Blogless....

Well, it seems that yet another month has gone by without me posting any kind of news or commentary. I'm sure you're all thinking, "Terry, how could this happen?" Well, it's pretty easy, really. You just don't post anything. Call me crazy. "You're crazy!" See what watching too much Match Game does to you?

So, to update you on a few things.... It may actually look like spring is on the way. And those of you who know me well know that spring is my favorite season. Also, the blog thing didn't happen. Seems I need PHP code to do it. I don't know PHP code, and even if I did, I don't think GeoCities would support it (they're funny about writing your own code). So, unless those web gurus on the GeoCities team can generate a blogging tool that's not fubar, or unless I move this site somewhere else, there won't be a blog here, at least not in the true sense of the term.

A blog only in name....

Well, it seems that I've neglected to post any kind of news update for over a month. Shit happens. Either for lack of material or lack of motivation, I hadn't done anything here. Sue me.

While this little news and commentary thing amounts to a web log (a "blog" for all the technophiles out there), I have yet to get the motivation to use one of the many web logging services out there. Maybe it's a fear that it won't use my style sheet properly. Maybe it's a fear that it won't archive properly. I guess some research is in order.

Happy Birthday!

A very happy birthday to my fiancee!

Senseless....

Well, there's not really that much to comment on, but since I'm sitting here kind of bored and unmotivated, I thought I would produce a news update. You may ask how I can produce a news update without news. I'm kind of wondering that myself. But since I also use this space for commentary, I can do what I like. It's my website, after all.

I had no idea planning a wedding would be so time consuming! While there's a marginal sense of urgency for the time being, there's no need to panic yet. The date is set, the church is reserved, and the reception hall is reserved. However, there remains plenty to do.

Looking ahead....

Well, here it is, the year 2002. I'm hoping 2002 will shape up to be a better year than 2001. Not that 2001 was terrible, although after September 11 it was pretty much dominated by thoughts of what happened and the consequences of those events.

I spent a lovely New Year's in central Wisconsin with my fiancee, keeping busy with friends and future family. It was all very pleasant.

This website is averaging about 1,000 hits per year. I suppose that's decent for what is basically a personal website. More hits would be nice, though.

We are not amused....

The winter solstice finds us in conditions not very much like winter here in northeastern Wisconsin. The temperature finally plunged down to normal levels, but there's been no snow to speak of.

Something happened to one of my favorite websites, the Centre for the Easily Amused. You'll notice that's not a link. That's because as far as I can tell, the Centre is no more. I don't know what happened to it. If they had announced a move to some other URL, I wouldn't have known about it because I hadn't visited in so long. I don't know where I'm going to find my useless links from now on, aside from the occasional e-mail.

Betrothed....

Well, I went and did it: I'm finally engaged. I kept teasing Maryanne that I'd have to buy Crackerjack and find her a ring that way, so I hid the ring in a box of Crackerjack. You can imagine her surprise when she pulled the prize out of the box and found the ring inside. It was kind of amusing, really; she looked at the ring, then at me, then back to the ring, then back to me. Such excitement.

The weather is finally turning winter-like, with temperatures heading toward the freezing range. Now snow here as of yet, but I'm hoping for a white Christmas.

Something to think about....

Here's a holiday thought from Scott Adams' Dilbert Newsletter 39.0:

"I've written and rewritten this section a dozen times. My problem is that no matter how much I write, I keep condensing it down to the same thought: This holiday season, as we laugh and eat and shop and enjoy friends and family, our soldiers are in Afghanistan risking everything for us. Some of them won't come back. The rest will never be the same.

"Every one of them volunteered. They think we're worth it.

"Let's prove them right."

Unseasonable....

Thanks to some unseasonably warm weather, it seems more like spring than autumn. But in Wisconsin the weather can, and will, rapidly change.

We're exactly one week away from Thanksgiving. Which sets me to wondering why so many towns and cities are already putting up their Christmas decorations. I, for one, have always felt it appropriate to wait until after Thanksgiving to think about such things as Christmas decorations. While it is possible that many places have chosen to take advantage of the nice weather in their holiday fervor, my opinion is that they should have waited a week. I don't think that's too much to ask.

Into the unknown....

Autumn is truly upon us and Thanksgiving is fast approaching. The prelude to the holiday season has begun as people and businesses get serious about Christmas shopping. The days are shorter and the nights are longer. We head towards a new year with an uncertain future.

An anniversary....

Today marks the day that my girlfriend and I have been together two years. It's sometimes hard to believe I've spent two years of my life with the same woman, but there you have it. It's been wonderful. We attempted to celebrate it this past weekend, but events saw fit to louse up my plans. It was disappointing for both of us. Life's full of disappointments, but having the right person by your side makes it a lot easier.

Good times....

I had a wonderful weekend on Lake Wisconsin with my friends. We also saw Devil's Lake State Park and some of Wisconsin Dells. The weather was clear for the most part, and the autumn colors made for beautiful scenery in central Wisconsin. I'm sure the good company helped make it such an enjoyable time.

Don't call him Wesley....

Well, since this is the place for commentary, I guess I can comment on other things other than the news, and avoid cluttering up the rest of my website with inane babble. Right now I'd like to comment on Wil Wheaton's website, though I'm sure I can think of a better method of doing such things. Anyway, check out the site. It's actually pretty damn amusing, and has some interesting links.

A season of change....

Autumn will soon be officially upon us with the approaching autumnal equinox, and the change in season brings with it other changes, as well. The horrific events of September 11, 2001, have brought a somber mood to the United States, as well as feelings of anger and resolve. The events have, for the most part, united our nation, despite cowardly actions against Moslem Americans and disagreement on what actions should be taken. I do not envy those who must make the final decisions.

Time flies....

Labor Day weekend has come and gone, marking the unofficial end of summer. Students are returning to school, tourists are going home. Where does all the time go?

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my parents' 33rd wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary!

Live music....

On Saturday, August 25, my girlfriend and I attended the Black Crowes concert at Oneida Bingo & Casino in Green Bay. There was no opening act. The show started on time at 8 p.m. The band played a 2-hour set (2 hours!) before leaving the stage, then came back for a 10-minute encore. The show was definitely worth the money. The Black Crowes put on an excellent live show.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my (paternal) grandfather's birthday. Happy birthday, Grandpa!

Last night our family went to visit my grandfather in the nursing home. We brought my parents' puppies. It was nice. I think Grandpa enjoyed it.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my (paternal) grandmother's birthday. Happy birthday, Grandma!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my mother's birthday. Happy birthday, Mom!