Random Access

Monday – 09 January 2012
A new week begins. My day started with cuddles from Little Miss Diana (Vanessa was still asleep), so how could my day be bad?

I’ll get this out of the way now:

Yeah. John Fox’s Denver Broncos hosted the guys from Steeltown… and won. To sum up my thoughts on the game, I turn to a paraphrasing of the words of S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury :

Nick Fury: You’ve been very busy […] you’re giving away all your stuff. You let your friend fly away with your suit playoff spot. Now, if I know better…
Tony Stark: [interrupts] You don’t know better. I didn’t give it to him. He took it.
Nick Fury: Whoa, whoa, whoa. He took it? You’re Iron Man Big Ben and he just took it? The little brother walked in there, kicked your ass and took your suit spot? Is that possible?

In this case, Nick Fury would be portrayed by Ball So Hard University’s Terrell Suggs and Tony Stark would be played by Ben Roethlisberger.

I’ve never been a huge Denver fan, but I was one yesterday. I was also glad to see that Coach Fox – formerly the head coach of the Carolina Panthers – was able to take his team to the playoffs and have a good showing.

Stray Toasters

• Cadillac ATS goes diesel to pluck BMW 3-Series buyers
• Badass of the Week: Dakota Meyer
• How to Investigate Your Elected Officials
• Hackers say they have Symantec’s Norton AV source code
• 
• A Tech Show Loses Clout as Industry Shifts
• Scrolling LEGO TV brings minifig Superman to life
• From m3lodywise and the “People Are Strange When You’re a Stranger” file comes this.
• Airbus Refuses to Ground A380s Despite Cracks in Their Wings

Namaste.

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.

Friday – 06 January 2012
Today’s my day off. I get to spend it with these cuties:

Diana

Vanessa

These shots were taken while the girls were having “tummy time.” (Look it up, if you’re not familiar with it.) At the moment, they’re taking a nap. I’m not sure what we’re going to do today after they wake up, but there may very well be a trip to Liberty Park involved. In fact, I’d say that I’m Ivory Soap sure that it will happen. There might also be a trip to Black Water Coffee Company in the cards, too.

 Stray Toasters

• The Space Shuttle Program Would Have Been 40 Today, Were It Still Around
• How to Work For NASA, the Easy Way
• Cartoon Network is airing an episode of Generator Rex, written by my friend, Jake. Check your local listings for viewing time in your area.
• The Mathematics of LEGO
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” and “She’s Got Stones” files: This Girl Snuck Into a Russian Military Rocket Factory

That’s it for now.

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.

Wednesday – 04 January 2012
Midweek is here already. Seems like the week just started. Oh, wait… it did.

Last night, I got home from work to discover that Vanessa had picked up a new trick from Diana: Blowing raspberries. Diana sussed out how to do it about a week ago — I first saw/heard her do it when getting ready to change her diaper.

If you’re not a parent, let me tell you that there’s almost nothing funnier than watching your infant daughters figure out “If I get lots of spit in my mouth and clench my lips and blow, it makes a funny sound!” I had a hard time changing the diaper because I was laughing so much. And the looks of concentration and determination on their faces when they are learning how to do this?  Priceless.

By now, Diana has raspberries down pat, so the “Okay, how do I do this again?” look has passed. Vanessa still makes the “thinking face,” though. SaraRules! has video of the girls doing this; I’ll see if I can get a copy posted in the next day or two.

Stray Toasters

• Wayne Brady (yes, that Wayne Brady) tweeted a link to a post on Dad or Alive. It’s a sad post, but a very good read.
• Terrell Suggs. T-Sizzle. Dean of Ball So Hard University. And, apparently not afraid to spar with ESPN’s Skip Bayless.
• Another parental truth:
  
• Survey: Developers still not doing enough to ensure security
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Town Breathes Easier as Frozen Dead Guy and His Festival Stay Put
• 
• Teachers Resist High-Tech Push in Idaho Schools
• I had dropped the DCnU Green Arrow after Issue #1, but after reading this interview, I might consider picking it back up.

Namaste.

Tuesday – 03 January 2012
I’m still trying to train my fingers to type “2012” rather than “2011.”  (Or “2112,” for that matter.)

It’s the first day back at work in two weeks. I won’t lie: There’s been some struggle in getting back into “work” mode. But, there strides have been made. I’ve even managed to accomplish a thing or two.

