New Year's Eve

It was foggy this morning so I snapped a cell phone photo.

It's New Year's Eve. Don't Drink and Drive.

French Friends

Censored!

Désolé Vincent. J'aurais pensé de la possibilité de voir les personnes nouvelles. Qui aurait WebFirst à regarder notre blog?

Quoi qu'il en soit, félicitations. Comme je vous l'ai dit auparavant, vous pourriez un jour bientôt éprouver les mêmes sensations je faire lorsque vous imiter mon accent américain. Préparez-vous, Super Leche Cul.

Vous permettra de ne plus se moquer de votre patrie d'adoption et ses habitants. Angry Quand les Français critiquent, vous, attention à l'horizon et une larme se déroulera votre joue, en pensant à Baja Fresh et Sam Adams. Je sais ces choses-là.

Do you know Bill?

Someone thinks Bill Stickers deserve a fair shake:

Dan Fogelberg

I learned that Dan Fogelberg died last week. Dan Fogelberg made some of the cheesiest songs known to Modern History. A million years from now they'll pull his records from a time capsule, start a song and then say (in whatever alien language) "Daaaamn, that's cheesy. No, don't turn it off yet."

I am not sure if Dan Fogelberg was into Dark Magic, but his songs had the strange ability to compel you to sing along.

Take the example below (lyrics included). To this day, if I am driving alone in a car, I belt it out loudly. If you are brave enough to make it through to minute point 2:09, note that I do the horn solo too..all of the horn solo. It's a long horn solo.

The interesting thing is that all of his songs make me want to punch myself in the face. Hard.

So long Dan...

Matt's Philosophy on Eating Meat

First off, I am not a vegetarian,. I like meat. I do have fairly specific laws about eating meat though. I try to hold two strict tenets.

1.) I won't eat smart animals. This specifically refers to Pigs (pork). Some major religions forbid eating pork because the pig is supposed to be a sloven and disgusting animal. I think pigs are great. I liken then them to dogs in that they can be your pals. People have potbelly pigs for pets. Pigs like me so I like them back.

Here's an example of religious thoughts about pigs:

The nature of a pig is a very disgusting one. The pig is naturally lazy and indulgent in sex. It dislikes sun-light and lacks the spirit and will to 'fight'. The older it grows, the lazier it gets. It eats almost anything, be it faeces or anything dirty. It prefers dirty places to clean ones. It eats and sleeps only and hates to move around.

Whatever. If you don't like pigs, fine. I don't like Deer. I'm not on good terms with squirrels and I have a sincere phobia of Frogs (ask Aimee, she'll tell you about it with a laugh). But do I harp on this? No. I don't bother them as long as they don't bother me. Maybe it's because I grew up in a pluralistic society while you, Pig Hater, are a mentally enslaved, Silly Billy.

2.) No eating the Babies. Specifically, this refers to Lamb and Veal. To me, it's just bad Karma. There's a cute little baby born. Then it lives only long enough to taste good for a human. I feel bad for the baby animals that get eaten, so I try not to eat them. I don't mind if others eat them. That's fine, go for it.

As far as Animals I will eat, here are a few:

Chickens: Cluck cluck doh! Sorry buddy, you never grease the wheels by throwing me a smile.

Fish: No facial expressions. Always on the go. I will eat them but seldom. I have a problem with paying too much for fish. They taste good though!

Cows: You win anyway. My stomach cannot digest the Cow so I seldom eat you. You taste darn good though!

Rabbits: Controversial Subject. When I was discussing my Meat Eating habits with a Spaniard once, he asked me if I thought Rabbits were dumb. I said "Of course they are! Dumb Dumb Dumb!" He proceeded to tell me that he has them for pets and that they come when he calls. I felt bad but not bad enough to enjoy a tasty Rabbit two weeks ago. You could say this particular rabbit was Watershipped Downed (google Watership Down). Or maybe French Wine Downed.

So, there you have it.

