Trekgeekscott

Some things I think....

2007-08-17T15:41:00.000-04:00

I have to admit that I ripped of the things I think from a writer on SI.com named Peter King who has a weekly football column. so there's your props Pete. In any case, here are a few things I think this week:

1. Movies I have seen recently and would highly recommend to anyone...Hero, starring Jet Li; The Last King of Scotland (Wow is Forrest Whitaker good!); and Blood Diamond (now I know why Leonardo DiCaprio didn't get nominated for "the Departed). Amazingly enough, there wasn't one actor from Star Trek in any of these films...Despite how good the movies are...I feel strangely unfulfilled.

2. Movie I would recommend avoiding: Eragon. Lame ass movie. Thank God I didn't see any Trek alumn in this one too!

3. Vikings are starting really soon! Already in preseason...I can't wait to see how good they are...

4. Haven't decided whether I am going to do Fantasy football this year. Really don't want to spend the time and money necessary.

5. This weekend, I am going to the MN Renaissance festival! I love Renfest. The food, the acts, Puke and Snot...It's been about 5 years since my last visit. I am very excited.

6. Krissy's family finally came and got most of her stuff. Just some furniture left. Soon I will be back to my old bachelor self again... Any young ladies out there interested in a slightly overweight, football rabid, Star Trek geek with two soccer playing kids? If so, let me know.

7. Speaking of my kids...they have become absolute grasshopper lovers. They go run out in the yard and trap dozens of them and carry them around showing everyone the grasshoppers they caught. I HATE BUGS! They have been forbidden to bring them into my house. But Killian seems to be becoming a little amateur entomologist with a specialty in grasshoppers. Of course, I haven't checked his facts yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is right.

8. Liam, who officially starts Kindergarden this fall, has been in the school's Adventures Plus program at the school all summer (daycare out of the school). If you ask him if he is starting school this fall, he will tell you that he is already going to school! Love 5 year old logic.

9. I love my photography! Since I posted last, well before August 3rd's post, I have taken a class and gotten some pretty amazing pictures. In a few days, I will make an effort to post some of my favorites.

10. I hope that this isn't my last post until Christmas, but considering my recent history...

Whew!!! It's been a while

2007-08-02T15:17:00.000-04:00

Well, it has been a while since I posted hasn't it?

Let's see, what have I been up to...

Pissing off Krissy's family
browsing dating websites
getting further into debt
gaining weight
and...kids soccer.

Love watching my boys play soccer. 4 and 5 year olds are really funny, as there just tends to be this mass of kids following around the soccer ball and if they happen to be close to a net, any net, they try to kick it in there.

I will have to add some photos later.

Oscar Buzz

2007-01-24T10:07:00.000-05:00

OK, the Oscar Nominations have been announced and here is my…um…analysis of what I think will happen (take this with a grain of salt as I have hardly seen any of these films):

Best Picture
This category has two likely winners and three very little chances
Babel, from everything I have heard, this is a very good film well acted and directed and has gotten great reviews but limited release. This one in my opinion is the front runner for the award and its main competition will be…
The Departed – Now I did see this film and it is really good, extremely well acted by the entire cast and tells a great story.
After that You have Letter from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Queen. None make sense to me to win the award.

Best Director
I think that once again a director will win this award and a different film will win for best picture. This time the academy will get past its political punishment of Scorcese and finally give him an award. He has only directed some of Hollywood’s biggest films, and Departed was really really good. Clint has two awards already and that will work against him. The director of Babel is a relative unknown, as are the directors of The Queen and that United 93 movie that I don’t ever want to see. He really doesn’t stand a chance since his film isn’t even nominated for best pic.

Best Actor
If Forrest Whitaker doesn’t win, the Academy is nuts, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see Peter O’Toole get a pity Oscar. Leonardo DiCaprio was really good in the Departed so he must have been amazing in Blood Diamond. Ryan Gosling…Who? Will Smith will get overlooked again.

Best Actress
By all accounts Helen Mirren is practically a shoe in for the award, however, Meryl Streep should never be overlooked (14th nomination). Kate Winslet will win one eventually, and once again Judi Dench is nominated (when has she done any film not associated with 007 and not been nominated?). Penelope Cruz wont win, but there had to be at least one actress that wasn’t nominated before.

Best Supporting Actor
Now this is an interesting category. Let’s see. Alan Arkin as a heroin addicted grandpa. Djimon Honsou, whom I think is one of the most underrated actors out there. Dr, Nutty Proffessor Doolittle Eddie Murphy (He must have paid somebody for the nomination (but I have heard he is really good in Dreamgirls). And that kid from Bad News Bears. From what I am hearing Murphy will likely win, but the guy I would really love to see win is Mark Walberg. He was just awesome in the Departed. I loved the character and he mastered it.

Best Supporting Actress
Adrianna Barraza – Who?
Rinko Kikuchi – Who?
Abigail Breslin – Child actors don’t usually do that well at the Oscars (personally I think there should be a special category for best child actor of the year) with exceptions to Tatum O’Neill, and Anna Pacquin
Cate Blanchett – a Great actress that has already won an Oscar for playing a multiple Oscar winner
Jennifer Hudson – By all accounts, there is no question that this former American Idol contestant will win this award.

So there it is.
There is actually a good chance that an African American will win three of the four major acting awards this year. And I would have no problem with that. Though my preferences are as follows: The Departed, Martin Scorcese, Forrest Whitaker, Judi Dench, Mark Walberg, Jennifer Hudson.

There it is. Feel free to criticize my analysis all you want.

Cobra

2007-01-24T09:52:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems that I am falling back into the habit of not posting.

So anyway, I was cleaning my house for some houseguests on Saturday (Krissy's family coming over to go through some of her things). and I turned on the TV for some noise while I was cleaning. On Spike TV there was a mid to late 80s film called "Cobra" This film was clearly made during the height of the Stallone/Schwarzenaggar action film era. It had all the cliches. The beautiful damsel being hunted by the highly organized crew of killers. The police lieutenant on his case, the big shootout at the end, even ending in a factory/foundry.

Now let's get to the unreal part of the movie, basically, all of it. Some psycho killer just happens to have an entire army of killers at his disposal, how or why is never explained. Sylvester Stallone wiping all of them out, without getting a single scratch, bruise or blemish. Everytime Stallone shoots, a bad guy dies. When the bad guys shoot they miss by a mile. Stallone flips his car, and come out of it without any harm. The star of the movie gets to lay the beautiful damsel in distress.

In one scene, they make this big deal of Stallone putting his gun together with all the clicks, snaps, pings etc, making tons of noise. Then he turns his head and notices that the beautiful damsel is awake and he actually asks the question, "Can't sleep". DUH! You just spent the last 20 minutes assembling a gun as noisily as anything possible.

Don't ask me why I kept watching this film. It must have been some curiousity at a really bad action film. Cause is just doesn't make any sense. Now granted, when I was younger, the lack of a real plot and the unrealistic BS that occurs in this film would have been quite entertaining. But now that I am older and prefer good movies...well this film just totally sucked.

It did have one redeeming quality though. The bad guy was Brian Thompson (who vaguely resembles Arnold Schwarzeneggar) who has appeared numerous times in Star Trek. And Andrew Robinson (DS9's Garak) was a police detective that gives Stallone a lot of grief.

The Geek strikes again! And I can honestly say that if I ever see this movie on the TV again I will instantaneously change the channel.

Aren't They Cute?

2006-12-26T22:18:00.000-05:00

I am really having fun with my new Digital Camera. These are some of Krissy's niece's and nephews. This is Jayden, Note the curly hair. This kid loves to give hugs and just melts your heart.
This is his sister Gabby. She is adorable. Until you meet her in person. She can, from time to time be a real devil (but then what kid isn't from time to time).
This is Madison, or Maddy for short. She is at that cooing stage that is just sooooooooo cute.
And finally this is Kallie. She is becoming quite the talker. Typical girl. Thing is one must spend a few moments deciphering what she said. Nonetheless it is quite cute.
No doubt I will be adding more pictures before long.

Holy Christmas!

2006-12-26T22:04:00.000-05:00

OK, So this Christmas wasn't so exciting for me. First, it is my first without Krissy (which can be really quite depressing, Second, my parents and one of my sisters and her family went on a cruise. Yep. Left Minnesota and the rest of their family behind. I really am not trying to send them on any kind of guilt trip or anything. But how do you leave your son or brother at home on the first Christmas without his love? OK, So maybe I do want them to feel a little bit guilty.

Really, I was OK as I had plenty of people to see and things to do. Check this out:

My boys loved their presents. And making a major mess in my living room. They got transformers, transformers, more transformers, Bionicles, and some classic games. Like Operation, and Battleship! I forsee hours of fun.

I am also starting to realize that there aren't many board games I like to play. I am in this regard becoming much like my Mom. God Bless her but the only board game you could ever get her to play was Scrabble. And even that was preceded by great reluctance. I really am starting to hate the game Sorry and I only play the games with great reluctance.

Any way, I hope everyone's Christmas was enjoyable.

Something I predicted actually came true!

2006-12-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

I decided to go back and read some of my historical blogs and found that In April 2005 I posted the following:"Brittney Spears - one of the least talented performers ever - IS PREGNANT.She is going to have a kid with a guy that is using her for her money. This is a single mother waiting to happen."

There it is folks! I am the new Nostradumbass!

These are my boys...

2006-12-18T21:28:00.000-05:00

OK, Now I have spoken about my boys repeatedly on this sight. There are at this time my reason for living. I love them very much. Check out this picture:

Killian is almost seven and can spell compicated words like pneumonia and antidisestablishmentarianism. OK, maybe not that complicated, but he is pretty smart. Liam will be five just after Christmas and is sooooooo ready to start Kindergarden.

This is ME.

2006-12-18T21:22:00.000-05:00

OK, I promised that I would post a picture from my digital camera and this is the first one you will see. The dorky looking guy you are seeking is your resident trek geek. I really don't photograph well.

I kind of look scary with that beard don't I? Don't worry. Aside from an obsession with Star Trek, I'm not crazy at all. Though I don't have any kind of inhibitions about making a complete ass of myself in public.

Enjoy!

Bruce Springsteen sucks!

2006-12-18T21:19:00.000-05:00

I have never cared much for the music of Bruce Springsteen. There is however, on Springsteen song I can stomach. I'm on Fire. Now, I figured that this song would appear on a three disc greatest hits compilation album called "The Essential Bruce Springsteen". So I went to the Library and checked it out. Three discs people, and the only good song the fucker has isn't on it. Can someone please explain this?

the New Camera!

2006-12-05T14:46:00.000-05:00

I recently purchased (at a very good rate) a brand new 8 Megapixel Cannon Rebel XL. I love it. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures on here I will...Stay tuned.

New thoughts from Scott

2006-12-05T14:35:00.000-05:00

Here are some new thinks I have been thinking.

1. The election last month was a very nice change of pace. At last, America is waking up from its stupidity in allowing George W Bush free reign!

2. Donny Rumsfeld is gone! There is a reason to live!

3. John Bolton will not represent the US at the UN. Hallelujah, there is a God!

4. Found this website. Found it funny. http://www.bettybowers.com/nl_christmas2006.html

5. I am now watching Ugly Betty all the time. Kind of humerous show. Vanessa Williams is a villanous, conniving, plotting assistant editor of a fashion magazine. She was in one episode of Deep Space Nine. In addition, the character's father was in an episode and was played by another Star Trek Alum Ron Canada. He played a few characters. The Geek lives on!

6. Vikings suck! But I can't stop watching.

7. There are some funny Vikings in the "Spam" sketch on Monty Python.

8. Christmas is going to put me in the poorhouse, which might not be such a bad thing after all. Then I wouldn't have to deal with a stupid association.

9. I have grown a beard. the full "Grizzley Adams". I am kind of liking it. and I don't care what anyone says. I am keeping it until I don't like it anymore. Which will probably be in about 2 months. Kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. I hate to shave, but beards can itch and stuff from time to time. But I kind of like the look of my current beard. But even beards need upkeep or they start to look really ratty.

10. Well that's it for now. The Geek is back. Hope you enjoy my new thinks.

OK, grief has kept me away.

2006-12-05T14:33:00.000-05:00

The past few months have been difficult to say the least. I miss my Krissy very much. I appreciate all the well wishers that have been there for the TrekGeek. I will make a effort to post on a regular basis from this point on...

I know, I Know! I have made that promise before...but I will try nonetheless.

Sadness beyond anything I have ever felt before

2006-09-10T10:57:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, my fiance' Krissy died after a long battle with Leukemia.

I am profoundly sad today.

I Love Star Trek

2006-08-11T11:19:00.000-04:00

In a comment on one of my posts the following website was sent in.

Imagine Inspirational posters from Star Trek. My favorite is this one "expendability".

http://echosphere.net/star_trek_insp/star_trek_insp.html

You Me and Dupree - there is a Trek Connection!

2006-07-28T17:00:00.000-04:00

Hah! My previous post was wrong.

There was a guy named Todd Stashwick that played a Vulcan named Tulok on Enterprise!

AND

Sidney Liufau was Paco in this movie and was a flame baton twirling extra on Deep Space Nine.

Sure they were small parts but Trek Connections nonetheless.

Tee Hee. I knew it! It is hard to escape the Trek Geek!

Some thoughts I thought I think...I think

2006-07-28T16:41:00.000-04:00

1. I went to see Superman Returns...the girls won writing contests for free tickets...I found it to be quite entertaining. The story was well thought out and Acting was exceptional. I love Kevin Spacey and he was perfect as Lex Luthor. Bad ass! In addition Frank Langella is a Star Trek Alum! He played Bajoran Minister Jaro Essa on Deep Space Nine.

2. I also saw You, Me and Dupree. I am not the biggest fan of Owen Wilson and this was definately a Wilson vehicle. Though there were several humorous moments, I wasn't terribly thrilled with the movie. It does have Kate Hudson in it though and I find her very sexy! Hubba Hubba. Sadly I actually couldn't find one Trek connection in this film. Something is wrong in the world.

3. Killian is now riding a bike like a pro. Still working on good control of the bike but he gets better every time he rides. and he loves to ride his bike.

4. This weekend I get to go to Costco, Wal-Mart, and the Grocery store. Nothing I can't normally handle, until you factor in that the boys will be with me at every stop. We all know how that usually goes.

5. Geek Alert. There is a new show coming out this fall on ABC called the Nine. One of the Nine is John Billingsley (Dr. Phlox from Enterprise). Keep your eyes open.

6. Twins were sucking not so long ago are right in the thick of the playoff hunt now. It is getting really fun to watch them now.

7. Vikings have opened training camp. Football is right around the corner. what Fun.

8. I have signed up for fantasy football this year with some friends. I sure would like to win it all! But I would like a solid draft out of the deal.

9. Got to watch Liam have swimming lessons. He loves the water. I was a wreck watching after the near drowning fiasco. But he was having a blast. God bless him that he didn't have any adverse effects from the drowning incident.

