Kwanzaa begins today! Here is a link to educate you about the holiday.
I was surprised to find that it was only created in 1966. For some reason I thought it was older than that. I wonder if Al Sharpton celebrates?
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Christmas List Addition
For those of you who have procrastinated buying me a gift up until this point, you are in luck. Last night helped me realize that there is an item that I am missing. Even though I won't be able to play basketball again for a very long time, I am still trying to keep Thursday night basketball alive. I make sure that the other guys can get into the building and play. At times this requires me to provide a key. Such was the case last night. I was up late waiting for the key to be returned. It got dropped off a little bit after midnight. After taking care of that I started to clean up what I had been doing and attempted to ready myself for bed. I was on my crutches and headed into the bedroom when the power went out. I haven't felt that helpless in quite sometime. It was pitch black and I couldn't see a thing. Unfortunately for Sara, I had to wake her up and have her bring me a flashlight. After that I was able to go brush my chompers and get into bed. So, the new item on my list is night vision goggles. I know it might be inconvenient to wear them every night just in case the power goes out again, but I am willing to suffer a little bit.
Speaking of suffering, all three of our kids managed to get pink eye. Sara had to take them to the doctor and get the drops to make them feel better. They look great today, so the drops must have done their thing. Sara was quite busy yesterday. Besides doing that and everything else she always does, she got to help jump start my car(apparently the lights don't turn off on their own, unless you leave them on for a really long time). It looks like we can finally start to enjoy the holiday season though. I think we have finished up the gifts, the cards are in the mail, and the decorations seem to be done. So, that is a good thing. We even get to go to my favorite Christmas party tonight.
It is the Ellis' Annual Christmas Party. I don't like the party for the social aspect(In fact, I really don't like socializing at all). But at this party each year they serve some great food. They have chili and some other items, but the highlight for me is the ranch salad dressing. It is so good that it makes saying hi to people whose names I can't remember worth it. So, I am looking forward to tonight.
For those of you who care, tomorrow morning the #5 Georgetown Hoyas take on #2 Memphis at 9 a.m. on ESPN. I may have to drop in for breakfast at somebody's house that has cable just to see the Hoyas dominate.
Seasons Greetings,
Mr. Mustachio
Speaking of suffering, all three of our kids managed to get pink eye. Sara had to take them to the doctor and get the drops to make them feel better. They look great today, so the drops must have done their thing. Sara was quite busy yesterday. Besides doing that and everything else she always does, she got to help jump start my car(apparently the lights don't turn off on their own, unless you leave them on for a really long time). It looks like we can finally start to enjoy the holiday season though. I think we have finished up the gifts, the cards are in the mail, and the decorations seem to be done. So, that is a good thing. We even get to go to my favorite Christmas party tonight.
It is the Ellis' Annual Christmas Party. I don't like the party for the social aspect(In fact, I really don't like socializing at all). But at this party each year they serve some great food. They have chili and some other items, but the highlight for me is the ranch salad dressing. It is so good that it makes saying hi to people whose names I can't remember worth it. So, I am looking forward to tonight.
For those of you who care, tomorrow morning the #5 Georgetown Hoyas take on #2 Memphis at 9 a.m. on ESPN. I may have to drop in for breakfast at somebody's house that has cable just to see the Hoyas dominate.
Seasons Greetings,
Mr. Mustachio
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Scent of Mr. Mustachio
The past two days I have had 2 different guys tell me I smell good and ask me what cologne I was wearing. After being flattered by their unwanted advances I told them that it is a fragrance called Azul. You can find it at Anchor Blue. It used to only cost about $12, but with inflation it now goes for just under $20. Next time you are in the mall, stop by Anchor Blue and experience the scent of Mr. Mustachio.
Christmas is less than a week away!
Christmas is less than a week away!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Top Ten List
Christmas isn't exactly my favorite holiday. Not due to the reason for the season, but because of all that goes along with it. I'm not a big fan of hanging lights and getting a tree. Getting gifts can sometimes seem laborious too. However, there are some things that I really like about Christmas time. I really like looking at other peoples' Christmas lights. Some are super awesome like this one:
Some of the other things I like are seeing the look on the kids' faces when they open up gifts that they have asked for, Christmas ham, and getting together with family. Those things are the finale of all the madness that leads up to them. The one thing that gets me through all the unpleasantries is Christmas music. I love Christmas music! In fact, I sometimes listen to Christmas music at other times during the year. I have already changed my music player to include many great holiday songs, but here are my top ten favorite holiday songs:
10. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Alvin and the Chipmunks
I remember listening to this song on an 8-track. It instantly brings back childhood memories of Christmas.
9. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
This was the first really "alternative" style of Christmas song I remember. It used to be a holiday regular on KROQ. I don't listen enough anymore to know if it still is.
8. Baby it's Cold Outside - Various artists
This is probably the most recent addition to my list. Maybe the movie Elf had something to do with it? I don't have a particular favorite version of this song, but James Taylor does a pretty good one. In fact, James Taylor's Christmas album is a must listen during the holidays.
7. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys
It's always good to think about the beach in the winter time. It may even keep you a little warmer on a cool night.
6. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Whenever I hear this song, I get the image of a cardboard cutout of Michael Jordan going around a model train track.
5. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano
I liked this song way before I knew what it meant. I vaguely recall Pee Wee Herman saying, "Feliz Blah Ble Blah" on a Christmas special. This was actually my ringtone on my last cell phone.
4. Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney
I don't know how anyone could hear this song and not have a wonderful Christmas time. This song is so good that De La Soul samples it in one of their songs.
3. Marshmallow World - Bing Crosby
It makes me wonder what it would have been like growing up where it snowed in the winter.
2. Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes
The sound of Motown is awesome, and adding that sound to a Christmas song just makes it even better.
1. Last Christmas - Wham!
I think this is because of the time period that I grew up in, but I could listen to this on rotation for hours (insert obligatory statement about not being gay here). There have been many different versions made since Wham!, but none of them compares. So what are your favorite Christmas songs?
Almost a week until Christmas is here.
p.s. Don't forget that Kwanzaa is on the 26th.
Some of the other things I like are seeing the look on the kids' faces when they open up gifts that they have asked for, Christmas ham, and getting together with family. Those things are the finale of all the madness that leads up to them. The one thing that gets me through all the unpleasantries is Christmas music. I love Christmas music! In fact, I sometimes listen to Christmas music at other times during the year. I have already changed my music player to include many great holiday songs, but here are my top ten favorite holiday songs:
10. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Alvin and the Chipmunks
I remember listening to this song on an 8-track. It instantly brings back childhood memories of Christmas.
9. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
This was the first really "alternative" style of Christmas song I remember. It used to be a holiday regular on KROQ. I don't listen enough anymore to know if it still is.
8. Baby it's Cold Outside - Various artists
This is probably the most recent addition to my list. Maybe the movie Elf had something to do with it? I don't have a particular favorite version of this song, but James Taylor does a pretty good one. In fact, James Taylor's Christmas album is a must listen during the holidays.
7. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys
It's always good to think about the beach in the winter time. It may even keep you a little warmer on a cool night.
6. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Whenever I hear this song, I get the image of a cardboard cutout of Michael Jordan going around a model train track.
5. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano
I liked this song way before I knew what it meant. I vaguely recall Pee Wee Herman saying, "Feliz Blah Ble Blah" on a Christmas special. This was actually my ringtone on my last cell phone.
4. Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney
I don't know how anyone could hear this song and not have a wonderful Christmas time. This song is so good that De La Soul samples it in one of their songs.
3. Marshmallow World - Bing Crosby
It makes me wonder what it would have been like growing up where it snowed in the winter.
2. Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes
The sound of Motown is awesome, and adding that sound to a Christmas song just makes it even better.
1. Last Christmas - Wham!
I think this is because of the time period that I grew up in, but I could listen to this on rotation for hours (insert obligatory statement about not being gay here). There have been many different versions made since Wham!, but none of them compares. So what are your favorite Christmas songs?
Almost a week until Christmas is here.
p.s. Don't forget that Kwanzaa is on the 26th.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Pasadena Bunny Museum
A couple of weeks ago we took the youth from the church to visit the world's largest bunny museum. It is located in Pasadena, California. It is run by Steve and Candace. It began with him giving her a bunny and now they give one another a bunny gift every day. The tour is free and their website describes it much better than I can. Here is where to find them. It was an interesting experience and I recommend you pay them a visit at least one time in your life. I have included a few highlight pictures below, but there are a ton more if you are interested at my photobucket page. Enjoy:
This bunny is in the front yard and used to be a part of a Rose Parade float.
Every visitor has to sign in before entering. They keep track of how many visitors they have had. I was visitor #13,485!
I think these
were my favorite of all the bunnies on display.
Skyler got to come along for the trip too.
With Steve and Candace (Candace really wanted to have the Bugs Bunny phone in the picture).
This bunny is in the front yard and used to be a part of a Rose Parade float.
Every visitor has to sign in before entering. They keep track of how many visitors they have had. I was visitor #13,485!
