Random Access

Wednesday – 26 January 2011
Midweek is upon us once again. Of course, that means that it’s Comics Wednesday. Additionally, it means that SaraRules! and I have another Sundance movie to attend; tonight’s movie is Perfect Sense.

It’s grey and foggy outside. I half expect to see creatures from Stephen King’s The Mist appear at any moment…

Last night, we had a quiet night in. I cooked dinner – chicken over rice (all cooked in cream of mushroom soup) with green beans – and we knocked out another couple of hours’ worth of DVR fare. After TV-watching, I went in to have another go at playing DC Universe Online.

I’d gotten another couple of responses from Sony’s Support Team, so I figured that I’d see what worked. The solutions worked better than before, but I still wound up crashing… but not before I got out of the introduction/tutorial. Finally. There are a couple of other things that I need to try before emailing the Support Team and telling them that their suggestions only partially worked.

Stray Toasters

• Straight out of the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Man fired for wearing Packers tie is offered new job
  So, let me get this straight: You fired a guy because he doesn’t like the same team as you…?  Idiotstick.
• F.D.A. and Dairy Industry Spar Over Testing of Milk
• Dubai’s World of Islands Is Sinking into the Sea
• 
  • • 10 Guinness Gaming Records You Didn’t Know Existed
• BBC World Service cuts outlined to staff
• Jos. A. Bank is having a sale on suits, sportcoats and blazers. I could use a couple of new blazers…
• “It’s the music that we choose…”
• For rent: Kennedy Space Center facilities, launch pads
• To Add Appeal, Olympics Borrow (Again) From X Games
• Coming soon: Wide Nose Dash-8. And it will come in CSX and Norfolk Southern livery.  *covet*

Namaste.

Monday – 24 January 2010
Well met, work week. Let us see what we can accomplish.

Yesterday, I met up with Chris and Jeremiah for a HeroClix game. We played 800 points, per player. Chris fielded his X-Force team, Jeremiah brought five White Lanterns, and I played the Teen Titans. The game lasted almost three hours and, in a rare twist, didn’t involve two of us ganging up against one player. It was probably one of the most balanced three-player games I’ve ever played. In the end, Jeremiah lost his team first, I came in second, with Chris winning.

After the game, I met SaraRules! at her parents’ place for dinner and football. Later in the evening, the two of us headed downtown for our fourth Sundance movie: Benavides Born. The movie told the story of Luz Garcia, a high school senior in a small Texas town. Her dream is to get put Benavides in her rear-view mirror. Her means for doing so is to secure a powerlifting scholarship to the University of Texas. The movie follows Luz as she competes, in hopes of winning a scholarship, and as she interacts with her family and friends. This is also a coming of age movie, as it deals with Luz learning what it takes to achieve her goal and dealing with the obstacles and setbacks that arise, making her dream seem unattainable. It was a very “human” and very good movie.

Instant Replay: Football
There were some only two games over the weekend: the AFC and NFC Championship Games. I only watched the AFC game:

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
19 – 24
The Jets flew into Heinz Field, coming off a big win against the New England Patriots. I don’t know what happened to the Jets in the first half, but they were completely shut down by the Steelers. Their run game was ineffective. There was almost no pass game. The were just… there. In the second half, the Jets remembered what they were there to do and played ball. Their game wasn’t perfect, but it was fairly solid, they posted sixteen (16) unanswered points, but their last defensive stand failed to stop the Steelers from attaining first downs, allowing them to run out the clock. And so, the Super Bowl game will see the Steelers taking on the Green Bay Packers. Guess I’m going to be a Packers’ fan.

Stray Toasters

• American Icons
• Art Exhibit Stirs Up the Ghosts of Zimbabwe’s Past
• Thanks to for pointing out the Model Railway Layouts Blog to me.
• Fitness guru Jack LaLanne dies at 96
• Why Papa Johns, Intel, others said no to Super Bowl ads
• 
• Frank Gehry’s Home for New World Symphony
• In Pursuit of Qubits, Uniting Subatomic Particles by the Billions
• Wizard and Toyfare magazines fold
  (Which really seems about 3 to 5 years overdue…)
• 
• This is a good multi-genre mash-up: The Walken Dead
• Comics Code Authority is dead

Bang. Zoom.

Namaste.

