Post 666

Can you believe we have been together for 666 posts? It is true. So, my college roommate challenged me to do something special to commemorate this amazing feat. Here is my response.
Chorale was fun last night, but I think I am feeling some allergies after the wind of the last couple of days stirred up the pollen. I had to break out the cough drops last night to soothe my throat.

It seems my G5 iMac has a fried logic board and cannot be fixed. In researching this on the web, there was apparently a fix back in 2008 for this known problem, but that is no longer an option. For now, we moved back to the old G4. This highlights an issue with the iMacs because I must replace both the machine and the monitor. I do have a backup of much of the drive, but I plan to pull it into a separate drive case and pull out the rest. I know there are some photos that I did not backup in the last month or so.

Alison received notice that she will be let go at the end of the year as AZ cuts back on education funding. Please pray that God will lead her to a new position.

See you tomorrow in #667.

Terrific Tuesday

LOST is ending in late May. 24's hours are up soon. Chuck and Human target may not be renewed. Maybe we'll have more time for Mythbusters and things on our DVR.

I will always have time to write new CoVs. Here's one now. I targets GWB only because of the name of the original rhyme. More details on the cartoon contents over on the COV blog.
Did I tell y'all that my computer power supply decided to die this weekend? It is still in the shop. Luckily, we took over Alison's laptop for now. We have certainly gotten used to checking things on email, Facebook, Google, IMDB whenever we want.

I need to have my materials ready for the 8:30am meeting done early because I also have a 7:30am meeting today, so I am signing off a bit early. I'll be back tomorrow.

Monday...Again

Birthday time has ended for my now-elderly sister. All of us kids are now over 50. Oh well, Happy Birthday, Carey.

Easter is coming this Sunday. I will be glad to get it behind me so those little caramel eggs will be gone, and those little candy-coated malted milk balls will stop tempting me. No, I haven't bought that many, but I don't really need any.

Last week, I came back from the weekend with 3-4 ideas for CoV. This weekend, nothing. Luckily, I already had today's idea written down. So, since I wrote it , you should read it.

Don't forget that Thursday is Maundy Thursday. Who named those days anyway? Do you think they called it Weepy Wednesday? How about Two-Days-After-Triumphal-Entry Tuesday? Maybe today is Morose Monday? What do you think they call the day after Good Friday? Segue Saturday because it is the segue between Jesus' death and His resurrection? And who is 'they' anyway?

Enough pondering. I've got some workish-type things to do. c u l8r.

A Blogger Returns

I guess I shamed Alison into blogging again. However, she couldn't remember the details of her old blog, so she set up a new one. You should be able to link to it off mine.

Did anyone else post? I don't know. I have not checked yet today. My routine is to come in to work (I can't do CoV from home because I do not have Visio), finish the comic, post it to the Clarity of Vision blog and explain the origins, post it to this blog and write this scintillating commentary, then look at who has posted and comment on theirs. I do this, rain or shine, every day that I am in the office. Yes, partially because I enjoy it, but partially because I know that it bugs you. Now stop fussing and read today's NERDsery Rhyme.
What is up for the weekend? I will almost certainly see my sister, who turns 50 today. Whoo Hoo. Of course I won't tease her about that. I know she was kind to me when I passed that milestone. I will also see the granddaughters. Whoo Hoo, too. No Chorale concert. Whoo Hoo, three.

My boss scheduled a meeting this afternoon at 4pm. 4pm on a Friday. Ooo whee. Whassup with that? Whassup with that? (SNL reference for those of you that do not get it.)

OK, let's shut this post down so we can finish work and get the weekend started. Stop reading now! (Did you stop like I asked?) Good, because I am finished.

And I Pay Money For This

I just got in from the first dentist session for a crown. Ouch. At least, no root canal (for now). There is still some deadening in my lower left jaw, so lunch will not be fun.

Let me deaden your sense of humor with another NERDsery rhyme.

Thanks for the comments on yesterday's post. So there are still some diehard readers out there. And a few of them are the aforementioned bloggers that continue to update. Good. I welcome them. I embrace them. I connect with them on a creative and extroverted level.

