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November 30, 2008

Something Happened...

Something happened, and I failed.

I missed a day.

November 27th, 2008 was, for some reason, skipped. I have no idea how that happened.

The calender doesn't lie.

So, since January 1st, 2008, I have missed a total of three postings. One was missed because I was at a fatal car accident, the other I missed because I was tremendously, fantastically sick, and just this past week, I missed one, and I have no idea what happened.

Damn.

I posted the night before Thanksgiving, and simply, I guess, posted nothing on Thanksgiving Day.

What a bummer.

See you tomorrow...(Maybe...)

Posted by Jon at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)

November 29, 2008

A Long Day, Combined With No Creativity...

...gets you a re-posting.

It's lame I know, but honestly, there is another reason behind this re-posting.

A friend of mine's dog passed away yesterday, and he is very depressed about the whole thing. (No, the dog isn't depressed, my friend is, but I suppose the dog is depressed too, but I digress.)

So he posted on his Facebook account that he misses his buddy. So I wanted to send him pictures of our cute dog, in an effort to cheer him up. I never did send him the pics, though, because I thought that seeing them might depress him more, so I looked at the pics, and it cheered me up, so it isn't a total loss.

Hopefully, if you're having a bad day, they will cheer you up too.

See you tomorrow.

From August 3rd, 2008...

We really do have hundreds of pictures of Zoe and most of them never see the light of day. But, today is "Spotlight on Zoe" day! Today, she is seen by all of our fine blog followers. And seriously, ain't she cute???

Posted by Jon at 09:42 PM | Comments (0)

November 28, 2008

Black Friday

I have never actually participated in the shopping rituals of Black Friday before. It always seemed a little nutty to me to get up before dawn in order to elbow through crowds of people and fight over the limited quantities of whatever toy or item was deemed "hot" this year. So, when my friend, Rebecca, told me that she was going to go shopping when Wal-Mart opened at 5 am, I told her good luck, but I was not going to be participating. (To be accurate, I should mention that this was Rebecca's first time in the world of shopping as a sport as well) However, I started thinking about our tight holiday budget and the promise of SUPER deals and I decided that maybe I would join her after all.

So, this morning, I got up at 4:25 am in order to throw on some clothes and be ready to leave by 4:45 am. We arrived at Walmart at 5:00 am, knowing that we were going to be joining a crowd. We had no idea, though, just how big of a crowd there would be. The parking lot looked something like this...

...causing us to have to park in the lot of an adjacent restaurant. So park we did and we walked, muttering "So much for the tanking economy" As we were approaching the building our spirits began to lift because already many people were leaving and all of them (and I do mean ALL of them) had flat screen TVs in their arms and carts.

"Ah, of course!" we said. We were not here to buy electronics, but toys. And we didn't want any of the "hot" toys, nor did we even know what those might be. So, we should still have some kind of success on this shopping journey. In we go.

Now, I have been in crowds before, but usually they are outside which gives you some feeling of freedom even when you are shoulder to shoulder. But, there in the Wal-Mart amidst all the crazy shoppers, I began to have visions of fire or some other emergency that would have us all scrambling for the limited exits. I don't think I need to tell you that in my pregnant state, I was pretty sure I'd end up at the bottom of the heap. But we pushed on and went to the very back of the store (eeek!) where the toys are. And there we found...exactly NOTHING that we were looking for. Seriously. They didn't have one single thing that we wanted to buy there, good deal or not. Dammit.

So, at 5:25, we exited the Wal-Mart with empty arms. But, not to be put off (I mean, we did wake up before 4:30 am for this experience!) we decided to head to Target. They were opening at 6 and there we had the home court advantage. The Target is across the street from our houses, we go there multiple times a week...we know where everything is. So we lined up at the door of Target and in we went again, with a slightly smaller crowd. And there, my friends, we shopped! Now, I'm a little miffed at Target, because just about nothing that I wanted to buy there ended up being on sale, not even a little bit, but I did find everything I was looking for and just about completed shopping for the boys in one short trip. What irritated me was that I got up ridiculously early in the hopes of scoring some really good deals and instead, I ended up getting almost everything at full price, something I could surely have done at a more decent hour of the day. I really think if you are going to open your doors at 6 am, then everything in the store should be marked down by at at least a token 10%.

The verdict? Well, I don't think that I'm going to rush out to do this again. I guess it was good that I had the experience so that I won't always be wondering what everyone is getting over on me. Because now I know that they really aren't getting anything, except less sleep. Next year, I'll take my sleep back, thank you very much!

Posted by Jon at 08:20 PM | Comments (0)

November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving 2008...(A Preview And A RePosting...)

On this Thanksgiving, I am re-posting last year's Thanksgiving post, because, well, this year's T-giving hasn't happened yet (it is approximately 5:40pm on Wednesday November 26th, as I type this) and I won't be able to post 2008's T-giving until sometime in the future. So, I am sorry to repeat, but on the positive side, there are some really cute pics in here!

On a more somber note, I want to take a moment to "talk" about Thanksgiving. To say I am thankful for everything I have seems, well, cliche, but since there is no better way to say it, I am truly, forever thankful for everything I have had, everything I have, and everything I will ever have. I cannot be more thankful for my wonderful wife Megan, my two beautiful boys Jonah and Josh, and Elijah, who will join us early next year. I am thankful to be a Firefighter, where I can hopefully make a difference in the lives of others. I am thankful for my family, my sisters and my brother, who I miss dearly, and who I hope to see soon. I am thankful for my Dad who has been through a lot, but who is a tough, strong man, and I am sure he will be just fine. I am thankful for my extended family, who look after us, and are there for us at every turn. I am thankful for great friends like Jason, Sara, Jimmy Mac and Amanda. I am thankful for our men and women in the military, who go without seeing their families for extended periods of time, to keep us safe. You folks are the real heroes.

