2012: the a-BLOG-alypse

Math humor

2012-01-30T14:56:00.001-08:00

California Adventureland

2012-01-29T16:27:00.000-08:00

Road to nowhere.

Today we took the kiddos and Joshua's other brother up to L.A. county. First, we walked the Venice Beach boardwalk. The kids were sufficiently freaked out by the copious amounts of freaks and medicinal marijuana dispensaries. They were, however, impressed with the large and omnipresent murals and graffiti.

We then proceed further north, to visit the godmother. That's right, Bay City Deli - home of the godmother - google it. We bought some additional bread and cheese and meatballs and salad and chips and macaroni and cheese and drinks. Not the cheapest lunch, but well worth it when we took our picnic to the Santa Monica Beach. Ate al fresco and then the boys skim boarded for a bit. A pod of frickin' dolphins swam buy. It was a swimmingly 82 degrees in January. It was Californiawesome.

Apocalypto

2012-01-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

"Guess what guys, it's time to embrace the horror! Look, we've got front row tickets to the end of the earth!" - Rockhound, Armageddon

"A home run! The Cubs win the world series!" - Max, Armageddon

Not only was Armageddon and 2012 on the television tonight, but I just learned that Seth Rogen is directing a movie called (Seth and Jay vs.) The Apocalypse. Seth, James Franco, Jonah Hill and a few others will face the End Times from the inside of Seth's L.A. apartment. It's like as if my blog, was on drugs, and they made a movie out of it.

Also, I read a great quote from my urban and urbane niece: If there was a movie about my life, it would be awesome. True dat.

Because some things are meant to be digitalized

2012-01-28T02:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Bro!

Career Day

2012-01-27T08:28:00.001-08:00

Paging Dr. Jillian

12 Poem by Josh

2012-01-26T20:01:00.001-08:00

When I was 5, I listened to rap.

Now I listen to Alternative.

When I was 5, I lived in Newport Beach.

Now I live in San Clemente.

When I was 5, I didn't have a phone.

Now I have an Iphone.

When I was 5, I played with Star Wars toys.

Now, I surf, skimboard, bodyboard, and chill.

When I was 5, I ate corn dogs.

Now I eat everything.

When I was 5, I was short compared to other children.

Now my height is about average.

When I was 5, I didn't like girls.

Now, I suppose I do.

When I was 5, I was a strange child.

Now I'm someone completely different.

Return of the Magnutron

2012-01-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Don't worry. Everything is fine with Microwave Mel and his innards. But, it is like Roseanne Roseannadanna said, "It just goes to show ya, it's always something." The evil Magnutron has expanded its reach, spreading the contagion. The electric hood over the cooktop has blown its lid. The lights have gone out over the burners. It's like we are cooking in the dark. We can no longer have breakfast in the Enlightenment.

Anyway Voltaire, maybe it's not the Magnutron. Maybe it's 2012. Maybe it's the worst solar storm that we have had since way back in 2005. Radiation has been spewing from the sun at 93 million miles per hour. That's a lot of miles per hour. And we haven't even gotten to the coronal mass ejection yet. Whatever that is, it can't be a good thing.

Oh wait, the electrician has just told me that the dimmer switch needs to be replaced. Like Gilda said, "Nevermind."

A Blog o' Lips

2012-01-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

Top Famous Lips:

Megan Fox

Lauren Bacall

Elvis

Bridgette Bardot

Lisa Rinna

Mick Jagger

Sophia Loren

Mona Lisa

Marilyn

Angelina

Honorable mentions: George "Read my Lips" Bush, The Rocky Horror lips, The Flaming Lips

恭喜发财

2012-01-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year and welcome to the year of the Dragon. You would think that such a legendary creature would be the most appropriate symbol for such an apocalyptic annum, but you would be inaccurately assuming. The Dragon is a symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power, the Oriental Dragon is regarded as a divine beast - the reverse of the malicious monster that Westerners felt necessary to find and slay. In Eastern philosophy, the Dragon is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, those people born in Dragon years are to be honored and respected. It is considered to be the most fortuitous of years in the Chinese Zodiac. Let's hope those Chinese know what they're talking about - or else we are in for a fiery year. I'm off to get a fortune cookie, and a fire extinguisher - just in case.

