So living in NYC has a lot of challenges, so when you find an "I love NY" day, you have to celebrate it. In this case, it was actually two days.
Friday, we had a gorgeous snow day. It wasn't so bad that I could justify staying home from work, which is fine, because a snow day in the office is fun, too. Madison Square Park looked beautiful as the snow fell. Certainly, snowy NY isn't so pretty a day or two after a storm. But while it's happening and right after, it's totally beautiful. I'm very fortunate to have an office with such a great view of a park.
The storm and closeness to Christmas meant the clients had really evacuated already and I could just get things done without interruption.
I had to walk home from the train station to the house on Friday night (about 1.25 miles) as I didn't want Kathryn out on the roads. But the neighborhoods were so quiet and festive with lights that it was kind of fun.
Then on Saturday morning, I left the house around 5:30 a.m. to do the first session at the Manhattan temple. One of the blessings of NYC is having our intimate little temple. And at that time of the morning, it's not very busy --especially after the storm. So you feel like it's your own private temple. The first session is Spanish, so I have to wear headphones, but that's OK.
I bumped into the temple president afterward, who greeted me by name. That's always nice. I worked with him exactly a year ago in helping a disabled member attend the temple for the first time, and somehow he remembers my name and face. Can't imagine a temple president in a Utah temple making a point of greeting me personally.
Then, I wanted to head to my office to get all the left-over toy samples to distribute to families in the ward. So I exited the garage on 66th Street and drove across Central Park. Again, freshly fallen snow in the park looks beautiful.
I decided to drive down 5th Avenue to reach my office. I thought it might be crowded with tourists o'plenty, but it was early enough, and NYers don't awake from their slumber til mid morning. So I drove down an empty 5th Avenue, and went past the decked-out Plaza Hotel and FAO Scwartz. Then, under the big star hanging above the street. Then all the very decorated department stores and their windows that make 5th Avenue famous. Went by St. Patricks, and even got a glimpse of the Rockefeller Tree. It was so fun that I actually think I should take the kids for a drive along 5th Ave. early morning as part of a new family tradition.
Passed the main library....for some reason, no wreaths around the lion's necks this year.
Coming up to the Empire State Building, you almost miss it. You would think the tallest building in the city would dominate the road, but it's kind of hidden and you have to make a point of looking for it or you'll miss it. I ended down by the Flat Iron building at 23rd street, which is my favorite 'hidden treasure" of the city.
Then I escaped into my office, loaded up the van with Star Wars toys and headed home. Later that day, Kathryn took the older two kids into Grand Central and a Nutcracker performance (not THE famous performance but a nice one all the same).
With all the challenges of NY, you have to recognize the good and the fun that makes living here so great. Quite honestly, I'm happy to put up with the tough things because the good moments are so awesome. I love NY!!!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Print Edition on its Way!
Hi all:
Well, I had to let the online version lapse a bit while I got my feet underneath me on that bishop calling thing -- and I had to focus my attention to creating the annual print edition of the newsletter. But it's written, printed, and the first wave is out the door. The final copies should be in the mail by the morning.
Surprisingly, several of you have stated in your Christmas letter to us: "Hey, what's the deal? Where's the newsletter?" I'm happy to see that it's been noticed that I'm running a bit late. It also helps reinforce whose list we are because they like us and who just sends us a return card out of guilt because they got our card first.
Let me warn you that -- in keeping with the cutbacks and layoffs -- the newsletter is perhaps 60 percent less funny than previous years. No, this is more than just me trying to be like a campaign manager who manages expectations before his candidate debate. I just didn't have the time or the creative energy to keep it to previous year standards. The clock was ticking too loudly. It's still got a funny note or two, but don't un-subscribe after one weak season.
If you want to be part of a marketing focus group related to this year's letter, feel free to post comments here as to what you like in this year's letter or what you'd like improved in next year's version. I'll try next year to follow the politicians and make a product that appeals to all and offends to none. After all Christmas newsletters by committee is where it's at! :)
Yours in holiday cheer,
Mark
Well, I had to let the online version lapse a bit while I got my feet underneath me on that bishop calling thing -- and I had to focus my attention to creating the annual print edition of the newsletter. But it's written, printed, and the first wave is out the door. The final copies should be in the mail by the morning.
Surprisingly, several of you have stated in your Christmas letter to us: "Hey, what's the deal? Where's the newsletter?" I'm happy to see that it's been noticed that I'm running a bit late. It also helps reinforce whose list we are because they like us and who just sends us a return card out of guilt because they got our card first.
Let me warn you that -- in keeping with the cutbacks and layoffs -- the newsletter is perhaps 60 percent less funny than previous years. No, this is more than just me trying to be like a campaign manager who manages expectations before his candidate debate. I just didn't have the time or the creative energy to keep it to previous year standards. The clock was ticking too loudly. It's still got a funny note or two, but don't un-subscribe after one weak season.
If you want to be part of a marketing focus group related to this year's letter, feel free to post comments here as to what you like in this year's letter or what you'd like improved in next year's version. I'll try next year to follow the politicians and make a product that appeals to all and offends to none. After all Christmas newsletters by committee is where it's at! :)
Yours in holiday cheer,
Mark
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Best Moments at Yankees Stadium
Well, the old stadium is really closed. Just yesterday I heard that they crated up Babe Ruth from Monument Park. We're excited about the new stadium as the old stadium really was archaic, but it does hold some great memories. In no particular order:
1. Josh's birthday party. Probably his best birthday EVER. School let out for the summer earlier that day, then all of his friends came to Yankees Stadium for a behind the scenes look. They got to sit in the dug out, walk on the warning track, visit the locker room, and sit in the press box. It was a beautiful summer day.
2. Best game I ever attended was July 1, 2003. In fact, when media and others sum up some of the best games ever, this was one of them. It was a Red Sox game (I think my only Red Sox game I attended). It was played as if it was Game 7 of the World Series. I went with Jason from my office, and it was magical. A batter was hit early in the game to start the bad blood. A couple of great home runs. But then it went wild as Derek Jeter charged a foul ball and ended up several rows into the stands. He came out bloodied and left the game. A-Rod moved from 3rd to his former position of shortstop (his first time to play SS for the Yankees). The Red Sox moved in an outfielder a couple of times to add an infielder to get a guy out at the plate...forcing players to switch gloves. They even had a play people thought was a triple play....before they realized that one Red Sox player was tagged out twice (which only counts once). In the end, the Yankees won in like 13 innings, and the crowd started chanting 1918 (the last time they had won the World Series). On a DVD we recently watched highlighting the Red Sox rivalry, this was featured.
3. First game at Yankees Stadium as an intern. It was against Oakland, and we sat in the bleacher seats. It was April 1993.
4. Mormon Night at Yankees Stadium. I think it was 2005 or maybe 2006. Matthew came and cheered like crazy, even though he was just a baby. My friend Mark was in town and came, too.
5. A game against the Twins on Labor Weekend when we had seats in the outfield. We were within a few rows of catching an A-Rod home run.
6. Yankees vs. KC on Friday night of Memorial Day weekend 2006. This was when Josh's Yankee fire got ignited within. My parents came and my brother, too, as he had just defended his thesis at NYU. The Yankees actually lost, though we left in the middle of the 9th due to a rain delay from a major cloud burst. But it all just clicked that night for him.
7. Perhaps the greatest game viewing experience we'll ever have. Our home teacher, who works for Sony (a major sponsor) got us tickets for Josh's birthday right behind home plate on the front row (though there were some "folding chair seats" added in front of us that were actually on the grass, but still.....) We actually didn't know our seats would be THAT good. It was truly, truly amazing.
But we're excited for the new stadium. If we can get tickets -- and afford them -- I'm sure it will be a great stadium. But it will be hard to match those memories....
Mark
1. Josh's birthday party. Probably his best birthday EVER. School let out for the summer earlier that day, then all of his friends came to Yankees Stadium for a behind the scenes look. They got to sit in the dug out, walk on the warning track, visit the locker room, and sit in the press box. It was a beautiful summer day.
2. Best game I ever attended was July 1, 2003. In fact, when media and others sum up some of the best games ever, this was one of them. It was a Red Sox game (I think my only Red Sox game I attended). It was played as if it was Game 7 of the World Series. I went with Jason from my office, and it was magical. A batter was hit early in the game to start the bad blood. A couple of great home runs. But then it went wild as Derek Jeter charged a foul ball and ended up several rows into the stands. He came out bloodied and left the game. A-Rod moved from 3rd to his former position of shortstop (his first time to play SS for the Yankees). The Red Sox moved in an outfielder a couple of times to add an infielder to get a guy out at the plate...forcing players to switch gloves. They even had a play people thought was a triple play....before they realized that one Red Sox player was tagged out twice (which only counts once). In the end, the Yankees won in like 13 innings, and the crowd started chanting 1918 (the last time they had won the World Series). On a DVD we recently watched highlighting the Red Sox rivalry, this was featured.
3. First game at Yankees Stadium as an intern. It was against Oakland, and we sat in the bleacher seats. It was April 1993.
4. Mormon Night at Yankees Stadium. I think it was 2005 or maybe 2006. Matthew came and cheered like crazy, even though he was just a baby. My friend Mark was in town and came, too.
5. A game against the Twins on Labor Weekend when we had seats in the outfield. We were within a few rows of catching an A-Rod home run.
6. Yankees vs. KC on Friday night of Memorial Day weekend 2006. This was when Josh's Yankee fire got ignited within. My parents came and my brother, too, as he had just defended his thesis at NYU. The Yankees actually lost, though we left in the middle of the 9th due to a rain delay from a major cloud burst. But it all just clicked that night for him.
7. Perhaps the greatest game viewing experience we'll ever have. Our home teacher, who works for Sony (a major sponsor) got us tickets for Josh's birthday right behind home plate on the front row (though there were some "folding chair seats" added in front of us that were actually on the grass, but still.....) We actually didn't know our seats would be THAT good. It was truly, truly amazing.
But we're excited for the new stadium. If we can get tickets -- and afford them -- I'm sure it will be a great stadium. But it will be hard to match those memories....
Mark
Sunday, November 2, 2008
New Calling
Well, for the first time in 10 years, I'm not serving in the stake.
I was finally released from stake service and was called to a ward calling. I am now the President of the Priest Quorum in our ward. There's a lot to learn with that, so I may not post any fun items or such for a few days. But I'll return, I promise!
Mark
I was finally released from stake service and was called to a ward calling. I am now the President of the Priest Quorum in our ward. There's a lot to learn with that, so I may not post any fun items or such for a few days. But I'll return, I promise!
Mark
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"For Better or For Worse"
I'm returning again to my mention the other day of how I heard that the creator of the comic strip "For Better or For Worse" had divorced from her husband. I said it made me sad as many of the strips seem to be autobiographical and be a recipe for a successful marriage.
I'm writing again because three specific strips illustrate what I was saying and are worth preserving here:
(NOTE: though these are spoken by a guy character, it's obvious the artist was a female as guys aren't normally capable of being so wise in their words.)
1. The husband walks in from work and looks at his wife. He says "Hi honey, you look beautiful". She responds with "AKKK!" (oh wait, that's more a "Cathy" phrase) "I look horrible. My hair is a mess, my jeans are stained, I don't have any make-up on", etc. He says: "I know...but I'm looking at you...and you look beautiful".
2. The couple is on a Caribbean vacation, walking along a beach. There are lots of beautiful 'babes' in bikinis. The wife starts to feel a little self-conscious and says "Wow...there sure are a lot of beautiful women on the beach." The husband says "You're right....and I'm with one of them".
