Have a Happy Halloween, from Jake and all of us!
Oct 312008
Oct 302008
Is it just me or does every presidential debate sound the same? Almost like they have the catchphrases they want to drive home because they don't believe Average Joe can handle the complexities of an actual policy stance…
I guess it's not just me…Synchronized Presidential Debating
Oct 242008
Well, we've come a long way with the house, and we're now stepping back a little and working to prioritize projects. Our master bedroom and office are about 99% done with just some finishing touches to go and most of the electrical work (upgrading from fuses to breakers, two-prong to three-prong outlets and GFIs, and putting in new switches) is done. Still, the list of things we'd like to get done is still long, but we're working on prioritizing those and handling them as we go. It's nice to slow down a bit, because working long days and coming home just to do more work on the house was beginning to wear on me a bit.
We're also trying to pick out a theme for our nursery. Right now, it seems like teddy bears playing sports and VeggieTales are leading the way. Both seem good to me, as I love sports, and VeggieTales still make me laugh. (On that note, we picked up the latest VeggieTales movie, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, to have down the line for our kid, and while previewing it I literally laughed until I cried. It's witty and enjoyable for all ages.) Hopefully we can come to a decision on that by the new year so I can shift my focus from the rest of the house to setting up the nursery.
Lastly, but not leastly, Marci and I will be out in Arizona late next week as we make the trip out to see my brother, Geoff, and his grilfriend, Courtney. Looking forward to that, and just getting away for a few days. Should be a good time to get some relaxing in, plus a little more warm weather, as it went from 70s to 40s around here in about a week, which has been a bummer. One weekend I was out doing yardwork in a t-shirt, and the next I'm searching for my winter jacket. Ah, but such is the weather here in Pittsburgh…
Oct 162008
It's true that you can't believe everything you read.
Crazy Dames Running Their Mouths
It's Really Almost The Same Thing!
It Probably Wasn't Covered In The Healthplan
I Was Confused Because It Said “United States Postal Service” On The Truck
Pile Some More Crap On!
Check out Criggo for more!
Oct 102008
I came up with this great Mac & Cheese recipe earlier this week and thought I'd share with everyone. If you like cheese, then this is the dish for you!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. box uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1/2 stick of butter (1/4 cup)
- 10 oz. Half & Half
- 1/2 lb. sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 lb. Velveeta
- 1/2 lb. sharp American cheese
- Cooking spray
- Italian breadcrumbs (optional)
Directions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large pot, boil macaroni until it is al dente. Drain, and put in a greased 9″x11″ glass dish.
- In same pot, melt butter into Half & Half.
- Once butter is melted, slowly add cheese and melt until sauce is smooth. Continue this process until all cheese has been incorporated.
- Once all cheese has been added and sauce is smooth, pour over macaroni and stir to coat. Top with Italian breadcrumbs and spray with cooking spray (optional).
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbling. Serve warm.
Try it out and let me know what you think.
Oct 102008
In case you were wondering, I've been a little slow with the posting this week because I got a bit worn down. Between working on the house and keeping my pregnant wife happy, I've found myself yearning to crash in front of the TV (now that it's hooked up…another topic I've been meaning to write about) and catch the Red Sox games or play the Wii (now that I've finally got a copy of MegaMan 9).
Its overwhelming at times though, with so much that we still want to get done around the house. I just have to keep pacing myself and prioritizing as much as possible. That said, if anyone would ever like to help out, just drop me a line!
Oct 032008
Al Davis should have patented “You're Fired” before Donald Trump got the chance…
Earlier this week, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis fired his head coach, Lane Kiffin, only four weeks into the new season. Not only was Kiffin fired, but he was fired “with cause”, meaning that Davis just doesn't like him and refuses to honor their contract. The team is now on their 5th coach in 6 seasons, with no stability in sight.
And I'm sure this whole Kiffin firing is going to blow up into something bigger. Kiffin is a young coach who was a bit too honest at times, but had his team playing hard for him. Seeing as he had no input on personnel decisions, regardless of what “documentation” Davis has, he was in a tough spot (which he should have known he would be, because he was employed by Al Davis). Now Davis is calling Kiffin an outright liar and rambling on about other conspiracies of the league agains the Raiders (like the unfiled “tampering” charge against New England over Randy Moss…Davis was just upset that Randy gave up on his Raiders team and went on to play well for the Patriots last season). Even those who usually take an unbiased stance in their reporting are calling Davis a flat-out liar.
