Come out, come out, no use in hiding. Come now, come now, can you not see ...

Back in the train with a strained left quad. Lessons learned: I am old. I really need to stretch before playing. Don't try to make up for one bad play by over exerting on the next. Quads control the UP stroke on your bicycle so push don't pull. Ibuprofen is good. Ambien puts you to sleep. And lastly: It is possible to ride a bicycle with a travel mug full of latte in the "water bottle" pocket of your backpack. Just check the top carefuly and aim accordingly.

I have been meaning to create a Top5 nonsense lyric songs list on Fafebook but I can't think of 5 good enough to include. Easy ones "Surfin' Bird" - "oo mao mao boppa oo mao mao", "Pinhead" by The Ramones "Gabba Gabba Hey", "Witch Doctor" by Alvin and the Chipmunks "oo ee oo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang". But after that nothng seems to be good enough. Let me know if you have one so I can put a lid on this. Honestly, this is taking too many cycles from my daily brain allotment.

Iphone says, "In the City" by The Eagles

"It's survival in the city, when you live from day to day. City streets don't have much pity, when you're down that's where you'll stay."

I been running down a one way track. Won't you help me, police on my back ...

So I forgot to fill you in on the car situation. 110 days after the great front yard demolition derby of '09. Kris and I bought a 2003 Ice-Blue Honda Civic Hybrid. With less miles than Penelope and for more than I got for the Outback. I am, however, still on the train. Knowing that it is possible to live with one car and with the potential for saving plenty of cash on gas with the new one, I will continue to ride the rails. Days where I need a car or when I have to be somewhere else I can drive. Taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the train pass feels like a whole different chapter in our lives and I am happy to continue and make my greener-than-I-ever-was kids happy that I am saving resources. So now we have to name it. Snowflake has been the best so far but honestly this is a boy car and snowflake just won't make him happy. I am thinking something overly butch like Frank, Nick or Gus. Oddly, 3 of my dads golf buddies, RIP Gus.

iPhone says, "Rock the Casbah" by The Clash

"The king called out his jet fighters. Said you better earn your pay. Drop your bombs between the minarets down the casbah way."

Little known fact: When the San Jose soccer team was known as "The Clash", the chearing section was called "The Casbah".

37 years ago a witch done put a spell on me. A spell where when I'm talking I'm singin' it with glee ...

Just a moment out if my day to let you know about my favorite kids animated movie if the past 10 years. Nemo? Cars? Wall-E? Bugs? Ants? No no no no and no. It's Hoodwinked the lower budget retelling of Red Ridinghood ala 7 Samurai or The Usual Suspects. The wolf I really an investigative reporter. In fact he IS Fletch complete with characters and a Magic Johnson Lakers #32 jersey. Voiced by Patrick Warburton he is the unexpected "hero" of this movie. Red wants out if the Forrest in the worst way and sings about it. Anne Hathaway plays the reluctant goodie deliverer who, when asked what they call her when she isnt wearing her namesake accessory responds snidley, "I usually wear it.". Which brings us to GrandMa the goodie making CEO of the most successful bakery in the forest. However in keeping with the nothing is as it seems atmosphere of he film she I in actuality an Xtreme athlete with a theme song titled "The Real G" that includes lines like, "75 alive in a hardcore bitty. Still making' half pipe hand plants look pretty. In the woody with the goodies for the Jacks and Jills. More power to the granny with the skillz." The wolf has an asisstant/photographer named Twitchy the squirrel who it is impossible to understand as he speaks waaaaay too fast. Please don't give him coffee. The Woodcutter (James Belushi) is really a german actor wannbe who currently sells schnitzel from an ice cream truck. The antagonist is actually attempting to corner the goodie market and need to do away with granny and red to get his way. Oh, and he is a cute bunny voiced by Andy Dick. He has a Dr Evil-esq lair and some euro trash henchmen/women. One of whom is sadly named Keith which just isn't mean enough for Boingo, "Watch out for Keith." Last but not least is Japeth the blind outcast singing goat. The title of this post is his song about why he has to sing every line he has. If nothing else he wants you to be prepared.

Rent it. Honestly you will be surprised.

iPhone says, "Red is Blue". Ben Folds from the Hoodwinked Soundtrack

"Trouble in your head now don't know what to do. Seems like up is down and Red is Blue."

