Very much looking forward to this...

San Diego 10-day forecast

Feb 26

Mostly Cloudy

65°
52°

Fri
Feb 27

AM Clouds / PM Sun

66°
53°

Sat
Feb 28

Partly Cloudy

77°
56°

Sun
Mar 1

Partly Cloudy

73°
55°

Mon
Mar 2

Cloudy

66°
52°

Tue
Mar 3

Cloudy

65°
53°

Wed
Mar 4

Partly Cloudy

63°
52°

Thu
Mar 5

Partly Cloudy

63°
52°

Fri
Mar 6

Showers

61°
50°

Sat
Mar 7

Showers

66°
51°

Vacation is approaching

We haven't been on a vacation (I mean a real vacation not just a weekend wedding trip or a 4-day weekend to nowhere) since our honeymoon three and a half years ago. We are headed out to San Diego to visit Brian and Laura.

We really need the time off and a change of climate. While my S.A.D. has eased, I still crave some sunshine on my face and the ability to run out of doors without four layers of clothing.

Do I want to relocate? Hell no, all we need is a little break. Even those that have relocated to the Southwest (I often hear Phoenix and San Diego) are no happier. They always find something to complain about. Phoenix has deadly heat from April to October and San Diego has wildfires that consume homes every year. I like our seasons. I like being close to family and culture and good food and entertainment.

Facebook controversy

It looks like they caved to the pressure. This was posted at the top of my page this morning. Funny, they didn't post the modification to their TOS two weeks back. Amazing what bad publicity can do for you.

"Terms of Use Update
Over the past few days, we have received a lot of feedback about the new terms we posted two weeks ago. Because of this response, we have decided to return to our previous Terms of Use while we resolve the issues that people have raised. For more information, visit the Facebook Blog.

If you want to share your thoughts on what should be in the new terms, check out our group Facebook Bill of Rights and Responsibilities."

Downturn?

I don't know what everyone else is experiencing with their own budgets, but it seems that Katie and I have been spending MORE money ever since the recession hit. Maybe it's because we put off purchases of common items such as clothing, shoes, home repairs until we shook out our new budget after buying our house or we just need more goods.

Anyone else experiencing this?

14 month old

Amanda can now walk on her own, pretty much sleeps through the night and makes attempts at talking. Her pallet is now more advanced. She will eat pizza, cheese, bread, meats (chicken & beef), pancakes and more. She also likes to play "boo". She screams, laughs and runs away. She then comes back for me.

I think I have SAD

Or Seasonal Affective Disorder.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195/DSECTION=symptoms

I have the following symptoms from their web site:

• Loss of energy
• Social withdrawal
• Oversleeping
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating and processing information

Which means I really need a vacation to some place warm and sunny!

My new project at home part 2

Completed. This was a fun exercise. One week from conception to completion.

Night out

Last night we went out to a belated Christmas party. My mother was sitting and we expected to spend maybe three hours away. We attend this party (hosted by one of Katie's high school lady friends) each year and while I usually enjoy my time there, I never really have anything much to bring to the table as I don't have much of a history with anyone but the host and hostess whom I like a lot. This year was very different.

The party started out like a typical couples party. We talked about kids, napping, scheduling events, balancing work and family, etc. It was just like any other party where we are introduced as "EricandKatie" and everyone has their conversation revolve around family, work and kids. That changed eventually.

We met a couple that lives just a few blocks away from us and the conversation quickly changed to home improvement (equally suburban stereotypical) but a welcome departure from diapers, soccer and sleeping schedules. We had a great time sharing stories back and forth about projects we all did to our homes and the struggles within those projects.

After exhausting all stories, there were only four of us left in the living room and I had thought that the party was winding down. I was mistaken. The party was just hiding in the other rooms of the house. The four of us decided to move into other parts of the party and mingle. Katie and I landed in the kitchen near the kitchen table where the real party-goers were camping out around the hard liquor.

This maneuver was a game-changer. These people were a great time; not your typical attendees. They were city folk who are married and have children, but also know how to party. Not only were they partiers, but they were a hell of a lot of fun. Everything that came out of my mouth was like gold, Jerry! They loved every joke, every line. It was a great night. We ended up leaving sometime after midnight.

We arrived home to find my mother sacked out on the couch, having no idea what time it really was. That's great news, we were concerned we wore out our welcome. Hey, we don't get out much, give us a break. She made it home safely and we went to bed.