Day of the Ninja

This entire weekend I felt myself becoming more stealthy...more lethal. For no discernible reason I spontaneously disappeared into shadows and hurled shurikens made of paper clips. Before noon on Saturday I had already stealthily killed eleven people. So stealthily, in fact, that they weren't even aware they had been slain and were still seen walking around. I even got our mailman twice. More than ever before, I shed the mere mortal trappings of Mark Wright and became Ninja Daddy, able to sneak into sleeping children's rooms without detection.

Now I know why. December 5 was Day of the Ninja.

In honor of the event, I have attached a photo of me in my full ninja-ness.

mw

More's the pity

Neesha: *reading a headline* Huntsman proposes jolt for the economy.
Mark: Jolt? Like the energy drink?
Neesha: I don't think so.
Mark: So the governor's solution for the economy doesn't include highly-caffeinated beverages?

mw

Modern conveniences

We have a new microwave. Two weeks ago our old microwave started to turn on by itself, accompanied by a hot, electrical smell. Now, I'm not the most wild and crazy person in the world. I'd be willing to wager that no one has ever used the term "wild hair" and my name in the same sentence. However, even I can appreciate a measure of spontaneity. Just not in my kitchen appliances.

I had a little difficulty with the installation. It turns out that a height of 16.25" just isn't what it used to be. Looking back on it now, I realize my problems likely stemmed from the fact that I never donned my lucky ACE sweatshirt. What was I thinking?

So we have a new microwave. It works well, and looks much better than what was there before. I also think it goes well with our new stove, which we had to buy since one of the optional features of the old stove (namely, cooking) had stopped functioning.

The stove also goes very well with our new dishwasher, which we bought since the old one was full of rust (note: open the dishwasher when buying an existing home).

All three appliances go well with the new refrigerator we bought when we moved in, since we decided to leave ours when we sold our old place.

They also go well with the second refrigerator we bought since the first was too big to fit in the kitchen (feel free to insert your own "just right" joke here).

Unfortunately, this refrigerator does not go so well with our washer and dryer, which we bought since we included our previous machines in the sell of our old place.

I'm beginning to long for the days of wood-burning ovens and washboards.

mw

Eeeeewwwww!

While dancing with The Little Miss in the family room, her pacifier fell to the floor. Immediately, The Boy darted over and picked it up. I thought this a very sweet gesture from a kind and caring older brother...until he ran laughing into the laundry room. I ran after him in an attempt to catch him before he did whatever he was going to do (I know that laugh, and it never bodes well), and rounded the corner just in time to see him raise the lid to his potty (he has shown some signs of being ready for potty training and we started to try it out before we realized that potty training during the Holidays was a bad idea) and throw it in.

I don't think any amount of sanitizing will let me put this back in The Girl's mouth.

mw

That joke kills at my house

Caleb: What comes after 12?
Mark: What?
Caleb: Clock! *laughs uproariously*

mw

10,000 out-of-work economists, and they pick this guy

This morning I listened to a financial analyst give his projection on the economy. Perhaps it was his use of the term "money heaven" that turned me off on him. But it occurred to me that it might be nice if he had some understanding of economics (e.g., credit vs. velocity, which he confused) before announcing on national television that things were going to get a lot worse before getting any better.

mw

Right on track

In The West Wing, Amy Gardner is at a banquet hosted by the First Lady honoring the accomplishments of influential women in the Democratic party. Mrs. Bartlett introduces Amy, who just started the table cloth on fire by knocking over a candle after misjudging the angle to her wine glass, with the line, "…and Amelia Garndner, who has had six jobs in seven years." I can empathize. I have never started a table on fire. Nor am I an influential woman in the Democratic party. I do have a new job, which brings my total to four companies in four years.

Technically, only three companies, since as of November 24 I am again an employee of Convergys. This time I am an internal consultant, focusing on business development. If you wonder why I left Four Points, which was a great experience play, Monday night I came home and rocked out to Trans-Siberian Orchestra with The Boy and The Queen while Neesha made dinner and there was no place I would have rather been.

mw