Boy, I really am lost. All this talk of a public option, or no public option. Federal insurance company to compete with private insurance or not. Wasn't the original discussion about overhauling the US healthcare system?
I was looking at something more like in the UK, or Canada. Now we seem to be talking about keeping it the same, just making sure people have insurance. Which won't work, because unless we can control health costs, the gov't (and the taxpayers) will end up paying through the nose.

What do you say? I actually haven't been by in a few days. I'm sorry. I know, I said I'd be around. Its a habit though, you've got to get yourself back into it. Nothing much new going on around here.
Baked ravioli for dinner tonight. Yum!

My wife made her triumphant return here earlier? Should I do the same? Its a bit more friendly in certain ways than the ol' FB.
Been picking up the pieces, little ones keep falling off, but what are you going to do but pick up and keep moving? After losing a mother and a brother within a week of each other, realizing that I really have no choice but to find a new job (even if mine isn't in jeopardy), and Katherine's car dying this weekend, its certainly interesting.
Now, let me find my mojo. I know I left it around here somewhere!

My mom passed on this morning, thank for those well wishes I/we received with my last post. She was always looking forward to one day becoming a being of luminous light, was actually a Reiki Master her last few years. I'm sure she is actually overjoyed with her new state of consciousness, and looks forward to one future day sharing this new existence with all her friends and family.
For me, I've been rather numb for the most part. I broke down earlier, I actually had to go in to work because my manager doesn't understand HR. I broke down crying, luckily I could feel it coming and got off the floor. It passed, and I realized that its going to be okay. My mom is gone, but I never expected anyone to stay around forever.
Much better tonight. We took a drive up to Estes Park and saw the elk. I'm good.

My mom has a body that is shutting down. The things they're trying to keep her going need to be done more and more frequently until one day they don't work any longer. Its the way of the world.

My dad has cancer, prostate I think. I think he may have skin cancer as well. He doesn't want to undergo chemo, preferring to enjoy the last couple of years the lord told him he has.

My parents will both be gone soon. I've accepted it, and yet I haven't fully come to terms with it. I saw them. They look old. The last time I saw either of them, a few months ago, they looked like old people but they didn't just look old like they do now. Mom's face is all teeth now, false ones of course. Dad has some strange growth on his head and I don't know if he even realizes it.

I'm not sure how to come to terms with it because it is so alien.

She had her 24 month check-up a couple of days ago, and she's right in line on size...for an average three-year old. Awesome!
Weight: 29#
Height: 3' and a quarter inch.
And she still has a big Precious Moments noggin at 20.25 inches.

Boy, she's definitely getting into the "terrible twos". Lots of crying, but no tears. Lots of assertiveness, she wants what she wants. Ugh! The good thing, according to her doctor, is that this kind of things helps her become a more effective communicator. We just need to remember that we're in charge, and its give to provide her with options rather than just telling her "No". Good times!

When at first my eyes
did notice,
I knew of beauty.

When first my lips
did kiss you,
I was smitten.

When first into your arms
you took me,
I knew the warmth of love.

Indeed, when in your hand
you took my ring,
in marriage,
my heart became no longer
my own.

bka 2009

SO its official, Natalie Portman has been cast as Jane Foster in the upcoming Thor movie.

I just wanted to say Happy Canada Day to all my northern friends!

I get home from work tonight and what does Katherine tell me? Lily used her potty for the first time tonight! She stripped off her diaper (which has been frequent lately, telling me she's aware of when she either goes or has to go) and said "Tinkle." "Does Lily have to tinkle?" "Yes!"
And then she sat down and did it. Diapers are not cheap, people. This is an awesome development, and definitely one of those we want to mark down! :)

My peeve of the day is veterans that are more proud to tell you they're a vet than show you they're a good American by their actions.
The ones that have the bumper stickers and the license plate that tells you they're are an Honorably Discharged Veteran, maybe some of those magnetic ribbons stuck to the truck for good measure. And they drives like assholes. And/or throw trash out the window like no one has ever heard about the environment, or that maybe only un-American Lefty pinkos actually think we're killing our world with pollution.

I know, I'm not perfect. I know that no one really is, too. That doesn't mean that I'm not going to try my best to actually follow the laws of the land I love. I'm not going to drive 50 in a 35 zone no matter how much you want to ride my ass. I'm going to be upset because you're telling everyone around "Look at me, I'm a veteran! I love my country more than you, but screw its stupid laws. They don't apply to me!" That leaves me sour.

