I know, I know, I'm not there yet.

OK, so it's been a slow start. I'm still trying to set up my new office. The delay has been several fold including finding a new home for the boys old bunkbeds, not enough cash to purchase the new monitor, printer, wireless router and wireless internet card for the new computer and several other higher priorities on the "honey-do" list. The least of which is replacing the whole piping underneath the downstairs vanity in the boys bathroom. If any of you have male teenagers and/or preteens who share their own bathroom than you know of the nauseating petri dish that was once your 2nd restroom.

Since I'm still waiting for my financial aid to process I have obviously not started my classes yet, thus the necessity of the new computer set up has not been in the forefront. But today I will make some progress as I'm planning on purchasing the necessary equipment to start up the new room.

I'd like to be optimistic and say that throughout this week I'll be step by step, changing over my new cave.

There's so much to talk about and so little time as I'm off to have coffee with a couple of friends from the old job...first time we've seen each other since the fall and I'm really looking forward to it.

In addition, the entire state of Arizona is gearing up for the Superbowl in a way they never have before. Even though I remain loyal to my Giants I can't help but be swept up in the emotion of the Arizona Cardinals going to the Superbowl. The Arizona Cardinals! People still look at each other and just shake their heads and say, "how the hell did this happen". We know how it happened and it couldn't have happened to a better bunch than these talented leather heads. The potential for a winning season has been there for a few years now but even the most die hard Cardinal fans remain in disbelief at the most unlikely of scenarios. And the rumour mill has it that most of the country is rooting for the underdog Redbirds. After all, the Steelers already have a recent ring and the many great media storylines of the Cardinals is hard to ignore. I hope they take it all...I really do.

Obviously, I'll have to write again next week, after the big game for some follow up commentary.

Again...sorry for the short note here but time is ticking. Talk to you sooner next time.

A New Year

I certainly hope you've had a great Holiday season...a fun and safe New Years and the hope that 2009 will bring us all a little more stability and God willing...prosperity. I'm looking forward to the kids going back to school, my going back to work and a return to normalcy, which I never knew to be so desirable as a young man.

Besides my wife's gift of Billy Joel/Elton John tickets for March's concert here in Phoenix, my second favorite gift is from my daughter and her longtime boyfriend which, I believe, will enable me to get back on the blog track that I have so painfully derailed the last few months. James has worked for Geek Squad for some time now and he very thoughtfully built Dawn and I a new computer.

This new/refurbished PC is going to be set up in the newly vacant upstairs bedroom (Taylor's old room next to ours) as a new office of sorts as the boys (and those damn birds) have completely overtaken our original office downstairs off the family room. In addition to not being near a computer all day, I come home and it is basically dominated by both boys from the time they get home. Yes, I have the power and often do kick them off if I need to use it, but you have to understand the awkwardness of sitting at the computer and immediately having two dinosaur descendants (raptors, if you will, that we call in modern days - birds) fly onto your shoulders.



Our two miniature macaws, Rocky and Adrianne, MUST have interaction and, to their defense, it is our duty as bird owners to comply. Parakeets were one thing, as we owned several of those over the years only to have them promptly taken down in mid-flight by our now deceased dog Sophie, but birds in the true parrot family are different altogether. These little guys are needy, lovable, social and very, very, very vocal. Yes, they speak and it's cute. "Pretty bird", "Love You" "Peek-a-boo" and several dog imitations as well as the occasional duck honk make us all giggle as we convince ourselves that it's all worth it. Furthermore, they don't take any crap from anybody, including the dogs. Even though one swipe of a paw could end their little green lives they will go on the attack if any dog gets near. And those dogs will retreat. Fast! It's rather funny, actually.

Despite the stereotypical "pirate" scenario, Parrots are not in any way supposed to be shoulder animals, as this would be seen as a sign of superiority over the human. All in the parrot family, that is, except the miniature macaw. Because of thier highly social personality and bonding necessities they are the exception to the rule. The birds are remarkably intuitive, and even if they are on your shoulder they need to feel the energy of your attention. If I'm writing a post or a letter or anything that involves getting my mind focused on the task, they immediately start to get antsy and begin stressing out...walking from shoulder to shoulder across your back. If you lock them in the cage they will penetrate your eardrum with a screech that was truly intended for the vastness of the rain forest. Moving them out of the office is not an option for it would cause way too much disruption in the rest of the house. I could go on with the excuses but we've basically learned how to live with them and not the other way around. It's people ownership in my house. Five dogs (everywhere), two birds (office), one python (Dylon's room) and one hamster (Taylor's room). When I had roof rats, people asked me why I was trying to get rid of them. That's when I realized we had stepped over the edge into pet insanity. Alas, it was too late.

Well, the purpose of this post was to really tell you that with the addition of a new computer in the house, one that was far more accessible and designated for the "grownups only", I would likely become more active again with this blog but somehow it morphed into a dissertation on our home of animals, children notwithstanding. It's all good.

I hope you all have a great 2009!

ML