Day 15: Saturday, May 29, 2010 - Mike

Woke early but spent hours downloading a firmware upgrade to the new network router and getting it all reset again.  But the results are excellent.  Ran the Fairview route far, far too late in the morning. Heat and humidity.   Showered just in time to catch a ride with Rick up to see Paul in Bloomington, recovering from hip surgery.  We took him some lunch and visited all afternoon.  Got home in time for fish, and watching Burton's Beetle Juice (1988) on streaming from Netflix (hooked the Xbox up to the new wireless network to stream, works great).

Day 15--1st Official Day of Summer--Ros

Yesterday was my last day at work until August so let the fun begin!!!

Day 14, Friday May 28, 2010 - Mike

After a typical early morning, I was trying to brew my second pot of coffee when the power went out.  It stayed out for nearly three hours, reasons unknown as of this writing. The world without electricity is such a strange place.   Read and finished my sci-fi book during the morning, went on a long walk with Will, then went out for some ice and other sundry items.  Played some WoW,  worked with an electrician who came to give us an estimate, then set up our new wireless home network, upgrading to the N category, whatever that means.  G was like so yesterday, man.  Then it was time for our "Get Rid of the Old Beer in the Basement" party.  About eight or nine folks showed up and we had a great time throughout the evening.  Everyone stayed until about 8:30.  Only got a few mosquito bites.

Day 13: Thursday, May 27, 2010 - Mike

Gorgeous weather.  Did the Fairview workout this morning.  Worked on my textbook all morning, and read and played WoW in the afternoon, after a short lunch walk.  Drove over to get some groceries, then had to weed, chop and cut some trees and vines.  Also, although "green" homes are the in thing now, I don't think growing a forest in the rain gutters counts.  Had to chop 'em all down.

Finished off the evening with our second zombie movie in a row, Currie's Fido (2006).  Another campy takeoff on the cliche dead flick.  Worthy but would not have paid full price. 

Day 12: My Day--Ros

Exciting day at work...found two dead preserved sharks and a bucket of something (cow placenta?)....never a dull moment in a science dept!

Mike and Will were busy today so I came home to laundry done, yard mowed and dinner. I could get used to this! Thanks guys!

Nice family walk around the neigborhood after dinner and "Shaun of the Dead" for the evening's entertainment...nothing like a good British zombie movie to "sink your teeth into".

Day 12: William's perspective.

Today was okay, but it got even hotter outside. We had mexican for lunch, but I wasn't really in the mood for it so it didn't taste good. I also looked over my report card for the semester. You'd think it's running from a monster, as all it says is: "AAAAAAAA."

Day 12: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - Mike

Road 10 miles this morning but an hour later than usual.  Big mistake.  No interesting wildlife and 10 degrees warmer.  Took Will for a Doctor's appointment, and otherwise stayed home and relaxed (not counting emptying the dishwasher, doing four loads of laundry, mowing the front lawn with a push mower, and cooking supper). A delish supper too, hamburger helper without the cow.  Substituted that great American bird, the turkey, instead.

Finished the day with Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead (2004), a satire on U.S. zombie films.  The film was adequate, though not exceptional.  From my perspective, all the things being consumed during the movie weren't that different than the usual British fare available over there.

Day 11: My Day- Ros

Work went well again today. One more day closer to break! Here is what Mike is doing while I am at work. ;)

Day 11: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - Mike

Up early to run, a new route this time.  Instead of going south to the river/bike trail, went north to Fairview Park.  They have a new little "exercise" area there, for sit-ups, pull-ups, jumping, stretching, etc.  Let me just say that once upon a time I could do multiple pull-ups.  The way I see it now, I'm starting from scratch; so today's lesson was just hanging there, underneath the bar, like a wet noodle.  Sit-ups, not as bad.  Just pathetic.  Other activities...well, I've got the summer to improve.  By the end of the summer, I'll be a mere reflection of my former self.

Took Will up to MacArthur to get his semester grades.  All A's.  We celebrated with a quick trip to Panera's for a strawberry smoothy.   Also, started serious work on my professorship project, the creation of an open-source, American lit textbook, for a typical survey course.  It will take the full two years to get this one done.

Day 10: Monday, May 24, 2010 - Mike

Rode 10 miles today on the bike, before it got too hot.  Otherwise, picked Will up from his last day of school, read my book (I read sci-fi in the summer, while I can.), played WoW, and went out for ice cream with the fam after supper.  We tried to hit a spot by the lake and go for a lakeside walk, but were disappointed in the little restaurant there.  It did not have frozen custard.  Had to retreat to Krekel's Kustard.

Day 10: My day-Ros

Today was a pretty good day at work. I got quite a bit done. Only 4 days to go until summer for me!!

Day 9: Sunday, May 23, 2010 - Mike

Got up at my usual 5 AM and took a walk down to the river.  It's in flood stage. Saw some deer and lots of birds.  Cicadas are just hatching out in numbers today and yesterday too.

Also, a little later in the morning, finally aired up the bikes and got them out on the trail for the first time this year.

It got too hot to do much in the afternoon other than watch baseball, nap, and play World of Warcraft.  Will had to go play trumpet for his high school's graduation ceremony tonight.