Thursday Thirteen #19

THIRTEEN REASONS WINTER SHOULD BE OVER.

1) Snow

2) Ice

3) Cold

4) Windchill

5) Flu Season

6) Winter coats

7) Heat Bills

8) Gray skys

9) Depression

10) Coughs

11) Sleet

12) Driving to work in snow, sleet and ice.

13) Scrapping ice off the windshield

Call Me Grandpa!

I am a grandfather again. Tonight at 8:22 p.m. my daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Alyssa Brooke. She weighed 6lbs. and 9.6ozs. and was 19 inches long with big beautiful eyes and dark curly hair. I will have more pictures in the coming days I am sure!

Call Me Daddy!

No, this is not a posting about the 20 year age difference between DJ and I and how I'm his big gay daddy. Actually we have never even thought of ourselves as that way...well except that one time we went camping and the people camping next to us thought I WAS his daddy...

This is even more entertaining than talking gay stereotypes. I came into work today and was immediately accosted by my beautiful "work wife", Paris. (Not her real name, but Paris is her hero)

"I need to talk to you..." She says with that I've been up to no good look in her eye, and that smile that could melt a thousand hearts. Did I really want to hear this? Before my first cup of coffee? Okay I took the plunge... "what?"

"I had a dream about you last night. And I'm not sure what this means, but... we had a baby together!"

THAT, I was not expecting. "Really, and what was it, I mean sex wise?"

"A girl, and we named her Matilda." The cubicle partner of Paris overhears the conversation and chimes in... "OMG If you two had a kid, it would have to be gay." What gay men can't have straight children? I hate to kill another gay stereotype, but I have four children, and they are all straight. Well not any of them have came out if they are gay, and with a gay dad, you'd think they'd be pretty open about that.

Me a Dad?? That is really scary. And even though Paris is an extraordinary and amazing woman in order for us to have a child we would have had to... well let's not think of that. She did say however that the dream was only about the birth process and not the conception.

So, Paris and I have a child, our darling little Matilda, that we will call Mattie. I ask you, as Paris asked me... Just what does this mean??

Late Night

Now that the Oscar's are over I will return to my regularly scheduled programing. Sorry but I am an Oscar addict. I know way too much useless information about the Academy Awards. But anyway...

I am still awake and it is almost 2:00 a.m. I can not sleep tonight. I tried but it just will not come. So I decided to play WoW (World of Warcraft). Now that DJ and I both have a computer I seem to playing more often. It is so much more fun playing with him. Sleep just will not seem to hit me tonight. I suppose I have a lot on my mind.

The weekend was not long enough. Went out Saturday night to celebrate DJ's Birthday (Which is Wednesday, which is now tomorrow) with some of his co-workers. Had a really good time, even though most of his friends are at least 15 years younger than I am. But when your partner is 20 years younger, that tends to happen. hey, it keeps me young! At least in my mind, now my body is a different story.

Tomorrow I will have news!! My new grand-daughter will arrive Wednesday at around 6:00 p.m. What happened to the good ole days when the sex of your child was a surprise as well as the date and time of their arrival? I will be sure to upload new pictures. As it stands right now she will be named Alyssa, but we will see if that remains once she arrives.

Well, the late night is coming to an end, I MUST get to bed, 6:15 will come awful early....

Best Picture 2007

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.
See all the results over at Oscar at a Glance. Where I did a live blog.

or just check them out right here...

Best Costume Design: "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"
Best Animated Feature Film: "Ratatouille"
Best Makeup: "La Vie en Rose"
Best Visual Effects: "The Golden Compass"
Best Art Direction: "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"
Best Short Film - Live Action: "The Mozart of Pickpockets"
Best Short Film - Animated: "Peter & the Wolf"
Best Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"
Best Adapted Screenplay: "No Country for Old Men"
Best Sound Editing: "The Bourne Ultimatum"
Best Sound Mixing: "The Bourne Ultimatum"
Best Actress: Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"
Best Film Editing: "The Bourne Ultimatum"
Best Foreign Language Film: "The Counterfeiters"
Best Music - Original Song: "Once"
Best Cinematography: "There Will Be Blood"
Best Music - Original Score: "Atonement"
Best Documentary - Short Subject: "Freeheld"
Best Documentary - Feature: "Taxi to the Dark Side"
Best Original Screenplay: "Juno"
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"
Best Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, "No Country for Old Men"
Best Picture: "No Country for Old Men"

Live Oscar Blog!

Go over to my Oscar blog and check out my live Oscar night blogging!
Oscar at a Glance

80th Annual Academy Awards!

