Posts from — February 2004

Just want to say a very sincere 'thank you' to everyone who supported me over at Blogmadness. In a close vote, I'm moving on and the right good Rev is going to get a second chance in the elimination round. I don't know what the schedule is exactly, but Blogmadness continues. I'm hoping that the contest undergoes one format change next year - it's just too long.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

Popularity: 1% [?]

It's "Leap Day" and it ought to be the one day where everybody in the world can just catch up on whatever they want. Well, as fate would have it, one extra day in my life means going into the office on Sunday for a reception with this year's college students, amid 50+ mph gusts and a torrential downfall that looks to bring 3+ inches of rain to the neighborhood. Gee, thanks. This is *exactly* what I had in mind. With any luck, the neighbors' fence will blow down and I'll have to stand out there in the rain tonight getting it back up. Joy.

Like I said, if I had one extra day….

UPDATE: The neighbors fence (the one the city told him to repair/replace) has blown over. I'm shocked. No, really. I'm shocked. Who could have seen this coming two hours ago?

Popularity: 1% [?]

With all the new wheels in the family, I'm thinking buying Jimmy Buffett's minivan might be going overboard. Don't you?

Popularity: 1% [?]

So this morning, I got the mulch kit installed on the new steed. Six speeds? Yeah, I got that. Mulch, bag, discharge? Yeah, I got that, too.

I decided to take it for a test spin in the back yard. First up, Merrin was peeking out the window. I just layed the seat back…cruisin'…pimpin'…big ballin'. Next thing I know, some redhead is literally jumping the fence to get a look at Daddy's ride. Yeah, baby…completely shagadelic!

At this point, I'm thinking…time to lay the hammer down on this thing, so I put all 15½hp to blade spinning. I got the front and back finished in about an hour. (To be honest, it could have been done a little quicker, but I was having too much fun doing hot laps around the yard!)

Yeah, having a tractor rocks.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Two of our favorite blogging Kevins are staring Blogmadness mortality in the face. Kevin from Wizbang has an entry that continues to be one of my favorites. While it's still early, Wizbang trails to another good post from You Don't Know Jackson. Vote!

Meanwhile, our own local Kevin (i.e. me) is still locked in a steel-cage match with one of the nicest bloggers out there, the right good Rev. If you haven't voted, check out the entries and vote for your favorites. There are about 12 hours left, so don't wait.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Merrin is totally in love with the new tractor. Suffice to say that the 3½ hours that it takes to mulch, edge, and trim the yard is going to be greatly reduced with the addition of the new mower. Haven't officially fired it up yet, but mega-thanks for Senor Cooperiño for helping me get that hoss home last night. (Pictures forthcoming)

The suggestion has been made that we get some NASCAR stickers on that thing ASAP. So, if anyone out there wants to be my corporate sponsor, let me know.
In other redneck news, the steel cage match continues. Vote at Blogmadness.

Popularity: 1% [?]

OK. I definitely want to see The Passion, but I'm a little bit hesitant because I'm not sure what the protocol is. For example, should you even buy popcorn? Who wants to be the guy just crunching away on some popcorn like a rhino in the chow line as Jesus is portrayed dying on the cross?! And with all the debate about anti-Semitism, should the movie theater even be selling JuJu Beans?! If I drink a Coke while Jesus is at the last supper, am I going to be inviting eternal scorn?

This may seem like a trivial issue, but –honestly– is snacking during a portrayal of the Biblical Gospels really a good idea or not?

Popularity: 1% [?]

After a several relaxing days of tranquility and blog sanity, Blogmadness is back in full bloom. OK, so maybe my past week hasn't exactly reflected blog sanity, per se, but just go with the whole sanity/madness thing here, OK?!

I have reached the final round in my bracket, so this is a biggie of sorts. In addition to my own contest, there are quite a few bracket finals playing out.

OK. So this is one that I expect to lose. I don't want to lose, but I expect to. I have voted for my current opponent's entry all of his previous rounds. (In retrospect, maybe that wasn't such a good idea, huh?) His post just strikes me as a funny.

Could you please read the entries and vote for the one you like the best? I would really appreciate it.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Via Karen (hee-hee): Hawk Feeds on Pigeons at Ohio Home Depot

First, can't they shoo it out or get the hot dog guy to tempt it to come out? There's always a hot dog guy front at Home Depot, isn't there? Or is that Lowe's? Whatever. What I mean is…hawks should like hot dogs. Or at least, I think they should.

Secondly, for obvious reasons, I think it's really, really funny that the bird in question is a Cooper's Hawk. I just wonder who's side of the road the Home Depot is on.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Oh the juicy rumor mill is firing up in advance of the W Hotel opening in Dallas. While the folks at corporate are the authority, let's just try to contribute enough to put the kibosh on anything way-way overboard.

I do not speak for Starwood. I am not representing Starwood or the opinions of Starwood. They are quite capable of speaking for themselves. This is just my (rather meager) two cents, so take it as you may.

Rumor: The W Dallas will open in 2006 (true) - all plans are go. 258 rooms and 80 luxury condos.

