Are You Kidding Me?

Are You Kidding Me?
Originally uploaded by aham23.

I can't stop thinking about tomorrow. What? No, I can't stop taking pics of Eddie Vedder, the dog. I love him. Later.

Mr Mom Day 10 6:35am

My two week run as Mr Mom is coming to end. Today is the last day. I have been up since 3am today, mostly because I just can't sleep. I am tired. I mean I have been running on short sleep since being called to duty (ha I said duty, you know poo!). We ate at 230am and 6am, but for the most part she has slept well tonight or today or whatever it is.

This two weeks has been something else. I am a man and have no patience, but I think I may have gained a fraction more then I possessed before. I mean when this little person is screaming and you don't know why or how to stop her or how to help her you are forced to control yourself and be the adult and have patience. You know? I have had to walk away and take a deep breathe, but I did and was able to handle the situation. Having a child is a lot of work! Hello, like I am telling the mothers of the world anything new. I am bad at expressing what things like this mean to me.......So I must move on. BUT, I would not give back these two weeks for one billion dollars!

OK, anyone watching My Name Is Earl? Very funny sitcom on NBC Tuesday nights. Jason Lee, Jaime Presley, and some dude who was in Remember the Titans star in it. It's a comedy, but there is no annoying "Laugh Track" just good old humor. I like shows that don't try and tell me what is funny. Watch Joey and you will get what I mean. My Name Is Earl, well not my name, but you should check it out.

Holy Crap Balls Batman, the Chicago White Sox are in the World Series. Fuck yeah a Chicago Baseball Team has finally done it. Albeit not my beloved Cubs, but I don't and won't hate, Go Chi Sox.

What the heck is a man to do at 630am in the morning while his 8 week old baby sleeps. Porn or Poker you say. Yes, online Poker here I come. Later.

Mr Mom, Day Off, 115pm

Loving the Sun
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Yeah it's Sunday and I got a day off, sort of. Wife is home and the Mom in law is up for a visit. Of course she must hold the baby ALL day. I am watchin the Bears, getting ready for the White Sox clinching victory, and maybe even a mountain bike ride!! I still have The Contender fights on Tivo to watch too!!!!!!!!!!! How about the awesome pic of Eddie Vedder, the dog! Later.

Mr Mom, Day 4, 336pm............

I have registered to play in the
Online Poker Blogger Championship!

This event is powered by PokerStars.

Registration code: 6076959

Blah Blah Blah Blah.................HELP.....................Sign up for this freakin poker tourney NOW...........Hello Baby..............Later.


Really, 130am eat, 530am eat, 930am eat, 1230pm eat, and through in some crying, pee and poo and the fact that the fence peeps miss ordered my shit and now it looks like I will have a half done fence for atleast two more weeks..................NO..............NOT the DOORBELL.................Damn you Eddie Vedder, the dog, why must you bark franticly at the doorbell...........NO..........BABY IS UP................NO CRYING...........Piss all over me.....................Later.

Mr Mom, Day 3, 5:53pm

Can I be done after only three days? Wiped out from three days on baby on call duty? Yes put a fork in me. Mr Mom needs reinforcements. Heck, how about a nap?? Oh yeah, the fence guys fucked up the fence. So now I really got "Fence Drama!" Wife is working late tonight, until 10pm. Are you kidding me? I got nothing. Later.

Mr Mom, Day 3, 9:06am

First, being Mr Mom for two weeks I should not have to do double duties (ha I said duties). Meaning someone else has to be Mr Dad. Right? See I got "Fence Drama." Do you remember my "Paint Drama?"

We are getting a vinyl fence and the process started yesterday. Guess who came home from work and was unhappy with the progress of the fence. Yes, the wife who can find the littlest issue and blow it up real good. Something about it didn't look right and the measurements were off and she was panicing because this aint a cheap home improvement or one that would be easy to redo? It's $5k and the post are all cemented in. So in her panic and stress she has them change the length in a spot. After they leave for the day we stare at the damn fence and argue about it all night. We call the sales guy. We are outside in the pitch black fall night trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Finally, we agree that it should be left the way it was intended. Our entire night was stressed to hell over this and ultimately we decide, uh she decides, it should not be changed. They are back today digging a third and final hole for that last post. Just like the "Paint Drama" the attempted changed and assumed dislike was not to be and all stayed the same but not without a little pain.

OK, 230am and 530am was eating time. At 830am we ate again a took a very large green yellow softish poo. Too much info? I never knew my life would be all about baby poo. Currently she is up in her crib contently, wait, forget that she just started screaming. Mr Mom is off. I love coffee. Later.

