Before I leave for work today I thought I'd put this up. Every once in a while I like to put up the top keywords that are used to get to my site... God knows I have no clue how people find me.. Yes... 29% of people come here because they type in "smack the monkey"... go figure...
All Keywords Unique Visitors
676 10.99% monkey
616 10.02% smack
527 8.57% the
366 5.95% moesko
353 5.74% island
326 5.30% mypronLabels: MyNews
posted by Spada 11/11/2008 06:05:00 AM
I know, I've been slow to post here lately. I've been super busy working on stuff for Christine, and getting over a cold that seems to want to kick my butt. Plus the children are plotting to kill us much like a Family Guy episode. the Girl, she does things that are super human and are physically only possible in a teenager. Jumping and running and climbing. Slowly attempting to wittle down my nerve until it's shot. The Boy, he plots our doom through the spoken word thinking that if we can't get a word in edge wise we'll just give up.
It's working! My nerves are shot, and given up talking all together!!! :P Anyways, work seems to be going good even with our stock price in the potty. We have a bunch of great games coming and I helped launch Mirror's Edge yesterday. My next big game launch is Left4 Dead which will be easy, and then after that Burnout Paradise on the PC.
However, my biggest challange is Battleforge which is taking up a lot of my time. Document writing has become my new hobby!
So as I get though this busy season (with a respite) in Decemeber I leave you with a promise. I promise to post more pictures of the kids soon, as well as looking to update my entire site again. I don't want it to be stale and boring.
Thanks!
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 11/11/2008 05:55:00 AM
Here is (as of 8am PST) the results of California's Props.
http://vote.sos.ca.gov/Returns/props/59.htm
Name of Prop, % voted Yes and No
1A Y Safe, Reliable High-Speed Train Bond Act Yes Votes 52.3% No Votes 47.7%
2 Y Standards for Confining Farm Animals Yes Votes 63.3% No Votes 36.7%
3 Y Children's Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Yes Votes 54.8% No Votes 45.2%
4 N Parent Notif. Before Terminating Minor's Pregnancy Yes Votes 47.6% No Votes 52.4%
5 N Nonviolent Drug Offense. Sentencing, Parole, Rehab Yes Votes 40.2% No Votes 59.8%
6 N Police, Law Enforcement Funding. Criminal Laws. Yes Votes 30.5% No Votes 69.5%
7 N Renewable Energy Generation Yes Votes 35.0% No Votes 65.0%
8 Y Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Yes Votes 52.1% No Votes 47.9%
9 Y Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole. Yes Votes 53.3% No Votes 46.7%
10 N Altern. Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy Bonds Yes Votes 40.1% No Votes 59.9%
11 Y Redistricting Yes Votes 50.6% No Votes 49.4%
12 Y Veterans' Bond Yes Votes 63.5% No Votes 36.5%
Some other interesting results from other states:
Arizona Prop 102 Ban on Gay Marriage Yes 56%
Arkansas Initiative 1 Ban on unmarried couples adopting Children Yes 57%
California Prop 8 Ban on Gay Marriage Yes 52%
Florida Amendment 2 ban on Gay Marriage Yes 62%
I guess this means that America is not ready for same-sex couples using the word marriage. I believe they should have all the same rights, but they really need their own word.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 11/05/2008 08:04:00 AM
Just a couple of updates!
First, this was found in San Mateo while we were out. Yes, the induendo is something they were going for.... http://www.ladypartsauto.com/
Second, Christine broke her little toe on her left foot. She accidently kicked the kids chair (I am told it jumped out at her and she couldn't avoid it). However, everthing is ok, it's a hairline fracture and she just has it buddy taped.
Third, I hope everyone had a great Halloween!
Take care!
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 11/04/2008 07:08:00 AM
I'm not too happy with "E*Trade" at the moment. You see, even though the economy is being hit hard (perhaps more so by the news) this is the prefect time to "invest". However, I used E*Trades "Quick Transfer" option, which I thought would be "Quick". However, it takes 4 days to move the money to my brokerage account. I'm ok with that, I started the process on Monday, I should have had the money posted by today.
However, the "Quick Transfer" actually didn't post until WEDNSDAY!!! Which means my money wont be ready to be invested until TUESDAY or WEDNSDAY of next week. 4 days my fat ass!!
This means I may not be in the as near perfect position I was hoping I would be in today. Hopefully the next President wont be able to fix the economy by next week :\ BO/JM PLEASE wait until next FRIDAY!!!! (Thanks!)
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 10/31/2008 07:26:00 AM
Catie loved the pumpkins so much she had to kiss them all!
posted by Spada 10/20/2008 02:50:00 PM
So I just got a new Bluetooth Headset for my phone. I used to have a Motorola but after 10 months it has begun to degrade horribly. I don't know if it's because the tiny battery inside is dying or if it's just something else internally.Anyways I got a great deal on a Cardo S-800 (just $35) and based on the reviews I saw it's rated to be as good as a Jabra of the same size. It has LOTS of features, and can be connected to up to 8 devices! It's tiny, and seems to have everything I was looking for!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 10/14/2008 03:44:00 PM
So here I stand waiting for some pictures to print wondering if technology really has surpassed expectation. Next to me is a grandmother excited that her pictures are now printed instantly and that instead of a 40k dollar photo developer printer she just needs to use the photo kiosk which is probably a 200 dollar printer wrapped around a nifty touch screen. Me I find waiting for the larger machine just as nice, sure fast is cool but does it account for quality and time spent taking your time? I don't think so.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 10/09/2008 05:37:00 PM
Info on the new Clone Wars Wave 4 and TLC Wave 5 are out!