Kyle called last night and said this week's LOST was one of the best ever. Yes, it was good, but I am not sure it was among my top favorite episodes. I'm still liking Chuck, but its numbers are slipping. I like Human Target, but it is slipping against Survivor. Glee is coming soon. Nice.

OK, I still need to do a bit of work before it is time to go home. Hasta tomorrow.

Nursery Rhymes Revisited

Today, I am going total geek on you and starting a short series on nursery rhymes. So, if you do not speak geek, you may not catch everything. Still, it may be cute for you, too.
My stupid laptop is acting ornery today and doesn't work with the external monitor, doesn't always boot, and keeps losing the end of line character so I am suddenly typing over the first part of many lines. I will keep today's post short.

Hey, is everyone checking for other blogs from the family and commenting? I know most of you use Facebook, but many of us still post, so check them out.

Enough of my keyboard. I'll try to get it fixed today so we can talk tomorrow.

Rainy Days and Mondays....

It is an ugly, rainy Tuesday. We will only reach 70F (OK, I actually like that part). The commute this morning was horrendous, but luckily, I beat the worst of it by coming in early. I have to go to another building today for a meeting. Waah, waah.

Enough crying. Let's laugh. Let's get jovial. Let's create laugh lines so our faces have character as we age. Well, at least try and smile a bit.
It is fairly quiet in the mornings at the office. Right now, the A/C has cycled off and I hear the rain beating on the roof. It is not so bad once you are inside and can listen to it or watch it out of the windows. Hello, people, we are in the desert, so rain is more uncommon. That's why I have already mentioned it in two paragraphs.

OK, it is time to jump into work mode. Hey, don't forget to check out the stories behind the cartoons on the CoV blog site. The link is at the top left.

No More Mind in the Toilet

Yes, Dad helped me finally finish the toilet work. OK, there is actually one final gasket thingie I need to replace, but it is at least functional again.

I have not watched any of the college games this year, but today's CoV is somewhat related to them.Dad suggested the idea. Check out my sister blog to hear his original suggestion and why this does not match it.

We had a Chorale concert last night, but the church either does not have A/C or they did not turn it on, so all the doors were open. However, it was still too warm up in the choir loft. The concert went well, though.

No surprise on Amazing race. I will miss that team. They were funny in an "I can't believe they are real" sort of way.

Well, we got Carey hooked on Chuck and she passed off the Season 1 DVD to the folks. Who will be next? Come on. You know you want to be.

The sermon yesterday was "extemporaneous" (his word for deviating from his planned sermon because of recent encounters he had where people were questioning why he has to go into word studies from the Bible instead of just preaching "love everybody and we will be OK." It was mostly based out of Genesis 3 and 2 Cor 10. Of course, he used a word study to discuss this. Where was the 3 points and a poem? I don't know.

Hey There, Lonely Boy

Who sang that? Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons? No, I looked it up and it was Ruby and the Romantics in 1963. A more famous version was "Hey There, Lonely Girl" recorded in 1970 by Eddie Holman. That's your trivia for today.

The crew is coming back from Disneyland tonight, although I think they are spending the day at the park first, so it will be very late. So, Morris and I will not be sitting there lonely in a quiet house. I did not have a chance to catch up on all my TV shows that only I watch, though. I had Chorale, then choir, and last night was playing in the toilet. However, I will play some more tonight because the hose that links the toilet to the water supply broke when I was ready to reconnect it, so I have to get a new one tonight.

Hopefully less nasty than a toilet is Clarity of Vision. The crew at work challenged me to create an anniversary strip since my first one was written on Mar 19, 2009.
I did not say it was good, but it is at least cute. This is number 246, since I do not write a strip on the weekends or when I am out of the office on vacation or sick. Some of them are kind of funny and some are dumb groaner-type strips, and others are "Meh." You never know, though, so keep watching.

When the group was talking about the strip yesterday, they started telling some office stories, so I captured a few ideas. I do not know where I will take them yet (turning Old McDonald into a song about Project Managers?), but they are noted in my idea log (not the same thing as an idealogue...or maybe it is).

