Whoops! I Did It Again!

Yup. I went back to east Valley Chorale last night and was again able to sing almost the entire practice. That's good news. Afterward, my voice sounds tired, but it is fun.

I have returned to the political arena for today's CoV. But don't think that this implies I am against allowing people to carry guns into a crowded dark space with dozens of drinkers, even if they themselves are not supposed to drink. No, I cannot see anything bad coming from that. Maybe next, we can allow small caliber machine guns to come out of the front of our cars like James Bond as long as we promise not to use them during rush hour?

Things are still quite unsettled at work. I am almost certain I know what tasks are expected of me, and that is after spending time with my boss to discuss it. Ah well. I am working and getting paid. At least I am not a preacher. At least I am not an accountant. At least I am not in the Navy. At least I am not an architect. Too bad I cannot afford to be retired.

My Interpretation of LOST

Sure, many of you watched LOST from the beginning. Others were converted at some point since the first season. Of course, I waited until it is time for the final season and am trying to cram 103 episodes into the next 3 months. Today's cartoon, however, is really only using the title and high-level plot to attempt a degree of levity, so do not expect a CoV Walkabout or anything.
So, I will be going over to Chorale again tonight. Let's see if last week was a fluke or maybe now I can have a range of 4 notes instead of 3. Plus, since I have to direct the first part of next week's practice, I want to see how he directs the songs he gave me, how fast, solo assignments, etc.

I am eating my final Willcox pear today (it is actually a 20th century variety). They were good. Does that mean Lyndsay was right and I am glad we drove 3 hours each way to get them. I suppose so.

Ante Up

While I never did this on days I worked late, I am sure some have. It doesn't matter. I was really just using the play on words and Poker fit the best. Then again, who knows how politics really works. After all, a lot of business deals are made on golf courses.
I am almost finished with LOST Season 1. It will be done this week. We could have finished, but we don't want to get too far behind on broadcast TV shows. So we watched the 2-hr premiere of Heroes and the 2-hr premiere of Amazing Race.

We had a sweet-fest from Lyndsay for Ali's birthday. We have now finished almost all of it. I do have a few pumpkin waffles left along with homemade apple syrup. And I have not opened the homemade apple butter she gave me yet. I cannot understand why Kyle isn't gaining weight left and right with this kind of cooking all the time.

Dad's hair continues to grow, but it does not look like it will be curly. Why did I think it might grow back curly? Someone that had cancer told us that. I suppose it is not always true.

Kodachrome

No, this is not a photography lesson. No, it is not an ode to the past glory days of film cameras. It is a remembrance of the opening words to Paul Simon's song, Kodachrome. Even though I don't think everything I learned is crap (pardon my French), I did drift back to remembrances of riding my bicycle to Jr. High when I created today's Clarity of Vision.
Granddaughters are coming over tonight for Alison's birthday. Yes, it was actually last Sunday, but this is when we could work out the visit.

It has been almost a week since we watched Lost. I am still in Season 1. We'll need to catch some episodes this weekend. I think we have 10 left.

Learning to Drawl

The title of today's post is actually Learning to Draw, but I cannot think of words like draw and Pa without remembering the kids pronouncing it with an 'L' such as drawl or Pawl. Anyway, I am trying to do more cartoons outside of an office setting, but am constrained by not actually drawing the strip. I have an idea for a strip on bicycling to work, but without the visual context, I have to explain things with lots of words. I really ought to learn to draw people...well, anything, really. Even the tattoo in today's strip looked different in my mind than how I was able to create it. Here, just read it.
Glee was good last night. Did you watch it? Seeing the football team doing the Beyonce song was worth the time. But two episodes of Hell's Kitchen at one sitting is too much Gordon Ramsey. Hey, how do y'all like Russell on Survivor? I think that is his name. Zachary is stronger willed than me. I couldn't join the military because I would have to miss Survivor each week. They may not renew Defying Gravity! Boo! Does Adam ever win on Man v Food? I was telling Kyle that the first 2-3 I watched, he won. Since then, almost never. Of course, I am writing this after watching him win after eating a 5-lb. Philly Cheese Steak sandwich last night.

OK, enough TV talk. Let's get back to work. I need to justify my pay somehow.

