2005-10-28
Nicknames
Despite the fact that Narf already blogged it, I thought it might be important to link this article as well. No matter what your opinion on the war in Iraq, I think it's not only important to put some names and faces with the fighting men and women serving over there, but to learn their opinions about what's going on there, as well.
2005-10-27
Tempestuous
Last night Maryanne and I finished watching Frida. It was an interesting film, probably what you'd call a "biopic," though probably not what you'd call entertaining in the sense of a more fictional work.
The cast was fantastic, with Salma Hayek in the title role of Frida Kahlo and Alfred Molina as Diego Rivera. Their performances alone were fantastic, but add to the cast such names as Ashley Judd, Geoffrey Rush, Antonio Banderas, and Edward Norton, and you're well on your way to a first-rate production. The script was decent, easily demonstrating the tempestuous relationship between Kahlo and Rivera. The visual effects were stunning, giving life to Kahlo's surrealistic --and sometimes nightmarish-- paintings.
It also doesn't hurt that you get to see Salma Hayek in the nude, even if she is sporting a unibrow.
The cast was fantastic, with Salma Hayek in the title role of Frida Kahlo and Alfred Molina as Diego Rivera. Their performances alone were fantastic, but add to the cast such names as Ashley Judd, Geoffrey Rush, Antonio Banderas, and Edward Norton, and you're well on your way to a first-rate production. The script was decent, easily demonstrating the tempestuous relationship between Kahlo and Rivera. The visual effects were stunning, giving life to Kahlo's surrealistic --and sometimes nightmarish-- paintings.
It also doesn't hurt that you get to see Salma Hayek in the nude, even if she is sporting a unibrow.
2005-10-26
Catch Up
The issue with Microsoft Money has been rectified, after spending over ninety minutes on the phone with Microsoft themselves. Part of it was to fix the billing issue, and the rest was to make sure that the correct version of the software installed correctly. Everything's taken care of now. The only thing left is to get our data caught up.
2005-10-25
Projects
Sunday afternoon Maryanne and I took a drive in to Madison to shop for a few things. We stopped at Barnes & Noble, and I picked up book eleven of the Wheel of Time series, Knife of Dreams. I'm hoping to get a chance to start it today.
You may be wondering why I didn't start it yesterday. Well, I had the day off, so I thought I'd take some time to work on some projects around the house. Well, it turned into mostly only one project, because our data file for Microsoft Money became corrupted, and I didn't determine that this was the problem until after I had downloaded and installed Money 2006. I thought I had downloaded Money 2006 Standard, but when it runs it keeps stating it's in Trial mode. I'll be watching my next couple of credit card statements to see if they charged me for the download or not before jumping to conclusions.
Last night Maryanne and I drove to Sun Prairie because Al Harris and Mark Roman of the Green Bay Packers were at a sports memorabilia shop signing autographs as a fundraiser. We had to wait in line for about an hour, but it wasn't a terrible experience. It provided us with a couple of Christmas presents, as well.
You may be wondering why I didn't start it yesterday. Well, I had the day off, so I thought I'd take some time to work on some projects around the house. Well, it turned into mostly only one project, because our data file for Microsoft Money became corrupted, and I didn't determine that this was the problem until after I had downloaded and installed Money 2006. I thought I had downloaded Money 2006 Standard, but when it runs it keeps stating it's in Trial mode. I'll be watching my next couple of credit card statements to see if they charged me for the download or not before jumping to conclusions.
Last night Maryanne and I drove to Sun Prairie because Al Harris and Mark Roman of the Green Bay Packers were at a sports memorabilia shop signing autographs as a fundraiser. We had to wait in line for about an hour, but it wasn't a terrible experience. It provided us with a couple of Christmas presents, as well.
2005-10-24
Unreasonable
Sunday afternoon Maryanne and I tuned in to watch the Packers play the Vikings at Minnesota. Things started off well; they looked like they were picking up from where they left off before the bye week, and went in to the locker room at half time with a 17-0 lead. While the running game wasn't spectacular, it was at least present, and they completely dominated the game up to that point.
After half time, it was a different story. The injuries piled up to the point where there was no running game to speak of, and the offense wasn't effective, frequently sputtering to a stop in a failed field goal attempt. The defense was suddenly ineffective, allowing the Vikings to rack up 20 unanswered points. A final field goal attemp was successful, tying the game with hopes of over time. The hopes were shattered though, on the unlikely 56-yard field goal by the Vikings as time expired.
The Packers fall to 1-5 for the season, with a goal of just having a .500 season being more reasonable than a winning season and a shot at the playoffs.
