goption Brian's blog

Siblings

This is from an advice column today, but I think it applies directly to a long-simmering issue between two of my siblings, and I thought it was insightful:

[H]umanity works best if you treat it like a contract: We mutually agree to try our best not to screw up, and to take full responsibility when we inevitably do. In return for those efforts, we aren't automatically banished for the bad things we've done.

The issue doesn't directly affect me, but it really pisses me off to think of what one sibling would do to another, and then to avoid responsibility for it for nearly twenty years.

My Dad’s Christmas gift

My Dad gave me a generous Border's gift card for Christmas. I love to read, and having a gift card and a 33% off Borders Rewards coupon is like a little slice of heaven. (I didn't realize it, but I also had $5 in Border's Bucks.)

The new Robert Crais book was released today, and I had to get it — even though I'm half-way through another book, and won't be able to start the new one for a few days. I also got the first books from two series — Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold (I love her Chalion books), and Fer-de-Lance, the first Nero Wolfe book written back in 1934. I love my book series, and if past performance is any guide I should enjoy these two for years to come.

I also got a Robert's Rules of Order In Brief. Just because. The full version is massive, and unless I run for city council I think the shorter version will suit me just fine.

When I got to the registers, there were three cashiers working, and a couple of people in line ahead of me. As I was waiting, one of the customers was getting a new Borders Rewards card, and the cashier asked her for her e-mail address. The customer quietly told her, and the cashier then loudly repeated it so that everyone could hear: sexybooty@...com. Everyone smiled, except the customer...

The man in line two ahead of me got to a cashier, and asked if they had anywhere he could plant a banana so that his friend could come back in twenty years and it would be as fresh as if it was newly picked. The cashier politely apologized, and said they didn't have anywhere for him to plant his banana, and the man thanked him and left.

One of the more interesting visits to Borders in a while...

Thanks, Dad!

New Year’s Eve

Most years, I don't do anything special on New Year's Eve, but this year I doubled up, and it was all pretty cool.

Back in October, my company had a massive reduction in force, and both my friends Cory and Kevin were let go. Kevin had been my manager for the last ten years, and had 23 years with the company. I'd been in the same group as Cory for all of my 24 years, and Cory himself had worked there for 31 years. Yes, sometimes my company makes poor decisions.

Anyway, we'd been talking about having lunch together for a few weeks, and the stars finally aligned for December 31st. I picked the Elephant Bar in Burbank, about halfway between Kevin and Cory's homes, and we met around 12:30pm. We talked for a couple of hours, and only about 25 minutes was work related. They're both doing well enough, and are in good spirits.

Most years, Carole and I stay in on New Year's Eve, but this year we wanted something more. At lunch, Cory had mentioned that some years he and Roxi go to a late movie on New Year's Eve, and it sounded like a great idea, and Carole thought so too. When she came home after work, we decided to head out early and grab dinner too.

On the way, we drove across Huntington Drive, and got stopped at the light at Sunset. They were moving a caravan of Rose Parade Floats up from the float builders on Lower Azusa. They had a few mechanical problems on some of the floats, so we were stuck there for about 25 minutes, but we had plenty of time so we just enjoyed the sites.

We were a little surprised by how busy the restaurants were. We doubled up, and put our name in at both Wood Ranch and Cheesecake Factory - we'd eat at whichever one called us first. Wood Ranch won by a nose (and yes, I turned in the pager and canceled our spot at Cheesecake Factory...), and we shared a combo meal, with two tri-tips and a roast chicken. Carole had fries, I had mashed potatoes, and we finished with a nice chocolatey dessert.

The movie was Up In The Air. Clooney at his best, and a great story too. There were more than few people with us who needed to learn some manners, but we didn't let them ruin the movie for us.

It was the best New Year's Eve I've had in forever.

Florida

Using all the special mojo that her brother possesses, Carole flew with Michael to Orlando (using Michael's flight privileges), spent three nights in a Disney hotel (using Michael's cast-member privileges), and went to Epcot and the Wild Animal Park - all for about the same total cost as one meal at a really good restaurant.

I missed her, but she had a great time, and that's what it's all about. I picked her up at the airport yesterday.

Mandy’s birthday

Our friend Mandy celebrated her fortieth birthday last night at party thrown by her mom.

Hockey!

On Friday, Jason gtalked me and asked if I wanted to go with him to a hockey game out in Ontario on Sunday. His friend has two season seats to the Ontario Reign, and gave them to Jason. It's always good to hang with Jas, and I hadn't seen a hockey game live in a long time, and it was his birthday, so I didn't hesitate to say yes.

First we all went to Casa for a late lunch/early dinner. Jeremy came too - he'd been over doing some laundry. We made good time on the drive out to the Citizen's Bank Arena, which looks to only be a couple years old. It holds about 6,000 people on two levels, and seemed just about perfect for a minor-league hockey arena.

The game was really fun. The skill level isn't quite up to NHL standards, but they play with passion, and the crowd was really into the game. The Reign scored an even strength goal in the first period, a power-play goal in the second, and an empty net goal late in the third. Their goalie was on fire, making a lot of impressive saves, and there were a couple of skirmishes - overall a great game. You forget how much better hockey is in person.

I had a great time.

Cindy visits

Our friend Cindy visited us for ten days.

Home Improvement

Our friend Cindy is coming for a 10-day visit, and it will be great to see her.

House guests, like the proverbial dinner party, also have a way of focusing one's attention on the long-neglected list of home improvements. There's no better way to get things done around the house than to have a hard-deadline.

