One year here

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my move to the now-no-longer-new place. My that was quick. And there are still many things long overdue to be done. The one thing I have been pretty diligent about is taking sunset pictures. So there are roughly a years' worth of them in the picasa album for your viewing pleasure. I am in debate as to whether I'm going to keep taking the pictures, take them but far less frequently, or just say one years' worth is plenty and be done with it. What do you think?

The only stairway in there is the one to heaven

At work today, on the way back from the cafeteria, someone actually pointed at a set of doors and asked me, "are there stairs through those doors". I looked at the doors with the very ominous and obvious "High Voltage" sign and said "um, no". There was so much more to say just then. But I refrained.

Oh, yeah, the marathon

I was awaken this morning by the sound of cheering. Not like subtle background TV-left-on sort of cheering. But real cheering. And I'm definitely NOT accustom to getting cheers in the bedroom, so something was clearly amiss, but in my groggy weekend morning state, it took me a moment to put it together.

I looked out the window, and there it was... the marathon.



Oh, yeah, that's today, I thought. And it goes right by my apartment.

Right about then I realized last year saying to myself, I should make it goal to work out well enough to run at least the 5K portion of the marathon next year. While I'd still like to do that at some point, obviously it didn't work out so well. But don't think it didn't cross my mind to put on some running shoes and "slip into the crowd" so to speak. You know, just to say, "yeah, I ran in the marathon". Instead, I went back to sleep. Man, I suck.

You want me to do what? At what time?

Darby's softball team had a garage sale fundraiser. We had to report there at seven in the morning. On a Saturday. AND... it took us thirty minutes to get there. So do the math on what time we had to wake up. Bleh.



Subsequently it was VERY long day. And I am SO bloody tired. The team did get more than two hundred dollars into its fund, but if you divide that out by all the players and parents working the thing, well, we were slave labor. There's just no other way to put it. Though really, it was the parents doing most of the work as the kids mostly wanted to play and have fun. To which I say, no fair. :-)

Last car payment

I sent off my last car payment today. It's been a long time since I've owned a car outright. Feels pretty good. Unfortunately, I may have to get another one soon. I mean, if gas prices continue to be crazy and all.

Great(est) game(?)

Tonight's game was both highly anticipated and somewhat feared, as the girls' were going up against a team that quite handily trounced them in the winter league. However, our team has improved quite a lot since then, so it probably shouldn't have been much of a surprise that we help up decently against them.

They came out of the gate with an early lead, but we tied it back up two-all. Darby drove in the tying run! They went ahead again, but we also tied it back up once again. There were numerous exciting plays to keep things alive, such as a "phantom triple" which started out from a dropped third strike. A single that was stretched into a double with a tag-avoiding slide, and the most exciting play of them all that pretty much ended the game.

Our opponents were poised to re-take the lead with runners on second and third and no outs. Our girls were tiring and so not making the good pitches or throws or catches. In fact, the coach changed our pitcher (something rarely done) in an effort to hold the line. But we thought it was all over for sure when the opposing batter hit a tower shot to deep center field. I guess, given the situation, we (the parents, the crowd) didn't really imagine the possibility that it would be caught. And given the reaction of the other team, they quite certainly didn't think it would be caught. But it was, in fact, caught. Not only that, but the heads-up center fielder got the ball back to second, and the second baseman had the wherewithal to throw the ball to third (though barely in time to make the out). And just like that, we were saved. Yes, that's right... by a triple play. You heard me. A TRIPLE PLAY. How often does THAT happen at this level? It was awesome to see. Not only that, but even I had trouble believing what I had just seen. I had to check with the coach to make sure. But sure enough, a triple play it was.

Suddenly, and unexpectedly, we were back at bat with an opportunity to take the lead and, as home team, to win the game. But time was no longer on our side. There was only seven minutes left on the clock (which starts at seventy minutes). While we did get runners on base, the hard fought game had taken its toll, and we were unable to drive in those potentially winning runs. The game was called, and ended in a tie. But that must have been the one of the greatest tie games ever played. At least for this team. Certainly for Darby. And though we didn't win, as good as the other team was, a tie with us most certain will be viewed by them as a loss. And thus, a victory for us.

Go team.

New hire

The tenth spot on my software team was filled today after a month-long search. It's good to finally be fully staffed, as we have a lot of work to do.