Sunday – 16 January 2011
So far, it’s been a quiet and grey morning in the valley.

I slept in a bit and then headed over to Rich’s Bagels. Sunday breakfast with SaraRules!, bagels and Ray Charles in the background… can’t really go wrong there. Later today, I’m heading over to and Jack’s for D&D; we’re playing catch-up, so that our game is back on-schedule. Then, there will be dinner with the in-laws. After that, possibly a movie or a couple episodes of Mad Men.

Yesterday was a busy day. It started with breakfast with SaraRules! and Rachel at Millcreek Cafe and Eggworks. Next, SaraRules!, Jana, and I went to brunch (Market Street Broiler) and the matinee performance of Spring Awakening. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I quite enjoyed it. It was an interesting play; it was set in the late 1800s, but the music was mostly modern rock. I found that the dichotomy worked well, with the music providing an interesting undertone for the angst and rebellious thoughts/natures of the youths.

After Spring Awakening, we came back home and I watched my recording of the Ravens-Steelers game. (More on that in a moment.) Then, it was time to get ready for Utah Opera’s Hansel and Gretel.

The performance also featured Angela and Kate (two of the Utah Opera’s Resident Artists), as “The Dew Fairy” and “The Sandman,” respectively. It was a… “fun”… opera, and more light-hearted than many/most operas that I’ve seen. There were a couple of special effects that added to the enjoyment of the performance, most notably the “dancing broom.”

Instant Replay: Football
There were some good games over the weekend… even though I missed both of Saturday’s games.

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
24 – 31
The Ravens, coming off last week’s big win over the Chiefs, flew into Heinz Field to take on the Steelers for the third time this season. The first half of the game was fantastic. The Ravens worked rather well on both sides of the ball, while the Steelers had… “some issues.” The Ravens went into halftime with a 21-7 lead. I don’t know exactly “what” happened in the second half. Complacency? Overconfidence? Whatever it was, the teams seemed to switch playbooks — the Steelers came on like gangbusters, while the Ravens looked more like the Keystone Kops. It was both sad and disappointing. And with that, the Ravens’ season comes to a 13-5 end. While I’m sad that they didn’t hold on for the win, I am glad that they had such a good season – it speaks well to the commitment of the staff, management and players. Lewis: “We’ll be back.”

Stray Toasters

• Tomorrow, I’m going to be working at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore for my  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service project.



• , have you seen this: Here’s Your Chance to Own the Real Batmobile
• As the son of teachers (and having a few friends who are teachers, as well), I think that everyone should check out Classroom Superheroes.
• The Monkeys You Ordered
• I am a little more than halfway done with The Professional. Hopefully, the ending will be more satisfying than Rough Weather.
• Museum of Sex exhibition about sex and comic books
• In in today’s “Weather vs. Technology” lesson, Flooding in Australia:

• My new desktop is up and running. Now, all I need is for DCUO to show up…

Time to get ready for gaming.

Namaste.

Saturday – 15 January 2011
The sun is having a go at the clouds… and seems to be winning.

SaraRules! and I just got back from breakfast with Rachel (one of the MFAs from SaraRules!’ class). We went to Millcreek Cafe and Eggworks. Both the food and the company were very good.

That was also the start of a busy day: Next up, we’re having lunch with Jana and and the lot of us are going to see Spring Awakening at Kingsbury Hall. Then, it will be back home for a bit to get ready for the opening of Utah Opera’s  Hansel and Gretel. Yeah, it’s going to be a busy and arts-filled day.

The only down side is that the AFC Division Game between the Ravens and the Steelers. Fortunately, I have a DVR and it will watch the game for me… in a manner of speaking. So, God willin’ and the creek don’t rise, I’ll get to see the game tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. (NOTE: I’m going to be pretty much ignoring calls and messages this afternoon — partly because of the musical and the opera, partly because I don’t want the game spoiled for me.)

And with that… let the games begin!

Namaste.

Thursday – 13 January 2011
This NBN Thursday morning finds the sun, visible today, creeping over the mountains. There’s still a bit of inversion haze over parts of the valley, but being able to see the sun – as opposed to a “slightly brighter spot in the sky” – is nice.

Last night was D&D game night with m3lody and company. Our opponents for last night’s encounter laid a good, old-fashioned beat-down on us. It was not pretty. We prevailed, but there was a lot of near-death dealt to our group.

