Uploading video

We've got a lot of video to sift through. Now comes the hard part. We need a ten minute movie by Friday at 5 p.m.

Special thanks to all the particpants: Bart, CJ, Kyleigh, Ryno, Adro and Mike. An award-winning crew!

Photo of Evey trying out her dad's shoes the other day.

Are we well yet?

Included in this post are photos of Evey two Sundays ago when she was still sick. Poor girl, she was so sick that she just crawled into my dad's arms and passed out....

Sunday night I told Adro, "We've made it seven days without her throwing up!" I was all excited because I had a couple friends coing over, and it really looked like it would work out. A few hours into the evening and I got a phone call from Adro, "Would you come up here and help me?" I got up there, and yep, I jinxed us... Evey threw up over everything.

Oh well, we're back to normal still. And I consumed so many calories that there's no way I could be hungover tomorrow -- it's practically a scientific fact. We filmed a new movie tonight, I'll share the YouTube clip when it's ready.

OK, probably all for now. I need to get to bed fast and faster. Charles Manson nightmares be damned,,,,

Rock Chalk!

Big game tonight for the Jayhawks!

But me, Adro, Evey and Grandma Judy hit another big KU game... the Lady Jayhawks' first win ever in the second round of the WNIT (ouch!) over Arkansas!

Evey had a great time and was very well behaved. We got a photo with Baby Jay as soon as we got there. We had great seats, about ten rows up and even with the south basket on the sideline.

Evey shouted "GoKU!" and "Shoot it!" as well as "Hi Baby Jay!" a few times.

OK, let's go KU.... let's beat Michigan State!

Hope you have a great weekend (and not too much snow), Rock Chalk!

500!

...499...

This is post 499.

Know what really sucks? I don't have anything too exciting planned for post 500. No fireworks. (I hate fireworks. No, that's not true... I love watching them, hate setting them off/being around them being set off. Anyway.) No special video. (Though that would have been a great idea!) Not even a photo of Evey holding a sign that says "500!" (I'm just lazy.)

Frankly, I'm ready for 500 to get here and leave me alone. Ready for the next 500. Have you noticed that, since I announced that we were nearing post #500, I've blogged less? I think it's beause I thought every blog post leading up to number five-hundy needed to be brilliant. And my idea of celebrating 500 posts has created something of a writer's (or blogger's) block.

Blogger's block. Let's call it that, yes.

Though the meter on the side here reads 499, this is actually post #516. Apparently, there are 17 posts still in their embryonic stage, stuck as drafts, posts I started but never finished, posts I never pushed the "publish post" button on. Wonder what's in those 17 posts?

Hmm.

Thanks to everyone who voted in the latest poll. Turns out that the rockin' Evey video was the winner! I'm a little surprised, I like that video, but it's not my favorite (I voted for the one where she's singing at the breakfast table). I asked Adro which one she voted for... it occurred to her that she forgot to vote! Thanks, Adro!

Got a few more emails with feedback from readers -- thank you Travis and thank you Barack. I'll share some of your thoughts here soon. (Apparently this blog is blocked at GCSAA HQ -- still no comments from anyone within that building! Guess we'll wait and see what's announced at tomorrow's allstaff meeting before we admit we web-surf, aye, comrades?)

I'm pretty worn out -- possibly getting sick (at least Evey is finally getting healthy). So I'm going to stop rambling and go lay down, watch TV.

Photo is of Evey before a walk the other day, when she told me she wanted to wear her Spider-Man hat. Isn't that just awesome?

Pass the mic!

Still plenty of time to get me an email about your thoughts on this blog! The response so far, to quote my boy Lervy, has been "whelming." As in not overwhelming, and not underwhelming, just... whelming. Would like to get a few more emails, you know who you are (I'm looking at you Adro's neighbors in FMS!)

Lervik sent a really nice email answering ALL of my questions (don't let that intimidate you, 4B workers of GCSAA!) I asked him if he minded me sharing the email in its entirety, he was cool with that, so for now, I pass the mic to the one I call "Lervik" and Evey calls "J.J.," let's give it up for Thomas Lervik Jr.! (Lervik pictured in front of his future home.)