Queen of Flies

During Saturday practice Darby's softball team does pop fly drills, and they make it into a contest, the winner of which is dubbed the "Queen of Flies". Darby is typically in the top two, and today she was won two out of three times they played (she was second the third time). So, for today at least, she is the Queen of Flies.

MUCH better

After winning only two of the ten games they had played since the beginning of April (and those were early wins), Darby's softball team had a much needed win tonight, with the difference being that they never lost the lead. With solid defense and better offense than they've had recently, I think this one will be a huge confidence boost. We'll see if it sticks come next week. Darby had a great night defensively, though wasn't as productive behind the plate (not due to lack of trying... good contact, tough time beating out the throws).

Some relief in late filing

I didn't wait until the VERY last minute, but I did put it off entirely too long. Like, until yesterday. I had my mom's and my dad's taxes done in February, though, so that ought to count for something. I even had all of my data entered back in Feb and just needed to click "send". So why didn't I? Basic rules of cashflow. Collect your receivables as early as possible and pay your payables as late as possible. And by my initial calculations, I was going to have to pay four thousand dollars.

I KNOW! ACK!


This was mostly due to a stock sale. Only, I realized just last night that there was some details I had neglected to enter about that sale. And so... I actually get a couple hundred back. Whew! And I would have totally filed in February if I had realized my error sooner, though I'm glad I didn't file erroneously back then, as I somehow doubt they'd send my money back even if they knew I did it wrong. Do you have ANY idea how stressed I've been lately about having to write a 4K check? SO glad I don't have to now.

Regular season

Darby's (non-school) softball regular season started today. We lost the game pretty badly largely on little mistakes, a couple of which Darby made. Another game on Wednesday, so hopefully the girls shake it off and find a groove.

Some pics from the game in the album.

Back

I woke up at four-something this morning. Couldn't go back to sleep. Had a breakfast at the groom's parents' at nine. Then hit the road for a "pleasant" five-hour Sunday drive. When I finally got home I was SO. EXHAUSTED. And even after a two hour nap, I am still crazy tired. I need another weekend to recover from the weekend.

"Couple tips about the gun"

One of the groomsmen at the wedding bought toy guns for all of the groomsmen for some joke pictures. The groom said at one point we looked like James Bond in our black suits, so... guns for pictures.



Anyway, they shoot these little plastic BBs. Not the metal-ish ones like when we were kids. So when I got back to my hotel room, I, like ANY guy would, played with my gun. I learned some things, which I text-messaged to the others, just to prevent them from learning the hard way like myself. Among those tips:

1) Don't shoot at anything perpendicularly, as it will bounce right back at you

2) Don't shoot at anything glass, as it WILL break



And just so you know this isn't a stupid Shawn thing, but rather a stupid guy thing, the groom added to the list:

3) Don't shoot yourself in the foot to see if it hurts, because it does


AFTER (instead of before... again, it's a guy thing) I had my unfortunate incident with the hotel glass, I read the manual. Some of those same warnings are there, though they are worded differently. They specifically warn about bounce-back. And shooting at living things. Except you can tell the manual was translated from non-English as it says "do not shoot at the creature", with an image of a person next to that statement. Funny.

Also interesting was the performance stats... 65 foot range and a projectile velocity of 190 feet per second (more than a hundred miles per hour). For comparison purposes, a 9mm shoots up close to a thousand feet per second. So, almost 1/5 the speed of a real bullet, not too shabby. Had I seen that little stat before I started "playing", probably I don't then shoot at the glass.

Life goes on while I'm away

Darby had another softball tournament today, while I've been in Texas for a wedding. I talked to her on the phone tonight to see how it went. She says they lost all for games, three by a lot and the fourth by 1. What's nice about that one slight loss is that we play that same team again on Monday during a regular league game, so now we know we can take them with a little more effort. Darby says she got a double (awesome!) and had some good outs, but that the team started to get cranky with all the losses and could have had a better attitude about it. Very good observation, Darby.

I'll have you know these are probably the first games I've missed of Darby's in years, if ever, and she's been playing since she was 4. If I weren't the best man in this wedding (i.e. just a guest), probably I don't miss those games.

Also while I've been away, Shelby got to have a blast at a birthday party at Incredible Pizza tonight.

Be home tomorrow girls...

Wed

It was a good day. For the groom I tried to make sure it was a great day. I think I did okay.

We got some good sleep. Got up sufficiently early. Went to IHOP with the groomsmen for a big breakfast and some male bonding. That was quite excellent. The groom later conveyed to me that he thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast, and that it was a good idea.



