So Tim and Jeanne got me a Speedo swimsuit for my birthday. I had the opportunity to give it a test swim this morning. All I can say is that my 2000 yard straight swim went by quickly, as I could tell that the drag was greatly reduced. Sleek.
I didn’t have a photographer at my disposal at 4:30 am, so you’ll have trust me when I tell you that I pretty much looked like this.
Just your typical Father of Six, innit?
“Go for a walk with Boomer once a week.”
Tami, Nana, Amanda, Becca, Boomer and I went for a 40 minute walk on the High Line Canal.
We started near Writers Vista Park and went south. Besides it being hot, it was a really pretty day. Here are some photos from the outing.
This item was to participate in Postcrossing, a website that allows anyone (after registration) to receive postcards (paper ones, not electronic) from random places in the world.
I registered on Saturday, 16 June and requested an address to send my first postcard. I’m mailing this postcard to a gentleman in Helsinki, Finland tomorrow.
Each postcard sent contains a tracking number. When the recipient receives the card, her or she is supposed to register the number back on the website, to let the sender know that the card was received.
I’ll provide an update to my cards’ journey as soon as it is registered as received.
This item was to play my guitar at least once a week for 30 minutes each time. According to my calculations, this is the end of week #2, and I’m on track with this item so far.
Here is a photo of one of two axes that I own and play. This is a Dean acoustic/electric resonator. Her name is Black Betty.
I was in the mood for an Italian Hero sandwich, so I convinced Tami, Brittany, Danielle, Becca, and Boomer that that’s what I wanted to do for Father’s Day - go to a pizzeria or deli. (Amanda and Eric had to work.)
So we all went to Nicolo’s for lunch.
It wasn’t such a bad idea after all, was it?
We had a semi impromptu BBQ Friday in celebration of Danielle turning 20. Tim and Jeanne, Mom and Vern, and a few of Danielle’s friends came over. Eric came with his old roommate Joe. It was a lot of fun and it was a very nice evening. Here are the photos.
Joe needed his back cracked, so Eric stood on him.
#41. Get a 529 College Invest plan opened for Boomer
One of my jobs as a father is to provide each of my children with the opportunity to prepare themselves for the responsibilities of adulthood. This is one of the ways to provide an opportunity.
#42. Play my guitar once a week for 30 minutes (143)
I play for myself and no one else. This is pretty evident by the fact that as soon as I get my guitar out of the case, everyone scatters. (The exception here is that Boomer doesn’t scatter, he is drawn to the guitar. Give him time, though and he might just run too.) Too bad I say, because I like playing.
#43. Get my entire music library into iTunes and synced onto my iPod
This is going to be a chore. I might have to pay one of the children. Seriously, it will take weeks. As soon as I get around to it, I’ll provide you with a “CD count” of my inventory. It’s massive.
#44. Begin the “What Every ___ Grader Should Know” series with Boomer when the time is right
Give your child a smart start by reading this set of books by E.D. Jr Hirsch on a nightly routine basis. Now I just need to go buy myself a set, kindergartner through 6th grade.
#45. Learn the vocabulary words from “The Superior Person’s Book of Words” and blog about them
I’ve already written one entry on this topic. The book is by Peter Bowler, and is very entertaining in more of a humorous way as opposed to educational.
#46. Compile a personal top 50 albums list and blog about it
Every music aficionado should be able to tell you what their personal top 50 albums of all time consists of, especially if your sick of the occassional list Rolling Stone magazine provides, like I am.
#47 Compile a personal top 50 books list and blog about it
See #46 above for the basic premise, inserting the NY Times Book Review, or Times of London Literary Supplement in place of the Rolling Stone magazine.
#48 Plant a deciduous tree in my yard
Here is a little know fact: my declared major during my two semesters at Southeastern Louisiana University was Forestry. My front yard is sans trees. My back yard has a couple, but some variety of maple would be a great addition.
