Monday, June 26, 2006
This thing is pishing me owff!
My Flickr/Blogger setup is killing me. Something happened along the way of a month ago where I can't link my Flickr pics with my blog anymore without some stupid ass error message coming up. I. CAN'T. FIGURE. THE. DAMN. THING. OUT. So I have all these pics from the birthday shindig, Memorial Weekend, etc. that I can;t post properly. I've already emailed Flickr and they responded with some crap that didn't help at all. I see my paid monthly membership is paying itself off... />
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Hey Gabriel! You Got Something On Your Cheeks...
...let me get that for you. My nephew is such a cute kid.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Happy Mother's Day!
It wasn't so long ago that El and I felt like a couple of kids that had just announced our engagement to our families. Our families got together and celebrated the moment with our first family dinner over 7 years ago. Today we had another first. El's first Mother's Day.
I wanted to make it kind of special so a dozen yellow roses were in order as well as a small gift of her all-time favorite tv show, Friends. No work allowed today for the would-be mom! In addition, there was a seafood restaurant that she had been wanting to try in the Dr. Phillips area called, Bonefish.
Now I'll be honest I'm pretty critical of restaurants that present themselves as something of the higher end. I've been to plenty of "hole-in-wall mom-and-pop" kind of places and had some great meals for reasonable pricing. But, when a restauranteur wants to front with a nice locale, nice decor and a nicer (i.e. more expensive) menu I expect alot.
I've been interested in trying out Bonefish for quite some time since it's location already speaks highly for itself. Moon Fish, Timpano Chophouse, Careira's Cucina and Amura in the same area are all great spots.
Right from the getgo it started off fantastic. With no reservations on Mother's Day we were able to get a table at peak lunchtime with no wait. Once seated we were able to put in our drink and food order. Great start.
Our server disappeared for a long time until a food runner brought out our soup and salads, although the food items were wrong. Another had to be brought out later from another runner. A long while later our fish dishes came out. Mine was room temperature like it had been sitting out.
There's nothing more frustrating to me than a server who disappears and doesn't check up on us. Apparently this seems to be a trend here in Florida.
I realize that there is alot of tourists that come and goso I understand the mentality that alot off it won;t be repeat business, but the locals shouldn't be taken for granted. No refills on drinks, we had to go our entire meal with only a glass of water.
Coming from a restaurant background I know what holidays can be like especially at rush time. But with so many runners, bussers and managers about you would think that the tables would be taken care of. I noticed that similar things were happening with my other fellow diners. It's too bad - things like this can be the death of a restaurant.
The entrees sounded good, but some of the sides were amateur at best. Thrown together and basic I expected more from a restaurant that gouged their prices like they did. Even after I paid the bill our server made no attempts to even seem genuinely interested in our experience. That'll be our first and last time there.
The last leg of our trip involved watching the remake of the Poseidon Adventure starring Ernest Borgnine and Gene Hackman. The new one, called Poseidon, featured Josh Lucas, Richard Dreyfuss and Kurt Russell. I loved the original 1972 version, but this one was a nice adaptation of it. There were some differences but overall I thought it remained true to the first one. The effects were realistic and well done. Good job!
The rest of the day was spent relaxing. Happy Mother's Day El and to all the others out there - Carla, Jenivy, Crystal, Danyang and ESPECIALLY LEN LEN as well as our own parents in SC!
I wanted to make it kind of special so a dozen yellow roses were in order as well as a small gift of her all-time favorite tv show, Friends. No work allowed today for the would-be mom! In addition, there was a seafood restaurant that she had been wanting to try in the Dr. Phillips area called, Bonefish.
Now I'll be honest I'm pretty critical of restaurants that present themselves as something of the higher end. I've been to plenty of "hole-in-wall mom-and-pop" kind of places and had some great meals for reasonable pricing. But, when a restauranteur wants to front with a nice locale, nice decor and a nicer (i.e. more expensive) menu I expect alot.
I've been interested in trying out Bonefish for quite some time since it's location already speaks highly for itself. Moon Fish, Timpano Chophouse, Careira's Cucina and Amura in the same area are all great spots.
Right from the getgo it started off fantastic. With no reservations on Mother's Day we were able to get a table at peak lunchtime with no wait. Once seated we were able to put in our drink and food order. Great start.
Our server disappeared for a long time until a food runner brought out our soup and salads, although the food items were wrong. Another had to be brought out later from another runner. A long while later our fish dishes came out. Mine was room temperature like it had been sitting out.
