If you EVER get the chance to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert, do whatever you can to see them. They were in Richmond, VA last night and put on a mind-blowing, multi-dimensional show that was part classical concert, part rock concert, part laser light show, part broadway. I didn't really know what to expect but know that I have become a huge fan of the music that they weave together. Their history is interesting, their performance remarkable.
On the way home, I asked both kids what they thought of the whole show. My daughter (11) simply said, "AWESOME!" A similar reaction was held by my 13 year old son. He especially liked the lights and the pyrotechnics.
You can check out the band at their official web site:
CLICK HERE
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
West End Rocketry's Blog
My son's new blog:
West End Rocketry's Blog
It was apparently started (at least the content) while he was in school, on the county provided computer. Our tax money at work. Only one post to date -- I'm glad it's not consuming his thoughts. Now I need to wonder, are there other blogs he's started?
West End Rocketry's Blog
It was apparently started (at least the content) while he was in school, on the county provided computer. Our tax money at work. Only one post to date -- I'm glad it's not consuming his thoughts. Now I need to wonder, are there other blogs he's started?
Friday, August 19, 2005
Williamsburg
We just returned from a couple of days in Williamsburg. We spent Monday heading there and browsing at a few of the crappy outlets (and a few nice ones). Got separated from half of the family but finally reunited hours later. I think we were at the biggest outlet mall around.
On Monday night, it stormed as hard has I have seen since living in Virginia. The lightning was centered in Williamsburg - lightning for hours and hours. The bathroom started leaking around the fan close to midnight, prompting a frantic call to the front desk to be moved. The resort was very quick (less than 10 minutes) and met us with a new key to the closest room they had. A quick dash outside and we were dry again. It was a difficult night to get sleep, though. Up at 6:30 again so we could fetch our belongings from the original room (jumping over puddles along the way), it made for a very short night. All in all, the resort handled things very well.
Tuesday, we spent the day at Busch Gardens. It is a great amusement park - very clean and lots of shade. It was a steaming hot day, though, so lots of water was consumed! We got there before anyone else (an early opening special), so got to ride a few rides with NO lines at all. I even rode Alpengeist for the first time (with no wait at all!). What a thrill. It is smooth, unlike the other coasters that bounce you around. Looking at it from the rest of the park makes it seem bigger and more dangerous than it really is. However, I have now ridden all four of the coasters at Busch. Pretty cool for this mid-40's guy!
Wednesday was spent at Water Country with few crouds until late in the day. Our son overcame many fears and rode on some of the biggest non-tube water rides at the park, and had a great time. He's really maturing and I think made great strides with the personal fears. I think he also realized that he can trust his parents to not push too far. Later in the day, we returned to Busch Gardens for dinner, a couple of quick rides, and "Imaginique" - a Cirque du Soleil style show that starts after dark.
Thursday was a short Water Country day before heading home. It was hot and had long lines and many rude people. More on that later. Sue is working for part of the day today, so didn't get to spend much time at all on vacation. Time to look elsewhere for her since I'm staying for a while.
On Monday night, it stormed as hard has I have seen since living in Virginia. The lightning was centered in Williamsburg - lightning for hours and hours. The bathroom started leaking around the fan close to midnight, prompting a frantic call to the front desk to be moved. The resort was very quick (less than 10 minutes) and met us with a new key to the closest room they had. A quick dash outside and we were dry again. It was a difficult night to get sleep, though. Up at 6:30 again so we could fetch our belongings from the original room (jumping over puddles along the way), it made for a very short night. All in all, the resort handled things very well.
Tuesday, we spent the day at Busch Gardens. It is a great amusement park - very clean and lots of shade. It was a steaming hot day, though, so lots of water was consumed! We got there before anyone else (an early opening special), so got to ride a few rides with NO lines at all. I even rode Alpengeist for the first time (with no wait at all!). What a thrill. It is smooth, unlike the other coasters that bounce you around. Looking at it from the rest of the park makes it seem bigger and more dangerous than it really is. However, I have now ridden all four of the coasters at Busch. Pretty cool for this mid-40's guy!
Wednesday was spent at Water Country with few crouds until late in the day. Our son overcame many fears and rode on some of the biggest non-tube water rides at the park, and had a great time. He's really maturing and I think made great strides with the personal fears. I think he also realized that he can trust his parents to not push too far. Later in the day, we returned to Busch Gardens for dinner, a couple of quick rides, and "Imaginique" - a Cirque du Soleil style show that starts after dark.
Thursday was a short Water Country day before heading home. It was hot and had long lines and many rude people. More on that later. Sue is working for part of the day today, so didn't get to spend much time at all on vacation. Time to look elsewhere for her since I'm staying for a while.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Did you ever want to know a lot about something?
I ran across the following free online dictionary web site a few weeks back. I have used it for more things than other online sites, especially because it has a computer dictionary, a medical dictionary, a legal dictionary and links to other free sites.
