Don't know if you heard...

but a school recently cancelled it's sickle cell anemia fund raiser because it mostly affected African Americans and they are looking for a more diverse disease.

I'm just kidding. Of course that didn't happen.

But this did.

OK...

so I fibbed a little. I got started a little early. But just the blog change for now. I will wait to wax poetic on all things Christmas until midnight Thursday.

In my defense, we got gyped (pronounced jipped) this year. The time between Christmas and Thanksgiving this year is abnormally short. I needed the extra time.

And for your listening pleasure, one of the great jazz Christmas tunes of all time, Linus and Lucy...check that, it's one of the great jazz tunes of all time. You will probably hear this more than once on the site this season.

Two pretty funny videos...

The first one looks like it means to be. The second one does not so that makes it absolutely hilarious.

It was a 3 party weekend...

Friday night we had Chompy's first birthday party. We had a full house. Both sides of the family were there along with some friends. Chompy received much booty. A lot of clothes which is exactly what she needed. She doesn't need many toys. I just leave my cereal bowls out and she loves turning those over.

Saturday Kelly and her mom and sister threw a surprise birthday party for her father. 70 years young. He was completely surprised. It was a great success. He had some students there from Irving High School when he was the choir director in the 1960's. Kelly made a slide show showing his progression through the years. Big turnout and everyone had a good time.

After the party, I went home and lit a fire in the fire pit outside. Smoked a cigar and watched the Sooners beat the ever-loving crap out of the Red Raiders. The only thing that would have made it perfect is if it was UCLA doing that to SC. Other than that, it was perfect. Madison, Ian, Chompy and Kelly came home from eating and came out and sat with me by the fire. Yep. It was a very good night.

Sunday was the potluck lunch on which I have already expounded. No need to embarrass myself further.

I just described three days out of my life that on the surface seem rather mundane. But the devil is in the details; or in this case the angels. I didn't mention on Sunday night how Madison, Ian and I played a game with the big purple ball where I would hold it in my hands and they would hit it out of my hands where it would sometimes go straight up in the air and land on my head: thereby causing me to make funny faces and pretend to be dizzy. I am comedy. They were laughing so hard they got the hiccups.

I also didn't describe holding Chompy at the surprise party and having everyone tell me how beautiful she was. A few even asked if she was doing any modeling. Needless to say, I would love her even if she looked like me but as it is I just give it the big Barney Fife, "Yep that's my girl."

I also didn't describe how Kelly looked on Saturday. Because I can't. Words fail me. She was absolutely stunning. She is the epitome of class, style and grace. I am a lucky lucky man.

And yes, I did tell her that on Saturday night.

I have got to be a better...

Christian.

Every year our church has a turkey lunch/potluck lunch on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We do it for the obvious reasons: to thank God for what we have and to fellowship and the like.

Well, nothing sends people running like free food. They were coming out of the wood work today. Coming in at least 15 minutes late and obviously not familiar with church etiquette. They are all children of God so they are all welcome.

It still bugs me.

I am there every Sunday putting in my time paying my dues. These fly-by-nighters show up one Sunday a week for free food. And because we are in the choir and dilly dally, we are always at the end of line. Needless to say, it was slim pickins by the time we got there. I need to say no one has expressed this concern except for good ole shallow Johnny boy. I don't think anyone would expect anything less.

And ay there's the rub. I should not let them bother me. I should be happy that they are in the house of the Lord, even if it's just for one Sunday. Perhaps they will hear some words that will turn their life around. But somehow I suspect all they are looking for are some brownies...stop it...there I go again.

It's a good thing WWJD stands for What Would Jesus Do and not What Would John Do. We'd have a lot less people at the potluck.

Be prepared...

this site is about to become all things Christmas.

I will give Thanksgiving its due but Thursday at midnight this site goes...

All Christmas All the Time!

I can't wait. My eyes are watering.

Early Sunday morning...

I had the same thing Steve had on the plane. I started to sweat profusely and I felt like I was going to pass out. Luckily I didn't and it eventually passed. During the episode you feel like you just want to die. Yuck!

We cleaned up the place and headed back to the airport by 8:00 am. No traffic jams this time so we made it back in plenty of time. We said good bye to Paul at the Southwest gate and headed to check in. Found out Tod was not on our flight. He was scheduled to fly out at 5:15. It was 9:30. That's a long wait at an airport. Alone. It all worked out. Tod was able to get on our flight on standby and we all made it home together.

The flight out was delayed first because the plane coming in was late. Then there were apparently too many planes going to DFW so we had to space them out. And for some reason we got the short end of the stick and had to wait. Finally it was our turn on the runway...OK...any time now...start those engines...ready to go. Engines begin to pick up, WOOHOO, and we pull off the runway. What the? "Uh, ladies and, uh, gentlemen. There is a report of a, uh, coyote on the, uh, runway. They will hurry to get the little, uh, guy out of the way and then we'll be on our way." I'm thinking if the "little, uh, guy" doesn't have an acme rocket tied to his back then let's chance it and take off.

Eventually we were cleard for departure and we did just that. After an uneventful 3 1/2 flight back to DFW we landed where we were greeted by loved ones and resumed our lives once again.

I would have to say Pfaff Pfest XIII was a complete success.

Tennessee next year, right fellas?

Saturday...

Decision time. Do I go to the game or do I stay at the beautiful cabin and watch the game here? Here's the view...

I'll go. I'll go. I'll go. I'll go. I'll go. I'll...I'll go.

After a morning of hanging out, playing darts and foos and watching college football, we started the trek out to Seattle. The area is truly beautiful. There are not many places as breathtaking as the Pacific Northwest. We traveled over Lake Washington and Mercer Island, where all the rich people live, and marveled at the houses and boats. The city is very pretty as well. Very New Yorky. Busy.

