Becky, Jess, Brittney & I had a nice lunch at Breadco while we discussed the Bridal Shower!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday adventures...
My notary commission expired so I had to travel to Hillsboro to be sworn in again for the next term. Long trip for a 3 minute process.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Redrawing the Iron Curtain
While Neo spoke, the rest of the world looked east with trepidation to the resurgence of the Russian Empire. Two columns, from the Financial Times and former White House speechwriter Daniel McGroarty, dissect the burgeoning crises.
We'd LOVE to get our teeth around a Jayhawk!
These two are so dedicated to the team they requested to be born one of Mizzou's colors. That's loyalty.
Go tell it on the mountain!
Josh, we should have done this!"Look to the clouds!" shouted one worshiper.
"Is he descending yet?" asked another.
"He must descend so we can change," the first one intoned. Then they began singing "O-bam-a" to the tune of Handel's "Messiah."
It's a long way to Tipperary!
Mizzou Fight Song! Lyrics are below.
Every true son, so happy hearted,
Skies above us are blue,
There's a spirit so deep within us,
Old Missouri here's to you (RAH! RAH!).
When the band plays the Tiger war song,
And when the fray is through,
We will tramp, tramp, tramp around the Columns,
With a cheer for Old Mizzou!
HIT IT!
HOORAY, HURRAH, MIZZOU, MIZZOU!
HOORAY, HURRAH, MIZZOU, MIZZOU!
HOORAY, HURRAH, AND A BULLY FOR OLD MIZZOU,
RAH! RAH! RAH! RAH!
MIZZOU-RAH! MIZZOU-RAH! MIZZOU-RAH, TIGERS!
Every true son, so happy hearted,
Skies above us are blue,
There's a spirit so deep within us,
Old Missouri here's to you (RAH! RAH!).
When the band plays the Tiger war song,
And when the fray is through,
We will tramp, tramp, tramp around the Columns,
With a cheer for Old Mizzou!
HIT IT!
HOORAY, HURRAH, MIZZOU, MIZZOU!
HOORAY, HURRAH, MIZZOU, MIZZOU!
HOORAY, HURRAH, AND A BULLY FOR OLD MIZZOU,
RAH! RAH! RAH! RAH!
MIZZOU-RAH! MIZZOU-RAH! MIZZOU-RAH, TIGERS!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
What Recession? Q2 GDP Revised Up
Perhaps it's fair to say that the economy isn't going gangbusters. That's what happens when wealthy speculators default on second, third and fourth homes, and Congress makes us pay for their overreach.
But things aren't all that bad when second quarter GDP is revised up from the initial report of 1.9% to 3.3%! That's a whopper of an increase! To put it in perspective, during the boom years of 2002-2006, GDP grew an average of 3%.
We're not out of the woods yet (If we were ever in the woods. Maybe we're in the shrubbery). There are plenty of things dragging on the economy (as there always are, even in the best of times). But, the next time someone tells you the sky is falling, tell them yes, it's falling up.
But things aren't all that bad when second quarter GDP is revised up from the initial report of 1.9% to 3.3%! That's a whopper of an increase! To put it in perspective, during the boom years of 2002-2006, GDP grew an average of 3%.
We're not out of the woods yet (If we were ever in the woods. Maybe we're in the shrubbery). There are plenty of things dragging on the economy (as there always are, even in the best of times). But, the next time someone tells you the sky is falling, tell them yes, it's falling up.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
ABC Reporter Arrested in Denver; Researching Ties Between Dems & Big Donors
Freedom of the press apparently didn't make it onto the Democratic Party Platform this year.
The Best Book In The World!
There are lots of good books out there. Tons even. But I'm currently reading the best book in the world. Or, at least the best book since A Tale of Two Cities. (Naah! It's way better than that. Beheadings are cliché.) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is unexpected, hilarious, tragic, revealing, self-deprecating, and critical -- self critical, white critical, Indian critical, small-town critical, critical condition, critical thinking, critireticular, criti-rikki-tikki-tavi, (etc.). It's as if Holden Caufield, minus the serial killer tendencies, stepped into a John Hughes' film set on a reservation.
And despite its literary bent and the fact that it won like every award in the world, its not plodding, pompous, pretentious, pedantic, preachy, or poopy. It reads like a rocket.
Cutter loves the foster puppies - NOT!!
Cutter avoids the puppies at all costs!
They want to be friendly but he wants nothing to do with them. I guess it is a case of the old man and the pesky youngster. He isn't aggressive toward them -- it's more like he is afraid of them.