Oh man, I was having so much fun playing in the toilet last night that I forgot to upload any granddaughter photos. I'll try to get around to it this weekend. We have a Chorale concert Sunday night, but otherwise, I don't know of any plans. Maybe I need to cruise over to the Superstition mountains and catch some Spring flowers?

Well, I am not sure where I will take the metrics in today's meeting, so I am leaving y'all. Have a safe weekend.

I'm Gonna Keep On Singing

I was looping through ideas in my mind for a title today and came across a song sung by a small group at college called The Heritage Singers. Why a song title for my post title? It's because I ended up not fixing the toilet last night because I had to go to Dad's church and lead choir. He and Mom are both still sick, so I went in to "pinch" hit. Get it? That was a clever reference to yesterday's St. Patrick's cartoon.

Ready for today's CoV? I am not sure that you are, but here goes.
I considered denying that that kind of word association came from someone else, but if you know me, you'll know that it is exactly the type of junk I would think of.

OK, so maybe tonight, I can get the toilet in the guest bathroom fixed. It's not complicated to replace the wax ring, but it's not the most fun either. And of course, I cannot miss Survivor, although I will be watching it at home alone. Wait a second. Pity party two days in a row? I seem to be partying like crazy with Kathie out of town.

Hey, I like the TV program Human Target. I liked the lead actor, Mark Valley, back when he was on Boston Legal, too. And do you think the rumors are true that 24 might be cancelled? For the last episode, will the bad ending actually happen? That would be an ending that even Kyle would like. Oh, and did you watch last night's American Idol. Yeah, me neither.

Happy 4th Birthday, Bella

It may be all about St. Patrick to most of you out there, but to some of us, it is all about the Bella. In fact, much of our family is on the Isabella's Annual Disneyland Birthday Bash. I was able to go the first two years, but not the last two due to limited vacation. When I spoke to the group last night, they had just finished riding the Nemo ride, which replaced the old submarine ride over there near Autopia.

Today's cartoon, though, is about St. Patty's Day. Now no one has actually pinched me. In fact, I wrote it yesterday, and right now, there are only three or four others in the building yet.
In Alison's room, we took in a closet to make a computer area. Dad and I were to install a ceiling while the fam was gone, but he and Mom are both sick. Ah well, we'll just have to work it one night or a Saturday, and make Ali move all her stuff out for us. Meanwhile, I need to work on a toilet tonight. Sounds fun, right? And the Disney group will be riding Peter Pan or Indiana Jones. Lucky me.

I had a nice creative streak yesterday morning and wrote three CoVs. Today, nothing. Nada, Zip. Zilch. That's how it goes. I hope I am a bit more creative on the work front. I need to get ready for three meetings today.

I had Chorale practice last night, but that is no excuse. I want to get a few snaps up of the girls from the weekend. Maybe I will remember to do that after I finish a potty. No, I meant working on a toilet.

No Disney For Me

Kathie and Alison and the family leave for Disneyland today. All of them have available vacation or are on Spring Break. Not me, though. Nope. Last year either. Maybe you could all join me for a pity party?

However, since I am not on vacation, I cobbled together another comic strip for today. I got up before 5am to shower before they showered, so I drove in a bit sleepy. Is that dangerous? You decide.
I have not checked on the folks since the weekend. I hope they are feeling better. If not, they will not make it to Chorale practice tonight and I will be without family both at home and at church. Pity party again.

I think that I want a hot chocolate this morning. That should keep me awake, at least until my daily 8:30am meeting. So, y'all have a great day.

Same Sleeping Habits

Some of you are waking up an hour earlier today. Not us. So, while Monday morning comes too stinking early anyway, it no earlier than any Monday morning.

Did you watch Amazing Race last night? The team we expected to get kicked out is still in the race. So afterward, I had to think of today's CoV. I think this is an honest mistake, right?
I do have more photos of the girls, and I even got them transferred to the computer, but then I did not remember to copy any into today's blog. Sorry. If you are having withdrawal, look back through previous posts. They are still cute.

Nothing else big happened over the weekend, so I guess I will let class out early so we can get on with Monday. So, while some of you may be enjoying Spring Break, work continues for me, and that means, CoV continues for you. See you tomorrow.

