Vox has a series where they ask prominent figures in American society nine questions. I think they're interesting questions, so Michael and I answered them.
What’s the first piece of media you consume every day?
ERIN: I listen to podcasts on my way to work.
MICHAEL: podcasts
Name a writer or publication you disagree with but still read.
ERIN: A little more than a year ago, confused by Trump's rise toward the presidency, I began reading National Review online. After the election, I subscribed to the print version as well. A lot of the times I'm horrified by the things they say (and even more horrified that they don't think there's anything wrong with saying it), but I also think they occasionally make good points and present a refreshing flip side to the mainstream media coverage. At the same time, anytime I've taken a National Review with me out in public, I've been too self-conscious to pull it out of my purse.
MICHAEL: Robert Rush. He's an economist that worked in the Clinton administration. He has some good insights on things but can be too partisan.
Who is the person who has most influenced the way you think?
ERIN: Thomas Jefferson, even though he and I recently had a falling out.
MICHAEL: Tim Hartford. He wrote The Undercover Economist, and I think he does a good job explaining where markets do a good job and where they don't do a good job in the world.
When was the last time you changed your mind about something?
ERIN: I recently listened to a TED talk about how scientists need to revise how they teach people about science, and I realized that all of the arguments I've had with Michael over the years about why I don't have faith in science are really because my science teachers did a bad job of teaching what science really is.
MICHAEL: I recently changed my mind about Java being a horrible programming language. Now I just think it's mildly annoying.
What’s your worst intellectual habit?
ERIN: Even though Facebook's algorithms have turned my Facebook feed into a boring stream of memes and status updates from people I don't even know, I can't convince myself to stop getting on Facebook.
MICHAEL: Confirmation bias.
What inspires you to learn?
ERIN: Everything is awesome.
MICHAEL: That's a hard one because I just enjoy learning. How do you get inspired to do something that you just like doing?
What do you need to believe in order to get through the day?
ERIN: That people are basically good. I don't actually believe it, but since I need to believe it, I lie to myself daily.
MICHAEL: That most people are trying to do what they think is right.
What’s a view that you hold but can’t defend?
ERIN: Mormonism?
MICHAEL: The saxophone is a horrible instrument.
What book have you recommended the most?
ERIN: A Monster Calls.
MICHAEL: The Name of the Wind.
Showing posts with label Michael. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael. Show all posts
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Sibling Wars
SIBLING WAR! Answer how YOU feel about you and your siblings.
1.Who's the smartest one? Dad
2. Most spoiled? Rylan
3. Most sensitive? Rylan
4. Worst temper? Cole
5. Most social? Rylan is a Chatterbox
6. Most stubborn? Cole
7. Most organized? Not Rylan!!!!!
8. Best cook? Cole makes delicious cookies. Eli makes delicious smoothies and milkshakes.
9. Who's the funniest? Eli
10. Who was the bad kid? Cole was the worst baby. Rylan was the best baby.
11. Who has the biggest heart? Eli got the Team Player Award for Outstanding Cooperation at his 6th graduation. Basically, kindest student in the 6th grade. I could not have been prouder.
12. Who's the quietest? Eli
13. Who's the worst driver? Rylan is the only one who has any interest in cars.
14. Who was born 1st? Cole
15. Who is better at sports? Mom. Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!
16. Best hair? Rylan at 6 months
17. Most kids? Tied at zero for at least 15 more years
18. Coffee drinker? None unless they are sneaky
19. Who is loudest? Rylan
20. Who is most conservative? Cole says he is most liberal in wanting changes in the parental government.
21. Most expensive taste? Cole currently has an obsession with buying Adidas and Nike.
22. Who's the tallest? Cole for now.
1.Who's the smartest one? Dad
2. Most spoiled? Rylan
3. Most sensitive? Rylan
4. Worst temper? Cole
5. Most social? Rylan is a Chatterbox
6. Most stubborn? Cole
7. Most organized? Not Rylan!!!!!
8. Best cook? Cole makes delicious cookies. Eli makes delicious smoothies and milkshakes.
9. Who's the funniest? Eli
10. Who was the bad kid? Cole was the worst baby. Rylan was the best baby.
11. Who has the biggest heart? Eli got the Team Player Award for Outstanding Cooperation at his 6th graduation. Basically, kindest student in the 6th grade. I could not have been prouder.
