I came across a great blog today, whilst sitting back with a nice cold one, and smiled to myself once again about what a cool age of technology we get to enjoy.
I've got an extension on my iTunes called iLike, and while you're listening to songs in your library, it tells you about other "related artists" you own, and allows you to build a quick instant playlist with similar artists (which is great for a quick "on-the-go" playlist for your iPod). It also tells you about related artists you may want to get (and gives you links to learn more about them, and then a section from similar up and coming artists who can post their free mp3s for download).
But, what I like best is that it gives you 8 profiles for other iLike people who are listeners to the artist you are currently listening to. Well, during one of those songs, I was clicking on a few of the profiles, and I came across this woman who matched me pretty evenly music-wise, and on her profile, she had a link to her blog. I then found the blog I mentioned above.
A long story, I suppose, for a brief moment of epiphonic enjoyment (okay, I totally made that up, but the alliteration - or in this case illiteration - was worth it). Regardless, I now have a new blog to enjoy and a smile on my face.
10.19.2007
10.01.2007
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Bonjour, tout le monde...
I hope everyone has been doing well while I haven't checked in lately. Things have been tumultuous in the Monkey household lately. There are a few who have heard, and some who haven't...but for those who haven't, I'll let you in. I lost my job a couple of weeks ago, and have been in heavy-duty job search mode since. It really couldn't have come at a more inopportune time, but come it did. So, I had to suck it up and find some work right away. I was very fortunate, and had a few opportunities present themselves right away. I only heard back from a couple of those, but one of the jobs I heard back from was for a job working with Mac computers again. I had a job several years back that I really loved, and one of the reasons I really loved it was that it was a great learning opportunity. This job offered a return to that industry and a position with even more responsibility. I accepted their offer today and should begin work with them later this week.
One of the other great bonuses to this job - less than 5 minutes from my house. I could very literally ride my bike to work if I so chose. I may do that a few times this fall when the weather gets to be accommodating enough.
At home, things are going quite well. I used to refer to my wife as LampLover on here...long story, but those who read her blog knew the story...but since she hasn't updated her blog in over a year and a half, I think I'll just refer to her as Mrs. Monkey. Plus, I get to call her a monkey. *snicker* Hey, it's only fair....
If you haven't seen the pictures of my adorable little son, click HERE without hesitation. I need to get some more pictures to my father-in-law so he can update the site with some more recent pictures. But, the little baby monkey is growing like crazy, and making this house a very happy home. A tired and cranky home sometimes, but a very happy one indeed.
And now....random monkey. And monkeys making out.
You know what you did,
-WM
I hope everyone has been doing well while I haven't checked in lately. Things have been tumultuous in the Monkey household lately. There are a few who have heard, and some who haven't...but for those who haven't, I'll let you in. I lost my job a couple of weeks ago, and have been in heavy-duty job search mode since. It really couldn't have come at a more inopportune time, but come it did. So, I had to suck it up and find some work right away. I was very fortunate, and had a few opportunities present themselves right away. I only heard back from a couple of those, but one of the jobs I heard back from was for a job working with Mac computers again. I had a job several years back that I really loved, and one of the reasons I really loved it was that it was a great learning opportunity. This job offered a return to that industry and a position with even more responsibility. I accepted their offer today and should begin work with them later this week.
One of the other great bonuses to this job - less than 5 minutes from my house. I could very literally ride my bike to work if I so chose. I may do that a few times this fall when the weather gets to be accommodating enough.
At home, things are going quite well. I used to refer to my wife as LampLover on here...long story, but those who read her blog knew the story...but since she hasn't updated her blog in over a year and a half, I think I'll just refer to her as Mrs. Monkey. Plus, I get to call her a monkey. *snicker* Hey, it's only fair....
If you haven't seen the pictures of my adorable little son, click HERE without hesitation. I need to get some more pictures to my father-in-law so he can update the site with some more recent pictures. But, the little baby monkey is growing like crazy, and making this house a very happy home. A tired and cranky home sometimes, but a very happy one indeed.
And now....random monkey. And monkeys making out.
You know what you did,
-WM
8.01.2007
Reconnecting to my Musical Roots
Over the past few months, I've really been reconnecting with a vital part of my "youth" (14-24 yrs old, anyway): my music. God bless iTunes, my iPod (and Apple, by proxy, for those two things), large hard drives and technology in general. I have my entire music library uploaded onto iTunes, and thanks to a good friend, I have about quadrupled my library with additions from outside sources. Plus, this same friend is as much of a music junkie as I am (if not moreso), and I finally have someone to nerd out at the music store with. Very awesome.
LL is doing well, for all those wondering. Life has been going by at triple speed. Much like my stupid Time Warner DVR and remote, when I try to slow it down by pressing the little pause button on the remote, it complete ignores me and keeps going at breakneck speed. I'm just trying to gather in everything I can.
Little C - as I will refer to the monkeyling on here - is healthy and apparently happy, aside from bouts of hiccups and restlessness. His room is all ready and waiting for him at this point. We're playing the waiting game, mostly.
There's a baby shower this weekend, and I'm sure it will be a good time. I'm gonna try and keep clear...will update again soon...well, you know me - as soon as I can. Could be two days, could be 3 months. lol...
