Keepin up with the Jones'...Rants & Raves from the Big Daddy.

It Sucks to be Sick

Bert — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:19:00 +0000

So, I decided that perhaps I should make my blogging be as regular as checking email. Since I do that once a day, right after I check email, I should blog.

So, we will try this little experiment.

So, I am sick. Or at least I was. I am feeling better now. (Except for this swollen upper lip). Don't know if its a cold sore or something else. Feels huge! (Doesn't really look it though).

Monday when I woke up, I had a 103 degree temperature. So I stayed home from work. Then Tuesday night, I still felt crummy, so I left early.

But, I am feeling much better now. I just wish my lip would heal itself.

EEEEEKKKK!

Bert — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:29:00 +0000

Yes, that was me. And yes…I was screaming like a little girl…

Why, do you ask?

A mouse.

Not just any mouse, but a mouse IN MY BOOT...

Not so bad, you say…

MY FOOT WAS IN IT!

I was getting ready for work, the Sunday Night before Christmas Eve. I was getting my boots on and stuffed my right foot into my boot.

There was something hard in, what I can only describe as, the ‘corner’ of my boot, by my little toesies. It didn't seem big.

I thought my sock had balled up, when putting my foot in. It was a tight fit.

So, I took part of my foot our and sort of ‘slammed’ it back in…twice..still there. K, maybe it is a lego or toy Riley dropped in there (this has happened before).

I was going to just leave it and deal with it at work. I was running late.

But then I thought, no, this is my driving foot, this is gonna bug me.

So I took my foot out of my boot, raised it up about eye level (to see in) and shook it.

Nothing.

Well, if I had been paying attention, that little stone I saw fall out would have tipped me off…as I later realized...it was a mouse nugget.

So I then reached up into my boot and felt something furry and somewhat hard.

Let me back track. The day before my wife had spotted the mouse when we had company over.

So I immediately though, “OH CRAP. Megabyte caught the mouse and put the dead thing into my boot.”

EEEEEEKKKK! I touched a dead mouse….I dropped the boot and ran to my mother's room right behind me. (As most of you know. She is the terminator of icky things in our house).

“MOM! I just touched a dead mouse in my boot!”

“Oh Lord…” was all she said. As we turned from her room and toward where my boots lay, I saw a mouse jump out and run towards the couch.

“EEEEKKKK! I touched a LIVE MOUSE!”

Suffice it to say, we didn’t find it (until the next day, when Amy accidentally killed it—another long and entertaining story). But I still haven’t and refuse to wear those boots.

Eeeek. Yes. Eeek. I think that about sums it up.

Portrait Studio Now Open

Bert — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:08:00 +0000

Good Morning everyone!

I wanted to update everyone with a few announcements.

As some of you already know, I am starting up a small portrait studio. I have found that I really enjoy photography and enjoy (and have the patience) for retouching and editing photos. My little gimmick is that I do all my 'portraits' in front of a green screen and so clients can choose their own backgrounds.

So, I wanted to announce (or re-announce to some of you) my online portrait gallery. From here you can view photos, and purchase prints or gift items. The site is at: http://tiggermn.smugmug.com

Any questions, please let me know, and I hope that you'll consider me for any family portraits you would like done!

Another thing I wanted to alert you to (and this will mainly affect family and close friends) is that I will no longer be offering my photos to anyone digitally (i.e. burning them on a disc).

The reasoning behind this is, if I am serious about doing this professionally, I need to be consistent and make the process as less confusing for myself and my clients. You will notice on my site that many photos have a watermark and that you cannot right click and 'save as' the photo onto your desktop. I have enabled a locking feature to protect my 'assets'. This is standard practice in the photography world.

Please Note: the watermark will not appear on purchased prints.

If there is something you absolutely must have digitally, you can purchase a digital copy of the photo from the online store under 'downloads' or contact me and we can work something out. I will need to charge a minimal fee, or a more substantial fee if you are requesting a 'final' portrait versus an untouched one.