12. Who's the quietest? Eli
13. Who's the worst driver? Rylan is the only one who has any interest in cars.
14. Who was born 1st? Cole
15. Who is better at sports? Mom. Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!
16. Best hair? Rylan at 6 months
17. Most kids? Tied at zero for at least 15 more years
18. Coffee drinker? None unless they are sneaky
19. Who is loudest? Rylan
20. Who is most conservative? Cole says he is most liberal in wanting changes in the parental government.
21. Most expensive taste? Cole currently has an obsession with buying Adidas and Nike.
22. Who's the tallest? Cole for now.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Michael's Favorite Albums of 2016
I usually buy 2-3 albums a month with maybe 15 of them being new releases each year. So I thought I'd write a blog post about my favorite albums from this year and see if I can remember to do it next year to make it an annual thing.
So here they are, in reverse order:
I've been listening to Nada Surf since high school when they started out more punk driven. Peaceful Ghosts is a live album they recorded with a full orchestra and some back story between each song. It's a nice wide look at their entire catalog going back to 1998. My biggest complaint is that they didn't include any songs from their debut album High/Low. They mellowed out on subsequent albums and I know they aren't totally happy with their first album and how it was received, but I think it would have given this album a nice kick to have at least one heavier song with the orchestra. But it's still a great album with some neat arrangements.
This is The Fox with some nice the timpani and chimes.
For some reason, I didn't really get into Thrice for most of their career. It wasn't until their eighth album Major/Minor that I realized I liked them. I've since gone back and bought all of their previous albums with The Artist and the Ambulance and Vheissu being heavy favorites when I'm looking for some high energy music. This album comes after a 4 year hiatus where the band members took some time for family and other projects.
This is Black Honey, the first single from the album and one of my kids' favorites. It gets everyone singing along when we are in the car.
This is a new band for me and I checked them out after seeing other folks recommend them. I was really sold after watching their full session on AudioTree. It's a nice combination of poppy songs with good melodies, loud spacey guitars, introspective lyrics by normal folks who are looking to create good music, not become rock stars.
This is Art School Wannabee (my favorite on album would be a tie beteween it and Your Soft Blood, but since this is poppier I picked it). Unfortunately they don't have any official embeddable videos, so we get this instead. But definitely checkout out the AudioTree session for more songs done live.
Honorable Mention: Integrity Blues by Jimmy Eat World and Standards by Into It, Over It.
So here they are, in reverse order:
#3 - Peaceful Ghosts by Nada Surf
I've been listening to Nada Surf since high school when they started out more punk driven. Peaceful Ghosts is a live album they recorded with a full orchestra and some back story between each song. It's a nice wide look at their entire catalog going back to 1998. My biggest complaint is that they didn't include any songs from their debut album High/Low. They mellowed out on subsequent albums and I know they aren't totally happy with their first album and how it was received, but I think it would have given this album a nice kick to have at least one heavier song with the orchestra. But it's still a great album with some neat arrangements.
This is The Fox with some nice the timpani and chimes.
#2 - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere by Thrice
For some reason, I didn't really get into Thrice for most of their career. It wasn't until their eighth album Major/Minor that I realized I liked them. I've since gone back and bought all of their previous albums with The Artist and the Ambulance and Vheissu being heavy favorites when I'm looking for some high energy music. This album comes after a 4 year hiatus where the band members took some time for family and other projects.
This is Black Honey, the first single from the album and one of my kids' favorites. It gets everyone singing along when we are in the car.
#1 - Joy, Departed by Sorority Noise
This is a new band for me and I checked them out after seeing other folks recommend them. I was really sold after watching their full session on AudioTree. It's a nice combination of poppy songs with good melodies, loud spacey guitars, introspective lyrics by normal folks who are looking to create good music, not become rock stars.
This is Art School Wannabee (my favorite on album would be a tie beteween it and Your Soft Blood, but since this is poppier I picked it). Unfortunately they don't have any official embeddable videos, so we get this instead. But definitely checkout out the AudioTree session for more songs done live.
