| Category: Site-Based Management | 1 Comment
This is just a test of a new Firefox extension… hopefully better than press-it, which I’ve been using for on-the-go -ebjournal-publishing functionality. It seems to be working alright. Then again, you’ll know it worked if you’re reading this.
If you’re interested, (and why wouldn’t you be…) it seems to work with lots of blogs. Here’s the link:
Performancing.
| Category: In the Reflecting Pool | 2 Comments
As a responsible blogger… I promise to adhere to the following guidelines, as much as humanly possible:
I will not blog in anger.
I will not blog in frustration.
I will try to explain my thoughts and ideas in a coherent manner.
I will attempt to use punctuation in its correct form.
I realize that people not commenting on my blog is not a reflection on my writing.
I will really try hard not to blog when upset at the duplicitous nature of people in the world.
I will write for me, to keep my thoughts and observations organized, and to be able to reflect on my past.
I will not blog in anger or frustration, unless it’s really deserved.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Happy Weekend!
| Category: General, School Daze | 5 Comments
It’s started.
The nightmares about school have begun! Usually they’re about me not being prepared to teach my class, and my cooperating teacher comes in to yell at me. During the overnight between Wednesday and Thursday this week, I had one of the school nightmares where I’m running late for work. This time I couldn’t get the car started, and every time I looked up, I was in a different place. I had 15 minutes to get to school.
As some of the loyal 11.2 readers may know, every year I go through the dreaded approach to school. This year is particularly precious because a) we’re moving in mid-august, b) I’m doing grad school, and c) I can’t get into my classroom.
Tradiitionally, the first week of August I am back in my room getting things ready to go for the highly anticipated students coming into class and being forever scarred from me laughing at them when they say “I’m done!” This year, we had summer school in our building, which prevented the custodial crew from going in and cleaning the room until late last week. So all of my stuff has been packed, and had to stay packed. Our school is also replacing the carpet in the hallway with tile (an acoustical nightmare, to say the least) and so I can’t get into my room anyway. At the end of the school year, the principal said “You may not be able to get into your room until August 15th.” I laughed. (and then I peed myself a little.)
If you promise not to tell anyone, dear Internet, I’ll share a secret with you. On Monday, I “snuck” into my classroom (the hallway floors are down to the concrete, but the tile hasn’t been laid) and grabbed the materials I needed in order to plan the first few weeks of school. I got a little reamed by the head custodian, but he didn’t tell me he couldn’t, just that he would rat me out if anything was wrong with the floor.
So now I have my materials, my shiny new lesson plan book, and my nightmares. And it’s only July 27th! Woo! Let the countdown begin!
| Category: General, EAT | 8 Comments
In my most worthless post of the evening, (which of course will get the most comments) McDonald’s is running their 49/59 cent cheap hamburger and cheeseburger day tomorrow (the 26th). At the risk of giving them free advertising, I’m telling you about this because if I suddenly become unresponsive to IM’s, texts, phone calls, or smoke signals, you’ll know that I actually managed to get one level nearer to nirvana through hedonisitc self-abuse of ‘limit five per visit” rule. Per visit. Suckers.
I have a soft spot for the McD’s cheeseburger. I can’t help it. It doesn’t actually taste like a cheeseburger.
Check in with me tomorrow… let us see if I can resist the spawn of Ronald.
| Category: General, Sports and Wine | 1 Comment
Everything Is Wrong With Me - Iggles Prayer
Usually, I laugh at Jason’s vulgarity and sardonic humor. Tonight, he went in a different direction. Training camp starts this week for Da Bears. Though I won’t go as far as he does in his prayers, it’s entirely possible that Frank the Tanks, Dave Jo’s, Ralph’s, and my prayers might look a little something like his. Considering I had to watch the Bears’ last trip to the Super Bowl in Miami (wearing Bermuda shorts, and socks pulled all the way up to my knees), it would be a nice change. Also, SI ranked the Bears as the number one defense. (Well, via fantasy football anyway.)
Are you there, God? It’s me, a Bears fan.
| Category: General, Exploring, All about me, In the Reflecting Pool | 3 Comments
It’s possible that my dearth of posting (ten days is a long time for me these days) is related to the fact that last week, I had class from 9-4, and then needed to work out. It could also be because this weekend TLEMK and I drove 800 miles to see people that I could legally marry, yet still fall within the family tree.