The reason for this, is that I do need to consider my time. I don't just snap a photo and print it (even for family functions). 95% of the time, I still am correcting the photo, making sure the color is good, etc. I really spend time in making sure that my photos (no matter the setting) really capture the moment exactly and are portfolio quality.

So, I hope everyone can understand and respect the changes that I am making. I know that for some, it will be upsetting, as some depend on me to capture a moment at family gatherings. But, with the way my life is right now, I can no longer do things for free. I really need look at what I am investing in the procedure and receive a fair compensation for it.

Please note: I am still offering family members a discount.

So, I hope you all understand and I look forward to working with you!

Yes, I am still alive.

Bert — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:47:00 +0000

Sorry, I haven't posted in awhile. Lots been going on.

I resigned from my position on the Communications/Marketing Committee. Too much drama to deal with.
I became a registered Girl Scout (Don't Ask). Mainly so I could be a Co-Service Unit Cookie Manager with Amy. We manage around 60 troops and their cookie orders.
I got a second part-time job back at the Print shop I used to work at, AlphaGraphics.
Still going to school.
Working on more training at work, to have more responsibilities.
Amy and I became Creative Memories Consultants. Mainly because they came out with so many new opportunities for folks and their photos! Contact us for more info!

Just lots of stuff. So I have been really busy. I get about 4 hours of sleep a day, sort of. It's been hectic.

Talk later when I ain't so tired!

Banned Book Week

Bert — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:40:00 +0000

Read a banned book!

Here’s a thing I picked up from KayRay.org (she a librivoxer and admin). It’s a list of the 100 most frequently challenged books in the US, 1990-2000, according to the American Library Association - that is, books that people have wanted to ban. Bold the ones you’ve read.

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (Saw the movie)
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine (at least, some of them)
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Saw the movie)
19. Sex by Madonna (Don't ask....)
20. Earth’s Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel(I think… Was that Clan of the Cave Bear? Ghastly thing…)
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras (I think this is in our house....)
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (sounds familiar...I think we read it in school)
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein (I can't believe it was challenged!)
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice) (Still own them!)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies by Nancy Friday (Hehe...I wanna read it!)
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen (I think my roomate had this)
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford (huh?)
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

That’s 17 for me. Which ones have you read?

The Girl of my Online Dreams

Bert — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:47:00 +0000

Okay not really, because, well...she is kinda ugly. I mean green skin, fangs, come on...

But, she is my girl and well, whachin the backside of her run all day in short, shorts and you gotta admire her muscular frame....um...never mind.

Anyways, trying out this new code, so here goes.

New software

Bert — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:12:00 +0000

Adobe,Software,Puppy

So, I got new software for Adobe Creative Suite 3. It takes some getting used to.

But one of hte new things is this Adobe Contribute. It lets me blog from it and create quick pages for my website, so I am giving it a try with this post.

Also, Did Back to School photos. Ain't he cute:

[KNOCK], [KNOCK] Is this thing on?

Bert — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:11:00 +0000

So, I haven't written in quite awhile. Sorry.

My life has been insanely busy.

College: Not only has classes started up again, but both courses were drawing courses. Which would hav been fine and I would have enjoyed them, but they were condensed and so busy. I had assignments due every other day!

Work: Still not liken the whole no music and not internet policy. But it is okay. The pay is good, the hours aren't too bad. But the work can be boring and then there is the nights when there is nothing to do.

Home: Busy as usual. Riley is growing fast and starting to add more and more words to his vocabulary. I will miss it when the love he gives is unconditional. My oldests still give unconditional love, but it is less frequent. The signs of growing older.

Board: Busy as ever. Need to advertise like crazy. Need to find replacement board members. Interested? LOL.

Not much else. But I thought I better update ya.

I want the new iPod! With its full touch screen. (iPod Touch for those keeping score).

Tagged!

Bert — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 04:09:00 +0000

Okay, so a high school friend has tagged me....so here goes:

----------------------------------------------------------

The rules are: once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird or random things, facts or habits about yourself. At the end, you choose 7 - 10 people to be tagged, list their names, and why you chose them. Don't forget to leave a comment that says, "You are TAGGED!" on their profile and tell them to read your latest blog.

