Life goes on
Sort of…
HC’s going to the doctor’s office daily & getting poked, prodded, and probed. Apparently 1 of her hormone levels hasn’t dropped back to zero yet. Soooo her body still thinks she’s pregnant. And they’ve done a bunch of sonigrams and haven’t found the embyo/zygote/fetus/junior/Waldo whatever you call it. So they’re concerned there’s an ectopic (sp) pregnancy happening. They don’t think that’s what’s going on but they must check….
Other than that, HC’s sore from all the poking, prodding, and probing. She's getting a bit cranky from the poking, prodding, and probing. And the cramping and soreness from all the attention "down there".
Monday night we met up with M and got caught up. We’d not seen M since about August so it was about time!!! It was a lot of fun. She’s one of the first people I met in college so she’s put up with me for a l-o-n-g time.
Last night I saw the Bob Mintzer Big Band at the Manchester Craftmen’s Guild. They were in town working on another recording. It was very entertaining. What a talented bunch of musicians.
Weekend Update
Friday night: We took it easy after spending the afternoon at the OB/GYN and the miscarrage diagnosis. Saturday: Chores and quick dinner. Forbidden Broadway at Theater Square for HC's Valentine's Day present.Sunday: Laundry. Dinner with HC's dad for HC's belated birthday at Point Brugge Cafe.Labels: Weekend Update
ChowderHead 101 Part 1 of as many as it takes
I'm a little slow. I have my own schedule. I march to the beat of a different drummer. I do things when my gut tells me "it's the right time".
Case in point: Dating, marriage & children. I didn't start dating until I was a junior in college. (Too busy working at the family restaurant in JH & HS, first couple of years in college were H-E-L-L) At that point I realized I was lacking in many of the basic social skills, I kinda shrunk back into my shell. I wanted to figure out "who" I was and "how" I fit in before I continued any further. I stuck to what I knew and was good at: hanging out with my buddies, drinking, and being the clown. I also realized I really wasn't fit to be anyone's companion due to these shortcomings. It wouldn't be fair to either of us.
These feelings of inadequacy were further reinforced with my first serious girlfriend. I was SO in over my head. My concepts of a relationship were so idealistic (thanks Hollywood) and immature. I went through the wringer & I didn't like it. I loved her the way I knew how. The best I could but it wasn't enough. It would never be enough. She needed more than I could ever give her. More than anyone could ever give her.
After this experience, I took a L-O-N-G break from getting serious with anyone. (I'll just leave it at years. There was a lot of anger, frustration, and bewilderment.) There were women that were interested in me but I didn't feel ready. So I side stepped them. We'd go out a few times but... Again, I'm on my own schedule. Not ready means NOT ready. It'll end badly for 1 or both of us. So let's not.
All the while I was soul searching. Working on me. (traveling, learning, experiencing life) The "who" I was, "what" I was, "what" I wanted, and "how" I fit in. It took a long time for me to begin accepting me for who I was and not caring how I fit in. I'm me and that's all there is to it. I fit in how I fit in. I stick out like I stick out. It is what it is. I was in my early-30's by the time I had this revelation. I felt better about myself. More comfortable in my own skin. The amount of booze and effort it took me to reach this little gem!!
But, it was on my schedule & terms. The majority of my college friends had been married for years. Some of them had kids already. There were times I felt like a slacker. An underachiever. But I also knew I was not ready and would have been a lousy husband & father. I would have ended up either divorced or in an unhappy marriage. I didn't want either so I continued working on me. When I felt ready I started dating again. It was hard and I sucked at it but what are you going to do? I was very fortunate to meet my wife and things have been good. We've gone through our share of highs and lows.Anyways, this all goes back to my original statement about me going to the beat of my own drummer. I do things on my terms AND when I feel ready. If I'm being pressured or forced, I'm very likely to be stubborn, dig my heels in and resist. I didn't feel ready to date anyone so I didn't. I didn't feel like I'd be a good husband so I didn't get married sooner. I've been on the fence about kids for a very long time. I know children are a life changing experience. I know they'd mean sacrifices. I'd been going back and forth about whether I wanted kids OR was even ready for them. But I'm in a place in my life where I'm comfortable with the idea of being a father and taking on that responsibility. HC would make a great mother. I've talked to many of my friends and they say "You're never really ready. You just do it because it feels right." Well, now it feels right. I don't want to bring someone into this world if I can't take care of them and be 100% about it.Labels: ChowderHead 101
Close but no cigar
We found out today HC had a miscarriage.
