All About Andy and other thoughts on modern life

"Without giving anything to see"

2011-04-13T00:14:00.002-04:00

To blog or not to blog...This may have been my longest time between posts in 5 years of the All About Andy blog...when I've thought about blogging recently, I thought what's the point, who cares?

Today I'm in Columbus, Ohio and I've been trying to read a textbook and listening to a mix of old and new songs including:

Dogs - Damien Rice
Windmills - Toad the Wet Sprocket
Someone Like You - Adelle
Unchained Melody (cover) - U2
To Run - Josiah Leming
Competition Smile - Gin Blossoms

Maybe its some of those older ones that made me want to write a post.

I finish my MBA in November...amazingly that is merely 7 months away. In the next few years to come, post MBA some of the things I'd like to do include:

1) Have a kid or two
2) Write a movie script
3) Teach an undergrad course

I'd also like to vacation in Italy and Mexico, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco with Rogers, not necessarily in that order.

"I fell"

2011-02-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day. Lisa and I celebrated our 13th Valentine's Day as a pair. On that first Valentine's Day we were merely freshmen in high school. That was a long time ago.

We celebrated with Thai Kitchen and Cheesecake Factory on Sunday evening. 18 hours later we both felt like we were in a foggy haze at work for a few hours. Maybe it was the famous Cheesecake Factory Delayed Sugar Coma hitting us. Seriously we both got home and said that we felt really out of it for like 2-3 hours after lunch. Weird.

But it was a good Valentine's Day weekend.

Listening to: 4,600 iTunes songs on shuffle

"As you walk through the doors"

2011-01-30T22:45:00.002-05:00

The blog seems to be dying a slow death...just trickling along month after month...rare post to even rarer post.

Football season ends next week with the Steelers v Packers Superbowl. Wilbe and Par are hosting a Chili Cook Off.

2011 is off and running. Work is moving full speed ahead.

"If I wait another hundred years"

2011-01-02T00:15:00.002-05:00

My 800th post and my first post of 2011 all at once. Well I got Americanized last night at the Clodfelders 2011 America New Year's Party. The Year of the Forearm Grab began at Midnight.

And we celebrated a late Christmas with the Rogers this afternoon. This included watching the movie True Grit, which brings the movie watching recap since Monday to a nice solid 7 flicks:
Monday - Meet the Fockers
Tuesday - The Fighter and Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone
Wednesday - Black Swan and Ghost
Thursday - None
Friday - Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets
Saturday - True Grit

We'll see if I get past 44 posts this year...this ole Blog may have life in it yet. In the meantime, I'm submitting my first Survivor application this week!

"Jesus and Mary, what a great day"

2010-12-23T00:54:00.003-05:00

Christmas Day is approaching quickly. Just a couple of last presents to wrap up, literally and figuratively (i.e., I still need to purchase a couple).

To think that God, the Creator, would humble himself to come to earth, live as a man, and sacrifice his life to redeem me. It truly is awesome.

Listening to: Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas

"When the holy night is upon you"

2010-12-21T23:46:00.002-05:00

I was flossing tonight and a crown fell off and dropped into my mouth...I've had either visions or actual dreams of teeth falling out recently and me chewing them. My body must have been warning me that this was coming. When combined with two flat tires last week, all this weird stuff is happening. In the meantime, Christmas is just around the corner now. A few days to gather a few last presents and wrap a few others... Just got to get through this Business Law test on Thursday.

"Smile below each nose"

2010-12-18T22:37:00.003-05:00

Wow, I just stumbled across this post from almost exactly five years ago... And I'm again reading the book Good to Great. I never finished it the first time. This time it is on the list for my class C562: Developing Strategic Capabilities, so maybe I'll get a little further...I'm glad that I'll finish my MBA around with 5-6 years after undergrad. I think 5 years was my goal, so I'm only slightly behind schedule.

Caught up with fellow Hoosier's the Patries today. It's good to have them back in the Heartland...It's been too long.

"Come thou fount of every blessing"

2010-12-17T09:58:00.000-05:00

Christmas time is here, and I'm looking forward to relaxing with loved ones and that warmth that only Christmas brings. 8 days out and I've got shopping to do, gifts to wrap, carols to sing and cookies to eat. But it will all get done!

On the train from O'Hare to downtown Chicago and listening to Sufjan's 5-volume Christmas album.

"Only to bring you peace"

2010-12-13T01:27:00.002-05:00

The fifth annual Rosenberg Christmas newsletter is finally finished. If you're reading this, hopefully you'll be receiving your copy soon!

"Silent night for a change"

2010-12-11T14:59:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile, and I'm watching a business law lecture, so it seems like a good time to update. School's been busy. November was OK. Thanksgiving was nice. Graduate school continues to plod along...I think I'm down to my last 7 classes.

My nephew Ezekiel Lyndon Spires was born last month, which was fantastic! More blogging coming soon, hopefully.

Currently listening to...Christmas version:
Boots - The Killers
Merry Merry Christmas Everyone - Jon McLaughlin
Christmas Lights - Coldplay
Happy Birthday Guadalupe - The Killers

"I was afraid I'd eat your brains"

2010-11-04T00:21:00.004-04:00

The days leading up to Halloween did not disappoint. Rogers surprised me one Friday night and took me to the Trail of Terror on some farmland in Fishers. A nice little jaunt through the woods with ghoulish figures flying at you and jumping out from some decent hiding places. This preceeded us playing House of the Dead: Overkill, which is modeled after a Grindhouse movie and is pretty darn fun with arcade-style Zombie killing. Of course we watched a little Dawn of the Dead and played some Plants vs. Zombies on the iPhone over the weekend as well. It was a zombie-riffic Halloween. I snuck in The House on Sorority Row, Sleepwalkers and The Last Man on Earth over the past couple of weeks as well.

More importantly, Republicans picked up 60+ seats in Congress in yesterday's elections, so the Democrats will not be able to ram through socialistic balogna like Health Care Reform for the next two years.

Over the weekend, Rogers and I traveled up to Detroit for the first time in 18+ months to visit friends and our old church, eat at our favorite restaurants and watch a Redwings game with 9th row seats. Even though it was only for 36 hours it was nice to get away with Rogers for a day...Pretty sweet!

It's been a good couple of weeks!

"Like a million parachutes"

2010-10-22T00:58:00.002-04:00

A few exciting things in the hopper for work. Hopefully, they will come to fruition. Making day trips to Warsaw occassionally, which makes for a nice drive up 37 through Marion and up 15 through Wabash.

Excited about Halloween...or at least the idea of Halloween. I've been wearing my various Halloween-type t-shirts and recording all the Friday 13ths on AMC, and moving all the streaming Netflix Horror movies into my queue so I can grab them through the Wii. And I'm strongly leaning toward purchasing a House of the Dead arcade-style shooter for the Wii...hopefully, I'll have the time to enjoy all of these morbid things over the next week...we'll see.

"Shine a new reflection to the sky"

2010-10-20T00:23:00.002-04:00

Fall doldrums are settling in, I guess. I think it is primarily school that has me reeling. I'd rather be watching a horror movie every night to celebrate October. Instead, I'm studying economics and information technology. I'm ready for Jason Vorhees, and instead I learn about Enterprise Resource Programs. It's time for Mike Myers, and I am learning about the Fed and monetary policy. 13.5 credits of school every six months on top of a full-time job is no way to live. I need a change of pace.

Currently listening to: Mark Kano

"I know you put in the hours to keep me in sunglasses"

2010-10-14T00:08:00.002-04:00

Exhausted...time for bed. School is keeping me more than busy these last few weeks. Global economics and information technology. Post 800 is right around the corner, but at the rate I'm going it will likely be 2013 before I reach number 1,000.

Movies watched over the last month of Fridays:
The Town
Wall Street 2
The Social Network
Easy A

"If she knows you're paper"

2010-09-30T22:14:00.002-04:00

And so another week comes to a close...one more day to power through some homework tonight and a full day in the office tomorrow. Had lunch with an AU student today who's looking to network as he explores what type of job he wants to find when he graduates in the spring. Hit up Scotty's for lunch. Always a good place to eat, but the Mo' Fo Buffalo Chicken Wrap turned out to be a painful mistake.

The second episode of Running Wilde was disappointing. I had high hopes after the decent Pilot. Now those hopes are dwindling. I'll give it a few more episodes before it dies for good.

So that is that...the end of September 2010. Recap:

> Labor Day
> Trip to Cooperstown, NY
> Visit to Oil City, PA
> Grandma and Grandpa's house broken into
> Preston's soccer game where he scored 5 goals
> Diamond Dash
> Thai Smile 2 closing
> Saw Wall Street 2, The Crazies, Shawshank Redemption

Song of the Day: Mr. November - The National

"The new blue blood"

2010-09-29T23:57:00.002-04:00

School is dragging me down right now...it seems I've found myself in the middle of two challenging classes. The next couple weeks look to be pretty jam packed with projects on Economics and IT. Sounds like a blast, right?

Fortunately, both classes have a lot of teamwork, so I'm not going it alone. Just trying to keep up...With lots of school work comes lots of opportunity to absorb new music. Here's what I've been listening to in the last week.

The National - Alligator (select songs 3x since Tuesday)
Gin Blossoms - No Chocolate Cake (2x since Monday)
Margot - Buzzard (5x since last week)
The Open Sea - (20x since Sept 14)

"Gone loose inside its shell"

2010-09-28T23:25:00.003-04:00

Now I can drive in peace...We moved to Anderson in early June 2008...I waited the first nine months to confirm what our permanent address would be. There's just no excuse for the sixteen months after that. Having to take the written test scared me away, I guess. But today I conquered that fear, passed that test only missing one question and have a temporary Indiana driver's license in my wallet right now. The permanent is on its way in the next 10 days. For the last year, I've been concerned that I might be pulled over sometime, get issued a ticket for whatever reason I was pulled over (or not), but then get hammered for not updating my driver's license to Indiana. I've heard that could be a stiff penalty. And a full 9 months before my other license would have expired anyway!

"Lunatic, lunatic, lunatic"

2010-09-26T22:45:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, my grandparents house was broken into and a small, flat screen TV was stolen from their kitchen while they were in the living room watching TV. The criminal broke and climbed through a window leaving blood and fingerprints as evidence. Very disturbing. My grandparents are in their 80s and it is horrible that someone would terrorize them for a TV that they may be able to pawn for $150. They have had their garage broken into twice. Now they will be moving out of the house they have lived in for 20 years in Anderson. Horrible.

"Get up, go on, get up"

2010-09-16T00:35:00.002-04:00

It's always tough going back to work after a vacation. Today was exhausting, and it's time for bed. I almost took a nap at the office desk about 30 minutes ago...I was having flashbacks to college.