1. World of Warcraft can be addicting and expensive. When you can't justify the monthly expense, you can't justify throwing away all the time you spent leveling your character and gathering all that gear.

2. Children when they are young ALWAYS pick up the things you DON'T want them to repeat. Like 'Stupid', 'crap' and 'boobies'.

3. I don't drink any alcohol but maybe 3 times a year, but I think I have my neighbor friends convinced that I love my liquor.

4. I really do enjoy listening to and watching Dolly Parton, ever since I was two. I have all of her songs (okay, more like 90%) and all of her movies and her 1987 variety show on VHS.

5. Every time I call a company on the phone, they call me Mrs. Jones. I have a high/pleasant phone voice. It came in handy in High School when I could call myself in and say I was Mrs. Jones and play hooky.(Sometimes I could even call my friends in!)

6. I have too much shit that I just can't seem to get rid of. I keep telling saying, "I may need that some day!"I don't think my wife believes me anymore.

7. I have too much shit going on in my life. I don't have time for the projects that are important to me, like scrap booking my children's lives so they have something to look back on as they get older.

8. Amy gave a waitress a .46 cent tip. Long story. Read my IOWA trip post for details on why.

9. We are getting a puppy on Tuesday. I don't like dogs. I don't hate them, I just prefer cats more.

10. I need a social life. Mine really lacks...

I've chosen you if you have time!

Kellie: Your life always throws you a curve ball!

Amy (my wife): You don't have a blog, but I seem to always find out more interesting things about you.

Nicole: I always found you interesting in high school.

Wendy: You crack me up all the time. I am curious to see what you would write.

Todd: I rarely hear from you and would love to hear yours.

Nelah: You crack me up on the forums, curious to see what you would write.

Everyone else who read this: I'm tagging you by extension!

Woof-Woof-Meow-Meow

Bert — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:38:00 +0000

On August 20th (about) we will have a NEW puppy!

We are getting a cocker spaniel. Born around the Fourth of July.

So we will call him Independence Day Jones, or Indy for short.

And if we don’t like you, then “You Call him Dr. Jones, Doll!” As said by Short-Round in the Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom movie.).Click here for audio.

It’s My Time

Bert — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:36:00 +0000

I haven’t said anything, because I didn’t want to jinx it, but I have been on assignment with a client (through Aquent) for a year now. Well, a few weeks ago, they hired me on full-time.

The exciting part is that they have kept my pay rate, which worried me, because I had assumed if any client ever hired me, that the rate would go down. But it didn’t.

I also get really nice benefits and 401K. So I am excited.

Downfall, we can’t listen to music anymore or use Internet on our puters. Bummer. It is kinda scary hearing some of the stories of people walking off the job or getting suspended without pay over what seems like really menial stuff. But we will see what happens.

Pardon Me, Do You Have Any Grey Poupon?

Bert — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:29:00 +0000

This past weekend I was out of town in Iowa at a friends Bed and Breakfast that they own.

It is a gorgeous Victorian house that has its original hardwood floors, banister, stain glassed windows. Gorgeous! Our friend is restoring it and doing a faboulous job. We went up on Friday afternoon, Amy had just gotten back from Girl Scout Camp, so I drove most of the way.

We got there and basically just chilled in our room, watched some TV, I played on the computer.

On Saturday we had breakfast, took some photos of the house, took a walk around the neighborhood then drove around down to do some shopping, and then were back within a half hour. The entire town shuts down for lunch (except the restaurants) and on Saturdays. So we went to a drive-in for some lunch, then went bowling.

Now, I haven’t bowled in 15 years. My first game I bowled a 60 and Amy bowled a 117. She got a spare and a double. I had just got a spare. Our second game, I bowled a 90 and Amy a 94. So I had a 50% improvement in my game. I bowled a strike and a Spare, Amy got a spare and a double again. We were the only people in the whole place, it was kinda nice.

We then headed back for some relaxation. I worked on a flyer for the B&B and Amy read/napped.

We then headed to a local Golf Country Club to their restaurant/lounge for dinner. We got their and weren’t sure where to go, so we walked in and realized we needed to go upstairs (they had a renion going on downstairs).

