1,258 Days Later

1,258 days ago, on Friday, January 21, 2005, I posted my first entry on "this thing called Xanga". Today, I write my last. It's been a great run and there are lots of memories here that will be preserved for as long as Xanga is around. But it is officially time for me to move on.

Today, I begin my new blog over at Blogger.

davehartland.blogspot.com

Farewell, Xanga. It's been fun.

Dirty Pop

It's just about time for the sun to set on this blog. But, before I do, I want to post about a couple of things because I can't do that yet on the new blog since I already have a post there about something a little more serious than what I'm about to tell you.

I want anybody that reads this to think long and hard before spending money to see The Happening. I genuinely appreciate the work of M.Night, but this film, along with Lady In The Water were genuine jaw-dropping disappointments. I won't reveal any details of the film just in case you haven't seen it, but -- honestly -- don't waste your money, people. I walked out of that theater last night totally disgusted that our group had just spend $29.00 on this not-so-good-movie. Ugh.

After the movie, we went to The Fox and Hound pub for some grub. Rub a dub dub. Ahem, anyway, so we had this server and the first thing he said to us (the four of us were talking about a movie with Mark Wahlberg in it -- but I forget which one) as he overheard our conversation was, "Oh, that's a bad-ass movie. Somebody came in last week and told me I look like Marky-Mark" (he didn't -- at all). As the service experience went on, it kind of just deteriorated. Our drinks (Danielle, Rach, and I had Sprite and Brian had a Diet Coke) came out with a completely messed up syrup-to-drink ratio. They tasted awful. I thought my Sprite tasted like dirt. Of course, as is the case whenever you need something, the server disappeared for a while. After 15 minutes, Brian decided to take the matter into his own hands. He went up to the bartender and asked her to get our server. When he came out, Brian explained to him what was wrong with the drinks. He (the server) came over and seemed apologetic at first and told us he would bring us water while they were fixing the problem. A few minutes later, he came back and said the following [directed at Brian]: "You're the first one to ever complain about this, but I talked to the manager and she said that there is nothing that can be done because this is just how our pop tastes". THIS IS JUST HOW OUR POP TASTES? Umm, no. It's not. Did it ever occur to them that we may have been to this establishment before? *DING. Here is what is wrong with this situation:

• If you are a server, don't assume that since your customers are young that they will automatically think you're uber-awesome because you said the words "bad-ass" to us before you even said hello.
• Don't tell your customers that you look like Marky-Mark. It makes them feel very awkward.
• I don't know much about the restaurant business, but if you are a server, I would think that approaching a customer that had just complained about something only to say that "you're the first one to ever complain about this" is something that is completely inappropriate.
• Their pop doesn't just taste the way it did. The lazy manager didn't care enough to fix the problem and the incompetent server didn't see through his managers' laziness to deliver good customer service.

The server did end up taking the pop off of our bills. Thanks, Marky-Mark. How very nice of you.

May I Just Say Something?

Thanks.

There's a skunk outside my office window right now. Is it weird that I really don't think the stench of a skunk is as bad as everyone makes it out to be? The poor things can't even help it.

That's not what I wanted to say. What I wanted to say is: I received a couple of credit card statements in the mail today and I was so annoyed because both contained a separate sheet of paper that suggested that I use my economic stimulus check to pay down the balances. I don't know why it upset me so much...perhaps it is because I am sure each company thought they were being completely original in their concept. But honestly, even if we were getting a stimulus check (it's going straight what we owe the IRS...we don't have a choice in the matter), I doubt a stupid little piece of paper would persuade me to use it to pay down my balance at Blah Blah Bank. I hate taxes. I hate that we owed [thousands of dollars of] taxes for the second year in a row. I miss the good old days when I could count on a refund no matter what. From what I understand, the solution is quite easy: just have a child! At least the solution isn't anything complex.

We're really really busy right now. We're still watching Candace, and in the middle of it all, we're trying to pack up our house and move. Our actual move date is the 28th, but we want to get as much moved out of here before then so as to avoid a long and overwhelming moving day. I hate moving. It's really really aggravating.

I am pretty sure I am the only person left on Xanga (with the exception of some kid in Finland), so I think I'm actually going to debut my new blog over the weekend. It's been ready to go since April, and even contains an entry already, but I just never really found time to "open" it. 10 points to the first person who can figure out what my new blog address is (I'm on Blogspot)*^.

