December 2001 Archives

It's the last day of 2001: the new start to a new century. What was supposed to be the turning a the preverbial leaf for the country has instead hid under the leaf in fear. I still don't feel like we are at war. other than bin Laden, who are we fighting. And is he really fighting, or rather just hiding? How many "high alerts" have been issued? And how many did you pay attention too? is that what war is? I am clueless.

It could be me just going throught my life obivious to the world that circles around me, but I kind of like it that way. It has been nice not really working for the past two weeks or so. I got to spend precious time with my child-like family, exchange some fabulous gifts, see friends, and think about the obsurdity of new year's resolutions. In this time, i haven't gotten done what I really wanted to do, but events from today will force me to do some of it tomorrow.

Most importantly, love that has been growing for five years in now starting to overtake my heart and mind. It's a very deep feeling that has been away for too long. I am glad it's back.

I got this in an e-mail today. Is this legal? Does anybody know?

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This is an interesting read before you set out on your next road trip. Some very scary statistics. "The number of people killed in large-truck crashes has climbed above 5,000, totaling 5,211 last year, or a daily average of 14 deaths...Fifty-two hundred lives is like an airplane crashing every two weeks." Part Two Part Three

It is finally snowing!!! It took until the thrid official day in winter for it, but who cares? How long and how much is more important. Last year at this same time I think we had about two feet of snow on the ground. Hopefully it will be a white Christmas after all. Happy Holidays!

It's a sad day. Schaap was storyteller, collector of people

I think I figured out why people are afraid of heights. The common answer is that they don't want to fall. But really, it's not that falling that's scary, it's hitting the bottom. It's much like why you buy a drill and drill bit. You really don't need the drill or the bit, but rather the hole it produces.

I finally put my tree up. I don't have the ornaments on it yet, but that's another day.

This year I told myself to buy all my Christmas gifts on-line. But when I get to the "check-out," the shipping and handling scares me into saying "It's just easier (and cheaper to go to the store." So this year I compromised and decided to but it on-line, but pick it up in the store. AARGH. Never again. I was happily waiting behind one person in what I thought was the correct line. It did say purchase pick-up above the counter. I just happen to glance around at the chaos in the store, or maybe it was the ten pair of eyes burning into the back of my skull, but I was told that wasn't the line, and I have to wait behind them. Quickly surrendering and trying to keep my holiday spirits high, I calmly found a store representative and checked to make sure I was in the correct line. He affirmed the line choice and I drafted him to let the others know I was in the clear. Otherwise, I fear I would have no head left, as they would have promptly bit it off if I simply got back into line. Through I all this I lost my position and had to wait once again for another person to complete their order but I was still left with the sour taste of the grinches in the return line. Now, because of my own procrastination and frugal-ness not to get 2-day shipping, I must attempt to conquer the holiday shopping world once again. I am afraid. Very afraid.

Ever noticed in this Dockers ad that the dude is going commando? They show drawyers for everyone else ("That guy's got issues.") but not the main guy.

Here are my answers the the Blogger Insider questions as asked by Rich - a.k.a. "the netdork":

1. If you had to be represented by a cartoon character, which one would you choose?

Dilbert is really starting to compare my world of work. I can feel his pain everyday. Wally's too.

2. Where did you learn about web design?

Edit->View->Source, and a whole bunch of trial and error.

3. Will the Packers make it to the SuperBowl this year?

Wouldn't it be great if the did? But, Farve won't show up one of the games, the team will lose, an people will point fingers.

4. If your life had a soundtrack, what would the theme song be?

So many songs, so little space. Right now, I gotta say that it would be U2's Beautiful Day.

5. Which is better on a hot dog, cole slaw or chili?

I would actually prefer ketchup and mustard. But I am from Wisconsin, where brats are king and hot dogs are second class.

6. Who, what, when, where and how would you do what ever it it is that you've always wanted to do?

I have always wanted to get paid for stuff that I love to do (which is not exactly what I am doing now), but I don't think that was the spirit of the question. I think I will realize my answer to this question, after the moment has happened.

7. Will Santa be leaving coal in your stocking this year?

Absolutely not. I have been a very good boy this year.

8. What is the first weblog you read each day, and why?

Really, it's mine because it's my home page. But, if I go through my list, it's .::says me::. due to alphabetizing.

9. What was your favorite toy as a child?

It still is Legos.

10. What would you say is your worst vice?

My computer and the DSL connecting it.

11. Do you consider velvet paintings "art"?

Yup.

12. Is Velveeta really cheese?

No. Not that it's bad, but it's not real. To taste real cheese. You should try some from Wisconsin.

