all over you.
Alright, enough for that rant. Gonna be a long offseason.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Pretzels at Target
Okay, not exactly breakfast at Tiffany's. We had nacho pretzels at Target today for lunch. Cost as much as big kids meals at Mickey D's. Was the perfect lunch, though.
We love looking at the Target t-shirts. "Hah! Now you can't see me" is our all-time favorite. My nephew bought a "Wake and Bake" one in Sturgeon Bay over Christmas. I guess that's some drug reference. Awkward for me, though I am not a prude.
We went and saw Lisa's dogs and cats today. Been a while. We brought them woobies and cat toys. The fuzzy wooby was dead by the time we left. Torn to shreds. I predicted as much and was right. Absolute joy and fun.
At the end of "Princess Diarys II" the kids decided they absolutely had to see the "Break Away" video by what's her name... 29 times! Not only that, they were arguing over who got to sing. Typical sister stuff I guess.
We played Barbie Uno. Had Little Caesar's for supper.
I know it all sounds boring, but my time with the kids each weekend is pure magic. Makes it all worthwhile. Love love love them.
We love looking at the Target t-shirts. "Hah! Now you can't see me" is our all-time favorite. My nephew bought a "Wake and Bake" one in Sturgeon Bay over Christmas. I guess that's some drug reference. Awkward for me, though I am not a prude.
We went and saw Lisa's dogs and cats today. Been a while. We brought them woobies and cat toys. The fuzzy wooby was dead by the time we left. Torn to shreds. I predicted as much and was right. Absolute joy and fun.
At the end of "Princess Diarys II" the kids decided they absolutely had to see the "Break Away" video by what's her name... 29 times! Not only that, they were arguing over who got to sing. Typical sister stuff I guess.
We played Barbie Uno. Had Little Caesar's for supper.
I know it all sounds boring, but my time with the kids each weekend is pure magic. Makes it all worthwhile. Love love love them.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Name Plates in Flux
I'm a practical joker. It's in my nature. Some say I'm evil, some maintain I'm benevolent but mischevious. What matters is what I say. I say I'm brilliant.
Okay, at work morale sucks lately. There are alot of reasons. As I read others' blogs, it's the same old shit. I wanted to help. Fine, fine, fine, helping never crossed my mind (I rather enjoy seeing the inevitable results of management incompetence). Let's just pretend I wanted to help.
Right. Our name plates are secured to our doors via magnetic name plates. I can't tell you how much confidence this inspires in our continued employment. Recently a couple of employees have started switching name plates. Today I noticed that one shared office was advertised as being inhabited by both Mya Schmitd and Mya Schmitd (of course not their real names). That's right, two identical name plates.
Nice.
Not only that, some neighboring name plates had been switched around. The one I loved was a two-person office that, at one point, had five peoples name plates on it.
Heh heh! I got a brilliant idea. Why not come in one night with a large burlap sack. Into this sack one could put the name plates of every morale-impaired soul. Then randomly reassign those name plates. An email from the big boss tells everyone that they need to find their name plates and correct them. This would be a "get to know your coworker" ritual. Sure to boost morale, right?
I'll let you know how it goes, if at all. Of course, I'll just be monitoring -- not participating, and surely not instigating in any way.
Okay, at work morale sucks lately. There are alot of reasons. As I read others' blogs, it's the same old shit. I wanted to help. Fine, fine, fine, helping never crossed my mind (I rather enjoy seeing the inevitable results of management incompetence). Let's just pretend I wanted to help.
Right. Our name plates are secured to our doors via magnetic name plates. I can't tell you how much confidence this inspires in our continued employment. Recently a couple of employees have started switching name plates. Today I noticed that one shared office was advertised as being inhabited by both Mya Schmitd and Mya Schmitd (of course not their real names). That's right, two identical name plates.
Nice.
Not only that, some neighboring name plates had been switched around. The one I loved was a two-person office that, at one point, had five peoples name plates on it.