3. The husband comes in while the wife is working at her desk. He says "It's a beautiful fall night. Let's go for a romantic walk, just the two of us". She protests, saying she has so much to do, a column due for the local newspaper, lunches to pack for kids, etc. He says: "If you were single and the man of your dreams called you and asked to go on a long walk together, what would you do?" In the last frame, you seeing them out for a walk arm in arm.
I feel those same sentiments toward my wife.
Mark
PS I learned from Kathryn that one of her friends in California has been following this blog for some time....just wanted you to know that made my day when she told me. I'm not a big commenter on blogs, nor do I expect many comments on my blog, but it's nice to know a few people enjoy my ramblings.
I'm writing again because three specific strips illustrate what I was saying and are worth preserving here:
(NOTE: though these are spoken by a guy character, it's obvious the artist was a female as guys aren't normally capable of being so wise in their words.)
1. The husband walks in from work and looks at his wife. He says "Hi honey, you look beautiful". She responds with "AKKK!" (oh wait, that's more a "Cathy" phrase) "I look horrible. My hair is a mess, my jeans are stained, I don't have any make-up on", etc. He says: "I know...but I'm looking at you...and you look beautiful".
2. The couple is on a Caribbean vacation, walking along a beach. There are lots of beautiful 'babes' in bikinis. The wife starts to feel a little self-conscious and says "Wow...there sure are a lot of beautiful women on the beach." The husband says "You're right....and I'm with one of them".
3. The husband comes in while the wife is working at her desk. He says "It's a beautiful fall night. Let's go for a romantic walk, just the two of us". She protests, saying she has so much to do, a column due for the local newspaper, lunches to pack for kids, etc. He says: "If you were single and the man of your dreams called you and asked to go on a long walk together, what would you do?" In the last frame, you seeing them out for a walk arm in arm.
I feel those same sentiments toward my wife.
Mark
PS I learned from Kathryn that one of her friends in California has been following this blog for some time....just wanted you to know that made my day when she told me. I'm not a big commenter on blogs, nor do I expect many comments on my blog, but it's nice to know a few people enjoy my ramblings.
Friday, October 10, 2008
An Autumn Drive in New Jersey
It seems like about once every early October I get to do a 2 hour drive in the northeast to a client meeting.... either north to Massachusetts or south thru New Jersey. Today, it was the southern route. It was just a gorgeous drive...full fall colors haven't completely set in, but just having pockets of color as an accent is even more beautiful. As I headed into Princeton, I drive over a river / lake that is really pretty.
To help the time pass on the New Jersey Turnpike (which is NOT a pretty part of the drive), I listened to my sound track from Damn Yankees. It made me think about the musicals I used to see when I first came to New York City nearly 15 years ago.
Damn Yankees is certainly one of my top two or three. While one might not think it is on the surface, it is really a classic love story and has the right moral. I saw the mid-90s Broadway version perhaps 5 or 6 times. I'm one for finding something I like, and taking all my visitors to it when they come to town. As Broadway goes, it was one of the cleaner shows, though a male actor dropped a towel in a locker room scene to expose a bare butt. (When I took BYU interns, they were shocked, horrified and felt like I had taken them to the type of shows that used to litter Times Square.) I did get to see Jerry Lewis in the role of the devil a couple of times and he was great. And it's just got fun peppy dancing and songs.
Another favorite was Crazy for You, which is like the Mamma Mia formula where they took a bunch of Gershwin songs and made a story around it. It was just so laugh out loud funny. The star at the time was a really good physical comedy actor. I'd pay to see that again anytime.
The Fantasticks is another show that I think is just brilliant. I saw it about 8 times down in the Sullivan Theater (I think that's the name) where it ran and held the record for longest running, consecutive showings. It did finally close...and came back to Broadway last year in a bigger theater, but that's one that had to be seen in the small intimate theater. I think it held less than 100.
One last obscure show I saw 3 times but have never heard of since: "Two Piano Four Hands". It's a two-man show of really great piano players who illustrate the life of pianists. They came in and out of roles starting with the piano teacher forcing the kid to do his scales, then moved to when they were teenagers to the point that it became an addiction of sorts and that's all they did was practice rather than play sports, etc.
The end has them playing "Piano Man" in a bar....because what else could they do with these incredibly developed, monotone talent, so to speak (in other words, they played the piano and excelled in that talent to the exclusion of becoming well rounded). Extremely poignant and funny. Never been able to find this performed elsewhere....it takes just the right actors to pull that off who have the musical training.
That's my Broadway Beat.
Mark
PS -- On a completely unrelated note, never estimate the power of a cardboard box. I suppose that's why it was actually inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. The three younger kids had the time of their life playing with the box that packaged the new dishwasher. Never seen them so happy or be so creative. Who needs real toys? (Oops...that's bad for me).
To help the time pass on the New Jersey Turnpike (which is NOT a pretty part of the drive), I listened to my sound track from Damn Yankees. It made me think about the musicals I used to see when I first came to New York City nearly 15 years ago.
Damn Yankees is certainly one of my top two or three. While one might not think it is on the surface, it is really a classic love story and has the right moral. I saw the mid-90s Broadway version perhaps 5 or 6 times. I'm one for finding something I like, and taking all my visitors to it when they come to town. As Broadway goes, it was one of the cleaner shows, though a male actor dropped a towel in a locker room scene to expose a bare butt. (When I took BYU interns, they were shocked, horrified and felt like I had taken them to the type of shows that used to litter Times Square.) I did get to see Jerry Lewis in the role of the devil a couple of times and he was great. And it's just got fun peppy dancing and songs.
Another favorite was Crazy for You, which is like the Mamma Mia formula where they took a bunch of Gershwin songs and made a story around it. It was just so laugh out loud funny. The star at the time was a really good physical comedy actor. I'd pay to see that again anytime.
The Fantasticks is another show that I think is just brilliant. I saw it about 8 times down in the Sullivan Theater (I think that's the name) where it ran and held the record for longest running, consecutive showings. It did finally close...and came back to Broadway last year in a bigger theater, but that's one that had to be seen in the small intimate theater. I think it held less than 100.
One last obscure show I saw 3 times but have never heard of since: "Two Piano Four Hands". It's a two-man show of really great piano players who illustrate the life of pianists. They came in and out of roles starting with the piano teacher forcing the kid to do his scales, then moved to when they were teenagers to the point that it became an addiction of sorts and that's all they did was practice rather than play sports, etc.
The end has them playing "Piano Man" in a bar....because what else could they do with these incredibly developed, monotone talent, so to speak (in other words, they played the piano and excelled in that talent to the exclusion of becoming well rounded). Extremely poignant and funny. Never been able to find this performed elsewhere....it takes just the right actors to pull that off who have the musical training.
That's my Broadway Beat.
Mark
PS -- On a completely unrelated note, never estimate the power of a cardboard box. I suppose that's why it was actually inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. The three younger kids had the time of their life playing with the box that packaged the new dishwasher. Never seen them so happy or be so creative. Who needs real toys? (Oops...that's bad for me).
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Are you listening?
From a talk I gave two weeks ago in the Bronx....
=============
"Hopefully I don’t embarrass the bishop too much, but one morning, I took a train to work that made stops in the Bronx. As I exited the train, I noticed someone that looked like Bishop Kelly. As the crowd edged forward off the platform and I got near to him, I wasn’t 100 percent sure it was him, because I’d only seen Bishop Kelly in “Bishop clothes” and he was dressed more casually. So to hedge my bets, I got within ear shot and simply said “Ian” (that felt safer than saying ‘Bishop’). I got no response, so I edged closer and said “Ian” again. I finally worked myself up to being right next to him, and I noticed he couldn’t hear me because he was groovin’ to his I-Pod. While standing right next to him, I said “Ian” for the third time, but to no avail. Not wanting to scare him by tapping him on the shoulder, I let the moment pass and didn’t say hello.
I use that only to illustrate a point, not to be judgmental, as the Bishop certainly is allowed to listen to an I-Pod. My point is simply to ask ourselves how many times Heavenly Father has attempted to communicate to us through his still small voice but there wasn’t an occasion throughout our day when we could receive the signal because of our "noise". The spirit might even increase his volume or level of intensity, but if we'd blocked off the receiver, so to speak, we won't get the message. And after trying to deliver it a handful of times, the spirit may simply give up, thus depriving us what we could have learned from or benefited from had we provided a "quiet zone" in our day to receive radio signals from heaven."
=============
"Hopefully I don’t embarrass the bishop too much, but one morning, I took a train to work that made stops in the Bronx. As I exited the train, I noticed someone that looked like Bishop Kelly. As the crowd edged forward off the platform and I got near to him, I wasn’t 100 percent sure it was him, because I’d only seen Bishop Kelly in “Bishop clothes” and he was dressed more casually. So to hedge my bets, I got within ear shot and simply said “Ian” (that felt safer than saying ‘Bishop’). I got no response, so I edged closer and said “Ian” again. I finally worked myself up to being right next to him, and I noticed he couldn’t hear me because he was groovin’ to his I-Pod. While standing right next to him, I said “Ian” for the third time, but to no avail. Not wanting to scare him by tapping him on the shoulder, I let the moment pass and didn’t say hello.
I use that only to illustrate a point, not to be judgmental, as the Bishop certainly is allowed to listen to an I-Pod. My point is simply to ask ourselves how many times Heavenly Father has attempted to communicate to us through his still small voice but there wasn’t an occasion throughout our day when we could receive the signal because of our "noise". The spirit might even increase his volume or level of intensity, but if we'd blocked off the receiver, so to speak, we won't get the message. And after trying to deliver it a handful of times, the spirit may simply give up, thus depriving us what we could have learned from or benefited from had we provided a "quiet zone" in our day to receive radio signals from heaven."
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Blogging at Piano Lesson
Who knew I could pick up wireless here at my son's piano lesson (which is at his teacher's house). As I listen to scales and blues, here are some random items:
• Our two year old has a bias toward the numbers 5, 6, and 7. He continually counts "1,2,3,4,8..." No convincing otherwise can undo this.
• I asked my boss for a $700 billion loan. She said no. On that front, isn't is a mathematical coincidence that all of the nation's bad debt adds up to exactly $700 billion? Seems like they just picked that number at random. I'd feel the number was more legit if it were something like $700 billion, 400 dollars and 28 cents.....
• Woo-hoo! Radio Shack still carries cleaner for VCR machines. A whole world of video tapes are waiting to be watched again as soon as I get home from the piano lesson. Family movie night on Friday: Back to the Future!
• I was proud of Josh at his first baseball game last Saturday. He's playing with older kids, which isn't easy. And they play real rules, now. He didn't get to play the full time as they have 13 players, and when he was at bat (as No. 11....all kids hit, but only 10 can take the field) he struck out (though he did finally get a walk). But at the end of the first game (it was a double header), he helped preserve the team's victory! He was out in Right Field, and the play was in the infield. The shortstop or second baseman threw the ball to first to get out the batter, but it was a bad throw. But Josh, being the eager player that he is, ran up to 1st after the batter hit the ball to back up the 1st baseman. Good he did, because Josh got the overthrow, and when the runner tried to advance to 2nd, Josh threw to 2nd to get the out. YEA! They ended up winning 6 to 4. I told him he made the best of his limited playing time and opportunities to field.
• I've said before that Sprite is the default drink. No one 'chooses' it, but you get it because there is no other good option. On a plane, for example, I have to get it because I don't want caffeine and there's nothing else. It's just never a first choice drink....you drink it because it's there.
