It's always good to hear silence when people are tucking in to a roast dinner and last evening's Xmas dinner was no exception.
The Lambs and Leons joined us for Butternut Squash soup followed by Roast Turkey, Ham, Stuffing (x2), Sausages/Bacon, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli, Sprouts and assorted trimmings. Dessert of Pumpkin Pie and whipped cream and/or fuzzy navel cake followed an hour or so later once we had made room.
The Pimp Goblet you can see in the picture here forming the center piece of our traditional Xmas table decoration was ultimately won by Michelle (after a couple of rounds of stealing) during the White Elephant gift exchange on Xmas Eve. There was a good showing of creative gifts for the White Elephant this year - ranging from a Froggy Yam Holder to a glass stilletto soap dispenser to a double feature DVD of Steven Segal movies - and some more agressive strategic gift stealing than we've seen in recent years.
As always, it was great to see everyone on Xmas Eve for the traditional gift/tamale opening ceremony. We've posted some pictures from the gathering on the Flickr site for your enjoyment and are promised some additional hi-def ones from Charles in the very near future.
Merry Xmas y'all!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Meleena 4.0
It turns out that, in between watching Dr Who and Torchwood, playing in the school band and (not) updating her blog, Meleena has been been working hard at school this semester resulting in a 4.0 GPA for her latest report card.
Nice work Meleena - you must be very proud. What a great Xmas gift for us all!
P.S. We learned that Matthew also turned in a 4.0 for this semester but he didn't show us his report card so we are, as yet, unable to independently verify it. ;)
Nice work Meleena - you must be very proud. What a great Xmas gift for us all!
P.S. We learned that Matthew also turned in a 4.0 for this semester but he didn't show us his report card so we are, as yet, unable to independently verify it. ;)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Michelle's Xmas List
Hey Folks,
Just in case you are wondering what Michelle - the notoriously difficult to buy for love of my life - here's a quick list of 'approved' last minute gift ideas for her.
1) Iomega StorCenter 1TB - Networked Hard Drive
2) Apple Airport Express Wireless Network Adapters
3) Battlestar Galactica Season 2.0 and 2.5 DVDs
4) Anything else that is actually on Craig's list because what I really want for Xmas is to make Craig happy.
Let me know if you need any additional help.
Just in case you are wondering what Michelle - the notoriously difficult to buy for love of my life - here's a quick list of 'approved' last minute gift ideas for her.
1) Iomega StorCenter 1TB - Networked Hard Drive
2) Apple Airport Express Wireless Network Adapters
3) Battlestar Galactica Season 2.0 and 2.5 DVDs
4) Anything else that is actually on Craig's list because what I really want for Xmas is to make Craig happy.
Let me know if you need any additional help.
Hey Janie - Time to get practising...
Before I get on to the main part of this post, have you noticed that the word 'practicing' doesn't look right whether you write it with an 's' or a 'c'. I just know it's going to bother me now. M - which is correct? Or is it one of those words like grey/gray that could be correctly written either way?
Anyway... I felt it necessary to remind Janie that we are ready and waiting to be the guinea pigs for further practice cake making sessions. And, given that it's the holiday season, we will be kind and generous with our feedback and suggestions - even going so far as to eat an extra slice of whatever it is that she cooks up in order to help her perfect her cake-making skills.
I think that just about sums up our whole attitude at here at UlloaSullivan.com. It's not just about us - we're willing and ready to go that extra mile (sometimes at great personal risk) to help people better themselves.
Bring it on, Janie!
Anyway... I felt it necessary to remind Janie that we are ready and waiting to be the guinea pigs for further practice cake making sessions. And, given that it's the holiday season, we will be kind and generous with our feedback and suggestions - even going so far as to eat an extra slice of whatever it is that she cooks up in order to help her perfect her cake-making skills.
I think that just about sums up our whole attitude at here at UlloaSullivan.com. It's not just about us - we're willing and ready to go that extra mile (sometimes at great personal risk) to help people better themselves.
