Update

Since MR is complaining about nothing to read on anyone's blog, I'll take the time to give an update.

Christmas was wonderful. We planned to have Christmas Eve at Paula's parents' and Christmas Day at my parents. Since both days were pretty well booked, we decided to open our presents the day before Christmas Eve. She got me ... cap guns. We were out shopping a while ago and I mention how my brothers and I used to play with them when we were kids, so she got me a pair, holster and all. And 2000 caps. Heh, poor cats.

I also got a plastic mat for the desk chair that I got last year. Some books and DVDs I've been wanting. Her parents got me a circular saw, cordless drill, and paper shredder. Oh! And Paula got me (us) a DVD-writer & VHS player combo.

It was great seeing both sides of the family. Paula's brothers have young kids (5-year-old and one that's not quite two). It's fun having little ones around at Christmas. My brothers have 8, two around 12, and a 16 year-old. Plus, one brother has a 13-year-old exchange student staying with them.

As for New Year's, we are planning to go to a Masquerade Ball at the Embassy (lobby). We already have our masks. Paula bought a dress this week, and I got a new suit today. We're going with Cramer's. It should be a lot of fun; I'm really looking forward to it. I plan on taking a lot of pictures, so keep watching this space!

That's it for now. I probably won't have an update till next year. Paula's plan on New Year's Day is to stay home, probably not change out of our PJs, drink mimosas, and watching DVDs or whatever.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have a great New Year!


-- C.

Fort Wayne is getting a -- baseball stadium?!

They just announced that Fort Wayne will be getting a new baseball stadium -- right in the middle of downtown. They've been talking about it for months, but I thought there were also considering other ideas, any of which would probably be better than this.

We already have a baseball stadium next to the Coliseum. Is it reaching full attendance? I doubt it. How many baseball teams do we have? One minor league team. Do we really have that many residents screaming for a new baseball stadium?

Does the committee not know what the weather is like around here? Most of the year is cold and wet from either rain or snow. The ideal thing to do is build some sort of indoor entertainment that won't be affected by the weather. Something we can use year-round.

What else can you do with a baseball stadium other than play baseball? I'm sure you can get creative with its uses, but other options are much more adaptable.

They are also planning a new hotel to go with the new stadium, but from what I hear, the existing hotel downtown is never at full capacity. The new hotel is supposed to be twice the size.

They did plan for a parking garage. The newspaper said it will hold 900 cars. If you figure an average of 4 people per car, that's parking for 3600 people. How many people will the new stadium seat? I'd guess more than 3600. Where will everyone else park? It's not like there's a lot of room downtown.

And let's talk about traffic. Most of the roads are small two-lane streets. How is all of this traffic going to get around?

I don't understand. I'd really, *really*, like to see the numbers on this and compare it to their other options.

How about an indoor water park? Or an indoor sports complex? Or an indoor theater complex? Or an indoor shopping center? (Are you notcing the trend yet?)

I hope they know what they're doing. Most people I've talked to think this is a horrible idea. Is there anyway we can get it postponed so more people can look at the plans?


-- C.

Dilbert author Scott Adams

Here's his view on the Donald Trump and Miss USA situation that arose recently. Worth a read. >grin<


-- C.

Young@Heart

This is something else. It's hard to give it justice; you gotta listen for yourself.

Young@Heart is a chorus group, consisting of people aged 70 to 90+ singing contemporary songs. Here's a cover of Coldplay's "Fix You." I know nothing of Coldplay (but I did find their original version of "Fix You" on YouTube), but it takes on new meaning when this group sings it:

Young@Heart covers "Fix You"

Be sure to check out their website for links to radio shows that includes more sound clips.

I hope they make a CD or DVD


-- C.

Mileage

My car has 99,991 miles on it. Hopefully I remember to take some pictres on my drive home. Maybe even a little video?


Happy Holidays!
-- C.