Over my Christmas break from work we were able to meet with our friends from Virginia. We had a great time. It was good to go out with intelligent adults our age again. We don't go out with much of anyone but family, and their knowledge base is limited. Not that they're complete idiots, it's just good to get a different aspect of ideas. Her book is going along well. Many deals being worked out and new opportunities coming up all the time. I believe it's going to be a huge success. Again, it doesn't surprise me with as intelligent as she/they are. Now to wait until the next time we can spend time with them.
I was late for work this morning as my youngest was apparently playing with my clock and changed the time zone. No problem from work, it just threw my entire day off. Awakening from a sleep to have to rush to get everything done always makes me jittery. I had to take a minute to calm down so I would quit making simple mistakes in my haste to get ready. What a day!
I hope every one's Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) was pleasant and I hope you have a good start to the New Year.
Best.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Holiday Let Down
Well, we didn't see our friends for the holiday. We were hugely disappointed. The kids got sick so they didn't visit anyone but their family (my boss also appears to have contracted the same illness over the Holiday). Our friend said she's become a workaholic with the book and that that was another reason they didn't go out. Maybe next time. I'd like to get with them and go to D.C. again. I guess time will tell.
My youngest has found a great new toy: a large cardboard box. I'm inclined to believe that every child should have a toy as great as a box. How could anyone want anything better then a box. It's the perfect gift idea. It becomes anything and everything you could want. Now we don't know how we're going to top it for Christmas. Where do we go from here?
I can't believe they're making a movie of Eragon! What an incredible book to turn into a movie. Now I'm interested in finding out if all the books in the series will be included in the movie or if more movies are on the way. As one can tell, I have yet to see the film.
I haven't listened to much on my mp3 player lately. I have several books to listen to at work but just haven't brought it. I think tonight, if I have time, I'll load some books onto it for tomorrow. It works out nicely when I'm passing medication to have an ear pierce in one ear and listen to a book or background music. The only problem with a book is that I only catch about half of what I hear. I've given up on the different self help books out there. As I tried to listen to them they seemed to be the same junk repeated in a different way. I never read/listened to any of them before getting the mp3 player. I found them to be easily obtained because thousands of people write as well as read/listen to them. So, I figured what the heck I'll listen. What a load of crap! Thankfully I didn't have to waste any money on them. If I were unscrupulous I'd start writing self help books myself and make a fortune. These people are robbing those looking for help blind. But then again, that's just my opinion. And who am I but a health care provider who deals with individuals personal problems on a daily basis?
I have more music to choose from than I know what to do with. It's just being able to fight my way onto the computer to get to it. I'm either going to have to commandeer my eldest's computer for it or put one together for the sole purpose of transferring mp3's. The latter might not be a bad idea. I could even have a player installed on it to play the mp3's if I want. Hmmm, not a bad idea. I'll have to think about it and do a little research into it. I'll let you know what I decide and how it turns out if I try it.
Best.
My youngest has found a great new toy: a large cardboard box. I'm inclined to believe that every child should have a toy as great as a box. How could anyone want anything better then a box. It's the perfect gift idea. It becomes anything and everything you could want. Now we don't know how we're going to top it for Christmas. Where do we go from here?
I can't believe they're making a movie of Eragon! What an incredible book to turn into a movie. Now I'm interested in finding out if all the books in the series will be included in the movie or if more movies are on the way. As one can tell, I have yet to see the film.
I haven't listened to much on my mp3 player lately. I have several books to listen to at work but just haven't brought it. I think tonight, if I have time, I'll load some books onto it for tomorrow. It works out nicely when I'm passing medication to have an ear pierce in one ear and listen to a book or background music. The only problem with a book is that I only catch about half of what I hear. I've given up on the different self help books out there. As I tried to listen to them they seemed to be the same junk repeated in a different way. I never read/listened to any of them before getting the mp3 player. I found them to be easily obtained because thousands of people write as well as read/listen to them. So, I figured what the heck I'll listen. What a load of crap! Thankfully I didn't have to waste any money on them. If I were unscrupulous I'd start writing self help books myself and make a fortune. These people are robbing those looking for help blind. But then again, that's just my opinion. And who am I but a health care provider who deals with individuals personal problems on a daily basis?
I have more music to choose from than I know what to do with. It's just being able to fight my way onto the computer to get to it. I'm either going to have to commandeer my eldest's computer for it or put one together for the sole purpose of transferring mp3's. The latter might not be a bad idea. I could even have a player installed on it to play the mp3's if I want. Hmmm, not a bad idea. I'll have to think about it and do a little research into it. I'll let you know what I decide and how it turns out if I try it.
