Sign(age) of the times

In a response to a down economy, the definition of a "roadside emergency" has apparently been expanded to include the breakdown of, among other things, your TV remote control.

I like the delivery idea, because there are certainly days when I can't muster up the energy to drive the half-mile to the CVS, but let's be honest: if you are someone who requires help with installation, then I'm not sure AAA can provide you with the help you really need...  

Some Valentine's Day advice

Guys,

This is true on any day, but especially so today: whatever you do, do NOT be this guy:




I can't stress this enough.  Otherwise, this may follow shortly:




No need to thank me.  I'm a helper, it's what I do.

Have a happy Valentine's Day. 


Note: the musical stylings above are from an Australian group called Tripod.  If you like Flight of the Conchords, you should check them out.

Dexy's Midnight Runners never even occurred to me...

Spend enough time in random conversation, or random thought, and eventually either you or someone you know will pose the question:

If you had a rock band, what would you call it?

We've all thought about it.  Hell, Dave Barry made something of a part-time job of it.  But at one time or another it has come up, because let's face it: we'd all just as soon be rock stars.

It took me a long time to settle on mine, and by a long time I mean I came up with it in the past year.  And as it happens, it did come up at a party last weekend.

If I had a band, I would call it Something Else.

I like it for a number of reasons, but one most of all: no matter what someone is listening to, if they don't like it, they're going to ask for us.

If you had a rock band (or when you and your friends are playing Rock Band, whatever), what would you call it?

A brief look back

I'm generally not one for Year-in-Review kinds of posts, but I have to admit that this past year was a pretty big one in a lot of ways for yours truly.  Lots of changes in my life and those around me, and by and large in very good ways.  Not every bit of news was happy, but on balance 2009 went pretty well.

The highlights (in no particular order):
- Bought a house (after a very long, eight-month search)
- Popped The Question (and got The Right Answer)
- Saw two of my closest friends welcome beautiful baby girls into their families, with kids coming into the lives of other friends and family as well.
- I stayed employed, and stayed busy (key to the staying employed, as you can imagine) with a company that actually saw growth in '09.
- Got to see my brother and sister-in-law in their new house (found, coincidentally enough, the same weekend we found ours)
- Had a great birthday and birthday week (although the actual getting-older part is somewhat dubious as a highlight...), followed by a fantastic Christmas visit with my family in Florida.

As lowlights go, just about the only major blemish on 2009 was that we lost Gramps.  He is still missed, and still loved, and will be fondly remembered this and every year.  One bittersweet thing about planning the wedding is the knowledge that he won't be there to see it.  But he did get to meet The Girl, and it's good to know that he wholeheartedly approved of her.  I guess you could say he will be there with us, just at a different table.

So as years go, 2009 was a pretty good one, and it gives way to a 2010 that is already looking to be busier (if that's possible).  Lots of travel, and what I am sure are going to be many adventures in wedding planning.  I don't know that I have much in the way of resolutions, but I have some goals.  One of them is (again) to be a little better about keeping up with this place, but if you've been reading for any length of time you know how challenging that will be.  But I do appreciate those of you who stop by.  Some I know, many I don't, but I thank everyone just the same. 

So Happy New Year to all.  May 2010 bring you all the good news you can handle.  And then throw in a little more, because moderation is overrated in that particular area.