Friday, July 29, 2005

Banks!

I got the mail today, and in it was my bank statement. Ok, I'll balance the check book real quick.
Went through, no biggy. But what's this $6 charge? billpay enabled fees?

Ok, let me call the bank and find out... And am I glad I did.

We opened a new bank account about 4 months ago. They had bill pay, I'd liked Yahoo Bill Pay, let me check this one out.

After much looking, I couldn't find any fees, so I'll sign up for it.

Well, what I found out today, it was free for 3 months, and then a $6 fee per month after that.
$6?!?!?!?!

I did the math, it was $.85 a bill. Um, no, stamps are cheaper, plus I can use yahoo for free (well, for 5 bills. ISP is SBC Yahoo DSL).
So, needless to say, I've cancelled the online bill pay. I think I did real well, I did not get mad at the girl helping me. It was not her fault. I did let her know that I was not mad at her, but I was very mad that this wasn't disclosed before hand. She informed me, very politely, that it was in the terms and conditions that I had to accept to use online bill pay. Ok, I'll admit it, I didn't read them. Never do. If you don't agree, you can't do it, and if you want it, you don't have any choice. I was very irritated though that that was the only place that information could be found. Yahoo told me how much their bill pay fees are before even signing up. My last bank let me know how much the fees were before signing up. But not this one.

When I called to cancel, I informed her that I had a bill in process. (I couldn't cancel it). So I didn't know if I had to wait till Monday to cancel or not. She said she would check and let me know. The nice girl at the bank called me back later. She is going to wait till Tuesday to cancel to make sure that the bill goes through with no problem, then she will cancel it. I will not be charged for this next month. She also informed me that she was able to refund my original $6 for this month.

So, all in all, it turned out pretty well. Just spent about an hour re-setting up Yahoo Bill Pay, and the time I spent on the phone with the bank.

Could have been worse.

My day

What a day.

It was a good day, but I'm glad it's over. After just a couple hours at work, I left for the day. I had contemplated taking off the whole day, but had a few things I needed to do.

I went and mowed and my grandparents house and ate dinner. Almost killed my cousin. He was being a pill. I explained to him, I'm not his parents or our grandparents, he got my point. :)

I came home. Finally got the weed eater out, and hit the yard and then mowed. It looks much better, but it was a lot of work. I hadn't used the weed eater all year. (oops)

After that, I changed the oil in mine and my daughters car. Had problems with both, but finally got it done. Once done, I cleaned the pool.

I'm exhausted. My family comes home tomorrow afternoon.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Ark

I just finished watching a movie. It was pretty good. The only real information I could find about it was at Amazon at this link. Was a 2005 animated movie.

Here is a little blurb:
The planet Alcyone faces certain doom. The remnants of its two civilizations have crowded together in a great place of refuge, a domed metropolis carried upon the back of an enormous robotic city-god….the Ark.
If you are interesting in seeing it, you can find it:

Encore Action 11:50 pm Tonight
Showtime Beyond 9:45 am Sunday
Showtime Beyond 4:10 pm Sunday

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Gift store?

As many of you know, I have the house to my self this week as my wife and kids are at church camp.

My wife and son went to the gift store today to look around, a conversation similar to this happend...

Son: "Do you have to pay for stuff here?"
Wife: "Yes"
Son: "Then why do they call it a gift store?"

I'd guess for the same reason you drive on parkways, and park on driveways.
I thought it was funny.

Can we say Blade Runner?

When I saw this post, I had to share with everyone. This is too cool.

Stop by and take the few minutes it will take to read this article about a
Lifelike Japanese Android. This is too cool.

Good find Mark!

brrrr

My dog was barking this morning, so I went out to see what was going on, and it was chilly outside.

It's July 27th, and according my thermometer, its 69 degrees plus a nice north wind.

That's not right, it's wrong.... but I'm not complaining.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

QA Testing complete

Woo Hoo!!!

The project I am working on at work finished it's QA testing today with 100% of the tests ran.
Only 24 bugs were found, and all of them were closed.

What makes this a big deal is:
  1. This was a pretty big project.
  2. We moved from Microsoft Visual Studio 6 to Microsoft Visual Studio 8
I am stoked! Well, at least till the Alpha testers start testing.

Star Wars Seuquals

Wow, lots of cool tid bits today.

Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith will be released on DVD on November 1st.

Also, Star Wars: Battlefront II will be released on the same day.

I got this information from this SciFi article.

Voltron Movie

As a child, I use to love the Voltron series. According to an Article on SciFi, it now appears that a Voltron Movie is in the works.

That will so rock!

And for those that need a refresher, this should help.

God's speed Discovery

She made it to orbit. Such a beautiful site!

Shuttle Discovery is a go!