SaraRules! rented, and we watched, The Town last night. It was good. The story, followed Ben Affleck’s character, Doug MacRay, and his heist crew, as they engaged in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with the Boston Police Department and the FBI, following a bank robbery. MacRay complicates things even further due to an attraction to one of the robbery victims. The movie also contained what SaraRules! called one of the best bits of dialogue… ever:

Doug MacRay: I need your help. I can’t tell you what it is, you can never ask me about it later, and we’re gonna hurt some people.
James Coughlin: …Whose car we takin’?

Stray Toasters

• For reasons that I have yet to discern, I woke up with the chorus from Richard Marx’ Hazard running through my head.
• Obama’s Message in Grief: Talk in a Way That Heals
  • Text of President Obama’s Speech at the Service
    

    If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate — as it should — let’s make sure it’s worthy of those we have lost. Let’s make sure it’s not on the usual plane of politics and point-scoring and pettiness that drifts away in the next news cycle.

    The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better. To be better in our private lives, to be better friends and neighbors and coworkers and parents.  And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their death helps usher in more civility in our public discourse, let us remember it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy — it did not — but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to the challenges of our nation in a way that would make them proud.

• Suggs Plays the Villain
• Tense time for workers, as career paths fade away
• As the Web Turns
• For Ms. :



• China, in a Shift, Takes on Its Alzheimer’s Problem
• Carnival Cruise Lines to pull out of San Diego
  • Thanks to too much time spent on Q-Link as a kid, I always want to type “San Diego” as “Sandy Eggo.”
• Harvard psychologist explains the science of zombies
• Spec Fic Parenting: This, My Son, Is a Sword

And that, as they say, is that.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 12 January 2011
It’s midweek, which means that it’s Comics Wednesday.
As for returning the “sushi” to Wednesdays, well that’s something that we’ll have to see how it develops… but last night, the missus and I had dinner at Tsunami, so the sushi craving has been abated for the time being.

SaraRules! and I, along with Melissa and her friend, Kate, went to see The King’s Speech after dinner.

We had heard a number of glowing reviews from friends who had seen it, so it seemed like a fairly safe bet. At least in my case, friends’ comments didn’t do it justice. It was a fantastic film. Colin Firth did an excellent job as Albert, Duke of York (and later, King George VI). Geoffrey Rush was equally good in his role as Lionel Logue.  And, this was the first movie in some time in which I’ve seen Helena Bonham Carter act and didn’t just want to shake my head and go, “Really…?!  This again?!” She was… charming… in her role as Queen Elizabeth. This was a wonderful bit of cinema, proving that you don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on special effects in order to tell a compelling story.

Stray Toasters

• I pre-ordered DC Universe Online: Collector’s Edition two months ago, because I wanted perks that came with it.
  The game went live yesterday.
  I received an email from Best Buy – at 11:09 PM last night – saying that it was “backordered.”
  I am not happy.
• 
• A Pink Lambo? Well, It’s Personal
• Face-Lift for Met’s Costume Institute
• The Onion‘s take on an extended football season:

  Onion SportsDome

• Credit scores get easier to track down and less secretive
• Battle Is Set as Verizon Adds iPhone
• 
  (And for those who don’t get the ‘Poser’ double entendre, click here.)
• This American Life: The Invention of Money
• Ten Awesome Things Most People Don’t Know About PHP
• James Bond Returns! And Not a Moment Too Soon!

Quote of the Day
Today’s quote comes from Derek Hunter, a local writer and illustrator:

Nitpick about your looks all you like, but let’s face it ladies, you’re all pretty gorgeous.

Know what?  He’s right.

Namaste.

Monday – 10 January 2011
A new work week begins. This one actually has some blue sky and sun associated with it. Of course, there is still a good bit of haze about the valley, but I’ll take what I can get.

Yesterday, and came over to watch the Ravens-Chiefs game. Nox brought Josh and Sabriel with him; both of the kids did a good job of entertaining themselves while we yelled at the television watched the game. After the Ravens-Chiefs game, we flipped over to the Packers-Eagles game, which was also a good contest.