The director says they may change a line or two, but a little bit of something can look awfully good to you.

Don't mean nothin', don't mean nothin', don't mean nothin' at all

It's been a great week. First softball game in a long time, big time Talent Show at Escondido and a big week for the Daily Deal (http:\\deals.ebay.com\). What else can I say this is one of those "right in the middle of it" times if the year along with Oct-Nov or as we call it "Nutcracker Season". Just to clarify, it is called "Nutcracker Season" because we are in training to perform the Nutcracker not because I am fond of naming things with semi-lewd epithets.

I am so happy that my kids enjoy getting up In front of a crowd of adults and their friends to perform. And the Escondido community loves their kids and all the others. It is an amazing thing to watch K-5 kids working together and of course the parent involvement is top notch. Pictures are up at http:\\galery.me.comkris\brockmann\ I am still clapping.

iPhone says "You Dont Know How It Feels" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

"My old man was born to rock. He's still trying to beat the clock"

Happy 75th dad! I love you!

For three strange days, I had no obligations. My mind was a blur, I did not know what to do ...

You get up, shower, dress and head out to work every day. And all you can ask for is something interesting and enjoyable to pass the time. You hope for, but don't expect, genuine positive vibes or friendly co workers or time to do things right. I am lucky that I have such a job at one if the "100 best places to work". Busy and producing is much better than nothing to do and nothing to show for it. I am excited to go in and excited to be a part of what is going on. I stay a little eate these days because I am vested in the success of the daily deal. Not too bad a day when you are fully tired on the way home.

Iphone says, "Goose Step Mama" by The Ruttles

"You've got something that makes you something.
Something tells me loud and clear.
In the end it comes to nothing.
You've got nothing to ein, svei, drei, fear."

Make up your mind. Decide to walk with me. Around the lake tonight. By my side. By my side ...

My car story just gets more and more interesting. I checked the VIN on carfax and the national stolen car db with little to no issues. It just feels wrong. I got a quote of 345 to ship it but the guy sasys he's in the service so I bet he can get it shipped free.
Someone needs to explain this to me. He says, he'll ship it unpaid but only a deposit got he shipper. I can then evaluate it when it's here and then decide on payment or return. What are the bad angles here. He's in it with the shipper? The car arrives different than shown? I have to pay some siklck # to send it back? What would you be willing to front to find out if it us real? How much would you be willing to lose to find out? Right now I'd say $500-$1000 but no more. I might call a dealer or a shop in Hendo to go and look at it. Hopefully $50 to $100 invested there could be a big payoff.
But seriously, who knows someone in Vegas that would do me a solid?

iPhone says, "Insider" Tom Petty with Stevie Nicks from "Pack Up the Plantation Live"

"Well I'll bet you're his masterpiece. I'll bet you're his self control. Yeah you've become his legacy. His quiet world of white and gold."

I don't want to come back down from this cloud, it's taken me all this time to find out what I need ...

So hi there, I find that writing took a back seat to veging on the train for a few weeks but today is somehow different. I blame family and friends.

First golf. I got to play the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay on Saturday and man was it ... Scenic. No comments on my game as that would mean I need to discus my lack of ability. Guys from work, 7:20 AM, coffee, a bacon/egg/cheese sandwich, cold, windy and lots of fun. I need to thank Andy for picking me up, Kris for organizing the family (wow was it a busy one) and She for clearing the skies before we froze.

Work is great. One mention if your project by the CEO during the earnings call and suddenly you have a ton if work to do. Cool huh?

And now, a car. Don't have one yet but the $ for it comes available Monday next. My dilemma is, do I buy the one that is in Henderson, NV site unseen? If it's what I think, it may be the best deal ever. Which only makes me think it's a riff. $7900 for a 2005 Infiniti G35. Free shipping, deposit held by shipping co, no payment til the car is verified. Too good to be true. Therefore, it's a scheme. Ah well I need to rally my network and see if I can verify its existance.

iPhone says, "I've Got a Feeling" Pearl Jam cover of the Beatles classic.

"Everybody had a good year. Though we never saw the sunshine. Everybody pulled their socks up. Everybody put the war down."