The 66th Annual McIntosh Family Reunion took place in Medina, Ohio, which is about 45 minutes south of downtown Cleveland. Medina is home to one of V’s first cousins, which are actually more rare than me staying on a diet without potatoes for more than a week. TLEMK has a grand total of three first cousins on her mother’s side, and almost two on her father’s side, bringing the total to five cousins. With only four total on the maternal side, and with each of them living in different states (California, Illinois, Ohio, and Virginia), it is only about once every three-five years that they’re all under the same roof. But by attending the reunion this weekend, you would never know that these people rarely see each other. This reunion has been taking place consecutively for the last 60 or so years. That means every year, there is a family meeting, with minutes taken, debate over next year’s site, the treasury of the family, letters and updates from those who can’t attend, and this year, singing! To someone who didn’t grow up with family reunions, and had many, many, many cousins around (at least fifteen, and don’t even get me started on my stepdad’s family), it was a little overwhelming to see the display of family-ness and togetherness that these people shared with each other for a weekend. Thoughts and reflections:
The McIntoshes are organized.
There is a minutes log of each family meeting dating back to 1939. It’s been passed down all this time, complete with photographs stuck into the journal. There is also a family album that has pictures of the reunion, and original family members. Some of the photos date back to 1906, and they’re all organzied chronologically, and have everyone’s name in the caption. For the record, I debuted in the family album at the 2001 family reunion, as the official photographer for the offical reunion photo (not married or blood related, not in the picture.) This was my first year being in the photo itself.
There is also a family tree that nearly ran the length of the garage wall. It’s always really helpful to study it, because you *almost* figure out how you’re related to everyone there. First-cousin, twice removed is pretty closely related these days in the family.
Many a McIntosh Age Well
Whereas the original reunion pictures revolved around the the original eight children of Charles McIntosh, (TLEMK’s great-grandmother, Marie McIntosh {Barker} was the oldest girl) they have all passed on. Their children are the oldest generation now, and Lord, are they a collection. The twins, Wes and Les, at age 70-something,(74? 75? 76?) along with their sister Eloise, who is in her early 80s, are probably some of the most engaging people there. Wes and Les were seen playing Frisbee, catch with a baseball and glove, and at one point during one of the frequent downpours on Saturday, I saw Les actually running through the rain. Their cousin, David McIntosh pretty much dominated all conversations. At 82, he brought his violin to lead us in church hymns and folk songs after the family meeting. He lives in Bloomington, and was a music teacher for years and years, and still plays viola, guitar, and sings in the Bloomington Chamber Music Association. Apparently he’s also very spry. When asked by V what he and his wife were giggling about, he had no problems saying, “Sex. It’s pretty much what I’ve thought about for most of my life.” At least his wife had the decency to blush. The fifth cousin there, George McIntosh, had a strong handshake and a twinkle in his baby blue eyes, despite the fact that he’s using a walker these days. Looking back in the photos from the late 40’s and 50’s, he was definitely the hunk of the family. (Is it weird to have a man-crush on someone from fifty years ago? Just asking…)
The five first cousins were seated prominently in the middle of the picture, with us riffraff off to the sides. Missing was cousin Dorothy, who promised to try to make it next year (more on this in a moment.)
Where Everyone Knows Your Name
Despite the murky relationships, and the fact that they only see each other maybe once a year, everyone knows everyone in the McIntosh Family. The aforementioned cousins, except for David (who I met that day), all greeted me warmly, like we’d just seen each other last week. It was heartwarming, and that’s saying something for someone as cynical as I am. The atmosphere was that you could pick up and be part of that family, as long as you’re willing to bring a dish to pass, and have a great time. It was truly remarkable. At the same time, it was a little bittersweet because it makes me realize that my families don’t get together nearly enough. Sure, we’re there for weddings and some holidays, but I’ve never felt this seeming-closeness that this family gives off. Maybe I’m making it up, but they all knew each other, and cared for each other. It made me want to get to know my cousins better, and my family members better. I suppose their’s nothing stopping me, but it feels weird. “Hey, person that could potentially donate bone marrow to me, wanna go out to dinner?” I’ve just never been that comfortable putting myself out there, and I guess I need to if I want to capture the idea of family. (Mom, Mrs. Waj, this would be an excellent topic for you to weigh in on, either online or offline). We topped off the evening by sitting around the fire pit with V’s cousins, talking and drinking into the night, mostly about family and how they can be messed up. (Not mine; I had relatively little to say, which is always a shock to my mouth-muscles.)
More Sweet Than Bitter, Bitter Than Sweet.
