My favorite thing about Fridays re-watching "The Office" with my wife because she goes to bed early when she has to work the next day.

I usually watch it the night before as it happens, let it stew for 24 hours, then repeat the process.  Watching it a second time is almost better than the first time because I anticipate the hilarious parts, of which there were a lot of during last night's episode.

• Dwight replacing the snacks with fruit in the vending machine.
• Michael trying hard to focus on learning a few things about Holly, but exclaiming to Jim that she has "an ass that doesn't quit!".
• Andy rattling off the names of the guys in Here Comes Treble.
• Andy's "Hey yo!" after Angela kissed him.
• Basically anything that comes out of Andy's mouth.
• Michael and Holly rapping.

What were your favorite parts?

Music, at its finest, is an amalgamation of sounds that can brighten your spirits, or drive you deeper into despair.

I discovered the Dave Matthews Band at a time in my life when I needed my spirits lifted, and they certainly did.  They provided something to look forward to and instilled a level of community you don't find in music anymore.  Not to sound corny, but they've touched thousands of fans on a level most bands can't even fathom.

So when the band that's given so much of their life to make your life better loses one of their own, you grieve with them, because you feel like you're also losing a friend.

The five musicians that have meant so much to so many people are suddenly only four, and their sadness is our sadness.

R.I.P LeRoi Moore




 

I have undertaken the task of installing a brick paver walkway in the backyard.  

Up until a week ago, the current walkway consisted of discolored, broken patio stones and weeds growing through the cracks.  Most of the stones have been removed and the digging is underway.  It is recommended that I dig to a depth of eight inches across the 120 square feet before I begin anything related to the laying of gravel, sand and brick pavers.

In order to ensure it gets done, we've scheduled my daughter's first birthday party at our house in mid-September.  

We have no excuse to put it off.

Oh yeah - I've never done anything like this, but I am taking pictures along the way.

At any rate, it can't look any worse than it did at the start of summer.  Unless, of course, I give up.

But that won't happen.

I knew full well that my parents were totally stoked to have a grandchild when we broke the news to them in February of 2007, but I never expected them to lose the ability to act like respectable adults.

Our daughter is their first grandchild, and that becomes quite obvious when you observe how they act around a nine-month-old girl.

- My Dad, who is in his mid-50s, wears salad bowls on his head to elicit a laugh.

- My Mom, also in her 50s, gets on all fours and mimics the noises my daughter makes, which include sticking out her tongue and making noises not appropriate for a grown woman.

It's a far cry from the laid back parental units I grew up.

I don't even know these people.

 

Too bad we left early last night. I would have liked to have seen this in person.

I came across this 'behind the scenes' vignette of one of the greatest albums ever made and I thought I would share, since some of you will enjoy watching it.

Whether you live, work, or are just plain affected by what happens in the city of Detroit, tonight is one of those rare nights when everyone can, and should, come together to celebrate.

After an interminable amount of time spent exasperated over high gas prices, or flabbergasted by a scandalous mayor, tonight should be one night where we can put aside our frustrations and revel in the rare opportunity to witness the home team bring home a championship.

While there has been far more attention paid to the other teams in the city, this one, over all others, should be the team that garners our undying admiration.

For the past 20 years, they have been the best, if not the best, team in the NHL.  Winning three Stanley Cups during that time, they have never played as if one championship were enough, nor acted indifferent toward the outcome of a game.

Basically, they act how we want all of our local athletes to act:  As if theirs and our lives depended on victory.

And with the way things are going, it kind of feels like they do, if only for a means of release.

So tonight, when the clock reaches the one minute mark, and the camera switches to a shot of the cup keeper polishing the Stanley Cup, and Bud Lynch informs the crowd that there is one minute left in the third period, and the crowd grows so loud that the NBC announcers (hopefully) shut up and let us experience the final sixty seconds in the way it's meant to be enjoyed, go ahead and stand up and cheer.

Cheer for a city that will soon enjoy a much needed respite from the craziness.

Cheer for a team, a team that, unlike others, has actually figured out how to live up to expectations.

Lastly, cheer for yourself, because you never know when this opportunity will come around again.

Let's go Red Wings.

One of the smartest things my wife and I have done, from a financial standpoint, is that we pay for gas with our credit card.

I mean, we all need gas.  So we might as well get something out of paying for it, right?

At nearly $55 a tank, we spend approximately $420 per month on gas.  But when the credit card bill comes in the mail, we make sure we pay it off in its entirety.

Because we pay the bill on time, we don't incur any charges associated with high interest rates.  In essence, we're using the credit card company's money for free.  

And our credit card company (Chase) allows us to earn one point for every dollar we spend.  When we reach 2,500 points, we can exchange our points for gift cards in $25 increments.  (We're partial to Macaroni Grill and Target.)

Basically, we're using the high gas prices to our advantage (sort of).

Not a bad trade-off.

What are you guys doing to save money during this wonderful recession?  

Since I've been so bad about updating this thing, please accept my gift to all of you:

The 50 Greatest Commercial Parodies of All-Time.

Please enjoy.

If you're ever looking for an e-card, but don't know what to say, these e-cards should have you covered.

They're also fun to send just for the hell of it.

Have a great weekend.