Family Photo's... Well, Quasi Family Photos

My wife decided some time ago that we should take family photos, and like a good endearing husband, I fought the idea for months. But, like all things husbandly I lost that one. So, this past Thursday we hired a photographer (Ashley's cousin Kylie Boggs) for some family photo ops. Here is a sneak peek to what can be found here. All the photos were taken at my parents house, it was 3 in the afternoon so it was HOT! Poor Eden was so flushed here cheeks had the "rouge" all day. She is still my little princess face though.

Light & Bright

"The difference between fashion and style is quality" - Giorgio Armani. I've always said that having a lot of inexpensive clothes is not near as important as having a few quality pieces that cost a little bit more. Style will always be the staple of success, substantially more than mere fashion statements ever will. I don't have as extensive a wardrobe as my friends may think, it's just established with the finest clothes my small pocket book can afford. I focus strictly on style and make sure I can interchange many of my slacks and shirts, but it all starts with one piece. I have pictured this shirt 3 times on this blog, it's a pink and white striped Ghirardelli. When waking this morning I decided to take the opportunity to play with a few color schemes I had been surmising over the past few days. Considering the heat I wanted to stay cool, but I didn't want to sacrifice aesthetics, so the quest was on. The slacks were a no brainer, had to be a wool/linen blend, although a pure 120's or 150's wool would have been quite alright. These are a deep grey with a very light very faint brown pin stripe. The tie is a newly acquired Burberry with myriad of colors and patterns. Truthfully I've wanted to see the turquoise and red plaid against a pink-esque striped shirt for long time, I just never had the exact schemes in the same closet at the same time... until now. The shoes are Romano Martegani Pisa (if you don't own a pair of Romano Martegani's, I beseech you to acquire a pair, seriously, you will call me and thank me, in fact, if you call me I will go with...). The belt is Stefano Corsini, a direct color match to the shoes which is sometimes difficult to do, and the socks are a wool and linen blended Canali gray and brown. I wanted bright and light and I think it was accomplished. I stayed relatively cool all day and looked great. This photo was taken today while walking up to my parents house courtesy of my loving wife. But there is more to staying cool and dry than picking the right habiliments, it starts with proper hygiene, choosing the right deodorant and lathering with the right soap. Outside of that it takes the correct under shirt, I prefer the "A" frame knit (commonly known as the wife beater). 

Back In Black

"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginable, and black is the epitome of consistency." Although I can't take credit for the quote as I am not Oscar Wilde, I can take credit for letting people know how to avoid the mundanity of wearing black as it is a color that is member to every man's wardrobe. One faux pas of fashion is avoiding black jeans, posh, if you like them buy them but wear them colorfully. I own two pair of black shoes, a beautiful pair of leather lace up Mezlan's, and these black Tony Lama 13" boots. When getting dressed to go to dinner this evening I wasn't sure what to wear, so it was off to the bat cave. I had not worn these casual Gardeur jeans (a fair trade cotton company), compliments of F Camalo, in quite some time so they were a definite. Now the challenge was set, I needed to keep it casual, but not cliché. I thought of a polo, but that was too safe, I thought of a solid V neck t-shirt but that was too consistent (although it's a great look for anyone) then came the shoe dilemma, as in... which pair to wear! I knew I wasn't going to wear the Mezlan's albeit a gorgeous shoe, dare I even say I thought of wearing flip flops, that's just a cop out for such an occasion. So that left the Tony Lama's... okay, let's see how that looks, loved it. So the shirt was left to choose and what you see is a very interesting piece, not in that it's a rare or some off brand piece (it's an Equilibrio), but in it's pattern. I chose a blue and white and black paisley button down. I wasn't sure how it was going to pan out, but at the end of the night I liked it. It really brought color to a colorless ensemble. I don't think it merits an additional pair of black jeans or even justifies wearing black on a daily basis, but if you find yourself having to wear black, remember, it doesn't have to look like you're wearing black.

PS - Eden wore the yellow for effect.

