Justin's Blog

I'm back

2009-09-14T13:15:00.003-04:00

Well I finally found a suitable replacement for my friend Noah. Not the friend part but the secretary part. She's not as much fun as Noah, but when in a pinch you go with what you can get. She ( being Mom) would probably be a lot faster at this but it's been many years and too long nails!
Here is brief synopsis of what has been going on in the last 8 months. Of course you know that Noah moved up to Connecticut. He is doing well, a couple of months ago he had he knee replaced...of course I thought it should have been his brain...I mean really who wants to live in snow!! As a going away present Noah bought me my new TV and boy do I love it! I was saving up for it and instead of the TV I was able to get my receiver and a really cool blu ray player all sonys ( just the best). Noah and I video conference with each other every Monday and we've both come to the conclusion we lead really dull lives. We have a contest...who does the least and we are neck in neck.
Dad is still bowling ( if that's what you want to call it). Dad built a new entertainment unit for the family room to fit my old HD TV. It nice giving them all my leftovers. What really motivated Dad to get it done was the prospect of seeing the Tampa Bay Rays in the World series...but the Rays didn't do their part! So Dad will have to enjoy Football and golf instead, although he still watches the Rays too! Dad's business has picked up and it keeps him semi-busy. And that means he is out of Mom's hair for a little bit each day.
Mom's bowling has actually improved! My goal for her this year was to get her average up to 170 or better and amazingly so far she's done it. I don't want to say too much about this because I don't want to jinx her. Other than that she is still making her own birthday/christmas cards and other occasions as needed. They are really good, I think they are better than hallmark.
I know you all are wondering about me...well as usual I don't have a whole lot to say. I basically watch tv and tinker around on my computer and generally drive Mom and Dad nuts! All's fair in love and war!!!!
I guess that's all for now...will be back next week with another chapter in the exciting life and times of Justin Sokolowski. Everybody have a good week. Drop me a line...I read them but responding quickly is not my strong point!

Bon Voyage

2009-01-12T14:53:00.005-05:00

Today is the last physical day for the Dynamic Duo!

Noah's going out to "C". That means he's going to the Land Of Steady Habits more commonly known as Connecticut!

Not much is going on around here. We started our new bowling league on Thursday. Although Mom's on the DL for at least three weeks with bowler's elbow. She hurt the tendon in her elbow. The doctor recommended that she not bowl for a few weeks and to use her elbow as little as possible. That's good for Dad as she won't be able to jab him in the ribs with it!

As for me, I'm trying to catch up on all the DVD's I got over the holidays. Mostly TV shows seasons.

That's all for now. I will write as soon as I anoint a new typist. It won't be the same, but it'll be company.

(Noah says, "I will miss you Justin and I will be sure to keep in contact via the Internet."

PS
Men can say "I love you, and I do!!)

Happy N E W Y E A R !!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-05T14:14:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone had a very good New Year's & Holiday.

Christmas around here was a little more low key than usual, being the financial crunch that everyone's experiencing. Mom, Dad & I didn't get a whole lot for each other this year. We decided to concentrate on hanging out and being thankful for what we had.

For those who don't know, my partner in crime, Noah, is moving to Connecticut in two weeks. When he told me , it came as a bit of a shock, but I only want the best for him. I will definitely miss him.

I forgot! I turned 31 on the 31st!!! Man I'm gettin' old. I never thought I'd see this date. For my birthday we went out bowling and and had a lot of fun ringing in the New Year.

Well that's all that's going on around here. See you next week.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-15T13:37:00.007-05:00

Happy Holidays to everyone!

This is my last entry until after Christmas. My better half(I call Noah that so he'll feel good although he's my pooper half) is leaving to visit family in Connecticut and will be gone until 12/29.

Mom, Dad & I will be doing our usual holiday traditions. This weekend Mom & I will be baking about 8 different types of cookies. There'll be some new recipes and some very old recipes. Christmas Eve, Joe, Cheryl, Joey and Elizabeth will be coming over for dinner. Who knows, I might go wild and eat some turkey (I'm not having Wild Turkey you understand, just misbehaving).

For my birthday, we are going to do our usual New Year's Eve bowling bonanza. No Wild Turkey then either! Maybe some fake champagne. And then on the third of January, Noah & I will have our annual birthday dinner (still no Wild Turkey except Noah).

I'll sign off for now. Happy Holidays and, don't be afraid to email me.

Merry Christmas!
Mele Kalikimaka!
Happy Channukah (Hanakkuh)!
Happy Kwanza!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

2008-12-08T13:45:00.003-05:00

I just made that up, clever, huh?

OK All the Christmas decorations are up. I'm waiting with bated breath (just had some anchovies) for old St. Nick to come down the chimney ( oh wait, I don't have a chimney so I'll have to leave the door ajar, I'll also leave a glass for Santa!)

