Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
art in the woods 09...
For three years now, I've had the privileged of taking part in the StillmoreRoots Group's annual Art in the Woods. I look forward to it every year, and the Roots never fail in redefining our common ideas of how to show and view art. This year they braved a storm, but the dark skies didn't keep away the crowd. Here's a clip of the music makers doing what we do and singing what has become the event's anthem...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
spring break...
So, apparently when you have a child, you're not allowed to spend Spring Break passed out on a beach with sunburn and beer breath. Someone could have given me a heads up--I mean, fo' real. No, the wife and I spent her Spring Break chillin' with the J-man and while we were planning a trip to the beach, the weather had other plans so we spent the day at George L. Smith State Park instead.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
feast your eyes...
As a result of warm weather blessing us with longer days, budding trees, shorts, and sandals, I felt inspired to uncover the grill yesterday. Feast your eyes on 2009's first grillin':
Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Now, I know it's not choice cut steaks, tenderloin, or really anything to get excited about, but it WAS good. So, if you find yourself in the neighborhood after 5 o'clock, don't hesitate to stop by. We'll be out back, so just holler for us. Oh, and Adrian just passed an ordinance last month to allow for the sale of beer inside the city limits, so feel free to pick up some High Life on your way!
Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Now, I know it's not choice cut steaks, tenderloin, or really anything to get excited about, but it WAS good. So, if you find yourself in the neighborhood after 5 o'clock, don't hesitate to stop by. We'll be out back, so just holler for us. Oh, and Adrian just passed an ordinance last month to allow for the sale of beer inside the city limits, so feel free to pick up some High Life on your way!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
The good, the bad, and the ugly...
Shit is going down.
The good:
The wife and I officially put our house on the market a few weeks ago. It's something we've been tossing around for awhile, and finally committed to doing in the spirit of the new year. I have mixed emotions. We love our house, and we've really enjoyed making it ours and bringing it back to life these past 5 years. In fact, since seeing it advertised, I can't help but feel like we're abandoning a loved one. It's like leaving an elderly grandmother at a care facility--it kinda makes me sad.
But not too sad, mind you. After all, if it sold at a price anywhere in the neighborhood of what we're asking for, the celebration would be excessive and vulgar. Of course, we're completely aware of the fact that the economy (particularly the housing market) is about as stable as Courtney Love in detox, so we're not picking out new furniture just yet. It's okay though--we're in no hurry. We're just testing the waters.
We have our reasons for selling:
1.) We like Adrian, but not really.
2.) The house is big--we need to downsize to something a little more appropriate.
3.) It would be very convenient for us to be a little closer to our jobs and the parents who often serve as our personal chefs/childcare providers/financiers.
4.) Being tied to a mortgage payment makes us queasy.
5.) We'd like to meet our financial goal of saving (or spending frivolously) one whole paycheck a month. Selling would definitely make that goal attainable (within a year or two).
Keep your fingers crossed. I'll keep you posted.
P.S. It would be inappropriate not to mention in "the good" that my son is still perfect. Really, I don't know what the wife and I did to deserve him, but I hope we keep it up.
The bad:
People who know me know that I have a strong aversion to anything relating to numbers. Anything that requires a skill level greater than what's required to maintain a checkbook is beyond me. I choose to believe that things like the economy, the NASDAQ, and federal spending are all made up of fairy dust and crazy glue. I swear it's all a grand conspiracy to stupefy us commoners. I don't know a lot about these things, but I know enough to be certain that times are tough and people are struggling.
It's never polite to talk about money. In fact, it's common and rude. I've always taken the stance that money, religion, and Britney Spears have no place in civilized social conversations. I hope an exception can be made in this case (not for Britney's sake, but for mine). The wife and I can name a dozen people we know personally who have been laid off, had their hours cut back, or simply can't find a job. These are educated people--their fields include journalism, architecture, sales, and engineering to name a few. Each has at least a bachelors level degree and all are loyal, hardworking, and honest people. Like I said, times are tough and people are struggling.
Fortunately, the wife and I remain employed and on good terms with our respective employers. We've trimmed our budget and streamlined our spending, but there are still times when the bank account gets low and there we're days away from a paycheck. Still, we're hanging on and making it work. I say this because there are those out there who find a little comfort in knowing that they aren't alone in their financial frustrations. I am one of them. Case in point, last week, I needed to hear a like-minded and fellow middle-classer say the words, "I'm broke and have no money." Not knowing who to turn to, I call my good buddy A. Here's our conversation:
A: Hello?
Me: Please tell me that you're broke and have no money.
A: I'm broke and have no money.
Me: Really? You're not just saying that are you?
A: Really. I'm broke and have no money.
Me: You just made my day.
The conversation continued with a fun game of "whose got it worse." It ended with an invitation for the wife and I to come over and split a pizza because, well, none of us could afford anything better. Some families are less fortunate than ours. There are others far better off. In either case, tough times are here--they will be here tomorrow, next month, and even next year. And until better days lift our spirits, we have each other to remind us that we're all in this crazy thing together and for that I am grateful.
