Random Access

Sunday – 08 January 2012
Sunday afternoon quick hit while the ladies of the house are napping…

This morning (after a not-so-great-night-of-sleep-for-the-girls), we all went out for breakfast at Millcreek Cafe and Eggworks. The girls, as usual, were little centers of attention. And with outfits like these, courtesy of their Aunt Kristen…

…how could you expect anything less? Diana has pink boots, like Vanessa’s white ones, but kicked them off before we got the picture.  Oh, well.

It’s been a good weekend, so far. Yesterday, I judged a ‘Clix tournament (with a rather good turnout) for Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection, had a RubySnap Josephine cookie, (finally) got around to watching Moon, which was:

1. not what I expected, and
2. very good.

…and, like sprinkles on an ice cream cone: The Texans beat the Bengals, meaning that the Ravens will face the Texans at M&T Bank Stadium next weekend. And, to be honest, I would rather face the Texans than the Bengals.

Stray Toasters

• Go, Broncos!
  
  Hey, I have no great love for Tim Tebow and company, but I think that it would be uproariously funny if they beat the Steelers.  Just saying.
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Lamar Smith: “If you oppose SOPA, you don’t matter”
• I packed up two of my three train sets the other night. (Yeah, it was a bit sad…) I also packed up some of the accessories and rolling stock. All of this is in anticipation of beginning work on finishing the unfinished areas of the basement. (Although, if it doesn’t happen “soon-ish,” I may just wind up with a floor layout for a while.)

Okay, sounds like someone is waking up.  Time to go.

Namaste.

Thursday – 05 January 2012
Another NBN Thursday is upon us. And this one is sunny and bright… and lacking a fair bit of inversion. (Unless you look to the northwest. Let’s not do that, though — I rather like the clearer skies in the rest of the valley.)

And, speaking of “sunny and bright,” the girls were awake before I left for work this morning, allowing for a brief photo-op:

Vanessa

Diana

Yep, nothing like starting the day with this pair of cute faces staring up at you.

Stray Toasters

• Robert L. Carter, an Architect of School Desegregation, Dies at 94
• We finally finished watching the winter season of Burn Notice last night. They did a couple of things that I didn’t quite expect… although I could/should have possibly expected one of them. Now, to wait five months for the show to return.
• SOPA & PIPA Townhall Meetings
• 
• SaraRules! picked up a package of Alexia Oven Reds as a side dish for dinner last night. They were very good; I recommend them.
• At 10 Years Old, Internet Explorer Is Almost An Artifact
• After “an encounter” with a coworker, this seemed apt:

• I could see something like this happening in 12 or so years…
  
• English Pronunciation
• Harder for Americans to Rise From Lower Rungs
• From the “YeahbuhWHAT?!” file: Police unsure if woman urinated on $30m abstract expressionist painting
• Making a Play for Video Gamers

Namaste.

Monday – 02 January 2012
A new week begins… but the new work week doesn’t begin until tomorning. I’m good with that.

We had a good New Year’s Day, despite a rather curious start to the (wee hours of the) morning. Utah recently changed their statutes on fireworks, making it permissible to have – and detonate – fireworks on New Year’s Eve. (It had previously been permissible on the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day.) As someone who’s set off fireworks at midnight on NYE in other states, I had no problem with this.

In theory.

In reality, it’s something quite different when you have two infants who are trying to sleep and the neighbors are whooping it up in the street, setting off all manners of fireworks.

*sigh*

Even then, I don’t think that I would have had an issue with it had it not been for a few things:

1. We had gone to bed, pre-midnight, in anticipation of getting up in the middle of the night for a feeding.
2. I had actually fallen asleep a little before midnight
3. One group of neighbors apparently missed “midnight,” and started setting off some rather loud fireworks at 12:10.

Yeah, the 12:10 fireworks were loud enough to immediately rouse me and set me dashing into the girls’ room to make sure that they were still sleeping. Or approximating some semblance of sleep. They were. And, I don’t think that I’ve ever appreciated their sound machine (think: “white noise generator”) so much.

