January 31, 2004
A Brief Interview with Mr. Liam J Bennett
Okay, this won't last long but I thought it might be fun and it's Liam's first entries on a blog. Not bad for someone who isn't even two yet. So here we go.
Q: Liam, what did you do this morning:
L: Monster.
Q: Monster? Where?
L: Monster on tv.
(Ed. Liam has been quite focused on monsters latetly)
L: Music class.
Q: And what did you play? (Ed. prompting from the Father)
L: Yea, drum.
Well, this ends the interview. Thanks Liam for being a willing victim to my creative whim.
January 30, 2004
Feeling a bit worldly?
create your own visited country map
or write about it on the open travel guide
There it is, another map. This time the red represents the 4% of the coutries of the world I've visited. Now, I love to travel and 4% really isn't a lot. As you can tell, I've spent a lot of time in Western Europe, well not a lot of time, but that's been my main travel destination in my overseas trips.
First was my ten-day tour of Germany, Austria and Italy (4 cities) that I did solo in 1991. Airfare was dirt cheap back then due to the first Gulf War by the first President Bush. I had $300 and no responsibitliies a journal in my backpack and "Let's Go Europe," the guide for those who don't need fancy hotels and expensive meals. Or as they like to say, 'the independent traveler.' Any how, that was quite a trip and I can truly say, I hope that my kids will do it some day. (While I of course hold my breath the whole time and make sure they call me everyday). But I did get to realize my dream of writing in my journal (you guys might remember those, they involved pads of paper, wrapped with a sometime leather like fabric or even leather itself, and you wrote with a tool called a pen. Some people, including myself, sometimes even used a fountain pen, where you dipped the pen in the ink to write with it. )
The second and third trips were taken with my lovely wife Karen. First, for our honeymoon we visited England (London), France (Paris) and Ireland. We spent most of the time in Ireland, where we rented a car and drove from Dublin down south and then west and north along the coast. It was a fabulous trip with all the expected and unexpected events that an adventure like that has to offer. Definitely was an early test of our young marriage. Especially the events in Charles DeGaulle airport, and getting to the airport. In my own state of rush and clumsiness (not looking where I and other people are in space) I knocked a guy in the head on the plane as I was trying to turn around to put the bag in the overhead. His wife cursed us the whole trip (London to Paris) and the other 'passengers' just hated us because they held the plane for us. Once we reached DeGaulle, things only got more interesting as the bungee cord on our luggage carrier snapped into Karen's hand causing a large, painful contusion. And ice in French only means ice cream. It took a house call at our hotel later that night, with Dr. Freddie, to finally get everything under control. I'd tell you about my falling over barbed wire in Ireland, but I've rambled enough.
Finally, our second trip was much more successful, as in no injuries. We did a five-day bike tour of Provence with a weekend thrown in at a little fishing village called Cassis and a weekend on the other end in Paris....
January 29, 2004
Politics and Quizzes
Well, I really thought I was more of a Dean guy but according to the AOL/TIme, Inc service calld presidential match, the man that fits me best as a candidate is Kerry, and a close second was Rev. Al Sharpton. Very interesting if you ask me. Well, while taking a politcal survey I was busy watching my Terps go down in defeat to Wake Forest. To be honest, it's been so long that they've lost this much, it's a hard adjustment to make. Now I'm watching FSU vs. Duke, and it's a game where I don't really like either team but would love to see Duke lose. Actually any day that Duke loses should be a national holiday.
Still feeling the effects of my little party last night. Of course, it made the day hard to get through but I managed and tomorrow is Friday. What a week it's been. Too many snow days for one thing but nothing like last year, at least not yet. Just for a reminder, here's a picture of our neighborhood after the big February snow last year. 
That's all I have to say. Good night. Shalom.
Letterman and Manhattan
Minnie the Moocher from the album Are You Hep to the Jive? - 22 Sensational Tracks by Cab Calloway
Just tring out a new pun. Really. Watching Dave and the 14-year old soccer star, Freddy Adu who will start playing for the DC United in April. Actually, I'm surprised that I can type, considering that I went to our neighborhood association annual meeting tonight and partook of the following: three Maker;s Marks and one Manhattan (Maker's Mark and Vermouth plus a cherry) all made and served quite well by the adorable Summer. Speaking of attractive women, how great does Cindy Lauperlook. as she was just on Letterman and man, does she look great. And what a voice. A far cry from her days as the 80's pop icon. I still love her version of Time after TimeOkay, that's enough, typing is a bear and I'm ready to pass out, really. Went past my two drink limit. But is sure was fun and I dread tomorrow morning.
