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January 30, 2007
January 28, 2007
Cam Gets His Own Room
Today, we rearranged the house, giving Cam his own room, moving Alli to the top bunk, and moving Meg to a regular "big girl" bed.
A big THANK YOU to Mike and Heather for coming over to help. We would not have been able to do everything we did without them.
A bunk for girls now.
We took off their closet doors and moved the dresser in there.
Cam's bed is out of the garage.
New bookshelf.
All the stuff we have to put BACK into the kids' rooms.
A big THANK YOU to Mike and Heather for coming over to help. We would not have been able to do everything we did without them.
A bunk for girls now.
We took off their closet doors and moved the dresser in there.
Cam's bed is out of the garage.
New bookshelf.
All the stuff we have to put BACK into the kids' rooms.
January 25, 2007
Alli's B-day Celebrations
Here are some pics from Alli's B-day celebrations.
We took Alli and her friend Scottie to Jumpin' Jammin'.
Allison's blowing out her candle on her b-day sundae.
Happy B-day Alli!
Alli opening up her cookie-making set. Everyone was excited about that gift.
Her favorite gift of all - ROLLERBLADES!
She's been wearing them ever since. Here she goes on a ride around the block with daddy and his rollerblades.
We took Alli and her friend Scottie to Jumpin' Jammin'.
Allison's blowing out her candle on her b-day sundae.
Happy B-day Alli!
Alli opening up her cookie-making set. Everyone was excited about that gift.
Her favorite gift of all - ROLLERBLADES!
She's been wearing them ever since. Here she goes on a ride around the block with daddy and his rollerblades.
January 24, 2007
I did it.
I quit. Starting in a week, I will no longer be teaching fitness classes.
January 20, 2007
Thumbsucker
Last night, I watched the movie Thumbsucker. I put the movie in my queue because, of course, Keanu. My eye candy. But I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually a pretty decent movie. (Keanu's performance wasn't exactly awe inspiring, but it was a departure from his typical roles, at least.) The movie also won a few independent film awards and had a few noms for best performances.
In the Netflix description, it sounds like a movie about a 17 year old kid trying to shake his thumbsucking habit. And on the surface, it is. But it's really a modern day coming-of-age movie, including teen angst, Ritilin, experimenting with, er, physical relations (don't want to say the "s" word on the blog, or I'll get 10X more spam than I already do), and public humiliation. All of these things are part of what helps the MC grow up.
Thumbsucker is a psychological-focussed film, in that it delves into in the concept of how the hell kids learn to deal with stuff when their parents don't have any clue how to. It's also an interesting look at how parents who are loving, caring and generally good parents, are not immune to the confusion that comes with being responsible for the moral, emotional and practical development of their kiddos.
Some might find it boring; there isn't a whole lot of action. And there's only one scene that is even slightly gross. It's not quite a chick-flic, but is somewhat heavy and thought-provoking. Not even a tear-jerker. Just an interesting snapshot into an interesting time in the MC"s life, and how he fixed (or didn't fix) his problems.
In the Netflix description, it sounds like a movie about a 17 year old kid trying to shake his thumbsucking habit. And on the surface, it is. But it's really a modern day coming-of-age movie, including teen angst, Ritilin, experimenting with, er, physical relations (don't want to say the "s" word on the blog, or I'll get 10X more spam than I already do), and public humiliation. All of these things are part of what helps the MC grow up.
Thumbsucker is a psychological-focussed film, in that it delves into in the concept of how the hell kids learn to deal with stuff when their parents don't have any clue how to. It's also an interesting look at how parents who are loving, caring and generally good parents, are not immune to the confusion that comes with being responsible for the moral, emotional and practical development of their kiddos.
Some might find it boring; there isn't a whole lot of action. And there's only one scene that is even slightly gross. It's not quite a chick-flic, but is somewhat heavy and thought-provoking. Not even a tear-jerker. Just an interesting snapshot into an interesting time in the MC"s life, and how he fixed (or didn't fix) his problems.