Interstate 95 in Maryland

As I (Matt) drive a long way to North of Baltimore three times a week via Interstate 95, I amuse myself by observing the behavior of drivers. I think that most drivers are responsible. We don’t notice the responsible drivers though, only the bad ones. I find patterns in these bad drivers. They tend to fall into predictable ‘characters’. Sometimes I feel I am in The Matrix (google it) and the characters tend to repeat themselves in a loop, only with a different color of vehicle or a slight alteration of haircut. Here are a few of them:


The Over-educated Angry Politico. On the back of your car, you have many ten-year old Presidential Campaign Stickers for people I’ve never heard of. I’m sorry that Presidential Candidate Jarvy Kincaid didn’t steal the election from Clinton in 1996. You keep the pedal to the floor as your Geo Storm strains to a top speed of 67 miles per hour in the Passing Lane. FYI: The guy who named the Geo “Storm” did so as a joke. More appropriate names are: The Geo Wind Gust, The Geo Sprinkle, The Geo Puddle or The Geo Babbling Brook.

The New Yorker: Because he is outside of his own state, he feels he must maintain the negative image of New Yorkers maintain by tailgating, weaving and being a general dick. The truth is that he probably lives nowhere near the city and driving on the highway as a “The New Yorker” is the actual highlight of his existence. When he arrives in the driveway of his home, the elation of being a high way j@rk-0ff subsides and the emotional downer begins. He goes from Highway Super Villain to Long Island Pete AKA The Yankee fan that annoys other Yankees fans AKA The Only Uninvited Guy at the Cookout.

The Average and Annoying White Guy: Your age range is 28 to 47. You have the same haircut, always. No matter what car you drive, you are still boring looking. Even if you are 100 yards in front of me or behind me, I can still sense your anger. You’ll never actually be a serial killer, but you have potential.

The Sales Guy in Luxury Sedan: You still think that talking about alcohol is cool yet you are over 33. You think that your expensive clothes mask the toll your unhealthy habits take on your body. You love to cut people off with one hand on the wheel and the other on your cell phone. You sales numbers are high but only because you are overly aggressive. People don’t like dealing with you because being a tool only gets you so far in life, unlike the highest performer on your team.

Joe Dirt (google it) in a Huge Powerful Pickup. All you do is tailgate, even though your truck’s height allows you to see that I cannot go any faster because the Angry Politico guy is in front of me. You consider the Edgy Morning Radio Personality your best friend because he celebrates Le Habitantes Dirtages. When you get drunk you like to sing the Kiss song “Beth” to your girlfriend named Liz. When you finally learn that there is no Washington Redskins memorabilia displayed in my backseat, you swerve over to the slow lane to make a loop around to see if you can get in front of the Libertarian who’s slowing down the passing lane. Twenty minutes later you are still behind me.

The Foreign Guy. You’ve been in the United States for almost two years now. You picked up the English language yet somehow you don’t understand why people give you dirty looks as you change four lanes in .2 seconds. They may not have taught you this back home so let me help: Vehicles are heavy and consist of metal. Humans are made of tissues and bones connected by joints and organs. When a heavy object made of steel quickly comes into contact with a human, the human may get hurt. To prevent this, America has driving laws. You may laugh at driving laws in your country (just like you laugh at a tooth brush and tooth paste), but the people of America think they are kind of important.

This is all I have for now. Thanks guys, for entertaining me on my way up Interstate 95.

The 'Davey Milnick' Effect

David Melnick, found on Google Images

Aimee would say that I have a bad habit. I would say Aimee has a bad habit. The crux of the matter: Aimee will state something to me or ask a question. About 87% of the time, I will not understand her and repeat what I think she said.

Example One:

Aimee: {inaudible words}

Matt responds: Whhhat? Alabaster chickens?

Aimee (loudly, annoyed): Nooooo! After the dinner, Saturday evening! Are you deaf? What’s your problem?

Example Two:

Aimee: {mumbling inaudible words)

Matt responds: Whaaat??? Russian Oranges and little boy blue?