I joined Foursquare last week and started checked in to all of the places I listed on the trip. My goal is to be the Mayor of the Chase Tower and maybe the Fishers Qdoba and the Hamilton Town Center Pop-a-Shot game. I think I can make those things happen. I wonder how long Twitter and Foursquare will last. Sure seems like Facebook is going to stick around for a long long time.

"All in a day"

2010-09-14T23:59:00.002-04:00

Places my Dad and I went on our Fantastic Americana Road Trip to Cleveland > Cooperstown > Oil City > Mansfield are listed below (in reverse order). It was a great few days full of shakes and burgers at diners, good conversation and music while driving, and appreciation and perspective while at the Rock & Roll and Baseball hall of fames.

Perhaps the most surprising moment...the wall of no-hitters at Cooperstown had about 100 baseballs from no-hitters, a few other pieces of memorabilia and one jersey. The jersey was from Terry Mulholland worn during his no-hitter on August 15, 1990. Amazingly, we were at this game 20 years ago! The one Philadelphia Phillies game I've been to in my life was with my family when I was 7 and happened to be a no hitter. 20 years later that happens to be the one jersey on display worn during a no-hitter now frozen in time in Cooperstown.

Coney Island Diner - Mansfield, Ohio
Arlington Hotel - Oil City, PA
Villa Italia - Oil City, PA
Cooperstown Diner - Cooperstown, NY
National Baseball Hall of Fame - Cooperstown, NY
New York Pizzeria - Richfield Springs, NY
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum - Cleveland, OH
Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown - Cleveland, OH
Koral Hamburg - Waterville, OH

Currently listening to: The Open Sea

"A reason to get out of the city"

2010-09-07T23:12:00.003-04:00

Upcoming and potential concerts - Fall 2010

September 19 - Toad the Wet Sprocket (unlikely due to The Manning Bowl)
October 2 - The National (definitely)
October 15 - Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos (maybe)
December 5 - Better Than Ezra (most likely)

I'm sure another show or two will weazler their way into the mix.

Movies I've seen with my free Hamilton Town Center - Oscar Winning Tickets
> The Last Song (with my sister)
> Kick-Ass (with Rogers)
> Iron Man 2 (with Wilbe & Brian)
> Get Him to the Greek (I think this was free with Rogers)
> Date Night (with Rogers)
> Scott Pilgrim Must Die (Par & Wilbe)
> Inception (Palmers, Brian, Wilbe & Par)

Time to read some Economics...

"Leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away"

2010-09-06T23:38:00.002-04:00

Happy Labor Day 2010. The Rosenbergs had a cookout today and broke out a game of wiffle ball for the first time in a very long time...decades. I remember playing wiffle ball with friends as a kid. We have video of playing some baseball on a similar day when I was six. It was a good throwback to the 80s...or at least the early 90s. It always strikes me as odd that 20 years ago was 1990. A lot happened in the 90s. I grew from 6 to 16.

So fall begins and with it comes two new MBA classes. I took one class all summer, which was great. Two classes will probably have me hunkered down again this fall.

Currently watching: True Blood Season 3
Listening to: The National
Thinking about: Going to bed

I have some catching up to do this fall to rescue 2010 from my least productive year of blogging to date. We'll see how it turns out.

Friday begins the Fantastic Americana Road Trip (F.A.R.T.) with my Dad. The Rosenberg men will be driving to Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame and Mansfield's Ohio State Reformatory between Friday and Tuesday. Hopefully, along the way, we'll enjoy some good food and a Colts Week 1 victory at a sports bar in Cooperstown.

"Through the slowest heaving night"

2010-08-24T22:48:00.002-04:00

One 3-page paper to write by Thursday and another MBA class is complete. Two more start after Labor Day. I'm right at half way through...seems like I've been plugging away at this for quite some time. I'll get there.

I'm really procrastinating with this paper. If there's one thing that I'm glad I got past from college, it was my tendency to think naps around 11 p.m. or even Midnight were a good idea. Every once in awhile that worked, but generally it just sucked. I hated to wake up so I'd stretch those naps out and sometimes I'd just give up altogether. There were many good things about undergrad, but that was not one of them.

I wonder if I will ever again be involved in an 8-player game of Halo with friends. I miss basketball, but there is always the possibility of a basketball game...and I know there will be more basketball in my future. The odds of ever having a taste of those Halo games in the dorm again are much, much worse...

Song of the Day: Come Talk to Me - Bon Iver (originally by Peter Gabriel)

"Like rock & roll and the radio"

2010-08-22T23:15:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I went camping with friends in the Bloomington area. A day filled with basketball, swimming, walking through the woods, hanging out by the river, eating lots of campfire food, and a really long game of Monopoly from Midnight to 3 a.m.

Conversations included, debating the merits of saying hi to celebrities when you run into them versus leaving them alone, Adam Sandler movies, reminiscing with Ricky of camping in Kentucky in 2005, and how long we should wait to use the basketball court before giving up and going to the pool.

It was a good day. I'm left a little sore from all the physical activity my body isn't used to.

Song of the Day: Like Rock & Roll & Radio by Ray LaMontagne...can't get enough of it.

"Just got to get me somewhere"

2010-08-20T00:18:00.002-04:00

It is a rare and good day when two of your favorite artists release albums on the same day (Tuesday) and you get them both on the same day (Thursday). Ray LaMontagne and David Gray are both in my Top 10, so a very rare day indeed. As a brief aside, I remember getting two CDs a couple other times...when I was a kid, I picked up Sophie B. Hawkins and Hootie and the Blowfish (2nd album) on the same day. Then in high school one fall day I picked up Smashing Pumpkins greatest hits and Creed's 3rd album on the same day.

Of those four albums, I occassionally will listen to some good old Smashing Pumpkins, but the rest fell out of rotation long ago.

I've fallen into the chronic 1 a.m. bedtime routine, which isn't serving me too well. On that note, time to go use the elliptical for 20 min before bed. If I don't go now it will get too late!

"Like I thought she would"

2010-08-15T00:54:00.003-04:00

Oddly, I was stuck on 777 posts for almost a full month. I just discovered that rock 'n roll band extraordinare Better Than Ezra will be playing the Vouge on December 5, 2010. If the Dallas vs. Colts game remains scheduled for 4:15 p.m. (rather than flexed to the night game), maybe Peyton will swing by for the show.

School continues to move along. Last week I was in Bloomington for the second year "in-residence" class. Not nearly as intense as the first year. All in all, not a bad week in Hoosier-land.

Fall...and football...season are right around the corner. I'm getting antsy!

Last show watched: True Blood
Last song listened to: Jolene by Ray LaMontagne

"Sitting up late on a school night"

2010-07-20T00:03:00.002-04:00

Ten to fifteen years ago summers were endless. I'd move from one basketball camp to another, hang out with the guys or with Rogers almost every night, sleep in and workout. Now time flies by. I will be in Bloomington again for a week beginning July 31. It's right around the corner and will be another exhausting week.

Holiday World last week with the Spires and my folks. It was a good time to bond with my niece and nephew. I love those guys. They are good kids. My nephew Preston is 3.5 years old and his family was camping out for the week. One night we were hiking up a trail to the camp store and it was dark with only a lantern to light the trail. I asked Preston if he knew what he should have with him if he were ever lost in the woods, thinking I'd see if he was familiar with a compass. He thought about it...paused...and said "A parent." He's a smart kid.

Currently listening to: Andrew Belle, Aqualung, Chase Coy

"Can you hear him singing along?"

2010-06-30T23:56:00.002-04:00

Quiet around here recently...summer has been off to a busy start. We traveled to San Diego, drove up the coast to L.A., returned to Indiana. My cousin Alex played in the US Open at Pebble Beach, and I went to back-to-back Dave Matthews concerts. It only rained hard one of the two nights. I'm in the middle of a business startegy class that is simulation driven. My stock price is down 20% after 4 years, and I can barely turn a profit, but I'm in the top 30 out of 140+ in the class right now. This next round is not looking quite as positive though.

A busy couple of weeks after the July 4th Holiday, too include: portions of Hutchapalooza, OAR concert, day trip to Chicago, a couple of days at Holiday World, potentially a Sleigh Bell concert, etc.

Current activities include watching Rain Man for the first time... putting the new elliptical machine to good use... helping Rogers pull weeds out of what we previously referred to as the forest in the corner of our backyard.

Listening to:
Magnetic North - Aqualung
Hope - Life Church

"Stay, stay, stay, stay, stay, for awhile"

2010-06-20T00:55:00.003-04:00

It's been a busy month. A week in California including three free nights and parking at The Del Coronado. That's right. Free parking...I felt like I was in a game of Monopoly!

Two great nights of Dave, although yesterday's show was preceeded by a torrential downpour delaying the start until about 10:15. Here's the sets:

Friday Jun 18 2010
Verizon Wireless Music Center

JTR *
Squirm *
Seven *
Don’t Drink the Water *
Lying In the Hands of God *
Shake Me Like a Monkey *
Break For It *
Tripping Billies *
Corn Bread *+
Road *+
Gravedigger *
#41 *
Crash (Into Me) *
You Might Die Trying *
Two Step *
Ants Marching *
__________________

Needle And The Damage Done ~
So Damn Lucky *

Show Notes:
* Jeff Coffin
+ Danny Barnes
~ Dave Solo

Saturday Jun 19 2010
Verizon Wireless Music Center

Big Eyed Fish *
Bartender *
Stay Or Leave *
Sweet Up and Down *
Funny The Way It Is *
(Stand Up) *
(Recently) *
Sister +
Dancing Nancies *
Why I Am *
Spaceman *~
Warehouse *~
Grey Street *
You and Me *
Jimi Thing *
Stay (Wasting Time) *
__________________

Time Bomb *
All Along The Watchtower *

Show Notes:
* Jeff Coffin
+ Dave, Carter Rashawn and Tim
~ Danny Barnes

(song name) indicates a partial song

"Begins to change my mind"

2010-05-27T00:17:00.002-04:00

In one week I turn 27. It wasn't too long ago where my older, experienced co-workers were 27. I've made some progress since 26. Started the MBA, work's been really going well, saw the dawn of the year of the High Ten, wrapped up LOST as mentioned earlier this week, went through about half of the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class, sprouted a few gray hairs.

One of my pet peeves: Running out of pizza at a party. I don't recall this happening recently, but growing up it was always the worst when you're just hitting your stride and could eat a few more pizzas, but for some reason it was pre-determined that everyone would eat two pieces. That was the worst. If you ever come to a Rosenberg party, you're probably going to have too much pizza. I usually think about everyone eating up to half a pizza then subtract a few pieces for the ladies who just don't eat that much and then add in a whole nother pizza after that.

