This is an interesting video of a catchy tune my son made up.




Kind of funny.

Powerder Room painting

Jen spruced up the powder room last weekend. I am very proud of her because she was able to do the whole job for $6.00. She got the paint from the "oops" rack at Lowe's for $5.00 and the border for $1.00. Check it out.

Upstate NY food

Last weekends trip to upstate NY had mixed emotions. The purpose for the trip was very sad because we were attending a funeral for Jen's Grandpa Sugar. The service was very touching and it was nice to see the family again after being a way for a year. The up side was that we were able to visit my BFF Clint Meyer et al. While visiting we were able to eat two foods that I miss now that I live in the awesome state of NC. We had fish fries from the Parkside Diner in Sea Breeze, our old neighborhood. NC doesn't really have fish fries on Friday like up north. I think its because there aren't really many Catholics in the south. We also ate pizza from Mark's Pizzeria. Pizza has to be what I miss most from Rochester. The pizza in NC is just nasty with paper thin crust (like a cracker), minimal toppings, and no flavor. For those of you that may be interested in seeing what good pizza looks like and what a fish fry is, look below.

This pie was very good. It did need more sauce but as you can see there are plenty of toppings.




You can see how thick the crust is from the front view. The crust had great flavor. I liked dipping it in the wing sauce.

Here is the side view showing how a good pizza should be able to support itself when picked up.

Clint is totally enjoying the pizza.


Battered fish fry with mac salad instead of Cole Slaw. Jen was happy to eat the Cole Slaw that was shredded instead of minced.

Fun with Zach.

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Julian Rebello: Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable. At the end of our chat you will be given the option of taking a brief survey. My name is Julian. Please give me a moment while I access your account.
Julian Rebello: I appreciate your patience.
Julian Rebello: I will certainly be glad to guide you to the right support.
Julian Rebello: I need to escalate this request to our Sales Department. I will transfer you to that support group. Do you have any further questions before I transfer you?
Matthew: How do you transfer me?
Matthew: Through chat?
Julian Rebello: Yes, please stay connected.
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Matthew: we really didn't do anything
Matthew: should I still take the survey?
Julian Rebello: Please wait while the problem is escalated to another analyst
Matthew: is that one of the survey questions?
Zach: Welcome to Time Warner Cable s SALES Chat; now featuring Roadrunner Mobile .



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My name is Zach. How may I assist you with your order?
Matthew: my parents are coming to town and my mom,dad, and cats want to watch more cable.
Matthew: I would like to increase my channels to include the animal networks
Zach: All right. I need your address related to the account please.
Matthew: *** Collington drive. They will be her tonight with all the cats.
Zach: Are you closer to Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, or Wilmington?
Matthew: Greensboro I believe. 27302. My parents are coming from Rochester.
Matthew: I don't really care for the cable box though, the remote is hard for everyone to use
Matthew: Is that ok?
Zach: ok to upgrade your cable package it's normally an extra $30 a month before tax. I have you at just $27 a month after tax.
Zach: You can downgrade the cable back to local channels anytime.
Matthew: ok. are the animal channels included. My mom and the cats like to watch the animals
Zach: Correct.
Matthew: ok what about the cable box?
Matthew: the remote is difficult to use
Zach: The cable box is required.
Matthew: my dad has fat fingers and Brixies paws are too big for the buttons too.
Matthew: Can I use our special remote?
Zach: You can program it so that your remote works.
Matthew: Ah nice.
Matthew: do you know if it's shark week?
Zach: This week, I am pretty sure no.
Zach: We can send the technician out there as soon as tomorrow.
Zach: We have a 3:30 to 5:30 time available.
Matthew: Good because socks gets scared and hides under the couch and is a pain to get her out.
Zach: Also, a 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. time is available.
Matthew: Ok. Will i have to put the cats in their carriers?
Zach: If you feel that they might not be friendly, then yes.
Matthew: 10 are pretty friendly but there are 5 that can be snipy
Matthew: I'll put those guys away
Matthew: Tomorrow will be fine
Zach: What's your best available contact phone number for the technician tomorrow?
Matthew: ##########
Matthew: That's the home number
Zach: ok I'll put you in for 3:30-5:30 if that's ok?
Matthew: that's purrrfect.
Zach: ############# is the work order number.
Zach: You're all set!
Matthew: Thank you.
Zach: Thank you for allowing me to assist you on Time Warner Cable Sales Support. Have a nice week!

Hanukkah the festival of lights.

Although the Bay Field has many awesome features, and we love them all, it's missing lighting is some areas of the house. The closet under the stairs has zero lights and zero outlets. We store a lot of stuff in that closet and trying to find anything is difficult without a source of light. Jen was trying to get the Christmas decorations out using a flashlight. How awkward? I put on my Tim "the tool man" Taylor hat and went to work.

New kitchen light fixture.

While the turkey was roasting I replaced the light fixture in the kitchen over the island. The one that the builder installed was not giving off enough light.

We got this nice unit from Lowes. Jen and I figured that we could get some light over to the sink. If this doesn't help getting more ligth over the sink then I'll have to install a light there too.

This unit does put out a lot more light. It uses xenon bulbs.

Thanksgiving Turkey - Brined

This was one of the best turkeys I've ever made. It was very juicy and tender.