Since not one but two people have already posted this ahead of me, Happy Birthday Terri.
Also, Happy Birthday to my Uncle David and Happy Birthday a day late to my Uncle Bob.
That's all with the Birthday announcements.

For the past two or three days the left side of my head has been throbbing and pulsing with what I assume is a sinus infection. I guess I'm too stubborn or too busy to go to the doctor so I've been dosing up on Sudafed and Tylenol. I must say, it's an interesting feeling being completely clearheaded and functioning on one side and full of pain, blockage, and swelling on the other side. It's kind of like the badly done split screen image at the beginning of the Incredible Hulk tv show with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. Pretty much like this. Anyway, it's made work interesting for the past two days.
Craig has been keeping everyone posted on the current playoff situation. I really thought the Pens had a chance to make it back into the playoffs this year. Maybe he's just a little confused.
This doesn't surprise me at all considering the University it came from. That place is full of scholars I tell you.
Anyway, it's off to more Tylenol and Sudafed.

I guess I'm slowly coming to the realization that it just won't be possible for me to see the midnight showing of the new Star Wars movie. I've run out of scenarios that will allow me to a) find tickets and b) attend. When Lucas did his re-tooling and re-release of the original trilogy, we managed to scrounge tickets for the first showing on the first day. When Episode I was released, a small group of us waited outside overnight. Terri even got her hands in USA Today and at some point or another, we were all on television. Episode II saw me on a scaffold 25 feet in the air running a brush over Nicole Kidman to barter my way to tickets. And now, I've just run out of options. I know, woe is me. It's not like the movie only plays one day. Still, 5 out of 6 is a pretty good record. It's a shame to have it broken.
Speaking of Star Wars...
We were home visiting our respective parents this weekend (amidst the April snow) and my dad was watching The Empire Strikes Back. Now, I'm willing to cut Lucas quite a bit of slack...after Jar Jar Binks I have to. But this is truly going to have to be one kick-ass script to take that whiny adolescent wuss from Episode II and transform him into the galaxy's most powerful villian. Vader's presence in, what is now, Episode V is forceful. He takes charge, he deals with no one. Hayden has a long way to go. I mean most people thought Luke was the whiniest of the bunch til they met Hayden. At least you can see where Luke got it from.
Oh well, Happy Belated Birthday (by a week) to Mitch.

Nothing much going on today. The webcast broadcast went well so that was a bonus. I had good intentions of coming home, rebuilding the lawnmower, and hitting some of the grass tonight, but due to the rain and severe thunderstorm warnings that didn't happen. How much does lawn service cost again?
I've been branching out a tad since I've had a couple minutes here and there so you might see some new blogs pop up on the little menu on the side. I can't promise, but I'm sure I'll find something that I like.
Oddly enough, I have nothing else to say except...goodnight.

Well, after yesterday's big catch-up post I'll keep it short. I have a whole big rant on a certain store (actually not the House of Satan this time), but I'll save that for another day...with good reason of course.
Tomorrow at the office we're holding a rebroadcast of a live seminar because there were technical difficulties with the company we hired and the company sponsoring the event. Hopefully things will go smoothly tomorrow. I would invite you to check it out, but I've already seen it three times and that was five times too many so I won't bore you with it too.
The Catholic church found themselves a new Pope according to the news. He's 78. That means that we'll be going through this process again a lot sooner than we did last time.
Anyway, not much else has been going on so I'll leave it at that.

