Blog Master G

We spent Easter at my grandparent-in-laws’ (if that’s a word) south of Kinderhook. It was a gathering of about a baker’s dozen of us, two kids included. Jen’s cousins’ kids are simply adorable, the younger calling his grandpa “grandma” all day while hunting for eggs and eating chocolate and jelly beans. We hung out with my mother-in-law in Kinderhook last night and watched Taxi, which was really funny and full of fast cars and hot women (so how could it be bad?).

Starting this morning Jen and I began a new routine: Wake up at 7am, I do push-ups and sit-ups, we walk the dogs, then we workout along with Denise Austin on Lifetime. I first discovered Denise last week while casually flipping through channels one morning. We’ll see how long we can stick to this plan.

It’s pouring rain here in Saratoga Springs this morning, washing away much of what’s left of the snow. Is spring finally around the corner?

Ofoto is now Kodak EasyShare Gallery: “As a valued member, you’re invited to celebrate this news with us by adding to your own gallery: All our poster-size prints are now 50% off, and you can get a free 8″ x 10″ print when you use coupon code GALLERYPRINT.”

I played the alto sax from fifth through twelfth grades. I was never very good at it, but I enjoyed it. I was in all kinds of bands, including orchestra (yes, on sax, playing cello parts) and marching band (my freshman year of high school). In college, I signed up for sax lessons and went to class for one day. I then decided that I was interested in too many other things (the newspaper, track, skiing, partying), so that was that.

Giving up the sax was never a decision I regretted because I realized somewhere along the way that I’m actually tone deaf. Yes, I honestly have no idea if an instrument is in tune or not. All those years of playing the sax when my music teachers would ask me if I thought my sax was sharp or flat, it’s not that I didn’t try; I simply didn’t know. So I guessed. It’s all I could do. Sometimes I was right. Sometimes I was wrong. But I was never in tune, so my odds of guessing right were fifty-fifty.

I always played from sheet music and think I may even have had a coveted solo from time to time. I seem to recall having tried out for jazz band at various points along the way, but was never good enough to get in. I was in pep band in high school, though, but you didn’t have to try out for that.

Jordan can attest to all this. He played alto sax alongside me in high school, but he was always much better at it than I was. I wonder if he still plays. Or if any of my old bandmates still do.

So last night we were out with some friends to hear Garland sing some awesome soul music at City Tavern and I met this guy Matt, who plays the drums. It came up that not only had I played the sax back in the day, but I still had my sax. There was talk of getting together to jam. I warned him that I suck and am tone deaf. He said that was cool. Tonight we might jam.

I grabbed my sax from the basement this afternoon and started to make some noise. The dogs came running at first, curious. Then they ran away, afraid. Had I not ambushed Jen in the kitchen amidst her cooking, she probably would have run away, too.

If you so dare, you can get a taste of my sax-playing skills (or lack thereof) by listening to my very own rendition of Mary Had a Little Lamb, fresh out of the recording studio (and having not played the sax in nearly ten years).

I’ve never been big on formal exercise. I’ve gone through periods of my life where I’d hit the gym (in college) or even took fitness classes (in college), but mostly, I enjoy physical activities over traditional gym-bound exercise. Historically, those things included running, skiing, soccer, football, basketball, and even sailing (I ran track in high school and college, and skied on the ski team in college). Maybe it was growing up as a California kid or maybe I just had more energy when I was younger, but I’m admittedly a hell of a lot lazier now than I used to be.

These days, my physical activity is limited to walking a couple miles a day (requisite for any dog dad), riding my bike around town, and skiing in the winter (though I had a poor showing this season, with only two trips).

I haven’t really done much running in ages. Running for me has always been a love-hate relationship. I was one of those lazy sprinters. In college, our small group of sprinters would drive to the track (Vassar didn’t have its own track, so we’d have to practice at a local high school’s track) and honk merrily at the distance runners as we sped past them. After practice, we’d hop in the car and head back to the campus while they huffed it. Of course, for most of the distance runners, track was an off-season way to stay in shape.

As a kid, my brother, friends, and I spent countless hours in the driveway or at the park shooting hoops. From one-on-one to dunking contests (the driveway hoop was only eight feet) to pick-up games, we couldn’t get enough. We even had a flood light that we’d put outside at night to fuel our passion. Amidst all the basketball games, we also had time for football. I usually played receiver since I was always pretty fast.

In the summers in Sacramento, it was sailing small boats on the lake — lasers and hobbie cats — or swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. There was even a great rope swing we’d frequent. And a cliff to which we’d boat and jump off.

