Belgian NOT French!

Been watching old BBC (90's) productions of Herule Perot played by David Suchet (Agatha Christie's detective) with Pops on DVD. I feel like an old lady...but I LOVE them. I recommend to all:

I also watched another BBC production, "Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle" which is loosely based on Arthur Conan Doyle and tells of a young Mr. Doyle meeting the infamous Dr. Bell on whom he would later base his famous Sherlock Holmes character. It was a gift from my brother Andy and his wife and it was awesome. Of course, both shows have strong British accents (and Belgian) but if you crank it up they are very enjoyable.

Other than that...been normal around the house. I went to Tucson for a bit. Lost money quickly at Dad's old Casino and sweated in the 100 degree heat. Going back to L.A. again....fun stuff (well, if I didn't have to work the whole time it would be.).

My Home Town, The Windy City an LA Heat

Been traveling a lot the past six weeks. In July I took a trip back home to DC/Fairfax. I had a reunion of some friends I grew up playing soccer with. Also got to spend time with the nephews an my sister Lynda. Then the following weekend I went to Chicago/La Porte, IN to take my dad to visit his mom (Go Grandma! 101 and still ticking). We stayed Sunday night in Chicago and went to a Cubs game. We had great seats and Chicago is such a great city. Here are a couple of pictures: (View entire Albums HERE)

After I got back from Chicago, the following week I went to L.A. for business for the week. Didn't get a chance to do anything fun...all work. Had plans to go to a ball game (Dodgers) but damn work got in the way. When I got back I found out one of my friends that I caught up with at the reunion was also out in the land of stars and was at the Dodgers game...small world.

I'm having a cocktail at the hotel bar in El Segundo with some co-workers. My cell phone

'buzzes' on the bar. I glance and notice the area code..."wrong number, I'm sure". But it wasn't a wrong number. Instead it was the voice of someone I hadn't heard from in years. Very strange.

I haven't blogged a lot. Facebook has kept me busy, but I'm burning out from that. It was a great tool to get the ol' gang together this summer but it is getting old.

Aunt Weez broke her ankle. Poor thing is in a cast and may have to have surgery...no fun for an 83 year old I'm sure. So, GET WELL WEEZ! We're thinking of you!

Weez with us girls circa '73

Good Short Film...traveling much?

To the left I posted a short film from about 6 years ago. It is about 20 minutes long and is really good. Robert Downey Jr. is hilarious. It also has Tim Roth (my favorite), Amanda Peet and Zoey somethingerother (sorry, can't think of it). You can watch it from this site or for better/bigger picture click the "Get link" or this.

I’ve been super busy. I have some trips in the near future, LA, Chicago and DC...not necessarily in that order. Little bit of business and pleasure. Maybe Atlanta too but I’m not sure yet.

Things around the house are quiet. The weather is warming up to the usual unbearable temperatures of a Florida summer. The Cubs are stinking up the windy city…at least their bullpen is anyway. I keep waiting for Lou to throw a hissy fit on the field but he has disappointed me so far...more later.

Talked to my old friend Mickey for a few hours last weekend. He is doing well. His four kids (which he promised to send pictures but he didn't...Mickey, I know you are reading this...!!) are doing well as is his wife Angie. Unfortunately he will be heading back to Iraq or Afghanistan in the near future for another tour. I gave him my usual dose of liberal shit for getting back into the Marine Corps reserves...but not too much. I told him he is getting to old to "play war" anymore. Seriously, keep your head down Mickey and come back in more or less one piece. It was great catching up with you.

...so is a person's human nature basically good with some evil tendencies or the opposite? Calvin or Hobbes? This was the topic of discussion last night. What do you think?

Quentin Tarantino is THE Man

Trailer for his new movie coming out in August. I can't wait. He is, in my opinion, the most talented director of our generation.

Pops: The Sequel

Dad had his defibrillator put on last Wednesday. The procedure went well. He will go to the doctor next week to have the staples in his chest taken out and then we will have the pacemaker part of the machine set to boost his heart rate. He was in some discomfort later the night of the surgery but handles it ok. The next day he woke with excruciating pain in his back that was shooting down his leg. Knowing Dad doesn't complain much I was worried. I took him to his family doctor today and it turns out he has Shingles on top of everything else. He has a nasty rash on his lower back....poor guy has been through so much. The Doc gave him pain pills and I am putting calamine lotion on the rash. He'll muddle through this I'm sure. In the meantime he is relying on his walker more than usual. Here he is before the surgery.

