Goodbye 2005

Thank you 2005. You were a fine year. There was nothing overly dramatic about you. You provided good news and a great launching pad for 2006. Since you were good to me, I think that I will indeed make a few resolutions. I will list them here for you and 2006 to see.

• I resolve to be more involved with my family. They are very important to me and I resolve to understand and know more about them and their lives.
• I resolve to do more to let people know that I love them or that I am thinking of them.
• I resolve to be more honest with myself
• I resolve to be more organized
• I resolve to be more proactive
• I resolve to have healthier eating habits
• I resolve to exercise twice a week (you have to start someplace)

These may prove to be simple or difficult, time will tell. There they are in writing. Seven. Seven things for me to work on this coming year.

Thanks again 2005... looking forward to 2006.

Memoirs of a Geisha

I saw Memoirs of a Geisha today. It is the first movie that I have truly wanted to see in a long time. I had to wait for quite some time. It was certainly worth the wait. Japanese culture has always fascinated me. If the cost of airfare and hotel was not prohibitively expensive I would have been there and back a dozen times. I do not and still do not know very much about what the geisha culture was and what it meant. I know that this is a dramatization and I will be looking to learn more about it after seeing this film. With that said, I was mesmerized. The severity and beauty all at once. This certainly makes me want to learn more.

We did not go to Taco Bell for lunch

We did not go to Taco Bell for lunch. Instead we had restaurant leftovers. Still preserved by garlic and olive oil, it was quite good even a few days later. Dessert was a solid chocolate Santa with peanut butter. We will likely see a movie and/or a hockey game today. I guess that it is alright that we did not go to Taco Bell for lunch.

We are going to Taco Bell for lunch

Just thought you would like to know, we are going to Taco Bell for lunch. I also thought that you would like to know that there are 80 days until spring. It said so on the Weather Channel.

I HAVE NEW GOLF CLUBS

Today I was lucky enough to stumble upon a great set of clubs for an even better price. I will tell you that they are used, but a reasonable enough upgrade from my starter set that I should see an improvement in my game whenever spring comes. It is a set of RAM fx 2 irons and RAM fx woods. The irons cost all of $22.00 and the woods cost $4.99 each. The grand total including tax was $36.73. What a deal! I started cleaning them today and they will need about 3 or 4 more good cleanings but man for that price? No problem. I will also say that I will not need to buy any golf balls this year. Since folks know that I have taken up golf, I have gotten some really neat and cool presents for Christmas.

Here's a Bond movie update... next up is The Spy Who Loved Me. We haven't seen that one yet. We're also having Omaha Steaks hamburgers for dinner. We were pretty lucky to get a HUGE Omaha Steaks package for Christmas. Dan is on his way to get potato chips right now and soda too!

More Bond Movies

Diamonds are Forever... that is what is on right now. Looks like it was made in 1971, boy that wasn't yesterday. It was before I came around, but not by too much. Here's another James Bond theme sung by Shirley Bassey. Seems like she was the favorite for Bond themes.

How about some lunch?

Trip to Appleton

Today we will travel by car to Appleton. Upon arrival (by car) in Appleton, we will visit with my brother-in-law, his lovely wife and giant sons. I say giant because I think the first time I met them they were indeed small. I think they were 10. That is small. 18, now that's giant.

Weather Channel says we should be in the clear, that the rain and snow mix will not start until 2:00pm today. The real fun should be on the way home. But most important is certainly the time between the travel by car.

Now the Weather Channel is showing cars that have broken through the ice on a lake. For the uninitiated, there is something done here and in parts north known as ice fishing. I have never been ice fishing nor do I have any desire to go ice fishing. From what I understand, here is what one does when ice fishing. You go out onto a frozen lake and do one of the following:

• Sit exposed to the elements on an empty five gallon bucket
• Sit partially protected from the elements in a small tent
• Sit protected from the elements in a shanty
• Sit fully protected from the elements in the comfort of your own home while watching the tip ups

I do not understand ice fishing. Fishing during the warm months sounds like a pretty good deal. You relax by the water and it doesn't really matter if you catch anything because the sun is shining and all that. Ice fishing? Yikes! COLD. COLD. COLD.

