Happy Dark Knight Day

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Please, Please, Please, Please Click This Link

And a big thanks to Mr. Chris for the heads up.

Beware the Evil Eye

Has anyone else noticed that Marie shows up in a lot of pictures with the same shady look?

I'm starting to think she may be up to something. I'll have to keep my eye on her.

So we spent Saturday (day 2 of my 4 day weekend) with the magnificent Dornans at the Battle Creek Air Show. We both packed coolers so we would have sufficient snackage with which to battle the onslaught of tasty, fatty airshow food. Of course, once the smell of roasted animal flesh wafted across our party of four our willpower was pretty much destroyed. I wound up going with the monster pulled pork sandwich as my lunchables no longer cut it.

The airshow was excellent as always. The Thunderbirds put on one of the better demonstration shows I have seen. I know they are all just about the same but something just felt extra awesome this time.

Of course Jenny hid from the cameras all day. However, there is a video out there of her playing Air Controller Hero (Jenny plays Guitar Hero with the regular Xbox controller). Hopefully it turns up soon.One of our highlights of the day was the above T-shirt. Yes, those are pigs in various states of reproduction. The signifcance to us is that we bought Jenny's mom a salt and pepper shaker set that can be rearranged into many of the above snapshots. For some reason, every time we go to the in-laws each pig is stationed on opposite sides of the stove. Jenny usually rectifies that extremely non-childish situation quite quickly.

All in all it was a pretty good holiday weekend. We got to spend time with good friends, Jenny became the first person to yak in Chris' vehicle (It shall now be known amongst us as The Vomit Comet), we saw the new Will Smith flic (much better than the critics are willing to admit), ate some good food and advanced a level or two at the old Guitar Hero.

Unfortunately Jenny was also sick for most of the weekend. It sucked for her but I got to do one of my favorite things which is to take care of my baby.

I had plenty of help though.

Showbiz Pizza! Yeah!

UGA VI

1999-2008

This Post Could Get Me Killed

I don't feel like watching TV tonight so I decided to write something. I didn't have anything on my mind so I decided to let Itunes decide my blog topic.

I hit shuffle.

I hit play.

The song that came on?


Fat Bottom Girls by Queen.


Now the aforementioned women may indeed make the Rockin World go round but there is nothing but grief in such a blog for me.

So, lets try another song.


The winner is?

Mississippi Queen by Mountain.

What the heck is going on here?

Ok, last try.


No Woman No Cry - The Fugees


OK thats better. I have two versions of this song (Fugees and Bob Marley). It easily ranks in my top 10 all time. I always think of my honeymoon when I hear this song. We went to Jamaica and they had Marley on all the freakin time. This song more than any other. Just such a beautiful song that I have attached to a beautiful memory. There is so much emotion wrapped up in this song, I get caught up in it everytime its on.

Ok, so nothing profound came from that post. So I'm gonna shuffle through my itunes for a bit and narrarate for you. I'm sure your thrilled.

Walk Like an Egyptian - The Puppinni Sisters

This is a new one, a remake of the old Bangles song done in a WWII USO trio style. Can't say much except that you need to check it out.

Taylor Bar, 4 a.m. / Ceol Na Mara - Lunasa

Thanks to Rie for turning me on to this great Celtic band. They are the soundtrack for my Irish days. I always feel transported to the Emerald Isle whenever they are on. I need a Guiness.

Fantine's Death / Confrontation - Les Miserables

The best song from the best musical. Plus, I can almost sing a few parts from it. I'm gonna pause for a minute and take in this one a couple of times.

Wonderall - Oasis

Otherwise known as The Todd Song. Doug you probably know why. Of course, I can't blame the hairy drummer for loving these guys. I can listen to their first two albums at any time. I have yet to get sick of any of the songs. There is something about rock made by band members that hate each other. Its even better when they are brothers.

OK, one more.

Boll Weevil - The Presidents of the United States of America.

Ah, music from the mid 90's. The best of the artsy, Seattle hippie scene. Gotta love the guitbass and the bassitar. (For those that don't know these guys played one guitar with 3 strings, one with 4, one strung with bass strings and heavily drop tuned). And they wrote songs about odd little insects, dune buggys, cats and crushing fruit between your fingers while stalking your ex girlfriend. Who could ask for more.


Well if you've made it through this far I commend you on your resilience. Alas, I have nothing worth saying to say.

Until next time.

Ike.

Video Games Saved My Marriage

The above title is attributed to the amazing cook known as Suzanne Hoek. She requested the above title when we relayed the following information.