10. Finally, I know I have said this before but I think I will start to post more frequently. Seems I have a lot to talk about. And I find Geek references everywhere (even on the Gilmore Girls, my brother got me watching that. Not a bad show.)

She's in the Hospital again.

2006-07-28T16:39:00.000-04:00

Krissy has now been admitted the University of Minnesota Bone Marrow transplant clinic. She will be receiving her transplant next week. See her blog for full details krissysoika.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday to me!

2006-07-06T13:25:00.000-04:00

Yep. July 6th is my Birthday. Unfortunately, so is George W Bush's. I can't even enjoy my birthday without that dipstick butting his head into it.

It isn't enough that he needs to listen in on all my calls and track back records. But he has to take my Birthday as well?

Jerk.

The Worst day of my life. NO KIDDING

2006-07-03T15:16:00.001-04:00

Saturday July 1, 2006. A day I will remember for the rest of my life. Why? Because it was the day I almost lost one of my children.

On Thursday, My sister calls me and says, "having an early July 4th, Zoe's Birthday celebration, bring potatoes, we'll swim." Seeing as how I don't see my sister nearly enough, nor my brother (planetdan), nor my other sister, or parents or nieces, nephews (you get the picture?) and the kids love swimming, I of course agree to come and bring potatoes. The threat of good behavior or no swimming works wonders on the boys attitude for two days.

Saturday I wake up, Krissy is upstairs with the kids. Score! I get to sleep in a little. She then takes the boys and her girls to the "bank". and is gone for two hours. Clearly shopping for my birthday presents (coming up on the 6th). I was able to prepare the potatoes and do a couple of little things that have been nagging at me. Well, then Krissy comes home an we go to my sisters. All is going well, I am with my family enjoying a fine afternoon, despite the heat and my sister's house not having the AC. Everyone is swimming and having a grand old time.

Then my life turned upside down. My sister and I, doing one of our headcounts of all the kids can't locate my four year old son Liam. We look in the deep end of the pool and I see something that will be burned into my memory forever. My son, face down, unconscious in the water.

I leapt like I have never leapt before. I got him out of the water as quickly as I could. My sister, an angel sent from heaven, God bless her, performed mouth to mouth. My Father aided. All I could do was think and pray "God, don't do this to me, Please." I was in a complete panic. I could not live if one of my kids was taken from me. After what seemed like hours, it was only seconds, Liam started spitting up water, and breathing. He was groggy and weak, but Praise God, he was still alive. The Paramedics, EMT, Police came and we went to the Hospital. I was in shock for most of the remainder of the day. Liam after a few hours at the Hospital was his old rambunctious self. Krissy followed me and the abulance to the Hospital. Liam was OK. I was a wreck. I couldn't think straight. Once Liam's Mom was with him, Krissy and I went for a walk where I finally cracked. Uncontrollable sobbing and crying. I had almost killed my son with my inattentiveness (I know this isn't true, but I couldn't stop thinking this. I could not help feeling guilty for what had happened. I can't get that image out of my head of my boy face down in the water. That will haunt me forever. Mom decided to spend the night with Liam at the Hospital. I went picked up my other son at my parents. Killian's first words were, "Daddy, Did Liam go up to heaven?"

Thank God he didn't. Cause I don't know how I could have gone on without him. I couldn't hardly sleep for two days. I can't close my eyes or I see my boy floating...

In the end I have the following people to thank that my son is still alive.
My sister Colleen who did the CPR. My Dad who aided her. My family and their support, Krissy for being there when I needed her the most. The EMTs for doing their job so professionally and keeping me calm. The Nurses and Doctors at Children's Hospital for their great care. And finally God, for not taking my son from me. It wasn't his time. He's still MY angel. I still need him.

The Worst day of my life. NO KIDDING

2006-07-03T15:16:00.000-04:00

The Bad News Twins

2006-05-30T14:00:00.000-04:00

The Twins this year have been a comedy of errors.

Let's break all that joy down, shall we?

Starting pitching:
Johan Santana - after a horrible start he is starting to look like the Johan that is the most dominant pitcher in the AL.
Brad Radke - Finally has a good start after two months of futility. Time to retire Brad!
Carlos Silva - Banished to the Bullpen after sucking really bad.
Kyle Lohse - Banished to the minor leagues after sucking so bad. Likely trade bait but we wont likely get much in retur.
Scott Baker - Early in the season was the only bright spot, since then he has been a train wreck.
Francisco Liriano - replaced Silva in the rotation and hasn't disappointed. As one of the top pitching prospects in Baseball, he sure is living up to the hype. Just needs to add some endurance so he pitch farther into games.
Boof Bonser - Looked good in his debut, replacing the aforementioned Kyle Lohse in the rotation and on the roster.

Postions
Catcher - Starter Joe Mauer is really hitting well (.350s) and plays good defensively behind the plate and handles calling a game and the pitchers well. Backup - Mike Redmond plays about once a week but makes the most of it. Batting near .500 in limited playing time.

1B - When Justin Morneau hits the ball it goes a long way. The power is there, he is gettin the RBIs but his Batting average (.230s) is abyssmal. That needs to come up. Defensively he has been pretty good.

2B - Best Acquisition of the offseason by the Twins - Luis Castillo has done exactly what everyone expected him to do. Hit well, get on base and play solid defense. No problems here

SS - I wish I knew what Ron Gardenhire is thinking with this position. Juan Castro is not an everyday SS. He is a utility player. This position is dragging the team down.

3B - Worst acquistion of the offseason by the Twins - Tony Batista is a wasted roster spot. Signed for this power, he isn't delivering that. And defensively he has the range of a signpost, and the speed of Slowpoke Rodriquez.

OF - Torii Hunter is his old self. Great defensively, Average at best at the plate. Likely tradebait at the deadline. Shannon Stewart is good at the plate but really struggles on the field. On the DL again with foot problems. This man should be the teams DH. Likely tradebait at the trade deadline. Michael Cuddyer has been good defensively and has been one consistent force in the batting lineup. Jason Kubel doesn't get enough playing time. Lew Ford gets way too much playing time for a fourth OF at best.

DH - Rondell White. Who could have predicted this poor production? This should be where Stewart is hitting.

Utility - Nick Punto and Luis Rodriguez have done what a Utility guy is expected to do.

Bullpen. Joe Nathan is one of the best closers in the game. and he has had exactly 6 opportunities this year. Jesse Crain, and Juan Rincon have been much more erradic this season. The other guys have done OK. Though Silva is struggling here now too.

What this team needs is to retool, rebuild. It is time to cast off the old and bring up the new. Let the young guys play and work toward competing for a title in the next couple of years.

Good thing that Vikings camp opens in just under 2 months.

Geek Central

2006-05-30T13:54:00.000-04:00

OK, So out of curiosity, I watched the show Boston Legal, since it has that William Shatner (Capt. Kirk) guy on it. I found out that Rene Auberjonois (Odo) is a regular character on the show. And the one episode that I watched also had Robert Foxworth (A few differect characters) as a judge and Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine) as a papparazzi harrassed so she shot one actress.

The show also has Parker Posey as a young junior partner in the law firm. I like her from "Best in Show". And it has Candice Bergen, of Murphy Brown fame. and James Spader. All in all, not a bad show. Kind of cute with a lot of tongue in cheek humor. I might take another gander at it next year.

Been a While

2006-05-30T11:24:00.000-04:00

I know, it's been a while since I posted so I thought I should update everyone on my life.

1. I have been quite destructive as of late. In late April, I let my temper get the better of me. Kris was in the Hospital with another round of Chemo and the boys were sleeping over. Now, that leaves me alone with 4 kids. Have I ever said I deeply respect any single parent doing it by themselves now? Well let's just say the boys were listening about as much as a deaf turtle, the 11 year old (now 12) wasn't PMSing and doing a fine job of it and I didn't have the best day at work. Everything came to a head and I walked into the kitchen and kicked out the door under the sink.

2. Destructive incident number 2 - Scott got quite angry after having brought the boys home. Kris had to go to the Hospital again. This time the girls were supposed to have a bath. They were fighting over who got to take one first. Morgan was ready to go. She was naked. Her sister, Alex not even close. She was being stubborn about going first. Anyone who knows me knows I can be pretty stubborn too. I eventually gentally removed Alex from the bathroom to allow Morgan her bath. Alex after having been removed made some comments that made me angry. I punched the light switch, hard, twice. The plate cracked the light sparked and hasn't worked since. Needless to say the next day I sought counselling. This is not me.

The counselor said that I need to take care of me. and find me time and do things that I enjoy. I have been trying to do too much and I have given up too much that I enjoy to deal with Kris' illness.

Pray for me. I kind of need it.

Geek Alert

2006-04-13T17:02:00.000-04:00

OK, So I was at home this weekend and came across some lame movie that starred Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Pollack.

The movie is called "House Arrest". It is set on the premise of a couple on the verge of a separation and their kids lock them in the basement to work out their problems. They then get some friends to help them keep their parents there who subsequently add their parents to the basement. It
was supposed to be funny I guess, but it was one of those family comedies that wasn't all that funny.

Anyway, this movie did have a distinction of having Three Star Trek Alumni in it.

First was Wallace Shawn - Grand Nagus Zek, He appeared in several episodes as the lovable yet greedy head of the Ferengi.

Christopher MacDonald - was Lt. Castillo on one of my favorite episodes "Yesterday's Enterprise".

Finally there was Ray Walston - Who played lovable and wise Starfleet Academy groundskeeper Boothby.

So the movie did offer me one thing. I got a little geek time.

How I made the worst Birthday in History to the best Birthday in History.

2006-03-17T18:53:00.000-05:00

Krissy was in the Hospital due to a fever (bad thing for a Leukemia patient) on her birthday. The doctor said she could go home for a few hours. So I took her home, we all gave her some presents (Friends season 2, Footloose, Sleepless in Seattle, and When Harry Met Sally). We then sent the girls off to take a bath. Krissy was still looking pretty down in the dumps. I went downstairs for a few minutes to fold some laundry (that's me, Mr. Domestic). I got the other gift I was going to give her.

She was moping on the couch and talking about how this was the worst birthday ever because of the Hospital (not me or the gifts). I sat down next to her, snuggled up to her and said, "in the past month and a half, I came to realize that I can't live without you" and I gave her the ring. From that moment on it was the Best Birthday in History. Course now I have no idea what to get her for Chirstmas.

So anyways she ended up with a permasmile the rest of the night and in two days time was home again making great progress in her recovery and treatment. She already has half the wedding planned. I love that Krissy!

I can be really stupid sometimes...

2006-03-17T18:40:00.000-05:00

OK. So apparently I just don't learn my lesson.

A Week or two ago I had to buy some pull ups. I was constrained for time cause Krissy was in the Hospital and I had to go see her that night after I dropped off the boys at there mom's.

Well, the boys daycare is pretty close to Super Target. So I thought, well it will only take a minute to get the pull ups.

Boy was I wrong.

So anyways, before we even entered the store I began to hear the "Daddy, will you get me a transformer?", and I heard that for the entire time in the store. On top of that, Super Target does not conveniently put the Diapers and pull ups near all the other baby stuff, while futiley trying to find the pull ups there the boys decide that it is a really good time to play hide and seek in the car seats running under the shelves and behind baby cloth racks. Then they discovered that the transformers are right there next to the baby stuff. Do you want to know how long it took me to remove them from that aisle? More than 10 minutes. finally I decided it was time to tour the damn store for these stupid pull ups. Up and down every aisle of the store with two little boys trailing behind crying about how they want a transformer and how they will be very a-frustrated with me if I don't get them a transformer and how they don't like me as Daddy because I didn't buy them. Finally found the damn pull ups by the groceries. Course, then I realized that I was going to buy a new carseat for the now 4 year old Liam. So back to the baby stuff we go! and naturally we passed the goddamn transformer aisle again.

Why do I do this to myself?

Single Parenting

2006-03-02T11:24:00.000-05:00

OK. So now I have a real long lasting respect for any true single parent.

Working all day, coming home and dealing with kids all night while contending with dinner, cleaning, shopping, paying bills, and having no other adult there to help you is REALLY stressfull.

1. One of the girls is entering puberty, and though she hasn't had that monthly "visitor" yet, she surely does get PMS.

2. The girls have NO CONCEPT of cleanliness. Stuff just gets put whereever. One of these days, I am taking a day or two off from work and cleaning their room. Soon, I will be instituting a new program that anything left out in the living room after they go to bed, I am going to put away and they wont see if for a long while.

3. Time for chore charts. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I can find one or even just some suggestions for chores. To make them follow through, there will be rewards.
a. We have a reward program. Good actions are rewarded with marbles, once enough marbles are earned they get a prize. Bad actions cost marbles.
b. I was thinking a small allowance might be in order for all the kids. If and only if they do their chores.

4. Girls are doing well with Mom's condition but the younger one has been more clingy. The older one broke down in tears yesterday and ol' insesitive Scott didn't know what to do to calm her down. She ended up calling her Mom at the hospital and made her cry too.

5. I have been too tired to keep the house clean. After Dinner, dishes, and stopping the inevitable clashed between the kids, I am exhausted about 9:00pm.

Help! I hope Krissy is better soon so I can go back to being just half exhausted.

For updates...

2006-03-02T11:22:00.000-05:00

on Krissy's status go to her new blog "Krissysoika.blogspot.com"

Some thoughts...

2006-02-15T10:25:00.000-05:00

Some new thoughts.

1. It's not like I didn't do all this stuff before, but now I am solely responsible for Dinner preparation, Dishes, General house cleanup, Laundry, and caring for two Girls full time and for my boys half of the time. Needless to say, It has been daunting to say the least.

2. Krissy came home from the Hospital for about 4 days and now she is oh, so happy to be back in the Hospital again.

3. Don't ask me how, but I lost more weight. Since the diagnosis, my primary source of nourishment has been fast food. Yet when I weighed in at 184.8 this morning, I about freaked out. I haven't been doing my walks, or eating good or even drinking water right. But there I go losing weight. I guess it can be explained with all the running that I actually haven't been eating as much. But still I am confused that I managed to lose weight without really trying. Strange that when I try to lose the weight seems to cling on for dear life.

4. I have so much stuff to do, but I am having a lot of trouble getting around to doing it. Mind is preoccupied for some reason.

5. My girlfriend's Mom is a wreck. She calls me about Six times a day and I get several emails daily from her. I realize this time has been tough on her but it is only adding to my stress level. My job has been to care for the kids, the house and try my best to keep Krissy's spirits up. Now I have to play counselor to her Mom too. What joy this is...

6. Star Trek: Came across a bad Steven Seagal movie the other day. Under Siege. Co-starred Colm Meaney. Chief Miles O'Brien a recurring character on the Next Generation, and a regular cast member of Deep Space Nine. Too bad he had to soil his career with that horrible Seagal movie.