Seaside getaway

2012-01-22T12:49:00.000-08:00

The Kook of Cardiff by the Sea

Bender: Hey, how come Andrew gets to get up? If he gets up, we'll all get up, it'll be anarchy.

Today's adventure has been brought to us by North San Diego county. Went for a flashback breakfast in Oceanside at the Breakfast Club. Shared the Athenian omelette. It was quite good. Refrained from Leucadia Donuts. We then drove further down the coast, where the Cubster enjoyed the relentless surf of Del Mar Doggy Beach. A shower was then had by all.

Neurons firing randomly

2012-01-21T20:51:00.000-08:00

The Wifey won another $17 playing the lotto. We decided to take it in a lump sum.
So, I saw The Descendants. It was depressing, yet beautifully acted. Hawaii should be nominated for best supporting actor.
Jilly sat for a gifted test today that was invitation only.
I began tutoring/managing a Mathnasium. America's future just got a little brighter.
Josh made a ~~parody~~ project of the 10 Commandments for school. Oy!
Jilly's friend was making a comic about a ninja, but mispelled it ninju, and thus was born the story of the masked, kosher assassin.
Josh was roaming around downtown today...with two older girls. Oy!
The Wifey thinks the dog is lonely and needs a furry companion. I said when Cubby wins the lottery, he can get a pet.

Genealogy Wednesday of the Future

2012-01-21T01:37:00.000-08:00

Today, my daughter is a fountain pen

2012-01-20T22:24:00.001-08:00

Who ya gonna call?

Home of the Brave by the Nails

2012-01-20T02:30:00.000-08:00

Suit, by Nordstroms

Oh God of Hell
I said I love the suit
That the devil gave me
To wear to Beirut
Where the whores are dancing
On the table tops
And the juke box plays
Apocalyptic bebop

Well I love Paris
I love the dizzy streets
Where the flowers of sin
Bloom in the heat
If I were a ghost
I’d be pleased
Living among these
French mysteries

But the place to go’s
Another latitude
Where Jesus is wearing
His blue suede shoes
And the pink neon lights
Up the thoroughfares
Between what is
And what’s not there
You know the place
It’s not too far away
Let’s take a trip
To the Home of the Brave

Forget about London
Forget about Spain
Get out of New York
Take the Train to the Plane
Hong Kong smells like dying fish
And Berlin still stinks of Auschwitz
I wanna go where the wild things play
I wanna go to the Home of the Brave

Somebody meet me at the airport
At about half past ten
Tell Jose, Nikita and all the boys
Down in the bunker
Marc Campbell is coming home again

Life Stew

2012-01-19T03:30:00.000-08:00

The simmering waves keep pounding, especially the roguish

Running in circles, counter-clockwise, as if I'm a Dervish

Birth and school and work and death all a mishmash

A soup of meat and veggies and noodles, like Hungarian goulash

Is it a soup or is it a stew? It's both!

Cruisin' for a bruisin'

2012-01-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

One crazy slide. Escher would be impressed.

So, last week's Carnival Cruise Line's Costa Concordia, which is Italian for cruising to close to the coast, ran aground off the coast of Italy. It struck a boulder that's been there since the stone age. After it was done rock'n and rolling, at least 11 people have died and some 24 are still missing. Now, that's nothing to treat lightly, but hey, this is only a blog post. Nevertheless, I feel I can no longer call our previously calamitous trip aboard a Carnival ship The Cruise of Doom. This disaster was way worse, although they got to go to Italy.

The behemoth boat was piloted by Captain Francesco Schettino, which is Italian for Frankly a Shitty Captain. He didn't even stay with the boat as it was submerging. It got me to thinking about how other famous captains would have responded:

Cap'n Crunch - would have simply put a maze on the back of his box to help you find the missing passengers.
Captain Kangaroo- with Mr Green Jeans and the use of the Magic Drawing Board, he would never had hit that rock.
Captain and Tennille - never would have abandoned their passengers because "Love will keep us together".
Captain Underpants - would have saved the day, until he got wet and turned back into the evil Principal Benny Krupp.
Captain America - didn't really have any super powers, but you know he would have rescued everyone, for America!
Captain Morgan - well, that's probably what led to the ship getting wasted in the first place.