I guess I am, in word, thankful.

See you tomorrow.

(From 11-27-2007...)

Over the river and through the woods, to G'ma's and G'pa's house we go...

And so it was, on Thursday, November 22nd, Megan, me and the boys packed up, and headed north. Not as far north as we usually go, thank goodness, but a mere 15 minutes or so to the Forest. We used to go to the 'Burgh, but since Megan's Dad and step-Mom moved here, the trip to see them is a heck of a lot closer! And let me just tell you how thankful we are for that! Seriously!

First order of business: Pictures with adorable children! (You have to take the opportunity when you can, before children begin to melt down!) So we gathered on the G'parents screen-in, on a beautiful, warm Thanksgiving afternoon. No, it's not supposed to be warm on T-Giving, but I don't mind...Of course, you know my Boy and my Monkey, sitting on your left (my right). And that most beautiful child is my niece, Caroline.

Do you have a kiss for your Uncle?

How about for your cousin? Kissing cousins indeed!

Abby heard a shutter click, and had to join in! I wouldn't have it any other way!

Football!

Our host Larry (Megan's Dad) and hostess Deb (Megan's step-mom) prepared an excellent Thanksgiving meal. Dinner is now served in the main dining room!

Here's a dilemma...We could lounge around after stuffing our faces with a fantastic meal to eagerly await the effects of tryptophan, or, we could take more pictures!

Here is Megan with Caroline from Carolina...(That's just so cute to say, 'cause she's so cute! Yes, the both of them!)

These two simply can not take a bad picture!

Here is Uncle Keir with his nephew and daughter...

And Aunt Jen poses with her nephew...

Kissing cousins, now hugging cousins!

And no good Thanksgiving meal is complete without dessert. Here, Joshua pretty much devours a pumpkin pie, made by G'pa...

Tryptophan and being one will get you every time...

From our family to yours, we hope you had as great a Thanksgiving as we did!

Posted by Jon at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)

Wordless Wednesday...

Posted by Jon at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)

November 25, 2008

Advertising...

...We are inundated with it. We cannot get away from it, and seemingly, we cannot do without it.

But hospitals?

Why do hospitals advertise?

Shouldn't they be spending their money on other things besides advertising?

I mean, if I am sick, perhaps sick enough to require a ride to the emergency room, then I suppose I don't really care to which hospital I am transported, so long as whichever one I end up at has competent people who will work hard to fix me.

I mean, if I am sitting in front of my TV, and see an advert for Hospital X, and then I suddenly fall out (a Southern term, for all you Yankees looking in) do I tell the Paramedics that I want to go to Hospital X because I just saw a commercial for them?

Really. If my Doctor recommends a specialist at a particular hospital, I will likely take his advice, and not because I saw that hospital on TV.

Sure, one hospital may birth babies better. (Don't know how, but some claim they do.) Some may be better at helping you after your heart attacks you. Others can offer superior stroke care.

Doesn't matter to me. Just get 'em off the air. One less thing I gotta' watch.

Next up? The local (and national) auto dealers spots. I hate 'em.

See you tomorrow.

Posted by Jon at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)

November 24, 2008

Do Not Judge This Man Too Harshly...

...For he is not our enemy, in fact, he is my hero.

Steven Padgett, a Postal Worker here in North Carolina, did something I admire. He didn't do his job. I am not suggesting that we should all not do our jobs, for how would we get anywhere? How would the doctors doctor? How would judges judge? No, what he did was far more powerful, far more important.

He saved trees, and he saved frustration.

How?

He spared the good citizens on his mail route from having to deal with dreaded, hated, wasteful, useless JUNK MAIL.

It took me months to get direct advertisers and our local rag to stop delivering junk mail to my house. (The Postal Service can't stop the credit card offers, but then, who can?) No, Mr. Padgett broke the rules, and refused to deliver junk mail that most of us just don't want. Did he do the right thing? I think so, but judge for yourself.

See you tomorrow.

Mailman fails to deliver, becomes local hero
Overwhelmed by piles of junk mail, 'Mailman Steve' quit bringing it to the people on his North Carolina route. Customers are grateful. The Direct Marketing Assn., however, is not amused.
By David Zucchino

November 22, 2008

Reporting from Apex, N.C. — Sick of junk mail?

Pay homage, then, to overstressed, overworked mailman Steven Padgett, who has confessed to a cardinal sin among the letter carriers tribe: He failed to deliver.

"Mailman Steve" -- a pudgy, kindly 58-year-old who toiled along a route in a rapidly growing neighborhood here -- was given probation in federal court this week for squirreling away at least seven years' worth of undelivered junk mail, which he had stacked in his garage and buried in his yard.

According to his attorney, Padgett felt overwhelmed by the torrents of "direct advertising mail" he was obligated to deliver as he contended with heart problems and diabetes.

It should come as no surprise that the U.S. Postal Service did not receive a single complaint from Padgett's customers about missing mail during the years he withheld pizza circulars, oil change discount notices and Chinese menus.

But when someone noticed bins of mail stacking up, the authorities were alerted, and Mailman Steve was charged with delaying and destroying U.S. mail. The Postal Service notified hundreds of residents, but only one responded. That customer, Kenna Reinhardt, wrote not to condemn Padgett but to honor him.

"Mr. Padgett did not mean harm to any person, rather he overcompensated by doing his job better than anyone," Reinhardt said in the letter, which was entered into the record by U.S. Atty. Josh Howard.

Readers who followed Padgett's travails in the pages of the Raleigh News & Observer responded on behalf of a grateful citizenry. They thanked him for delivering his customers from unwanted mail.

"That 'Mailman Steve' should get a commendation," Doug Kopp, one of hundreds of people who contacted local news media to praise Padgett, said in a call to the paper.

