The Update.

Since the baby is only weeks away I am preparing all of my readers for fatherhood... meaning I will not be posting every day.  So now that you are use to me not posting every day (not even every week), here is what I've been up to.

1. Baby classes.
Lots and lots of baby classes.  Classes about labor, c-sections, diapers, breast feeding, finding a pediatrician, infant CPR, and a tour of the hospital.  I must admit they've been extremely fascinating.  I've learned a lot, and only been grossed out a couple times.  The breast feeding class had lots of video clips of boobs, but not the arousing kind of boobs.  Oh well.  It amazed me how many men act like the "typical male."  Half of the men did not show to the breast feeding class.  Sure we cannot give milk, but we can support our partners.  One guy read the newspaper through a class.  One guy slept through parts of the main birthing class.  One guy studied his flash cards in one class.  And one guy gave CPR to his doll like he did not give a shit if it lived or died.

2. Ignoring emails.
Not all emails, but Barack Obama sends me way too many emails.  I'm sorry Barack, you got my vote - now just settle down a bit.  I still think Hillary's fans are going to ruin the election just like the Nader supporters did a few years back.  At least I did not give him my texting info.

3. Olympics.
I watched approximately ten minutes total in the past two weeks.  It was exciting.

4. Cherry Wine.
Cherry Ride is back in town and he brought us back some great Northwest wine.  Yum!  Now I just need to let him know we cannot afford to pay him for all of it (just kidding Cherry).

5. Crappy bars.
The Gancer took the Liars out for a night of crappy bars.  The Gancer's post on Rose's Pub was awesome.  The bar... blows.  It smelled like old people.  The reason: it was full of old people.

6. Jobs.
Still looking for a new one.  Getting the run around is the worst, but I am not giving up. The last interview that told me they offered it to someone else (I posted about it) actually posted the job again on Craigslist the following week. WTF?

7. Nursery.
And back to the baby... we finally finished the nursery.  It looks fantastic!  And this also means our guest bedroom is now gone.  We need a bigger place already.

Now I just need to catch up on your blogs...

Bummer of a weekend.

As you know (because if you don't, maybe you should be keeping up with current events a little better), this past weekend the world lost two great entertainers.  Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac both passed away way too early.  So I thought today I would share with you my amazing stories about meeting both of these great men.

Isaac Hayes:
It was in the late 1990's (maybe 1999) that I boarded a plane from NYC to Memphis when passing through the first class cabin I spotted Isaac Hayes sitting in one of the seats.  I looked him right in the eye and blurted out, "Black Moses!"  He just smiled at me and replied in his deep soulful voice, "Alright."  I was a little worried the plane would crash since there was someone famous on it, but it didn't.

Bernie Mac:
Okay, I never met the man.  But there was one episode of the Bernie Mac Show where his nephew Jordon tries to get involved with a sport and picks ribbon twirling in gymnastics.  It was an extremely funny episode.

The Economy, The Blogging, The Olympics.

It's funny how since the economy has started to tank... more and more bloggers have been posting less and letting readers know they are too busy to write.  So when the economy is going strong are people really not working and blogging instead?  Or is my theory true that most people blog for a year or less and then it just fizzle out? 

Hey today is 08/08/08.  So the Olympics are now underway.  Two words about the Olympics from the Niner:  Don't care.

The Interview Frustration.

I went to an interview two weeks ago at a small agency and it went really well. Really well. I was told that I would fit the position and they loved all of the samples of projects I have worked on. When leaving I was also told that they would set up a time for me to come back and meet the owner. Wow, awesome! They told me right there I made it to round two. Usually I have to wait a day or two for that.

I walked out the door and on my way to the El I called LP and told her I would be so bummed not to get the job. This place seemed like a perfect fit for me. I actually could see myself going to work there every morning. And I made it to round two - they told me so. It's not a lock for the job, but it made me feel great.

I never got a call or email to come back. I had to email the contact at the agency to find out where I stood. And we all know if you wait more than a week, the reality of the job being out of reach is pretty high.

I did not get the job. I did not get to round two. I did get a "I’ll definitely keep your resume on file" which means absolutely nothing since this place has one person in this role and will not be hiring again any time soon. They are a very small agency.

Tip for interviewers out there: Don't say things you do not mean... even if you want me to feel good. It sucks.

10 Untrue Things About Niner.

1. I have one leg.
2. I would rather take an elevator than an escalator.
3. I'm Cherry Ride.
4. There is You Tube footage of me doing a six foot bong rip while jumping out of an airplane.
5. I'm pulling for the Cubs.
6. I love Bright Eyes so much that when I listen to their music I cry. Very emo.
7. I was so into being a Boy Scout I made Eagle.
8. I've never quit anything (see #7).
9. I am so anxious and excited to attend my 20th high school reunion.
10. I'd pick Superman over Batman any day.

10 More Things You Might Not Know About Niner.

1. I've always wanted to live in a lighthouse. How awesome would that be!? You go to a party and drop "Yeah, I live in a lighthouse." That's as cool as putting out oil fires [Taxi reference] for a living.
2. I was so excited to move away from home, but often like the idea of moving back. Although Chicago is nearly perfect.
3. Painting rooms is one of the most frustrating things for me.
4. I have a potty mouth, especially lately (often when painting rooms).
5. I have never been a fan of the movie Scarface. Does this mean I'm not a dude?
6. Last night was the first time in my life that I heard tornado sirens go off during a monstrous thunderstorm.  I have come to the conclusion that I am not a fan of hanging out in the basement with no electricity waiting for a storm to pass.
7. I sometimes get freaked about about dying.
8. I once had surgery for compartment syndrome and when my legs hurt worry it might come back.
9. I like to listening to jazz, but prefer listening to jazz on vinyl records since I'm a snob.
10. I hope I can be half the dad my father is/was to me.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Niner.

1. I am not good at swallowing pills of any size.
2. I saw Mama Mia! (the movie) this weekend and loved it.
3. I still have not seen the Dark Night.
4. I actually said on Sunday morning, "I can't wait for Gossip Girl to start. I miss it."
5. I've been going to the gym. Really.
6. I've been on three interviews in the past two weeks, plus a couple phone interviews. Not sure where this will lead, but at least I am getting interviews.
7. Seeing LP's tummy getting bigger and bigger makes me laugh (in a good way).
8. Work has been so busy that it is eating way into my blogging time (which you may have noticed).
9. I missed both playoff games for our softball team.
10. I really think this Liar's Club thing is a cult... they tell me I'm not allowed to leave.

Note: I'll find time to catch up on your blogs... really I will.