the tonedef blog

Monday…The festival is over. I took the day off to recoup. Plus the kids are still off school for the summer for a couple of days. Band Mom had to do a little bit of festival follow up stuff in the morning/early afternoon. Things 1 & 2 and I just played around and lazed around.

Then in the mid afternoon, Band Mom was done and we all ran out to do some back to school shopping. We started at Target. Thing 1 ended up getting 2 new pair of shoes and Thing 2 got 1. The clothes weren’t all that great there, so we looked around some then left. Then we stopped at Peir 1 to look for a birthday gift for our neighbor. After that we headed over to Kohl’s. Both girls got a nice dress to wear for the first day of school as well as some other clothes. They also ended up getting Petz Catz 2 for the Wii. Hey it was on sale, so it was my idea since they dealt with us at the festival all weekend and they will be going back to school in 2 days…

After that we headed to Ponderosa for some dinner. After that, we headed home since noone wanted to go grocery shopping after eating.

When home the girls played their new game for a bit before they headed to bed at there school night bedtime to get ready for the real thing…

Sunday we all got up and ready to go. Band Mom headed up to the festival first with Pooh. I got ready and got Things 1 & 2 ready. They again stayed with the neighbor so they didn’t have to deal with a super long day and I headed up.

I didn’t do too much when I got there except get something to drink and a little bit of grub. Then I had to judge the finals of Washington Idol starting at noon. I thought the last 2 days were tough, this was way worse. The top 5 in each age group were all ready to go. There was a first place and second place in each age group. The competition was sponsored by Ken Rhodes of Rhodes Carpet and he went all out with the prizes. Both 1st places got $1000 and the 2nd placers got $500. The winners were who I picked, but both 2nd placers were my 3rd placers…Oh well I was only 1 of 3 judges.

After judging, I headed into the festival to see where I could help out. I ended up spending the rest of the day selling baklava (mmm) and apricot baklava (double mmm). Actually Brian and I for hours hounded everyone that passed our booth. We sold an ass load of the stuff. We had as much fun as we could while doing it, so the time seemed to pass okay.

When we finally sold out, we started cleaning up the festival booths that were done being used. We got some of that done, then I hooked up with Things 1 & 2 again. I took them to the kids’ area for some final playing. Then we got some food and hung out for a while. Eventually, they were petering out so I took them home. About an hour later Pooh showed up at home, so I headed back for cleanup since she had Things 1 & 2.

Clean up wasn’t all that bad. Eventually, it was down to a only a few of us left hanging out and bullshitting about the weekend. I think everyone involved actually had a fun weekend. Outside of some first day drama, things were pretty smooth. All the vendors seemed pleased. Everyone that anyone spoke to all weekend seemed to really enjoy the festival. A big kudos to everyone on the committee and all the volunteers for making the weekend rather enjoyable.

Finally Band Mom and I headed home. She then took Pooh back to her dad’s while I lazed around. Band Mom got home and we watched a little TV then headed to bed worn out from a fun but busy weekend…

Saturday, I had to get up at 8 and take Pooh to tennis practice. Things 1 & 2 spent the night at the neighbors’ and Band Mom got up with us to get ready to head to the festival. I took Pooh out to BFE and fell back to sleep in the car with my headphones on while she practiced. After practice, we headed back to town. I dropped Pooh at the festival and headed home. My plans were to stay home with the kids and head up to the festival in the afternoon.

The kids and I goofed off and played some Wii. Then around 3 I was gonna head to the festival. I talked to Band Mom and she said that it was a scorcher up there. So I left Things 1 & 2 with the neighbor again, with the promise that I would come get them when it cooled down a little.

The first thing I did was drop the PA off at the hotel for later. Then I went and helped out Band Mom and the others where I could. The neighbors said they would grab the kids later and bring them up, so I just helped until it was time to be a judge again.

Saturday’s Washington Idol was the 28 and under category. Again, not an easy job to judge. There were 10 contestants and again they were all pretty good. We judged them as best we could and announced the 5 finalists for Sunday.

Then I went back to the hotel and set up the PA. Band Mom (and I) were still hosting karaoke night, but we got a little reprieve as it wouldn’t start until after the Steelers game. After I got things set up, I headed out and found Band Mom to see if I could help out anywhere again.

I ended up meeting up with Things 1 & 2 and hanging with them and wandering the festival. Finally, it was time for fireworks. I don’t know what Band Mom had to pay for the fireworks, but the festival definitely got there money’s worth. The display was really good.