Heh heh! I got a brilliant idea. Why not come in one night with a large burlap sack. Into this sack one could put the name plates of every morale-impaired soul. Then randomly reassign those name plates. An email from the big boss tells everyone that they need to find their name plates and correct them. This would be a "get to know your coworker" ritual. Sure to boost morale, right?
I'll let you know how it goes, if at all. Of course, I'll just be monitoring -- not participating, and surely not instigating in any way.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Why Macho Poodle?
Okay, I really don't like poodles. I really, really, really fail entirely to like poodles. Standard poodles, fine. Toy poodles, yuck. Sorry, that's just the way it is. Curly hair, dirty brown streaks from the eyes and mouth, yippy, and just too freakin' big for their britches.
94 loves to taunt me about this. She claims she'll breed poodles when she grows up, and I told her I'll eat 'em.
So, why Macho Poodle? Simple. A nod to 94, and a great running joke. My kids mean everything to me. I want them to read my blog, and when they do, I want them to giggle.
I want you to giggle, too.
No, I don't eat poodles. Sheeeesh!
94 loves to taunt me about this. She claims she'll breed poodles when she grows up, and I told her I'll eat 'em.
So, why Macho Poodle? Simple. A nod to 94, and a great running joke. My kids mean everything to me. I want them to read my blog, and when they do, I want them to giggle.
I want you to giggle, too.
No, I don't eat poodles. Sheeeesh!
Greetings, Earthlings
Hi, it's me!
Please allow myself to introduce... myself. My name is Teken, which is Dutch for Mark. I know this because Babelfish says so. I have two wonderful girls, whom I'll lovingly refer to as 94 and 97 (the years of their respective births). I also have an X, to whom I'll refer as, well, X.
I was born a poor black child... only I'm white and my parents were middle class. I grew up in beautiful Appleton, Wisconsin -- a mere 30 miles south of The Frozen Tundra. That's right, Lambeau (Lambert if you're into failed Dems) field. I love me the Packers.
I live now in Marshfield, Wisconsin (oops wrong link, try THIS)-- a mere 30 miles south of precisely nowhere. Smack dab in the middle of it, I guess you'd say.
Let me introduce Minerva, my 8 year old Calico cat. Pictures soon. She's old and blind, and suffers from some sort of rare, but undiagnosed, slime-producing disease. Yes, I've taken her to the kitty clinic, and they said she's fine. My walls are spattered with evidence to the contrary, but what do I know.
I'd also like you to meet Howdy, my 2 year old Tabby cat. He's young and playful, and a real pain in the ass sometimes. He has no odd diseases, but when he "goes", they smell it downtown. Whew!
I drive a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. I love me my big car. [note: I'm really not illiterate, I just enjoy the phrase "I love me my..."]
Stick around and check back often, I intend to post frequently. My goal is to make friends and make you laugh. If you read Macho Poodle, give me a hollar -- it's a big, lonely net.
"Profanity is the last refuge of the fucking ignorant."
-Teken, 2004
Friday, December 31, 2004
What's Going On: A Summary
HOME:
That's easy. A divorced father has no home life. Love me my Grand Marquis. Love me my Smirnoff. Love me my TV. Sorted.
WORK:
Getting ready to roll-out Provider Profile. Also still working on a few other projects. Not really gonna go into more detail, cause I don't wanna be dooced.
GIRLS:
Apparently E threw up all over X's Saturn. Now we're even. I swear to God that's one of the reasons I traded mine. V has a sore throat. Sounds like another ear infection on the way. Oh, E is getting her adnoids removed later this month. That should really help her breathing and talking. I had it done and it was great -- not painful at all as I recall. V is so pretty, and turning into quite the young lady. Now that she's 10, it won't be long until I become very lame and annoying. I'm cherishing this time. E is a doll. I love cuddling and wrestling with her. She idolizes big sis (3 years seperate them).
RECENT STUFF:
Took a sicky yesterday. That last drink really did me in. Slept til 2 and ate Cousins. Watched:"The Bourne Supremacy" Alright."Dodgeball" Funny, but mostly goofy."Man On Fire" Very good!SCTV first season. Funny and nostalgic.
