Amish DUI?

This struck me a a little funny, seeing as no one was injured. My question: shouldn't the horse have had his back and stay between the lines? What kind of wing-man is that? Did they even check the horse for being under the influence.

Hoarders

Have you seen this show Hoarders? Holy shit!

On one level I can kinda understand the inability to throw things out - constantly worried that one will need certain items in the future or finding sentimental attachment for everything.

But then this one lady had saved her used adult diapers for over 2 years! Oh my God! It was absolutely revolting! I'm just glad I don't have smell-o-vision.

What a sad illness.

Caught!

For the most part I don't mind driving the piece of shit 4-door Infinity company car until I am seen in it by an old friend; like today.

Is that shallow?

3 Months

We've passed the critical 3-month stage and the doctors are very pleased with how things are progressing. We're estatic as well, of course.

Awesome Day

Monday was an awesome day! Wanna know why? By my calculations its the longest possible time until the next batch of leaves fall that need to be raked up.

Sunday was 67 degrees out and sunny. So I spent it raking and transporting leaves to the curb. Fun, huh?!

I work all week to look forward to the weekend. I went to college so I could have a better job than something tedious and manual. Yet -- I spent my weekend doing something tedious and manual.

Sheesh!

Two Great Tastes in One?

Surprisingly, Gummy Bears and Iced Coffee don't go well together. Whoda thunk it? Ick!

Life Is Good.

Played some late season golf at a terrific club yesterday with some friends. Brisk out but tons of laughs and the course was most impressive. We followed it with some pizza, beer and blackjack at the Connecticut's other casino. I won $35 too. Life is good!

Weekend in a Life

Since hours are down for dealers at the casino I've been giving away my Friday nights to have more "weekend". In other words, the casino business is slow, so they've cut many dealers hours to 3 or 4 nights which means those that depend on dealing for their livelihood are always looking to pick up days which makes it easy when I want to give one away. I've given most of mine away since July. Now that the weather's crappy, I won't be giving as many away.

This past weekend went quite typical to most of mine lately:

Friday night I picked up The Little One from her after school program and after cleaning up the kitchen and living room we got into a game of Monopoly. She wanted to play in front of the TV since some show was on that she wanted to watch but I know she would be all distracted and the game would take forever. She acquiesced. It didn't even take an hour and just as we were finishing up Mrs. Nouveau came in from work. We had plans to shop, eat and see a movie but she was later than expected; as usual. No real biggie.

Anyway, my new truck doesn't have built-in GPS like my Honda did so we went out and purchased a portable one. Turns out, she wanted to buy me one for my birthday, which was the beginning of September. However, she ended up giving me some money and I picked up the balance since the one I wanted cost more than what she planned to spend. Or me, for that matter. Its nice though.

Then I treated them to Friendly's for dinner. I told TLO that their food is "for kids and old people" and she thought it was absolutely hysterical. Really, I don't care much for their food, but the girls were pretty happy with the decision, so I went along with it. And everybody loves Sundae's right?

We skipped the movie because it was already 9:15 by the time we got out of there.

Got home, watched a bit of baseball and hit the hay a bit early - even had some "quality time" the older female in my life *wink*.

Played golf Saturday morning. Even though it was about 39 degrees out, I like playing this time of year. There's few players on the course and its usually just my brother and me and we fly through the round and have a bunch of laughs in a less "competitive" atmosphere. Which was a good thing, because I played crappy.

Once home, the Mrs. went shopping with her mother for the afternoon which I thought was pretty cool. TLO and I had to exchange the GPS because something was wrong with it, so that took awhile and when I got back I tried to nap but the fucking phone would NOT stop ringing. TLO loves to answer it too because I would usually let it ring through to the answering machine. I really hate that thing. After failing to nap, TLO and I played another game of Monopoly. I LOVE playing with her. Its so much fun.

Then it was shower time and dealer time. I was tired Saturday night at work so I wasn't as hyper as usual. I did have one asshole player who I rooted against. He kept buying in for more so as I pushed the chips towards him, as usual, I said "good luck" but each time decreased the volume because he was down over $2000 in less than 30 minutes. He told me "no more good lucks! There not working". Like THAT was why he was losing. Douche Bag! Also, I hated how he talked to his wife. "Go away! I can't concentrate! Can you just leave me alone!" Therefore, in my mind, every time I drew to 21, I chuckled. Fuck him. He didn't seem the type to tip anyway. A guy I had later won over $6000 and he tipped me $200. Now there's a guy I can root for!

Home at 5 am, slept until 11:30 which is pretty late for me on a Sunday. It was rainy and snowy and miserable out so a good day to sit around and veg out. Mrs. N. took TLO to see the movie - Where the Wild Things Are. I really didn't have much interest in seeing it and the reviews I saw kind of killed it, so I begged out. Give the Mrs. and TLO some quality time together. The report I got was the movie wasn't that great anyway (at least from the adult perspective).

What's a guy to do when he has the house to himself? Why, turn up the amplifier and wail on his guitar for a bit. Then watch football and eat greasy Monte Cristo sandwiches. Really, that sums up my day. I dozed off watching baseball around 9:30.

Exciting huh? Typical weekend for me.

3 Things About the New Girl

We have a new girl (woman) working here. She's going on about 3 months I guess. Nice enough lady, but what I don't like:

1) Perfume smells like Citronella. Is there a way of telling someone nicely that you don't like their perfume? Probably not. But I really do hate it. However, I haven't been bitten by a mosquito since she started here. So I have that going for me.

2) Worked here 3 months so far -- missed 7 days already! Seven! And she doesn't have any kids! Then she tells me how she eats right and works out all the time. I should think it ain't working! Down a Big Mac and sit on the couch for the night if it means you can get your ass to work! I bet I haven't missed 7 days due to illness in 20 years here! I'm sure of it.

3) Everything you say to her gets turned into something about her. I mean everything. And to the point that you never even finish your thought. Today I mentioned "(The Little One) and I have been playing Monopoly for the past week and last night she finally beat me. Its so cute watching her learn a new game and its really helping her math...." Then she interrupts! "Oh, I love Monopoly! I used to play all the time, but its been years *blah* *blah* *blah". I never finished. I zoned out her side of the conversation after a time and grabbed some paperwork and sauntered to my office. And if I have to hear about how she's single and 36 and struggling with money any more........

My wife thinks people who do that don't really know how to have a conversation. She's probably right. I have no problem listening to other people's interesting stories and such, but when it kind of stamps onto my side of the thought -- especially before I finish it -- I find it very off-putting.