Those who are in the know realized that this was Carnival weekend at Carnegie Mellon. That means scantily clad women get into tiny penis shaped objects and have men shove them down a hill at break-neck speeds. Or buggy, as we called it.
That would explain the lack of posting recently. That and a completely jammed weekend.
Thursday night I manage to stumble home from work and I went straight to bed. My stomach was queasy, I had a whomping headache, and felt like I was going to hurl everytime I moved. Fun state to be in. Hell, that used to be Saturday night not Thursday night. Anyway, after a pretty sleepless night, I got up at 5:45 to get ready to go out to buggy. Oh, did I forget to mention for everyone that buggy begins at sun up? Oddly enough, I think that Carnegie Mellon may be the only campus in the United States that gets more alumni back for Carnival than they do for homecoming.
Anyway, Gage was going with me out to his first race day. We parked in the lot for my office which is about a 1/2 mile walk from campus. So, I packed the camera, his diaper bag, his food bag, extra clothes, a jacket, the Snugli, and his toys into the stroller and we set off. I was hoping the stroller ride would put him to sleep, but no such luck. And, to top it off as we got close to campus he decided that he was done riding. So, now I'm carrying him in one arm and pushing the stroller full of crap with the other. We finally got to campus, met up with Tom and I stashed the stroller near the buggy truck. We put Gage on my back in the Snugli and proceeded to watch the races and mingle with alumni. That morning went by without too much incident. We saw Mel, Madler, Stengel, Abby, Billy, Karen, Sheby, Virginia, and a ton of other alumni. Unfortunately, at the end of the morning, instead of three teams returning for second day SDC only had one because of some DQ's. But it was still a decent day. Everyone loved Gage. We even had some random girls stop us for a picture. After the races, during which we covered about 6 miles or so, we headed the 1/2 mile back to the car so Gage could get dropped off at Aunt Jenny's house.
Then I headed into work. After work, Susie, Tom, Terri, Jenny, and Gage met me at my office and we headed down to PNC Park for the Pirates Game. Gage's first Pirate game actually. By the time we got to the ballpark to find a place to park Gage decided his stomach had enough. He puked four times in a row covering himself, the car seat, and anything within range. Thankfully, I was a) in the front seat and b) in someone else's car. Anyway, once we got into the stadium the game wasn't bad. They actually won. The crowd was stunned. They hadn't seen a Pirate win in a decade or so. After the game we had to get out of the traffic, straigten out the cars, and get home so I didn't get to bed til after midnight.
Then it was back up at 6:00 the next morning. Terri, Gage, and I got out to buggy and the first thing they told me was that they were running exhibition heats and they wanted to know what hill I was going to push. So, at 7:30 in the morning I found myself sprinting up Hill 5 on Frew Street. Thankfully I beat the person I was racing against. And, I got to push Rage, which is the last buggy that I helped to build when I was at Carnegie Mellon. Then we watched the rest of the races, saw more alumni (some from the late 50's and early 60's) and took a big alumni picture on the hill like we used to.
After leaving the races we decided to have lunch and then walk down to Pitt where Joe, Dwight, and Craig were involved in various postions at the 8th Annual Trashionals tournament. We got there while most everyone was out to lunch, but we did finally manage to find someone who was able to tell us what room Joe was reading in. So, we settled in to wait for him to return. By a complete fluke one of the teams competing in his room in the first round after lunch was composed of only one person. Apparently there aren't many hard fast rules about picking people up along the way so Tom and I ended up competing with The Jimmy Stewart Experience for the rest of the day. I was Harvey the Rabbit in case anyone was wondering. Trash is very different from any other type of trivia competition that I've ever competed in. Tom got the hang of it much quicker than I did. And, he's much more up to date on the latest pop culture which is 75% of Trash.
After we finished competing, we headed back to campus to pick up the car. Then everyone met at our house and we ended up playing Trivial Pursuit til after midnight.
Sunday morning it was up early again (though not quite as early) for church. After church we headed straight home, changed our clothes, and then headed over to help Susie move into her new apartment. Two words...disposable furniture. I'd say something about the number of books, but I keep hearing this voice in my saying, "Hello Pot, this is Kettle." Anyway, we got everything unloaded thanks to Susie's parents, her sister Jackie, and Randy. Then most of us crashed in the living room and watched the end of the Nascar race on the free cable. I don't understand why Biffle is having such a good year. I wish it would stop. After getting cleaned up from the move, we headed over to Randy and Elizabeth's and met up with Hoss and headed out to Quaker Steak and Lube for two huge buckets of wings. Then a stop for ice cream and we were headed home.
Let's just say I woke up this morning and there wasn't a muscle that wasn't screaming, "You Bastard! What have you done to us!" Thankfully the pain subsided to a dull thud pretty quickly, but my stomach apparently didn't care for the combination of Louisianna Lickers, Golden Garlic, Parmesan and Pepper, Onion Rings, and Orange Sherbet. And it wasn't shy about reminding me all day. In fact, it's still a little touchy. I guess some of the iron must have worn out or rusted or something.
Anyway, I guess that's enough for now.

