Life with the Two Crazy Dogs

Step-daughter (SD) called me on Monday while I was at work.

Me: Hey you, how are you doing?
SD: Good I guess. You busy?
Me: I can be.
SD: Are you sitting down?
Me: Yah, what’s up?
(I was wondering if her grandma passed away or something bad happened to someone.)
SD: You are going to be a grandma.
Me: WHAT?? What the hell are you talking about? Are you serious? (Laughed)
SD: Serious. Found out just now.
Me: ‘k, tell me the whole scoop.

Apparently SD went for her annual physical and doc asked her when was her last period. Since she has not had her period for almost 12 months, the doc said she will do a pregnancy test. Doc said will call her with the results. As soon as she got home, doc called her and told her the results came back positive.

SD was freaking out - not sure how to tell her mom and dad. I told her she is an adult, they can’t tell you what to do and not to do. Her mom should not be pissed coz she was in the same boat before, and her dad, he will laugh and say his famous saying, “That’s what you guys need right now.” SD asked how to tell him. Will he get angry? What is the best time to call dad. Told her that her dad will not be angry. He will probably just kinda laugh and tease her and her BF. She said she felt like a big stone is sitting on her shoulders right now. Poor girl. I laughed at her, too.

The problem now is she has been drinking and smoking. What will happen to the fetus? She is worried and that is why she is freaking out. She said she want a f-king cigarette so bad but can’t and her BF wants a stiff drink but can’t either. They are both getting dry. BF had a DUI 2 weeks ago and was tased on his ass by the cop for trying to run away from getting a breath analyzer. License suspended and needs to go to court next month.

I will be seeing SD tomorrow and will find out what’s her outcome from her appointment with the Ob-Gyn. Gonna be interesting.

Both SD and BF kept calling us Grandpa, Grandma!! SD has not told her mom yet. Her mom is on vacation at Mexico. I will be interested to know if her mom will bitch at her. DB said she will.

It’s freaking snowing again. This snow fall is going to be worse than last week’s. Light snow right now and by tomorrow morning when it’s time for the morning commute, we will have around 4 inches. Sweet!! This band of snow storm will last till Friday night early Saturday. The worse will be tomorrow with wind gusts up to 30mph, and tomorrow is the night I will be going for my concert at the MN orchestra hall.

DB had the snow blower all ready. Told him to fire her up so that the neighbor across us will know we do have a snow blower. He came over to clear up the driveway twice. He thought we don’t have a snowblower. That was nice of him. With the coming snowfall of 10 inches, DB has to clear the snow off the roof since the roof of this house needs to be replaced so badly.

Will see how the roads are on Friday, might be a snow day!!!

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

We had about 6 to 7 inches of snow from yesterday through today.

I didn’t feel like doing shit today. Putzed around - watched stuff that DB recorded on the PVR while drinking my cuppa Folgers and then had my usual breakfast of oatmeal.

Head to the office and work on my paper and jacked with Slide.com with my Montana pictures and read my sis’ blog and had my music on. After 3 hours on my ass, came out and gave DB shit for nothing.

DB came out, we yakked and he looked out the front door (I didn’t pull the blinds up today - not in the mood). Low and behold, the driveway and walkway were plowed. The neighbours did snow-blow our driveway again.

DB was not happy at all. He said he feels obligated now. He was POed on his day off. He was actually getting ready to go out to blow the driveway. We were prepping our lunch and he was to take care of the driveway and patio and I was going out for my walk with the boys. We were in no hurry as it was still snowing and the snow is not going anywhere.

Got our chow in out I went for my walk/run with the boys. The temp was nice for me (28 degrees F). Most of the sidewalks were cleared up except for the main ones on the county roads.

When the boys and I got back, DB was working on the patio - sweating his butt off.

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

Check out Ah Pek’s new blog. Aiya, Ah Pek want some publicity and need shit load of links to his new blog. I will help out this Louyeh.

Good luck, Ah Pek.

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

I received the Marlboro sweepstakes entry to win a 4-day, 3-night VIP trip to the Indy 500 race during the Memorial weekend in May. Again, this sweepstakes is from Phillip Morris. I was debating if I should sign up for this sweepstakes. DB said I should go ahead and sign up for it.

