A couple of the Christmas gifts that Maryanne and I received were for the kitchen. One was a bamboo cutting board. Another was a nice brass pepper mill, very similar to the ones my mom has. I've been wanting one for a while.
Now we'll have to get peppercorns.
2004-12-29
2004-12-28
Bring out your dead....
One of the gifts I received for Christmas was a copy of Libris Mortis, a D&D supplement. Maryanne gave it to me because the module we're currently playing contains a lot of undead. It has a lot of other stuff, too, but I need to keep it a surprise for the players.
I also got a cap from the Be As You Are clothing line from Caly. The cap is navy blue (the same blue as mechanic's coveralls) with a patch that says "Slacker." Unfortunately, it's not listed on the website linked here.
I also got a cap from the Be As You Are clothing line from Caly. The cap is navy blue (the same blue as mechanic's coveralls) with a patch that says "Slacker." Unfortunately, it's not listed on the website linked here.
2004-12-27
Weathering....
The holiday weekend saw Maryanne and I on the road quite a bit. First, Friday afternoon was spent at Narf and Pauline's, where we were able to watch the Packers win the NFC North title. Friday evening was spent with her parents and at church. We returned to her parent's house on Saturday morning, and then departed for Door County. The drive north was accompanied by light snow flurries, but mostly good road conditions, at least until we reached Door County.
Sunday's drive home was somewhat delayed by lake effect snow, and saddened by the news of Reggie White's death.
Sunday's drive home was somewhat delayed by lake effect snow, and saddened by the news of Reggie White's death.
2004-12-22
Philosophy....
I frequently wish I had things to say here in this blog that were more profound and more meaningful, things that would really pull in the readers.
Sadly, I usually don't.
Maybe it's due to the fact that I don't have any kind of journalism background. I'm not counting my year on the staff of my highschool newspaper, where I could write about such things as aluminum Christmas trees. Maybe it's because I do much of my blogging at work, and don't find the time to wax philosophical very often.
Thus this blog seems to fluctuate between a more-or-less online journal and an insightful sounding board. Sometimes it's kind of a boring place. Other times it seems like it's just another forum for Maryanne and Jenni to share their madness.
At times I'm thankful it hasn't turned into a clone of Amy's blog wherein she usually justs posts the results of whatever latest online survey she took. Other times I'm thankful I can keep up with Luke where he posts about day-to-day things as well as commenting on current events, observations, and so forth. And I can only aspire to post like James Lileks, where in his daily Bleat usually has something interesting to say, often spot on.
Right now, though, I find myself wishing I had an aluminum Christmas tree.
Sadly, I usually don't.
Maybe it's due to the fact that I don't have any kind of journalism background. I'm not counting my year on the staff of my highschool newspaper, where I could write about such things as aluminum Christmas trees. Maybe it's because I do much of my blogging at work, and don't find the time to wax philosophical very often.
Thus this blog seems to fluctuate between a more-or-less online journal and an insightful sounding board. Sometimes it's kind of a boring place. Other times it seems like it's just another forum for Maryanne and Jenni to share their madness.
At times I'm thankful it hasn't turned into a clone of Amy's blog wherein she usually justs posts the results of whatever latest online survey she took. Other times I'm thankful I can keep up with Luke where he posts about day-to-day things as well as commenting on current events, observations, and so forth. And I can only aspire to post like James Lileks, where in his daily Bleat usually has something interesting to say, often spot on.
Right now, though, I find myself wishing I had an aluminum Christmas tree.
Winter....
Yesterday was the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, the longest night of the year, the astronomical (and astrological) start of winter.
It sure felt like it too. We got maybe a half inch of snow over night, and it was cold, the high being well below freezing. Parts north had it much worse, though; the Green Bay area got dumped on with around ten inches of snow.
Starting today, though, the nights will get shorter and the days will get longer. And Christmas is just around the corner.
