Way Back Machine for 1993

     1993 WEISS CHRONOLOGY PART 1

JAN  O1   ON WAY TO ICE SKATING I YELLED AT GEORGE FOR ANTAGONIZING BETH.  GEORGE PROTESTED THAT BETH HAD TORMENTED HIM FIRST. I SAID, 'MAYBE SO, BUT AT LEAST SHE TORMENTED YOU QUIETLY.' GEORGE GOT ANGRY.

JAN  01   MARYLAND ANNOUNCES IT WILL BEGIN OFFERING KENO THIS YEAR. PERHAPS MY GRADUATE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE IN RENO, NEVADA WILL ALLOW ME TO START A CONSULTANCY.

JAN  03   I GAVE GEORGE CHOICE OF JOGGING WITH ME OR GOING SKATING. HE SAID, "SKATING". I TRIED TO CHANGE HIS MIND BY POINTING UP THE BENEFITS OF JOGGING. HE WOULDN'T CHANGE HIS MIND. I SAID, "SO, GEORGE YOU'VE CHOSEN THE ONE THAT COSTS THE MOST AND IS THE MOST INCONVENIENT." GEORGE'S RESPONSE, "IT DOESN'T COST ME AND IT'S NOT INCONVENIENT FOR ME!"

JAN  04   AS I AM TAKING JAN 05 OFF WORK, I ASKED BETH WHAT CLASSES OF HER'S I SHOULD VISIT.

     "NOOOOOO. YOU'RE NOT REALLY VISITING ARE YOU?" SHE SAID.

     "SURE. FOR EXAMPLE I'D LIKE TO HEAR YOUR ORCHESTRA REHEARSE."

     "BUT WE SOUND LIKE DEAD GEESE. YOU CAN'T. PARENTS NEVER GO."

     "OK. HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY ME NOT TO VISIT YOU AT SCHOOL          TOMORROW?" I ASKED.

     "FIVE DOLLARS." SAID BETH.

     "OK. SOLD." I SAID.

     "NOOOOOOOO.  YOU'RE NOT REALLY GOING TO MAKE ME PAY $5?"

          I'LL VISIT GEORGE INSTEAD.

JAN  05   FORMER MAYOR, CONFESSED ADULTERER, CONVICTED DRUG POSSESSOR, AND CURRENT COUNCILMAN MARION BARRY HAD HIS CAR STOLEN ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE (BARRY REPRESENTS CITY'S POOREST WARD (HE RAN ON PLATFORM TO STOP THE CITY FROM DISRESPECTING THE WARD).

JAN  05   WENT TO GEORGE'S SCHOOL FOR MEETING ON SCIENCE PROJECT. NEW RULES DISCOURAGE EXPERIMENTS WITH MOLDS AND EXPERIMENTS THAT COULD RESULT IN CRUELTY TO VERTEBRATES. ALSO THEY SAY TO TRY SOMETHING THAT CAN BE REDONE WITH MORE SOPHISTICATION NEXT YEAR.

JAN  07   ALMOST RAN OVER A SKUNK A FEW MILES FROM HOME. ALSO NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR CALLED BETH TO IDENTIFY A CAT. APPARENTLY BETH HAS REPUTATION OF KNOWING EACH CAT ON STREET.

JAN  08   M LEAVES FOR MAUI. SEES WHALE, BIKES DOWN VOLCANO, SWINGS ON VINE. JAN 11 - M SEES VOLCANO (HAWAII IS), JAN 15 - M USES JEEP TO SEE WATERFALL USED IN FANTASY ISLAND (KAUAI), JAN 16 M CLIMBS DIAMOND HEAD, MT TANTALUS, TAKES GLIDEPLANE RIDE. JAN 18 RETURN. ANN HAS HAD DOWNSTAIRS WALLPAPERED AND REDECORATED.

JAN  19   ANN TAKES PRIDE IN GETTING THE CAT SHE IS HOLDING TO SWIPE AT THE CAT SHE WAS PETTING. BETH ASKS AT DINNER, "WOULD IT BE DANGEROUS FOR A 14 YEAR OLD TO WEIGH 240 POUNDS." M RESPONDS, "YES, IF THEY STEPPED ON SOMEBODY."

JAN  21   AT BUS STOP, THE GANG WAS DISCUSSING CHELSEA CLINTON. BETH BROKE UP THE DISCUSSION BY SAYING, "WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SHE GOT PREGNANT?" THE BENEFITS OF 3 COURSES IN 'HUMAN GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION'. BETH AND HER FRIENDS ARE AMAZED THAT AL GORE CAN'T CLAP TO THE BEAT OF THE MUSIC.

JAN  21   GEORGE ASKS IF WE CAN GO BUSCH GARDENS AGAIN. (I PROMISED IN 91 THAT IF USA WINS ANOTHER WAR WE COULD) WHEN I ASK WHY HE WOULDN'T BE SATISFIED TO GO TO THE AMUSEMENT PARKS NEARER US, HE SAYS, "BUT THAT WAY YOU'D GET OUT OF DRIVING 3 HOURS."

JAN  27   FROM DENTIST, BETH HAS CAVITY.

JAN  31   AFTER HELPING BETH WITH ALGEBRA, I VISITED GEORGE'S ROOM AND FOUND ONE OF BETH'S FRIENDS HELPING GEORGE MAKE HIS BED (WONDERS NEVER CEASE).  LATER, TOOK GEORGE TO WATCH SUPERBOWL AT FRIEND'S HOUSE.  BUD BOWL AND SUPERBOWL SCORES WERE IDENTICAL DURING 1ST HALF.

FEB  01   GENERAL MOTORS TAKES A $20.5 BILLION DOLLAR CHARGE FOR AN ACCOUNTING CHANGE. AS I REMEMBER THIS SUPERBOWL AN ACCOUNTING FIRM HAD TWO 15 SEC ADS.

FEB  02   GEORGE LEAVES VIOLA AT SCHOOL. FEB 03 GEORGE LOSES VIOLA MUSIC AT SCHOOL. FEB 04 GEORGE FINDS MUSIC

FEB  03   M STUBBS FOOT ON BOOKCASE. PUT CARPET SKIRT AROUND BOOKCASE BUT THE FOOT DIDN'T STOP HURTING UNTIL FEB 16.

FEB  04   COMPACT FLUORESCENT PURCHASED IN OCT 91 AND GUARANTEED TO LAST 10,000 HOURS BURNS OUT. HECHINGER'S GAVE ME A NEW ONE BUT NON VERBALLY, THEY IMPLIED THAT I HAD BETTER NOT TRY THIS AGAIN.

FEB  11   GEORGE GETS SICK MISSING HIS SCIENCE FAIR AND SCHOOL VALENTINE DAY PARTY.