"Steve Padgett for President!" another reader wrote. Others offered to help cover Padgett's legal fees, to nominate him for awards and to ask that he deliver mail in their neighborhoods, the paper reported.

U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III could have sent Padgett to prison for five years and fined him up to $250,000. Instead, the judge gave him three years' probation, fined him $3,000 and ordered 500 hours of community service.

"Today, you'll get credit for a life well lived," the judge told the mailman.

Padgett's efforts to spare the neighbors their junk mail were not much appreciated by the Direct Marketing Assn. The 3,400-member group considers such mail a boon for consumers seeking discounts and services and for small businesses seeking to target customers.

Eight of 10 people actually look at such mail, and a "large percentage" take advantage of coupons and discounts, said Sandy Cutts, the association's public affairs director.

And please don't call it "junk mail," Cutts said. "We don't use the 'J' word."

The Postal Service also did not look kindly on Padgett's failure to deliver the "standard mail," which accounts for half the volume of U.S. mail and a third of the service's revenue. "We don't consider it junk mail," spokesman David Partenheimer said -- just as newspapers don't consider the ads that flutter out of the daily paper to be junk, he added.

To those on his route, Padgett was the antithesis of the scheming, diabolical mailman, Newman, of "Seinfeld" TV fame. In one famous rant, Newman claimed that mailmen embarked on killing rampages because the relentless volume of mail drove them insane.

"Because the mail never stops," the character sputtered. "Every day it piles up more and more, but the more you get out, the more it keeps coming. . . . And then it's Publisher's Clearinghouse day."

Padgett, a grandfather of three, welcomed new residents to his route in burgeoning Apex, outside Raleigh, residents told the News & Observer. He doted on children. He gave treats to dogs and made sure packages were kept dry on porches.

Padgett was brought down by a utility worker who noticed bins stacked several feet high on the back porch of his home in Raleigh. Postal authorities found hundreds of thousands of pieces of undelivered advertising, but no first-class mail such as letters or bills.

"The work ethic that had served him so well . . . may have become his downfall," Andrew McCoppin, Padgett's lawyer, wrote to the court. "If his identity and self-concept was wrapped up in being the 'best mail carrier' for all of his customers and he could no longer succeed in that role, it would have been terribly difficult for him to admit that failing."

The lawyer added: "In a misdirected effort to continue the illusion of the perfect mailman, he covered up his failure in a manner which probably seemed, at the time, to cause the least harm."

In court this week, Padgett apologized to fellow postal carriers for bringing unwarranted scrutiny to their delivery efforts. He also thanked family members and customers along his route. Thirty-two people sent letters of support.

"It buoyed my spirits," the mailman said.

Though Padgett is now out of a job, News & Observer reader Bill Clark proposed a new line of work.

"I'm wondering if Padgett could get a job within the telephone routing network," Clark wrote, "and screen the many calls I also don't care to deal with."

Zucchino is a Times staff writer.

david.zucchino@latimes.com

Posted by Jon at 11:17 AM | Comments (0)

November 23, 2008

It's Sad For A Girl And A Boy...

This story made me sad.

But I am happy remembering my Slinky.

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Betty James, who co-founded the company that made the Slinky and beat the odds as a single mother in the late 1950s to become a successful executive, has died. She was 90.

She died Thursday, said a spokeswoman for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
In 1945, James and her husband at the time, Richard, founded the company that would later make Slinky, the toy for which she was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2001.
She took over management of James Industries Inc. 14 years after the company was founded, after her husband left her to follow a religious cult in Bolivia. Richard James died in 1974.
Initially, James would leave her six children with a caregiver from Sunday through Thursday while she oversaw operations in Philadelphia. But in 1965, she moved the company to her hometown of Hollidaysburg, where although it was sold in 1998 to Michigan-based POOF Products Inc., it remains today.
"She was an icon in the community because of that business," Blair County Commissioner Diane Meling said. "What kid didn't grow up with a Slinky?"
Hundreds of millions of Slinkys have been sold worldwide. James explained the classic toy's success in a 1995 interview with The Associated Press.
"I think really it's the simplicity of it," she said. "There's nothing to wind up; it doesn't take batteries. I think
also the price helps. More children can play with it than a $40 or $60 toy."

On its Web site, the Hall of Fame praises James for commitment and perseverance that "allowed children the world over the opportunity to relish the ingenuity and pure fun of a Slinky."
------
Information from: Altoona Mirror, http://www.altoonamirror.com

To hear a great TV jingle, just press play!

See you tomorrow....

Posted by Jon at 01:13 PM | Comments (0)

November 22, 2008

BREAKING NEWS!!!

I'm not much for the band Guns N' Roses. I like some of their songs, but I feel their best work is behind them. Oh well. Axl Rose has managed to worm his way back into our lives. So be it. I am not too fond of Dr. Pepper, but then again, this isn't about me. (It's mostly about me, but not now.) No, this article is for you, Loyal Readers.

I read this article, and I am still confused, but whatever. So are Dr. Pepper and Guns N' Roses fans.

Now go forth and claim your free Dr. Pepper!

Bottoms up!

See you tomorrow!

Dr Pepper is making good on its promise of free soda now that the release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese
Democracy" is a reality.
The soft-drink maker said in March that it would give a free
soda to everyone in America if the album dropped in 2008. "Chinese
Democracy," infamously delayed since recording began in 1994, goes
on sale Sunday.

"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr
Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But
now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."
Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda
will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be
honored until Feb. 28.

