Is It Friday Already?

Do you ever say that to yourself? Yeah, neither to I. All week, I have been saying, "Isn't it Friday yet?" Finally, it is here. "Oh, frabjous day. Calloo, callay." Did that phrase sound familiar to you? No? It is from Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll. Why did it come to me as I wrote this paragraph? I could not say.

Why did today's Clarity of Vision come to me? I could not say, although our company, like so many others, does outsource some roles.























I see that today is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. I never knew there was such a thing. That would not work if I were a vegan. Speaking of vegan, we ordered pizza last night from Dominos. To try it, I made mine gluten free. Ca-ching!$!$! Eating healthy is not cheap. Mine ($14.99) cost more than Teacher Daughter's larger pizza ($5.99) and MBH's pasta ($5.99) COMBINED! It wasn't bad, and I am sure it was more healthy. I got no cheese, double sauce, spinach, mushroom, and diced tomatoes. I finished it up with some red grapes (sweeter than green, but oh, so tasty).

Speaking of health, you smokers out there should stop. Well, that is easy for me to say since I have never smoked, but yesterday, I thought about a song I heard years and years ago about a guy coughing and hacking during the song. I thought it was hilarious. It turns out it was Rex Williams and I found it on youtube. It is still pretty cute. There was actually a video that accompanied it. This is not the version I remember, though, since that one has the singer interrupting the song several times while he coughs. Oh well.

Let's look at some photos. Oh, wait, I forgot to upload any...again. Tell you what, let's take a look at one I published back in 2009 from the entrance to a cemetery in Albuquerque. I am not always the most visionary photographer, but sometimes, I am in the right place at the right time. I like this one.

Speaking of photos and post-processing, these are really clever, even if I do not know the reference for each.

Did I mention that it was Friday? I did? OK, then you will understand if I told you I have some things I need to finish this morning. So, I'm going to wander over to the work side of my desk and build today's deliverables. I'll be back to the blog side of my desk first thing next week.

She Said Debacle?

We were driving to dinner last night and Teacher Daughter started telling a story from her first day back with students. I was only half listening when I heard her say something was "a debacle." Wait. Did she just use a big word in the correct way? Maybe she is growing up? In her own school days, English was never her strongest subject (she was always much better in math). She later said another word which surprised me, but I don't remember it.

I am getting very nervous as I approach my own decision about diet and health. Truly going vegan will totally disrupt our family dining habits and my own enjoyment of most of our daughter-in-love's cooking. It will also throw a wrench into dining out with the folks, eating on vacation, and snacks at work. What am I thinking?

Here is a view of San Fran's Transamerica Pyramid looks like from the Alamo Square park where the Painted Ladies houses are. That's a nice view, and it is a nice little park.

Yesterday was our monthly team event, and it was "low budget" as we brought in some lunch and watched Brian Regan on DVD. What might a very low-budget event look like? (The title of the comic refers to the dynamics of developing a high-performance team - Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing)













For some reason, it has taken me a while to settle in and complete today's post. Nothing in particular that has slowed me, and I still knocked it out before work, but...just different. Usually, I have so much to say that I purposefully omit some until the next day. And I do have other links I had planned to share, but it took so long just for this. True, I did read some work emails during the same time. Anyway, I will save the links I planned for today until our Friday get-together.

Sharing Someone Else's Photos

It was my weekly Chorale practice that made me forget to give you some more pictures from our Northern California trip earlier this month. Well, that is what I am claiming anyway. I can share with you some photos from one the dudes whose photo blog I follow. Check out his twelve choices that he really likes from his portfolio.

Speaking of claiming makes me think of Claim Jumper which makes me think of today's team event. We are ordering Claim Jumper food to be delivered and we are watching a recent Brian Regan routine on video. That should be fun as I really like his clean humor. I ordered the vegetable-filled baked potato, so that sounds healthy, right?

