Lone Man #2

[update] this day should be #1 (8/16) - I just happened to write it later. I wasn't planning on counting the number of Lone Man days -- it started as just post #1, post #2 -- so I won't bother to fix it. I did add some photos below, though.

Went to the U.S. Marine Corps Sunset Parade on the grounds in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial with Chance & Jenny and Jaron and Tana.

The Commandant's Own and the Silent Drill Platoon put on incredible performances.

Very moving to hear the 21 gun salute followed by taps played by a lone bugler standing atop the massive base to the Memorial; it still gives me chills.

I tried to snap some photos with my Bb and snag a few seconds of video. Of course, Chance took lots of photos. Here's one he posted to his photo blog:

(click through for a larger size)

Been a busy day and a half, even being a lone man. If I have a moment I'll update with some of my shots.

Lone Man #1

Jill & CJ are out having fun with family out west. But they've hidden some notes around the house to remind me Things CJ/We love about Daddy.

Since they've left, I've found this note in the oatmeal container:

Things we love about Daddy: He knows hot to keep a secret - you can trust him with your secrets. (11/15)

I find this in my netbook:

Things CJ loves about Daddy: He lets me play with his keyboard - what a good sharer! (15/15)

And this in my suit coat:

Things CJ loves about Daddy: He calls me Goober! And it makes him smile. (4/15)

I'll have to keep my eye out for other notes! Love you both!

Yum!

Our food.

Baby's food.

Everyone cleared their plates. =)

brilliant

mailed off the form to the "health comisar" to request baby's birth certificate. one month later, get a notice in the mail: forgot to include check. guess they won't bill me later; need to re-send. doh!

Blockbuster Kiosks in the South

Today, we helped Jill's sister try to track down a Blockbuster Express Kiosk so she could return a movie. SIL and family are staying in the Memphis, TN, area right now.

There was one the Blockbuster Express website said was at Dodge's; across the border in Mississippi (about 8 miles).

But that one was out of service. (Thanks for nothing, Blockbuster Express website!)
But at least you can fill up, get some egg rolls, pizza, or chicken strips from Dodge's Chicken Store... (where gas is currently $3.49)

So, the website said the next closest kiosk was down the road in Olive Branch, MS (about 5 miles away). The address said Outdoors at Southaven Petroleum LLC.

Not looking real good, if Google is correct...
Turns out the kiosk at the other gas station was out of service, too. (Again, thanks for nothing, Blockbuster Express website!)

SIL called Blockbuster and had a firm conversation with them. She got a verbal go-ahead to leave the movie with the manager of the gas station; and Blockbuster marked it as returned.

Otherwise, she would have had to go another 11 miles to Church BP

...to see if their kiosk was working.

And, if that failed, there was another one on the other side of town -- again, according to Blockbuster Express Kiosk website, at the Texaco.

Pretty sure no one's home at that Texaco.

Blockbuster #fail.

Sorry SIL for the grand driving tour through Memphis/Olive Branch/Whitehaven.