Song of the Day: Anna Begins - Counting Crows

"I just got lost"

2010-05-24T22:49:00.003-04:00

LOST finale last night was a good time. Two John Locke's a Hurley a Faraday and a Kate made for some good costumes. I think there have been three "event" finales that I was really geared up for...Seinfeld, Sopranos and LOST. Of the three, I think LOST was most satisfying.

My criticism of the last episode was the drama on the island, wasn't nearly as dramatic as any other season finale. Locke and Jack fighting wasn't too exciting and was anticlimatic. The stuff was just kind of happening and I didn't feel like I cared so much. Until Jack died at the end, which was pretty moving. Vincent coming up to lay with him was a nice touch.

My praise of the last episode was the sideways world scenes. The flashbacks were pretty moving throughout whether it was Charlie/Claire, Juliet/Sawyer or others, I had goosebumps during some of those. But most meaningful was tying those back together to the afterlife in the last couple of scenes. That the people had to let go and move on and find the ones they loved most in eternity. They did a nice job of making those flashback scenese powerful to the point where I was thinking about how impactful it would be to find Lisa in "another life" and have all of the happiest moments with her come rushing back in an instant. It would be stunning.

So all in all, I really enjoyed it. I look forward to watching the show again in the next few years, and then maybe again with my kids someday if I can get them interested in it.

I thought this person on the LOST message boards did a nice job of summarizing the ending. Here's what he or she wrote:

"The Great Divorce" by CS Lewis, I think that will play a huge part in explaining what ultimately happened. In that book people live in a purgatory-like world. One day a bus comes and takes them all to the outskirts of heaven where they were confronted by someone/something from their life. If they can let go of that person/thing and move on, they can go on to heaven and their whole life was leading them to heaven. If they cannot let go, then they return to purgatory/Hell and their whole life was leading them there.I think because of the trauma their souls went through on the island, they promised to meet up in the afterlife. And they couldn't move on to heaven, together, until they all let go and accepted/forgave themselves for what happened in their lives. If you noticed, their sideways/purgatory lives were all constructed around what they wanted/clung to on the island. Jack gave himself a son so that he could be the father that he never had. Locke gave himself a relationship with his father and Helen, but also blamed himself for the lack of relationship. Sayid could never forgive himself for what kind of person he once was, so his sideways world was set up to continue to punish himself for it. Sawyer had begun to see himself as a good person on the island, so his sideways world, he made himself a good guy, though he couldn't totally let go and thats why he was alone. Kate still saw herself in terms of her crime. They found their final redemption in one another and with the person who loved them for who they truly were. Kate loved Jack for Jack. Juliet and Sawyer truly loved each other. As much as Sayid always clung to the idea of Nadia, he could never accept that she might love him. It was only with Shannon that he found someone who loved him for who he truly was. If you noticed, except for Ben, they all had flashes of the happy moments of their lives, which is why they were so happy(even though they were dead) because they had accepted the full lives they lived and were ready to move on. Even Sayid, who could never forgive himself in life, found acceptance and could move on in death. That's why Ben couldn't move on; he didn't forgive himself.

The reason that I think that characters like Walt, Michael, Eko, Ana Lucia, and Ben weren't there because their redemption isn't tied specifically to the island, or at least not to those people. Ben's redemption would be tied to Alex and Rousseau. Michael's redemption is tied to Walt, but I don't think that Walt is tied to the island. Remember, he was only there for about two months when he was eleven years old. I think he went on to live a full life totally seperate from the island. Eko would be tied to his brother and life in Africa. Ana Lucia would be tied to her job in LA and the baby that she lost. And while Boone and Shannon weren't on the show that long, it was on the island that Boone let go of his love for Shannon (and died) and that Shannon found her true love (and died). Same thing with Miles, Lapides, and Faraday. Their most significant connections were off the island. That's what I think, anyway. I think what will throw people off is that they think everyone needed to die on the island. Obviously, they didn't. Christian even said that; there wasn't time there. Some of them when on to live long and happy lives off the island. They all just ended up there whenever they died in life, but returned to the people who had been most significant to them. The island stuff was all real.

Hmmmm, what else? The numbers were just the candidates. Polar bears were Dharma experiments. Women couldn't have babies if they were conceived on the island because Jacob made a rule about it. He had mother issues because of his relationship with his own mother. Am I missing anything?

"Your hair, it's everywhere"

2010-05-19T00:12:00.002-04:00

School is going to be kicking my tail over the next two weeks. Within 10 days I have to develop a team case report, write a paper that I have no clue how to pick the right topic yet, complete a 300-point final exam, do a 50-point extra credit assignment to make up for the 300-point final exam and post a bunch of stuff on message boards. I also think I'm going to be in Richmond, Virgina for 24-36 hours next week. Not to mention a LOST finale party. I'm ready for a nap just thinking about all of this!

Godspeed Memorial Day...it will be a good day.

"At the end of the night"

2010-05-18T00:11:00.005-04:00

KaiserCartel is good music for late nights...maybe best for those really late nights when it's all you can do to keep your head up. Maybe the sun's coming up soon. Maybe you're driving. Maybe you're sitting in a soft breeze. The whisp of summer camp when you're a teenager. Maybe you're with a loved one. Maybe the fire is dying down. Maybe there are fireflies. Stars. Whispers. Love. The drunken feeling of lack of sleep. Comfort.

"Do I have to say the words?"

2010-05-12T23:23:00.003-04:00

Tonight: Bryan Adams at the Egyptian Room with my sister and Uncle David Andrew Martin. Great dinner at the Rathskeller and great acoustic show by Bryan Adams.

Robin Hood comes out on Friday. Two days before it's release, I saw Everything I Do I Do It For You live 19 years after the last Robin Hood movie made it a megahit. Classic.

Summary of Bryan Adams. The guy has a great voice, knows how to write a good hook, has some unbelievable songs and loves to write about sex. Case in point -- the last song before the encore: The Only Thing that Looks Good On Me is You

Summer of '69 one of my top 20 favorite songs of all time...maybe top 10.

"Peanuts and cracker jacks"

2010-05-09T23:41:00.003-04:00

Things that were enjoyable about Friday's trip to watch Cubs v. Reds:

Cubs victory
Watching an MLB record being broken - Cubs called up Starlin Castro from Double A in Tennessee on Friday morning and on Friday night he set a new record for most RBI's in a debut with 6! His first at bat was a three-run homer
Exchanging small pieces of pizza for a bigger one; La Rosa's tried to jip me the first time
Jason throwing a cup full of soda at unsuspecting kids to the complete shock of everyone
Enjoying a relaxing night with friends
Trying to pronounce Kosuke Fukudome
Finding out there's a Cubs pitcher named "Berg"
A Grand Slam by the Cubbies
Perkins for the first time in a long time

"Feel the water in between my toes"

2010-05-04T23:02:00.002-04:00

Things I learned today:

Don't assume someone has the same perception as you, even if that perception is relatively common knowledge. Always level set. -Work

If your spouse is about to die anyway and you have a kid at home that you've never seen before, maybe try to save yourself to go home to raise your kid. -Jin Kwon

"Seems like the only way out's through the back"

2010-05-02T22:12:00.002-04:00

Margot concert last week in Bloomington was a blast. It was good to see them rock out with some of the new Buzzard songs, but I got to say it was a relief that the old songs sounded almost as good as always.

Biggest lesson of the night was don't go to concerts in Bloomington on a Wednesday night. Margot didn't take the stage until about 10 p.m... thus we weren't back to Indy until about 1 a.m.

Second biggest lesson of the night is Wilbe's car is a pain to drive. That puppy is all over the road.

Time to go watch Up in the Air with a bowl of popcorn and a Vanilla Coke Zero. Looking forward to start this week off with a little relaxation.

Currently listening to: NYC Hotel Blues by Margot & the Nuclear so and sos

Last movie watched: Kick Ass

Last TV show watched: Amazing Race

What else did I do tonight: Financial Peace University at church
Most recent cool decoration in my office...A Fine Frenzy

"A chemist made us for each other"

2010-04-21T23:55:00.003-04:00

Things I did in New York a couple of weeks ago:

Ate New York style Pizza...I love folding my pizza in half
Met up with Matt Whitesel and Dan Hoy and had a fantastic meal at Otto Pizzeria
Walked from Times Square to the Guggenheim
Wandered around Central Park along the way
Walked about 8 miles that day
Toured the Guggenheim
Learned how to think on my feet - not because something crazy happened, but because that was the training I went to
Junior's Cheesecake
Vynl restaurant
Talked to one of our clients in Laguardia while waiting to fly back
Started writing a paper for school

Currently listening to: Pete Yorn - "Back and Fourth"
Last show I wateched: Tudors - Season 2, Episode 3
Dinner: Two bowls of cereal, chips with melted shredded cheese

"Better left unreconciled"

2010-04-20T23:35:00.002-04:00

Who would have thought when we had our Rosi Golan house show last year that it would be the opening act, Chase Coy who's signed to a Major Label first? The kid's got rockets attached to his shoes. Good for him. He has a duet with Colbie Callet on his new album.

I've now taken 2.5 days off of school and boy do I feel guilty...I'm going to have to hit the books tomorrow night and do some reading for the week. I'm thinking of taking it a bit easier over the summer with one class instead of two during June and July. Otherwise, this whole thing gets to be a bit overwhelming. We'll see how that plays out.

I've also basically taken 2010 off from blogging, which is no good. I need to get back on the wagon.

Currently listening to: Peter Bradley Adams
Next show: Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos - April 28 Bluebird, Bloomington, IN

"Sometimes when I play that old six-string"

2010-04-08T23:37:00.002-04:00

I don't think I'd ever heard wailing until Monday, when I walked into my Aunt Pat's house and my mother hugged her. My mother's brother, Greg Martin died suddenly last Thursday, April 1, 2010 of a heart attack. He was 54.

Despite the pain my Aunt, Cousin and the rest of the family is feeling, Greg's funeral flyer read "Victory Celebration." Christ's redemption of our souls, truly is a victory over sin and the wages of sin, death. Greg Martin is with his father Don Martin and more importantly walking streets of gold and rejoicing in the presence of God. Amen.

"The time we take"

2010-03-17T00:39:00.000-04:00

Work...school...work...school...sleep...work...school...work...school...sleep. "No, I can't do [this]." "No, I can't do [that]." Lame.

"A secret world in the twilight"

2010-03-11T23:36:00.002-05:00

I'm taking a break from a simulation on how to organize and operate a Benihana restaurant. Turns out that big room on the other side of the restaurant is supposed to be a big bar with lots of seating for waiting customers. Come to think of it why were we sitting on those uncomfortable benches last time we waited there?

