Happy Halloween!

Tonight, all the little heathen and pagan children descended upon the neighborhood to plot their evil deeds on all the innocent Christian families. You could hear all the Righteous screaming from deep within their darkened homes.

My own little pagans and I were surely not going to miss these festivities!

Our evil knew no bounds: Eddie was an astronaut; Luke was an Icelandic viking; I was Sir William Wallace; Frank was "Frank the Pug" from Men In Black. Clearly, our souls were in deep peril.



We carved Jack-o-lanterns yesterday afternoon. Eddie went "old school," carving a rather traditional design. I did Halloween 2.0 on mine. Luke created a design of his very own, and carved it by himself. It may be hard to see in the photo, but it's a ghost ascending from the chimney of a haunted house, with the word "BOO!" written across his middle.



We hit only half the neighborhood this year, and saw all most of the neighbors and friends that we like in the neighborhood. As usual, we paired up with the Wolfes. Safety in numbers, you know. Pam and I made a frightening pair, but it was Phil and I who would ultimately take the kids around. Thanks to our ridiculous government, the daylight savings time is still on, so it was disappointingly light as we set out.




Near the end of the night, I took the kids in the van over to see Mrs. Key (Eddie and Gabi's old teacher, Andrew's current teacher). She was so thrilled to see the kids that she threw big hugs around them all. Eddie was so enraptured by this that he nearly forgot to get his candy.

Finally, we got back home, wolfed down a few pieces of candy before bed, and the kids are now soundly sleeping, dreaming heretical thoughts of candy and costumes.

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is fast approaching, and one of Santa's little elves is already hard at work. For the past few days, Eddie has been busy selecting, arranging, practicing, and composing (yes, composing!) pieces of music for his Christmas show. He wants to produce a show for various family (who will doubtlessly also be drafted into his performance in singing roles).

Without giving anything away, here's a sample of what's to come:

• O, Christmas Tree
• Deck the Halls
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

and

an Eddie original...

• Winter Serenade (a four part vocal arrangement for alto, soprano, tenor and bass! Very ambitious for his first scored composition!)
  

Never Weather-beaten Sail

Tonight was another Evensong service at St. Peter's. Becky, Eddie and Luke performed with all the choir, under the direction of Barbara Verdile, to give a really solemn and special service. The boys are really progressing in their chorister education.

I recorded many songs of the evening, but this one is my favorite: "Never Weather-beaten Sail".



(Note, the video quality is not very good on Google Video, but I have to use it because YouTube doesn't let me put these long videos on their site. Luckily, the audio quality is good enough.)

Saws and Hammers and Awls (Oh, My!)

It was tool night tonight at our Cub Scout meeting. Mr. Broshkevitch did a fine job describing all the tools. He even made birdhouse kits for the boys, so they could practice assembly, hammering, and putting in screws.

In all, the boys did a fine job on their birdhouses, and nobody walked out with a smashed thumb. I'd say that was a success then!

Nice Throw-In!

Saw this the other morning on ESPN. Check out the throw-in right at 1:00 (and again at ~2:35)!!! Anybody who says soccer is a sissy sport has not truly played the game!



(For what it's worth, that's a perfectly legal throw-in, as both feet were on the ground when the throw occurred.)

Three Piano Pieces by Eddie

Here are three short piano pieces, performed by Eddie.

The first, a piece called "Grand Entrance".


The second, a piece called "Rock Around the Block".


Finally, the third, the much beloved, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

Quiet Weekend

We had rather a quiet weekend, for a change. I mean, we did have Luke's soccer game, but apart from that, nothing really on the agenda.

Saturday night, Jim and Lisa brought Rachel and Mila over and we had some chili and cornbread for supper. Always great to see Jim and Lisa, and I was remarking to Becky tonight that it's really amazing that Jim and I have known each other for 21 years. I think he's my longest running friend (even longer than Becky, by about four years).

Here are some rather goofy photos from the weekend. In the first, well, it's pretty self-explanatory. The afro-wig always gets some smiles.

The second is of Jim and Rachel.

The third photo is one Luke took of me and Rachel wrestling around on the floor with Frank. Frank is in an unusually fierce pose, while it looks as though I'm about to crush the poor baby Rachel. I assure you, I didn't.

Eddie's Pug Project

Eddie just finished a very large project for school. His assignment was to learn about and write about any breed of dog that he chose. Of course, Eddie chose our beloved pug.

Each night for the past two weeks, Eddie had to spend time reading pug books from the library. The, he had to write at least one page about the pug breed and decorate a large poster board with photographs of pugs.

Eddie had no problem finding lots to write about on pugs. It's one of his favorite topics! This is probably some of the best writing he's done to date.

Possibility of a New Van?

Becky has been gradually losing interest in our wonderfully sturdy (but very quirky) 1997 Chrysler Town & Country. Beside the fact that it's filled with ten years of Cheerios and Oreo cookie crumbs, and that one door is pretty hard to open, and that the wipers come on randomly whenever they wish--beside all that--the van is in pretty good shape. It has over 160,000 miles on it, but the transmission was new at 100,000, and the engine is otherwise in good shape. (Knock on wood.)

Even still, it's old, and Becky's been hinting at wanting a new van. Actually, she wants a "cross-over", since I guess vans are losing vogue.

Last night, as she walked in from choir practice, I was on the computer.

As she walked in, I called out to her, "Hey, hon, I found a great new van for you! It gets 30 mpg, is only $8,000, is in great condition, and only has 30,000 miles on it."

She got all excited. Then I showed it to her.

