My Children can Sing!!!

They had their end of the year Children's Choir Concert and they sang very well, if I do say so myself.

Listen!

(It may take a moment to load, but turn up the volume an count to 10.)


Watcha think?

Very Cool Pepsi Commercial from India!

Usually, when I open a can of soda, about the only thing that happens is that my kids start asking me for a zip. By the time they're done, I have a little bit of backwash pepsi in the bottom of the can. It's one of those joys of parenthood things... (smile)

Nothing THIS cool ever happens when I open a soda can!

They're in Heaven now.

On the VT student newspaper website there is the following: It is an email from Professor Bryan Cloyd to his students. His daughter, Austin, died Monday.

"If we don't meet again, your final assignment from me is perhaps the most important lesson you will learn in life. Go to your mother, father, brothers and sisters and tell them with all your heart how much you love them. And tell them that you know how much they love you too. Go out of your way to make good memories...At some point these memories may be all you have left. May God bless you, Bryan"

I don't know you personally, Professor Cloyd, but I do want to say that I am deeply sorry for your loss. No one should go through this. Thank you for showing us what's truly important in life.

Again, I am so sorry...

-------------------------

If you haven't already visited, stop by the VTU website to see a respectful, caring, and unfortunately very sad tribute. As soon as I click on the link and reached the site, my eyes teared up. I thought about the parents sadness and the lives cut short; beautiful people who deserved a full life. Some of them could have discovered cures, or saved a drowning child, or perhaps some could have developed and run a community project to help the poor. Maybe they would have just lived long but ordinary lives, but it was their lives to live.

I wish my kids were with me right now; I'd hug them and tell them I love them, just like Professor Cloyd's final assignment.

Finally: Bye Bye Sanjaya!

They finally kicked Sanjaya off of American Idol!

I must confess; this is my first season of watching American Idol. I never could watch it before because of scheduling conflicts (and no, I don't have Tivo) but I always wanted to see what the big deal was about. Watching Sanjaya stay in the show for so long was pretty disappointing because he clearly wasn't a very good singer. He wasn't horrible, mind you. He had some talent, but in the sense that most of us have some talent, but he wasn't better than some that were voted off earlier.

I started losing interest in the show because it clearly became a popularity contest rather than a singing/talent contest and didn't even see last night's show, so imagine my surprise when I went to the web this morning and saw what clearly should have happened a long time ago.

I do hope he gets other avenues to pursue his dreams. A few more singing lessons and a hair stylist wouldn't hurt either.

Here's the clip of last night's show where he gets to go home.

Road Trip! or "I better get in shape!"

Also, the voice of Bart Simpson!

Wanna plan an overseas trip?

1. go to http://www.google.com/
2. click on "maps"
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "London" in the second box (the "to" box)
6. scroll down to step #23

I thought this was really cool since I like the Simpsons.

A moment...

I just wanted to take a moment to say how sad I am and shocked at the deaths of so many people at Virginia Tech yesterday. I can't imagine the horror the parents of those students are going through.

I work with a lady whose son graduated from Virginia Tech last year and she was so grateful that her son was no longer there, but we who have kids can easily imagine our own at their day care or schools/colleges and imagine scenarios of phone calls received during times like that.

Let us all pray for those folks who are in any way tied to those students. In a sense, we are all tied to those people; any one of them could easily have been our friends/neighbors/family, but at the very least we know that as people, they didn't deserve this.

My Dad is a father - A Joke

A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book, and
noticed he had his collar on backwards. The little boy asked why he wore
his collar that way.

The man, who was a priest, said, " I am a Father."

The little boy replied, "My Daddy doesn't wear his collar like that."

The priest looked up from his book and answered "I am the Father of many."

The boy said, "My Dad has 4 boys, 4 girls and two grandchildren and
he doesn't wear his collar that way."

The priest, getting impatient, said, "I am the Father of hundreds"
and went back to reading his book.

The little boy sat quietly thinking for a while, then leaned over
and said, "Maybe you should wear your pants backwards instead of your
collar."

It's the Pits!

or "Underneath in the Band Pit at Peter Pan"

Did you ever go see a Musical and wonder where the musicians are? No? Shame on you!!!
Just Kidding, of course. You don't pay $70 a ticket for a Musical to wonder about the musicians' plight. I played drums for the dress rehearsal at "Peter Pan" last night and while I was counting my 200 measure rest in a particular song, I took out my camera phone and recorded a bit of the orchestra while they played "Neverland." You can't see me because, obviously, I'm recording, but you can see my drums. The lighting is just terrible and the sound isn't great either, but you kind of get an idea. Actually the actors/singers are right over our heads but the only one who gets to see them is the conductor because he needs to see the ques.