Oh well.

OMG! Hahahahahaha

I just saw a 30-something-year-old Hispanic man, carrying 25-30 pounds too many, wearing a belly shirt at a convenience store. I found it hysterical and horrifying at the same time!

Kiss

Couple snaps from Saturday night. Concert was okay. Buckcherry opened for them and they were pretty good as well. Lost $250 playing BlackJack afterwards but had one hell of a burger at Bobby Flays.

Wet Carpet

Yeah, wet carpet! And not the good kind (*wink wink*). Although not a huge fan of excessive carpeting, if you know what I mean. But I digress.....

My new car has wet carpeting on the floor of the back seat. Some sort of leak that I think is coming up from below. Its going in Thursday for them to look at it.

Not even 300 miles on the car and already......

Dammit I HATE when brand new things aren't perfect.

Newest Edition

We needed something bigger (especially since our family is potentially growing again) So I chose this! Plus I can tow with it. I miss being able to tow.

Checklist

Extra Huge Bag-O-Tees: $5.99

New GPS SmartPhone Application (that doesn't work on two courses I'm playing) $32.50

Two dozen golf balls: $40

Hotel, greens and tourney fees: $380

Headed for Cape Cod tomorrow for 5 rounds of golf with friends and family: Priceless

I Love Technology

I love all things technology.

When car stereos came out with the digital station display (105.9) I had to have one. Now they're all like that, but I paid a pretty penny for mine at a time I couldn't really afford it.

CD players, digital cameras, portable phones, cell phones, DVD players, hi-def television, satellite TV, car DVD players, surround sound, GPS, Blue-Ray players, etc. I got them all at the front end of the technology. Stupid really because the costs do come down, but I had to have them.

I was a little late into the Smart Phone thing though. You know, I-Phones and the like.

However I recently got a Blackberry Storm and so far love it! Now, I love it even more. I downloaded an application so that it charts the golf course for me. For instance, it tells me how far to the hole, to the front, middle and back of the greens. It tells me how far the water is away and how far to carry it. And likewise for bunkers and other hazards. (I'll get this prettier version when its available: http://www.golflogix.com/WebSite/blackberrystorm.html)

Man! I LOVE IT! It makes things so much easier and its all on one device. I don't have to purchase a separate GPS handheld designed for golf. I just use my phone that I have with me all the time anyway.

Think they'll come up with an App that will read a green for me next? Or find my ball in the woods? I'll be in line for that too!

Bonus Time

I will receive a nice little bonus in tomorrow's paycheck. Quite unexpected in these times but definitely appreciated (I charged my hotels on vacation). Its in keeping with what I've received in the past. I haven't seen one in a few years and and since we didn't receive raises this year, nice to know they all still appreciate hard work.

How Exciting

I reminded my Little One of a dentist appointment she had last night.

Her reaction? "YAAAY!!"

I need to learn to get so excited about such things. But then, who really gets excited to see their dentist?

What I Did This Summer

Kayaked at Cape Cod
Visited beautiful Niagara Falls
Went on an overnight canoe trip in Maine
Saw the Creed concertAnd, of course, played some golf

Hitler? Really?

Agree or disagree with him all you want, but to compare President Obama and his health care plan to Hitler is a bit much, don't you think? I've seen quite a bit of it on the news recently.

That's precisely why so many Conservative ideas are lost on me. There are good points to be made from the Conservative front just as their are from the Liberal side. And I like to hear counterpoints to any ideas. But there must be a better way for Conservatives to get their points across than fear-mongering and the-sky-is-falling rationale. I realize it drives ratings and gets attention, but the Rush Limbaugh's and Ann Coulter's of the world seem more of a dog and pony show than anywhere near logical debate. They sell books, get ratings and make tons of money. That's fine, but when significant portions of the population buy into everything they say, it seems like a Cult. And that Cult, much like their leaders, don't seem interested in debate much less learning the truth about such matters for themselves. They turn the dial daily to their program and buy into it without question. Its ridiculous. They're certainly not converting anyone, just merely preaching to the choir. And I don't feel their doing much good for their parties either.

Of course, they say Obama supporters are a Cult in themselves. I would disagree on the most part, although a small selection does seem unduly fanatical. However, the majority are people seeking change and are willing to give his ideas a chance. Look, the old health care system isn't working and its getting worse. Ten percent per annum rate hikes cannot continue to be sustained, can they? What's so wrong, evil, and/or socialist about trying a new path? Let's see where it leads and reassess when we get there. MOST people, are still going to be under private health care not unlike what they already have. That message seems to be lost.

As an aside: Isn't primary education socialist on the most part? My daughter goes to a government run school that's funded with Federal, State and Local taxes. Where's the scare tactics and Hitler comparison's regarding that? And, like the new healthcare proposals, the rich will always have their options to go through private means.

I hear talk of getting the government out of health care decisions and on the whole that seems like warranted concern. But is the current solution of huge insurance companies, driven by profits, really better? Are THEY going to look out for us? Hell, many will cover Viagara perscriptions but not birth control? That to me tells me who's in charge of these huge companies. Anyway, its the greatest country in the world with the greatest medical minds in the world. ALL our citizens should have access to it, not just the upper class.

Will it work? I honestly don't know. Will any of Obama's other ideas work? Well, the economy has recovered 40% in 5 or 6 months. Yes, the national debt is alarming but the latest sainted President, Regan, didnt' exactly control the deficit and if I'm not mistaken the only one who's run a surplus, albeit a short-lived one, was Clinton; a "free-spending, bleading heart Liberal". So, lets see how it goes.

We want leaders to lead. Say what you want, this one's leading. Like it or not, he's taken charge from day 1 and has been moving things along quickly. Too quickly? Maybe so. But, lets give him a chance. Certainly he can't fuck it up much worse than it has been.

Lend a Hand, Get a Hand.....

LEND A HAND, GET A HAND. TEAMWORK IS FUN.

Or so says the poster on the back of the men's room door here in my office. It was apparently left there by the company that leased this space prior to us and in the 16 plus years we've been here, there it has stayed.

I'm as a big a team player as there is I think. My philosophy is that if the company is doing well, then I stand a chance to benefit. Of course, that's no guarantee, but if its not doing well, then I definitely won't be benefitting. That much I pretty much can guarantee. So I continually do all I can to maintain, or increase, profitability here.

Having said all that, for some reason I don't get my inspiration from posters hung in public bathrooms. Maybe its just me.

