Every time we feed the girls rice, they make a huge mess in the process of devouring it. Thanks to their Gong Gong, they learned how to make rice balls, so the mess usually stems from their attempts to craft the perfect rice spheres. I just spent 10 minutes vacuuming half a plate of rice off the dining room rug, and for several days I will likely find grains of the stuff all over the house--rice tracks easily on feet.
So for the next few days, I will undoubtedly discover this stuff as I step on it with bare feet and forcefully utter "RICE!!"
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Dark Times
This time of year begins the season of darkness here in the PNW. It's wet, dark, chilly, and I spend most of my time indoors--usually on the flippin' computer. However, tonight--like many evenings--I find myself grilling dinner on the Weber, in the rain. This time of year also starts my California dreaming and fantasizing about moving back to the warmer and generally drier climate of my home state. I think of the cool, foggy evenings in SF, the seemingly perpetual state of summer in San Diego, and the warm nights in the Sacramento valley.
Maybe someday me and the "fam" will venture back to the golden state, but until then we continue to enjoy a peaceful, but dark and soggy existence on a beautiful island in the Puget Sound.
Btw, Rachelle--much to the girl's amazement--caught the fly this morning and released it outside.
Maybe someday me and the "fam" will venture back to the golden state, but until then we continue to enjoy a peaceful, but dark and soggy existence on a beautiful island in the Puget Sound.
Btw, Rachelle--much to the girl's amazement--caught the fly this morning and released it outside.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Fly Traps
There has been a fly buzzing around the house for the last couple of days. The cat--lazy loafer--has paid only cursory attention to it, but Viv and Liv have been fascinated by it. Just before bed this evening, their interest peaked. They decided that the fly must be caught, so they constructed (on their own) not one but two fly traps; one downstairs, and one up. Now, the dilemma; how in the hell am going to get a fly into one of those traps!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Winterize
It is that time of year again in the PNW, time to winterize. The temps are dropping and the frost is appearing on the lawn in the mornings. I need to empty and cover a fountain, clean up the yard, and make sure the furnace filter is clean, etc. I also need to prepare for being primarily indoors for the next 6 months!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Moon vs. Information Overload
I find it interesting that in today's world of electronic communication and up-to-the-millisecond news and information, we as a people seem to be losing sight of what really matters.
The major stories of the day tend to focus energy on the dramatic, the negative, the sensationalized events that make people nervous, depressed, or angry about our global conditions.
The major TV events tend to be commercials about the next must-have gadget, shows about washed up celebrities dancing the cha-cha, or one of what seems like a bazillion crime dramas.
And in all this, NASA finds WATER ON THE FREAKIN' MOON (and a bunch of extra-solar planets in recent years), yet no one--except for NASA and nerds like myself--seem to give a hoot.
"Water on the moon? Oh...hey, have you seen the new Droid phone?"
What is happening?
Are we as a species simply overwhelmed with information that we no longer see new and truly amazing stories as important or relevant to our individual micro-worlds of jamming from place to place, task to task, in a mad rush to achieve our goals?
Am I just a science geek, and have most people never really cared about discovering what makes our universe tick?
I don't know the answers, but I feel puzzled that we are not celebrating these amazing discoveries with more vigor, while relegating the garbage stories to the back page.
The major stories of the day tend to focus energy on the dramatic, the negative, the sensationalized events that make people nervous, depressed, or angry about our global conditions.
The major TV events tend to be commercials about the next must-have gadget, shows about washed up celebrities dancing the cha-cha, or one of what seems like a bazillion crime dramas.
And in all this, NASA finds WATER ON THE FREAKIN' MOON (and a bunch of extra-solar planets in recent years), yet no one--except for NASA and nerds like myself--seem to give a hoot.
"Water on the moon? Oh...hey, have you seen the new Droid phone?"
What is happening?
Are we as a species simply overwhelmed with information that we no longer see new and truly amazing stories as important or relevant to our individual micro-worlds of jamming from place to place, task to task, in a mad rush to achieve our goals?
Am I just a science geek, and have most people never really cared about discovering what makes our universe tick?
I don't know the answers, but I feel puzzled that we are not celebrating these amazing discoveries with more vigor, while relegating the garbage stories to the back page.
Friday, November 13, 2009
What a difference a year makes
A lot has happened in the past year. I have worked a LOT, studied my arse off, the kids have grown by leaps and bounds, Rachelle was separated from WAMU via the not-so-wise moves of their executive leadership (if that's what one calls leadership), and three days ago I received noticed that my job would vanish in June of 2010.
Yes, after 13 years with the red A, I may be moving on to other things--and sadly I am not alone. It all depends on what happens internally between now and June or what I find on my own on the outside, but one way or another, change is on its way. But hell, that's OK. I've been wanting a change for a while now, so this is but a kick in the tush to jump start my next move on the employment continuum.
I am not bitter, overly sad, or afraid. I mean, I do have several months to make something happen, and that beats the alternative. And, if I am unsuccessful in finding a stable slot in the machine by June, I still have several months of "thank you" funds to rely on. So, really, it ain't so bad.
In the meantime, it is time to dust off the old resume, finish my classes (4 more!) and get back into the self-promotion business. I am actually feeling good about the possibilities, even in this shitty economy--one that is allegedly getting better, though I remain skeptical. :)
Yes, after 13 years with the red A, I may be moving on to other things--and sadly I am not alone. It all depends on what happens internally between now and June or what I find on my own on the outside, but one way or another, change is on its way. But hell, that's OK. I've been wanting a change for a while now, so this is but a kick in the tush to jump start my next move on the employment continuum.
I am not bitter, overly sad, or afraid. I mean, I do have several months to make something happen, and that beats the alternative. And, if I am unsuccessful in finding a stable slot in the machine by June, I still have several months of "thank you" funds to rely on. So, really, it ain't so bad.
In the meantime, it is time to dust off the old resume, finish my classes (4 more!) and get back into the self-promotion business. I am actually feeling good about the possibilities, even in this shitty economy--one that is allegedly getting better, though I remain skeptical. :)
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