JT 3 Month Update

JT had his 3 month checkup this week. Everything is going well so far. JT is now 24 1/2 inches long and 14 lbs 4 ozs. JT has moved out of the 20-percentile into the 70-percentile now. I guess he isn't the tiniest guy on the charts anymore.

JT is sleeping about 6 hours straight at night right now. Just in time as Aya is getting ready to go back to work next week.

Here is JT just lounging in his robe with his big hernia belly button sticking out.

The best accountant ever....

So it is that time of year....Tax time. I hate taxes. I hate paying taxes, I hate dealing with taxes....it is just horrible to give away our hard earned money.

Luckily for me, I have the best accountant in the world. He doesn't do anything shady and as far as I know he is totally legite and does everything by the book. All I know is that he helps do everything he can so I do not have to pay. Thus, I was suprised to hear that this year I get a state refund but I have to pay federal. All in all, I only have to pay $1800 bucks. Sure, that might sound like a lot, but considering I paid $2700 last year and our tax liability was more this year to pay less is great! I love it!

My accountant just opened up his own practice so for those of you looking for a new accountant drop me a line and I will send you his contact info.

Saturday B.E.T Videos

Actually JT likes Mariah Carey and Beyonce. Last week we were watching BET and when he saw this video he just stopped and stared.

Destinys Child - Soldier

Back in class

This week I went to a MicroStrategy Narrowcast certification class. When I first started LowerMyBills, my boss told me that I could go to classes to learn the product. It had been several years since I used the tool so I thought class would be a good refresher. Then came the dreaded words...you can get certified if you want.

When I took classes before it was 4 days, Monday - Thursday. No problem. You listen, you don't listen. I mean if you don't learn you just cheat yourself. Since it is work, I tend to only listen to what is relevant at my current employer. Now, to get certified I have to listen the entire time for the entire week.

You already know my math skills. Well, I suck at listening and I have such a short attention span that I might be considered A.D.D. In addition, I am not a great student and to make matters worse I am a horrible test taker. Thus, when I heard certified....gulp.

Basically, in 4 days I got 3 manuals about 700 pages in total. I actually did very well in the hands on exercises and felt super duper confident. Sadly, the test is about concepts, terminology and query flow. Umm, not so confident.

Luckily, pass or fail, I do not pay for the class. You only need 75% to pass, but if you fail you have to get 85% the next time to pass. In addition, I work with ex-MicroStrategy people so to come back to work and say I failed....well that is truly the walk of shame.

To throw a little wrench into the works, I have never tried to study as a dad. Thus, due to prior planning I told Aya that I would watch JT Thursday night while Aya goes to birthday dinner with Shirley and Jenny. Of course, JT is fussy and doesn't let me study. I tried reading my manuals to JT but he would have none of it. I guess he was bored with the test material.

Aya was nice enough to quiz me for a 1/2 hour around midnight. Needless to say, I was not stellar...but hey I only need 75. I am now a Certified Narrowcast Developer. Believe it or not, I passed with 92. I think I am going to avoid any more certifications.

JT Milestone...

I don't want to jinx it but it looks like JT has finally figured out the difference between day and night. Not only that, but JT is sleeping for 4-5 hours at a stretch at night time. Perfect timing since Aya is getting ready to go back to work.

So far, the past 2 days JT has been a good sleeper. I guess that was his present to Aya for her birthday.

More birthday

So Aya and I went to Sprinkles Cupcakes as part of Aya's bday weekend. The jury is still out on $3.50 cupcakes. I actually really liked the cupcakes but for $3.50 I am not sure. Maybe $2.00. The other factor that made it hard was that since it was my first time, I tried a lot of different flavors instead of only the ones I liked. Afterall, how am I going to know the ones I like if I don't try them all???

As usual, Aya and I disagreed on the cupcakes. I liked the white cake and she liked the chocolate cake. The plain vanilla with vanilla frosting was worth $3.50. In addition, if you like coke in the bottle with hawaiian pure cane sugar than Sprinkles is the place for you!

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A great highlight...but no pictures....Dawn was carrying JT before dinner and "BBBBLLLEECCCHHHHH" JT barfed on Dawn's sweatshirt and pants. The funny thing was JT was facing outwards so Dawn didn't even know he barfed and it was just stuck clung to her clothes like rotten cheesecake! I dunno how you people eat cheesecake...babies barf looks just like cheesecake.

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Speaking of babies barf...why do baby bottles with formula stink so bad? When I got to clean JT's bottles that formula milk is P-U stinky!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Ayako!! Aya is now officially 30 something as she turned 31 today. JT gave Aya a present as he only woke up once last night so Aya was able to sleep. Lets see if it is a gift that keeps on giving.