After fireworks, our neighbor took Pooh and Things 1 & 2 home for me. I then headed into the hotel and watched the last few minutes of the Steelers game. Then I got the DJ and karaoke going.

We had a good crowd in the bar because of the festival and the Steelers game. Though there weren’t but a couple of singers. Most of the night was DJing and drinking.

We were shut down and packed up a little after 2. Band Mom and I then headed home and got to bed.

1 more day to go.

Friday was the opening day of this years Arts & Heritage Festival. Band Mom got up and out of the house by 10. I stayed home with the girls. Band Mom had to do some last minute set up and get her vendors that didn’t show up last night all set. I found out later that there was some major drama…

Apparently, a single city councilperson decided that the festival didn’t have the proper insurance and sent the cops to shut it down. Band Mom don’t play that! Do you think Band Mom’s new? All her ducks are in a row before anyone even knows there is a row or ducks. So she visited this council person at City Hall and gave this person what for. All better…

Anyway, at 3 I had to take Pooh to work. It was kinda hot and we would be there for a long time, so Things 1 & 2 stayed home with the neighbor to come up a little later. I got there and ran around a bit for Band Mom. Then the kids showed up not too long later thanks to a ride from the neighbors. I kicked around with them a bit and got some food. We then sat down to take in the opening ceremonies. This years Grand Marshall of the festival was Robin Cole. There were speakers including the former mayor and member of the festival committee, the current mayor, County Commissioner Maggi, and state rep Solobay. It was actually pretty good. Nobody talked too long or too off topic.

After all of that I had to judge day one of the Washington Idol competition. It was pretty hard. Everyone was actually a decent singer and very little divided the scoring of the 11 29 and over contestants. It was eventually cut down to 5 finalists though.

After that, the kids headed home with the neighbor. I stayed and took in some of Southern Discomfort. They were the north stage closer, so after that I headed to the hotel bar to hang out for a while. Around midnight, I figured if I didn’t get home and in bed, there was no getting up Saturday.

I wondered through town to find Band Mom and see what’s what. It turns out the constable that was supposed to work the overnight security for the festival didn’t show. Band Mom found someone to fill in for the night (and Saturday night for that matter). And if you saw this dude, you wouldn’t want to mess with him…

So after all of that was situated, I headed home and to bed by 2. Band Mom got home and in bed a few minutes after…

Thursday after work I headed out to BFE to pick up Pooh from tennis practice. Then we headed into Washington. We gathered up Things 1 & 2 and headed home. I dropped the 3 of them off then headed back up town to help with set up. Pooh was going to order pizza for the 3 of them for dinner.

This year set up was much smoother than last year. For one, we didn’t have to set up vendor tents. That was handled already. And there weren’t as many as there were last year so setting up lighting was quicker as well. A group of us got things set up as far as we could (mostly others as they got there much earlier than I). Somewhere in there we got a bite to eat.

We ended the night hanging out at the hotel and talking about the upcoming weekend. While there I was asked if I would judge the Washington Idol competition that was running all 3 days of the festival. I said I would. Eventually we headed home and went to bed.

Well this summer was supposed to be so awful. What with the global warming and the over abundance of the evil CO2. (You do know that’s what we all exhale right? And what plants take in?) And OMG the ice caps are melting! And WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE IF WE DON’T LISTEN TO AL GORE!!! Won’t Obamesiah save us?

Then this week I read three articles about how cold it is this year. Coldest year on record for China. The arctic ice is actually increasing. Lack of solar activity is leading us into a possible “little” ice age. I’ve always said that the global warming hysteria was just a way to scare the public and bring on some new tax and control measures on a global scale, but these articles really start to show that on a large scale. I wonder if the global warming freaks will just try to debunk this or if these will even get any kind of coverage in a main stream media outlet at all.

Check out these three articles to see what I’m talking about:
Arctic Ice Grows 30 Per Cent In A Year
Scientist Predicts Ice Age Within 10 Years
2008 Coolest For At Least Five Years

Monday after work I headed to Wal Mart. Band Mom and some of her committee were there trying to raise money for the Arts & Heritage Festival and she had to take Things 1 & 2 with her. Plus, who can resist 2 cute little kids handing out flyers in front of Wal Mart.

So I picked up the girls and we stopped at McDonalds to pick up some dinner for the 3 of us. Then we headed home. After we ate I got the Wii set up and introduced them to it. The first thing we did was I had both of them set up a Mii. Then I put in Wii Play figuring that would be a good way to get them used to the Wii Remote. After they each did that they wanted to try some Carnival Games. They had a blast with that.