Vacation Plans

After years of some elaborate (read: expensive) vacations, my family and I are taking a rather simple one this year. Since the Mrs. has always wanted to see Niagara Falls, we're going to drive out there and check it out (I've been) and then we're going to hit up Hershey Amusement Park on the way back, although its slightly off-route. We have to be back by Thursday evening to catch the Creed concert since I bought tickets for Mrs. N. for mother's day (stupidly not thinking it was our vacation).

Then, I think we'll head out to Cape Cod and visit my brother and his family for three days or so before driving north so my mom can take the Little One for the next week.

That's all. Nothing crazy or super-special but we'll have fun with it no doubt!

Help! I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

I was walking up the steps at a municipal building and an old, heavy lady had fallen. Two guys were there helping her but I hung around a few minutes to see if there was anything I could do. I really didn't see how I could help except maybe to call for help if she decided she needed any. Then I noticed one guy had a cell phone on his belt, so I trudged by and entered the building.

I still felt weird moving on and leaving the scene. When I left the building like 30 minutes later, nobody was there. I hope she's alright.

Face What?

Convinced I was missing something and at the urging of my brother and a buddy, yesterday I signed on to a Facebook account.

*YAWN*

I don't get it.

Wacko for Jacko

I cannot get, on any level, being soooo distraught about the death of your favorite musician/artist. Ok, he was talented. We get that. And its a shame when someone dies young even if at their own doing. But t0 drop everything to go to a memorial? For a weirdo like Jacko no less? And turn him into way more than he really ever was?

Just my opinion, but it seems these people aren't quite all there either.

Rainy End

Getting rain so often lately isn't all bad.

Things Come in Fours?

First it was Ed McMahon dying. Nice enough guy, but really hasn't been relevant in, what? 18 years? If Donald Trump wasn't bailing him out of his mortgage woes, then I probably couldn't tell you if he was alive or not in any event. How he pissed through all that "Bloopers" "Star Search" and "Carson" money is beyond me anyway.

Then, nearly simultaneously, it was Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

Now, Farrah really hasn't been relevant since when? The twin-nipple poster that many a young man tossed one (million) off to? Charlie's Angels? Or merely being tabloid fodder for her many tumultuous relationships.

Michael, too, has really only been relevant for scandals since, what? 1987? Talented guy, yes. I like many of his songs but he's honestly more known for being a freak and, ummm....shall we say extremely poor decisions, if not disgustingly criminal behavior as of late.

And now comes the death of Billy Mays! Relevant? Hell yeah! From him I learned I can completely clean and detail my car in 3 minutes. I now know I can plant plants, till my farm and erect skyscraper footings with a cordless drill and "awesome auger". I know, too, I can easily chop vegetables in my fly-free, odorless kitchen all the while sprinkling grated cheese from my cheese grater/plate combo. Oh, and I can "Oxy" clean any product known to man.

Billy Mays? Relevant? I think so! Such an impact on my life. R.I.P. Billy.

Bad News

Bad news on the NouveauBlogger home front. We lost the baby :(.

Should be a Beatles Song

Holy shit! I think I just saw the sun!

Was it? Hmmmm......guess not. Maybe summer will make it around Labor Day.

Act Your Age

When I was about 13 my dad took myself and my two younger brothers to a "Make Your Own Sundae" shop. We thought that was the coolest thing in the world!

I explicitly remember using the men's room there one time and seeing black sharpie scrawled graffitti that read:

Flush twice. Its a long way to the hot fudge machine.

I thought that was the funniest thing in the world and nearly fell down laughing. Frankly, its still kind of funny to me.

New and Improved

New layout. What do you think?

Please sign onto the "followers" section too if you like.

Its All Good

The vote went our way in a landslide. All is well in the Nouveau world.

Vote Yes!

Remember that saying: A recession is when your neighbor gets laid off, a depression is when you do?

Tonight there is a union vote in the city and its outcome has bearing on whether my wife has a job tomorrow morning. A job she bleeds for. She works extra hours basically without complaint yet, in the end, employees are dispensable, aren't they?

So her union members vote tonight whether to give up 1/52 of their pay plus raises for two years. Yet they get 4 extra days off. If they vote against it, then 1/4 of the members will be let go in the morning. Rumor having it that my wife will be one of them.

Why her? Because she makes the most money in her particular department. That's how they're laying it out. Its silly thinking too, because a very high percentage (I forget how much, but it might be 70%) of her $63,000 is paid by grants that she obtains! So how much will the city save? And who will be as good as her at getting those funds in the future? Politics lacks so much reason sometime.

Furthermore, I recommended that she and some of the others in her position call as many members as possible in the hopes that they at the very least understand how little they have to give up to save these positions. Also, they needed to emphasize that somebody will be picking up the workload and these already over-taxed employees don't have enough hours to do so. They spent the better part of the day, yesterday, doing that. She felt a bit better after talking to the members, but then, some people tell you what they think you want to hear, but when that curtain closes, vote otherwise.

Get this: my wife is one of those who counts the votes! Isn't that crazy?

On our side, too, is many of the people on the chopping block are beloved by all; my wife included. These are individuals who work for more than a paycheck. They work for the benefits they're doing for the community as a whole. Hopefully, the likability of those rumored to be chopped plays to our favor as well. Certainly, it can't hurt.

We're basically a paycheck-to-paycheck type family and with another on the way, this could be daunting proposition if the vote doesn't go our way. We'll survive, of course, its my nature to battle through obstacles.

We're cautiously optimistic at this point. My creedo is to not worry until its time to worry. Am I concerned? Of course. There's always a significant number of selfish idiots who don't see the big picture and feel "we gave back last time! no more!". The firefighters union voted concessions down thinking the city was bluffing and wouldn't lay off firefighters. That would most definitely be bad P.R. for the city, I'm sure. But if the money isn't there.......

Anyway, think a good vibe our way. It can't hurt, can it?

Baby Daddy?

Scene:

Small Dr.'s office-type setting with large computer terminal and two flat screen televisions. Centrally located is an exam table with low mounted stirrups. The room is cluttered with the usual assortment of exam room items including latex gloves, a wash basin, counter top with many cabinets, a small desk with an ice tea on it, informative posters and pictures of baby sonograms.

In one corner sits a youngish-looking, and ruggedly handsome man dressed in casual business attire.

At the desk sits an attractive, professional looking woman in patterned scrub top with pink scrub pants and sneakers.