Currently listening to: M83, Beach House, Fanfarlo, David Gray
Currently watching: The Middle, Modern Family, Survivor, Amazing Race, Lost
Next movie: Wall Street is here on Netflix.
Current project -- not school or work related: Framing and hanging concert memorabilia in the office
Best find in the garage recently: Kill Bill 2 poster with Kiddo dressed as The Bride
Quarter 1: Could be off to a bang if our office closes a few of the sales we're working on

"Dollars crumbled in my pocket"

2010-03-02T22:36:00.005-05:00

This guy was wandering all around our yard a couple of Saturday's ago. What a nasty looking little animal. I'm enjoying my week off between classes...I can't wait to have no more classes in about...well 18 months. I'm a fourth of the way finished though, so that is a good thing. Slowly but surely. Here's to warmer weeks and months ahead.

"Winter howling at my face"

2010-02-15T23:26:00.001-05:00

It was a great Valentine's Day weekend. We went to Matteo's and had a nice dinner, came back and listened to Dean Martin records, watched Yes Man and an all around nice evening. I had off of work today thanks to President's Day. But I have to be in by 7 a.m. tomorrow for a meeting.

David Gray is coming up in March...hopefully Jay Z too.

"I can't tell you that, can I?"

2010-02-04T00:25:00.000-05:00

Madden says we lose even with Freeney?! Come on! I think the key words are: "Intangibles such as nerves and inexperience are not reflected."

That and the Saints are all going to be distracted by Kim Kardashian, right? I mean, yeah the Colts have Kendra Wilkinson cheering for us, but she's still losing some of that baby weight so she's not as distracting as she usually would be.

Saints Win Super Bowl, says Madden NFL - Plugged In - Yahoo! Games: "Saints Win Super Bowl, says Madden NFL
by Joe Dodson

And the winner is...Madden NFL popped into headlines today, predicting a sunny Super Bowl win for the New Orleans Saints, and eight months of winter for the Indianapolis Colts.
Every year, Electronic Arts runs a Super Bowl simulation within their video game, Madden NFL. And five out of the last six years, the game's results have predicted the Super Bowl winner correctly. The simulation's only miss was the Giants' Super Bowl XLII victory over the Patriots, and even Nostradamus couldn't have seen that one coming.
This year, Madden NFL predicts a close Saints victory, with a final score of 35 - 31 over the Colts. According to the game, Drew Brees will be named the MVP after passing for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Reggie Bush will account for two more touchdowns, one rushing, and one on a punt return.
On the other side of the football, Colts' QB Peyton Manning will throw for 322 yards and three touchdowns in a great-but-not-good-enough performance.
But before Saints fans start celebrating and Colts fans call for a new coach, it's important to note that the Madden simulation only takes into account the perceived skill levels of each player on the field. Intangibles such as nerves and inexperience are not reflected. And according to this G4 video of the simulation, neither is Dwight Freeney's questionable ankle, as the Colts' defensive superstar can clearly be seen running and jumping down the tunnel at the head of his team before the game.
But whether he plays in the real Super Bowl or not, Madden NFL sees the Colts limping home on Sunday, and all of New Orleans jumping for joy."

"The good sense to refrain"

2010-02-02T00:32:00.003-05:00

The week is off to a tiring start...trying to get a jump on upcoming MBA assignments. So it's time for bed, which will be nice.
Tomorrow is the last season premier for Lost. Should be a good night!
Rogers seems to be doing much better after staying home from work today.
Been listening to Margot and the Nuclear... a lot the last few days. Man do I love their music.
Looking forward to...David Gray in concert.

"Probably thinks he's cooler than you"

2010-01-31T23:42:00.003-05:00

Maybe a quick post before the first month of 2010 is gone forever? January 2010 was full of:

Colts fever -- SuperBowl next Sunday!
Spending iTunes Gift Card from Christmas -- Fanfarlo, Beach House and a couple of songs from Kings of Leon and Josiah Leming so far.
Playing Super Mario Bros. Wii with Rogers. We powered through that game.
Spending the weekends trying to stay warm. Our downstairs is always cold. Our upstairs is extra hot. So typically the tempature is about 67 or 68 during the day and 65 or 66 at night.
Studying for Midterms. 97 in Finance, 78 in Accounting (ouch!)
Taking care of Rogers. She's been sickly this month. The weather disagrees with her.
Planning a vacation. We're heading West for a few days this summer.
Watching Noel and Preston for a day last weekend. A glimpse of our lives in 10 years?
Flashforward. We watched the first half of the season in about three days at the beginning of the month. It's decent.
Jennings -- Squatch is back on for 2010 in the Packers jersey. Last year he made it through a full quarter before Rogers and I pulled a pop in at their apartment. We'll see if he makes it further this year.
Movies watched: The Boondock Saints -- I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with my niece and nephew -- already seen that a few times. Jennifer's Body -- dumb. Youth in Revolt -- thought it was hilarious.

Onward. To February.

"So I can have a happy new year"

2010-01-01T03:06:00.002-05:00

A few things to do in 2010:

Complete half of my MBA at Indiana University.
Remember to say "Twenty-Ten" instead of "Two Thousand and Ten" (we never said "Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Nine" did we?) -- thanks for forwarding this suggestion, Ricker.
Dish out High Tens when greeting others like there's no 2011.
Finish reading the Bible. I only made it to Exodus in 2009. Pathetic.
Not move from this house.
Organize the office and hang my setlists.
Take a vacation with Rogers.
Lose the weight I gained during the holidays.
Begin using a budget.

A decade begins...

"Oh, history involved itself"

2009-12-23T00:03:00.002-05:00

Oh what the heck, I've got to get some of this down before 2010, right?

I'd say these are my favorite 10 songs of the decade, based primarily on iTunes playcount along with a few of those that really are my favorite but don't always get played the most.

Honorable Mention:
Closer -- Joshua Radin (2006)
To Run -- Josiah Leming (2008)
Indiana -- Jon McLaughlin (2006)
William Fitzimmons (I love most of his songs, so none in particular rise to the top)

The List:
10. Yesteryear -- Rosi Golan (2008)
9. Look After You -- The Fray (2005)
8. Skeleton Key -- Margot & the Nuclear So and So's (2006)
7. The Minnow and the Trout -- A Fine Frenzy (2007)
6. Slow Show -- The National (2007)
5. Viva La Vida -- Coldplay (2008)
4. Flume -- Bon Iver (2008)
3. Jolene -- Ray LaMontagne (2004)
2. Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois -- Sufjan Stevens (2005)
1. The Blower's Daughter -- Damien Rice (2003)

I just couldn't -- and in most cases still can't -- get enough of these songs. For the top 10, I've spent about 58 hours listening to these songs on iTunes since I got my iPod in 2006. But I generally listen to the CDs in the car, so that's nowhere close to the real number.

Several of these are from the last 2-3 years...it'll be interesting to see if I'm still listening to them a few years from now.

"How they resemble one another"

2009-12-22T23:17:00.002-05:00

A decade gone. I want to opine on what a decade ending means. I want to list my top 10 favorite albums of the last 10 years. I remember what I did at the close of the last decade. It was December 31, 1999. Lisa and I had professional pictures taken at Wal-Mart. We had a sketch drawn at the Mounds Mall. We watched Bicentennial Man at the movie theatre. Then I think we went to an all night party with the North Anderson Youth at Cross Street gym...although I'm kind of thinking that may have been 1998. But the other stuff was 1999. And it seems like a long time ago...but then ten years have passed quickly. It's hard to imagine that another decade could bring so much change and then I'll be 36. To think about the people I didn't know in 1999...many of my best friends today that I didn't meet until I moved into Myers Hall a couple of years later.

So anyway, perhaps I will capture additional thoughts during this decade's waning days. I noticed the other day that one of the first things that happened in the year 2000 was I scored my 1,000 high school basketball point that January. I have two basketballs in the garage...mementos for 1,000 and 2,000 one from the year 2000 and one from 2002.

A rambling jumble of thoughts before bed. (Wow, bed's a lot earlier than it was circa this time in 2005.)

"Yuletide by the fireside"

2009-12-10T23:38:00.003-05:00

If you're worried about Global Warming, you'd better...

Maybe I'll make this into a t-shirt next year.

"With the wild wolves around you"

2009-12-09T23:03:00.002-05:00

Well I finally turned the corner and started working on some accounting problems. I'm looking at a balance sheet right now. I'd spent the last week reading, and it was time to start working through some stuff. Now that I've got that rolling, should be off and running.

Right now, I'm really enjoying Bon Iver, and I just found a sweet live show that is available to download for free here:
http://radiomilwaukee.podbean.com/2009/10/12/bon-iver-live-at-the-riverside/

Go to the web site and you can stream it or click on the "download" button underneath the player. The first song is Flume, which is my favorite Bon Iver song, but this is an unbelievable version.

I've also been listening to William Fitzsimmons and David Gray a lot recently. All good music for the depths of fall.

Christmas...here we come...hooray.

"On to the next chase"

2009-12-07T22:50:00.002-05:00

I started my new classes on November 30. Since that time, I've found it incredibly difficult to study. Last term I was really moving. I'm finding it challenging to get back into the swing of things. First Quiz is on December 18 over approximately 8 chapters in accounting. I got my book today. However, 7 of those chapters are review of undergrad. Unfortunately, that was many moons ago.

I'd rather watch Christmas movies and shop for people...

"A glimpse you let me see"

2009-12-03T23:57:00.002-05:00

I'm looking forward to the weekend...it's been just an OK week. Trying to get back into the swing of new classes...minus one of the books that I need. (Woops!) So my Saturday will be spent working ahead in the other class, I guess. We'll see how it all shakes out over the next few weeks.

Tomorrow morning we have a conference call in our "Great Lakes" market with the CEO. That should be interesting. I don't think I've heard her talk to any group smaller than the whole US, so this will be a group about 5% as big as our whole country...if that makes sense. I'm kind of tired.

Highlights:

The fireplace works
Hanging out with my sister on Tuesday
The house is so nicely decorated
Listening to William Fitzsimmons while sleeping on the bus
mondaytuesdaywednesdaythursday!!FRIDAY!!
Footie pajamas
Christmas is coming

Lowlights:

Starting classes again...yeah it was only one week off, but it was so great
Losing HBO (Lisa had negotiated 2 or 3 free months and we got like 8, so I guess I can't complain)
Heating issues in the house
The dog refuses to use her new stairs to get on the bed

"I will possess your heart"

2009-11-24T22:14:00.002-05:00

Having a 30 gig iPod consistently challenges me with difficult decisions...like do I remove songs by Deep Blue Something (of course I'm leaving Breakfast at Tiffany's) or Weezer's Green Album...neither have ever been played in iTunes, but I just like having the option for when the mood strikes.

I think I might give last year's Madden game a try on the old Wii tonight. Ah the luxury of a one week break from the old Kelley School of Business.

"Chant like an army"

2009-11-23T23:01:00.003-05:00

Good catching up with you tonight, Phil.