Today was pretty hectic at work, but even through it all one thing remained crystal clear. I should be logging on to post this after the Penguins dropped Game 1 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Washington Capitals on their ice. I should have been relaxing in my recliner, with Gage sitting beside me watching Lemieux skate around Jeff Halpern like his left skate was stuck in the ice. I should have gotten that familiar knot in my stomach that the Pens give me every time they go down by a game or two in the first round. And, I should be listening to the west coast game, most likely Colorado against San Jose, in the background while I'm typing this...just to keep tabs on who the Penguins would meet in the final round. Instead, I left work and drove home. I made sure that Gage was doing better and his fever was still down. I went out to the shed, hauled out the lawnmower and tried to fire it up. It worked briefly so I spent the next half-hour dismantling most of the engine to see what would need replaced before it was ready to attach the jungle that is my yard. Then I spent another half-hour hacking out rose bushes and dead grape vines. I came inside and started doing some clean up stuff from work. And not one mention of hockey or the lack thereof. Shame on the greedy bastards that brought this about.
Now to the answers. Ten out of twenty. Not bad I guess.
1. Barry Manilow- No one got this...A Linda Song
2. Prince- Tom Darling Nikki
3. Britney Spears- Matt I should award double points to Matt for getting this one. I didn't think anyone would get it. It was a trick question. He is correct in the fact that this one doesn't belong here. I can't stand her.
4. R.E.M.- Susie Nightswimming is correct.
5. Billy Joel- Susie Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
6. Elton John- No one got this...Someone Saved My Life Tonight
7. Tori Amos- No one got this...Winter
8. Johnny Cash- No one got this...25 Minutes To Go
9. Frank Sinatra- No one got this...Winchester Cathedral
10. Alison Krauss- Susie This was damn close. I like a lot of her songs and rarely does a newer one win out, but Whiskey Lullaby is damn good.
11. U2- No one got this...Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World
12. Aerosmith- Tom Hole In My Soul Solely for the line "Tell me how it feels to be the one who turns the knife inside of me."
13. Bon Jovi- Tom Bang a Drum
14. The Beatles- No one got this...Let It Be
15. They Might Be Giants- Tom Particle Man...and he doesn't even win the fight at the end.
16. The Dead Milkmen- Tom Stuart. In the liner notes of the album where the lyrics should be it says, "Make up your own lyrics. Stuart would." And based on the article below..."I know it's the queers. They're in it with the aliens. They're building landing strips for gay martians. I swear to God."
17. The Eagles- No one got this...Seven Bridges Road
18. Martina McBride- No one got this...Phones Are Ringing All Over Town
19. Harry Connick, Jr.- No one got this...Honestly Now (Safety's Just Danger...Out of Place)
20. Bryan Adams- Tom Do I Have To Say The Words?

There you have it. For better or worse. I'm sure I'll take flak over the choices, and to tell you the truth...I could have easily picked five songs for some, if not most, of the artists.

I'm very proud of the fact that I attended Carnegie Mellon University, but part of me really wants to send this article to Central Michigan University just to see if they have anything to say about the unauthorized and incorrect use of the acronymn CMU.

Alright, one last shot before I reveal the answers. I'll post the answers tomorrow night, probably around this time.

1. Barry Manilow--no one has even been close yet
2. Prince- Tom Darling Nikki
3. Britney Spears- Matt I should award double points to Matt for getting this one. I didn't think anyone would get it. It was a trick question. He is correct in the fact that this one doesn't belong here. I can't stand her.
4. R.E.M.- Susie Nightswimming is correct.
5. Billy Joel- Susie Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
6. Elton John--not even close
7. Tori Amos--no close ones
8. Johnny Cash--although those are all good songs, not even in the ballpark
9. Frank Sinatra--you have to guess to get it right
10. Alison Krauss- Susie This was damn close. I like a lot of her songs and rarely does a newer one win out, but Whiskey Lullaby is damn good.
11. U2--not even close on this one
12. Aerosmith- Tom Hole In My Soul Solely for the line "Tell me how it feels to be the one who turns the knife inside of me."
13. Bon Jovi- Tom Bang a Drum
14. The Beatles
15. They Might Be Giants- Tom Particle Man...and he doesn't even win the fight at the end.
16. The Dead Milkmen- Tom Stuart. In the liner notes of the album where the lyrics should be it says, "Make up your own lyrics. Stuart would." And based on the article below..."I know it's the queers. They're in it with the aliens. They're building landing strips for gay martians. I swear to God."
17. The Eagles
18. Martina McBride--She was very difficult to pick just one song. Which, considering she doesn't write any of her own material, is pretty good.
19. Harry Connick, Jr.--good songs, probably in the top 5, but not #1
20. Bryan Adams- Tom Do I Have To Say The Words?

Score now stands Tom-6 Susie-3 Matt-1

Since my mother is coming over to visit the little one tonight, I figured I wouldn't have time to make it onto the computer. So, I'll post this now.

1. Barry Manilow--no one has even been close yet
2. Prince--at least one of you picked the same album
3. Britney Spears- Matt I should award double points to Matt for getting this one. I didn't think anyone would get it. It was a trick question. He is correct in the fact that this one doesn't belong here. I can't stand her.
4. R.E.M.- Susie Nightswimming is correct.
5. Billy Joel- Susie Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
6. Elton John--not even close
7. Tori Amos--no close ones
8. Johnny Cash--although those are all good songs, not even in the ballpark
9. Frank Sinatra--you have to guess to get it right
10. Alison Krauss- Susie This was damn close. I like a lot of her songs and rarely does a newer one win out, but Whiskey Lullaby is damn good.
11. U2--not even close on this one
12. Aerosmith--no, this is not the same answer as #3 (though it probably should be)
13. Bon Jovi- Tom Bang a Drum
14. The Beatles
15. They Might Be Giants- Tom Particle Man...and he doesn't even win the fight at the end.
16. The Dead Milkmen- Tom Stuart. In the liner notes of the album where the lyrics should be it says, "Make up your own lyrics. Stuart would." And based on the article below..."I know it's the queers. They're in it with the aliens. They're building landing strips for gay martians. I swear to God."
17. The Eagles
18. Martina McBride--She was very difficult to pick just one song. Which, considering she doesn't write any of her own material, is pretty good.
19. Harry Connick, Jr.--good songs, probably in the top 5, but not #1
20. Bryan Adams- Tom Do I Have To Say The Words?

