BWI boredom...

Well here I am sitting in the airport. Baltimore Washington International airport to be more precise. Been here since about 3 pm Eastern time and my flight does not leave until 6:30. Thankfully the airport actually has a working FREE wireless access. That totally made my day. It would have really blown to sit here for three hours without anything to do. At least this way I could check up on some emails and other mindless things that can manipulate your time on the internet. :) I was actually up here in Columbia, PA for a Christ Music retreat. It was a good time. It would have been a lot better if Lori had been able to come with, but unfortunately she is too pregnant! Little Tummy Puncher is getting bigger every day. I really missed the little bump over the weekend. I can't wait until Lori and I can hold her in our arms and stare at her for hours on end. If nothing else, it was nice to get away for a weekend of somewhat rest and some spiritual renewal. Easter really took a lot out of me this year, so I am glad of the time away from everything. It's a long day of traveling today though. Once I get to Atlanta, I have another 2 hour plus layover before I can catch a flight back to Ft. Walton. And then I don't even land until 11:00 pm tonight. I can't wait to be home though. I finally get to go home and cuddle with my wife if I can find her amidst all the pillows she has piled around her. :)

That's really all for now, as I am about to get on a plane here. So hope all is well with everyone, and we'll see some of you soon! God Bless!

Alleluia, I'm Alive!

Well, Easter Sunday has come and passed and Lori and I are still in one piece to live and tell about it. We spent a very nice couple of days in a complete comatose state devoid of any thinking or productive activity whatsoever. It was nice to recuperate a little bit, but now life presses ever onward, and the baby seems all that much closer. For the last couple months we have been just concentrating on making it through Easter, and now the extreme realization is starting to sink in. I don't know how in the world we're going to get everything we need to get accomplished in the next couple of months. Lord willing however, we will accomplish as much as possible and whatever is necessary. We should be able to start working on the Baby Room this weekend. We ordered some of the bedding which should arrive tomorrow so that we can get the paint colors picked out for sure and begin project Extreme Makeover: Baby Room Edition. :) The paint is really the only big project that we have left as far as constructing the room is concerned. Of course, cleaning it out would help also. We already rearranged the closet space and there's no furniture to put together yet, so it's time to break out the rollers and scrub clothes and have some good times. Ah, yes...

On another note, I finally got my mountain bike. I was able to ride it for the first time Easter Sunday and I like it a lot! Hopefully I can keep my butt in gear and slim up a touch. Not much else really exciting going on. Just got a call from our pal Tony and seems like he will be in the area this weekend so will probably get to spend some quality time with him. Seems like I'll be having a few manly last hurrahs before I delve into the depths of tutus and dirty diapers. Sigh...man I want to play some golf. Anybody want to fly to FL and go with me? Seems to be the only time I ever get to play is when I go somewhere else. It would be nice to use my own clubs once in a while.

Hope all is going well in the wide wide world for all you non Floridians. We'll keep you updated on Operation Ava, codename: Tummy Puncher, as days progress.

Cosmic Thursdays...

Well for whatever insane reason, it seems that Thursday has become my official blog day. It is actually kind of annoying since I whole heartedly intend to be blogging on at least a bi-weekly basis. It's not like life is boring at the moment or anything and there is a lack of anything to blog about. There just must be some cosmic manifestation of the stars that irrevocably draws me to the blogging point every Thursday afternoon. Personally, I think it could have to do with the fact that I am usually transitioning between jobs at that point and find myself with a little bit of free cerebral space to meander around in before extreme tunnel vision like focus sets in again. But hey, cosmic intervention sounds a whole lot more interesting, so we'll go with that for the sake of argument. :)

Anyhoo, not a whole lot new going on in the Florida household. Oh yeah, did you hear we're having a baby? Just wondering. Ahhhhh! It's getting closer every day. We think little Ava had another growth spurt this last weekend because Lori's ribs are really feeling the expansion this week. Lori is definitely protruding in a different fashion, so we think she moved around a little in there also. She is much more bulbous this week. :) We'll have to get a monthly picture up on the baby blog.