"Talk of the town"

2009-11-20T00:52:00.002-05:00

What if there were something other than light at the end of the tunnel? What if it was a door in the dark...maybe one that led to another tunnel...or something surprising? Or what if instead of a light, there was just a bed, so you could lie down and rest?

Tomorrow morning, I'll put Quantitative Analysis to bed and Saturday, I'll put Economics for Managers down too. Then I'll turn my attention to an integrated Accounting and Finance course. If there's one thing I didn't come out of the Falls School of Business with, it was a strong grounding in Finance. Maybe I'll take what is weak and springboard into a Masters of Science in Finance in 2012. (It's only 4 additional classes beyond my MBA, if I take certain electives.) It might be fun to be a CFO someday. I guess I'll shoot for an A or a B in this entry level course next quarter and go from there.

While I can't say I'm enjoying school all that much - which I think in part is a reflection of taking courses online - I am enjoying using more of my brain than I do in my day job and learning things outside of the norm. There is some useful stuff that I wouldn't have learned otherwise, and I'm only two courses in. So that's how I feel today.

Song of the Day: Skeleton Key - Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos

"I need some old times"

2009-11-17T23:54:00.002-05:00

It's been a blogging hiatus of late...not by intention. I've been learning how to simulate scenarios and determine optimal solutions given constraints. While I did not really enjoy my statistics course as whole, I feel really clever knowing how to do a bunch of Excel stuff, that I have no intention of using in the future. But perhaps my career will surprise me. Or maybe I can optimize our savings or determine the risk of us getting in a car crash and needing money for a new car or something. All this knowledge and no place to apply it...maybe it'll be useful next quarter in Finance or Accounting.

So I just finished taking 1 of 3 finals. I think it went well. I predict a 95%ish, unless I really missed something. Still a humbling experience, as there was stuff the Lord just made work that didn't seem to be working previously. Thanks be to Him if I can get out of here with an A or a B, and therefore be refunded by the Company.

I've been on a huge Margot kick of late. Can't get At the Carnival out of my head. They have so many great songs. I wonder if/when I would have discovered them if it weren't for Parliament pointing us in the right direction?! I think they might be moving into my top 5 favorites. We'll see if the new album and new lineup next year matches their warranted high expectations.

Holidays are coming soon. Hip hip hooray. I'm tired.

"We should be in perfect harmony"

2009-10-30T17:48:00.000-04:00

Well tweeting is one thing, but this is my first full-blown blog update via blackberry. I'm waiting for the bus in the rain...well more of a drizzle and the bus is late. Traffic is horrible due to the Pacer game - opening night - tonight. So I decided this is the ideal time to blog...while listening to Vampire Weekend in the drizzle.

The biggest news this side of the pending health reform legislation is that B-Nasty, Big N*ts, Brian Roberson himself is moving back to Central Indiana after many years of exploring the Alaskan wilderness. He'll once again be a mainlander.

Happy Halloween!

"Over fall break, you're coming down to see me"

2009-10-21T22:34:00.002-04:00

I'm surprised I haven't been blogging more often...I've certainly been trolling facebook regularly now that I'm up to my eyeballs in online MBA work.

Friday was an exciting day, so I took a day off of work. The morning was spent doing my first MBA midterm. It was tough...ended up with an 88 and the class average was 81, so I was happy with that. The afternoon was then spent anxiously awaiting the arrival of Rosi Golan and company for the house show she was playing at our house that night.

It was a bit surreal to receive a phone call around 2:30 with a "this is Rosi" on the other end after planning and preparing for the show for so long. She, Jake (guitarist) and Ben (boyfriend) arrived around 5 and we hit McCallisters for some pre-show fuel. Very, very nice people. Easy to talk to, laid back, very gracious and kind. And not too harsh when I couldn't find my way back home after taking the back way through the neighborhood.

So they relaxed for awhile and before long Chase Coy showed up to settle in, do a soundcheck and hang out for a bit before people started arriving. Ultimately, the soundcheck was unnecessary as no mic was needed for the two rooms that would be filled with 25-30 people. But I enjoyed chatting with Chase for awhile, hearing some of his new songs. A genuinely good kid with genuinely enjoyable music.

More to come on the adventures in concert hosting...

"I'm caught up and bruised"

2009-10-03T01:48:00.002-04:00

Tonight we went to Morty's to watch a couple of comedians, including one who was the overeater on Sex and the City and one billed as the funniest man in Milwaukee. Both were pretty funny. I like comedy. Some pretty good stuff.

Rogers surpised me with the new Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson duet album today. When you mix one of my top 10 favorite musicians with one of my favorite actresses, it's got to lead to some good things.

Off to bed soon.

"Seal it for thy courts above"

2009-10-02T00:03:00.004-04:00

I'm starting to remember what it was like in college when I would take a 10- to 30-minute break to play Tetris every half hour or so. Now I can't afford such breaks, so I make them 5-10 minutes to look up a long-forgotten artist on MySpace or check Facebook. Thoughts I had during homework tonight:
* What happened to Josiah Leming ? (Turns out he co-wrote a song with Kevin Griffin last month.) Kevin Griffin gets around like a who-re on the weekend. But boy does he write good music.
*I should make a playlist of my 1,000 favorite songs. (I didn't undertake this yet.)
*I should make a best Christmas song playlist. (I started this one.)
*What is Sufjan Stevens working on right now?
*Should I or should I not ride the bus tomorrow?
*What's the minimum amount of work I can do tonight and still finish my assignments on Saturday?
*I should email my study partner and tell her I need to push back our time to chat on Saturday, because I haven't gotten enough homework done yet.

"Everyday things change, basically they stay the same"

2009-09-24T23:17:00.003-04:00

Another week ends. September is coming to a rapid close. Four years ago...around this time, I'd be gearing up for a drive over to the old Applewood 9 for a midnight movie complements of Mr. Ricky Lehman. Yes, I suppose the year was 2005 and into 2006. 2005 was a good year. 2006 had its challenges. Ups and downs. The ebb and flow of life. Four years sounds like a long time ago...but heck Detroit seems like a long time ago and that was only 16 months. Four years? Yesterday?

I just downloaded David Gray's new album, which I'm very much looking forward to absorbing over the next week. I remember being at Darren Rayl's house when he first had White Ladder by David Gray. Now we're moving back in time...2000. It took me awhile to see the light, but ultimately White Ladder became one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time. Perhaps number one or two. If you don't listen to David Gray yet, just download Please Forgive Me and maybe This Year's Love for a couple of strong samples from that album...it's great music for the fall.

We're on a huge jumpstart for Christmas shopping this year. If you're reading this blog, you may already be the owner of a Christmas present bought specifically with you in mind. Don't get your hopes up yet though...Really we do have a lot of gifts already though. Kind of nice to spread it out from a budgeting perspective.

Perhaps the most interesting news today is that I road the bus to work. Public transportation = good study time for MBA.

"My feet sprouted wings, and I flew all the way home"

2009-09-23T23:44:00.003-04:00

Today was marked with excitement followed by disappointment. On the news this morning, we heard the Wizard of Oz would be screened tonight to mark its 70th anniversary so we decided we would attend. Unfortunately, I didn't think to buy tickets in advance and it was sold out. So Rogers missed her chance to see her favorite on the silver screen.

Other movies we've seen on the big screen in the past couple of years:

Dirty Dancing - one of Rogers' favorites
It's A Wonderful Life - one of my top 3
Back to the Future - another of my top 3 (I saw this one by myself.)

So instead we watched an episode of Flipping Out...not quite as exciting. What else is new...I might try riding the bus in the morning.

"The prodigal runaway"

2009-09-22T23:17:00.002-04:00

I am quickly realizing the next two years will likely be somewhat exhausting. I don't think it's so much from a lack of sleep, but more of a work and stress level exhausting. The good news is that classes run for 12 weeks, which seems like manageable chunks of time and there's that one great week inbetween terms. I'm banking on those weeks off.

Currently listening to: Mat Kearney, Imogen Heap, A Fine Frenzy, Rosi Golan
Watching: Colts Football, Freaks & Geeks, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Survivor

"Like fire engines racing"

2009-09-17T00:17:00.003-04:00

It was an interesting day, I suppose:

Woke up
Dressed, took Grace out before pinning her in
Went to work, flipped the stations around on the way, finally turning on some Margot
Long day, lots of meetings, some good news, some interesting news, didn't feel too great, kind of sick
Came home
Talked to Rogers about her day, ate great pasta leftovers, half of candy bar, jarlsburg cheese compliments of Grandma M.
Watched 15 minutes of Flipping Out
Quantitative Analysis webcast (2 hours, 10 minutes)
Skype conversation with Economics team (10 minutes)
Q. Analysis homework (1 hour, 45 minutes), listened to A Fine Frenzy
Read Exodus 14
Time for shower, bed, sleep

"Ask me now I'll give you the reasons"

2009-09-16T00:03:00.002-04:00

This is shaping up to be a challening week. I feel like I'm already behind on school work after only one week into my current classes. Additionally, Rogers has been fighting something for a week or two that now seems to be attacking me...so I'm wearing down quickly. Soon, I'm going to need to look into bussing into work. That'll allow for some key study time.

Football season is back, A Fine Frenzy and Imogen's albums have dropped (and I'm enjoying them), Rosi Golan is playing our house October 16, It's Always Sunny and Dexter are around the corner, and Rogers and I are trying to find some time to catch Sorority Row, so from an entertainment perspective...well, we are entertained.

I've been feeling that I need to step up the doing things for the "least of these" and generally being Christ's hands and feet in Fishers, Indianapolis, at work, play, etc. It's ridiculous how lame of a Christian I seem to have become. Am I a "good and faithful servant"? I've been forgiven a great debt, am grateful and should live accordingly.

"Come over and convert me"

2009-09-05T01:11:00.002-04:00

Labor Day Weekend is upon us...and I vow to only labor a little bit...and that will be house cleaning and cleaning up the yard a little bit.

Tonight I unexpectedly went to the Margot and the Nuclear so and sos show...reportedly their last show in Indianapolis all together followed immediately by their last show period tomorrow night.

I'm glad I went...it won't be the same without over half the band. Highlights included:

Talking in Code
Broadripple is Burning
Quiet as a Mouse
Skeleton Key
At the Carnival
Children's Crusade on Acid
As Tall as Cliffs

It was fantastic.

"With the champagne eyes"

2009-09-01T23:46:00.003-04:00

Next week somewhat officially begins my life for the next 2+ years. I'll start taking two classes at a time at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Classes run for 12 weeks meaning by next year this time, I'll have about 24 credits...takes 51 to graduate.

So because the hour is imminent, I'm taking advantage of not having schoolwork to do right now by watching Sixteen Candles. Last night I watched a critically-acclaimed drama from several years back called In the Bedroom (not too exciting).