As usual, nothin' new or exciting going on. Mom & Dad are both feeling fine and bowling better. I'm the same as usual, fine as wine, and really enjoying my new Verizon FiOS cable service. Now I just need to get that new TV I've been saving up for. It doesn't look like Noah's gonna spring for it unless he gets a bail out from Congress and the last bail out he did was from the Marine Corps.

Well, that's all I have for now. I have to go let Noah finish his computer transfer process. The story he brought today was like a soap opera. Dumber than dirt!!!

Verizon FiOS Is Here

2008-12-01T14:20:00.003-05:00

Saturday, Verizon FiOS TV and Internet was installed. So far, I love it. The remote and guide are a little more complicated, but I'll learn it eventually. The channels do look clearer and more vibrant, color wise. Plus there are a plethora of high definition channels. I know it's only been in a few days, but I really like it and would recommend it if it's in your area.

This past weekend, Mom & Dad put up all the Christmas decorations and I hope to have pictures within the next few days. Although, it may be the same setup as last year.

All of us are doing fine health wise and have stayed pretty much the same.

I'll see you all next week.

PS

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving or Turkey Day.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

2008-11-24T14:26:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note to wish you all a happy Turkey Day.

Nothing new here. Saturday I get Verizon FiOS installed. I'm looking forward to it the most. Dad is very, very leery and Mom is somewhere in between.

I wish I had more to write about, but I lead a very boring life, which is good.

See you all next week. Don't eat too much.

What's FiOS???

2008-11-17T15:18:00.003-05:00

Today we made the plunge into Verizon FiOS TV and internet.

I don't know if it's better quality picture wise, but I'll get a lot more hi-def channels and we'll save money, at least for a year. We're set to make the change on the 29th.

Not a whole lot going on. We're not big Thanksgiving people. Not that we don't give thanks for all the good things in our life, it's just that we don't have a big dinner.

All three of us are doing fine health wise. Mom & Dad need to improve their bowling and I need to improve my coaching so that I can help them improve.

I hope everyone has a nice week. I'll see you guys later.

Sorry About Last Week

2008-11-10T14:44:00.003-05:00

Last week I didn't get to writing an entry. I got really busy trying to fix our ipods. It shows you how much we use them. This was the first time I had connected with this computer. This computer is over a year old now. Anyway, those who own ipods know the music that you buy on itunes can only be played on a limited number of computers. I finally got it fixed as best that I can. I only wound up losing a few songs. They weren't my songs anyway, they were Mom's.

Not much has changed over the last two weeks. Actually, nothing's changed. I watched a lot of TV and went bowling on Friday, and that's about it.

Hope everyone had a good Halloween.

I don't really have anything else except to say I'm glad the election is over and now we can get rid of the political commercials.

See you all next week.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-27T13:32:00.004-04:00

Happy Halloween to everyone.

Not a whole lot is going on around here. Bowling as usual is up and down. Mom had a good week, Dad had a mediocre week, but the team did well. Mom and I are going to skip bowling on Friday so Mom can pass out candy to trick or treaters. I think it's to ensure we don't get our house egged.

I haven't watched anything to really rave about or rant about. I have several movies I still need to watch, including Juno. Hopefully I'll have something to tell you guys about soon.

Another Slow Day In The Office

2008-10-20T13:54:00.006-04:00

This is the third time that we have tried to write this post. The first was great, the second was pretty good, and I don't know how this one will turn out. Our quality is going down the more times we type this.

You see, we finish and then make it bold and when we push the up arrow to get rid of the highlight the entire blog disappears. Anyway, you don't care and you wouldn't even know if we didn't tell you.

Here goes again.

Another slow couple of weeks. The only things I have been up to are keeping up with my TV shows and watching the Rays win the American League Pennant. I'm trying to convince Dad to get a Rayhawk which is like a Mohawk only blue. I'm not getting one because I've already had one stupid fad haircut, a rat tail. Noah won't be getting one because he doesn't have any hair to cut anyway. I suppose he could get one drawn, but he won't.

Mom & Dad are doing well, staying busy as usual. Noah is great (that's in size) and you can read about what he's up to by clicking the link to his blog which is on the right side of this page.

See you guys next week unless I've been locked up for doing Noah in.

Nada

2008-10-13T14:02:00.001-04:00

I'm skipping this week and maybe more for a while. I'm working on designing a real website again.

Great (?) Minds At Work

2008-10-06T14:07:00.004-04:00

FLASH!!!

Noah and I (mostly I) downloaded a new ring tone for his cell phone. The downloading itself took some doing, but the real deal was getting it installed on his phone. We went to install it and I still don't believe that we were successful.

Now, when his cell rings, it plays, are you ready for this, The Marine Corps Hymn. Mom & Dad will make me sanitize myself before they come near.