Wave 4 of TCW includes:
19 Clone Trooper (212th Attack Battalion)
20 Padme Amidala
21 Clone Trooper (Space Gear)
22 Magnaguard
23 R3-S6 ("Goldie")
http://www.rebelscum.com/story/front/Whats_Next_For_The_Clone_Wars_118192.asp
The Legacy Collection:
Han & Luke in REALISTIC Stormtrooper disguises
Brainiac
Wioslea
Trinto Duaba
Dice Ibegon
Space Trooper
Jawa with WED Droid
Ben Kenobi
http://www.rebelscum.com/2008/TLCwave5.jpgLabels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/30/2008 09:19:00 PM
Day #1 of VA
A really great day full of meeting new people and meeting up with old friends. I also played a pretty big role in shaping some of the future for one of my old favorite games.
We are headed out for dinner soon and then it's back to the hotel..
Last night was pretty cool though as we ate at some Brazil BBQ place and it was very unique.
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/29/2008 02:09:00 PM
So I leave for Fairfax VA, today to visit EA Mythic and attend the second UO Development Summit. I'll also be talking to others there about Warhammer and other items of interest.
I also I guess have the great pleasure of being there while a hurricane goes by... Awesome! rain rain rain just for me.
I'll update while I'm there!
On another note the Dell laptop has finally died! (well mostly) It got a pretty nasty malious adware program on it via some free forums Christine was using. It basically rendered the browser dead, and no matter what I did I couldn't kill it. So 'Off with it's head!" I'm reinstalling Windows xp on it right now. However, I leave for VA in about 2 hours so I hope to have it finished by then. So far, so good.. It's just always setting up the network and getting the drivers.. then updating, updating, updating.. a million times kills me. Service Pack 3 here I come!
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/28/2008 02:49:00 AM
Mobile apps for moto phones.
Google Apps
http://m.google.com/youtube (youtube)
http://m.google.com/maps (Google Maps)
http://m.google.com/blogger (Blogger)
http://google.com/ig/msettings (iGoogle)
http://m.google.com/photos (Picasa)
Top 10 Business Apps you may want to get:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=278Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/14/2008 10:30:00 PM
I fly out tomorrow for Austin, and I can't wait. I'll be going for AGDC and I'll be posting an updates here during the entire conference. I also got a new phone! I'll be using this week to get used to it to see if I like it.
Check back often this week to find out how everything is going!
>M<
posted by Spada 9/13/2008 11:12:00 PM
SPORE!(testing widget)Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/04/2008 09:18:00 AM
What wild holiday weekend! So it started Thursday with Christine getting a stomach bug and us going to the ER that night. All weekend Christine was a little under the weather which meant we had to stay close to home and not eat anything spicy :P
So today was the icing on the cake though. You see before we left for vacation we took Christine's Kia to the shop for them to look at the AC. You see the AC has been acting up, but the Kia dealership said they could not repro the problem so we had to pay the fee for them to diagnostic the car.
Then today while we were in Dublin headed to the Stoneridge mall to kill some time the AC compressor locks up and causes the Serp belt to begin to burn and smoke. Lucky for us I pulled into the next parking lot, which was the local Station 2 Fire Station.
They guys there were awesome, just like I remember firefighters. They helped with everything and offered us drinks and anything we needed. So we called Kia and they had the car towed to the dealership (yes the same one who said there was nothing wrong a month ago) so Christine will have her way with them tomorrow. It will be funny to watch them shiver in fear.
I can't wait!!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/01/2008 10:13:00 PM
I have switched Webhosting services today. I wanted to thank Mike G for hosting me for almost 5 years. It's been great!!
Thanks
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/10/2008 06:37:00 PM
Just two days before we leave for NH. It's a blizzard of excitement here and we are cleaning and packing in anticipation.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 7/27/2008 04:31:00 PM
Outside the toys r us waiting for midnight madnesses to start
Check it! Home made!
Hey keith this is the wal mart in trac the next day.. Look at all those BMF and those pegs were FULL of 1st day figures. There was also an entire end cap of build a drod 2 packs.
I got another heavy ARC gunner.. :PLabels: MyNews
posted by Spada 7/25/2008 10:57:00 PM
Ok, for what ever reason, Blogger wont show these images turned the right way.. I'll have to fix that later. So for now, just enjoy it this way.
This is my new desk/cube!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 7/18/2008 03:40:00 PM
So apparently Google has tried to break into the VR Chat room areana space. Good luck Google! but I don't see anything new here that others haven't tried already. Really, it will just be a novelty at best. I think to really break this market you'll have to move away from the "VR Space" and stay with a more traditional chat or Voip system but with a robust avatar system.
Join my room! maybe I'll be there?
Anyway, check out my "Jedi Council" Room on Lively!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 7/09/2008 09:37:00 AM
So what have I been up to this week? Lets see, earlier on Sunday we went up to see Christine's parents in Sacromento. It was great fun. The kids loved having an entire pre-school all to themselves. (check out the pics in the family gallery page)
Original Scorch:
Stealth Scorch:
I've also been packing up my cube at work as I have to move later this month to a new location. We're building out the call center again. The great part is I've been able to bring some stuff home to sell and paint. One of the things I'm painting is a "Stealth Scorch" figure. So far it's coming out pretty cool!
My Old Desk
My Old Cleaned up Desk
My current Desk
posted by Spada 7/08/2008 07:11:00 AM
850 wild fires burning.. they are all over.. here are some stats.
