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Wednesday, August 25

Septet is Seven, right?

We dropped in for the final Concert in the Park to check out the Emmette O'Sullivan Septet, but immediately became perplexed when only 6 musicians were on stage. The leader guy didn't look like an Emmette either - perhaps she died? At any rate, it was fun to watch Aunt Jemima get her groove on and try to figure out the family tree of the people sitting in front of us.

I finally got Susan to play catch with me - I think I bought that damn softball glove in May or June! It was nice of her to humor me after spending her entire day off cleaning the house, which included scrubbing my mom's toenail polish off the linoleum floors. Thanks again for all your "help," mom!

As of today, I have 5 inivitations available for the Gmail beta - so let me know if you're interested in getting a piece of the action. Action, of course, is a redonkulous amount of storage space for your e-mail. I've been "a user" for more than two months, and have only managed to accumulate 54 MB (5%) of my 1000 MB allotment...

Now Playing: Brad Mehldau - Places

posted by Brad at 8/25/2004 11:00:00 PM | permalink | 3 comments

3 Comments:

• Speaking of music I am wondering if you're aware of the stinky trouble your favorite guy group has gotten themselves into? Some members of the DMB band/crew have been accused of dumping around 80 - 100 gallons of human waste from the tour bus into the river causing a nearby boat of tourists to pinch their noses. The band members/crew might be charged in the matter. Not so environmentally friendly now, are they?
  
  Thought you could use some happy news! Rebecca

  By  Anonymous, at 8/26/2004 7:33 AM 

• Your post brings me back to Easter Sunday several years ago. My husband asked me to play catch with him in his parents' front yard. He kindly gave me tips on improving my catching ability. "Get in front of the ball" he said, "don't reach out left and right. Get your body in front of the ball." Being the obedient wife that I am (haha), I did as he suggested. It worked quite well until the ball came and smacked me right between the eyes. A small cut began dripping blood down my nose and I was done "playing catch".
  
  Of course it's still not as bad as the time my brother hurled a BASEBALL at my son's eye, knocking him to the ground and giving him a black eye that lasted almost 3 months!!!!!!!!

  By  Unknown, at 8/26/2004 9:43 AM 

• Hi, if you have still some gmail invitation free, you can make me happy ! Thx
  
  regards,
  john john(at)ebox.cz

  By  Anonymous, at 9/01/2004 8:26 AM 

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BlogThis! - Non Dairy Creamer

I like me some half and half in my coffee. After discovering that the tub I brought from home had gone foul, Dmitry suggested that I use the Non-Dairy Creamer that everyone else did. His argument? That NDC is healthier and oh by the way highly flammable.

We built bombs out of toilet bowl cleaner in Colorado a few years back, but these are much more interesting to look at...

posted by Brad at 8/25/2004 10:51:00 AM | permalink | 0 comments

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Tuesday, August 24

BlogThis! - Hamma Lamma Ding Dong

Hooray for Wisconsin!

This article is especially interesting due to the fact that the town chairman is pissed because

"...the worldwide recognition Paul and Morgan Hamm have received at the Olympics refers to the brothers as being from Waukesha, rather than from the town of Waukesha."

posted by Brad at 8/24/2004 05:20:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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BlogThis! - Huge Pink Ribbon

If you even remotely care about breast cancer, do this. It will take you far less time than you've wasted reading my useless mouth (I guess it could be finger?) diarrhea...

posted by Brad at 8/24/2004 02:43:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• Thanks, I'm all registered! Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 8/24/2004 8:22 PM 

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BlogThis! - Mini XXL

I wonder why my dad didn't buy one of these?

posted by Brad at 8/24/2004 02:01:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Case of the Mondays

We spent some QT this PM at B&N, and I discovered a few CDs that seem A-OK. I'd buy them myself if I had the money, but I foolishly spent it all on a Hanzo Sword instead...

