That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it

I had a shock when I bought a copy of Guild Wars:Factions. The store clerk attempted to sell me scratch insurance. You gotta be kidding me! I mean, if the space between my CD rack and my computer was a gravel road with potholes, I could see that. But its not. I know I've always said that I've never had a problem with companies making money off of stupid people, but this might be pushing it. And they're doing this with music CDs as well. Though those travel enough to make slight more sense (not enough to buy it though).

I'm probably more irritated by the fact the guy did a hard sell on me. Do I LOOK that stupid? OK, I do look very young, but still....when I say no, I mean NO. Unless its too my wife of course, that's just an opening negotiating position to an argument I will lose because she's cute. That's different.

I can understand why they do it, a lot of inexperienced parents to suck more money out of. But this MIGHT come back to bite them. More and more people are switching from buying CD's and games physically to electronically. The selling of insurance on these disks will start making some people think that this purchase NEEDS insurance. But digital downloading doesn't. So they're next buy will be online, not so good for EB Games, Best Buy, or whoever. It sounds like a stretch, but these are the same people who will buy insurance on a CD.

Have I ruined a CD due to scratching? Yes, one. Seven years after I bought it. I own 400 CDs or so (I stopped counting a LONG time ago). Imagine the money I would have wasted if I bought insurance on all those? Hell, just on the amount of game CDs I own (all of which still work).

Oh well, can't blame someone for making a buck. Just stop trying to make it off me, I'll take my chances.

These are days you’ll remember

Today was a good day. Its always good when your child is happy, laughing, and bouncy. Gavin was a lot of both today. Him and Charlotte started with a nice little giggle fest as when I bounced and spun them both when I picked him up from day care. They both have delightful giggles. I know Charlotte got it from her mom, I have to assume Gavin learned it from Charlotte. I know I sure as hell don't giggle like that.

Gavin had a sing-a-long with the music playing on the iPod in the car. Now he's only 14 months, so obviously it wasn't a very accurate sing-a-long, but the effort was there. Along with some driving directions ("GO!"). The boy likes speed.

Gavin's ball throwing has improved considerably, and we had a great time passing the ball back and forth. He's beginning to enjoy these interactive games, which is a big step from the solo playing. Another game he started doing today involved his new walking backwards skill.

Pam and I have been working on getting Gavin to keep his sippy cup in the kitchen. Sometimes he'll make a break for it, not because he wants the cup in the other room, but because its fun to have us go after him. Well today he started just inching backwards towards the family room while drinking from the sippy cup. When he got to the carpet, he looked at me, saw me give him a look, and he laughed and ran back into the kitchen to begin again.

This is a good game, it uses positive reinforcement to remember to keep the cup in the kitchen, which is tons more effective then telling him "NO" over and over and over. I'm not afriad of laying down the law when needed, but I'll always try to find a way to use positive reinforcement. This sometimes leads to excessive cheering and sillyness, but its pretty effective, and my boy is pretty darn happy AND well behaved.

I said well behaved, not perfect. He still thinks its fun to pound on the TV. We're working on that, though its difficult since I'm positive if we were out of the house, he wouldn't touch the TV. He's doing it for the reaction and probably a sign that we're not paying him as much attention as he'd like. If I looked at each time it happened, it would probably be when Pam and I are in discussion, or in those very rare instances the TV is on while Gavin is awake. I'll admit that hockey playoffs are an exception to that, but hey, that's special.

I'm extremely glad that when the TV is on, he usually ignores it if it isn't Baby Einstein. Don't know why he pays attention solely to that, but I'm not going to question it.

All in all a lot of laughing by baby and parents today. I've spent a good portion of my life thinking about what it means to be a good parent, and I'm happy to see that its working pretty well. Don't know if my friends agree with my parenting styles or not, but hey, they don't read this anyway.

Frankly my friends have a lot of differing styles, some I like, some I'm not quite comfortable with. I'll be honest and say the stuff I'm not comfortable with seems to be working just fine, and its a matter of personal style for me. We seem to be raising some good kids so far, and that's all that matters. I usually keep my opinions to myself unless it comes up in converstation, and then I try to coach them in the most non-agressive terms. Though I'm sure I've offended someone at some point in time. People take this parenting thing personally, as they should. No rocks through my window.....oh...wait...but that's another story.