Tonight, Grandma watched JT and Aya and I went to dinner at Jar. Jar was just okay. I am not giving it my thumbs up nor giving a recommendation. Average at best.

Boy, Aya is now 31. She is old. I had met her shortly after she turned 21. I have known Aya for close to 10 years now. I told Aya she isn't that old yet. She still has a few good miles left in her before it is time for a wife upgrade! =)

Library....

Has anyone been to a public library recently? I went to the Culver City one this weekend and it was CLOSED. Not closed because of the holiday but CLOSED as in no more. I then went to the Mar Vista Library and it was all nice, clean, modern and lots of computers.

What I didn't see was micro-film. All I need to do is get access to the LA Times front page articles on November 25, 2005. Sounds simple, right? Nope. The Mar Vista library does not hold old newspapers, nor do they have them online in their database. No micro-film either.

Okay, so Aya calls the LA Times. Nope, they only have papers back for 60 days from current date. They did transfer Aya to another service that does reprints. $20 bucks for a reprint and then $10 bucks for delivery. $30 bucks total!! NO WAY!! I don't need the ENTIRE paper, just the very front page.

Well, this actually worked last time. I asked to borrow a camera and Jeff came through with a camera. Thanks to Jenny and Brentt who also offered a camera. By any chance are there pack rats out there with a 3 month old newpaper from 11/25/05?

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In case you are wondering why I want 11/25/05, well that was JT's birth date. Aya and I just got a baby keep sake book and it asks for the headlines for the day of his birth.

Aya Stories

Well it seems like last week everyone enjoyed reading about my math skills. Glad that everyone got a good chuckle out of the stories. Hopefully I won't have many more of those stories. Since last week here are stories about Aya:

Aya and I were getting JT ready for his bath. I was running the water and filling up his tub. Aya was taking off JT's clothes and getting him ready for the bath. When the tub filled up, Aya gently started lowering JT into the tub:

Aya: L000000-ookkkkkkk at the liquid. It looks wet.
Miles: What? Of course it is wet, it is water!

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Aya and I got into bed. We were starting to get all comfy cozy:

Aya: "pppppppffffffttttttbbbbb"
Miles: Damn! That better not be a stinky dutch oven fart.
Aya: No, it is not.
Miles: 'toot'
Aya: Is it stinky?
Miles: I dunno, I am not trying to smell it. Plus, I think you made a dutch oven.
Aya: No way, your fart is smelly. Silent but deadly.
Miles: What? It wasn't silent. Didn't you hear it?
Miles: This is silent.
Miles: That would be silent and deadly. If you hear something then it isn't silent.
Aya: Good god!! It stinks!!
Miles: I knew you made a dutch oven!! No wonder I like sleeping by myself!

Video Camera

Anyone out there have a video camera I can borrow for a few hours?? Umm, get your head out of the gutter....I don't need the camera for that....but I need it to document items for insurance purposes. Oh yeah, I need a tape too, but I will pay you for a new tape.

Presidents Day

In another classic blunder, I signed up for a conference that starts on Monday. I didn't bother to check the calendar when I signed up in December. I knew the day was Presidents weekend but I assumed that class would start on Tuesday.

Lo and behold, I check the calendar this week only to discover class really starts on Monday. I even called the education department to inform them that they might have a typo and that Monday is a HOLIDAY.

Their reply, "It is not a holiday for us."

WTF? I am a customer. No futher explanation. No additional, apology...just that short sentence. Grrr. So, while some of you are swoosh-swooshing on the slopes or bbq'ing on Monday, I will be in class Monday and for the entire week with a test on Friday!

The good news is that I am off on Friday, so enjoy the holiday weekend everyone! Pictures of JT will return next week. I am glad you all had a ball at my expense with my poor math skills. Keep checking back because I have another embarrasing story....this time not involving math.

Hanging them up....

I know I have said it before, but I am saying it again, "I am retiring from basketball at the end of NAU season." Yes, you read correct, this is it for me. I know you are thinking, I said it before and a year later I am still playing. Well, a lot has changed in a year.

One, I am another year older, slower and fatter.
Two, I hate losing and it seems like we are losing a lot more now.
Three, JT was born.

Reason #3 is the biggest factor. I find that the little guy is growing on me. For example, this week I played ball on Tuesday. When I left for work JT was sleeping. When I got home from work and changed to go to bball JT was sleeping. By the time I got home, JT was sleeping again.

