Special thanks to Billy George.
Friday, October 31, 2008
this kid's going to make us rich
Z-Dub's Halloween costume was unveiled this morning. Now check out the photo for his future movie poster for Spiderman 4: The Arachnid Spawn. He'll definitely get an Oscar. Or at least a Golden Globe.
Special thanks to Billy George.
Special thanks to Billy George.
and the kid's halloween costume is...
Spiderman!
He's ready to fight bad guys and collect candy tonight.
Happy Halloween!!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
checking out the firemen's equipment
Yesterday HotMomma and the other MILFs in her mommies group took Z-Dub and his friends to a neighborhood fire station for a tour. That got to sit in a firetruck and ambulance, learn about firefighting equipment and see where the firemen work and sleep. HotMomma thinks being a fireman is Z-Dub's new career calling. That's probably because she thought the firemen were hot and if he does choose to be a fireman she'd have a reason to visit the station and admire them. I know how women think.
On another note, please check out my latest post at Uptake.com.
The firetruck.
A firedude greets the kids. It appears that Z-Dub was more interested in jumping over the floor drain.
Z-Dub with a couple of his friends.
Upon arriving at home, Z-Dub declares his future plans to become a fireman.
On another note, please check out my latest post at Uptake.com.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
sharing the love
According to the OB/GYN's calculations, today HotMomma is officially 36 weeks pregnant with Z-Jay. It's amazing how time has flown by over the past few months. In less than a month we're going to be parents to two kids. We'll be a family of four, plus a dog. If you asked me 10 years ago about how my life would be in 2008, I would have never imagined this. But it has been awesome and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Recently, after tucking Z-Dub in for the night, I found HotMomma in bed and teary-eyed. She was very sad. Sad because she can't imagine how she is going to share the love she has for Z-Dub with another child. It makes her sad to think that attention will be taken away from Z-Dub and placed on another soul. She doesn't want him to feel as though he's been cast aside because his newborn brother will require an enormous amount of care and attention. She expressed her fear of failing to balance the love and attention between the two of them.
At first this struck me as odd. Of course, being a twin I've never experienced what it was like to be an only child and the center of attention. I never had the advantage of being the oldest or the youngest. I was always part of a pair. I spent my entire life sharing, both material possessions as well as the love of parents and family.
But more recently HotMomma got me thinking. While I, like HotMomma, am joyous about the new addition to our family, I too now share in her fears. As Z-Dub and I played with his train set in his room last night I wondered how I'm going to be able to give equal attention to this beautiful little boy and to Z-Jay, who I expect to be equally beautiful. I keep telling myself that many families go through this and they make it work. My parents obviously had the challenge of balancing it between two children from the very start. I think I turned out okay. But I will admit sometimes, deep down inside, I do have some slight resentment over being dressed the same as my brother and having to share many, but not all, gifts given for birthdays and Christmas when we were really young. I know, that probably sounds selfish.
So how do families cope with bringing a second child home? Some people have offered advice, including making Z-Dub an active participant in caring for Z-Jay. He likes to help, so let him. Another piece of advice that really makes a lot of sense to me is when both children are upset and/or crying because of something non life threatening, tend to the older one first. This is because the older child retains memories. If you're constantly tending to the new baby first the older child will sense that he's not as important.
I think another important thing to do is to show your child how much you love him/her by saying it each and every day.
What other advice do you parents of multiple children have to offer?
Recently, after tucking Z-Dub in for the night, I found HotMomma in bed and teary-eyed. She was very sad. Sad because she can't imagine how she is going to share the love she has for Z-Dub with another child. It makes her sad to think that attention will be taken away from Z-Dub and placed on another soul. She doesn't want him to feel as though he's been cast aside because his newborn brother will require an enormous amount of care and attention. She expressed her fear of failing to balance the love and attention between the two of them.
At first this struck me as odd. Of course, being a twin I've never experienced what it was like to be an only child and the center of attention. I never had the advantage of being the oldest or the youngest. I was always part of a pair. I spent my entire life sharing, both material possessions as well as the love of parents and family.
But more recently HotMomma got me thinking. While I, like HotMomma, am joyous about the new addition to our family, I too now share in her fears. As Z-Dub and I played with his train set in his room last night I wondered how I'm going to be able to give equal attention to this beautiful little boy and to Z-Jay, who I expect to be equally beautiful. I keep telling myself that many families go through this and they make it work. My parents obviously had the challenge of balancing it between two children from the very start. I think I turned out okay. But I will admit sometimes, deep down inside, I do have some slight resentment over being dressed the same as my brother and having to share many, but not all, gifts given for birthdays and Christmas when we were really young. I know, that probably sounds selfish.
So how do families cope with bringing a second child home? Some people have offered advice, including making Z-Dub an active participant in caring for Z-Jay. He likes to help, so let him. Another piece of advice that really makes a lot of sense to me is when both children are upset and/or crying because of something non life threatening, tend to the older one first. This is because the older child retains memories. If you're constantly tending to the new baby first the older child will sense that he's not as important.