We are at T minus 9 minutes from launch... all systems are go.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Battlestar Galactica

I believe I've talked about the new Scifi series Battlestar Galactica before. It is a completely different take on the original story. And if you are a fan of the original series, don't expect this to be the same story. Many things about it are different.

Anyway, The second season started a couple weeks ago. It is very good. Don't let the fact that it is on SciFi, or that it is mostly based in space fool you. There is much more to this then meets the eye.

Oh, and on an interesting note, according to SciFi,
Battlestar Pegasus will be making an appearance on the 10th episode of this second season. I can't way.

Update: I had to update the link to the story. It wasn't working correctly.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

1 Atom thick material

In novels, movies, and everything else science fiction, One Atom thick material is used for all sorts of things. According to an article at SpaceDaily it appears this is no longer just the realm of science fiction, but it is science fact.

According to Dr Kostya Novoselov:
"Although some of the applications are probably decades away, I expect to see ultra-fast transistors, micromechanical devices and nano-sensors based on the discovered one-atom-thick crystals already in a few years time."

This is cool on so many differnt levels.

Note: I had it pointed out to me this morning that I had the subject spelled Think instead of thick. bid difference... sorry

C-ville Gas Company cont'd.

In a previous post, I talked about an upcoming election in Collinsville where we will be voting on buying the gas franchise back from Oklahoma Natural Gas. As I stated then, I really didn't know how to vote on this.

Thursday night, there were 2 meetings, a Pro meeting and another meeting listed as a Town hall meeting. I decided to go to the pro meeting first so I could hear their side, then next week, go to the other meeting (there were 3 scheduled). Because of a VERY low turn out, we were asked if we could go to the other meeting and get both Pro and Con sides to this. Sounded good to me as it will free up next weeks Thursday. Off we went.
In total, there were close to 40 people there including Mayor Stan Sallee, at least 2 city commissioners, and an ONG representative.


Here are some of the points brought up:

PRO
  • To buy the franchise, the City will only have to pay the depreciated value of the pipe, meters, and infrastructure.
  • If we purchase it, the system will be based in Collinsville instead of in Bartlesville.
  • 3 new employees will be hired.
  • Gas bills should not be higher. Gas prices will fluctuate, but that all the associated fees that are paid to the gas company will be lower if the city runs the system. So even if gas prices go up, which I'm sure they will, the overall gas bill will not be as high as if we stay with ONG. (When gas prices go up for the winter, they would also go up for ONG, so that should be taken into consideration when people compare their bills if this passes)
  • The system will operate safely. Local Fire, EMS and Police have always been first responders to local emergencies. We would now have trained employees here to handle this type of emergency. Other municipalities are also willing to help if a larger emergencies rise like they currently do other type of large scale emergencies.
  • 50 other Oklahoma municipalities own and operate their own gas systems. They have saved their citizens money, improved gas services, and used gas revenue to keep taxes low. The city has consulted with many of these municipalities.
  • We can afford the purchase. The city has consulted financial advisors and there are numerous options. The funds from the Gas system will be used to pay on the loan to buy the system.
  • Much of the equipment needed to run the gas utility, the city already owns. (Some will still need to be purchased, see below.)
  • The city continually states that they are committed to providing the citizens the same service we currently receive from ONG. They believe that the fees they will have to charge us are lower than the fees currently charged to us by ONG.
  • This is endorsed by:
    • Collinsville Chamber of Commerce
    • Downtown Main Street, Inc.
    • Collinsville Public School Board
CON
  • We are being asked to vote on purchasing the gas company, but we do not know how much we will be paying for it.
  • We do not know how much they expect to make on the gas company. (ONG makes net approximately $61/meter/year.)
  • Not only will the city have to buy the gas franchise back, but will also have to purchase approximately $75,000 worth of equipment.
  • The city will have to run the gas lines to the new housing editions being built west of town. (This is an added expense.)
  • The gas bills might be higher. The city does not have facts to show they can operate the system more efficiently than ONG. Will the city have to buy gas at market prices during the peak consumption months of the winter?
  • ONG reports to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The city will not report to any such commission. (except it will report to the citizens. We do elect the officials after all.)
  • There is concern if the city can operate it safely. With 1800+ accounts and 40+ miles of pipeline, how many people will be necessary to safely maintain it.
  • Since we do not know how much the system will cost, and how much is projected to be earned, how can we vote for this purchase.
  • Vote NO endorsed by:
Other information
  • Currently, the citizens of Collinsville pay ONG approximately $1.4 - 1.5 million annually
  • It is estimated that the purchase price will be $2.3-2.5 million

The above information comes from the handouts I received from both sides of this issue, as well as the discussion held at the meeting.

How will I vote August 9th? I'm still not sure.

I want to vote yes. I want to see the town grow, and if I could see some numbers that would state that we could take in money to help the city grow without raising taxes, and provide us with the same service we currently have, I will definitely vote yes.