Charlie Hunter Trio - Friends Seen and Unseen

Bela Fleck & Edgar Meyer - Music for Two

Canadian Brass - Seen & Heard

Wheat - Per Second, Per Second, Per Second... Every Second

Chris Whitley - Rocket House


Painted in the bathroom (what else is new), not quite done there (what else is new). Now I'm tired and going to bed...

Now Playing: Medeski Martin & Wood - Combustication

posted by Brad at 8/24/2004 12:26:00 AM | permalink | 0 comments

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Sunday, August 22

Picasso

I'm tired of painting. Unfortunately, we aren't quite done. The bedroom is sporting a lovely twig basket stripe, and the bathroom is almost midnight dream.

Susan and I went on a neat train ride (with the rest of the T0313 execs) on Friday night. We meant to have some big fun this weekend, but
it sort of slipped to the bottom of the list. We did manage to (sort of) stay awake for the 1 AM showing of Men's Olympic Table Tennis semifinals on Bravo - those cats are nuts.

It has to be about 9 years ago now, my dad bought a mini component system (for Nick?), and we used my shiny new Batman Forever CD to test it out. It must not have lived up to expectations though, since he returned it - with my CD inside! Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago, I get a package in the mail containing said album. I wonder how the eventual accidental owner of the CD managed to track down it's rightful home?

At any rate, I'm eternally grateful.

Now Playing: Batman Forever - Official Soundtrack

posted by Brad at 8/22/2004 08:05:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Twinkie Factory

Just down the road from the factory I work at in Lodi, they are cranking out new Twinkies at a record pace.

posted by Brad at 8/22/2004 12:43:00 AM | permalink | 0 comments

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Friday, August 20

Parental Units

Through the magic of WiFi technology, I am currently combining my uncontrollable urge to watch the Olympics with the nagging desire to catch up on The Myth. I'd like to kick things off with a huge thanks to mom & pop Johnson, who spent Friday to Wednesday with us in sunny CA. It wasn't just fun and games though, as we shopped until we dropped at Ikea, the DCI booth, Marina Marketplace, Michael's, Lowes, and Home Depot.

Besides all the shopping, we managed to catch a nifty indoor concert put on by the 6 most decorated drum corps in history. I forgot to remember to show up to the Brubeck Institute concert on Saturday night, but we managed to sample some authentic California Pizza Kitchen instead. I'm proud to report that the garage is now dry rot free, thanks to some blood sweat and tears from my dear old dad (and Glen's tools).

My mom wanted to make sure that we were actually using the jars of flour and sugar that adorn the slightly worn kitchen countertop, so she whipped up several hundred blueberry muffins, a carrot cake and freezer full of chocolate chip cookie dough. Susan wanted he to make "magic" brownies too, but apparently we don't have all the ingredients? During her baking breaks, she contact papered the kitchen and helped Susan paint the master bedroom and bathroom - what a slacker!

Rich and Jan will be our next visitors, having just taken advantage of a Hobbit Travel Hot Deal over Labor Day weekend. Since everyone seems to be having so darn much fun out here, some of the coffee girls (and hopefully Tony "testosterone boost" Black) are honing in on a trip during the first weekend in October. When are you coming to visit?

I think I've been at this for about an hour and a half, and Carly Patterson just pwnz0red the Women's All Around Gymnastics competition so I think it's safe to turn off the TV now. Sorry if everything preceding these words is drivel-icious, I haven't exactly been focused...

Now Playing: Moby - Play

posted by Brad at 8/20/2004 12:18:00 AM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• There seems to be a bit of "Aunt Bea" profiling here. While I'm sure her muffins would take 2nd place to mine I don't want the general public to think this parental unit is anything like the infamous "Aunt Bea of Mayberry". I don't wear flowered house dresses and I haven't even a grey hair on my youthful head! Check out the real thing at : http://www.tvland.com/shows/griffith/index.jhtml And as for me, I'm off to my quilting meeting!