I think another important thing to do is to show your child how much you love him/her by saying it each and every day.
What other advice do you parents of multiple children have to offer?
a last minute halloween
Halloween, a favorite holiday in our house, is just days away and I haven't finalized my costume. Neither has HotMomma. I suggested she dress up as either a knocked up nun or French maid. I'm leaning towards the French maid, but either way she'll draw attention to herself. If she can't pull off either of those she can always wander the neighborhood as a Filipina Juno.
Since the baby boy is set to arrive soon I'm considering dressing up as a bloodied OB/GYN. I have some scrubs, so all I have to buy is some fake blood and perhaps some forceps and a fake baby to bloody up as well. However, since we're not going to any grown up parties this year -- instead taking Z-Dub for a little trick or treating -- I think it might be a little too morbid. I may have to think of something a little more kid friendly.
What are you dressing up as?
As for Z-Dub, his costume is ready and waiting. I can't wait to show off pictures of him as his current favorite masked superhero. Hopefully he'll wear it. He's been refusing to try it on again. I think if I tell him it's pajamas he'll go for it.
Since the baby boy is set to arrive soon I'm considering dressing up as a bloodied OB/GYN. I have some scrubs, so all I have to buy is some fake blood and perhaps some forceps and a fake baby to bloody up as well. However, since we're not going to any grown up parties this year -- instead taking Z-Dub for a little trick or treating -- I think it might be a little too morbid. I may have to think of something a little more kid friendly.
What are you dressing up as?
As for Z-Dub, his costume is ready and waiting. I can't wait to show off pictures of him as his current favorite masked superhero. Hopefully he'll wear it. He's been refusing to try it on again. I think if I tell him it's pajamas he'll go for it.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
where's fall?
Here in Las Vegas normally Halloween, and the week heading up to it, is quite cool. I remember several years where it was down right cold. Apparently this year "Global Warming" has kicked into high gear. Check out this 10-day forecast:
After a long, hot summer we were eager for fall temperatures. I'm tired of wearing shorts and sandals. I want to wear a comfy sweater.
I know...quit complaining.
Also, I can't frickin' believe I just posted about the weather. My kid better do something funny soon.
Oh, that reminds me. Z-Dub did shock me the other day when I accidently left the dog out in the front yard for nearly an hour. I was calling out her name as I searched the house when suddenly Z-Dub blurted out "Where's that f%#kin' dog!"
I would never say anything like that. Where'd he learn it?
Monday, October 27, 2008
weekend randomness
Here's comes a lot of randomness...
We got all into Skype this weekend. My brother introduced me to it last weekend, so we decided to register and invest in a new, though not too expensive, web cam. We got HotMomma's sister and her family in California all signed up as well. We all had a blast "seeing" each other all weekend long. Z-Dub is particularly amazed at seeing his cousins on the computer screen while talking to them. It freaked him out a little bit at first, but he quickly got on board with it and was waving at the screen. It sure saved us on long distance charges since we used it to make most of our calls. Cool!
Potty training continued this weekend. We had three peeing accidents on the floor and no toilet success. Bribing has failed thus far. We're going to have to change our strategy a bit. On a brighter note, Z-Dub may actually make an honest politician one day.
We got all into Skype this weekend. My brother introduced me to it last weekend, so we decided to register and invest in a new, though not too expensive, web cam. We got HotMomma's sister and her family in California all signed up as well. We all had a blast "seeing" each other all weekend long. Z-Dub is particularly amazed at seeing his cousins on the computer screen while talking to them. It freaked him out a little bit at first, but he quickly got on board with it and was waving at the screen. It sure saved us on long distance charges since we used it to make most of our calls. Cool!
Potty training continued this weekend. We had three peeing accidents on the floor and no toilet success. Bribing has failed thus far. We're going to have to change our strategy a bit. On a brighter note, Z-Dub may actually make an honest politician one day.
Let's see, what else? Oh, on Saturday we went to our neighborhood's Fall Festival Extravaganza. It was a good time with a lot of free food. We love free food. Here's a pic of Z-Dub and his chick, Tallulah. And, yes, his shirt says "My Daddy's A Stud Too!"
And finally, thanks to Whit, I'm now writing for the blog at UpTake.com, a really cool travel search and discovery site. I'm covering family vacations in the Las Vegas area. Yep, you heard me, family vacations in the City of Sin. Most of our readers are probably well aware that the mega casinos tried to push family travel back in the 90's, building theme parks and other attractions that appeal to families. The concept was later abandoned and Las Vegas reverted back to it's more lucrative focus on adult debauchery. However, many people still bring their families here for vacation. I'll be writing about some of the things they might enjoy during their visit.
Check out my first post here. Please feel free to leave a comment on the site and let me know what you think.And, finally, Chuck Westbook has put together a coalition of bloggers with a mission to draw attention to great, but overlooked, blogs. Check it out and see if you want to be part of it. It's a novel idea.