Emerging from an opening doorway comes a tall, beautiful woman in full makeup, carefully combed hair and business-professional black and white patterned blouse. She gingerly clings to a paper "dress" that she struggles to keep closed above her dress socks all the while trying not to spill the fresh urine sample.

After handing off the cup to the nurse, and with great trepidation, she attempts to sit on the high exam table and maintain some decorum.

Looking over her shoulder at husband, wife exclaims "Don't try to look at my white butt!"

Nurse (teasingly): Oh, I'm sure he's seen your tushy a time or two before.

Husband: No. But I bet the baby's father has!

Wife: STOP THAT!!

Nurse: Ohhhhh. I'm not even going to go there!

***

Anyway. Six and a half weeks along. Best guess delivery date, Jan 16, 2010. Thank GOD it's not twins or triplets!

Weekend Update

Played a lot of golf. Weather was great at least.

**

Taught my Little One to ride a two-wheeler bike in less than 10 minutes. The three or four times she fell, I caught her. She's been off and running since.

**

I put in a little gym in my garage. A bench, some free weights over a nice pad. Its nice and I really think I'll give it some use.

**

My wife has been so.........HAPPY. News of the pregnancy has just put a complete spring in her step and its awesome to see. I bet it doesn't even taint her 40th birthday coming up in a few weeks.

Weird?

Besides the fact we are not telling anybody about the pregnancy yet, there are a few "non-communication" items that strike me as weird. But I'm sure we'll address them soon enough.

We recently moved The Little One into the bigger bedroom at great labor and some expense. Then at minor labor and great expense we have begun to transform the smaller bedroom into a "craft room" for Mrs. N. Paint, desk, tons of storage, etc. We've only briefly touched on what we're going to do with the new baby. Its a 3-bedroom house. I suppose she (it will be a girl, right?) could go in TLO's room or even the craft room until she's big enough to need her own space. But then we have to figure something out. But we haven't discussed it at all.

We've only recently begun talking about childcare. After TLO was born I was shelling out $246 per week for two years. I can't do that again. We were crippled by it. Plus I spend $133 every two weeks for after school care. As a toddler we moved her into a different program that was quite a bit less. But we make way too much money for her to qualify (we did then too, but they pulled some strings because Mrs. N works in the that field). So we have to figure something out along those lines. Hopefully, they can pull some strings again.

Lastly, we haven't even mentioned names. No big deal. There's plenty of time for that. I think in Mrs. N's head she wants to be "sure" by waiting until she's a few months along before allowing for the excitement of planning. Hence the reason we're not telling anybody - although her best friend knows now due to some extenuating circumstances.

Interesting, too, that Mrs. N. came into the bedroom on Mother's Day to show me the pee strip that said "pregnant". Mother's Day of all days. How cool is that?

She Is

Ultrasound on the 27th. We haven't told anybody yet, although I don't see the big deal in doing so. We're having my parents down from Maine on the 30th and hosting a big family cookout. I think we'll tell all then, after telling the Little One. She'll be sooooo excited!

Is she......???

Could be. Stay tuned.

I Still Suck

I still suck.

In the cold, windy rain I shot 47 last night and got beat 6 1/2 to 2 1/2. I'm pretty embarrassed by my play now.

Oh well, softball starts tomorrow night.

I Suck!

So I had my first night of golf league Tuesday night and I sucked the Royal Big One!

Allegedly I'm an "A" player. That's all well and good, except I tied for 18th out of 22 players!! Granted, I'm only playing one guy and I tied that match, which is the important part, but I barely beat all the "B" players?

Something about trees, sand and water that made things difficult out there for me.

Grrrr.....and I thought I had the game all figured out.

Jealous?

Isn't it nice sometimes to tell others how great your life is to make them jealous? Could be some great vacation or perhaps some freedom you have that they don't. Maybe you have great family or friends or relationships. Could be anything really.

Well, today I want to make all my good readers jealous. I spent the first half of my lunch hour organizing my key chain. Honest to God it was getting rather unruly, what with the new remote for my wife's car, remote for my company car, my car keys and other assorted keys that I'm not even sure what they do.

So I ditched the excess remotes. I can use a key for the intermittent times I drive those cars. I stored the 5 keys that I rarely, if ever use.

I've simplified. Life is good!

Jealous?

New Enlgand Weather

Let's see. First half of last week: Cold and rainy. They even had spits of snow in some sections.

Then Friday, pretty nice - about 70 and sunny. Beautiful Spring day.

Saturday, 92! Sunday 88. Yesterday 89. Today 88. Summer? Woah! Hold on a minute.

Tomorrow - 60 or so. Rest of week, high 50's and showers.

You never know around here, but I'm off to play my first round of golf for my new golf league (we were rained out last week).

Wish me well.

I'm Still Here!

I've been popping in but haven't been posting much. I look at my blog and say to myself "boring!". I look at my very limited readership and say "Yep! Boring other too". So when I get an idea to blog, which seems rare lately, there's not the fire to do so.

Anyway, I've been busy. Working my two jobs. Moving the Little One's bedroom and helping make her older, smaller one, into a craft room for Mrs. N.

I went to Connecticut's other casino with Mrs. N. Wednesday as we both took the day off and The Little One spent the day with her Grammy. Mrs. N. won $70 or so. I lost about $240. We had a good time though.

I've been playing decent golf and have joined a Tuesday night golf league. Softball's around the corner too, but I'm winding down to just one team I think.

Oh, I have 4 yards of mulch to move and place this weekend but the weather will be in the 80's so it will be nice to be outside.

That's all for now. Ta ta!

Rating System

My Little One had her first Little League practice last night. The first time she's done anything related to baseball, actually. And she did quite well.

When I was picking her up from school and telling her how much we needed to rush to make practice in time, she made it clear that baseball was way down on her list of favorite sports. "First, is gynastis (sic), second is golf, third is hockey and fourth is stupid baseball." she proclaimed on our way to the car. Of course, she knows I love baseball and was merely trying to stick in my craw. I get a big kick out of it.

So, on the way home from practice she asked if when we got home we could play catch, practice fielding and hit. Of course I said. After over an hour, we had run out of daylight and begrudgingly headed indoors.

Seems its not so stupid after all. So in her most recent favorite saying, "whatever!".

Later Gator

C'mon, can we finally all admit that Scott was still on American Idol because of he was visually impaired? He seemed like a nice enough kid, but was only marginally talented. Yeah, yeah, he was an inspiration, blah, blah. But, isn't AI a talent contest? He was a pretty good piano player, I guess, but he couldn't sing worth a damn! And that's what it should come down to.