Taking Baby Steps

People at work continue to ask me if I am syndicating Clarity of Vision or having it published anywhere. So, I will continue to share it here with family and close friends. However, I have created a separate blog for just the CoV strips and am enhancing them with my thoughts on where the original strip's idea came from. I may then investigate who might could publish them and what that would involve. I never really thought about it because every day, I wonder how much longer I will have ideas. I am posting them in reverse chronological order by reading through this blog and copying the CoV into the new blog. I just finished March 2010. There are still more than 230 to post. Be patient. It will not all be done today.

Still, you might occasionally check it out.

There is a link on the left.

A Strategicified CoV

How can you think of George W. and not include Wil Farrell's impersonation? Still, I chose not to use the word strategery that Will used in one of his skits. It typifies type of language butchery W. could do so well. Anyway, I have not to bury W., but to lampoon him just a bit. So I imagine that the lady in the next cube who does not want to see any cartoons about Obama will not find this one quite so objectionable. Nor should you. It's all in fun.
We are now moving towards seasonal temperatures. Boo. We should be in the mid-80s by Isabella's birthday (St. Patrick's Day for the rest of you). Boo. I have enjoyed these days in the 60s and low 70s.

Right now, and actually always, AZ is on MST (Mountain Standard Time). We never have Daylight Savings, so never change our clocks. That does change our time relative to the rest of the country, though. So, I get in around 6am PHX time, which is 5am Keith time, 7am Rick time, and 8am Zachary time. After Sunday, though, I will get in at 6am PHX and Keith time, 8am Rick time, and 9am Zachary time. Y'all enjoy losing an hour of sleep on Sunday. I hit the snooze alarm once for you and I sleep with no time change.

We did not have our weekly Survivor party last night because Mom is sick. One of those cold/flu things that just won't let go. None of us want it, so it was cancelled. Somehow, watching it at home lessened the fun and snarky comments. You know, it was like going to an R-rated movie with Keith. It was like talking about color-titled books with Caleb. It was like hearing about tax stuff with Lindsay. (I wanted to zing everyone, but I couldn't think of enough ideas of no-fun-ness.)

Anyway, it's Friday. I hope it's a good Friday, but of course, it is not Good Friday. Hey, how come no other days of the week are Good? I wonder if I can find a CoV about that? If so, you will remember where the germ of that idea came from.

OK, yesterday's daily 8:30am was cancelled due to my dentist appointment. I need to prepare for today's meeting, so I will let you out early. Don't forget there will be a test on Chapters 7 and 8 next week, so study and review your notes. Whatever all that means.

Hey, I just did a spell check and strategery did not pass. The dictionary was obviously generated by someone who does not watch SNL.

Better Late Than Never

Did anyone notice that today's post is later than normal? Sorry. I had a dentist appointment, so was not in at 6am like I usually am. So, you get a CoV for lunch today.
Well, LOST was good, although not quite as good as the last couple of weeks. Now I've got to check out the latest LOSTies video.

Oh yeah. The dentist found an old crown going bad, so I get to go back in a couple of weeks and give him some big bucks (and that is after insurance pays their share). I did write a new CoV while I was waiting at his office, though, so something good came of it.

Well, since I am a bit late arriving at the office, I can't just sit around chatting with you people. So, I expect to be back on my normal schedule tomorrow, so I'll see you before work.

No Giveaways

When I create a CoV, I try to give it a descriptive name without giving away the punchline. Today's strip, Hands Free Cell, does tell you what the primary element of the cartoon strip is, but doesn't give any hints as to where I might take that. You can find out by continuing to read this post.
Do you ever have one of those mornings where you have a sense that you are totally out of control on something? I'm having one now. No, nothing is materially different from yesterday, but I have a weird sense of foreboding. You know, like what did I forget to do, or that there is no way to catch up on things today. I don't know why.

As usual, since I get home from Chorale practice late, we have not yet watched LOST. I am sure it is good. With so few left, they will probably all have surprising twists. We did watch the last Chuck on Monday night. I hope it comes back. Glee comes back next month. We like that for the interesting spins on the songs.