Well, I think ketchup is the same way. I like every other condiment more than ketchup. Mustard (yellow, not dijon) is always my first choice for ANYTHING...or BBQ, or ranch. But I will take ketchup for fries and such if nothing else is offered.
That's it for tonight....nice to do blogging at piano, but hard to fully compose my thoughts, so forgive if this isn't coherent.
• Our two year old has a bias toward the numbers 5, 6, and 7. He continually counts "1,2,3,4,8..." No convincing otherwise can undo this.
• I asked my boss for a $700 billion loan. She said no. On that front, isn't is a mathematical coincidence that all of the nation's bad debt adds up to exactly $700 billion? Seems like they just picked that number at random. I'd feel the number was more legit if it were something like $700 billion, 400 dollars and 28 cents.....
• Woo-hoo! Radio Shack still carries cleaner for VCR machines. A whole world of video tapes are waiting to be watched again as soon as I get home from the piano lesson. Family movie night on Friday: Back to the Future!
• I was proud of Josh at his first baseball game last Saturday. He's playing with older kids, which isn't easy. And they play real rules, now. He didn't get to play the full time as they have 13 players, and when he was at bat (as No. 11....all kids hit, but only 10 can take the field) he struck out (though he did finally get a walk). But at the end of the first game (it was a double header), he helped preserve the team's victory! He was out in Right Field, and the play was in the infield. The shortstop or second baseman threw the ball to first to get out the batter, but it was a bad throw. But Josh, being the eager player that he is, ran up to 1st after the batter hit the ball to back up the 1st baseman. Good he did, because Josh got the overthrow, and when the runner tried to advance to 2nd, Josh threw to 2nd to get the out. YEA! They ended up winning 6 to 4. I told him he made the best of his limited playing time and opportunities to field.
• I've said before that Sprite is the default drink. No one 'chooses' it, but you get it because there is no other good option. On a plane, for example, I have to get it because I don't want caffeine and there's nothing else. It's just never a first choice drink....you drink it because it's there.
Well, I think ketchup is the same way. I like every other condiment more than ketchup. Mustard (yellow, not dijon) is always my first choice for ANYTHING...or BBQ, or ranch. But I will take ketchup for fries and such if nothing else is offered.
That's it for tonight....nice to do blogging at piano, but hard to fully compose my thoughts, so forgive if this isn't coherent.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
New Noggin Schedule
This is a record for postings in one week!
So Noggin, the cable 'preschool' channel, changed their line-up after Labor Day.
As I get up with the wee ones a little before 6 a.m. every morning, it was a big deal to see how the schedule changed (as that's what I turn on and then try to fall back asleep).
It used to be 64 Zoo Lane at 6 a.m., and Obi (I think that's how it is spelled) at 6:30 a.m.
Zoo Lane is such a gentle, tame, nice show. A little girl lives near the zoo, and the animals come out each night to tell her stories from their days in the wild. It seems to be from Australia, but I don't know why I say that.
Obi is just plain weird. It's a puppet show without the puppets. Just the hands. Who came up with that? They put eyes on the hands, and that's the characters. Once there was a foot, too.
Well, those shows are gone. Now at 6 a.m. we have Wow Wow Woobzie. (Again, pardon spelling). Weird, but harmless.
6:30 is a big improvement: Max and Ruby. I think this is out of Canada, but it's a sister bunny, and her baby brother bunny. Just so fun and innocent. Favorite kids show out there right now.
For those keeping score at home, 5:30 stayed the same with Lazytown....a show that kids sit down and are inactive for to learn the benefits of not being lazy. Hmmm. I can totally do without that show....if I can convince the kids to turn to the 24-hour PBS channel, we can watch Arthur at 5:30, and that's actually pretty engaging to the adult in the room.
So Noggin, the cable 'preschool' channel, changed their line-up after Labor Day.
As I get up with the wee ones a little before 6 a.m. every morning, it was a big deal to see how the schedule changed (as that's what I turn on and then try to fall back asleep).
It used to be 64 Zoo Lane at 6 a.m., and Obi (I think that's how it is spelled) at 6:30 a.m.
Zoo Lane is such a gentle, tame, nice show. A little girl lives near the zoo, and the animals come out each night to tell her stories from their days in the wild. It seems to be from Australia, but I don't know why I say that.
Obi is just plain weird. It's a puppet show without the puppets. Just the hands. Who came up with that? They put eyes on the hands, and that's the characters. Once there was a foot, too.
Well, those shows are gone. Now at 6 a.m. we have Wow Wow Woobzie. (Again, pardon spelling). Weird, but harmless.
6:30 is a big improvement: Max and Ruby. I think this is out of Canada, but it's a sister bunny, and her baby brother bunny. Just so fun and innocent. Favorite kids show out there right now.
For those keeping score at home, 5:30 stayed the same with Lazytown....a show that kids sit down and are inactive for to learn the benefits of not being lazy. Hmmm. I can totally do without that show....if I can convince the kids to turn to the 24-hour PBS channel, we can watch Arthur at 5:30, and that's actually pretty engaging to the adult in the room.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Family Home Evening
Three posts in three days....I may have to change the name of my blog.
Anyway, I witnessed genius last night in Family Home Evening. Just a small shift that made mountains of difference in our Family Home Evening.
After we walked in the door from fetching me at the train station, Kathryn just jumped right into FHE by having the kids draw pictures. No opening prayer or song....and that was the genius.
For our family, having a formal opening leads to major discontentment. Issues arise as to which song to sing, I didn't get to chose it, how come I don't get to say the opening prayer, why does it have to be a baby song, etc. So we just eliminated it. (If we continue with this, maybe Kathryn and I will open FHE with a silent prayer to ourselves).
But by asking them to all start by drawing a picture, it eliminated jockeying for "who gets something that no one else gets".
Josh did a very detailed picture. Matthew and Sam just scribbled but were engaged for a long time. So it was an easy way to tailor the lesson to reach both the older and younger kids.
Then she asked Josh the first questions, and they were "deeper" than what got asked to the other kids. After Josh answered questions first, he didn't feel the need to answer the little kids questions as he already demonstrated his proficiency.
The younger kids stayed engaged in the lesson -- they kept coloring, but at least they weren't running around, and I feel like they do pick up something.
I think part of the genius was simply not expecting them to sit still for the first 10 or 15 minutes....start right off with something that engages them and lets them use their motor skills....then the learning comes later.
On another note, I do believe that each word is significant in "Family Home Evening".
It should be just your own family....not an extended ward activity, lots of extra guests invited, etc.
It should be in the home....not an outing to the zoo or such. (Sure, there are exceptions, but....)
And it should be an evening...not just 15 minutes, not Sunday afternoon. It's "evening". After the lesson, I (for once) opted to not feel distracted or wanting to do my own stuff. Rather, I set aside in my mind that I would play toys with the three younger kids for a full half hour before doing stories, etc. for bed. The computer and TV stayed off all night. FHE should be "an evening" set aside for the family, not just the lesson time.
OK, that's all I have.
Mark
Anyway, I witnessed genius last night in Family Home Evening. Just a small shift that made mountains of difference in our Family Home Evening.
After we walked in the door from fetching me at the train station, Kathryn just jumped right into FHE by having the kids draw pictures. No opening prayer or song....and that was the genius.
For our family, having a formal opening leads to major discontentment. Issues arise as to which song to sing, I didn't get to chose it, how come I don't get to say the opening prayer, why does it have to be a baby song, etc. So we just eliminated it. (If we continue with this, maybe Kathryn and I will open FHE with a silent prayer to ourselves).
But by asking them to all start by drawing a picture, it eliminated jockeying for "who gets something that no one else gets".
Josh did a very detailed picture. Matthew and Sam just scribbled but were engaged for a long time. So it was an easy way to tailor the lesson to reach both the older and younger kids.
Then she asked Josh the first questions, and they were "deeper" than what got asked to the other kids. After Josh answered questions first, he didn't feel the need to answer the little kids questions as he already demonstrated his proficiency.
The younger kids stayed engaged in the lesson -- they kept coloring, but at least they weren't running around, and I feel like they do pick up something.
I think part of the genius was simply not expecting them to sit still for the first 10 or 15 minutes....start right off with something that engages them and lets them use their motor skills....then the learning comes later.
On another note, I do believe that each word is significant in "Family Home Evening".
It should be just your own family....not an extended ward activity, lots of extra guests invited, etc.
It should be in the home....not an outing to the zoo or such. (Sure, there are exceptions, but....)
And it should be an evening...not just 15 minutes, not Sunday afternoon. It's "evening". After the lesson, I (for once) opted to not feel distracted or wanting to do my own stuff. Rather, I set aside in my mind that I would play toys with the three younger kids for a full half hour before doing stories, etc. for bed. The computer and TV stayed off all night. FHE should be "an evening" set aside for the family, not just the lesson time.
OK, that's all I have.
Mark
Monday, September 8, 2008
For Better or For Worse
So, I read an AP story this weekend that left me a little sad. I had heard that my much-loved comic strip "For Better or For Worse" was wrapping up. It has always been one of the best written comic as it has been very real, with the characters growing and changing and maturing. That's so rare in the comic world. But even more so, it was such a sentimental strip with many strips just being heart warming than funny.
I'm not sad that she wrapped it up as it's gone for 29 years. And the final Sunday strip wrapped up story lines and flash forwarded to highlight what happens to the characters in the future. Now, it goes back to its origins telling the story when the 'grown kids' are back to being just young 'uns and will mix new strips drawn in the old style with recycled ones.
I'm fine with that.
But at the end of the story, it mentioned that Lynn Johnson, the cartoonist, had split from her husband after more than 30 years. That depressed me. Perhaps it's because I always felt the comic mirrored their life, and while it wasn't always perfect, it always seemed to 'make it'. In a weird way, it was inspiration that good will prevail and faithfulness and family life can succeed.
Now it feels like the strip and its senitimentalism -- was a bit staged.
As a bit of a comparison, perhaps that's why we hear of stories of people who want us as LDS to succeed in keeping our standards. Why people sometimes WON'T let us compromise our standard because it provides hope to them vicariously that while they may not be able to live the standard or have the faithful family life, it still exists in society and is achievable.
But when someone you respect and admire falls, it makes you feel just a touch if anyone can make it....speaking more on the LDS person remaining faithful than simply my personal feeling to see that a cartoonist's marriage failed.
Not sure if this all makes sense....but then that's why I like to blog....I don't have to be completely articulate and can just let it be a first draft of my thoughts, so to speak.
Mark
I'm not sad that she wrapped it up as it's gone for 29 years. And the final Sunday strip wrapped up story lines and flash forwarded to highlight what happens to the characters in the future. Now, it goes back to its origins telling the story when the 'grown kids' are back to being just young 'uns and will mix new strips drawn in the old style with recycled ones.
I'm fine with that.
But at the end of the story, it mentioned that Lynn Johnson, the cartoonist, had split from her husband after more than 30 years. That depressed me. Perhaps it's because I always felt the comic mirrored their life, and while it wasn't always perfect, it always seemed to 'make it'. In a weird way, it was inspiration that good will prevail and faithfulness and family life can succeed.
Now it feels like the strip and its senitimentalism -- was a bit staged.
As a bit of a comparison, perhaps that's why we hear of stories of people who want us as LDS to succeed in keeping our standards. Why people sometimes WON'T let us compromise our standard because it provides hope to them vicariously that while they may not be able to live the standard or have the faithful family life, it still exists in society and is achievable.
But when someone you respect and admire falls, it makes you feel just a touch if anyone can make it....speaking more on the LDS person remaining faithful than simply my personal feeling to see that a cartoonist's marriage failed.
