Ryan's 5...

Well today Ryan turns 5 and as such is eligible to go to kindergarten this year--he starts on Aug 30th. Ryan is a fun kid. He seems to have a constant twinkle in his eyes and an infectious smile on his face, but when he is mad or sad his whole face changes. His current mood is readily apparent in his face and countenance. He has an easy going personality that allows him to work his way into any play group without problems. He is a good brother and regularly provides the comfort his little sister needs (though in many cases he is the cause of her needing the comfort in the first place).

He is a mischievous, happy, fun loving kid, and I am proud to be his Dad. Happy 5th Birthday Ryan.

Gotta Fix the Roof...

It will probably not come as any surprise that I have been putting off fixing the roof for some time, at least since last summer. During a wind storm several shingles were blown off and I just didn't want to get up on the roof to fix them. Well this morning I woke up to find that some of the tar paper had blown off as well. Looks like my delay has ended.

Called up my neighbor and borrowed his roofing nail gun, and then went up to Interstate Roofing Supply to get a couple bundles of shingles for the repair. While there I also purchased a few Whirlybird Turbine vents that are supposed to help remove the heat and moisture from your attic and thus reduce energy bills. I figured since I had to be on the roof anyway, might as well try it out.

After I ripped back the damaged shingles and replaced the damaged tar paper I set about installing the turbine. The installation was relatively easy, nothing complicated about it. Once I got it installed I finished up the shingles to the ridge. When I got to the ridge I pulled out the ridge shingles only to find them too narrow to blend with the existing ridge shingles. I installed a couple thinking that it would be fine, but decided that it didn't look to good--a little half-baked. Since I had a full bundle of ridge shingles I ripped off all the ridge shingles and re-did them with the new ones. The repair took me about 4 hours, but having my neighbor's roofing gun helped out greatly.

I think I need to lay down...

So with the family out of town this week and next (see here), I figure it is time to work on the various odds and ends that I left undone when we remodled the upstairs a couple years ago (yes, things were left uncompleted for a couple of years, and yes I have a patient wife). Needless to say I figure it was a good time to get things tied up.

I completed the molding around the windows yesterday and today began tearing off the baseboards that I incorrectly installed, and subsequently didn't complete. In order to remove it without damaging the drywall and paint you have to cut the caulking that seals the top of the baseboard to the wall, then pry the baseboard off the wall. Things were going pretty good, and was on the second to last piece of baseboard that I needed to remove when, while cutting the caulking with the utility knife, the knife released unexpectedly and cut a nice half-inch gash on my left ring finger. Blood quickly spurted out.

I grabbed the nearest cloth, and pressed hard on the open wound--the bleeding wouldn't stop. Dang, looks like I needed stiches. Rather than going to the ER, I went to the local "InstaCare" located 5 minutes from the house. This is an community type emergency like clinic that doesn't deal with the major emergency situations. Basically you go there for non-emergency situations that you can't get to your normal doctor for. I was able to get to see a doctor rather quickly.

Now whenever I am home alone for any extended period of time I eat like crap, and today was no different. I ate breakfast at 6:30 am and then ate a bowl of ramen noodles at around 3:30 pm. It was now 5:30pm and the hunger pains were coming on fierce, which is what I expected since I was planning on eating dinner around now rather than stting in the doctor's office.

Now understand I have a BS in Zoology with an emphasis in Human Biology. I took an anatomy class in college, I dissected various animals for one of my classes, I am very inquisitive when it comes to open wounds, and have been on hand to witness all of my childrens' births via c-section (I even watched them as they made the various incisions and removed my kids from their mother's womb). Not once have I ever been light headed, nor queasy. But today as they were getting ready to numb my finger for the stiches the room began to spin. I remember saying "I think I need to lay down" and the doctor responding that I could just lay down on the exam table behind me. The next thing I remember I am dreaming that Jen is cleaning the pots and pans in the kitchen and I am suddenly waken from what seemed like a very deep sleep.

"You okay?" said the doctor. "Not to scare you but you appeared to have a seizure. Where are you? What was the last thing you remember before passing out?"

I answered the questions quite easily.

"What is your name? Who is the current President?"

"Mark Berrett. Unfortunately it is George W. Bush." I responded. To which we all shared a laugh.

"Though it appeared you had a seizure, you are too coherent and aware of your surroundings to have had one." said the doctor. "But we are going to give you a shot just in case."

I was still trying to get everything straight in my head. How could this be? I had passed out. This had never happened before. I tried to explain everything away. It must have been the low blood sugar coupled with a drop in blood pressure resulting from the cut and my preparing myself for the needle prick. The doctor even agreed with me on this, but yet it seemed he was more consoling my whimpish nature than offering up a legitimate reason for having passed out. Dang that was embarassing. Why couldn't I have passed out earlier or later. Why did I have to pass out at all, particularly just as they were about to poke me with a needle. I looked so whimpy, so unmanly. No! This can't be. I watched my wife's c-sections without a hint of light-headedness or queasiness. IT WASN'T THE SIGHT OF A NEEDLE. Alas I am not sure the doctor or the nurse believes me.

Licensed!

I am now officially licensed to teach biological science in Junior (Middle), and High School. Now if only I can find that pesky first job.

Strike Two...

Well got an email today letting me know that I didn't get the Hunter High School biology position that I interviewed for on July 31st. Somewhat disappointing in that I still don't have a position for the coming school year, but okay since it would have been a 40 minute commute.

So that makes strike two. I had previously interviewed with Lone Peak High School in June but didn't get that job either. But as everyone tells me positions begin to open up in August. Sitting, waiting, wishing.... I'll let you know.

Going on vacation...

well at least the family is. I am told that during the month of August more teaching positions will open up. Couple that promising opportunity with my lack of vacation time upon returning to Verio and the familiy will be spending 2, yes two, wonderful weeks in San Diego while I remain at home working and hopefully finding employment with a local school. As in the past I will drive them down this weekend, fly back on Sunday and then fly back to San Diego on the 17th to drive the family back on the 19th (happy Birthday Rus!). So from Sunday night the 6th to the 17th I will be home alone. Wonder what I'll do.