7. I think perhaps that my current situation would be greatly improved if I could win the Lottery. And I don't mean just $4.00 this time. At least the financial worries would go away.

I think I am all thought out for now. Have a good day. At least someone will.

Just as things were really looking up...

2006-02-10T17:14:00.000-05:00

for those of you that haven't read my sister's blog.

On February 1st, I found out something that broke my heart and put me into a really sorry state. My girlfriend, Krissy, was disagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. Since then I have seen her suffering from the after effects of Chemotherapy and constant IVs and Blood transfusions.

My life could not possibly have been going better until that moment. I have gotten through the tough part. I can't tell you how hard it is to see someone you truly love suffering like that. It just makes you want to crawl into bed and shut out the world.

I am keeping a positive attitude and asking everyone I know to keep us in your prayers. We all need them right now. Me, Krissy, Alex, Morgan and her whole family.

I love you Krissy. Get Better Soon.

Oscar Noms' are in...And the Oscar goes to...

2006-01-31T10:06:00.000-05:00

...I have no idea! I seriously have not yet seen ANY movie with a nomination in the big 6 categories. That's right, I haven't seen any movie with a nominee for Best Picture, Director, Actor or Actress in leading or supporting roles.

So here are my highly uneducated guesses as to who will win in each category

Best Picture. Nominees: Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Crash, Good Night and Good Luck, and Munich. Brokeback Mountain has gotten a lot of press and is the butt of many a late night host jokes lately. Munich is Speiberg's annual contribution, Capote is artsy fartsy, Good Night and Good Luck is about Edward R Murrow, and then there is Crash.

Who I would like to see win: Good Night and Good Luck.

Who will likely win: Brokeback Mountain.

Best Director: For the first time in years, All the Best Picture nominees Directors are nominated so I can't just eliminate two right off the bat.
Ang Lee - Frontrunner in my opinion. Plus past snubs kind of gives him an edge; Bennett Miller for Capote - probably would fare better if the movie wasn't a primarily art house movie; Paul Haggis - Crash well woven tail and Ang Lee's stiffest competition but the movie was released in early May: George Clooney - to show you how out of touch I am, I had NO IDEA he had directed (much less produced) a movie; Steven Spielberg - Munich, what would the Oscars be without Steven being nominated every other year?

Who I would like? George Clooney (so shoot me).

Who will likely win: Ang Lee. For previous snubs, controversial topic, and unfortunately for Paul Haggis, release date.

Best Actor
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote (won the SAG award)
Terrance Howard - Hustle & Flow - Who?
Heath Ledger - Well now...um...this is the same dude that is now in Cassanova and was in that HORRIBLE jousting movie?
Joaquin Pheonix - Biopics always make the academy all starry eyed.
David Strathairn - that makes 3 Biopic Characters nominated.

Who I Like - Hoffman. No matter what I see him in I love him in it. The only other guy that has a chance this year is Pheonix.

Who will actually win: Pheonix. Just because I like Hoffman better.

Actress
Judi Dench - Seriously now, Is there any Non James Bond movie she has NOT been nominated for?
Felicity Huffman - playing a guy getting a sex change into a woman. Whooo! Now if that isn't a role that the academy wouldn't love to reward.
Keira Knightly - will suffer because of her age. (everyone will see the clearly long career ahead of her and go for someone else).
Charlize Theron - Already won. That'll hurt her chances, of course that is what I said last year about Hillary Swank.
Reese Witherspoon - I would love to see her win, cause she is sooooo cute.

Who I like: Huffman - Like Hoffman has the same wild role that the academy loves to reward.

Who will probably win - Huffman. The last time a woman played a man in a movie and was nominated she won (See Linda Hunt)

Supporting Actor
George Clooney - Really? Clearly this is a better role than Batman 4 or Ocean's Eleven.
Matt Dillon - After "There's Something About Mary" I can't see him winning.
Paul Giamatti - nominated as much for the snub for Sideways as for this role
Jake Gyllenhaal - How do you nominate Ledger and not Jake?
William Hurt - Didn't even know he was in the movie. Just Viggo and Ed Harris.

Who I would like: George Clooney - never been terribly fond of him but how do you get nominated 3 times in the same year and not win one of them?

Who will win: Jake.

Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams - who?
Catherine Keener - My brother's likely favorite
Frances McDormand - She won the last time she played a Minnesotan.
Rachel Wiesz - Already won the SAG and Golden Globe
Michelle Williams - who?

Who do I like: Everyone but McDormand.

Who will win: Rachel Wiesz. On a roll in awards circles.

Well there you have it. My wholly uneducated pulled it right out of my ass predictions for this year's Oscars. Hope you enjoyed 'em!

Whoa, Completely forgot about the blog!

2006-01-20T09:26:00.000-05:00

Ok I really didn't. Krissy, has been harping on me for awhile now about posting something new so here is goes:

1. Back on the weight loss program. Using the Weight Watchers plan (not going to the meetings though). I started last week, weighed in at 192 lbs. Walked every day, ate a bit less and a bit better, stopped consuming Coca Cola entirely. Weighed in on Tuesday at 188.4 lbs. If only I could keep this up for more than a month.

2. Question: Why is the abbreviation for pounds "lbs."?

3. Geek watch: Browsing about Peter Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings and King Kong and found a movie that I have seen once called The Frighteners. In this movie there was an actor named Jeffrey Combs. This is a guy who has played many a memorable character in Star Trek. His first appearance was as a character named 'Tiron' a nefarious guy that was lusting after Major Kira; He next became the FCA Liquidator 'Brunt', something of a foil for Quark; then he became the slime Vorta adminstrator 'Weyoun' (both Brunt and Weyoun were frequently recurring characters on Deep Space Nine); He next made an appearance on Voyager as 'Penk' a guy who runs an illegal yet popular fight program and forces people to fight for other's enjoyment. (This episode co-starred former pro-wrestler and Action movie star The Rock). He then continued his Star Trek legacy as Commander Shran, a violent yet honorable Andorian on "Enterprise". I am certain at this point that if there is ever another Star Trek series it will involve to some extent, Jeffrey Combs.

4. Geek watch Part Deux: Nana Visitor the aforementioned Kira Nerys on Deep Space Nine, is now a regular cast member of a WB or something network show called Wildfire.

5. Got some manly things to do this weekend: Take a ceiling fan out of the boys room and replace it with a simple light; replace some coat hooks that Killian managed to pull off the wall (obviously whoever hung it never heard of a stud finder); change faucet in the kitchen (yep, I can do this. I think); dance swan lake in a tutu. Ok not that last one. But I can feel new hairs growing on my chest. I feel a Tim Allen growl coming.

6. Saw Narnia - I have to say this followed the book just about to the letter. It was really a pretty good movie. Krissy really liked it, too. Lately, Hollywood has tried really hard to follow a book closely. I am getting more impressed by this all the time. Gone are the days of The Running Man where only the name and concept were taken from the book.

7. Saw Rumor Has It...too. It was pretty dull movie, except for Shirley MacLaine. She was a riot. But the movie was just straight up predictable. And not that good.

8. It's Firday, I can't think anymore... Have a nice weekend.

Some New Thinks...

2005-11-09T12:24:00.000-05:00

Some new thoughts and thinks to ponder:

1. I am now a complete GEEK. I own EVERY SINGLE EPISODE of Star Trek, and all 10 Movies on DVD.

2. I think Choir isn't as fun as it used to be. I am not complaining. It is just more serious now. Our choir director, a mid 20s masters degree in choral direction having woman, really is challenging us with some difficult pieces. She really has us performing well. And she is easy on the eyes too.

3. I am not proposing any possible romantic desires. I just think she is really attractive.

4. My girlfriend Krissy is going to wonder why I mentioned the choir director's looks. Don't worry, Krissy. I love YOU. And you are pretty easy on the eyes too.

5. Killian really does a great job of coloring inside the lines. and drawing. It seems he is, according to his Kindergarden teacher, a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to art. Good thing. cause if he has his father's atheletic skills, he is never going to make any money there.

6. The mess continues: Help! my house is a disaster. Those girls really have a bad habit of just leaving whatever, whereever. The clutter is starting to annoy me. I think I need to get up off my lazy ass and do something about it.

7. Got rid of some stuff. Now maybe I can go into the garage, reorganize it and park my car in it! Damn this lazy ass.

8. My girlfriend and her girls really like the show 7th Heaven. It isn't bad, good moral stories, etc. TREK GEEK REFERENCE - The stars of the show Catherine Hicks (Gillian Taylor, Star Trek IV) and Stephen Collins (Cmdr Willard Decker, Star Trek, the Motion Picture) are in it.

9. I also now have all 6 Star Wars Movies on DVD. Major Geek fest!

10. Weight Loss update: 14 pounds. Another pound and Mom owes me a Lasagna! Yee Haw!

Chuck E Cheese

2005-10-27T08:12:00.000-04:00

OK, so we took the kids and met some of Krissy's family at Chuck E Cheese last night.

Here is my shot at being a restaurant critic.

This place, obviously designed for kids is one of the biggest ripoffs out there. Two pizzas, some breadsticks, pop and tokens - Cost $50.00. The Breadsticks were good, but the pizza sucks. is too small for the price and tastes like crap.

Now for the experience. For kids this place is paradise: games, playground all sorts of things for kids to do. For adults the place is a nightmare.

One of Krissy's kids puts like a pound of Parmasean (sp?) cheese on each piece of pizza (Would you like some pizza with that cheese?) She also decided to stop eating to play some more games, and then got mad when there was no more food left when she got back. (Don't leave this geek alone with Pizza - even crappy pizza - for too long)

Krissy's other kid ended up swiping some of her sister's tokens.

Boys had a good time though. Strange though as soon as we left, despite eating pizza, they wanted to go to McDonald's. Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought the pizza sucked.

Played games all night with the boys and earned 148 tickets which we brought to the prize counter and earned...suspense building pause...three cheesy ass rubber spiders.

To quote Napoleon Dynamite, "GOD!"

So for $50.00 we got some cheap ass toy spiders, crappy ass pizza and I was up all night with upset stomach.

Chances of the Geek going back to Chuck E Cheese anytime soon - about the same as winning the powerball.

This week in Thinks

2005-10-25T13:04:00.000-04:00

I am going to try to do this every week from now on.

Here are some thoughts.

1. I need to have more social events at my house. My God did we do a lot to get our house clean!

2. Work Sucks!

3. My favorite author (other than JK Rowling) has a new book out today. Problem is they didn't have it yet. Why is it that a Harry Potter book can be available at midnight the day it is released but all other books you have to wait for the store to get its delivery?

4. Catholic faith can be really stupid. I just realized that they don't want homosexuals to become priests. They think that is the reason for the pedophilia. Could it be that the priests involved aren't necessary gays? Perhaps they are just pedophiles?

5. The Dark Crystal. A fantasy film from the late 80s starring muppets. It was an interesting movie and my boys love it. The neat thing about fantasy is that, unlike science fiction, it can make no sense whatsoever. It's fantasy! The concept was actually pretty good, and the story too, but the muppets really get kind of annoying at times.

6. Cinderella, you know the Disney film (of course we own it now): I love the mice, Jacque and Gus Gus. They are so cute. Though I must say the girl mice's voices can really grate on the nerves after a little while. The stepmother reminds me of my ex wife's stepmother, just more openly cruel.

7. One (of Many) benefit of being divorced is that I never ever have to see the evil one's more evil stepmother ever again!!!

8. Ex wife's birthday today. Happy Birthday 34th Supertwit.

9. Morgan is 8 today as well. and she would rather spend it with my Mom then hers. OK so Krissy was going to get out of school early tonight and take her kid out for a treat but my Mom already planned to do some crafting. Morgan was given a choice and chose my Mom. Something wrong there I am sure of it.

10. Oh my, all these thoughts and not one Geek reference. Well I can fix that! See the movie Xmen and you will see Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Famke Janssen, who was a love interest of Picard in an episode of ST:TNG. Tee hee hee. You can't avoid Geek references when reading my posts!

7.

Back again. Here are some thoughts

2005-10-20T14:19:00.000-04:00

Some things I think I thought...or something.

1. My fantasy football team is now 3-3. I lost to a guy by ONE point last week.

2. Krissy's daughter is turning 8 next week. Poor girl shares a birthday with my ex wife. In any case she has gotten quite annoying. Cause everything, for the past month, has been about her birthday. I going to the grocery store, "Are you going to buy some cake for my birthday," Need toothpaste so I am going to Target, "Buying me a birthday present?" Going to church, "Say a prayer that I get lots of presents for my birthday." You get the picture? And birthdays in her family are not a one day event. They last a week or more. She is already getting a party at our house, and a night at Chuck E Cheese. Spoiled kids!

3. Krissy has tubs full of decorations for the holidays. Including Halloween. My house has been Halloweened. There are cute ghost lights and window decorations and a ghost hanging from the thermostat that scared my 3 year old. Until we explained it like a toy. Now he can't keep his hands off of it, despite all of our repeated, "leave it alone!'s".

4. Star Trek Enterprise: Season 4 is coming out on November 1. As of that day, My geekification which started over 4 years ago will be complete. I will own every single episode of Star Trek and Each and every movie in special edition or directors cut. YeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaaaw!!!!!!!!

5. Speaking of Star Trek, The Doctor from Voyager, Robert Piccardo, is now a regular cast member of the NBC military Drama "E-Ring". Geeking out!!

6. And one of ER's recurring characters (Dr. Debenko?) was a guest star in at least two episodes.

7. I really want a new Canon 8 mega pixel digital Camera, but they cost like $1500.00. Damn I wish I was rich. Which reminds me I need to check my powerball tickets.

8. I won! I won! I won! $4.00.

9. So I am still trying to lose weight but lately I haven't been exercising, and my Weight Watchers counting aint going so good either. Good news, I haven't gained any weight. Bad news, I haven't lost any either.

10. The Minnesota Vikings are a flat out embarrassment. They lose frequently, look woefully unprepared when they do and off the field they just can't stay out of trouble. Sheeeesh, when are they gonna fire Mike Tice anyway? Tired of the lackadaisical attitude on the field and do whatever the hell you want attitude off of it. This team needs a fresh start. It started in May with a new owner. Now it is just a matter of time before the house is cleaned.

Whew, it's been a while

2005-10-03T17:14:00.000-04:00

Golly,

I haven't posted in a while. I really need to start this back up again.

Here are ten things I think I think:

1. I am in Fantasy Football again. Started off 2-1 this year. If you recall I started 0-2 last year and damn near won the whole damn thing.

2. The Vikings suck more than a Hoover Vacuum.

3. By the end of this year the Trek Geek will own every episode of Star Trek, the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise and all 10movies in special edition. My geekness is nearly complete.

4. Garage sale didn't sell much. Anyone want a futon? Some charity is gonna be making out like bandits.

5. I have now lost 13 pounds. Not bad eh? Thanks Weight Watchers.

6. I am going to go batty at work. Getting really tired of my job.

7. I drive my girlfriend crazy! Everytime we go to a movie there is some dude from Star Trek in it and I unfailingly point it out. I love it.

