And on Christmas morning, the kids yelled 'Wiiiiiii'

Seems silly, I haven't actually owned a game console since the Sega Genesis - and even that one might have been owned by Mike, I don't know for sure. But this I can tell ya - the new Nintendo Wii - by itself is the greatest revolution in home video games since Pong.

So the deal with this is, you get to play body english on a video game. That sounds straight forward enough but let me tell you, this makes watching others play just as fun as playing yourself. Plus, it is immediately playable by pretty much everyone.

It comes with a little Sports Pak that includes tennis, boxing, golf, bowling, and baseball. Each opportunity for cuteness is in the game, the little playskool like figures running around but not so much as to make you think this is a girlie system. It may not be as powerful graphically as the PS3, but its cheaper and loads more fun. Heck, as it is you might not want to buy another game as the Sports Pak is more than enough entertainment.

It does require a warning, however - and believe me, I am sore in my back and arm from baseball and the bowling game. Crazy at it sounds - it wasn't just me, even 20 year old Jillian is sore! So - if you happen to have a Wii, please send me your friend code so our Wii peeps can see each other - heck, even challenge each other in some sports...?

If you can't stand the heat

Boy - what started as the easiest little project became a new kitchen. For those who have never seen the place, here is the way it looked before. Note the big hood hanging down on the right.

Yes sir, that is an under cabinet hood, only there are no cabinets so lets build a gigantic freakin' hood and block the sunshine from getting in. Yeah, that was all we wanted changed at the time.

Then came Tug. "Hey, its T-uuuu-G" (you have to hear it from him to know how to read that). Tug builds restaurants and what nots, cabinets, etc. He came out to pull this down and replace it for us. Then he didn't like that wall on the right "To high" and "needs a bar top" and while he ripped it down, might as well stretch it longer - makes more counter top space.

Well, here is that same view now (ok, so I don't have the same lens so its not *quite* the same view). Yup, red lacquer cabinet and stainless steel fronts (you can get away with this in a warehouse loft), virginia mist granite counter tops and a travertine bar top in a squash/pumpkin/woodlike grain finish? dunno how to describe it. New hood, new 36" commercial quality stove with a griddle in the middle of 4 huge burners (pure cooks delight). New commercial sink and sprayer, subway beveled tile backsplash - the list goes on and on. All for that new hood. Oh well, what else are stock options good for :-?

Some more smaller pics:

The i's have it

Eye can't believe that eye haven't yet blogged about the ol' LASIK eye had done a couple of months ago.

After much hemming and hawing, eye decided to get it done back in July (eye think anyway) by Dr. Bliss (real name) who is world-renown for his technique. Boy oh boy - currently at 20/20 and then some (ok, -.25 in the right i) but can get 50% on the 20/15 line and with out any of the normal side-effects. Eye went all the way in and had WaveFront done (special 3d mapping of the i) for more accuracy.

For those of you who know me (and if you don't, why in the world would you read this blog?) eye had -5.75 in both i's for the past 8 or so years (with little change anyway). So no more contacts or glasses since eye was in 6th grade!

The real reason was a life/death matter. Read the first post about going to Ireland and in that eye mention going to the Aron Islands. Eye was not kidding when eye said that it was very windy and almost fell off a cliff. The reason was that the wind was ripping off the Atlantic and putting a ton of salt into the air. This in turn landed directly in my i's and eye didn't have any saline (how is that for irony) to wash the i-balls out.

Got back to the hotel and was down to a single pair of contacts. Put them in and all was well...Until eye went swimming the the very nice hotel pool and had one contact wash away. No problem, put on the glasses - THAT EYE FORGOT back in California! Oh no MrBill! After this, Maddie pushed me to get over the fear of the surgery and embrace the chance for perfect vision.

Badda Bing! My great i-doc (and brother in-law) told me about Dr. Bliss and the rest is history. So after 3 months by recent check-up had Brandon still marveling over the wonderful job that Dr. Bliss did and the i-chart says that eye C very well now.

Ok, sorry about the transposition of the eye and i's but eye...I couldn't help it. Had to make up for not letting you know. But now you do.

NYC, return to Manhattan

It's been a loooooong time since I was in NYC. Something on the order of 12 years. A lot has changed for the city but not my 'idea' of what the city is or was for that matter. Yes, Maddie and I went to Ground-Zero. Not a lot to see, a big construction fence around a deep hole.

The area itself doesn't look all that bad - except one of the surrounding buildings that was clearly part of the WTC complex itself. It took what looks like a bunch of shrapnel. Anyway, it wasn't all the eerie or somber but there were reminders of all those who lost their lives all around NYC. While waling in Central Park, a Fire Engine passed by with a plaque of those heroic firefighters that were lost on Sept. 11. Memorial signs and well wishes were also in evidence. My best to the families who still live in that tragic moment - may you one day find peace.