Friday, October 24, 2008
indestructable
Yesterday our neighbor was over with her daughter Tallula. She's just a little bit younger than Z-Dub and they play together all the time. As HotMomma and the neighbor were talking and I was preparing to throw our dinner on the barbeque, Z-Dub and Tallula were upstairs disassembling his train set. This was, by the way, after I worked so hard to map it out and assemble it in an bad ass configuration. I should have been an engineer.
When the two kids grew tired of the train set they headed back downstairs. Only problem is Tallula was a little eager to get to the bottom. As I approached the stairs to see what they were up to, I witnessed her little foot miss a step. The result was a little child tumbling all the way down the steps with arms flailing. She was literally doing somersaults the entire way. Near the bottom, as I tried to catch her, her head slammed into the side of the wall, leaving a dent in the drywall. Her Mom and HotMomma were freaking out. But this little girl stood up and was off to play like nothing even happened. She's got one hard head.
I pleaded with her Mom not to sue me if she later develops a stutter.
When the two kids grew tired of the train set they headed back downstairs. Only problem is Tallula was a little eager to get to the bottom. As I approached the stairs to see what they were up to, I witnessed her little foot miss a step. The result was a little child tumbling all the way down the steps with arms flailing. She was literally doing somersaults the entire way. Near the bottom, as I tried to catch her, her head slammed into the side of the wall, leaving a dent in the drywall. Her Mom and HotMomma were freaking out. But this little girl stood up and was off to play like nothing even happened. She's got one hard head.
I pleaded with her Mom not to sue me if she later develops a stutter.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
potato head grandma
According to Z-Dub, he made Grandma:
Yep, that's an arm sticking out of her head. Grandma probably won't like that very much, but it's all about artistic expression.
Yep, that's an arm sticking out of her head. Grandma probably won't like that very much, but it's all about artistic expression.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
if this blogs a rockin'...
I was pleased to learn this morning that this humble blog rocks. That is according to the exceptionally talented and very observant blog connoisseur DC Urban Dad. Though his blog is certainly worthy of such a rockin' distinction, I always thought perhaps my blog doo wopped or even bee bopped, but never did I ever think it actually rocked. Apparently I was completely wrong.
Sound the guitar riffs and drum solos. MY BLOG ROCKS BITCHES!!!!
Rock on people!
I'll even go so far as to say "I Love Your Blogs" too.
Sound the guitar riffs and drum solos. MY BLOG ROCKS BITCHES!!!!
I should also mention that he also loves this blog. Yeah, I know what you're thinking...kinda gay. But I'm a tolerant fellow. Love is love, right? I consider it kind of brotherly. Like in Philly.
I greatly appreciate all of the accolades from DC Urban Dad and anyone who actually stops by each day and reads. It's very encouraging. Therefore, I'm going to share it with a few blogs that I think rock:
Rock on people!
I'll even go so far as to say "I Love Your Blogs" too.
Monday, October 20, 2008
matters of health and wealth
Shopping for medical insurance for the family may incite violent and uncontrolled rages. I haven't cracked yet, but I'm starting to feel the pressure. The clock is ticking away and I have little time left before Z-Jay arrives and I need to have health coverage arranged for the family.
I have insurance for myself through my employer. They pay the entire premium and it's decent coverage. Actually, I don't really know if it is, because I've had it for two years and have only had to use it once. It could suck for all I know. This leads me into the reason why I don't have the entire family enrolled. It all has to do with cost. Those greedy f%#kers at the insurance company want $1,136 per month out of my paycheck to enroll HotMomma, Z-Dub and Z-Jay. That SUCKS! It's the cost of a frickin' mortgage. It's robbery!!!!
Because of the high cost of insurance through my employer, Z-Dub and HotMomma have been enrolled in the health care plan at her work. The coverage isn't quite as good as mine, but it's much, much, much less expensive. We're talking less than quarter of what it would be on my plan. But now we have a problem. When Z-Jay is born HotMomma will go on maternity leave and her insurance will go COBRA, meaning we have to pay 100 percent of the premium to insure all three of them. That's almost $900 per month. Again, robbery!!!
Additionally, after Z-Jay is born HotMomma is considering taking a voluntary furlough for up to three years so she can stay home with the kids. That means I need to find an affordable and acceptable insurance plan to cover all three of them. I've been doing my research and I'm getting close to finding something that'll work and not break the bank.
The first plan is a standard POS plan with a $1,000 individual deductable ($3,000 for family) for roughly $450 per month. It only covers 80 percent of medical costs with the deductable waived for preventative care. The second is a HSA plan with a $5,000 family deductable for $220 per month with preventative care covered at 100 percent.
I had an HSA plan through my previous employer and it was awesome, so I'm leaning towards it. It also gives you control of your money, because instead of paying a high premium you get a low premium and you put additional pre-tax money into a health savings account to cover medical expenses. Any unused money you get to keep. It puts you in control of your money instead of the insurance company stealing it.
I haven't completely made of my mind yet on which I'll choose. I'm doing budget research to see what will work better for us. The good news is that if HotMomma decides to take the furlough Z-Dub won't be sent to daycare/preschool anymore, which will make up for the cost of having to pay for the insurance.
