Our New Old House (and Us)...

Memories to Last a Lifetime!

2011-08-04T18:02:00.028-04:00

This May, we took Jim's dad down to Florida, his favorite vacation spot. He's 87. I hope that at age 87 I still love Disney World as much as he does. What follows are a few memories from the special week we shared together...

On our first day in Florida, we caught the end of the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot... something Jim's mom would have liked, I think. We stopped to take in this train display. I loved how they used real little bonsai-like trees for the whole town. Check out dad's wheels... He gets around just fine at home but we rented him a ride for the week since we'd be doing so much walking.

I had to snap a shot of the plant-version of Lightning McQueen since almost every little boy we know right now seems to be obsessed with him...

Ah, Italy... Funny how in the shot the sky almost looks fake too... The weather was actually THAT nice.

Looking at the 'big ball' from across the pond...

Speaking of 'across the pond' - We stopped over in the United Kingdom pavillion to take in a British rock band performing in the gazebo. I think it was a little loud for dad's taste but he humored us. He even knew some of the songs...

A quick group shot by Spaceship Earth. I think dad rode that one at least twice. I had to draw the line at Mission: Space. I told him if it was too scary for me, it was too scary for him.

The Icon... I remember thinking it was a giant golf ball when I was a kid. Funny that I still remember that whenever I see it.

Day 2 was beach day! We drove out to the coast to Daytona Beach. It was picture perfect.

The Zahniser men - battling each other in a contest for whitest skin...

On Day 3, we headed out for the Magic Kingdom. However, one cannot simply drive to the Magic Kingdom (maybe that's what makes it Magic?) Some genius has devised a plan wherein the only way to actually get 74 gazillion people to the actual park is via boat or monorail. So we opted for boat. It was quite the production...

Crossing the Seven Seas Lagoon (I vote for changing it to the "Are-we-there-yet Lagoon")

And, FINALLY - Cue the obligatory train station shots...

I love how these shots are a right of passage for every single trip to Disney World (or Land.) I will not let my party pass go without standing in front of the station for a photo-op. It's just not happening- it's the law.

And, just for the record, let's get one "Beginning of the day shot"...

First item on dad's agenda was multiple rides on the train... We aim to please.

Next up: Parade? CHECK!

I think I was even more excited to ride this than dad because they don't have it at Disneyland anymore and I love it (I'm a sucker for nostalgia) - The PEOPLEMOVER!

One of the highlights of any Disney day... the elusive yet delicious Pineapple Whip. Our favorite semi-annual to annual treat.

I should start a collection of all the pictures I have of us eating and/or posing with this dessert.

Where else do you see a banjo and steel guitar playing with a sousaphone? And playing the Toy Story song? Nowhere, I tell you.

Now we come to the part of the day when I start playing around with the camera - Cue the Castle shots...

Cue miniaturize feature...

Now, it's getting close to the time that is my favorite time in one of my favorite places in the world- dusk on Mainstreet, USA... All the lights are coming on and the castle is lighting up. I know it's the kid in me but I still can't help feeling that "magical feeling" being there to see it all unfold. Call me crazy- I know it's silly. But I'm kinda glad I still feel that way. Makes me know I'm not old and jaded.

It's getting darker and pretty soon all the lights that were glowing on Mainstreet will be turned down, and then the show really starts...

And then, before you know it, Tinkerbell's flying, just like she did when I was a little girl, and the fireworks are lighting the sky above the Castle...

And before I leave, like always, I turn and give the Castle one final quick glance... hoping I'll make it back to this magical place to add more memories to the ones that have already been written.

Jim's Thoughts on the Drive to Forty-Five...

2011-01-29T12:04:00.015-05:00

Despite a seemingly less than stellar season, the Steelers are on their way to the Super Bowl. Maybe Carrie's theory of sports karma is right, and the Pirates continuation of being the worst baseball team ever in the history of sports means that Pittsburgh's football team gets to keep going all the way.

Stairway To Seven. Seven Come '11. Drive To 45. There's nothing as catchy as "One for the Thumb" or "Sixburgh" among this year's slogans, but I'm not complaining. A month or so ago, I never would have guessed we would be on our way to "The Big Game". This year's team somehow found a way to pull together and win, despite seemingly endless adversity, and it was rarely pretty. My game day stress levels were at all-time highs this season. I'm sure the Super Bowl will be no different. The Packers worry me, but whatever happens, I'll try to appreciate the 3rd trip in six years. We are very lucky when it comes to football in this town. Enjoy some photos from the rally at Heinz Field last night...

An amazing EIGHTEEN THOUSAND fans turned out to send the team off Steeler-Nation style...

FEAR THE BEARD!

A cool shot taken with the 'minaturize' feature on our camera as fans were filing in to the stadium. Kinda looks like a little toy stadium...

Yes, it was that cold...

You're not a true Pittsburgher until you've sat in the snow inside Heinz Field to watch Zambelli Fireworks while chanting 'Here We Go' and swinging a Terrible Towel... take a look.

A Spa Day for Bear!

2011-01-29T11:39:00.007-05:00

Last weekend, it was time for Bear's semi-annual bath. We took him to Paws-Itively Pets in Regent Square. In the past, he's gone to PetsMart, but at $60 bucks a pop, it was time to find a new option. Their price was much more reasonable at $40 and I always prefer to give my money to a local business anyway. I am happy to report that they took great care of him and he came home looking and smelling very fresh and clean. His fur is so soft! When he got home, he strutted around the house, knowing he looked good. I had to take his picture of him sunning himself in the window. Of course, I took one of Bailey too. She's next in line for a spa day!

Paws-Itively Pets
1124 South Braddock Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218-1263
(412) 371-7297 ‎

Sometimes WOW Doesn't Cover It...

2010-11-21T20:02:00.013-05:00

We have just returned from a week on the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. Luckily, I found a way to post our photos here through Shutterfly, which simplifies the process. You can view them without being a member of that site, so click through to the page without signing up. You can also click underneath where it says "Click here to view these pictures larger" for a better view if you'd like. Now, a little more about the trip...

It goes without saying but the ship was A-MAZING. It has seven "neighborhoods," including a Boardwalk, Central Park, Royal Promenade and Solarium to name a few. We booked this vacation (almost a year and a half ago) for the boat, not the itinerary, but the stops were (in order) Labadee, Haiti; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico. We'd never been to any of the ports before. We also had 3 sea days for a total of 7 nights on board.

Some of the activities we participated in on the ship were... Rock climbing (Jim), Ziplining (Carrie), seeing many live shows including a diving show, stand up comedy and Beatles tribute band, the Quest game show, 2 formal nights, watching a Steelers game on board, riding a Carousel, taking a Central Park botanical tour, playing (and winning) lots of trivia, watching parades, swimming in the pools, enjoying our very first private balcony and much, much more. That's not including the 3 days we spent in ports. We hope you enjoy our photos at least one tenth as much as we enjoyed our vacation!

Click here to view these pictures larger

And now, for a few video clips...

Carrie Ziplining across the boardwalk, 8 stories up...

Jim scaling the wall...

Here's 'Revolution,' a Beatles tribute band we'd actually seen years ago in Cleveland...

Crazy stunts on the Flowrider...

We'll leave you with this clip, filmed off our balcony while we were docked in Labadee. So peaceful...

Crazy

2010-10-19T14:42:00.003-04:00

Another new print from Jim. Patsy, his new Buddy Holly portrait, and most of his other Icons of Music prints will be the featured artwork during November at the Square Cafe in Regent Square, 1137 South Braddock Avenue, Pittsburgh. Stop by and check them out if you're in the area.

Here's Buddy!

2010-10-01T12:11:00.005-04:00

Here's a promo for Jim's latest Icons of Music portrait. It's been over two years since his last portrait, so he was excited to have a new addition to the Icon family. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for yet another portrait!

To see the complete series and pricing info, visit www.redrobotcreative.com.

Deal of the Mid-Century...

2010-09-12T17:05:00.011-04:00

Every year, Egdewood Acres has a big neighborhood yard sale. I think most people just drag out the stuff they were trying to sell the previous year, and when it's over, just pack it all up and store it until next year. However, it is possible to find a few gems if you wake up early and get the jump on the rival pickers.

Carrie had just organized a very successful garage sale a few weeks ago, so I was reluctant to acquire any new stuff. She even had to prod me to drive to a nearby ATM that morning to get some cash just in case we wanted to buy something.

We were making our way down one of the streets and we came upon a house that had some vintage cabinets mixed in with the standard garage sale stuff. Sitting in the back of the driveway was a very cool side table that looked like some type of vintage 1950's office furniture. It was retro mint green, had door that held a trash can, and was in very good condition. We had never seen anything quite like it. I really didn't think that we needed it, so we moved on down the street.

The whole time we were making our way around the neighborhood I kept thinking about that cabinet. I finally decided to myself that if it was there when we passed by that house again, I would buy it. I had also convinced myself that if it was gone, I would not regret not buying it - even though I most certainly would.

We finally made our way back to the house and there it was. I really couldn't believe someone hadn't snatched it up. Mid-century stuff is very hot right now, and we've seen items like this for several hundred dollars in antique shops. I plunked down my money- the asking price, five dollars! The homeowner proceded to give us a brief history of our purchase. It was an original piece of office furniture from the ALCOA building in downtown Pittsburgh. Her husband passed away a few years ago and she was ready to get rid of some of his stuff. She even took me into the house to show me a matching piece from the set - a large display cabinet that will look great in our office. She took my business card and promised to give me a call when she is ready to sell it.

We hiked to our car and drove back to pick up our treasure, just as two guys were eying it up and telling the homeowner how much they would love to have it (let's just say that they thought it was, um, fa-bu-lous). Sorry fellas, she's taken.

Carrie did a great job of cleaning it up and it looks perfect next to our office desk. I don't know if there is such a thing as "garage sale high," but we had one the rest of the day. Moral of the story - don't wait too long to pull the trigger on something that is obviously a great deal and that you feel is something very unique.

Some brief history...

Made in 1953 by the General Fireproofing Company of Youngstown Ohio, this phone cabinet was part of an office furniture collection called "Mode-Maker". A 1960 catalog shows many of the pieces here. The below picture shows the piece we bought as part of a larger credenza (it would be the piece on the far right side of the illustration). How cool is that illustration, by the way? Ours was meant to be a stand alone piece- phone books would go on the upper shelf and the phone would go on the top surface.

Posh Pittsburgh...

2010-08-30T19:58:00.006-04:00

Last week, we had a work party at a home on Mt. Washington owned by a family member of one of our managers. At over 10,000 square feet, it was quite a sight to see. Here are a few shots from around the property...

Part of the backyard entertaining area...

The party lounge...

Dance floor with DJ booth...

Wine cellar with bar...

Another shot of the infinity pool with hot tub and firepit in the foreground...

Love that pool...

Check out the view from the living room...

The master bedroom shares the same city views...

One of the roof top decks...

Looking down from the deck...

View from the rooftop...

For Your Listening Pleasure...

2010-08-25T22:33:00.006-04:00

Here are a couple videos of Matt & Jim (aka Cephas & Milo) playing at Big Dog Coffee earlier this summer. Crank up the volume and enjoy!

Here is Jim's review of the shows...

Another year has flown by, and it was time for Matt Texter and I to assume our musical alter egos, Cephas and Milo's Rusty Strings Roadshow. Carrie can vouch for me when I say that I have been practicing like a madman this year in preparation for our trip. And with my new Fender Princeton amp, I was more than ready to get out and play this year.

This year's itinerary was a repeat of last year's trip — a stop in Pittsburgh at Big Dog Coffee on Friday night, then hitting the road Saturday morning to travel to Hagerstown, Maryland to play for four (yes, four) hours at the Gourmet Goat Restaurant and Bar. The owners of the Gourmet Goat like to have live music for their patrons during the weekend of the Western Maryland blues Festival.

First things first — the Big Dog Coffee show was a really good time. The shop is small, and we played totally acoustic, no mics or amps. I was like playing in someone's living room. A great group of friends showed up and filled our tiny playing area with familiar faces. It made for a very relaxing and fun evening.

The Hagerstown gig was jumping this year, to say the least. Most of our regular "fans" returned to see us, sporting their old C&M tees, and many of them stayed for the entire show. People were on their feet dancing, and we weren't allowed to pack up our gear before playing a rousing encore of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues.

After the show, we walked across the street and checked out the blues bestival, where we enjoyed the funky stylings of Trombone Shorty, an amazing young musician with an incredible band.

Matt and I are very fortunate to be able to do this. A big shout out to Carrie and Abby for putting up with our musical shennanigans. We've been taking these trips since 2004, and each year is just as fun as the last. Better get back to practicing for next year's adventure ...

Check out Matt's original music at http://www.myspace.com/matttexter.

If you didn't get a chance to come out and see us, we still have some Cephas and Milo t-shirts available for $10. I'll figure out how to get them to you if you want one.

Our New Old Walkway...

2010-07-27T20:49:00.004-04:00

This weekend, we finally completed a project that has been in the works for a long time. Since the time we moved in, replacing the "walkway" (if you could call it that) around to the back door was on our to do list. Unfortunately, it just hadn't made it to the top of the list yet.

We went through various rounds of quotes from contractors for every option from stamped concrete to pavers. Ultimately, we decided we wanted the walkway to look old, not new, to go along with the age and look of the house. We settled on Pennsylvania flagstone and decided we would do the work ourselves to save money. Luckily, we had help from our friends, Brandon & Sarah Mauch (thanks, guys!).

We looked at flagstone at a few places before finding just what we needed at Barn Landscape & Supply on Babcock Blvd. They were friendly & knowlegable, had a great selection and good prices. They were able to schedule a weekend delivery and only charged $50 to bring the pallet of stone to our house, even though we are 15 miles from their location.

Here is what we we were replacing- a narrow path made up of 1ft stepping stones...

Last weekend we pulled up the stepping stones and dug out a 3 foot wide trench for the new walkway...
Here's the completed walkway...

Since these photos, we have filled in the gaps with a grass seed medium. Once the space in between the stones is filled in with grass, we hope we'll have a walkway that doesn't look new. Only we (ok, and you) will know the truth!

A Trip to the Farm...

