Worked from home because of school stuff for the girl, none of which was important. Good day to work from home, though, since it was easier to rest and relax and try to get past this thing in my head and chest.
We took Sophie to meet her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Eckart. All I could think the whole time was "Boys! Avenge me! Avenge me!" But because I'm a good father, I didn't shout that out loud. Sophie had been screened the day before, and we were told she was ready for kindergarten. Didn't know that was something you had to be ready for. I think I kind of just went, as kindergarten was there to get you ready for the actual schoolin.' Oh well. She's in.
Later that night, we were told to go back for open house and a circle reading seminar. Open house was absolutely pointless. Everything we would've done, we did earlier that day. So, we walked around the school for a bit, then took the kids out on the playground. Come circle reading, that was just as pointless. They took about half an hour to basically tell us to read with your kid five minutes a night. To be fair, though, ten minutes of that half hour was spent trying to figured out how to run the computer. Damn PCs. They make no sense to me, and they make no sense to the people who use them. So, I went home and fell asleep on the couch watching a Bucanneers/Dolphins lightning delay. Woke, did some Appletell, then went to to bed.
Friday, then is Sophie's first day of kindergarten, bus and all. She's ready. She'll handle it better than Tieraney will, who's likely to follow the school bus all the way to O.H. Sommers Elementary. I have no idea who O.H. Sommers is, but I'll leave it to Sophie to teach me that. Then, I can get on that "Are You Retarded Like a Fifth Grader?" Jeff Foxworthy show and win.
Three yard run off tackle.
My ball. 2nd and 7 on life's 45.
Friday, August 28, 2009
August 26th - 20-13
What the kids and my wife had has been passed on to me. Sick, but I work through it, because I'm a man, dammit! Flesh and blood! No rest for the wicked. Gotta keep on keepin' on.
Very slow at work right now, but I'm on the verge of getting another Miva store to set up and program. That'll bring me over 40 hours of billable time, so that's good. Hope I get it soon. The company that wants it sells popcorn balls that have been up in space.
Otherwise, nothing.
Decent punt. Fair catch.
My ball. 1st and 10 on life's 48.
Very slow at work right now, but I'm on the verge of getting another Miva store to set up and program. That'll bring me over 40 hours of billable time, so that's good. Hope I get it soon. The company that wants it sells popcorn balls that have been up in space.
Otherwise, nothing.
Decent punt. Fair catch.
My ball. 1st and 10 on life's 48.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
August 25th - 20-13
I think I'm done early with the 13 hour days. This is supposed to be my last week, but I was at work yesterday afternoon, and I just started to think, "Screw it. Why am I still here?" So, I went home at 4:00. Starting Monday, I'll have to leave at that time every day in order to pick up Sophie from the neighbors by 5:00. Barely made it yesterday, so I'll have to see if I can find a faster route. Traffic backs up early in Akron.
Took Tieraney out for her birthday dinner. She had steak. I had salad. Kids had macaroni and cheese. Cat's still puking, the boy has stopped.
Got a game for the Wii I've been looking forward to for a while. That'll keep me happy before bedtime.
And apparently, Edgerrin James is officially a Seahawk.
I checked his stats last year. Not very good. But it's not like we have anything better, so we may as well bring someone to the fold who has a history of being awesome and a strong desire to see the Cardinals implode. Who knows? Already too many roster moves and injuries for me to feel comfortable at this point, but I don't have that feeling of dread I had in Holmgren's last two years, so maybe it'll be fun.
Life's just looking to get out of the shadow of the goal posts. Four yard run.
Life's ball. 4th and 13 on their own 10.
Took Tieraney out for her birthday dinner. She had steak. I had salad. Kids had macaroni and cheese. Cat's still puking, the boy has stopped.
Got a game for the Wii I've been looking forward to for a while. That'll keep me happy before bedtime.
And apparently, Edgerrin James is officially a Seahawk.
I checked his stats last year. Not very good. But it's not like we have anything better, so we may as well bring someone to the fold who has a history of being awesome and a strong desire to see the Cardinals implode. Who knows? Already too many roster moves and injuries for me to feel comfortable at this point, but I don't have that feeling of dread I had in Holmgren's last two years, so maybe it'll be fun.
Life's just looking to get out of the shadow of the goal posts. Four yard run.
Life's ball. 4th and 13 on their own 10.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
August 24th - 20-13
It was a day of vomit, and it was my wife's birthday. Happy birthday, Tieraney!
Boy threw up. Cat threw up. Tieraney and Sophie are both sick, but not to such degrees. The dog and I are doing quite well, thank you. Bonus with boy; he's now able to get to a bucket or the toilet, instead of just puking were he lie. The cat, however, pukes wherever she damn well pleases.
Damn cats.
Beyond that, it's back to normal after the vacation, with only a few racy photos of my wife to serve as a reminder. Did I mention that, for the first time, my wife allowed me to take racy photos of her? I told you it was a kick-ass weekend.
Oh, and the Seahawks signed Edgerinn James; another odd spelling I'll eventually give up trying to remember. Does this bode well for us? I don't know. Why bother trying to predict it? You don't chart a course when you're a Seahawks fan, you just hop on the boat and hope the wind blows you somewhere close to your intended destination.
Life gains back five.
Life's ball. 3rd and 17 on their own 6.
Boy threw up. Cat threw up. Tieraney and Sophie are both sick, but not to such degrees. The dog and I are doing quite well, thank you. Bonus with boy; he's now able to get to a bucket or the toilet, instead of just puking were he lie. The cat, however, pukes wherever she damn well pleases.
Damn cats.
Beyond that, it's back to normal after the vacation, with only a few racy photos of my wife to serve as a reminder. Did I mention that, for the first time, my wife allowed me to take racy photos of her? I told you it was a kick-ass weekend.
