fuzzy L0G1c

This PSS theme comes from Lisa - and while this question has been asked in various ways in the past I’ll bite…

“If given the opportunity to relive your life, what would you change?

I previously answered this question – essentially saying it’s too risky to screw with the past – but instead of just bailing out on the question I’ll take a slightly different angle on it.  I’ll just highlight a few of the times in my life I’d like to relive – not change – just experience once again.

1. First meeting Amber – Telling her jerk of a then-boyfriend that I was going to steal her from him
2. Sledding on the mountain as a kid – dawn to dusk – with my friends.
3. That lovely period of time between meeting Amber and having kids.  I had a ton of money, little-to-no responsibility and a torrid love affair to boot.
4. Speaking of which… All those nights in the pool.  That night on the balcony in Orlando.  That night on the rock.  That time in my truck in the middle of winter.  That time on the island in the middle of the river in the mountains.
5. That time when Justin talked me out of breaking up with Amber.  We made “Amber’s” and “Hilary’s” out of pretzels while sitting around the campfire getting drunk on Dr. Pepper.  Thanks man.
6. All those times when sharing an office w/ Vic – when we laughed so hard we couldn’t breathe and everyone in the office thought we were nuts.
7. The first time I held my daughter in my arms.
8. The first time I got Ashley to laugh.
9. That time when Ashley was 3 and called me “Shaner” like Amber did.  “Me love you too, Shaner.” was totally adorable.
10. Tonight – when I got home and Geo shouted “Daddy!” and did a little happy dance.

A while back Amy asked the set the PSS theme:

I’d have to say the closest thing would be a very boring and only semi-funny version of “Office Space” or “The Office”.  I make it a point not to blog about work – so that’s about as far as I’ll go.  I’m your typical corporate drone who’s a bit too much of a smartass for his own worth.

BTW, have you seen my Stapler?

Kim asked: “What’s your Dream Car?” (Or something like that – it’s been too long for me to still find!)

This one is easy for me.  Regardless my nagging “Daddy Issues” one thing I can always say is that I respect his taste in vehicles.  My dream car is my dad’s 68 Mercury Cougar.  I’ve lusted after this car since I can remember.  One of my fondest memories is riding w/ my dad in Wyoming (Just outside the Uintah Mountains) doing at least 130 mph in this baby.  When accelerating this car will just glue you to the back of your seat.  Awesome!

“Other Kim” asked: Tell us about at least one religion, other than your own, you respect and why.

For me it’s not about “who’s team” you are on.  It’s not about saying I’m religion A and we are super awesome compared to religion B.  There’s a great Mel Brooks line / song about a time before there were countries and everyone was still living in caves.  The national anthem of his cave was “Let them all go to hell, except Cave 76!”  I think that’s true for anyone who thinks their religion is the best.  In this case, exchange “Cave 76″ for whatever religion you like.  So to say I respect an entire religion would be inaccurate and somewhat shortsighted.

No religion has a monopoly on good people (or idiots for that matter).  I admire the good people who are scattered across many faiths (non-faiths as well).  Those who seek help others – even when it’s not in their best interest.  People who take time to help even when no one is watching.  People who think of others before they think of themselves.  These qualities are not isolated to just one religion.

Take this as a cop-out if you like.  But concerning religion, I’m much more interested in what’s in their heart and what motivates them vs. the name on the side of the building where they worship.

A while back, Amy set a theme to follow up on my theme about cheating.  She asks:

If you were going to cheat, with what celebrity/famous person (ONLY) would it be?

Well okay if you twist my arm.  I’ve ALWAYS been a sucker for redheads.  So if I had to (and you know it would be TOTALLY against my will)  I’d have to call up Alicia Witt.  I originally feel in love with her when she played a guest role on The Sopranos episode “D-Girl”.  (She was the hot redhead producer who eventually slept with Christopher).  Anyway – it’s her.  She needs more work.  Someone hire her so I can lust after her some more!

Back when Noah was in Short-pants I asked set the PSS Theme of:

“If you caught you spouse cheating on you, would you forgive them and remain married?
What if it had been going on for years?
What if they continued after you caught them?”

Well – this is a rough one for me because it hit really close to home.  My beloved spouse, Amber, has been cheating on me for years.  I’m not talking about a mistake here or there…  I’m talking about consistent patterns of cheating.  So.  I guess we are still married, so to answer the first part of the question.  Yes, I’d stay married.  Yes, even if it had been going on for years.  As for catching her… She’s pretty smart about it.  I’ve never directly caught her cheating one me, but all the pieces add up.

I can tell by the look on your stunned faces that you don’t believe me.  What?!  Amber cheating on Shane?!  I don’t believe it!  I know.. but its the truth!  Let me explain.  Every game we play, she totally kicks my ass.  At Uno, I think she occasionally puts down 2 cards at a time.  In Clue I think she marks the cards.  When we play Hearts and / or Spades.. I’m totally lost.  She cheats so bad I sometimes wonder what state I’m in.  (Alaska, right?)  Dont’ believe me still?  Just try to play Tetris against her.  You will never win.. ever.  Never ever.. She’s such a big cheater!

I had joked with Kim and Amy that this PSS question would lead to everyone titleing their posts “Material Girl”.  Turned out I was wrong, so I’ll pay pennance w/ my title this time around.  

Amy set this theme: “This week I asked “what 5 material things (so not kids, spouses, money, etc. I am talking about real tangibles) would you not want to live without?”

1) Oil / Petroleum:  Our lives would be significantly set-back if this resource never existed or worse, dried. up.   While you won’t find me chanting ‘Drill, baby, drill” (WTF was up with that anyway?!) I do appreciate the stuff.  

2) Gavanized Rubber:  You really should look up how important this material is.  Without it we are stuck driving on wood or steel tires.  Neither a very optimal solution. 

3) Refrigeration: Without it our food supply would be seriously limited.  Millions would die.  That = bad thing. 

4) Computers / Microchips: Amazing little invention – comes in handy from time to time. 

5) The Internet - Good hell! How did people exist before the internet?  Before IMDB?  Before wikipedia, weather.com, CNN, ect.  Just think back 15 years ago.  Shit we had to go to the library and look things up in the encylopedia! Savagery!

Kim asked “Whether it be your top 5 favorites, 5 best (yes, there is a difference), 5 most disappointing, 5 that stayed with you the longest, whatever. Don’t forget your explanations for each.”

This sounded vaguely familiar then I remembered I answered it alread (sans 2 books) back in November last year.   So take this ….  and add these – also by the same author, Robin Hobb.  Incredible and woefully unrecognized artist she is..

Updated PSS: 3 Favorite Books

and add these – also by the same author, Robin Hobb.  Incredible and woefully

unrecognized artist she is..

A while back Monica set the PSS theme of “Think back to when MTV actually played music videos. Tell us about 3 of your favorite videos.”  So, here’s mine.  I apologize for the really somewhat dark themes.

#3: Colplay: God Put a Smile on your Face

#2:Pink Floyd: Goodbye Blue Sky

#1:Moby: Natural Blues