Lazy Morning and Unexpected Guests

Not really sure why, but last weekend, I woke up and sat at my computer listening to old Hank Williams music. Kaw-liga, Jambalaya, There's a Tear in my Beer - all his good old classics. I had my wife on my lap and a whole day ahead of me...seemed a good way to waste away the morning. It did make me a bit homesick, though - I still remember my dad playing Hank Williams when I was a kid. Back when country music was extra twangy and the only breasts in professional wrestling belonged to the Ultimate Warrior, who took Ultimate Steroids.

After our lazy morning, Liz and I hunkered down to the farmer's market - our first trip down there, this year. Not much going on, except for the "Ask a Master Gardener" tent which never had anyone in there (neither asking questions nor answering - it was completely empty) and the horribly bad two person band. We did pick up some fresh peas, potatoes, and cheese curds. I think those might have been the first cheese curds I've had in Minnesota that weren't deep fried. Still not as good as the stuff you can pick up at any gas station in Wisconsin, though.

So one night this week, I forgot to close the garage door. The next day, we found stuff knocked off the shelves and we both assumed some kids had been rummaging through the place overnight. I was a little upset, but nothing seemed to be missing, so I just put the stuff away and went on with things, making sure to close the door plenty early the next day. Oddly enough, things were knocked off the shelves again the next day, and even the day after that. Considering that we had been keeping the garage close tight, I figured we had us a "guest."

I jumped up and grabbed one of the cieling beams and pulled myself up to take a look - and about 3 feet from my face was our own pet raccoon. I didn't particularly want him setting up shop in our garage, so I tried poking at him with a garden rake. As you can well imagine, his solution was simply to climb higher. *Sigh* We tried putting down some food for him to lure him down to the ground, but I suspect, being nocturnal, and all, the bright lights of the day kept him aloft. Finally, I wanted to get to bed, so I restored to the best raccoon removing tool I could find: the garden hose. I kinda feel bad for the little guy, but he left our place soaking wet, and having dropped a good 5 feet or so onto the driveway. I would have preferred he had left under better conditions, but at least I don't suspect I'll be seeing him around again, any time soon.

The latest distraction in our lives? We picked up a copy of Kingdom Hearts, for PS2. It's a pretty old game (and for those of you not familiar with it, it's a Final Fantasy meets Disney game, which seems quite nuts), so we got it pretty cheap. It got great reviews back when and now there's a sequel out that's also getting pretty good hype. So, with the weather all hot and muggy, Lizzy and I can retreat to our basement and I play video games while Lizzy knits in the nice, cool underground.

Anyway, Lizzy and I are taking a long-anticipated vacation next week. We'll be back in C-ville for the first half of the week and then we'll be off to Sheboygan/Milwaukee to see Lizzy's fam for the latter half. I tell you, it'll feel nice to get away from work for a while.

The Sudden Lack of Sporting Events

Okay...so quick recap of what's been going on, lately.

Liz and I were in Chicago a couple weeks ago to visit Nick and Monica (and just get away from work for a bit). Nate was gracious enough to come along, as well, so the whole gang got to hang out for a while in downtown Chi-town. We didn't do many "touristy" things - after all, when you've got resident guides to the city, who needs tourist maps? We got very good at utilizing the mass transit system, as the train goes just a couple blocks from Nick's new pad. We did plenty of eating at various restaurants. Had drinks at Don Shula's steakhouse (which we'll never do again, as Nate's bourbon was $10.50 and Liz's water was $2.95). Watched the end of a hockey game while standing in the cold outside the NBC building. Wandered down to Navy Pier just in time to see fireworks and everyone else scrambling off home like rats off a drowning ship, just as we were getting there. Found that the real shopping in Chicago isn't on Michigan Avenue, which just has disgustingly expensive stores, but on State street - just a couple blocks over. A few hours there and Liz and I had managed to find a few articles of clothing and some new books. Also took in a White Sox game, which turned out to be not much of a game and, thanks to the fact that it was freaking cold and we got tickets in the very top row in the stadium, we took off after the 7th inning. The only downer of the weekend is that Liz had gotten a cold the week prior and managed to give it to me just in time for the trip...so we were well medicated. Nonetheless, an excellent weekend.

