Monday, July 04, 2005
Day 31 - The End
Song of the Day: The End by The Doors
It had to happen sooner or later; tomorrow I return to work. The good news is that I work at a place that gives you a month off every five years. The bad news is that I'm going to have to wait another five years to do it again. It does seem appropriate that it is the Fourth of July and there are fireworks going off all over - as though there is a giant celebration to mark the end of my sabbatical.
It's been great fun. Even more today with a cruise out to Sheffield Island and dinner with my folks. Mary was writing her final final of the summer term so Walker and I had to get out of the house. The weather was PERFECT.
Overall, sabbaticals are pretty cool. I got to spend a huge amount of time with my wife and son, and there's really nothing more important to me. I love them both so much, it's just been a pleasure. I didn't take any trips or cure cancer, but did manage to grow mutton chops and learn to sail. Walker said he didn't want me to go back to work, but I'm happy to have a job with people I like and to be doing something I enjoy.
Life is good.
It had to happen sooner or later; tomorrow I return to work. The good news is that I work at a place that gives you a month off every five years. The bad news is that I'm going to have to wait another five years to do it again. It does seem appropriate that it is the Fourth of July and there are fireworks going off all over - as though there is a giant celebration to mark the end of my sabbatical.
It's been great fun. Even more today with a cruise out to Sheffield Island and dinner with my folks. Mary was writing her final final of the summer term so Walker and I had to get out of the house. The weather was PERFECT.
Overall, sabbaticals are pretty cool. I got to spend a huge amount of time with my wife and son, and there's really nothing more important to me. I love them both so much, it's just been a pleasure. I didn't take any trips or cure cancer, but did manage to grow mutton chops and learn to sail. Walker said he didn't want me to go back to work, but I'm happy to have a job with people I like and to be doing something I enjoy.
Life is good.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Days 29 & 30
Song of the Day: No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley. It's Bob; what else can I say.
Yesterday and Today were sailing days. I brought my camera today and took some nice picture, then we put a rail in the water and took on some water and the camera got wet. Now it won't turn on. I haven't given up on the thing, but I don't have any pictures to post as of now. The class is done and it was a great time. It was also a very good class and I feel like I know how to sail. Also in my favor was the weather. After crappy stuff all week, this weekend has been absolutely perfect with plenty of wind and sun. (By the way, as I'm typing I can definitely still feel the boat rocking).
Last night, Mary, Walker, and I went over to my Father's house for dinner. More fun with the family - good food and good times.
Yesterday and Today were sailing days. I brought my camera today and took some nice picture, then we put a rail in the water and took on some water and the camera got wet. Now it won't turn on. I haven't given up on the thing, but I don't have any pictures to post as of now. The class is done and it was a great time. It was also a very good class and I feel like I know how to sail. Also in my favor was the weather. After crappy stuff all week, this weekend has been absolutely perfect with plenty of wind and sun. (By the way, as I'm typing I can definitely still feel the boat rocking).
Last night, Mary, Walker, and I went over to my Father's house for dinner. More fun with the family - good food and good times.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Day 28
The last official day of my sabbatical. I still have the weekend and the July 4th holiday, but this is the last day I have off because of the sabbatical. The good news is that the company's PTO system sent me an email today saying that I had the maximum number of days "in the bank", so it recommended that I take some time off. Sounds like a great idea to me.
Song of the Day: Float On by Modest Mouse - This is another buzz band, getting plenty of press. I don't know if I would buy one of their albums, but this is a good song. Catchy but serious, real musicians, and a modicum of originality.
Not too much on the agenda for the day. Mary has to have a splinter taken out of her thumb. I tried, but it's infected and deep, so she needs a professional. Maybe we can get a picture of the before and after. This afternoon I'm headed into the city to see a good friend. He's been through a few major "life changes" recently so it should make for an interesting conversation. Also, we're going to a two-for-one happy-hour and that will definitely make the conversation lively.
Sailing tomorrow. :-)
Song of the Day: Float On by Modest Mouse - This is another buzz band, getting plenty of press. I don't know if I would buy one of their albums, but this is a good song. Catchy but serious, real musicians, and a modicum of originality.
Not too much on the agenda for the day. Mary has to have a splinter taken out of her thumb. I tried, but it's infected and deep, so she needs a professional. Maybe we can get a picture of the before and after. This afternoon I'm headed into the city to see a good friend. He's been through a few major "life changes" recently so it should make for an interesting conversation. Also, we're going to a two-for-one happy-hour and that will definitely make the conversation lively.
Sailing tomorrow. :-)
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Day 27
The end is near. :-(
Song of the Day: Let's Get It Started by Black Eyed Peas. I don't know if I really like the Black Eyed Peas, but there's no denying that this is a catchy pop-tune. They may be the rarest of creatures - a good pop band (even though they are supposed to be hip-hop).
I cleaned the gutters today. Talk about a thankless task; standing on a ladder, scooping handfuls of rotting leaves... blech. But I patched a couple of the downspouts, so there was a sense of accomplishment that you only get as a homeowner. It's very caveman.
Song of the Day: Let's Get It Started by Black Eyed Peas. I don't know if I really like the Black Eyed Peas, but there's no denying that this is a catchy pop-tune. They may be the rarest of creatures - a good pop band (even though they are supposed to be hip-hop).