Hourly Air Quality for the Bay area
Governors site on the wilf fires
Christine told me today that it was so bad, we can't open the doors.. it's hazy and just plain smokey today and we are on the good side of the bay.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/24/2008 02:33:00 PM
I've uploaded some new pics and some new video's. Family, check them out!!
Enjoy
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/22/2008 07:55:00 PM
Because games are what I do, and I love Christine!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/20/2008 10:05:00 AM
The new BMF is looking HOT!! Apparently it's already starting to hit in Canada (Don't know why they are so lucky!!) and some readers on various forums have begun to post pics. Here is an AWESOME pic of the size difference between the old and new. The one on the left is the original sculpt that they have been using since the early 80's and has been released several times over the years. The original sculpt has been used so much that it has begun to break down and that prompted Hasbro to create the BMF and I think we are all very happy with the outcome.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/20/2008 07:02:00 AM
This one is for Christine! enjoyLabels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/17/2008 08:53:00 AM
Yep, I redid some of the site last night. I was bored, and well I had an asset pack from the Spore fankit. So I picked out a nice theme and went with it. I've set it up so I can make changes to the buttons fairly easily.
Enjoy!
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/13/2008 12:16:00 AM
So those of you into Star Wars figures, alright just me I guess here is an interesting bit of info I read up on this morning from Hasbro.
Retailers are discontinuing both the 87500 30th and 85770 Saga Legends SKUs before the 7/26 changeover.
This means that any inventory left at the end of the period will be cleared out to make room for the new Clone Wars animated, Legacy/Droid Factory, and new Saga Legends.
What does this means?? Hopefully there will be BIG price cuts in the next 40 days or so.
Also, I so love suprising my wife! TCO!! TCO!!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/11/2008 03:51:00 PM
Here is a little image gallery I found on Gizmoto (Thanks Mike) It shows (via photoshopping) what it would be like if Star Wars was real (and in 1942)
http://gizmodo.com/photogallery/starwarswwii
Everyone, have a great weekend!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/06/2008 04:14:00 PM
There is a good chance that this is coming July 27th... I have the money saved for this baby and amd SUPER excited!!
Star Wars: AT-TE
It's like a dream come true! Hasbro is making some of the best large format items to date. This with the big new Falcon should BLOW the Summer away!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/02/2008 09:22:00 AM
Fluffy May 15th 2008
(From Tom:) FLUFFY passed away today???..May,15, 2008 at approximately 5:00 pm?He will be missed by many people?.Mostly us..
Ciao little buddy
Fluff a nutter, peanut butter n Fluff, fluffi, and fluffy.. these were all names we called our family cat. He has passed on, and both myself and my parents will miss him greatly. Hopefully he's not too scared to venture outside the pearly gates when they let him out...Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/28/2008 10:02:00 AM
So I found this website and comedian for the digital age. His name is Ze Frank and he's pretty funny. He had a Keynote at TED 2005. Check it out here
He also has a few web applets which I thought where kind of cool. One is called the Scribbler. It takes your crappy line drawings and addes a very unique German post modern stytle to it. In some short order I was able to create these two images from the same basic drawing.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/26/2008 09:49:00 AM
Yesterday was Mother's Day... a day in which we all thank and take an extra minute to love our Mothers or wifes who are mothers. I just wanted to post and say how much I love Christine and too say what a great job she is doing at being a mother. It's not easy and by no means to the kids make it easy.. and by no means do I make it easy at times.. but she manages to do it, and do it very well.
Christine, my love.
>M<
posted by Spada 5/12/2008 05:19:00 AM
You are probably asking yourself..."What is Marco been working on?" Well, it's a good one!
Ibtisam of Rogue Squadron!
Ibtisam started off as two figures, a Mon Cal officer, and a Tusken Raider.
I then primed him, painted him and sealed him.
Not bad since he originally looked like this.
Enjoy!
My next set of customs will be a Null ARC 11, Captian Ordo, and Ysanne Isard
posted by Spada 5/06/2008 06:15:00 AM
I have put my Custom AT-ST Walker!
Here is a link to the full auction page: HERE
posted by Spada 5/02/2008 06:40:00 PM
So Atam Films is doing a new Star Wars Fan fic movie competition, and this has brought back "Pink Five" It's funny as all hell!
Here check them out! they are very well done.
Pink Five Eps 1
Pink Five Strikes Back
Return of Pink Five, Vol. 1
Return of Pink Five, Vol. 2
Enjoy, these are all incredibly funnyLabels: MyNews
posted by Spada 4/22/2008 08:40:00 AM
This week has been busy, busy, and double busy! I have 2 custom auctions up on ebay and I just finished the AT-ST that I have been re-painting. I'm currently waiting on someone elses work to sell on ebay before I attempt to sell the AT-ST. I got the item for less than 20 bucks shipped. I'm thinking to start at exactly what I paid for it, and hope that it does well.
here is a neat photoshop I did.
I think I'm going to break out one of the AT-AP's and start on it this weekend. I still have the mon cal to finish, and then I'm going to try to do one or two more custom figs in the next 2 or so days. I'm expecting a shipment of 22 figures that I got dirt, dirt cheap to arrive in the next 2 days. That should give me ALOT more options to customize with.
Anyways, the family is doing great, we are all excited about the summer! Work is also pretty good with my new job pushing me, and allowing me to learn new stuff.
Talk to you all a little later where I'll have a more wordy update.
posted by Spada 4/22/2008 05:15:00 AM
Three items up on ebay!
posted by Spada 4/21/2008 09:41:00 PM
Now that I've officially completed my work on the two bounty hunters, I've started on the AT-ST I purchased a few weeks ago.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 4/17/2008 06:40:00 AM
Ok, now I'm just mad... mad and jealous!.. seriously, how badly must a man beat me down.... I can't afford to do this.. I can't keep up!