Sign of the Apocalypse

2012-01-17T02:00:00.000-08:00

There's a box of Twinkies in that grocery store. Not just any box of Twinkies, the last box of Twinkies that anyone will enjoy in the whole universe. Believe it or not, Twinkies have an expiration date. Some day very soon, Life's little Twinkie gauge is gonna go... empty... Where are you, you spongy, yellow, delicious bastards? - Tallahassee in Zombieland

The other day, I had mentioned that Hostess Brands, the makers of Wonder Bread, Sno Balls and Twinkies, was filing bankruptcy. Now in my opinion, Wonder Bread is only wonderful for its multi-colored bag ties, which represent the day of the week the loaf was baked. And Sno Balls were always to coconut-ty for my tastes (more the texture than the flavor). It was the Twinkies of my youth, those golden sponge cakes with creamy filling, that built this body. Thank you Mom for packing my brown bags. And thank you Dr. Oz, for not having a show back then.

Sure, there were alternative sugary, baked snacks. Ho-ho's were quite enjoyable to unravel. And if you peeled the chocolate icing off of a Ding Dong, you had a spongy, yet cream filled, Ding Dong without the icing. Oh, and a crumb cake was a rare delicacy. Not to mention Dunkin' Donuts or Entemann's, but that's an entirely different blog post.

Twinkies were born in 1930, in Schiller Park, IL. Cream filled strawberry shortcake (see Folkslore post) machines would sit by idly when strawberries were out of season. Twinkies filled the vacuum, just like they filled the void in my gastro-intestinal system and in the American psyche.

The 2009 movie Zombieland foretold of the coming (maybe) apocalypse. It is basically a road movie, but one where you have to avoid the flesh eating Zombies. The only thing that keeps the protagonists sane on their journey, is the quest for the rare and elusive Twinkies. For they fear, when all of the Twinkies run out, civilization and all that is worth living for will cease to exist. With Hostess going kaput and the future of Twinkies in jeopardy, are we a step closer to the end times?

Now, down Mexico way, Twinkies are called Los Submarinos. It is highly doubtful that the Mayans ever experienced the delicioso Los Submarinos. For if they had, they never would have called for the world to end - at least not until after snack time.

Genealogy Wednesday

2012-01-15T17:28:00.001-08:00

I knew that all my years of hard work, researching the family tree, finally paid off when I saw that my brother reached out, on the internets, to our third cousin. When I asked my bro wassup wit dat, he replied, "Looking for a place to stay when I visit Israel." Mazel to that.

Random neurons firing

2012-01-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

Josh is obsessed with Minecraft. It's kind of like legos, but for the computer. And instead of digging through the giant bin of legos, you have to mine stuff. And, oh yeah, there's Creepers. Hide yo wife, hide yo kids.
I have become obsessed with Castleville on facebook, another addictive game brought to you by Zynga (remember the Mafia?)
Took the kindelah out to Pizza Port last night - for beer buddies (which contain no beer ) and pizza (meh)
Kids have a 3 day weekend with not a whole lot to do. Jilly and I may go to a screening of Mirror, Mirror tomorrow. Looks cute.
The Wifey won $100 playing the lottery. Good things coming...

Friggatriskaidekaphobia

2012-01-13T01:47:00.000-08:00

Beware the Ides of March, sure; but have no fear that Friday the 13th is here (there will be 3 such days during this apocalyptic year). It's a relatively new superstition. And in fact, in Spanish speaking countries, one would be wary of Tuesday the 13ths. Our un-holiday was popularized by a 1907 Thomas Lawson book that told of a stock market panic on a similar day. The superstition is actually a combination of a fear of Friday's (Frigga was a Norse god of marriage of whom Friday was named after; the Crucification was held on a Friday) and a fear of 13 (such a number of diners at a single table would lead to the death of one, according to The Last Supper and a similar Norse myth involving Loki and a mistletoe spear). But, we have come to be thankful for Friday's (and their yummy Mexican pizza) and yours truly was born on a 13th, albeit a Tuesday (and thankfully, not in a Spanish speaking country)...so, how bad could it be.

Phlebotomist wanted

2012-01-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

Slow goes the search for new occupational endeavors. Trying to remain open and optimistic, but the economic climate (even Twinkies are going bankrupt) and my challenging resume (not working for the Man) are proving to be frustrating. Plus, I don't know what I want to do when I grow up. Actually, I would have liked the Cubs' general manager position, but alas, it's been filled. And the thing is, I'm not even money motivated (well, not totally). I would just like to find something interesting and fulfilling. If only Potbelly's was opening up out here...cause that's interesting and very filling. Mmm.

