Fool's Gold

Went and saw Fool's Gold over the weekend. It was a funny movie and very entertaining. Academy Awards performances? No--but very entertaining and funny. Of course you put four of my favorite things together in a movie and I'm bound to like it: SCUBA Diving, Key West, Treasure Hunting, and Warm South Florida Atlantic Ocean water. The imagery in the movie is at times stunning and I kept thinking--I want to dive there! The story is a bit trite and predictable, but that is what makes it all work. I say it is definitely worth paying movie theater prices and seeing.

Rating: Pay to see in theater when in need of diversion

Ethan and Autos

So we took Ethan to the Auto Show in Baltimore on Sunday. It is hard to tell which is fastest--a three year-old on a mission or a fully ready to roll Lamborghini.

The cars were fabulous and there were so many of them. Ethan really likes trucks and he sat in quite a number of them throughout the day. Poppop was having E check them out to see if they were good. E also recognized the interiors of his Mama's Touareg and Gamma's Lexus--which was pretty impressive.

Mostly he liked the speed. The wide open areas (despite thousands of people) were just ready for him to run full tilt. And he did, with Poppop right behind to make sure he was OK. He was fascinated with the seat and demo player set-up the VW area had. It rotated and was white like an egg. But he was all about the cars, trucks, and the speed.

For me, the two best cars were a 68 Mustang Shelby Cobra and a 2008 Jaguar XK Coupe. I think the Jaguar would make a great Valentines Day gift.

A New Scooter for E

So guess what "damma" and mama came home with last night? A new scooter for Ethan. Yeah--and guess who was on tap to put it together? You guessed it. Poppop! And I had help, too. Exuberant help that couldn't wait to start riding on it. Even while it was still in pieces on the floor. Actually, we worked very well together and the project only took a little longer than would normally be expected in a job being done by a well trained monkey! But it was a good time and "E" was able to provide excellent help especially finding the trash can for all of the small plastic wrapping pieces.

New Position - An Update

Well, after all of the waiting and wondering I decided not to take the new job after all. Actually, they moved the location of the job to a place I really didn't want to drive to--so I passed on the new position and decided to stay where I am--at least for a while.

Life is moving along at it seems an ever increasing rate of speed. I've been playing in a Racquetball league and loving it. It has provided me with a way to stay in shape and meet new people. I moved up to the A League for the winter session after winning the B league in the Fall, and surprisingly, I'm not doing too badly, so far. And my game is getting better, too. Something to do I guess.

A Day with Ethan

Yesterday was an incredible day. Not only did the Giants upset the classless Patriots in the Super Bowl, but Chris and I got to spend most of the day with Ethan. It was an unexpected surprise when I saw "E" and Chris walk into Church as I was preparing for the late service. I always enjoy E in church and yesterday his bright smile was especially appreciated.

So after church, we decided to watch E for the day until the evening festivities with the Super Bowl began. What a great decision. He was a great help cleaning the leaves off the back area near the pool and he enjoyed standing on the diving board wondering why Pop-pop wouldn't open the pool so he could swim. We finally found a place where he could put his hand in the water to see how cold for himself.

The highlight of the day? Watching an almost three-year old get a tricycle up a small hill in the driveway and pick his feet up so he could race down the him--backwards, into some of the ornamental grasses we have. It was a sight to watch. Of course, there was a grandparent always within reach of the budding stunt man to ensure that his backwards ride did not end on the bumper of a car.

Jupiter

Yeah--its been cold here for two weeks. We have snow still on the ground and I haven't been able to work on "Kitty". Guess where I would rather be? Some place warm--like, here in Jupiter, Florida. Or even further south! Like Key West. Some day.

Kitty? You say? Yes that is my 1987 Jaguar XJ6 VDP. I got Kitty (get it?) after my 1998 GMC Sonoma was stolen while I was looking for a replacement. And it is a beautiful car, but as with all old vehicles it needs work and care. I do not drive it every day (it has a bit of an oil leak) but I love to drive it during good weather. And with the weather cold, I've been thinking a lot about moving lock, stock and Jaguar to Florida for some sun and surf.

