Panhandling In A Debit Card Age

I stopped at Peets this week, after dropping the kids off at a nearby class they attend, and as I parked the car to the side of the entrance, I saw the telltale signs of somebody about to ask me for spare change. There was a shopping cart filled with belongings and covered with a tarp, behind which protruded a set of legs wearing tattered shoes.

I was in a rush (when am I not these days) and I’d already opted to put my Peets gift card in my pocket in lieu of carrying in my entire wallet. So when I walked passed him I didn’t have any cash on hand in the first place.

From beneath a weathered, broad-rimmed hat and behind a think and tattered white beard, came the voice from the bench, “Do you have any spare change, sir?”

An Unwanted Photo in My Wallet

I put a photo of my daughter into my wallet this week, and it’s probably one of the more upsetting things I’ve had to do as a parent. I carry photos of the kids on my Treo, which is far more convenient, and I also carry a very thin wallet and have for many years. Just like my keychain, which has only two keys on it, my wallet only has the absolute necessities and not a bunch of fluff and extra crap.

Adding her photo to my wallet, and it’s subsequent impact to it’s bulk, is not the upsetting thing. Nor is the photo, which I think, naturally, is beautiful. But the fact that I even need to do so, and the details on the card upon which her photo rests, are what make me cringe, and almost retch, at it’s mere existence. The photo is on a ‘missing kids’ emergency card, something I should carry in the event she were to disappear.

I Live In A Night Gallery House

Alright…. I’ve reached a conclusion. After multiple rat encounters, consistently finding gnawed remains of fallen fruit littering our yard, and after watching gophers randomly popping up and leaving burrowed mounds of dirt for my kids to stumble over, I’m convinced we’re living in a house straight out of ‘the Night Gallery’. Hell, even the plants around this place have this ‘finger-bone’ appearance, as if they’re poised and waiting to come to live and clutch my ankle.

Remembering Nicole

As you may be aware from earlier posts, my mother-in-law passed away shortly before Christmas. Back in 2005, on her 70th birthday, my wife and I worked on a movie that captured her life from infancy to adulthood and we ‘screened it’ at a party for her. It brought tears to her eyes, and to some of ours as well. With her sudden passing, we thought it would be nice to update it, and play it prior to her burial. I’ve also pressed a DVD version for all of the family, and i’ve posted a web version online.

Because this has family images, It’s on a password protected section. The user name is my son’s name, the password is my daughter’s name. If you need more help beyond that, email me.

Making Lemonade From Backed Up Plumbing

I think we’ve had a hard enough week already. A sudden death with suspicious medical associations has pretty much derailed the entire family. Yet we are trying to move forward with the plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, hosted at our home. Our home, which, at 10am, decided to stop draining from the kitchen sink and laundry room, flooding the area and further derailing things. ARRRRRGGHH.

BUT following the frustration and exasperation over the bad timing, my wife reminded me it could be worse, and it definitely could. So a plumber is en route, and in the mean time the kids are having a complete blast pretending to be plumbers, entertaining me while I quickly document, for posterity, how the universe actually is against me.

“I’m trying Ringo…. I’m tryin’ real hard, to be the shepherd.” ;-)

Adieu et Merci

As Thanksgiving approached this year, my wife called me at work and said that her mother wanted to stay with us for about a week following the holiday. It was without hesitation that I said yes. Her visits are always good ones, with each one better then the last. It seemed that, since the birth of our twins, she and I grew closer and closer. We crossed the line of ‘in-law’ and I truly felt like one of her own children. 3 months after their birth, when she’d spent every Monday through Friday at our house helping out, my wife and I were discussing some way to thank her, and our immediate idea was to append her name to that of our daughter’s, which we did, much to her and our delight.

When she was preparing to leave after this visit last week, I looked at her and felt a great deal of gratitude for the mother in law she is, and the grandmother as well. I resisted the usual compliment/joke interchange, and simply looked at her, paused, and said with all sincerity, that her presence was always a joy, that I and the kids loved her visits, and that she was welcome at any time.

She passed away Monday from a massive heart attack. The shock is still setting in, as I’ve been consumed with watching the kids while my wife is with her family, and I’ve not had a great deal of time to absorb it all. There’s a great deal of thoughts and emotions through all of this that I fully intend to write about when the dust settles, along with the reality of this very sad occurrence.