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 4/16/2008 08:10:00 AM
OMFG!!Yes, the AT-TE is finally here!! I love you Hasbro!! I will be getting one of these..I don't know who this kid is.. but I can't wait to be him! He's the luckiest kid on earth!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 4/16/2008 07:07:00 AM
We had a great weekend, and a lot of fun! First, you have to ask yourself.. Would you mess with Pirate Captain Catie? I wouldn't..
Gods she loves this hat! She is always wearing it, running around the house with a smile.
Next is our trip to the Oakland Zoo
And finally, this is our trip to Washington Park just down the streetLabels: Catie Bug, Matt, MyNews
posted by Spada 4/14/2008 07:43:00 AM
You know who's getting my vote this year?
Harvey Dent Web Site
Vote for Dent!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 3/31/2008 08:02:00 AM
Alrighty! it's Saturday, and I've got both of my customs up for bidding!
Custom FF Movie Ben Grimm as "The Thing"
Custom Star Wars Tank MK IV (AT-HT/a)
Enjoy!
posted by Spada 3/22/2008 04:42:00 PM
Happy Easter!
Hey, even us Paba's have to express ourselves artistically sometimes.
The day befor easter has us doing all kinds of great things!
Video of our Easter day at the Moose Lodge! Catie LOVES to walk!!Labels: Catie Bug, Matt, MyNews
posted by Spada 3/22/2008 03:10:00 PM
So we've been busy today! We went to the park and I have "almost" finished my second Star Wars tank!
Here are some picks of each. Click on them to be taken to their web albums.
New Slide Show of Tank
Enjoy!
posted by Spada 3/16/2008 06:03:00 PM
So today we all went up into the city. The best part was that we all rode the CalTrain. Matt has been wanting to ride the train for weeks. I'm very happy we were able to do this for him. He's been BEAMING happy all afternoon.
As we were getting ready for bed we normally read Matt a story. The other day his school sent him home with a few books to read. One of them was all in Spanish. Well Christine and I don't read or speak a lot of Spanish. So Christine said.. "Matt next time you are at school say.. No Hablo Espanol." and Matt turns to her and goes. "No habla HBO" Some times that boy acts like a full blown comic. heheLabels: Catie Bug, Matt, MyNews
posted by Spada 2/17/2008 09:56:00 PM
So one of the guys at worked pointed out this SWEET new digital device that apparently is ALL the rage.
Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device
You know what this is?? A BOOK!! I've seen books around all over.. they ARE the Wireless reading device!! I can understand using a device like this to get the net while you are on the go, but why would you load "dozens" of your books onto this thing when you can only ever read one book at a time, and a real book is only slightly thicker than this, require no batteries, display full color graphics, and feel like a book!?
I will never understand E-Books... I just think we are not there yet. They all currently cost the same, or more than a real book....
ba!! real books win!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 1/30/2008 07:05:00 AM
This is technically day 3 of my Flu :\ Day one wasn't so bad I was able to go to work, but the last two days have just been hell. My stomach is always churning, and my bowels seem to want to explode on their own.
The worst part is that I've been trying to sleep it off as much as I can only I've been sleeping so much i'm soar all over from it. I wish my mommy was here!
anyways.. back to resting and drinking and eating bland, bland food. Wish me luck!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 1/25/2008 08:48:00 PM
Today I got 3 wisdom teeth pulled out. I had opted to do IV sedation, but after learning that I may be kind of awake for it I decided to not do it. Instead I went with gas. It cost me more out of pocket then the IV but I think it was better as it left me more in control.
However, now I have these 3 giant ass holes in my mouth that mostly scream bits of pain, and generally keep me from chewing things I had a fancy for just yesterday.
It was fun though, well as fun as teeth pulling can be.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 1/12/2008 10:08:00 PM
Last night was a howl of wind and rain that battered and banged our 1960's era windows and whislted cold air into the bedrooms. But did Catie care? Nope! She slept right through with only a tiny stir that lasted a few moments. This marks (and I'm probably jinxing this) everyones first FULL night of sleep!!
posted by Spada 1/04/2008 08:02:00 AM
HOLY DAY!! O HOLY DAY!!
In a day which will most likely become one of my proudest our youngest child utters the holy words "Darth Vader" just 7 days before her first birthday.
Mr. Lucas would be proud!
posted by Spada 1/02/2008 07:40:00 PM
I'm done!!!
Yes, I got it done. What do you think?!
i'll have more photo's up soon.
posted by Spada 12/16/2007 03:56:00 PM
The holidays are such a grind. Party after party for the kids and less and less sleep. It also feels like I've caught the same cold now 3 times. I am normally a brick wall when it comes to sickness, but not this year. Cold after cold.. and I'm so tired of it. I want to be healthy again, hell I want us all to be healthy again. I also want 3 more hours until morning :\ It's just not fair... why does work have to start so early? why does the sun have to come up every day...
Oh well, I just wanted to rant some. please to enjoy!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 12/09/2007 08:42:00 PM
So I have begun work on a new Custom Star Wars project. I haven't gotten a name ready yet expect "Project SW Tanker". I got the idea a while ago from seeing some really great customs at thecustomalliance.com but put it out of my mind. Then the other day at WalMart I saw this extremely cheap "tank" that was going for 8 bucks. It sprung into my mind again and so I bought it.