We weren’t sure if we were to seat ourselves (no sign) so we just found a table by the huge windows overlooking the greens and sat down. About 15 minutes later someone FINALLY took our order.

We ordered some appetizers, which were really good and some drinks. I order a steak dinner and Amy ordered a Riganoti, with chicken in Alfredo Sauce. About 30 minutes later our appetizers arrive, we eat those, then about 15 minutes later our food.

Amy was still finishing up her appetizer, so didn’t really look at her dish. When she went to eat her dinner, she realized that there was no chicken on it.

By this time I was already half way done with my meal. So Amy had to wait until about 15 minutes until the waitress finally came back to check on us (Amy’s plate sitting full on the edge of the table, obviously wasn’t a give away).

She asked if everything was okay and Amy said, “No, I had asked for chicken with this, and their isn’t any.”

The waitress said, “Oh, okay, Sorry about that” and took her plate.

She walked to the kitchen (which is on the other side of the large room, and has two doors on opposite ends of the wall (we were perpindicular to one of them). The waitress goes in the kitchen and the cook must have asked her what was wrong and, get this, the waitress says, “She never told me she wanted chicken, and now she wants chicken on it.”

Our heads snapped toward that door, because we could hear her! The cook must have said something, because then she said, “Well, I didn’t hear her ask for chicken, I am sorry about that”.

At this point I was pissed and Amy wasn’t happy about being called a liar. Our dish promptly came back out and we didn’t say anything. (Amy later told me, she wanted to make sure she got her food, bags and credit card back before she said anything. You never know what a disgruntled server could do.)

So we finished our meal. About 15 minutes after we were done, she finally comes back to check on us (Notice the long wait times?) we ask her for a to-go box. She brings one then leaves. She knows we are done, she could have brought our bill at the same time, so another 15 minute wait.

I told Amy to not tip her the 15%, which would have been about $6. So Amy tipped her .46 cents and writes on the FRONT of the receipt: “Don’t complain about your customers when they can hear you”. She then placed the receipt face down and we promptly walked out.

We then headed back to the B&B, took photos of the outside of the house and played with fireflies and watched a movie (I played with photos) and then went to bed!

Okay, I’ll expand on the fireflies. While I was taking photos of the outside of the house, my flash would attract fireflies and there was about 100 or more on the front lawn. I would then fire off my flash (on purpose) and the whole yard would light up, it was like the fireflies were doing the “wave” at a baseball game. It was great!

Woke up on Sunday, had a light breakfast and then I took a nap, while Amy finished a book she found there, we then packed up and headed home. My mom had roast waiting for us.

It was a great relaxing weekend and a great way for Amy and I to celebrate our 8 years of marriage!

Bert — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:38:00 +0000

Well, it is final...

This is my Daemon:

Hmmmm

Bert — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:04:00 +0000

Okay,

So I have sucked at keeping this blog updated. But, well, that's because my life has become insane-crazy.

So what has been keeping me away?

I have been sick for about four weeks now. Finally feeling better, but still a little congested.
I am working with a freelance client I worked with last year on two HUGE projects. Very exciting, but lots to do and no motivation to do it since being sick, but I am pressing on. I can't let them down.
Opening up an amateur photo studio out of my house. Amy and a few friends/acquaintances of ours are tired of crappy, expensive photos for dance, school, etc. So I have been hired to do portraits. Scary, but fun, but lots of work.
My second college course is BUSY! Every other day I have an assignment I need to post online and read about 85 pages a week. UGH! Being sick has not helped my motivation.
Personal projects have been put on hold. (i.e. scrap booking, finishing Dominic's baby blanket--I made him one, but he loved it so much it got holey, so my mom took it apart, tied all the scraps of yarn together and I am remaking it for him.)
Figuring out our bills/budget has been taking up some time too.

So, I have been majorly busy and not motivated to do anything.

I have also been depressed. I am tired of my weight, but damn, do you know how hard it is to effectively pay attention to what you eat, when you eat and how much. Working third shift doesn't help either, because you eat when your body wants to be sleeping, so your metabolism is shot. And I hate walking around the neighborhood, so I would rather have a treadmill, but I have no place to put it.