Methinks Anoop is next.

Something to Say

God is my Co-Pilot

Jesus Saves

Believe in the Lord

If You Can Read This God Loves You

Heading in the Wrong Direction? God Allows U-Turns

Take Daily Exercise, Walk With The Lord

Bumper stickers. Personally, there's not much I need to say so badly that I want to make my car look stupid or ruin the paint. And surely, no bumper sticker as yet has the power to get me to church on Sunday mornings.

What I wonder, though, is why are most of the "God" ones on the shittiest cars on the road? You'll see them on a '84 Tercel that's dragging a bumper, but rarely on a new Lexus. Shouldn't the lady in the Lexus have more to be thankful for?

Just a thought.

Conference II

We had our second parent/teacher conference for our little first grader. Things were WORLDS better than last time. I mean incredibly different in every way imaginable. All for the better. So we were very proud and confident The Little One was progressing well.

Should we be concerned, however, that her teacher rather regularly has misspellings and grammatical errors in her monthly flyer? The latest was a hand written poster thingy about snakes where she mentions how they "breath" where it should read how they "breathe". So, its not really a typo.

And in my kid's world, teachers trump parents knowledge-wise. Eventually, I'm sure that willb e the case. But not YET!

Hey Lady!

So my buddy John is eating at the mall foodcourt over the weekend. After he opened his Subway sandwich, he realized he forgot a straw or something so he went back to the busy counter to retrieve one.

Upon returning to his table, he was amazed to find a 50-ish heavy set woman sitting at his table and and preparing to eat his sandwich! Or at least as he tells it.

He yelled at her asking what the hell she thought she was doing and she said something along the lines of she thought someone forgot it, insincerely apologized to him and sloughed off.

S0 then he sits down and starts to wonder how much she may have pawed it and whether he should even eat it or not at which time he notices she left a shopping bag from one of the boutiques under the table. Obviously, in her haste and/or embarrassment she left it. He could still see her re-entering the main part of the mall but was so steamed he decided against chasing her to return it.

So he friggin' kept it! I was in hysterics as he told me the tale!

To The Point!

Looks like my little first grader is getting that reading and writing thing down pat (except for the word "when" I guess). I'm thinking, however, that charm school might be in order.

Scammed

So the guy that dinged the wife's car isn't even an authorized driver of the van. He's restricted from its use. I'm guessing its his wife's van and he as a Drunken Driving conviction or something and that's the only way she could get insurance.

Who knows? We're pissed. Their insurance is denying coverage, of course, so now we're debating suing him. Its always one thing or the other.

OCW

OCW not OCD. Since I'm an Obsessive Car Washer. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm insane. Its not at all uncommon for me to be washing the car in 38 degree weather. Furthermore, I've spent many, many lunch hours cleaning my car. Therefore, it was no big surprise to find me outside yesterday washing Mrs. Nouveau's new car (I did mine on Saturday).

And one of her fog lights is cracked. Bummer! New cars suck in that one worries so much about every little thing to happen to them. Plus, she had a new chip on the hood from a tiny rock no doubt.

After cleaning it all shiny I went inside and dropped the news about the fog light to her but secretly decided the poor woman could only take so much, so I neglected to mention the hood chip. She bummed upon my news and mentioned the hood chip which I admitted I noticed too. But then she did a curious thing: she never checked the fog light. Later in the day we used the car and she never checked it out. Perhaps she repressed the memory already.

I would have jumped up and smashed through the front door to check the damage, assess the amount of work to fix it, thrown the appropriate 4-year-old tantrum and schemed how I was going to make it all right. I'm sure I'll take care of this issue too, but if she's not urgent about it, I'm going to be.

Next, we took her car to spend the afternoon at my niece's play. It was cute and pretty well done, but definitely underlines exactly how talented young actresses such as Abigail Breslin and Dakota Fanning truly are. That's all I will say about that.

Anyway we stopped at the grocery store on the way home and upon returning to the car I noticed a door scuff/ding obviously created by the piece of shit van parked next to us. And next to us is about 6 miles across the parking lot, where I always park precisely to avoid fucking door dings from idiots! Mrs. N. saw me lick a finger and rub it. "What are you rubbing?" she asked (and that's not the first time I've heard that - ba da dum!). Man was she pissed.

She stormed back into the grocery store to page the plate number while The Little One and I waited by the car wolfing down American Cheese because we were beyond starving. The guy showed up at the van from a different store I would guess and I asked him about it and we tested his door and it lined up exactly with the scratch. After we tracked down Mrs. N. we got the insurance information and she later began an insurance claim.

He was appropriately apologetic and I'm sure we'll sort it out.

New cars. Yet another worry. We haven't even made the first payment yet!

What's In It For Me?

My sister-in-law was laid off on Wednesday. Poor thing. She owns her own home, isn't married and barely gets by. I don't think she can survive long without a paycheck. I hope she's able to recover quickly and find work so that she doesn't lose what she's worked so hard for. What sucks is when she took this job they requested she give up her own part-time business doing the same thing.

My buddy Paul was laid off right before Christmas. He may have finally found a job, but it will require a commute to New York City. That's 2 1/2 hours folks! Yikes. I suppose he'll be all right and he such a nice guy its hard not to root for him.

I've heard that a recession is when your neighbor gets laid off and a depression is when you do. I'm on firm ground I feel but I'm not as sure about my wife. Life is full of worries and crises but I'm not losing sleep over it.

Having said all that happy, cheerful news, stocks are at least up this week. That's nice. We can't progress upwards without a few days of it to start. I'm pretty confident President Obama has us on the right track and since I'm not retiring for 25 years or so, I'm buying into my retirement cheap. Or so I convince myself.

Now, about the housing bailout stuff. I live in a modest house. We qualified for a house twice as expensive as the one we got but I thought that would put too much strain on us. So we didn't opt for the jumbo mortgage or the 110% financing. We saved, bought a condo, fixed it up tremendously, sold it at a hefty profit and poured that money into our house. I like to be able to eat out when we want to, or buy a new car or have furnace problems that don't break the bank. In other words, live life and be able to handle the hardships. Or at least recover from the quickly.

Of course I work an extra job on the weekends to have extra money and be more financially sound to reduce potential worries.

I work hard. I planned ahead. I stayed within my means. And I'm surviving. Nicely, to date. But my tax dollars are going to help some (not all) people who didn't do that? Does that seem fair?