This isn't a political site and I don't generally write about political issues, but something finally needs to be done about medical insurance and costs in this country. We've gone way too long with promises that aren't kept.
I'm not at all satisfied with either presidential candidate's healthcare proposals. Hopefully the ultimate winner will prove me wrong and actually make some real changes.
I have insurance for myself through my employer. They pay the entire premium and it's decent coverage. Actually, I don't really know if it is, because I've had it for two years and have only had to use it once. It could suck for all I know. This leads me into the reason why I don't have the entire family enrolled. It all has to do with cost. Those greedy f%#kers at the insurance company want $1,136 per month out of my paycheck to enroll HotMomma, Z-Dub and Z-Jay. That SUCKS! It's the cost of a frickin' mortgage. It's robbery!!!!
Because of the high cost of insurance through my employer, Z-Dub and HotMomma have been enrolled in the health care plan at her work. The coverage isn't quite as good as mine, but it's much, much, much less expensive. We're talking less than quarter of what it would be on my plan. But now we have a problem. When Z-Jay is born HotMomma will go on maternity leave and her insurance will go COBRA, meaning we have to pay 100 percent of the premium to insure all three of them. That's almost $900 per month. Again, robbery!!!
Additionally, after Z-Jay is born HotMomma is considering taking a voluntary furlough for up to three years so she can stay home with the kids. That means I need to find an affordable and acceptable insurance plan to cover all three of them. I've been doing my research and I'm getting close to finding something that'll work and not break the bank.
The first plan is a standard POS plan with a $1,000 individual deductable ($3,000 for family) for roughly $450 per month. It only covers 80 percent of medical costs with the deductable waived for preventative care. The second is a HSA plan with a $5,000 family deductable for $220 per month with preventative care covered at 100 percent.
I had an HSA plan through my previous employer and it was awesome, so I'm leaning towards it. It also gives you control of your money, because instead of paying a high premium you get a low premium and you put additional pre-tax money into a health savings account to cover medical expenses. Any unused money you get to keep. It puts you in control of your money instead of the insurance company stealing it.
I haven't completely made of my mind yet on which I'll choose. I'm doing budget research to see what will work better for us. The good news is that if HotMomma decides to take the furlough Z-Dub won't be sent to daycare/preschool anymore, which will make up for the cost of having to pay for the insurance.
This isn't a political site and I don't generally write about political issues, but something finally needs to be done about medical insurance and costs in this country. We've gone way too long with promises that aren't kept.
I'm not at all satisfied with either presidential candidate's healthcare proposals. Hopefully the ultimate winner will prove me wrong and actually make some real changes.
stupid candies!
Why are these candies so damned addicting? They don't even taste all that good. Besides, I don't think a mixture of pure sugar, corn syrup, honey, carnuba wax, marshmellow and fondant is very good for you.
This is the bowl on my desk. I can't stop eating them. My stomach even hurts a little.
Did you know that Americans each 20 million lbs. of this crap each Halloween?
I think I'll go throw up now.
This is the bowl on my desk. I can't stop eating them. My stomach even hurts a little.
Did you know that Americans each 20 million lbs. of this crap each Halloween?
I think I'll go throw up now.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
seein' stars
I know in writing this I'm going appear as though I'm bragging. But guess what? I don't care. Why? Because I'm so frickin' excited.
On Monday night HotMomma and I will be hobnobbing with stars of sports and entertainment at the Greg Maddux Celebrity Dinner at the Venetian. It's being held in conjunction with the Greg Maddux Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament happening here in Las Vegas on Sunday through Tuesday.*
The best part of it is we don't have to pay the $2,500 per person ticket price. Yep, it cost that much. Could you imagine spending $5,000 for dinner? We got a special comped invitation.
*I wonder how Mr. Maddux would have juggled this event and work if the Dodgers had made it to the World Series. I guess we'll never know.
On Monday night HotMomma and I will be hobnobbing with stars of sports and entertainment at the Greg Maddux Celebrity Dinner at the Venetian. It's being held in conjunction with the Greg Maddux Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament happening here in Las Vegas on Sunday through Tuesday.*
The best part of it is we don't have to pay the $2,500 per person ticket price. Yep, it cost that much. Could you imagine spending $5,000 for dinner? We got a special comped invitation.
*I wonder how Mr. Maddux would have juggled this event and work if the Dodgers had made it to the World Series. I guess we'll never know.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
a parent's worse nightmare
I get tense when I think about what has potentially happened to this little boy. It's a parent's worse nightmare.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has issued an Amber Alert in a desperate search for a six-year-old boy who was kidnapped by two robbers that tied up his mother and her boyfriend during an home invasion robbery at their house yesterday.
If you're local or in a neighboring state and see him, please call the authorities.
You can read more here.
--------------------------------------
Update on 10/17/08 - Apparently this kid's family is all caught up in drugs and the Mexican Drug Cartel. The kid's grandfather allegedly owes the cartel millions of dollars and has been on the lam for quite some time. This horrific kidnapping case has turned out to be no random act. That poor kid is being used as a pawn. It's sad that parents/family put the child in harms way by getting involved in such activities. Unfortunately, it's not very good news because of the history of the Mexican Drug Cartel. Most that cross them end up dead. Let's up this kid is still alive.