Thanks for all the kind thoughts and wishes lately - all you readers rule. Will try to be better about this. :) WiredMonkey out.
LL is doing well, for all those wondering. Life has been going by at triple speed. Much like my stupid Time Warner DVR and remote, when I try to slow it down by pressing the little pause button on the remote, it complete ignores me and keeps going at breakneck speed. I'm just trying to gather in everything I can.
Little C - as I will refer to the monkeyling on here - is healthy and apparently happy, aside from bouts of hiccups and restlessness. His room is all ready and waiting for him at this point. We're playing the waiting game, mostly.
There's a baby shower this weekend, and I'm sure it will be a good time. I'm gonna try and keep clear...will update again soon...well, you know me - as soon as I can. Could be two days, could be 3 months. lol...
Thanks for all the kind thoughts and wishes lately - all you readers rule. Will try to be better about this. :) WiredMonkey out.
5.20.2007
Late Night Neuroses
It's the thoughts that come to you late at night that throw you for a loop the most - the "what if's", if you follow me. I sat around tonight, downloading my many, many, many CDs from over the years into my faithful Mac Mini, and the old gray matter got to wandering/wondering...what if my little boy thinks I'm the biggest nerd on the planet? Seriously...what if?
My friends thinking this - I can deal with. I've dealt with it for nearly 20 years, and I've gotten comfortable with it. Ever since 8th grade when I had that all-so-brief dalliance with popularity with my buddy Scott Morelli, and decided that ditching "true friends" in exchange for "popular friends" just wasn't worth it. All who know me now know I'm a nerd/geek at heart...it's just who I am. But, somehow, my son thinking it is a very different matter.
The boy isn't even born yet and I'm already worrying about how I size up in his eyes. Is this normal? Is this rational? Regardless of what it is, it's what is going on...I've got some serious stage-fright about how I'll appear once the curtain is up on this parenthood. And - this is the weird part - I'm confident in how I'll do as a parent. I've got love coming out of every pore for the little monkey, and he isn't even here yet. In addition, I've had a strong notion of the type of parent I'd like to be for many years. Also, I really couldn't ask for a stronger partner in sprouting this little bean than LampLover. She's been raised with most of the same values as myself, and we're both in tune with the basic rules of how we'd like our child to develop. But, outside of the basic "outline" of our son's growth...I just wanna be cool. I wanna be a dad he can come to and talk with and not worry about any sort of harsh judgement from. My dad was this way with me - granted, it was an every-other-weekend kind of relationship with him, but it was still that way.
So...is it wrong to want to be your son's hero when he's not even a part of our physical, breathing world? Any other dads think this same way? Maybe I'm just a nutty monkey. I have no issues with that, really. As long as it all works out in the long run...and it's a long run still to come. The starter's gun hasn't gone off, and I'm already working over the neuroses. Nice...
My friends thinking this - I can deal with. I've dealt with it for nearly 20 years, and I've gotten comfortable with it. Ever since 8th grade when I had that all-so-brief dalliance with popularity with my buddy Scott Morelli, and decided that ditching "true friends" in exchange for "popular friends" just wasn't worth it. All who know me now know I'm a nerd/geek at heart...it's just who I am. But, somehow, my son thinking it is a very different matter.
The boy isn't even born yet and I'm already worrying about how I size up in his eyes. Is this normal? Is this rational? Regardless of what it is, it's what is going on...I've got some serious stage-fright about how I'll appear once the curtain is up on this parenthood. And - this is the weird part - I'm confident in how I'll do as a parent. I've got love coming out of every pore for the little monkey, and he isn't even here yet. In addition, I've had a strong notion of the type of parent I'd like to be for many years. Also, I really couldn't ask for a stronger partner in sprouting this little bean than LampLover. She's been raised with most of the same values as myself, and we're both in tune with the basic rules of how we'd like our child to develop. But, outside of the basic "outline" of our son's growth...I just wanna be cool. I wanna be a dad he can come to and talk with and not worry about any sort of harsh judgement from. My dad was this way with me - granted, it was an every-other-weekend kind of relationship with him, but it was still that way.
So...is it wrong to want to be your son's hero when he's not even a part of our physical, breathing world? Any other dads think this same way? Maybe I'm just a nutty monkey. I have no issues with that, really. As long as it all works out in the long run...and it's a long run still to come. The starter's gun hasn't gone off, and I'm already working over the neuroses. Nice...
4.26.2007
He-Monkey, Master of the Uterus!
It's official - the Little Monkey is a boy. "It" is now a "he"! LampLover and I are both just happy that he is healthy and happy. There was lots of activity in the ultra sound. He was a very active little guy. He didn't much care for his happy warm home being bombarded with intense levels of energy for the ultrasound, so he was having a bit of a tantrum. It was like watching a fit on mute. Much more amusing that way...I have a feeling in a year or so, the tantrums won't seem as cute.
Not much news going on other than that. We're healthy and happy too - LL is wrapping up the end of her third trimester at chiropractic school (I can't believe a year has passed this quickly). The Dallas Stars dropped Game 7 of the opening round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so they're off for the summer now. Another great season and unfulfilled potential. So frustrating.