Armani, Burberry, Happiness

I photo'd these ties last night to write the portion I wrote below. Unfortunately, the pic upload didn't work and felt like was stretching throughout the entire post. I'm quite fond of my new purchases. I need solid color button down shirts. I recently purchased my very first all white button down. I realized that I didn't have one so... Ike Behar saw fit to help me rectify. I then noticed that I was lacking in the solid color shirt department. Woe is I, I must go shopping.

Diversify! Multiply! Necktie?

In many venerable professions, such as law and banking, the necktie remains an everyday ingredient of life, but even in those vocations, it is no longer taken for granted as an obligatory part of circadian dress code. Neckties, however remain one of the defining factors of the dress codes for many social occasions. Is it a black tie or white tie event? Must you wear a tie to a funeral? Thus, learning which tie to wear and how to tie it - in a variety of knots - remains one of the rituals of training for the gentlemanly life.

Ever wondered why the "dimple pinch" is such a coveted refinement to the aesthetics of the necktie? Not only does it offer a very beautiful and refined finish, it also keeps the tie itself from over wrinkling while being worn.

When selecting a necktie to wear, I think it all important to have a few directives in mind. Keep in mind these are very rudimentary scenarios but I believe they need to be addressed. First, don't wear a skinny tie, it's dumb... jj, actually I've become quite a fan of the skinny tie, but I digress.

I'll brief firstly on the proper length of a tied necktie. At the end of a brilliant pull, your tie should very delicately touch the top of your waist band, if you happen to have a button or two showing or pershaps the tip of the tie extends past the belt buckle or nearer the zipper of the trousers, retie... don't ever under any circumstance think it's ok to tuck your tie in to your waist band, you will be burned at the stake for this offense. When selecting a tie, please be cognizant of your color coordination, just because you think a tie should go with your suit or sports coat doesn't always mean it does. I am pictured here being very risque with my selection but screw you I look good. But Mark has a bit more of a sophisticated look carefully selecting a tie that complimented his suit in a most amazing fashion. As most anyone who knows me knows, I am major advocate of style, but as I have said many times before fashion has it's place. Don't be afraid to play with colors and designs, it's fun! Also, if you can't be creative, call me.

Ok, so I think I wrote all of this to get to these pictures...

 The bow-tie, my favorite neck line habiliment, probably because it's the most challenging to accrue, holds so much class and so much nostalgia and I am feared that it is losing its place in style and certainly becoming lost to my generation. Here to the come back of the bow-tie. There is not much to say about the bow-tie, just know that if your wear one, wear it strongly, and proudly; wear it passionately and charismatically. I don't think it possible to be unhappy in a bow-tie.

In Stride...

PS - I know these pics are kind of dated, but they are some of favorite. 

Tough Mudder

So I registered for my first Tough Mudder today... a premature decision I finally see, but nonetheless I have been asked to explain the tough mudder many times and it's proving difficult, in fact, when I finish my explanation the event sounds quite lame. Well, these guys break it down quite well. 

No Excuses, Even A Walrus Can Do It

This is pretty funny. I smiled at least.

Eden Getting Ready

My little princess has her very first dance recital today. Here is her costume make up done by her amazingly talented mommy.

The Unofficial Prose of Soludos

Dear fans and fanettes of the Soludos' world (and this also applies to unconverted fans), I have worn and I have swooned and above all I have praised. As you know I purchased my Soludos from Vanessa V Boutique in Lafayette and I am in the market for more... from Vanessa of course (I shall be on her like white on rice on a paper plate in a snow storm 'til she gets them). The shoes have a wonderfully soft denim dark stripped upper with a dynamic change in stitching pattern at the throat line with hemp welt and out soul outfitted with a rubber bottom. I particularly like the gum rubber bottom as hemp has a tendency to soften when under high temps (i.e. against hot pavements). It will absorb rocks if not protected and Soludos has taken the initiative to protect the shoe for durability. I have a pair of leather Pierre Cardin's of a similar nature that are suffering miserably from this oversight in their design.

The first recommendation Vanessa or Viki will give you in purchasing these shoes is to get them 1 size smaller as I can confirm they will stretch. Vanessa made me privy to this the day before so all was well, also, they are sized via a European size chart which you can view here . So do the ladies a favor, know your size before you go. I am a true 9.5 (Soludos doesn't offer half sizes) so I purchased a 42 as a 43 is the most common size 10 although it has been known to be a 9.5 in some other parts of Europe.  Happy shopping and good luck. I hope to see the lot of you in Soludos before long.

