Halloween...

JT had a great time at Halloween this year. He can't say Trick or Treat but he knows how to stick out his hand to get some free candy. Last year he was scared of people all dressed up and this year he liked seeing everyone in a costume.

You may be wondering why we have so many costumes for JT. Aya's cousin gave us the Tigger costume when JT was born. He finally fit into it and I figured we kept it this long he has to wear it.

Last year JT was Batman so Aya and I thought we would keep it simple and go with the super hero theme. Who better than Superman!


Finally, JT loves to watch a 'particular' dvd of the Wiggles. It has a song about a pirate, Captain Feathersword. We saw the pirate costume for $9 bucks so we figured that was so bad for a once a year outfit. So tonight for Halloween JT was a pirate...AAARRRGGGGHHHH. That JT can say!

Boo at the Zoo

Electric vs Manual

Lately JT has been falling asleep on the floor of our bedroom about 3-4 days a week. Naturally he is sleeping before Aya and I are ready for bed, so now Aya and I have to brush our teeth in other bathroom.

In our bathroom we have the usual Sonic Care toothbrushes. In the other bathroom we have the regular hard bristle toothbrush.

The other night I was brushing my teeth and I guess I took the toothbrush too far out of my mouth and when I proceeded to push the tooth brush back into my mouth to brush my teeth I missed HORRIBLY and the toothbrush jabbed up into my upper gum. It was like socking MYSELF in the face! My gum started the bleed and my mouth has been sore for 2 days now.

The sad part is I didn’t want to say anything about my mouth hurting because there are not a lot of at home tooth brush accidents among the non-retarded! Have a good weekend everyone!

Travel...

Before JT was born I never really wanted to travel. I was happy going on regular trips to Hawaii, Vegas, New York, Chicago, San Diego, D.C. and Miami. I hate being cold, I hate walking and I hate public transportation, yet when I travel I don't mind doing all of those things. I like seeing the leaves turn color. I like the subway. I like the fact that in the end I will be headed back to sunny So. Cal.

I always assumed that when I got older that I would travel with my spouse. Then Aya got pregnant and then I thought...shoot, maybe I should have travelled more often. Now, I don't want to travel at all because JT is too young to remember any of it so I might as well wait until he can remember and enjoy the trips.

I suppose when you are younger you have no money to travel. You are a poor college student. Then you start working and you don't have time 'off' from work. You want to move up the corporate ladder so you don't take a vacation. Before you know it, you are married, have kids and you haven't seen the world. Thus, you wait and hope you can save your money and see the world when you retire, right? Isn't that how it works? At some point you have to grow up and be responsible.

I wonder. My friend and his wife are both quitting their very lucrative jobs at the end of the year to travel to Asia and parts of Europe for 6-7 months. They have no time table to come back home...just places they want to see and play it by ear on where and how long they stay. Sounds great, right? I guess on one hand I am jealous because anything is better than working. On the other hand, I don't know if I am too chicken or too practical to do take that trip.

While I ponder if I should have travelled more now, I know if I took the 6 month trip all I would be thining about is if Aya and I can both decent jobs when we get back to the U.S.

I guess travelling is something I can look forward to in the future....in the mean time I guess I will just be working with the masses.

Weekend Hoops...

I bought JT a little basketball hoop a few months ago. Lately he really started 'shooting' baskets a lot better and maybe for about 1 hour a day now. He can shoot about 3 feet away on a 4 foot basket. Not too shabby.

Lately JT wants Aya and I to play with him. This has turned into two on one. JT and Aya vs. me.
This was our latest conversation.

I shot and made a basket. Aya grabbed the ball after it went through the hoop and put it ino the basket 2-3 times.

Miles: Um, that so does NOT count.
Aya: Why not?
Miles: No clearance!
Aya: What is that?
Miles: After I make or miss you have to clear the ball past a certain line. No clearence, so you basically just made EXTRA baskets for me!
Aya: No way.
Miles: Well give me the ball then.
Aya: Why? I just made it.
Miles: Loser outs.
Aya: What is that?
Miles: If you make the basket then the other team gets the ball. That way it will make it fair.
Aya: Who says?
Miles: Are you kidding me? This are standard bball rules.
Aya: You are making it up.
Miles: No.
Aya: Yes. I am making my own rule then.
Aya: When we score it is a million points and you only get one.
Miles: Stupid.

Final score: Miles 18. Aya and JT 6.

Look up in the sky...

....or the local Pumpkin patch....it is Super-JT!

My parents took JT to a local pumpkin patch this week in one of his three halloween costumes! Yup, JT has 3 costumes this year. Depending on the weather and which one he allows us to put on him will be the one he wears for Halloween.

JT rode the pony by himself, which was somewhat surprising because he doesn't like the human horsey ride.
JT's first trip to a pumpkin patch!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Are you ready for some...

...FOOTBALL!!! For the first time in two years I am able to enjoy being back in Fantasy Football. True, I did win last year but I was basically a no show for the first half of the season and squeaked into the playoffs and had a great run.