Problem is, I have not seen those numbers. I am a bit leary, like many other citizens, about the bottom dollar for me. I don't want to pay more for gas. I was to continue to have a reliable and safe gas system.

What I do know about the gas bills, Pro says it will not be more, Con says it might be more. What I do know is that if I use the same about of gas as I did last winter, my gas bill WILL be higher, no matter who runs it. Gas prices will be higher. What I'm concerned about is how much higher?

Questions we need to ask ourselves before voting are:
  • Will the fees we will be charge be low enough to offset the difference of the cost of the gas since the City cannot buy in as much bulk as ONG?
  • Will the fees we will be charge be able to pay the loan payment on the purchase as well as the salaries on the 3 new people that they are looking to hire and the new equipment?
  • Will enough money from these fees go back into the system for upkeep?
There are probably others, but you get the point.

If I get more information, I'll let you know.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

25 ways to drive your teen crazy

My wife read me this from the Family Circle she was reading. This was too funny not to share.

Obviously, most of these are for women.

  1. Say, "You will thank me later for this."
  2. Drop your teenagers off where their friends can see you.
  3. Ruffle their hair while you're waiting to buy tickets in the movie line.
  4. Spit on a tissue and rub chocolate off their chins when you're out together in public.
  5. Wear an ankle bracelet.
  6. Demonstrate your favorite moves from when you were a high-school cheerleader when they have friends over.
  7. Ask them if they need to go to the bathroom before they leave the house.
  8. Hint that you and your spouse are still having sex.
  9. Dance alone at any function where they can see you.
  10. Tell your best friend something they told you in confidence.
  11. Say, "But what will the neighbors thing?"
  12. Say to one of their friends, "My, how you've grown!"
  13. Ask, "Why does Britney Spears have to dress like that?"
  14. Find your old guitar and sing "Kumbaya" and "This Land is Your Land" in front of their friends.
  15. Drive under the speed limit.
  16. Drive over the speed limit.
  17. Drive at the speed limit.
  18. Interrupt when they're talking to correct their grammar.
  19. Keep saying "Cool" in an effort to be cool.
  20. Have extreme right-wing political views.
  21. Have extreme left-wing political views.
  22. Have no political views whatsoever.
  23. Have any political views at all.
  24. Wait up for them.
  25. Don't wait up for them.
By Mary McHugh

He's dead Jim.

And this time it isn't a no name red shirt that you know nothing about.

Today, James Doohan died at the age of 85. (more here)

For those who don't know, he played Scotty on Star Trek.

He will be missed.

Ugh, it's hot!

Not much more to say is there?
I just looked at the forecast for the next few days,
100 tomorrow, 101 Friday, 102 Saturday, 100 Sunday.

On the bright side, we'll start cooling down next week...
99 Monday, 97 Tuesday.

And those temps don't account for Heat Index.

Ugh.

Pictures

While my sister was up a few weeks ago, my mother took our kids to Walmart and had some pictures made. Here are all the kids. Mine are the oldest 2, and the younger 2 are my sisters.


While they were there, the photographer also took some others of the kids. My wife got a single of our daughter since we did not get school pictures of her. I personally think these came out real nice!



Fish & Trucks pt. 2

Well, after spending the morning at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, the family all cruised over to the Olive Garden for some yummy food while we let my grandfather sleep it off in the hospital. (They gave him some meds for the pain since angeoplasties are done with the patient awake!!!) And my grandpa wanted to just stay there and rest.

After that, I came home and after a trip to a couple stores, I got stuff for a radiator flush and an oil change for the truck. Also bought a cat fish and a placeo for my fish tank. Got the fish acclimating to the water and started to work on the truck. Almost forgot the fish while I was working on the truck! That would have been bad. Anyway, the radiator is flushed and the oil changed, so it is ready for the trip to Falls Creek Monday morning!

After remembering the fish, I finished getting them acclimated to my tank, and added some meds to the water to help with shock for both them and the established residents.

It's been a good day, a good day.

UPDATE:
I just realized that I did not say anything about my wife. I said that the radiator got flushed, but the truth is, while I was changing the oil on the truck, she was flushing the radiator. Anyway, I didn't want to take credit for something I didn't do, much less not complement my wife on doing such a great job. I have a great wife!

Grandfather update

After a late start to the surgery, the doctor came out. Which was rather quickly in my opinion, and gave us some good news. His original by-passes are doing real well, there was one place that was clogged at 80%, but he couldn't get to it with a stint, and the risk/reward for another by-pass just wasn't worth it. There would be too good of a chance that the other by-passes could be messed up, and this clog is at the end of a vessel on his heart. They are going to treat it with medication.

He should be headed home soon.

Praise God! He definitely answers prayers!

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Fish & Trucks

Well, the subject looks stranger than it actually was. Basically after being flooded out of work today, I came home, watched some TV I've had recorded and took a nap. All of which was really good.

