Day Three Update

So far...

We have completely filled two big dumpsters...
The walls and ceiling are mostly gone...
Dust covers everything...
Kitchen cabinets sitting on the balcony...
Garage filled with two ovens, dishwasher, and stove top...
Cereal for most meals...
Now considering redoing the roof, too...
Project appears to be getting more expensive than planned..
The whole family spends the night together crammed in the basement...

Considering family counseling.

I Guess this Means Take Out for Dinner?

On the bright side, I do know the location of a very good place for breakfast, which is kind of on the way to work.

Finally A Good Reason To Dislike the Chinese

I've recently been accused by the scrapbook nazi of being a cynic when it comes to the Olympics. I don't believe the International Olympic Committee lives up to the high standards they espouse. And that makes all the high-minded talk a little hypocritical in my book. (See 1972 US Men's Basketball team for example).

And, just in time to prove my point, we have a new reason to dislike the Chinese. Forget Tianamen Square. And Tibet. And the whole friends-with-North-Korea thing. This is serious.

Apparently the Chinese Women's Gymnastic Team isn't made up of women at all. They're little girls--too young to compete in the Olympics. One of them is so young she's still losing her baby teeth. You can read the story here.

Perhaps the Chinese should go back and read the Olympic Creed: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." Unless, of course, nationalistic (or is it communistic?) pride and progaganda are on the line.

Or we can just call the Olympics for what they are: two weeks of commercialized sports event where the host, Olympic committees, and sponsors use (mostly) amateur athletes to make gobs of money. Sounds like the international version of the NCAA.

Bliss...

Personal Lawn Service

A want a really green, well-trimmed lawn. But I don't want to hire a lawn service. And while I don't mind doing yard work, it sure would be nice to have a one.

So about ten years ago, I set about creating my own. And while it has taken some time, one of the boys officially crossed the "lawn mowing age" line today.

Happy birthday, Robbie--though I think I am the one that is finally getting the present this year.

Now get to work, the grass is getting long.

The Word of the Day is Pain, Fool.

Or suffering. Or soreness. Or whine. Or please make it stop.

Okay, so this last one isn't just one word. But since the magical day of waterskiing, I hurt. A lot. Stomach. Back. Arms. Quads.

It's almost as if my 40th birthday is figuratively right around the corner.

Maybe Losing Weight Was a Mistake

I'm feeling so conflicted right now...

Last week I finally reached my goal of losing twenty pounds, which at the time, seemed like a worthwhile accomplishment. Then I learned that women aren't exactly clamoring for skinny men.


So I'm officially no longer trying to lose weight. Although, I'm not sure it takes imported ale yeast concentrated 7 times to put on 5 to 15 pounds. A couple of pans of brownies should do the trick. Something to think about, Shawn.

Cool Ad for Nike Football (What The World Calls Football)

Not sure if this is real, but if it is, it's a pretty good shot...




Seriously, Everyone Should Have a Wife...

Even my wife should have a wife.

So Much for My Diet...

As some of you may know, since our trip to Disneyland, where my famous "abs" photo was taken, I've been trying to slim down a bit. The goal was to lose 20 pounds and muscle up a bit. And I was getting close. Very close. Achingly close.

Then tragedy struck.

Say goodbye to salads, and nuts, and berries, and protein shakes... I just learned that it is possible to make a bacon cheese burger using Krispy Kreme Donuts instead of a bun. Yes, this is true--apparently it's called a Luther burger. And it marks the official end of me ever trying to lose weight. With sugary, cheesy, bacony goodness like this, what's the point?

Actually I'm disappointed in my inability to invent this delicious meal myself.


It seems there is no end to American innovation. Lunch and desert in a single bite. I love this country! And here's what will be on the photoscrooge grill for the 4th this year.

Thanks for the tips, aldente blog.