Soludos, Soludos To You Too

It came in its own sack cloth...

     I have been eying a pair of Tom's for a while now but have never really decided to pull the trigger on an over priced pair of cotton blended shoes that will deteriorate over a short period of time. Then I was introduced to Soludos. This past weekend I was invited to a 4 year old birthday party... well Eden was invited, Ashley and I facilitated the transportation. It was for our good friend Vanessa Vicari, owner of Vanessa V (follow them here on Facebook or here on Twitter, ok I'm projecting sorry) but she's a close friend and I am very proud and impressed by her dedication to her establishment. She only carries the most amazing women's fashion, but more recently she acquired this men's line of shoes, Soludos as they are called, and for only $28.00 they are perfectly delightful. I love everything about them. Vanessa has created an amazing atmosphere in the Lafayette Women's Fashion Arena, and for that she is well noted and praised. Upon her acquisition of more colors, so I will be in possession of more colors... If you get the chance stop in and try them on, they stretch over time so get one size smaller fortunately they only come in whole sizes it makes selection easy. I would recommend bringing the significant other, but I may make enemies of my friends in a very short time frame. I'm always up for a shopping trip...

The Horse's Stole the Show

Took Eden to a birthday party yesterday and they had a horse back riding guide. I didn't think she would be so open to the idea... boy was I wrong.

Being British

Classic!

Eden's Last Day of School

It was Cowgirl and Cowboy day.

Conversation

Me: Eden, it's time to get out of the tub baby?
Eden: Seriously Daddy? I'll be damn!
Me: Excuse me! What did you say?
Eden: Ummm... you said we need to get out of the tub.. so, uh, so I said, "I'll be damn..."
Me: Baby we can't speak that way it's not polite to use that word, where did you hear that?
Eden: Granna says that when she watches TV all the time! Okay Daddy!
Me: Well not really ok but I understand.

Something New

This past soccer season I decided to try a new GK glove, I wanted to go with a brand I was unfamiliar with. My quandary led to many different options. Upon careful consideration I landed on these brilliantly price pointed Sells. With no qualified position on the ability of these gloves I was happy to try them. Turns out I loved them, still do. They're incredibly comfortable and the latex is astounding. Well, I have developed a tear in the finger area so they must be replaced. I've found the perfect replacement already.

Aftermath

I spent the day today doing something that I am not use to doing, nor do I enjoy doing... I worked in my yard. Not the, "Oh, I planted some flowers today" or "I manicured my garden". No, I cut down more than a dozen trees and weed-eated (I just realized I have never had to spell that word, it's a miserable word, I officially don't like it. It's officially as worthless as the task it represents). Allow me to elaborate, I am not the alpha male who's testosterone is inundated with the elements of the outdoors. I don't hunt, I don't fish, I don't skeet shoot with my buddies whilst drinking a 12 pack of Fatty Natty's. I read poetry and enjoy shoe shopping... Despite all of that I was/am very proud of myself and my days accomplishments. I have more to do tomorrow, and I think I am looking forward to it. While searching for an old Chinese Kung Fu (poorly dubbed) movie to watch, I have quite the collection, I stumbled on a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow book of poetry. The first poem was Aftermath. Enjoy.

When the summer fields are mown, 

When the birds are fledged and flown, 

And the dry leaves strew the path; 

With the falling of the snow, 

With the cawing of the crow, 

Once again the fields we mow 

And gather in the aftermath. 

Not the sweet, new grass with flowers  

Is this harvesting of ours; 

Not the upland clover bloom; 

But the rowen mixed with weeds, 

Tangled tufts from marsh and meads, 

Where the poppy drops its seeds 

In the silence and the gloom. 