So, if you ever had the hankering to find out what a SONET ring was, just look it up!
http://thefreedictionary.com
So, if you ever had the hankering to find out what a SONET ring was, just look it up!
http://thefreedictionary.com
Friday, July 01, 2005
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Friends - continued (part 2)
Since moving to Virginia in early 1998, we have met some people whom only one word describes – awesome. There are many couples, families to be more exact, with whom we share so much. Friendship really took on a new meaning shortly after moving here. On the very first day we moved in, a few couples on our street invited us to sit on the street while the kids played and grab a brew to talk. We watched the kids play and instantly made friends. It was that night that we met a couple down the street (see previous post), with whom we hit it off right away. The boys were in scouts and in school together. I will post a more specific post about them before they move. The “going away for a while” party is happening on Saturday. I know that tears will be shed that night.
We have one friend who has been through many changes – a child that died from a mystery illness, a divorce from an abusive drunk, a rebound relationship with another, older, even more abusive drunk, and the development of a wonderful relationship with her second husband. He treats her kids better than they have been treated with their father. This spring, one of her twins (8) had medical problems that were very sudden and very serious. We heard an ambulance coming down the street early one morning only to have it stop in front of our house. Our hearts were in our throats not knowing what had happened. The girl ended up having a problem very similar to the child that died. It was during that time that the mom I think realized who her real friends were. We were there for her day and night, taking care of the kids without her asking. I think she was overwhelmed with the support that some gave and with the support that others didn’t provide. The true friends were there to provide the unconditional support. Thank God, her daughter came out if it with little problems and a much better understanding of why her son died (and how to protect the family from this condition). But, I digress.
The point of this post that I have skirted around is that friends matter. They matter to us and they should matter to you. You will smile more and live longer when you have someone to share your heartbreak, your joys, your tasks, and your downtime with.
We have one friend who has been through many changes – a child that died from a mystery illness, a divorce from an abusive drunk, a rebound relationship with another, older, even more abusive drunk, and the development of a wonderful relationship with her second husband. He treats her kids better than they have been treated with their father. This spring, one of her twins (8) had medical problems that were very sudden and very serious. We heard an ambulance coming down the street early one morning only to have it stop in front of our house. Our hearts were in our throats not knowing what had happened. The girl ended up having a problem very similar to the child that died. It was during that time that the mom I think realized who her real friends were. We were there for her day and night, taking care of the kids without her asking. I think she was overwhelmed with the support that some gave and with the support that others didn’t provide. The true friends were there to provide the unconditional support. Thank God, her daughter came out if it with little problems and a much better understanding of why her son died (and how to protect the family from this condition). But, I digress.
The point of this post that I have skirted around is that friends matter. They matter to us and they should matter to you. You will smile more and live longer when you have someone to share your heartbreak, your joys, your tasks, and your downtime with.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Friends - part 1
We attended another neighborhood party last night. It was the 7th almost annual Olympic Party, held at a friend's house down the street. There were so many people there that we knew -- and got to meet a handful of others. This party was started close to a summer olympic year, and has the wackiest challenges ever. Of course, they are really challenging when you have been drinking all evening. Teams were choosen ahead of time, and all couples were split between the two teams. This makes for a competitive environment. Of course, cheating is not encouraged, but is thought to occur regularly (cheating with the games, not with your neighbors ;-).
The first event was a "get to know your neighbor" event. You had to stand next to two people of the opposite sex and have your hands tied together (strips of cloth were used for this). When everyone was tied up and the game began, you had to thread an illuminated (that would electrified) string of lights in your left sleeve of your shirt, across your chest, and out the right sleeve. On to the next person. Once it hit the end of the line, you had to go the opposite direction, and thread it through the sleeves and over your back. The first team to run out of lights won. Definately an ice breaker!
When all was said and done, I wondered home just before 3:30. Good thing most of our neighbors were at the party and drinking as much as we were!
The hosts of the party are moving to Pennsylvania in the next few weeks. They are very good friends of ours - and have been for the seven + years we've been in Virginia. They are probably the closest couple to us from a relationship / reality / work ethic perspective. While we have two other couples that we are really good friends with (and actually spend more time with), these guys are level headed and really consistent with what can be expected. They actually understand when work gets in the way of kids demands, or when paying the bills is not even a question of priority.
Last year, Bill (the hubby here) had a real scare with cancer. It didn't overwhelm their lives, it was just part of it. I must say that with that, I realized what a great person he is at acceptance of things he cannot change. However, they also realized that they were not to finish life but continue it and change the things they could. Over the past 2 years, Bill has lost 45 lbs., runs several days a week, all while driving 60,000+ miles every year. It's just what is needed to keep things in motion. I respect that, and will miss the weekend (since he's gone most weekdays) friendship that we've shared over the past 7 years.
Thanks for another great (but final) Olympic party friends.
