Greetings fellow reader(s):

I hope all everyone has  had a wonderful Christmas, regardless of what religious background you claim.  I had a great Christmas with my Family this year.  Of course, any Christmas one spends with thier family would certainly be a great Christmas.  Eventhough this Christmas didn't have the living room floor covered in presents like it did in past years.  The economy hits home here in Japan, perhaps not as hard as it has hit in the Untied States, but we certainly feel it as well.

Other than being with Family, another highlight would be the Wii the kids got for Christmas.  When the kids opened it, I couldn't wait to play it.  Of course, I was the first one playing on it.

Yet another year has passed.  The Year 2009 will certainly be a memorable year for Americans and the world.  A new President who I hope restores the way the world views the Americans.  Someone who loves to travel the world, I don't really want to be viewed as a "Bully," which is how many countries of the world views us.  When I visit certain countries, I actually tell people I'm Canadian.

Enough for now, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!  Stay safe and take care of yourself and your Family.

Greetings all...

It has been quite a while since I've written. Since my last posting, I have been TDY to Qatar. It is late, and I'm tired, I'll have to write something more later.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!

-James

Remember when you could fill your car up and only use a $20 bill? Well, I have accepted that we have passed that years ago. Remember when you could take the change out of the console of your vehicle and fill your lawnmower up? I certainly do. I think that the days of filling anything up for less than $5 are over. The days of taking $5 to the store to fill your lawnmower up and buying a coke are over.

Here’s what sparked this. I went to the store to fill my 1 gallon gas can up so I can mow the grass (Ok, so my two sons can mow the grass). After filling the gas can up, I only got back 10 cents from a $5 bill. I mean, I didn’t fill up a 5 gallon gas can… this was a small 1 gallon can. I think the lawnmower holds ½ gallon. So, that’s $2.50 per lawnmower “fill-up.” This is ridiculous. I have two cars, both run on Gasoline. Now, to fill both cars up, will take a $100 bill.

Of course, when I was a wee little lad, around the age of 10, I could also remember purchasing an ICE cold Coca Cola Classic, 16 ounce glass bottle for 35 cents. Then, when I was done drinking it, I could return the bottle and I would get 10 cents back. Return 10 bottles, and I would receive an entire dollar, to do with what I please. Of course, in the 80’s, a dollar would get you a bit farther that it does now. My Grandmother would always send me to the store down the road. Mr. Garlands store as it was called. This store was located on prime Highway 27 frontage. The price was gas was around $1.00 per gallon. The winters were colder… just seems that life was easier for a 10 year old. No Nintendo DS games, no Playstations, no XBOX… only Hot wheel cars, BB gun, army men, and my bicycle and cousins and friends to play with. Enough for now…

Trying to AutoFormat an Excel Spreadsheet...

Sub OLVIMS_REPORT()
'======================================================
' CLOSED 868 REPORT AUTO FORMAT SCRIPT/MACRO
'======================================================
 
    Columns("A:B").Select
    Selection.Delete Shift:=xlToLeft
    Range("H1").Select
    Cells.Replace What:="END OF REPORT", Replacement:="", LookAt:=xlPart, _
        SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False, SearchFormat:=False, _
        ReplaceFormat:=False
    Range("A2").Select
    Columns("H:H").EntireColumn.AutoFit
    Columns("I:I").EntireColumn.AutoFit
    Columns("C:C").EntireColumn.AutoFit
    Columns("B:B").EntireColumn.AutoFit
    Range("A2:I2").Select
    Selection.Cut Destination:=Range("H1:P1")
    Range("A4:I4").Select
    Selection.Cut Destination:=Range("H3:P3")
' the rest was cut out
    '
    ' Delete Blank Rows Macro
    '
    On Error Resume Next
 
    Columns("I:I").SpecialCells(xlCellTypeBlanks).EntireRow.Delete
 
    '
    ' auto_width Macro
    '
    '
    Columns("A:Z").EntireColumn.AutoFit
 
'
' COLOR Macro
'
'
  Application.ScreenUpdating = False
  Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual   'pre XL97 xlManual
  Dim Rng As Range, ix As Long
  Set Rng = Intersect(Range("P:P"), ActiveSheet.UsedRange)
  For ix = Rng.Count To 1 Step -1
      If Trim(Replace(Rng.Item(ix).Text, Chr(160), Chr(32))) = "" Then
        Rng.Item(ix).ClearContents
      End If
  Next
done:
  Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic
  Application.ScreenUpdating = True
 
    Columns("H:H").SpecialCells(xlCellTypeBlanks).Select
    With Selection.Interior
        .Pattern = xlSolid
        .PatternColorIndex = xlAutomatic
        .COLOR = 65535
        .TintAndShade = 0
        .PatternTintAndShade = 0
    End With
    Columns("P:P").Select
    Columns("P:P").SpecialCells(xlCellTypeBlanks).Select
    With Selection.Interior
        .Pattern = xlSolid
        .PatternColorIndex = xlAutomatic
        .COLOR = 65535
        .TintAndShade = 0
        .PatternTintAndShade = 0
    End With
 
End Sub

Here is the full code, in txt format.

Another Day down, and that much closer to the baby's surgery. Audrey is scheduled for surgery on the 9^th of July. Audrey and I fly into Hawaii on the 6^th, and our appointments start the next day. Not only do I have the surgery to worry about, but I'm also concerned with the financial aspects as well. I can't really afford to send Cathy, John, Matthew & Jaymie there to be with Audrey. If the duration of stay was 1 week or less I would consider letting the kids stay here in Misawa with friends, but that is out of the question, due to the fact that we will probably be there for atleast one month. Additionally, I'm trying to buy my Dad tickets to fly from Atlanta to Hawaii so he can spend some time with the kids. He hasn't seen them in 2 years. Even though I have not promised the kids that he will be there, some reason they seem to be expecting him to be there. I keep telling them I will try, and attempted to explain to them that this is going to cost a lot of money and we have to be carefull not to spend too much.