Not sure if this all makes sense....but then that's why I like to blog....I don't have to be completely articulate and can just let it be a first draft of my thoughts, so to speak.
Mark
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Some More About Summer
A few other thoughts about the summer that didn't make the last cut:
• It's fun to watch the wheels work in Matthew's mind. I could just see them churning when we were on Joyce's boat. He just had his eyes gazing out on the water and the splashing of the wake, etc., and you could just see he was absorbing all the stimulation. I see that now at nights as he scans the Richard Scarry "Busy People" book. He sits on his bed for 15 minutes just looking at all the pictures and studying them.
FYI -- that's the exact same copy of the Richard Scarry book that I got in the hospital when I was 7. And now the kids are playing with my Richard Scarry toys from that same era.
• The one glitch in our water skiing trip was when Sammy threw the safety flag into the lake and saw it sink. "Flag go Bye-Bye!"
• We visited Promentory Point on the way home from Idaho. It's where the transcontinental railroad met. I wish we had had more time but we got a late start due to the fire alarm at the hotel in the middle of the night. (FYI -- I wrote asking for a credit of one-half the bill due to the fire alarm, and received it. Yea for writing a letter!) Anyway, at least Josh and Caroline will have a point of reference when they study it in school eventually. Probably only kids in their class who will be able to say "I've been there".
• Best water park ride EVER: The Rapids at Cherry Hills. I LOVED going to Cherry Hills. Just mellow and the right pace for me...and the kids. The rapids aren't over-the-top, but just enough adventure, and getting wet that I loved it. Never been on a better one in my life. Perhaps best 30 minutes of my summer when I just went down in again and again.
• When we lay outside at Joyce's sleep watching a movie before going to bed, Matthew saw a star, and said the "Star Light, Star Bright" poem. His wish: that daddy would sleep next to him outside. It's nice to be the loved Daddy.
And for new stuff now...
• I bought the whole WKRP in Cincinnati series on DVD. Fun to see that some of those episodes really hold up! Also enjoying my Hawaii Five-O DVDs that I watch on business trips.
• In a year of obscure moments, perhaps the biggest was hosting 8 Elvises in Las Vegas at the Eiffel Tower restaurant for a Monopoly World Record. More to follow on that in my Christmas Letter.
• It's fun to watch the wheels work in Matthew's mind. I could just see them churning when we were on Joyce's boat. He just had his eyes gazing out on the water and the splashing of the wake, etc., and you could just see he was absorbing all the stimulation. I see that now at nights as he scans the Richard Scarry "Busy People" book. He sits on his bed for 15 minutes just looking at all the pictures and studying them.
FYI -- that's the exact same copy of the Richard Scarry book that I got in the hospital when I was 7. And now the kids are playing with my Richard Scarry toys from that same era.
• The one glitch in our water skiing trip was when Sammy threw the safety flag into the lake and saw it sink. "Flag go Bye-Bye!"
• We visited Promentory Point on the way home from Idaho. It's where the transcontinental railroad met. I wish we had had more time but we got a late start due to the fire alarm at the hotel in the middle of the night. (FYI -- I wrote asking for a credit of one-half the bill due to the fire alarm, and received it. Yea for writing a letter!) Anyway, at least Josh and Caroline will have a point of reference when they study it in school eventually. Probably only kids in their class who will be able to say "I've been there".
• Best water park ride EVER: The Rapids at Cherry Hills. I LOVED going to Cherry Hills. Just mellow and the right pace for me...and the kids. The rapids aren't over-the-top, but just enough adventure, and getting wet that I loved it. Never been on a better one in my life. Perhaps best 30 minutes of my summer when I just went down in again and again.
• When we lay outside at Joyce's sleep watching a movie before going to bed, Matthew saw a star, and said the "Star Light, Star Bright" poem. His wish: that daddy would sleep next to him outside. It's nice to be the loved Daddy.
And for new stuff now...
• I bought the whole WKRP in Cincinnati series on DVD. Fun to see that some of those episodes really hold up! Also enjoying my Hawaii Five-O DVDs that I watch on business trips.
• In a year of obscure moments, perhaps the biggest was hosting 8 Elvises in Las Vegas at the Eiffel Tower restaurant for a Monopoly World Record. More to follow on that in my Christmas Letter.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Random Summer Sign-Offs
Sitting in the Vegas airport awaiting flight home after staging world record Monopoly attempt that involved eight Elvis impersonators within the replica Eiffel Tower. Could my job be any sweeter? I submit to you it cannot!
Some random nuggets from my week in Utah with the family earlier this month:
• We've deemed a new color on the color wheel....it is called "Coronado Blonde". That's the bleached-out color our kids hair gets after being to Coronado. Even our brown-haired kid's hair goes much lighter, so he's Coronado Brown.
• We went to the Twin Falls Temple Open House. Matthew didn't want to put on the little shoes to protect the carpets. Why? "Because you told me Booty is a bad word, so we can't wear the booties....."
• We had to evacuate the Twin Falls hotel at 3:30 a.m. when the fire alarm went off. It ultimately was a false alarm, but they didn't know that for quite some time. That's a scary experience to think "Gee, this might be real." Packed up the sleeping kids, grabbed the wallets and got out.
• When wondering if we should eat at Shari's in Twin Falls, Kathryn asked the restaurant if they "had multiple locations". They said, yes, they have many restaurants across the west. As a chain-lover when it comes to restaurants, I see that as a seal of approval. (It's also part of a big inside joke with me). But because they could confirm that there were others just like them, we ate there.
• Good to know I can still water ski. It may be only one lap around Hyrum Lake once every 3 years, but it counts.
• We fell in love with Idaho, especially Twin Falls. New game plan when I leave NYC: get a professor job at College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls
Next posting: High School Reunion!
Some random nuggets from my week in Utah with the family earlier this month:
• We've deemed a new color on the color wheel....it is called "Coronado Blonde". That's the bleached-out color our kids hair gets after being to Coronado. Even our brown-haired kid's hair goes much lighter, so he's Coronado Brown.
• We went to the Twin Falls Temple Open House. Matthew didn't want to put on the little shoes to protect the carpets. Why? "Because you told me Booty is a bad word, so we can't wear the booties....."
• We had to evacuate the Twin Falls hotel at 3:30 a.m. when the fire alarm went off. It ultimately was a false alarm, but they didn't know that for quite some time. That's a scary experience to think "Gee, this might be real." Packed up the sleeping kids, grabbed the wallets and got out.
• When wondering if we should eat at Shari's in Twin Falls, Kathryn asked the restaurant if they "had multiple locations". They said, yes, they have many restaurants across the west. As a chain-lover when it comes to restaurants, I see that as a seal of approval. (It's also part of a big inside joke with me). But because they could confirm that there were others just like them, we ate there.
• Good to know I can still water ski. It may be only one lap around Hyrum Lake once every 3 years, but it counts.
• We fell in love with Idaho, especially Twin Falls. New game plan when I leave NYC: get a professor job at College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls
Next posting: High School Reunion!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Vacation, Day 9
Sunday, July 13
Well, time for our annual parting from one another -- I head to Newark and back to work for a few weeks, and Kathryn and the kids go off to Utah for time with the cousins.
My flight is at 8 a.m., and Kathryn and the kids don't leave til 10 a.m.
Uneventful flights for both of us. I drive home listening to the comedy CD Liz gave me of Brian Regan. We heard much of it on the way to the ball game on Friday. Very funny stuff. Keeps me laughing.
I get home to find everything at home in order.
My first night of "freedom" without kids or family responsibilities. How do I celebrate? I read the new Parenting magazine cover from cover. Wild times!
Well, time for our annual parting from one another -- I head to Newark and back to work for a few weeks, and Kathryn and the kids go off to Utah for time with the cousins.
My flight is at 8 a.m., and Kathryn and the kids don't leave til 10 a.m.
Uneventful flights for both of us. I drive home listening to the comedy CD Liz gave me of Brian Regan. We heard much of it on the way to the ball game on Friday. Very funny stuff. Keeps me laughing.
I get home to find everything at home in order.
My first night of "freedom" without kids or family responsibilities. How do I celebrate? I read the new Parenting magazine cover from cover. Wild times!
Vacation, Day 8
Saturday, July 12
Well, our last day on the beach. There's never any guarantee we'll be back next year (we've gone 4 years in a row). Always hard to say goodbye to the beach, though we had had an extra day or two at the start of the vacation, and I think we were ready to be done with the beach. As great as a vacation as it is, it does involve work. As a kid, it was all about just sitting and reading and worrying about yourself. Instead of reading a few novels, I successfully read one short story....and that's fine with me.
I wish we had taken one last stroll down the beach at the end as the water and the light gets so pretty just after 3 p.m. But that's OK...the kids were ready to go.
Well, our last day on the beach. There's never any guarantee we'll be back next year (we've gone 4 years in a row). Always hard to say goodbye to the beach, though we had had an extra day or two at the start of the vacation, and I think we were ready to be done with the beach. As great as a vacation as it is, it does involve work. As a kid, it was all about just sitting and reading and worrying about yourself. Instead of reading a few novels, I successfully read one short story....and that's fine with me.
I wish we had taken one last stroll down the beach at the end as the water and the light gets so pretty just after 3 p.m. But that's OK...the kids were ready to go.
Vacation, Day 7
FRIDAY, July 11, 2008 (MY BIRTHDAY)
It's always super-special to get to spend my birthday with the family (that doesn't always happen) and on vacation.
Highlights included a Navy jet fly-over at the conclusion of singing Happy Birthday on the beach (the Navy trains pilots at the north end of the island, so they fly over all the time), a huge dolphin encore in the water (the closest I've ever seen them to shore, and it was like they were actually playing!), and even fireworks (details to come).
I also went to Subway to get lunch for a few of us....when ordering for multiple people, I sure prefer some place like McDonald's. Subway takes me "drive thru ordering" phobia and multiplies it by a ton. Too many variables to try and get straight, especially when the line is already out the door. Ugh.
That evening, my major present was getting to go to a Padres game with several of the family, including Kathryn and Josh, my Dad, and Liz, her husband and their son. PETCO PARK is a beautiful field...though I think it's a little weird to name the park after a pet supply store. But going to a game there is just a joy. We were on the very back row of the stadium behind home plate, which turned out to be a bonus! We could see over the top to watch the train and light rail yard, ships in the harbor, and, as mentioned above, fireworks toward the end of the game!
The Padres, though in last place, played well! They won 4-0. We got to see Jake Peavy, a great pitcher, and the all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, too. The Padres had 3 triples (well, one was an error). Oh, and it was free beach towel night AND $1 hot dogs and soda.
I sat next to my dad for the first few innings and it was just nice to chat for a long time.
It was the perfect birthday celebration. Exactly what I hoped for.
It's always super-special to get to spend my birthday with the family (that doesn't always happen) and on vacation.
Highlights included a Navy jet fly-over at the conclusion of singing Happy Birthday on the beach (the Navy trains pilots at the north end of the island, so they fly over all the time), a huge dolphin encore in the water (the closest I've ever seen them to shore, and it was like they were actually playing!), and even fireworks (details to come).
I also went to Subway to get lunch for a few of us....when ordering for multiple people, I sure prefer some place like McDonald's. Subway takes me "drive thru ordering" phobia and multiplies it by a ton. Too many variables to try and get straight, especially when the line is already out the door. Ugh.