As you can see, Lair and Liam cannot figure out why Cutter is unaware that they are so very cute!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Quote of the Week, August 26, 2008
No one can defeat us unless we first defeat ourselves.
-- Dwight Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States
You know what they say about sausage and governments being made...
We just started watching the HBO series, "John Adams." It is really, really good. I wish history class had been this interesting. We've only seen the first two parts, but already, I highly recommend it!
Even Sam Adams is in it, so there's something for everyone.
Oregon Pics, as promised...
Sorry it took so long, but here's a few photos of the boys first weekend away. We were on the Oregon Coast which made for some great pictures.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Don't Bet Against MU
In honor of the kickoff of the No. 6 Missouri Tiger's upcoming football season, T-minus 5 days, 6 hours and counting, I thought we should provide a brief refresher as to why you shouldn't bet against MU. (Note to squeamish viewers: It ain't pretty.)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Stray Rescue hooked us again...
Here are our new Foster puppies, Lair and Liam. They were born July 7th underneath a front porch. Their Mom dug a hole to deliver the puppies and when the heavy rains started, the puppies almost drowned before someone realized they were in the rapidly filling hole. They are 13 and 14 lbs - Lair (black & white) is female and Liam (Black with white on his throat and back to paws) is male. Stray Rescue reeled us in again.Saturday, August 23, 2008
Java the Hutt
Dad & I stopped by Kaldi's in Kirkwood on Saturday afternoon while we were doing our errands. We had a couple of strong brews and were teleported back to the car on thin wires.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Rockin' Faces
My work summer outing was yesterday. We went to the Cubs game and then ended up doing some karaoke, where I dominated Pour Some Sugar On Me. I'm pretty sure the stage is still burning from my moves.
The Great Wall
Tad sent this from his blackberry, which was functioning and getting good reception from this location. Technology is my favorite toy.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Political Smear
It's a given that any article that begins, "Poo and pee dominated..." must: 1) have something to do with Democrats, and 2) is an entertaining and engaging bit of journalism. (Is that a Pulitzer I smell?)
The story explains that the Denver City Council has banned carrying urine and feces for nefarious purposes. (Am I the only one surprised that heretofore it was legal? Are there shiny, happy, benevolent reasons for carrying urine and feces that I've been missing out on?)
It seems the ordinance was passed (ironic word choice), and I quote from the headline here, "With the DNC in mind..." Hmmm.
Is this what they mean by... negative coverage? ...the seedier side of politics? ...yellow journalism? ...politicians run amok? ...a Kinsley gaffe? ...flip-flopping? ...he really stepped in it?
I suppose the Dems are simply learning from past mistakes. After all, had a similar law been enacted during the 2004 election, they might have prevented John Kerry's diarrhea of the mouth.
The story explains that the Denver City Council has banned carrying urine and feces for nefarious purposes. (Am I the only one surprised that heretofore it was legal? Are there shiny, happy, benevolent reasons for carrying urine and feces that I've been missing out on?)
It seems the ordinance was passed (ironic word choice), and I quote from the headline here, "With the DNC in mind..." Hmmm.
Is this what they mean by... negative coverage? ...the seedier side of politics? ...yellow journalism? ...politicians run amok? ...a Kinsley gaffe? ...flip-flopping? ...he really stepped in it?
I suppose the Dems are simply learning from past mistakes. After all, had a similar law been enacted during the 2004 election, they might have prevented John Kerry's diarrhea of the mouth.
Where are my manners?
So protracted was my sojourn through the Ozark Hill Country that I temporarily took leave of all proprieties of social decorum. Thankfully, because of civilization's influence and a diligent focus on etiquette since my return (the rain in Spain and all that), my previous gentlemanly comportment has reasserted itself.Which is a very long-winded way of saying, Debbie and Curt, thank you very much for the cigar. It rests comfortably in the humidor amidst its brethren. Next time you visit (which we hope is soon), we'll don smoking jackets and adjourn to the study with cigars and brandy snifters in hand.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Political Humor
You may have seen this but I think it's funny!
Political Science for DummiesDEMOCRATIC You have two cows.Your neighbor has none.You feel guilty for being successful.Barbara Streisand sings for you. REPUBLICAN You have two cows.Your neighbor has none.So? SOCIALIST You have two cows.The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.
COMMUNIST You have two cows.The government seizes both and provides you with milk.You wait in line for hours to get it.It is expensive and sour. CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE You have two cows.You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows. BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE You have two cows.Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain. AMERICAN CORPORATION You have two cows.You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one. You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows.You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses.Your stock goes up.