There's nothing more frustrating to me than a server who disappears and doesn't check up on us. Apparently this seems to be a trend here in Florida.
I realize that there is alot of tourists that come and goso I understand the mentality that alot off it won;t be repeat business, but the locals shouldn't be taken for granted. No refills on drinks, we had to go our entire meal with only a glass of water.
Coming from a restaurant background I know what holidays can be like especially at rush time. But with so many runners, bussers and managers about you would think that the tables would be taken care of. I noticed that similar things were happening with my other fellow diners. It's too bad - things like this can be the death of a restaurant.
The entrees sounded good, but some of the sides were amateur at best. Thrown together and basic I expected more from a restaurant that gouged their prices like they did. Even after I paid the bill our server made no attempts to even seem genuinely interested in our experience. That'll be our first and last time there.
The last leg of our trip involved watching the remake of the Poseidon Adventure starring Ernest Borgnine and Gene Hackman. The new one, called Poseidon, featured Josh Lucas, Richard Dreyfuss and Kurt Russell. I loved the original 1972 version, but this one was a nice adaptation of it. There were some differences but overall I thought it remained true to the first one. The effects were realistic and well done. Good job!
The rest of the day was spent relaxing. Happy Mother's Day El and to all the others out there - Carla, Jenivy, Crystal, Danyang and ESPECIALLY LEN LEN as well as our own parents in SC!
Friday, May 12, 2006
AAArrrgh! My Friggin' Eyes!
My allergies have steadily gotten worse each year for the past three years or so here in Florida. I haven't had this many nosebleeds in the morning since I was a little boy living in Goose Creek, SC. Runny, congested nose. Periodic headaches. Trouble breathing. Coughing every now and then. Sometimes the allergy medicine works, sometimes it doesn't.
Either in the office or at home it deosn't matter. People must think I'm coked up the way I look sometimes at work. Hopefully the cleaning crew will clean out the air vents above my desk. It's odd that I react only when I'm in the office. But as soon as I go outside briefly it clears up. Maybe I'm sick. Maybe it's a case of Spring Fever. Hell it even got so bad at home one night I couldn't sleep even while I was literally nodding off reading iin bed.
To compound the problems more it's been very dry this summer/spring. AND I have to cut the damn grass AGAIN. With no rain the pollen and dust has been having a field day with me. Thankfully we've been blessed with some rain these past few days and I have FINALLY gotten a decent night's sleep.
Either in the office or at home it deosn't matter. People must think I'm coked up the way I look sometimes at work. Hopefully the cleaning crew will clean out the air vents above my desk. It's odd that I react only when I'm in the office. But as soon as I go outside briefly it clears up. Maybe I'm sick. Maybe it's a case of Spring Fever. Hell it even got so bad at home one night I couldn't sleep even while I was literally nodding off reading iin bed.
To compound the problems more it's been very dry this summer/spring. AND I have to cut the damn grass AGAIN. With no rain the pollen and dust has been having a field day with me. Thankfully we've been blessed with some rain these past few days and I have FINALLY gotten a decent night's sleep.
...
My buddy Brian's mother passsed on Sunday. While I knew she was fighting the good fight for quite some time I know it had to be wearing down on him and his family. Sorry for your loss. The mass was very moving and El and I will keep her in our prayers.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Another Lost Addict Bites The Dust...
It seems that another buddy has fallen to the dark side of Lost. Ed took the Season 1 DVD set hesitantly and disappeared for a few weeks only to emerge paler and more gaunt - like a 6' Gollum. Sorry man.
But not before he immortalized that turning point in his blogger...
But not before he immortalized that turning point in his blogger...
Friday, April 28, 2006
Escobars are in the Hizzy!
An old friend of mine from SC moved back over from San Diego with his family and decided to come down for a visit. The last time we got to see them was when we went for a visit after my cousin Cheech's wedding in Vegas.
At that time Lorenzo, my godson, was just a baby and Zachary was just a peanut in Carla. This past Friday they drove down with the boys and I took the day off to meet up with them.
We ended up taking them to the Celebration Market Cafe for lunch and then out for sushi for dinner after at our spot Shiso Sushi.
Saturday we were up early to hit Disney World - Lorenzo's second visit to Uncle Walt's and Zacahry's first. The day was dry and wet on and off, but the lines were fantasticly short. I don't even remember going to as many rides on previous visits. Heck I even got to see the newly renovated Tiki Room which had been closed (almost permanently) previously. I hadn't been there since I was a little boy. After full day we left and had a cookout at the casa.