1) Christmas with Mom, Sis, Ben, Dillon, Naomi, and baby Abby at the Landmark in Door County. Wow! Drove from Marshfield to Green Bay and helped pack from Sis's place in below zero weather. Brrrrr! Picked Mom up in my new chariot (see below). Some snow, but just pretty. Arrived at the Landmark on Christmas Eve and checked in to a 3 bedroom condo (Sis, Ben, Dillon, Naomi, and Abby), and a 2 bedroom (Mom and me). Older, but nice resort. Sis arranged it all. Eve was great, used the hottub and steam room, joined by Naomi, Dillon and Abby. Mom bedded early as always. The rest of us stayed up and played a truly anal game, forgot the name, but just like Balderdash. OMG! It was wild. Great fun. WTF. Abby (15 mo. old) was allowed to stay up til 1pm. Just not right.
2) The Moravian Christmas mass where we surprised Aunt Linda, et al.In Sturgeon Bay where Dad's memorial was held. Nice service, got to see Aunt Linda, cousin Lisa, Ellen, Troy, et al. What a surprise for them! Candle light singing was inspirational. Saved the candle and program. Short by Catholic standards, but very nice.Christmas day got up at 9 and goofed off until noonish, went alone to hottub. Mmmmmm. After noon Mom and I went over to the big room and all of us started preparing the meal. Turkey, potatos, stuffing (two types), and all sorts of great other stuff. I peeled, cut, and helped with the potatos, Dillon mashed. The meal was special and delicious! Present opening happened during preparation and everyone got great gifts. I got a $150 gift card for the Packers Pro Shop from Mom (authentic away Favre Jersey) and other great things.
3) New (used) car.Okay, I'll admit it: total impulse decision. My tan 2002 Saturn SL2 had 49K miles on it, and frankly I'd always found it too small. Friends and I at work talked about their nice big Mercs and Lincolns. That afternoon I test drove a Merc Grand Marquis LX with 55K miles on it and fell in love. Next day, traded even-up for my Saturn (always X's car, never really mine). What a pleasure. Bought it December 23rd, just before journey to Green Bay (see above).Enough for now. New Years and ice storm tomorrow perhaps.As for today, crappy going back to work. Damn, the pay's good, the job can be okay, but I think it's time to move on. Emergency release of MonthAttendRec.exe due to unforseen year turn-over crap.
Packers won, we play the Vikings next Sunday in Lambeau in a play-off. The holidays have been fantastic.
New Year's resolution: write every day. Even went on TV to say it (channel 26 in Green Bay).Played the piano for my girls. 94 was amazed. She said it sounded like something from the movies. PC keyboard really unpredictable tonight. Hard to type. Good night.
That's easy. A divorced father has no home life. Love me my Grand Marquis. Love me my Smirnoff. Love me my TV. Sorted.
WORK:
Getting ready to roll-out Provider Profile. Also still working on a few other projects. Not really gonna go into more detail, cause I don't wanna be dooced.
GIRLS:
Apparently E threw up all over X's Saturn. Now we're even. I swear to God that's one of the reasons I traded mine. V has a sore throat. Sounds like another ear infection on the way. Oh, E is getting her adnoids removed later this month. That should really help her breathing and talking. I had it done and it was great -- not painful at all as I recall. V is so pretty, and turning into quite the young lady. Now that she's 10, it won't be long until I become very lame and annoying. I'm cherishing this time. E is a doll. I love cuddling and wrestling with her. She idolizes big sis (3 years seperate them).
RECENT STUFF:
Took a sicky yesterday. That last drink really did me in. Slept til 2 and ate Cousins. Watched:"The Bourne Supremacy" Alright."Dodgeball" Funny, but mostly goofy."Man On Fire" Very good!SCTV first season. Funny and nostalgic.