The first event was a "get to know your neighbor" event. You had to stand next to two people of the opposite sex and have your hands tied together (strips of cloth were used for this). When everyone was tied up and the game began, you had to thread an illuminated (that would electrified) string of lights in your left sleeve of your shirt, across your chest, and out the right sleeve. On to the next person. Once it hit the end of the line, you had to go the opposite direction, and thread it through the sleeves and over your back. The first team to run out of lights won. Definately an ice breaker!
When all was said and done, I wondered home just before 3:30. Good thing most of our neighbors were at the party and drinking as much as we were!
The hosts of the party are moving to Pennsylvania in the next few weeks. They are very good friends of ours - and have been for the seven + years we've been in Virginia. They are probably the closest couple to us from a relationship / reality / work ethic perspective. While we have two other couples that we are really good friends with (and actually spend more time with), these guys are level headed and really consistent with what can be expected. They actually understand when work gets in the way of kids demands, or when paying the bills is not even a question of priority.
Last year, Bill (the hubby here) had a real scare with cancer. It didn't overwhelm their lives, it was just part of it. I must say that with that, I realized what a great person he is at acceptance of things he cannot change. However, they also realized that they were not to finish life but continue it and change the things they could. Over the past 2 years, Bill has lost 45 lbs., runs several days a week, all while driving 60,000+ miles every year. It's just what is needed to keep things in motion. I respect that, and will miss the weekend (since he's gone most weekdays) friendship that we've shared over the past 7 years.
Thanks for another great (but final) Olympic party friends.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Friday, April 01, 2005
Fridays
Fridays are an interesting thing. In reality, it is just another day of the week. In practice, they are the proverbial carrot for each week. It keeps hanging out there in front of us and entices us to finish each work week. On vacations, Fridays is dreaded as vacation is coming to a close. During the work week, Fridays keep us going. At least it keeps me going!
People are happy on Fridays, much more so than on Mondays. There is likely some highly funded bit of academic research proving what we have all known for years: Fridays are a good thing! Fridays and full coffee cups.
I've often wondered if we could extend the Friday feelings to other aspects of our life. The reality is that there are very few things that are so short term (7 days) and so repeatable as a week. We have them 52 times every year of our lives, except the last one (given you don't die on a Saturday). Good food for thought, I suppose. So, take care of yourself and make sure you die on a Saturday so you'll have a full Friday to be in a good mood.
Of course, there is also the "dreaded" Monday syndrome. Quite the opposite from Friday, in my mind.
Have a great, non-working weekend.
People are happy on Fridays, much more so than on Mondays. There is likely some highly funded bit of academic research proving what we have all known for years: Fridays are a good thing! Fridays and full coffee cups.
I've often wondered if we could extend the Friday feelings to other aspects of our life. The reality is that there are very few things that are so short term (7 days) and so repeatable as a week. We have them 52 times every year of our lives, except the last one (given you don't die on a Saturday). Good food for thought, I suppose. So, take care of yourself and make sure you die on a Saturday so you'll have a full Friday to be in a good mood.
Of course, there is also the "dreaded" Monday syndrome. Quite the opposite from Friday, in my mind.
Have a great, non-working weekend.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Satellite Music
I have been a huge XM Radio fan for several years now. I’m not quite sure what radio commercials sound like, except for the 30 seconds or so that I listen to commercial radio on my bedside clock radio during workdays.
I work for a company that sells XM, so we have had some great deals to get me the equipment, but it's been worth it every step of the way. I firmly believe that the money my family spends for XM is thousands of time better than any money we pay for cable TV. Cable TV, after all, requires that you be sitting in one place for an extended period of time. XM is portable, mobile, or fixed, depending on your setup.
Right now, we have four (sad, but true) XM units that we pay a monthly service on. One is in Sue's truck (the oldest radio), on in her office (a new one, but it sort of sucks as well), a Delphi unit in my truck (sometimes in my house) that totally rocks, and a new portable one. We have a bit of swapping to do - my Delphi from my truck is going to get mounted in her truck (and she can use it in the office as well), and my portable MyFi is going into my truck (also to use in the house). That'll take us from four to two that we're paying the monthly service on. Much more reasonable, if you ask me.
I have been using the MyFi in my office, as the reception is good there. I don't really like the mobile (i.e., for walking) side to it, but it would likely perform better in a city rather than in pseudo-suburbia where we live.
The musical selection is excellent. My favorite station is Deep Tracks, XM40. The two DJs on the station know more about music than all of my friends put together (and that's saying a lot!). Great commentary from real professionals. Right now, for example, Peter Frampton is singing "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours." It's a great version of the Stevie Wonder song that we all know. Today, GTM had a clip of an interview with Rick Wakeman (from Yes) that I listened to in a short drive home. I was laughing so hard because of the commentary Rick was delivering. What a sense of humor. Certainly, there is no commercial station that you could ever hope to hear that on.
