Month: March 2004

  • Did some cache maintenance on two Geocaches today….

    Did some cache maintenance on two Geocaches today. That felt good. Renewed the tags for the Jeep so I’ll be legal to drive tomorrow. Granted, I’m not mechanically where I need to be but as long as I’m not forced to parallel park or get boxed in, I’m fine.

    I put a new battery in my watch that hangs from my belt loop. The 21 mth old has seen it for the first time and is determined to figure out how to remove it.

  • Bill collectors are back. But being very friendly!…

    Bill collectors are back. But being very friendly!

  • Sad But Expected News


    Body Found in East River May be that of Spalding Gray


    (New York-WABC, March 8, 2004) — Relatives of Spalding Gray have been told by authorities that a badly decomposed body pulled from the East River yesterday may be that of the missing actor.

    …so badly decomposed that the face was unrecognizable…

    A report from the medical examiner’s office is expected to be back later today.

  • Productive morning thus far. Paperwork in place fo…

    Productive morning thus far. Paperwork in place for new contract. Finishing touches on a two day project that took 2 months. Client invoiced!

    Now a lunch break and then I’ll seek some paperwork. I either have to license the Neon today or the Jeep. One of the two must have tags. Then I drive with either a busted tail light or a busted starter. I’d prefer to take the car simply so I can lock up my stuff. Driving with luggage in a Jeep and taking a reststop are challenging to say the least but I’ve learned a few tricks.

  • More on the Coffee Front


    Coffee May Pump Up Work Stress

    Study says it increases anxiety levels, though men think it improves performance
    I will personally vouch for that!
    A British study says men who work alone may pump up their stress levels if they have coffee, even though they believe it will boost their productivity.

    And men working as part of a team may feel less stressed after they get a jolt of caffeine, but it may make them less effective in their tasks.



    there’s also evidence to suggest that caffeine boosts confidence, alertness and sociability, along with improving performance …

  • Today shall be crazy

    Today shall be crazy

  • A New Day! Let’s start the day off with a PayPa…

    A New Day!

    Let’s start the day off with a PayPal donation link:

    This Morning

    The covers were so warm and cozy today. Cuddled up against my wife, The blankets seems to wrap tighter around our bodies holding us to the bed.

    Tommy seems like he can’t decide if he wants a battle or not.

  • I moved boxes and furniture today. Shopped for sla…

    I moved boxes and furniture today. Shopped for slacks (I hate that). Helped movie girl scout cookie stands around.

    Am tired.

    Still have 2 dogs to bathe, dinner to cook, floors to scrub, 2 client quotes to write, 1 project to finalize, paperwork for the next contract, and financial projections to make.

  • Seems like everytime my relationship gets good wit…

    Seems like everytime my relationship gets good with one of the kids I find a way to blow it. Sarah is now upset with me. She got stubborn about a shirt and we were running out of ways to resolve the conflict (in hind sight we still had many options) so I resorted to emptying her closet to the floor and yelling. Was cool dad yesterday. Bad dad today 🙁 This caused damage to Sarah and I, Cathy and I and Amy and I. All the ladies in the house are upset with me now.

  • Photo Opportunity!

    Women Plan Topless Protest on Daytona Beach (link safe for work)

    Two women are planning to lead a topless protest Sunday in Daytona Beach in spite of a federal judge’s refusal to stop police officers from arresting them.

    …Shirley Mason and Elizabeth Book intend to march with other shirtless women and men for a half-mile …

    Of course there are going to be men there!
    The women believe it is unfair that only men are allowed to go topless in public places…

    I don’t disagree!

    Their lawsuit claimed they should be allowed to protest topless under the free speech, freedom to assemble and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

    Someone I think the following is going to get them. There are always 2 interpretations: 1) the people that can afford to have it interpretted, and 2) the people that can’t afford it

    officials have warned the planned protest violates city ordinances against public nudity, disorderly conduct and obstructing sidewalks.

