Scathing

I guess I wasn't the only one who gave a tell-off speech at his graduation. Of course, I didn't have to be so devious about it, though mine wasn't so nearly obvious.

Mood: Amused
Music: Kenny Wayne Shepherd: "Slow Ride"

Hot, hot, hot

Had a hot but otherwise pleasant holiday weekend, starting with an early exit from work on Friday. We were dead slow, and managers started asking for volunteers to go home early. You don't have to ask me twice.

It was hot enough when I got home that I thought turning on the AC was a good idea. Unfortunately, it didn't turn on. Checked the breaker outside, checked the breaker at the panel, checked the thermostat. Nothing. We finally got a hold of someone from Harker on Saturday, and he was able to come out that afternoon. It turned out there was a bad connection in the thermostat. Live and learn.

The hot weather continued Sunday, so we spent much of the day indoors. We ventured out in the morning to go to church, and later in the afternoon we ventured out again for a cookout.

Monday wasn't much better, making for an uncomfortable Stoughton City Band performance as part of the local Memorial Day celebration. It was nice to return to an air-conditioned house, though, and we were able to spend most of the rest of the day gaming with Jenni, Jeff, and Eric. It was a fine end to the weekend.

Things are a little more pleasant today, with the temperature currently at 78° and rain threatening. We could use a bit of rain since I was actually able to plant some flowers on Saturday. They'll need regular water until they get established. Things continue to take shape in the yard as I formulate some sort of plan.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: The Amboy Dukes: "Dr. Slingshot"

Testy

Florida teachers chime in on the thorny issue of pay for performance and standardized testing. The results may surprise you.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Extreme: "Get the Funk Out"

Conflicting Reports

What happened to "Protect and Serve"?

Mood: Disgusted
Music: The Beatles: "Savoy Truffle"

"...It Pours"

I hoped for rain, and we got it, in rather spectacular fashion. A line of storms moved through last night, dumping a large amount of water on the area in a brief amount of time. High winds brought down trees in some areas, causing power outages for many. The sudden downpour also led to flooded streets and therefore stalling cars.

Last night I watched the last half of The Count of Monte Cristo on ABC Family channel. This is a fairly recent production, starring James Caviezel. Even before I had seen any of the movie, I knew there was no way it could live up to the book. Indeed, considering I turned it on halfway through and Edmond was just returning to Marseilles with his first load of treasure, there was no way it could have the same depth and complexity as the book. While it maintained much of the spirit of the book, it wasn't completely faithful to it, but this didn't surprise me; a truly accurate film version of the book would have to be as long as The Lord of the Rings movies.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: .38 Special: "If I'd Been the One"

Keep Off

I had taped the final episode of That '70s Show since Maryanne and I would not be able to watch it when it actually aired. Not only did we have practice for Stoughton City Band that night, but Sarah might have caused some disruptions as well. We finally got to watch it last night. While the show didn't go out with a bang, it didn't quit go out with a whimper either. All things considered, it was a comparatively satisfying conclusion to an otherwise poor final season.

We were supposed to get some rain today. While overall we probably don't need it, I was actually hoping for some since I actually got a chance to sow grass seed over the weekend. There were a few sprinkles on my drive in to work this morning, but I don't think they amounted to anything significant.

If the weather holds this weekend I'd like to get a few things accomplished outside. I'm just not sure what, since I want to avoid trampling the grass seed if at all possible. Perhaps I can try to get some work done in the front yard.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Van Morrison: "Wild Night"

Premature

One might think plans like these might be premature, but clearly someone is hoping to be the early bird that gets the worm.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: The Kinks: "You Really Got Me"

Defiant

I found this on the website of a radio station from my home town:

It seems more and more people these days are spending time and money on creating their own getaway... in the backyard. According to the owner of Briggsville Gardens Richard Briggs, people are spending more time at home and are creating their own outdoor living areas in their own backyard. He says there are many different options like paving, adding flagstone, brick or stone, or installing a retaining wall and all aesthetics involve very little maintenance. Briggs said no matter what you do to create your own backyard retreat, be sure to do it right. If properly planned, designed, and installed, the results will defiantly increase the resale value on your home, if or when you decide to move. [Emphasis added]

While this is good news, I didn't know that the value of my home could be defiantly increased.