January 28, 2004
A Trivial Link
This is kind of cool, I've been to half the states in the US.
create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide A special thanks to Pennyon who's page I found this link.
Other than that, I'm hoping that the kids will have school tomorrow and that there would be a way to keep the snow but get rid of the ice.
Snow and Ice
Well, we were a bit homebound today with a day of freezing rain and then another inch or two of snow. My only hope is that school's will be open tomorrow. It's too late for typing and thinking. Sleep beckons. So does making lunch for school tomorrow (positive thinking at work there). Gotta go now. Shalom. Peace.
January 25, 2004
The Power of Funk and Monkey
Forever Now from the album Forever Now by Psychedelic Furs
What a fun night. Me and the Wife went to a party celebrating the Chinese New Year . It was at the house of our friends Lesley and Matt and they had great Tsingtao, a Chinese beer, more wine then your neighborhood winery and of course, jello shooters. (You know I just had to have one). Our daughters are in the same kindergarten class and we all go the same pool. Plus there's Daisys which they share in common as well. I did have a better time than I expected at the party. For one thing, I suck in social situations and secondly, I'm never sure that I quite fit in. The curse of the creative mind.
Actually most of the Daughter's friend's parents were there, including Brad and Claire (with a wide-awake young Will), Craig and Kelly, as well as my favorite national park rangersCharlie and Heidi, Bill and Kelly and I also met some people I'd seen around but never met directly. That included Megan, who lives with her husband and twins right around the corner. To boot she and her husband are fellowTerps so we got to relive our days in the dorms. Yes, that's the building I lived in during college. Fourth floor, second or third window from the left of the picture. It's right across from Byrd Stadium which made for very interesting things during football season, suffice to say.
Anyhow we stayed at the party until around 11 pm and then went to the Funkbox to see a great band from New Orleans, the Papa Grows Funk. They are Monday night regulars at the Maple Leaf in New Orleans and were one of the best bands I've seen in the recent past. It was our first time at The Funkbox since they took over the old 8x10 space. I like what they've done with it, it's still a cozy place to see live music. We managed to convince a few friends, Charlie, Heidi, Craig and Kelly to go with us and I think all really had a great time. We didn't get home until after 2 am and both the Wife and I are feeling the effects today (she a little worse than I). Well, that's the weekend. It's Sunday afternoon now and we are just waiting on the big snowstorm that's supposed to dump upto eight inches by tomorrow morning. Now, won't that be fun!!
January 24, 2004
Why Many Americans Have a Lot to Learn
Please visit this site to see the level of hate and pure ignorance many Americans possess, based on selectively spun quotes from Margaret Cho on the Drudge Report site.
If these people are the future of our county, we are in very big trouble.
January 23, 2004
A New Home
Well, this is my first entry here at my new blog home and as you can see, if anyone is really looking, I've yet to port my entries over from the old place. That's the plan for the weekend. Right now, I'm just watching the sun come over the Inner Harbor and getting ready to get back to work. But I wanted to have something up on this page so it doesn't seem abandoned.
Work is here. Have a lunch meeting with a beautfiul woman who is also very nice, a rare combination. The really funny thing is that she's best friends with one of my old friends from Legg Mason. Small world. Anyhow, I hope we become friends, she's that nice. It's a fine thing that we are both happily married to other people. Working on an insurance brochure, a six-panel piece for our PortfolioChoice product and have two brochures to knock out for HR. Those two are pick-ups of work done in London, more production then actual design. Well, time to go. It's a beautiful but cold day here in B'more.
January 21, 2004
Nightime, Morning
Murphy the cat is snoring happily at 2:30 in the morning, so what the h-ll am I doing up? Really? I'm sure that I'm getting to old for these late nights. Finished a layout and sent it to my lovely new boss. My mantra for the week is simple, Sun Tzu, this is not the hill I am prepared to die on. I really feel that my career is being threatened and I'm not getting support that my wonderful friend, and now boss, said he wanted to give his 'reports' when the announcement was first made. Well, as I've said, I've only got about five and a half months until I'm vested and then the road is open.
