well, it is the end of another fine weekend. Actually, I worked this weekend, but only for about 6 hours. It really wasn't too bad. Somehow, though, the weekends disappear quicker than clean air in Salt Lake City.
My friends Richard and Josh and I were able to get out and see a show this weekend. We saw Yonder Mountain String Band play in downtown SLC at a place called Port O' Call. It was a later show, but the venue was nice, and the music was kicking. I went on the recommendation of my little sis and I was not disappointed at all. From the beginning we could tell that it was going to be a rollicking good time. We were all impressed with the mandolin and guitar and had a great time. The first set lasted a little over an hour and a half, and we were into the second song on the second set when we had to leave to catch the train home. Otherwise it could have been a very late night. I suggest that if you ever get the chance you should go see this band. Psychedelic bluegrass, indeed. And there was a funny smell in the air...reminded me of Eugene...
So the kids had a healthy week. Everyone had a relatively good week, actually. Shirley had a great couple of days in a row (she has a sort of achievement chart that we keep track of) and the boys didn't vomit or have to go the hospital at all. They are actually getting funnier, I think. They often make us laugh with their antics or just the little things that they do. It is fun, for sure, even with all the work. It is amazing how I can be dog tired and cranky, but the kids can make me feel good just by being themselves.
On a sad note, I found out a couple of weeks ago that my cousin has leukemia. She was flown down to Seattle from Anchorage and has remained there since. It has been hard on the extended family, and extremely difficult on her children. I have since heard from my mom that she is not improving from her present condition in recent days, which is not a good thing. She is not doing well at all, and it is difficult to think of her in her present state. So I will remember some things about cousin Vicki: My first experience of a donut was in my grandparents' car as she spun a few of us cousins around and around at the lot by our grandparents' house. Her laugh is boisterous, to say the least, and when she smiles, her cheeks plump up much in the way a cartoon character's would. As she is older than me by several years, I remember her pumping disco tunes out of the old hi-fi that took up half the living room at our grandparents' house. She is the one who introduced me to Kool and the Gang. . .thank you for that, Vicki. And though many years passed in between where we lived in different places and didn't see each other much, my most recent thoughts about her were of when we were in Colombia picking up our kids and we received a couple of emails from her. The words were more or less scattered thoughts, jumbled into sentences and very tangential, but they were words of love. They were uplifting words to Janine and me as we were in a strange and beautiful country far from family and friends. She read our blogs faithfully and kept us informed of her own family, which was a welcome thing as we needed to hear about other people and other things than what was going on in our own lives at that time. Her words exuded excitement and encouragement, things we needed and continue to need in our journey. I don't think she is able to read right now, but if she were able to I would just like to thank her for her loving words and to offer our own as well as our prayers for her and her family. We love you, Vicki.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well,
with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
where are the flyers now
Wow. It is amazing how many days can go by between my posts. I rarely have time to write these days, as my time is mostly taken up by other things: making sandwiches, riding my motorcycle, and crocheting. Good times.
Well, we just got done with a weekend visit from my mom, sister and brother-in-law. It was a good time, as they got to play a bunch with the kids and spend time getting to know them. The kids did well in their interaction with the fam, and they all had a bunch of fun. We didn't really do a whole lot, but we did manage to hit the zoo and a farm in the area. It was nice to relax a bit and get out with everyone (although I don't think that Dave liked my driving). It would have been fun to show more of the area and to get out more, but with the boys' nap schedule it can sometimes be difficult to plan bigger events. It will be a lot of fun when they are able to go out for a whole day and hike around and play...I am sure we will have some fun picnics and park times and misadventures of Colombian/American youth. It was fun to visit the fam and to talk and enjoy their company in the short time they were here. It is always hard to see them go.
I am beginning to think that Jason's Deli is not good for our kids. After Shirley's almost-chucking-the-pickle incident of a while back, Andres decided he didn't like his hot dog and chocolate milk after all and decided to practice a little reverse peristalsis (spelling?) in the deli. Not good for anyone. Poor guy was not feeling well, though, and although he tossed two more times that night we were fortunate that he was doing better the next day. Poor guy. They are all healthy now, though, which is nice. They are all so funny.
