Nope, It's Not Real Bubbly

I caught a little bubbly action Friday night and thought you would want to see it. And even if you did not, it is my blog and my choice of photos. Here, look.
Ha ha, got you to look.

I have some photos of a Little Princesses party at the Disney Store, too, but I have not sorted through them yet. Soon, young padawans.

Yes, that was a Star Wars reference. Why? Kyle told me that Avatar in IMAX 3D is being compared to the viewing shift that happened with the first Star Wars movie in 1979. Did that resonate with me? Uh, yeah. I saw Star Wars 19 times in the theater. And each time, I would shift into light speed on the way home.

So, yesterday, Kyle and I went to see Avatar in IMAX 3D. Kyle liked it much more than he expected. I also liked it again. I wonder who I will take next? Alison hasn't seen it. One drawback is that the thing is almost 3 hrs long.

At home, we watched a couple of movies. One is Push, where people have Heroes-esgue powers. We enjoyed it. Another is Primers, a weird time travel movie. I read online that someone said "If a person says they understood it after watching it only once,they are either a savant or a liar." I am neither. I am not sure at all that I understood it. It seems like there was a third one I was going to mention, but I don't remember it right now.

Running *Sniff* Late *Cough*

I do not feel well. I have a major sore throat and so, a tickling that makes me cough. And yet, the girls are coming over tonight and tomorrow. I should have planned this better. So, it is possible that my physical well-being (or lack thereof) may have affected what you see in Clarity of Vision today.
Feeling poorly also helped me sleep late (although I slept dismally overall), so now, I have no time to tell you about stuff today.

Tomorrow, some kind of Disney Princesses event in the morning with Bella and Kendall, and then going to Avatar with Kyle. Tonight, I am not sure.

More Sneakery and Perhaps Skullduggery?

Yep. That certainly does mean at least one more day of ninja-esque CoVing.

It is a gloomy, rainy day here in the Valley of the Sun. That seems very oxymoronish, doesn't it? I actually had to find an umbrella this morning.

Why am I adding weird endings to words today? I don't know. Maybe the rain washed something loose.

Did you watch the State of the Union speech last night? No, I didn't. I decided to wait until the pundits tell me what he really said and maybe what he should have said. Hey, let me take you behind the scenes while I noodle about an idea. Where would I take it in a CoV cartoon? If I do one, though, I have to exclude one person here at work from the email list because anything I say about Obama upsets this person. Still, I like the idea of the Prez saying one thing and another character saying they said something totally non sequitorish. Watch this space for future developments.

OK. Off to gloomy work stuff on a gloomy day in unsunny PHX.

Ninja + Project Manager = ?

Can learning ninja skills help a project manager? Sneak around and learn what really is happening in a project? Being nimble enough to land on our feet when someone knocks us down? Wielding the tools in the right way? I'm just brainstorming, but I did come up with this initial idea.
The folks were cleaning out a closet this week and found my coin collection from the 60s and 70s. I obviously did it as an interest in global currencies and not a way to end up with big bucks. It does contain a number of silver dollars, Kennedy half-dollars, a couple of $2 bills, and a silver certificate dollar bill. It was fun to look through last night and remember building the small collection.

So I was laying in bed last night and remembered that I had not completed a task assigned in yesterday's 8:30am meeting. Don't you hate that? I will work on it as soon as I finish sharing with y'all.

There are three things that I hate. No, four. Sorry. I went all preacherly on you. Anyway, I taped (actually, DVR'd) NUMBERS Friday night and tried to watch it last night. No way. CBS switched it out and aired Medium instead. Don't you hate it when you are ready for one thing and get another? Yeah, me, too.

OK, time to look like I did something yesterday. No, I mean, I did do something yesterday, just not this particular assignment. Never mind.

SPAMity SPAM

Enough already. Let's get this SPAM nonsense over with and get back to the regular CoV topics. Sorry. I have another SPAM-related idea for today. It is along the lines of Who Watches the Watchers or Who Governs the Government.
We are almost LOST again. This time, though, I will be stuck along with the family while we wait each week for the next installment. And hopefully, we will be SURVIVORs of this life we call an AMAZING RACE with no DAMAGES, at least to my HOUSE or THE OFFICE. If there are, we may need CSI to help determine the NUMBERS. Cleverly constructed paragraph, huh?