Even though I quit smoking, I didn’t unsubscribe from Phillip Morris’ website. Why? Maybe I will go back to smoking again and receive coupons from PM for Marlboro Lights. I actually did light up again last year, but I quit two weeks ago. Again, I quit because DB told me had cravings for booze. SHIT!! Here I am picked up a cigi whenever I feel like having one, and he can’t crack a beer when he wants to have a brewsky. Made up my mind pretty much right away and cut down my smokes within a week and the following week, I completely snuffed out the last one and had not had one since. I still have a whole carton in the Monte and I have not touch them.

I signed up for the entry yesterday while I was at work. I was thinking what the heck. I can bring along DB on the 4-day, 3-night trip to Indianapolis for the ultimate racing experience which includes VIP suite tickets, garage and infield passes, Hot Lap ride on the speedway, airfare, hotel, meals and more which I assume gifts again!!! YES, YES!!!

I would prefer NASCAR over Formula One racing, however, beggars can’t be choosers. Hopefully, by March 30th, I will see the FedEx truck again.

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

The meteorologists said the metro will get 4 - 10 inches of snow by Sunday. The snow started last night. It was more like a dusting. Got up this morning and surprised, not even an inch. Southeast of MN like Winona had about a foot. Looked out the window and what I really saw was sleet and gail force wind.

DB and I went to Cubs for our weekly groceries and the store was packed. I am sure folks want to get their groceries in before the roads got bad. I’m glad DB drove. The roads were slippery from the sleet and snow. DB enjoyed the slid and slide and at times he did it on purpose.

Came home and the boys and I went for our walk. It was not too bad out there, a little slippery in spots. When we got home, time for the boys’ bath. Do they hate baths. Got them in one at a time and their normal routine after their baths - clean their ears. Now they smell like a pharmacy and the smell of wet dogs.

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

I was tagged by Samm with this 5 reasons why I blog. Let’s see, I started this blog sometime in July of 2006 but didn’t do anything to it. it was sitting in Blogger collecting dust.

Then in November, backside itchy, I started writing down my rants on what’s going on in general with my life; how Mr Fart Monster drives my up the frigging wall; school and just plain old world on a spiral bound college rule book. So, DB told me I should blog since it’s the in-thing to do to journal your thoughts.

1. Journal my thoughts
It’s kinda dumb to write something on a book where I can’t even read my own handwriting. Thanks to modern technology, my handwriting is getting crappier and crappier.

2. Keep my sis posted
It’s the quickest way to update my sis what’s going on with me thousand of miles away from home.

3. Network
It’s a great way to make friends.

4. Learn and learn
I have to admit I have learned so much since I started blogging and still is.

5. Blog for money?
Initially I thought of monetized my blog, but writing pay per post will take up a lot of my time from school and personal life. Gotta make time for my daily walks and runs.

And this tag shall end here.

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

Aiya, I know I’m late. Wishing all of you folks Gong Xi Fa Cai. May the year of piggie brings you tons of happiness and wealth.

My CNY was spent with Simmie and Jenn Peninsula restaurant. I didn’t take any pictures…camera kaputed. So, if you want to see the pictures, you gotta hop over to Simmie’s blog picture gallery.

This evening after our dinner I asked DB if he wants to accompany me to this performance on March 2, 8 pm at the Minnesota Orchestra Hall. His facial expression was enough to tell me I have to go by myself. His expression was as if I poisoned him. Yes, that bad.

He didn’t bother to ask me what the performance was about. I asked my aiyah brother about it a week ago and he recommended I should go for this performance. He said the “ein deutsches requiem” is performed once in a blue moon because it requires quite a big chorus. It is about 75 minutes long and has 7 movements and it’s sung in German. There is an English version but it’s hardly ever performed. It has become the signature piece to remember the people who died in the September 11 tragedy.

Now I have to find someone to go with me. If not, I will have to go on my own. Gotta do it quick tho as the good seats are running out.

