Four years. This dog has been here for four years now. Apparently, he thinks he's staying, and is making himself comfortable - in my bed.
So, now my pillow smells like dog.
Great.
We buried our cat today.
Sixteen years ago, Ellen and I went off to pick out a cat. When we got ready to leave, Ellen had chosen a little yellow furball who we ultimately named Mufasa. I was drawn to a black and white kitten we ultimately named Neelix. So, instead of the one cat we had intended, we ended up coming home with two (and dodging the landlord for a couple of years).
Mufasa was always the eager, spry, underfoot cat. On the way home with us that day, he kept peeking his head out of the cardboard box, as if he were eager to jump into this new adventure. The first couple of nights we tried to keep these energetic ones in the kitchen, so that we could get some sleep without them crawling all over us. We didn't have a door in the kitchen, so we propped up a card table to block the opening, and figured we were good to go. Not long after settling into bed, Mufasa came bounding up the stairs and onto our heads. Seems he had figured out that he could jump to the chair, to the table, and then launch himself over the propped up card table into the living room.
That kind of set the tone there. I don't know how many times I stepped on his tail, or clonked him in the head with the cabinet door because he was trying to insinuate himself in whatever I was doing. Especially if there were food involved (or might be food involved).
Last week, we returned from Thanksgiving at Ellen's folks' house, and Mufasa was listing along on one side, acting very groggy, and dragging himself from place to place. We figured something was up, but it was confirmed when he only ate just a little bit (and the next day when he wouldn't eat at all). Ellen took him to the vet on Tuesday morning, and asked them to check him out. (He'd had some pretty weird health-related things before.) The vet called to let us know that Mufasa was suffering from kidney failure, and that the best they could do would be to try intravenous fluids for a few days to see if he responded. If he did, he could come home and we would be on a maintenance program to keep him comfortable.
After talking it over, we decided that the best thing to do would be to let him go.
We buried him in the backyard today, with many tears.
Sixteen years - a good life - a good cat.
As of this writing, my "About Me" block on this blog says "4 kids, 3 cats, 2 adults, 1 family (and a dog)". Please excuse me if I don't update it for a while.
Sixteen years ago, Ellen and I went off to pick out a cat. When we got ready to leave, Ellen had chosen a little yellow furball who we ultimately named Mufasa. I was drawn to a black and white kitten we ultimately named Neelix. So, instead of the one cat we had intended, we ended up coming home with two (and dodging the landlord for a couple of years).
Mufasa was always the eager, spry, underfoot cat. On the way home with us that day, he kept peeking his head out of the cardboard box, as if he were eager to jump into this new adventure. The first couple of nights we tried to keep these energetic ones in the kitchen, so that we could get some sleep without them crawling all over us. We didn't have a door in the kitchen, so we propped up a card table to block the opening, and figured we were good to go. Not long after settling into bed, Mufasa came bounding up the stairs and onto our heads. Seems he had figured out that he could jump to the chair, to the table, and then launch himself over the propped up card table into the living room.
That kind of set the tone there. I don't know how many times I stepped on his tail, or clonked him in the head with the cabinet door because he was trying to insinuate himself in whatever I was doing. Especially if there were food involved (or might be food involved).
Last week, we returned from Thanksgiving at Ellen's folks' house, and Mufasa was listing along on one side, acting very groggy, and dragging himself from place to place. We figured something was up, but it was confirmed when he only ate just a little bit (and the next day when he wouldn't eat at all). Ellen took him to the vet on Tuesday morning, and asked them to check him out. (He'd had some pretty weird health-related things before.) The vet called to let us know that Mufasa was suffering from kidney failure, and that the best they could do would be to try intravenous fluids for a few days to see if he responded. If he did, he could come home and we would be on a maintenance program to keep him comfortable.
After talking it over, we decided that the best thing to do would be to let him go.
We buried him in the backyard today, with many tears.
Sixteen years - a good life - a good cat.
As of this writing, my "About Me" block on this blog says "4 kids, 3 cats, 2 adults, 1 family (and a dog)". Please excuse me if I don't update it for a while.