Yesterday wound up being a fairly low-key day. We started the morning with breakfast at Millcreek Cafe. From there, we made the year’s first pilgrimage to The Garden of Sweden. Amen. Back home for a bit and then we did some errand-running, before calling it a day. SaraRules! and I wound down the day watching a movie called Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. SaraRules! had wanted to see it since missing it at last year’s Sundance Film Festival; it showed up in our Netflix Instant Queue, so we watched it. It was, quite possibly, one of the best comedy/horror movies that I’ve seen in some time… if not ever. Sure, there were ridiculously silly points in the movie, but it was a lot of fun. I recommend it.

And, if you should need another reason to view it: It has Alan Tudyk in it.  (Browncoats will remember him from a little show called Firefly.)

Stray Toasters

• The Ravens beat the Bengalsto:
  1. …retain the #1 spot in the AFC North
  2. …get a first-round bye
  3. …have a home playoff game for the first time since 2006
• Grown-up Calvin and Hobbes vs. Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh
• The Commodore 64 is 30
• The Boilermakers beat Western Michigan to win the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl. True fact.
• ‘Wonder Woman’: The Best Modernized Superhero Pantheon

The girls have their 4-month check-up in a little bit. More immunizations. This could make for an interesting afternoon.

Namaste.

Sunday – 01 January 2012
Welcome to 2012 – The Year of the Dragon.

Today is also the seventh day of Kwanzaa; today ‘s principle is “Imani” or “faith”:

To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Last night, SaraRules! and I had over for dinner and a movie.  SaraRules! fixed a Moroccan chicken dish over couscous that was quite good. While we ate, we watched The Horde, a French zombie movie.  It was… interesting. Not bad. Not awesome. Just different.

As this is our first new year as parents, we decided to forego watching the ball drop, so that we would be at least somewhat coherent if/when the girls wake up in the middle of the night. Besides, I’ve seen enough NYE shows to know how it goes, so I’m Ivory Soap sure that we didn’t miss anything… with the possible aside of seeing an even more haggard-looking Dick Clark than last year.

I hope that everyone has a safe, happy and prosperous 2012.

Be well and be good to one another.

Namaste.

Thursday – 29 December 2011
Another NBN Thursday is under way and I have already been to – and returned from – the airport. My uncle came to town Tuesday night for a post-Christmas visit and to meet the new additions to the family:

It was a short visit, but a very full one. The girls, who’ve been a bit fussy with new people lately, took to him fairly quickly; he took to them immediately. It was fun watching the three of them interact.

We also managed to squeeze in a trip to see the Lights on Temple Square last night. We bundled the girls into their bear suits and car seats and set off for downtown. We got there around the time that the girls are usually beginning to wind down before bed. But, with so many things to see – and all of the sounds – they were awake and staring at all the sights. About two-thirds of the way through our stroll, Diana started to fade; Vanessa was still going strong… until we got to the car. Then they traded: Diana woke up and Vanessa napped. We got home, changed and fed them and put them to bed. Diana faded out somewhat quickly; Vanessa, however, got a second wind and decided that bedtime was the perfect time to tell SaraRules! all about the adventures she had during the day. It took her almost an hour to wind down and fall asleep. On the “plus” side: They slept until almost 5 AM.

After the girls went to bed, my uncle and I went to Pawit’s to pick up dinner. He, SaraRules! and I ate and we introduced him to TopGear (UK). It was a good way to wind down the day and his visit.

Stray Toasters

• For SaraRules!: Not sure where this rates on your “uncanny valley” scale, but it has graffiti: Robot that paints random graffiti
• While I haven’t gotten in a lot of play time, I’ve been enjoying CoD: MW3
• I also realize that I still need to go back and finish three HALO games: 2, 3, and Reach.
• Young girl rages over pink toys and gendered play-choices
  This reminds me of of this post from my brother-in-law, about my niece, Grace:

  Yes lady, I’m aware that the “space explorer” pajamas were in the boys section. I’m also aware that my child is a girl. No, she wouldn’t rather have the pink princess ones. And yes, I can assure you that she picked them out on her own, so wipe the condescending look and eye roll off your face. My little girl can be a space explorer if she wants to, so suck it, wench.

