Booh Bah

browsing some links right now while Ian and Rylee watch Boohbah
i still think these swimsuits for the twins would be cool, but they are a tad expensive... i think im going to get Santa to bring them this year... i think the Hip Hop name generator is kinda interesting. But a good place to go for interesting stuff to start the day is Fark.

a hint...

sometimes, words in the post are actualy links... you have to hover over them to see if they are links....

ah...back to the grind...

...looking around on the internet and i think I found a t shirt for Brown, based on the escapades he relates to me about his bachelor life.

Seems like i might have another wedding gig offer for August. That would be sweet... i printed out a preliminary set of business cards last night. i am not sure I will stick with the design, but I have come up with a name for a potential photography business. Ihad to do something because when i printed out some test pictures at walmart, they hassled me about copyright and about who I copied the pictures from, as if they were too professional ( their words)...now, I think they look alright, but I am now saying they are that good...but i feel that I am learning, and I must thank AJ for letting me borrow a monitor that is larger and is giving me a truer picture in regards to color and sharpness.

heres one for Jessica and Brandy...

2 ounces blanco tequila
1 ounce Cointreau
½ ounce fresh lime juice
Stir all the ingredients in a mixing glass and pour into a highball glass packed as high as possible with cracked ice. Garnish with a slice of lime, then "let it lie down" (as Sinatra used to say about his Jack rocks) so the ice waters down the booze. If the drink is too strong, hit it with a dash of agua

I found that in one of my favorite magazines.

life goes on...

I havent posted this in a while, so I thought I'd post the picture to the left again and see if anybody bites on it..

A while ago, a friend called me and wished me good luck. I really appreciated that...

... Brown asked me to burn some labels onto Cds for his little (smirk) non profit he putters around with in his spare time. I have been amused by his work for sometime now, as i think he might get the feeling that I am thinking he be a treehugger or something. And I do get a kick out of his musings online on their blog.... but one of his latest postings got me to thinking recently.... As I look at my kids and see them growing up and getting more and more "aware" everyday, I know that it will come the time when they might be shunned because of what they look like. That will be unfortunate, although I also know that they will reap benefits because of what they look like too... as Brown mused about 1947 and rhetorical questions about our appearances, aesthetics, space and design since then, i wandered off topic and wondered if we had changed since 1947...period. But, back on subject, i dont think he a liberal, whiny, teeth gnashing, Howard Dean flunky. I just hope he can somehow get me a nice polo with the logo for Christmas. Although I am not sure how it is you plan to get Manhattan up to LEEDS specs...

Since i have gotten XM radio, i have been listening hard to the 60's channel, as well as the 70's channel. I then came across this article in Slate. How true, how true.... i hear so much stuff now that I immediately know has been done before when i listen to 107.3 or 98.1. Its sad really, because there is talent there sometimes

Can anyone guess who this is? And where we are?

Fathers day, a tad late....

since i was out of town for Fathers Day, i didnt get a chance to post this stuff, so i will do it now.... by the way, i got a hedgeclipper and a iron/steamer thingy (really cool) from the twins.

"Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a daddy."
- Anonymous

12 Traits of a Great Father
By Julian Marcus

1- He's a good disciplinarian
A good father loves his children, but he doesn't let them get away with murder. He strongly disapproves of his children's misdeeds, using tough love to prove a point. He does this through the power of his words, not his fists.
Likewise, a father doesn't reward his children for actions that are expected of them, such as helping with house chores or performing well in school. If his child drops out of school, the father demands that he provide for himself, considering the child no longer wants to invest in his own future.

2- He allows his kids to make some mistakes
A good father realizes that his children are human, and that making mistakes is part of growing up. Spending money recklessly, getting into minor car accidents, getting drunk and sick for the first time, even dating questionable women are rites of passage, and a good father recognizes this. However, he makes it clear that repeated irresponsibility won't be tolerated.

3- He's open-minded
A good father understands that times, people and tastes change over the years, and doesn't try to maintain some gold standard of his own time. For instance, he realizes that body piercings are more commonplace than before, that more couples have premarital sex, and that people talk more candidly about personal issues. In other words, he allows his children to be citizens of their day and age.