Mood: Amused
Music: Led Zeppelin: "Rock and Roll"

Bad Decisions

If you're in this country illegally, it's probably not a good idea to get arrested for stealing the sign of an anti-immigration protestor.

Mood: Amused
Music: The Beatles: "Happiness Is a Warm Gun"

Telephone Line

If you're in the market to change or purchase telephone service, you may want to read this first.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: The Traveling Wilburys: "End of the Line"

No Appreciation

Author Ben Bova laments the current state of popular music and the lack of appreciation for classical music.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Bachman-Turner Overdrive: "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet"

Droll

Today I started on Droll Stories by Honoré de Balzac. I'm not very far into it thus far, but it seems to be much in the same vein as Bocaccio's Decameron or Rabelais; that is, droll, lusty, bawdy and in all ways as entertaining and true to life as a good dirty joke.

This particular edition is published by the Heritage Press, translated by Jacque Le Clercq, and illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff. There's some minor damage to the book, including a couple of missing pages at the end, but I think I'll keep it as it is otherwise good shape. I'm looking forward to my first true experience with Balzac.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: "I Want To Be Like You"

Heroes

Today I finally finished The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle. I've elucidated on this particular edition of said text before, so won't rehash it here.

It was a good read, and very entertaining. It carries much of the same authenticity of the Roger Lancelyn Green version, though it lacks some of the depth, complexity, and character development of the Paul Creswick version. It again struck me as having a similar feel to the legends of King Arthur, but I suppose we all long for noble heroic leaders such as Robin Hood and King Arthur.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Van Morrison: "Moondance"

Inland Hurricane

The past two days now have featured some crummy weather, the kind of weather that should be reserved for early April, not the middle of May. Cool, rainy, chill weather. Blustery weather. Clammy weather. Indeed, looking at radar images of the Great Lakes region one would think a hurricane was swirling around us. It has certainly brought gray skies and rain, and in some places high winds. Gills Rock reported gusts up to 70 mph. The Washington Island Ferry actually shut down; there were reports of 8- to 9-foot seas in Death's Door. And Maryanne thought our crossing was hazardous.

This less than balmy weather is forecasted to last throughout the weekend, thereby putting a damper on my work in the yard. If the weather continues wet, though, I'll have to forgo mowing the lawn, but it will be a good opportunity to sow grass seed to patch some thin or bare spots, as well as spread insecticide on the front lawn to deal with the ants there. Part of me thinks Maryanne is secretly happy I won't be spending the entire weekend out in the yard, despite her protestations to the contrary.

I've begun formulating a plan for what I want to do with the yard, and am now actually anxious to complete as much of the work as I can. The fact that this weekend's weather is not expected to be cooperative is disappointing. We'll need more perennials, as well as some shrubs, but I can't yet justify the expense until I have all the manual labor done in preparation.

Mood: Disappointed
Music: Santana: "No One to Depend On"

Old School

This may come as a surprise to some:

You scored as Old School Democrat. Old school Democrats emphasize economic justice and opportunity. The Democratic ideal is best summarized by the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Old School Democrat 80% Pro Business Republican 75% Libertarian 65% New Democrat 60% Green 60% Foreign Policy Hawk 60% Socially Conservative Republican 40% What's Your Political Philosophy? created with QuizFarm.com

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Vanilla Fudge: "Good Good Lovin'"

That's Entertainment

Sometime earlier this afternoon I had what I thought was a brilliant idea for today's blog post. Unfortunately, I quickly forgot it in dealing with Sarah's soiled diaper. Honestly, I've been wracking my brain for the better part of the afternoon and evening yet have absolutely no idea what it is I wanted to blog about. Instead here are some random observations.

A while ago I picked up a two disc set of the best of Paul Revere and the Raiders. I was familiar with some of their work. Some of their best known songs get some rotation on most oldies station, and my parents had some 45s of some of their singles. The two disc set was a replacement for a single disc collection. I'm glad I chose to upgrade. I've been very pleased with some of the songs that were new to me. Indeed, I'm kind of surprised the group is not better remembered than it is. But then again that's what MP3 players are for.