Hopefully, I'll get through The Breakfast Club before next week as well. I'm looking forward to the long weekend although Saturday will involve a lot of housework in preparation for a Rosenberg family cookout on Sunday.

This health reform battle is interesting...I feel like an election is right around the corner what with all of the ads on TV. Let's hope it lands on the side of capitalism and efficiencies rather than socialism and bankruptcy. (I can't stop there.) The government sucks at running all of their programs...cash for clunkers ran out of cash...Medicare costs way more than initially projected...Social Security isn't sustainable...the list goes on and on. I really really don't want them to be running my health insurance plan. Call Congress. Write letters. Buy ad time on TV.

"It just doesn't get better than this"

2009-08-31T23:01:00.002-04:00

Is this fall? Things I'm looking forward to this fall:

Rosi Golan concert
Rogers' 26th Birthday
A haunted house
A campfire or two
Jackets
David Gray and A Fine Frenzy albums
Listening to Imogen's new CD
Getting a little more settled into Life Church
Catching up on a few more Woodlawn sermons
Reading a chunk of the Old Testament
Surviving Quantitative Analysis and Economics for Managers
Walking outside while the leaves fall
Fall Golf
Sleeping with the windows open
Living
Praising
Serving

"This is not a fire drill"

2009-08-31T00:00:00.002-04:00

Things I came across while sorting through boxes and trying to clean up our house:

My ticket to the movie Titanic on 1/3/98
My ticket to a no hitter Phillies game pitched by Terry Muholland
A Peter Pan cup from Burger King still in the box
A picture of Josh Campbell in high school...he wrote on the back:

To Lisa
From Josh Campbell

You are fun to pick on,
But I hope our friendship will never be gone.
May your brain & beauty grow
Away from your friends I hope you never go

A wristwatch from the Ringling Bros circus in 1990 with a cool zipper pocket attached to the band.
Mix tapes I'd made for Rogers in high school.
Lisa's chapstick from high school. (Still smells good.)
A talking baseball card machine.
My dad's Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays cards.
An unopened 1996 NBA Calendar.
A Lincoln - Kennedy assassination coincidence document...did you know Lincoln's secretary, whose name was Kennedy, advised him not to go to the theatre. Kennedy's secretary, whose name was Lincoln, advised him not to go to Dallas. (There's more where that came from...)
A Sears catalogue from 1994.
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves trading cards.
And so much more...

"Tell me everything, anything true"

2009-08-24T00:02:00.004-04:00

It was a nice weekend, which included playing a game of Canasta with my paternal grandparents earlier today. It was a good time and a treat, although the old folks beat us. And they are old...my Harold and Verna Rosenberg have been married for 67 years as of last Friday. Amazing. Grandpa still works in the yard every day with good weather and without a sore back. I learned today that Grandpa used to raise baby chickens with a light bulb when he was young.

The weekend also included some Fraziers ice cream, a nice meal at TGI Friday's with friends, a date with Rogers and a pretty good movie by Quentin Tarantino. It's a good time watching Nazi's get beat up.

Anyone who hasn't heard yet, please save the date October 16. Rosi Golan is reportedly playing a set in our house! Check her out at www.rosigolan.com. This is national recording artist Rosi Golan and is sure to be a good time. She's doing a house tour and we volunteered! So save the date and tell your friends.

"Surrounded by the sky and sea"

2009-08-17T23:24:00.002-04:00

Last week was completely and utterly exhausting. Kelley Direct was kicking my tail. At the same time, it was stimulating, enjoyable, engaging, exciting and rewarding. It was a good week in the end, although Friday morning around 3 a.m. when we were still wrapping up our presentation content -- before moving to practice presenting it -- didn't seem so good at the time.

Rogers and I spent the weekend catching up on time with each other and relaxing. It included two movies in two days, which I don't know if we've ever done. Both (500) Days of Summer and A Perfect Getaway were great movies though.

I also enjoyed St. Elmo's Fire, which I watched over the last few days. Interesting movie.

Two questions:
1) Why would A Fine Frenzy have a CD cover in black and white, hiding that hot, fiery red hair. What a mistake!
2) Could Rosi Golan really be doing a house tour and potentially playing at our house on October 16? That would be sweet! Trying to confirm the details so stay tuned!

Albums I'm looking forward to:
A Fine Frenzy - Bomb in a Birdcage
David Gray - Draw The Line
Imogen Heap - Ellipse

"We are doomed, but we wanted more"

2009-08-12T01:48:00.002-04:00

It's been awhile...A lot has been going on. Rogers and I spent a week in Myrtle Beach with the Rosenberg clan before I began my in-residence week in Bloomington at IU on Saturday. Suffice to say, the program has been kicking my tail so far. Basically 18 hour days all spent in the classroom or with your teammates working on the case studies every night. Challenging. Exhausting. Can't wait to finish this on Friday morning and head back to Fishers for some quality downtime with Rogers! Missing her all the time.

Time for bed.

"I'm crazy from all this spinning"

2009-08-01T00:12:00.002-04:00

Dave show tonight:

Friday Jul 31 2009 Verizon Wireless Music Center
Bartender
Proudest Monkey
Satellite
Seven
Shake Me Like a Monkey
Funny The Way It Is
#41
You Never Know
Why I Am
Crash (Into Me)
Spaceman
So Damn Lucky
Lie In Our Graves
(Shotgun )
Squirm
Alligator Pie
Jimi Thing
Time Bomb
__________________
Rye Whiskey
The Maker
All Along The Watchtower

Great as always...the new songs are sweet live. Vacation tomorrow...Myrtle Beach yayhoo.

"Eyes to see a brighter day"

2009-07-23T01:01:00.002-04:00

A few things I learned about my Grandpa today from talking with the family while sitting in his room in the nursing home:

His third and fourth toes on both feet are webbed up to the knuckle. I saw it. It's pretty sweet.
Some of the many countries he traveled to for business with John Deere were Thailand, South Africa, Turkey, Australia, Iran and Argentina.
Upon return home from business trips, sons Grant and Greg usually received two spankings. One for doing something wrong and one for good measure because they probably did something else wrong.
Rumor has it that Grandpa's discipline eased as time went by as last child Dave didn't have as many spankings.
Once my Grandpa had bought my Grandma expensive perfume from Paris for Christmas. One day the box and wrapping paper was wet and Greg and Grant were promptly spanked for breaking the bottle of perfume. On Christmas, Grandma opened the package anyway and the perfume hadn't broken. Instead my Mom had spilled water on the wrapping paper while watering the tree.
My grandparents had a condo in the Bahamas for over 25 years. They initially went to the Bahamas because a friend had a golf package and invited them down for a visit.
Most days in the Bahamas Grandpa would sit by the pool reading while Grandma cooked dinner in their condo. When dinner was ready, Grandma would go out to the balcony many floors up on the high-rise, whistle and wave him in. While he was a long ways down, he could always hear the whistle and knew dinner was ready.

It's the little things that are so beautiful.

"Sail away with me, honey"

2009-07-20T23:47:00.002-04:00

I think most know that I've been blessed to have all of my grandparents living to date. I had the opportunity to know them, to love them and to spend time with them for 26 years. In fact, as of last June, all lived in Anderson, Indiana just a few minutes away.

Donald Gregory Martin, my maternal grandfather, will likely die this week. Pass away into the arms of the Maker. He's been sleeping peacefully all day, although his breathing has been heavy. And, it's comforting to know that he's in a better position than the rest of us...so close to heaven. Ah, the peace that passes understanding.

On Saturday, we listened to some Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker and Dean Martin together. He was awake, but couldn't really talk. I didn't have "Summer Winds" on my iPod, which my Uncle Dave informed me is his favorite. But we still got in several great songs. Grandpa was a dancer, and I suspect he wanted to jump out of his nursing home bed for a spin.

I've visited him several times over the past couple of weeks. For the most part, many things have been consistent. He can barely speak. He's mostly sleeping. He may not be completely aware of what's going on. But you can see in his eyes that he's happy -- and perhaps somewhat sad -- to see you. And his hands can still squeeze as though he were gripping a golf club ready to drive the ball down the fairway. There's still strength in those hands, even as his body wastes away. He can't say it beyond a whisper, if at all, but the squeeze tells you he loves you.

A man of faith. He was studying Galatians this past year. Something he'd done so many times before. Undoubtedly, still working to comprehend the magnitude of God's grace and our salvation.

I asked him about heaven on our way back from Ohio over Memorial Day Weekend. He said it was strange not knowing what it would feel like transitioning from the current- to the after-life. Not knowing how that works, but having the faith that it does all the same.

Some of my earliest memories of Grandpa were in the yard at my parents house...him teaching me the finer points of how to play first base. I suspect my first base mechanics have stood the test of time although my baseball career ended at 12.

I miss him.

"Turn the black lights on"

2009-07-16T23:38:00.002-04:00

It's just getting out of control. Is there really a health reform bill being considered that would outlaw the writing of private insurance policies? This is ridiculous and a hard copy of the bill should be printed out and promptly burned. The following links to an editorial on this specific detail in the bill.

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=332548165656854

Yesterday, I submitted the following to Senator Bayh and Senator Lugar through their comment system on their Web sites. (Had to submit three separate comments.) To voice your opinions:
http://lugar.senate.gov/contact/
http://bayh.senate.gov/contact/email/
-------------------------------------------------------------

I am writing today because there are several issues compelling me to take action. I am 26 years old and have never written your office, but expect I will do so regularly in the future, if our government continues to guide our country in the current direction. I ask that you consider my opinions and represent them in the Senate.

1) Nuclear treaty with Russia. The July 6, 2009 agreement President Obama struck with President Medvedev is alarming. First, I do not agree with the decision to reduce our nuclear arms. In these unprecedented and dangerous times, when our enemies are working to procure nuclear arms, planning to destroy those we have will only serve to unnecessarily reduce our security. Secondly, Article II, Section 2 of our Constitution clearly states the President has the power "…to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur…" Obviously, the Senate must be engaged in these discussions moving forward, and I ask you to ensure this occurs.

2) Health reform. I work here in Indianapolis for a company called Mercer, the largest global and US provider of employer-sponsored health and benefit solutions, including strategic consulting, brokerage, communication and administration. My personal opinion on health reform is very much in line with that of Mercer's.

Our industry leadership position gives us a unique perspective in understanding the strengths and improvement opportunities for our health care system. We have 7,200 employees in the US, who help employers of all sizes design, fund, market and administer employee health and benefit programs that attract and retain high-performing workforces. Our clients pay a substantial portion of the nation’s health care costs and have been at the vanguard of innovative health care solutions.