I suppose I need to generate this morning's report. However, I did tell the PMs that I would not pull the data until 7:30am. Hey, it's their problem that they waited until this morning to update, right? OK. Heigh Ho. Heigh Ho. It's Off to Work I Go.

One Blog Without So Much SPAM In It

It is almost certain that neither the Cowboys not the Cardinals will make it to the Superbowl this year. I will know for certain in a couple of weeks. Anyway, I do have to decide who I want to win. No, neither really matters, but the game is more fun if you have a favorite. More importantly, though, I hope the commercials are good this year.

Thank you, Kathie, for today's CoV idea. I am not sure my mind took the concept to where you imagined, but this is what I ended up with for Monday, Jan 25, 2010.

Since I usually am here early, my manager asked me to be sure an updated agenda for a daily 8:30am meeting is always ready and published by 8am. That is OK, but what really rubs me is that now, I HAVE to be here early. It used to be my choice. What a drag.

Over in Facebook, I got berated for not taking pictures of KLIK this weekend. EXCUUUUSE ME. I forgot my camera. One week will not cause the balance of the universe to shift. It really was too bad, though, because watching Kendall try to put fruit in a bag was really funny.

I'd better go work on my daily report, so I will be back tomorrow. Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed

Yes, this is being written almost one hour earlier than normal. I've got to be ready for an 8:30am meeting, and need to generate the agenda by 8am, and need to apply overnight changes to a spreadsheet before then. So, here I am, up and at 'em way too stinking early.

The storm passed through last night and the town is still here, so that's good news. Northern AZ got snowed in a bit, but the desert just got the rain and winds.

OK, enough time for blogging. I've got tasks to perform so they will not think I am procrastinating, although I am. Here, read this.

Non-Arizona-ish Weather

The news reports are focusing almost entirely on the incoming storms today. True, we see so little rain that we don't know how to react, but we even had the mayor holding a news conference about it yesterday. I'm pretty sure I heard this on the news last night. "A bad accident closed I17 for three hours this morning. A home invasion in Glendale leaves two dead. The big story is the arrival of the storms we have been warning you about." Yeah, it's a big deal here.

However, that is not where today's CoV went.

Have any of y'all watched Human Target? Kathie and I have enjoyed it. Speaking of big stories, it is less than two weeks until LOST returns.

100% Back

As you will surmise from today's Clarity of Vision, I was less than 100% yesterday. Where am I today? As you can also surmise, using numbers like that can lead to weird statistics. I calculate you will like this. In the spirit of numbers, this is comic #206. So, if 20 of them were funny....well, you do the math.The problem with being out of the office is that the office keeps going, as do emails and phone calls. Whew. I've got a few things to work through today.

Staying home yesterday afternoon meant that I worked through my DVR backlog. So, it is empty as of right now. It also meant I missed Chorale last night. Too bad. I always enjoy practice.

It Was Great, But Over One Billion Dollars?

Kathie and I went to see Avatar in IMAX 3D yesterday. Wow, that was a really good movie. It certainly echos things like Pocahontas and Dances With Wolves. It is filled with Native American imagery and concepts (you know, God is in all of us). Still, at 6 stories tall and in 3D, it was really good. I imagine it would lose a lot of its impact in a regular theater, even in 3D.

I tried to find a good acronym for P.R.A.Y.E.R. that would have been non-religious, but none sounded logical. However, I was able to tie in MLK Day, huh?

We saw the granddaughters on Friday night and again Sunday afternoon. We also saw the Cardinal's game on TV, which was much less exciting that Isabella and Kendall. Luckily, they kept us busy during the Cowboy game, so it was time well spent.

Whew! Almost Forgot My Title Again

For the Phoenix area, winter storms mean lightning (yes, it is spelled correctly. Lightening is a different meaning), some thunder, and occasional rain. For the one that just passed through, we got maybe 5 minutes of rain, no thunder, and some lightning. Still, it spooked Morris. So, he turned into the vibrating dog and would not go outside to do his business.
I think I may go see the Doc today if he can fit me in. This sore throat keeps hanging, prompting some coughing. I do not want to get any family sick, and I'd like to knock this out before it gets worse. Hopefully, there is an opening this morning.

Well, the Jeep is fixed...again. I told the repair dude that I hoped to not see him for at least a couple of weeks this time. Still, I suspect he has me tentatively pencilled in for next Wed.

The folks head out today for Uncle Frank's funeral on Sunday. I think this bothers me more than expected because of the realization that Dad and his siblings are at the age where it could happen to any of them. And by extension, to any of us, or even me. Yes, I know that "To live is Christ, to die is gain," but it is still a sobering thought.