Oh, and the Seahawks signed Edgerinn James; another odd spelling I'll eventually give up trying to remember. Does this bode well for us? I don't know. Why bother trying to predict it? You don't chart a course when you're a Seahawks fan, you just hop on the boat and hope the wind blows you somewhere close to your intended destination.
Life gains back five.
Life's ball. 3rd and 17 on their own 6.
Monday, August 24, 2009
August 22nd-23rd - 20-13
Fantastic weekend, all around. Spent the bulk of Saturday hiking. I mean a LOT of hiking. Wouldn't be surprised if we were short of 10 miles, which is quite a lot for a man of my girth. Up hills, down hills and through all manner of gorges and valleys. It was excellent. Hocking Hills is known for its caves and odd rock structures, and although that generally bores me, it was great finding them and quite impressive to see. Tieraney and I both had a great time, retelling old stories and connecting in a way you really can't do with kids around. It felt good.
Saturday night, we went on a moonlight canoe ride, which wasn't really in the moonlight. They started us early because of the total number of people signed up, so it didn't get really dark until we'd reached the end of the trip. The had s'mores for us and a bluegrass band at the end, but I just wanted to get home and do it in the hot tub. Never done it in a hot tub before, but Tieraney made it quite clear the night before that this night, we'd be doing it. Which we did.
Awesome.
And how do you top that? The cabin had satellite TV, which had the NFL Network, which had the Seahawks/Broncos game. I had hot tub sex and watched the Seahawks win in the same night. Score!
Tieraney and I also played some 221B Baker Street, which is my favorite board game despite the fact that she always wins. We'd played it Friday night, too, but I chose not to mention it because I was felt her getting nude in the hot tub was a better story. And it is.
Sunday, we did some more hiking, then drove back. Stopped in Columbus on the way to watch "500 Days of Summer," which Tieraney liked quite a bit and I found rather boring and messy. Could've been good, but it was aimless.
Picked up the kids in Ashland, then headed home. Overall, a fantastic weekend, although Hocking Hills is sure a weird place. It's mostly rural poverty. Plenty of trailer homes and dudes with no shirts and mullets standing out on their porches or looking at their truck engines. But interspersed are these huge, stately houses, most of which have cabins on them somewhere so the owners can make money off their land...kind of like where we stayed. The owners have 77 acres of wooded land, and they simply built two nice cabins on their driveway. Charged me $320 for two nights. Not a bad gig.
Sack. Life never saw us coming.
Life's ball. 2nd and 17 on their own 1.
Saturday night, we went on a moonlight canoe ride, which wasn't really in the moonlight. They started us early because of the total number of people signed up, so it didn't get really dark until we'd reached the end of the trip. The had s'mores for us and a bluegrass band at the end, but I just wanted to get home and do it in the hot tub. Never done it in a hot tub before, but Tieraney made it quite clear the night before that this night, we'd be doing it. Which we did.
Awesome.
And how do you top that? The cabin had satellite TV, which had the NFL Network, which had the Seahawks/Broncos game. I had hot tub sex and watched the Seahawks win in the same night. Score!
Tieraney and I also played some 221B Baker Street, which is my favorite board game despite the fact that she always wins. We'd played it Friday night, too, but I chose not to mention it because I was felt her getting nude in the hot tub was a better story. And it is.
Sunday, we did some more hiking, then drove back. Stopped in Columbus on the way to watch "500 Days of Summer," which Tieraney liked quite a bit and I found rather boring and messy. Could've been good, but it was aimless.
Picked up the kids in Ashland, then headed home. Overall, a fantastic weekend, although Hocking Hills is sure a weird place. It's mostly rural poverty. Plenty of trailer homes and dudes with no shirts and mullets standing out on their porches or looking at their truck engines. But interspersed are these huge, stately houses, most of which have cabins on them somewhere so the owners can make money off their land...kind of like where we stayed. The owners have 77 acres of wooded land, and they simply built two nice cabins on their driveway. Charged me $320 for two nights. Not a bad gig.
Sack. Life never saw us coming.
Life's ball. 2nd and 17 on their own 1.
August 21st - 20-13
Never knew a hot tub could save a day.
Got Gelert to the kennel early, then headed down to Ashland to drop off the kids at my mom's house. Kind of hectic getting everything packed and the kids rounded up and such, but that's all good. Finally headed out of Ashland at around 1:00 for Hocking Hills, and, with lunch, arrived at around 4:00. However, it's apparently not important to label the roads in the hills of southern Ohio, so getting to out cabin was a bit more of a chore than it should've been. When you're in the middle of the forest on narrow winding roads in "Deliverance" country as evening's approaching, the last thing you want to see is a "low gas" light, but I did. So, we bailed on finding our cabin and decided to find a gas station instead. After half an hour or so, we did, and went online with the phones to get better directions (there was no cell phone reception in the hills, by the way).
Finally made it to the cabin, which was quite nice.
Unpacked and headed back into town for a fairly bad dinner and a boring game of miniature golf. People know how I am about the miniature golf. I'm somewhat of an elitist. We played a course that looked nice and started off good, but quickly grew boring in its design. Also, brick walls. I hate brick walls.
Anyway, after that we headed back to the cabin, which had a hot tab on the back deck. I'm not big into hot tubs, but my wife is, so in we went. It was so secluded and Tieraney felt so comfortable that she actually got the nude going on. If you know anything about my wife, you know that this isn't the kind of thing she does, so it was exceptionally hot. It was a great night of just relaxing and joking around and remembering life without kids. Seeing Tieraney enjoying herself so much was easily worth the trip and the money. Fantastic way to start a weekend getaway.
Kickoff is short, by the returner muffs the catch. He chases the ball back to the eight, where we bring him down.
Life's ball. 1st and 10 on their own 8.