My style is very soft, with a definate line. I believe in allowing the kids a great deal of freedom to explore their environment. This involves letting them occasionly push my kitchen chairs around, and his high chair as well. He's learning about moving stuff, navigating, and how things react. As you can't push a chair through a table. I keep a calm, pleasant, happy voice. A lot of positive reinforcement when he does things I approve of. But when he crosses a certain line (pounding on the TV, playing with a power cord) the reaction is firm, immediate, and sometimes a little harsh. I always try to keep it as consistent as possible, which sounds easy, but when you're tired its temping to let things slide. As soon as he stops, we go back to happy nice daddy. Gavin's a smart kid, he figures it out pretty quick for the most part.

My only worry is that day care won't be as hard on him when he misbehaves. So far he's been a good kid there (at least from what they tell me), so I can't really judge that yet. I told them to drop the heavy end of the hammer if he starts pushing and shoving, hopefully they'll listen.

Anyway, that's enough for this post. Maybe one day I'll try a short post and see what that's like :). I'm getting better at catching my writing mistakes and correcting them as I'm going along. I'm also getting back to the smoother style that I used in college. Maybe I'll actually tell some people about this thing someday.

Then I can criticize Merl for his parenting. How could you lie to your daughter like that? It was MY puck.

In a moment we could make heads turn

Sometimes it takes me a while to find a good lyric for the post. This one's a tough one, though Google can probably find it quickly. But that's cheating :)

ANYWAY, It's the hockey playoffs!!! The only thing better than playoff hockey in sports, is overtime playoff hockey. Which is happening right now with the Montreal/Carolina game. No other sport compares to the energy generated during these playoffs. Screw the Super Bowl, give me the ups and downs of a good playoff matchup any day. Not to slam football (go Steelers!), but the action of hockey during this time of year cannot be denied.

I will never forget my favorite playoff game of Pittsburgh vs. Philly about 5 years ago or so, 7 sudden death overtimes. The goalies were awsome, and the players gave everything they had. Diving saves, players sacrificing their bodies to block shots, face plants to try to get their team the puck. Even though my team didn't win, I still loved that game.

Every player gets it, they're not in the playoffs for the money. They want the shiny thing. The wonderous Stanley Cup. It IS the hardest trophy to get in sports. Every game is played like its going to be their last. Watch a series, any series, and you'll get it.

I've hardly gotten to exercise my Center Ice package this year since I've been busy being a daddy, but its worth its weight in gold for the post-season.

And now we're going to 2nd overtime. Yummy.

By the way, I love this game.

When it don't come easy

Well, that last post was definitely why I needed to start writing more. It was all over the place. New rule, if I can't finish a post in a sitting, wipe it and start over. That last post was done in 4 different sessions. I must resist hitting the Save as Draft button at all costs!

I'll probably have a new rule, no posting after midnight, but we'll see how it goes.

Anyway, we had a storm tonight, which for people in the St. Louis area will know is no surprise. However what was a surprise was my 1 year old son Gavin, woke up. This kid sleeps through everything. And I'm not sure it was the thunder that woke him, rather than being thirsty. He can't tell me so I'll have to guess.

It’s never a good feeling when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night. The first step is always to see if its a temporary thing (which it usually is). You continue on hoping he will fall back to sleep. 10-15 minutes later, it’s apparent that it isn't going to happen. This makes you feel extremely guilty for waiting those 10-15 minutes. Even though the last 20 times he's fallen back to sleep in 5 mins or less.

Then comes the going into the room. This never happens without the thought that something BAD has happened. He's hurt and I should have been there 10 mins ago, and doesn't his cry sound different? The 5 seconds it takes for me to get to the door and open it really is the worst a parent can have.

Case in point, a month or so ago someone threw a large, heavy rock through our back patio door. This of course woke us up since it makes a very loud thud (we never heard the crash though). We at first thought that Gavin somehow had 1) gotten out of his crib and fell, or 2) he somehow caused the crib to fall over. Both of these scenarios are very unlikely, but anyone who's dealt with me when I'm woken unexpectedly can tell you my mind doesn't move through the low gears very quickly. It does make for higher top speed, but I'm digressing.