It's actually kind of a cool experience, but it is not "cool" per se. It's very warm in the pit with all the stand lights and eight bodies in that small enclosed area.
So, tell me... What's you're favorite Musical ever? I can't possibly pick one, but I can tell you some of my favorites: Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Big River, Urinetown, etc...

Subject: The Guys' Rules

Please note.. these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat.
You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down.
You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport.
And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem.
See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap
opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, You probably are.
Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or
angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done.
Not both.
If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what
mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.
We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to
hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine. Really

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics
as SEX, CARS, the shotgun formation, or BASKETBALL.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

Anybody want to see a chick flick?

Just kidding. Thing is, I don't have time to write anything right now but I feel bad about not updating my blog in a few days (again) but the Peter Pan Rehearsals and everything else is keeping me tied up. I promise to update regularly as soon as I can!

How 'bout a joke?

Okay, here's a joke that someone just sent me:

A man, getting along in years, finds that he is unable to perform sexually.
He finally goes to his doctor who tries a few things, but nothing seems to work.
Finally, as a last hope, the doctor refers him to an African medicine man. The medicine man says, "I can cure this."

With that said, he throws a white powder into a flame, and there is a flash with billowing blue smoke. Then he says, "This is powerful healing but you can only use it once a year. All you have to do is say '123,' and it shall rise for as long as you wish!"

The man then asks, "What happens when it's over, and I don't want to continue?"

The medicine man replies, "When your partner can take no more sex and is completely raddled, all she has to say is'1234', and it will then go down. But be warned, the pork sword will not rise again for another year."

That night he showers, shaves and smothers himself in after shave. He slides into bed, cuddles up to his wife, says"123" and suddenly he has the most gigantic stiffy ever, just as the medicine man promised.

His wife turns over and asks, "What did you say '123' for?"
---------------------------------------
ONE MORE THING: Diesel is at it again with a cool caption contest. I submitted an entry and I'm in the top ten so please vote for me! Please Please Please!!!

Well, vote for me IF you think it deserves the vote, but at least vote for someone. It's fun!

Peter Pan, Microsoft, and Divorces Oh My!

Sorry I haven't posted since Wednesday but my plate was VERY full these last couple of days. Lets see: I had to study for my latest Microsoft Certification, the MCDST. (Microsoft Certified Desktop Service Technician) I studied intensely from Wednesday until Friday when I took the test.



I PASSED!!! Woo Hoo!

I was having trouble concentrating while I studied because I finally, after waiting FOREVER, received my wife's idea of a divorce settlement and there's NO WAY I could accept it so now we have to go to mediation, so my mind was everywhere else but concentrated enough for studying.

Anyways, I'm pretty excited about passing! I can't wait to tell my boss. My next goal is MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) and I'll have to take two very difficult tests for it, so wish me luck.

Oh, Peter Pan! How can I forget! I was asked to play percussion for Peter Pan and to make my schedule even more difficult, the rehearsals started this Wednesday and so I was there in the evening. It's crazy I tell ya!

Here's an absolutely awful picture of the Darlings, Wenday, Michael, and John during "flying" rehearsals and Peter Pan is in the front singing about having beautiful thoughts. I was standing all the way in the back and the lighting was pretty dark. They're all very good, but the lady playing Peter is absolutely fantastic. I promise to get more (and better) pictures as soon as I'm able.

He's feeling much better now...

I couldn't keep him indoors much longer! Two days after an asthma attack, he literally drove me crazy, wanting to go outdoors and play so I finally gave in, all the while monitoring him and his breathing.

I took my little buddy to a friend's house who has a very cute little puppy named "Smoky."

Now doesn't that just look like material for a Norman Rockwell painting? "A boy and his dog."

And if that wasn't enough, when we got home he wanted to ride his bike and play with his hand kite!

The sun was going down and I wanted him to come in and have some dinner but I think he was just so happy to get a chance to run around, after having been under parent mandated indoor rest.

Boy am I tired...

My little buddy had a full blown asthma attack at 3:30am and he spent a few hours in the emergency room last night. I was at work by 8am, as usual and I'm one tired computer nerd...

I'm going to sleep now. Can't really think of anything clever so I'll let some very clever advertising folks elicit a giggle out of you by this "oh so clever" Wonderbra commercial.

I loved it!

Oh, you HAVE to watch this short clip! I must have needed the laugh or something, but I sure laughed my but off watching this.

If you have kids, have them watch it with you. They'll laugh like crazy; my three did!