Anyway, some of the exotic jobs that I have entertained include: trying another go at the Apple store, PIMCO for the millionth time, Ralph's supermarket, nanny, basically volunteering for the Surfrider Foundation (save the oceans), several financial analyst positions, tutoring, various call centers (kill me now), reservations butler at the St. Regis, Rainbow sandals salesman, etc. At least it's been educational: I have learned that a phlebotomist is someone who draws blood.

Kids say the darndest things:

2012-01-10T02:00:00.000-08:00

Josh: Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. So true.

Jilly: I'm going to make a house out of meat: steak walls, ribs roof and bacon driveway. Mmm, bacon.

Folkslore

2012-01-09T13:47:00.000-08:00

It's the lake, stupid...

Now kids, here's a story that I have likely told you in the past. It is a story my Dad (your Poppa) used to tell to me and my brothers (your uncles). Perhaps it's a story that was told to Poppa Bruce by his father, perhaps not. Anyway, it's the story of a lake. Not any lake, mind you, but a magical lake. And what magical powers did this lake behold, you ask? Unseen riches? Horrendous sea serpents? Republicans? No, none of these abominations. It was a magical lake because no matter where we were driving and no matter how far, if we happened to pass a lake, we heard the story of the lake...the story of Lake Stupid.

Now kids, this story takes place back in the olden days - before wi-fi. Back when Native Americans (what we called Indians) roamed these plains. Back then, Lake Stupid was a big lake, but not that big that you couldn't see across to the other side. And on each of these sides, lived two distinct tribes of Indians - the Itchamynee and the Stubayatow.

It came to pass that on one side of the watery body, their lived a young Indian warrior, or brave. His name was Shortcake. Now, Shortcake was minding his own business, training with the other braves when he noticed a beautiful, young Indian girl (or squaw) on the other side of the vast lake. And she noticed him. It was love at first sight. They stole glances whenever they passed the lake. They sent each other smoke signals (kind of like texts). They did elaborate dances, longing to be together.

Finally, they couldn't bear to be apart any longer. Our brave, young Brave decided to go after the pretty Squaw. He set out to swim across the not-so-great lake. And he swam. And he swam. He just kept on swimming. Progress was slow and tiresome. Each stroke was getting harder. But, he kept swimming. Stroke after struggling stroke. Shortcake was exactly halfway across the lake. Halfway to finally joining his Indian soulmate. Right in the dead middle of the stupid lake. Alas, he was too exhausted. So, he turned back and swam home.

And that's the story of Lake Stupid. Now, don't worry kids. Shortcake and the Squaw eventually got together. But, that's another story -- a tragic, terribly sad, sad (but short) story. Because soon after they united, the young Brave died, and Squaw buried Shortcake.

Endless Summer

2012-01-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

Waves on steroids

The Three Skimmerdudes

Even Cubby got in on the action

OK, maybe it wasn't exactly like summer

Random thoughts de Sudamerica

2012-01-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

There is a song that tends to follow me and the wifey around, no matter where we go - restaurants, the Dominican Republic, el bano: The Girl from Ipanema. It is a Brazilian (my number one wishful destination - I wanna be a Brazilionaire) song, so in Portugese (Go Cubby!), it is Garota de Ipanema. It was originally titled Menina que Passa, or The Girl Who Passes By, which is far better than their other consideration: The Girl Who Passes Wind. Strangely for a locale noted for their comely beauties, the song was written for a musical comedy titled Dirigivel or The Blimp. The song, not the musical, won the grammy for record of the year in 1965, one year prior to my birth (when another exotic sounding song won - A Taste of Honey by Herb Albert).
Speaking of south of the border (no, not Taco Bell - which sounds yummy, even though a new Chipotle just opened up by us - which also sounds yummy), my eldest is reading The Adventurers by Harold Robbins. Dios Mio!!!
And just for the record, my ~~yeldest~~ youngest is reading Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. And that's as advanced in Judy Blume she gets.
I'm reading Lost in Shangri-La, which sounds like a nice place to be - except for the plane crash and the cannibals.
Just booked a mini-trip to Scottsdale in the spring to see the P's and break flatbread with the Indiana Brother. Looking forward to it, even if it's not Ipanema.

