Family Quality Time

More Katie Media

Katie does Commercials!

Video: Commercial

Thanksgiving

We had a "just us" Turkey Day this year. I think this officially make Sharon Drive home. Karen's family is addicted to food events and has the need to share photographs of the big meals. This is not any weirder than my need to show off Wet Dry Vacs, but it just as weird.

Photo Album: Thanksgiving

Wedding Album, Hip and Now

I am a slow learner. I do not usually like songs until years after their release. I have to admit I like this one. It is catchy pop and doesn't pretend to be more. I think the theme is great for a wedding album. I don't understand why it "doesn't do anything" for Pete.

Here it is, the Danger Mouse collaboration... Gnarls Barkley with Crazy.

Wedding Album, Lovey Dovey Songs

No wedding soundtrack would be complete without some adoring, saccharine songs. This proves a few things. Vicky is getting lucky this time. In every way Mike just interpreted that line! Last time around was not such a good move. There was way too much pressure to do as God intended and live with it. Not enough thought was spent on how to make the best of things. I expect this time she will be happier.

Mike gets it. He hides it well, but he does know what is happening. The next few postings of his more humorous choices will not overshadow the fact that he is in love.

Cue the sap:
You and Me (Wedding Version)
100 Years
UPDATE: I was so taken away while blathering on about my hopes for the new couple I forgot to mention the Track vitals! Track 4 "You and Me" is a song by Lifehouse. This track and "Hanging By A Moment" should be playing on your radio about now. "100 Years" is a great track by "Five for Fighting" who also called "Superman" that you also heard on the radio or the Smallville sound track. Hopefully all this information is in the MP3 metadata for your reference.

Wedding Album, Wedding Singer Track

One back story on this track is William Broad wrote it in protest of his little sister getting married to a man which Billy did not like. I hope that is not why this track made it to the album. It's been said before, but I like Mike.

My sister did not have the best start on life, but pulled herself through way more shit than I will ever be able to pull through. Mike is like an antidote for that. He can make light of any situation without missing the real gravity of it. It is a great thing for a woman who forgets to laugh and is anticipating the worst.

I really don't know what she is freaking out about. She has it down. Husband, family, house and new Honda CR-V. What else does she want? She has "made it." Did you scan that, Vic? Take a chill! Enjoy a little.

Hopefully this track is on the disc for its popular ties to the Wedding Singer movie. Maybe it is another reason, Mike? Care to clarify?

Track: White Wedding

Wedding Album, Track 2

Mike has long followed the output of a boy named E. It seemed improbable that at least one eels track would not make it on the album. E is all over the charts in style and tone, but always manages to speak some truth in the oddest possible way.

For much more information, free tracks and a directory for another slice of the music world check out the main EELS page.

Anyway on to the track: Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)

The Wedding Album

My sister got married again. She married Mike. Mike has great taste in music and passion for collecting songs and band information. He doesn't have music bLog like Pete, but he could not resist the publication opportunity provided by a wedding with lots of guests. He compiled some songs relating to the event, love and the modern definitions of it. He then burned a disc for each guest.

Mike also has an odd sense of humor so most of the songs has a double meaning. Either to him or someone in the families. I ripped them all in to iTunes and started the search for humor and meaning in each track.

Mike gets along famously with my niece Caily. There were even jokes in the toast about being the same mental age. So the first featured track from "The Dugan Wedding Album” is a short little tune form the Bouncing Souls called, "I Like Your Mom"

Website: Bouncing Souls

Katie and WWE

Katie caught a gig on WWE's Smackdown. She was "arm candy" to Super Agent M. V. P. and watched Vito make an (and show his) ass to everyone by wearing a dress and not much underneath to wrestle. Given that Charles is such a fan I consulted with him and found the evidence1 of her involvement with Professional Wrestling.

1 WWE Site updates have removed the evidence

Independence Day

Independence Day Weekend is a big deal for the Melchers. Dad’s birthday on the 5th, Mom’s history interest, fascination with fireworks and summer’s irresistible call to be outside for any reason.

As previously mentioned my mother is a history buff with a particular interest in this nation. They were here July Fourth so we needed to take in some fireworks. We took them to the Rawhide 1860's Western Town for a day of storytelling and re-enactments with a side of Chuck Wagon cookouts and fireworks.

Photo Album: Rawhide Western Town, Wild Horse Pass, Ak Chin Reservation
Photo Album: Fireworks over Chandler, AZ

Melcher Canyon

The canyon is a fantastic sight that must be witnessed to be appreciated. Everyone that comes to Arizona wants to see "The Canyon" and none are disappointed.

Photo Album: Grand Canyon

Desert Inspired


Sedona inspired Caily to draw a picture for me. It has the Red Rock in the background. There are two kinds of palms from our yard. The big Mesquite tree crushing our wall. She even included two type of cactus form the drive.

Melcher Visit

My mother complained about our move to the desert as being just too far! This complaint fell on deaf ears when I learned that a trip to Las Vegas was planned for last year a few weeks after we moved. It seems Vegas is not "too far" but I was. This year my cousin planned to get married again. The wedding was in Colorado. This was also within her perplexing travel limits as Colorado is so much closer than Arizona?

Having toppled this myth we earned a visit from my parents. My niece Caily made the trek with them.

Sedona features the rusty rock formations that are alien and mystical. It has obvious evidence of ancient culture everywhere. My mother is a history fanatic, especially American History including the original inhabitants.

Caily seemed more impressed by the art village called Telaquepaque.

Photo Album: Sedona

Damien Performs


When a pine cone on a stick combines with a special hat, the world is a stage for a 2 year old.

Ocho Rios


We made it to Sandals again this year. We gave Brett a graduation gift, one week in a Jamaican paradise with his girlfriend. He loved it. We got to vacation at Sandals. Win, Win.

Photo Album: Ocho Rios

Walsh Canyon


The Walsh women were out to AZ and we included a Canyon trip in the itinerary. This was the second trip to the canyon. It is a very popular attraction for the family.

Photo Album: Grand Canyon

Pat's Run


Jill flew out here with her girls Pam and Theresa. It was springtime and warm so the trip was primarily a pool play and relaxation event. It was not ALL about rest. They all participated in Pat's Run.

Photo Album: Pat’s Run

Pat Tillman played football. He played for ASU, the Arizona Cardinals and then instead of the NFL he enlisted with the Army. He was Killed in Action. This memorial run and fund raising event was a perfect day.

Nieces Today

Karen's sister Jill and her girls Pam and Theresa are arriving today. I will fetch them from Sky Harbor after work today. We will see them this weekend and they fly out on Tuesday.

The girls are into pools, so most of the entertainment is probably going to be in the back yard. I will try to interest them in the local attractions though. I don't really know much about "Scottsdale for Kids" though. My favorite places involve food and drink.

Gift Card Conversion


This was a Gift Card Only Christmas. Since we fly in and fly back home we need to keep the gifts from the family to a “carry on” minimum. I spent my Home Depot Gift Cards on a Wet Dry Vacuum. It is a completely guy thing to proudly show pictures of your Wet Dry Vac. My excuse was to show the folks at home what they "really" got me for Christmas.

Mohawk


My sister always had trouble with the rules. Apparently, so will her son.