  By  Anonymous, at 8/23/2004 3:31 PM 

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Thursday, August 19

BlogThis! - Paul Hamm

I can't believe I gave up on him and turned the TV off last night...

Go Wisconsin! (except for the Badgers)

posted by Brad at 8/19/2004 10:23:00 AM | permalink | 0 comments

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BlogThis! - Mao Hai

I'll give you a hint - "Hai" is Chinese for "hair."

posted by Brad at 8/19/2004 10:16:00 AM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• Those were the most horrific pictures I have ever seen of another human being! What's worse is that he seems proud to be that hairy and ill-kept.
  Glad that you had fun with your parents!
  Rebecca

  By  Anonymous, at 8/20/2004 7:03 AM 

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Hard To Bal33t

I find it difficult to believe that I am more interested in watching Men's Gymnastics on NBC than catching up on nearly a week's worth of writing - or anything else for that matter.

But it's true!

Maybe I feel a special connection to Paul Hamm since he is from Wisconsin? Or maybe I just like propping myself up with caffeine every day at work? Whatever it is, I think the commercials just ended so I'm out like a kid on a swing with no arms.

posted by Brad at 8/19/2004 12:28:00 AM | permalink | 0 comments

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Saturday, August 14

AIM Users Beware

It's far too easy to overuse the simple smiley face when expressing emotion, but there are 16 AIM "emoticons" at your disposal that should all be given equal consideration. For future reference, Michael and I created the definitive guide below to choosing the correct expression to convey your feelings. From angelic to vomit-inducing, here's the new world standard...

posted by Brad at 8/14/2004 02:08:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• "Ooh! There is no emoticon for what I'm feeling"
  -Comic Book Store Guy

  By  MICHAEL, at 8/15/2004 9:38 AM 

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Thursday, August 12

Centurion

I'm thrilled that my 100th blog post and the beginning of the Olympics in Greece coincide to spawn such a subtly appropriate title.

To commemorate this achievement, I am compelled to share a few more statistics about The Myth:

• 111 days
  
• 95,953 words
  
• 5,598 page requests
  
• 61 comments
  
• 1 celebrity post
  
• Several days of my life?
  

Here's to 100 more...

Now Playing: The Rock - Official Soundtrack

posted by Brad at 8/12/2004 11:44:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• Congratulations on your milestone!! It also happens to coincide with a HUGE event in my life: we close on our town home this morning at 9:30. Who says that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day?!
  Have a wonderful weekend with your parents,
  Rebecca

  By  Anonymous, at 8/13/2004 7:08 AM 

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Wednesday, August 11

diePod?

OMG I totally thought I brox0r3d my iPod 2day - minding my own bidness during a sweaty jog to the gym, and it randomly locked up. After a painfully silent workout and further review, the ruling on the field was overturned when Apple's Support Website informed me how to reset the damn thing. I was surprised to learn that Apple even had said website - I thoght that Macs don't crash?

I was concerned that I didn't have anything to write about tonight, until I remembered that I recenly saw two more movies that I could ramble about for a minute. We watched Butterfly Effect last night, which is basically a "choose your own adventire" book turned screenplay. I have fond memories of those books, I wonder if they still make them? I had to look up the definition of maladroit to understand why the LA Times critic didn't like it, but I'm going to go against the consensus at Rotten Tomatoes on this one and say that I pretty thoroughly enjoyed it. Duh, Ashton Kutcher is hot!!!

Mystic River was a good flick, but (as Dmitry noted) it doesn't deserve the accolades it received. A few other thoughts...

• I'm sorry that our "boring day-to-day activities" cause you so much pain, Erin.
  
• 7 different pairs and $150 later, the folks at Red Wing Shoes finally came through for me.
  
• 3rd time is the charm, as we enjoyed a rat-free pool on Sunday and I actually completed (and passed) a smog check today!
  
• My new dentist was on ABC's "hit" show Extreme Makeover
  
• I love Susan!
  

