Owen Belly Laugh

Hello all, wanted to share some video of Owen laughing hysterically at our friend Kristi playing with a towel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9wQRAsQNAI

Buffalo Wild Wings Stinks!

Last week on Tuesday I took Owen to BW3s to spend time with some friends since Wendy was busy enjoying Lion King downtown. I have decided, without a doubt, their wings are the crappiest on the planet. The are tiny and over cooked so badly you need to add water to eat them. I don't know why I continue to make this mistake every time I go there but cheap food sucks you in like a black hole.

24 is on tonight, Jack is going after the Chinese, should be interesting. That is about the only weekday TV I watch besides CSI. I just can't get into anything else. Nothing has struck my fancy besides those shows. When they both finally run their course I am in trouble. I guess I will catch up on my reading. Or maybe I will take the time to actually learn the Chinese language, that being Mandarin.

I do have a beef this week and it is with the CBS golf announcers. During the last round of the Masters all these idiots could talk about was how Tiger was going to win because of several factors. Those included the fact that he is Tiger Woods and all should tremble in his presence. Just because of who he is the rest of the field would clearly buckle and he would make his standard back 9 run to win his 5th green jacket. This pissed me off because instead of focusing on the fact that someone else was playing better all they could talk about is how amazed they were that both of those things did not happen. Poor Zach Johnson, barely getting his due until Tiger finally finished his normal, human looking, round of golf.

That ends my rant for this week.

Puerto Rico & Easter

I have been slacking with the blog lately but a lot has been going on none the less. Went to Puerto Rico with Patri, Maia, Wendy, Owen, Lisa, Mom and Dad. We had a blast and can't wait to go back again. Lots of pictures on the yahoo sight.

This weekend Von and Wendy's parents are in town for Easter. We will probably head out to eat tonight to a Chinese restaurant to eat great food somewhere. King Wok or Sichuan Bistro are probably the top 2 choices.

That is all for now, until the next time, get the beers in! Cheers!

Dinner

I am adding to my blog tonight for the benefit of my sister. We had steamed fish and assorted sides, see below:


Wendy enjoying our wonderful meal:

The Riker Big Dance

I just want to note I am in first place... :) GO UCLA! Click on the green link below to check it out.

RIKER MARCH MADESS Standings

SU Wins... Barely

Well the NIT started last night for my beloved Syracuse Orange. They beat South Alabama 79-73 on the back of Eric Devendorf's 32 points. Demetris Nichols forgot to show up but we were fortunate to win anyway.

Newcastle plays the 2nd leg of their UEFA Cup tie with AZ Alkmaar. Newcastle won the first leg 4-2 but AZ has those 2 pesky away goals to deal with. Ha'way the Lads!

Owen Rolled Over!

We had a monumental moment last night; Owen rolled over. The unfortunate part of this story is he decided to try his stunt at 10:45 PM. After which, he stayed up until 1 AM or so. The boy would not go back to sleep. He was just laying there all cockeyed at a 45 degree angle against the side of the crib and wailing his brains out.

First we tried to put him back on his stomach again. We are lying in bed and we hear this thumping noise coming from Owen's room. Wendy says "What is that noise?" I say "Sounds like he is kicking the side of the crib." So I go in and guess what, Owen has rolled over again but this time more successfully. He is just hanging out looking at his mobile. I walk in, he giggles at me and starts to play. This is when I know we are in for trouble and it could be a long night.

Almost 2 and a half hours later with about 97 feedings, Owen is finally getting groggy. Although he caught a second wind and decided to get up on his elbows, lift his head up all the while lying on Wendy's chest. He is cooing away, eyes are wide open and we are both laughing because we have no idea when this will end.

Finally, after his 98th feeding, Mr. O-Monster passes out. Praise the Lord, halleluia, thank you Jesus, Owen is asleep! Let our sleep commence...

SU Not Dancing

SU, for some unknown reason, other than the selection committee smoking dope, has not made the Big Dance this year. Jim Boeheim said "If 10-6 in the Big East isn't good enough to get in, then I don't think we should be in the Big East." I completely agree, WTF? My mom says it's better for the sanity of my dad and me, I disagree. I would rather have a hope and a prayer that SU could make a run. Wendy would agree with mom however.

The ACC, for whatever reason, which is the most over rated conference in college basketball, got 7 teams in. What a load of crap. I would like to see the 12 ACC teams take on the top 12 Big East teams. I think I have a feeling I know what the outcome would be.

