A Boy Named Tracy

Any one observing Lent this year? If so, What are you giving up?

Stuff for Sale

It’s time to clean house!

We have several things we are looking to sell. We’re going to make this available to you all, our friends and family, for 1 month and then what is left will go on eBay.

If you’re interested in an of these items, just email either Amy or me with your offer.

• HP Pavilion a1245c PC with 19” LCD monitor and all accessories - $400 OBO
  Four year old tower PC. You can find all the specs here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00503717&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=1152517#
• Nintendo DS Lite (Cobalt blue) - $75 OBO
  This is in great shape, no scratches either on the case or screen, has been in a Nerf case since we got it (case not included). Charger included, but will need replacement stylus.
• Power Wheels Orange Harley Davidson (battery needs replaced) - Make Offer
• Sony DVD Player (with remote)
  Two years old, great shape.
• A set of Bose 141 Series Bookshelf speakers. - Make Offer
  Paid $80, here’s the review of them http://www.epinions.com/review/elec_Home_Speakers-Bookshelf_Bose__01-Bose_141/content_179194400388
• Sony receiver - Make Offer
  Not sure the wattage. Has a short in one of the speaker connections.

We have several other items I will post soon. Also, I will try to get photos out for these things.

Modern Family gets the family dynamic right

There are very few TV shows that Amy and I watch. I like The Office and American Idol. I also watch Heroes, not so much because I like it, but because I’ve seen every episode and I’ve dedicated myself to stick with it until the end (which hopefully is soon because it hasn’t been good since Season 1). We also watch Man Vs. Food on the Travel Network and occasionally some shows on the Food Network. Other than that, we don’t really watch that much TV. Until this year.

When I first saw the previews for Modern Family I thought it looked funny. Then I watched the pilot episode and was hooked. Not only is it funny, it nails the family dynamic to a “T”.

Something that has bothered me over the past several years is how the dad/husband in the family always seems to be the moronic one set straight by the “boss” of the family, the wife/mother. Shows like Everyone Loves Raymond, According to Jim, and King of Queens all stereotype men as shallow and unaware of their surroundings, and the women as the strong, smart ones.

What I love about Modern Family is that everyone (including the women) is messed up. The family is one big dysfunctional mess throughout the first 20 minutes or so. What happens after that is both surprising and refreshing. Modern Family teaches us a lesson. It teaches us that despite their shortcomings and failures they are still a family.  And in the end, if they stick together they can not only endure, but grow as a family.

Isn’t that what we’re all after?

More on Modern Family

• Visit the Modern Family official page on ABC
• Modern Family on TVGuide