After football was over, SaraRules! fixed dinner: Homemade beef barley soup, squash and dinner rolls. ‘Twas very good. After dinner, we played Trivial Pursuit and then I somehow convinced her to watch Smokey and the Bandit. It might not be the world’s best movie, but it’s one of my favorites — if I believed in “guilty pleasures,” it would be one of mine. (If memory serves me correctly, I believe that my father took me to see it in the theatre… three times.) I learned a couple of interesting things about the movie, thanks to IMDb:

• The second highest grossing movie released in 1977 next to Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
• Was a Guilty Pleasure of Alfred Hitchcock according to his daughter Patricia Hitchcock

After the movie, I finished up Rough Weather and called it a night.

Instant Replay: Football
There were some good games over the weekend… even though I missed both of Saturday’s games.

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
30 – 7
The Ravens and Chiefs met at Arrowhead Stadium for the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game. The Ravens came to play some serious ball, too. After leading 10-7 at halftime, the Ravens went on to score another 20 unanswered points and seal the deal. Next stop: Heinz Field on Saturday, for a meeting with AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

Joe…?  Derrick…? You guys just scalped the Chiefs and are going to the Division game against the Steelers!  How do you feel about that?

Yeah, I’d be passing around the high-fives, too!  Congratulations!

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
21 – 16
The Packers and Eagles faced off in Philly… …and the Pack came away with the win There was a lot of post-game talk about the two missed field goals by Eagles’ P David Akers… six points which would have secured a Philadelphia win. Should’a. Could’a. Would’a. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers move on to face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

.

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
17 – 16
Last week, I was worried about the Ravens having to face the Indianapolis Professional Football Club in the playoffs. More specifically, I was worried about the teams having to meet yesterday. Fortunately, Indy lost last week’s game and the Ravens wound up taking on the Chiefs. Saturday, Mark Sanchez and the Jets eliminated Indy – and the last Manning standing – from the playoffs. I only wish that I had seen that game.

.

New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
36 – 41
Are the Seahawks this year’s Cinderella team? They upset last year’s Cinderella and have their sights on da Bears in next weekend’s matchup.

Stray Toasters

• SaraRules! tested out a very good blueberry pancake recipe for breakfast yesterday.
  I have third-party independent verification of this, as young Ms. Sabriel packed away two of them, herself.
• It wasn’t a workout, per se, but I walked up five of the six flights of stairs to get into the office this morning. I’m thinking that I might challenge myself to do it at least once a day during the work week.
• Federal Charges in Giffords Shooting Cite Assassination Plan
• TV ‘Wonder Woman’ Not Going at This Time
• Taking a trip into history with the Freedom Riders
  • The Freedom Riders movie referenced on the second page of the article is the one that SaraRules! and I saw last year at the Sundance Film Festival.  If you have a chance to see it, I highly recommend it.
• 
• Library of Congress Gets a Mile of Music
• Theme park giant’s ups, downs lead to investor showdown
• Muslim and Christian, Egyptians stand together against violence

I don’t know when it happened, but most of the haze has burned off and you can now see across the valley.

Namaste.

Sunday – 09 January 2011
Typing “2011” still feels a little “off” to my fingers.

It started snowing again last night. I haven’t made it to a window to see how deep the snowfall is yet. I’m hoping for the light, powdery snow, as opposed to heavy, wet snow.

Yesterday, I judged another HeroClix tournament at Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection. The turnout was good; there were ten players. The tourney was a “constructed” event, with players having to build a 300-point team, utilizing at least one figure from the new set. Once again, first and second places were separated by only three (3) points. After the tournament, I got into a 6-player game with some of the guys. 1,000 points per player. One map. We split into two teams of three. I played the Black Lantern Corps:

• Black Hand
• Kal-L
• Martian Manhunter
• Nekron
• Scar

I also used the Black Lantern object. I was rather pleased with how well the team worked and how useful the figures’ abilities were, despite having my pieces eliminated first. I can’t be too upset about that though: The other team saw my figs as threats… and, quite frankly, I would have done the same, were situations reversed. It was a fun – and very long – game.

After I got home, I watched Resident Evil: Afterlife with SaraRules!, and later introduced her to The Thomas Crown Affair. While somewhat entertaining, Afterlife was not a good movie. It also had more “bullet time” than all three Matrix movies, combined! (“Hey! Our movie’s crap… let’s use lots of slow-motion to make it seem cool!”) Thomas Crown, on the other hand, was both entertaining and good. It had been a long time since I’d seen it and it made me want to see the 1968 original version, with Steve McQueen.