Eventhough it was a late dinner (9pm!) we were able to sit outside eventually and have BBQ al fresca with some tunes and the temperature dropping to a cool breeze. It was nice to sit and chat as adults once the boys were put to bed. A few hours later we decided to call it a night.
The next day was really low key with visits to the Farmer's Market, which ended up being the American Pie Cookoff (check it out on Food Network!) and then a Disney Liquidation sale nearby. After a short stop to the bookstore (thanks Carla for the baby book!) we headed home to say our goodbyes. A good visit overall. We'll see them again on Memorial Weekend for my (our) birthday deep sea fishing trip in SC.
(see picture)
Now Zachary quit yer bitching or I'll really give you something to cry about!!!
At that time Lorenzo, my godson, was just a baby and Zachary was just a peanut in Carla. This past Friday they drove down with the boys and I took the day off to meet up with them.
We ended up taking them to the Celebration Market Cafe for lunch and then out for sushi for dinner after at our spot Shiso Sushi.
Saturday we were up early to hit Disney World - Lorenzo's second visit to Uncle Walt's and Zacahry's first. The day was dry and wet on and off, but the lines were fantasticly short. I don't even remember going to as many rides on previous visits. Heck I even got to see the newly renovated Tiki Room which had been closed (almost permanently) previously. I hadn't been there since I was a little boy. After full day we left and had a cookout at the casa.
Eventhough it was a late dinner (9pm!) we were able to sit outside eventually and have BBQ al fresca with some tunes and the temperature dropping to a cool breeze. It was nice to sit and chat as adults once the boys were put to bed. A few hours later we decided to call it a night.
The next day was really low key with visits to the Farmer's Market, which ended up being the American Pie Cookoff (check it out on Food Network!) and then a Disney Liquidation sale nearby. After a short stop to the bookstore (thanks Carla for the baby book!) we headed home to say our goodbyes. A good visit overall. We'll see them again on Memorial Weekend for my (our) birthday deep sea fishing trip in SC.
(see picture)
Now Zachary quit yer bitching or I'll really give you something to cry about!!!
It was a nice break for us to have visitors again. It had been a little while since El has gotten to hangout with another pinay other than siblings. Too bad we don't live closer - we'll work on that.
Carla is a great complement to Steve - she's made him a better person, not that he was an ass to begin with or anything. Ha ha! I kid! I kid!
Carla is a great complement to Steve - she's made him a better person, not that he was an ass to begin with or anything. Ha ha! I kid! I kid!
For Lorenzo, age 3, it was definitely a Pixar weekend for him. Before they got into their room I bought the boys a Buzz Lightyear and Woody talking action figures. Little did I know it happened to be one of his favorite cartoons. Sweet!
I seem to get along well with kids (Really! Ask El) and have fun, but I really spoiled the hell out of Steve and Carla's kids. Their just so damn well behaved and affectionate it was hard not to. Plus, he's one of my god sons. That helps, too.
I seem to get along well with kids (Really! Ask El) and have fun, but I really spoiled the hell out of Steve and Carla's kids. Their just so damn well behaved and affectionate it was hard not to. Plus, he's one of my god sons. That helps, too.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Still No Video!
Today was our second ultrasound for Ellen and Baby. We showed up a little early and were very anxious to see the baby's progress. We met up with Dr. Melissa Moore who after a quick update got the show started.
Once she had the equipment set up we immediately saw how baby was doing and how big (s)he got. I was definitely surprised! The little heartbeat was pumping away. The one feature that got me wasn't the size of the baby, but rather the arms and legs moving around. What looked like like a alittle peanut not even a month ago now looked like a tiny tot.
To me it actually seemed like the little one had their thumb in their mouth. The little legs would kick whenever Dr. Moore moved the ultrasound rod around. Such a great moment for us.
All our concerns about the baby were dashed away as soon as we saw how active the baby really was. Too bad the ultrasound didn't have video record capability. Dr. Moore let us know that Florida Hospital would have the right equipment once we go back for the 20 week check up. I can't wait!
Once she had the equipment set up we immediately saw how baby was doing and how big (s)he got. I was definitely surprised! The little heartbeat was pumping away. The one feature that got me wasn't the size of the baby, but rather the arms and legs moving around. What looked like like a alittle peanut not even a month ago now looked like a tiny tot.