After half time, it was a different story. The injuries piled up to the point where there was no running game to speak of, and the offense wasn't effective, frequently sputtering to a stop in a failed field goal attempt. The defense was suddenly ineffective, allowing the Vikings to rack up 20 unanswered points. A final field goal attemp was successful, tying the game with hopes of over time. The hopes were shattered though, on the unlikely 56-yard field goal by the Vikings as time expired.
The Packers fall to 1-5 for the season, with a goal of just having a .500 season being more reasonable than a winning season and a shot at the playoffs.
2005-10-21
Done
Today I was able to finish Treasure Island. It was good to be able to return to it.
I don't know what's next on the list. We'll find that out on Tuesday, for I've a day off on Monday.
I don't know what's next on the list. We'll find that out on Tuesday, for I've a day off on Monday.
Dreck
So I've come to the conclusion that LiveJournal sucks.
Blogger may have its shortcomings, but it's at least navigable and user friendly.
LiveJournal, on the other hand, is a confusing tangle of links, some of which will prompt you to login even when you're already logged in, and some features are only available if you've paid for your account. Even their little Mood and Music features aren't enough to make up for what's a travesty of web design.
I could set up a Blogger posting template and do the same thing that LiveJournal does.
I wonder how well Brad Fitzpatrick sleeps at night.
Blogger may have its shortcomings, but it's at least navigable and user friendly.
LiveJournal, on the other hand, is a confusing tangle of links, some of which will prompt you to login even when you're already logged in, and some features are only available if you've paid for your account. Even their little Mood and Music features aren't enough to make up for what's a travesty of web design.
I could set up a Blogger posting template and do the same thing that LiveJournal does.
I wonder how well Brad Fitzpatrick sleeps at night.
2005-10-20
Reproductions
Today I finished The Martian Tales Trilogy. It was an omnibus containing the first three books of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars series. While they lack the character development of something from Dickens or Dumas, they were fantastic adventure stories. I'm kind of surprised that no one has tried to translate them to the big screen.
Unfortunately though, this edition was very poorly edited. I'm thinking it was somehow produced through OCR, spellchecked, but never proofread. All the words appear to be spelled correctly, or most of them, but there are many places were the wrong word is in a sentence, despite being spelled correctly. For the most part I've been able to figure out what the word should be, but I wonder how many readers would be able to do that.
This has caused me to put some serious thought into whether I want to keep this book, or replace it with another book, or multiple books. Indeed, the Easton Press recently published a beautiful set that contains the first five books of the series, but Maryanne would probably kill me for spending that much money on books.
Next on the list is Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. This particular edition is from Atheneum, and reproduces the classic 1911 Scribner's edition which featured illustrations from the great N. C. Wyeth.
I've read the book before, in junior high, wherein I got my first taste of adaptations. I was lucky enough to have a paperback copy at home at the time, for the copies that were handed out in class, and which I declined, were adaptations. Being able to compare the two when the text was read aloud in class, I was frustrated by the fact that the original text had been "dumbed down." Indeed, it could have been this experience that has led me to seek original texts and faithful translations whenever possible. And it was this experience that probably so stifled my future enjoyment of English class for a long, long time.
Unfortunately though, this edition was very poorly edited. I'm thinking it was somehow produced through OCR, spellchecked, but never proofread. All the words appear to be spelled correctly, or most of them, but there are many places were the wrong word is in a sentence, despite being spelled correctly. For the most part I've been able to figure out what the word should be, but I wonder how many readers would be able to do that.
This has caused me to put some serious thought into whether I want to keep this book, or replace it with another book, or multiple books. Indeed, the Easton Press recently published a beautiful set that contains the first five books of the series, but Maryanne would probably kill me for spending that much money on books.
Next on the list is Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. This particular edition is from Atheneum, and reproduces the classic 1911 Scribner's edition which featured illustrations from the great N. C. Wyeth.
I've read the book before, in junior high, wherein I got my first taste of adaptations. I was lucky enough to have a paperback copy at home at the time, for the copies that were handed out in class, and which I declined, were adaptations. Being able to compare the two when the text was read aloud in class, I was frustrated by the fact that the original text had been "dumbed down." Indeed, it could have been this experience that has led me to seek original texts and faithful translations whenever possible. And it was this experience that probably so stifled my future enjoyment of English class for a long, long time.
2005-10-19
2005-10-18
Productivity
I somehow managed to get a four day weekend this last weekend. I got Friday for my flex day last week, and Monday for my flex day this week. It worked out well, as I was able to get some things done on Friday in preparation for Mom's visit. The weather was cooperative, and I was able to plant some flowers and mow the lawn in addition to other indoor chores.
