The 4th!

I had a pleasant conversation with my four year old yesterday. He asked me what this holiday is about!

I could not have been more proud.

I told him the story of our country is still being written. After a good amount of definitions which he had never heard before... we settled on July 4th standing for our country's birthday.

His next two questions were as predictable as the sun setting and the fireworks to follow...

Will there be a cake?
Who will open the presents?

The best part of the conversation was playing the email I sent most of my readers. Even better, Michael recognized six or so pictures from the presentation. We talked about our country and my desire to see every single landmark noted in the slide show. (I'm about 60 percent there already.) Mike immediately said... Dad I want to see them with you.

Although I wanted so badly to make that promise, I simply said we will try and if we do not complete it together, let's decide now that we complete that journey for each other regardless of how. Again, having no idea what he just agreed to... we hugged and he went about his way.

Yesterday was such a spectacular day. The day became much more than it was intended to become. I was scheduled to work 8-5. Thankfully, we were overstaffed and I bolted without even double checking. I love it when I get to act on readily available information before the minion's. I heard there were at least three people stuck due to poor information exchange. (Sucks for them) I returned home by 8:40 am. I went right back to bed... already apart of a spectacular day recipe.

After I woke up I played some xbox. We went to the store(s) to get our activities completed for the day. After we got back home, I finished crown molding in my new office, finished all the wiring in there as well, the kids swam, and Debra prepared for our feast.

Shortly after that I had my conversation with Mike.

The kids all took naps in preparation for the long night ahead of us. Debra and I had dinner and my mom came over for the fireworks. I started our outdoor fire and set up the smores for dessert. Now that was a real treat... we were fairly unique yesterday as we got to see every one's fireworks on the block as we roasted marsh mellows and made smores. After we were done watching and enjoying the fire, I started the fireworks. It was fun fun fun! Especially since the kids were really into it. Nobody got hurt. Everyone enjoyed sparklers individually and we all sat back and took in the color and sounds of celebrating independence day.

July 4th 2008 will not be soon forgotten.

0-2

My summer season is 5 weeks old and I have only gotten two games in. I have never started 0-2 to start a season, I can say I am not upset with the results.

I lost two tiebreaker matches. In both games, I should have beat my opponent two games straight and did not get it done.

Match 1. I shut the fella out. 15-0. It was my first recorded shut out in league play. The opponent came back strong in game two and I certainly let up. Mistake #1... I lost 7-15. The tie breaker was the killer. I led 8-3 and lost 8-11. My cardio was a factor, but I am not blaming anything... the player took my win from me. I'll see him in the league tourney. The good part is he is 5-0. He only lost one game and it was too me... I like my rematch chances.

Match 2. I played this game versus another lefty exactly how I wanted to. I hit my shots and again I went up on my opponent 1-0 in games. Like in the other match, I faded fast and he made more shots when it counted. I seemed to get all my shots on side outs... which truly sucked. That does not assist with scoring... it just gets him out of the box. Nice man. I have played him before... he gets off the court and says... "I had no business beating you. You can't keep the door open on people.... I just walked it home."

That is probably the best way to describe my season... Good, but not good enough!

My next match is on Sunday. I have never beaten this player in any match... I will try to reverse this trend!!

Room switching...

We are in the final stages of switching around some rooms in the house.

The girls use to share a room and I had a bedroom for an office. Well, like all good things you need to mix things up.

Madison needed her own space. It is hard for sisters to co-exist on two different schedules. Besides, we were able to install a stage for her. I know it sounds odd, but she loves it and Madison will sing for an audience.

Novatana is back on her own. She has a computer in her room; two guinea pigs named Timothy and Austin; and space for reading and doing her homework. I installed a ceiling fan, which dramatically lowers the temp in the hottest room in the house.

Michael took over my old office. We transformed this room into a pirate cove. He loves being on his own, but it took some getting use to.

My office is now where the laundry room use to be. I moved the washer and dryer into the garage for 600 dollars. Cool benefit... we still get to park Jeep and Minivan in the space as well. For several months, my brother stored his business inventory in my garage, but since are improving dramatically for him, he has is own business front in a local market. I outsourced the electrical and plumbing work and Debra and I will complete the rest of the changes.

Taking a lead from my brother, we are creating a nice cozy office in the smaller space.

• ceiling fan
• remove pop corn
• repair drywall from electrical and plumbing work
• wire it for an office
• paint - 49er theme
• install a solid wood door which will be stained and varnished for my new desk top
• purchase a 32" flat panel multi-use TV (PC; TV; Xbox)
• replace interior door with glass/blind combo for light much needed natural light
• consider adding a picture window for added light (this room has no windows and is pretty small. I am not sure I want to add the picture window, but we will decide once the door is replaced.

Anyways... that is the latest on that project. Pictures to come.

FUGU

Have you heard of it? Do not search google please. I am curious if you know the term, since it has affected me personally...

Part III

Thursday: LA Fitness = check

Friday: Mets Game = check


Saturday: Life Style Fitness...


