Bonk

Last night, while putting up my books after teaching guitar lessons, I spun around and slammed my head into a wall-mounted bookshelf. I mean I really creamed myself. It was so intense, I dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Reaching up to my forehead, I found my fingers covered in blood. Not only did I get a big knot on my noggin, I split it wide open as well.

Some dudes get cool scars from UFC fights and bar brawls. I get one from a damn bookshelf.

For what it's worth, I got to learn from my wife how to seal a minor gash with superglue and butterfly wings. And here I thought that stuff was for fixing cracked dishes and broken toys. Turns out it was used in Vietnam for sealing wounds. Huh.

The Sacred Heart of Kalli

Something about her hands, stance and gaze in this picture made me think of an Orthodox Icon of Jesus.

I forgot to mention...

...last Sunday my family and I went to see Dan Zanes live in concert. Though they had some sound issues, it was an afternoon of great folky music that was kid-friendly and yet enjoyable by adults (my daughter did fall asleep, however, due to lack of napping). Plus they cleared out rows in the theater so there could be a dance party. Oh, ya.





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Now playing on iTunes: Al Green - Let's Stay Together
via FoxyTunes

TV for Toddlers who take Acid

Holy crap.

Nickelodeon has introduced a new show called Yo! Gabba Gabba and I must say again: "holy crap."

Take 80's rap beats and video game references, a bunch of colorful and creepy puppet-people, celebrity cameos (see the 2nd clip), an emcee named DJ Lance and put it all at an ADD-inducing editing speed and you've got Yo! Gabba Gabba.

I can only imagine how absolutely hilarious this show would be under the influence of any number of substances. Actually, I'm glad my kid likes it because I get a chance to watch it guilt-free... and it's totally cracking me up.

There's a Party in my Tummy"


Elijah Wood does the Puppet Master


The show's intro

Unbelievable / "3"

I'm not sure how it happened this fast, by my little girl started school this week. Yes, it is preschool, but it's still school.

On a related note, she turns a big "3" this weekend. Happy Birthday, Kalliopi!

Now THAT'S a cute kid

"The Hardens" Episode XIX: The One Where They Go On Vacation

Aren't these cool? Go to www.simpsonsmovie.com to make your own "Simpsons" avatars. (Sorry, Amy, yours looks a bit ... stoned?...stiff? There are only so many options with these things.)

Anyway, "The Hardens" are headed for vacation July 2-9th. I'll probably still be cruising ya'lls blogs throughout the week, but I probably won't be posting much.

We're headed back to the lowcountry - smack dab between Savannah, GA and Hilton Head, SC - for a little R&R with Amy's mom and stepdad.

See ya around...

One Weekend, Three Big Events

1.) Friday, June 8th - Pink Noise, the Pink Floyd tribute band that I'm part of - has a big show in Lafayette, IN tonight. Sounds like the place is going to be packed out (if everyone shows up that said they would). Should be a blast.

2.) Saturday, June 9th - Amy and I celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. It's pretty awesome being married to such an amazing woman. We had to celebrate on Wednesday, though, because Saturday, June 9th is also...

3.) My 10-year class reunion.

This weekend is panning out to be lots of fun, but I imagine I'll be pretty pooped come Sunday - good thing I took the weekend off work.

Crazy 8 Meme

Every once in a while a blog virus spreads. Consider me the vaccination, baby. I'll post my Crazy 8 alright, but I will not spread this infectious disease to any more innocent and unsuspecting bloggers. May those of you who have already been infected (like you, you, and you) find peace in your horrible affliction.

And now, without further ado, here are my 8 random facts:

1.) I've mentioned this before, but I have a precise and exact pattern for toweling my entire body off every day after the shower. The only time this fails is when I think about it and try to remember the order, in which instance the whole sequence crumbles.

2.) Very little irks me more than the 10 minutes of lights-down, have-to-watch commercials - before the movie trailers - before theater movies.

3.) One of the main things from parenthood that I've always wanted to do (and now have done many times) is carry a sleeping kid in from the car.

4.) Besides short flights to San Diego, Oakland and Seattle, I've never been to (or driven through) any of the other many states west of Missouri.

5.) I once had a job in the outdoor/landscaping area of a department store and had to answer the phone: "Pet and Garden this is Trevor Harden" - which rhymed and made me feel like an ass.

6.) In high school, my friends and I shot hundreds of hours of "home videos" (as we always called them) featuring tape after tape of short skits and filmed shenanigans and was always our first choice for recreational activity.

7.) Coffee, beer and chocolate: in each category, the darker the better.

8.) As I was pulling into the bank yesterday (which is a mere block from my home), a cop told me the bank was closed and to move along. Here's why.

Your Daddy's WHAT?

A couple weeks ago, our daughter's day care provider pulled me aside and very blushingly said, "I don't want to embarrass you, but I did want to let you know that Kalli was talking about her daddy's pee-wee today."

I busted into laughter.

Rrrrrrrrr-------- (rewind!)

The truth of the matter is Kalli had grown quite fond of my DVD copy of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure - which she knows is MINE - thereby: "daddy's Pee-Wee."