Needless to say things are crazy hectic at work. We're smack in the middle of crunch time for Holy Week starting this weekend. So, next Thursdays cosmic blog may or may not come about. I'm excited though. I have a really full sounding choir for the most part this year so I think the Triduum is going to go very well. Normally I would take off a whole lot of time afterwards, but I think I will try to not take off so much since I want to be able to save my time for company this summer.

On a slightly different note. I almost got my bike, BUT the retard company sent the dealer some weird model and not what he ordered at all. I could possibly get it by tomorrow, but most likely it will be Tuesday, and then I won't be able to touch it for a week anyway. Things that make me go Grrr!

Miss you all and hope your Easter season continues to bless you with joy and happiness!
Adam

I forgot...

Grrr... Ever have an epiphanic (sweet, scrabble triple word score!) moment and you suddenly come to a huge realization about life and the way things ought to be? I had one this morning and was dying to blog about it, but I was only able to be on the computer long enough to check some e-mails before I had to go play for a funeral. I can't even really recall what I wanted to blog about in the slightest. So in absence of my forgotten blog, I offer up this waste of cyberspace to the Blog gods in hope of remembering what the crap I wanted to talk about in the first place!

Maybe it had something to do with little Ava Joy, but I can't even honestly remember that much. It has been an exhausting last few days around the Florida household. Spent Monday morning at an EARLY doctor's appointment to get some awesome 4D pics and video of our darling little daughter to be. Following that I spent the whole day out in the yard slaving away tilling up overgrown grass and weeds and mulching around our lovely landscaped plants. Trying to get the yard into good shape since we will have lots of company this summer! :0 Which leads to the next form of exhaustion as I spent nearly three hours on Tuesday afternoon Roto-tilling (used a machine this time) the majority of the front yard due to an infestation of mole crickets in our otherwise lovely front yard. While the machinery made it much faster I can very succinctly relate it to using a hammer drill or jack hammer for lawns. Sure it gets the work done, but it leaves your upper body feeling like a three week old jello mold that someone's mom forgot to pull out of the refrigerator for Thanksgiving. As if Jello arms weren't enough, Wednesday put the nails in the coffins as our friend Chuck and I proceeded to prep the lawn, load and unload 500 sq. ft. of sod, and proceed with the final steps of my Extreme Makeover: Lawn Edition. That went from about 8-2, and then I spent 2-10 at my real job crunching for Easter choir practice and scheduling for the next couple months. So the complaining ends here, but needless to say, I AM BUSHED!

My wife was a dear however and baked me a lovely apple pie when I got home and gave me a nice neck massage, so in the end, it was all worth it! :)

Hugs from all here!

Wasting time and loving it!!!

Well, today has been a mostly productive day, so I decided to take 15 minutes and do something totally crazy and for myself. It is actually pretty nerdy when you think about it, but I guess I am a big nerd. Either a music nerd or a computer nerd, and today I guess I am more of a computer nerd.

If you read my previous post, than you know that I have been in the market for a mountain bike. While I found the one I think I would like to get, i just had to give you all a little demonstration of what I would do with my awesome bike.

CLICK HERE

Yes, I'm a nerd. A big fat nerd who wants a mountain bike so he can be a nice skinny nerd again. :)

Love to all!
Adam

Daddy, er, Baby Registry...

Well for those of you out there who are looking for something to get little Ava Joy, I have a suggestion. You can get her the dual toned stream lined Trek Doodlebug Trailer!

Of course in order for her to be able to enjoy that great gift, she would need something to be pulled by. Hmmm, let me think who is most likely to be doing the pulling. It's definitely not the Mommy! :) That's right folks, here is your opportunity to donate to a worthy cause. The Help Adam Lose Weight fund! Whether you're looking for a great Easter present for me or you just have money burning a whole in your pocket and you've given up buying things for yourself this lent, this is a hands down deal!

This great biking opportunity can be mine with the help of your exorbitant monetary contribution. The Trek 4300 not only offers a great ride for the Daddy, but promises to offer Ava hours of exhilarating wind sheer when purchased in combination with the afore mentioned trailer. And look, they even color coordinate!

Don't let this great deal pass you by! It can be yours for an unlimited time only! Simply call in your pledge donation today at 1-800-BABY-AVA! You too can contribute to the physical health of the newest father in the Ubowski family! Call now, operators are standing by!!!

