Friday Finale..or Is It Finally?

The Olympics are finally winding down. Are you glad or sad or wish they already had? So, the regular shows will return and my DVR will start to fill up again. We watched some events, but did not worry if we missed anything. Now, the question is, will CoV also return to regular themes? Even I don't know that. For today, though, we stay in my own version of the Olympic Village.
We held our weekly Survivor party last night and rooted for our favorite Hero or Villain. I will not say who was voted out in case any of you have it recorded and have not watched yet. Whoever it was did not bother us, though. Yes, we are a ruthless crowd. No one named Ruth was there with us last night.

The girls are coming over to spend Saturday night. It is supposed to rain, so we are still deciding what we will do. Maybe we'll just stay home.

Are there any movies out right now that we want to see? I don't know. Do y'all want to see the new Alice in Wonderland movie? I am sure we will, and probably in 3D at IMAX. Watching the trailers on TV makes it look like this will have more of the traditional 3D stunts of things flying into your face than other movies we recently saw in 3D at IMAX. Did Avatar spoil us? Maybe.

Well, it is work time now. I have enjoyed our visit, but I must be going. I cannot stay,I came to say I must be going. I'm glad I came but just the same
I must be going. Those are the words to a famous song sung by Groucho Marx in Animal Crackers. Enough. See you next week.

Torching for the Olympics

I know that many of you are praying about the Olympics. No, not for the athletes, although that is a good idea, but that they will end soon and I move on to another theme for CoV. For today, you should not be surprised that I have an Olympic theme in the cartoon. Of course, a theme doesn't mean it is really about the Olympics. I just use a theme as a jumping off place and then let me mind wander. Speaking of jumping, read this.
We watched Tuesday's LOST last night. True, I did not watch it when it was on. Well, I have Chorale practice, and Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do. Spoiler alert: Jack cries. We also watched the latest Damages. Oo, the next one looks interesting. Then, we watched...the Olympics. Here, the prime time coverage last until 11pm, and that is too late when I am getting up around 5am. So, we keep missing the best skiers, or skaters, or whatever. And curling is on during the day, so we miss that, too. I have not seen any hurling, so that is good.

Hey, did y'all see that Kathie updated Facebook about me liking curling? Many snide comments were made. Of course, had any of you said that about your loved ones, I would have gladly chimed in myself. Well, except for the fact that I rarely read or update Facebook directly. This blog does get posted there each day, so it may look like I update.

Well, my time here has come to an end. Tomorrow's CoV du jour is about Biathalon. Skiing, shooting, there is no telling where I might take it.

Thanks for listening.

I Have Decided...

Did you think of the song I Have Decided to Follow Jesus? I did, but that is not what I meant in the title of today's post. I decided to continue my Olympics theme throughout this week. Oh come on. No groaning. You want more cartoons that relate to everyone instead of office-specific topics. You're going to read it and like it. So there. Now, go read it.
OK, that wasn't so bad, was it? Look at it like this. Only 8 more cartoon panels until this theme ends.

I went back to Chorale practice last night, but my voice wasn't completely ready. Still, it was fun.

The folks are back after traveling to the bordello town of Pahrump. I mean the border town. Ha ha.

Well, time is money, and my money is tight, so I'd better spend some time working.

Tomorrow's CoV is based on aerial jumping. Where will I take it? If you are like me, you can hardly wait to find out.

He Never Watches Curling At Home

Don't you hate it when online software changes and you didn't know it was coming? Like the way Facebook changed it homepage look and feel? Well, Blogger showed up today with a change in the way it displays a new Post as you are entering it. It may be good and I may like it once I am used to it, but for now, it's just weird.

So, last night, I wanted to watch curling and Kathie wanted to watch ice skating. Yeah, we watched ice skating. Since it stays on until 11pm, though, we did not see the top pairs skating. On an Olympic theme, though, here is Clarity of Vision.
Kathie and I continue to recuperate from our cold/flu stuff. It just seems to hang on, or at least the stinking cough does. Luckily, Alison did not get it...yet.