Wow. I did not know I was going to tell you that. Let's lighten things up a bit. We are going out to KLIKs (Kyle, Lyndsay, Isabella, Kendall) for dinner and haircuts tonight. Yup. Lyndsay's mother will be giving everyone a haircut after dinner. Maybe this can become a new business like Tupperware parties or something. "Cooking and a Cut"? "Snack and a Snip"?

What's up for your weekend? I don't know of any firm plans, so we'll just go with the flow.

Love Is a Many Splintered Thing

Let's start off saying R.I.P. to Uncle Frank. Dad's oldest brother passed away on Tuesday and is now together with Jesus and his wife. I have not seen him in several years, so in my mind, he is still a more robust image, but I know he has been getting weaker for years. I know he is now eternally happy and we will be reunited one day. Praise God.

Isn't it terrible how we pick on those we love, such as our kids? We know they mispronounce a word so it sounds like something else or something naughty, so we have them say it over and over. We know they are scared of something, so we get a toy of that animal or thing and tease them with it. So, where would that go in the CoV universe?
Alison and I are definitely enjoying the new season of Chuck. Do y'all watch it? And 24 starts Sunday, but I think our DVR has no openings to record it, so we may give up on it this year. And do you like Cake Boss or Ace of Cakes better? Right now, I lean toward Cake Boss.

I hope these repairs on the Jeep are the last for a long time. While I do not hate cars, they can certainly be a pain once they begin aging. Hmm, I've got some joints in the same shape. Anyway, at $3K in less than one month, a car payment doesn't look so bad. If we can wait at least another couple of years before there is more, I'll feel like they were a good investment.

Long Live VHS

Did I tell y'all that I watched Help! the other day. Looking back over 45 years, that movie was a lot better in my memory than what I saw. Sure, I enjoyed it again, but it is not the greatest contribution to moviehood. However, CoV is about something that might be the greatest contribution to televisionhood.
We dropped the Jeep off at the car repair shop last night because of a coolant leak. Let's see what's wrong this time. What was it, a month ago when we had the last work done? When is it time to give up on a car and get a newer one?

The weatherman said a cool front is coming through tomorrow. We are supposed to get as low as 66F. I hope I do not have to get my windbreaker back out.

I've Heard Authors Say This

I have seen interviews with authors before that said their work wrote itself. So they started writing a book or screenplay and the characters spoke their dialogue and the author simply recorded it. Well, that is what happened today. I knew I wanted to write about blue flu, but had no idea what the characters would say. Then, when I started recording it, the words came easily. Weird. No, it is not one of my favorites, but it is clever.
We watched the first new episode of Chuck last night. Kathie doesn't watch it, but Ali and I enjoyed it. I don't really like 2-hr shows, though. I haven't decided if I will watch 24 this year.

Another problem with the Jeep. Come on! Things get old and they fall apart. It looks like radiator fluid under the car, so I am hoping it is just a hose. However, I looked and could not see the leak.

Another problem with the author. Things get old and they fall apart. It is just a tickle in the throat right now, so I will not go to the doctor just yet. Isn't that just like a man?

NFL Weekend

You know, during the regular NFL season, I certainly enjoy watching, but am rarely upset if I miss a game. Now, suddenly, with both Cowboys and Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs, I find I really want to watch them all. And both of my teams won this weekend! Yeah! The Cardinals game was a nail-biter to the end, but both games were fun.

Speaking of fun, now I am back at work, so let's bring the fun to an end. Ha ha. Speaking of fun begin over, let's look at today's cartoon.No, I do not know exactly what the germ of this idea was. I think it might have been Alison coming in every few minutes to see if the game was over and Kathie and I ignoring her comments as we watched the football spectacle unfold. Surely you don't expect me to understand how my mind works any better than you understand me? And don't call me Shirley.

Yes, my performance review is now completed. We held it Friday afternoon. Sure, I am a bit disappointed, but maybe my own sights were set too high. After all, this was my first one here, so I had no history from which to judge nor set expectations.Let's see what happens NEXT time.

We saw It's Complicated this weekend. Pretty funny movie. Soon, though, I want to catch Avatar...in 3D....and preferably at IMAX so it is 6-stories tall. At a minimum, though, I want to see it in 3D. We saw Sherlock Holmes last week (or maybe two weeks ago). It was also good (but not great). We didn't see 2012. Did any of y'all?

