I don't know precisely how this has happened, however it seems for the most part that death announcements have taken over this blog.
For that, kids, I apologize. Because this is another one - I was woken up at 10:30 this morning by my downstairs neighbor, informing me that an old friend had committed suicide last night.
Right now I'm still trying to process the information. I'm kind of hoping that writing will help me get my head around this; I have no details about a memorial service right now, however I expect information shortly.
What bothers me is the soap opera that was her life. That sounds so wrong when I see it but the fact remains that Delene loved drama. Hell, she existed for drama.
But she was always a true friend, no matter what.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Happy Birthday Andrea
Happy Birthday, Andrea!
Three years ago today you arrived - and ever since then you've been a special spot of light in all our lives. Especially mine - even though we don't share a biology, I still think of you and Aiden as mine.
Your mom is probably upset with me right now because I haven't called, however I look at it this way - I've met you all of once, and brought you Theodore and some other friends.
I call myself your "Grandpa Merlin", but you really don't know me - after all, I'm someone who's just sort of popping in at times in your life, occasionally throwing stuffed animals your way.
But I'm not really an active part of your life. After all, you're only three, and Aiden isn't even six months old yet. AND you live in Kansas City and I'm in Atlanta.
In a few years, when you and Aiden are reading this, I'm sure you're going to understand, or at least appreciate it.
We'll probably interact a bit more when you're older and I've managed to get a couple of visits under my belt, or your mother has come to her senses and moved you here to Georgia.
And BTW, it was your mother who put the kibosh on more big bears, not me. I was told Theodore was causing problems because of his size and another one was completely out of the question (OK, at least at this point in 2011 - Sorry Aiden. (although that might change))
Anyway, back to you and your 3rd birthday.
Andrea, know that I love you even though you really don't know me. I know you're a special little girl who's family loves her beyond measure, and that's something you can always count on.
I hope you got lots and lots of presents, and I promise you this...when you see me, it's going to be like your birthday all over again, but one Grandpa Don and I get to celebrate with you - so I'll spoil you when I see you, just like I do your Mom.
What else is your pseudo faery Godparent good for?
I love you, little one.
Happiest of birthdays -
Many many more.
Grandpa Merlin
Three years ago today you arrived - and ever since then you've been a special spot of light in all our lives. Especially mine - even though we don't share a biology, I still think of you and Aiden as mine.
Your mom is probably upset with me right now because I haven't called, however I look at it this way - I've met you all of once, and brought you Theodore and some other friends.
I call myself your "Grandpa Merlin", but you really don't know me - after all, I'm someone who's just sort of popping in at times in your life, occasionally throwing stuffed animals your way.
But I'm not really an active part of your life. After all, you're only three, and Aiden isn't even six months old yet. AND you live in Kansas City and I'm in Atlanta.
In a few years, when you and Aiden are reading this, I'm sure you're going to understand, or at least appreciate it.
We'll probably interact a bit more when you're older and I've managed to get a couple of visits under my belt, or your mother has come to her senses and moved you here to Georgia.
And BTW, it was your mother who put the kibosh on more big bears, not me. I was told Theodore was causing problems because of his size and another one was completely out of the question (OK, at least at this point in 2011 - Sorry Aiden. (although that might change))
Anyway, back to you and your 3rd birthday.
Andrea, know that I love you even though you really don't know me. I know you're a special little girl who's family loves her beyond measure, and that's something you can always count on.
I hope you got lots and lots of presents, and I promise you this...when you see me, it's going to be like your birthday all over again, but one Grandpa Don and I get to celebrate with you - so I'll spoil you when I see you, just like I do your Mom.
What else is your pseudo faery Godparent good for?
I love you, little one.
Happiest of birthdays -
Many many more.
Grandpa Merlin
The Way Back Machine
At this moment I present to you every single part I could get my hands on from YouTube.com of what is inarguably the single best HBO National Lampoon special from 1978 - currently (and probably permanently) unavailable on video or DVD....
Ladies and gentlemen... I present for your viewing pleasure after the jump...
Ladies and gentlemen... I present for your viewing pleasure after the jump...
DISCO BEAVER FROM OUTER SPACE
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Way Back Machine - aka Hulu.com
I'm a big fan of this site called Hulu.com - a combination of old and new shows available online.
Well, I recently discovered that they have a show called "Fame" - this show was based on a film of the same name which garnered a load of awards.
"Fame" the TV show ran for a couple of seasons, and it was a favorite of mine first run, back in the 1980's.
Yes, last century. That's why I'm calling this the Way Back Machine... it's giving me an opportunity to remember and relive that era, and use the technology of the 21st century to utterly bore you with my recollections.
Anyway... what's prompted this is seeing certain celebs early in their careers, essentially doing "featured extra" roles ... ie 3 lines of dialog and 2 scenes. I just caught a very young Fran Drescher (she of Nanny fame - another utter fave show of mine, only because I can relate to the relatives - see previous entries)
And it makes me remember Disco. Once upon a time, back in the last century, Grandpa Merlin used to love to dance. But that's a memory for another occasion.
Back to Fame the TV series.
I'm now on episode 2 - I'll probably do one more then switch to a game, then bed.
