Cloud Cert Day

My 7th cloud certification came with a free sandwich and small drink.

Weekend Wrap-up

For Rebecca's 36th Birthday weekend, we took a family trip to Weatherlea Farm in Lovettsville, a working sheep farm that was just far enough away to be "away" without travel hassles.

On Saturday, we had brunch at Market Table Bistro (deviled eggs, a white gazpacho, mac and cheese, and an overly decadent pork belly hash). In the evening, we drove out to Harper's Ferry Brewing for the views, bluegrass music, crabcake sandwiches, forgettable beers, and soft-serve.

Among the animals at the farm was a cat named Castor that welcomed himself into the cottage and our adventures.

Maia enjoyed seeing the dog, cats, 2 horses, and a herd of 18 sheep being guarded by 2 goofy llamas. We also enjoyed the explosion of fireflies in the evening -- something we realized that we hadn't seen in the suburbs for a few years now.

Review Day

There are no major spoilers in these reviews.

Weber Genesis II E310 LP Gas Grill:
This Weber grill assembles easily and doesn't have that flimsy "gonna break tomorrow" feel that my 8-year-old Weber had (Just after giving that grill an A-, the starter stopped working permanently). Apart from a minor issue with a bent starter connection, I had the grill up and running in just a couple hours. I've used it about 6 times since then and it's resulted in consistent timings and grilling quality. I also like that the burners go from front-to-back, reducing the propane wasted on smaller servings.

Final Grade: A

12 Monkeys, Season Two:
In the second season of this sci-fi show, the rules of cause and effect are massaged just enough that every episode doesn't need to focus on the minutia of time travel. There's a nice arc across the 13 episodes, and a finale that's both surprising and clearly telegraphed.

Final Grade: B+

Complaint by Watsky:
Watsky's latest album isn't bad, but someone dropped it in a bucket of autotune during mastering. The use of autotune is overwhelming and unnecessarily distracting. As Rebecca said, it's like the lead singer of FUN decided to release a rap album with emo lyrics.

Final Grade: C+

Dead To Me, Season One:
Almost anything that Netflix tries to get us to watch with annoying trailers tends to be awful, but this dramedy about two women who befriend each other in a grief support group (is a bro-mance with women called a ho-mance, or is there a less offensive term?) is surprisingly good. Although it's nothing like Barry, it sometimes reminded me of the way Barry can juggle several contrasting tones at once. Here, the comedy, anger, sadness, and murder mystery suspense are well executed without jarring transitions. Free on Netflix.

Final Grade: A

Memory Day: Snapshots

This picture was taken 15 years ago today, on June 19, 2004.

Sporting my 2004 look-and-feel and a rented tux vest with some ridiculous European name, I'm at my sister's wedding at the Barboursville Winery, breaking hearts and draining eyes with a self-selected reading:

BRIDAL SONG by John Ford

Comforts lasting, loves increasing,
Like soft hours never ceasing:
Plenty's pleasure, peace complying,
Without jars, or tongues envying;
Hearts by holy union wedded,
More than theirs by custom bedded;
Fruitful issues; life so graced,
Not by age to be defaced,
Budding, as the year ensu'th,
Every spring another youth:
All what thought can add beside
Crown this bridegroom and this bride!

Happy Anniversary, Ellen and Dan!

List Day: Cycles of My Life

• It takes me 5 months to empty out a propane tank by grilling. Before Maia, it was a 3 month cycle.


• I cut my own hair every 21 - 25 days.


• I replace my razor blade every 3 - 4 months, when it's finally dull enough to noticeably destroy both skin and whisker.


• I brush my teeth twice daily, and floss once.


• It takes the family 3 - 4 days to fill up a laundry basket with dirty clothes. It takes the washing machine 90 minutes to do its estimated 50 minute cycle.


• On average, it takes me 3 weeks to drain my car's gas tank.


• I wash my car once annually.


• I have never replaced my family or upgraded for a newer model.


• After swearing them off for awhile, I usually go for about 3 months before purchasing some more bacon, shells & cheese, or Marie Callendar pot pies.


• I mow the lawn every 8 days in the spring and every 12 - 20 days in the summer and fall.


• I average 1 - 9 days between Amazon orders.