To me it actually seemed like the little one had their thumb in their mouth. The little legs would kick whenever Dr. Moore moved the ultrasound rod around. Such a great moment for us.
All our concerns about the baby were dashed away as soon as we saw how active the baby really was. Too bad the ultrasound didn't have video record capability. Dr. Moore let us know that Florida Hospital would have the right equipment once we go back for the 20 week check up. I can't wait!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Set the Oven to 350˚ and Place Bun Inside...
It had been a hard week and El and I decided to have dinner out that Sunday night. She had been craving sushi so we went to our favorite spot near home, Shiso Sushi. After dinner she mentioned again that she was late for her period.
Now this in itself is not necessarily abnormal. It's happened before and she always jumped the gun and bought an EPT test to see if she had "A Bun in the Oven". It always ended up being negative and her upset. She really wants to have a baby. With the EPT she said she would get a more accurate response in the morning vs. that evening so we waited.
Forward now to about 330am Monday...
I hear a scream in the middle of the night and awaken startled by the sudden outburst. Groggily I look at the clock and then to the sliver of light coming out from the crack of the bathroom door. I know what's coming next.
Immediately I see the door swing open and El run out and jump on top of me "OOF!". What can a guy do? I'm happy for her. If anyone deserves a chance to be a great mother, it's her. We stay up till daylight talking and it's time for work. I'm dead tired, but happy.
We promise not to say anything to anyone until the first trimester, just in case. We'll see how long that really lasts (later I found out it didn't last long, but I'm just as guilty).
Fast forward to today...
We broke the news to our parents this weekend for their anniversaries (April 23) in the form of an anniversary card and baby booties with a picture of our first ultrasound taken a few weeks ago.
Tomorrow is our next ultrasound and El is closer to her 12 week mark. A little research revealed to me this past weekend that the baby is almost the size of chicken egg right now. Whoa!
Arms and legs should be in place and nails are starting to grow. Crazy how fast this baby is going to develop. Just a month ago it was no larger than a dime. I'll keep you posted of the results. Keep your fingers crossed...
Now this in itself is not necessarily abnormal. It's happened before and she always jumped the gun and bought an EPT test to see if she had "A Bun in the Oven". It always ended up being negative and her upset. She really wants to have a baby. With the EPT she said she would get a more accurate response in the morning vs. that evening so we waited.
Forward now to about 330am Monday...
I hear a scream in the middle of the night and awaken startled by the sudden outburst. Groggily I look at the clock and then to the sliver of light coming out from the crack of the bathroom door. I know what's coming next.
Immediately I see the door swing open and El run out and jump on top of me "OOF!". What can a guy do? I'm happy for her. If anyone deserves a chance to be a great mother, it's her. We stay up till daylight talking and it's time for work. I'm dead tired, but happy.
We promise not to say anything to anyone until the first trimester, just in case. We'll see how long that really lasts (later I found out it didn't last long, but I'm just as guilty).
Fast forward to today...
We broke the news to our parents this weekend for their anniversaries (April 23) in the form of an anniversary card and baby booties with a picture of our first ultrasound taken a few weeks ago.
Tomorrow is our next ultrasound and El is closer to her 12 week mark. A little research revealed to me this past weekend that the baby is almost the size of chicken egg right now. Whoa!
Arms and legs should be in place and nails are starting to grow. Crazy how fast this baby is going to develop. Just a month ago it was no larger than a dime. I'll keep you posted of the results. Keep your fingers crossed...
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Thanks Easter Bunny! Bok! Bok!
So it was Easter Weekend. Every Friday since about two years ago I had been pretty good about eating fish for lunch and dinner, but what have I given up for Lent? How about "trying"? Just kidding. El and I have been very busy in more ways than one. ;)
With Steve and family coming down for a weekend next week, I was pretty busy with preperations. Lots of landscaping and home maintenance, freelance design work and such have consumed me for the past few months. This weekend was all about relaxing and being outside.
Saturday afternoon Paul and I decided to drive up to Tommy and Lyndsey's to help them move into their new house. Congrats guys! Afterwards, I was wiped out!
A quick nap later I was back outside planting and working on getting my patio into cookout condition.
Sunday, El and I got up early to make it to church in Kissimmee and see Jenny and Joe Lamy do their thing with the choir. The church itself and the choir are very impressive. I've been to quite a few different churches and Mary Queen of the Universe, despite it's kooky name, is one of the best I've been to. Designed with the Florida tourist in mind, there is no real local congregation, but it never fails to draw a HUGE crowd even on regular Sundays.