Aimee (loudly, annoyed): Nooo! I’m in a rush, so tell me when you’re through. Do you do this on purpose? Because it’s really annoying.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, you may think that I (Matt) am trying to be a smart a$@. But what about this fun fact: Whenever Aimee wants to tell me something, about 87% of the time she is either in another room or another floor. Of course I don’t understand.

Anyway, the other day, I was speaking with Aimee on the phone. I said the following:

Matt: So, Dave emailed me today.

And Aimee’s response was the following:

“Whaaaaaat? Davey Milnick? Who is Davey Milnick? That sounds like a name from Leave It to Beaver! Daaavey Milnick....”

Thus, The Davey Milnick Effect.


.

Look Closely

Sanity Tested

Today we had Direct TV (Satellite Dish) installed. First, Darla (a dog) kept screaming during the three hour long process. Then, I discover the TV installer disabled the phone and Internet so I could not work and that it elongated his visit another couple of hours. I am also visiting the crazy dog (one of two) every five minutes.

Then I hear a whoooosh wooosh..I run down to the basement to see the Satellite Dish Installer standing on a ladder with gallons of hot water shooting at him. I turn off the water for the whole house to see he had completely busted the hot water pipes. I throw him a towel and ask him if he's okay while thinking Son Uv a B#@$%! Bam, we call the Plumber. We had a plumber and the Satellite guy at the house at one time.

Meanwhile the dogs are still being more difficult by the minute. I take them outside to watch them gleefully dance around in the completely muddy backyard while periodically visiting both the Dish Guy and Plumby the Plumber. After about half a Bank Account later, the fellers leave and the dogs are cleaned off with a towel. Not every day can be Ice Cream, Happy Hugs and High Fives. At least we have HDTV via a Satellite...and a brand spanking new PVC plumbing pipe.

Not supposed to snow this much this soon

I (Matt) would not miss it if I didn't see another snowy day. Still nice to look at though..



Aimee Got into the Act.

As did the dogs in the background:



While we are on the subject of Aimee, here is a reminder of her ritual of talking photos of herself EVERY time she gets her hair "did."




Finally, here is a drawing Aimee did. It's Jesus doing some Christmas Shopping at Best Buy. Since Best Buy has the best prices, the title of her work is "Jesus Saves." Notice the frowns on the people in line. That TV he's getting is Nifty though, right? No Flat Screen, Jesus?

First person in the World To Dance

Here's some history:

Caught in a John Waters movie

In a John Waters film like Hairspray or Cry-Baby, we see an odd and fantastic version of Baltimore. I always thought that John Waters' image of Baltimore was just that: his own.

Jump to last week and my (Matt) weekly visits to Timonium Maryland to work with Internet Software Developers. Someone suggested for lunch that we visit "Village Sub."

It's totally Old School, I was told. I said "Sure, let's do it."

Well, I walk in and see a Sub Place that appears that it has not changed since the 50's.

See for yourself:

What I found more remarkable were the employees:

1st Employee: Odd looking gentleman in his 50's will a bowl haircut. When we walked in, we could have just landed from Mars. That was how he stared at us. I still feel his stare and I'm miles away.

2nd Employee: 30's lady with a giant bouffant hair do. She had unusual clothing and many crosses hanging from her neck.

3rd Employee: The proverbial "Tough Ole Lady." In her 60's with a growl and snort to communicate. She was rought but endearing.

The thing is, these people weren't trying to be kitchy or ironic or smarmy. They are the real deal.

I immediately felt I was in a John Waters film. If it weren't for the people I was with, I might have jumped up on the counter and started crooning a la "Cry-Baby" Walker, with the employees above joining in with fanciful dance moves. Maybe I'll go there alone sometime and try it. Maybe not.

I felt as if perhaps Mr. Waters vision of the world had less to do with his creativity (which he of course has a lot) with SOME elements of reality. I believe I confirmed that he didn't make ALL of it up on his own. This place is strange, but great. It's got flavor. I like flavor. And it has great subs.

So, tonight, I search for John Waters in Wikipedia and learned the following:

Waters grew up in Lutherville, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore.

And the location of Village Sub? Lutherville, Maryland. Damn I'm good....sometimes...