It sure felt like it too. We got maybe a half inch of snow over night, and it was cold, the high being well below freezing. Parts north had it much worse, though; the Green Bay area got dumped on with around ten inches of snow.
Starting today, though, the nights will get shorter and the days will get longer. And Christmas is just around the corner.
2004-12-20
"In His arms He'll take and shield you...."
The weekend was long... maybe too long. It kind of began Wednesday when Maryanne and I headed up to Door County. The drive went well, and the day was pretty uneventful.
Thursday was Grandpa's funeral. The visitation went well; it's hard to believe that only two of his siblings are still alive. I didn't get too emotional until the funeral service itself. Military honors were being provided by the local VFW, Post 3088. They had lined up in one of the other rooms. Maryanne asked me why they were lined up. We found out shortly when one by one they approached the casket and saluted.
Pastor Olson performed the service. He did a nice job. The scripture readings were nice, and the sermon was succinct. Our family has indeed been through a lot in the last six years or so, the highs of two weddings and the lows of two funerals and a house fire, and Pastor Olson was there along with us. The service concluded with the playing of a recording of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and the Lord's Prayer. Jim, my uncle David, my cousin David, and I served as pall bearers.
The weather was good enough that we decided to go ahead with the service at the gravesite. The burial was at Bayside Cemetary, where Grandpa's mother is buried. One of his brothers is also buried there, and it turns out the plots are adjacent. The VFW group provided the military honors, firing a gun salute and presenting Grandma with a flag from the Federal government, and a medallion from the state. The brass from the gun salute was collected and given to us, as well. Pastor Olson conducted the burial rites, and a bugler from the VFW post played Taps.
With the services and rites concluded, the immediate family gathered at the Neighborhood Pub for lunch. We didn't do much else the rest of the day, which is probably just as well. The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful as well, as it was spent mostly in spending time with the family.
Thursday was Grandpa's funeral. The visitation went well; it's hard to believe that only two of his siblings are still alive. I didn't get too emotional until the funeral service itself. Military honors were being provided by the local VFW, Post 3088. They had lined up in one of the other rooms. Maryanne asked me why they were lined up. We found out shortly when one by one they approached the casket and saluted.
Pastor Olson performed the service. He did a nice job. The scripture readings were nice, and the sermon was succinct. Our family has indeed been through a lot in the last six years or so, the highs of two weddings and the lows of two funerals and a house fire, and Pastor Olson was there along with us. The service concluded with the playing of a recording of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and the Lord's Prayer. Jim, my uncle David, my cousin David, and I served as pall bearers.
The weather was good enough that we decided to go ahead with the service at the gravesite. The burial was at Bayside Cemetary, where Grandpa's mother is buried. One of his brothers is also buried there, and it turns out the plots are adjacent. The VFW group provided the military honors, firing a gun salute and presenting Grandma with a flag from the Federal government, and a medallion from the state. The brass from the gun salute was collected and given to us, as well. Pastor Olson conducted the burial rites, and a bugler from the VFW post played Taps.
With the services and rites concluded, the immediate family gathered at the Neighborhood Pub for lunch. We didn't do much else the rest of the day, which is probably just as well. The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful as well, as it was spent mostly in spending time with the family.
2004-12-14
Let there be... forget it....
So the other day Maryanne and I finally got over to Isthmus Lighting to check out their big sale. It seems they're going out of the retail lighting business, so they're selling off a lot of their inventory.
When we got there, we soon learned why they're going out of business: no one can afford their merchandise. A chandelier that costs maybe $200 or $300 at a place like Menard's costs more than twice as much at Isthmus Lighting. So their sale of 50% to 70% off really wasn't that much of a bargan. We didn't find anything we liked, anyway.
When we got there, we soon learned why they're going out of business: no one can afford their merchandise. A chandelier that costs maybe $200 or $300 at a place like Menard's costs more than twice as much at Isthmus Lighting. So their sale of 50% to 70% off really wasn't that much of a bargan. We didn't find anything we liked, anyway.