What do you like about this blog? - I like the consistency of posts. Man, it's tough to keep posting (see my blog for details) and you do a good job of giving 4-6 posts a week. I also like pictures and stories about Evelyn, basically where she's been and her take on things from your perspective. I also like photos of you all at various locations in Lawrence and beyond.

What surprises you about this blog? - Your drunk posts are still mostly full of clarity. Sure, it's easy to figure them out (see the time of post) but they still usually have good grammar and diction. At least it passes my senses. I also think you've been creative over the years (Adro's Advice, polling questions, etc.) and that's a good thing.

What do you dislike about this blog? - The Calvin and Hobbes at the bottom. Never even knew it was there.

Do you have a favorite moment from this blog? - Here's my Top Posts (16 in total):

3/24/07 (Game day) - Flipping off the camera, priceless.
3/26/07 (Photos!) - Loved the random shots around Lawrence with Evelyn. And her eyes have been one of my favorite things about her as she's grown throughout her life.
9/4/07 (Here's looking at you...) - Good memories of the Ozarks trip, love the photo of Evey looking at the mirror, that was a big theme from that trip.
10/31/07 (Evey's first Halloween!) - Enjoyed the first Halloween post, with the pictures from various places, especially the one from the outside looking in.
12/9/07 (Another weekend down the toilet) - It's just a cute photo.
12/12/07 (Cheers, Sean) - Because it always makes me remember, and cry, about my boy. You have had a few passings that you've blogged about and all have been from the heart and well done.
12/27/07 (Battle of the Christmas Cards) - One of my favorite poll questions (the Halloween costume was good too) because I always liked feeling like I had a little say in what was going on with you guys.
1/10/08 (Get some, go again!) - Especially enjoy the video posts, this is my all-time, favorite post that cracks me up. I've shown this video to many a friend.
1/18/08 (Maaaagic bullllllet!) - Just a funny, good photo sequenced story. One of my favorites.
3/7/08 (Scan the man) - Always like seeing the old photos (just like the one you had the other day) you have out there.
3/19/08 (Evey's first trip to the comic book store!!!) - I really do enjoy the "day in the life" stories where you go out and photo/storytell the day's events.
5/29/08 (You give me the caption) - Loved the responses, always like the posts that get the readers involved.
7/7/08 (Zoo photos!!!) - I find myself enjoying the blog the most when there are tons of photos in the story.
10/8/08 (Must not love dogs) - Top 5 favorite photos of all time.
11/6/08 (Personal reflections on last night's events (warning: may be offensive to some)) - Three posts on this day, all very good, but I do enjoy your random thoughts about what's on your mind. From the NBA to the weather to everything in between, I enjoy those posts almost as much as I do the photo stories.
12/30/08 (BAD SANTA: The Outtakes) - Something about photos that I know Evelyn is going to be embarrassed by just makes me smile.

How often do you feel compelled to visit this blog? - Now that I have it on my blog roll on the left of my blog, I visit it only when there's a new post, which is pretty cool. No offense, but who likes to visit a blog that hasn't been updated?

Just basic well wishes on 500 posts - I've been a comment guy since post #12, made the blog on #15 and have been a loyal reader. It's been great getting to watch Evelyn grow over these last few years and I'm excited for the posts yet to come!

Me and Evey are ready for the madness!!!

Best video?

I've posted a few videos here. A few music videos, some TV show promos, etc.

But I've also posted several videos of Evey doing random acts of cuteness. These are my five favorites. Which is the best? Vote in the poll at right!



Evey sings "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in New Orleans.



Adro's Advice, episode 2, where Adro and Evey share vacuuming chores.



Evey chats with mom and dad, hears a train, puts bowl on head.



Evey rocks out to some Henry Rollins. Get some!



Evey takes her first steps, Dec. 2007.

Well thought out twinkles (or, Ode to OJ)

YEAHHHH!!!!

I'm on day two of VACATION, baby! Day one was AWESOME!!!

Here's what day two has been like so far:

6:30 a.m. -- Evey wakes me up. I am mildly hungover from last night's Dredg concert

6:45 a.m. -- Evey and I make an agreement, she will stop poking me in the head and harassing me if I get her a bottle of milk.