A brief observation was relayed to me this week. The answer to the question ‘why do people have to die’ is that without death, and the uncertainty of it’s timing, we’d likely not make the most of each day, and not treasure the value of somebody’s presence.

I did hers, and it will most certainly be missed, but never forgotten.

My Christmas Photoshopping Is All Done

Another year, another effort at a creative image to share with friends and family. Yes, last year, just as it was the case for their birthday video, it was missed. It’s not due to not trying… I still have the incomplete image on my computer, it just did not get done. But this year it did, and here it is for your viewing pleasure. For those with the name/password, you can find a larger version posted on our family photo album.

A Real Estate Sign Of The Times

I couldn’t resist snapping this photo and quickly posting this… even though it’s not ‘quite’ so bad these days, the real estate market in the bay area remains insanely overpriced in comparison with most of the nation. So when have lunch as a nearby in-n-out burger, I noticed a scrawled note on a real estate sign outside of a small simple building, under construction, next to the restaurant. “For Sale As Is: $1,200,000.00.”. I suspect the author is an equally frustrated home buyer himself.

Off The Elf Clothing Choices

I’ve seen several people this week, both out and about, and at work, wearing Santa hats. Holy crap… is it Christmas time already?!? I had no idea :-/. Now, I don’t quite know if I’m just too ‘Scrooged’ to go with the flow, but it seems a little weird. It’s another one of those things that I see people do, and have to wonder if they’re so filled with the spirit of the season that it blindly dictates their wardrobe choices, or are they just looking for some attention? Well, who am I to talk, all of my clothes came from the costume rejects for ‘That 70s Show’. Regardless, I like that you want to promote the holiday, but if you’re at the office, don’t expect to be taken seriously if you look like an escapee from the island of misfit toys, and if you’re working the counter somewhere, merry christmas already…. now please make my egg-nog latte, OK Hermie?

One Cingular Sensation

I’ve been on the phone now for over 40 minutes with Cingular… 4 different people, actually, just trying to reactive my wife’s phone now that we have a replacement for the lost/stolen one. After 4 people and about a 20 min hold period, the phone is now ringing and ringing and ringing and nobody is answering. If somebody does answer, I’d not be surprised to find out it’s some random phone booth on a lone highway in the middle of bumfuck egypt. Which is how I’m feeling right now… bum-fucked. Screwed. Bent over. (See the image accompanying this post for a visual representation).

Psycho Santa, Qu’est-ce que c’est?

The holiday season is upon us, which means my annual viewing of ‘A Christmas Story’ and all the memories that accompany it. Although I was born in LA and the decade was much later, I spent 4 years in rural Pennsylvania, from the age of 8-12. We lived in a very small town, in which i’d walk to school through cornfields, pull a wagon filled with newspapers on a paper route, and of course, play in the snow at Christmas time.

Many of the scenes and scenarios portrayed in the movie are reminiscent of my own childhood (although I never accepted a triple-dog-dare at the frozen volleyball post) and it always brings a sense of longing and nostalgia for ‘a simpler time’. Heck, I even got to have my picture taken with a disgruntled Santa Claus.

(Psycho Santa, Qu’est-ce que c’est? Fa la la la, la la. Fa la la la, la la.)

Psycho Santa, Qu’est-ce que c’est?

The holiday season is upon us, which means my annual viewing of ‘A Christmas Story’ and all the memories that accompany it. Although I was born in LA and the decade was much later, I spent 4 years in rural Pennsylvania, from the age of 8-12. We lived in a very small town, in which i’d walk to school through cornfields, pull a wagon filled with newspapers on a paper route, and of course, play in the snow at Christmas time.

Many of the scenes and scenarios portrayed in the movie are reminiscent of my own childhood (although I never accepted a triple-dog-dare at the frozen volleyball post) and it always brings a sense of longing and nostalgia for ‘a simpler time’. Heck, I even got to have my picture taken with a disgruntled Santa Claus.

(Psycho Santa, Qu’est-ce que c’est? Fa la la la, la la. Fa la la la, la la.)