More updates will follow. I'm noticing a major trend in blogs lately - major lack of updates. It makes me look downright hard-working at mine. But, these things ebb and flow. Perhaps the next mighty gush of words from my friends is just around the corner. I'm working at building up my waves...need to keep these waters flowing.
-Stop. Monkeytime.
Not much news going on other than that. We're healthy and happy too - LL is wrapping up the end of her third trimester at chiropractic school (I can't believe a year has passed this quickly). The Dallas Stars dropped Game 7 of the opening round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so they're off for the summer now. Another great season and unfulfilled potential. So frustrating.
More updates will follow. I'm noticing a major trend in blogs lately - major lack of updates. It makes me look downright hard-working at mine. But, these things ebb and flow. Perhaps the next mighty gush of words from my friends is just around the corner. I'm working at building up my waves...need to keep these waters flowing.
-Stop. Monkeytime.
4.15.2007
The Working Zombie Monkey
I don't have one of those jobs that inspires - no life-changing decisions are made at my work, no lives are bought and sold, no empires created or crumbled. That said, however, I don't dislike my job. It's relatively challenging, consistantly changing (something I enjoy that others perhaps do not), and I'm compensated adequately. It's not a job that inspires. That's just fact.
So, Mondays are always an obstacle. Add to this that I have been in a allergy-induced daze for the past week (I hope it's allergies anyway), and you have a whole new dislike for Mondays. There are about 40 elective surgeries I'd rather go in for than go to work tomorrow. Seriously - 42, I think.
But, life will go on - and once I'm there, and plodding away at my desk, taking my two daily allocated "smoke" breaks - which, for a non-smoker like myself, gives me time to walk around and listen to my iPod - I'll adjust and things will be just ducky. I'll be a working zombie monkey, but at least I'll be there. Whiling away the hours until I can wrangle one of those "jobs that inspire". They aren't on Monster - trust me.
Other than the zombie worker thing, other things are good. The baby monkey is doing well, and if it is cooperating on Wednesday, LampLover and I get to find out if it's a SheMonkey or a HeMonkey. As long as all the appropriate toes and fingers are there, and the brain works, I'll be a happy papa.
Monkey out.
So, Mondays are always an obstacle. Add to this that I have been in a allergy-induced daze for the past week (I hope it's allergies anyway), and you have a whole new dislike for Mondays. There are about 40 elective surgeries I'd rather go in for than go to work tomorrow. Seriously - 42, I think.
But, life will go on - and once I'm there, and plodding away at my desk, taking my two daily allocated "smoke" breaks - which, for a non-smoker like myself, gives me time to walk around and listen to my iPod - I'll adjust and things will be just ducky. I'll be a working zombie monkey, but at least I'll be there. Whiling away the hours until I can wrangle one of those "jobs that inspire". They aren't on Monster - trust me.
Other than the zombie worker thing, other things are good. The baby monkey is doing well, and if it is cooperating on Wednesday, LampLover and I get to find out if it's a SheMonkey or a HeMonkey. As long as all the appropriate toes and fingers are there, and the brain works, I'll be a happy papa.
Monkey out.
3.09.2007
Still with a pulse...
Yep, I'm still here. Vitals still good, everything still intact. "The rumors of my death are greatly over-exaggerated". Er sumthin...
Anyway, lots of news - the biggest of which is that my wife, LampLover, and I are expecting our first child in September. There was some adversity getting to this stage of things, but we're both thrilled about the news.
I'll blog again soon, but I hope everyone is doing well and is happily enjoying life in all its splendor.
Anyway, lots of news - the biggest of which is that my wife, LampLover, and I are expecting our first child in September. There was some adversity getting to this stage of things, but we're both thrilled about the news.
I'll blog again soon, but I hope everyone is doing well and is happily enjoying life in all its splendor.
9.27.2006
Monkey of the Month - WiredMonkey
Skipping the obligatory "Dang, I haven't blogged in a while" drivel.... (you've only heard it a hundred ways from a hundred sources).
Big news rumbling in Camp WiredMonkey. You may think you know it, but you don't...it's not ready for blog dissemination yet, but contact me and I will release it on a case-by-case basis. That sounds sufficiently snooty. *grin*
Big News has left me so very happy here...it's been a whirlwind week, and it was sent spinning again today with the sudden announcement that yours truly has new job responsibilities, title and hours all at once. Wow. Good news is that it makes work suck just a little less, and that makes my day just a bit brighter.
Upcoming weekend is a MONSTER weekend in terms of concerts, and I'm trying to figure out if I can make it to just one of them, and praying a miracle makes it possible to hit both. Live comes to town on Saturday and plays a nice little intimate venue in Lakewood - an quaintly upscale district of Dallas known for large old houses and small old clubs. It is bound to be a good show. I haven't really been impressed with an album that Live put out since they put out their fifth album, "V", about 4 years ago. I haven't LOVED one of their albums since their second album back in '95. Yet, whenever I get to see them, they tend to put on a good show. And, it's been about 4 years since I've seen them live, so I'm eager. Then - on Sunday - Alice in Chains (AiC V.2) plays in Grand Prairie at Nokia. I've read about 3 reviews of this tour they just kicked off last week, and apparently it is a great show. It's AiC's first tour in over a decade, and they are toting out all of their great tunes. Yeah, they don't have Layne, but even still...seeing Mike Inez hammer on the bass and Jerry Cantrell dissect the guitar...wow. How can you pass that up? Apparently you can if you're watching a budget. Argh. Will have to get with the LampLover and see what she thinks about a spontaneous act of irresponsibility.