Little did I know that the SAME tank was in the original ideas I had seen.. Subconsious my ass!!..
Anyways.. lets hope I can get it done before the holidays.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 11/26/2007 05:47:00 PM
Thanksgiving 2007!!
Yes, this year we had Turkey day at home. With Christine being sick, and the Catie being sick and Matt not being here we thought it best to stay home. Everything except the cornbread was made from scratch. I would like to thank my Mother for the help with the Turkey. It came out AWESOME!! Meat fell off the bone =) and we now have enough left overs to last a week!
The menu for this year was great!
Turkey!
Brown sugar & honey Yams
Butternut Squash Bisque (yum yum)
Greenbean caserole
Cornbread
Cranberry and Mandarin Jam
and!
Pumpkin Pie with homemade whip cream!
On a side note.. even though Christine is not feeling 100%.. she went to Black Friday!! yes.. there are stores opening at midnight.. so she's there.. ready to flex her buying muscle.. ready to show the other ladies who are just as crazy that they need to "move out the way!" when it comes to the sale... I hope she gets what she's looking for.. Me.. I'm going to bed now.. =) I have to work in the morning.
Love everyone!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 11/22/2007 10:33:00 PM
So this week has been some good fun. Everyone has been sick and everyone but me is still sick. Matt is recovering from his cough, Catie is about midway through her illness and Christine is in the middle of one, and the start of another. :|
Catie is the hardest hit though, she is having a hell'va time falling asleep before midnight. She is up 3 or 4 times, and can't get comfortable.
However, you can see the family as elves by clicking here:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9558118775Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 11/20/2007 09:44:00 AM
Some of you know that I have a grill, and some of you know that I had to leave my Gas Bottle behind in the move from Texas. I'm ashamed to say that I've yet to replace that bottle so all this time I haven't grilled.. once.. I've been out pricing bottles.. they are about 28 bucks empty at Home Depot, and then about 30 dollars to fill them. That's about a 60 dollar investment to grill a hamburger...
So instead of doing that... I spent another 15 dollars and got a new grill on Craigslist. =) Yeah, I'm going to sell my big one and begin to enjoy this sweet Weber Q grill. I think it's either a 120 or a 200. I paid 75 dollars for the Grill, the Portable Stand, PLUS a 20 lbs gas tank and adapter hose. You can see a picture of the grill below.
I think we are going to like it.. it's about HALF the size of the old one but has just about the same grilling space.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 11/10/2007 07:08:00 PM
Much better make up look
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 10/31/2007 06:41:00 PM
So at work we had several "fun" things going on. One was the Pumpkin contest. I'll know tomorrow I think if I won or not. This is "Ninja-Kin"!! Fear him!
We also had a costome contest. I was unsure of what I wanted to be... I had two ideas.. I told people at work I was "Management in its true form" but I think I want to work it out to some day be a "Modern Tengu" which is a Japanese Moutain Goblin/demon that drinks Sake and interfers in the politics of remote small villages.
PS. By later in the day I had figured out how to keep the make up on with out it running and now it looks pretty good.. Not so "powdery"..Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 10/31/2007 05:40:00 PM
So I was going to go to work as this guy:
But then I realized I go to work as this guy every day!!
So instead I'm going to work as my alter ego!! "A Demon Manager!" Yes... it's true I'm normally a very nice (Teddy bear) like supervisor so I thought I would go the oppisite way today *Wink*Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 10/31/2007 07:24:00 AM
Check out my new eBay logo! Team Monkey!!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/27/2007 07:09:00 AM
Joe is not even on my team anymore but he is still cool enough to give me a gift to celebrate his one year hire date.
posted by Spada 9/25/2007 09:52:00 AM
Tonight we were getting the bady to bed and the guy 2 floors down is HAMMERING on his deck at 8pm. The City says no work after 7pm so I ask the guy to please stop. He finally does and says to me, I was stopping anyway.... He didnt even say sorry!!As******le!!
-->Marco
''sent from MyPalm to you''Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/24/2007 08:59:00 PM
So we left the house to get dinner as we found out we got no power until maybe nine pm.
posted by Spada 9/22/2007 05:33:00 PM
No power means no noise and no internet! Help up! Its the seventeen hundreds!
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/22/2007 12:44:00 PM
We have lost power at the house... Its not even raining outside! And we are now bored.
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/22/2007 12:23:00 PM
Richard has to eat one hundred wings and he will get six dollars a wing! He has eaten 25 so far.
Update!!
Richard was unable to complete this and ended the evening with only 30 wings eaten. We had such high hopes for him and inside we were all cheering for him. However, it must be known that little, tiny and petite Cortney was able to eat 51 wings on her try which put her 4th on the ladies leaderboard. Richard is a much larger man, and should have been at least able to best her.... He will spend many a week living this down.. I can tell you that. =)Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/06/2007 06:41:00 PM
Austin texas! Well i 95 at least
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/05/2007 05:20:00 PM
You can never have enough pillows right? Agc for the win
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 9/05/2007 08:04:00 AM
I just had the best 2 rounds EVER in Battlefield 2142 ending with my greatest achievement, 665 Career points in a round and my personal best round score of 72!!
I'm also doing great with my 2 main weapon stats.
Ganz HMG 265 kills to 41 deaths and the Clark 15B Shotgun 99 kills to 21 deaths.
I received the following ribbons and awards in the 2 rounds today.
1st Round:
Titan Survial Pin
-The squad I was in brought the enemy Titan down in record time. We just went from console to console and then to the reactor with out any opposition. I didn't even get a chance to kill anyone on the Titan it was so fast!