More information is here.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has issued an Amber Alert in a desperate search for a six-year-old boy who was kidnapped by two robbers that tied up his mother and her boyfriend during an home invasion robbery at their house yesterday.
If you're local or in a neighboring state and see him, please call the authorities.
Photo from lasvegasnow.com
You can read more here.
--------------------------------------
Update on 10/17/08 - Apparently this kid's family is all caught up in drugs and the Mexican Drug Cartel. The kid's grandfather allegedly owes the cartel millions of dollars and has been on the lam for quite some time. This horrific kidnapping case has turned out to be no random act. That poor kid is being used as a pawn. It's sad that parents/family put the child in harms way by getting involved in such activities. Unfortunately, it's not very good news because of the history of the Mexican Drug Cartel. Most that cross them end up dead. Let's up this kid is still alive.
More information is here.
money matters
XM Radio subscription = $13.00
Over-priced and never used gym memberships = $72.00
Showtime Channels on cable service = $10.00
Milkman and staple food home delivery service = $60.00
Eating out for lunch, five days a week = $120
Cutting unnecessary spending to save $275.00 each month = SMART
Using the newly saved money to buy diapers and other stuff for soon-to-arrive Z-Jay = INEVITABLE
On a side note, this bitch finally facing reality = PRICELESS
Over-priced and never used gym memberships = $72.00
Showtime Channels on cable service = $10.00
Milkman and staple food home delivery service = $60.00
Eating out for lunch, five days a week = $120
Cutting unnecessary spending to save $275.00 each month = SMART
Using the newly saved money to buy diapers and other stuff for soon-to-arrive Z-Jay = INEVITABLE
On a side note, this bitch finally facing reality = PRICELESS
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
later perv
There's good news in the 'hood. The registered sex offender who lives just doors down from us is apparently moving. The house is suddenly on the market. Moms and Dads on our street will soon be able to rest easy at night.
from the mouth of z-dub
After we were cut off by an idiot driver in the mall parking lot on Monday:
"Oh shit, Daddy. Oh shit."
After his cousin was finished watching Alvin and the Chipmunks on DVD on Sunday night:
"Okay, now we watch penguins!" I promise, it was funny. It was the tone. I guess you had to be there.
After letting out a loud fart tonight while playing with his trains:
"Yep, Daddy. I farted." He didn't wait for me to ask.
Last night in the bathtub and bending over with his butt in the air:
"Daddy, wash my butt crack."
Putting his new shoes on (the wrong feet, of course) last night:
"Look Daddy, I did it! Cool!" While clapping.
After HotMomma accidently spilled her drink on the dinner table late last week:
"Mommy! You spilled. You're bad. Go to time out. Right now!" While pointing over to his normal time out spot at the foot of the stairs.
This morning while I was getting him ready for school:
"Daddy, no school. I sick." Seriously, he's already trying to use the sick excuse.
Two year olds say the funniest stuff. I can't help but crack up.
"Oh shit, Daddy. Oh shit."
After his cousin was finished watching Alvin and the Chipmunks on DVD on Sunday night:
"Okay, now we watch penguins!" I promise, it was funny. It was the tone. I guess you had to be there.
After letting out a loud fart tonight while playing with his trains:
"Yep, Daddy. I farted." He didn't wait for me to ask.
Last night in the bathtub and bending over with his butt in the air:
"Daddy, wash my butt crack."
Putting his new shoes on (the wrong feet, of course) last night:
"Look Daddy, I did it! Cool!" While clapping.
After HotMomma accidently spilled her drink on the dinner table late last week:
"Mommy! You spilled. You're bad. Go to time out. Right now!" While pointing over to his normal time out spot at the foot of the stairs.
This morning while I was getting him ready for school:
"Daddy, no school. I sick." Seriously, he's already trying to use the sick excuse.
Two year olds say the funniest stuff. I can't help but crack up.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
votin'
I got an absentee ballot in the mail today. And, early voting here in Nevada starts next week. I haven't decided which route I'll go or whether I'll wait until Nov. 4, but I'm looking forward to finally exercising my right to vote and putting an end to this contentious and critical campaign season. For good.
monday randomness
While four day weekends are great when you're enjoying the time off, the repercussions of such a long absence from work suck butt. Big time. I've returned to 12 voicemail messages and 276 unread e-mails. I also have four scheduled meetings today -- one right after another.
It's going to be an exhausting day.
In other news, I'm also broke. With the weather suddenly turning arctic (for us) and only one pair of his pants actually fitting him, we had to high tail it to the mall to buy Z-Dub some new fall/winter clothing. Now he's the proud owner of several pairs of jeans and some long sleeve shirts. We also got him two pairs of Vans shoes. One pair is black with flames and the other is black, white and grey with skulls. They're bad ass and he loves them. With the new clothes, we had to get him a hair cut yesterday as well. Now he's got a cool new faux hawk 'do to go with his new threads. He's quite the trend setter.