#49 Take a fencing class
Pirates do it. The Three Musketeers do it. The main characters in the Princess Bride do it. Errol Flynn did it. Douglas Fairbanks did it. Zorro did it. And it’s an Olympic sport.
#33. Watch Amanda graduate high school in May 2009
Well it is an important event – for her to accomplish, and for me to witness.
#34. Take Amanda to New Orleans after she graduates
It’s kind of a tradition now.
#35. Get a Spa/Jacuzzi at the house
I’ve been clamoring about this for far too long. I won’t feel the old motte and bailey is complete to my personal specifications until this is done.
#36. See the Gipsy Kings in concert – preferably at a venue with assigned seating
I love the Gipsy Kings. I love venues with assign seating.
#37. Smoke a real Cuban Cigar
It’s the Gold Standard, right?
#38. Drink a glass of Absinthe
It’s illegal in the U.S. Hemingway characters enjoyed it in The Sun Also Rises.
#39. Increase the contribution percentage of my 401k
Prepare for the future.
#40. Learn and manage my 401k investments
Make sure the possibilities of the future as plentiful as possible.
I’ve been a tad distracted by recent career/professional developments. Hope to get back at making some meaningful comments here about the life and times of Burley John, his super-fantastic brood, exercise, 101 in 1001, and other social commentary.
#21. See a Verdi opera
I’ve seen one opera in my life, and it was Othello, by Giuseppe Verdi. Verdi is probably the most prolific opera composer. Season scheduling will be a factor in which opera I will see during these 1001 days, but the prospects of Macbeth, Rigoletto, La traviata, Aida, or Falstaff are exciting.
#22. See a Mozart opera
Mozart is generally considered to be the greatest composer of classical music. Prospects here include The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute
#23. See three Shakespeare Plays
I’ve seen live performances of A Midsummer Nights Tale and the Taming of the Shrew, two of Shakespeare’s comedies. I’d like to see a Tragedy (Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo or Juliet) and a History (Henry V or Richard III) and then a wildcard – anything else.
#24. Visit the WWI Museum in Kansas City
This just opened last winter. Check the link and spend some time cruising around. Looks like a first rate place.
#25. Visit 3 National Parks
I’ve been to these National Parks: Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Capital Reef, Bryce, Zion, Valley Forge, Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Roosevelt’s Campobello International Park. Three more should be easy.
#26. Climb one Colorado 14er
There are 53 peaks in Colorado over 14,000 feet in elevation. People have clubs and forums about every facet of climbing them. I, like a lot of people, have been to the summit of two – Mt. Evans and Pikes Peak, but also like a lot of people, I reached those summits in a car. There are several “peak groups” whereby a person could summit two or more 14ers in a single climb. Amanda and I attempted to climb Gray’s and Torrey’s Peaks on July 21st, 2001. We were within 500 feet of the summit of Gray’s Peak, but Amanda didn’t feel comfortable in continuing. Always respect your climbing partner’s trepidation. A few weeks earlier, on July 12th, 2001, Tami and I had good intentions of climbing Mt. Holy Cross, but 5 Dirty Martini’s the night before at 11,000 feet of elevation is not the proper pre-summit eve meal.
#27. Drink 1-2 glasses of wine each day for good health
I’ve heard that this is good for you. I’m all for that.
#28. Take Tami on a “beach” vacation
The beach is Tami’s favorite environment.
#29. Take a cruise across the Atlantic Ocean
A transatlantic crossing is THE legendary, grand travel experience. This is most certainly going to happen.
#30. See the Bayeux Tapestry in the museum in Bayeux, Normandy, France
Along wih #31, porbably the least likely to occur. However, if there is anyway to couple the transatlantic crossing with a few extra days on the other end, I’d really love to see the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the events leading up to, and including, the Norman invasion of England in 1066.
#31. See the Bayeux Tapestry copy at the Museum of Reading
See #30. On that same trip, it would be interesting to see the full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, finished in 1886.
#32. Compare the two
I’ve heard or read that there are some subtle differences in the two works, and it would be interesting to see those and discuss the significance.
