Month: October 2005

  • I just want to be able to do more.  I used to be worried that I'd disappear from life and my name would mean nothing to anybody.  That's not so much the case anymore.  I wanted to leave my place in history.  But before it was more of an image thing.  Now I just want shit to be better.  I want the streets to be clean.  I don't want to see cigarette remains along the curb.  I want everybody to have healthcare.  I don't want people to have emergency surgeries and be in debt the rest of their lives.  But I can't figure out a way to make it all better.  There is no panacea, or cure-all.  There is no Star Trek world with no form of currency where humans work just to better ourselves as a society.  I can't even picture it.  Everybody would want more, and the only way to get more is to barter.  Bartering leads to currency.  Then we are back to where we started.  I don't have a solution, and it bothers me.  I want to change the world.  I want to make it a better place.  For you, for me, and the entire human race.  Okay, those were lyrics.  But still.  I learn a lot from Nana.  I wish I could hear more.  I want to know about her tough times, her good times, the things she remembers.  It makes me appreciate what I have, long for more, and to just be happy.


    MG2 is so sweet to me.  I've been blessed to have a lot of sweet people in my life.  But she's just great.  I loved the fact that she went to the store with me at 10:30 the other night to get milk and cookies.  She would have gone while I stayed home and watched TV if that's what I desired.  She's so sweet.


    We're listening to Moby's Hotel CD.   Actually, the Hotel MP3's via the TiVo.  TiVo rocks.  She's making dinner, and some brownies for dessert.  We'll probably watch Medium tonight.  I've been watching The O'Reilly Factor for the past few months.  He's an interesting character.  He makes a lot of good points, and he's a perfect example of how media can drive change.  There are so many things that he does that pressures society into changing.  It's for the better, and although there are some things that I may not 100% agree with, overall he's a benefit to society, and that's a good thing.


    I like it when she pulls her hair back into a bun.  I think that is cute.  And hot.  A little of both.


    Tigger still has had more energy lately.  Sam brought over some bones for them to chew on, and they've all been enjoying them for the past few days.


    I've been feeding Alpha, our Betta (I also call him our Minnow) every night.  He just swims around.  Now that would be a boring life.  But MG2 says that's what they like: small spaces.  Whatever.  I'd be bored.  I need excitement, and instant gratification.  I also need for Jim to approve the 5 requirements documents that I've sent him.  Four of which were first sent to him almost a month ago.  He's a busy guy.  So I scheduled a lunch meeting with him so we could review them already.  Apparently he can't find the time himself.


    Dinner's ready, let's see what Medium has in store for us tonight...we've been watching Prison Break (the filler for 24) which has been okay.  But I think she has a crush on Dr. House.  Which is why House is always the first one watched when we have a chance.


    Till later...

  • Spoke with Mr. Franks for a bit today, maybe I should call him CSA Guy?  Anyway, he has a site with pictures of Ryan.  I forwarded the link to MG2 so she could look too.  We spent some time with John and his wife Sara when we were in Wisconsin.  I even pushed litttle Ryan in his stroller when we were downtown.  They're really nice people.  I'll try to post the link on my site when I add a links page.  He's been a huge help lately at work, he may not think so, but it makes my life a lot easier when you have somebody to go to.  And he's great to work with on enhancements/problems with the application.  I gave him the URL to my site today.  MG2 really liked them too, and we hope to see all three of them when they come out to AZ next year. 


    I had to test on Sunday, Monday, and again tonight.  Then I get to do it again on Sunday, and again about a week after that.  This testing thing is getting old.  I'm happy to have Kathryn on board in IT now.  I really trust her to do a good job, and I have no problem letting her work on CSA changes, even though I feel like a father of the application.  Paula in Port Angeles calls it "my baby".  I think it is too.  I just don't like testing it early in the morning.


    What's messed up, is that on Sunday we helped spend over $3000, about $900 of which was from us, and all we came home with was a couple sex toys and some porn on DVD.  The rest of it went to computer equipment.  A new computer for my mom and MG2's parents.  It's their first.  I've got my mom's set up, and I'm going to try to get their's up this weekend.  He's also getting DSL (no more dial-up).  Although it is their first PC, they were using MG2s old one to see if they would even like one.  Her dad used it way more than I ever expected.  He doesn't have cable, and he already had a phone line at the PC, so I figured DSL would be the best way to go.