New England Pride

The title betrays what I (Matt) believe myself to be. Though I grew up in New England until the age of 14, I refer to myself as a Marylander. New England culture, like New York or Texas, is much better known than Maryland. But Maryland has flavah, indeed it does. More on that later.

Anyway, the video below makes me proud of the fact I am a former New Englander and current Red Sox fan.

Scene: Autistic Man singing the National Anthem at a Red Sox game. During the song, he gets a case of the giggles. My first thought was “oh no, they’re going to ridicule him.”

I was happily incorrect.

Our Kitchen's grownz up.

On all the home improvement television shows, a dramatic transformation occurs within the course of a half hour. I appreciate this in relation to watching a show, but when it comes to our own house, I wouldn't enjoy it too much. In our (Aimee and me) case, the show would last a long time and be quite boring. Why? Because we've made improvements slowly. Why? Because we only pay for improvements for which we can afford. We've taken the five year plan as opposed to the TV show plan. I would rather pay for this stuff in cash than take out loans.

The latest improvement is for our kitchen. So, what did we do? Back Splash. Yah, not too exciting.

I don't have true before and after of pictures of our kitchen from when we moved in vs. its present state. The reason is that the original state of our kitchen did not even reach the level of a kitchen in a crack house. Inhabitants of crack houses would snub their noses at our kitchen, circa 2005.

What I do have is a before and after from a year ago vs now. First, here is a picture from a year ago.

Here is the "Today" with the new backsplash:

We're gettin there...

Aimee's Birthday

Happy Birthday Spouse!!

Funny Foo Fighters Music Video

Music Videos aren't as prevalent as they once were. I, Matt, don't exactly have my finger on the pulse of the Music Video World, but I do know they still exist.

Case in point: a new Foo Fighters video. I am not their number one fan, though I think their videos are hilarious. Their new one centers around the cast of a 70's Soap Opera. There's romance, jealousy, a side career as a teen idol, heart break, and a lot of shots of a guy crying in a very funny way.

I like the fake names for the characters in the video. I think my favorite is "Ty Hawkstone." I've been known to come up with a few myself.

If you don't like music videos, no need to watch. If you like ridiculousness. then definitely watch.

Ginny The Chinese Food Thief

Location: Kitchen

Subject: Plate of Chinese food left for 13 seconds

Perpetrator: Ginny-Lou Weedawalker, born in West Virginia USA

Crime: Chinese Food Theivery

Sworn Statement: I left the room for a moment, only to turn around and see Ginny start to eat my food. The portion of the plate where she ate was cleaner than the day it came out of the Plate Factory (China?).

Punishment: None. I commend her for her effort and the ability to smile right after she's caught.

Fall in Maryland photos

Since it hardly rained this past summer, the fall colors are not quite as dramatic as they tend to be during the Fall season. They are still pleasant though, as seen below.

I (Matt) took the dogs for their morning walk and brought along the camera. Here is Darla, checking out the scene.

Here is the view from our back yard. It's hard to make out, but in the middle of the picture, you can see a paved path.

Happy Ginny enjoying the woods.


The Woods.

Another back yard shot.

The Path.

That's all for now!

Thoughts on Spanish

If you spend any amount of time on the Internets, you've seen the following video. It is a 'love song' in Spanish. The lyrics are a mishmash of the amount of knowledge one feller retained from one semester of college Spanish. It certainly is funny...at least I think so. If you've ever taken a Spanish class, you will certainly appreciate it.

I (Matt) speak Spanish. I am certainly rusty though when I try after not having spoken it for awhile. Then, within about a half hour, it flows back fairly quickly. I enjoy speaking with native Spanish speakers who appreciate someone who speaks their language. I get the feeling though, that many folks from Latin America who have been in the US for some time think Gringos are pandering/humoring them. So, I tend not to speak it unless I feel comfortable.

Outside the country is a different story. When Aimee and I are in a Spanish speaking country (four times so far), I speak to anyone and everyone. Native Spanish speakers in their own countries don't have too many preconceived notions about foreigners speaking their language, so the experience is enjoyable.