I cleaned the gutters today. Talk about a thankless task; standing on a ladder, scooping handfuls of rotting leaves... blech. But I patched a couple of the downspouts, so there was a sense of accomplishment that you only get as a homeowner. It's very caveman.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Day 26
Confederations Cup final - Brazil v. Argentina. It's half time now after an exciting first half. Argentina started playing really well around the 17th minute. Unfortunately, the Brazilians scored at 10' and 16'. I can't see anyone coming back against Brazil from two down, but I'll keep watching to make sure.
Song of the Day: Livin' La Vida Loca but not the version by Ricky Martin, the one by Donkey and Puss in Boots. We were watching Shrek 2 the other day and this one stuck.
Speaking of crazy lives, I would definitely recommend an independent film call Mi Vida Loca. It's about some young ladies growing up in a poor neighborhood in LA. It rates a woohoo on the Simpson's scale.
Song of the Day: Livin' La Vida Loca but not the version by Ricky Martin, the one by Donkey and Puss in Boots. We were watching Shrek 2 the other day and this one stuck.
Speaking of crazy lives, I would definitely recommend an independent film call Mi Vida Loca. It's about some young ladies growing up in a poor neighborhood in LA. It rates a woohoo on the Simpson's scale.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Void of the Day
I'm drawing a blank on the song of the day for both today and yesterday. I'm going to through out something everyone should be listening to: 'Gardez Donci (Look At That!) by Beau Jocque And The Zydeco Hi-Rollers. To me, Beau Jocque made the best Zydeco evAr. No one could rock an accordian like pretty Jack. Unfortunately, he wasn't living the healthy life and had a heart attack a few years back. Luckily, though oddly, albums keeps coming out. Basically you can't go wrong with anything by this band.
Days 24 & 25
Walker and I went to the dermatologist yesterday morning. We had a joint appointment. Good news all around - Walker's Molluscum is all cleared up and I don't have any sun damage or nasty moles. Molluscum, I learned yesterday, is the largest virus that affects humans. On little kids it shows up as little warts and they treat it by using a chemical to basically burn the things.
Been wathcing a lot of soccer lately. There is the Confederations Cup and the Copa Libertadores and the Fifa under 21. Saw the Brazilians beat the Germans in the Confederations and the under 21. Those Germans weren't looking too sharp - they better clean up their act before next year. Also, the Italians under 21 lost to the Moroccans. That doesn't bode well either.
Last night Walker and I went to the pizza place and split a small pie. It was great fun and Walker charmed everyone in the restaurant. The elderly lady at the next table said "my, he's a busy one".
Today is rainy and Mary has to write a paper. So I dont' know if we'll do anything.
Been wathcing a lot of soccer lately. There is the Confederations Cup and the Copa Libertadores and the Fifa under 21. Saw the Brazilians beat the Germans in the Confederations and the under 21. Those Germans weren't looking too sharp - they better clean up their act before next year. Also, the Italians under 21 lost to the Moroccans. That doesn't bode well either.
Last night Walker and I went to the pizza place and split a small pie. It was great fun and Walker charmed everyone in the restaurant. The elderly lady at the next table said "my, he's a busy one".
Today is rainy and Mary has to write a paper. So I dont' know if we'll do anything.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Sir Duke Follow Up
I have to realize that it took me until yesterday to figure out that Sir Duke is about Duke Ellington.
Day 23
More sailing! Did you ever see the movie "What About Bob?"? Absolute genius. There's a scene where Bob, played masterfully by Bill Murray, is shown in close up yelling "I'm sailing!". As the camera pulls out we see Bob is tied to the mast a la tied to the stake. That's always the first thought that come to me when we get the sails up... "I'm sailing, I'm sailing".
Song of the Day: Numbers by G. Love - is this the second or third song I've listed by G.? Doesn't matter, you've caught me in a Special Sauce phase and that's what been running through my head. Unlike Kagagoogoo though, I will enthusiastically endorse this stuff. It's just plain good.
Alternate Song of the Day: Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder - I was listening to a bunch of different stuff yesterday. Kind of following a thread that wound it's way from New Wave, to Ska Revival, to Third Wave Ska, to Stevie Wonder. New Wave to Ska is easy; Madness leads to English Beat and the Specials. The to the Third Wave is obvious with Rancid and Sublime. But I can't remember how I got from Rancid to Stevie. Again, doesn't matter, the thing that's fun is that I haven't heard Sir Duke in a very long time and there it was in Rhapsody and here's the sappy anecdote that make the song special: when I was about 8 my father was playing organ at a small dealer demo/recital and he played Sir Duke because it was my sister's favorite. I wonder if he's still got the chops for that one?
Song of the Day: Numbers by G. Love - is this the second or third song I've listed by G.? Doesn't matter, you've caught me in a Special Sauce phase and that's what been running through my head. Unlike Kagagoogoo though, I will enthusiastically endorse this stuff. It's just plain good.
Alternate Song of the Day: Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder - I was listening to a bunch of different stuff yesterday. Kind of following a thread that wound it's way from New Wave, to Ska Revival, to Third Wave Ska, to Stevie Wonder. New Wave to Ska is easy; Madness leads to English Beat and the Specials. The to the Third Wave is obvious with Rancid and Sublime. But I can't remember how I got from Rancid to Stevie. Again, doesn't matter, the thing that's fun is that I haven't heard Sir Duke in a very long time and there it was in Rhapsody and here's the sappy anecdote that make the song special: when I was about 8 my father was playing organ at a small dealer demo/recital and he played Sir Duke because it was my sister's favorite. I wonder if he's still got the chops for that one?
