Wars? Unemployment? Terrorists?

You would think living in the Washington area that the lead stories on the news would be about things like the economy, unemployment, terrorist threats, politics, the wars and you would be so wrong. The lead story all week has been the Redskins. Considering the Redskins finished a dismal 4-12 this season being the big news story takes some doing. It all involves the firing of their current coach and the search/hiring of a new one. Nothing stirs this town like the Redskins. The town is kiddy when they win and an area wide depression fills the air when they lose. Needless to say there has been a lot of depressing Mondays this year. This year's coach has been dead man walking for weeks now and it was just a matter of time before the axe fell and everyone knew it. As usual, the team owner was all class about the situation, first stripping him of his play calling authority by bringing in a new offensive consultant to do so and then holding interviews for the head coaching position with members of the coach's own staff before he had been let go. You can buy your "Worst Owner Ever" tshirts here. Its been the worst kept secret that Mike Shanahan would be the next coach. In reality the deal has probably been sealed for weeks with only the formalities to complete. The signing of Bruce Allen was thought to be the start of the Shanahan tenure - bringing in his own General Manager as it were. Shanahan will also bring his son along to be the new Offensive Coordinator. The old adage that the Redskins are the best team in the NFL during the off season continues to hold true. Shanahan's past record will be dissected in great detail over the next several weeks on the two sports radio stations in town and there will be great anticipation heading into training camp this summer. Wars? Unemployment? Health Care? Just give us more Redskins news.

The Cold Dark Side of Work and College Football

I can't tell you how much it sucked when the alarm went off this morning at 3:30. It was so hard to get up. The house was dark and cold. Even our dog had the sense not to get out of bed. Cursing my fate, I did roll out of bed and get in the shower to start getting ready. The only upside was the van we commute in was already warmed up by the time Ann and I got to the commuter lot where we pick it up. There is nothing more depressing then leaving for work in the dark and getting home in the dark. I live the life of a vampire. Work itself wasn't bad for a first day back. It was uncharacteristically quiet. No calls from the Program Office and none from my Contractors. Even my boss, who was in, didn't stop by my desk all day. All that quiet did let me be pretty productive though.

I'm watching the Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and TCU while I type this out. What an injustice that these two non-BCS schools are playing each other rather then one of the ranked BCS schools. It's as if the BCS Committee has relegated them to the equivalent of the kiddie table at Thanksgiving. I think the Committee intentionally sought to minimize the impact these two schools would have on the whole BCS ranking process. Not to mention sparing a school like Oklahoma from being embarrassed again at the hands of a non-BCS school. Sooner or later they have to institute a play-off system. It's the only sport that doesn't have one. All other divisions of college football have one, why not the majors? There would be still plenty of money to spread around, which is what it's all about. This rant brought to you by Jimmy Football. Tailgate tested, tailgate approved.

Final Day of Freedom

The house is once again quiet. The kids have scattered back to their homes leaving this house seeming vacant and cold. It was nice having everyone here if only for a day or two (Daughter#2) or for most of the week (Daughter#1). It's hard to say when everyone will be together again, which makes these moments all the more precious.

In seeing Daughter#1 and her husband off this morning, it was quite the shock helping them load up their car. The temperature was in the midteens and the wind chill down to 5. That is really cold for around here and quite unpleasant I might add. Definitely a day for staying indoors. the wind has been blowing hard since yesterday sounding like the proverbial train you are suppose to hear before a tornado hits. The gusts have hit 35 mph. It's not suppose to get any warmer anytime soon. I just hope they keep the heat up in the vanpool tomorrow. Sitting in the back can get mighty frigid if they chose to be dicks about it.

Today (hopefully) marked the end of painting down at The Son's condo. We did some touch up painting and put the curtains back up. It actually looks quite nice. I hope he enjoys it. He was funny today in that he couldn't get rid of us fast enough. Seems he had some big "event" scheduled for 4:00 in Final Fantasy. Can't mess with his gaming don't you know. Well whatever keeps him out of trouble.