Tough Mudder

Recently I have been discussing with my good friend and running partner Jeremy Z. about doing this insane race called the Tough Mudder. It's a 10-12 mile hardcore race that defies the perimeters of a normal mud run or Warrior Dash. In fact, the website issues this disclaimer: WARNING: Tough Mudder is 3-4 times longer and MUCH TOUGHER than a typical mud run such as Warrior Dash. On average, only 78% of participants finish a Tough Mudder event. Only those in strong physical condition should enter. I have been looking for something other than another half marathon or 10k. I am not interested in running a full mararthon so I had considered a few trail runs around the area, and surrounding states, and then I heard about this race. There is one being held in Texas in October, that is the projected date and location of our first Tough Mudder. All are welcome, it will certainly be a race to remember.

How Fast Do We Grow

     Took last weekend to spend all the time I had with the family, and with the question, "so, what do you want to do today?" There was a glorious and joyous, "Let's go swimming" that came from a little person in the backseat. So I did the Daddy thing, I caved. 

And Then They Grow To This...

Ashley and Eden surprised me at work this evening, I was just beginning to wind down and this little diddy took place. Apparently she has an unwavering opinion of my sweating and then entering my office. 

The British Are Coming

Okay, so it's not actually the British, but it is a little baby that will one day, hopefully, speak English, an intelligible form of English, not the English that is most common in the southern parts of Louisiana. My wife is a staggering 7.5 months pregnant, the time is approaching and all too quickly. When she was pregnant for Eden we were in a much different state in our lives. Now, with Ashley being in school and me working ridiculous hours at my job, I think we were a bit more detached from each other than we are willing to admit. Unfortunately I have to take sole blame for that attribute as I have had the displeasure of convincing myself that I needed to work this hard to provide for my family, not realizing that when I worked less at my previous employment we made it just fine, perhaps better than now. Luckily I have 2 weeks vacation that I have not used, I fully intend to use them all when the baby arrives. I remember the first day I went back to work after Eden was born, I took 5 days off from work and not one time did I realize how hard it would be to return. The first day I went back I probably stalker texted my wife all day querying the most ridiculous things, as though I expected our 1 week old to start walking or speaking full sentences. Looking back I knew it were preposterous notions, but the thought of my daughter growing up and only knowing me as a daddy that worked all the time was very scary then, and now that she is smart enough to read situations, it's most frightening. Being a parent for the first is intimidating, you think you'll get use to it but with every age comes new fears, excitements and challenges. It is quite possibly the most rewarding and the most difficult thing I have ever done, and most likely ever will do. Although kids have a way of making it all worthy of existence itself. We trudge through our daily routines day in and day out caring very little for the things that go unseen in our lives only focusing on what we think we need to accomplish to somehow or another qualify the essence of our definitions of success. Only to have our quest for success passed by a journey we hadn't noticed we were on. "Success is a journey, not a destination," yet we treat our lives as though we are one day arriving at the finale marquis de puissance. Dare I compare my life to Hermes, or my quest to Job's or relate to the "Council of Mad Youth" as Antoine De La Sale wrote in his book Petit Jehan de Saintre on reason to  climb to the crater of a volcano in the Lipari Islands. It is Life's longing for itself that leads to our desire to conquer the "Council of Mad Youth" we dwell in years beyond our invitation. Is it this that insists on who we are? Or does the same subsist on who we are not?

Dammit, I've rambled again... Ah well! My thoughts, horribly translated.

Insanity Day 1 Photos

  As I am uploading a select few photos, note that the photos displayed were taken Sunday 5-1-2011. I have successfully started week 2 of Insanity and upon completion will attempt The Asylum with Shaun T. Insanity fitness has been pushing my body to the limits, I hope to see some of the great gains in my results as some of the test groups have. I suppose this will put to rest the questions surrounding these home work outs. Here goes the beginning to a first hand experience!

I will do my best to take the future photos in the same position although the same clothes is not guaranteed. The goal is to take photos every 14 days, which are the days we are scheduled to redo our fit tests to track our aerobic progression. 

Hiatus Relatus

Hello all, my apologies for my absence things have been a bit disarray for us here at the Sharlow establishment. Most notably we have not had internet for a while, in fact, even now I am posting from work.With the end of my soccer season and my unofficial retirement from LHS athletics I have found a great deal of time about me in the afternoon. Thusly, I have begun Insanity by Shaun T Fitness from Beach Body.com. I intend to keep myself honest in my endeavors and hope to forgo injury for the remainder of the workouts as there are 60 and I am 5 days in. I started Sunday night this past week and have been diligent thus far, but again, I only started this week so it's easy to be committed. I will be posting progression photos this weekend. I have my day one photos taken and need to sort through them and see which are most appropriate for the viewing private. My goal is to update photos every two weeks and hopefully we will see some progress. The hardest part for me is the eating, I don't have to eat anything in particular, I just have to consume 3000 calories of relatively healthy foods all day long. That gets tedious and cumbersome after about day 2.

