Category — Daddy Toys

The wife has finally given me the ok to jump into the digital age. We have been spending time at a friend’s house who has a nice HD TV and Mommy Bacchus has finally seen what all the fuss has been about. I have had plans to start getting some for the house, but not until next holiday season. Fortunately for me, she has loved watching TV in HD and wants to contribute funds to the cause. So off I went to the internet and did my research. Talked to some friends and a good buddy developed the below list that I found very helpful.

• Darkest blacks possible
• 120 Hz is better
• DLP is the best for the price
• LCD is the best picture
• Plasma has a better picture but they’re about to be discontinued because of problems
• Mitsubishi probably the best big screen maker
• Measure how far your seat is from where the TV will be and get that distance away at the store
• Go HDMI – go digital its worth it but don’t buy expensive cables because digital is always digital – a 1 is a 1 and a 0 is a 0
• Fry’s is a good place to shop – online is a better place to buy
• Go with the picture you like the most and pay few hundred extra if you have to. You don’t want to be stuck with a TV you’re not happy with a year down the road and you could’ve spent just a few extra bucks.
• The TV will look bigger in your house than it does on the show room – trust me on that one

We were limited in the size that we could get, but got the best we could afford and fit in the space we planned for it. MB had been talking with her friends and decided that because of the two active kids we have, she made one hard requirement.

The Ultimate Mommy Toy: HD Flat Screen TV Wall Mounting

Because a couple of MB’s friends had children involved with some type of accident with the flat screen TV, she insisted that the TV be mounted on the wall. Initially it didn’t bother me because the mounts I saw in the stores cost a $100-200, but the real problem was the cost to get someone to actually do the mounting for you. Wow!!!! It was almost the cost I paid to buy the TV. I bit the bullet and got someone reputable. MB knows that I am good for finding a friend of a friend, but mounting a TV is not something you want to trust to just anyone. I decided to go with Circuit City Firedog service, and hopefully everything will go well.

Now What???

Since we needed the TV mounted and the existing TV stand would have to be taken down, MB thought that I would just leave the TV in the box and wait until the installers came. Nope, not gonna happen. I had the TV out of the box within 30 minutes after we got it in the house. Put it in the bedroom for the time being and watched my first show on fuzzing regualr TV. Oh, did I forget to mention that I now need to get a new satellite box that will bring the HD signal to the new TV. Oh, and you need to purchase HD wiring, Oh, and you need HD package for your satellite service……..IEverytime I looked up there was another “Oh.” I just hope everything will turn out ok. If anyone can think of anything that I missed, please share what you know.

Yes, my oldest son has found his calling. I am now rest assured that my retirement can start immediately. To say the least, this rhyming talent has Mommy Bacchus horrified, and I have been admonished for encouraging such behavior. Her real issue is that he sometimes uses inappropriate words that can make first-time listeners uncomfortable. I say that parental encouragement with obvious talents can only help a child achieve success in other endeavors. Plus, with a little practice and training and (we) could win a Grammy.

See his latest work and you be the judge.

Boomp Boomp, Chalk;
Da Boomp Boomp, Chalk
Wash your hands,
Wash your hands,
Wash your stinky underpants…..
Boomp Boomp, Chalk,
Da Boomp, Boomp, Chalk

Repeat Chorus: over and over until you drive Mommy Bacchus crazy.

Look out Jay Z, BJ from Dallas, is coming at ya.

The winter months usually has my skin feeling like a brown paper bag in the mornings. For years I have searched for a more affordable solution that has an acceptable smell and convenient to purchase. Because my skin gets so dried out during the winter I am usually forced to purchase an expense over the counter moisturizing product that is hard to find. The one sure thing I have used is the bath and body works body cream products but that works well for the wife and kids but the scents don’t go well with my personality, if you know what I mean. Plus paying $ 12 for 8 oz of a product.

Last year I ran across a new Gold Bond product that came in a small travel-like container that I used primarily for my dry hands. Once they came out with a larger version of 14 oz for body use I was sold. No more dry skin in the morning and I still use it for my hands. I have shared it’s use with friends and some men use it after shaving as an alternative to after shave balm. My oldest son uses it for his dry skin and the wife looks for it when she runs out of her products. Overall its a product I highly recommend and suggest its use. It can be found at any drug store or discount super store. You may have trouble finding it so look on the top and bottom shelves.

Good Luck my fellow dry skin people.

