She once told me that as the "baby" sibling she was able to be wiser at a younger age watching us go through life ahead of her. Knowing her she even took notes...
Happy Birthday Monica
Yesterday was my sister Monica's birthday. She is the youngest of us 4 kids (I'm the oldest). Monica has turned a 30 something number. Her life has been fairly free of serious drama and major bumps in the road.
She once told me that as the "baby" sibling she was able to be wiser at a younger age watching us go through life ahead of her. Knowing her she even took notes...
She once told me that as the "baby" sibling she was able to be wiser at a younger age watching us go through life ahead of her. Knowing her she even took notes...
Sunday Squirrel Training
I live in a cozy house here in the Valley with the "fiancee" and future sister in law, Stefania.
Stefania is the head wildlife ranger. Every morning she's in the backyard feeding birds and placing peanuts and other treats out for squirrels. Over the past year the squirrels have become more tolerant of human company. They're not taking food from hands yet but getting close! Just this morning one was brave enough to come down the tree take a quick sniff of a peanut in my fingers but he quickly dashed up the tree again. I tried to snap a picture as he came down close a second time but it spooked him.
One day soon they will trust me.
One day soon I will train them all.
One day soon I will raise a squirrel army.
One day soon I shall be the Squirrel King!
Stefania is the head wildlife ranger. Every morning she's in the backyard feeding birds and placing peanuts and other treats out for squirrels. Over the past year the squirrels have become more tolerant of human company. They're not taking food from hands yet but getting close! Just this morning one was brave enough to come down the tree take a quick sniff of a peanut in my fingers but he quickly dashed up the tree again. I tried to snap a picture as he came down close a second time but it spooked him.
One day soon they will trust me.
One day soon I will train them all.
One day soon I will raise a squirrel army.
One day soon I shall be the Squirrel King!
The Garage Sale
We're having a garage sale this weekend.
It's been needed, we were a little overstocked on candy canes and zombies...
And stuff that predated Alaska and Hawaii...
It's been needed, we were a little overstocked on candy canes and zombies...
And stuff that predated Alaska and Hawaii...
A phone call from Paola.
Another story from the Fiancee's parents visit...
Paola's security alarm system story developing...please excuse any typos above.
Paola's security alarm system story developing...please excuse any typos above.
The July 4th Weekend.
Happy July 4th. My future parents in law were in town from Baltimore over the last weekend. Here's a real moment from the visit (except for the dreamed of garden tool) ...
I have to get out more.
I'm determined to enjoy these summer months spending more time outside. I might even wear shorts...at least once.
D is for DOOM!
Below are two new additions to my ongoing kid's alphabetical sound f/x project and a recap of the past six. Only 18 more to go...
Saturday Morning Video.
Is it me or is there a Paul McCartney "musical genius" parade going on over his latest album? Maybe it's just local Los Angeles TV and radio hype.
I don't want to rain on this parade. I'm a fan....
I will argue till my forehead veins swell and my head implodes with anyone that does not think every single song recorded by the Beatles is a classic. I will be the first to hold up early Wings albums as musical milestones.
His old music might be musical genius.
But...
I can't shake the feeling John Lennon was a big part of it. I point out this later "post John" classic by Paul...
I don't want to rain on this parade. I'm a fan....
I will argue till my forehead veins swell and my head implodes with anyone that does not think every single song recorded by the Beatles is a classic. I will be the first to hold up early Wings albums as musical milestones.
His old music might be musical genius.
But...
I can't shake the feeling John Lennon was a big part of it. I point out this later "post John" classic by Paul...
A Door for Dad
So when my Dad says something like
"Have you seen one of those blah, blah, blah?"...
it basically means he's quietly announcing he's going to get whatever the blah, blah, blah is. It is the start of a countdown clock. From then on the blah, blah, blah is brought up in random quiet moments, this could go on for months.
You know he is about 3 weeks away from buying it when he asks your opinion and thoughts on blah, blah, blah every other day (working it into the conversation). He's really just talking himself into it and your opinion is unneeded.
If you happen to be with him and he says come look at this blah, blah, blah with me...it's about a week from being bought. He never says I'm buying one.