  Amen.

• And, as a corollary to the above: Gamer Girl Manifesto
• A Brutal Chapter in North Carolina’s Eugenics Past
• Thanks to Keith for (re-)posting this picture:

  

• Disney Princesses as Street Fighter-style warriors
• Instead of Work, Younger Women Head to School
• Thanks to Corey for this: Photos of the Steam Festival at Golden Spike Historical Site
• Scheduling Partnership Links Pac-12 and Big Ten
• 
• Sears, Kmart to close up to 120 stores
• From the “What’s Wrong With This Picture…?” file: Police storm Church of the Nativity to break up brawling priests

I just put the girls down for a nap. Let’s see how this goes.

Namaste.

Tuesday – 27 December 2011
Our first Christmas as parents has come and gone. And it was a good one. We spent the holiday with Sara’s family and, as usual, it was a lot of fun. Added bonuses: I was able to video chat not only with my mom and uncle, but also with Rana, John and the girls, as well. Win-Win.

Because I didn’t consider what scheduling a post for midnight on Christmas might mean for “getting it lost on Facebook,” here’s this year’s Christmas card:

The picture was taken by Jenny Porter of Serendipity Photography.

And pictures of Christmas day can be found here.

Diana and Vanessa made out like little bandits. Lots of clothes, a few books, and even some toys. Granted, they’re not really “up” on the whole idea of Christmas, so it was just another day for them… aside from the fact that we hung out with their grandparents and aunts and uncles for the better part of the day.

I was able to surprise SaraRules! with a couple of gifts this year. (Go, me!) She had asked for one thing – which I got – but I had remembered that she had shown a particular interest in a letterpress kit we saw a few weeks ago. I found the kit and got it for her. What I didn’t know was that she had gone looking for that same kit elsewhere… just before Christmas. (That would have been awkward.) Fortunately for me, she didn’t find it. Again: Win.

I also was very fortunate in the gifts that I received. As I noted a couple of weeks ago, I got myself the 12-pack of Legion action figures for Christmas. It showed up on… Thursday, I think. I didn’t even bother wrapping the shipping box; I just wrapped a ribbon around it and called it good. SaraRules! got me a bike trainer, which is great — I’ll be able to actually get some cardio conditioning in while I’d otherwise be sitting on my butt, watching TV or playing video games.  (Oh, yeah, we bought a new 360 to replace “old and busted.” I didn’t realize how much smaller and more quiet the new models are.) Among the other things I got were:

• The MTH DCS Remote Set for my model train layout
• A couple of calendars — one Green Lantern calendar and one of train paintings
• The Anniversary Edition of Roots
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
• A nice cologne set
• A set of Lord of the Rings ‘Clix, and
• A GL action figure (Hal Jordan: Test Pilot)

Like I said: It was a good Christmas.

Another “gift” that SaraRules! and I got (from her sister and mom) was the ability to go out for a movie date on Saturday. We saw Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. It was a good bit of fun. Lots of action. Decent enough plot. Although, we both agreed that the female lead seemed kind of “just there to be there.”  If there’s an M:I 5 and she’s in it, hopefully, she’ll be fleshed out a bit more.

We also finally got around to seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 last night. Long movie. But, it was good. Of course, knowing how it turns out didn’t hurt.

Sounds like little ones are safely abed, so I should head on to Guys’ Night Out!

I hope that everyone had a safe and merry Christmas.

Happy Kwanzaa for those who celebrate it.

Namaste.

Friday – 16 December 2011
It’s my “on” Friday, but it’s my last “on” Friday – and last day of work, for that matter – for the year. I’m looking forward to a couple of weeks off.

Last night was a relatively quiet night around the household. The girls were in bed (more or less) on-time and didn’t put up “too much” of a fuss about going to sleep. (Although, Vanessa decided that staying up and hanging out after her 2:30 feeding was a fine thing. I think we finally got back to bed about 3:40 or so.) After the girls were asleep, SaraRules! and I had dinner, watched a little TV… and I put a train trolley around the downstairs Christmas tree, complete with a few Department 56 buildings for effect. WHAT?!  It’s Christmastime. That’s just about the ideal time to have/play with a train set. And having it around the Christmas tree?  That’s just icing on the cake.

