7.26.2007

A better stock chart

I really like the new Yahoo! beta finance charts. Way cool.

7.24.2007

Now that's what I'm talking about

Nice graph, Go AMZN.

Looks like my threat to sue Azazel worked

Sunny skies, warm temps. Seattle denizens can thank me in the comment section.

7.23.2007

This is not part of the deal

As I sit in my 8th floor office in downtown Seattle, looking West and South out my office windows, I see my sixth straight day of overcast skies. Each of those days also had periods of rain.

When I moved to Seattle, I signed an agreement with the State of Washington that outlined the Terms and Conditions relative to the weather here. To paraphrase, here's what was in that contract:


Thank you for considering the Greater Seattle area for your home. Before finalizing your move, you should be aware of a few things.

Note that the City of Seattle is, in effect, owned and operated by the operators of Hell. Surprised? Well, how else could an election in which more votes were cast than registered voters been pulled off! As such, we see to that it's ok for the homeless to urinate in front of retail establishments, for criminals to receive "counseling" (he he) instead of punishment, that there are no reasonably priced tasty restaurants in the entire metropolitan area, and that ultra-liberals have a place to terrorize the working community. In addition, and in accordance with Southern California's deal with the devil, we move clouds and rain originally destined for Beverly Hills up to Seattle. As such you will not see the sun between Sept 1 and June 1, and it will rain every single day between then.

Now, even those of us in the Inferno enjoy a vacation now and then (and not just to the other levels), so we take off between June 1 and Sept 1 each year, leaving the Seattle area with sunny skies, mid-70s temperatures, and not a drop of rain.

Your signature below signifies your understanding of these weather conditions and that you forfeit your right to sue Azazel, Inc. because you are sun-deprived.


Again, I'm paraphrasing. My new REI rain jacket was supposed to be for the fall and winter, not July :(

7.20.2007

Some pics

Last weekend we were busy with "Day out with Thomas" (a train ride in Snoqualmie with a "real" Thomas the Tank Engine) and a trip to Tacoma to see "Walking with Dinosaurs" (a cool show with robotic, lifelike dinosaurs). Unfortunately no really good pics to show, but posting some nonetheless.





Take your kids to work day, 2007 edition

I took Spencer to work with me on Wednesday, and he had fun except for lunch (too crowded, too crazy). I actually did get some work done while he was with me and he behaved great, having fun on my white board and inventing things with tape.

My office overlooks Qwest Field and Safeco Field. Only a kid would consider that a great view :)




Happy Anniversary to my wonderful wife, Amy

Here's to many more joyous years together.

Rest in Peace Grandpa Popp

Biologically, he wasn't my grandpa, but my Grandpa Popp never let bloodlines stand in the way. He was my grandpa, he did grandpa things with me (walks to feed the ducks by his house, Belle Isle, taught me to play pool), and due to his love and generosity, I never knew any better.

He lived a long, fun, accomplished life. I'm glad he was able to meet Spencer on multiple occasions, but sad that he never met Garrett. The world finds itself short one awesome baker, has a little less humor today, and one less devoted Lions fan.

7.19.2007

Making the world safe from unsightly yard waste containers

Gotta love the priorities certain people of authority have. Take the Snoqualmie Ridge Homeowner's (insert a Beavis and Butthead giggle here) Association. Working to make our community safe from the string of thefts and vandals in our community? Nope. Working to ensure our children have a safe environment to walk to school next year due to the larger "no bus" zone? Screw that. No folks, in Snoqualmie Ridge the biggest societal problem facing us is people who store their yard waste constainers in such a way that if someone walking or driving by pauses and looks reaaaaal close, they can still see the container. For shame.

Take the Reagans for example. Why, they just store their yard waste container on the side of their house. The nerve of these people! What if the children of the community see it? Or potential home shoppers? Agast.