It's time for morning coffee.

Plate & License Renewal

It was only 60 minutes of our lives, no big deal. Trips to the DMV aren't so bad anymore as there is a cueing system. I'm sure that we all remember when it was just "take a number and stand in line." I said it would take 55 minutes, Dan said 50 minutes. We were both wrong as it was almost 60 minutes on the nose.

It was an interesting slice of Americana. We saw a young girl getting ready to take her road test, a gentlemen renewing his CDL and who knows what kind of business folks had there. You have the patient waiters, the chatty waiters, the fidgety waiters, the annoyed waiters, cell-phone talking waiters and the workers. You have the down to business workers... I guess that's what there was. They all seemed down to business. Not annoyed, not chatty.

I was nervous as I had two transactions to complete, plate AND license renewal. I wasn't sure that I could complete both at one visit to counter #5. I was lucky. I didn't fill out the form entirely... not once but twice... the woman behind the counter was not annoyed. Both times she simply stated, "Please complete these questions." I can see why they want those questions asked. The questions have to do with heart palpitations, dizzy spells, revokation, suspension, you know.

I haven't had a picture taken for my license in something like 6 years. That was the last trip to the DMV for me. So, today was my big day. I wondered out loud why there isn't a rattle or a dolly that is used to get Wisconsin Driver's License holders to smile. Let me just say this about my picture. The gentleman took my picture and then said "We're going to do that again." Then he tood my picture again. A few minutes later I got my brand new license. I looked at the picture. The first one must have been awfully bad if he let this one get through. I'll take this time to tell the story of license renewal at the age of 21. When the DMV agent handed it back to me, even she was laughing. I thought that it must be bad if a person who looks at hundreds of terrible pictures each day was laughing.

After the DMV, we took the old green ghost for an oil change, wash and vaccuum. I even got new windshield wipers. $4.00 and wash your little heart out... fun.

From Russia with Love and then more Bond gems!

Another one for the Barbie

And I don't mean the doll. We had a lovely evening with our friends last night. We met up with Dennis and Rachael and John and Leah. I recommend the cheese fries at the OB Steak House. Fries with cheese AND bacon. We know that we will see them again soon.

Today the plan is to watch some more Bond movies... man I love them. Give me more Bond movies! Throw in a few Elvis movies while you're at it. We will also likely head to the DMV to renew my plates, registration and driver's license. That should take up a good chunk of the day.

I have never been a "head ache" person. You know, there are some folks who get head aches. I haven't been one of those people. Lately though I have had some real dandies. They start right in the back of my neck at the base of my head and seem to travel up and forward as they settle in right behind my eyes. Let me tell you it feels pretty bad.

Day 2 of vacation and doing just fine.

Velvet Elvis

Yes, we have one. We have one now, thanks to my brother Jim. I've never had one, always wanted one. Now the dream has come true. What magnificent art!

It is finally warming up around here. It has been above 30 degrees for the last 4 or 5 days I guess and this is day 2 of vacation. I don't count the weekends, cause that's time that is usually automatic.

I am debating on whether or not to have any sausage for breakfast this morning. I already had about a pound of corn chex. I couldn't believe how much was in that bowl and all the milk. Now I am a milk drinker, but I don't really care for a lot in my cereal. Maybe I will have that sausage. I have tried on more than one occasion to be a vegetarian. No meat. I think the last time I tried that I was in my mid-20s. Once I lasted a day, and I think I lasted as much as 2 or 2 weeks another time. In the past two years, I have cut down on my red meat consumption by quite a bit. I eat a lot more chicken and pork. I gave up red meat for lent one year, but I am not sure that I could completely give it up.

Interesting how this one went, huh?

Merry Christmas!