The other favorites I listen to are Top Tracks (XM46) for regular 'ol hit music, and Lucy (XM54) for newer music that my son and I can mostly agree on. Even the MIX songs (XM22) that replaces most "hit" commercial music stations is at least 100 times better because of the continuous music with no commercial, traffic, or weather breaks. Did I mention no wining local DJs talking to hear themselves talk. At work, I also listen to Watercolors (smooth jazz) and XM-Pops (classical). No talk and easy listening music. It's not my favorite, but good when I have heads-down concentration required while sitting at the computer at work.
So, if you haven't tried XM, you should. For broadband users, there is even an online version that you can try out for 3 days for free. Go to www.xmradio.com for details.
Oh, yes. The price is going up. So What!!! Comcast has upped the price almost monthly on the worthless cable. If I didn't need it for high speed internet, it would be dropped. XM will also include the online version with the upgrade, so it's really a wash. If you have any doubt of the value, ask either of my kids. There is never a fight when I ask them to get my Delphi from the truck so I can turn it on in the house. Jake is a big XM20 (20 on 20) fan, but also listens to Lucy. KT listens to XM22 much of the time, and Nashville (XM11) whenever she and I are in the truck together. I am really glad to help teach that diversity in musical tastes is a good thing to have as an adult.
I work for a company that sells XM, so we have had some great deals to get me the equipment, but it's been worth it every step of the way. I firmly believe that the money my family spends for XM is thousands of time better than any money we pay for cable TV. Cable TV, after all, requires that you be sitting in one place for an extended period of time. XM is portable, mobile, or fixed, depending on your setup.
Right now, we have four (sad, but true) XM units that we pay a monthly service on. One is in Sue's truck (the oldest radio), on in her office (a new one, but it sort of sucks as well), a Delphi unit in my truck (sometimes in my house) that totally rocks, and a new portable one. We have a bit of swapping to do - my Delphi from my truck is going to get mounted in her truck (and she can use it in the office as well), and my portable MyFi is going into my truck (also to use in the house). That'll take us from four to two that we're paying the monthly service on. Much more reasonable, if you ask me.
I have been using the MyFi in my office, as the reception is good there. I don't really like the mobile (i.e., for walking) side to it, but it would likely perform better in a city rather than in pseudo-suburbia where we live.
The musical selection is excellent. My favorite station is Deep Tracks, XM40. The two DJs on the station know more about music than all of my friends put together (and that's saying a lot!). Great commentary from real professionals. Right now, for example, Peter Frampton is singing "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours." It's a great version of the Stevie Wonder song that we all know. Today, GTM had a clip of an interview with Rick Wakeman (from Yes) that I listened to in a short drive home. I was laughing so hard because of the commentary Rick was delivering. What a sense of humor. Certainly, there is no commercial station that you could ever hope to hear that on.
The other favorites I listen to are Top Tracks (XM46) for regular 'ol hit music, and Lucy (XM54) for newer music that my son and I can mostly agree on. Even the MIX songs (XM22) that replaces most "hit" commercial music stations is at least 100 times better because of the continuous music with no commercial, traffic, or weather breaks. Did I mention no wining local DJs talking to hear themselves talk. At work, I also listen to Watercolors (smooth jazz) and XM-Pops (classical). No talk and easy listening music. It's not my favorite, but good when I have heads-down concentration required while sitting at the computer at work.
So, if you haven't tried XM, you should. For broadband users, there is even an online version that you can try out for 3 days for free. Go to www.xmradio.com for details.
Oh, yes. The price is going up. So What!!! Comcast has upped the price almost monthly on the worthless cable. If I didn't need it for high speed internet, it would be dropped. XM will also include the online version with the upgrade, so it's really a wash. If you have any doubt of the value, ask either of my kids. There is never a fight when I ask them to get my Delphi from the truck so I can turn it on in the house. Jake is a big XM20 (20 on 20) fan, but also listens to Lucy. KT listens to XM22 much of the time, and Nashville (XM11) whenever she and I are in the truck together. I am really glad to help teach that diversity in musical tastes is a good thing to have as an adult.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Hot water, water, everywhere
Today, we resolved one of the biggest household problems we had. Our hot water heater was starting to leak, wasn't working very well, and was apparently undersized for our 4-person household. It worked find until we determined that we had an up and coming teenager to supply water for, and another one on the way in two more years.
So, we took advantage of zero interest financing and we purchased a new hot water heater. It's bigger and much more efficient than the 24 year old unit that was installed when the house was built. This new heater is about 40% bigger, but will cost us less each year to operate. I'm looking forward to taking the first long, hot shower tomorrow morning since moving in. As of this morning, when we had 3 showers to take, one person got left with a short shower if hot water was expected. When there were four of us (like on a Sunday morning), forget it. Finally, we won't have to worry about hot water being used for a load of clothes or dishes when there's an evening shower to be taken.