I B Sainging

Yup. I do be sainging. We saing maybe 15 songs during Chorale last night. I did OK. The voice got a little tired, I do not have the range I once had, but it was fun. I think I'll do it again next Tuesday.

I had a Clarity of Vision this morning when I woke up, but my vision disappeared by the time I got out of the shower. It must not have been really funny, right? Still, I wrote one today for publishing tomorrow, and I actually wrote today's yesterday afternoon. So, I have one queued up. Sure, I have some ideas in a file, but I don't know which will lead me to the best final panel. Kyle gave me one that just says "I'll reorg your face." I haven't figured out how to use that one yet. I have one that says "Nicknames." Again, I am sure I had an idea in mind when I wrote that, but now....

Here's today's CoV.

My new card reader works, so I was able to unload the photos of this weekend (and the previous weekend) to my computer. I did not review them yet nor prepare any for the blog because I went to Chorale, and then Kathie was using the computer when I get home. So, we could be within one day of seeing some, even though Lyndsay has already posted hers. That's good. You should not have to wait for me.

All EV, All The Time

Today's post seems to be all based in the East Valley. Let's start with my discussion with the Mayor of Gilbert. I noticed he was in his work office yesterday and dropped in. He was gracious and we talked for a few minutes. He is putting together some type of Men of Faith group in Gilbert, so I pointed him to our church's web site and the minister's email addresses. Anyway, no, he did not really do this to me.
Sure, I am a little nervous. Wouldn't you be? I am going to try and sit in with the East Valley Chorale tonight. I have not sung in over a year, so I may not make it through even a single song, but since the folks went back, I reckon I can try. Yes, I used the word reckon.

They have not moved me back to my old building yet. That's OK by me. It is quieter here and a little easier commute.

I purchased a new card reader last night, but have not used it yet, so no pics. Lyndsay posted some in Facebook, so you can check those out. And someone made a smart-alecky remark about me talking to this lady who thought the granddaughters were "just lovely." Well, go take a look.

Fruitylicious

I must admit that the fruit we picked at Apple Annie's on Saturday is extremely tasty. We had a choice of several varieties of apples and pears. Still, at 3 hours each way, it does make for a long day. Carey and her crew showed up a little later than us and they caught some rain.

Yesterday, Lyndsay brought some apple-themed desserts to lunch and we ate our fill. One of them was her first ever try at apple pie. All of the desserts were good and made the apples even tastier than fresh picked. I need to think of what else we can send her to pick so we can try other desserts.

Work-related cartoon warning. Unfamiliar terms approaching. A Director is a level between me and a VP. OK, I think you are ready.

It appears my memory card reader has gone to reader heaven. It is not recognizing any of the memory cards at the house. So, no photos, either here or in Facebook.

Speaking of Facebook, Mom and Dad have joined and linked up to those members of the family that they like. OK fine, I was not first, even though I am their firstborn. What is up with that? If you link to them, you can see some of their wild colors in the kitchen.

Another Day LOST

We got busy with regular TV stuff last night (Survivor, Top Chef) and did not watch LOST. This is not good. After all, we will not be able to make up missed episodes tomorrow since we are driving over to Florida for some apple picking thing. (Actually Willcox, AZ, but I don't know where that is). Still, I have not given up.

I saw the mayor of Gilbert here yesterday, so I thought of that this morning when I was searching for cartoon inspiration. He said that he likes to start his day with Dilbert and CoV. Yeah. I will start with a mayor and work my way up. Maybe when he becomes president, I can be the official presidential cartoonist?

Here is what we are going to tomorrow with the granddaughters and their family.
My-Oh-My Apple Pie Weekend & Country Craft Fair
September 19-20
7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

