Proud

Earlier tonight was just awesome. My big guy, who we spend wayyyy too much time trying to keep on the straight and narrow, absolutely wowed us twice in one night. First, the spelling bee.

JAM brought home this monster spelling list that was something of a culminating list for 1st and 2nd quarters. 150ish words were on this thing. Some of them I don't think I'd be able to spell without writing them down (I am a man who LOVES SPELL CHECK!!!) It was a daunting list to say the least, especially for a kid who has to work as hard as he does to sit and concentrate on anything not Lego or Star Wars. But he and Wifey studied. And practiced. Hard. For many days. Practiced until words like thoroughbred and ninety nine and handkerchief came out flawlessly without fail.

Then, today was the big day. Actually, it was supposed to be yesterday but they got a one day reprieve from their teacher. For most kids I think that would be a blessing but for our little man it was just another day for the anxiety to build up. He admitted to feeling "real nervous" this morning as he thought about the upcoming event. Did he back down though? Nope. He threw his hat into that purely optional ring (yeah, he could have sat it out if he had wanted, like about half the class decided to do) and he aced that sucka. You heard me - he's one of three finalists from his class now. Got all 13 words he was asked correct. Didn't even pass on a single word. And I'm bragging. And I'm happy to do it.

The finals are tomorrow. The 3 finalists from each 4th grade class. As he said - "8 losers, 1 winner. I better be one of the winners." I didn't say he was the sharpest knife in the drawer, he just spells reel gud. Just like his old man.

So as I sat here tonight watching him absolutely engrossed in his book (with toes on both feet tapping and his left hand playing with his lips, nose, and cheeks - always moving) I was just in awe of this amazing kid. He shows his beautiful head on occasion, like when Wifey posted on FB about yesterday morning when this neverseenbefore kid got up early, all on his own with no grumbling or arguing (a small miracle unto itself), made his bed, came downstairs and made his own lunch.

Then, tonight, was proud moment of the day #2. We all loaded into the van to go see the big science fair backboard viewing thing at his school. They line up all the backboards and present the awards in the gym. It isn't anything formal, just a few hours when parents can walk through and check out all the different projects. In the middle of all the projects on rusting pennies and soda explosions and melting ice there was JAM's, sitting proud with his award taped on, and the smile on his face was priceless. He gave a little fist pump and I gave him a high five and that was it. No running around, no jumping up and down, no hysterics. Another piece of evidence that he's growing more mature every day. Of course I didn't think of taking a picture though. *smacking head* I take pictures of EVERYTHING and I miss that? I'll take one when it comes home for sure but in the moment would have been so much better.

Yup, tonight was a proud night.

Two strikes against me

Being white, and very white at that, and being from upstate New York, did nothing to encourage a love for, or even an understanding of, jazz. I am sad to say that I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong, I've listed to some jazz (or what other people called jazz anyway - who am I to put a label on something I don't understand?) that I've totally gotten into. Usually the jazz I like involves horns and a sweet voice to go along with it so this video just makes me wonder. Apparently these guys are masters. The comments to this video talk about a "conversation" between the three musicians and how they never miss an opportunity to hit the right entrance or come back to a line. I'm sorry.... what?

I need to get out more I think. Maybe find a club in DC that wouldn't mind a tall goofy white guy (with obvious confusion on his face) and his lady sitting in the back trying to fit in.

Check them out - you might enjoy them at least...

Go out of your way for this one

Wifey was kind enough to let me go on a little sojourn down into the gift shop while on our date to Franklin's the other night. In an effort to do some research (it was purely research, no personal enjoyment was intended at all!) for the impending beer tasting event I picked up a couple craft and micro brews that you can't really get anywhere else. No mass-produced or local stuff here - Franklin's really does a great job getting some out of the way stuff. It's NOT cheap in there, all their beers are imported by them, not distributors, so I could only get a few to sample. Had my first taste tonight, and it was heaven.

It's my pleasure to introduce -

Red Rocket from Bear Republic Brewery in Healdsburg, California.

One word.... awesome. Probably can't afford to keep it coming but it was a good choice, well worth the money. I do take donations though, or just in case you're thinking about birthday presents.

Just wow

Other than you MUST see this, I have no words...

Like I needed this?

Driving to work today I got behind another car while they decided to clean their windshield. This kind of thing is usually annoying but no big deal right? You just turn your wipers on, squirt a little cleaner and presto - you've got a clean windshield too.

Did this work for me? Take a wild flippin' guess.

My wipers decided that my life was way too boring and they wanted to add a little excitement so instead of turning off in the normal down and stored position they would turn off by staying up on the windshield. Fantastic. Oh, and you know what made this even sweeter? I was getting on the Beltway when this happened.

I did find a site where some kind soul had a similar problem (of all the sites that I found with solutions to this problem they were ALL about GM cars for some reason) who posted pictures and video about how he fixed it himself. Doesn't seem too difficult but now I'm looking at a few hours of working outside on my car in 20 degree temps this weekend.

For some reason this isn't doing anything to lighten my recently rotten mood.

Sorry Pepe but I'm never buying another GM.

Oh how I love thee...

What or who ever you happen to thank for the creation of this here 'verse, there are few things that can truly be praised worldwide. Pizza, Angel Falls, the Grand Canyon, James Cameron (seriously, did you see Avatar? Totally made up for Titanic), the Great Barrier Reef, Firefly... not a whole lot else though. Oh, except for one more thing....

It's strange the things you find at work. I was minding my own business, trolling through our internal social network, checking out blog posts and reading people's bookmarks when I came across this...

Yes folks, it is a handy dandy how to choose a beer chart. Where have you been all my life? Funny as hell and helpful to boot! Especially so considering a certain plan some friends and I are concocting for the Super Bowl party - a beer tournament. 64 beers (maybe 32, we're getting old), bracket style, best beer wins. I'm way more excited than I should be. I understand this and I embrace it. Don't judge me.

Hmmmm... Beer....

My wild things

Going through a ton of pics from the last few weeks, I've got a lot to catch up on. Not enough time to even make a dent in things tonight but I wanted to throw up this one that I took last night of the three amigos wearing the shirts I found for them for x-mas.

Presenting... my little wild things...