My favorite Spanish, by far, is Chilean Spanish. Why? Because that's how I learned it. It also sounds beautiful to me. At the end of this post, I added a video of a song by Violeta Parra, a famous Chilean folk singer. Aimee and I have one of her CD's and it's great. The song in the video is sung by some dudes and not Violeta, but you can get a sense of the power of her music, even if you don't understand. I actually have lot of trouble with some of the words, so I just listen to it with my English-speaking brain. If you don't know who she is, you can google her and learn about her influence on the music of the 1960's in the US.

First though, check out the goofiness.



Then, here is a REAL song in Spanish.

Drive into the Danger Zone

Today was momentous. The spirit of Maverick from Top Gun possessed me.

I am not the speedy car type fella. All my (Matt) adult life I drove second hand or basic cars...by choice. When Aimee and I moved to Maryland, my mother offered her 1990 Volvo Station Wagon with busted air conditioning and heating to my youngest sister. Sister declined. Since I didn't have a car at the time, I jumped at the chance. Before that, there was the first new car I ever purchased: a 1998 Hyundai Elantra. I purchased the Elantra after I read a newspaper article how these cars were the best economic choice. Before that I drove a 1986 VW with duct tape on it.

When I was in high school and driving with friends, some times we'd be at a RED light, next to a Ferrari or Lotus or some fast car. Whoever was driving almost instinctually did the following:

1.) Rev engine on ridiculously slow station wagon.
2.) Look over to driver of fast car
3.) Point to Red light.
4.) Dramatically turn thumbs down to other driver.

It would never fail that we'd laugh when the light would turn green and the parental vehicle would cough out to a top speed of 37 miles per hour while the fast car was already nearing the Pennsylvania State line.

What I am saying is that I never drove fast and still do not. When it comes to cars, I am more like Jerry Lewis than Carl Lewis...except for today. I drove a car over 100 miles per hour.

I don't recommend or advocate speeding. Part of this can be attributed to the kind of car that Aimee has: a G35. This car is a bullet. One hundred miles an hour for this car is like a lion yawning. For me, it's fast.

So anyway, the situation presented itself:

1.) An open highway with no cars ahead.

2.) Maverick from Top Gun giving me the thumbs up.

3.) This song blaring on the stereo.

I think I felt the presence of Maverick, Goose, and Ice Man. And ever so faintly, I heard them say: I like your moves. I am not sure, but I think I responded with the requisite coded answer: I like your style.

So I pushed down on the gas. Any cars behind me became tiny little dots in the matter of seconds. And it felt kinda good.

Leaving on a High Note

(By Matt)

Scene from Seinfeld:

Office meeting at Kruger Industrial Smoothing.

Kruger: ...And it gets worse. The team working on the statue in Lafayette Square kind of over-smoothed it. They grounded the head down to about the size of a softball, and that spells trouble.

George: Alright, well why don't we smooth the head down to nothing, stick apumpkin under its arm and change the nameplate to Ichabod Crane?

(Everyone at the meeting breaks out in laughter.)

George (getting up and leaving): Alright! That's it for me. Goodnighteverybody.

later...

Elaine: What was that?

Jerry: Showmanship, George is trying to get out on a high note.

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It seems that when we wish for chance and opportunity, it's a moment in which we foresee better circumstances. With the job for which my last day was yesterday, I hadn't been looking.

Work life was set: I loved what I did. I had the best work environment I've ever experienced (and I've experienced the worst). The commute was 15 minutes, door to door. My clients and coworkers enjoyed working with me. I knew my stuff.

So, why did you leave? An opportunity.

Will you love it? I don't know.

What's the work environment like? There is none, yet.

What about the commute? I don't know where I'll end up working.

Are you an expert at it? No and No.

Are you crazy? Eeeeasy. I'm telling you something.

The reason I left my job relates to one certainty: nothing ever stays the same. The job I left was a slice in linear time and happened to be a high note.