And, I did get quick Diana and Vanessa cuddles before heading to work this morning. Those make even the shortest of nights totally worthwhile.

Chew on This: Food for Thought
Nerds and Male Privilege

Stray Toasters

• SOPA votes derailed by politician’s ‘offensive’ tweet
• SOPA and PIPA: How We Got Here (VIDEO)
• First Amendment scholar on the failures of SOPA
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Ann Coulter on Herman Cain: ‘Our Blacks Are So Much Better Than Their Blacks’ (VIDEO)
  There’s a lot of banter/babble before the comment, so just jump to the 5:30 mark.
• 
• U.S. Finds Pervasive Bias Against Latinos by Arizona Sheriff
• The Oral History of Menswear Blogging
• (U.K.) Police include Occupy movement on ‘terror’ list
• 
• Paying a ‘Sports Tax,’ Even if You Don’t Watch
• Las Vegas’ Bellagio fountains learn new dances

Namaste.

Wednesday – 14 December 2011
Let’s just cut to the chase: Despite the inversion-induced drabness, today has been a good day so far. ‘Nuff said.

Last night, SaraRules! and I had a quiet night with the girls… even though it was a bath night. Both girls were fanstastically well-behaved and cooperative for bath time. It was quite the treat. And, they went to bed without too much ado. We also had a visit from Logan and Sanaz, which was nice for two reasons:

1. We hadn’t seen them in a couple of weeks, as they’d been on a trip
2. They brought SaraRules! a tasty dish that she’d been craving… which made for a very happy SaraRules!

All-in-all, it was a good night.

Stray Toasters

• We Are Not All Created Equal: The truth about the American class system
• 5 Favorite Cover Songs of 2011
• Super-Heroines Help Promote Breast Cancer Awareness in Mozambique
• U.S. Safety Board Urges Cellphone Ban for Drivers
• Does it really take “that much” effort to share a pleasantry with someone before starting a conversation?  I don’t think that it does, but maybe that’s just me and my quaint thoughts about courtesy and civility.
• Cirque de la Symphonie: The music of flight
  (Tickets for this are still available, but are apparently going fast…)
• 
• How to Explain Gay Rights to an Idiot
• FCC set to crack down on loud TV commercials
• “Thanks” to for pointing this out.
• Holder Signals Tough Review of New State Laws on Voting

Namaste.

Monday – 12 December 2011
A new work week begins. My day started with a couple of smiley-faced little girls waking up to face the day before I left for work. Yeah, that’s the way to kick off an otherwise grey and drab Monday morning.

Friday was Diana-Vanessa-Daddy Day.

Diana (left) and Vanessa

We stayed at home for the early part of the day, but ventured out in the afternoon. We stopped in to see SaraRules! at her office… where the girls were fawned over by some of the staff. We also popped in to say “Hi” to and before heading home. As an added bonus: I got to pop in and visit the Clitorati crew Friday night.

Saturday, we started the day with family pictures.  Jenny and Julie came over and took our photos. The girls were actually quite cooperative, even through their dress changes. After pictures (and feeding the girls), we headed to Downtown Philly Cheesesteaks for lunch.

Yesterday was fairly low-key. We slept in a little. There was breakfast. Even though we didn’t get to see it, the Ravens whooped up on the Indianapolis Professional Football Club. We also took the girls for a stroll around Liberty Park. (And… I’m counting that as a workout!) The park was far more empty than I would have suspected for a Sunday afternoon, but that just meant fewer pedestrians to avoid along the way. We ran a couple of errands and then had dinner with the in-laws.

All-in-all, it was a very good weekend.