One of our Christmas gifts was to see our niece Hailey in the Nutcracker. Here is a picture of us with the other mouse that I adore. The best Christmas gift is that we have family and friends that we love and that we are able to let them know how we feel about them. Whether it is with a card, or with a hug or a small gift, we are fortunate to be able to do so. Here's to hoping that your Christmas is a joyous one. Here's to hoping that you are able to tell folks that you love them and that folks let you know that they love you.

And so this is Christmas

I woke up this morning and it was Christmas Eve day. I still get that feeling of anticipation. I am very thankful to have Christmas to celebrate. The joy that I like to share with my family comes from the joy of knowing the reason that I celebrate the day. Listen to "O, Holy Night" and you'll understand. That song says it all.

I also like the idea and spirit of Santa Claus, he's the guy that keeps us in check for the big boss. I think that St. Nick has a hotline to God...

Tonight we get to give our gifts and spend time with folks that we love. The following days will be spent doing the same.

The Nutcracker

What a thrill! Today we saw Hailey perform in the Nutcracker with the Milwaukee Ballet. She was a mouse... the mouse who popped out of the oven and who stole the toy soldier's trumpet. It was awesome to see her. The production was very good a quite enjoyable. I was so excited and we got our picture taken with her in full on mouse costume. I am sure that she was ready to go so I was glad that she humored us with a picture. It was also great to spend a bit of time with Sidney after the show.

On Saturday we'll head over to my brother's house to spend the evening with them. Christmas is so much fun with the kids and it will be an evening well spent with family. I am fortunate to have them. I am looking forward to giving them their gifts.

We stopped by Gary and Nancy's and she loaded us up with cookies. Sweet lady. Gary's a swell guy, too.

We received a number of Christmas cards today. It's quite a collection that we have. Again, we are fortunate to have so much wonderful family and friends.

We're settling for the night now... another James Bond movie marathon on Spike TV, so we'll be watching "From Russia with Love" in a few minutes. I LOVE Bond movies. Shaken, not stirred.

Family Time

We got to spend time with family tonight... aunts and uncles, brothers, cousins, niece and nephews... it was really nice, only wish it was longer.

We also got a bit of good news... really nice.

Friday we will see our niece Hailey in the Nutcracker. I can't wait. Saturday, Christmas Eve with the children and our family. Sunday, we'll likely spend together with a couple of steaks and other good stuff. Monday, we'll hopefully get to see John, Leah, Rachael, Dennis and all of those kids!

While I am counting my blessings, I am also thinking of those who are in despair, mourning and hoping. That's what I think is most important at this time of year, be grateful for what I have and pray for others.

Less Than Zero

It was on tonight. Let me tell you, I didn't need to know that this movie is 18 years old. I remember seeing it in a movie theater. It was just about this time of year. I believe that I was a freshman in high school. I went with a friend to the movie then stayed over night at her house. It must have been St. Nick's Day as I got a stocking full of candy and such from her parents. We went to church the next day and then I went home.

Thinking about it now, it was a pretty intense movie for a 14 year old to see. Whatever I guess.

One more day until vacation... then I am going to spend time with Dan, family and friends. I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll get to do a lot of nothing or a lot of something... whatever we want.

Christmas has arrived

Our Chistmas tree is finally up. We have been at 100 mph hour lately. Only a few more cards to send out. We'll get there. Most of the gifts are ready to go. Finishing touches is all that are left.

It is still way too cold around here. I think it must have gotten up to 20 degrees today... maybe. That might be being generous.

Vacation starts next Friday. I am very much looking forward to it.

I'm watching a special on the Three Wise Men right now. It is fascinating. This is a very special time of year. A time for sharing, foregiveness, renewal, to show love. It is something that I look forward to all year long.

Cold

I don't mean to turn this into a weather blog, but man it is cold. We've had a great deal of snow and a great deal of cold. It gets to be a bit too much and it is only December. Every winter I tell myself that it is the last winter in Wisconsin for me. But I will tell you that there for every degree between 5 and 75 there are 20 times more reasons to stay here.