As the older generations started to leave, I watched with dread as the twins loaded their elder sister (who is now in a wheelchair) into their motor home. The three of them do not have any children or grandchildren, and they live together by themselves in Wisconsin, on their parent’s land. These three are independent, but they are slowing down, and I worry about them and their ability to stay independent. Who is going to take care of them? Les is in the best shape, but he won’t stay like that for more than four or five more years. During the meeting, TLEMK and I bravely put our name in the hat to host next year’s festivities (which also include expanding the reunion to a mini-vacation for people; you’ll hear more of that down the road), and everyone thought it would be a great idea for us to host. I could only wonder if all six of the eldest generation would make it to the festivities; at this point, it seems like they will, but who can say? I know it’s depressing, but I wasn’t the only one to notice it. It was commented after the meeting that us having the reunion will centralize it a bit more for the elder generation, making it more likely for them to attend.
Looking Forward
Next year, we are hosting. THAT is a scary thought. I’m full of ideas and organization now, but will I be when January rolls around and I have to start sending out the information? Hopefully, yes. Plenty of familiy members offered to help out. Know this: The week of July 16th-July 22nd will be full for me next year. I am already mentally blocking other things out. I’ll also be soliciting ideas for organized activities that can span several generations. It should be a great time, but lots of work.
How do you feel about family reunions? Have you had experiences with them? Comment and vote!
Thanks for listening.
| Category: General | 5 Comments
Here are the updates, with a more thought-provoking post(s) coming up soon….
1) The quest for grilling mastery goes well. I stunned TLEMK with my grilling of the round steak, using my own marinade, and the tried and true “sear it on both sides for less than a minute, then move it to the lower heat” method. Combined with a revamped broccoli recipe, I seemed to be moving in the right direction. She swooned at my manliness.Tonight I’m trying a butterflied pork chop. Mmm, butterflies.
2) I continue to wallow in the dungeon of 11th place in my fantasy baseball league. I managed to pull off what I consider an excellent trade two weeks ago (over the over-hyped All-Star break). For the price of a Francisco Rodriguez and a Mike Lowell, I got A-Rod. Now, I want to point out that A-Rod traditionally heats up in August and September, but seeing as how Yankee fans are slow-roasting him in every situation, I feel it would be in poor taste Suffice to say, I lost again last week, even after beating Frank the Tank in a short week schedule in the previous week. Now I’ve got nagging injuries from Andruw Jones, Troy Glaus, and Jered Weaver. Along with the fade out of my secret weapon, Nick Swisher, I’m going to have to make a huge turnaround to make the playoffs.
3) It’s been busy around here. We’re closing on our house on Monday, though when we take sole possession of it remains what the local law likes to call an “Unsolved Mystery.” 
4) I need to pack and clean. This place ain’t gonna move itself!
P.S. Take that, Cindy!
P.P.S. Thanks to Cindy and Minneapolis Red Sox for reminding me that I’m supposed to be writing.
| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight | 0 Comments
Good day to you, fine peoples.
Currently in my area, 90, degrees, under HOT skies. Sloth-like conditions will continue well into the late afternoon. Don’t move, or you’ll have to reapply the deodorant.
Had a great time with the O’s last night at the World’s Largest Block Party, also known as The Home of the Two for One Beverage Ticket Charade, in Which you Give the Ticket Collector One Ticket and Give the Bartender Two Cups to Fill. Worked like a charm everytime. Only TLEMK stopped drinking beverages early, and I was consistently “stuck” with two cups. The result is a blurry picture, blurry calls to friends, (Hello TW, Zigzag, and Frank the Tank), a blurry train ride home where
the iPod was the saving grace, and a blurry attempt to drink water. This morning I took V to the train station, and came back in an attempt to sleep a little more. However, sales people, and the cat’s hairballing caterwaul made that a tricky endeavour. I turned on the TV, and settled on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. (What? I need to keep in touch with my students’ interests.) What finally got me out of bed was the stupid Build-a-Bear commercials; three of them in one half-hour show. For some reason, they drove me crazy and got me out of bed to share with you.
Let the healing begin.
| Category: General | 0 Comments
Originally uploaded by bonemuse2004.
Cake at worlds largest block party (…)
| Category: General, Random | 0 Comments
So, I’m watching season one of Weeds, which is great for a multitude of reasons. I’ll go into it at a later time. Two quick things:
1) The youngest kid is a dead ringer for one of my students last year. He acts like him, has the same religion as him, and even though he causes a lot of trouble, it’s impossible not to like him.
2) One of the episodes mentioned getting a double-double. That can only mean one thing: In ‘n’ Out.