Got Gelert to the kennel early, then headed down to Ashland to drop off the kids at my mom's house. Kind of hectic getting everything packed and the kids rounded up and such, but that's all good. Finally headed out of Ashland at around 1:00 for Hocking Hills, and, with lunch, arrived at around 4:00. However, it's apparently not important to label the roads in the hills of southern Ohio, so getting to out cabin was a bit more of a chore than it should've been. When you're in the middle of the forest on narrow winding roads in "Deliverance" country as evening's approaching, the last thing you want to see is a "low gas" light, but I did. So, we bailed on finding our cabin and decided to find a gas station instead. After half an hour or so, we did, and went online with the phones to get better directions (there was no cell phone reception in the hills, by the way).
Finally made it to the cabin, which was quite nice.
Unpacked and headed back into town for a fairly bad dinner and a boring game of miniature golf. People know how I am about the miniature golf. I'm somewhat of an elitist. We played a course that looked nice and started off good, but quickly grew boring in its design. Also, brick walls. I hate brick walls.
Anyway, after that we headed back to the cabin, which had a hot tab on the back deck. I'm not big into hot tubs, but my wife is, so in we went. It was so secluded and Tieraney felt so comfortable that she actually got the nude going on. If you know anything about my wife, you know that this isn't the kind of thing she does, so it was exceptionally hot. It was a great night of just relaxing and joking around and remembering life without kids. Seeing Tieraney enjoying herself so much was easily worth the trip and the money. Fantastic way to start a weekend getaway.
Kickoff is short, by the returner muffs the catch. He chases the ball back to the eight, where we bring him down.
Life's ball. 1st and 10 on their own 8.
August 20th - 20-13
Finished up stuff at work today, since the trip starts tomorrow. Not hard to do, since the main projects are over. I'd actually planned on coming in to work Friday morning before we headed out, but there's not enough work to justify it, and this will help us get out of town sooner, which will please my wife. I enjoy when my wife is pleased.
So, nothing of note going on, but nothing to stop an extra point kick, either.
Extra point is good.
So, nothing of note going on, but nothing to stop an extra point kick, either.
Extra point is good.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
August 19th - 19-13
Made some extra money today with Mac support. One of our clients at Dynamics Online is a Mac user, and he occasionally calls me over for some tech support. I like going there, because a.) he's a good dude, a writer, and he tells good stories, and b.) I kick ass at Mac tech support. For him, anyway. Hasn't been a problem yet he's had that I haven't solved. This means one of two things. I'm either better with Macs than I thought, or Macs are just superior machines that are easier to run and manage if you pay attention. I'm going to go with both, because both are absolutely true.
Anyway, that's the beginning and the end of stories today, but extra money is enough to finally get some yards.
QB sneak puts us over the goal line, and I take the lead for the first time in the game.
My ball. Touchdown.
Anyway, that's the beginning and the end of stories today, but extra money is enough to finally get some yards.
QB sneak puts us over the goal line, and I take the lead for the first time in the game.
My ball. Touchdown.
August 18th - 13-13
Good thing I'm going to Hocking Hills this weekend. It's the only thing saving me from the nothingness. Awesomely boring stretch of summer right now, which I'll obviously take as an improvement over two mortgages and unexpected issues. Work is work, home is home, and I have absolutely no stories to tell about either.
I want to start a new blog, though. "Bad advice from rock bands." Two entries so far:
1. "Don't Stop Believing" - Quite often, it's better (and more productive) to just give up and move along.
2. "Love the One You're With" - The one you're with could have tuberculosis.
Another run up the middle, another stuff.
My ball. 4th and goal on the Life's 1. We're going to go for it, though. We haven't been down here enough to feel comfortable about getting down here again anytime soon.
I want to start a new blog, though. "Bad advice from rock bands." Two entries so far:
1. "Don't Stop Believing" - Quite often, it's better (and more productive) to just give up and move along.
2. "Love the One You're With" - The one you're with could have tuberculosis.
Another run up the middle, another stuff.
My ball. 4th and goal on the Life's 1. We're going to go for it, though. We haven't been down here enough to feel comfortable about getting down here again anytime soon.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
August 17th - 13-13
My Mondays are not manic. My Mondays are mundane. Work has slowed down considerably, so I'd better get something rolling there. Watched a little football last night, despite having no interest in either the Panthers or the Giants. I like Jaworski, though. He's getting to the point where he feels has to say stupid things and cliches in order to fill dead air, but I guess that happens with everyone.
I also turned to Monday Night RAW. Out walked Freddie Prinze, Jr. I turned from Monday Night RAW. Vince just really doesn't want my viewership back, does he.
Also watched the final two episodes of Flight of the Conchords, season two. What a low way to end a series. Disappointing. Maybe after a couple of years off they'll give it another go and be able to pull it back together. If not, there's really no reason to watch patch season one.
Lazy day = lazy play calling. Run up the middle results in no gain.
My ball. 3rd and goal on the Life's 1.
I also turned to Monday Night RAW. Out walked Freddie Prinze, Jr. I turned from Monday Night RAW. Vince just really doesn't want my viewership back, does he.
Also watched the final two episodes of Flight of the Conchords, season two. What a low way to end a series. Disappointing. Maybe after a couple of years off they'll give it another go and be able to pull it back together. If not, there's really no reason to watch patch season one.
Lazy day = lazy play calling. Run up the middle results in no gain.
My ball. 3rd and goal on the Life's 1.
Monday, August 17, 2009
August 15th-16th - 13-13
Saturday was fucked up day, and I blame it solely on the fucking (see what I did there?). Having sex at 3:00 a.m., going to bed at 3:30 a.m., and getting up at 8:00 with the kids leads to a day of nothing. Tieraney, with the hangover, was much worse off than I was, and didn't get out of bed until around noon. We spent the rest of the dozing in and out of sleep in the living room while the kids watched TV and played the games that kids do. Literally. It was a totally wasted day. We finally got out of the house in the evening to buy Sophie some school clothes, and I quickly mowed in the twilight when we got back. The sun had set before I finished, but that's fine. It's in the 90s in Ohio right now, so better to mow after the sun goes down on me.
