Whoah, when did it get to be October?

So, my YABA has almost gone the way of my other blog attempts. Untended, a bit puerile and boring, and no new content in months. (not that anyone is reading it) So, I said, Api, fuck it. Go make a post get some shit out of your head, and maybe become more active in doing it. So, blogs with themes tend to be successful. Blogs with exciting news seem to be popular... Again, I said, why am I writing here? Well, I need a pensieve like Dumbledore. I don't really care if anyone reads this as I realized, I need to write more for me. When I have the time. Which seems to be in this 7 minute window before my 11am conference call. So, being a Dad is awesome. Max is amazing and just gets cooler by the minute. I love to watch him eat, and I love when he giggles. I hate that we have to put him in daycare but I still feel it is better then the nanny. I have started a meetup group, which is more work then I thought, and with no support from any other members but what can you do? I did like what we had going on at Barnes and Nobles (see past meetups)

My life is average, I guess. Wife is driving me crazy. She has been real hormonal, and when Aunt Flow visits it gets worse. I have no one I can talk with about it, I feel very isolated and alone with the whole thing. She attacks me for random stuff, and then accuses me of not listening enough. Disagreement doesn't mean I am putting you down. It hurts my self-image in ways I don't feel that I can articulate. Having said that, I will try, lol.

I think that I am a decent husband. I do all the cooking, including making the lunches for the next day. I do all the laundry. I give Max his bath every night and drop him off at Daycare in the morning. I wake up on the weekends when he wakes up to give wife extra sleep. I went back to weight watchers to support her. While I am very happy with my weight loss and have no complaints, don't get me wrong, I never would have started it except for the fact that she needed me there. I am 2 years quit smoking. She started chewing the nicotine gum again, and then, within a few weeks, so did I. Now, she started smoking again and I am worried that it will be me there soon... Knowing how stressed I am, I am amazed I haven't yet. I don't blame anyone for these things but they do upset me.

I feel like a used dishrag, dried up collecting mould on the side of the sink. I cannot stand confrontation, I don't like arguments and all I want is Shalom Bayit, peace in the house. Even worse, I am growing frightened of her. Not physically, but the way she makes me feel when we argue. I would suggest we see someone together but I am so scared of how she will react.

Is it wrong of me to want to see friends she doesn't like? To have my family come to our apartment? I really don't think I ask for much. It's like anything she disagrees with me about I am attacking her, but I would never hurt her in a million years. Disagreement doesn't mean there has to be a confrontation. It means there has to be a compromise.

Well, hopefully, things will get better. They were a lot similar last month and they got better... but last night was one of the top 15 worst nights I have ever had.

Slacking

Yeah, Yeah I have been slacking. I know. No new Max pics, (well, I did post them to Facebook, but still.) I am in a general malaise, the depressive end of my exciting manic depressive runs, beat down knocked down flat busted and just waiting for the 3rd shoe to drop. I am chewing nicotine gum again which makes me ashamed, I am irritable in my head and my bowels... I am down another 3.2 pounds for an over 20 pound weight loss but that doesn't even excite me.

I think it is the humidity, the double parent weeked, the annoyances of everyday life that I push down into a deep pit into the middle of my stomach and just sits there. Ya know, that may contribute to the whole bowel thing.

I have no place to express what is in my heart and I am so unhappy with so many things and see no way to change the things that make me unhappy. Forget that, I don't even think changing the things that make me unhappy are possible and that even if I did it would make me happier. As Yogi Berra said, "Wherever you go, there you are." I tried reading the Happiness Project and I just didn't feel it. Sorry Gretchen. I have so much to be happy about but it doesn't reach inside sometimes.

I'll be out of this funk by the afternoon most likely only ready to fall again with a misplaced worried, a minot annoyance, something... I know myself too well to know the way out is easy. Well, on with it then, to work I go.

Inheritance, Taxes etc

This might be my first political post here but when I read things like this it angers up the blood. First off, the article doesn't accept the fact that the system, even as it existed 25 years ago, allowed for an American Aristocracy. I won't ask you (or the author) to accept the fact that all property is theft. That gets into all sorts of metaphysical ideas about objects, land ownership and stuff that would take the rest of my day writing about. What I will ask of you is to accept that people should rise and fall on their own merits, that the only thing people are entitled to is an equality of opportunity and that as soon as we have  inheritance of any type that equality is lost. What I would do:

1. No one can inherit more then 100K in cash and property in their lifetime. (inflation adjustable) The rest returns to the state. Including business which will be sold at auction, again, money going to taxes
2. No Physical Land can be inherited, EVER. You may lease land but never own it
3. This law is retroactive so all estates, trust funds etc will be immediately confiscated.

Think about this--- People have unfair advantages as it is based on who their parents or grandparents are/were. Why should we give them the added benefit of money? Why should they deserve that? Make or break on who you are not on who you come from.