Please don't feel sad or bad. We don't. We see it as proof that all the "stuff" is working.
Besides, it's not like we've been "trying". A better way to describe it is we've been not not trying. I don't know if that makes sense but it is what it is.
A little history about the ChowderHead is in order. I'm a little slow. I have my own schedule. I do things when my gut tells me "it's the right time". I'll continue this in another post but suffice it to say I've been on the fence about so many things. Dating, marriage, and fatherhood.Labels: Family, HC, Health
Friday's Feast One Hundred & Thirty Two
Appetizer: Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?
Left index finger - knife wound as a small Chowder, chin - falling off a swing as a small Chowder, left shin - workout injury, right shin - shopping cart racing, forearms - hot oil splatters from deep fryer work.
Soup: What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?
#1) There are at least 3 or 4 "should have been dead" driving stories. (Too fast on icy roads, too fast on snow covered roads, etc...)
#2) I'm still alive considering how much I used to drink and all the crazy stunts me & the buddies used to pull.
Salad: Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.
Ryan Seacrest. When is his 15 minutes of fame going to be up? He's got a weird smile and he's a jerk on American Idol. (Squabbling with Simon, making some of the female contestants cringe when he puts his arms around them)
Main Course: What was a funny word you said as a child (such as "pasketti" for "spaghetti")?
I don't know. There have been more stories about a mischievous young Chowder than mis-speaking Chowder.
Dessert: Fill in the blank: I have always thought ______ was ______.I have always thought my family was lucky for all the good people in our lives. They show up at just the right time...Labels: Friday's Feast
Scrap of Wisdom
Silence is the great teacher, and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it.
Lucky numbers: 7, 14, 18, 21, 36, 49
Yeah, that's one of my problems. Sometimes my mouth is going when my ears should be workin'! Labels: Scrap of Wisdom
To pinch or to bust
Such primal, instinctual actions. So genetically ingrained and necessary. What to do? What to do?
That was HRH’s dilemma this morning.
As usual, I let him out this morning while I was finishing getting ready for work. I went to check up on him and he was mid-squat, mid-pinch. As I was turning away to give him some semblance of privacy, (I think this is a human thing. I’m sure HRH could care less. Anyways…) I see the hair on the back of his neck stiffen up and he turns his head to look over his shoulder. There must have been something behind him that needed to have it’s nuts busted.
What to do? What to do? Finish with #2 OR chase something down and annoy the living crap out of the neighborhood with his barking?
He chose a compromise: Poopus interuptus and a chase & bark.
Happy Friday!!!Labels: HRH
Weekend Update
Friday: Quiet night together. It was a L-O-N-G week. The cold and ice added to it!Saturday: Errands, shopping, dog park, dinner party. HRH was stir crazy. Barking at everything. He needed to get out and get his run on. I took him for a walk and a run. The dinner party was a lot of fun. Hanging out with good people, drinking nice bottles of wine, and eating good food. I'm blessed with good people in my life & I know it!Sunday: Had my Dad, J, and A over for dinner. It was a nice time.Labels: food, Weekend Update
What NOT to do
Winter driving can be tricky but here are a few things I can tell you NOT to do:
Speeding. Not to get all scientific but…the faster you’re going, the more momentum you have, the harder it is for you to STOP or maneuver. (A body in motion tends to stay in motion) With limited traction and varying road conditions you’re never quite sure what you’re going to encounter. It doesn’t matter if you have 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive. Once the tires loose adhesion to the road the adventure begins! Speeding is the easiest way to gob up your vehicle in bad weather.