I understand the selection committee has a very tough job but, when every analyst out there says your team should be in, what factors are the committee looking at to decide SU to be out? Hopefully this will piss these kids off and they will win the NIT. Based on the field they certainly are one of the top 2 or 3 teams in the NIT.

4 AM Meltdown and Serving Sizes

This morning we experienced the 4 AM meltdown by one Owen Riker. It was completely out of the blue which makes it kind of funny. Normally he works himself up to the primal screaming and it's usually a slow process. Not this morning, 0 - 100 in a nanosecond. So after laughing for a couple of minutes I went and got him so he could graze on mom.

Wendy and were talking about serving sizes today in the car on the way to mall. I was making the comment that if I was a cookie company, for example, I would double what a serving size should be. Wendy was eating these graham stick things and the serving size says 14 which equates to 130 calories. I said I would make it 28 cookies and 260 calories. Are companies not allowed to set serving size? Does it have to equal say, 8 ounces or something? Does it have to equal 130 calories? I am just wondering if there is anyone out there that knows the answer to these questions. Maybe Wikipedia has the answer...

SU Loses, Newcastle Wins!

SU lost yesterday in the Big East tournament to Notre Dame, 89-83. How can you possibly beat a team that shoots well from behind the arc and you don't. The answer is you can't, that is what makes March Madness well; MAD! Joe Lunardi, who writes for ESPN.com thinks we will be a 10 seed and play the Dookies in the first round. I hope that is true and I hope SU beats the crap out of them.

On a positive note, Newcastle United beat AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup, 4-2. From what I have read and the highlights I saw it was a deserved victory and probably could have been worse. The only thing that is troublesome is this thing they call away goals. Should AZ win the second leg 2-0, they would go through to the next round of the UEFA Cup due to away goals. The aggregate score would be 4-4 but because of the away goal rule, Newcastle goes home.

On another note... I don't know why men refer to teams as "Us" or "We". I am guessing we like associating ourselves with something that is greater than who we are. That however, is just a SWAG, a stupid wild ass guess.

I Appreciate Comments

Thank you everyone for your comments, I did not realize there was a setting that controlled such things. Wendy will appreciate the ginger comments as well.

I was just reading something about the most stolen cars in the US. It popped up in my MSN messenger as a link and I could not resist. However, it was the LEAST stolen cars that was of interest because to me, it is funny to see what cars pop up on there. Much to my non-surprised glee here is the list of least stolen cars:

Ford Taurus
Pontiac Vibe 4WD
Buick LeSabre
Buick Park Avenue 4dr

All American cars, are we truly surprised by this? I doubt it. All of these are truly some of the ugliest cars in recent memory.

Syracuse is currently giving every one of their fans another heart attack by keeping UConn in the game it seems. The score is 40-38 as I write this with 18:51 to go in the 2nd half. I sure hope to God they go on a run and put UConn out of their misery. One would think we are in the Big Dance but somehow I have a feeling if we end the season losing to both Villanova and UConn we are NIT bound. Honestly it would serve us right for not beating teams we should have all season long anyway.

Wendy and Tom Need Help!

Today was the big shopping extravaganza. We went to Costco, Target, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy and Biggs. We tried to do the smart thing and make a list especially for Biggs because we are always forgetting something. I ask this question, if you make a grocery list and don't use it is it a waste of paper? It's in our pockets the whole time but we fail to use it.

So long story short, going to all of these places must have created a brain leak because we forgot all kinds of stuff at the grocery store. Namely green onions, ginger and coffee creamer. The only reason I even bring it up is because we have made Chinese food 3 weeks in row and 3 weeks in a row we have forgotten to get green onions and ginger.

Green onions and ginger happen to be the 2nd and 3rd most important ingredients when making steamed fish. The same steamed fish Bob and Lisa could not get enough of the last time they were here. It's essential and we forget it the last 3 times we know we are going to make this dish for dinner.

On another note it's Sunday already which sucks, we have to go back to work already. Weekends are too short especially now with Owen. Oh well, back to grind so we can pay the bills...

A Night at Slims

Last night Wendy and I went to Slims, a small restaurant in Northside, Cincinnati. Adam and Andrea watched Owen for us so we could enjoy a date night for once. Cincinnati Magazine just rated Slims as the #4 restaurant in town so we were definitely excited to take the venture.

There are a few things that make Slims cool. The owner, Patrick McCafferty, looks like a college professor and drives a lime green scooter. Slims has communal seating, big tables so many people, even those that don't know each other, can eat and socialize with everyone around them. Slims is BYOA, Bring Your Own Alcohol; this way you are not held captive to the wine list provided by the restaurant. Last and probably the most important, you can get world class food for a Prix Fixe price of 35 dollars. No, that is not a typo, 35 dollars. If this restaurant was downtown, he could charge whatever he wanted and people would pay it.

