[][1]Yeni Weather Script I have a new phone on my desk (or as Yeni calls it, the mesk). Why mesk? Combines messy and desk… but I digress (as usual). As I was saying, I recently purchased a Polycom Soundpoint IP 450 phone. The phone is great — small foot print, clean, great speakerphone, and enables HD Voice. HD Voice is going to change the way we think of how phone calls sound....

[][1]Conga Time! Welcome friends to 2009. Last night Yeni’s family and I went to Michael’s and were surrounded by family to enjoy the New Year’s Celebration. Last year, I was in New York City’s Times Square watching the ball drop after eating an amazing feast at Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn. Wow, that was an amazing meal… This year was more of a somber tone and I was very fortunate to be surrounded by family....

[][1]See this and more at the Picasa Site It’s a start. 😉 Over 1,000 pictures were taken in December, 2008 — perhaps due to the re-purchase of my favorite lens that died or maybe the addition of a new (fancy schmancy) flash. Regardless, many pictures were taken and as always, I like to share. I’ve selected a few and put them on the Picasa site. I think I may go to Flickr one day, but for now, I have to say I’m pretty happy with Picasa for my needs....

[][1]Fred saw Iron Man in 2008 I’ve said it before — I love movies. I simply love movies. Sure, not all movies receive my love; horror films and I never got along (except I did like Scream). And sadly, my sister and I have our movie senses switched as I like a good chick flick and she likes the scary ones. But as usual, I digress… Back in 2002, when I was first posting rants online, I posted a little mini-rant about seeing movies in the theater (the site’s been through so many changes since then that I reposted back in 2007)....

[][1]Fred with Bear in Montgomery, MI I learned that Colombian tradition places a lot of emphasis on Christmas Eve. Last night, after eating tamales and playing Wii at Michael’s, Yeni’s family and I returned to the house, ate more tamales with friends, and then opened presents. I received some excellent presents this year, including Spider-man trinkets and a new Harley outfit for the bear. We crashed very late and woke up to find much of Ann Arbor closed....

So this is Christmas And what have you done Another year over And a new one just begun And so this is Christmas I hope you have fun The near and the dear ones The old and the young So in Colombian tradition (as I’m learning), Christmas is all about Christmas Eve. So today we are bringing Yeni’s family over to Michael’s for some great times with family, friends, and loved ones....

[][1]Happy Birthday Yeni! Today is Yeni’s birthday… so Happy Birthday Sweetheart! So drop her a line, send her a tweet, or just think special thoughts. Today she is 25 years old (per her choice). I love you sweetheart! Today we are planning food, coconut shrimp, food, and maybe even shopping!!!! Feliz Cumpleaños! Again… we are selecting 25 for this year’s birthday. Next year: also 25. In 2025, Yeni will turn 26....

Yesterday was a “travel day,” with all the reminders of why I do not like to fly. But, thanks to modern travel, I made it home safe and sound. The temperature last night? 1° F. Ouch. Snow in the neighborhood is piled higher than the mailboxes.

[][1]That little spec in the center is the duck. And in the bottom right corner is the one mom threw in. So today (December 20th) marks the 2nd Anniversary of Forrest’s passing. Last year, I rode the Harley out to Cedar Key, Florida and threw a duck into the ocean. Why a duck? Well, when I graduated UF back in 2006 (Go Gators), my parents threw an open house graduation party for me....

Yesterday, we woke up at 5am and headed through the snow to take me to the airport. Even after spending 5 hours on the tarmac (and being de-iced from a de-icer named Fred), I still have to say I love American Airlines. Don’t get me wrong, I do not like flying. I hate almost everything about it… From taking off your shoes to the airline reps behind the counter (has anyone ever had a positive experience with a gate agent?...