8. Went to the new Reese Witherspoon movie last weekend. And aside from the normal predictability of your average romantic comedy, it wasn't so bad. There were at least 3 Star Trek sightings in this movie. Rosalind Chao (Keiko) , was Reese's mentor, Ron Canada (at least two characters, her boss, and the maitre d at the restaurant was from Trek too. Tee hee hee. Yes my girlfriend heard all about it.

9. Really need to start praciting my guitar more. I play for the church choir and Sunday I just sucked.

10. I really wish I could write like JK Rowling. Imagine writing just six books and becoming a BILLIONAIRE! I would settle for just Millionaire, or maybe even Thousandaire.

Major Geek fest

2005-08-15T13:33:00.000-04:00

Trolling on the digital cable this weekend on Starz and found a movie from the late eighties called Shoot to Kill, starring Kirstie Alley, Tom Berenger and Sidney Poitier.

I didn't watch for long, but what caught my attention was this. In ONE SCENE there were 4 Star Trek alumni. The aforementioned Kirstie Alley (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn; Saavik), John Schuck (Klingon Ambassador in film and a Cardassian Legate on DS9), Andrew Robinson (Garak from DS9), and Clancy Brown (one episode of Enterprise).

Clancy Brown is best known as Byron Hadley the captain of the prison guard in Shawshank Redemption (Not the only Trek Connection in that film either), and the Kurgen in Highlander.

I get all giddy finding crap like this. What can I say? I am a geek.

My garage floor

2005-08-15T13:20:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Krissy and I worked diligently on cleaning up the garage. Well she did most of the work since I am nursing a sore hand (see the bicycle story). In any case, we made great progress and are getting organized for a Big garage sale.

I do however, need a few tables for this event. Does anyone have a folding table or two that I could borrow?

I can actually see my garage floor again. I may actually be able to park in my garage again soon.

The grand bicycle adventure.

2005-08-15T13:08:00.000-04:00

So I was biking on Tuesday last week (part of my new weight loss program, and something fun to do with the girls), when one moment I am toodling along the next I am laying face first on the pavement.

Now lets detail the injuries Scott recieved.
1. Small abrasion over right eye. (Yes I was wearing a helmet)
2. Larger abrasion on right Knee.
3. Hand injury orginally diagnosed as a broken bone but what turns out to be essentially a really bad bruise.
4. EGO. Hello? I haven't falled off my bike in like 25 years. Not to mention I did this in front of about 9 kids around the neighborhood, some neighbors and of course the girls. Just gave them a lesson as to why they should wear helmets.

Description of the accident: I was biking, one of the girls cut a little in front of me and to avoid a catastrophic collision, I "slammed" on the breaks. From what I was told the subsequent leap was quite graceful, but I really blew on the landing.

In any case I had to wear a splint for two days and now I have two fingers taped together, which really makes typing a pain in the....hand.

Weight Watchers

2005-08-15T13:06:00.000-04:00

My personal weight loss program being an utter failure, my girlfriend (Krissy) and I have decided to join weight watchers. Though I am not thrilled with the cost, I have lost 4 pounds in the first week. She lost three.

I am also in a weight loss competition at work. Motivation is abundant. Now all I need is the follow through.

There is sooooooo much stuff.

2005-07-15T10:58:00.000-04:00

Anyone want a toaster oven? How about a futon?

A Set of dishes? Some chairs? an old crappy TV Stand? A Queen sized mattress, box spring, and frame?

Moving in with a girlfriend can create a mass surplus of goods. Garage Sale coming soon.

Hooters not allowed?

2005-07-15T10:42:00.000-04:00

I just read a story in the paper yesterday that the Mayor doesn't want a Hooters Restaurant downtown Minneapolis, becasue it "doesn't represent the values [he] wants downtown". Which is a laugh. Considering other fine establishments downtown like Sheiks, or Ricks (topless).

I just lost all respect for RT Rybak.

Roommates

2005-06-29T15:38:00.000-04:00

I now have roommates. My girlfriend moved in over the weekend. Her kids came too. The also brought along a dog and 6 guinea Pigs.

Guinea Pigs are cute and fuzzy but they start to smell really bad after only a day or two. Plus now I have found out that at least two are boys and the rest are girls. So we will have to rid ourselves of the two boys or there will be more guinea pigs. And that I can't have.

The dog, Molly, is a spaz.

The Girls have already trashed their room, Only took about a day. They were complaining about it being too warm. I investigated and found they had the vent covered with stuff. Then the next day it was covered again. and puzzle pieces were going down the vent. Things will improve soon enough but, sometimes I am astounded at how much these girls do to avoid doing anything.

They still have stuff to move and their mother has threatened to throw a bunch of their stuff out if they don't help pack. That enticed them to do absolutely nothing. They just moped about it being hot, and not having the bin they wanted to use and they even said they didn't have to do what I told them because I am not their father. Sorry girls, that is not a good excuse.

I am going to have to kick some butts (figureatively, of course).

Birthday

2005-06-29T15:35:00.000-04:00

Less than a week to go before my birthday.

If you want to send me presents...just kidding.

I am going to be 34 years old and I just had a physical. No the guy didn't jam his finger up my ass. But I was told that I have a hernia starting and high cholesterol. Both of which can be brought under control with a little diet and exercise. Damn. Now I gotta lose weight for more than just vanity reasons.

The Geekification of my children

2005-06-15T15:35:00.000-04:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a pretty big geek (Both figuratively, and physically). I, being a father, want to curse my children with the same geekiness.

The idea is to expose them to as much science fiction as I can find that I fondly remember.

Which leads us to "The Last Starfighter" It stars... uh nobody of any consequence...except the guy from the Music Man, Robert Preston. (cue Ron Howard lisping the song "Wells Fargo Wagon")

Well, Like "The Black Hole" (just look back in my historical posts and you will find my rantings about that film), there are some plot issues that don't make any damn sense:

1. Why the heck are ALL The starfighters on ONE base so as to be easily destroyed in ONE attack?

2. Why Are so few able to be starfighters? God, you put a video game out there and there will be a ton of people kicking its ass in no time.

3. Why are the bad guys so horrible at shooting?

4. The Zandozan in a shoot out, just stands there and shoots, while everyone else ducks.

5. If the bad guys can't get past the great "Frontier", how did the Zandozan get to Earth?

OK, so this isn't as bad as "the Black Hole" but boy it sure raises some questions.

Next up, I need to find Battle Beyond the Stars. That ought to be fun!

Memorial Day Weekend.

2005-05-27T12:58:00.000-04:00

Some things for Memorial Day Weekend.

1. Remember Me? I haven't posted in over a month. Been too busy I guess.

2. Remember my diet? That is pretty much nonexistant now.

3. Remember why we celebrate Memorial Day? Remember all those soldiers that Bush sent to their needless deaths on trumped up and fixed intellegence?

4. Remember 1981, when my brother and I got Underoos for Christmas? (picture on planetdan.net). I would like to not remember that. Thanks Dan!

5. Remember what a sunny day looks like? God damn it! this raining every day crap sucks.

6. Remember the Alamo?

7. Remember that one episode of Star Trek where the holodeck malfunctions and the safeties turn off so all the people's lives are in danger? Oh yeah, that covers about a dozen or so episodes.

8. Remember when studio films in Hollywood were actually good stories and not badly rehashed hits from years past or badly spoofed 70s and 80s TV shows?

9. Remember to pay your bills this month?

10. Remember that Football training camp begins in less than 60 days!

A new week begins

2005-04-18T08:05:00.000-04:00

Some thoughts for thinking about.

1. The weight loss program that I began back in November has been a complete loss. I got off my program, was eating out waaaaaaaaay too much, and then I went on vacation to Orlando. Despite all that, I now weigh 186 pounds. Time to get back on the wagon.

2. I have some couches to get rid of. My girlfriends cousin was going to take them but then she backed out. They are hunter green sofa bed and matching love seat. One cushion has a small hole in it. Otherwise the couches are in good shape. If you know anyone that wants them, THEY ARE FREE. All they need to do is come and get 'em.

3. Baseball season has started again and I am in my glory. Considering Star Trek is going off the air, I need something to obsess about.

4. My visitation with my kids is supposed to be every other weekend. That hasn't happened yet this year! Between vacations and special events my ex and I have to keep switching weekends. The joy continues in May, with a birthday party for my Mom on 5/1 to Mother's day on 5/8 to Memorial Day, things just don't want to work out that way. Good thing my ex and I have been flexible about it!

5. It is finally warm enough to take my kids to playgrounds outside again. For months I have been dreaming of this time. Playgrounds allow the boys to play outside, climb, use energy, run, jump, skip, giggle, etc. Trapped indoors for the winter, they have a tendency to use their energy in less productive ways, like beating the crap out of each other. I have been trying to find good ways to occupy them but it always comes down to the old adversarial standoff.

6. I took 11 rolls of films worth of pictures in Florida. It cost me a small fortune to develope them but the turned out okay. I got tons of picture of kids with Disney characters.

7. Closing in on end of choir season and I am really looking forward to it. I am really a little burnt out right now.

8. Mom's birthday is on 4/23 and I am clueless as to what to get her. Sounds like another gift certificate birthday to me! Stamp away Momma.

9. Season One of Star Trek Enterprise is available on May 3 and Special edition of Star Trek: Insurrection will be available in June. At least the cancellation of Enterprise wont hurt as much.

10. My girlfriend is getting guinea pigs. Yeah! Just what I wanted, Rodents.

Joke of the day!

2005-04-13T09:17:00.000-04:00

Brittney Spears - one of the least talented performers ever - IS PREGNANT.

She is going to have a kid with a guy that is using her for her money. This is a single mother waiting to happen.

Vacation over. Blogging again

2005-04-12T10:23:00.000-04:00

Golly, have I been gone for a while.

Here are some things I think about my vacation:

1. We drove. Though a long and tiresome procedure the drive wasn't all that bad. I had some fears intially about driving to Orlando with 3 girls in the car ages 10, 9, and 7. But they actually behaved pretty well.

2. State of Georgia sucks ass. We were in stop and go traffic for something like 6 hours on our way out due to 3 major accidents and some road construction. Needless to say our hoped for arrival on Saturday night became early Sunday Morning.

3. Sunscreen. I lathered on the SPF 45 every day. You see, I burn very easily. The only parts of me that appeared red the whole week were my nose and ears. And they never hurt! I was in the sun every day and no burns for me.

4. The weather: Pretty much sunny and 80 everyday except Thursday afternoon when we got hit with a downpour just as the daily parade happened at MGM Studios.

5. Pictures: I blew through 12 roles of film in a week. Most of them at Animal Kingdom. I got to use my new 75-300mm Zoom lens frequently, took a few pictures of people when they weren't aware. Got close ups of many things that I wouldn't have any other time. Most of my pictures though involve some Disney character.

6. Bedtime: I really didn't like how we all stayed up really late. Average bedtime was about 1:30am. This created a problem in the mornings when we wanted to get to the Disney parks early and Noon would roll around and we still hadn't left the hotel.

7. The Parks: they really know how to rip you off. $8.00 a day to park. apprx $60/day to get in the park then all the overpriced low quality food, and merchandise. They make a killing at these parks. We went to:

Universal Escape: Where I had a Green Eggs and Ham sandwich. Rode an awesome rollercoaster (dueling dragons). Had a genuinely good time.

Magic Kingdom: Lots to do here. No really awesome rollercoasters but space mountain is okay. Went on It's a Small World. Now there is an annoying ride and then we got stuck because of "techinical difficulties". Went in the annoying carousel of progress which was as cheesy as Wisconsin. Then after the evening fireworks proceeded to stand in line for over an hour to get out of the park.

MGM Studios: Never got on any really wild rides but there were a lot of cool shows and attractions. Did do Star Tours, Also wanted to watch the parade but then it started raining. I got soaked.

Animal Kingdom: This was pretty cool. Lots of fun here but they closed at 5pm and we still had a lot more we could have done.

8. The Hotel/Resort: this was a really nice timeshare with a great pool area, bar, golf course and general amenities. I would stay there again someday. Golfing this early in the year was pretty cool. But I sucked.

9. The State of Georgia: the drive home was almost as bad as going out. We were making really good time and then Georgia happened again. Twice. At one point we were in stop/go traffic at 1am north of Atlanta. Grrrrghh!! I would have danced a jig when we left that awful place but I was driving and there wasn't enough room in the van.

10. Overall: Vacation was pretty good. I had a lot of fun and will have to go back someday, to Florida to see Sea World, Universal Studios, Wet N wild, Epcot, etc. There is a lot to do there we didn't get to this time.

But I do want to go somewhere other than Orlando for my next major vacation.

I'm Back!

2005-03-17T09:52:00.001-05:00

I'm Back!

2005-03-17T09:52:00.000-05:00

A Night at the Oscars

2005-02-28T08:04:00.000-05:00

Of course I stayed up to watch all the Oscars last night. I have an obsession with Oscar trivia. But only about acting mostly.

Here is what I thought about the show. It was a pretty uneventful event.

The Host - Chris Rock - was pretty lame. I was simply not impressed. Steve Martin, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg were always better. He just didn't wow me with his hosting skills.

The format - I really didn't like the whole have all the peon award nominees on the stage or even presenting the award in their seating area. Talk about putting the losers on the spot. LAME.

Best Supporting Actor - I told you so. Morgan Freeman would get the pity Oscar of the year. And so he did. Don't get me wrong. It was a great movie (I saw it this weekend) and he was good but I really think he had a lock on this the moment he was nominated no matter what he did in this film.

Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett - I imagine she was pretty good as Katherine Hepburn but she probably won this as much for the snub for not winning Best Actress for Elizabeth when they awarded that skank Gwyneth Paltrow. Oscar likes to fix its mistakes.

Best Actress - caught me by suprise. Hillary Swank was really good in Million Dollar Baby but I really thought her previous win would keep the award from her this time. I really thought that Annette Benning (who looked like she felt she was entitled to it) would win cause that is just how Hollywood works. She was the biggest "name" nominated and also the oldest so the academy tends to award the big name women. Didn't happen this time. Hillary Swank went from Karate Kid 4 to two best actresses in 5 years. Not bad. Kate Winslet got screwed though.

Best Actor - Jamie Foxx. Probably best speech of the night and not a suprise. You don't get nominated twice in the same year and not win. Since Morgan Freeman was going to win Supporting anyway, Foxx was going to get this one.

Best Director - Clint Eastwood - Holy Smoke I really thought Martin Scorcesee was going to finally win. Boy was I wrong. Marty is probably being punished for his support of Elia Kazan a few years ago.

Best Picture - Million Dollar Baby - Ok. I saw the movie, thought it was good but didn't think this should win best picture. I suppose I really should see the other nominees to see if any of the others were as good or better than this.