FEB  11-14 BETH ON SKI, SKATING VACATION IN PENNSYLVANIA (WE LET        HER MISS TWO DAYS OF SCHOOL).

FEB  13   ADMITTED ADULTEROR, CONVICTED DRUG POSSESSOR AND ELECTED COUNCILMAN MARION BARRY, SELLS AT AUCTION, THE CAR GIVEN TO HIM BY HIS SUPPORTERS IN 1991 WHEN HE WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON. THE BUYER, NON NATIVE SPEAKER OF ENGLISH AND ARLINGTON INSURANCE AGENT FANNY YUAN DID NOT KNOW WHO MARION BARRY WAS. UPON GETTING $14,000 FOR THE CAR, MARION'S SUPPORTERS DECLARED THAT MARION HAD MADE ANOTHER BRILLIANT FINANCIAL DECISION AND SHOWED HIS FITNESS FOR ELECTED OFFICE. HE PLANS TO BUY A NEW CAR.

FEB  14   TODAY, I MADE GEORGE WAIT BEFORE EATING SOME HERSEY'S KISSES BECAUSE HE HADN'T PRACTISED HIS VIOLA ENOUGH. I MADE COMMENTS TO HIM SUCH AS, "JUST IMAGINE HOW GOOD THOSE CANDIES WOULD TASTE RIGHT NOW." AND "I'LL BET YOU CAN ALMOST TASTE THOSE HERSEY'S KISSES." AND GENERALLY RUBBED IT IN. LATER THAT DAY GEORGE TOLD ME, "JUST IMAGINE HOW NEAT IT WOULD BE TO HAVE ALL SUMMER OFF" AND "I'LL BET YOU'D LIKE TO BE A KID AGAIN."

FEB  15   WHEN I TELL BETH HOW LONG I'LL BE GONE (4 DAYS) SHE SAYS, "OH BOY, I GET TO WEAR ALL YOUR FLANNEL SHIRTS."

FEB  15-19 M IN SACRAMENTO, CALIF. RAINED WHOLE TIME, GROUND SATURATED. THOUSANDS OF ACRES UNDER WATER. PLANE ACTUALLY EARLY GETTING IN TO O'HARE AND NATIONAL ON WAY BACK.

FEB  19   GEORGE HAD BEEN GOOD ALL WEEK SO I SHOWED HIM HOW TO PLAY 'SIM CITY'. HE AND BETH PLAYED ALL DAY ON THE 20TH. BETH, ON HER OWN, DECIDED TO RAISE THE PROPERTY TAX RATE JUST BEFORE JAN. TO SOAK THE 'SIMS'.

FEB  23   SITE AT ENTRANCE TO YOSEMITE NATL PARK RECORDS 8 INCHES OF SNOW IN ONE HOUR.

FEB  25   M IS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING FALLEN ARCHES. WILL GET DEVICE FOR SHOE.

FEB  25   BOY NAMED NICHOLAS SCHEDULES FIGHT FOR 4:46 PM BETWEEN GEORGE AND ANOTHER BOY (NAMED THOMAS). THOMAS'S DAD SAID HE HAD GIVEN THOMAS PERMISSION TO DEFEND HIMSELF BUT FORBADE HIM FROM STARTING FIGHTS. I HAD PROVIDED SAME INSTRUCTIONS TO GEORGE. MAYBE PROBLEM IS THE PROMOTOR.

FEB  27   NORTHWESTERN BEATS PERDUE IN W. LAFAYETTE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1973 (ALSO BROKE A 60 GAME ROAD WINLESS STREAK EXTENDING FROM FEB 20, 1986).

FEB  28   WASHINGTON POST LISTS WGN, COMEDY CHANNEL AND SCI-FI CHANNEL IN EXPANDED TV CABLE LISTINGS. BEST JOB OF REPORTING SINCE WATERGATE.

MAR  02-04M IN SAN DIEGO. GOT TO SEE BALBOA PARK, FLEET & NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, KC BARBEQUE (SCENE IN MOVIE 'TOP GUN'). FLIGHT TO SAN D WAS EARLY DUE TO 40 MPH FOLLOWING (YES. REALLY EAST WINDS ALOFT) WINDS. FLIGHT BACK HIT SNOWSTORM IN DETROIT. LANDED IN 1/4 MI VISIBILITY, SNOW AND 30 MPH WINDS. GOT TO NATL AIRPORT 3 HRS LATE, THEN TAXI GOT FLAT TIRE ON WAY HOME.

MAR  04   ANN CALLS GEORGE UP AFTER SCHOOL AND GEORGE ANNOUNCES THAT HE HAS A VERY STRESSFUL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.

MAR  13   DURING MID AFTERNOON WE HAD ABOUT 4 HOURS OF SLEET (MADE ABOUT 1") ON TOP OF ABOUT 6" OF SNOW.  DURING EARLY EVENING RECORD LOW BAROMETRIC PRESSURE (APPX 28.50", 966mm) DURING LATE EVENING WE ACTUALLY HAD BLIZZARD CONDITION WITH WINDS OVER 40 MPH, BLOWING SNOW, 25°F, ETC.  LESS THAN A FOOT OF SNOW TOTAL BY MIDNIGHT. BETH LET ONE OF HER FRIENDS USE MY ONLY PAIR OF BOOTS (SHE GOT YELLED AT AND HAD TO WALK TO FRIENDS HOUSE IN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TO GET THEM. 'IT WAS COOL' SHE SAID).

MAR  15   SPEAKING OF COLD, THIS MORNING DULLES AIRPORT HAD A MINIMUM OF -2°F. SCHOOLS CLOSED MAR 15 & 16.

MAR  17 & 18 SCHOOLS OPENED 2 HOURS LATE.      

MAR  19   BETH IDs A HOUSE AS THE ONE SHE WANTS TO LIVE IN WHEN SHE GROWS UP (BRICK, 4000 SQFT COLONIAL MODERN).

     ANN - HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING IT.   BETH - "I'LL HAVE 3 CHILDREN & EACH ONE CAN CLEAN ONE FLOOR          ... OH, AND WITH THE HOUSE I WANT A BLUE MAZDA MIATA."

MAR  19   KIDS, BY THEIR WELCOME REQUEST, WERE IN CHARGE OF FINISHING SUPPER PREPARATION. AS PREPARATIONS SEEMED TO BE TAKING A LONG TIME, I ASKED GEORGE WHEN SUPPER WOULD BE READY. GEORGE SAID, "AS SOON AS WE FINISH EATING DESSERT...OOPS." (YES THEY HAD BEEN.)

MAR  26   BULLETS GET 69 POINTS VS HOUSTON, LOWEST SCORE IN TEAM HISTORY. ALSO, HELD TO BELOW 20 POINTS EACH QUARTER.