2010-07-27T20:11:00.006-04:00

This past Saturday, the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture hosted the 4th annual 'Buy Fresh Buy Local Farm Tour'. Since it was such a hot day, we only ended up visiting one farm (24 participated) but it was of particular interest to us because this year we joined their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). For a membership fee, we receive a crate of just-picked organic produce from Kretschmann Organic Farm each week.

It was really fun to tour the farm and meet the proprietors, Don & Becky Kretschmann, and to see where all the great produce we get comes from. Here are some shots from the afternoon. Feel free to comment or e-mail if you have questions about the CSA.

Eggplants...

Cattails by the irrigation pond...

Green bell peppers...

Apples in the orchard...

The orchard...

Something's sprouting (potatoes?)...

Under the apple trees...

Lovely coneflowers...

The big barn...

On a hayride/tour with farmer Don...

Giant green onions...

Kale- I never knew it grew in these pretty bouquets...

Bunches of basil...

More basil with dill in the background...

Tomato plants...

A view looking back at the barn from across the property. I was not expecting the farm to be so treed and hilly. This was not the flat farmland you normally think of...

The Big 3-0 in the Big Apple

2010-07-15T20:07:00.025-04:00

A week ago at this time, we were on our way to the airport to head to NYC for a long weekend. Saturday was my 30th birthday and Jim agreed to take me on a getaway to celebrate. Having only been to New York twice before (both times on one day bus trips with no overnight stay), it was our first chance to get a real feel for the city. And I LOVED it. It was a perfect way to celebrate the occasion. We arrived Friday evening and departed Monday evening, and in those 3 days, we packed a LOT in. See for yourself...

The Raddisson Lexington, where we stayed, a few blocks from the Chrysler building in Midtown Manhattan.
The hotel lobby

Our tiny room (this was the first of 2 rooms we stayed in there, and the second one was bigger, but it's a long story)...

On Friday night, we headed to Lombardi's Pizza in Soho, the oldest Pizzaria in New York (opened 1905). Don't know that I'd ever had coal oven pizza before. It was delicious.

After dinner we headed over to Times Square. Take note of the photo bar at the top of the blog. Those are separate photos that Jim took while in Times Square and then used Photoshop to create a panorama. Pretty cool, huh?

Here's a quick video panorama as well...

Saturday was the big day! Although the weather prediction was for rain (as seen here), it ended up being nice all day with not one raindrop, so we lucked out...

After hitting up the in-hotel Starbucks, we met our guide in the lobby and headed out on our private tour through Real New York Tours. Although it ended up being pretty history-based, we still saw some interesting stuff. Here's George Washington in front of Federal Hall (once the Capitol building).

The N.Y.S.E...

Front view of the Stock Exchange...

This was our first visit to Ground Zero which right now is pretty much a construction site. This is the new Freedom Tower going up. We were able to visit the Memorial Preview Site where they had models of what the area will look like when completed

One more shot of the Freedom Tower going up...

At Washington Square Park (you can see the Empire State Building through the arch)...

All ready to go out to dinner at the River Cafe in Brooklyn...

My Brooklyn Bridge dessert complete with candle and Happy Birthday plaque (made from chocolate of course)... No, they did not sing, thank goodness.

At our table... I really loved this place.

Outside the restaurant... It was so cute. After dinner, enjoying the view from outside the restaurant...

After dinner, we walked back to Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge, which was something everyone should experience once in their life. I wanted to go for a celebratory beverage, so we got changed and headed over to Rockefeller Center and went to the 'Rink Bar' which as you can guess, is set up where the ice skating rink is in the winter. We each had one delicious but very expensive drink. Ask me about this!

30 Rock...

From Rockefeller Center, we hopped over to Radio City for a few minutes...

What a great Birthday!

On Sunday morning, we hopped on the Subway (we did a LOT of subway riding- practically pros now) and made the hour long trip out to Coney Island. First stop, Nathan's, an institution in the world of Hot Dogs (home to the annual National Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th).

Next stop, Luna Park on the Boardwalk, as we made our way to the Cyclone. Love this shot...

Looking at the beach from the Boarwalk. Was surprised to see a "real" beach in NYC.

The famous Cyclone, a Roller Coaster mecca...

Waiting in line...

If you've never ridden this, I can't quite explain it. I was expecting it to be tame, but it was not at all. The drops were fast and steep and the whole thing was much more intense than the Thunderbolt at Kennywood (my gold standard in wooden coasters). I still like the Thunderbolt better, but this is certainly an interesting ride...

After we got back from Coney Island, we headed to Toy Tokyo in the East Village so Jim could check out their Robot selection. He found a tin friend to bring home. Next stop was the Mac Store on 5th Avenue. You can hardly see it, right? This huge glass box is all that sits above ground, with the actual store under the street.

We had some time to kill so we strolled around a bit and stumbled across a Bastille Day Festival with lots of yummy french food vendors.

Here's Jim enjoying a crepe...

I couldn't pass up a strawberry tart from Payard. Too delicious...

Next on the agenda was Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise, so we headed down to the piers...

The boat was nothing fancy but the tour was great...

Now this was a cool looking boat...With the tour leaving dock at 7pm we had great sunset lighting for some nice shots...

Love how this one has a red, white and blue sky...

Of course, the Brooklyn Bridge...

At the bottom and to the right of the bridge, you can see the back of the River Cafe where we had dinner on Saturday (it's actually on a barge)

This one's the Manhattan Bridge...

After the cruise, I insisted we visit Juniors in Time's Square for a piece of their famous cheesecake...

So worth it - a great way to end the day...

On Monday morning, we rode the Subway to Herald Square for a stroll through Macy's... This Macy's had no less than four, yes four Starbucks INSIDE the store. Can you believe it?

Love those wooden escalators...

Next on Jim's agenda was a stop at a great guitar shop, so we headed to Rudy's in Time's Square and it did not disappoint. They had a large selection for being a fairly small place. They also had some vintage guitars on display that were for sale. If only we had $29,000, we could have brought one home! :)

One more pass by Rockefeller Center on our way to the next destination...

Which was Central Park. Here's the whimsical Alice in Wonderland Statue...

Miniature sailboats on the pond...

Taking a break...

We wandered through Shakespeare Garden...

It's strange that it can be so quiet in the park when the city is bustling just beyond it's boundaries...

After enjoying Central Park, it was on to the subway and then the bus to head back to the airport. It was sad to leave but our legs had reached their maximum limit on walking for 3 days. I don't think I could think of many better ways to spend celebrating my 30th. Thanks to Jim for putting up with my plan and going along happily with every minute of it!

Jim's Concert Corner...

2010-07-01T16:50:00.002-04:00

Last weekend we ventured out to the Melon Arena to catch the James Taylor and Carole King concert. We have seen James Taylor many times before, and he's always money in the bank, performance-wise. However, I had seen him on several TV appearances lateley, and he wasn't quite up to snuff (gasp!), so I wasn't sure what to expect this time around. Plus, I can't say that I'm a Carole King fan, so I wasn't anticipating this JT concert as much as previous shows.

Titled the Troubadour Reunion Tour, the show is a reuniting of the two singer/songwriter legends. The idea for the tour was conceived after a series of six performances Taylor and King gave at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in 2007 to celebrate the famous venue's 50th Anniversary. The shows sold out immediately, and got rave reviews from fans and critics. For the new tour, they were also joined on stage by their original bandmates guitarist Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and bassist Lee Sklar, famous in their own right as "The Section."

Here's an additional informative snippet that I found online ..."King and Taylor's historic performance together at the Troubadour in November 1970 heralded King's transition to solo stage performer, after penning 22 Top 40 hits for artists ranging from Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" to the Monkees' "Pleasant Valley Sunday", while Taylor was supporting his self-titled Apple Records release featuring classics such as "Carolina In My Mind" and "Something In The Way She Moves."

Now that you're all caught up, let's talk about the actual concert. The show was in the round (a constantly revolving stage gave everyone a good view) and both King and Taylor were on stage at all times, alternating their hits and joining each other on most songs. Like I said, I wasn't really looking forward to seeing Carole King, but wow — has she written a lot of hit songs! Google a list of her tunes sometime, and you will be amazed at how many, and how varied a list that it is. And let me just say this — I hope that at age 68 that I will be as energetic and enthusiastic about what I do as this woman. She was all over the place, jumping and running around the stage. It seemed to be contagious — even JT was more lively than I've ever seen him.

Both performers really seemed to be enjoying this tour, and it showed in their performances. It must be a real kick for them to be doing something like this 40 years after the first time around. King sounded great, and much to my relief, Taylor was his pitch-perfect self. He even played a few of his songs that I had never heard before.

Since this was the last event to ever be held at the Melon Arena, the whole show was given an extra bittersweet feel. It made for a great night and a wonderful concert experience. If you a fan of one or both of these artists, try to catch them in another city, or after the tour ends, pick up a copy of the DVD that was being filmed at the show.

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - Toy Story 3

2010-06-16T14:29:00.004-04:00

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers.

Carrie will attest that I have an age-inappropriate fixation for Buzz Lightyear. I own various Buzz lightyear action figures, a Buzz Lightyear radio, a Buzz Lightyear poster ... you get the point. I even have several photos with him. Needless to say that I have been anxiously awaiting Toy Story 3.

It's hard to imagine that it's been over 10 years since the last Toy Story sequel. Wow - lot has changed in the world since then, so it was nice to see these familiar characters on screen again in a brand new, and final, (we'll see about that) adventure.

Toy Story 3 picks up with the toys' owner, Andy, now 17, getting ready to head off to college. His room needs to be packed up of course, which means an uncertain future for the Woody and friends. Andy intends to take Woody to college with him, and leave Buzz and the rest of the toys packed up in storage in the attic. Through a mix-up, the gang ends up being pitched to the curb and ultimately being donated to the nearby Sunnyside Daycare Center.

At first, Sunnyside seems like a great gig for the toys, but it turns out to be a torturous toy prison run by a bitter old teddy bear named Lotso. A good part of the film is a clever and exciting prison break spoof, with Woody trying to lead the everyone back home before Andy leaves for college. We are also introduced to several new characters at Sunnyside, including Ken & Barbie, who do a good bit of scene-stealing.

I wouldn't have anticipated that an animated movie about plastic toys can deal with concepts of change and mortality so vividly. We see the Toy Story gang brought face to face with the end of their existence, a "toy hell" if you will, in a very dramatic and heart-wrenching scene. As an illustrator, I was blown away with the depiction of emotion and sensitivity that Pixar's animators are able to instill into the these charactors. Warning: Bring plenty of Kleenex. I know that these are just plastic toys that we are talking about here, but they are are real as any character in any movie, live action or otherwise. Pixar carries on a rich Disney tradition of making movies that are not just great films for kids, but just flat-out great films.

I was exhausted after this movie. The action seeemed to be non-stop, and I feel like I need to see it again to catch many of the film's details. I was concerned that the story's resolution wouldn't be up to snuff, as so often is the case with a sequel, but the film's final scene is both heart wrenching and satisfying. Fear not, the toys are in good hands.

#3's in a trilogy can be tricky - think Spiderman or Godfather, but Toy Story 3 was better than I had hoped or expected. I say "Go."

Three nights, Three concerts

2010-06-14T09:18:00.004-04:00

Jim Here...

This weekend was a perfect storm of musical convergences. An annual Pittsburgh event, and a visit from singer/songwriter friend from back in the day made for a great weekend of music.

The Three Rivers Arts Festival always features a long and varied list of performers, and there is usually at least one or two acts that we try to check out. Friday evening's main act on the Point State Park stage was Kris Kristofferson. Although many may know him for his acting, he originally found his fame as a songwriter and performer in the late 60s and early 70s. He has written some pretty big hits, including "Me and Bobby McGee", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night," as well as many more made famous by other performers.

Now 74, he is one of those artists that I thought I should see before I miss the chance. I had expected him to be with a full band, but it was just him, his guitar and a harmonica. His vocals aren't what they used to be, but his lyrics and performance were genuine, despite the imperfections. It was a very intimate and casual performance, as he made several jokes about his singing, playing, and getting older. I'm not that familiar with a lot of his material, but listening to his lyrics, I was struck by the honesty of his songs. I was glad we made the trip downtown.

On Saturday, we hopped in the car and drove to Allison Park to attend a Jason Harrod house concert. The house concert is just what the name implies - a performer comes to your house, plays and sings, and you get as many people as you can to show up and pay to see the performer. We actually hosted a Jason Harrod concert a few years ago at our old house, and this was the first time he's been back to the Pittsburgh area.

Jason is a singer/songwriter originally from North Carolina, and now based in Brooklyn, traveling to various venues all of the country. Once part of a successful duo, he has been a solo act since 1996 and has won several bluegrass/folk competitions, including the Chris Austin Songwriting competition.

Jason played for about two hours, playing new and old songs, and taking requests. A faithful following of about 20 fans filled the living and dining room at the host's home. If you ever get a chance to attend a house concert, I strongly suggest you go. It's wonderful way to see live music. Speaking of music, check out Jason's at http://www.jasonharrod.com/.

We wrapped up the weekend back at Point State Park for Patty Griffin. She is probably one of the best singer's that you may never have heard of. She's never had a breakthrough mainstream hit, but she has written a ton of great songs, and I could listen to her sing all day. Her new album is heavily flavored with straight-up gospel and blues, and I enjoyed hearing the new stuff. She was backed with a great band, and as usual, was in fine voice.

Ipods are great, but there is nothing like seeing live music. It gets into your heart and head in a way that ear buds will never do. Sometimes an overblown concert spectacle is fun, but seeing artists perform their songs live, with just a guitar and their voice, is one of the purest ways to enjoy a show.

Piano Progress- 16 months in

2010-06-06T16:33:00.005-04:00

Still plugging away with lessons every other week... Here's one of my favorite Beatles songs, 'Here, There and Everywhere'

Living it up, Sinatra style...

2010-05-29T21:17:00.002-04:00

The Orbit In... We'd seen this place on other visits to Palm Springs, but never had the chance to stay here. We were lucky enough to have the place nearly to ourselves. Kind of like our own private estate!

The rooms all had themes, ours was "Atomic Paradise"

All the rooms have the original 1950's bathrooms and kitchens. They are in incredible shape for their age...
The 'Boomerang Bar' where we were served up complimentary Orbitinis by the pool...

We got to finish out the last couple days of our trip with a visit to my Grandma and Grandpa in Desert Hot Springs. They gave us the royal treatment as usual. What a fabulous vacation!