A celebration of all things Apple Pie! Start your day with our famed “All-You-Can Eat” pancake with apple pie syrup breakfast, served both mornings from 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM. Enjoy free samples of our scrumptious apple pies! Indulge in homemade Apple Crumb Pie ice cream! Apple-smoked burger lunches served 11:30 AM – 4 PM. Complimentary wagon rides to the orchard for pick-your-own apples. Crafters from around Arizona will be set up from 8 AM – 4 PM each day with beautiful handmade crafts for sale. Apple Pie Baking contest Saturday, 2:00 PM with local celebrity judges. All homemade apple pie entries must be turned in at Apple Annie’s Orchard by 1:00 PM; please submit a copy of the recipe with the entry. Apple Annie’s gift certificates of $100, $75 and $50 will be awarded to top 3 pies! Pie Eating Contest Sunday, 2 PM. Age groups 8-12, 13-17 and 18 & older. Participants under age 18 must have a signed parental release form. Entries accepted beginning at noon on Sunday. Participation limited to 10 in each category. Prizes will be awarded in each age group. ”My-Oh-My Apple Pie“ is a great way to celebrate the beginning of fall!

I know. Between LOST and stuff, I have been remiss in posting photos of any kind. I have not even taken the time to play with them, much less post them.

Still thinking about attending Chorale next Tuesday. Just thinking.

The Answer is Yes

Welcome back. I am glad the Fall TV season is coming up. However, it does mean that I will end up wasting too much time on TV programs. Last night, we did not even watch a LOST episode. I cannot waste too many nights if I am going to finish all five seasons before it comes back in January. Survivor starts tonight. Bones is on tonight. Fringe is on tonight. Why am I talking about TV? It happened to be what I wrote about in CoV. I wrote it this morning. I have nothing ready for tomorrow. Whew! I am living on the edge, right?

So, the answer to the question posed yesterday is YES, the folks did return (triumphantly?) to EV Chorale. Dad thinks that I should try it next week. I am pondering it even as we speak. Well, even as I write. I cannot be sure when you will read it.

I think we are driving over to Texas for apple picking this weekend with the grand-ones. Well, maybe not all the way to TX, but a long way east. It is rumored to be a 3-hour one-way drive. They must be really good apples.

Did They or Didn't They?

The folks had decided last week to try and attend East Valley Chorale last night. I tried to call them around 8pm to see if they had gone, and.....NO ANSWER! So, it seems they may have attended after months of none of us being able to sing. I hope they did, and that I can one day return. I miss the chorale and I miss singing.

I do NOT miss running. Of course, how could I miss it since I have never been a runner. That does not stop me from making fun of it, though.
OK, on LOST, some of the castaways moved into a cave last night. We saw Locke's suitcase of knives last night. If you are a LOSTie, you know where we are. If you are not, I estimate we are 5% through the DVDs.

You are NOT going to believe this. Well, maybe you are, but that type of declarative statement is always an attention getter. Anyway, I have been transferred back to my old team. Yup, the VP or whatever he is went to my VP and asked if they could have me back. Should I feel proud that I have recognized value? I suppose. That is what my boss told me when she said I was going back. Still, I was looking forward to learning this new stuff. Oh well. Time to shine in an existing area of expertise, huh?

Caleb, I have NOT started reading Black yet. Lindsay, fine, believe what you want. I can NOT reveal my CoV inspirations. That's enough. I am NOT going to write NOT anymore today.

LOST and Lost It

I am hoping that watching LOST will allow me to understand the subtleties of Kyle's LOSTies videos. You can watch them on vimeo.com and look for sprspndx (is that right, Kyle?) Anyway, I have watched four episodes. No, I would not say I am totally hooked yet, but I am enjoying it. Just 80 or so more to watch. Now that Dad is growing hair, I suppose he will put away his knives and look a bit less like Locke.

Here, let's have our vision clarified.
Today's trivia from my desk calendar is also a bit science fictionish. When will aliens invade Earth, according to the final episode of the TV series The X-Files?

I think the folks are planning to try and attend East Valley Chorale tonight. That is great news. I hope they can sing. I tried some on Sunday and still struggle. And my range is only one octave or so. I hope I have not lost it forever. Maybe it is because I have been less than strict about controlling my diet. And by less than strict, I mean I haven't eaten differently at all. Shame on me.

Cats and Dogs...Living Together...Mass Hysteria

Well, it is not as bad as Bill Murray predicted in Ghostbusters, but we are on the way. Blue and Red walls in the folks' house? Wallpaper disappearing? Sticks springing up in empty vases. That reminds me of the time our daughter-in-law convinced us to go with yellowish and maroonish walls. What? It was her idea at the folks' house, too. Ah ha! It begins to make sense. Actually, it is looking good, just like our house did. Thanks, Lyndsay.