Jenny is addicted to a video game.

I downloaded a free demo of Guitar Hero III last week and she tried it out. She wound up staying up until 2:00 the next morning playing it. So, I went to the store and bought the real thing. Now we are both hooked.

I've said for years how lame I thought that game was. Well, I stand corrected. Well, actually it is pretty lame but it is fun as hell and after 11 years together we have finally found something we both LOVE to do together. (Well, two things but this s a family blog).

So I am here, in accordance with Show Code, to admit my shame. But thats ok, cause I'm at the point in my life where the only opinion I really care about is Jenny's, and in this house, I'm a freaking ROCK STAR!

Ugh, I hate myself.

Happiness Found in a Round of Golf

But it usually results in a sore back the next day.

So The Todd and I played 18 at Wallinwood Springs yesterday. It was a nice round that contained more birdies and pars than expected. Unfortunately they were cancelled out by an equal number of unexpected triple and quadruple bogeys.

But, thanks to my new exercise routine my back is not nearly as sore as it has been in years past and I got the first bit of sun for the year on my pale Irish skin.

All in all it was a pretty damn good day.

Hint - Think Oscars

5 points to whoever knows where my new title came from.

Plus you get to be my new best friend.

By the skin of my teeth

So I picked up this idea from Jim.

I'm going to hit shuffle on my ipod and write about whatever comes up.

Here we go.


The last few weeks I have felt completely swamped.

Emergency room visit for stroke level blood pressure, finding out we were pregnant, finding out we lost the baby, getting bombed by claims at work, finding out jenny needed minor surgery, feeling utterly helpless while I watched my beautiful wife writhe in pain when her miscarriage contractions started.

It's been eventful, stressful and exhausting. Yet through it all I've never felt out of control, never felt like I couldn't handle it. I didn't notice it at first but a few nights ago it hit me what we've been through the last couple of months and I was floored by the strength He has given me without my even asking. I've been lax in my walk with Him but as usual He's been right behind me with his hand perched just inches from my back, prepared to steady me when my legs start to give out.

And now, on a night where I knew I wanted to write, but didn't know what, I come across an idea for a random post and come across this song that puts it all into a focus my eyes couldn't find on their own.

My hands are searching for you

My arms are outstretched towards you

I feel you on my fingertips

My tongue dances behind my lips for you

This fire rising through my being

Burning I'm not used to seeing you

I'm alive, I'm alive

I can feel you all around me

Thickening the air I'm breathing

Holding on to what I'm feeling

Savoring this heart that's healing

My hands float up above me

And you whisper you love me

And I begin to fade

Into our secret place

The music makes me sway

The angels singing say we are alone with you

I am alone and they are too with you

I'm alive, I'm alive

I can feel you all around me

Thickening the air I'm breathing

Holding on to what I'm feeling

Savoring this heart that's healing

And so I cry

The light is white

And I see you

I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

(All Around Me - Flyleaf)

Jenny's Secret Identity Revealed

This one made me laugh out loud today and if you know my wife you know why.

So I just want to apologize for the horrible lack of Dwight lately. We've had a busy las couple of weeks. Right after we got finished with the floors we left to house-sit for my inlaws for two weeks. Three days into that adventure we found out that we lost the baby. Needless to say, blogging was not foremost on my mind at the time. (Plus I used a newly purchased Xbox 360 to aid in my recovery so my time was pretty much spoken for).

But I am back now much to your delight I am sure. Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot to relay. Obviously most of you have heard the big, crappy baby news and we've moved on so I'm not going to dwell on it here.

Oh yeah, I did get to see Barack Obama's plane today. I drive home right past the back of the airport and saw his giant, campaign themed waste of donor's money sitting right there on the tarmac. I'm not much of a supporter but its always cool when important people come by.

I do have to say though that when I saw the plane sitting there all I could think of is how much money is thrown into these presidential races never to be seen again. I know that is the way it has to be done these days but the thought of people spending hundreds of millions of dollars or more to fly around the country for 2 years and garner votes kind of sickens me in a time when so many around the world cant even feed themselves. It really makes me long for a better way. I know its there, I know The Big Guy laid it out for us, but I get frustrated with the knowledge that we're too wrapped up in other things to really DO anything about God's issues. Not to mention the fact that our leaders really only pay lip service to Him these days anyway.

Well, I guess that's enough for today's rant. Here's to a good week for everyone. I promise I won't be like Chris or Jenny and start going weeks between posts anymore.