NZ Niece, I think there is a huge leap from eating more healthily and cutting out some of the 'bad' food, and going full-on vegan. Unfortunately and scarily, I am toying with that very idea. You could sort of tell from my choice of words, couldn't you? The books that I read, The China Study and Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, and the movie that I watched, Forks Over Knives, make it clear that I can avoid the problems Dad had by changing my diet. And it sounds like I could try it for 2-3 months and see if my numbers don't go down. It is also supposed to help with arthritis symptoms. I'd really like to get off cholesterol and reflux medicines, too. I'm not ready yet, though. CPA Cuz, dude, get off of tube steaks and onto tubers. Hmm, a hot dog does sounds really good. Do not watch that documentary before ordering one, though. I said don't.

At the other end of the healthy eating spectrum is this. Teacher Daughter, do not look at it.

I will admit that there are times when someone or something in my life provides fodder for this comic. There are other times, however, when I hear things from another source that makes me have an idea. Today's came from someone on my drive-time radio program that talked about their computer woes and booting into 'safe' more and what the heck is that, anyway. So, I liked the idea and made it my own.













Do any of you watch The Simpsons? They make a lot of references to culture, including movies. Check this out to see those movie references.

I have dumped enough info on you today, ranging from other people's photos to dietary worries to The Simpsons. And most of those things included a link, so you've got your clicking work cut out for you. I will leave you in safe mode and see you tomorrow.

Driving, Diet and Diapers

I am writing this post on Tuesday morning. Both Teacher Daughter and MBH were at school until almost 8pm, so the night was not our usual and I just forgot about this until it was too late. The only thing I can remember that we watched on TV was Dexter.

I came up with the idea for today's CoV during my extra-long commute today when I heard a car ad and a fast-talking sote voce disclaimer at the end. I decided I could use those types of limitations to promises about my projects.













Why was my commute extra-long? I arrived at my desk only to realize that I was here at work, but my computer was laying at home. So, I had to drive back home to get it and then commute again. Traffic is definitely worse 45 minutes later in the morning commute.

People, people, what am I going to do? I watched the Forks Over Knives documentary during lunch and when I got home yesterday. I do know that my eating habits are not very healthy. And I would like to be more proactive to avoid some of the problems Dad is going through. Luckily, I do like tubers. You do, too, right, Lewis? Ha ha. I am thinking to maybe start like NZ Niece and hubby. You know, cut out processed foods and sugar. I may go ahead and remove dairy and beef, also. I don't want to be an imposition on my family if I cannot eat whatever they have. We will see. Why don't y'all watch the video and give me some ideas? Click the link and you can watch it on Hulu. Here is what one website says about what Daniel and his friends did in the Bible. That might be a good place to start...try it as a 21-day fast. I will let you know what I decide.

Dad gum it. I forgot to upload the photos I was looking at last night. Sorry.

Oh, before I go, it sounds like our grandson is turning into a toddler. He walked across his living room last night. They could be in serious trouble once he can get around even more. So, he'll be practicing some more at our place this Saturday night. And the girls like school. That is good news. We will certainly hear some stories this weekend. Hey, remind me to take the Harry Potter game home on Friday, OK?

Since I am running late due to my own ignorosity, I had best get to work. Y'all have a great day. And good luck to any of you who are looking to move.

Starting Your Week With Cards and Canvases

Let's skip over the light banter we usually engage in when we get together, OK? No, not that I have anything important to share. I am typing this while watching Whodunnit and that keeps distracting me.

A friend at work had written a quote after he heard it on one of his calls. So, once I hear it, it becomes fodder for the CoV machine.













We had a game night this past Saturday over at the GRANDS place. Here, you can see me and Bella playing a Harry Potter card gameCards and Canvases from a previous game night. This time, we were playing Tsuro, my newest game purchased using a gift card from JV+KLIK. She and I played three games (one included MBH). I also went over to Dad's house yesterday and he and I played three games of it before I left. That still leaves one game in my "Games I Want to Own" queue. That would be To Court the King, a hybrid cards+dice game. Have any of you played it? Have you played any games recently that you enjoyed (or maybe any that you did not enjoy)?