My Right Eye

Busy weekend coming up....write more later.

Test From My iPhone

Got a new APP for my iPhone for the blog.

Dad got his defibrialator put in today...all went well. More later...

Check THIS Out!!

I cried. This Scottish woman, who has never been kissed, is the most amazing singer ever! Click on Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg

Stent THIS!

Dad went in for a routing cardiac catheterization at Melbourne Hospital last week. It was the last step before him getting a defibrillator inserted in his chest. He passed the stress tests and echocardiograms. Unfortunately, the doctor found a significant blockage in one of his aortic arteries. They put a large stent in and the procedure went fairly well.

He goes in for a follow up next week and we will have to re-visit/re-test to see if he is a candidate now for a defibrillator.

Other than that...Dad is his usual jovial self.

Uncle Kenny and Aunt Vesta say they are coming down for a visit. It will be nice to see them. I imagine they will stop some other places during their trip down. Hope they don't wait until it gets too hot!

Cindy has take to throwing a fit now when Dad leaves for his weekly poker game. She is used to the old man sitting in his chair with a book and the TV on and she does NOT like her routine to be interrupted. I tried to explain to Dad the the house must revolve around Cindy's every want and desire, but he won't acquiesce. 

Playing Catch-up!

Let's see, what should I start out with? My Grandmother Turned 101 years young on March 21st. Below is the local paper clipping. I think she looks great and it is nice to have a celebrity in the family! 

Dad and I plan on visiting her the first week of July...provided Dad's health turns out OK.

(Segue-way)...speaking of Dad, he is have his cardiac catheratization tomorrow at the hospital. Provided they find no blockages he will be good to go to have a fibulator put in to regulate his heart and/or give it a shock if needed. If he has a blockage then they will stint it and he may have to go another route instead of the fibulator. He is doing ok, a bit grouchier than normal but that is probably his nerves!

Susan and I spent last weekend in Phoenix for three days of Cubbies spring training. We got to meet some old hall of famers (Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams) but the current Cubs team was rather aloof and "non spring training-ish". I have never seen a team behave that way. I guess the Cubs figure their fans are suckers (we are) so they don't have to mingle, sign autographs or even acknowledge with a wave or nod. Assholes! I'm still a fan though! See below:

Fergie

Billy

A-Holes

We stayed at a hotel by the ASU campus so we had plenty of watering holes and it was a blast. What a great campus area ASU is. If I could go back, I would go to school there!

More later....oh...injecting yourself in the abdomen with a human hormone isn't as scary as I thought! And the Scramblers reunion is set for the last weekend in June!

Been a Long Time....II

Wow! I can't believe I haven't blogged in soooooo long. A lot going on. 

First, for family and friends. Dad my have to have a fibulator put in for his heart. The meds he was on to help regulate his heart after his heart failure caused his pulse to go dangerously low. So...they are trying a new med but aren't optimistic. It would be somewhat invasive and there is always a chance for infection so we will know more in a few weeks.

I have gotten on Facebook at the urging of friends which is probably why I haven't blogged so much...you must join if you haven't it is fun and I will promise I won't turn down your friend request!

Going to Atlanta and LA on business in the near future. Also going to Phoenix for a VIP Cubs spring training package in a couple weeks...should be a blast. I will post pictures.

Funny story: yesterday I ran into the store for a quick errand. I b-lined in the wine section for my favorite bottle(s) of wine. A man in his late forties/early fifties, somewhat stocky stopped me and asked for my opinion on a good wine. He explained he was having a "first date" with a woman tomorrow and he was planning a picnic. He had Publix fried chicken, some side salads, some fruit and bread in his basket. I pointed out a decent cheap bottle of white wine for him.

Fast forward to the checkout line where he settles in behind me. He starts to make small talk and points to all his groceries saying, "I'm a romantic...I have the whole meal planned and will have music too." He pointed to each piece food as I described above....laying on top of the pile of food...an extra large box of condoms. I kid you not....I said, "Well...you ARE optimistic, that is good!"....he laughed then said, "your ring finger is blank, you single?"...I said, "It'll take more than a bucket of chicken and a cheap bottle of wine, sir." True story, I laughed my ass off when I saw that box of condoms...men!

More later.