Posted by Jon at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)

November 21, 2008

Pardon my crankiness

Anyone who knows me even a little bit knows that I love babies. There is nothing I love better than having a tiny infant in the house to hold, nurse, snuggle with and just generally have around. Almost equal to my love of infants is my irritation with being pregnant. I never feel well, I have a whole host of ailments the entire time such as low iron, nausea, aches and pains, MAJOR shortness of breath (which this time around is actually a re-occurrence of my childhood asthma requiring an inhaler, something I haven't had to use since I was probably 15 years old...yippee!), and just a general feeling of yuckiness. No, I truly do not like being pregnant nor do I understand when some women say they "love" being pregnant. Granted, it is punctuated by cool moments such as watching your belly move, hearing the heartbeat at appointments, and seeing that little human in an ultrasound. But still, for me, it is merely a means to an end....something to tolerate so that I can get my hands on that perfect, snuggly little baby. Here is a picture of each of my babies on the day they were born...can you blame me for going through the pregnancy to get to this???

But the one thing that bothers me the most is everyone's need to comment. And I don't mean friends and acquaintances...I mean perfect strangers. It seems that my low tolerance of these comments grows exponentially with each pregnancy so that this time around I literally have to walk away to keep from lunging at people sometimes. I just have to wonder, what the heck are people thinking when they say some of the things they say??? So far, in my 22 weeks of being pregnant, I have already experienced quite a range of comments from simple curiosity (When are you due? What are you having? Is this your first?) to what I consider to be genuinely rude comments such as "Oh, another boy? Did you want a girl?" Now how am I supposed to answer that, really? Not that I really care about the sex of the baby, but seriously, do you think I'm going to say to a complete stranger "Yeah, we're really disappointed. I can't believe we're having another boy....they suck."

Or how about this nice one..."So, WHEN are you due? Really? Are you sure you aren't having twins?" Has this really become a socially acceptable way of saying that my belly is simply too big for polite society? Do people truly think a) that I don't know how many babies are in there and b) that I have some sort of control over how big my belly gets? So, in my defensive state, I have to explain to everyone (although I must admit I am doing this with less and less patience these days) that always carry straight out. It's just the way my body carries a pregnancy and yes, I am sure I'm not having twins. I think one day recently I had this particular conversation three times in one day.

And then there's my personal favorite..."Wow, you are really carrying low!" My goodness, yes, please let's discuss once again this pregnant belly. Yes, I carry low. I did with my first pregnancy and certainly, with each subsequent pregnancy my stomach muscles are a little less able to hold on so things are slightly lower. But let's definitely have a conversation about it, especially after we've had the conversation about how big I am and whether I'm carrying twins without knowing it.

We have added a new one to the mix this time around. Since I pretty much take Jonah and Joshua with me everywhere our presence is often accompanied by sympathetic looks and comments like, "Well, you sure do have your hands full, don't you?" and "Bless your heart, you poor thing". Indeed. Apparently, I'm not very bright and have been duped into having three children. I don't suppose it occurs to many people that I might actually be okay (and dare I say it...HAPPY) with having three children.

So, as I stated in my title, pardon my crankiness. I try not to complain too much, but I just felt the need to get this irritation off my chest. And I do feel better now, so thanks for listening!

And here are some pictures (one from each previous pregnancy) of my too big, too low belly. And, no, I wasn't pregnant with twins either time!

Posted by Jon at 08:22 PM | Comments (0)

November 20, 2008

I Am Devoid Of Ideas...

Again.

Creativity wanes when I have not slept well, and I am in a training class.

So, I will try to do better tomorrow.

And as of 4:00pm on Friday (barring a late call) I am on vacation!

Whoo-Hoo!

See you tomorrow, and again, I apologize for a crummy post. Again. (There have been lots of them this year, haven't there?)

Posted by Jon at 08:10 PM | Comments (0)

November 19, 2008

Wordless Wednesday...

Posted by Jon at 06:10 PM | Comments (0)

November 18, 2008

A Funny Thing Happened To Me On The Way To Adulthood...

...I was a child first.

I learned something last night. Something so deep, so profound, that the only one who could teach me was my three year old child.

I learned that life is a circle. A very big circle, but a circle nonetheless. We start out, get way far away from where we began, but somehow, end up right back where we started.

And that's exactly what happened last night.

First, some background...

Jonah (as any good three year old worth his or her salt) has a bedtime routine. He doesn't fight us much, except when the routine is broken. We collect his friends (Binky, Bear, and now Poofy) brush teeth, go potty, read books (with him turning the pages) sing a couple of songs, and then, either jump or crawl into bed. (It really is quite cute, if not time consuming.)

If something in the chain isn't there, we are apt to hear about it, so we make sure that all of the elements are there. But inasmuch as the boy doesn't fight us going to sleep, he is beginning to push back hard on staying asleep. The push begins right after Jonah goes to sleep. (Or at least pretends.) Megan and/or I will get on the computer, which is just a few feet outside his bedroom door. Many times he will leave his room, and announce he has to go potty, has to get "lip stuff" (lip balm for chapped lips) or he needs water, or some such ruse to keep from going to sleep.

Last night, this process brought me back to my three year old self, and helped me to learn a very valuable lesson.

One of the routines Jonah needs is to go to sleep at a consistent time. Last night, we went out to dinner, and ran an errand, and upon our return home, had ice cream for dessert. This pushed Jonah and Josh's bedtimes back, as we wanted to let them burn off the sugar they had just ingested, and help us clean up as we are getting ready to try and sell our house.

So, since the routine of his bedtime time was a little off, so was Jonah.

After going through our (his) routine, we went downstairs to clean, vacuum, do laundry, etc. At one point, Megan and I paused, to have some ice cream ourselves, and watch the Buffalo Bills game on Monday night football.

Slowly, Jonah's door creaks open, and he says, "Mommy?"

Megan says, "Go to bed, Jonah."

Jonah replies, "But I have to go potty."

Megan (of course) says, "Go potty, buddy."

