Guess what?  Life’s been busy for me … surprise surprise eh?  The big change which has occurred  in the Carder household is the fact that Shari has started a new job.  Yessir after fifteen or so odd years of selling soap at the Body Shop she has now entered into the wilds of the corporate world.  She’s working for a data harvesting company as a receptionist / office coordinator.  It’s a good fit for her, and thus far she’s really enjoying herself.  It’s slightly less than full time hours, so she can boogie home early and pick up the kids from day care.

Oh, there’s change number two.  BOTH of the Carder kids are now in daycare.  For Brie it’s just another day but it’s a pretty big change for the big man.  His first week went well aside from the fact that there was only one day where he didn’t have an incident report.  If you’re not in the know, any time that a child hurts themselves, there’s paperwork.  An incident report.  In a short week of four days, my son had three.  That kid is going to be a bruiser.

And for me?  Well, once again I’m trying to get back to the gym on a regular basis.  It’s a glorified excuse of course to use my iPhone, not only for some tunes but also for some workout tracking apps.  And of course the foursquare checkins.  You can’t forget those.

So what does all of the above mean?  It means that our happy little family is doing quite well adjusting and that makes me happy.  It leads me to hope that if my kids can adjust to change like this, then they’ll be better prepared for what life may have in store for them.  Granted they’re not going through major upheaval, but who knows what will come down the road next?

No sir … I might be all about the tech stuff … for instance, let me apologize to those following me for the oversharing of late … between TwitPic and FourSquare, I may have been a little too forthcoming … back on track, yes I love the tech stuff … but I also like to enjoy some low tech things to play around with.

My most recent forays into the low tech world have come about because of my renewed interest in D&D.  Running sessions for the boys, I’ve been experimenting for the part year on ways to deliver a better experience at the game table.  This has led to some very amateurish wood working and crafting.  I’m getting more comfortable running with a dremel now, with only that one head injury to speak of.

So my mind has started trying to figure out other little projects that I might be able to do around the house.  A CD holder for Shari in the van, because with her returning to work she’s going to be listening to music a lot more.  A holder of some kind for my new tech toy, the iPhone.  Something that will allow me to set it down and watch movies and such.  I was even trying to figure out a way to make a shade tent using PVC piping.  However that one bit the dust based on costs.  But where one project may die, several more will rise to take it’s place.

I’ve always … ALWAYS … been in awe of people who can create things with their bare hands.  I spend so much of my day mired in things which are virtual and intangible.  Sure you can make a good looking web site, but it’s not the same as carving something out of block of wood.  Of building a motorcycle from scratch.  Even something as simple as drawing a comic strip.  All of these things are born from an artist’s two hands and their mind.  I often wish that I can reach something close to what these people do, and as of late my little projects have scratched that itch.

Another part of this is about my kids.  I want them to see that it is possible for them to grow their creativity.  To see that nothing should ever hold them back and that if they want to create there is nothing in their way.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go see if there’s a Dremel Jr. for the kids …

Those who know me are aware that for many a year I’ve had a powerful gag reflex, The mere thought of even something I didn’t like approaching my mouth was enough to set me off gagging.

Which is why I’m so amazed at how things have changed for me. Sure you bring the wrong food within visual distance of me, WHAMO! And yet, this morning …. As he does most mornings … Logan obliterates his diaper … Poop shooting out everywhere … and I don’t even bat an eyelid. Just got my hands in there and started cleaning up.

Man, I must be a parent or something ….

Hello world!  Time for another bunch of random thoughts from yours truly.

First off and most importantly, Logan turned one this past week.  Just when I think our little family has settled into something resembling a routine, along comes another of life’s milestones.  And when they come knocking, they usually involve some kind of awe-inspiring life changing changes.  You’d think having seen Brianna do it already, I would be numb to some of Logan’s achievements.  Happily it’s not the case and as I watch as he takes his first steps, starts climbing stairs, starts mumbling MaMa or DaDa … it just rocks my world.  Happy birthday Budgie-Boy!

Now … in regards to the title of this post … yes, I finally have my Jesus phone.  The right deal finally came around and I’m now rocking an iPhone.  And let me tell you, there’s a reason they call it the Jesus phone.  Man does it do EVERYTHING  I’m Twittering.  I’m Facebooking.  I’m reading my news.  I’m listening to my music.  I’m watching videos.  I’m doing location based social networking gaming!  I may even put in a phone call here and there!