Withdrawals

2012-01-05T01:00:00.000-08:00

"You mean just stop? Cold turkey? You don't understand! The pain..."

- Frankie Machine (Sinatra), The Man With the Golden Arm by Nelson Algren

Augggh!!! The pain. I finally admitted that I had a problem - not making money. So, I quit cold turkey. It has been over 3 weeks since I made my last trade. And I'm going through extreme withdrawals. I turn on CNBC first thing in the morning. I check my stocks on the internet. I follow random traders' tweets. I am jonesing to make a trade. I miss the guys in the office, the thrill of letting a winner run, the mental challenge of constant decisions. I miss the action. Really, I think I miss the good ol' days of being in the pit on an earnings day, printing money. I don't miss the stress, the deep self-examination of my psychological short-comings, and most of all, the losing trades. Even though, in the end, I found it too difficult to compete with the super-computers located within micro-seconds of exchange servers, I relished the experience. I became more patient, more analytical, more one with the market (yeah, the one losing money). But, what doesn't kill ya (although, maybe taking a few years off my life expectancy), makes you stronger. Stronger, but poorer. I kid. Poorer, but richer for the life experience.

Get Back in there and sell Mortimer!

Don't play tag with waves

2012-01-04T01:56:00.000-08:00

While strolling through the park one day

In the merry merry month of May

I was taken by surprise

By a pair of roguish eyes

In a moment my poor heart was stole away

In actuality, it wasn't a park. It was the beach. And it wasn't May on my mind, but instead, those stupid, ancient Mayans (couldn't even predict their own demise!). And it wasn't roguish eyes, which would have been nice, but rogue waves that were crashing through the chasms of my mind.

In fact, I have been to the beach every day this year. Let's see how long that streak can last. Anyway, I was down Aliso way, watching the progeny skim the sea like it subsided for his own satisfaction. I came across a sign warning of tsunami hazard. This really made me appreciate living in California, the all-action/all-the-time state. If the apocalypse is encroaching, then we could get hit by tsunamis, earthquakes, nuclear fallout from nearby SanO, or all of the above. Like Gomez sings, I've got options...I like to be surprised by my End Times.

Even so, heed this reminder: Don't play tag with waves. And NEVER turn your back on waves. They think it's rude, even if they are rogue.

Top 11 (or so) of '11

2012-01-03T01:30:00.000-08:00

Songs:

Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons
Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People
Got It All - Portugal the Man
Losers - Belle Brigade
Colours - Grouplove
Trojans - Atlas Genius
My Body - Young the Giant
Punching in a Dream - Naked and Famous
Go Outside - Cults
U Wanna Freak - My Morning Jacket
Junk of the Heart - Kooks

Josh's fav: Swimming in the Flood - Passion Pit

Jilly's: Colours

Books (I read):

Unbroken
Not Me
Ready Player One
Art of Fielding
Water for Elephants
Big Short
Object of Beauty
Siddhartha (re-read)

Josh: Saltwater Buddha

Jill: Dork Diaries

Movies:

Midnight in Paris
Crazy, Stupid Love
Moneyball
Muppets
King's Speech
50/50
Ides of March
Lincoln Lawyer
Change-up
Our Idiot Brother
Horrible Bosses

Josh: Harry Potter

Jill: Tin Tin

TV:

Community
Friday Night Lights
Happy Endings
30 Rock
The League
Rescue Me
Once Upon a Time
Terra Nova
New Girl
Modern Family
SNL

Josh: That 70's Show

Jill: Adventure Time

Vegas Recap

2012-01-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

Who's the big winner?

Comped at the Cosmo. If you have the means.... Picked up Jilly in Carlsbad, after her ~~rib extravaganza~~ sleepover with Emma. Stopped 5 minutes into the trip for Sonic. Check-in. Chillaxed. Took the kiddos to Flip-n-out, a trampoline place that Jilly dug, but Josh not so much. Drove downtown Vegas (old school). Saw the Fremont Experience, although we left before the Fremont Experience. Tried Tony Roma's (per Jilly's request, but surprisingly, the wait was too long...so pizza on the street). Dropped the kids in the room and kicked it at craps. Late night sushi snack with the wifey.