We hear the toilet flush, but now he cannot wash his hands, as his new soap dispenser wasn't in the right position. I go up and fix it.

He washes his hands and goes back into his room.

Several moments later, again, the door slowly creaks open, and from the top of the stairs we hear:

"Mommy? I need lip stuff."

Megan says, "It's right there, Jonah."

Jonah: I can't get the top off."

By this time, I know what he is doing. Stalling. Creating more time NOT to sleep.

And now, I am getting frustrated, knowing what every parent is going through. We just want some time to decompress after long days at work. We want to relax, but a stalling child will not allow that.

I go upstairs to take care of the lip stuff problem, but he wants his Mommy. Nothing doing I tell him. "I'll open it."

He puts some on his lips, and goes back into bed.

Would this be the end? Would this signal the sandman to come and help my boy fall asleep?

No.

Creak. "Mommy? I can't find Binky."

Me: "He's right there in your bed. I saw him there."

Jonah: "I have to turn on my light." A few moments later..."I can't turn my light on!"

Now I have had enough. I get up from the couch and shoot up the stairs. As I do, Jonah sees me flying upstairs, and he runs, crying, into his room, and jumps under the covers and into bed. I look at Jonah and tell him that Binky is right there, and that he is not to come out of his room until morning. I close the door a little more forcefully than I should have, and now, I am feeling guilty.

The point of all of this is that I know where he is, and I know what he is thinking, and I know what he is doing, because I did it myself. I have come full circle. I have returned to what I was, after leaving that behind so long ago. This realization made me smile, and feel sad at the same time.

I remember causing my parents no end of grief when they just wanted to relax. They wanted to be left alone, but I didn't. I wanted to be with them, I wanted to stay up.

As much as I have learned that lesson, I do not think I am in a place to apologize for stalling, and pestering my parents. My parents knew what I was doing, and I know what Jonah is doing. It is a cycle. A cycle I am thrilled to be a part of.

Jonah, you are my first born. You (and Joshua) have taught me so many things about infants, toddlers,children and now, big guys. But you have also taught me a lot about myself, and for that, I cannot say thank you, enough.

See you tomorrow.

Posted by Jon at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)

November 17, 2008

Anyone Need A House?

Because we are selling ours.

After six, nearly seven years, two boys (with one on the way) and OUTRAGEOUS homeowners dues, we (Megan) decided that we need to move.

We love this place. It is the first house either of us ever owned.

We raised (or started to, anyway) two of our boys here.

It will be sad to leave.

But then again, in this crummy economy, no one will buy it, and we will get to stay!

Yay!

But it is a double edged sword.

We can stay, but we will have to eat ramen noodles.

Again.

Wish us luck. We will keep you posted.

See you tomorrow.

Posted by Jon at 08:52 PM | Comments (0)

November 16, 2008

I Hate This...

...But, I suppose this one time won't hurt.

I hate being in pictures, but I love my wife.

We took a great picture together at her step brother Mitch's wedding a few weeks ago.

So, here it is.

See you tomorrow...

Posted by Jon at 08:23 PM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2008

Tornados And Television Coverage...

I was on time this morning, as I pulled into the television station. There were more cars than usual in the parking lot, but nothing out of the ordinary. It wasn't until I walked in, when I saw the Executive Producer, who greeted me with a, "Welcome to hell!" Not the sort of thing one wants to hear upon getting ready for the work day.

Last night, our weather forecasters suggested that we might be in for some severe weather. Where I live, we got rain for most of the day on Thursday and Friday, but nothing severe. So when I woke up this morning, all I saw was rain, and figured that we were spared the severe storms.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

The television station I work for covers 22 counties, including two in Virginia. Storms blew up overnight, spawning tornados in Johnston and Wilson Counties. For all I know, they may have been the same twister. These storms killed two people, a ten year old child, and a woman in her 60's. The local media, of which I am an active participant, descended on these towns like wolves after an injured deer. We pounced upon the injured, the dazed, the upset and the scared. We spent hours upon hours showing the damage, and talking to people who were affected.

And it all made for great television.

It is very hard for me to write that, but, that's how it is. Television is a visual medium, and the pictures from this act of nature were fantastic. At the same time, there are people who are suffering, and there are people whose lives will forever be affected by these storms.

There are days I hate this business.

I am an Assignment Editor. My job, basically, is to dispatch reporters and photographers on stories. I research stories, make (and take) many, many, many phone calls, and assist producers in building their newscasts. This isn't a tough job, but it can get stressful when deadlines approach. To say today was stressful would be a huge understatement, since we went on the air at 6:00am, and didn't go off the air until 3:00pm! We had deadlines every few minutes!

We sent three crews (three photographers, three reporters and a live truck technician) two to Kenly, and one to Elm City to cover the tornado(s). At the same time, I have to book satellite time, talk to our network (ABC), communicate with stations from around the country, and coordinate live shots and deal with other logistical nightmares. Add to all of that, because of our "wall-to-wall" coverage, there was a possibility that we would not air the University of North Carolina @ Chapel Hill-Maryland college football game. That would have been disastrous, as UNC is having a great season and this is ACC sports country around here. Thankfully, the bosses decided to go back to ABC network programming, and we aired the game. Phew!

Anyway, if our coverage offended anyone, I am truly sorry, but we have a job to do. It isn't always pretty, and we never show up for good news, but it is a job, and someone has to do it.

Keep the victims of this tornado, and the victims of the fires in California in your thoughts.

See you tomorrow...

Posted by Jon at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)

November 14, 2008

Shoe Tax...

Well, they say you learn something new every day. (First off, who are 'they', and why are they always everywhere, always knowing what I am doing, and where I am when I am doing it?)

One of life's biggest mysteries, to me, anyway, has been solved. They mystery of why shoes are so damn expensive!