Yesterday afternoon and last night were – as I suspected they might be – long. After the girls’ four-month checkup (which went very well), SaraRules! and I headed to Black Water Coffee Company, to say “Hi” to Jim — our former neighborhood coffee shop owner.  BWCC is the second location of Pin-up Girl Espresso… which makes it (currently) the only location, at least until IHC finishes construction of a new facility in our neighborhood. It was good to see Jim and to catch up on a few things. And, getting a frozen mocha didn’t hurt, either. As the girls started to rouse, we headed home.

Diana and Vanessa were cranky, thanks in no small part to receiving their immunizations. After trying to get Vanessa to nap around 3:00 PM, she finally nodded off around 4:30. Of course, she refused to lie down, so I wound up with on my shoulder.

On the couch.

For an hour.

Although, I was glad that she slept. She needed it, as did Diana. On the back side of the nap (and before bedtime), they were intermittently happy and fussy. And there was little to no warning as to when their moods would change. Bedtime was a welcome thing. Fortunately, the little ladies headed to The Dreaming without too much ado. They slept until almost 5:00 AM this morning, which was also quite welcome.

After feeding the girls, I went back to bed. For reasons that I have yet to figure out, let alone explain, I had Will2K stuck in my head.

Yeah. Didn’t make it easy to fall asleep. But, I did and when the 6:30 alarm went off… I ignored it.  And the 7:00 alarm. And the 7:10 snooze. I finally got up at 7:30. I was good with that.

Stray Toasters

• My model railroad layout lost another 48 square feet last night. At this point, I’m not sure that I can still call it a “layout” as opposed to “that sheet of 4×8 that has a bunch of my train stuff on it.” Oh, well. This gives me an opportunity to verify all of the track sections that I have and get a better handle on what it is I want to do with it when I rebuild.
• Baby’s First Flowchart
• For SaraRules!: The Zombie Hammer, Now With Skull Ejector
• Wrong on so many levels, but funny:

  

• Physicists Seek to Lose the Lecture as Teaching Tool
• Genome Study Points to Adaptation in Early African-Americans
• I’m not a fan of bobble-heads, but I’d be willing to make an exception for this:

  

• Once the province of whites, Black South Africans embracing wine
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Sketching not permitted
• Hey, Anti-LEGO Feminists, “LEGO For Girls” Actually Kicks Ass

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.

Sunday – 25 December 2011

(Photograph by Jenny Porter of Serendipity Photography)

Saturday – 24 December 2011
It’s Christmas Eve. Over the past few days, I’ve taken some pictures of the way that our Christmas decorating has shaped up… and I thought I’d share:

Click here to see the rest of the pictures.

I hope that everyone has a safe and merry Christmas!

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Thursday – 22 December 2011
It’s another great NBN Thursday in the valley… and it’s made even better by the following: 1) It’s SaraRules!’ first day of vacation; 2) Hanging out with the girls; 3) A smattering of snow fell over the valley, clearing out the inversion. Individually, any of those is a good thing. Together, they’re a trifecta of awesome.

Speaking of the girls, here’s today’s dose of cuteness:

Last night, the girls spent their first night in their cribs. In their room. All night. It’s nice to be able to say that the girls – as well as SaraRules! and I – survived the experience just fine. The girls slept well, aside from Vanessa deciding that she didn’t want to go back to sleep after her 2:30 feeding. An hour later, she finally drifted off. They woke up again about 8:00. Hey, that counts as sleeping in.

Today, SaraRules!’ parents offered to watch the girls while we finished the last bits of Christmas shopping. We managed to squeeze in lunch (at Pawit’s Royale Thai) and a quick visit to Corey and Jessica before running all over Hell and half of Georgia. But, in the end: We finished.

Stray Toasters

• My Legion set arrived today. I’m not sure if I want to go through the whole process of wrapping it… or just stick a bow on it and call it good.
• I picked up my gift from my mother today, too. I promised her that I’d “…wrap it and act surprised when I opened it.”
• Confessions of a Comic Book Guy–Books of Kids Comics Vs. Kids Comic Books
• 
• Paul’s story changes on racial comments
• Methinks I’m either getting or ordering a new 360 tomorrow. Hallelujah!
• Counterfeit card maker pleads in ATM skimming bust
• Looking to Streamline Airport Security Screenings

Okay, that’s good for now.

Namaste.