Listen, I'm as liberal as they come. I support most, if not all social programs. I'm for national healthcare and, frankly, I don't think Americans are taxed enough. But now, my tax dollars are going to be used to perhaps subsidize someone who a) makes more money than me and/or b) lives in a nicer home?

What's wrong with that picture?

Still. I'd rather be me than someone in a McMansion applying for mortgage relief.

McNugget 911

Seriously? She called 911 over Mickey D's being out of McNuggets and not offering a refund? That is classic! "Help! Police! I'm being robbed of my inalienable right to greasy deep-fried gristle! Get here fast, please! I'm starving!"

And when her first two calls weren't taken seriously, she dialed 911 a third time! Think she initially had to look up the number?

In caveman times that type of stupidity would have been washed out in the laws of natural selection and survival of the fittest so that idiots had less chance to procreate. Now, they're embarrassed on the news and TMZ. But nothing dissuades rearing more of the same. Perhaps she can mate with the genius that called the police to report his pot was stolen.

Anyone know of any shuttles off this planet? If so, sign me up, there's too many wackos here!

Kicka Whatchamacallit

Those of you in cold climes: is there a word for that hunk of ice that forms behind your tire and hugs the wheel well down the frame of the car, under the door?

Now that you have no idea what I'm talking about: do you find an uncontrollable urge to kick them off every car you see?

Hmmm..... maybe its just me then.

Blog Malaise

Most of my blog links to the left suck lately. Some clever people who just don't update enough so they may soon be banished from my link list; except for you, Radioactive Girl and you, Atomic Zebra. But the rest? Perilously close to one simple click of my "delete" button. Oh, then you'll rue my wrath! Rue it I say!

Of course, I don't update enough, either, but I'm not clever so it doesn't matter.

Anyone care to supply me with a couple blog links for me to check out? I'm too lazy to find any on my own.

Anne Frank

A few months ago I ran across some information about Anne Frank. I forget what I was Wikepedia-ing (like my verbalization of a noun?) but I linked around and ended up reading up on her. I had never read her book as a youngster but essentially knew the story and I became further intrigued.

So, during my lunch time at work I read very lengthy excerpts of her diary. It struck me hard - so hard that she remained in my thoughts.

I'm the father of a young girl. I cannot, in any way, conceive of what Otto Frank, her father, went through. To be forcefully separated from his wife and two teenage children on some train platform and have no idea their fate has to be beyond horrific. And the end? To be the only survivor? Honestly, I can't get my head around it, but when thoughts of such hit me, I hug my child that much harder.

So, last week I'm cruising around the channels and run across a made-for-television movie of the Anne Frank diary starring Melissa Gilbert. It was made in 1980 or so and basically just revamped the young lady's diary, but spared the horrific end. It got me all charged up on learning more once again.

It almost felt compulsive, if you will. I remember in the late 90's after seeing Titanic getting riled up to learn so much about that event that I went to the library and researched the hell out of it. So its not out of the ordinary for me to really, really get into something and want to learn everything I can about a topic. But this topic is far from a pleasant subject to say the least. And hits so much harder than Titanic, which was afterall, just a horrible accident and in actuality on such a tiny scale compared to the Holocaust.

This past week, I'm channel surfing and stumble upon a bunch of stuff on the History Chanel about Hitler, his bunkers, the concentration camps, and interviews with survivors and it hits me in the gut all over again.

Of course, there's a million stories like Anne Frank's from that period, but hers gets plenty of attention because of her diary was published and her father remained such an advocate for the remainder of his life.

Its just so fucking sad! She was simply a young woman who enjoyed reading and writing and hopscotch and ping-pong. She fought with her mother and adored her father and was subjected to the end result of her life because she happened to be born Jewish. That's all. Her family wasn't particularly political or even religious for that matter. Yet she was deemed guilty by madmen and essentially sentenced to death.

I've recently read quite a few survivor accounts, such as the absolutely mesmerizing Dentist of Auschwitz and an interview with Hanneli Pick-Goslar, a childhood friend of Anne's. Its almost surreal how people can overcome in my view.

As a consequence, I've ordered another, more complete Anne Frank movie and while I'm anxious to see it, I kind of dread it as well. As big a movie buff as I am, I've never seen Schindler's List either. It just never seemed to happen, so I plan on watching that soon too.

Anne Frank, were she alive today, would be turning 80 in June. Only 80 years old. Perhaps she'd be a vibrant grandmother who was reknowned for her writing career. Anyone at 14, 15 and 16 who could write like her had a future in it and it was that aspiration that she never got to pursue. Only 80. These events occured closer to my birthdate than I am now to my graduation from High School. How's that for incredible?

What mankind can do to one another is beyond my comprehension. There but for the grace of God, or luck go any one of us, eh? And its still happening in the world today.

Do You See What I See?

You can hope like HELL that others see in your kid what you do, can't you? Sadly, however, they probably don't.

I'm sure most see my Little One as a precociously beautiful, smart little girl. When I use my unjaded dad-eyes, I believe most think she's sweet and compassionate and funny and sassy and smart. Her after school instructors think she's the bomb and tell me so frequently when I arrive to pick her up. Co-workers, friends and family constantly compliment on how good-mannered she is and how sweet and fun she is. Her grandparents absolutely adore her, which one would expect, of course. But we can tell, both sets click with her more than their other grandchildren, whom they no-doubt love very much. But its there. Favoritism methinks.

Having said all that, I'm sure she's not her teacher's absolute favorite. I'm also rather certain her gymnastics teacher isn't so keen on her either. My daughter gets really rambunctious during gymnastics and doesn't listen as well as she should. The old-school Romanian instructor gets frustrated with her, which I think is justified. But then, isn't gymnastics about burning off excess energy and having fun? She is six after all and since I'm not seeing any gold medals in the future I just assume its a pleasurable experience for her. Which it is. And one of my sister-in-laws has had a couple negative things to say (or so I've heard) but I think it stems from jealousy in that her sort-of weird kids don't get the attention my Little One does. Honestly, part of the reason is the kids don't even say a simple "hello" when you see them and greet them. There's no eye contact and they're in their own little world. My little girl runs over and hugs and kisses everyone. So, who will get the attention in that event? Right!

Of course she's independent, sassy at times and doesn't always listen great (which we work like hell on) but she would also give you her one and only cupcake, or the last of her M&Ms, if you asked. She's an only child who doesn't want for much, but normally when she asks for something and is rebuffed, she says "that's okay, maybe we can get it for my birthday?" She shares all her toys with her friends very unselfishly and when we get overwhelmed with stuff will pick out items for us to donate. She cares for our dog compassionately and has a tremendously sophisticated sense of humor. She told me she felt badly because she was sick and thinks she might have been mean to her friend and wanted to call her today to apologize. I knew nothing about it, she volunteered it.