2nd Round: (which was my best)
-I spent half the round defending the titan and missle site nearest the Titan with one of the lower Titan guns, which accounted for my best ever kill streak of 18! At the end of the round I was shocked to see 2 pages of awards!!
Titan Defender Pin
Silver Star
Meritorious Unit Service Ribbon
Titan Defender Pin
Combat Efficiency Pin
Distinguished Combat Efficiency Pin
And I was awarded a new rank! Master Sergeant Gold!!
Everyone have some sweet cake with this or enjoy a cold one.. It was awesome!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/30/2007 01:15:00 PM
This is part II of "For the love of God, will you just sleep"
Sleep, it is becoming one of the most important things in the world. I value it more than gold, or diamond. It is so rare that it surprises me that we haven't mounted an expedition to go find more of it. The last two nights the kids have been bringing their "A-Game" at night.
Two nights ago,(Tuesday) it went like this:
Katie to bed at 9pm
Matt to bed at 11pm because he wouldn't go to sleep.
Christine and Marco go to bed at 12:30 am (my fault because of a movie)
Katie up at 1am
Katie up at 2am
Matt up at 3:30am
Matt sleeps with us 3:45am
Katie up at 5:30am
Marco and Christine up and Marco goes to work at 6am
Last night: (Wednesday)
Katie to bed at 9:30pm (we went to the local library so we were running late)
Matt to bed at 10:30pm (has a bath, then fights sleep kicking and swinging)
Marco and Christine to bed at 11:20pm
Katie up at 1am
Katie up at 2:45am to sleep at 3:50am (we watched some tv and she played until tired again.)
Matt up at 4am but back to sleep at 4:15am
Marco sleeps in as late as possible and leaves for work at 6:30am
Lets hope to GOD they get on their right schedule soon or there may be a blood bath!!Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/30/2007 07:06:00 AM
So as some of you may be able to tell, I've added a lot of "quick" links at the top of this page. Christine has been going blogsonic these last few days.. I mean to say that she is a blogoholic at the moment. =) It's great though, I've not seen her so excited about something in a while. I just hope she can keep up all the content. Being spread between 3 blogs could be rather tiring.
For me this week I should be pretty busy. We have 3 new hires starting this week and one of them is on my team. That means getting them all set up, and making sure training is moving smoothly.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/20/2007 03:58:00 AM
Today we went to the San Bruno City Park to a picnic. It was great fun, we got a chance to met a lot of nice people and watch them throw eggs at each other :P
Catie really loved hanging out with Spencer a very nice 2 year old girl. To see all the pictures from the picnic please, go here
Well, still a lot to do today, enjoy!
Slide Show of PicnicLabels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/18/2007 04:46:00 PM
Let me fill you in on how are day went.. it's rather funny!
First, Christine wanted to get a new printer (a super cheap one) so that she could make rub on transfers and this would most likely kill the printer over time. We bought a Lexmark for 20 bucks at Biglots. We get home and open it.. It doesn't have a black ink cartridge. So we think, maybe it's a mis-package. I go out to buy a new black cartridge and find out they are 19.99 a piece. That being the case we were out at Target and found another Lexmark for 24 bucks. So we buy that one and openend it. Guess what... no black cartridge!! We find on the box that there is a small piece of text on the insert card that mentions "Not all Ink Cartridges are available in all Geographic regions" WTF!!! We are taking them all back... screw them.
We went across the bay tonight, and did some shopping. We didn't have 4 bucks for the bridge so we decided to find a place that would do some cash back. A bank maybe? or a store.. We first tried the Shell/Jack in the box we got gas at... Well who would have thought.. it was just a jack in the box with a few shell station pumps out front.. no shell station... Next we go to another gas station, I go in and buy a candy bar so I can get 10 bucks back.. They take my card, I go "I'd like 10 dollars in cash back" and the lady says.. "sorry, we don't do that.. if you'd like me to do debit.. it will cost you 50 cents more... or I can do charge.. and there is no fee.." Well what the hell do you think I said??
The nice lady at that station says there is a Washington Mutual across the street.. We drive over there.. it's in a strip mall.. the ATM is located behind a PASSKEY freakin door!! only card members get access...
Next we drive around and find a Wells Fargo.. They wanted 2 dollars for the transaction.. Christine laughed when I gave the ATM the finger. .5 miles down the street we found a BoA and all was saved... .(but then we got lost for 20 minutes) so it was a real fun time.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/18/2007 01:18:00 AM
Big lots has some scary shit really scary
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/15/2007 01:59:00 PM
So I was looking through some of my old bookmarks and stumbled upon www.robotech.com (one of my old old favs). Well I remembered my log in and was able to pull up my "fan art" that I did a very long time ago..
it's a rifleman from battletech or a destroid from robotech.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/14/2007 10:27:00 PM
Almost there, sorry for the image quality, it was too close to my elbow when i took it..
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/11/2007 04:56:00 PM
Robert Sederquist Sr. c. 2007
My Grampy passed away this morning, and I will miss him as Grandfather, an early mentor, and as part of our family.
A lot of the time you wonder if you could have done things differently. You think to yourself that maybe you should have called more or kept in touch more. You hope that even though you're busy life keeps you from doing the simplest of things sometimes, that they may have had some time to peek into your life to keep an eye on it. Sometimes you fail as a person, you don't act like you should, and you let your life obscure the important things.
I have not had a lot of contact with my Grandfather these last few years, and I take full responsiblity for that. I wont say it was a busy life, or that I had not had enough time. I think it was more of the feeling that he had always been there, and that there would be time "tomorrow" and leave it at that.
