Welcome to this week's Thursday Threesome, brought to us this week by Glenn Miller (that's the name that popped into my mind. Hope that's a good example) and The Back Porch.

Onesome. Big. Anything "big" happen to you lately? Come now, what's the biggest thing in your life these days?
Probably the biggest things in my life are signing up for St. Baldricks and Left Coast Crime, which starts this afternoon! Very excited about that, but it will mean I won't be here as much as normal.

Twosome. Band. I didn't do the band, but I did choir when I was in school. Tell us: what kind of extracurricular activities did YOU do when you were in school?
You'll never guess what I did in high school. I was on the golf team my senior year. Mind you, I got 72 on 9 holes instead of 18 so I never was part of any games, but it was fun playing every day. And I haven't touched a golf club in about 7 years. Took Grpop's back in May. I really should start playing again.

Threesome. Music. Our topic of the week is music, so why don't YOU share little about your personal tastes in music. Favorite band? Favorite song? Have a song you love to sing along with but hate to admit it? Now's the time to fess up!
I'm going to be lazy and just direct you to my post on the subject I made yesterday on the porch. However, I will mention my favorite song again, "Learning to Trust" by David Meece.

In other news today, Mr. Rodgers has passed away. I'm as sad as I was when I learned he'd quit doing his show a year and a half ago. I loved his show growing up, and I watched it for years, even watching it with my brother. He did all kinds of fascinating stuff on the stuff. I still remember the film on making crayons. He will be greatly missed.

And finally, since I won't be around to do it later, I must take the Princess Bride quiz everyone else is doing.

You are Westley. Valiant, handsome and a great
believer in the power of true love. You learn
quickly, recover quickly and think quickly.
Others marvel at your brilliance and wish they
were you!


"A princess bride personality test!"
brought to you by Quizilla

So this week, we're celebrating the Jixaversary over at Jix. Today is a special anniversary of my own. Today is my bloggaversary. Yep, that's right. It's been a year since I started sharing my boring life and opinions with those of you who keep coming and reading. And thanks for making this a very fun year.

Other big news. As those who are regulars at Zap's and Jix know, I've signed up for the St. Baldricks head shaving fund raiser. Any proceeds go to fight children's cancer, a very worthy cause. And I get to do something I enjoy to raise money, too. Seems like everyone wins. So, if you want to support me with a tax deductable gift, just follow the link. 13 days until the shave, but who's counting. And I see from this posting that I already have two donations, so thank you to those who have given. Fast work considering I just signed up two hours ago.

In case anyone was wondering, I did get my laundry done last night. The laundry room was almost completely empty. Full when raining, empty when not. Anyone who can explain that to me is much smarter then I am.

And I keep forgetting to post my "I Will Be Here Count." So far this year, I've been to 1 wedding, and I've heard this classic Steven Curtis Chapman song once. I give Kevin and Rebecca credit for using it as their first dance and not in the ceremony, but it still counts. (We'll see if it's used in every wedding I attend this year or not. I know you care.)

And I think my mild headache is gone. I didn't take any medicine today to see what happened. I did bring it into work, however, just to be on the safe side. Anyway, it bothered me a little bit, but hasn't been a problem all afternoon. Would be wonderful if I could enjoy the mystery convention starting tomorrow without having to worry about it. Of course, I'll probably run myself ragged and get sick again (or sicker) as a result. So I guess it's really not that hard to be smarter then I am. :)

Made it back just fine last night. They were predicting rain yesterday, but I only hit scattered sprinkles most of the way down. Until I hit the grapevine. That's when the rain started in earnest. It had tappered off by the time I reached Santa Clarita, leaving me just long enough to unload before it started pouring here. Sounded neat all night. I love listening to rain on the roof.

Of course, that didn't make the laundry room any more empty. Sure hope my normal Tuesday night luck doesn't hold because I must to laundry tonight or I won't have clothes to wear the rest of the week. And I have a busy schedule planned, too.

Got back a little later then normal last night because I met Donald for lunch. Good visit, and I got to see his office. Of course, I also spent an hour I normally don't spend off the road, but it was well worth it.

Grandma was with my uncle and aunt this weekend, so I didn't get to see her for very long, but what little I did was sad. She has no short term memory at all. I told her I don't know how many times why I was up and that I was leaving Monday, but it never seemed to register. It's so sad to see anyone like that.

Surprise!