MAR  28   SNOW FROM STORM THIS MONTH COMPLETELY MELTED EXCEPT A LITTLE WHERE I HAD PILED IT UNDER THE CEDAR TREE.

MAR 28   GEORGE'S FEMALE FRIENDS COLLECT $ TO RESCUE DROWNING WORMS (G DONATES $1). THIS TIME VP GORE HAS GONE TOO FAR.

MAR  27-31 BETH STARTED TO MAKE BROWNIES BUT DECIDED TO LEAVE MIX IN REFRIDGE. IT TOOK HER 4 DAYS TO FINISH MIX BUT IT WAS MUCH EASIER THAN ACTUALLY DOING THE COOKING.

Weiss Family Chronology 2nd Q 1993

APR  08   10 YEAR OLD BOY, WHO GOES TO GEORGE'S SCHOOL WAS FATALLY SHOT WHILE PLAYING WITH HIS 13 YEAR OLD BROTHER, WHO GOES TO BETH'S SCHOOL.  PLAYING WITH LOADED RIFLE IN BEDROOM.

APR  08   CARLOS BAERGA (CLEVELAND) BECOMES THE FIRST IN MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY TO HIT TWO HRS IN AN INNING WITH ONE LH AND ONE RH. ALSO FIRST CLEVELAND PLAYER TO HIT 2 IN AN INNING, EVER.

APR  09   ANN AND MARTIN WALK TO CHERRY BLOSSOMS. BLOSSOMS WERE MUCH LATER THAN NORMAL (OVER A WEEK AFTER CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL ENDED) DUE TO COOL FEB AND MARCH.

APR  14-15MARTIN IN PHILADELPHIA PA. SAW MIKHAIL GORBACHEV ON WAY TO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (HAD LEG OF AN 'ULTRASAURUS' -100 TON DINOSAUR AND GOOD T-REX WITH TAIL UP) ALSO SAW PHIL-CINN BASEBALL GAME (FIRST TIME EVER SAW IN PERSON A  CATCHER'S INTERFERENCE CALL. ON WAY HOME, STOPPER AT POSTER STORE TO ORDER BETH A BABY HARP SEAL PICTURE. WHEN I GOT HOME, GEORGE ADMITTED TO HAVING BEEN AN HOUR LONG WATER FIGHT WHICH ENDED WHEN HE TURNED ON HOSE FULL BLAST AT HIS 'FRIENDS' GETTING HIMSELF AND THEM SOAKED. THIS (APR 15) WAS ALSO THE FIRST DAY OVER 70°F (AND LATEST DATE EVER TO REACH THAT MARK IN 120 YR OF RECORDS).

APR  17   CALIF ANGELS GET AN 8-3-5-2 DOUBLE PLAY WITH CATCHER JOHN ORTEN TAGGING OUT 2 (YES 2!) ORIOLE RUNNERS AT 3RB IN 8TH INNING (AT BALT). ALSO DETROIT SCORES 20 RUNS FOR 2ND TIME IN ONE WEEK. THEY BEAT OAKLAND 20-4 ON 4/13 AND BEAT SEATTLE 20-3 ON 4/17 (ALSO THEY WON 2 GAMES IN BETWEEN).

APR  24   BETH AT ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL (SHE DID THE GEORG TELEMANN CONCERTO IN G FOR VIOLA).  BETH AND GEORGE TAKE RIDE IN HOT AIR BALLOON (ONLY UP ABOUT 30 FEET) IN PARK ACROSS FROM WHERE WE LIVE). GEORGE WAS TALKING ABOUT A CRIME BOOK HE WAS READING. HE WAS APPARENTLY EXCITED ABOUT IT SO I ASKED IF HE FOUND CRIME AN INTERESTING SUBJECT TO LEARN ABOUT. GEORGE SAID, "DAD, I'M ONLY READING BECAUSE I HAVE TO, NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO."

APR  26   BETH GETS 2' BY 3' PHOTO OF HARP SEAL. SHE HAS TWO OTHER HARP SEALS PICS BUT APPARENTLY YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH.

APR  27   GEORGE WATCHES ME GRIMACE WHILE I WAS WATCHING PRESIDENT CLINTON ON TV. HE ASKED ME IF HE WAS LYING. I SAID THAT THE PRESIDENT WASN'T EXACTLY LYING BUT ALSO WASN'T EXACTLY TRUTHFUL EITHER. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE WATCHING 'The Empire Strikes Back', (scene where Darth partially reveals himself to Luke) GEORGE SAYS, "GEE DAD, DARTH VADER IS LIKE PRESIDENT CLINTON".  I SAID, PERHAPS IN A MINOR WAY BUT PLEASE DON'T MAKE THAT COMPARISON AGAIN. WE GOT BETH THE HARP SEAL PICTURE AND GEORGE THE VIDEOTAPE OF 'The Empire...' BECAUSE THEY HAD GOOD REPORT CARDS.

APR  28   BETH LEARNS HOW TO CONTORT HER FACE INTO THE SHAPE OF A BAJORAN (ONE OF THE ALIEN RACES ON 'STAR TREK DEEP SPACE NINE').  SHE REPORTEDLY ENJOYS STANDING NEAR THE STAIRS AT SCHOOL TELLING PEOPLE, "LOOK AT ME I'M A BAJORAN".

MAY 01   LOST MY CAR KEYS. TWO VIOLATIONS OF MURPHY'S LAW. FIRST, IT WAS A NICE DAY. SECOND, AAA CAME IN ONLY ABOUT 50 MINUTES AND MADE A NEW KEY RIGHT AWAY.

MAY  01   BETH GIVES AWAY HER 3' HIGH STUFFED SHEEPDOG 'MITCH'. I WON HIM AT BUSCH GARDEN IN 91.

MAY  01   BETH WAS WATCHING 'FIDDLER ON THE ROOF'. WHEN TEVYA WAS THINKING TO HIMSELF THAT HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER WOULD  MARRY THE BUTCHER EVEN THOUGH SHE WANTED TO MARRY THE TAILOR, I HEARD BETH SAY TO THE TV, "NO. YOU CAN'T DO THAT."

MAY  05   GEORGE, IN SCHOOL PLAY 'BORDERS TO BRIDGES' AS THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST, UTTERS THE LINE, "NOW CHILDREN, JUST REMEMBER TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND RELAX", LAST YEAR IN 'A CLEAN SWEEP', HE SAID, "THE STORY OF THE YEAR IS UP TO YOU." THE YEAR BEFORE HE LED THE SNOWFLAKES DANCING TO 'WE'RE SO GLAD IT'S SNOWING'. THE YEAR BEFORE, BETH, AS THE DRESSMAKER IN 'THE PIED PIPER' SAID, "LOOK, A HOLE IS OPENING IN THE MOUNTAIN." AND THE YEAR BEFORE, AS THE MOTHER RABBIT, IN 'BE PROUD OF YOURSELF' SHE SAID, "LITTLE RABBIT, YOU'RE NOT A DUCK, YOU'RE A BUNNY."  ALMOST LIKE THE FONDA, OR DOUGLAS FAMILIES.