The library is our friend. I am not sure why I didn't discover the library before recently, but it is a boon to our lifestyle. It certainly helps to not have to buy books and videos, that is for sure. I am pretty sure that the library is going to be the instigator to a socialist movement not seen since the days of Pete Seeger. I, for one, am in. Public domain is pretty neat, to say the least, as long as we can take care of it. Obviously the problem is not the system, though, but rather the people. I am still far more socialist in my politics than I am either of the reigning big parties of the U.S. these days. And the library will be the medium to bring others to an understanding of what we socialists actually are looking for: commons.
I am no liking not having cable right now. I miss hockey terribly and have been able to watch very little. With the playoffs going on right now I am really hurting for some good hockey action. I am not the kind who will go out to watch a game, as there are too many knuckleheads out there and I don't want to be bothered, but I might have to find an alternate way to view some games, as NBC lets me down with their lack of coverage. With the Flyers all getting their surgeries done now or practicing their cuts with the 3 Wood, I am left to cheer for the Red Wings. I would say the Calgary Flames, but they just lost to the Red Wings. So Red Wings it is. Datsyuk is awesome. And I am glad the Predators lost.
Oh. The guitar playing went well. I am not sure if I mentioned it. They liked the tunes that I wrote. It was fun. So we will do it again sometime. I am pretty sure that they have our world tour planned, which might be a little premature, but it is fun anyway. We are actually looking at getting enough songs together for an actual show (of which I have not participated since my days in . . . well, have I participated in a real show before?). It should be fun, anyway.
Well, I hopefully will do more on here. I spend too much time at my job, so I have stories about that, but I don't think that many people are interested in micro-surveying. I know I am not. Anyhow, I am going to get rolling. It is getting late and I need to finish my latest doily that I am crocheting.
In the immortal words of Kip Dynamite: Peace out.
Well, we just got done with a weekend visit from my mom, sister and brother-in-law. It was a good time, as they got to play a bunch with the kids and spend time getting to know them. The kids did well in their interaction with the fam, and they all had a bunch of fun. We didn't really do a whole lot, but we did manage to hit the zoo and a farm in the area. It was nice to relax a bit and get out with everyone (although I don't think that Dave liked my driving). It would have been fun to show more of the area and to get out more, but with the boys' nap schedule it can sometimes be difficult to plan bigger events. It will be a lot of fun when they are able to go out for a whole day and hike around and play...I am sure we will have some fun picnics and park times and misadventures of Colombian/American youth. It was fun to visit the fam and to talk and enjoy their company in the short time they were here. It is always hard to see them go.
I am beginning to think that Jason's Deli is not good for our kids. After Shirley's almost-chucking-the-pickle incident of a while back, Andres decided he didn't like his hot dog and chocolate milk after all and decided to practice a little reverse peristalsis (spelling?) in the deli. Not good for anyone. Poor guy was not feeling well, though, and although he tossed two more times that night we were fortunate that he was doing better the next day. Poor guy. They are all healthy now, though, which is nice. They are all so funny.
The library is our friend. I am not sure why I didn't discover the library before recently, but it is a boon to our lifestyle. It certainly helps to not have to buy books and videos, that is for sure. I am pretty sure that the library is going to be the instigator to a socialist movement not seen since the days of Pete Seeger. I, for one, am in. Public domain is pretty neat, to say the least, as long as we can take care of it. Obviously the problem is not the system, though, but rather the people. I am still far more socialist in my politics than I am either of the reigning big parties of the U.S. these days. And the library will be the medium to bring others to an understanding of what we socialists actually are looking for: commons.
I am no liking not having cable right now. I miss hockey terribly and have been able to watch very little. With the playoffs going on right now I am really hurting for some good hockey action. I am not the kind who will go out to watch a game, as there are too many knuckleheads out there and I don't want to be bothered, but I might have to find an alternate way to view some games, as NBC lets me down with their lack of coverage. With the Flyers all getting their surgeries done now or practicing their cuts with the 3 Wood, I am left to cheer for the Red Wings. I would say the Calgary Flames, but they just lost to the Red Wings. So Red Wings it is. Datsyuk is awesome. And I am glad the Predators lost.
Oh. The guitar playing went well. I am not sure if I mentioned it. They liked the tunes that I wrote. It was fun. So we will do it again sometime. I am pretty sure that they have our world tour planned, which might be a little premature, but it is fun anyway. We are actually looking at getting enough songs together for an actual show (of which I have not participated since my days in . . . well, have I participated in a real show before?). It should be fun, anyway.