Significant improvements can and should be made to better control health care costs, improve efficiencies, reduce the uninsured population and improve overall population health. I believe that those objectives can be achieved more fully and quickly by supporting and enlisting the private sector and its entrepreneurial strengths. Unnecessarily expanding government’s involvement through new, duplicative bureaucracies could destabilize the current system and increase the economic risk of rising federal budget deficits.

Mercer [and I] support an approach to US health care reform that achieves the following:

Builds on the health insurance industry's considerable strengths rather than eroding competition and threatening the industry's viability
Encourages and supports private sector efforts to continue to provide innovative services and new forms of more affordable access rather than duplicating existing capabilities and expanding the size and cost of government
Allows employers to control decisions about their health plans, including providing consistent benefit plans in all locations
Demonstrates fiscal responsiblility by funding new initiatives within existing federal budgets rather than adding to the budget deficit or raising taxes

Please let me know if you would like additional thoughts on this topic.

3) Sotomayor. I have justifiable concerns regarding Judge Sotomayor's potential appointment to the Supreme Court. I do not believe she will be good for the country and do not think she should be confirmed. Perhaps most importantly, Sotomayor's record and speeches clearly show her to support and believe in policy-making from the bench. For instance, she has written:

"Our society would be strait-jacketed were not the courts, with the able assistance of the lawyers, constantly overhauling the law and adapting it to the realities of ever-changing social, industrial and political conditions." (Judge Sonia Sotomayor and Nicole A. Gordon, "Returning Majesty to the Law and Politics: A Modern Approach," Suffolk U. L. Rev., Vol. 30, No. 35 (1996), p. 37.)

This is an alarming quote that independently should be convincing enough to not appoint her to a position of such grave importance for our country. I thank you and your staff very much for serving our country, and would appreciate your support and representation on these topics and would gladly engage in a dialogue with you on these issues.

May God bless and guide you.

"The sun with my eyes closed"

2009-07-12T23:40:00.000-04:00

Thursday - Bachelor party of Jason Diamond Clodfelder
Friday - Rehearsal and No Doubt
Saturday - Wedding
Sunday - White Water River Tubing

An exhaustingly enjoyable weekend.

-Berg

"The way you sing with me"

2009-07-02T00:40:00.003-04:00

Off to Chicago tomorrow for what's become our annual trek to the Windy City to celebrate our anniversary (which was a couple of weeks ago), get away for a couple of days and have a good time. I'm looking forward to Taste of Chicago, fireworks, the Threadless store, some good Chicago-style pizza, perhaps catching Public Enemies, perhaps a Chicago event, Navy Pier, walking around, holding hands and having an all-around fun 72 hours.

"One day we will both feel good"

2009-06-22T22:36:00.002-04:00

Father's Day was sad. My Mom's dad is dying, and it's sad to watch. I hurt for him mostly because you can see his sadness. He has the hope of heaven and praise the Lord for that. He says he will miss the people here and is sad to leave them behind, but grateful for the promise of the afterlife. He was/is a great man. A great athlete, businessman and family man. The turmoil in Iran this week reminds me that my Grandpa used to do business in Iran for John Deere. Before retiring, he was "Managing Director of Operations Latin America, Australia and the Far East." I wonder how they fit that on a business card...he traveled the world with John Deere and moved his family to Heidelberg, Germany. My mom lived there for 8 years or so. He retired young and soon devoted his life to studying the Bible, devouring the writings of Martin Luther. He loved to study and discuss the scriptues even more than he loved discussing politics. I miss him already. His body is a shell of what it once was breaking down more every day even while containing the spirit and mind that continue to function. Ease his pain.

"Just around the riverbend"

2009-06-17T22:22:00.002-04:00

It just dawned on me that I've been going to Dave Matthews Band shows for 10 years now. I'm glad I squeezed the Cincinnati show in last night since I might not make either Deer Creek show this summer. (maybe Friday night, but doubtful) I've missed a year or two over the past decade, but also caught two shows last summer, so it's got to be getting close to ten shows. They've never disappointed and last night was no exception despite about 30 minutes of hard rain at the beginning of the show and another 20 during Jimi Thing. It was Killers-esque as far as rain goes. Couldn't have been much wetter. The lawn was a giant mud pile by the end of the show.

And the Hyatt comforter I snagged after last year's Dave show was put to good use covering up puked-up spaghetti about 6 feet from where Charlie and I were standing. I knew that blanket would come in handy.

The setlist in general didn't blow me away last night, but #41, The Stone, Grey Street and Everyday are all among my most favorite "non-radio single" songs, so that was like jackpot. I think what I'm getting at was Ants Marching and Halloween were the two moments when the crowd exploded...sometimes you'll see three or four of those during a show. That being said, the Big Whiskey songs were awesome live. They were rocking out. Seven was a great live song, and I hadn't really cared for it on CD. Overall amazing show as always.

Tuesday Jun 16 2009 Riverbend Music Center

Shake Me Like a Monkey
Funny The Way It Is
Stay Or Leave
Dive In
The Stone
Anyone Seen The Bridge
Too Much (Fake)
Ants Marching
Lying In the Hands of God
Why I Am
Lie In Our Graves
So Damn Lucky
Seven
Jimi Thing
Squirm
You and Me
Everyday
#41
Grey Street

Alligator Pie
Halloween

"Drinkin Big Whiskey while we dance and sing"

2009-06-14T21:40:00.002-04:00

Currently watching: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia -- what a great show
Getting ready to: Do a little work
Looking forward to: Friday -- anybody up for Dinner and the new Michael Cera flick Year One?
Headed to: DMB in Cincinnati on Tuesday night -- looking forward to hearing some of Big Whiskey live
Enjoyed: Saturday night out with Rogers
Did not enjoy: Breaking the blender by leaving a spoon in it when trying to make a caramel/coffee shake
Thinking: The Lakers are going to close it out tonight

"The TV's playing it"

2009-06-13T00:52:00.002-04:00

Well I hustled home after The Taking of Pelham 123 -- or as I like to call it the movie where John Travolta says f#$k a bunch to show how tough he is -- to reserve facebook.com/berg for myself. I had no such luck as names must be at least 5 characters, so I settled for facebook.com/theberg, which makes me feel special. So much more special than myspace.com/androsenberg or twitter.com/mindofberg or even andyrose.blogspot. I've got all my little virtual spaces carved out for myself. Come and visit me anytime. Prowl around when I'm not home. Just be sure to leave a note.

The movie was OK. Nothing too special, but entertaining enough. My only regret is I didn't get a chance to play pop-a-shot before it started.

"When you gonna put me in a song?"

2009-06-11T22:35:00.002-04:00

I feel like I've been tired all week, so I should keep this brief, finish up my work and go to bed. Problem is Game 4 of the NBA Finals probably won't be over until a bit after midnight. We'll see.

Good news: I got accepted into the IU MBA program. In a few months I'll be a Hoosier, and my cousin will let me yell, "Yeah we got em" when the Hoosiers when a basketball game next year.

Currently listening to: Big Whiskey and the GruGrux King - DMB and City of Black & White - Mat Kearney

Currently watching: Funhouse - 80's slasher

I've decided that I can most easily rank my favorite groups based on my concert-going behavior. That being said, my favorite bands based on the fact that I will always try to go see them when they come around locally are:

Better Than Ezra
Dave Matthews Band
Coldplay
The Killers

No surprises there...not necessarily in that order. The next phase would be those bands that I would want to go see or have seen before, but I might not try to go everytime. I'll need to think about who falls into that category. I think it's pretty big.

My nephew Preston got his first baseball bat today. He was a new year's baby so is 2.5 years old and a very small little man. Rogers and I got him some extra small baseball pants that I think are going to be pretty cute.

"Punch right through my chest"

2009-06-08T00:00:00.003-04:00

Well with Coldplay kicking it off on Friday, the weekend was good. Saturday brought the BFFC*, which was a great time of eating, socializing, enjoying Hillbilly Golf and suffering through neverending games of Cornhole. Followed immediately by the Hangover, which was pretty darn funny, but I had inflated expectations so not sure if it was the funniest movie I've seen this year (I Love You Man was classic). That being said, I was laughing throughout and especially enjoyed Allen...who wouldn't.

Today Rogers and I went to Life Church for the third time, before heading to Anderson to play my Rosenberg Grandparents in a game of Canasta. A come-from-behind victory...I saw my Grandpa cheating one time, but he's getting close to 90, so you can't hold that against him. When I'm that old, I'm probably going to be cheating in games all the time. My game-playing adversaries...you've been warned.

For a couple of ha-ha's go to www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com.

*Berg's First Fishers' Cookout

"Now my feet won't touch the ground"

2009-06-06T01:10:00.002-04:00

As the sun went down, Coldplay started to get into their groove. They left the stage for a mini-stage about halfway back in the pavillion, so Jason and I made a move to position ourselves closely for the mini-lawn stage they looked to be headed to next. We were about 20 feet from the stage, and I had Shannon's camera ready to snap some close up pictures. Jason took a quick bathroom break, and as soon as he left a middle-aged woman walked up and said "Are you here with anyone?" -- "Yes" -- "Would you like my tickets? I'm leaving." -- "Sure, are they pavillion?" -- "Yes, they're row L." -- "Thank you" -- I immediately dart back to our spot on the lawn, hand Sharp her camera and grab Rogers' hand. As the Hardest Part and then Viva La Vida play, we Nick and Norah'd our way up to the front, ultimately landing about 4 rows back. from the stage. Section C, Row L, Seats 3 and 4. We were 10 feet from Chris Martin when he danced around with his Chinese-Dragon Mask on during "Lost."

It was surreal. Confetti was flying. The last five songs were amazing. Since we didn't have a camera, fortunately, I have some memorabilia to prove we didn't just head home early.

"Tell me who makes these rules"

2009-06-02T23:08:00.002-04:00

It was an OK birthday...work was OK, Rogers got me a sweet TMNT ice cream cake, and dinner at Cancun was great.

Unfortunately, the day was marred with the acquisition of 75+ holes in the side of our house due to hail. Hopefully, the roof is not also damaged.

So it was an OK, yet costly birthday -- hopefully not more than our $1,000 deductible. At least we didn't have car damage also.

"This face keeps getting older everyday"

2009-06-01T23:15:00.003-04:00

I was five 21 years ago this upcoming June 2. Strange. I think 26 will be a good year. I still have a bunch of resolutions to chalk off my list in 2009 for starters. Oddly my parents and my sister both had kids when they were 25. I guess I dodged that one this past year. Someday.

To ring in the new age, it's time to laugh a bit at Conan's first night in his new gig, which will start any minute.

"Maybe laugh a little more"

2009-05-28T22:51:00.002-04:00

It's been a busy week. Last Friday was spent rollercoasting around King's Island with the Martin clan. Highlights include 10 coaster rides plus Delirium, Drop Zone and a couple of swings and Viking Ships. Not to mention La Rosa's pizza and a small prize from the 3-Point Shootout. It was a good time. Niece Noel is quite the amusement park ride enthusiast as well. She's arms up the whole time on the log ride and viking ship. It was a good day.

