October Showers Bring...School Pictures!

Jack's school pictures have arrived. Many blog readers should get one mailed to them within the next few weeks. Here they are - if you have a favorite shoot us a note. And click on any of them to enlarge.

First, the class picture - we didn't get this as Jack was preoccupied during the picture!



Here's another class picture from a rogue photographer who was in a few weeks ago - I think the school lets lots of them in because they get a cut. It's a slightly better picture of the little pancake though.



Now this one is my favorite. He's got a great smile!


If this is your favorite choose again - don't think we bought this one.


This one is good too.


Finally, Steph had a little birthday shower lunch this past week-end that was first class all the way (from what I understand anyway). Jack and I stayed home and watched football. Here's the invite:

The Omaha Goats

The Nebraska Cornhuskers get most of the attention when it comes to sporting teams from Nebraska. But on a trip to Omaha this weekend, I discovered a lesser known Nebraska sports team with a pretty nifty team name and logo. It's an Omaha rugby team known as the Omaha Goats. The beauty and simplicity of this logo make me think that the goat is an underutilized mascot animal.

Black on black

There was a request for a pic of the new bike and the owner's new matching duds. Here it is.

New Sauce at Taco Bell

There are two new sauces at Taco Bell. The quick verdict: Verde is a winner, Fire Roasted, not so much. The Verde is a typical green taco sauce based on the tomatillo or green tomato. It's a nice change of pace from the normal taco sauce lineup. Fire Roasted has a chipotle-like flavor that is a little off somehow. As Mom and Dad would say, it's got a funny "wang" to it.
The other new item at Taco Bell that I recommend is the 89¢ Potato Soft Taco. It's cheap and tasty, and by eating it, you avoid pink slime ammonia beef.

Green Roof

There is now at least one "green roof" in Lincoln. These things are billed as eco-friendly for the following reasons: they retain rain water, they provide insulation (heating, cooling, and sound), they provide an environment for wildlife, they clean the air, and they can be used to produce food. I think the main draw is they just look neat. This particular green roof can be overlooked while you eat a burrito from a burrito shop called Qdoba (a chain), that features rooftop seating.

On The Run

I shot this interesting video of Jack on the run a few weeks ago at a pumpkin patch. We're going to a different patch today and I'll try to return with some more material.

A Bike

I recently bought a motorbike, a 2008 Honda Shadow 750 with 2100 miles. I kept my other bike, a yellow Gold Wing. I like the Shadow; it's about my sixth Shadow.

Tequila Mockingbird

I did a comparison test of tequilas. On the right, my usual brand: 1800 Reposada. Good stuff, 100% agave, and $29 for 750 ml locally. On the left, Cabo Wabo anejo, also 100% agave and $46 for 750 ml locally.

On the rocks: the 1800 is pretty smooth, the Cabo far smoother.
In a margarita: same thing. 1800 a fine drink using my recipe below.
Cabo Wabo: a better and truly outstanding drink.

My judgement: for daily use, the 1800 is the one to use. If you just want deluxe, go the other way. You can of course pay more than $46 and probably get even better.

My margarita recipe:

1.5 ounces tequila
3 ounces Jose Cuervo Margarita mix.
.5 ounces Grand Marnier

Shake it up and serve over the rocks in a highball glass with salted rim.
Or strain into a margarita glass with salted rim.

Jack's First Trip to the Dentist

Jack had his first trip to the dentist a few weeks ago and the results were predictable based on his first trip to the barber and recent trips to the Dr. He did great throughout the entire process including x-rays, cleaning and examination.



He wanted to wear gloves like the dentist which they accomodated. His teeth were fine though we need to do a better job brushing and also need to start flossing! At least where he back molars are touching one another. We've sharpened our routine at night as a result. Steph commented to the dentist, "I've been to the dentist a thousand times so I know the drill."