MAY  05   HAD HAIL AND ABOUT 2 INCHES OF RAIN IN 10 MINUTES.

MAY  06   BETH, "GUESS WHAT, MELISSA HARPERY IS LEAVING SCHOOL."

          M "ISN'T THAT THE MOST POPULAR GIRL ON THE PLANET".

          BETH, "YES AND ALL THE GIRLS HATE HER (POPULAR W BOYS."

          M "WHAT PLANET IS SHE GOING TO"

          BETH, "I HOPE IT'S SOME PLANET WITH NO BOYS, WHERE SHE'LL      SHRIVEL UP AND DIE."

          M "WHY DO YOU HATE HER."

          BETH, "I DON'T HATE HER, WHAT MAKES YOU SAY I HATE HER."

MAY  07   PAST 4 DAYS HAVE HAD ASTRONOMICALLY HIGH POLLEN. UP TO         1/4" ON CAR IN 24 HOURS.

MAY  09   GEORGE AND I WENT TO THE POOL WHILE IT WAS EMPTY AND STOOD IN THE 3' SECTION AND CAME OUT DRY!

MAY 4-10  A MOTHER DUCK LED HER 14 DUCKLINGS INTO THE U.S. DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION FOUNTAIN POOL.  13 OF THE DUCKLINGS (1 DROWNED IN POOL) WERE RESCUED BY THE HUMANE SOCIETY AND GIVEN TO AN ANIMAL WELFARE PERSON. SEVERAL DOTers ASKED TO BORROW SOME OF THE DUCKLINGS TO ATTRACT THE MOTHER DUCK SO SHE COULD BE CAPTURED AND REUNITED WITH DUCKLINGS. WHEN ANIMAL WELFARE REFUSED, TWO DOTers PHYSICALLY THREATENED HER. AS OF MAY 10, MOTHER DUCK NOT SEEN AGAIN IN POOL.

MAY 10    GEORGE CATCHES ME WATCHING 'THE LEARNING CHANNEL' (SOME ARCHEOLOGY THING) AND SAYS, "WHEN I GROW UP I'M NEVER GOING TO LET MY SON SEE ME WATCHING THIS CHANNEL BECAUSE HE MIGHT GROW UP TO LIKE SCHOOL OR BE WELL BEHAVED."

MAY  13   MD DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IDENTIFIES FISH TAKEN FROM ALLEN POND NEAR BOWIE MD AS AN 11" PIRANHA (YES THEY REALLY, REALLY ARE BITING THIS YEAR).

MAY  16   CAR STALLS, KIDS WITH ME. CAN'T RESTART. RAINING HARD BUT DAYLIGHT IN NICE NEIGHBORHOOD (PARTIAL MURPHY'S LAW VIOLATION) HAD VEHICLE TOWED- WHEATON MD TO ALEX VA ($60). STARTER/COIL/IGNITION ELECTRONIC MODULES ($280).

MAY  17   ARTHUR YOUNG (NY METS) LOSES 18TH CONSECUTIVE DECISION TYING ROGER CRAIG'S 1963 TEAM RECORD (MAJOR LEAGUE MARK IS 23 BY CLIFTON CURTIS BOSTON BRAVES 1910-11).

MAY  18   GREATEST COST DIFFERENCE EVER SEEN. AT HARDWARE STORE TODAY, I SAW TWO BRANDS OF FURNACE CLEANER. THE ONE I BOUGHT (PEROLATOR II) COST $0.31/EACH, THE OTHER (MMM) COST $14.95/EACH (BOTH MADE IN USA).

MAY 18   PURCHASED FIRST CARTON OF CHOCOLATE COOL WHIP TODAY. COULD BE GREATEST INVENTION SINCE THE WHEEL (oops tastes like bad mousse).

MAY  29   BETH & GEORGE GO TO ATLANTA. AT NATIONAL AIRPORT, I ACTUALLY GOT A PARKING PLACE IN FIRST ROW OF SHORT TERM LOT 'A' ONLY ABOUT 30 FEET FROM TERMINAL. EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE, THE PLANE BOARDED ON TIME AND I ONLY HAD TO PAY THE 30 MINUTE PARKING CHARGE ($2).

MAY  30   ANN & I WENT TO W.VA. AND TOOK THE FIRST RUN OF THE YEAR ON THE CASS TO WHITTAKER STATION LOGGING RAILROAD.  THE TRAIN USES (ACCORDING TO PUBLIC ADDRESS PERSON) 3000 POUNDS OF COAL AND 15,000 GALLONS OF WATER FOR THIS 1 HOUR, 7 MILE LONG EXCURSION. LATER WE SAW THE 140' RADIO TELESCOPE AT GREEN RIVER.

JUN  04   ANN- I NEED YOU (TO M) TO FIX THE UPSTAIRS TV RECEPTION.      M-   GEORGE CAN DO THAT.

          G-   HOW DO I DO THAT?

          M-   JUST WIGGLE THE ANTENNAE AROUND.

          G-   I DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

          M-   THEN IT OUGHT TO BE EASY FOR YOU.

          G-   BUT IT NEVER WORKS.

JUNE 03-08     UNUSUAL HEAVY SUMMER RAIN AND SNOW STORMS ON WEST COAST. SNOW AS FAR SOUTH AS 32°N. HEAVY RAIN TO 30°N.

JUNE 08   WORST FORECAST, WORST TIME. FROM NOON ON THE 7TH UNTIL 1 AM ON THE 8TH (WHEN I WENT TO SLEEP), THE FORECAST WAS FOR NO RAIN ON THE AM 8TH, I HAD ARRANGED TO TAKE LEAVE TO HELP JUDGE G'S FIELD DAY ACTIVITIES (ATHLETIC EVENTS). BY 7AM ON THE 8TH, RAIN WAS HEAVY & FIELD DAY POSTPONED.

JUNE 10   G HAS CONCERT AT HIS SCHOOL SIMULTANEOUSLY W BETH'S CONCERT AT HER SCHOOL. WE GOT KIDS TO BOTH, BUT BETH LEFT VIOLA (FORTUNATELY, TEACHER PUT IT IN SAFE PLACE).

JUNE 12   BETH HAS PARTY FROM 5-8PM, AND 8PM TO OVERNIGHT.

JUNE 14-15 M IN NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ.

JUNE 18   ANTHONY YOUNG (NY METS) LOSES START FOR 22ND IN A ROW (10 AS STARTER, 12 AS RELIEVER - SEE MAY 17 RECORD).

