By Erik France on 4/23/2007 6:57 AM

Saturday was a fun day.  My parents were in town, but the best part was being able to finally see Justyn get to play soccer.  It was everything I thought it would be and more.  It was a big group of kids out there to have fun, kick the ball, and run.  Well, mainly to run.

The gentleman who acts as coach / chicken-herder is one of the local high school coaches and he is really good.  I wanted Justyn to focus on having fun and learning to play in a team.  It looks like this is the main emphasis for this age group and I am glad.  I have nothing but good things to say about the Kansas Rush organization.

Grandpa and Grandma had a chance to see Justyn play, and he was very excited about that.  In fact, he was so excited that, when we arrived home, he had to play soccer with Grandpa for about another hour.  I am not sure who had more fun, but I think it was Grandpa.

We all got a chance to play outside, enjoy the sun, and get sunburns.  All of the boys ate lunch outside because, on a nice...

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By Erik France on 4/17/2007 8:05 AM

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back ... and they have invaded my house.  Justyn thinks these green guys are pretty cool.  I remember thinking the same thing when I was a kid.

We have now watched the movie from about 1990.  Michelangelo is heard saying, "Cowabunga, dude!"  So now Justyn can often be found running around the house yelling, "Cowabung-o!". 

Well, he's close.  I'll give him credit for that.

By Erik France on 4/17/2007 7:59 AM

Do you ever read the Sherman's Lagoon comic strip?  I have been a fan since I first saw the strip.  I think Sherman is one of the best characters ever -- perhaps only slightly behind Calvin.

Anyway, here is a good strip which I think you would enjoy.  Especially if you like golf.

By Erik France on 4/14/2007 1:11 PM

Well, back in December 2006, I set a goal for myself to loose 40 lbs. during 2007.  I have not been working too hard on this goal.

But I have been looking at some recent pictures of myself and of some old college friends and I realize how far I have come.  I am no where near the physical condition I was in high school or college.  I am not trying to be once again, but I could afford to get into better condition.

To that end, I will try to track my progress here a bit.  Maybe that will be enough of an incentive for me to get off my lazy rear.

By Erik France on 4/14/2007 1:08 PM

I know there is a new TMNT movie out, and sometime I will see it.  I do not think it is something for my boys, but I would have fun watching it.

However, I am sitting here watching what I remember as the first TMNT movie.  Boy how corny it appears to me now.  Did I really think this was quality entertainment back in the early 1990s?  Whew.  But I still have to admit.  It has a good story, a lot of laughs, and is pretty fun.

By Erik France on 4/14/2007 12:54 PM

The other night I was informed of Justyn's plans for his future.  He tells me, "Dad, guess what I'm going to be when I grow up?"

When I can't guess, he tells me, "A knight."

So, why does he want to be a knight?  Because the requirements are pretty simple.  Justyn told me all he needed was a sword, some armor, and a shield.  Julie suggested a horse, and Justyn thought that would be a good idea.

Justyn then began to show me how a knight handles his weapons.  "You hold the sword like this," and he held up his right arm.  "You hold the shield like this, " and up goes his left arm, "and keep the horse controls in this hand too."

"Horse controls?" I asked.

"Yeah, you know, to make the horse go where you want."

"Oh, reins!"

"Yeah, those.  So you hold the shield and reins with this arm.  You hold the reins so when the horse goes up an neighs (like a coyboy's horse) then you won't fall off and hurt yourself or your sword."

So, that's all there is it to be a knight. ...

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By Erik France on 4/12/2007 4:59 AM

While driving home last night, I was within two blocks of getting home when I noticed something you just do not see every day.

There, in the driveway of one house, was a red fox.  At first I thought it was a dog, but something about the way it carried its tail made  me look again.  Yep, a fox.  It held its tail wrapped around the hind legs and the fox was very intent as it walked across the driveway.

As I slowed down to look at the fox, I realized there was a black cat a few feet away.  The fox and cat were staring each other down.  There was going to be a fight.

So what did I do?  I pulled over to watch, of course!  I thought I might actually see a honest to goodness cat fight.  Sadly, no.  After a couple of minutes, the fox slunk away between two houses and I could not see where it went.  The cat, however, stood still in the driveway even after I left the area.

Interesting how "wildlife" still exists in a city.  I kind of like it that way.

...

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By Erik France on 4/9/2007 10:41 AM

Sunday was a lot of fun for me.  We went to church and the kids all looked their best.  That's a bit petty of me, perhaps.  But I feel good knowing my children look good.

After church and Sunday School, we changed clothes and went to our friends' house for lunch.  You guessed it -- I ate too much for lunch.  But who can pass up ham cooked in cider, cheesy potatoes, and corn?  Not to mention the pecan pie for dessert.

Mike and I hid eggs after lunch and then the kids all had fun finding the eggs.  It is very interesting to watch how much fun plastic eggs can be for kids.  Maybe it was the thrill of what was inside them that was more intriguing to the kids.  In any event, they had a blast!

Justyn was proud of himself because he found the last egg.  Mike had hidden it in his rain gague and we had to give clues to Nevin and Justyn until someone found it.  Justyn was glad he found the egg, but I think both boys hauled in a lot of eggs.

Aroud 4:00 that afternoon I took my family home.  Carter...

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By Erik France on 4/3/2007 11:53 AM

Totally cool!  I have my own mini-pet in Guild Wars.  It is known as an Asura. 

You can get your own by purchasing the latest PC Gamer magazine and entering the Access Code contained in the magazine.  There is a really good article on Guild Wars 2 as well as information on Guild Wars: Eye of the North.

By Erik France on 4/2/2007 6:51 PM

As I sit and begin to watch the end of the Men's Final Four Tournament, I also realize today is Opening Day for Major League Baseball.  Lots of sports fans are eagerly awaiting the start of or end of their respective sport.

Good luck to your team of choice.  I really do hope they do well.  I think all athletes deserve to be encouraged and cheered for.  However, neither basketball nor baseball seem all that important to me right now.

I am waiting for the best sport to begin its tournament season.  How long is it until the competition for Lord Stanley's Cup?