The list was extensive: a refurb of the front bathroom, with new paint — lilac walls with white ceiling and trim — and new fixtures; strip and refinish the closet door in the den; a new faucet in the kitchen; a new refrigerator; carpet cleaning; and a myriad of lesser tasks. We got almost everything done. It wasn't without stress by any means, but it was needed — not for Cindy, but for us — and I'm very glad it's over.

Super Sam’s birthday

My niece Sam turned 20 today. Sheesh. I remember her when she was just a little brat, instead of the big old brat she is today...

Here she is with Justin, who's apparently enjoying some weed.

Kitty-in-the-box

We have two cats at home. Gavin, who turned 13 back in May, is a seal point Himalayan, and Smidge, who is 11 and Gavin's half-sister, is a Himalayan blue lynx point. We love them both.

Smidge has had medical issues all of her life, including a botched Cesarean that nearly did her in. One constant is a skin condition that requires her to get regular injections at the vets. She tolerates the visits to the vet pretty well.

A few years back when I brought her back from the vet, I left the cat carrier on the living room floor by the front door, with the door unlocked. For whatever reason, Smidge decided she wanted to live in the carrier for a few days — maybe the cool plastic felt good against her itchy skin, or maybe she just likes being in a cozy spot. In a few days, once the medicine has made her feel better, she comes out and resumes her normal routine. Since that first time, we always leave the carrier open for her to use for a few days after a shot.

She got a shot last week, and I left the box on the end table in Justin's room like always. And, like always, she hung in there for a few days. Today, though, we got a surprise.

I'm working from home today (don't ask), and when I went to get a glass of water Justin waved me into his room, telling me to look in the carrier. Smidge was sitting on Justin's table (like usual), so I wasn't sure what to expect.

I peered in — and saw Gavin laying in there, all cuddled up, with his face towards the open door. It was very cute. He's never done this before. I thought he hated the cat carrier.

By the time I got my camera together he'd woken up and moved onto Justin's bed, but it was still a cool sight to see.

Smidge	Gavin

Where Carole’s Been

Here's a map showing the states that Carole has visited. It does not include South Dakota and/or Nebraska, which she likely visited as a very young child with her parents. It now includes Wyoming and Montana, which she visited on her way to Spokane in August, 2009.

She has also visited three Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

The Den

When I got back from CFR, I found that Carole, Justin, and Jeremy had been working hard to get the bedrooms rearranged. Carole and I moved from the back bedroom to the southwest corner, and the adjacent room became the den. Justin moved to our old bedroom.

During the planning for the move, I said I wanted to have a recliner in the den, so I'd have a place to read and maybe watch a little TV. As a surprise, Carole had bought a recliner while I was gone on my trip, and Justin and Jeremy set it up. It's just about perfect — overstuffed, medium brown micro-suede fabric, and it rocks and reclines.

It was a fantastic surprise!

Tea and Moms

Carole will be visiting Cindy in Spokane next Sunday, so we had the McConnell Mother's Day festivities yesterday at the Tea House in Big Bear. The Casey's all came (including Kristie), along with the Bowsers, Rob and his clan, Crystal and the kids, and Shane.

The tea was very good, but I wound up drinking a little too much, and had a bad caffeine hangover on Monday morning. The nice but somewhat ditzy waitress at the teahouse made a mess of splitting the checks, but everything worked out in the end. We went back to the house for dessert, and most of the guys (old and young) went down to the park for a little touch football. The drive both up and down the hill was fast and fun in the 'Vette.

A good day.

Barry

I got up at 3:45am this morning to drop Carole off at LAX. She's flying to Spokane to stay with Cindy for the weekend, and most importantly to see Barry Manilow in concert.

Cindy and her husband Ernie heard about the concert on a call-in-and-win segment on the radio. When they didn't win, Ernie called the arena to ask if they had floor seats, since Cindy's vision isn't too good right now. They said there were no floor seats available, and Ernie said he was asking because his wife uses a wheelchair, and that made all the difference — they hold back floor seats for that.

Cindy has been calling Carole every day for the past two weeks to count down the number of days before the concert. They should have a great time. Carole flies back on Monday night.

Holiday Break

The holiday break has been a little different this year.

Jimmy's wedding on the 27th meant that Rick and Ann couldn't make it to Big Bear on Christmas Day. After a lot of back-and-forth, the McConnell Christmas was moved to Sunday the 20th. William missed having the traditional Christmas Day festivities, but everyone else seemed to enjoy not having to slog up the hill on an already busy day.

The (now) traditional Christmas Eve dinner at my house went really well, except we didn't get dinner ready on time. By the time we opened presents, everyone was tired, and my Dad was dozing a little. Next year, we'll make sure it runs more smoothly.

Christmas day was nice. Kristie joined us for gifts and breakfast, and everyone had a great time, as usual. I got a Spot Messenger for the FJR, and Carole got a Vita-Mix.

I started noticing a developing chest cold on Christmas afternoon. When I woke up on Friday, it was full-on — sore throat, deep cough, runny nose, aches — the whole deal. Since I couldn't call to cancel, I got up early and went to donate platelets, but the nurses decided I shouldn't once I got there — after the finger poke, of course...

Saturday was Jimmy's wedding. Outdoors, at 4:45pm (but scheduled for 4:00pm), in about 40° with a apparent wind-chill of 30°. I was suffering, and worked hard to avoid coughing during the ceremony. The poor bridesmaids in their sleeveless gowns were noticeably shivering. The reception was quite nice (other than my illness).

Sunday was spent dealing with my symptoms, and resting.

Today I'm starting to feel better, and have grand hopes of seeing the end of this bout. We'll see.