avablog

There’s really no reason why the typical portrayal of technology by television shows should be any more accurate than portrayals of, say, relationships, house renovation, or wilderness survival. Still, I always get a kick out of the funny things I see. Like last night. Thanks to our HDTV set and its internal ClearQAM tuner, we […]

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It seems like I should make some note of the amazing changes lately in the online music world, since I enjoy music, and particularly music that I can research and buy without prying my big arse off the sofa. Amazon.com recently announced the beta of their online music download store, which offers a million or […]

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I rarely think about age and getting older. Well, actually, I think all the time about age, thanks to Ava, but I don’t usually sit around in wistful remembrance of my youth. But today I saw something that made me feel old. Meat Loaf is 60. Meat Loaf! It hardly seems possible, but then he […]

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Things weren’t looking up for my birthday this year when my first snail mail card arrived postage due yesterday. But I knew the WWW wouldn’t let me down, and this morning I received an e-card that included the image below, which makes everything all right. Ava made me a gorgeous card, too, which I’ll get […]

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This is why. Someone went out and trademarked this phrase, drew up a design, and had it on a clothing line less than 48 hours after the words were uttered (screamed). I love it. I think I like the ringer T best.

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I might record The View. I love to watch stupid people saying stupid things, and The View looks like a great place for that. E.g.: WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Is the world flat? SHERRI SHEPHERD: Is the world flat? (laughter) GOLDBERG: Yes. SHEPHERD: …I Don’t know. GOLDBERG: What do you think? SHEPHERD: I… I never thought about […]

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First Apple drops a WiFi-enabled iPod days before my birthday, and now the 20th anniversary edition of one of my favorite movies is due on DVD on the 18th. It’s like they’re conspiring against my poor wallet.

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From today’s WSJ: If it seems like you are listening to music more but enjoying it less, some people in the recording industry say they know why. They blame that iPod that you can’t live without, along with all the compressed MP3 music files you’ve loaded on it. I’m having a difficult time wrapping my […]

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What a nice weekend. Not only was the weather great, but we got to spend time with our cool friends and drink wine on two separate occasions. On Saturday evening, we attended a wine tasting held at Mara and Rockne’s house, which is only a couple blocks from ours. It was tasty and informative. Sunday […]

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Ava and I were messing around today when I was doing some calibration (etc.) on the home stereo. Turns out Ava loves her air guitar, as evidenced by: I think Ava gets this from her Grandma Georgie. I’ll try to get some video of the two of them together in a hellacious guitar duel to […]

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febrile Pronunciation: ‘fe-“brI(-&)l also ‘fE- Function: adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin febrilis, from Latin febris fever : marked or caused by fever From Joe Morgenstern’s review of “3:10 to Yuma” in today’s WSJ: And one can debate the ambiguities of the ending — which substantially resembles the original — but the febrile and semicoherent action climax […]

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It’s no wonder I’m not involved in any way with a single one of Ava’s clothing decisions. This is the kind of thing I suggest: In this instance, I blame Leah for my inspiration. On the drive back from our anniversary getaway on Sunday, she got hold of the iPod and started rolling all sorts […]

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I just finished reading this on the WSJ’s parenting blog: But between work and family, I’m finding little time to keep in touch with popular culture. My iPod is mostly a mix of 80s tunes and bands that were popular when I was in high school and college in the mid-90s; I can’t remember the […]

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Two ultrasound videos of Ava. This is back when Leah used to refer to her as our “bun.” Original, I know. Anyway, Leah ended up having at least three ultrasounds. She heard about a clinic in town that trains ultrasound technicians. Turns out the place also has a religious-based, pro-life mission, but Leah’s desire to […]

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Grandma Georgie has decreed that posts on this blog featuring Ava (as well as pictures of Ava on my Flickr account) should be password protected. I aim to please; and if you’re not registered here, now’s a good time). But I’m posting this video out in the bright light of day because, firstly, it’s so […]

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Has it been 24 hours yet since I mentioned the Planet Earth DVDs? Once again, Ava was sitting on the couch this morning in front of the TV, slippers on(?), eating her eggs while she watched her new favorite portion of the program. It’s on the Ice Worlds section, which contains many, many super cute […]

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Leah’s such a romantic. Today she booked a room for us at the Captain Merry in East Dubuque, IL for our anniversary. It looks like a really cool place. I think I’ve already picked out what I’m having for dinner; who could pass up a ribeye/antelope combo? I don’t get enough antelope. EDIT: Forget what […]

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Just buy the Planet Earth DVDs already, would you? What are you waiting for? I could go on and on about the videography, the production values, the wildlife scenes, the score, etc., but probably the best testimonial I can muster is that Leah actually endured (and even appeared rapt by) a long segment that featured […]

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I’m looking forward to next month. There’s a lot going on. I’ve always looked forward to September, as it’s my birth month (go Virgo, it’s your birthday). But over the last couple years I’ve managed to heighten September’s importance through sheer determination and shrewd strategic planning. First was the wedding: September 6th. Then the baby: […]

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We’re heading home on Sunday and will arrive back in I.C. on Monday. I understand it’s been very hot, muggy, and rainy in Iowa City while we’ve been gone. Makes me hesitant to mention it’s been about 80, dry, and sunny here every day. If it makes you feel any better, I’m sure I’ll have […]

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