Finally I set the wheels up and they raced some on Mario Kart. Thing 2 was hysterical at that. She was steering her wheel about 3 feet to each side and leaning into it. I was crying. After they were done and headed up stairs, I spent the rest of the night playing Mario Kart by myself before heading to bed.

Sunday Band Mom and I, guess what, slept in again! Ahhh, quiet house. When we did get moving we decided to head to the store. We were going to get something to eat and also do some grocery shopping. That’s what we were going to do. Band Mom decided we were going to instead head to the mall and GameStop and replace the Wii Nunchuk that the stupid dog ate. So we headed to the mall. We ended up getting 2 nunchuks so we can play 2 player and we needed at least one to play pinball.

Then Band Mom decided we were also getting a used copy of Mario Kart Wii. Well to make that fun we also needed a Wii Wheel which they also had there used. But we can’t just get one…So luckily they also had a generic one there also used. So we got all of that and then stopped at the food court for some lunch.

After eating, Band Mom didn’t feel like grocery shopping so we headed home. When home we went into cleaning mode for a while and got the living room all clean and organized. The main reason for this was to be able to store all of the video games, controllers, and what not and DVDs neatly and safely so the damn dog won’t eat any more.

Then I headed out again and took the replacement part for her mom’s dresser to her mom and picked up her mom’s dentures for her to take to the lab on Monday. Then I hit Wal Mart to get my lunches for the week and some other small stuff. Then it was back home.

I convinced Band Mom that she wanted to take a break from festival stuff for a little bit and we played some Mario Kart. That was pretty fun. After a few races we ordered some pizza and watched a little TV.

Finally around 10 the kids got home. My folks dropped them off and everyone started chit chatting about the trip and the upcoming festival. This sent Band Mom and Pooh into a fight about scheduling and then everyone was yelling and my parents left pissed and Band Mom was pissed and Pooh was, well Pooh. While me and Things 1 & 2 sat and talked about the trip. Then Thing 1 asked me what the white thing by the PlayStation was. So I let her in on the news that we now have a Wii. It was too late tonight, but I told them they could play tomorrow. Then it was bed time for all since the real world begins again on Monday…

Saturday, Band Mom and I slept in again since we had no kids. When we did get moving, Band Mom had to run out to handle stuff for the Arts & Heritage Festival. I on the other hand sat around and played some pinball and then did a full workout on the Wii Fit.

As I was finishing Band Mom got home and I jumped in the shower. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching some Olympics coverage and Band Mom working on festival stuff. Oh and beating the dog (the younger one) for eating the Wii Nunchuk.

Finally it was time to get going. I loaded up the PA in the car and managed to hurt my back in the process. Then we headed up to the hotel. I got set up, and we ate some dinner. Then it was time for my favorite thing in the whole world…karaoke. But although the bar wasn’t dead, we didn’t have one singer all night. And near the end of the night (maybe the last hour or so) Band Mom was talking and not really paying attention so I took over the DJ work and listened to more songs that I like…

Friday…No work again. Band Mom and I slept in a little. Ahhh…Staycation! We finally did get moving and headed over to Band Mom’s Mom’s. We picked up a broken dresser piece from Ikea that needed exchanged. Then we headed up to the Ikea. We exchanged the piece and then Band Mom wanted to look around the store, so we did our circuit around the store. The only thing we ended up getting was a Weeping Fig tree that Band Mom thought would be good for the gift tree for the festival.

Then we decided we’d check the GameStops up here to see if they had any Wii Fits in stock. The first one didn’t, but we did pick up sleeves for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk that came with our system. And Band Mom also got Pinball Hall Of Fame: The Williams Collection.

Then we headed to the Golden Corral for a late lunch/early dinner. I liked this place the the last time I was up this way. So we decided to eat there and it was gooood.

Even after getting a game already today, we decided to try the next GameStop to search for the Wii Fit. Band Mom ran in on her own, and was out in like a minute…carrying a Wii Fit. Then it was time to head home…

When we got home Band Mom needed to lay down for a little bit. So I tried our new toys. First I played some pinball. Awesome. It has probably my all time favorite pinball table as one of the tables, PinBot! After playing that for a little bit, I cracked out the Wii Fit. I can see me using this on a regular basis to exercise. Its actually pretty cool and fun at the same time.

Band Mom got up and we watched a little TV for awhile. Then she gave teh Wii Fit a shot before some more TV and bed.