The best part is, when he does buy the blah, blah, blah, he says he just happened to be at the store that day and thought "what the heck" and got it as if on some whim.
A few years back, one such blah, blah, blah were heavy faux antique spanish styled doors at Arte de Mexico. At the time they had a selection of random doors for any design use (wall hanging, table tops, room dividers, etc.). He thought one would look good on his patio garden just as a decoration.
I knew the countdown had begun. I had always wanted to try making one and this gave me a reason. I thought I'd surprise him with it, if it turned out OK. My budget was low, so I used stuff I had around. The main body was an old panel door. I framed it with 1" x 3" boards. The raised centers are wooden craft plaques from Micheal's. The nails are rust painted large wood plugs. I beat the heck out of it with a hammer and chain. Then stained, painted, sanded and beat it again to look old.
I wanted to add more details (like hardware, ornate moulding etc) but afraid to take it too far and I liked it simple. Besides, I knew Dad was now just a few weeks away from buying one. I figured if he liked it and wanted some extra detail I could add it later. He liked it as it was. The added plus is as the years go by it gets more weathered and looks better.
"Have you seen one of those blah, blah, blah?"...
it basically means he's quietly announcing he's going to get whatever the blah, blah, blah is. It is the start of a countdown clock. From then on the blah, blah, blah is brought up in random quiet moments, this could go on for months.
You know he is about 3 weeks away from buying it when he asks your opinion and thoughts on blah, blah, blah every other day (working it into the conversation). He's really just talking himself into it and your opinion is unneeded.
If you happen to be with him and he says come look at this blah, blah, blah with me...it's about a week from being bought. He never says I'm buying one.
The best part is, when he does buy the blah, blah, blah, he says he just happened to be at the store that day and thought "what the heck" and got it as if on some whim.
A few years back, one such blah, blah, blah were heavy faux antique spanish styled doors at Arte de Mexico. At the time they had a selection of random doors for any design use (wall hanging, table tops, room dividers, etc.). He thought one would look good on his patio garden just as a decoration.
I knew the countdown had begun. I had always wanted to try making one and this gave me a reason. I thought I'd surprise him with it, if it turned out OK. My budget was low, so I used stuff I had around. The main body was an old panel door. I framed it with 1" x 3" boards. The raised centers are wooden craft plaques from Micheal's. The nails are rust painted large wood plugs. I beat the heck out of it with a hammer and chain. Then stained, painted, sanded and beat it again to look old.
I wanted to add more details (like hardware, ornate moulding etc) but afraid to take it too far and I liked it simple. Besides, I knew Dad was now just a few weeks away from buying one. I figured if he liked it and wanted some extra detail I could add it later. He liked it as it was. The added plus is as the years go by it gets more weathered and looks better.
The Dodger Stadium Police Concert
Last Saturday... my brother Ted, his girlfriend Leia, my sister Megan, her husband Paul, my future sister in law Stefania and I went to the Police reunion show at Dodger Stadium.
We left early expecting crowds. Ted knew a super secret back roads quick route. Sure enough we got there fast. So fast and early... the parking lot entrance guy looked surprised to see us.
Leia had secured the tickets through her work along with good parking...
This made Ted happy...
Our small "tailgate" party started along with old stories from Paul...
Ted's girlfriend Leia is great but young. I often discover she is in need of "pop culture" education before N'Sync.
Group picture time. Stefania, always the activist...
There was a moment of panic finding the tickets....
Just before we went inside... a group photo. I wore my RISD shirt in honor of the Police concert Ted and I last saw in Providence, RI 84'...
I'm now a good law abiding citizen and left my camera behind (according to the "no cameras" warning on the ticket) afraid it would be taken away as happened at another concert a few years back. Of course, no one checked my pockets going in, so I could of brought it in. I want to believe if had it in my pocket, I would of been busted (Murphy's law).
The concert was great. The Foo Fighters opened the show and they rocked! I could post crap camera phone pics like this one....
But thanks to other people I can actually post crappy video from "youtube" of the show we saw...
Ted sat next to me. When the crowd (and us) chanted "OOO eee yo... eee YAY YO" we both put an arm around each other in memory. In that brief chorus, it was the Providence Civic Center again in 1984 ... a nice moment.
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