I'm SO Over It

Winter, that is. I'm over it! Yesterday morning I left my house at 6:45 a.m. and arrived at work at 8:50 a.m.!! I normally have a 42 minute commute.

I remember as a kid being so excited when it snowed or we had bad weather and the schools would be closed, but now as an adult and I do not have the luxury of hearing my business' name being called off on the morning news, it's just not as fun anymore.

It seems as though this winter when we do get the bad snow or ice it's not AFTER we get to work, or even the night before so that we can go to bed with the knowledge that we will not probably go into work, or just sleep in a little later until the nutcases get to work first, it hits us right during morning rush hour traffic!! WHY? What have we done to deserve this curse?

Again this morning I had to fight ice and the elements just to get out of my parking lot at our apartment complex. I arrived at work only 10 minutes late this morning, but I still had to deal with all that undo stress of driving in the shit!

At least my employer did allow us to leave early Thursday evening before the weather got really bad. My sister in law left her job at 4:50 p.m. yesterday evening and did not arrive home until 9:10, so I will stop bitching. Thank goodness March is only 7 days away.

Thursday Thirteen #18

Don't ask me why but this is all that came to mind for my Thursday Thirteen post today...

13 Things That I've Had In My Mouth But Will Never Go There Again!

1) Pet feces. I did that once (as a very small child) and I do not remember it, and I really don't care to find out what it was like.

2) Brussell Sprouts. My mother made them for dinner once and made me sit at the dinner table until they were no longer on my plate. It was dark when I finally left the table.

3) Orange Peel. Have you ever tasted it?? For something that tastes so good on the inside, it is really gross tasting on the outside!

4)Chewing Tobacco. No, It is not that same as smoking!

5) Old Milk. Not on purpose... Need I say more? And no, it does NOT taste like cottage cheese.

6) Dirty Underwear. The Where's, Why's and How's will not be revealed.

7) Lego's. They get stuck in your throat VERY easily.

8) Chocolate Covered Jalapeno. You'd think someone that was addicted to chocolate as I would minded, but WHEW, it was an experience.

9) Shampoo. I was half asleep and went to brush my teeth and grabbed the wrong bottle. I know I don't see how, but I was still asleep.

10) Zest Soap. Mother had her way of keeping us from using filthy language.

11) Beef Jerky. Have you ever noticed that the more you chew the bigger it gets??

12) Orange Marmalade. See #3, Same thing.

13) Mary Jane Candy. Some mean old woman in our neighborhood ALWAYS gave a handful of those out at Halloween. GAG!!

What about you? Anything you'd prefer to never taste again?

Presidential Weekend

No, this is not a posting on my political views. I do not do that often on my blog, and there is a reason. One I will not go into, however I did finally make my choice on who I will cast my vote for in the Ohio primary in March.

And again I will not give my reason as to why, but Hillary has my vote...

Now onto the real posting of my blog today. I had a three day weekend due to the observance of President's Day. The last three day weekend until Memorial Day! I did very little. Actually I did very little all weekend. My boys, J2 and AT were here and we sat around playing WOW most of the weekend.

We did go out for a birthday celebration for DJ's cousin, Brit who turned 18. I ate way too much, came home and passed out watching Fracture.

Sunday I went out and bought a new vacum cleaner. Exciting huh? I had to. The old ones were just wore out and were not picking up all the cat hair, and god forbid if I carry my cat's fur to work with me. It had to be done. It's Dirt Devil and I am quite happy with it, even though I only vaccumed one room so far.

Today I slept until 2:00 p.m. Yes, you heard right. But then again I didn't go to bed until 4:00 a.m. (Something else I will not give the reason for...) Then I went to visit "Midget". She had surgery on Tuesday and she is mending at her mother's. Her mother is just fantastic, had a great dinner prepared and we had a great visit. Midget is doing well and will be back at work in a few days barring any complications.

So, there you have it. My weekend. Not real exciting I agree, but it was President's Day, what does one really do on this holiday anyway?

Pleasure You Want, Protection You Trust

Is this not the greatest Ad you've seen?? This guy is really excited. He really wants you to buy these condoms, you can just tell from that smile upon his face! If you look closely in the background it looks like they are in big demand too, a few women are checking them out, and that older guy in the glasses pushing the cart looks like he is contemplating this purchase very methodically. "I wonder what ultra ribbed means?'...and lubricated too, hmmm"

I think the clerk has had his teeth whitened, what do you think??

Splintering Off

Isn't funny how families begin to splinter off? I remember as a child that my mother and all her sisters would meet at their mother's house almost every Saturday. Of course over time the Saturday visits began to slow down, then it was only at Christmas and now that my grandparents are deceased, we rarely see our aunts, cousins, etc. Everyone has their own families and own list of issues, problems, jobs you name it.

