The Last of 2014

So time to say goodbye to 2014. Here's a cascade of vignettes recalling events of the year:

-Sweating profusely while hauling a sleigh across gnarly planks under hot lights and under a veil of fake snow.
-Furiously prying staples out of a box spring with a team of four in an attempt to break it down to make it up our third floor apartment
-Profusely thanking a gentleman who found my lost phone on a SKI SLOPE
-Wrangling balls around a sky painted box while wearing a monkey mask
-The Spring of Reception Gigs:
         "NAI Hunneman, this is Michael."
         "Good Morning, Lyons Group."
         "Thank you for calling Greenbaum, Nagel, Fisher and Paliotti. How can I help you?"
-Feebly crying for help while clutching my seizing calf at the top of a stairwell
-Wrenching the handle off a fridge door
-Sharing a whiskey with two four star generals
-Helping my grandfather shave in his hospital bed, him running the electric razor ritualistically across his upper lip
-Hurling a cart laden with cat auction items down a sloping walkway
-Eating cold lunch on a cold pier, watching the reenactors yell and throw tea into the bay, only to haul them up to do it again in 10 minutes
-Openly weeping in the rain in an alley just outside the Prudential Center
-Binging the entirety of House of Cards in two days over steaks, fennel potatoes and cheesecake on Valentine's Day
-Drunkenly arguing with vehemence with my father about something neither of us remember
-Staring down Emily in exhaustion and frustration from opposite ends of a couch halfway down a flight of stairs
-Founding the Couch Coalition and the Dong Alliance during Game Nights
-Attempting to prepare and consume the awful offals, liver and heart

Not to mention the update for what I've done since my birthday on the Work-out/Fasting Project (6/25):

Stats:
Running Mileage: 498.75/1,000
Push-ups: 4,750/10,000
Sit-ups: 4,750/10,000
Pages Read: 5,470/10,000
Books Completed: 14/25
Words Written: 47,651/100,000

Fasts (Days without)
Internet: 55/100
TV: 68/100
Gaming: COMPLETE 147/100
Meat: 55/100
Junk: 55/100
Booze: 38/100

Haiku of the Day:
Remembrance thickens
the further out I wade down
familiar paths

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Vertiginous" from MW's word of the day. It's something that makes you dizzy or something dizzying. You know, because of the vertigo root of the word.)

Today's "365" Project (Write a ten word fantasy story)

Vigarth conquered his childhood fear and smote the Kratillion!

Wait a minute...MORE THAN HALFWAY!

Back to the ol' grindstone today. Had some time to look back at the Christmas posts and stuff noticed I forgot to post the update for week 26 and make a big deal over the fact that I'M MORE THAN HALFWAY DONE WITH THE PROJECT!!

I'm usually so good with milestones but the whole season swept me up hardcore. I'll have a brief cushion of time here before the whole show universe swallows me up come mid-January.

Haiku of the Day:

Inhaled a leaf piece

while doing sit-ups outside.

Wheeze-and-Hackathon

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Advertent" from MW's word of the day. It means giving attention or heedful.)

Today's "365" Project ( Do something with your city's skyline)
"Bizarro Boston"

Delay

Caught in a travel wind for nearly 13 hours today. Delved into books and games and the bizarre 1970's feel of the Atlanta airport. Had a doubly delayed flight into Boston and spent an hour tracking down baggage. Played a sporting game of "Find-the-Outlet" in the Logan Baggage claim. I even bought an elderly woman in a wheelchair a philly cheesesteak because she was brave enough to ask. I'm sad and tired and missing Emily. I'm not looking forward to work. Dread is the term. Like ice-water down a naked back.

Haiku of the Day:

Up above the clouds

head falls in majestic nods.

homage to voyage

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Marshall" from MW's word of the day.)

Today's "365" Project (Make something you can walk on. I made bigfoot snowshoes for when we get the next big one. Hopefully the duct tape on the bottom makes it water proof!)
"Huckster Footwear"

Top

Bottom

Lost at Sea

Saw the WWII movie "Unbroken" today with family. It was based off the last book my grandfather recommended to my mother. The story was inspiring but tough, seeing a man go through a great deal of hardship and continue to press on. A chilling touch of perspective for rounding out the year.

Spending the second half of the day with my brothers, so things are rather up in the air for the next couple days, (quite literally in the case of most of tomorrow,) so things will get spotty. But I'll still do my best to post what I have.

Haiku of the Day:

Family dynamics

ebb and flow quickly in the

post-Christmas ether

Today's Drawing and "365" Project (Make a family crest.)

Tasting and a Breather

A great day of very little at home. Got to chill and take in the last bits of Christmas and 2014 before things start getting nuts again. I've decided to do a few guest drawings to cap of the end of this year if I can.

Haiku of the Day:

A food tasting at

the venue for our wedding

Pomp and circumstance

Today's Drawing (Guest Drawing by Ben Chodos!)

Today's "365" Project (Do something with seeds. I did something with almonds. Are they seeds?  Eh. Close enough.)
"Rain and Snow"

Boxing Day

Fought hangover monsters and enjoyed family company. Got stuffed with Mexican food and watched Elf. Lovely Day.