Some time ago I posted a short expose entitled "We the Runners of Tomorrow". My running has note been very sharp lately as my job is most demanding of my morning and I am quite exhausted come the evenings so I have, in consequence, allowed my life to become more and more taxed by situations and circumstances that very well should not tax me a bit. Although I have kept my whits about me and that helps a great deal with coping.

Baby number 2 will be here before we know it, and that is putting a bit of pressure on the family, Ashley will be graduating soon and hopefully my poor wife will be able to rest... (if you know my wife you know that will not happen) but I seem like a good husband if I wish it for her. We are well excited to have another little monster in the house. Eden is getting so big she is most excited about the matter as well. So things are great for us, I will post my photos soon. If at the end of my 60 workout be sure and ask yourself what were you doing for 5 hrs per week over the last 60 days, then ask yourself if you can accomplish this? I'm not even sure if I can.

Look At Me Now... White Girl Rapping!

Best White Girl Rapping you'll see all day...

Vitas - Opera 2

The muse-esque abilities of this young man is incomparable. Expound his talents with the vibrato he carries at the end of the note is absolutely amazing. 

A Good Good Friday

Went to the mall yesterday with the family to take pictures with that miserable Easter Bunny. Pathetic little creature. But Eden had a freakin' blast so all was well. Afterwards we went to my Grandmothers house for a fish and shrimp fry accompanied by Seafood Gumbo and Beer, always a good time. Of course what is Good Friday without some good ol'fashioned frivolous easter egg hunting. Eden would follow me around whilst I hid the eggs, then she would pick them up as I put them down and exclaimed very loudly, that she found them. We did for at least an hour. Not monotonous at all. But as long as she is laughing and happy there is fun to be had. She such a wonderful little girl and very excited about her baby sister. 

Wanna Free Run With Me

I have been a big fan of this free running craze, or Parkour as it is also called. I came across this video today headlining the opening of the very first Parkour or FreeRun training facility ever opened. The ever changing dynamics of the "see a need fill it" motto that Mark Zucherberg has made so popular to the preservation of personal hobbies is made more effervescent with the growth of multiculturalism. This is an amazing sport. Enjoy!

If You Don't Like Michael Jackson You Can Go To Hell... I Mean Chelsea

Fulham erects a statue of Michael Jackson outside of the clubs stadium. Al Fayed says, "I don't want them to be fans. If they don't understand and don't believe in things I believe in, they can go to Chelsea, they can go to anywhere else."

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/04/03/fulham.jackson.statue.ap/index.html#ixzz1IZUPzwxP

Conversation

Me: Eden, please go put this in the utility room, thanks princess.

Eden: daddy, that's urtility room and this is mytility room. Ok daddy.

Conversation

Me: Eden, please go put this in the utility room, thanks princess.

Eden: daddy, that's urtility room and this is mytility room. Ok daddy.

You Think You're Resourceful

With a fifth of the country under water right now, Pakistan is dealing with their own troubles, but if you thought you were the most resourceful creature as a human, look at what these spiders have accomplished. Read full article here. There are a few more photos and the article has a little depression to it. But that would be amazing to see in person. 

Dilbert 3-30-2011

3-22-2011, A Day of All Days

Yesterday as I was pulling out of a Home Depot parking lot (I wasn't out of the lot yet) I noticed I was not wearing my seatbelt, I reached over as normal and attached the safety harness before hitting the main road. As I pulled to the light I noticed a Broussard City Cop next to me, thinking it was someone I knew (small town) I turned to wave but he just starred at me. I accelerated and went on to drive back to work without knowledge of the cop following me. Approximately 2 miles later, I was being pulled over by the same cop from earlier, perplexed by this situation I acquiesced and went through all respectful motions. The cop approached my window in a very polite manner and requested my driver's license and insurance both were produced with haste. Turns out we did know each other, well we had met once before at a bar with mutual friends. He said he'd run my license and I'd be on my way...

