Because It's Mine

I try to be a sharing person; especially when it comes to my family. In fact, I believe strongly in sacrificing for my family. Of course, even I have limits.

There is one thing I do not share well. There is one thing I keep all to myself. My blue comb is mine.

You see, I have had my blue comb since I was in 10th grade. It has the fat teeth with the large spaces between them as well as the small teeth that are close together. It has a lot more class than the traditional black barber's comb I had as a kid, or the Arthur Fonzerelli comb I had in Jr. High.

Me and the blue comb have been through a lot. It was with me during my Shaun Cassidy hair days. It was with me during my well styled Wall Street look. It has been with me during the most recent receding/thinning hair period.

I keep my blue comb high on the top shelf of the medicine cabinet....away from wandering hands. In my household, the life span of a comb is typically 2-3 months. Around here, a comb is often times used as a screw driver to open up a toy, or a weapon to sting another brother, or as a tool to pry dog poop out between the grooves of the soul of a tennis shoe.

Recently, as we prepared all the kids for a "nice" outing, there were no combs to be found (Later found one with Spike. Add pet grooming to the list above.). So, Mrs. WHW went for my blue comb. As you might have guessed, I freaked. I insisted on overseeing its use and ensuring its proper return.

In retrospect, I was probably a bit overzealous in my protection of the blue comb. However, in stressful times people frequently react in extreme ways.

Since this time, I have found the blue comb on the side of the sink. I'm not sure if it is a slip, or someone is sending me a message. Either way, my blue friend must find a new sanctuary.

I am far to old to break in a new comb. Besides, friends have to stick together/

New Years Resolutions

This is the best time of year to be a "list nut". Why??? Because of the requirement to post a New Years Resolution....which MUST be presented in the form of a list. (law in this state).

I being of sound mind and body.....whoa, wrong intro.

For 2007, I resolve to:

1. Work out, in some form, 3 days a week. And no, walking from my living room to the basement is not going to be considered working out in 2007.
2. Finish a couple pc applications for people who have been patiently waiting on me. Only two versions of MS Office later than I promised.
3. Take the kids fishing at least 4 times. Trust me, a fishing trip is not a walk in the park.
4. Eat far less potato chips and french onion dip....one of my vices
5. Drink fewer venti cappucinos (average no more than 1 a week).
6. Not embarrass my second oldest son at any of his swim meets this summer. I tend to cheer for him as loud as humanly possible.....and when you are 13/14, this ain't cool.
7. Set up the lawn spinkler more often for the kids...and not feel compelled to try and spray Mrs. WHW with it.
8. Use the lawn trimmer when appropriate, instead of using the mower as a trimmer.
9. Discourage the kids from cranking out big belches, instead of offering token discipline, then snickering to my wife.
10. Get my wife something SHE wants for Valentine's Day (nothing from VS )
11. Not over-indulge in the corned beef and cabbage this St. Patrick's day (no comment on the green beer)
12. Get the oil changed and the tires rotated when I should on my car
13. Record more of the kids activites using our digital camcorder
14. Not lecture the kids on how great cartoons were when I was a kid
15. Stop imitating Lumberg(Office Spaces) all the time. "Hey, Mrs WHW. What's happening?? OOO, yeah. I'm gonna have to sort of disagree with you." Bat, I blame you for this habit.
16. Save up money for a new computer
17. Not over-use my airhorn
18. Start saving for a piano for Mrs. WHW. This may take priority over #16. Not sure, yet.
19. Buy a DVD copy of the 80's tv series "Police Squad". A six episode classic series. Hey, I have to have at least one gimme on the list.
20. Take Mrs. WHW to at least one movie that gets more than a 1/2 star rating.

You Know, Work Is Really Pretty Easy

Typically, I work the week between Christmas and New Years. Not a lot of people in....I usually get quite a bit done.

However, this year I decided to take the week off. I had some personal time to burn, and it seemed like a great way to catch up on sleep, and just lounge around the house. To quote someone much wiser than me..."The older you get, the more you learn."

To start off with, as is usual, the younger boys were up at the crack of dawn on Christmas day. I distinctly remember the years growing up when I was the same....so it was hard for me to be mad at them. However, as the youngest put it as I came down stairs at 5:15 am, "Look at daddy, he is messed up." Out of the mouth of babes....

Add to this that, ever since the tree hit our house, a couple of the kids have had to sleep on air matresses in the living room. "Guys, it's like camping out every night!!". Unfortunately, one or both of them have frequently made the late night/early morning trek up the stairs to my room. I don't have the heart to march them back down stairs....so I am getting very used to sleeping on the floor. Not really cool for an old fart like me. But, like I said, it is like camping out.

Next, the contractors started repairing our house this week. Each morning they have arrived at around 7:30....sawz-all in hand. Now, these guys are all very nice. And I appreciate their work very much. Just would like for them to have one morning of "slacking off".

Of course, all this added to the standard behavior of the kids being fired up when out of school, and Mrs. WHW taking advantage of my being home to run errands she has been putting off has left me tired and grumpy.

A day of arguing with coworkers about things is sure looking like easy street these days.

Anyway, I am sure by the middle of next week I will be looking back at this week with fondness.....

BTW, check out one of my stocking stuffers. It is cooler than it looks in the picture. Now, all I need is someone wearing a red shirt.....

Boy, You Are Weird

Recently, a couple good blog buddies (G and Weimiegirl) tagged me with listing 6 weird things about me. Typically, I stress out about being tagged. They strike me the same way essay assignments hit me in school. However, because these two are good buddies, I will comply.....

1. I have a thing about cleaning my ears. I love taking a warm Q-Tip and cleaning my ears.


2. I, like George Costanza, teared up at the end of Home Alone. "The old man got me".


3. I used to be able name every Pokemon that "existed". My favorite was Alakazam. He could bend spoons with his mind.


4. I use to be petrified to say anything in public. Now most around me wish I would shut up once in a while.
5. When sleeping, I MUST have one foot outside of the covers.
6. When I read, I make a humming noise.

There you go. Now, I think I have one last tag to take care of......

Are These Stylish?

I have been in need of new shoes to wear to work for some time. Since we have a business casual environment, I am not bound to the traditional wingtips...or its lesser cousin, the penny loafer.

So, as son #2 attended a swimming lesson the other day, I decided to take a quick trip over to a nearby mall and see what I could find. Of course, anything I looked at would have to be on sale for me to even think of buying.

In the past, I have had very good luck with Dr. Martens (the more mainstream models) and Timberlands. Both brands have their pluses and minuses. The Dr. Martens are very durable. However, there is no place locally that will resole them. And my style of walking/bouncing tends to hammer the soles of my shoes. Timberlands aren't quite as durable, but the last pair of them that I bought could squeak on any surface. A little drag of the foot and a massive squeak was generated. This was a plus for me, since it gave me another avenue for being annoying.

So, after checking out several stores that typically have good deals on shoes, I found myself at one of the nicer department stores. This one sometimes has good deals....but also has some outrageous prices.

After checking out their clearance rack....like I can still wear a 7 1/2....I strolled over to shoes that were just "on sale". There I stumbled upon an interesting pair. Not that I'm particularly stylish, but they looked pretty cool. Typically, my idea of stylish is to have on my Peyton Manning jersey with matching blue sweats.

The brand was one I had never heard of....Clarks. I tried a pair on and they felt very comfortable. They also have waxed laces, something I really like. After a few minutes of internal debating, I pulled the trigger.

Here is what the shoes look like:

My question is....Are these shows stylish?? Trendy??? I would appreciate any feedback you, the educated reader, may have. Please keep in mind that I have a reputation to think of.

Thanks.