Speaking of Dad, he is doing quite well, thank you. However, my point was that he finished framing my photo canvases and came over to help me hang it. Take a look. The crookedness is due to my inability to keep the camera level, not a poorly hung canvas.

Two of the certification study group are taking their test this morning. I know they will both do well. I am glad my test is already behind me, though.

[Monday musings] Have any of you ever seen Forks Over Knives, a documentary about... well, let me let them tell you. "Forks Over Knives advocates a whole-food, plant-based diet. The program is based on whole or minimally processed plants, primarily fruits, vegetables, whole grains, tubers, and legumes. It excludes or minimizes animal-based foods such as meat (including poultry and fish), dairy, and eggs, as well as refined foods like bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil" I have minimally changed my eating, striving to do more salads and fewer sweets, but I have not jumped in like the dude that loaned me the DVD and a couple of books about the benefits of plant-based eating. Anyway, have any of you improved your eating or exercise habits recently? How is that going?

OK, my typers are tired. Let's save further conversating until we meet again. Hmm, that phrase, "until we meet again", made me think of the old song Happy Trails. How many of you have ever even heard of it? Stop trying to get me going again. I'm outta here.

Another Week Goes Gently Into That Good Night

That (slightly tweaked) quote is from a poem by Dylan Thomas published in 1951. Have you heard it before? I actually thought it was "go quietly" instead of gently. Did you know that Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman) took his professional name from Dylan Thomas because he was a fan of his work?

While we were watching the voted out of the house episode of Big Brother on Thursday night, I remembered to upload some photos from our summer vacation. Here are three that were from our days in the Bay area.

There are usually a number of sea lions on the pier beside the shops at Pier 39 Fisherman's Wharf. Right now, though, this guy was the only one to show up. The others are gone for mating season (apparently). Don't you feel sorry for this lone nerd sea lion?

Hmm, is it time to get Kenz piano lessons? She certainly practiced this a lot at Pier 39.

I told you recently that I passed my certification test. Here is what I did every morning of our trip before the others got up. This photo was taken at our hotel in Millbrae.

And here is what I do every workday morning when I am not on vacation.













And here is what I do after I have done all the above. I say "OK, it is a workday, so I am outta here. Y'all have a good weekend and be sure to check back next week for more hilarity and levitation levity."

It's Pre-Friday

[Thursday thoughts] The commute today was horrible. It is monsoon season (6/15-9/30) and it is in full force today. Now, our usual rainfall for June-Sept is 2.6", so it is not the same as some of you in wetter climes. Still, it messes up traffic, it quickly overloads our underpasses and drainage system, but it passes pretty quickly, too. Fine, I'll put up with it. I understand that it is part of living in the desert.

It must be time for a CoV involving a misunderstanding. Notice that no one is wearing a pimp outfit today.

Speaking of pretty, here is a nice shot of Pier 39 in SF at sunset.

While it may have been pretty in SF, JV seemed just as happy to play with wood chips in the playground.

[Thursday thoughts 2] I have two meetings in other buildings today, and although they are maybe 1/4 miles apart, it's raining. Don't you feel sorry for me? Oh, I just heard thunder outside. That's weird for here. Anyway, the rain must have washed away my blog ideas because I am already running on fumes. Let's float on down the lazy river today (well, or the storm drain) and get back together in the morning.

Two Weeks in a Row

...is how many times the folks have made it to Chorale practice. That speaks to how well both are doing right now.

I played a couple of games during lunch yesterday. Did I say a couple? Wow, how long is my lunchtime? No, these are actually about 20 minutes per game, which is rare. Games like Bang!, Dominion, Last Night on Earth, all take over an hour to play a single game. Yesterday's choices, Tsuro and Biblios, are nice because you can knock a game out quickly. Biblios is mine, and Tsuro belongs to another member of the Games Gang.

