6/29/2004

AJ’s Dad

AJ’s dad passed away yesterday morning. Pancreatic cancer is a nasty thing. He was a wonderful artist and a great teacher. He will be missed greatly.

sparta at 7:34 am

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6/16/2004

HE’S ONLY ****3 YEARS OLD****

So, once again it has become apparent to AJ and I that we…are…doomed. Doomed in a good way, I’ll grant you, but doomed none-the-less. John has musical ability oozing out of him from every pore. This boy is going to be a musician of some sort - he has to be. Some examples:

You know “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple? Well, just playing around, I picked up one of the newly purchased inflatable guitars and started sounding out the opening chords (Duhn duhn duhn duhn-dun-dun-dun duhn duhn duhn dun-dun) - John repeated them! Not after practice - not after prompting - right away!

He memorizes tunes and reuses them with his own lyrics.

He has taken to keeping his music-playing toys by his bed so he can listen to music when he goes to sleep. Not that unusual, but when you add this next fact…..wellll…..

He asks to listen to music in the car, and he’s as picky as a teenager! Maybe more so! He doesn’t like the new Beastie Boys album by the way - or country. Jazz is okay, depending, as are dance, pop, alternative, and metal. He’s only 3 years old, guys, and one of his favorite movies is School of Rock! So while he’s listening to the music he’s finally agreed to, you can hear him in the back either imitating the bass or the melody or singing along with the lyrics.

We’re doomed! :-) Of course, there are parents who would pay cold, hard cash to be the type of doomed we are - so I’m not really complaining - just sharing. It’s going to be an interesting life considering his brother - after receiving a Legos Movie Studio kit as a gift - has taken to making “teasers” and “trailers” in his bedroom. He’s getting the hang of it - not bad for 8 years old.

I guess it could work: Phillip could make the movies - and John can write and perform the music for them. Then they could support their wonderful supportive mom in the manner in which she would like to become accustomed.

PJ rating of her boys: Ha! They’re so wonderful, there’s not enough bananas in the universe! Infinity is a start. :-) And if you read this Phillip, I love you!!!!

sparta at 1:05 am

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6/14/2004

YAY!!!! PJ does her mighty Victory Dance!

GUESS WHAT!? Master Lee gave me my testing papers this evening! I made arrangements to go to class every day this week in order to get them - and viola! He shows up after we finished forms tonight and says with this mischievious grin on his face “See me after class.” And when I do - he gives me the testing papers! EEEEEEE!!!! I am so excited that this probably doesn’t make much sense. Now, let’s just hope I don’t flunk the test! ^_^

Hee-yah!

sparta at 9:09 pm

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Read in someone else’s blog recently…..

“Back to Reagan. The man who won the Cold War without firing a single shot (in Margaret Thatcher’s famous phrase) was remembered on the L.A. Times letters page today as the man somehow responsible for homelessness and the AIDs crisis. I’d forgotten that some people still can make these claims with a straight face — as if the primary job of American government is to solve every dysfunctional aspect of American society, and as if Reagan had busied himself in the ’80s with encouraging drug use and investing in gay bathhouses. ” — Cathy Seipp

sparta at 6:28 pm

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6/11/2004

Correction

Previously I had stated that I would be able to test for my yellow belt after 10 classes - well, Master Lee says if I come to class everyday next week - I can test! Yay-Hooray! It will be difficult because I will have to find a way for the kids to be out of the way (I have no babysitters up here –sniff–), but I am going to try.

BUT THE BEST NEWS IS THIS: I was wrong about Phillip! Phillip was given permission to test yesterday!!! YAY PHILLIP! This is a big achievement for him - SOOOOOOOO….

On the 25th be thinking “yellow belt thoughts” for Phillip (and maybe me) as he tests! Go Phillip!

sparta at 8:18 pm

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6/10/2004

Another gem unearthed!

I found it! This web site has a whole bunch of scripts from SNL, specifically one of the Reagan ones I was talking about. See what other favorite sketches you can find!

sparta at 7:55 pm

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The Iron Lady has a chink in her armor….

