Don't start none, won't be none

Melissa and I just celebrated our 19th anniversary by going out to eat and then the drive-ins last Saturday night while mom and Jerry watched the kids. We saw Rise of the Planet of the Apes, then slept in until 10:30 the next morning. We fooled around in bed and then the shower, got a late breakfast, and then drove to Springfield to pickup the kids.

Work has been fine, we were all converted to civilian gov positions last Oct, so the ever-revolving contractor switch has finally come to an end after 12 years and seven different employers. I was made a GS-13, which came with a slight pay increase. Hopefully this lasts for at least twenty years, but with the current political climate I wouldn't be surprised if jobs are cut or salaries are trimmed down to match that of the private sector. Time will tell.

Took a few days off to enjoy the 5th Song of Ice and Fire book that was finally released on July 12th. Melissa and I drove over to Indianapolis for a book signing, and caught the final Potter movie the night before.

The kids had their 8th and 4th birthdays this summer. Cannot believe Ian is now the age Megan was when he was born. Megan started 2nd grade a week ago and seems to be enjoying her new teacher. She had a little problem with an 8th grader picking on her on the bus, but hopefully that's straightened out now.

I finally did quit my writing gig at SimHQ quite some time ago, probably by late 2009. I sort of regret it now, was just thinking about it last night, but I really couldn't spend the hours I used to back in 2004 and 05 writing those articles. Plus the site owner was getting worse and worse trying to take most of the hardware once the review went up, so my motivation for the time spent was gone.

Took the family to Florida this spring, spent a few days at my brother's house in Orlando, hit Disney for a day, and then drove down to Naples for a week with mom and Jerry. Megan said her favorite part of the entire trip was the day at the beach. The drive home during the end of spring break was a nightmare, we spent 13 hours going from Naples to northern Georgia. But the kids are great travellers with their movie player. We need to go to Kings Island this year still, hopefully we can squeeze in a day next month for it.

Still playing a good bit of LOTRO, currently levelling up my seventh character (a champion I created years ago). I'm actually hoping either Skyrim or Diablo 3 break my addiction once and for all.

My sister, Kim, is having a 80th birthday party for her dad this Saturday. And her youngest, Chris, and his wife are pregnant with a little girl that's due just a few days before this Christmas. Going to be weird having a sibling who will be a grandparent.