The cop returned 15 minutes later (always a bad sign) he informed me that my insurance had expired 3 days ago but I had renewed and was in good standings but needed my card or he would have to tow my car. Then he proceeded to tell me that my license was suspended. You could imagine my facial expressions upon hearing this news knowing full well that the state law for a suspended license is immediate arrest. I asked what the citations were that indited me in such a way, "speeding tickets" he responded hesitantly, there were 2, hence the plural of ticket being used. He was very cautious in his next words as they proved heavy for him to say given our previous knowledge of each other. He leaned in to the car and very quietly, as though someone close by was listening, "Tim, I'm sorry but my hands are tied, I have to take your license, and you cannot drive this car. Can you call someone to drive you home or pick it up?" He leaned away. I was verklempt, undone, silent, void of reality and the current circumstances. It felt like an eternity that not a word was spoken. The silence was indeed broken by his radio which he quickly turned off. The only thing I could muster was, "seriously?" To officer Soileau's eternal credit, he looked down at me and my car and said, "Have a good day sir," and walked away, which to that I quickly said, "seriously?"

My boss retrieved me from my location, before I was at my desk (a mere 2 miles away) I had spoken to the Chief of Police of Broussard and explained my dilemma. Understanding he told me the necessary steps to take to get all this crap expunged, but first I had to find someone to drive me around, and not close either, the first stop was in Welsh, La, then Opelousas, then the DMV in Carencro. The chauffeur, my mom.

Liz picked me up at 7:30 am in St. Martinville, we travelled to Welsh and arrived at 8:45 a.m. The people there were extremely nice although when I arrived I was told I needed cash or a money order ($164.00), went on to Opelousas City Court, nope you need to go the Parish Court ($220.50). Now to the DMV, ticket number E348, waited all of 5 minutes I'm up, "that'll be $200.00" Sorry we don't take checks was the next thing I heard. Go to the bank to make a withdrawal, "driver's license please?" My response, "give me this money and I'll bring it to you..." Luckily the teller understood, laughed, asked me a few questions and paid me. Went back to the DMV where the lady told me that all was clear, all that was left to do was to return to the Broussard PD, hand them these papers, and they would give me my license back. So I traveled back to Broussard and did as told only to be told in response, "Sir, we mail all suspended licenses back to the DMV, you need to go there and get a new one!"
"I was just there, she told me to come here! Mrs. Rhonda, please understand that this had been a difficult situation for me, I have had quite the cumbersome morning, please help me!!" Was my pouted response. She walked away and returned with a stack of envelopes. We went through each one until we found my license. She ran the number and after it was cleared she gave it back to me and let me go.

This entire situation lasted from 8:0 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. I was spent, so I went got a new Android phone, the HTC Inspire, detailed report on satisfaction to come. The night got better, but I'll save the details for a later date.

Saturday Night

This past Saturday night Ashley and I were heading to our room at about 11:00 p.m. for some much needed rest when we were interrupted by a very odd sound. The above video was being performed behind closed doors. We were able to catch a bit of it before she saw the camera.

Dilbert 3-20-2011

The Weekend Behind...

Beautiful weekend we had, interesting chain of events in the Lafayette Soccer Tournament. My U17 Storm went 1-1-1, I played the entire weekend with 11 men and 2 of them injured for games 2 and 3, but I have to admit that we looked promising more often than not but we just weren't fit to run all weekend with limited numbers. I had to respect the boys perseverance through such conditions. They never quite working, they rested when necessary and worked when they saw the opportunity. I deduced that the problems I am having could not have been fixed with more numbers, rather, advancements in practice. All in all for them I was proud. I look forward to the tournament in Gulf Port, MS this coming weekend.

As for my U12 Titans, these kids have been a work in progress for 2 years now. But 3-0 this weekend was the best showing these guys have shown ever. I was very proud of their ball movement all weekend long. A shut out for them is still elusive, but a work in progress is always a work in progress.