FRENCH CORPORATION You have two cows.You go on strike because you want three cows.You go to lunch and drink wine.Life is good.
JAPANESE CORPORATION You have two cows.You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.Most are at the top of their class at cow school. GERMAN CORPORATION You have two cows.You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour.
Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year. ITALIAN CORPORATION You have two cows but you don't know where they are.While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.You break for lunch.Life is good. RUSSIAN CORPORATION You have two cows.You have some vodka.You count them and learn you have five cows.You have some more vodka.You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have. TALIBAN CORPORATION You have all the cows in Afghanistan , which are two.You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's private parts.You get a $40 million grant from the US government to find alternatives to milk production but use the money to buy weapons. IRAQI CORPORATION You have two cows.They go into hiding.They send radio tapes of their mooing. POLISH CORPORATION You have two bulls.Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk them. BELGIAN CORPORATION You have one cow.The cow is schizophrenic.Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow.The French cow wants control of the Flemish cow's milk.The cow asks permission to be cut in half.The cow dies happy. FLORIDA CORPORATION You have a black cow and a brown cow.Everyone votes for the best looking one.Some of the people who actually like the brown one best accidentally vote for the black one.Some people vote for both.Some people vote for neither.Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you which one you think is the best-looking cow.
CALIFORNIA CORPORATION You have millions of cows.They make real California cheese.Only five speak English.Most are illegals.Arnold likes the ones with the big udders.
Political Science for DummiesDEMOCRATIC You have two cows.Your neighbor has none.You feel guilty for being successful.Barbara Streisand sings for you. REPUBLICAN You have two cows.Your neighbor has none.So? SOCIALIST You have two cows.The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.
COMMUNIST You have two cows.The government seizes both and provides you with milk.You wait in line for hours to get it.It is expensive and sour. CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE You have two cows.You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows. BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE You have two cows.Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain. AMERICAN CORPORATION You have two cows.You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one. You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows.You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses.Your stock goes up.
FRENCH CORPORATION You have two cows.You go on strike because you want three cows.You go to lunch and drink wine.Life is good.
JAPANESE CORPORATION You have two cows.You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.Most are at the top of their class at cow school. GERMAN CORPORATION You have two cows.You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour.
Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year. ITALIAN CORPORATION You have two cows but you don't know where they are.While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.You break for lunch.Life is good. RUSSIAN CORPORATION You have two cows.You have some vodka.You count them and learn you have five cows.You have some more vodka.You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have. TALIBAN CORPORATION You have all the cows in Afghanistan , which are two.You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's private parts.You get a $40 million grant from the US government to find alternatives to milk production but use the money to buy weapons. IRAQI CORPORATION You have two cows.They go into hiding.They send radio tapes of their mooing. POLISH CORPORATION You have two bulls.Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk them. BELGIAN CORPORATION You have one cow.The cow is schizophrenic.Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow.The French cow wants control of the Flemish cow's milk.The cow asks permission to be cut in half.The cow dies happy. FLORIDA CORPORATION You have a black cow and a brown cow.Everyone votes for the best looking one.Some of the people who actually like the brown one best accidentally vote for the black one.Some people vote for both.Some people vote for neither.Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you which one you think is the best-looking cow.
CALIFORNIA CORPORATION You have millions of cows.They make real California cheese.Only five speak English.Most are illegals.Arnold likes the ones with the big udders.
At Last
Sorry to be so late to the party. Mommy has been after me since I was the last one to join. I like hearing and seeing things from you guys! I think this a good way to just "catch-up" some. I will post more goodies since I have a camera phone.
GO CARDS!!
GO CARDS!!
Cards/Cubs Weekend
Okay, so this is a late post, as the series was two weeks ago. However, it was a fun day! Rachel's brother and wife, Brittney, came into town and we partied in Wrigleyville in full Cardinals' attire. We drew some looks, but our HUGE win helped with the trash talk.
GO CARDS!!!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Crestwood Ghost Town
This is Crestwood Mall on a Saturday afternoon.
Notice anything unusual?
About 1/2 (or more) of their stores are closed. Even most of the kiosks are closed. I took a stroll through the food court -- they have McDonalds, Subway, Sbarro, & the Cajun place. Macy's & Sears is still there, but Dillards is gone. The card shop is gone, Bissingers is gone, American Eagle is gone, the book store is gone, shoe stores are gone, the toy store is gone. About the only thing left is GNC Vitamin store and a few shops for 13 year old girls.