Best.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The holiday season
The holidays are getting ready to run us over once again. There was a time when this time of year brought out the best in everyone. Now a days it only seems to bring out the worst. I used (I hate using this word) to love this time of year. I guess as I get older I turn more and more into a Scrooge. I liked making/buying gifts for everyone and getting things from people. I can't go near a store the closer we get to Christmas for fear of killing someone. I honestly believe it has to do with the area I live in. When we lived in Raleigh we went shopping on Black Friday and had a blast. Everyone was so friendly and cheerful. Here people would kill each other for a discount. They get very mean and rude. I've taken to letting my wife do the last minute/discount shopping and I come up with homemade items. I don't get along well with others (which is funny seeing as I'm a Nurse). Then my family is a bit insane (as if they're all not). So, I'll run around like a chicken with it's head chopped off and try to make my rounds to different family member's house/party/dinner or whatever is going on.
In other news: Our friend is coming up for Thanksgiving so we get to spend time with all of them. Can't wait to see everyone again. I think it will be a better time as no one will be constrained by work and such. That way the time we spend together with be relaxed and we'll be able to talk freely, without worrying about the time. I always get like a little kid when we plan on spending time with them. I'm get so excited I can't sit still. Then I start to ramble, as if that's not obvious!
I'm having trouble finding a program to add light to my Halloween video. I need something like Photoshop for video. Any help/ideas? I haven't worked with touching up video so I don't know where to look/begin. It would be great to be able to see something more than just a flame floating in the air and my face appearing under it. I know I'm going to have to do another video of my fire eating as it was only me "kissing the flame" and it's very jerky as my wife had a difficult time finding me in the view finder. I still want another video of me actually eating the flame. I'll have to come up with some sort of routine for that one.
Enough for now.
Best.
In other news: Our friend is coming up for Thanksgiving so we get to spend time with all of them. Can't wait to see everyone again. I think it will be a better time as no one will be constrained by work and such. That way the time we spend together with be relaxed and we'll be able to talk freely, without worrying about the time. I always get like a little kid when we plan on spending time with them. I'm get so excited I can't sit still. Then I start to ramble, as if that's not obvious!
I'm having trouble finding a program to add light to my Halloween video. I need something like Photoshop for video. Any help/ideas? I haven't worked with touching up video so I don't know where to look/begin. It would be great to be able to see something more than just a flame floating in the air and my face appearing under it. I know I'm going to have to do another video of my fire eating as it was only me "kissing the flame" and it's very jerky as my wife had a difficult time finding me in the view finder. I still want another video of me actually eating the flame. I'll have to come up with some sort of routine for that one.
Enough for now.
Best.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Halloween Party
Went to a halloween party last Saturday. The theme was Creepy Carnival. I was a fire eater/breather. It was too windy to breath fire but the fire eating was a hit. My wife tried to film it, but it was dark and just didn't turn out. It was one of those things were you couldn't really see my face, just this floating flame. We'll have to try again, if it works I'll try to post it.
I've been cutting up trees that have fallen on my families property. You never know how much work is involved until you start.
I need to change the brakes and rotors on the car to get it inspected. The only problem with that is I need to remove them so I can trade them in as they're still under warranty. I just did this a little over a year ago. I think it might be because my mother-in-law has been driving the car. It's nothing terrible, she is just one of those drivers that was taught to drive with one foot on the gas and one on the brake.
Ah, the things of daily living. Aren't they just great. Life goes on whether we want them to or not.
Another thing, I mentioned that a friend was getting her book published. She now has a definitive name for her book. It's called WICKED LOVELY. It's due out in June '07 I believe. I've read the draft and can say, it's a wonderful book. If you get the chance check it out. Until then, check out her sight. I linked it to the book title. Very cool sight. If your a writer she has incredible links, if your not the site in of itself is killer. The name's Melissa Marr, write it down. She is going to be HUGE. The book is young adult, but it's still an excellent read. Don't miss it.
Best.
I've been cutting up trees that have fallen on my families property. You never know how much work is involved until you start.
I need to change the brakes and rotors on the car to get it inspected. The only problem with that is I need to remove them so I can trade them in as they're still under warranty. I just did this a little over a year ago. I think it might be because my mother-in-law has been driving the car. It's nothing terrible, she is just one of those drivers that was taught to drive with one foot on the gas and one on the brake.
Ah, the things of daily living. Aren't they just great. Life goes on whether we want them to or not.
Another thing, I mentioned that a friend was getting her book published. She now has a definitive name for her book. It's called WICKED LOVELY. It's due out in June '07 I believe. I've read the draft and can say, it's a wonderful book. If you get the chance check it out. Until then, check out her sight. I linked it to the book title. Very cool sight. If your a writer she has incredible links, if your not the site in of itself is killer. The name's Melissa Marr, write it down. She is going to be HUGE. The book is young adult, but it's still an excellent read. Don't miss it.
Best.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
"Wahoo!"
When I got home yesterday my grain mill was waiting in the mailbox! Thursday, maybe Friday I'm going to the feed store to get some wheat. I might get some corn and/or rye and see about some barley. I may even go tomorrow after work and get some if I can convince my wife that we have a few extra dollars until Friday. If not, I'll be on a buying spree when I get paid. O.K. So maybe not a buying spree. I need to limit what I buy as they come in fifty pound sacks. That's a large amount of grain to store. It would be a waste to buy too much and have it rotting somewhere in the house.
