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July 13, 2005

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

This Just In...

Apparently, the National Hockey League, and the Union that represents the players, The National Hockey League Players Association, have reached an agreement, in principle. What does this mean? Several things, actually. First and foremost, we may get to see hockey again. (I say 'may', because as of this writing, it isn't a done deal. It also means that the fans, so deprived of their beloved sport, get to finally see a deserving team like the Tampa Bay Lightning enjoy a season to defend Lord Stanley's Cup. It also means that fans might not come back to the NHL, because, lets face it, the NHL didn't come to the fans. They (and by 'they' I mean the players and the league) were thinking of nothing but themselves when they were faced with this situation years ago. Many thought that this would be the end of the NHL as we know it, and it still might, since small market teams can't compete with other sporting events. Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and the Atlanta Thrashers are struggling thanks to college basketball and football. Well, enough with the naysaying, it's time for the coolest sport on ice, and that's hockey. For more, go to NHL.COM to read what happened, and what's happening next. Also, feel free to check out the team that has been my favorite since I was a little boy back in New York, The New Jersey Devils.

A few seasons ago, when there was hockey (just a memory now) Megan and I had a chance to see The Stanley Cup, and take pictures with it!

Okay, so Megan wasn't all that thrilled, but she did enjoy the experience.

I, on the other hand, was beside myself, after being beside the Stanley Cup! The Freaking Stanley Cup! OMG!

It was an awesome experience, and one I won't soon forget.

Now, let's play some hockey, and GO DEVILS!!!!

Posted by Jon at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)

July 09, 2005

The Spider That Wouldn't Die...(A True Story)

Those of you who know me, know that I can't stand a spider. Don't like 'em in my house, don't like 'em in my car, don't like them here or there, I don't like them anywhere. Growing up, I was taught two things about spiders: one, that spiders are good creatures, in that they eat other bugs, and two, it is bad luck to kill a spidey. I guess it's certainly a plus for the eight legged freaks to eat other bugs, but that's about the only positive thing I can say about them. As for superstition, well, I'm getting older now, and the spiders seem to be getting bigger, and nastier. As such, I refused to kill spiders, opting instead to either shoo them out of my home, or place them under a cup, slide a piece of paper under the cup, then toss them out. However, that little trick has a major flaw: if you don't do it right, the paper can bend, and the spider can escape. And if he does, look out. Now the spider is pissed. He's coming after you. So, as my friends will tell you, sometimes, the spider just stayed under the cup, and died there, making it easier for me to dispose of the curled up carcass. (Or vacuum it up, which ever was less gross.) But what happened on Friday morning (7-8-06) will haunt my dreams forever. I began my day in the usual way, showering, getting dressed, and taking the dog out for a walk. When I returned, there was a big spider (imagine the biggest spider you ever saw, and it was TWICE that size) sitting near our dining room table, waiting to sneak off and do something spider like. Now, it's decision time, cup, vacuum or shoe? No time for cup, because, really, then I can't drink out of the cup, after a nasty spider was in there, you know? Vacuum was out, because it would wake Jonah and Megan, plus, by the time I got it out, the spidey would have absconded. So, it was shoe time. More decisions: her shoe, or one of mine? I figured that since this was a huge arachnid, it was going to leave a mess, and all Megan had handy was either open toed shoes, or tennies. No good on the open toed models, for obvious reasons. Tennies were out as I didn't want to mess them up. So, I have a pair of black shoes that would work for the time being. Keeping one eye on the spider and the other helping me to find my shoe, I raised my weapon of choice, and slammed the shoe down on the spider. After the initial attack, Zoe went to sniff the spider, who moved! I am not kidding when I tell you that the shoe literally bounced off the spider, doing no damage whatsoever, and, in fact, I could swear I heard the spider giggling at me. Now I'm freaked. So, I reclaim my weapon, and reload for another shot. Whap! A second time on the spider, and the exact same result. The spider is now looking at me, and licking its chops. No kidding, the second shoe slam did nothing to this spider. Once again, Zoe went to sniff at it, and it tried to crawl away. Nothing doing. So, as they say the third time is the charm. This time, using all of the emotional, spiritual and physical strentgh I could muster, I sent the shoe hurtling downwards. This time, the spider was done. Or so I thought. He was no match for me, my shoe and my hatred of his kind. He curled up, and I was finally allowed to complete my routine, and hopefully, not be late for work. At that point, I noticed Zoe was going near the ex-spider, and wondered if she was going to eat it. (She does things like that; she's really wierd.) Not long after the battle, Megan emegered from the bedroom, and was about to walk into the killing field, when I warned her that there was a dead spider in her path. Looking over to where my enemy and I just faced off, I saw that the spider was gone. So I asked Megan, did she pick the dead thing up? She replied in the negative. So, we both just figured that Zoe ate the dead bug, and we both went on about our day. Upon my return home from work that evening, I noticed a brown spot on the carpet. It seems that when Megan was moving Jonah's diaper bag, the spider had crawled underneath it, in one last, desperate attempt to survive. But Megan, not a spider lover herself, wouldn't hear of it. She grabbed a shoe (doesn't matter whose shoe or what kind it is; she doesn't have those issues like I do) placed the heel on top of the once thought dead spider, and mashed it into oblivion, and into the carpet. I know this story seems unlikely, but it's the truth. Yes, I have been known to sometimes embellish the truth, but, since I have a witness, (my wife who would never lie) I swear that this story is true. The moral of which is, spiders: stay the hell out of my house.