Sudden maneuvers. Going straight isn’t usually the problem. It’s changing directions that’s the challenge! Again physics says a body in motion tends to stay in motion. A body in motion also wants to keep going in the direction it’s going. This isn’t as noticeable on dry roads but when you decrease the friction between the tires and the road (rain, ice, snow) it’ll become obvious.
Driving over the piles of snow/ice the plows have left on the road. Don’t drive over the mounds of snow & ice the plows have created in the process of clearing the road. There’s very little traction to be found, it’s uneven, and you’re never sure about what other debris is in the pile along with the ice & snow.
Where am I going with this?
Last night on the way to a concert I saw a woman break these rules and almost gob her car up really well/kill herself. She was flying along. (I’m all for speeding but NOT when the weather is bad.) She cut across 3 lanes of traffic, over the pile of snow/ice the plows left behind. And then her car began to spin. She did at least a 360 and nearly hit the Jersey barriers on both sides of the exit. She was the luckiest woman in Pittsburgh last night. It was after rush hour so there weren’t as many cars on the road so there was no reason for her to be speeding or to cut over 3 lanes of traffic or to drive over the ice/snow. She was being and idiot and a lucky 1 at that!
I don’t know how she managed not to hit anything. It was amazing. It was like the stunts you see in the movies.
I’m sure an underwear change was required when she got home.Labels: Darwin award candidate, stupid people, stupidity
Friday's Feast: One Hundred & Thirty One
Appetizer: What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?The sound of metal garbage cans banging. No, seriously? Phones can pretty much make any sound now. But if I was to pick…- a Lamborghini Diablo engine at 7000 RPM
- either a P-51 or SR-71 doing a fly by
- and the geekiest of all……… the Stargate dial-up and kawoosh sequence.
Soup: Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).
Hazy…. OK. Honestly, typically mostly sunny. (Or since I’m in Pittsburgh partly cloudy.)
Salad: What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?
Do you mean for me personally or better than anyone else on the planet? Personally: food & booze. Anyone else on the planet: Nothing.
Main Course: Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. Which books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?
Too bad I read horrifically slow…But here’s my overly ambitious list: History, Music, Science, Spiritual and self-improvement books.
Dessert: If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next confection, what would it be like and what would you name it?
I don’t think I can outdo the confectioners out there. I’m pretty happy with what I’m currently fixated on: Belgian chocolates infused with herbs, spices, and fruits. (Not all at once) And then of course there are truffles…num, num…
Labels: Friday's Feast
V-Day dinner
We don't usually go out to dinner on Valentine's Day. The restaurants are too crowded, the menu's tend to be limited, the pricing is jacked up. We'll go out either before or after VD. But we do make a nice dinner. (HC wants me to surprise her so she doesn't the menu yet...)Tonight's VD menu:- Mixed green salad
- Pasta with a sun dried tomato cream sauce
- Crab Cakes
- wine
Happy Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day.
I know it's a Hallmark holiday but Happy V-Day...
It's cold and crappy here in Pittsburgh. The roads are very dodgy since we had freezing rain last night. It took me longer to scrape/chip my car out from under the layer of ice than to actually get into the office. (I ened up driving today because I figured the busses would be a gamble. AND I didn't want to wait 25 minutes for a bus again.) A funny thing this morning I have to share with you. We let HRH out to "take care of business". The ice was so thick, he was able to stand on top of the ice/snow. (True, he's a mighty 20 pounds of tough guy but still it was impressive.) He was a little confused and scared at first. He knows what snow is and loves it. But this crazy stuff on top of the snow he wasn't so sure of. After a few moments he was cranking along.
49
Below is Dr. Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on the Oprah show - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out!
Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready.
This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper to keep track of your letter answers to each question.
Ready??
Begin.
1. When do you feel your best?
a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon &and early evening
c) late at night
2. You usually walk...
a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly
3. When talking to people you. .
a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair
4. When relaxing, you sit with. .
a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you
5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh , but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile
6. When you go to a party or social gathering you ..
a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed
7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...
a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes
8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray
9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are.
a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers
10. You often dream that you are...
a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant
POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 ( c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1
Now add up the total number of points.