The meal started with two freebie appetizers, one being duck confit on puff pastry and a yam mash on the same puff pastry. Both a tasty morsel to start the evening off nicely.

Next came our appetizers, Wendy had the Vatapa. A sublime combination of curry, coconut, onions and tomatoes. I had one bite and was wanting more but Wendy drained the bowl. I had the Shrimp and Scallop Seviche, which again, was a wonderful combination with just enough spice to spark the palate.

For the official second course we each had the Crab, Mango and Avocado salad. This my friend was the highlight of the evening and worth the price of admission. It was delectable, creamy and melted in your mouth. The added Spanish influenced spice made it the most enjoyable and tasty dish of the evening. I could have eaten this salad for my meal. All they needed to do was find the biggest plate they had of the stuff and I would have been in heaven.

In between our salad course and main course we received a cheese plate with 3 different kind of cheeses and some roasted grapes. We also received a mango sorbet to cleanse the palate for our main course. Onto the main courses...

Wendy had Lamb Shanks on top of a Cuban flavored polenta which was fantastic. The lamb fell off the bone and had no hint of gaminess. Overall the flavors meshed well together but unfortunately one of the shanks was a little overcooked.

My meal was very good but I think erring on the conservative side was a mistake. I had the Pork Tenderloin which came with a mash that had so many flavors it was almost tongue overload. The pork came with, what I would describe as, a bechamel sauce flavored with a lot of butter and white pepper which complimented the pork nicely. It unfortunately saved the dish because the pork was over cooked and chewy. I could not believe after all of the master pieces we had eaten so far my main meal could be so disappointing.

Last and not least and probably second best thing we ate last night was the Pear Gelato. It was simply magnificent. It was so good I can not even do it justice here, you simply have to taste it for yourself. My mouth is watering as I type this right now.

Overall the evening was fantastic, we left undeterred and cannot wait until our next trip to Slims. I think the next time however, I will go for the gusto and order something with a little more pizazz. Wendy was very happy with her meal but mine being so simple, seemed to be handled with not as much care. I would have to guess had I ordered something more flamboyant I would have been happier with my main course meal.

March Madness Soon Cometh

There are 3 or 4 sporting events that supersede all others when it comes to Tom Riker's level of interest. It is more or less a meter that I measure all other sporting events by. Call it what you wish but there they are in order:

1) World Cup
2) English Premier League Season
3) March Madness
4) College Football Bowl Season

My wife would probably add a few more to this list but, since it is my blog her contribution is minimal. This is not the Sports Guy blog where the Sports Gal gets to have her sidebar interjections on basically nothing in particular. Anyway, as you can see, #3 on the list is quickly approaching and my divorce might be imminent, I just don't know it yet. :)

March Madness is only a week away with conference championships starting next week. If you love college basketball this is your time of the year. You can watch 3+ games every day of conference championship basketball. It's a spectacle to behold that is for sure. If you don't have a job you can stay up until 2 in the morning watching teams battle it out for NCAA tournament bids. Those who would like to keep their jobs and stay married should probably watch in moderation.

Syracuse won again last night which extends their current winning streak to 5. They are now 10-5 in the Big East and if they win again this weekend could get a bye in next week's Big East tournament. They have won the Big East tournament 2 years in a row and have been bounced in the first round of the NCAA's two years in a row. 4 games in 4 days takes it's toll as noted by the last 2 years.

Owen is now a crazy bouncing baby. If you have not seen him go berserk in his jumper look at my posts below. There are some videos that show how crazy he is when excited. Also check out Wendy's blog for updates on his 6 month check up. Apparently he was very serious and got in a stare down with the good doctor. He was pretty crabby after receiving 4 shots yesterday but like I said, nothing the jumper couldn't fix.

Another thing he is doing is making screeching noises to get our attention. If he is playing or bouncing in his jumper he will make crazy noises so you will look at him. It's not good enough to just play, oh no, we have to make sure mom and dad are watching at all times. Of course it is worth it because when you do turn around he gets the biggest smile on his face anyone could imagine. We are truly blessed with a wonderful baby.

Newcastle has moved to the bottom of the page because they lost to the 16th placed team in the English Premier League. It disgusts me to think we would put in such a paltry effort when European football is so close and within reach. Missing a penalty also does not help and has cost us a few points this year. There is always next year and hopefully the injury list will be much smaller than this year. We need guys like Michael Owen in the lineup day in and day out. Next year could be very exciting should our team stay healthy. Ifs, ands or buts; coulda, woulda, shoulda. We will see.