Still on the Board for the community. But I don't want to be. I am tired of it, but I can't quit, because I feel nothing would get done. And I would still like to know the state of the park. Some sort of warning if anything goes wrong. That and if I quit, I can only imagine who would take my place and NO THANK YOU!

Okay, I guess I am done bitchin for now.

I am sooooo tired. It is 7:15am and I have about 15 minutes to go before I can go home and go to bed!

I have one thing to say...You Better Work Bitch!

Bert — Wed, 16 May 2007 11:02:00 +0000

First person to tell me where and from who you can hear that line wins a...a...something from me!

Over a month since I posted anything...I am such a slacker.

Well, not really, just been really busy.

I started College. I am going for my bachelor's degree in graphic design. I am in my second course of the year. Not easy stuff! I am learning about the neo-classic and romantic age of art history. Then onto realism and impressionism! I even have to do a studio piece! EEK!

Let's see, what else has been going on...

I have scaled back how much I do for the PRC board. Just too much drama and crap to work with, that I just don't care anymore. As soon as I can, I want to move my family out, even if it is to a traditional house.

Riley is growing so fast! He says Ma-ma and Da-da really well and all the time. It is so cute! He still loves to dance!

Well, I really can't think of anything else at the moment. I a ust brain dead.

In my iPod right now:

Downtown...Niki Harris (that chick in the commercial)
Welcome to the 60s...Hairspray (Broadway original cast)
How does it feel...Dolly Parton
My Love...Justine Timberlake (I know...I know...)

It's a Jungle Out There

Bert — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 08:21:00 +0000

Last week my family went to the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

I got off work early, because it was a slow night, and nabbed some Zzzz's before we headed out at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. I did end up napping in the car as well.

We got there around noon, but grabbed lunch at a Culvers to kill sometime. We couldn't check in until 4 p.m., and our neighbors (whose idea it was to all go together) didn't leave until an hour behind us. So we all got to the resort at about 1-ish.

First, this place is massive. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk from once side to the other.

Our room was ready, but our neighbors condo, was not. So we unloaded and then met them at the indoor water park (again, another massive area).

We played in the water for a few hours, then we all headed back to our room. to rest, relax and get ready for dinner. Amy and I headed down to the lobby area to do some shopping, check email (no wireless in the rooms) and get some sweets.

We then headed back and gathered the kids and took them over to the condo to our neighbors for dinner.

After that we headed back, settled in and watch "Night at the Museum" on the pay-per-view. Kids loved it. Then we went to bed.

Thursday we woke up, had some breakfast in the room (we brought stuff). Then went downstairs and let the kids do some pottery painting. Basically, you buy the unpainted piece, paint it and then they glaze it, etc. So the kids each did a coaster and Amy did a big pasta bowl.

We then went to the condo for lunch, then Riley and I headed back to our room for his nap and my school work, while the rest went to a full day of swimming! I met up with them when Riley woke up, we then took a break for dinner, then headed back for more swimming. Around 10:30 we went back to the room, order the new James Bond Movie, and Amy and I and the girls went down to a bar/restaurant with our neighbors for drinks and appetizers. Then went back to our room to bed.

Friday morning, we had breakfast at the "Great Karoo", then packed up our room, headed down to the Game room (like a chuck-e-cheese), then picked up our pottery, the girls got a hair wrap braid done, and then we went home.

Before we headed home, we stopped and had dinner.

That was our trip. I will post pictures on here shortly!

Back to School

Bert — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:09:00 +0000

Well, it is official.

I am going back to school for m Associates Degree. I had never graduated from college, so this will be a first for me! Wish me luck!

I start April 2, taking online classes. I'm a little nervous, but excited!

I have to take a placement test for English and Math...ick.

Not too much else is going on.

What!? The Weekend is over already!?

Bert — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 08:54:00 +0000

Well, I didn't get anything done that I wanted to this weekend, but I had fun!

