Printer software installed

Today was a great day at work. I finally implemented the custom developed printer software that Systems of Merritt created for us. Lacee was happy because this software has cut her workload in half.

Since Kevin has been in St. Maarten, I’ve been hellbent on keeping operations flowing and getting backburner jobs off of my plate. I want him to come back and be completely happy with the way things have been run. Number one on my hit parade was the custom printer software. OnRamp has been doing a fantastic job with redevoping our client websites.

Anyway – today was a great day at work… so great that I’m actually looking forward to Monday to see what else I can hammer out!

Sushi with Chic

Elise and I had a fantastic dinner at Musashino last night with my former boss, Chic. We started out with a Spicy Spider Roll: Deep-fried soft shell crab, smelt caviar, and radish sprouts and also the Ozzy II Roll: Unagi, yellowtail, and avocado with sesame seeds and smelt caviar on the outside. The sauce that accompanied the Spicy Spider Roll was amazing. I had unfortunately singed my taste buds with a glass of J&B so I couldn’t quite tell what was in said sauce, but believe me, it was awesome.

Elise and Chic each ordered a Negihama: Yellowtail and scallions hand roll. We also ordered 5 or 6 a la carte pieces of sushi. I don’t remember all that was ordered but I do remember two of which were a special for the evening: a fatty tuna topped with a sliced Asian chili that can pack just as much a punch as a habanero.

I ordered a Sushi Deluxe Jo Nigiri: 7 pieces of sushi and 2 pieces of a futo maki, all of the chef’s choosing. I know I had a peice of Hamachi, fresh water Unagi and an obscure Hawaiian fish.

Everything was awesome – The best sushi I’ve ever eaten.

Catching up with Chic was also a treat. We had a really wonderful evening catching up.

Valentine’s 2005

Elise and I spent Valentine’s Day alone – with Jack. We let John and Christine have a few hours off to go see a movie while we stayed at their house and watched Jack. Elise played with Jack while I cooked. I am finally comfortable with my own Pasta Arrabiatta recipe (a la Romeo’s) by mistake. Elise called me at work yesterday afternoon and asked what she needed to buy for dinner. I gave her my list. She forgot crushed red pepper. John and Christine didn’t have crushed red pepper but they did have cayenne pepper. I improvised and the pasta came out better than that at Romeo’s (in Elise’s and my opinion).

We watched Fear Factor and played with the (soon-to-be Godson). Elise did most of the ‘work’ but it didn’t seem to bother her at all. I fed the little feller but Elise did all the singing and rocking and holding and cooing and diaper changing. I was exhausted just watching her. If I were to witness what John and Christine go through daily, I’d probably be in a coma.

We had a lot of fun last night. Jack is such a good kid. We offered to watch him over the Memorial Day weekend. John has asked me a couple times: “Are you sure you want to do this?” After last night, I’m pretty sure we can handle it. I can just shove food down his throat and then pawn him off on Elise – yeah, I got it covered. ;-)

In other news: The week has been hellacious thus far at work. My boss is in St. Maarten all month. I have irons in the fire, fires to put out, fire in the hole and coversheets for the new TPS reports. I spent 5 hours working on one printer today.

Elise’s busy season at work is starting up. She worked 16 hours today. She’s came home limping from being on her feet all day. I think she’s conked out on the bed. She came home, limped around, started the washing maching and I haven’t heard a peep since.

Tomorrow I have to get up and buy a laptop for work then go to work and deal with more fire. I’m supposed to have sushi with my ex-boss from Vidbook. I’m looking forward to that.

Weekend wrap up

After getting raped by the gubmint on Saturday, we had a late lunch at Baja Fresh. We went home and both sulked while retreating to TV/computer distractions. The evening came soon and we decided to rent The Grudge – bad movie – don’t rent it. I woke up early today and decided to go to work. I accomplished a lot. Enough to where a huge weight has been lifted off of my chest. Unfortunately I picked the wrong Sunday to spend all day at work. The weather was gorgeous today. After a whole week of cold, wet weather, the sun came out this morning and rendered two distant clouds and near-80 degree weather. It was so beautiful outside today. And to think: almost one year ago to-the-day it was snowing in Austin!