JUNE 18   GEORGE HAS NOW LOST HIS ORTHODOTAL RETAINER, HIS BICYCLE AND HIS WATCH ON CONSECUTIVE DAYS (GOT WATCH BACK).

JUNE 21   NIGHTMARE. M DREAMS HE WAS AN OPERATOR FOR PBS DURING PLEDGE WEEK AND ALL HE HAD TO GIVE AWAY WERE THUMB TACKS WITH CORP. FOR PUBLIC BROADCAST LOGO ON THE HEAD.

JUNE 22   ANTHONY YOUNG LOSES ANOTHER START FOR 23RD IN ROW.

JUNE 24   GANG WAR IN D.C. BREAKS OUT. 10 MURDERS IN 36 HOURS.

JUNE 27   BETH & GEORGE TO CAMP IN MARYLAND.

JUNE 28   A & M VISIT ST MICHAELS ISLAND IN MD.

JUNE 29- JULY 1 A & M AT OCEAN CITY.  HAD ONE DAY WITH FOG REDUCING VISIBILITY TO 50 FEET. WATER COLD. HORSESHOE CRAB WASHED ASHORE. SAW DOLPHINS AND USED A BETH EXPRESSION, "DOLPHINS ARE SOOOO COOL".

Weiss Family Chronology 3RD Q 1993

JULY 02   ANTHONY YOUNG LOSES 25TH IN A ROW VS SF IN GAME STOPPED AFTER 5 INNINGS BECAUSE OF RAIN.

JULY 02   SECOND GAME OF SAN DIEGO-PHIL DOUBLE HEADER ENDS AT 4:40 AM, LATEST COMPLETION IN HISTORY.  BEFORE FIRST GAME THERE WAS RAIN DELAYS OF 1:10, AFTER 3RD: 1:56 AND AFTER 5TH: 2:58. THE PREVIOUS LATEST COMPLETION WAS AFTER A 19 INNING GAME AT 3:55 AM JULY 4 1985 NY METS @ ATLANTA.  LENNY DYKSTRA PLAYED FOR THE METS IN THAT GAME AND FOR PHILADELPHIA IN THIS GAME.

JULY 04   SKIING SEASON STILL GOING AT ARAPAHOE BASIN COLO. LATEST SKIING SEASON EVER. ALSO NEW SNOW COVERED NORTH AND WEST ENTRANCES TO YELLOWSTONE NATL PARK AND ELSEWHERE IN ROCKIES.

JULY 07   ANTHONY YOUNG LOSES 26TH IN ROW DESPITE GIVING UP ONLY 3 HITS IN 8 INNINGS (VS SAN DIEGO). HE LOST 27TH ON JULY 24 VS DODGERS.

JULY 10   100°F FOR 4TH DAY IN ROW AT DULLES AIRPORT.

JULY 11   BETH HOME FROM HER VISITS TO BALTIMORE AND MERION (PA).

JULY 12   BETH GETS AN $18 COD PACKAGE DELIVERED. DOESN'T HAVE MONEY. WE FOUND OUT THAT SOME COMPANY HAD SENT EVERY KID IN HER GRADE A SERIES OF PICTURES THAT THE KID HADN'T ORDERED.  THE LOCAL POST OFFICE WAS FULL OF THEM AND MOST OF THE KIDS (AS DID WE) REFUSED THE PICTURES. SCAM, BUT SOME KIDS PROBABLY THOUGHT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BUY IT. WE FOUND OUT LATER BETH HAD SIGNED UP FOR THE PICTURES WITHOUT BEING TOTALLY CONSCIOUS OF WHAT SHE WAS DOING.

JULY 13   HIGHLIGHT OF ALL STAR GAME- BALL STUCK IN FENCE.

JULY 21   M DOES 50 LAPS IN POOL (ADULT NIGHT). GREGG OLSON COMES TO PLATE FOR ORIOLES. FIRST BALTIMORE PITCHER TO BAT IN REGULAR SEASON GAME SINCE GRANT JACKSON STRUCK OUT OCT 3, 1972.  OLSON STRUCK OUT ALSO.

JULY 23   M GOES TO ICELAND. GEORGE STILL IN BALT.  BETH IN SILVER      SPRING. ANN HOME.

JULY 24 - AUG 8  M IN ICELAND. FLEW TO 81°32'N OBSERVING ICE FIELDS.  SAW GEYSERS, WATERFALLS, SEALS, PUFFINS, ICE/LAVA CAVE, SWAM IN GEOTHERMAL LAKES AND POOLS, ATE LOTS OF FISH (ESPECIALLY SMOKED HERRING- WHICH THEY CALL SKILDT) BREATHED VIRTUALLY POLLEN FREE AIR (ICELAND HAS ALMOST NO TREES OR TALL WEEDS) BUT WORE CHEMICAL WARFARE GEAR DURING A NATO WARGAME. HIGHEST TEMP WHILE THERE WAS 63°F BUT ONLY ONE DAY WITH LOTS OF RAIN. MANY OF THE HIGHER AREAS STILL HAD UNMELTED SNOW ON AUG 8.

JULY 29   ANTHONY YOUNG GETS WIN PITCHING IN RELIEF VS FLORIDA MARLINS TO BREAK 27 GAME LOSING STREAK. HE HAD GONE 73 APPEARANCES SINCE HIS PREVIOUS VICTORY APRIL 19, 1992.

JULY 31   MISSISSIPPI RIVER BREAKS VOLUME/HEIGHT RECORDS AT ST. LOUIS, 5 NORTHWESTERN STATES HAVE COLDEST JULY OF CENTURY AND 6 SOUTHEASTERN STATES HAVE WARMEST JULY OF CENTURY.

AUG  06   ANN GETS GEORGE FROM BALTIMORE.

AUG  08  BETH AND GEORGE VISITING W. VA. WITH NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS.

AUG  12   ANN AND MARTIN IN ATLANTA. ANN'S DAD (JAY LINDSEY) ILL.

AUG  15   BETH AND GEORGE RETURN AND REDISCOVER RUNNING WATER. ANN AND MARTIN RETURN AND GET 1ST CLASS SEATS ON DELTA FLIGHT TO DULLES.

AUG  17-19 GEORGE HAS KARATE CLASS THREE DAYS IN ROW TO PREPARE FOR TEST FOR A 'BELT'.

AUG  21-23 ENTIRE FAMILY IN ATLANTA. SAME ATTENDANT (TWA) FOR BOTH      TO AND RETURN FLIGHT (ALSO PARKED NEAR US).

              William John (Jay) Lindsey  1921-1993 (Ann's DAD)

AUG  23   EXPOS WIN GAME 1-0 VS. CUBS IN WHICH CUBS HIT INTO 2 DOUBLE PLAYS AND ONE TRIPLE PLAY.