But the more cheerful version of why we were there - the 1986 NY Met's 20th Anniversary of their World Series Win! It was an early Christmas gift for Maddie. Her team was brought together for an exclusive deal through the unique By Invitation Only circle. We were two of 100 tickets allowed to be sold to mix and mingle with the team at the world famous 21 Club

So most of the team showed up - minus Doc who is *somewhat* unable to attend. But the best picture we got was when Maddie asked Davey Johnson to "take our picture" which at first he thought take a picture with him but then he got it, she wanted him to take our photo. So here it is a picture from the winning manager of the '86 World Series:

Just a tad on the 'to the left' side but good enough. Later on I will make more pictures of the event available but suffice it to say Maddie and I had a great time. Maddie got to meet and hang out with numerous players from her most favorite team, from their best year, and I got to see her have a great evening she never would have had without me!

There was a ton of buildings that caught my eye in Manhattan, of course there is that seriously tall one and then there is the super pointy one and there were several that just didn't belong but again, you will have to cruise on by my picassa picture spot later on after I upload them. for now let me leave you with this: Sure the W Hotel is generally a hip place to stay but their service was horrid (typical for NY?) and the room was a touch tiny - even compared to many of the European hotel rooms I have stayed. Stay across the street instead.

PS - a toasted corn muffin is one of life's simple pleasures and 'just a few more blocks' in New York can mean you are walking for 3 miles and never catch one of those damn cabs.

Tie the KNOT - bliss begets bliss

Yes, I finally got Maddie in a moment of weakness to join me at the beautiful San Francisco City hall and stand before a Judge. No, not for traffic violations but for getting married. Sept. 7th, 2006 was a most gorgeous day indeed.

As you all know, we have been together for over 5 years - which in my case is a record. After that long, Maddie still said yes - putting up with me alone is a big cudos to her but loving me like she does... I don't figure it. But won't question it.

I am the luckiest man on earth and feel grateful everyday she is in my life. For a few more moments in the day, click here. In a short bit, I will tell you about the most beautiful stay we had in Salzburg, Austria. (Vegas wasn't bad either, more on that too) 

Pinch me!

One Can dream...Actual photo of an actual gravestone in Haskell, Texas. Persume this is for a family name and not the company, which is very much alive and profitting from our war in Iraq. 

time to....Travel so much

So I went to Philly. Not on purpose, it was a 'unintended stop over' between Toronto and Dublin, Ireland. Don't ask, but its your tax payer money at work diverting airplanes and some 'liquid gel' plot to terrorize the world. Never mind that on my way back INTO the country I was able to ON THE PLANE, purchase 750ml bottle of 94 Proof Jack Daniels and bring that into the US. Keep in mind I am also allowed to bring in 4 books of 'strike anywhere matches' (but not CHECK them? Of course the recent change fixes this) so I could have ...Well, I would say but then I will be banned from flying I suppose. Either way, stupidity in action, imho.

So, I was in Philly for 12 hours of a layover so I left my luggage (apparently you CAN still do that) and went into downtown. So as much as I like to bag on our current representatives, it was very moving to see our old fore fathers spot in action. Specifically Independence Hall (many of the signers put their signatures where it counted most) and Ben Franklin's place. But before I post any 'historical' pics, the real reason I went into Philly - CHEESE STEAKS!

I can put this to rest for me, Pat's the King of Steaks beats Geno's by a short walk. Could have been an off day for the ever colorful Geno's but Pat's had less grease and better cheese. I got the same at both spots, Cheese Steak, wit (meaning WITH onions) and Provolone. Yeah, don't even talk to me about WIZ (as in the cheeze wiz type can of crap). So, without further a deux - the PICS:

Philly Pics





There, two posts, one day (night) and I have more to come. But then, I have said that before. Here are some of the things I have to blog about: Hamburg (where I want to speak on the Hamburger I had there, really, and to rant about freakin' GLOBALIZATION), getting married (and/or at least a ring comment) and a hidden fact about Vegas (perhaps these two are related?) hotel information. All this and MORE (airlines, anyone?) , check back later. Peace out. (Oh YEAH, that is the Liberty bell done up in Lego blocks on display in the Philly International terminal "A")

If I had time to Blog, I wouldn't have time to....

so the endless amount of crap I take over not keeping this page up to date! :-P Anyway, here is yet another post, as its been say, since April I think. First, let me post this picture I had to stop and take near my home, its a handsome thing.

Ireland, part 2 - Aran Islands

So, as promised oh 6 months ago, here is the second part of my Ireland trip (but not my second trip to Ireland which I also just completed) - lazy, lazy me.

I took a train from Dublin across to county Galway. What a great town! (more on that after Aran stuff)

After some on foot exploration I went to the ferry and went to Inishmore, the larget of the Aran Isles. I stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast home on the island. Let me tell you, with the salt air and some seagulls, I slept like I hadn't slept in years.