Math Team, Pinewood Derby, Spelling Bee - a busy day at our house!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
10:22 PM
by bill
Today was a crazy day as far as the kids were concerned. Three kids needed to be at three events in three different parts of the county - at the same time.
Keke had a Math Team competition, and we were able to drop her off after arranging for a ride home with one of her friends. She competed in word problems, and she did all right.
Stewie had a regional Pinewood Derby event. As the overall winner of the Pack Derby, he got to compete at the regionals. He also did well. They only showed the results for the top three finishers in each class, and his name wasn't displayed, but his time was only .01 seconds off the third place finisher, so I figure he was right up there, too.
Beenie had his second Regional Spelling Bee competition. The winner of this competition goes to Washington DC, for the national competition. Ellen took Beenie to this round. The bee started off as last years did, with a number of people being knocked out, and the competition was quickly down to ten spellers. After that, the eliminations slowed, and several rounds passed before the winner was determined.
The words that was given to spell were:
predicate (practice word)
hydraulic
impetuous
(10 spellers left)
epiphany
patel
angstrom
(5 spellers left)
eureka
(4 spellers left)
bureaucracy
tachometer
(3 spellers left)
bezoar
Unfortunately, Beenie spelled the last word beezoar, and was eliminated. But, he did come in third in the region, and that is something to be very, very proud of! The kid who won was the kid who has won the regional bee in three out of the four years he's been involved, so the competition was tough.
Way to go Beenie, and Stewie, and Keke!!
Keke had a Math Team competition, and we were able to drop her off after arranging for a ride home with one of her friends. She competed in word problems, and she did all right.
Stewie had a regional Pinewood Derby event. As the overall winner of the Pack Derby, he got to compete at the regionals. He also did well. They only showed the results for the top three finishers in each class, and his name wasn't displayed, but his time was only .01 seconds off the third place finisher, so I figure he was right up there, too.
Beenie had his second Regional Spelling Bee competition. The winner of this competition goes to Washington DC, for the national competition. Ellen took Beenie to this round. The bee started off as last years did, with a number of people being knocked out, and the competition was quickly down to ten spellers. After that, the eliminations slowed, and several rounds passed before the winner was determined.
The words that was given to spell were:
predicate (practice word)
hydraulic
impetuous
(10 spellers left)
epiphany
patel
angstrom
(5 spellers left)
eureka
(4 spellers left)
bureaucracy
tachometer
(3 spellers left)
bezoar
Unfortunately, Beenie spelled the last word beezoar, and was eliminated. But, he did come in third in the region, and that is something to be very, very proud of! The kid who won was the kid who has won the regional bee in three out of the four years he's been involved, so the competition was tough.
Way to go Beenie, and Stewie, and Keke!!
It's the last year for Beenie to compete in the spelling bee. Last year he followed up 2 years worth of second place by coming in first and moving on to the regional spelling bee. In a way that created less pressure as he's already been there. In a way it created more pressure - the pressure to repeat.
So, we were a little on edge last night as we sat down to watch the Middle School Spelling Bee. 26 entrants from grades 5-8 sat on stage, under the lights, and had to spell in front of an audience of parents and siblings. In each of the first five rounds, only a handful of kids got eliminated each time.
In the sixth round, all that changed, instantly. The round started with five kids standing, and the first three each spelled their word incorrectly. Then it was Beenie's turn. He got "monstrosity" and spelled it correctly. One kid followed, and he missed his word. That left Beenie to spell one final "championship" word to win the whole thing.
The announcer said "herringbone", and Beenie got a sly little smile on his face. I could tell as he started h-e-r that he knew he had it, and he was just trying to slow himself down so as not to make a silly mistake. r-r-i-n-g-b-o-n-e, and bam - he's the champion for the second year in a row!!!
I swore I was not going to get all worked up this year. Since he did this last year, I was good with however he did. I was wrong. When the kids started missing in round 6, my heart was pounding. When I hit the stage, I wrapped him in a big bear hug (much to his chagrin, I'm sure). So much for the cool, collected, dad.
Again, we're on to the regional bee, where the words are exponentially harder. We'll see what happens.