Later on today we will ring the bell for the Salvation Army, eat and then head to a Milwaukee Bucks game. I am not sure who they are playing... I see that it is the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz that's about the goofiest combination of names. That's as goofy as the Los Angeles Lakers. Why oh why don't these teams change their names when they move. When I think of Utah, I think of Utah's bountiful and rich jazz history. When I think of Los Angeles, the first thing I think of are all of the beautiful lakes for recreation. Whatever. That's like when the Houston Oilers moved to Tennesse and were the Oilers for years, at least that changed the name, although Titans is pretty non-descript. Heck, even the Commish was smart enough to change the name of the Pilots when he moved them to Milwaukee. Sports team nick names should reflect their locale. That's what I think. It's best that way. That's why we have the Milwaukee Brewers, the Wisconsin Badgers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Green Bay Packers and the Monroe Cheesemakers.

Art

I am trying to set my inner artist free. I haven't done anything with a paint brush in years. More than half my life time... well maybe not that long. I will just say that my mind is thinking in ways that it hasn't for many years.

When I was in high school, I dropped band so I could take art. I wanted to go to art school when I was 16. We see where that went. Painting would likely have been the thing I went into. I must admit that I was tempted to buy a canvas or two tonight alas, my medium is not canvas tonight, but that is another story.

I think it will be good for me. This is something I should have been doing for a long time... that and playing more guitar. I was talking with a friend and we both lamented that we haven't found ways to use our creativity. Certainly my normal daily life enables me to be creative, yet rarely do I get to make something with my own hands. Tonight, that all changes.

Hey Guess What? It's Snowing!

Hey guess what? It's snowing! Unreal. Who would have thought it would snow again? It is only December, but it has been cold then snowing then cold and snowing. Who knows what February will bring? Yikes.

Tonight I will get to watch one of my new favorite shows on TV. I don't watch much that isn't a game or something like that. I will say that I like to watch the Real World and the accompanying shows. A few others... but most of it isn't on network TV. Here's the show: DOG the Bounty Hunter. I really dig it. Check it out. It's on A&E... 8 EST, 7 CST.

Whatever comes to mind

That's what this one is about. I ate fast food for the fourth time in a week. That's probably not very good for me. Although I will say that most likely the only other things eaten on those days were Tootsie Rolls and Hershey Miniature Candy Bars... and maybe some peanut butter.

Right now, I am watching a TV special on Mario Lemieux. Amazing. Would you care to talk about someone who has faced adversity? Lemieux is it. Chronic back problems, cancer. Mario Lemieux is an amazing person. How did he find the strength to not give up?

In other news, I understand that Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli have made it official. They are done. It is disappointing even though I thought that it was official many years ago. Another "happy place" gone away. For those of you who are wondering, I am happily married to Dan and I do not plan on heading out to California. Besides, Eddie probably wouldn't want another ace guitar player around anyway.

The debate now friend is not whether or not to eat any Girl Scout cookies, but rather which box will be a bit lighter? Or maybe it's time for a spoon and the Peter Pan jar. That's a bit easier. I wish I had some chocolate frosting.

I Can't Stand Typos on my Blog

I can't stand typos on my blog. They drive me nuts. Very rarely do I go back and read a post after it has been posted. Now I see that perhaps I should. I have always been a good little speller. I suppose that sometimes the passion and heat of the moment ruin my penchant for perfect spelling. I also try to pay attention to grammar, but I know that I was never did as well at diagraming sentences as I did at spelling. With that, I apologize for the poor spelling and weak sentence structure that you have had to deal with. Can you find it your heart to forgive me?

Here it is Sunday night we are relaxing after a chili-mac dinner and watching the Packers. We spent the day with Rachael, Dennis and Violette. We even made some Christmas cookies. Let me just say this about that, it is a good thing that nobody's family was counting on the four of us for Christmas cookies. I have a new respect for my Mom and my sister-in-law Jennifer. They spend an entire day making Christmas cookies. Frankly, it is an art that requires skill and patience. I can make chocolate chip cookies, those are easy. Brownies? All the live long day. Pecan pie? That's my specialty... but I think I will stick to eating Christmas cookies and leave the making them to the experts. We did have fun with those cats... it is always nice to spend time with them.