Saturday night, the Seahawks won their first preseason game. Not a big deal, but good to see. Our QB and receivers looked healthy, I've read, which obviously wasn't the case last year. Here's hoping we can keep that up. This coming week, we play Denver, who I'd love to see be the worst team in the NFL since we get their #1 draft pick next year. Drafting #1 and #32 in 2010...that's my goal.
Sunday was the Starkey family reunion at Geneva-On-the-Lake. I enjoy these things, although I purposely didn't take much advantage of the locale yesterday. It was too hot to do the miniature golf, arcades, etc. with the kids, so I mainly hung out in the shade while they played in the park. The rest of my family went up on Saturday and spent the night there. I maybe would have, but since Tieraney and I are going to Hocking Hills this coming weekend, we decided to skip that expense.
Dump of to the tight end, but he's help up at the goal line.
My ball. 2nd and goal on life's 1.
Saturday night, the Seahawks won their first preseason game. Not a big deal, but good to see. Our QB and receivers looked healthy, I've read, which obviously wasn't the case last year. Here's hoping we can keep that up. This coming week, we play Denver, who I'd love to see be the worst team in the NFL since we get their #1 draft pick next year. Drafting #1 and #32 in 2010...that's my goal.
Sunday was the Starkey family reunion at Geneva-On-the-Lake. I enjoy these things, although I purposely didn't take much advantage of the locale yesterday. It was too hot to do the miniature golf, arcades, etc. with the kids, so I mainly hung out in the shade while they played in the park. The rest of my family went up on Saturday and spent the night there. I maybe would have, but since Tieraney and I are going to Hocking Hills this coming weekend, we decided to skip that expense.
Dump of to the tight end, but he's help up at the goal line.
My ball. 2nd and goal on life's 1.
August 14th - 13-13
Apparently, I was just being dramatic, as I'm sometimes want to do. Got an apology from Tieraney, which is a rare thing. She hates to apologize, as I may have mentioned. She's thrilled with the cruise, she was just kind of shocked about it. Apparently, a random cruise gift is not the kind of thing I'm known for giving. Go figure. So, that was all smoothed out quit early in the day.
Went home early because Tieraney was going tout for her birthday "party" with coworkers. As always, I took advantage of this by putting the kids to bed and playing games all night on the Wii. This time, I invited my friend David Temple over for some Rock Band 2, Resident Evil and Wii Sports Resort. It was fun. Like college all over again, only with more video games and fewer friends (a ratio with which I'm comfortable).
And, as always, Tieraney came home drunk (much moreso than normal, this time), which leads to 3:00 a.m. drunken sex. I always have trouble sleeping when Tieraney's out with her buddies, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm worried about her or I'm just geared up for the loving that'll happen when she gets home.
Penalty called on Life on the previous play. Offsides. Half the distance to the goal
My ball. 1st and goal on life's 6.
Went home early because Tieraney was going tout for her birthday "party" with coworkers. As always, I took advantage of this by putting the kids to bed and playing games all night on the Wii. This time, I invited my friend David Temple over for some Rock Band 2, Resident Evil and Wii Sports Resort. It was fun. Like college all over again, only with more video games and fewer friends (a ratio with which I'm comfortable).
And, as always, Tieraney came home drunk (much moreso than normal, this time), which leads to 3:00 a.m. drunken sex. I always have trouble sleeping when Tieraney's out with her buddies, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm worried about her or I'm just geared up for the loving that'll happen when she gets home.
Penalty called on Life on the previous play. Offsides. Half the distance to the goal
My ball. 1st and goal on life's 6.
Friday, August 14, 2009
August 13th - 13-13
Crash! Not literally this time, though. Booked that cruise yesterday as a surprise for Tieraney. No logical way to give it to her for her birthday (they don't give you tickets anymore), and it's more of anniversary gift, anyway, since it's June 17th of next year. So, I surprised her with the announcement last night. It was met with...apathy.
Total apathy. She didn't get excited about it all. Didn't thank me. Said a week, "Sounds like fun," as if I'm actually just inconveniencing her. Maybe she had something else scheduled that week?
Her reaction is taking me longer to get over than I'd expect. I suppose I set myself up for that, thinking I was doing something great. Or maybe it's the feat that there's something deeper there. I have no reason to feel that way, but since when has that stopped me? Likely, this will all blow over by tonight. It better, because she's going out with her coworkers so they can celebrate her birthday. If she's out until 1:00 a.m. on an evening when I'm insecure about things, that's going to make for a hell of a long night.
We try a trick field goal and go for the TD. The kicker's pass is nowhere near its intended target.
Life's ball. 1st and 10 on their own 11.
Total apathy. She didn't get excited about it all. Didn't thank me. Said a week, "Sounds like fun," as if I'm actually just inconveniencing her. Maybe she had something else scheduled that week?
Her reaction is taking me longer to get over than I'd expect. I suppose I set myself up for that, thinking I was doing something great. Or maybe it's the feat that there's something deeper there. I have no reason to feel that way, but since when has that stopped me? Likely, this will all blow over by tonight. It better, because she's going out with her coworkers so they can celebrate her birthday. If she's out until 1:00 a.m. on an evening when I'm insecure about things, that's going to make for a hell of a long night.
We try a trick field goal and go for the TD. The kicker's pass is nowhere near its intended target.