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.
51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.
41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you' re boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.Labels: surveys
Riddle me this
How come I wake up bright eyed and ready to go on weekends so early? (Typically before the alarm clock would go off in the morning on weekdays.) I woke up 6:15 this morning. The alarm is set for 6:30 on weekdays. When I have the option to sleep in, I don't always.6:30 comes way too soon on weekdays. Sometimes it feels like I need a court order to get out of bed. But weekends. I'm up ready to go! Today I was able to get back to sleep but not always. This is especially true in the summer when it's already bright out.Labels: riddle me this, things I don't understand
End of a dream
Every since I was young I’ve wanted to be an astronaut. Maybe it had to do with watching the astronauts on the moon doing their thing. (I though it was the coolest.) Maybe it was the adventure of leaving this planet and exploring. Maybe it was the going really fast.
I realized I’d never be an astronaut because of my poor eye sight but I could always dream. I'd always have sci-fi (Stargate, Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Lost in Space, etc..)
Even after the first Space Shuttle disaster if you would have called me the next day and asked if I’d be willing to go up I would have said “Sure, when do you need me”. There will always be risks involved with space travel and I was willing to take my chances.
Anyways, after this week’s developments with the NASA astronauts and the revelation that they routinely wear adult undergarments on missions. My dream has officially ended. I didn’t think they had full toilet facilities on these flights but their solution is gross. I mean what about diaper rash?!?
So they’re telling me they just wear it. How long? For days? Or do you change it out?
Yes, I’m being weird. Zero gravity wouldn’t bother me. Lousy food I’d deal with. Bulky suits I’d deal with. But the sanitation situation. I'm not so sure about. So what else don’t I know about the space program and what they do differently in space versus on Earth?
No. I'm not a neat freak. HC will tell you that. (The battles she's had to get me to help her clean the house.) But hygene is something I do care about. I don't know. I'd need more details before I'd say "yes".
Labels: space
Sushi gets us together
I met up with Michelle, PW & Loki, and Rob & Nan last night at Kiku in Station Square for Sushi. Sadly, Osquer and J couldn't make it.
They missed out on a good meal and great company.Michelle (and Nan) had never had sushi before. We've been trying for months to get Michelle out for sushi. But schedules and reservations didn't work out. Last night everything lined up and she was able to have sushi. I suggested she start with the California Roll. (It's a good "safe" roll to start with.) Nothing too wild or intense flavor or texture wise. Once she seemed OK with the CA Roll, I gave her a few pieces of my Rainbow Roll to try. (1 piece with Tuna and 1 with salmon.)They were out of the Fatty Tuna which was my second suggestion for her to try so she had the Yellowfin. I had the Eel with rice as my main course. I gave Nan and Michelle a little taste. They both liked it.Kiku did a wonderful job with my Rainbow Roll and my Eel dish. Michelle ordered the veal dish. It was really good. I'll have to order it the next time I'm there. It was really nice to get together with everyone. I was starting to get a little stir crazy with the cold weather keeping me inside and all. Labels: food
What kind of traveler am I?
I got this e-mail/survey and....
You're a Savvy Traveler!
Four-star hotels. Shopping sprees. Fine dining. For you, traveling is all about indulgence. Leaving the comforts of home doesn't mean leaving your love of luxury. In fact, you probably enjoy the spoils of a vacation more than most. Admit it, you like the finer things in life, especially when you're rewarding yourself with a getaway. And you know that giving yourself a few special treats will make the trip more memorable and worthwhile. So go ahead, order the dessert, relax with a massage, unwind in roomy first-class seats. That's how you savor the experience. Ahh...Bullseye! Right on the mark! When I travel for work I'm careful with my expense account. (Even for meals.) But when it's personal, I go all out. I want all the amenities! I want the whole experience!
I'm high maintanence!