My own brothers and I over the years have splintered off, even more so now that we have grown children that are either married or in college.

It has even happened within my own children. My daughter lives in Northern Kentucky, which is about 45 minutes south of my house. Her brother (my oldest) lives north of Cincinnati, about 45 minutes north of my house, and my two youngest still live with their mother who lives in Oxford about 40 minutes Northwest of my house.

Now the splintering off is becoming even more. My daughter called Wednesday evening. I thought maybe she was in labor, she is due anytime. But no, she called to share the news that her husband got a promotion and big raise. That is good news. The way things have been going for them, it is finally time they caught a break, financially. But, they will have to re-locate.

It's not like it's on the other side of the country, they are relocating to Columbus, Ohio. This is about a 2-hour drive. The bad news is that they are going to have to be there March 1. My daughter is due for her caesarian section on Feb. 27th. Nothing like relocating is there?

Families do grow, and as they grow they begin to splinter off into their own branches, going their own ways. It all happens pretty quickly too. But that is the way life is supposed to go.

Thursday Thirteen #17

Thursday Thirteen & Happy Valentines Day!

THIRTEEN REASONS FOR VALENTINES DAY

1) Chocolate!

2) Craft stores need to reduce the inventory of their red, pink and white crepe paper.

3) To totally humiliate all the single people.

4. CHOCOLATE!

5. What else would we call the St. Valentine's Day Massacre? The February 14th Massacre? That just does not sound as menecing.

6. Another reason to spend your hard earned money on someone else.

7. Seriously, do you really want heart shaped balloons? Or Balloons period for that matter.

8. Another day for women to be pissed at their husbands for forgetting another "special" day. I bet it was a woman who came up with this idea, what do you think?

9. Chocolate...

10. What else would department stores place in the center aisle between Christmas and St. Patrick's Day?

11. A good reason to take your special someone out for a ridiculously expensive dinner.

12. Hallmark needed a filler between Christmas and Easter.

13. To remind us all that it does really feel good to remember those that you love. And to also be remembered by those that love you.

American Idol 24

Here are this years top 24 American Idol Contestants...

Back row, from left: Alexandrea Lushington, Robbie Carrico, Jason Castro, Danny Noriega (striped shirt), Brooke White, Amanda Overmyer, Michael Johns, David Cook (bandana), Luke Menard and Carly Smithson (standing far right).
Bottom row, from left: Chikezie Eze, Colton Berry, Asia’h Epperson, Kady Malloy (seated, black dress), Joanne Borgella, Ramiele Malubay, David Hernandez (seated, front), Amy Davis, Alaina Whitaker, Syesha Mercado, Jason Yeager, David Archuleta (seated), Garrett Haley and Kristy Lee Cook.

I have to say I am pleased with the choices this year of who made it, well except for maybe Carly Smithson (dubbed by Simon as "The Irish Girl") early reports are saying she had a huge record deal back a few years ago with the same label that randy jackson worked for, while he was there, a sure fire reason for an elimination. But my picks currently are Syesha Mercado, David Archuleta, Brooke White and Michael Johns for the top 4.

By the way did you hear the Writer's Guild strike is over?

Time For A New Look

If you've been a reader of my blog over the past 4 years, you know that it has went through a lot of changes. Remember the "Man of the Week" postings!? You also know that I change my header about as often as I change my bed sheets. (yes it's often!) Maybe you even think that I like change. Not normally. I am a man of routine. Every morning it's the same thing. I set my alarm for an hour earlier than what I need, I hit the snooze button every 9 minutes for another hour. (it is amazing the dreams I have during those 9 minutes!! but that is another complete post). I then almost literally crawl to the shower, for a 20 minute shower, usually on the dot. Yes, I have a clock in the bathroom. Then shave, dress, get my breakfast together and head out the door. I arrive most of the time at work at almost exactly the same time every morning. Except in those few occasions when I hit the snooze one too many times.

I say all of this to try and drive home the fact that I am a pretty stable routine kinda guy. Except for my blog. I am always looking for a great theme or a great banner or something that will catch the eye of the reader. I almost always add a picture to each post that is somehow related to that posting. So when you come to the blog, you really have to look around to make sure it is the same blog that was here the day before. Yes, I change it that often sometimes.

I've even tried to be seasonal. That got old really quick.

Well I got a new computer with a great new 17" flat screen monitor, so my blog looks even bigger. (at least from my perspective,...but isn't that always the case with men??) With the new computer there were also some new pre-installed programs, one of which added some new features to my Paint Shop Pro program that I have used for years. So you may as well get ready. As I have created a whole slew of new banners!!! Maybe I could post them in one of my upcoming postings and let you all vote for the one you like the best and maybe I will be content for a while. I really like this one, alot. I think I will keep it for a while. Let me know what you think of it, would you. That is if I keep it up long enough for you to have a chance to see it!