Honorable Mention: Integrity Blues by Jimmy Eat World and Standards by Into It, Over It.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Concert: Hum and Failure
Post by Michael...
A few months ago I was sitting at my desk at work when I got an email (from pledgemusic.com) that said that the band Failure would be going on tour and that Hum would be going with them for part of that tour. I'm not joking when I say that I literally had to restrain myself to keep from leaping from my seat and squealing with joy. I have a hard time picking favorites, but if I were to pick 3 bands that I love more than any others, it would be Hum, Failure and Sunny Day Real Estate.
In college they came out with another album ("Downward is Heavenward") that I also put on heavy rotation. One day someone was walking through the hall of my dorm when they heard it playing and knocked on my door. Matt and I started talking about Hum and some other bands we liked in common and we're still friends to this day (he runs a recording studio in Baltimore).
Later on during my freshman year Hum went on tour and was going to be in Atlanta on a weekend. Four of us bought tickets and made it a road trip. Matt and I even brought some of our recording equipment along for the ride just in case. A few hours before the show started, we loaded up our arms with that equipment and knocked on the back door of the club. "We're here to record the show" we said when they opened the door. "Sure, come on in. There's a booth in the back you can use". Long story short, it was amazing. We got to meet the band after the show and they even signed my pocket protector (did I mention I'm a nerd?). Later that year when they were touring in Nashville I saw them again and talked with them after the show and they remembered me and my pocket protector.
Anyway, Hum broke up several years ago and then have gotten back together in the last few years mostly to play local shows in the Chicago area or one-off festivals. This was the first tour they've done since. I really, really enjoyed watching them play again but I can't say Erin felt the same way. She's never liked Hum and this concert did not change her mind. But as a loving husband I've learned to forgive her for her failings.
Failure recently got back together and recorded a new album "The Heart is a Monster". It's quite good and looks like it will be my favorite new album this year. It does a good job of mixing their earlier sound with the style of "Fantastic Planet" while also adding some new interesting things. And I have to say that they are the "fullest" sounding 3 piece band I've ever seen live. Listening to all the different layers they have on their recordings I was worried that it would sound thin live, but they definitely pulled it off.
The crowd was really into both bands, (singing along, banging heads at the appropriate time, etc) which made the show that much better. And since both of these bands were originally from the 90s, this was one of the few concerts Erin and I have been to recently were we didn't feel like old folks.
I highly encourage everyone to spend your hard earned money on music from both of these bands, if you don't have it all already.
A few months ago I was sitting at my desk at work when I got an email (from pledgemusic.com) that said that the band Failure would be going on tour and that Hum would be going with them for part of that tour. I'm not joking when I say that I literally had to restrain myself to keep from leaping from my seat and squealing with joy. I have a hard time picking favorites, but if I were to pick 3 bands that I love more than any others, it would be Hum, Failure and Sunny Day Real Estate.
Hum
I was introduced to Hum in high school by the drummer of my band. I immediately fell in love and listened to their album "You'd Prefer an Astronaut" more times than is probably healthy. It was the perfect mix of loud, spacey, nerdy, layered, heavy, geeky music and was very different from anything else I'd ever heard. Who knew you could have heavy music without anger?In college they came out with another album ("Downward is Heavenward") that I also put on heavy rotation. One day someone was walking through the hall of my dorm when they heard it playing and knocked on my door. Matt and I started talking about Hum and some other bands we liked in common and we're still friends to this day (he runs a recording studio in Baltimore).
Later on during my freshman year Hum went on tour and was going to be in Atlanta on a weekend. Four of us bought tickets and made it a road trip. Matt and I even brought some of our recording equipment along for the ride just in case. A few hours before the show started, we loaded up our arms with that equipment and knocked on the back door of the club. "We're here to record the show" we said when they opened the door. "Sure, come on in. There's a booth in the back you can use". Long story short, it was amazing. We got to meet the band after the show and they even signed my pocket protector (did I mention I'm a nerd?). Later that year when they were touring in Nashville I saw them again and talked with them after the show and they remembered me and my pocket protector.