That evening, my major present was getting to go to a Padres game with several of the family, including Kathryn and Josh, my Dad, and Liz, her husband and their son. PETCO PARK is a beautiful field...though I think it's a little weird to name the park after a pet supply store. But going to a game there is just a joy. We were on the very back row of the stadium behind home plate, which turned out to be a bonus! We could see over the top to watch the train and light rail yard, ships in the harbor, and, as mentioned above, fireworks toward the end of the game!
The Padres, though in last place, played well! They won 4-0. We got to see Jake Peavy, a great pitcher, and the all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, too. The Padres had 3 triples (well, one was an error). Oh, and it was free beach towel night AND $1 hot dogs and soda.
I sat next to my dad for the first few innings and it was just nice to chat for a long time.
It was the perfect birthday celebration. Exactly what I hoped for.
Vacation, Day 6
Thursday, July 10
Matthew will now pee in the ocean, but doesn't go out far enough....just stands at the edge of the water and goes. Ah well, it's saving me a trip to the restrooms.
We see dolphins today! They're out a little ways, but they are definitely there. They stick around for a while.
Kathryn got a jogging stroller for the trip that is great for allowing Sammy a way to fall asleep on the beach. The only challenge is pushing it across the sand from the stairs to the water's edge, which in Coronado is a hefty distance. Pushing it makes me think what it must have been like to push a handcart, though I guess that was more work, with less of a pay-off (i.e. a beautiful beach).
That night, we somewhat impromptu-ly decide to go to the San Diego temple. John's wife Jennifer agrees to drive us in their car....perhaps it's a bit weird to arrive at the temple with one man, and two women, both with the same last name as the husband. Ah well.
I had a really peaceful time at the temple and am so glad we went! I think I can't fully 'unwind' when I go to the Manhattan temple because I'm trying to figure out which train I'm going to take home. But just sitting in the chapel waiting for the session was so peaceful, reading 2 Ne 10 (I'm not doing so well on my reading). It was all about just "being in the moment".
That temple is a bit over the top....the only thing they didn't include were cup holders in the chairs. Looking around the session, perhaps that would have been a good idea.
Matthew will now pee in the ocean, but doesn't go out far enough....just stands at the edge of the water and goes. Ah well, it's saving me a trip to the restrooms.
We see dolphins today! They're out a little ways, but they are definitely there. They stick around for a while.
Kathryn got a jogging stroller for the trip that is great for allowing Sammy a way to fall asleep on the beach. The only challenge is pushing it across the sand from the stairs to the water's edge, which in Coronado is a hefty distance. Pushing it makes me think what it must have been like to push a handcart, though I guess that was more work, with less of a pay-off (i.e. a beautiful beach).
That night, we somewhat impromptu-ly decide to go to the San Diego temple. John's wife Jennifer agrees to drive us in their car....perhaps it's a bit weird to arrive at the temple with one man, and two women, both with the same last name as the husband. Ah well.
I had a really peaceful time at the temple and am so glad we went! I think I can't fully 'unwind' when I go to the Manhattan temple because I'm trying to figure out which train I'm going to take home. But just sitting in the chapel waiting for the session was so peaceful, reading 2 Ne 10 (I'm not doing so well on my reading). It was all about just "being in the moment".
That temple is a bit over the top....the only thing they didn't include were cup holders in the chairs. Looking around the session, perhaps that would have been a good idea.
Vacation, Day 5
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
It's our off-day from the beach. We always like to take at least one off-day from the beach during the week to give our skin a break. We hadn't done the zoo ever (hard to believe), so it fit the bill. Thanks to my sister for letting me borrow their car. My brother's family came along with us, too, in their car.
Of course, we were the first car in the parking lot (do we know any other way?) It's cheaper than Sea World, and I think worth what they charge. We took a tour of the zoo on a bus, then explored on foot.
No surprise...the kids loved the pandas and koalas. But I think I was surprised at how cool the hippo was.
It was an overcast -- and thus, cool -- day. And the crowds weren't there throughout the morning. That sure made it a pleasant visit. Our package allowed for rides on the Skyfari, which Matthew loved. (In fact, at the end of the day, we did one more round trip with Caroline just to enjoy it again).
By 1 p.m., we had seen most of the zoo, and then went to a sea lion show, which I didn't think lived up to expectations (perhaps I expected Sea World). We trudged on to the children's zoo, then I was hot and miserable. We packed our own lunch so we could splurge on treats. Great idea as nothing in my life tasted any better at 2 p.m. than a $4 ICEE (with $2 collectible straw as they don't offer straws to save the environment or the whales or something). I submit that nothing has ever tasted nicer or frostier in my life. I was one satisfied customer. I also got to finish all the kids' soft-serve ice creams.
We went for a ride on the little train outside the zoo in Balboa Park. That, too, was one of the biggest hits of the day.
As we had a free car, we went back to the swimming pool down "the Strand". Just long enough to cool off!
That night, I watched "Shall We Dance" (the original, Japanese version), which is a favorite for me and Kathryn, while Kathryn lay next to me and slept and occasionally woke up to read a subtitle or two. Hey, it had been a long day.....
It's our off-day from the beach. We always like to take at least one off-day from the beach during the week to give our skin a break. We hadn't done the zoo ever (hard to believe), so it fit the bill. Thanks to my sister for letting me borrow their car. My brother's family came along with us, too, in their car.
Of course, we were the first car in the parking lot (do we know any other way?) It's cheaper than Sea World, and I think worth what they charge. We took a tour of the zoo on a bus, then explored on foot.
No surprise...the kids loved the pandas and koalas. But I think I was surprised at how cool the hippo was.
It was an overcast -- and thus, cool -- day. And the crowds weren't there throughout the morning. That sure made it a pleasant visit. Our package allowed for rides on the Skyfari, which Matthew loved. (In fact, at the end of the day, we did one more round trip with Caroline just to enjoy it again).
By 1 p.m., we had seen most of the zoo, and then went to a sea lion show, which I didn't think lived up to expectations (perhaps I expected Sea World). We trudged on to the children's zoo, then I was hot and miserable. We packed our own lunch so we could splurge on treats. Great idea as nothing in my life tasted any better at 2 p.m. than a $4 ICEE (with $2 collectible straw as they don't offer straws to save the environment or the whales or something). I submit that nothing has ever tasted nicer or frostier in my life. I was one satisfied customer. I also got to finish all the kids' soft-serve ice creams.
We went for a ride on the little train outside the zoo in Balboa Park. That, too, was one of the biggest hits of the day.
As we had a free car, we went back to the swimming pool down "the Strand". Just long enough to cool off!
That night, I watched "Shall We Dance" (the original, Japanese version), which is a favorite for me and Kathryn, while Kathryn lay next to me and slept and occasionally woke up to read a subtitle or two. Hey, it had been a long day.....
Vacation: Day 4
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
How did Matthew go from Newark to San Diego without using the bathroom? On the beach, it seems like he wants to visit the yucky bathrooms every hour or two.
We've tried to teach him it's OK to pee in the ocean. He's not a fast learner on this front.
The walk feels like a 1/4 to 1/2 mile, but it's probably not even close to that. Just feels that way with the sand. But I think he just likes the walk and alone time with dad. He is constantly just stopping along the way to sit down, chat, make a sand angel, etc.
While the walk and the very smelly bathroom are bad, the worse part is he expects a shoulder's ride back to the camp afterward -- every sandy little cuteness that he is.
We're bringing our lunch down every day, and I don't mind because I've become re-acquainted with an old friend: relish! I can eat turkey every day when there is relish!
We watch the Incredibles that night with various kids.
How did Matthew go from Newark to San Diego without using the bathroom? On the beach, it seems like he wants to visit the yucky bathrooms every hour or two.
We've tried to teach him it's OK to pee in the ocean. He's not a fast learner on this front.
The walk feels like a 1/4 to 1/2 mile, but it's probably not even close to that. Just feels that way with the sand. But I think he just likes the walk and alone time with dad. He is constantly just stopping along the way to sit down, chat, make a sand angel, etc.
While the walk and the very smelly bathroom are bad, the worse part is he expects a shoulder's ride back to the camp afterward -- every sandy little cuteness that he is.
We're bringing our lunch down every day, and I don't mind because I've become re-acquainted with an old friend: relish! I can eat turkey every day when there is relish!
We watch the Incredibles that night with various kids.
Vacation: Day 3
Monday, July 7, 2008
I love the local PBS station, and always have. They seem to have mastered the right mix of programs from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. to keep the kids entertained until it's beach time. My only complaint is "whiny-boy Cailou" is now on at 6 a.m. But then it's non-stop great hits!
6:30: Zoboomafoo -- it's an animal show that we only see in San Diego. Always a huge hit!
7 a.m. -- Curious George -- so cute and innocent and just pleasant. I've been known to stop on a Curious George episode when flipping channels on a business trip.
7:30 a.m -- Clifford -- nothing wrong with the big red dog. Cute and nicely done.
8 a.m. -- Wordworld -- this is new to me, but apparently Caro and Matthew have seen it before, and they LOVE it.
8:30 -- Dragon tales (OK, the weak spot of the line up. I'm SO over that)
9 a.m. - Super Why. Never heard of it, but a big hit!
Good day on the beach. Great waves again. And great to have all the cousins, grandkids, my siblings, parents, etc. on the beach.
None of my siblings claim the parents....score for us! Extra "free dinner out"! Went for Mexican.
I love the local PBS station, and always have. They seem to have mastered the right mix of programs from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. to keep the kids entertained until it's beach time. My only complaint is "whiny-boy Cailou" is now on at 6 a.m. But then it's non-stop great hits!
6:30: Zoboomafoo -- it's an animal show that we only see in San Diego. Always a huge hit!
7 a.m. -- Curious George -- so cute and innocent and just pleasant. I've been known to stop on a Curious George episode when flipping channels on a business trip.
7:30 a.m -- Clifford -- nothing wrong with the big red dog. Cute and nicely done.
8 a.m. -- Wordworld -- this is new to me, but apparently Caro and Matthew have seen it before, and they LOVE it.
8:30 -- Dragon tales (OK, the weak spot of the line up. I'm SO over that)
9 a.m. - Super Why. Never heard of it, but a big hit!
Good day on the beach. Great waves again. And great to have all the cousins, grandkids, my siblings, parents, etc. on the beach.
None of my siblings claim the parents....score for us! Extra "free dinner out"! Went for Mexican.
Vacation: Day 2
Sunday, July 6, 2008
How to spend Sunday on vacation? Always a quandary. If we had a car, we'd probably try church again, like last year. Then again, we ended up going to sacrament meeting and just sitting in the foyer (that's such a Mormon word) with cranky kids.
We settled on a trip to a local park to play with the kids, then a family home evening in the condo that allowed the kids to give reports that they had prepared on animals we would see at the zoo later that week.
I took the older 3 kids swimming at the pool where we have rights to swim courtesy of the Condo. It's about 4 miles away (we travel by cab). It was a good diversion for the kids. Caroline went to an on-site science class that she considered one of the highlights of the whole trip (they made a super ball). Go figure....glad I let her do it!
Then I took us to our newest find in Coronado: the library! For $5, we could get guest library cards, and check out lots of stuff! Tons of books for Josh to read, plus several bedtime stories for the younger kids, and even some kids videos, and a foreign video for the adults ($0.50 per video). Plus, they have a great play area in the library with puppets, puzzles, a train going around up high, and other nice displays. Definitely going to return to the library again next year! That seems a perfect Sunday activity on vacation.
My brother John and sister Liz and their families arrive that evening.
How to spend Sunday on vacation? Always a quandary. If we had a car, we'd probably try church again, like last year. Then again, we ended up going to sacrament meeting and just sitting in the foyer (that's such a Mormon word) with cranky kids.