Afterwards, we had a nice brunch outside at the Market Street Cafe in Celebration and then off to pick up more plants for our landscaping project. We worked well after sundown and spent the evening in the backyard chilling outside (72 degrees with a breeze!) listening to some music.
Not bad overall, for an Easter Weekend. Hope yours was just as productive, yet relaxing as mine.
With Steve and family coming down for a weekend next week, I was pretty busy with preperations. Lots of landscaping and home maintenance, freelance design work and such have consumed me for the past few months. This weekend was all about relaxing and being outside.
Saturday afternoon Paul and I decided to drive up to Tommy and Lyndsey's to help them move into their new house. Congrats guys! Afterwards, I was wiped out!
A quick nap later I was back outside planting and working on getting my patio into cookout condition.
Sunday, El and I got up early to make it to church in Kissimmee and see Jenny and Joe Lamy do their thing with the choir. The church itself and the choir are very impressive. I've been to quite a few different churches and Mary Queen of the Universe, despite it's kooky name, is one of the best I've been to. Designed with the Florida tourist in mind, there is no real local congregation, but it never fails to draw a HUGE crowd even on regular Sundays.
Afterwards, we had a nice brunch outside at the Market Street Cafe in Celebration and then off to pick up more plants for our landscaping project. We worked well after sundown and spent the evening in the backyard chilling outside (72 degrees with a breeze!) listening to some music.
Not bad overall, for an Easter Weekend. Hope yours was just as productive, yet relaxing as mine.
Howl at the Moon
I got the booty call from Paul to head out somewhere after work different than our typical boozing spots (MonkeyBar, Room 3 Nine, or Casey's). I usually stay away from the touristy spots, mostly on International Drive, but I was swayed to go to this piano bar, called Howl at the Moon. Once a spot downtown on Church Street it closed down once the street lost popularity and became stereotyped as a tourist area.
Now located conveniently near Universal Studios and Wet & Wild it would never be a personal choice to decompress. Ingrid said she had come out here previously with some cowerks and so I was game to try.
The dueling piano players were an interesting element - they were actually very good. Tons of tourists, think bachelorette parties and conventioners, comsumed the joint and it was obvious it was pretty much a meat market.
It was a good time despite it being a bar for out-of-towners. Definitely pricey on the drinks, a line outside and a COVER CHARGE was ridiculous. Oh well - it was all about hanging out with friends...
Now located conveniently near Universal Studios and Wet & Wild it would never be a personal choice to decompress. Ingrid said she had come out here previously with some cowerks and so I was game to try.
The dueling piano players were an interesting element - they were actually very good. Tons of tourists, think bachelorette parties and conventioners, comsumed the joint and it was obvious it was pretty much a meat market.
It was a good time despite it being a bar for out-of-towners. Definitely pricey on the drinks, a line outside and a COVER CHARGE was ridiculous. Oh well - it was all about hanging out with friends...
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Another Late Entry...
I'm dropping another set of photos and blogger from the end of February. El and I drove up to Charleston for a one-two punch of seeing my younger sister Cherilyn and her baby, Gabriel, and to take El's mother out for her birthday dinner. It was a long drive, but long overdue since we didn't get to be there when Gabriel was born.
It was just as well. We didn't want to suffocate the new family with too many relatives there. I'm sure they were tired as is. Sorry Cher I made you call me from your hospital bed to let me know about the good news. I was so wrapped up in work that I FORGOT that you had a baby coming (as you could tell from our phone call). I suck.
I'm kind of glad Cher was the first to have the first grandchild. That's a lot of pressure, especially coming from my mom. I already know she's been choking Cher out with advice. Excitement is understandable, but I'm glad it wasn't us.
That Saturday morning we woke up early to get a headstart and see Len, Kevin and Gabriel. It was certainly uncomfortable holding such a tiny baby. It took a good couple of hours before I felt even mildly at ease. Here I am taking him out for a test drive as Rachel alughs at me. Oof. I need a haircut. And lose some of that chin.
That Saturday morning we woke up early to get a headstart and see Len, Kevin and Gabriel. It was certainly uncomfortable holding such a tiny baby. It took a good couple of hours before I felt even mildly at ease. Here I am taking him out for a test drive as Rachel alughs at me. Oof. I need a haircut. And lose some of that chin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