Haiku of the Day:

Thrashing metal bug

rips the interior walls

of the poor stomach

Today's Drawing (Another guest installment! William Chodos contributes this horror today.)

Today's "365" Project (Do something with a paper bag)
"Shia on Boxing Day"

The Final Day of Christmas!

Michael's (Doubles as Drawing for the day):

Emily's:

12 Days Final Score:
Emily: 7
Michael: 5

Emily won. We both gave great gifts. (I was too drunk to write anymore during this day)

Haiku of the day:

Embracing the dual

nature of marriage is the

key to survival.

Today's "365" Project (Do something unseasonal. I drummed up some old stuff for a couple months back and went to town. Picture courtesy of David Chodos.)
"BLAH!"

11th Day of Christmas! AKA CHRISTMAS EVE!

Penultimate Christmas Day! Spent the whole day traveling, enjoying the shifting/grunting company of strangers.

I got Emily the Pokemon game that is the foil to the game she got me. We had that and the DS's planned, it was just about timing...and Emily forced my hand on both accounts. Clever Clever Clever.

AND THEN SHE HAD THE NERVE TO GET ME A WHOLE JAR OF CANDY!!

The chutzpah of this one...I'm making the call of game over candy. My point, but it's more a consolation cause I can only hope to tie...but to be honest I think she'll get me. We'll see what Santa brings tomorrow.

12 Days of Christmas!
Emily: 6
Michael: 5

Haiku of the Day:

The serene stillness

of the airplane's wing outside

my window beckons

Today's Drawing (Guest Job by Emily Kuehn! Inspired by the word "Derivative" from Thomas Kuehn.)

Today's "365" Project (Write a limerick)
"Morbid Christmas Limerick"

There once was a fellow named Kringle,

who walked with a wink and a jingle.

But one day by his sleigh,

he got carried away,

A broke his neck slipping on a loose shingle.

10th Day of Christmas!

Almost there! Had a day to my lonesome to prep for travel and take care of some household things. Looking forward to a day of travel tomorrow and quiet Christmas Eve.

So today Emily got me the creme de la creme, the true Christmas coup:

A Pokemon game.

If I could give her two points today I would. Instead I got her a tiny Zen garden kit for her to put at her work when things get dicey.

12 Days of Christmas!
Emily: 6
Mike: 4

Haiku of the Day:

Sea legs aching, I

windshield wipe the spectacles

and plod on splashing

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "viridescent" from Dictionary.com's word of the day. It means greenish.)

Today's "365" Project (Make something quiet.)
"5 Alarm Hush"

8th and 9th Day of Christmas!

So yesterday (the 8th Day) Emily played her 2DS on me, garnering her the win against my gift, a book about a 19th century lady naturalist that studies dragons. I love the artwork on it:

BUT MARIO KART CONQUERS ALL!!

For today, I got Emily a stuffed whale as a secondary to her very cuddly but very worn sleeping companion named "Torpel"

And Emily got me...

A great running shirt! Both have merit and this one's tough, but in the end I'm going with the whale cause it's cute and I need a fighting chance. Pity Point!

12 Days of Christmas!
Emily: 5
Michael: 4

Haiku of the Day:

Fighting exhaustion
as the processors whir and
overheat from use.

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Fissile" from MW's word of the day. It's something capable of undergoing fission, or capable of being split in two.)

Today's "365" Project (Do something with all yellow.)
"Boot Flank"

Namesake

My grandfather passed away this morning. 

I had the privilege of visiting with him a week ago. I am so glad I had the opportunity to see him. It's hard for anyone to face the end. Most people choose to press forward, insist that death will come tomorrow and that there will always be another day, more time. But it takes a very special kind of bravery to look it in the eye and say "That's it. These are the final moments." Some choose to see this as a sort of cowardice, a throwing in of the towel, giving up. But it's far from that. It's accepting the inevitable. Death takes us all. And if I go with a fraction of the grace, dignity and understanding that my grandfather did, I will be a very lucky man. 

Many of Wayne's words to me in the past two weeks were about how lucky he was, and he often became overwhelmed with graciousness and love. There were a great deal of tears, not tears of regret or grief but tears for the wonder and serendipity of his life. And how it was coming to a close. My grandfather was so right, he was lucky. And so were all of us for having known him. Grandpa, I am proud to have had you in my life and to share your name.

Even though you jokingly insisted on calling me Fred or George half the time. I'm throwing a stern look with a wink your way today. A gesture I hope to cultivate in the years to come. Much love to you sir. And say hi to Marty for me. I'm sure you're both having a blast, watching over us celebrating the wonderful life you led together. Thank you.

I'll update on 12 days stuff tomorrow.

Haiku of the Day:

Homer Wayne Rogers
A man of strength and kindness
May he rest in peace

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Namesake")

Today's "365" Project (Do something with hands.)
"Grasping for 7"

7th Day of the 12 Days of Christmas!

7th Day of Christmas! Emily leaves tomorrow so I'll keep this one short.


I got her a 2DS.

She got me gloves!