Random Good Stuff...

2010-05-28T21:49:00.001-04:00

This post is dedicated to all the little jewels from our vacation not big enough to warrant their own section....

Let's start with a favorite, shall we? We had to wait several days into the trip before we made it to the Holy Grail of fast food joints... The iconic In-N-Out Burger. I want to eat this picture. It may be my new screen saver...

Once our stomachs were full, we headed on to Palm Springs, stopping along the way at this hidden gem in Corona, CA - the Fender Museum of Music & the Arts. If you've ever seen "School of Rock"- that's bascially the concept here. Fender has partnered to create a free music program for kids. The first floor houses a museum, the proceeds of which help fund the school.

Lucky for us, the featured exhibit was on Johnny Cash (one of Jim's favorites). They had cool memorbilia including costumes, guitars, and handwritten song lyrics such as those shown here, for 'I Walk the Line'

Jim posing in front of some of Johnny's Gold & Platinum records...

As we rolled into Palm Springs, our first stop was at a famous Albert Frey landmark - the former Tramway gas station turned Visitor Center...

After our gas station photo-shoot (trust me- there were many more shots, but I'll spare you), we headed into town in search of some of the famous landmarks on our 'Palm Springs Modern' map. After some searching, we found these 2 (and many more interesting but not famous houses). This one is the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway...
And this lackluster view is of 'Twin Palms'- the famous Frank Sinatra estate. You can see the twin palms in the distance in the middle of the photo. Unfortunately, the front is obscured by shrubs. But we parked and walked around the front anyway, trying to peek through the bushes (what's known in Pittsburgh as being 'nebby'). You can see this place up close (and even rent it!) here.

On this trip, we found our own swanky accomodations at the 'Orbit In' - Check back tomorrow to see pictures!

New and Old Traditions...

2010-05-27T21:26:00.003-04:00

What trip to Southern California is complete without a stop at Disneyland?

After the long drive down I-5 from Reno, we checked into what has become our go-to lodging in Anaheim, the Alpine Inn. The place is kitchy, for sure, but the rooms are newly updated and clean and under $60 per night. As a bonus, it's in close walking distance to the park. What more can you ask? We had looked at booking Disney's Grand Californian, but at $450/night, we opted not to take a loan against our 401ks.

The back of the Alpine Inn. Not fancy, but meets my requirements for cleanliness and location...

Since we didn't stay at the Grand Californian, we decided to check out the lobby to see what we were missing. Yes- it's awesome, but I'll still choose to keep my money, thanks.

We stopped over to Downtown Disney before calling it a night. Here's Jim with a giant Lego Woody in the Lego store...

Wednesday morning it was finally time for the park! Although we missed some of our traditional Disneyland favorites this trip (ie. no fireworks because it was a weeknight- boo!), we did a couple things for the first time ever, such as.... We were the very first people into the park (yes- we were there early!) That meant we got to line up right at the ropes on Main Street until they officially opened. I've waited in that morning crowd so many times in my life, but never right up front! I felt special :)

Here I am lined up at the rope...

This is the first time I've ever taken a photo of the castle without any people in front of it. That's what happens when you're at the front!

One tradition we never miss- a photo with Mickey!

We followed our RideMax plan as usual, being sure to schedule a stop while in California Adventure for Jim's Disney version of Frappucino and cookie.

We had never done this ride together and I hadn't been on it since I was young. I forgot how much I like this one... It's the Storybook Canal Boats.

This is a stock photo but it shows what the attraction is like... a boat ride through manicured miniature gardens and versions of all the storybook character's homes...

We had never done the teacups together either, but we decided we could manage it as long as we didn't spin too fast! I enjoyed a delicious Dole Pineapple Whip in the shade of the Enchanted Tiki Room...

I love Main Street U.S.A. after dark, so I tried to capture a few shots, starting off with the train station...

Traditional last stop of the night- The Blue Ribbon Bakery for mochas and cookies...

One last shot...

Here's something I'd never noticed before... A plaque with a 1955 Walt Disney quote that I love. It says "To all who come to this happy place, Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here you may savor the challenge and the promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals and the dreams and the hard facts that have created America with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

No place makes me relive fond memories of the past like Disneyland. Thanks, Walt.

Real Life Bob Ross...

2010-05-26T21:22:00.002-04:00

During our time in Reno, we were lucky enough to have Don & Marilyn take us up to Lake Tahoe to soak in the gorgeous scenery. It was literally like being in a Bob Ross painting.

Check the waterfall...

The next day of our trip, it was off to Virigina City, a 19th century silver mine town that was at one time the richest city in the whole world. Today it's home to several saloons and shops set along wooden sidewalks, all with that old-west feel.

Jim wanted to drink a beer in a real saloon...

The day also included a stop at Donner State Park- near where the infamous saga of the Donner party unfolded in the 1840's. We also saw Donner Lake and Donner Pass along the way. The stones on this monument mark the height of the snow (over 20 ft) from the winter they were stuck in the mountains.

Check back tomorrow for more stories and photos from our trip.

The Biggest Little City...

2010-05-25T21:15:00.009-04:00

Last week we took an amazing vacation out west to Reno and Southern California (but Reno is not near Southern California, you're thinking? You're right- we drove a lot!)

Our first few days were spent in Reno visiting Jim's cousin Marilyn and her husband Don. We couldn't have asked for more gracious hosts. They played tour guide for us all weekend.

This is their beautiful home which they purchased in 2006...

The *amazing* back yard and views...

They took us into the city at night so we could see the sights. Here's the famous sign...

Reno was a total bonanza for Jim and his hobby of photographing signs. I just quickly picked out a few to show here...

This one's my favorite...

We did lots more on our trip... Check back tomorrow!

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - Iron Man 2 & Crazy Heart

2010-05-14T14:33:00.004-04:00

Well, it's that time of year again. The Summer Blockbuster season has started, and Iron Man 2 is one of the first out of the gates. I loved the first Iron Man, so it was with anxious trepidation that I walked into bunker #12 at the Lowe's Waterfront theater ... don't screw this one up Marvel, don't screw this one up.

The sequel picks up pretty much where the original left off. The world knows that Tony Stark is Iron Man, and he is loving it. His ego is getting bigger by the day, what with "the Iron Man weapon" bringing world peace and all. But all of that bravado is covering up a sobering fact — the palladium in the arc reactor that is keeping his heart beating, is also slowly killing him. Oh no! Unless he finds a new element to replace it, well, not so good.

All of this is complicated by A) the government trying to get its grubby hands on the Iron Man weapon (they have no respect for private property), B) a disgruntled, sweaty, electric whip-wielding Russian (Mickey Rourke) with an ax to grind against the Stark family, and C) a weasle-ly defense contractor wannabe that only dreams that he was Tony Stark.

Phew. Iron man 2 flirts dangerously close to succumbing to the Spiderman 3 syndrome — too many characters and too many plot lines. Fortunately, it doesn't cross that line. A strong cast and some good banter between the lead actors help keep the film engaging, although there is a stretch about half way through the movie that was really lacking some action. No to worry — the final showdown pays off, and is well-worth the wait.

It's hard to imagine anyone else but Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark — he's perfect in the role. One of the requirements of a lead actor in a superhero film as that they should make you feel like it would be very cool to be them, and/or the superhero, and Downey does that. All of the other key players return from the first film, as well as a few new ones. Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Favreau — they're all there (all except Terrence Howard, who was replaced be Don Cheadle). I was concerned that Scarlett Johansson was somewhat a waste as Black Widow, but her fights scenes later in the movie did not disappoint. And Mickey Rourke is more than sufficient as the perpetually greasy Ivan Vanko, A.K.A. Backlash.

All in all, a familiar phrase can be used to describe Iron Man 2 — pretty good, but not as good as the original. Nevertheless, I say "Go."

**********************

Given my enthusiasm for old-school country music, (Hank and Johnny, not Garth and Billy Ray) I've been looking forward to Crazy Heart. The subject matter is right up my alley, and I had heard much about this darkhorse film that seemed to come out of nowhere in late 2009.

Featuring his Oscar-winning performance, the film stars Jeff Bridges as Otis "Bad" Blake, a washed-up, 58 year-old alcoholic country singer. Hmm ... sounds like a country song right there. Bad is the definition of 'down on your luck'. He's been reduced to driving himself around the southwest in his beat up truck, crashing in shady motels and playing gigs at bowling alleys for a small, but faithful group of fans and barflys.

His fortunes begin to change when he is interviewed by a local reporter, Jane Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal). In their brief meeting, there is a chemistry between them that leads to them meeting again, and well, yada yada. Their May-December relationship is the beginning of Bad's personal redemption. An offer to be the opening act for a former protégé that has hit the big time, Tommy Sweet, (Colin Farrell) is the beginning of his professional redemption.

Overall, I enjoyed Crazy Heart, but it is not without its flaws. I never felt that it was clear why Jane was interested (and interested so quickly) in Bad Blake. Why would a successful, 30s-ish single mom be attracted to a, let's be honest, old, disgusting drunk? I was hoping that as the relationship developed that there would be some real insight to this, but no such luck. It just never got out of the Creepy Zone for me.

Having said that, Crazy Heart has some big pluses. Bridges is great. The story is not new here, but he takes the part and runs with it — I believed that he was Bad. Without his performance, this is a pretty average movie. And part of that performance is the music. He did his own singing and playing, and I have to say that he was better than most of what I usually see on the CMA Awards. The songs are strong too, thanks to the late Stephen Bruton, and T-Bone Burnett (O Brother Where Art Thou?). Robert Duvall shows up later in the film as Wayne, a true-to-the-end friend that seems to have stood by Bad during the good and bad times.

And speaking of Duvall, Crazy Heart has been compared to 1983's Tender Mercies, another film about a washed up country singer. Some say that it is a superior film, so I'll have to check it out and let you know.

Crazy Heart is not for the kiddies, so be advised. Drunken country singers tend to cuss a lot. if the subject matter appeals to you, and/or you are a fan of Jeff Bridges, you may want to check this one out. If not, you've been warned. I say "Go."

Our New Old Ceiling...

2010-04-30T21:40:00.010-04:00

Ever since we bought this house, we've thought it would be amazing to have coffered ceilings in our living room as many other craftsman bungalows like ours have. Thinking it was out of our budget, we never looked into it seriously until recently. Out of sheer luck, we came across Antoni & Adam Kolodynski , the father & son team from Perfect Home Carpentry. At our initial consultation, they were extremely professional and offered us a very reasonable quote. We started to think our dream could become a reality!

First things first, we needed to have an electrician come and install the central light fixture we felt the room was lacking. With only 2 wall sconces and a floor lamp, it always seemed dark in the space and we wanted to brighten things up. Last week the electrician came out and tackled several projects including installing a new arts & crafts style lamp post out front. With the ceiling fixture in, we were ready to proceed with the coffered ceiling installation. Over the past 2 days, Adam & Antoni worked very hard to get everything perfect and we are extremely satisfied with the results. In fact, it looks like it could be original to the home! I don't have any before pictures, but just imagine a plain white ceiling- got that picture in your head?

Now.... check it out!

Facing back toward the dining room...

Looking through from the dining room...

One more full room shot...

Here are a couple close ups of the new light fixture...

We highly recommend Perfect Home Carpentry if you have any woodworking projects around your house.

Jim's Go or Don't Go... This time I actually went

2010-04-21T13:22:00.004-04:00

We usually can count on one hand the number of times in a year that we actually go to the movies. However, my pastor wanted to see Clash of the Titans, and asked if I would to join him in some male bonding. I guess we both knew that our wives would not go anywhere near this movie.

I used to be somewhat of an astronomy buff, and I took Miss Varley's mythology class in 9th grade, so I'm roughly familiar with this film's subject matter. But since I spent far more time goofing around in class with my other nerd friends than paying attention, I can't verify how true this film is to actual Greek mythology. I don't think that it matters that much. Let's face it, you should really only be so much of a nerd.

Clash of the Titans is the story of Perseus, the illegitimate son of Zeus and a human queen. Raised by loving human parents, he is unaware of his partial godly lineage, and is perfectly content in his life helping with the family fishing business. In the current state of the world, humans have generally grown indifferent toward the gods. This raises concern on Mt. Olympus, and Hades, the brother of Zeus, decides to stir things up on earth in hopes of getting the people to turn back to the gods. However, when his family becomes collateral damage as a result of one of Hades's tirades, Perseus takes it pers-onal. And after finding out that he is a demigod, sets out to destroy Hades and his pet attack monster, the Kraken.

I love it when an action movie comes out swinging, and Clash of the Titans was not a letdown: within the first 10 minutes, winged, demon pterodactyls were gobbling up the soldiers of Argos. Cool. In his pursuit of Hades, Perseus encounters giant scorpions, creepy witches and of course, the dreaded Medusa. And let's not forget what you wait the entire movie to hear ... "Release the Kraken!" Well the Kraken got released, and I was not disappointed.

As our president would say, let me be clear about this; Clash of the Titans is not a great drama filled with meaningful, life-changing dialogue. It's an average action flick, with bits of talking that connect the better-than-average fight scenes. This movie will work best if you just turn off your brain and sit back and relax. This is definitely a guy flick, so the ladies may want to skip it. However, it's virtually void of anything offensive, and even has an honorable message: no matter how much we fight it, we all need help from a Higher Power. I don't recommend making Zeus your higher power, but I didn't say it was perfect.

From what I hear, skip the 3D version - it wasn't filmed in 3D, and it just doesn't add anything. Since going to a movie is such an expensive proposition, you may not actually want to "go," but it's worth a rental. I say "Go."

Piano Progress...

2010-04-17T15:05:00.007-04:00

I have just passed the 1 year mark with piano lessons, so I'll show you my latest simplified version of a Jim Brickman song. Yes it's a little rough, most things I play are :)

New Beginnings...

2010-04-15T19:33:00.010-04:00

After the winter we had in Pittsburgh, we could not have been looking forward to spring with any more enthusiasm. Jim recently announced that he will (and I quote) "Savor this Spring like no other Spring in the history of Springs." (Dramatic, much?) Anyway, in the past two weeks, the leaves and blossoms have really started coming in- just ask Jim and his allergies! I had a few minutes today to capture some of the pretty things blooming around our place.

