Car Negotiations

Time to get a new car again so I took Sam with me to the Acura dealer yesterday. Surprisingly, one of the only dealers open on Sunday's. On the ride over I explained to Sam how I wanted him to help me negotiate a good price for the vehicle. We had gone to the auto show last week and sat in a bunch of different cars so Sam was well aware of the different vehicles we were considering. I asked Sam to wait a little while into the conversation with the sales guys to bring up the fact that he really likes the Volvo XC60. I explained to him the pressure that comment would put on the sales guy to give us a good deal and Sam agreed.

So we got to the dealership and found a sales guy that I had purchased two Acura's from before and really like. We went outside and jumped into a MDX and took it for a quick spin. About midway through the ride, Sam piped up from the backseat and says, "You know, this is a nice car but I really like that Volvo" Al, kind of looked at me and I kind of shrugged my shoulders and said, "well Volvo is nice and your Mom likes the Volvo too, but we need to agree on a car" Sam comes back with, "yeah, but the Volvo is pretty sweet"

Al and I talked about the Volvo compared to the MDX and then he went back to take a look at the numbers. The numbers he came back with were really competitive, more so than my research indicated. We talked some more and I explained that I was close to making a decision and we walked outside again where Sam says, "that Volvo is sweet, we should get that" Al looked at me again and asked what a couple questions, then said, you know I could probably take another thousand off the MDX.

Now to be fair, I did price out a Volvo and I did like it but I tend to the like the MDX more. We also had a couple of other vehicles in mind. That said, Sam played his role perfectly. I'm going to do this every time I get a new car. Nothing like the kid putting pressure on Dad to get something different that what the dealer is selling . I'm also willing to rent the boys out to anyone who wants help negotiating new car deals.

Rockin 7-0

Busy day today with the big dance showcase at 11am and then at late basketball game against the Wolfpack. The dance showcase was fun and guess what, all 17 squads got a trophy. They were all winners and some of them were pretty entertaining. The theme was dance through the last 100 years. 20's, 50's, 70's etc.. The boys squad did the 90's with the Back Street Boys Bye, Bye, Bye..

I was happy when it was over but the boys had a great time. Now the basketball game was tense. The Wolfpack was 4-2 and the only team in the league we had not beaten. They played smothering defense and had a great outside shooter. The little Blue Devils were definitely more alive this week and played great defense but the baskets were not falling. Lots of good shots from Dylan, Sam, Sam K., Sophia and Dalton but they were just not going down. Sam ended up with 11, Dylan, Sophia and Dalton had 2 a piece. This will be a tough team to beat if we see them in the playoffs. Fortunately, my coaching days are over for a while. Jasper and I filled in for coach Lance the last couple weeks but he is back next week and truth be told, he is a much better coach than I am. Jasper is good but Lance is a pretty intense guy and kids listen to him more than Jasper and I.

I've always been a competitive guy, I can't seem to help myself but I was happy I was able to keep it under control. It's a kids game and I've seen some parents completely lose their cool. My heart pounds, I sweat and yell a little but I didn't get negative and that's what I have to keep teaching the boys. They are competitive like me but so far, are not mean about it and that's the key. They are good little atheletes and this heavy dose of winning is fun but it won't last forever, they will lose again at something and being prepared for that is important too.

Bye, bye, bye

Cruzin

Cruzin
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A Mini for some miniature people. This would be a good car for the boys if they could drive.

Racing

Auto Show

Bought a cool new app that makes video shot from an iphone look like it came from an old Super 8. This is my first video of the boys playing a racing game at the Auto Show today. We went for a few hours to sit in cars and see which one's will fit the growing boys behind me with the seat pretty far back. Right now the leading candidates are the Volvo XC60, the VW Toureg and the Acura MDX. Need to get a new vehicle in a couple weeks so I'm glad I have it down to threeish.

6-0



The boys played another tough game today and came away with a 21-13 victory over the Tigers. Sam had 15 points and Dylan had 4. It was a tougher game that the score indicates because the little Blue Devils were a little off today. The whole team was sleep walking a little and not being Blue Devil aggressive. It was also my first game as an assistant coach. Coach Lance is away for a coupe weeks so Jasper (Sofia's Dad) and I are picking up the slack. I focused on personnel (bringing kids in and out and making sure everyone gets enough time on the court) and Jasper took care of strategy and positioning. It worked out pretty well and we have to run practice on Wednesday which he will key to running any drills because I never played the game.

The boys also played for the first time with their new Cal Basketball wrist and head bands. They looked awesome and were the key to victory. Only one more team in the league before we start playing a couple of the teams over again. It would be nice to beat every team once and my coaching advice to the boys for next week is WAKE UP! I think all these victories are making them lazy.. Can't have that..

Whiteboard

Whiteboard
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan and Sam designing the web of the future on the whiteboard in my office. Yes, school was cancelled again so they hung with me for a while.

The Power

The power is back after a 22 hour absence and it is feeling warm again in here. At first I missed the Internet and TV when it first left us but it didn't take long to really miss the lights and heat. The snow didn't really disrupt the drive to work this morning and Dylan and Sam went to AARP for the day. That was not true for some I people I know who spent 6 to 8 hours to go 8 miles. Hard to believe but that was a common story around certain parts of DC. I was home yesterday with the boys and Nicole took Metro so we avoided that nightmare.

We are now basking in the heat of a fire, glow of the iPads and warmth an LCD TV.. Of course school has been cancelled tomorrow again for some unknown issue (literally, the streets are as dry as a bone) so the boys will be hanging out in our offices for part of the day tomorrow. I have a meeting I can't cancel and Nicole has a video town hall at 1pm. Oh, yeah the same type of system is heading this way for early next week. Tons of moisture from the gulf, spinning off the coast and dropping wet, heavy snow. We did lose some tree size branches from the bigs pines and maples but nothing landed on the house, this time..