Luckily, we live in neighborhoods where we want to fix up our houses. Here is my comment on the slightly less safe area in which our offices are located.

I cannot believe I am letting you people get your Lost hooks into me. If I watch one episode per night, I should be caught up by the time the new season starts in January. If I wait, I will find out the full secrets of the show before I see it. If I start now, I can enjoy the final reveals along with you. OK, here I go. I may need to borrow Seasons 3,4,5 from Casey since I don't think any of the PHX Walkers have those.

In Memoriam

Today is, of course, the day when our country remembers the worst terrorist attack on US soil. Over 3000 lives were taken on a day that shocked America with our vulnerabilities. For our family, though, it is also the day when my mother-in-law went Home to be with Jesus in 2007. We miss her and pause a moment to reflect on what she meant to us, and especially to Kathie. Grandma, we love you and look forward to being reunited again when God calls us Home.

I tried to find a way to honor the day in Clarity of Vision, but could not do it justice. So, as I sent out CoV at work, I said the same type of thing, although without any overt religious implications. I wonder what they think of when they consider where their lost loved ones might be right now?

Anyway, here is the regularly scheduled comic (well, scheduled for today after pushing it out the last two days for the Obama speeches - but no Obama today, OK?)

Speaking of CoV, I do have three already written for next week. Two about running or exercise and one about the neighborhood where our office is located. Nothing about Obama is queued up right now, nor anything about ant farms, nor The Beatles Rock band. I don't know where those topics came from. I was just typing and seeing what I would write.

Tonight, a local barbershop chorale is giving a free concert at the Chandler Center for the Arts. I am trying to convince Kathie we should go. Doesn't that sound fun? I would not have thought about it except for a link Craig posted recently about a group singing a medley of songs from The Music Man, and it was fun to watch.

Easy! Just Don't Get Sick.

What a co-inky-dink. Two politically themed comic strips in a row. Well, the prez just happened to make speeches within just a couple of days of each other. What would you do? Here, read this.

I am still in that weird no-man's-land between jobs right now. We are still defining what the new team will do, and the old team still needs some reporting assistance. They say this is allowable for 30-60 days. Mostly, I want to get comfortable with my role here because I am joining an already established team with accepted roles.

I am going to try the Ezekiel bread today with lunch. It is supposed to be healthier and help deal with acid reflux. However, as you probably know, it is not cheap to eat healthy. There was another brand there called Genesis something. Wow, are they going to offer bread for all 66 books in the Bible? Maybe we can mix and match? "Yes, I would like a sandwich with Peter on top and Paul on bottom. I am sorry, sir, Paul always goes on top of Peter." "No sir, we do not have any Lazarus bread. That brand died." Oh stop your groaning. I am also trying soy nut butter instead of peanut butter.

Alison has bronchitis. Apparently, they don't give medicine for that anymore, although she did get some prescription cough medicine. It looks just like some effective medicine we used to get in Mexico, so hopefully, she slept better last night.

It Should Not Matter

Of course, I know it does to many people, but that is not why I did it. I just thought it would be funny to have the side comments, and would have done it no matter who spoke. I am talking about a political cartoon that I would create whether I was Republican or Democrat or Independent. Just as I do with you guys, I am an equal opportunity insulter.
OK, I know I do not have photos again today. Somehow, I got busy last night and did not look at the most recent shots. Soon.

Several family members have posted in the last week. Did you look at all of them? Do not forget. I know Caleb posted last night, but I have not read his yet. I did comment about his comment on this blog. What did he and I say? No comment.

Hotter Than What?

We are back in the warmth of a Phoenix summer after spending a few days in the mountains of Flagstaff. We were getting a high temperature of 74F, and here in the Valley of the Sun, we are getting a low temperature of 81F. So, it will take a couple of days to reacclimate.

We had a nice little anniversary trip. Our hotel offered a pleasant forest view. We ate at a place featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives on the Food Network. We ate at a place with wait-staff singing Broadway tunes. We visited a Dairy Queen (although we did not reenact the time I asked Kathie to marry me at a DQ in Sweetwater, TX).