Now Playing: The Mask of Zorro - Original Soundtrack

posted by Brad at 8/11/2004 11:33:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Tuesday, August 10

BlogThis! - Onionapolis

Today's Star Tribune includes an article about how The Onion will begin publishing a Twin Cities version of its satirical newspaper.

This brings back fond memories of weekly trips to Milwaukee with the likes of Steve Baraboo, Sean Behling and Noelle Theres (at least I think that was her last name). As much as we looked forward to rehearsals for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Youth Wind (or Jazz) Ensemble, it was actually The Onion that drew us back, week after week. Steve always got a 20 piece Chicken McNuggets before practice, while Sean preferred to listen to his homemade Richard Pryor stand up tapes. But the ritual on the way home was the same - passenger reading The Onion aloud for all to enjoy...

Thanks to Laura for that link, I was busy reading The Chronicle this morning. It's rather interesting to read articles about the Twins from the opposition's point of view, but somewhat hurty as the Twinks dropped 3 of the last 4 home games to Oakland.

posted by Brad at 8/10/2004 10:00:00 AM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• I am posting this anonymously because I really don't want to take the three minutes that are required to create a BLOG profile. Today is my first exposure to wht world of blogging and I am discovering that this blog crap is pretty in-depth, who knew that people would be interested in your boring day-to-day activities, isn't that what a diary is for? so you don't have to subject us to this kind of cruelty? Just wondering.
  Miss you both,
  Erin

  By  Anonymous, at 8/11/2004 5:41 PM 

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Monday, August 9

eeT eeH

ev'I neeb gninaem ot od siht rof etiuq emos emit, dna tpek gnittegrof tuoba ti - litnu thginot. roF revethaw nosaer, I evah siht ynnacnu ytiliba ot lleps sgniht sdrawkcab. ehT ytuaeb fo siht si taht I t'nod evah ot ssucsid gnihtyna ni ralucitrap, ecnis ylerem gnidnatsrednu si a niap ni eht ssa.

I dluow ekil ot noitnem taht I tsuj dehsinif gnikab emos ytteB rekcorC "braC rotinoM" etalocohc seikooc. elihW yeht t'ndid etsat elbirroh, I ylniarec t'ndluow dnemmocer meht ot enoyna. ehT dedda ragus lohocla sah eht denibmoc tceffe fo ylthgils gnicuder eht ten sbrac dna gnikaerw covah no ruoy evitsegid metsys. m'I ton erus woh ysae ti lliw eb ot llaf peelsa thginot, tub I lliw eb erus ot tel uoy wonk (spahrep neve delleps ylreporp?)

I yfed uoy ot tsop a tnemmoc nettirw ni siht elyts...

posted by Brad at 8/09/2004 11:46:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• rouY egnellahc sah neeb tem. oD ton kniht taht tsuj esuaceb uoy era eht tsedlo rehtorb taht uoy evah emos lacigam ytiliba. tahT gnieb dias, I thguoht I dluohs tel uoy wonk taht ym etis deef si won gnikrow. evaH a doog yad.

  By  MICHAEL, at 8/10/2004 11:14 AM 

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Inline Pics Make Blog Better?

Why doesn't anyone but the dealer carry oil filters for my car?!? SO frustrating... All the little "$15 oil change" coupons that come in the mail are just taunting me, similar to the neighborhood cat that seems to have taken a liking to us. He (or she?) displays affection by hanging via claws through the screen door and meowing constantly - reminds me of Matisse that way.

These two videos made me happy.

I got the tux rental low down today for Wade's wedding - it's good to know that I am going to look super fly in the one he picked, since I've worn it to two AKPsi formals already ;)





I've been obsessing over the new Train single ever since we heard it in Saratoga, and I became weak last night - paid $1.37 for it.