My Grandfather was a great man and I'll miss him dearly, and I know he knew that I loved him and that he was always welcome in my home.
Grampy, you will continue to be there always for me, and that I know you'll peek down from time to time to check up on me and the family. I know that you'll be here now to see Catie take her first steps, and to speak her first words and to see Matt learn to ride a bike, and then to drive a car.
I know you'll look down to see my family continue to grow, and that you'll share in our love. I know this now that distance and time are not an obstacle.
I love youLabels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/11/2007 08:56:00 AM
Sweet its healing!
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/08/2007 07:10:00 PM
Christine's best friend Jamie has started her own blog.. based on CARDS!
http://busygirlcards.blogspot.com/
Check it out, it's still new so you can begin from the start and see her vision unfold! :P
Christine has been kicking ass on her blog and has been making a bunch of posts. She is SUPER active in scrappin at the moment and I think it's great.
*UPDATE*
I am still working on my major model project. I've been experimenting with the resins and trying some different things but finally I've made my first real "stab" at it. I've made a mold box, created some masters and poured in some RTV rubber to make the rubber mold. Right now it's drying, but it seems to be working.
I started with concept I found online,
then sketched out my idea.
Finally I cut out the styrene shape and sandwiched clay between two peices to make the thickness.
I already know that the "rubber" part of this is going to be the part that costs the most since it takes a LOT of RTV to create a mold then it does to pour little resin peices. However, it seems to be working and if it does, I'll pour my first resin parts tomorrow night and then create my next mold.
So right now I've made the mold for 3 of the major deck peices, next is the mail hull of the ship. Once I pour these peices I'll then put it together, add details like panels and plating and then I'll make up my mind to either pour a master mold of the whole thing, or work with these peices to make one of a kind ships based off of a master.
posted by Spada 8/07/2007 09:30:00 PM
Battle wounds from kick ball but hell i felt like mvp!
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/04/2007 04:41:00 PM
So I just received my new MP3 player from Buy.com last week and am loving it! The Meizu miniplayer is a 4 gigabit MP3, FM radio, Picture and Video Flash Memory player. It has a 2.4 inch screen and displays images and video at 320x240.
The player is super small, about the size of a Credit Card, and about as thick as 20 playing cards. The touch pad is a very cool feature, though it can be very sensitive some times. Scrolling through the menu system is really easy and finding songs and video's is a breeze.
Sound quality is awesome, the volume is super high and I'm glad it allows me to limit the volume via the menu system so I don't accidentally deafen myself. Bass response is great, and it has like a 12 band customizable EQ as well as 5 presets.
Video playback and encoding for the player is really simple. So far I've noticed that in 50% of the movies I've encoded if I encode a VOB file directly I get a little bit of synch problems. However, if I convert a divx movie the audio is spot on. Playback is pretty smooth at 18-20 fps and the screen is large enough to view the movies with out eye strain or problems. Resolution on the screen is also very high, so lettering and video is crisp, even at 320x240 resolution.
Overall I'm extremely excited and happy with the unit and have even ordered a silicone case to protect it. I can't wait to use it on trips, long walks and just relaxing where music isn't normally available. I've already been using it while I put the baby down to bed, and it's been great to listen to music or watch a bit of a movie rather than watch a dark wall and silence.
Rating *****
5 out of 5 StarsLabels: MyNews
posted by Spada 8/02/2007 10:25:00 AM
It's a lazy, overcast Saturday and I'm home alone. the lovely wife and the joy filled baby have taken friend Jamie and traveled to the cropping/stamping warehouse. I believe they are going to have a great time.
But what will become of me? I an enjoying On Demand in HD and watching Krull!! and basically trying to stay out of trouble. I may play a game or two later, and I'm sure to work on my model project as well. In fact, I should have some pictures up soon.
Christine has also started her "Cropping" blog. You can find it above under the quick links. She is very happy about it and I'm very proud of it. She's done a great job.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 7/21/2007 10:38:00 AM
It's time for another exciting week!! yeah! Lets see what kind of things do I have planned? I have to finish stressing the new pieces I got for my desk at work (see below) and I am going to start a new "photo" project for the summer.. Let me tell you about it.. Also still alot of video to capture off the DVR to burn to DVD.. lots!!.
Bay Area Potty" Lately while driving around I've noticed that the Bay Area has crap loads (sorry for the pun) porta potty's. And that these porta's are in the oddest and strangest places I've ever seen. I find myself driving by saying.. "who in the world would need to use that??" So I thought it would be neat to make a coffee table book of it.
I saw "Live Free or Die Hard" the other night and it is by far one of the better summer movies. It had awesome special effects and action scense though some were a "bit out there" as for reality. It's nice to know that Bruce Willis can still run at his age too, that leaves hope for me!! :P
I also have some fun things at work to do this week. Lots of FAQ writing for KR, and hopefully BF is working correctly this week and wont be the bane of my exististance. We may also have some new employees canidates by later this week to interview which would be great.
Finally, my Mother returns from Italy on the 16th or so which is great becuase I haven't been able to talk to her for 6 weeks while she's been lounging in Italy and it would be nice to see what she has been up to. =) I miss her...
Alright, talk to you guys later this week to let you know how much of the above stuff I actually got done. hehee.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 7/09/2007 05:22:00 AM
So last week I was sick with a stomach bug. This week Catie is... The week before it was Matt. Lets hope next week isnt Christine.