4- He teaches his children to appreciate things
A good father never lets his children take what they have for granted. From the food on the table to the good education he's paying for, a good father will make his children see the value in everything they have. He'll ask his child to get a job to help pay for a part of his first car, and take the time to illustrate how important a good education is. He doesn't let his kids treat him like an ATM.

5- He accepts that his kids aren't exactly like him
Everyone is different and a father knows this well. He won't expect his kids to live the same kind of life he does, and do the same kind of work. He also respects their values and opinions, as long as they don't harm the family or anyone else.
To use a pop culture example, he's like Martin Crane from Frasier; the everyman blue-collar dad who allowed his pompous sons to steer their lives in a different direction, even if he didn't quite agree with them.

6- He spends quality time with his children
A dad knows how to have fun with his kids too, taking them out to games, movies, and supporting their sports teams by attending their matches. He takes the time to listen to his kids and have a good, easy chat with them. He also makes time to help them with their homework, every night if necessary.

7- He leads by example
A good father is above the old "do as I say, not as I do" credo. He will not smoke if he doesn't want his kids to do it, and definitely won't drink heavily. He teaches them to deal with conflict with a family member and with others by being firm but reasonable at the same time.
A good father also illustrates the importance of affection by professing his love for their mother in front of them. And he won't fight with her in their presence. In all, he adheres to the values he'd like his children to follow.

8- He's supportive & loyal
Although he may be a football fanatic, if his son doesn't share his love for the game, he accepts it. He may be loyal to his alma mater and dream of having his kid follow his legacy, but if his son prefers to study abroad, he'll support his decision to take a different path.
A good father is also his children's public defender, standing up for them when needed. He waits for privacy to administer discipline. A safety net, a good father is also the person his kids turn to when things go wrong.

9- He challenges his kids
A father wants his children to be the best they can be, and gives them challenges that help them grow as human beings. This means giving them some liberty to face setbacks and resolve conflicts on their own. Or it could be a task, such as building something for the house.
If a father wants his children to take over the family business, he teaches them how to keep it flourishing -- provided that's the path they want to take.

10- He teaches his children lessons
A father figure is the prime source of knowledge in the ways of men, and teaches his kids accordingly. From shaving to being courageous, a father molds his kids into well-rounded members of society. He especially instructs them in proper etiquette, on being honest and keeping their word, and on being thankful.
A great father knows he must sacrifice his own comfort for his fatherly duties. For instance, if he comes home from a hard day at work and catches his kids looking at porn on the Net, he'll take the time to address an awkward situation even though he's tired.

11- He protects his family at all costs
As the main provider of security and necessities, a father will do whatever he can for his family. He'll take a second job to provide for them, and he'll put his own safety on the line to keep them out of harm's way. This is how a father instills in his children the importance of personal sacrifice.

12- He shows unconditional love
This is the greatest quality of a good father. Even though he gets upset at his children's faults and may lament that they did not attain what he hoped for them, a father loves his children no less for it.

of course

Rylee is all excited about doing the Dance thing. Ask Ian if he wants to do it and he says NO!!! "I wanna do SPORTS!!!!" hmmmm... they are always reminding me how different they are, even though they are twins

tidying up....

looks like Rylee will be starting dance lessons this August. Not sure about Ian though...although I am considering it, as it is a useful concept for him, i.e., they have a chance to socialize with others, and also learn to take commands (authority lessons) from someone other than daycare and/or me and jessica. Kinda funny...they will be doing their lessons from Cheryl Hosler, Dr. Hoslers wife and their studio. I had a long conversation with her during lunch and setup lessons for the Fall.

...now why cant a GARBAGE truck driving along the road stop and pick up a random piece of garbage that is sitting in the middle of the road and is causing traffic to have to swerve to miss it?

tryin to do some touch-ups of some photos i took 2 weeks ago. It is amazing what a airbrush can do!!!!

whew!!!!

...finally home from the weekend and "training" i had to go to in Greensboro on Monday and Tuesday.

upcoming weekend

...think we are heading down to see Jessica's parents this weekend and go out on the "family" pontoon boat. Actually, the boat belongs to Jessica's father and there has been humorous discussion as to his bolting a grill onto the front of the boat. The womenz are all up in arms...I'm like.."its his damn boat. he can do whatever he wants to it."...which seems to be the attitude he is taking. Good for him, I say.

Going to take the camera and try to get some photos of Nanna and Papa with the twins.