Stray Toasters

• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Could online ‘warriors’ in Call of Duty be forced to obey the Geneva convention?
• Coming up this month at Utah Symphony:
• Cirque de la Symphonie
• Here Comes Santa Claus!
• Video Games Live: Bonus Round
• My 360 red-ringed… again. *grblsnrkx*
• Among Gingrich’s Passions, a Doomsday Vision
• Newt Gingrich Is Bizarrely Terrified of a Fake Sci-Fi Weapon
• 
• Total lunar eclipse is a rare treat
• The Best Jazz of 2011
• Cyber crime aftermath: Beyond the indictment
• 
• Lowe’s pulls advertising from TLC’s All-American Muslim
• How to Dress for a Job Interview
• What to Do If You’ve Lost Your Bags, Wallet, Everything
• HP sued over security flaw in printers

Namaste.

Monday – 05 December 2011
Another work week sets upon us. And the day has been fairly busy, so far. I guess that’s a good thing. “Idle hands…” and whatnot.

The weekend was good. And, as weekends tend to be, too short. Highlights of the weekend included:

• Spending time with the girls, while SaraRules! went to her quilt club.
• Getting to judge a ‘Clix tourney for Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection.
• Sunday morning breakfast at Millcreek Cafe with SaraRules! and the girls
• Added bonus: Christy, one of our former Pin-up Girl Espresso baristas, was there!
• A trip to The Garden of Sweden.
• The Ravens won.

All those – and a few other – things combined for a good weekend.

Another thing from the weekend: Sunday was National Cookie Day. As readers may (or may not) have noticed, I’ve become “something” of a fan of RubySnap cookies. They’re pretty amazing cookies. ‘Nuff said. SaraRules! took the girls there on Saturday and picked up a couple of this month’s cookie, Noelle: a sweet potato maple with milk chocolate & pecans, topped with a dallop of maple cream and a pecan half.

Wow…

SaraRules! and I both agreed: It was a seriously fantastic cookie. If you haven’t tried RubySnap cookies, I’m strongly suggesting – pretty much near insisting – that you do yourself a favor and stop in. Get a Noelle and see for yourself. You can thank me later.

Stray Toasters

• Kennedy Center honors five in performing arts
• Xbox Live Challenges Cable Box
• The New Xbox 360 Software: It’s Not About the Games
• 
• From Knee-to-Knee-to-CD: The Evolution of Oral Tradition in Mountain Ballads
• By way of my friend, Melissa: The Power of a Wink
• Plunging Deep (in Pockets) to See Titanic at 100
• 
• LEGO Christmas Tree, by way of
• By way of my MiL: Filling the Void: Looking for the Next Denzel, Sam, Morgan and Will
• How Music Affects the Brain and How You Can Use It to Your Advantage

Namaste.

Monday – 28 November 2011
Waking up and getting up has never been easy…

…especially after a five-day break. But, we do what we must. The alarm went off and up I got. On the plus side: I have fourteen (14) working days until Christmas break. I’m Ivory Soap sure that I can make it.

The weekend was a good one. There was some productivity. A good bit of laziness. And the upstairs Christmas tree (and some lights) are up. I might work on the downstairs tree tonight during Monday Night Football.

And, I neglected to post a picture of the girls in their Thanksgiving dresses. That shall be rectified now:

Stray Toasters

• It’s after Thanksgiving. I’m alright with Christmas music in stores and on the radio now.
• SIDENOTE: Lexus has a series of commercials in which Person A gives Person B some gift that plays a melody – apparently the Lexus “theme” – just before presenting Person B with a brand new car. My hang-up with the commercials is this: WHO THE HELL (outside of these commercials) KNOWS WHAT THE LEXUS THEME IS?!
  Seriously. The only reason I can (somewhat) recognize the music now is because the damned commercials aired eleventy-seven billion times over the past five days.
• Cyber Monday to bring increase in online threats
• 
• New Translation of Catholic Mass Makes Its Debut
• Would the World Be Better Off Without Religion?
• Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: The Giggle Loop
• In Egypt, Long Lines for a Vote Clouded by Army’s Role
• Christmas Gift Idea: The Zombie-Killing Weapons Used on ‘The Walking Dead’
• For SaraRules!: Sex Pistols imagined as a Hanna-Barbera cartoon
• Fugazi Rises Again, in Online Archive
• From the “Purple Monkey Dishwasher” file:

  

• Eating Canned Soup Makes BPA Levels Soar
• Invasive species are blight on U.S. landscape
• If Ghostbusters was a Dr. Seuss book

Namaste.