My daughter woke me up when she got home, so I made myself get out of bed. And finally cleaned the fish tank. It's needed it for a while, but I just hadn't taken the time to do it. It looks so much better now.

We have been having truck problems. We took it to the doctor Thursday night, and I heard back from him yesterday. It wasn't good news. $453 and some change, that was parts, labor, tax, etc. Well, I didn't have that much cash, so I had to pass, but I knew I needed spark plugs, wires, rotor, etc. I gave him the $60 for the diagnoses and went home. Well, one of my friends that is a mechanic ordered the parts for me, so I got my parts for $77.73. Well, it took be about 2 hours, but this was the first time I've ever done this type of work, so that isn't too bad. would have been a bit sooner, but one of the plugs didn't go in a smoothly as I hoped, so it took me a while on that one.

Anyway, we took the truck out tonight, and she is purring like a kitten. It was cool. Anyway, still have oil change and radiator flush to do before my wife takes the truck to Falls Creek. Those shouldn't be very bad. Except it is summer in Oklahoma, and that means Hot and Humid.

wet day

On my way into work today, I received a phone call.

We've had a water break in our office, so you don't have to bother comming in.


Well, I was just a few miles away when I got the call so I came on in. So clean up has begun.
I should be headed home before long.

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Moss

Well, after harvesting my garlic, I looked at our little water garden, and noticed that some of the moss was blooming. The moss isn't doing as good this year as last year, but it is still beautiful.

I've been toying around with my camera. I guess you can say I'm starting to become an amateur photographer. But anyway, here are a couple close ups I took today of the moss.


Magenta Moss Posted by Picasa

Yellow Moss Posted by Picasa

Pink Moss Posted by Picasa

Garlic Harvest

Well, I harvested my garlic this afternoon. I planted them from seed (seed, not clove) last year. They survived our winter, and made it to harvest. The five I cut the blooms off of are great. 1 of the 2 I left them on are ok, the other one is pretty puny.

Can't wait to cook with them now.

YUMMY


Garlic harvest Posted by Picasa

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Swimming

Well, my boy is fast becoming a very good swimmer. He swam the width of the pool atleast 6 times, and the lenth of the pool once. And he did the lenght right after swiming the width 3 times.

He is mostly swimming under water. He comes up, takes a breath, goes back underwater and takes a stroke or 2, comes up to breath and back under he goes.

It's so cute.

Soccer Season about to start

Well, as you can guess by the cleaverly disguised Title, Soccer Season is about to start.
Last weekend I signed up my boy for his second season, and myself as his coach. I just got back from signing up my daughter. I'm sure practices will start next month sometime.

Thankful

I have days that I just don't want to care. I'm tired and cranky. I don't want to do anything. Don't want to talk to anyone... You get my point.

There are days that I get so many pieces of Forwarded email that I really can't stand it. And not just any forwarded email, but the kind where you have to open 5 layers deep to see the email that then has all the > > > > in front of the lines. In fact, I usually don't bother to read them... I just delete them.

But there is that rare exception when I do open them. Sometimes it's not worth the effort, and sometimes... When you least expect it... When it's something you've seen a dozen times...

I am Thankful:

For the wife
who says it's hot dogs tonight,
Because she is home with me,
and Not out with someone esle.

For the Husband
who is on the sofa
being a couch potato,
Because he is home with me
and not out at the bars.

For the Teenager
Who is complaining about doing dishes
Because it means she is at home,
Not on the strees.

For the taxes I pay
because it means
I am employed.

For the Mess to clean after a part
Because it means I have
been surrounded by freinds.

For the Clothes that fit a little too snug
because it means
I have enought to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work
because it means
I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and gutters that need fixing
Because it means
I have a home.

For all the complaining
I hear about the government
because it means
we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot
I find at the far end of the parking lot
beacause it means I cam capable of walking
and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill
because it means
I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church
who sings off key because it means
I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing
because it means
I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles
at the end of the day
because it means I have been
capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off
in the early morning hours
because it means I am alive.

And Finally, for too much e-mail
because it means I have
friends who are thinking of me.

Well, maybe not so much for the last one, but you get my point.

I'm getting ready to head to Tulsa and do some work for my grandparents. I love them, but it is summer in Oklahoma, and that means just 2 things. Hot and Humid. (forcast is for 97 with chance of T-storms, so add the heat index, and we'll be well over 100) And the thought of working outside doesn't thrill me. But I have 3 of my 4 grandparents still with me, and they are all in their 70's. I'd like to keep them for a while longer, and if that means doing stuff I don't' want to so I can spend more time with them, well, I'll do my best to be thankful that I'm covered in sweat and grass in a couple hours.

Also, I don't want you to think I've posted this because for any kind of ataboy. This is something I believe all grandkids should do if they are capable. I know they don't, but they should!