  • Daily Status

    This Morning

    Slept like a rock accept for the half a dozen times the dog woke me with barking, or the child with the smashing of a coffee mug. Other than some cat vomit we had no mess so I assume the dog was barking at the raccoons and other critters that roam at night.

    I awoke paniced this morning then found calm. The wife is working herself into a tizzy over my leaving town. I’m not happy with it either but it could quickly turn into telecommuting and we need the money badly.

    Last Night

    Spent too much time on the computer and my wife passed out without our evening chatting. I goofed.

  • Unprocessed pictures

    These pictures have not been edited, cropped, light adjusted (we had a bad lighting problem) or anything else. But to help move things along during this busy week, here are Pinewood Derby and more

    Hover mouse for a description. Click for a larger image. Better quality pictures available upon request as usual.

  • Strange Birds

    We get some strange looking fowl in E TN.

    No birds

    Strange birds

  • More worry for parents


    As parents, we can do as much damage by being over protective than we can by giving no parenting at all. Articles like this one " Report: Local Teens Branding Bodies, Running Health Risks " make you want to never leave your child’s side. Hopefully we can get through by having open communication and engraining right from wrong and the concept of making good choices. I know I did my fair share of stupid things as a child and teenager and young adult; shoot, I continue to do a variety of stupid things on a somewhat daily basis. I am thankful to be alive to be able to council my children. I just hope they make the right choices when presented with the options ahead of them.


    …It’s been three weeks, but the scar and scabs and pus are still visible (pictured, left) on a local 16-year-old. She was branded, using a coat hanger, a blowtorch and seconds of pain….

    …In high schools across the metro area, branding is becoming popular, 7NEWS reported. And since you have to be 18 to get it done properly, many teens are turning to friends and branding parties….

    …Long term, because unlike tattoos or piercing, branding can never be undone. …

  • March is Caffeine Awareness Month (ironically)!


    The caffeine controversy – The wake-me-up stimulant is a fact of life for most people, but caffeine abuse is something Gov. Johanns wants Nebraskans to think about

    …caffeine overdoses can lead to headaches, jitteriness, irritability, difficulties in concentration, mood swings and other maladies…

    …”We’ve actually had people end up in intensive care because of issues surrounding caffeine,” …

    …giving Boy Scouts caffeine after dark is like feeding a gremlin after midnight — it only leads to bad things….

    …If you’re accustomed to drinking caffeine, you could experience withdrawal 12 to 24 hours after the last dose. Symptoms include headaches and small occurrences of anxiety, fatigue, drowsiness and depression….

    …A normal amount per day is 200 to 250 milligrams.

    In light of this article, I felt a reproduction of the comments to date from this post in order.

    You must go 21 days to break a habit or routine … keep it up! I haven’t had a soft drink with caffeine in over a year and a half and it feels great.

    Dean | 03.06.04 – 12:31 am | #

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    the sweetener in coke and pepsi is actually a neuro enhancer – makes portions of the brain race uncontrollably and frenetically. Dont switch to diet coke – its worse. it contains aspartame which breaks down to formaldyhide (formic acid) which is ant poison when store in warm places – eg warehousesm trucks etc. Do a google search if you dont belive me.

    stop drinking the stuff – go away panic attacks!

    tim | Email | Homepage | 03.06.04 – 11:56 am | #

    ——————————————————————————–

    I thought to break a habit it was 36000 repetitions (I’ve heard 21 days also)

    The neuro enhancing effect that Tim describes (brain race uncontrollably and frenetically) is exactly what I’ve been experiencing dramatically for quite some time now often to the point of being dysfunctal.

    As for aspartame, I avoid it with a passion. Someone in the grocery store influenced me greatly to stay away from processed and artifical foods. Granted, our lifestyle hasn’t permitted the exclusion of highly processed foods but we use natural foods whenever possible.

    I have not completely eliminated caffeine. I went without for 5 days and then allowed myself 1 glass of X (be it coke or tea or whatever) per day. A fog has lifted from my mind and my soul has achieved a calm not felt in a looong time!

    djuggler | Homepage | 03.06.04 – 9:01 pm | #