Trying out a brand new theme on WordPress. I think I’m going to go with it and tweak it, to make it work how I want. But I saw it this weekend at WordCamp Dallas, and really liked it. What do you all think? It’s pretty interactive, so comment away and see how everything comes up in-line with this post. Thanks!

It’s not entirely fair to use this title as the header for my first posting on the new blog, but it’s rather how I’m feeling at the moment.  I’ve jumped in head over heels using Wordpress (a piece of software I know next to nothing about) and I’m doing my best to work on two websites with it.  I’m a regular webmaster, aren’t I?  Yeah, not so much.  But, it’s a start.

Thanks for reading.  Come back sometimes soon – hopefully there will be something more interesting to read.

One Hundred posts…seems like a benchmark of sorts, but as I have only been posting a few times a year, as of late, I guess it’s kind of an anti-climactic benchmark. But, I’m happy to be here nonetheless. W00t!

If you are reading this within a few days or weeks of this posting, you are probably noticing several changes to the site. I made some changes to kind of focus this area to be writing-centric. I really want to take away some of the more distracting widgets that were on the site, and put the emphasis on my writing. I hope this is met with approval (hell, I’ll take general acceptance) and not virtual tomatoes lobbed in my direction. I’m open to any ideas you might have, as well.

There are still some widgets, though, as you can see. A link to photos and a glimpse into what I’m reading at the moment are still up there. As far as the weather is concerned and updates about movies and food, that sort of thing – well, I’ll put that in the posting.

I’ve also gotten rid of links to some other websites, and consolidated that with blogs I read. To friends who find that their website is no longer listed on the page – well, your blogs aren’t being updated. So, I’m trying to clear things up. Let me know that you’re planning a post, and I’ll list you there. I would love for visitors to my blog to be able to read blogs that *I* read regularly and find interesting. It was nothing personal. That said, go check out the sites I listed. I can almost guarantee you’ll find some fun things worth reading.

Okay, well – let the comments flow.

Seriously, Southwest Airlines? Why is the freedom to sit where you want such a big perk when it comes to airlines seating. Is this really what surveys revealed to be passengers’ biggest gripe? Honestly? Keep the scary food, keep the limited leg room – let’s make sure passengers can sit where they want? Whatever, Southwest.

We had a cold front come in today, and are finally feeling some more autumn-esque temperatures. I was really getting tired of the low to mid-80s temperatures in November. Not my idea of a good time, if you’re writing this down. I like the cool, crisp autumnal weather. ‘Course, a good number of you are saying, “well, don’t live in Texas, dumbass.” Fair enough.

I’ve decided to focus a fun link on hockey today, inspired by the cool breeze blowing in through the opened windows and the hockey game that is currently showing on my television (Stars and Sharks are tied 3-3, currently). I went on to YouTube, and doing a search of “Stanley Cup”, was reminded about one of the best moments in Stanley Cup history – Ray Bourque finally getting a chance to lift the Cup (even though it was for that Colorado Avalanche team I hate so much). Yay Ray!

After work today, I went to go pick up my son. This is something I don’t usually do – getting the Monkeyling from the in-laws, who watch him while Mrs. Monkey is in school and I’m at work. It’s not because I don’t want to do it, or like doing it – I simply don’t have the tools to do it. I drive a little beat-up pickup truck, and though it’s endurance is a trait that I LOVE (nearly 110k and no major garage visits *knocks on wood*), the lack of safe child-seating is a bummer. So, my wife, who drives the new car with the good 5-star safety rating, gets the job of fetching Little Monkey.

Well, she had a late day at school today, and so I took the car and got to go get him. It was a lot of fun, because he’s kind of worn out from the day with the grandparents, but is just getting to the age where he recognizes me and will sometimes give me a smile when I see him. The kid’s got one of the best smiles ever, I swear. The melt-your-heart variety. He’ll be a lady-killer one day….he’ll flash the little crooked smile and give them the big brown eyes…..it’ll be all over for them!

Anyway, my son and I got a couple hours this evening of fun bonding time – laying on the bed while he showed me his Bruce Lee routine (lots of good punches and kicks), walking the halls of the MonkeyHouse, rocking in various chairs, bouncing on knees…anything to keep the cries back pretty much. And, by the time Mrs. Monkey got home, I had successfully squired him off to dreamland. It was a nice little victory, even though it was short lived – the little bugger was up 5 minutes after she was in.
But still – she got to come home to a sleeping baby. That’s not so shabby…

The kiddo is sleeping, and the dog is too…so I get a chance to chime in. I missed posting yesterday – yeah, I admit it – but I’m still staying with the spirit of NaBloPoMo as much as possible. Yesterday was just a bit difficult to get out here and make my mark.

