Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Dan's LiveJournal:

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Tuesday, September 4th, 2001
2:37 pm	New Doggie! Hey Y'all! My family and I are adopting a Greyhound!!! This is from a group who rescues racing greyhounds who can no longer race, and gets them adopted into good homes. We met "champ" (name change pending - something a little more feminine I think!) last night and she got along great w/ our other dog (Jamie - a Husky/Shephard mix) and everyone loved her... Will be quite an experience introducing her to our home and our family, but she will end up being an absolutely wonderful pet... You can see our new doggie (Getting her this evening) at the following site: http://www.gemgreyhounds.org/available/N%27s%20Flowerchild.htm Wish us luck - the adjustment period is often a little strained, but we are looking forward to it all! (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, August 27th, 2001
8:51 am	Monday Monday (da da, da da da ) Preety good weekend, all things considered... Friday evening was our High School's first Home Football game, and our daughter Ashley's first time playing with the marching band at the game (flute).. It was much fun, an exciting game, won by Perry (us) w/ some last minute heroics which were quite exciting. Spent Saturday at the Michigan Rennaissance Festival, lots of fun.... Always enjoy Ren Faires - I have friends who sold Jewelry at the New Your Ren Fest, and I often went there and helped out.. Signed Andrew (14) up for an Ice Hockey league (what he has always wanted), and finally convinced him to play Football for school (the coach and everyone have been pleading with him - he is an excellent player- but he was put off by the time commitment etc. However, Joanne and I have really gotten to love watching him play, so he finally agreed (providing his grades keep up).. Today is the first day of school - all the kids are excited, hope all goes well... My wife received her last check from the college until the beginning of October, as the school has 4 sessions per year, and this is the break... ...Sure wish I had played the Powerball game!!! (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2001
7:43 am	Another Day..... Ah..another day dawns, bright with promise and hope for the future! This Monday we received our kids class assignments for elementary school - our youngest, Jacob, got the teacher we really wanted, but his older brother Paul was put in the one class that we absolutely did NOT want him in! Grrrrr! All three of the older children had been in Mrs Parker's class - she is a great teacher who we have an excellent relationship with. She team teaches w/ Mrs Brown, an older burned-out woman who is great w/ the academics but has absolutely no patients w/ kids being kids. We had stated very specificly that we wanted Paul in Mrs. Parker's class. Joanne and I were furious. I called the principal and explained my concerns. He and I are friendly, as I am an officer of the PTO and we work together on many things. He asked that I write an explanation for why we wanted the move. I did so, and it came out pretty well, if I do say so myself! Anyway, the next day I received a call stating that Paul had been placed in Mrs. Parker's room! YIPPEE!! (it pays to have a little influence around there - they do NOT like to switch the kids once assigned).. Anyway, tonight is "Kindergarden Roundup", where all the new kindergarden parents and kids are introduced to the teachers and the school. I will be there, manning the PTO table and trying to recruit volunteers for events throughout the year... Hope everyone is well and good on the fine day-o'-the hump! (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, August 17th, 2001
4:03 pm	Goodbye for now, my friends.... Heading home for the weekend.. should be a relatively mellow one (I hope!) ************************************** I hope that everyone has a great weekend, fun, relaxing, or productive, or some appropriate combination! ************************************** By the way, Ashley was excepted into the senior - level jazz and tap classes at the new dance school - woohoo! I guess she had a great audition.. Now to rob a bank to pay for all of it!! ************************************** Hugs, smiles, cuddles & pinches (where appropriate!) See Ya! (3 Comments |Comment on this)