What's funny is that we went from a highly innefficient 52 gallon tank to a very efficient 80 gallon one. While I should feel guilty, I don't. Less (energy) dollars money for more energy.
Life is good...
So, we took advantage of zero interest financing and we purchased a new hot water heater. It's bigger and much more efficient than the 24 year old unit that was installed when the house was built. This new heater is about 40% bigger, but will cost us less each year to operate. I'm looking forward to taking the first long, hot shower tomorrow morning since moving in. As of this morning, when we had 3 showers to take, one person got left with a short shower if hot water was expected. When there were four of us (like on a Sunday morning), forget it. Finally, we won't have to worry about hot water being used for a load of clothes or dishes when there's an evening shower to be taken.
What's funny is that we went from a highly innefficient 52 gallon tank to a very efficient 80 gallon one. While I should feel guilty, I don't. Less (energy) dollars money for more energy.
Life is good...
Sunday, February 20, 2005
MSNBC - When Does Autism Start?
MSNBC - When Does Autism Start?
That's a good question. For our family, it wasn't early on with our first child. He started off fine, then regressed over the past couple of years. It's not autism like many of you think. While I am certainly not an expert, autism covers a really big spectrum. Our son is on the upper end (high functioning) of the spectrum, and is mild at that. If he's mild, I would hate to think how difficult every day is for someone who is not mild on the upper range of the spectrum. Our son has what is commonly known as Aspergers. Aspergers presents itself very differently from most other forms of autism, but similar in other aspects. He is a very intelligent, bright boy. He does have the ability to focus for long periods of time on a single task or thought. His passion keeps him from interacting like others, and it keeps him from remembering to do the simple things in life that others take for granted without being reminded constantly. Taking showers, brusing his teeth, coming down with the time meets his schedule is a constant daily battle. Interruption of a daily routine (once established) can make us reset to ground zero and start the long process again of setting up that routine.
Fortunately, the family has been working with a very good psychologist to help us fix these issues. They problems have been going on for years, but we've only engaged with doctors over the past two. He's ultimately smart -- too much for his own good. Now we are trying to work through these issues to get the last years he is here turned into bearible ones. Also, he needs this support if he's ever to make it on his own in college or afterwards. God help us all...
That's a good question. For our family, it wasn't early on with our first child. He started off fine, then regressed over the past couple of years. It's not autism like many of you think. While I am certainly not an expert, autism covers a really big spectrum. Our son is on the upper end (high functioning) of the spectrum, and is mild at that. If he's mild, I would hate to think how difficult every day is for someone who is not mild on the upper range of the spectrum. Our son has what is commonly known as Aspergers. Aspergers presents itself very differently from most other forms of autism, but similar in other aspects. He is a very intelligent, bright boy. He does have the ability to focus for long periods of time on a single task or thought. His passion keeps him from interacting like others, and it keeps him from remembering to do the simple things in life that others take for granted without being reminded constantly. Taking showers, brusing his teeth, coming down with the time meets his schedule is a constant daily battle. Interruption of a daily routine (once established) can make us reset to ground zero and start the long process again of setting up that routine.
Fortunately, the family has been working with a very good psychologist to help us fix these issues. They problems have been going on for years, but we've only engaged with doctors over the past two. He's ultimately smart -- too much for his own good. Now we are trying to work through these issues to get the last years he is here turned into bearible ones. Also, he needs this support if he's ever to make it on his own in college or afterwards. God help us all...
Monday, February 07, 2005
My daughter's namesake
Recently, we received the obituary from Mrs. Stapelfeldt. She was my wife's voice coach for more than ten years. She made such a big impression on my wife, that our youngest daughter is named after her. Here is a summary of her life, as written in her obituary:
Katalin Szekeres Stapelfeldt was born in Hungary on March 4th in 1920. Her childhood was spent on horseback and at the piano. Katalin came from a cultured and privileged family. She received her education in Hungary and Austria. She lost most of her family during World War II and struggled to survive under the Communist regime, returning to the conservatory of music for yet another degree. She applied her education and her unique gift to develop a well-recognized music, mostly piano and voice, practice in Wilton, Connecticut.
Throughout her career she lectured at several universities to teachers and professors on the Koday solfège method general and her own theories of pedagogy. She was loved by her fellow musicians in Europe and in the United States for her bold, bubbly personality and humor. Nothing seemed impossible to her.
Through her teaching, she helped many challenged children to reach a happy and healthy adulthood. She brought out the best and the most of every one’s potentials. Many of her students kept in touch with her well into their adult life for 20 to 30 years. Katalin retired in Churchton, Maryland but acquired a few select students and held recitals at the First Baptist Church in Shady Side. Her old students, now adults, carne from as far as Washington DC and Connecticut. Her home was open and welcoming not only to her family, but to all those who came from near and far to visit. Many felt a great loss of a great lady of music. She died peacefully in her home Christmas Eve, 2004. She will be missed.