All in all I wasn't impressed with the Show, or the awards themselves. But now I have more trivia and worthless useless knowledge locked into my brain.

Travesty

2005-02-15T12:04:00.000-05:00

It is a travesty I tell you that Star Trek Enterprise was cancelled.

Only four years? Come on. It was starting to get really good. They were showing the beginnings of how the Federation was formed. How Andorians and Vulcans and Telerites all started getting together, and how important Earth was in creating the Federation.

Golly, no new Star Trek starting this fall. Whatever will I do?

Here is what they need to do with the franchise:

1. Wait a year or two and have another movie.

2. Shortly after that, have a mini-series or two that involve crews from Voyager, Deep Space Nine, and The Next Generation. Or better yet, have a 8 hour miniseries that spans all timeframes of Star Trek, from Enterprise, to The Original Series to Next Generation timelines. and have them centered around Captain Sisko traveling through time.

3. Start a new show in about 5 years that is more of an anthology. Don't have a set cast. Tell stories from around the galaxy. From different points in history. Oh the possibilities.

where have I been?

2005-02-15T11:38:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know it's been a while since I last posted. So here are some current thoughts.

1. I am getting a little addicted to a political talk forum at startribune.com. There are some real idiots out there. I currently got a guy cornered on the same sex marriage issue. I asked the question: Without referring to religion or using any religious reference of any kind tell me what harm a same sex marriage would bring to you, your family, your community or society in general. So far he has avoided, diverted, dodged, tried to answer with a question and outright refused to answer. I am having a blast. He clearly isn't.

2. Virginia Madsen who is nominated for best supporting actress this year, was once a guest star on Star Trek Voyager. John Logan, who is nominated for his screenplay for The Aviator, also wrote the screenplay for the most recent Star Trek film.

3. RIP Ossie Davis

4. RIP John Vernon (Dean Werner from Animal House)

5. RIP Arthur Miller

6. Is is just me or are the grammy's essentially a waste of time now? It seems like they will give just about anyone a grammy. Like Britney Spears. I honestly think that completely destroys the signifigance of the award. And everyone was wondering what Kanye West would have done if he hadn't won a Grammy. What? Would he have shot someone? Did they honestly give this guy an award out of fear for their lives?

7. The current version of the Apprentice is going pretty well. The biggest bitch on the show was fired last week. She treated everyone like crap. Donald saw right through her. Why he can't seem to see right through the women in his life I have no idea.

8. Reggie Fowler buys the Vikings! But will we all be talking about this guy in 5 years like we have been talking about Red McCombs the last few years? Only time will tell.

9. Johan Santana got a good contract and the Twins got a good pitcher. Only 5 days until spring training begins!!

10. I took my kids to Wisconsin Dells and we had a great time. I would reccomend it to anyone with kids. It was an absolute blast.

Hope you enjoyed. By the way, I still weigh 186.

Oscar Nominations that raise eyebrows

2005-01-26T08:37:00.000-05:00

Clint Eastwood. Squint Grunt, talk through gritted teeth, grunt, show no emotion. Add crying and voila'!!!! you get an Oscar nomination.

Alan Alda. Kind of picking on the old farts here but Alan has never played anything in film remotely close to an Oscar worthy performance. He always comes across as Hawkeye Pierce from M*A*S*H. Just doesn't seem to work for me.

Imelda Staunton. Who?

Now here are my comments on other nomimees.

Don Cheadle - great character actor finally getting some of his work noticed. Still I think it would be best if he stuck to supporting roles.

Johnny Depp - a best actor waiting to happen. but not this year.

Leonardo DiCaprio - Young arrogant but decent actor. What's Eating Gilbert Grape? was his best role. but I think he will eventually win an Oscar.

Jamie Foxx - Two nominations in one year usually means he will win one and that will be for Ray. Who would have thought that this would be the guy from "In Living Color" to get an Oscar nod first?

Annette Bening - might win just because she is the most known name among the best actress nominees. I never found her acting incredible but also never turns me off either.

Catalina Sandino Moreno - Hubba Hubba Hubba. First Performance gets you a nomination. I could be wrong but I think that will help your career. Then again I have seen Oscar winners disappear after winning their awards: See Mira Sorvino.

Hilary Swank - She's already won. That will work against her. As with any actress not named Meryl Streep, she needed to give another simply amazing performance to get beyond the nomination.

Kate Winslet - Four nominations and she is only 31. I think she wins best actress unless they decide that Winslet is still younger and will have a lot more chances in her life and award the trophy to Bening.

Thomas Haden Church - Hardly know the guy. Couldn't name one other thing he was in without going to IMDB.com

Morgan Freeman - Will probably be awarded an Oscar. This is my guess for Pity Oscar of the year.

Clive Owen - Heard he was good. but how do you shed the BMW short films?

Cate Blanchett - Acts and sounds like Katherine Hepburn in the Aviator. Mimicry is apparently a plus in Oscar circles cause Seven of the nominees are biographic.

Laura Linney - No comment. I am sure I can remember something else she has been in. But I am currently drawing a blank.

Virginia Madsen - She get's around. Hollywood just might recognize "Sideways" by giving her the Oscar.

Sophie Okonedo - Every year there is some actress or actor I have never heard nor seen before and will likely never see again. Here is this years.

Natalie Portman - a long way from the Professional and Star Wars. She probably should have been nominated for Garden State but best Actress was all taken so she gets the nod for Closer.

Oscar Snubs?

2005-01-26T08:19:00.000-05:00

Every year after the Oscars are announced there is a chorus of people saying this guy or gal should have been nominated. I usually am among them. However, since I only actually saw about 5 movies in the theater total last year I can't comment.

I have heard the following complaints.

First and Foremost the biggest omission is Paul Giamatti. And why would Clint Eastwood get a nomination over this guy? Apparently Eastwood actually went out of character and...get this...cried. I haven't seen Sideways but everything I am hearing is that it was great performance in a great movie.

Uma Thurman for Kll Bill Vol 2. Now I did see this and though I found her role in the film to wonderful and the expansion of the character was exceptionally portrayed, I just didn't think the role was Oscar Worthy.

David Carradine, also for Kill Bill. He was very good and the expansion of the guy from cold blooded killer to cold blooded killer with a broken heart that reacts only as a cold blooded killer could, by trying to kill the bitch. Still same as above. He was very good but the violence of the movie made the Oscars cringe away and like above the role just wasn't Oscar worthy.

Jude Law and Mark Walberg for I Heart Huckabees. I haven't seen this movie either so I can't really comment on their performances. Jude Law always seems to impress me with his acting. He sometimes tends to get overlooked. Mark Walberg? Please, the guy was once known as Marky Mark. I know Will Smith used to be the Fresh Prince but still. Marky Mark hasn't done any real acting. Just a bunch of Action adventure films. That is probably why he got attention for this role.

Meryl Streep. The Manchurian Candidate. Of course this woman garners attention for every role she is in. I have heard that she was pretty good in the role but every thing else about the movie sucked and you can't get an Oscar if the movie totally blows. I am beginning to think peope think she should be nominated just for showing up in a movie now. Don't get me wrong. She is one of the best actresses out their. I think she is wonderful in pretty much everything I see her in but really they need to look at the performance and not just give her a nomination every time she shows up.

Anyone I missed?

Thoughts

2005-01-25T09:30:00.000-05:00

1. I have been on some Political Chat room/forums and there are some real jackasses on there. Bush is akin to God to some of these people. We should just shut up about voting irregularties because our guy lost. We should just accept Bush's victory and move on. WRONG!!!! There are also a couple of guys that are so blinded by faith they couldn't see Jesus if he was standing in front of them. I told a guy that I respect that he has a differing opinion than my own and he responded that he doesn't respect me because "There's only one truth, not many". Talk about lost soul.

2. RIP Johnny Carson

3. Ben Affleck for the second year in a row is nominated for a Razzie for worst actor of the year. He won last year. This just confirms what I have been saying all along: That the guy can't act. When will Hollywood figure this out? His movies all suck! Time to find a new "actor".

4. The Oscars have been announced. I don't think I have seen a single movie among all the best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, supporting actor or actress awards. So my guesss for victory will be pure conjecture but since I love predicting things here it goes: Best Picture, The Aviator, Director Scorcesee (finally, your pity Oscar of the year), Actor Jamie Foxx, Actress Hillary Swank, supporting actor Morgan Freeman (another pity Oscar), supporting actress Cate Blanchett. Most of these guesses have no basis in fact so don't be to critical of my predictions.

5. The Randy Moss trade rumors are swirling. I think that next year he will be wear the jersey of the following team: The Minnesota Vikings.

6. So I have decided that driving to Florida with my girlfriend and her kids is something that I can do. Now my thoughts are Should I bring my kids too? One reason I didn't want to bring them was cost of plane tickets. That problem is out now. Then I thought what about lodging. Already taken care of. Hmmm. Think my boys would like DisneyWorld?

7. Went to Mancini's for dinner on Saturday. Good Food. At this event my girlfriend's brother-in-law caught site of his estranged father, who proceeded to look at him and didn't show any recognition. This threw Kirk (the aforementioned brother-in-law) into a funk for the rest of the evening. What I don't get is how some people can just ignore their kids when a marriage ends. This guys Dad and my girlfriend's ex are the biggest assholes ever in my opinion. The worst part is they have kids now that they pay attention to and ignore the others as if they don't exist. I would have liked to kicked this guys ass on Saturday, but I am not a violent person. My boys are one of my biggest reasons for living. I can't imagine life without them. I just can't understand how some people can just abandon their children.

8. I really am struggling with this weight loss thing. I need encouragement. I have started exercising more now so things should improve. My weight held steady at 186 this past week.

9. Some people drive me nuts. Like people that are pro-life and at the same time Pro-Death penalty. Protect life on one end and end life on another. Can you be more contradictory? For the recored I am essentially prolife and anti Death penalty.

10. I took my kids shopping again last night. I bought just milk and a runner for my living room. The trip took about an hour. Makes you want to have kids, don't it?

Observations from the Inaugurations

2005-01-21T08:13:00.000-05:00

Bush actually said this: " By making every citizen an agent of his or her own destiny, we will give our fellow Americans greater freedom from want and fear, and make our society more prosperous and just and equal."

He goes on to say, "Americans, at our best, value the life we see in one another, and must always remember that even the unwanted have worth. And our country must abandon all the habits of racism, because we cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same time."

Unless of course you are Gay. In which case he still wants an amendment added to our US Constitution denying Gays the same rights as everyone else. And why? Because if the Bible says so it is not discrimination. Never mind that by doing this we create a class of people in this country that are separate from the rest of us. They are different so they can't have the same stuff. Sound Familiar? Like Segregation? Yeah, That's right sounds a lot like separate but equal except in this case there is no pretention of equality.

Another observation courtesy of Jon Stewart and The Daily Show. In his 22 minute inaugural address the Shrub used the word Freedom 27 times and the word Liberty 14 times.

More than half of the address sounded like he was planning to go to war with half the world.

God protect us from ourselves for the next 4 years!

New Thoughts

2005-01-17T14:10:00.000-05:00

1. I weighed in at 186 this morning. Not as much progress as I would like but progress none the less.

2. The Vikings just plain suck.

3. I just got a new rug for my living room. Now it is just a matter of a piece of furniture or two and the room is complete!

4. I watched the Peter Sellers film A Shot in the Dark last night and as with all the Inspector Clousaeu movies I was beside myself with laughter.

5. Just how many Cabinet members need to "fly over" and see the devastation in Indonesia? This is an administration that wants to cut spending but here we are sending people who are only going to look at the destruction and go OOOOOOOHHH!

6. I am considering a trip to Florida with my girlfriend this spring. Problem is cost. I still am not done paying for our 4 days in Las Vegas. Now she is suggesting driving there. This isn't such a bad idea when you factor in cost, but driving to Florida aint like driving to Wisconsin. That is a long way and she is suggesting driving straight through and back again. I also don't like the idea of hours on end stuck in a car with her children. I love her kids but I don't think I can take upwards of 30 some odd hours in a confined space with them. I don't know what to do at this point.

7. I am taking my kids to Wisconsin Dells in February and they are getting really excited. So am I for that matter. Water slides, indoor playgrounds and games. They get so tired out that they are sleeping by 7 PM! I can't tell you how much fun I am going to have.

8. A friend of mine wants me to see the film "Windtalkers". Problem: Nic Cage is in it. I hate Nic Cage. It also has Christian Slater, another guy that makes me want to vomit. However, my friend informed me that both guys die in the film! That alone might make it worth watching.

9. Paris Hilton is a skank. I don't see what everyone thinks is so hot about her. She is too thin and she is such a brat. No way I would ever be interested in her. Despite her riches.

10. Trek connections: Christian Slater was an unnamed Ensign in Star Trek VI the Undiscovered Country along with Sex and the City's Kim Cottrell.

OH! the HORROR

2005-01-07T12:26:00.000-05:00

I just found out that one the people that I most revile, the Shrub, Georgie Boy, shares my birthday.

That is right. I have the same birthday as George W. Bush. I really don't like the fact that he and I share any common ground.

Stupid Lawsuits

2005-01-07T11:46:00.000-05:00

1. Suing McDonalds because you spilled coffee all over yourself. Sadly, the twit won.

2. Suing Burger King and McDonalds etc, because you are fat. Hello? Nobody made you eat there. Nobody forced you to eat an unhealthy diet and not exercise. Nobody made you sit your fat ass on a couch or in front of a Computer for 19 hours a day. Blame yourself and your stupid habits for your weight. Some people can blame their weight on existing medical problems. Most can only blame themselves.

3. Brand New one. Suing NBC and the show Fear Factor because it made you vomit.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/07/tv.fearfactor.lawsuit.ap/index.html

Much of what happens on this show is meant to be gross and would make me throw up. So I choose NOT TO WATCH IT. There are Hundreds of other channels to watch. Pick another one.

I don't blame someone else for my own stupidity. Neither should you.

My first new list of thoughts for the year

2005-01-06T11:45:00.000-05:00

Some New Thoughts

1. I got the movie Spiderman 2 and My kids insisted on watching it. Here's the thing, I think they only saw about 2 actual minutes of the movie, and I only heard about that much. They decided to be boys ages nearly 5 and 3. Running around, playing, making all sorts of noise, fighting, crying. All in a roughly 90 minute timeframe. The movie itself is pretty good. The Casting couldn't be better. Geek note: Kirsten Dunst was in a episode of Star Trek the Next Genteration when she was about 10. Donna Murphy who plays the ill-fated wife of Doc Ock was the love interest of Captain Picard in the Movie Star Trek Insurrection.

2. My 3 year old son (Liam) had his 3 year old check up and he is a perfectly healthy boy, except for his selective hearing. I think if the words "candy, cookie, or treat" are mentioned he hears every word. But if the words "bedtime, Jammys, or Get Your Boots ON" he is completely deaf. Really he is growing up a healthy happy kid. I just wish he would listen better.