But I know it will be warm soon and I'll be dreaming of getting the pool open so I can lay on a a floatie and drink a beer in the hot July sun.

New Position- When?

So, I've accepted a new position which requires shift work and a bit (a lot) more driving to and from work--but is only for 18 months. Here's the funny part--I don't know a lot more than that and it really is fun to watch the family try to fill in the holes. This is one of those things that is a "process" and it will all be revealed to me in good time. I applied for the job, so I know I want it and it is a good career move. It's just the way it works there are some missing pieces like a start date. Coordination takes time and it has only been a week.

So what about the lifestyle change of going from 5 days and 40+ hours a week to a shift schedule. There will be some growing pains I am sure and it will be hard no only on my family but on me too. Change is not easy, but I also find change exciting and I'm ready for change because I recently became aware that I'm not getting where I really want to be because I've been playing it too safe and not expanding myself enough. So let's expand. Guarantees? Nope. Change? Yep. Tough? You bet. Will I miss what I'm doing now--definitely.

Swimming with Ethan

I wish I had a picture, but of course I don't. What an experience. Two adults and one almost-three-year old together in a pool with many other children and adults. Mind you, Ethan has "NO FEAR!" Which is a great and at the same time scary thing. Fortunately, he does not seem to mind going under water. At one point he slipped and while Chris was yelling to me to "rescue" Ethan, I could see that no rescue was required. He pushed off the bottom and stood up smiling all the time about going under the water.

The funniest part though was going down the slide. He was slow to climb the stairs because he was cold--but didn't ever seem to figure out that if he hurried he would be back in the warm (by comparison) water. At the top of the slide though, this child with "NO FEAR" wanted to be sure that Pop-pop would be in the proper position to catch him. Pretty funny.

Hey, Nicole--someone really needs to teach this boy to swim. He is ready.

Watching the Grand-puppy

So we had the opportunity to watch Jeremy's dog, Ben, this weekend while he and Nicole went on a short mid-winter vacation. It was good to have a lively dog in the house again. He livened things up with Zach, our very old and sedate Yorkie and the two cats--Grace and Louie. Ben is a Keeshond--and we used to breed Keeshonden when Jeremy was a boy. They are absolutely the greatest and smartest dogs ever. I know the Golden Retriever mafia will be on my case for that statement and Meghan was a great dog, too. Ben is a great example of the breed--fun loving, smart, and a great companion.

So, I wish I had something funny to write about watching Ben, but I don't. He was just great. Do I want another dog--no! We are finally getting to the point where taking a weekend away doesn't require planning for a dog-sitter. I did lose the laces to my moccasins, but with every operation there are going to be a few losses. But, I did find a picture of Ben as a small puppy and another of him a couple months ago--so you can appreciate him.

Alaska in December

So I had the opportunity to go to Alaska during December 2007. Anchorage to be exact. A glorious week in the cold, ice, fog, and snow! It was for business--like who would ever go to Alaska in December for pleasure? It was strangely beautiful, during the short about 5 hours per day of day light that I could see it. The beer was great, the halibut awesome and the cold pervasive!

I got to experience four very different weather options. On the day of arrival it was snowing--a lot! The next day it got colder and rained so it was an ice storm. Wednesday of the week I was there it was foggy--pea soup thick. Thursday was a relatively nice (and cold) day and it was the day these pictures were taken by my traveling companion, Larry.

I was fortunate to stay right in the downtown area of Anchorage and where I had to go was within about two miles of where I was staying. I had been to Alaska before--to Fairbanks in 1985. So it was at least not my inaugural visit to the great land up north. I had really hoped to see the Aurora Borealis--but given the clouds that did not happen.

I do have to say--if you can avoid Northwest Airlines when you do--avoid them. No movie! No food and precious little water. I'm glad to have gone, but happier to have returned. I now understand what they mean when they talk about Alaskans being a "breed apart!"