Life on the Beach ;-)
Dad & I are on the South Beach again and the sun is shining.
He is down 1.5 lbs and I'm down 3.5 lbs. Woo-hoo!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Shipping, coffee, and hippies
We went to Portland this weekend to go to a friend of mine's wedding. It was 103 on the day she got married!! I know that doesn't sound like a lot to you guys, but it was an outdoor wedding and the reception wasn't air-conditioned. It's probably the hottest I've been since I moved here. Crazy.
The boys came with us - their first vacation trip - and they were, of course, perfect gentlemen. After the wedding we headed over to the Oregon coast and played around on the off-leash beach. It was very fun and EVERYONE loved them. They got so much attention that it was getting hard to do anything. I'll post some pics later, after I get them off my camera. Yes, Mom, I actually took my camera... gasp!
Pope Josh I - Blessing # 2
Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Mom empties the tank, Dad fills the tank
One of these days I am going to teach Mom how to do this.
Debbie Holland, CLM / Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile / 314-726-6670
The coffee house crawl ~~
Denise & I try to go out for coffee as often as we can on Saturday mornings, and now the challenge seems to be to go to a different coffee house every time. This week we went to Kaldi's coffee house in Kirkwood. The coffee was very good, but honestly going to the coffee bar to get your "joe" and choose your blend was sort of like visiting a wine bar -- hints of vanilla, traces of blueberry, etc. Just give me the danged coffee -- and make it bold! This place was jam-packed. It seems the Kirkwoodian's like their coffee. I stood in line for 10 minutes to get two bottomless mugs and 2 gooey butter slices (one thing that's still good about The 'Lou - gooey butter cake). This was one of the biggest coffee shops I have patronized. The inside was bigger than BreadCo and the outside seating sprawled almost to the curb. We sipped on coffee so long it was time to have lunch, so we went down the street to Racanelli's for Calzones.
Breakfast with an old friend
Friday morning @ 7:30 I had breakfast with my old friend and former boss, Bob Seibel. We went to First Watch in Webster. I don't get to see him very often now and it takes a while to catch up on all the news about our families. I started working for him in 1995. I remember the week I started working at the firm, I was almost finished sewing Melissa's prom dress -- the one made of raspberry colored sequin fabric.
Nothing like a fresh restaurant style pizza....
Last Thursday evening, after work, Dad & I went to Restaurant Depot. We bought 3 lbs of Spring Mix for salads and a box of strip steaks -- and, oh yea, a giant container of hummus (Dad's new favorite snack). This is a cool place because sometimes you see people from various restaurants shopping here and it is interesting (if you are a snoop like me) to see what THEY are buying. It was very interesting to see the guy from Cusanelli's buying FROZEN PIZZA's for their establishment.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Twin Anchors
Parentals -- remember that restaurant we went to after you helped Rach and I move in? It was the setting for a scene in the new Batman movie. Cool, huh?
Saturday Morning Stroll
Here's a shot of our street just as we went out for an early morning stroll last week. Cutter always leads the way on his retractable leash. Unfortunately our early start wasn't early enough to beat the heat. After a few minutes we felt like we were breathing in a steam room.
Pope Josh I - Blessing # 1
A cow is a living creature and is to be respected. Unless it's getting close to dinner time; then I say slaughter that sucker ...
Chicago Online
Hello from Chicago! Things are going well here. The weather has been BEAUTIFUL lately, so hoping to enjoy it this weekend. As the jets roar by my window, I'm thinking air show this weekend! Alas, there is more wedding planning to do, so we'll see what we get to.
I've Decided ...
I only enjoy movies and television shows where there's a man in an armchair, sitting next to a fireplace, reading a book, who looks up and says, "oh hello there, I didn't see you come in ..."
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Greetings from Seattle. John's finally home - yea! He came home a day earlier than he told me (even doctored his itinerary). Scared me and the dogs to death. They both barked like crazy because all of the sudden there was somebody in the house. Ah, my little guard dogs... gotta watch out because they will lick you to death right after their belly rub... terrifying.
Week-end fun & relaxation...
Dad & I went out for coffee Saturday morning to a place called "Get Wired". This is Dad after we had our coffee! Ha! It's a nice little place near Lindbergh and Watson with great interior decor and lots of comfy cozy spots to sit and chat, watch TV, or just zone out. Their coffee is mediocre, but their food's pretty good.
Monday, August 4, 2008
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