That's right: Mom actually came for a visit. She came down with Ed, a long-time family friend, early on Saturday, and they departed Sunday afternoon. We watched the Badger game, complete with its exciting and improbable ending, before Ed departed for Whitewater to visit a cousin. Mom enjoyed her visit. We were able to show her some of the sights of the area in her short visit, and she was able to take in some shopping, which she clearly enjoyed as well.
Yesterday was fairly productive as well. Not only was I able to find some repellent to keep the squirrels out of my bulbs, but Daisy's checkup with the vet showed that she's coming along quite nicely.
That's right: Mom actually came for a visit. She came down with Ed, a long-time family friend, early on Saturday, and they departed Sunday afternoon. We watched the Badger game, complete with its exciting and improbable ending, before Ed departed for Whitewater to visit a cousin. Mom enjoyed her visit. We were able to show her some of the sights of the area in her short visit, and she was able to take in some shopping, which she clearly enjoyed as well.
Yesterday was fairly productive as well. Not only was I able to find some repellent to keep the squirrels out of my bulbs, but Daisy's checkup with the vet showed that she's coming along quite nicely.
2005-10-13
Welsh
So I spent the last two work days at the Monona Terrace for the American Family Insurance Field Management Conference. It was an interesting experience. We had a booth set up in a high-traffic area, near the event's registration desk, in case any of the participants had any questions for us.
Due to our location, though, we were also in the path of the tours that are offered at the Terrace. See, the Terrace was originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and bears striking similarities to the Guggenheim in New York, which was actually designed later. Part of the tour included some photos in the hall near our booth of Wright's work, including his home in Spring Green, WI, Taliesin, and his home in Arizona, Taliesin West.
Unfortunately, though, all the guides were saying "Tally Essen" which is incorrect. Since Taliesin is a Welsh name, it should be "Tal Yessen."
Due to our location, though, we were also in the path of the tours that are offered at the Terrace. See, the Terrace was originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and bears striking similarities to the Guggenheim in New York, which was actually designed later. Part of the tour included some photos in the hall near our booth of Wright's work, including his home in Spring Green, WI, Taliesin, and his home in Arizona, Taliesin West.
Unfortunately, though, all the guides were saying "Tally Essen" which is incorrect. Since Taliesin is a Welsh name, it should be "Tal Yessen."
2005-10-10
2005-10-09
Inverse relation
There may be something to those who say there is a correlation between the Badgers' performance on Saturday and the Packers' performance on Sunday. The Badgers defense broke down on Saturday, resulting in a loss to Northwestern in Evanston. Strangely enough, the game wasn't even televised in their local market.
Today, the Packers demolished the Saints in a game that became so lopsided that it became boring. I'm surprised they didn't put Aaron Rodgers in sooner along with some of the other backups. But today's game could be the boost the team needs to regain their confidence and get back on track.
Today, the Packers demolished the Saints in a game that became so lopsided that it became boring. I'm surprised they didn't put Aaron Rodgers in sooner along with some of the other backups. But today's game could be the boost the team needs to regain their confidence and get back on track.
2005-10-07
Home
I was able to pick up Daisy from the vet's office yesterday. She was a little skittish when I first got her home. She started exploring the house before kind of settling down. I decided to watch some T.V., and a little after four o'click she decided to join me, and more or less sat in my lap for the next two hours.
She's slowly returning to her normal self. She's yet to become as active and playful as she normally is, but it's obvious that she's got some soreness. If Maryanne or I try to pick her up, she cries a little bit. She's been eating though, and it wasn't too difficult to get her to swallow her medication this morning. She's clearly on the road to recovery.
She's slowly returning to her normal self. She's yet to become as active and playful as she normally is, but it's obvious that she's got some soreness. If Maryanne or I try to pick her up, she cries a little bit. She's been eating though, and it wasn't too difficult to get her to swallow her medication this morning. She's clearly on the road to recovery.
2005-10-06
Misery
We found out late yesterday afternoon that Daisy has to stay at the vet's a little longer because she was running a fever. Of course, the voicemail message that informed Maryanne of this wasn't received until after she had left work to go pick up Daisy, about five minutes before she arrived at the vet's office. Maryanne was very upset. She wasted two hours of vacation time for almost nothing. After chewing out the staff for not calling her work number, she demanded to see Daisy, and they wisely showed her the way.
Daisy has apparently been eating and drinking, but Maryanne was quite concerned because "she looked miserable." I told Maryanne that she'd probably look miserable too if she had just had surgery for a blockage in her intestines and was running a fever. This didn't help much.
Maryanne has been very pessimistic about the situation. We're both hoping that today's diagnosis is much better, and that Daisy will be allowed to go home and recuperate.
