Saturday, July 31, 2004

Long weekend ahead

This is my 48 hour work weekend. I am not looking forward to 4 nights in a row. I really come up short on the sleep when I rotate through the nights on weekends because there is always a lot going on and I don't ever seem to lay down to rest. Tomorrow (actually later today) I am going to watch (and videotape) my daughter in a riding competition. She is really good at it and I hope to get some good video. This is our first camera and I am still learning how to operate it, so we shall see. I've got an hour drive to the show, and an hour back plus the time there, so I doubt I'll be getting much sleep. I guess I'll have to nap at work (shhhhhhhh, you didn't really read that).
Not much else going on right now.
Two of my boys are in Virginia with their Grandma. They are having a lot of fun and aren't ready to come home. It has been more peaceful around the house with them gone, but I find myself looking for them sometimes.
The youngest two have decided to tag team temper tantrum the last couple of days. It can be very frustrating dealing with this situation. Good thing my wife has some patience because I have run out.
LambJam 2004 is next weekend in Milton, DE. I would love to go, but can't justify the $$ right now. I hope my daughter can win us a couple of tickets. Then I would have to schedule a couple of vacation days. Not sure I would be able to get off work, but I will try if she wins.

Well, that's about it for tonight. I had steak and potatoes for dinner... yummy! Definately a meal everyone ought to eat once in a while. Makes you grateful for tastebuds!

Monday, July 26, 2004

A pleasant weekend

Well, I got through the weekend fairly unscathed.  Friday was a rainy day and there wasn't much to do except play with the kids and lay around.  I'm so glad I haven't been scheduling extra work for the last month.  It's nice to have a little down time now and then.

Saturday I went to Allentown, PA to watch a Drum & Bugle Corps show.  I love Drum Corp, but was a little disappointed with the direction most of the different Corps staff are taking the kids.  The overall showmanship is excellent, but there are elements of the performances that I find less than exciting.  It was a late night, but the weather was perfect for the show (unlike the night before).

Sunday was truly a day of rest... right up until I had to go in to work for the night.  I did have a quiet night at work, though, so it wasn't so bad.  (especially since I was paid double time for the hours worked :-)!

Took it easy today too.  Tried to find a way to get some repairs done on my truck without incurring a huge cost, but that's not gonna happen :-(  I will need to have both gas tanks dropped and the fuel pumps removed to replace check valves on them.  These valves are bad and are allowing fuel to travel to the opposite tank.  This could cause the fill to overflow and potentially cause an explosion or at least a bad leak on the ground.  There is a recall for the work - on just about every VIN batch but mine, so I will have to eat the cost.  Oh well... Jehovah Jireh!  I'm not going to worry about it.  It is a bit of an inconvenience, though to be without the truck while the repair is being made.  Can't wait until next September (05) when I get my new car!

Well, that's about enough for tonight.  More in the future.

Thursday, July 22, 2004

Last day of work this week!

I'm pretty psyched right now.  I have only 4 hours until freedom for 7 days.  This week hasn't bee too hard, but the workdays were long.  I am planning on driving to Allentown to see a Drum & Bugle Corps show on Saturday with my wife and sister.  I'm really looking forward to hearing all the great music and seeing some old friends.  I say old, but they are the same age as me...

If you have a fast connection and want to check out the activity, you can listen to some music and see some video samples of a recent DCI show at this site.  There is also an awesome audio clip of Al Chez (trumpet player from the David Letterman Show) playing the high stuff in the show finale.  This is where all the Corps on the field play a piece that contains America The Beautiful and O Canada!  Neat stuff!

Gotta go!  Freedom's calling!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

It's been a while

I haven't posted anything in a while.  I never have been much of a journaler. 
 
We have two kids in casts at this time.  One will be getting it off this week, and the other just re-injured a previously broken wrist.  I think I will try to get a revolving line of credit with the orthopedic Doctor's office.
 
I've decided to take the plunge and link this blog to one of the websites where I spend a lot of my online time.  Steven Curtis Chapman's Messageboard

Sunday, July 11, 2004

Watchin' Drumline!

I'm sitting here watching Drumline with my daughter. I really like the movie, minus some language. Although I prefer Corps style shows, there is a lot to be said for the tradition and excitement of the traditional black southern college marching bands.
When I was at Auburn, we had some of the high step and horn sway, but nothing like what these bands do.

I'm still contemplating whether or not to post links to this blog anywhere. I like the (perceived) privacy now and know that there are a few folks that will read it regularly. I'd ask what you think I should do, except you haven't read it yet.

Monday, July 05, 2004

Should I link or not?

I'm trying to decide whether or not to start linking this blog page to places I visit online. I know it is accessible through this site, but it's a little different posting it as my signature everywhere I go.

I still feel like an incredible newby to this stuff. I thought I had found out how to post pictures, but evidently not yet. I will keep trying to figure that out.

I don't really know how much I will post here once the newness wears off. I've never been much of a "diary" type. And I don't think my life is exciting enough to interest folks over time.

My daughter kicked butt at her last horse show! She rode two different horses. One was a rookie and she did well on it. The other one is her regular horse and she got one second and three firsts giving her the champion trophy. I'm really proud of her and how hard she works. She has financed her own way in this from the beginning. That's a lot of hard work!

Saturday, July 03, 2004

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Birthday America!!
I know it's a couple of days early, but I am watching "The Patriot" tonight and wanted to make sure I posted this in case I get too busy on the 4th.

I am truly saddened to hear on the news that another American has been beheaded by the terrorists. A Marine this time. I am praying for this man's family. I know the loss is unfathomable. Don't know that this country has the stomach to take much more of this. Of course, that is what the terrorists are counting on. May we remain resolved in the face of such attacks to the justice and righteousness of our cause to free oppressed peoples everywhere.
 
[edit: glad to find out that this information was incorrect and there was not another beheading.  Suspicious situation, thought with this Marine...]

Thursday, July 01, 2004

There is a need in the Drum Corps community.

Please consider signing this petition. The addition of amplification to the field of competitive Drum & Bugle Corps is not a good idea and has proven to be a distraction to the fans.