7:15 a.m. -- Evey breaks said agreement and pokes me in the head again, wanting me to watch whatever cartoon is on with her

7:30 a.m. -- In a masterstroke, I put on Bee Movie to buy myself an extra 20 minutes of sleep time. "Box kite!"

9 a.m. -- Evey is dressed, I'm dressed enough to walk outdoors. I take Evey to Elvira's.

9:15 a.m. -- Casually check my normal web surfing -- ESPN, CNN, LJWorld, Yahoo fantasy basketball. 29, 6, 11 and 6 for Chris Paul last night. I love that guy.

9:30 a.m. -- I work a little harder at perfecting the three-egg, three-cheese omelette. I'm getting close.

9:45 a.m. -- Omelette, toast, OJ, and the new issue of Esquire at the kitchen table. This is awesome.

9:52 a.m. -- I decide that I love OJ so much, I will take its photograph, and someday pen the essay, "Ode to OJ"

10 a.m. -- Shower, shave.

10:15 a.m. -- Make lunch plans with my smokin' hot wife.

10:30 a.m. -- Throw green "Sgt. Rock" T-shirt in dryer for pseudo-ironing process. It still resides in dryer 45 minutes later.

10:37 a.m. -- While putting away the dishes, I scream out, "YOU ARE NOT A HUMAN, YOU ARE A ROBOT!!!" Just in case any delusional robots are in my kitchen. I suspect the dishwasher the most.

10:51 a.m. -- realize I haven't blogged in a while, start blogging.

11:09 a.m. -- I just wrote that above sentence. I've seen better.

FUTURECAST:

11:35 -- lunch with aforementioned smokin' hot wife

12:10 -- Stop by and see Copy Jesus, scan first 15 pencilled pages of "What Would Jacko Do?"

12:35 -- On the road to KC for the SILVERSUN PICKUPS SHOW

1:15 -- My first green beer is purchased. The sun is shining, and I smell fresh.

2 p.m. -- Von Bondies

3:15 p.m. -- Dead Confederate

4:30 -- Silversun Pickups take the stage, I shout a slightly girlish, "Whooooooo!"

If you've read this far, you should know this:

Only two people have emailed me with any thoughts, suggestions, etc. on this blog. Please, shoot me an email and let me know what you think. We're almost at post 500, people!!!

The results on the best photo contest are almost in. I've decided to put up a "best video" poll next. Be prepared.

OJ, I love you.

The "almost missed 'em" pics

There were 12 pictures we had narrow it down to five... these were the seven pics we had to eliminiate, Objections? The comments section is wide open...!

Best photo?

Here it is! As chosen by a panel of judges (me, Adro and Evey) these are the TOP FIVE PHOTOS to appear on Especially Evey. Now, it's up to you -- which is the BEST ONE?

You have SEVEN DAYS. Vote as many times as you want. Let's see which one we like best!

Evey's new bed, part 2

Here are some photos of Evey's new bed. As I stated before, she likes it. She just doesn't like sleeping in it. She'd rather sleep with mom and dad, and kick them vigorously as she sleeps. Or maybe smack them in the head. So, since she's sick, we've given her this right.

Sigh...

It's also tough for me because her room is right next to the creepy stairway. Yes, there's a gate there, but there's also a gap underneath the gate, since, after all, this house is 150 years old, and kids 150 years ago just bounced on their head all the way down the stairs, AND THEY LIKED IT THAT WAY. But this gap, I could do something about it, but right now, I'm just letting her crash with us. Last night she threw up, and I would hate myself if she had done that on her own in her own bed. Maybe we're coddling her, but right now, she's at an age where she doesn't quite get the science of throwing up --especially the part where her dad tries to catch it with his hands -- so we're going to give her some more time.

In the meanwhile, enjoy these photos of the girls and Evey's new big girl bed. Because these photos are about all the use we're getting out of that bed right now...

One frustrating day

Wow, we had a great weekend. It felt long, I did a lot of fun things, hung out with quite a few friends... good times.