January 19, 2007
New Motorist Laws
It's finally coming - a law against talking on a cell phone while driving:
Wireless Telephones
SB 1613 prohibits the use of handheld cellular telephones while driving. Starting July 1, 2008, a driver may use a cell phone only if it has a hands-free listening and speaking system. Drivers ticketed for a violation will be subject to a minimum total fine of $70 for a first offense and $175 for subsequent offenses. “Push-to-talk” systems (such as Nextel) are exempt from the hands-free requirement until July 1, 2011.
There are other laws too, including "No Trunking". So, if you trunk, you go to jail, all you trunkers out there!
Wireless Telephones
SB 1613 prohibits the use of handheld cellular telephones while driving. Starting July 1, 2008, a driver may use a cell phone only if it has a hands-free listening and speaking system. Drivers ticketed for a violation will be subject to a minimum total fine of $70 for a first offense and $175 for subsequent offenses. “Push-to-talk” systems (such as Nextel) are exempt from the hands-free requirement until July 1, 2011.
There are other laws too, including "No Trunking". So, if you trunk, you go to jail, all you trunkers out there!
January 16, 2007
Happy Birthday Allison!
Today Allison is 6 years old. Happy Birthday to my girl!
January 11, 2007
The Sickies
Last week, I had to cancel yoga because Allison had the barfies.
Fast forward one week later: I have to cancel yoga because Megan has the barfies.
I kind of feel like I'm on the verge of having the barfies.
Barfies - GO AWAY!
Fast forward one week later: I have to cancel yoga because Megan has the barfies.
I kind of feel like I'm on the verge of having the barfies.
Barfies - GO AWAY!
January 10, 2007
Lego Car Factory
Make magazine is super terrific awesome: http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/lego/
Being a Writer Spoils Reading?
Ok, now that I've delved into fiction and creative nonfiction by submitting something to a literary mag (cross your fingers!) and by writing my two novels, I think I have spoiled my experience as a reader.
Here's what happened. I checked out two books from the library that were pretty close to the same genre as what I like to write. I sat down with one, ready for a session of mindless reading and getting lost in a story. What I found instead was a mishmash of run-on sentences, ideas that were barely held together by forced transitions, and, god forbid, clichés!
I pushed through three pages of this drivel, then set down the book. I couldn't do it. It was too painful.
Undaunted, I set out to read the second book. Totally different writing style. Totally different topic. And there it was, glaring at me - a boring story, no initial hook to keep me reading, and a lot of excess info that didn't move the story along or allow me to get to know the characters.
I set the book down after three pages. It was then I realized, I've become a book snob. OMG. I used to read anything that was handed to me. Any topic, any style. But now... now... I just can't. If it doesn't grab me by the throat and pull me in, if it doesn't make it immediately clear why I should continue reading, I don't want anything to do with it.
Does experience give us insight, or does it limit our view? I'm starting to wonder now, whether there is indeed such thing as having too much knowledge.
Perhaps, I should reflect on what happened after Yoshi and I took a trip to Sonoma, and came back unable to continue drinking two-buck chuck from Trader's. Now that our palate has been shown the beauty that is small-vintage wineries, it's impossible to go back to such innocence. Such open mindedness. As Zen Buddhism would call it - the beginner's mind.
One good thing has come out of this newfound literary finickiness; I no longer mourn the stacks of books at the library, and at the book store, that I knew I'd never read. Now, instead, I can look at those shelves and assume that there are many volumes that I wouldn't be able to read past a few pages anyway. So I'm not missing nearly as much as I thought.
Here's what happened. I checked out two books from the library that were pretty close to the same genre as what I like to write. I sat down with one, ready for a session of mindless reading and getting lost in a story. What I found instead was a mishmash of run-on sentences, ideas that were barely held together by forced transitions, and, god forbid, clichés!