Friday night I went to a scrapbook crop and I worked on sorting all my digital photos. Amy didn't want to go, but she came anyway to help me...she is so nice.

Saturday I woke up and caught up on some of the iTunes TV shows I watch, while I worked on Mikayla's Baby book.

Then our neighbor friends asked if we wanted to go out with them for some drinks. Actually their littlest one asked Amy is she wanted to 'go out' with her dad. It was cute and funny!

We went out to Old Chicago and had drinks and appetizers. We then headed out to Roberts on 10 and saw the band Minds Eye. They were pretty good.

We then headed home and went to bed, where I slept for 12 hours. Didn't wake up until after 4 p.m. I then logged on to WoW and played with my brother-in-law for a few hours.

I then watched another iTunes show and then went to work, where I am now....doing nothing. There just isn't any work to do.

Not much else is going on. I have a Communications Meeting this week as well as a meeting with the city.

I recently discovered a podcast theater. They do various stories, but I am listening to their Section 31 files. You can find them over at Darker Projects.

Miss Lady DJ

Bert — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 10:05:00 +0000

She's got her Gemini mixin with a funky crossfinger and her two 1200s just ready....to let us....have it!

The title of this entry is from the current song I am listening on my iPod. RuPaul's Miss Lady DJ. From her first album. A great song to get down and funky with.

Well, I have so much to update everyone on. I don't even know where to begin.

I have been elected on the Board of Directors for the Cooperative. So I will serve for three years as secretary.

Scout and Sneakers were taken into the Vet today.

Scout has nothing wrong with him that the vet could find. We were worried, because he used to weigh 25 lbs. and now he ways 9 lbs. The doc thinks he may have a thyroid disease, so his metabolism is running high. If we fix the thyroid issue, he could have kidney failure, so we will leave the thyroid and just keep an eye on him. He also has arthritis, so we have to make sure he doesn't have to jump to far for anything. (Translation: Lots of carrying and babying the poor kitty!)

Sneakers we brought in because he had this lump growing on the back of his spine. And it got big. They believe it is cancer, but to tell if it is benign or malignant would cost $1000. To treat it would cost even more. So we are leaving it. They think it is benign, because if you touch it, it doesn't bother him. If it was malignant, it would be painful. So we need to watch him and if it becomes painful for him, then we know it will be time to put him to sleep.

Riley is just a walkin everywhere! Sometimes he runs. It is so cute to watch him walk all over the place. Nothing feels better than to have your child walk to you with their arms outstretched. And he loves to make sounds! Any kinds, as long as they are all different!

We want to plan a trip to Disney World next year and the Disney Cruise. We need to save like $14,000 dollars to do the trip we really want to do.

We would also like to buy land and move our home onto it, with a basement. I still want a Dome home, but that may have to wait...

Hmm.... I really can't think of anything else. I thought I had more than that... oh well.

A Blogger's Assignment... Things that mystify me

Bert — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 08:00:00 +0000

I'm not a writer in the least bit, and I don't blog as much as I probably should, but I thought I would give this assignment a try.

So... the thing that mystify me...

Ya know, when I signed up for this assignment, I didn't think it would be too hard to come up with something. I mean, my wife mystifies me, my kids, even my very bizarre and often dysfunctional relatives mystify me.

But what really mystifies me. Hell, for that matter, what exactly does mystify mean? Lets take a look...

mys·ti·fy [mis-tuh-fahy] –verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.
1. to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely.

2. to involve in mystery or obscurity.

Umm... Okay... now I am a bit more confused...

cre·du·li·ty [kruh-doo-li-tee, -dyoo-] –noun
willingness to believe or trust too readily, esp. without proper or adequate evidence; gullibility.

Hmm... that wasn't really helpful... Lets try again...

mys·ti·fy (mst-f)
tr.v. mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing, mys·ti·fies
1. To confuse or puzzle mentally. See Synonyms at puzzle.
2. To make obscure or mysterious.

Okay, that makes better sense. Even though I like to think I know everything, I don't.

Seeing that second definition, I think I'll choose to talk about my wife. She puzzles me mentally and she is also obscure and mysterious. But what exactly about her mystifies me?