So, g'nite for now.
Well, I recently discovered that they have a show called "Fame" - this show was based on a film of the same name which garnered a load of awards.
"Fame" the TV show ran for a couple of seasons, and it was a favorite of mine first run, back in the 1980's.
Yes, last century. That's why I'm calling this the Way Back Machine... it's giving me an opportunity to remember and relive that era, and use the technology of the 21st century to utterly bore you with my recollections.
Anyway... what's prompted this is seeing certain celebs early in their careers, essentially doing "featured extra" roles ... ie 3 lines of dialog and 2 scenes. I just caught a very young Fran Drescher (she of Nanny fame - another utter fave show of mine, only because I can relate to the relatives - see previous entries)
And it makes me remember Disco. Once upon a time, back in the last century, Grandpa Merlin used to love to dance. But that's a memory for another occasion.
Back to Fame the TV series.
I'm now on episode 2 - I'll probably do one more then switch to a game, then bed.
So, g'nite for now.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
First snowfall of 2011 part 3
What can't be seen is the parking spot that the red truck came out of earlier this afternoon.
That's out of frame in the upper right.
Anyway, they spent about an hour tonight trying to get parked back in their spot.
You might be able to guess, they didn't make it.
Anyway, the car in the lower left is mine. I won't be going anywhere for the immediate future, if for no other reason than the red truck is blocking my exit.
Well, not only mine, but the 3 other cars of my neighbors.
So Tuesday has now become a snow day. I love it when decisions are taken out of my hands.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
First snowfall of 2011 part 2
Well, it's happened.
Started a little later than had been predicted, however its apparently made up for those lost few minutes by virtue of volume. It's now 11pm, the snow began falling at about 8pm, and we're currently up to about 3 inches, and it's still accumulating.
I know, as volume goes that isn't much. But you have to remember that this is Atlanta, not Kansas City.
Comparatively speaking, this would be the equivalent of KC getting about a foot of snow.
As soon as I fortify myself with a cup of something warm, I'm going to go take a couple of quick pictures. It's beautiful right now, and the only thing you can hear is the sound of the snow falling. If I wait until tomorrow to try and get pictures, then it'll be too late because everyone will be out playing in it.
So, cup of something warm and I'm out to go get pictures while it's still relatively pristine.
Started a little later than had been predicted, however its apparently made up for those lost few minutes by virtue of volume. It's now 11pm, the snow began falling at about 8pm, and we're currently up to about 3 inches, and it's still accumulating.
I know, as volume goes that isn't much. But you have to remember that this is Atlanta, not Kansas City.
Comparatively speaking, this would be the equivalent of KC getting about a foot of snow.
As soon as I fortify myself with a cup of something warm, I'm going to go take a couple of quick pictures. It's beautiful right now, and the only thing you can hear is the sound of the snow falling. If I wait until tomorrow to try and get pictures, then it'll be too late because everyone will be out playing in it.
So, cup of something warm and I'm out to go get pictures while it's still relatively pristine.
First snowfall of 2011
At this moment, they (Natl Weather Service, local weather jocks) are predicting that Atlanta and the surrounding area is going to be hit with a major snowstorm on Sunday night. And by major, I mean some estimates have potential accumulation of up to 6 or 7 inches.
For a city that panics at an inch, that's a blizzard.
However, if this is the case, then a miracle has occurred.
Because I'm not going to be at work when the snow starts. For once, the luck of the draw has me off work when Nature hits. I'm always the "go to" guy for shift coverage, mainly because I've worked in the department long enough that I can handle pretty much any shift.
And I admit it, I'm greedy. I love the overtime.
But this time, for once, I'm going to be able to be at home when it snows, and here's the most novel thing about it... potentially enjoy the experience.
What's projected at this time is for the snow to start at approximately sundown, 5pm and continue through the night, changing to freezing rain and ice at approximately 11am Monday morning, then back to snow around sundown. Which means an unholy mess on the streets.
Since temperatures won't be above freezing until Wednesday, it means a lingering unholy mess.
Thankfully, I have stocked up on food and other essentials, so there is no need for me to go anywhere. And given my utter distaste for driving in snow, there are no worries on that account.
Somehow though, this is going to end up biting me in the ass.
More later
For a city that panics at an inch, that's a blizzard.
However, if this is the case, then a miracle has occurred.
Because I'm not going to be at work when the snow starts. For once, the luck of the draw has me off work when Nature hits. I'm always the "go to" guy for shift coverage, mainly because I've worked in the department long enough that I can handle pretty much any shift.
And I admit it, I'm greedy. I love the overtime.
But this time, for once, I'm going to be able to be at home when it snows, and here's the most novel thing about it... potentially enjoy the experience.
What's projected at this time is for the snow to start at approximately sundown, 5pm and continue through the night, changing to freezing rain and ice at approximately 11am Monday morning, then back to snow around sundown. Which means an unholy mess on the streets.
Since temperatures won't be above freezing until Wednesday, it means a lingering unholy mess.
Thankfully, I have stocked up on food and other essentials, so there is no need for me to go anywhere. And given my utter distaste for driving in snow, there are no worries on that account.
Somehow though, this is going to end up biting me in the ass.
More later
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