Life's ball. 1st and 10 on their own 11.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
August 12th - 13-13
Add to the list of things that make me sad, Flight of the Conchords season 2 is not nearly as funny as season 1. Another reason why I prefer The State. It got better each year as they matured as comedy writers. With Flight of the Conchords, you get the idea that they spent a few years working up and refining their best material, got the show, and threw it all into season one. When it came time to do new material, they couldn't churn it out. Not sure if there'll be a season three, but if so, I'll be curious to see if they can get back into the swing of it.
Not much else doing. Got an e-mail from Paws and Prayers asking if I can bring Gelert to one of their event on Saturday. Not sure I want to anymore. Last weekend was too difficult to navigate, so we're going to look at going a different way, perhaps.
Also, ends up I may be an idiot. Tieraney and I have been looking into flying out to Seattle next year so I can see a Seahawks game. As I've been considering it, however, I may switch that to something Tieraney wants to do. She's been pushing for a cruise for a while, so I may book one to give her for her birthday on the 24th, and call that our vacation next year. It'll be a short one, since we'll need to have relatives watch the kids. But regarding Seattle, I think that now I'd like to wait until my kids are old enough to go. I have no guarantees they'll grow up liking the Seahawks, but if so, that seems like a great thing to share with them. If not, maybe it'll urge them in that direction.
So, do the cruise now we'll Tieraney and I can make trips with just us. Save the game for when we're making trips with the chitlens.
Receivers are covered, so the QB has to scramble. Not enough for the first.
My ball. 4th and 2 on life's 11.
Not much else doing. Got an e-mail from Paws and Prayers asking if I can bring Gelert to one of their event on Saturday. Not sure I want to anymore. Last weekend was too difficult to navigate, so we're going to look at going a different way, perhaps.
Also, ends up I may be an idiot. Tieraney and I have been looking into flying out to Seattle next year so I can see a Seahawks game. As I've been considering it, however, I may switch that to something Tieraney wants to do. She's been pushing for a cruise for a while, so I may book one to give her for her birthday on the 24th, and call that our vacation next year. It'll be a short one, since we'll need to have relatives watch the kids. But regarding Seattle, I think that now I'd like to wait until my kids are old enough to go. I have no guarantees they'll grow up liking the Seahawks, but if so, that seems like a great thing to share with them. If not, maybe it'll urge them in that direction.
So, do the cruise now we'll Tieraney and I can make trips with just us. Save the game for when we're making trips with the chitlens.
Receivers are covered, so the QB has to scramble. Not enough for the first.
My ball. 4th and 2 on life's 11.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 11th - 13-13
Worked from home because of the tire, which means I took care of other stuff, too. Got my wife's e-check done finally (she needs to do the license thing by August 24th). Had lunch with her. Then picked up the Soul from Kia. Nail in the tire was causing a slow leak, so I had to pay to get it fixed, but it was much less than buying a new tire.
I want football to be here. I need to set up my fantasy league. I want the Wild to announce their third sweater so I can decide which to buy. That is the end of my interest in sports at this point...other than this game here.
Gained a couple yards back on a draw play.
My ball. 3rd and 9 on life's 18.
I want football to be here. I need to set up my fantasy league. I want the Wild to announce their third sweater so I can decide which to buy. That is the end of my interest in sports at this point...other than this game here.
Gained a couple yards back on a draw play.
My ball. 3rd and 9 on life's 18.
August 10th - 13-13
Flat tire! Ahhhhhhhhh!
Cool thing about the new car. It says, "Hey, Hiner, flat tire. Might not want to drive to work."
Actually, it's just a little dashboard light that looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation mark in it. So, either my horse has thrown a shoe or Niagara Falls is in trouble. I went with the horse, and sure enough, the front driver's side tire was completely flat. After a few moments of debate, I decided to drive to the nearest gas station (about 1/2 mile from my house) to inflate it, then drive to work. If it just went flat again, the car would let me know, right?
I made it all the way to work with no trouble. Called Kia, then made it all the way back to Akron to drop it off yesterday afternoon. I've got the warranty for such things, but I know it won't cover road-induced tire damage, so hopefully I won't have to buy a new one.
Beyond that, not a lot of note. The boss is gone all week, so I'm charge, mother fuckers! I'll take advantage of that by working from home.
Run is sniffed out and stopped behind the line.
My ball. 2nd and 12 on life's 21.
Cool thing about the new car. It says, "Hey, Hiner, flat tire. Might not want to drive to work."
Actually, it's just a little dashboard light that looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation mark in it. So, either my horse has thrown a shoe or Niagara Falls is in trouble. I went with the horse, and sure enough, the front driver's side tire was completely flat. After a few moments of debate, I decided to drive to the nearest gas station (about 1/2 mile from my house) to inflate it, then drive to work. If it just went flat again, the car would let me know, right?
I made it all the way to work with no trouble. Called Kia, then made it all the way back to Akron to drop it off yesterday afternoon. I've got the warranty for such things, but I know it won't cover road-induced tire damage, so hopefully I won't have to buy a new one.
Beyond that, not a lot of note. The boss is gone all week, so I'm charge, mother fuckers! I'll take advantage of that by working from home.
Run is sniffed out and stopped behind the line.
My ball. 2nd and 12 on life's 21.
Monday, August 10, 2009
August 8th-9th - 13-13
Crazy play this weekend.
Saturday, we turned ownership of Gelert over to Paws and Prayers. A woman with two Siberian Huskies offered to be her "foster" parent until they find a permanent home for her, so we met them at 3:00 to drop off the dog. This was surprisingly difficult for me to do. I'm not a crying man. I haven't done it since I was 18. But there were points when I purposely had to avoid talking because I was afraid of breaking up. On the way back to the house, Tieraney did start crying, which shocked the hell out of me. Always thought she hated that dog.
So, we get home, take down the gate, put the crate outside, and begin to prepare the house for no dog.