Now I am just thinking that when the world doesn't seem to be going the way that you want it, it is important to remember that there are others who are truly suffering, grieving, mourning and so on. For me, it is important to remember how fortunate I really am. How blessed I am. How lucky I am. Truly I am.

Elvis Movies!

Blue Hawaii! GI Blues! and next... Girls! Girls! Girls! Just need a bit of dessert to go with it. I'm ready for jammies and a blanket. Not far now.

On Sunday, we will see Violette. NICE! Can't wait, but I have to.

Coffee Coffee Coffee and the King

Thank you coffee for all that you do. You are the best way to start the day. I thank you. There has been only one brand of coffee in my house over the past few years. Eight O'clock. That's all. Nothing fancy. Just straight on coffee. No milk, no cream, no sugar. The way it was intended.

Later on today, I hope to be able to enjoy a bit of the Elvis marathon that will be on AMC. They are even showing a few that I haven't seen or haven't seen in a long time, including "Paradise Hawaiian Style." I love Elvis movies. To me, they are so bad, they are good. My perfect movie marathan would alternate Elvis and James Bond movies. That sounds like a good move for the upcoming vacation, except that I only own one James Bond movie, "The Man with the Golden Gun" and zero Elvis movies.

Now there's a commercial on that asks "Why do we love going out to eat?" I think it soundslike Susan Sarandon. I'll tell you why I love going out to eat. It means that I have a little extra dough, somebody brings the food to me and I don't have to do the work.

SNOW and ramen noodles

Lots of snow in Wisconsin. First the cold last week... then it warmed up enough to snow... then cold again... -11 and colder on mornings to work. It felt so warm today when it was 0. Then it has been snowing almost all day.

I tried something new tonight. Buffalo ramen noodles. I don't recommend it. Stick with the flavor packet that you are provided. You may ask why at almost 33 I am still eating ramen noodles. Well friend, they are good. When it is dinner for one, there isn't much sense in going great guns on anything. I should have used the flavor packet and added mushrooms. It would have been a much better deal. Now my duodenum, digestive and intestinal tract will be paying for it.

Ah, yes a life of danger and risks!

Calling All Angels

I have heard two songs that are significant to me today. Both happen to have "angel" in title. On the drive home from work I heard "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan. That song was and is very powerful to me. You see friend, when my Dad passed away I couldn't go anywhere without hearing that song. At work (I worked at a radio station at the time), in my own home and mostly in the car. After my Dad died, we spend a lot of time at the lawyer's office making sure that his estate was settled. I would hear it on almost every drive. I'd hear it at work at have to retreat to the production studio lest my sobs of sorrow be seen or heard by anyone else. I don't usually listen to it intentionally, save for the date that my Dad died. I still struggle with it. More than I thought I would. I was only 25 at the time and my Dad's death was sudden. I couldn't have been more shocked. He was only 58. There has been so much that has happened since that time. I got married, my brother has had another son, I got my post-graduate degree. We've lost my Grandma Dorothe. Dan has gone to and finished school.

One thing that continues to bother me is that Dan didn't get the chance to get to know my Dad. Our relationship was just beginning. It also bothers me that my nieces and nephews will never in this life get to know their Grandpa Mike. I really miss my Dad. It bothers me that I haven't had the opportunity to share my successes and failures with him. I will live the majority of my life without him around. Sometimes I dream about him, once in a great while I do. I believe that means that he is trying to tell me something. I wish I would open my subconcious mind more to allow that to happen with greater frequency. When I dream about him, it doesn't make me feel empty. It makes me feel good. It makes me feel connected to him.

