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Articles Archive for March 2010

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[26 Mar 2010 | Comments Off on Country-bound: time to visit our haven | ]
Country-bound: time to visit our haven

In six hours, I will be on my way to the KK Ranch, a place that is held sacred among many of my friends. I agree with their sentiment. It is really an idealistic way for us to gather and enjoy time outdoors and together in a perfect setting.
Located out in the country not far from I-70, the KK is only 90 minutes from most points in St. Louis. It features an old-school bunk house that conjures imagery of 1970s Americana, a real outhouse (though it actually is relatively nice), …

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[22 Mar 2010 | Comments Off on St. Patrick’s Day reflections | ]
St. Patrick’s Day reflections

I was just reflecting on last week’s St. Patrick’s Day St. Louis celebration in Dogtown. What a day! Since I am looking for work and in the very beginning stages of helping to prepare our house for market, I was conflicted last Wednesday morning. Our daughter goes to daycare on Wednesdays, and so the idea is for me to scramble as best I can to be extra productive. Not party all day.
But … this day only comes once per year. And it was sunny … and I really wanted to …

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[16 Mar 2010 | Comments Off on Trying to conquer the hurty toe | ]
Trying to conquer the hurty toe

Few things within the realm of common occurrence is as painful as gout. If anything. Waking up to a throbbing, swollen and painful big toe sounds awful to most, but unless you’ve experienced gout for yourself it is difficult to comprehend. I woke up to another bout of gout this morning, but it is not nearly as intolerable as a truly chronic outbreak. But it still hurts a lot. The explanation I use when talking to others about this condition is to imagine having a big toe that is throbbing …

Featured, Music, Parenting »

[10 Mar 2010 | Comments Off on This thump in the night brings no panic | ]
This thump in the night brings no panic

I was just adding some links to my Portfolio page when I heard a loud thump from upstairs. Immediately, I knew that the noise was our daughter. This time, however, our fear was very minimal because she had fallen asleep earlier on the couch cushion right below her crib, just a foot or so above her floor. No, this was not a serendipitous moment where luck meets well-placed clutter. She had decided to move from her crib to this cushion, where we have been strategically placing it for this exact …

Featured, Parenting »

[8 Mar 2010 | Comments Off on Oh, no: An early-morning leap | ]
Oh, no: An early-morning leap

When you are facing the beginning of yet another week that is likely to involve much more looking for work than actual working-for-pay gigs, you do not need any setbacks. Luckily, I think we just avoided a major setback at the Doolittle home as our 20-month-old little girl decided to climb up the side of her crib and take a courageous, yet very unrecommended plunge to the floor. Leaping out of her crib at 5am is extremely problematic, but she was not hurt. That’s all that really matters. But moving …

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[3 Mar 2010 | Comments Off on Early start to a lovely day | ]
Early start to a lovely day

This has been without question an uneven, yet enjoyable day for me. After two hours of playing ping pong last night (a true sport of kings!), I came home and helped my girl get ready for bed. Of course, mom had done all of the hard work by then, but I contributed my best. I attempted to clean the house a little, caught up on email afterward and had a couple of frosty mugs full of Samuel Adams Noble Pils. A truly great beer. Before diving back into my job …

Parenting »

[2 Mar 2010 | Comments Off on Minor successes can have major impact | ]
Minor successes can have major impact

Many times when you feel a little stuck in life, it is the simple yet sublime observations and experiences that provide a much-needed boost. I have begun writing again after doing very little productive writing over the past year. A couple of freelance stories and just blogging more has really provided me with a lift. Seems simple, yet I had strayed far from one of my primary interests. As for the sublime, I am really thankful that today’s outing with my little girl to meet my wife for lunch went …

Sports »

[1 Mar 2010 | Comments Off on The simple comfort of TV and DVR | ]
The simple comfort of TV and DVR

I am nearing the relaxation part of my night, and am thrilled. I’m ready to dive into the usually comforting world of television after avoiding it this entire day up to now.
No matter how well the day has gone, it is always very attractive to me to check out the night’s sports before bed. I have maintained this habit for the past 20 years or so, and am not likely to give it up anytime soon. With my multi-TV and DVR setup, I do not miss anything. It is just …