On my days off I've been trying to watch Boy Meets World. I never got to watch it much when it was on regular network TV, and have since only caught it in reruns. I find it very entertaining, being funny yet thoughtful as well. Considering how rarely I'm able to watch it I was still surprised to see that today's episodes were both ones I'd seen before. They were still entertaining, though.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Paul Revere and the Raiders: "Gone Movin' On"

Dollars

This is pretty informative.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Journey: "Who's Crying Now"

Happy

I once again spent a good portion of the weekend outside working in the yard. I still haven't sown new grass seed where needed, but I got a lot of other things accomplished. I kind of wish I had taken a picture of the yard at the beginning of the season so I could post some before and after pictures. There is going to be a significant difference, especially now that I have some kind of plan formulated.

I was fairly sore yesterday after having worked in the yard most of the day Saturday. I worked outside for a little bit yesterday anyway, which didn't help the situation. I'm not feeling too bad today, though.

Today is my birthday, and I turned 29. I don't feel much different, as usual. It's really not the birthdays themselves that make me feel different, it's the life events that do: getting married, buying a house, and having a child.

I took a day of vacation today, so I've been at home with Sarah. I don't feel too cooped up, though, as the sky has been cloudy since late this morning, and it appears it could rain at any moment. I needed to get some things done in the house anyway. This morning, though, Maryanne and I went to breakfast and ran a couple of errands. She took some personal time off from work this morning so she could spend some time with me for my birthday. It was a very pleasant morning, and it's been a pretty relaxing afternoon. Happy birthday to me.

Mood: Relaxed
Music: The Rolling Stones: "Happy"

Cinco de Mayo

I had another day off today, this time because I took a vacation day. It worked out well since Sarah had her four-month checkup today, along with another battery of vaccines. It turns out she's doing well, and she handled the shots fairly well, too, all things considered. Maryanne was pleased as well.

Rather than brave one of the many local Mexican restaurants in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, especially with an infant, we decided to make our own Mexican meal at home and had tacos. Nothing spectacular, but it was a more relaxing experience than a trip to a restaurant might have been.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Mott the Hoople: "All the Young Dudes"

Chivalry

I found this interesting article on the state of chivalry.

It raises some interesting questions. Why is it that some women feel that chivalry and gallantry are an affront to the equal rights movement? Why is it that some men have not only abandoned chivalrous and gallant behavior because of this, but have abandoned manners and common courtesy as well?

While I'm thinking about it, what have happened to people's manners in general? Last fall I was at a work function which featured a lunch of spaghetti. I was appalled that no one seemed to know how to handle a formal place setting. No one knew where to put their napkin (on your lap!), where to put their butter knife (on your bread plate!), or which fork to use (salad fork for salad, dinner fork for entree). I see manners lacking in the grocery story as well: people leaving their carts in the middle of the aisle, sometimes while they're in another aisle altogether. Has our culture become so selfish that we've forgotten our manners?

So here's to chivalry. Women should learn to accept it as a gesture of respect and not one of condescension or patronization. Men should learn that part of being chivalrous or gallant is doing the right thing, even knowing that not everyone is going to accept their gesture of respect with a gracious thank you.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: The Beatles: "When I'm Sixty-Four"

Giveaway

This could be troubling.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: The Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Stone Free"

Delicious

Clearly, nerds love cake.

Mood: Amused
Music: The Offspring: "No Breaks"

Rainy Days

Friday's weather was quite spectacular, but since I was home alone with Sarah I was only able to accomplish some of the indoor chores. Saturday dawned cloudy but dry, and it stayed that way long enough for me to clean up the yard and mow the lawn. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to start sowing grass seed to patch the bare spots before the rain started. That task will have to wait along with some of the other things I want to get done.

Saturday night involved a birthday party for Jenni, apparently the same day as the Mifflin Street Block Party, so downtown was insane. We had to wait quite some time before we were able to get into the Campus-State Street ramp. It was an enjoyable evening, though, if long. Sunday the weather had not improved, which put a damper on the wedding reception to which we were invited. We were able to get some shopping done, though, buying some baby things for which Maryanne had a hankering. If nothing else I'll no longer have to listen to her talk about how badly we need them (read, "how badly she wants them").

Today I have a flex day, so am home alone again with Sarah. Luckily she's been good enough for me to get a few more chores done.

So here it is, May already. May is my favorite month, which I remark about yearly, it seems. We're off to a rather inauspicious start, though, as it is overcast and cool. It's one of those damp, gray days that are better suited to April. Since I don't have the opportunity to get anything accomplished outside anyway, then I guess it doesn't matter if it's crummy outside or not.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Cream: "Badge"