*The spouse of the author of this blog is not eligible for the 10 point grand prize.
^Contestants currently residing in Massachusetts, Guam, and the Ivory Coast may not participate in this contest.

Currently Reading I Hate the IRS (I Hate series) By Susan Murphy see related

As the Storm Clouds Gather

Last Sunday (the 8th), Danielle, Candace, and I went down to the beach to have a picnic with Danielle's mom and sister. The weather was gorgeous, sunny and about 90 degrees. Perfect beach weather:

As the evening wore on, I began to keep my eye on a bunch of storm clouds over on the other side of the lake in Canada.

As the sun was setting, it went behind the storm clouds which, in turn, created a pretty awesome photo opportunity as the storm crossed the lake towards America. We began to hear thunder in the distance and we saw some pretty awesome lightning too. Candace thought the wind was funny.

The storm was dissipating as it got closer to us, but it still looked pretty threatening. I began to get a little concerned because of the lightning. You could also see the rain falling from the clouds out over the lake. It was a pretty awesome sight.
 
 

Finally, as the wall cloud reached the shoreline, I decided it was time for us to head to the car. But, before I was able to make my decision known, I noticed a cloud of sand and debris that was being blown down the beach as the wind gust from the storm was approaching our location. I said, rather loudly, to Danielle (who was still on the bench finishing up a sandwich) and the rest of her family that we had to get out of there and run to the car. At that point, the gust had reached us and it started to bend the trees back as well as cause a huge wall of  dust, sand, and debris to hit us. Now we were in the middle of it. People started screaming and running. Just ahead of us was a little kid from another family who was running down the boardwalk towards  the parking lot. He was screaming and his mom was screaming and the wind was deafening. It was hilarious. Then he tripped. I mean, he BIT it. He slid on the boardwalk and the momentum he had from running caused his whole body to slide down the boardwalk a good distance. He looked up at the throngs of people running past him and started crying for his mom. Hopefully everything was alright for him. We didn't have time to stop! LOL.  
Anyway, people finally reached their cars and of course a traffic jam ensued. Meanwhile, here's me snapping picture after picture of the chaos. It was, by far, one of the funniest things to ever happen to Danielle and I. It's one of those moments that you WISHED you had a video camera with you: 

After the "storm" passed, we took a drive around the peninsula so as to avoid the traffic jam as all the frightened beachgoers were trying to get back onto the mainland. I snapped this shot of the storm as it moved south over downtown:

And also this panoramic shot of the storm over Presque Isle Bay:



After all the chaos had subsided, we were pretty much the only ones on the peninsula. It was quite peaceful, actually. Right before sunset, the skies actually began to clear:


On our way home, we decided to stop and ride the ferris wheel at Waldameer. We decided to let Candace have a few rides on a couple other things as well: 


      

The view from on top of the ferris wheel and a beautiful end to a beautiful day:

Also:
I really love my wife. And I especially love how she loves Candace. This "test-drive" of parenthood that we have been blessed to experience has reiterated to me two things that I already knew:
1.) Danielle is going to be the most amazing mommy in the world. No offense to other moms out there. But, as you must understand, I'm quite biased.
2.) I have the dad bug. Bad.

Currently Reading As Storm Clouds Gather By Jim Maher see related

Candace & Other Goings-On

It's June?
Seriously?

Honestly, I cannot fathom how fast time is flying. We are now only six months away from Christmas and I am eight months away from turning 30. For goodness' sake, summer is practically over!! Also, I think I am going to measure the time between blog entries in gas prices. So yeah, I apologize for not having blogged since 20 cents a gallon ago.