Mr Mom, Day 2, 2:25pm

Playing Mom sure makes time fly. So it was up at 3am and 6am for feeding time. Baby J is real good not to miss any feedings. Back to bed at 7:00 am until around 8:30am. Two more feedings, a gas and screaming attack, some nap time in her swing, another gas and screaming attack and now in the pack play for a nap. Time for me to wash bottles, baby clothes, let the dog out (if he didnt follow me around everywhere I would probably forget about him), eat lunch, and maybe take a nap, blog, and.......................man how do people do this?? Later.

Mr Mom, Day1, 655pm

At exactly 5pm all hell broke loose. Baby J went crazy with the screams the gas the screams the gas and did I mention the screaming!! Mommy arrived home at exactly 5:05pm to save the day. I now have some time off before duty begins again at 10pm with the bedtime feeding. Then likely 3am and 6am but maybe this will be the day she sleeps through the night? Or not? Off to watch the White Sox's kick some jet lagged Angle arse. Later.

Mr Mom, Day 1, 215pm

Made a trip to Target and Wally World with little trouble. Next feeding is at 3pm and Baby J is back in the swing (God Bless Fischer Price). I tried to lay her down in her crib so we all could take an afternoon nap, but she wanted none of that. So back to the swing, but its downstairs and my nice soft bed is upstairs. I must nap now. I mean I still got hours before the wife is home.........AND the White Sox are on the boob tube tonight. I gotta get my rest. Later.

Mr Mom, Day 1, 8am

Mr Mom was on call last night. Everyone was in bed by 1030pm. First feeding was 3am and back to bed at 4am. Next feeding was 7am with no back to bed time. Currently, the dog is upstairs sleeping solo on my bed in my spot. Baby J is in her swing thing fast asleep. This thing seems a bit violent. It flings her back and forth and has twirling fish with soothing water sounds. She seems to like it? I am online, blogging duh, and paying bills. I think I got this Mr Mom thing nailed. Only 13 more days to go. Wait, today is just getting started? 13.75 days to go? Oh crap the damn music on the swing just shut off. It shuts off every fifteen minutes. WTF? Atleast give us thirty minutes. Come on I wouldn't forget about my baby? Later.

Uh Oh................

Starting this Monday I will be playing Mr Mom for two weeks. The wife headed back to work today and I am finally taking some vacation time. Well, I am off from work, but I would not call it a vacation. Little J can keep a person very busy.

Yes, I said she went back to work today! That means I am at home playing Mr Mom and Mr Adjuster. I do NOT recommend it. The baby is crying, the work cell is ringing, work emails are flooding in, and our Pets Heads Are Falling OFF!! Of course, I found time to shout out to Blogger Nation! More to come.................Later.

Yeah Baby (no not that baby)!

Thanks to Reality/Online Poker Queen Cheesecakey I am signed up for my first Online Poker Tourney. AND it is for cool bloggers only! Check it out and get signed up. Off to practice. Wait, do I hear a baby crying????? Later.

I have registered to play in the
Online Poker Blogger Championship!

This event is powered by PokerStars.

Registration code: 6076959

Fetch Time!

Fetch Time!
Originally uploaded by aham23.

A fuzzy tennis ball is like crack cocaine for Eddie Vedder, the dogg.

Little Foot

Little Foot
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Four weeks ago this little person entered my life. It is amazing how small she really is. I can't even explain how I feel. Having a child is amazing.

YES HE DID!!!!

Face Off!!
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Can you say Face Off!! Eddie Vedder, the dog is fast on his feet, so he was able to avoid harm. They basically ran around the yard chasing each other! At no time did the Great Dane's owner show up. When he got tired he just galloped off to somewhere? Will we ever see him again?

WTF?

WTF?
Originally uploaded by aham23.

There is a horse in my backyard! That was my first thought when I spotted an unleashed, no owner, giant great dane in my back yard. Second thought was to grab the camera. Third thought was to send Eddie Vedder, the dog, out to protect the family. No I didn't???????

My new vice.....

Jamba Juice is my new thing. Well besides the baby thing. I like the Aloha Pineapple with an energy boost. Wish I had time for Survivor and Biggest Loser 2 thoughts but....... Back to work. Treo Out.

Help?!?!

Hello, I like to eat poo pee and cry!

Will they still love me.

Yes I am a proud new father of a baby girl. She arrived 8/25 at 1003am. It is just wonderful, scary, beautiful, and confusing all at once. I mean this little person came from where? I am responsible for her? I am her daddy!!