I think these
were my favorite of all the bunnies on display.Skyler got to come along for the trip too.
At the Bunny Table
With Steve and Candace (Candace really wanted to have the Bugs Bunny phone in the picture).
This is the bunny that started it all!
They even had a few live bunnies hopping around. That's all for now. Have a hoppy Friday!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Injury Report
It was the evening of November 30th. It also marked the first basketball game of the Tuesdays vs. Thursdays (the guys who play on Tuesday night against the guys who play on Thursday night). The game was going quite well. For some reason we were playing with 20 minute quarters, but we still seemed to have energy going into the second half. The Thursdays(my team) took an early lead in the beginning(being up by at least 20 points at some point in time), but the Tuesdays were making a huge run. They had cut the lead to single digits a few minutes into the 3rd quarter. It was at that point that I took a jump shot from around the free throw line. As I came down, the spot on the floor my left foot wanted to land on was already occupied by my defender's leg. The result was my foot landing on his leg and making a popping sound. I went to the ground and let out a nice growl. Jed was there and told me to stay on the ground. I looked at my leg and saw my ankle trying to look back at me. This was obviously not your typical ankle sprain. Surprisingly, I was not in pain and think that I was pretty calm under the circumstances. We gathered my things, loaded me into Jed's truck and headed to the emergency room.
They got me in immediately and laid me in a bed. One of the nurses recognized me from our last place of residence, so it was a good opportunity to catch up with an old acquaintance. They cut off my shoe laces removed the shoe and cut off my sock. After that, this is what we saw:
It appeared that I had dislocated my ankle. Luckily, it didn't look like I had broken any bones. And, although the bones did rip a couple of holes in my foot, they didn't burst out. So, it seemed like there were some positives to the situation. After doping me up and trying to get government secrets out of me (why else would they be twisting on my foot?), it was determined that they weren't going to get my foot back in. A surgeon was called and in the mean time my wife, parents, and father-in-law all made an appearance. Xrays were taken and the surgeon, wearing a sporty L.L. Bean fleece showed up. He said that I had a very rare dislocation of the joint just below the ankle. I believe he called it the subtaylor joint. They were going to take me up to surgery and knock me out. They hoped that the muscles would then relax enough to be able to slide my foot back into place without having to cut me open. The surgery was a success and I came away with no stitches. I am currently using crutches and a walking boot. The swelling has gone down significantly over the last couple of days, and I am gradually applying more weight to it. I have another appointment to see the doctor in a week and a half or so.
Initially, the doctor said that I would not be able to play basketball again. However, when I saw him last, he had changed his tune a bit. I will still have to do physical therapy and it will be a long process to get to that point. It is still frustrating not being able to do much during the holidays, but a lot of people have helped us out. I am hoping that I will be in decent shape before Bodie comes. This seems like a reasonable excuse for the huge gap since my last post. I do have some events in the past to report on, so check back over the next few days to learn about my Disneyland trip with Skyler and my visit to the world's largest bunny museum.
They got me in immediately and laid me in a bed. One of the nurses recognized me from our last place of residence, so it was a good opportunity to catch up with an old acquaintance. They cut off my shoe laces removed the shoe and cut off my sock. After that, this is what we saw:
It appeared that I had dislocated my ankle. Luckily, it didn't look like I had broken any bones. And, although the bones did rip a couple of holes in my foot, they didn't burst out. So, it seemed like there were some positives to the situation. After doping me up and trying to get government secrets out of me (why else would they be twisting on my foot?), it was determined that they weren't going to get my foot back in. A surgeon was called and in the mean time my wife, parents, and father-in-law all made an appearance. Xrays were taken and the surgeon, wearing a sporty L.L. Bean fleece showed up. He said that I had a very rare dislocation of the joint just below the ankle. I believe he called it the subtaylor joint. They were going to take me up to surgery and knock me out. They hoped that the muscles would then relax enough to be able to slide my foot back into place without having to cut me open. The surgery was a success and I came away with no stitches. I am currently using crutches and a walking boot. The swelling has gone down significantly over the last couple of days, and I am gradually applying more weight to it. I have another appointment to see the doctor in a week and a half or so.
Initially, the doctor said that I would not be able to play basketball again. However, when I saw him last, he had changed his tune a bit. I will still have to do physical therapy and it will be a long process to get to that point. It is still frustrating not being able to do much during the holidays, but a lot of people have helped us out. I am hoping that I will be in decent shape before Bodie comes. This seems like a reasonable excuse for the huge gap since my last post. I do have some events in the past to report on, so check back over the next few days to learn about my Disneyland trip with Skyler and my visit to the world's largest bunny museum.
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