1) Christmas with Mom, Sis, Ben, Dillon, Naomi, and baby Abby at the Landmark in Door County. Wow! Drove from Marshfield to Green Bay and helped pack from Sis's place in below zero weather. Brrrrr! Picked Mom up in my new chariot (see below). Some snow, but just pretty. Arrived at the Landmark on Christmas Eve and checked in to a 3 bedroom condo (Sis, Ben, Dillon, Naomi, and Abby), and a 2 bedroom (Mom and me). Older, but nice resort. Sis arranged it all. Eve was great, used the hottub and steam room, joined by Naomi, Dillon and Abby. Mom bedded early as always. The rest of us stayed up and played a truly anal game, forgot the name, but just like Balderdash. OMG! It was wild. Great fun. WTF. Abby (15 mo. old) was allowed to stay up til 1pm. Just not right.
2) The Moravian Christmas mass where we surprised Aunt Linda, et al.In Sturgeon Bay where Dad's memorial was held. Nice service, got to see Aunt Linda, cousin Lisa, Ellen, Troy, et al. What a surprise for them! Candle light singing was inspirational. Saved the candle and program. Short by Catholic standards, but very nice.Christmas day got up at 9 and goofed off until noonish, went alone to hottub. Mmmmmm. After noon Mom and I went over to the big room and all of us started preparing the meal. Turkey, potatos, stuffing (two types), and all sorts of great other stuff. I peeled, cut, and helped with the potatos, Dillon mashed. The meal was special and delicious! Present opening happened during preparation and everyone got great gifts. I got a $150 gift card for the Packers Pro Shop from Mom (authentic away Favre Jersey) and other great things.
3) New (used) car.Okay, I'll admit it: total impulse decision. My tan 2002 Saturn SL2 had 49K miles on it, and frankly I'd always found it too small. Friends and I at work talked about their nice big Mercs and Lincolns. That afternoon I test drove a Merc Grand Marquis LX with 55K miles on it and fell in love. Next day, traded even-up for my Saturn (always X's car, never really mine). What a pleasure. Bought it December 23rd, just before journey to Green Bay (see above).Enough for now. New Years and ice storm tomorrow perhaps.As for today, crappy going back to work. Damn, the pay's good, the job can be okay, but I think it's time to move on. Emergency release of MonthAttendRec.exe due to unforseen year turn-over crap.
Packers won, we play the Vikings next Sunday in Lambeau in a play-off. The holidays have been fantastic.
New Year's resolution: write every day. Even went on TV to say it (channel 26 in Green Bay).Played the piano for my girls. 94 was amazed. She said it sounded like something from the movies. PC keyboard really unpredictable tonight. Hard to type. Good night.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Halloween
The weekend with the girls was fun. We carved pumpkins, went to Firefox Gardens, cat-sat for Lisa, went to Church, and random other things.
Got my NHA credentials in the mail and promptly framed them and hung them in my office at work. Now I have the freedom to look more actively. Heh heh...Finances looking pretty shaky... gotta find a better job soon, else I'll have to take a second job. Night shift at BP? Mickey D's? Telemarketer? Shudder.
90 minutes until the Packers play the Titans on MNF. Both teams 1-3 and hungry for a win. I'll either turn it off at the half or watch all the way. We really need to win this one tonight.Maybe post later -- hopefully after watching the WHOLE game!
Got my NHA credentials in the mail and promptly framed them and hung them in my office at work. Now I have the freedom to look more actively. Heh heh...Finances looking pretty shaky... gotta find a better job soon, else I'll have to take a second job. Night shift at BP? Mickey D's? Telemarketer? Shudder.
90 minutes until the Packers play the Titans on MNF. Both teams 1-3 and hungry for a win. I'll either turn it off at the half or watch all the way. We really need to win this one tonight.Maybe post later -- hopefully after watching the WHOLE game!
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Autumn
It was 30 some degrees when I headed for work today, so, I wore "The Jacket". It is a leather Packer jacket and it's awesome. I've worn leather before, but this like butter. I love it.
In my last post I failed to mention the birthday party for my cousin Ellen that sis and I went to at Irvie's old house in North Bay over July 4th. Amazing. I really feel more connected to my family since going. Got to stomp around the old property, now owned by a widower who is very gracious about "guests". Anyway, it was really special, and I hope for more such opportunities.