Resident Evil: Afterlife –
The Thomas Crown Affair –

Instant Replay: Football
In a couple of hours, the Ravens will face the Chiefs in today’s AFC Wild Card Playoff Game.

Stray Toasters

• In the span of less than 24 hours, we went from this to this.
  I can’t say that either event instills me with lots of hope for humanity…
  • Born, died between two tragedies
• With all of the negative news items that get posted about NFL players, it’s nice to read an article that focuses on the positive side of a player’s off-field life. What makes it even better, at least for me, is that it’s about a Baltimore Ravens player: TE Todd Heap.
• Profile Valet for Android
• 
• I (finally) picked up Call of Duty: Black Ops the other day.  I may give it a try later this afternoon or evening.
• From the “Isn’t It Ironic…?” file: US Government Strategy to Prevent Leaks, Is Leaked
• To say that I “enjoy” Cee-Lo’s Fuck You would be something of an understatement. It’s a song, with a catchy and danceable beat… and it’s just “fun.” So, what could possibly make it even more entertaining?

  Thanks to for pointing this out!

• South Sudan Poised to Create New Nation
• Can sitting too much kill you?
• The Definitive Classification System for T-Shirts

Time to find something to do (hopefully, other than shovel snow) until and get here for the football game…

Namaste.

Tuesday – 04 January 2011
In the words of The Pretenders, I’m “back on the chain gang.” 
Of course, as Big Daddy Kane said, “A Job Ain’t Nothin’ but Work.”
So far, the transition back to the working world hasn’t been too painful. And I actually remembered how to log into my systems, so that’s an added bonus.

Last night, I set up a couple of the 2’x4′ boards on my layout. Now, my rail yard is 4’x10′ long…

…and the base of the “U” is on  sawhorses and a board, rather than a 2″x4″ blocks… on a board… on a filing cabinet. I also extended the passing track by 10″, for no other reason than “because I could.”

SaraRules! and I had a quiet evening in, catching up on episodes of NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles. I find it amusing and somewhat ironic that I had two weeks off but didn’t catch up on very much of the DVR content.

Stray Toasters

• Our company gave us yesterday off.
  A number of people weren’t aware of this and showed up yesterday.
• Something old, something new at the Utah Symphony
• For Tolstoy and Russia, Still No Happy Ending
• By way of :



• Spider-Man’s ‘dad,’ Stan Lee, to get his Hollywood star
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Research babies
• 
• Struggling Borders to Meet with Publishers
• Temporary zombie tattoos by Mitch O’Connell
• There seem to be a lot of shake-ups (and a few break ups) in the NFL today.

Lunch is over; back to the grind.

Namaste.

Monday – 03 January 2011
Today is the last day of my vacation; our robot overlords gave us the day off. (Did I say “overlords?” I meant “protectors.”) Tomorrow, the new work year begins. Fortunately, this is the week with my 9/80 “off” Friday, allowing me to ease into this whole “working” thing again.

So far, 2011 has been alright. After playing ‘Clix with Chris on Saturday morning, SaraRules! and I headed up to her parents’ place for a New Years’ food and football. ‘Twas good. After that, we headed to the theatre and caught Tron: Legacy. I enjoyed it; SaraRules! didn’t. And, that’s not to say that I didn’t have a couple of issues with the movie, but it was entertaining.

Sunday started with and me hitting the local Lowe’s and Home Depot. He was kind enough to offer his time – and Jeep – to allow me to pick up and transport more sawhorses, plywood and foam for my growing railroad. I still need to set up the saw horses and paint the foam. All in due time. I also need to start thinking about more permanent railroad structures — SaraRules!’ father is going to help me frame and finish the basement in the not-too-distant future. He also gave me a couple of ideas about extending my layout… vertically. I was intrigued with his idea and haven’t ruled anything out yet.

We headed back up to the in-laws’ for New Years’ leftovers. (Every bit as good the day after as they were the day of…) We watched a little football and then headed home to watch The Godfather: Part II, which I don’t believe I’d ever seen before. It was good… quite good, but I had a little bit of a rough time following the corollaries between the flashbacks and the “present day,” until the end of the movie.

Today, I met Perry and a couple of his kids for coffee. I also worked a little on a drawing that has been stagnating in my sketchbook for the better part of 10 months. It felt good to get something – anything – done on it.