Huh uh. Sunday morning, I get a call while I'm church (no worries, the ringer was off). I don't recognize the number, but see a call came in Saturday night, as well. So, I go outside to hear the message. It's Paws and Prayers. The foster lady doesn't want Gelert. Says she's not handling the adjustment well, is getting snippy, and growls around her huskies.
Okay, I'm not sure what this woman expected...an 8-year-old dog not adjusting well to new surroundings doesn't seem that surprising to me, but fine. The whole point of this was for Gelert to live in a house where she can be happier than in ours, so I don't want her to stay there. Sunday afternoon, we meet the lady at the same place, and Gelert's back in our possession. How was your weekend, dog?
Paws and Prayers said they'll continue to try to place her, but then it gets really weird. Tieraney says she didn't sleep well Saturday night, and attributes that to Gelert not being there. She felt safer with the dog around, and was insulted by this woman who wouldn't keep her. Tieraney is very protective of family, and took it personally that this woman didn't want a member of ours. So, now she thinks she wants to keep Gelert. Is looking into "doggie downers" to help Gelert relax in her crate.
So, what happens next? Hell if I know. Gelert is still registered with Paws and Prayers, so we'll likely keep that open. But we like this dog of ours, and we're not going to keep bouncing her around like a drug addicted foster kid. If a good home comes up, and there's a guarantee that it'll stick, maybe we do it. Any other circumstances, though, and it's out of the question.
Also, football started.
Bizarre play. Our pass into the end zone is intercepted, but the defender runs the ball out, is hit, and fumbles. We recover.
My ball. 1st and 10 on life's 19.
Saturday, we turned ownership of Gelert over to Paws and Prayers. A woman with two Siberian Huskies offered to be her "foster" parent until they find a permanent home for her, so we met them at 3:00 to drop off the dog. This was surprisingly difficult for me to do. I'm not a crying man. I haven't done it since I was 18. But there were points when I purposely had to avoid talking because I was afraid of breaking up. On the way back to the house, Tieraney did start crying, which shocked the hell out of me. Always thought she hated that dog.
So, we get home, take down the gate, put the crate outside, and begin to prepare the house for no dog.
Huh uh. Sunday morning, I get a call while I'm church (no worries, the ringer was off). I don't recognize the number, but see a call came in Saturday night, as well. So, I go outside to hear the message. It's Paws and Prayers. The foster lady doesn't want Gelert. Says she's not handling the adjustment well, is getting snippy, and growls around her huskies.
Okay, I'm not sure what this woman expected...an 8-year-old dog not adjusting well to new surroundings doesn't seem that surprising to me, but fine. The whole point of this was for Gelert to live in a house where she can be happier than in ours, so I don't want her to stay there. Sunday afternoon, we meet the lady at the same place, and Gelert's back in our possession. How was your weekend, dog?
Paws and Prayers said they'll continue to try to place her, but then it gets really weird. Tieraney says she didn't sleep well Saturday night, and attributes that to Gelert not being there. She felt safer with the dog around, and was insulted by this woman who wouldn't keep her. Tieraney is very protective of family, and took it personally that this woman didn't want a member of ours. So, now she thinks she wants to keep Gelert. Is looking into "doggie downers" to help Gelert relax in her crate.
So, what happens next? Hell if I know. Gelert is still registered with Paws and Prayers, so we'll likely keep that open. But we like this dog of ours, and we're not going to keep bouncing her around like a drug addicted foster kid. If a good home comes up, and there's a guarantee that it'll stick, maybe we do it. Any other circumstances, though, and it's out of the question.
Also, football started.
Bizarre play. Our pass into the end zone is intercepted, but the defender runs the ball out, is hit, and fumbles. We recover.
My ball. 1st and 10 on life's 19.
August 7th 13-13
Today, I did something I never thought I'd do. I bought one of those guitar games for the Wii. Tieraney instigated it, asking why we don't have one because she heard they're a lot of fun. My theory has always been that I, you know, play bass, and don't need to do it on a video game.
But Rock Band 2 was on sale for $99, so what the hell. I bought it. Hooked it up. Played it with Tieraney and the kids. And yeah, it is fun. I wouldn't ever play it on my own, but it's fun to stand in your living room fake jamming with others. Tieraney and I are enjoying playing it together, even some of the songs we don't like. We've learned that, yes, we really are justified in our dislike for the wildly overrated Beastie Boys, and that Jethro Tull is a confusing band.
Anyway, after the kids were in bed, Tieraney and I played it for three hours. That may be the longest we've done anything together that doesn't involve being asleep. Good times.
Seven yard run
My ball: 2nd and 3 on life's 23.
But Rock Band 2 was on sale for $99, so what the hell. I bought it. Hooked it up. Played it with Tieraney and the kids. And yeah, it is fun. I wouldn't ever play it on my own, but it's fun to stand in your living room fake jamming with others. Tieraney and I are enjoying playing it together, even some of the songs we don't like. We've learned that, yes, we really are justified in our dislike for the wildly overrated Beastie Boys, and that Jethro Tull is a confusing band.
Anyway, after the kids were in bed, Tieraney and I played it for three hours. That may be the longest we've done anything together that doesn't involve being asleep. Good times.
Seven yard run
My ball: 2nd and 3 on life's 23.
Friday, August 7, 2009
August 6th - 13-13
Part two of Super Hiner Sports Weekend has been secured. A fellow Seahawks fan posted on his Facebook account that he procured 10 tickets to the Seahawks / Colts game on October 4th, and that ten remain just behind them. I got the info, and bought three. They're absolutely horrible seats, and they cost $70 a pop with fees, but live football sometimes requires sacrifices.