Now Playing: Train - Ordinary (from Spider Man 2 Soundtrack)

posted by Brad at 8/09/2004 07:38:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Lactose Intolerance

U.S. - Schroeder Milk, Co., Inc. has introduced Golden Gopher Ice Cream under the University of Minnesota brand. The University of Minnesota offers Golden Gopher Ice Cream, named after the institution's mascot. The artificially-flavored product is made from golden vanilla-flavored ice cream with a golden fudge variegate and pieces of chocolate-covered golden toffee candy.

Price in local currency $4.59

posted by Brad at 8/09/2004 09:28:00 AM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• Well I thank you for endorsing a Schroeder brand product, Dan will be happy to hear of it! The other thing that I want to mention is that last night while watching a rerun of Everybody Loves Raymond he said something that totally reminded me of you! He was trying to better his marriage by holding hands with his wife but it wasn't working so well because apparently he is "Mr. Cadaver McFloppy Hand" and that quote is what reminded me of you and your tendency to put Mc in front of many a statement. Have a wonderful Tuesday. Can you believe that it's currently 56 degrees here in MN?! I am going back to New Orleans!

  By  Anonymous, at 8/10/2004 7:00 AM 

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Sunday, August 8

Rats!

Here's to hoping that the saying about "Third time's the charm" is true...

We got up early on Saturday morning to work out before my 9 AM smog check, which is required for every car brought into California regardless of age. I tried to have this done a couple of weeks ago, but after hooking up my car to their equipment, I was informed that the 2003 Mazda 6 was "too new" for their systems and I should try a dealership. Fast forward to yesterday, when I waited in line for 20 minutes before they apologized for not calling me yesterday to cancel the appointment - they were out of state certifications and couldn't inspect any cars without them. We also made two futile attempts to use the neighborhood pool yesterday. We were too early the first time around, and were greeted with a handwritten sign on our 2nd visit:

Sorry, pool closed for the day. A rat was found in the pool. Open Sunday.

We'll see about that. Missy and Tim came to visit last night from San Francisco - they're really the only people our age that we know around here, with the exception of work peeps. We had a good time, but my attempt at Greek Garlic Chicken with orzo fell just a wee bit short of expectations. Perhaps indirect cooking is not for me? They decided to head home around 11, so I equipped Tim with my trusty combination of caffeine and sunflower seeds that was sure to get them home safely.

We saw Collateral on Friday night, which Susan liked more than I did. I found it difficult to "get into" either of the main characters - a couple flashes of brilliance from Jamie Foxx was about all I brought home with me. I tried to convince Susan that we should sneak into Manchurian or Bourne, but she wasn't having any of that.

We made a pretty poor attempt to check out a new church this morning. We were running late, but when we went in they were saying the "Our Father" and preparing for communion. During the sign of peace, we learned that mass had started at 8:45 AM, as opposed to 9:30 as stated on the website.



Now Playing: Michael Jackson - HIStory: Past, Present and Future

posted by Brad at 8/08/2004 01:49:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Friday, August 6

BlogThis! - Dave Brubeck

I just happend to overhear one unknown coworker mentioning the
Brubeck Institute to another unknown coworker, and during the last 5 minutes have come to learn that one of the most well-known jazz pianists of all time went to school in my current hometown of Stockton, CA.

He wrote what is arguably the most recognizable jazz song ever, and is widely credited with introducing jazz music to millions of people around the world. "Time Out" was the first platinum jazz album back in the 1960s, and I must say that iTunes just made it all too easy for me to drop 99 cents and get my fix of "Take Five."

Leave it to Lou Pearlman to tarnish such a wonderful thing, with his concoction of a boy band coined Take 5 circa 1997...

Anyways, the greatest high school jazz musicians in the country are performing at Michael Olowokandi's alma mater next Saturday, so hopefully I will convice Susan & my parents that they want to go at some point between now and then.

Wish me luck!

