It started with Yakety Yak.
For some reason, the lyrics were going through my head. I hit a verse I couldn't remember, and then I pulled up Youtube on the iPad.
Random Youtube fact: be careful about click "most viewed."
I was singing Yakey Yak and dancing around in front of an incredulous wife with the iPad when my thumb hit something. The music stopped, and someone's anus was looking at me.
Gross.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Do you know what YOUR SON did?
It’s always fun when a phone call starts with “Do you know what your son did?”
Shane’s already been promoted to ‘my son’ numerous times. Yesterday, he got the dubious promotion again.
“No, what did he do?” (After all, if I say ‘Yes’ or something snarky it’ll just get me in trouble too).
“In the basement, he pushed the Ikea chair up to the counter, climbed up, crawled in the sink and turned on the water!” Shane was smiling and having a blast. When a shocked Carrie turned off the water and tried to pull him out of the sink, he turned in back on and tried to hold on for dear life. Shane knew exactly where he wanted to be.
Have I mentioned my son is a great climber?
Shane’s already been promoted to ‘my son’ numerous times. Yesterday, he got the dubious promotion again.
“No, what did he do?” (After all, if I say ‘Yes’ or something snarky it’ll just get me in trouble too).
“In the basement, he pushed the Ikea chair up to the counter, climbed up, crawled in the sink and turned on the water!” Shane was smiling and having a blast. When a shocked Carrie turned off the water and tried to pull him out of the sink, he turned in back on and tried to hold on for dear life. Shane knew exactly where he wanted to be.
Have I mentioned my son is a great climber?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Shane's going to be getting a cousin soon.
Shane's going to be getting another cousin soon!
My sister and her husband have their own little boy on the way. I admit, I was selfishly hoping for a boy for Shane to play around with. I'm glad to know that when the stakes are 50/50 I can sometimes be on the winning half.
I think Ka and Stu were going to be happy with whatever they got, but I bet Stu is breathing a secret sigh of relief. I know that when I heard Shane was going to be a boy I was a little relieved that I didn't have to learn about anything other than the parts God gave me. As far as I can tell, I don't think that's even an issue that occurs to most women. Women sometimes seemed like some sort of mysterious creatures growing up that went to the bathroom in herds. I think most of these same women probably looked at us boys as knuckleheads, and the only thing they have to watch out with a boy baby is the upward spray capability!
I'm praying for a smooth delivery and healthy baby for my sister. I'll have to figure out a way to drag my family out to visit when Coleman comes along.
My sister and her husband have their own little boy on the way. I admit, I was selfishly hoping for a boy for Shane to play around with. I'm glad to know that when the stakes are 50/50 I can sometimes be on the winning half.
I think Ka and Stu were going to be happy with whatever they got, but I bet Stu is breathing a secret sigh of relief. I know that when I heard Shane was going to be a boy I was a little relieved that I didn't have to learn about anything other than the parts God gave me. As far as I can tell, I don't think that's even an issue that occurs to most women. Women sometimes seemed like some sort of mysterious creatures growing up that went to the bathroom in herds. I think most of these same women probably looked at us boys as knuckleheads, and the only thing they have to watch out with a boy baby is the upward spray capability!
I'm praying for a smooth delivery and healthy baby for my sister. I'll have to figure out a way to drag my family out to visit when Coleman comes along.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Home Inspection #2 Completed - Let the Negotiations Continue
Carrie and I are back from home inspection #2. We had the same wise-cracking home inspector as before. He did a bang up job on the first house, so it was nice having someone competent that we could trust.
The house was in better shape than the last one, but there were still little issues here and there. Honestly, it's to be expected. From the sales records online, the house was sold under durress (short sale, foreclosure, or something) and picked up by a company that specializes in fixing-up and resaling houses. From the looks of it, they did a good job, but it's an inspector's job to find anything he can. Carrie loves the house. I like it too, but there was an odd symetery and feel to it. I think part of it was from the house being vacant and I know part of it was from a couple of design choices that I'd never seen before. I'm cautious by nature when dealing with big numbers (aka mortgages). I do think it's a house that could easily grow on me (just like the townhouse did!). The yard has a ton of potential, too.
There were a couple of funny moments during the inspection. At one point, our agent and inspector were out in the garage with us. The inspector was checking out the garage door, and Carrie and I decided to go back inside (yay, A/C). We sit down on the stairwell, and I start looking at comps from around the neighborhood. A shriek rings out! A moment later, the inspector comes inside laughing with our agent in tow.
"What happened?" my wife asks.