Does that sound totally lame...calling him a trend setter? Oh well, I don't care. We think he is. HotMomma goes out of her way to make sure he's dressed nice every day. She makes sure he's one of the "cool kids" and not the kind that look like they just rolled out of bed and put on a pair of dirty sweat pants and t-shirt.
Do you take the time to make sure your kid is presentable before going out in public? Just wondering.
I also mentioned before that we went Halloween costume shopping for Z-Dub. He tried on a few and we allowed him to make the final decision on what he'd like to be. His choice will soon be revealed. Stay tuned.
It's going to be an exhausting day.
In other news, I'm also broke. With the weather suddenly turning arctic (for us) and only one pair of his pants actually fitting him, we had to high tail it to the mall to buy Z-Dub some new fall/winter clothing. Now he's the proud owner of several pairs of jeans and some long sleeve shirts. We also got him two pairs of Vans shoes. One pair is black with flames and the other is black, white and grey with skulls. They're bad ass and he loves them. With the new clothes, we had to get him a hair cut yesterday as well. Now he's got a cool new faux hawk 'do to go with his new threads. He's quite the trend setter.
Does that sound totally lame...calling him a trend setter? Oh well, I don't care. We think he is. HotMomma goes out of her way to make sure he's dressed nice every day. She makes sure he's one of the "cool kids" and not the kind that look like they just rolled out of bed and put on a pair of dirty sweat pants and t-shirt.
Do you take the time to make sure your kid is presentable before going out in public? Just wondering.
I also mentioned before that we went Halloween costume shopping for Z-Dub. He tried on a few and we allowed him to make the final decision on what he'd like to be. His choice will soon be revealed. Stay tuned.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
weekend update
My birthday weekend has been a fairly good one. My parents and one of our four-year-old nephews are here visiting from North Carolina. We all went out for dinner last night at the Yard House. This morning it was breakfast with the family as well as my aunt, uncle and cousin at the Las Vegas Hilton. They were visiting from Phoenix. It happened to be my cousin's birthday today. We also did some Halloween costume shopping and took the kids to Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.
Z-Dub and his cousin are getting along well, except for occasional scuffles. It's expected. But they are funny too. Z-Dub kept referring to his cousin as Miles (not his name) and his cousin kept calling him James. I guess neither one knew how to pronounce each other's names.
Z-Dub also keeps following around and imitating his older cousin. It's something Z-Dub will have to look forward to when Z-Jay arrives and the roles are reversed. I'm sure he'll be just as frustrated as his cousin.
And now, as I type this, Z-Dub keeps getting out of bed. He's using every excuse he can think of. His last one was that his pee pee hurts because of water. He asked me to put lotion on it. WTF?
HotMomma keeps flipping the television channels from Keeping up with the Kardashians and The Girls Next Door. Frankly I like Hef's girls better than that whacked out Kardashian family. She also keeps flipping to the movie Little Children on HBO. Every time she does there's a whole lot of humpin' going on between Kate Winslet and some guy. Why can't she just watch the movie through to the end? Apparently she came into it in the middle and wants to watch it some other time from the beginning.
I think it's time to go to bed.
Z-Dub and his cousin are getting along well, except for occasional scuffles. It's expected. But they are funny too. Z-Dub kept referring to his cousin as Miles (not his name) and his cousin kept calling him James. I guess neither one knew how to pronounce each other's names.
Z-Dub also keeps following around and imitating his older cousin. It's something Z-Dub will have to look forward to when Z-Jay arrives and the roles are reversed. I'm sure he'll be just as frustrated as his cousin.
And now, as I type this, Z-Dub keeps getting out of bed. He's using every excuse he can think of. His last one was that his pee pee hurts because of water. He asked me to put lotion on it. WTF?
HotMomma keeps flipping the television channels from Keeping up with the Kardashians and The Girls Next Door. Frankly I like Hef's girls better than that whacked out Kardashian family. She also keeps flipping to the movie Little Children on HBO. Every time she does there's a whole lot of humpin' going on between Kate Winslet and some guy. Why can't she just watch the movie through to the end? Apparently she came into it in the middle and wants to watch it some other time from the beginning.
I think it's time to go to bed.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
tick tock
I'm another year older today, yet I feel the same as yesterday. And I didn't wake up with crows feet. Getting old isn't so bad afterall.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
saving cyber-face
I feel like a bad, bad cyber friend. Apparently way back on September 28 Kim from Jogging In Circles randomly awarded me the Peanuts Holiday DVD Collection that includes "It’s a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Deluxe Edition" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas Deluxe Edition." Due to my insane work schedule lately, resulting in a severe back log of unread posts in my feed reader, I didn't realize I had won until yesterday. Making it worse, it took an e-mail from Kim to bring it to my attention.
I feel like a total douchebag.
I would like to apologize to Kim for my late "thank you." I do greatly appreciate being the winner of the really cool prize. I remember watching these movies while growing up and now I get to share them with Z-Dub.
