Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I'm an Uncle Yo!!
As of 3:30PM on May 29, 2009 my niece was born and I became an Uncle. I'm going down to see the little wonder this coming weekend. I'm really excited and can't wait to meet the newest addition to the family.
Ravaged by Beetles and Retards
Since returning from the honeymoon I've been directing most of my energy into this decrepit house my in-laws own. It's in a sorry state and the more we fix the more damage we discover. We knew that there was beetle damage in the back bedroom, but now we're discovering how much further that damage extends. Thankfully the prior tenants discovered the damage, and had the beetles fully exterminated. Sadly, the contractors (legal or not) did an absolute garbage job repairing the damage. Now we have to repair their repair job, and the damage they neglected to take care of. This is turning out to be a bigger aggravation than we expected. In any case we're still working diligently and are slowly making progress. We've hacked out and replaced most of the damage in the back room and are now moving to dry rot damage in the bathroom, and replacing a damaged rim joist. Good times continue, and I'll keep posting regular updates.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Honeymoon
I won't go into details on the obvious activities that entail a marriage, but I will mention that we spent a intimate week on the Oregon coast in Lincoln City. Granted the weather wasn't the most pleasant, and at times it was a bit boring. We did get some time to see a couple of movies and had a wonderful dining experience at the Bay House. We hope to take a longer honeymoon in a tropical climate as soon as we can find some regular employment.
Married!!
I got married!!
After five years of being together, and one year of engagement my girl and I said our vows on May 30th, 2009. We celebrated our marriage outside of Salem at a lovely vineyard. It was an amazing time made special by sharing it with all of our friends and family. All the prior planning paid off, and the event went smoothly. Generally we were happy with all of vendors we chose, and we received nothing but compliments from our guests.
It was an experience to be the center of attention of a hundred plus guests. I wish we had more time to spend with everyone that came especially the out of town guests. The food was incredible, the dancing was fun, and the bride was radiant.
If you want some more information and see some picture check our website.
www.paulandjesika.com
'til next post
After five years of being together, and one year of engagement my girl and I said our vows on May 30th, 2009. We celebrated our marriage outside of Salem at a lovely vineyard. It was an amazing time made special by sharing it with all of our friends and family. All the prior planning paid off, and the event went smoothly. Generally we were happy with all of vendors we chose, and we received nothing but compliments from our guests.
It was an experience to be the center of attention of a hundred plus guests. I wish we had more time to spend with everyone that came especially the out of town guests. The food was incredible, the dancing was fun, and the bride was radiant.
If you want some more information and see some picture check our website.
www.paulandjesika.com
'til next post
Catching Up
It's been so long since I've posted, but I'm going to try to catch up over the next few posts.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Star Trek
Let me preface with the fact that I am not a fan of the original show, its multiple reinventions or any of the other films. I went to see it with my future mother in law for Mother's Day because that's what she wanted to do. Despite its inherent campiness it was well directed and entertaining.
Fist I want to applaud JJ Abrams for using modern physics phenomenon to rewrite the Star Trek history. It was a great way to tastefully break with the burdensome past. This film has paved the way for future adventures of the Enterprise crew. He also brought uncertainty to the "new" Star Trek technology which lead to some good scenes.
I suppose the campiness couldn't be avoided, but it certainly hit every stereotype in Star Trek culture. Kirk hooking up with a green skinned woman, a guy in a red suit biting it, every major character saying their classic line, Kirk's ripped shirt, and so forth. There were a few just goofy scenes including a monster chase scene and the man sized water pipes that lead to a man sized food processor. Thankfully the film had enough redeeming scenes that I could overlook most of the dumb parts.
I was slightly bored because I knew that the crew was going to make it through since this was their origin movie. I was merely waiting for the next major character to appear and say their famous line. Although I am not a fan and not beholden to any of the prior work I was entertained and claim that this is the best summer blockbuster I've seen so far.
Fist I want to applaud JJ Abrams for using modern physics phenomenon to rewrite the Star Trek history. It was a great way to tastefully break with the burdensome past. This film has paved the way for future adventures of the Enterprise crew. He also brought uncertainty to the "new" Star Trek technology which lead to some good scenes.
I suppose the campiness couldn't be avoided, but it certainly hit every stereotype in Star Trek culture. Kirk hooking up with a green skinned woman, a guy in a red suit biting it, every major character saying their classic line, Kirk's ripped shirt, and so forth. There were a few just goofy scenes including a monster chase scene and the man sized water pipes that lead to a man sized food processor. Thankfully the film had enough redeeming scenes that I could overlook most of the dumb parts.
I was slightly bored because I knew that the crew was going to make it through since this was their origin movie. I was merely waiting for the next major character to appear and say their famous line. Although I am not a fan and not beholden to any of the prior work I was entertained and claim that this is the best summer blockbuster I've seen so far.
The Descent
At the beginning of this past week my future in-laws closed on a house in NE Portland. Given that the house is affordable and in NE this piece of real estate is a gem. The house was built in '46 and is terribly fatigued. Combined with derelict tenants and then vacant for a year gives the place a beat-in, down trodden look.