As for me, nothing much is new. I've been trying to keep up with my shows, while dealing with cable box issues. I haven't watched much of the baseball playoffs, just a few innings here and there.

Mom & Dad are fine. They're getting ready for Halloween...well, I should say Mom has been ready. Dad has just been getting the decorations out of storage and complaining that it's almost Christmas time. Now I know you're saying "What's wrong with Christmas?" The answer is Nothing as long as you're not the one who has to go get Mom's 52 45 gallon size containers of decorations. Plus, the two trees, one for the living room and my own personal tree. We definitely have a lot of decorations for just a small house.

I'll talk to you more next week.

A Vision From The Past

2008-09-29T13:23:00.009-04:00

My old school chum and best friend Rachel paid me a visit last week. She was with her husband and soon to be three year old daughter.

I had not met her husband Eric before nor their daughter either. Eric is in the Marine Corps, but I don't hold that against him, after all, Noah was in the Marine Corps and he's almost human.

Their daughter's name is Savanah. She didn't quite know what to think of me, but she warmed up to me by the end of their visit.

Mostly we just sat around and reminisced about old times and I got to know Eric a little bit. We also went bowling. I can honestly say that Rachel's bowling has not improved.

You can check out pictures of them by clicking on the Rachel & Family Visit or by clicking here http://picasaweb.google.com/justinwsoko/RachelAndFamily#

Other than that, my week was pretty much the same. I'm doing fine and enjoying the new TV season. Mom & Dad are doing great as usual, although their bowling could stand some improvement.

I hope everyone has a good week. Hasta La Vista ... Baby (I just made that up!)

Happy Autumn

2008-09-22T14:00:00.003-04:00

It's time to turn colors! Leaves that is, of course down here we don't get color changes of the leaves. We know it's fall because football is going big and baseball is winding down. This year is different for the Rays. For the very first time in Rays history they are going to the playoffs! Me not being a Rays fan, I could care less, but a great many people down here are really excited.

Last Tuesday I had my yearly checkup. My Doc says I'm fine and he is very pleased at how healthy I am. I don't hold it against him that he's a Yankee fan and I didn't tease him at all that they are in fourth place.

Also on Tuesday, I had a third cable box connected to my TV. This is so I can record five shows at once and watch a sixth live or record six and watch something previously recorded. I was told that the only other person to have three cable boxes on one TV was a heavy duty gambler. I can't tell if he was saying I am addicted to TV shows or I'm just weird. (Noah votes for just weird and I vote that it takes one to know one!!)

This week I have eleven shows, maybe more, premiering. I'm not sure because I have just added some new shows to my lineup.

Mom and Dad have been fine. Dad is still struggling with his bowling and Mom is still doing better than her usual. I hope she keeps it up and that Dad returns to his normal form.

Who Needs A Title?

2008-09-15T14:14:00.004-04:00

Nobleman need titles like Earl, and Duke and Prince. I do have a title that people have given me, but I'm too polite to say it here ... riiiiiiiiiiiiight!

For the most part, same old week. The only thing that was different was that I added Olive Garden Alfredo sauce to my diet. Ooooooooh, that's riveting information and top secret info.

Tomorrow I have a checkup with the doctor. Mostly to get prescriptions renewed.

Mom & Dad are doing fine. Their bowling needs some work, but they try.

No new computer on the horizon for me. I am saving up for a new TV that can handle all my hi def needs.

That's it for now, I am waiting for a call from Sarah Palin, she wants my advice on a new PC or Mac (McCain)

NUTTIN'

2008-09-08T13:53:00.003-04:00

"I got plenty a nuttin and nuttin's plenty for me"

If you recognize this old song you're older than dirt. However, I don't really have anything to talk about this week.

Nobody even entered my trivia contest so the prize goes to nobody.

See you next week!

Labor Day

2008-09-01T14:36:00.004-04:00

It's Labor Day, but I'm not in labor. As far as I know I'm not even pregnant. Oh, wait, this is a different kind of labor and I ain't that either.

This is taking a while to get all the exciting stuff in some kind of order. Let's see, what did I do? Why am I asking you, if you knew you wouldn't be here.

So, let's get at it. First, maybe I'll just wait until next week to list all the important stuff and this week I'll give you the trivia.

1. Who hosts the National Annual MDA Telethon?
2. How many times have I been on the local MDA Telethon?
3. Who won last nights NASCAR race in California?
4. Who are the two main candidates running for President of the United States?
5. This is a toughie, what is my middle name?

E-Mail me your answers and the winner gets a special prize!

Everybody here is doing well. Nothing too exciting to talk about. I'll see you guys next week.

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh Wait ... BOOOOOOOOOOOOO

2008-08-25T14:13:00.003-04:00

The Olympics are finally over. Yea!!! We (The USA) won the most medals Yea!!!

