beef

8/24
Shit! Did I leave the krill grill on? I’m always forgetting things. Should I go back and check or just trust the logic that of course I turned it off before I left. Why wouldn’t I? I always turn it off. What is the worst thing that could happen – I burn the ocean down? Next krill grill I get is going to have a timer that I can set and have it turn off. Maybe I’ll just haul them in a sack and cook them over that volcano spewing from the bottom of the ocean. Nah, that’s a little too hot for my taste. I want them cooked, not blackened.

(props to mikey for the art – i’ve been thinking about grabbing more and writing short paragraphs about them also.)

8/13
Tense muscles are pulling tight on the fingers. Relaxation is not an option. Is it supposed to feel like this? Fingers fumble furiously over the electrolyte filled bottle. Push the palm against the cap and try to pry it loose. Look around for some assistance. Offer the bottle to the baby. Giggles rebound over the request. Splash! Splash! Splash! Tiny fingers show off their dexterity. Re-channel the energies at the task at hand. Need a distraction from the pain. The liquid is something to wash down the little orange pills to fool the pain.

8/12
Insert a portion of your eye into the realm beyond the last light. Does your eye perceive the change without the presence of your brain? Or does it cease to connect with the cortex as it passes the barrier? The lights are fantastic. A spherical pattern trails and follows the eye as the last light fades into the distance. Has the order been rearranged while the eye begins to emit new electrical impulses throughout the darkness that it leads into? Is it too late to return? Has the eye purchased a new direction in its existence?

otto’s newest trick involves doing laps around the futon. he finishes with his typical flair when he sees the camera – charge!

around the couch. from beef moe dee on Vimeo.

18 men entered, 1 emerged victorious. For this year, Mikey rules supreme.

The results can be seen here.

More photos at my flickr page.

An interesting weekend. Otto got sick for the first time. Not sick as in a fever but a stuffy nose. He didn’t seem to deal with it very well Saturday night. Didn’t get more than a couple hours of sleep that night. However, Sunday morning, mama got the saline drops and we squeegeed some of the snot out wit the aspirator and he was feeling a little better today. To get out of the house for a bit, we wandered over to the park and got some good swing time in. Regardless of how stuffed up he was, the swing definitely makes him giggle and laugh every time. I also got a new camera over the weekend and have been trying it out. Overall, a much better experience as my last one had seen a lot of wear and tear. It’s nice to see crisp clean images again. This camera appears to take much better sound with the video.

Instead of posting them here, I’ve started to host my videos at Vimeo. More storage and they don;t get compressed as much it seems. So enjoy these if you are bored or just want to see more of Otto.

I also did some salting/pickling of meat and vegetables this weekend. Got started on corning 12lbs of brisket for the St. Patrick’s Day Cribbage Tournament. Also feling a little saucy, so i’m doing a batch of refrigerator pickles withe cukes, carrots, beans, and sweet peppers.

The first ten people who comment here will get something I or Megan make. Could be a real life thing. Could be imaginary. Depends on what I think you will like and my inspirations. (Note, it’s going to be something I think you will like. Actual liking not guarenteed!) The only real rule is that you have to make this offer in your own journal/blog. (and this really isn’t a rule, if you comment, you will be included!) Megan will take either the evens or the odds and I will do the others.

Meat!

I feel like I use exclamation points too often. But ofter one word or a short phrase declarative will make me do such things. Otto stepped up and decided he wanted to try and eat a little bit of real food Saturday night. Megan had made some applesauce in preparation a few weeks ago and had frozen them as cubes. He was tentative at first but after a quick explanation by Delilah, he enjoyed the mushy chunky delight. The first time, he didn’t quite understand the spoon which is why he got the finger. (and Delilah licking may have also influenced that decision.) However, on Sunday, he had no problems eating it off the spoon for momma or poppa. I think Delilah was a little depressed that he didn’t get it all over the place yet.

Here are two movies – Delilah giving the training. Otto following the master.

Not the best way to eat food but as a once a year type of thing, it brings some excitement and good eats. We had a few friends over for NYE – Chard, Ang, Axel, Anya, Lucas, and Delfel. Fixings for the evening were ribs, deep fried cod, asian slaw, and some latkes. Everything went off pretty smoothly other than the fryer tripping a few circuits. The night saw some drinking and later singing/dancing contests to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” ala JT and Adam Samberg.

Since I had borrowed the fryer from Chard, I figured I’d have to get one more use out of it. Empanadas sounded delicious. I made up a batch of beef picadillo for the savory and also made a batch of chocolate chip – banana ones as the sweet. Very delicious!

Otto meets Santa.

Wait...why...what's going on!?

The family came out to celebrate Thanksgiving and to meet Otto for the first time. Otto was thrilled to meet everyone and tried to keep it lively most of the week.

1. Jadelyn felt the need to keep us entertained with her fashion show.
2. I managed to successfully to prepare Turkey Day.
3. We made new friends at the zoo.
4. A couple of pictures overlooking Elliot bay from each side.
5. It takes Jadelyn awhile to pick the right shoes.
6. Pictures of the family with Otto. (I would have put yours in Charlie but did you want 2 pictures with your eyes closed. )

Overall, an excellent week for Otto’s first visit. Everyone got to hear his little giggle and he can’t wait to see them all again sometime next summer.

Where did the time go? I already feel so old. I turned 4 months old on Monday. Just give me some quiet time.

What do i do next?

PS – I’m currently 14lbs 6oz and a bit over 25in long. Not too bad since I was 6lbs and 19in when I was born.

