So today a colleague remembered what day it is tomorrow (that is, the 14th of February), and thus, he took off a little early to search for something for his wife.  Some people look forward to V-Day.  Others, like my colleague, stress over it.  And finally, there are others that despise the holiday … and that’s the focus of my entry today.  Not to be negative or anything, but given my friends’ distaste for the day, I’m curious how fellow singles deal with the day.

Recently a bunch of friends have been feeling sad over their former boyfriends (yeah, its been only my female friends).  And take for example American Greeting Cards.  I saw them promoting their free Anti-Valentine e-cards.  Next is one of my close friends doing a bit of Anti-Valentine’s Day protesting by hanging out at the movies with one of her girlfriends.  I suspect she is also trying to avoid remembering any past heartbreaks.

Honestly, I can relate.  I remember how years ago V-day would stir up memories of a past relationship that the ex-girlfriend happened to end right after that holiday.  For several years following tt was not fun time of the year … in fact, it pretty much was a bummer part of the year to “look forward to”.  Fortunately I knew how to keep busy during those years, and I knew that time would fade the memories away.  (And it does, sometimes taking awhile.)

So fellow singles … what is your take on the day?  Does it remind you of where you are at in life, i.e., single and not any closer to being married?  Or do you dread & despite the day because you are still getting over a painful breakup?  Or does Valentine’s just not bother you at all?

Sigh.  So why is it so hard to forget what I don’t want to remember, yet I can’t remember what I do forget?

Poor kid, must have been painful:  Boy’s Toenail Ripped Off; Shoe Caught in Escalator

“His mother says people at the hospital told her this is a common occurrence with Crocs.”

Loved this song at Sunday Worship today, it’s Darlene Zschech’s The Potter’s Hand

Verse:
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Saviour
I know for sure, all of my days are held in your hands, crafted
into your perfect plan
You gently call me into your presence guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through Your eyes
I’m captured by Your holy calling
Set me apart, I know you’re drawing me to yourself
Lead me Lord I pray

You gentlly call me into your presence guidin me by your holy spirit
Teach me dear lord to live through your eyes
I’m captured by you holy calling
Set me apart, I know your drawing me to yourself
Lead me lord I pray

So our soon-to-be former junior engineer (and our former intern) Dan is leaving us for graduate school.  He wanted to have his going away party at Chuck E. Cheese.  Supporting Dan in this venture was myself, our undergrad intern (Chris), grad intern (Alexis),  and even our 47 year old coworker, William, joined us.  Once there we enjoyed greasy pizzas, tokens, and much electronic fun.

I played this DDR-like (that’s Dance Dance Revolution) game (hated it, you don’t stand in the middle like the home-version), played some arcade golf, some kind of snow-mobile racing game, and skeeball.  Oh, to be a kid again!

And in case you’re wondering, we thought it would be a good idea to give our coupon winnings to one of the moms.

All in all a very good time.  I told William when he retires and if Chuck E. Cheese is still around, we will have his retirement party there!

My cellie just recently rang.  I answer:

<Koine>                Hello?
<Cousin Jansen>  Hey, Wayne.
<Koine>                Hey, WAYNE?!       Nice. 

Apparently, he’s getting some major computer help from my IT consultant brother, so I guess I forgive J.  I guess I should be use to this by now …

Or last week, we celebrated Father’s Day at my cousin’s house.  So I walk over and help his daughter solve a word-search book (she’s 5).  After we solved a few, I ask her:

<Koine>                  Do you remember my name?
<Cousin Jennifer>  Ah … <thinks real hard & smiles> … no.
<Koine>                  What’s her name?  (Pointing to my sister-in-law)
<CJ>                       Christine!
<Koine>                  How about them?  (Pointing to my brothers)
<CJ>                       I don’t know.

After giving her a hint of the first few letters, she did remember my name.  Forget about “blood is thicker than water”.  I guess being the youngest with no sisters (though w/ two older brothers), I shouldn’t fault her either. 

Argh, I had to wear this UVA t-shirt today:

Knowing that I am a MARYLAND TERP, someone asked how I got it:  “Well, I dated this girl from UVA, and all I got was this lousy shirt.”    The George Mason kids liked that.  And so, the UM-UVA (& GMU-UVA) rivalry continues …

[Photo credit, Paul Tsao]

Does anyone remember when Redskin’s QB Joe Theisman broke his leg?  Or how recently a basketball player (pros?) leg spun around his knee joint? (My friend and I saw it on highlights and we both went “Ouch!”  Well,  I almost saw that with one of my younger fellowship brothers.

It all started out when I was joking with one of my friends to jump through a chair Jackie Chan style for $20.  I knew he wouldn’t do it … too dangerous and his lovely wife & daughters would kill him if he came back a broken mess.  Well one of the college kids volunteered when the offer was made to all (not quite by me, but I agreed to follow through on it).  Given the younger brother’s size he had a great chance to do it, so I’m hoping he’ll do it.

He made this incredible leap landed through the opening but then the chair collapsed on his ankles/shins.  Ugh, that’s one challenge I’m never gonna repeat. I hope I can sleep tonight, cuz that image is still stuck in my head right now, and my stomach is all knotted up as well.  I forgotten the kind of daredevils that college students can be.

The good thing is that with my challenge and some generous others, he’s got some additional funds for his upcoming missions trip.  But will someone make this image please go away?!

Spider Man 3 was better than expected.  Before the movie I thought having three villians in the movie would dilute the movie but the writers did a great job integrating all three into the storyline.  The movie was action-packed, so when the movie did slow down for development it did seem a bit t-o-o slow.

Maquire was a bit uneven.  There’s something about the way he expresses himself as Peter Parker.  Right away from Peter Parker’s beginning narration Maquire’s voice sounded even.  I actually thought Maquire playing a bad Spidey/Parker was awesome.  Yes, a bit over-the-top, but fun & funny.  (Also getting a chance to see Rosemary Harris again as May Parker (“Aunt May”) is a delightful treat of a wonderfully skilled actress.  IMDB says she’s 80!  She doesn’t look it at all.)

And having seen Spidey/Parker turn to the “dark side”, I couldn’t help mull over how easy it can be for us all to slide into the seductive road seeking power & fame.  Sin has a way of doing that.  I’m glad for the Spirit & the Word for their power in those who trust in them.

Picked up my second NEW wheel cover aka “hubcap”.  As I walked around the car I noticed one of the old covers was separated from the wheel.  I could see the click-tab and it didn’t look right.  The cover didn’t budge loose, but I I thought push the cover closer to the wheel which lead to  “CRACK” and one of the tabs falls to the ground.    

Argh.  Noooooooo.  A third “hubcap”!!!  Did the warranty just expire on these things??

Can’t I just once have all four tires lookin’ nice, ya know?  Already I started playing back a buddy’s voice saying, “You still haven’t replace that?”

Upon closer inspection there was already a missing tab, now the newly broken tab, and a third tab cracking at the joint.  Great.  This time I didn’t bother ordering a new one … since my coworkers had suggested that I try some alternatives like junkyards & websites.  I did a quick search online.  I found an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) cover for half the price!  They also sold a set of 4 generics for the price of two OEMs!!  If the website looks reputable I may try to get one.