Big Brother Eddie wonders if he will still be loved? Ofcourse you will silly. Treo Out.

Baby Time?

8/25/05 & that clock is showing a.m.

How Many Will We Need??

Pee Pee and Poo Poo fun for everyone.

Jealous Dog.......

Eddie Vedder on the Baby's chair and stuff.

Pic Of My Day...

Pic Of My Day...
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Eddie Vedder and the Treo are a perfect team.

Twenty Miles and Counting.....

It was fabulous weather wise here in Chicagoland today! Temps in the high 70s with sun everywhere. So, I hit the road on the road bike. I planned and hoped to go where I have not gone before, over the 20 mile marker on the road bike. I woke up early, ate, stretched, got the gear ready, and headed out.

I managed 20.3 miles with a 16 mph average, 22 mph max speed, and total ride time of 1 hour 16 minutes. According to CaloriesPerHour my litte ride burnt up 1461 calories. Not too shabby for an hours work.

Around mile 10 I started to head south back towards home and in to a headwind. Holy crap I thought I was going to die, puke, poop, or something like that. It was tough. I am not in road shape to where I can get nice and low on the bike and just cut through the headwind. My back will not allow it, yet.

The ride was a great a workout and I pushed myself beyond my previous rides. Another cool thing was I actually found the road out in the county where all the roadies ride. Five roadies passed me going the opposite direction and two others could be seen way up in front of me. Maybe one day I will be a cool roadie riding and drafting in a group??

Lastly, what the fuck is up with this new Blogger "Flag as Objectionable" button. Yeah, the one up top next to the "Next Blog" button. Stinks of censorship if you ask me. Did anyone ask me? I mean if you are "Next Blogging" don't you assume the risk that you may come across a blog you don't like. One selling stupid shit or promoting a stupid busiess or perhaps some jagbag political blog with anti something rhetoric or PORN. I mean Porn was the first internet business to make a profit! I guess if enough Rat Terrier Haters "FLAG" my blog then it is "See You Later" for Eddie Vedder, the dog. Later.

Hey, That's my chair!

Someone has been sitting in my chair....
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Eddie Vedder, the dog, you are too much. Flickr Out.

Car Ride Time

Why do dogs love car rides?

Ride on Cowboy..........

This past Saturday I was up until 3am playing Holdem with the guys. I wasn't drinking just playing and eating. I had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and a Buritto as big as your Head around 11pm. Not sure why I had the buritto.

So on to the next day and my Road Bike Ride. I hoped for 20 miles, but figured the previous night was going to set me back. Around mile 7 I started to experience stomach issues. Yes, those kind of stomach issues. Issues that lead to arse problems. I am out on a country rode with not a bathroom facility in site. I am off the bike and crippled over with stomach cramps. Yes I have to poop and poop immediately. I try to ride it out, Oh the bumps hurt. Finally, I took a chance and did the unthinkable............I did number two on the side of the road in some brush. Let me see, poo in the tight bike shorts or drop'em and do the two on side of road........Easy call right??

OK so I did finish that Sunday ride. It was 14 miles with a 14.7 mph avg and 25 mph max. Good times. This ride made for 35 miles last week.

Today I managed a quick 13 miles with a 15.2 mph avg, 23.5 mph max and 51 minutes ride time. The damn head wind was a killer and I still don't have a solid into the wind technique.

Just remember to skip the buritto and late night poker if you plan to exercise the next day. Later.

Must Have.....

Chicago's finest, Stewarts Columbian Coffee. Brewed in ChiTown since 1913. It is the only way I make it to work by 7am every morning. Treo Out.

Can't stop.........

From Treo Blogging. Next to Eddie Vedder, the dog, my Treo 650 is the coolest thing in the world.

Green toe?

Wait that should be Green Thumb. Anyway, I got a green big toe. Is that bad? Treo Out.

Eddie Vedder..............

Eddie Vedder..............
Originally uploaded by aham23.

The dog loves me.

Yummy!!!

Brownie Sundae Cheesecake. Yeah baby. Treo Out.

Dinner Time

Goodbye Wrigley

Cubs beat the evil Cards, but its too little too late. Treo out.

Bucket Boys

DrumRoll Please.

Jersey Modification

He does!

Center Field

My Day At Wrigley.....

The View.

I Miss Reality..............

First, as you can see below I am riding this week. According to CaloriesPerHour.com my two days of riding have burned up 1421 calories. That is 21 miles of riding with averaging approximately 15 miles per hour. I am headed to a Cubs vs Cards game tomorrow, but plan to ride Saturday morning.