Daisy has apparently been eating and drinking, but Maryanne was quite concerned because "she looked miserable." I told Maryanne that she'd probably look miserable too if she had just had surgery for a blockage in her intestines and was running a fever. This didn't help much.
Maryanne has been very pessimistic about the situation. We're both hoping that today's diagnosis is much better, and that Daisy will be allowed to go home and recuperate.
2005-10-05
Question of Faith
Last night Maryanne and I met with Pastor Lehman from First Lutheran Church in Stoughton. I for one need to find a new church in Stoughton, because Bay View in Sturgeon Bay is just too far away. Maryanne is at a bit of a crossroads with her faith right now, and she needs to find a place where she feels comfortable, as well.
The meeting went well. Pastor Lehman was able to answer a lot of our questions, and even some we hadn't thought to ask. It'll be a nice fit for me, and I hope a nice fit for Maryanne, as well.
The meeting went well. Pastor Lehman was able to answer a lot of our questions, and even some we hadn't thought to ask. It'll be a nice fit for me, and I hope a nice fit for Maryanne, as well.
2005-10-04
Backed up
The Packers dropped to a bleak 0-4 last night. As Maryanne noted, we didn't know which was worse: another loss putting them at 0-4, or the fact they came so close to mounting a winning drive.
I was looking forward to using today as a day to get some things done; unfortunately, Daisy had some different plans.
She had been lethargic and subdued most of the day yesterday, and there was evidence that she had done some vomiting sometime between Sunday night and yesterday morning. I didn't think too much of it, but she hadn't changed by yesterday evening. Maryanne called the vet, and if things hadn't improved by this morning, we'd take her in.
Well, she was still subdued today, so we took her to the vet right away at seven o'clock when they opened; we then learned an actual vet wouldn't be there until nine o'clock, and the first appointment they had open was for 9:45. I knew Daisy would be more comfortable at home, so we took her home and would return later. Maryanne went to her doctor's appointment alone in case she wouldn't be back in time, and I took Daisy back to the vet for 9:45.
The office was very busy, and it was almost ten o'clock before they weighed Daisy and got us in an exam room, giving Maryanne enough time to meet me. After half joking with Maryanne that Daisy may simply be constipated, an x-ray showed that Daisy is indeed constipated, because she swallowed a paper clip.
So our kitty underwent surgery yesterday, and the last we heard was that she was recovering. No news is good news, and barring any complications, Maryanne will pick her up tonight.
I was looking forward to using today as a day to get some things done; unfortunately, Daisy had some different plans.
She had been lethargic and subdued most of the day yesterday, and there was evidence that she had done some vomiting sometime between Sunday night and yesterday morning. I didn't think too much of it, but she hadn't changed by yesterday evening. Maryanne called the vet, and if things hadn't improved by this morning, we'd take her in.
Well, she was still subdued today, so we took her to the vet right away at seven o'clock when they opened; we then learned an actual vet wouldn't be there until nine o'clock, and the first appointment they had open was for 9:45. I knew Daisy would be more comfortable at home, so we took her home and would return later. Maryanne went to her doctor's appointment alone in case she wouldn't be back in time, and I took Daisy back to the vet for 9:45.
The office was very busy, and it was almost ten o'clock before they weighed Daisy and got us in an exam room, giving Maryanne enough time to meet me. After half joking with Maryanne that Daisy may simply be constipated, an x-ray showed that Daisy is indeed constipated, because she swallowed a paper clip.
So our kitty underwent surgery yesterday, and the last we heard was that she was recovering. No news is good news, and barring any complications, Maryanne will pick her up tonight.
2005-10-03
Reflection
Maryanne and I went to Door County for the weekend, and stayed with my mom. There was nothing particularly spectacular about the weekend, per se. The weather was good, and we got a few things accomplished, and were able to take things easy the rest of the time. I'll probably be returning at the end of the month if everything goes as planned, but the next time Maryanne and I both go won't be until Thanksgiving.
Friday night was apparently a momentous occasion: Sevastopol won their homecoming game! I was flabbergasted. It wasn't a fluke, either. They beat Oconto with a score of 23-8. It marks the first time since 1983 that Sevastopol has won a game with an independent football team. More here.
Today marks the third anniversary of Dad's passing. It's not a celebratory anniversary by any means. It's just another time to pause and remember him, and wonder if things could have been different.
Friday night was apparently a momentous occasion: Sevastopol won their homecoming game! I was flabbergasted. It wasn't a fluke, either. They beat Oconto with a score of 23-8. It marks the first time since 1983 that Sevastopol has won a game with an independent football team. More here.
Today marks the third anniversary of Dad's passing. It's not a celebratory anniversary by any means. It's just another time to pause and remember him, and wonder if things could have been different.
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