I took advantage of a free promotion to get a satellite radio for my new car.  My commute to work is at least an hour each way and music and radio options are very critical for me. So why would I recommend this very trivial radio device as a parenting toy? 

Disney Radio in crystal clear digital sound

We get disney radio in Dallas, but it is an am station and well, you know how am sounds.  Pitiful

This has been a wonderful option to listen to with BJ in the car.   MB (Mommy Bacchus) has gotten on me too many times for playing my advanced musical tastes while he is in the car, especially since he is able to memorize the words. Black-eyed peas is an example….

Once I got it set up and installed, (cost me an extra $80 because I broke my ac vents it was supposed to sit on) having so many musical options will be just like you switched from regular to cable TV.  When I got cable, I remember staying up all night just switching through the channels.  Satellite radio will give you the same experience.

Admittedly, I drove around the city for an hour just trying out all the various options and became giddy with glee….

So I highly recommend you consider this option for the kids at least, and Oprah and Friends, Disco dance, 1980's, 1990's, Jazz, hip hop and about 200 other options.  I am sure you will find something that will suit your tastes. 

A couple of months ago my Rio MP3 player I used while working out at the gym crashed and caused me to be in the market for a new player.  I purchased the Rio a couple of years ago and thankfully, also got the protected service plan.  I had to send the Rio back to the factory and wait for my refund.  Since I have to have my music while hitting the weights (treadmill), I immediately considered getting an IPod. I had been using ITunes for about 6 months to purchase songs that other providers didn't have and created some pretty cool playlists to listen to at work.  I settled on getting the 1 gig Nano($149), because it was the same cost of what my refund for the Rio was going to be. Naturally, three weeks later I could have gotten the 2 gig for the same price as I paid for the 1 gig.  Don't you hate when technology does that to you. It almost makes you not want to make the purchase in the first place.,

While at the store the salesman talked me into picking up additional earplugs that were better than what the iPod came with, and boy was he right.  I purchased a pair of Sony Noise reduction plugs ($49( that look just like the IPod version, but they sound ten times better.  Of course a sports arm-band was required and off I entered the new age of electronic music.  Within a couple of hours,  I realized why iPods have received so much hype and couldn't believe how easy my new nano was to use. 

Transferring my playlists from my computer to the iPod was as simple as a drag and release. I have ventured deep into iTunes and purchased a couple of  a dozen more songs to further complete my collection.  I will try to share some of my finds at a later time, but the true test was my recent airline trip for work.  This was the first time I would have to test the noise reduction earplugs on the plane.  I was pretty excited about the opportunity because I already realized from working out at the gym that almost all outside noise is exterminated.  They work so well, that I have to use a cheap pair of headsets when BJ is in the gym's kids club, because I can't hear the overhead announcements if they are paging me.  Now that's a resounding recommendation. 

I was hesitant to pull out the nano while waiting for my flight and wanted to get the full affect while in the air.  Once the pilot turned the seatbelt sign off, I popped my plugs in my ears and set the nano to randomly play my tunes.  What an experience!!!! No air sounds, or engine rumbling could be heard, just Ray Charles belting out his greatest hits…..

If you haven't joined the rest of the world, put this on your holiday shopping list and make sure you go for the upgraded earplugs from Sony.  You won't miss with this one…..

UPDATE: Now you can get an 8 gig nano for the price I paid for my 1 gig.  I'm not mad, this just gives me reason to consider upgrading again and giving the 1 gig to (MB) Mommy Bacchus.

Copyright 2006 Jason Briscoe

The other day I was bringing in groceries from the car and Bacchus Jr. (BJ) wanted to help. He likes showing me how strong he is by lifting the 2 liter bottles and putting them into the pantry.

BJ: “See my muscles daddy.”

Me: “Wow they are getting bigger, you must be eating your vegetables and drinking your milk.”

This goes back and forth for a few minutes until he’s done, but today was a little different. I had just dropped off some packages and started making my way back to the garage and while my back was turned I heard this.

BJ: “See my muscles daddy; I can open the refrigerator all by myself.”

Me: “That’s great BJ, you are really getting strong.”

As I continued into the garage, I envisioned a foggy dreamlike image of the future. I saw BJ at the age of 17 bent at the waist and staring endlessly looking into the refrigerator. He wasn’t moving anything, just staring into the frig as though the food would jump out at him. I was seeing this from a distance and the first thing that came to mind was something my father used to say to me.