Forsythia...

This one's not quite ready to bloom but the buds are lovely....

Can't tell you what this is because I have no idea...

The cherry trees are covered with delicate white flowers...

Our Magnolia tree, while sparse, produces such stunning blossoms I had to share several shots...

Even some of Jim's ferns have popped up and are looking quite hardy all ready...

Last weekend, we bought the Japanese Maple we'd been wanting to fill an empty spot in the yard. Here's what it looked like immediately after it was planted...

Within only a few days, it's completely changed color to a beautiful red hue (it had been stored indoors and it changes color once exposed to the sun). Can't wait to watch it grow...

Let me finish by saying that I finally put up a seasonal banner at the top of the blog that is actually from our property- it's about time, right?

HAPPY SPRING!!!

Ready or Not...

2010-04-13T18:38:00.012-04:00

Over the past several months, we have been working through the process of preparing an emergency kit that could be essential in the event of any number of disasters, natural or otherwise. We have begun to store some food, water and other items, and have given an overview of our process here. (For those of you with kids, good luck, you have a lot more to prepare.) Our kit only accounts for the 2 of us and our kitties. We hope you can use this information as a starting point to prepare your own family.

Food:

Our primary stored food items are THRIVE brand freeze dried or dehydrated canned goods from Shelf Reliance. Explore this site and you will see how much they offer. One cool feature is a plan called ThriveQ where you can set a monthly budget and they ship you that amount of your pre-selected emergency food each month. That way you can spread the expense out over a period of time. You can also buy a whole year supply all in one package (pricey!), or you can tell them your required caloric intake and they can customize a plan for you. Since I wanted to specify exactly what we wanted, we chose the following items (packaged in #10 cans) to get started:

Apple Slices
Banana Chips
Broccoli
Green Beans
Potato Chunks
Sweet Corn
Butter Powder
Bacon TVP
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Small White Navy Beans
Strawberries
Baked Potato Cheese Soup

(Of course planting and growing your own food is another great way to prepare- but we don't have the space or skill for that so we're trusting the professionals- If you do, knock yourself out!)

To supplement these basic whole foods, we purchased a case of canned tuna and a 275 serving 'Emergency Food Supply Kit' from Costco, available here . Here's what the manufacturer has to say:

"Basic preparation will impact the probability of your family’s survival in an emergency. Delicious and easy to prepare. Each bucket contains 275 servings of pre-mixed and pre-seasoned 100% vegetarian and vitamin fortified food. With a 20 year long shelf life, this kit is perfect for the preparation of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or even for a camping or hunting trip."

Easy to Prepare

Must have water and a heat source

275 Servings

All Meals 100% Vegetarian and Vitamin Fortified

Sealed in convenient Weather-Proof bucket for easy transport

25 Servings - Potato Soup

30 Servings - Corn Chowder

25 Servings - Cacciatore

25 Servings - Western Stew

30 Servings - Country Noodle

25 Servings - Rice Lentil

45 Servings - Whey Milk

40 Servings - Blueberry Pancake

30 Servings - Barley Vegetable

We keep 10 bottles of propane (the small green type) on hand with our camp stove- for the purpose of heating the emergency food.

Water:

We keep ten (36 bottle) cases of drinking water on hand at all times.

The "Kit":

Our non-food emergency kit is planned to fit in an extra large plastic bin. It could be packed in the car if the need to evacuate arose. The following is a list of what we have chosen to include- it is not exhaustive but covers the basic areas of concern. In thinking about your own kit, don't feel overwhelmed by the need to pull everything together at once. Our supplies were gathered over a period of time, working through one category at a time.

General Emergency supplies:
Matches in waterproof container
Hand-crank radio
First Aid kit
Flashlight with batteries
Large roll of plastic sheeting
Duct tape
Can opener
Pocket knife
Candles
Lighters
Emergency (space) blankets
Rope
Bed sheet
Fleece blanket
Towels

Clothing (at least one of each per person):
Sweatshirt
T-Shirt
Pants
Socks
Undergarments
Sturdy Shoes
Rain poncho
Work gloves

Personal items:
Toilet Paper
Toothpaste
Bar Soap
Kleenex
Toothbrushes
Wash Cloth
Purell
Prescription medications (try to pack a week supply)

Misc items:
Trowel
Hatchet
Dust Masks
Writing paper
Pens
Playing Cards
Bible
Pet items (food, litter, and leash)
Copies of insurance documents, ID, credit cards and other important info- sealed in plastic

Online resources:
http://www.ready.gov/
http://emc.ornl.gov/CSEPPweb/SIP/SIP_Student_Guide.pdf
http://www.areyouprepared.com/
FEMA's "Are You Ready?" - An in-depth guide to citizen preparedness

All of this preparation may seem a bit obsessive, but think of it like this - most of our grandparents had several shelves of canned goods in their basement that kept them prepared for all kinds of situations. We can't be 100% ready for every circumstance, but it's not a bad idea to give a little thought to a sensible emergency plan. It's not only a way to protect your family in an emergency, but you'll also be in a good position to help others.

Feel free to post questions or add your own suggestions - Happy Planning!

Jim's Item of the Week

2010-04-08T10:14:00.004-04:00

Here's a handy device that we got from Carrie's parents at Christmas. I'm sure there are a ton of variations of this product out there in the marketplace, but here's a brief review of the Speaker-on-the-Go.

Made by HMDX Audio, this is a great little gadget that provides a portable speaker system for your iPod. The one-piece, durable zipper case easily protects your MP3 player of choice from dirt, rain or just about anything else. We all know how temperamental our fragile iPods can be, but the Speaker-on-the-Go has a sturdy nylon/plastic shell that should keep it safe and secure from most drops and bumps. It's got a handy clip that you can hook to a backpack, belt loop, etc., which is perfect for camping, hiking, picnics, or any other occasion that you want to fire up the tunage, sans headphones. Pop in two AA batteries and you're good to go.

I actually use mine when I practice guitar, but I've also been taking it outside when I'm doing yard work. The sound quality is actually quite good. It's not the Bose, of course, but for the price, you can't beat it.

Check HMDX's site for full details and to find out where you can pick up one of these very useful items ...

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T00:01:00.002-04:00

"Living, He loved me. Dying, He saved me. Buried, He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He's coming. Oh glorious day, Oh glorious day!" - Casting Crowns

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" Double Bonus Edition...

2010-03-22T22:54:00.004-04:00

Well, we finally saw Avatar this week. Why did we wait so long? Something in my nature usually causes me to avoid "must see" movies, but Carrie wanted to see it in 3D, so we figured that we had better get to a theater soon.

Most people know the Avatar plot by now, so I'll just give my general impression of the film. I'll skip the not-so-subtle political overtones of the movie, however, here's a helpful tip that applies to any movie: In general, avoid getting your history lessons from Hollywood films.

First off, the movie is beautiful to look at. The planet Pandora and it's native "Na'vi" people are an amazing achievement in visual effects. Director/writer James Cameron deserves be applauded for his vision and the incredible amount of work and talent that must have been necessary to bring Avatar to the screen. One note on the 3D thing - maybe it's just me, but I think that I would have preferred to watch the film in regular old FlatD. It took me half way through the movie for my eyes to adjust, and I had some serious eye strain the next day.

OK, now for the important stuff - the plot. Honestly, nothing new here. Maybe I was expecting too much, but if you take away the CGI, for any movie to be great, the story has got to be strong, and this ain't a strong story folks. Take a little Pocahontas, throw in some Star Wars, a pinch of FernGully and a dash of Dances with Wolves, and you've got Avatar. And at 162 minutes, I was tempted to check the time on my cell phone on a couple of occasions. Mind you, I'm not saying that the story was terrible, just nothing great, or anything that I haven't seen before, which is what I would hope to see in a film that's made a ba-jillion dollars at the box office. One more thing - this movie really suffered from a lack of humor. Of course, it's not a comedy, but boy, a couple of laughs here and there would have really helped.

Next up: characters. OK, I get it, the greedy corporate guy and the psuedo military jarhead guy are supposed to be the incarnation of evil, but they were so stereotypically over-the-top that I had a hard time even working up any hatred for them. I've seen more sympathetic villains in superhero movies. (Note to casting: Don't cast Phoebe's crazy brother from Friends as one of your primary villains. It's a little distracting). Speaking of stereotypes, let's move on the the noble natives of Pandora, the Na'vi. All knowing, all-caring, at complete harmony with the nature, they are one of those imaginary people groups that only exist in Hollywood movies.

So it may sound as if I didn't like Avatar, but I did. I just didn't run out of the theater calling 10 people to tell them that they must see this film and that it will change their lives forever. I think the Oscars got it right - great effects, not-so-great story. I say "Go".

-----------------------------

And now for a movie that I really liked. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang falls into the "Great Movies That I've Never Even Heard of Before" category. The 2005 gem stars Robert Downey Jr., (who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. I know, I'm getting to the party a little late on this one) as "a petty thief posing as an actor who is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition, and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl and a detective who's been training him for his upcoming role." Thank you IMDb.

This is a dark comedy, full of smart dialogue, quirky characters and a clever storytelling style. The film had a "we are going to do whatever we want" vibe throughout. Downey narrates the film to us, all the while aware that he and the other characters in the movie know that we are watching them in said movie.

Downey is at his smart-alec best, and Val Kilmer is perfect as his detective mentor. This movie was funny from the very first scene, right through to the very last. And not "tee-hee" funny; laugh-out-loud "Ha!" funny.

There are people that know much more about film, pulp-fiction novels, and Hollywood insider stuff who could really do this movie justice in a review. You should look some of them up. All I know is that Carrie and I laughed a lot during KKBB. It's rare that we see a movie that's truly different from most of the stuff that we end up watching.

OK - here's the disclaimer. We watched the edited version on AMC, and from what we understand, there is a LOT of profanity in the uncut film. So if this would bother you, you may want to stick to a cleaned-up version of the film (your TiVo should be able to tell you when it's showing next) - it's still very, very good. I promise. I say "Go".

Item of the Week...

2010-03-07T15:30:00.009-05:00

Since we moved into our house in 2008, we've had our Bose Sound Dock set up in the living room with the cord haphazardly draped over to the outlet. It sounds like a small thing, but it drives me crazy. Last week, I ordered the Cord Cover Kit over at Improvements Catalog. In about 15 minutes this afternoon, I was able to position and stick the cover and paint it to match the wall. To finish it off, I covered the exposed white plug with electrical tape to disguise it. If you have to run power cords over any distance, I highly recommend this quick fix.

Before Cord Cover Kit...

After Cord Cover Kit...

7 Years and Counting...

2010-03-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

Today we celebrated our 7th anniversary. I can't believe how the time has flown but I wouldn't trade a second of it. Here's how we celebrated...

Jim getting ready to open presents while Bear investigates... This year's traditional gift was 'wool' and coincidentally, we both each bought the other a black wool coat. Jim's is a 3/4 length overcoat, while mine is a traditional peacoat.

Bear was satisfied with the gifts...

We both donned our new outerwear (good thing, because it was freezing and windy) and headed up to Mt. Washington for dinner at the swanky LeMont.

This was the nicest Mt. Washington restaurant we've been to yet, with spectacular city views.

While we were out, we stopped at 'Color Me Mine' to pick up the plates we had painted each other for Valentine's day. I painted the tree plate for Jim with lyrics from "Grow Old With Me" (John Lennon), and Jim painted the flower plate for me with lyrics from our wedding song, "The Way You Look Tonight" (Frank Sinatra). We'll be using them for our anniversary dessert tonight- what a great keepsake...

One more shot at home- we don't get dressed up all that often so you've got to get the photo ops in...

Jim surprised me today by sending 7 roses to my office... We had to spend our anniversary working, but at least I got to enjoy these beautiful flowers all day.
And finally, here are a few shots from this date 7 years ago...

Thanks for reminiscing with us!

Piano Progress...

2010-02-18T21:11:00.005-05:00

Not sure if you can tell I'm actually making progress- sometimes I'm not sure myself. Learning the piano is harder than I thought! You might notice I have a new digital piano that Jim got me for Christmas. It's a Yamaha P85 and I've really been enjoying the full size keyboard and weighted hammer-action keys... much more closer to a real piano than the kids casio I was playing on before. I finally have a pedal too so I have to get to work on adding that in. I just can't grasp moving my feet while I'm trying to figure out what to do with my hands... yeah, yeah, I know- practice makes perfect.

Here's the latest tune, a basic rendition of "Hello, Dolly"

Jim's 'Go or Don't Go' - God Grew Tired of Us

2010-02-15T16:38:00.004-05:00

If you think that you've had a bad day, take a couple of hours to watch God Grew Tired of Us: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan. This intriguing 2006 documentary gives you a glimpse of just how absolutely horrible this world can be, as well as the incredible resiliance of the human spirit.

In case you're not up to speed on who the Lost Boys of the Sudan are: In 1987, the Muslim government of Sudan prounced death to all males in the Christian south of the country. Nice. 27,00 young boys fled - on foot mind you - on a nightmarish 1,000 mile journey to Kenya, where 12,000 survivors eventually ended up in a United Nations camp in Kakuma.

The story picks up in 2001, with many of these boys, now young men, receiving an opportunity to be relocated to United States. Despite their hardships in Africa, we see their reluctance to leave the camp and separate themselves from the only "family" they know.

One thing that made this film unexpectedly interesting to us was that two of the three subjects in the film were placed in Pittsburgh. The other young man was sent to Syracuse, NY.

Once in the United States, they are set up in apartments and arrangements are made for getting them jobs. In the more lighthearted scenes of the movie, we see light switches, flush toilets, pre-cooked food and refrigerators being explained to the young men. Keep in mind, these are people who have never used electricity, and think that a common American job is cleaning dog teeth.

Although the United States is an opportunity for the young men, we see their struggle to make ends meet and send money back to friends and family in Africa, all the while deeply missing their homeland. The film deals in a thoughtful and respectful way with cultural differences and the emotional baggage of their past experiences. I think the film will also cause most viewers to reflect on American culture, and rethink any preconceived notions of African culture.

The amazing thing about these young men was the faith, joy and optimism that was still present in their outlook on life, especially after what they have been through. Their progress is followed over several years, and we see them mature, seek out lost loved ones and faithfully work to preserve their culture.