This weekend we are planning another offroad trip to the mountains. This time there will be some new people attending. We are meeting up at the BX parking lot at 6:50 am and departing for the mountains at 7:am and meeting up with our Japanese Counterparts at 8:am at redbridge camping area. Can't wait for this, looks like it's going to be a good turnout, so we should have lots of fun.

Another thing to add... It is awesome that I don't have any school work to deal with after work! I'm taking a summer break. Depending on work, probably a fall break. I'm thinking of starting back to shool in late October.

Finals are finally done!!!  I will not be taking classes this summer.  Things are just too hectic around the house, with Audrey having surgery and all.  Now that this class is over, I’ll have time to do some things I have been putting off.  Not that I can list anything now.  But, I’ll have time to do stuff anyway.  Like wax my vehicle… uhh… work on my website… well… after I get back from Hawaii that is. 

My friend David is deploying soon, so this weekend we will be going back out to the mountains for some trail riding.  A couple of our Japanese friends from the Jimny Club will be there.  I wish all the guys from the last trip could show up, that would be awesome!  But, it will be lots of fun anyway. 

As for other updates, this is the last week of school for the kids.  Jaymie’s last day was earlier for SureStart (pre-K).  She has done Awesome and I forsee no problems in Kindergarten.  Work is the same… working long hours with no evidence of accomplishment.  Morale is… wait… what is that?  But, that’s ok.  There is light at the end of the Tunnel in August.

Looking back and without realizing it, I haven't posted a single blog entry this year. Of course, I blame it on a combination of school and work. I mean, I have to blame it on something. I will not take the blame myself. Not that I can't call it laziness, I simply refuse to call it laziness. What's the difference anyway.Well, I finished my Business Communication class. Passed it with a C. Better than an F! Things are going well here in Japan. As well as to be expected, at least. My wife is due the 22nd of April, which is rapidly approaching. The snow is still lingering here in Japan. Off and on snow showers will surprise on occasion. Supposed to get a couple inches tonight and tomorrow. Now, being a "Southern" Florida boy, initially I really enjoyed the snow. But now, I'm pretty much tired of it. It wouldn't be so bad if I had a good snow blower. Ok ok ok... I don't even have a snow blower, but I do have an 11 & a 7 yr old that works fairly effeciently.

I think this will be enough for now. I don't want to over do it, that's for sure.

I have been neglecting both my website and my blog lately.  Between things going on at work and home, plus I'm back to taking classes now, it's been a bit hecktic here at the house. 

Let's see... looking back, haven't written anything in here since right before Thanksgiving.  I thought since it was winter time, I would have more time to work on these things.  We had a nice Thanksgiving.  Food was exellent and of course, it seems that I possibly have gained a pound or two. :P 

Now that December is here, Christmas is around the corner, we're almost done with our Christmas shopping.  Why do kids as for such expensive presents?  Geeze... I don't remember getting anything like that when I was a kid.  When I was 10, I was happy to get toy cars and tractors and such, now it's Electronic Games, IPODs and the like.  Games are $30 to $50 dollars a pop, IPODs are $200, Nintendo DS' are $130... chick-ching!!!  I'm keeping a tally so the kids will pay me back !!!

Enough for now!  It's getting late, and I need to get ready for bed.  The shower is calling me.

I woke up this morning knowing that it started snowing outside, but wasn't necessarily prepared for what was waiting for me outside. After I woke up and did my normal routine, I peeked through the blinds and seen white. At 3 o'clock in the morning, I couldn't really see how deep it was. I mean, it's November, it couldn't be that deep... could it? After getting dressed and checking my email I open the door, stepped out and "crunched" my way to the shed to get the shovels. We had about 5 or 6 inches of snow waiting for me to shovel this morning. Now, This is the most snow I have had to shovel. Last winter was rather mild, and don't think we got this much snow. I know we definitely didn't get this much snow in November of last year.

So, I got the shovel, and cleaned off the steps, and sidewalk. By now, my uncovered hands are freezing. I had to stop come in and warm the hands. I'm also wondering where my winter gloves are. No where to be found, that's where. I should have thought about this yesterday. I did remember that I have a pair of insulated "mechanix style" gloves out in the Pajero. So after my hands are warmed up, I head back out to start cleaning off the Pajero. Now, I had to open the back door to get the snow brush out of the back seat, so I can clean off the back door so I can get the gloves. When I get the gloves... they are FREEZING... quite literally I would say, but better than having my unprotected hands exposed to the elements. Cranked up the Pajero, turned on the heater, and waited for it to warm up while I finished cleaning the snow off. Went back inside for a bit, to warm up, and get my folder for school.

Once I got to work, I cranked up the John Deere to plow the parking lot... I love plowing snow. Fun times.... This is getting long, that's enough for now.

So it starts, the temperature plumented today.  This morning it wasn't that cold, but by 10 or 11 the AM, it was quite cold out.  By the time 1 pm rolled around, it was 4 degrees Celcius out.  Right now it's 1 degree Celcius... and it started snowing a bit.  We'll get some flurries at night, and it will melt in the mornings, for about 2 weeks, then it will start sticking in December.  I can't wait, I love the snow... don't really love shoveling the snow... other than that, snow is awesome!