The (correctly spelled) words from this bee:
So, we were a little on edge last night as we sat down to watch the Middle School Spelling Bee. 26 entrants from grades 5-8 sat on stage, under the lights, and had to spell in front of an audience of parents and siblings. In each of the first five rounds, only a handful of kids got eliminated each time.
In the sixth round, all that changed, instantly. The round started with five kids standing, and the first three each spelled their word incorrectly. Then it was Beenie's turn. He got "monstrosity" and spelled it correctly. One kid followed, and he missed his word. That left Beenie to spell one final "championship" word to win the whole thing.
The announcer said "herringbone", and Beenie got a sly little smile on his face. I could tell as he started h-e-r that he knew he had it, and he was just trying to slow himself down so as not to make a silly mistake. r-r-i-n-g-b-o-n-e, and bam - he's the champion for the second year in a row!!!
I swore I was not going to get all worked up this year. Since he did this last year, I was good with however he did. I was wrong. When the kids started missing in round 6, my heart was pounding. When I hit the stage, I wrapped him in a big bear hug (much to his chagrin, I'm sure). So much for the cool, collected, dad.
Again, we're on to the regional bee, where the words are exponentially harder. We'll see what happens.
The (correctly spelled) words from this bee:
auburn
cascade
navigator
enzyme
unanimous
monstrosity
herringbone
I tend to stress out at the thought of the Pinewood Derby. I am not a woodworker, so I figure the chances of me messing something up permanently are pretty high. This is made worse with the knowledge that I'm messing up something that my kid is making. That was the situation I found myself in earlier this week, as Stewie and I started working on his first Pinewood Derby car.
We talked about some simple designs he could use (that wouldn't require too much finesse on my part), and he told me exactly what he wanted. He wanted a car with a steep incline in the front, then a gradual slope from the top to the back of the car. Okay, I can do that. A little bit of sawing and Stewie doing some sanding, and we've got the basic shape.
Next comes the paint. Stewie wanted a red car with a pair of racing stripes down the middle. So, we busted out the art kit and he got busy with the painting. We ultimately decided on a silver racing stripe, and Stewie put it on as one full stripe, then I painted the thin red line down the middle that would separate it into two. Came out looking pretty nice, I must say.
The day of the derby we got there, got signed in and inspected and decided to add some weight to the car. Six nickels seemed to bring it to the right weight, and Stewie set off for his den heat. He finished second, losing by a hair to one of the other boys, but it was enough to get him to the finals.
The finals featured a number of really fast cars, and they were winning every race. When it came time for Stewie to go up against them I was surprised when he beat every car except one. Pretty amazing!! When the race was over, the Pinewood Derby Committee gathered behind closed doors and emerged a few minutes later, declaring the one car that Stewie lost to disqualified (they moved the axles to the ends of the car - a no-no). That meant that Stewie won the first Pinewood Derby he ever was in!!! The best part - using a design that he created.
Next stop - the district Pinewood Derby. (Which actually had Stewie a little upset because all he wanted to do was to go home and play with his car.)
We talked about some simple designs he could use (that wouldn't require too much finesse on my part), and he told me exactly what he wanted. He wanted a car with a steep incline in the front, then a gradual slope from the top to the back of the car. Okay, I can do that. A little bit of sawing and Stewie doing some sanding, and we've got the basic shape.
Next comes the paint. Stewie wanted a red car with a pair of racing stripes down the middle. So, we busted out the art kit and he got busy with the painting. We ultimately decided on a silver racing stripe, and Stewie put it on as one full stripe, then I painted the thin red line down the middle that would separate it into two. Came out looking pretty nice, I must say.
 |
| Car is lookin' good! |
The day of the derby we got there, got signed in and inspected and decided to add some weight to the car. Six nickels seemed to bring it to the right weight, and Stewie set off for his den heat. He finished second, losing by a hair to one of the other boys, but it was enough to get him to the finals.
The finals featured a number of really fast cars, and they were winning every race. When it came time for Stewie to go up against them I was surprised when he beat every car except one. Pretty amazing!! When the race was over, the Pinewood Derby Committee gathered behind closed doors and emerged a few minutes later, declaring the one car that Stewie lost to disqualified (they moved the axles to the ends of the car - a no-no). That meant that Stewie won the first Pinewood Derby he ever was in!!! The best part - using a design that he created.