The ugly:
I love my cousins. We have "cousins night" every month. This month it was brought to our attention that three of us will be turning 30 soon. I am one of those fortunate people. More than once I looked at the wife and spoke the following words: "I'm getting too old for this shit." And if you don't believe me, I present:
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit 3:
This would not have happened in my younger days. Actually, it would have, but it wouldn't have taken so long to recover. Like I said, times are tough and people are struggling.
The good:
The wife and I officially put our house on the market a few weeks ago. It's something we've been tossing around for awhile, and finally committed to doing in the spirit of the new year. I have mixed emotions. We love our house, and we've really enjoyed making it ours and bringing it back to life these past 5 years. In fact, since seeing it advertised, I can't help but feel like we're abandoning a loved one. It's like leaving an elderly grandmother at a care facility--it kinda makes me sad.
But not too sad, mind you. After all, if it sold at a price anywhere in the neighborhood of what we're asking for, the celebration would be excessive and vulgar. Of course, we're completely aware of the fact that the economy (particularly the housing market) is about as stable as Courtney Love in detox, so we're not picking out new furniture just yet. It's okay though--we're in no hurry. We're just testing the waters.
We have our reasons for selling:
1.) We like Adrian, but not really.
2.) The house is big--we need to downsize to something a little more appropriate.
3.) It would be very convenient for us to be a little closer to our jobs and the parents who often serve as our personal chefs/childcare providers/financiers.
4.) Being tied to a mortgage payment makes us queasy.
5.) We'd like to meet our financial goal of saving (or spending frivolously) one whole paycheck a month. Selling would definitely make that goal attainable (within a year or two).
Keep your fingers crossed. I'll keep you posted.
P.S. It would be inappropriate not to mention in "the good" that my son is still perfect. Really, I don't know what the wife and I did to deserve him, but I hope we keep it up.
The bad:
People who know me know that I have a strong aversion to anything relating to numbers. Anything that requires a skill level greater than what's required to maintain a checkbook is beyond me. I choose to believe that things like the economy, the NASDAQ, and federal spending are all made up of fairy dust and crazy glue. I swear it's all a grand conspiracy to stupefy us commoners. I don't know a lot about these things, but I know enough to be certain that times are tough and people are struggling.
It's never polite to talk about money. In fact, it's common and rude. I've always taken the stance that money, religion, and Britney Spears have no place in civilized social conversations. I hope an exception can be made in this case (not for Britney's sake, but for mine). The wife and I can name a dozen people we know personally who have been laid off, had their hours cut back, or simply can't find a job. These are educated people--their fields include journalism, architecture, sales, and engineering to name a few. Each has at least a bachelors level degree and all are loyal, hardworking, and honest people. Like I said, times are tough and people are struggling.
Fortunately, the wife and I remain employed and on good terms with our respective employers. We've trimmed our budget and streamlined our spending, but there are still times when the bank account gets low and there we're days away from a paycheck. Still, we're hanging on and making it work. I say this because there are those out there who find a little comfort in knowing that they aren't alone in their financial frustrations. I am one of them. Case in point, last week, I needed to hear a like-minded and fellow middle-classer say the words, "I'm broke and have no money." Not knowing who to turn to, I call my good buddy A. Here's our conversation:
A: Hello?
Me: Please tell me that you're broke and have no money.
A: I'm broke and have no money.
Me: Really? You're not just saying that are you?
A: Really. I'm broke and have no money.
Me: You just made my day.
The conversation continued with a fun game of "whose got it worse." It ended with an invitation for the wife and I to come over and split a pizza because, well, none of us could afford anything better. Some families are less fortunate than ours. There are others far better off. In either case, tough times are here--they will be here tomorrow, next month, and even next year. And until better days lift our spirits, we have each other to remind us that we're all in this crazy thing together and for that I am grateful.
The ugly:
I love my cousins. We have "cousins night" every month. This month it was brought to our attention that three of us will be turning 30 soon. I am one of those fortunate people. More than once I looked at the wife and spoke the following words: "I'm getting too old for this shit." And if you don't believe me, I present:
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit 3:
This would not have happened in my younger days. Actually, it would have, but it wouldn't have taken so long to recover. Like I said, times are tough and people are struggling.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
let no one put asunder...
Life offers little opportunity to witness an event more admirable than two people vowing both spiritually and legally to keep house with one another as husband and wife. Such was the case when the sister-in-law and her fiance married back in September. It was a perfect ceremony—joyful and intimate. I was disappointed however to see that the earth doesn’t split apart and the sky doesn’t rain fiery hail when two lawyers vow to live together in holy matrimony. I was bummed to say the least. Perhaps when two lawyers wed their souls cancel each other out. Your thoughts?
The wife and I are very happy for them, and wish them all the best. In fact, we (“we” meaning mainly the wife) helped with some the planning and were able to host the event at the house. How did we manage while also caring for our infant child? Because we’re awesome--recognize, yo. In any case, congrats J+D! We’re looking forward to you having us over on weekends, babysitting, and providing free legal council should the need arise.
The wife and I are very happy for them, and wish them all the best. In fact, we (“we” meaning mainly the wife) helped with some the planning and were able to host the event at the house. How did we manage while also caring for our infant child? Because we’re awesome--recognize, yo. In any case, congrats J+D! We’re looking forward to you having us over on weekends, babysitting, and providing free legal council should the need arise.
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