Pauls Rants and Revelations

You know, I always find it weird when a family member contacts me via MySpace, Facebook or Twitter asking to friend them. I mean, I seemed to be the technically inclined one in the family; messing with computers, taking apart toasters, etc., so its a surprise to see, say, my 10 year younger cousin on Facebook (who I rocked to sleep a few times, which is also weird to a 10 year old).

It is a bit nice to connect with my sisters and my mom though (if she did the whole social thing), but for the rest of the extended family… I would have to say that its weird.

Perhaps I should have talked to them more than once a decade. Oh well.

Cheers

So this weekend it was fairly kickback, for the most part. Saturday was very good as there was an event that day. And since it was sunny we had an archery competition which, I’m stoked to say, I was victorious in. I had thought I lost so it was a pleasent surprise at court. I got a nifty carved feather as a prize (bonus).

We also did our pumpkin gathering on Sunday which was, well, quiet. We got there right when they opened and were first in line for everything so we got to do all the activities (face painting, boat ride, etc). We also came away with some honking huge pumpkins. I’ll post pics in a bit (I seem to have misplaced our rather expensive camera).

How was your weekend, Internet?

-Cheers

You know, I really don’t mind taking care of my responsibilities. Family stuff, take out the trash, do the dishes, polish the weapons, all that is fine. However there is one task that I really, really despise.

Giving the cat a bath.

For those of you without the scars from claws, this is not as easy a task as you think. You fear holding the kitty tighter cause its so small in your hands and at the some time you want to squash it into a jelly mold just so it would sit still long enough for you to get the overpriced pet shampoo on it (and let sit for 4-6 minutes).

Anyways, Tom, our cat, is never happy about it. And every bathing he gives me a few good scratches to let me know so. The least I can do asuage my pain is to post pictures of our wet cat. They are funny to look at and I get a sense of fulfilled revenge, even though Tom doesn’t give a shit (and will possibly take one in my shoes later).

- Cheers

Since my wife works at Nike (bonus) she gets access to all these really nifty things. Yes, she gets cool clothes and shoes and such, but mostly its the Nike events we like.

And so it happens we have a very energetic 6 year old boy and Nike has a Youth Triathlon planned. Convienent timing for sure. We told him about it and he was all fired up to do it.

The race was 2 laps in the olympic size pool, a 1.5 mile bike ride, and a half mile run. I thought this was a lot for a 6 year old but it turns out I was wrong (which often happens when I think). During the pool section he was in the middle of the pack and doing well. He sprinted out to his bike and took a bit longer than I though was needed to change into his shirt and shoes and get going, but he was off in good time.

I didn’t see the bike portion because it went all the way aroung campus but I was there at the second change point to see him off to his run. It was 2 laps around the olympic track (are you spotting a theme here) and on the second lap he kinda half-walked half-strutted, but still did really well (somewhere in the middle i think). They didnt have a first or second place, but each participant got a really nice bronze medal (solid bronze) with the youth games insignia on it.

I can’t say when I’ve been more stoked to be his dad. We were so proud of him I irritated my coworkers when I told them. As a treat (and because we were planning on it) we got him a Nintendo DS since he was asking for like 6 months. All in all it was a great day to be him. Pictures after the jump.

- Cheers

So its been like 6 weeks since I made  an entry and I must say I am disappointed in myself. Partly because I cant seem to get a sec to jot something down, but mostly because twitter is so much easier and I can do it from anywhere.

OK, technically, since I got my iPhone, I could blog from anywhere as well, but Twitter is just easier all aroung (hence why I added my Twitter feed to the site).

Anyways, things are starting to calm down somewhat. Its mostly been work and dealing with summer and since schools out that means I have both the kiddies with me all day. Its hard coming up with new things to do. Theres only so many times we can go to the zoo, the park, the fountain, strip clubs, etc. I mean, it gets dull sometimes. If anyone has suggestion please leave a comment.

In other news, my wife and I are going down to Eugene to see the Olympic trials for track and field. Since she works and Nike she got premo tickets and accomodations. The funny thing is that there is a very long list of rules that are going to be enforced; such as specific size of allowed fluid container (no more than 1.5 liters) and bags only so large and clothing requirements and a whole lot more. Its weird but I guess theres a valid reason for it. What it is I have no idea, but there has to be a reason, right?