I found all these old patches tied up in a plastic bag in a storage facility. I went there to look for old pictures but found these. I made a slideshow of them. Some are fantastically done with intricate stitching while others are cheap and boring. But, they make for interesting conversation. These patches were typically exchanged by youth soccer players during tournament play in the 70's and 80's. I have no idea if the tradition continues, but as you'll see they come from all over. Enjoy.

Funny Video

Funniest fuc*ing Christmas video ever to your left. It is NSFW (not suitable for work) but you must turn the volume up.

Happy New Year

A year in review. Things I learned, heard and experienced in 2008.

Things you don't want to hear when rushed to the ER:

1. Do you want to see a Priest?

2. Do you have a living will?

3. You have some bleeding in your brain.

4. Did you know you have an old tumor in your brain?

Odd things I heard this year:

1. Here is the instruction booklet for your new toilet Ms. Reeder.

2. Would you like cheese on your cheeseburger?

Things you don't want to be told, 2008 edition:

1. Aunt Cathy your are soooooo unoxis (obnoxious)!

2. Your raise is going to be below average this year, Cathy.

3. Aunt Cathy, you're real good. You should play lacrosse...for OLD people.

4. Your house is worth 40% less than what you paid for it Ms. Reeder.

5. Your dog's operation will cost $3000...we can put you on a payment plan...

6. You will have to change your Dad's catheter bag at least twice a day Ms. Reeder.

Things you don't want to be asked, 2008 edition:

1. Driver's License and Registration please

2. May I see your I.D. please?...oooh (upon noticing my birth year) I'm sooo sorry Ma'am.

3. Step on the scale please.

4. Can you give your Dad an enema an hour before the procedure Ms. Reeder? (hell no!)

Memorable Moments of 2008

1. Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win!

2. Cubs lose! Cubs lose! Cubs lose!

Things you learned this year but could have died without knowing:

1. Whether or not your own dad is circumcised...sigh...

All in all a good year. I have my health and family and friends. Cheers!

Cathy

Xmas is Done

More later. I posted photos from Xmas on shutterfly. The link to my photo site is: Cathy's photos I will put a permanent link under the "link" title to the left of this page.

Fa La La La Laaa...La Laa..la laaaaaaaaa!

Xmas is near...here is the house:

All those gifts are Susan's...what's up with that?

Mom's Nativity Scene

Fireplace with stockings for the Cats and Dog

House with lights...I almost broke my neck!

Old School, Memories and bBall

What is up, let's see. Spent the day today putting up the tree and various decorations. I haven't gotten to the outside yet. It looks like xmas will be in Florida this year as Dad doesn't want to travel. As of now, Lynda and family will travel down but that is all I have heard from. Pat, of course, will be trekking her usual Xmas holiday around the world. This year is Peru and Manchu Piccu (I'm certain I have spelled that incorrectly). We'll make the most of it. 

Dad and I went to the Florida Tech game last night. They lost to Lynn University but in their defense, they started four freshman and their star player from Sloviakia is hurt. They are pretty good, Lynn was lights out from behind the arc. Favorite Dad quote of the night, "No Fair! their guys played better than our guys!". Dad absolutely loves their Senior point guard who is 5' 10" but a terrific 3 point shooter and passer. I think he is Dad's favorite player. Dad even remembers his name every time we go. "Is Ballard in??", he says. It's cute because the kid is always in....almost never comes out. Dad loves going to the games but we'll have to take an alternate seating route next time (Dad already wants to know when the next home game is) because I have to get help to get him down the bleachers and it is too dangerous. He has gotten past the embarrassment and accepts help from strangers now, which if you know Dad is a HUGE step.

I got some old school Adidas Sambas, complete with the old logo. See pic I took of me feet below. 

Old soccer buddies have gotten me on Facebook. We are slowly getting in touch with all my old friends. I even dug some old photos out and scanned them in. Man, hard to believe I was ever that young. Sigh....

Final Product

Finished the movie project. I'm off work this week which is so nice.

Work in Progress

 This is a work in progress, not nearly complete but I thought I would post it anyway. About 12 min. long. 

Ugh

See to the left. My sister Susan talked me into posting this. That is me in the hat acting like an Ass in the 80's...sweeet.

Mason Basketball

Exhibition game last night, the result:

George Mason 72

Randolph Macon 73

...who is Randolph Macon, you ask? a small DIVISION III school in Virginia. Yup, D3....it is going to be a long year.