I came across this article which mentions Margaret Thatcher’s visit to the Reagan showing. I don’t know exactly why I chose this article out of the hundreds - maybe even thousands - of articles out there; maybe it’s because I have always had a great deal of respect for Lady Thatcher. I suppose I could also discuss all my feelings with regards to our losing our President Reagan, but it would take up all the room on the page - and I’m sure that most of you feel the same.

I grew up in the Reagan-era (if you want to use that term). He became president when I was 10 - and left when I was 18. I honestly believe that those are the years that really shape a person - who they will be, what they will believe. I know that some of us were more politically minded than our peers, so it will come as no surprise that I paid a good deal of attention to what was going on during those times. Was Reagan an angel? No - no human is perfect (but then, are angels really perfect? There’s something to ponder), but I believe he knew a good deal about showing how strong and proud America is and how freedom for all is the right answer. I know he knew how to call a bluff and how to handle a bully. I know he was actually proud to be American and loved his country -*UNCONDITIONALLY*-

I have always loved the Saturday Night Live skit where they portrayed Reagan as the soft spoken, semi-out-of-it guy, who then turns hard-core when the door closed. I guess what made it so funny for me is that’s sort of how I pictured him - even then.

So, farewell, Mr. Reagan - we’ve missed you; we’ll miss you more now. I hope there’s licorice jelly beans galore for you! and thank you for inspiring the Blueberry flavor!

sparta at 12:56 pm

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Yay!

Today was a good day at Tae Kwon Do. Master Lee told me that with 10 more classes - I can test for my yellow belt! I have been practicing my form with Phillip - he will be allowed to test in 10 more classes too. I think it was 10. Anyway….we’re on our way up the ranks! :-)

sparta at 12:32 pm

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6/9/2004

Another post

So, things are going to be pretty crazy around here for a while - especially this next month. This means my posts here will be sort of erratic - ’cause I’ve been so consistant up ’til now … quit laughing! In the meantime - I will be keeping my eyes and ears open - looking to hear all and see all evil for you, my loyal reader…er, readers. Here’s to seeing you soon! Salut!

sparta at 11:49 am

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Cliff, this is for you….

Okay - I don’t normally do a post for a specific person (Well, I mean, with a specific person in mind - everyone can enjoy), but after being taunted at this person’s website (yes, I actually *DO* read it! Ha! So there!) I thought I would fire back with something nice - just to throw him off-guard:

This site, Absolute Punk.net has a review of one of Cliff’s favorite bands, Brazil. And here is a concert review.

So there. :-)

sparta at 11:06 am

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6/1/2004

Oh - the days are passing too fast.

So today we took Phillip up to the school playground so that he could start learning to ride without training wheels. He’s much too hard on himself - he expected to be riding in about 10 minutes. How long did it take you? Anyway, AJ and I (and even John) reassured him that he did well for his first try - and he did. Then once we were back at the house, I asked to give him a hug after giving him the post-try pep talk. He glanced quickly over my shoulder to the guys ( a couple of high schoolers and a 5th grader) playing street hockey, then shook his head a little and motioned for me to go into the garage with him. **sigh** I wasn’t ready for that to start so soon. You know what I mean, that whole “I’m-too-big-a-guy-to-let-other-guys-see-me-hug-or-kiss-my-mom” thing. Ugh - still, I guess we’ll have to get through this so we can get to the more interesting stages.

sparta at 8:39 pm

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This Gripes My Monkey!

Okay, I usually avoid the abortion issue, but this article really got my dander up. Most of the people –for– this ghastly procedure seem to be those who are also –for– gun control. So, killing children - a lot of whom would be viable outside the womb - is okay, but killing adult criminals isn’t. Well, when they rescind all the unreasonable gun “control” laws that infringe on my 2nd Amendment rights, then they can have their procedure for murder back. Explore, argue, discuss. (Gun control, by the way, means hitting your target.)

sparta at 7:55 pm

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