As gas prices have risen and risen and risen some more, the “lightbulb” in my head didn’t flicker on until the other week.  It’s been depressing enough seeing a gallon go up 10 cents at a time every few days.  Even worse though?  For those borderline OCD people like myself, there was a subtle shift in my pumping habits.  Ever since I’ve been pumping gas as a teen, I find the need to have the total amount end in ‘0’ or ‘5’.  This means that if the pump automatically stops at $38.88, I need to quickly pump the gas price up to $38.90.

I will begin to have a semi-regular series called “Signs I’m Getting Older”.  I understand I’m not the oldest person reading this blog but as a 35-year old I can start to relate to some signs of Old Fogy-ness.  Let’s reiterate – I’m only dipping my toe into old age.  I want to be at least 50 before I consider myself knee-deep in the pool.

I have an addiction.

It’s sending my life into a Death Spiral with Satan.

I could stop it if I wanted to but I don’t want to.

I don’t think any of us are fans of door-to-door salesmen but I did get a good laugh last night.  Each year the Atlanta Journal-Constitution sends out college-aged kids to try to sell subscriptions.  A kid in his early 20s rang the doorbell last evening and I opened the door, Katie in one arm, with a “What am I being interrupted for?” scowl on my face.  It’s a good idea to have a kid with you because you can claim that it’s bedtime and you have no time for talking.

&n ...

Even though my bloodlines hearken back to stoic Protestant stock, where outbursts of emotion aren’t encouraged and are frowned upon, I don’t have a problem with people showing emotion.  Heck, I’m not exactly a “keep it bottled in” guy when I get frustrated.  People being outwardly happy don’t bother me if it’s a spontaneous reaction.

I’ve noticed there is a specific pattern for any college graduation.

I’ve never been into video games.  I’ve got nothing against them and actually enjoy watching others play but I rarely played them myself.  For whatever reason, even though I consider myself relatively athletic, I simply don’t have the hand-eye coordination necessary for success in video games.  There have been a few exceptions, like most golf games and Tetris, but those are rare cases.  In addition, being tethered to a computer screen all day at work makes me less wanting to plop down in front of the TV for something in addition to my normal TV shows and movies I watch.

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Let's get it out in the air first - Crocs are ugly.  Some would use the term "fugly" to describe them and they'd be right.  While they are perfect for jobs like surgeon or maybe lifeguard, where it doesn't matter if you get them wet, I can see the allure in wearing them even though it looks as though someone wrapped technicolor Swiss cheese around your feet.  They are amazingly light but that doesn't hide the overlying fact that they are hideous to look at.

My 4 year old daughter tends to be very "un-James-like" in ter ...

I’ve got meetings all day today so no time to compose anything.  In the meantime, enjoy the first two clips I’ve uploaded to youtube involving my loco daughters.

This first one is Ally in February 2007.  The radio sidetracked her from brushing her teeth.  She was also just learning to use headbands at the time.

[begin Proud Husband Moment]

After 2 ½+ years, Megan officially earned her Master’s degree yesterday.  Once she passes her board exams, she will officially become a Nurse Practitioner.  So while my brain is filled with far-too-much useless info like the 1984 Detroit Tigers starting lineup and every Guns N Roses song ever made, she’s actually putting her brain to use with information that can actually do stuff like, you kno ...

Does peer pressure ever really end for guys?  My guess is 'No' based on an experience at work yesterday.  One of the guys bought us all pints of Ben & Jerry’s (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for yours truly) and passed them around yesterday afternoon.  It was a very thoughtful gesture while we’re knee-deep in the middle of a software testing iteration.  Now normally I’ll show some self-restraint and eat my Ben & Jerry’s pints, on the rare occasions that I do have them, in either 3 or 4 days.