I pushed through three pages of this drivel, then set down the book. I couldn't do it. It was too painful.
Undaunted, I set out to read the second book. Totally different writing style. Totally different topic. And there it was, glaring at me - a boring story, no initial hook to keep me reading, and a lot of excess info that didn't move the story along or allow me to get to know the characters.
I set the book down after three pages. It was then I realized, I've become a book snob. OMG. I used to read anything that was handed to me. Any topic, any style. But now... now... I just can't. If it doesn't grab me by the throat and pull me in, if it doesn't make it immediately clear why I should continue reading, I don't want anything to do with it.
Does experience give us insight, or does it limit our view? I'm starting to wonder now, whether there is indeed such thing as having too much knowledge.
Perhaps, I should reflect on what happened after Yoshi and I took a trip to Sonoma, and came back unable to continue drinking two-buck chuck from Trader's. Now that our palate has been shown the beauty that is small-vintage wineries, it's impossible to go back to such innocence. Such open mindedness. As Zen Buddhism would call it - the beginner's mind.
One good thing has come out of this newfound literary finickiness; I no longer mourn the stacks of books at the library, and at the book store, that I knew I'd never read. Now, instead, I can look at those shelves and assume that there are many volumes that I wouldn't be able to read past a few pages anyway. So I'm not missing nearly as much as I thought.
January 08, 2007
Double-Dumb Spammers
This blog gets slammed with spam comments every day. Usually they have a link to some pron site, or a make-money-quick scheme. Well, the most recent collection of spam stumped me. What do you suppose this spam is for?
Name: Klingeltoene
Email Address: joe@somerandomwebsite.com
URL:
Comments:
Nice page ;)
a href="" /a [url= ][/url]
This spammer hit me over 50 times... on the *same* post. I just can't wrap my head around it.
Another note about this blog: the RSS feed still doesn't function. Working on that.
Name: Klingeltoene
Email Address: joe@somerandomwebsite.com
URL:
Comments:
Nice page ;)
a href="" /a [url= ][/url]
This spammer hit me over 50 times... on the *same* post. I just can't wrap my head around it.
Another note about this blog: the RSS feed still doesn't function. Working on that.
January 06, 2007
What we're drinking....
Rosmount Estates Shiraz and Shiraz-Cabernet, 2004. It's a Southern Australian wine that's selling for $5.99 right now at Vons. Pretty darn good for an everyday wine.
I'm finding that I prefer Shiraz/Syrah over the other reds. I've heard that they are a bit "fruity" at times. Perhaps I've been lucky, but the Shirazes (or is that Shiraz's?) I've had have been smooth and light, not at all sweet.
We opened our Iron Horse Sangiovese a couple of days ago. Such a different taste than a Syrah/Shiraz. It's a bit sweet in the beginning, then has an interesting aftertaste that's not unpleasant (or sweet), allowing it to stand on its own without the accompaniment of food. Although it is good with food too. Including chocolate. But really, is there a red that doesn't go well with chocolate? I don't think so.
I'm finding that I prefer Shiraz/Syrah over the other reds. I've heard that they are a bit "fruity" at times. Perhaps I've been lucky, but the Shirazes (or is that Shiraz's?) I've had have been smooth and light, not at all sweet.
We opened our Iron Horse Sangiovese a couple of days ago. Such a different taste than a Syrah/Shiraz. It's a bit sweet in the beginning, then has an interesting aftertaste that's not unpleasant (or sweet), allowing it to stand on its own without the accompaniment of food. Although it is good with food too. Including chocolate. But really, is there a red that doesn't go well with chocolate? I don't think so.
January 04, 2007
New Year's Pics
We made it to the family's New Year's festivities! Woot! Was a close call. Here are a few pics:
Last minute frying is a family adventure.
Sitting at the table. There were 21 of us. No matter how many people there are at New Year's, we always manage to find a place for everyone.