8:22 am	A Fine Friday! Ah, today is Friday, and I am in fine spirits.. why? I don't rightly know!! But, hey, why not? Today my daughter Ashley (14) tries out for a new Dance Studio..she and Laura (almost 12) have been going to the local studio for 5 years, but that studio has just lost it's energy and drive,and as Ashley has aspirations of dancing proffesionally, she feels she needs to take some classes at some more competition minded schools. So, she is auditioning her tap and jazz routines this AM.. She may also try to get into a very good Irish dancing school in Lansing, as that is another of her styles and interests... Laura will likely follow for some classes, but both will remain back at the original studio for some classes, as they are both assistant teachers, and my wife is a teacher there as well.... This weeekend I think that we are finally going to get our pool fixed up as it should be - it has been used extensively this very hot summer, but is still in need of reinforcement and repair along the side that collapsed inward earlier... School is starting soon.. sheesh - two kids entering HIGH SCHOOL!! EEEK! Academic Challenges, social hazzards, sex-drugs & rock and roll.. scary stuff!! (Gee, I wish I was young again!! LOL).. Best wishes to al my friends.. Hugs and smiles... ************** An' I said, hey, pretty lady, won'cha gi'me a sign I'd give anything to make you mine all mine I'll do your biddin' an' be at your beckon call Yeah, I never seen anyone lookin' so fine Man, I gotta have her, she's a one-of-a-kind I'm goin' once, goin' twice, I'm sold! On the lady in the second row She's an eight, she's a nine, she's a ten, I know She's got ruby red lips, brown hair, blue eyes An' I'm about to bid my heart good-bye! *********************************************** (10 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, August 16th, 2001
4:24 pm	Welcome Applepiegirl! I would like to welcome the Lovely Applepiegirl AKA Nat to my circle of friends.. Thanks, Sir Tom, for introducing me to this cool lady... Gee, I might have to actually resume posting here since people may be looking! Everyone have a splendid evening, and I shall see one and all tomorrow, with smiles and lovely perverted wishes for all! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, August 2nd, 2001
8:49 am	Ring and Fling EDS gave all of it's employees 100 shares of company stock, at the discount price of $42. They became vested yesterday, and I sold them right away, as the stock was at $63. This netted me enough $ to finally buy Joanne the Diamond Wedding Ring that I have wanted to get her for 5 years... We put in the finally order for it last night, and it will be ready in 10 days.. Very pretty, w/ a .45 carot round diamond, and two .5 diamonds on either side.... it is a set, w/ a nice additional band alongside.. very pretty.... Leaving tomorrow for resort in Indiana w/ family.. will be gone through monday at the following location: http://www.frenchlick.com/ (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, July 30th, 2001
8:01 am	Stupid Labels Subject: How stupid are we really In case you needed further proof that the human race is DOOMED through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods: On a Sear's hairdryer: " Do not use while sleeping." (Gee that's the only time I have to work on my hair.) On a bag of Fritos: "You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside." (The shoplifter special) On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: Use like regular soap." (And that would be how ...?) On some Swanson frozen dinners: "Serving suggestion: Defrost." (But its "just" a suggestion) On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom): "Do not turn upside down." (Too late!) On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: "Product will be hot after heating." (As night follows day . . .) On packaging for a Rowenta iron: "Do not iron clothes on body." (But wouldn't this save me more time?) On Boot's Children Cough Medicine: "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication." (We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off those forklifts.) On Nytol Sleep Aid: "Warning: May cause drowsiness." (One would hope.) On most brands of Christmas lights: "For indoor or outdoor use only." (As opposed to what?) On a Japanese food processor: "Not to be used for the other use." (I gotta admit, I'm curious.) On Sainsbury's peanuts: "Warning: contains nuts." (Talk about a news flash.) On an American Airlines packet of nuts: "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts." (Step 3: Fly Delta.) On a child's superman costume: "Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly." (I don't blame the company. I blame parents for this one.) On a Swedish chainsaw: "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals." (Was there a lot of this happening somewhere? My God!) (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, July 6th, 2001