The other song I heard was "Calling all Angels" by Jane Siberry and kd lang. It is significant because today is Pearl Harbor Day. My Grandfather JT was in the Coast Guard at the time. I am not very clear on the story, but I think it goes something like this. JT was on leave in Chicago visiting Dorothe shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Apparently, he was so much in love with Dorothe that he didn't want to leave just yet. Dorothe's father knew people who knew people. JT's leave was extended, thus he was not at Pearl Harbor with his ship. I don't know if the story is accurate. But I like to think that it is. I know that JT must have struggled with it. I understand that his ship went down and that he would comment on it around Pearl Harbor Day for years afterward. At any rate, JT and Dorothe's whole story is intriguing to me. From how they met to the events of their courtship and happily ever after.

Dan and I were married at the place where my Grandparents spent their honeymoon (as did my Uncle Joe and Aunt Maureen) it was very special for me. The cool thing about it was that my Mom and the Aunts presented me with the bill from my Granparents' stay at the hotel. Awesome. Great too that Dorothe was there to see it all.

Echo & The Bunnymen

Let's say that I have a new and previously undiscovered appreaciation for Echo & The Bunnymen. I'm really into them right now.

Here's another blast from the past... you probably know the song, but if you have heard of the artist well then friend, you are an 80s monger.

The song is "Falling in Love," and the artist is Lick the Tins. Their 15 minutes came from the master of post-modern teen angst, John Hughes and the motion picture Some Kind of Wonderful. Great song... hard to find on legitmate websites... I don't want to buy a CD from a store. I want to download it!

YUCK!

YUCK!

Brett Favre and Me

Brett Favre, you are legendary. The offensive line is not. My apologies to you. How depressing another Packer loss and to the (hiss) Chicago Bears to boot. Pass the cheese and crackers, Dan. I'll need to drown my sorrows in Merkt's and bratwurst to feel my best.

Oswego, New York and the Weather Channel

I just saw a feature on the Weather Channel and it was all about snow in Oswego, New York. We have friends in Oswego. They happen to live about two blocks from Lake Ontario. That means that they have a lot of snow, not only because they live in the northeast, but they get all that amazing "lake effect" snow. That means that they shovel a lot. How fun is that?

Here in our corner of Wisconsin we got about 4 inches. Not bad considering there was supposed to be about 8 inches in Milwaukee. It has been cold too. We'll have low temperatures, but hey, at least the temperature (without the windchill) isn't -2 degrees like it is in Bemidji at this hour. Right now it is 22 degrees with a windchill of 11 degrees. Not too bad from where I sit.

Tonight we spent the evening at Big Mike's house rather than at the Milwaukee Bucks game. Good move except that I fell asleep on his couch for about two hours. I guess I needed the rest, but it is a bit embarassing. All I did was eat and then sleep. Sorry Big Mike! We celebrated his birthday so there was cake and ice cream too! Hooray Cake!

Let the Celebration Commence.

We are celebrating that Dan has officially completed his school work... diploma to follow. Fandangtastic. We will also celebrate Big Mike's birthday on Saturday. Tonight to celebrate, we had steak with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Top it all of with a Coca-Cola and a Peanut Butter Patty Girl Scout Cookie. Ahh, the sweet taste of success.

I am the Charlie Brown-iest,

It seems like the more I try to be indifferent... well not indifferent, but more rational... the more rational I try to be, the more emotional I get. My head just doesn't work like that. I can't run through things in my mind without thinking about human reaction. I suppose that is normal for humans, but I always find myself weighing things out. I try to imagine how my action or reaction might affect others. I try to. I don't always. Some folks would say it is one of my strengths. Others would say it is one of my weaknesses. I try very hard to think of others and I don't mean to make myself out to be some noble character from dramatic literature.

I am sure that deep inside, my main goal is to prevent conflict. To prevent conflict, I try to make sure that people are feeling good. Sometimes I don't focus on the right people though. Maybe not the right people, but not giving others the attention and sensitivity that they deserve.

See? That's my issue. I can see both sides and all the angles in between. I am wishy washy. I make Charlie Brown look decisive. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, I am the Charlie Brown-iest.