Rumor: Dallas will get two W hotels (false) - for now, just the one hotel for Dallas. I rather suspect that one is all Dallas will get. Despite the great hotels in Dallas, Starwood brass see this as a Westin town. Relative to the other W cities, Dallas is a little…square…a little more traditional. In turn, there are no plans for a new St. Regis in Dallas, although it wouldn't be completely out of the question. Crescent does have plans to develop a Ritz Carlton & condo project at Pearl & McKinney, across from the Crescent Hotel.

Rumor: The W Dallas will open at North Park (false) - again, one is the magic number and the location is a done deal. It's Victory overlooking the American Airlines Center and the Dallas West End. The leasing office for the condos isn't open yet, but it should be shortly.

Rumor: The outlets at the Dallas W will be N9NE, Ghost Bar, and Rain (officially false) - the plan for the W Dallas bars/restaurants (outlets) is not officially set. There will be, at least, one signature outlet. The fact that this property will be the first W Residence property, it's hard to say exactly what the final configuration might be outlet wise.

Rumor: I will be on the W team - I've got a good thing going and the Dallas W is still way down the road. I'll leave it at never say never.

The new Dallas W is going to be awesome. I think we're all ready for it to get going (I know I am). I rather suspect that there will be some announcements about the property later in the year, but..until then…the rumors are just rumors.

Popularity: 1% [?]

For whatever reason, the RangersGirl was inspired by my previous "weekend with" post. Now I know that I certainly didn't inspire them to spend time together - because they already have a great relationship. What's touching to me, though, is that they would share a little bit of it.

That being said, it's worth noting that her husband may be a sharter. So…

Popularity: 1% [?]

OK. Time to implement the open (one-way) door policy here at ye ol' blog de Kevin. About last night, 100% just blowing off steam and letting go a little with two great friends - Merrin (who happens to be my wife in addition to my best friend) and the nefarious nf0.

For those who asked, this was about my sales bonus. Apparently the calculations got messed up somewhere along the line (no finger pointing here), and I ended up getting a 10th or so of what I deserved, earned, and knew I had coming. That was on top of the historically tragic record of well-planned yet stunningly complete disasters we call Valentine's Day. (Which - as best I recall - most of which have never seeped from inner consciousness to outward blog. Maybe one day.)

Well, last night I got the word that the checks were corrected and today would be the day I finally got what was due. So last night was a great release, complete with some rather outstanding rare to medium-rare Angus Ribeyes, grilled asparagus & zucchinis, and some fun wine.

Today, as promised, life has returned to a more proper rotation on my customary axis. So, for those that have wondered about why the blogging has been "geek speak" only for the past few weeks, consider yourself updated.

Thanks for the emails & comments. You guys are the best. Keep those fins up, y'all. It's almost that time.

Popularity: 1% [?]

sldkjf jsdfgm,.sdf sdfvmxklcvlkn;

americas.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Got an email today from Mark Cuban. I sent him a quick email this morning about HDNet - since I believe I'm in the market for an HD TV. He suggested that you buy the best of the major brands that you can afford. Interestingly enough, he said that he has a Zenith at home. Cool!

I suggested that they add an XML feed to HDNet's website for programming. I was told it was a great idea and that it will be in the works.

Let me say this about Mr. Cuban: He's just an all around great guy. Forget the fact that he could buy anything he wanted - he started in a blue collar family selling trash bags door to door as a kid. What he has, he's earned with hard work. But the guy has never stopped being real. He's an absolute fanatic owner of the Mavs, but he's a fan first. He's a great marketer, but he loves products/selling first. And any billionaire that's up and answering their own personal email from a no-name like me (on Sunday AM, nonetheless!) is a-ok by me.

Popularity: 1% [?]

I get to spend the whole weekend with Merrin this week. No jobs taking us away, no distractions…just the two of us doing who knows what. This is a pretty rare occurance. Usually we have to be planning something big (like a weekend out of town) to get to away from our jobs for a complete weekend. On top of that, the weather is beautiful.

She had suggested that we go to the Home & Garden Show. Sounds decent - I need a hot tub anyway, right?! I was thinking we could combine that with a trip to see the new Turner exhibition at the Kimbell and check out the François Boucher thing while we're there.

Time-out! I just reread the last two sentences. You should too (without focusing too much on my overly casual writing style!) What kind of dramatic transformation has my wife achieved in the last 10 years that I can voluntarily combine the concepts of looking at hot tubs & gardens with looking at Impressionist art?

Last night was another great dinner @ Cheesecake Factory. A little Crusted Romano Chicken for myself and -much more importantly- a pretty decent Mojito. I showed off the new facade at the resort to Merrin and she feigned interest rather convincingly.
Aside to JC –> Whatever we do this summer, we must perfect a house recipe for Mojitos. I don't care how many hours it takes us to accomplish, it's a quest worth completing.

No exact plans for Sunday. That seems about right. Merrin says there's some hub-bub on TV, but that's what Tivos are for.

Have a great weekend, y'all. Anyone that wants to join up (especially pregnant neighbor couples & those residing in Cowtown), email or messenger me quick this morning. We'll probably roll around noon.

Popularity: 1% [?]