These days, it’s video games, TV, movies, and the Internet. Of course, many of those things (Web aside) were also around when I was a more active kid. Maybe it’s that kids have more time. Or more energy. Or that growing up, my equally active brother was always around to compete against and play with.

Lately, I’ve been trying to be better — getting back into my morning push-up and sit-up routine and walking more. Maybe this summer I’ll get off my ass and do something like hike, run, or shoot hoops. But until then, I have a good life and no complaints, though I’m sure my heart could use some cardiovascular stimulation.

My grandmother founded Capitol Enquiry in 1973. At various points throughout my life, I worked for the company in different roles, including Webmaster in 1996, putting the company online for the first time (I built this version of the site in 1997), and producer, working on titles including the first version of Who’s Who in the California Legislature.

You just never know when Nana’s legacy is going to pop up.

Last night at Justin’s house before an evening of playing Champions, we were watching the beginning of Malibu’s Most Wanted, which is a hell of a lot funnier than you might think. The premise is that a gubernatorial candidate’s son, B-Rad, is a rapper who sports the gangsta ‘tude. Although his intentions are good, B-Rad keeps interfering with his father’s campaign and marring his chances at victory (a campaign poster at a women’s association rally: “Gluckman is down with the bitches ‘n hos”).

Not exactly the kind of movie that your grandma might watch, but I think Nana would’ve been down with it. So it came as a pleasant surprise — yet one that somehow made sense — when Gluckman’s staff members are seen in the background clearly sporting and flipping through copies of Who’s Who in the California Legislature. It was a good feeling and brought a big smile to my face.

(Capitol Enquiry is now owned and operated by my uncle and aunt.)

Just when we thought spring was around the corner, we awoke this morning here in Saratoga Springs to about a foot of snow on the ground. The snow-blowing fun never ends.

I made cornbread from scratch last night. Not from-the-box variety. The real deal. Using the Moosewood Cookbook recipe. Cornmeal, flour, yogurt, honey, egg, the whole shebang. And it was actually delicious. This is a big deal because I never cook (aside from the occasional egg ‘n cheese bagel sandwich and making my own cheese sandwiches or veggie burgers for lunch). I’m lucky enough to have a wife who not only loves to cook, but is kick-ass at it. Over the course of our relationship, Jen has whipped up countless kitchen delights. Last night it’s not like cornbread was the main course; it was simply the side to Jen’s stellar veggie chili (also from the Moosewood).

Last Labor Day we found ourselves in Ithaca, so we hit the famous Moosewood Restaurant. As I wrote at the time, it was a disappointing and overpriced experience (sadly, too often the trend on this coast, especially after living in San Francisco for five years).

Finally, what’s up with all the blogs going on hiatus lately? Huh, Dan and Phil?

After reaching two major financial achievements in the past year — buying our first house and paying off all credit card debt — it’s a great feeling to be able to focus wholly on other financial and savings goals. The first goal goes without saying, and the others, listed in order of importance, are being accomplished in various sub-accounts with ING Orange Savings, a most excellent cash savings vehicle currently paying 2.80% interest — up from 2.60% just this morning (no fees, no minimums, and $25 free when you have me refer you):

1. Retirement
2. Travel
3. Emergency Fund
4. Annual Insurance Escrow (not terribly exciting, but a must-do)

Another goal I should probably add to the list and begin saving for monthly is Next Car Purchase. Although I bought my WRX new, I won’t do that again. And, ideally, I won’t have to finance my next car purchase. The WRX is in great mechanical shape and, with only about 54,000 miles on it, should last us a good number of years. Hopefully when the time comes to buy another car, we’ll have enough saved up to do so sans financing.

Even though we currently don’t have any kids, we hope to some day. When that time comes, Saving for College (529) will surely become a high goal on the list.

What are your savings goals?

Is it really living to be kept alive by artificial means for 15 years? I’ll say it here and now: If I’m ever in a vegetative state like Terri Schiavo, I would not want my brain-dead body to go on without me. That is not living and that is by no means sustaining “the sanctity of human life,” as Republicans in Congress and Bush like to believe. Schiavo stopped experiencing life long ago.

The New York Times / Congress Passes and Bush Signs Legislation on Schiavo Case:

The House gave final Congressional approval early today to legislation that would allow a federal court to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo, and the measure was signed quickly at the White House by President Bush, who flew back to Washington from his Texas ranch on Sunday.