Today is Thursday, which is actually my Friday because I'm taking tomorrow and Monday off from work for my birthday weekend. So hopefully I'll have time to catch up on my blog reading.
I feel like a total douchebag.
I would like to apologize to Kim for my late "thank you." I do greatly appreciate being the winner of the really cool prize. I remember watching these movies while growing up and now I get to share them with Z-Dub.
Today is Thursday, which is actually my Friday because I'm taking tomorrow and Monday off from work for my birthday weekend. So hopefully I'll have time to catch up on my blog reading.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
superstar
Look out Hollyweird, here I come!
Today I'm taping a public service announcement. Not for Gonorrhea or anything like that. Actually it's for a fundraising golf tournament. We're taping it on the actual golf course. Me co-starring in the 30-second commercial is actually kind of funny because I don't golf. I've taken lessons, but I've never actually played a round of golf on a course. I'll definitely be using my acting skills for this one.
If you're in Las Vegas starting next week you may randomly see my ugly mug on a COX Cable station.
Today I'm taping a public service announcement. Not for Gonorrhea or anything like that. Actually it's for a fundraising golf tournament. We're taping it on the actual golf course. Me co-starring in the 30-second commercial is actually kind of funny because I don't golf. I've taken lessons, but I've never actually played a round of golf on a course. I'll definitely be using my acting skills for this one.
If you're in Las Vegas starting next week you may randomly see my ugly mug on a COX Cable station.
Monday, October 6, 2008
leaving on a jet plane...
It's a little after 4:30 a.m. on Monday and I'm off to the airport to catch a plane for a quick, day-long business trip to fabulous Salt Lake City, Utah. I know, it's not that exciting. Believe me when I say I wish I didn't have to go. It's for business. But at least it's a change of scenery.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
ugggghhh
Sometimes I hate Blogger. I was making some adjustments to my Blogroll and now it's completely gone. To make matters worse, the gadget in Blogger that assembles it based on my feed reader isn't reconciling poperly, so I'm having trouble getting it back up. This SUCKS!!!
9:30 a.m. Update - I had to manually copy all of my feeds to create a new blogroll. I think I got everyone. If I missed you, or if you want to be added to my blogroll, please let me know.
9:30 a.m. Update - I had to manually copy all of my feeds to create a new blogroll. I think I got everyone. If I missed you, or if you want to be added to my blogroll, please let me know.
seven
Seven years ago today I rushed to the McCarran airport to catch a mid-morning flight to Orange County, Calif. to attend a family reunion. Less than a month following the tragic events of 9/11, the airport was virtually empty.
After checking in and making my way through security I arrived at the "B" gates to board my plane, but because of the lack of crowds I was early. As I sat patiently in the deserted boarding area a beautiful young woman working behind the counter at the gate caught my eye. I remember exhanging a smile or two as I sat there.
Later I watched her as she left down the jetway to meet our arriving plane at the gate. A few minutes later another woman in uniform came up and asked to see my boarding pass. I reluctantly handed it over as I questioned her motives.
"I need to check something," she said.
About a minute or two later she returned and handed me a new boarding pass. "My gate agent thinks you're cute, so I upgraded you to first class," she said with a smile on her face.
"Uh, thanks," I replied in amazement.
The beautiful young woman returned and started her scripted boarding announcements. Later, as I handed her my ticket before entering the jetway, introductions were made and phone numbers were exhanged. I called her a few days later and we made arrangements for a date the following Friday.
The rest, well that's history.
Seven years ago today I met met a beautiful young woman who would eventually be the love of my life. A woman who a year later agreed to marry me. A woman who has blessed me with an amazing son and another on the way. A woman that I can't imagine my life without.
It's amazing how that one day seven years ago changed everything.
After checking in and making my way through security I arrived at the "B" gates to board my plane, but because of the lack of crowds I was early. As I sat patiently in the deserted boarding area a beautiful young woman working behind the counter at the gate caught my eye. I remember exhanging a smile or two as I sat there.
Later I watched her as she left down the jetway to meet our arriving plane at the gate. A few minutes later another woman in uniform came up and asked to see my boarding pass. I reluctantly handed it over as I questioned her motives.
"I need to check something," she said.
About a minute or two later she returned and handed me a new boarding pass. "My gate agent thinks you're cute, so I upgraded you to first class," she said with a smile on her face.
"Uh, thanks," I replied in amazement.
The beautiful young woman returned and started her scripted boarding announcements. Later, as I handed her my ticket before entering the jetway, introductions were made and phone numbers were exhanged. I called her a few days later and we made arrangements for a date the following Friday.
The rest, well that's history.
Seven years ago today I met met a beautiful young woman who would eventually be the love of my life. A woman who a year later agreed to marry me. A woman who has blessed me with an amazing son and another on the way. A woman that I can't imagine my life without.
It's amazing how that one day seven years ago changed everything.
Friday, October 3, 2008
opening pandora's box of musical goodness
You like music? Yeah, so do I. If you're like me you like to listen to music while you work. For me it creates a stimulating ambience that makes me more productive. Up until recently I would often bring my iPod to work and plug it into the computer or I'd log onto my XM Satellite Radio account and listen to one of the stations there.