I'm posting this here because maybe someone will be inspired to help out one of their loved ones. Also, I use this blog to say things that I might not say to others around me, as a place to say things that I think.

I know that there is a chance that this could be the last time I see my grandfather, and the thought of not having him with me would hurt. But I also know that it isn't my will that I need to be concerned with it's Gods. If it is time for my grandfather to go home, then I'll see him when I get there. I know that he has accepted Jesus as his Savior, and that when he dies, I'll see him again (since Jesus is my Lord as well). I know he'll see my other Grandfather, my aunt (his daughter) that we have just recently lost, and our baby we lost several years ago.

I also realize, that he may come through this fine. I've been able to tell he hasn't felt good lately, and that at 76, he doesn't have that many years left anyway. I need to do everything I can to extend those years, for me, my wife, and my kids.

Gas Prices - 7/16

Well, I noticed this last night in Owasso, but the drop finally hit Collinsville.

The cost of Regular Unleaded is now $2.19/gallon (give or take a few cents depending on the station)

Friday, July 15, 2005

Weiner

Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer weiner,
that is what I'd truely like to be-e-e,
for if I were an Oscar Mayer weiner,
everyone would be in love with me!

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Grandfather

I just found out my grandfather is going in to the hospital on Wednesday morning for an angioplasty. Depending on what they find, they may, or may not, do open heart surgry while they have him.

Please keep him in your prayers.

New Park

Proposed plans for the new city park improvements were released yesterday.

Ted from cvilleok.com has posted the plans that were presented.

I think they look pretty good.

Gas Increase?!?!?

Are they out of the freaking minds?

Here is a story I found on KOTV's web page about raising gasoline prices by 5 cents / gallon, and diesel by 8 cents.

I don't think so! Gas prices are currently $2.23! If gas prices go up much more, it will be hard to live very far from work, or you wont be able to afford it!

It appears this will come up for a vote in a statewide election on September 13th. There is a no sign I can go put in my yard right now.

sheesh!

Trinary star system

This is too cool. I want to thank Steven for giving me the heads up on this.

NASA scientist discovers world with triple sunsets

The thought of having 3 stars is just too cool. Ever since watching Star Wars as a kid, I've though of how cool it would be to have 2 suns, but 3 is just mind boggling.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

1 Down

I said the other day that my boy had lost his first tooth, and that he looks so cute.
Well, I finally got the pix off of the camera.

He's so cute. Course I'm not biased or anything. :)


1 Down Posted by Picasa

Launch scrubbed.

*sigh*

One of the back up systems had a problem with one of the sensors. Because of this, they have scrubbed the launch.

LCD & Geek overload

Um, honey, you may read this before I get home. I have to build one of these. :)

I read Stevens post about a DIY LCD Projector. This has to be too cool.

The thought of building my own LCD projector is just too cool. Screen and projector for under $200, not bad. with out the screen, it's even cheaper.

muhahahaha

Hummingbirds

Always_Adventuring had made a comment about hummers here in Oklahoma, which made me wonder where all you can find hummers.

It appears that hummingbirds can be found all over the US and Canada

Learn something new everyday.

She is so beautiful!

Discovery is such a beautiful ship. (as al the shuttles are)

I've got the live coverage running here at work from NASA TV

Wish I could be on one.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

You did what?

While reading Misty's blog (one of the 50 U.S. blogs that I'm a part of) I saw this, and thought it was cool. She was tagged by it. I'll save you all that, but if you want to do it, I would love to see your results. (this was from her june 23 post, the link wouldn't work).

I also liked what she did with colours. So, bold means I've done it, and green means I want to.