Anyways, I’m trying to post more so hopefully I can make money again from this thing. That, and provide an outlet for me to rant about whatever I want. Or post sizzling pictures of my favorite female celebs. Or videos of kittens. Whatever.

-Cheers

Today is my little girls birthday. She is now officially 3 years old (versus the 3 to were were saying she was to get a cheaper rate at the day care).

She certainly is taking a liking to girly things too. Everything is pink and Hello Kitty and I really am wondering if I will ever survive such an age. I guess only time will tell.

We went to the sweet park in Portland for a nice b-day picnic which was really quite fun. She got a lot of neat games and clothes and a couple instruments that are sure to drive mom and I crazy. But other than that we had cake and a nice picnic and she had a lot of fun with her brother and cousins.

-Cheers

So after a few stressfull months of work, my wife thought it would be a neat idea to give me a present.

And so it happened the other day that we were driving dow. To one of her friends house to pick up it present. She tried to keep me in suspense but I ended up guessing where we were going.
To pick up a brand new kitten that I have been wanting for a long time.

Her friend take in strays and after a vet visit they are put up for sale. There were a number of them there but one stood out from the others. A cute little grey stripes ball of fluff that was just begging to be taken home.

“I shall call him Tom” I decreed. And so it was done.

I can’t say how groovy it is that she would do that for me. And even though she said she hates cats, I can tell that she was digging Tom to.
And now for some pics.

- Cheers

With work and family I find that my time of late has been rather limited.

It was not so very long ago that I was trolling Craigs list looking for contract work to supplement my income. With my wife working back at Nike (and me going back to the at-home-dad role) I find that I am inundated with emails with requests for work. Stuff like “whats this error” to “I need a website”. I can do the work, but the questions becomes where I will find the time to do it?

My work projects are a little behind (some of which is my fault (ok, most of it probably)) so I have been telling folks that I simply can’t. And even though I know this is the best thing to do since I don’t need any more stress, I can’t help but feel like I am passing up opportunities that would help my situation in the long run.

So I guess the question really is this: who do I piss off?

Do I piss off my boss for the projects that will inevitably be late because of my taking on personal projects? Or do I piss off clients and potential clients by saying that their projects are not worth the time?

I guess really the question, like so many others, is an academic one as I have to get back to work. However, if anyone has any suggestions about my situation (and yes, even ones from you PersonalLumbergBaby are accepted) please leave a comment.

And if you need a website, please HESITATE to ask.

-Cheers

OK. Its been a while (a month to be precise) but I have been busy with work and family stuff. So tough.

Its also, in about 15 hours, my birthday (hooray!). Since we have limited time we have to split up the fun into two days. Today we did presents (my son was extremely excited to give me a Lego fire truck) and we are doing cake tonight. Tomorrow my wife and I are going out for dinner (on my actual b-day) so a swanky place (sweet).

Other than that I am trying to finish some projects before my yearly review. It doesn’t help to have a bunch of late items when going for more money/benefits/company jet, so hopefully I can finish them in short order.

Also, paulsrants.com is going to be up soon. And soon as in actually soon, not soon as in the Urban Dictionary definition.

-Cheers

Today is my sons birthday. It seems only yesterday that he sloshed out of moms womb and now he is six years old. Where does the time go?

And since this is such a huge deal, I decided that it is time to get him a skateboard. I mean a real one; not the tiny play one like at Target. This is an official World Industries board with a nifty flame boy decal on it. He was totally excited about it and started riding around in the house. Now we just have to wait for a non-rainy day and off to the park we go.

We also got him a huge lego set that we spent the entire next day putting together (which his cousin destroyed the next day; bummer) and games galore. Board games, mind, not video games.

He was really stoked with everything including the black-light pirate themed mini-golf we did in Portland, which was a bit of a trip actually. We also had a pirate ship chocolate cake. It was just coincidence that it worked out that way since I ordered the cake and my wife  set up the mini-golf.

Everything considered, it was a really good birthday and my little dude was quite happy with everything.

-Cheers