Ike

Weekend Project

So we finally got the floors in the living room.

There is still a bit of trim work to be done and we have to finish the hallway as soon as I can get access to a table saw but our living room finally feels normal.

I'd type more but my arms have quit working.

I promise, once I've recovered from this ordeal I'll get some actual thoughts up here.

Art Can Be Fun

So Jenny and I spent the morning at Fred Meijer Gardens. I got free tickets since we sponsor the butterfly exibit there. And I have to say, it was worth what we paid.

The butterflies were boring, but we also toured the sculpture garden. That would have been boring too if we weren't so freakin childish. It can be a lot of fun to walk around and make fun of pretentious "art". Of course some of the stuff was impressive, like Davinci's Horse. Unfortunately there were too many kids around for us to get a picture of Jenny pointing out the anatomical correctness of the horse's undercarriage.

The best part of bad art? The ridiculous names of course. Can you guess what this one was called? Why it's called "The Thunder" of course. Freakin hippies.

Again, the sheer amount of people and little ones kept us from taking the obvious inappropriate picture with this poor soul.

Believe it or not, this was was called "Emmet and Chris".
Did you know they are shooting "Donnie Darko Does Dallas" right here in Grand Rapids?

I'm Gonna Be A Daddy

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1

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Inappropriate Question of the Day

Why can't guys pee in a freaking urinal?


OK, I hope that got your attentions, but seriously, what excuse is there for a man to ever miss when he's going in the mens room. I mean they made a freaking toilet that hangs on the wall at the precise height for the transaction, and yet I still walk into the men's room at work at least once a week to find that somehow, someone has managed to leave some on the floor.

Sorry about that but I'm really starting to get mad about this. (and yes I almost said it was pissing me off but I thought better of it)

So anyway, I got to go to the ER last week. Fun times. I won't joke too much about this since my blood pressure was around 190/140. They got it down that day but I think the last little bit of my childhood died last Tuesday since I am now a proud daily pill taker. But I guess it's a small price to pay for my health.

But it was a pretty severe kick in the backside. Having a doctor tell you that at the current rate I wouldn't live to see my as yet unborn kids graduate high school will open your eyes pretty darn quick. I started weight watchers and have lost about 20 lbs so far this year but that was a real wakeup call for me. Hopefully this time I'll stay on board and get all this extra damn weight off.


OK, enough serious crap. I need something that will make me laugh.

And I'm thinking your reaction to this picture ought to do it.

My 4

4 jobs I have had in my life:

1. Insurance Adjuster
2. Butcher
3. Line Cook
4. Pulling Cable for a high school computer network

Four movies I would watch over and over (or have watched over and over):

I would like to file a formal protest against whoever only let me pick 4!

1. Star Wars (That's not a moon, it's a space station!)
2. Top Gun (She's lost that lovin feeling....No she hasn't....yes, she's lost it.......I hate it when she does that)
3. The Jerk (Die Gas Pumper!)
4. The Godfather (Take the gun, leave the canoli)

Four places I have lived:

1. Columbia, SC (does it count if I was too young to remember?)
2. Grand Rapids, MI
3. Warner Robins, GA
4. Stone Mountain, GA

Four TV shows that I watch:

1. Lost
2. Criminal Minds
3. The Enhanced episode of Lost at 8:00 pm EST
4. The Office (I do NOT love Jim. He is the bane of our existence. He wouldn't know genuine sales talent if it sat right next to him......which it does)

Four places I have been:

1. Jamaica
2. Universal Studios
3. Todd's House
4. The Minneapolis airport!

Four people who email (or call) me regularly (in no particular order):

1. Jenny (she keeps me company at work)
2. Chris (he makes sure I don't miss any important articles, you know about sports or Star Trek or the Dark Knight)
3. AT&T (they keep asking for money)
4. Doug (if for no other reason than to discuss the latest PA strip)

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Roasted Chicken
2. Bonefish Grille's shrimp and sea scallops!
3. My secret recipe hamburgers
4. Heavily malted barley brewed to bring out a hint of chocolate and served with a quick shot of NO2 and allowed to settle gently in a pint glass.

Four places I would like to be right now:

1. Anywhere but Michigan
2. Not in Michigan
3. No longer in the Great Lakes state
4. Ireland

Four things I am looking forward to this year:

1. A sunny day
2. A warm day
3. Golf
4. Going to Florida for Christmas (where it is warm and it's not Michigan)

Four people who should post four things about them:

1. Paul
2. Doug
3. Jim
4. Jenny (she'll need something to post here in about 3 weeks)

A Recomendation

So, my blogs are likely to be a bit sparse for a while. My laptop power cord is on the fritz and the $80 replacement cord is a few notches below #1 on my list of monetary priorities right now.