Anyway, I rushed to Gavin's room. My wife caught up to me a couple of seconds later, outside the bedroom. This is because even though I had sprinted top speed to the room and had my hand on the doorknob, I could NOT open the door. Those 5 seconds of worry had literally caused my brain to overload with every worst possible scenario. My wife showing up got me to shake that off, otherwise I wonder how long I would have been standing there. Gavin of course was fine, and in fact bouncing up and down thinking mommy and daddy were here to play.

Frankly, after that the fact that someone had swiped my wife's purse & my laptop bag didn't really bother me at all. I don't think my wife really understood that, as she seemed to get quite irritated with me about how calm I was about the whole affair.

I love being a dad. Gavin is literally the greatest baby; I don't know how we got so lucky. Other parents will disagree of course, but that's ok. It’s good for people to be wrong sometimes :)

But I hate those 5 seconds.

Get 'Em Out By Friday

Going to start making my titles lines from songs or song titles, just for fun. Though I see this being a pain in the ass in the future, for now it amuses me. This one is easy, its the name of the song as well. But I'm getting off topic, or is it I was never on topic? Anyway....

Years ago I argued heavily against term limits. My position was that simply, if we didn't get a bad politician out of office, it was our own dumb fault, and we should let the good guys go as long as we can. I was very passionate, and I even convinced my opponent. What is unfortunate is that I'm beginning to believe I was wrong. Damnit.

Is there really a member of Congress that we absolutely have to have? Someone who we can't live without? Frankly I don't think so. However there a LOT of them we would be happy to dump. So dump all of them. (See! There's the title relevance to this post!)

To be quite honest, while I'm not a Bush supporter, the root of our problems isn't him. The problem is our Congress (to quote Steven Colbert) "has no balls". They're very good at posturing, but not much else. They only time they seem to act is when it would be complete suicide not too (social security). The president can run them over without any more consequence of some harsh language on the pundit shows. What is funny is that this is the time where Congress should feel free to flex their muscles. Bush's popularity rating is at an all time low, and Congress still won't break ranks for fear of making their party look weak.

What happened to less federal government interference, financial responsibility? All pushed to the wayside in the interests of party unity with Bush. What happened to the true conservatives? And I'm not talking about the social ultra-religous conservatives, so sit back down.

Congress should have stepped up and put Bush in his place. He is not the government, only a branch. But they can't do it. And problem's root is at the House of Representitives. We have carrier politicians in a position that gets re-elected every 2 years. This certainly isn't what the founders had in mind. The idea was that people would serve their 2 years, then get back to their life. A house of the common people.

Well, they won't vote term limits on themselves. So I say, if there isn't anyone there we can't live without, just vote them out. Every 2 years, vote out the incumbant. Republican, Democrat, whatever. Its not like you actually pay much attention to the congressman you vote in anyway. I wonder what the typical congressman would look like after 8 years....

But then, this whole plan depends on the voters who got us in this mess in the first place.

Yeah, it was just an idea.

Current favorite albums

What's this? Didn't I just post earlier today? Thanks for paying attention! All one of you. Hey, the title of this blog starts with 'Chaotic' for a reason. But the real reason is that I'm doing a large test run and so this what I'm going to be doing while that goes on. Anyway....back to music.
My current favorite albums.....
Mad Season - Matchbox 20
While liking their 1st & 3rd albums (I believe their first is my wife's favorite), #2 strikes a chord. The album is...melancholy, and I love it. I'm weird like that.

Wreck Of The Day - Anna Nalick
Discovered this one when iTunes was displaying free videos. Slow and fast, sweet and rough, this album has a good mix that is good to listen too.

On Your Shore - Charlotte Martin
I don't know many people who know this artist (besides my sister-in-law), but she does a good mix of classical piano mixed with pop. The songs are well crafted, and her rendition of Wild Horses should not be missed. If you've heard the song Every Time It Rains, this is her.

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
For some reason this album sticks with me more than Dark Side or the Wall right now. That might change later. I can't help but wonder what if the song Wish You Were Here would be like if they played with that musical idea for more than 2 minutes.

Youth - Collective Soul
I waited a LONG time for a new Collective Soul album. Their albums have so much energy its hard not to get sucked in. This one is just good fun listening.