Bring it on, Janie!
A busy weekend
It's just after 8am on Monday morning and rather than being full of beans I'm already feeling fried. Mostly that is to do with waiting up until 2:30am for my parents, but more on that later.
On Saturday we headed out early for an important luncheon appointment with Aunts Marthie and Angie and Uncle Ralph at their favorite restaurant - Sizzler. Michelle's Nina (Aunt Eleanor to me) joined us over there also. After an enjoyable lunch of endless shrimp, Chicken Malibu and stories about our respective dead pets we stopped by at Aunt Eleanor's place to see where they lived and to get barked at by a scruffy 6 month old puppy.
From there we headed up to the San Mateo area for the evening's Luce gig which where we were joined by Per (from Denmark) and Bob (from Denver). The band were fantastic, as ever. These guys really deserve to be bigger - we'll continue to do our bit by making sure that new people get to see them each time and for telling the world about them through the far-reaching platform of UlloaSullivan.com.
Sunday morning we got up fairly early for our traditional Pantry breakfast before doing a bit of shopping and driving back to Kingsburg. Of course, upon arrival it was already 3pm and a serious nap was called for - not just to recuperate from the strenuous activity that preceded it but for the necessary drive back to San Mateo for work, car vibration attention and to pick up Mum and Dad from their Vancouver trip. It turns out that they weren't just trying to keep me up and worrying about them - like I never did to them as a teenager - but rather that the weather was bad in Vancouver and that Air Canada was cancelling flights and their finally-confirmed-standby-flight-on-United got delayed by more than 4 hours after multiple de-icings, de-icer machine breakdowns and weather warnings. They finally arrived at the hotel at 2:30am where I was fast asleep on the pullout couch.
After a stern telling-off and warnings of 'if they do it again they'll be grounded' I let them go to bed - mostly so I could get 3 more hours of sleep before getting up heading to the BMW dealer.
It's not always about me, but sometimes it just is.
On Saturday we headed out early for an important luncheon appointment with Aunts Marthie and Angie and Uncle Ralph at their favorite restaurant - Sizzler. Michelle's Nina (Aunt Eleanor to me) joined us over there also. After an enjoyable lunch of endless shrimp, Chicken Malibu and stories about our respective dead pets we stopped by at Aunt Eleanor's place to see where they lived and to get barked at by a scruffy 6 month old puppy.
From there we headed up to the San Mateo area for the evening's Luce gig which where we were joined by Per (from Denmark) and Bob (from Denver). The band were fantastic, as ever. These guys really deserve to be bigger - we'll continue to do our bit by making sure that new people get to see them each time and for telling the world about them through the far-reaching platform of UlloaSullivan.com.
Sunday morning we got up fairly early for our traditional Pantry breakfast before doing a bit of shopping and driving back to Kingsburg. Of course, upon arrival it was already 3pm and a serious nap was called for - not just to recuperate from the strenuous activity that preceded it but for the necessary drive back to San Mateo for work, car vibration attention and to pick up Mum and Dad from their Vancouver trip. It turns out that they weren't just trying to keep me up and worrying about them - like I never did to them as a teenager - but rather that the weather was bad in Vancouver and that Air Canada was cancelling flights and their finally-confirmed-standby-flight-on-United got delayed by more than 4 hours after multiple de-icings, de-icer machine breakdowns and weather warnings. They finally arrived at the hotel at 2:30am where I was fast asleep on the pullout couch.
After a stern telling-off and warnings of 'if they do it again they'll be grounded' I let them go to bed - mostly so I could get 3 more hours of sleep before getting up heading to the BMW dealer.
It's not always about me, but sometimes it just is.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Yikes!
I'm back in our San Mateo office this week and have to walk past this larger than ever Nutcracker statue every time I go through the lobby.
Seriously - these things give me the shivers.
Seriously - these things give me the shivers.
