apat, thats what

welcome, new home

we have successfully downsized our living quarters, shaving 500 square feet off the top and cutting the mortgage in half. the three bed, 2 bath house is still being built, with an est. close of early to mid may.
the development includes a golf course, hiking trails, a 30 acre fishing pond, and a huge childcare/school center on site. on the corner of the property is a coffee shop, drycleaning, and general and specialty medical practices.

we bought it in time to make a few adjustments to the interior, namely, pergo flooring throughout, carpet in the kids rooms, chose a nice blond ceramic tile for the bathrooms, upgraded the appliances a bit.

as of now, we're still in corporate housing in Austin, Azalea is working and i'll be returning to work in early may. kids are fine, albeit still on mom's night shift schedule (neighbors must love us).

i wish i could write here regularly, in my head i often do. that may never prove possible. i look forward to each morning with a slight smile and sweat at my brow. tommorrow will always be another day.

Lostin Austin

Day seven in Austin, TX. We had a nice visit in Las Vegas, though Azalea reigned me in at blowing eighty bucks on dollar slots in about thirty minutes. I was ready to lose much more. Anyhow, we had fun. Saturday, Feb 28th traveled from LV, NV over Hoover Dam, through remote portions of Arizona with town names like "Gas" and "Wendy's", ending the night in Benson, AZ. Day two 2/29 saw us off to an early start along the I-10 East, with stops at tourist stops and trinket shops along the way (picked up a cowboy hat, charms for Azalea, many postcards, by now we have jackalope postcards from three states). The kids were great travelers, so we kept on keeping on. 02:30 am 03/01 we were within city limits of San Antonio, TX, having come 860 miles in one day with a three year old and a six month old! Stayed an overnight at Staybridge and surprised my sister with an AM visit. Stayed two days in SA, though sightseeing was limited due to rain. Came up I-35 to Austin to check out our new digs.
So far, so good. The apartment set up by the agency is great. The city is wonderful, each section reminds us about somewhere good. And there is a bit of everything here: urban downtown, forest, plains, a lake within 15 miles. We are looking at a 2 BR condo near Lake Travis at the moment. Much to do here as well. Today starts the Star of Texas Rodeo (missed the free cowboy breakfast), soon a 10K run/walk, later this month SXSW. Haven't really got to be touristy too much, with Azalea working this week and trying to keep up with the kids. But we are here for another 12 weeks minimum, so I am hoping to be able to report more soon!

On the Road

After a brief stint in Southern California, we are on our way to Austin, TX via the southern states. Currently in Las Vegas, Nevada with relatives. Travel with little ones is best described as daunting. We are learning how to get along with one another even in tight quarters. We left So. CA amidst rain in buckets, and our determined not to let that be an omen of things to come. All four have bad colds, but we packed lots of medicine as well. For those who browsed here in Dec./Jan. welcome back. To those that are new, welcome. To family, we love you. Stay tuned for photo updates soon...

insert 8 track in mouth

This was too funny:

"I hate the idea of the iPod," says music writer Caroline Sullivan. "Why would you want to carry around 10,000 songs? Nobody needs that number. This is a complete Nick Hornby anorak's dream - middle-aged men will be buying it with joy. Models like it, too, but they don't have any brains. Ten thousand tracks are more than anyone has in their collection - you end up having to fill it with Hurricane Smith songs. What's wrong with a Discman or a Walkperson? It's just a gadget that appeals to men who want access to everything - all the indie schmindie stuff they think they should listen to, a rock critic's wishlist of songs. They think it offers limitless potential, but our lives need editing, or it ends up like digital TV - hundreds of channels and nothing to watch."

Happy You Near

I am Resolute, 2004

Write checks like you've never been hurt.

Pay bills like you've never been afraid.

Clean house like you never left home.

Raise kids like your life depends on it.

Speak like you've never been angry.

Listen like you've never been taught..

Write like you've always been read.

Play like you get paid for it.

Drive like you've been there before.

Love like you've never been lost.

Never, ever, write poetry.

Burn, burn, burn, like Roman Candles into the night. (Kerouac)

Fastest New Year's toasts aound the world

Argentina: Saude! Viva! (sah-OO-Day! Vee-va)

British: Cheers

Chinese: Chu nin chien kang
Wishing you good health

Danish: Skal
Cheers

Dutch: Prost (PROH-sit)
Your health

Finnish: Kippis
Cheers

French: A votre sante (A votre santay)
To your health

German: Prost, or prosit (PROH-sit)
Your health

Greek: Yasas
Cheers

Hebrew: L'Chaim
To life

Irish: Slainte
Cheers

Italian: Salute (ah lah sa-LOO-tay)
Your health

Japanese: Kan pai (Kahm-PAH-ee)
Empty your glass

Punjabi: Kamjab raho
Be successful

Polish: Sto lat
Live to a hundred

Portuguese: A sua saude
To your health

Russian: Na zdorovie
Be healthy

Spanish: Salud (Sa LUUD)
Your health

Swahili: Furah
Be happy

USA: Bottoms up

Welsh: Lechyd Da

Cheers and enjoy the day !

Questionable Practices, 2003

1. Two men, mid 50's, seemingly brothers, escort an elderly woman to their car. Both are wearing mesh ballcaps. On one: LAPD. On the other: STAR TREK, effectively cancelling each other out. Third grade math proves this. And you know a discussion about this had to preface this outing, "You're gonna wear that. You can't, I'm wearing LAPD. Well at least I was in the LAPD, I never saw you on STAR TREK. Man, it's not even real, take it off..."