So clearly I’m enjoying it.   Perhaps too much as I’m littering some of your facebook pages with some of my little application test runs. “Mike is now the mayor of Blockbuster,” like you care …   I think the biggest thing that I’m enjoying is that as I wonder if there’s an application which could fulfill a need which I randomly think of during the day … BOOM … there IS an app for that.  I know it’s cliche but I’m just amazed at how much is available for this thing.  Perhaps the only thing which I’ve found thus far to be on the weak side is Dungeons and Dragons support.  Even that, I don’t think I’ll be running campaigns from my phone, but my laptop instead.

Yep, I’m an iWhore.  And at this particular moment, I don’t think I really care at all.

Hey there folks.  Just thought I’d call you attention to the fact that not only are there fresh pics of the kids up … but a brand new installment of BooTube!

http://www.black-box.ca/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1619

Just threw some fresh photos up in the gallery … in case there’s anyone out there interested …

http://www.black-box.ca/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1520

Uh oh … Shari and are in trouble … the budgie boy is start to get mobile all on his own … he’s doing this little pseudo crawl thing where he’s using his phenomenal arm strength to pull himself along.  Once he figures out what to do with his legs, that boy will be MOVING.

And just to try and show off, he’s also pulling himself into a standing position using the couches.  He can also march his way up and down the length of them.  So the question is will he walk or crawl first?

Hey there in Timbit land!  I guess it’s about high time that I posted SOMETHING out here.  Do I say that a lot?  I think maybe I do … maybe I should just post more often?  Hunh …

So the weather is turning REALLY nice as of this past weekend.  Which meant that the family got to spend a LOT of time outside this weekend.  Shari and I had decided to pick up a season’s pass to the zoo this year, and we’ve already made the most of that investment.  Brie loves going, if not for the animals then at least to just see a whole bunch of stuff that she thinks is neat.  She’s such a little explorer and is always asking “What dat?” or asking you to “Come!  Daddy come!”  Logan?  He’s just happy period so I guess it doesn’t matter to him where he is …

TV Season is wrapping up for the year with most series having their finales in the past couple of weeks.  I wish that Shari and I could say that we’re not addicted to TV … but really?  The way the kids run us ragged by the end of the day all we want to do is collapse onto the couch and veg.  I’m sure we could try and emulate some motivational posters and “Seize Life TODAY” or something … but really?  The people who wrote those posters didn’t have small children.  Anyway … Shari and I have really enjoyed a number of standout shows this past year and I think we’re already DYING for the next season to start … Modern Family and Community stand out among the new crop …

There are just so many random thoughts which I have to deal with these days.  Ignoring the stuff I have to focus on at work, once I get home … trying to soak up as much Brie & Logan time as I can … and then have some time with my wife … and then try to get stuff down around the house … and MAYBE then do something fun … I can barely remember a time when this wasn’t commonplace.  I know that simpler times should be ahead, but at the same time I want to capture every moment I can while these two kids are the ages they are.  Because there’s going to come a time where I’m going to wonder where these two wonderful children disappeared to and these annoying teenagers came from.

OK everyone … I’ve finally got around to getting the Cancun and birthday photos up … enjoy!

http://www.black-box.ca/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1342
http://www.black-box.ca/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1333

Holy crap … so Shari and I bring the family back from our first BIG vacation only to have to launch into our daughter’s SECOND birthday … I’ll let that soak in for a second. Little Brie Carder has been breathing the air on this planet for over 700 days. I’d say she’s been walking around but really? She only started that shtick about a year ago …

Shari and I were actually going through some old photos and videos last night, which lead to a ton of memories flooding back for both of us. What was amazing for me watching the videos of our one year old was despite the outward changes how little she had actually changed in personality. What’s even more shocking is just how much her little brother is just like her. There is no doubt that these two kids are related, and there’s even smaller doubt that these kids came from Shari and me.

I got to show Brie two bits of media which I’ve been DYING to show her for at least two years now. She watched Toy Story … and she watched some Looney Tunes. Shari and I had decided no TV for her until she was two. And now that she’s there, I’m going to start opening up the floodgates and show her some really cool stuff. She was mesmerized by Toy Story and that couldn’t have made her father any happier. Now all she needs to do is declare that Buzz is her favourtie … not that wimpy cowboy doll …