Lastly, as I promised an update in my last post - the evening with A & E (check your cable listings?) did *not* contain late night trips to Denny's with stuffed animals or E on a leash...but DID contain a small amount of veldting and a tune about Constitution State fornication. Along with equal amounts of reminiscing, story-telling and alcohol, it was a fantastic visit - only more time would have made it better.
Big news rumbling in Camp WiredMonkey. You may think you know it, but you don't...it's not ready for blog dissemination yet, but contact me and I will release it on a case-by-case basis. That sounds sufficiently snooty. *grin*
Big News has left me so very happy here...it's been a whirlwind week, and it was sent spinning again today with the sudden announcement that yours truly has new job responsibilities, title and hours all at once. Wow. Good news is that it makes work suck just a little less, and that makes my day just a bit brighter.
Upcoming weekend is a MONSTER weekend in terms of concerts, and I'm trying to figure out if I can make it to just one of them, and praying a miracle makes it possible to hit both. Live comes to town on Saturday and plays a nice little intimate venue in Lakewood - an quaintly upscale district of Dallas known for large old houses and small old clubs. It is bound to be a good show. I haven't really been impressed with an album that Live put out since they put out their fifth album, "V", about 4 years ago. I haven't LOVED one of their albums since their second album back in '95. Yet, whenever I get to see them, they tend to put on a good show. And, it's been about 4 years since I've seen them live, so I'm eager. Then - on Sunday - Alice in Chains (AiC V.2) plays in Grand Prairie at Nokia. I've read about 3 reviews of this tour they just kicked off last week, and apparently it is a great show. It's AiC's first tour in over a decade, and they are toting out all of their great tunes. Yeah, they don't have Layne, but even still...seeing Mike Inez hammer on the bass and Jerry Cantrell dissect the guitar...wow. How can you pass that up? Apparently you can if you're watching a budget. Argh. Will have to get with the LampLover and see what she thinks about a spontaneous act of irresponsibility.
Lastly, as I promised an update in my last post - the evening with A & E (check your cable listings?) did *not* contain late night trips to Denny's with stuffed animals or E on a leash...but DID contain a small amount of veldting and a tune about Constitution State fornication. Along with equal amounts of reminiscing, story-telling and alcohol, it was a fantastic visit - only more time would have made it better.
9.02.2006
Labor Dabor Day - The Weekend
Still alive here. Just not much updating lately due to a few things.
Last weekend, LL and I got the office all set up and it's a much more comfortable place to write. There's still some work to be done (a trip to IKEA and trip to Spencer's or something for some wall art will round out the room). I'm quite proud of my little entertainment set up. I can go from writing, to surfing the net, to watching a DVD, to playing a video game, to lounging in bed all in the span of 5 minutes and 10 feet. RAWK.
College friends are in town this weekend, and I'm beyond excited about this. For a few faithful readers of this blog, you will know A & E from their postings in the comments (and from the trail of the dead). They're only in town for one night, but if memory recalls, that's about the length of time it takes for us to have a story that will last for years. So, if anyone needs me for the weekend, I will be veldt-ing around town, looking for a Denny's that takes reservations for stuffed animals. I wonder if A will have E on a leash this weekend. *sigh* That was very 1995...I'm sure this weekend will have whole new twists. Will be sure to let you all know.
That's it for now.
- LampLover is on break from Chiropractic College, so I'm cramming in lots of one-on-one time with her.
- Getting the last of LL's unclaimed items from her house.
- A new fitness regime (oh, GOODBYE BIG FAT FLABBY GUT)
- More of the same at the Grindstone (AKA, work).
Last weekend, LL and I got the office all set up and it's a much more comfortable place to write. There's still some work to be done (a trip to IKEA and trip to Spencer's or something for some wall art will round out the room). I'm quite proud of my little entertainment set up. I can go from writing, to surfing the net, to watching a DVD, to playing a video game, to lounging in bed all in the span of 5 minutes and 10 feet. RAWK.
College friends are in town this weekend, and I'm beyond excited about this. For a few faithful readers of this blog, you will know A & E from their postings in the comments (and from the trail of the dead). They're only in town for one night, but if memory recalls, that's about the length of time it takes for us to have a story that will last for years. So, if anyone needs me for the weekend, I will be veldt-ing around town, looking for a Denny's that takes reservations for stuffed animals. I wonder if A will have E on a leash this weekend. *sigh* That was very 1995...I'm sure this weekend will have whole new twists. Will be sure to let you all know.
That's it for now.
7.06.2006
Back from a Welcome Retreat
I finally got my new toy to help me post! I'm sorry, but sometimes it's the smallest victories that make you feel like you have some semblance of control over your life. Good times.
