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.

see more Political Pictures

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.

Fred Phelps has been barred from entering the UK to spread his message of hate!

Chris Isaak has a new album coming out soon. Anyone that knows me real well also knows I'm a big fan, have been since '89.
How about this, I never got to see the Chris Isaak Show on Showtime, but here's a clip from that show. Chris and Gavin Rossdale singing The Cars- Just What I Needed.

So Cheerios are fun, and great snacks for little kids because they're easy to hold and eat, they travel well, and they're low in sugar and have whole oat grain. Cheerios just came out with their newest cereal, Banana Nut Cheerios. OMFG!

Granted, I may feel differently tomorrow, but I think this is the best cereal I have ever eaten (I have to help Lily since she can't finish a bowl). It is kind of like eating banana bread, only over milk. Smells like fresh baked banana bread too.
Yes, I'm actually thinking about going to the store to buy more milk just so that I, I mean Lily, can have more. But, we'll wait and just have more tomorrow. Wouldn't want to spoil a good thing.

The Men’s Rules

ed. from brian: I will neither agree nor disagree, just thought it would be fun to repost!
Posted on February 6th, 2009 by Kim

These are our rules!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

2. Learn to work the toilet seat. You’re a big girl. If it’s up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don’t hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

3. Can’t talk about it on the air due to program content regulations.

4. Sunday sports It’s like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

5. Crying is blackmail.

6. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

7. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

8. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That’s what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

9. Anything we said six months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after seven days.

10. If you think you’re fat, you probably are. Don’t ask us.

11. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

12. You can either ask us to do something, or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

13. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

14. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

15. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

16. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

17. If we ask what is wrong and you say ‘nothing,’ we will act like nothing’s wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

18. If you ask a question you don’t want an answer to, expect an answer you don’t want to hear.

19. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine… Really .

20. Don’t ask us what we’re thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or golf.

21. You have enough clothes.

22. You have too many shoes.

23. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

24. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;
But did you know men really don’t mind that? It’s like camping

We're just getting done at work, maybe 5 minutes from being done when literally 15 cop cars go chasing down the street with lights a flashing. I live and work in a suburb now, so I can't really imagine Arvada having too many more police cars on the road than that at 10pm on a Monday, so obviously something big is up, right?
We get out of there, head up Wadsworth since I live up that way...nothing. I don't see any of them, and I crest a pretty big hill to get home. And, they couldn't have gone that far since work is at 66th and the city border ends at 88th.
I looked on the news website, nothing there. Strangeness.

I'd just like to note how stupid it is that businesses offering, say oil changes, would be closed half the weekend. Hello, the two days that most people have off and you're closed one of them? I went to go get my oil changed yesterday and two different places were closed at one in the afternoon. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Its a Sunday, most people are off work, don't you want their business?
I don't understand why any retail operation would close on a weekend. Luckily I found a place down the street from my work and got the job done, but boy was I miffed. I want to do a nice thing while my wife is napping, and end up spending an hour just looking for a place to get it done.

I know some of you will enjoy this. An outtake from Yo Gabba Gabba! that isn't making it onto the show because they want their cool tricks bits to have no special effects. Which is funny, because the rest of the show is all about them.

Check it out!Yo Gabba Gabba!