Conversation

Me: Hey Eden, what are you drinking in your cup?
Eden: Je ne sais pas! I don't know!
Me: Excuse me?!?!
Eden: Je ne sais pas! It means I don't know Daddy!!!!
Me: Eden, where did you learn that phrase, who taught you to say that?
Eden: Grandpa...
Me: Oh, well, that's really nice of him.
Eden: Yeah he's not gonna get a spanking, he was a good boy today.

Phone Conversation

Mom: Tim, Where are you?

Me: At Jane's picking up dad's crabs what's up?

Mom: I can't get in my car!

Me: Did you try unlocking it?

Mom: The keys on the door don't work anymore and my keypad has been broken for a while now!

Me: They must have disconnected the battery and reset the ECU... where is your key?

Mom: For my car?

Me: Yes...

Mom: In my hand...

Me: Why don't you just unlock the door with your key, ya know, insert the key in the key hole and turn???

Mom: I can do that?

Me: Seriously??????

Mom: Um... I gotta go...

Dilbert 3-17-2011

Another classic...

Houston Dynamo FC Custom Kit

Dynamo FC Clima Cool Custom

It's safe to say that I have a spending problem, but only when I'm idle. Being down for the 6 hours I was post my teeth removal I had time to do some much "needed" shopping. I purchased that huge watch by Invicta, I purchased another ESQ Beacon (photos to come it too came in today), I bought Ashley a brand new HD Digital Camcorder (that was so she wouldn't say mean things to me about buying all this other stuff), and then there's this; there's some other stuff, but this is my favorite. I was on Soccer.com looking to piece together a new GK kit now that I'm back playing 11v11. With absolutely no luck matching anything together I gave up all hope and decided to search through some of my favorite club apparel. Well that didn't take long, Chelsea had nothing reasonably priced (including the players for the club) Everton's pink jerseys aren't available, and there were no "I Hate ManU" shirts so on to the MLS where my first query led me to the Dynamo uniforms... Sort low to high, click to page 2 and Viola! there it was. I thought, well that's pretty nice, then I saw the shorts, and socks, and well, a new pair of gloves were following shortly. I ordered a pair of White/Red socks but they are on back order and won't be in till next week. The Adidas Elite Formotion Socks are really, really, really comfortable; price justified. The kit is really comfortable, light weight and cool, I suppose that would be the idea since it is a ClimaCool Adidas apparel item. 

Invicta, The Russian Diver's Watch

I was recently introduced to this watch company via a website that I read frequently. Interested in the production of the watch I sought to buy one, and buy one I did. (not my proudest moment) I suppose I was merely in awe of its exquisite design, or perhaps merely impressed with the color choice and accented selection; either way I did not do my research properly. Well the watch came in last night and to my dismay it was not at all what I expected. In the magazine and online it looked like such a quaint, classy and sophisticated time piece, when it arrived it looks like it should be on the wrist of some sounding off, "Fee Fye Fo Fum..."





I tried to contextualize its size by putting my Bulova next to it. As you can see the entirety of the Bulova is matched by the crystal of the Invicta. I further took photos of the watch next to an iPhone, again, the watch is longer and almost as wide as the iPhone itself. This monstrosity overpowers my wrist and is no conducive match to any attire I possess. Thusly, it is going back. Although I have to note that boxing and presentation of the watch was amazing, full marks for presentation indeed.

Apparently the over-sized nature of the time piece is meant for divers to be able to see the time whilst maneuvering underwater... I am not certain enough to say I will never go SCUBA diving, but I can assure you, if I do, there will be no immediate need to know the time, nor will I expect with whomever I am SCUBA diving will be asking me the time... under water.

Had My Wisdom Teeth Pulled Today

Two weeks ago I was having some pain issues in my lower left jaw, in a moment of panic and self diagnosis I assumed it was an abscessed tooth so I called a local dentist to schedule an appointment. The Dentist was Dr. Brock Barras and his team of esteemed associates. I went in expecting the worst but was told only, that one of my wisdom teeth had decayed. Brock (as he liked to be called) stated that my teeth were incredibly healthy and small extraction should be sufficient. After looking at my insurance options I realized I could remove all 4 for a small fee so we went about it accordingly. I was literally in his chair for a total of 1 hour. Brock explained that my teeth were so straight and strong it was a super easy job. I was actually able to keep all of my teeth, none of them are broken. Now if I could only find that damn tooth fairy....

