The hunt...begins...

The Wife and I took the next step towards home ownership this weekend, meeting with a mortgage person at our bank, and discussing loans. We have been pre-approved, and are especially pleased with the interest rates right now.

So now, the hunt really begins. We have been told that "inventory" shrinks up in December, and that we can expect to see more on the market in Jan-Feb. Additionally, given what we are seeing on the news, it does not appear that things are going to get better in the immediate future, so I think we have some time to do a thorough search and make sure we're getting what we want.

Today, we went neighborhood shopping. We've lived here for almost a decade, but I will admit there are still entire portions of the City we're unfamiliar with. Today's exploration: Bernal Heights. We liked what we saw, and found a place that had tasty fish tacos to boot. Bernal...you made a good first impression on us.

More as it happens.

Heading home

Took this photo on the way home yesterday evening. It would be a better picture if I had a real camera, instead of the five pixel deguerrotype on my iPhone (and that's an insult to deguerrotypes).

Hope everyone has a happy holiday season, and come back soon for my annual wrap up and Esqy awards!

The Ivory Anniversary

Fourteen years...The Wife has managed to put up with me for over five thousand days as a married couple. Wow. I am truly a lucky man to have found someone willing to do that for so long, so since the traditional anniversary gift is banned by international trade agreements, I thought instead I would share some "then and now" photo fun at my own expense. First up, the big day itself back in 1994:

The fact that she said "I do" to that guy...I still shake my head in wonder to this day. The glasses alone should have scared her off.

Fast forward to four years ago, when we renewed our vows on our tenth anniversary, floating down the "canal" in the Venetian in Las Vegas:

Glasses got smaller, lost some hair on top, gained some on the face. I am both pleased and embarrassed that I managed to lose weight over time. She's still in the same dress...again, maybe someone is bribing her behind the scenes, but I am one lucky dude.

Now, here we are, four years beyond that, and life goes on. I look at that first picture, and I wonder if those kids could even have imagined where they would be in fourteen years. Across the continent, some more initials behind both of their names, the Reverend who married them a new member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives. Again, wow.

We've come a long way, and the fun is just beginning. Hope to see everybody on the Moon in 2014!

The Little Protest That Could

Took this photo out my office window. I heard some chanting ("What do
we want? Equal rights. When do want them? Now!"), and walked over to
see the protest du jour:

Really? That's it? I'm impressed I heard them, given their small numbers, but come on...this is San Francisco, for Godess's sake! I've seen bigger protests stop for Starbucks...and then start protesting that Starbucks!

What do I want? Bigger protests. When do I want it? Eh...whenever's okay for you.

Dear brendonesq,

Am I self-centered, and a bit of a dick?
Signed, Clueless in Daly City

Dear Clueless,

Here's a two-part test to help answer your question:
Question One: Did you buy a tiny, tiny car?

Question Two: Did you still manage to take up more than one parking space?

Did you answer "Yes" to both? Well, then you're definitely clueless, and you're probably a bit of a dick. Self-centered? I'd need a bit more information, but my money's on "yes."

Glad I could help.

Who knew...

...my foot was so comfortable?

So serious, it's hilarious

Wow.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Sign the petition here.

My familiars are too familiar

Went through the normal morning routine, including feeding the cats, then preparing some breakfast to feed myself. Took my cereal out to the living room to watch the "news" (Colbert Report on TiVo), and both of the cats are sitting on the couch waiting for me.

What is disturbing about this is that they are sitting exactly spaced so I can sit down without moving them, but so that both are leaning on either side of me once I am settled. It's as if my couch has an aural ass groove after all of these years, and the cats are perfectly attuned to it.

I need to break up the routine. Based on how far apart the cats were sitting, I need to start running again, too.