I highly recommend this film. Co-produced by Brad Pitt and narrarated by Nicole Kidman, God Grew Tired of Us was a thoughtful break from the usual explosions and CGI effects that I regularly subject myself to. I say "Go."

Snowmageddon 2010!

2010-02-06T17:20:00.018-05:00

Yesterday we had zero inches of snow. Today, we woke up to 22! We spent 3 hours shoveling and were able to dig out 1 car and the neighbor's driveway. Once we got the car out, we went out to get something to eat but all the stores and restaurants were closed. Oh well- we'll need the car soon anyway. Got a call from the Borough that a State of Emergency has been declared because so many are without heat and power. In fact, our friends and their cat are on their way over right now because they have no power and their house is 46 degrees!

I've never seen so much snow in my life. Enjoy the pictures...

The Kia!

And there's the Saturn...

The neighbor's driveway...

Surveying...

Cold Paws...

Is it time to go in?

Jim's Website of the Week...

2010-02-02T09:39:00.003-05:00

If the current state of our country has you discouraged and you are looking for a little inspiration, check out Real American Stories . The site was created "to share American stories and to help us appreciate who we are, where we come from, and how truly fortunate we are to be part of the American experience." It may help clear your head for a few minutes of the daily news clutter, which is always a good thing.

Carrie's Favorite Animal...

2010-01-22T15:14:00.006-05:00

Random post of the week...

Are these guys adorable, or what? Since I discovered the Red Panda a couple years ago, it has become my favorite animal. Hopefully I'll see one in person someday. (I know the Pittsburgh Zoo doesn't have any.) Just look at these guys. They are so cute I can't stand it. Especially when they are romping- check the paws and fluffy tails.

Jim's 'Go or Don't Go' - Night at the Museum 2

2010-01-22T09:40:00.002-05:00

I can't really say that I was a fan of the first Night at the Museum, so I wasn't expecting much when Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian showed up in our mailbox from Netflix. I've always liked Ben Stiller, going way back to his short-lived comedy show on Fox in the 90s, so I'm willing to give pretty much anything that he does a chance.

Stiller's character, Larry Daley has left his job as the museum night watchman and has become a succesful, yet unhappy TV infomercial inventor. He returns for a visit to his old job and finds that many of the exhibits that magically came to life in the first film are now being packed up and sent to the basement of the Smithsonian, in favor of more "exciting" interactive displays. He rushes off to Washington DC to rescue his museum friends from a terrible fate of inanimate crate storage.

That's about all you really need to know - the plot is not really important, and not really that good. This is a harmless, silly family movie. It has a nice message about doing what you love, and in its own overblown Hollywood way, tries to make museums more appealing to children. At times, I think the Night at the Museum movies are actually propoganda films for the National Association of Museums, or whatever organization a museum would belong. Look kids! ... history is alive and exciting!

The thing that kept me interested in this film was the great cast and cameos by some really funny actors. Shortly into this sequel, I noticed that I was laughing more than I did in the first film. Granted, not a very high bar, but nevertheless. The saving grace of this movie is that there are some genuinely good performaces. Amy Adams is delightful as a spunky Amelia Earhart. She delivers her lines like she fell staight out of a 1930's romantic comedy. And Hank Azaria steals the show as the lispy, Boris Karloff-inspired Kahmunrah villian. We watched his "Do Not Touch!" scene three times.

There is a long list of talented people in this movie. Some are wasted, but for the most part, there's some really funny stuff here. It kind of reminded me of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, a silly movie from the sixties with a ridiculous plot that was filled with top-notch actors and comedians of the era, doing what they do best.

So, in summary, this was not a very good movie, but I enjoyed it, (at times) if that makes any sense. I'm recommending bits and pieces, but not the whole film. Maybe I should have given you the times in the film when the noteworthy scenes appear, but then again, I don't have that much free time on my hands. You're on your own. I say "Go."

The Birthday Bear...

2010-01-20T21:57:00.006-05:00

This past weekend marked the anniversary of Bear's second year since joining our family, so we took the time to celebrate his birthday with a little party. Jim's family was already visiting to work on some projects, so they were on hand to help us celebrate. We can't imagine our home without our fuzzy Bear. He is such a special guy and we hope we get to have many more birthdays with him.

Our New Old Plumbing...

2010-01-18T18:12:00.019-05:00

This Saturday, with the help of family and friends, we were able to cross a huge "to do" off our list of house projects. Last year, we realized that the water supply lines running up to our 2nd floor laundry room freeze up in cold temps because they are routed through an exterior wall. Jim spent many days last winter with a hair dryer behind the refrigerator trying to thaw the pipes. This year, we have been draining the water out of the lines whenever the laundry is not in use. Definitely not convenient- but the fix had been quoted at upwards of $2000 by a couple different plumbers.

Stepping in to save the day were Marty, Jim's brother in law, and Ron, a good friend, who both work for an HVAC company and are very handy guys. Jim's sister Judy and our neice Julie came a long to help as well and we ended up needing everyone- especially when we needed someone upstairs, someone downstairs, and someone in the basement to communicate as pipes were being fed through, lines tested, etc.

Of course the project became more complicated than initially planned. We realized a while in that the wall upstairs was not directly above where we needed to feed the pipes down to the basement, as we had initially thought. Marty graciously volunteered to climb into the attic space off the office to feed pipes (they used flexible tubing, called PEX) and do other work as necessary.

At the end of the day, after 12 hours of work and 2 trips to Home Depot, they had moved the pipes out of the wall and connected new supply lines and a drain for a new utility sink, saving us literally thousands of dollars. They even retrofit our furnace to accept replacable filters - just for good measure.

We are beyond grateful to have such wonderful family and friends who were willing to spend a whole Saturday working on 'Our New Old House'.

**********************************************************************

I think just about everyone spent some time on top of the fridge...

The beautiful finished result. We love our new laundry sink!Thanks to Karen, too, for taking care of things at Dad's house so he could come down to visit for the day. This was truly a group effort!

Carrie's Carpentry Corner...

2010-01-16T09:33:00.006-05:00

Today we are having some plumbing work done in our laundry room (thanks Marty & Ron!) and prepping to add a new utility sink next to our washer and dryer. We have a laundry cabinet that we purchased at a garage sale shortly after we moved into our old house on Marion. We painted it white at the time and it and it has been the perfect thing for storing all the laundry detergent, cleaners, etc.

With the new sink going in, it was no longer going to fit in the space. So rather than get rid of it, I decided to reduce it's size by half. It ended up taking me longer than I had hoped, probably 8 hours in all, because I didn't exactly have the appropriate tools. I did almost all the cutting with a miter hand saw because it was all I had that would work. Then I sanded and painted it and now it's as good as new, just smaller. Best of all, this project cost $0. Take a look.

Before...

After...

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - It Might Get Loud

2010-01-11T16:40:00.005-05:00

A friend at work told me about this movie, and being a guitar player, I was eagerly awaiting It Might Get Loud's release to DVD.

The 2009 documentary features three guitarists from three generations, each with a very unique style. We have Led Zepplin's Jimmy Page, U2's The Edge, (AKA David Howell Evans) and the youngest of the group, Jack White from The White Stripes. The film creatively weaves the stories of each player's background and influences, and brings them together for an informal discussion and jam session.

I'm always interested in hearing artists discuss their inspiration and how the creative process works for them. The film does an excellent job of showing us the humble beginnings of each artist and where they find their creative spark. The Edge's telling of the formative years of U2 was especially fascinating – the most popular band in the world was just four high school kids getting together to practice in an empty classroom, barely able to play their instruments. Inspiration for all wanna-be rock stars.

The film tells these stories, building anticipation of seeing the three players jam together. Here's where I found the film to be a bit of a letdown. Not really much happens here. We get a few bits and pieces of the three playing, but nothing very earth-shattering. I didn't even get the impression they were very interested in each other's work, although the two younger player's seem to get a genuine kick out of watching Page crank out some of his signature licks. Maybe I was expecting too much. Realistically, what can happen when three artists, so different in style, briefly come together for the first and only time? I guess my problem was that the film leads you to believe that something earth-shattering is on the way.

Having said this, I still enjoyed It Might Get Loud, and if you are a fan of any or all of these guys, I recommend the film. If you're not, it might get boring. I say "Go."

Finally- Some photos...

2010-01-08T20:30:00.018-05:00

I know I promised I would get some pictures up from our holidays, and I am now recovered from my illness and done with work, thus I finally have time.

As in past years, we flew out to Seattle for the week of Christmas to visit my family. Last year you might remember we got stuck in Pittsburgh due to weather and missed our Christmas Eve flight. This year we went out on the 18th so we had plenty of time and didn't run into any trouble.

We started the trip off with a drive down to Portland to visit our good friends Chris and Karen who moved to Oregon from Pittsburgh this past year. We had a great day exploring the city with them...

We decided to do something we hadn't done since before we were married- go up the Space Needle. This was a cool modern take on a Christmas tree that was outside the entrance...

Looking up...

Up on top...

City views...

Close Up! We got to help out a little with my sister's going away party (she moved to LA last week)... Here we are together.

We flew back to Pittsburgh on the 26th, after visiting with my family all week. My sister bought us all tickets to see the Rockettes at the Paramount which was really fun. We also got to visit with Annie White who I had not seen in years, as well as with the Rutledges and Ben, Marissa and Mitchell Kasdan. That little boy keeps getting cuter!

On the 27th, Jim and I celebrated our own Christmas at our place...

Bailey was the first to try out their new gift "The Ultimate Scratch Lounge" - both she and Bear love it and they fight over who gets to lay in it. As you can see, it's just cardboard. Yes, they are easily amused...

Here's Bear waiting his turn while snuggling up with Santa's hat...

Aw, Mom!
Luckily, my post air-travel sickness did not set in until late on New Year's day, so we were able to enjoy a nice evening out for New Year's Eve at the Pines Tavern in Gibsonia. We drove throught the lights at Hartwood Acres first and then it was on to dinner. We had a great time and really enjoyed going out for New Year's this year- we are usually traveling so it was the first time we'd done that in quite a while.

Hope you had a wonderful Holiday season as well. I'm already looking forward to next year : )

Welcome 2010...

2010-01-04T19:04:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year to all our faithful readers :) Can you believe we've already said goodbye to the um... zeros... aughts... er- we never really did decide what to call the decade did we? (For more on that, read this story)

I know we've been MIA for a couple of weeks, but between traveling for the holidays and the traditional post-air travel sickness, things have been out of whack around here. We'll be back to blogging soon with lots of new pictures from the past month. Check back later this week!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

On the Twelfth Day of iTunes...

2009-12-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

"It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" by Andy Williams. Besides Bing Crosby, is there any other singer better known for holiday music? The song is first found on 1963's The Andy Williams Christmas Album, and is one of the best holiday albums ever recorded. Even though you'll hear it at least 100 times on the radio (who listens to that anymore anyway?) at Christmas, this classic a must for you're holiday playlist.

On the Eleventh Day of iTunes...

2009-12-23T23:46:00.002-05:00

"Home for the Holidays" by Perry Como. Yes, this is a familar classic, but it has become my second-favorite holiday song. The best version is found on his 1959 LP, Season's Greetings. Note to other singers: No need to pollute the airwaves with further attempts at this song ... it was done perfectly over 50 years ago.

On the Tenth Day of iTunes...

2009-12-23T23:38:00.003-05:00

"Go Tell It On the Mountain" by James Taylor. Speaking of this song, (see Day Nine) this is a uniquely James Taylor rendition. Found on his only full-length holiday album, A Christmas Album, the tune's melody gets the perfect James Taylor makeover. Carrie's favorite version ... curl up by the fire and put this album on the iPod to elimate all signs of your holiday stress.

On the Ninth Day of iTunes...

2009-12-21T13:07:00.002-05:00

"We Wish You The Merriest" by Frank Sinatra. In 1964, Frank teamed up with his idol Big Crosby to record this one. I discovered this boisterous tune on 2004's Frank Sinatra: The Christmas Collection, which also includes one of my favorite renditions of "Go Tell It On the Mountain," also with Crosby. A must-have for any fan of Sinatra and Christmas music, it's an excellent compilation of various holiday songs collected from his long career.

On the Eighth Day of iTunes...

2009-12-20T22:47:00.003-05:00

"Sleigh Ride" by the Ventures. For a different spin on an old favorite, check this one out. From their aptly titled 1965 Christmas album, The Ventures Christmas Album. Perfect for the Christmas pool party and for those of you who like their holiday music with a vintage Rock n' Roll flavor and a whole lotta reverb.

On the Seventh Day of iTunes...

2009-12-19T08:14:00.000-05:00

"Mele Kalikimaka" by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. You may remember this one from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (a holiday tradtion for Carrie's family.) Recorded in 1950, you can find this one on Crosby's essential Christmas album, Merry Christmas, which according to Wikipedia, has been continually in-print longer than any other album in the history of the United States. Note: the CD version, for no apparent reason, is now titled White Christmas.

On the Sixth Day of iTunes...

2009-12-18T08:14:00.001-05:00

"I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" by Jo Stafford. I know, a zillion people have recorded this song, but I recently heard this version on Sirius and thought that it was a nice swingin' performance. Stafford was a talented female crooner that had a very successful career, peaking in the 40s and 50s.

On the Fifth Day of iTunes...

2009-12-17T16:13:00.001-05:00

"Up on the House Top" by Gene Autry. My dad still has the original 1957 LP, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which included this song. The album has the more famous title track, of course, but this was one of it's lesser-known favorites. Autry was known as "America's Favorite Singing Cowboy," so most of the songs on the record have a western swing feel. The album was recently released on CD.

On the Fourth Day of iTunes...

2009-12-16T22:18:00.002-05:00

"Song of the Sleigh Bells" by June Hutton. This vintage treasure was recorded in 1952. You may have to be resourceful in finding this one - it's not on iTunes, but you can track it down on various compilations. It's the perfect musical sleigh ride, and it's always the first song we play on Christmas morning. If this classic doesn't get you in a wintry holiday mood, you must must be working for the ACLU.

On the Third Day of iTunes...

2009-12-15T20:43:00.001-05:00

"The Man with the Bag" by Kay Starr. Recorded in 1950, this song has become quite popular in recent years - I believe Target used it for a Christmas campaign several years back. This was a bit of a "gateway" song for other Kay Starr recordings for me. She has had a very interesting and varied career, singing everything from western swing to jazz. She's actually still living and was peforming until recently. Another holiday tune of hers, "I've Got My Love Tt Keep Me Warm," was given a hip remix by Stuhr.