Day2: buffet of buffets! Took the kiddos bowling (if you could call it that) at South Point. Dropped the kids in a movie (Chipwrecked). Kicked it at poker. Dinner quest led to Holsteins (fancy burgers and shakes -- yummy, fun). Dropped the kids in the room. Mas craps.

Day3: more buffet and hit the road. Free trip and too much food and fun. Viva!

It's the End of the World....

2012-01-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

Tell me with the rapture and the
reverent in the right - right. You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright
light, feeling pretty psyched.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.
- REM

....as we know it. I'm back Bloggy Babies. Welcome to the End Times...well, the end of 2011, anyway. Took a few blogging days off to recharge and close-out that odd, crooked year with a bang. 2011 good riddance to ya. Can't complain to much though...it was a happy and healthy (though highly stressful) year. The wifey took on a great new job that she seems to be diggin'. Josh turned into quite the beachcomber, social butterfly, and academic. Jilly impressed with her budding volleyball skills, mature presence and inner beauty. Me, well, I had fun but need to get cracking. Sold the ~~money pit~~ condo. Some festive trips were had: Vegas, Arizona, Cabo, San Fran, Cabo, Mammoth, and Vegas. On a sad note, we had to say goodbye to the Jag and the ol' Lexus. On a really sad note, we had to say goodbye to Fozzie. He truly had a great, love-filled doggy life.

Anyway, high hopes for 2012: Prove the Mayan's wrong. We resume the job search. Watch the Olympics. Prepare for Josh's BM. Re-elect el presidente. Finish up the 6th and 3rd grades with gusto. Solve global warming. Stay healthy. Win the lottery. See family. Follow the chronicles of Cubby. Pray for the Flubbies. And put some fresh, creative energy into the ol' blog. That is, if the world doesn't end first.

Oy to the world!

2011-12-24T15:12:00.001-08:00

So, the radio is playing "So Lonely" by The Police and my darling daughter is singing...."Cannoli, Cannoli" .... hmmm

Peace out

2011-12-24T09:50:00.001-08:00

Photo by Josh

2011-12-22T08:54:00.001-08:00

Invasion of the Hanukah Yetis

2011-12-21T10:59:00.001-08:00

Mammoth, the skiquel

2011-12-19T10:06:00.001-08:00

Mule sandwich at Schats in Bishop
Smoked meat store
Village
Gomezs with McClures
Gondola
Night lights
Naked and Famous walk off stage
Cubby to woods
Ski/snowboard kids
New York deli
Angels

Josh the Tween

2011-12-16T10:19:00.000-08:00

Fun times at Johnny Rockets and Dave&Busters

We'll miss you Fozzie!

2011-12-15T12:45:00.001-08:00

Sophia's Bat

2011-12-12T08:30:00.001-08:00

Supt. Honor Roll

2011-12-05T08:52:00.001-08:00

Girly girl

2011-12-04T14:17:00.001-08:00

Mom: go clean out your backpack
Jilly: why does everyone think that there's a dead body in there?

Brownie & the bird feeder

2011-11-29T16:39:00.001-08:00

Horton hears a Jillian

2011-11-26T11:23:00.001-08:00

Scene cut...but still a muppet of a man

2011-11-25T16:42:00.001-08:00

Thanks on Earth

2011-11-24T17:38:00.001-08:00

It's a plane, it's a frog, it's...

2011-11-20T13:39:00.001-08:00

...a bagel dog

Jilly's after-braces adventure

2011-11-20T11:56:00.001-08:00

Just another southern California night

2011-11-18T18:44:00.001-08:00

Josh's 1st Trimester Grades

2011-11-18T14:02:00.001-08:00

PE A+
Science A
Leadership A+
Pre-Algebra A
Social Science A
English A-

Metal Mouth

2011-11-17T19:18:00.001-08:00

Best Cereal Mascots

2011-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Back by popular demand: more of best of cartoon facial hair

2011-11-13T10:21:00.001-08:00

111111 - thank you to our veterans

2011-11-11T17:21:00.001-08:00

Abodes we've resided

2011-11-10T15:12:00.001-08:00

Dude's First Surf Competition

2011-11-09T13:01:00.001-08:00

Weekend Recap

2011-11-02T08:50:00.001-07:00

Obligatory Halloween Update

2011-11-01T09:45:00.001-07:00

He shoots, he scores

2011-10-26T14:37:00.001-07:00

O the things u see in SC

2011-10-25T18:09:00.001-07:00

Happy 14 to our practice son

2011-10-21T16:42:00.001-07:00

Fozzie Bear

Haircuts for Mommy's Birthday

2011-10-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

After

Before

Shorter, layered, feather (not feathered) look

Misty May Watch Out!