3. I got the new Shania Twain Greatest hits CD too. I like her music.

4. Caffeine Free Diet Coke: Why bother drinking Pop?

5. Way to go Barbara Boxer! Someone in the Senate stood up and said they will insist that congress investigate allegations of election fraud in Ohio. Better than the last time.

6. I have been participating in online forum about the Vikings and all these people are wanting the Vikes to get rid of Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss. Though I wouldn't mind losing Moss if we got a lot in return, getting rid of Culpepper, one of the only bright spots for this team this year would be just downright stupid.

7. I love the TV Show Monk. There was a marathon on USA on official hangover recovery day and that show is pretty funny. Tony Schaloub is just hilarious. I have a real problem with believing that this guy could even leave his house. The man is afraid of everything, and he is obsessive compulsive.

8. I also saw on the hangover day: Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle. OH MY GOD. This was easily the most hard to believe movie I have ever seen. It puts Gilligan's Island to shame in believability. The only way most of this crap happens is if the laws of physics are thrown out. Totally awful movie. I am so mad at myself for wasting 2 hours watching it. This movie also makes me wonder why Drew Barrymore is even still in film. Lucy Liu at least was cool in Kill Bill. Cameron Diaz did There's Something about Mary. Drew hasn't been good since she was like 8.

9. One of my new most favoritist character actors is JK Simmons. J Jonah Jameson in Spiderman. He was also in the Ladykiller as the guy with Irritible Bowel Syndrome. Everytime I see him I just get a kick out of his part.

10. Chuck E Cheese has the worst pizza ever. Never have I eaten anything that doesn't have any flavor but causes severe heartburn. Or maybe that was caused by chasing my children all over that place. Chuck E Cheese is evil I tell you. EVIL.

Have a good day!

187

2005-01-03T08:29:00.000-05:00

No I am not talking about the police code for Murder. I am talking about my weight. That is what I weighed this morning.

I was not thinking I would be losing more weight. I even thought I might gain some back, after all the drinking and partying and eating that I did in the last week.

But now I am down to 187 again. So I am once again down 4 pounds from where I started. And the holidays. This Trek Geek is about to get slim.

Fantasy Football Champion...

2005-01-03T08:25:00.000-05:00

...is not me. I lost the Superbowl. Not by much but still it is a loss. However, I get some bucks for getting this far.

I won my division = $30.00
I had most overall points = $60.00
I made it to the Fantasy Super bowl = $150.00

Grand Total = $240.00

And I did all this with almost no experience in this thing. Boy I sure love winning.

After Christmas Thoughts

2004-12-27T13:28:00.000-05:00

I am thinking that these are some thoughts I thought from Christmas.

1. I got a couple of Best Buy Gift cards so I went there and bought "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King". With the $20.00 worth of cards and $5.00 from Grandma (God Bless her) I paid nothing. Geek Connection: John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) plays a holographic Leonardo Da Vinci on two episodes of Star Trek Voyager.

2. Also bought Star Trek Voyager season 7. I now have all Star Trek except for Enterprise. Word is they are going to release all four seasons by the end of next year.

3. The Vikings suck! Mike Tice should be fired for the underachieving of the gifted athletes on his team. They start so strong every year and then fade down the stretch. They will make the playoffs this year but they will not go far. All I would like to see is all out effort and smarter game planning.

4. My ex gave me a picture with my kids - AND HER! Now why in the hell would she think I want a picture of her? My girlfriend didn't like that very much. Neither did I. The ex clearly wasn't thinking when she gave me that picture. Either she is jealous of my dating or had the boys pick a picture. I don't know but still it was pretty stupid.

5. I have no idea where I will be storing all the new toys my boys have now. They have so much stuff. I think it might be time to go through the toys and start getting rid of some less used toys.

6. My kids think the tents I got for them are the coolest thing ever. It is like a little fort for them to play in. and they got sleeping bags and chairs and flashlights and all for just $10.00 each. You see? It doesn't have to cost a lot to make a kid happy.

7. The best Christmas movie ever made? A Christmas Story. Little Ralphie and his brother and Triple Dog Dares and Toungues stuck to flagpoles. "Only I didn't say 'fudge'". Awesomely funny movie.

8. Worst christmas movie? Too many to name here. Jingle all the Way comes to mind. The most annoying? It's a Wonderful Life.

9. I actually get to go out on New Years Eve this year. Knowing me I will be out cold the minute my head hits the pillow that night. Let's face it. I am not a night owl. I go to bed around 10 every night and get up round about 5:00 every morning. Staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning doesn't sit well with me.

10. Bad movies with bad actors, Vol 1: Point Break. Just about no one in this film can remotely act. It was really bad. Keanu Reeves (yet to see what I consider good acting from him), Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing was his best film, Ghost was okay otherwise nothing worth mentioning here), Gary Busey (played heavies in Lethal Weapon and Under Siege. I think that says a lot for his career), Lori Petty (Ummm, what else has she done? One Star Trek episode). Yep, someone wanted to do a surfing movie and got a bunch of bad actors to do it. No wonder it was such a bad film.

Fantasy Football Super Bowl

2004-12-27T08:41:00.000-05:00

With a lot of luck and a little skill I am in the Fantasy Football Superbowl in my league!

That is a guarateed $150.00 win or lose. $300.00 if I win.

Add that to my division win and Most points award and I get a minimum of $240.00 and up to $390.00. I so want to win. Wish me further luck.

After Christmas weigh in.

2004-12-27T08:37:00.000-05:00

Despite 3 Beers. A couple of trips to Burger King and all that Holiday food, I managed to maintain a weight of 189. Feels good to get through the holidays with a net loss of 2 pounds. Now that the holidays are over, it is time to get more serious about losing weight. I have about 38 pounds to go.

The most wonderful time of the year thoughts

2004-12-22T12:26:00.000-05:00

Christmas is upon us so here are some things I think.

1. My choir director is going for a master's degree and she needed people to do the recital, so I volunteered. Then I found out that the recital is scheduled for game time on Super Bowl Sunday! I really would only watch the Bowl for the commercials unless the Vikings make it, anyway. The sacrifices we make for our friends.

2. I don't have to work from 12/23/04-12/26/04. Today is my last day then it is time for another 4 day weekend!! Yeah! Now if only I could get time to move a little faster.

3. There are several DVDs out right now that I really want but need to wait till after Christmas to be sure I wont get them as gifts (subtle hint here). Star Trek Voyager Season 7, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Spiderman 2, Harry Potter (the new one). I think I will have to go shopping on Sunday!

4. The Vikings-Packers game on Christmas Eve will be one of the best games of the year. The Vikings are favored to win and I am really hoping they do. Then they can possibly make it to the Superbowl this year. Then I can miss it because I am singing at someone's recital.

5. Donald Rumsfeld can't even be bothered to sign his own name on letters to the families of soldiers that he sent off to die? What a complete Jackass. Even his own party is turning against him. The only person who doesn't seem to realize what a complete failure Rummy is? The Shrub. He thinks Rummy is doing a "real fine job". The only thing scarier than Rummy continuing as Defense Secretary is his likely replacement if he is fired or steps down: Paul Wolfowitz.

6. Some family in Texas is suing Walmart for selling a gun to their daughter who then killed herself. Walmart followed all requirements of Federal law before they sold the gun, including the waiting period and background check. This would be like suing Cub Foods if my kid choked to death on a frozen pizza I bought there. This is almost as bad as suing McDonalds or Burger King because you are fat. Just stupid. One thing I agree with Republicans on is the large number of frivolous and stupid lawsuits that are filed each year. Some chick gets millions of dollars because she spilled hot coffee all over herself. Some dumbass cuts his finger off on a table saw and sues the tool company. Despite labels and warnings to watch your fingers of they could be cut off. Sometimes lawsuits have merit but sometimes you just have to wonder when people will take responsibility for their own actions

7. Which leads me to abortion. I have never been particularly firm on one side or the other on this issue. I think, since they are going to happen anyway, that abortions should be legal so that medical professionals who know what they are doing, can perform them in a sterile environment without fear of persecution. That being said I don't think abortions should be a form of birth control. I honestly think if you weren't careful enough and pregnancy occurred you need to live with the consequences of your decision. I also know that the list of couples waiting to adopt a baby is long so, if you don't want to raise the child, someone will.

8. Someday, The ACLU is going to file a lawsuit against some state law forbidding gay marriage on the grounds that it violates the gay couples constitutional rights to practice the religion of their choice. The reason I say this is that I have yet to hear a reason, outside of biblical, that people deny same sex couples the same rights as anyone else. Thus the inferrence that laws forbidding gay marriage are based on religious beliefs and would constitute forcing someone to live by a religion other that the one of their choice, thus violating the separtation of church and state. It would be interesting to see what will happen if this suit occurs.

9. Is it just me or is Regis Philbin one of the most annoying people on the Earth?

10. I offer now my sincerest hopes that your holidays are free of worry, full of joy and happiness, and I offer best wishes for the holiday season and coming new year. Merry Christmas. Or Happy holidays for all you "heathens".

Fantasy Football playoffs

2004-12-21T14:08:00.000-05:00

I won in the first round of the Fantasy Football playoffs!! One more win and I am in for some serious dough! The loser of the Fanstasy Superbowl gets like $150.00. The winner like $300.00. I can't wait.

Problem is I've got to get there first.

And to do that I have to beat the only guy I haven't been able to beat yet. Two tries already against him and I am 0-2. Here's hoping that the third time is the charm.

Setback

2004-12-20T09:32:00.000-05:00

I don't know if it was my eating habits, exercise habits, my kids messing with the settings on the scale, or a combination of all the above, but I weighed myself this morning and it was back to 189. Not good.

Transgressions: Burger King for dinner Thursday before the Thing-a-ma-bob. I went straight from work and I just needed to eat. I suppose I could have found a Subway or ate something a little better though. Pizza on Friday night. Sheer laziness here. I didn't feel like cooking. Pot luck ate too much.

This thing is hard to do during the holidays.

There's hope for the Catholic Church yet.

2004-12-20T09:27:00.000-05:00

The following is a letter sent to the editors of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

A welcoming church
St. Joan of Arc is a vital and diverse Catholic congregation in south Minneapolis. We reach out in welcome to people who are marginalized, including people with a gay sexual orientation.
The spotlight has been on St. Joan of Arc recently because a small and vocal group has taken it upon itself to define authentic Catholicism ("Gay ministry at a crossroads," Dec. 13). We recognized the complexity and history of 2,000 years in interpreting and applying the teachings of Jesus.
We try to stay open and in dialogue with those who both agree and disagree with us. We accept people who are searching to integrate their sexuality into their spirituality as children of God.
Human sexuality is not a choice, nor is it a lifestyle. It is a core part of the identity of each of us, and discrimination based on sexual orientation should not be condoned any more than discrimination based on race, ethnicity or gender.
We work in partnership with many other Catholic parishes and institutions committed to the central precept of Catholic social teaching: We are all created in the image and likeness of God and we are to recognize and celebrate this God-given dignity in all of our brothers and sisters.
Many gay persons experience unnecessary pain and suffering because of discrimination within the church and society at large. As Christians we must make every effort to avoid passing judgment on the moral state of anyone. The primacy of conscience is a tenet of church teaching that must be respected.
St. Joan of Arc is committed to being a welcoming, compassionate community that is faithful to the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of our Catholic heritage.
The Rev. George P. Wertin

So someone in the church actually realized that the church's job is to maintain a person's spiritual well being not inject itself into that person's bedroom.

Thing-a-Ma-Bob

2004-12-17T08:28:00.000-05:00

So I went to this elementary School Christmas pageant last night.

They started with the school band. They prefaced this with a praiseful speech about how the band had only been practicing for about 9 weeks. It showed. There was some trumpet player that couldn't get anywhere near the right note, the Tuba guy was never on the right tempo and they played one song at least twice. There was one guy that played a Souzaphone that did really good on a solo. I realize the kids are just learning and this type of performance is to be expected from beginners but I really had to fight not to wince repeatedly. Then of couse, I pasted a fake smile on my face and politely clapped when the finished each peace. And when the band was finally done (which seemed like hours), I clapped vigorously because it was finally over.

Then they had each grade level do a song. Kindergarten did a VERY cute rendition of Away in a Manger complete with hand gestures. As is typical, we could barely hear them singing but it was adorable anyway.

Then Morgan and the first grade class got up and did that timeless classic "The Chipmunk Song". It was cute as well. And they did a great job. I wanted to sing along but I didn't bring any helium baloons so I could get the silly high pitched squealing of the Chipmunks. I instead brought my video camera and recorded the entire First Grade Performance. What a treat. If I ever get a clue about computers perhaps I will post that performance here. Of course, that may not be for a decade or so and then I can do it to embarass Morgan. Tee Hee Hee

As the next couple of grades performed my mind went numb. I started to have dilusions of jumping out of my seat and singing solo a capella versions of all my favorite Christmas songs but I thought better of it.

Fourth grade rolled around that they did a Recorder Chorus. Alex did a fine job indeed though I could not indentify the song. The video camera rolled again and what might be amusing is the zooming in and out that I did all throughout the video.

Then they went through the final two grades. Some interesting use of Rythym sticks and another good song or two and it was done!

Or so I thought.

The school staff then asked if there was anyone there who had ever sung in choir. Why yes I have and I still do! So up goes my hand like an overeager teacher's pet. So myself and the other 5 people or so stupid enough to admit to choral experience got to go up and sing Christmas Carols in front of the families of all the students.

Then it was done. and we got to go home and see the end of the Apprentice. Thank God he chose Kelly cause that woman Jen was evil.

Not necessisarily Super Target

2004-12-17T08:09:00.000-05:00

I needed to get some shopping done the other night. Nearly done with the Christmas shopping. All I need to do is find some impossible gift for the parents. I needed a gift for today's great Secret Santa Giveaway. Plus I needed ingredients for my pot luck and some other minor groceries.

Anyway I had to shop this week before Friday but couldn't get to the store because on Monday and Wednesday night I have my kids, Tuesday is Choir Practice night, and with the Holiday approaching it was lasting extra long and Thursday was the Christmas Pageant thing-a-ma-bob. Which kind of turned out cute. More in another post to come on that.

Anyway the solution hit me just as I was dropping off my kids. Super Target. There is a relatively new one on highway 65 in Blaine not far from where the evil one lives. So I went inside. Place is pretty big. It took me forever to find any kind of Vikings apparell since that is what my Secret Santa wanted. Also found that Target charges through the teeth for Vikings apparrel. Then I decided I needed just one more gift for the boys. I got 5. Liam needs a birthday present too. So I got that. Then I have Secret Santa with my girlfriend's family so I bought that gift too. I then went to the "grocery" section of the store and found that the selection at "Super" Target isn't all that super. They have almost no lunchmeat. The groceries cover only one little corner of the store. It took me forever to find the grape jelly and chili sauce I needed for my meatballs. By the time I was all done, another $150.00 was down the tubes.

