Blogging, Scooting, etc.
I know, I know. Yet another post about post (in)frequency. I'll make no excuses; I've neglected this blog for several months. I guess it's a combination of Twitter, free time, and Winter blahs. Strangely enough, now that I'm starting to get motivated again, I'm also about to get really busy with the web dev thing. I have two bids due by the end of the week, one site about to ramp up to the final stages, and another site coming up very soon. Not to mention updates to current sites getting our OWN site up and running. I'm excited, honored, and nervous about all of this. I still can't believe I actually get paid to do this stuff, it started out as a hobby.
In other news, I've finally joined the exciting world of scooters. I bought a 2002 Genuine Stella. Here she is:
I also bought a bright orange helmet:
I've been wanting one for a while. I don't work far from home and it seems a little wasteful to drive a car every day. Beside, it's a blast! I'm having a hard time parking it when I get to work, I just want to keep riding! The second day I had it I rode it out to my mom's in Prairie Village, down State Line. I guess I took to it like a fish IN water - I can't believe I waited this long to get one! The Stella is based on the older style of scooters, all metal - very solid with a manual transmission and a 150cc engine. She'll get up to 70mph or so.
Resolutions
It's the beginning of a new year; a chance to start fresh. All of the bad habits from last year can stay in the past. Whatever. There's actually only been one year in my entire life that I actually followed through with all of my resolutions. My friend and I set some very specific, achievable goals and held each other accountable for them. At first I wasn't even going to bother with any, I usually don't, but as I thought about what I would want to achieve this year, I managed to come up with a few that I could deal with. So here they are, in no particulat order:
- Develop a thicker skin - I resolve not to let people get to me and make my life miserable, even (especially) the stupid people.
- 100 pushups - My wife and I have tried this program a couple of times, but some thing kills our momentum and we stop. Not this time, this time I resolve to trudge through the arms feeling like jelly phase and eventually reach 100.
- Second tattoo - I already have the designs of the next two chosen, I just have to get someone to draw the third one. I resolve to finally get my second tattoo.
That's it for now. They're nothing big, but they are very specific and definitely achievable.
Money
Very cool video, featuring all sorts of faves:
Maura's New Studio
I'd like to present to you the newest addition to the Fowler/Cluthe home:
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We’ve been spending most of our free time working on Maura’s new studio and it’s all been worth it! In fact I took a week of vacation to help with the siding. We’re so excited to see it near completion. There are only a few more small details and it’ll be ready for Maura to move back in!
I've been obsessively taking pictures of the whole process. You can see them all at my Studio Renovation Gallery. Thanks to our friend Mike Mastin and his crew, Mike, Pete, Chris, Randy, and everyone else that helped. They do great work if you need anything done to your house!
This is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life
I remember going shopping for my mom for Mother's Day one day long ago - my brother and I picked out a plaque which read "This is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life!" Of course, neither of us had the slightest clue what it meant but it sure sounded significant. Over the years, that phrase has stuck in my head. It just pops up every once in a while and I think about what it means. It has always sounded kind of silly and contrite to me, but last night it popped into my head again.
Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Today, for the first time in a very long time, I can actually say I'm proud to be an American. Today al whole lot of Americans voiced their opinion on how they think conservatives have been running the country for the last eight years. All I can remember since first caring anything about politics is a sense of cynicism and hopelessness. Today I have hope. I woke up this morning feeling like a huge weight had been lifted.
Obama will certainly have his work cut out for him, especially with that new puppy running around the White House!