Anyway, Hum broke up several years ago and then have gotten back together in the last few years mostly to play local shows in the Chicago area or one-off festivals. This was the first tour they've done since. I really, really enjoyed watching them play again but I can't say Erin felt the same way. She's never liked Hum and this concert did not change her mind. But as a loving husband I've learned to forgive her for her failings.
Failure
I also started to listen to Failure in high school, but unlike Hum, I've never seen them perform. Shortly after their biggest album "Fantastic Planet" came out they broke up and disappeared. Sure the individual members had solo albums and produced and recorded other bands, it's not the same. Failure is another layered, spacey, guitar rock band from the 90's and most people have probably never even heard one of their songs. Erin calls them a "band's band" meaning they influenced a ton of other musicians but never made it popular themselves. While I enjoy their previous albums "Magnified" and "Comfort" I will never grow tired of "Fantastic Planet". When Erin and I first started dating we made mix-tapes for each other and included a few Failure songs on those. As a result, Erin likes Failure, which is the only reason she agreed to drive all the way out to Charlotte for this show.Failure recently got back together and recorded a new album "The Heart is a Monster". It's quite good and looks like it will be my favorite new album this year. It does a good job of mixing their earlier sound with the style of "Fantastic Planet" while also adding some new interesting things. And I have to say that they are the "fullest" sounding 3 piece band I've ever seen live. Listening to all the different layers they have on their recordings I was worried that it would sound thin live, but they definitely pulled it off.
The crowd was really into both bands, (singing along, banging heads at the appropriate time, etc) which made the show that much better. And since both of these bands were originally from the 90s, this was one of the few concerts Erin and I have been to recently were we didn't feel like old folks.
I highly encourage everyone to spend your hard earned money on music from both of these bands, if you don't have it all already.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
On Father's Day
You've been a father for 11 years. What do you think about that?
I feel old. And I'm still not very good at it.
What do you mean that you're still not very good at it?
I still lose my patience too easily. I have a hard time making myself be interested in things my kids are interested in.
Think back to when Cole was born. What did you think about becoming a father?
To be honest, I remember it, but I don't think I had any deep thoughts about it. I was just initially like, "Okay, we've got a kid now. Let's see how it goes." And then it was just a lot of work, taking care of a baby.
Have you ever had that big "I'm a father!" moment?
I don't think I ever had a big "I'm a father" moment. Just little moments. Like the first time he fell asleep on my chest or the first time he ate solid food and then all the little moments where he started to become a real person with a real personality. But they were all just little moments building on top of each other rather than one big grand reveal.
What is the most difficult part of fatherhood?
Patience.
What is the most gratifying part of fatherhood?
When they choose to want to spend time with me and give up their own time.
Which is harder - being a husband or a father?
Being a father. Erin is an adult who behaves mostly rationally. Kids do not, and it doesn't matter how rational you are, they won't suddenly become more rational.
How do you feel being a father of only boys and how does that affect your parenting?
In some ways it makes it easier because similar approaches work for all three of the boys. I don't have to differentiate as much. They have similar interests and similar activities and similar gross behavior. Sometimes I wonder if I had a girl how I would treat her differently or the same as the boys, but it's mostly just theoretical because I don't know.
What advice would you give to an expecting father?
I had a hard time connecting to the kids as babies, so my advice to a new father if they have that same problem would be to just be patient and keep trying because for me they became more real as they got older.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Michael at 36
Michael at 36 Years Old
- favorite color: yellow
- favorite food: chicken tandoori
- favorite dessert: salted caramel gelato
- favorite thing to do: read
- favorite game: Open Face Chinese Poker
- favorite subject in school: recess
- favorite book: The Name of the Wind
What is the meaning of life?
- family
What do you want to be when you grow up?
- retired
What makes you happy?
- not having anything to do
What are you afraid of?
- losing my family
If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
- that our kids grow up happy
What is the funniest word?
- naartjies
What is the hardest thing to do?
- motivate myself
What is the easiest thing to do?
- be lazy
What is the best thing in the world?
- answer cannot be posted on this blog
What is the worst thing in the world?
- being sick
What makes you mad?
- being lied to
What is the meaning of love?
- forgiveness
If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?
- travel
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Michael's turn
Michael at 35 Years Old
- favorite color: yellow
- favorite food: Guasaca arepas
- favorite dessert: sea salt caramel gelato
- favorite thing to do: Cannot be written on this family blog.