Monday, December 15, 2008
I Think My Head Might Explode
The Antikythera Mechansim is a device that was built more than 2000 years ago and which was discovered on a wrecked ship in 1901 and which has now been proven to calculate the positions of the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Venus, and the other planets known to the Ancient Greeks. In addition, it can be used to determine solor and lunar eclipses, compensates for leap years and tracks the dates of the Olympic Games. A British curator called Michael Wright has spent a fair while re-creating a fully working version of the mechanism.
Apparently, nothing as complex as this has been discovered originating until at least 1000 years after this was created. It makes you wonder if aliens (Dr Who?) inadvertently left something behind on one of their visits...
Apparently, nothing as complex as this has been discovered originating until at least 1000 years after this was created. It makes you wonder if aliens (Dr Who?) inadvertently left something behind on one of their visits...
Fresno Xmas Parade
Meleena playing bells/xylophone
Originally uploaded by UlloaSullivan
I was very impressed - not just at the overall band performance, or at Meleena's playing but also at her ability to focus in spite of seeing her Nino walking alongside the band shooting this video.
Oh, and I was prominently featured on the TV wearing the wrong school t-shirt albeit covered up with a blue hoody. Sorry Meleena - you'll have to tell me how to get a new t-shirt...
There's another video on the Flickr site of the dance routine that preceded the main performance. Very cool stuff indeed.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A Holiday Gift For You All
Michelle and I managed to sneak some bits and pieces for our British nieces and nephews, siblings and friends into Paul and Steph's suitcase when they left to head home on Monday but largely we are yet to begin our Xmas shopping. The convenience of Amazon.com and leave-it-to-the-last-minute empowerment of free 2 day shipping make it all too easy to curl up with on the couch with the cats and do everything via laptop in the comfort of our own home. And while it's inevitable that there will be some last minute shopping emergency or other that will require us to have to leave the house and go shopping in public with the rest of the population, there's a good chance that we'll be able to get pretty much everything ordered without stressing ourselves out or disturbing the cats from their evening slumber.
And that then is our gift to you for this holiday season. The opportunity to also participate in our stress free Xmas gift shopping revolution. My Amazon list is pretty much up to date. I'll get Michelle to join in too. And we can even create one for Miko and Cornflake if you are intending to buy them something that they'll show you zero gratitude for. They are cats, after all.
Additionally, Mum and Dad/Val and Trev are flying over and will be in Kingsburg by the 22nd. I am more than happy to offer them up as Xmas gift mules should your loved one's dreams involve Marmite, Steak and Kidney pies, Christmas Puddings or any of a number of other great British delicacies.
And in any case, they can always be given as white elephant gifts the following year.
And that then is our gift to you for this holiday season. The opportunity to also participate in our stress free Xmas gift shopping revolution. My Amazon list is pretty much up to date. I'll get Michelle to join in too. And we can even create one for Miko and Cornflake if you are intending to buy them something that they'll show you zero gratitude for. They are cats, after all.
Additionally, Mum and Dad/Val and Trev are flying over and will be in Kingsburg by the 22nd. I am more than happy to offer them up as Xmas gift mules should your loved one's dreams involve Marmite, Steak and Kidney pies, Christmas Puddings or any of a number of other great British delicacies.
And in any case, they can always be given as white elephant gifts the following year.
Monday, December 8, 2008
MOAB II
I've been wracking my brain to think how best to describe the MOAB II weekend in Vegas for the audience of a family oriented site such as this.
You see, I'm not sure it's appropriate to talk about stretched limos with champagne and roses, gambling to 5am in the morning, having dollar bills stuffed in your shirt (and jeans) while dancing, no-handed questionably-named dessert cocktail drinking after dinner at Mesa Grill, Cuban cigar smoking or moon-roof trashing (Nick) in a site that is frequented by young and impressionable teens and pre-teens.
It just wouldn't be responsible.