If George Costanza had stayed in the meeting, maybe everyone would get bored. Maybe they would have become hungry for lunch and would not have been primed for the Ichabod Crane joke.

If I had stayed at my job, I could have seen my great coworkers leave, one-by-one. Maybe the office would transfer far from our house. Maybe I would get laid off. In any case, the possibility existed where I'd reach a point where the 'slice in time' would not be as high as it is now. I would always think back to the opportunity that I didn't consider. So, even if this opportunity turns out to be a bust (which I doubt), I will never experience any regret.

I think the most difficult change is the type where you force events rather than letting them lead you. Events that force change allow you to reason that you didn't have a choice and needed to make do. People are comfortable when everything makes sense. I have neither certainty nor comfort when I think about future linear time. It is certain though, that we (me and Aimee) will surely find out.

Red Sox Win World Series again..finally

By finally, I refer to watching baseball consistently for a month. It was like a second job, in a good way though...

The above picture was what I saw in front of me every night: a TV in front of me and a dog (Ginny) in the general vicinity. Darla (other dog) goes to bed promptly every night at 9:32 pm. Ginny, however, is the faithful Red Sox fan.

The picture below is a shadow caused by the sun shining through our kitchen window early Sunday morning. It reminds me of special effects in images before special effects existed. Just a neat photo..no big whoop.

Boston in the movies and real life

So I (Matt) know I’ve written about my cousin being in a movie that just came out (Gone Baby Gone), numerous times. We saw it on Saturday. It's good.

I am done selling the movie though I still have a personal interest it. Why? The takes place in the two neighborhoods where my mother grew up: South Boston and Dorchester. I now believe my interest has less to do with the fact that a cousin is an actor in the movie, and more to do with my own childhood experiences. I didn’t grow up in these neighborhoods, but they are the places I spent the majority of childhood, outside of the town where I grew up (until age 14). Before today, I hadn’t really thought of this movie (and other movies about South Boston) in terms of my own experience. After reading a review of the movie, it got me thinking. Mainly, the following excerpt did:

“It's what you don't choose in life that make you who you are." He goes on to give examples like family, or where you were born, while the camera sweeps across the hardened blue-collar streets of Dorchester, Mass., eventually landing smack in the middle of a community grieving the disappearance of a little girl who was kidnapped from her bed. Those of us on the outside looking in would describe these people as "white trash" -- the kind of folks that made Jerry Springer a household name -- but to Patrick, this is home. These are the people he grew up with, these are the people he'll grow old with, and these are the people he'll go out of his way to protect.”

I won’t debate movie inferences on how these to supposedly rough neighborhoods are portrayed. I can share my experiences as a young boy in the 1970's.

I remember these neighborhoods as a child, filled with extended family. There were family members everywhere, all the time... cousins, uncles, aunts, you name it…..stopping in saying hello and leaving. I remember men in brown leather jackets with polyester collars sticking out. I remember the smell of cigarettes in enormous Cadillacs with the first automatic windows I had ever seen. To this day, when I get into a car that smells of a certain brand of cigarette, I feel good for no reason.

I remember ancient uncles and aunts looking upon me as a young child and saying “He-ah’s a dollah Methew, go getcha self an ice cream.” If I had a dollar for every dollar I was given to go get an ice cream.

The homes contained furniture and a certain familiar smell of the past. They reminded me of what it must have been like to live in Boston in the 1940’s: older, ornate, wooden furniture and giant stair cases. Upon arriving, the first thing my grandmother would do would demand a hug. During the hug, she would say “ooooooh, that’s a gooood boy.” Then, she would make me eat. Even if I wasn’t’ hungry, refusing food was not an option.

I remember the same question over and over again: "Methew, ah you studying hahhd in school? Ah you doin yah homework?" My answers would of course be ‘yes’ and ‘yes’ while the truth was ‘no’ and ‘no.’ I didn’t study and do homework (much), but this doesn’t mean I wasn’t paying attention.

I remember smiles, hugs, pats on the back, good-natured interrogations, listening to advice, listening to everything…activity and chatter.