- favorite game: Settlers of Catan
- favorite subject in school: It was math.
- favorite book: Currently...The Name of the Wind
What is the meaning of life?
- Love
What do you want to be when you grow up?
- Peter Pan
What makes you happy?
- A good book
What are you afraid of?
- My wife dying
If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
- To be 15 years younger. Or maybe just 10 years younger.
What is the funniest word?
- offal
What is the hardest thing to do?
- get started
What is the easiest thing to do?
- never start
What is the best thing in the world?
- love
What is the worst thing in the world?
- hate
What makes you mad?
- stupidity
What is the meaning of love?
- Can I cop out and say "life"? Since the meaning of life is love.
If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?
- Buy my wife the house she wants.
* Interview questions from Crappy Pictures
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Speaking of old photos
This made me laugh:
Michael and Cole watching TV circa 2004
Michael and Eli watching TV circa 2006
Michael and Rylan watching TV circa 2013
Corsages, Motherhood, and
"Facial-Hairless" Faces
A few weeks before Mother's Day, I read a blog post by a man advising other men what they should do for their wives for Mother's Day, and one of his suggestions was to buy a corsage. For some reason, the comments section exploded over that little suggestion.
"A corsage??!!" one woman exclaimed. "Is it 1982?"
"Corsages are classic," someone else disagreed.
"If you're 80," said another.
On my first reading, I sided with those arguing that corsages are outdated and only worn by old women. But then I realized, No man has ever bought me a corsage ever in my whole life. I didn't go to prom or any other high school dance, so the only people who've given me corsages are my parents and grandparents.
When Michael got home from work that day, I said, "For Mother's Day, I'd like a corsage."
He came through. :)
At the beginning of June, I started taking a night class - the first of many I'll be taking over the next year and a half so I can get certified to teach high school in the state of North Carolina. This fall, Rylan will start kindergarten, and I'll start substitute teaching so that when I'm certified I'll have more to put on my resume than "mother to three wonderful boys."
For the past six months, my emotions have been waffling back and forth about this whole working thing. The fact is that I love this motherhood gig. I love the freedom and the flexibility. I love being my own boss. And of course I'm crazy about my little underlings. On the flip side, we could use the extra income, and (though I know this will sound crazy to some people) I get super excited about lesson planning.
So this year was my last time celebrating Mother's Day as a stay at home mom for the foreseeable future. Next year I plan to trade in my minivan for something more fuel efficient. A year after that, I'll have a middle schooler. Such is life...
But enough about me. Let's talk about Michael and how he looks like a 12-year-old without his beard.
Some days I'm used to it, and some days I do a double take when I see him. He's been facial-hair-free for nearly two months now, but he had facial hair when I met him and almost all eleven years of our marriage, so it's just kind of weird.
I think it would now be appropriate to take a little walk down memory lane through the history of Michael's facial hair:
Chin Beard
Full Beard
Beard but Bald
"A corsage??!!" one woman exclaimed. "Is it 1982?"
"Corsages are classic," someone else disagreed.
"If you're 80," said another.
On my first reading, I sided with those arguing that corsages are outdated and only worn by old women. But then I realized, No man has ever bought me a corsage ever in my whole life. I didn't go to prom or any other high school dance, so the only people who've given me corsages are my parents and grandparents.
When Michael got home from work that day, I said, "For Mother's Day, I'd like a corsage."
He came through. :)
At the beginning of June, I started taking a night class - the first of many I'll be taking over the next year and a half so I can get certified to teach high school in the state of North Carolina. This fall, Rylan will start kindergarten, and I'll start substitute teaching so that when I'm certified I'll have more to put on my resume than "mother to three wonderful boys."
For the past six months, my emotions have been waffling back and forth about this whole working thing. The fact is that I love this motherhood gig. I love the freedom and the flexibility. I love being my own boss. And of course I'm crazy about my little underlings. On the flip side, we could use the extra income, and (though I know this will sound crazy to some people) I get super excited about lesson planning.
So this year was my last time celebrating Mother's Day as a stay at home mom for the foreseeable future. Next year I plan to trade in my minivan for something more fuel efficient. A year after that, I'll have a middle schooler. Such is life...