I don’t always agree with Andrew Sullivan, but he nails it on the head with this one:

So it is now the federal government’s role to micro-manage baseball and to prevent a single Florida woman who is trapped in a living hell from dying with dignity. We’re getting to the point when conservatism has become a political philosophy that believes that government – at the most distant level – has the right to intervene in almost anything to achieve the right solution. Today’s conservatism is becoming yesterday’s liberalism.

Legacy Writer — Living Wills

[ Sullivan quote via Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire ]

It’s been a busy few days of partying to celebrate everything from the Irish in all of us to birthdays to just being alive.

Thursday was, of course, St. Patty’s Day, so Justin and I got the celebrations started early with lunch at the Parting Glass. It was totally packed — standing room only, band already playing — at noon. That’s why everyone loves St. Patty’s Day. It’s an excuse to party all day long. The dogs had a much-needed grooming on Thursday and came home donning matching St. Patty’s Day bandanas.

After work on Friday Jen, Justin, and I hit the local Italian men’s club for its twice-monthly $7-per-person all-you-can-eat dinner. It was delicious. And you can’t beat $2 drinks. Once full, I was outvoted in a decision to hit the Racino to play the ponies. Despite my protest, I ended up having a good time and losing a few dollars on a race or two. The harness racing isn’t quite as exciting as the world-class thoroughbred racing at the famous Saratoga Race Course, but it’s a decent year-round substitute during the Flat Track’s off-season. After the Racino, we strategically parked the car halfway between downtown and our place (to cut walk time that night and the next morning when we picked it up), then hit the Tin & Lint and Desperate Annie’s.

Yesterday was Niki‘s birthday — Happy Birthday, Niki! — and Seth planned a surprise party for her at a friend’s place. Alex and Cati came up from Albany to meet the birthday girl for the first time. It was a really good turnout. Niki was surprised. We all had a great time. I met some cool new peeps. Alex promoted my blog to at least some in attendance, so if I met you Saturday night and you’re reading this, drop me a line to say hi! After Niki’s party, some folks headed into town and a small group of us headed back to my place for an after-party party. The mood was pretty mellow, probably due to the party trifecta that we were completing.

Before the party yesterday, Jen and I spent most of the day doing a thorough and overdue cleaning of the house. And finally today — after living here nine months — I figured out the programming of the garage door keypad.

BadSweaterGuy.com

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Grab a Guinness and celebrate life, your friends, your family, your fortune, your health. Here’s to the Irish in all of us this 17th day of March.

My great grandfather Jack O’Flaherty was born in County Sligo, Ireland and emigrated to San Francisco where he met my great grandmother, Nora Patricia Thorton, in the early 1900s. They had two children, my late grandmother Joan and my late great aunt Nora, who grew up in San Francisco. Then along came my late grandpa Elmer, who married Joan and had five children, one of who is my dad, Peter.

I’ve long been interested in Irish Citizenship by Descent, for which you can qualify when “citizenship derives from an Irish-born grandparent.” In other words, my dad would qualify. Once he has citizenship, the question is whether or not that would extend to me and my brother. Though it’s not likely, it’s worth looking into. How cool would it be to have dual citizenship and to be able to travel freely in the EU?

I’ve not yet been to Ireland, but have long wanted to go. I’m sure I will one day, and hope to get an even better understanding of my family’s roots before then.

Until then, we can all celebrate Irish pride on this day every year!

St. Patrick’s Day Fast Facts: Beyond the Blarney

Last night Niki and Seth invited us to attend an auction fundraiser for the Universal Preservation Hall, a non-religious, non-profit project “to save the Universal Baptist Church building at 25 Washington Street and transform it into a significant and high quality meeting, event and performance venue.”

The church in question, despite being so dilapidated, is really a beautiful building. It’s not the only former church in town that will be converted for another purpose. There’s a former church on Caroline at Circular that’s been converted to luxury condos that are so in demand they almost never change hands (one was on the market last year for more than three-hundred grand and had a “sale pending” the day it was listed).

The event last night was fun. There was a live band, an open bar, and non-stop entertainment in the form of Garland the emcee, who did a stellar job running the event. The auction was for people who were donating their time or services in exchange for a donation to the UPH project. People up for auction ranged from a Saratogian reporter who tried to up the bidding to $500 by saying, “I’ll sleep with any woman” (his strategy backfired and he went for $350) to chefs to authors to the mayor of Saratoga Springs, Michael Lenz (in below photo, right, around the time Garland tried to get him to do the Robot).