Hey, I have a dentist appointment in the morning, so I don't know when the blog will get updated. Don't worry, though, I'll get it posted sometime after 9am PHX time.

Call Your Doctor Before Taking This CoV

Have you ever watched those drug commercials on TV? I mean really watch them? There was one on the other day, and I am certain that the disclaimer portion was double the section describing the benefits and relief the drug would provide. That gave me an idea. I don't remember what the idea was, so I just wrote this CoV.
Once you get the reminder notice that you have a dentist checkup coming up, aren't you a little more disciplined in your dental hygiene, thinking maybe they won't notice that you are occasionally lax. Yeah, me too. I've got to go in Thursday, so suddenly gum health is a focus at night.

The badge reader on the door was not unlocking today. It is a sad statement on my faith in the company that I worried they might had laid me off. Luckily, the inner door was locked.

Oh no, the season (series?) finale of Chuck is next week. I like that show. This week's episode was a funny one. It sure seems like they are wrapping up story lines, though.

Tonight is Chorale practice. I hope Mom is feeling well enough to attend. They are always fun and I know she enjoys it. I'll call her later today to check on her.

Isabella's birthday is next week. The crew will be gone to Disneyland, just as they have done since she was born. Don't you wish that was the way your birthday could be celebrated every year? I have not gone the last two years because I only get ten days of vacation per year, and that is divided between summer, fall break, and maybe around the Christmas holidays.

No spoilers are available for tomorrow's Clarity of Vision. That is not just to tease you, although it should do that. I just have not written it yet, nor have I even thought about the contents. I didn't know what today's strip would be until just before I went home last night. We can all be surprised together.

Y'all come back now, y'hear?

What About Any of Y'all?

If this is not the wettest start of a year since I have been in AZ, I don't know why. Then again, I don't know why, so maybe it just seems extra wet. Did any of y'all get wet?

Now, with no transition at all, here is today's Clarity of Vision. So there, Dad (see Friday's comments). We didn't even know about the games this year, so I missed them for the first time in probably 15-20 years. True, we did have the girls last weekend, but it is still one of my favorite events every year. Did any of y'all go to Scottish Games this past year?

The East Valley Chorale had a nice concert last night with an small orchestra out at a Valley RV park. Did any of y'all sing in a concert last night? I would guess there were 500+ in attendance, even with the horrible stormy weather. Parking there is a nightmare in the best of times, and last night was not the best of times. Neither was it the worst of times. So, we just sang the Dickens out of our songs and went home. Hey, Dad, how was that transition? Never mind.

Mom was under the weather this weekend, so keep her in your prayers. I don't think anyone else is sick her in the PHX area, so that is good. Many have some sniffles, including me, but nothing that keeps them down. Are any of y'all sick?

Did any of y'all see Alice in Wonderland? Did you see it in 3D? Amazing that it is breaking Avatar's early records. And did any of y'all watch the Oscars last night? I didn't, since I was at the concert. No surprise that many awards went to The Hurt Locker. That does look good. Have any of y'all see that?

It's closing time again. I suppose we will meet here again tomorrow. The question is.. will any of y'all be here?

A LOST Conversation

I have been having an email conversation with one of the LOSTies. Jed is not sure if he will have a blog going forward once LOST is over. That would be a shame. He and Cara are certainly entertaining and apparently get emails from all over the world, so it is a popular site. Still, to all of you around the world...HA HA. They've already come to see us in person.

However, they just stood and talked to us for a while. No presentations were made, so there was no need for a projector. The same cannot be said of one of our conference rooms. Actually, there was a projector, just no cables including power.

The granddaughters are coming over on Saturday, but I will be at a rare Chorale practice getting ready for the big orchestra performance on Sunday. What a drag.

It was a good Survivor last night. Did you watch it? If not, you can leave now. All I will say is that I like blindsides at the Tribal Council.

It's Friday! That is always a good day. I hope you have a fun weekend planned. At least funner than having choir practice in the middle of Saturday. See you next time.

Don't You Hate That?