With these events, Davis continues to make a mockery of himself and the Raiders organization. Until he either changes his ways (not likely) or steps down as the head of the Raiders organization, it's unlikely that the Raiders will even have the chance to return to glory.
Oct 032008
As election day draws nearer and nearer (only 32 days away as of today), I am becoming less and less clear about who I favor in the coming election. Right now, I'd love to be able to take stances from each of the four Presidential and VP candidates, and combine them into one ideal candidate. Unfortunately, that's not possible (besides, I might be looked down on for creating some kind of Franken-candidate) and a decision has to be made. So I guess I've got the next month to figure things out…
In the meantime, here are some rambling thoughts on the candidates:
- Sarah Palin comes across like she's running for high school class president. When she gave a “shout out” to her teacher-brother and his students, she sounded like she was trying to be the “cool” mom. That just rubs me the wrong way…this should be a serious political contest, not a popularity contest.
- Joe Biden has been through a lot in his life, including losing his first wife and daughter in a car accident, and then raising his sons by himself while carrying on the duties of a U.S. Senator. There are many who would not have stood so strong.
- I think I'd be more likely to vote for Joe Biden for President then for Barak Obama.
- It's odd how each Presidential candidate appears to be at odds with their running-mates over some important issues. Makes it seem like they were just trying to appease as many voters as possible instead of taking a hard stand on any issue. That, unfortunately, appears to be the theme of this year's campaigns.
- The only one of the four that appears to be in tune with the educational problems in our country is Palin.
- I do favor Obama's tax plan over McCain's, as it appears to spread the tax burden more fairly across the economic population.
- The main themes that I find from the two candidates this year are the following: McCain and Palin are looking to privatize and reduce the reach of the government, while Obama and Biden are looking to see what else the government can do.
- For the record, I believe that the government has been “bigger” than it's needed to be for at least the last 2-3 generations of Americans, and it's time for the American people to be more responsible for themselves instead of relying on the government.
- At worst, Palin is probably at least a better shot than Dick Cheney.
If you haven't registered to vote yet, do so ASAP, or you'll lose your right to complain for the next four years…
Oct 032008
Once again, I have chosen to participate in Pink For October, to honor my mother who fought breast cancer bravely, but ultimately succumbed to it when it metastasized into her brain a year and a half ago. I encourage you to do your part in honoring and helping those many who have been affected by this ailment.
Oct 012008
So after a long and grueling season (extra long, if you're a member of the Chicago White Sox), we're now taking the Top 8 into the playoffs, baseball's second season. How will it play out? Well, here's what I think will happen:
Divisional Series
Red Sox vs. Angels – The Halos have had their spot in the postseason locked up for some time now, while the Red Sox fought all season for the East division. While the Angels handled the BoSox easily during the season, Boston has handled them in the playoffs recently. I say history continues it's trend and the Sox take the series in 4.
White Sox vs. Rays – The Pale Hose snuck into the playoffs with their 163rd game, and are due for the hangover. However, they won't go quietly. The Rays' youth will take this one in 5.
Dodgers vs. Cubs – The Cubs have been the frontrunner all season, and definitely went on cruise control down the stretch and Big Z was all out of whack. The Dodgers have a good rotation and hot bats around Manny Ramirez, and will bring more misery to the faithful of chicago by taking the series in 4.
Brewers vs. Phillies – The Brewers are a team that hadn't seen the postseason in well over two decades (yes, since before some of their players were born), and they squeeked into the playoffs. But unless CC Sabathia can pitch three times in the series, their ride ends here. Phillies should take the series in 5.
League Championship Series
Red Sox vs. Rays – A team who routinely makes the playoffs against a club making their first ever trip. That lack of experience with postseason failure will be the Rays best hope, but the BoSox just have too much experience for a short series, and should take the series in 6 games.
Dodgers vs. Phillies – This could be a fun series that is truly up for grabs. Both are solid, if unspectacular, but the Dodgers hold the pitching edge, which is key in the postseason. Blue in 7.
World Series.
Red Sox vs. Dodgers – In what could be one of the most-watched, media-hyped, and entertaining World Series of my lifetime, it would pit the Manny-less Red Sox agains the Dodgers who Manny carried into the postseason. However, the Sox can match the pitching of the Dodgers, and have a better lineup from top to bottom. Expect the Red Sox to take the series in 7, with mini-might Dustin Pedroia taking the MVP honors in his second full season in the bigs.