Katalin left behind her husband of 47 years, Wulf Dietricht Stapelfeldt, her daughter Borbala Cosson, granddaughter Victoria Felicia Sutton Garte and two great granddaughters, Nicold Fleicia Garte and Maxi Michelle Garte.
Katalin Szekeres Stapelfeldt was born in Hungary on March 4th in 1920. Her childhood was spent on horseback and at the piano. Katalin came from a cultured and privileged family. She received her education in Hungary and Austria. She lost most of her family during World War II and struggled to survive under the Communist regime, returning to the conservatory of music for yet another degree. She applied her education and her unique gift to develop a well-recognized music, mostly piano and voice, practice in Wilton, Connecticut.
Throughout her career she lectured at several universities to teachers and professors on the Koday solfège method general and her own theories of pedagogy. She was loved by her fellow musicians in Europe and in the United States for her bold, bubbly personality and humor. Nothing seemed impossible to her.
Through her teaching, she helped many challenged children to reach a happy and healthy adulthood. She brought out the best and the most of every one’s potentials. Many of her students kept in touch with her well into their adult life for 20 to 30 years. Katalin retired in Churchton, Maryland but acquired a few select students and held recitals at the First Baptist Church in Shady Side. Her old students, now adults, carne from as far as Washington DC and Connecticut. Her home was open and welcoming not only to her family, but to all those who came from near and far to visit. Many felt a great loss of a great lady of music. She died peacefully in her home Christmas Eve, 2004. She will be missed.
Katalin left behind her husband of 47 years, Wulf Dietricht Stapelfeldt, her daughter Borbala Cosson, granddaughter Victoria Felicia Sutton Garte and two great granddaughters, Nicold Fleicia Garte and Maxi Michelle Garte.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Crash, bang, boom
Take one cold winter night -- mix in slightly wet roads, one truck, two cars, and one driver off in her own world. The recipe for success, right? Not hardly.
My wife was in an accident last night. Fortunately, no one was hurt badly. The second driver was simply not paying attention. She pulled in front of my wife as if she didn't exist. My wife's big truck didn't get hurt too bad - but we'll be without it for a while.
The funny thing about a situation like an accident is that memories come back afterwards.
I can't say enough about the professionalism of the police department. The main officer in control was just that -- in control. He said that a three car accident is the worst kind. I sort of missed that, but it could have been because I was outside for 2 hours in the cold.
So, now we get to fight with the insurance companies (especially the one from the driver not paying attention), and with the local body shops. Perhaps we'll get lucky, perhaps it'll be a fight. Time will tell.
The metal and the plastic will be repaired. Everyone is safe - and that is all that really matters.
My wife was in an accident last night. Fortunately, no one was hurt badly. The second driver was simply not paying attention. She pulled in front of my wife as if she didn't exist. My wife's big truck didn't get hurt too bad - but we'll be without it for a while.
The funny thing about a situation like an accident is that memories come back afterwards.
I can't say enough about the professionalism of the police department. The main officer in control was just that -- in control. He said that a three car accident is the worst kind. I sort of missed that, but it could have been because I was outside for 2 hours in the cold.
So, now we get to fight with the insurance companies (especially the one from the driver not paying attention), and with the local body shops. Perhaps we'll get lucky, perhaps it'll be a fight. Time will tell.
The metal and the plastic will be repaired. Everyone is safe - and that is all that really matters.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Snow is heading in again...
Well, they're calling for snow again -- the third (and last) in a series of storms. The kids were home from school on Thursday and on Friday due to roads in the neighborhoods. The way that they make up school days is cool - they just tack 15 minutes or so onto the end of every day. It's nothing for the kids, and easy for the schools to administer. It was used for Hurricane Isabel last September, and for the ice storm that hit in late Januarys. Virginians don't do snow well - and do ice even worse. Funny because ice is more of a problem here than snow is.
The weather has been really funky lately - but shouldn't be surprising. Southern Virginia is always at the bottom of where (weatherman alert) the cold air and the warm air hit. We never know if it'll be snow or rain until it comes.
The weather has been really funky lately - but shouldn't be surprising. Southern Virginia is always at the bottom of where (weatherman alert) the cold air and the warm air hit. We never know if it'll be snow or rain until it comes.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Deck building 101
Okay - so 30 wasn't that cold. We were outside from 11 until 4 yesterday. I actually took off my gloves a few times when it reached a balmy 35. It's damn hard to pick up deck screws with leather gloves. We got one set of stairs (4 stairs, 8 feet wide) done, as well as putting up a 16 foot railing. No one will fall off the end anymore! One more set of stairs and a few rails and replacing the original deck boards that are remaining. I think even I can do that with some assistance. I know I can tear them down since I did the first ones!
Then the finishing begins.