One thing I don't get, is why she does things a certain way even though she knows that another way would provide better results.

For instance, she will swear she told me to do something or gave me a piece of information, that apparently was vital, even though I am pretty sure she never did.

Okay, I will admit, that most of the time she probably did tell me. But, my brain is very full. I have to take care of the bills, the budget, I am on the Board at my community's cooperative, as well as the chairperson of a committee, I work 3rd shift, I help my son with cub scouts. I mean, I can only retain so much. There are established rules to presenting information to me in my family:

You must have eye contact. This is crucial! If I break away, then you have lost my attention and need to start all over. I can have full on conversations with people, but if I am looking at something else or my computer, then I am on auto pilot and not listening to what your saying. I am just giving our established responses to questions, "uh-huh, That's fine, whatever you decide, yes dear" those kinds of things.
You need to have me repeat back what you have said, so you know that I have it all and that it is in my brain somewhere. But again, with eye contact, I have been known to repeat things back when on auto pilot.
You probably should also write it down for me or have me write it down and place it somewhere I will constantly see it. Post it on my computer is handy, or set an alarm on my PDA. Email works best!

Okay, Looking at the above makes me seem like I am really incompetent. I'm not, but for vital information, those steps should be followed.

Sad part is, my wife knows this! We have had full discussion of this! But she never follows through on this! So how can I be at fault for forgetting things!

It also doesn't help that she has a photographic memory. She uses the argument that she never forgets anything I tell her! But yet, that same memory doesn't work for her when she has to drive somewhere for the second or third time. Go figure!

Another thing that mystifies me about her... I don't get why she decides to 'play dumb' whenever it involves showing her something on the computer.

She used to program computer code with her mother when she was a teen, yet she can't figure out how to sort a column in Excel, or other beginner functions. No matter how many times I tell her either. I think she does it so that I will get fed up and do it for her. But this woman strives on efficiency, so wouldn't it be efficient for her to do it herself?

And last but not least, I don't get how she is allowed to say or do stuff, but if I try to say or do the same types of things, I get in trouble! We're equal here, so I should be allowed to swear when I stub my toe!

The more I think on all this, the more I think she does these things just to get to me.

Matter of fact, I think she may have actually told me that once or twice... but I don't think she had made eye contact, so I can't be sure on that.

Even though my wife mystifies (okay... annoys) me on the above, I love her and wouldn't change a thing!

Other's who are participating in this assignment:

kmsqrd
Jen Mathis
Alley Katt
Ziji Wangmo
Hooray For Saturday
Groanin' Jock
Blue Witch
Tim
ally bean
Rayne of Terror
BD
Dan
Mary
Tish
Phil
Tricia
MsShad

Updates

Bert — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:13:00 +0000

Haven't written in awhile... need to update you all on:

My weekend at Terri's
Tax money spending
Being sick
My crummy life

I think I have a few others as well.

Good Mornin... Good MORNin'...

Bert — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 09:40:00 +0000

Good Morning all you people that are asleep as I write this.

I was out of town last weekend. Went up north to my Sister-in-law's house for the final Family Christmas on my wife's side.

Oy Vay. That is all I am gonna say. We had our fun moments, but, oy vay!

The kids did put on a pagent. That was cute. I use dmy projector to cast a background for them to use. Next year I will take more time and actually create various scenes and stuff!

Nice to be back. I have so much stuff to do though!

Scrapbook night on Friday
Pinewood Derby on Saturday
An online presentation on Thursday
finish up PRC stuff this week

Just a lot to do!

Riley is talking nicely, more sounds than actual words, but he is getting there.

He knows some sign language that Amy is teaching him. He can ask for a bottle, food, more and toys. They aren't the actual signs, but he understands when we sign them and he has his own version (with a sound to go with) to tell us what he wants.

He is so smart too! I can't get over how smart he is for his age!

We have a meeting with the Dean of the Elementary and a few school teachers in regards to Dominic.

They think there is some issues there and I think they need to know how to handle him. His actual teacher had no problems with him, when she went off to maternatiy leave, all of a sudden we are having issues... oy vay!