School Canceled

Their is a half inch of slush on the ground but school is canceled today and with about 6 inches of snow coming tonight, will be canceled tomorrow. They do over react a bit around here but I'm at home with the boys today and will hopefully go in tomorrow. Nicole has a meeting with the Secretary of HHS and she is unlikely to cancel so the three boys are going to find a way to have some fun while I get some work done as well. I may be able to post pretty snow pictures later today. That would be fun.

Maybe a little snow?



This looks like our first real shot of the white stuff in a while. It would be nice to get a coating that didn't shut down the city for a week.

Tough Guys

I've been in Texas he last couple days and missed the big game against the other Clermont Elementary team and wow, what a game it appeared to be. Sam as you know, rolled his ankle yesterday and was limping badly but really wanted to play. From the reports I got, he got some playing time in the first quarter but his movement was pretty limited and he had some obvious issues moving around. The team played great defense but were down 3-12 by the fourth quarter. Dylan played tenacious defense per usual. He is relentless when the ball is near their basket and seemingly able to steal it as will. He was also very concerned about Sam, his other super ability to be incredibly caring about his brother.

Sam finally came off the bench in the 4th quarter and somehow led the team to a 14-2 run to win the game. Sam had 8 of those points but the kids really bonded together and played some great basketball to pull out a victory. I know it may have been bad to play on a badly sprained ankle but those two boys are pretty tough puppies and I'm damn proud of them for toughing it out. Sam will wear the boot for the next week and I'm sure the ankle will heal just fine even if I feel a little bad about pushing, just a tad for him to play. He really wanted to be out there even without me nudging him that direction. I'm getting out of Texas in the morning and I'm looking forward to watching some football tomorrow afternoon with the little guys. More basketball next weekend and I don't plan on missing any of the remaining games. Go Baby Blue Devils....

Rolled Ankle

Sam rolled his ankle today at school and is in a boot. This is not good news for the baby Blue Devils because Sam has been responsible for 70% of the teams points over the last four games and I think I was really hoping the team went undefeated. This is a team game and Dylan and Sofia are capable if putting up some numbers. Let's all hope they and the rest of the team come together to make up for the missing offensive punch of Sam. I feel bad for him, he really likes to play.

Sent from my iPhone

Burke Lake Hike

Burke Lake Hike

EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near Arlington, Virginia

Had a nice little hike this afternoon. Not far from home and pretty empty with the temp around 32. Back to work tomorrow.

Long Weekend

I've been hanging out with the boys this long holiday weekend, keeping warm by the fire, playing games outside and in and watching playoff football. I do love staying close to home and having little conversations with those developing minds. The kind of meaningless banter that tells me a little more about who those kids are with each exchange. They are amazing little guys and have not gotten too old to snug with me on the couch or give me a kiss on the lips. I love them very much.

They both played a great basketball game yesterday with Sam scoring 16 and Dylan getting 4 in a 25-19 victory over the Hurricanes. They really love sports and get very excited about the game and being part of a team. They are extremely competitive little monsters but still have fun with it and are not overly aggressive but go get that ball wherever it is.

Sam and Nicole just went to swim practice and Dylan and I are watching some football in front of the fire. Pickle has an ear infection and needs ton stay out of the water today. I think a long winter hike is in store for tomorrow. We have not been in the woods for a while and some fresh air will do us good.

Sent from my iPad

Football

Football
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan loves to use his computer to watch all sorts of things on YouTube and NFL.com. He has figured out how to go back decades and watch game film of contests that happened before he was born. He knows more about some if the old Viking teams than I do, or that u choose to remember anyway.

Undefeated Blue Devils

Undefeated Blue Devils
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

While I was away last weekend the Blue Devils Won another game, 28-14. Sam had 19 points, 3 steals and Dylan came away with 1 point and 9 steals. Nicole wasn't able to count rebounds but I'm sure they both had a few.

I'm at practice with them now and am looking forward to this weekends game. The snow missed us again last night and put a hurt on New England instead. I do hope we get one good snow this winter. Just not one that cancels a game.

Wishing I Brought My Knee Brace

Wishing I Brought My Knee Brace
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This is the first tee of the Torrey Pines South Course and the location of the 2008 US Open and a tournament stop in two weeks. I didn't bring my golf clubs, shoes or knee brace on this trip. It just seemed too much to haul to Vegas and La Jolla but just walking around the beautiful grounds of this this place made me sad I left all that stuff at home. I can rent clubs and buy shoes but I will probably fall over in my backswing if I don't have my brace on. Oh well, maybe next year. I have an early flight tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing the family and a four day weekend next week. I think I will take Friday off and Monday is a holiday. The ACS Editors meeting was very nice, I learned a lot and had some great conversations with some of the leading scientists in the field of Chemistry. The CES Show and this meeting as worn me out and I'm ready for some R&R.

IMG_0641

Silver Horse

Silver Horse
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This is a new addition to the Bellagio lobby since I last stayed there. About 2 days in that town was enough for a while. Win some money on the black jack tables but lost it all in the video poker machines. At LAX again and on my way to La Jolla for weekend work meeting. I'm looking forward to the slower pace of the Lodge at Torrey Pines over the all night insanity of Vegas.

Viva Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Long day but I'm in town for CES. Ended up with a decent room anyway.

Dancin Machines

Dancin Machines
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I picked the boys up from school the other day and came in when they were practicing their moves for the big Aftercare Dance Showcase in February. I also just bought them Just Dance Two fir the Wii last weekend so they have many opportunities to get their groove on.