Over the 4th of July, I had the pleasure of getting away from it all. LampLover and I took the invitation of a couple of dear friends, and got away to the mountains for the long weekend. We were in the western arm of the Ozark mountains, in the rural northeastern region of Oklahoma. I didn't even know the Ozarks made their way into our northern neighbor before we left for this trip, but there they are. It was great for me - made me a little less homesick for travel in the northeast, as it was almost identical to driving in parts of Maine and New Hampshire. LL, our friends and I used the holiday weekend as an excuse to eat lots of food, lay about near the water and take fun nature hikes and blow stuff up. Yep - the great American tradition for celebrating the birth of our nation - let's see how much of the land we love we can catch on fire! The weekend stayed relatively flame-free, and aside from poking myself in the arm with a lit incense stick (non-scented and used for lighting the fireworks), it was injury free.
Work has been a grind lately. I feel like I caught the hem of my shirt in the big Corporate Machine last month, and it proceeded to pull me in an bend, spindle and mutilate me a bit. Monkeys don't like being caught between cogs. We don't really understand cogs. Just give us food (and beer in this monkey's case), let us sit in the tree and don't bug us too often. If you do, we've got poo and we know how to use it.
Over the 4th of July, I had the pleasure of getting away from it all. LampLover and I took the invitation of a couple of dear friends, and got away to the mountains for the long weekend. We were in the western arm of the Ozark mountains, in the rural northeastern region of Oklahoma. I didn't even know the Ozarks made their way into our northern neighbor before we left for this trip, but there they are. It was great for me - made me a little less homesick for travel in the northeast, as it was almost identical to driving in parts of Maine and New Hampshire. LL, our friends and I used the holiday weekend as an excuse to eat lots of food, lay about near the water and take fun nature hikes and blow stuff up. Yep - the great American tradition for celebrating the birth of our nation - let's see how much of the land we love we can catch on fire! The weekend stayed relatively flame-free, and aside from poking myself in the arm with a lit incense stick (non-scented and used for lighting the fireworks), it was injury free.
Work has been a grind lately. I feel like I caught the hem of my shirt in the big Corporate Machine last month, and it proceeded to pull me in an bend, spindle and mutilate me a bit. Monkeys don't like being caught between cogs. We don't really understand cogs. Just give us food (and beer in this monkey's case), let us sit in the tree and don't bug us too often. If you do, we've got poo and we know how to use it.
6.06.2006
The New Toy
Not to overshadow the other post - I'm keeping this one short and sweet. This is my new toy. Only discovered down-side to new toy so far: Inability to post to Blogger. I've been trying to post for the last week or so, and so far it comes to the site, lets me create a post, but then won't update. Doesn't like Safari or Firefox. *sigh* Oh well - everything else on it rules. We've decided to name it Fred, in the grand traditions of great Freds everywhere.
WiredMonkey + LampLover = MonkeyLover?
I've been trying to post this forever, but apparently have been having issues - more on that in a future posting.
Since I'm not so good with the phones, and have a few friends who won't hear about this if I don't pick up one of those silly little things...I have a bit of big news.
I asked Her to marry me, and she said "yes".
How much does THAT rock? Answer = more than the usual amount.
Happy monkey here...finally able to post the good news. Celebration will ensue - will update with times and dates. Right now it looks like the ceremony itself will be in either January or April of next year. Hopefully lots of friends and family can make it...it will be a party to remember. No word yet if Shiner will be the official sponsor. We'll have to see what we can do...
Since I'm not so good with the phones, and have a few friends who won't hear about this if I don't pick up one of those silly little things...I have a bit of big news.
I asked Her to marry me, and she said "yes".
How much does THAT rock? Answer = more than the usual amount.
Happy monkey here...finally able to post the good news. Celebration will ensue - will update with times and dates. Right now it looks like the ceremony itself will be in either January or April of next year. Hopefully lots of friends and family can make it...it will be a party to remember. No word yet if Shiner will be the official sponsor. We'll have to see what we can do...
5.13.2006
Handfuls of poo
Wha?
Oh yeah, the blog. Heh. I knew that was around here somewhere.
Forgive me, my friends, for slacking off once again. But, if you look at it positively, I've been completely 100% effective, and quite aggressively accurate in being...a slacker. Yup. Who can we get that we are SURE will slack off on their blogging duties? Hrrrrrmmm....that WiredMonkey fellow seems to be pretty out of it. Look at the droopy eyelids and inanimate limbs in that slackjawed primate. Pshaw....he's practically asleep. We'll take 'im!
Er sumthin.
What's new? Look for pictures on the Flickr site soon...I need to try and get some photos of the house out on the site, and my goal is this weekend. The LampLover and I have a very busy weekend ahead of us. Some friends are having a crawfish boil tomorrow..and if you haven't been to one, my dear, considerate readers...you are truly missing out. I mean...YUM. Those little mudbugs are a great time...and you add in corn, potatoes and sausage...what? Are you KIDDING me? No, I am truly not. Those food items are all present to tickle your palate. W00t. LL and I are really looking forward to it. Then, right after that (actually overlapping it), we have a friend's birthday party to get to...some fun folks who know how to have a good time, and we're really looking forward to seeing them. Yay!!
We'll let you know how it goes. Pop in again in a few days and I'll see what I can do in the way of an update. *grin*
MONKEY.