Now I’m looking up airfare to California.
| Category: General, EAT | 3 Comments
Like it or not, married life has settled into predictability for me and TLEMK. We enjoy the same television shows, similar books, she loves baseball and football like I do, and we make fun of a lot of people for the same reasons. (Though she judges more than I 
). One particular tradition of excellence that she and I have maintained through our seven-year courtship is our fascination with meat. Yes, TLEMK is a red-meat kinda gal. I thank her father for this, as he has actually had grill tongs surgically implanted into his right arm for ease-of-use. I enjoy red meat too, though I did not grow up with it, and I still don’t really like hamburgers all that much (McD’s cheeseburgers do not count, and IN n’ OUT is an exception to the rule. Mmm, exception…) Nevertheless, I have discovered that a nice cut of cow flesh ranks way up there in celebration foods. Accordingly, TLEMK and I have this odd tradition of going to steak houses on our anniversary, or Valentine’s Day. Our first anniversary was spent at Gibson’s Steakhouse. Last year, I grilled steaks for us as we had our vacation in the Smokies, and my 27th birthday was at the Chicago Chop House (great strip steak!) For Valentine’s Day this year, we visited Morton’s steakhouse, home of the live lobsters that make TLEMK shriek. (They bring the cuts of meat out at Morton’s along with live lobsters, which V does NOT like. She has fishues.)
When I broached the subject of our anniversary dinner this year, she was not impressed with my desire to go to another famous steakhouse chain; Ruth’s Chris. She felt like steak might have been done enough times, that we might want to move on to something else.
She was wrong.
OhMyGod Steak is the only way I can describe the taste of Ruth’s Chris. We both had ribeyes, her being the lady’s cut at 16 oz., and mine being the “cowboy” cut at 22 (bone-in on mine.) The Chris steakhouse philosophy is to cook their steaks at 1800 degrees (Farenheit) and use only salt, pepper and butter. They then heat their plates to 450 degrees and put more butter on the bottom. The result is a sizziling steak cooked perfectly every time. It was ridiculous. This was after our seared ahi-tuna appetizer and beefsteak tomato salad, both of which were delicious. I could go on for a long time about how good this place was (and slightly more affordable that Morton’s or Gibson’s) but the next time you see me, you just need to ask me about Ruth’s Chris, and the glazed look will tell you enough. I am converted. TLEMK was converted too.
I think our tradition of meataversaries will safely continue.
Where’s your favorite place for a hunk of red meat? Please feel free to answer the poll (or by adding your own answer to it.)
Thinking about OhMyGod Steak is slightly bittersweet, gentle readers. I have to make a confession to you, and it is because I love you all that I am comfortable admitting my faults and foibles.
I am not a grillmaster.
Sure, I can roast hotdogs and bratwurst, and I know chicken is five minutes on a side. But I am not proficient in the fine art of grilling steaks, and I’m more than a little ashamed to admit it. Fourth of July was saved by Marc, who is a grillmaster. (He made some of the best steaks I ever had one weekend about a month ago. Olive oil is the key.) I know I need to get better at grilling. I now make this pledge to you, gentle readers:
I will grill at least once a week for the remainder of summer, and I will not, I WILL NOT, be afraid to grill red meat.
It is a tough course, I know, but I must do so in order to continue to woo (wu!) my lovely wife.
To help me, I will occasionally ask you, friendly readers for help, in the form of frantic phone calls at dinnertime. I hope to eventually rely on Meathenge, a great new site I found tonight dedicated to grilling. I hope that Marc is ready to take me under his wing to teach me the fine art of smoking, for I am determined to be become a grillmaster.
| Category: General, Entertainment Tonight | 0 Comments
“Hullo?”
“Hello.”
“Hell-oooo!”
“Hullo.”
“Hi.”
“Hullo.”
“Hey-Hey!”
“Hullo?”
“Hullo.”
“Hullo”
Hullo?”
“Hullo.”
“Hullo”
“…”
“Okay you win.”
This is the much-abbreviated version of the “Hello Game” that Stuck and I play anytime we call each other. The first person to not say “Hello,” or “Hi.” loses. We play it often, to the annoyance of anyone within hearing distance.
Tonight though, I found the ulimate “Hullo Game” champion.
Riiiinnnnnnnnnnnnggggg!
“Toll-free call. I’ll get it, honey.” I always am the gentleman.
“Hello? Hello? Hello?”
“Hello, this is an important message from Sallie Mae about your student loan…” (obviously recorded)
“Hello? HELLO?!!”
“Hello, this is an important message from Sallie Mae about your student loan…”
Wait, did that just start over?
“Hullo?”
“Hello, this is an important message from Sallie Mae about your student loan…”
No way.
“Hullo?”
“Hello, this is…”
“Hullo?”
“Hello, “
“HELLO?”
“Hello,”
“HEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOOO?”
“Hello, this is an important…”
“Daaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmnnnnn!”