Watchmen was great, btw. And how 'bout those Jayhawks? Five Big 12 championships in a row. Impressive.

The house is even clean, and my laundry is semi-done. It's just a lovefest over here, people!

Now that things are going well, I can reflect on a really rough day a little better now, and laugh about it.

It was... three Saturdays ago? It was while Ramon was in the hospital.

We were all stressed. Evey was still a little sick, but I had pretty much declared her "better." We were spending lots of time in the hospital. Our house was in total disarray, just from not being there much. Every meal was eaten at the hospital or at a burger place. Things I'm used to doing, like working on my computer, playing basketball, cooking dinner, was all shelved for the time being. We were basically living in a lobby area on the 2nd floor of the hospital, and as anyone knows, that's not fun.

We took a break at home this Saturday and then went to the hospital. The usual crowd was gone -- they had all gone to dinner together, and we missed the bus. But that may have been a blessing in disguise, I thought, as I'd finally get to spend some quality time with my two favorite girls in the world, Adro and Evey.

We drove over to Applebee's on 6th St. Some college kid was our waiter. Evey wanted to sit next to dad, so I had her in the booster chair next to me. We had one of those booths along the West wall. I was ready for some decent food (LMH food is actually pretty decent, it just has that stigma of being hospital food.)

The waiter delivers my cheeseburger, Adro's meal, and Evey grilled cheese. Everything looked perfect. We were, momentarily, back to normal. Peace on earth, let your worries pass you by.

And then Adro muttered these fateful words: "Evey looks... funny."

I had just taken the inaugural bite from this cheeseburger, which may have been the best cheeseburger ever -- we'll never truly know it's full potential. I looked down at Evey in time to see her open her mouth... and begin to disgorge herself of two day's worth of food.

I don't know why, but my reflexes tell me: "catch the vomit!" I don't know why. I usually can't catch too much of it before my hands are overwhelmed. In the future, I think I'm going to try to tell myself to "sacrifice the grilled cheese basket!" It's going to get ruined anyway. But that first thought? So far it's had me using my hands, rather than simple tools. See how far behind I am on the evolutionary ladder?

So I'm shoveling vomit onto the table as fast as I can. We've got full technicolor... there's the swampy stuff. There's the beans (my daughter loves beans. She's Mexican.) There's green beans. When did she have green beans? Two days ago? Yeesh. Oh, and there's the fruit snacks I gave her ten minutes ago. That's a slap in the face. They're like the cherry on top, nice runny bright blobs swimming in a pool of disgust. Yellow, red, green, blue.

I grab Evey and run her into the men's room. Thankfully she had an undershirt on that day, so I just peeled off the top shirt. Some guy walks in, makes a joke. Then he sees the vomit flakes that are shedding from the both of us. "Oooh... one of those days," he laughs. Just leave me alone, dude, I'm thinking to myself.

I do the best job I can getting us sanitized, but who am I kidding? I'm a dad, not a mom. I do a Reader's Digest version of cleaning her up. We can rub some dirt on the rest. We just need to get home, I figure.

I get back to the table. Adrianne is doing her best to clean up the mess. The 18-year-old waiter has gone in hiding. We stop one of his co-workers, some unsuspecting young girl. "We need boxes. And a trash can."

The boxes arrive quickly. They want us gone, apparently.

The trash can is harder to come by. Finally, it arrives. It's a small wastebasket... overfilling with trash. Apparently the kids didn't realize our predicament.

Adrianne goes beyond the call of duty on cleaning this mess. I had that job when I was a kid, I cleaned up other people's messes for years, it got me through college! But Adro is sympathetic, and is cleaning this place up RIGHT. Then she tells me I need to leave the kid a good tip.

Leave him a good tip? The kid who disappeared at the first sign of vomit? He is not a waiter, he is a COWARD.

So, yeah... I left him a good tip.

We get in the car. Adro makes a quick phone call to her mom to let her know we won't be making it back to the hospital due to Evey's volcanic stomach. We're rumbling down 6th Street, a green cloud wafting from the car.

I volunteer to leave the voicemail, as Adro doesn't like to drive/talk on the cell. I grab it from her. "Judy, vomit, tomorrow, bye." Something like that. I don't remember the details.