Tomorrow is Valentine’s day – the day where we’re supposed to be hyper-consumers. Last year Elise and her girlfriends had a slumber party the night before V-day. I picked Elise up late on V-day and we had a romantic drive-thru dinner at Jack in the Box. Tomorrow we’re babysitting Jack so John and Christine can have a little time alone and so we can exerience spontaneous liquid poo.

2004 Taxes

We woke up this morning dead set on heading to Jackson Hewitt and landing a killer return. We were going to invest, do some home improvements, put back for a vacation. We were excited.

We walked out of the Jackson Hewitt office with a $1,600 bill payable to the US Treasury Department. Oh yeah, and two exclusive t-shirts.


We had our taxes prepared at Jackson Hewitt and all we got were these lousy t-shirts

Elise’s 30th

My wife reached the glowing age of 30 at 12:35 p.m. this past Wednesday. To celebrate I took her out to dinner. Seeing how it was Ash Wednesday, our dining selections were limited. Elise said she wanted “Sushi, Italian or seafood”. I thought seafood sounded peachy so we went to Truluck’s.

After waiting for 20 minutes for a table, we were seated at a cozy booth adjacent to the on-display kitchen. Our waitress, Issa was prompt and very helpful in selecting wine, appetizers and entrees.

Issa returned after leaving us with a wine list and asked if we had come to a decision. I looked to Elise and said “What would you like, birthday girl?”

Issa quickly responded: “Oh, it’s your birthday?!” To which Elise replied: “Yes, it’s my 30th”.

I don’t know how it is that females know these sorts of things, but the astrology discussion ensued. “So you’re an Aquarius?” Issa pointed out.

“Yes I am!” Elise said.

“I’m a Capricorn!” said Issa.

“Tee hee” giggled Elise.

“Hee hee” chirped Issa.

“Oooooh, then your birth stone must be the Amethyst!” said Issa proudly.

“Yes, it is!” Elise applauded.

“Did you know that some signs actually have two stones?!?!” Issa proclaimed.

Not to be left out of this riveting conversation, I chimed in and said:

“I have two stones. Whaddya think of that?”

We all laughed.

Elise and I shared a nice bottle of woody Cabernet Sauvignon. I don’t recall the name and the website’s wine list isn’t up-to-date.

We forwent appetizers as we had some leftover cheese and crackers at the house earlier that evening.

For dinner Elise ordered the Seared Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Tamari wine sauce. I chose the Jalapeno Salmon Bearnaise with sautéed jumbo lump crab meat and gulf shrimp. Elise’s tuna was fantasic – sashimi grade tuna that melts in your mouth! My salmon was good. Halfway through the meal I remembered that it was supposed to be topped with a jalapeno bearnaise. I didn’t taste nor feel any heat from jalapeno.

After our entrees Issa brought us a complimentary Chocolate Bomb – a giant double chocolate truffle drizzled with white chocolate topped with a birthday sparkler.

After dinner we walked across the street to Ringers, a new upscale sports bar that our friend partly owns. Said friend greeted us at the door where we paid many compliments to the new establishment. Elise and I were treated to a couple drinks and lively banter from the bartenders.

Midnight came quickly and the birthday girl and I headed home. With the party this past saturday and a romantic night alone, I think Elise had a very nice birthday.

Elise’s and Michelle’s Birthday party

This past Saturday I threw a birthday party for Elise and our friend Michelle. Said party made for a lot of planning and preparation but it was all worth while. Jen and Kari drove in from Dallas (Kari flew in from Minneapolis!) late Friday and helped out a lot.

Although Elise was one of the honorees, she did most of the work. I guess that’s par for the course when you’re a caterer. Along with the help of Jen and Kari, Elise ordered most of the food, the margarita machine from Greg over at Party Machines, a keg and all of the decorations. I spent all day Saturday at Garden Ridge picking up tiki torches and at Central Market getting various noshes and stuff for sauces.

The party went well and although we haven’t talked to many of the attendees since, I think it’s safe to assume that everyone had a great time. Here are photos from the party.

An offer I couldn’t refuse

Last Thursday was extra special for Elise and me. We went to the Y Bar and Grill for a nice dinner where John and Christine asked us to be Jack’s Godparents. We gratefully accepted the offer.