More Owen Bouncing

Bouncing Baby Boy

Owen Videos:
Sumo and His Mobile
Kill da Wabbit

CHINESE HOROSCOPE - RABBIT
2007 is the year of change for the Rabbit. 2007 is neither a lucky nor an unlucky year for Rabbits. This Year of the Pig is one of change. Whether the end results are positive or negative, they will each bring you to the next phase of your life.

'Star San Tai' and 'Star Jiang Xing' are the stars in your Central Palace (Central Constellation), and this will seemingly have Rabbits focus on certain needs for their relatives and community within this year. You will have the opportunity to deal with important matters or other topics, as well. In addition, you may decide to change your name to a prior one, or even one from your family's history.

Do not be disillusioned by your lack of accomplishment in 2007! The goal for you this year, Rabbit, is to focus on transformation. From the possibility of uprooting you and your family to a new location, to the possibility of a new career, change is in the air for you. You must allow yourself to recognize this so you are not frighted by how the year will reveal.

There will be no help from others this year; your energy will not allow that to happen, and this will affect many other things. From the way your tides of fortune flow; from your personal riches, to your relationships, and finally, to matters of health will all be of consequence. It is of importance that you become thrifty this year in all areas. This means you need to put aside some extra money, store a supply of provisions, and resist expending too much emotional energy. While it may be hard for you, Rabbit, you must limit how much you offer to others this year.

While this may dismay you, this year will teach you much, and will bring about a fresh drive to your life. In fact, you may even feel energized by it! 2007 is the impetus that will alter the years ahead, leading you to much luck, joy, and pleasure from 2008 and beyond.

Famous Rabbit: David Beckham, Brad Pitt, Hilary Duff, Bertie Ahern, Drew Barrymore, Harry Belafonte, Ingrid Bergman, St Bernadette, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, James Caan, Nicolas Cage, Thomas Carlyle, Lewis Carroll, Fidel Castro, John Cleese, Confucius, Marie Curie, Johnny Depp, Albert Einstein, George Eliot

What up people? Last night was another exciting episode of 24, the show that makes you go crazy you have to wait another week to watch. This year's version is interesting due to Jack Bauer's suicidal tendencies, truly bazaar and a break from years past. Also, finally a season with no inside help for the evil doers.

Wendy is finally back in the swing of things with work, although her days are spent on the phone and in meetings it seems like. I guess that is what happens when you are smart and are able to organize lots of people for a big project.

Owen seems like he is getting ready to explode either crawling or running around. He cannot sit still that boy. I better get my soccer field setup downstairs so he can run around down there without causing too much destruction. I think I am going to have to put rubber padding on everything I have a feeling.

The Daytona 500 is done, Kevin Harvick beat Mark Martin by a nose. too many crashes though, NASCAR needs to figure something out so these guys are not acting like idiots at the end of a race. On another note I have entered a NASCAR pool here at work. I thought I was going to end up dead last after the first week because the driver I pulled out of the hat was #6, David Ragan, some rookie I have never heard of. Fortunately for me, after all of the wrecks he finished 5th, truly amazing. Wendy was making fun of me all afternoon because every time I checked on the race he was laboring in 38th place or something crazy. I guess there is something to be said about hanging out in the back like it's a Sunday drive, avoid the wrecks and finish 5th.

The Ice Death is upon us! Or so the locals say. The grocery stores are crammed with people who are going berserk because of this goofy storm that is going through Cincinnati as I write this. You would have thought the apocalypse was coming with the way people are acting. Plus with the idiot drivers on the road that think 4 wheel drive makes it possible to go 100 miles an hour on ice it makes for an interesting experience. Note to those who have 4x4s, ice does not give a rats patootie about 4 wheel drive.

Here is a picture of ICE DEATH!

Wendy went back to work recently and let me tell you, getting her up in the morning is like trying to wake up a hibernating bear. DON'T DO IT! Even writing this one may think I am crazy but she would even admit she is a little unbearable in the morning. I just go with the flow baby.

Newcastle and Syracuse won this past weekend so that makes it a good weekend as far as sports go in the Riker household. The Orange are driving my father and I nuts these days, they are as inconsistent as it gets. I don't want to talk about it anymore because I will probably have a stroke sitting here typing this.

Owen is laughing at everything these days. It is a joy to have such a happy baby. He is getting bigger and stronger by the day. I swear he is going to walk before he crawls. He loves standing up and, one day before I even know it, he will be running around this place like a tornado.