So, sometime during the night, I woke up and thought of a couple of premises for a cartoon. When the alarm went off, I still remembered both ideas. As I got in the car to drive, yes, I still had both ideas in mind. Now, when I get here, I can only remember one. And I think that the other idea was funnier. Oh well, maybe I can remember it if I don't think about it. For now, I am trying not to think about it, but that makes me think about it. What do you think?

Today's Clarity of Vision came to me after hearing two different ads for different water softeners during my drive home one night. So, I thought about what would happen if you hooked them both up. Could the water get too soft?

We watched LOST last night. Whew! It was a really good one. Everybody watch it so we can talk.

Hey, y'all can pray as I decide about applying for a higher level position at work. I'd like a bit more money, but I've got to know I'd enjoy the work and added responsibility, too. I am fairly certain I have the skills to perform the position. Well, time and prayers will tell.

It is that time again, kiddies. Work stuff is stacked up in front of me. I mean that both figuratively and literally. I tend to group my stuff in stacks. That happens at home, too. The top of my armoire has four or five sections. I usually know which pile has which stuff, though.

Thanks, Jed and Cara

Kyle pointed out that Jed and Cara mentioned me in Ep. 44 of the LOSTies podcast. The episode opens with a Kyle and Bella video and they mention how nice we all were at minute 49 or so. They were nice, and it is weird that they took the time to come by while they were in town with family. You can always check their blog at lostieswithjedcara.blogspot.com. I don't know what they will do when LOST ends.

One thing that has not ended is Clarity of Vision. Here is proof.Well, maybe the creativity and funnyosity of it ended or never even started, but I still publish one each day.

This weekend is one of our two big concerts for the East Valley Chorale and Janitors Society. OK, maybe the last part is not part of our name. We perform with an orchestra out at an RV park in Mesa. That is always a lot of fun. The other major concert is around Christmas.

So, Tiger was here in town. I know that, when I think of sex addiction, I think of Phoenix. Obviously, he had the same think.

OK, I think I need to act busy here at work. After all, that is what they pay me for. No, not acting busy. I meant doing work. That is probably why they only pay me for 6.75 hours per week. Ha ha. I am too funny.

644 And Counting

It appears this is my 644th post. Wow. I started to say "Who knew I had this much to say," but I knew that would open the door to many snide comments. "Who thinks you said anything." "Who thought you would ever stop talking." Those types of comments. Luckily, I did not say it, so no snideness.

Let's kick 644 off with another Olympic cartoon.
I have Chorale practice tonight, so I won't stay home until around 9:15pm. However, Kathie has something until after 7pm, and Ali is out in a class until 8pm. I will scoot by home for dinner, though. I don't know about Kathie.

It is still bonkers busy at work. How about yours? Speaking of work, there was another reorg. I have a new boss. Well, it has been a few months. I am trying to create a CoV about it, but nothing has gelled yet. If I can write CoVs for March, it will have been a year. Yup. Please, do not tell me how many (or few) you laughed at.

No, I have not uploaded my weekend photos yet. Stop asking. I'll get there. You'll see. Literally.

Two Years Until London Olympics

The Olympics are over for 2010. It turned out not to be the year of LINDSAY wins in VONNcouver. OH NO! had a meltdown at the end. HOCKEY couldn't STICK it to Canada in the final round. So, let's not have an Olympic-themed cartoon today, OK? Let's go with a theme for someone at my office who turns one year older today.
The granddaughters were very good when they slept over Saturday night. The same cannot be said for our dog, who woke Bella up at 6am on Sunday. Luckily, Nana got up with her while Pops laid in bed a bit longer. I did take some pictures, but have not loaded them onto the computer yet.

My work password expired over the weekend, so I could not check mail or my calendar. Oh well. There was nothing that couldn't wait until today. However, in resetting the work password, it seems I cannot repeat a password from the last 20 passwords. What is up with that? And once it is changed, it cannot be changed again for at least 24 hours. I thought computers were smarter than that.

So, I have a new boss today at work. I like him in what I have seen so far. And it will be nice to have a boss that is working to build and strengthen the team.

OK, let's get to work, kids.