As posted on the Dallas Morning News Aviation Blog, a woman named Sassy (possibly a colleague of mine) invented a new drink, The Sully, honoring Capt. Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, the intrepid US Airways pilot:
Two shots Grey Goose
One splash water
Jenny’s mom sent us an interesting article from the Dallas Morning News. I hope you read the whole article, but it’s about a couple who decided to go an entire year without buying anything new. Used items were okay, as were necessary purchases such as gas, food, and toiletries. But it did mean no new clothes, games, electronics, cars, or toys, even as gifts. From this experiment they saved a huge amount of money and realized that they really didn’t need all the stuff they used to buy.
Other people go on short-term spending freezes where they don’t buy ANYTHING for a week or two at a time except absolute necessities. When they’re hungry, they dig something out of the pantry. If they “need” a new pair of shoes, they just keep wearing what they have until the freeze lifts (thaws?).
Jenny and I are attempting a short-term spending freeze right now, with the following exceptions:
So far it hasn’t been too bad except that my cell phone holster broke. I have a Blackjack with a large (already cracked) screen and exposed QUERTY keyboard, so I am prone to accidentally dialing people if I carry it in my pocket. So if you get a call from me but all you hear is background noise, yell really loud to show me what I’ve done. =)
First up is some guys showing off their mad dance skillz with the Yes Dance and the Fork in the Garbage Disposal:
I had another one that showed worldwide air traffic from a satellite over a 24-hour period, but YouTube took it down for some reason. Sorry y’all.
On January 4, Jenny and I will celebrate our 6th anniversary. Our celebrations have varied over the years from Disney World to buying new bedroom furniture to a nice dinner out. This year, our first anniversary as parents, we are planning an overnight getaway in the DFW area. This morning we plan to drop Brenden and Holly off at my parents’ house. Apparently Grampy has a special construction project on which he needs Brenden’s help. Then we hope to spend the day at Holiday in the Park enjoying the rides and beautiful weather. Saturday night we plan to stay at the Embassy Suites in Grapevine, where we spent our wedding night. Before dinner we’ll hit the manager’s reception for free munchies and wine – how can you pass that up? On Sunday Jenny plans to take me shopping for a new pair of Doc Martens. I’ve worn my current pair (the brown ones) since about freshman year of HIGH SCHOOL, and they’re finally starting to wear out. We look forward to a wonderful time!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas like we did. Lots of family time, a great Christmas Eve service at IBC, plenty of great food, fun presents given and received, and some time to reflect all made the past week a Christmas to remember.
John Lennon wrote an interesting song a while back called “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”. I never heard it until I got a Christmas album that included a recording by The King’s Singers. It’s a strange little song, very Lennon-esque – contemplative, anti-war, devoid of any religious content but spiritual in a different way. The main verse simply says:
And so this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
A new one just begun
It’s more of a New Year’s song than a Christmas one because it focuses on the new beginning that happens this time each year, the promise of a brighter tomorrow. It’s also about looking back on the previous year to see what has changed and where the road has led.
For me, as I look back on 2008, the most significant development is naturally the arrival of Brenden and all the changes that parenthood has brought us. It is difficult to explain how much a baby changes one’s life to someone who’s never had one. Daily activities such as meals, grocery shopping, dates, sleep, and showers all become more complicated. A profound sense of wonder, responsibility, gratitude, fear, and joy combine whenever I think about him. A tiny toothless grin truly can melt my heart.
The other significant development is completing our first year as a CARES team. This, too, has been both difficult and rewarding. Difficult because of the time/effort involved in planning, advertising, shopping for, cooking for, setting up, running, and tearing down each event. There’s always another event on the horizon to prepare for. Rewarding because of the dozens of new friends that we’ve gotten to meet. Some are only acquaintances, but many have become good friends, and we have greatly enjoyed getting to know and serve them.
What about you? When you look back at 2008, what changes, achievements, problems, or other things jump out as the most significant to you?
Jenny and I are celebrating our personal Christmastime on Saturday. Based largely on a recommendation from our cultured friends Chris and Demona, we bought tickets to see Stories of Christmas, a concert at the Meyerson by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. It’s been a long time since I went to a choir concert, and I’m REALLY excited because this one is supposed to be outstanding, one of the best in the country. The show runs through this weekend if you’d like to get tickets. Jenny’s parents plan to watch Brenden since he’s too little to join us. Afterward we’ll pick him up and then go have a nice dinner somewhere as a family.