But I came across a freakin hilarious blog while hijacking Jenny's computer this morning. No explanation is needed as I give you an excerpt from Stuff White People Like:

#23 Microbreweries

White people don’t like stuff that’s easy to acquire. Beer is no exception.
They generally try to avoid beers like Budweiser, Labatt’s, Molson, Coors, and Heineken because if it’s mass produced it is bad. No exceptions.
So when they need a beer, they turn to microbrews who seem to be located almost exclusively in New England, Ontario, Quebec and Colorado. Being able to walk into a bar and order a beer that no one has heard of makes white people feel good about their alcohol drinking palate.
A friend of mine once met a white guy who brought a notebook with him to every bar. He would then keep a record of all the beers he drank and his experience with them. He called it his ‘beer journal.’
Also of note: most white people want to open a microbrewery at some point. One that uses organic hops.

#13 Tea

It is a known fact that white people consume, on average 25 different teas in a given year.
Back in the old days, white people would go all over the world to get teas from places like India and Sri Lanka. They were pretty into it and all of a sudden white people are into tea. But as we moved forward, white people were like “man, one kind of tea is not enough, we need more.”
And now people are into Green Tea, Chamomile, Chai, White Tea, Red Tea, Jasmine Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Orange Pekoe, and other specialty blends. They are even opening stores and websites devoted to sending white people all sorts of tea.
If you find yourself in a situation with a white person, acceptable things to say include “I’m really into tea right now,” or “my favorite thing is to get a nice cup of tea and curl up in a chair with a good book.” But do not remind them about the role of colonialism in tea, it will make them feel sad.

#4 Assists

When you say the word “assist,” first thing you think about is Steve Nash and Wayne Gretzky. White people love to pass, it’s no secret.
In basketball, it’s kind of a must so that white guys can carve out a niche and guarantee acceptance on a team. Trying to be a white guy who dunks and stuff is like trying to be a white rapper - yeah, there are a few, but you have to work twice as hard for half the results.
One explanation is that white people still feel guilty over slavery, colonialism, and the crusades so passing is a way to make up for it. But more importantly, it makes them feel good to help others.

They are up to 84 entries so far. Check it out, be offended by the truth!

Play Ball!

So Dwight is sick of winter. Winter Sucks.

Have I mentioned yet that I'm about to punch winter in the throat?

So I decided it is time to concentrate on something more uplifting.

Its time for baseball baby!

Yes kids its almost time for opening day's opening pitch. This is always one of my favorite times of the year. The cold, dreariness of winter moves aside for crisp, cool days of spring. These days in turn usher in the rejuvenating smell of leather and glove conditioner along with the glee inducing crack of bat on ball. Dads across the country are spending quality time in the backyard having a catch with their sons And normally stoic men get teary eyed while watching Robert Redford round the bases.


Yet this year feels different. I've spent the last week or so trying to figure out why but it finally dawned on me:

No more Barry






No more Roger



It finally feels like we are putting the "Steroid Era" in our rear view mirror. Yes there will be the occasional story about Roger or Barry's legal wranglings; but for the most part these depressing steroid stories will focus on washed up ex players and they will eventually fade into the background.




Now we can concentrate on the important stories:

The Resurgence of the Tigers!

How will Joel Zumaya hurt himself this year?

Which crappy team will turn it around and energize a fanbase?

Personally I will be focusing on the transition from Smoltzie and Chipper to the Baby Braves in Atlanta. I'm actually kind of enjoying following a pretty good team with some serious holes. Yes 14 STRAIGHT division titles were wonderful but I feel more like a real fan when I have to suffer through the not-quite-so-good times.










So to celebrate the coming season I have decided to host a free Fantasy Baseball league on Yahoo. I'm formally inviting anyone who is interested in participating. If you read my blog you are welcome in my league. This will be strictly for bragging rights only and obsessive owners will be harshly ridiculed. I've done several of these over the years and I've found they are the most fun when contested among friends in a laid back setting.

So if you are interested, just head to Yahoo Sports. The league ID# is 151041 and the password is baseball.

Hope to see you there.

And remember. Catchers make better lovers!

I Don't Get It

Jenny thinks if we have a girl she will wind up like this.



I have no idea what she is talking about.

A Post For Paul and Doug

Because I don't think anyone else will understand.