Why Do I Bother?

As you know, I recently celebrated my 40th Birthday. What a perfect time for a mid-life crisis. Since I am not in a financial position to buy a new sports car, take on a mistress, or buy enough clothes to start cross-dressing, I decided to go with a tattoo.

It’s a flaming sun with two dragons chasing each other around the inside of the orb. I have been talking about getting a tattoo for some time now and for Christmas I got a gift certificate for a tattoo shop near Seattle from my family up there. You may not be able to recognize that fleshy object to the left as my right calf. The tattoo fills most of the large calf muscle and is about 5-6 inches in diameter. Click the image for a full size view.

I didn’t know exactly what to expect since this was my first tattoo. I learned from the tattoo artist, Dave at Gem Tattoos, that the calf is one of the more painful areas to get inked. Most people start with the shoulder. I wanted it in a place that I could easily show off but still be able to hide when necessary. I know the design is a bit unusual, but I was very pleased with how it turned out. If you live in the Kirkland, Washington area and are interested in a tattoo, go see Dave and tell him Jeff DeLeon-Benham sent you. It won’t give you a price break, but do it anyway.

Technorati Tags: 40th Birthday, mid-life crisis, tattoo

Tags: Birthday, Christmas, Holidays, Just For Fun by Jeffrey
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There are a number of big events coming up for Mel and I. I thought you might like to hear what’s going on …

First of all, Mel had an interview with a company near Seattle, WA that went very well. She has been asked to attend a second interview at the company headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT. It would be a great opportunity for her, for both of us. She’s a little nervous about the interview tomorrow, but I know she will do great! I can’t name the company just yet, I’ll tell you when she gets the position.

That brings me to the second item. Mel and I will probably be moving to the Seattle area in the next few months. It’s a good move for both of us. Mel will be closer to her family which she longs for, and I will be able to pursue multiple IT jobs in the area. I will miss my family and friends, but it’s only 3 hours away.

Tomorrow is also my 40th birthday! Holy shit! My parents were old when they were 40 but I’m certainly not. Since Mel will be in Utah we wont be celebrating tomorrow. Instead we are taking the weekend off. First we’ll share dinner and a party with about 19 of my friends and family, then a few of us are headed to the coast where we have rented a house to continue the merriment. It will be a hoot.

In spite of how busy we have been, Mel and I did find the time to celebrate all the changes in our lives with a little dancing. There’s a video of the event that you can find at http://www.dancesisterdance.com/myvid/index.php?v=fd14f4079eaa0. Make sure you have the volume on your speakers before you click on that link.

Thanks for dropping by the blog!

Tags: Announcements, Birthday by Jeffrey
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While in Wisconsin recently, Mel and I picked up a new Christmas ornament, a pickle.  I was going to look up the story for you and tell you about it here, but it seems that there is quite a controversy over the Christmas Pickle.

The most popular story is that the pickle originated in Germany.  Many people (especially those selling German Christmas Pickles) assert that the Christmas Pickle was the last ornament to be hung on the tree in old Germany.  Early Christmas morning the kids would rush out to find the pickle and receive a special present.  Unfortunately, no one in Germany has ever heard of such a thing.  They think we are a bit crazy.

The Christmas Pickle is clearly an American tradition.  The most likely alternative to the German tale is that the tradition arose after the American Civil War.  A starving prisoner of Bavarian descent was given a pickle by a guard made sympathetic by the spirit of Christmas.  The prisoner lived and always placed a pickle in his Christmas tree each year to commemorate the event. 

Whatever the truth is, we now have a shiny green pickle hanging in our tree.  Do you have any unusual Christmas traditions?

Technorati Tags: christmas, pickle, legend, tradtion, german

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Tags: Christmas, Holidays by Jeffrey
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tires

So I’m sitting here at Les Schwab in Canby waiting for new rear brakes and I thought I would write a quick post to the blog. It has been over a week, after all. I’m writing from my phone, I’m not even sure this is actually going to work. Tell me if you don’t get this.

I’m actually a little surprised that we haven’t had to get the brakes done before now. We’ve got over 50,000 miles on the Honda. This is my second trip to Les Schwab this month. it was time for a new set of tires last week.

I might as well update you on everything else that’s going on while I’m at it. Here are a few headlines:

School is going well so far this term. I have a few more classes than last term, but so far the load is manageable. I may even add a couple more classes. We have been talking about the possibility of a future move to the Seattle area. It’s still just a thought, don’t get all excited yet. There is plenty of work up there for Mel, and I would probably seek a job at Microsoft.

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year for my family, although my brother and his wife and daughter won’t be able to make it. They will be with her family I believe. I’m doing all the cooking this year again including about 12 pies (they aren’t all for us). I really enjoy cooking so it isn’t really the chore that it sounds like. After dinner with my family we are headed up to Mel’s family for a day to spend some time with them. We really don’t get to spend as much time up there as we would like, that’s another reason why a move to Seattle would be nice for us (except for missing my family, but fair is fair I suppose).

That’s about it, really. Not much going on here. If we don’t see you, have a terrific holiday!

Technorati Tags: brakes, School, Thanksgiving

Tags: Family, School, Thanksgiving, Work by Jeffrey
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Here’s a few more pictures of my nephews and another niece for you to see. They are a murderous bunch known to some as the California 4.

Actually, they are all quite mild mannered and kind. I don’t get to see them as much as I would like, but I sure love them. Hopefully we will see them near Christmas time. Click on the thumbnails for a larger image.

Technorati Tags: nephew, niece, halloween

Tags: Family, Halloween by Jeffrey
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My normally beautiful niece decided to punk it up for Halloween this year. Actually, I think she’s still beautiful, but a little scary too. It looks like her dog even got into the act with a costume of her own. Click on the images for a closer look.

If you happen to be one of my other nieces or nephews, send me a picture of your costume, pumpkin, or whatever else you did for the holiday and I’ll put it up here too!

Technorati Tags: niece, Halloween, costume

Tags: Family, Halloween by Jeffrey
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