Oh yeah, the blog. Heh. I knew that was around here somewhere.
Forgive me, my friends, for slacking off once again. But, if you look at it positively, I've been completely 100% effective, and quite aggressively accurate in being...a slacker. Yup. Who can we get that we are SURE will slack off on their blogging duties? Hrrrrrmmm....that WiredMonkey fellow seems to be pretty out of it. Look at the droopy eyelids and inanimate limbs in that slackjawed primate. Pshaw....he's practically asleep. We'll take 'im!
Er sumthin.
What's new? Look for pictures on the Flickr site soon...I need to try and get some photos of the house out on the site, and my goal is this weekend. The LampLover and I have a very busy weekend ahead of us. Some friends are having a crawfish boil tomorrow..and if you haven't been to one, my dear, considerate readers...you are truly missing out. I mean...YUM. Those little mudbugs are a great time...and you add in corn, potatoes and sausage...what? Are you KIDDING me? No, I am truly not. Those food items are all present to tickle your palate. W00t. LL and I are really looking forward to it. Then, right after that (actually overlapping it), we have a friend's birthday party to get to...some fun folks who know how to have a good time, and we're really looking forward to seeing them. Yay!!
We'll let you know how it goes. Pop in again in a few days and I'll see what I can do in the way of an update. *grin*
MONKEY.
4.08.2006
I'm here!
Things are good. I'm alive. I felt a post was needed as it's been nearly a month since I've posted. This past month has been particularly active though. LampLover and I are looking at co-habitation. We have our eye on a nice place in a neighborhood I'm very familiar with, having rented a house in that area once before. It's a great neighborhood - nice neighbors (mostly older and retired or young couples in starter houses), an area that's active with people walking and riding bikes, and a library, nearby parks and that sort of thing for recreation. LL is a bit nervous about things, as am I to a lesser degree, but I think that will abate once we're in and comfortable. The biggest nerve-wracking thing is telling her parents and grandmother, who is in town visiting. They are from a different school of belief, and don't believe a couple should live together before being married. I respect that view, as does LL, but neither of us abide by it. Besides, after a year together, it's not as though we are viewing this as just a convenience. We're looking long-term, and I'd like to make that a bit more formal, but have to come up with certain jewelry first...and I'd like it to be a bit of a surprise. Which is hard to do, no matter if you're living with someone or not. So, at least we'll be together.
The other significant occurance, as you may have picked up from the last paragraph, is that LL and I celebrated our anniversary. No monthiversary there - we've been together for more than a year now. It hardly seems it sometimes, time has flown so fast. But, other times, it feels like so much more...like we've known one another forever. I think that's how it is when you find your soul's match...you can't remember a time when they weren't part of your life, because you're at your happiest when they're a part of it. Blah, blah, sappy monkey. I know. So sue me.
*munches a banana*
Oh yeah - another story I did for McKinneySports.net. W00t!
okaybye.
The other significant occurance, as you may have picked up from the last paragraph, is that LL and I celebrated our anniversary. No monthiversary there - we've been together for more than a year now. It hardly seems it sometimes, time has flown so fast. But, other times, it feels like so much more...like we've known one another forever. I think that's how it is when you find your soul's match...you can't remember a time when they weren't part of your life, because you're at your happiest when they're a part of it. Blah, blah, sappy monkey. I know. So sue me.
*munches a banana*
Oh yeah - another story I did for McKinneySports.net. W00t!
okaybye.
3.11.2006
Writing About Sports in DFW
I have a new job - freelance sports writer in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. This is a big step in my dream to be a full-time staff sports writer in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. I'm extremely excited about the opportunity, and although I'm not completely happy with my work on my first story, I keep in mind I'm working out the rust of nearly two years of writing inactivity. And hey - it's soccer...not a forte in my sports repertoire. Let me know in the comments if the story can't be posted and I'll cut and paste it in here.
3.02.2006
I've Been Tagged...So That Explains the Dart In My Ass and the Sharp Pain in my Ear...
These are making the rounds I guess...I got this in my email, but I've also seen them in blogs. Besides, I need a break from work, so this will suffice.
FOUR JOBS YOU HAVE HAD IN YOUR LIFE:
1. McWorker
FOUR JOBS YOU HAVE HAD IN YOUR LIFE:
1. McWorker
2. Best Buy Employee
3. Mac Technician
3. Mac Technician
4. Sports Writer
1. Wayne's World
2 . Evil Dead II
3. The Holy Grail
3. The Holy Grail
4. Miracle
1. Bangor, ME
2. Syracuse, NY
3. Key West, FL
4. Dallas, TX
Four TV shows you love to watch
1. Medium
3. Key West, FL
4. Dallas, TX
Four TV shows you love to watch
1. Medium
2. My Name is Earl
3. The Office
4. Trading Spaces
Four places you have been on vacation
1. Florida
4. Trading Spaces
Four places you have been on vacation
1. Florida
2. Maine
3. Shiner, TX
4. San Antonio (man, do I need better vacations - though the Shiner was was the best...)
Four of my favorite foods
1. Pizza
2. Cheese Steak Subs
3. Bacon
4. Chicken Parmesan
1. Home, preferrably asleep in bed.
2. Visiting with friends I haven't seen in FAR too long (J-Star, A & E, etc...miss y'all!)
3. In bed with twins (hey, the question ASKED...)
4. Margaritaville.
Four People I'm Tagging (of the people who read my site and haven't already put one of these on their sites. Just post them in your own blog if you have one - not many others do - or reply in the comments):
1. J-Star
2. LampLover
3. A & E
4. FU-D
Four People I'm Tagging (of the people who read my site and haven't already put one of these on their sites. Just post them in your own blog if you have one - not many others do - or reply in the comments):
1. J-Star
2. LampLover
3. A & E
4. FU-D
2.22.2006
Post-Op Prattle
Under the knife and out the other side.