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And SCENE! Seriously though, I'm hoping I can hook myself up with a bike like this soon. I've been itching to ride again since the pedal broke off of my thrift store special, AKA free bike.

I wonder if the toll free number is really some sort of service. Someone will have to give it a try and post a comment as to what it really is. I know you're curious. :) Well, that's all the nonsense I have for today. Later!

Lenten greetings... or Theological ramblings...

Here we are again faced with another 40 days of Lenten celebration. I find it interesting that the time period of lent is "celebrated". I seem to recall growing up thinking that you had to be somber and sad. Everything in regards to lent had to be painful and sacrificial in nature. I guess one of the reasons this is, is because that was basically the sentiment prior to Vatican II and we are still nowhere near implementing the full scope of the doctrine. I have thoroughly enjoyed several speakers and homilists though lately through whom I have developed a more precise view on the "celebration" of Lent which I like much better and which I believe is more in keeping with the feeling of the liturgical season post Vat.II.

One of the reasons that lent is to be celebrated is because it is in essence a very real part of the entire Easter season. It is an "advent" to the celebration of Christ's resurrection. During the liturgical season of Advent, we don't sit around all somber. No, we rejoice in the anticipation of the birth of Christ. We celebrate Advent as a part of the entire Christmas season!

Granted that Lent is not exactly the same as Advent. Not only are we in preparation this time of season for something truly magnificent, but we must take accord of our personal thoughts and desires and turn them towards the most awesome event and gift in the history of humankind. And you're telling me we have to be somber about this for the whole prelude? I don't think so! I can only begin to imagine how much you miss out on during the Lenten season if you go through the whole thing in personal woe and grief. Think about the bigger picture here! Yes, truly there is a solemn nature to the season, but I think a solemn celebration is still a great deal more invigorating than a sorrowful drudge through these 40 days.

I know in previous years I have always expected the dreadful and sorrowful music at masses during this season, but after looking ahead at our true goal of the season, I can't help but throw some of those more "traditional" thoughts by the wayside. Let's end each mass with a renewed spirit and a thought of hopeful anticipation for what will truly be and IS the end to ALL sufferings. Christ's death on the cross!

Save your sorrow for Good Friday my friends! That is in my mind the only true sorrowful day of the season and I plan to pull out all the minor key and discordant wailing songs I can find. But until then, celebrate a season of anticipation and preparation, commemorate a day of sorrow and loss, and jubilate (yes, it's a word) for a lifetime of Grace and Compassion in the saving power of God's love!

Peace and God Bless!

Mardi Gras madness...

Well, one interesting thing about being in the 'southron' US is the cultural fascination with Mardi Gras. Now I'm not talking about the crazily portrayed GGW show me your beads style of Mardi Gras. I am told by everyone that truly celebrates Mardi Gras how that is definitely not the true intent or meaning of the celebration. I have as of yet not become familiar with the true context of the cultural celebration, but I am sure that another few years in the area will instill a more thorough respect for the festival.

Needless to say, I just spent 45 minutes putting purple, green, and yellow frosting on store-bought cookies to attend the churches famed Mardi Gras festivities this evening. It should be good times though. There will be a zydeco band playing there this evening so that should be interesting. Hadley Castille and the Sharecropper band are supposedly internationally known in zydeco circles at least. How big are those circles though? The only thing I am sad to say I was not able to do is put together a costume for this evening. I would have loved to head over to the goodwill and get a big old purple blazer and the gaudiest gold tie you have ever seen. I doubt Lori is lamenting my lack of ability in this area however. :)

For another party on Monday night, I think I may be so ambitious as to try putting together a king cake. Which from what I can gather is mostly just a big cinnamon bun drizzled with icing in the above mentioned colors. Nevertheless, I am trying to find some time for merriment with all the seriousness of work and child preparation looming over our head. I know that especially with the start of lent and Easter preparation both Lori and I will be extremely busy with everything in our lives. Oh well, there will always be a chance to enjoy life once the kids are older right? :P

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Shake your groove thing...

Every now and then you come across a photo or clip that is deemed blog worthy. This is definitely one I would believe. Shake your groove think Kip!

Well, now that the total randomness is out of the way, I would once more like to advertise that if you haven't already, check out the BABY BLOG!