Next stop - the district Pinewood Derby. (Which actually had Stewie a little upset because all he wanted to do was to go home and play with his car.)
It's been three years now.
You know what I'm talking about.
It's the dog. Still here.
Here's my annual nice thing I'll say about the dog:
He is nice and warm when he curls up on the couch with us on those cold winter nights.
But, he drools all over my lap when I take him to the bank drive-through as he almost leaps into the teller window knowing they're going to give him a dog biscuit. So I guess it's even.
You know what I'm talking about.
It's the dog. Still here.
Here's my annual nice thing I'll say about the dog:
He is nice and warm when he curls up on the couch with us on those cold winter nights.
But, he drools all over my lap when I take him to the bank drive-through as he almost leaps into the teller window knowing they're going to give him a dog biscuit. So I guess it's even.
Wow!!!! That was totally amazing!!!
When I was working right after college I was able to head to New York City on several (borderline many) occasions. I would always pick up a copy of the Village Voice while I was there, just to get a feel for what was going on in the city and maybe find something fun to do. One thing that I saw often was advertisements for Blue Man Group. Unfortunately, whenever I was there I didn't have the time or the means to go see the show. Except for one time, when everything fell into place - that time, naturally, Blue Man Group wasn't performing.
The upshot is - I've never seen them, despite having had the means, motive, and opportunity.
Fast forward, ahem, 20 years or so, to last night. As a birthday present to Beenie (who is as into the Blue Men as I am, and also hasn't seen them live) we went to see Blue Man Group in Cleveland. It was, as I mentioned above, totally amazing!!! The sights, the sounds, music, action, humor, and social commentary. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Probably the two things that I first saw the BMG perform on tv/video was the Drumbbone and the Paint Drums. To give you an idea of the show, I'm adding a video that shows both of those pieces. The other thing you will notice in the video, that I was unaware of, is that they are accompanied by a live band. The band is behind what appears to be a metal scrim so you can't really see them unless they are lit properly. However, they perform under blacklight, and their costumes and instruments are covered in fluorescent paint, so that they look like cartoon/stick figures.
But...the best part of the evening was after the show was over. Beenie and I had already left the theatre, when he informed me that he had to make a pit stop before the hour long drive home. We turned around and headed back to the theatre, and were able to re-enter.What did we discover but the Blue Men milling about in the lobby, greeting patrons. Beenie was able to get in and have his picture taken with a Blue Man, who then wiped some greasepaint off his head, and made a thumbprint on Beenie's cheek. Way too cool!
When I was working right after college I was able to head to New York City on several (borderline many) occasions. I would always pick up a copy of the Village Voice while I was there, just to get a feel for what was going on in the city and maybe find something fun to do. One thing that I saw often was advertisements for Blue Man Group. Unfortunately, whenever I was there I didn't have the time or the means to go see the show. Except for one time, when everything fell into place - that time, naturally, Blue Man Group wasn't performing.
The upshot is - I've never seen them, despite having had the means, motive, and opportunity.
Fast forward, ahem, 20 years or so, to last night. As a birthday present to Beenie (who is as into the Blue Men as I am, and also hasn't seen them live) we went to see Blue Man Group in Cleveland. It was, as I mentioned above, totally amazing!!! The sights, the sounds, music, action, humor, and social commentary. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Probably the two things that I first saw the BMG perform on tv/video was the Drumbbone and the Paint Drums. To give you an idea of the show, I'm adding a video that shows both of those pieces. The other thing you will notice in the video, that I was unaware of, is that they are accompanied by a live band. The band is behind what appears to be a metal scrim so you can't really see them unless they are lit properly. However, they perform under blacklight, and their costumes and instruments are covered in fluorescent paint, so that they look like cartoon/stick figures.
But...the best part of the evening was after the show was over. Beenie and I had already left the theatre, when he informed me that he had to make a pit stop before the hour long drive home. We turned around and headed back to the theatre, and were able to re-enter.What did we discover but the Blue Men milling about in the lobby, greeting patrons. Beenie was able to get in and have his picture taken with a Blue Man, who then wiped some greasepaint off his head, and made a thumbprint on Beenie's cheek. Way too cool!