My life has been really busy this summer and especially the last two months. Reality TV has suffered as a result. No Big Brother this summer which kinda bums me out. I have digged that show the last three years, but it is such a commitment at 3 episodes a week. No average Joe either and I heard it was solid. No Surreal Life and so on.

However, I have been catching up on Being Bobby Brown and all I can say is, "What The Fuck!" I was that skinny white kid wanna be in high school and Bobby was the shit. Don't Be Cruel was off the charts. I played that cassette tape into shreds. New Edition with Can You Stand the Rain was the bomb. Bell Biv Devo, Ralph, and Johnny Gill, man I had all their solo stuff. I was real cool.

Back to the show.......I knew he was messed up, but what up with Whitney? I had no idea she was sooo crazy. I mean when she was on top of the world (whatever year that BodyGuard movie came out) she just oozed Class. What I see on this show has to be an act? It just can't be real. And WTF (two times), why don't they a freakin house? AND how many kids does Bobby have with how many different women. I can't stop watching. Later.

How Far?

Nine Miles yesterday and Ten Miles today. I gots to get in shape. Treo out.

Recovery Time, Part Duex???

We had a little family and friends gathering at our house this weekend. Little like say 50 people. It involved Beers, Jello Shots, Jaeger Bombs, Pearl Jam, Texas Holdem, and so on. I did not realize 31 was sooo old, but it must be because I am just now feeling recovered from the weekend. Three freakin days of feeling like crap. I think some call it the Alcohol Flu??

I did get a road ride in last Friday morning and hit it for 15 miles. It felt good. The position on the road bike irritates my lower back. Never had lower back issues, but I guess it is always something. I have poor flexibility and think improving it will clear up this issue.

Alright, I gotta go, see I am working from home again! Later.

Recovery Time............

When you are over 30 should it take a week to recover from a weekend of street ball? Back in the day I could hoop it up 3 to 4 times a week. Ah, the good old days. Actually this is the best I have felt after a championship weekend of hoop that I can remember. I even managed to get a short road ride in Tuesday, just over 8 miles. I am working from home today (wink, wink) and hope to get a ride in this morning.

I have a lot to do around here as we are preparing for a 50 guest party at our house. In-Laws, Friends, and neighbors will be spending all day Saturday at our house. Currently I am watering the lawn the to get it nice and green looking. I can't be that guy with the burnt brown grass. Then it's off to the various stores, Panera for bagels, Krispy Kreme for donuts, T-Birds for the booze, and so on. Then it clean up this place and try to find as much floor space as possible for sleeping. I am thinking the In-Laws will be on the floor???? Later.

Gus Macker 3 on 3.................

The Hardware
Originally uploaded by aham23.

This weekend was a Gus Macker Weekend for me. Since 1992 I have played in the Macker. It's a 3on3 basketball tournament where they match you up with simillar teams based on entry forms each team submits. There are usually 16 teams on a court and it is double elimination. It is street ball where we call our own fouls and it can get rough. The do have "Court Monitors" to keep things clean.

In my younger days we would travel around Illinois and play in about 5 a summer. Same team for each tourney. We had a two year run where we never finished lower then second and racked up numerous first place trophies. Actually I have boxes of Macker trophies in the basement.

Well, I am getting older and the tournament wins had been none since 2001. We scored a couple thirds, but that was it. Hoops is a rough sport and my body just isn't conditioned for it anymore. Or so I thought.

This year is my last year. I proclaimed this fact last summer that I would be retiring from the Macker. We played two. We finished third in June and I didn't have much hope for this Macker. I had not played since, well, June's Macker, and have been falling out of shape fast.

The core of this team has been the same for ten years. We got a sharp shooter, big guy (me) and the best freaking 3on3 guard around. Through in an aging all state high school stud athlete and we white boys can hoop.

We played five games and won them all. We won close games, came from behind, shot well, rebounded, made cuts, and played like it was 1997. It was freakin awesome. The sharp shooter and the guard played their best hoops in years.

Man, I may have to rethink this retirement thing. Later.

The Bracket

The Bracket
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Big Guns Forever!

You Looking At Me?

Best of Foo?

Or too much Foo? I have not yet decided. I borrowed the Foo's recent two disk release from a friend and just started jamming it this morning on my way to work.. They rock they chill they do it all with this release. I have read the critics think its too much? WTF do they know? Treo Out.

Where Ya Been.......

Where Ya Been.......
Originally uploaded by aham23.

No hail or high winds just sweet rain and cool temps. Heck it feels cold outside at 75 degrees. Is it wierd that I am in the garage blogging about rain. Treo Out.