Things are progressing well at the pregnant household. Lori is starting to nest and feeling the urge to clean and throw things away. I am thoroughly enjoying the throwing away process, yet we can never seem to catch up on the cleaning end of things. I wonder how many other people struggle with that same problem. Seems like we get one or two rooms done, only to have then overrun in the next day by guests or packing or some other idiotic endeavor. Not to mention that we are going to have to build another wing for all the stuff that Ava is going to receive in the next 6 months. Getting her room cleaned out would at least be a good start I think. :)

My oh my how time is flying again. I will probably blink and wake up tomorrow with a squalling infant in my arms. There doesn't even seem to be all that much going on right now. Just enough to keep time flowing without my knowledge that it is passing at all. One of these years I would like to play some golf again. Maybe even get in shape. What shape you ask? Why the Michelin man shape! That would be the easiest to accomplish at this point anyway.

Bah, well I will end there for today. Good morrow and happy hunting!
Remember, "Guns don't kill people, VP Cheney kills people." (Sorry had to do it!) He's going to be kicking himself in the rear for that one for a while.

Peace,
Adam

It's a...

Check out the BABY BLOG!

Another one rides the bus...

Well congratulations to the Steelers on their thrilling super bowl win. It was nice to see a somewhat even matched game that was interesting to watch and not over by the middle of the third quarter. Congrats to Bettis also, the bus stops here!

On a much much cooler note. I got to feel the baby kicking for the first time today! I got to feel it on the outside even before Lori did. It was one of the coolest things that I have ever experienced. It really brings the reality of the baby to a whole different level. It's kind of scary though because I'm still not sure if I'm really ready for all of this. Of course I don't think that you can ever be completely ready to accept complete responsibility for the upbringing of another human being. It is just sort of thrust on you, and you run with it. Hopefully you take some time to prepare mentally, spiritually, and financially, but ready or not, in nine months the kid is going to pop out whether you're ready or not. It's like the old saying goes I guess. Anyone can be a father, it takes a real man to be a dad. So give it up to all the dads out there and hopefully some of their wisdom will pass on to me.

Anyway as this draft is finally getting finished a few days late, I will end here and begin again in another so as to not disrupt the space time continuum with forward history.

Over 1 billion served...

God bless McDonald's. Where else can you enjoy getting fatter by the mouthful, know that's what is happening, and enjoy the taste all at the same time? Two double cheeseburgers a small fry and an apple pie later and I wonder why I don't feel like running. Only in America my friends...

Seriously though, I really need to step it up a notch here. My goal is to lose as much weight as Lori gains, but I am not quite keeping up with her. She looks great though. It's awesome to see her belly to get bigger week by week! According to the books, I should be able to feel the baby moving within the next couple weeks. I can't wait!

It's been a great couple weekends that ended January. I was out in Colorado for one enjoying a retreat with the menfolk and taking time to enjoy the snow with my siblings. We built a monstrous snowman using just about all the snow that was left in the yard. Lori was VERY jealous.

The next weekend Lori and I had the opportunity to do music at our diocesan youth conference near here in Sandestin. We had a great time and met some good people and made some great contacts in the diocese. It was so nice to get away from our messy house for the weekend, we went ahead and stayed an extra day. It was nice to feel like we were able to relax and not worry about anything for another night. We woke up relaxed and thoroughly engorged ourselves at the IHOP. All you can eat pancakes baby! Well, we really only ate the first ones we were given, but we could have had more if we wanted them.

Other than that, it will be nice to have things slow down again for a couple weeks. It will give me some time to firm up plans for Lent and Easter not that far away. Anyway, that is about all I can muster for now, but am definitely looking forward to a more frequent blogging now that traveling has ceased for a while.

Peace to all!
Adam

Just another day in paradise...

Well, I don't know about the rest of the country, but the weather around here sure has sucked lately. 75 degrees, bright and sunny one day, come evening it's down to 40 degrees and chilly as all get out the next day. I wish someone would make up their mind as to what is going on down here. I am really tired of flipping back and forth between the AC and heat. Not to mention what it is probably doing to our electric bill! Jeez.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else was as frustrated with the temperment of the temperature as I was. Definitely looking forward to this weekend. It will be nice to have some time to sit and reflect on the meaning of life and the ultimate question. Aside from the obvious answer of 42 (HHGG reference there folks...) there is still a lot to think about and ponder in my current state of being.