Outside of these places, Kid World was very different. Kid World (minus any family, nuclear or extended) in a small, quiet town was a very scary place, while in Extended Family World (the supposedly “rough” South Boston and Dorchester) I felt protected and safe.

There were first communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals. All of them at St. Brendan’s in Dorchester. During these occasions, whether in sadness or celebration, the sense of family was always there. When my grandmother died at 99 (in 2005), my Uncle Jimmy (who is a Firefighter in South Boston) said that it was an end of an era. He was right, but whatever intangible family thing that I cannot describe here, did not end.

From the memories mentioned above, jump almost 30 years later. During the most tragic event that my immediate family (Maryland) ever experienced, the South Boston and Dorchester people got up and left the places they never seem to leave.. and came here to Maryland for support. After a funeral, there was the same chatter that I remember as a child....the same questions..the same feeling. Next time, I am sure the reason for receiving these guests will be to celebrate something, rather than mourn.

The way you learn about family helps you learn abut relationships and friendships. I'm no wise old sage (better looking than this guy though), but I can give examples. I still speak with my oldest friend (since 8 years old) on a regular basis. I recently had lunch with the first friend I made when my family moved to Maryland ( in 1986). I will be starting a new job soon, thanks to the first friend I made in college (in 1990). So, I don't really care if a movie paints a broad brush in how it portrays two neighborhoods in Boston. I already know.

Smooth as a Baby's

There's no purposeful theme with this post from the most recent. My coworker sent me the link to this video. I watched it and was amused. The thirty-three second point is my favorite part.

I know this is an adverstisement, but it doesn't matter.

Fight For Kisses //// www.ffk-wilkinson.com
envoyé par killafather

This Made Me laugh

Most internet videos are boe-reeng.

This one is the first one in awhile that actually made me (Matt) laugh:

Life out Left

It's been 6 days and I can't seem to make my body behave. My superior body clock can neither be trained nor tricked. I usually wake up around 6:30 am when I'm at home, which is 3:30 am when I happen to be in CA (fortunately not very often).

After days of negotiations, we've split the difference and I have been awarded custody of one more hour of sleep and so I'm waking up about 4:45 am for the last week. When you're inside a small room with no windows for hours of endless training, unnatural light beaming down on you like it's from the mothership, the early mornings end up wearing on you.

Fortunately, I planned to treat myself to a Saturday in Napa Valley. I'd like to say I've earned it but I will never again make a week of instrument training prerequisite to a lovely weekend in Wine Country!

Here's how the Saturday went: on bike, 25 miles of Napa Valley in made-to-order weather!Looks a little familiar, right?

Miss you, husband!

Aimee's view from training in California

I bothered her about sending me a pic of where she is training (Hercules, CA near San Fran), since she said it was on the water.

Not bad, wife! Your dogs miss you...they told me this morning. Yes, I can speak to dogs.

Gone Baby Gone in the Movies next week.

(Matt)

The movies, you say? Yes, I say.

Why?

Because my cousin (2nd) wil be in a big whoozamahoo movie, by Ben Affleck. I posted about it before, but now the movie is actually coming into the Theatre.

I just googled him (my cousin, not Ben Affleck..that's awkward) and found the following reference. Remember, my mother's family is from the neighborhoods featured in the movie, just like The New Kids On The Block, Aimee's favorite (when she was 10 years old). Slaine is my cousin's 'Hollywood' name.

"Given novelist David Lehane's Dorchester roots and Affleck's' previous immersion in the tough streets of Southie in Good Will Hunting, a sense of place means much to this film's success. To the Europeans who have complained that the Dot Rat (Dorchesterite) accents are hard to understand, Affleck has replied, "This is Boston's revenge for [Guy Ritchie's Cockney and Gypsy-babbling] Snatch." Local rapper Dickie Skinz (whose Sik Pup label just released a Red Sox-themed single in time for the playoffs) is bested only by another local rapper, Slaine, in street authenticity."