Jim's 'Go or Don't Go' - G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra

2009-12-15T09:37:00.002-05:00

If you consider your time on this earth precious, stay away from G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra. While watching a movie, I shouldn't find myself going through a list of other things I'd rather be doing. I was ready to bail on this mess at 1 hour and 15 minutes, but Carrie talked me into sticking with it - a painful 40 more minutes. She owes me.

Once again, we have another movie based on a toy, this time the beloved action figure from my childhood. However, this G.I. Joe bares little resemblance to the G.I. Joe that I remember. "Joe" is a now multi-national team that fights for, well, I really couldn't figure who exactly who they fight for, but they seem to be the good guys at least. I guess it's just not politically correct to have a macho dude fighting for the good old U.S. of A. anymore. It may offend the "international community." I digress.

The plot, as it were, invloves a double-dealing arms dealer selling nano-mites, a super-secret weapon that can eat metal. The G.I. Joe team is sent into action to keep these nano-mites out of the wrong hands and being unleashed to destroy various cities around the globe. There is a lot of fighting, shooting, explosions, flying bodies (a LOT of flying bodies), an endless supply of weapons that make the bodies fly, weak attempts a humor, girls in leather, ninjas, shirtless guys, a cheesy love story, predictable plot turns ... yada yada. Oh yes, and my favorite line, Dennis Quaid shouting, "Release the sharks!"

Actually, I could have plugged the title of this film into my review of the Transformers sequel. The more I think about this movie, the more I dislike it. And, as with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, we have a inappropriate film based on a toy that was marketed to young kids. How it got a PG-13 rating is beyond me. This film had way too much profanity and violence for any 13 year old that I would be supervising.

Stay at home at play with the action figure. I say don't "Don't Go."

Piano Progress...

2009-12-14T22:23:00.002-05:00

Nearing the end of my first piano book... Here's a clip of "The Entertainer" (a very beginner version). Not without mistakes, but take a listen anyway.

On the Second Day of iTunes...

2009-12-14T16:43:00.002-05:00

On the 2nd Day of iTunes ... I suggest "Jingle Bells" by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. During the 40's and 50's, Bing and the sisters recorded 6 Christmas songs for Decca records, which historically have become some of the most celebrated holiday recordings of all time. Jingle Bells is an excellent example of two acts blending pefectly - rarely do musical collaborations work this well. I suggest having all six songs in your collection, but this is a great tune to get your feet wet.

Jim's Twelve Days of iTunes...

2009-12-13T20:29:00.001-05:00

Here's a new feature, just for the holiday season. If you're looking for some fresh Christmas music for your holiday collection, I thought that I would suggest one of our favorite songs every day for the next 12 days. Some will be familiar favorites, others will be lesser known gems. We hope you will find this list helpful!

On the First Day of iTunes... I suggest Frank Sinatra's version of the Christmas Waltz. I suppose there are other versions of this song, but if there are, they can't be as good as this one. We are big fans of Frank Sinatra, and, some of you may know, I secretly wish that I was Frank Sinatra. So it's no suprise that we have many Christmas selctions by him, but this is my top Sinatra pick.

The best version was recorded in 1957 for his Christmas album, "A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra." To me it seems like an unusual song for a man to sing, but he pulls it off, and I can't imagine anyone else performing it. Many of my favorite Sinatra tunes were recorded around this time, when his voice was at it's best. It's just a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song.

I have a feeling Frank may be making multiple appearances on this list.

The Robot Lives...

2009-12-07T23:10:00.006-05:00

by Jim

Lots of good stuff came together last Friday. Since last Thursday was my last day at UPMC, (I'm back with Children's Hospital now) I had planned to take Friday off. During the day, I drove around and gave out tokens of appreciation (which Carrie found online) to some of my best freelance clients, celebrating the launch of my new web site, http://www.redrobotcreative.com/. It was like being Santa Claus.

Friday evening, I had a show opening at the Zombo gallery in Lawrenceville of my Roadside Attractions photos. The show started at 6 pm and we had a great crowd all night. It was so busy that it was hard to stop and talk to everyone as much as I would have liked.

Carrie did an awesome job of helping out and she had a ton of ideas to make the show even more special. There was lots of great food and drink, and we even had a Giant Eagle cake with my new logo.

Many thanks to everyone that took the time to stop by and see the show - I really appreciate it. I wish I could have spent more time with you. If you couldn't make it, the show will be up until January 2. The gallery is located at 4900 Hatfield Street.

Be sure to check out my new site - http://www.redrobotcreative.com/

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

2009-12-07T23:04:00.004-05:00

It's our favorite time of the year here at Our New Old House, and the holidays are in full swing. We got the decorations up over Thanksgiving and everything is looking festive. Bear and Bailey are even behaving themselves and leaving the tree alone. I guess they know Santa won't come if they aren't good.

We hope you're getting into the Spirit of the season and preparing to enjoy this wonderful time of year. Don't get so overwhelmed by the to-do lists that you forget to have fun!

Happy Thanksgiving...

2009-11-25T21:22:00.001-05:00

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Meet the Robot...

2009-11-20T14:59:00.013-05:00

In case you did not receive a postcard in the mail, I wanted to make you aware of Jim's upcoming gallery show, "American Artifacts". December 4th will also mark the debut of his re-branded freelance company, Red Robot Design and Illustration. Jim has been hard at work prepping for this show so we hope lots of you can make it. And of course, there will be food!

Yes, it's a funny cat video...

2009-11-18T16:16:00.001-05:00

Item of the Week: Real Flame Fireplace Insert

2009-11-10T20:25:00.005-05:00

I am a happy camper.

All the time we lived at our old house, I was disappointed that there was no fireplace, especially at the holidays. When we moved, things got better... We had a fireplace, but unfortunately it was not usable, as the chimney had been blocked off.

Enter the ventless gel-fueled ceramic fireplace insert. I originally saw this item in Plow & Hearth Catalog (they have lots of great stuff), but ended up getting it cheaper from Target.com. After some intial shipping confusion on their part, it has finally arrived and we set it up last night.

These ceramic logs have a holder under them for 2 cans of Real Flame gel-fuel (think of an over-sized sterno heater) However, there is something added to this fuel so that it crackles just like a wood fire. It also comes in a larger size that holds 3 fuel cans. We tested it out tonight and I am more than pleased. Now we can have, if not the heat, the look of a real fire all winter long.

I've included video here so you can see it in action...

Want one? Try here

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - Transformers 2

2009-11-09T16:57:00.002-05:00

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen reminded me of Jurassic Park III. You would think that more and bigger dinosaurs, and more people being eaten by these same dinosaurs, would be better than any previous Jurassic Park movie, but no. It turns out that after a while it became tiresome and a bit numbing. That's how I felt by the end of Revenge of the Fallen, tired and numb.

You could divide the action up into two categories in this movie: Explosions, and the time in between said explosions. Oh, there is a flimsy plot that sort of connects the explosions, and many of the cast from the first Transformers movie are there to run away from these explosions, but I don't count that as a significant part of the movie.

For the record, I enjoyed the original movie. One thing that I didn't like about the first film was that I found the fight scenes between the Decepticons (bad guys) and Autobots (good guys) a bit disorienting and hard to follow. Problem not solved for me in this one, and at almost 2.5 hours, I have to say after hour 1.5, I didn't really care. Just get it over with already.

Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox reprise their roles as Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Banes, and unfortunately, Kevin Dunn and Julie White are back as Sam's parents. Their "contribution" to the plot may been the most annoying part of the film for me.

The movie is rated PG-13, and for a film that is based on a line of toys, there was plenty of unnecessary profanity and crude humor. I never understand why filmmakers need to throw that stuff in in this type of film. Spiderman is a great example of a film that made billions of dollars by appealing to both kids and adults without stooping to that level.

If you want to rent a great action film that came out about the same time this year, see my review of Star Trek. If you like mindless pyrotechnics, this is your film. I say "Don't Go."

Jim's Beverage Corner...

2009-11-04T10:55:00.003-05:00

An important update on the frappuccino front. While we were at the Monroeville Borders last week, we stopped in at the Seattle's Best Coffee located inside the bookstore. I tried one of their JavaKula blended drinks in the Chocolate Coffee Crunch flavor, and I have to say, it may be my new favorite mocha treat. It's flavor leans on the coffee side, which I prefer over chocolate. The crushed Oreos are what seals the deal for me. It's like a wonderful marriage of a frappuccino and a Blizzard! The guy that made mine even stuck a little chocolate stick in the whipped cream!If you enjoy frappuccinos, run, don't walk to your nearest Seattle's Best shop. You can thank me later.

Click the photo to find a store near you...

Halloween Recap...

2009-11-01T16:48:00.003-05:00

Our Halloween festivities were spread over 2 weekends this year. This was the first time in a long time that we had a good excuse to dress up. We were invited to the annual Edgewood Acres Halloween party, a neighborhood gathering held down the street from our house. It featured a very elaborate haunted house in the basement. The homeowners told us it takes them 2 months to set up the scenes. Here are a few snapshots...

If you read Jim's recent movie review, you probably know that we both really liked the 2009 Star Trek flick. We couldn't pass up these costumes, especially since Jim got to carry a cool phaser.

On Halloween night, we got dressed up again and waited for the Trick-or-Treaters to arrive. One hour into the designated 2-hour time period, we had not had any kids (except for our friends the Moons who brought their adorable girls by in matching princess costumes). So at 7pm, we packed up our candy and headed over to church to participate in their Trunk-or-Treat event. Luckily, we found plenty of kids who were more than happy to take the candy off our hands. We finished off the evening with a screening of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," followed by "Young Frankenstein." It was a fun night and I'm already brainstorming costume ideas for next year.

Website of the Week: SmartVoter.Org

2009-10-30T16:58:00.002-04:00

This is a re-post from last November, but it applies again!

You MUST take a look at this non-partisan site before election day. http://www.smartvoter.org

Under the section that says "Find My Ballot," type in your street address and zip code and it will show you exactly what will be on your particular ballot on November 3rd. If you're like me, you'd like to know exactly which races you will be voting on before you show up to cast your ballot. The site even has links to candidate's websites where available.

I highly recommend this site for anyone who wants to be prepared when they walk into the voting booth next Tuesday. Happy voting!!

California Dreamin'...

2009-10-22T00:08:00.042-04:00

Last Thursday, we departed Pittsburgh just in time for some very cold weather to blow into town. Good thing we were headed to one of our favorite warm destinations, Southern California. Our itinerary was as follows:

Friday: Disneyland
Saturday: Visit the Kasdans in Orange County
Sunday & Monday: Visit Grandparents in Palm Springs
Tuesday: Fly home

We arrived at John Wayne Airport at 11pm on Thursday night (after working all day) and headed straight to the Alpine Inn, a kitschy but cheap and clean motel within walking distance from Disneyland. After a very short night's sleep, we left to walk to the park at 7:15am. By 7:30 we were in line at the front gates.

Disneyland Railroad, Main Street Station...
The reason we love this place...
First thing in the morning- ready for a big day!
Sleeping Beauty Castle...

By the time we got to the Astro Orbitor (below) at 8:45am, we had ridden Space Mountain once and Buzz Lightyear twice. Our ride schedule was again planned by Ridemax, our favorite Disney Park planning software. We highly recommend it.

An artsy shot of the Orbitor...

The Haunted Mansion decked out Tim Burton style...

Boarding area for the Haunted Mansion...

Obligatory castle shot...

Up Close...

By 10am, we headed over to California Adventure for our first ever look at that park. In the background below, California Screamin'- a great roller coaster that goes upside down!

First Stop... Toy Story Mania!

After riding Soarin' over California, it was time for a mid-morning break... Jim found a giant Disney-style frappucino....

Mickey's Fun Wheel...Looking Up...

Riding the Wheel...

Along the Midway...

The Golden Zephyr. Not so exciting, but a ride too cool looking to pass up...Walking the streets of Hollywood (this part of the park is similar to Hollywood Studios in Florida)...
Loved this restaurant name...

One of Jim's favorites- Carrie is too chicken to ride this...

We found the Mouse...

By 3:30pm, it was back over to Disneyland to find a Pineapple Whip before heading over to the Indiana Jones ride...

We took a short break in Frontierland to enjoy this bluegrass band...

After the Jungle Cruise and another spin on Space Mountain, it was time for our traditional Disney dinner... Veggie Burgers at the Tomorrowland Terrace...

Our favorite landmark in Tomorrowland...

Evening sky over Matterhorn Mountain...

The park is even more magical at night...

Not too late for a spin on Autopia...

Another must ride... King Arthur's Carousel...
Before heading out, we had to find the infamous Club 33. Maybe some day, we'll get to go in...

Two tired, but very happy people...
Traditional last stop of the night (12:30am)... Blue Ribbon Bakery on Main Street for mochas and cookies... Until we meet again...
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Saturday: Jim's first visit to In 'N Out Burger! He was not disappointed...

Hanging with baby Mitchell... what a cutie!

Cuddle time! We had a great day with Ben and Marissa and Mitchell and were sad to say goodbye after such a short time.

Sunday & Monday: Palm Springs...

Grandparent's house & street...

Downtown shopping...

Love the architecture...Out with Grandma & Grandpa...
What a wonderful vacation. Can't wait to do it again!

Must See Video of the Week...

2009-10-15T13:55:00.003-04:00

"Everything's Amazing, Nobody's Happy"

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - Star Trek

2009-10-09T11:50:00.008-04:00

Ok, so I'm reviewing a movie that was released over five months ago, but some of you may not get out to the movies often (or like me, are too cheap to pay full price.) Carrie and I were fortunate enough to attend a sneak peak grand opening of the new Cinemark Theater in Robinson and part of the treat, including free food, was a choice of several recent movies, some current and not-so-current.

Anyway, we chose Star Trek. I had heard great things about this film when it came out, but I was still skeptical. I am a marginal Star Trek fan, and Carrie has never even seen the original TV series. I have to say, this movie lived up to the hype and more.