01.
Been an adoptive or foster parent
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula.
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said I love you and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Done a striptease
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14.
Stayed up all night long, and watch the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Touched an iceberg
20. Slept under the stars
21. Changed a baby's diaper
22. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
23. Watched a meteor shower
24. Gotten drunk on champagne
25. Given more than you can afford to charity
26. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
27. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
28. Had a food fight
29. Bet on a winning horse
30. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
31. Asked out a stranger
32. Had a snowball fight
33. Danced in the rain
34. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
35. Held a lamb
36. Enacted a favorite fantasy
37. Taken a midnight skinny dip
38. Taken an ice cold bath
39. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
40. Seen a total eclipse
41. Ridden a roller coaster
42. Hit a home run
43. Fit three weeks miraculously into three days
44. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
45. Adopted an accent for an entire day
46. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
47. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
48. Had two hard drives for your computer - more actually
49. Visited all 50 states
50. Loved your job for all accounts
51. Taken care of someone who was totally plastered
52. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
53. Had amazing friends
54. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
55. Watched wild whales
56. Stolen a sign
57. Backpacked in Europe
58. Taken a road-trip
59. Rock climbing
60. Taken pictures of complete strangers
61. Midnight walk on the beach
62. Sky diving
63. Visited Ireland
64. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
65. Bought food for a stranger
66. Visited Japan
67. Benchpressed your own weight
68. Milked a goat
69. Alphabetized your records
70. Pretended to be a superhero
71. Sung karaoke
72. Lounged around in bed all day
73. Been in a movie
74. Tried scuba diving
75. Been to Lililth fair - no clue what it is
76. Kissed in the rain
77. Played in the mud
78 Played in the rain
79. Gone to a drive-in theater
80. Have Regrets
81. Been to Tijuana
82. Discovered that someone whose not supposed to have known about your blog has discovered your blog
83. Dropped Windows in favor of something better-but now I'm back :(
84. Started a business
85. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken - Thanks Tracey!
86. Toured ancient sites
87. Taken a martial arts class
88. Been a bully or been bullied
89. Camped out all night for a show, movie, or beanie baby
90. Gotten married
91. Been in a movie
92. Crashed a party
93. Loved someone you shouldn't have
94. Kissed someone so passionately it made them dizzy
95. Gotten divorced
96. Breastfed more then a year
97. Gone without food for 5 days
98. Made cookies from scratch
99. Won first prize in a costume contest
100. Lied about your age
101. Gotten a tattoo
102. Eaten snake
103. Stayed somewhere different then what you told your parents
104. Had a poem published- as a child,but don't know what book it was in. :(
105. Got flowers for no reason
106. Been intimate in a public place
107. Ran a red light- it was orange :)
108. Been addicted to some form of illegal drug
109. Performed on stage
110. Been to Las Vegas- lived there….
111. Recorded music
112. Eaten shark
113. Shoplifted
114. Gone to Thailand
115. Seen The Cranberries live
116. Bought a house
117. Been in a combat zone
118. Buried one/both of your parents
119. Read every book in the Bible
120. Been on a cruise ship
121. Spoken more than one language fluently
122. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
123. Bounced a check
124. Performed in Rocky Horror
125. Read - and understood - your credit report
126. Raised children - 16 and 5, I'm counting it. :)
127. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
128. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
129. Created and named your own constellation of stars
130. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
131. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
132. Called or written your Congress person
133. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
134. Ran in a marathon
135. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
136. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
137. Had an abortion or your female partner did
138. Had plastic surgery
139. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived.
140. Wrote articles for a large publication
141. Lost over 100 pounds
142. Held someone while they were having a seizure
143. Piloted an airplane
144. Petted a stingray
145. Broken someone's heart
146. Helped an animal give birth
147. Been fired or laid off from a job
148. Won money on a T.V. game show
149. Broken a bone
150. Killed a human being
151. Gone on an African photo safari
152. Ridden a motorcycle
153. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100mph
154. Sent a message in a bottle
155. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
156. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
157. Ridden a horse
158. Had major surgery
159. Had s*x on a moving train
160. Had a snake as a pet
161. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
162. Slept through an entire flight
163. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
164. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
165. Visited all 7 continents
166. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
167. Eaten kangaroo meat
168. Fallen in love at an ancient Mayan burial ground
169. Hunted an animal
170. Eaten sushi
171. Had your picture in the newspaper
172. Been in a car accident
173. Are an organ donor
174. Gotten someone fired for their actions
175. Gone back to school
176. Parasailed
177. Changed your name
178. Ridden an elephant
179. Eaten fried green tomatoes
180. Given gifts or notes as a secret pal
181. Met an online friend
182. Bought a homeless person a meal
183. Been to Mardi gras
184. Taught yourself an art from scratch
185. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
186. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
187. Skipped all your school reunions
188. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
189. Been elected to public office
190. Seen a dead person that you didn't know
191. Slept on the beach
192. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
193. Taken in a stray animal
194. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
195. Had a booth at a street fair
196: Dyed your hair
197: Been a DJ
198: Been born again
199: Watched a whole film in a foreign lanuage
200: Been arrested

Hummingbirds

My wife just saw a hummingbird. So off to the Net we went to find how to make hummingbird nectar.

So here it is boys and girls just in case you were wondering yourself.
1. Mix 1/4 c. sugar and 1 c. water in a cup or jar.
2. Stir briskly with a spoon until the sugar is completely dissolved.
My wife found this at eHow.com

Something of note, you should change the nectar every 5 to 7 days, more often in hot weather, if it stays around that long.

Blog updates

I just spent the last hour or so going through and removing my family members names from my blog. Especially my kids. As traffic started rising, I decided I'd do that. I talk about them a lot, and that wont stop, but figured I'd stick to generic names for them.

Lake Trip

This past weekend, my wife and son and I took my grandfathers boat back out. We cruised around and I think they both had a good time. About 3, my son was ready to head home. But we had other plans.