2. The lady on I-5 that hard braked me at 75 mph as though a fawn was in her path. Dear heart, TIME YOUR MEDS SO THE HALLUCINATIONS DO NOT OCCUR. You almost killed us. Then feebly attempted give me the finger as you switched into the fast lane(?) as we passed. (Yet another reason I hereby declare to the world I will surrender my license immediately following a back to back champagne brunch and two martini lunch December, 2036, God willing).

3. A kid getting blown down the street by his wide legged pants, big as sailcloth and apparently holding as much wind. How many knots were you doing? The only thing funnier would've been a pair of rollerskates in the mix.

4. My drive up ATM screen display: "Sorry I can't accept deposits right now" and "Sorry I can't dispense cash at the moment" and "HOW MAY I HELP YOU?".

5. At year's beginning, I set about working for a medical clinic and stayed 94 days before I realized it was an HMO. It is hard to work for an HMO. I am continually impressed by those who remain for years of denying service to their members. Hope the retirement plan is worth it.

6. Moblogging, specifically, this.

7. My baby asleep in the room, listening to Scarborough Country on TV. Never again.

8. Drinking a full U.S. quart of "Organic Apple Juice" followed by a 2 shot espresso for breakfast, then leaving for a 40 mile drive. No gas station lavatory unvisited enroute.

9. He gave us this, and since then so much more. Vicariously I consumed his site, even copied his source code to a text editor to learn.
I bought and kept books based solely on his reviews. I burned holes through three blogging tools before hearing of typepad (from his site, no less). When given the opportunity to show us a thing or two, anything, that something could be gained from typepad, he gave us this. Weblogs, baseball, kung-fu movies? E tu? At least you're not alone. I think that standard blurb still appears on the Not a Dollar Short About Page. It's been something like 6 months since, but it's a wound still fresh (too dramatic?).

10. Speaking of fresh wounds, I bought EToys stock in 2001 prior to their final Christmas about nine months before some banker welded the door shut. Still miss that money, so it qualifies for 2003.

10 Best Tools, Special Recognition

Typepad, of course. Sine qua non.

10 Best Tools of 2003

With a nod to Mr. Kelly's excellent and recommended book (see column left, greater review to follow), I present the following as an incomplete list, best I could come up with under circumstances. So, with no further ado and appearing in no order whatsoever:

1. Venta Airwasher. Part humidifier, part filter, all good. This little german number increased the ambient humidity in our bedroom 17% and greatly decreased the airborne particulate in the room. Easy to clean and maintain. A+

2. Money Clip Knife. Very handy, rescued Christmas by opening presents. Check your local hardware, this price is steep. Recommended.

3. Cepacol Gargle. Seven sore throats down the line, this travel sized package has earned honors at every beckon call. Ever wake with a tickle in your throat, ever try to sleep through the misery of a raw, inflamed larynx? I promise relief and swear by this product. Available as well as a spray and lozenge, so something for everyone. Five Gold Stars.

4. Smith's Rosebud Salve. Chapped lips, rough skin at elbows, baby rashes, household chemical burns . Cures all. Short of frostbite, this product should be in your medicine cabinet. First prepared by a druggist in 1892, he obviously has passed on and gave the formula to loved ones. With a savvy ad campaign, and proper product placement, it may just outlive Coke. Apat Award for Best Product of 1892 Still Being Manufactured.

5. 39 Dollar Glasses. Prescription Glasses - frame and lenses, not just one, but two lenses, for thirty nine bucks. Your prescription may add a bit to cost, but price adjustments are reasonable (prism's, tint, blast proof lenses all add a bit). Why doesn't my Optical Insurance use them as a preferred retailer. I'll probably never know. Apat Consumers Friend Award, with Three High Fives (both hands).

6. Key Kop. A lockable keychain. Recently keys have begun freeing themselves from my jailer's ring, midstride. Much fumbling in the street ensues, as I try to retrieve them (some are very fast). I found this product via google, and I like it. I haven't used it yet, but just the idea alone merits inclusion here. Just don't lose the key. Three Silver Stars.

7. Everyday Print. A godsend. I needed something printed. My usual on line go to guys must have been on vacation, cause nothing on their site worked. This one, however, did and does, consistently, with a clean interface and easy to follow directions. I was very impressed. Four Bronze Paintbrushes.

8. Greatest Clock on Earth. I can say no more. Just look.

9. Sanford Metallic Sharpie. This is the product many were waiting for. It's a permanent pen with shiny metal ink. It writes on anything, but is at home on dark surfaces. Handy clip on cap to secure pen to your person. I'm out of awards, so thumbs up.

10. Command Adhesive Hooks. Honey, I wanted a hook there, DONE. How about there, DONE. There, DONE. Jesus, that's way too many hooks! Holds on strongly/Comes off cleanly/No surface damage. That's on the package for a reason, folks. Cause it works. The good people of 3M keep inventing adhesive products to make our lives easier. I would love to see the 3M model home, on second thought, I wouldn't. Use in Moderation Award, 12/2003.

Thank you for toughing it out. I am in awe. Not at the list mind you. Between baby needs and a toddler spending the evening trying to insinuate herself into my socks, literally, this list took 2 hours, 21 minutes to create (fun in the apat household!)