Oh well. Christmas is almost here and I am sure I will make out like a bandit so I am not worried about the impromtu shopping spree.

The Great Work Christmas Pot Luck

2004-12-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Every few months we have Pot Luck at work. If you don't know what Pot Luck is then it is when everyone brings a dish to share and then we all overeat.

This, of course, creates a problem with the weight loss program. But I managed to survive two Christmas Parties without problems so hopefully all will go well.

My dish to share is Meatballs. With a sause made from Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce. They are actually a favorite at Pot Luck. And they taste all yummy too. My only hope is that they all get eaten 'cause I don't want to bring them home.

Bon Apetit'

A new group of thinkings

2004-12-15T08:41:00.000-05:00

Some new thoughts.

1. I won my division in Fantasy Football. I will now be entering the playoffs. Against the same guy I beat last week to win the division.

2. I will be attending a school christmas pageant thing-a-ma-bob this Thursday for the first time as an adult. I will be the idiotic loser with the video camera running the whole time. My girlfriends kids are participating.

3. Choir is a little annoying with the Christmas singing. For the last 9 years we have sung at 8:30 am Christmas morning. Now we are singing at 10:00 on Christmas Eve. Normally this wouldn't be a problem but my girlfriend's family celebrates on the Eve. I will be forced to leave that celebration early if I am to sing at church. This doesn't make things easy.

4. Secret Santa: I really don't care much for the week long gift a day for secret Santa at work. It is too hard to put that together. So far I have given potato chips and pop. Lotto tickets are today's special treat. I need to find time to go to the store to get something for the final big gift. But I have the aforementioned Christmas pageant on Thursday and tonight I have my kids. I could bring the kids to the store but that is usually just a horror story waiting to happen.

5. I saw an episode of Star Trek last week that had The Big Show (That is a professional wrestler, real name Paul Wright, who is 7 feet tall and weighs 500 pounds) as an Orion Slave trader. Tiny little waif T'Pol, the Vulcan on Enterprise played by Jolene Blaylock who probably weighs 110 pounds soaking wet, kicked his ass! There was also an episode of Voyager where the Rock got his ass kicked by Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). Yet another waif. It seems that if professional wrestlers show up Star Trek, they get there ass kicked by the smallest cast member possible.

6. Jeri Ryan is the same Jeri Ryan that was married (now divorced) to Republican Jack Ryan who had to withdraw from the Senate race in Illinois because he wanted to have her perform public sex acts. How's that for Republican morals?

7. Other Star Trek connections to politics: Kate Mulgrew (Captain Janeway) is married to the guy that lost his bid for Ohio Governor. William Shatner has won reelection to the office of world's biggest flake.

8. Celebrity Goat of the Week award: Gwyneth Paltrow. I am beginning to think the only way she could have won an Oscar was by performing sexual favors to a large number of Academy members. I have yet to see anything with her in it that would make me say, "Wow was she ever good in that movie," including Shakespeare in Love. It has gotten to the Nic Cage effect with her. If I hear she is in the movie, I tend to not want to see it. I'm praying she will never be a part of Star Trek. She probably thinks herself too big to be a part of that anyway.

9. Whatever happened to Mira Sorvino anyway?

10. What is it with all the teeny bopper TV show stars thinking they should be in music. To date we now have Lindsay Lohen, Raven, and Hillary Duff getting into the music biz. Set aside the fact that their music careers will last only as long as their current fans are Pre-Teen. The music sucks. They will soon enough go the way of N Sync, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, etc etc. etc....

Weekly Weigh in Week 2

2004-12-13T09:09:00.000-05:00

Okay, So I went to a couple of Christmas parties this weekend and successfully avoided Beer. Had some Champagne (so fancy it came out of a box).

Anyway I ate a little of that delicious party food but managed to control the urge to overeat.

I weighed my self this morning and it was....drumroll please...187 pounds. Yes, that is right! I lost another 2 pounds! This keeps up and I will be pretty studly looking come summertime!

The geekiness lives on!

2004-12-08T08:17:00.000-05:00

Star Trek Voyager Season Six is out now and I, of course, have it. Only one more season and then all that is left is Enterprise. I will own all of Star Trek!

My Girlfriend last night found a Trek connection to Sixteen Candles. She is turning into the geek protege'. Paul Dooley, who plays the father in Sixteen Candles is a semi recurring character on Deep Space Nine. Enabran Tain. That is the former head of the Cardassian Obsidian Order (Spy organization). He appeared in 4 episodes.

I also found a connection to the Santa Clause 2. The Sandman is portrayed by none other than Michael Dorn (Worf) himself!!

And then there's Ashley Judd. She was in two episodes of the Next Generation, as Ensign Robin Lefler. Though I seriously doubt they will be able to get her to ever reprise that role in film or on television.

It can indeed be fun to be a geek.

Weekly Weigh in.

2004-12-08T08:13:00.000-05:00

I wanted to post this sooner but my computer sucks.

I weighed my self on Monday Morning and I now weigh a svelte 189 pounds. That's right! I have lost 2 pounds so far. Hooray!!

Still having problems with getting exercise in. What I eat hasn't improved much yet either but I really have gotten quantity under control. And I eat a little slower now so that helps.

I lost!!

2004-12-07T17:10:00.000-05:00

For the record it was 10 straight fantasy football wins. But this week all my guys underperformed. Damn. One more week. I need to win now to win my division. Still the point title is mine!

Another group of thoughts.

2004-12-03T13:42:00.000-05:00

Into the Christmas season we go...

1. One week into the diet and I haven't been exercising as much as I had planned. Still eating too fast too. I know. Only one week so far. So, I intend to improve these things. But it ain't easy during the holiday season.

2. Fantasy football update. I win this weekend, I win my division! And that means money for me bitches!! Plus I am practically a lock for the most points award. That totals about $90.00 in my league combined. I am also the favorite to win the whole damn thing. That is like $300.00. Let the good times roll.

3. Star Trek: Enterprise is getting good. We are starting to see how the Federation was formed and how the Vulcans have changed and are far from perfect. Last season was good but this is really great material for the true geek.

4. I left my glasses in my car this morning and got on the bus and didn't realize that I didn't have them until I was halfway to work. The eye strain is starting to bug me. It is really hard to focus on a computer all day. The State says I can drive without glasses, but I usually don't. I don't have much trouble seeing except when I have to stare at a computer all day.

5. Norm Coleman is an idiot! Kofi Annan should step down? I think that Norm should step down for saying stupid things!

6. My girlfriends kids get really annoying at bedtime. They wouldn't go to bed last night. It was driving me crazy. For almost two hours Morgan, the younger one, kept crying "I don't want to sleep in the dark." We just said, "Leave the light on then." The older one, Alex kept trying to play mother and big sister and wouldn't go to bed herself. then when Morgan finally went to sleep, Alex had a tantrum of her own and started crying too because she wanted to watch a movie instead of going to bed. The answer was of course no. It took almost 2 1/2 hours to get them to bed. In the end it was 10:30 and a 10 year old was still up crying. a 7 year old was up until almost 10! I stayed calm but boy I was about to blow. These kids have trouble waking up every morning and now they are making themselves sick for lack of sleep. I really am considering slipping them some sleep aid tablets with dinner or something. I was so tired by the time they went to bed that I could barely move. What fun that was! Time to get some Chloroform or whatever it is called.

7. So some Baseball players have admitted taking steroids to a Federal Grand Jury. the funny thing is, it is not news that they did the drugs, it's news they admitted it.

8. The Movie "Closer" comes out today starring Jude Law. I know you think I am going to make him my goat of the week but, no. I think Jude Law is really good actor. At least everything I have seen him in he was good. You know Cold Mountain, the Talented Mr Rippley, Road to Perdition. I just haven't seen a bad performance yet.

9. There is a goat though: Kevin Costner. The only movie of his that I really like to see over and over is Bull Durham. He bugs the crap out of me in every other movie.

10. I missed the Apprentice last night, then I realized that I don't really care that I missed it. I did see about 1/2 of "Joey". That show was very not funny. It was so bad that they got Bob Sagat to guest star. That thought makes it really hard not to vomit right now.

Damn it...I'm Hungry!

2004-11-29T11:04:00.000-05:00

Okay so I am only a few days into my new healthier life.

Progress.

I have cut down on how much I eat...mostly. Made some spaghetti on Friday and ate too much again. But that is my only overeating transgression so far. Just starting to eat better foods today. Started exercising too. My exercise lasted about 20 minutes and I really didn't feel like I accomplished much but I am at least exercising. I also intend to return to my daily walks.

Weighed myself this morning and I am 191 pounds. Let's hope there will be more of these updates throughout the next year.

Thanksgiving things I think

2004-11-24T13:41:00.000-05:00

This weeks thoughts:

1. My weight loss/get healthy program begins in 2 days. Keep up the encouragement folks because...

2. ...I have a psychological need to please other people all the time. It can be a problem sometimes because I have a problem with saying no. I have a tendency sometimes to make myself miserable to make others happy. I am getting better at this though.

3. My children really like Star Wars. They even like to watch Star Trek with me. They are my little geeks in training.

4. I have a really hard time staying motivated at work when the next day begins a long weekend. I have accomplished almost nothing at work today.

5. Las Vegas is a pretty fun place to go now. I never cared much before because I hate gambling, but there is so much more to do there now.

6. Time for Christmas merriment. I have my Christmas music out. My tree goes up this weekend. For just the second time in my life I get to decorate for Christmas the way I want to decorate. I have a fake tree with lots of silver and white decorations. I think it is really pretty when all done. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Or maybe that is the heartburn from lunch.

7. My living room is almost finished. Just a few more minor adjustments and I will get to use my Living room. It only took me a year and a half! Now I want to work on my bathroom. Some obstacles: My ambition, My lack of money, My lack of ability. OK, I can do some things but I really am not all that handy with tools, and then I get too lazy to try. The bathroom should be done sometime in 2012!

8. The fact that someone paid $28,000.00 for a cheese sandwich with the image of the Virgin Mary on it just baffles me.

9. National treasure is the top film in America right now. Which leads me to my celebrity goat of the week. Nicolas Cage. The man can not act. The only film I can stomach him in is Raising Arizona. He won an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas and I saw the movie and thought he was good but I never want to see that movie again. Every other movie I see him in he just ruins. Which is why I will not go to see National Treasure.

10. A funny thought just occured to me. Remember in Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail, the Knights who say Nee. "We want....a shrubbery". I have taken to nicknaming the President "Shrub" and imagined all the idiots that voted for him as saying, "We want...A Shrubbery!!" A Shrubbery is a grouping of bushes. Just think, Laura, Georgie, Big Daddy George, Babs, Jeb and all the other Bushes get together, it's a Shrubbery. Ok. it doesn't sound so funny when written down but it struck me a funny when I thought about it.

Hope everyone enjoyed my thoughts. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

2004-11-24T13:34:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is upon us.

It is a time to think about things we can give thanks for. Hmmm. I give thanks for my parents, my sisters and even you Dan. My Kids. My girlfriend. My home. That I wake up every morning. That I'm not tone deaf. I still have a job. Star Trek (DUH)....the list goes on and on.

That being said I have to say that I really only like the Thanksgiving holiday because it means 4 days off from work. Otherwise, I could care less.

Time to get healthy

2004-11-22T11:10:00.000-05:00

Ok. I am sure saying this is going to come back and bite me in the ass someday but by making this somewhat public it actually will give me some motivation to try.

I have decided that I have one year. From Thanksgiving this year to Thanksgiving next year, to lose about 35 pounds. I want to weigh between 150 and 160. I am right now hovering between 185 and 195 pounds.

My problem is I eat too much, too fast, and not good. I don't exercise nearly enough.

How does this geek plan to lose the weight? Diet and exercise of course.

Truly. Here is the plan.

1. Eat less - I eat way too much
2. Eat better - I eat too much crap and not enough fruits and veges
3. Eat slower - I eat so fast that I hardly taste the food anymore.
4. exercise regularly - It's not that I don't exercise, I just don't do it consistantly.

How will I accomplish these goals?
1. Eat less - cut my portions in half
2. Eat better - more fruits and veges, eliminate junk foods and late evening snacking. No more pops or beer, Drink eight glasses of water, three glasses of milk and one glass of juice a day. Live by the food pyramid if possible
3. Eat slower - This will be hard. I inhale food. I must concentrate on chewing and eating slow. I have had many suggestions regarding this. One, drink a glass of milk or water before eating. This will fill the tummy a little and make me not want to fill it as fast. 2. Set down the fork/spoon between bites. 3. concentrate on taking time eating.
4 exercise regularly - This just comes down to setting a schedule of what exercise I will do on an given day.

Wish me luck and hopefully I will be looking slim and trim this time next year.

I'm back

2004-11-22T11:05:00.000-05:00

Well. Had a great time in Las Vegas.

Did the Star Trek Experience. If I were to move to Vegas. I would work there. It was totally awesome!! I am such a geek. I even got my picture taken with a Klingon. I hope it turned out.

Gambled about $50.00 and came home with about $10.00. Gambling and I just don't get along. I think maybe I just don't like throwing my money away like that.

Saw a lot of cool stuff too. I will return to Vegas someday. Too much to do. Not enough time.

Weekly ponderings

2004-11-17T12:08:00.000-05:00

Some new things I am thinking.

1. My job sucks, but the pay and benefits are really good. My ex-wife loves my paycheck.

2. I really, really, really think that Condaleeza Rice is a bad choice for Secretary of State. And Alberto Gonzalez is even worse for Attorney General. Gonzalez is so religious right wing that they couldn't get him confirmed to the Federal Bench. Rice is smart I guess (hard to get a Ph.D. if you are not), but I just don't see her as a diplomat.

3. My brother has landscaping in his front yard that I haven't seen yet. It was done this summer. My sister has a new driveway that looks awesome. Just saw it on her blog. I need to see these in person so I can be envious since my townhome kind of sucks in comparison...

4. ...My house doesn't suck totally. It suits me just fine. It's just that my siblings have better homes than me and my ego is screaming at my ambition to wake the hell up so I can compete. Problem is I have very little competitive streak. I like to play but I don't care if I lose...

5. ...Unless your talking about Fantasy Football. I am so kicking my league's ass this year.

6. Can someone please tell me why Tony Danza has a talk show? I came across it the other day and for some reason I actually watched for about 2 minutes and it sucked. Tony had Tony Bennett on and Danza wouldn't shut up and let the guest talk. Lame.

7. Is all that Maury Povich does is the DNA tests to see if some baby is some "not worth being a dad" jerk's kid. Every single time I come across his show it is the exact same show just with different people.

