7am: Fresh, Hopeful, and Focused

I’m not sure what it is about this area but when it rains (or snows heavily as we have learned) it brings out the crazy drivers in this area. Case in point, I’m cruising along Prince St. in Old Town Alexandria this morning on my way to work after dropping off E and a lady decides to run through a red light (that has been red for 30 seconds) as I’m going through the intersection. Fortunately, ever since E was born I no longer take for granted a green light and always keep a wary eye to cross streets and was able to slam on my brakes with enough time to stop about 3 inches from her passenger door but it brought to mind a few things I was thankful for this morning:

1) that there was no one behind me
2) that there was no one behind me on a cell phone
3) that I wasn’t on my iPhone or texting (we are all guilty of it, come on)
4) that the lady wasn’t on her cell phone
5) most importantly, neither Lauren or E was in the car with me

I would have hated to end the week by having to file an insurance claim that while not my fault would still have been a pain in the ass.

Please guys… Pay attention when you are driving, especially when it is raining, and avoid the crazies and avoid being one yourself! TGIF!

Posted via email from Daily Life Shorts

Whenever I am experiencing a “storm of the lifetime” or caught in a “Snowmageddon” I like to cook. As you know, last night I made ham and green bean casserole, and this morning I started making my favorite chili for tonight (I’ll post that recipe later). But, it’s lunch time, and the chili is still a good 6 hours away from being done, so what are we having guys?

The answer: tortilla chips and guac, and a classic snow day standby, mac and cheese!

So, if you are in the mood for a tasty guac treat as well, this simple recipe is for you!

Ingredients:

• 1 avacado
• 1/4 red onion
• 2Tb of honey
• 1/2 a packet of taco seasoning

Directions:

1. Take the avacado (remove the skin and pit obviously – though I have learned that one cannot assume people know to do this) and give it a good mashing. Sometimes I use the mixer, sometimes if it’s ripe enough I’ll just use a spoon.
2. Dice the red onion up into fine pieces and add to the avacado in a mixing bowl.
3. Finally, add the honey and taco seasoning to the bowl and give it a good stirring.

Done. Seriously, it’s that easy and it is oh so good… Bon appetit!

Posted via web from Daily Life Shorts

As a closet weather geek (I should probably do something with that meteorology degree some day), I live for big storms. It can be any kind of storm… thunderstorms, wind, rain, whatever. But when you live in the DC area, the one kind of storm you so rarely get is a good snow storm. As most of you in this region know, we are usually met with disappointment after a week of hype. We’ll get 2 inches before it switches to rain and washes away, or we’ll get an inch of ice, which is cool while it’s happening, but a pain in the neck logistically when it’s finished.

Well, this winter we’ve actually had two bona fide snow events and I have missed them both. For the snowpocalypse event, we were on the Eastern Shore of Maryland visiting my wife’s family where we only got a mere 3″ of snow, and today I’m up in New Hampshire where all I have is sub-zero temperatures (no exaggeration), but no snow.

I admit that my feelings are somewhat mixed on the snow: while I enjoy a good storm, the aftermath is certainly annoying. And given how long the aftermath lasted following the 16″ we got in December, I think I’m actually over snow for the season. Having said that, it’s still fun to watch it fall – which I’m currently missing.

Anyway, to all of my friends in DC, I’ll be thinking of you this afternoon when the snow really starts to fall according to the latest from the guys at the Post. Make a snow angel for me.

Posted via web from Daily Life Shorts

After just three episodes Human Target has quickly risen as one of my favorite new shows. In a TV landscape so full of unnecessary violence, predictable outcomes, and unneeded stress, Human Target is one of those shows that allows you to put the mind on cruise control and enjoy the action. Granted it doesn’t tickle the funny bone quite like Modern Family does, but it certainly does the trick for me on a Tuesday night.

If you haven’t seen it, check it out.

Posted via web from Daily Life Shorts

Funny how a little virus can knock you flat on your back for a couple of days. This past weekend our family joined up with my brother-in-law and his girlfriend in the Shenandoahs for a nice weekend of hiking and just relaxing in the mountains. Of course, within 3 hours of arriving, I was vomiting like I’ve never vomited before in my life, and spend the next 11 hours running to the bathroom every 15 minutes. As fate would have it, my wife joined me around 1am and we began the sick dance until later the next day.

I don’t think there is anything worse than being sick in a place other than your home, nor the feeling that you are 2.5 hours from your bed (and your own bathroom). Add to it that you have a 9 month old child to take care of, and you are almost overwhelmed by a feeling of complete helplessness. Before E’s arrival, we probably would have sucked it up and stayed the long weekend, but you when you are moving at a snail’s pace, and bright lights and loud noises make you nauseous, you want to be on your home turf. So, we piled into the car and hightailed it over the river and through the woods home.

The point of this little anecdote is that we’re back in commission. I have been completely out of what’s going on with the world, with the obvious exception of the going-ons in Haiti. The media coverage (TV, radio, social, and online) have done a great job in getting the stories and images out, as well as driving donations. Speaking of which, I read that text-based donations have surpassed $22M which is amazing, but also shows the power of mobile-based campaigns. I’m also very impressed with the Red Cross’ social media participation – they definitely get the power of it, and have figured out how to do it right.

Anyway, time to hit it hard and play some serious catch-up. I hope everyone is feeling healthy and motivated.

Posted via web from Daily Life Shorts