I have even been able to catch a few games this year. Not entire games but I am watching quarters and halves. As much as JT allows.

This year I am off to a good start, minus the 1 lost to the overly stacked team owned by Ron, who should be banned from the league. Not only did Ron get the first pick, but as you can see has the easiest schedule.

I mean who gets .10 point from a QB, has no kicker and still wins by 30? Ron's team is the New England Patriots of Fantasy Football. Grrr.

Unfortunately, my fantasy football success is not translating into pick'em league success as I am trailing Aya...and Jeff M is actually #2 on the leader board. 3 of the top 4 leaders were the LAST place players last year. I guess Sunil wants the worse to first award this year! What kind of name is chewed picks anyway??


This is how I spend my Sunday's and Monday's. Watching TV. Tuesday's and Friday's I spend watching the waiver wire and injury reports.

Here is an excerpt from Rodney about having 2 kids:

From: Rodney Quon
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 5:29 PM
To: Yoshioka, Miles

She still wakes up every 2-3 hours so no sleep. But you definitely have less time for yourself. Can’t watch heroes or csi or play video games anymore. Haha. My fantasy game is being affected too and my bball draft is coming up. I better draft well so I don’t have to watch the games as much.

See, how can I have a second kid when I am having this much fun playing Fantasy Football?

My first work picture...

A few weeks ago I mentioned how there are Product meetings every Friday where artists come in and sing, take pictures and sign autographs. So far, I have never taken a picture, but I have gotten autographs. 9 out of 10 times I just get them signed for Aya...and make Aya take it to work so it doesn't clutter up our house.

Last Friday that all changed as FINALLY, a group worthy of a picture of me came in...Carters Chord:
Carters Chord is a country group. Not really my cup of team but they were decent. Of course I got the picture for other reasons. The signed version is at my desk. Oh yeah, they are all sisters too.

So fast...

Most days it seems like JT is growing up so fast. Although I say JT does not talk, he is beginning to say random words that catch Aya and I off gaurd. Even though JT walked early it wasn't until recently he seems to be more 'sure' of himself walking and running and doesn't fall as often. He is even getting pretty good at shooting baskets. I have been trying to teach JT to catch but that hasn't been going so hot.

Just as we think he is growing up so fast...I remember he is just a toddler...as evidenced in his falling asleep at the wheel on a walk around the block.

JT is out cold and was like this for an entire block:

It is kind of funny and kind of embarrassing to push a kid who is passed out!! It also doesn't help that JT is out growing his car which makes him look even older!

Rare...

It seems as though people are never satisfied with just one kid. They want two. Then three. When does it ever end? After Aya and I got married people would ask us when we were going to have kids. I suppose it is the natural progression in life, but who says we have to follow it? It actually was a little touchy because people would ask when we were going to have kid and we where trying for a year. Luckily we had JT and everything was okay.

Well, then the questions about baby number 2 came along. Of course people chime in with their two cents about why we need two. The truth is we don't need two. JT is just fine being the only child. ** I ** am fine with just one child. In fact, I got so angry about it that 2-3 months ago I told Aya that I never want to hear the subject brought up or discussed with me again.

However, the topic wormed it's way into our conversation again and this time I was beyond furious. Aya and I argued for a few days about the pro's and con's of having another kid...and nope, Aya is not pregnant.

We still have not decided anything, but I have to say that Aya has been doing a great job around the house lately. Normally I never say anything nice about Aya but lately she had been spending more time with JT. Picking up after herself and JT. I have more free time lately and I am a little uncertain of what to do with this new found time.

In fact, JT hasn't been DAD anymore. Dad has just been the mean guy giving all the time-outs lately, but all JT wants now is 'OM.

Cousins...

My cousin Melissa was in town from Boston last week, so it gave JT and Aiden a chance to meet up and play again. Aiden is about 6 months older than JT. The last time they saw each other JT couldn't keep up. Now JT can keep up...he just can't communicate as well as Aiden.

JT always wanted to go where Aiden went. Aiden was away from the family on a 'timeout' and JT wanted to wait next to him.

Aiden wanted his timeout to be alone and JT kept coming closer and closer to Aiden until Aiden told JT to get away.

Too bad there aren't more relatives in So. Cal that JT can play with. He has a lot of cousins his age in Hawaii. Aiden used to be here in So. Cal. Now JT is all alone....and spoiled rotten!

Is this cheap?

I suppose it has been about 3 weeks now where I said that I was going to cut back and curb the amount of my frivilious spending. Um, that lasted two weeks. Last week, I went out and bought a game...after it went on sale for $37 bucks.

I ordered the game online at Circuit City and when it came time to checkout it said the game was only available for in store pick up. Luckily it was at the Circuit City that is 1/2 mile from my house. Circuit City has a 24 minute pickup guarantee or else I get a $24 dollar gift card.

I get to Circuit City. Wait in line. Give them my pickup ticket, only to hear them say the game is no longer in stock. Actually they try to push last years edition on me and I said, "un-uh, wrong game." They said I can pick it up Wednesday. I said, where is my $24 gift card? The clerk tells me I can get it Wednesday when I get the game. I said, "NO, I want it now. It is part of your guarantee."