Now, I just need to wait until the end of the month when single game hockey tickets go on sale to make sure I get into the Wild / Blue Jackets game. Normally, that's not an issue, but this is the opening home game of the season the year after the Blue Jackets made the playoffs for the first time. We can still get tickets, yeah, but we'll have to be quick.
Even better, Tieraney has agreed to make the trip with me. That's always iffy, as it's a lot of road and sports for her, but she's up for it. She likes live hockey, and doesn't mind live football if we're not the only ones there rooting for the Seahawks.
So, this is all good. The bad news? The Shonen Knife concert scheduled for Cleveladn in October has been moved to Toronto. I can't drive to Toronto to see Shonen Knife. C'est dommage.
12th man = 12 yard pass.
My ball: 1st and 10 on life's 30.
Now, I just need to wait until the end of the month when single game hockey tickets go on sale to make sure I get into the Wild / Blue Jackets game. Normally, that's not an issue, but this is the opening home game of the season the year after the Blue Jackets made the playoffs for the first time. We can still get tickets, yeah, but we'll have to be quick.
Even better, Tieraney has agreed to make the trip with me. That's always iffy, as it's a lot of road and sports for her, but she's up for it. She likes live hockey, and doesn't mind live football if we're not the only ones there rooting for the Seahawks.
So, this is all good. The bad news? The Shonen Knife concert scheduled for Cleveladn in October has been moved to Toronto. I can't drive to Toronto to see Shonen Knife. C'est dommage.
12th man = 12 yard pass.
My ball: 1st and 10 on life's 30.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
August 5th - 13-13
Looks like Philly will be happening next week now. The lawyers have everything sorted out, so it's my turn. Not sure when I'll go, yet; likely Friday of next week. Likely I'll also have to keep the same flight, but we'll see if that can be changed.
There's also a chance that we'll be turning over ownership of our dog this weekend. Gelert's issue, we've determined, is that she has separation anxiety all of a sudden. Perhaps it's because of her medication. Don't know. But every time when we've come home from work or going out or whatever, she's been clawing at and chewing at her crate. Puddles of saliva are on the bottom of it. Her paws and neck are soaked. Her paws are also read from scratching, there are teeth and claw marks around the whole crate, and there's even been some blood, although we're not sure if it's from her mouth or paws. This is constant behavior, but we have no choice but to crate her. Anywhere else, and she'll tear at the carpet, doors or gate.
So, we've found a woman who already owns two huskies and would like to take Gelert, as well. She's home more often than we are, and, even when she's not, there are the other dogs. I feel bad. It's tough to give up a dog after seven years of ownership. But Gelert's obviously not happy with the current situation, and Lord knows Tieraney isn't enjoying things any better, so there you go.
Some minor problems with the e-commerce site we launched. Nothing with what I did, but secure server issues and reporting problems with the programming we outsourced. Still feel good about it, but not as good as I feel about football in 10 days.
Oh, and Flight of the Conchords Season Two is out on the DVD. Watched four episodes so far. First two weren't so hot, but the last two were hilarious. I enjoy myself some comedy on the TV.
Incomplete pass.
My ball: 2nd and 10 on life's 42.
There's also a chance that we'll be turning over ownership of our dog this weekend. Gelert's issue, we've determined, is that she has separation anxiety all of a sudden. Perhaps it's because of her medication. Don't know. But every time when we've come home from work or going out or whatever, she's been clawing at and chewing at her crate. Puddles of saliva are on the bottom of it. Her paws and neck are soaked. Her paws are also read from scratching, there are teeth and claw marks around the whole crate, and there's even been some blood, although we're not sure if it's from her mouth or paws. This is constant behavior, but we have no choice but to crate her. Anywhere else, and she'll tear at the carpet, doors or gate.
So, we've found a woman who already owns two huskies and would like to take Gelert, as well. She's home more often than we are, and, even when she's not, there are the other dogs. I feel bad. It's tough to give up a dog after seven years of ownership. But Gelert's obviously not happy with the current situation, and Lord knows Tieraney isn't enjoying things any better, so there you go.
Some minor problems with the e-commerce site we launched. Nothing with what I did, but secure server issues and reporting problems with the programming we outsourced. Still feel good about it, but not as good as I feel about football in 10 days.
Oh, and Flight of the Conchords Season Two is out on the DVD. Watched four episodes so far. First two weren't so hot, but the last two were hilarious. I enjoy myself some comedy on the TV.
Incomplete pass.
My ball: 2nd and 10 on life's 42.
August 4th - 13-13
The death toll rises. Tieraney found a fourth bunny in the back yard, this one just at the edge of Gelert's leash range. Poor little dude was just about a foot or two from life. Or, maybe Gelert just carried it over there. I don't know.
Launched that big project yesterday that I'd been working on for over a year. Or, actually, that's kind of not true. This portion of it, I'd only been on for around four months. But it's still a relief. Worked pretty well. We'll see how long that keeps up. It should be fine, because I do kick-ass work. I should win an award.
And are we really this close to football preseason? I've got to get on my fantasy league. Don't want to be forced into having the draft at a weird time again.
Big project = big play. Pass to the sideline for 12.
My ball: 1st and 10 on life's 42.
Launched that big project yesterday that I'd been working on for over a year. Or, actually, that's kind of not true. This portion of it, I'd only been on for around four months. But it's still a relief. Worked pretty well. We'll see how long that keeps up. It should be fine, because I do kick-ass work. I should win an award.
And are we really this close to football preseason? I've got to get on my fantasy league. Don't want to be forced into having the draft at a weird time again.
Big project = big play. Pass to the sideline for 12.
My ball: 1st and 10 on life's 42.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
August 3rd - 13-13
My dog is a murderer.