Is this good news for you ladies? We will have to wait and see...

See you tomorrow...

Shoes come in all sizes and styles, but they also come with a hidden tax. In some cases you're paying more than 67% more per pair.

An import tariff was imposed on all imported shoes during the Great Depression in an attempt to protect the domestic shoemaking business.

The only problem now is 99% of the shoes you see on store shelves are made off-shore.

You won't see this tax on your receipt. Instead, it's wrapped up in the cost of the shoe, and it's pricey. This hidden shoe tax can be as high as 67.5% per pair.

Less expensive shoes actually have a higher tax because the U.S. tariff system charges higher duties for cheaper goods. Even the tiniest pair of shoes comes with an inflated price tag, like 30% on a $15 pair of children's shoes.

"You know that it was a tax that was implemented to save a business in the 30s that obviously didnt work. You have to wonder why it's still there today," said Fleet Feet owner Dan Loncto.

Lawmakers and trade organizations representing the shoe industry are trying to stomp out the hidden shoe tax. Last year House members introduced the "Affordable Footwear Act." Western New York representatives Randy Kuhl and Louise Slaughter were co-sponsors.

The bill could go before Congress in the coming weeks. If passed, it would reduce the amount of import taxes collected by billions of dollars. It would not eliminate it all together.

"It's probably on average a 5 to $10 addition to the price, by the time it gets to the consumer. Obviously if that was repealed that would be great for the consumer. Great for our business," said Loncto.

Because the shoe industry is so competitive, stores would have no choice but to pass along the savings to consumers.

Shoe trade organizations have started endtheshoetax.org to raise awareness about the issue. On the site you can email your local representatives and encourage them to pass the bill.

Posted by Jon at 10:47 AM | Comments (0)

November 13, 2008

Stop! (Again!)

I am re-posting this, because I am lame, and I can't think of anything better to post. I am also at training tonight, so any creativity I might have had, has been drained away, thanks to the feds.

And un apdate on this post...

The Village of Oak Lawn has removed the signs. Too much of a distraction, apparently. Losers.

See you tomorrow, with, hopefully, a less lame post.

I guess not stopping is a problem in the Village of Oak Lawn, Illinois. So, town leaders came up with a funny way to get across a serious message.

I found this while surfing some time back, and thought it was funny. All credits to cbs2chicago.com

They're getting clever with the stop signs in southwest suburban Oak Lawn to motivate more drivers to stop. (All photos courtesy: Village of Oak Lawn)

For more info, and to see more actual stop signs, or to suggest your own, surf on over to the Village of Oak Lawn, Illinois.

Posted by Jon at 07:50 PM | Comments (0)

November 12, 2008

Joshua Is Two!

Happy Birthday, Monkey!

We Love You!

See you tomorrow, when it will be the first day of the rest of Joshua's life!

Posted by Jon at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)

November 11, 2008

What's In A Name?

Here is proof that people are happy with their choice of our President-Elect.

Really happy.

See you tomorrow...

November 10, 2008
Barack a Hot Name for New Babies
By JENNIFER 8. LEE
Decontee Williams was so excited by Barack Obama’s victory on Tuesday night that she started jumping up and down — and went into labor. Twelve hours later, Barack Jeilah was born at Phoenix Baptist Hospital to Ms. Williams and Prince Jeilah. The baby was 8 pounds 9 ounces and had a full head of hair.

“I love Barack Obama, and I love the name,” said Ms. Williams, 31, who came to the United States as a refugee from Liberia in 2003. “In Africa, we call it a blessing. That is a good name.”

In the last week, Barack, Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha have become inspirations for first and middle names across the United States, according to news reports. But the Obama baby boom has been even more pronounced in Kenya, particularly in Kisumu, an area in the western part of the country where relatives of Mr. Obama live.

From Election Day through Saturday afternoon, 43 children born at the Nyanza Provincial Hospital in Kisumu were named after the Obamas, with 23 boys given the first and middle name Barack Obama and 20 girls named Michelle Obama.

Pamela Odhiambo, who gave birth to a girl during Mr. Obama’s victory speech in Chicago, named her Michelle Obama. “It’s a new start, a new beginning,” said Ms. Odhiambo, 18.

There have been other presidential naming trends in the past century, according to Social Security Administration data. Franklin jumped to No. 33 in 1933, up from No. 147 in 1931. Dwight surged in the 1950s and Lyndon in the 1960s. Theodore hit its peak in the first decade of the 20th century.

“Honoring new presidents with baby namesakes used to be an American tradition,” said Laura Wattenberg, author of “The Baby Name Wizard.” But she pointed out that the custom faded around the time of Watergate, in part because people became more cynical about the presidency.

Ms. Wattenberg said Barack and Obama might break that trend for a number of reasons. Blacks, particularly moved by Mr. Obama’s victory, tend to be more open to new names and to naming children after public figures. Also, Mr. Obama drew strong support from people of child-bearing age, and his name sounds fresh.

Mr. Obama has said that Barack has the same etymological roots as the Hebrew name Baruch, “one who is blessed.”

A shift away from traditional names has meant a decline in the prevalence of John, George, William and James, the popularity (or unpopularity) of presidents notwithstanding.

There is perhaps more hope for presidential surnames, as parents look for untraditional monikers with a classic flavor. Lincoln (for boys) and Kennedy and Reagan (for girls) jumped in popularity in the 1990s. But none of those can compare with the surge by Madison, which broke into the top 10 for girls in 1998 and peaked at No. 2. (Though that may have more to do with a mermaid in the movie “Splash” than a framer of the Constitution.)

And the names can also track the rise and fall of the public’s perception of presidents. Hoover came out of nowhere to land at No. 367 for boys’ names in 1928, the year Herbert Hoover was elected the 31st president. Then the Great Depression started, and it dropped to No. 945 in 1931. And Clinton, a top 200 baby name for boys in the 1970s and 1980s, still ranked No. 211 in 1992. By 1999, the year after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke, it had sunk to No. 664.