    The pumpkins that the kids carved are already caved in on themselves.  Ours are doing okay, but I give them another few days tops.


    We need to write Nana, in fact, I just handed MG2 the phone and told her to call.  We need to make sure she is doing okay.  She's so sweet.


    Okay, better wrap this up so I can make some needed changes to my site...






  • Private


    Sad news, as Rosa Parks has died at the age of 92.  One person, that's all it takes to make a difference. Imagine the world if she didn't stand up for what she believed. Its a world I don't want to know. Hopefully we can all continue to learn from all she had to offer.  She will not be forgotten...

  • We went to my mom's today for dinner.  She made lasagne and some brownies for dessert.  Watched a bit of the World Series with Roger Clemens.  Its hard to believe he is still playing after all these years.  I remember idolizing him as a kid.  My brother in law played for the Red Sox for awhile, and used to get Christmas cards from Roger Clemens.  Pretty trippy.


    We took Lucy with us and went to the park for awhile.  Tossed the football with the kids.  While we were there we also carved some pumpkins.  I placed some pictures of them in the Photos section of the site.


    Now we are relaxing at home and planning on going to our spin class tomorrow.  MG2 is taking a relaxing bath now, and we'll head off to bed soon.


    I sent K-Girl a "U Suck" email last night.  It's fun to send them off every once in awhile.  Since I don't receive them from PPE anymore. 


    I need to take some more pictures of our Halloween villiage.  I took some the other day, but want to take some with it all lit up.


    I'm also working on a 'music of Aura' section of the site with all the songs that are currently on Aura.  As I add stuff to the playlist, I'll be sure to keep the page updated.


    MG2 has signed up for every wedding thing imaginable.  She gets catalogs sent to her everyday and loves to look through them all for neat ideas.


    We checked out the Different Pointe Of View like I said the other day, but we're still mulling over it as a possible reception site.  The cost does look to be more than we thought it would originally be.


    My dad still thinks me drinking soda is going to be the end of me.  Although I've cut back a bit, and I drink a lot of 'caffeine free' sodas, it appears to not be enough.  Never mind the fact that he is always drinking alcohol and takes about a dozen pills at every meal (vitamins and such).  I told him that I'd drink a 6 pack of soda a day, and he drinks a 6 pack of beer a day and we'll see who lives longer.


    Speaking of living longer, the nurse came by yesterday to do the exam for my life insurance.  I'm happy to be getting that done, as it was on my list of things to complete by the end of the year.  Although our budget is tight, we are still meeting all our objectives thus far.  Sometimes I have no idea how.


    We'll see if I have the energy to type tomorrow after the class...any bets?

  • Took a half day today as we had scheduled a meeting at the Pointe Tapatio Cliffs Resort, only this time at the Different Pointe Of View.  It's a restaruant that over looks the city.  We think we may have the reception there.  We'd have the lounge and terrace reserved just for us.  It's really pretty there.  The price is pretty close to what we were going to pay at the ballroom there, but maybe a little more.  Not much. 


    We went to Petsmart and got a Betta.  We named him Alpha.  I know, creative.  Everybody at work has fish tanks.  We want one, but we want to wait until we are settled somewhere.  They had a sweet one at Petsmart for $799.  Not in our budget, but it's fun to look.


    We then headed to Target to get some pumpkins to carve.  I've picked out the designs and we may get to work on them this weekend.


    Maria was teaching a spin class tonight and asked us to go, but we already had those plans.  And we plan on attending on Sunday morning.  Karen supposedly went tonight though.  I'll have to see if she survived.  We also plan to play football after lunch on Sunday.  We're supposed to make it a weekly ritual.  Sam doesn't think I'll do it, but I think he is wrong.


    In all honesty, K-Girl was only kinda waddling.  The next day she looked pretty hot, and she most certainly wasn't waddling then.  Maybe it depends on the pants she wears.


    We got IM at work.  That's fun.  Any new toy to play with.  I'm just worried that I'm going to get slammed with instant messages now instead of emails.  We'll see.  It doesn't look like everybody is using it that has the option to use it.  So maybe it will go pretty well.  I just wish they'd open it up so we can use it with WPS.