I saw Neil deGrasse Tyson last night. His lecture didn't have a title (that I know of) but he said that by the end of the evening we would understand that this was The End of America as we know it. He actually talked about how the failure to focus on science leads to the downfall of the society as a world/intellectuall power.
It was a fascinating lecture, where he talked about the importance of science in the cultures/countries around the world. He pointed out that the "golden age of Islam" was from 800-1100 AD, and Baghdad was the scientific center of the world, where people of varied religions (including atheists) could come and discuss scientific and mathematical concepts. From this came huge advances in science and math, while at the same time in Europe, they were killing witches.
Here is a good video of Dr. Tyson talking. It's not the subject of the lecture I saw, although there is a lot of it that was the same. Like all his stuff, it's really good. It's an hour long (and there are a couple of commercials) but it's well worth your time.
After the presentation, it was announced that Dr. Tyson would be autographing copies of his book(s) in the lobby. I didn't have any of my copies with me (didn't think this one through), but decided to get in line anyway. When Beenie found out that I would be going, he asked me to ask Dr. Tyson a question for him. I told him that I didn't think I would get that chance, but had him write it down anyway. Here was that chance.
I got in the (huge!!!) line, and waited patiently. When I got to the table, I asked him Beenie's question - "If you were to send uranium into a black hole, would it spaghettify and cause a nuclear explosion?" Dr. Tyson told me that it would spaghettify, but it wouldn't cause a nuclear explosion. I then asked if he would autograph the question for me to give to Beenie. He said of course, and to make sure that I continued to encourage him in his scientific curiosity. He even volunteered to answer the question in writing on the paper for Beenie.
The thing I found the most interesting is what Dr. Tyson did next - he felt the paper. Determining the texture of the paper, he then selected the appropriate pen from the several he had on the table and signed the question. Very cool.
It was a fascinating lecture, where he talked about the importance of science in the cultures/countries around the world. He pointed out that the "golden age of Islam" was from 800-1100 AD, and Baghdad was the scientific center of the world, where people of varied religions (including atheists) could come and discuss scientific and mathematical concepts. From this came huge advances in science and math, while at the same time in Europe, they were killing witches.
Here is a good video of Dr. Tyson talking. It's not the subject of the lecture I saw, although there is a lot of it that was the same. Like all his stuff, it's really good. It's an hour long (and there are a couple of commercials) but it's well worth your time.
After the presentation, it was announced that Dr. Tyson would be autographing copies of his book(s) in the lobby. I didn't have any of my copies with me (didn't think this one through), but decided to get in line anyway. When Beenie found out that I would be going, he asked me to ask Dr. Tyson a question for him. I told him that I didn't think I would get that chance, but had him write it down anyway. Here was that chance.
I got in the (huge!!!) line, and waited patiently. When I got to the table, I asked him Beenie's question - "If you were to send uranium into a black hole, would it spaghettify and cause a nuclear explosion?" Dr. Tyson told me that it would spaghettify, but it wouldn't cause a nuclear explosion. I then asked if he would autograph the question for me to give to Beenie. He said of course, and to make sure that I continued to encourage him in his scientific curiosity. He even volunteered to answer the question in writing on the paper for Beenie.
The thing I found the most interesting is what Dr. Tyson did next - he felt the paper. Determining the texture of the paper, he then selected the appropriate pen from the several he had on the table and signed the question. Very cool.
I've been thinking about doing this for a while, but finally purchased some Atra razor blades for the old Atra razor I got as a freebie in college (surprised it's not fallen apart with age!). The Atra is a (gasp!) 2-blade razor. I've been using the Mach 3 which is a, unsurprisingly, a 3-blade razor. Believe it or not, the difference between the two is tremendous. (Not so much the difference between 3 and 4.) Because I have an entire head to shave (and pumpkin-sized, to boot), I am concerned about the quality of the shave, and the Mach 3 blows Atra out of the water. But...the blades are at least twice the price. So, I opted to go back to Atra for at least a little while.