8. Taking my kids shopping is becoming hazardous to my sanity. I was standing in line to return Star Trek Voyager: Season 5 (I got two disc 4's and no disc 3) and just when my turn comes up, they take off. In opposite directions. So I spend the next 12 minutes chasing them down and lose my place in line. So now I have to stand in line again. Finally, I get the money back for the purchase and now I need to go into the store to get a new copy of Star Trek. Off they go again. Finally track them down playing with the electronic pianos. Loudly banging on the keys and having the time of their lives doing it. Embarassed and fearful they may break one of the damn things I hurry them along, find my DVD and pay for it. Then it is Bathroom time. My boys have a fixation with going to the bathroom in public restrooms. So they spend 10 minutes deciding which stall they want to spend 3 seconds peeing in and then take 10 minutes to pull up their pants. They dance about gaily (bad choice of words) happily is better with their little weiners hanging out. Finally get them to pull them up and its handwashing time. They each had to wash their hands (I don't have a problem with this. I think it is a good habit for them to learn at a young age) but they have to wash their hands in each of the sinks in the bathroom. All 5 of them. with soap. Then they each need 12 feet of paper towel to dry their hands. By the time I was done a trip that would have taken me a total of about 15 minutes lasted about and hour and a half. Need to work on shopping without boys from now on.

9. I really don't get why Ivana is still on The Apprentice. She manages to get herself into the board room nearly every week, but still hangs on week after week.

10. Is it me or is the Tim Allen movie library almost all Christmas movies? Oh wait, I forgot that Amish movie and Galaxy quest. Duh.

Viva Las Vegas

2004-11-17T12:05:00.000-05:00

I am leaving for Las Vegas in the morning.

Four days, no kids, no work. Heaven.

Star Trek Experience, here I come!

The Incredibles

2004-11-15T13:16:00.000-05:00

Saw the newest Pixar movie this weekend. It was pretty cool. Well thought out, however, it just didn't live up to the hype of Pixar. "Finding Nemo" set the standard really high and "Incredibles" didn't quite reach it. Predictable plot and less humor brought it down a bit.

I don't want to ruin it for everyone so I wont go into details. Please go and enjoy. It is a good movie. Just not as good as "Nemo".

Geek Note: The voice of Mr. Incredible's boss at the insurance company is done by Wallace Shawn, the recurring character Grand Nagus Zek from Deep Space Nine.

Pixar trivia: The one person who has done a voice for all Pixar films to date is John Ratzenberger. He does the Piggy bank in both Toy Story Movies, PT Flea in A Bug's Life, The Abominable Snowman in Monsters Inc., the School of Fish in Finding Nemo and the Underminer in Incredibles.

Some thoughts to think or ponder

2004-11-10T12:16:00.000-05:00

Some new things I think I think

1. Rob Lowe completely screwed up. He left a great role on a highly rated program on NBC, "The West Wing". He has since been in two absolute flops on TV. I don't even remember the first one's name any more and now the quickly cancelled "Dr. Vegas". He was really good on The West Wing. Jimmy Smits is now on the West Wing. Along with Alan Alda. What a coup that is. Please note that it is hard to portray sarcasm in this medium. Actually Alda is a decent actor in the right role and Smits has been on at least two long running programs during the strongest parts of their runs (L.A.Law and NYPD Blue). So neither will likely hurt the show.

2. John Ashcroft resigned as Attorney General (Yeah!!). My choice to replace him is....drumroll please.....Rudy Guliani. Centrist Republican kind of guy with a long legal history as a federal prosecutor. Perfect fit in my opinion.

3. It might be time for this geek to get a new alarm clock. I have been using the same clock since I was in high school (about 15 years ago now). I just slept right through both of the dual alarms this morning and barely made it to work on time. Not good for the geek.

4. My girlfriend was thrilled yesterday to be 5 minutes early to an interview. I would have been in an absolute panic if I did not arrive 15 minutes ahead of time.

5. Star Trek Voyager Season 5 is now out on DVD and I didn't buy it yet. What the hell is the matter with me? I'd better see a doctor.

6. Fantasy Football update: I have now won 7 weeks in a row and have the highest point total in my league. I must be better at this than I thought.

7. Christmas is right around the corner and I now have about half of my shopping done. My boys are getting these really cool mini pup tents with sleeping bags and little chairs and flashlights. My girlfriend is getting...well maybe I wont mention it since she may read this sight, her daughters are getting a starter guitar and some Bratz dolls. Mom and Dad are probably going to get something from all of us kids but I really have no idea anymore what to get these people. Grandmas get gift cards for groceries. Other than that I don't really have much to buy for. Oh Damn. My friend in Wisconsin, Jason and his son need gifts and cards for Christmas. Financially, Christmas can be quite brutal on a persons pocketbook.

8. I bought some more movies this weekend for my boys. Shrek 2 (OK, this was as much for me as them) and Mulan. Shrek 2 was good but predictable, still funny though. Mulan is a little bit violent for a Disney film. But the story is enjoyable. I also think it is funny that Harvey Fierstein, did the voice of a tough guy. Also the theme of crossdressing is not ususally something you would associate with Disney films. Geek note: George Takei (Sulu for you non geeks) does the voice of one of Mulan's ancestors in this film. Connection between both movies: Eddie Murphy does a voice in each. Mooshu in Mulan, Donkey in Shrek.

9. Did you know Pat Morita was once nominated for an Academy Award? That is right, for the Karate Kid. Mr. Miagi was an Oscar nominee. Hard to beleive anyone starring opposite Ralph Macchio would get any Oscar attention. Why did I bring this up? I was thinking about voice overs and Mulan and Pat Morita voiced the Chinese Emperor.

10. Every now and then I will buy some food product for nostalgic (or more realistically because I'm stupid) reasons. This time it's Oreo Cookies. Don't get me wrong, I like Oreos. But I tend to eat dozens at a time. One Oreo is not bad. A dozen can make your heart race, your heart burn, and your fingers turn black. But boy are they good.

Well, I hope this made you think.

Part of the reason the Dems lose.

2004-11-04T14:44:00.000-05:00

So, America has spoken and George W Bush will be President again.

I must say that I am impressed with the spin, distort, confuse and attack tactics used to win the White House again. I am also amazed at how many people did nothing to educate themselves about the candidates. I can not believe that anyone who actually took the time to read up on histories and records of all candidates would want the shrub back in office.

No I think that these people must just listen to the news and then decide from there.

Things that bother me. The last two elections, both against a defeatable candidate, the Democrats put two personality challenged intellectuals up for the prize. The last time they won the White House, the guy was smart, but he had a personality. People could connect. If Kerry had been just a bit more of a likeable personality we wouldn't have been talking about another 4 years of Bush 3 months ago. Bush is the exact opposite. He is a guy with limited intellegence but a lot of charisma. Believe me, that got him a lot of undereducated voters who liked how loose Bush appeared and didn't like how stiff Kerry could seem at times.

The Dems in Minnesota keep screwing up too. In each of the past two gubenatorial elections they selected sentimental party lifers to run. Skip Humphrey ran on his name, the tobacco case and a prayer, and lost to a professional wrestler and a party switcher. Roger Moe spent decades playing Minnesota Politics. That means he just learned how to point fingers and blame others instead of work to get the job done. Then there is Mark Dayton. A good Senator but not a great one. He is very much vulnerable to losing his seat in the next election. There were better candidates there too. The only reason he won was that the guy he ran against (Rod Grams) was so bad that nobody wanted him back.

The Dems need to realize that voters need to be able to connect with the candidate somehow. They have to like the person as much as the policy. We will see if they heed my advise in 2006. Minnesota has a Governor and a Senator to elect.

Another reason I have trouble with being Catholic

2004-11-01T14:45:00.000-05:00

Well, it finally happened. This year's annual "the church isn't making enough money" homily.

The Pastor, Father Pat Grile, prefaced this economic shocker by praising everyone who gave as extremely generous but then proceeded directly into the great Catholic guilt trip. "Oh whoa we need to cut costs, sell property, and so on".

Every year it is the same thing. It makes me wonder what the church is doing with the money. For me to find out I would have to volunteer for budget committees and such and I want nothing to do with that, Thank you. But still. This church runs a private school which brings in enough in tuition to operate itself (If it doesn't there is a big problem here). There aren't that many employees outside of that and then you are talking about building maintenance and room and board for the resident priests. Where does the money go?

It makes me think to the passage in the bible where Jesus describes giving 10% of your income. The church wants everyone to believe that this "tythe" is meant to go to the church, as in give the Catholic church 10% of your income. I have a real problem giving money to a church so that some old Pope can live in absolute luxury in far off Rome. I think that Jesus wanted everyone to give 10% of their income and of themselves to help those with no food, no shelter, and no clothes. You know, "feed the hungry, cloth the naked".

The Catholic Guilt trip is a reminder to me to look into my own heart to explore my faith and not rely solely on the church to guide my faith. For those who blindly follow there is no joy in faith.

One of the great problems with the Catholic church is its rigidity. The way it is set in its ways, in its traditions, and in its ceremonies. I often think about how I should start looking for a new church. But then I think that I will only find similar problems elsewhere.

I guess the only place to keep turning is inward. Live by what my heart tells me is right and hope for the best in the afterlife. May the Lord have mercy on my soul.

Grandma and Kumbayah

2004-11-01T14:34:00.000-05:00

Kumbayah is my Grandma's favorite song. One year on her birthday, Grandma has to be hospitalized with a really bad case of Colitis. I think that is like Ulcers in your intestine but don't hold me to that. Any way she was in the hospital for three weeks. When she finally went home, I went to her house to deliver what I thought would be a nice belated birthday gift. Grandma narturally wasn't feeling well. I delivered a dozen yellow carnations, played and sang Happy Birthday for her. Then I played the special song "Kumbayah". Grandma never forgot that day and now every year on her birthday I get to go to her house and sing Kumbayah. It really makes my life easy. I don't have to find an unique gift for a 91 year old woman.

The only problem I have is that I hate the song Kumbayah. I will never tell Grandma that. Oh, the things we do for the people we love.

I'm back. The newest things I think

2004-10-28T07:49:00.000-04:00

Wow has it been a while since I posted? Been really busy here. So here are a few new things I think, I think.

1. No matter what happens, the elections are less than a week a way. It will be very nice to turn on the TV and not have to see ANY political ads.

2. I think that we wont really know who the President is for days after the election.

3. Florida will hose up the vote count again, and Ohio looks primed for a recount as well.

4. In episodes I and II of Star Wars it shows how Palpatine is consolidating his power and how he is becoming the Emperor. There seem to be a lot of parallels between this and the Bush Administration. I wont elaborate.

5. After a rough start, this geek's fanatasy football team is now 5-2 and in good shape to win again this weekend. I am destined for some cash prizes baby!

6. At long last the Boston Red Sox can finally drop this ridiculous notion that they were cursed. Decades of mismanagement and bad bounces are not a curse. They had poor owners until a couple of years ago. Now they have good Management, Upper Management and it shows. Congratulations to the World Series Champs!!

7. I really want to see Alexander. What I mean is the Oliver Stone historical biographical epic about Alexander the Great. Problem is, I don't see Collin Farrell, Angelina Jolie or Val Kilmer as particularly good actors. My standards must be very high for what constitutes a good actor. I really haven't seen much with Collin Farrell so I shouldn't judge him. Just what has Angelina Jolie done that didn't suck though? Val Kilmer is a decent actor. Most of the time I could care less if I see him. The only movies or his I can name that I liked and don't mind seeing from time to time are Top Secret, Real Genius, Willow, Thunderheart, Tombstone, and maybe the Doors. The Doors was probably Val's best acting but it was really just one big long Doors music video.

8. It is my Grandma's 91st birthday today. She is going to get the same gift she gets every year. A heartfelt rendition of that timeless classic "Kumbayah!" Then I get to hear the wonderful story about six times about why she likes me to sing that song for her. Like I don't remember that. I was there but I still have to hear the story.

9. I am going to Las Vegas for only the second time in my life this November. This will be the first time that I will be able to go to the Star Trek Experience and the Las Vegas Hilton. The geek inside me is giddy in anticipation.

10. Krispy Kreme donuts are not that good but I still can't help myself when someone buys them for the team. Insidious aren't they?

This weeks ponderings

2004-10-08T13:34:00.000-04:00

Some things I think I think

1. Enterprise season 4 begins tonight. I am there baby!

2. Second Presidential Debate tonight. I am there Baby!

3. Twins-Yankees game 3 tonight. I am...damn I am sensing some serious conflict. I think I will be untilizing some VCR tonight.

4. The Bush Administration spins every story so much that they must be getting dizzy. It will most likely show in the Prez's face tonight. I honestly think that these guys don't even look at a story on its merits any more. They automatically start thinking "how can we spin this..."

5. Republicans are so terrified that Michael Moore's effort to get out the vote will produce a victory for Kerry that they are trying to get him arrested on a BS charge.

6. Jimmy Fallon annoys the crap out of me.

7. R.I.P. Janet Leigh and Rodney Dangerfield.

8. My ex wife will never be happy because she can not communicate. She says one thing and means another. She pisses everyone she talks to off because she can't communicate the thoughts in that tiny little backstabbing rat trap of a f***ing brain in that bitch's head. I'm not bitter. really I'm not.

9. Krissy (my girlfriend) has a daughter about to turn 7 and I have no idea what to get her. This girl has more Barbies then I have Star Trek videos. I know that is astounding but it is true.

10. Shawshank Redemption is coming out with a special edition DVD. No I wont get it. It just made me think about what my all time favorite movies are. Aside from Star Wars or Star Trek naturally. Shawshank is right up there. Along with The Princess Bride, The Godfather Parts I and II, all of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Usual Suspects, A Few Good Men, L.A. Confidential and any Quentin Tarantino film. This is not to say I don't like a lot of other movies but, these movies always get my attention.

Fantasy Football Week 5

2004-10-08T08:53:00.000-04:00

I am not 2-2 and looking to give myself a winning record for the first time this year. I am up against the guy with Terrell Owens and that guy has the bye! Boo ya. perhaps another victory for me? Me thinks so.

Michael Moore, Fugitive

2004-10-08T08:36:00.000-04:00

Michael Moore gives people underwear or Ramen noodles just for registering to vote and Michigan Republicans want him arrested. This is great. Please read below.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php

Republicans are taking petty to new heights!!

The "Non" Multicultural Mass

2004-10-05T10:23:00.000-04:00

We had what was termed as a Multicultural mass at church on Sunday that consisted of exactly 2 songs with another language, no other culture did a reading or a prayers. This mass was so not multicultural that if you were from another culture you would have felt left out.

There was a priest visiting from Liberia but he hardly said a word during the mass.

What is the church thinking? Let's not make the white folk here uncomfortable. With the growing African and Hmong communities in my church, you'd think they could have done a better job.

I did enjoy our first choir mass since May. The music sounded great and we even got an ovation after the mass. What fun!

Fantasy Football Week 4

2004-10-05T10:21:00.000-04:00

I win again. and against a previously undefeated opponant. Scott's team is now 2-2

Next up, the guy who has Terrell Owens. To bad he is on a bye this week. BooHoo.