Five Creature Comforts

A good friend recently went through a long home-remodeling. As we discussed it, he shared that he and his wife had kept a little list of the things they did not have during their stay in a rental house, or just in general, that they really missed or wanted in the new dwelling. Things like a dishwasher, a decent garbage can… things they recognized as being useful and convenient by not having them for awhile.

I thought this was really entertaining and interesting, because it got me thinking about all the little creature comforts that one finds, embraces, and ultimately integrates so into their daily lives that they forget how great they are, until they’re taken away by circumstance.

I wanted to share my own list and I want to ask you for yours. I want to get the 5 things you consider creature comforts that you would most miss were you to have to give them up. Feel free to use the commments section of this post to append your own thoughts.

What the #$*! Do We Know!? (4 stars)

“The neurological processes and “quantum uncertainty” of life are explored in this film. Thrust from her mundane life into an Alice in Wonderland-like world, Amanda (Marlee Matlin) must develop a brand-new perception of the world and the people she interacts with. Interviews with various experts are interspersed throughout the film, which combines narrative, documentary and animation. Elaine Hendrix, John Ross Bowie and Armin Shimerman also star.”

Geoff’s Comments: This was an excellent film. The concepts around Quantum Mechanics are well defined and presented in metaphors that make it easy to comprehend, yet send the mind reeling and spinning with the possibilities it presents. Also, the manner in which they reference and define the ‘concept ‘ of ‘God’ is right up my ally. The only reason it’s not a 5 star rating is because the ‘dramatization’ aspects, although essential to putting the ideas into conceivable parables, feels a bit over the top at time.

[ rent What the #$*! Do We Know!? via netflix.com]

What the #$*! Do We Know!? (4 stars)

“The neurological processes and “quantum uncertainty” of life are explored in this film. Thrust from her mundane life into an Alice in Wonderland-like world, Amanda (Marlee Matlin) must develop a brand-new perception of the world and the people she interacts with. Interviews with various experts are interspersed throughout the film, which combines narrative, documentary and animation. Elaine Hendrix, John Ross Bowie and Armin Shimerman also star.”

Geoff’s Comments: This was an excellent film. The concepts around Quantum Mechanics are well defined and presented in metaphors that make it easy to comprehend, yet send the mind reeling and spinning with the possibilities it presents. Also, the manner in which they reference and define the ‘concept ‘ of ‘God’ is right up my ally. The only reason it’s not a 5 star rating is because the ‘dramatization’ aspects, although essential to putting the ideas into conceivable parables, feels a bit over the top at time.

[ rent What the #$*! Do We Know!? via netflix.com]

Those Who Cannot Remember The Past…

Last year I posted an entry reflecting on the anniversary of the murder of John Lennon being today. This day still brings those feelings to mind with the same intensity, and in addition, I’ve used some late night cycles this week to watch the History Channel’s documentary on Pearl Harbor, which was bombed 65 years ago on 12/07.

The history and stories are riviting. It’s fascinating. It’s more moving and dramatic then any work of fiction can capture. I visited the memorial many years ago and was very moved by the video we were shown prior to the trip to the monument. And yet it’s also amazing to have lived through 9/11, to have a war taking place today, and to watch a production in which survivors, both US and Japanese, discuss their relative roles and experiences in the attack, including their own surprise at deceptions under which they operated and took action. It reflects the tone set in “The Fog Of War“, on how time ‘heals’ wounds as well as changes perspectives and beliefs.

It makes me wonder, in 2046, will people involved in the acts of terrorism and war today, be looking back and commenting on their actions with a more educated and humane point of view? And yet, as they do, what might be the political climate and battles being fought at that time?

Ultimately, George Santayana‘s words echo in my thoughts…. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.

Those Who Cannot Remember The Past…

Last year I posted an entry reflecting on the anniversary of the murder of John Lennon being today. This day still brings those feelings to mind with the same intensity, and in addition, I’ve used some late night cycles this week to watch the History Channel’s documentary on Pearl Harbor, which was bombed 65 years ago on 12/07.