Thursday – 24 November 2011
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates it!

I think that I’m most thankful for my family and friends. After that comes the usual things like: Health. Happiness. Having a job (especially in this economy!).  Home.  (And the fact that the pipes didn’t freeze this year!)

This morning, SaraRules!, the girls and I did the Cottonwood Heights Thanksgiving 5K. We were a little late getting to the start (Kids + Concept of Planning = Yeah, right…), so I’m not sure that our chips made the official timekeeping start. So, I used my phone’s stopwatch to track our time. We came in at roughly 55:30. Not bad for not running AND for pushing a stroller up and down hills.

And, speaking of the girls (and to paraphrase A Few Good Men):

Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I’m entitled to.
Col. Jessep: *You want answers?*
Kaffee: I want the cuteness!
Col. Jessep: You can’t handle the cute!

Diana (left) and Vanessa

So much sugary-sweet cuteness. I tried to warn you.
(Bear suits courtesy of Jessica and Corey Shuman)

Today, there shall be family, food, and football. All of these are good things.

Workout
Before I neglect to post it (yet again): I actually made it to the gym on Tuesday night:

• Elliptical: 10 minutes, 0.9 miles
• Bench Press: 3 sets/8 reps, 155 lbs — I think I’m going to have to drop back to 135 lbs, until I get back in shape…
• Curls (dumbbell, seated): 3 sets/10 reps, 25 lbs
• Flys: 3 sets/10 reps, 80 lbs
• Compound Row: 3 sets/10 reps, 100 lbs
• Calf Raises: 3 sets/10 reps, 80 lbs

Stray Toasters
Closed for the Holiday.  Please check back tomorrow.

Namaste.

Monday – 21 November 2011
A new (and greatly abbreviated) work week is upon us. Today is my “Technical Thursday.” Which, I do believe, technically makes it a No Bad News Technical Thursday. So, it is written; so shall it be!

This was a good weekend, all around. Saturday, the girls and I had a few hours’ of Daddy-Daughter time, while SaraRules! went to lunch with a friend. While we didn’t get to as many places as we (okay, okay… as “I”) would have liked, we did manage to put in an appearance at RubySnap. (Natch!)

Yesterday, I was on the fence about sleeping in. At first, I decided to stay up (around 7 AM), about an hour later, I decided that it wasn’t worth it an crawled back into bed. And the girls woke up 20 minutes later. Thus, did the day begin. We had a good day. There was some errand-running. And football-watching. And, after the girls were asleep, TV-watching.

Speaking of the little ladies, here’s a dose of cuteness:

Vanessa (left) and Diana

Added bonus: The girls slept through the night. ALL THE WAY through the night. After we got them up and fed them, I decided to head into the office a little early, so that I can work a little extra time and not have to burn any leave for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Instant Replay: Football
Not only did the Ravens play yesterday, but it was televised here! So, Vanessa and I watched most of the game; SaraRules! and Diana came down to watch the second half with us.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
24 – 31
The Ravens hosted the 0-5 Bengals……and, without Ray Lewis, came away with a win. It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but it still goes in the “W” column.Former Ravens K Matt Stover was inducted into the Ring of Honor. And, with this win, the Ravens are (once again) #1 in the AFC North. Sorry, and .

.

Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings
27 – 21
The Raiders traveled to Minnesota and beat up on the (already downtrodden) Vikes.Congratulations, SaraRules! and .

.

Stray Toasters

• What Would Steve McQueen Wear Today?
• Hero Complex Holiday Gift Guide for 2011
• Reliable. Durable. Automatic. Kicker.

  

• Danger Mouse co-creator Mark Hall dies
• Quicksilver Comes Out to Magneto on Facebook
• I just had a very long “Monkey!” moment with someone who doesn’t ordinarily warrant the “monkey” sobriquet.
• Taking First Class-Coddling Above and Beyond
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Cockroach Chaos at 30,000 Feet! In-flight Infestation Leads to Lawsuit
• 
• Black Friday employees push back
• Romanian hacker accused of breaking into NASA server
• Orchestra Keeps Up Hunt to Fill Its Top Job
• 25 Worst Passwords 0f 2011

Namaste.

Thursday – 17 November 2011
Three down, one in the chamber and one to go. Hallelujah. While this hasn’t been a “bad” week, I was irritable/edgy from Sunday through yesterday. The best part: There was no reason to which I could attribute it. Just… bad mood. Period. *shrug* So far, today’s been good and I don’t feel as angst-ridden as the past few days. I consider that a good thing, especially as it’s No Bad News Thursday.

And, there’s football tonight!

Last night, and came by to visit. They caught us up on the latest goings-on. It was a nice way to spend the pre-putting-the-girls-to-bed part of the evening. After the girls were down for the night, I read most of last night’s four-color haul and then joined SaraRules! for an episode of TopGear.

Stray Toasters

• Tomorrow (Friday) is Take a Model Train to Work Day!
  I’m not sure if I’m going to bring in a new/different train, as my LEGO train is still here from last year.
• Imagining Housing for Today
• 4th Annual Machinima Expo
• Oregon Tests iPads as Aid to Disabled Voters
• Cookie-stuffed Cookies
  I think that this must be the “turducken” of desserts.
• Chief Sponsor Wavers on Web Censorship Bill in Charged Hearing
• 
• As New Graduates Return to Nest, Economy Also Feels the Pain
• Prime viewing ahead for Leonid meteor shower
• Congressional report slams TSA as bloated, ineffective

I believe that’s a wrap.

Namaste.

Tuesday – 15 November 2011
Pretty much hit the ground running today.  The girls were up at 5:30 to eat; by the time they were done, it was just about 6:00. Rather than: A) try to get a 25-minute nap or B) sleep through the alarm until (at least) 7:00, I decided to stay up and get ready for work. I was in the office a hair before 7:00. Less than a half-hour later, I was helping to prep a half-full server rack for shipping.

Bonus: The rack had no wheels.

Added bonus: We had to move it out of our office space, into our lobby, downstairs, across sheets of masonite — which we had to leap-frog — from our building through the building lobby to the attached building.. out the door and onto the truck.

Yeah. Today was most definitely one of those “We do more before 9 AM than most people do all day” kind of mornings.

Fortunately, there was coffee involved, as well.

Tonight, SaraRules! has another Justice League meeting. Thus, I’ll be getting a helping had in putting the hatchlings to bed from my sister-in-law.

Stray Toasters

• Last night, while Monday Night Football was showing commercials, I flipped over to The Sing-Off. Interesting show. I didn’t see all of the groups compete, but I enjoyed the three groups I did see. The group Vocal Point (from BYU) were voted off the show by the judges. This prompted A LOT of response from people on Facebook, apparently. Negative response. “I’ll never watch the show again” response.

  I don’t get it.

  Just because a person/group/entity/whatever that [you] like gets voted off a television show, is that really a reason to foreswear the show? To me, it’s kind of like vowing never to watch … NCIS after they killed off Mike Franks. *shrug*

• Missiles to protect London 2012 Olympics
• What to Wear and What Not to Wear to an Interview
• Tomorrow is American Censorship Day: Fight SOPA
• By way of my friend, Christine: League of Ordinary Gentlemen: Patient BW, DOB 2/16/1971
  , you might want to take a look at that.
• 
• Anonymous vows revenge over Occupy Toronto threats
• Hispanics Reviving Faded Towns on the Plains
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: PETA targets Mario over raccoon suit
• 
• Dresdan Codak
• Batman: the Least Believable Superhero
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Quote of the Day
Today’s quote comes from a Newsarama interview with John Hodgman:

Hodgman: One of the things I love in comics is serialized storytelling, but that can be a pitfall if you rely too much on what happened last week.

I’m not trying to start feuds. I’m really just expressing feelings of existential anxiety about where all superhero comics are.

And now I really do have to go…

Nrama: Okay, any last thoughts before you go?

Hodgman: I still love everything that Paul Levitz writes. Long Live the Legion!

And that’s that.

Namaste.