As a result of being sick with a fever, last night she woke up and puked all over the bed. My bed. I mean, all over! And at 5:30 in the morning. Mrs. Noveau and I, in perfect concert, got her cleaned up, the linens in the wash and the bed remade (thank GOD for that $100 mattress pad when we go the new bed).

And all The Little One was saying the entire time, even when covered in vomit, was "I'm sorry. I think I'm sick". Her concern, in her distress, was that she was putting us out. We assured her it was okay and that everyone gets sick like that and we could take care of everything which we did.

So, to her teacher, her gymnastics instructor, my sister-in-law and anybody else that feels otherwise, come visit during the off hours. Say, 5:30 this morning? Perhaps, you'd be singing a different tune. That's a sweet compassion that's in one's DNA. It can't be taught really but I'm proud as hell its there.

Addition to the Family

Care for a Swim?

I was actually going to blog about the woman who swam the Atlantic today. Amazing, huh? Unbelievable, you say? That's what I thought. Something about it didn't sit right with me from what I heard in the early reports.

Of course, the news made a big deal of it. They love to tout accomplishments and heroism without really scrutinizing things. My cynicism doesn't allow me to though. For instance, I wouldn't say that Sully - the pilot who safely landed the plane in the Hudson - is a hero by my definition. He was skilled and calm and professional and, frankly, amazing. He did what perhaps none other could. But he didn't do anything heroic really; other than preserve his own life as well as those of his passengers. Heroism in my view is one who risks life or limb for the benefit of another. Something altruistic. I don't see how that plays here. He did his job. Incredibly did his job, but landing the plane was not heroic - just amazing. In no way meaning to diminish what he did, I just don't see that he was heroic. And, by his account on 60 Minutes, neither did he.

Anyway, I got to thinking what a really big deal to sail across the Atlantic. Upon first hearing of the swim, I assumed she took months or even years to accomplish it but even then I figured she had assistance from currents. I also supposed the boat kept moving while she rested.

What I was unaware was that if one does the math, it makes the feat look more ridiculous when one takes into account how fast an Olympic swimmer travels and how fast this 56 year old woman swam in high seas. Obviously, my skepticism wasn't too far off.

Oh brother! I hate when the media pisses on my leg and tells me its raining.

Come On Down!!!

If negotiations go well tonight, I think the Mrs. will be driving home in new car. I even have a HUGE wad of cash to wave in front of them in case they think we're not serious.

Having said that, she really, really wants the car. Who am I kidding? Even if negotiations don't go well, she'll be driving home a new car. I can never say no to her, lol.

Can You Believe This?

My mom sent me this information: unbelievable!

Did you know that ANYONE can find information on driver's licenses, pictures and all??

I went there, typed in my name, town and state and there it was! Thanks Homeland Security! I guess we have no rights to privacy now?

Anyway, it was easy to put on the "do not post" list, but one has to wonder what else is out there.

I removed mine. I don't need to be THAT traceable!

Check it out: http://www.license.shorturl.com/

Spring?

The excitement of winter kinda loses its edge when we have 1 to 2 snowstorms per week, dawn temperatures around zero, ugly, dirty, salty cars inside and out and $1200 furnace repairs.

So, Spring? You go ahead and make your appearance any day now, ok? I like winter, but even I've had enough.

Another Car

My household is in the market for another new car. This time for Mrs. N. Her car's really getting up there in miles and part of the reason I took the casino job was to be able to buy things we need and not have to really crimp to get by.

Anyway, we'll use our tax refund to help as well, so perhaps we're a month off.

Last night I came home to find a few boxes in the kitchen. They were from her trunk and she was sorting through it to throw out some stuff and put other stuff in a more appropriate location. My little pack-rat has issues chucking stuff at times.

Since we had been looking at new cars earlier in the day, and seem to like a particular one for her, I asked if her cleaning out her old car was a form of "nesting".

She said it wasn't. I have my doubts.

Teaser

Pittsburgh and the Under in a teaser for me. For the gambling challenged that means I'll be giving 1 point to Arizona and the two teams must score less than 52 1/2 combined for me to win.

Other than that and some Texas Hold 'Em, I'm not terribly amped up for the Superbowl.

Ring, Ring

My ring-tone for my wife's calls is Baby's Got Back by Sir-Mix-Alot.

Stop. Before you incriminate me, she picked it and thinks its hilarious. And, while my baby certainly has some back, which I enjoy immensely, she doesn't have tons of pa-dunka-dunk in the trunk so as to be sloppy. So its all good.

Except, however, my phone does find it necessary to ring me during times when that song could be, oh, shall we say, a tad embarrassing? Like in the office. Or another's office.

Last summer, I came back to the bench during a co-ed softball game and was asked by one of the most incredibly fit women I've ever met (fitness competition chick, ex-college runner, etc.), "So Nouveau, you like big butts, huh?"

In addition, I had that ring-tone long before that national commercial where the guy meets the girl he used to date and wants to convince her he's matured now, just as the phone rings playing that song. I think its a cell phone provider commercial but I couldn't find a link for you all.

Wait! Based on that commercial, does that mean I'm immature? Of course I am. Because while searching for a link, I found this. Pretty funny.

Overheard

Colin Cowherd on the radio discussing strip clubs said: If I want to spend tons of money on women and not get any, I'd get remarried.

Struck me as funny.

Is It Over?

After my myriad of home heating issues, which I refuse to link to because it seemingly would take up page after page of my blog, I have had a oil tank heater installed this morning. Four hundred more dollars hopefully will put an end to my issues.

I can't explain how much I've hated standing at the bus-stop and getting "chimney smoke envy".

We shall see, but I will be one happy camper if it works since its supposed to be in the negative digits tomorrow night.

A New Year's Resolution

I was kind of miffed when I never heard back from my neighbor who fell off his roof. I heard from different neighbors that the family was grateful and all that, but to me that doesn't mean a hell of a lot.

I saw his wife out and about numerous times. His grandson also lives with them since he goes to college locally. Both have seen me around my yard or washing my car or walking the block. Never heard a thing.

Well, come New Years day the old timer knocked on my door. He wanted to thank me for my assistance and apologize for how he spoke to me that day. Apparently, he was in the hospital for 6 weeks and now was weening himself off pain medication. He broke his back and was reduced to using a walker. Also got a concussion and a leg injury. Of course, I told him I was glad he was getting around now and wished him a speedy recovery.

