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Three Piggy Opera

Wed, 20 May 2009 06:11:11 -0400

¡Buenos Dias Amigos y Amigas!

I just finished uploading some videos I took of Jordan's stage debut. He co-starred in a production of the "Three Piggy Opera." The cast, crew and set design was unbelievable. I'm positive that it will gain national attention as soon as they start their world tour. You can check out the three part series by following the links below:

Piggy Opera (Part 1)

Piggy Opera (Part 2)

Piggy Opera (Part 3)

Have a great day everyone!

Hannah's Chorus Recital

Sat, 09 May 2009 05:54:05 -0400

Good morning friends and family.

We have been so busy working on the house that I've completely neglected all of you Internet junkies waiting for the next "VA Update." Well here I am and ready to deliver the goods. I'll be uploading some new pictures and a recent video I took of Hannah's End of Year Chorus recital. It was especially heart wrenching as this is Mrs. Troutwine's last year at Margaret Brent. I even caught myself shedding a little tear at the end.

In other news, the end of the school year is nearly here and we are eagerly looking forward to our trip to Disney. A whole week with The Mouse is just what the doctor ordered for all of us. It's probably too far away for the kids to be excited about it yet but I am personally counting down the days.

As you may have heard, we are FINALLY building our house. This has consumed every extra time I had. The past 2 weekends have been spent pulling electrical wire through the house in an effort to save some money. At this pace, I think we might be in our new house some time in mid July. I have had so much watching it be built after all these years of reviewing house plans online. When it's all finished, I full expect EVERYONE to come and visit.

I think that's about it for now. We love you all and can't wait to have you over! Don't forget to check out the latest pictures and video of Hannah's chorus recital.

Weird Dream

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:34:31 -0500

I just had the weirdest dream last night. I walked through the front door of this house and straight down a hallway to a field of some short plant. it looked like a vegetable of some sort. I was with Drew Domkus from the Dawn and Drew Show (www.thedawnanddrewshow.com). We were surrounded by mountains and there was some guy in the distance unloading what looked like animal traps. We decided we had done enough looking around so we turned around and went back into the house. Next thing I know I hear some "You've got the Right Stuff". You remember that radical New Kids on the Block hit don't you? You've got the right stuff.... Baby. Oh Oh. Oh o o. Oh Oh O o! The right stuff" It was Bob Scarano's cell phone and he was letting the ringtone play out while he danced in the hallway along with a bunch of other people. It looked like an NMHS reunion party as I remember seeing Carolyn Hyde but that's the only one I can remember.

SHEW! Weird eh?. So Dr. Freud, what the hell does that mean?

No more creative playground?

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:36:41 -0400

I am very sad to learn that the Creative Playground in my hometown of New Milford, CT is being "razed." For all you non-English majors out there that means torn down. I knew that it was in bad shape but I didn't realize that it wasn't worth saving. I spent many nights with friends on that playground goofing around and talking. My kids even enjoyed that spot and always asked me to take them down there. The good news is that they are planning on building a new one on the same spot. You can read more here: "Play spot to be razed."

August 24, 2008

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:49:30 -0400

Morning everyone,

I'm finally getting around to uploading just some of the pictures we took on our vacation this year. Due to the large number of shots, I've split it up into two collections. The first is Wilmington, NC. We stopped here on our way down so that the kids wouldn't have to sit in the car for too long. The other is Isle of Palms. This is where we spent the week in a small house across the beach from the ocean.

Sadly, Tina had to work and couldn't join us this year. It just wasn't the same without her but we still managed to have a good time. Next year is Disney World and I KNOW she won't want to miss that!

Love you all!

March 25, 2008

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:53:40 -0400

Countdown to 2008

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:34:52 -0500

We celebrated a little earlier for the kids but we still got the same effect. Happy New Year everyone!

December 19th, 2007

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:55:46 -0500

Yesterday was Jordan's very first recital. He was so darn cute! He and 'his friends' from school put on a show at his pre-school where they sang a handful of Christmas carols to all the parents. Afterwards we all got to enjoy some juice and cookies.

How to decide who to marry

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:33:51 -0500

I read this article this morning and thought it was very cute.

How To Decide Who to Marry: By Kids

By: Salma Rumman

How would you make your marriage work?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. Ricky, age 10

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. Derrick, age 8

What do you think your mom and dad have in common?

Both don’t want any more kids. Lori, age 8

What do most people do on a date?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. Lynnette, age 8 (isn’t she a treasure?)

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. Martin, age 10

What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?

I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns. Craig, age 9

When is it okay to kiss someone?

When they’re rich. Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that. Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do. Howard, age 8

What is the right age to get married?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. Camille, age 10

No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married. Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)

Is it better to be single or married?

I don’t know which is better, but I’ll tell you one thing. I’m never going to have sex with my wife. I don’t want to be all grossed out. Theodore, age 8

It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

How do you decide whom to marry?

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with. Kristen, age 10

Boy Attacked by Moose "Feigns Death"

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 05:08:26 -0500

For those of you who are "really, really, really" into World of Warcraft, this one is for you. Apparently this kids thanks WOW for his survival. Incredible.

