Alivexchange

I recently had a discussion with my wife about live entertainment. I used to go to see a lot bands at various venues. I was never really into going to see movies in a theater, unless it was LOTR or Star Wars or the latest movie containing comic book heroes. I prefer live entertainment. The problem with live entertainment for me is that it starts so late in the evening and often ends the next morning. At most places, the opening band goes on at 10:30 or 11:00PM and the headlining act goes on at 12:30 or 1:00AM. What is up with that, especially on weeknights? Now that I'm an old married man with a kid, I don't do that so much anymore. In fact, I can barely stay up past 10PM on weekends. Why can't live entertainment be scheduled to start in primetime like TV shows. I'd much rather go watch a live performance than a CSI re-run or the new episode of Ugly Betty.

In our conversation, we were dreaming of live shows starting at 8 or 9PM and being done by 10:30PM on weeknights and weekends. The very next day I received an e-vite for a show on a Friday night that starts at 8PM and includes dinner. It was as if our dreams came true in an instant. So tomorrow night my wife and I will be going on a date to eat dinner and see a live improv show from the Q City Players.

Bottom Line - Dreams really do come true.

25 Things

I have been reading some peoples 25 random things on facebook, but like Elaine, I wanted to do it on the blog instead. Here we go.



1. I like to collect and listen to vinyl records

2. I used to despise the show "Lost" until my wife turned me. Now I'm hooked.

3. I used to have a vietnamese pot belly pig as a pet for a week until a neighbor called the local authorities and we had to get rid of it. It was named Porky.

4. I perform tasks and duties 100% more efficiently if I'm listening to music.

5. I like to make song playlist cd mixes.

6. I am currently taking a Zumba latin dance/exercise class.

7. I know almost every word to the movies "White Christmas" and "The Sound of Music"

8. I broke my leg as a child by jumping off of a step.

9. I gave my wife a green plastic heart shape ring when I proposed to her and she said yes.

10. My wife cuts my nose hairs for me.

11. I once had over 600 cds. This was before itunes and electronic music.

12. The best Christmas gift in my life was a GT Vertigo bike.

13. Speaking of Vertigo, last year I was diagnosed with Vertigo. Luckily medication made it go away.

14. I was baptized in the year 2000.

15. I didn't start enjoying reading or writing until after college.

16. When people say certain words it triggers a song into my head. My wife calls me a human jukebox.

17. I have an extensive Star Wars toy collection. The originals of course.

18. I like to give everything nicknames or code names. People and objects both.

19. I drink two gallons of milk a week.

20. I used to despise Jane Austen movies, now I like them. My sister and wife teamed up and converted me. Now that is what we do on Friday nights.

21. I am 1'-3" taller than my wife.

22. I got married on St. Patrick's Day

23. I can beat you at anything we compete in.

24. I have only driven and will only ever drive Ford vehicles my entire life.

25. Bottom Line - I like bottom lines.

Once

Please note that this is not a movie recommendation. I watched this movie over the weekend, but I am not ready to recommend the movie until I see it again and decide, but I am however going to recommend the soundtrack. The movie is a weird plot with an irish guy and a chezch girl and contains some language that is unnecessary, but the music parts of the movie are great. This is an example of one of the great songs from the movie.




The rest of the soundtrack is just as great if you are looking for some passionate independent music.

Bottom Line - A good movie starts with a good soundtrack

The Epic Battle

It has been almost two years to the date in which I have had possesion of the keys to my house in Finneytown. Jess first moved in and then I followed once we were married in March 2007. In the two quick years we have had the house we have done an extraordinary amount of work on the house. Major items such as removing walls, re-finishing wood floors, replacing floors, removing and replacing kitchen cabinets, painting, gutting bathrooms and so on. We have had the need for many tools and building materials for all of our improvement projects.

Thus began the epic battle: Lowes Vs. Home Depot. Home Depot had the immediate advantage being that two locations were remotely accessible from our house. However Lowes had it's own advantage because it is located near church which we were around every weekend either on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings. We began to use both at first, but after time, one of the two began to stand out for almost exclusive use.



Lowes is the winner. We still use Home Depot from time to time only if we know exactly what we need and if it is a common item where brand or quality does not matter for example water cut off valves, drywall, or insulation. Lowes is our prefered place for all major purchases. In my experience, Lowes has a more knowledgeble and trained staff that is very helpful with tips and ideas for the do it yourself people like us. They are always nice and honest and accurate with the information they give you. It is just a better experience all around. Before Lydia was born Jess and I used to have date nights. Instead of dinner and a movie, it was dinner and Lowes almost every Friday night.

To us a good improvement store experience is important because we are taking the suggestions and information of the people working there and often making them semi-permanant by implementing them in our house projects. Jess and I consider the guy in the flooring department at the Tri-County Lowes a family friend. He has never let us down yet, and we will continue to visit him until every inch of floor space in our house has been redone.

Bottom Line - If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it is broke, go to Lowes.

Lydia Jam

Tonight Lydia and I had our first jam session





Bottom Line - Music is a language

Punching Holes

For the past couple of days, I have been making binder file books at work. This requires lots of punching holes in everything to get it into the binders. I really hate using a hole puncher. I have major problems when I use them for extended periods of time.



For some strange reason when I use a hole puncher to punch holes I involuntarily gnash my teeth as I press down. I am not sure why I do it, but I do. I try to avoid doing it by opening my mouth wide while punching, or even using chewing gum for cushion, but nothing works. Next thing I know my teeth and jaw are sore and uncomfortable. The next thing that happens is that I start having a cringe in my neck. It is always in the same spot, in the back lower middle section. So I am constantly moving my head around to crack my neck or strech it to acknowledge the sensation. Both get worse and worse the more I punch holes.

Excessive stapling is also bad, but not to the extent of punching holes.


Bottom Line - Wear a mouthpiece while using a hole puncher

Wednesday Movie Recommendation

August Rush

If you like music, or if you just want an inspirational lift, then watch this movie. Don't read anything about the movie, just borrow it, rent it, get it from the library, or just buy it and put it in and watch it by yourself, or with friends and family.



Bottom Line - "You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this universe, a harmonic connection between all living beings, every where, even the stars." - Wizard

New Years Confessions

This year I am making confessions into resolutions.



1.

Last year I confess that I ate a lot more food than I really needed. My typical food set up was well balanced similar to the picture above. Since my wife's food is so good, I usually eat two plates worth, therefore, I am striving to eat right this year and get into better shape and health for my family.



2.

Last year I confess that I watched way too much television. It is not all that bad, because it happens to be a way that Jess an I hang out and bond. This year I resolve to watch better things with her that are more positive an inspirational. I started on the recent holiday break by watching two Jane Austen movies and I actually liked them.



3.

Last year, although I got off to a great start, I confess that I abandoned reading the Bible consistently throughout the year. This year I resolve to pick up where I left of in the early months of last year.



4. Last year I confess that I did not write to the child that I sponsor in Ghana. I have been sponsoring him for a couple of years now and have never written him. I am a horrible person, I know, but this year I will write him. I would have put a picture of him on here, but Compassion does not allow use of the photos.




5.

Lastly I confess that I'm crazy about these two. This year I will continue to get even more crazier about them than I already am if that is even possible.


Bottom Line - Let confessions lead to the start of resolution