Our agent replies, "You could hear that?"
"Barbara," the inspector said, "I think the neighborhood heard you!"
Our agent turns and accuses the inspector. "He TICKLED me!"
"Yeah, well you weren't answering my question."
This happened on and off throughout the inspection. Barbara would comment that the house felt cold, and ask what the thermostat was set to. The inspector would reply "42." Our agent would then say something back, and the entertainment began. Apparently, they've worked off and on together for years. I enjoyed the banter.
At the first home inspection, I yelled out an "I love you" to my wife when I was leaving to pick up Shane. She was in the kitchen. Of course, the inspector was checking out the front door as I passed by and he said, "I love you, too! Oh, was that awkward?"
The house was in better shape than the last one, but there were still little issues here and there. Honestly, it's to be expected. From the sales records online, the house was sold under durress (short sale, foreclosure, or something) and picked up by a company that specializes in fixing-up and resaling houses. From the looks of it, they did a good job, but it's an inspector's job to find anything he can. Carrie loves the house. I like it too, but there was an odd symetery and feel to it. I think part of it was from the house being vacant and I know part of it was from a couple of design choices that I'd never seen before. I'm cautious by nature when dealing with big numbers (aka mortgages). I do think it's a house that could easily grow on me (just like the townhouse did!). The yard has a ton of potential, too.
There were a couple of funny moments during the inspection. At one point, our agent and inspector were out in the garage with us. The inspector was checking out the garage door, and Carrie and I decided to go back inside (yay, A/C). We sit down on the stairwell, and I start looking at comps from around the neighborhood. A shriek rings out! A moment later, the inspector comes inside laughing with our agent in tow.
"What happened?" my wife asks.
Our agent replies, "You could hear that?"
"Barbara," the inspector said, "I think the neighborhood heard you!"
Our agent turns and accuses the inspector. "He TICKLED me!"
"Yeah, well you weren't answering my question."
This happened on and off throughout the inspection. Barbara would comment that the house felt cold, and ask what the thermostat was set to. The inspector would reply "42." Our agent would then say something back, and the entertainment began. Apparently, they've worked off and on together for years. I enjoyed the banter.
At the first home inspection, I yelled out an "I love you" to my wife when I was leaving to pick up Shane. She was in the kitchen. Of course, the inspector was checking out the front door as I passed by and he said, "I love you, too! Oh, was that awkward?"
Carrie's Korra Predictions #501337
During the latest episode of Korra, there is a quick radio snippet promoting "Cabbage Corp, a technology leader for the past 50 years." I can't recall the exact wording, because my wife has only made me watch it three times. Anyway, the annoucement happens in the very beginning of the episode when the Fire Ferrets are practicing for the tournament.
I laughed. In the first Avatar, there is a cabbage salesman that suffers a mishap almost every time you see him. I thought the radio ad was a nice hidden homage to one of the running jokes of the original series.
My wife, had a different take. "What if the cabbage man is helping the Equalists!??!?"
Fact: The cabbage man got his cabbage cart smashed repeatedly by benders.
Extension: He could've been pretty pissed off. Also, the Equalists used some new tech in the episode. Someone had to design it.
Wife's Theory: The Cabbage Corp has something to do with the Equalist agenda.
So, there you have it. Cabbage Corp commercial: a quick homage to a running joke from the original series, or a hidden bit of foreshadowing of things to come?
I laughed. In the first Avatar, there is a cabbage salesman that suffers a mishap almost every time you see him. I thought the radio ad was a nice hidden homage to one of the running jokes of the original series.
My wife, had a different take. "What if the cabbage man is helping the Equalists!??!?"
Fact: The cabbage man got his cabbage cart smashed repeatedly by benders.
Extension: He could've been pretty pissed off. Also, the Equalists used some new tech in the episode. Someone had to design it.
Wife's Theory: The Cabbage Corp has something to do with the Equalist agenda.
So, there you have it. Cabbage Corp commercial: a quick homage to a running joke from the original series, or a hidden bit of foreshadowing of things to come?
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Where does he put it all?
I used to think my son had a hollow leg. Shane packed away so much food at meal times, a baby explosion would not have surprised me.
Now that I know the trick to this feat, it's no longer quite as amazing.
Blast from the past alert - Shane was trying to unlock the iPad and I was watching the slideshow of old pictures flashing in the background. Lifehouse's "Hanging By a Moment" was playing. This old beaut of a picture popped up. I don't think I ever posted it, so I decided to post it now.
Now that I know the trick to this feat, it's no longer quite as amazing.