The history and stories are riviting. It’s fascinating. It’s more moving and dramatic then any work of fiction can capture. I visited the memorial many years ago and was very moved by the video we were shown prior to the trip to the monument. And yet it’s also amazing to have lived through 9/11, to have a war taking place today, and to watch a production in which survivors, both US and Japanese, discuss their relative roles and experiences in the attack, including their own surprise at deceptions under which they operated and took action. It reflects the tone set in “The Fog Of War“, on how time ‘heals’ wounds as well as changes perspectives and beliefs.

It makes me wonder, in 2046, will people involved in the acts of terrorism and war today, be looking back and commenting on their actions with a more educated and humane point of view? And yet, as they do, what might be the political climate and battles being fought at that time?

Ultimately, George Santayana‘s words echo in my thoughts…. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.

Another Year, Another Rat Tale

The timing of the events of my morning could not be more ironic. Last year, around this same time, I posted a humorous and true story on this website, and over the course of the past week or two, i’ve been drafting a followup entry that details ‘Part II’ of that event. Something happened a day or two later last year, which was a continuation of that event, and I thought it’d be fun to finally relate that story this year.

Fate, however, chose to throw ‘Part III’ into my path this morning. Part II will have to wait.

Armbanned

My wife wanted, and has received, early, a new iPod Nano for her Christmas present. She can now be found shuffling through the kitchen to ‘Green Day’, and it’s great to know that she has something to strap to her arm at the gym or around the house, helping to trim down the background noise of twins. (For those curious, it’s a 4gig Product(red) one, and I’m already kicking myself for not going 8gig… what was I thinking…I always get the highest capacity but this time around something went wrong in my brain.

Yet there was one more item needed to complete the package.

Homebound Deterrent

For the benefit of moms out there, allow me to just make a brief point of giving you some ‘fatherly’ advice. ‘Fatherly’, that is, from the perspective of the man with whom you’ve had children, not your own father.

The advice? When phoning him at the office, in the middle of pleasantly cajoling him into leaving work as early as possible in order to return to the bosom of his waiting family, avoid making a side comment to your son regarding the fact that you smell fresh poop in his pants. Avoid it. That is what we call, in “the Land of Dadhood”, a deterrent. Again…. that’s “a Deterrent“.

Just a thought. Meanwhile, if you like the image used on this post check out wrybaby.

I Hab A Code

Although I thought I’d dodged it from work and home exposure, the delayed effect, or somebody’s germ-laddened hand having been thrust into my own without ample opportunity to explain away my aversion to shaking hands, has exposed me to a head cold. Late Sunday evening, the scratchy throat began to set in, and today, the sounds I’m making have brought a gaggle of geese to our home, seeking companionship. In addition, throughout the day, my impersonation of a longshoreman gearing up for the final round in a tobacco spitting contest could easily intimidate any grizzled east-coast seafaring challenger…. arrrrrh matey.

What’s even worse is the kids are showing modest signs as well, which really makes for a pleasant week ahead.

Oh well, best to get it out of the way before the holidays, right?

El Ladrón Del Teléfono

When things go missing, they typically turn up shortly after. That’s the way it works in our lives, and in the chaos of twins. We’re typically multitasking from the moment we’re awakened through the time we put the kids to bed, which means that things you have in your hand at one moment don’t always get to their destination as planned. TV Remotes, keys, cellphones, documents… these all end up being displaced for a brief period of time, and are usually, ultimately recovered hours or days later.

Usually. But not this time.

Potty Talk in the Workplace

In the interest of a laugh, i’m gonna take things down a level, maybe two or three actually… i’m gonna do some bathroom humor.. i’ll try to return to higher class posts, political rants, obscure observations and personal reminiscence shortly.

Yesterday, I observed what I like to refer to as a ‘shit-n-run‘ incident in one of the office bathrooms, where a ‘visitor’ exited a stall and then the restroom with nary a moments pause at the sink along the way. And earlier that same day there was evidence of a, uh, ‘log jam‘ in one of the facilities as well. This has made me pause and reflect on my own phobias, habits and practices in respect to usage of the office, and pretty much any public, lavatories. My own obsessive – compusive nature requires some guidelines and routines in various situations one may encounter, including restroom usage. And I expect you are either equally aware and conscious of these points as well, or if not, you’ll not be able to enter a facility again without at least one of these edicts coming to mind. So without any further fanfare, here are the key points and practices I recommend one consider at the workplace: