I wanted to show Chrissie our new kitchen floors using our webcam and our laptop but was having EXTREME Windows 2000 issues. Let’s just say it wasn’t really Plug & Play until XP.

Anyway, I decided to use the internet to show the world what our floors look like now. The oak turned out more red than I was planning. I note this several times on the video ’cause on the camera screen, with the auto-light adjustment on, the oak floors looked very normal. But looking at it now, on the computer, the redness does come out. So just ignore the comments about them not looking red – they do.

So here’s the video – out with the old vinyl ugliness, in with the new laminate goodness. Hopefully Chrissie’ll like it, ’cause I really don’t want to tear them out.

They say you shouldn’t drink and blog but I just wanted to recorde the 1st time in recent memory (ie. at least 8 years and probably more) I’ve actually staggered home in less than “pretty sober” condition.

In fact, it probably hasn’t been since grad school when I have actually flown this many sheets to the wind. But I digress.

My Japanese co-workers took me out to a delicious dinner tonight highlighting the many tastes of Japan. Fortunately they took pitty and didn’t go too nutty on me. The craziest thing – aside from the fully tempura’d jumbo shrimp, complete with little beedy eyes and antanae – they gave me was some sashima that was either raw beef or ‘fatty’ tuna. It was delictable so I’ll decide it was ‘fatty’ tuna.

Still it was the second bottle – really a small dewar – of Saki that put me over the top. Luckily for me when your walking in the middle of a group it’s pretty easy to end up where you’re supposed to. Also lucky for me I didn’t fully understand the question about Japanese bars. It’s only now – several hours later – that I picked up on the fact that a “japanese” bar has dancing girls that aren’t necessarily single japanese women (if you know what I mean). Let’s hear it for being clueless.

While it was a wonderful meal to end my time in Japan, it’s only more sweet ’cause I fly out tomorrow.

Sayonara Japan.

I have to apologize to all the people that have called to wish Chrissie a happy birthday this weekend. And an especially big sorry to Elmo who’s called twice because he cared so much about wishing his oldest daughter a happy birthday in person.

You see, for Chrissie’s b-day I sent her and Liza out of town on a “Mommy Vacation.” Liza arranged for a cool place place for them to stay on the river in Eugene and I made a reservation at a day spa for them to relax at on Saturday. I know they had plans for shopping, site-seeing and a special dinner but who knows if they’ve kept to the plan or not. I don’t even technically know if they’re in Eugene or not. I can vouch for the fact that Chrissie called me from a southern Oregon area code Friday night though. But I haven’t heard from her since and can only assume she’s having a blast or is halfway to Vegas by now.

I should have posted something Friday night so all the well wishers could call tonight – she’s due back at dinner time (if she shows). So don’t think Chrissie doesn’t care, she’s just too busy enjoying her “me time.”

You’ll notice I’ve added 2 new links at the top of the page:

1) The “stats” link takes opens the page generated by our hosting company -which is keeping tabs on you! Yes, you. I don’t know who “you” are but last month, on average, 175 of you visted per day. While I’m sure that’s nothing for an uber-site like Defective Yeti I don’t think I’ve ever told 175 people about this blog. Of course, it’s not my blog so maybe Chrissie is out there spamming everyone saying, “visit my blog or I’ll send you naked pictures of my husband.” Of course we know only uncle Dan would respond…

Still this site is getting ~500 visits a day. Again, how many of those are Chrissie just clicking refresh to get her numbers up we’ll never know. But if you visit one day and see a bunch of advertising on the side you’ll know her manic clicking is being put to good use.

2) The 2nd link is for the Library Thing ’cause I thought it was just so cool. Once I’m done blogging I’m going to start creating my virtual library. The window that appears are actually Chrissie’s recent Library Thing entries, since this is of course her website and I just maintain it.

-The Management

These pics are for JT. I was supposed to put up the cutest one but I just couldn’t decide.

Yes, Leina is actually wearing one of Chrissie’s dresses from her childhood. Yes, Kulia is actually that much of a troublemaker (aka Stinky Donut) in real life.