I hand the phone back to Adro. And then she utters her second fateful phrase of the night. "Ugh, now my phone smells like vomit."

This is the moment in the movie where the screen goes red, I start flipping over tables, I scream towards the heavens and rip off my shirt. Six days of worrying about Papoo, hanging out in the hospital, then add in a sick kid, stress at work, a faltering economy, New Coke, global warming, season three of "Rock of Love," an achy back, blurry vision, Chinese Democracy, my disappearing three-point shot...

OK, I didn't really shout, or do anything at all. But I think Adro could sense the glow from the back seat. "I mean... uhm... I love you!" she says.

We got home, cleaned up Evey, then went to bed. I felt totally defeated.

But now, I look back at it, and I realize: I'm still alive. I'm here. My life is back to normal. My girls, my family, they all love me.

I'm glad I can look back on it now and laugh. Whew... that was one frustrating day.

Goodnight, gentle beings...

Evey got a "big girl bed." She likes it. Doesn't like sleeping in it, but she likes it in general...

• Yeah, we got ripped off a few times by the refs tonight (the Morris tech was terrible). But Tech made their free throws down the stretch, and they hit a lot of threes. Every time we almost were back into it, they usually did something positive. And our best player missed 19 shots.

Not a bad game for us to lose. Let's refocus for the end of the season now...

The road to 500

Hello.

I'm approaching a landmark number here on Especiallyevey.blogspot.com. Post # 500 is a mere 11 posts away.

Being a comic book collector, I have to make a big deal out of these landmark numbers. So, humor me.

I've got some big plans to ring in post # 500... including:

• Selecting (with your help) the top photo I've run here
• Selecting (with your help) the best blog post in these first 5-hundy posts
• Some honest-to-goodness reader feedback (with your help, obviously)
• A $500 giveaway (that's just a flat-out lie)

I'll start the festivities soon, be on the lookout. I estimate that post 500 will be here in two to three weeks. So, get ready. Sometime after St. Patty's Day. (Unless I find myself in another fantasy football championship, then I'll be at post 525 by week's end.)

What can you do now? Easy... I want to get your feedback. This may seem like a blatant form of self-promotion, but I promise you, it's simply a blatant form of self-promotion.

So, if you're a regular, semi-regular, or even occasional reader of this blog, I'd like to ask you to please email me at sjones@gcsaa.org and give me a short soundbite on one of the following:

1. What do you like about this blog?
2. What surprises you about this blog?
3. What do you dislike about this blog?
4. Do you have a favorite moment from this blog?
5. How often do you feel compelled to visit this blog?
6. Just basic well wishes on 500 posts;

Just a little snippet, nothing too involved. Don't answer all six, that sounds like work. Unless you want to. We'd enjoy hearing from you, I promise you that.

If no one answers, I'll make up fake comments from real people and just go with it. Who knew Barack Obama was a reader?

So, let's start the countdown. 500 posts. Too much time on my hands, apparently...

Little Adro and Memow

After Ramon's funeral on Friday, a lot of the family met up at the farm. You know the scene: family members who haven't seen each other in years commiserating, then catching up, then breaking out the photo albums and the tequila and talking about the good ol' days.

During the latter part, this photo really caught my eye. That's Adrianne and Virginia together at what the family calls the "Delaware House" (two blocks south of me). But, wow... that looks just like Evey with Virginia, doesn't it?

I asked Virgina if I could borrow the photo to scan it, and of course she agreed. I also told her that the resemblance of Adro in 1980 and Evey in 2009 was so amazing that I want to re-create this photo this Spring. Once the grass greens up, I'm going to get Evey in a yellow sun dress, and Virginia is going to find a black-and-white striped shirt, and we're going to take this exact same photo.

Am I crazy? Weird? Probably both. But this just looks too cool to me. I want to compare the same two photos side-by-side. I'm going to make it happen.

(Just remind me, OK?)

More on Gitmo from RS

I know it's not the NY Times but I found this interesting and worth a scan... from the 2/19/2009 issue of Rolling Stone (Sean Penn cover).