My task this week was to descend into the crawl space to cut up and remove the vapor barrier. This was the nastiest piece of work that I've done in a long while. Resplendent in my tyvek suit, goggles, face mask, and rubber gloves I stuffed my self in a 2X3 portal and descended into darkness. The dank air smelled like a used cat box with the acrid tinge of chemical rat poison. Breathing with difficulty through the mask I used a flashlight to illuminate the gloom. The space was festooned with detritus, rat carcasses, poison repositories, small puddles of unknown liquids. It was the most uncomfortable and disgusting place I've been since living in central Mexico. Six long hours later I finished clearing the worst. Sadly my work is not complete. There is still beetle damaged joists that need repairs, and pipes that need replacement. When that is all finished I need to lay down the new vapor barrier. Though the next descent will not be as hellish I do not look forward to it.
My task this week was to descend into the crawl space to cut up and remove the vapor barrier. This was the nastiest piece of work that I've done in a long while. Resplendent in my tyvek suit, goggles, face mask, and rubber gloves I stuffed my self in a 2X3 portal and descended into darkness. The dank air smelled like a used cat box with the acrid tinge of chemical rat poison. Breathing with difficulty through the mask I used a flashlight to illuminate the gloom. The space was festooned with detritus, rat carcasses, poison repositories, small puddles of unknown liquids. It was the most uncomfortable and disgusting place I've been since living in central Mexico. Six long hours later I finished clearing the worst. Sadly my work is not complete. There is still beetle damaged joists that need repairs, and pipes that need replacement. When that is all finished I need to lay down the new vapor barrier. Though the next descent will not be as hellish I do not look forward to it.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Flaccid Torpedo
The other day I found myself at a Quizno's for lunch. After perusing their limited menu I zeroed in on an advertisement for the Torpedo. A long, narrow sandwich packed with deli cut deliciousness with your choice of vegetables delivered in a hard crusty roll, which was then deposited into an appropriate fitting paper bag. The ad promised a compact, express sandwich that could be eaten with one hand while on the move. Though I was in no hurry I none the less ordered one to sate my curiosity.
As I eagerly anticipated the first bite of this cunning new sandwich design it yawned opened and proceeded to dump its contents down the front of my shirt and into my lap. The oil from the toasted lunch meats had soaked the bread compromising its integrity which lead to the unfortunate demise of my clothing. Nonplussed I tried to salvage what remained of the first quarter of the Torpedo. The paper bag was more of a hindrance than help as the sandwich spilled more of its contents into it. I had to finish the sandwich with both hands and clean myself off after the whole ordeal. The experience was highly disappointing with the added sting of unfulfilled promises from the advertisement. Though I rarely complain about dining this was the first in a long while that I felt acute annoyance. So dear friends be warned of the flaccid torpedo lest your clothes end up sullied like my own.
As I eagerly anticipated the first bite of this cunning new sandwich design it yawned opened and proceeded to dump its contents down the front of my shirt and into my lap. The oil from the toasted lunch meats had soaked the bread compromising its integrity which lead to the unfortunate demise of my clothing. Nonplussed I tried to salvage what remained of the first quarter of the Torpedo. The paper bag was more of a hindrance than help as the sandwich spilled more of its contents into it. I had to finish the sandwich with both hands and clean myself off after the whole ordeal. The experience was highly disappointing with the added sting of unfulfilled promises from the advertisement. Though I rarely complain about dining this was the first in a long while that I felt acute annoyance. So dear friends be warned of the flaccid torpedo lest your clothes end up sullied like my own.
Wolverine could have been 40 minutes longer
I went to see the Wolverine movie on opening weekend. It was not as bad at the reviews or the fanboys said it going to be, but it wasn't good either. Overall, I was disappointed in the film.
The movie was only a hour and a half, which by current standards is incredibly short. This robbed the movie of continuity and produced a series of clipped scenes that failed to delivery poignancy.
In addition Wolverine is hardly a character to be sympathized with. He's a bestial, testosterone-driven savage bent on revenge who has a vague moral compass. This does not lend itself to a humanizing role. Absolutely fantastic character in a group setting, but when focused on it becomes decidedly less interesting.
The action was dazzling eye candy, but each fight was pointless as the next. Wolverine had little or nothing at stake in each fight and there are only so many times you can say 'This ain't my fight' then be forced into action. Being an origins movie there was no fear for Wolverine's well being. Of course he's going to survive, he has to show up in the X-men later.
I was hoping for more from director Gavin Hood, but it fell short of my expectations.
The movie was only a hour and a half, which by current standards is incredibly short. This robbed the movie of continuity and produced a series of clipped scenes that failed to delivery poignancy.
In addition Wolverine is hardly a character to be sympathized with. He's a bestial, testosterone-driven savage bent on revenge who has a vague moral compass. This does not lend itself to a humanizing role. Absolutely fantastic character in a group setting, but when focused on it becomes decidedly less interesting.
The action was dazzling eye candy, but each fight was pointless as the next. Wolverine had little or nothing at stake in each fight and there are only so many times you can say 'This ain't my fight' then be forced into action. Being an origins movie there was no fear for Wolverine's well being. Of course he's going to survive, he has to show up in the X-men later.
I was hoping for more from director Gavin Hood, but it fell short of my expectations.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Welcome
As you undoubtedly know I rarely post on my other blog Gregorian Rant. I've come to use that blog for more poignant matters, and decided I needed a new place to simply lay out my thoughts. Thus the new blog for...well...ramblings. This I hope will be a more active blog with more current information. Feel free to comment and I look forward to future interactions.
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