Well, the workday calls. Until next time....

Finally Friday and Fotos

Once again, my boss said he was not ready for my annual review yesterday. It is now scheduled for this afternoon. I really hope we get to it today.

I watched Texas go down in the BCS Championship Bowl last night. Not that I really cared about the outcome, but it was a good game. From that came the idea for CoV today.
Not that any of you would have come to the same idea that I did (no jokes allowed about whether or not my mind went down the toilet years ago).

I remembered to upload a few shots from the holidays.

Bella and I were playing at the pool table and I snapped this picture.
She said,"Pops, I didn't smile. Take another picture and I will smile." I did and she did.
Kendall decided she wanted in on the guitar playing.

Senior Bennies

The weather map looked awfully cold across the mid-section of the country today. Sure enough, we will only reach 69F today. I have already had to wear my windbreaker twice this winter. I say Bah Humbug to global warming. I wonder if any scientists have falsified their findings?

I have my review today, so I wrote a preemptive Clarity of Vision.
No photos, no reason. I just forgot. I always remember the next morning when I am writing this at my desk at work.

After sales and coupons last night at the grocery store, we spent $150 and saved $70. Not too bad, right? And, finally, a little payback for joining the ranks of older people. On the first Wednesday of each month, 'seniors' over 55 get an additional 10% savings. Cool. Another $15 off. I'll take it, even if I am labelled a senior.

A Speech Writer's Nightmare

Today's CoV came from Kathie hearing someone on the news say they were speechless, yet they kept talking. So, in my weird way, I took her comment to the next level.
The East Valley Chorale started its Spring season last night, so I was not home to upload any photos from the holidays. As I have noted before, you can jump onto Kathie's or Lyndsay's Facebook to see these alleged photos until I get some uploaded to my blog.

Hey, y'all pray for Denise, who sings in the Chorale with us. She is having some sort of eye problems which appear to be related to something in her brain. She was scheduled for tests this week, but they have been delayed. She came in last night with an eye patch, but you know me. I was not speechless. I went over and accused her of secretly wanting to be a pirate, so that was why she wore an eye patch. Arrr matey, I be wrong.

Instant Classics

When I chose today's CoV topic, I started thinking about which group should be mentioned in the final panel. I toyed with Mmm Mmm Mmm by the Crash Test Dummies and Mah Na Mah Na by the Muppets, but landed here.
So, yes, we definitely played Beatles Rock Band on the Wii over the holidays. Kyle and Lyndsay have it now, although they need to get a Bass guitar. We also played some Mario Brothers game, although I seemed to be the least adept at it and received many rude comments. I did much better at Toy Story.

I received Pictureka, but we have not played that yet. Other games included Think Alike (You read a list of 6 items, one person writes a related word and tried to make their team guess the new word) and Catchphrase (How would you get someone to guess Dog-Eat-Dog without using words?) and Ticket To Ride: The Card Game (Dad won in his first time to ever play it).

What is going on? It turns out that 2010 is just another year. Nothing seems different from 2009 except that we have to write a different number at the end of dates. I still have to go to work everyday. I don't know what I expected, but this is what I got. Fine. "I'm taking what they're giving 'cause I'm working for a living." Hey, who sang that?

Welcome, 2010

We are starting a new year and a new decade. Let's embrace it as a new start for each of us, personally, professionally, and spiritually. Sure, it is an artificial construct, but we can and should us it to renew ourselves. I am planning to not miss a day of spending time in His Word. Yes, it is a sad admission that I have not been so diligent in day's past, so why not start now? I want to give praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation.

One thing I do not need to spend any more time on is watching past seasons of LOST. That's right. I have seen all 5 seasons now, so the family can speak freely without fearing they are revealing any plot twists. Speaking of past seasons of TV shows, I watched several episodes of Have Gun-Will Travel on Saturday. This series aired from 1957-1963, 225 episodes. One surprising finding is that an Asian hotel worker where Paladin lived was called Hey Boy. Yes, that was his name in the credits. And there was a Hey Girl during season 4. Anyway, it was pretty blatant on its moral lessons and the fight scenes were horribly staged.

You were probably wondering whether Clarity of Vision would return in the new decade. Yes, it will. That should either reassure you that all is right with the world, or that some things never change.

Remind me to tell you about the different games we played over the holiday. And why the family called me Luigi (and I do not think it was a term of endearment).