The groom and I were going to have some additional bonding time, but the breakfast took a little longer than expected, though it was totally worth it. So by the time we got back to the groom's place, we only had about an hour before we needed to leave for the church, so as to not take any chances, we got ourselves ready and headed out (though we did take a moment to sit in the grass and meditate about the day).



On the way to the church we stopped and bought powerbars for all the groomsmen. The thought was that we had a big breakfast, but probably all then skipped lunch, and with a 2pm wedding and a 4pm dinner reception, it was going to be awhile before we ate again. So we put the powerbars in our suit pockets in the event anyone felt woozy in the run-up to the ceremony. After we continued on to the church, we had our first near-incident. The groom missed his turn and so slammed on the brakes. I was following close behind and so also had to (unexpectedly I might add) slam my break. Also necessary was a sudden swerve to avoid rear-ending the groom in his 4-month old new car. THAT would have been a story for the wedding album, huh?

We were the second to arrive at the church for pre-wedding photos (probably would have been first without the powerbar stop), so I think we did well on time. We took our pictures, including some fun poses with fake pistols thanks to one of the groomsmen thinking on his toes. Also, while the groom was taking photos with the bridesmaids, the groomsmen and I took the liberty to defile the groom's freshly washed new car with the requisite "just married" decor. He was later quite surprised to see his car not in the state he left it, but was appreciative of the effort.



The wedding went very well. I think the bride and groom had a fantastic time, of course. For our part (the rest of the wedding party), I think we pulled it off nicely. There were maybe a couple hiccups, I think mostly due to a rushed rehearsal, but those were very very minor and likely unnoticed by the audience.



After the ceremony there were, of course, post-wedding photos, after which I followed the bride and groom to the reception location, where we had our first actual incident. The groom forgot some important medication. A failure on my part, to an extent, as his best man, BUT I didn't know he was taking that particular medication. I should have then been the one to hop in the car, scurry back to his place, and return to the reception with the medication. But he lived quite a distance away, and Temple is a confusing place to drive in, so I didn't know the way. Also, neither the bride or groom could go into the reception alone because they had to be announced together.

So, the three of us (bride, groom, and I), hopped into the just-married-mobile (an interesting sight to say the least), and rather hastily proceeded back to the groom's place. Keep in mind that the wedding guests, blissfully enjoying their appetizers, were unaware of this additional delay. Probably we could have done that whole thing differently, but I think it was a nice, fun moment for us (hoping to not get pulled over -- we were definitely speeding -- and have to explain how it was that the three of us were just married). Turns out it was good that I was there with them. The groom had given away his powerbar just before the ceremony thinking he wouldn't need it. But on the drive back to his place, he had a sudden need for it, so I whipped my powerbar out (definitely not what it sounds like), opened it for him, and handed it to him to eat while he was speeding down the highway. What are best men for, huh?

When we arrived back at the reception, I hopped out of the car, ran in to get the photographer so she could take photos of the bride and groom re-arriving at the reception. I then parked the car for them and ran back inside just in time for new couple to be announced. All that and only about fifteen minutes behind schedule (we finished post-wedding photos earlier than expected). Whew!

The reception was excellent. Great food, good DJ, tasty cake, LOTS of kids running around and dancing. Oh, and did I mention the chocolate fountain? Kids and chocolate fountains... definitely a messy combination (I know from experience). Of course, there was my very own moment, the first toast, which I could have done without. But I DID owe the groom some nice words. So, as required, I prepared a speech before hand (like weeks before hand, not JUST before hand), though I was editing it until the last minute. That went okay, if you ignore the couple times I stumbled over my words.




At the end of the reception, in my last official duty, I pulled the car back around, loaded it with the presents, and left it by the exit, but with enough room for the bride and groom to make a long exit adorned in bubbles blown by the cheering crowd. Alas, my work here is done.

Rehearsed

In Texas for a wedding. Tonight was the rehearsal. Left OKC way later than expected and made it to the church with less than an hour to spare. But it went well, though I wish we had gone through the whole ceremony two or three times, cause I'm not sure I got it down with as quickly as we went through it. Being the best man, the groomsmen are following my lead. And I'd hate to lead them off a bridge or something.

Here's a pic of the groom and I at the rehearsal dinner.