I thought I'd drop that information out on the interwebs, so I tweeted this:
I included a shout-out to Gillette in there just to pass along the frustration at the cost. A little while later I got this response from Gillette:
Well, now. Yes, your new ultra-fancy 4-blade razor with extra batteries and gold plating and diamond-encrusted handle may be the new standard in head shaving, but you missed the point. I'm sacrificing the quality shave in favor of the price.
Let's look at the price, just for kicks.
As you can see, instead of sympathizing at my cost issues, Gillette wants me to buy blades that cost almost twice what I was using, and almost 4 times what I switched to. Of course, they are a business, and their job is to make money, so what else are they going to suggest? But I was a little ticked. Although this isn't why I was tweeting this information, what I think Gillette should have done (what I would have done if I was in Gillette customer relations) would be to offer to me:
And yes, I've tried the 4-blade Fusion. While it's nice, I don't see a huge difference between that and the Mach 3. Certainly not worth the price.
I thought I'd drop that information out on the interwebs, so I tweeted this:
Just switched back to Atra from Mach 3 - blades are half the price. With a whole head to shave, that adds up!! @gillette
Bill Joseph
billjoseph
Bill Josephbilljoseph
I included a shout-out to Gillette in there just to pass along the frustration at the cost. A little while later I got this response from Gillette:
@billjoseph fair enough, but have you tried the #ProGlide? I hear constant headshaving testimonials for the new #ProGlide, give it a shot :)
Gillette
Gillette
GilletteGillette
Well, now. Yes, your new ultra-fancy 4-blade razor with extra batteries and gold plating and diamond-encrusted handle may be the new standard in head shaving, but you missed the point. I'm sacrificing the quality shave in favor of the price.
Let's look at the price, just for kicks.
- Atra Plus - 10 blades - $11.49 - $1.15/blade
- Mach 3 - 5 blades - $12.99 - $2.60/blade
- Fusion - 8 blades - $26.99 - $3.73/blade
- Fusion Pro Glide - 8 blades - $33.99 - $4.25/blade
As you can see, instead of sympathizing at my cost issues, Gillette wants me to buy blades that cost almost twice what I was using, and almost 4 times what I switched to. Of course, they are a business, and their job is to make money, so what else are they going to suggest? But I was a little ticked. Although this isn't why I was tweeting this information, what I think Gillette should have done (what I would have done if I was in Gillette customer relations) would be to offer to me:
- Coupon for Mach 3 blades
- Coupon for ProGlide blades
- A ProGlide razor
And yes, I've tried the 4-blade Fusion. While it's nice, I don't see a huge difference between that and the Mach 3. Certainly not worth the price.
Since it's World Cup time (yay!), I guess I should report on how Blue Albatross FC did this fantasy season. If you'll recall the last time I reported on the status of the team's performance in the English Premier League, we were (temporarily) in first place. True to form, we dropped back to third (gasp!) the following week. There we sat for the next couple of weeks, although we managed to climb up into second place going into the final week of competition. Surprise of all surprises, we pulled out of the week scrabbling up into the number one position, and that's where we finished this year's EPL campaign!
Now, as for the Champions League, and the Europa League, well, we didn't fare as well there. Finished 6/23 in the Champions League (although only 13 points separated 4th and 7th places), and finished 2/7 in the Europa League. I consider those to be pretty good, as I really don't have a good handle on who the decent players are in those leagues (especially the Europa League). And, for the record, these rankings are for the leagues in which I was participating. Overall, I finished thusly:
English Premier League: 491,826 out of 2,322,686 with 1,975 points
Champions League: 44,015 out of 349,293 with 543 points
Europa League: 1,232 out of 52,013 with 593 points
It was a good campaign, and I look forward to signing up again in the fall.
And, yes, Blue Albatross FC is represented in the FIFA World Cup Fantasy League. Wish us well!!
English Premier League: 491,826 out of 2,322,686 with 1,975 points
Champions League: 44,015 out of 349,293 with 543 points
Europa League: 1,232 out of 52,013 with 593 points
It was a good campaign, and I look forward to signing up again in the fall.
And, yes, Blue Albatross FC is represented in the FIFA World Cup Fantasy League. Wish us well!!
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