Now Playing: Take 5 from Time Out - The Dave Brubeck Quartet

posted by Brad at 8/06/2004 01:47:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• I am glad to see that you've gotten back into the swing of blogging, I missed hearing from you for those few days. Enjoy the time with your parents this weekend!! It's hard to believe that you've been gone for only a month, it seems like so much longer.
  Rebecca

  By  Anonymous, at 8/06/2004 2:57 PM 

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BlogThis! - Twins TRL

Derek was kind enough to ring me at work yesterday, and rub in that he, Jason and Cindy were enjoying themselves while tailgating prior to yesterday's Twins/Angels game. He did not, however, mention that he lost his lunch after trying to put down one last beer before heading into the Dome, or that a former Miss Coon Rapids outdrank him that morning. Funny how things slip through the cracks sometimes...

Today's ESPN SportsFlash newsletter included a story about the "entrance music" for MLB players, which I found interesting enough to share.

Enjoy!

posted by Brad at 8/06/2004 09:54:00 AM | permalink | 0 comments

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HVAC = FUN

4 weeks into my new joarb, and I'm ready for a new one. I successfully installed a new thermostat tonight, and am starting to think that being an electrician is my calling. My first mission was to figure out which circuit breaker would prevent me from electrocuting myself - since our breaker box is conveniently located outside the backyard fence, I recruited one of the neighborhood riff-raff to flip switches while I ran around making notes. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I suppose he knows he can come back anytime and really mess with our heads...

On Tuesday night, we employed the assistance of neighbor Glen and his Texan brother to diagnose and repair the problematic garage door. It was then time to celebrate by cashing in some 10 day "free workout" passes at 24 Hour Fitness, which actually meant sitting through an hour-long sales pitch by some dude from Oklahoma who referred to me as "boss." $320 and 14 calories later (due to some walking around and signing contracts), we headed home and whipped up something from a random cookbook I got at work. Good thing the meal only cost $10 worth of groceries to make and yielded 3 leftover servings, or we would have to put the house back on the market and live in the washer & dryer boxes - they are quite roomy.

We actually got a workout in on Wednesday night, and then hit up your favorite store and mine to look for some trouble, I mean dark brown fabric. I convinced Susan to swing by Barnes & Noble "on the way" home so I could inquire about potential employment opportunities. I picked up an application and chatted briefly with James, who instructed me to fill it out and return to Catherine or Nate and they will see about working something out. (Sorry, that last sentence was mostly for me to remember names) I'm not sure why it seems like a good idea, but it might just be another chance to meet people and entertain myself during the evenings and weekends that Target lays claim to Susan.

11:15, 6 AM will be here in NO time.

Now Playing: Dave Matthews Band - Live @ Red Rocks 8.15.95

posted by Brad at 8/06/2004 12:29:00 AM | permalink | 2 comments

2 Comments:

• And yet, he leaves us in suspense.....what is the brown fabric for? Did they find it? Is it cotton, velvet, wool, leather?

  By  Unknown, at 8/06/2004 7:55 AM 

• I too wonder what the brown fabric is for! Maybe it's for a cape...or a quilt... one can only guess! Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 8/06/2004 10:28 PM 

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Thursday, August 5

Offending Parties

Since I know you were wondering, these 75 IP addresses are the reason that I had to turn off the mp3 sharing - all of them accessed my computer today:

