Ha ha ha ha ha ... !

One day, I plan to do stand up comedy.
Here's my inspiration (video & sound):
http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=Hpz6_aFSMPA&search=karaoke%20comedian

It's David Armand of the comedy troupe The Hollow Men, doing his sign language rendition of Natalie Imbruglia's song Torn.

:-) :-) :-)

His or Her Brain

I just took an online "sex i.d." test. It was one of those online questionnaire and quiz things, the results of which would determine if your brain jives more with either male or female side.

This test was one of the more fun ones to do with friends and family. Much more thorough and study based than the other analytical quizzes. I recommend it if you're bored, curious or wish to add something to your conversation topics at dinner.

I'll comment my results if you comment yours :-).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sex/add_user.shtml

Instinctive sportsmanship

"Remember, Tina, winning a game isn't the most important thing. It's playing fair and having fun that matter. Does that make sense?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Good. Now let's play Chutes and Ladders."

Okay, so I've constantly been giving my 'winning isn't everything' spiel to the kids prior to starting our board games. Tina, being the oldest, is noticeably doing her best at being a good sport, but it's obvious to me in her expressions that the gesture of being a good loser isn't coming easy. Still, it makes me proud that she does try. (Chutes and Ladders is a game of chance (and frustration), so it's pretty difficult for me to up the ante in her favor; and lately, she's lost more games than won. Oh those darn chutes!)

So off we went today to Toys R Us to search for some parlor entertainment that stressed more cooperative achievement than individual conquering. A non-competitive game. Unfortunately, practically all of the board games I came across had the common objective of "being the first to finish" or some equivalent. Now I'm not saying that the goal of winning is a bad thing; it's just that I wanted something with a different intent than our games at home, for the sake of balance. Anyway, it took some further aisle searching, but I eventually found something sort of collaborative--it's called Rush Hour-- where the kids could work together for the solution. We also bought "Don't Break The Ice," which I got more for nostalgia as it was one of my favorite toys in nursery school.

[Cut to home scene: our livingroom.]

Well, I kept my fingers crossed and what do you know. It worked! The little sweeties were having fun playing both games. With a lot of cooperation. With a lot of laughter. And no competition here, not even with "Don't Break The Ice". And also no words of wisdom were needed from yours truly to belt out. What a relief it was to see the kids' more favorable natures come forward, instinctively. I certainly must head back to the store soon for similar family fun stuff.

Chuck one up for non-competitive parlor fun.

Post Tri Season

I've called it quits for triathlons this season. Two races were enough for my first comeback year, although I had originally planned for a final 3rd event a few weeks ago. I still have an itch to compete, but I'm saving it for summer 2006. Ported from my workout philosophy, I often stop just short of a satisfied feeling, and that's in order to insure my desire to come back for more.

For the post season, the current weather is still decent enough to go bike riding. If all goes well, I'll do a ride this afternoon as this morning was just too cold for me. It'll be a welcome workout, as I'm needing the endorphins to pick me up from the stress of job hunting, or really resume-finishing. Yes, I'm still working on it. Now shush.

Employed or bust

I'm working on my resume. I'm going to get a job.

There, I've put myself on the spot. It was needed. You see, I sat yesterday at the laptop practically all day trying to update my employment and accomplishments with nothing but writer's block. And then I caught myself doing the procrastinator's shuffle: making cups of coffee, surfing the web (a wireless network certainly can be a beautiful but damning thing), flipping through cable TV and then playing with the kids. Rinse and repeat.

Hopefully today will be a different story. And this entry serves to put my determination and pride in writing and to the test. Perhaps for all the world to laugh at if my words and actions don't jive. But let's not make it so. Time for some motivation.

Now where did I put that Tony Robbins book of mine?

:-)

"One more thing..." cont'd

Today, Steve Jobs of Apple Computer revealed a new iMac, a new video iPod (with video output) and new applications. My prediction of a flash drive computer was incorrect.

Oh well, just the geek in me that kept tuned in to this event (via live iLounge.com feeds) with as much excitement as a die hard sports fan.

Game over. Heart rate back to normal. Life goes on.

"One more thing..."

Steve Jobs is holding a news conference tomorrow for yet another Apple Computer revelation. He had sent email invitations to journalists showing the words "One more thing..." on the foreground and red curtains in back. This shortly followed his announcement of the pretty kuul Ipod Nano.

Most people are speculating on a new Video Ipod. I'm finding it pretty fun to try and think like the visionary Jobs is, and so I'll play the guessing game as well: I say he's going to reveal a flash drive only computer.

Stay tuned for the right answer.

Under the weather

I'm sick.

Strep Throat

Tina and Mindy are sick with strep throat. (Miguel is fine.) They're taking antibiotics now to annihilate that darn bacteria* inside them. For the past two days, they've been cycling with fever up to 104F. Thank goodness that children have a higher tolerance to fever than adults. Anyway, I hate seeing them being so miserable. I can't wait until it's all over.

Although my throat is starting to feel just a tad sore this morning.

* I'm always asking Melinda to remind me of the differences between bacteria and a virus. In sum, bacteria are one-celled living organisms while a virus is simply a piece of DNA, arguably is not alive and needs a host. Bacteria are treated with antibiotics--'selective poison' to kill the bacteria cells but no other; a virus has no treatment (mostly) and must run its course (thus only the 'symptoms' are treated) as the body naturally defends itself and eventually defeats it. Immunization against a virus is not a cure but rather preventive medicine that boosts the body's ability to defend itself.