Month: July 2007

Old fart

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I must be getting old. Lately I really relish getting all my errands/chores whatever you want to call them done by 9ish so I can relax in bed and read before going to sleep. It’s only 8:30 and I’m feeling a pull toward the bedroom already. Just feeling drained today.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day. For once in my life I signed up for an after work function sponsored by my employer and wouldn’t you know it, there’s a 90% chance it’s going to rain. Seeing as how it’s an outdoor event and we’re taking the kids, this could get pretty interesting.

I can’t stand people who talk during the movie

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We saw the first showing of I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry today. The movie was ok. Not the funniest Sandler film I’ve seen, but Nick Swardson was in it which is always a plus. I laugh just looking at him; I don’t know what it is but he’s hilarious!

The shitty part was this couple who would not stop talking through the previews and during most of the movie. I almost suggested we leave because they were that loud and ruining the movie for me. We asked them to keep quiet at least three times, yet the man persisted to talk loudly. We were in the middle of the theatre and they were against the wall yet we could hear him well even during the loud parts of the movie. It was really annoying. Then they left twenty minutes before the movie ended. WTF was that all about? Why go to a movie at all if you’re not going to stay to see how it ends? And why talk the entire time? Not only is it rude to everyone else, but how can you enjoy the movie if you’re not paying attention? The only thing I can figure is maybe the guy was translating for the woman (they were foreign). Even so, I would think he could have translated for her without being so loud. Or better yet, wait for the movie to come out on video instead of disturbing everyone else.

We spent our required hour in Target afterwards, then came home and made salmon patties for lunch. They actually came out pretty good although I was a bit creeped out that they leave some bones in there on purpose. I picked most of them out.

Haven’t really done anything else today. I’m really sad our weekend is almost over. It never lasts long enough.

Mini golf and horsies

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Yesterday we decided to head up north to check out an unusual miniature golf course called Par-King Skill Golf where each themed hole is more interesting than the last. We got there just as they opened and were surprised we weren’t the only ones. While it wasn’t crowded enough to warrant reservations, I can see now why they suggest them, particularly if you’re coming with a large group or planning to visit later in the day.


Par-King Skill Golf: July 21, 2007 Humpty Dumpty

We paid our fees ($7/person which seems to be average at most mini-golf places) picked our ball color, and were given clubs by an employee who told us we’d be golfing on the red course. They have two 18-hole courses, but I guess you can’t choose which one you want. Not that I cared since after we were done they allowed us to walk the black course so I could take photos.

Before leaving we stopped in the little arcade to play air hockey and I whooped Joe’s butt. Heehee! I love when that happens, especially because I get to tease him for awhile. I think we’ll end up taking the kids there one of these days because we had a blast. It’s quite a unique course and in extremely good condition.

It wasn’t even noon by the time we finished golfing so we decided to head over to Arlington Park to check out the horse racing since neither of us has even been before. Since the first race didn’t start until 1 pm we had plenty of time to acquaint ourselves with the layout of the building and learn how to bet. We also shared an extremely over-priced cheeseburger since we were starving. Next time we’ll bring our own food since they allow coolers inside. We placed a few bets on the first two races and sat down to watch. We didn’t win crap! We decided to get going, but suddenly I was starting to get a little into the whole thing, so we decided to stay and bet on one more race. We won! Not enough to even cover the bets we placed, but it was still a cool feeling. It’s pretty exhilarating as the horses near the finish line. People are on their feet screaming. What a sight!


Arlington Park: July 21, 2007

Speaking of sights, I was a little shocked to learn that children are allowed at the track. I guess I just assumed since gambling was involved that you’d need to be 18 or over to be admitted like a casino. I can see why the tracks allow children – more money on concessions and whatnot if it’s presented as a family atmosphere – but I’m not sure how I feel about it. I don’t think I’d ever take our kids there. I’m just not sure introducing children to gambling is very responsible. Not to mention the fact that people are drinking and smoking all around.

I got sunburned on my arms which really pissed me off since I put sunscreen on beforehand. Turns out the stupid sunscreen expired last year! It just didn’t occur to me to even check for an expiration date.

Overall I had a nice time and learned a few things to ensure our next visit is even more fun than this one. It didn’t hurt that it was a gorgeous day out either. Just don’t buy the food there or you’ll go broke.

Photo sets:
Par-King Skill Golf
Arlington Park

Lunch break @ the nature center

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Yellow Flowers Most days I am way too lazy to leave work during lunch. I usually find a quiet place to read and eat a tv dinner or sandwich.

However, on Friday I felt like getting out since it was such a beautiful day. I took my camera over to a nearby nature center. I quickly ate my sandwich in the car and then walked a trail before I went inside to check out the turtles in the center’s indoor pond.

After watching the turtles swim around for awhile, I came back outside to check out the flowers and surrounding landscape. Once I had explored everything, I sat at one of the picnic tables and just enjoyed the sounds of nature. It was so relaxing and before I knew it, I had to go back to work to the stale air-conditioned air and a sunless cubicle. It was nice while it lasted!

Quenching my thirst

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Joe recently joined me and made the switch to diet pop. When he realized how many calories he could cut just by not drinking them, it was a no-brainer. Since then, we’ve tried quite a few different diet soft drinks: Dr. M, Meijer’s Dr. Pepper rip-off (bland), Sunkist (yum), Cherry 7-Up (ok), A&W root beer (sucky) and A&W creme soda (totally yummy awesome). The Sunkist and creme soda are my favorites. It was all I drank besides water when we were in Indianapolis.

I’ve been trying to cut back on carbonated beverages, however, because I think it messes with my acid reflux. So we’ve been buying those Crystal Light packets you add to bottled water. Between the name brand and generic, we currently have 10 boxes or more of the stuff. My favorites are the Crystal Light fruit punch and iced tea, although the latter is a little weaker than I like. The fruit punch is fantastic, however. It’s like Gatorade but stronger and only 5 calories. I also just tried the Crystal Light lemonade for the first time today and it is so good! I have a feeling I’ll be drinking a lot of it moving forward.

Of course, there are rumors the aspartame in these diet drinks causes cancer. Not sure whether I believe that or not. Every time you turn around there’s a new health report saying something they pushed on you to eat/drink is no longer as good for you as they once said it was, or vice versa. So I figure that no matter what you consume, you’re screwed anyway.

What do you like to drink?