Score now stands Tom-4 Susie-3 Matt-1

Well, let's see. I guess I'll report on the progress of the little music quiz and leave the rest open a little longer to see if any more guesses come across. The guesses have been decent thus far...
1. Barry Manilow
2. Prince (although I have talked frequently about "Sometimes It Snows In April", alas it's probably my 2nd possibly 3rd favorite)
3. Britney Spears- Matt I should award double points to Matt for getting this one. I didn't think anyone would get it. It was a trick question. He is correct in the fact that this one doesn't belong here. I can't stand her.
4. R.E.M.- Susie Nightswimming is correct.
5. Billy Joel
6. Elton John
7. Tori Amos
8. Johnny Cash
9. Frank Sinatra
10. Alison Krauss- Susie This was damn close. I like a lot of her songs and rarely does a newer one win out, but Whiskey Lullaby is damn good.
11. U2
12. Aerosmith
13. Bon Jovi
14. The Beatles
15. They Might Be Giants- Tom Particle Man...and he doesn't even win the fight at the end.
16. The Dead Milkmen- Tom Stuart. In the liner notes of the album where the lyrics should be it says, "Make up your own lyrics. Stuart would." And based on the article below..."I know it's the queers. They're in it with the aliens. They're building landing strips for gay martians. I swear to God."
17. The Eagles
18. Martina McBride
19. Harry Connick, Jr.
20. Bryan Adams

That's the update. The score is currently Susie-2 Tom-2 and Matt-1.
I don't even want to get into this article. I went off on a nice 4 letter tirade for close to an hour this morning and I'm still seething just thinking about it. Think about the implications.
Today, Cookie Monster decides to eat healthy...Tomorrow, Gonzo decides on rhinoplasty to "fit-in"...Next thing you know, Animal has a prescription for Ritalin. The list is endless.

Though I almost missed it...
Happy Birthday to my blog
Happy Birthday to my blog
Happy Birthday dear blog
Happy Birthday to my blog

Two years ago today I started this little venture. For better or worse, it's still around.

I'm fairly certain after reading this that I have a good case for my odd chewing of gum products. First, I put it in my mouth and then I chew it until it's a little wad. Then I continue chewing, blowing bubbles if applicable, until the gum loses it's flavor. I wonder what I'd do with a patent. I wouldn't be the first in my family to have one, but mine probably wouldn't be as helpful as my Uncle's.
The scary thing is, that's not the oddest thing I saw today. We went to pick up a couple of warmer weather outfits for Gage. We just headed over the hill to the House of Satan since it's close (don't you wonder what that's like?). While we were in the little kids clothing section, I turned a corner and there was a whole display of little white t-shirts with the slogan, "My first Wal-Mart T-shirt" The implications are astounding.
And, that's still not the scariest thing I've seen or heard today. That would have to be this. There are no words, at least none that aren't 4 letters. I'd love to find the sob over at UPN and lock him in a room with Michael Jackson, OJ, Robert Blake, a stack of Bob the Builder videos, some knives and gloves, and a cockatoo.
Finally, a music game that I can participate in. Lifted from Craig's blog, which he lifted from another blog. Here are the instructions...
The rules: I pick 20 bands/artists I like, and you try to guess my favorite song in the comments section. Correct answers get bolded and credited. Woo!
So, here's the list...in no particular order or genre.
1. Barry Manilow
2. Prince
3. Britney Spears
4. R.E.M.
5. Billy Joel
6. Elton John
7. Tori Amos
8. Johnny Cash
9. Frank Sinatra
10. Alison Krauss
11. U2
12. Aerosmith
13. Bon Jovi
14. The Beatles
15. They Might Be Giants
16. The Dead Milkmen
17. The Eagles
18. Martina McBride
19. Harry Connick, Jr.
20. Bryan Adams

There's the list, good luck. And, I'm working on installing a more reliable comments system since mine seems to have been down all day.

I meant to add this yesterday but blogger was being uncooperative.
I always scan the referring links to my page just in case I find something interesting and guess what and/or who I found?
Adam! Just hangin' out in the blog world. So, welcome to the madness Adam. His blog, located here and in a link on the side, is fairly new, but he seems to post more often than I do, which isn't hard to do these days.