So. Hey. How ya been? Not unwell I hope. That was my Dad’s favorite response to the question “How are you doing?”; “Well I am not unwell” he would say. I have kind of adopted it since. The response has two meanings and I guess it depends on your own mindset to how you perceive the response. I have adopted both versions of the response and it really does depend on the day.

Today was one of those crappy kind of days. Actually, the last 2 days at work have been a bit crappy. Very high stress days that didn’t need to be. Only today ended with a brief meeting that we all need to work more and work harder. Spot checks will be done to make sure people aren’t arriving late, taking long lunches, and leaving early. Because I guess to some people, quantity equals quality. I do not share this point of view in the workplace, but it’s not my workplace to run. So be it I guess, for now.

I also need to get a haircut. Well I thought I did until I was complimented by someone who doesn’t stare at my scruffy mug every day. They thought it looked good grown out. So maybe I’ll just get a trim instead of my full cut. Of course though, I could not just accept the compliment. I really need to work on that.

So, my fellow blog writers, do you come up with great ideas at inopportune moments? I do all the time and it’s frustrating, is it not? My latest have come while about to get into the shower. I can’t really log them for a post right away because the water has reached the right temperature, I am in my bathroom, and I am naked. Throw in a touch of ADD and the idea is gone as I delicately return the shine to my behind.

Sometimes I think about scenarios from my day that I imagine going differently if I had said this instead of that. Sometimes I stress about bills and money. Sometimes I sing in my head. Never out loud though, I’ve never done that singing in the shower deal. I’m a car singer, not a shower singer.

My last is kind of zany. I thought it would be funny if there was a gag reel to Star Wars where the actors never broke character. So someone runs a little interference and bumps into Darth Vader. When they do, they hit a button that changes his voice from the menacing tone to a sultry vixen. The emperor laughs heartily and they get back to it. It sounded better in my head I guess. It is a mash-up of the Pixar gag reels, so maybe it just means I need to watch more movies with human beings.

Wow, this post really took a turn for the random huh? I guess there aren’t enough words to talk about the simple things in life right now. For instance, Saturday was our oldest daughter’s birthday party. Her best friends from school came and they couldn’t have had a better time. We went to our local playground which has a splash park and they all got merrily soaked. The weather was perfect, the smiles were abundant. Not much else to say about that. It was just perfect.

Not all the kids were from our party, there was another party there at the same time. It is a public park with no reservations taken. All the toys though were fair game and boy did they play some games!

Since I haven’t had a good original idea for a post of late, I thought I would just scan the news headlines and offer up my thoughts on them. I mean you are here to read my thoughts right? It is a topical idea too I think. Mostly though as I scan the headlines I have more questions than opinions.

Lindsey Lohan will spend 90 days in jail. Why do we care? Seriously, we does anyone give a crap what Lindsey Lohan does? She hasn’t made a good movie in ages, ad who knows how good her portrayal of Linda Lovelace will be. I can’t imagine she was the studio’s first choice as an actress. Again though, she’ll spend 90 days in the cage and we’ll know far too much about it. Can’t she just go away like Paris did? Please?

Who the hell is Jake and Vienna. So they broke up or something. Who are you anyway?

Why is any one of the idiots who followed Charles Manson up for parole? Why would anyone think that they could contribute to society now? Did they find a better purpose pressing license plates in prison after following and dedicating their lives to that whack job? I think not.

Ok, this is disgusting and disturbing. Someone is making a jam that is infused with the late Princess Diana’s hair. That’s right. Her hair. Need I remind anyone she died 13 years ago. I think we should let her rest in piece finally, and not eat her like zombies. Don’t believe me, here is a link.

What the hell BP, why are you still poisoning the most beautiful beaches and pristine ocean water in our country? Plug the damn thing up already. Don’t gimmie that crap about the weather either, personally get your ass on whatever you need to get on and fix it. I bet weather never delayed you from drilling that hole did it?

Why is it hollywood studios cannot come up with anything that seems both original and appealing to go see aside from computer generated cartoons? Everything is a remake or a poorly written attempt to “appease the masses” of moviegoers. I have a simple solution, make a product that makes me feel like my two hours were deserving of my 10 dollars.

The internet is done Prince? What? You schmuck. Until you have found a new way to communicate more efficiently, the Internet is alive and strong. Eventually it will fade away like print media, but until that next thing comes along, don’t be stupid.

I am glad the immigration law is being challenged. They got it backwards. Go after the company that hires the illegal residents, not the people themselves. The people are chasing the American dream and doing just what all our distant relatives once did. However, we have a process these days and it should be up to the businesses paying these people to make sure they have proper employees. Cut off the money train and you cut off the problem at its source.

Hey FIFA, I love the world cup, but its time to embrace modern times. The human element can and will always be a factor in who wins the big trophy every four years, but lets make sure the right humans get to play for it. Embrace technology to make sure goals are goals and add another referee on the pitch to call fouls and penalties, especially on the diving. 2 sets of eyes are better than one. Nothing will be lost from the tradition of the game except maybe some of the controversy traditionalism is generating.

BlogHer is coming up and although I only have a party pass, I still have nothing to wear. Well I do, but I haven’t bought any new clothing I can wear, aside from underwear, since at least 2008. Will jeans be acceptable at these parties? Please help. I am very challenged in this department.

It’s hard to believe how fast the past 6 years have flown by. 6 years ago today your mama was complaining about being uncomfortable and what not and I was scared out of my mind. I guess your mother was scared too, she had a big job ahead of her! Boy was it worth it.

I will never remember the rainbow we saw on July 3, 2004. It was almost exactly 24 hours before you arrived. It was a sign that something great was about to happen and we just could not comprehend how great it was.

You share a birthday with the country we call home. Although the US is 228 years older. Those fireworks and cook-outs though are totally in your honor. Never let anyone tell you any different, your daddy has personally arranged them for YOUR birthday. Even if not everyone realizes it just yet.

You are one of the smartest people I know. Including several adults. I have not come across many people that absorb and comprehend as quickly as you do tying everything else you’ve learned so far into new knowledge. I savor every conversation we have and every question you ask. I can see and hear your growth each and every time.

Your giggle makes me smile and your belly laughs invoke the same from me. Your compassion and thoughtfulness warm my heart each and every day. You make me feel like I am your best friend and I want that to last forever.

In just the past year, you passed kindergarten this year with flying colors. You learned to read and boy do you love to do that. You read chapter books and have been measured to read on a 2nd grade level. You even came out of your shyness shell just a little and made some friends. Your teacher though, loves you as much as we do. You made such an impression on her and the compliments were so fantastic. You crave knowledge like a fish craves water.

Speaking of fish, you are one. Your perfect day would be a morning at the library, a peanut butter with banana and Nutella sandwich for lunch, followed by swimming until dinner at which time you will want the same thing you ate for lunch. You would swim from sunrise to sunset if we let you. Your a good swimmer too. A better swimmer than I am for sure.

I am so very proud to be your father. I am so very honored to be your friend. You are the air I breathe and the blood that pumps through my veins. I long to spend every minute I can with you I possibly can. You impress and amaze me in a new way every single day. I love driving you to school every day where we make sure we both say the following each and every time.

I love you as big as the universe every day,
and you are the best *name* in the whole world,
and thank you for being such a great (kid/daddy).
Thank you for being you,
because I love you and you warm my heart.

As much as I love watching you grow by leaps and bounds I will ask that you slow down a little bit. I’m trying to soak it all in and I don’t want to miss a second. I love you Anna. Thank you for being you.