Upon hearing the truth of the situation, the babysitter totally cracked up. Between chuckles she admitted, "I even told her that was something we probably shouldn't talk about. And then this other boy start talking about HIS daddy's butt..."

So, so much is lost in translation.

(By the way, since that day I've told Kalli that the DVD is now hers. She can talk about her own Pee-Wee all she wants.)

Ugh...

Sometimes people use the phrase "I was up all night" meaning I woke up a lot last night.

Kalli was puking, whiny and sick from 10pm to about 5am this morning.

Our family literally WAS up all night.

u f/s..nre0- a=

(sorry, that was my weary head hitting the keyboard)

Family Mii

The Nintendo Wii gaming system allows you to create little avatar personas to be used in a number of its games. These little mini-people are called "Miis" and I've created about 30 of them, including all of our extended family and several celebrities. Take a gander at Amy, Kalli and I. Amy's is a bit generic and needs a little work, but Kalli's and mine are spot-on.

Sticky Fingers

My wife is being punished for her klepto, beer-stealing ways by Newton's Third Law, Karma, or some combination of the two.

Twice in the last few months she has taken one of my quality beers (without asking) and made food out of it.

First it was bratwurst boiled in - get this - Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Wow.

Now, tonight, it was Beef Stew, marinated in a bitter, pungent IPA - which, as you can tell by her post - she didn't care much for.

It was either Jesus or Elmo that said, "You reap what you sew." Ya, take that, ye Bogarter of Beers.

Score: My Wife Rules

On Sunday I celebrate the big 2-8 birthday. My awesome wife, who's always been excellent with gifts, has totally outdone herself this year.

If you're not aware, the Nintendo Wii systems are just not available. Each store gets 2-3 each week, or sometimes month, and then they're gone within 5 minutes. The supply is not even close to meeting demand.

But my wife is a master and did a little flirting with the guy and was able to have him hold one back for her.

And I got a Wii... for my birthday... and that rules. (and Lord, is it fun)

I may be 28 on Sunday, but I'm still a kid who plays video games. So... there you have it.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Updates

Well, it's been some time since I've been here regularly, so here's a quick update. I hope to get back into the swing of blogging starting... today!

1.) It seems like all my free time is spent performing/practicing with Waltz for Venus or Pink Noise - though both bands are a lot of fun and I'm really enjoying myself.

2.) I got a new computer at work and it's pimptastic - including a 24" flatscreen from Dell.

3.) I picked up one mother-of-a synthesizer/keyboard - the 88-weighted-key Korg Triton Extreme.

4.) My wife likes update lists as well.

5.) Kalli, Amy and I went to the park on Monday. Click here for some cute pictures of the kid.

6.) I'm sorry for not visiting ya'lls pages recently. But I'm going to... right now.

You know you're a parent if...

Only the father of a toddler would find this interesting enough to post to his blog. I present to you... the voice of and the man behind (up-under?) Elmo:

Cuddle

There's nothing like cuddling with a 2-year old in the middle of the afternoon.
_____________________
//Sent via T-Mobile Sidekick 3//

"Ring, ring, doorbell ring. It's House Party Time."

As a parent of a 2-year old, let me tell you: the world is no short supply of horrible, awful, poorly executed children's music. Thankfully, there's Dan Zanes.

If you've got little ones (who are fans of Playhouse Disney), you probably already know this chap. We finally broke down over the weekend and picked up one of his CDs and, sure most of it still feels like children's music, but it's pretty damn good. I'm actually starting to put in the disc when Kalli's not even interested in listening to it.

Dan and band have an excellent folk sound and Dan's voice can be quite captivating. All of this is not to mention that his albums feature such guest artists as Bob Weir (ya, no kidding!), Deborah Harry, Philip Glass, Blind Boys of Alabama, Natalie Merchant, Nick Cave and more.

Here are two video clips so you can get a sample, but also note that most of the albums' songs aren't actually even as sing-songy as these. They're actually quite mature! Thanks for the great music, Dan!


"House Party"


"All Around the Kitchen"

...and finally...

HERE is a REALLY EXCELLENT interview with Dan Zanes. Really, this is worth watching.

Jumbled Etceteras from the Life of a Diesel

1.) Check out this post on my wife's blog. Sweet!

2.) I saw-a the Borat movie on Mondays. Is varry nice! High fiive!

3.) I'm halfway through Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth.

4.) The Indianapolis Colts are kicking ass this year.

5.) My meditation practice has bit the dust for the time being. I'm staying up too late and enjoying sleeping in.

6.) (In slightly older news) The city that I live in put out a local artists Sampler CD and featured one of my tracks.

7.) My kid is way cute.

I (heart) Halloween

I've come to a realization this year: I think Halloween is my favorite Holiday.

Now, I know that's not true for most people, but:

1. I love all the ghost and monster specials on TV
   
2. Dressing up in a costume, ringing someone's doorbell and getting candy ... how freaking cool is THAT?
3. I think it's extremely healthy and balanced that our culture has a day which celebrates the "Shadow" side of life
4. A good scare can be a lot of fun
5. My daughter in her Elmo costume is way cute
6. I'm looking forward to seeing all the little ghosts and ghouls ringing my doorbell tonight

BOO!