I know, I know, so many in one night! But I have to catch up since I have been the topic of bad blogging. I will be better from now on......I hope....

Am I crazy or does he look 12! I can't believe he starts preschool in 2 months!

Ella Alexa Ray

Don't you just want to KISS that face!

Jadan caught this fish ALL by himself in the lake by our house with his SUPERMAN fishing pool. I think his smile is even bigger because Daddy didn't catch any :-)

Here are the kids at the Woodland Park Zoo. Jadan fell in love with this Lion and while we ate lunch he would scream if any other kids came over and took a picture with "his" friend. We didn't even want Ella in the picture but one look from mom and we were okay. Ella thought her first time (well, where she actually understood what was going on) was the best day EVER! The new flamingo show was her favorite and any birds where Jadan liked the bug area where there is a huge spider that doesn't even have glass around it! WHAT THE HELL!

What? Could it be?

Well, well, well. Look who fixed her computer and was able to get the titles to be in English. We're back! Sorry I have been away for a while. With needles in my eye, a boss out with brain surgery and a shity computer with 128MB of ram we have been a little CRAZY!

My PLE Portfolio

I AM DONE! I turned over my PLE portfolio to Hirsh on Friday. I am very proud of it. It ended up being 112 pages of writing. This was a labor of love. Now I sit back and see if I am awarded 29 credits for 9 months of writing, or should I say, 20 plus years of life and work experience.

Cross your fingers, say a prayer, or rub Buddha's belly. Now I sit and wait.

My next class starts in 5 weeks, "Thumbs up, The Art of Writing Reviews." Watch out THE NEW YORKER, here I come.

Enjoy the comic. It depicts our past nine months. Actually, we sit in our chairs in the family room, both on our lap tops a lot. Dad and I are a couple of laptop geeks. My new laptop was the best gift ever. It made it possible for me to have a life while completing my PLE writing, otherwise, I would have lived the past nine months in the den.

A 4th pet

Well, once again we've added to our little crew.

A small female raccoon has signed on to the team.

She's on the back porch or hanging out under the Rhodie's morning, noon and night.

She certainly looks like she's birthed a litter but if she has, they haven't come up to the house yet.

My guess is that she had a small litter and they all died.

On Sunday, we were sitting out back and she climbed up the big fir tree, crawled out on a limb over our heads and took a nap.

That's also her in the garden photo.

Any that wants to name her can post a suggestion.

I'm hesitant because they kind of come and go...

dad

Our Garden

Our garden is planted and growing.

After last years very succesful herb garden we decided to grow herbs and veggies this year.
The theme is a "pasta salad" garden.

The soil is a blend of equal parts of our original (sandy) soil, soil from Bill McTurnal's compost facility and compost our own compost bin. It's an amazing blend...as amazing as dirt gets...

Here's a list of the herbs;
Sage (yellow and purple)
Oregano (regular and spicy)
Basil--lots of basil!
Pineapple Mint
Chives
Catnip--hard to grow...everyone keeps eating the damn nip.

And the veggies;
Tomato (sweet millions)
Peas
Brocolli
Cucumber (regular and lemon cukes)
Peppers (red, yellow and green)
Strawberry
Lettuce (romaine and funky colored stuff from Brandon)

The photos are from June 15th.
Some items are doing better then others.
Peas are a real treat because they "climb" if you plant them next to a trellis.

I'll post an update in a few weeks.

Where the Hell is Matt?

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

My New Address...

As per request...

Seoul, South Korea
Nowon-gu, Sanggye 1-dong 1267
Suraksan Parko Building #612

서울특별시
노원구 상계1동 1267
수락산 파르코 612호

Makes sense...?

A Spring Dream

The earth tumbled to my side...
I am the breaker of God's ground...

I attract the sun and her millionth arm...
I am the capitol of bees...

Heavens gape to replenish my needs...
And men change course to allow me to grow...

Humanity and the animal kingdom require me...
Without me, you would die...

I am the embodiment of spring...
Yet I love you each fairly...

I pose in endless hues...
For which I pay no dues...

As spring grows old...
I grow more bold...

My wings blossom and bloom...
Your songs soften and swoon...

I meet you more poignantly...
And you sigh more emphatically...

I entoxicate young and old...
Knowing what was will become cold...

So take great care and caution...
And appreciate me often...

I am a simple dream...
But to all I am supreme.

2008 Democratic VP Selection is.........

Drumroll please............ttlttrttlttrttlttr....