Instant Replay: Football

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
7 – 13
The boys from Cincy came Baltimore to wrap up the final week of regular season play. Bonnie and Clyde… I mean, Batman and Robin… I mean “T.O. and Ocho” didn’t play, though. That’s fine, because the Ravens seemed to have a tough enough time dealing with Bengals’ QB Carson Palmer, despite FS Ed Reed’s two interceptions.But, nevertheless, the Ravens wound up coming away with  “W,” and that’s always a good thing in my book. Sorry, and .

Ray! Hey, Ray!  Hey… yeah, so you guys just beat a division rival, are going to the Playoffs for the third straight year – a team record – and you don’t have to face Indy in the first round!  How does that make you feel?

Yeah, I bet it does feel pretty sweet!

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
31 – 10
The Raiders went to Arrowhead Stadium and scalped the Chiefs. They finished the season 8-8, their best record in seven (7) years! They also set a curious record: It marked the first time that a team has swept their division (6-0), but did NOT make it into the playoffs. Congrats, SaraRules! and 1silver_seraph.

.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
10 – 31
I don’t know what it is about the Panthers and teams with bird-themes, but once again, they managed to lose. There’s always next season, I guess…

.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
7 – 38
The ‘Fins dropped this one to the Pats. ‘Nuff said.

Stray Toasters

• This post, from made me grin this morning.
• Class Decides Whether to Donate Professor’s Kidney
• Actor Pete Postlethwaite dies
• 
• Into the Tunnels: Exploring the Underside of NYC
• Courting Disaster: Family Ties
• 
• Body of former Pentagon official found in landfill
• How to stay safe at a public Wi-Fi hotspot

Namaste.

Saturday – 01 January 2010
Welcome to 2011.

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 a small gathering of friends and family over for a Kwanzaa potluck dinner. The company and the food were wonderful. Wine flowed. All was well with our little corner of the world.

After dinner, SaraRules and I decided to stay in for the evening. We played a little Guitar Hero until it was time to switch over to watch the ball drop in Times Square. As poor as we thought that Dick Clark looked and sounded last year, he seems to have deteriorated even more rapidly.  I think it’s time to pass the torch to Ryan Seacrest.

Today has been good. The day started off with Chris coming over to play ‘Clix. Since the release of the DC 75th Anniversary set had new Lanterns in it, we played the Green Lantern Corps (Chris) versus the Violet Lantern Corps/Star Sapphires (me). Chris pretty much mopped the floor with me and my force, but it was fun. And, it was also fun to play a group that I’d never fielded before.

Now, we’re at the in-laws’ for football and food.  Yeah, this is a good way to start the year.

I hope that everyone has a safe and happy 2011.
Be well.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 29 December 2010
It’s midweek… which means that it’s Comics Day! It is also rather windy here. According to The Weather Channel’s website, it’s 37F outside.  I haven’t seen any snow yet, but that’s not to say that it isn’t in the area.

I went to The Apple Store yesterday to have my BlacBook’s battery checked out – it was developing a couple of ugly bulges. I learned that my AppleCare warranty had expired 50 days ago. (Well, “51,” now…) Brad, the Apple Genius with whom I spoke, said that since I’d had no warranty claims with my MacBook, he’d just go ahead and replace the battery… at no charge!  WIN!

I left the store and dropped in to say a quick “Hi” to SaraRules! (Her office is close to The Gateway.) When I left there, I wasn’t ready to head home and wanted to check out a hobby shop or two. So, I headed north. I wound up in Layton and Clearfield. I checked out the Hobby Lobby in Layton; I was even more disappointed with their model railroad selection that I am with the store in Sandy. (And that’s saying something.) From there, I headed to Almosta Junction. That was (kind of) a mistake. They had A LOT of things that are going on The Covet List; foremost among them was:

These things are getting hard to find. They also had a selection of rolling stock, other accessories and a couple of books that I wouldn’t be ashamed to add to my collection.  Nevertheless, I walked out of the store empty-handed. *sigh* I considered heading up to Ogden and checking out The Wonderful World of Trains, but I think I’ll wait until Friday… assuming the weather holds up and that is interested in and available to go.

Once I got back home, I cooked dinner.  Last night’s fare was baked chicken, with seasoned collard greens and rice. SaraRules! and I watched the Vikings-Eagles game. I was expecting a “good” game, but got more than I had anticipated. Minnesota QB Joe Webb had a pretty outstanding performance… especially when you consider that he was drafted as a wide receiver! On the flip side, Philadelphia QB Michael Vick had a decent game, but his offensive line leaked like a sieve. He got sacked six times and was almost always under pressure.

After the game, SaraRules! and I went to the gym:

• Bench Press: 3 sets/8 reps, 165 lbs
• Squats: 2 sets/10 reps, 80 lbs (I think…)
• Flys: 3 sets/10 reps, 100 lbs
• Seated Row: 2 sets/12 reps, 100 lbs
• Push-ups: 2 sets/10 reps
• Step-ups: 2 sets/8 reps per leg, 25 lb dumbbells
• Jackknifes: 2 sets/15 reps

And, later in the evening (which really translates to: “Far too late at night/early in the morning”), I made good on my threat to tear out my railroad’s rail yard:

• Old and busted:

• New hotness:

Yeah… I’m pretty happy with it.  For now. I still want to add two more left-hand switches near the top of the yard: One for another spur, the other to complete a pass-through to the main line.

All told, I’d say that it was a pretty good day.

Now I need to figure out what I want to do with the rest of today…

Namaste.

Tuesday – 28 December 2010
It’s quiet around here again.  Things are returning to what passes for “normal” around here.

I just talked with my mother and uncle — they both made it home, although MUCH later than either of them had anticipated. Thanks to a three-hour delay getting out of SLC, my parents didn’t get home until almost 0100 AM EST. My uncle didn’t fare any better, as he made it into and out of Chicago with no problem… but couldn’t land in White Plains. At least, not the first time. His flight was re-routed to Hartford for refueling and then went back to White Plains. He got home after 0200 AM. But… everyone made it home safely.

Last night, I had dinner with my in-laws, before they took Meliko to the airport. We went for Mexican food at El Chihuahua. I had the beef enchiladas; they were good. After dinner, I met at MacCool’s for the last Monday Night Football broadcast of the season: The Saints at the Falcons. It was a very good game and pretty much came down to the last few minutes. Add to that a couple of Black and Pumpkin beers and an order of Finn’s Skins and it made for a good evening in good company.

Stray Toasters

• I’m thinking (seriously) about tearing out my rail yard and reconfiguring it. Again.
• 1980s cartoon intros in other languages
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” and the “People Are People” files: Harry Potter actress in hiding after death threats
• Coded American Civil War Message in Bottle Decoded
• 
• Big Bird Behind the Beak – A Look Behind the Feathers
• Infographic: Bad Science in Movies Chart
• Despite the fact that I left my old web hosting company nearly three months ago, I still get email from them.  (No, I’m not still getting billed by them.)

I should probably start getting ready to face the day.

Namaste.

Monday – 27 December 2010
It’s quiet around here. VERY quiet. It’s amazing how “quiet” it is, in fact. I guess that’s just one of the things you notice when you go from having five people in the house to being alone at home.

I had a fantastic Christmas. It was made even better by the fact that I was able to have (most of) my family here — we’re looking at ways to get Kris out here later in the season or this Spring/Summer.  We started some new traditions this year (Christmas Eve spaghetti dinner and Christmas morning mimosas) and incorporated some of our favorites as well. The man in the red suit did me a good turn this year; he brought me:

• A couple of really nice sweaters
• A pair of boots (…which I need to send back because they were both for the right foot)
• An overcoat and scarf
• A new pair of lounge pants… with the Ravens’ logo on ’em!
• A couple of passenger platforms for my railroad
• A LEGO Creator set
• Buckyballs
• A “gift certificate” to Dr. Volt’s or The Train Shoppe (Woo!)
• A Sawz-All
• A new train set

SaraRules! and I got a couple of very nice gifts as a couple, too.  So, I can honestly say that I had a very good Christmas this year.

Saturday, before heading to SaraRules!’ parents’ place for dinner, I took the family up to Brighton — I figured that since they had come all this way to visit, the least that I could do was take them for a drive up one of the canyons and let them see the mountains. I think that they were taken aback a bit at how truly “big” the mountains are here. They were also a bit surprised when I told them the elevation.