11:02 am	New Car - Yippee!! -etc! Well.. Today is a good day - we went car shopping yesterday, and came home w/ a new (2001) Dodge Grand Caravan Sport! Silver in color, very very nice.. Kids are ecstatic, Joanne is very pleased (as it is her primary vehicle) - are old 1994 conversion van was big and ugly and everyone was sick of it -so it is adiosville! For the same payment, more or less, we have a brand new car that everyone really likes! Yeah! My father and family are taking all of us to a resort in Indiana in early August..(http://www.frenchlick.com/)..I made the reservations w/ their credit card # - and had to call first to say "are you REALLY SURE????" - cause, for the rooms alone, for 4 days - it cost over $3,300!! Holy Shit!.. But, Joan (Dad's wife) said that was about what she expected, and it was worth it - sheesh!) .. Anyway, it should be a whole lot of fun - looking forward to it - lots of activities, broadway shows, etc!) .. In addition, Joanne and I are thinking of spending a romantic night at a Bed and Breakfast we just found out about - it is only about 40 minutes from home (http://www.bonnymillinn.com/).. So - life it good, good lovin', good friends, good car!, nice weather..etc.. One sad thing - Jacob (our youngest - my baby!) is 7 today, but I am working here all day, then at the restaurant all night! :-( I can't really get out of it, which is too bad, as the family is going up to a huge fireworks festival in Bay City - HAH - it was my idea too!) Oh well.. as long as Jake and the family have fun, things will be ok.. Love and laughter to all! Daniel (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, June 26th, 2001
9:43 am	911 Hah! what a way to start the day! Woke up, rolled out of bed and as I made my way toward the bathroom i kicked the phone off the hook..Put in back on after fumbling a bit in the dark, and by the time I got to the bathroom (5-8 seconds) the phone was ringing! (this was at 4:45am).. I answered the phone w/ a perplexed "Hello?" The reply: "Sherrif's Dept 911 - we just got a hangup at this # - is everything OK?"!!!! LOL Lord! "Sorry officer, I just knocked the phone off the hook.." "So your sure everything is OK there?" "Yes, everything is fine.. sorry to bother you ".. Geez - it not only amazed me that I could accidentally dieal 911 while just hanging up the phone (no, we don't have it on speed-dial!), but also that 911 responded w/in 10 seconds - THAT is reassuring! * Then - went outside, took a pile of assorted garage trash and unwanted object, tossed them in the van, and drove to the restaurant where Joey and I work, and filled their dumpster!.. * Then I came back, switched cars, and tried to get going, but the car loudly clanged, grumbled, and decided it was staying put. So I took the van to work, and left Jo w/ the unhappy automobile... *** Had a wonderful day yesterday helping move Father Matt from our church rectory to his new home in Lansing. A huge crew showed up to get everything packed up and loaded onto trailers, trucks, avans and cars.. Drove to Lansing, unloaded all the stuff, ate sloppy joes etc . Then, everyone left, but I stayed behind and helped him get all his elcectronis set up (TV, stereo, computer, VCR and move stuff around.. Afterward, I met him back at our rectory and helped him re-arrange the furniture to where it was 10 years ago when he showed up... I will miss him -though 30 years my senior, he is an amazing man and a kindred spirit.. though I am not a Confirmed Catholic, our common education, knowledge, and understanding of life makes our friendship refreshing...he understands my more expansive view of religion and spirituality, and sees no reason for my to convert to Catholicism, given my level of understanding.. Now he is going to be the Director of Formation for the Diocese, helping guide other people into the ministry... Very cool... (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, June 21st, 2001
8:08 am	What a morning! Sheesh! Well, my friends.. Haven't posted here in a while - too busy everywhere else! --- But this AM I feel I need to document the events of the morning... Woke up and went into the bathroom, where i had finished mortaring in the piece of Marble in the doorway, to complete the newly tiled bathroom floor. Went out to the garage to get the bathroom door, which I had been sanding down so it would fit w/ the marble in place. When I was there, I heard the sound of a small waterfall out in the pool area (eek!)