Jessica and Brandy are discussing a quick trip to the beach next month or so. That would be fun. I havent been to the beach with friends in several years.... more on this soon.

Its easy to root for yer team when they are awesome...and I also think its easy to pull for your team when they are pathetic. But what I am finding it hard to deal with is when your team was supposed to be good, and suddenly sucks really bad. It is just dissapointing... kinda hard to watch on TV and read about them. I am hoping they will snap out of it and contend, but the injuries and the players they have had to call up......and i know Brown is dealing with the same thing up with the Yankees, except their expectations are far greater.

Did ya know

It is impossible to lick your elbow.


By the way...tee heee!!!.... Michael Jackson "Beat It!"

Well they say the sky's the limit
And to me that's really true
But my friend you have seen nothin'
Just wait 'til I get through...
Chorus:
Because I'm bad, I'm bad - come on
(Bad bad - really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - come on, you know
(Bad bad - really, really bad)
And the whole world has to
Answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad...
- Michael Jackson

Did You Know.......

Over 75% of peple who read this will try to lick their elbow.

Here is where a toast is made, and they say "To the open road!"... it took me a while to figure this one out but now i know where the twins are getting this stuff...

Hmmm...experimenting with B/W and color editing...kinda a raw photo but i think I got the idea

musings

Last night, Rylee and Ian went through the entire checklist of booboos, monsters, washing hands, etc. once they were in bed. Probably took them an hour and a half before they finally went to sleep.

Aunt Ellen is coming to town tonight. She is supposed to be going with Jessica to see Riverdance tomorrow night. I have to clean the playroom this evening before she gets here.

I think Harwood purchased tickets to the Daytona 500. So...i will be able to take one track off my must see list come February. I will have gone to Charlotte, Darlington, Atlanta and will be able to add Daytona. Then i will have Bristol and Talledega on my list of tracks to go to. i thinki I may target Bristol for next year...at least get to the Busch race, which you can see the busch race and Nextel practice too

Looks like the Michael Jackson case is going to be coming to and end tomorrow (a guess). my guess is that he will be found innocent. But...the guy is whacked...somebody needs to tell the man that sleeping with the kiddies isnt well thought of....

Another Quote:
"You know it's going to hell when the best rapper out there is white and the best golfer is black."
-Charles Barkley

tinkering with some snappys... this is a recent graduate of Clemson.

Hmmm, the things you find out.

Amaging how much better your ceiling fan will work if you wipe the dust off of it.

Quote of the Day!
"These are my new shoes. They're good shoes. They won't make you rich like me, they won't make you rebound like me, they definitely won't make you handsome like me. They'll only make you have shoes like me. That's it."
-Charles Barkley

Here ya go, Brandy. Ah, the miracles of Paint Shop...

Pictures

I was going to post another picture, but I will wait till tomorrow.

rylee has a new thing now where she goes through a "checklist" of things that are hurting her before she will finally go to sleep. And ian has to have a drink of water.

This is Brandy and Aj. They are getting married in a few months...I was goofing around with some pictures that i took. i just wanted to see what this looked like on the web through my laptop. Comments?

wierd

This morning, I fixed the twins french toast sticks. As they sat down, they both picked up their cups and, together in unison, said "To the open road!!!!" Now, i have No idea where that came from.

on the docket...

...defragging the 60 gig, researching Browns October airfare (he gave me a link for $240.00, pretty good), hoping the new background comes today, getting a check, seeing Jessica off the Kansas City, gettingkids fed, getting kids bathed, getting kids to bed... clean up den and downstairs bathroom...hope to get Brandy/Aj engagement photo done...setup Graduation photo shoot...

...back in South Carolina

...wow...it was a haul, but got back in decent time....managed to spend only about 45 minutes outside the car today and 10 and a half hours inside it...rain on the NC/Sc end slowed me down considerably. As usual, great to see Brown and Kristen....look forward to seeing them again in the Fall... Jessica bolting to see Kari on friday. Should be fun dealing with the kids by myself for several days

"Don't want to leave, but we both know sometimes it's better to go. Somehow I know we'll meet again, not sure quite where and I don't know just when you're in my heart, so until then, smile, don't want to cry saying goodbye." -The Muppets

oh, and this too.....
"I get by with a little help from my friends." - John Lennon

Empire State Building

Brown in his spacious den.

Kristen and her son