While I like all the songs on my iPod, I get bored listening to them repeatedly. I'm always wanting something fresh and new, but can't always go onto iTunes and spend my hard earned money buying music. I got to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. And, frankly, the XM stations suck. While they introduce new music, their rotations are tight and you end up listening to a handfull of songs over and over and over again. It gets old quick.
My music boredom was solved when my graphic designer introduced me to Pandora.com -- radio from the Music Genome Project. It's bad ass.
It's so cool.
While I like all the songs on my iPod, I get bored listening to them repeatedly. I'm always wanting something fresh and new, but can't always go onto iTunes and spend my hard earned money buying music. I got to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. And, frankly, the XM stations suck. While they introduce new music, their rotations are tight and you end up listening to a handfull of songs over and over and over again. It gets old quick.
My music boredom was solved when my graphic designer introduced me to Pandora.com -- radio from the Music Genome Project. It's bad ass.
Basically, a bunch of musicians and music analysts got together over a couple of years and started really listening to music, one song at a time, studying and collecting about 400 musical details from every song, including melody, harmony, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, lyrics, etc. So after registering at the site, you can create personal radio stations based upon your favorite artists. You drop in a name and it scans its entire world of analyzed music -- new and old to popular and obscure -- to find songs with musical simularities to your choice and the result is the creation of a new station. You can grade the music to further personalize the music played on the station. You can make multiple stations based upon genre. For example, I have a jazz station, but I also have a rap station. I like a variety of music and whatever I'm in the mood for, it's there for me.
It's so cool.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
tagged
It's been quite a while since I've been tagged. I guess I haven't been meme worthy lately. That is until yesterday when DCUrbanDad tagged me. And luckily it's an easy meme. The rules state:
Now, per the rules, I have to tag six-ish people. After careful consideration (random review of my blogroll), the chosen ones are:
Clark Kent's Lunchbox
Daddy Dan
Luke, I Am Your Father
The Tao of Gini
Zoe's Dad
Seriously, Shelly
Have fun :)
- Link to the person who tagged you
- Post the rules on your blog
- Write six random things about yourself
- Tag six-ish people at the end of your post
- Let each person know he/she has been tagged
- Let the tagger know when your entry is up
- I hate ketchup. I find the taste to be repulsive.
- I'm almost completely deaf in my left ear due to tumor in my head during childhood.
- I shoplifted a squirt gun from a souvenir shop at Raging Waters when I was about 10 years old, but then felt guilty and discretely returned it.
- I watched Project Runway with HotMomma last night.
- Random clutter on the kitchen counter annoys the crap out of me.
- There was a hole in the heel of my sock this morning, but I wore it anyways. I was too lazy to go find another matching pair in the laundry.
Now, per the rules, I have to tag six-ish people. After careful consideration (random review of my blogroll), the chosen ones are:
Clark Kent's Lunchbox
Daddy Dan
Luke, I Am Your Father
The Tao of Gini
Zoe's Dad
Seriously, Shelly
Have fun :)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
weirdness
For all of you into dream interpretation, my dream last night may be of interest. It was weird. The kind of weird that you only see in movies. And making it even weirder is the fact that I remember a lot of it.
To sum it up, I dreamt that it was Saturday and HotMomma, Z-Dub and I woke up and started our day. But the entire day people were treating us strangely. People we know or dealt with on a daily basis acted like they didn't know us, even our own family. It was as though we were suddenly strangers. We did not exist in a life we previously lived.
At one point in the dream we went to HotMomma's parent's house and pushed the button programmed in our vehicle to open their garage. It didn't work. So we got out and went to the door, using our key to get in. Only problem was the key didn't work. We knocked and rang the doorbell until finally HotMomma's mother answered the door. It wasn't a warm welcome. Instead, she greeted us with "who are you?" and "what do you want?" We were shocked and tried to convince her that were her family. We thought perhaps she lost her mind or something. But then she ends up calling the police on us for harrassing her. Of course, it all snowballed from there. We were fugitives on the run.
So what do you think this dream is telling me?
To sum it up, I dreamt that it was Saturday and HotMomma, Z-Dub and I woke up and started our day. But the entire day people were treating us strangely. People we know or dealt with on a daily basis acted like they didn't know us, even our own family. It was as though we were suddenly strangers. We did not exist in a life we previously lived.
At one point in the dream we went to HotMomma's parent's house and pushed the button programmed in our vehicle to open their garage. It didn't work. So we got out and went to the door, using our key to get in. Only problem was the key didn't work. We knocked and rang the doorbell until finally HotMomma's mother answered the door. It wasn't a warm welcome. Instead, she greeted us with "who are you?" and "what do you want?" We were shocked and tried to convince her that were her family. We thought perhaps she lost her mind or something. But then she ends up calling the police on us for harrassing her. Of course, it all snowballed from there. We were fugitives on the run.
So what do you think this dream is telling me?
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