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

We were watching CSI last night in separate rooms – I was in the bedroom watching and reading my text book at the same (like I got a lot of reading done, huh?) and DB was watching on the big screen with the surround sound all on HIGH. Towards the end of the show, his cell phone rang and he ignored it. Two minutes later, it rang again which he ignored it again. Less than 10 seconds, the damn phone rang again and he let out all the f-enheimers and answered it. When he is into his favorite show, he will not answer the phone whether it’s landline or cell.

He answered it and conversation went on passed 9 where his other favorite came on – ER. When he was done with the call:

DB: Guess who called?
Me: God knows. Who the hell was it?
DB: Marial…
Me: Shit, what does she wants now?
DB: Same thing from last year. She asked if we could help her if she comes over here.
Me: What sort of help is she asking for?
DB: She wants to come here to work. She will get her way here and she would need to live with us and work. She will leave her kid with her mom in Sungkai.
Me: Did she get her visa done yet?
DB: Nope. Wonder how she’s going to get that done especially if she has a open-ended ticket. Remember how difficult it was for you to get a visa – three tries. Maybe it will be ok for her since she came here before.
Me: What did you tell her?
DB: I told her to get her visa first then call me and we will talk about it. I’m hoping she won’t get the visa.
Me: Lets say she got the visa, we need to accommodate her, and how in the world she’s going to file for alien work authorization with INS and a social security card with a tourist visa?
DB: Son of a bitch!!! I knew this was coming from her soon.
Me: Lets not worry about it till we hear from her. (Fucking-eh!!!)

Something to look forward to in the near future.

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

Yesterday was our 10th year wedding anniversary and I forgot about it. I remembered it last week but this whole week, I totally spaced it out.My co-worker and I went for MS Access training this whole week and then doctor’s appt yesterday and I still didn’t remember the big ten. When I walked out the house, DB gave me a card and I asked him “What is this for?” Duhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! Crappo, man.

Got to work, went upstairs to the convenience store to get DB a card. All the store had were shitty cards. I went on with the day and then a call came from the receptionist that I have flowers in the lobby. Oh man, didn’t expect flowers from DB.

After work, drove to Rainbow and got him a card, a tray of shrimp and a strawberry shortcake. When I got home I gave him the surprised purchase, he said I knew you were up to something. No emails or calls. You don’t have to do that, you know.” Shit man, I felt so guilty for forgetting it.This weekend, we will be going to either Viva Italia, Houlihans or Jakes.

http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping

I know, I know, I have not been updating my blog for the longest time. I apologize for that.

I have been working on my school assignments almost every night. The thing is I have to read other blogs first before I start on my assignments. This week’s was the third week. The instructor is a blast. He keeps telling us he is a “middle age white dude” whose son calls him a jackass. I am glad he has such great sense of humor. This weeks class was full of profanities. That’s my kind of instructor. We were having discussions on stuff and social values like why do people buy a big ass SUV like a GMV Yukon when they know it a gas guzzler; why does IPod always refers to teenagers and young adults; what is the wave about the flat screen TV that fills up the entire wall of the basement.

Besides working on my school assignments – read chapter after chapters, I started on my piano practicing and studying on my theory. I am so use to the ABRSM music terms, I have to learn the American ones now. For example, a semibreve is term as whole note; a minim is half note, and a crotchet is quarter note. My ai-yah brother sent me books on music theory (American version) which helped tremendously as I was going to the internet to search for them.

In addition to these books he sent me, he sent me Bela Bartok’s Mikrokosmos. Bartok was a Hungarian piano teacher. According to ai-aiah brother, Bartok invented a unique piano teaching method called “Mikrokosmos” which is being used today by some teachers. There are a total of 153 pieces (from grade 1 to grade 6). Many teachers don’t like to use the Mikrokosmos piano teaching method because the pieces are not tuneful so the students will lose their interest very quickly. Which is precisely the reason why Bartok invented this piano teaching method. He believed that learning the piano is just like learning to read or write in any language. Learning to play the piano is also a science. If you want to master reading and playing (and ultimately composing music), you must not rely on your ear to tell you whether what you’re playing is right or wrong.

So here I am trying to figure out Bartok’s brilliant invention on top my school stuff, run, piano and watch my evening shows – 24, CSI, ER and now Survivor.