The thing about this place is there are these rock walls everywhere and no one around to claim them. Apparently built over the past few centuries, these walls were used as a sheparding system - a means to allow cattle (sheep) to graze and then move them from pen to pen. I think they are there 'cuz everyone was bored.

I rented a bike and rode around the isle going from thing to see to sea (very pun-y today). The thing was, I was alone and no one knew where I was. Which is all well and good but my contacts were getting covered in sea air and after a while, I had trouble seeing. I covered about 20km on the bike round trip and the main thing to see on Inishmore is this old celtic fort....on a cliff side...where I almost fell:

















Now, seriously, to get a shot I crept up to the edge to hang over and take a picture. I bumped my knee on a rock jutting out and it was like hitting your funny bone. My knee crumbled and I fell to the ground. 2 more feet and someone else is blogging about this camera they found ...

The other thing that you come here for is the Aran Sweater. They have all these special patterns they weave in and they are suppose to be the warmest, longest lasting thing in the world. So I hit the local shop. I could have gotten these in Dublin and spared myself the trouble BUT then I would have paid triple and wouldn't have gotten to see this lovely, isolated place.


can you spot Charlie in the picture?

The old cross - with all the celtic carvings. Turns out that those 'lines' inside the cross are all snakes. In the middle and around these 'knots' their heads are clearly visible. Weird, I thought that there were no snakes in Ireland!

There a load of old churches here from centuries past and loads and loads of rocks. After a day, I was done.

Getting back to Galway was a bit of a relief although I enjoyed Inishmore quite a bit. Galway is like a much, much smaller Dublin with nicer people. In Dublin people were in a hurry (seriously, ladies past me walking, me, Mr. Fastwalker). Galway has come great shopping and wonderful pubs. My favorite was in this hotel, Skeffington Arms Hotel. Built in 1850 with the pub redone in 1910. If you go to Galway, pop in for a pint.

I did what?!

Yeah, I bought a car - not just any car - but the car I have been lusting after for the past year - the mercedes-benz slk 55 AMG. This car is sick fast and the most lovely feature of all - retractable hardtop convertablility!

I was going to wait, you know, but these red and black leather seats drove me to the edge of sanity. So, I bought it. Didn't *need* it, but this car wasn't built for *need* so much as it was for lust - and that I had in spades. Here are a few more pics of the car and eventually, I promise, to post some pics and the rest of the story for Ireland...just after I stop driving long enough to do it!

Dublin, Ireland - a pictorial event

Ok, so I actually went to Dublin in October for work. It was a nice trip - I spent 6 days in Dublin and 3 more exploring other parts of Ireland. Work dominated the trip so most of the pics will be from Dublin - but I did go to the Aran Islands (a bought a few sweaters) as well as visited Galway (a lovely, lovely town).

It rained a couple times while I was there (so I got a bit of the local flavor you might say) but it didn't get in the way.

I stayed at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin - very nice. Good quiet location. To the left here is a picture of the pub across the corner form the hotel - Foley's. It was a great pub with a very nice bartender - Paul. Big fella who was everything you'd want from a bartender - a guy who knew when you needed a refill.


After working all week - and drinking every night - I got away to the other side of Ireland. but before I go there with this, let me post some pics here of places around Dublin and some comments (if any) to go along side.

A few of the typical pubs in the Temple Bar district of Dublin. Very busy at night with loads of folks out drinking and having a craic of a good time! You'd think there were from a hollywood set - but they are real (real enough for tourists that is for sure).


Here are a few more random shots of Dublin - lots of culture and growth colliding all around:


<----man look at all those building cranes!

So this is me with a statue of Oscar Wilde -->

Other things to do in Dublin besides drink is to go to the Guiness Factory tour - or St. James Gate Brewery.

Apparently I wasn't the only one interested in going...

Loads of stuff to see in side, cost around 12 euro to enter - but that price includes a free pint of guiness at the top of the factory along with a great view of the city. Worth the time!




Forgive me for not remembering which cathedral this is - perhaps Christ Church?

Nor can I tell you who this is - it was a statue just on the other side of the river Liffey (north side) - it might be on O'Connel street - lots of shopping there along the wide street.


All right enough of this, next post will be my trip to the Aran islands via Galway.

Just caught up on Firefly the TV show that is long gone

Yeah, so I missed this the first time around. A friend from work loaned me their set of the 'complete series'. (Q: Can you actually call something that didn't even have a half a year airing, a 'complete series'?) Firefly - from Joss Whedon, of Buffy fame.

Oh well - I guess I am the reason Fox cancelled this great show. Man, if I had only known - not sure if the title was a bad choice or they moved it around or what - maybe I didn't have TiVO then - who knows - but I can tell you its worth owning. Even Maddie liked it!

Great stuff - going to watch the movie 'Serenity' shortly.

Will post my final feelings on it all later - just in case anyone cares. I also hope to post my listing of the top 20 shows of all time. You can bet that Firefly will be on that list...