Is it a boy or is it a girl? Will we ever know? Arghhh!

It's a...

BABY! Well, we are still not sure what the heck we are having. We went to the doctor's office today and of course the baby decided to play head stand and curl up in a ball rather than being a good little fetus and showing everyone what he/she was made of. Grrrr! That was a little disappointing as we were really hoping to find out today. The doctor did say she was leaning towards it being a girl from the little bit she was able to maneuver around and see on the sonogram, but I'm still holding out for the final news. I told Lori to go ahead and buy something pink tonight just to make her feel better. :) Well, the saga continues! I guess we'll try again in another month, so stay tuned until then. Same baby time, same baby channel!

Adam

Nobody rocks it like Voltron!!!

I was sitting here reminiscing about life and youth, and I came to the conclusion that nobody rocks it like Voltron! I really miss my old Voltron setup. The Lions Voltron was the best one. The Vehicle one was pretty cool too, but it just didn't have that awe inspiring look like the 5 Lions Voltron did. Plus my sister didn't break my Lions Voltron. :) Sorry Stef, still mad about that one. I didn't even have the car legs for a couple hours on Christmas and you had already broken it! Jeez! j/k All is forgiven.

Anyway, I was just sitting here thinking about how much fun I had with my Castle of Lions and the huge combined figure of Voltron. It really was a great show. This is probably where my interest in more animated styles of cartoons began. Voltron wasn't just a show though, it was an action adventure with moral value! (Ok, stop laughing now...) Seriously though, it taught the major lesson of working together and sharing. Sure, each of the 5 lions was cool on its own and had its own specific powers, but they rarely were able to defeat a major "enemy" all by themselves. Only by banding together in teamwork to combine as the mighty warrior robot Voltron could they save the day!

Where else can you see a fat guy, a hot princess, a short computer nerd, a loner, and a cool guy all get along and accomplish goals despite their diversity? I am sensing a major morals and values push here people! I bet I could even get spiritual if I went back and watched the episodes again. What can I say? It's timeless entertainment.

Anyway, in my reminiscing I strolled by eBay and typed in the old Voltron name and came back with tons of results with the old toys and stuff. I really want to get one of the old full set figures in the box, but not sure how much of a marriage terminating move that would be. :) We'll see!

For some Voltron history, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltron

Until next time...
"Activate interlock! Dynotherms connected! Infracells up! Mega thrusters are go! LET'S GO VOLTRON FORCE!"

Thoroughly Amused...

Happy New Year everyone! Well Lori and I are back from a week long amusement park extravaganza and needless to say, we are more than thoroughly amused. We only managed to make it to three parks, so we didn't reach our goal of four, but I don't think we would have made it back alive if we had. Disney's Epcot, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios was about all we were able to muster.

We started out driving Monday through the rain, Epcot on Tuesday, totally wiped and exhausted on Wednesday, so nixed the Magic Kingdom and just slept in and went to the outlet malls. Thursday was Islands of Adventure, and Friday was Universal Studios and a "halfway" trip home to Jacksonville. Talk about jam-packing a vacation! It was a lot of fun though. Unfortunately Lori was not able to go on a whole lot of things at the first two days, but she was able to sit in on quite a few things at Universal. The cool thing about our Disney tickets though, is that they are good for six months and two more parks still, so we're thinking about trying to get to at least Magic Kingdom again sometime before baby due date!

Other than that, not much else is really going on. We're actually enjoying having some down/ordinary time before the full tilt of Lent and Easter begins. Lori is finally starting to show just a little so that her pants have become extremely uncomfortable and is making the transition into the pregnant pant with the belly bands and penguin crotch! :) lol! She looks great though! I can't wait until she is more "bulbous". Vocabulary word from vacation week. :)

Anyway, hope all is well in your world and the sun is shining so you can see how great things can be! Peace!
Adam

Hello, it's me again...

Well, Christmas day has come and passed and we are still more or less functioning. It was nice to take a few days off after the event. I don't think we accomplished anywhere near the amount of things we needed to in that time, but at least we were able to rest. That is something that I know Lori needs a lot of these days, so in all retrospect, it was probably well deserved and a good expenditure of time.