Oops. I was away from the blog for a while reading about a new version of Tsuro. That's the danger of a site like boardgamegeek. And the danger with my posts is the hilarity and humorosity of the daily Clarity of Vision. In case you forgot in the four years since I started these comics, I named it that because I was supporting a tool called Clarity at the time. So, I thought of the name by starting with that word. OK, now on to today's funny bone buster.















Last night being Chorale, I did not think to review any photos for today's post. So, except for the CoV, it is a text-only day.

The summer is winding down now as the teachers in the family begin reporting to work today. I think the students actually start on Monday. That also means the afternoon car lines start up, which is no fun in 110F+ temps. At home, we now begin the challenge for hot water during our morning showers. For me, though, I am not using much during these nice warm days of the summer.

I hear noises around me, and I certainly have plenty to do, so I'd best begin doing it. How about you? Lots to keep you busy today? OK, we can visit again tomorrow.

How Dry I Am

I do not want to hear any scoffers out there when I say that we have had some flooding recently. After all, when you live in the desert, it does not require the same drainage infrastructure as a wetter climate. So, when we do get those summer monsoon rains, it does not drain away as quickly or easily. So, for the rest of this week, we will be drying out a bit and raising our temps back up to around 110F. And 110F with 10% humidity is much better than 105F with 60% humidity.

To any of you who asked what my actual score was on the certification exam, I can't tell you. No, it's not one of those cases where I would have to kill you if I told you. It is because they do not tell us. All you get to know is that you passed and how you did on the process areas of initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. According to the test results, my worst was initiating and my best was planning. BTW, Lewis, that was a clever rejoinder yesterday (and how often do we get to use that word?).

No, I did not actually wear purple to the office yesterday. However, I am reluctant to let my CoV character give up on his PMP outfit. So, here we go again all over again.

 











No, dad gum it, I did not write this on Monday night and I did not upload any photos...all over again. And I do not even have a good excuse. Just ignorosity, I reckon.

Hey, do y'all look through the emails in your spam folder before you delete them? MBH does not but I do. Wow, a LOT of women want to meet me.

I heard about a playlist-type feature in YouTube this morning. Type in www.youtube.com/disco, then type in an artist name or a song name, and it will play the videos one after another. However, I entered Glad, expecting the Christian a capella group. Instead, it came up with The Wanted singing Glad You Came. I liked it, but it was not what I was looking for. Hmm, how can I find the group Glad using this tool? I did go into youtube and found this Variations on a Hymn and this History of A Cappella.

OK, enough pondering and postulating. Let's get Tuesday started. You're ready, right?

Again, A Day Without Pics is a Day Without ... I Don't Know

After I got home from the Chorale concerts last night, I just forgot to upload any of the photos for today. But, come on, you got some on Friday. Go back and look at those again if you want.

Would you drive a car with no luxuries, poor seating, body of plastic, if it meant you would get 261 mpg? Well, Volkwagen has announced a working model. Read about it.

Hey, did I mention that I passed the certification exam last Friday? Not yet? Well, here is my way of announcing the results.













We had a good time swimming with the GRANDS this weekend. We went over to the folk's pool so the girls could try out the diving board. They both loved it. We will certainly do that again. Before we came back home, Dad and I tried out my newest game, Biblios. We could not figure out how to play it until we used Teacher Daughter's iPhone to watch a boardgamegeek video review of the game. Then, we zoomed through a quick game (it only takes maybe 30 minutes) and I won on a final tie-breaker.

On Friday, I started out the post thinking I didn't have much to say, and ended up saying an awful lot. Today, I thought I had a lot to say, but am already struggling to find interesting topics. So, rather than waste both of our times, I will end the post early. How will you know when I have stopped. Well, when the post seems to be ove