... I went out to find that the little boys had left the hose running into the pool, and now the pool had overflowed at the skimmer and filled the trench we had dug to work on the collapse! AND - today is the day that our friend comes over to begin the repair of the pool wall! Great timing kids!!! Sooo... I got the pump going on "Waste" mode, pumping water out of the pool and out the garage window into the yard.... I then brought the door inside, tried it, and it was still to big for the marble! So - I brought the door back out to the garage, in the process noticing that the water from the side of the garage is beginning to flow onto the driveway and creep toward the garage doors. So, I dug a runoff channel so the water would flow down the driveway, rather than up. Then I finished sanding the door to where it needed to be. HOWEVER - while I was doing that, I overloaded the electrical circuit and the breaker went out! (so the sander, lights, pump, and meat freezer went out)... So, I went down to the breaker box, which is in our oldest boy's room. Quietly trying not to disturb the two boys in the bed, I attempted to kick a blanket out of the way to get to the breaker.. Unfortunately, the blanket turned out to contain Andrew's friend, who was sleeping over. He awoke and let me around, where I did in fact flip the breaker and get things on again. Of course, as I made my way toward the garage, I could hear the sander loudly making it's way around the garage on it's own! Anyway, finally got the door in place and fitting, and was able to get a shower, clean the kitchen and do the dishes, and still get out and to work on time!!!! Heck..it was actually kinda fun! (of course, that's probably cause all worked out OK, you know?) Current Mood: amused Current Music: I donwanna work - I jus wanna bang on de drum all day! (11 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, June 11th, 2001
8:04 am	Good Morning, chicas Y chicos! Good Morning friends! I hope all is just fine with y'all, and that your weekends were pleasant and/or productive (which ever you wanted it to be).. Mine was both pleasant and productive, sunny and rainy, relaxing and hardworking....Got to meet some of Joanne's relatives who I did not know before at a graduation party for one of her cousins - that was cool (two Aunts who are pretty cool..they had been hearing about ME for a looooong time -LOL, good thing the didn't try to kill me - LOL!).. Finished tiling the bathrooom, cleaned a bunch of the garage, did some weed-whacking, had some good loving, worked at the restaurant, went to a championship hockey game for Andrew which ended up being called off due to a sudden deluge, etc etc etc.. All in all a good weekend.. I am in good spirits.. Very Glad to have an LJ by Tony on line now - I'm sure we will be treated to many profound, profane, and hilarious ravings - and learn a lot more about him and Paula.. Way Cool.............................. (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 31st, 2001
8:47 am	Geesh!!! Well, y'all.. After spending over $700 to have our Van fixed up in a number of ways, I was driving home, enjoying the 4 brand new tires and the great handling w/ the new tie rods etc, when the rottn car just slowed up and died..kaput.. Got it started after a brief wait (semis zooming by constantly, 2 feet away), and managed to get another 200 yards before it kicked the bucket, and would not regain consciousness!. Shit, as they say! So... I walked the 1/4 mile to the next exit, then the 2.5 miles to the nearest gas station/ store. Put my $ in the pay phone ( 8 miles from home, but a long distance call nonetheless), and reached my daughter, who absolutely could not hear a thing I said! Rotten good for nothing pay phone! So, I went inside, and asked the cashier whether I could use the phone. She let me try, but when it turned out to be a long distance call, she refused to let me call, as "we are not allowed to let people make long distance calls"!!! Flipping drone! (Ve arr only following orders!!).. Fortunately, a customer who heard my rant at the girl lent me his cell phone, and I called Joanne - she was NOT pleased, but handled it fairly well, and eventually came and picked me up. We then went to the NEXT exit and called AAA (thenak god for them!), then went back to the Van, which was still dead as a doornail (? What does that mean, anyhow?).. Eventually, the tow truck came, and hauled the Van up and away, and brought it to our town, to our local mechanic's shop (closed).. Then the Tow Truck driver and I checked the car out, and, low and behold (another mystery phrase!) the problem seemed to be nothing more than the negative battery cable being loose! Seems that when they replaced the H20 pump, they had to disconnect the Alternator and battery stuff, and did not tighten the cable sufficiently! Geez... So... I went to work at the restaurant (2 hours late!), then afterword walked over, tightened the cable, and drove home! Quite a fiasco, but luckily it didn't cost me anything but time (and the change lost in the payphone!)..AAA is great, free towing.. Ah well..twas an interesting episode, and I got a little exercise out of it all! See ya! Current Mood: amused Current Music: Bob Dylan..Tangled up in Blue (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 24th, 2001