Work today was good, and I am truly excited about some of the projects in which I'm involved. That's what makes it hard to look. Provider reengineering, Launcher toolbar (I created the prototype in VB), Weston site setup and testing -- all very fascinating. But I can't pay the bills when two thirds of my net is going to the X and kids (not that I'd do it any different), it's simply a practical matter. Debt up past $6,000 -- gotta do something.Also regarding work, I'm feeling more at home in my new development group. I feel better acceptance from the group, and continue to find my place with new projects, etc.. If the pay matched my contributions, I'd stay.
Grrrr....Why do I have two cats? They are such a pain in the ass. I should give them back. They're much more work and trouble than I thought. Fish would be nice. Or a robot cat. Or a naked mole rat. Or a lizard. The cats stink, scratch everything, get their hair all over the place, and the boy attacks V and E, and whines continuously. But the kids would be crushed if I got rid of them. Don't get me wrong -- I love cats and dogs, but have no time for them. Wow, Mount
Saint Helens about to blow again!
Okay, my politics. I'm an independent conservative. Neither Bush nor Kerry fit my definition of a great candidate. Comparatively, Bush beats Kerry, and I'll vote for Bush, but with a sense of "if only...". Bush is nothing more than a democrat from 30 years ago with a spritz of political correctness. I am not inspired. I was inspired with Reagan. I was mildly intrigued with Bush Sr.. I was alternately disgusted and amused with Clinton. Bush Jr.'s first term? So so. Response to 9/11/01 -- great. War on terror -- good. Stance on social issue -- okay. Control of government spending -- not so much. GO PACK.
In my last post I failed to mention the birthday party for my cousin Ellen that sis and I went to at Irvie's old house in North Bay over July 4th. Amazing. I really feel more connected to my family since going. Got to stomp around the old property, now owned by a widower who is very gracious about "guests". Anyway, it was really special, and I hope for more such opportunities.
Work today was good, and I am truly excited about some of the projects in which I'm involved. That's what makes it hard to look. Provider reengineering, Launcher toolbar (I created the prototype in VB), Weston site setup and testing -- all very fascinating. But I can't pay the bills when two thirds of my net is going to the X and kids (not that I'd do it any different), it's simply a practical matter. Debt up past $6,000 -- gotta do something.Also regarding work, I'm feeling more at home in my new development group. I feel better acceptance from the group, and continue to find my place with new projects, etc.. If the pay matched my contributions, I'd stay.
Grrrr....Why do I have two cats? They are such a pain in the ass. I should give them back. They're much more work and trouble than I thought. Fish would be nice. Or a robot cat. Or a naked mole rat. Or a lizard. The cats stink, scratch everything, get their hair all over the place, and the boy attacks V and E, and whines continuously. But the kids would be crushed if I got rid of them. Don't get me wrong -- I love cats and dogs, but have no time for them. Wow, Mount
Saint Helens about to blow again!
Okay, my politics. I'm an independent conservative. Neither Bush nor Kerry fit my definition of a great candidate. Comparatively, Bush beats Kerry, and I'll vote for Bush, but with a sense of "if only...". Bush is nothing more than a democrat from 30 years ago with a spritz of political correctness. I am not inspired. I was inspired with Reagan. I was mildly intrigued with Bush Sr.. I was alternately disgusted and amused with Clinton. Bush Jr.'s first term? So so. Response to 9/11/01 -- great. War on terror -- good. Stance on social issue -- okay. Control of government spending -- not so much. GO PACK.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Catch Up
Today I had quality 94/Dad time. Went to the mall and got 94's picture taken for stickers. Really cute patriotic theme. God, she is so precious. Then we came back to the X place and I watched the second half of the Packers/Giants game. How shameful! 94 and I played airplane games, she did her hair several times, and I watched Junior win at Darlington.
97 went to a horse back riding birthday party for her friend Brianna. She had a great time. X actually went to the Packer game at Lambeau and got back around 6'ish. Right around the time that 97 got home from her party.