Seventh Trip, or Netzach (the SNAFU Principle)


"The most thoroughly and relentlessly Damned, banned, excluded, condemned, forbidden, ostracized, ignore, suppressed, repressed, robbed, brutalized and defamed of all Damned Things is the individual human being. The social engineers, statistician, psychologist, sociologists, market researchers, landlords, bureaucrats, captains of industry, bankers, governors, commissars, kings and presidents are perpetually forcing this Damned Thing into carefully prepared blueprints and perpetually irritated that the Damned Thing will not fit into the slot assigned it. The theologians call it a sinner and try to reform it. The governor calls it a criminal and tries to punish it. the psychologist calls it a neurotic and tries to cure it. Still, the Damned Thing will not fit into their slots." ---Hagbard Celine

What a weekend

From Friday to about 12:00 PM today was all about family. We went up to see my Parents in Torrington Connecticut and boy are the three of us tired. I could fill copious amounts of material with what happened, what I have to say about it and what I feel about it. Bottom line, more good then bad, was pretty much able to stick to Weight Watchers (we will see tomorrow at weigh in...), and everyone love my boy Max! That is what is most important to me.

My Dad made me very sad. He is so compulsive about working, getting things done in order, and all that. I know it is his job and out of all his children I think I took to heart the "work ethic" best and that scares me. Scares me a lot. I once almost worked when my wife was having surgery. I would have if my boss at the time hadn't assumed I was taking off. After coming through the tunnel of surviving 9/11 and then 3 months later getting diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I changed. My sense of what was important changed. We all watched a movie together as a family... except my Dad, who had to work. IMNSHO, it so rare that everyone is all together, to miss that opportunity to be together is a shame.

Anywhozers, pics and more stories, perhaps, tomorrow, but I am beat

More movie Trailers----

I know that I mentioned more movie trailers that I want to post.... Movies that are Baby Sitter Worthy.... I like going to the Apple Movie Trailer site and checking whats on the way. What's funny though, is that neither of the trailers I want to share are on that site. First, I want to share Machete. It looks funny and cool and campy and just awesome! Plus, the message to Arizona? Good Stuff. The cast? Wow, Lost Alumni, Robert Deniro, Jessica Alba.... Man, oh man, oh friends of mine.... It reminds me of Natural Born Killers. I sat in the theater laughing the whole time, as it was a dark comedy of the Dr. Strangelove variety.

The third movie isn't something I am dying for... The wife either... and yet and yet.... It is the final installments of the Harry Potter Movies. We are giant fans of the books. C'mon, Max's middle name is Potter. Really. None of the movies have ever captured the magic of the stories... Yet, we must see them. I understand that in order to capture the essence of a novel in a visual form, on must sacrifice certain things. Time, continuity, small details... It was the small details that made the books wonderful however... Ehh, as the song says. No matter what I say or Do your're never satisfied!"

PS-- If anyone wants to help explain to me how I can embed the trailers in a post as opposed to linking, let me know...

2 cute Max Pics of the Day

Predators Movie Trailer....

The next 3 Posts are trailers for movies I am VERY excited to see.... These are movies, assuming the reviews are good, that are "baby sitter" worthy... Adrian Brody, Topher Grace and Lawrence Fishburne amongst others... Dude. I was a big fan of the first one with Ahnold....


IGN Video: Predators Movie Trailer - International Trailer

YABA Focus

I don't really have a theme for this blog, probably because I don't have a personal theme. I am a complex and simple man. As Walt Whitman said in Song of Myself: "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."

Max's Pic of the Day

We tried some foot painting art projects. Mom and Dad had some fun.... Max I am not sure about...

Ten Tips to Being a Happier Parent

I really got off on this article from Slate magazine. This one is something I am going to have to work at:

"9. Say “no” only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure. Put water in the toy tea set? OK. Sleep with your head at the foot of the bed? Fine. Samuel Johnson said, “All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.”

My family was BIG on "No". My Grandma Lil had it as a Tattoo... Not really but she could have. Lot's of no and lots of inconsistency. With Max, I will make mistakes, because that is life. I hope to avoid that.

Bath Time Max

Max LOVES the bath. This is the first time he sat up as opposed to laying down. :-)

Max's Pic of the Day

Tested mail to blogger... Max this AM

Max's Pic of the Day

I seem to always be one day behind on these guys... This is Wednesday.

Desires, Zen, etc etc

So, there are things I want in life and things I want to do in life and sometimes I feel I can't get my hands around anything. My Grandpa Eddie used to say, "This Too Shall Pass". Roger Waters wrote, " All that is now All that is gone, All that's to come and everything under the sun is in tune but the sun is eclipsed by the moon."

I know that it is Turtles all the Way Down BUT BUT BUT.... Well, check out the 4 Noble Truths. I think, in order to acheive the things that I want I need to get past wanting them.

\

Buffalo Burger Dinner

5.25 Oz Buffalo Burger rubbed with secret spices... Mushrooms and Onions sauteed with it... 9.5 points of Weight Watchers Dinner. Paired with a Lite Cesar Salad. So, total about 11.5 points... More then I like to spend on Dinner, and way more then the wife can spend but we each had the points so...