Hey Brian, listen up! This note is for you because writing stuff out helps it get stuck in your brain and that's important. You made a realization, congratulations! Everyone tends to think about what others are going to think when they do something, but you realized that you really let that get in your way. You do your best work when you just do something because you enjoy it, not because you think anyone else will. Heck, even if people don't like something so much, you do! If it makes you happy. Oh god, I just sang Sheryl Crow, where's some mouthwash?
Yeah, it may stem from childhood, but adult you needs to get over it. She may not realize it, but that's what your wife was talking about, ding dong. You hold onto stuff. You may not have gotten the praise or approval you wanted as a kid, but is there any real reason why you should still be trying for it in adulthood? You're almost 40 years old, for chrissake. Where has that attitude gotten you?
Your artwork, people like it or don't (and usually they do). Are you making it for anyone, or because its calming? You have some great story ideas, what are you waiting for to start writing? So what if they end up just as a diversion, its a hobby right? Those are good. Don't feel bad about taking a little you time. Seriously.
Do some more photography, heck, work with some of the photos you've got. Its fun. Break out your film camera, get used to it again.
Oh yeah, and lose some weight already, sheesh! Do you like carrying around a spare hundred because its comfy? Or are you just lazy? Try this: pick up a hundred pound weight, carry it around for a bit and set it down. Feels good not having it, huh?

Sincerely (and I mean that),
Brian

I was working the other night, as per usual, and overheard some customers. I've been trying to figure out how to write about this and come up with something funny and concise. Nope, but here goes anyway.

Man, to be the teenager I was back in the day, only today. I'd be in heaven. Table full of young, good-looking girls. Dancers. I was actually thinking to myself how I probably would have been all tongue-tied and checking them out if I was 17. I was shy. And now I have hot wife. How does that happen?
Anyway. If I'd been my 17 year old self, the main reason I wouldn't have tried to strike up any sort of conversation was the lack of stuff in common. They would have considered me a geek the minute I opened my mouth. Okay, this wasn't really how it was, I actually had many female friends (some of which were actually hot) and although I did some geeky things, I wasn't a geek. For the sake of good storytelling, I'm embellishing.
I was into comic books, and sci-fi, some of the pseudo-alt stuff. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles come to mind. I got one to hang on the car window in '89, long before the movie made them popular. I still remember the giant Japanese robots. They'd change from some random object into, well, a giant fighting robot. Chicks weren't into those kinds of things.

Guess what? They are now! These girls? They were talking about the new Star Trek movie, and looking forward to the new Transformers. And, OMG, Wolverine was so hot. They were even talking about the first X-Men movie. I was shocked. More than that though, I was relieved, even joyful for the teenage guys today because the stuff we once loved but had to keep amongst our geeky friends is now popular! No, you don't want to bring that light sabre to school yet, or wear your Starfleet uniform to gym class. One day, though. You'll see!

Gosh, even Van Wilder himself, Mr. Ryan Reynolds is playing Deadpool in the Wolverine movie. Oscar winners in Iron Man? Oh, to be 17 again!

And yes, I do realize that there were some girls interested in that stuff way back when, but you guys were seriously in the minority. I'm sayin'.

If you are a big fan of this show, American Idol, then please feel free to read something else because I am going to share an opinion that isn't too friendly. If you just don't get it, then you go ahead and ( Read more... )

I knew "of" Iron and Wine, but never really knew much about the band other than my friend Shalom has been a big fan forever. So when Katherine and I got to the show the other night, our first at Red Rocks I'd like to note, I had no idea that Iron and Wine was a guy. Didn't figure that out until halfway through his performance when it dawned on me that must be so, since if there was an opening act soloist, he was really staying on stage way too long. Had to be the other act on the bill that wasn't the New Zealanders we'd paid for.
Maybe I should go back a minute. Did I mention that this was our first show at Red Rocks? ( Read more... )

Proud dad/husband alert! This was at our Easter Egg Hunt at Grand Rabbit's, last Saturday. Comments not necessary, I'm just proud.

What was the number one record the day you were born? Here's mine:

Find your results here and find your video.

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Blizzard conditions expected in the metro area

Its snowing like mad outside. Last week we spent most of the week in the 70's. Of course, its spring now so we have snow. Not that this makes any sense, but what can you do.

I'm pimping out a friend's band. Not because they need it, but because they deserve it! Check their upcoming shows, if they are coming to your town then you should see them! Kristin is one helluva singer. And makes a mean cappuccino.