“Hello, this is…”
I gave up. I never would have won.
*************
Really, I have posts kicking around. Just working up to it.
| Category: General, Music and Movies, Entertainment Tonight | 2 Comments
Just got back from Superman Returns.
A) I heard Brandon Routh was hired because he looks like Christopher Reeve. I don’t think he was hired because of his acting abilities. He said, and I’m sure you can find this on the interWeb, about 200 words for the whole movie, including a speech that was recited at the beginning of the movie.
B)Kate Bosworth= Lois Lane, if she were still in high school. The Smallville incarnation of Lois has a much bigger pair of cojones. Yes, I watch Smallville. I also watch So You Think You Can Dance? We’re not hear to talk about that. We’re here to talk about how….
C) Kevin Spacey did not get enough lines in the movie. Interestingly enough, he seemed to get more screen time than anyone, and still didn’t manage to develop his character. I would guess this is because we are supposed to ‘know’ the characters, and how they react. In fact, the movie really seemed to lack dialogue and developed characters throughout, which surprised me for a Bryan Singer film. (X-Men, X2 had at least some dialogue, and he’s a producer on House, which is very, VERY wordy. And good. It even got nominated for an Emmy)
Overall, I will continue to go see these kinds of movies, because even if they’re not cinematic masterpieces, they are fun summer movies. And if you haven’t seen Batman Begins, you really need to.
TLEMK liked it, I felt very ambivalent towards it. Next up, Pirates of the Carribbean 2.
**********
Still to come: My thoughts on the state of the DMB nation, and OhMyGodSteak.
| Category: General | 1 Comment
I heart baseball.
Originally uploaded by bonemuse2004.
Beautiful day at the park.
| Category: General | 4 Comments
No work today!
Originally uploaded by bonemuse2004.
I love baseball.
| Category: General, Techie, not Geekie, Random | 1 Comment
This post is really for Kenny, but hey, y’all can read it too, if ya want.
Just got back from DMB @ Alpine, more on this soon. For those of you that read Woot, you might have seen this (only good til midnight tonight), but it’s funny for two reasons:
A) It mentions So Taguchi, who Kenny cheers for everytime we mention the Cardinals, and
B) It talks about Kenny. Not our Kenny, but eerily similar.
Kenny, are you working for Woot?
(I posted the entire column here, because the woot info disappears when the next day’s Woot comes up)
Laptop Networking for Dummies
So, Taguchi: you wanna take your laptop and hook up a printer, a keyboard, a mouse, an Ethernet cable, and so on. Sure thing, chief, no problem. As long as you don’t mind connecting and re-connecting all that stuff every single time you take your laptop anywhere. Must be nice to have that kind of free time, not to mention that kind of patience. On with the dance of a thousand hookups!Or you could get a docking station and reduce it to one simple connection. Oh, but make sure you get the docking station that’s made specifically for your model of laptop. If you can afford it, that is. If you can find one. If it even exists. Happy hunting!
Like the infomercial pitchman says, “There’s got to be a better way!”
And that better way goes by the name of Kensington Portable Universal Docking Station 33055. You can call it Kenny on accounta you got an honest face. Just plug Kenny into your laptop’s USB port, hook up your doodads and whatzits to Kenny’s many ports, and enjoy a lifetime of one-hookup laptop networking. Not a human’s lifetime, mind you; more like a typical kangaroo’s lifetime.
Kenny boasts two USB 2.0 ports, two PS/2 ports, and one port apiece of the parallel, serial, and Ethernet RJ-45 varieties. He’s clean, discreet, doesn’t eat much, and gets along with any laptop with USB capabilities. And when you and your laptop gotta fly, Kenny waits patiently at home for your return. Warn your spouse now: with this kind of service, you might just wind up wanting to marry Kenny instead.
Warranty: One year
Features:
- High-Speed USB 2.0 is up to 40 times faster than standard USB 1.1
- Instantly converts your notebook into a desktop workstation – enjoy the comfort of an external keyboard and mouse or high-speed Ethernet access
- Plug-and-play functionality: One simple USB interface connects you instantly to your keyboard, mouse, printer, network, and many other USB device
- Slim, compact design
- Dimensions: 7.0”L X 1.0”H X 2.375”W
Ports:
- two USB 2.0
- one Ethernet RJ-45
- one parallel
- one serial
- two PS/2
Includes:
- Universal Docking Station
- Manual
- CD
Windows Requirements:
- Windows XP with Service Pack 1
- Pentium processor or equivalent
- Hi-speed USB 2.0 port (Docking Station will function on USB 1.x port but only at USB 1.x speeds)