13. What was the last good book you read?

I finished the Hobbit not too long ago, and am finishing up the The Fellowship of the Ring right now. Can't wait to go see the movie, and to continue on the remaining books in the The Lord of the Rings.

14. Do you find clowns amusing, annoying, or scary?

I try not to find them at all.

15.What is the one place in the world you've never been to that you want to visit?

Well, considering I have never been out of the United States, (The Canadian side of Niagara Falls doesn't count, does it?) I would go just about anywhere. But New Zealand would be on the list, as well as Germany and Greece.

Yet another "Who Am I?" test, but this is eerily right. RobbyB's Personal Colour Profile. You can get yours here.

New in the "Are You kidding me?" department": Varsity blues: Son misses spot, so dad sues. There are people like this?

It's always pleasant to see someone picking their nose. You know that everyone does it, but it's always funny to see it happen. There's a law firm at the end of the hallway with a glass entry way. You have to pass by it on your way to the bathroom. Usually the secretary receptionist sits there all stiff and old, like she would rap you on the knuckles for misbehaving. But the last time I went to the bathroom, she was digging for gold like the rush of 1849 was still on. I wonder how long it took her to get her finger back out?

Today's Advent Calendar thought: "Relive a favorite memory." Go ahead, what are you afraid of? I can feel my life getting better, with every day in this advent. ;)

So there were appraisors that cam through my apartment, and I decided to spy on them. Here are the results: Better Quality, larger file (1.7MB) -or- Crappy Quality, smaller file (646 KB).

On the 3-month anniversary of 9-11, my thoughts, (as well as many others) goes to the families and friends of the victims. CNN.com completed an amazing list of the victims. The Space Shuttle and Space Station crews paid tribute this morning, and carried 6,000 flags into space.

Today's Advent Calendar thought: "Have a Heavenly Season." What if you don't believe in heaven? Maybe just have a season, then.

I was at work today for six hours, and it didn't seem that bad. I got more work done than I would have in the same amount of time on any other workday. If I wasn't at work, I would've been able to seen the Pack beat the Bears and then sit on my butt doing nothing. It was very refreshing ot know that I have that much less to do at work tomorrow.

Until we were teenagers, my grandmother would make us Advent Calendars with little presents for each day. Since then, my mom has continued the tradition with more simple calendars. Last year, it was a Legos set; really cool. This year, it's a card with friendly directives. Here's today's: "Fill the day with happy thoughts." There you go. Good luck with your day.

Here are my answers to Don's questions. It's a part of the Blogger Insider:

1) If you could either be more like your parents or less like them, which would you choose and why?
I am so much like my Dad, it's scary. We both are in the same line of work, and my Mom is constantly saying, "That's something your father would say."

2) If you could either go back and change something or go into the future which would you choose? What would you change?
Nothing. I am because of what has happened. I could be a really scary person if I changed anything.

3) Have you ever been in love?
Still am.

4) What is the best feeling in the world?
It's the moment when you wake up at 8:03 AM and think that you have to be at work, but really it's Saturday, and you can sleep as late as you want.

5) Favorite memory?
One of them has to when I finally realized I was hiking the backcountry of Denali. Another was my first kiss with Kris, 'cause it sums up a lot of our relationship. (Yuck. I almost puked from that sappiness. I promise not to let it happen again.)

6) When people think about you, what do you think their impression is, or what comes to mind?
He has a very loud, obnoxious laugh.

7) What is your biggest fear?
I try to live without fear.

8) What do you regret the most?
Not letting my true feelings be known. (That's all I'm going to say about that.)

9) What irritates you most in someone else? What do you appreciate most in others?
Most irritating is a lack of understanding and not thinking about how one's actions effect others.
I appreciate one's humor.

10) If you could be anywhere or anything else, what would your choice be?
I wouldn't want to be anything else, but I could definitely handle some sort of cruise or relaxing, pampering vacation in the Caribbean. That would be cool.

bonus question: What are your thoughts on the above questions?
The questions were good, but I wish I could express myself more eloquently.

This is hilarious. Make sure you hit the semi.

This has got to be the dumbest idea ever. Who would think that this adds value to today's culture? MC Hammer? Pah-leez.

This is a ton of fun, if you've got the time. I can't really make anything that sounds good.

Have you ever had a pimple grow overnight? How does that happen? I went to bed midnight Thursday, and by 7:00 am Friday, there it was, right next to my nose. I immediately popped it, and then cleaned off the mirror. But still, how do they grow so rapidly?

This is a very cool page that will allow to to track your favorite satellite: JTrack 3D You may think it's not cool, but I'm a geek and it's cool to me.