Recital

Darby had a piano recital today. She was nervous and didn't play as well as I've heard her play her piece at home (and I've heard it A LOT), but she played decently under the circumstances (probably the biggest audience she's ever played for).

To Joan

Joan -- Noanie if I may -- we thought a lot about you today, and I thought I'd let you know. It's been a very long time since we had the pleasure of your company, as you were taken from us much too soon. But fear not, we remember. Perhaps not as often as we should, but we do remember. And we miss you.

Softball schedule update

As previously promised, the calendar has been updated with the games from Darby's other team. As usual, let us know if any of you family or friends are interested in attending some games and I'll send you details.

Official softball pic posted

Even though it was just last week that the team took official pictures for this year's softball season, we already got them back tonight. Man, that was quick! And Darby's pic looks great!




Update
The photographer of Darby's very first ball picture suggested a side-by-side comparison with this year's photo. So, here it is. My, where have the years gone?

21 (and invincible)

Saw the movie "21" Friday night. Quite entertaining. A bit predictable, but entertaining. Not sure it was worth bursting my bladder and kidneys, but it's worth viewing if you're on the fence about it. If my dismal review is not enough for you, I have two words for you... Kate Bosworth.

Have fun. :)

Me and Bobby go way back

While at dinner tonight in Bricktown OKC, my friend and I were just a couple tables down from the man himself, Mr. Bob Stoops. So close, we shared the same waitress. We even took a crappy pic while we ate (didn't want to be so obvious with a flash). I know what you're thinking, but yes, that's him. We confirmed it. We also waited until he left (we were long done eating) to ask him if we could take a picture with him. I snapped a pic of my friend with him (which I happen to know she would not like for me to share), after which he seemed perturbed, and so I didn't press the issue to get my pic with him, instead leaving him alone with his family.



But now, the NEXT time I run into Mr. Stoops I can say, "me and Bobby go way back."

Thank you, worst week ever, for finally ending

In terms of productivity, it was THE worst week ever. We, and by that I mean all of us, got absolutely nothing done. Nothing. And it's all your fault. We tried. You stopped us. Again. And again. Incessantly. As though our pain was your joy.

Shame on you.

Not forgotten (I promise)

One of the most mortifying experiences a parent can endure is that of the perception by one's child that they have been abandoned by their parent. In twelve years of raising children I had been fortunate enough to avoid this perception. Until today.

Due to a communication breakdown between their mother and I, I was working away at the office (very common on Thursdays as I don't usually have the kids) when, at about a quarter after six, my phone rang. Shelby's school aftercare was on the line, and they wanted to know if anyone would be picking Shelby up today, as they closed at six.

Imagine the whole of your centers of fortitude losing all understanding of solidity. That would approach the sensation I felt at that moment. The next few moments involved fervent near-swearing and a crazy fast exit from the building while trying to reach my ex-wife to determine where I had gone wrong in my understanding of the sequence of the day.

After determining the majority of the fault to be my own, I scolded myself the entire duration of the drive to save Shelby from parental ambiguity. For her part, Shelby knew exactly what to say upon my arrival, those dreaded worst words...

"Daddy, you forgot me."

Ugh. A second time I died this day. And again I shall, each time she brings it up in the future. For no matter the length or depth of my explanation, no matter how sorrowful the apology, always in her memory this will be the day I forgot her. The day she wondered if I would ever come.

She was safe!

I could be wrong about this, but Darby was called out sliding into home tonight. Yes, it's a blurry photo, but I feel there's enough room to cast doubt. REALLY, the root cause of her being called out is a slight hesitation on her part about halfway home. Had she not done that, she would have been safe without question. But I prefer to blame blue. It just feels right.



She got into scoring position to begin with by drawing a walk and stealing twice. She then tried to steal home on a passed ball. No such luck.

However, during her prior at bat, she had an infield hit, and later scored. What was nice about tonight's game was that she was batting 2nd instead of at her previous 6th spot. Not exactly sure why she was moved, but I like it. And I think her value higher in the order was apparent, so hopeful it's a permanent change.


As usual, the traditional photo album update has been made.

Facts not in dispute: It is April, and I am a fool

Terrible work day. Terrible. The issues were far to ridiculous to detail here, more than to say there are about six hours of this day I will never recover. And I am apparently not quite done dumping my time into the universe's atomic dust bin. There's more to come tomorrow. You people responsible for the ridiculousness? You suck. In case you were wondering. Not saying I don't also suck. But you definitely suck more. Just sayin.