So, I have undergone the surgery, and now I'm recovering slowly, bed-ridden and drug-filled. That may sound fun, but it's really more necessary than anything else. This morning I found out what can happen if I let the drugs in my system lapse, even due to something as necessary as sleep. Owwwww, dammit. I will be doing my best to make sure THAT doesn't happen again. I've been blessed with having a great nurse through this - LampLover is taking fantastic care of me (though she won't put on a little skimpy nurse's outfit while she is doing it...was worth a shot). She is staying with me and brought lots of movies to help entertain me while I'm stuck horizontal. The Cheat was really nice and bought me a movie to help entertain me while I'm out of commission as well - Wedding Crashers is part of my movie collection now.
I was going to attempt a return to work on Thursday, but that idea has been nixed. The return may happen Friday, but I'm going to wait and see how I feel tomorrow afternoon. I can't imagine sitting at work for 8 hours right now, even on pain meds...I just don't think it will happen. Friday is looking a tad doubtful too, but it's at least worth pondering. Any hours I can save would be nice, since I'd like to have SOME sort of personal time left in my cache by this summer.
So, I have undergone the surgery, and now I'm recovering slowly, bed-ridden and drug-filled. That may sound fun, but it's really more necessary than anything else. This morning I found out what can happen if I let the drugs in my system lapse, even due to something as necessary as sleep. Owwwww, dammit. I will be doing my best to make sure THAT doesn't happen again. I've been blessed with having a great nurse through this - LampLover is taking fantastic care of me (though she won't put on a little skimpy nurse's outfit while she is doing it...was worth a shot). She is staying with me and brought lots of movies to help entertain me while I'm stuck horizontal. The Cheat was really nice and bought me a movie to help entertain me while I'm out of commission as well - Wedding Crashers is part of my movie collection now.
I was going to attempt a return to work on Thursday, but that idea has been nixed. The return may happen Friday, but I'm going to wait and see how I feel tomorrow afternoon. I can't imagine sitting at work for 8 hours right now, even on pain meds...I just don't think it will happen. Friday is looking a tad doubtful too, but it's at least worth pondering. Any hours I can save would be nice, since I'd like to have SOME sort of personal time left in my cache by this summer.
2.16.2006
Monkey Love and Painful Procedures
Let me start by saying this - Valentine's Day is not one of my favorite days. A lot of people seem to think that "romantics" (or whatever comparable labels we're given) would be a natural match with a day devoted to love. Not true, in my book. I'm more of a belief that every day should be devoted to love. Why just one day? And why the expectations of flowers, dinner, candy and other gifts? I'd much rather give small tokens of my love and express myself throughout the year than have one day devoted to it. Actually, and it's a cliched joke, Hallmark, FTD and the other big profiteers of the day are the one who perpetuate it, I think.
Anyway, I still feel an obligation to make sure my beloved LampLover knows I love her, and to take the time to express it in a way that *I* like. Dinner out a nice restaurant would have been nice...and a bit better of a present would have been good too. However, I don't really have the money right now - one reason why will follow this recap - and so I'm left to devise more creative activities. Luckily, LL is good with the imagination as well, and she suggested a little frozen chinese food buffet (from the cold depths of my freezer - prepackaged and pretty much ready to go) and I threw in the idea of a movie, and we were off. It was a quiet little romantic meal...we exchanged gifts just before - LL gave me a great framed picture of the two of us from New Years Eve and I gave her a little basket of bath items to pamper her with - and then enjoyed the food and the company (though not the movie really....FYI, The Corpse Bride is a bit sub-par). Other activities of the evening will remain on a need to know basis. It was a very enjoyable day, despite it's over commercialism on the whole.
Now, some of you don't know, so I will share. My out of shape gut managed to let down it's defenses a bit last fall when I was moving into my current digs, and lo and behold - out protruded a small hernia. I've put it off for some time, because it's really just a bit of a nuisance, and not particularly painful. But, during my last visit to my doctor, I decided to have him check it out. Yep, he said. Hernia it is, and you need to get it worked on - call this fella, he's good...handed me a reference. Being the speedy guy I am, I followed up on said reference about 3-4 weeks later. The Referred Doctor took a look at it. Yep, he said. Hernia it is, and you need to get it worked on. Not today or tomorrow or anything...but pretty soon. No more than a month or so from now. Ugh. So, I scheduled the surgery, and that was about two weeks ago. My surgery is upcoming this next Tuesday. So, wish me luck...good thoughts, etc., etc. It's not a particularly difficult surgery, I've been told, and it's an outpatient procedure, and I'll be back in the very bed I get out of the morning of my surgery later that afternoon, but I'm still a bit nervous. Guess I'm chicken. Oh well. Good mojo is requested, none the nevermind.