Well, I hopefully will do more on here. I spend too much time at my job, so I have stories about that, but I don't think that many people are interested in micro-surveying. I know I am not. Anyhow, I am going to get rolling. It is getting late and I need to finish my latest doily that I am crocheting.
In the immortal words of Kip Dynamite: Peace out.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
I eat nails for breakfast...
Happy Easter. Christ is risen.
It has been a good weekend. First off, we had a good Saturday morning with the kids. We took them on their first egg hunt, and though they didn't really get it at first, they did catch on and managed to get more than enough cheap, gross candy and other inexpensive trinkets. They had a good time running around picking up the eggs and enjoyed opening them up (sometimes over and over again) much more than getting them in the first place. I thought it was just nice to be out in the open air with the kids, on a day that didn't seem like the usual SLC smog and the sun that tickled my skin (I don't see it much where I work). Honestly, I was reluctant to go, but afterward I was very glad I did go.
Shirley went with Brad, Traci and Joel afterward, while we brought the boys back to nap. I then went to play music with some guys, and that turned out pretty well. It has been a while since I have had people enthusiastic about my songs, so it was an ego boost to hear how much they enjoyed playing my stuff. We were able to jam for about two hours, and although we probably won't be going on a world tour any time soon, we did have a good time and at the very least would like to play a few shows. It's good, because I have the jones. And I have good songs.
After I came back the boys woke up and we all went for a little cruise, splitting time between the library (if you do not go to the library, you are a nerd), picking up our license plates, dropping stuff off at the donation center, and eating some good sandwiches at a local dining facility. The boys did pretty well for the better part of the day, and it was just nice to relax with the family for a while. After last week's marathon 68.5 hours, this week's 54 seemed like a breeze. And it helped to have Saturday off. Soon enough the hours should go down to close to 50 a week, though, which will be nice.
Today was a good day, too. We didn't go to sunrise service, what with the practical implausibility of getting the kids up and ready (especially with them still in "recovery" mode), but we did make it to church. It was good to see some folks and chat a little bit, as well as to participate in what should be the church's big day. Easter is rejuvenating, and came at a time when it is very needed.
After the boys napped we went over to have an Easter barbecue at Traci's parents' house. It was so nice to be able to sit and relax and enjoy the comforts of family, friends and a good selection of grilled meats. I left very satisfied and relaxed, and the kids really seemed to have a good time, too. They got to run around in the backyard and participate in their second egg hunt. It is fun to watch them run around (as the boys have yet to learn how to run...really...it is very awkward looking) and have fun with their cousin Joel. It was a good day.
I should note that we also were able to witness three kids we have been working with get baptized today. Nohemi, Arleth and Roberto all were baptized during our service today. It was wonderful to watch, to be a part of it all, and to know that God has worked through us (in Kid's Club, tutoring, and in hanging out with the kids) in spite of all the external things that happen in all our lives (including the lives of the kids, too). It was very nice and the kids were very excited and happy to have been baptized.
I am becoming more and more convinced that Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco, for those who don't know) is a great musician. I have been becoming more and more hooked on Wilco's music, specifically after watching the documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" and the film "Sunken Treasure" in which Tweedy is filmed performing at solo acoustic shows in the PAC NW. It was very good. Go watch it. Now. But seriously, Wilco is amazing. I sometimes am slow at realizing things like this, and now that it is two and a half years after the fact that I saw them (with sieta ariba. . .who is not the opening band, right 7-Up?) I realize I may have missed out on greatness by being slightly off in my perception of the band that night. But I was so much older then...I'm younger than that now...
I am also convinced that Yo La Tengo is a good band.
And that I will see Son Volt when they come to town in August.
Bean: is it Yonder Mountain String Band that you love so much?
I need another tattoo more than I need a video game console. It's true. I eat nails for breakfast.
It has been a good weekend. First off, we had a good Saturday morning with the kids. We took them on their first egg hunt, and though they didn't really get it at first, they did catch on and managed to get more than enough cheap, gross candy and other inexpensive trinkets. They had a good time running around picking up the eggs and enjoyed opening them up (sometimes over and over again) much more than getting them in the first place. I thought it was just nice to be out in the open air with the kids, on a day that didn't seem like the usual SLC smog and the sun that tickled my skin (I don't see it much where I work). Honestly, I was reluctant to go, but afterward I was very glad I did go.