2011-10-14T15:53:00.001-07:00

Fast weekend...

2011-10-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

Well, we broke the fast (and if by "fast" you mean spending the day cleaning the carpets with a rental machine) by dining out at Tommy Bahamas, where I ran into my boss. Sunday, we went to Chowder fest on the pier. Nice day, but after the 3rd or 4th sampling of the briny stew, chowder isn't really that appealing any longer.

Invasion of the Retailer

2011-10-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

So, our sparkling new Target finally arrived. We braved the crowds during its opening. We were so excited to go inside and see that it looks just like a Target. Unfortunately, the Pizza Hut Express had already sold out of pizza. We bought popcorn.

Endless summer

2011-10-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

Artist as a young man

2011-10-02T11:00:00.001-07:00

Missing the Wifey in ChiTown

2011-10-01T14:11:00.001-07:00

Also, missing the Wreck!!!

Good Fortune to the Travelin' P's...

2011-09-28T19:45:00.001-07:00

Enjoyed a delectable Chinese dinner, at where else - Peking Dragon, to bring in the new year (5772) and to send off the P's after a delightful, extended summer visit. Nice having them local again. Safe travels on their way back to the desert. Gut Yom Tov.

Go Flubs, Go!

2011-09-27T20:32:00.000-07:00

Flubs win! Flubs win!

2 peas in a pod...

2011-09-22T11:30:00.001-07:00

Sh Sh Sh Shake Shack

2011-09-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

It's a shack (not to be confused with The Schwack). And it's got shakes. And quite the view. What's not to like? (Except for being lactose intolerant). Just one of the many little things that makes living in the OC awesome. Nice way to finish off the week.

Windy City Wishes

2011-09-15T13:05:00.001-07:00

Shofar, not sho good...

2011-09-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

My day so far: drove J1 up to LA for an appearance on Modern Family. Got a speeding ticket on the way. Went 20 years without a ticket, and now I have 4 in one year. I am in danger of losing my license. And my mind. Don't know if it's the new car or the state of California's economy.

So, then we get to the set, hang around for 4 hours, only to have Josh's scene cut. Really.

I did, however, make a rabbi smile today. Dropped the kids at hebrew school, where the rabbi was demonstrating how shofars are made. So, naturally, I whipped out my Iphone shofar app and kicked the rabbi's tuckas.

Happy birthday to me

2011-09-13T04:11:00.000-07:00

Evacuation

2011-09-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

Due to the terrorism attack on the CA/AZ border and the nuclear meltdown at SanO, the GoGoGreene's fled sleepy, seaside town. We packed our bags in the darkness, faced intersections without traffic lights and headed north 20 minutes to the P's condo, which was still electrified. It was the end of civilization as we knew it. Jilly was freaking out without computer or tv access. Shorty after we arrived at the P's, power was restored. But school was still cancelled....

The Darkness

Back to school

2011-09-07T11:21:00.001-07:00

The Summer of J & J

2011-09-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, it was the day before school starts. Thank the Dickens.

SLO, we were in you...once more

2011-09-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

To SLO...take an elbow

2011-09-03T19:21:00.001-07:00

Digging one of the last days of summer ...

2011-08-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

...not really. It's always summer here. Besides, school doesn't start for 10 more days. Took kids to secret beach. Wasn't such a secret today. Kiddo's didn't want to leave...

Got haircuts today...

2011-08-26T14:01:00.001-07:00

...and when it was all over, Josh looked like he needed a haircut.

I wanna be a lifeguard...help, help, help...

2011-08-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

Proud of the little dude. Took to the junior guards like a fish out of water. Barely kvetched at all. All he needs is the white stuff on his nose!

Taking it slow in SLO

2011-08-14T17:36:00.001-07:00

While avoiding the vomituous canines, we met Steph's work friends for dinner at our usual haunt, Michelangelo's. But instead of the clams, we had crab stuffed cannollis. Desert at humphrey slocombes for secret breakfast ice cream: bourbon and cornflakes. Breakfast at sears and then cakos. Stops in Gilroy and Paso Robles and Pismo. Now chillin pool/oceanside in san luis obispo. Ahhhhhhh.