I suppose the line of 15 people behind didn't appreciate the extra time to fill out my gift certificate but the was no way I was leaving without what was owed to me. So on Wednesday I look online and the game is still out of stock. I still proceed to Circuit City and wait in line AGAIN. Yup the game is not in stock. WTF? I am not eligible for another gift card either so I cancelled the order!

I got home and the game was NOW available for shipping, it was on sale AND I had a $24 gift card with free shipping for my $37 dollar game.

Here is where Sophia thinks I am being cheap. After I make my order I email corporate Circuit City to explain how shady and crappy it is that I am forced to order something online for store pick up when I really wanted it shipped (for free on items over $24 bucks) and now I had to go TWICE to the store. I was really just expressing my concern over the poor service and semi fradulent online inventory tracking. I wasn't looking for anything in return....but then I got a response a day later from Circuit City apologizing for my inconvience. To make it up they are sending me ANOTHER $24 gift card in the mail!

Cha-ching! That means $48 bucks in gift cards. A $37 dollar game. By my math...and I suck at math so stick with me...that means I am now UP $11 dollars during my anti-spending two months!

So, 3 weeks down. ZERO dollars spent on frivilious items. $11 dollars in reserve at Circuit City (which will go towards two old school DVD's). I love internet shopping.

Oh, so is that being cheap? I thought it was just being shopping saavy. By the way Sophia, you are still driving me and the two other bozos I eat with to Mafia pizza on Friday! Warm up the monorail!! Your leader has spoken!!

Cell Phones...

Okay, I admit it...I hardly know how to use a cell phone. I didn't get one until Aya was pregnant. Even then work forced me to get a cell phone more than anything. I just have a basic phone and I check VM. No texting, no blue tooth and no frills. I use it for emergency use only.

Aya on the other hand has a handy-dandy crackberry with a blue tooth headset. When we go out she is always checking email, looking at the web, taking calls, etc. Every day she drives in to work and listens to VM from the east coast.

You would think someone like that always has the phone on in high alert status.

On Friday, I called Aya to remind her to bring home the stroller from my parents house. Here is our conversation:

Miles:
Miles: Hey, it's me, don't forget to bring home the stroller. Bye.

15 minutes goes by and my phone rings.

Miles: Hello
Aya: Did you call me?
Miles: Um did you check your VM?
Aya: Yeah, did you call me?
Miles: What do you think? You have caller ID? You have my VM message.
Aya: Yeah so what did you want?
Miles: WHAT?
Miles: I left you a message and you said you listened to it.
Aya: I didn't listen to it.
Miles: Then why are you calling me?
Miles: Listen to the VM before you call me.
Aya: Okay
Miles: Bye.

Is that so difficult? I could understand if I call and hang up and you see a missed called message. But if you see missed call AND VM...then maybe you should listen the VM before you call the person back.

I still don't know why or who people talk to all the time. I can't stand talking on the phone. I would much rather speak in person or not at all (unless you don't live local).

LA Zoo...

When Aya, JT and I went to the zoo last year and saw how much JT enjoyed the zoo, we signed up to be LA Zoo members. This past weekend they opened the zoo early for members to watch the animals get fed and they had trainer talks.

More than anything it was just nice being at the zoo with less people. The animals were pretty active. I am guessing they all get fed in the morning so they were either walking around waiting to eat or being fed.

After the zoo, we headed over to Traveltown to ride the train and look at real trains.

It is my right...

Yo, Yo, Yo...check it out!! After years and years of resisting because I did not want to double my chances of jury duty, I finally did it. I registered to vote:

I got my drivers license renewal in the mail and it came with a voter registration card. Interesting. I had always been too lazy to sign up. You know you go to the market or the mall and you have people soliciting you to vote. I always thought it was a scam.

I figured no excuses this time. Honestly, I never wanted to vote. The election never comes down to 100-99, or 99-99 with my vote being the tie-breaker. Never interested me at all before. I live my life in my own little world, work my job, pay my taxes and mind my own business.

Now with JT, I feel like I can't just "go along for the ride" anymore. If anything I have to at least do my part and express my opinion with a vote. Man, this being a parent thing sucks. I signed up to vote (doubling my chances for jury duty). I missed out on a vendor sponsored (which means FREE) happy hour to watch JT tonight because he is sick. What is happening to me?? Boo.

----

Speaking of watching JT while he was sick. I have a little story. Aya put JT to sleep tonight, as she usually does. I offered because tonight is a big television night for Aya. Greys, CSI and ER. Aya said no and said she will watch JT.

I was downstairs and I heard someone running around upstairs. Hmm. I heard it again. Funny thing is I only heard one set of footsteps. I never heard another set. I come upstairs to check and it is JT running back and forth from his room into our room.

JT kind of laughs and goes to his room. I follow him and he points to Aya sleeping and laughs and runs back to our room. I put JT to sleep in our bed and about an hour later Aya strolls into the bedroom asking what happen?! Nice. Outwitted by a 22 month old kid.