Today was Wednesday, the day I hate the most. If I quit my job it will be SOLEY because of Wednesday. I got stuck migrating our development environment to production. Because of this task I never know exactly what time I will leave work. I used to get super angry because it made me miss Wednesday basketball. To avoid getting angry, I just quit going to bball...which I love to do. Well now, because I got home so late, I only spent 1 hour with JT before he went to sleep.

So, to try to get more days with JT, I decided to cut out basketball. I don't want to try to spend large amounts of time only on weekends, but I would rather spread it out on the weekdays and weekends. I said the little guy is growing on me...he isn't crystal meth or anything.

I just feel like the time is right to walk away from bball. I might be getting the chance to play softball again. Given softball or basketball I would always choose softball.

Lets see, I met Jeff when I was around 20 and that is when I started playing basketball....so 15 years later I guess it is time to hang up the old shoes. That just leads two BigDogs left, Ron and Jeff to carry on with the team. I guess now I can see what it will be like to have BOTH weekend days free of basketball. I better start buying sweats because I am going to get JENNY....oops, I meant FAT!

Miles the Mathematician

Jeff and Saori both wanted to hear some Miles math blunders so here it is:

I was at home talking to Aya about my 1/11/11 retirement date. Aya still thinks that 1/11/11 is a little too ambitious and that I can not retire that early.

Aya: You will only be 40. What are you doing to do everyday?
Miles: I dunno. What does it matter?
Aya: Won't you be bored?
Miles: Fine. I can go work at Jack N the Box or Blockbuster.
Aya: Those jobs don't pay well.
Miles: Oooohh, I can work at the super market, they get paid well.
Aya: The market?
Miles: Yeah, I am good at the nine key stuff.
Aya: Nine-key?
Miles: Yeah, you lame ass that 9 key to type in UPC stuff.
Aya: Hahahhaha, jack ass it is called a 10-key!!!
Miles: Hmm, really. Oh yeah, I call it 9 key because I don't use the zero.
Aya: Hahahaha, 9 key. How can you not use the zero? No wonder you suck at math!

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Miles: 130,000 + 90,000 equals…..
Miles: Damn, that is going to cost us a quarter of a million dollars!!
Aya: A quarter of million?
Miles: Yeah, 130+90 is roughly 225,000…hence quarter of million.
Aya: hahahahhahahaha!!! A quarter of a million is 250,000.
Miles: Huh. Oh yeah….damn math.

Registration

When do people put on their license plates when they get a new car? It seems like most people procrastinate and wait to put on their new plates. Maybe they want people to think they 'just' got a new car. Maybe they don't want to because they are lazy. Maybe they don't want to because you can run red lights at camera intersections. Maybe it is all of the above.

Just wondering, because I was putting the new registration sticker on Aya's car when I realized that I don't even know where the license plate is for my car! I haven't put on my license plates in like 8 months. I think since my car is the 2006 model that I got in 2005 that I don't need to put on my plate until 2007. I see it as a 2006 car shouldn't have to have a license plate for ALL of 2006.

This week, no pictures of the boy. Just random topics like the good old days. Hmm, any suggestions??

Jenny the Comment Bully

Now from what I know about church going people, I hear that church is meant for a place of niceness, forgiveness, basically making you a better person.

Now, Jenny supposedly is a church going girl. I believe she has been going for at least 10+ years now.

This week I made a posting on my website and in the comments, my cousin Jennifer did not post her name but wrote:

Anonymous said... I'm assuming Aya took this picture and it's pretty good photography, despite the fact that you're in it =).

Jenny K replies back with:

Jen said... anon - at least have the balls to write your name.

What kind of church going girl bullies around someone else on a website comment box??? This is like church on church crime, because the 'ball-less' one happens to be my cousin that also goes to church.

In fact, my cousin had to email me seperately explaining she was just trying to compliment Ayako, but got harrassed by Jenny. Nice going Jenny. I hope your church revokes your membership. =)

G is for Gangster

I know how you love pictures of me and the boy so here is one more. JT is practicing throwing up the "W". The westside is the bestside!


With Aya's raise and promotion the topic of stay-at-home dad has re-surfaced. Better than that, the idea of my retirement has also popped up. Jenny inquired about my retirement date and that got me thinking....when to retire.

The date hit me, 1/11/11. January 11, 2011. I would have just turned 40. I figured Aya can work until she is 62 or so, but I can be living the life of leisure. Afterall I am a simple man, the simple tastes....and an expensive wife.

Dedicated to Jeff and Jenny

After seeing Jeff and Jenny's posting about how JT has Aya's good looks here is my rebuttal. Father and son. Two handsome look-a-like's!

Just wait until I can teach JT to pose for pictures like me!!

