Category — Humour

So true…

I spent some of today wondering why the tip of my right thumb felt vaguely like it had been burned. I considered the usual suspects: thumb-tip cancer, MRSA, and possible early warning sign of Alzheimer’s. Then it dawned on me that Z and I had the Wii with us this weekend, and spent way too much of it doing battle on Mario Kart. So much so that on Friday night when I finally went to bed, I closed my eyes and saw the entire Moo Moo Meadows track flashing against my eyelids…

When I took Z to swim class at the Y this weekend, I noticed a makeshift memorial in the hallway near the locker rooms. It was for one of the teen swim instructors–this kid who helped out a couple times w/Z’s class. I asked the lady at the desk what happened, and she kind of brushed off the question. I went to my Super Phone, and found this article. Just heartbreaking, all around…

Finally, there is this: A brief history of the “ctrl + alt + delete” button, and a zzzzzzing at Bill Gates at the very end. It’s worth the minute:

To all the lovers out there…

#95…

If ever there were a weekend to be snowbound in Indy, this would be the one. Among the dozens of cars spun out in ditches or in the medians on the way here, almost all sported those window flags with the Colts horseshoe. Z and I are here to celebrate the cousin’s b-day…

I loved last night’s Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger. In case you missed it:

Was teaching late tonight, don’t have energy for something original. Shout out to Michelle “Ms. Pickles” Howe for introducing me to The Snuggler:

Z passed her swim test this morning, and officially graduated to Starfish A–a more advanced (and expensive) set of classes. We celebrated this victory–borne of at least a dozen “bobs” (head all the way under the water, then back up), a couple of hard-fought circuits with the foam bubble on, and at least three solo jumps into the water–with a pajama party at home. She created invitations, a menu, a series of games. PJs were required, so I did as I was told. By 3:30 this afternoon, it was clear that we weren’t going to change out of our pajamas, and after a couple of rounds of SpongeBob Sorry, Z said, “Daddy, can we just stay in pajamas all day today? This is really comfy.” Of course! If I could, I’d wear jammies all day, every day. To work. Meetings. Presentations. Honestly, I think the world would be a much better place if we all donned loungewear all day…

Anyway, part of the day was interrupted by a Phineas & Ferb marathon. I love this cartoon. One of my favorite characters is the doe-eyed Isabella Garcia-Shapiro, a Mexican Jewish girl, as her name would suggest. Today, one of the episodes had this bit about Mrs. Garcia-Shapiro going to the Mexican-Jewish Cultural Festival, and it contained this number. Oy-lay:

#81

Saturdays are swim class days. Z tries so hard. She gives 110% in the pool, and does everything the instructor asks even if it results in a nose full of water. Still, she sinks like a rock. But, most importantly–more importantly than anything that she’s trying to learn–she takes it all with the best sense of humor any six-year-old could ever have. This video is for her:

If you’re interested in recent fiction about Haiti, you should read Ben Fountain’s Brief Encounters with Che Guevara. Aside from the fact that he gave up his partnership in a law firm to write full time, his stories are also inspirational, of sorts. He was interested in Haiti, so he traveled there and spent some time. Many of the stories in this collection are set in Haiti, in vivid clarity. All of the stories are excellent…

I’ve enjoyed watching the Late Night shake-up, and found David Letterman’s jabs at Jay “Big Chin” Leno last night really fun. Conan should just watch NBC squirm…

Finally, this clip made me choke on my pasta salad. Then I laughed for many minutes straight. I think Colbert is funnier than Stewart, for the record:

I have thoroughly un-decked my halls, and disposed–with extreme prejudice–of all but memories and sweaters of this jolly holiday season. If only I could un-deck the third floor of the outrageously noisy neighbors above me. This would complete my yule-tide purge, and I could enjoy a peaceful long winter’s nap. Enough of that, though…

Listening to NPR on my way in to work this morning, I caught this interview with health care writer and wunder-surgeon Atul Gawande. He has emerged as the lone voice of true reason when talking about health care–reform or other issues. Anyway, his new book is out, and I’m likely to read it as much for pleasure as for anything work-related…

Finally, I couldn’t read this without thinking of Andy (Ed Helms) on The Office. Hey Big Tuna…

I received an email the other day from my dad, who was responding to my blog post that contained a “to do” list for the week. One of those items was, jokingly, about doing a will. I laughed out loud when I read my dad’s response:

Hello son, don’t understand a lot of your blog, but view it every so often to find out what you did when you were younger – re #5 you DO have a will and it’s at home with your mother & me. It is most likely your “de facto” will since I’m fairly certain that you haven’t really done another – my guess is it was done when you were in college. So worst case, you could probably do a new one based on some web site or PC software. I always kept this one along with the thought that you rarely get around to doing “those kind of things” so when you do, sell, & publish the great american story and meet your early demise (per your nightmares), your mother & I can enjoy the life we’ve always dreamed of. Oh wait, we’re doing that now!! Love Dad

Nice…