A nice pic of Mark and Kelli.
Last minute frying is a family adventure.
Sitting at the table. There were 21 of us. No matter how many people there are at New Year's, we always manage to find a place for everyone.
A nice pic of Mark and Kelli.
Xmas Pics
Here they are, the pictures of Xmas I promised. Click on the extended entry to see them.
Sledding the day before Xmas. It was 50 degrees outside. We were roasting.
Whenever the Woodley/Takahashi clan eat out, it's an adventure.
A cute pic of Amy and Megan at the hockey shop.
The kids riding a very small version of freefall at an indoor amusement park/arcade.
Erika and Allison enjoy the scrambler.
Shoveling snow in preparation for the big storm. Yoshi and the boys made this ice fort.
Erika, Allison and Megan playing in the snow before the big storm hit.
The kids serenade us at dinner.
What our car looked like near the beginning of the storm that snowed us in.
In the car, in the middle of Utah (or was that Arizona or Nevada?). The kids are great travelers.
Sledding the day before Xmas. It was 50 degrees outside. We were roasting.
Whenever the Woodley/Takahashi clan eat out, it's an adventure.
A cute pic of Amy and Megan at the hockey shop.
The kids riding a very small version of freefall at an indoor amusement park/arcade.
Erika and Allison enjoy the scrambler.
Shoveling snow in preparation for the big storm. Yoshi and the boys made this ice fort.
Erika, Allison and Megan playing in the snow before the big storm hit.
The kids serenade us at dinner.
What our car looked like near the beginning of the storm that snowed us in.
In the car, in the middle of Utah (or was that Arizona or Nevada?). The kids are great travelers.
January 03, 2007
New Year's Resolutions
I still don't believe in New Year's Resolutions. But I do practice the art of pushing the life reset button. And it just so happens that post-Xmas/New year's is a time that the button gets pushed.
I've quit all my online games, I've re-done my writing to-do list (again), I've made a new list of house and family projects and I've made the decision to leave my fitness job and use that energy to train more for the 1/2 marathon, and to focus on taking the oh-so-socially-deprived children to field trips and activities.
The life reset button gets pressed four or five times a year. Taking a vacation usually sparks it. Something about being away from the house and from normal life that allows one to take inventory of what's working and what's not. Sometimes, when we have a big gathering, that sparks it. And sometimes, Yoshi and I spontaneously come up with some new plan to either fix a problem, or do something fantabulously new and innovative.
I like the reset button. It's motivating, inspiring and fun. I also like to get rid of things, and often the rest button allows us to pare down and reduce clutter: both real and figurative.
What about you? Do you do New Year's Resolutions?
I've quit all my online games, I've re-done my writing to-do list (again), I've made a new list of house and family projects and I've made the decision to leave my fitness job and use that energy to train more for the 1/2 marathon, and to focus on taking the oh-so-socially-deprived children to field trips and activities.
The life reset button gets pressed four or five times a year. Taking a vacation usually sparks it. Something about being away from the house and from normal life that allows one to take inventory of what's working and what's not. Sometimes, when we have a big gathering, that sparks it. And sometimes, Yoshi and I spontaneously come up with some new plan to either fix a problem, or do something fantabulously new and innovative.
I like the reset button. It's motivating, inspiring and fun. I also like to get rid of things, and often the rest button allows us to pare down and reduce clutter: both real and figurative.
What about you? Do you do New Year's Resolutions?
January 02, 2007
Cleaning up after Xmas
I have a ton of pictures from our trip and from New Year's. But I haven't yet found my cable for my new camera. It's in the pile. The big pile of stuff in our dining room that I'm trying to get through.
I will have pics soon. In the meantime, check out this comic about vacation time. Almost as bad as Wal-Mart employees.
I will have pics soon. In the meantime, check out this comic about vacation time. Almost as bad as Wal-Mart employees.