The end.

Posted by Jon at 08:17 AM | Comments (0)

July 07, 2005

The London Bombings...

I usually use my 'blog to have fun, show cute pics of my family, and generally have a good time. However, I am going to take a time out for a moment, to rant and be depressed with my fellow peace loving human beings around the world. I was shocked and saddened to hear of the bombings in London this morning. It sickens me that we as human beings do this to each other. Ideologies aside, we are all humans, and we all share at least one thing in common: we exist. We may not want to exist with others in peace, but at the end of the day, we all live on this planet. It is distressing that we cannot fight the true enemies of peace, and put this sad trend of terrorism behind us. Those reposnsible don't consider what they have done as wrong or bad, and that is what drives them. They believe they will be martyred in some mythical place, that, as far as I am concerned, does not, and cannot exist. Human beings capable of destroying lives will get no special treatment in the afterlife. They will get nothing their leaders have promised them. Meanwhile, while they think they are going to their reward, we are left to deal with the death, injuries, sadness and fear that they have created. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of today's attacks, and further pray that someone, somewhere, at some time, will put a stop to the senseless and brutal killings of fellow human beings.

Thanks for listening.

--Jonathan

Posted by Jon at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)

July 06, 2005

Babies, Babies Everywhere!

Well, it seems as if the family just keeps getting bigger! Today, we welcome Leah Jean into the family!

Leah's parents are Eric and Fran. Eric is my cousin, and he and Fran live in Texas. This is their first child, and she is just beautiful! They have been waiting for her for a very long time!

Here's Eric, with Daddy's little girl...

And here's Mom, (Fran) with her little angel...

And rounding out the latest pics of Leah, are Leah and her Grandparents. (Eric's Mom and Dad.)

And now for the info that you've all been waiting for, straight from Dad...(with a little editing help from me.)

"Leah Jean was born on Monday June 27, 2005, and weighed in at 8 pounds 7 ounces, but has beefed up a bit and now tips the scales at 9 pounds 8 ounces. She was 20 1/2 inches long and has light brown hair. She has a wonderful disposition and is feeding, pooping, sleeping and doing everything you would expect a baby to do at this stage. We are thrilled to have her home and look forward to have everyone see and meet her.

Love to all.

Fran, Eric and Leah"

So that is the latest edition to our family. Check back often for more pics and info on Leah Jean!

And one last personal note, Megan, Jonah and I are thrilled for both Eric and Fran. We cannot wait to see them again, and meet their brand new baby girl! Mazel Tov!

Posted by Jon at 09:12 PM | Comments (0)