Even the most tainted presidencies have left a nomenclature mark. The Watergate president inspired some parents, at least overseas. In Venezuela, Nixon Moreno was one of the leaders behind student protests two years ago.

Then again, his co-organizer was Stalin González.

Posted by Jon at 05:38 PM | Comments (0)

November 10, 2008

So...How'd They Do?

Lost to the team that plays in a made up zone.

Won. Eight and one. Nothing more needs to be said.

Lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Shouldn't have.

Had no trouble at all with Oakland, but then, no one does these days...

So, I went 50-50, batted .500, went half and half on my teams. Not too bad, but the Bills are finished, though I will always support them. The Steelers need to be careful, the Giants are headed to the Superbowl, and the Panthers are doing quite well.

We'll see next Sunday.

And that means I'll see you tomorrow...

Posted by Jon at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)

November 09, 2008

If It's Sunday, Then It's...

FOOTBALL SUNDAY!!!

Here are images of the four teams I root for, some more that others, but, like my children, I love them equally.

The Buffalo Bills are having a decent season, but the other shoe is beginning to drop. After starting out at 5 and 1, the Bills have lost two straight. Any more losses, and they will likely end up 8 and 8. After living in Buffalo for nearly 10 years, I learned something very important: There is no greater place to be than in Buffalo, when the Bills win. People are friendlier, the dismal weather doesn't seem so bad, food tastes better, and life is great! Conversely, however, there is no worse place to be than in Buffalo, when the Bills lose. People are downright nasty, it snows more, and things in the City of Good Neighbors are just bad. No matter. They may have never won the Superbowl, but they were there four times in a row! GO BILLS!

I grew up a Giants fan. Big Blue will always be the team of my childhood, and they made it through childhood with me, to become the team of my adult life.

I have always liked the Steelers. Ever since the days the Steelers and the Cowboys were always in the Superbowl, I have rooted for the Steelers, because, seemingly, everyone was rooting for the Cowboys. If this next statement offends anyone, I do apologize, but "F" the Cowboys! (Now that I have said that, I want to add that I think Dallas is a fantastic city, and I have family there and I miss them all very, very much!)

And the Panthers. Well, I live in North Carolina, and they are, after all, the Carolina Panthers, so they support from me!

Tomorrow, I will update how they did, though you sports fans out there will have learned the outcomes long ago. (I also do that to guarantee a post tomorrow! How smart am I?)

See you tomorrow...

Posted by Jon at 12:21 PM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2008

Watch This...

Is It true?

See you tomorrow...

Posted by Jon at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)

November 07, 2008

Living History...

I am at a party...

The noise level is high, the expectations for fun are even higher. There are people all around. There is an expectant air, like something is going to happen. And then it does. And then the party kicks into high gear.

And then I go to sleep.

And then I wake up, feeling as if I've lost something. Feeling like I'm missing something. As it turns out, I have a hangover from the party, but not one that affects my physical being, just my mental one.

Really, I am spent. After 22 months of buildup, it took four hours to come crashing down, so to speak. (In a good way.) We have talked this election to death, investigated it, theorized about it, argued with each other about it, and now, it is over...Senator Barack Obama trades in his Senatorial duties, to assume the role of President Barack Obama. It is not something I take lightly.

No matter who you voted for, this election is historic. In so many ways. From hurricanes, to unexpected Vice Presidential running mate picks, to near record voter turnout. It was amazing, and it is something I can't wait to talk to my kids about. They are the first generation under President Obama, and they are the ones who will judge this man.

Now, the hangover has turned to expectation. Expectations that he will live up to his promises. Expectations that we can, perhaps, come together as a country, and overcome obstacles previously thought not overcome-able. (He's already done that once, so now, the sky is the limit!) I am humbled to be part of history. It is a great moment for us and the world. It will be amazing to look back and see where we've come from. We aren't too far removed from where we've been, so looking back will be fun. Will we regret the decisions we made as American voters? Will we be in a better place? Stay tuned...

Congratulations, Senator turned President Elect Barack Obama.

Now go out and do good things!

See you tomorrow!

Posted by Jon at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)

November 06, 2008

Halloween 2008!

Halloween was always fun for me an my sisters and brother. We would get dressed, get our candy buckets ready, and all the while, our Mom and Dad would be filming us on this old Super 8 movie camera. (High tech in those days.) Not much has changed, as we got our boys dressed, handed them their buckets, and taped them using our video camera.

When it was just Jonah, we decided to dress him as a bee.

When it was Jonah and Joshua last year, Jonah went as a Pirate, and Josh went as a bee.

This year, Jonah went as a bee, Josh went as a bee, and Megan went as a jar of honey. (Well, there aren't a whole heck of a lot of jars of honey adult costumes, so Megan pretended to be a jar of honey. She's just as sweet anyway, so that's not much of a stretch.)

Halloween got started just a bit early, as G'ma and G'Pa gave the boys some chocolate to kick things off...

And we're off!

Back in the day, there were no carts, no wagons, no rickshaws, no nuthin' but shoe leather, (or sneaker material) to get us to our destinations. No walking for these boys, no. It was first class all the way...

Here is Jonah and Joshua Bee about to sting this man for some candy...(Stung by cuteness!)

And just in front of this man's house, a large pumpkin lit up the driveway, calling kids from near and far to come get sweet stuff from him. They all heard the call. Trust me. So, the boys posed with the pumpkin.

Doing well for only hitting a couple of houses...

Back at G'ma's and G'pa's...Look at all the loot!

Chocolate Face decided to pose with G'pa for this awesome picture...