There was a bit of a return to some cooler weather in North Texas, today. This was welcomed with opened arms by me. I much prefer the cooler weather to the warmer. I stand in contrast to my mom and sister there, I think. They were both happy to get away from Maine’s climate, whereas I still occasionally daydream about living what that weather again. Don’t get me wrong. Winter all-out sucks. But, no worse than Texas Summers kinda all-out suck. So, you trade out one for another. I used to joke that “you don’t have to shovel heat”. And this is true, obviously…but you know. You can always put on clothes….you can only take off so much…and then if you’re still miserable, you’re just f*cked.

First off – great game today. The Patriots bested the Colts in a nail-biter. The Pats won by 4 points, and I’m sure it’s not the last time we’ll see them.

There was a great turn out for the game – lots of fun New England folks at the bar. I bought a tower of beer for the group, but not enough people helped me to consume it. I need to go, because otherwise I can’t work on the sobering that needs to happen in the next 10 hours. Good night to all!!

Okay, this is a bit of a test, because I haven’t posted pictures since my cat passed away nearly two years ago. But, I’m sure we’ve had some technological developments since then, right? I think it said something about that on the back of the AOL Free Trial CD I got in the mail the other day….

What?? Oh. Here’s a pic of my mom and my son and I. MONKEYS!!

Bonjour, tout le monde…

I hope everyone has been doing well while I haven’t checked in lately. Things have been tumultuous in the Monkey household lately. There are a few who have heard, and some who haven’t…but for those who haven’t, I’ll let you in. I lost my job a couple of weeks ago, and have been in heavy-duty job search mode since. It really couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time, but come it did. So, I had to suck it up and find some work right away. I was very fortunate, and had a few opportunities present themselves right away. I only heard back from a couple of those, but one of the jobs I heard back from was for a job working with Mac computers again. I had a job several years back that I really loved, and one of the reasons I really loved it was that it was a great learning opportunity. This job offered a return to that industry and a position with even more responsibility. I accepted their offer today and should begin work with them later this week.

One of the other great bonuses to this job – less than 5 minutes from my house. I could very literally ride my bike to work if I so chose. I may do that a few times this fall when the weather gets to be accommodating enough.

At home, things are going quite well. I used to refer to my wife as LampLover on here…long story, but those who read her blog knew the story…but since she hasn’t updated her blog in over a year and a half, I think I’ll just refer to her as Mrs. Monkey. Plus, I get to call her a monkey. *snicker* Hey, it’s only fair….

If you haven’t seen the pictures of my adorable little son, click HERE without hesitation. I need to get some more pictures to my father-in-law so he can update the site with some more recent pictures. But, the little baby monkey is growing like crazy, and making this house a very happy home. A tired and cranky home sometimes, but a very happy one indeed.

And now….random monkey. And monkeys making out.

You know what you did,
-WM

Over the past few months, I’ve really been reconnecting with a vital part of my “youth” (14-24 yrs old, anyway): my music. God bless iTunes, my iPod (and Apple, by proxy, for those two things), large hard drives and technology in general. I have my entire music library uploaded onto iTunes, and thanks to a good friend, I have about quadrupled my library with additions from outside sources. Plus, this same friend is as much of a music junkie as I am (if not moreso), and I finally have someone to nerd out at the music store with. Very awesome.

LL is doing well, for all those wondering. Life has been going by at triple speed. Much like my stupid Time Warner DVR and remote, when I try to slow it down by pressing the little pause button on the remote, it complete ignores me and keeps going at breakneck speed. I’m just trying to gather in everything I can.

Little C – as I will refer to the monkeyling on here – is healthy and apparently happy, aside from bouts of hiccups and restlessness. His room is all ready and waiting for him at this point. We’re playing the waiting game, mostly.

There’s a baby shower this weekend, and I’m sure it will be a good time. I’m gonna try and keep clear…will update again soon…well, you know me – as soon as I can. Could be two days, could be 3 months. lol…

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and wishes lately – all you readers rule. Will try to be better about this. WiredMonkey out.