After the drive, we met up with SaraRules’ side of the family for dinner. We had a magnificent feast with all kinds of foods: brisket, ham, borscht, mixed vegetables, roasted root vegetables, breads, potatoes and more! All of it was wonderfully prepared.

Sunday, we got up and took my folks to Music and the Spoken Word. My mother has mentioned many times that she wanted to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but hadn’t been able to get out her to do so. But, with retirement comes time… and, fortunately, we were able to make it in to see this week’s recording.

After the broadcast, we went up to Park City for brunch at Cisero’s. It started to snow shortly after we arrived, but was coming down a little more heavily as we left Park City and headed down Parley’s Canyon. After we got in, we settled in for a relatively quiet afternoon at home. Later in the afternoon, we took my uncle down to the Cathedral of the Madeleine and picked up dinner.

This morning, SaraRules got up for work and I got up to take my family to the airport. It was really nice to have them here for the long weekend; I’m glad that they were able to come out.  (Now, I just have to get Kris out here…) We got everyone to their respective flights on time, although I got a call from my mother a little while ago saying that her plane was grounded because of a “mechanical problem.” I’m waiting to see if/when they get boarded on another plane and how that will affect their connection home.  My uncle, on the other hand, might not get out of Chicago – or at least not to his home airport – thanks to the snowstorm that hit the northeast over the weekend. We’ll see how everything shakes out.

Stray Toasters

• How was your Christmas?
• The Ravens beat the Browns and secured a spot in the playoffs!
• Five Best Resources for Free Games
• Teena Marie dies at 54; R&B singer-songwriter
  • Lovergirl
    
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Man Faces Five Years in Jail — for Reading Wife’s Emails
• I need to replace the battery on my MacBook. This one has developed a “bulge.”  You know, the “This battery has reached the end of its useful life cycle…” kind.
• Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

It seems as though my parents made it out of here… nearly three hours late.  But, they’re in the air.

Now, it’s time to find some trouble to get into.

Namaste.

Friday – 24 December 2010
It’s Christmas Eve.
My uncle will be here in a few hours, as will Meliko; we’re still waiting to see if Kristen will be able to make it.

My mom and stepfather got into town about noon yesterday. We spent the afternoon and evening in; we had lunch and sat around and talked for a bit.  Later, Mom tagged Christmas gifts – she and Kris had shipped them here earlier in the week – and then we watched the Panthers take on the Steelers on Thursday Night Football. It was seriously like watching David take on Goliath… except this time, Goliath knew what was up and completely manhandled David. The final score was 27 – 3; I was just happy that the Panthers put some points on the board. After the ‘rents went to bed, SaraRules! and I watched the mid-season finale to Fringe and an episode of Burn Notice.

SaraRules! and I are heading to the gym in a bit; I think that my stepdad is going to join us… if he’s awake. (He and Mom were up at 0330 yesterday to make their first flight, so I can understand and appreciate that they’re “a little” tired.) Later, we’re all going to lunch with SaraRules!’ parents. Pat’s Barbecue.  Mmmm. I think that there will be a little shopping done and then it will be off to the airport to pick up Uncle Ronnie and Meliko – their flights gets in around the same time).

Workout
And…. we’re back. My stepfather didn’t join us, after all. The workout was short and sweet:

• Bench Press: 3 sets/8 reps, 155 lbs
• Deadlifts (barbell): 2 sets/8 reps, 70 lbs
• Curls (dumbbell): 2 sets/10 reps, 25 lbs
• Shoulder Press (dumbbell): 2 sets/10 reps, 35 lbs
• Lat Pulldown: 2 sets/10 reps, 110 lbs
• Lunges: 2 sets/8 steps per leg, 20 lb dumbbells
• Crunches (Swiss ball): 2 sets/15 reps

Stray Toasters

• It’s been fun having my parents here.  There… I said it.  (And meant it.)
• 
• America has a serious drug problem
• Hyperbole and a Half: The Year Kenny Loggins Ruined Christmas
• What Happens When You Steal a Hacker’s Computer
• 
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Pearl comes out of ear 41 years later
• Wright’s ‘Falling Water’ in gingerbread
• California beaches ‘contaminated’ after rain storms

And, just in case I don’t get back on here tomorrow (or later tonight): I hope that everyone has a safe and very merry Christmas.

Namaste.