Shirley went with Brad, Traci and Joel afterward, while we brought the boys back to nap. I then went to play music with some guys, and that turned out pretty well. It has been a while since I have had people enthusiastic about my songs, so it was an ego boost to hear how much they enjoyed playing my stuff. We were able to jam for about two hours, and although we probably won't be going on a world tour any time soon, we did have a good time and at the very least would like to play a few shows. It's good, because I have the jones. And I have good songs.
After I came back the boys woke up and we all went for a little cruise, splitting time between the library (if you do not go to the library, you are a nerd), picking up our license plates, dropping stuff off at the donation center, and eating some good sandwiches at a local dining facility. The boys did pretty well for the better part of the day, and it was just nice to relax with the family for a while. After last week's marathon 68.5 hours, this week's 54 seemed like a breeze. And it helped to have Saturday off. Soon enough the hours should go down to close to 50 a week, though, which will be nice.
Today was a good day, too. We didn't go to sunrise service, what with the practical implausibility of getting the kids up and ready (especially with them still in "recovery" mode), but we did make it to church. It was good to see some folks and chat a little bit, as well as to participate in what should be the church's big day. Easter is rejuvenating, and came at a time when it is very needed.
After the boys napped we went over to have an Easter barbecue at Traci's parents' house. It was so nice to be able to sit and relax and enjoy the comforts of family, friends and a good selection of grilled meats. I left very satisfied and relaxed, and the kids really seemed to have a good time, too. They got to run around in the backyard and participate in their second egg hunt. It is fun to watch them run around (as the boys have yet to learn how to run...really...it is very awkward looking) and have fun with their cousin Joel. It was a good day.
I should note that we also were able to witness three kids we have been working with get baptized today. Nohemi, Arleth and Roberto all were baptized during our service today. It was wonderful to watch, to be a part of it all, and to know that God has worked through us (in Kid's Club, tutoring, and in hanging out with the kids) in spite of all the external things that happen in all our lives (including the lives of the kids, too). It was very nice and the kids were very excited and happy to have been baptized.
I am becoming more and more convinced that Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco, for those who don't know) is a great musician. I have been becoming more and more hooked on Wilco's music, specifically after watching the documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" and the film "Sunken Treasure" in which Tweedy is filmed performing at solo acoustic shows in the PAC NW. It was very good. Go watch it. Now. But seriously, Wilco is amazing. I sometimes am slow at realizing things like this, and now that it is two and a half years after the fact that I saw them (with sieta ariba. . .who is not the opening band, right 7-Up?) I realize I may have missed out on greatness by being slightly off in my perception of the band that night. But I was so much older then...I'm younger than that now...
I am also convinced that Yo La Tengo is a good band.
And that I will see Son Volt when they come to town in August.
Bean: is it Yonder Mountain String Band that you love so much?
I need another tattoo more than I need a video game console. It's true. I eat nails for breakfast.
Friday, April 6, 2007
writing more...
Yeah. So much for that idea. I am not keeping up. I am pretty sure it has something to do with being busy. 60 hour weeks (last week: 68.5) are not conducive to writing blogs. Oh well.
I am not even sure what has really happened, to be honest. I know that a lot has happened. We have spent much time at the hospital lately. I should be more correct in saying that Janine and the kids have been spending more time in the hospital lately. The kids have been there for blood work and various illnesses, including an emergency room visit on Monday night for Juancho. Poor guy. He was miserable. His temperature was very high and he did not look good at all, so we took him in. Fortunately, Brad and Traci took Andres and Shirley, so our time there was not chaotic or hectic, and in all reality was a fairly pleasant hospital experience (Juancho, if he could speak English, might tell you differently). This week, Janine has been back and forth with the kids doing blood work and getting shots and what not. It has been pretty crazy for her. Me...I just work.
So the championship game was this past Monday. I didn't watch it for the first time since I was about 13. Kind of strange, but that night Juan was in bad shape. Parenthood is definitely different. I didn't really care that I missed the game. Or the season finale of Prison Break. I was happy that our boy was okay, even if he was miserable. But I do know that Florida won. This year reminded me so much of 1992. Returning champ. Young upstarts on the contender. Much the same as Duke-Michigan, featuring Bobby Hurley, Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and the Fab Five. Florida featured Corey Brewer, Al Horford, and Joakim Noah, while the young upstarts (although no match to the Fab Five in my mind) were Mike Conley, Jr., Greg Oden, and some other guys (see...no Fab Five). Interesting how it worked, as the outcome was similar to 1992: repeat champs. I am no fan of Florida, but I like to see the repeat.