Back to the grind tomorrow. Ugh! The thought of getting up at 3:30 sounds like sheer torture after two weeks of getting up pretty much when i wanted to. Retirement is looking better all the time.

Another Day With The Kids

I think we are finally finished with the painting. We painted The Son's dining room area today and except for putting a few things back up, like the drapes, I think we are done. I am so tired of it. The actual doing of it isn't so bad, its the prep and clean-up and the large chunk of time it has taken of my vacation time that I hate. But I know The Son is happy with it. It's something he has wanted to do since he moved in two years ago. Thanks to Daughter#1 for the push to make it happen. Thanks also too everyone in the family that pitched in and helped out. And as you can see from the photo, The Son actually got off the coach and helped out today. Miracles do happen.

We managed to get the painting done by noon so we could go out to lunch. Daughter#1 and her husband drove back from Virginia Beach in the morning while we were doing the painting and we finished up about the time they arrived. We went to the Macaroni Grill to eat. I had their lobster ravioli which was pretty darn good. Afterward we crossed the street to get a couple of paintings to be hung on The Son's walls to go along with the new paint scheme. The rest of the afternoon was spent just chilling although the no rest for the weary Daughter (and her poor husband) cleaned up our finished basement to make it more livable.

In the evening, Ann whipped up some White Bean Chili with turkey and some sourdough bread to go along with it. Then we settled in to watch "He's Definitely Not Into You". It was pretty funny with some "awwwww" moments to it. All in all a pretty fruitful day. Now the specter of returning to work is beginning to raise its ugly head.

Another Day In The Paint Mine

It would seem that most of my free time this Christmas/New Year's break will be spent painting The Son's Condo. While there was a bunch of us painting it the other day, today it was just me. Sure it's The Son's Condo, but he was of no help whatsoever. Even though he knew we were going to paint today, he stayed up super late last night and spent most of today asleep on his couch. I'd like to say he was out partying at least ringing in the new year, but apparently he was just gaming all night. I suppose its better that way as he doesn't have a massive hangover and was just tired instead. I wanted to get an early start, like around 9:00, but The Son didn't get up until 11:30. By the time I finished putting a second coat on the accent wall, it was time for lunch. By the time lunch was over and I had put a second coat on the second living room wall, it was getting to be late afternoon. I finished up by taping his dining room in preparation for painting it tomorrow and then it was time for dinner. Getting home I relaxed for a few minutes with a beer or two, had dinner and then promptly fell asleep on the couch watching the end of the Rose Bowl. I'm awake just long enough to get this posted and then it's back to bed for me. I let The Son know tonight that I didn't want to take another whole day waiting for him to get his butt out of bed and then spending all afternoon painting. I plan to get down to his place as early as I can and finish up before lunchtime when Daughter#1 and her husband will be returning from Virginia Beach. I expect to relax the afternoon away with them. Time for bed. Goodnight.

New Year Meme

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Raced in a single. Its been something I've wanted to try for a while and finally worked up enough nerve to try it. It was actually fun even if my finish time sucked badly.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?



Actually I don't make new year's resolutions so none to keep or fail to keep. I doubt I'll make any this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?



My nephew's wife Erin gave birth too a baby boy - Cameron.

4. Did anyone close to you die?



No,thank goodness.

5. What countries did you visit?



None.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?



Ideally, I would love to retire in 2010, but we'll have to see on that one. I'm eligible, but it's whether I can afford to.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?



Daughter#1's wedding in May.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?



Wow, nothing really stands out even after reviewing my archives for the year. I guess I could say completing another year of rowing even while in my late 50s, including competing a 5,000 meter race in a single.

9. What was your biggest failure?



The inability to reduce my credit card debt. I haven't gotten in any deeper, but I haven't gotten any better either.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?



Nothing serious unless you consider the recurring skin infections and my screwed up eyelashes that keeping scratching my corneas.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Daughter#1's wedding. It was a great wedding/party, but man was it expensive.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?



Nobody in particular comes to mind.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?



The right's continuing attacks on the President. Not born in the US! The birthers need a new life. He's a Muslim! Oh please. It seems the right will say anything to keep the masses in an uproar.