 
138.253.137.93  205.141.66.16   66.185.85.80   
138.88.122.229  209.237.238.180 66.196.90.194  
146.217.200.214 217.169.121.38  66.196.90.227  
147.102.83.98   221.188.244.67  66.196.90.250  
161.114.142.51  24.100.166.20   66.196.90.74   
162.33.154.94   24.156.79.171   66.196.90.87   
162.40.169.61   24.164.170.126  66.196.90.9    
164.77.129.100  24.24.199.74    67.181.112.18  
168.13.63.66    32.106.194.204  67.181.201.119 
172.129.234.135 62.135.97.98    67.64.11.27    
172.134.210.8   62.169.69.9     67.64.11.77    
172.138.177.194 63.115.132.3    67.64.11.99    
172.149.87.76   63.161.51.2     68.195.30.58   
193.194.132.39  63.199.204.182  68.206.105.158 
195.152.12.34   64.12.116.146   69.151.125.153 
195.37.229.10   64.121.52.199   69.156.205.130 
200.157.228.131 65.102.138.232  69.167.137.104 
200.217.253.151 65.214.36.174   80.172.12.218  
200.69.45.201   65.247.212.150  80.202.228.57  
202.155.74.113  65.54.188.93    80.55.164.122  
203.106.86.195  65.73.182.192   80.98.137.27   
203.177.20.253  66.132.150.27   81.11.150.111  
203.42.83.20    66.185.85.70    81.204.236.143 
203.94.204.158  66.185.85.72    81.62.95.70    
204.171.48.4    66.185.85.78    82.83.109.176  

Feel free to figure out who any of these people/robots are...

posted by Brad at 8/05/2004 05:15:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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No Mo Music :(

I had to temporarily disable the ability to download music, due to unknown people downloading copious amounts of mp3s and hogging all the server connections.  If you were affected by this, shoot me an e-mail and we can work together to get what you were looking for.

posted by Brad at 8/05/2004 03:14:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Monday, August 2

Ugh!

The last couple of days were almost perfectly sublime, until I was pulling into the garage tonight and noticed that the door hadn't opened all the way before stopping - and looked crooked. After further review and a half hour of pretending I knew how to fix it, I gave up and left the damn thing half open and quite messed up. I guess we'll get to use that home warranty after all, hooray for $45 copays. Since tomorrow = Tuesday = garbage day, it seemed like a good idea to park the trash & recycling bins in front of the partially open door, as if that would stop someone from stealing our his & hers lawn mower set.

About that sublime weekend now... MRJ & Thea showed up on Sunday afternoon bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and used golf balls in egg cartons. I always thought that myrrh was pronounced "murth" anyways, so a bunch of Slazengers was a beautiful sight. We kicked off the festivities by turning a trip to the neighborhood grocery store into a super-fun adventure, with everyone searching high and low for a laundry list of ingredients -we never did find the tapenade though.

After returning home and limping our way through some margaritadaiquiris, we started the grill - and a bottle of Chardonnay. We formed strategic teams that leveraged the respective strengths of the group (men outside playing with fire, women inside roasting garlic and jibber jabbering), and the meal that came out the other end may have been the best one I have ever been part of preparing. The fresh guacamole and second bottle of wine weren't too bad either ;)

Hilarity ensued as we decided to play Cranium, where Susan and I completely pwnz0red our guests. We settled in for some Bourne Identity, courtesy of my manager's 180+ DVD collection. At some point during the evening, the carafe from our super fancy (Toastmaster) coffeemaker broke, curiously on the same day that we ran out of the infamous Olive Garden coffee? As a result of this strange sequence of events, we had to roll ourselves up to the local Target the next morning and drop another $7.88 on a replacement. Is anyone else concerned that you can buy an actual coffee maker for less than a pound of actual coffee beans?

Before hopping in the car to head for the hills, we explored downtown Stockton's crown jewel and gorged ourselves on Cold Stone Creamery. It was so wonderful to have house guests, and I hope this action-packed 24 hours inspires one and all to come and visit beautiful Stockton, CA at some point in the near future.

I suppose I should get horizontal, as this 3 day weekend is ovah...

Now Playing: Peter Malick Group w/Norah Jones - New York City

posted by Brad at 8/02/2004 11:49:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Sunday, August 1

BAGSAC

A former coworker of mine recently completed RAGBRAI XXXII, which reminded me of some old t-shirts my dad used to wear that said SAGBRAW on them. I had no clue what it meant (I was 8 years old), but I do remember assuming that it must be a dirty word, since it containted the word "bra." Not wanting to get my mouth washed out with soap, I never bothered to ask my dad what a SAGBRAW really was.