There will be a bunch of sanding on the edges. Also, we need to find lights for the corners and the rest. They are so stinking expensive. We'll have to run the electric in PVC to keep the squirrels out. It seems that the electric wires run outside have some sort of chemical that the squirrels think that they need in their diet. Sure wouldn't want to eatthose squirrels.
So, I got to crash and burn last night. Stayed downstairs until 9:00 - but mostly slept from 7:30 until 9. Sitting down was all that it took. Hauling around lumber is not something I often do, so it just wipes me out!
The kids both had sleep overs last night. One at our house (2 12-year old boys are easy), and our daughter at a friend's house. She will come back cranky (always does), but it was a chance for her to see a friend for the first time in a month or so. Since pulling the kids out of daycare, they miss some of the other kids. Not writting that $200 weekly check is a good thing, no matter how selfish it makes me.
Then the finishing begins.
There will be a bunch of sanding on the edges. Also, we need to find lights for the corners and the rest. They are so stinking expensive. We'll have to run the electric in PVC to keep the squirrels out. It seems that the electric wires run outside have some sort of chemical that the squirrels think that they need in their diet. Sure wouldn't want to eat
So, I got to crash and burn last night. Stayed downstairs until 9:00 - but mostly slept from 7:30 until 9. Sitting down was all that it took. Hauling around lumber is not something I often do, so it just wipes me out!
The kids both had sleep overs last night. One at our house (2 12-year old boys are easy), and our daughter at a friend's house. She will come back cranky (always does), but it was a chance for her to see a friend for the first time in a month or so. Since pulling the kids out of daycare, they miss some of the other kids. Not writting that $200 weekly check is a good thing, no matter how selfish it makes me.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Anybody for a cold one?
I personally believe that when it is under 30 degrees (F) that no one should work outside. Of course, that doesn't include people who drive snowplows, taxicabs, and the brave men and women in the police, fire, and armed services. I guess I just mean the plain ol' folks like me.
It's currently a bit less than 30 and I'll be outside at 9:00 working on my deck. Of course, I wouldn't be there unless the guy helping me was going to be there. You see, I have been getting a great deal of help with the deck. D is, among other things, a master carpenter. He has an eye for doing what looks good, and making it come to fruition with what appears to be little effort. The deck addition is 500 square feet - huge by our neighborhood standards. While the wood has not been cheap, the labor certainly has. We're close to finishing it other than a couple of sets of stairs and a few handrails. Then, we need to finish up the other items like the posts, adding lights, and so on.
D is an interesting character. He's a tough guy, raised in a tough household with a sometimes abusive father. He's risen above that but is really tough on his youngest son. He absolutely loves his son, but keeps a firm grip on him as well. His son is a character with a smart mouth - something that I think he should lose else he'll get a belt or hand to help him lose it. Guess it is more like the relationship I had with my father than I care to admit. I'm at least trying to rise above that with my son.
Time to bundle up...
It's currently a bit less than 30 and I'll be outside at 9:00 working on my deck. Of course, I wouldn't be there unless the guy helping me was going to be there. You see, I have been getting a great deal of help with the deck. D is, among other things, a master carpenter. He has an eye for doing what looks good, and making it come to fruition with what appears to be little effort. The deck addition is 500 square feet - huge by our neighborhood standards. While the wood has not been cheap, the labor certainly has. We're close to finishing it other than a couple of sets of stairs and a few handrails. Then, we need to finish up the other items like the posts, adding lights, and so on.
D is an interesting character. He's a tough guy, raised in a tough household with a sometimes abusive father. He's risen above that but is really tough on his youngest son. He absolutely loves his son, but keeps a firm grip on him as well. His son is a character with a smart mouth - something that I think he should lose else he'll get a belt or hand to help him lose it. Guess it is more like the relationship I had with my father than I care to admit. I'm at least trying to rise above that with my son.
Time to bundle up...
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Opportunities - update
Well, I interview this week. The position sounds like a great one - with lots of work and lots of opportunity to do my own thing. In fact, "doing my own thing" is a requirement. No running to the boss everytime something needs done. Lots of autonomy and the ability to work on my own is needed. Lots of hours are also required while developing the department.
I heard something about the present company that is bad. Too many big wigs jumping ship for me to feel comfortable. I don't want to go down with a sinking ship as there will be too many others grasping for the few lifeboats in the area - if you know what I mean.
Of course, I am also making a list of who to bring with me (if that is possible) and who I would definately not bring. My immediate co-workers - one, maybe.
So, I get to sit back and wait for the recruiter to make the next move (or I'll call). I do need to write a thank you letter - guess I need the interviewer's title, address and so on. The things you think about when your brain slows down over the weekend.
I think I'll go grocery shopping with S today, and maybe we'll get dinner out - just the two of us. It doesn't take much for me to be happy!
I heard something about the present company that is bad. Too many big wigs jumping ship for me to feel comfortable. I don't want to go down with a sinking ship as there will be too many others grasping for the few lifeboats in the area - if you know what I mean.