Okay, really, I've to to go to sleep. Enough. Peace. Shalom.
January 14, 2004
Winter love and winning
Okay, I love winter. I love snow. But this cold is ridiculous. It was 12 degrees when I left the house, add the windchill and it's like -5. Okay, that I can do without. How about a nice day in the 30's? I didn't even stop at Starbucks. Wish then would just open one in our building, it would make life easier. Then of course I see these people hanging outside their buildings smoking their cigarettes. Now that's truly a sign of addiction. A person willing to expose themselves to the elements for one little cig. So glad I quit. I don't think I would really stand out there in the cold wind just for one last puff.
Have been thinking about the whole learning to win thing that has come up around Michelle Wie's playing on the PGA tour this weekend in Honolulu. Bob Harig outlines some of the points made by some of the pros on the tour about learning to win over on ESPN's web site. Final note, before I head back to the grind, how about those TERPS!!
The Shins on Letterman
The Shins
Really, these guys are great. You really should listen to them if you get the chance. The best place to get their stuff is right here.
Well, another day of dealing with my new, micro-managing, wants to do my job, is driving me crazy, and I only have to hang on for five and a half more months, boss today. This time he doesn't think it's a reasonable expense for me to go to Chicago to meet some potential new vendors. What he doesn't yet understand, is that the where doesn't matter as much anymore, but price, quality and customer service are what drives this business. It's about relationships and if you don't have a personal relationship with the vendor, then your less likely to succeed.
For a total change of topics, I wanted to let anyone reading this know about a site that is under attack by our own government and was referenced by none other than Instapundit. This not blogrolling but making sure everyone knows whats really going on out there. Speaking of our lovely, right-wing, fundamentalist loving government, there's another great site called Bush in 30 Seconds. While I'm sure most people know about this stie already, I felt it was really worth a mention. With the Two Kids, a full-time job, AIGA, the Wife...I'm a bit behind on my political activism.
Ok...got to go make the Kid's lunch and snack for school tomorrow. It's kind of fun in that we make artwork out of her snack bag (your every day paper sack). And every day is different. Of course, She eats PBJ everyday. When She was younger (daycare) it was hot dogs everyday. Nathan's. The thing that always amuses me is that those were my late Grandmother's favorite hot dogs too. I still remember her taking us as kids to Coney Island and we always ate at Nathan's Famous. Nice memories. Nice way to end the post.
January 11, 2004
The Weekend of an Adult
For the excitement of it, I just fiinished my Sunday five-hour journey that started at Sam's Club (for our once a month trip to get diapers, wipes, TP, other paper goods), then a quick zip over to Wal-Mart for other 'things on the list' with it's mixed crowd of rednecks and yuppies all looking for that great deal. Then it was off to Giant (a local grocery chain) for the stuff on my list that I didn't, and wouldn't get, at the other places. During the whole period, the radio keeping track of the Indianapolis vs. Kansas City game. And then, of course Philly vs. Green Bay. All of this on the radio. Home in time to help the kids finish dinner, horse around an little, give both of them a bath, read books, and put them to bed. Such an exciting life.
January 09, 2004
The Death Watch
(11:29 PM, outside of Wlimington, DE on my way home from NYC)
Beyond work today, I watched Dad sitting there, in that chair, as the fluid spread down the plastic stream connected to his arm. The IV, with it's evil-goodness dripping into my father's arm, aimed at the bad armies and the good armies fighting for control of his body. From the nurses notes, we know that the bad armies have taken control of more ground, and only time will tell with the battle plan swings things back into our favor. Sun Tzu says to pick the hill you are prepared to die on. This is not the hill. It can't be. We are all too young.
There we were, the Sisters and I, just watching his tired soul in the chair. He looked the same, fairly, as he did when I saw him a month ago, It snowed that day. I didn't wear a hat. I never wear a hat, oh except for baseball hats. Logos that scream an allegiance to this team or that, fulfilling my male need tor a connection to sports. A religion of a sort. Something to scream at the TV for, or even better to scream at multi-millionaires playing boy's games while us fans sit in the stands, ever present, paying for this privelege to cheer them on. Yes, let's all cheer for the slow, dripping liquid. It's our team. Let's wear our team colors, would those be clear, somewhat milky overtones of poison dripping down into a fabulous, molecular shaped logo? And what would the Sisters do? Would they wave blood red pompoms, wear iron-clad skirts to protect from the radiation. Oh, that part was so long ago, but I remember. That was just the beginning and what we thought would be the end. It lay in wait, like any careful combatant. It bided it's time until it was ready to strike again. We are at war. And in some ways, our only weapon is hope.