AUG  25   METS ELIMINATED FROM PENNANT RACE. EARLIEST FOR THEM SINCE 1962.

AUG  26   SNOW FALLS IN BUTTE, MONTANA WHILE EAST COAST IS OVER          95°F.  MINNEAPOLIS WARMER AND MORE HUMID THAN MIAMI.

AUG  27 TO AUG 29  M IN MAINE, VISITS THE L.L.BEAN HQ IN LEWISTOWN AND VARIOUS POINTS NEAR BRUNSWICK.  ON AUG 27 AND AUG 28 BRUNSWICK MA WAS WARMER THAN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.  THIS MEANS MARTIN HAS NOW BEEN IN ALL 50 STATES (+DC).  OF COURSE, COVERAGE IS NOT COMPLETE (E.G. NEVER BEEN IN WASHINGTON STATE EAST OF CASCADES OR IN MISSISSIPPI NORTH OF BAY ST. LOUIS).

AUG 30    FOR 2ND TIME IN 10 DAYS, A PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY CITIZEN HAS BEEN BITTEN BY A PET COBRA. THE EARLIER BITING LED TO THE VICTIM RELOCATING HIS 40+ SNAKES TO STAFFORD COUNTY TO THWART AN EXPECTED P.W. COUNTY SNAKE KILLING ACTION.  EARLIER IN MONTH, A CITIZEN OF HOWARD COUNTY WAS BITTEN BY A PET VIPER.

SEP  01   RAIN IN AUSTIN TEXAS FOR FIRST TIME IN 65 DAYS.

SEP  07   END OF WEIGHT LOSS CONTEST AT WORK.  THE RULES WERE THAT YOU WEIGH YOURSELF AND SET YOUR OWN GOAL.  THE GOALS HAD BEEN SET IN JUNE.  DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A MONETARY INCENTIVE, IT WAS EASY TO CHEAT IN WEIGHING YOURSELF AND EASY TO LOWBALL IN SETTING A GOAL, NOT A SINGLE PERSON IN THE CONTEST MET THEIR GOAL.

SEP  07-08 MARK WHITEN (ST LOUIS) HITS 4 HRs IN GAME AND GETS 12 RBIs (1 GS, 2 3RUN, 1 2RUN HR) VS CINNCINATI IN 2ND GAME OF DOUBLE HEADER.  ONLY OTHER 12 RBI GAME WAS IN 1924 (JIM BOTTOMLEY OF ST LOUIS).  HE HAD GONE 0-4 IN FIRST GAME (BUT GOT AN RBI). THE 2ND GAME ENDED AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SEP  08   WARDS DELIVERS FREEZER, OUR FIRST.

SEPT 13   EARLIEST GAME EVER CANCELLED FOR SNOW IN MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY (HOUSTON AT DENVER). GAMES HAD BEEN CANCELLED IN DENVER PREVIOUSLY WHEN IT WAS AN AAA TEAM.

SEPT 14   THE CROSSBOW RAPIST (A MAN WHO THREATENED WOMEN WITH A CROSSBOW BEFORE RAPING THEM) IS APPREHENDED IN D.C.  HIS DAY JOB WAS SELLING SECURITY SYSTEMS IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOODS HE VICTIMIZED. 

SEPT 19   M GETS A NEW CAR (GEO METRO, BLUE) ENDING OUR 6 YEAR PERIOD OF BEING A ONE CAR FAMILY.  THE DEALER SAID WE COULD USE IT (FOR 25¢/MILE) AND MAKE UP OUR MIND WHETHER WE WANTED TO BUY IT.  WE DID BUY IT ABOUT 10 DAYS LATER.  I LIKE THE 'VROOM' IT MAKES DURING ACCELERATION, WHICH IT DOES VERY WELL, ACTUALLY.  I THINK IT ALSO GETS ABOUT 35 MPG OR SO, ALTHOUGH WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF THAT.

SEPT 20   BETH REPORTS THAT ONE OF HER TEACHERS LIKED A PAPER OF HERS EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T VERY GOOD, AND ASKED, "IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE COULD LIKE YOUR PAPER BECAUSE THEY AGREED WITH IT AND NOT BECAUSE IT'S GOOD?".  I LAUGHED AND TOLD HER IT HARDLY EVER HAPPENS.

SEPT 26   GEORGE BEGINS AN UNLUCKY 4 DAYS. DAY 1, FORGETS S-SCHOOL BOOK.  DAY 2 FORGETS TO GO TO HEBREW SCHOOL.  DAY 3 BREAKS EYEPIECE PART OF ONE EYEGLASS PAIR.  DAY 4 BREAKS EARPIECES OF OTHER PAIR.

SEPT 28        Maxine Jones Lindsey 1903-1993  (Ann's G-ma)

SEPT 29   I ATTEND BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AT MT VERNON HIGH SCHOOL.  I TOLD BETH THAT HER SPANISH TEACHER (SWF) AND HER SCIENCE TEACHER (SWM) WOULD MAKE A CUTE COUPLE.  BETH SAID, "NOOOH. I DON'T LIKE HIM."

Weiss Family Chronology 4TH Q 1993

OCT  01   FIRST TIME HAVE TO SCRAPE ICE OFF BACK WINDOW OF CAR.

OCT  01   BETH SAYS SHE HOPES TO TORMENT HER KIDS LIKE I DO WHEN THEY ASK A STUPID QUESTION.  SHE USED THE TIME THAT GEORGE ASKED IF MOSES WROTE THE BIBLE. I SAID (SHE REMEMBERED), "LET'S SEE, WE CALL THE FIRST FIVE BOOKS, THE FIVE BOOKS OF SOMEBODY, LET'S SEE... IS IT THE FIVE BOOKS OF ABRAHAM...NO, NO. HOW ABOUT... ETC."

OCT  02   END OF REGULAR SEASON BASEBALL.  TORONTO HAS TOP 3 BATTING AVERAGES IN LEAGUE.  PHILADELPHIA GOES FROM LAST PLACE IN 92 TO FIRST PLACE IN 93. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME A LAST TO FIRST HAPPENED IN THE 90s BUT IT DID NOT HAPPEN FOR THE 80 YEARS PRECEDING THE 90s

OCT  06   PER INSTRUCTIONS FROM BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT, I BROUGHT HOME THE 'EPIC OF GILGAMESH' FOR BETH TO READ.  HAS PHILOSOPHY AND SOME R-RATED ACTION.  ALSO GOOD FOR BOTH ENGLISH AND WORLD CIVILIZATION.