Just got home from the wedding a little over 30 minutes ago. My family isn't back from their day in San Francisco yet, so I thought I'd jump on the internet.

The wedding was very nice. Ran into some old friends I haven't seen in years that I grew up with in church. Spent most of the reception with them, even though we were supposed to be at different tables. But four people at their table never showed up, so it didn't make any difference at all. I only knew maybe 10 people there, so it was nice to have people to talk to. They're doing well, from the sounds of things.

Man, they kept playing music at the reception I wanted to get up and dance to. The worst was when they played "Lady in Red" and "Great Balls of Fire." Brings back lots of memories from dance pracitce at Nordquists.

Had a good drive up yesterday. Did pull off at a rest stop and dozed for about 30 minutes. Made a world of difference. Traffic was much lighter then it's been the last few times I've driven up here. I slept like a rock last night and didn't get up until after 9 this morning. Feeling about like yesterday. Still only 95% Mainly a small, mild headache.

Anyway, should probably post this and sign off. See you all Tuesday.

Well, in just a few short minutes, I'll be leaving for SR. Actually got the majority of the packing done after Bible study last night. Just need to change, add a few last minute things, and hit the road. After checking my oil and water. Got the tire pressure taken care of last night. (Family joke.) Looks like I'm going to need to figure out why my left front tire has a slow leak. Not fun.

The good news is it looks like I figured out the correct windsheild wiper blades to get. We had brief showers Wednesday night, and they worked just fine. That's a relief heading off on a major trip like this.

Got several sincere sounding compliments on worship time last night. In spite of my voice. I noticed a couple times when it was giving out on me, but not when I was trying to bring everyone in. Talked a little more to Jon, and we really don't know what shape the worship team will take yet. So we'll just have to see what happens I guess. Another chance to practice being flexible. :)

I'm feeling the best I have all week. Still didn't get the sleep I wanted, but we were all in with the lights out by 1, so I got more sleep then I have been. I'll still keep my distance from my family so I don't make them sick. Man, I wanted to be well this weekend.

Anyway, I'm going to hit the road. Hope you have a great weekend, and I'll fill you in on mine when I get back.

Good morning. Don't think I slept any better last night, but I'm feeling better. Anyway, time for the Thursday Threesome, sponsered this week by Sherman Williams and The Back Porch.

Onesome: New- Hey, it's close enough to spring (even though the East Coasters have been getting hammered) to ask what's on the "to do" list for March. Do you have plans for changing anything around in your home or apartment? ...or are you ready to just get out of the place once the weather clears?
My to do list for March? Have a birthday. :) And call a realtor and start looking at condos. I mean it this time.

Twosome: Paint- ...any refurbishing or refinishing projects just waiting for the warm weather? That trim that needs painting or that one room with that horrible carpet? ...or do you have something you just dream about doing?
Well, since I currently live in an apartment, there are none I know about. Of course, if I buy a condo, that might all change.

Threesome: Smell- ...and lest we forget the gardeners out there: what spring madness do you have planned in the plant world? New flowers for the windowsill? How about that garden where the snails took over last year? ...or does a quick dusting of the artificial ficus cover you for another year?
My uncle and aunt gave me a bamboo plant when they were here Monday, so I actually have a house plant now. And I really do plan to plant some flowers outside my front door. Been going to do that for about 10 months now, but this time I really mean it!

I am so sick. Well, I just feel horrid anyway. This cold that I thought I was getting over on Monday is hanging on like crazy. Of course, it might help if I could get some sleep. Stil was close to 2 before I was sawing logs again. And I turned off the light at 11:20 feeling like I was going to fall asleep any minute. I'm going to pick up some Nighquil (or however it's spelled) on the way home from work tonight and knock myself out once I've taken the guys home after Babylon 5 tonight. I just hope this works. Otherwise, it's going to be a long, miserable weekend.

Of course, since I didn't feel like working out at all at lunch time, I'll be caught up on TV by this time tomorrow. Maybe I really will be starting JF's new book by this weekend afterall.

Played games with Jeff and Jen last night. I won Stock Market (Jen almost did), then Jen beat us pretty badly at Monopoly: America Edition.

And that's all the news in this corner of the world. Back tomorrow with the Thursday Threesome before I get a week's worth of work done so I don't feel too guilty taking time off this weekend.

Took a risk last night and it didn't quite pay off.