Late night, early morning
Have to be up in five hours, so I should be in bed. But no, I need to watch Letterman and ponder life. Big news on Dave, of course, is Liza's divorce case and the wimpy, soon-to-be-ex David Gest, who's hiding out in Hawaii. This was noted with not much to do on A Socialite's Life,a great blog written by none other the Miu vonFurstenberg. I can only say, she lead's a most interesting life. Actually, I've become quite fascinated by all the blogs out there, and can't say what I need to make of my own litlle piece of literature here. If you can call it that. Only time will tell. Right now, I need to make a morning snack for Child 1 and get to bed.
The Death Watch?
Beyond work today, I watched Dad sitting there, in that chair, as the fluid spread down the plastic stream connected to his arm. The IV, with it's evil-goodness dripping into my father's arm, aimed at the bad armies and the good armies fighting for control of his body. From the nurses notes, we know that the bad armies have taken control of more ground, and only time will tell with the battle plan swings things back into our favor. Sun Tzu says to pick the hill you are prepared to die on. This is not the hill. It can't be. We are all too young.
There we were, the Sisters and I, just watching his tired soul in the chair. He looked the same, fairly, as he did when I saw him a month ago, It snowed that day. I didn't wear a hat. I never wear a hat, oh except for baseball hats. Logos that scream an allegiance to this team or that, fulfilling my male need tor a connection to sports. A religion of a sort. Something to scream at the TV for, or even better to scream at multi-millionaires playing boy's games while us fans sit in the stands, ever present, paying for this privelege to cheer them on. Yes, let's all cheer for the slow, dripping liquid. It's our team. Let's wear our team colors, would those be clear, somewhat milky overtones of poison dripping down into a fabulous, molecular shaped logo? And what would the Sisters do? Would they wave blood red pompoms, wear iron-clad skirts to protect from the radiation. Oh, that part was so long ago, but I remember. That was just the beginning and what we thought would be the end. It lay in wait, like any careful combatant. It bided it's time until it was ready to strike again. We are at war. And in some ways, our only weapon is hope.
My career (the carefully paranoid version)
It would seem that I am being bamboozled by a work triangle. My two female co-workers and my new boss seem to have formed a pretty little alliance, ala Survivor and I am the odd man (in a satellite office) out. Well, okay I could be stretching things a bit but I certainly don't feel comfortable with what I heard and saw in our NYC office today.
But hey, I'm in control of my destiny. I have my plan and I just have to stick to it, no matter what. The funny thing is that I thought all these people were my 'friends' but of course as we all know, it not about friendship, it's about business. Sink or swim. I'm here for me, I know that I'm the only person looking out for me, and I either need to find a great protector (best of luck) or maintain my composure until the time comes to make my move
Random Morning Thoughts
(written Friday morning at 7:15 am, waiting on the train to NYC, having overslept and missed the 6:30 train)
Isn't it funny that one of the most conservative men's clubs in Baltimore, is located in a gay neighborhood? Comeuppance to the n'th degree?
Speaking of gay, how did a word who's original meaning, as far as I know, come to refer to people who are homosexual? Anybody know?
Why can't Amtrak ever have trains that are consistently on time? (Of course right now their are signal problems here and all trains are delayed until the problem can be fixed.)
A note on the blogosphere...it is a cozy, read who-you-know kind of world. If you aren't part of the club, you either write in obscurity or self-promote until you get a following.
Why is most coffee too hot to drink when you first buy it?
Music I'm listening to these days: Well, Beck of course, The Shins, Raffi (I have kids you know), Outkast (who isn't?),
Most young couples have no clue what lays ahead of them.
Guy next to me is reading an article about deteriorating school conditions and student learning. Need fung siu?
Based on the above, it's clear that ones physical space greatly affects your mental state. When my office is 'neat', I work better. When it's a mess, I'm more scattered and less functional. You'd think I'd able to keep it clean more often, wouldn't you?
Why, oh why, do Baltimore cabbies slow down for green lights?