Wanna go Kayaking?

Great Policy

It's Not Easy Being Green

Al Gore may have been all about saving energy and saving the planet at Sunday night's Oscars, but it appears he's not walking the walk. Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service. Gore’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for Gore’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year. In total, Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.

Monday Notes

The snow continues today in one of the worst snowstorms in a long time. The kids are loving it, though, spending hours sledding down hills created by snowplows at our neighborhood school. It's the only thing so far that's gotten them off the new Nintendo Wii.
Speaking of which, the Wii is amazing. Very family friendly. The basic package comes with Wii Sports, a game with family style sports games such as bowling that all families can play. The Wii-mote is a new take on gaming, more of a virtual game experience than before - instead of just clicking buttons, you actually move the wii-mote as if you're really bowling or playing tennis.
Gets the kids off their butts, which can only be a good thing.
The cello maker sent me an email - my cello is nearly finished and will be shipped to me by week's end. I can't wait!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Winter has returned in full force, dumping well over a foot of snow on us in the last 16 hours, with up to another 8 inches expected this evening. Last night the driving conditions were almost impossible, even in my SUV. The snow stopped this morning for a few hours - long enough for us to blow out the nearly 3 foot snowdrifts that had piled up, but the snow has again begun to fall. After driving my brother to the ER last night to take care of a severe nosebleed at 3AM, I am even more thankful than ever to have a job that allows me to stay in my office and enjoy the beauty of the snow without the hassle!
Kind of makes the swimming pool I'm putting in the backyard seem like just a pipedream.

Numb3rs Fan?

Love the show Numb3rs, but you have no idea what the heck Charlie is talking about? This Friday night show is always fun to watch, and the math is fascinating - a partnership between CBS and MIT. One professor has a weekly blog to explain the math in the show. Check it out here: http://www.atsweb.neu.edu/math/cp/blog/

Cello

Getting back into the swing of posting (really, I promise) and to start things off I have to say how much I am enjoying learning to play the cello. I love how it sounds. So far I have gotten nearly through book one with the help of my teacher, Ally, but have realized that the student cello I've been playing on is not going to be a keeper. The neck is too thick and it's just not the quality I'm going to want if I will ever be good enough to play in the WSB's orchestra.
After much research, I stumbled upon Andy Fein's handmade instruments available through his store in Minneapolis, created in the Stradivarius style. After reading about his instruments, I was intrigued enough to look further, and I was able to email back and forth with Mr. Fein himself to come up with what we believe will be the perfect instrument for me.
An excerpt from the website:
"Stradivarius structured his cello making workshop so that six to ten of his apprentices and master artisans worked precisely to his cello forms. Stradivarius then did all the final work and ensured the highest quality in every cello. We use the same system today in all our hand crafted cellos from the cello making workshops of Rigidio Riva in Sardinia, Italy, D. Albert in Markneukirchen, Germany, and Francois Costa in Corsica, France.
Every hand made cello that we offer has been meticulously cut from aged high altitude Spruce for the cello’s top and rare, high altitude Maple for the cello’s back, sides, and neck. The cello’s fingerboard is cut from premium quality black ebony. We make sure the cello’s pegs, end pin, and tailpiece match the beauty of the cello with fine quality fittings."
I have ordered a 7/8 size cello, and it should arrive next week. According to the site.....
Wonderful Artisan Made French Cello. Handmade in the F. Costa workshop in Corsica, France. Hand finished by Andy Fein. Air dried, select quality tone wood. Nicely flamed Maple on the back, sides and neck. Deep, rich tone with good timbre and dynamic range.
Mr. Fein is so confident in his instruments that he is giving a 10 day approval period, and if I'm not satisfied I can return it for a full refund. Check out the photos - it's a gorgeous instrument and I can't wait to play it!

Devon's Violin

Devon has been having a great time learning the violin at the Wausau Conservatory of Music. Here's a photo of him with Michael Keelan, his instructor - and one of the cats, who love to hear him play.

OK Go - Here It Goes Again Granbury High School

Truth in Advertising

Well, you've gotta give him points for honesty.

STATE OF THE UNION - WANNA PLAY?

In case you didn't know it, the President speaks to the nation tonight in his State of the Union Address. There's a new drinking game that goes along with it, which you can find on the net at http://www.drinkinggame.us/
Basically, it goes like this.
The general rules of this game are no different from any other drinking game. A drink is either a shot or a good gulp from a beer (or other beverage). Different events call for different numbers of drinks and all you do is watch the speech and play along.

* If W. says "the American people" - 1 drink or gulp
* If W. uses the word "troops" - 1 small drink
* If W. says "freedom" - 1 drink
* If W. says "nukular" - 1 drink
* If W. says "addicted to oil" - drink one shot of extra-virgin olive oil
* If W. says "education" - 1 drink
* If W. says "education" and mispronounces it - 1 drink + 1 more
* If W. says "the First Lady" - 1 drink
You get the picture. Pass the Vodka.

Attention Mr. Fartypants

An underwear manufacturer (in the U.S.) has invented pants designed to hide the smell of farts. Under-Tec's anti-flatulence UnderEase underpants have an in-built multi-layered, replaceable filter, made of felt, charcoal and fiberglass wool. To prevent gases escaping without passing through it, the underpants are made from air-tight fabric and completely sealed with elastic around the waistband and legs. Under-Tec's president and inventor, Buck Weimer, says, "We get a lot of jokes -- but we don't doubt that this is a serious product that serves a purpose.