8:37 am	Tis written in the Stars.... Dear Daniel, here is your horoscope for May 24, 2001. The odds are you'll be feeling a surplus of energy and strength today, Daniel, so now is the time to look around and find those jobs that require both. Whatever you wind up doing, you'll probably have energy left over afterward to reward yourself for a job well done with a night on the town. Paint the town red! When the night out is over, spend some time with someone special. Your energy and strength will serve you well in this area too. Yeehaa..ooolaaalaah! (Comment on this)
8:30 am	Yello Y'all Hello.. Howareya.. I'm Arnold Hooorshak.. Haw..Haw..Haw....! (LOL - Welcome back Kotter was the big thing in 9th grade - I remember when it debuted, and everyone was talking about it the next day in homeroom!) Feeling better today, and that is very good.. Kids got confirmed last night - went fine, despite a large argument w/ Ashley immmediately prior because she was angry that we thought it innapropriate for her to wear a low cut revealing dress for confirmation! (was gratified when Father Matt mentioned how nice it was to see the kids all dressed up, how it showed respect).. Have to call a little league coach and argue with him about our girl switching to another team (woohoo! What fun!) Laura had requested to be on the team w/ her best friend, for comradery as well as car-pool reasons. Didn't work out. As it turned out, another girl wanted to switch from the OTHER team, as her friends were all there. The coach of the team that Laura wants to be on was fine with it, but apparently the other coach was a complete arsehole about it when the other girl's parents called him. Sheesh.... silly me - I thought that children's sports were about - CHILDREN!!! - , not adults being petty and stupid. Wrongo, Charley Tuna.. I will letcha all know what transpires.... (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2001
8:10 am	Thanks for the thoughts...Andy's OK Thanks everyone for the concern for Andrew - he will be OK... He was playing flag football in Gym and went to tag someone who was standing on the other side of a doorway - he didn't know that the floor there was wet (the door had been open while raining) and he sliped and whacked himself on both sides of the doorframe. He had an ugly gash on his head (guess it was pretty bloody - he said some of the kids in the class sleaned it up! THAT surprised me!), but a few stitches took care of it. Also had a nasty cut on his shin, and it will likely be awfully bruised today.... Doc said he had a mild concussion (blacked out for a few seconds), so we did the "wake him up periodically and make sure he is alive" thing for a while (he was, LOL)... He will be OK - has to go to the orthodontist, cause he tore a band of his front tooth.. Otherwise, all is alright.... No biggie, in the long run - just general kid shytt. Tanks, y'all... see ya soon! (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, May 21st, 2001
8:37 am	Good Morning, People........... Hey there! Well, busy weekend, but it all went well... I was away from the PC through most of Friday - a water line burst in our work area, flooding down upon a high voltage box! LOL, it was quite a scene.. Luckily, there was no fire or shock , and the water didn't really damage much - but they had to shut the power off for the remainder of the day, and only got it back up at 7:45 AM this am (had to let the circuits dry out over the weekend).. No real harm done (except to one of my fish, who "bit the big one". Had a Biiiizzzzzzzyyyyy weekend! Dress rehearsal for Dance Recital on Friday Night (went great), then three Roller Hockey Games on Saturday (which are held in atown 20 minutes from home) then back for the recital itself (which went great - our girls were wonderful, and Joanne's classes did well. Got to spend time on the catwalk above the audience, tossing down balloons during the finale - THAT was a blast!! (it was cool, cause one of my past lives was in technical theater - both in college, and proffessionally - and it has been 15 years since I was abe to climb around up above it all.. I love my life now, but I sure miss some of my part - Archaeology and theater were really fun jobs. If I didn't have pesky needs like feeding and