I created a new folder in our photo gallery for pictures of the kids without any pesky adults ruining the shot. Paula got some fancy-schmancy pictures taken last week. For some reason she decided not to use any of the pictures with Michael pushing Emma to the ground, taking her toys away or otherwise tormenting her...

If you are a person who waits to park next to me when I'm loading my kids in the car when there are-literally-35 empty parking spaces all around, then I hate you.
There, I said it.
I took the kids to Lim Star yesterday for dinner. I had both of my parents in the car as well. Between my parents-both in their 70's-and the kids, it's quite a production to get in and out of the minivan. So, imagine my surprise when I'm unloading Emma and I notice a car with the turn signal on, waiting to pull in next to my butt. WHAT?
For those of you unfamiliar, Lim Star (located near 8 Mile and Farmington, in Livonia, and owned by the parents of one of my students) is my favorite non-Italian restaurant. However, they never have any business. Actually, I have no idea how they stay open, but I'm glad that they do.
So, yesterday, my parents and I were the only patrons at 5 PM on a Saturday. Except, of course, for the nut job who needed to park next to me so she could go in and place a carry out.
It's amazing how much slower I go when I'm irritated.
It's almost like I become deliberately meaner in those situations.
It really took a lot on my part not to punch her in the face.
Or at least slash her tires.

This week we moved Michael into a booster seat and Emma to a regular car seat. They're younger than the recommended age, but well over the size/weight guidelines, so we figured it was time. It was getting really hard to fit Michael into the straps on his car seat. The hardest part was convincing Michael to switch sides of the car. Because I'm lazy, it didn't make sense to take both seats out and move the car seat over to Emma's side of the car. So I had to explain to Michael why Emma takes over his car seat and his side of the car. He seems to be getting used to it now finally.

Paula got me tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters for Valentine's Day. The game was last Sunday, Easter, and it was pretty awesome. First off, the seats were great! I guess technically they were second row, but nobody was in the entire first row in front of us. So we were pretty much on the court. I took Michael and he seemed to have a good time. The funny part is that since he doesn't really understand sports all that well yet, he didn't realize that it was more of a show. So we spent the first half rooting for the "Green Team" (the Generals) because they looked "Fast". Eventually he decided that we liked the blue boys too. It was a lot of fun seeing the trick shots and all that goofy stuff. Sadly, I forgot my camera, so I had to use my cell phone to take some pictures. It doesn't handle action shots terribly well, but they didn't turn out too bad.

I have so many things to say. It's like my mind is overloaded with information from the last week. I'll try and dissect.
First, I was very fortunate to get NCAA Final Four tickets from my friend Julie for both Saturday and Monday's games. However, I got those tickets long before I knew that MSU would be playing so close by, at Ford Field. Additionally, I knew that I couldn't use the Saturday tickets, since I would be in Denver. So, my quest began to determine who would get them. It ended up being Patty and Scott, since they were the only ones willing to commit so early, without even knowing that they would be cheering on their Spartans. I was even more impressed, since they live in Cleveland, have two kids, and she's 6 months pregnant.
Sunday night, Julie tells me she has two more tickets. Charby was already going with me, but I really didn't think it would be a problem to get sell off - at face value!- tickets to see MSU in a Championship game.
I was wrong.
I heard every excuse from people, ranging from work needs to being too tired to general laziness. I just don't comprehend passing up the opportunity to see your college play at that level so close to home. I was really getting ticked off at everyone who has ever told me that they were a sports fan for suddenly leaving the radar. I can completely imagine driving to Chicago, Indiana, even frickin' St. Louis in order to watch that game. But it was so close? I wouldn't miss it for the world...and that meant I had to fly home from Denver at 7 AM and still barely make it to the game on time.
So, what ended up happening to those two other precious tickets?
I called Patty, and Scott came instead. Now, that's someone I can get behind. He was already back in Cleveland, but he wasn't going to miss that game. His reaction reminded me of something...
What was it?
Oh yeah.
Normal.

Ray threw down the gauntlet again this year, and although I'm a few days behind, better late than never!

AL:
Indians
Yankees
Angels
Red Sox - WC

NL:
Mets
Brewers
Diamondbacks
Phillies - WC

World Series - Mets over Red Sox

It's not going out on too much of a limb, since I'm not picking them to make the playoffs, but I think the Royals are going to be pretty good this year. I'm calling over .500 and at least 3rd place. Sadly, I'm not nearly as confident about the Tigers...

So, it's been an interesting trip to Colorado. I'm on a break so I just have time to hit the highlights. Went to a Nuggets game on Saturday. Still trying to get tickets to Opening Day out here.

The best part was skiing at Breckenridge. It was awesome! Beautiful sunny weather, nice snow, ridiculously long runs, the whole deal. I wasn't quite brave enough for the double black diamonds, which meant I couldn't do the runs from the very top of the mountain. You have to hike there, which is just crazy!

I also learned something very valuable from skiing. The sun is much more intense when you're over 2 miles up. I have a crimson red stretch of my face now. Yesterday I couldn't even blow my nose without screaming. After 24 hours of aloe vera, my cheeks & nose are now starting to blister, but at least I can bear to touch my face again.

Another very bizarre thing happened. Somehow I made a friend. I'm usually not the most sociable person at the best of times, but I was at the tap room of a microbrewery and got to talking to a few people. One of them was also in town for business, so when I mentioned that I was going to this restaurant that was supposed to be good, he either invited himself along or took it as an invite I guess. So that was kind of weird, but nice to have someone to talk to for a change. Tonight I dine solo!

Yes, horseradish flavored vodka is exactly as disgusting as you might imagine.

Paula's got a whole monologue on quasi-sports fans vis-a-vis the ncaa championship game and another on rental cars. I just wanted to say that I'm currently drinking garlic flavored vodka and the horseradish is coming up next!

Deadspin - ESPN Will Never, Ever Do This Again - Norm Macdonald's ESPY monologue
I've always loved Norm MacDonald. I was even one of the 3 people that watched his sitcom back in the day. It's too bad we don't ever see him anymore.