We made our way to the Space Needle and the Music Experience museum where you can experience...music. Mike Tod and Paul went to the museum while Steve, Dad and I went to the bar. I'm all for music and the like but for some reason I just felt like sitting in a nice chair watching college football on a big screen TV while drinking a CC and Diet Coke. It was all I dreamed it would be.

Our next stop was the Ivar Salmon House to meet the guy who had our game tickets. He was a nice guy. Al was his name. He informed us that a boat leaves from the restaurant to the game and brings you back for $20. We asked if they had any seats left and they did. We asked if they had any reservations open for 6 and they did. So, we decided to stay and eat at Ivar's and take the boat to the game. We were seated in the restaurant and here was our view...

We had a great meal and off to the boat we went.

Everything came together very well for this trip. The house, the car, the tickets, the meal, the boat. It was all good.

There is something about being on the water. Maybe it's the different perspective, seeing land from that point of view. It's just relaxing. The boat let us off about 100 yards from the stadium. By the time we made it to our seats, we had about 20 minutes until game time. Spent that time looking out at Lake Union and the full moon and knowing I made the right decision to be there.

We won 27-7. I watched the replay later at home and there were a couple of things that happened in the game I did not even know had happened...and I was in the stadium. The boat ride back was just what the Dr ordered. The drive back was a little long but Paul got us there safe and sound.

It was a long day so we all just headed off to bed.

And that was Saturday.

Chompy is one...

she is no longer zero as Madison would say.

She turned one on Sunday. We will have her party on Friday for family and friends.

Happy Birthday, Missy!

Friday (in the mountains outside of Seattle)...

I woke up at 6:30 Seattle time...watched the night turn into day. The view from our cabin was spectacular. Mountains, valleys, pine trees-you couldn't ask for anything more.

Friday was just a blur of foosball, darts, basketball, playstations, hot tubs, cigars, guitars, singing and booze. We stopped to eat periodically but got back to business PDQ. Literally, that's pretty much what we did all day. At one point 5 of us, dad didn't get in with us, were sitting in the hot tub, smoking cigars, drinking a tottie and enjoying life among the mountains majesty. It was, to say the least, inspiring.

We talked a lot of family and politics and life in general.

I am not a huge fan of crowds. I would just as soon watch the game on TV as go to the stadium and be crowded. To that end, I started to lay the groundwork for my non-participation in the following days activities. I told everyone I wasn't feeling so well. It was quite a struggle internally as to whether I would go or not. I would love to have just sat on that couch and watched the game among the mountains and trees. I probably would have spent the first quarter in the hot tub watching the game. I decided all I needed was a good nights rest and after that I would make my decision.

At 10:00, I turned in while the others played foosball, darts, basketball, etc.

And that was Friday.

Well, it's over...

you wait and wait and wait and BOOM it's over.

But it still was a blast.

Attending this year were Dad, Paul, Mike, John, Steve and Tod Mike's eldest son.

Steve and I decided to share a suitcase to defer the cost of the checked bag. We were able to get his clothes and mine in one suitcase. The bag weight limit was 50 lbs. We were at 54. We had to take two of my sweatshirts and a pair of pants out of the bag to get it under weight. (and in typical John-packs-like-a-girl fashion, I did not wear said sweatshirts or pants so they were completely superfluous) I would have to lug the three items of clothing to Seattle but it was worth it to save the...what?...there is no charge for a checked bag?...DO'H! Luckily Dad did not check his bag so I was able to put the clothes there.

We went to the closest bar and had a drink and our typical toast to family and victory. On the plane ride out Steve and I had our own row. No one in between us. Elbow room, elbow room, gotta gotta get us some elbow room. It was nice. You could rent a DVD player for $5. Which we did and watched Dark Knight-it sure makes the flight go faster. Heath Ledger was very very good. It was a good movie. From what I saw. I didn't get to see the end because the flight ended. Tod filled me in. During the flight Steve had an episode where he was very light headed and felt like he was going to pass out. It passed quickly enough and he felt fine-enough so he was imbibing another Captain Morgans within hours.

We got there later than expected and Paul had been waiting a while. He was quite productive though. He had done all of the grocery shopping. He even had booze waiting for us. I love him.

I decided to drive to the cabin having been in Seattle most recently and often. So I used my knowledge of the area and my scouting of the local freeway scene to surmise the 405 would be the quickest way to I-90 so we could bypass I-5 traffic altogether and miss the Lake Washington bridge traffic which should get us into Snoqualmie Pass in no time because...405 was at a dead stop. For about 3 miles. It took us 45 minutes to go those 3 miles.

Now, imagine me in a car going 4 miles an hour on a freeway for 45 minutes all the while people are trying to sneak in and out of traffic to make it to where ever their pathetic little lives are taking them. Can you see the steam coming out of my ears?

Multiply that by 6.

Actually, the 6 of us together had just the opposite effect. We were laughing and just taking the moment in stride. I think everyone would have been very proud of us. One thing we did prove was Murphy's Law. I was in the middle lane while the left and right lanes were just flying by us. After about 30 minutes, I made it into the left lane ready to go. Go Go.

Brake. Stop. Crap.

The middle lane starts flying by. If I hadn't been driving, we would have been there 15 minutes earlier. Oh well, the rest of the drive was uneventful except for mention of black ice, I love you Dad, and we arrived at our "cabin".

It was huge. 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, hot tub, foosball, darts, playstation, basketball game, two big decks. It was well worth the drive. The house served us quite well for our stay. Kudos to Steve for finding the place.

We stayed up until about 1:30 Seattle time talking. Exhausted we went to bed. We all had our own rooms by the by except for Tod and Mike who shared a king size bed.

And that was Thursday.