We settled on a trip to a local park to play with the kids, then a family home evening in the condo that allowed the kids to give reports that they had prepared on animals we would see at the zoo later that week.
I took the older 3 kids swimming at the pool where we have rights to swim courtesy of the Condo. It's about 4 miles away (we travel by cab). It was a good diversion for the kids. Caroline went to an on-site science class that she considered one of the highlights of the whole trip (they made a super ball). Go figure....glad I let her do it!
Then I took us to our newest find in Coronado: the library! For $5, we could get guest library cards, and check out lots of stuff! Tons of books for Josh to read, plus several bedtime stories for the younger kids, and even some kids videos, and a foreign video for the adults ($0.50 per video). Plus, they have a great play area in the library with puppets, puzzles, a train going around up high, and other nice displays. Definitely going to return to the library again next year! That seems a perfect Sunday activity on vacation.
My brother John and sister Liz and their families arrive that evening.
Vacation: Day 1
Saturday, July 5th
It's like being a part of the best Easter Egg hunt ever!
Our new tradition is to go to down to the beach at sunrise on our first morning at Coronado. And why not? With the time zones, the kids are already up by 5:30 a.m. local time.
The hunt is for sand dollars. At low tide, they are everywhere. You just run from one to another stashing into your bag. And you have the whole beach to yourself. This morning, it was a really brilliant sunrise in terms of the lighting.
We also headed to the rocks to see sand crabs and other little critters and birds.
Then it's off to the fancy diner for breakfast, another first morning tradition. As a bleu cheese lover, I was a major sucker for the bleu cheese omelet...can't believe I've never seen that on a menu before!
The beach waves are AWESOME, AWESOME! Best in years for boogie boarding....big enough to scare you, but not so big as to wipe you out (too much).
With no other grandkids around yet (they arrive on Sunday), it's easy to monopolize the grandparents for free babysitting. Kathryn and I get to have a great dinner at the Hotel Del Coronado across the street. Great food, and even greater view! Some gourmet hot chocolate from the coffee bar serves as the perfect ending to a perfect start to the vacation.
It's like being a part of the best Easter Egg hunt ever!
Our new tradition is to go to down to the beach at sunrise on our first morning at Coronado. And why not? With the time zones, the kids are already up by 5:30 a.m. local time.
The hunt is for sand dollars. At low tide, they are everywhere. You just run from one to another stashing into your bag. And you have the whole beach to yourself. This morning, it was a really brilliant sunrise in terms of the lighting.
We also headed to the rocks to see sand crabs and other little critters and birds.
Then it's off to the fancy diner for breakfast, another first morning tradition. As a bleu cheese lover, I was a major sucker for the bleu cheese omelet...can't believe I've never seen that on a menu before!
The beach waves are AWESOME, AWESOME! Best in years for boogie boarding....big enough to scare you, but not so big as to wipe you out (too much).
With no other grandkids around yet (they arrive on Sunday), it's easy to monopolize the grandparents for free babysitting. Kathryn and I get to have a great dinner at the Hotel Del Coronado across the street. Great food, and even greater view! Some gourmet hot chocolate from the coffee bar serves as the perfect ending to a perfect start to the vacation.
Vacation: Day 0
Friday, July 4, 2008
It's time for the annual trek out west, which begins with a week in Coronado, the peninsula across the bay from San Diego.
While our official time in my parents' timeshare doesn't begin until Sunday, we choose to leave today. For starters, a couple extra days in California means more time (hopefully) when are kids will acclimate to the time zone and won't get up at 3 a.m. local time.
But flights were easier to obtain on the evening of July 4th. Apparently it's actually a smart day and time to fly. In fact, airlines often schedule the fewest flights of the year (to date) on that day than any other day. Who knew?! That gave me hope that if thunderstorms pop up and delay flights that there will be less flights to clog up the runways when the storms pass.
We fly out of Newark and all is well. No flight delays at all! Knock on wood, I have had horrible travels on business trips, but never with the family....I always bargain with the Lord to make it that way.
Matthew flies from Newark to San Diego without using the bathroom (the toilet on the plane scared him).
Continental served dinner, which is nice....but in a way, slightly annoying. I'm kind of now prefer the no meal approach as it's just one more thing to juggle while entertaining the kids, and the kids don't eat the plane food anyway.
We land around 9 p.m. local time and -- surprise -- FIREWORKS! From above the baggage concourse, we can see THREE separate displays! Such savvy planners. But alas, the payback is major traffic getting from San Diego to Coronado. Ah well...we landed with no kid incidents, so what else matters?
It's time for the annual trek out west, which begins with a week in Coronado, the peninsula across the bay from San Diego.
While our official time in my parents' timeshare doesn't begin until Sunday, we choose to leave today. For starters, a couple extra days in California means more time (hopefully) when are kids will acclimate to the time zone and won't get up at 3 a.m. local time.
But flights were easier to obtain on the evening of July 4th. Apparently it's actually a smart day and time to fly. In fact, airlines often schedule the fewest flights of the year (to date) on that day than any other day. Who knew?! That gave me hope that if thunderstorms pop up and delay flights that there will be less flights to clog up the runways when the storms pass.
We fly out of Newark and all is well. No flight delays at all! Knock on wood, I have had horrible travels on business trips, but never with the family....I always bargain with the Lord to make it that way.
Matthew flies from Newark to San Diego without using the bathroom (the toilet on the plane scared him).
Continental served dinner, which is nice....but in a way, slightly annoying. I'm kind of now prefer the no meal approach as it's just one more thing to juggle while entertaining the kids, and the kids don't eat the plane food anyway.
We land around 9 p.m. local time and -- surprise -- FIREWORKS! From above the baggage concourse, we can see THREE separate displays! Such savvy planners. But alas, the payback is major traffic getting from San Diego to Coronado. Ah well...we landed with no kid incidents, so what else matters?
Sunday, June 29, 2008
How to Get Invited Back as a Guest
We've had a lot of great guests (both friends and family) over the years, but the visit by Kathryn's Uncle Don and Aunt Sally took things to a new level this weekend. Here's what made them the ultimate house guests:
1. Don, who is quite handy with tools and such, did several things around the house that have been on my list for quite some time. These included:
• fixed the 'dangling' microwave as it hung from only one screw beneath the cupboard
• hung two bi-fold closet doors
• inspected the garage door 'intercept eye' (he couldn't fix it, but now I know it needs a part)
• hung the curtain rod in our living room
• hung the curtain rod in our upstairs playroom
• installed an electronic smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in a spot where an old smoke detector hung out of the ceiling looking pathetic
• installed a new chandelier
• installed a dimmer switch on the chadelier switch
• put handle back on one of our French doors
2. Sally was pretty amazing, too. She sewed and hemmed the drapes we hung, made homemade cookies twice, became Caroline's best friend, and blew dozens of bubbles for Sammy.
3. Todd, their 15 year old, taught Josh all the ins and outs of his new Wii, then also played baseball with Josh a ton. He also helped me get a bunch of old junk out of the attic that our previous owners had left behind.
4. On top of all that, they treated us to dinner the first night...then offered to pay for the babysitter (we said no). And Don went with us to the school playground twice to help us entertain the kids.
5. But it was more than all the great things they did for us. They were just so fun to have around, especially for marathon rounds of cribbage at night. Even if they had not done work on our house, it would have been such a great weekend just having them here.
The only thing is they potentially could have stayed til Tuesday morning, but opted to leave this morning to go see other parts of the northeast. They certainly didn't wear our their welcome...perhaps we simply wore them out instead. :)
Now the bar has been set for future guests. :)
Just kidding...we'll take any and all guests that we can get to come see us in NYC!
(Let's see if I can't get another couple of posts before we leave on vacation for the 4th).
Mark
1. Don, who is quite handy with tools and such, did several things around the house that have been on my list for quite some time. These included:
• fixed the 'dangling' microwave as it hung from only one screw beneath the cupboard
• hung two bi-fold closet doors
• inspected the garage door 'intercept eye' (he couldn't fix it, but now I know it needs a part)
• hung the curtain rod in our living room
• hung the curtain rod in our upstairs playroom
• installed an electronic smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in a spot where an old smoke detector hung out of the ceiling looking pathetic
• installed a new chandelier
• installed a dimmer switch on the chadelier switch
• put handle back on one of our French doors
2. Sally was pretty amazing, too. She sewed and hemmed the drapes we hung, made homemade cookies twice, became Caroline's best friend, and blew dozens of bubbles for Sammy.
3. Todd, their 15 year old, taught Josh all the ins and outs of his new Wii, then also played baseball with Josh a ton. He also helped me get a bunch of old junk out of the attic that our previous owners had left behind.
4. On top of all that, they treated us to dinner the first night...then offered to pay for the babysitter (we said no). And Don went with us to the school playground twice to help us entertain the kids.
5. But it was more than all the great things they did for us. They were just so fun to have around, especially for marathon rounds of cribbage at night. Even if they had not done work on our house, it would have been such a great weekend just having them here.
The only thing is they potentially could have stayed til Tuesday morning, but opted to leave this morning to go see other parts of the northeast. They certainly didn't wear our their welcome...perhaps we simply wore them out instead. :)
Now the bar has been set for future guests. :)
Just kidding...we'll take any and all guests that we can get to come see us in NYC!
(Let's see if I can't get another couple of posts before we leave on vacation for the 4th).
Mark
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Memorial Day Weekend, Pt. 2
So once the holiday weekend actually began, I took Caroline camping on the Father's and Daughters campout at Camp Liahona. I really dislike camping and wasn't looking forward to it at all. But I have to say it was actually wonderful.
For starters, camping with daughters rather than sons is a piece of cake. They are so happy and easy to care for. Caroline wanted to help put the tent up, then it was like playing house once we could get inside. The girls don't go running off into the forest or such. All the girls (it was mostly Primary-age range) played so nicely together and were inclusive. They built some things in the sand on the beach, and no one tried to destroy it.
For me, the value of the trip was seeing Caroline genuinely smile the entire time. I'd never seen that. It was such a treat for her to have Daddy all to herself and for it to be a 'girl time' instead of the brothers dominating.
Oh, and at 9 p.m., she said "I think it's time that I go to bed."
Not too bad....
For starters, camping with daughters rather than sons is a piece of cake. They are so happy and easy to care for. Caroline wanted to help put the tent up, then it was like playing house once we could get inside. The girls don't go running off into the forest or such. All the girls (it was mostly Primary-age range) played so nicely together and were inclusive. They built some things in the sand on the beach, and no one tried to destroy it.
For me, the value of the trip was seeing Caroline genuinely smile the entire time. I'd never seen that. It was such a treat for her to have Daddy all to herself and for it to be a 'girl time' instead of the brothers dominating.
Oh, and at 9 p.m., she said "I think it's time that I go to bed."
Not too bad....
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Memorial Day Weekend: Pt. 1 - Toronto
So, I picked up a new city, a new state (kind of), a new country, and a new baseball stadium all in one day last week. I had my first trip to Canada as I went to a Hasbro meeting in Toronto. Struggled to get any of the Canadian money....the ATMs just wouldn't work. But other than that, the airport was nice and efficient.
We went to a Toronto Blue Jays (vs. Angels) game at what used to be called the SkyDome. I got us wicked lost driving into Toronto, so we got to the game late (about 7:45 for a 7 p.m. start). And trying to get the parking payment system to work below the stadium was like using the ATMs. But what a stadium! You walk through the main door (like a giant convention hall) and then WOW! there's the field and such. It's a huge place, and yet the stadium itself seemed intimate.