Anyway, here's a quick rundown of the things going on in my life right now:

• We have basically (and temporarily) taken over parental responsibilities for Danielle's (our)  niece Candace. The long and short of it is that is living with us while her mommy gets back on her feet again (you can read more about the saga on Danielle's blog). We've been watching her on weekends since the middle of February, and full-time since about two weeks ago. It's hard to imagine what this precious baby girl has gone through and seen in her short little life. It is heartbreakingly obvious that Candace has very well-developed emotional scars even though she is only two years old (as of tomorrow!). Although Danielle and I have had our differences in this situation, we have chosen to work together not  only as husband and wife, but as two people who believe that God has His best in mind for  Candace and that we have somehow been given -- regardless of how small a role we may play -- a part in all of that. Our prayer is that this ordeal will be over soon and that Candace will be able to be reunited with her mommy again. Until that happens, however, we consider it an honor to be thrusted into temporary parenthood. Three months ago, we had no idea where Bunnytown was or who Weenie the Dog or Oswald were. Three months ago, we had no idea what restaurants to avoid because they had horrible prices on the kid's menu or that Tuesday night was kid's night at Chick-Fil-A. Now, we know where each playground in Erie  County ranks and how many grams of sugar a child should have before they literally cannot sleep at night. I have to say...amidst the pain and horror that this ordeal has brought into the lives of all people involved, being able to care for Candace has been a wonderful experience. There is something about knowing that another human being depends wholly and completely on you to provide for their every need. Earlier today, Danielle was at work and I was at home. Candace and I had just sat down to watch Bunnytown when she began to cry. She asked for Danielle. Then mommy. And then Bunny. As the tears streamed down her cheeks, I picked her up and held her close. I wiped away the tears and told her that everything was going to be okay. As she clung onto Bunny --the only real security she has had through all of this mess--, she looked straight into my eyes as if she was thinking, "I really want to believe you."  As she turns two years old tomorrow, my prayer is that Candace will begin to trust Danielle and I when we say that to her...and that no matter what life may bring from here on out, we will be a constant in her life in good times and bad. More importantly, our prayer is that --as she gets older-- she will be able to look to Jesus for comfort in good times and bad.  We are trying as best we know how at this point in her young life to lead her to Him.
  
  
• Having said all that, this just solidifies my belief that being a dad is going to be the most amazing, rewarding, and wonderfully challenging experience I will ever know. I cannot wait for the moment that Danielle and I become parents. She is going to be the most amazing mother in the world. Hands down.
• Three weekends ago, Brian, Rachel, Danielle, and I spent a couple of days and nights up in  Niagara-on-the-Lake. As always, that place blew me away. I love it up there. We had a lot of fun and ate a lot of food. It was a nice little getaway...but I wish it could have lasted longer. And I wish the weather would have been better. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers, right? 

    

  
• May 25 was my mom's birthday. Danielle and visited the cemetery after church and took her a beautiful rose that Danielle picked out. One (or both) of my sisters had been there already and had planted flowers. It looked absolutely beautiful. It's been 16 years since she left us and still today, the pain remains as fresh and intense as it did then.
  
  
• Memorial Day was nice. We spent the day with Aaron, Kelly, and the boys. Speaking of Aaron, Kelly, and the boys, I just want to say how thankful Danielle and I are to have them in our life. They have been rocks during this time with Candace. And I have to say that I feel a little bit guilty that my children will not be growing up with their kids. A & K are incredible parents who are raising two incredible boys who are going to grow into the kind of people any parent would want their kids to be friends with. They are great friends to Danielle and I (and Candace). We thank God for them. 
  
   
  
  
   
• Danielle and I found out that our landlord and his wife are moving back to Erie from North Carolina at the end of our lease on June 30. Since we are living in their house, that means that we have to leave. Miraculously, we found a new place to live almost right away (actually, the place sort of found us) and we will be moving in during the last week of June. We are NOT looking forward to the move. Packing, moving, and unpacking just isn't something we're really excited about right now.  :-\
• I got to meet the Mayor last Wednesday! Derek and I went to City Hall and filmed him for one of the "public service announcements" that we are running at Grace during the our current sermon series called "Reality Check". Unfortunately, I can't post the Mayor's video (it was hilarious...and he was a really great sport) on Grace's YouTube site, but I will hopefully have the rest of the PSA's we've done thus far uploaded sometime on Wednesday.
• I'm jealous that Aaron & Kelly get to go see Scotty, my family's camper, in Myrtle Beach next week!!! But I am so happy that they get to go and thankful that my dad was OK with it and that they are able to take a semi-affordable vacation to the most wonderful place on earth [IMHO]! They more than deserve it.
• Danielle and I are so looking forward to our trip to Minneapolis next month to visit our good friends Aber & Molly. It feels like forever since we've seen them!

Well, I think that pretty much sums up what's been happening around here.

Peace.

Currently Reading Life Is Never As It Seems By June Michael see related