CLICK HERE TO REVEAL THE PICTURE.

At this point, she laughed (always being the good sport), and she reminded me of Tom and Ray's "Car Talk" line about these old VW vans:

"In a head-on collision, the only thing protecting the engine is your legs."

Man, but it is a beautiful van, though. And in perfect condition. It even has a souped-up sound system and in-console GPS. And Eddie would be jazzed about the sink with running water. I could just see us going down the Interstate.

"Hey, Dad. I need another drink of water!"

Then, later, "Hey, Dad. Where's the toilet?"

Check it out on ebay.

Oh, and if you buy it, can I go camping with you?

Eddie - Practicing the Piano

This video may not interest everyone. It's long. It's 13 minutes long--a complete recording of one of Eddie's piano practices. I like it though. It's relaxing for me to watch it and see him work on his lesson. It's almost hypnotic.

In this video, Eddie practices his scales and arpeggios, then moves on to practice a couple of pieces of music (4:50) he's been assigned, and finally ends with some improvisation (10:00).

In Football News...

...No, I'm not talking about the Packers close win over the Redskins. I'm talking about football as it's played in the rest of the world.

Scotland, after a stunning defeat of France last month, have now beat Ukraine 3-1, and only need to beat Georgia (on Wednesday) and Italy (on November 17) to secure a place in the European Championships 2008! This is truly a come-from-behind, never-expected-to-win, Cinderella story! And with Italy playing on Scottish turf, and the Tartan Army giving 'em hell the entire time, there's always hope for a win!

Man, I wish I could get these games on my satellite. Go Scotland!

Polski Wieczór Późny

Saturday night was another of our group dinner parties, this time, Poland at Pam and Phil's house. Scott, Leslie, Sharon, Desi, Becky and I were all there. And of course, Pam and Phil. But this time, Sharon invited her brother Shawn and his wife, Jess. Shawn and Jess, it was very nice to meet you, and your baby is really cute!

For appetizers, we had some great mushroom crescents and deviled eggs. Then, the wine started flowing with Phil's selection of mostly Virginia wines. Most were good, but stay way from the Norton from Horton. It was not good.

Dinner was Kielbasa, paprika stuffed cabbages, and pirogies. All of it good, but definitely east-European comfort food.

We finished off the night with a little "wodka" and whisky, which generally meant that some of us were a little more obnoxious than we intended.

Soccer 2007

I haven't had much time this year to post photos of Luke playing soccer. (Because I'm actually the coach.)

It's a shame that I can't take the photos, because Luke's team--the Rockets--are doing really well. I don't mean their win-loss record, which is a respectable 2-1-1. I mean, these boys are playing REAL SOCCER. They have learned how to control the ball, and they're playing with self confidence and skill. It's a pleasure to watch them play, and even greater fun to coach them.

So, here is the only photo I have so far recording the Fall 2007 season. Our team photo.

I present to you... the Rockets!

Sharon's Pictures from Camping

Sharon had some great photos from the camping trip. A couple of these were just fantastic!

Salamanders were a big hit on the camp out. These tasted best dipped in chocolate and served with a raspberry purée.

LOOKOUT!

Our intrepid guide and his lovely spouse.

OMMMMMMMM.

Can you hear the salamander screams?

Eddie's School Photo

And, as promised, here is Eddie's 2007 school photo. Another handsome boy. Photos are in the mail.

Luke's School Photo

Luke's 2007 school photo came home today. He looks quite handsome considering minutes before he had to go to the bus stop, his rat, Fred, pooped on his shoulder. On picture day, no less! Luckily, Becky was quick with the wardrobe change.

Eddie's photo should be up tomorrow evening. Eddie didn't bring his home today because he was on a field trip.

Ron Paul

Sorry. Politics again. Tis the season...

Ron Paul recently said this, when accused of being isolationist:

It is not we non-interventionists who are isolationists. The real isolationists are those who impose sanctions and embargoes on countries and peoples across the globe because they disagree with the internal and foreign policies of their leaders. The real isolationists are those who choose to use force overseas to promote democracy, rather than seek change through diplomacy, engagement, and by setting a positive example. ...

A Paul administration would see Americans engaged overseas like never before, in business and cultural activities. But a Paul administration would never attempt to export democracy or other values at the barrel of a gun, as we have seen over and over again that this is a counterproductive approach that actually leads the United States to be resented and more isolated in the world.

He's Republican, and I'd vote for him. Too bad he doesn't have a chance in hell of winning.

Luke's Build-A-Bear Party

After camping, we took Gabi and Andrew (much recovered after throwing up all weekend) out with Luke and Eddie for Luke's birthday party. Luke wanted to go to Build-A-Bear, mostly because he wanted to wring a my wallet empty in the shortest possible amount of time. Build-A-Bear does that quite efficiently.

The kids all got to choose one new animal and one outfit. Eddie and Gabi both chose a lurid orange bear; Andrew chose a ghost-shaped bear, and Luke, another spotted feline. This time, it was "General Cheetah"--an Army general with a bad attitude. (Sort of a furry, cuddly Patton.)



After Build-A-Bear, I pan-handled a bit to be able to afford dinner at UNO's Chicago Pizza, where again the kids got to construct their own pizzas. Ending the meal was a splendid dessert called "Chocolate Wow!" And "wow" indeed. It was quite delicious! We violated some copyrights by singing "Happy Birthday", and I'm pretty sure Luke had a really great time.



The video is pretty funny, if only because of the interplay between Luke and Andrew. These two are peas in a pod! And, yes, because I know someone will ask, today was my "free day."