As I strapped on my trusty Rollerblades this morning to pick up a copy of the Sunday Chronicle, I decided that California should have an equivelant event to RAGBRAI and SAGBRAW. Since I don't currently own a bike, I conjured up the Bee's Annual Great Skate Across California, or BAGSAC. "Bee" is the name of the Sacramento (and Modesto) newspaper, equivelant to the Des Moines "Register" or the now defunct Milwuakee "Sentinel." It seemed like a funny acronym to me, so I figured this would be about as good of a place as any to share it with the world.

Buying the Sunday paper every week for $1.50 doesn't seem very cost effective, but I soon learned that it would cost us at least that much for Sunday only home delivery. A few |337 searches later, we were all signed up for the Fri/Sat/Sun Chronicle for a paltry 38 cents/week. Hopefully this Discounted Newspapers thing is for real and we actually get what we paid for...

Now Playing: Medeski, Martin & Wood - Friday Afternoon in the Universe

posted by Brad at 8/01/2004 03:28:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• #1) I get the Star/Tribune discounted all the time. When my discounted rate is going to run out, I cancel. Usually within a week or two they are calling to offer me a discount again.
  
  #2) My dad used to wear a T-Shirt that said, "I snatch kisses and vice-versa". When I asked my dad what vice-versa meant, he told me I was too young to know. When I learned the meaning of the word in elementary school, I proudly announced to my dad that I now knew that his shirt meant "I snatch kisses and kisses snatch me." It wasn't until I was in my late 20's (aka a couple years ago) that the true meaning of the shirt hit me. I can't believe my dad wore that in public!!!!!

  By  Unknown, at 8/02/2004 9:45 AM 

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Santa Claus?

Susan and I have been dating for nearly 2 1/2 years, but I'm definitely on the lookout - for a good morning radio show, that is. As witty as Paul Harvey can be, I often find myself missing Weasel, Nick and Josh. On Friday morning, one of the local stations mentioned that the Stanislaus (rhymes with Santa Claus) County Fair was starting that night, and oh what a fair it was going to be!

So I cleared our empty social calendar, and we bid farewell to our home county. 52 miles later we found ourselves in Turlock, without a clue what we were getting ourselves into...

• Stainslaus County Fair Idol was more than just slighly entertaining. My pick to bring home the bacon? Jessica Banana.
  
• We were drawn to the bright, flashing lights and ended up shelling out big bucks to ride the ferris wheel and "Fire Ball"
  
• Can you believe, not a single cheese curd in the whole joint? The flambuoyant espresso man we talked to didn't even know what they were!
  
• After debating whether or not to stay "late" and see the hypnotist, we're glad we stayed. She had people on stage rapping in unknown languages, re-enacting the Jerry Springer show, uncontrollably shoving ballons up their shirt, and even laying an egg on while on all fours.
  

Saturday morning, we found ourselves back at Polka Band Park - but this time we ran and walked around it several times and didn't leave because we were cold so much as sweaty. Thanks to several hours of errands, I now know the ultimate capacity of my car:

• 3 24x80" closet doors
  
• 24 rolls of toilet paper
  
• 2 large floor fans
  
• 3 24x30" artist's canvases
  
• A shovel
  
• Several Target & Home Depot bags filled with miscellaneous items
  
• 1 lawn mower
  
• Air conditioner pipe insulation
  
• 2 people (just barely)
  

We watched Cold Mountian tonight, which was a very good movie. I am, however, slightly embarassed to admit that I have owned the book from which said movie was inspired for over 6 years - and not made it into triple-digit page numbers on any of several attempts :(

Now Playing: 3 Doors Down - Away From The Sun

posted by Brad at 8/01/2004 12:40:00 AM | permalink | 1 comments

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• mortgage articles for refinance mortgage home loans

  By  Anonymous, at 11/08/2005 3:01 PM 

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