Football season is almost here. Yea!!!!!

The convention coverage has started. Boooooooooooooo!!!! Not that I am unpatriotic or anything, it just seems to me a whole lot of stuff I don't need to know or have already heard. I want an election with no mud slinging and with campaign promises that can actually be kept.

Anyway, let's get off of politics, 'cause I'm not very politically savy.

Nothing big is going on here now that Fay has vamoosed. Dad is doing well and is happy that Bowling Season is starting. Mom's season starts next Tuesday. Next Friday my bowling season starts, coaching, that is.

Haven't watched any movies worth reporting on. I am happy that the new TV season starts very soon.

That's pretty much it, have a good week. Ciao for now.

Battin Down The Hatches

2008-08-18T13:49:00.004-04:00

With tropical storm Fay bearing down on Florida everybody around us should be getting prepared.

We are all prepared because we have a generator and plenty of supplies in case we're blocked in for a few days. However, I don't think it will be bad enough to cause any serious damage.

Have you guys been watching the Olympics? I have. What a performance by Michael Phelps. Eight Gold Medals in Eight Events and seven World Records. It'll be a long time before it's matched or surpassed. I won't say "never be broken" because never is a long time. I'm trying to get into Track and Field, but I just can't do it. It is interesting to see all the different techniques for all the different countries.

Women's Beach Volley Ball isn't bad. I'm interested in knowing how they keep the sand out of places that could chafe easily, you know, like between their toes or up their ... noses. What did you think I was talking about? You guys should keep your minds out of the gutter or other places that ....

We (that's USA) did surprisingly well in gymnastics and there was no sand to worry about there. There's another week left and hopefully we can win a few more individual medals if the sand doesn't screw things up. I think thats it for now. Stay loose and unsanded.

XXIX Olympiad

2008-08-11T13:53:00.003-04:00

First off, I have to say the opening ceremony was the best opening I have ever seen and I doubt it will ever be topped in my life time!

So far I have watched about 14 hours a day of coverage. This year I decided to expand my horizon and watch some of the sports I don't normally watch (i.e. water polo, indoor volley ball, fencing, to name a few). So far, I've enjoyed myself with the exception of being sick last night.

Mom & Dad are doing well. Mom is getting used to doing the paper work for Dad's business. Occasionally I help by designing a form or some other computer related task.

Noah seems to being doing fine although his mind is in the gutter ( more than usual!!) and he has entered the electronic age and now has a cell phone. YOOOHOOO!!!

Other than that, things are as usual.

Go U S A !!!

Repeat

2008-08-04T13:51:00.003-04:00

Same as usual.

I bought a couple new movies this week at Walmart. I watched one, "Harold And Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay". It was OK, funny, but wait six to eight months for the price to drop. It's good enough to own, but not good enough to pay over $10.00.

The other two movies I got were "Hit Man" and "The Bank Job". I'll probably watch them this week end and give you may assesment next week.

Oh, by the way, have you noticed that I'm updating on Monday? I switched Noah over to Monday so he would still be rested from the weekend. You see he doesn't do his morning walk on Saturday and Sunday so his energy is higher on Mondays. He's getting so old that he just craps out at the drop of a hat after walking any further than to the refrigerator.

Dad competed in a bowling tournament this weekend. He did pretty well, for him. He's never been much of a tournament person.

Other than that, everything else is the same. I'll see you next week. Hasta la vista ... baby!

Freebies

2008-07-29T14:04:00.007-04:00

For the most part, another status quo week. While I was at Walmart, during my normal Friday night trip, I noticed thay had all the seasons of "The X Files". I'm a big "X File" nut, I love the show, and I have always wanted to buy the DVDs, but they were so expensive. Something like $50.00 a season and I just didn't like them that much. However, Friday I saw they were only $19.00 a season, so I bought the first three seasons. After I got home, I checked on Amazon and they were charging $38.00 a season. So my tip for this week is if you like "X Files", get 'em at Walmart. Or as we call it around here, "Wally World".

I have no other news than that, but that can save you a ton of money and you could send some of what you saved to me, 'cause I don't charge for this, but I do accept gifts.

NUTTIN'!

2008-07-22T15:20:00.002-04:00

I've done nuttin' exciting or out of the ordinary.

Mom & Dad are fine, busy as usual.

Noah is fine (he's really very coarse) other than he's locked onto saying "He Daid!". You would have to ask him why, but don't expect a sensible answer from a wierdo.

That's it for now! (Aren't you glad you checked?)

Satisfaction ...At last!

2008-07-15T15:30:00.002-04:00

After six weeks of asking for support from my internet provider (who for now will remain nameless) finally got it fixed!

Mom & Dad are doing well. Nothing new on the horizon for me.

I wish I had more to tell you guys, but I don't. At least nothing that you guys would be interested in.

So for now, I'll sign off.