    We went to dinner last night for the BAs.  That was okay.  I also know I received an All Star Award, yet I don't have the check yet.  That'll be nice to be able to put into savings.  Budget is getting thin with so us trying to do so much stuff at once.


    CSA Girl seems like she was in good spirits today.  Everytime I talked to her she seemed like she was happy.  Not that she doesn't sound happy the other times, just this time it was very clear.  And when a conference call began I heard her laughing.  I'm happy to know she is happy.


    I haven't talked to PPE about the wedding stuff yet, and I haven't talked to Sakiwan either.  Hopefully soon.


    I took a few dozen pictures of our Halloween villiage this year.  I'll have to post them on my site for awhile.  We spent a good amount on it this year, and I can't wait till next year so we can add to it some more.


    Sent an email off to a co-worker in Hawaii.  Told her that we will be going there for our honeymoon and asked her where to stay and what to do.  She made a few recommendations and said she would make a list.  That's great.  She just had a son last November.  Her second I believe.  I have to be sure to take MG2 to the hub and show her around while we are there.


    She's making food right now, but I'm not sure what.  We went to The Yard House at Desert Ridge for lunch.  They just opened it here.  I went to the one in San Diego and I was emailing Zach while I was there asking him if he'd been there.  Zach is an employee in SD.  He's really cool and he's been to Phoenix a few times for work.  He'll be back again in November.  We'll be sure to go out when he's here.  He writes music, and his CD is really enjoyable (for me, at least). 


    Food's ready.  Tomato soup with crossants.  Yum...

  • My sweetie made Apple Crisp tonight.  She makes it every so often and it is really good.  I read up more about Alcor tonight, since I need to plan on using my life insurance accordingly.  I'm on a distribution list so I get updates every so often which is what prompted me to look into it some more tonight.  Also, a forum has been created on www.alcorunited.org for discussions regarding Alcor and cryonics.


    I'm a little sore in my arms tonight.  I didn't notice it yesterday or even this morning, but apparently the spin class worked my arms a bit too.


    Still watching Malcolm In The Middle.  The show is great.  I'm also looking forward to the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror this year.  That is always guaranteed to be good.


    Just a quick update before going to bed...nighty night.

  • Friday night was a "what if" night.  MG2 came home, we were ready to make some dinner or do something, and I decided to take a movie that I borrowed from Karen back to her.  When I was up there, there was a group of people there, as they were all ready to go out, to Kona Grill I believe.  I was introduced to her new roommate, Jen, who is very similar to, almost to a distrurbing level, Cameron Diaz.  Her personality, her look, everything.  Jen's an ex-stripper, and I must admit was pretty hot.  I don't know what kicked it into gear for me, but when I left, it made me start thinking about the other life.  The one I left behind.  I don't wish I walked down a different path, but it did make me miss it.  I think MG2 thought that I was wishing I was going out with them, as that wasn't the case.  But it did look like they were going to have fun, and I wanted to do the same.  Part of my frustation is that I still have the wish for a lack of a sex drive, so I didn't want to bang every female I come across.  But even having sex every day (sometimes two or three times), still doesn't cure that craving 100%.  I read a bit about it online, so I know I'm not alone.  Its like the opposite of sexual frustration.  It's frustation of too much sexuality.  Regardless, I was a little bummed when I came back down, but MG2 and I went to Desert Ridge, sat by the fireplace, and chatted for a bit.  She looked very beautiful and the ring looked great on her finger.  I love to just sit across from her and hold her hand and look at it.  Part of it is the ring is pretty, but a lot of it is the symbolism involved.  It's nice.  It was hard that day because she too was a little emotional and it was tough when we are both at that point.  The evening went on, and we went to Harkin's Scottsdale 101 to get some popcorn and sodas, then went home to watch a movie.  It was actually fun.  And it saved the $20 on tickets. 