Of course, I am also making a list of who to bring with me (if that is possible) and who I would definately not bring. My immediate co-workers - one, maybe.
So, I get to sit back and wait for the recruiter to make the next move (or I'll call). I do need to write a thank you letter - guess I need the interviewer's title, address and so on. The things you think about when your brain slows down over the weekend.
I think I'll go grocery shopping with S today, and maybe we'll get dinner out - just the two of us. It doesn't take much for me to be happy!
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Is it time to move on?
With my job that is. I think that we have people bailing left and right, with the only ones that are staying put are the ones that insane. Guess I'm one of the insane ones for now.
I do have an interview next week. The "opportunity" I spoke of earlier. Not quite sure what to think about it yet. Can't get a job description other than a very general one. It would be a great company from what I hear, but a very challenging job. Some cleaning house first, then setting up many policies and procedures. Now, do I even have a good suit to wear? Might need to visit a suit shop this weekend and see what I can buy off the rack. I hear S & K has some good off the rack stuff. At least I can wear it to church when I'm done.
I really don't want to sound negative about the job possibility. I would love to be in a better company, where people are not treated as a commodity. Guess I'm stuck in the 80's where that was the life I lived. Did I work my tail off for them? Absolutely. Did they pay me well? Absolutely not. Not because they chose not to, but because the companies were young and growing and reinvesting all the capital into themselves. Did it pay off? Absolutely. I'm in a much better position now because of the sacrifices I made then. Having the kids, having my kids in particular would make it impossible to do that over now. To date, we've been lucky with jobs. Guess it's that go-get-em attitude we both have and a bit of luck. Mostly the attitude. Work harder than anyone else and eventually it'll come back to reward you.
TGIAF (almost friday)...
I do have an interview next week. The "opportunity" I spoke of earlier. Not quite sure what to think about it yet. Can't get a job description other than a very general one. It would be a great company from what I hear, but a very challenging job. Some cleaning house first, then setting up many policies and procedures. Now, do I even have a good suit to wear? Might need to visit a suit shop this weekend and see what I can buy off the rack. I hear S & K has some good off the rack stuff. At least I can wear it to church when I'm done.
I really don't want to sound negative about the job possibility. I would love to be in a better company, where people are not treated as a commodity. Guess I'm stuck in the 80's where that was the life I lived. Did I work my tail off for them? Absolutely. Did they pay me well? Absolutely not. Not because they chose not to, but because the companies were young and growing and reinvesting all the capital into themselves. Did it pay off? Absolutely. I'm in a much better position now because of the sacrifices I made then. Having the kids, having my kids in particular would make it impossible to do that over now. To date, we've been lucky with jobs. Guess it's that go-get-em attitude we both have and a bit of luck. Mostly the attitude. Work harder than anyone else and eventually it'll come back to reward you.
TGIAF (almost friday)...
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
The flu
The flu sucks. Of course, it's likely not the flu. Certainly my idea of the flu from when I was a kid was anything that made you spend more time in the restroom than out.
That was yesterday and last night.
It kicked my butt.
Other than being dog tired, I think I'm over it. What's another sick day at the office. I hate to miss work, although it's more fun now than ever...
The up side to the whole flu thing is that I jump started my weight loss program that is new for this year. I will have one entry that will track progress as I try to drop 25 or more lbs. It'll be private for a while to see if I actually do lose anything. Of course I will lose some, but need to make the time to exercise. I even bought ear warmers and gloves to run with during the winter. Then there's my MiFi XM. If that's not motivation, I don't have it!
I know it's all about lots-o-exercise and stopping alcoholic beverage consumption, not really about what I eat in general. Walking and running with XM in my ears should help.
I had the unfortunate ability today to watch the Dr. Phil show - all about the new weight loss challenge. I didn't get excited about it - but made me realize that I'm not so bad. However it's not about anyone but me.
Maybe it's time to join the new YMCA (okay, it's not open yet - so should be a safe bet).
That was yesterday and last night.
It kicked my butt.
Other than being dog tired, I think I'm over it. What's another sick day at the office. I hate to miss work, although it's more fun now than ever...
The up side to the whole flu thing is that I jump started my weight loss program that is new for this year. I will have one entry that will track progress as I try to drop 25 or more lbs. It'll be private for a while to see if I actually do lose anything. Of course I will lose some, but need to make the time to exercise. I even bought ear warmers and gloves to run with during the winter. Then there's my MiFi XM. If that's not motivation, I don't have it!
I know it's all about lots-o-exercise and stopping alcoholic beverage consumption, not really about what I eat in general. Walking and running with XM in my ears should help.
I had the unfortunate ability today to watch the Dr. Phil show - all about the new weight loss challenge. I didn't get excited about it - but made me realize that I'm not so bad. However it's not about anyone but me.
Maybe it's time to join the new YMCA (okay, it's not open yet - so should be a safe bet).
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