We had seats in the lower section behind home plate. They won't let you walk to your seats when a batter is up....have to wait til a batter finishes (feels so tennis). And they have cops (no Mounties) lining the foul line between innings to I suppose prevent lawless people from running on to the field.
I missed the most golden opportunity to get a foul ball! I was with a client and someone from work, and we weren't really focusing on the game, when a ball flies over the backstop net. It came right at us, which is a lot more scary than I thought. We actually all kind of dove under our seats (chickens!). The ball landed a few rows behind us (we were in an area without other people right around us. I didn't think to try and grab it or see where it went. Well, it bounced and landed literally in the seat next to me. I only know that because some bloke came over at the end of the row and took the ball out of the seat and claimed it. I don't blame them, but I feel like an idiot!
Coolest feature at the game? They sell ICEEs via the in-aisle vendors. But alas, I didn't have any Canadian cash.
It was actually a really good game....Toronto won by one. Too bad we kind of weren't watching it too closely. But it had some home runs, a triple, some bloop singles, a double play, etc.
The dome was closed...when we left, we knew why as it was kind of a chilly night. (Redundant in Canada?)
Watched the news that night...surprised by how much coverage they gave to things in the states, including the weather. Like they were giving forecasts for what was going to be coming across Colorado and Wyoming. I live in New York, and we don't care about the weather out there.
We did see the CN tower lit up...that's pretty cool.
We went to a Toronto Blue Jays (vs. Angels) game at what used to be called the SkyDome. I got us wicked lost driving into Toronto, so we got to the game late (about 7:45 for a 7 p.m. start). And trying to get the parking payment system to work below the stadium was like using the ATMs. But what a stadium! You walk through the main door (like a giant convention hall) and then WOW! there's the field and such. It's a huge place, and yet the stadium itself seemed intimate.
We had seats in the lower section behind home plate. They won't let you walk to your seats when a batter is up....have to wait til a batter finishes (feels so tennis). And they have cops (no Mounties) lining the foul line between innings to I suppose prevent lawless people from running on to the field.
I missed the most golden opportunity to get a foul ball! I was with a client and someone from work, and we weren't really focusing on the game, when a ball flies over the backstop net. It came right at us, which is a lot more scary than I thought. We actually all kind of dove under our seats (chickens!). The ball landed a few rows behind us (we were in an area without other people right around us. I didn't think to try and grab it or see where it went. Well, it bounced and landed literally in the seat next to me. I only know that because some bloke came over at the end of the row and took the ball out of the seat and claimed it. I don't blame them, but I feel like an idiot!
Coolest feature at the game? They sell ICEEs via the in-aisle vendors. But alas, I didn't have any Canadian cash.
It was actually a really good game....Toronto won by one. Too bad we kind of weren't watching it too closely. But it had some home runs, a triple, some bloop singles, a double play, etc.
The dome was closed...when we left, we knew why as it was kind of a chilly night. (Redundant in Canada?)
Watched the news that night...surprised by how much coverage they gave to things in the states, including the weather. Like they were giving forecasts for what was going to be coming across Colorado and Wyoming. I live in New York, and we don't care about the weather out there.
We did see the CN tower lit up...that's pretty cool.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Stake Conference in the Bronx
As strange as it sounds, I really like our need to be creative when hosting stake conference in the Bronx. It's just such a New York-type thing.
In theory people can take the Metro North train to the meeting, but realistically, most choose not to. It involves about a 3/4 mile walk up a hill from the train station, and the train schedule is close, but not perfect, for the meeting times.
So instead we pull a "loaves and fishes" with our 22-space parking garage underneath the chapel.
In the early days of living here, they filled the 22 spaces and that was it.
Now, we double-park (or quadruple park, or whatever) to fill every last inch with cars. We had a high councilor several years ago who accepted the assignment and he was a master at it....our own pioneer, if you will. He has been released, and it now takes a quorum army to do what he did by himself. One Elders Quorum took last night, and another took this morning. About 6 to 7 people are guiding cars into the slots (involving major backing up and praying that no cars get dented).
Last night, the neighboring ward's quorum volunteers got 67 cars in. As we are a numbers-driven church, our ward's quorum set a higher goal of 70 cars for today. I asked for the totals when I left to drive home: 73 cars, 1 taxi and 1 motorcycle...a new Stake Conference record!
(In the defense of the other ward, one car that was imbedded deep in the garage had to get out between the leadership and adult session, and they claim that they lost a few car spaces by shuffling them out of there).
After conference, "the last shall be first" and the last two cars truly prevent everyone else from leaving. If you came late, you'd better plan to leave early.
The rest of us just mingle around in a cave of bumper-to-car-door cars waiting for your space to open up to exit. All are out within 15 minutes, and it's just kind of New Yorky to hang out in the garage.
(I've suggested we move to the annual stake picnic to the garage after stake conference....pass around some potato salad, say a blessing, and call it an activity).
As they used to say in a column in the New York Post: "Only in New York, kids, Only in New York!"
In theory people can take the Metro North train to the meeting, but realistically, most choose not to. It involves about a 3/4 mile walk up a hill from the train station, and the train schedule is close, but not perfect, for the meeting times.
So instead we pull a "loaves and fishes" with our 22-space parking garage underneath the chapel.
In the early days of living here, they filled the 22 spaces and that was it.
Now, we double-park (or quadruple park, or whatever) to fill every last inch with cars. We had a high councilor several years ago who accepted the assignment and he was a master at it....our own pioneer, if you will. He has been released, and it now takes a quorum army to do what he did by himself. One Elders Quorum took last night, and another took this morning. About 6 to 7 people are guiding cars into the slots (involving major backing up and praying that no cars get dented).
Last night, the neighboring ward's quorum volunteers got 67 cars in. As we are a numbers-driven church, our ward's quorum set a higher goal of 70 cars for today. I asked for the totals when I left to drive home: 73 cars, 1 taxi and 1 motorcycle...a new Stake Conference record!
(In the defense of the other ward, one car that was imbedded deep in the garage had to get out between the leadership and adult session, and they claim that they lost a few car spaces by shuffling them out of there).
After conference, "the last shall be first" and the last two cars truly prevent everyone else from leaving. If you came late, you'd better plan to leave early.
The rest of us just mingle around in a cave of bumper-to-car-door cars waiting for your space to open up to exit. All are out within 15 minutes, and it's just kind of New Yorky to hang out in the garage.
(I've suggested we move to the annual stake picnic to the garage after stake conference....pass around some potato salad, say a blessing, and call it an activity).
As they used to say in a column in the New York Post: "Only in New York, kids, Only in New York!"
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Cleaning Out
We are doing some major remodeling at our office. We have closed one half of our office for remodeling, and moved people to the basement and the 12th floor during the work.
As I had to abandon my office, it was a great time to purge. I tossed tons of stuff and it was very liberating. Files that I hadn't used in years. Old 3/4 inch videotapes that I'll never view again. Files of clients that left us years ago. The landfill may hate me, but I feel a lot freer.
I've been thinking how that accumulation happens in a house. It really is just a natural process. The other day, I read an article talking about the high calorie count of some restaurant entrees. It did the math, and said even if you just eat that many extra calories by going to the restaurant once a month, over the course of a year you'd add XX amount of pounds...and XX amount of pounds in XX amount of years. Just one simple meal can add that much....a little like Elder Uchdorf saying that being one degree off when flying around the earth would get you off course by 500 miles.
How does that relate to home clutter? Well, we all save stuff, whether it's books we finished reading, art projects of kids, old tax records, etc. I don't know the number, but let's assume we naturally add another 100 pounds of stuff to house a year. (Not hard to assume if you include heavier purchases) In 20 years, that's ONE TON more stuff than when you moved in.
I guess my point is just the need to regularly and routinely have a purging process to simply stay at par. To avoid being overrun, you need to eliminate at least as much as you accumulate each year or else you're losing the war.
As I had to abandon my office, it was a great time to purge. I tossed tons of stuff and it was very liberating. Files that I hadn't used in years. Old 3/4 inch videotapes that I'll never view again. Files of clients that left us years ago. The landfill may hate me, but I feel a lot freer.
I've been thinking how that accumulation happens in a house. It really is just a natural process. The other day, I read an article talking about the high calorie count of some restaurant entrees. It did the math, and said even if you just eat that many extra calories by going to the restaurant once a month, over the course of a year you'd add XX amount of pounds...and XX amount of pounds in XX amount of years. Just one simple meal can add that much....a little like Elder Uchdorf saying that being one degree off when flying around the earth would get you off course by 500 miles.
How does that relate to home clutter? Well, we all save stuff, whether it's books we finished reading, art projects of kids, old tax records, etc. I don't know the number, but let's assume we naturally add another 100 pounds of stuff to house a year. (Not hard to assume if you include heavier purchases) In 20 years, that's ONE TON more stuff than when you moved in.
I guess my point is just the need to regularly and routinely have a purging process to simply stay at par. To avoid being overrun, you need to eliminate at least as much as you accumulate each year or else you're losing the war.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Notes from the Cruise
Well, sadly, it's now been a full month since our Caribbean Cruise launched. But I still have great memories of a nice relaxing week.
So what impressions remain in my head after being home for a month? Here's just a random few:
1. We're really 'Anytime Dining' people. That means you don't have a set time to go to dinner nor have an assigned table of dinner guests. Quite frankly, I sit through enough client dinners where I need to make small talk and pretend to be friendly that I don't need that on a cruise. (I know, I'm anti-social).
I liked the Grand Princess (which we took this time) better than the Caribbean Princess (which we took last time) because the "Anytime Dining" rooms had more personable "tables for two". I went on the cruise to become reacquainted to my spouse...and having private tables to have private discussions during dinner was AWESOME!
2. We were big fans of going down to the dining room for breakfast. Nothing wrong with the buffet, but we kind of liked having a "served" breakfast every morning.
3. On our first cruise out to St. Thomas and St. Maartin, it really felt like we were out in the middle of the ocean and far away from the world. This trip was kind of circumference of Cuba, so I kind of felt less isolated (unfortunately). I liked feeling like there's no civilization for miles around.
4. I like being entertained by a comedian! There's always a moment when you worry they may cross the line, but if they don't, it's so much fun. It's something I don't think I could do here in NYC...can't imagine there's a lot of "TV clean" comedians at the clubs. We also liked the comedian juggler.
5. As my brother and his wife were sailing on the same ship two weeks after we did, I set up a scavenger hunt on the boat to find certain words/letters, etc. It was actually a lot of fun for me! My favorite was sticking a business card in a Shakespeare book in the library....it was still there when he came to find it.
So what impressions remain in my head after being home for a month? Here's just a random few:
1. We're really 'Anytime Dining' people. That means you don't have a set time to go to dinner nor have an assigned table of dinner guests. Quite frankly, I sit through enough client dinners where I need to make small talk and pretend to be friendly that I don't need that on a cruise. (I know, I'm anti-social).
I liked the Grand Princess (which we took this time) better than the Caribbean Princess (which we took last time) because the "Anytime Dining" rooms had more personable "tables for two". I went on the cruise to become reacquainted to my spouse...and having private tables to have private discussions during dinner was AWESOME!
2. We were big fans of going down to the dining room for breakfast. Nothing wrong with the buffet, but we kind of liked having a "served" breakfast every morning.
3. On our first cruise out to St. Thomas and St. Maartin, it really felt like we were out in the middle of the ocean and far away from the world. This trip was kind of circumference of Cuba, so I kind of felt less isolated (unfortunately). I liked feeling like there's no civilization for miles around.