Never fear, Ridge residents, for the Snoqualmie Ridge Homeowner's Association has taken swift action and drafted a stern letter Adolf Hitler himself would be proud of, and demanded that the Reagans comply with all Snoqualmie Ridge Homeowner Association policies, especially the Waste Container Storage Policy. We will ensure they comply first thing in the morning, or we will fine them. Serves them right for thinking they have freedoms, supporting our troops, voting Republican, and driving non-hybrid vehicles.

7.17.2007

Thank you captain obvious

Nice to see public tax dollars funding such obvious phenomenons as wives rule the home over their wuss husbands. Well, duh. And the researchers (one male, one female) were surprised at the conclusion. Clearly they aren't married.

To paraphrase Bill Cosby - "My wife is the boss of our home. I don't know when I lost it. I don't know where I lost it. I don't even know if I ever had it. And after seeing what she does, I don't want it." Amen, Bill.

And the researchers hint that this is a recent phenomenon. Bull. No way civilization (ok, western civilization) progresses to this point if men are ruling the home for any extended period of time.

7.04.2007

Back from Lake Chelan

Aside from Amy coming down with the flu all day Monday, we had a terrific time at Lake Chelan and would highly recommend the area to anyone looking to spend some relaxing time near water.

On Saturday we took US 2 via Monroe and stayed the night in Leavenworth. I slept through the best part, Stevens Pass, so I can't tell you much about it. Saturday evening Amy went shopping in Leavenworth and left me with the boys. Good for her, because she got to do some shopping, and good for me, because I didn't.

After a good breakfast and some walking around town Sunday morning, we made our way to Lake Chelan and were there by noon. We picked up a couple caches along the way and stopped by a cool market to pick up some fresh fruit. Our first stop in Chelan was the state park, where the kids had fun on the playground. We grabbed a quick lunch across the street from the park (amazingly, I had a burger that was not overdone, not tough, and not dry), and decided to drive around the area and check it out. That put Garrett asleep for his nap, and after an hour of driving we quickly realized there's nothing to do in the area except the Lake :)

When Garrett woke up, we went to a park in town, and again let them play on a playground. My arms are still sore from pushing Garrett in the swings. After that it was a walk around town, and finally we got the call that our room was ready. We grabbed dinner at the "resort" we stayed at, and went down to the beach for the rest of the night.

Monday, Amy was sick all day with the flu. We took a drive up Chelan Butte (elevation 3800 feet) for some great views of the Lake and the Columbia River, but spent most of the day resting and down at the beach.

By Tuesday Amy was feeling better, and Spencer and I did some kayaking while Amy and Garrett played at the beach. After that, I rented a jet ski and spent an hour see how far down Lake Chelan I could get. Pretty damn far as I found out the PWC I rented could do 55+ MPH. Way cool.

We grabbed lunch from the resort restaurant and picnicked at one of the local picnic tables, and then I failed to get Garrett down for a nap while Spencer and Amy hung out at the beach. That wasted quite a bit of the afternoon for me (as I planned on joining Garrett for a nap and instead ended up watching PBS Kids for two hours). When Spencer got back he ended up crashing. For dinner, we grilled our own cheeseburgers, and after dinner, you guessed it, we were back down on the beach.

Before checking out on Wednesday Spencer and I did another kayaking run, this time quite a bit further than the first. And after checking out, I finally convinced Spencer to join me on a jet ski, and he loved it. After an hour on the lake, it was time to call it a day and head back home. We made good time on the way back, and I loved the drive down US 97 between Leavenworth and Cle Elum. Beautiful area this time of year, even in 95 heat.

Not sure when we will be back to Lake Chelan. Really enjoyed, but after that and the San Juan Islands, I think I'd like to sample other lakes, lakeshores, and islands rather than repeating the same destination. We'll see.




The view from our third story room at our resort. A westward view of the lake and the sunset.






Spencer and Garrett in a moment of countless hours at the beach.



The view from Chelan Butte.



Spencer on our first kayak venture.



Spencer and I on our second kayak adventure. Now everyone knows why I hate the zoom on our Canon.






Spencer and I taking off on our jet ski (the yellow one).

Happy Birthday America!