Baseball started...
...so?
I got word that my mom and my sister and her husband are coming to visit in a couple of weeks. I am very excited. I know that they will love the kids and that the kids will be more than happy to share their mucus covered noses with them all. It should be a good time, and hopefully a relaxing time. I am not sure what we will do, but the main ingredient will be hanging out. Good times.
Tomorrow I will go play music with a guy I met at work. I have not played with anyone in a long time, and am very curious as to how things will turn out. He has heard my music and really likes it (almost scarily so), so we will see how things go. He has played in bands off and on for over ten years and is anxious to play my songs. He also used to work in the movie business in various capacities. My big break? I doubt it. But it could be fun. And my songs are darn good.
Before that, though, I think we will be taking the kids on their first Easter egg hunt. I am not sure if they will understand the concept, and they are probably too passive to wrestle any kids (POKE HIS EYE, ANDRES!! THROW DIRT IN HIS FACE, JUANCHO!!) for an egg, but we are hoping they have fun anyway. We will be eating Easter dinner/lunch over at my brother-in-law's parents-in-law's house, so that will be fun, too. It will be nice to relax and enjoy the weekend, which is supposed to be gorgeous. I am glad it is not summer.
I am tired, so I will sign off. I will try to get on this a little more and give actual updates of what is happening. I feel that this is full of old news, as what is flooding my mind is the setting of $35 million dollar tools right now. I need to take a break from work. Thank goodness for the weekend.
Hope all is well.
I am not even sure what has really happened, to be honest. I know that a lot has happened. We have spent much time at the hospital lately. I should be more correct in saying that Janine and the kids have been spending more time in the hospital lately. The kids have been there for blood work and various illnesses, including an emergency room visit on Monday night for Juancho. Poor guy. He was miserable. His temperature was very high and he did not look good at all, so we took him in. Fortunately, Brad and Traci took Andres and Shirley, so our time there was not chaotic or hectic, and in all reality was a fairly pleasant hospital experience (Juancho, if he could speak English, might tell you differently). This week, Janine has been back and forth with the kids doing blood work and getting shots and what not. It has been pretty crazy for her. Me...I just work.
So the championship game was this past Monday. I didn't watch it for the first time since I was about 13. Kind of strange, but that night Juan was in bad shape. Parenthood is definitely different. I didn't really care that I missed the game. Or the season finale of Prison Break. I was happy that our boy was okay, even if he was miserable. But I do know that Florida won. This year reminded me so much of 1992. Returning champ. Young upstarts on the contender. Much the same as Duke-Michigan, featuring Bobby Hurley, Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and the Fab Five. Florida featured Corey Brewer, Al Horford, and Joakim Noah, while the young upstarts (although no match to the Fab Five in my mind) were Mike Conley, Jr., Greg Oden, and some other guys (see...no Fab Five). Interesting how it worked, as the outcome was similar to 1992: repeat champs. I am no fan of Florida, but I like to see the repeat.
Baseball started...
...so?
I got word that my mom and my sister and her husband are coming to visit in a couple of weeks. I am very excited. I know that they will love the kids and that the kids will be more than happy to share their mucus covered noses with them all. It should be a good time, and hopefully a relaxing time. I am not sure what we will do, but the main ingredient will be hanging out. Good times.
Tomorrow I will go play music with a guy I met at work. I have not played with anyone in a long time, and am very curious as to how things will turn out. He has heard my music and really likes it (almost scarily so), so we will see how things go. He has played in bands off and on for over ten years and is anxious to play my songs. He also used to work in the movie business in various capacities. My big break? I doubt it. But it could be fun. And my songs are darn good.
Before that, though, I think we will be taking the kids on their first Easter egg hunt. I am not sure if they will understand the concept, and they are probably too passive to wrestle any kids (POKE HIS EYE, ANDRES!! THROW DIRT IN HIS FACE, JUANCHO!!) for an egg, but we are hoping they have fun anyway. We will be eating Easter dinner/lunch over at my brother-in-law's parents-in-law's house, so that will be fun, too. It will be nice to relax and enjoy the weekend, which is supposed to be gorgeous. I am glad it is not summer.
I am tired, so I will sign off. I will try to get on this a little more and give actual updates of what is happening. I feel that this is full of old news, as what is flooding my mind is the setting of $35 million dollar tools right now. I need to take a break from work. Thank goodness for the weekend.
Hope all is well.
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