Did you see that? Street Authenticity. That's just plain 'off thuh hook'. There's also a new trailer. Check it before you wreck it (like that one? authentic?):

The press is also getting into it:

MSNBC

USA Today

So make sure you see it. I am not sure how much of a role he has but he is still seen in the trailer above, so Good For You George, I mean Slaine!

Keepin It Real In the Burbs,

-EMRO-

Warm Fall Weekend Photos

ot much, in terms of excitement. We went to Taste of Bethesda . On Sunday, we celebrated my (Matt's) father's birthday.

I took pics with my cell phone. Yes, cell phone pics are not the best.

Giant Paella

Aimee catching flies, I mean ordering ice cream.

My (Matt's) Dad's birthday party at my brother Jhan's (pronounced John) house.

Meadow in front of Jhan's house.

Birthday Graveyard: A Memorial

Most people love their own birthday. I mean you are soooo special- it's your day, right. You and the 18 million other people that sing "Happy Birthday" each day. (It's true, I Wiki'd it)

I have a friend, you may know her, who is special everyday but who happens to loathe her birthday. I think it may have something to do with the psychology of aversion. See, since I've known her, Sandy has had the worst luck on her birthday. One year her purse was stolen while we were out celebrating (along with Julie's). One year there was a huge relationship disaster that was created by a jealous 'friend' all but destroying a loving friendship. One year a huge car crash shut down 95 and we weren't able to make our party destination (at least she had a better day than those folks!). . . and various other mishaps have caused her to come to rue the day that is set aside for celebration.

I have decided that this year we will note the memories of bad birthdays past and bury them forever. This will allow her to move on and again enjoy her birthday!

Happy Birthday, Sandy. Who loves ya, baby?!
~Aimee

Attention Citizens of France and Chile!

Do you know the saying "Don't work for your money. Make your money work for you?" It's kind of silly. But true. Well, I though about it. Why not make our blog work a little?

Now, you ask: What the heck does this have to do with the title of this post? Be patient friend, amigo, ami.

For French People:

Seine River

Before I ask your help: I know it may be a bit presumptious to assume that people from France actually read our blog, since...well.....not many people read our blog. I know of at least one: our friend Guillaume. So for example, if I have a question about France, maybe Guillaume can contact his friends Maurice, Remy, and Colette. One of them may be able to help. This, mon ami, is the power of the Internet. The above example is fictitious. I just chose some French first names. I don't know if Guillaume, who is a real person, has friends with the names above (fake people).

Le Rasion: My parents will celebrate their 45 wedding anniversary next year. On that exact day, they will board a River Cruise in Paris and travel the Seine to reach Le Havre.

Comment excitant, right?

So, maybe you are familiar with some of the stops on their itinerary (click to view). Maybe you, as a citizen of France, may see one of the places my parents will visit and say:

Mon dieu, my uncle Jean Luc lives in Rouen. He tells me often of a small store where they sell excellent fromage! The store is run by an angry old man named Benoit who will spit at you unless you look at him with one eye only. It is pure Magic!

Basically, what I am asking for, Dear Habitantes Du France, is advice that I can pass along to my parents. Vincent can vouch for my parents as they are good folk who hold no prejudices against your people! So, please post your comments. I am interested in your thoughts.

For People who live in CHILE or Chileans.

Frutillar Chile

Valle Del Elqui, Chile

My mother, sister and brother will all be travelling to Chile (again for my Mom) this December. My mother is having trouble to decide from two places to visit: La Serena or The Lake Region.

La Serena:

Pros: Close to Santiago, nice beach area, nicer weather, close to Valle Del Elqui where they make Pisco and the location of Gabriel Mistral's home/museum.

Cons: Maybe not as interesting as the Lake Region.

Lake Region:

Pros: Beautiful lakes, including Lago De Todo De Los Santos. Frutillar (small German-looking village). Valdivia, which is an aweseome city on a River. Puerto Montt -aweseome fishing city/village.

Cons: Weather not as nice. Far from Santiago. Colder.

I am leaning towards La Serena but would like to know your thoughts. Please feel free to comment.

Make the blog work, Citizens of Earth....!