housing my family, I might still be involved in them!! LOL!! Yesterday, there was ANOTHER hockey game for my little boys' team, and this was great - it was the best of all the games I have seen - tied up back and forth the whole way, and we finally won in OT.. I love this stuff - forget soccer! Today we have a lil cookout for lunch at a colleagues house.. Tonight, I have another hockey game to go to(if it isn't pouring, like they say it might).. Tomorrow is Paul's Birthday (he will be 9).. Already took him to that Redwings game as part of a gift, but we are going to buy him goalie equipment for hockey (that is what he really wants) as well... Yesterday, kids pulled up have the concrete along the damaged side of the pool. We had a friend who is in construction come over and give advice on how to procede - and will help us pour the concrete when we get to that point.. Hopefully we can get this all done in the next couple of weeks.. Also, mother-in -law came over for the recital oh yeah - I also drove 3 hrs round trip on Saturday morning to pick her up, and 3 hrs again on Sunday morning to take her home). She brought some plants for me, which we planted along the pool area - it is becoming quite beautiful - even moreso when the pool is again functional (and blue!) Maybe we will even fix the hot tub this year..who knows? Also, planted some more tomatos (Grape Tomato plants - Joanne loves 'em) and some Cucumbers which are supposed to grow like bushes rather than long trailng vines... Gee.. think that is it for the brief update!! Hope y'all are doing great - se ya soon! Dan Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: Yazzoo - "In my room"... (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 17th, 2001
3:54 pm	OK - here it is.. By request, I am posting in my Journal.. Has been a while I know.. Life was kinda stressed, extreme at work, moderate at home - and busy as all heck.. Things are smooting out now - little time to breath, and to write a lil.. But only a lil, for now (sticking tongue out at Richard!) Tiled the bathroom floor have to finsh tonight, then grout later - big job, but it'll be good. Then the ladies can start on the wallpaper... Two 13 yr olds are on the 8th grade trip to Chicago - so far so good (they are being kept pretty busy) This weekend is totally consumed w/ Dance recital (Joanne is a teacher, two girls are assistants and in about 6 dances each).. I am backstage help (and announcer).. Also, 3 or 4 inline hockey games.. Sheesh... Well,, more later..keep smiling! Dan (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 3rd, 2001
9:46 am	Here, then there.. I head off for Ye Olde Dentist again today..finish a root canal and make impressions (the partially completed root canal tooth had a filling fall out, and it has been quite painful of late).. Washington was great - smooth flights, groovy E-ticketing, hanging out in Foggy Bottom at Nice Hotels, then an interesting ceremony at the National Academy of Sciences.. Enjoyed it much... Hope everyone is doing well... I am fine, x-ept for Tooth ouchies... Joanne and I went out and bout plants and trees last night - that was nice.. We bought a Pear Tree, a Plum Tree, four hanging baskets (for outside in the pool area) and two purple Azaleas (also for the pool area).. Also, planted Bell Pepper and Tomato Plants last night.. Deciding where to place the 14 Gladiolus bulbs I bought.. See Ya.... Current Mood: melancholy Current Music: Smashmouth (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, April 27th, 2001
9:11 am	I'm Baaaaaack Hey y'all.. Ballgame was fun! (This is a repost of a message posted on Jane's MB - was buried so deeply in da pile I figgered no one would ever see it!) ********************************** Yeppers.game was fun - Comerica park is a beautiful new Stadium (Beautiful? - in Detroit, you say? Yeah, believe it or not - it's true). Also, the Tigers won! This is a rather amazing feat, as they have been doing their best to stay in the absolute basement of Major League baseball. They looked like a winning team yesterday ( 8-2 over the Orioles), but that only puts them onto the first step out of the cellar (record is 3 wins, nine losses).. Paul and I had a lot of fun - wheere else do you get to but McDonalds Fries for $3? ************* Tom - Hope you are feeling better! Dennis -Hey bud - thanks for the good thoughts and kind heart Jane - Thanks for the good wishes, and for looking delicious, even while washing dishes! Sumr - Thanks for being so fun and cool, and always keeping in touch! It's great to have you around! Everybody else - thanks for being a cool, caring, humorous, perverted community! (8 Comments |Comment on this)