But we all feel better so that ls good.-->Marco
''sent from MyPalm to you''Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 7/07/2007 03:00:00 PM
Its been a long 4 days. Thursday i got sick, and took Friday off. I felt good on Saturday and we went to Fairyland. Sunday was a good day in the AM. We went to the Hiller aviation museum anc then to Mike Greens house for a BBQ. However that night i got bad again. That being the case and myself not willing to be a slave to the work restroom i have stayed home again...
-->Marco
''sent from MyPalm to you''Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 7/02/2007 11:26:00 AM
Nuff said
Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/25/2007 05:16:00 PM
Today is Sunday and im out again. Christine is the LOVELIEST woman i know. Im seeing Fantastic 4 RotSS! So far ive heard nothing but good things.I also just got done at Frys, were i returned the Kworld USB capture device i got last week. I upgraded to an ATI 550 that i hope will do a much better job.
P O!
-->Marco
''sent from MyPalm to you''Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/24/2007 02:24:00 PM
Good morning
posted by Spada 6/22/2007 08:06:00 AM
Tender heart, your child plays innocent.
From deep experience, they toy with cute.
Ever so gentle, you do not hear them but they are there at night. Waiting.
Play then cry, your feelings twisted while they smile.
Draw me to go and fall, take my soul now.MyChildren
-->Marco
''sent from MyPalm to you''Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/17/2007 05:16:00 PM
Its another great weekend!!First i want to thank Erik and Shanna for the toys they love them!!
Next i want to let everyone know how much i love my wife!!
See ya
-->Marco
''sent from MyPalm to you''Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 6/16/2007 04:39:00 PM
Mike and i were going to see PotC3 tonight but it is super sold out. Their is a line 200 long here 40minutes early.Instead we will see The Shrek 3. Christine said it was funny so it should be just as good.
Love you C!
-->Marco
''sent from MyPalm to you''Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/27/2007 09:01:00 PM
Alright those who can't make it to see the inside of the house.. here you go..Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/27/2007 07:59:00 PM
So we went to christines fathers today after another Matt T-ball days. We also saw the house agian. We are going to have to move on that soon. They sold all the plan 4 lots this last week in the existing areas. Now they only have some in an as yet unopen area.So now its time to start doing the math and shit.
-->Marco
''sent from MyPalm to you''Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/27/2007 06:01:00 PM
Christine and Matt are going out to see Shrek 3 today and to have a short "Matty/Mommy" day. while they are out Catie and I are going to go for a walk, get some coffee and then when they are done with the movie met us at a flee market down the road. SO MUCH excitement I know!!
Tomorrow (Sunday) Erik and Shanna come to visit. Pretty excited about that since I haven't had the chance to go down and see them in a few years. We'll probably do dinner out, and then chat for the rest of the night to catch up. I'll take some pictures =)
Also found an interesting thing on the net, it looks like they are going to try to revitalize The Sims Online!! Find out more here.
Talk to everyone later! I'm going back to the family.
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/19/2007 09:38:00 AM
Testing this from my palm. Always good to find new ways.Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/12/2007 08:52:00 AM
Today we are driving up to take Matt to his first T-Ball game! And let me tell you the morning has already been an awesome adventure!! He's been all smiles, and attention grabbing.
I'm going to take still and video today of the game so I should have a very decent collection of things to post when we get back.
From what I understand "everyone" wins at these types of games.. so really... we'll just be cheering for Matt.
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/12/2007 08:39:00 AM
So we just had Matt and Catie in to the doctor to get their normal checkup.
Here are the stats.
Catie is 25 inches and 13 lbs 10oz now. Head is 42cm round!! which puts her in the 75% percentile for her head.. "it's a biggin!"
Matt is 37.5 inches tall, and 33lbs 2oz now! And he is in the 50 percentile for height.. he's ever growing!!
Have to love the kids... at least we know were all our food and money goes!!
>M<Labels: MyNews
posted by Spada 5/09/2007 01:01:00 PM
So I'm going to actually use my BLOG for blogging!! =) so here we go. Apparently some rather screwed up asshats were going to kill a bunch of soldiers at Fort Dix. The spin on all the talk radio has been wild. With claims of how network news shows have spun it this way, or that.. so I thought I'd do a test.. I went to 4 news websites and here are my findings on what their point of view is.
The summary so far:
6 people arrested in plot to kill soldiers at fort Dix and possible other military installations. The FBI investigating for over 12 months, and credited a clerk who tipped them off with a video with setting them up for the fall.
http://www.cnn.com/
CNN doesn't even have it on their front page... I had to search for "dix" and then sort by relevance.. the first article was from 1999!! I finally found this one.
MSNBC News
MSNBC has a video up on the topic that says the following.
Six jailed in Fort Dix plot
May 8: Six young men in their 20s are behind bars, accused of planning to shoot up a U.S. army post -- Fort Dix in New Jersey -- to kill American soldiers. NBC's Pete Williams reports.
Their summary and point of view from the video!
They seem to be unclear if it was a Terror plot or not. Every text piece in the video has a question mark after it.. like there's any doubt these guys were going to kill people... However, they do bring to light that the FBI was ALL over them for the last 13 months.
CBS News
CBC has on their front page flash news area "Fort Dix Plot called "New" form of terror." As well under "Most Popular" they have "BFI: Army Base "Dodged a Bullet"
CBS looks to be covering the story with the right angle, here is a snippet.
"If we didn't get that tip," said U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, "I couldn't be sure what would happen." FBI agent J.P. Weis called the clerk the "unsung hero" of the case....Five were charged with conspiracy to kill U.S. military personnel; the sixth, Abdullahu, was charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigrants in obtaining weapons.
"
"After the video clerk's tip, investigators said they infiltrated the group with two informants and bide
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