2004-12-12
Anniversary....
Well, it's more or less the ninth anniversary of my website, and I'm still "averaging" about a thousand hits a year. Let's hope that picks up a little.
2004-12-11
Good-bye....
Maryanne and I got the news this morning that my grandfather had passed away. We were a little more prepared this time, and it wasn't really a surprise. Funeral arrangements have been made for Thursday.
2004-12-09
"Bird of Prey"
I learned about this story today, though it appears that everything started going downhill Tuesday. Luckily there's been more on it, and I for one am hoping for a happy ending.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm not a tree-hugging hippie by any means, but I would never displace wildlife in a case like this. It's one thing to have deer roaming a completely urban area, endangering themselves as well as the public. Hawks, though, are a different matter, and to destroy their nest for what are surely aesthetic reasons is shameful.
The public outcry and the backlash caused by this will certainly make waves. Even though official news sources and other websites have been prohibited from publishing contact information for the building management, there are plenty of resourceful people out there who can still find that information, as well as other contact information such as the New York mayor's office. It's bad P.R., at the very least.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm not a tree-hugging hippie by any means, but I would never displace wildlife in a case like this. It's one thing to have deer roaming a completely urban area, endangering themselves as well as the public. Hawks, though, are a different matter, and to destroy their nest for what are surely aesthetic reasons is shameful.
The public outcry and the backlash caused by this will certainly make waves. Even though official news sources and other websites have been prohibited from publishing contact information for the building management, there are plenty of resourceful people out there who can still find that information, as well as other contact information such as the New York mayor's office. It's bad P.R., at the very least.
Twilight years....
When I talked to my mom last night I learned my grandfather isn't doing so well. He's been in a nursing home for the past few years as his health deteriorated to the point where he needed more care than anyone in the family could provide. Every so often his health would take a turn for the worse, and he would have problems swallowing food and run a fever, among other things. This time, though, he's much less alert than he has been, and his doctor has said this is the worst he's been. Things could pretty much go either way.
2004-12-07
1941-12-07
It was 63 years ago today that the Japanese launched a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. This is posted in honor of those that served.
2004-12-06
Debacle....
If nothing else, yesterday afternoon's embarrassment of the Packers at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles shows that last year's post-season implosion, at the same place against the same opponents, can't be blamed on Ed Donatell.
2004-12-05
Creepy crawlies....
Last night was a late night as we started on The Heart of Nightfang Spire. It's a suitably creepy and challenging adventure for the party, and they were only able to explore a mere three levels, taking three or four days of game time. Maryanne and I didn't get to bed until about 2:30 this morning.
So far, though, it's been a great adventure. I've enjoyed running it a lot more than the last adventure, and I feel this adventure is a little more, shall we say, scalable than the last one, as well.
So far, though, it's been a great adventure. I've enjoyed running it a lot more than the last adventure, and I feel this adventure is a little more, shall we say, scalable than the last one, as well.
2004-12-03
A soldier's story....
Maryanne sent this to me via e-mail. It's worth reading, in my opinion. Regardless of your opinion on politics, the war in Iraq, or the military, we all owe a great deal to the men and women of our armed forces, men and women who are all volunteers. These are the men and women who lay their lives on the line so that the rest of us can sit at home and go about our everyday lives, even those of you who are die-hard, vitriolic, Bush-hating über-Liberals.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.
He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot: A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets....
2004-12-02
Unlucky 7....
Check out The Seven Deadly Sins Quiz by QuizFarm. Here are my results:
|
2004-12-01
No room at the inn....
Well, it turns out the problem with my blog yesterday was that I had run out of space. I was publishing the posts to my Charter Pipeline web space, and I simply ran out of storage space.
I've switched hosting to Blog*Spot, which is Blogger's free hosting service. If I run out of room there, I may actually have to start paying for hosting.
I've switched hosting to Blog*Spot, which is Blogger's free hosting service. If I run out of room there, I may actually have to start paying for hosting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)