This can be considered a prequel to the original TV show, giving us the origins of Captain Kirk and the gang, and showing us how they made their way aboard the Starship Enterprise. Some Trekkie purists may be upset that some liberties were taken with some of the details of the original show, but they need to get over it. This is by far the best Star Trek motion picture (yes, better than Wrath of Kahn), and they should be thankful that a whole new audience is being exposed to the franchise.

Since the overall plot involves some time travel, I won't even bother to explain it, but don't worry, it's more than sufficient to carry along the action without leaving you lost. And speaking of action, this movie starts and stops with it. I can't remember the last movie I watched that was so well-paced. It hits you right in the face from the opening scene and never stops; genuine jump-in-your-seat scares, humor, and excellent special effects.

The casting of the film was spot on. Chris Pine really captured the essence of William Shatner's Kirk, without the hammy campiness, and Pittsburgh native Zachary Quinto is absolutely perfect as Mr. Spock. McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, and the rest of the crew are all well-played by actors that I really wasn't that familiar with. No one does an impersonation of the original actors, but a fine interpretation of the original.

The appeal of the original series was the well-developed interaction of those classic characters, not over-the-top special effects. This film adheres to that formula. Yes, the special effects are great, but they are not the star. Between all of the action, Star Trek somehow manages to take the time to make us care about this new version of the crew. Speaking of the effects, there was something perfect about them to me. Oftentimes there is so much CGI in a film that I feel like I'm watching an animated movie (take note, George Lucas). Here the effects are just right - spectacular, but not out in front.

My ONLY beef - unlike the original series, this film doesn't deal with any weighty philosophical/moral issues, but that's OK... for now. Hopefully the next installment will revolve around ideas worthy of the old TV show, but this franchise kickstart is great popcorn fun.

Before the movie, I was a bit grumpy about having to be out on a work night, but after, we were both is a good mood - just what a good action movie should do. Carrie was even interested in checking out the original TV series. The movie is also fairly clean, with just a few mild instances of profanity.

I'm sure will see more adventures in this new version of Star Trek, and I am very much looking forward to them. I say "Go."

Autumn in Ohio...

2009-10-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

We took a quick road trip to Ohio this weekend to visit Jim's cousin Janet in Austintown. We picked his dad up along the way so he could join us for the day. Our first stop was Mill Creek Park, a sprawling recreation area located just minutes from Janet's house...

Pioneer Pavillion, built in 1821...

A dam on 1 of the three lakes...

Jim, Janet and Bob on the overlook by the flower gardens...

I was amazed at how many flowers are still booming there this late in the year...

We also got to stop at the White House Fruit Farm in Cansfield, where we ate donuts and carmel apples, bought produce, and visited the petting zoo...

The Zahniser Men...

What a great way to spend an autumn Saturday.

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello...

2009-10-07T10:00:00.001-04:00

This week marked the passing of an icon in the Zahniser universe, namely Jim's 1998 Ford Escort. We were hoping it could hang on until spring, but it stopped going in reverse yesterday. Not a good sign.... needs a new transmission. It is currently awaiting a tow truck from the Purple Heart Car Donation charity.

Goodbye...

Because we had forseen the Escort's impending demise, we had been on the search for it's successor for a while now. Recall the Auto Show post, earlier this year? After test driving this vehicle a few weeks ago, we knew we were ready to make the decision when the time came. And the winner is..... the 2010 Kia Soul. We purchased the Soul Plus model in Alien Green with the audio upgrade package and remote start.

Hello...This gives you a better feel for the metalic paint color...

Exterior views...

Interior shots (the interior is black but the flash is making it look grey)...

Cargo area with rear seats folded...

Storage under cargo area floor...

For you car enthusiasts out there, here are the specs:
• 1,975 cc 2.0 liters in-line 4 front engine with 82.0 mm bore, 93.5 mm stroke, 10.1 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder Beta II
• Multi-point injection fuel system
• Power: 106 kW , 142 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 137 ft lb , 186 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
• ABS
• Brake assist system
• Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
• Electronic brake distribution
• Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
• Spacesaver steel rim spare wheel
• Stability control
• Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, torsion beam rear suspension rigid with coil springs
• External dimensions: overall length (inches): 161.6, overall width (inches): 70.3, overall height (inches): 63.4, wheelbase (inches): 100.4, front track (inches): 61.8, rear track (inches): 62.0 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 34.4
• Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
• Metallic paint
• Weights: curb weight (lbs) 2,820
• 12v power outlet: front
• Audio system with satellite and CD player CD player reads MP3
• Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 53.4 and all seats in place (cu ft): 19.3
• Delayed/fade courtesy lights
• Cruise control
• External temperature
• Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
• Bucket driver seat with height adjustment manual, bucket passenger seat
• Two height adjustable active head restraints on front seats, three height adjustable head restraints on rear seats
• Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 40.2, rear headroom (inches): 39.6, front hip room (inches): 53.3, rear hip room (inches): 52.7, front leg room (inches): 42.1, rear leg room (inches): 39.0, front shoulder room (inches): 55.2, rear shoulder room (inches): 55.1 and interior volume (cu ft): 83.0
• Low tire pressure indicator
• Remote power locks includes trunk/hatch
• Front power windows with one one-touch, rear power windows
• Front reading lights
• Three asymmetrical bench front facing rear seats
• Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls
• Front and rear side curtain airbag
• Seating: five seats
• Front side airbag
• Six speaker(s)
• Tachometer
• Driver and passenger vanity mirror
• Voice activating system includes phone
• Compact Disc MP3 Capable
• Satellite Radio
• Compact Disc Player
• Blue Tooth Compatible
• Power Locks
• Cruise Control
• Power Outlet(s)
• Power Windows
• Keyless Entry

• Remote Start

• Privacy Glass
• Folding Rear Seat
• Driver Air Bag
• Rear Window Defroster
• Side Air Bag(s)
• Passenger Air Bag

Here We Go...

2009-10-06T14:44:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday got to attend the Pittsburgh vs. San Diego game at Heinz Field. We ususally only make it to one game each season, so it is especially exciting when they win that game! It was a crazy 4 quarters, with a near blow-out in the first half, followed by a huge San Diego comeback and a narrow Steeler win. But a win's a win- We'll take it!

We joined Sarah and Jeremiah and their friends for a pre-game tailgate....
Nice Hat...

Sarah playing corn hole...

Jim playing catch with Jeremiah...

In the stands...

Let's Go!

A Visit to the Museum...

2009-09-30T09:43:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday, we made a visit to the Carnegie Museums. Here are some shots from our 2 favorite exhibits, The Hall of Architecture and the Dinosaurs....

The Great (Wet) Race...

2009-09-29T14:13:00.006-04:00

If ever there was a perfect Sunday morning to sleep in, it was this one. I awoke at about 6:30 to the sound of steady rain hitting the roof. The bed was very comfortable and the last thing that a sane person would want to do would be to get up and run a 10K, but I dragged myself out of bed and Carrie chauffeured me off to the starting line for the 32nd annual Great Race.

***Before the race (still dry)...***
It's the largest 10K in the state and in the top 20 largest in the country. I've never run a 10K, so I've been trying to train for it for a couple of months. My hope was to be able to run the whole race without stopping/throwing up. The scenic course starts out in Frick Park and winds it's way through Squirrel Hill, down Forbes to 5th Avenue in Oakland, then to Boulevard of the Allies, finishing up at Point State Park. There were cheering supporters along the way, as well as a couple of marching bands, and of course, a guy playing accordion (it's Pittsburgh.)

***Supporters along the course***

I was glad to see the rain taper off by the time the race started, but it resumed a steady drizzle about half way in Oakland and didn't stop for the remainder of the race. I actually felt good during the whole race and was excited that I was a little over 30 minutes at the halfway point. I've been hoping to do the race in under 1 hour and 15 minutes and now thought that I may have a chance to finish under one hour (a longshot.)

***Coming in the home stretch***
There are a couple of hills on the course and some slight but long inclines, but once you get toward town, it's all downhill. At that point, I was able to pick up the pace and finished strong at 1 hour and 2 minutes and 50 seconds. Much better than expected.

***Crossing the finish line... my chip time (actual time) was a couple minutes quicker than what's reflected on the timer here...***
After the race- all wet....
For my reward, we headed off to Big Dog Coffee for a Chocolate Newf and then to Steak n' Shake for a cheeseburger meal. No need to count calories today.
Thanks to Carrie for getting up early and waiting in the rain to meet me at the finish line!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

2009-09-19T19:14:00.002-04:00

Today is Bailey's birthday... Actually, the 1 year anniversary of when she came into our home (that's how we figure pet birthdays around here). That probably makes her 4 years old, since they told us she was around 3 when we got her last September.

Here she is in her birthday hat...

And here's what she had for her special birthday dinner. Real wild caught pink salmon (from Whole Foods nonetheless!) She even shared with Bear... They were both in heaven.

I hope she likes living here as much as we enjoy having her around... she's such a sweet kitty. We are lucky to have her.

Jim's Favorite Frozen Beverages...

2009-09-18T12:11:00.007-04:00

It is widely known that I am a connoisseur of frappuccinos. If all the money that I have spent on these drinks was in my 401K, I could retire in five years.

My favorite is the Panera Bread Frozen Mocha (formerly known as the I.C. Mocha, a much better name.) It's goes great with one (or two) of their oatmeal cookies. Heads up: Throw your diet out the window when you order one of those.

Starbucks makes a fine Frappi in the Mocha Frappuccino. Not as many calories, but quite tasty.

Locally, you should really try the iced mocha at Fortune's in the Strip. It's just called a Cappucino Freeze, but just ask for a Mocha Cappucino Freeze and you won't be disappointed. And then there's the Chocolate Newf, found at Big Dog Coffee on the Southside. That one's made with real ice cream.

I've recently discovered a new contender at an unexpected place: Wendy's. The have a great iced mocha beverage in the Frosty-cino. It has a great coffee/ice cream flavor. It comes standard with vanilla ice cream, but if you ask, they'll make it with chocolate (my preference). I'm not a big fan of their whipped cream, but it's a great economical alternative if your out and about and craving a frosty treat. In fact, it's the cheapest of all the drinks I've mentioned.

And on the soft drink front, Carrie discovered a great diet soda - Coke Cherry Zero. I think Coke Zero is the least diet-tasting diet soda out there, and the cherry flavor version is just as good.

Hopefully you will find this essential information helpful:)

Something Great You Can Do...

2009-09-14T13:20:00.007-04:00

Several years ago, I joined the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry, also known as "Be the Match." I decided that if I might be able to save someone's life through a fairly simple medical procedure, I'd definitely want to. There are thousands of adults and children with leukemia who are looking for a bone marrow donor to save their life.

The process to join the registry is simple, and can be either done at your local blood bank through a regular blood donation or via mail with a cheek swab kit. An option for pregnant women (who are not able to donate bone marrow), is to donate umbilical cord blood.

There is no cost to you at any point during the process and you are under no obligation to donate, even if it is determined that you are a match for someone. So far, I have not matched anyone, but it could happen at any time and I hope I'll be able to help when the time comes!

Click below to join the registry or get more info, and please let me know if you decide to join!

Set Your Tivo...

2009-09-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

If you have DVR and get the AMC Network, set it for this Wednesday, 9/16 at 10:30 to record 'The Game' with Michael Douglas. It is the best movie you've probably never heard of. I could watch this one again and again. You'll like it, trust me.

Warning: This is rated R, but since it is on TV it should be edited somewhat.

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - (500) Days of Summer

2009-09-09T09:21:00.005-04:00

Last week, I was informed by Carrie that she wanted to see a movie over Labor Day weekend. My heart sank when she told me it was a chick flick. However, when I found out that it starred Zooey Deschanel, AND that Roger Ebert gave it 4 stars, I started to actually look forward to it.

(500) Days of Summer is a very unique telling of a relationship between two greeting card company employees, Tom and Summer. Deschanel (you may know her as Buddy's love interest from Elf) plays Summer, the new girl at the office. Tom, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (you may know him as the kid from Third Rock From the Sun) is smitten at first sight. Each of them has a different view of love stemming from their childhood and family life. Tom is a hopeless romantic; Summer is a stubborn pessimist who refuses to believe in soulmates and 'true love'. The film tells their story through a suprisingly easy-to-follow series of zig-zagging flashbacks.

Calling this a chick flick is not totally accurate. It's sort of a chick flick, but clearly told from a guy's perspective. This is obvious in the first 30 seconds of the film. Guys will relate to Summer's mixed signals and refusal to be more than "friends," as well as Tom's frustration at trying to figure this girl out. I think most of us guys have been in his shoes at least one time in our lives.

Zooey Deschanel is making a fine living at playing the quirky, free spirit that average guys think they have a shot at, and here she does better than ever. She is always frustratingly honest with Tom, and, as he eventually learns, she "just does what she wants."

I was really impressed with all of the little details the movie- how it captures the magic and newness of a blooming romance, as well as when that newness starts to fade. Not like the superficial stuff in most romantic comedies. There's also a real wisdom here about the value of all relationships, and things that are meant to be are, well, meant to be.

As with most contemporary romantic comedies, this movie has it's share of adult humor and situations (although with a PG-13 rating, it is not over the top). You may want to avoid it if you are sensitive to the former.

This was an unexpected gem for me, and guys, do not fear this movie. I think that you will be pleasantly suprised. I say "Go".

Go or Don't Go- Restaurant Edition

2009-09-08T11:10:00.003-04:00

The one time of the week we can pretty much be guaranteed to be eating out is Sunday afternoon after church. For a while there, we had gotten in a slump of always hitting up McDonald's or Chic-fil-a or the like, and frankly, it was getting old. I told Jim he was missing a world of culinary possibilities, and despite his skeptcism, promised to find some new places for us to eat. Here's a brief rundown of the venues we've tried so far...

Kelly O's Diner - 1130 Perry Highway - North Hills
We saw this one on Food Network's 'Diners, Drive Ins and Dives' and stopped in for their recommended dish, the Haluski. It did not disappoint. It was deliciously flavored with a perfect balance of ingredients, a slight crunch and crispy bacon. Yes, this place is in a strip mall, but it has a great diner vibe. Family-run and a friendly staff. I say 'Go'

Double Wide Grill - 2339 E Carson St - Southside
I'd seen this place while strolling the Southside and was intrigued by the gas station conversion concept. When we visited, we were treated to fun atmosphere, but the enjoyment ended there. The menu features gimmicky food names, but the food itself was sub-par. I ordered a flame-grilled cheeseburger which should be hard to mess up, but it was really dry and burned. I will mention that they did have good Potato Patch style fries, which were the highlight of the meal. Even though it looks cool- the food just isn't worth it. I say 'Don't Go'.