Well, got to get back to the imaginary work to do here...

A Patriotic Racer

Bert — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 05:36:00 +0000

As promised. Here is a photo of the car Dominic worked on for the Pinewood Derby.

We still need to attach the wheels.

Weekly Rantings

Bert — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 09:02:00 +0000

So, I haven't really written in awhile. So I thought I better add something, before the few readers I do have, decide to leave.

Hmm... where to start.

I go into it with my mom on Wednesday night. I'm not gonna go into the whole thing, but basically it was about money and we cleared up some stuff I reminded her I am not a mind reader. If she needs new clothes or something, she needs to tell me so I van budget that in.

Earlier in the day I got into with my sister too. That I don't want to talk about, but... well... yeah.

I'm am helping Dominic with his Pinewood derby car. As soon as I have a chacne I will snap a photo and post a link to it. It is SWEET! We did a good job.

I showed him how to use spray paint, he picked out what decals and theme he wanted and I got them printed for him. It is all white, with Red, White and Blue decales. On the side is this graphic we found that starts out as a bald eagle's head then merges into blue and white flames. Very cool! He has RWB patriotic wings on the hood and his car number on the top and back. Very streamlined design. All we have to do is a few more coats of clear gloss enamel and then attach the wheels. I have to find out if decals can go on the wheels. Probably not though.

Family Christmas is at Amy's sisters house up north. So, I still have a lot to do before I leave on Friday.

Been playing World of Warcraft. I have three alts that are all at 25. I try to keep them all at the same level. This way I will ahve three alts that all get to level 60 at the same time! The expansion comes out next week! I so can't wait! My main Elephaba will be leveling to 70 first. Then I wil ljump back to my alts. I just gotta figure out how I am gonna get her through the Dark Portal. I haven't been there in awhile, so I am unsure if there is still a crap-load of level 61-62 demons there.

What elese... Hopefully soon my scrapbooking article will be in the Wall Street Journal. We will see. I did get my albums back and they did take some shots.

I fianlly catalogued my comics with this cool program that hasd a massive library it connects too. I just had to enter in the issue number! They also have one for books, games, movies, etc.

Speaking of books. I found a site called www.librarything.com. THIS PLACE IS COOL! They connect to Amazon.com and a few other to compile this large online library. I catalogued all my books in 45 minutes. All I had to do was enter in the ISBN number and I was done! Now I have a cataloge online that I can access from anywhere! And it lets me show you a few of my books in the side bar... very cool! Worth checking out if you have a lot of books!

Not much else for now... May write more when I am up north!

See you all later.

In my iPod (NEW...I even list why!)

Supermodel (There Ya Just Been Rocked Mix)...RuPaul: I love this version. It has 80s FUNK all over it. It starts out space-aged, then goes into some 80s kind of Rockin mix. So very RuPaul! "You Better Work Bitch. I have been playing this all night on Repeat. Thank god I am wearing heaphones and Amy isn't at my work. She would throw something at me for playing it over and over again.
Aquarius...Special Edition: I just love how this chick just belts it. And I can SO sing this song!
Body to Body...Cher: Makes me think of Amy. AND IT IS JUST SO DAMN DANCEABLE! If your quiet, you can even catch Mikayla dancing to this when I play it.
Take Me Out...Franz Ferdinand: I first heard this in Guitar Hero. I love the one place where it does this kaliedoscope of notes. My fingers go 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Really fast. Its a cool song too!

Him... I never liked him.

Bert — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:38:00 +0000

And not to miss out on the other one:

Your results:
You are Riddler

Riddler		57%
The Joker		55%
Lex Luthor		54%
Magneto		51%
Catwoman		51%
Mystique		48%
Dr. Doom		47%
Apocalypse		44%
Poison Ivy		40%
Mr. Freeze		37%
Kingpin		36%
Juggernaut		36%
Dark Phoenix		32%
Green Goblin		32%
Venom		30%
Two-Face		28%

Riddle me that, riddle me this, who is obsessed with having a battle of wits??

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

I don't care for him... I was thinking more along the lines of... I don't know... something else...