Umm, yeah..so that's a phonetic representation of a drumroll...don't understand...well fu$# y....err..I mean..me neither...:)

I'm interested in a very informal, uninformed family straw poll of who we all think will be Obama's running mate. Hillary? Ted Strickland? John Edwards? Jim Webb? The female governor of Missouri? (c'mon, I can't remember her name...) that guy from Pennsylvania? (I'm just proud I spelled the state right, didn't I? Anyone else? Al Gore? Jeffrey Martin...(the cooky environmentalist that would put WA state over the top in the blue column come Nov. 4th? :)

Seriously...I want to parse your brains and hear what you guys think Obama will do...let's get ahead of one of the finest minds of our...erm, my generation, erm...I'm too young to get in his club, anywhatthefuck, let's pick his brain and hear what you think he'd do. Or what would you do in his shoes, and why? Would you do it to stay altruistic to your message of change and hope? Would you do it to win the general election? Would you do it to carry a swing state? (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida) Would you do it to pick up a potentially new democratic state? (North Carolina, Virginia, Nevada, Montana, Alaska, Georgia, New Mexico)

Let's hear it Martin's...I know one of us is a 'Libertarian'...where do the rest of us stand...

Here's a more comprehensive tool to use; you're also able to compare to several hundred other folks who have voted on the site: http://votenic.com/

I'll post my views, when, and only when the rest of you have.

The Balkans...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Balkans_Animation_1800-2006.gif

Am I nerding out here, or am I really the only one of our clan who thinks this political map is just fascinating...wow, look at all the countries change and the rulers and kingdoms and other governmental groups in flux over the past several centuries....who hasn't heard of 'The Balkans' and thought, "...yeah, I know...that 'place' over 'there'..."

Well...now we know...

:)

P.S. No 'Greece' until 1829?!? 'Da fuck??? Somebody better get killed over this..and not quickly...

P.S.S. Hope everyone enjoyed the fluke Greek 2004 Euro Championship because by measure of the 2008 results, it'll be a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time before they wear THAT crown again....GO DUTCH!!! Van Nistelrooy!! Robben!!!

Obama says Fuck You

Ohmigosh...did you guys hear about this?!?

My first week...

Ok...you've all experience hell as you know it...who hasn't. This week has been mine...I'm eight weeks old today..but I know hell...

Monday Matthew had to go to work...he seemed really hesitant...I cried and I cried and he hesitated and almost didn't go..but finally he just left me. Alone. I've never been alone in my life. And Matthew pulled a giant desk in front of his kitchen and just left me alone. I can't believe it...I want to leave, I'm going crazy and I will bark for six straight hours...I can't really bark, but my whining and puppy crying can be heard in the hallways and even at the sixth floor elevators. When Matthew came home he threw his arms around me and seemed so sad, upset and really felt bad. I don't care...he left me alone..I wonder if he knows I'll never forget that. Monday night a lot of people came to Matthew's apartment. He left from 6-7, actually..he seemed to be out of breath from running home from the subway station...he said he got home from downtown at his public school at 5:45 pm and could only see me for about 15 minutes before he had a class downstairs at 6pm. I don't know if I believe him...maybe he's with a different puppy...the bastard!! But he did come back..and early...I don't know how he left his class early..but he promises he quit that class..so we'll see. Then other people came to his home at 8pm..they were nice, one fat girl played with me a lot, and I had fun for the first 10 minutes. Then I got tired, so I slept on Matthew's feet while he talked and taught for another 50 minutes. As soon as those people left, they seemed like high schoolers, he played with me a lot until 9:30 when more people came, it was similar, they all were excited and played with me for about 15 minutes, then I slept on daddy's feet and he taught for a while. Now everyone is gone and daddy is feeding me. He took me to the animal doctor this morning, so I know he learned a few things about what I need. He's also reading the internet all the time trying to keep me happy and healthy, I hope he can figure it all out, it really is a lot. Tuesday, Matthew thought I might be happier in the bathroom, boy, was he wrong!! I barked and cried so loud, I think Matthew almost cried. I could see he was emotionally drained and really worried, I think he might have to give me back to my momma. But, I also see some deep determination in him..so..we'll see....he hasn't slept much the last two nights...I'm testing him by peeing and pooping outside of the bathroom where he put the training pads....I wonder if he'll give up...or if he can train me...

My first night...

Now...Matthew brought me into his apartment and I've got to say, as some of you have publically stated, it smells a bit here...I think I might actually make it smell a bit better. But, more importantly, Matthew seems so excited to have me here, I really like that. He's obviously unprepared for anything I'd need, I have no license, my vaccine shots are not complete, if my former human 'momma' hadn't given him some of my food, I might die before Matthew bought some, but...he really loves me, and somehow, that's enough. So tonight we just played. I ran around, Matthew watched me, and his friend...I think her name is Jihye (I'm bilingual....are you?) have a lot in common...primarily...if sleeping were an Olympic sport..we'd be reigning cold medalists! Just check the photos...apparently Matthew noticed this and took some opportune photos. Nothing staged, just what we did our first night together. I got to chase a little pink and green ball, run after Matthew (he's nuts!!) and basically felt so happy...even though I missed my momma and brothers and sisters a little. But Matthew put my training pads down in the bathroom and gave me some food and good cold water....I wonder what tomorrow will bring....but, tonight I'll just sleep next to Matthew and trust him...what else can I do....

The new Puchina...