I did keep up with the news a bit, so I heard about the bridge in Oakland, CA. This cartoon came from that.

I have uploaded my photos at home, but then we went to the folks' house for burgers last night, so I have none ready for posting. Soon. Really. We saw the grandgirls last night. Kyle and crew played the Mad Magazine game. Kari won by losing all her money. Kyle had the best Boo, but was voted as not being good looking. This is a dangerous game.

Keeping It Real, Kids (KIRK)

I don't understand it. When I started writing this cartoon, I immediately came up with the acronym for the product. Then, the twist in the final panel felt like the right place for another related reference. Now, I added a third in the title of this blog.
We head out for Flagstaff tonight for a few days of coolness. Doesn't it always happen? Now PHX will be 10F cooler at the same time. And Flag has a 40% chance of rain all weekend. Still, we'll be up in the pines. Maybe we'll hit the Canyon. Some hiking in the woods. Some nature photos. It should make a nice anniversary trip.

No way. I am writing this at work and I just heard some ladies fussing that they did not have a sweater with them for the drive. It was 78F and they are cold. Ladies, maybe you would be more comfortable in Malaysia or Bolivia or something.

A Clean Slate

I wrote the title in preparation for today's comic strip. However, and more importantly, it speaks to me spiritually. If we choose, if we ask forgiveness and mean it, we start off each day with a clean slate. How can God love us enough to have given us that gift? Why do I continue to carry my own emotional and spiritual baggage when He is waiting for us to turn to Him?

Oops. I did not mean to walk on Preacher Bro's turf. Back to CoV.This reminds me of that line in Roger Rabbit where Jessica Rabbit say, "I can't help it. That's the way I'm drawn." So, I built on both my reorg theme as well as the fact that the figures I use have no features. Hopefully, the work people got it without explanation.

Nothing special from the home front. We get our first work assignments today in my new job. Looks like we will all need to hit the ground running. Hey, did you see the Mythbusters where they tested that. Turns out it is fairly difficult to actually hit the ground running. I think they ended up busting it, but you should watch it for yourselves and not take my word for it.

Finnegan, Begin Again

Wasn't there some kind of a rhyme that used that as part of the never ending verse? It feels really familiar, but I cannot find the rest in my head. Something about whiskers on his chinnegan. You know what I am talking about? Like the little verse that goes "Around a corner and under a tree, a sergeant major, he said to me, oh who would marry you, for I would like to me, 'cause every time I see your face, it makes me want to go around a corner...." Why did I think of this? Oh, I remember. I began my new job yesterday. Well, we have 1-2 months to fully close out old stuff, but the new org met yesterday afternoon, so I met my other teammates. I will get to learn new things, so I am excited, and a little nervous. Hey, maybe I will get some inspiration for CoV?

All my desk stuff is packed, so I am just waiting on the official mover dudes to pick it all up and move me 3 miles or so to near the main campus. The 3 miles is not in a line towards home, so I will still have almost the exact same commute from home. Still, it is more convenient than Alison's 42-mile commute, but less than Kathie's 0.75-mile commute.

We are in that in-between stage when we have watched everything on the DVR, but the fall season has not yet started, so there is little to watch or record. In two weeks, though, there will be too much, so I will try to enjoy this time and maybe try to play with photos a bit.

Kathie and I are taking a little long weekend trip to Flagstaff this weekend to celebrate our 33rd anniversary. Nothing special planned, but it will certainly be cooler up there.

It's Like in The Jerk

We have org announcements today. At 9am, the overall org will be discussed at the Airport Hilton. Hey, do we get to spend the night? Then, at 1pm, the department I am now in has an org meeting. Somehow, this reminded me of the scene in The Jerk when he gets excited because "The new phone books are here. The new phone books are here!"

Still, aren't we all just "cogs in something turning?" (Lyrics from Woodstock by Joni Mitchell)

I think I told you all my news before CoV. I have not had time to create new strips, so another meaningless deadline approaches. I have CoV ready through Friday, and I do have ideas written down, but have not twisted them yet.

OK, I need to finish packing my desk so they can move me to my new building. You all just talk amongst yourselves. I'll give you some topics. Scotland - do they have haggis for brains for releasing that terrorist? ObamaCare - panacea or pandemic?