John and I go way back. We’ve spent countless hours talking, lauging, crying and spilling our guts to one another. We’ve done good things, bad things and things we still haven’t figured out. I feel as if we became family the day that we met.

Since Christine came into John’s life and Elise into mine, our family has become tighter. With the addition of Jack, that bond has grown exponentially.

Elise and I are looking forward to many, many more years with John, Christine and Jack in our lives!

Second Mom gives props

“Mmmmm. Thank you. I consider myself a good cook, but I have to admit I still can learn from you.”

– Joanne Boeckman (AKA My 2nd Mom)

Now that’s a pretty cool message to get from my mom-in-law (aside from the undying love I get from the both of them!) And Joanne is a damn good cook!

Making a recipe your own

“If you change three ingredients in a recipe, you can call it yours”

– Jeff Blank

I did just that when I made chicken enchiladas with a fiery Godiva mole. I’ve tried making mole in the past… not so good. It was so bad that my friend Victor couldn’t even eat it.

Mole is a complicated sauce that has endless varieties. I made mine with some awesome Sandia peppers that I picked up at the Austin hot sauce festival. I also used anchos, garlic, cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, brown sugar, jalapenos, carrots, celery, Godiva chocolate, Vidalia onions, tomatoes, yadah, yadah and a lot of love. The best enchiladas I think I’ve ever had (but I’m biased). The mole was spicier than I expected but Elise and I can handle the heat.

29

I reached the age of 29 this afternoon at 2:51. I’ve realized a few things. It’s scary to find myself saying things like “Gosh, I remember 20 years ago when…” I’ve realized that things like tattoos, piercings, leopard spotted hair bleach treatments and funky clothes don’t suit me as well any more. I’ve realized that I don’t mind when the girl at Supercuts trims my ear hair without asking. I’ve realized that Profit & Loss statments, property taxes and fiber mean more to me than I thought they ever would.

But the most important thing that I’ve realized is that I don’t care. I’m not going to worry about how old I am. I’m happy with who I am and what I’ve accomplished in life so far. I know that I’m a good person and I have hopes and dreams that get me up in the morning.

I also have a wife that’s older than me. I’ll let her take care of getting old.

I treated myself to sleeping in this morning. It didn’t help that Elise and I stayed up until after 1 a.m. watching Metallica’s Some Kind of Monster DVD.

I got to work at 10 a.m. and met with my boss for two hours. I know he didn’t mind me showing up late because he knew of the shitty day I had yesterday. He and I went over outside sales stuff and other business. Kevin bought the office lunch from Russo’s and a bottle of Dewar’s for your humble narrator.

Later this afternoon our DHL guy showed up for his daily pick up and also had a package for me. Mom & Dad Boeckman sent me a sweet card, the American Chopper: At Full Throttle book and a bottle of Mr. Moto motorcycle cleaner. A very cool themed birthday present. I’m looking forward to reading the book and using the Mr. Moto to get the trusty Shadow spiffy for this Spring.

Yesterday I received one of my Mom’s signature customized birthday cards along with some cashola that I’m going to put away for Elise’s and my eventual trip to Prague.

This morning I woke up to a sweet card from Elise along with a box of Haribo gummi bears (I’m very particular about my gummi bears). This past weekend she bought me a Turtle Beach Video Advantage PCI capture card.

Unfortunately aforementioned wife has to work all night. I’m going to cuddle up with my bottle of Dewar’s and watch American Idol. See, when you’re 29, pop television becomes mainstay. As does fiber.

Gettin’ better

Just when I thought today couldn’t get any worse – it did. I answered one of our phone lines this afternoon because the girls were all busy putting away inventory.

“Hi, this is Josh, can I help you?”
“Uhhh, Josh, I’d like to place an order…”
“Okay, which pharmacy?”
“Actually, can I put my order in with someone else?”
“Uhhhh… sure. May I ask why?”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Because last time I called to place an order, you took it and it was a confusing ordeal.”

That pissed me off and heightened my bad mood.

After work I went to TKD. Clyde and I sparred pretty hard. Now I feel better