Daddy doesn't know I'm on here now..in fact, he doesn't know I can type and operate a computer, much less let myself out of my new cage (that bastard bought me a cage...ughhh! the nerve!) but here I am...to let you know what's happening as my new life begins with Matthew, your son and brother, brother-in-law and uncle, but basically...that bearded guy I like to bite. He came to pick me up in Uijeongbu last weekend, it was my seven-week birthday actually, seeing as how I was introduced to the world on April 13! I had been living with my momma and brother and 4 sisters. Two sisters had disappeared with other people and my brother left with someone too. I miss them a lot, but I get the feeling they are happy. And I'm seven weeks old...so give me a break...I barely remember what I ate five minutes ago. Anyways, Matthew came in with his friend and started to play with my sister and I. I had several cousins visiting that day, so I was plenty occupied with everyone there. But I felt like I gave Matthew enough attention, he shouldn't be greedy, even though I get the sense he is. My sister gave him the full attention treatment, she such a drama queen and attention whore. She was biting him all over, kept running to him, and even sniffed his crotch...maybe he liked that!! I was more interested in all the other dogs on the bed and running around on the floor...but occasionaly Matthew would find me and seemed to be very interested in how I took to him. I didn't want to mislead him, so I was affectionate, but only as much as I genuinly felt to someone I'd just met....what, I'm not easy!! I think he recognized this...but his friend seemed to think my sister was better, would be more fun, would be more playful...that's fine, I was already back on the bed and playing with my cousins. Everyone seemed ready to leave, it seemed like the decision had been made for Matthew, my sister is more naturally beautiful, her coat is more even, more pure, she's more 'loving' and she doesn't have these embarrasing rings around her eyes. That's okay, I could stay with my momma for longer. Maybe someone nice will come take me later... So the human momma that I'd known until that point seemed to ask Matthew to choose...and his friend recommended the other puppy, my sister. But Matthew seemed to hesitate...I don't know why. He had the other puppy in his arms...but he wasn't leaving...something wasn't ready. I don't know why...but he looked at me again...he really looked at me...he seemed to ask me if I was ready..and I took his thumb in my small mouth and told him I would try my best. I don't know why...but that worked, he chose me....he got some food...some training pads (cause I still need to learn how to pee in the right place) and some treats. And finally...he picked me up. I didn't feel scared, his arms are nice and warm. Everyone seemed ready to leave, but Matthew took me back to my momma and said, "say goodbye..." Now, I'm seven weeks old, I said that already...but Matthew seemed to be the only person in the room that cared about me saying goodbye to my mom...and I think someday I'll be glad, even just a little bit. But I did, and my mom seemed happy, I don't know really. So we left, it really happened so quickly, now I was walking outside in the cold..it's friggen freezing!...I haven't been outside much!! Matthew carried me down the alleyways and towards who knows where...we sat down at a little shop and he and his friend say in plastic red chairs and watched me. Frankly, I was terrified, I just shook and let them play with me and pet me..I didn't care as long as I wasn't totally alone. Finally, we headed on to a bus station. We got on the bus and I could crawl all over Matthew and his friend as we rode the rest of the way to his apartment. It took about twenty minutes, but I've never felt so free. I've only known that little cage and my momma... Matthew seemed really happy and kissed me a lot, a lot of people looked at us, but he didn't seem to care...I liked that. Finally we got off the bus and WOW!!! everyone called me cute and pretty, they all smiled when they saw me. I felt Matthew's chest grow as he carried me quickly inside...I don't know what's behind these doors and up those elevators...but I'm excited to find out....

Killing me softly - Fugees

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ighu4gGlaUE#

And to be fair...the previous post had to pay homage to dad's generation...it's debatable as to which song is better...but April would obviously only know this version..so...what do you guys think...Flack or Fugees...what's your preference??? :)

Love you!

Roberta Flack - Killing me softly with his song

Now..what happened....here as we pass the three week mark of no additional posts. I've watched closely after my initial barrage of live, from Korea postings. Intimidated? Can't keep up? Can't compete? Feeling insufficient? Something along these lines? Something else? No time? Nothing new? No interest? More like this? Uninterested? Bored? Dont' like the internet? This? Really..where'd you guys go? Seriously don't know how to operate the internet? April, you established the blog, obviously you know more than the rest of us how to get around on here. Dad, you gave me crap after you set up the wireless broadband access in your home. Clearly you know how to find your way. We all know mom, who can program her own website, can find out how, and most regularly does, post blogs. So...where are you guys?

Am I sounding harsh? Is this too public a forum. From the guy who was gutted, bled publically, and showcased to everyone during his most private times...I think it's only fair and hardly surprising that I'd call you out on what was suppossed to be a family affair. I'll do my bit to get some interesting news, updates, shocking things, and personal tidbits on the site...but let's do the world a favor and suspend the overly sensitive nature of our culture and family and buck the trend...anything goes here. Post some shit...get gritty...and quit waiting on my every word for me to break down...it won't happen...ever.

Let's see it Martins!!!