Instead, head on over to our sister site - ulloasullivanadventures - over the next few days to see what it was all about.
You see, I'm not sure it's appropriate to talk about stretched limos with champagne and roses, gambling to 5am in the morning, having dollar bills stuffed in your shirt (and jeans) while dancing, no-handed questionably-named dessert cocktail drinking after dinner at Mesa Grill, Cuban cigar smoking or moon-roof trashing (Nick) in a site that is frequented by young and impressionable teens and pre-teens.
It just wouldn't be responsible.
Instead, head on over to our sister site - ulloasullivanadventures - over the next few days to see what it was all about.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Happy Birthday Nick
Hope it's a good one as you wing your way across the atlantic ocean towards Vegas and MOAB II.
As you can see, with this picture I am continuing my theme of not making it about me.
Nick is the scary-eyed one on the left.
The effeminate person on the right I have no comment on whatsoever. ;)
As you can see, with this picture I am continuing my theme of not making it about me.
Nick is the scary-eyed one on the left.
The effeminate person on the right I have no comment on whatsoever. ;)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Influence
If ever there was evidence of how influential this blog has become in it's almost 2 years of existence, this is it.
Remember the blog about Starbucks in Japan being smarter than in the US? Well, look at the picture to see what the friendly guy at the Fowler drive-in presented me with this morning. I was speechless! Clearly the Starbucks executives have heard my suggestion and done something about it. And you know what? It worked a dream - even though they over-filled the cup not a drop got spilt on my journey in spite of my leaving it for a while to cool down. Fantastic.
Oh, and those of you who have eagle eyes and spot motion in the background of this picture and think that I was being naughty and taking a picture while I was driving are all wrong.
Maybe.
Remember the blog about Starbucks in Japan being smarter than in the US? Well, look at the picture to see what the friendly guy at the Fowler drive-in presented me with this morning. I was speechless! Clearly the Starbucks executives have heard my suggestion and done something about it. And you know what? It worked a dream - even though they over-filled the cup not a drop got spilt on my journey in spite of my leaving it for a while to cool down. Fantastic.
Oh, and those of you who have eagle eyes and spot motion in the background of this picture and think that I was being naughty and taking a picture while I was driving are all wrong.
Maybe.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Happy Birthday Michelle
Have to be quick... Only a few seconds left before you discover what I'm doing... Don't want to be caught in the act of putting up this baby photo of you... If I'm not at the computer I can claim that the gremlins (or squirrels) did it.
Anyway, once again, it is an honor to be able to share your birthday with you. Even if the numbers are getting pretty big these days. Never mind though, the bigger the number just means I've had more practice loving you. And I think I was already getting pretty good at it.
Hope you have a great day today.
But of course the weekend is your real birthday. ;)
Love you,
C & C Miko Factory
Anyway, once again, it is an honor to be able to share your birthday with you. Even if the numbers are getting pretty big these days. Never mind though, the bigger the number just means I've had more practice loving you. And I think I was already getting pretty good at it.
Hope you have a great day today.
But of course the weekend is your real birthday. ;)
Love you,
C & C Miko Factory
Monday, December 1, 2008
Happy Birthday Mum
I thought I would be generous and use a picture featuring all three of your boys and you this time, rather than just one of you on your own or of you and me only. I know. I'm a team player.
However, if you look closely in this picture you will see that I am leaning on you just a little bit more heavily than either Neil or Paul. So, in a way, I still win.
Anyway, I wanted to use the very first post of December to wish you a very happy birthday. Looking forward to seeing you in 3 weeks.
Have a great day!
Craig and Michelle
Miko and Cornflake
However, if you look closely in this picture you will see that I am leaning on you just a little bit more heavily than either Neil or Paul. So, in a way, I still win.
Anyway, I wanted to use the very first post of December to wish you a very happy birthday. Looking forward to seeing you in 3 weeks.
Have a great day!
Craig and Michelle
Miko and Cornflake