Brock's staff of Hygienists and fellow Dentists were phenomenal. They catered to all of my needs and answered all of my questions without hesitation. The staff was super friendly and incredibly helpful. My first appointment was 9:00 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, I arrived at 8:50 a.m. for normal paper work and was in the chair with Brock for 9:05 a.m. For my surgery, my appointment was at 11:00 a.m. this morning. The anesthetics were administered for 11:07 and surgery commenced at 11:25 a.m. I merely had an oral numbing so I was coherent for the entire operation. It was well interesting to hear the sounds your teeth make when being extracted. I felt a good bit of pressure but never any pain. Even now, hours later, the bleeding has stopped and any pain that would have been is now gone. I am in slight discomfort but all is well. I should be back at work tomorrow morning and according to the nurse at the front desk I can return to normal exercise within 5 days. But I'll do it in 3...because I'm arrogant.

And Then There Was Silence

The scene is set, Eden came in to the living room and asked me and Ashley if she could have a chocolate pudding, I replied that she could not because she had already had one earlier, but I did compromise by saying she could have a Jello one. She smiled and acquiesced with out want of an argument or tantrum. Impressed by her demeanor I smiled in approval and with much pride on me and my wife's appropriateness on how well we have raised our daughter thus far. Well if I didn't know what the term, "don't count your chickens before they hatch" meant then...I certainly know now. 30 minutes had gone by and we had not heard or seen Eden in this time. I heard her DVD playing "Bella Bella Dancer-Ella" (her favorite DVD to date, I hate it) but I didn't hear her singing or see her dancing. As it was close to bath time I walked in her play room, again, I didn't see or hear Eden to this point. Concerned I knew something was rotten in the Sharlow Home. I called her name and heard the fastest rustling of a little girl I had ever heard moving through the tent pictured below. I called again, this time I heard a faint giggle followed by more rustling. It was at this time that I noticed the doors to her tent were zipped shut, an informality as she sits in her tent and watches her DVD through the open door ways. Ashley unzipped the tent to find Eden nestled in a corner of the tent with her favorite blanket, covered in chocolate pudding. It was on the walls, on her feet, all over her dancers dress ( a tutu as it is called ), there were even small drops of it from the kitchen to the playroom. Pictured you will also see how she opened it. Knowing full well I had said no before hand, she decided to just punch a hole in the top of the cup and eat it that way. And she was eating as fast as that little hand could travel from within that cup to her mouth still wasn't fast enough. When I opened the tent doors she balled up and shut her eyes as tight as she could and told me, "you can't see me daddy so you can't spank me ok?!?!" I was so impressed by her intelligence in this situation I could only come to laugh, then explain how smart she was, but I had a small level of disappointment. She pretended to understand but after all was said and done she was right on the couch eating the rest. The situation as it happened was absolutely hysterical. Her personality is developing day by day and she is an absolute rout. I am both excited and nervous as to how the next one will be, Ashley is 21 weeks pregnant. We are almost there.

This is where we found her

She thought if she squinted her eyes hard enough, I wouldn't see her

She didn't want to ask if anyone could open it bc she knew we'd say no...

Not really caring the outcome, only the means

Messy Messy Messy

Q

 

So in 1994 my Grandfather purchased this Q45t. It was a luxury sedan (still is) one of a kind machine with 285 hp 291 ft./lb torque, active ride sport suspension and 19 mpg/22 mpg fuel rating. The retail price on this Nissan Production was $52,995.00. My grandfather is always proud to brag how he got this car for $48,500.00. Since about the year 2000 (the year I got my license) I have wanted this car. In that time I was allowed to drive this car only once and that was because his eyes were dilated and I was the only person in ear shot that could help him. Well, last week my grandfather called me and told me that I could have the car just come and get it. The pictures aren't doing much justice to the beauty of this car. The interior is in pristine condition and Eden approves. The car will be being repaired and sold.

Like a Boss

Train Concert at L'Auberge Du Lac

Bought tickets to this event, selling them. So... let me know.