Daddy

My father passed away in the early morning hours of January 14, just hours after my last post. He died in his sleep, completely at peace.
The last week has been a whirlwind of activity. The funeral, however, was beautiful, and exactly what he would have wanted. Traditional Catholic with all the trimmings. The response has been overwhelming.
My cousins came up from Milwaukee, and the night of the wake we gathered afterward at my house to reminisce. My stomach hurt the next day from laughing so hard. It was an appropriate way to honor my father.
The grief is overwhelming, but it comes in waves. I feel as though he is still here with me somehow, watching over me, still guiding me. He was such a wonderful man......if I am half the father he was to me, I'll still be better than most.
Rest in peace, Daddy.

Grim New Year

It's been weeks since I've posted, but things have been crazy. After three weeks in the hospital, my father has deteriorated rapidly and two days ago was admitted into the hospice program for end of life care. His wish was to come home, so we arranged to have him brought home where we are caring for him as best we can. He is on morphine and is sleeping all the time. He seems relieved to be home, and I am thankful to my sister Wendy for staying and helping with his care.
It has been a difficult thing to accept. My brother still thinks he's going to walk out of here in a few weeks. The reality, of course, is much different. We think we will have days, perhaps weeks, and we're unsure whether he will be any more alert once his pain is managed. Taking it day by day. The kids are doing their best to accept it as well, and are very helpful with his care. Devon has slept at his house the last two nights, too.
With it all, we're trying to keep some normalcy of life. Symphony rehearsal resumes for me on Monday, and I've officially had two cello lessons, which I'm enjoying immensely. Small breaks from the grim reality at home.
You never really know what you're made of until you face these types of challenges and find whether you're able to rise to them.....or not.

Christmas Time, Christmas Time

Christmas is my favorite holiday of all, but this year was tough. We had to call 911 and get my dad to the hospital on Christmas Day - but thankfully he is doing a bit better today. Despite the tears, we managed to have a merry Christmas and enjoy each other very much. Some photos to enjoy are posted.

Dad

No posts this week, as it's been a rough one. My dad was admitted to the hospital Monday. The cancer is kicking his butt. And the chemo knocked him over. They pumped him up with blood transfusions, platelets, and antibiotics, stopped chemo, and sent him home last night. I'm scared this could be it, but am trying to pretend everything is normal. His oncologist said the next few weeks will determine whether they try chemo again, or just let it go. I am clinging to the hope that he will have the strength and will to survive. I have never seen him like this - it's heartbreaking.

Altenburgh Show

Last night, I emceed the 11th annual Altenburgh Christmas Jazz & Blues concert at the Grand Theater in Wausau for the 10th time. It's always a great time and seems to get better every year. John Altenburgh, John Greiner, Otis McLennon, Chris O'Keefe, Mitch Viegut and others are also part of a group called Johnny & the Mo-Tones, a blues group they started about two years ago after driving down to the famed Sun Studios in Memphis, TN to record what would become a bestselling CD, spending 17 weeks at number one on the world Blues Chart. But to me, they're the same old goofy musicians I love to see year after year. They're joined onstage by other greats like Randy Sabien and Janet Planet with her amazing vocals for a sold out crowd every year.

Afterward, we all head over to the annual City Pages party which is always a virtual who's who of Wausau. Everyone who is anyone is there, and it's great people watching. From the mayor to the police chief to our state representative Donna Seidel, the party is an annual event that I have only missed once.

The photo in this post is Dana Greiner, John Greiner the sax player's wife, who is a good friend, with me at the party. I have to admit, that holiday spirit is infectuous!

Elf Yourself

If you're not yet in the holiday spirit, make an elf of yourself. It's hysterical! Go to www.elfyourself.com for all the fun.
Here's one I made of Devon.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=0bf365785c30592e3a3541eG06121516
On another note, my cello lessons are secured and will start on Thursday, January 4th. Can't wait!

Naughty Santa!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

It must be the day for frustration, I'll tell you. I know it's the busy Christmas shopping season, but for Pete's sake I'm tired of crummy customer service!
In an earlier posting, I bragged about Buy.com and their fabulous deal when you use Google checkout. It's still a great deal, but WOW, they stink in the customer service department. You tell me why something that is still listed on their storefront as "in stock - ships in one to two business days" is STILL SITTING IN THE WAREHOUSE AFTER A WEEK.
OH, and to try to get a response to inquiries is nearly impossible.
And let me say, the folks at Apple haven't won any points so far, either. Last night I got an email saying they "couldn't find" the bank wire for my new laptop. How does a business like this misplace over 900 bucks? The email said to call their customer service line - which I did - and after navigating through "press one for repairs, press two if you know the party's extension" blah blah blah for 10 minutes, I finally got a real live person who told me.....
"Sorry, that's not my department."
The good news is, they found my money.
The bad news is, they aren't shipping the &$%#@ thing until NEXT WEDNESDAY.
Meanwhile, my Thinkpad is putt-putting toward a slow death and now won't even recognize the PCMCIA slot that my photo card goes in.
Cripes!
So, no photos of the cello - yet.
Is it almost Christmas? Pass the Xanax.