Rogers and I went couch shopping this weekend. In a couple of weeks, we'll have ample seating for friends.

What else is going on?

I'm finishing up my application for graduate school.
I've been pretty tired most of this week.
I've got a new book to read during a certain time each day thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Patrie.
I'm finishing up watching Terminator I think for the second time in 25 years.
El Toritto is a good place to get some fancy Mexican food.
Rogers has some cool news on the work front.
I've got some personal statement drafting to do to finish up my application.

Now time to see if the Cavaliers can hold off the Magic for one more game. Here's hoping for an entertaining Lebron vs. Kobe finals. It doesn't look too likely right now.

"Such a timeless flight"

2009-05-20T00:33:00.005-04:00

Billy Joel and Elton John setlist from tonight's amazing 3.5-hour show. It was sweet. Managed to snag this.

"Wonder what it's all about"

2009-05-18T22:47:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow evening is the Billy Joel/Elton John concert on what I like to refer to as the Two Guys, Four First Names Tour. It will undoubtedly be a good show. Thanks to Eileen referring to the new Coldplay live album download (FREE!) from their web site, I'm getting more excited than ever for the Coldplay concert. It is going to Rock. Snow Patrol will be a great warm-up too. Here's hoping Chris Martin runs out into the crowd like last time. Favorite Coldplay songs:

Honorable mention: Lovers in Japan, Sparks, Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground
10) Strawberry Swing
9) Death and All His Friends
8) Talk
7) Life in Technicolor ii
6) Clocks
5) In My Place
4) Green Eyes
3) The Scientist
2) White Shadows
1) Viva La Vida - I just cannot get over it. Everytime I hear it, I smile.

After the top few, the rankings get tough for me. I enjoy most of their songs, but those are some that I could listen to over and over again. Coming soon...favorite DMB songs. Will Don't Drink the Water make the cut? Depends on how long the list gets!

"Doesn't mean I'm lost, doesn't mean I'll stop"

2009-05-14T22:35:00.002-04:00

Lost! I'm ready for the final season. And I continue to be glad that the next season will be the last. It's been a great show, and it needs to end. This season was good, but I don't know that I'd say it was the best.

Favorite moments...

Juliet in book club when all of a sudden the plane crashes, and we see the Dharma houses on the island for the first time.
The numbers in the hatch turning to odd hyrogliphics when they don't enter the code on time...the first time.
The Episode about Charlie's Greatest Hits.

There are many more, but these few always jump to mind first.

I am looking forward to this weekend. It will be good to relax a bit. Highlights of this week so far:

Healing from wisdom teeth surgery
Seeing Ricker for the first time in a long time and Bigcat for the first time in a few weeks
Waking up with Rogers every morning
Good client meetings today
Qdoba, Coldstone and Lost tonight

"The clouds are building outside"

2009-05-13T23:18:00.002-04:00

A day in the life...
Present to 12:15 - prepare for tomorrow's meetings
12:15 - 12:20 - brush teeth, fall asleep
12:20 - 7 - sleep
7 - 7:30 - get up, get ready, leave for work
8ish - get to work, leave for mtg
10ish - return from mtg
11:45 - leave for lunch mtg
12:45 - return from lunch mtg
2:45 - leave for another mtg
4 - return from that mtg
5:30 - leave work
6:30 - go to the gym
7:30 - qdoba
8ish - Lost finale

"That first step onto the street"

2009-05-12T22:28:00.002-04:00

It's absurd the Western Conference NBA playoff games start at 10:30 every night. That rules them out for me...I must be getting tired. I tried to spell absurd "ubsurd." That seems pretty bad.
Another busy week at work. Thursday I have meetings with two of the larger local employers. That should be fun.
One of my resolutions for the year is to read the Bible straight through. So far I have read 31 chapters of Genesis. I've got some work to do.
Curb Your Enthusiasm makes me laugh hard.
My computers all seem to run slowly. There is an unfortunate common element of this equation.
Better Than Ezra's new album is different to say the least. "Party" would be the best one-word description that comes to mind. That's not necessarily a good thing. I'm still enjoying it. And it's #6 selling Album on iTunes right now. nice.
"Big Whiskey and the Gru Grux King" are pretty sweet nicknames for the late Leroi Moore of DMB. I like "Berg" but it's nothing like those nicknames.

"Turn on the mystery"

2009-05-11T22:18:00.002-04:00

My wisdom teeth were plucked from my mouth on Friday afternoon. I must say that Friday was a bit blurry in hindsight. They gave me four prescriptions, three of which said "may cause drowziness." So I slept about 15 hours after my surgery with about 30 minutes to an hour awake a couple of times. Thanks to Rogers for making sure I had my applesauce, pudding, ice cream, soup, and yogurt. All the liquidy foods a guy could want. Overall, I wasn't in too much pain over the weekend. I'd say I had a bit more discomfort in the past 24 hours actually, which is strange. I asked them to keep my teeth for me, so I could trade with Phil (per his request), but they apparently came out in pieces so they threw them away. Too bad. Overall, I wasn't too heavily medicated beyond the first 24 hours, but still felt kind of wierd at times.

This morning I was a bit hopped up on penicillin and extra strength tylenol when one of my co-workers passed me in the hallway and asked if I was headed to such and such meeting. "No, I wasn't invited. Thanks for rubbing it in," I responded. Hopefully, my John McCain-like cheek jutting out tipped her off that something wasn't quite right.

In other news, we apparently have a bird's next full of baby birdies living in our dryer vent hose. We'll get rid of those little tweeters though soon enough.

Movies watched while laid up this weekend:
Live Free or Die Hard - 6 of 10
Blood Diamond - 7 of 10
The Invasion - only could watch about 20 minutes before I was too tired. But I'm excited about watching the rest of that one.

"Know just when to fold"

2009-05-06T23:57:00.002-04:00

Our freshman year of college, Lisa lived with her Mom in her Grandma's duplex just on the other side of Scatterfield off of University Boulevard. It was 2002...seven years ago...I remember a few things about her time in the duplex. We killed lots of spiders. Two or three every time I was over there. On halloween, a kid came by in a Harry Potter costume. Doing homework on Sunday afternoons on her mom's computer. Her mom cooking barbecued chicken. Spending the night there after tearing my ACL, since there was no way I was getting into my loft...

And sometime during that year, Lisa and I started cutting out the Papa John's coupons from the Andersonian and ordering our $6.99 large pizza on a weekly basis and watching Friends...and eventually Scrubs as well. Partially because of our love for pizza, I suppose, and partially because we didn't spend a ton of time together during the week throughout college, pizza night became a tradition. Something we both looked forward to every week. Papa John's and Scrubs. We kept this up and as we moved to Michigan it became Hungry Howie's, and we continued to have our pizza night. So tonight, in honor of Scrubs finale, we ordered our Papa John's and sat down to watch what was meant to be the last episode of Scrubs ever. This season has been a marked improvement over the last few and the finale was superb. The ending with Peter Gabriel's Book of Love playing over JD looking into the future made me smile...and made me happy to be young. To be able to look forward to the future. With family. With kids. And with friends.

And to pizza nights as well...they will continue with some other show taking the place of Scrubs. But I will always have a place for the show that we watched every year as we grew from kids into adults.

"Your protector's coming home"

2009-05-04T22:03:00.002-04:00

It seems like nearly every Monday and Tuesday evening I feel very tired. Thursday's, on the other hand, I feel energized knowing that no matter how late I stay up, the next day is Friday, which is typically a very good day. Perhaps the best day of the week, due simply to the anticipation of the weekend to come beginning around 6 p.m. that night. Saturday is disappointing because you start to think that the weekend is halfway over and Sunday makes you wonder where all your free time went. Wednesday...the name of the day speaks for it self. (Although it does include NES which is my all-time favorite video game system.) And Thursday...well Thursday is OK, but it's no Friday. And that my friends is why Friday is the best day of the week.

So this was Monday. Rogers and I decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo one day early (beat the crowd) by splitting a meal at Cancun and picking up some Dairy Queen. I also learned that today is Star Wars day...MAY the FOURTH be with you. Seriously, look it up on wikipedia...of course everyday is Star Wars day to somebody.

Things I've been watching recently:

2009 NBA Playoffs - if you're a fan of competition, that Bulls/Celtics series was sweet
Scrubs season 8 - series or season finale on Wednesday? Rumor has it's only the season finale yet again. While this season has been better than the last few, the last few years of mediocrity has caused it to lose it's luster with me. It's fine for 20 minutes during lunch on Satudays.
Lost - season finale in two weeks...always good and this season is no different.
Survivor - Tyson was evil...but hilarious. "I'm looking forward to tonight's tribal council...I hope Siera cries a lot."
The Hills - My hate for Spencer keeps me watching. It's sad.

"I wanna breathe that fire again"

2009-05-02T00:40:00.002-04:00

I purchased Hot Fuss the summer of 2004 a few weeks after it hit the shelves. I'd heard Somebody Told Me on the radio probably two or three times and knew that was music I would enjoy. I remember blasting Jenny Was a Friend of Mine that whole summer. Man I loved that song. I think I had the short-lived, hood-won't open Acura that summer...While I thought the album was amazing, I kind of expected the Killers to ultimately go the way of some of my other impulse buys...enjoy the album for awhile and don't even bother with the follow-up (James Blunt anybody?). Little did I know that 5 years later, I'd be enjoying every song of a concert. The Killers continue to impress. While Sam's Town wasn't my cup of tea as much as the other albums, what a fantastic show in Columbus on that tour...Terrific. And Sawdust and Day and Age are more great albums -- Sawdust which is really just a collection of b-sides, yet a handful of some of their best songs mixed in. All this to say, a fun show in Indy tonight. I can only hope the Killers continue to impress for another decade or so. I think a nice collection of 7 or 8 albums would be enough to allow us to ride of in the sunset never growing tired of the music.

"We persevere, God gives us hope"

2009-04-30T23:43:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow night the second Killers show that I've been too...and boy am I stoked. With a splash of rain (torrential downpour) some earsplitting music, a rambunctious crowd and a wayward drumstick, it was a memorable evening to say the least. Tomorrow should be grand as well.

In the meantime, the Celtics-Bulls have played their 4th overtime game out of 6 in their first round series. And it was triple overtime...Pretty amazing.

What else is shaking...hmm...my boss is out for a few weeks, so my responsibilities have somewhat expanded...basically meaning if someone really needs to get something done and it would normally fall on my boss, now it falls on me. So far, no problems though.

Friday is rolling around in about 10 minutes. Time for some sleep. It will be a good Friday.