Saturday, October 25, 2008

Weekend update and dinner with Rob and Mike

Busy day today. My flu shot in the morning and bank with Mike to set up his checking account. He also bought a new PS3 game called "Far Cry 2". Killing, maiming, swearing etc etc. Good wholesome stuff!!! The cool thing is that the game is based somewhere in Africa. I guess I'll let it slide.

Rob called with a request for a few things from the supermarket and from home. We caught up on the day's soccer (err football) events. Man U tied 1-1 with Everton. Would have preferred a win! We also confirmed our dinner arrangements for later on today.

The real estate agent, that sold us our Baltimore home back in 1999, came over today to see the home again. She will be our agent, once more, next spring.

This evening Mike and I picked up Rob and her friend Ilana and we all went to PF Chang's for dinner, somewhere in Bethesda. As we walked in the door we literally order a bowl of hot and sour soup for me and lettuce wraps for Rob. It's her favorite appetizer and she loves the Chang sauce. So does Mike. It's just that the sauce he likes is sphincter burning hot. We had a great dinner together and caught up on all the school news. Rob also got her first paycheck for her job as a soccer referee and showed me the pay stub. Pretty cool.

Carpe Diem.

Friday's visit to Rick

Friday morning, Diana left to go to Toronto. She will be up there for the weekend and will be back Monday evening. She went to join her dad and brother for the "unveiling" of her late mom's headstone.

I went out to Gaithersburg to see Rick Levy. It was a really good and productive session. I am continuing to see him about once a month to keep my mind on the straight and narrow path!

Mike and I had shabbat dinner together. No cooking, just ordering in: Thank you Chicken Out! I did make soup, and Mike opted out, but Max just had a taste.

Carpe Diem.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Mike's school concert

Boy, talking about proud parents. Tonight Mike's school orchestra had a concert. Mike is 1st chair of the 1st violins, also known as concert master and he had a solo as well. His performance was fantastic and the whole orchestra was really pleasant to listen to. Quite impressive for high school kids. He has also made the county school orchestra again this year. It will be his 4th year in county orchestra. I'm totally unsure of where his genetic make up for music comes from. Probably Diana. Come to think of it............our pool "boy" in Dallas was a really accomplished musician. Just kidding!

Carpe Diem.

Wanna buy a house?




Diana and I have come to the decision that it is time to downsize. Although we love, and, take great pride in our home, it will feel too empty without our kids. Should you know of anyone interested in becoming a part of this great neighborhood, please let us know. We will be putting our house up on the market in the spring, but would be thrilled to show it or entertain an offer beforehand.
This is not related to my health issue but just a honest desire to downsize. Things, health wise for me, are stable right now. I'm doing fine.
We are looking to purchase another place in Boca Raton, Florida. Hopefully that will work out in the next few months. We will just go back and forth between here and Florida while the kids are at school.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying our hood and home and realizing that every day is a gift.
Carpe Diem.

Sawubona Mnumzane. Unjani?

Good day sir. How are you?

Ah the joys of "Teach yourself Zulu. Why the hell learn Zulu, you ask? Well, the area around Bulawayo they speak Ndebele (an offshoot of Zulu). They also speak english and truthfully, you can get by quite adequately with just communicating in english. My desire to learn the local language goes back to my school days where we were not required to learn the local African language and dialect. What a shame. It also is much better when you can communicate with the local people in their language. Even making a half arse attempt helps. Well, enough of the Zulu/Ndebele language rant.

Pretty calm couple of days. Lots of phone calls to make, chores to do and people to see. Still sorting out the "shitty" water problem at the house. It's not really shitty but there is some well contamination that we are still dealing with.

Football yesterday saw Man U beat Celtic 3-0. Anytime your team wins then it's a nice entertaining game. Monday night "Prison Break" and Tuesday night "House" wrapped up the TV session for those couple of days.

Chef Mike was at it again last night. Chicken picata with capers. Thank goodness no curry!!! He was assisted by Sous Chef Diana. What part did I play? Official food taster. I'm good at that. It was a very nice dinner.

Carpe Diem.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Weekend update


Another nice relaxing weekend. The weather is turning cooler. Really nice days and cool nights. Highs of mid 60's and lows of around 50. The leaves have started to fall. A royal pain in the arse.

Watched Man U demolish West Ham United 4-0 at lunchtime Saturday. In the evening Diana and I went to try out a new Asian restaurant. Quite nice. We then went over to visit some good friends for a coupe of hours. She usually has some really nice desserts but none tonight. I didn't give her a heads up. Darn!

Sunday chef Diana made a really nice meat pie. I was quite impressed. That was lunch. Chef Mike then took over for dinner and made another wonderful curry dish. Yes it was different than the other night but nonetheless more curry. I may even be looking a tad east Asian these days. I wonder why? Oh yea, chef Adrian made eggs for breakfast.

We do other things as well you know. Lest you all think my days are consumed with only eating. Fat bastard!

Carpe Diem, now pass the grub.

Before and after



What a difference just under 3 months and 15 lbs. makes. The first picture is from August 2nd, 2008 and the next picture is from today October 19th, 2008. Not that flattering - either picture!!!
Carpe Diem.