When I left work at 5, I decided to go to Trader Joe's even though it's way out of my way and try to buy a loaf of bread. Took me exactly 30 minutes, and I walked into my apartment at 5:30. To discover that my uncle and aunt were waiting for me. They were on their way to Disneyland with Aunt Martie's son and his two kids and we were supposed to have dinner last night. They thought they'd be in town around 6. I figured since I hadn't heard from them, I'd have time to go to TJ's. But they got into town at 5. Fortunately, Jeff and Jen were at the apartment and gave them the tour and visited with them for the 25 minutes. I wasn't there. We headed out to Oliver Garden for a good dinner. Really enjoyed getting to see them. And really wish I could be at Disneyland with them. If it weren't for the time off I was planning the rest of the month, I would be there with no hesitation.

The new Jerrilynn Farmer book was released today, and I got it in the mail from Amazon. Can't wait to start it! Unfortunately, I've still got about 100 pages in Donna Andrew's You've Got Murder. I'm really enjoying that book, however. Wish I thought I'd have time to finish it soon. But with my agenda the next few nights, I'm not even sure when I'll be watching Buffy and 24. May be taking them home to watch if I get back from the wedding while everyone else is out and about.

When I got back, Jeff and Jen were still there watching TV. We talked for a while, then Jeff and I decided to introduce Jen to the joys of The Stock Market Game. I won (I think by a landslide), but we had fun. And I'm sure Jen is hooked.

Didn't get as much sleep last night as I wanted. And it's certainly catching up with me. I had very little energy until about an hour ago. Which is a problem if I'm going to work during the work day. Got quite a bit of small stuff done this afternoon. I feel very good about that. It's the fact that I still haven't returned to the project I started last week that's concerning me.

I had a successful afternoon of shopping on Saturday. Just took me an hour more then I wanted to spend. Got a wedding present, and got a good deal on it because of President's Day Weekend, so procrastinating actually paid off. This time. Got my present for Grandma for her birthday as well. Now, I just need to wrap that.

Mike drove here from Pasadena on Saturday and we went out to dinner. Had a good time and it was good to talk to him away from Mom and Dad and get his take on things happening at home over the last few months.

Jeff is now officially engaged. Jen was very surprised, which is a good thing. He's now staying with me for the rest of the week. Or at least until I leave for SR. We're planning to hang out and play games tomorrow night. Can't wait.

My uncle, aunt, step-cousin, and his two kids will be through town tonight on their way to Disneyland, so we're going out to dinner. They're going to start by coming by the apartment, so I bet you can guess what I did yesterday afternoon. Yep, the apartment is now cleaner then it's been in months. :) Am I a complete bachelor or what?

And The Music Man was wonderful last night! So glad I already bought the soundtrack. I'd never seen it before, and I can see why so many people love it so much. It might take over from Sound of Music as my favorite musical. Donald and Heather came over and watched it with me, which was loads of fun.

Of course, I now have a new interest. Watching the movie last night, I realized just how much I love barbershop quartet music. So now I need to try to find some good groups. Which is much harder then it initially sounds like it will be. Anyone have any recommendations?

After the movie was over, I headed upstairs to go to bed. And tried to go to sleep until after 2! Don't know what the problem was. But what's even weirder is that I'm still wide awake and have been all day. If only I could do that on a regular basis.

I didn't play ultimate this morning, and it's my own fault. I was having a hard time convincing myself to get out of bed. I finally did it and got all ready to go. Then I discovered that I'd left my cleats outside in the rain. And they were still drenched. Since I really don't want to get sick before I go home next weekend, I decided maybe that wasn't the best thing for me to do.

And it was probably for the best schedule wise. I'm about to hit the road and run the errands that I need to do and then I'll be home to connect with Mike about this evening.

But before I go, another rant. I'm about ready to start boycotting Domino's pizza because their drivers are the pits! They've recently moved to the shopping center with the supermarket I like in it, so I'm having to put up with those idiots on a regular basis now. They plow through the parking lot like they're the only ones there. And last night I almost got into an accident with one who tried exiting the parking lot at the exact same time I did from behind me and pass me in the lane I was turning into. Maybe it's just one really bad driver I'm seeing all the time. But I think it's all of them. If you've going to have people delivering stuff for you, you'd better make sure you have drivers who respect everyone else or you'll find yourself with more then one lawsuit. I wasn't before, but now I'm completely behind the woman who sued Domino's several years ago over an accident when they were having their "30 minutes of it's free" promo.