I need a vacation

2011-08-13T14:48:00.001-07:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

Drove up to San Frandisco with the wifey. Stumbled across a great diner for breakfast. Had maple bacon donuts at Dynamo. Pilgrimage to Yoda in the Presidio. Toured the innards of Pac Bell ballpark. Lunching in Chinatown. Yum.

My day so far....

2011-08-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

after finally putting together a good run at work, my 8 day winning streak has been snapped...
had to get new breaks in my car because the rotors are warped. Yeah, that's what's warped...
began the girl child on the path towards braces. Ouch$
on the way to pickup car with fresh breaks, got a speeding ticket...again!!!
lost my credit card

Faux Weekend

2011-08-07T17:45:00.001-07:00

Two concerts with the P's. A Rod Stewart impersonator and a Styx cover band: Rockin' in Paradise. Indeed.

Mommmmmmm!!! Jilly is obsessed with Phineas and Ferb

2011-08-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

Dog Day at the Beach

2011-08-06T16:37:00.001-07:00

He's just a floating head.

Before and after

2011-08-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

Not Earth Day

2011-07-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

See World

2011-07-30T18:05:00.001-07:00

She's wearing a fedora....and Joshie the Sailor Man

2011-07-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

Comic life

2011-07-23T16:22:00.001-07:00

Picture by Bubbe

2011-07-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

Weekend in review

2011-07-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a very Pacific coast intense weekend. Josh sailing on Friday. Victoria Skimboard Championship on Saturday. Josh showing great improvement. Me looking ridiculous. Took Jilly to the SC Ocean Fest, where she won a carny game, ate some ices and walked along the shore and pier. Josh back at Aliso skimming some more. Later, concert in the park overlooking the sea with the whole family. Good times.

Tradition II

2011-07-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

On the one hand, he has shown some maturity and is ready for new responsibilities. On the other hand, it's a wild world out there. But on the one hand, all the kids are doing it. But on the other hand, his Mama doesn't believe in it. Hmmmm....ok, my son, you may have a facebook! Sure, we didn't have fb, when we were kids. More like facerock. But, he's already youtubing, blogging, rapping, skimming, texting, chatting, im-ing...what's one more -ing. Look out social media planet. Just don't text and skim at same time...

Happy 7-11

2011-07-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

Kids started beach camp. Less than thrilled. Wife started working for the new boss. Less than thrilled. Cubby still ishkabibble after eating corn cobs 5 days ago. Less than thrilled. Me and the old man dog are less than thrilled that everyone else is less than thrilled. At least, I got a free slurpee.

Working for the man....

2011-07-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

...and I'm the man. Finally took advantage of being a trader and working for myself, by making a little money and leaving early to meet my family at the beach. The in-town P's were good enough to pick-up the offspring and take them to my P's favorite beach spot. J1, after some whining, finally got into the spirit and enjoyed the large, short-breaking waves. J2, faced the waves with much trepidation. But after much coaxing, I got her into the rough waters....only to have a big one "clobber" her. She was very brave, but a little shaken up. Next time, a mellower beach.

Me: Don't go too far out, it's cold and I don't want to have to rescue you.

J2: You have to rescue me, I'm your daughter.

Me: We can always make more daughters.

J2: No, you can't. Mommy's water broke.

Tradition

2011-07-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

It has been a family tradition (something that we have done more than once) to spend our 4th of July on Coronado Island, down San Diego way. Well, the breakfast place we always go to burned down. We always watch the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest; but our replacement restaurant had no tv's. It's not the same without Kobayishi anyway. The parade we always watch, didn't have our favorite entry: the dancing surfers. And the pier we take our annual family picture is under construction (but luckily, we were able to still get to our usual site). So much for tradition. But, it was a lovely day and we got to spend quality time with my P's...and that guy.

Happy Birfday America

2011-07-04T05:11:00.000-07:00

Bubbe gets an Ipad...

2011-07-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

...a little technology in the wrong hands could be very dangerous. But we're glad the P's are out for the summer, enjoying their lovely beachy (yet bamboo-y) vacation home.