"A Norweigian news site is reporting that a young boy and his sister were attacked by a moose (same thing happened to my sister once), and the boy reportedly "taunted' the moose away from his sister, and then feigned death, causing the moose to lose aggro and leave. "Just like you learn in level 30 in World of Warcraft," the boy is reportedly quoted as saying Cynic that I am, I find it hard believing any of this is true at all-- maybe one of our Norwegian readers (and I know we have them, because I met two at BlizzCon) can let us know whether "Nettavisen" is to be trusted as a source or not. But even if it is true, I'm just as hesitant to jump to praise WoW for supposedly helping as I am to condemn it for supposedly hurting. Still, I'm glad the kid came out of it OK, and if WoW is to thank, all the better. Now if only he'd been able to control his DPS in the first place, he'd never have aggroed at all."

Check out the original here.

December 2nd, 2007

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:08:26 -0500

Good morning all,
Another update for those of you checking in and wondering what we have been up to since my Rock, Paper, Scissors entry a few weeks ago.
It has been an exciting couple of weeks. The biggest news is that we got an offer to purchase for our house in Connecticut! It's not official yet as no paperwork has gone to the lawyers but it looks promising. The buyers are waiting to hear from their landlord about getting out of their existing lease. They both feel it won't be a problem but we all want to know for sure. If, and when, we close it will most likely be at the end of January.
Tina and I are very exciting because this means we can start building our own house. Here is a link to the plans we will be using: Frank Betz
That's really about it. Nothing much else has changed. You may have noticed a few more pictures on our site as I finally fixed the problem I was having with posting.
Take care and keep in touch all!

Thoughts on Rock, Paper, Scissors

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:58:57 -0500

I understand how scissors can beat paper and I get how rock can beat scissors, but there is no way paper can beat rock! Is paper supposed to magically wrap around rock and leave it immobile? Why the hell can't paper do this to scissors? Screw scissors! Why can't paper do this to people? Why aren't sheets of college ruled notebook paper constantly suffocating students as they take notes in class? I'll tell you why. Because paper can't beat anybody. A rock would tear that shit up in 2 seconds. When I play rock paper scissors, I always choose rock. Then when somebody claims to have beaten me with their paper I can punch them in the face with my already clenched fist and say, "Oh shit. I'm sorry. I thought paper would protect you.

Have a happy day everyone!

September 30th, 2007

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 06:08:26 -0400

Morning all, Wanted to give another update since it's been a few weeks. Okay, maybe it's been a little longer but school is back in session and we are back to our old routine. This means not a whole lot of time for anything else. It's really all about the kids anyway right? As I said, school is back in session. Hannah has come a long way in the past 3 weeks at her new school. She is starting to make new friends and is getting used to do doing homework again. She still talks about her old school but she is honestly giving her new school a try. Personally, Tina and I think the VA school system is way better than Connecticut's. They just seem to be a lot more organized. Jordan is also going to school this year. Although it's only Pre-K he is very excited to have to bring his backpack three days a week. He is learning a lot and has already come home lots of projects they worked on in class. Tina is doing well. She has ben at her new job at the YMCA for about 3 weeks now and is really settling in. She tells me that only going part time has really helped a lot with her sanity. No more drama like before. Me? Well, I'm still looking. I did have a phone interview last week with a local company. It went very well and the IT Director wants me to come back in this week for a more formal interview with himself and the CIO. Since I got this contact from a recruiter I am at their mercy to let me know when. Hopefully it will be this week some time. My parents house is entering the next phase. My dad and I finished all of the electrical work on the house and got it inspected. The siding and stone work is nearly complete on the outside of the house. This week, we are looking forward to the insulation going in and the concrete deck around the pool being poured. That's about it for now.

August 16th, 2007

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 07:44:26 -0400

Greetings all,
I wanted to send another quick update to everyone to let you know how we are doing in "the land of lovers." Thankfully the heat has lifted and we are able to get outside again. The humidty combined witht he heat last week was unbearable! It reached a record 115! I  like the heat and all but WHOA!!!
Nothing has really changed from last week. I'm still working at the house. The kids are trying their best to keep themselves busy around the house. Tina is looking forward to starting her new job at the YMCA. Next week Tina and Hannah are headed to Sun Valley, Idaho to see  her mom. During that time, it will just be me and "the man." I'll have to spoil him a little while the girls are off playing.

August 5th, 2007

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 07:44:26 -0400

Just wanted to send a quick hello to everyone to let you all know that we are finally all settled in! For the past month I have been stuck up in Connecticut working and commuting down on the weekends to see Tina and the kids. Thank goodness that is finally over. The 7 hour commute was getting a little painful.

I am now in VA full-time now but still looking for a job. I have had several hopefuls but nothing has panned out yet. Looking for a job at my level is proving to be a little more difficult. There are several "computer guy" jobs but I am looking for something at the management level and those are few and far between. For the time being, I have been working with my dad on his new house helping to wire the house for electrical. That shoud last another 2 weeks or so.

Tina is actually starting a new job working at the YMCA in a couple of weeks and I know she is anxious to start. Hannah and Jordan have been taking it easy this summer. Hannah took a Junior Golf Lesson and Jordan has just been... well.... Jordan. He is perfectly content destroying our rental house with his cars and trucks. Once school starts up again, we will be putting him in pre-school. He may not say it, but he really needs to make some new "best friends."

June 17th, 2007

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 07:44:26 -0400

Hi there everyone,

Moving day is almost upon us and we are just about ready. The house is full of boxes and the kids are very excited. I want to make sure that all of you have our new address and phone number. One week from tomorrow the movers are coming and on 6/26 we leave. I'll unfortunately have to come back to an empty house as I haven't found a job in VA yet. But I'm sure something will pop up. Nothing like being away from your family to get you motivated.