Softball season is still going and things are getting a bit better. The team is starting to play a little better so I haven't been as horribly frustrated following the games as I was the first few weeks. The best part of the season? After each game, most of the team crashes at our place to play cards, eat food, play weird PS2 games that involve plastic guitars, and drink away our night. It's really too bad it happens on a Thursday, rather than a Friday. Now, soccer season is getting started - we had our first practice on Monday. I'm horrible at it. I have no leg, no skills, a wheeze a lot.

Liz and I have been getting to the gym pretty often. I try to stick to my weight-lifting regimen as best I can, but it is getting tougher with the Summer upon us. I check my weight every day I go and get all excited when I'm up a half pound...only to be crushed the next day when I find that I've lost a pound and a half. Perhaps, somday, Liz will slip lead weights into my socks without me noticing and I'll feel great about myself, even if I walk funny due to my socks feeling "funny." Aside from lifting weights, Liz and I are trying to learn to play tennis. Our progress so far is...laughable. We can usually play for 10-15 minutes until we have to go outside the fence to retrieve all our lost balls. Someday, we'll get up to a good half hour, mark my words.

Speaking of sports - it's been a sports lover's bonanza, lately. The French Open, the US Open, the World Cup, the Stanley Cup finals, the NBA finals, and baseball (if you're into that sort of thing). Unfortunately, as wonderful as it was (and the Stanley Cup finals were wonderful, mind you - I pity the fool that missed out), suddenly, it's all over. Nadal continued his clay court dominanace against Federed. Lucky proved he's not always so lucky and collapsed in John Daly'esque fashion on the 18th hole. The highly touted "best US Soccer team to hit the World Cup" is yet to score a goal through two games. The Stanley Cup finals were stretched to a magnificent game 7 in two of the best cities to host games. The NBA finals went 6 games with the Heat dominating back from a 0-2 deficit (I think I even watched a game or two). And baseball continues on...in another month or so, perhaps the games will have more meaning as they'll only have 90 more to play. However, now, it's virtually all over. The NHL and NBA seasons are done. Wimbledon is coming, but I'm not that big of a fan, anyway. The US Open is finished. The US team is on the brink of elimination from the World Cup and I'm sure coverage of the event will vanish just like our team. And baseball...well, it's still there. So what's left? The look ahead to football. But it'll be a long wait, I can tell. Today I checked the headlines - this made the top of the ESPN.com headlines:

49ers sign fifth-round pick Haralson to four-year deal

*Sigh* It's going to be a while before they have anything to talk about.

On a totally unrelated note, my hopes have been crushed by a plant. Two years ago, Liz and I bought a rose bush for our front yard. It had gorgeous flowers. Unfortunately, it had a pretty rough Winter and, even though I covered it when it was cold, I thought it had died. To my surprise, though, it did come back last Spring. Too bad it didn't flower at all, last year. This year, though, when I pulled off the cover, I found that the bush was already growing strong. Pretty soon, we started spotting a bud or two - then a few more - eventually, there were over 30 buds. I was amazed. Then, they finally opened and I was fully depressed. The blooms are no longer a soft peach color and a perfect shape, but they're dark red and ugly. Apparently, the bush we purchased had a more delicate rose spliced onto a more hardy bush. Well, the good rose must have died that first year so now all that's left is the ugly, hardy bush. It's depressing. I hate to dig up a plant that's doing so well, but that rose bush is not what I want. Gyar.

Okay. Enough blabber. I'm of to....do something. I don't know what, but I'll figure it out. Later.

New Look and Feel

As you've probably noticed, the web site looks very different. Lizzy's been working hard at learning CSS and putting a new style to the website. I'd say she's done very well. Note that the address of my blog has changed, slightly - please update your links accordingly.