Dad: “Close it, or lose it.”

In other words, stop letting all the cold air out or I’ll lose my foot up your @#$%^%&. Yes, I was turning into my dad. My thoughts were becoming my dad's thoughts and that’s ok.

I guess this is just one of the many things most dads go through, but extremely enlightening to me. So I gathered up my groceries from the car and came back into the kitchen and found BJ no where in sight but the scene below.

Now that BJ is strong enough to open the refrigerator, we need to work on him being smart enough to close it.

Mommy Bacchus (MB) had a flat tire Friday evening and first thing Saturday I was in line at Discount Tire.  If you haven't tried Discount Tire, then you don't know what you're missing.  Fast, friendly, affordable and they actually appear to be having fun changing your tire.   The agent asked for my home phone# and I proceeded to give him my cell phone#.  He couldn't find me in the computer, so I realized that he needed my "real" home phone#.   It was at that moment that it dawned on me that I now give out my cell# more often than my home#.  If I see an old buddy from college on the street, he gets my cell#.  The Doctor's office, the dentist, and even my dry cleaner were all getting my cell#.  I had drastically increased how often I give out my cell#. 

It's funny how times have changed.  I remember a time when you only gave out your cell# to family and friends.  Now I am using my cell# as my official point of contact.  It's the quickest and best way for me to get and return your call.  If I am in a meeting at work, I am notified that I have a message and can return your call within the next couple of hours.  I can't remember the last time I listened to my messages on my home phone.  If they didn't call me on my cell, then it must not be very important.  I have heard of people getting rid of their home land lines and solely using their cell, but I never thought about doing this until recently.   Our world is becoming wireless, cell phones, laptops and now printers. What's Next????

I'm a bad fresh fruit picker

After the fourth time of bringing home non-ripe/overripe fruit, Mommy Bacchus has banned me from ever bringing home fruit again.

7-Eleven Coffee

I have finally found fast food breakfast coffee I can enjoy.  Starbucks doesn't count because it takes me at least an hour to get out of there. If 7-Eleven only had a coffee drive-through, then that would be perfect

BBQ Ribs

I have finally become comfortable with my BBQ ribs recipe/cooking method.  I will share later in another post.

Father and Son Burping

I have learned that BJ has finally learned the technical aspects of burping just as loud and as obnoxious as his dad.  Please don't ask me how I know this; Mommy Bacchus will just get pissed off.

Have you ever received a gift from your child and wondered what it was suppossed to be? Well, that's how I felt this past Father's Day.  I received this object from BJ and I had no immediate idea what it was, but I quickly fell in love.  It was made in school, by my child and I didn't care how ugly it may appear to others.  My son made it with love and I love him for it.  I began to put it in the box under my bed where I kept his other crafty gifts he's given me and fell in love with the entire collection of no-name, hand prints, colored paper work, and lumps of clay.  Evidently his teacher secretly asked the mothers to bring in objects that belonged to the fathers so that this gift could be made.  Mommy Bacchus gathered a number of items I kept in a can on my dresser, and this is the result.  This is the official list of items

• Listerine cool strip pack
• Honda Key chain fob
• Eye-glass screw-driver kit
• Dress shirt collar-stay
• Golf Ball
• Random Business Card I will never use

These are the special moments no one tells you about when it comes to becoming a parent.  By far this is my favorite gift from him to date (Still waiting on the wide-screened HD TV), and I decided to take the entire collection of items out of the box and display them with pride around the house with the exception of this current givt.  Tomorrow morning this is going to work with me and placed prominently on my desk.  I will use it as a paperweight or use it as a conversation piece. No what it's ultimate use will be, I will smile each time I see it.

Congratulations to the Miami Heat organization and their fans.   The Dallas Mavericks had an opportunity to win, but let the Miami Heat take it from them.  Miami definitely wanted this more and it showed.  What a series come back and my hat's off to the Heat. 

Although I am disappointed in how the Mavericks played the last four games, I am more disappointed in the lack of professionalism the Mavericks organization displayed.  From the top down, it seemed like a virus was infecting the team.  I disagree with any whining about officiating.  Fouls and the lack of calls are part of the game.  A team should factor the lack of calls into every game and KEEP a lead long enough so fouls don't matter.  The whole situation left a bad taste in my mouth.  What makes matters worse, next week I go to renew my season tickets with my business partner.  Mark Cuban has caused me to go to therapy so I will send him the bills.