Blast From the Past - Karaoke Kelly

Kelly Attempting KaraokeIn a time before I married, before I had kids and grand kids, I was a less than happening single guy. That being said I wasn't a complete dullard and did know how to have a little fun, with the help of friends. Two of those friends were neighbors. Jim, Jennifer and their two kids lived across the street. We were the perfect neighbor friends. We kept an eye on each other's houses, watched each other's pets and invited each other to celebrations. One such occasion was Jim's birthday in 2004.

They had the gang over for fun, food, booze and karaoke! I really didn't want to join in the singing, but after much pressure and so many failed attempts at carrying a tune I decided that I couldn't possibly be any worse than the rest. To sweeten the deal they said it could be a duet.

I sang with one of Jim's friends. Don't recall his name. I also don't recall what we sang. I do remember we did two numbers together and had a blast. He could carry a tune better than I, which is to say the pets it the household weren't running for cover.

Once we were done, I put the weapon down (the mike) and let others attempt to do a better job. I much preferred providing tech support to the Karaoke machine than to using it; but it was all in good fun.

2004 seems like such a long time ago. Little did I know that just a few months after this picture was taken I would meet and eventually marry my wife. Beginning a new life and a new duet, a proper duet with someone who can actually carry a tune that doesn't scare the pets of the house.

Earthquake In Oklahoma

All I can say is wow!!! A 5.6 earthquake in Oklahoma. The epicenter was in Sparks, Oklahoma; but it was felt all over the state including Tulsa. From what the news is saying the effects were felt all the way into Missouri and Texas. Earthquakes are not new to Oklahoma or the Midwest but earthquakes of this magnitude are rare. So rare in fact that this earthquake set a record for BIGGEST in Oklahoma's recorded history.

This wasn't even the 1st big one this weekend, just the biggest. Probably not the last for a few days too. I first saw the news of the quakes yesterday morning and then this morning was greeted by many Facebook posts from friends in Tulsa and Broken Arrow.

Doesn't appear any lives were lost, but there were a few reported injuries. The news showed some home damage in Broken Arrow. Bricks that fell off homes and driveways with huge cracks. News also reported that some highways buckled from the earthquake. They'll probably be finding damage for weeks.

As far as I can tell everyone I know is safe with little to no damage. Most importantly my dad and his wife are okay.

Here's hoping that no one was killed or permanently injured and that any further quakes are the more typical micro quakes that Oklahoma has endured for generations.

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+Dennis Freitas invited me as a guest on...

+Dennis Freitas invited me as a guest on his podcast the other night, GooglePlus Today. We discuss a few new features in GooglePlus along with a frank conversation on the debate about allowing under 18 on GooglePlus. Currently they can't use GooglePlus. Check it out and let us know what you think! iTunes - Podcasts - Google Plus Today by Dennis Freitas

Download past episodes or subscribe to future episodes for free from Google Plus Today by Dennis Freitas on the iTunes Store.

If you have an iPhone, time to do an update...

If you have an iPhone, time to do an update. Google+ just got a "little" better. It's still not universal (read that "not iPad ready"), it doesn't support landscape keyboard, and you still can't start a hangout. That being said you can +1 a photo, updates to Messenger and of course "bug fixes." I didn't say it was a major update. You can get it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google/id447119634?mt=8.

Tonight is All Hallow's Eve. Don't walk...

Tonight is All Hallow's Eve. Don't walk down any long dark hallways, don't walk alone in a big empty field and to my teenage friends - don't make out with your eyes closed. For heavens sake, if the soundtrack to your life starts getting all spooky - don't lock yourself in a room with only one way in, that's also the only way out!

Anniversary Dinner - Mmm

Last night Tracy and I decided to celebrate our anniversary a little early. It was just the two of us as our daughter was spending the night at grandma's house. The perfect time to enjoy a romantic dinner for two; but where to go? We didn't want to go to any of our usual haunts as they are all casual dining. The two of us were thinking steak. As unchallenging as that might sound in Texas, this side of the Dallas metroplex isn't teaming with chop houses of any great quality. Outback Steak House is nice, but not exactly "fine dining."

We decided on Silver Fox. We've been there once before a few years ago and really enjoyed it so we decided to try them again. Turned out to be a seriously great idea! The food was great and the service excellent. As a classy touch each staff member we interacted with offered us congratulations on 5 years of marriage.

We started off with drinks, Tracy a cocktail and for me a fine California chardonnay. For an appetizer we had calamari. Not stringy, over cooked and over breaded calamari; but thick, perfectly cooked and breaded calamari.

For our main course we both opted for steak, what else would we have? Tracy ordered a 6oz filet with a blue cheese finish (blue cheese, caramelized onions and garlic) that I had the option of getting and didn't. I so regretted that decision the moment Tracy offered me a small taste. I opted for one of the specials, a 12oz dry-aged New York strip. That steak nearly melted in my mouth. Juicy on the inside and fantastically seared on the outside. As a side we ordered some Maker's Mark® Mushrooms. Those too were heavenly.

How do you end such a glorious meal, with desert! Yes, I didn't finish my dinner so that I could partake in a devilishly delicious creme brûlée. Unfortunately they don't serve cappuccino, just standard coffee (the only blackeye of the night). Tracy was able to order a fresh fruit bowl of the same berries that covered my creme brûlée.

It was, to put it simply, a glorious meal! Both Tracy and I had a great time and a lovely anniversary dinner. Five years this week!

Tracy I love you very much. It's been a wonderful 5 years, the best 5 years of my life!!

TechFan Podcast

Great group of guys and a great episode. Mark Greentree originally shared this post:

Check out myself plus +Dennis Freitas +Jeffrey Bradbury and +Kelly Spore Hi-jacking the TechFan Podcast.

On this episode of Not Another Tech Fan Podcast Mark is joined by Dennis Freitas, Jeff Bradbury and Kelly Spore.

We discuss on this episode: G+ and social networking, Technology in education, and RANT: Our likes and dislikes at the moment

- Mark can be found at http://about.me/markgreentree and his podcast is Not Another Mac Podcast.
- Dennis can be found at http://about.me/dennisfreitas and his podcast is Google Plus Today.
- Jeff can be found at www.TeacherCast.net and his podcast is TeacherCast.
- Kelly can be found at http://kellysworld.net/

iTunes - Podcasts - TechFan by MyMac.com

Download past episodes or subscribe to future episodes for free from TechFan by MyMac.com on the iTunes Store.