Talking to my mom on the phone last night, when it occurs to me that Gelert, who usually sits by the patio door when she's been outside for a while, isn't by the patio door. I go outside, and Gelert's got her face buried behind the air conditioner. My first thought is that she found and caught big old toad, but when I got closer, I can see what appears to be a dead mole. I pull her away, and she reaches down to pick up what appears to be a second dead mole. But no, it's a rabbit. A very, very young rabbit. I get her to drop it and put her inside, then turn around to witness the carnage. For one reason or another, a group of rabbits trapped themselves under my air conditioner. Gelert found them, and that was that. Three dead bunnies, all at the jaws of my dog. I threw them in a bag to take them to the trash, and on the way out front, there was mom. Mom looked at me as if this was somehow my fault. All I'm thinking is, "Dude, you're the one who trapped your kids in a corner then left them there. Survival of the fittest, you know. And anyway, I'm sure you'll have more."
Still felt bad, though. Has Gelert no remorse? No shame?
Beyond that, I spent six hours at work yesterday putting a page title on a website. That's not a joke. Six hours to do a page title. Had to mess around with a bunch of code I didn't understand to bypass the e-commerce system's defaults. Did it, though. Because I'm a man.
What looks to be a decent gain is batted down at the last second.
My ball: 3rd and 3 on my own 46.
Talking to my mom on the phone last night, when it occurs to me that Gelert, who usually sits by the patio door when she's been outside for a while, isn't by the patio door. I go outside, and Gelert's got her face buried behind the air conditioner. My first thought is that she found and caught big old toad, but when I got closer, I can see what appears to be a dead mole. I pull her away, and she reaches down to pick up what appears to be a second dead mole. But no, it's a rabbit. A very, very young rabbit. I get her to drop it and put her inside, then turn around to witness the carnage. For one reason or another, a group of rabbits trapped themselves under my air conditioner. Gelert found them, and that was that. Three dead bunnies, all at the jaws of my dog. I threw them in a bag to take them to the trash, and on the way out front, there was mom. Mom looked at me as if this was somehow my fault. All I'm thinking is, "Dude, you're the one who trapped your kids in a corner then left them there. Survival of the fittest, you know. And anyway, I'm sure you'll have more."
Still felt bad, though. Has Gelert no remorse? No shame?
Beyond that, I spent six hours at work yesterday putting a page title on a website. That's not a joke. Six hours to do a page title. Had to mess around with a bunch of code I didn't understand to bypass the e-commerce system's defaults. Did it, though. Because I'm a man.
What looks to be a decent gain is batted down at the last second.
My ball: 3rd and 3 on my own 46.
August 1st-2nd - 13-13
Saturday, we were playing WiiSports Resort Bowling, when it suddenly occurred to us that, hey, there's real bowling. So, we took the kids bowling. It was good and all, I had a pretty fantastic game for myself, but the kids started misbehaving after we done, so it didn't end well. Put Sophie on one of those shopping market merry-go-rounds, turned around for a second, and she was standing up on it with an arm in the air. Pretty impressive, actually, but when I told her to sit back down, she decided to cross over to a different horse. So, I pulled her off and that was that. Not well met.
Here's what I liked about Saturday night, though. Went upstairs to the bedroom where Tieraney was watching TV. Dialogue:
K: We renting a movie or something.
T: Actually, I'm in the mood for a chick flick.
K: Okay, well, I can go play Wii for a while until you're done.
T: That's fine.
So, I played Wii for an hour and a half, Tieraney watched "Confessions of a Shopaholic," then we did it.
See? I didn't have to watch the chick flick. I got to kill zombies. And I still got to do it. Marriage kicks ass.
Nothing big on Sunday, but we are, apparently going to have Sophie's November birthday party at a place with giant inflatable things. More about that in November.
Quick dump over the middle picks up 7.
My ball: 2nd and 3 on my own 46.
Here's what I liked about Saturday night, though. Went upstairs to the bedroom where Tieraney was watching TV. Dialogue:
K: We renting a movie or something.
T: Actually, I'm in the mood for a chick flick.
K: Okay, well, I can go play Wii for a while until you're done.
T: That's fine.
So, I played Wii for an hour and a half, Tieraney watched "Confessions of a Shopaholic," then we did it.
See? I didn't have to watch the chick flick. I got to kill zombies. And I still got to do it. Marriage kicks ass.
Nothing big on Sunday, but we are, apparently going to have Sophie's November birthday party at a place with giant inflatable things. More about that in November.
Quick dump over the middle picks up 7.
My ball: 2nd and 3 on my own 46.
July 31st - 13-13
Finally, something kind of fun. Since I didn't go to Philly, Tieraney went out after work with her coworkers who had a farewell party for someone who worked there. I went home early to get the kids, bathe them, feed them, then wait for Tieraney to get home so we could go see Almost Queen in Cuyahoga Falls. That's obviously a poorly named Queen tribute band (the real Queen should call themselves Almost Queen now). It was very crowded and we had horrible views (small, outdoor amphitheater against the Cuyahoga River), but it was a lot of fun. The kids loved it. Sophie was thrilled when they played songs she knew ("Bicycle Race," "Don't Stop Me Now," etc.), and Sam danced the whole time. The kids were quite the spectacle, with the boy dancing and Sophie on my shoulders singing along to "Radio Ga Ga." Warms the hearts of Queen fans to see the chirrens singing along.
The band was good. They overreached a couple times, but they mostly nailed it. I was pleased.
And that's worth a first down, right?
My ball: 1st and 10 on my own 39.
The band was good. They overreached a couple times, but they mostly nailed it. I was pleased.
And that's worth a first down, right?
My ball: 1st and 10 on my own 39.
July 30th - 2009
Supposed to fly out to Philly, but we know what happened there. So, I got a lot of work done on an e-commerce project that's been owning me for quite some time. Nothing else to report.
Incomplete pass.
My ball: 3rd and 7 on my own 28.
Incomplete pass.
My ball: 3rd and 7 on my own 28.
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