We got a chance to check out the new marina at Skiatook. It was very nice. They had guys out to help pull your boat in and if they can reach it (and in our boat, they couldn't). The marina was well lit and clearly marked which is very nice. Of course, it is much more expensive than Crystal Bay Marina. Though Crystal Bay has a much better store. At least for the moment.

One of the ladies my wife works with was having a birthday party for her son at Tall Chief Cove there at Skiatook lake, so we headed over for the party. My boy was glad we stayed.

Around 9 or so, we ordered some pizza. Sometime after 11, we left the campsite to go home. I got all the lights plugged in, and we headed out. We pulled out of the cove, and I turned on the spot light, and I couldn't see anything. Too much mostiure in the air, so it was just like turning on the high beams in the fog. After a very long ride back to the Marina, my back was all in knots. I had boating after dark. I love fishing after dark, but not boating. We ended up getting home around 1:00 a.m. or there abouts.

Cell Phones and Cars!

Ok. I've had it. I'm sick of all the publicity that using your cell phone while driving makes you a bad driver.

I don't buy it.

I think having people in the car with me is more distracting than talking on my cell phone. Especially when a hands free unit is being used.

I've ridden with people that don't just look in the rear view mirror at you while talking, but actually turn around to look at you.

I know that when I have my 5 year old in the car, he is always wanting me to look at him, or pick something up he has dropped. My cell phone has never asked me to pick something up from the back seat that it has dropped.

In my opinion, the only dangerous thing about talking on a cell phone while driving is dialing the phone. And that is what speed dial is for.

Sheesh!

Monday, July 11, 2005

Countdown Begins!

I'm excited. The countdown for launch of Discovery is now underway.

It is scheduled for launch at 3:51 EDT (2:51 for me) on Wednesday. I'm so excited about this return to flight.

More information to be had on the Return to Flight page.

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Toothless

This afternoon, I pulled my son's tooth. This was his first tooth to lose.

He is very excited about leaving his tooth for the tooth fairy.

He looks so cute

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Blahs.

My boy and I had alot of fun at my grandparents tonight. We had hot dogs, and swam a lot. He is getting so much better. And he loves the deep end of the pool. It's so fun to watch. But since I've gotten home I've just had the blahs.

I can't really explain the blahs, it's just something I feel every once in a while. It's like having a lot of stuff on your mind, and not one thing you can think of.

It's like looking for something, but not knowing what it is your looking for.

Here it is, after midnight. We are planning on going to the lake tomorrow. I'm not sleepy.

I'm planning on taking my boy to Lowes so we can do one of the "Build and Grow" activities. Tomorrow, they are suppose to build a race car. 2 months ago, they build a bug box... which is really funny since my son doesn't care to much for bugs. Rolly-pollys is about the extent of his bug love.

After that, we'll sign him up for Fall Soccer. yea! I'm sure I'll coach his team again this year.

And after that, back to Skiatook lake.

I want to do all of that stuff. But right now, I don't feel like it, nor am I looking forward to it.

I don't want to watch TV, shoot, I don't even want to be on the computer. I think I'll go read my Bible before bed.

Friday, July 08, 2005

Collinsville Gas Company?

I'm from Collinsville as many of you know, which is just about 20 minutes north of Tulsa.

The City is trying to buy the gas franchise from ONG.

I'm not convinced this is a good thing. I know that the only utility we do not pay the city for is gas. I know that when I put my deposit down for electric, I was told they are not an electric company, and that I will not get my deposit back till I move. I know when I've lived elsewhere I got my deposit back after a year or so once they know I'd pay my bills.

I also know that we have had "adjustments" as a line item on my bill for some time for the extra cost of electricity. They are not as bad as they first were, but they've been there for a while now. They need to do something about that. I'm don't think the city has done a great job on the electric, so why would I want to give them the gas too?

On cvilleok.com there is some information that can be read, pro's and con's here*

We'll vote on it on August 9th. If we were to vote today, I know I wouldn't support it.

* link is best viewed in IE

Thursday, July 07, 2005

50 U.S. Blogs

Charity (always_adventuring) has randomly chosen my blog to be a part of her "50 U.S. Blogs".

Here is a short post from her blog about this.
Mission: To provide others with glimpse of the diversity of the United States through the random selection of one blog from each state. Once the first phase of the project is complete, each blogger will have an opportunity to do a guest post on this site in honor of their state. We all hope that you enjoy this team effort of 50 blog authors from around the U.S.
You can read more about it here. I think it is interesting. Stop in and check out some of the other 50 states she has selected. It is on the right side of her blog on the main page.

***Update - Charity has moved the 50 U.S. Blogs to a new page. You can find it here now.

I am a Nerd!

And many of you are saying, "well duh!"

I found this test, and found it amusing. I just had to share. enjoy.

I am nerdier than 90% of all people. Are you nerdier? Click here to find out!

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Garden View

It's been a while since I've given an update on the garden.