The Feisty Foodie

Feisty Foodie is my favorite food blogger. I love her articles about Forest Hills and Queens, her sense of humor and her general quirkiness. Comments like "tried to put on a good face (which is really difficult when I’m around people who know me well; they get to see me at my most horrid, lucky them)" is what always rings true about her writing and always gets me to laugh. While I don't always agree with her food choices, as I am a fan of the SPICY, she does know her food. Check her out!

Monday and Tuesday Max!

Betty White has the force

We Didn't Start the Fire---2010 REVAMP

Daddy Comic's Parody of Billy Joel Video Starts a Fire All His Own

Cooking for the Week

I cooked all afternoon for food for the week... Here is one of the tasty treats. Please note, this is NOT specific, must make each to your own taste!

Roasted Cauliflower

1 Cauliflower Head
2 TBS Olive Oil
Garlic Salt
Black Pepper
Other Spices

Mix all together and then bake on a baking sheet for 10 minutes at 400 degrees

UPDATES on Max and Me

Ya know, I mentioned Max went to the doctor but I don't know if I gave vitals--- 15.25 Pounds, 25.5 Inches, and absolutely healthy. His eyes will remain that blue and he might be as tall as 5 foot 7 Inches which for one of my clan is like a GIANT. Mom and Dad are both 5 foot 3 inches. Anyway, he was grumpy all day today which was tough. Poor kid is a trooper though. We also learned that even when you take off the band-aids in the bath, it is still rough if you are 6 months old.

As for Dad and Mom, she lost 1lbs and I lost another 1.8 lbs. My grand total is now 14 Pounds!

I love the stuff you get on Stumbleupon

I gotta tell you this is very cool. I am so not cool enough to wear it though

HoodieBuddie

What I am reading---

I noticed I put that in what the blog is about. I tend to read a few books at once... I have a train book, usually a soft cover, as I don't like to carry a heavy book while commuting. Then, I have a by the bed book, that one a tome, a big thick monstrous hardcover. Then there might be another book floating around the house, as well. Also, one is usually brainy (or at least non-fiction), something with action and then, I dunno, whatever catches my fancy.

So, on my plate right now:

Daemons Are Forever, which is the second in a series by Simon Green. Nice, take you away Science Fiction... he tends to be in that Douglas Adams, non-serious yest VERY serious kind of science fiction, Oh you British, ever so much more witty then your American Cousins. C'mon, the main character is Edwin Drood, the title is a play on James Bond and there are puns through the whole book. Plus jokes and references most likely shooting over my head.

The second book is Chomsky on Anarchism. It has all the excitement of an Osmond's concert. It does have the intellectual stimulation I often desire. Plus, it is good before bed as sometimes it gets REALLY dry. I do like his ideas, I like a lot of what he says BUT he lacks the humor found in the Illuminatus! Trilogy (My FAVORITE book ever).

Thats REALLY it for tonight!

Saturday Evening; A moment of quiet

Had a few minutes to sit and type up some thoughts. Max had his 6 months shots today. The wife said it best, with the line: "I think the only thing worse then getting a shot is watching Max get a shot". As it always seems to be with his vaccinations, Max was rough and tumble, just not a happy cappy all afternoon. We got him an orange flavor generic baby Tylenol... He wasn't a fan to put it mildly.

As for me, I am hoping I lost weight at Tomorrow's WW Weigh In. We'll see... So, one pic from the day, then I am out for the eve

This fills a void

We lost This is Why You're Fat a few weeks ago... and now, the void is filled! Crap like this is why I am on Weight Watchers. The older I get the more Food Porn I look at as opposed to naked lady porn. Ahhh, with age comes wisdom. Or something like that

Max's Pic of the Day

Max's mommy likes me to MMS her a picture after she leaves for work but before the nanny arrives. I am going to post them in the AM. So, without further ado....

Good Morning, General Nonsense, etc

I know in last nights posted I rambled a bit. I am going to continue in that vein, flitting between topics like a government spokesperson denying that there is any major problem in the Gulf of Mexico. I hope it doesn't read to much like a Larry King column.

I spent about 30 minutes on the Wii last night doing exercises. 20 minutes running, 10 minutes step and then some Yoga. I need to keep it up, as I do feel better after doing it. It can be tough as there simply isn't enough time in the day to accomplish everything I want. Boo Hoo, Poor Poor Pitiful Me. Following Weight Watchers, essentially eating less with healthier food choices, and a soupcon of exercise, I am already down 12+ pounds with more to come! I wish it was faster and easier. Riiightttt, I am probably not the first person to say that about weight loss, eh?


Max has his 6 month Well Visit on Saturday. Dr. Neuman is pretty cool, so it always goes smoothly. I hope he is healthy and doing well. As a first time parent we are full of tremblings about everything so at the least I want reassurance. I even get worried cutting his nails.

My goal for today is to complete my work tasks, finish my personal stuff (or at least make a list of what I want to get done) and then relax!

Always got to be a FIRST post

So, going to go to sleep soon. I hope I don't wake the wife. This is one of like 6 blogs I have started, I hope I keep up with this one better then the others. I plan on talking about my kid, my diet, my life and whatever else I got going on. Just felt like it was time again. Anyway, thats it for now.