I have also updated my blogroll (Other's Realities) took off some dead links added some great new finds, check them out. I may plan on highlighting some of my favorites in the future. Just don't start reading them and forget all about me!

And this is for all the girls at work...

The Enigma

Here's a band that's no one's ever heard of, not even my work wife!! (my source for all the latest/coolest music)...and she's never heard of this album, because the band doesn't exist. This is part of a meme that I snagged from someone out in the blogosphere.

If you want to play along, here's what you do:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2.http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

Get creative with whatever graphics/photo editing program rocks your world, and combine steps one, two, and three and voila!

15 Again

Oh to be 15 again....

Not Me! I hated being 15. I was gangling, acne filled and just not quite put together yet. Nothing like my youngest son who is 15 today.

Happy Birthday Son!

Two Times a Charm?

Yeah, I got it again. The damn flu! twice in less than 30 days. It hit me Wednesday while at work and I thought I had actually beat it, but by 8:30 my fever spiked to worlds unknown and I was actually hallucinating! Was in the bed, out all day Thursday and most of the day Friday. Aches, headache, fever, the big D word, chills, sweats, no appetite and just plain drained of any energy whatsoever.

Finally today I was able to sit up without getting dizzy and actually took a shower, as I am sure I stunk. Unfortunately DJ also got the bug, even though he did nurse me all day Thursday, by Friday he too was in bed. We were a mess. Now I am dealing with the blah feeling and some aches, and severe congestion and coughing, but hopefully the worst is behind me. It has hit our area hard, several people at work have been out, and DJ's employer had to cancel a meeting due to all his employees that were sick.

Let's hope that this is it for the flu and me this year. I can not afford anymore sickness!!

Thursday Thirteen #16

THIRTEEN THINGS I COULD NEVER GIVE UP FOR LENT.

1) Showering, after 40 days one would really become rank.

2) Texting, isn't amazing how much we rely on the newest technology already?

3) Sex, need I say more?

4) Cottage Cheese! You know how I love cottage cheese. I so wish Chiptole would carry cottage cheese.

5) SIMS 2, yes I'm a geek.

6) Movies of any kind, DVD or in the theater. Sorry just can't go 40 days without a good cinematic indulgence.

7) Blogging, even though sometimes it seems like I go 40 days with out posting anything.

8) American Idol! Yes it is true, I have become addicted, and during it's hiatus I even watched the American Idol replay shows. Pathetic, I know.

9) Work. Honestly I could not give up work for 40 days. Number one I'd go mad, and number 2 I'd loose my job.

10) Talking to DJ, hell I can't even go a day without talking to him...actually not even a few hours.

11) Internet, that goes without saying I suppose.

12) My vehicle, could you imagine having no personal transportation and have to depend upon public transportation, you know that is the great equalizer.

13) Pizza, Chocolate, Biscuits, Eggs, Hamburger, DJ's desserts, you know all those things I am not supposed to be eating due to my diabetes. Hey can some one fix me a Margarita!?

Oscars Coming Soon

Every year (for the past ten years or so) I have tried to predict the winners of the Academy Awards. Some years I do very well (last year) and other years, not so well. This year I am giving it another try. So here are my preditictions for this years Oscar winners:


BEST FILM: No Country for Old Men


BEST DIRECTOR: Coen Brothers for No Country for Old Men


BEST ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood


BEST ACTRESS: Julie Christie for Away From Her


Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem for No Country for Old Men


Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett for I'm Not There

BEST ANIMATED FILM: Ratatoullie

(updated Feb. 10, 2007)

For more about this years predictions, and the Oscars go to my OSCAR SITE HERE!

MattZac or Perryfron?

The latest news on new and upcoming films is that Matthew Perry and Zac Efron are going to be making a film called, "Seventeen". The movie (a comedy?) will be something alike the big 1988 hit with Tom Hanks "Big", but instead of a teen turning into a grown man, it will be reversed, a grown man will turn into a teen. Kind of like that hit a few years ago with Jennifer Garner I suppose, 13 Going on 30. Hottie Zac Efron will play the teen who turns into Matt.

Now "BIG" was one of my favorite movies, and I loved Tom Hanks in that film. Matthew Perry is one of my favorite TV stars and I have seen EVERY episode of Friends, at least once. And you have to admit that Zac Efron is a "hot" upcoming star. But all I want to know is which one is seventeen????