Blast from the past alert - Shane was trying to unlock the iPad and I was watching the slideshow of old pictures flashing in the background. Lifehouse's "Hanging By a Moment" was playing. This old beaut of a picture popped up. I don't think I ever posted it, so I decided to post it now.
Playground Pandemonium
Shane's changed as he's grown, but his love for the outdoors and running have been constant. Combine those two loves, and my son is one happy toddler.
Thank God for tot lots.
Shane and I go on a walk every night. On these walks, we stop at the many different playgrounds we stumble across. Shane tears around at full drunken sailor, falls, laughs, and wears himself out for bedtime.
Yes, my son runs like a drunken sailor. Just look at those arms flailing! Captain Jack would be proud.
Filming Shane can be a challenge, though. If you want some more behind the scenes footage, click to see more!
Thank God for tot lots.
Shane and I go on a walk every night. On these walks, we stop at the many different playgrounds we stumble across. Shane tears around at full drunken sailor, falls, laughs, and wears himself out for bedtime.
Yes, my son runs like a drunken sailor. Just look at those arms flailing! Captain Jack would be proud.
Filming Shane can be a challenge, though. If you want some more behind the scenes footage, click to see more!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Either iPhones are easy to use, or my son is developing a brain
Sorry there's no sound.
Shane actually first started unlocking iPhones a month ago. I got a GREAT video of him laying on Carrie and playing on the phone. My wife vetoed me posting it, because it was a great up the nose shot for her! Shane's learning new tricks every day, so I'm sure we'll get a good video with sound as soon as we remember to do it. I'd do it now, but Carrie is out of town this weekend for work. It's just Shane and I! Oh, the Shannigans we'll have.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
House Carousel
We're hopping on the house carousel again!
We made an offer on a townhouse over the weekend, but found a better opportunity for a single family home. Last night, I wrote my little blog post in between negotiations and check-ins from our agent. I'm thrilled this opportunity came up. For one, Carrie was stressed and down in the dumps, because she felt she hadn't found our next home yet. There were two homes she liked that had contracts offered while she visited them and she visited a bunch of other properties she didn't feel were up to snuff.
Have I mentioned my wife knows a lot about houses? When we walk into a house, she's noting the type of cabinetry, styles of carpet, and who knows what else! We dabbled with the prospect of buying a house and she shocked a builder by identifying the style of granite they used. At another house we walked into, I found out that wood laquered cabinets was a phase in the 80s that didn't last for a multidle of reasons. No, I don't remember all the reasons, but I do remember I was impressed my wife new all of them.
Why is this important?
I have not seen the house I'm contracted to buy. I signed the contract before I looked at the pictures online.
It sounds foolish, but I belive the smarter a person is the more they can acknowledge the knowledge of another. My wife knows much more about houses, updates, and how to spot shortcuts in construction than I do. I'd be more the fool for pretending I know more than I do.
Next Tuesday will be fun, though. I'll get to see our future home at the home inspection.
We made an offer on a townhouse over the weekend, but found a better opportunity for a single family home. Last night, I wrote my little blog post in between negotiations and check-ins from our agent. I'm thrilled this opportunity came up. For one, Carrie was stressed and down in the dumps, because she felt she hadn't found our next home yet. There were two homes she liked that had contracts offered while she visited them and she visited a bunch of other properties she didn't feel were up to snuff.
Have I mentioned my wife knows a lot about houses? When we walk into a house, she's noting the type of cabinetry, styles of carpet, and who knows what else! We dabbled with the prospect of buying a house and she shocked a builder by identifying the style of granite they used. At another house we walked into, I found out that wood laquered cabinets was a phase in the 80s that didn't last for a multidle of reasons. No, I don't remember all the reasons, but I do remember I was impressed my wife new all of them.
Why is this important?
I have not seen the house I'm contracted to buy. I signed the contract before I looked at the pictures online.
It sounds foolish, but I belive the smarter a person is the more they can acknowledge the knowledge of another. My wife knows much more about houses, updates, and how to spot shortcuts in construction than I do. I'd be more the fool for pretending I know more than I do.
Next Tuesday will be fun, though. I'll get to see our future home at the home inspection.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Faith based scam?
So, I got an odd letter in the mail the other day. It was from St. Matthew's Churches and had a bunch of text all over it talking about how I needed to open it and receive God's blessings.
Now, I'm a Christian. I believe in evangelism and reaching out to others.
I'm also an American. Whenever I see something that claims to be awesome, I start wondering what the spin/catch is. Maybe it's the effect of the endless commercials and the pursuit of profit, but it's made me a little cynical.