14. Where did most of your money go?



The mortgage, credit cards and other various loans.

15. What did you get really excited about?



My new bike that I got last Christmas. I couldn't wait to try it out. I had some great rides over the spring and summer.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

The Beach Boys 

"God Only Knows" It was the father/daughter dance at Daughter#1's wedding.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:


– happier or sadder? Happier, I think.
– thinner or fatter? About the same.


– richer or poorer? Financially maybe a tad richer, but not by anything substantial.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?



More day or overnight trips. There is so much to do in this area that I don't take enough advantage of.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?



Wasting time and being so disorganized.

20. How did you spend Christmas?



At home with Ann and The Son. The girls and their husbands joined us the day after.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Not with anyone new. I'm still in love with my wife of 33 years.

22. What was your favorite TV program?



Probably Fringe.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?



No.

24. What was the best book you read?



I usually read several books while at the beach. This year we didn't make it to the beach and therefore I can hardly recall reading any books at all. I did finish one while on travel in December - "Scarpetta" by Patricia Cornwell. Entertaining enough.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?


Can't think of a single one.

26. What did you want and get?



A year of being with my family, no serious illnesses, of seeing all the kids employed after all had lost their jobs at some point during the year. Walking Daughter#1 down the isle.

27. What did you want and not get?



I didn't get to retire.

8. What was your favorite film of this year?



Star Trek. Great movie for both Trekkees and the general public.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?



My birthday was on a Friday so I was at home and I'm sure i went for a row, but nothing extravagant for my birthday. I turned 58.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

More work at home days.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?



Business casual for work days. Jeans and t shirts or sweatshirts depending on the temperature.

32. What kept you sane?



Getting out on the water or biking on the W&OD Trail. Working at home.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I think I’ll go with Amy Adams (she's just so cute) and Anna Torv (Fringe).

34. What political issue stirred you the most?



The bailouts. Necessary I know. It's scary how close the country came to going under.

35. Who did you miss?



My kids, my Dad and at the 25th anniversary of her death, my Mom.

36. Who was the best new person you met?



Hmmmm...I'm drawing a complete blank here which speaks volumes on how much I stay in my own comfort box and really don't meet many new people. Maybe Daughter#1 can help me out with this one.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.



My entire family was together for the first time in many years. We are scattered to the four winds and it's hard for all of us to get together any more. We did that this year celebrating my Dad's 80th birthday. It made me appreciate the family that I do have. It also makes me realize what I miss by not having them close by. It's said you can pick your friends, but not your family, which is true. I got lucky and have a great family. Even better, Daughters#1 and 2 have married guys with great families of their own. Its been wonderful adding their families to our own.

Slow Down Day

So today was a day to relax and knock back. To recover from the whirlwind pace Daughter#1 has been setting all week. I slept until 830, which these days is almost unheard of for me. It felt good believe me. By the time I rolled out of bed, showered and got ready, it was almost lunch time. Daughter#1 and her husband, M#1, were headed to Virginia Beach to hang out with some of her husband's friends. We decided to go out for lunch and picked a spot that would allow them to quickly jump onto I-95 and head south. That spot was a bbq place. As I just had some pulled pork with The Son right before Christmas, I decided to go with ribs this time. I do love bbq in whatever shape it comes in whether it be pork, ribs, brisket or chicken. After devouring lunch we bade the kids a safe trip we returned home after a short stop at Target for a few items for The Son's place. While Ann was smart and took a nap, I decided to get on my work laptop and see if my travel voucher for my December trip to LA had gone through. I found out it had been returned now a second time. Frustrating. I then proceeded to waste about 2 hours trying to correct it before deciding it was a lost cause. I'll just have to call the Help Desk on Monday when I go back to work. Bah. The evening was spent watching The Son's alma mater, Radford, play George Mason in Men's basketball. It was played down in Radford so I couldn't go to the game, but it was nice being able to see them on TV. Radford won easily, which was a bit of a surprise. The Son and I are hoping they will repeat as Big South Champions and get to be part of the craziness that is March Madness.