I won today, but not to fear, I have a feeling Emily's going to knock it out of the park tomorrow!

12 Day's of Christmas!
Emily: 4
Michael: 3

Haiku of the Day:

Reprieve from hassles

A day spent in PJ pants

embracing the calm

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Nurture" from MW's word of the day.)

Today's "365" Project (Make a hat and wear it!)
"The Christmas Bug!"

6th Day of the 12 Days of Christmas!

Already sad we're halfway done with the 12 days. Today's match-up is really tough, so let's dive in!

I got Emily a speed scrabblesque word game called Bananagrams. We've played it before with family and friends, and Emily's an old hat at scrabble so naturally she's very good at it. I figured we have so many games that I love that we should at have some that Emily likes too. Not to say I don't love the game too, It's just that Emily is much better at it. She's also an amazing cribbage player but I'm terrified to play her at that yet. Maybe next year.

And lookie here! Emily got me a box for my one of my favorite board games! It's super high quality, comes with fancy card dividers and a whole extra special deck. I am all about it. Not to mention it provides TONS of spaces for the expansions I've been eyeing lately. Just you wait post-Christmas season. I'm coming for YOU.

This one is incredibly close, but I think it goes to Emily and here's why: It represents an acceptance of my weird gaming thing. By getting me a box to fill with my bizarre hobby is to say: I am totally ok with your continuing to collect this stuff and spend time and money on it. I accept you for who you are and what you do.

And my gift was more or less a banana filled with scrabble tiles.

12 Days of Christmas!
Emily: 4
Michael: 2

I'm in a sharing mood, so I'm posting some of Post-its I put together for last year's 12 Days. I made it up to 7 and then quit doing the drawings because I didn't feel like drawing more than 8 of ANYTHING.

"Partridge in a Pear Tree"

"Two Turtle Doves"

 "Three French Hens"

"Four Calling Birds"

"FIVE GOLD RINGS"

"Six Geese a Laying"

 "Seven Swans a Swimming"

Haiku of the Day:

Heart caught in the throat

Strangle the stress like a snake

plucked from the crabgrass

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Syncretic" from MW's word of the day. It's something characterize or brought about by a combination of different forms of belief or practice.)

Today's "365" Project (Make a book out of something other than paper.)
"Cheese Book"

5th Day of 12 Days of Christmas!

It's my brother Ben's Birthday! We sent this to his work today:

There were jelly beans in the tin that were apparently consumed to quickly. I guffawed.

Now where was I? Oh yes...TO THE CHRISTMAS!

Day 5 and the competition is getting fierce. After the pens, The Kuehn has decided the gloves are coming off. She went all out today with a huge box that contained:

THE MOST BAD-ASS RUNNING JACKET EVER!

It's apparently meant for cyclists but it got great reviews for runners too. It's bright, lightweight and full of pockets.


And in response I whipped out...

AN UMBRELLA!

Boston is harsh on many things, but umbrellas take a particular beating. So I opted for a premium option. It opens AND closes with the click of a button. Em and I are high citizens of the world today. But who takes the point for this unprecedented showing of thoughtfulness and utility? That's a tough one. But I think Emily takes it today for color. The orange is the special extra topping on the splendid shirt cake. And I just got a black umbrella. Laaaaaame.

12 Days of Christmas!
Emily: 3
Michael: 2

Tune in tomorrow to see if Emily can sustain her lead!

Haiku of the Day:

Hanukkah party
latke smell from below us
yay jewish neighbors!

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Oxymoron" from MW's word of the day. It's a phrase or pair of words containing contradicting ideas.)

Today's "365" Project ( Make something inspired by a skull. I made a festive Christmastime wreath centerpiece!)
"Boughs of Folly"

4th Day of 12 Days of Christmas!

8 days til Christmas! Woooo! I got Emily a much needed new item for the day. Drumroll please.....

badadadadadadADADADADADADADADADA *CRASH*

A LUNCHBOX!


And Emily got me....

Pens.

I'm actually elated for these because I'm constantly searching for pens for this very project. AND NOW I HAVE 60 OF THEM! The lunchbox is top-notch though and a much needed replacement for the one Emily needed replacing so I took this round.

12 days of Christmas!
Emily: 2
Michael: 2

Oh! And before I forget, here's a stat breakdown for week 25!!

Stats:
Running Mileage: 461.04/1,000
Push-ups: 4,325/10,000
Sit-ups: 4,325/10,000
Pages Read: 5,141/10,000
Books Completed: 14/25
Words Written: 44,863/100,000

Fasts (Days without)
Internet: 51/100
TV: 64/100
Gaming: COMPLETE 142/100
Meat: 54/100
Junk: 54/100
Booze: 35/100

Haiku of the Day:
Scarfing masala
during breaks in rehearsal
brings tummy great joy

Today's Drawing (inspired by the word "Prestidigitation" emailed to me by my father, David Chodos. It's magic tricks preformed as entertainment.)

Today's "365" Project (Make an indoor space feel like an outdoor space. I'm not sure I hit the mark, though it definitely looks like a different place...)
"Ape Inscape!"