Point Brugge Cafe - 401 Hastings Street - Point Breeze
This gem is nestled in the tiny business district of Point Breeze. Don't blink or you'll miss it. On a Sunday afternoon we had a 20 minute wait, which ended up being worth it. It was the best brunch I've had in a long time. The Mimosas were flowing and the atmosphere and patrons were upscale. I ordered the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict which was to die for. During nice weather, enjoy al fresco dining on the front terrace. This place is a keeper. I say 'Go'.

Bagel Factory - 5825 Ellsworth Ave - Shadyside
We ended up here by accident when the place we were trying to go to wasn't showing up in my GPS. Lucikly, I was not disapointed by the Lox & Cream Cheese on a bagel, which was one of the best of this entree in my memory. The lox were thick sliced, fresh, and served generously on a fresh baked bagel. There are lots of choices of cream cheese and a variety of bagel flavors, along with fresh made sandwiches and salads. Not too expensive, a good spot of a quick bite. I say 'Go'.

Square Cafe - 1137 S Braddock Ave - Regent Square
We visited this popular spot on a Saturday morning. During good weather, they set up a lot of tables out front on the sidewalk, which makes for a nice atmosphere. Jim and I both ordered breakfasts, and it's hard to note anything memorable about them except for the price. They charged Jim $2.50 to add cheese to his omlet, and my eggs/bacon/toast type plate was nothing more spectacular than you would see at Denny's with a price 3 times as high. We were not impressed, particularly once the bill came, and noted to each other that we won't be going back. I say 'Don't Go'.

Big Dog Coffee - 2717 Sarah St - Southside
You may rememeber I've talked about this place before, but I felt it was worth mentioning again. Jim and Matt played a gig here a few months ago, and we have been back multiple times since. The owners are extremely nice (their family lives upstairs from the shop). The store is really cute and offers free wi-fi. Go for a Raspberry-filled scone and the Chocolate Newf (Jim's favorite, a frappucino-like beverage made with ice cream). We'll be back. I say 'Go'.

Jim's Big Race...

2009-08-30T20:04:00.010-04:00

Well it's 5K season and I thought that I would enter a few races this year, even though I've gone running probably less than 10 times since last Fall's Race for Pace. Today was the Steeler 5K. The draw of the Steeler run for me is that it starts outside at Heinz Field and finishes inside the stadium, with the runners crossing the 50 yard line. I figure my chances are slim to be doing that under any other circumstances. Plus, all of the proceeds go to the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund.

It was a beuatiful day and there were over 3000 runners this year. Former Steeler great, John Stallworth came all the way from his home in Alabama to be the Honorary Chairperson.

Once the race started, I may have paced myself a little too fast, since I felt like I was dragging most of the run. This was my first time for this race, and all that I knew about the course was that it was (thankfully) flat. We started out at the stadium and ran to the Andy Warhol Museum before circling back, then one more time around the stadium before going to PNC Park and heading back to Heinz field and the finish line.

I was able to finish in 28 minutes and 33 seconds, which I guess is not bad since I haven't had much "training time" lately. I was happy with the time and it was a great way to spend a Sunday morning in Pittsburgh. Thanks to Carrie for dragging herself out of bed on a weekend to come and along and cheer me on.

Next up, The Great Race 10K on September 27th... better start practicing!

Getting psyched up...

Waiting at the starting line...

Crossing the finish...

Post race popsicle...

Bear & Bailey become LOLCats...

2009-08-27T16:18:00.006-04:00

You may or may not be familiar with www.icanhascheezburger.com and the world of LOLcats. For the uninitiated, it's a site with funny cat pictures that people add captions to. A while back, I submitted an amusing shot of Bear and Bailey, and so far, 39 people have added their own captions. Here was our original submission, which you may have seen on here before... Click on it to see four pages worth of other interpretations.

Update: When you get to the bottom of the first page of photos, click 'next' to go on to page 2-4.

Our Favorite Salad...

2009-08-24T13:33:00.007-04:00

I've been trying to make dinner interesting lately, and it's not hard when there is an abundance of fresh produce available. Often, our meal includes a tossed salad, and over the years, ours has grown from a simple lettuce, tomato, cucumber trio to a more varied (and colorful) take. Now, the salad is so delicious, it can star as the main course. Here it is, in case you're looking for dinner inspiration.

Use as much of each ingredient as you like...

-Any lettuce other than iceburg. My preference is 1/2 Spring greens mixed with 1/2 Romaine (for crunch)
-Grape tomatoes (or sliced stem tomatoes, if you prefer)
-Cucumber or celery
-Shredded carrot
-Dried cranberries
-Sliced almonds
-Sliced whole dates
-Crumbeled feta or gorgonzola (optional)
-Recommended dressing is a Concord Grapeseed Vinaigrette by Brick Village Gourmet, but since you have to mail order that, you may prefer a Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Thanks to Christine Volk for the inspiration.

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - Into the Wild

2009-08-23T21:34:00.004-04:00

Carrie chose this week's film. She said that I would like it because it's about a guy that leaves everything to live alone in the woods. She knows that I have stated this wish in the past. Fortunately for her, I am one of the most unqualified people on the planet to even think about attempting it. That being said...

Into the Wild is one of those movies that you'll be thinking and talking about long after you've watched it. Directed by Sean Penn, this 2007 film documents the fascinating true story of Christopher McCandless, a 23 year old college graduate who wandered off into the Alaskan wilderness in search of truth, himself, and a host of other meaningful things.

Shunning a bright future as a law student, McCandless gives his sizable life savings to charity, packs up a few belongings, and heads west, virtually dropping off the face of the earth. Fleeing from an unhappy and dysfunctional family life, he destroys all personal identification and even 'changes' his name to Alexander Supertramp, all in an effort to break from the painful mess that was his childhood.

What ensues is a fascinating 2-year adventure that eventually leads him to living in an abandoned bus in the wilderness of Alaska. Along the way he meets up with hippies, farmers and a host of fellow travelers that help him in his journey and teach him a lot about life. Not only do they assist him in his quest to live alone in the wilderness, but they too are affected and changed by his passionate and uncompromising spirit.

Through an interesting combination of flashbacks, Penn weaves a riveting story. At over two hours long, the film never dragged for me. McCandless is not portrayed as a kook - I found myself vascilating between fascination and envy. He did what many dream of doing... freeing ourselves of societal commitments, jobs and expectations, and living at one with nature. Emile Hirsch is fantastic in creating the character of McCandless, in what must have been an extremely physically and emotionally demanding role - in fact, he had to drop his weight from 156 to 115 for the part. I was especially touched by Hal Holbrook's Oscar-nominated performance as Ron Franz, an elderly man that McCandless befriends toward the end of his journey (side note: I didn't even know he was still alive!).

Into the Wild is about a lot of things, but I think it's ultimately about a search for forgiveness and the peace that it brings. I say; "Go."

Viewer heads up - there is some brief, "silly" nudity (think hippies from Denmark) and some profanity throughout the film. You may want check out the book, which actually may be a more accurate telling of the McCandless tale.

Piano Update...

2009-08-19T20:06:00.002-04:00

Do you feel like this is coming along as slowly as I do? :) Learning the piano is harder than I thought. Here's what I worked on last week.

First, a short clip of 'Little Brown Jug'

And here's 'Why Am I Blue?' - Yes, I still need to work on keeping the beat.

Website of the Week - Part Two

2009-08-13T16:51:00.004-04:00

Ok, so in Part One of this feature, I told you about Google Reader, a way to organize all the blogs you read into one handy page. Today, I want to show you the wonder that is 'iGoogle' - the best thing to happen to the web since e-mail... in my opinion.

iGoogle is a homepage that replaces regular Google (as long as you stay signed in)- but it is so much more than Google- although the standard search bar remains. First of all, you can pick virtually any "theme" you want for your page, so it's fun to personalize it with something you love. iGoogle goes beyond Google Reader and organizes not just the blogs you read, but virtually everything you read onto one page.

You start by adding "gadgets"- iGoogle's word for all the applications you want to see on your iGoogle page. The possibilites are endless. Currently, my iGoogle page displays the following

-My Yahoo Mail account
-Facebook
-Google Reader
-My Daily To Do List
-Pittsburgh Doppler radar and 5 day forecast
-LOL Cats
-USA Today top news stories
-Bible Verse of the Day

You may wonder how this all fits on one page. Each app is neatly displayed in its own condensed box, which you can easily click on if you need to expand it for more information. But you are able to compose e-mail, post to Facebook, etc, right from the iGoogle page. You can position each box anywhere on the page so your most frequently used apps are at the top.

Want to get started? Click on the logo below to set up your account (I swear Google is not paying me for this infomerical, I just love iGoogle!)

Something to Ponder...

2009-08-13T10:41:00.002-04:00

Website of the Week- Part One

2009-08-12T16:59:00.007-04:00

I want to take a few minutes to introduce you to my favorite timesaver... Google Reader. Clearly, you read blogs (since you're here) and likely there may be several others you follow. As my list of sites to check ballooned, I realized I needed to streamline the "checking" process- especially since I wasted a lot of time visiting sites that had no new posts up.

Enter Google Reader. Once you add all your "subscriptions" (to the blogs you check regularly), it will scan them and post any new entries on one homepage so you can see everything new at a glance. Then you can either read it right from Google, or you can click on the entry to go to the actual blog page. Keep in mind, this only works for feeds (like blogs), not general websites.

Stay tuned for Website of the Week- Part Two, where I'll share another tip on how to combine Google Reader with another handy tool to make the web work even harder for you. In the meantime, click on the logo below to set up your own Google Reader.

Wedding Recap...

2009-08-10T19:57:00.011-04:00

This past weekend we made a whirwind 1-day trip to Washington DC for the wedding of my dear college friend Annie (Markotic) to Elliott Munoz. It was a beautiful ceremony and I'm so glad we were able to be there on their special day.

The Newton White Mansion...
The stunning bride walking down the aisle...
Programs...
Just Married...
First dance...
The Atrium...
Table Settings...
We got to visit with Charity Karpac (Annie's Matron of Honor), who I'd not seen in a couple years- looking as fabulous as ever...
Me, Annie, Elliot, and Charity...

The Cake...

Us...

Striking centerpieces...

Enjoying the sunshine...

The bride and groom...

Congratulations to a lovely couple. We wish you all the best!

Item of the Week...

2009-08-03T21:32:00.003-04:00

Jim has been asking me to post this for all you animal lovers... The Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair. We used to go through tons of sticky rollers trying to keep up with all the fur buildup on the furniture. This handy tool does a better job and lasts longer than those. The only thing is, it is not meant to be reusable- once it is full, you are supposed to toss it. Seems like a waste, so I plan to just cut a hole in the top so we can easily remove the hair once it is full. Click below to go to the page with the demonstration video.

Too Cute...

2009-07-29T15:40:00.004-04:00

A couple of weeks ago we were in Sur La Table at Southside Works and I spotted this kitchen timer. Of course, I had to have it (an essential business expense for Black Bear Bakery). Does it remind you of anyone in particular? Especially the body shape? :)

Sign-O-Rama

2009-07-29T10:21:00.005-04:00

As promised, here are some of the signs Jim shot on our trip to Wisconsin. Enjoy!

Northwoods Adventure...

2009-07-27T21:12:00.014-04:00

We have just returned from our trek to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, specifically Three Lakes, to visit Jim's high school friends and their families. These bi-annual gatherings have become a tradition, and I think this was the best yet.

We flew into Appleton, Wisconsin, and were surprised when Avis handed over keys to this baby... (ahem, my dream car)
We had a 3 hour drive up to Three Lakes, so we stopped for lunch at this fun drive-in called Charlies, for burgers and fries. (We passed on the fried cheese curds, although later discovered they are a Wisconsin specialty)...

Now, when I heard we were going to a "lakehouse," I was thinking "cabin". No way, there were 2 beautiful, full sized, year-round homes on the property, plus a guest house. We stayed in this one (aka the Main House)...
Looking up at the house from the water...

Here's the guest house...

Twilight on the shores of Medicine Lake...
The other house (aka the Lake House)...
Campfire Area...

WaveRiders (and boat)...

They are fully stocked with snowmobiles for winter...

A panorama of the grounds from the shoreline. The Lake house is on the far right of the photo, and the Main house is upto the left...

Beautiful living room in the Main house...

Main house dining room, with bar and then kitchen beyond...

Jim chillin' on the couch with his buddy, T.J. (a 19 year old cat!)...

On Friday, we visited the Three Lakes Winery...

We took the winery tour. Here's the bottling machine...

We got to sample 8 varieties, including the cranberry wine that they are known for...

Jim found himself a suitable frappucino substitute at "Brew Moon" in Eagle River, where we spent Friday afternoon...

There's a cool soda fountain called "Soda Pops" in Eagle River with tons of vintage charm. We have a similar place in Pittsburgh called Klavon's, which you should visit if you haven't...Downtown Eagle River... Jim took some great sign photographs which I'll save for another post.

All the guys... From left to right, Alan Rea, Pat Logue, Rod Thrasher, Jim and Paul Ross.

I specifically requested this dish and it turns out, it was already on the menu. From Maureen's family, it's called "Roasted Corn & Tomato Salad." It is absolutely delicious... I'm including the recipe below.

In a skillet, combine:

-2 Tbsp butter

-2 Tbsp olive oil

-1 clove of garlic (minced)

-2 cans of corn (drained)

-1 bunch of green onions (chopped)

-1 Tsp fresh thyme

-Salt & Pepper to Taste

Saute until corn is roasted, then cool slightly. Toss with:

-3 cups grape tomatoes (halved)

-8 oz feta cheese

-2 Tbsp olive oil

-The juice of 1/2 a lime

-2 Tbsp fresh basil

Serve slightly warm (how I like it) or chilled.

All the kiddos...

And here's the whole gang...

Can't wait until 2011 to do it again!! :)

Cat Boxing...

2009-07-22T20:17:00.003-04:00

This is pretty dark, but was too amusing not to share...

(No cats were harmed in the making of this video :)