And now we'll round this out with the top song list as my test run is still going...
The Carpet Crawlers - Genesis
Every Genesis fan who reads this is nodding, everyone else is going eh?
2112 - Rush
All the Rush fans who were planning to stone me for not mentioning 2112 as a top favorite album can put their stones away now.
Supper's Ready - Genesis
Its about a 25 minute song, people don't really have the paitence for that kind of thing these days. Its a shame, because some of them are really really good. This is one of them.
An Island In The Darkness - Tony Banks
This is another long goodie. One of my favorite song endings of all time.
Everyday Glory - Rush
This song rocks, and the lyrics will get you motivated.
Before I Walk On Fire - Sophie B. Hawkins
Its hard for me to even think of a song that is as well crafted as this. It blends modern & classical together in a way that is pure elegant beauty.
When It Don't Come Easy - Patty Griffin
If you've ever gotten a mix from me, this song has probably been on it.
Walk On - U2
A well crafted song. Another good ending.

And that's enough of that.

Here we go

OK, its been a couple of days, I guess I should actually start posting something. Not that anyone is waiting on baited breath quite yet....

So I stated music as #1 on my list of things to blog about, so let the first blog address that.

Top # lists annoy me somewhat, everyone assumes they are definitive and don't change. Yet its something I get asked about from time to time. Therefore, I like too break it down into the top albums I've found over my lifetime I can listen to again and again, and the current favorites that I might get tired of, or not.

So overall, my top favorites (for now) are....
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway - Genesis
Everyone needs to listen to this one. Frankly its one of the most creative (and yes, very weird) albums ever made. Even if you don't care about (or understand) the story, the music will carry you along. I always listen to this on my birthday

Scarlet's Walk - Tori Amos
I can hear the Amos fans screaming now that I didn't say Little Earthquakes. I love Little Earthquakes, but Scarlet's Walk is what I feel is to be her best work as a complete album. A great variety of musical styles, and not a weak song on there. It will amuse you, it you make you think, it will move you.

Roll The Bones - Rush
People criticize this album as being over produced, which it is. Yet start humming any song from this album around a Rush fan and they'll start humming along. This is just good solid rock that's fun to listen too.

Patty Griffin - Impossible Dream
Describing this album in modern terms is almost impossible. Why? Because country music sucks. If country music didn't suck, it would be this album. But see? You've already formed an opinion on this album as soon as I said country. Think the soundtrack to 'O Brother Where Art Thou'. Got that? OK. That style, only written today. Oh, and its better too. You know, just go buy the album.

A Curious Feeling - Tony Banks
You've never heard of this album, I guarentee it. You probably can't find it as best buy (you CAN find it on amazon, though its through a different seller). Its another concept album with a lot of intrumentals that are so well done, you can see the story playing out in your head. I think this currently holds my record of number of straight repeats played. You really are missing something if you haven't really, deeply listened to this album.

Tounges And Tails - Sophie B. Hawkins
I can't think of any other artist debut album that makes this list. Everyone knows Sophie through the song "As I Lay Me Down". Which was a #1 song for a very very very long time. Its not on this album. Sophie blends pop, classical, rhythm and twists it into something really interesting.

Ok, I need to break from this, but I'm on a roll in my head so current albums & top songs coming up then we'll put this music thing behind us for a bit.

Sharon would be very disappointed in me if she saw this. We've never really understood why people do these things, since we're both private people. So why the hell do I have a blog?

To simply put it, I wrote a paper a month ago dealing with an interview I did for our little leadership class (which will never end apparently). My interviewing skills were very good, my analysis was good, my writing sucked. Seriously, it was crap. Not that anyone cared, but damnit, I am (was) a good writer.

So I now have a blog. Not sure if I'll actually tell anyone I know that I have one, we'll see. Just so you know what to expect there will be

1. Posts about music. Music is my lifeblood.
   
2. Posts about my son, Gavin. He rocks. If you met him, you'd agree.
3. Random rants and observations.
4. Politics observations very rarely, I tend to still be private about that.
5. Things I think are funny and think you will find funny as well. Except for my wife, who never thinks I'm funny (I'm working on that).
   

You will NOT see

1. Opinions on friends and acquantices, this is not a soap opera. People might show up from time to time for context, but otherwise you will not find any dirt here.
2. Except for Merl, it's MY PUCK you bastard.
3. Daily posts on what I did today and what not. If I feel its noteworthy and good writing, I'll post it, otherwise, you're not going to know what I had for dinner. Get over it.
4. Posts about my co-workers. I'm not stupid, Google is everywhere.
5. Posts about my company, except to say that it is the best company in the world, and I love it. (Raise please?)