And for our kids, the fun they had during Halloween 2008 is written all over their faces...

Boo!

See you tomorrow...

Posted by Jon at 06:32 PM | Comments (0)

November 05, 2008

Wordless Wednesday...

See You Tomorrow For Halloween Pics!

Posted by Jon at 08:30 PM | Comments (0)

November 04, 2008

A Peek At The Newest Hans Boy...

So here he is...Elijah, the newest Hans boy. The first picture is a 3D and the other two are just regular ultrasound pictures. Hopefully everyone will be able to make them out!

Apparently Elijah has already figured out how to suck his thumb!

Look at that big, round belly!

And...a profile shot is always nice...

Posted by Jon at 06:08 PM | Comments (0)

It's A...

BOY!!!

We will have pictures up soon!

Three boys.

Pray for us!

We Love You!

Jon, Megan, Jonah, Joshua and soon, Elijah!

Posted by Jon at 04:02 PM | Comments (0)

Soon...Soon...

MySpace Countdowns

Check Back Later This Afternoon!!!

See You Then!

Posted by Jon at 11:49 AM | Comments (0)

November 03, 2008

Wassup?

Eight years ago, thanks to the advertising wizards on Madison Avenue, we were introduced to these guys...

And eight years later, we get to catch up with them...

Please don't be mad at me. I work very hard to keep politics off my 'blog, and let me tell you, with everything going on, that ain't easy.

Anyway, huge day tomorrow.

Check in often to see if we are having...

MySpace Countdowns

Posted by Jon at 12:16 PM | Comments (0)

November 02, 2008

Is It November 4th Yet?

Because we find out two very important things on that day...

First, we find out if we are having a Naomi, or an Elijah.

Oh yeah. Then we find out who our next President is going to be.

For me, one event is only slightly more important than the other. But as I think about it, I really don't have much control over either of those two events. Wow. Sure, I control the car that gets us to the appointment to the guy or girl that tells us what we'll have in March 2009, and even though I cast a vote, I am not sure my one little vote actually means something. But, I do it because it is my right as an American, and I will certainly exercise that right.

Exercising that right over my adult life has been an adventure, though, let me tell you. Why? Because one election (as you might remember) ended up in court. Others campaigns have turned nasty, and I sometimes end up voting for the lesser of two evils. (Not the greatest outcome, but that is out of my control too.)

Growing up in New York, voting was, (or so I thought) easy. You walked into a booth, closed the curtain behind you, slid the lever near the name of your choice, pulled the curtain back, and you were done. The booth looked like this...

And as far as I knew, each of the counties in New York State had the same type of voting booths. They were the same in the New York City area, as they were in Western New York.

Then, I moved to North Carolina. Exercising my right to vote, I registered, and then naively approached the polling place. This is what I found when I got there...

I say naively, because I thought that all Americans in America voted the same way! (No, no, not that we all vote Democrat, though that would be okay by me...) I just thought that if we had these booths in New York, then they had them things all over the place. I was wrong. Not only was I wrong, but I was weirded when I saw this...

Why?

Because instead of doing something mechanical to cast my vote, I had to draw a line. Yep. We are required to complete the arrow, by drawing a line! Sometimes I am lucky if I can tie my shoes, and now they want me to draw a line? Have I really joined the ranks of the rednecks by moving to North Carolina?

You betcha'.

It matters not though, because despite the different ways to vote, we still vote.

As long as we don't vote like this...

That was a travesty.

Pulling levers, drawing lines, tossing stones, drawing the short straw, the actual method of how we do it doesn't matter, so long as we do it. I am going to vote on Tuesday, and I look forward to the privilege.

So get out there and vote, and let's cheer for Wednesday November 5th, so we can get on with our lives!

(P.S. I promised lots of friends that I would post pics of Halloween here at OutOfHans.com. They will be up sometime this week, I hope. Just to give you a preview, I will have one more (at least) election type posting on Monday, with our big news reveal on Tuesday, and then, if I have found time in between, pics of Halloween on Wednesday!)

Wish me luck!

See you tomorrow...

MySpace Countdowns

Posted by Jon at 11:31 AM | Comments (0)

November 01, 2008

This May Be A Little Late...

...But the message is no less important...

This information comes from the United States Fire Administration website. Take a moment to look it over, then GO CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS!

Please?

It could save your life.

Smoke Alarms

When a member of your community is killed in a home fire, it is important to let others know how they can prevent a similar tragedy. As you continue to report on the fire, the U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to remind your audience that many fire deaths and injuries are preventable.

More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and more than 20,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only had the information they needed to avoid a disaster. The following life-saving tips could make a big difference to your audience. By incorporating them in your story now, while the moment is still fresh, you could help save a life.

Did you know?

Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Having a working smoke alarm reduces one's chance of dying in a fire by nearly one-half.
Nearly one-third of the residential fires and two-fifths of residential fire fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms.
Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates dramatically. Please share them with your readers because knowledge is the best fire protection.

Smoke Alarms Life-Saving Tips

Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside bedrooms. If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm in each bedroom.
Check smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button. If you cannot reach the button easily, use a broom handle.
Change the batteries in your alarms at least once a year - perhaps when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do - leave the building immediately by crawling low under the smoke - when they hear it sound.
If cooking smoke sets off the alarm, do not disable it. Turn on the range fan, open a window or wave a towel near the alarm.
Do not remove the batteries to put in other appliances such as personal stereos or games.
Smoke alarms wear out over time. Replace yours if it is 10 years old or more.
Keep smoke alarms clean. Dust and debris can interfere with their operation. Vacuum over and around your smoke alarm regularly.
Consider installing a 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.
Hard-wired smoke alarms with battery back-ups need to be tested monthly and batteries replaced yearly.

See you tomorrow!

MySpace Countdowns

Posted by Jon at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)