Oh - and the Olympics are on. Good hockey. Actually, VERY good hockey. Catch some if you can - the best in the game are on display.
Monkey - out.
Anyway, I still feel an obligation to make sure my beloved LampLover knows I love her, and to take the time to express it in a way that *I* like. Dinner out a nice restaurant would have been nice...and a bit better of a present would have been good too. However, I don't really have the money right now - one reason why will follow this recap - and so I'm left to devise more creative activities. Luckily, LL is good with the imagination as well, and she suggested a little frozen chinese food buffet (from the cold depths of my freezer - prepackaged and pretty much ready to go) and I threw in the idea of a movie, and we were off. It was a quiet little romantic meal...we exchanged gifts just before - LL gave me a great framed picture of the two of us from New Years Eve and I gave her a little basket of bath items to pamper her with - and then enjoyed the food and the company (though not the movie really....FYI, The Corpse Bride is a bit sub-par). Other activities of the evening will remain on a need to know basis. It was a very enjoyable day, despite it's over commercialism on the whole.
Now, some of you don't know, so I will share. My out of shape gut managed to let down it's defenses a bit last fall when I was moving into my current digs, and lo and behold - out protruded a small hernia. I've put it off for some time, because it's really just a bit of a nuisance, and not particularly painful. But, during my last visit to my doctor, I decided to have him check it out. Yep, he said. Hernia it is, and you need to get it worked on - call this fella, he's good...handed me a reference. Being the speedy guy I am, I followed up on said reference about 3-4 weeks later. The Referred Doctor took a look at it. Yep, he said. Hernia it is, and you need to get it worked on. Not today or tomorrow or anything...but pretty soon. No more than a month or so from now. Ugh. So, I scheduled the surgery, and that was about two weeks ago. My surgery is upcoming this next Tuesday. So, wish me luck...good thoughts, etc., etc. It's not a particularly difficult surgery, I've been told, and it's an outpatient procedure, and I'll be back in the very bed I get out of the morning of my surgery later that afternoon, but I'm still a bit nervous. Guess I'm chicken. Oh well. Good mojo is requested, none the nevermind.
Oh - and the Olympics are on. Good hockey. Actually, VERY good hockey. Catch some if you can - the best in the game are on display.
Monkey - out.
2.03.2006
Unmarked Cars are Watching My Neighbors Dog...
Finally, a respite in the work. It's been crazy at work, and because of that I haven't wanted to be in front of a computer unless I'm at work. Therefore - very little blogging. Which was probably for the best anyway, as most stories about work are pretty boring.
Outside of the work world, things have been going great (he says, knocking on wood). LampLover and I are coming up on our 11th monthiversary towards the end of the month, meaning just a little over a month before the big landmark. We're very excited about it and speaking for myself, I'm really looking forward to the next one, and one after that, etc., etc. I've never been so excited about my future with a person before.
*mush mush mush*
I know. But now you're past it, so don't you feel better?
This weekend should be a good time. A couple of days away from work is always nice, but when you can have a gathering with friends, eat good foods and drink some Shiner...well that just makes the weekend all that more enjoyable. Of course, it's the big Super Bowl weekend upon us, so LL and I will be taking a friend up on an invite for a small gathering to include a cookout and access to a kegerator full of Brown Liquid Goodness (a.k.a. Shiner). My dearest girl is not a fan of football, but hopefully with all the commercials and camaraderie and Shiner, it will help her get through the ordeal. To be honest, even as a football fan, this is the biggest let-down of a SuperBowl in about a decade. I mean really...Pittsburgh and Seattle?? Who cares??? Well, aside from the citizens of Pittsburgh and Seattle...and do they even? *shrug* Hopefully I'll be wrong and it'll be a good game.
**Here's where the credits would be if you were watching a movie.**
Outside of the work world, things have been going great (he says, knocking on wood). LampLover and I are coming up on our 11th monthiversary towards the end of the month, meaning just a little over a month before the big landmark. We're very excited about it and speaking for myself, I'm really looking forward to the next one, and one after that, etc., etc. I've never been so excited about my future with a person before.
*mush mush mush*
I know. But now you're past it, so don't you feel better?
This weekend should be a good time. A couple of days away from work is always nice, but when you can have a gathering with friends, eat good foods and drink some Shiner...well that just makes the weekend all that more enjoyable. Of course, it's the big Super Bowl weekend upon us, so LL and I will be taking a friend up on an invite for a small gathering to include a cookout and access to a kegerator full of Brown Liquid Goodness (a.k.a. Shiner). My dearest girl is not a fan of football, but hopefully with all the commercials and camaraderie and Shiner, it will help her get through the ordeal. To be honest, even as a football fan, this is the biggest let-down of a SuperBowl in about a decade. I mean really...Pittsburgh and Seattle?? Who cares??? Well, aside from the citizens of Pittsburgh and Seattle...and do they even? *shrug* Hopefully I'll be wrong and it'll be a good game.
**Here's where the credits would be if you were watching a movie.**
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