But enough about me. Let's talk about Michael and how he looks like a 12-year-old without his beard.
Some days I'm used to it, and some days I do a double take when I see him. He's been facial-hair-free for nearly two months now, but he had facial hair when I met him and almost all eleven years of our marriage, so it's just kind of weird.
I think it would now be appropriate to take a little walk down memory lane through the history of Michael's facial hair:
Sideburns
Chin Beard
Full Beard
Beard but Bald
The Usual
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Chess with Daddy
Michael and Cole have a perpetual game of chess going.
The board is set up on one of our ottomans, a new part of our livingroom decor.
Cole moves a piece before school.
Michael takes his move when he gets home from work.
Cole checks the board before bedtime.
And so on and so forth until somebody wins.
And so on and so forth until somebody wins.
And then the game starts all over again.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
34 Things about Michael
for His 34th Birthday
2:: Michael does not like to pick favorites. He is afraid of offending abstract objects. Or he's really boring. I haven't decided yet.
Things we really know are his favorites:
3:: Favorite Band: Sunny Day Real Estate
4:: Favorite Restaurant: Chipotle
5:: Favorite Type of Cake: Chocolate
6:: Favorite Genre of Literature: Sci Fi/Fantasy
7:: Michael has lived in the following states: Utah, California, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, and North Carolina.
8:: Michael is pathetic when he gets sick. At the first sign of a tickle in his throat, he starts downing orange juice and sleeping 12 hours a night.
9:: When Michael and I first met, he was majoring in recording industry, but when we met the second time, he had switched to computer programming. This made him less cool but I fell in love with him anyway.
10:: Michael's pre-mission band was called Towergrape. He still likes to listen to their CD. I don't. Michael's post-mission band was called Skipping Mad. They rocked.
11:: Michael served a mission to Bolivia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
12:: When we got married, Michael said he wanted three kids. I said I wanted six. So far, he has won that argument.
13:: Michael's first job out of college was with a small company called Venzia, owned by a friend of a friend. Michael's second job out of college was with Plus Three, where he still works to this day. He has been there nine years.
14:: Other places Michael has worked: Taco Bell, radio station in Fayetteville, computer lab at MTSU.
15:: Michael has considered going back to school to become a lawyer. He likes to debate, and he always thinks he's right.
16:: When Michael was a kid, he wanted to be a physicist. I have a skeptical attitude toward quantum physics. Michael and I don't have fights about money or housework or sex or which end to squeeze out the toothpaste. We fight about quantum physics.
17:: Michael is always the first person to say sorry.
18:: Michael gets obsessive about his hobbies, and for that reason, he never has more than one hobby at a time.
19:: When we met, Michael's hobby was writing music. The fact that I played the violin was very high on his list of reasons to want to date me...He wanted to try his hand at writing music for the violin.
20:: His current hobby is playing poker. We do not discuss this with my mom.
21:: Michael does not like to dance. He will not dance to fast songs ever in front of anyone but can be coerced into dancing to slow songs if I remind him that he loves me.
22:: Since Michael and I are not big on dancing, we did not dance at our wedding. Instead, we wrote a song together and performed it at our reception. It's the best love song I've ever heard.
23:: Michael does not think about housework, including mowing the lawn. It's not that he purposely puts it off (I don't think) but that he doesn't notice it needs to be done.
24:: Michael walks and reads at the same time. Sometimes people stop me on the street and say, "Is your husband the one who reads while he's walking?" It's weird.
25:: When we met, Michael was a Republican. Our first argument was about politics. We were engaged at the time, and I have a journal entry from then saying, "I don't know if I can marry him. Maybe we're not compatible."
26:: Michael describes his current political opinions as left-leaning moderate. He claims that I had no influence on changing his political views. That is a bit insulting.
27:: Michael attended the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte last year.
28:: Michael was a night owl in college. He has been a bad influence on my Early Bird self over the years, and we often lounge in bed until noon on Saturdays while the kids watch Saturday morning cartoons.
29:: Michael remembers all the useless trivia that the rest of us crammed into our brains in school and then promptly forgot as soon as the test was passed.