They're little things, but, X did two things this evening that brought home some of the reasons I left her:
1) I had told 94 to come and eat her supper. X then stormed in and told her to put her CD player away. I told X that I had just told her to come and eat. X's response to me, glaringly, was "don't contradict me, Mark." Matt and I both chimed in, saying actually she had contradicted me. Typical pre-divorce behavior.
2) X asked me what I was thinking, applying for NH admin jobs again because, in her words, "you can't do it". Nice. Her lack of faith in me has always been so demoralizing. It's oddly reassuring to get these kind of reminders from time to time.
As far as catch-up, I suppose I could go on for pages, but for now I'll just mention a few things.The girls and I went to Packers Family Night this year, and it was a blast. Also Packer releated, my sister and I went to a preseason game together. We went to Curly's first. I had a bloody mary, two yard long beers. We ordered a sampler appitizer along with our entrees. No kidding, the sampler platter was a yard wide. HUGE! Needless to say we had leftovers we never intended to eat.
Scary: Mom went through a scary bout with her pancreas, but is actually above 100 pounds now, so all looks better. I went to Sturgeon Bay with sis twice this summer to watch my cousin in law Troy race in the stock class. Ate at Culver's first both times. Lots of fun.
Very scary: 97 had some sort of stomach flu this summer and landed in the hospital over night. Frightful the thoughts that cross your mind when that happens. Luckily I saw she got the right care at the right time, and she is way fine now. Emphasis on how scary that was.
Had a spate of fitness this spring that lasted 3 months. Alas, again unable/unwilling to persist. Grrrrr...
The girls and I discovered the joy of feeding the ducks at Wildwood park. We brought birdseed (wild) in ziplock baggies and got mobbed by winged enthusiasts. How fun!
This summer Colby Cheese Days was awesome, Dairyfest was okay, and we got to see Jurustic Park for the first time last weekend.
97 went to a horse back riding birthday party for her friend Brianna. She had a great time. X actually went to the Packer game at Lambeau and got back around 6'ish. Right around the time that 97 got home from her party.
They're little things, but, X did two things this evening that brought home some of the reasons I left her:
1) I had told 94 to come and eat her supper. X then stormed in and told her to put her CD player away. I told X that I had just told her to come and eat. X's response to me, glaringly, was "don't contradict me, Mark." Matt and I both chimed in, saying actually she had contradicted me. Typical pre-divorce behavior.
2) X asked me what I was thinking, applying for NH admin jobs again because, in her words, "you can't do it". Nice. Her lack of faith in me has always been so demoralizing. It's oddly reassuring to get these kind of reminders from time to time.
As far as catch-up, I suppose I could go on for pages, but for now I'll just mention a few things.The girls and I went to Packers Family Night this year, and it was a blast. Also Packer releated, my sister and I went to a preseason game together. We went to Curly's first. I had a bloody mary, two yard long beers. We ordered a sampler appitizer along with our entrees. No kidding, the sampler platter was a yard wide. HUGE! Needless to say we had leftovers we never intended to eat.
Scary: Mom went through a scary bout with her pancreas, but is actually above 100 pounds now, so all looks better. I went to Sturgeon Bay with sis twice this summer to watch my cousin in law Troy race in the stock class. Ate at Culver's first both times. Lots of fun.
Very scary: 97 had some sort of stomach flu this summer and landed in the hospital over night. Frightful the thoughts that cross your mind when that happens. Luckily I saw she got the right care at the right time, and she is way fine now. Emphasis on how scary that was.
Had a spate of fitness this spring that lasted 3 months. Alas, again unable/unwilling to persist. Grrrrr...
The girls and I discovered the joy of feeding the ducks at Wildwood park. We brought birdseed (wild) in ziplock baggies and got mobbed by winged enthusiasts. How fun!
This summer Colby Cheese Days was awesome, Dairyfest was okay, and we got to see Jurustic Park for the first time last weekend.
Sunday, August 01, 1999
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