I'm easy NOT cheap!Labels: surveys, travel
Bulge Update
So we've been trying to be more careful of "what" we eat and "how much". I've been exercising a couple times a week and watching "how much" I eat.I'm seeing results: I've lost 1 or 2 pounds since my previous post. I also feel more energetic. (Which is kind of counter-intuitive since I'm working out more but I can't argue with the peppy feeling.)As far as exercise goes, sometimes I'll get on the recumbent bike and pedal slowly while I'm watching TV. I'm not pedalling as fast as when I'm working out but I'm moving along. I figure, it's better to be moving than sitting still. Any movement is better than inactivity. I'm burning calories.Labels: Bulge, food, Health
Weekend Update
The weekend was a nice mix of activity and relaxing.
Friday: I had a few vacation days left over from last year so I took it off. It was a treat for me to have a leasurely breakfast with HC. Since we were in the Strip District, we got 90% of our grocery shopping done. I then ran a few other errands while HC met up with 1 of her former co-workers for lunch. I took HRH out for a walk. It wasn't too cold or snowy when we left the house. He'd been stuck in the house for days and I could tell he was getting a little stir crazy. Anyways, half way through our walk the snow really kicked in. And the winds were pretty strong. HRH was not amused but what can you do?!? Keep walking. That night, I took S to the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild for his early birthday present. We saw International Guitar Night, featuring Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Brian Gore, and Andrew York. Part of the Guitar Society of Fine Art Concert Series. It was awesome. Those guys were amazing. So much sound out of a few instruments. And very different than the type of music he and I typically listen to. Also, I'd never heard Indian music played live before so that was a first for me. S had a good time. After the first number S said that piece alone was worth the price of admission. Saturday: Was a relaxing day of watching videos, working out, doing laundry, steaming clothes, and hanging out. We didn't have anything planned so we didn't even leave the house. Besides, it was very cold. So yet another good reason to stay inside! Sunday: Yoga. Brunch. Chores. A little shopping. J came over to hang out, have dinner, and get caught up. - Wine.
- Nibbly plate (Cheese, olives, artichokes, salami)
- Mixed green salad. w/HC's Killer homemade blue cheese dressing.
- Herbed pork chops.
- Cous Cous.
- Caramelized Baby Bella mushrooms and shallots.
- Wine.
Labels: Birthday, Music, Weekend Update
Highly food motivated
That's how HRH's breed was described on a web site about dogs. HC and I already knew this, with all of his antics around food. He'll do about anything for food. Sit, lay down, swim, etc..And what kind of food? It doesn't matter. All food is good food especially when he's eatin' it! Some examples: - Carrots. As soon as you begin to peel a carrot, HRH will appear by your feet. It doesn't matter what he was doing. He knows the sound of that peeler doing it's thing. And he wants in on the action. We've got him trained now to lay down at the edge of the kitchen floor when he hears the carrot peeler. He know's he'll get a little something for his obedience.
- Olive oil. I was filling my oil bottle and made a M-E-S-S of myself. I had it all over the counter, my hands, and a little in the bottle. HRH was watching and licking his chops like crazy. So I thought "Why not. We give him vegetable oil on occasion. It supposed to be good for his skin & coat. Olive are vegetables..." So once I finished filling the bottle, I called him over and presented my hands. Yep. He licked it all up. You would have thought he'd never eaten before. You would have though it was steak.
- Gravy. Last night we made a roast. I made gravy from the marrinade & juices. We had extra gravy, so HC decided he needed a special treat with his dried food. HRH damn near licked a hole through his bowl. Again, like he'd never eaten before.
Yeah he's spoiled. But you know what? When I take him to dog park to get his run on, I see many dogs and their level of obedience varies wildly. For all his unrullyness, HRH is a pretty obedient dog. Most times I can call him and he'll stop what he's doing and come as commanded. There are plenty of dogs at dog park that are oblivious to commands.
True. It's taken nearly a year and a half of almost daily work to get him to this point but it's been worth it. He listens and understands what we want of him. And yes, the promise of a potential treat doesn't hurt either!
Labels: HRH