This place is very nice. The second nicest place I have ever worked out in. The design of the site was first class. The facilities were all brand new, which is a bonus, but the quality of the materials used will make this place seem like new for years to come. The Exercise floor was huge. I got a great work out in and then played some racquetball. The racquetball courts were not very good. The wrong type of flooring was used and it was not sealed very well. The clatter between the floor and the foundation was annoying, but it was even worse between the court panels and the support walls.


After the workout, Brian went to retrieve JP from his treadmill run. JP ran a long way - over 15 miles. JP was very happy Brian went and got him due to a particular issue that it truly interesting.


We have all heard of chaffing. I am sure we all know what it is and I do not need to describe it. What I wager we all have not heard before is nipple chaffing. Specifically, the friction caused by the shirt runners have on creates an environment hostile to nipples. Why JP felt the need to discuss his nipples with Brian and I will be a mystery, but that is not my focus. My focus is on this problem that must affect thousands of men. Why would anyone participate in an activity where their bodies may be damaged on such a sensitive area? I am sure JP will not comment, but this is an erogenous zone for many men.

And why does this affect only men? It is my understanding women would have two bigger problems to contend with. It is also my contention that women would get far more movement in that area compared to men. Brian was quick to pounce on this one... he said the runners bra or sport support negates the friction for women. Excuse me, but do they not still move all over the place when women run? I do not make it a habit of starring at women running, but I have viewed examples before... those things are all over the place!! Here is the problem... if men complain... what the heck are women doing?


Sunday: JP's Birthday...


Although this party was missing some kids and a wife, the gathering was pretty sweet. The food was great. The dessert was outstanding! I enjoyed it all night long!! Best of all, I was introduced to Hearts.


Hearts is a popular card game which players are in competition for the lowest amount of points until someone goes over a preset number. You can "get" other players to do this by trapping, good strategy, but most deadly of all is card counting. A player that can count cards effectively will truly separate themselves from everyone else. It is an acquired skill, but since such a small number of cards count so heavily against you... knowing where they are and who has then can dictate how you play your hand, so you can avoid them!!


Great game... lots of strategy!!

LA Fitness

My second day, first full day if you discount my arrival at 4:30 pm the day before, I went to lunch at Red Robin premium burgers. I had a fabulous egg, bacon and cheese burger... enjoyed the company of the Daw's and then went back to Brian's for some MotoGP and Call of Duty2 gaming...

At 4:00 pm I went to LA Fitness... I completed my workout knowing that JP and Brian were coming to the site to play some racquetball. I knew it was going to be an energy output afternoon, but I also had that delicious Red Robin burger to hold me over until we caught dinner later that evening. I finished my workout at 5:15-5:30. Called the fellas for ETA' s and it was shaping up for a 6:30-7:00 arrival for them both. I reserved courts and enjoyed watching several doubles matches and some 1/1 battles. The level of play at this LA Fitness was either reserved to Yellow/Blue/Black level players or I was lucky enough to see a bunch of men trying out for a ladies league... either way you slice it I could beat anyone I saw playing. Some - I could be 2 on 1. There I sat waiting for my boyz to arrive. Waiting.... I call again at 6:30. "Where are you?" I asked Brian. Brian replied with, "I'm at JP's we will see you soon." Shortly after 7 pm they both show up... I am not mad - not in the slightest. I advise we will get as many games in as possible and then we can go get some dinner. (Hence - Grizzley is hungry, but I wants to play first.) Brian mentions subtlety... we already ate!!!!

WTF - you two pieces of crap ate??? No, they ate fettuccine Alfredo, salad, and some sides cooked up by Mrs. Parrish. I can not even begin to tell you how pissed I was.... not only am I waiting up here for you two... but I had to wait while you enjoyed a fabulous meal???? That was just low. Of course, JP added there are left overs... which was great since that is how I felt.

I took my revenge. Although they are both still learning the game, Brian and JP played a couple of hard fought matches. I think JP had very good court awareness, but Brian showed his superior experience by mixing up serves and shot types to eventually beat JP. They both lost to me, obviously, but Brian played especially well for coming off rotator cuff surgery in his non swinging shoulder some weeks before.

JP bet me that if given a 12 point lead, he would be able to beat me. JP lost that bet. 13-15. I enjoyed the subject of my next post... I dipped into that well several times while in Phx.

I'll be posting....

several different posts over the next few days highlighting my trip out west. The purpose of my trip was to hook up with my west coast friends. These same people were in my wedding party and are for obvious reasons are top shelf quality. As an added bonus, my other west coast nomad from Norcal, but in the near future headed to the south east valley of Phx, was out there house hunting.

All in all... I give the trip 9 out of 10. The only sour point of the trip was the Mets loss on Saturday. I thought we roughed up Webb pretty well, but did not get it done. Taking the series was a consolation prize... the sweep was within the Mets grasp! I attended the Friday night opener... it did just that. It spread those Dbacks wide open. You know... for a good ole NY style beating!

More to come... but I wanted to at least let everyone know I am home safe and sound.