Crop Walk

Maria, Desmond, Izabella, and I are going to participate in the Crop Walk this year on October 8th. I know you are shocked that I would do something other than watch the football or NASCAR on a Sunday afternoon, but this will raise money locally and internationally to help feed people who need a hand. Part of the money (25%) will go to Potter's House at Greensboro Urban Ministry and the rest will go to Church World Service to spread throughout the US and the rest of the world. If you would like to help us raise some money for these worthy causes, you can go here and make a tax deductible donation. Any amount is appreciated and thanks in advance.

My kids

Desmond told me yesterday that he wants to play for the Yankees and the Phillies and KISS and the Grasshoppers and the White Sox. I figure w/ free agency in baseball that shouldn't be too hard for him. I wondered if the KISS thing was going to be an offseason activity or he was going to take up a second career after he retires from baseball. Then I realized w/ the coffeehouse and NASCAR sponsorship that by the time he plays professional baseball KISS will have branched out to have their own team.

Then he and Izabella were eating their one piece of candy they can have after eating a good dinner (Desmond w/ the Air Head and Izzy w/ the Tootsie Roll) and they started dancing to the stereo in the living room. In some sort of genetic predisposition they raised their candy in the air like a lighter and started dancing around to the music. I would have taken a picture, but I was too busy dancing w/ them.

UNCG on Fox Soccer Channel

This Friday at 8 the UNCG men's soccer game is going to be on Fox Soccer Channel. So far they are 4-4 this season, but the conference season doesn't kick off until tomorrow. I don't see any reason why they can't win the conference and go to the NCAA tournament. Their defense has looked a little shaky, but they are starting a freshmen goalie who should get better as the season goes on. The offense, however, is awesome. That makes for an exciting game even for casual fans. Keep your ears tuned for the call and response cheer U!(U!) N!(N!) C!(C!) G!G!G!G!G!

Desmond's Birthday

Wednesday was Desmond's birthday. He got a bike and a bunch of games. He seems pretty happy w/ it all. He wanted to go eat at Red Robin b/c they have the best macaroni and cheese. That seems a little odd for a burger place, but he's eaten all of his meal when he's got that there so who am I to say it's not. Today we had his party at Pump It Up. I was worn out after climbing and bouncing on all the stuff they had there, but of course the kids were ready to play w/ toys when we got home. On an injury note, my cousin w/ the staple in his head had that when he got there so I'm not taking any of the blame for it. They charge you a lot to have a party at a place like that, but not having to clean up makes it worth it. Plus he said it was his best birthday ever.

Recent things

Don't buy this Chevron fuel additive. Maybe it works so well that it stretched the limitations of my car, but it drove like the fuel pump was failing until I put more gas in it. I'm going to stick w/ STP and Prestone.

I went to see A Clockwork Orange at the Carolina Theatre the other night. It wasn't as explicitly violent as people would make you think (I hadn't seen it in a long time and only remembered a few scenes), but there were all manner of exposed breasts in it. I couldn't stop thinking that the movie was made for the members of Monty Python to be in. Eric Idle sounds exactly like Malcom McDowell, John Cleese would have been perfect as the main prison guard, and Terry Gilliam looks a lot like one of Alex's pals. Then the priest could have been played by Terry Jones' dirty vicar. Maybe there will be a remake one day.

Pink Floyd and Television

For some reason every time I hear Television's Marquee Moon I think it sounds like Pink Floyd's Animals. I think it's the guitar tone, but maybe it's that they both came out in 1977.

More Vernon Robinson

My favorite Triad alternative news weekly, Yes Weekly, has an excellent article on NC 13th Congressional district candidate Vernon Robinson. I haven't heard anything from Vern for a while, but there are still 2 months to election day. I'm sure he'll work up something scary for Halloween.

Autumn Advice

If you're like me, you'll find yourself at some point this fall looking at a 6 pack of Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale. It looks like the right beer for the season, but trust me and avoid it. I saw it the other day and today decided that it would be a good purchase. I didn't read the label, but it contains clove, nutmeg, and allspice flavoring. It is a terrible mix for a beer. Stick w/ the High Life.

Labor Day Special

I only need the slimmest of excuses to post this and it was from a Labor Day concert 27 years ago. Are you ready?

Why your Christmas card from me is going to suck this year

It's all UPS fault. I was all set to order these awesome Dale Earnhardt commemorative cards, but they wanted $8 to ship them via UPS ground. That was more than half of what they cost. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Hopefully, the magic of the holiday season will touch you just by looking at the cards online.

Big three of blogging

Uncle Pete has posted some pictures from Izabella's birthday party. She also had a long phone call w/ Uncle Pete about what she got for her birthday. I couldn't quite understand all of it, but she seems pretty happy w/ her haul.

The bagging of my lawn clippings is actually working out pretty well. My previous problem w/ using the bag was that I had to stop every 10ish minutes to empty the bag. Now, I just bring the kids outside and actually check on them every so often when I have to empty the bag. They are usually still alive.

We went to the Guilford College football game yesterday. The Quakers can score some points. We only stayed for the first half, but I got both kids to walk the whole way home. I had to carry Izabella part of the way there, but my back isn't killing me today like it usually does after one of those trips.