    Yesterday I hung out with Sam, a guy that lives nearby.  We got some food, bought a football and basketball, then went to the nearby park to play for awhile.  He could tell I was itching to get some exercise.  Last night we went to the hockey game, and the Red Wings beat the Coyotes 2 - 0.  I was getting Topaz alerts that the CSA was down, but without an air card, there wasn't much I could do.  But I did respond to Ann's email this morning verifying that it was back up.  I would have done more last night, such as call WPS and follow-through, but without an air card it was impossible.  We went to Cheesecake Factory for some late dinner and dessert, and headed home.  While we were at Cheesecake Factory Maria (another neighbor) told me to come to her spin class this morning.  I figured what the hell, exercise is good.  Right.  It was evil, and I can't move.  An hour of hell.  But I want to do it again next Sunday morning.  Only I want to drag others along.


    As you can tell, I've changed the layout.  I went out and registered a domain (sweetnsouraura.com) and started with that.  Since I was already playing with the code there, I figured I'd take a stab at customizing this page too.  MG2 has started reading the site.  I gave her the URL a year or more ago, but I guess she never really looked at it.  This ought to be interesting.  Hopefully I don't scare her away now, as she already said yes to getting married.


    We're still talking about where we would move, but I think our plans are just to get through the wedding, then decide.  I wish we could just use the funds for the wedding on a new house.  We're still saving money for the honeymoon too.  We met with the financial advisor on Thursday.  Rolling some accounts together and opening new things.  Fun Fun.  That was a great investment.  She has helped a lot.


    Well, I'm going to continue the rest of the day being sore, and maybe play some more on my site.  Until later...

  • We've raised our expected budget twice.  And although we've narrowed down our reception site locations, we are still looking to be sure.  Weddings are expensive.


    We're still talking about honeymoon locations, but we were looking at Hawaii.  She wants a cruise, and I'd like to also go to Tahiti.  There is a cruise that starts in Tahiti, tours all the islands there and in Hawaii, and ends at Honolulu.  We could spend a day in a bungalow in Tahiti first, then a few days at the end in Oahu.  That would be perfect, but I don't know if they'll still have that package when we are ready to go.  We'll see.


    We've told my family and hers that the date has been moved to 1/27/07.  Her grandmother is now very excited, and is ready to go shopping for a dress.  She's so sweet.


    We watched Miss Congeniality 2 last night, and are still watching our Stargate SG1 seasons on DVD.  I think we are on Season 4.  She's also watching Stargate Atlantis with me.


    We started on the gift registry.  That sucks.  I don't like doing that, but I guess you need to or who knows what you'll get.  It just seems tacky.  So what do I do?  Put down a DLP HDTV projector with a 90 inch screen.  Only like 4k at Costco.  Just in case every guest wants to get together and get one gift!  The hell with the KitchenAid stand mixer, get us the toys!  Then you have to put down the cheap stuff too.  But my thought is, if its cheap, I'd have bought it myself.  So get together with everybody to buy something we wouldn't buy.  Right?  Whatever.  I'll be lucky if people even show up for the $112 plate of filet mignon.


    Tigger has a lot of energy lately.  Jumping, barking, it's just weird.  He even plays with toys every so often.


    I'm going to join a softball team with some friends here.  We all have dogs so I guess we're naming our team "The Doggy Dodgers".  Karen is heading it up, and our shirts will have the name of our dog on it instead of our name.  It'll be fun.


    My trip to Wisconsin was okay.  Mostly sad.  I had plenty of time to think while I was there, and just ponder relationships.


    K-Girl is about ready to break the news to everybody.  That'll be exciting.   It'll be a fun time for her too...


    Dinner is about ready...Good Night...

  • The date has been moved up.  After talking to Nana that night (which I posted a quick thought from my Blackberry), we decided that we would move it to 1/27/07.


    We think we've decided on the Point Tapatio Cliffs for the reception location.


    It's a four day weekend for us both, we went to possible reception locations on Friday, to Tucson on Saturday, my sister's engagement party today, and not sure what's planned for tomorrow yet.


    I'm just looking over old pictures from Batlover.  I think of her often but I don't know where she is nowadays.  I hope she is doing well.  I also saw my $4.75 cookie receipt from when I spent time with Sakiwan in SF.


    We were going to start a separate wedding web log, but I'm not sure if we will now or not.  I don't know that we want everybody to know our plans, they'll just see it all next January...


    Packers kicked ass today, its about time this season...


  • One of my deepest fears is that I will forget the wisdom, knowledge and advice that Nana bestowed upon us. We will always love her, and cherish her every word...

SweetNSourAura

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