30:: Besides being overweight, Michael is my ideal in physical appearance. He's tall with broad shoulders, dark hair, and glasses. I find him incredibly attractive.
31-33:: Michael would be really embarrassed if I posted these ones on the internet.
34:: Michael is exactly the type of guy I always dreamed of being with. I lucked out when I met him.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Hello, Friends...It's Been Awhile
The boys designed our Christmas cards for the third year in a row, and I was pretty impressed with the results. They may not be your normal Christmas cards, but I say normal is overrated and hopefully we brightened a few grandparents' days.
And here's 2011 in review:
Michael Ryan
- Worked a lot. Still with Plus Three.
- Moved my company's servers from New York to Raleigh.
- Went through four church callings in one year.
- Celebrated 10 years of marriage with my lovely wife.
- Discovered the bands Bayside, Four Year Strong, and Manchester Orchestra.
Erin Nicole
- Served in the Young Womens organization until being called as the choir director.
- Retired from green blogging but was still interviewed and photographed for an article about green living in the New York Times.
- Successfully grew a three-season garden.
- Bought a bike for me and a bike seat for Rylan. We looooove it!
- Went back to my natural brunette hair color and cut my hair really short.
Nicolus Talmage
- Started second grade.
- Won the first grade spelling bee and competed in the school wide bee.
- Spent a week alone with Grammy and Gramps. My family came a week later.
- Beat everyone at Pokemon.
- Turned eight and started Cub Scouts. Will be baptized...eventually. (This is a long story. We don't want to talk about it.)
- Started first grade.
- Had a picture that I drew put on display at the state fair. It was a self-portrait.
- Learned to ride a bike without training wheels on my first try.
- Went camping twice. I fell into the water in the river.
- Went to Raleigh's annual BugFest. I went in the caterpillar bouncy house and ate cricket cookies. I didn't like them.
Rylan Jack
- Started my second year of preschool taught by my mom.
- Played with cars, cars, and more cars.
- Played with my best friend Kenny.
- Went to the beach. I do not like the ocean, but the sand is fun.
- Gave away my pink boots and kicked a magician in the balls.
Monday, February 21, 2011
To Michael from Me
To Michael on the day he catches up with me in age,
I think you're the coolest guy I've ever met. I love being around you, and sometimes when I think of you during the day, it makes me smile. I'm amazed every day that you choose to stick with me. Sorry your birthday kind of sucked, but I did make you a nice cake.
Love me
I think you're the coolest guy I've ever met. I love being around you, and sometimes when I think of you during the day, it makes me smile. I'm amazed every day that you choose to stick with me. Sorry your birthday kind of sucked, but I did make you a nice cake.
Love me
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Where, oh where has my little hair gone?
My (lack of) Hair
As most readers of this blog know, my little brother Stephan has cancer and last week he started his first (and hopefully only) round of chemotherapy treatment which will last for the next 3 months. Since we're living about 10 hours apart, it's not that easy for me to go over and lend him a hand when he needs it or spend some time with him to lift up his spirits. So I decided to show my support and encouragement with my razor. And I have to say, it's kind of nice during the hot summer months... so good timing Stephan on your cancer :)
As most readers of this blog know, my little brother Stephan has cancer and last week he started his first (and hopefully only) round of chemotherapy treatment which will last for the next 3 months. Since we're living about 10 hours apart, it's not that easy for me to go over and lend him a hand when he needs it or spend some time with him to lift up his spirits. So I decided to show my support and encouragement with my razor. And I have to say, it's kind of nice during the hot summer months... so good timing Stephan on your cancer :)Rylan, being the highly suggestible 2 year old that he is, decided that he wanted to share in the head sheering. His older brothers probably would have shared his fate but in the nick of time, their dad decided it was better to wait until Mommy got home and could weigh in.
On Monday night, for Family Home Evening, we put together a small package for Stephan. Since we know that his treatment sessions are several hours long and pretty boring, we thought we'd help him pass the time by sending him some DVDs and books to help him kill some time. On the DVD front we included The Goonies, Season 1 of Arrested Development, Season 1 of Pushing Daises, Season 1 of Firefly and for books we sent Ender's Game and The Lincoln Lawyer. I spent a few minutes also looking for my copy of Good Omens, but then remembered that I had lent that to Erin's dad. I know that in the grand scheme of things it's not a lot, but we felt that anything to show Stephan that we love him and we know he'll pull through is probably better than nothing.