OCT  07   I GOT GEORGE A HALLOWEEN COSTUME. DEVIL SUIT AND PITCHFORK. AS SOON AS WE GOT HOME HE PUT IT ON AND STARTED PRODDING ME WITH THE PITCHFORK AS OFTEN AS HE COULD.  HE HAS A BIG SMILE WHENEVER HE PRODS.

OCT  08   NEW SCHOOL WEAPON RECORD.  A REVOLVER WAS FOUND AT A CHURCH SPONSORED PRE-SCHOOL IN A WELL TO DO SECTION OF ALEXANDRIA.  POLICE BELIEVE THAT THE GUN WAS PROBABLY LEFT BY A PROWLER AND NOT BROUGHT TO PRE-SCHOOL BY A CHILD. 

OCT  10   REDSKINS LOSE 41-7 TO NY GIANTS @ RFK STADIUM.  WORST HOME LOSS SINCE 1948.

OCT  11   BETH GETS BRACES OFF.

OCT  11   TOOK FAMILY FOR RIDE IN NEW CAR.  FOUND A VERTICAL CURVE BETWEEN W.OX RD AND POHICK THAT, WITH ENOUGH ACCELERATION CAN BE USED TO GET THE CAR AIRBORNE.

OCT  16   GEORGE AND I WATCH 1ST GAME OF WORLD SERIES.  GEORGE HAD TO GO TO BED BY THE MIDDLE INNINGS.  THE ACTUAL GAME LASTED UNTIL ABOUT MIDNIGHT, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WAS PLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE.

OCT  17   BETH BRIEFLY WATCHES WORLD SERIES AND DECLARES IT A CONTEST BETWEEN GREASERS AND SOCIETY CLIQUES.

OCT  18   A 15 YEAR OLD STUDENT SHOOTS A 13 YEAR OLD CLASSMATE IN THE CHEST AT J.H.JOHNSON JR HIGH SCHOOL (D.C.) LOCKER ROOM IN MORNING.  NO SCHOOL EMPLOYEES HEARD SHOTS.  NO STUDENTS CAME FORWARD AS WITNESSES AND NO CLASSES WERE DISTURBED. AN ARREST WAS MADE WHEN THE 15 YEAR OLD TURNED HIMSELF IN THAT AFTERNOON.  THE SCHOOL HAS A FUNCTIONING METAL DETECTOR SYSTEM, BUT SUSPECTS THE GUN CAME IN THROUGH A WINDOW.

OCT  20   HIGHEST SCORING AND LONGEST WORLD SERIES GAME IN HISTORY. TORONTO (SOCIETY) BEATS PHIL 15-14 IN 4 HRS, 15 MIN.

OCT  23   GEORGE GETS INVITED TO CLOSET BY GIRL IN 8050. KIDS (4, 2 GIRLS, 2 BOYS) LOCKED IN CLOSET FOR ABOUT 15 SCREAMING, DOOR BANGING MINUTES (AS LATER DESCRIBED BY GEORGE).

OCT  26   SOCIAL EMBARRASSMENT FOR GEORGE. TODAY WAS 'HAT DAY' AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.  GEORGE AND A NEIGHBORHOOD GIRL (JOHANNA HENDERSON) WORE THE SAME HAT (A DAVY CROCKET RACCOON TAIL).  WORSE, A BOY (PHIL BICKINS) SAID TO GEORGE, "DON'T YOU MAKE A LOVELY COUPLE."

OCT  30   SNOW AS FAR SOUTH AS SAN ANTONIO, UP TO 12" IN OHIO.

OCT  30   TELEPHONE ANSWERING MACHINE DOESN'T WORK. INCREDIBLY, I ACTUALLY SAVED THE RECEIPT AND IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY.

NOV  03   AT SCHOOL IN HEALTH, FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO SELF ESTEEM, EMPOWERMENT, ETC. HER TEACHER ASKS ALL STUDENTS TO, FIRST, WRITE 'WHAT MAKES YOU, YOU', THEN TO WRITE 'WHOM YOU IDENTIFY WITH'.  THE BOY NEXT TO HER IS CONFUSED BY THE PSYCHOBABBLE. BETH SAYS, "WHY DON'T YOU SAY YOUR SISTER IS MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN SHE HURTS, YOU HURT."  BOY SAYS, "WOW, THAT'S GOOD."  BETH SAYS, "I HEARD IT ON ROSANNE (TV SHOW)".

NOV  07   NEXT DOOR CAT (CALICO NAMED GINGER) HAS BEEN ALLOWED INSIDE OUR HOUSE MORE AND MORE.  SHE SEEMS TO LIKE ME MOST (PROBABLY BECAUSE OF MY EXTERNAL SKIN TEMPERATURE IS WARMEST) AND HAS FALLEN ASLEEP ON ME LATELY.

NOV  08   GEORGE TELLS ME THAT, "OUR FAMILY IS BORING." I ASKED WHAT WE SHOULD DO ABOUT IT. GEORGE SAYS, "LET'S HAVE PIZZA FOR DINNER." I SAID THAT I WOULD GET SOME AT THE STORE. GEORGE SAYS, "NOT THAT. ONLY THE TYPE THAT COMES FROM A DRIVER IS NOT BORING."

NOV 9-10 M IN NY CITY. STAYED IN MID TOWN HAD MEETING ON 82ND FLOOR OF EAST WORLD TRADE CENTER (THE ONE WITH TERRORIST BOMBING).  ACTUALLY, THE CITY WAS PRETTY CLEAN AND PEOPLE WERE QUITE PLEASANT.

NOV  11   ANN AND I VISIT BETH'S SCHOOL (BRIEFLY) AND GEORGE'S SCHOOL (EXTENDED TIME).  DURING THE LATTER, I NOTICED THEY REGULARLY PRACTICE CONFERENCING SKILLS (GROUP EVALUATIONS OF COMPOSITIONS).

NOV  12   GEORGE HAS TO DO A SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT ON GREECE. WITH HIS ARTISTIC SKILLS A DIAGRAM ON GREECE IS PROBABLY OUT OF THE QUESTION. HE WILL DO A PUPPET PLAY ON THE TRIAL OF SOCRATES, USING SOCKS AS PUPPETS (GET IT- SOCK RATES).

NOV  13   AT CONCERT OF SENIOR ALL COUNTY ORCHESTRA, GEORGE SAID, THEIR BOWING CONTROL WAS 'AWESOME'. BETH SAID THAT IF SHE GOT IN SHE WOULD BE SPOOKED.  THE GUEST CONDUCTOR MADE THEM PLAY FROM MEMORY AND OTHER TRICKS OF THAT KIND.

NOV  18   WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK, BETH WAS FLIPPING THROUGH A LARGE BOOK WITH SMALL PRINT.  I WATCHED HER FOR A MOMENT AND THEN SHE SAID, "GUESS WHAT I HAVE PERNICIOUS ANEMIA...NO WAIT... OH, OH, I HAVE RAYHAUD'S DISEASE.. OH GOODY."  IT SEEMS SHE WAS READING THROUGH THE NEW MODERN HOME PHYSICIAN TO SEE WHY SHE WAS COLD AT SCHOOL.