He smiled and shook my hand twice. Said he wanted to get the new year off to a good start.

Well he did. Its all good by me.

Winners?

Hands down, the all-time winning hit for my blog is a search for "whale-tail", followed by a close second to "tongue chewing" with quite a few image hits for "dork-o-meter" and a splattering of "man thongs".

Other than that, I stand firm at about 1 consistent reader.

Carry on.

All's Fair in War

It growls like a train in the night. Thundering through frequently and without bounds of time of day. Each passage marked by more and more amplification to the point of making the walls shake a bit.

It spews forth a soot that becomes denser and denser and covers the clean white snow. The fearful tiny dog patters across it. Staining his paws.

The train goes nowhere however. There are no platforms or tickets or kindly conductors. Its pure evil and must grin its tan/yellow jagged teeth and mock from its confinement. Normally this beast need not be seen nor heard.

This is no ordinary Beast though. I demands to be seen. To be heard. To be known. To be respected. And it takes that which is valuable. It demeans one into saying things they'd rather not say aloud. Especially in front of children. Lessening the man. Drawing him into its own corruption.

It wakes from its dormancy to growl once again and abruptly stop. Only to start again moments before spewing forth amid an alarm. What was that? What's happening? Smoke clouds the area before a hand stifles its advance with the lowering of a red switch marked "emergency".

The Beast. It hates me. And I hate it. Fight or fugue? What to do? I can't run. I can't hide. Immediately I seek counsel in a counter-offensive. The caveman in me immediately seeks to tame the beast. I will fight. I must fight. I am lessened but I am strong. The Beast underestimates the power of the cornered.

Yes, its cold in this world. It can only get colder. But a true warrior doesn't feel discomfort nor pain. He fights. For family. For himself. For honor.

I take charge of my men. Commanded from afar they arrive quickly and with a sense of purpose. Together we plot. We plan. And then we counter-attack the Beast with everything we have at our disposal.

There can be no failure. We must persevere. We will persevere. And we do persevere. But we can never kill the Beast. We can only contain her for a time. Until she rejuvenates or devises a new evil plan. Until her anger and hatred swell up in a great fury and attack once again.

Will I be ready to do battle once again? Can I continue along this front? I'm not sure. But I have to. A warrior isn't allowed choices. He merely has obligations which he fulfills without question and without hesitation. And he will meet them whenever challenged.

So its settled. Its done. For now. My furnace is once again fixed. $502 later. They say I still need a cleaning. Dammit!

Thoughts

I try to learn from my mistakes. But often it doesn't matter. It just ends up confusing me further.

The wife and I had a disagreement last night. It wasn't a fight. There was no yelling or argument really. It was a revelation. An "oh" about something I had done but was supposed to do differently. The problem was, without prior discussion, there could be no feasible way I could predict it and act differently.

Afterwards, there was basically silence for the rest of the night since it was near bedtime. Then we cuddled until dozing off.

Sure, I thought of things to say. About 50 different things. But then I remembered I don't always get my point across well, or I speak in haste and regret what I said. I don't fight "mean" (nor does she) but I don't always do a good job of making myself clear. Frequently, I don't feel 100% clear about my own point. How can I expect her to understand? And during these times, I so frequently don't understand her.

Then the next day I feel like shit. Even if I don't feel at fault I feel remorseful that it "happened" and that I could have done something to not let it happen. But I'm rarely sure what.

So I clammed up. As did she. And today I still feel like shit. To top it all off, she left this morning without a kiss goodbye although I think it was a coincidental oversight because it was hectic around the house this morning getting the Little One ready and both of us running late. We always kiss goodbye in the morning. And I'm sure it was just a coincidence. But its pause for thought. Is it subconscious? You know?

However, I was proud of myself last night for not saying anything. Letting it simmer. Letting me organize my thoughts.

But you know what? I still feel shitty today. And frankly, I'm not sure there's anything I could have done differently. This, too, will pass. But in the meantime its a bothersome feeling and it distracts me throughout the day. I am such a ponderer at times it drives me nuts. I hate that things can preoccupy my thoughts to such an extent.

I just want to make it better. Make it go away. But. I never seem to know how.

Sigh.

Get The &%$@#@ Out of the Way

This speaks to me. There's a bunch of other good Livfilms on Youtube too. Check it out.

Check this Out

Did you all see this from New Year's Eve? Sick shit!

2008

Well, that year's done. Gone. Kaput. A pretty good one though.

Holy cow does time fly. But then if I think of were I was at this point last year, it seems so long ago. One year ago I was in my last month of dealer school. Now I'm a seasoned part-time dealer. For the most part, I still like it. It really is the BEST part-time job I could think of.

At this point in my life I feel like I'm in a good place. Work has been much less stressful than it was years ago. I don't get the overtime I used to, but more staff and less work coming through the doors makes my day much easier to deal with and plan through.

Financially, we're in a much, much better place. Less debt, more income and better spending discipline creates tremendously less worry than the alternative. I hope in 2009 to continue the progress we've worked so hard for this past year.

I'm loving each and every moment I spend with my at-times difficult 6-year-old. While I do find myself shouting perhaps a bit more than I'd like, I have the ability to step back at times when she's being tough and laugh; out of her view, of course. Its part of the package and years from now I'll look back on some of it fondly. Plus, she has the uncanny ability to frustrate me to damn near the breaking point, then say something so incredibly endearing, or funny, or sweet, its nearly tear-jerking. Really, all we want for her is to be a happy child who morphs into a happy adult. I think we're on target at this point.

My relationship with wife is quite strong I feel. We had some problems a few years ago but worked through them and most recently have been moving in a much more positive and constructive manner. While we've been working on it, communication could be better, but I love her more and more over the years. She's truly a remarkable woman on so many levels and I look forward to growing older, grayer and fatter together.

Okay. Maybe not fatter. Hopefully this time next year, I can look back and know I accomplished my marathon and lost a few in the process (I fear my readers think I'm a big fat sloppy mess, but I'm really not. At this time I'm 193 at 6' but I know I can be better). I am now 8 weeks into my little program, which leaves 39 to go. That sounds like forever, but the 8 weeks have flown by. While I have not done every workout on the assigned day, I have made up each and every one so I'm in good shape and on-target thus far. Goddamn, that treadmill can be boring though.

Anyway, here's to a great 2009 for all. Cheers!