Our Worms
If you don't know, we've been experimenting with vermicomposting, which is another way to say pet worms. Basically we have a plastic bin where we put some of our food waste (instead of putting in the trash to end up in a landfill) and the worms eat it up and turn it into compost. On a side note, the worms also provide a steady supply of fishing bait.
While we also have a more normal compost tumbler, we actually started with the worms first. It's kind of nice to have them chewing through the food and it seems to work a bit faster than our other composter. It also smells a lot better.
This weekend we started to tear out our summer garden and get ready for our fall garden. In doing so we decided that the worms had thoroughly devoured their food and it was time to put their pooh to good use. Erin and Eli separated the worms from their droppings while Rylan watched. Cole was too scared to even attempt to help. What kind of a boy are we raising who doesn't like to play with worms or dirt?!
After separating the worms out we mixed the compost in with the garden soil and then shredded up some newspaper to make the worms a new home in their old bin. We then added some kitchen odds and ends (parts of tomatoes, onions, cantaloupe rinds, etc) to give them a nice big meal in their refurbished place. If you're ever curious about how to have your own pet worms (whether you're interested in nice rich compost, good bait, or you just like 'em fried) I'm sure we'd be willing to share any secrets we have.
On Monday night, for Family Home Evening, we put together a small package for Stephan. Since we know that his treatment sessions are several hours long and pretty boring, we thought we'd help him pass the time by sending him some DVDs and books to help him kill some time. On the DVD front we included The Goonies, Season 1 of Arrested Development, Season 1 of Pushing Daises, Season 1 of Firefly and for books we sent Ender's Game and The Lincoln Lawyer. I spent a few minutes also looking for my copy of Good Omens, but then remembered that I had lent that to Erin's dad. I know that in the grand scheme of things it's not a lot, but we felt that anything to show Stephan that we love him and we know he'll pull through is probably better than nothing.
Our Worms
If you don't know, we've been experimenting with vermicomposting, which is another way to say pet worms. Basically we have a plastic bin where we put some of our food waste (instead of putting in the trash to end up in a landfill) and the worms eat it up and turn it into compost. On a side note, the worms also provide a steady supply of fishing bait.
While we also have a more normal compost tumbler, we actually started with the worms first. It's kind of nice to have them chewing through the food and it seems to work a bit faster than our other composter. It also smells a lot better.
This weekend we started to tear out our summer garden and get ready for our fall garden. In doing so we decided that the worms had thoroughly devoured their food and it was time to put their pooh to good use. Erin and Eli separated the worms from their droppings while Rylan watched. Cole was too scared to even attempt to help. What kind of a boy are we raising who doesn't like to play with worms or dirt?!
After separating the worms out we mixed the compost in with the garden soil and then shredded up some newspaper to make the worms a new home in their old bin. We then added some kitchen odds and ends (parts of tomatoes, onions, cantaloupe rinds, etc) to give them a nice big meal in their refurbished place. If you're ever curious about how to have your own pet worms (whether you're interested in nice rich compost, good bait, or you just like 'em fried) I'm sure we'd be willing to share any secrets we have.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Not to be too political...
One of the reasons I haven't posted to this this "family" blog yet is because during this time of the year I mainly just think about work and politics. I don't think any of you want to read about my thoughts on proper lexical scoping or hierarchical inheritance vs roles. And politics can be pretty divisive, so I'm trying to stay away from that as much as possible. But I saw this and thought it was just too juicy to pass up.
If you've been following the recent Wall St. troubles and the Bush administration's proposed $700,000,000,000 bailout then this quote might be as funny to you as it was to me:
We do not support government bailouts of private institutions.
Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems
in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to
correct itself.
-- Republican Party platform, 2008
If you've been following the recent Wall St. troubles and the Bush administration's proposed $700,000,000,000 bailout then this quote might be as funny to you as it was to me:
We do not support government bailouts of private institutions.
Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems
in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to
correct itself.
-- Republican Party platform, 2008
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