Can you believe it is almost 2006? I know I sure can't. Seems like I just finally got used to writing 2005 a couple months ago! I guess it's just another surefire sign that I am getting older. My chronological comparison continuum, is ever shrinking. For those unfamiliar with the CCC theory, it simply applies that time goes slower as you are younger, because you have less actual physical time to compare it with, whereas an old fogey like me has much more experienced time to compare with, so time as a whole is ever shrinking. And if you believe all that, I have some nice beachfront property in Arizona to sell you for a real deal.

Anyway, life is good for the moment, but will certainly let you know as soon as it changes. Love and Christmas blessings to all!

So good to be alive...

Well, I have finally overcome whatever crud was in my system. I can not remember the last time that I felt that sick. It was a good thing I was able to get some people to cover masses for me so I could literally sleep for three days straight! Let's hope that's the last of that for awhile.

On the up side, Lori and I had another baby appointment yesterday. You can read about it on the baby blog if you are interested.

Finally finished all my Christmas shopping today. I spent a bunch of the churches money getting presents and appreciation gifts for all my musicians and singers. Maybe I spent some money on some other stuff too. ;) But I'm not telling what!

Anyway, not much going on, just a little insomnia after three straight days of sleep, so keeping you all updated in a short and disfunctional fashion.

Night!
Adam

Sick of being sick...

Tis the season to be flat on your back with a mind splitting sinus cold and raspy voice! Yuck!

Definitely tired of being layed up in the man room. Been sitting here laying in bed ever since the concert got over on Thursday night. Supposed to be having kids over for our advent tradition, and I may make a cameo appearance to play the guitar for P&W, but that is probably about it. I was at least able to muster up enough strength to help Lori get a few things cleaned around the house. Lord knows it became quite the mess this week. So, anyway, just sitting here on my futon bored to tears so I thought a little blog would put the universe back in order. God bless wireless technology! I can blog and watch DVD's in horizontal comfort till the cows come home.

Not much else new going on other than being sick. The concert went off well and we are sooo glad that is over with. I originally had someone scheduled to cover my evening mass for today so I could take a break, not knowing I was going to be sick. I just got off the phone asking someone to cover my 7:30am mass, so hopefully I can at least manage to get up out of bed and make a face appearance if nothing else at the 10:30 mass. At this point I just need to get better, still have quite a few things that I need to get accomplished before Christmas. And we definitely can't afford for Lori to get sick as she would not be able to take anything for it. I can at least toss through the night with the help of some Nyquil, but she would be up the creek.

One interesting thing is that Lori did say that the baby was starting to feel a little more "heavy" in the last couple of days. She can feel it inside if she moves in the right way or lays on her tummy or something. I thought that was really cool. I can't wait till there is even more to tell. :)

That's about it for today. Going back to drug induced slumber for now...

Weak and wounded...

Here we are approaching the 11th hour for Christmas Concert 2005 preparation! Needless to say, both Lori and I are exhausted. Friday could not possibly be further away at this point. Why do we do it you ask? At this point, I don't know that I could honestly give you a pertinent answer that didn't have some abstract form of a four letter word in it. It usually becomes apparent in the reactions and comments occurring after the incident. I hope it does anyway, cause we are beat. I don't know how my beautiful wife is able to keep all this up as well as undergoing the tumultuous burden of living joy inside her tummy. Needless to say, words cannot express the sheer love and admiration I have for her this holiday season.

Christmas really is one of my favorite times of year despite what it may seem like as of now. I enjoy the REAL Christmas time. The weeks after the actual holy day. THAT is Christmas time. It would be nice if it were possible to educate the rest of the world on that slight oversight. The time of waiting and preparation has ceased, the holy day of our Lord and Savior's birth has come, and no more choir practices for two weeks. :) Seriously though, the real Christmas time is something I really enjoy despite the rest of humanity's desire to get the tree in the trash and the decorations down as soon as possible. That should be the real time of rejoicing! Maybe when we're not so caught up in the comings and goings of fads and commercialism, we'll be able to appreciate it a little more. But that is just the ramblings of a humble music minister...

Peace to all and all to Peace,
Adam