Did y'all drop Mom a note or call her for her birthday yesterday? Hers is always on Feb 22, unlike George Washington, who moves his birthday to a Monday every year. Maybe we should all do that. Maybe I can find a CoV on that theme?

Well, it seems that my time for blogging is over for now. I've got to get that agenda ready for my everyday meeting.

A Tale That'll Curl Your Hair

Well, this may not be a tale that impressive, but today's Clarity of Vision does have a similarly themed topic.
Wow! This cold will not go away. I missed two days of work last week (hence, no CoV postings on Thursday and Friday). I went to church yesterday, but could not sing. I missed the East Valley Chorale concert last night. I am back at work today, but still have a bad throat. Oh well.

We did not see Isabella or Kendall this weekend. And since I was home, I posted some photos from Valentine's Day. Take a look at the prior blog entry.

I am betting today will be crazy as I try to get caught up at work.

Alison finished and e-filed her US and AZ tax returns. Ours is mostly done, but I want to double check our medical information. Thanks, Turbo Tax.

I chatted with a friend in Kentucky who grew up in Malaysia. Isn't it weird how unusual it is that these types of things are no longer unusual? She's doing fine, by the way.

OK, time to jump into work. Hopefully, I'll swim and not sink. Until tomorrow.

Finally, Happy Birthday, Mom!!

V-Day 2010

Memories of the Annual Valentine's Day Food Massacre.

We started with a set of clues that Isabella had to decipher.

This led to gifts, including markers that are made for glass. Notice that she knows how to write Pops (in the lower right corner). Her Kindergarten teacher will be impressed.

Lyndsay sure seems to enjoy cooking, while I think Kyle is plotting to take over the world.

And I know Kathie enjoys eating.

One of the games Kendall likes is to tell me who is in all the pictures along the hallway. As always, Kendall is holding Lumpy (the stuffed animal, not me).

It takes serious tongue-extending concentration to play with Aqua Sand.

Meanwhile, Kyle plots to take over the world.

Lyndsay made them open their gifts three times before she felt the scene was well-played. It was something about Kendall over-acting.

Kyle said they did not have enough chairs if everyone wanted to sit down, so Kathie and I had to share.

Then Kyle told me that they did not have enough silverware, so Phyllis and I had to share a fork.

And then Phyllis had to share her fork with Kendall.

While Phyllis had the fork, Kathie and I had to share her fingers.

Meanwhile, Kyle and Casey plot to take over the world.

How You Feeling Now, Punk?

Actually, yes. I am feeling a bit punk today. Sore throat, nagging cough. I decided to come in and try and share it with those in nearby cubicles. Aren't I the friendly sort? I went home early and doped up on Dayquil, then took Nyquil at bedtime. I slept OK, but since I am at work, I took nothing this morning.There is just so much to do.
Hey, LOST was good last night. Did y'all watch it? Not everyone? OK, we can discuss it later. I just Googled Terry O'Quinn (Locke) and Abram cast him without an audition based on his work in West Wing. He is good.

Well, as usual, time has crept up on me and I need to work on the Agenda for the morning meeting. Pasta la vista, baby.

Where's My Internet?

Don't you hate it when the internet won't respond? I don't care if it is the connection or the computer, it is frustrating. So, I had to reboot already this morning, which delayed completing my normal routine of sending CoV to the work mailing list, then putting it up here. Anyway, speaking of early...
Saw the grand-ones twice this weekend. We had a little Valentine's get-together on Saturday and then we were off yesterday, so we cruised out to Queen Creek. I do have pictures, but none with me here at the office. Maybe later.

If you see me on Facebook, check out the photo of what I gave Kathie for Valentine's Day.

Well, since I am running late, I am running off to work. Have a good day.