Ayako news...

I suppose it is that time for annual reviews and raises in the corporate world. Aya's review is in and kudos are in order! Once again, congratulations to Aya on her raise and big old bonus. Aya even earned a 1/2 point which gives her a piece of the company profits...basically an additional bonus check.

I guess the torch has officially been passed. Aya passed me by in 2005 as the top wage earner of the family. With her latest raise and bonus I am just trailing in the dust. I make fun of Aya a lot but I only do that to keep her humble. Aya and I both know we are so lucky to have good jobs, friends, family and our health.

It is nice to know that all the hard work Aya puts in pays off. What can I say, behind every successful business woman is a great husband!

Weekend with JT

Aya spent last week trying to get JT on a schedule. Aya only has one more month of maternity leave left. We are wondering what will happen when we both have to work.

It was probably one of the best weekends for me since JT was born. Things are finally settling down and I think I have a new weekend schedule. Everything is about schedule now and staying on schedule. I know most of you think that I enjoy the schedule....I do....but it is not so much for me but for JT. At his age, 'expert' say he should be sleeping in 4 hour blocks but only sleeps in 1-2 hours blocks. Not ideal for two working parents, thus the new schedule.


I think JT actually recognized Aya and I. Aya gets to spend all day with JT but when I come home JT smiles and laughs like he misses me. Aya is amazed because she wonders why the little guy would miss me out of all people!

At home conversations

So Aya has been complaining that I work from home too much. Lately, I have been trying to stick to my rule of leaving work at 4:50. That just means when I come home I log in and work from home for a few hours....I also have been working weekends lately as well. Not for long periods of time but it is work nonetheless.

Well Friday night I was working from home. I made it clear that I needed to work at 6:30. Just before 6:30 Aya and I were talking about dinner. What time we were going to eat and where we were going to eat.

Aya: You are not listening to what I am saying.
Miles: I am listening.....now what did you say?

Apparently to Aya that isn't listening when I have to ask her what did she say. I figured it was listening. I heard her say something.

Super Bowl Sunday

JT's first SuperBowl and we spent the day at my family's house. As usual there was way too much food. We had won-tons, fruit, 7 layer dip, chicken wings, burgers and home made cookies. I ate way too much food. Normally, Aya and I are on a diet superbowl weekend but not this year!! I had to roll myself home I ate so much food.

Well, as a rite of passage for a guy you have to dress up for your first Super Bowl. Here is JT is his Sunday's finest:

Yes, I do plan to keep him a mohawk. I plan to get the mohawk looking better once the doctor gives me the okay to shave the sides of his head! It was actually Aya's idea to put on face paint. Good thinking huh? He looks all rough and stuff.

Here is JT with Grandpa actually holding his football and doing his football face:

JT says, "AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!"

Old Time Friends....

Russ came down from Northern Cali to visit this weekend and introduced me to his new un-official fiance. Basically, he plans to get engaged but he is in no rush. Good man. Why buy the cow when you can get it for free?! Congratulations on the pre-engagement!! Way to keep is asian!! If aren't born asian, you can at least join the club by marrying asian. (Brentt is the exception, he is white on the outside but asian inside. He knows the way of the asian culture).

When Russ and I were talking I realized that I met Russ when I about 10 years old. I also met Brentt at the same time in 5ht grade. (Brentt couldn't make it because he got suckered into some PTA meeting).

It kind of got me thinking about how much easier it was to make friend when I was younger. Back when you are 10 you can just hang out with the guys and it was cool. You can laugh, joke around, play sports and just be a guy. When you get older it is harder to make friends because as a guy you don't want to go up to some other guy and say, 'You wanna hang out?" Gay.

I guess the other thing is that I probably have a lot of 'friends' but I don't have really have a lot of 'friends' in my inner circle. I think that happens for several reasons:

• One, I got married. Not that Aya doesn't let me hang out...just she is my best friend, so I would rather hang out with her over anyone else.
• Second, time. It takes time to maintain friendships. As you get older, now with kids, you don't have as much time to waste. The free time that you do have you want to spend it with people you like.
• Third, change. Change always happens. Life is always moving. Choices are being made. With that in mind, I think sometimes friends grow apart. Maybe the friend you once had isn't someone you care to associate with because they are gamblers, drug users or one-up'ers who want to turn life into some competition. I don't know.

I guess that makes me come back to my original statement of friends were easier to make when I was younger. Even though I might not see Russ or Brentt everyday I know I can always count on them to be there for me and vice versa. Maybe I just have a keen eye for good people. Luckily for me, both of them have stayed down to earth and it is always a pleasure seeing them.