NOV  23   GEORGE SEES HIS GRANDMOTHER'S COLD CREAM WHILE UNPACKING HER STUFF.  "WHAT'S THIS?" HE ASKED.  "THAT PREVENT'S WRINKLES", SAID GRAMDM K.  "IT'S NOT WORKING." RESPONDED MR. TACT.

NOV  27   I TOLD KIDS I WAS GOING IN PEOPLE'S FOR SOME TIC-TACS. GEORGE SAYS, "WHY DON'T YOU GO TO RITE-AID INSTEAD?" I ASKED WHY. "BECAUSE THEIR TIC TACS ARE BETTER SINCE THEY HOLD THEM IN A BOX NOT IN A SHELF ROLL". BETH COMMENTED, "SOMEBODY HERE NEEDS A LIFE, HELLO."

NOV  29   GEORGE GETS PUNCTURE IN HIS KNEE DURING PHYS ED.  HIS G-MA TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE GOT STITCHES.

DEC  01   TIRED OF DINNERTIME RANDOM DISCUSSIONS, WE TRIED CONDUCTING OUR SUPPER CONVERSATION BASED ON ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER. BETH THOUGHT IT WAS VERY COOL. ANN DIDN'T LIKE IT AT ALL.

DEC  01   GEORGE DOES EAVESDROPPING SCIENCE PROJECT, LISTENING TO CONVERSATIONS NEXT DOOR WITH GLASS.  UNFORTUNATELY FOR HIS RESULTS, HE HAD THE OPEN END OF THE GLASS AGAINST HIS EAR AND IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE BESIDES NOT WORKING.

DEC  01   GEORGE DOES HIS SOCRATES PUPPET PLAY AT SCHOOL. HE GOT A LOT OF QUESTIONS, SUCH AS, "WHERE DID YOU GET THE BOX (HE USED AS A STAGE)?" AND "DID YOU WEAR THOSE SOCKS BEFORE YOU MADE PUPPETS OUT OF THEM?"

DEC  05   GEORGE IS TRYING TO BE NICE TO ME BECAUSE I'M JUST BACK FROM A TRIP TO PENNSYLVANIA (DEC 4-5) AND WILL BE ON TRIPS TO PUERTO RICO (DEC 6-10) AND TO N.J. AND BALT (DEC 13-17). I WENT INTO THE UTILITY ROOM TO GET SOMETHING, AND GEORGE ASKS, "WHAT REALLY SMART THING ARE GETTING READY TO DO?" I ANSWERED, "FIXING SOMETHING THAT I STUPIDLY DID WRONG THE FIRST TIME." THEN GEORGE SAYS, "DARN. I PICKED THE WRONG TIME TO BE NICE."

DEC  10   HIGHLIGHTS OF PUERTO RICO WAS THE GOOD FOOD, NICE BEACH, SPECTACULAR BLUE SKY (IN SPITE OF HIGH POPULATION OF HEAVILY POLLUTING VEHICLES), ENORMOUS CAVES AND THAT I ALMOST MISSED THE PLANE BACK AND ACTUALLY GOT UNITED TO REOPEN THE CABIN DOOR.

DEC  12  I TELL GEORGE, "I THINK YOU SHOULD GO UP TO BED." GEORGE SAYS, "WELL I THINK I SHOULD FALL ASLEEP WATCHING TV."

DEC  18   HIGHLIGHT (LOWLIGHT) OF TRIP TO NJ AND BALT WAS THAT I TOOK TRIPS ON 4 DIFFERENT MAJOR RAIL SYSTEMS (METRORAIL-DC, AMTRAK, NJ TRANSIT, MARC).

DEC  19   WHILE WALKING TO 7-11, GEORGE AND I FOUND A DEAD OPOSSUM.

DEC  19   BETH STARTS TO ASK ME A QUESTION AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE QUESTION SHE SEES GINGER (CALICO CAT, QUASIADOPTED) AND STOPS HER QUESTIONING TO SAY, "OH GINGER, YOU LOOK SO CUTE, YES YOU DO AND I'M GOING TO HUG YOU."  REMARKABLY, ON AN EPISODE OF 'CLARISSA EXPLAINS IT ALL' THE SAME NIGHT, ALMOST THE EXACT THING HAPPENED.

DEC  20   TOOK GINGER FOR LONG RIDE AT BETH'S INSISTENCE.  CAT GOT QUITE UPSET AND BETH BLAMED HERSELF.  WHEN WE GOT HOME, I NOTICED BETH GETTING A APPLE BLINTZ OUT OF THE FREEZER AND PUTTING IT IN THE MICROWAVE.  I ASKED HER WHY SHE WAS REWARDING HERSELF AND SHE SAID, "GINGER AND I ARE RECOVERING TOGETHER FROM THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA".  THE SCHOOL SYSTEM GETS AN 'A' FOR TEACHING PSYCHOBABBLE.

DEC  21   GEORGE GETS YELLOW BELT AT KARATE.

DEC  23   KIDS HAD TICKETS FOR UNITED FLIGHT TO ATLANTA. WE MISSED IT BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY TRAFFIC BETWEEN AIRPORT PARKING LOT AND TERMINAL.  THEY GOT STANDBY ON A DELTA FLIGHT.  AS THE INTERCOM ANNOUNCED  '... THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING DELTA', GEORGE SAID TO HIS SEATMATE, 'THANKS, BUT I DIDN'T CHOOSE DELTA'.  IN THE NBA, DALLAS BEAT MINN (AT MINN) TO AVOID SETTING ALL TIME NBA CONSECUTIVE LOSS RECORD, WHILE HOUSTON LOST TO DENVER (AT HOUSTON) TO JUST BARELY MISS TYING A RECORD FOR THE BEST 24 GAME START IN HISTORY.  (DALLAS NOW 2-23, HOUSTON 22-2).

DEC  26   ANN AND I GO FOR DRIVE DOWN W SIDE OF SHENEDOAH PARK AND UP E SIDE.

DEC  28   PICKED UP KIDS AT DULLES, IN SNOWSTORM.  TOOK 25 MINUTES TO GET SHUTTLEBUS TO PARKING LOT BUT TRAFFIC THEN LIGHT COMING HOME.

DEC  31   LET THE KIDS DRIVE THE CAR AROUND AN EMPTY PARKING LOT.  THIS YEAR THEY BOTH WERE ALLOWED TO WORK THE STEERING AND THE ACCELERATION. ALSO THIS YEAR THERE WAS SNOW ON THE PARKING LOT.