A Rose is a Rose

We are coming up on VD and it could get ugly. Yep, it is almost Valentine's Day, and if any of you husbands don't do something for your better half, it will not go down well. Don't tell, but I will be taking out my cutie for breakfast on Saturday. And then, I will go get my wife and take her to lunch. Ha ha. I am sooo clever. I don't know if there is a movie we want to see or not. I'll check on that tonight. She did say not to spend money on flowers, so today's cartoon is not from experience this week.
I think we are seeing the granddaughters tomorrow night. I will take my camera.

Speaking of photos, a coworker is working on her first photo book from Blurb. Did you try it yet? Like me, she is tailoring the layout on many pages.

Also speaking of photos, I am already chomping at the bit for the shots I hope to take in New Orleans in June. We are traveling with my siblings and folks to a family reunion and have a few days in New Orleans first. Cool. Actually, it will most likely be warm and muggy. Oh well. By then, PHX will be hot and dry. And hot.

We are decreasing carbs and increasing protein in our house. Now, we just need to eat it. Don't you hate it that, when you try something like that, you end up wanting what you cannot have? I recently learned that I LOVE the yeast rolls at Texas Roadhouse. Well, maybe for my birthday.

The Beatles sang a song entitled I'm a Loser, but I don't think it is related to today's CoV.
OK, we watched LOST last night. Ooo. Another good one.

I got nothing today, but I am running behind in my preparation for the daily 8:30am meeting, so I will sign off abruptl

Reading Between the Lines?

No, there is no hidden message in today's blog nor in Clarity of Vision. As I was waking up, I had ideas for CoVs for the rest of the week. I would rather have been sleeping, but I guess I was worried that my idea well had run dry. In fact, maybe it has and you people are too kind to tell me so. Thanks.

Here was today's idea. the only thing I did not finalize was which song I wanted the VP to request. I knew I would use Play That Funky Music for the first song in honor of Kathie, who occasionally breaks out into that song (actually, she only knows that one phrase, but still...).

I got home too late to watch LOST tonight. So, we'll catch it tonight. What did we do before DVRs?

Did any of y'all ever see the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still with Keanu Reeves? There were a few interesting tweaks to update the story (globular arks, a sweeping destructive pestilence), but the main thing was Keanu's fine acting. At least they wrote a part for him that did not exceed his acting ability.

I'd Imagine the Saints ARE Marching In

Let's give a final nod of congrats to the New Orleans Saints and send them off to their celebrations with a little CoV.
I forgot my wallet this morning, and it happens to be the day I have to drive downtown for a meeting. And two weeks ago, I got that photo radar ticket on the way back from this meeting. I'll drive carefully, I promise.

Last night's House was different, and interesting, but not our favorite. No details in case anyone who watches the show has not seen it. I do think it is funny that one of the team members is named Thirteen. Ali remembered her character's real name. I did not.

I missed the Betty White commercial Sunday, but I do have the game on DVR. People were talking about it yesterday. Which one did y'all like?

It is a Simple Yes or No Question

What is the question?
Actually, we did watch the game, and it was a very good one. And the commercials weren't that great. Oh well. We had a good family time watching it/them. And we played Bananagrams. That was fun.

We had a Chorale concert Friday night instead of Sunday, which was a good move. I don't know how many chorale members or listeners would have skipped out for the game if it were on Sunday as usual.

I did see the girls on Saturday, but we just went to the mall, so no photos.

At home and here at the office, I keep my "stuff" in organized piles. However, there are a few too many piles to call it organized. I have got to clean both places up. Here at work, I need to make sure I am not missing deadlines, and at home, I need to gather tax materials. So, in front of each of you, I am setting a goal to set a goal this week. No, not necessarily do it, just set the goal. I will let you know.

For now, it is time to get my very stinking morning report done. Y'all come back now, y'hear?

It Isn't Mine

I have not been called for Jury Duty. Alison has. Luckily, it is for Mesa and not downtown Phoenix. Still, she moved it out to the summer since getting off school as a teacher is a hassle. However, Kathie is off today because of illness. Get better, Dear.

