What I Did On My Vacation. Part One.

Yesterday at 4:05 PM I walked out of Building C, and started my first extended bit of time off since starting my new job. Extended being more than one day. I had gotten two emails from Krista earlier in the day, one telling me to get beer, and the other stating that Elsa was ill. A sick child is not the way one generally wants to start their vacation.

Come to think of it, neither is not having beer, but fetching beer on a motorcycle when you haven't planned ahead isn't the easiest thing to do. So, vacation started with two marks against me.

When I got home, Elsa had a fever between 103 and 104. I sat with her for a while, and napped. We finally got her to eat something, and off to bed.

Krista and I settled in and started watching The Darjeeling Limited. About thirty minutes in, I heard Elsa moaning, and I went in to check on her. She grabbed ahold of me, and I brought her out to the living room to sit with me for a while. About four seconds after sitting down, with her facing me, she threw-up. Then she did it again. And again. Two meals worth.

After getting Elsa cleaned up, and my shower to wash the chunks out of my chest hair, we finished the movie. My least favorite Wes Anderson so far, but that is still pretty good.

This morning when I got Elsa up her fever was pretty much gone, and she was in a much better mood. I asked her if she remembered getting sick last night, and she laughed as she said "Yes, on your shirt."

Dancin' Fool II

She Kicked My Ass Again...

Yes, I am still here

But I've been busy, what with having just graduating from Wartburg and all...

(Click on the image for full size)

Tambourines and Elephants

I'm sitting here tonight playing poker, and listening to CCR Chronicle Vol.1 on headphones. Man, them's some nicely produced/engineered records.

A Photo Blog of Her Own

For her birthday, we gave Elsa a cheap (like, really cheap) digital camera. Krista has started a blog to share some of the results. I present to you Elsa's View.

Catching Up

I'm getting there...

Something that Doesn't Get on My Nerves

The other day on The Current's Morning Show (OK, that does get on my nerves), they played this:



I may have posted this before, but if I did, it's good enough to do again.

Meanwhile, Back at the Bat Cave

I really have been taking a photo every day. Really. Sometimes several. I'll get them posted soon. Really. Like Monday. Really.

Are you effin' serious?

I hate WikiHow's "How to of the Day."

Here is the "How To" that was on my Google home page today.

How To Visit a Microbrewery.

Step 1. Locate a microbrewery
Step 2. Find out when it is open
Step 3. Enter
Step 4. Find an employee
Step 5. Take a tour if they give them
Step 6. STFU.

Do people seriously sit around and think "Oh, I should write an article on how not to wear-out flip-flops, I bet there are thousands of people agonizing over that. It is my duty to help."

Maybe I'm even more of a misanthrope than I thought; maybe people really do find this crap useful.

Missing Time...

Somehow I forgot to post the photo for February 4. It is now up, as well as a photo for January 4.

Updated

Well, I finally got around to posting almost two weeks worth the photos on 366. I'll try to stay more on top of the posting.

Dancin' Fool

I Need XM Radio in My Car

I can't handle radio morning shows. The Current plays some pretty good music, but the hosts of that show make me want to stick sharp objects in my eyes.

'cause I ain't got enough going on already...

So, I started another blog. I am such an idiot.

Tasty Goodness in the Mail

Just before Christmas I received a package that contained this.



I think I'll wait 'til spring to open it. I'm thinking some boneless country style ribs, maybe some chicken... Thanks Mark.

Christmas Questionnaire

Sean tagged me with this one, and since I'm in a giving mood, you know Christmas and all, here you go:

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends."

1. Wrapping or gift bags?

Both

2. Real or artificial tree?

Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree?

Krista puts it up, usually on Thanksgiving, or the day after, while I am working. Likely will change next year...

4. When do you take the tree down?

Shortly after New Years

5. Do you like egg nog?

Meh.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Not sure, but I think it was Christmas, how can you top the Millennium Falcon? Oh, or maybe it was my bike...

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yup.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

A muffin splitter, but my grandmother was already dealing with Alzheimer's. At least I hope she was.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Krista always takes care of that, and sometimes it is a letter, sometimes it is an e-mail. Usually a letter.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?

A Christmas Story

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

We usually try and have it done before Thanksgiving, but that hasn't happened since Elsa arrived.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Krista makes these great chocolate rum balls. But, again, not since Elsa arrived.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

I like the white, but right now we have all red, which I like better than the multi-colored.

14. Favorite Christmas song(s)?

Tough to say.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Usually the weekend before is with Krista's 'rents, and the weekend after is with my family.

16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Yes, but I won't.

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

No. See 15.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Trying to get anything at the mall or Target. But that is only if I absolutely must.

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?

No.

21. What do you leave for Santa?

Nothing yet.

22. Least favorite holiday song?

Tough to say.

23. Favorite ornament?

I don't think I have one.

24. Family tradition?

Not really.

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services?

Yes.

Now, I am to tag seven people. I hereby tag the first seven people that read this. After you have read this post, say so in comments and do your duty. We're working on the honor system here people, so no cheating, it's Christmas after all.

I'm Free!

By the end of this week I will no longer work in broadcast television. I am going to work for Thomson Find Law, and will be creating video content for their websites. I know, it sounds exciting, making web videos for lawyers, whooooo. But, I'll have better hours, better pay, and I will be picking up skill that will be useful in the direction I want to continue. We'll see how this goes.

Answers

You may have noticed that I have left some questions unanswered here. Well, time to rectify that. Dave, the Wovel is, well, here. And here. And here. It is a wondrous thing. After the fist big snow, it took me less time than it ever has to clear the drive and walks. And it didn't take any longer than it did for my neighbor to do his with his snow blower. Actually less time if you count the time he took to get it running. And it was quieter. And I didn't have to buy gas.

OK, It May be a Crappy Song...

but Johnny Paycheck summed it up. Details to come.