Yeah for Rain

For the first time since May 19th we are getting significant rain fall. Be gone with the dry brown everything. Plus temps have dropped below 80. Should I be this excited?! Treo Out.

Everything is so damn burnt...........

The entire state of Illinois is burnt. The Chicago area is around 7 inches short for precipitation in 2005. The last time it significantly rained in my neighbor was that damn rain, wind, and hail storm of May 19th. The damn continued heat and burnt everything is kinda of depressing. I think I may be getting Cabin Fever, but the Summer Version?? Is that possible? I know I have the Electric Bill Blues as our A/C has been running nonstop since May.

Despite all that I did ride today. It cooled down to 86 degrees today so I hit the road on my 05 Trek 1000. Riding into the wind solo is a bitch. I managed 11.5 miles in 45 minutes with an avg speed of 15 mph and max of 21 mph. According to CaloriesPerHour.Com I burnt up 782 calories during my ride. Lance Armstrong and the boys of Le Tour burn up 5000 calories or more during a mountain stage. I got some work to do.

My lower back is still flaring up on me and has since I started my road bike career back on June 25th. I am still tweaking the bike to get the fit right, but think my main problem is a weak core. The road bike position is much tougher on the bike and I need to work on my back flexibility and abs. Yep, the beer belly is fucking up my back on the road bike! Later.

Didn't Make It....

Just over 20 miles last week which was far from my goal of 50. Poker Beer Painting and other things came up. I will get more miles in this week!

This Tour De France has got me. I tivo it on OLN and watch all of the coverage when I get home. I dig it. Treo Out.

Climb Lance Climb!!!

Who knew this Tour thing was so exciting? I am hooked. Treo Out.

Played Out....

Played Out....
Originally uploaded by aham23.

I'm tired of playing!!

WTF?

2.26 per and that is cheap???

Slow start.......

My goal of 50 road miles this week is off to a slow start. 12.57 miles yesterday was my first ride of the week. Evil work has gotten in the way. Treo Out.

Late Again

We work summer hours, uhm, in summer. It is 7am to 415pm Mon thru Thur with Friday being 7am to 1145am. Well this is the as close to 7am I can get. I luv work. Treo Out.

We have a visitor!

We have a visitor!
Originally uploaded by aham23.

So my best buddy is off playin in Vegas and I get the pleasure of dog sitting. This is Kirby a 9 year old Pug. Aint he a cutie?! Treo out.

In Case You Missed It...............

For those just joining the party I thought I should let you know I started this blog as a way to track my road to middle-aged-fitness. I had just purchased a mountain bike and wanted to be in shape for summer riding. I spent most of the winter working out 3 to 4 days a week at the gym. Lifting weights and doing cardio. I was feeling really good about it all. I even lost 10 pounds despite not really changing me diet. Then something happened?????

I have over 150 miles on the mountain bike and 50 on the new road bike. That really is not very many considering the lack of rain we have had around here. So, I decided to step on the scale the other day and BAM 232.5 lbs. That really sucks, but I knew it was coming. I am tall, 6'3", and carry the weight well, but still that aint where I want to be.

I worked so hard over the winter and just ate it all way in spring and early summer. I need to focus on the damn diet and I would have no problem maintaining a better weight, like say 220 lbs. Through in some bike riding and I could be looking at 215 lbs.

What is the fucking point? I am back at it kids. Losing 15 lbs is the goal and riding with eating right is the way to Git-R-Done. It was 10.7 road miles yesterday with a 15 mph avg 20 max mph and 43 minutes of ride time. That makes for 36 road miles last week. This weeks goal is 50!

Wait did I mention the hunched over riding style that is road biking has flared up my lower back. Yes the pain right above the arse that can take your breath away and run down your leg. Shit, I am already making excuses. I must go. Later.

Rain?

We have not had significant rain since the major hail/wind/rain storm of May 19th. So here I am dragging the hose around. I am more wet the the grass. Treo out.

Hey Roadie

26 miles so far this week. I am averaging 16 mph 22 mph max with aprox 1 hour ride time. Treo Out.

Made it....

To work and I find myself already in my safe place. Treo Out.

Still Commuting....

Mobile blogging.....

Blogging during the commute. Now that is mobil.

Off to work......

While Eddie keeps my spot warm.

Happy 4th!

flickr badge

flickr badge
Originally uploaded by aham23.

flickr really is cool. you can do so many things with your pics. its the ultimate photo sharing thingy in the internet world.

where's the crapper pic? i am working from home today so no need to hide out on the shitter.

later.