It is doing very well. We've had several peppers and cucumbers. We've picked 1 tomatoe, and 2 are turning. We've also picked several okra's, in fact, we are having fried okra tonight.



Garden view Posted by Picasa


Garlic (left), Jalapenoes (middle), cilantro (right) Posted by Picasa


Baby Watermelon Posted by Picasa


Sprawling watermelons and Tomatoes behind Posted by Picasa


Cucumbers Posted by Picasa

Joke of the Day

This joke brought to you by my 5 year old son.
Why would someone set salt in the road?
Because it was empty and they wanted it runned over.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Great News!

Well, the cardiologist appointment went well.
She said that she didn't hear anything that she would classify as a murmur. I think she called it an incidental heart murmur. Basically, she said hear murmurs can come and go, but the serious ones, the ones that cause people problems don't come and go.

As you can guess, we were all excited!

God is good!

World Travel

Thanks to my freind Micheal, I found a map that will let you show where in the world you have been, like the US map I've already done.

Here you go.




create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide

Blogging Newbie

I'd like to welcome my friend Micheal to the wonderful world of Blogging!

Cardiologist appointment

When my boy was 2 we took him for one of the normal 2 year old check-ups. But we got a surprise this time. The doctor noticed a heart murmur. Basically, for those that don't know, a heart murmur is when one of the valve's in your heart does not close all the way.

I had one after I had Rheumatic fever. It had damaged one of my heart valves. But after a couple years, my heart murmur went away. Doctors couldn't explain it. (duh, God healed me). Anyway, I digress.

We took him in to see a Cardiologist that specialized in children. She said everything seemed fine, he did have the murmur, but not to worry too much. He seemed normal and healthy. He did the normal 2 year old things, and didn't seem to tire easily. Come back before he starts kindergarten.

Well, that time has come. Some chest X-rays were taken about a month ago, and we take him to see a Cardiologist today.

Monday, July 04, 2005

Fart in the Face

I hope you all get as good a laugh out of this as my wife did.

My boy was complaining that his hiney was itching. Be a good, concerned dad, I took him to the bathroom to check his rear. He bent over, and I noticed a little red bump. So I put him on the counter to take a closer look. We were at the park Sunday night, and the lake today, and I wanted to make sure it wasn't a tick. Well, I turn on the counter light, had him bend over so I can take a closer look. I lean in a bit to take a good close look, and he farts. A nice, loud, stinky fart.

He thought it was great. And I have to admit, it was pretty funny. Guess he can just have an itchy hiney next time. hehehe

(oh, and no tick, probably a chigger or just a wearing a wet swim suite all day)

Ok, you can really stop laughing now. :)

Day at the Lake!

We had a great day today!

We went out to Skiatook Lake today, after my daughter finally got back from picking up her boyfriend and having a flat tire. We got there about 12:30. After some prep work on the boat that needed to be done (like scrubbing the intakes on the motor and putting the new decals on the boat) we topped off the tank, and were off for a day in the sun!

We went south of Tall chief cove, and stopped off for some swimming and some tubing.

We were able to get my boy to get in the tube with his sister, and he had a blast. He decided he wanted to try again by him self, but that would come later.

My daughter tried swimming with Gizmo today too. He didn't dig it as you can hopefully see here.

After some swimming and tubing, we went to the cliffs as my daughter calls them, and they jumped from them some, and swung from the rope swing.

We dropped my daughter and her boyfriend off at the dock around 5 p.m. and topped off the tank again.

My wife, my boy and I went back out for some more tubing. They headed out first. After bouncing them around, she got off for a rest, and my boy stayed out solo. It was great. Course, it was like pulling an empty tube since he didn't weigh much, but he loved it. He even showed off by going without hands once. hehehe

Look mom, no hands! Posted by Picasa

Afterward, we stopped and picked up about $5 of fireworks and stopped at a friends house to pop them before coming back home.

Swimming leasons

This was a really good weekend. I took my boy to my grandparents to go swimming on Saturday. He really likes the water, but hadn't learned to swim without water wings yet.

We've started teaching him this year.

Well, Saturday, we got over to my grandparents around noon, and went swimming.

Before we left, He dove into the pool, and swam across the width of the pool with no assistance!

He still needs some more practice, but we were all excited.

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Them are hot peppers!

Wow. I had my first pepper from my jalepeno plants today.

Was it ever hot. Steven was right when he said this is a good pepper year!

We have harvested several. My wife has used them in salsa, and I've given several away to family members, but this was my first to just add to whatever I was eating.

Broke me out into a sweat! Can't wait to eat more!

Friday, July 01, 2005

July 1st?

Wow!

Today is July 1st. Half 2005 has now gone by, and 1 half to go.

It's hard to believe that it has passed so quickly.

BTW, sorry for the lack of comments lately. Not felt like Blogging.