A couple of weekends, we went and stayed at a friend’s cabin on vashon. As it happened, it was also Megan’s birthday. Chard created another in a series of masterpieces for dinner. An excellent beef tenderloin with homemade raviolis topped with shoestring leaks. Things threatened to fall apart at one point in the evening as the power decided to go out just as we were getting ready to boil the water for the raviolis. We were able to improvise and boil them on the propane grill. As always, many things contribute to me forgetting to take pictures of the items in the meal before they get eaten. Of course, I completely forgot to get the camera out in the morning when Chard created the eggs benedict the following morning.

The weather had threatened to rain the whole time we were there but the sunshine broke out for awhile during the day on Sunday. I’ve got a picture of sunset and one during the day. It’s nice to have this kind of paradise so close. If we hit the ferry right, it’s less than an hour from door to door.

Sigh. October rolls along. Otto gets bigger, makes crazy sounds. He likes to hold conversations with the things around him. Good quiet baby for the most part. Although he fights the night and tries to stay up as long as possible.

I’m sure all Otto’s adoring fans have been clamoring for more! We reach the 12 week mark in his existence. Quite a lot of happenings in the past few weeks. First off, Otto would like to welcome the new additions in babydom since the last time you saw him – E & Sack got it done with Evelyn and most recently Damon & Nicole welcomed Margot. Otto continues to be one of the few boys in babyland.

Otto’s got smile to go around for everyone, everyone except the camera. He’s a little giggle monster when he’s wide awake. He doesn’t quite appreciate poppa trying to get him to play around on his stomach, However, it is starting to payoff as he can crane his head up and look all around.

it’s been a little while since i’ve posted any new pictures. I have a few but nothing really entertaining.
Attached are a video and a few action shots.

Overall, Otto is moving along nicely. Lots of random, varied noises escape his milk encrusted lips. His eyes dart around the room, trying to keep them securely fastened on momma’s every movement. Dad’s home all day on the weekends and throws everyone’s schedule out of whack. The pugs protect. The cats lounge. Otto takes his first airplane ride tomorrow to Sacramento to meet his 2 aunts and uncles and his cousin.

Move forward another week. Otto appears to be able to focus on things a little farther out in his field of vision. Highlights for his week were a BBQ at Chard and Ang’s and then an afternoon at Bumbershoot. More cooing and strange odd noises. I’m trying to get him to work out by giving him some more tummy time. He’s ok with it for a little while, then he voices his displeasure. also an action shot of 1 Mr. Hodin. Tra la la, on with the images.

sweet sweet little otto is 6 weeks old today. nothing but loads of excitement. he’s had a few more firsts along the way. momma took him to happy hour last friday with diane and tiffany. otto got to go bowling with the cool kids on monday night. he;’s consistently getting into bath time these days, the water doesn’t bother him at all (the warm wash cloth on top and the warm water beneath don;t hurt things either.) a nice picture of momma and otto showing their displeasure with daddy taking too many pictures.

It’s always nice to get some action and some noise from the little baby. The first one is calm and in the crib. The second one is loud and at the bowling alley.

otto looks to finish out 5 weeks with a bang. he had a great time with gramma and grandpa miller. he’s finally taking on little piggy characteristics. eating at all hours of the day and supposedly moving beyond the 9lb. mark. otto got to go to mugger’s tiki party on sat. he’s making his wishes known a little more often. no pictures of this but we’ll get them, he had his first bath in a little tub the other day. he’s not 100% on people sponging water over his little butt. tra la la! enjoy. i know i am.

tra la la. been asked but haven’t done it. here are some suggestions for the fall. maybe i’ll go. maybe i’m old. for sure you will see me at the nov 6 king khan show.

Aug 30, Aug 31, Sept 1 Bumbershoot – not sure what day but go see the Sound of Young America and Human Giant Comedy shows if you can get in!

Sept 6 – TV on the Radio – Showbox

September 24 – Dr. Dog – Tractor Tavern – bad name good band

September 25 Mike Relm – Chop Suey – Great DJ and DVDJ – mixes classic dvd cuts to music.

October 3 – Dan le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip – Chop Suey

October 17 – Sterolab – Showbox

October 18 – The Minus 5 – Tractor Tavern

October 28 – Roky Erickson $ The Black Angels – Showbox (stellyd is stoked about this one)

November 6 – King Khan and the Shrines – Chop Suey

November 19 – Of Montreal – Show Box

That is all for the moment. We’ll see what I can make it to. Most of them would be nice but Otto needs a good role model. wheeee!

I’ll update as I see fit.

some people pointed out that the wedding post about scott and diane had no pictures of scott and diane and no mention of diane. that should be taken care of with this post. we showed up at scott’s sunday afternoon, enjoyed a light breezy sunny day. some small talk and we were under way. as anyone knows a wedding with tim osumi is a wedding with words ( a wedding with words, who has ever heard of such a thing!) as always we were save from the terrorists and full of good humor. we had dual officiators form the Universal Life Church, which one i’m not quite sure, but I’m sure they are all good.

We were blessed with a quick exchange of vows. I think Tim was nervous, he couldn’t tell Diane and Scott apart. Witness a picture of the happy couple.

let’s thrown out another picture of otto with the three of us on the back porch

we drank some champagne and headed down the street to the local chinese place for some dinner. When we drove by it early – I thought for sure it was called the “Yummy Cake” restaurant. It would have been funnier if that was the case but alas. The food was quite tasty.

…and one final picture of the wedding party at the restaurant.

well, well, well… our good friend mr scott bellman was married this afternoon. good times were had by all. i present you with one image from today’s festivities.

edit, more picture fun