Life

Absolutely nothing going on here in Columbus Ohio. Wish there was but I have nothing.

I've attended two Presidential inaugurations and 4 Governor's. By far my favorite was the one for George HW Bush. I was 22, had just started working for Congressman Regula and was learning the political ropes. My old friend Susan Markowich went to D.C. with me and we spent a couple days sightseeing. We had great seats for the swearing-in ceremony and afterwards went back to Regula's office for a small reception. I was watching tv in Ralph's office while they were broadcasting the festivities and watched Ronald Reagan and Nancy get into a helicopter and wave one last time. It took off and I looked outside the window and watched it fly over the Capitol and speed off into the sky.

A great memory, something I'll remember forever. Ronald Reagan was a great President and brought the Republican party out of the nightmare of Watergate.

Tigertown Properties closed on its second house today. Renters move in November 1 but there's some work on the house that needs to be done. I'm excited to do the laminate floors in the basement and the bedroom. It would have been easier and cheaper to put carpet in but I've wanted to do a flooring like this since my attempt at my old house. I really feel like I could have done it correctly if I had the tools but that's true with a lot of stuff. A simple table or miter saw would have made all the difference. Who knows, maybe I'll buy one for this project.

Barack Obama told a tax-burdened plumber over the weekend that his economic philosophy is to "spread the wealth around" -- a comment that may only draw fire from riled-up John McCain supporters who have taken to calling Obama a "socialist" at the Republican's rallies.

Obama made the remark after fielding some tough questions from the plumber Sunday in Ohio, where the Democratic candidate canvassed neighborhoods and encouraged residents to vote early.

"Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?" the plumber asked.

"It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance for success too," Obama responded. "My attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody ... I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

Henry opening more gifts.

With the market tanking, I haven't been able to force myself to open my 401k statement. It's fun checking it every day when things are going crazy. And we've had some great years in the last eight, I figure the Dow has gone from 8000 some in 2002 to up over 14000 in 2007 before coming back to the 800s. The malaise people are feeling probably is a bit overstated though if they are ten years or more out from retirement.

Buy stocks if you have money. Invest in index funds. Get your money into the market. It'll pay off 10 years from now.

I've made a decision that I should have long ago. I'm officially retiring my drinking shoes. I will never again have more than one beer, wine or drink in a day. I've really been cutting back a lot but birthdays sometimes prompt big changes.

Sarah thinks I'm crazy. She underestimates my desire to live long and see the boys grow up. I won't have any money in my 401k but I should have my health.

Next stop is beginning to work out again. That will prove much harder...

Today is my 43rd birthday. I should write some monumental post before midnight but here's all I've got.

I was 13 years old when my dad was 43. He started roughly 8 years earlier than I did. I don't remember a lot about 13 but I remember being on an all star baseball team that wasn't expected to do a lot. We ended up winning the local tournament of 14 year olds and traveled to Marion to play in a tournament that would decide who would go to the nationals. We lost, there was some illegalities about the team that beat us but that's not what is important. What is important is how I remember my parents at age 43.

It's really not something that kids notice a lot when they are 13. I suspect you are wrapped up in your own world, who won the Reds game the night before, what girl is looking at you different, how many zits can your face possibly get? The only thing I remember about that year at this moment is that baseball tournament, the parents all going to one room and having a blowout party while we played some stupid baseball card game in our hotel room.

I do know that my parents never seemed to miss a ball game of mine, baseball, football or basketball. In hindsight, I'm sure there were some that they couldn't have possibly attended but I don't remember that. I remember mom carrying her chair to the ballfield. Maybe not watching every pitch with interest, maybe knitting a scarf or reading a book, but certainly being there. And that's important. They were there.

But back to that party at the baseball tournament. They were the same age as I am today. They were having a lot of fun with the other parents on the trip. I remember we walked in that motel room and it was obvious all the parents were having fun. And I remember being happy that the parents were having fun.

It's just a memory that sticks out. And its something, as I do the math, that I know my dad did when he was 43. That seems young. But its seeming older and older every year.

Tomorrow is also homecoming at Kent State and its my 20th year reunion. At this point, I'm not going to go up but I am seriously considering just doing it tomorrow. You only have one 20th. My buddy Shep is leaving early tomorrow and I'd love to catch a ride with him but Henry's last tee ball game is tomorrow. In the end, it all goes back to being there for your kids at their ball games. I won't miss it tomorrow. But I might drive up to Kent afterwards.

Here are some pictures of Jack that were taken Sunday at one of Sarah's democratic political
events. I believe this is Senator Sherrod Brown's daughter. Jack looks happy with her but he also seems to be enjoying his cookie.

I had my first blog hit from New Zealand yesterday. I met some girls from New Zealand in Zurich 20 years ago but I'm pretty sure its not one of them.

My blog has already gone international however, Sarah's Canada connections took care of that. I also recently had someone from Minnesota, San Diego, Tampa and Hallsville, Ohio. I can track the city that someone is from who reads my blog, or at least where they are when they click on it. In some cases, I can see the company they work for if they have their own server. I know a friend from Nationwide is an occasional visitor because that will show up. I also know someone logs on from the state of Ohio but can't pinpoint it any more than that. The rest of the hits I receive are pretty generic so I never really know who is logging on.