I have a "biggie" day planned for Friday (hense the "Wahoo). The Wiggles concert is where I'll be. My youngest (and oldest) is going to have a blast. Can't seem to get enough of The Wiggles. The tickets were a birthday gift from my uncle. We were going to get them either way, but he never knows what to get our kids anymore (and neither do we! *The spoiled little*). I'll have to let you know how it goes with FIVE HUNDRED screaming toddlers. {Insert slight sarcasm here} I can't wait!
I do think it's going to be fun.
Best.
I have a "biggie" day planned for Friday (hense the "Wahoo). The Wiggles concert is where I'll be. My youngest (and oldest) is going to have a blast. Can't seem to get enough of The Wiggles. The tickets were a birthday gift from my uncle. We were going to get them either way, but he never knows what to get our kids anymore (and neither do we! *The spoiled little*). I'll have to let you know how it goes with FIVE HUNDRED screaming toddlers. {Insert slight sarcasm here} I can't wait!
I do think it's going to be fun.
Best.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Manic Moment
I've been a little manic lately and therefore very lax in my blog. I've been working on several projects but haven't finished any as we're always short on funds. I only nickel and penny (I can't afford to dime) my projects so as not to put a strain on the bank account and thus on my family. I have done HOURS of research on everything I have an interest in though.
A list of my projects:
1) Started a VERY large project first. I'm planning on making a metal shop - completely by hand, myself. I have the furnace done, finally, and have melted my first batch of aluminum. The idea is to melt aluminum to create the parts of the machinery to make other parts for other machines. I've got the first step almost finished, I just need help welding some things from my father (retired master welder) to finish the first step. Then more money is involved for the sand casting.
2) I'm changing our diet/saving money. I ordered a grain mill (which should be here any day) to grind corn, wheat, rye, and barley for homemade... well, everything.
3) Another project I'm interested in starting goes hand in hand with the grain mill. I'm looking to make an alcohol still. Not for drinking but for fuel. I have collected the data to apply for a licensed and found out that if I want to make methanol I don't need a licensed. I may get one just to have it. Now to make the still, which I have several plans for but again, little funding.
4) To coincide with the still, after a period of time I would like to either save for a cheap car or to convert our current car to run on the alcohol I'll be making.
5) I have to build a shed for the machine shop so I have multiple plans ready. Now I need to decide which one will work best for me.
6) If I plan on getting the alcohol license I will need to build a special shed for the "processing plant" and storage.
7) I would like to make a solar water heater. Have plans and am very interested.
8) I want to work on the wood burning heater in the basement and modify it for multiple purposes.
9) I also want to buy an old diesel car to convert to biodiesel. I've started getting containers for the waste vegetable oil and made a sample batch of biodiesel.
10) Looked into many different forms of alternate energy and would like to "experiment" with them to see how well they work. This is a back burner (very back) project.
If there are any other things I can't think of them at the moment. If I think of them later I'll restart the list.
I say I've been manic as my insomnia has come back with vengeance. I'm not sure which one facilitates the other: am I manic because I can't sleep or can I not sleep because I'm manic and can't let my mind rest?
That's what I've been up to. How about you?
Best
A list of my projects:
1) Started a VERY large project first. I'm planning on making a metal shop - completely by hand, myself. I have the furnace done, finally, and have melted my first batch of aluminum. The idea is to melt aluminum to create the parts of the machinery to make other parts for other machines. I've got the first step almost finished, I just need help welding some things from my father (retired master welder) to finish the first step. Then more money is involved for the sand casting.
2) I'm changing our diet/saving money. I ordered a grain mill (which should be here any day) to grind corn, wheat, rye, and barley for homemade... well, everything.
3) Another project I'm interested in starting goes hand in hand with the grain mill. I'm looking to make an alcohol still. Not for drinking but for fuel. I have collected the data to apply for a licensed and found out that if I want to make methanol I don't need a licensed. I may get one just to have it. Now to make the still, which I have several plans for but again, little funding.
4) To coincide with the still, after a period of time I would like to either save for a cheap car or to convert our current car to run on the alcohol I'll be making.
5) I have to build a shed for the machine shop so I have multiple plans ready. Now I need to decide which one will work best for me.
6) If I plan on getting the alcohol license I will need to build a special shed for the "processing plant" and storage.
7) I would like to make a solar water heater. Have plans and am very interested.
8) I want to work on the wood burning heater in the basement and modify it for multiple purposes.
9) I also want to buy an old diesel car to convert to biodiesel. I've started getting containers for the waste vegetable oil and made a sample batch of biodiesel.
10) Looked into many different forms of alternate energy and would like to "experiment" with them to see how well they work. This is a back burner (very back) project.
If there are any other things I can't think of them at the moment. If I think of them later I'll restart the list.
I say I've been manic as my insomnia has come back with vengeance. I'm not sure which one facilitates the other: am I manic because I can't sleep or can I not sleep because I'm manic and can't let my mind rest?
That's what I've been up to. How about you?
Best
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
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