Why am I talking about jury duty? I wrote this cartoon before I knew about Ali's jury duty summons. A lady at work told me about dressing rough-looking and fixing her hair in a weird way so she is never chosen. That came out looking like this...
We have an East Valley Chorale concert tonight. That is a bit of a pain, but it does mean we have nothing on Sunday. So, Super Bowl and commercials, Here I Come.

Do you ever have one of those weeks at work? You know the kind I mean. Everything seems to hit at the same time. I had already worked 41 hours this week when I left last night. And I don't ever work from home, so that's a lot of hours doing whatever I do here at the office. Whew.

Well, y'all have a great weekend and I will catch you on the other side. No, of the weekend, not in Heaven. Well, that, too, but hopefully, not after this weekend. Fine, you know what I mean. Bye.

Fear Not, For I Have Tidings of LOST

I am going to mention LOST in CoV today, so if you don't want to read it, you are missing out.And if you don't watch it, then you regain one hour of your life each week, but miss out on youth-enhancing brain-bending mind-altering programming.

I have had a cold for a week or so, and today, Kathie is feeling under the weather. Sorry, Dear.

Work is utter and total chaos, and that is just writing this blog. The rest of the day seems like a piece of cake. That doesn't sound right. I think maybe this is the easy part and the rest of the day is madness. Yeah, that sounds right.

So, I followed up with the folks about Avatar and they were captivated by it, just like Kathie and Kyle and I. Come on, the rest of you. Have you seen it yet? Get out there and be part of the next $1.8B it earns. And let me know when you have seen it. Has anyone seen it in 2D? I wonder how it fares? Of course, if you do not see 3D first, it may be fine, although the story was totally predictable.

Well, we made it to Friday Eve. Let's keep going just another couple of days and then the weekend.

Sci Fi Flying High

Let's jump straight into CoV so I can comment on it.I actually wrote this well before the actual State of the Union address, so it has nothing to do with the content. After seeing enough of these, you can almost predict what each will be saying, and often, the speech might as well be science fiction. So, for you Democrats out there, this is not at all related to whatever he might actually have said. For you Republicans, it is a pot shot at any president, regardless of political affiliation.

Speaking of sci fi, Mom and Dad really liked Avatar, as I suspected they would. It is as much or more about the story telling as the story itself (which contained few surprises). If any of you plan to see it, I highly recommend IMAX (although I did not see it on a regular size screen, so I do not really have any idea how it scales).

Speaking of sci fi again, I have not yet watched LOST. Since I don't get home until well after 9pm on Tuesdays due to Chorale practice, it was too late to start it. I do plan to see it tonight.

Didn't We Already Do This Yesterday?

I suppose it could have been a year since our last Groundhog's Day, but it seems more recent than that. Oh well, I could not let today pass without a nod towards that great Bill Murray film called...what was it?...oh yeah, Groundhog's Day.
So, what is up tonight? Do not say "Nothing" or you will be LOST forever. OK, I will give no more hints. However, for some of us, TV must wait until another day because we have Chorale practice. So, I guess I will have to watch LOST tomorrow night.

Is your To-Do list growing exponentially? It seems mine is. At work, it is up to two Post-It notes. I count 17 items. At home, it is not quite as long, but does include some less fun things such as work on our tax form and replace the wax seal on both toilets. Yeah, that's why the list is growing and not getting done.

Back to the Work-A-Day World

It seems that every weekend ends with another week. What's up with that? And I hope that my having to reboot my machine so that the browser will work does not portend bad things for the week. No, of course it doesn't. So let's get started.



OK, now that CoV is out of the way, let me remind you that I posted yesterday, so take a look backwards for a shot of granddaughter's playing with bubbles. There are more, but I was in a hurry so that Kendall could look at pictures on the computer.

Lyndsay is back from her trip to see Donny and Marie in Vegas. She said it was awesome and life-changing and that she hopes to go back at least one more time before they end their run in October. Well, she actually said it was fine and what you would expect. It was not totally what I expected since they did not open with I'm a Little Bit Country.

I have already lost too much time due to my reboot, so off to work I go. I will talk to you soon.