Random Thoughts for the Week of March 5

Ah, March has arrived and with it the impending doom of March Madness.  I suppose it is something that I must get used to in the Wendel household for time immortal now.  If the boy gets into college hoops as much as the Mrs., each March will be an adventure.  Don’t tell anyone, but I’m really looking forward to it!  So, onto my other thoughts this week (although it’ll be short because all I did last week was work!) …

• I respect Rush Limbaugh as a devout conservative, Republican and pundit who I do believe wants to make this country a better place by inspiring, instigating and encouraging political discussion at all levels.  But last week he was just wrong.  Allowing insurance companies to help pay for contraception does not turn a nation of women into sluts.  The purchase of contraception does not guarantee a massive increase in sexual promiscuity or irresponsibility.  If nothing else it may help curtail unplanned pregnancies, particularly for those who are underage or not ready to be parents.  I’m not ready to say don’t listen to him, but I am ready to say that this time he was way, way wrong.  I’m glad he’s owned up to making a mistake, although he did a shitty job of showing it.  No one believes an apology when it lacks sincerity.
• Kerry/Marshall … check in with Mindi some time on the Plan.  Looks like I’ll be working at LAD until my first book sells.
• Well, we got a firm offer on the house in Omaha so it looks like it will be leaving my life by the end of the month.  I said my goodbyes to the house back in November, but even still I can think back to so many memories in that house I get a little teary-eyed.  So many major moments of the past 9 years of my life took place in that house, so many parties and D&D nights, so many smoke breaks and cookouts (sometimes both in the case of the patio).  It was a great house and I will miss it.  If the next house is half as memorable, I’ll count myself a lucky man.
• Not at all shocked to find out there’s a “bounty system” in the NFL defenses, although I wouldn’t have thought the Saints would be the club to get caught.  I guarantee you there are teams at all levels with such programs, with whatever level of organizational and/or coaching staff approval (if you think the Pelinis don’t encourage it, you’re crazy).  I think there should be limits to encouraging players to excel, and this bounty system goes above and beyond.  Sure, award a defensive player for a sack, but don’t reward him for taking a player out of the game or worse injuring him for the rest of his life.  Yes, it’s part of the game and it happens, but if it’s encouraged and then rewarded it’s just going to happen more often.  Grow up, players.
• Kudos to my best friend Kevin who is under 400 pounds for the first time in a long time.  I look at a picture of him just 1 year ago and another from a month ago and I don’t recognize him anymore, and I’m glad for it.  I couldn’t be more proud of a good friend, a good man and a good inspiration to those around him.  Brian Riley, pay attention, I’m talking about you.
• Tornados in February.  Insane.  Is this the End of Days?  Nah, I don’t think so, but I’ll be honest, my mind can get hung up on a conversation about 12/20/2012.  Those crazy Mayans.
• I enjoyed my trip to San Jose, even though I didn’t get in any sightseeing or souvenir shopping.  I find that those things, that just a few years ago I was excited to do in a new town, I don’t want to do without Mindi around to share it with.  Yes, it’s cheesy, I know.  I’m a cheesy guy, and I’ll get another chance or two to see the Golden Gate Bridge with her.
• Friday I was driving around in my rental Nissan Versa (a better drive than I’d thought it would be) with the window down on Friday.  It’s cold and snowy in Columbus today.  I now understand why so many people live in California.
• By the way, the drivers in San Jose are infinitely better drivers than the folks in Columbus.  My 3-day respite from stupidity was a welcome relief.
• One nice thing about 7-hour plane rides … aside from seeing 2/3 of the country pass by beneath you … is the ability to finish a book in a 2-day period.  I finished “Childhood’s End” by Arthur C. Clarke.  A bit depressing ending, really, although it’s supposed to be encouraging.  I have to wonder what he was smoking in ‘63 when he wrote it.  Lots of ways that could have ended, and that was an interesting choice.  Even still, other SF stories like “V” and “Independence Day” have Clarke to thank for their ideas.  A decent read.  I definitely enjoy Clarke’s ability to describe alien things, even though he hasn’t been able to show me he can create tension yet.
• I’ll be back in Omaha Easter weekend and planning on spending Tom’s birthday out and about.  If you’re reading this, check in with me and we’ll see about meeting up that weekend.
• The One Step Mud Mat is a piece of shit.  Do not buy it.
• Happy 100th Birthday to the Oreo cookie.  Thousands of kids thank you for teaching them how to properly dunk a cookie into a glass of milk, or how to properly dissect a cookie.

BABY WENDEL UPDATE

• Mindi and I finished day two of our classes and had a good time goofing off.  Mindi’s favorite part was where the instructor had one of us (me) hold the baby doll and then try to go to the bathroom.  You don’t think about it until you do it, but it was harder than I thought it would be.  Not the travel to the bathroom, or even taking a leak.  The hard part was buttoning my pants back up without putting the boy down.  I couldn’t do it!  Mindi, giggling profusely, took the boy/doll from me while I buttoned up my pants.  The solution to this problem?  No, it’s not wear sweat pants, although I think I will more.  Turns out those baby changing stations are in the men’s bathrrooms too, hidden away in the handicapped stalls.  Bastards.  Just remember, knowing is half the battle.
• Also got a little more entertainment from the other couples there.  Mindi especially enjoyed the couple who got into an argument across the table during the class.
• The nursery is just about finished, and I’m very proud of it.  It’s a very safe, comforting spot and I hope it is for the boy too.  About the only thing left is to spell his name above the crib.  Just got to choose one first.
• We’re registered at Target and Babies R Us now if you’re interested.  Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.  Just search for Mindi Wendel in Columbus, OH.