Have you ever bitten off more than you can chew?

I have a bad habit of doing this often.  Sometimes I do it to save money but most times I see something on HGTV and think "wow, that looks like something I could do". Within days a perfectly groomed lawn turns into what could be a snapshot from Baghdad.  Several months ago Jaynee and I decided to buy the kids a playset for the back yard.  Of course, you can't put up a playset without renting heavy equipment right?  I tore up the lawn, then decided, "while I am renovating the back yard this is a good time to make a new, larger patio".  While I am tearing the patio I thought, "this is probably a good time to tear out the lawn on the side of the house and put in a garden.

Fast forward over a year later.  I am still spending my saturdays breaking up concrete and hauling it away.  Yes, lots of progress has been made and a very substantial amount of time has been invested in the backyard and I think, "wow, I miss that nice lawn we used to have."

So the moral of the story is "don't make major renovation decisions on the fly".  Also, although it is against most guys' nature we should be realistic about our own skill, budget, and the time we have available to make the schedule work.  

Over the past year I have labeled myself as "white trash" to my neighbors that I know look over the fence and think "man, that back yard looks so bad, I wonder if he is ever going to clean it up".  Jaynee admitted to me a few weeks ago that she is totally embarrassed by our yard,  lost all hope in finalizing the project, and almost started crying.

By the way; in case you didn't know, when you tear out your lawn and basically have dirt, there is a tendancy for very large obnoxious weeds to grow that add to the "white trash lifestyle".

This little video clip is how I feel about what I have accomplished in the last 12 months.  (It's not really my back yard.)

Perhaps the best part of the project is that I missed the opportunity to go sailing with a good friend for the whole weekend at Priest Lake because I need to try and get the yard project to a manageable state before we have guest come in a few weeks.  Fun Times...

  

The Sound of Music vs Phantom of the Opera

Is it a mans obligation to formulate an opinion on "chick flicks" or "love stories"?  

Only you can answer that, for me, the answer is unfortunately yes.  So why does a crazed, psychotic, serial killer get so much attention when compared to an educated, tall, dark, decorated Austrian Naval Captain?  This question reaches far beyond what us men can understand about love.

Let's break down who these guys really are.

Phantom:

- He started his life as a killer at an early age

- He is forced to resort to hypnotism to attract females

- He lives in a dungeon

- To the common person he is feared like Freddy Krueger (see Nightmare on Elm Street)

- He does know how to sing

- He writes his own operas

- When someone gets in his way he takes them out like a trained Army Ranger.

I guess the bottom line is if your wife has the hots for the phantom then maybe this makes a statement about the type of man you are?

Captain Von Trapp:

- Well mannered

- Well educated

- Chicks flock to him

- Duhh he has like 12 kids... Sure sign of manliness

- Of course he is a Captain in the Austrian Navy

- He does not wear a mask and is not afraid to be seen in public

- He owns an estate that makes the Hamptons look like Philadelphia row housing.  Waterfront at that.

I guess the bottom line here is Captain Von Trapp is the man of manliness and sets the bar high for all of us.

For all of you that are thinking... "I love Phantom because of Raoul."  I have one thing to say, why didn't he kick the crap out of the Phantom when he had the chance.  What a loser...

Why doesn't The Sound of Music have a traveling opera?

Why do people flock to see the Phantom?

If the Phantom is so well liked why would he be in a maximum security prison if he were real?

Let me know when you find out...

Rad Racing

Have you ever seen a movie that stuck with you and made you ponder about what is important to you?  Later you realize that the movie actually shaped your life in some way.  Well, for me it was a movie called "Rad".  The main character, Cru Jones, is a bmx bike rider who enters an impossible professional race in his home town.  He struggles through serious challenges to finally overcome and win the race against all odds.  If I were a movie critic this movie would recieve 5 stars.  It has drama, action, and even includes a story of love which made it a huge hit with my wife as well.  

Anyways, this is my inaugural post so with the title "rad-racing" I thought I would explain what it is all about.  Here is a great clip from the movie that will make you want more.  I do happen to own a rare copy of this movie and would be willing to loan it out (with a $150 deposit).  So after watching the clip leave me your thoughts of inspiration in my first post comments.