4. I like being entertained by a comedian! There's always a moment when you worry they may cross the line, but if they don't, it's so much fun. It's something I don't think I could do here in NYC...can't imagine there's a lot of "TV clean" comedians at the clubs. We also liked the comedian juggler.
5. As my brother and his wife were sailing on the same ship two weeks after we did, I set up a scavenger hunt on the boat to find certain words/letters, etc. It was actually a lot of fun for me! My favorite was sticking a business card in a Shakespeare book in the library....it was still there when he came to find it.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Off on a cruise
As most of you know, my parents were gracious enough to provide Kathryn and me with a cruise....so we're outta here!
We're sitting at the Fort Lauderdale airport as it's too early to go to the ship, so thought I'd just say this is, indeed, still an active blog, and that more will be written when I return.
But some random thoughts that have floated in my head in the last week...
• I was in LA last week for a meeting....can you not help but smile when you are in California?
• My rental car out there looked like a hearse. Odd.
• I stayed at the W....very fancy and fun, but a tad too trendy and chic for me....I think they would have liked to deny me entry if they could. As I spent just from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the room, it's a little excessive. But if Kathryn and I could stay there together some time....
• LA loves cars, but don't love to give you a place to park. I had to use a pay lot to park my hearse and go to In n Out burger. But that's worth it.
• On a whim, I did a session at the LA temple. I was already dressed for the part, and my meetings were pretty close by. It was a fun experience. Since I went several years ago, they've remodeled it so you travel room to room to watch the video, not just sit in one place.
That's about it.....catch you on the flip side of the cruise.
Mark
We're sitting at the Fort Lauderdale airport as it's too early to go to the ship, so thought I'd just say this is, indeed, still an active blog, and that more will be written when I return.
But some random thoughts that have floated in my head in the last week...
• I was in LA last week for a meeting....can you not help but smile when you are in California?
• My rental car out there looked like a hearse. Odd.
• I stayed at the W....very fancy and fun, but a tad too trendy and chic for me....I think they would have liked to deny me entry if they could. As I spent just from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the room, it's a little excessive. But if Kathryn and I could stay there together some time....
• LA loves cars, but don't love to give you a place to park. I had to use a pay lot to park my hearse and go to In n Out burger. But that's worth it.
• On a whim, I did a session at the LA temple. I was already dressed for the part, and my meetings were pretty close by. It was a fun experience. Since I went several years ago, they've remodeled it so you travel room to room to watch the video, not just sit in one place.
That's about it.....catch you on the flip side of the cruise.
Mark
Saturday, February 23, 2008
E-Mail Bankruptcy
I've heard people talk about declaring email bankrupcy....they get so many emails that they feel they can never get back on top of them to respond and act upon all of them.
They simply trash them all, start clean, and hope for improvement moving forward.
Not a real bad idea....I get more than 200 a day (though half go straight to my junk folder). But if I'm out for a few days, it will take me a week or two to sort through them all, read and learn what I'm supposed to learn, or provide a response.
Bankruptcy doesn't sound too bad.
Mark
They simply trash them all, start clean, and hope for improvement moving forward.
Not a real bad idea....I get more than 200 a day (though half go straight to my junk folder). But if I'm out for a few days, it will take me a week or two to sort through them all, read and learn what I'm supposed to learn, or provide a response.
Bankruptcy doesn't sound too bad.
Mark
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Monopoly
Hi all:
Tired of the Primaries? Well, vote in an election where you can make a difference!
Monopoly is creating the first-ever WORLD edition of the game, with a game board featuring the greatest cities in the world. What are those cities? YOU DECIDE!
From now until Feb. 28, you can vote for 10 cities once a day at www.monopoly.com. You'll need to create an identity based on your email address the first time you vote, but then it's very simple.
There's a ballot of 68 candidates, with the top 20 making the board. (The final two spots are reserved for "Wild Cards").
New York City -- the greatest city in the world -- is faring well, but just slipped to yellow. Don't you think it should be a blue? Help get us back up there? Surprisingly, the actual number of votes dividing the leaders isn't huge, so every vote counts.
And while I love all the world cities, I think the U.S. should have AT LEAST two on the board. Vegas is the next likely to get back up on the board, so, please consider voting for them.
One other note: if you vote for cities ahead of NYC based on the leader board, you don't really give a 'push' to NYC, so you may want to omit voting for them, even if you love London. Otherwise, NYC doesn't move in the rankings.
Here's wishing eternal Free Parking to all who vote early and often (daily!).
Mark
Tired of the Primaries? Well, vote in an election where you can make a difference!
Monopoly is creating the first-ever WORLD edition of the game, with a game board featuring the greatest cities in the world. What are those cities? YOU DECIDE!
From now until Feb. 28, you can vote for 10 cities once a day at www.monopoly.com. You'll need to create an identity based on your email address the first time you vote, but then it's very simple.
There's a ballot of 68 candidates, with the top 20 making the board. (The final two spots are reserved for "Wild Cards").
New York City -- the greatest city in the world -- is faring well, but just slipped to yellow. Don't you think it should be a blue? Help get us back up there? Surprisingly, the actual number of votes dividing the leaders isn't huge, so every vote counts.
And while I love all the world cities, I think the U.S. should have AT LEAST two on the board. Vegas is the next likely to get back up on the board, so, please consider voting for them.
One other note: if you vote for cities ahead of NYC based on the leader board, you don't really give a 'push' to NYC, so you may want to omit voting for them, even if you love London. Otherwise, NYC doesn't move in the rankings.
Here's wishing eternal Free Parking to all who vote early and often (daily!).
Mark
Apostles
The problem with becoming an apostle is knowing that you will either become the prophet one day or else die trying....
Mark
Mark
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Unwritten Policy
When watching the kids who are still in diapers, there are times when you suspect that they have a dirty diaper -- and you know you can confirm it by sniffing the child's bottom. But you also know that if you sort of "ignore" the initial whiff (and don't do the confirming 'bottom sniff') you can pretend you didn't know the child had a dirty diaper on your shift...and it hence becomes the responsibility of the person who inherits watching said child next.
In cases like this, it's a matter of "Don't Ask, Don't Smell"
Mark
In cases like this, it's a matter of "Don't Ask, Don't Smell"
Mark
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Two more thoughts...
1. What is the statue of limitations in terms of how long a completed jigsaw puzzle must remain sitting on a dining room table before being dismantled? Is there a formula based on the amount of time it took to complete it? We took three weeks finishing this triangular-shaped balloon puzzle....and now that it's finished, it seems very unsatisfying to put it away. Yet should we keep it forever as a trophy to the world showing what I did?
Two to three days seems about right....just to reinforce to each of us that we achieved a great accomplishment.
(It's kind of like books in a bookshelf. Why do we keep books we've already read? As a tribute to what we read? If we never think we're going to read it again, we should immediately donate it to a library...why take up valuable house space showcasing what we've already read.)
2. Sometimes I worry that we aren't doing enough for food storage.
But then I cleaned out the car the other day and realized we're just keeping our food storage in the car! I probably vacuumed out a day or two supply of Goldfish, fruit snacks and other sundry items that seem to preserve quite well. And better to have it in the car than in the home as it's mobile in case you have to evacuate. Plus, no matter how many goldfish crackers are in the car seat already, it seems like you can always fit more, so storage is never an issue.....
Mark
Two to three days seems about right....just to reinforce to each of us that we achieved a great accomplishment.
(It's kind of like books in a bookshelf. Why do we keep books we've already read? As a tribute to what we read? If we never think we're going to read it again, we should immediately donate it to a library...why take up valuable house space showcasing what we've already read.)
2. Sometimes I worry that we aren't doing enough for food storage.
But then I cleaned out the car the other day and realized we're just keeping our food storage in the car! I probably vacuumed out a day or two supply of Goldfish, fruit snacks and other sundry items that seem to preserve quite well. And better to have it in the car than in the home as it's mobile in case you have to evacuate. Plus, no matter how many goldfish crackers are in the car seat already, it seems like you can always fit more, so storage is never an issue.....
Mark
Thursday, January 24, 2008
New Year Musings
Ah, the New Year. A time when things get busier in the toy industry than during the holidays (as we gear up for the NEXT holiday season). As such, my blog has suffered -- this after the potential surge of readership that could have occurred after mailing my Christmas card.
For those faithful who waited patiently for some new content, here we go:
• Noggin, the pre-school channel, is now 24 hours a day. It used to just be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lucky me...I got to experience the first "overnight" Noggin as I was up New Year's Day around 4:30 with one of the kids. Yes, there is a market for 24 hours pre-school channels.
• Matthew has no desire to be potty trained. Before Christmas, I made a run to Target and saw how much pull-ups cost! So I've now decided to deduct the cost of the pull-ups from the monthly amount I used to set aside for his college fund. If he doesn't have enough to make it through school, well, it's not my fault.
• Giants vs Patriots....not as good as Red Sox/Yankees, but fun all the same, especially as we get to play the underdog for a change in the Boston/New York relationship.
• Getting a window seat in a row of three on my morning and evening train to the city is very important to me. 95 percent of the time, it means you have an open seat next to you as very rarely does someone attempt to sit in the middle seat. (Across the aisle are rows of two). I'll gladly sit in a row of three close to a stinky bathroom if it means getting a coveted window seat of a three. I'd rather put up with the smell than miss out on my desired seat.
• I feel like I've arrived. We're doing a worldwide Monopoly vote campaign right now (I'll write about that later, but visit www.monopoly.com) and I get to do a radio interview in a few minutes with the largest station in South Africa. I couldn't be more excited.
• My next talk in church is going to be: Lessons from assembling jigsaw puzzles that can be applied to home teaching.
• I think Environmentalism is the new world religion....or at least it's the replacement for organized religion in some people's lives.
• I can now add a new name to list of famous people I've worked with in my odd career: Miss Universe.
I'll try to write some more powerful insights in the next few days.
Mark
For those faithful who waited patiently for some new content, here we go:
• Noggin, the pre-school channel, is now 24 hours a day. It used to just be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lucky me...I got to experience the first "overnight" Noggin as I was up New Year's Day around 4:30 with one of the kids. Yes, there is a market for 24 hours pre-school channels.
• Matthew has no desire to be potty trained. Before Christmas, I made a run to Target and saw how much pull-ups cost! So I've now decided to deduct the cost of the pull-ups from the monthly amount I used to set aside for his college fund. If he doesn't have enough to make it through school, well, it's not my fault.
• Giants vs Patriots....not as good as Red Sox/Yankees, but fun all the same, especially as we get to play the underdog for a change in the Boston/New York relationship.
• Getting a window seat in a row of three on my morning and evening train to the city is very important to me. 95 percent of the time, it means you have an open seat next to you as very rarely does someone attempt to sit in the middle seat. (Across the aisle are rows of two). I'll gladly sit in a row of three close to a stinky bathroom if it means getting a coveted window seat of a three. I'd rather put up with the smell than miss out on my desired seat.
• I feel like I've arrived. We're doing a worldwide Monopoly vote campaign right now (I'll write about that later, but visit www.monopoly.com) and I get to do a radio interview in a few minutes with the largest station in South Africa. I couldn't be more excited.
• My next talk in church is going to be: Lessons from assembling jigsaw puzzles that can be applied to home teaching.
• I think Environmentalism is the new world religion....or at least it's the replacement for organized religion in some people's lives.
• I can now add a new name to list of famous people I've worked with in my odd career: Miss Universe.
I'll try to write some more powerful insights in the next few days.
Mark
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