Instead of throwing the letter away, I tossed it on my 'slush pile' of junk mail and promptly forgot about it.
Tonight, I finished reading my Bible for a little bit and remembered the letter. I went ahead and opened it up out of curiousity. I found a paper "prayer rug" and a "prophecy" that said I should tear up if I'm not going to read it.
First, a prayer rug as a 'medium' to communicate with Jesus goes up against everything I've come to understand from reading my Bible. The New Testament warns against using psychics and mediums. The Holy Spirit follows after Jesus' resurrection to allow us to have a personal relationship with God. No divine stationary is required. I really don't know how a paper prayer rug is supposed to save my soul. There's an optical illusion to it as well, which I guess is supposed to inspire. A gimmick.
At this point, I feel a little sick to my stomach. Using faith to fleece the flock? The letter screamed "scam!" I went ahead and opened the 'prophecy' to read it next. It's nothing I'm going to quote here. It does touch upon many Biblical promises, but the scriptures it quotes at the end stood out to me: Joel 2:28-29. By coincidence or design, I finished reading the Book of Joel before I read the letter. The scriptures were referenced inaccurately; far from what could be considered a difference in translation. I threw away the letter, or I'd quote it directly, but it basically talked about praying and getting all sorts of good stuff. I was surprised that the letter didn't ask for money directly. I guess that happens after you write back.
My wife, ever the researcher, immediately took to the internet. She found a blog, the Pondering Pastor, who pointed out some inaccuracies, and ended up looking up the Better Business Bureau's report on St. Matthew's Churches. Apparently, they don't count as a Church/non-profit because they won't release full financial statements. That was something of a give-away when we noticed their website was a '.com' and not a '.org.' Wikipedia claims that after you reply to the first letter, future letters will come from the 'church' claiming you need donations for your prayers to come true. Yes, I know wikipedia is not the fountain of impossible to alter truth, but the whole situation reeked enough my wife and I felt we had our answer. I'd post the links, but....well, battery is dying as I type. If I have time I'll update it tomorrow.
Evangelism, I can support. An attempt to extort money and profit based on someone's faith and insecurities? That's horrible.
Now, I'm a Christian. I believe in evangelism and reaching out to others.
I'm also an American. Whenever I see something that claims to be awesome, I start wondering what the spin/catch is. Maybe it's the effect of the endless commercials and the pursuit of profit, but it's made me a little cynical.
Instead of throwing the letter away, I tossed it on my 'slush pile' of junk mail and promptly forgot about it.
Tonight, I finished reading my Bible for a little bit and remembered the letter. I went ahead and opened it up out of curiousity. I found a paper "prayer rug" and a "prophecy" that said I should tear up if I'm not going to read it.
First, a prayer rug as a 'medium' to communicate with Jesus goes up against everything I've come to understand from reading my Bible. The New Testament warns against using psychics and mediums. The Holy Spirit follows after Jesus' resurrection to allow us to have a personal relationship with God. No divine stationary is required. I really don't know how a paper prayer rug is supposed to save my soul. There's an optical illusion to it as well, which I guess is supposed to inspire. A gimmick.
At this point, I feel a little sick to my stomach. Using faith to fleece the flock? The letter screamed "scam!" I went ahead and opened the 'prophecy' to read it next. It's nothing I'm going to quote here. It does touch upon many Biblical promises, but the scriptures it quotes at the end stood out to me: Joel 2:28-29. By coincidence or design, I finished reading the Book of Joel before I read the letter. The scriptures were referenced inaccurately; far from what could be considered a difference in translation. I threw away the letter, or I'd quote it directly, but it basically talked about praying and getting all sorts of good stuff. I was surprised that the letter didn't ask for money directly. I guess that happens after you write back.
My wife, ever the researcher, immediately took to the internet. She found a blog, the Pondering Pastor, who pointed out some inaccuracies, and ended up looking up the Better Business Bureau's report on St. Matthew's Churches. Apparently, they don't count as a Church/non-profit because they won't release full financial statements. That was something of a give-away when we noticed their website was a '.com' and not a '.org.' Wikipedia claims that after you reply to the first letter, future letters will come from the 'church' claiming you need donations for your prayers to come true. Yes, I know wikipedia is not the fountain of impossible to alter truth, but the whole situation reeked enough my wife and I felt we had our answer. I'd post the links, but....well, battery is dying as I type. If I have time I'll update it tomorrow.
Evangelism, I can support. An attempt to extort money and profit based on someone's faith and insecurities? That's horrible.
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